China appeals to WTO over EU's final ruling of countervailing measures on Chinese EVs: commerce ministry

Xinhua) 08:03, November 05, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday appealed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the EU's final ruling of countervailing measures on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), according to China's commerce ministry.

China firmly opposes the final measures of the EU to impose high countervailing duties on Chinese-made EVs, despite a barrage of objections raised by relevant parties, including the governments of EU member states, the industry and the public, said a ministry spokesperson.

To safeguard the development interests of the EV industry and global cooperation on green transformation, China decided to make the appeal to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, the spokesperson said.

The complaint followed China's previous appeal to the organization against the EU's initial anti-subsidy measures for Chinese EVs, according to the ministry.

China believes that the EU's ruling, lacking factual and legal basis while violating WTO rules, is an abuse of trade remedy measures and a practice of trade protectionism in the name of countervailing, the spokesperson noted.

China has urged the EU to face up to its own mistakes, immediately correct its illegal practices, and jointly safeguard the stability of the global EV industrial chain and supply chain as well as the overall China-EU economic and trade cooperation, the spokesperson said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Trend of adhering to one-China principle unstoppable: spokesperson

Xinhua) 09:13, November 05, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to open a new chapter in its relations with countries that have not established diplomatic relations, including Palau, on the basis of the one-China principle, a spokesperson said on Monday, stressing that the trend of adhering to one-China principle is unstoppable.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to respond to Palau president's comments on China.

According to reports, Palau's incumbent President Surangel Whipps, who is also a candidate for the general election, claims that China has been ratcheting up pressure and asked him to sever the country's "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan. Another candidate Tommy Esang Remengesau Jr. denied analysis and comments labeling him as pro-China.

Mao said that around the world, 183 countries have already established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle, noting that the prevailing historical trend of endorsing the one-China principle is unstoppable.

Only a very small number of countries in the world, including Palau, still maintain the so-called "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan region, Mao said, adding that such practice not only goes against the interests of these countries and their people and against UNGA Resolution 2758, but also violates China's sovereignty, and thus needs to be corrected.

"China urges these countries to fulfill their obligations under international law, stand on the right side of history and make right decisions that truly serve their fundamental and long-term interests at an early date," said the spokesperson.

Mao quoted a Chinese idiom, "those who suit their actions to the times are wise." She said it will be welcome for China to see people with vision in these countries to recognize the prevailing trend of history and the times and respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and choose to stand on the right side of international fairness and justice at an early date.

"It's never too late to make new friends. China stands ready to open up new chapters for relations with these countries on the basis of the one-China principle," Mao said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Machinists union president Jon Holden greets members late Monday in Seattle after announcing they voted to accept a new contract offer from Boeing, ending a six-week strike. Lindsey Wasson/Associated Press Ed Lutgen shows off his tattoo while waiting to hear the results of the union vote late Monday in Seattle. Lindsey Wasson/Associated Press A volunteer sorts votes on a new contract offer from Boeing at the IAM District 751 Union Hall in Seattle. Lindsey Wasson/Associated Press

SEATTLE  Factory workers at Boeing Co. voted to accept a contract offer and end their strike after more than seven weeks, clearing the way for the aerospace giant to resume production of its bestselling airliner and generate much-needed cash.

Leaders of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers district in Seattle said 59% of members who cast ballots agreed to approve the companys fourth formal offer, the third that was put to a vote. The deal includes a 38% wage increase over four years as well as ratification and productivity bonuses.

However, Boeing refused to meet strikers demand to restore a company pension plan that was frozen nearly a decade ago.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The contracts ratification on the eve of Election Day cleared the way for a major U.S. manufacturer and government contractor to restart Pacific Northwest assembly lines the walkout idled for 53 days.

Bank of America analysts estimated last month that Boeing was losing about $50 million a day during the now-ended strike, which did not affect a nonunion plant in South Carolina where the company makes 787s. Nonunion operations at Port San Antonio, where Boeing employs 3,000 people, also were unaffected by the work stoppage.

CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a message to employees that he was pleased to have reached an agreement.

While the past few months have been difficult for all of us, we are all part of the same team, Ortberg said. We will only move forward by listening and working together. There is much work ahead to return to the excellence that made Boeing an iconic company.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

According to the union, the 33,000 workers it represents can return to work as soon as Wednesday or as late as Nov. 12. Ortberg has said it might take a couple of weeks to resume production in part because some workers might need retraining.

The average annual pay of Boeing machinists is currently $75,608 and eventually will rise to $119,309 under the new contract, according to the company. The union said the compounded value of the promised pay raise would amount to an increase of more than 43% over the life of the agreement.

Mixed reactions

Its time for us to come together. This is a victory, IAM District 751 President Jon Holden told members while announcing the tally late Monday. You stood strong and you stood tall and you won.

Reactions were mixed even among union members who voted to accept the contract.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Although she voted yes, Seattle-based calibration specialist Eep Bolano said the outcome was most certainly not a victory. Bolano said she and her fellow workers made a wise but infuriating choice to accept the offer.

We were threatened by a company that was crippled, dying, bleeding on the ground, and us as one of the biggest unions in the country couldnt even extract two-thirds of our demands from them. This is humiliating, she said.

For other workers like William Gardiner, a lab lead in calibration services, the revised offer was a cause for celebration.

Im extremely pumped over this vote, said Gardiner, who has worked for Boeing for 13 years. We didnt fix everything  thats OK. Overall, its a very positive contract.

Union leaders had endorsed the latest proposal, saying they thought they had gotten all they could though negotiations and the strike. Along with the wage increase, the new contract gives each worker a $12,000 ratification bonus and retains a performance bonus the company wanted to eliminate.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

It is time for our members to lock in these gains and confidently declare victory, the local union district said before the vote. We believe asking members to stay on strike longer wouldnt be right as we have achieved so much success.

President Joe Biden congratulated the machinists and Boeing for coming to an agreement that he said supports fairness in the workplace and improves workers ability to retire with dignity. The contract, he said, is important for Boeings future as a critical part of Americas aerospace sector.

Bidens acting labor secretary, Julie Su, intervened in the negotiations several times, including when Boeing made its latest offer last week.

Layoffs looming

A continuing strike would have plunged Boeing into further financial peril and uncertainty. Last month, Ortberg announced plans to lay off about 17,000 people and a stock sale to prevent the companys credit rating from being cut to junk status. Those layoffs, like a furlough program that began earlier in the strike, will hit Boeings operations in San Antonio and elsewhere across Texas.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The strike began Sept. 13 with an overwhelming 94.6% rejection of the companys offer to raise pay by 25% over four years  far less than the unions original demand for 40% wage increases over three years.

Machinists voted down another offer  35% raises over four years, and still no revival of pensions  on Oct. 23, the same day that Boeing reported a third-quarter loss of more than $6 billion.

The contract rejections reflected bitterness that built up after union concessions and small pay increases over the past decade.

The labor standoff  the first strike by Boeing machinists since an eight-week walkout in 2008  was the latest setback in a volatile year for the aerospace giant. The 2008 strike lasted eight weeks and cost the company about $100 million daily in deferred revenue. A 1995 strike lasted 10 weeks.

Boeing came under several federal investigations this year after a door plug blew off a 737 Max plane during an Alaska Airlines flight in January. Federal regulators put limits on Boeing airplane production that they said would last until they felt confident about manufacturing safety at the company.

The door-plug incident renewed concerns about the safety of the 737 Max. Two of the planes had crashed less than five months apart in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people. The CEO at the time, whose efforts to fix the company failed, announced in March that he would step down. In July, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud for deceiving regulators who approved the 737 Max.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Mondays vote puts Boeings future back on more solid footing.
Inside every young male MAGA dipshit there are two very stupid wolves. (Its basic science, people.) One wolf is Donald Trump, who tells young men that they, like him, should be able to do and say whatever they want without ever suffering any consequences. The other wolf is Joe Rogan, who tells them that their parents were wrong to scold them for calling Pope Francis a cuck. There is probably also a third wolf, too, one that stages elaborate trick-shot stunts on YouTube or dispenses disgusting dating advice on Twitch or something, but I am over 40 and can only keep track of so many wolves. The first two wolves are the only ones we need to worry about today.

There has been a lot of commentary over the past few months about how and why so many young American men seem to be embracing the political right. While I suspect there are fewer hard-core young MAGA bros than the think-piece industrial complex would have you believe, Id also bet that the guys who do fit that description are probably also big fans of Joe Rogans podcast. On Monday, Rogan endorsed Trumps presidential bid, about a week after the candidate sat for a rambling and fatuous interview with the podcaster in which the two men flattered each others biases and said very little of substance over the course of a three-hour race to the bottom. If any of this surprises you, then you clearly havent been paying attention to Rogans show or its trajectory over the past several years.

Five and a half years ago, when I profiled Rogan for Slate after listening to hundreds of hours of his podcasts, I deemed his show the factory where red pills get sugarcoated. While many of his guests were intellectual dark-web types who had axes to grind about cultural Marxism and shadowbanning and cancel culture and other amorphous reactionary boogeymen, Rogan himself continued to insist that he was himself a liberal who agreed with most left-of-center political positions. This self-identification clearly didnt last, and Rogans own trajectory illuminates the pathway by which young men might end up on the MAGA side of the fence.

Related From Slate The One Clarifying Moment From J.D. Vances Outrageous Joe Rogan Interview Read More

These days, The Joe Rogan Experience is for all intents and purposes a right-wing podcast that also sometimes interviews people like Adam Sandler. On the show, the stand-up comic and MMA commentator hosts a variety of guests from the worlds of arts, business, academia, and politics. Many of these guests are also the sorts of people who might unironically use phrases like the woke mind virus; many of them have made a cottage industry of disparaging our top cultural and academic institutions as diversity-brained indoctrination centers in which elitist cultural commissars conspire to stop white men from getting a fair shake. Rogan coats this reactionary commentary in a veneer of inquisitive good humor, always insisting that hes just asking questions, rarely acknowledging that the questions hes asking are very, very stupid.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Rogans bailiwick, in other words, is not dissimilar to Donald Trumps. Both men enjoy speculating about conspiracies and disparaging the woke left; both men like to ask bad questions while refusing to listen to complex answers; both men privilege plain, inarticulate talk and performative masculinity; both men are fond of endorsing products of dubious merit. They are the twin wolves of the young male MAGA soul, and if Trump is the cool older rich guy whom these young men want to be like when they grow up, then Rogan is the funny cousin wholl smoke them up while encouraging them to drop out of college and instead sign up for a Jordan Peterson seminar. They all deserve each other, and the rest of us deserve better than them.
In case voting for president, senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives werent enough for you, there are also hundreds of local races to keep track of. Some are state initiatives that align with national political divisions, most of which concern abortion rights, the decriminalization of marijuana or psychedelics, and the minimum wage. For the completists, Bolts Mag has a superb guide to more than 500 races.

In the nations biggest cities, meanwhile, voters will determine the fate of mayors, sheriffs, criminal justice reform, regional mass-transit projects, school governance, and real-estate developmentcontests that dont always break down neatly along party lines.

Heres what to look out for:

School Policy

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson squeaked into power in a runoff election last spring, when voters chose the former teacher and union organizer by 15,000 votes. Since then, hes faced a mutiny on the Chicago school board over whether the district should take out a high-interest loan to cover a new contract with the Chicago Teachers Union, for which Johnson was an organizer. Coincidentally, on Tuesday, Chicagoans have their first chance to elect 10 members of the school board, following a change in state law. The vote will be a test for Johnson, the most left-wing big-city mayor since Bill de Blasio, and a referendum on the union.

Mass Transit

Atlanta, Columbus, Nashville, and Phoenix are some of the cities where voters have the option to raise the sales tax to fund mass-transit projects. In Georgia, the penny tax increases are on the ballot in Cobb and Gwinnett counties, which make up Atlantas prosperous northern suburbs, and would commit more than $20 billion to bus rapid transit and other transportation infrastructure if approved. The opposition is made up of antitax groups who say Atlantans prefer their cars, and they succeeded in defeating a similar proposal in Gwinnett in 2020.

A smaller initiative is on the ballot in Nashville, where advocates will try to improve on an effort to raise money at the ballot box for mass transit in 2018, which failed by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. In spite of those setbacks, voters in other car-centric cities, like Austin and Los Angeles, have used plebiscites to back mass transit in the past. The question is: Do voters in these sprawling cities still think mass transit is worth funding in a postpandemic landscape of remote work and lower ridership?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Open Streets

Every two years, East Coasters get to have a laugh at the Bible-length ballots in California, where the work of lawmaking seems to have been entirely delegated to voters on Election Day. A good example of this was how, in 2022, San Francisco had not one but two ballot measures to determine whether a park road should remain closed to cars. Well, it worked, so those crazy pedestrians and bike riders are back with another citywide referendum on whether they should turn a different streettwo miles of the oceanfront Great Highwayinto a permanent linear park. Politicians have generally been happy to let cars take back the space they lost during the pandemic, but voters may have more guts.

Advertisement

The Post-COVID City

Also in San Francisco, Mayor London Breed (a centrist by SF standards) is in a tough reelection campaign, with challengers from her left and right. The citys voters, the Chronicle says, have grown dissatisfied amid intertwined crises of drug addiction, property crime, homelessness and an economic decline downtown. Tough job, digging a city out of COVID. Mayors in San Diego, Austin, and Salt Lake City are also up for reelection, while Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao faces a recall vote.

Related From Slate An Incredibly Detailed List of What Time the Useful Stuff Will Go Down on Election Night Read More

Portland, Oregon

Portland is similar to San Francisco in that nobody likes the mayorbut hes not running for reelection. Instead, voters must pick between 19 other candidates for mayor! And 92 candidates for 12 seats on the City Council! Shovel, please. Thank God for ranked choice voting.

Law and Order

Many of these races hinge on post-COVID perceptions of violent crime, which was a big problem in 2021 and 2022 but has since receded, and disorder in the form of homelessness and drug use, which remains a daunting problem in many cities.

Advertisement

A deputy of former Sheriff Joe Arpaio is running for sheriff in Maricopa County, home of Phoenix, where voters can also support a statewide initiative that would allow homeowners to withhold property taxes if their cities do not sweep homeless encampments.

Advertisement

Sheriff races in Harris County (Houston); Charleston County, South Carolina; and Cobb and Gwinnett counties, in Georgia, hinge on the question of whether local law enforcement should collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In Los Angeles County, polls suggest that progressive District Attorney George Gascon is trailing in his reelection campaign to a former Republican who says the incumbent is soft on crime. California will also be voting on a state referendum for harsher sentencing in shoplifting and drug cases; major backers include Walmart, Home Depot, and Target.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Then theres one race that goes against the grain: Baltimore is voting on mayoral control of the police force, a progressive policy priority nine years after Freddie Gray was killed in the back of a police van.

Housing

California will once again vote on whether to allow cities to institute rent control. Similar proposals failed by double digits in 2018 and 2020. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Charlotte, and New Orleans are some of the cities that could allocate public money for the construction of affordable housing.

In Baltimore, meanwhile, Question F gives voters the option to rezone the citys Inner Harbor, removing deed restrictions on 4.5 acres of parkland and allowing the fading Harborplace mall to be redeveloped as a mixed-use area. Mayor Brandon Scott is in favor; opponents say its a land grab.

Flag

Finally, in Maine, voters will decide whether to change the state flaga big test for Roman Mars and the 700,000 members of r/vexillology. Polls show that the race is close, and Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, has decided to stay out of it.
Slate has never officially endorsed a candidate for president. But we have, since 2000, revealed whom Slate staff members are voting for. This year is no different, and the outcome wont be a surprise if you are even a passing Slate reader: Slate is overwhelmingly (but not entirely!) voting for Kamala Harris.

Its a different world than when we did this last in 2020 (and 2016, 2012, not to mention 2000). Four years ago we were still deep in the pandemic, locked down, working from home, and home-schooling. People had started to move around the country, whether to be closer to family for child care, or to more affordable areas, or even to more desirable ones. This ended up being good for lots of people and for Slate; our staff is more geographically dispersed than ever before, which means we have perspectives from across the country in our coverage. The lives lived that inform our votesand what they are voting for, down the ballotare quite a bit more varied than before. Slate editorial folks currently reside in Texas, California, Illinois, New York (City and upstate), Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida, D.C., Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Utah, and, soon, New Hampshire. We may not have a Trump voter in our mix, but we do have the perspectives of folks who live in reddish areas. More important: We can hire the best folks for Slate, no matter where they put down roots. This is good.

We could have decided to officially endorse Harris this year. But there wouldnt be much of a point. First, given that we write with perspective, voice, and opinion, our feelings about the candidates are already crystal clear (especially when it comes to Trump, who has been present in presidential politics for a decade). Two, consensus in the wake of the mess at the Washington Post seems to be that endorsements dont meaningfully matter in terms of election outcomes. I believe we all knew that, but what an endorsement has allowed mainstream publications to do is make a case not just for candidates but for values; an endorsement for Harris signaled a belief in fact and in democracy, not to mention highlighting the important connection between journalism and those two fundamentals. It is not partisan to admit that.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

At any rate, because we had a sense of where wed land on the top race, we asked two new questions of staff who voluntarily shared this year: who they think will win the election and why, and whether theres a ballot initiative or down-ballot race where they live that is motivating them. With this project we strive to be transparent. Were showing you who we are, and who makes Slate, well, Slate. Hillary Frey, editor in chief

Advertisement

Shirin Ali, associate writer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: The possibility of a second Donald Trump presidency terrifies me! Im worried women will lose access to birth control and technology like IVF could be severely restricted. Im also scared of how Trump will inevitably corrupt the processes of the federal government, which may never be reversed. At the same time, Im excited to see a woman of color at the top of the ticket and I want to support that.

Who do you think will win this election? Donald Trump

Why: Kamala Harris campaign has felt underwhelming and I dont think shes been successful at creating a compelling or specific pitch to voters. Theres also the issue of the Gaza war, which she has not really touched in a meaningful way, that I think will come back to bite her, particularly in swing states. Ultimately, my guess is that Harris hasnt made a strong enough case for why people should vote for her, and theyll stick to Trump or go third-party.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: In New York, Im voting on Ballot Proposal 1, which would enshrine a ban on discriminating against ethnicity, origin, age, disability, sex, and pregnancy in the states constitution. It also would ban discrimination against New Yorkers who seek access to reproductive health care. Given the threat of another Donald Trump presidency and the fact that there are no federal protections for abortion, I feel enshrining womens right to health care at the state level is the only avenue left. Plus, protecting minorities in the divisive state of this country is also incredibly important.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Holly Allen, designer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Health care rights, womens rights, human rights, and to restore decency and sanity.

Who do you think will win this election: Total coin flip.

Why: With just days to go, neither candidate is emerging as the clear winner.

Rosemary Belson, associate podcast producer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Honestly, there are almost too many reasons to list. But reproductive rights and civil rights are two of the strongest motivators besides, you know, ensuring the ability to vote in future elections.

Who do you think will win this election: Kamala Harris

Why: Here in Wisconsin there are a lot more Harris/Walz signs now than there were Biden/Harris signs in 2020. Dont get me wrongthere are still a lot of Trump/Vance signs. But there dont appear to be as many, even in Waukesha County.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Im particularly paying attention to the Senate race in Wisconsin: Tammy Baldwin vs. Eric Hovde.

Jeffrey Bloomer, editorial director

Who you are voting for this year: Already voted for Harris

Why: Uncomplicated vote for meshe is competent, experienced, and broadly supports the type of government I want to see.

Who do you think will win this election? Ive had a sinking feeling for Trump for a few weeks. Currently experiencing perverse optimism this country is finally tired of him.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Im very, very tired of Democrats (even and especially in New York!) running essentially right-wing ads on the border and immigration. Everyone I know in politics calls these necessary to assuage independents and tells me to ignore them. I think they will leave lasting damage.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Christina Cauterucci, senior writer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Donald Trump has encouraged and empowered the worst impulses and people among us. I also believe that the struggle to protect democracy from encroaching authoritarianism is the most important fight of our time.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: I think she stands a very slight chance of winning, mostly because I doubt that the infrequent (unlikely) voters Trump relies on will be as highly motivated to turn out for him a third time around.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Initiative 83 in D.C., which will bring ranked-choice voting to the District. Its a solidly democratic way to make sure peoples preferences are accurately reflected in races with more than two candidates. And, D.C. has 345 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, each serving as an elected advocate for about 2,000 of their neighbors. They dont make policy, but their recommendations carry weight with city agencies making decisions about zoning, public space, transportation, etc. It just so happens that Slates own Mark Joseph Stern lives in my neighborhood, and his husband is running to be our commissioner! It was a great pleasure to cast my vote for Tyler, who has already managed to secure street-safety improvements in the accident-prone intersection in front of his own home. I cant wait to be a constant, annoying presence in his inbox if (when!) he wins.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Paola de Varona, senior editor

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Im choosing to put my vote where I think I can do the most good: I want someone in office who will try to do something about the abortion bans killing women, the climate emergency that is already ravaging our towns, and the affordable housing crisis. And you know, I dont want a man accused of sexual assault and who is a well-known racist (and surrounds himself with them) as the president of my country.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: Im optimistic that a majority of people who lived through 20162020 will remember what a Trump presidency was like. The horrors Ive seen reported out of Palestine, and co-signed by a Biden administration, will stay with me for life. But if theres one thing Trump taught us during that time, it was: There is always room for him to go lower than you could have ever imagined.

Advertisement

Robin Dickerhoof, copy editor

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Lots of reasons, but mostly: Fascism is on the ballot.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: I cannot for one second mentally entertain the option that Donald Trump will win.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Cameron Drews, podcast producer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: My vote is definitely not a full-throated endorsement of Harris and the Dems, who continue to support brutal attacks on civilians in Gaza and Lebanon. Harris comments on the matter have been cowardly and embarrassing. But theres a lot at stake here. Trumps mass deportations would be horrifying, for one thing. We cannot risk another term of chaos. We also cannot risk more Trump-appointed judges.

Who do you think will win this election? Donald Trump

Why: I worry that the Dems are no match for Trumps lies and racist scapegoating. He once again has convinced a huge swath of voters that immigrants are the biggest barrier to prosperity, even though they obviously arent. The Dems meanwhile have tried to keep up by shifting right, but theyll never beat Trump at that game. Theyll just keep alienating reasonable people who would be happy to show up for them if they had stronger progressive principles, better messaging, and convincing plans of action.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: In New York, we get to vote on an equal rights amendment that will hopefully enshrine some important protections into state law. So Ill vote YES on that. We also have a bunch of proposals that I will vote NO on. They are basically power grabs by Mayor Adams, and the language on the ballot is intentionally misleading to voters.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Madeline Ducharme, podcast producer

Who you are voting for this year: I opted not to vote in the presidential election and only vote on the local issues and candidates on my D.C. ballot.

Why: I would be answering all this differently if I lived in a swing state and my vote actually had an impact on where some electoral votes would land. But I dont live in a swing state and in 2020, 92.1 percent of votes here went for Biden. The reason I am not voting for Kamala Harris is Gaza. In the three months since she became the nominee, she has shown again and again that there is no daylight between her approach to this horrific carnage and Bidens, even when prompted again and again by activists, reporters, and American family members of the deceased in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Because I already know that D.C.s three electoral votes are going to Harris anyway, it felt like an extremely affirmative act to cast my vote for her. As a queer American, a journalist, and someone hoping for a progressive future, I absolutely do not want Trump to win. At the same time, my Arab grandfather was born in Jerusalem before 1948. He was dispossessed and stateless for many years. Though he passed away in 2020, Ive been thinking of him nonstop throughout the last year. I just cant bring myself to cosign so much slaughter and destruction.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: Trump hit his ceiling of support years ago, abortion is a top issue for so many Americans, and her ascending to the top of the ticket energized so many Democrats.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: I voted for Initiative 83 here in D.C.! It would bring ranked-choice voting to the District and allow for independents to vote in the Democratic primaries in D.C. (aka the real part of our electoral process considering how blue we are). I really believe that it would make our system more small-d democratic!

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Hillary Frey, editor in chief

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: There was absolutely no way ever in the history of my life on the planet I would cast a vote for Trump: not in 2016, 2020, or now. On top of his worship of dictators, his disgusting treatment of women, his racism, his egoism, his nonsense (The weave!), he promulgated an insurrection because he was too insecure to accept defeat. Also, I hate liars. I cannot stand to look at him or hear his voice. So, obviously, I am voting for Harris. I have never been particularly idealistic even if I have always been organically liberal. I am a second child, born to erstwhile-Republican parents (they are registered Independents now), who learned to negotiate early and create peace. I say this because I am neither rallying for Harris nor dissing her: I am just voting for her. If she wins, I hope she delivers on affordable housing and taxes the fuck out of billionaires. Then, Ill cheer.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: Because I got a good night of sleep last night and ate a wholesome dinner and am not currently staring into a black hole of despair.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Prop 1 in New York, because it will strengthen protections for access to abortions in New York state, which we need in case of federal bans or laws that would limit it. You might think: Oh why does New York need that? Its so blue! But I say: take no chances. Lets amend the New York Constitution!

Advertisement

Advertisement

Henry Grabar, staff writer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Donald Trumps plan to arrest and deport 10 million people is at the top of the list for me.

Who do you think will win this election? My model says its a toss-up.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Expanding the standard minimum wage to covered tipped workers. The tipping system is bad and I think this is a step toward a fairer system for service workers. (Though, to be sure, not all of them agree.)

Advertisement

Rob Gunther, senior podcast producer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Im deeply uncomfortable with the VPs refusal to even consider withholding support and funding for what many experts and firsthand witnesses say is an ongoing genocide in Gaza. But I believe the alternative in another Trump presidencyincluding the possible further erosion of abortion rights, as well as a promised series of detention camps along the border as part of a plan to expel millions of fellow human beings from our countryis a future too dangerous to gamble on a protest vote.

Who do you think will win this election? I have no idea.

Why: I would have bet any amount of money that Trump was going to lose in 2016.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: In New York City, Eric Adams, our criminally indicted cartoon-villain clown show of a mayor, has several ballot initiatives proposed that would expand his power as part of an attempt to revise the citys charter. I voted no on Props 26 and would urge fellow New Yorkers to do the same.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Mary Harris, host, What Next

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: I mean, obviously.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris, by a hair.

Why: Ground game. I think the Dems are way better on this than the GOP this year.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Not really. I voted on NYs abortion measure, and voted against all of the bizarre Eric Adams measures.

Aymann Ismail, staff writer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Figuring out how to vote felt cruel. Part of me just wanted to cancel out the die-hard Trumper in my mostly immigrant neighborhood. But this time, with everything happening in Gaza, I feel sick about it. Its impossible to ask someone Arab to support people whove criminalized pro-Palestinian voices on campus and keep giving Israel cover while our bombs kill babies with names and faces just like mine. Seeing those anguished parents, those orphaned kidshow do you not feel like voting for Democrats anyway is like humiliatingly saying there is nothing they can do to lose our vote? Its disgusting that they put us in this position, and refused to even consider what it means to ask us to vote blue. So when my mail-in ballot came, I filled in the bubble for Kamala, but couldnt even bring myself to send it in right away. It sat on my kitchen counter for nearly a month while I kept going back and forth, wondering if I could live with myself for voting for her. In the end, yeah, I mailed itbut it still feels wrong. Im not proud of it at all.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: Trump seemed like a shoo-in, but hes doing everything he can to sabotage himself. He keeps exaggerating his crowd sizes, has tripled down on tariffs even though his own supporters dont buy that itll fix things, and that comedian making fun of Puerto Rico? I think thats going to hurt him big time in places like Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, the enthusiasm for Kamala is huge. Even though Im angry about how things have gone during the war in Gaza, you cant ignore the groundswell around her. Plus, it feels like womens rights are on the ballot, and I think thats going to be a huge factor for a lot of voters.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Womens rights feel like a huge factor in this election, especially with the outrage over abortion rights. That recent story of the mother denied care who diedits shaken people, and its clear a lot of people are angry. Republicans havent done themselves any favors, either, coming across as downright weird and out of touch whenever they talk about women. The year 2025 has a lot of people worried, and the party hasnt done enough to distance itself from those extreme views. And that comment about whether they like it or not? Just weird.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Derek L. John, executive producer of narrative podcasts

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Trump is unfit.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: I still believe in the basic decency of the American people.

Derreck Johnson, designer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Because I have common sense.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: Momentum. The quantity of motion in a moving body. And the more motion that moving body has, the more difficult it is to stop it. Its science.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: In California, Proposition 6 is a constitutional amendment to end indentured servitude in state prisons, which many consider the last remnants of slavery.

Fred Kaplan, columnist

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Mainly because Trump is a danger to the country and the world, but Harris also shows promise, more than the Biden people allowed her to.

Who do you think will win this election? I dont know. Like most people, Im not good at making predictions. If I were forced to bet the house, Id say Harris, but that may be my hopes talking.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Any and all Democratic candidates for U.S. Congress, no matter who they are, in order to keep the Senate and win back the House.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Alex Kirshner, contributing writer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris.

Why: I believe in Donald Trumps boundless capacity to make things worse, even things that are already so vile that it takes real imagination to envision them getting worse. I hope to deny him the chance to test his God-given potential.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris.

Why: People do not like this guy.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: I voted yes on Proposition 33 in California. This was a confusing measure to me, because real estate forces who would like housing to be more expensive have run an effective campaign that muddied the waters for me quite a bit until I did my research. I want California to have more housing people can actually afford, and I expect Proposition 33 will aid that effort.

Advertisement

Isabelle Kohn, senior editor

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: A real lesser-of-two-evils situation for me! I dont think shes perfect and I wouldnt have picked her over other progressives, but bodily autonomy is incredibly important to me, and even though the Dems toe the line of the status quo in a way that doesnt excite or impress, they seem to be way less hellbent on controlling individual peoples biologies and health choices. Im also deeply committed to the part of the Constitution that demands separation of church and state, and Kamala isnt running on a platform that forces Christianity or other religious beliefs on people. Do I think shes really going to change anything? Unsure, but I would like to remain free to believe what I want to believe and do with my body what Id like to do.

Who do you think will win this election? Probably Trump

Why: Because why would anything good happen ever! The country is going to shit. People love that shitty man in a uniquely delusional way.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Dan Kois, staff writer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: I think she is a pretty solid candidate with some useful policy plans, but this year I would vote for a large honey-roasted ham for president if it landed a spot on the Democratic ticket.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: I think a very slim majority of peoplesay, 50.2 percentin four American states are really good at heart.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: In the county board race here in Arlington County, Virginia, the chief issue is the countys missing middle zoning policy, which was intended to allow the construction of multifamily units on property formerly zoned only for single-family homes. The policy was a well-thought-out, ambitious plan for beginning to address the housing crisis in our D.C. suburb. A bunch of rich Arlingtonians sued and, this fall, won, so now the entire policy needs to be rewritten. I think this policy is exactly the kind of experimentation that a community like ours should be engaging in to change the housing dynamics in this wealthy county, and I want a county board that remains committed to the revolutionary idea that six-bedroom, $2.5 million McMansions are not the only kinds of houses that should be built here. So Im voting for J.D. Spain, the one candidate who supports the policy.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Scaachi Koul, senior writer

Who you are voting for this year: Im not.

Why: I cant! Felon or immigrant? You decide.

Who do you think will win this election? Xanax sales.

Why: Oh, I think you know why.

Katie Krzaczek, senior editor

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Harris is not my ideal candidate, but shes the only thing standing between maintaining a (generally) functioning democracy and a second Trump term. The biggest issue for me is reproductive freedom. I live in Pennsylvania, where abortion is still legal, but I dont want to live in a country where my rights to health care feel so precarious, or where people in any state are restricted in the choices theyre able to make for their own health and safety. Im casting my vote for Harris with far less hand-wringing than I would have for Biden, though given the state of our two-party system, I would have voted for him, too, even after voting uncommitted in the primary in protest of the war in Gaza and in solidarity with Palestinians. Theres just too much on the line to allow Trump to take office again.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Josh Levin, editorial director, Slow Burn

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Looking forward to saying goodbye to Donald Trump forever, whenever that may be.

Who do you think will win this election? I have no idea!

Dahlia Lithwick, senior legal correspondent

As a Canadian citizen, I cant vote in the U.S. But I wrote about women voting this election.

Ben Mathis-Lilley, senior writer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: I usually vote for the candidate in any given race who is less pro-Hitler.

Who do you think will win this election: Kamala Harris

Why: You can read my column about it, but basically its just this: For the last six years Democrats have won most of the elections in which a mainstream, normal Democrat runs against a Trump Republican.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: I am voting for the slate of school board candidates in our town who say they think the school districts administrators need to communicate better with parents, because its true that the school districts administrators could stand to write clearer emails. I wouldnt say this is particularly important relative to the survival of democracy in the United States, but its the only down-ballot issue I have to weigh in on in northern New Jersey at the moment.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Susan Matthews, executive editor

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: I would be voting for whoever was running against Trump, but I also want to cite the relief I felt when I watched Harris accept the nomination at the Democratic National Convention. Yes, she promised to maintain the most lethal military in the world and I do not value thatbut we have gone through this very abbreviated campaign pretending (wishcasting?) that maybe were past the double standards Americans have for women leaders, and particularly women of color. The other day, I was mindlessly scrolling Instagram when I came across something to the effect of: Imagine how theyd be talking about Kamala if shed had children with three different men and had cheated on one of them with a porn star. These kinds of comparisons are out of vogue; it has been hard to summon back the outrage we felt about Trump in 2016 this third time around. But I am ready for America to elect a woman.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: As the person who put this list together I had the advantage of submitting my own last, and everything is tilting in her direction. Knock on wood !

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Im particularly excited to vote on Proposition 1 in New York state, which intends to enshrine the right to abortion and additional protections for all kinds of people in the state constitution.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Natalie Matthews-Ramo, designer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: It is weird to me when people say you should vote for whoever will make YOUR life better; my vote isnt for myself. Im a cis, straight, middle-class, U.S. citizen, white ladyIll be fine. My vote is for the vulnerable who I fear will be at risk under a Trump presidency. Im worried the Supreme Court could swing even further right with any new appointees and turn back LGBTQ+, immigrant, and female reproductive rights.

Who do you think will win this election? I cant think about this without spiraling out into full panic. So, I dont know!

Why: I still have PTSD from Trumps first win. The country is so divided on how to solve our problems. Some seem to want to burn it all down. Some seem to want to just pray them away. Im not sure either party has great solutions and that is why we are so divided.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Womens rights and the Supreme Court justices. My biggest concern is that another justice will step down, and Trump will nominate another conservative justice to take their place who will abuse that power the way the court is now with rulings against abortion and presidential immunity.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Seth Maxon, senior editor

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: The threat of Donald Trump is an existential one, to American democracy and, at minimum, to tens of millions of lives and livelihoods in the U.S. and overseas (including in Israel and Palestine); he must be stopped from regaining the terrifying power of the presidency. The only other person who can win this election is Harris, and though she is not my ideal president or Democratic candidate, I believe she will hold the line on maintaining the bare-minimum basics of democracy at home (a low but vital bar), and is persuadable through political and activist pressure to change her positions for the betterbe it on immigration or on American policy toward Israel-Palestineto something more humane than what she has campaigned on. The choice is no choice really: Its autocracy or Harris.

Who do you think will win this election: Donald Trump

Why: All evidence says that anything can happen. But I know people who have voted Democratic for years who are not voting for Harris for beliefs they hold to her right, and others not voting for her for beliefs they hold to her left. I think her strategy to focus the final two months of her campaign on reaching out to erstwhile moderate Republicans will backfire and depress turnout, among young voters in particular. I think she will lose Michigan, and her path to victory from there seems very difficult. The polls are so close as to be a coin flip, so her winning will not shock me. And I feel it necessary to caveat that this is only a vibe, and I dont know what will happen; nothing would surprise me save a landslide in either direction.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Prop 1 in New York state would amend the state constitution to enshrine abortion/reproductive rights and would outlaw, in the same amendment, discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy. Its really important to strengthening and maintaining equal rights for all in the state, as theyre likely to be continually attacked and degraded at the national level.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Abby McIntyre, managing editor

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Its a pretty obvious choice between a well-qualified Harris, who actually seems to care about the American people she would represent, and a self-serving bigot who plans to take the country backward in as many ways as possible.

Who do you think will win this election? Donald Trump

Why: The media and misinformation atmosphere has grown so fractured and broken that we are not even speaking the same language as many of the voters in this country, and I just dont see any way to bridge that gap, unfortunately.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Ill be curious to see whether Elissa Slotkin can hold off Republican Mike Rogers in the Michigan Senate race here. This is for the seat of retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow, so its slightly more up-in-the-air than usual and not a slam dunk for Dems. Rogers is significantly less popular than Trump, so if he manages to win, thats a bad sign for the Electoral College in addition to making it nearly impossible for the Democrats to hold the Senate. But Slotkin has faced a lot of (mostly false) xenophobic and fear-based attacks over ties to Chinese companies, and she also failed to earn a key endorsement from farmers.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Laura Miller, columnist

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: For a lot of positive reasons, like reproductive freedom, and to stop Trumps antidemocratic movement.

Who do you think will win this election? Harris

Why: I think the Democrats ground game is better and that women are highly motivated to regain their reproductive freedom.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: In Maine, Im voting to keep Jared Golden in office and for a measure to limit the power of super PACs. Also, to bring back the pine tree flag!

Advertisement

Alicia Montgomery, vice president of audio

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Im Black and so is my child. The idea of a violent racist taking hold of our country and my hometown of Washington, D.C.especially with the SCOTUS immunity decisionterrifies me, and it fills me with shame to think that me and my generation have squandered the opportunities our ancestors died to give us, and that my child will suffer because of it.

Who do you think will win this election: No idea.

Why: Polls have been wonky for several cycles. Their accuracy depends so much on predicting which groups will vote and at what levels, and the electorate is too volatile for any of them to be reliable.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: If the top of the ballot goes wrong, none of the rest matters.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Jim Newell, senior politics writer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Imagine if theyd just given The Tonight Show to Trump in 2014 

Who do you think will win this election? Im not telling!

Why: As I have regularly told myself since the 2016 election, whenever the temptation arises (as it often does): Its not my job to make predictions.

Rebecca Onion, senior editor

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: I have my misgivings, mostly Gaza-related. But when it comes to the potential for any kind of federal climate action, there is no comparison between these two choices.

Who do you think will win this election? Please dont make me say!

Why: I am deeply superstitious.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Ohios Issue 1! Not only would this measure depoliticize redistricting, which will help my states politics reflect the preferences of its voters more accurately, but also, its been the subject of a lot of ratfuckery from GOP elements who want to see it fail, and are trying to confuse people by messing with the language theyll read on the ballot. Vote Yes on 1!

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Nitish Pahwa, associate writer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Its a travesty that the criminal, hateful, coup-inciting, blatantly authoritarian Donald Trump could potentially return to office, this time surrounded only by administration loyalists. I share many voters concerns over how a Harris administration would deal with Gaza, but lets also be clear: Trump would be far worse for Palestinians, for Palestinian Americans, and for their allies in every possible way. Its not even close. New York will give its electoral votes to Harris anyway, yes, but the national popular vote tally is still important.

Who do you think will win this election? N/A

Why: In my opinion, its not only a fools errand to guess, but also foolish to try to game out how the ultimate transition of power will shape up, either wayTrump and his cronies are already planning another coup attempt if he loses, after all.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Like many other New Yorkers, I am voting No on Props 26, all of which are attempts by Eric Adams and his allies to cripple the power of the City Council. I am voting yes on Prop 1, however, and I think its important to explain why. This proposition is an equal rights amendment that would enshrine protections for reproductive rights and the LGBTQ+ community in New Yorks state constitution. Unfortunately, Republicans here have attacked Prop 1 with cruel anti-trans messaging, not at all dissimilar to the dehumanizing language theyve levied against transgender Americans in ads playing out in so many other states. And New York Democrats have been cowardly about defending and standing up for trans kids, who have been targeted and bullied, and stripped of their right to medical care, in so many parts of the country. I am voting for Prop 1 because I believe in gender equality, and that includes the civil rights of transgender Americans of all ages. It is sickening to see how much theyve been persecuted by one political party, and how feckless the other political party has been about standing up for their rights. This has to end. (And just in case anyone needs a reminder: Democratic darlings Roy Cooper and Andy Beshear won their gubernatorial seats in much more conservative states in part by fully defending trans children. What are NY Democrats good for if they cant follow their example?)

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Shannon Palus, features editor

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: I hope to have a kid during the next presidency. In the words of Washington Post humor columnist Alexandra Petri, who took it upon herself to endorse Kamala when the paper wouldnt: I care which world my kid gets born into. I also live here myself.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: I have made a conscious choice to just assume the outcome will be good. Im not being delusional about itno merrily heading to a bar to watch the results like in 2016!but no good can really come of actively worrying about this, for me, right now.

Willa Paskin, host, Decoder Ring

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Who do you think will win this election? This is a jinx.

Anna Phillips, podcast producer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Im disappointed Biden didnt step aside earlier and allow time for an actual primary. I wouldve liked the chance to vote for a more progressive candidate. However, the possibility of a second Trump presidency is terrifying, and Harris is by far the obvious choice.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: Im confident Harris will win the popular vote, but Im less confident in how the Electoral College map will shake out. Im hoping that enough Trump voters have gotten fatigued by him over the past eight years, but its hard to tell with the polling so close.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Ill be voting yes on Prop 1, a ballot measure in New York that would enshrine reproductive rights into the states constitution, as well as prohibit discrimination based on things like gender identity and national origin. While I dont think that abortion access in New York is immediately at risk, the attacks on reproductive rights that weve seen around the country since the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the looming possibility of a Trump presidency have shown that its extremely important to protect these rights preemptively on the state level (although notably, the ballot measure does not actually have the word abortion in itI wish it did!).

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Ben Richmond, senior director of operations, podcasts

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Bureaucratic incrementalism might not be my ideal government, but it sure beats One mans list of personal grievances, plus whatever weird Christian nationalism the most sycophantic creeps in America can sneak in.

Who do you think will win this election? Harris

Why: Because Trump already lost once and hasnt expanded his appeal. Maybe angry young men will rise en masse from their gaming chairs and put him over the top, but Harris bid for people with any sense of civic responsibility makes a lot of sense to me.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Preserving the right to abortions has consistently won on a state level, even in deep-red Kansas, and I think Democrats have done a decent if not great job of explaining how strict abortion bans make life harder, both for the pregnant (those who dont want to give birth, but also those who do, but this particular pregnancy isnt viable) and also for doctors who have to risk jail to treat their patients. You might be against abortion but rights to IVF and, uh, not dying of septic shock seem pretty widely shared among people who are paying attention.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Sarah Rutledge, copy chief

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: This is probably our last best swerve away from fascism! I wish campaigns were boring and issues-based so that I could, once again, have a better reason than Please, not Trump. But I am excited to cast my vote for a younger candidate with a hopeful campaign who, I hope, will consider the concerns of younger/leftier voters, prioritize abortion rights, and improve our countrys diplomatic relations.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: Im a bit superstitious about putting this down in writing lest I jinx something, but I do ultimately lean toward believing that a majority of voters recognize the danger of another Trump term. I just hope that majority falls in the right few states!

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: With the caveat that this is a much longer shot than the presidential election, it would be incredible to see Colin Allred defeat Ted Cruz in the Senate race. Republicans in Texas regularly suffer zero consequences for abysmal, dangerous governance (the 2021 winter storm! The grid! Cruzs midstorm trip to Cancun!), and itd be a wholesome thrill to see a spineless politician held to account for the harm he has caused the residents of this state.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Elena Schwartz, podcast producer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Im voting for the candidate who respects a bigger portion of her constituency and who holds more of our best interests at heart. And I like how the progressive caucus put itIm choosing who Id prefer to argue with.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: Gut feeling! Cant think too hard about it or the anxiety will overtake me.

Heather Schwedel, staff writer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Harris is a better candidate and person in every conceivable way, but even if she werent, wed still owe it to ourselves and humanity to do everything we can to keep Trump out of the White House. Beyond that, I dont know how we can begin to address the deeply sad reality that half of the people in this country seem basically OK with Trumps fundamental cruelty, but at least the first thing we need to doelect literally anyone elseis clear. Less urgently, the Trump thing is also very stale narrativelyif ever there were a case of not needing a sequel! Bring on a new cast of charactersbring on first gentleman Doug!

Who do you think will win this election: Kamala Harris

Why: Its not like I want us to pretend that polls are trustworthy if they arent, but more than any other election I can remember, it seems like were just flying blind here. No one knows whats going to happen, how close it is, anything! Its infuriating! So, acknowledging that I could be totally off, I am going to give the edge to Harris. Trump hasnt won anything since 2016, and he hasnt done anything to substantially change that trajectory. Just because I think she should win doesnt mean she willwhere are we on the whole question of voters hating women these days?but Trumps particularly racist last week of campaigning seems to have given her some momentum too. I hope its enough.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Related From Slate An Incredibly Detailed List of What Time the Useful Stuff Will Go Down on Election Night Read More

Natalie Shutler, politics director

Who you are voting for this year: I voted for Kamala Harris.

Why: Look, I wish I could say this was even a choice. But we already saw what Trump was like as president. We will inevitably face many crises as a nation in the years ahead and I want someone in charge who is solutions-oriented and will seek the best outcomes for the most people. When flash flooding destroyed swaths of Western North Carolina and other parts of the Southeast earlier this year, Trump and his camp responded by spreading misinformation about the governments response, endangering first responders and those affected who needed critical support. It was a painful echo of the beginnings of the pandemicwhen he was actually in charge, and also spread mountains of misinformation, division and suspicion, endangering not just first responders but the entire country. Thats not leadership. The dude is unfit for office.

Who do you think will win this election? I wont be predicting a thing!

Why: Its a really close election and there are plenty of variables besides how a majority of voters cast their ballots.

Ivylise Simones, creative director

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala

Why: I think about my kids future, and truly would love to keep my daughter from ever experiencing a Trump administration.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Jeremy Stahl, jurisprudence editor

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: You name it.

Who do you think will win this election: Kamala Harris

Why: The election is way too close for comfort and its probably a toss-up, but Im hopeful that we will avoid a fascist takeover of America by the skin of our teeth thanks to heightened engagement of pro-choice (and particularly) women voters following the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision, general disdain among the U.S. electorate for Trumps role in the events of Jan. 6 as evidenced by the 2022 midterms, and a stronger and more experienced get-out-the-vote apparatus by the Harris campaign.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Im voting for tenant rights attorney Ysabel Jurado to represent my East Los Angeles community on the City Council, but mostly Im voting against current councilmember Kevin de Leon, who was the lone holdout not to resign after being caught on tape with other councilmembers engaging in a racist and antisemitic conversation. De Leon, who came closer than expected to upsetting Sen. Dianne Feinstein as part of a long-shot challenge in 2018, plasters his name and face on everything in my community and his campaign seems to have more money than God, so Im fearful that this and name recognition alone will put him over the top. Im hopeful, though, that people will remember his role in the scandal when they vote and put Jurado into office.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Mark Joseph Stern, senior writer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: Because Donald Trump is an aspiring fascist who embraces authoritarianism to suppress democracy and civil rights, while Kamala Harris supports individual liberty, equality, and free elections. I especially appreciate that Harris views women as equal citizens who deserve to make their own medical decisions, whereas Trump will happily sacrifice their lives to win support from anti-abortion extremists. Also, I want the next president to appoint judges like Ketanji Brown Jackson, not Samuel Alito.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: Because Im so terrified of the alternative that I wont allow my mind to contemplate it.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Initiative 83! This measure would allow ranked-choice voting in D.C. and open our primaries to independents. I support it because ranked-choice voting is much more rational than the current system and elevates consensus candidates with broad support. Moreover, the winner of the Democratic primary is basically guaranteed to win the general election in D.C., so excluding independents from the primary deprives them of a meaningful voice in elections altogether. Overall, Initiative 83 will give the District a government thats more representative and responsive to the people it serves.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Dana Stevens, columnist

Who you are voting for this year: Harris-Walz

Why: If you need to ask, then Slate, you may have lost the esteem I once held you in.

Who do you think will win this election? Harris-Walz

Why: One-third sheer refusal to engage with the alternate scenario until such time as reality forces me to; one-third educated guess based on Kamalas steady if slight edge on average in the polls since she entered the race (allowing for the carve-out that no one, including pollsters, really trusts polls anymore); one-third actual observation of her campaigns strong ground game and the huge swell of voter energy her unexpected candidacy brought with it.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Im from Texas and have been watching, praying, donating, and volunteering for many successive election cycles as that state gets bluer and bluer. This may not be the year a Democrat takes Ted Cruzs Senate seat (although, go Colin Allred!), but that day is coming and its going to be glorious.

Advertisement

Tony Ho Tran, senior editor

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: My mom and I have a lot of things in common, but one of the things that sticks out to me the most is that we were both made fun of for our race a lot when we were in school. She grew up in postwar Vietnam as a mixed-race child of an American soldier. I grew up in Iowa, where I was one of the first Asian kids many of my peers had ever seen. Both of us went through a lot when it came to adjusting and blending in to try and fit into notions of what normal was for where we lived. I can safely say that neither of us would have ever imagined the possibility that there could be a mixed-race womanone of half Asian and half Black descent, just like my motherrunning for one of the most powerful offices in the country. Id be lying if that alone didnt influence a lot of why I want to see Kamala Harris voted into the presidency. More than that, she also represents many of the values and policy positions I believe are important for the future of our republic including strong support for the middle class via expansion of the child tax credit, affordable housing initiatives, and a commitment to restoring reproductive rights and national protections for abortion access. At the end of the day, though, when I head to the ballot box, Ill be doing so thinking of the two mixed-race kids getting made fun of on the schoolyard in Iowa and Vietnam, hoping that one day theyd be able to find something better: a world that accepts and maybe even celebrates them.

Who do you think will win this election? God, I have no earthly idea.

Why: All polling seems to suggest that this is a complete jump ball of a race.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: I will be keeping an eye out for two House races in my home state: the 1st and 3rd Districts of Iowa. Democrats in the Hawkeye State have gotten their act together since losing first-in-nation status in the primary and have made those races incredibly competitiveand a chance to turn a ruby-red state purple once again.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Forrest Wickman, culture editor

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: My reasons have not changed from how I summarized them in 2016 and 2020.

Who do you think will win this election? Donald Trump

Why: I, of course, have no idea whos going to win the election. None of us do! My gut says Trump, but I think that has more to do with the fact that I dont see any point to predicting a Kamala victory. Any chance of another Trump presidency is unacceptable, and now is not the time to soothe ourselves with reassuring predictions. Its the moment to stop at nothing to prevent the unacceptable.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Ill be voting Yes on New Yorks Proposition 1, because if we cant have a federal constitutional right to abortion, each of us should at least do what we can to protect that right in our home state.

Luke Winkie, staff writer

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: I am going to vote for the most progressive of the two major candidates for the rest of my life, so on that level, this wasnt much of a choice. I should also add that there is nothing Id like more than to see some of the more annoying of Trumps sycophantsElon Musk, David Sacks, Bill Ackman, etc.absolutely eat shit after being so confident about his candidacy during the summer. Fingers crossed!

Who do you think will win this election? Harris

Why: Seems like a coin flip to be honest, but I am feeling cautiously optimistic about the Selzer poll. Feels like a good omen, especially for how much MAGAdom seems to be freaking out about it.

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: Sometimes I feel like Im the only one who finds perhaps the most unappealing thing about Trump to be the absolutely psychotic deportation campaign hes promising, which the Harris camp appears to have decided is a losing issue for her. (Thats why the only thing she speaks about, when immigration comes up, is the bipartisan border bill.) It would be nice if the Democrats could come up with a more humane approach to their immigration policies! It could even be pretty popular!

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Jenny G. Zhang, senior editor

Who you are voting for this year: Kamala Harris

Why: I am voting for Kamala Harris because I must. Ill spare you the dissertations worth of reasons as to why Donald Trump cannot be elected president again, except to say: He and his backers will make this country, and this world, markedly worse in every single way. Harris is not our gilded salvation; no politician is. I dont lack the imagination to conceive of a different world, one in which our grand democratic process isnt whittled down to a binary choicebut I know that the gulf between what should be reality and what is reality remains vast, and so it is without hesitation that I swallow the acrid pill of pragmatism and hope that enough fellow voters do the same.

Who do you think will win this election? Kamala Harris

Why: For all the polling data and elaborate formulas involved in this election forecast business, predictions are, at the end of the day, a reflection of wishful thinking. Responding to this question with my desired outcome is perhaps naive, a little like tempting fate with my refusal to let myself commit intellectually to the alternative. But to hedge my bet and answer with that alternative in a jagged attempt to paper over my vulnerability would be worse, I think, and the motivation at its root would remain the same. Ill say it plainly, then, and dispense with the pretense: Based on nothing but my own want, I predict Kamala Harris will win this election.
I had never been very interested in politics, especially not in politics far from Palestine or Israel. Since starting in the field of journalism, I have mostly written stories about society and culture, the arts, social life, and sports. And I never followed the American electionsuntil 2016, when CNN asked me to produce a report about the opinion of Gazans on the presidential candidates, among whom was Donald Trump. At the time, I was worried about how I would conduct those interviews. Are there any people in Gaza who care about these elections, I wondered? But I did the research, and I found people who did. They gave me very different opinions; to my surprise, many of the people around me held great interest in American politics. I met many people who expected Trump to win, and when he did, I was surprised yet again that they had been right.

Now the Palestinian street, in Gaza in particular, is looking at the U.S. presidency as a partner with Israel in its war here. Many have similar sentiments: They want a better president than Joe Biden, who encouraged the war on Gaza and never made any progress in stopping it.

Last week, I spoke with five fellow civilians about the vote. Four of them were displaced from the northern Gaza Strip to the southern city of Khan Yunis, where I have always lived. One, Rami Aman, is from Gaza but traveled to Egypt before the war, and has not been back since. Three asked me to withhold their last names out of fear of reprisal for what they might say. Their responses below have been translated and lightly edited for clarity.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Sherine, a 35-year-old woman

We want a humane American president who cooperates in the cease-fire. We do not want a president who sends weapons to kill us. Former President Donald Trump was the reason for stopping the 2021 war and did not agree to its continuation for a long time. [Ed. note: The 2021 war in Gaza, between Israel and a coalition of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, lasted from May 6 to May 21. It occurred after Trumps term, while Joe Biden was president.] But President Biden did not contribute to the cease-fire during the current war. Instead he encouraged its continuation and was the first supporter of Israel, even when it was bombing densely populated residential areas. We know that Bidens rule will end up being regarded as the worst ever in American history.

Advertisement

There are [new] candidates, Trump and Harris, but I think that Harris has a policy similar to Bidens, because he encourages and supports her, and she did not mention Muslims or Palestine during her speeches. We want an American president who views Gaza as worthy of life and believes that wars should not continue in it. We do not want support for wars under the name of Israels right to defend itself. Does America encourage Israel to defend itself from children and women? There must be a fair American president.

Advertisement

Salem, a 55-year-old man

I have no optimism with any new candidate for the American presidency. Donald Trump has made a series of hate speeches that support a policy of not allowing any Palestinians to enter America and of imposing sanctions on them. As for Kamala Harris, she is the deputy of Joe Biden, who sent the very heavy missiles that caused the destruction of thousands of homes and the killing of tens of thousands. We and the American people need a president who supports democracy and humanity. We want a president who finds a solution to this conflict, one that never makes us feel safe.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Continual wars, and this war in particular, have led to great tension in the Arab region. We want a president who does not support killing excessively, as Biden has. I and 2 million Palestinians have the same opinion: that Biden was the worst president, one who does not treat Gaza as a humanitarian area that has been besieged for more than 15 years. We need a president who wants to stop the war and rebuild Gaza so that our lives can return again, so we can live our lives like the rest of the world.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Belal, a 40-year-old man

I hope that Trump wins the elections, despite some slightly confusing statements. But he stopped the war in 2021 [Ed. note: see note above], and he has the ability to do so again. He is a man who does not like wars and does not encourage them, so I hope he wins. I hope that he looks at Gaza with humanity and helps in its reconstruction and supports it. Wars are not a solution to end these conflicts.

We need a strong solution to this conflict in order to obtain an independent state. We have been living through successive wars since 2008. We have lived through nearly five wars [since then], and through a lot of political tensions and bombing. [But] this is the most violent war on Gaza, and it has not excluded anyone. All those affected are civilians, and we want to achieve justice for us. We want human rights institutions to work in Gaza. America is the largest country in the world, and we need its support, even as it supports Israel with weapons.

Advertisement

Reham Owda, a 40-year-old woman

It is quite clear for Palestinian people that Harris has a challenging political relationship with the current Israeli government, so she will not have much influence on the cease-fire in Gaza if she wins the electionas Trump will. Israeli Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu until now has not responded to her attempts as vice president to reach a hostage deal with Hamas and cease-fire. So if she wins the election, Israel will deal with her administration as it deals with Bidens now: through ignoring the American request for cease-fire, though still, maybe, allowing humanitarian assistance to access Gaza. However, Trump has a very positive relationship with Netanyahu. He is a businessman who is known for his success in making deals; he is a very decisive man and can convince Netanyahu to end the war on Gaza as soon as possible. He can ask him to start preparing for the day after the war as soon as possible, because ultimately Trump is a man [who cares about] the economy. And he knows very well that the Gaza war has caused damages to American economic interests in the Middle Eastparticularly the marine economy in the Red Sea. So he will make major efforts to end this war as soon as possible.

Advertisement

Advertisement

We have to not forget that it was Trump who sponsored the Abraham Accords between Israel and some Arab Gulf states, and that he supported Netanyahu in gaining access to political dialogue with Saudi Arabia. So Netanyahu owes him a lot. If Trump becomes the U.S. president, there a high possibility that Netanyahu will listen to him and end the war on Gaza, because there are common interests between the two men.

Related From Slate Theres a Threat to Our Lives in Gaza Thats Neither Bullets Nor Bombs Read More

Most Gazans blame the Biden administration [for the war], because it did not use the card of stopping arms support to Israel as pressure on the Netanyahu government to stop the war. Rather, the U.S. administration continued to support the Israeli army and merely acted as a Red Cross that is concerned and interested only in the lives of Israeli prisoners. [The Biden administration] did this without imposing strong American pressure on Israel to stop the war and save the residents of the Strip from the killing and destruction machine.

So far, the Biden administration has not succeeded in its efforts to put out the fire, and the Gazans have become distrustful of it, because they know that the American position is always biased toward Israel. Perhaps Trump will be more decisive than Harris.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Rami Aman, a 37-year-old man

I dont think Bidens support for Israel is personal. There has always been clear AmericanIsraeli military, financial, and air support over the past decades. This current war on the people of Gaza is a continuation of the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and the killing of people here. [Its only being waged] under the pretext of fighting Hamas. And basically from 2008 until now, Israel has carried out all its wars and military escalations on Gaza with clear American support through all its presidents, from the era of George Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump up through the era of Joe Biden. But I believe that the American elections, regardless of the winner, will have influential results on the cease-fire and on achieving peace. This is what the propaganda of the American presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, includes.

Advertisement

The people of Gaza have lost confidence in the American administration. During this war, they witnessed the most hideous forms of killing, siege, starvation, and the cutting off of water and medicine. Animals ate the bodies of their children, and no one cared about their lives. But they were watching American university students and videos of the American people who rejected the war and showed solidarity with the American soldier who burned himself and died by suicide in rejection of the war on Gaza. The people of Gaza also know that the feelings of the American people are not bound by the interests of American politics.
As the United States collectively holds its breath in awaiting the results of the 2024 election, the U.S. Supreme Court may be entering a particularly perilous moment. Historian Timothy Snyder, whose new book On Freedom was published in September, joined Dahlia Lithwick on this weeks Amicus podcast to discuss why an upside-down conception of freedom, and the facts-optional framework of originalism, could be the courts undoing in the aftermath of this election.

Dahlia Lithwick: One of the values you discuss in On Freedom is what you call factuality. This Supreme Court seems totally untethered from factuality. You wrote, in advance of the courts ruling in Anderson (the case to remove Donald Trump from the ballot in Colorado), that if the majority based the ruling in originalism, it would be a judgement based not on law but on guesses about the moods of strangers and that it would be as far from intentionalism and textualism as the justices could get. For me, that was such a useful way to think about how factuality has been eroded by originalism, and textualism, and strict construction, or whatever the theory is, because it actually isnt fact-based; its guess-based or maybe Ouija boardbased or seance-based, just not based in any fact. I think one of the reasons were so far down the rabbit hole is that we have a Supreme Court that doesnt actually value factuality much at all.

Timothy Snyder: So, first of all, with the Supreme Court and factuality, apropos of this coming election, one thing that worries me is that their lack of contact with factuality has to do with their own social positioning. I think at least five or six of them are in a world where they have a very narrow set of social contacts with America, let alone the outside world, and their notion of reality and normality is highly constrained, sociologically.

I thought Anderson was really important. I was sure they were going to blow it in some fundamental way, and of course they did, but the deepest way that I could characterize what they did was that they were just kind of making stuff up. I worry that their separation from factuality has to do with their separation from a country where some of us actually dont think thats OK.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Related From Slate The Supreme Court Just Carved an Outrageous Loophole Into a Major Voting Rights Law Read More

This makes me worry about what theyre going to do after November, because I think theyre in a patronclient world, where the facts dont really matter and the Constitution obviously doesnt matter to them. I worry that they dont understand that there really are Americans who are not as cynical as they are, and that one of the facts they dont understand is that many of us actually do care about the rule of law. Ironically, one of the facts they dont understand is that if they do something like, if they rule as stupidly on some Trump, Georgia case as they have in the past, I think there are a lot of Americans who, regardless of what you or I or other experts say, are just going to think, Wow, thats not acceptable anymore. Were going to have to do something. And that something is the kind of thing that involves undermining the authority of the Supreme Court.

Advertisement

I dont think the majority gets that. I think theyre separate from the world to such a degree that theyre cynical to the point where they have become naive. I think theyre naive in that they dont understand that there are people who actually care about the things that they only pretend to care about.

Advertisement

That sets us up for a problem after November. When they pretend to be ruling on originalism, that allows them to make some judgment about what Americans would do or not do. And thats cheating, because theyve said the whole time that thats what theyre not supposed to do. Then, since they dont use any actual method or research for those judgments, its entirely their seat-of-the-pants opinion about what Americans would do. So theyre doing the thing that theyre not supposed to do.

Advertisement

Then theres also no reason why we should believe their judgment about it, or even believe that they believe their judgment about it, because theyre just kind of making it up.

I read your section on free speech through the lens of the current Supreme Court and its First Amendment jurisprudence. I was so struck by the ways in which this court has been crowned as the most speech-protective court in the history of the United States, but its freedom from constraint; its speech-protective. Insofar as corporations have free-speech rights, its really useful. You argue that the very notion of the marketplace of ideas is itself so utterly fanciful and corroded that the notion that we just take away constraints and the good ideas unerringly rise to the top has to be insane, right?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

What the majority has done is theyve taken this insane libertarian view, which is not actually consistent with any thoughtful freedom-of-speech tradition.

So the stuff that actually makes it to the court is very filtered. Its an extreme privilege to get your stuff all the way up to the Supreme Court. The people whom we care about in a serious freedom-of-speech tradition are the people whose cases never make it to the Supreme Court.

We associate freedom of speech with what the Supreme Court says. Weve all been co-opted into this framework where were worried about the most privileged, the corporations and so on, as if thats really free speech. The Supreme Court has hoodwinked us, because thats not really what freedom of speech is about at all. Its not even about corporations. Its not about the most privileged. Its about the least privileged.

Advertisement

Pushing the logic of negative freedom further and further so that free speech includes corporations and money and so on, that isnt actually being a free-speech radical. Its doing the opposite, because when you give dark money the right to participate in the elections, thats suppressing the right of everybody else to be informed and to have a voice.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Im personally going to declare victory when you and your colleagues stop saying free speech, because there is no such thing as free speech. There are only free people and free speakers. There may be freedom of speech, but theres definitely not free speech. I think free speech is an anti-freedom-of-speech meme, because when we think that its the speech thats free rather than the person, then weve already taken a big step toward saying that an utterance by a corporation, or an algorithmic utterance, has to be protected. The algorithmic utterance does not have to be protected. Only the person has to be protected. So I think the very term free speech is part of this libertarian negative-freedom mistake, and Im going to try to make people stop using it.
It was not so long ago that millennials were the youngest generation getting elected to public office and infiltrating the halls of power. Now, Gen Z is fast on their heels. Across the country this year, young twentysomethings have campaigned for state and federal office, in some cases against candidates more than twice their age.

But in an election cycle flooded with historical amounts of money, it hasnt been an easy time to break in.

Cheyenne Hunt, a 26-year-old law school graduate, ran for Congress in Californias 45th District but lost in the Democratic primary. She said that undoubtably the biggest challenge she faced in her race was fundraising. For so many young people, we just looked at the status quo and realized we couldnt afford to wait our turn, Hunt told me over the phone recently. Too much was at stake, too many issues that were existential. She ran on a platform of reproductive rights, addressing climate change, and creating more economic opportunities for young people.

Hunt, like so many of the other Gen Z candidates this year, is best described as extremely driven: Before running for office, she worked at the United Nations in the office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and was a law clerk in Sen. Amy Klobuchars office, where she said she got to work on Trumps first impeachment trial. Her primary race was against six other Democratic candidates in a district that encompasses parts of Los Angeles and Orange County, challenging the 69-year-old Republican incumbent Michelle Steel.

Hunt said she struggled from the onset, with people questioning her qualifications at every turn and suggesting she was too young to understand her constituents needs. But the thing that deeply disturbed me about this system, theres a reason why almost everyone in Congress looks the same, comes from the same background, is from the same socioeconomic status, Hunt said. Its because those people are in a situation to fundraise easily and from a personal network.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Averie Bishop, a 28-year-old law school graduate running as a Democrat for the Texas House in a district that encompasses part of Dallas, echoed that sentiment. At first, Bishop said, she thought her age would be the biggest hindrance to her candidacy, but she found that people were open to hearing her out and could sense her passion. Whats been a profoundly bigger challenge has been the cost of running a political campaign. I have been running for office for the past year, and learning what I know now, I am so disenchanted by the bureaucracy of politics, Bishop said. In Texas, there are no campaign contribution limits for state House races. So despite her rising profileBishop was winner of the 2022 Miss Texas pageant and has a gigantic following on TikTokshe is still working full time as a technology consultant. Her campaign salary couldnt cover the costs of running for office.

Advertisement

Bishop remains undeterred. It was mostly my dad that influenced me to run for office, she told me over a Zoom call. When I was 17 or 18 years old, he decided to run for mayor of McKinney, Texas, despite not having any money, maybe $200 in his checking account, and no college education. Her dad was a school bus driver and ran on securing better benefits for public school teachers, bus drivers, and students. He lost the race, but his courage inspired Bishop to run on a unapologetically progressive platformrestoring reproductive rights, reforming student debt, and securing better funding for public schoolsand to take on the incumbent, Angie Button, a 70-year-old Republican who has held her district since 2009.

Young candidates like Bishop dont have vast campaign networks to tap into; they are also not the types of candidates who attract deep-pocketed super PACs. This has always been the case, but the barrier to entry has gotten substantially higher with each election cycle since 2010, when the Supreme Court opened the floodgates for unlimited political spending in Citizens United. In 2024, candidates running in federal House and Senate races (as well as their various backers) have collectively spent $10 billion, according to OpenSecrets; by the end of all this, 2024 will probably top 2020, which cost $14 billion, as the most expensive election cycle in U.S. history.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The reality is, when youre young, in your 20s and running for office, you cant depend on your friends to give you money, because theyre just out of college, Ashwin Ramaswami, a 25-year-old candidate from Georgia, told me.

A graduate of Stanford University and Georgetown Law, Ramaswami used to work in cybersecurity for the federal government and is now running in one of the only competitive state Senate races in Georgia, in a district that Trump carried by 3 percentage points and Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock narrowly won in 2020. When he started his campaign, Ramaswami said he was told he would need to raise up to $1 million to be competitive. He told me in October that he had raised over $700,000, but it took blood, sweat, and tears to get there.

Advertisement

Advertisement

You have to build connections and connect with people who are already at the apex of their careers, he said, calling the race to get boatloads of cash an exercise in bridge-building. Despite bringing in an impressive amount for a first-time candidate in a statewide race, Ramaswami said that the super PACs supporting his opponent are dumping $250,000 a month into the race. Thats a level of spend he just cant compete with.

Advertisement

Ramaswamis opponent is Republican state Sen. Shawn Still, who was indicted with Donald Trump in the Georgia election interference case. Ramaswami has handed out flyers with Stills mug shot, calling the state senator wrong for Georgia. Still has attacked his 25-year-old opponent for his age, dinging him for living with his parents. Theres a huge contrast here between someone like me, who represents the future and can really bring our community forward, versus criminals and corrupt people, Ramaswami said.

Advertisement

Currently, theres only one Gen Z candidate in Congress, the Florida Democrat Maxwell Frost. Nearly all of the Gen Z candidates who were running for federal office this year either lost their primary or dropped out, but many who are running for state office have managed to stay in their races. (Future Caucus, a nonprofit that works to get young people to run for office, found that younger candidates were disproportionately eliminated from their races in 2024.)

Advertisement

The inability of Gen Z candidates to break in is reflective of a new trend where people are generally not retiring as early as they once did, said Patrick Fisher, a political science professor at Seton Hall University. Its kind of like the baby boomers are hogging political positions, he said.

Advertisement

I dont think its a lack of experience that is the barrier for young candidates. I really believe its more in the line of fundraising and name recognition, Rachel Janfaza, an expert on youth voter culture and founder of the newsletter the Up and Up, told me. But having fewer young people on the ballot makes it harder to activate and engage young voters, she said. In listening sessions across the country, Janfaza has repeatedly heard young people say they dont feel like they identify with a specific political party, and thats driven by the fact that they dont see people in politics who look like and sound like and talk like them.

That will eventually changeeven if the cost of campaigns and the amount of outside spending continues to tick upward. (All three Gen Zers Slate interviewed said they wanted to prioritize campaign finance reform to rein in dark money spending.) Generational change is, after all, inevitable.

When these young candidates do eventually start breaking through, they will face a whole other set of financial challenges because of what it costs to actually be a legislator. Bishop said that even if she wins, she may not be able to afford rent in Austin, let alone afford the rent I have to have here in the district to maintain my eligibility to be a state representative, she said. These are all infrastructure challenges and barriers that keep young people out of office.
A Bratislava high school hosted a Halloween party before the autumn break, with students arriving in various costumes. One group dressed as pensioners, with a student holding a sign reading I love [Prime Minister Robert] Fico  a nod to a viral video featuring a supporter of the Smer party.

However, the school on Bilikova Street now faces threats over a photo of these students dressed as pensioners, which has been circulating on social media. The pensioner costume went on to win the schools costume competition, but the image drew criticism from Matus Sutaj Estok, the interior minister and leader of the coalition party Hlas. Estok, who has refused to resign following a shooting targeting PM Fico in May, frequently invokes the incident in situations he believes mock the prime minister. Just last month, Estok also criticised a comedian who joked about the attack.

I condemn any mockery of pensioners for their political beliefs, Estok declared on Sunday, November 3.

Some pensioners are upset

The interior minister framed the costume as a contributor to rising social tensions infiltrating schools, which he attributes to progressive opposition politicians. PM Fico has repeatedly blamed the progressive opposition for the shooting attack, even when he has not represented a single piece of evidence to prove his claim. In his online statement, the interior minister with a huge following included an unblurred image of the students, exposing them to potential risks.

The photo was first published by an anti-government satire page on Facebook.

The Halloween costume also upset Slovakias Union of Pensioners, which sent a formal letter to the school principal. Using age and potential political preferences as a tool for ridicule starkly contradicts the values of respect and dignity that should underpin every educational institution and our society, wrote the unions president, Michal Kotian.

In Slovakia, pensioners are generally seen as strong supporters of Smer and Fico, who often pledges social guarantees for them. Hlas, Smers coalition partner, holds a similar reputation; founded by Smer defectors, the party had been led by President Peter Pellegrini until May. This year, the Union of Pensioners also endorsed Pellegrinis presidential campaign.

The school rejects criticism

School principal Daniel Kasala dismissed the criticism from both the minister and the pensioners union, calling the situation absurd. Many costumes, including this one, offered light-hearted humour and respect, not mockery or denigration, he stated. In light of threats he and the school received over the weekend, Kasala has reported the matter to the police.

Smer MP Dusan Jarjabek urged pensioner staff at the school to demand Kasalas dismissal over the parody of the elderly. Jarjabek accused the principal of generational ageism.

Meanwhile, the students apologised for the costume, calling the episode a misunderstanding. Education Minister Tomas Drucker, a colleague of the interior minister, welcomed their apology. I believe that there must be room in our society for young peoples humour, satire and fun, he said. Drucker also expressed hope that adults threatening the school might take inspiration from the students ability to apologise.

Opposition MP Martin Smilnak of the Christian Democratic Movement, a former principal, criticised Sutaj Estok. Such pressure, especially from the interior minister, recalls the authoritarian practices of communism, when people were persecuted and silenced for their views or humour, he said, as quoted by Dennik N.

One of the high school students also voiced frustration, saying, They [critics] interpreted the costume to fit their political narrative, as quoted by Dennik N.
In a recent survey by the Ipsos agency, Czech President Petr Pavel and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban emerged as the most trusted world leaders among Slovak voters, with roughly a third expressing some level of confidence in each leader.

The survey was carried out between September 6 and 10, surveying 1,025 respondents.

The former US president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump followed closely, enjoying the trust of 27 percent of respondents. Among Slovak voters, Trumps credibility surpasses that of his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, though her familiarity remains significantly lower; a quarter of respondents admitted that they did not know the US vice president.

Trump faces considerable opposition in Slovakia, with nearly 60 percent indicating distrust, while Harris is viewed sceptically by about one-third of respondents.

Because Ipsos conducted this survey in September, recent developments in the US presidential race could still influence perceptions, as noted by Dennik N, which published the poll.

Trump finds his strongest support among voters of Slovakias Smer and the far-right Republika parties, where over 60 percent express trust. However, even among Hlas and SNS voters, distrust toward Trump prevails. Smer, Hlas and the Slovak National Party (SNS) formed a government towards the end of last year. Harris is more popular with supporters of Progressive Slovakia - over 60 percent - and Freedom and Solidarity (SaS).

On October 31, the AKO agency released results from an October survey of 1,000 Slovaks on whether Trump or Harris would make a better US president for Europe, Slovakia, the US, and the world. Harris decisively outperformed Trump in this survey, except among Smer, far-right Republika, and some ethnic Hungarian voters, who still leaned towards Trump.

The Ipsos survey also indicates a generally negative sentiment among Slovak voters towards international figures, including Pavel and Orban.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is behind the war in Ukraine, Slovakias neighbour, ranks fourth in trust, with a quarter of Slovak respondents expressing confidence in him. Yet nearly 60 percent distrust Putin, a sentiment mirrored in responses to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom 22 percent trust.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/donald-trump-more-popular-than-least-qualified-presidential-candidate-kamala-harris-1120764103.html

Donald Trump 'More Popular' Than 'Least Qualified Presidential Candidate' Kamala Harris

Donald Trump 'More Popular' Than 'Least Qualified Presidential Candidate' Kamala Harris

Sputnik International

Though the presidential race in the US appears to be pretty close, Republican candidage Donald Trump is a more popular candidate, says retired US Air Force Lt.Col. Karen Kwiatkowski.

2024-11-05T12:00+0000

2024-11-05T12:00+0000

2024-11-05T17:01+0000

analysis

us

donald trump

kamala harris

karen kwiatkowski

2024 us presidential election

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/10/1120164729_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_551dd0924cb69ae3bbacef6c3543800e.jpg

He's certainly the more energetic candidate. He's the more dynamic candidate. And he gets a lot of news coverage, both good and bad, Kwiatkowski remarks.Comparing Trump and his Democratic rival Kamala Harris, Kwiatkowski observes that the former appears more media-savvy. Meanwhile, Harris is the least qualified presidential candidate that has ever made it this far in the race, says Kwiatkowski, who also branded the Democrat as the least qualified vice president of the United States. Legacy of Biden's Administration Would Make a Harris Victory 'Miraculous'Kamala Harris winning the upcoming US presidential election would be a miraculous thing, says Kwiatkowski. She also described Trump surviving an attempt on his life by accidentally moving his head in the same fashion.While Trumps rivals in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, respectively, were both career politicians who enjoyed strong support within the Democratic Party, Harris got zero primary votes from her fellow Democrats and performed badly both in her campaign and as vice president of the US, Kwiatkowski notes. Thus, Kwiatkowski points out, people who will vote against Harris are going to be voting against the current administration and all of its policies and whatever is blamed on that administration. Certainly the economy in the United States, crime, immigration, war - the Ukraine war is not as popular as it once was. It's very unpopular, in fact, Kwiatkowski says, adding that the war Israel wages in Gaza and Lebanon is not popular either and that Trump supposedly already advised Netanyahu to end it.Trump Unlikely to Stage Coup If Harris WinsAmericans have come a long way since the 2020 election, becoming both angrier and wiser than before, Kwiatkowski says.My prediction is that we will not have this giant breakdown in society no matter who wins. We will not have this new civil war if Trump wins or if Kamala Harris is named the winner, she postulates.If Harris wins, Kwiatkowski suggests, the Republicans will be enraged and there may be marches on Washington, but these actions will be taken in the context of understanding how the state, how DC, how the federal government will respond to them. Thus, she suggests, any type of coup by the America First side or by Donald Trump and his supporters seems unlikely.Democrats More Likely to Resort to Voter Fraud as They Have Much More to LoseVoter fraud is something that takes place in every presidential election, as well as in most other elections, argues Kwiatkowski.As far as the current US presidential election is concerned, the Democrats may be more interested in resorting to such tactics as they stand more to lose if their candidate is defeated, Kwiatkowski suggests.Thus, with so much at stake, the Democrats today are akin to a cornered bear, Kwiatkowski remarks.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241102/exposed-who-tried-to-kill-trump-1120746269.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241031/hollywood-for-harris-vs-the-trump-train-who-endorsed-who-in-2024-1120738994.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241102/trump-or-harris-who-do-russians-prefer-1120753941.html

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

2024 us presidential election, donald trump, kamala harris
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/iran-starts-reviving-signals-from-satellites-launched-by-roscosmos---ambassador-to-moscow-1120787710.html

Iran Starts Reviving Signals From Satellites Launched by Roscosmos - Ambassador to Moscow

Iran Starts Reviving Signals From Satellites Launched by Roscosmos - Ambassador to Moscow

Sputnik International

Iran has started receiving signals from satellites brought to space by Russia's Roscosmos, Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali said on Tuesday.

2024-11-05T22:23+0000

2024-11-05T22:23+0000

2024-11-05T22:23+0000

world

iran

moscow

russia

roscosmos

soyuz-2.1b

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/0a/1119330631_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_b54cf484b3de302f242cebee3ff86f34.jpg

On Monday, a Roscosmos spokesperson said that the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle has launched into orbit 53 small space devices. Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that the launch vehicle carried the Kowsar remote sensing device and the Hodhod communication satellite of the Iranian space company Space Omid. Both satellites have been produced by Space Omid. Kowsar is designed for remote sensing of the Earth and taking satellite images, while Hodhod aims to increase the quality of broadcasting in Iran.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240708/russias-roscosmos-completes-tests-of-upgraded-rd-191m-engine-for-modernized-angara-rocket-1119288428.html

iran

moscow

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

signals from satellites, iranian ambassador to moscow kazem jalali, satellites brought to space by russia's roscosmos
Chris Pettit, left, the ex-attorney who was sentenced earlier this year to 50 years in federal prison for stealing millions of dollars from his clients, is shown in this file photo walking to U.S. Bankruptcy Court in 2022. Jerry Lara/Staff photographer

A San Antonio family partnership from which millions of dollars were stolen by jailed ex-lawyer Chris Pettit in a real estate transaction has lost its bid to recover damages against escrow agent Chicago Title of Texas LLC.

The Frank & Emma Persyn Family Limited Partnership alleged the title company breached its duties as an escrow agent by failing to disclose that Pettit  the partnerships attorney  could not serve as the qualified intermediary in an investment property swap.

It stood to receive $11.1 million after the property sale, but Pettit diverted the money to his account, the partnership said in its 2020 lawsuit.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

After the partnership rested its case in a four-day trial last month, Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta granted Chicago Titles motion for a directed verdict, signifying the family had failed to prove its case.

Qualified intermediary rules are not intended to protect against theft by the qualified intermediary, the judge said in a ruling from the bench, according to a transcript of the proceeding. Its just to ensure the money goes where its intended to go. And the Persyns signed off on that. The instructions are clear. We want the money to go to Mr. Pettits account. 

Members of the family have been regular attendees at court proceedings since Pettit and his law firm entered bankruptcy in June 2022 amid allegations that tens of millions of dollars of clients money had gone missing. He later pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and money laundering. Hes serving a 50-year prison sentence.

Roughly $259 million in claims were submitted in the bankruptcy cases of Chris Pettit and his now-defunct law firm. The Frank & Emma Family Limited Partnership, which alleged Pettit stole more than $11 million from a 2020 real estate transaction, filed a $14.6 million proof of claim in both cases. Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

Judge not very happy

Gargotta expressed his sympathies to the Persyns while delivering his ruling.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

So there are days when I go home and Im not very happy about the ruling I made, he said. This is one of those days because I know youre not going to recover any money as a result of this courts ruling. But I have no doubt in my mind, notwithstanding the harshness of my ruling, that its correct.

The judge dismissed the partnerships claims for negligence, negligent misrepresentation and breach of fiduciary duty with prejudice, meaning they cant be refiled.

He added, Im sorry for you all. Im terribly sorry. But I want you to understand, you had your day in court.

San Antonio attorney David Evans, who represents the partnership, didnt respond to a request for comment so its not known if it intends to appeal the ruling.

Douglas Becker, Chicago Titles commercial counsel, served as a witness in the case.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Chicago Title respects the Persyn family and understands the terrible impact that Chris Pettits theft has had on their lives, he said in an email Tuesday. However, we agree with the Courts ruling that Chicago Title was not to blame for their loss.

Property transaction

The Persyn Family Partnerships case stemmed from the sale of 28 acres near Potranco and Ingram roads on the West Side. It intended to use the proceeds to invest in other real estate via a 1031 exchange to legally avoid certain tax consequences.

Under Section 1031 of the tax code, investors who park profits from a property sale with a qualified intermediary can defer large capital gains if they reinvest the money within 180 days.

Chicago Title closed the transaction and served as the escrow agent that released sale proceeds to Pettit despite IRS rules that require use of an independent third-party qualified intermediary, the partnership said in its lawsuit. The intermediary, who ensures tax deferral is achieved, is not permitted to have business dealings with the client within two years of such a transaction. Pettit served as the partnerships lawyer.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

There has not been one iota, one single shred of evidence of to suggest that any one of them (the Persyns) had any reason to believe that Chris Pettit was going to steal from them, Evans said during his opening statement. And they shouldnt know any better. But you know who does? Chicago Title. Chicago Title should have known better. They should have trained their employees better.

Chicago Titles lawyers argued the company did nothing wrong and did not cause the Persyns damages.

Its verys clear that the seller here, the plaintiff, wanted Mr. Pettit or Mr. Pettits law firm to receive these funds as qualified intermediary, said attorney William Peterson, who represented the company. The plaintiffs, quote, wanted to leave the money with Pettit. This is the person they wanted to put their money with, this is the person they trusted.

Suing Pettit

About five months before filing suit against Chicago Title in 2022, the partnership and four of Frank Persyns children sued Pettit and his law firm for fraud, felony theft and other claims.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The parties entered into an agreed judgment for about $22.3 million at the end of May 2022, according to attorney Gregory Brewer, who also represents Chicago Title.

Just days later, Pettit filed for bankruptcy protection for himself and his firm. He also surrendered his law license and shuttered his practice.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/israeli-opposition-leader-calls-on-citizens-to-protest-against-firing-of-defense-minister-1120785379.html

Israeli Opposition Leader Calls on Citizens to Protest Against Firing of Defense Minister

Israeli Opposition Leader Calls on Citizens to Protest Against Firing of Defense Minister

Sputnik International

Israeli parliamentary opposition leader Yair Lapid and several protest organizations on Tuesday called on citizens to take to the streets in light of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in the midst of a war on several fronts.

2024-11-05T19:19+0000

2024-11-05T19:19+0000

2024-11-05T19:46+0000

world

yair lapid

middle east

benjamin netanyahu

tel aviv

israel

israel defense forces (idf)

yoav gallant

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/11/1108486841_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_64188dd4d536a9ccc5c7ccbde341bda0.jpg

"Firing Gallant in the middle of a war is insane. Netanyahu is selling out Israel's security and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fighters for shameful political survival. The right-wing government prefers traitors to servants. I call on the people of Yesh Atid [party] and all Zionist patriots to take to the streets tonight in protest," Lapid said on his social media. A number of Israeli protest movements, which regularly stage anti-government rallies in Tel Aviv and other cities, have also called on citizens to take to the streets.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/netanyahu-fires-defense-minister-gallant-1120783938.html

tel aviv

israel

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

israeli parliamentary opposition leader yair lapid, prime minister benjamin netanyahu, defense minister yoav gallant
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/north-korea-launches-at-least-7-ballistic-missiles---japanese-defense-ministry-1120773438.html

North Korea Launches at Least 7 Ballistic Missiles - Japanese Defense Ministry

North Korea Launches at Least 7 Ballistic Missiles - Japanese Defense Ministry

Sputnik International

North Korea launched at least seven ballistic missiles, the flight altitude of which was about 100 kilometers, and the range about 400 kilometers, all of them fell outside the exclusive economic zone of Japan, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters.

2024-11-05T04:03+0000

2024-11-05T04:03+0000

2024-11-05T04:03+0000

asia

gen nakatani

north korea

japan coast guard

japan

ballistic missiles

koreas

missile launch

north korea missile launch

korean peninsula

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/0a/1108269656_0:0:900:506_1920x0_80_0_0_ac9ff2c976547dbf527df5cc63f27bb1.jpg

"Today, the DPRK launched short-range ballistic missiles in the northeast direction. They all fell outside the exclusive economic zone of Japan. At least seven missiles were fired. Their flight altitude reached about 100 kilometers, and the flight range was up to 400 kilometers," the minister said. According to Nakatani, in connection with the missile launches, the Japanese government sent a strong protest to North Korea. At around 7:30 a.m. Japan time (22:30 GMT Monday), the Japan Coast Guard issued a warning of a possible missile launch by North Korea. Vessels at sea were urged to monitor further information and, if debris is found, not to approach it and to report the relevant information to the Coast Guard. Last week, North Korea launched its latest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-19.

north korea

japan

koreas

korean peninsula

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

dprk aggression, dprk threat, north korean missiles, dprk missiles, dprk missile launch, ballistic missile
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/notre-dame-cathedral-reopening-ceremony-featuring-macron-to-cost-109mln---reports-1120787515.html

Notre Dame Cathedral Reopening Ceremony Featuring Macron to Cost $10.9Mln - Reports

Notre Dame Cathedral Reopening Ceremony Featuring Macron to Cost $10.9Mln - Reports

Sputnik International

The reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral on December 7 after a fire and reconstruction, where French President Emmanuel Macron will speak to world leaders, including outgoing US President Joe Biden, will cost 10 million euros ($10.9 million), the Canard Enchaine magazine reproted.

2024-11-05T22:21+0000

2024-11-05T22:21+0000

2024-11-05T22:21+0000

world

emmanuel macron

joe biden

france

paris

notre dame cathedral

europe

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/03/1119625243_0:188:2975:1861_1920x0_80_0_0_f8901bd23f2de19d04cd6ecc8c8f4e20.jpg

According to the publication, Macron invited 160 heads of state and government to the ceremony. Initially, the head of the Paris archdiocese, Laurent Ulrich, was against Macron giving a speech inside the cathedral, and he was asked to deliver it on the porch, but the cost of the ceremony for 1,500 guests, including drinks and snacks, turned out to be too high, the magazine said. The initially planned budget of 20 million euros had to be cut in half. The church has pledged to pay for the ceremony and has announced a collection of donations from wealthy French citizens, it said. However, the donation campaign among patrons has yielded only 2-3 million euros, and the church also cannot use the funds collected for the renovation of the cathedral (846 million euros). The cost of the ceremony will fall on the parish flock, while the state will pay for the work of the police to protect the event, the magazine reported. Earlier, French media reported that Macron would give a speech inside Notre Dame Cathedral on December 7 in honor of its opening. This caused sharp criticism from the French public, who noted that no politician had spoken in this church before the current head of state. Memes appeared on social networks with Macron in a Catholic priest's robes, speaking inside the cathedral. Many called the planned speech "scandalous" and pointed out that "organizing political meetings" in places of religious worship is prohibited by Article 35 of the 1905 French law "on the separation of power and the church." The largest fire in history at Notre Dame Cathedral occurred on April 15, 2019. The spire of the cathedral collapsed, engulfing the supporting structure in flames. The fire destroyed the unique wooden roof frame made of 800-year-old oak beams, each of which was made from a single tree trunk. The cathedral will open to visitors on December 8.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210918/notre-dame-restorers-finish-fortification-works-to-start-restoration-phase-1089190081.html

france

paris

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

notre dame cathedral, reopening ceremony, french president emmanuel macron
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/right-wing-parties-victories-in-eu-tell-trump-may-be-back-in-white-house---eu-lawmaker-1120780163.html

Right-Wing Parties' Victories in EU Tell Trump May Be Back in White House - EU Lawmaker

Right-Wing Parties' Victories in EU Tell Trump May Be Back in White House - EU Lawmaker

Sputnik International

The recent surge in support for right-wing parties across Europe, where people are grappling with similar to the United States' problems such as economic challenges, demographic shifts and cultural changes due to immigration, suggest a strong possibility of former US President Donald Trump's victory in the upcoming US election

2024-11-05T16:10+0000

2024-11-05T16:10+0000

2024-11-05T16:10+0000

analysis

2024 us presidential election

donald trump

kamala harris

european union (eu)

white house

thierry mariani

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/03/1120758038_0:0:2887:1625_1920x0_80_0_0_04c2d06a02c9eab527a5ab3045f799e2.jpg

Moreover, the Alternative for Germany for the first time won elections in the state of Thuringia and came second in Saxony in September.The recent surge in support for right-wing parties across Europe, where people are grappling with similar to the United States' problems such as economic challenges, demographic shifts and cultural changes due to immigration, suggest a strong possibility of former US President Donald Trump's victory in the upcoming US election, EU lawmaker from France Thierry Mariani told Sputnik.Trump and Democrat candidate Kamala Harris are running neck and neck, with 49% support each, ahead of the Tuesday vote, a fresh Leger poll released by the New York Post on Monday showed. Different aspects of the same common problems such as economic discontent, disillusionment with the ruling elite, and a growing unease about the impact of immigration on our societies affect policy in both the United States and Europe, the lawmaker added. Mariani, who is the former member of France's The Republicans (LR) party, raised a concern regarding the issue of uncontrolled immigration, citing it as one of the main reasons, along with economic stagnation, for the growing support for conservative and patriotic movements across Europe and the United States. New Conservative Voters As the legislator drew comparisons between the United States and the EU nations, where right-wing parties had gained significant traction, he highlighted striking similarities, particularly in their support base. First of all, he pointed that the conservative parties' support base on both continents had undergone substantial transformations. Mariani, a prominent French politician who previously served as the French minister in charge of transport from 2010 to 2012, stressed that people in the West these days were expecting to have leaders who prioritize their well-being and national interests, including sovereignty, economic security, and national pride. Against Relativism and WokeismMariani also drew parallels between Trump's suppporters and the European conservatives' stance on the so called "woke" and "relativism" agenda, which is seen by both as a threat to cultural heritage, history, and values. He expressed belief that resisting this ideology was essential to preserving the foundations of the societies. Mariani raised a concern regarding what he saw as the gradual erosion of moral values and traditions in Europe. He said that the political ideology of relativism posed a significant threat, adding that it undermined the concept of moral rightness in societies. Rejecting DeclineHe also said that Trump in his electoral speeches envisioned a future of ambition, growth, and prosperity, rejecting the narrative of decline imposed by the Democrats in the name of climate or sustainability. The lawmaker pointed that the European right-wing parties also rejected the myth of inevitable economic decline and refused to be weakened by pessimism. The European lawmaker stressed that his electoral base supported the idea of balancing economic growth with respect for the planet, prioritizing strong economies, job opportunities, and hope for our countries. Economic Sovereignty Mariani said that patriotic movements in Europe also share Trump's views when it comes to fighting for economic sovereignty by bringing industries back home, securing supply chains, and protecting resources from foreign takeover. Mariani concluded by calling on the European governments to aim for economic independence to safeguard its freedoms, cultures, and way of life.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/washington-storefronts-getting-boarded-up-early-indication-of-harris-defeat--wall-street-analyst-1120780942.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240724/not-woke-enough-why-blm-up-in-arms-against-harris-endorsement-by-democrats---1119482661.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/musk-calls-harris-statement-on-us-troops-not-being-deployed-in-combat-zones-flat-out-lie-1120782483.html

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

2024 us presidential elections, right-wing elections, right-wing, euroskepticism, conservatism, traditionalism, thierry mariani sputnik, thierry mariani interview, thierry mariani right-wing, thierry mariani conservative
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/russia-will-adequately-respond-to-aggression-of-nato-member-states---lavrov-1120780401.html

Russia Will Adequately Respond to Aggression of NATO, Member States - Lavrov

Russia Will Adequately Respond to Aggression of NATO, Member States - Lavrov

Sputnik International

NATO should not be mistaken, as Russia will adequately respond to the aggression of the alliance or its member states, using all means to ensure security, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Sputnik.

2024-11-05T13:25+0000

2024-11-05T13:25+0000

2024-11-05T15:49+0000

world

russia-nato showdown

nato

russia

sergey lavrov

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/18/1115185353_0:0:2237:1259_1920x0_80_0_0_468229c4b97280321bb3d4838cb500e7.jpg

NATO should not be mistaken, as Russia will adequately respond to the aggression of the alliance or its member states, using all means to ensure security, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Sputnik.If Western long-range weapons are used by Kiev to strike deep into Russian territory, then "this will mean that not only Ukraine, but also NATO countries are fighting Russia openly; (they are) no longer embarrassed to hide facts about 'mercenaries,' 'volunteers,' 'instructors' and other guys 'under a false flag'", the minister added.Lavrov explained that the US ruling elite, driven by russophobic consensus, considers Ukraine a crucial part of the hybrid warfare against Russia. Nevertheless, Russia is ready for equal dialogue with the US as soon as the latter shows its readiness for honest negotiations. Russia and the US are both nuclear powers, which implies a special responsibility that mandates diplomatic contacts. Despite the deep diplomatic crisis, Washington is not ready to severe ties with Russia - and if this mindset endures, a new ambassador to Moscow will be appointed in due time.On Ukrainian Attempts to Coerce UN Secretary GeneralKiev is putting pressure on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to take Ukraine's side in the conflict with Russia, by adding him to the Ukrainian neo-Nazi website Myrotvorets (Peacemaker), Lavrov added.Such a step is a direct violation of the UN Charter, namely paragraph 2 of Article 100 of the document, "which prohibits any member state from attempting to influence the secretary general or other UN representatives", the minister added.On Black Sea ShippingRussia is studying proposals from Turkiye and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on shipping in the Black Sea, but there is no evidence that Russia's interests will be taken into account, Lavrov stressed.Russia Will Use BRICS Capacities to Mediate Mideast CrisisMoscow intends to continue working to solve the Palestinian problem and will use the potential of the BRICS, the Russian foreign policy chief stated.From the first days of this crisis, which began in October 2023, the BRICS countries have stood in solidarity in defense of the rights of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip, agreeing on November 21, 2023 at an emergency summit of the association, a call for an early ceasefire and humanitarian assistance to the victims, Lavrov recalled.The resolution of the crisis around the Gaza Strip will help improve the situation in the Middle East, Lavrov told Sputnik.US efforts to negotiate an agreement between Israel and Hamas regarding a ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners have reached a dead end, and the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the minister said, adding that the fire of a regional conflict is flaring up and advancing to Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.On BRICS Possible Development TrackRussia continues to coordinate the work on the list of BRICS partner states and plans to publish its results by year-end, Lavrov added.The summit in Kazan has become one of the landmark international events not only this year but also recently, Lavrov added."Its successful holding has clearly highlighted the senselessness of attempts to isolate Russia internationally, undertaken by our foreign policy opponents as one of the elements of pressure on our country," Lavrov said.On Situation Around TransinistriaThe 1992 agreements on the principles of a peaceful settlement in Moldova allow for an increase in the number of Russian military personnel on the left bank of the Dnestr, but this is not necessary, Lavrov stated.Russia sees the main task at the current stage in maintaining peace and tranquility on the Dniester as the main prerequisite for resolving the Transnistrian problem by political and diplomatic means, the minister said, adding that this mission is carried out by the Joint Peacekeeping Forces with the participation of the Russian contingent.Commenting on the situation in Transnistria, the minister expressed the hope that Chisinau has enough common sense to avoid steps that could lead to the escalation of the situation.The pause in the work of the negotiating mechanism has lasted since October 2019, Lavrov said, adding that the main reason is the diametrically opposed positions of Chisinau and Tiraspol on almost all key aspects of the settlement.On Post-Soviet Geopolitics Commenting on post-Soviet geopolitics, Sergey Lavrov stressed that while Russia is not pushing Armenia and Azerbaijan to conclude a peace treaty hastily, attempts by the US and EU to exclude Moscow from the peace process only aggravate security threats in the region. Meanwhile, the Russia-Kazakh partnership is thriving despite US attempts to estrange Astana and Moscow. Lavrov added that Moscow notices the active work of Western emissaries in compelling Kazakhstan into compliance with anti-Russian sanctions, and is aware of the threats of Western sanctions facing Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, US statements about Russias interference in the elections in Georgia are false, and Moscow is ready for further rapprochement with Tbilisi despite Western attempts to cast recent elections as a choice between Russia and the West.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241031/russia-forces-carrying-out-cascade-offensive-strategy-on-battlefield---experts-1120737637.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/putin-slams-plans-to-inflict-strategic-defeat-on-russia-as-mistaken-illusory-calculations-1120779286.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241028/pepe-escobar-brics-make-history---can-they-keep-the-momentum-1120707386.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241104/moldovas-socialist-party-says-not-recognizing-voting-at-foreign-poling-stations-1120770899.html

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russia-nato showdown, ukrainian crisis, ukraine crisis, transnistria, ukraine conflict, mideast war, lavrov comments, lavrov on politics, brics enlargement
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/trump-harris-could-end-ukraine-conflict-but-wont--us-citizen-martindale-1120773257.html

Trump, Harris Could End Ukraine Conflict but Won't  US Citizen Martindale

Trump, Harris Could End Ukraine Conflict but Won't  US Citizen Martindale

Sputnik International

Both US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris could end the Ukrainian conflict if they so desired, argued Daniel Martindale, a US citizen who voluntarily supplied Russian troops with intelligence while staying in Kiev-controlled areas.

2024-11-05T01:12+0000

2024-11-05T01:12+0000

2024-11-05T06:53+0000

russia

us

kamala harris

donald trump

ukraine

us hegemony

video

ukraine crisis

ukrainian crisis

russia

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/05/1120773096_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_fd25ec2c36e7c8e95e39e3d7d8dfa0be.png

"He [Trump] could. And Kamala Harris could. Any candidate could if they wanted to. Like I said before, it is just a matter of making America, making the American government realize that the war is not in their best interest," Martindale said in an interview with Sputnik. Martindale noted, however, that he does not think that either Harris or Trump are personally interested in ending that conflict.After ending up in the Ukraine-controlled section of Donbass following the escalation of the conflict in February 2022, Martindale was able to make contact with Russian forces and began providing them with intelligence on Ukrainian military facilities, all while managing to avoid detection.After two years of aiding Russia through this covert work, Martindale was brought out from behind enemy lines in a daring operation conducted by Russian forces.Martindale also shared that about 100 mercenaries from Latin America who fought on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces had been living near him as recently as two months ago.He clarified that he was talking about mercenaries from South and Central America, and also named several countries from which they came, mentioning Colombia, Bolivia and Mexico."Their opinion was that there's no good reason to be here. They were afraid. They just wanted to go home. And even better, they asked if I could arrange and help get them to America. Their fighting spirit was completely gone," Martindale also told Sputnik. At the same time, he noted that there were those still convinced of their Nazi ideas and the necessity to defeat Russia. At the moment, the biggest weakness in the face of the Ukrainian military and foreign mercenaries is the lack of people, he added. "There are not many soldiers left who are either willing or available to fight."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241104/us-citizen-who-helped-russian-forces-says-process-of-granting-him-asylum-began-1120764596.html

ukraine

russia

donbass

kiev

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Trump and Harris could end Ukraine conflict but dont want to - Martindale Sputnik International Trump and Harris could end Ukraine conflict but dont want to - Martindale 2024-11-05T01:12+0000 true PT0M31S

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

daniel martindale, martindale asylum in russia, where is daniel martindale, who is daniel martindale, ukraine crisis, russian spy, us citizen, american national, covert work, double agent, russian agent, russian hero, russian citizenship
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/ukrainian-military-teaches-new-recruits-to-glorify-surrendered-azov-militants-1120776277.html

Ukrainian Military Teaches New Recruits to Glorify Surrendered Azov Militants

Ukrainian Military Teaches New Recruits to Glorify Surrendered Azov Militants

Sputnik International

The Ukrainian military was circulating a brochure among new recruits in which it glorified the militants of Ukraine's ultranationalist Azov battalion (designated terrorist and banned in Russia), who fired at civilians but ended up surrendering to Russian forces in Mariupol in the spring of 2022, Sputnik has learned from a copy.

2024-11-05T08:33+0000

2024-11-05T08:33+0000

2024-11-05T08:33+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

nazi

nazi collaborators

nazi swastika

nazi

azov

ukraine

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/03/1119994078_0:159:3077:1890_1920x0_80_0_0_87098cafaf32797e823440cc8ec97a7e.jpg

The brochure, dated 2022-2023 and retrieved from an eliminated Ukrainian fighter, was signed by former Chief of General Staff Serhiy Shaptala. Its 290-hour curriculum included about 70 hours of tactical training, 60 hours of firing training, 11 hours of psychological training and seven hours of so-called national-patriotic training. The last module, in addition to dehumanizing Russian soldiers and alleging Russian "imperial ambitions," is also glorifying the "heroism and spirit" of Azov militants, who surrendered during the May 2022 storming of the Azovstal plant by Russian forces in Mariupol. They fired amply at local civilians before holing up in the plant. The Russian Defense Ministry's estimate is that more than 2,400 fighters from the Azov and other Ukrainian battalions surrendered since May 16 after about a month-long blockade at the plant.

azov

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

ukraine nazi, ukraine neo-nazi movements, azov ukraine, ukraine azov batallion, azov nazis
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241105/us-warns-iraq-against-allowing-iran-to-attack-israel-from-its-territory--reports-1120788197.html

US Warns Iraq Against Allowing Iran to Attack Israel From Its Territory  Reports

US Warns Iraq Against Allowing Iran to Attack Israel From Its Territory  Reports

Sputnik International

The administration of US President Joe Biden has warned the Iraqi government against allowing Iran to stage a new attack on Israel from its territory, the Axios news portal reported on Tuesday.

2024-11-05T22:40+0000

2024-11-05T22:40+0000

2024-11-05T22:40+0000

military

joe biden

israel

iraq

tehran

israel defense forces (idf)

middle east

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0a/03/1120393553_0:292:2931:1941_1920x0_80_0_0_8dcda468e1edcf0da26f3cf45f667b11.jpg

"If you don't [prevent Iran from attacking Israel via Iraq], we won't be able to stop Israel from striking Iraq," a US official told the news portal, citing the Biden administrations message to Iraq. Last week, media reported, citing two Israeli intelligence officials, that Iran was preparing a major retaliatory strike on Israel from Iraqi territory. On Saturday, the same portal reported, citing sources, that the United States had warned Iran that it would not be able to stop Israel from responding in the event of a strike from Tehran. On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) increased combat readiness in anticipation of Iran's possible response to the recent Israeli strike.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241103/idf-says-eliminated-commander-of-hezbollah-rockets-array-1120760041.html

israel

iraq

tehran

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

us president joe biden, iran to stage a new attack, iran to attack israel from its territory
Warm tears rinsed radiant smiles as Custers Stand won one of four $80,000 Alberta Sires Stakes Super Final on Saturday night at Century Mile.

Custers Stand is owned in part by Willie Neish, who is suffering from the onset of dementia but was able to make the trip to Edmonton from his Father Lacombe Care Centre Nursing Home in south Calgary for the race.

Everybody was cheering for Custers Stand; they all wanted Willie to win this race, said Dianne Neish, Willies wife of 60 years, who lives in High River.

A two-year-old colt, Custers Stand won by a neck in a desperate, hard fought stretch battle with Momas Work Of Art. Also owned by Len Denham, Custers Stand earned his third win in a row.

I wish Willie could watch him race more often, said Dianne, whose daughter Kelly Martens and her husband Dean drove her and Willie, who was diagnosed with dementia last January, to Edmonton. It was a very emotional weekend but it was lovely. It was so good he could watch the race.

He was the one who picked him out at last years Alberta yearling sale.

Willie had a big smile on his face. For the most part, he was very coherent. He had a couple of Caesars. He had something to eat. He walked, said Dianne, who broke her femur in a fall in July."

After the race Willie gave me a big hug, said winning driver Phil Giesbrecht, who also won the Super Final for two-year-old fillies with Custard Dolce, an easy winner while recording her eighth in a row. Like just about everyone else, I had tears in my eyes."

Willie, 82, also shook breeder Jim Rhodes hand.

You really know how to breed a good horse, Willie, who was in the pure-bred cattle business, told Rhodes.

But then, the race over, the Neishs had to make the long, solemn drive home.

As we were leaving, Willie saw our trainer, Marie Brooking, said Dianne, 80. He rolled down the window and gave her a big thumbs up.

And then he cried.

So did Dianne.

So did Brooking, one of the few women trainers to win a stakes race in Alberta.

He asked me, What did I do to deserve this? said Dianne, who visits her husband every day. I think his spirit is broken. Hes basically in a jail cell locked up. What a way to end your life. I feel guilty I have to do this to him. I wish I could have kept him at home. He was so physically active all his life. Now its all been taken away from him.

Willie also has macular degeneration for which, like dementia, has no cure.

Im praying for a miracle. Its all I can do. Ive been crying since we dropped him off, Dianne said on Sunday morning.

Every time I hugged Willie, he cried, said Brooking, who has been training a small stable since 1992. Dianne was holding Willies hand. Holding his arm. They truly love each other.

Brookings daughter, Brinsley Brooking-Lutz, is also having a great season with 48 wins from 217 starts. Brooking-Lutz had two more wins on Friday.

By Custard The Dragon, Custers Stand is out of the top producing broodmare China Art.

China Art now has a yearling by hot sire Captain Deo and is back in foal to Captain Deo, a son of Hall of Fame inductee Somebeachsomewhere, who tied the all-age world record at the time winning at The Red Mile in 1:46.4 and earned $3,328,755 in his career.

Fifth during the early going, Giesbrecht pulled Custers Stand first-over down the backstretch -- just like he had when Custers Stand won his previous start, a division of the Alberta Shooting Star.

With a half going in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:27.1, Custers Stand hooked up with favourite Outlawminutbyminut at the top of the stretch, pulled clear and then had to hold off the charge of Momas Work Of Art with the mile going in 1:55.4 -- the last quarter-mile going in :28.3.

Because of the early morning snow, Brooking said the track was one to two seconds off.

It was a little greasy -- especially the four and five paths and we were in post five so I was a little nervous.

Custers Stand is a tough little bugger coming down the stretch, praised Dianne, who watched the race with Willie from inside the casino.

Custers Stand is not a big horse; Outlawminutbyminut is big, said Brooking. When they were side by side, it was like David and Goliath.

I didnt want to be that far back early, said Giesbrecht. But he gutted it out.

When he cleared, I was yelling, Come on George; come on George! said Brooking, referring to Custers Stands stable name. Then I was like, Wheres the wire? Wheres the wire? It was a hard fought battle."

Brooking said in a recent Horse Racing Alberta story that, When Custers Stand won the Rocky Mountain and then [the] Shooting Star at Century Mile, Willie was telling everyone in the retirement/nursing home about the horse. He showed them his winners circle photos, showed them a replay of the races that his daughter downloaded and walks around the home telling everyone that his horse won. Im sure hes doing that again this week.

Brooking said that after the race, Serge Masse, the driver of runner-up Momas Work Of Art, came up to her and said, "I thought for sure I had you," said Brooking, who watched the race from the paddock office.

He almost did, said Brooking.

Almost.

(Curtis Stock / thehorses.com)
The Crappie Dock at Cranes Mill Park is closed due to the current water level at Canyon Lake on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. Canyon Lake was 53.0% full with a mean water level of 882.73 feet and 26.27 feet below flood pool level on this date according to Water Date for Texas. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer Previously submerged lakebed lies exposed at County Ramp 23 on the north side of Canyon Lake on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. Canyon Lake was 53.0% full with a mean water level of 882.73 feet and 26.27 feet below flood pool level on this date according to Water Date for Texas. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer Construction workers build a floating dock at Cranes Mill Marina at Canyon Lake on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. Canyon Lake was 53.0% full with a mean water level of 882.73 feet and 26.27 feet below flood pool level on this date according to Water Date for Texas. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer All boat ramps on Canyon Lake, including Ramp 23, pictured here, are now closed as the lake's water level continues dropping. It's currently 52.3% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board's Water Data for Texas website. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer

The last remaining boat ramp on Canyon Lake has closed, as the reservoirs water level continues to drop to record-breaking lows.

Boat Ramp 18 in Canyon Park, on the north side of the Comal County reservoir, closed Friday, the countys Water Oriented Recreation District announced. It was the last of 23 ramps on the lake to be shut down.

There is less than 14 feet of concrete ramp remaining with a severe drop off at the end, making it no longer safe for use, the district said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Canyon Lake is currently nearly half empty, and its surface sits at 882.26 feet above sea level, according to the Texas Water Development Boards Water Data for Texas website.

Ramp 18 is scheduled to close when the water level drops below 883 feet, the district said, which happened on Oct. 18. The district opted to keep the ramp open longer, because it was the last one left on the lake, but water levels continued dropping.

At this time, we have made the difficult decision to close the ramp completely effective November 1st, as we do not believe it will be safe to use for launching any watercraft, the district said. If the lake rises this fall/winter, we will absolutely consider re-opening the ramp for public use.

For the lake level to rise, more water will need to enter from the Guadalupe River and rainfall than is leaving daily from Canyon Dam and water utilities.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The reservoir was created by damming the spring-fed Guadalupe in the 1960s for flood control and drought management; it's a major water source for some fast-growing cities, including New Braunfels and San Marcos. The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority also releases water daily to downstream users.

The lake's level has been dropping since late 2021 due to ongoing drought conditions, and several years of below-average rainfall. In August 2023, its surface hit a record low of 892.69 feet, the lowest recorded level since the lake was filled. It's now more than 10 feet lower than the previous record, and sits at 52.3% full.

The Guadalupe was flowing at about 4 cubic feet per second above the lake on Monday. That's an improvement from late October when it fell below 1 cfs, but not nearly enough to help refill the lake. About 65 cfs were leaving Canyon Dam, according to the river authority, which manages the lake.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code
In a strategic partnership set to transform the global agriculture landscape, Garuda Aerospace, one of Indias leading drone manufacturers and CYOL (Pvt) Ltd., a leading provider of advanced agricultural technology solutions in Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at No. 61, Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka. This agreement marks a major milestone in both companies growth as they expand their operations into Australia, Africa, and Asia. The MOU was signed by Mr. Chamitha Ranneththi, Chairman and Director of CYOL, alongside Sanjeewa Dissanayake, Director, S. Mahendran, Director, and Vincent Renold, Director of Garuda Aerospace Ceylon Pvt. Ltd. A Collaboration to Revolutionize Global Agriculture As part of this partnership, Garuda Aerospace has officially launched its operations in Sri Lanka, further solidifying its presence in South Asia. The Indian-based drone company, recognized for its cutting-edge solutions in agriculture, surveillance, mapping, thermography, videography, and defence anti-drone systems, will collaborate with CYOL to deliver a revolutionary approach to farming and technology integration. Mr. Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder CEO, Garuda Aerospace said, This collaboration with CYOL cements our commitment is a significant step toward advancing precision farming and technological innovation in agriculture across these key regions. By combining our drone expertise with CYOLs robust software solutions, we are confident that this partnership will create significant value for farmers and stakeholders. A Collaboration to Revolutionize Global Agriculture This MOU brings together Garuda Aerospaces renowned drone technology with CYOLs advanced agricultural software, creating an integrated platform for precision farming, surveillance, and data-driven analytics. Together, the two companies aim to revolutionize agriculture across Australia, Africa, and Asia, providing farmers with real- time insights, optimized resource management, and enhanced crop monitoring capabilities.

Mr. Chamitha Ranneththi, Chairman and Director of CYOL, emphasized the importance of the partnership: This collaboration between CYOL and Garuda Aerospace is a game-changer for the agricultural industry. By merging drone technology with advanced software solutions, we are poised to deliver high-value solutions that enhance productivity, sustainability, and decision-making for farmers across multiple regions.

The partnership is expected to offer mutual benefits by combining Garudas aerial expertise with CYOLs technological advancements in data analytics, crop monitoring, and farm management systems. Together, both companies will provide a comprehensive suite of services, offering farmers holistic tools for optimizing their operations and adopting sustainable agricultural practices.

Mr. S. Mahendran, Director of Garuda Aerospace Ceylon Pvt. Ltd., shared his vision: The potential for integrating drones with smart farming solutions is immense, and this partnership will enable us to bring the latest innovations to regions where agriculture is crucial for economic growth. We are excited about the impact this collaboration will have on farmers globally.

Mutual Benefits and Global Expansion

By working together, CYOL and Garuda Aerospace will drive agricultural innovation and expand into new markets, providing holistic, technology-driven solutions tailored to both small-scale farmers and large commercial operations. The partnership will foster the adoption of sustainable practices and establish a smart farming revolution that leverages drones, software, and real-time data analytics to meet the evolving challenges of modern agriculture.

As Garuda Aerospace expands its footprint into Sri Lanka, and CYOL enhances its presence across Asia, Africa, and Australia, the two companies are committed to reshaping the future of agriculture by providing farmers with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven world.
Jessica Hernandez, left, and her daughter Akeelah Ramirez attend a candle light vigil to honor the 21 people who died in the Robb Elementary mass shooting at Memorial Park Amphitheater on May 24 in Uvalde  on the two-year mark since Hernandez lost her eldest child Alithia Ramirez in the deadliest school shooting in Texas history. Hernandez recently received a public apology from her former employer, issued to bring closure to her lawsuit. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Jessica Hernandez visits her daughter Alithia Ramirezs gravesite on April 28, 2023, which would have been Alithias 11th birthday. Ramirez was one of the 19 children killed in the Robb Elementary School shooting on May 24, 2022. Hernandez recently received a public apology from her former employer, issued to bring closure to her lawsuit. Sam Owens/Staff photographer

A Baptist retreat operator has issued a public apology for misusing funds meant to benefit a mother whose daughter was killed in the Robb Elementary School massacre in Uvalde.

Jessica Hernandez, whose daughter Alithia Ramirez was among the 19 children and two teachers killed on May 24, 2022, had sued Alto Frio Baptist Encampment, Inc. for money it collected through a GoFundMe fundraising campaign referred to as the Rebel Give.

READ MORE: Mother of Uvalde school shooting victim claims former employer used tragedy for donations for own benefit

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Alithias name and image were used to promote donations that would go toward Hernandez, but the nonprofit organization used the proceeds to renovate a house on its campgrounds in Leakey, about 40 miles north of Uvalde.

For about three weeks before the mass shooting, Hernandez stayed at the house as she worked as a camp housekeeper.

Attorney Javier Espinoza, who represented Hernandez for free, was referred to Hernandez by the San Antonio Legal Services Association, or SALSA.

Espinoza filed the case against the non-profit in August 2023.

"That money should have gone to her," he said at the time.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The lawsuit was filed seeking compensatory damages, but at the time it was not known how much money was raised.

The suit said the name and image of Hernandezs daughter, Alithia, on the GoFundMe page prompted an outpouring of support from people across the country. Even actor Matthew McConaughey, a native of Uvalde, donated.

Discovery and deposition of the camps corporate representative since revealed that donations from the GoFundMe to the non-profit were minimal, according to a SALSA statement.

Because of the ongoing trauma suffered by Hernandez, and her desire not to relive the events of the slaying in a deposition, all parties agreed to conclude the matter with a publicly filed apology, according to the SALSA statement.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Alto Frio Baptist Encampment Inc., its executive director Rusty Brandon and Hernandezs former supervisor, assistant executive director Kim St. Clair said in the court record, which was filed filed recently, that they apologize for any offense that may have been caused by the GoFundMe.

Were pleased to have helped Jessica find some measure of peace and accountability, Espinoza said in the statement. Though no amount of legal action can undo the unimaginable loss she has suffered, this resolution allows her to move forward without further trauma.

The apology also referred to events surrounding Hernandezs departure from the house on the Alto Frio property.

After the tragedy, Hernandez said St. Clair told her she could stay at the campsite house for as long as she wanted as she mourned her daughter. She said she was told only her supervisor would be there. But when she returned to the house in June, she was swarmed by crowds of people and news stations.

Alto Frio had also posted a YouTube video without Hernandez's permission showing her families reaction to being "given" the renovated property. The lawsuit alleged it was an attempt at earning good publicity for Alto Frio at the expense of Hernandez and her family's tragedy.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Jessica Hernandez was also pressured to return to work by Alto Frio and other employees as she stayed in the home mourning her daughter.

When she moved out of the home at the end of the year, St. Clair told Hernandez she could only take certain items from the home, including furniture, but not the appliances because those had been donated by the camp.

There are no words to describe how sorry we are for the loss of your daughter, the apology states. The unfathomable tragedy that occurred during the Uvalde Shooting left us, as well as the community at large, horrified and devastated. Of course, we can only imagine the pain and suffering you have endured and continue to endure.

They said their only intent was to provide Jessica Hernandez and her family with safety, comfort, and support while she resided at Alto Frio throughout her employment.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

It was never our intention to misinform nor mislead you and the general public about the purpose and nature of the donations fundraised through the Rebel Give Campaign, they said.
Attorney Robert Maurer speaks to his client James "Val" Cotter during a bond reduction hearing on Monday. The judge delayed his decision to better understand Cotter's assets. Cotter is a longtime business associate of the husband of missing real estate agent Suzanne Simpson. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Supporters of Suzanne Simpson attend a pretrial hearing of James "Val" Cotter on Monday. Suzanne Simpson was last seen on Oct. 6. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer James "Val" Cotter's bond reduction hearing on Monday. The judge delayed his decision to better understand Cotter's assets. Cotter is a longtime business associate of the husband of missing real estate agent Suzanne Simpson.. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Supporters of missing real estate agent Suzanne Simpson attend the pretrial hearing of James "Val" Cotter on Monday. The judge delayed his decision to better understand Cotter's assets. Cotter is a longtime business associate of the husband of missing real estate agent Suzanne Simpson. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer James V. Cotter, a former business partner of Brad Simpson, was arrested on Oct. 21 and charged him with tampering with evidence and possessing a prohibited weapon, both third-degree felonies. Brad Simpson's wife, Suzanne Clark Simpson, was last seen on Oct. 6. Bexar County Sheriff's Office

The business associate of missing real estate agent Suzanne Simpson's husband is seeking to reduce his bail.

James "Val" Cotter, Brad Simpson's longtime business partner, was in court this week, but the judge has delayed his decision as he seeks to get a better understanding of Cotter's financial assets.

Cotter, whose bail was set at $1 million, is accused of hiding Brad Simpson's gun.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Authorities arrested Cotter on Oct. 21 at his home in the Dominion, charging him with tampering with evidence and possessing a prohibited weapon, both third-degree felonies.

Authorities have said Cotter's case is related to the investigation of Suzanne Simpson's disappearance. The 51-year-old mother of four was last seen alive on Oct. 6 and was reported missing the following day.

Prosecutor Casey Sandoval said Cotter's current bail amount is necessary. She said Cotter lied to authorities twice about the weapon to try to shield Brad Simpson.

"He has shown he is going to do everything it takes to protect (Brad Simpson)," Sandoval said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

But Cotter's attorney, Robert Maurer, told Judge Miguel Najera that Cotter's bail amount was both unusual and oppressive. He said he had never seen a judge set bail so high for a third-degree felony charge.

I find it stunning that the bonds would be set so high,  Maurer said. "Its clearly oppressive and merely meant to keep him in jail.

On Monday during the hearing, Sandoval detailed Cotter's assets, including a home valued at $1.3 million, a truck valued at $65,000 and $10,000 in a trust account. She also pointed out pending state litigation related to Cotter that could result in "millions."

Maurer said the home is owned by Cotter's mother in trust and cannot be used to secure a bail bond.

The judge originally delayed his decision to allow time for Cotter's mom to fly to San Antonio from her home in Washington state to testify on Tuesday afternoon.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

"This is certainly not an easy decision," Najera said on Monday. "The difficult thing in this situation is that I really feel like I don't have a good understanding of Cotter's finances."

But on Tuesday, the hearing was delayed again after Cotter's mother's flight was delayed.

No new date for the hearing has been set.

Bexar County property records show Loretta Cotter is the owner of the home in the Dominion.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

If Cotter were to post bail and is released, his bail conditions bar him from possessing firearms or having contact with Brad Simpson, according to a court record shared with the Express-News by state District Judge Ron Rangel, the administrative judge for Bexar County's district courts.

Other conditions specify that, if released, Cotter must remain under house arrest, surrender his passport to law enforcement, and submit to drug and alcohol testing.

Over the years, Cotter ran a home construction business, worked as a property manager for his father's company, Cotter & Sons Inc., and served as an executive for nursing homes in Lytle and Fredericksburg, court records show. He and Brad Simpson have been friends for 25 years, investigators said.

Several family and friends of Suzanne Simpson showed up to the courtroom during Cotter's hearing to show support for this missing mother. They held up her missing person poster during the hearing.

Brad Simpson, 53, has been in custody since Oct. 9. He is charged with unlawful restraint and assault causing body injury to a family member. He was transferred to the Bexar County jail on Thursday, where he is being held in lieu of $3 million bail.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

According to an arrest affidavit for Brad Simpson, a neighbor allegedly heard him screaming at Suzanne Simpson on the night of Oct. 6. A short time later, the neighbor heard screams in a wooded area near his home.

The neighbor also told police he saw Brad Simpsons black GMC pickup leave the Simpsons home. The truck returned an hour or two later.

The couples youngest child told a teacher her parents had been fighting, and her father had struck her mother in the face and taken away her cell phone.
Jacob Beltran covers crime, breaking news and general assignments for the Express-News. He can be reached at jbeltran@express-news.net.

A San Antonio native, Jacob began his journalism career in 2010. He's worked for the student-run newspaper for San Antonio College, The Ranger, and for Texas A&M University-San Antonio, The Mesquite.

He enjoys video games, photography and exploring during his free time.
People stand in line to vote early outside of Brook Hollow Library on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 30, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News En esta combinacion de fotos de archivo, la vicepresidenta Kamala Harris, candidata a la presidencia por el Partido Democrata, y el ex presidente Donald Trump, candidato del Partido Republicano. Associated Press FILE - This combination of images shows from left, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in Oklahoma City, on April 13, 2022, and Democratic opponent, Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, in Chicago, on Aug. 22, 2024. (AP Photo Sue Ogrocki, left; and Paul Sancya, File) Sue Ogrocki, left; Paul Sancya/Associated Press

After months of fiery campaigning and tens of millions of dollars spent on political ads, the 2024 election is finally coming to a close in Texas as millions of voters head to the polls today for Election Day.

The state is at the center of national attention like never before, with late-cycle visits from both presidential campaigns and the hotly-contested Senate showdown between U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Colin Allred. Republicans majority in the U.S. House of Representative is also on the line, as is the balance of power in the Texas legislature.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

More than 8 million people have already cast their ballots during early voting.

Planning on voting today? Heres what you need to know.

Polls close at 7 p.m.

If you are in line by 7 p.m., you will be allowed to vote and should stay in line. The 7 p.m. closing time applies to all Texas counties.

Find your polling location

Most San Antonio-area voters, including those in Bexar County, can vote in any location within their county on Election Day.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Voters in Bandera County and Wilson County must specifically report to their assigned polling location on Election Day.

Use the San Antonio Express-News tool to find the Bexar County polling location closest to your address.

See whos on your ballot

Other than the presidential election, theres the Cruz-Allred contest, races for the Texas legislature and various state and local courts. Enter your address on the Express-News' Voter Guide to see your ballot.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

What should I bring?

Photo ID: You must bring photo identification with you to the polls. Acceptable forms include your Texas drivers license, passport or election certificate. The identification must have a photo and cannot have expired more than four years ago. See the full list of acceptable identification forms here.

What to wear: Avoid clothing with any political messages, campaign logos or slogans, including hats, pins, and T-shirts. You may be asked by local election officials to remove such clothing under Texas electioneering laws. If you want to bring a list of selections to reference while you vote, you should print it out or write them down.
Hello, San Antonio. Welcome to our live Election Day blog.

About 756,000 voters cast their ballots in Bexar County with more than 146,000 ballots cast on Election Day, according to the Bexar County elections office.

Stay plugged in as we'll have news on city ballot propositions, Bexar County races, state legislative elections and national results throughout the day.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Northwest Vista College on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Signs advocating against Prop C at Northwest Vista College on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Encino Library on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee/Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Encino Library on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee/Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Paul W. Ott Elementary School on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Paul W. Ott Elementary School on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Paul W. Ott Elementary School on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Paul W. Ott Elementary School on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Paul W. Ott Elementary School on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Northwest Vista College on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Northwest Vista College on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Northwest Vista College on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Northwest Vista College on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Encino Library on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Encino Library on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Encino Library on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas won reelection Tuesday, defeating U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and Democrats latest try at ending decades of GOP dominance in the booming state that was thrust this election year to the center of battles over immigration and abortion.

Cruz, 53, secured a third term following another expensive reelection campaign, six years after only narrowly beating Beto ORourke. This time around, Cruz implored Republicans to take his race seriously. He tried recasting himself to Texas voters as a get-things-done legislator, far from his reputation as an unapologetic firebrand with national ambitions.

Walking out to the song Eye of the Tiger," Cruz addressed his supporters Tuesday night at his watch party in Houston.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Tonight is an incredible night, a huge victory here in Texas, Cruz said.

 Associated Press

Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen said she expects local elections officials to count ballots until past midnight.

In an update to reporters at about 9:30 p.m., Callanen said 82 out of 302 sites, or about 9% of precincts, had closed.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

A total 646,229 ballots had been cast at the 82 sites. That total includes more than 500,000 early votes cast, 32,000 mail ballots and 37,224 votes tabulated at those sites.

She said late-night ballot counting is expected in elections that involve presidential or gubernatorial campaigns.

Again, the judges are going to have a lot of time to clear their sites before they drive in and then they go through our gauntlet of sites with all of our checks and balances she said.

Still, Callanen said shed still like the final report to have todays date on it. So, were hoping, she said.

She said she expected that the number of votes would rise as more sites reported, and that it wasnt clear if the turnout would set a new record.

Callanen recalled that in 2021, a COVID year, the county posted a 44% turnout, and in 2022, the turnout rose to 58%.

Right now were sitting at 50% turnout, so again we know that is going to go up. Is it going to get as high as 58, 59? We dont know yet, she said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Callanen said there had been enthusiastic poll watchers and  some anxious voters, and also noted a real high rate of curbside voters.

Thats what we do best  taking care of our voters. Our judges take everything out to them, and they vote, she said. It obviously takes longer. But please understand how hard those judges work. They did a great job. I cant say that enough.

 Sig Christenson

Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of San Antonio has won reelection to the House of Representatives, The Associated Press projects.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The two-term congressman represents a sprawling border district that includes the western part of Bexar County. The district was once considered competitive but has swung right along with much of South Texas.

With 60% of the vote in, Gonzales was leading Democrat Santos Limon by a wide margin.

 Isaac Yu

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump took Texas and its 40 electoral votes, soundly defeating Democratic opponent Kamala Harris, and state Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the win in a post on social media.

Congratulations to President @realDonaldTrump and @JDVance on their overwhelming victory in Texas! Abbott wrote in his Nov. 5 post to X, formerly Twitter.

Texans have spoken! he wrote. They want strong, conservative leaders who will prioritize economic growth and securing our border. Its time to Make America Great Again.

Abbott also saluted U.S. Senator Ted Cruzs apparent victory over Colin Allred, adding that Cruz will continue to defend Texas values of freedom, liberty, and prosperity while in office.

Abbott called attention to one of the Cruz campaigns talking points in a later post to X, concerning trans athletes: Looks like Texans dont like open borders and boys in girls sports after all."

 Rhyma Castillo

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has claimed victory in his competitive race against U.S. Rep. Colin Allred. As of 10 p.m., his margin of victory over Allred is more than triple that of his final margin over former U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke back in 2018.

Allred and ORourke ran very different campaigns against Cruz.

ORourkes campaign in 2018 was largely a ground game, with the former congressman crisscrossing the state and stopping in counties large and small. He visited all of the states 254 counties.

Allred, on the other hand, focused on stops in counties with large cities and sprawling suburban areas. He visited 34 counties in total, as of the end of October. Cruz visited 37 counties.

 Leila Darwiche

Two of the most competitive Texas House races this year are in San Antonio, and Democrats are hoping to flip the Republican-held seats.

Currently, Rep. John Lujan leads Democrat Kristian Carranza in District 118. In 2022, the first election after redistricting, Lujan won by a margin of 3.7 points, keeping hold of the seat he won in a 2021 special election.

In District 121, Republican Marc LaHood currently leads Democrat Lauren Jordan Swift. Earlier this year, LaHood won the Republican Primary over incumbent Steve Allison after Gov. Greg Abbott spent large sums against House Republicans that didnt vote for his school voucher bill.

Redistricting efforts by Republicans reversed some of the natural demographic changes happening within District 121, reducing the number of Hispanic residents in the district, a demographic that tends to vote more blue than other groups according to Mark Jones, a professor of political science at Rice University.

 Leila Darwiche

Voters in the Edgewood Independent School District gave board president Martha Castillas reelection bid a sizable majority in early returns Tuesday, with nearly 62% to challenger Dorothy Borjas 38%.

The election for three board seats also includes a race to replace another incumbent who did not seek reelection, in which a 19-year-old college student was trailing in early returns.

The winners, elected at-large by voters in the entire district, will help determine the future of a district that has long faced high poverty and whose declining enrollment in the face of charter competition led the board to close two schools last year.

Republicans looked likely to keep their tight grip on Comal County, with early unofficial results Tuesday night showing all three of the party's candidates holding strong leads in their local races.

Incumbent Sheriff Mark Reynolds has received more than three-quarters of votes counted in the race to retain his seat, while Kevin Webb and Doug Leecock, the Republican candidates for the commissioners court, also had commanding leads over their Democratic challengers.

About 85,000 ballots have been counted, according to the county's election results; in a Facebook post Monday, the county said 89,066 early votes were cast, including about 3,600 mail ballots.

In early returns, East Central Independent School District voters favored a challenger in the only contested board race and were poised to reject $360 million in a set of bond proposals and a separate ballot measure to increase the districts property tax rate.

David Santos Jr. took 41% of the early vote, and another challenger, Sayda Mitchell-Morales, had 37% against longtime incumbent Victor Garza, who had 21%.

The race to become Hays County's next sheriff is a close one, according an unofficial count of early and absentee votes published by Hays County on Tuesday evening, with none of the Election Day votes yet counted.

Early voting results show Republican Anthony Hipolito Jr., a deputy with the Hays County Sheriff's Office, in the lead over his opponent, Democrat Alex Villalobos, in the unofficial count. Hipolito was at 53,171 early and absentee votes, or 52.7%, to 47,711 for Villalobos, or 47.3%.

Outgoing Sheriff Gary Cutler decided last year not to seek re-election after 14 years in office and endorsed Hipolito for the position. Villalobos serves as chief of staff for Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra and formerly served on the Kyle City Council.

Former President Donald Trump won Texas for a third straight time, following a campaign in which he promised to slash income taxes, turn the Justice Department on his political enemies and deport the millions of migrants who are living in the country illegally.

He defeated Vice President Kamala Harris by a sizable margin Tuesday night, according to The Associated Press, giving Trump claim to 40 electoral college votes that will be critical to his effort to retake the White House.

Texas was never really in doubt for Trump, with polls last month giving the New York real estate and media tycoon a five to seven point lead in a state where a Democratic presidential candidate has not won since former president Jimmy Carter in 1976.

 James Osborne

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar is skating toward his third term, capturing 57.56% of the early vote.

The early vote lead practically guarantees that Salazar will be reelected.

Were coming out a lot better than I had even hoped, Salazar told a crowd of about 200 at Cowboys Dancehall after early vote totals came in.

A city effort to remove the caps on City Manager Erik Walshs salary and tenure has majority support in early voting returns.

Nearly 54% of San Antonians who cast early ballots supported Proposition C.

If approved, that city charter amendment will give the City Council the authority to decide how much to pay and how long to employ the city manager  returning things to the way they were before November 2018, when the firefighters union got voters to cap the city managers salary and tenure.

Voters also appear poised to give the next mayor and City Council a more than $24,000 pay raise, with close to 64% of voters supporting Proposition E. That measure would take effect for the mayor and council members who will be elected in Mays municipal election.

Proposition F, a move to extend the terms for the next mayor and City Council from two to four years, had 53% support.

All six city charter amendments on the ballot need more than 50% voter approval in order to take effect.

 Molly Smith

Bexar County Precinct 3 Commissioner Grant Moody leads Democrat Susan Korbel by about 10 percentage points in early voting results.

Precinct 3 voters have consistently elected Republican candidates to commissioners court, but Democrats have gained ground in recent elections.

On the South Side, Precinct 1 Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores claimed about 59% of the early vote, well ahead of Republican challenger Aurelina Lina Prado.

Precinct 1 is the largest of all the precincts in land mass, stretching 442 square miles from the county line on the South Side to Alamo Ranch on the far West Side. Democrats largely view the South Side as a safely blue district.

 Brooke Park

This years total turnout of 756,000 fell short of the votes Bexar County cast in 2020.

Unofficial county tallies show that 58% of the countys nearly 1.3 million registered voters cast ballots in the Nov. 5 general election. Early voters made up the majority of that total with 577,000 in-person votes and 32,000 absentee ballots recorded. Around 146,500 people checked-in to vote on Election Day as of 7 p.m Tuesday according to county officials.

This years total turnout was nearly 18,000 lower than 2020s, when 774,000 voted. And the percentage of registered voters casting ballots this year remains lower than 2020s 65%. Thats partly because voters had 18 days to cast early ballots in 2020 rather than the usual 12. Nearly 58% of the county voted early in 2020 compared with the 47% of registered voters this year.

Though most counties in Texas saw early voting turnout percentages fall from 2020 to 2024, nearby Comal County saw an early turnout share of 62% up from the 61% in 2020.

- Leila Darwiche

At 7 p.m. with polls closing, Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen said 146,021 people had shown up  a 58% turnout. She didnt note any problems at the polls. It was a beautiful, successful day, she said of the turnout.

She said she wanted the total to reach 60%, but she expected the total to increase.

As polls officially closed at the main election headquarters at 1103 S. Frio, more than 100 people, some with young children, stood in a long line that snaked around the building. Children screamed and cried in the line over the dull roar of passing vehicles on the adjacent interstate and a TV live truck generator.

In response to reporters questions about past elections, Callanen said that in 2020, there was a 44% turnout, but that was due to more people voting by mail due to the pandemic. In 2022, there was a 68% turnout, she said.

Elections officials already had early voting and mail votes, Callanen said, directing people to the Bexar County Elections website to view results.

 Sig Christenson

Republican Marc LaHood held a slim lead over Democrat Laurel Jordan Swift in Texas House District 121 after early voting and absentee ballots were reported on election night.

LaHood, a defense attorney, had 42,606 votes to former medical device saleswoman Swifts 39,016. No Election Day votes are yet included in that total, so his 52% to 48% lead could change significantly.

This North San Antonio district has traditionally been held by moderate Republicans, including former House Speaker Joe Straus. This cycle, Democrats viewed it as a potential pickup target after LaHood, who has promoted himself as an unapologetic, hardline conservative, defeated incumbent Rep. Steve Allison in the GOP primary earlier this year.

 Edward McKinley

Republican Rep. John Lujan barely led Democrat Kristian Carranza in a battleground Texas House race on the South Side of San Antonio in early and absentee ballots.

The results, with Lujan leading Carranza by just over 2,000 votes of nearly 60,000 total, do not yet include any ballots cast on Election Day.

The race has been among the most closely watched across the state throughout this election cycle, with the candidates clashing over a number of issues, including school vouchers, abortion, Lujans hypothetical daughter and Carranzas last name. Both raised large sums of money from around the state and poured it into advertising in the district.

 Edward McKinley

Elon Musk cast his vote for Donald Trump in South Texas on Tuesday before flying to Florida to spend election night with the former president, who the Texas billionaire spent at least $119 million of his own money boosting this cycle.

The Tesla and SpaceX chief is registered in Cameron County, where SpaceXs Starbase launch site is located.

"I just voted and now I'm headed to Florida and Ill just be there with President Trump and JD and a bunch of other cool people, Musk said on his social media site, X.

 Benjamin Wermund

If the past is any guide, we should have results in Texas relatively quickly  at least sooner than some swing states that could take days to tally.

Elections in Texas have typically been called on Election Day or early the next day.

The Associated Press, for instance, called the state for Donald Trump in 2020 at 1:06 a.m., six hours after polls closed. In 2016, the call came around 9 p.m.

The 2018 Senate race between U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and former Congressman Beto ORourke was called by the AP shortly after midnight.

 Isaac Yu

Outside the Bexar County Elections Office, where a line of nearly 100 people snaked around the building, Callanen said voter turnout had reached 56.1% with two hours to spare.

Its less than the countys 65% turnout rate in 2020, but Callanen said thats not indicative of fewer people at the polls. Instead, the rate is lower because the countys population growth has resulted in more registered voters.

She said the election drew 116,849 voters to Bexar County polls by 5 p.m. The county has maintained a rate of 12,000 voters per hour, and Callanen said she was still holding out hope that the vote count would exceed 150,000 before the day was done.

Several polling sites in high-growth areas had seen the number of voters surpass 2020 counts by early afternoon. The busiest  and the only ones to surpass 1,000 voters  were Brookhollow Branch Library, which served 1,098 residents, and Northwest Vista College, which served 1,040.

Meanwhile, only 87 residents cast their votes at Laurel Elementary School. Vestel Elementary School and the City of Von Ormy City Hall also had less than 140 voters all day.

Callanen urged those who have not cast their ballots to look up sites with no wait times. She also emphasized that the polls do not close at 7 p.m.  and that the last person in line whom the judges or election officials mark will be allowed to vote, no matter how long it takes.

When asked if there had been any negative encounters between voters and poll workers, Callanen said most people have been understanding, but some became impatient about wait times.

I hate to say it, but weve had a couple of officials who were less than friendly when they were confronted with that, she added. Human nature is out there, emotions are running high, but overall, we couldnt ask for anything better, she said.

 Melissa Manno

Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen reported that 116,849 residents voted Tuesday as of 5 p.m. Callanen said that 56.1% of registered voters in the county have voted so far.

 Annasofia Scheve

Signs advocating against Prop C at Northwest Vista College on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer

The number of voters who have cast ballots Tuesday hit 92,606 by 3 p.m., Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen said at an afternoon briefing. In total, 54.2% of eligible residents in Bexar County have voted.

Polls are averaging 12,000 voters per hour, and officials are projecting between 150,000 to 160,000 votes by the time polls close at 7 p.m.

 Annasofia Scheve

Bexar Countys elections administrator provided assurances Tuesday that periodic computer outages were not interfering with the integrity of the vote.

About 15 vote centers were having brief outages affect laptops used to qualify voters, Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen told reporters Tuesday afternoon. The interruptions slowed lines at the sites, but no information was lost, she said.

In some cases, ballot labels had to be printed by hand through human intervention, rather than printed automatically by computer. The AT&T mifi units that powered the laptops sometimes briefly lost their signal, causing the laptops to run slower. But once the signal was restored, the data was updated, Callanen said.

I know some of youve been hearing that weve had computer problems. And yes, that sounds very unsettling. But please, please understand that were not losing any voters information, she said.

The biggest confusion on Election Day involved Texas voters who moved to Bexar County but hadnt updated their registration and had to be turned away. Some who had previously lived in adjacent or nearby counties still had time to drive there and cast a ballot.

Under state law, the Bexar County Elections Department was able to process 1,571 ballots during early voting for voters registered in other counties. But that program is not offered on Election Day, Callanen said.

Only in early voting does the law permit someone whos moved to this county, was registered in another Texas county, come, they give up that registration, we register them right there because theyre already registered in the state of Texas, she said. But that program is only available during early voting. So we have a lot of disappointed people that are showing up at the polls. And thats a shame.

Callanen did not know how many voters were unable to cast ballots Tuesday because their registration was not current.

 Scott Huddleston

San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Paul W. Ott Elementary School on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro reminded Bexar County residents to cast their ballots Tuesday.

The San Antonio Democrat seemed to be up bright and early on the South Side to encourage voters to visit designated polling sites.

I was out on the streets this morning in San Antonio (at SW Military and Pleasanton) reminding everyone to please vote today! he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Polling sites close at 7 p.m., although voters who get in line before then will still be allowed to cast their ballot. To find a polling site near you, visit the Bexar County Elections Department Election Day vote information page here.

 Rhyma Castillo

Multiple bomb threats to polling locations in different states appear to come from Russian email domains, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a release Tuesday afternoon. None of the threats were credible, according to the release.

The FBI said it is working with local and state law enforcement to respond to threats and ensure election integrity.

Suspicious activity should be reported to local or state law enforcement. Tips to the FBI can also be submitted to 1-800-225-5324 or tips.fbi.gov.

 Annasofia Scheve

San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Northwest Vista College on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer

The total of in-person voters Tuesday has reached 84,790, according to a 2:13 p.m. update from the Bexar County Elections Department.

Over half of Bexar County residents registered to vote have cast their ballots during early voting and on Tuesday, according to election officials, who said the total number of in-person voters is 659,418 as of the afternoon update.

 Annasofia Scheve

For those who hit the polls in advance or sent in their mail-in ballot, voters can confirm their ballot has been counted on the Texas Secretary of States website.

The secretary of state updates the total number of votes starting Oct. 21, when early voting opened, through Election Day. Where and when you voted is public information, but not who you voted for.

If you chose to mail in your vote, all you need to do to confirm your ballot is to visit this page on the Texas Secretary of State website, and type in the last four digits of your social security number and drivers license number.

If you cast your vote on Election Day, the data will be online the day after.

 Lily ONeill

Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen said the Brookhollow and Encino libraries and Northwest Vista College all had more than 400 voters in the first four hours on Election Day, while other vote centers reported a trickle of voters coming in.

"Some of our judges were calling in, 'Please send me voters,' " she said. Brandeis High School, Helotes City Hall and Lions Field Adult and Senior Center were among the low-volume sites on Tuesday.

"The one that shocked us the most at one time was Lion's Field"  usually one of the busiest sites at Broadway and Mulberry Street, Callanen said.

 Scott Huddleston

San Antonio residents line up to cast their ballots at a polling site in the 2024 Presidential Election at Northwest Vista College on Tues, Nov. 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer

Dozens of people spent part of their afternoon standing outside Semmes Branch Library. Some passed the time scrolling on their phones, others entertaining their kids. A few took selfies with their I voted stickers as they headed back to their cars.

The entrance to the polling location was littered with red and blue signs and full of people expressing support for various candidates. On the back of a truck stood a large photograph of Vice President Kamala Harris with big gold letters reading, Vote.

Michael Samaniego walked around the lot with signs supporting former President Donald Trump, vice presidential hopeful J.D Vance, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and the Republican candidate for Bexar County sheriff, Nathan Buchanan.

The most important thing is the security of our country, said Samaniego, a 55-year-old Air Force veteran. We have an invasion going on right now.

Jose Revilla waited just under an hour to cast his ballot. The 21-year-old Northeast Lakeview College student said its important for young people to be civically involved because its their futures at stake.

Were going to be growing up in a new environment with all these changing policies, he said. I havent been very happy with the policies Trump has thrown out, and I dont want him back in office.

Revilla said there are a lot of young people who are unhappy about the state of the country, and that the only way to see change is to get to the polls.

Vivianne Metzger echoed the sentiment. The 35-year-old Brazilian immigrant became a U.S. citizen in 2018 and said she has voted every year since. She even drives to Houston and pays for a hotel every four years to vote in her home countrys presidential election.

I think it's really important, because that's how you make your voice being heard, she said. I dont argue with people, Im not going to debate whats right for you and whats wrong for me. I just go to the polls.

 Melissa Manno

As of noon, 63,438 voters had cast their ballots in-person Tuesday, according to county elections officials.

 Annasofia Scheve

Bexar County election workers had to relocate a vote center this morning on a school campus that partially lost power from last nights storms, but were generally reporting smooth operations today.

We had some bumps and bruises this morning, Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen told reporters. Were here for one of the biggest elections ever.

Despite a few logistical hiccups at schools and some voters showing up in partisan T-shirts or hats, Callanan was grateful for the roughly 1,500 poll workers who showed up at O-dark-thirty this morning and began processing voters at 302 vote centers.

So far, its wonderful, Callanen said. Our troopers got up and got there, and thats the biggest hurrah.

At Pat Neff Middle School, storms had knocked out electrical power to the school entrance where a vote center was set up. But workers relocated to the library, which still had power. Since it was school holiday for the election in the Northside Independent School District, there were no students.

They were human, and we dealt with it, Callanen said.

At Ed White Middle School in the North East ISD, also observing a student holiday, officials notified the elections department that they planned to test their fire alarm.

We were like, No, dont do that, and the test was canceled to avoid traumatizing voters, Callanen said.

Under state law, a prohibition on campaign literature and apparel within 100 feet of a vote center is being enforced, she said.

Weve had a couple of dust-ups this morning for voters showing up in campaign literature, with the literature shirts, hats, buttons. Some are taking flags in. Theyre working real hard to keep that 100-foot distance from the entire building, she added.

Voters who get in line at a poll center by 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast ballots  as long as its not at 7:01 p.m. or later.

I dont think weve ever had an election where somebody doesnt arrive at 7:05 or 7:10. They will not be able to get in line. Its the last person at 7 oclock, Callanen said.

 Scott Huddleston

At 12:02 p.m., the least busy polling locations in Bexar County were China Grove City Hall, Burbank High School and Northwest Crossing Elementary School, elections officials said in a social media update.

 Annasofia Scheve

The line was short at Lions Field Adult and Senior Center late Tuesday morning.

Beth Thurber said she waited just under 10 minutes to cast her vote. The 78-year-old is tired of partisan division. She said she remembers a time when Republicans and Democrats worked together toward a better future. But now its like a bunch of 2-year-olds screaming at each other.

I dont know what significance my vote will have, but I feel like its my duty as a citizen, Thurber said.

In the parking lot, Frank Bryand greeted voters with a sign reading, Vote against Prop. C. Bryand was one of several San Antonio firefighters who hit the polls Tuesday morning to ask residents to vote against the city charter amendment that would undo the caps on the city managers terms of employment and give the City Council the authority to decide how much to pay that person.

Bryand had been at the downtown polling location for four hours and planned to spend the rest of the day there, besides a lunch break.

Across the lot, Marie Dobay sat underneath a tree with a sign supporting Kristin Hook, a Democrat, for Congressional District 21.

I believe in democracy, said Dobay, 63. If we don't participate in our democracy, then we might lose it.

 Melissa Manno

As of 11:10 a.m., about four hours after polls opened, in-person voters on Tuesday totaled 55,595, according to an 11:37 a.m. update from the Bexar County Elections Department.

With the addition of early voting totals, elections officials say 630,537 residents have cast their votes in-person so far. Thats about half of all registered voters in the county, according to elections officials.

 Annasofia Scheve

One of the hottest races in Texas this year is the match-up between Ted Cruz and challenger U.S. Rep. Colin Allred. It isnt the first time Cruz has been in a close race. In 2018, he narrowly defeated Beto ORourke by 2.6 points.

However, Allred and ORourke ran very different campaigns against Cruz. The Chronicle and Express-News took a closer look at the counties they visited, who gave money to their campaigns and how they spent that money.

In the candidates latest filings with the Federal Election Commission, Allred appeared on track to potentially raise more money than ORourke. As of Oct. 16, Allred had raised $71.5 million in net contributions, surpassing where Beto ORourke stood six years prior by more than $2 million. That was also $23 million more than Cruz had raised since the beginning of 2023.

Allred has also spent millions of dollars more on advertising than ORourke and Cruz this cycle. In the first few weeks of October, both Allred and Cruz added over $10 million in spend to the totals below.

Matt Zdun and Leila Darwiche

Bexar County has gradually become more Democratic over time. In 2012, former President Barack Obama won the county by a margin of 4.5 points over Republican challenger Mitt Romney. By 2020, Bexar County voters favored President Joe Biden by a margin of 18 points.

Democrats gained the most ground in San Antonios northside, where Biden flipped 70 precincts from red to blue in 2020.

For a more local look, search for your address to see how your neighborhood voted in the last two presidential elections.

Matt Zdun and Leila Darwiche

State House Districts 118 and 121, both in the San Antonio metro area, are two of the most competitive Texas House races in the state.

In District 118, state Rep. John Lujan and Democratic challenger Kristian Carranza have drawn impressive contributions from across the state. Lujan received a number of high-value contributions in the weeks leading up to Election Day from the Texans for Lawsuit Reform Political Action Committee. During the same time period, Carranza brought in similarly high contributions from the Leaders We Deserve committee. Both Lujan and Carranza have spent over $1 million on the race thus far.

In District 121, Republican Marc LaHood and Democrat Laurel Jordan Swift have also attracted impressive sums from groups like the Republican Party of Texas, Family Empowerment Coalition PAC and Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC. LaHood has outspent Swift by just over $500,000 as of the end of October.

Explore the Express-News campaign finance database to track more contributions to state and federal candidates.

Matt Zdun and Leila Darwiche

More than 51,000 Bexar County residents donated a total of $45 million to federal and state candidates and committees since the beginning of 2023. Where did the money go?

Committees associated with former President Donald Trump received nearly $3 million from county residents. Both Gov. Greg Abbott and Vice President Kamala Harris received $2.7 million across their political committees.

The three recipients benefited the most from money flowing out of Bexar County, outside of the Charles Butt Public Education PAC. The PAC received a $4.4 million dollar contribution from its namesake H-E-B CEO Charles Butt, the top donor in Bexar County this election cycle.

Explore more contributions from top donors in Bexar County with our individual contributors database.
You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber.



Not a subscriber?



Subscribe today for access to:

Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles).


Tanya Osho, left, and Josh Spann are excited to show their I Voted sticker after casting their votes on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

In a world of microwave ramen and instant movie downloads, a U.S. presidential election  at least in this political environment  will never provide immediate gratification.

My guess is well know who won by the end of the week at the earliest, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. It really depends on how many people are voting.

The delay, widely expected by election observers, stems from a host of challenges election officials face, and the need to be right rather than right now.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

There is a lot more scrutiny of local election officials, and they are going to take their time, Rottinghaus said.

LIVE ELECTION UPDATES: More than 153k have voted in Harris County thus far, shattering 2020 totals

Each state oversees their own elections, and has unique procedures and rules that make some easier to count than others. While dozens of states will be quickly decided  either because of fast counting or wide margins  the most competitive states will face the greatest need to carefully count, while many of those states could be so close that delays in smaller rural counties or large urban centers could keep the election result from being clear.

If the races are that close, they are going to trigger recounts, Rottinghaus said. The margin of victory in some states might be as low as 20,000 votes.

Legal challenges lead to delays

A handful of states could face legal challenges that make them too close to call and take extra time. On Monday and Tuesday this week, preliminary challenges were filed or decided in Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

That could send it into Monday or Tuesday (next week), Rottinghaus said of a confident result.

TEXAS VOTER GUIDE: A comprehensive guide to the local and national races this year

Protect Democracy, a nonprofit that tracks election integrity, estimated Pennsylvania will take four days to settle the 2024 election, the same number of days it took in 2020. Most states that are too close to call will take the same or less amount of time, according to the nonprofit.

Waiting isnt new for presidential election years. In 2020, the race was not called by most observers until four days later. In 2000, the nation waited as Florida figured out who won.

The worst case scenario is a state is called for one candidate, and it is not the case, Rottinghaus said, referring to some early predictions of the Sunshine State, which flipped as absentee and spoiled ballots were assessed.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Waiting a few days, Rottinghaus added, can be difficult, but necessary. The time is also not an indication of interference.

Preaching patience

We have been preaching patience, he said. Delays do not mean there is something nefarious happening.

Waiting for the presidential result, meanwhile, is not the only waiting Harris County and Texas voters will do. Because Harris has a tendency to report results slowly, Rottinghaus said the state and nation might be waiting for a final count on the Senate race between U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, the Republican, and U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, the Democrat.

Harris County gets a bad rap in their reporting, but it is because the county is so big, Rottinghaus said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

It is likely, then, election watchers will face a late night.
A total of 32 landmark announcements and deals over $12 billion were announced at the second edition of Gateway Gulf 2024, which ran on November 3 and 4 in Bahrain.

Organised by Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), the forum was attended by 250 ministers and business leaders from around the world and highlighted significant trade and investment opportunities in Bahrain and the wider Gulf, as the regions economies increasingly drive growth in non-oil sectors.

In finance, Al Salam Bank (ASB) announced the launch of ASB Capital, a newly established Category 3A asset management firm licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Investcorp announced key investment related initiatives, and SICO Bank introduced diversified investment products. J P Morgan Payments announced plans to hire technologists in Bahrain. Additionally, Singapore Gulf Bank announced the launch of corporate banking services for the global digital economy.

Highlighting Bahrains digital transformation momentum, Array Innovation signed three new partnerships with the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), and the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) to promote advanced enterprise software, analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning solutions. Beyon unveiled its visionary digital city and signed a development agreement with Edamah.

In manufacturing, Alba and Daiki Aluminium reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a sustainable aluminium dross processing facility in Bahrain. Racing Force Group and Bahrain International Circuit announced the completion of the Bell Racing Helmets factory extension and ground-breaking for its new open manufacturing production (OMP) facility. Meanwhile, Bapco Energies also announced reaching a decisive milestone of expanding its refining capacity in compliance with the latest sustainability regulations under Bapco Modernisation Program (BMP).

Key projects were announced by Edamah, the real estate arm of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, including the opening of its latest resort Hawar by Mantis. Infracorp, a leading company specialised in infrastructure investment and sustainable development, revealed an agreement with Kempinski to launch Harbour Heights Kempinski Hotel and exclusive branded residences in the heart of Manamas exclusive Bahrain Harbour.

Government announcements included details from Bahrains Ministry of Industry & Commerce about a National Industrial Development Fund and SMEs Development Fund. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning outlined plans for the development of 3,000 residential units and apartments in Khalifa City, while Mumtalakat, Bahrains sovereign wealth fund, signed several partnership agreements across key verticals of their portfolio.  TradeArabia News Service
Thinklight will return to Light + Intelligent Building Middle East from January 14-16, to explore the transformative power of light, elevating the art and science of lighting design and technology.

With a line-up of over 30 leading speakers from around the world, it is a must-attend event for designers, architects, lighting consultants, engineers, and project managers in the lighting industry.

The conference provides a platform for regional and international lighting professionals to meet, exchange ideas and share best practices.

The 2025 edition will focus on the theme Building Commonality through Culture, Creativity and Community and will explore how these aspects can be harnessed to drive innovation in the regions lighting and design sectors.

In a rapidly changing world, there is a growing need to foster connections that go beyond specific disciplines, said Abdul Muhsin, Show Director for Light + Intelligent Building Middle East.

This year, Thinklight will explore the power of creativity, the strength of community, the richness of culture and forging commonality in lighting design.

Through engaging keynote speeches, panel discussions and open dialogue, Thinklight aims to inspire, educate and connect attendees of the conference to help move the regions lighting industry forward.

On January 14, Thinklight will open with a keynote address from Lee Sweetman and Nikos Moskofidis, Partners at dpa Lighting Consultants, on The Evolution of Lighting Design in the Middle East: 25 Years of Shaping the Regions Lighting Design Practice.

Following this, a panel discussion moderated by Martin Lupton, Co-founder of Light Collective UK, will explore KSA as a Global Epicentre of Innovative Lighting.

The discussion will highlight several of Saudi Arabias mega projects, including Neom and the Red Sea project, and will look at the creative opportunities and groundbreaking solutions that the lighting industry can offer these iconic developments.

Later, on day one, a panel discussion will explore the various aspects of Immersive Design Approaches and Light Art as a Community Builder.

Moderated by Andrea Hartranft, Principal of Hartranft Lighting Design, this session will discuss how communities can connect, communicate and celebrate their unique cultural narratives in innovative and engaging ways, through the power of light and immersive experiences.

Koert Vermeulan, Founders & Principal Designer, ACT Lighting Design will conduct the opening keynote speech on the second day of the Thinklight Conference. This will lead on to an insightful panel discussion on Light as a Medium to Create Cohesive Cities.

This session discovers how light not only beautifies urban spaces but also bridges gaps between different communities, encouraging interaction, cultural exchange, and a collective sense of belonging.

On the final day of Thinklight, a keynote from Konstantin Klaas, Director, Licht Kunst Licht Berlin will precede a panel discussion on Illuminating Iconic Buildings.

This insightful session discusses how iconic buildings become not just physical structures, but symbols of a communitys culture, values and aspirations and explores the role that lighting design plays in this.

Now in its 18th edition, Light + Intelligent Building Middle East is co-located with Intersec to create the MENA regions largest trade fair for the building services sector.

The 2025 edition will showcase over 450 exhibitors, with fascinating insights shared by more than 100 speakers and an expected attendance of over 15,000 visitors.  TradeArabia News Service
Dubai South, the largest single-urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics and real estate, and Indu Kishore Logistics broke ground on a new facility that will be built at Dubai Souths Logistics District.

This development marks a significant milestone in the companys expansion plan, supporting its ambition to evolve into a multi-industry logistics leader.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by AbdulBasit AlMarzouqi, Deputy CEO of the Logistics District, Dubai South and Kishore Lakhani, Chairman Indu Group, in the presence of senior executives from both entities.

Completion in Q3 2025

The facility, spanning approximately 23,000 sq m and with a storage capacity of 75,000 pallets, is scheduled for completion by Q3 2025. Designed to handle spare parts of all sizes, it will leverage data-driven automation to streamline processes, enabling rapid turnaround times and ensuring an efficient, optimised flow of shipments.

Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of the Logistics District, Dubai South, said: The new facility will be of added value to the logistics sector and our portfolio of leading logistics companies. At Dubai South, our mandate is to support the governments vision of positioning Dubai as a leading global logistics hub. We are committed to fully supporting Indu Kishore Logistics in its expansion endeavours, and we look forward to the successful completion of this facility.

Kush Lakhani, Managing Partner at Indu Kishore Logistics, said: At Indu, we have long embraced Dubais visionary approach of Build It and They Will Come. This strategic investment is driven by a surge in demand within the automotive and aerospace sectors. With the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, we believe the timing is ideal, and we are truly grateful for the trust and support extended by the Dubai South team in bringing this project to fruition.

Premier services

Representing the pinnacle of logistical innovation encapsulated within a premier infrastructure network, Dubai Souths Logistics District offers premier services and operations as well as uninterrupted access to Jebel Ali Port via a bonded logistics corridor.

The district comprises multiple zones, which have direct access to the cargo terminals at Al Maktoum International Airport; EZDubai, a fully dedicated e-commerce free zone; and a Contract Logistics Zone.

-TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain's leading telecom and technology group Beyon has signed up Aecom, a leading provider of engineering, consulting and project management services, as the masterplanner for its ambitious Digital City project coming up on a 380,000-sq-m area in Hamala.

Beyons Digital City is firmly anchored in the organizations strategic purpose to accelerate the digital future towards enhanced connectivity, fostering growth, prosperity and the betterment of lives.

Functionally, the dynamic mixed-use environment will include Beyons main headquarters, as well as R&D centers, healthcare facilities, fitness and recreation centers, and educational premises.

In addition, there will be contemporary office spaces, retail and dining areas, as well as hospitality and serviced apartments.

At the heart of the development lies a 1.2 km green, vehicle-free, boulevard that seamlessly unites these spaces, promoting a harmonious lifestyle.

The signing of the MoU between Beyon and Aecom took place during the Gateway Gulf Investment Forum, with officials from both companies in attendance including the Chairman of the Digital City Development Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of Beyon) Faisal Aljalahma, the CEO of Beyon, Andrew Kvalseth, and the Director - Head of Project & Cost Management of Aecom David Border.

Speaking on the occasion, Aljalahma said: "We are pleased to take this tangible step towards the successful implementation of Beyons Digital City, and to be in the position to sign an MoU with Aecom for master planning of the project, which was unveiled on the opening day of Gateway Gulf Investment Forum."

"Their expertise will be invaluable as we strive to bring our Digital City to life in a manner that emphasizes a forward thinking, sustainable approach to urban living through a technology and community-focused design," he added.

On the contract win, Border said: "We are honoured to sign this MoU with Beyon for the master planning of their Digital City. This project is a remarkable opportunity to set a new standard for digitized, sustainable living; the ultimate showcase of integrated design, lifestyle and technology."

Beyon said by seamlessly integrating the elements of connectivity, technology, and real estate, the project sets a new standard for mixed-use developments in Bahrain, catering to the needs of advanced digital lifestyles while adhering to international standards and frameworks for smart cities.

The project also delivers on Beyons commitment to sustainability, with plans for LEED certification of buildings, as well as utilizing renewable energy sources and implementing efficient resource management practices.-TradeArabia News Service
Batelco, part of the Beyon Group, has announced that it has teamed up with Qareeb Data Centers for the establishment of the first White Space Data Centre in Bahrain.

The new data centre comes as part of Beyons Data Oasis, currently being developed following its major investment in global connectivity and digital infrastructure announced last year. On completion, it is set to become the biggest technology hub in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Headquartered in Bahrain, Qareeb is an emerging start-up poised to become a leading specialist edge service provider focused on the GCC region, Egypt, and Jordan.

Its strategic focus is anchored in delivering unparalleled edge solutions tailored for the regions unique needs.

Batelco CEO Maitham Abdulla and Qareeb Data Centers Chief Strategy Officer Annemarie Van Zadelhoff signed an agreement in this regard at the onging Gateway Gulf Investment Forum 2024 in the presence of senior officials from both companies.

As part of the agreement, Batelco and Qareeb Data Centers will explore the development of a number of activities, including setting up and delivering colocation services in the kingdom as well as implementing data centre initiatives in the region.

The partnership will also explore the feasibility of offering managed digital services to identified customers, alongside both parties existing services portfolios, it stated.

Abdulla said the deal is in line with the strategy of growing Beyon's presence in the digital infrastructure space, and more specifically in the data center market. "We continue to explore potential partnerships that can positively impact these initiatives," he stated.

"The collaboration with Qareeb is an ideal fit for Batelcos strategic needs as we continue to develop an agile and flexible business model to meet the growing demand for digital infrastructure in the region," he added.

On the strategic deal, Van Zadelhoff said: "The data center market is experiencing significant growth regionally with an undeniable increase in customer demands, particularly for local edge colocation facilities."

"We are excited to work with Batelco to provide us with an excellent starting point for our regional expansion plans," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
EDGE, one of the worlds leading advanced technology and defence groups, and Fincantieri, one of the largest shipbuilding companies in the world, today (November 5) signed an agreement, opening new channels for strategic collaboration in the high-potential underwater domain.

The MoU, inked at Euronaval, the worlds leading naval defence exhibition, currently being held in Paris, will see the two collaborate on the design, development, and creation of advanced manned and unmanned underwater systems solution capability in the UAE through their recently launched, Abu Dhabi-based shipbuilding joint venture, Maestral.

The Maestral concentrates on sales, commercial operations, and engineering for design and service of surface and underwater vessels and products, while providing valuable employment opportunities for highly skilled local and international talent.

This preliminary agreement will pave the way and boost for developing sophisticated solutions tailored to the unique underwater needs of navies worldwide.

This collaboration marks EDGE Groups first venture into underwater domain, enabling both organisations to share expertise and leverage extensive technical and production resources to develop a range of innovative, interoperable manned and unmanned products  further advancing the UAEs sovereign capabilities in cutting-edge defence technologies, for the benefit of the UAE and other navies worldwide.

The MoU was signed by Hamad Al Marar, the Managing Director & CEO of EDGE Group and Dr Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO & Managing Director, Fincantieri Group, in the presence of Khaled Al Zaabi, President  Platforms & Systems, EDGE, Dario Deste, General Manager of the Fincantieri Naval Vessels Division as well as other representatives of the Naval Vessels Division.

Folgiero said this agreement underscores a commitment to pioneering advancements in underwater technologies, combining engineering excellence with a forward-thinking approach.

"The underwater domain presents unique challenges, from fluid dynamics to communication and autonomy, which demand innovative and resilient solutions. Together, we aim to develop systems that meet the highest standards of interoperability, addressing critical needs within both the defence and energy sectors," he stated.

"Our efforts are dedicated to setting new benchmarks in safety, resilience, and environmental responsibility in underwater operations, contributing significantly to both national capabilities and global maritime security," he added.

With over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 ships built, Fincantieri maintains its know-how, expertise and management centres in Italy, employing 11,000 workers and creating around 90,000 jobs.

On the deal, Al Marar said: "In just five years, EDGE has boldly expanded its reach across every domain of advanced technology and defence. From the outset, we recognised that only through collaboration and partnership could we develop the technologies and expertise necessary for EDGE to lead in the air, land, sea, cyber, and space domains."

"Our ongoing partnership with Fincantieri exemplifies this strategy, opening limitless opportunities for both companies in the joint development and production of advanced surface and underwater naval solutions," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Koelnmesse, a global leader in organising top-tier international trade fairs for the tools and hardware sector, has sealed a strategic joint venture with dmg events for the launch of the inaugural edition of the International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia in capital Riyadh.

The partnership paves the way for expansion into the Saudi Arabian hardware industry, thus providing a valuable platform for international and local industry players, while expanding Koelnmesses portfolio in the Middle East.

As a platform for the hardware industry in the Middle East, the trade fair offers international and local suppliers in the hardware and tools sector a unique opportunity to forge important business relationships with distributors, retailers and major customers who play a significant role in the burgeoning Saudi Arabian market.

The kingdom is experiencing robust economic growth, with the construction industry in particular witnessing a surge in demand for building materials, DIY products, hardware and tools.

As per data released by Statista, the Saudi market for hardware and building materials is expected to generate sales of $9.27 billion in 2024 and grow to an estimated $10.39 billion by 2028.

This corresponds to annual sales growth of 2.89% for 20242028 period.

For the tools and machinery market, sales are projected to reach $1.18 billion in 2024 and grow at an annual rate of 3.04%.

According to Koelnmesse, the debut edition is scheduled for June 16 to 18, 2025 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center (RICEC). With its expansion into the Middle East, Koelnmesse is reinforcing its position as a key player in the global hardware sector.

"The launch of the International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia sends a strong message about our ambitions for global growth. We are leveraging our extensive know-how and the proven success of the Eisenwarenmesse - International Hardware Fair in Cologne to establish a new platform in the rapidly growing Saudi Arabian market," remarked Gerald Bose, CEO of Koelnmesse.

"Alongside our partner dmg events, we are excited to introduce this key industry event in Saudi Arabia. This venture will give our customers access to one of the worlds most dynamic markets, creating a strategic gateway to additional regional opportunities in the Middle East," he added.

Koelnmesse, stated Bose, is committed to helping its customers navigate their entry into the Saudi market and providing support through its global networks.

Many of Eisenwarenmesse - International Hardware Fairs international stakeholders have already expressed interest in this promising marketplace, he added.

The International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia - offers a unique competitive advantage. While other events focus only on specific segments, this trade fair is the first to provide a comprehensive, cross-industry platform dedicated exclusively to the hardware and tool sector in Saudi Arabia.

This presents the perfect opportunity for companies to enhance their brand visibility and foster lasting business relationships in a rapidly evolving market.

The partnership between Koelnmesse and dmg events, a leading organiser in the Middle East, creates a strong alliance for tapping into the regions market potential, remarked Matt Denton, President, dmg events.

As a new central event for the hardware industry, the International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia opens doors to the fast-growing markets in the Middle East, he stated.

Denton said dmg events was excited to combine the strengths of two global event organizers to deliver more value for the customers.

''As the leading international event organizer in Saudi since 2011, we run over 30 events in the kingdom, including the highly successful Big 5 Construct series, now in its 15th edition. Our local presence and strong relationships with key stakeholders offer unparalleled access to the Saudi market," he noted.

"This partnership aligns with our strategy of collaborating with the best to create opportunities, and were confident that together, we will unite a global and local community to meet the demands of the Saudi market," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Beyon Solutions, part of the Beyon Group, has announced that it is nearing a major deal for acquisition of a controlling stake in Link Development, a leading regional provider of software solutions for digital transformation, with operations in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and UAE.

Announcing this at the Gateway Gulf Investor Forum 2024 today (November 4), Beyon Solutions said it has along with Link Development received all the necessary regulatory consents, and finalization of the acquisition is now subject solely to remaining administrative conditions and formalities which are within the parties control.

"We have been focussed on implementing all the necessary requirements and look forward to concluding our acquisition of Link Development., with the transaction being firmly in line with our commitment to advancing digital transformation in the region," remarked Beyon Digital Growth CEO Shaikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.

The event presented a valuable opportunity to discuss key elements of the transaction and bring it closer to completion.

"Link Developments experience and extensive operations, paired with our Group expertise in digital acceleration, together with our strong backbone of team members across Beyons Digital network of companies, will help to ensure we are equipped to enhance our regional footprint and portfolio," stated Shaikh Mohamed.

"Our acquisition of Link Development compliments the existing geographic locations of Beyon Solutions and will cement our position as one of the largest hubs of digital transformation services in the region," he noted.

Beyon Solutions CEO Nicholas Toon said: "Since the announcement of the acquisition in May both Beyon Solutions and Link Development have been working tirelessly to meet the requirements set by the various authorities in KSA, UAE and Egypt."

"With the legalities at an advanced stage, the teams from both parties are ready to take the next steps towards the creation of a dynamic and innovative solution integrator, specializing in cutting-edge technology solutions, with extensive expertise and geographical presence setting us apart as a trusted partner for businesses and Governments seeking seamless technology integration and outcomes," he noted.

Link Development CEO Hesham El Beih said: "I'm thrilled with the progress made and excited about the opportunities this presents for our customers. Closing the transaction will enable us to broaden our solutions footprint and help in ensuring we can meet the evolving needs of our customers."

"Beyons digital companies, which soon are expected to include Link Development as part of Beyon Solutions, are expanding into new geographies, through the development of groundbreaking products and services that drive transformational change to enterprise and governments via cloud, application, infrastructure, cybersecurity and consultancy services" he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Polymatech Electronics plans to invest $100 million to set up a semiconductor manufacturing facility in Bahrain, N Eswara Rao, the Managing Director and CEO, announced during the recent Gateway Gulf 2024 forum.

In his remarks to Bahrain News Agency (BNA), Rao outlined the phased approach of the project, stating: "We are investing $100 million in phase one in Bahrain." This initial phase is split into two stages: Phase 1A involves a $16.5 million investment in leased premises, where operations are set to begin in the second week of January 2025. Phase 1B, with an investment of $83.5 million, will focus on constructing a dedicated facility on company-owned land, with operations proposed to start by October 2026.

Polymatech Electronics, with a research department in London, UK, and a marketing office in Singapore, is a leading semiconductor manufacturer with plants in the US and France. The expansion to Bahrain will make the kingdom a hub for Polymatechs operations in the Mena region. "We are setting up a manufacturing facility in Bahrain, which will serve as a hub for the Mena region," Rao explained.

Plans to scale up to 10 billion chips annually

The companys Bahrain-based operations will initially focus on producing medical and horticultural electronics, with the ambitious goal of scaling up to 10 billion chips annually.

Rao credited the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Bahrain for its critical role in streamlining the process of this investment.

Initially, Polymatech will operate from leased premises, with plans to move to a custom-built facility on its own land in Bahrain by 2026. "The facility is expected to go live by January 2025," Rao said, adding that the company anticipates swift progress in scaling up its manufacturing capabilities.--TradeArabia News Service
Polymatech Electronics plans to invest $100 million in establishing a semiconductor manufacturing facility in Bahrain, N Eswara Rao, the Managing Director and CEO, announced during the Gateway Gulf 2024 forum in Manama.

The investment marks a significant development in the region's technology landscape, aligning with Bahrains economic diversification strategy, a Bahrain News Agency report said.

In his remarks to Bahrain News Agency (BNA), Rao outlined the phased approach of the project, stating: "We are investing $100 million in phase one in Bahrain."

This initial phase is split into two stages: Phase 1A involves a $16.5 million investment in leased premises, where operations are set to begin in the second week of January 2025. Phase 1B, with an investment of $83.5 million, will focus on constructing a dedicated facility on company-owned land, with operations proposed to start by October 2026.

Polymatech Electronics, with a research department in London, UK, and a marketing office in Singapore, is a leading semiconductor manufacturer, with existing plants in the US and France. The expansion to Bahrain will make the kingdom a hub for Polymatechs operations in the MENA region.

"We are setting up a manufacturing facility in Bahrain, which will serve as a hub for the MENA region," Rao explained.

The companys Bahrain-based operations will initially focus on producing medical and horticultural electronics, with the ambitious goal of scaling up to 10 billion chips annually.

Rao credited the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Bahrain for its critical role in streamlining the process for this investment, expressing appreciation for their support.

"The facility is expected to go live by January 2025," Rao confirmed, adding that the company anticipates swift progress in scaling up its manufacturing capabilities.

Attending the Gateway Gulf 2024 forum provided Polymatech with valuable networking opportunities. Rao noted, "We have met a couple of people who are interested in the project," and expressed optimism about the investment's prospects, supported by strategic backing from the Bahraini government and the EDB.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was seen giving remarks to republican delegates from Texas on the first day of the Texas GOP Convention on May 23, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee

After Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a last-minute lawsuit Monday to stop the U.S. Department of Justice from sending monitors into county polling locations and central count during Tuesdays election, the agency agreed to remain outside those locations, according to a court filing.

The third-term Republican had argued the federal monitors are not allowed inside under state law and joined several other GOP-led states in seeking to block their presence on the eve of the presidential contest between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Texans run Texas elections, and we will not be bullied by the Department of Justice, Paxton said in a statement Tuesday. The DOJ knows it has no authority to monitor Texas elections and backed down when Texas stood up for the rule of law. No federal agent will be permitted to interfere with Texass free and fair elections.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The Justice Department agreed to not interfere with voters trying to vote, while Texas officials acknowledged that voters may speak with the agency's lawyers and other personnel if they choose, according to the agreement.

The Department of Justice announced Friday that it would be sending staff to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in 27 states, including in Harris, Dallas,and Bexar Counties. The agencys press release did not say whether staff would enter polling locations.

The Justice Department, which declined to comment over the weekend, has for decades sent attorneys and staff to monitor polling places to ensure the Voting Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal statutes are being followed. The department previously sent monitors to Harris County ahead of the elections in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022. This year's announcement came after Texas Democratic candidates and elected officials asked the department to send monitors to observe the election in the states five most populous counties.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Republican state officials have pushed back on the effort. Secretary of State Jane Nelson issued a letter Friday stating that the Justice Department monitors should not be allowed into polling places under Texas law. The Florida secretary of state made a similar statement, and on Monday, Missouri also filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the monitors.

In Paxtons suit, he argued that federal authorities are not authorized to be in voting locations or central counting stations under Texas law. The suit had asked the court to temporarily block the federal monitors from entering either of those locations. With the agreement in place, Texas dropped that request but said it would leave the suit pending until the conclusion of the election "to ensure DOJs compliance."

READ MORE: Some Republican-led states refuse to let Justice Department monitors into polling places

The suit, filed in federal court in Amarillo, was almost certain to land before Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, as he is the only federal judge in that district, and it did in fact land before him.

Rochelle Garza, president of the Texas Civil Rights Project and Democrat who previously ran against Paxton for attorney general in 2022, said that while state law does not expressly say federal monitors can enter polling places, it does allow a person whose presence has been authorized by the presiding judge in accordance with this code.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Garza said that could be taken to mean that election judges could choose to greenlight federal monitors at their polling locations.

The issue quickly became politicized this week. In Harris County, conservatives have framed the federal monitoring as an attempt to spark fear in Democrats and motivate them to vote, while Democrats said state officials were politicizing a routine activity that is necessary to prevent civil rights violations during elections.
Almarai, the world's largest vertically-integrated dairy company and the worlds fourth most valuable dairy brand in 2024, has partnered with Google Cloud to accelerate its digital transformation initiatives.

This collaboration aims to empower Almarai to enhance operational efficiency, drive growth and deliver exceptional customer experiences in an increasingly competitive market.

As the Middle East's population grows and consumer demands evolve, Almarai recognises the need to leverage digital technologies to optimise its operations and continue to offer world-class products and customer experiences.

Meeting challenges

By migrating its critical systems to Google Cloud, Almarai gains access to a scalable, flexible and cost-effective platform that will enable it to innovate faster and meet the challenges of a dynamic marketplace.

"At Almarai, we are committed to delivering the highest quality products and services to our customers," said Danko Maras, Chief Financial Officer at Almarai. "Our partnership with Google Cloud is a testament to our dedication to innovation and our pursuit of excellence. We are confident that this collaboration will empower us to unlock new opportunities, drive growth, and enhance our customer experience."

Almarai's digital transformation journey involves two key initiatives: migrating its SAP workloads to Google Cloud with SAP RISE, and moving its sales application to the cloud. These strategic moves empower Almarai to meet increasing global demands and leverage the full benefits of cloud computing, including:

Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Google Cloud's robust, secure, and reliable infrastructure ensures Almarai can operate with confidence and achieve peak performance.

Accelerated Innovation: The platform facilitates the rapid development and deployment of new applications and services, enabling Almarai to respond to evolving market needs swiftly and effectively.

Scalability and Growth: Google Cloud's inherent scalability allows Almarai to accommodate ambitious growth, optimise resource allocation, and seamlessly support future expansion.

Seamless Integration: Almarai can seamlessly integrate Google Cloud services with existing systems and those of other cloud providers. This interoperability unlocks valuable insights and streamlines key processes by connecting with powerful analytics and automation tools.

Data Sovereignty: By hosting data in Saudi Arabia with Google Cloud, Almarai ensures compliance with local regulations while maintaining complete control and ownership of its data. This commitment to data sovereignty aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, underscoring Almarai's dedication to national priorities and its role in the kingdom's digital transformation.

Agile technologies

"We are happy to partner with Google Cloud on our digital transformation journey," said Dr Faisal Alnasser, Chief Information Officer at Almarai. "Almarai's global aspirations demand agile technologies and superior customer experiences in order to stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving FMCG industry. Google Cloud's world-class infrastructure and advanced technologies will provide us with the foundation we need to achieve our strategic objectives and deliver exceptional value to our customers."

"Almarai is a true innovator in the food and beverage industry, and we are proud to support its digital transformation journey," said Bader Almadi, Country Manager for Google Cloud in Saudi Arabia. "By leveraging the power of Google Cloud's infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies, Almarai is not only enhancing its operational efficiency but also setting a new standard for customer experience in the region. As one of the world's most valuable dairy brands, Almarai's commitment to digital transformation is an inspiration to businesses across the Middle East."--TradeArabia News Service
Leading Saudi telecom services operator Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) said it has signed a cooperation agreement with Telecom Egypt to establish the first Saudi-owned submarine cable connecting the kingdom and Egypt.

The new underwater cable, wholly-owned by Mobily, will pass under the Red Sea, paving the way for expansion and enhanced connectivity options toward Europe.

It will be deployed between two landing stations on the Red Sea, one in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and the other in Duba, Saudi Arabia. The cable will enable Mobily to connect the Arabian Gulf and neighboring countries to the Egyptian Red Sea station through Mobily's digital corridors.

The new cable will expand Mobily's network of submarine cable systems and international infrastructure, providing more reliable connectivity to accommodate growing communication traffic and meet increasing demand for local and international internet services.

Additionally, it will provide connectivity to various existing submarine cable systems extending toward Egypt.

"The new cable represents a significant step in strengthening the Kingdom's position as a leading international hub for communications and data traffic, aligning with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030," remarked Mobily CEO Salman Al Badran.

Signing of this cooperation agreement reaffirms Mobilys commitment to expanding its infrastructure and enhancing its capabilities regionally and internationally, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Bahrains Nationality, Passports, and Residence Affairs (NPRA) has issued over 10,000 Golden Residency permits to recipients from 99 countries, to drive economic and investment growth and attract skilled talent.

This initiative aligns with government directives led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, with the follow-up of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Minister of Interior, a Bahrain News Agency (BNA) report said.

The permits have been granted to a select group of property owners, skilled professionals- including artists and athletes, as well as long-serving employees and their families who met the eligibility criteria.

Investing in a Rapidly Transforming Region

The announcement was made at the recent Gateway Gulf 2024 hosted by Bahrain. The forum brought together international government officials, business leaders and executives under the theme Investing in a Rapidly Transforming Region.

Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of NPRA, noted that the Minister of Interiors directives have strengthened Bahrains investment climate across multiple sectors, supporting the economy in line with Bahrains Economic Vision 2030 and advancing digital transformation within residency services.

The Golden Residency is available to eligible employees or retirees who have lived in Bahrain for over five consecutive years with a minimum monthly salary of BD2,000 ($5,307).

The following categories are eligible for immediate Golden Residency based on specific requirements:

Property Owners: Must own property or properties in Bahrain valued at a minimum of BD200,000.

Retirees: Must have a monthly income of at least BD4,000.

Talented Individuals: Must meet the criteria set for their specific field.--TradeArabia News Service
Energy industry must capitalise on the opportunities of the global megatrends to lead the world to the next phase of sustainable economic growth, said Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Adnoc Managing Director and Group CEO, delivering the opening address of Adipec 2024.

Adipec 2024 opened on Monday, marking 40 years of energy stewardship by uniting world leaders under the theme of Connecting Minds. Transforming Energy.

We stand at the dawn of a new era of hope and possibility, defined by three megatrends: first, the rise of the Global South and Emerging Markets. Second, the transformation of energy systems, and third, the exponential growth of Artificial Intelligence. These three megatrends present mega opportunities that demand mega solutions. By 2050, 1.7 billion people will join our planet, mostly in the Global South. As a result, energy markets must shift and grow and energy systems must be transformed.

He said an unprecedented cross sectoral integration is required to accelerate sustainable growth.

Being held in Abu Dhabi from November 4-7, Adipec is gathering over 184,000 attendees. More than 40 ministers and 200 global C-suite executives will be among the 1,800-plus speakers who will contribute to the 370-plus conference sessions.

These varied global perspectives will address key energy transition priorities, emphasising the need to embrace transformational solutions such as artificial intelligence to empower lives around the world and drive global sustainability and prosperity.

The events commitment to innovation and cross-border collaboration was further affirmed during Adipecs first Ministerial Panel, titled The new global leaders and the energy transition, which addressed the role of policy and cross-border cooperation in shaping the energy transition and expanding access to groundbreaking climate technologies.

The session heard insights from Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, UAE; Hardeep S Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India; Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda; and Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Egypt.

Al Mazrouei said: Our leaders in the UAE have always thought of the future, and we are committed to investing in more energy resources to ensure adequate supply. We are privileged to have leadership that cares about investment in energy, and our commitment to renewables, nuclear and conventional energy will continue.

Adipec also featured insights from private sector leaders, as they explored the difficulties of balancing business priorities and rising energy consumption with the realities of climate change.

During a session titled Meeting escalating global energy demand whilst transitioning to a low carbon energy system, attendees heard from the energy industrys top executives, including Murray Auchincloss, CEO, bp; Wael Sawan, CEO, Shell; Tengku Muhammad Taufik, President & Group CEO, Petronas; Claudio Descalzi, CEO, Eni; and Musabbeh Al Kaabi, Executive Director, Low Carbon Solutions & International Growth, Adnoc.

Wael Sawan, CEO, Shell, shared his companys approach to the energy transition: We fundamentally believe that the world needs much more energy, and specifically more diversified forms of energy. As a company, we must be very clear about where we can invest our capital. Decarbonising our existing assets is the first step, and the next step in this process is changing our operations.

The worlds leading international energy organisations also made important contributions throughout day one, leveraging their unique experiences with global cooperation and energy diplomacy to outline the collective efforts required to accelerate wide-scale decarbonisation in every corner of the world.

Brian Sullivan, CEO, IPIECA, said Our industry has the skills, expertise and experience to address the issues surrounding the energy transition, and we must bring together our drive to enhance the environmental and social performance of oil and gas, integrating energy transition with sustainable development.

The new Finance and Investment Conference provided a platform for leaders from government, finance, and energy to discuss the disparity between capital flows and the investment necessary for a fair and equitable transition.

This was summarised in a panel on Bridging the gap: energy and financial cross-sector collaboration to advance new projects, by Reinhard Florey, CFO, OMV: There are specific energy solutions for which we need capital. However, there is also an extended value system that we need capital support on. These extended networks, such as infrastructure, need to be built, and we encourage lenders to consider this opportunity. It takes a lot of specialist know-how to make the technology work, but it also takes the right infrastructure.

AI remained a critical focus of Adipec 2024, as this years event featured the all-new AI Zone, where industry experts and business leaders showcased the technologys power to revolutionise energy systems, enhance grid resilience and unlock new investment opportunities.

With AI set to play a critical role in our energy future, Adipec will serve a critical platform for accelerating investment and collaboration around this transformative solution, building on 40 years of fostering innovation and sustainable progress in the global energy transition.  TradeArabia News Service
Saad Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, held talks with top energy leaders during a visit to the Republic of Korea.

Al-Kaabi met during his visit with the CEO of Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation and expanding business relations.

KOGAS is an important buyer of Qatari LNG.

Al-Kaabi was accompanied by a delegation of senior executives from QatarEnergy and QatarEnergy LNG. -TradeArabia News Service
Pakistans low-cost carrier Fly Jinnah has announced plans to launch new non-stop flights between Lahores Allama Iqbal International Airport and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The new route will commence on November 16, with flights operating twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Starting December 7, the frequency will increase to three weekly flights with the addition of a Thursday service.

"We are glad to launch this new route between Lahore and Dammam, further reinforcing our expanding presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," said a spokesman for the Pakistani budget carrier.

"This route underscores Fly Jinnahs commitment to offer enhanced connectivity and exceptional value to our passengers. We look forward to welcoming travelers onboard our new flights and further expanding our network to cater to their needs," he stated.

Fly Jinnah said the Lahore-Dammam operations launch come close on the heels of its flights to capital Riyadh which begin on November 15, thus marking another step forward in its commitment to provide accessible and convenient travel options for passengers across Pakistan and the Gulf region.

It will operate a modern fleet of five Airbus A320 aircraft, serving five major cities in Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Quetta, said the spokesman.

The airline also operates international flights from Lahore to Sharjah, as well as from Islamabad to Bahrain, Muscat and Sharjah. With a focus on convenience and reliability, Fly Jinnah continues to grow its network, providing exceptional service and value to its customers, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The Etihad team with the A380 aircraft in the background

Etihad Airways has welcomed the return of its iconic A380 aircraft  the world's largest passenger aircraft, measuring 73 metres in length and 24 metres in height  to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, enhancing the travel experience between Abu Dhabi and Paris.

The 486-seat aircraft offers Etihad's most celebrated inflight features. It includes The Residence  the world's only three-room suite in the sky, nine First Apartments, and 70 Business Studios.

It also features 405 Economy Smart seats, including 68 extra-legroom options, ensuring a comfortable journey for all travellers. The upper deck features The Lobby, an exclusive lounge area for First and Business class guests.

Designed and manufactured in Europe, with final assembly in Toulouse, the A380 represents a proud achievement of French aerospace engineering and innovation. The aircraft's return to Paris celebrates this French aviation legacy.

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: "As a city celebrated for its style and ambiance, Paris continues to be a key destination in our global network.

The return of our A380 strengthens the travel offering between Abu Dhabi and Paris, reflecting our commitment to this important route."

The return of the A380 to Paris and our broader network expansion plans, including increasing to year-round, double-daily frequencies to Milan, Rome, Manchester, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Barcelona, and Madrid, demonstrate our strong growth momentum in Europe.

This enhanced capacity reflects the rising demand we're seeing in France, with more exciting announcements to come before the end of 2024.

The UAE and France share strong bilateral ties across culture, education, and business sectors. A unique cultural bridge connects the two capitals as the only cities in the world to house a Louvre Museum.

The route caters to growing demand from leisure travellers and the strong business ties between the two countries, particularly in the aviation, energy, and luxury sectors.

The return of the A380 increases the route's capacity by 31%, with an additional three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner joining the service from January 15, 2025. Both aircraft will operate in a three-class configuration, with the signature Etihad First Class experience available on all frequencies.

The A380 offers 486 seats, including nine First Apartments, 70 Business Studios, and 405 Economy Smart seats with 68 extra-legroom options, while the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features 8 First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 190 Economy Smart seats.

Together, these aircraft will offer nearly 5,000 seats weekly, significantly boosting connectivity between the two capitals.

It also gives visitors more opportunities to enjoy Abu Dhabis endless sunshine and rich visitor experiences, while offering seamless connections to key destinations worldwide as a global hub.

Etihad's Abu Dhabi Stopover programme further enhances this connectivity enabling travellers to extend their layovers into memorable stays with up to two complimentary nights at premium hotels in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the city's growing appeal as a must-visit destination.  TradeArabia News Service
Esterad Amwaj Company, the developer and owner of the iconic Amwaj Beachfront project in Bahrain, today (November 4) signed a partnership deal with leading hospitality company Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) for the launch of key properties such as the METT Hotel & Residences, Isola Beach, and Raise Fitness to Amwaj Islands.

This collaboration represents a milestone development for the region, featuring 220 keys, branded villas, and residences that promise to elevate luxury and wellness on the Amwaj Beachfront, said a statement from Esterad Amwaj.

Under Sunset Hotels & Resorts, the METT brand has made waves in the hospitality industry by delivering a distinctive lifestyle experience combining sophisticated design, exclusive amenities, and wellness offerings.

The addition of METT Residences, Isola Beach, and Raise Fitness will provide residents and guests with an array of world-class facilities set against the vibrant backdrop of the Amwaj Beachfront, creating a harmonious blend of relaxation and luxury, it stated.

The project aims to draw international interest and further solidify the areas reputation as a premier destination for lifestyle and luxury. With the combined expertise and visionary approach of both Esterad Amwaj and SHG, the development is set to redefine hospitality standards within the region.

On the deal, Ahmed Abdulrahman, the CEO of Esterad Investment Company, and Chairman of Esterad Amwaj, said: "Esterad Amwaj is thrilled to partner with SHG to bring a number of world-class hospitality concepts to Amwaj Beachfront. This collaboration is a pivotal step toward realizing our vision of establishing a vibrant, luxurious destination that enhances the lifestyle and leisure offerings in Bahrain."

"We look forward to setting a new benchmark in hospitality and providing unparalleled experiences for both residents and visitors to Amwaj Islands," he stated.

Antonio Gonzalez, CEO and Group Chairman of SHG, said: "Partnering with Esterad Amwaj represents an exciting milestone for us as we expand our footprint in Bahrain. Our aim is to bring a new level of luxury and lifestyle experiences to Amwaj Beachfront, tailored to the tastes of todays discerning traveler and resident."

"Were committed to creating memorable and immersive spaces that resonate with the local community while adding to Bahrains growing appeal as a premier lifestyle and leisure destination in the region," he stated.

Amwaj Beachfront is distinguished as a first of its kind project in Bahrain, offering residents the longest private beach exclusive to the waterfront of Amwaj Islands, in addition to 30,000 sq m of green spaces, distributed and designed according to the highest international quality standards.-TradeArabia News Service
Fly Jinnah, Pakistan's low-cost carrier, said it will launch direct flights between Lahore and Jeddah, from November 16, enhancing travel options between both the countries in response to an increasing demand for affordable and reliable connections.

Initially four weekly flights will be operated by the budget carrier, which will then be increased to daily flights, starting from December 6.

The Jeddah route joins Fly Jinnahs recently launched direct flights from Lahore to Riyadh and Dammam.

A Fly Jinnah spokesperson said: We are excited to further enhance our presence in Saudi Arabia with our new route to Jeddah. This expansion underlines our commitment to providing value-driven travel options.

Fly Jinnah operates a modern fleet of five Airbus A320 aircraft, servicing domestic and international routes from major cities like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta.

Its international network now includes Sharjah, Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah, along with destinations like Bahrain and Muscat from Islamabad.

By offering more direct travel options, Fly Jinnah seeks to accommodate both business and leisure travellers, said the spokesperson.-TradeArabia News Service
Keturah, the revolutionary global luxury wellbeing real estate and hospitality concept has announced key construction milestones with the completion of shoring, piling, excavation and infrastructure works at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside.

The projects main contractor, CECEP Techand Middle East, has begun work on the AED2.8 billion ($762 million) development, which is scheduled for completion by Q4 2027.

Located within Keturah Resort, the first fully wellness-certified resort in the Mena region, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside comprises 200 residences across seven buildings and 12 mansions, each featuring exclusive yacht berthing for residents.

According to Keturah, the homeowners will benefit from an impressive range of world-class facilities, including a wellness center, a Clubhouse, complete with a private members-only club, a ladies club, a kids club, fine dining and Michelin-star restaurants, a 550-metre promenade, sustainable and organic-focused retail spaces, 24/7 private parking with valet, and a gated community with unique views of the wildlife sanctuary, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Creek Harbor and Meydan.

Keturah Chief Development Officer Mo Moghrabi said: "We are pleased with these construction milestones, and the start of work on the project by CECEP. The Ritz-Carlton project reflects Keturahs efforts to provide an immersive wellness-luxury lifestyle across Dubai, adopting a comprehensive approach and offering top-notch amenities within The Residences to meet the global appeal on premium properties across the emirate."

"This project is set to transform the real estate landscape in the region, and our vision is to create spaces where residents can thrive in harmony with their surroundings, enjoying a lifestyle that goes beyond traditional luxury. With every milestone, we are one step closer to bringing this vision to life," he added.

It is located on Dubai Creek, facing Dubais wildlife sanctuary in Ras Al Khor, providing convenient access to Dubai Downtown, Dubai International Financial Centre, and Dubai International Airport.

Jaidev Menezes, the Regional Vice President (Mixed-Use Development) for EMEA at Marriott International, said: "We are excited at this significant milestone bringing us a step closer to offering future homeowners of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside, an exceptional lifestyle marked by the legendary anticipatory service of The Ritz-Carlton brand."

"Each residence adheres to the WELL Certification Standards and is complemented by ultra-high-end leisure areas as well as exclusive spa and wellness facilities, all of which meet the WELL Health-Safety Rating," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Tanzania records major surge in Chinese tourist arrivals: official

Xinhua) 09:30, November 05, 2024

DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The number of Chinese tourists visiting Tanzania's tourist attractions has been on a remarkable rise since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Tanzanian tourism official has said.

Hassan Abbasi, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, said 54,444 Chinese tourists visited Tanzania between January and September this year, more than the number recorded for the whole year of 2023.

"The Chinese tourist market is responding remarkably," Abbasi told a news conference Sunday in the port city of Dar es Salaam, ahead of the Tanzania and China in Alliance with Tourism and Culture event marking 60 years of strong diplomatic ties between the two countries.

He said that in 2018, before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, 32,000 Chinese tourists visited Tanzania, a number that rose to 44,038 in 2023.

The Tanzanian government has been trying to seize the Chinese tourism market by conducting promotional events, including tourism roadshows in major Chinese cities and the launch in Beijing in May 2024 of a film called Amazing Tanzania.

The film featuring President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania's Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, and prominent Chinese actor Jin Dong has served as a catalyst to attract more tourists from China to visit the East African nation, he said.

The Amazing Tanzania film will be relaunched in Tanzania on Monday during the Tanzania and China in Alliance with Tourism and Culture event, which will go in tandem with tourism and culture exhibitions at the Chinese-built Julius Nyerere International Convention Center in Dar es Salaam.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Nancy M. Preyor-Johnson is the Deputy Metro Editor. She can be reached at nancy.preyor-johnson@express-news.net

She previously worked as the deputy editor on the Express-News Editorial Board. The award-winning journalist and former teacher holds a master's degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies. A native of the South Texas town of Mathis, she has a bachelors degree in communications from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She serves on the executive board of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading Thai hospitality management company, is set to present its growth strategy and plan to expand portfolio at the World Travel Market (WTM) London, running from November 5 to 7 at ExCel London.

The group, which manages hotels, resorts, and serviced apartments, aims to attract more leisure travellers through its diverse offerings.

ONYX currently oversees 46 properties under brands such as Amari, OZO, Shama, and Oriental Residence. As part of its growth goals, ONYX plans to manage over 50 properties by 2025 and expand to 70 by 2028.

Two new openings are on the horizon: Amari Colombo, Sri Lanka, set to open in late 2024, and Amari Vientiane, Laos, expected in early 2025. These additions reinforce ONYX's presence in southeast Asia.

The company is also expanding in Malaysia with properties like Shama Medini and OZO Medini. Other target markets include Thailand, China, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka. The UK remains a priority market, especially with British Airways upcoming direct flights from London to Bangkok in April 2025.

At WTM, ONYX celebrates Oriental Residence Bangkok joining the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection and its recent MICHELIN Key award. These honours reflect the propertys high standards in hospitality.

Chief Executive Officer Yuthachai Charanachitta expressed excitement about the groups expansion, stating, "The UK is a key market, and we are dedicated to offering top-tier leisure and luxury experiences."

Additionally, the Shama brand has seen a 200% increase in Thailand and maintains a strong presence in Hong Kongs serviced apartment sector.

Shama's new campaign, Freedom to Explore and Live Your Blended Life at Shama, embodies a lifestyle approach for modern travellers, focusing on a seamless balance of work, leisure, and exploration.

The campaign includes a brand video that highlights Shamas commitment to community-focused experiences.  TradeArabia News Service
A cocoa farmer and co-owner of his familys estate was shot dead inside his vehicle in Paria on Friday night.

He was one of four men murdered between Friday evening and yesterday.

The murder toll for the year so far stood at 82 up to last night.

Police said Javed Omardeen, 33, of Upper Gomes Trace, Brasso Seco, Paria, was meeting with someone while sitting in his vehicle around 6.15 p.m. when he was shot.
It's important to remember on election night don't be fooled by early returns. They won't necessarily be reflective of how the race is going to end up. Every state counts votes a little bit differently, but in many states you'll see the Democrat will be up by a large margin at the beginning 
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a Turning Point Action campaign rally on Oct. 23 in Duluth, Ga. Alex Brandon/Associated Press Vice President Kamala Harris waves to the crowd during her rally at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event with former President Barack Obama on Oct. 24 in Clarkston, Ga. Alex Wong/Getty Images Presidential cookie poll cookies with candidate caricatures for Harris, Trump and Three Brothers Bakery's mascot, Gingy. Mayra Vasquez/Three Brothers Bakery

Red and blue Americans do not agree on much, but can we at least promise to never again go through another presidential election like this years?

Whether your candidate wins or not, I dont know anyone who thinks 2024 was a good year for democracy. But can we avoid making the same mistakes again without systemic reforms?

Voter dissatisfaction was the persistent theme of the 2024 race for the White House. Democrats allowed an unpopular incumbent to dominate the primary and hid his impaired capacity. When it became clear President Joe Biden could not win, the party shifted to Kamala Harris without debate and despite her unpopularity with voters.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Republicans behaved just as badly. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the most senior elected Republican, warned that former President Donald Trump was a chaotic candidate whom half the country despised. Still, Trumps supporters took over the GOP with little resistance.

The 2024 presidential election created a new category of voters: the double haters. Most American voters are tired of choosing the lesser of two evils.

The problem with running candidates with a net negative approval rating is that a positive campaign rarely elevates them. The more reliable strategy is to go negative, which also frustrates and alienates moderate voters, even if fear and anger turn out the partys base.

Democracy doesnt have to be distasteful, though, if we employ the right incentives.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Our current system allows extremists to choose the candidates. The main culprits are gerrymandered districts that make elections uncompetitive, campaign finance laws that give donors all the power and election rules that create hurdles to voting.

The Electoral College has delivered a president who lost the popular vote five times, including Trump in 2016. The Electoral College not only gives voters in small states more power in picking the nations leader, but it creates swing states where only a few thousand voters in seven states determine the outcome.

The best compromise is to require all states to adopt Maines and Nebraskas policies of assigning electoral votes based on congressional districts. In Nebraska, this means votes cast by Democrats in Omaha are as important as votes in the two Republican congressional districts. The remaining two electoral votes go to the candidate who carried the state.

Based on current representation, Texas would have sent 28 Republican and 12 Democratic electors to decide the election. If presidential candidates needed to fight district by district, rather than state by state, Americans would feel their vote mattered more and parties would need more moderate candidates.

We could also draw congressional districts to make them more competitive by taking away the Legislatures power to draw them. The lines are so partisan today that only 43 out of 435 races for the House of Representatives are remotely competitive, the Cook Political Report says.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The only election that counts in almost 400 congressional races is the party primary, which becomes a purity contest. The Republican Party of Texas provides clear evidence that the party radicals most willing to attend and dominate county party meetings pick the candidates, not average Americans.

Ending gerrymandering is not difficult. There are dozens of non-partisan statistical models that can unite communities with common interests without regard to party affiliation.

Two new voting techniques can also make elections more competitive. Louisiana and California have so-called jungle primaries where candidates from all parties run in the same election, and the top two move on to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

Alaska and Maine use ranked-choice voting, where voters list the candidates in order of preference. This system guarantees that every voters choice counts.

Lastly, the first question any party official asks a prospective candidate is how much money they can raise. Parties seek out wealthy people to run for office because they can self-finance and they know other rich people.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

While federal candidates can only raise so much, Texas has no limit on campaign donations. The U.S. Supreme Court has also ruled that rich people can spend whatever they want on political ads.

The easiest solution may be to limit the campaign season. Most democracies ban political advertising, rallies, media appearances or polling before a designated campaign period.

Lastly, we should register every American to vote as soon as they are eligible and make voting as simple as possible. We should expect people to turn out, not put obstacles in their way.

The time to consider these ideas is now before the politicians get carried away again and more voters look at our system with disgust.
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Vietnam's 50 minibuses will make their debut in Ho Chi Minh City to serve commuting and travel demands soon after a batch was handed over to a firm in the city this week.

Kim Long Motor Hue Joint Stock Company, headquartered in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam, on Monday delivered 50 Kim Long X9 minibuses to Binh Minh Investment Group JSC, located in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City.

This marked the first batch to be handed over out of the contractual package of 500 minibuses signed between the two firms.

The vehicle line was launched in the Vietnamese market in October.

The 16-seater minibuses are priced at over VND700 million (US$27,625) each.

These buses will be used to serve students, workers, and tourists in the southern metropolis.

Vo Quoc Binh, chairman of Binh Minh Investment Group JSC, said that the firm highly valued the quality and efficiency of the Kim Long X9 minibus model.

The vehicle line was launched in the Vietnamese market in October 2024. Photo: Nhat Linh / Tuoi Tre

Binh also expressed his pride in offering transport services using Vietnamese-branded vehicles designed by local engineers.

The partnership is expected to help enhance the quality of passenger transport services in Vietnam, Binh said.

Ly Quoc Viet, deputy head of Kim Long Motor Hue, was committed to supplying Binh Minh with after-sales service like warranty and maintenance.

Viet unveiled that Kim Long Motor Hue was planning to develop a system of showrooms and service centers across the country in line with standards for a Vietnamese vehicle brand.

The Kim Long X9 minibus has an engine with a capacity of 2,982 cubic centimeters and a maximum torque of 350 Nm, meeting Euro 5 emission standards.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A senior US official has affirmed economic and trade relations between Hanoi and Washington will continue to grow irrespective of the upcoming result of the 2024 election.

Arriving in Vietnam late last month, Arun Venkataraman, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, said the primary agenda of his trip was to enhance the economic relationship and expand trade and investment activities between the U.S. and Vietnam.

As he discussed current affairs in an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, the topic of the U.S. presidential election, which begins on Tuesday, was brought up specifically on how Vietnamese businesses should prepare for the result, especially in key export sectors like textiles, furniture, and seafood, as there may be potential policy shifts after the vote.

Venkataraman stated that he did not have sector-specific advice, but emphasized that despite the potential U.S. leadership change, the economic relationship between Hanoi and Washington will continue to thrive.

Both countries aim to expand trade and investment relations for their mutual interest in sustainable development.

I would say looking ahead, we continue to focus on the win-win nature of this relationship, the benefits to each economy of this bilateral partnership are too great to ignore, he stated.

Both Vietnam and the U.S. want to strengthen their supply chains, meaning we need our companies to work closer together and be better partners for those supply chains.

He also highlighted how both nations want to counter common threats, including cybersecurity.

Working together is the best way to counter those threats, not for the U.S., not for Vietnam, but for both of us, Venkataraman said.

Arun Venkataraman, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. Photo: Nhu Binh / Tuoi Tre

The U.S. is currently Vietnam's largest export market, and Hanoi is the 9th-largest trading partner for Washington.

We are now trading 300 times more than we did 30 years ago, he stated.

The official commented that such performance is "unprecedented" and reflects the continuous efforts of both governments in harnessing common interests for the prosperity of both nations and peoples.

Noting that the bilateral economic relationship cannot be successful without the active participation of businesses from both countries, Venkataraman expressed his desire to promote cooperation between American and Vietnamese businesses, considering it a key factor for boosting the two nations all-round relations.

With world-leading technologies and solutions, the U.S. private sector is looking forward to contributing to the development of the Vietnamese economy, Venkataraman asserted.

We continue to support Vietnamese companies coming to the U.S. and taking advantage of the opportunity to grow dynamically in the American market," he said.

Venkataraman also stressed that the U.S. would continue to support businesses in selling technology to Vietnam, help the Southeast Asian country develop its economy, improve its people's lives, and achieve greater prosperity.

In the U.S., we don't tell our businesses who to work with. Our businesses decide that for themselves and if we work together with Vietnam and do things right, our businesses will respond, he stated.

During his trip, which focused on two main areas, namely digital policy and clean energy, Venkataraman met with Vietnamese government officials, private sector leaders, and U.S.-invested companies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The meetings centered on policies related to data management, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure, along with how the U.S. can support Vietnam in its transition to a cleaner energy future.

The trip was scheduled simultaneously as the two countries celebrate one year of a comprehensive strategic partnership and look forward to celebrating 30 years of normalization of their bilateral relations in 2025.

Vietnam and the U.S. normalized their diplomatic relations in July 1995 and entered a comprehensive partnership in July 2013.

A decade later, the two countries lifted their ties directly to a comprehensive strategic partnership on September 10, 2023, skipping the strategic partnership level, during U.S. President Joe Bidens official visit to Vietnam.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Society

-- The Department of Construction in Ho Chi Minh City has proposed the municipal government task it and relevant agencies with studying a massive project to relocate all households along city canals.

-- Police in Binh Duong Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City, are investigating an accident in which a dump truck crashed into two trucks, a car, and a motorcycle waiting at a red light, killing one person and injuring another on Monday.

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has approved a plan to eliminate a roundabout at the intersection of Pham Van Dong Boulevard and Street No. 20 in Thu Duc City.

-- Residents have traveled through a riverside road in Da Nang City, central Vietnam although the road has yet to be opened to traffic.

-- The prime minister has required launching a campaign to rigorously handle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing vessels before November 20 when a European Commission team is expected to arrive in Vietnam for its fifth IUU inspection in the coming time.

Business

-- On Monday, Kim Long Motor Hue JSC, based in Thua Thien-Hue Province, handed over 50 Kim Long X9 buses, the latest Vietnamese-branded 16-seater model, to Binh Minh Investment Group JSC in Ho Chi Minh City. These buses will be used to transport students, workers, and tourists.

-- The Ho Chi Minh City administration has decided that apartment blocks with two or more floors and fewer than 20 apartments can only be built in areas where the roads are at least 3.5 meters wide.

World News

-- At least 25 people died off Comoros islands after traffickers capsized their boat on Friday night, the third such incident in three months, Reuters reported, citing the United Nations' migration agency IOM.

-- Seven French families have filed a lawsuit against social media giant TikTok, accusing the platform of exposing their adolescent children to harmful content that led to two of them taking their own lives at 15, according to Reuters.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A 20-year-old New Braunfels man has pleaded guilty to firearms charges after federal agents alleged he purchased a gun with the intent to carry out a mass shooting, according to federal court documents. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

A 20-year-old New Braunfels man has pleaded guilty to firearms charges after federal agents alleged he purchased a gun with the intent to carry out a mass shooting, according to federal court documents.

Cameron Peterson pleaded guilty in the Western District Court of Texas last Thursday to one count of receiving a firearm with intent to commit a felony. Federal law enforcement alleged Peterson planned to carry out an attack on several unidentified schools and a gas station, which the Dallas Morning News identified as a Buc-ee's on Interstate 35.

2023 TALLY: At least 246 people have been killed in Texas mass shootings since 2013

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Charging documents claim Peterson had a dozen or so journals, in which he detailed his fantasies for committing school shootings and other acts of mass violence. Expert testimony from a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent also claimed Peterson had an assortment of components often used to create improvised explosive devices.

It is the opinion of this Explosives and Hazardous Devices Examiner that the partially assembled IED described in this report meets the technical elements of a destructive device, the testimony read. Specifically, this IED incorporates weaponization characteristics due to added fragmentation and flammable gasses in its design.

Included in the ATF agents testimony were several images of various aerosol containers, ignition devices and pellets, which they claimed were the partially-assembled components of an IED. According to the report, various metal fragments and pellets were added to increase the devices lethality.

According to Petersons indictment, federal agents were tipped off by a friend of Petersons ex-girlfriend. The tipster claimed Peterson has severe emotional issues, idolized violence and school shootings, and that he may emulate infamous prior mass shooters. Peterson also instructed a friend to destroy a video tape he made in which he planned a future attack on an unidentified grocery store, according to an October news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Court documents show Peterson's guilty plea came after federal agents confirmed he was a daily smoker of marijuana, which he explicitly denied on a background check performed before he purchased a 12-gauge shotgun. Under federal law, lying on a firearms background check is a felony.
A heavy downpour hit Da Nang City in central Vietnam early Tuesday morning, causing localized flooding and prompting authorities to restrict access to Son Tra Mountain because of landslide risks.

This marks the first major downpour in a series of heavy rains forecast to sweep through central Vietnam from November 3 to 10.

Phung Hong Long, head of forecasting at the Central and South-Central Regional Hydro-Meteorological Center, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the city had experienced continuous heavy rain since early Tuesday morning.

A heavy downpour blankets Da Nang City in central Vietnam, November 5, 2024. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre

Between 2:00 and 5:00 am, rainfall across various districts ranged from 40 to 80 millimeters, with the Da Nang meteorological station recording 97 millimeters.

From 4:00 to 7:00 am, precipitation totals in some districts reached up to 150 millimeters, with the Da Nang Water Resources Department station recording a peak of 178.8 millimeters.

The prolonged rain has caused localized flooding in several 'hotspots' across the coastal city.

Rocks and debris are swept down from Son Tra Mountain in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, November 5, 2024. Photo: Son Tra District Peoples Committee

In response, the Da Nang Department of Education and Training has authorized district education bureaus to decide on school closures based on local conditions.

Fearing a repeat of the historic 2022 floods, many residents rushed to move their vehicles to higher ground as the rain continued.

Long noted that the heavy rain had been anticipated, with warnings issued days in advance.

On Monday, local authorities had cautioned its residents about potential rainfall reaching up to 150 millimeters.

"Such heavy rainfall raises concerns about flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, as well as flooding in urban low-lying regions," Long said.

A resident wheels her bicycle through a flooded street in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, November 5, 2024. Photo: Hong Giang

Authorities in Son Tra District have closed access to Son Tra Mountain to mitigate risks of landslides and falling rocks.

Hoang Son Tra, chairman of the Son Tra District People's Committee, confirmed that three checkpoints have been established along the routes leading to the mountain.

Tourist areas on Son Tra Mountain are required to register vehicles and commit to safety measures if access is necessary.

The local Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, and Civil Defense Committee reported that as of 7:00 am on Tuesday, water levels in local rivers were rising but remained below critical thresholds.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade is requiring cross-border e-commerce platforms to comply with regulations in order to continue operating in Vietnam, with those failing to follow suit risking blockage.

Hoang Ninh, deputy director of the Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said the agency had reviewed the impact of Chinese e-commerce platforms, such as Temu, 1688, and Shein, and come up with solutions for managing them as required by the trade minister.

The move is intended to ensure these e-commerce platforms comply with Vietnams law when operating in the country.

The ministry has contacted and worked with all legal teams of these cross-border e-commerce platforms, asking them to register their operations in Vietnam and meet local standards on consumer protection, information transparency, and data security.

The ministry will weigh imposing stricter measures on any platform that fails to abide by the rules to protect local consumers.

Ninh added that business registration and compliance with regulations are vital to ensure a fair, transparent, and responsible e-commerce environment.

E-commerce platforms are required to apply for business registration when they begin operating in Vietnam or meet certain criteria, such as using a Vietnamese domain, displaying content in Vietnamese, or handling 100,000 or more transactions with Vietnamese customers annually.

Ninh affirmed that if e-commerce platforms fail to complete procedures on time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade can coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Information and Communications to block them.

For cross-border e-commerce platforms operating in Vietnam without formal registration, Ninh noted that not all fall under the scope of the countrys e-commerce regulations.

However, those that do must register their operations and ensure their practices are transparent.

This includes making their business policies public, protecting customer rights, and addressing any violations openly.

They have to cooperate with state management agencies to prevent illegal transactions. If they are found to be violating the law, the next course of action is the possibility of being blocked.

The ban on such platforms must be considered carefully with the participation of the police, tax, customs, and other management agencies.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has urged consumers to be more aware of the risks associated with shopping on e-commerce platforms.

To address these issues, the ministry plans to implement a range of measures, including strengthening oversight of e-commerce platforms, updating relevant regulations, and tightening controls on goods.

The ministry has requested the prime ministers guidance on managing goods imported through non-compliant platforms, with repeat offenders facing potential blocking as a consequence.

Chinese e-commerce platforms are facilitating an influx of low-cost products into Vietnam, tormenting Vietnamese enterprises.

Local consumers are turning to Chinese products because of their low cost. Traders are also gradually abandoning locally-made products to opt for Chinese alternatives.

A high volume of low-cost goods is raising concerns over the increasing waste volume and environmental impact.

However, Temu has yet to get a license to operate in Vietnam.

The Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency had not received Temus license application as of October 24, meaning Temu had already been selling goods in Vietnam without a license since early October.

Temu, a subsidiary of Chinas PDD Holdings -- one of the worlds leading retail groups -- has joined the ranks of companies like Taobao, 1688, and Shein in seeking to capture the Vietnamese market.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Five additional sounds of gunshots in a 7:30 story on Australian commandos in Afghanistan were errors in editing but were not deliberately included, an independent review has found.

The audio, first highlighted by 7News Spotlight, was the subject of an interim report by Alan Sunderland, former Editorial Director of the ABC.

Sunderland found that 5 extra gunshots were inadvertently but inaccurately introduced and differed between an online story and a 2022 7:30 report. He also cleared journalists and ABC producers of deliberately misleading audiences.

ABC apologised to US Drug Enforcement Administration leader Bret Hamilton who had complained that his comments were manipulated and he was misrepresented by the ABC. A correction will be published on ABCs Corrections and Clarifications page.

Former Australian Commando Heston Russell, who had wrongly been accused of committing war crimes, had also sent a letter in 2022 raising concerns to the ABCs legal department. Russell won his defamation case against the ABC andwas awarded $390,000.

Director of ABC News, Justin Stevens is appearing today in a Senate Estimates hearing.

Statement by Justin Stevens:

In September 2024 the ABC commissioned an independent review into concerns raised over three related stories published in September 2022, one online article and two 7.30 stories known as the Line of Fire stories, which investigated activities by Australian commandos during a 2012 deployment in Afghanistan.

The stories reported on several matters of public importance.

While no specific Australian soldiers were named in the reports, they were identified as being members of the 2nd Commando Regiment. The three stories, comprising two broadcast on 7.30 and one online, included segments of helmetcam footage that had been captured by the commandos and obtained by the ABC. Only one of the substantive public interest issues raised in the Line of Fire stories, regarding two scenes of shots being fired from a helicopter towards a figure running and a figure in a compound, was the subject of public complaints and concerns.

The review investigated how editing errors introduced additional gunshot sounds in a video of helmetcam footage which was embedded in an online article and used during part one of the 7.30 broadcast. It also looked into concerns relating to how some parts of the vision were visually depicted; editing of an interview with former US Drug Enforcement Administration leader Bret Hamilton in one of the 7.30 stories; and why an email to the ABC about the editing of the helicopter footage almost two years earlier had not been acted on.

The review was commissioned by ABC Managing Director David Anderson and conducted by distinguished journalism leader Alan Sunderland. The ABC has committed to publicly releasing the review. We have received an interim report from Mr Sunderland. The ABC will provide an update once it receives the final report.

The review found that in the 56 second video clip in the online article five additional sounds of gunshots were inadvertently but inaccurately introduced into footage showing a commando firing from a helicopter. The review found additional sounds of gunshots were also inadvertently but inaccurately introduced into the 7.30 video, but at different points than in the online video.

Mr Sunderland said: To be clear, I find no evidence that anybody, at any stage, made a conscious or deliberate decision to introduce additional gunshots. It appears to be an inadvertent consequence of attempts to create clean, accurate and effective sequences in the story ()

I have found no evidence to support the conclusion that any of this was done at the direction of the journalists involved or on the initiative of the video editor in order to doctor or deliberately distort the depiction of the events that occurred. On the contrary, what evidence there is suggests it was not a deliberate editorial decision to include additional gunshot audio in order to mislead or deceive.

The review said the errors were not picked up because there was nothing about the two scenes of shots being fired from a helicopter  that led anyone to believe that there was an issue to review, or to consider that the sequences may have been edited in a way that introduced additional gunshot audio.

There was no evidence that anyone at the ABC  deliberately doctored, falsified, manipulated or distorted information, material or evidence in order to mislead audiences. On the contrary, there was significant care taken to ensure the stories were checked, discussed, reviewed and upwardly referred.

The ABC sincerely regrets and apologises for the editing errors in the video clips, including to members of the 2nd Commando Regiment. The video has been removed.

Mr Sunderland rejected complaints over a section of the footage being slowed down, zoomed in and highlighted, saying this wasnt misleading, inappropriate or problematic.

He said: To be clear, the only inaccuracy I have found relates to the additional sounds of gunshots. I do not consider any other aspects of the way the sequences were depicted to be materially inaccurate.

The review found Mr Hamiltons final comment in an interview that alleged war crimes should always be investigated was not in proper context and therefore did not accurately represent him as talking about allegations of war crimes in general rather than referring to any specific allegations. The review found this was potentially misleading. It found Mr Hamiltons views were otherwise accurately represented.

ABC News sincerely regrets and apologises to Mr Hamilton as well as our audience members for this. That was not the meaning we intended to convey.

A correction will be published on the Corrections and Clarifications page regarding the editing errors and an Editors Note will be appended clarifying the context of Mr Hamiltons comment.

Importantly, the review found the editing errors did not misleadingly alter the central focus of the Line of Fire stories, saying the issues they raised were significant and the stories remained of public importance.

The Line of Fire stories covered issues of the highest importance, dealing with the behaviour of Australian troops in a conflict overseas, the review said. They were of public importance at the time the stories were published and broadcast, and they remain of public importance now.

Although no individuals were identified in the stories themselves, the issues raised  were significant and important.

Mr Sunderland has made five recommendations:

Editorial policies and guidance should be reviewed to ensure that the importance of maintaining the integrity of crucial source material is maintained, particularly in investigative stories. Training should be reviewed, in particular for non-editorial staff working in investigative areas, to ensure everyone is aware of key editorial principles, including the need to maintain the integrity of source material. Editing practices should be reviewed to ensure there is regular, timely and detailed face-to-face contact between editors, reporters and researchers during the editing process. When multi-platform stories are being prepared, consistent and equal scrutiny should be applied to all elements of the story across all platforms. News should review the guidance note on interviews and discuss.



The ABC stands by the vital importance of its investigations into the alleged conduct of Australian soldiers. The editing errors, while deeply regrettable, do not weaken the value of the ABCs reporting over many years on these crucial issues.

When errors occur we correct them and strive to ensure they are not repeated. In addition to Mr Sunderlands recommendations I will be looking into any further actions we may need to take to ensure this does not happen again.

We must always continue to encourage our journalists to be brave in their pursuit of important journalism on matters of significant public interest that, if it werent for their work, would never otherwise see the light of day.
ABC camera operators in regional Australia have complained of using outdated equipment and have tired of ongoing promises, it was revealed in a Senate Estimates hearing yesterday.

Liberal Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson, told an ABC panel she had received an email from an ABC staffer who didnt want to be identified.

She said, This person writes,

I work for ABC in the regions. We have not had any updated recording gear to make content for the past seven years. Metros and all other departments within ABC have all had major camera gear updates over the last 12 to 18 months. But for content makers in the bush, were left with a phone and a tired, outdated camera thats over seven years old, that we all have to share with each other within the office. A lot of us have been asking for new gear for some time, but we keep hearing back: next financial year, next financial year.

A lot of us have actually gone out and brought our own cameras, just so we can make good content to serve our audiences. Im wondering, Is this fair?'

Justin Stevens encouraged the staffer to contact him to reassure them, but Senator Henderson indicated she could not disclose their details.

We are looking at the best cameras to get for our teams across regional teams. Weve got over 40 bureaus, as you know, Senator across the country. At the moment, theyre serviced with two cameras, a Mini P2 which is a very resilient camera, which does a good job with a good, strong zoom lens, he replied.

The phone that they alluded to is actually something called a MoJo kit, which is a more recent piece of innovation from our tech teams, which has transformed the way we can hear from our outstanding regional reporters around the country.

Stevens indicated new Sony cameras were also under consideration adding, It comes at a sizeable cost, and so as with any major expenditure like that, we need to go through a proper process and make sure we get the right technology for them.

But Senator Henderson, a former ABC and 10 journalist, suggested regional journalists were not being treated equally to their metropolitan counterparts and the can keeps getting kicked down the road. When are journalists in the regions who are playing the most important role for our nation going to be treated fairly and equally?

Were certainly not aware of any inequality in the nature of what access to technology they have, Stevens replied, to the extent that the vast number of MoJo kits they have is far in excess of any other team or department. Id also highlight that youre seeing more regional journalism across all news platforms than youve ever seen before.we want to make sure we constantly evolve and update what theyve got, and Im not disputing the fact that were keen to do that when were in position to.

Senator Henderson asked ABC to provide, on notice, full details around camera equipment used in ABC News and Current Affairs, because I would put to you that the value of the camera gear held in the cities would be far greater than anything in the bush.

Stevens agreed adding that equipment used by Foreign Correspondent vs Australian Story vs ABC News court reporting varied.

Their shooting will be different and it needs to have the right technology for the nature of the work theyre doing. But well follow up and absolutely provide that to you.

Acting Managing Director, and Head of Finance, Melanie Kleyn, told the same Committee ABC funding had declined in real terms by 14% over the past 10 years which equated to $150m+.
Former SBS and ABC presenter Annette Shun Wah has been appointed as the next Chair of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia Board.

Ms Shun Wah was appointed as the Deputy Chair of the NFSA Board in October 2023 and is currently the Programming Adviser of the Adelaide Festival Centres OzAsia Festival, where she was Artistic Director from 2020-2023, and also serves as Director of the Board of the Sydney Theatre Company.

Ms Shun Wah has had an extensive career across radio, television, publishing and theatre, including as an actor, host, producer and writer on a range of shows and feature films since 1982. In 1996, she was nominated for an Australian Film Industry award for her supporting role in Australias first foreign language feature film, Floating Life. Across ABC and SBS she presented The Noise, Eat Carpet, The Movie Show, Studio 22, Media Dimensions, and The Big Picture.

In 2018, she was inducted into the Adelaide Festival Centres Walk of Fame, and in 2023 was awarded an Honorary Master of Fine Arts from the National Institute of Dramatic Art.

She will commence as the Chair of the Board in December 2024.

Mrs Lucinda Brogden, a great-niece of the late Ken G Hall, has also been reappointed as a member of the NFSA Board.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said,Both Annette and Lucinda have accomplished and varied careers in their respective fields, and both have a strong commitment to preserving Australias audiovisual legacy.

We want to protect our beloved cultural institutions and part of that is ensuring you have experienced, knowledgeable and representative voices leading the way.

I want to thank the current Chair of the Board, Caroline Elliott, whose term ends in December and who has guided the Archive in its commitment to implement the National Cultural Policy, Revive.
Melbourne Cup jockey Robbie Dolan, who rode Knights Choice to glory yesterday, was a contestant on The Voice.

Irish-born Dolan turned three chairs when he performed James Bays Let It Go in 2022.

He joined Rita Oras team making it all the way to the Sing-offs, in the year won by Lachie Gill.

Later that year he was asked to sing The Horses at the Cox Plate. Yesterday there was no stopping him with Knights Choice.

It is incredible. I cant believe it. I dont even know what to say, he said.

I watched every Melbourne Cup far the last 40 years.

I thought my best chance was to get him to stay the trip and hopefully he can run home and do the quick sectionals he can on a good track and he proved everybody wrong.

He predicted a big night of celebrations ahead.

I will be singing tonight with a few beers, he added.

Meanwhile some news stories suggest viewers were caught out by Nine screening the Cup, expecting Seven to be the host broadcaster given it had Horse Racing on all day. Again.

One Twitter user posted: Been watching Channel 7 for three hours only to realise the bloody Melbourne Cup is on Channel 9. Missed the whole thing. Sums up the day really.

Another posted: Its The race that stops a nation (Until some of the nation realise too late theyve been watching the wrong horse race meeting on Channel 7 instead of 9).

One user wrote: I think Channel Seven should not be allowed to have a program called Sevens Horse Racing on at the same time as the Melbourne Cup.

Source: Seven News
South Australian travel and lifestyle program, South Aussie with Cosi, hosted by Andrew Cosi Costello has been renewed by Seven until the end of 2027.

Promoting South Australia is my passion. Channel 7 Adelaide and South Aussie with Cosi have a fantastic partnership, and extending this until the end of 2027 brings my team and me super amounts of joy, he said.

We will continue to showcase the State and the characters that make it so special and encourage people to explore South Australia, while doing anything we can to help the South Australian community.

Whether thats buying the biggest Santa in the Southern Hemisphere, giving people access to affordable meat or taking 500 people over 60 to a free movie night, we love being more than just a travel show, he said.

South Australians contributed $5 billion in expenditure over a 12-month period to the South Australian Visitor Economy. We want to do our best to help this figure continue to grow.

Managing Director Seven Adelaide, and Sevens Head of Sales Strategy and Enablement, Vikki Friscic, said: Were thrilled to continue this successful partnership with Cosi and his brilliant team.

No one sings the praises of South Australia louder than Cosi. Hes an incredible storyteller and highly attuned to his audience, delivering entertaining and informative content across all platforms. We cant wait to see where Cosi and the team will take us next, she said.

South Aussie with Cosi reaches more than 180,000 South Australians every week, ranks #1 in its timeslot and has seen its audience on 7plus grow 56% so far this year.

Now entering its 12th season, South Aussie with Cosi works with partners including the South Australian Tourism Commission to deliver the very best of South Australia each week, highlighting its diversity, people and incredible destinations.
Below Deck Season 11 premieres on 7Bravo tonight.

Capt. Kerry Titheradge crosses over from Below Deck Adventure to helm M/Y St. David, joined by Chief Stew Fraser Olender and lead deckhand Ben Willoughby, who return.

New crew members include Chef Anthony Iracane, Bosun Jared Woodin, deckhands Sunny Marquis and Kyle Stillie and stews Cat Baugh, Xandi Olivier and Barbie Pascual.

This is a 2024 series which debuted internationally in February.

Capt. Kerry trades the Nordic Sea for crystal blue waters and stunning waterfalls as he leads his crew in the rich, historical island of Grenada. A disciplined and fair leader, Capt. Kerry has 30 years of experience working on boats and has spent almost two decades in yachting. As he steps on to St. David for the first time, Capt. Kerry relies on returning crew members Chief Stew Fraser Olender and Ben Willoughby to help the new staff find their way around the massive 197 ft. vessel.

In his second season as Chief Stew, Fraser vows to be a firmer leader by delegating more and not worrying himself with befriending his stews. However, his new leadership style may not be enough to wrangle the strong personalities in his department. On deck, Bens firsthand experience with the ship causes a rift with his Bosun, Jared.

Meanwhile, Chef Anthony, a Miami restaurateur from France, hopes to breathe new life into the galley. But when a messy kitchen catches Capt. Kerrys eye during the first charter, the galley reaches a boiling point. Between budding boatmances, explosive nights out and department drama, its not all smooth sailing in Grenada.

Below Deck is produced by 51 Minds. Courtland Cox, Lauren Simms, Mark Cronin, Tania Hamidi, Christian Sarabia and Zachary Klein executive produce.

8.30pm Wednesday, 6 November on 7Bravo
Literature against Houston ISDs Proposition A &B is seen as members and supports of the Houston Federation of Teachers gather to watch the results of the Houston ISDs $4.4 billion bond, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Houston ISDs historic $4.4 billion school bond  the largest school bond in Texas history  failed Tuesday, forcing the district to delay much-needed facility improvements due largely to voters mistrust of state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles.

Approximately 58% of roughly 440,000 voters who cast early, mail-in ballots and Election Day ballots voted against both propositions, according to final but unofficial returns from the Harris County Clerks Office.

The politics of adults beat out the needs of our children, Miles said in a statement in response to the results. Its unfortunate and wrong, but I want to assure you that it will not limit our ability to do the things that our students need.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The rejection of the districts first school bond campaign in 12 years follows a vocal, monthslong grassroots opposition effort. Bond opponents encouraged people to vote against the bond due to state takeover in June 2023 and a lack of trust in Miles and the Board of Managers.

This is a historic bipartisan coalition of parents and teachers and students and religious leaders and labor and civil rights organizations who came together to unite our entire community against giving Mike Miles and Greg Abbott a $4.4 billion blank check, said Ruth Kravetz, co-founder of Community Voices for Public Education. This is what democracy looks like.

Starla Reichek discuses early voting numbers and races as members and supports of the Houston Federation of Teachers gather to watch the results of the Houston ISDs $4.4 billion bond, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

The districts bond proposal was split into two propositions. Proposition A would have allocated $3.96 billion for school renovations and expansions, including safety and security infrastructure, while Proposition B would have spent $440 million for technology equipment, systems and infrastructure.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

LIVE DISCUSSION: Join our Zoom with the education team to recap HISD bond vote and more

Houston voters have not rejected an HISD school bond since 1996, when a $389 million bond failed by a slim margin due largely to low turnout and voters opposition to a proposed tax increase. HISD has made history as voters in school districts across Texas have never rejected a proposed school bond measure exceeding $1 billion.

The measure proposed investments in facility improvements at all of HISDs 273 campuses, including funding for the replacement of hundreds of decades-old portable buildings, compliance with a school safety and security law passed in 2023 and the addition of an estimated 4,000 new pre-K seats.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The election was the first time Houston voters could cast a ballot that could meaningfully affect district operations since the state takeover of HISD, when the Texas Education Agency replaced the superintendent and elected school board with appointees after Wheatley High School earned several consecutive failing accountability grades.

A car decorated against the HISD bond props outside in the parking lot before an HISD bond round table at St. Marks United Methodist Church on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Houston. Two weeks before Election Day, multiple Houston ISD PTAs and PTOs are holding a roundtable discussion on the district's $4.4 billion school bond proposal for community members to learn about the bond and ask questions. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

Many HISD parents, teachers and community members block walked, sold yard signs, crocheted public yarn installations and set up banners around Houston with their No Trust. No Bond rallying cry to urge voters to use the opportunity to express their opposition to the state takeover and Miles.

Leaders of several influential Houston-area organizations also encouraged voters to reject the bond, including Houstons NAACP branch, the Houston Federation of Teachers, the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus and the Harris County Democratic and Republican parties.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Despite the public campaign against the measure, the district committed to making the bond one of its top priorities for the 2024-25 school year, arguing that failing to invest billions into improving deteriorating schools and infrastructure would negatively impact students future academic performance.

The bonds defeat marks a significant public failure for Miles, the districts controversial leader who said he believed voters would put aside politics during the election and support investing billions into improving school facilities for approximately 174,000 students in the district.

The districts last bond passed in 2012, which was focused largely on the districts high schools and proposed a nearly five cent tax rate increase over five years. In that election, approximately two-third of voters approved plans for HISD to rebuild, renovate and upgrade 38 of its campuses.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

A woman wears a button against Houston ISDs proposition A & B as members and supporters of the Houston Federation of Teachers gather to watch the results of the districts $4.4 billion bond, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

HISD has not placed a bond on the ballot since then, even as Dallas ISD residents have voted for more than $5.22 billion in school bonds, Austin ISD residents have approved nearly $4 billion in bonds, and voters in Northside ISD  the largest school district in San Antonio  have approved approximately $2.5 billion in bonds.

The bond's defeat comes after HISD spent at least $1.48 million to three firms  Outreach Strategists, MGT and Rice & Gardner  between February and early October for development and promotion of the measure, including for facility analysis, project planning and modeling.

Houstonians for Safe and Healthy Schools, a political action committee, separately spent more than $1.68 million to convince voters to vote for both propositions, according to its campaign finance report. It paid nearly all of those funds to three firms  BlueWest Media, DSPolitical and MJE Strategies  for advertising expenses.

The committee shared campaign mailers, TV advertisements and other digital promotional materials with the phrases like Vote for Props A and B, Healthy Schools Now, and Our Kids Cant Wait that encouraged people to vote yes on the bond to fund essential repairs and facility improvements.

Families protest Houston ISDs $4.4 billion school bond proposal before a Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Todays vote is a setback for meeting the needs of thousands of HISD students, said Veronica Garcia, the treasurer of Houstonians for Safe and Healthy Schools. The bond was a critical investment in basic infrastructure that would have met the health and safety needs of our kids. ... I am hopeful that our city will come together. It needs to come together to forge a path forward for our kids.

Members of the Houston Federation of Teachers gathered after polls closed in the office on Sutherland, where ABC News' broadcast on the presidential election played. Members gathered over plates of wings and fries as they waited for results to trickle in.

Jackie Anderson, center, reacts to seeing early results showing 66% of voters against Houston ISDs proposition A & B as members and supporters of the Houston Federation of Teachers gather to watch the results of the districts $4.4 billion bond, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Following a letter from Superintendent Mike Miles acknowledging HISD voters did not approve the bond proposal, Houston Federation of Teachers president Jackie Anderson said the bond's failure is bittersweet.

"Because being a teacher of 33 years, being in HISD schools, I know that our schools need everything the bond was supposed to do," the union president said. "The problem is we don't trust Mike Miles to do what he says he's going to do. He's not done that since day one, and the Board of Managers is complicit with his mismanagement, changing his ideas, manipulating scores. We don't trust him, and so we definitely would not trust him with a $4.4 billion bond."
Sintana Energy Inc.

TORONTO, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sintana Energy Inc. (TSX-V: SEI, OTCQB: SEUSF) (Sintana or the Company) is pleased to provide the following update regarding a second exploration and appraisal campaign on blocks 2813A and 2814B located in the heart of Namibias Orange Basin, emerging as one of the worlds most prospective oil and gas regions. The blocks are governed by Petroleum Exploration License 83 (PEL 83) which is operated by a subsidiary of Galp Energia (Galp) of Portugal. Sintana maintains an indirect 49% interest in Custos Energy (Pty) Ltd. (Custos), which in turn owns a 10% working interest owner in PEL 83. NAMCOR, the National Petroleum Company of Namibia, also maintains a 10% working interest.

The drill ship Santorini has arrived on location and operations associated with the Mopane 1-A well have commenced. Specifically, the Mopane 1-A was spud 23:30 local time on October 23rd.

Figure 1 - Map of Area





This appraisal well is the first of an up to four well program potentially consisting of two exploration wells and two appraisal wells. This second campaign on PEL 83 is predicated on providing additional insights into the scope and quality of the Mopane complex.

We refer to press releases from Galp (available at galp.com) and Custos (available at newsdirect.com) throughout Q1 and Q2 of 2024, noting that an inaugural two well exploration campaign that commenced in Q4 2023 resulted in multiple discoveries of significant columns of light oil in high-quality reservoir sands providing for an initial estimate of original oil in place (OOIP) of 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent. A drill stem test was also conducted resulting in an infrastructure constrained flow of 14,000 boe/d.

Initial analysis suggests the reservoirs have good porosities, high pressures and high permeabilities in large hydrocarbon columns with very low oil viscosity, and no CO2 nor H2S. The flows achieved during the well test have reached the maximum allowed limits, positioning Mopane as, potentially, an important commercial discovery.

We look forward to the continuing progress on PEL 83, further unveiling of the potential and quality of the Mopane complex. These efforts should provide additional insights into this world class opportunity and into our broader Orange Basin portfolio located at the heart of this emerging hydrocarbon province. said Robert Bose, Chief Executive Officer of Sintana.

ABOUT SINTANA ENERGY:

The Company is engaged in petroleum and natural gas exploration and development activities on five large, highly prospective, onshore and offshore petroleum exploration licenses in Namibia, and in Colombias Magdalena Basin.
HCM CITY  Deel, an all-in-one payroll and HR platform for global teams, has recently announced the expansion of its immigration support services.

Effective immediately, Deel's visa assistance will be available to everyone, not just current customers. This includes individuals seeking digital nomad visas and workers hired by companies through their own entities.

According to Deel, top countries for which Vietnamese nationals work include the US, Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia, the UK, UAE, and Singapore. The most popular highly-skilled roles for Vietnamese workers are software developer, AI trainer, translator, designer, and game developer.

The companys expanded services make it easier for Vietnamese talent to navigate immigration challenges and unlock these international job markets.

With this expansion, companies can now manage visa support for all their workers - whether employed through Deel or their own entities - on a single, intuitive platform. This streamlined approach simplifies immigration processes among global offices, offering a user-friendly experience refined through processing thousands of visas for the employees of clients.

"For many people, securing a visa and moving countries is a life-changing experience. It can be complicated, stressful, and even scary. We want to make that process simpler, and to help connect talent with opportunity, no matter where it is," said Todd Heine, founder of Deel Immigration.

"Deel is committed to breaking down barriers to global employment. By expanding our immigration support services, we're making it easier for individuals and companies to navigate complex visa processes, fostering a more connected and mobile workforce."

Deel Immigration now supports digital nomad visas in nine countries including Portugal, Spain, Greece, Canada, Japan, Argentina, Colombia, Italy, and the UAE. Additionally, options for permanent residency are available, including the R Visa in Colombia and EB-1A and EB-2 NIW visas in the US.

Having successfully processed thousands of visas across 50 countries, including recent expansions into India, Argentina, and Uruguay, Deel is now extending its immigration services to support employees hired directly through companies own entities in 20 countries.

This expansion enables Deel clients using Deel HR or Deel Global Payroll products to manage their teams relocation across all entities on a single, unified platform, providing a seamless experience for their global workforce.

For Vietnamese professionals seeking opportunities in the US, Deel simplifies the historically complex visa process. The US visa has been manual, requiring multiple touchpoints and off-platform interactions.

Deel has integrated the Legalpad app and process into its native platform, adding over 10 US visas and creating the most comprehensive HR, payroll, and immigration software solution available. With this integration, the entire US visa journey is now fully digital and managed within the Deel platform, from eligibility checks to application tracking.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nams key exports are on a strong path of recovery during the first ten months of the year, with businesses doubling down on improving production, seeking new partners and promoting Vietnamese products in the international market, according to industry experts and policymakers.

The latest data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed textile exports increased by US$2.61 billion, or 10 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The last several months have seen a significant number of orders shifting from China, Bangladesh and Myanmar to Viet Nam. Decreased inventories in major markets such as the US, the EU and Japan have resulted in higher demand for Vietnamese textiles and new orders from international trade partners. Many businesses have reported securing sufficient orders until the end of the second quarter of next year. The industry is likely to achieve its objective of reaching an export turnover of $44 billion in 2024, a 9 per cent increase compared to last year, as the peak demand season in major markets is approaching, said economists.

Cao Huu Hieu, director-general of the Vietnam Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex), Viet Nams largest textile and garment maker, said the group is on the right path to finish this years production plan with flying colours, with export turnover in the first nine months of 2024 reaching nearly $1.5 billion, an increase of 7 per cent compared to the same period last year. Caution, however, is advised given the current volatile market situation.

He said the most important objective in the remaining months of the year and early months of 2025 is to improve labour supply, productivity, production capacity, value for customers, the supply chain as a whole and increase efforts in lowering carbon emissions.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese wood product and forestry reported an export turnover of $14.05 billion across the same time period, an increase of 19.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. Industry experts said they expected the industry to reach $15.516 billion in export turnover this year, given stable growth at 15-19 per cent, which is more than likely as large buyers of Vietnamese products around the world started showing signs of strong recovery.

They said this is the result of efforts by Vietnamese businesses to seek out new partnerships, adopt new standards and build trust and cooperation with major international brands.

Director of the Trade Promotion Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade Vu Ba Phu said frequent appearances at international trade events and exhibitions highlighted Vietnamese businesses initiative in promoting themselves in the international market. However, he advised them to focus on improving product quality and value, as well as developing a sustainable strategy to compete.

Data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters (VASEP) said the country exported over $1 billion worth of seafood last month, an increase of 28 per cent compared to October last year, finally breaking a 27-month dry spell when it dipped under the $1 billion mark. Vietnamese seafood exports, by the end of October this year, had reached $8.27 billion, an 11.4 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

VASEP Director of Communications Le Hang said strong demand recovery in major markets, especially for Vietnamese key products such as shrimp and catfish, has played a pivotal role. In addition, efforts to improve Vietnamese seafood in the international market and consumers' preference have been paying dividends in recent years.

She said, for instance, exports to China surged by 37 per cent in October, making China the fastest-growing market for Vietnamese seafood. With increased consumption of fresh seafood in Chinas hospitality sector, Vietnamese products enjoy many distinct advantages thanks to their close proximity to China and Chinese consumer preferences. The sector has been forecast to reach $9.5 billion in exports this year, a 7 per cent increase year-on-year.  VNS
HA NOI  Enterprises need to promote brand management for sustainable corporate development, according to experts.

A brand is not simply a name, logo or slogan, but also the entire experience for customers interacting with a product or service, making the enterprises easily recognisable compared to other businesses in the same industry or field. A brand is also the bridge that creates a close relationship between businesses and customers.

According to Associate Professor Dr Duong Thi Lieu, director of the Institute of Business Culture, not only businesses, but many countries today are marketing themselves and building national brands to achieve various goals like attracting investment, promoting trade and accumulating resources for development.

Vietnamese entrepreneurs have also contributed to protecting and developing Vietnamese brands in the region and in the world, Lieu confirmed.

Amid greater international economic integration, Viet Nam's multiple free trade agreements make building and managing its brand play an even more important role.

Vu ang Vinh, general director of the Vietnam Report JSC, said that brand management is the process of building a strategy to improve the reputation and value of a business brand in the market. Effective brand management ensures that the brand is always consistent and attractive to target consumers.

Pham Thi Thu Phuong, director of AP Branding Services Co. Ltd., said that the goal of brand management is to increase people's awareness of the business' brand.

When consumers appreciate a brand, they tend to choose that brand's products or services, even if there are more convenient or cheaper options available. This demonstrates trust in the brand's value, creating stability and sustainable development for the business, Phuong said.

With sustainability branding, Vinh said that environmental and social issues become a major focus, and many brands have realised the need to integrate sustainability into their core values and business operations.

Building sustainability is not only taking social responsibility into account, but also creating a comprehensive strategy that includes assessing environmental impacts, ensuring sustainable sourcing and supporting the community.

Businesses must take more responsibility, from supply chain transparency to developing environmentally friendly products and applying sustainable business models. The brands that do not prioritise sustainability face a risk of losing market shares.

For efficient brand management, Vinh recommends that enterprises review their entire operations and identify areas for improvement, such as sourcing environmentally friendly materials, optimising production processes to reduce waste or implementing social programmes that align with core values.

Enterprises also need to ensure that environmental and social corporate governance (ESG) assessments and initiatives are applied to every business activity, from supply chain operations to marketing.

Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Hong Quan, director of the Institute for Research and Development of the Circular Economy, believes that developing internal resources for businesses should be linked to solutions for corporate social responsibility (CSR), ESG factors and net zero emissions in the business ecosystem to form a sustainable brand-building process.  VNS
HA NOI  The third quarter (Q3) profit picture shows a positive recovery for seafood companies, coupled with increasing export expectations in the year-end period, indicating that the industry is entering a new growth cycle.

Resuming growth in leading firms

In Q3, Vinh Hoan Corporation reported a significant upturn, achieving a profit before tax of VN402 billion (nearly US$16 million), an 82 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023.

This result marks a return to positive growth since Q4 2022, which had concluded a prior growth cycle in Viet Nams pangasius export sector.

As a result, Vinh Hoans cumulative profit before tax for the first nine months of 2024 has surpassed the previous years results.

The US remains Vinh Hoans largest market and growth engine, with export revenue to the US reaching over VN2.9 trillion, a year-over-year increase of 23 per cent. For 2024, it projects revenue of nearly VN13.4 trillion, up 34 per cent, and a profit after tax of VN1.19 trillion, representing a 22 per cent increase over 2023.

The companys growth expectations are supported by anticipated end-of-year demand from US importers, who traditionally increase procurement for the holiday season.

The demand boost is expected to benefit Viet Nams overall seafood export value, with Vinh Hoan positioned as the largest Vietnamese exporter of frozen pangasius fillets to the US, commanding a 47 per cent market share.

The firm has been proactive in expanding its product value chain to maximise by-product utilisation, enhancing operational efficiency and profitability.

Within the shrimp sector, technological advancements are enhancing farming success rates, reducing per-unit production costs and increasing profit margins.

Sao Ta Foods JSC (FMC) posted Q3 revenue of over VN2.8 trillion, a 58.6 per cent increase, while net profit rose to VN94.8 billion, up 6.2 per cent from the prior year.

Though profit growth trailed revenue growth due to decreased financial income and elevated selling expenses, Sao Tas gross profit margin saw an improvement from 10.3 per cent to 10.8 per cent.

For the first nine months of the year, Sao Ta recorded a 32 per cent gain in shrimp output alongside an 11 per cent rise in average sales prices. However, anti-dumping and anti-circumvention tariffs on US exports tempered net profit growth, resulting in only a 0.9 per cent year-over-year increase.

Minh Phu Seafood Corp also achieved a strong Q3 recovery, with revenue rising to VN2.7 trillion, up 35 per cent year-over-year, and profit after tax exceeding VN198 billion. This result contrasts sharply with the previous quarters loss of VN88 billion and a loss of VN13.3 billion in Q3 2023.

The companys financial performance was bolstered by financial income of VN319 billion, nearly 32 times that of the same period last year, mainly from dividends received from subsidiaries.

As of the end of September, Minh Phus cumulative revenue reached VN6.2 trillion, a 33.5 per cent increase, while net profit rose nearly 17-fold from last year to VN135 billion.

The broader seafood sector in Viet Nam has shown marked improvements as export activities strengthen.

Data from the General Department of Customs of Viet Nam indicates that seafood export revenue reached $7.16 billion in the first nine months of 2024, up 8.5 per cent. Shrimp exports have led this growth, comprising approximately 40 per cent of total seafood export value, with key markets being the US, Japan and the European Union.

Additionally, pangasius exports posted notable gains, supported by recovering demand in traditional markets such as the US and EU.

Screening seafood stock opportunities

Luong Duy Phuoc, head of analysis at Kafi Securities, predicts that the positive business momentum in the domestic seafood sector could persist into the first half of 2025. Over the next two to three quarters, seafood companies are expected to deliver favourable results.

The current valuation of seafood companies is reasonable -- not overly expensive, but no longer cheap. Therefore, for investors considering seafood stocks, industry leaders like Vinh Hoan are a strong choice, Phuoc told tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn, highlighting that seafood stocks may be more suited to medium- and long-term investors.

Although Vietnamese seafood products face significant competition from South American and other Asian countries, a global demand recovery may enable companies to sustain growth in the coming period.

Nguyen Tien Dung, head of industry and stock analysis at MB Securities, forecasts that the average selling prices for Vietnamese pangasius exporters will likely remain steady, despite a decline in pangasius fingerling prices due to increased supply and a cooling trend in feed ingredient costs.

This reduction in input costs alongside stable selling prices is expected to enhance profit margins, benefitting companies with substantial US market share.

Similarly, shrimp exporters to the US and Japan are well-positioned to benefit from growth in both volume and price.

Among pangasius producers, Vinh Hoan stands out as a prime investment prospect.

Restrictions on Russian-origin seafood imports and limited Chinese tilapia supplies in the US market have positioned pangasius as a viable alternative for whitefish, sustaining positive export prospects for Vietnamese pangasius.

In the shrimp sector, Sao Ta Foods represents a notable investment opportunity.

The US Department of Commerce recently finalised anti-subsidy tariffs on warm-water frozen shrimp from Ecuador, India, Indonesia and Viet Nam, imposing a 2.84 per cent tariff on Sao Ta.

However, the company has proactively allocated VN23 billion for this tax in the first nine months of 2024, Dung said.

While Sao Tas profit growth for 2024 is projected to remain stable, 2025 profitability could increase by 40 per cent, supported by a 40 per cent increase in capacity at new factories, steady demand in the US and Japan, and potential reversal of anti-dumping provisions set aside in 2023.  VNS
HA NOI  Building on the positive impacts of the Living Clean-Smart-Green community programme launched in June, Manulife Vietnam is starting the second phase of the initiative to foster healthier, more active lifestyles among the community.

The company will also be conducting free health screenings for the community in various provinces and cities.

Encouraging the community to flex their healthy lifestyle

In the second phase, the programme features the theme Flex Your Health to encourage the development of a healthy lifestyle within the community.

Manulife will implement a variety of health-related activities, including an online Flex Your Health challenge, which encourages people to flex a Clean-Smart-Green lifestyle that is healthy, balanced and sustainable in terms of physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Other activities include a vodcast series featuring celebrities discussing healthy living topics and an online community called Living Clean-Smart-Green to connect, discuss and share health tips.

Tina Nguyen, CEO of Manulife Vietnam, said: "The primary goal of the Living Clean-Smart-Green programme is to enhance community health awareness, improve quality of life and alleviate health and financial burdens."

"Keeping the momentum, we aim to promote a positive lifestyle for a healthier community, as maintaining a healthy lifestyle could significantly reduce the burden of illnesses and healthcare costs," she said.

"Furthermore, we plan to expand the scale of these 'Health Days' to provide more free medical check-ups for individuals. Given the rising trend of medical costs, early detection of health issues has become increasingly important, she added.

10,000 free health check-ups for the community

Building on the 2,000 free health check-ups offered during the programme's first phase, Manulife Vietnam is now offering 10,000 additional free health screenings in the second phase.

Beneficiaries include military personnel, veterans, students, youth groups and workers in cities such as Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, a Nang, Ha Noi and HCM City.

At these events, doctors from the Young Vietnamese Physicians Association will conduct general health check-ups, including screenings for common illnesses, as well as free H. pylori tests. Expert consultations on nutrition, diabetes, cardiovascular health and uric acid tests for gout patients will also be available.

Nguyen Huu Tu, Permanent Vice President and General Secretary of the Young Vietnamese Physicians Association, said: "Through the collaboration with Manulife on the first phase of the Living Clean-Smart-Green, we witnessed the company's commitment to raising public health awareness and making health check-ups accessible to everyone."

He said that the Young Vietnamese Physicians Association will continue its partnership with Manulife in the second phase, working together to benefit the community on a non-profit basis.

After launching its first phase in June 2024, the Living Clean-Smart-Green programme quickly became one of the top five most outstanding community activities on social media in the first half of 2024, according to a survey by Younet Media.

According to Buzzmetrics, a social media analytics company, Living Clean-Smart-Green was also among the top 10 most notable CSR activities in June 2024, when the programme was launched.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnam Business Association in Belgium (VBAB) was officially set up on November 3, marking a milestone in the economic relations between the two countries.

The association, operating under the motto equality  solidarity  sustainable development, plans to work towards developing a forum for Vietnamese businesspeople, investors, and experts in Belgium to exchange experience, seek cooperation opportunities, and support each others business endeavour.

The VBAB board consists of 11 members from various sectors, and it is led by CEO of SIR Tailor Belgium Nguyen Thanh Vinh, a successful figure in the garment industry with a global business network. ao Hong Hai, the founder of the popular Hanoi Station restaurant chain in Brussels, is the associations Secretary General. Duong Minh Tri, Secretary-General of the Belgian-Vietnamese Alliance, serves as Vice President.

The diverse expertise within VBAB's leadership promises practical benefits for the Vietnamese business community in Belgium.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and head of the Vietnamese delegation to the EU Nguyen Van Thao expressed his strong support for the associations activities, affirming the embassy always facilitates Vietnamese enterprises operations in the European country.

Trade counsellor and head of the Vietnamese trade office in Belgium and the EU Tran Van Quan committed assistance to the association, and emphasised the offices role in providing market information and facilitating administrative procedures for Vietnamese entrepreneurs in Belgium.

Meanwhile, Tanguy Huybrechs-Tondreau, a representative from the Belgian-Vietnamese Alliance, noted his hope for close cooperation with the VBAB to bolster businesses growth and consolidate cooperation between the two countries.

Vinh told the Vietnam News Agency that the association now has around 60 members, with the number expected to grow in the coming time. The association will pay due attention to building connections between Vietnamese firms in Belgium and local enterprises while organising cultural exchange activities to better mutual understanding.  VNS
HA NOI  Phu Xuyen District, known for its strategic location and robust transportation network connecting Ha Noi with surrounding provinces, is celebrated as a 'craft village district' with all 154 villages engaged in crafts, 43 of which are recognised as traditional craft villages.

Currently, Phu Xuyen boasts 231 OCOP products, with 70 per cent originating from craft villages. The development of OCOP products not only honours traditional cultural values, but also expands the market reach, allowing these products to compete with domestic and international offerings.

Renowned villages like Phu Yen for leather shoes, Van Tu for garments, Chuyen My for lacquer inlay, Tan Dan and Van Nhan for wooden furniture, Phu Tuc for rattan and bamboo weaving and Xuan La for to he figurines, provide a strong foundation for developing OCOP products under the 'One Commune, One Product' programme.

Bui Xuan Loi, owner of a lacquered woodcraft business in Son Ha Commune, shared that since his products received a 4-star OCOP rating, his business has benefitted from district-level support through promotional events, trade fairs and online sales training, which have significantly boosted his sales and increased brand visibility.

Similarly, Nguyen Thi Luong, owner of Hien Luong, an export-focused bamboo and rattan weaving business in Phu Tuc Commune, said that the establishment of industrial clusters for craft villages has enabled her business to expand production, attract large orders and achieve sustainable growth.

Vu Van inh, who owns five 4-star handicraft products from the Chuyen My lacquer village, said that participating in online sales workshops and using platforms like Facebook and TikTok has expanded his business reach nationwide and even to international markets, offering strong motivation for further growth.

Phu Xuyen District Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Vinh shared that the district is collaborating with consulting units and relevant agencies to establish collective branding for its signature products, aiming to create a distinct brand identity for OCOP products from the area.

District Chairman Le Van Binh emphasised that digital transformation is key to advancing OCOP products, helping them secure a foothold in domestic and international markets. The district has launched various programmes to assist businesses in transitioning from traditional to digital business models, leveraging social media platforms such as Facebook and Zalo to promote craft village products.

Currently, the district has created a 'Phu Xuyen Craft Villages Hanoi' account on social media, hosting livestream sales sessions to connect producers directly with consumers. Since its launch over two months ago, the account has attracted over 31,000 interactions on Facebook and more than 1,400 followers on TikTok.

With investments in industrial infrastructure, digital business transformation and collective branding for craft village products, Phu Xuyen District is solidifying its position in OCOP product development. The integration of tradition with modernity is a crucial strategy for craft village OCOP products to reach broader markets and contribute to the district's socio-economic development.

Nguyen Van Chi, Deputy Chief of the Standing Office of the Ha Noi New Rural Development Coordination Programme, said that Phu Xuyen District would continue to implement models for preserving and promoting traditional craft villages alongside OCOP product and tourism development, aiming to enhance the value of craft village products in line with the districts OCOP programme.  VNS

* The article is published under the coordination of the Coordination Office of the New-Style Rural Development Programme in Ha Noi.
HA NOI  Viet Nam's signing of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) accession protocol in Geneva on November 7, 2006, and its subsequent entry as the organisation's 150th member on January 11, 2007, marked a pivotal turning point in the nation's development. Over the past 18 years, this membership has strengthened Viet Nams position in global value chains while demonstrating its strong commitment to international economic integration.

Important milestones in global economic integration

The WTO, established on January 1, 1995, stands as the sole international body governing global trade rules. With 165 member nations accounting for over 90 per cent of the global trade, its core mission is to promote fair and free trade among nations, reduce trade barriers, and support members' economic development.

The organisation operates under six key agreements covering goods trade, services, intellectual property rights, dispute settlement, trade policy reviews, and WTO establishment protocols. Its fundamental principles of non-discrimination, transparency, and fairness, among others, have encouraged member states to open their markets and enable domestic businesses to compete internationally. The development of the WTO has also pushed its members to develop sustainably, improve their legal basis, and complete economic and financial system in accordance with the requirement of the international integration.

Viet Nam's path to WTO membership spanned more than a decade, from 1995 to 2006, requiring complicated bilateral and multilateral negotiations. The country underwent significant legal reforms and economic restructuring to meet WTO requirements before securing the membership.

The countrys signing of the WTO accession protocol in Geneva in 2006 represented a watershed in its international economic integration. The nation's rights and obligations as a WTO member took effect on January 11, 2007.

The decision to join the WTO not only ushered in a new era in Viet Nam's international trade relations but also created significant opportunities for domestic businesses. The membership provides Viet Nam with a foundation for comprehensive economic policy reforms, export market expansion, and enhances competitive edge. However, the process also challenges Vietnamese enterprises, requiring them to improve product quality and better prepare to meet stringent international market standards.

Affirming position in regional, international arenas

Viet Nams efforts to open its market, promote institutional reforms, and fortify international cooperation have paid off, with exceptional trade growth and substantial foreign investment that have contributed to creating a facelift for the countrys economic landscape as well as cementing its position in the regional and international arenas.

Since its accession to the WTO, the country has obtained significant trade achievements. Its export revenue rose from over $48 billion in 2007 to more than $371 billion in 2022.

Viet Nam has emerged as a significant player in global trade, currently ranking among the world's top 20 trading economies. The country has maintained a trade surplus for eight consecutive years, increasing from $1.77 billion in 2016 to over $28 billion in 2023.

Manufacturing and high-tech products now dominate exports, accounting for 85 per cent of total export value in 2023. Telephones, electronic components, machines, equipment, and textile have been the key export items, contributing to the countrys trade success and helping improve the domestic firms competitive capacity in the international market.

The WTO membership has not only accelerated Viet Nams trade growth but also expanded its economic partnership and diversified its export market. As of October 2024, Viet Nam had signed and carried out 17 free trade agreements while negotiations are underway for two others. Several new-generation trade pacts such as the EU  Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership have secure Viet Nams broader access to major markets, thus boosting the competitiveness of its exports.

According to the General Statistics Office, progress has been seen in the trade ties with the EU, the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and China, making Viet Nam an important player in the Asia  Pacific region.

Besides, the WTO accession has been significant to the countrys foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction. In 2008, US$36.6 billion of FDI was injected to the country, a three-fold increase from the previous year. The figure in 2023 was $36.6 billion, solidifying the countrys position as a premier investment destination in the world. Tech giants such as Samsung, Intel, LG, and Foxconn have established production bases in Viet Nam, integrating the country deeper into global supply chains.

Additionally, the engagement in the WTO has push ahead the countrys strong reform of its legal system and economic institutions to enhance transparency in economic management, better business climate, and improve its position internationally.

According to the World Economic Forum, Viet Nams Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) moved up 13 places in the 2007 - 17 period, from the lower half of the rankings to the upper. In 2019, its GCI improved 10 places to the 67th position among the 141 economies.

As the integration process has brought challenges to the country, including trade defense measures from major markets like the US and the EU, experts suggest Viet Nam strengthen its trade defense capabilities by providing training for officials and enterprises. Besides, they said it is necessary to shift from assembly-based manufacturing to higher value-added production to improve the country's competitive edge and mitigate impact of the international trade policies.  VNS
Practical innovations

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Recent cooperation between InfraSen, a start-up in semiconductor technology, and MK Group, a leading company in technology, has shown an encouraging sign of unity between scientists and economists. The MK Group will help produce a thermal image core sensor of InfraSen for domestic and overseas markets. Lets listen to insiders voices about semiconductor device production in Viet Nam!
Lashonda Green, left, and Dyesha Murphy taking three-year-old Grayson Stewart to cast their votes for General Election on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 at Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer People walk to the front doors at Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, the site of a General Election polling place, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Houston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

A last-minute polling switch has put an Election Day polling place at my childrens school.

Ive been intentional about keeping political talk out of our home. We've covered the importance of voting, but the details of the political battles haven't been a part of our dinner table conversations or in our nightly TV news ritual.

They are too young for this election madness, and meanness. But last night, on the eve of the most crucial presidential election of my time, my daughter shot off a series of questions:

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Why are politicians so mean?

Is slavery returning?

Why are women dying when they have babies?

Will I still be able to go to school after the election?

Why dont my grandparents agree on who should be president?

I felt a sharp pinch in my neck as she rattled off her innocent inquiries. While I have been trying my best to shield her from the angst of this political season, shes been listening to everything, everywhere.

She is concerned about our future as a family and if her birthday party this weekend will be put on hold as we decide on the next president.

Providing grown-up answers shouldn't be so hard, but this election anxiety has felt like the weight of a million blades. Most of the parents I know want this to be over quickly so we can focus on life whether it be a Kamala Harris reality or a Donald Trump world.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

My children learned the importance of civic duty while quietly munching on snacks when I drag them to community meetings. They understand the importance of being engaged in what's happening in the world. They have learned that empathy for others is a gift and a non-negotiable expectation in our home.

I recently spoke to a group of journalism students at the University of Houston with my children in the audience. As I talked about how to advocate for yourself in your career, I caught my daughter on the side of the room mimicking my gestures and speech as if she were in my shoes.

Children are always watching.

My daughter's dinnertime questions helped snap me out of an election anxiety that felt like a sea of raging thoughts and deep concerns about the future.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

On this Election Day, we might need a reminder that our children are always watching and learning from us.
HCM CITY  Collaboration is vital for HCM City to tackle climate change and maintain a clean water supply for its over 10 million residents, experts said.

Speaking at a recent seminar, deputy general director of Saigon Water Corporation (SAWACO) Bui Thanh Giang highlighted the company's commitment to providing a stable water supply amid climate challenges.

SAWACO partners with scientists and environmental experts to develop sustainable water management strategies and enhance smart water supply systems, he said.

It promotes water conservation through campaigns and educational programmes, and invests in technology to detect leaks, which improves efficiency, he said.

Smart water meters enable real-time consumption monitoring, while a progressive tariff structure encourages responsible usage, he added.

It also collaborates with local authorities and community organisations to foster a culture of water conservation, ensuring reliable water access essential for public health and economic growth.

It has recently established a long-term cooperative relationship with the Seoul Waterworks Authority (SWA) to ensure the provision of safe water for residents.

The two sides have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that outlined specific areas of collaboration and a roadmap for fostering a comprehensive partnership, which not only benefits both entities but also strengthens the relationship between HCM City and Seoul.

Both SAWACO and SWA share a mutual need for innovation and the application of advanced technologies to ensure a safe and clean water supply for HCM City and Seoul, two densely populated urban centers, experts said.

The two cities populations are comparable, each hovering around 10 million residents. Notably, tap water in Seoul is now deemed safe for consumption.

Climate Change

Dr. Nguyen Minh Hoa from HCM City University warned that climate change poses significant risks to the city's water resources, particularly in vulnerable areas such as the Mekong Delta and HCM City.

Concerns include declining water availability, rising sea levels threatening submersion, increased saltwater intrusion, and droughts impacting key reservoirs.

The city's rapid population growth, projected to reach 15 million by 2050, exacerbates these challenges.

In response, the city is adjusting its Water Supply Plan to ensure access to clean water, with various water companies, including SAWACO.

Under the plan, SAWACO will be implementing high-tech solutions to optimise freshwater production and management.

Efforts will also focus on exploring sustainable water sources, such as rainwater and brackish water, while improving sludge treatment techniques.

To minimise freshwater loss, water supply plants will monitor flow rates, upgrade old pipes, and install pressure-reducing valves, aiming to reduce tap water leakage to under 18.9 per cent by 2040.

In addition, a pilot programme for free drinking water systems at public facilities will be launched, involving collaboration between SAWACO and local departments.

Established in 2005, SAWACO plays a major role in delivering clean water to all residents of HCM City, with the capacity to serve over 10 million individuals.  VNS
KIEN GIANG  The southern province of Kien Giang is intensifying efforts to meet the anticipated surge in tourist demand during the final two months of the year.

Nguyen Chi Thanh, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Tourism, said that the department has directed tourism firms to improve environmental sanitation, enhance the quality of tourism products and services and create tours featuring event-related experiences.

Kien Giang is focusing on maintaining current domestic and international flight routes to Phu Quoc, a key destination in the province and working with related sectors and airlines to establish new routes, bringing more visitors to the island.

The department has organised professional training for organisations and individuals involved in community-based, agricultural, and rural tourism. It has also conducted surveys on rural tourism businesses, other service establishments, and stores specialising in selling items under One Commune One Product (OCOP) Programme in U Minh Thuong, An Minh, and Hon at districts, and the cities of Rach Gia and Ha Tien.

In the first ten months of 2024, Kien Giang welcomed 8.8 million visitors, including 813,364 foreign tourists, generating VN21.5 trillion (about US$849 million) in revenue.

Phu Quoc, the island city, accounted for over 5.2 million tourists - around 60 per cent of Kien Giangs total visitors and contributed VN17.9 trillion to tourism revenue.

The province currently has 967 accommodation facilities with over 34,000 rooms, including 25 establishments rated 4-5 stars with more than 11,900 rooms, effectively meeting tourist demand. Phu Quoc, in particular, offers a convenient, modern, and world-class lodging system.

This year, Kien Giang has hosted a variety of promotional, cultural, art, sports, and media events to boost tourism. Notably, Rach Gia City organised a traditional festival commemorating the 156th death anniversary of national hero Nguyen Trung Truc, drawing approximately 1.6 million visitors.

In the third quarter of 2024, Phu Quoc experienced a notable recovery in international tourism, welcoming many international flights. At the end of October, the island received two tour groups from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with 400 guests each, marking the return of the Eastern European tourism market and laying a foundation for growth in the coming year.

Quang Xuan Lua, Director of the Kien Giang Centre for Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion, noted that the arrival of these Eastern European tour groups after a year of effort opens up numerous opportunities for Czech and Slovak businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors to explore partnerships and investments in various fields on Phu Quoc Island.  VNA/VNS
At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cooperation Summit from 5 to 8 November 2024. The Prime Minister will also attend the 10th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit, the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Viet Nam (CLMV) Cooperation Summit, and conduct official engagements in China.

Before the trip, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Thanh Binh spoke to the press, sharing insights related to this important mission.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will attend the 8th GMS Cooperation Summit, the 10th ACMECS Summit and the 11th CLMV Cooperation Summit, and carry out official duties in China from 5 to 8 November. Could you please share the objectives, significance, and importance of this trip?

This is the first time in six years that the GMS, ACMECS and CLMV cooperation summits are being held in person again, providing an opportunity for leaders to discuss cooperation directions and helping these mechanisms firmly step into a new era of development.

Prime Minister Chinh's trip to China is expected to convey many significant messages to the subregion, the region and the international community.

Firstly, it aims to enhance the substance of subregional cooperation. In the context of the global economy undergoing unprecedented, profound, and comprehensive transformations; with trends like green transition, digital transformation and sustainable and inclusive development becoming more urgent than ever, the Mekong subregion needs 'breakthroughs' to meet new development requirements.

At these summits, in addition to traditional issues such as the economy, facilitating trade and investment, connecting hard and soft infrastructure, and managing and sustainably using transboundary water resources, the Prime Minister and other leaders will focus on discussing new issues, notably innovation.

These new areas of cooperation are powerful drivers that position the GMS, ACMECS, and CLMV mechanisms not only as traditional core mechanisms in subregional cooperation but also as pioneering mechanisms that elevate the Mekong subregion to a new level in regional and international value chains.

Secondly, it aims to strengthen political trust among member countries. These events unite all nations along the Mekong River, which are close neighbours and share longstanding friendly ties with Viet Nam. The Prime Minister will engage with representatives of governments, localities, businesses and the people of these countries, with a particular focus on the host, China.

This is a key opportunity for Viet Nam to showcase its cooperative spirit, fostering mutual understanding and enhancing the friendly neighbourly relations between Viet Nam and member countries, while promoting comprehensive economic, trade and investment cooperation.

The trip also seeks to sustain the positive momentum in Viet Nam-China relations, building on the high-level consensus reached during General Secretary To Lam's official visit to China in August 2024. Through high-level exchanges and contacts, Viet Nam aims to deepen political trust, enhance practical cooperation, and ensure that Viet Nam-China relations continue to grow steadily, healthily and sustainably at both central and local levels.

Thirdly, it reinforces Viet Nams position and prestige on the global stage. The PM's participation in these summits signals Viet Nams strong commitment to the GMS, ACMECS and CLMV mechanisms specifically, and Mekong subregional cooperation more broadly. The Prime Minister will convey that Viet Nam remains dedicated to advancing the GMS, ACMECS and CLMV frameworks, as well as the Mekong subregion as a whole, towards breakthroughs in this new development phase. In doing so, Viet Nam reaffirms its independent, self-reliant, diverse and multilateral foreign policy - positioning itself as a friend, a reliable partner, and an active, responsible member of the international community.

Could you please share the main contents of the Prime Minister's activities during this mission?

Prime Minister Chinh's activities are anticipated to span four productive working days, grounded in efficiency, comprehensiveness and practicality. His programme will be rich, diverse and substantial.

Firstly, the programme will include a variety of formats. According to the plan, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will attend and deliver key speeches at three multilateral summits - the 8th GMS Summit, the 10th ACMECS Summit and the 11th CLMV Summit. He will also engage in bilateral meetings with significant partners, participate in activities promoting Viet Nams tourism, hold discussions with businesses and visit various economic and logistics facilities in Kunming and Chongqing, China.

Secondly, the programme will feature a diverse range of partners. During the visit, the Prime Minister is expected to meet with a range of critical partners with cooperation potential across all levels. These include development partners, multilateral financial institutions, central agencies, ministries, localities and Chinese enterprises. Additionally, he will take time to connect with the Vietnamese community in China, learning about their lives and experiences.

Thirdly, it will have substantive content. The Prime Minister will focus on advancing cooperation areas aligned with Viet Nams current development priorities. This includes leveraging traditional strengths such as trade - both import and export of goods and services - enhancing hard and soft infrastructure connectivity, and sustainably managing and utilising transboundary water resources.

At the same time, he will actively seek resources to foster key areas like science and technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and green transition, supporting Viet Nams socio-economic development goals and furthering Viet Nams commitments to sustainable development and emission reduction.

I believe that under the leadership of the Party, the State, and personally Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, this trip will bring many concrete and substantive results for Viet Nam and the Mekong subregion, contributing to the process of building the ASEAN Community.  VNS
HA NOI  During its 57th regular session on September 27, 2024, the United Nations Human Rights Council approved the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)s fourth cycle for Viet Nam. Coinciding with this review cycle (2019-23), Viet Nam witnessed significant political events that have strategically shaped its development trajectory and solidified the foundation for ensuring human and citizens' rights, notably the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the elections of the 15th-tenure National Assembly (NA) and Government.

Through these events, Viet Nam has articulated a vision and development directions for the 2021-2030 period, aiming to build and perfect a socialist rule of law State, improve living standards and citizens right to enjoyment, promote and protect human rights in the country.

Perfecting Legal Framework

From 2019 to November 2023, the Vietnamese NA passed 44 laws, many of which pertain to human and citizens' rights. These laws align with the 2013 Constitution and international treaties, ensuring compatibility with international treaties of which Viet Nam is a member.

Viet Nam is reviewing several laws to amend and supplement them in accordance with international commitments. This includes revisions to the Law on Children, the draft Law on Prevention and Control of Prostitution, the Law on Juvenile Justice, and the Law on Gender Reassignment, among others.

The Government has also proposed incorporating various bills into the 2023 and 2024 Programme on Law and Ordinance Building. These bills aim to further refine the legal framework concerning human rights and fundamental rights of citizens, including revisions to the Law on Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking, the Land Law, the Social Insurance Law, the Population Law, the Employment Law, and the Health Insurance Law.

Throughout the process of building legal documents, the State has facilitated citizens' rights to engage in the management of State and society. This is achieved by encouraging public feedback, suggestions, involvement in policy and law building, as well as monitoring and supervising the activities of State agencies.

The State ensures openness and transparency in the process of receiving and responding to citizens' feedback and suggestions.

To date, public consultations on various bills have led to positive changes, improving their effectiveness and quality.

Viet Nam has established a research committee to explore the feasibility of establishing a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI). Several discussions have been held regarding the establishment of this agency, including proposed options for its structure, organisation and model.

Moving forward, Viet Nam will continue to study and reference human rights agency models from around the world, adapting them to the countrys realities.

New policies ensure human rights in Viet Nam

Viet Nam's socio-economic development strategy for 2021-30 sees the country lay emphasis on improving the quality of its human resources and living standards for the poor and those in remote areas. With a human-centred approach, Viet Nam set goals to become a developing country with a modern industry and a high middle-income status by 2030, progressing toward a developed country with high income by 2045.

Viet Nam has also issued new strategies and policies focused on social welfare and protection of vulnerable groups. Notably, in November 2021, the PM approved a programme to enhance the quality of protection, healthcare and support for revolution contributors, the elderly, children, the disabled, and those in need of social assistance for the 2021-30 period.

In the realm of sustainable development, Viet Nam has made substantial reforms in pooling, using, and managing financial resources for development, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since 2016. Social development investment remained above 34 per cent of GDP from 2016-2021, peaking at 34.8 per cent in 2020.

The monitoring and evaluation of the progress in fulfilling the SDGs are carried out regularly. The database on SDGs is continuously updated and expanded. Viet Nam has issued a system comprising 158 statistical indicators for sustainable development and a roadmap for achieving the SDGs by 2030. The institutional framework for sustainable development is becoming increasingly refined and stringent. Viet Nam has stepped up and developed a network of inter-agency coordination and organisations to promote the fulfilment of the SDGs, including Government agencies, international development partners, businesses, and non-governmental organisations.

On food security, rural and sustainable agricultural development, the Government issued Resolution 34/NQ-CP on ensuring national food security by 2030 in 2011. Viet Nam is also deploying an agricultural restructuring plan for the 2021-2025 period to encourage investment in agriculture and rural areas, support the reduction of agricultural losses. The basic infrastructure for agriculture and rural areas continues to be improved, especially in irrigation and disaster prevention and control. The focus for the sector in the coming time is to transition from high-yield agriculture to high-tech, eco-friendly, responsible and sustainable agriculture.

Regarding green growth and climate change response: The 2020 Law on Environment Protection stipulates that environment protection is harmoniously linked with social security, children's rights, gender equality, and ensuring the right of everyone to live in a clean environment.

Viet Nams national climate change strategy to 2050 and its green growth action plan aim to reduce vulnerability and loss caused by climate change by bolstering community resilience and adaptability.

Viet Nam has emerged as one of the first developing countries to incorporate greenhouse gas reduction obligations into its legal framework. In December 2022, the country, in partnership with the G7 and several international allies, adopted the Political Declaration on establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). The goal is to raise US$15.5 billion over the next 3-5 years to offer financial and technological support to Viet Nam's energy transition.

The PM has issued an action plan for the JETP, detailing mechanisms, policies and solutions to ensure equitable support, particularly for vulnerable groups, with affordable energy access, green job creation, and social welfare policies.

In administrative reform and the fight against corruption and negativity, Viet Nam continues to achieve numerous positive results. The campaign is driven by the PMs action motto "Discipline, Integrity, Action, Creativity, Breakthrough, Efficiency", along with the consistent stance that there are no off-limit areas or exceptions in handling corruption. This approach is coupled with the application of information technology, the development of e-Government, and the improvement of accountability and public participation, feedback, and contributions in the policy-making and enforcement process.

The Anti-Corruption Law, effective from July 1, 2019, has established a solid legal foundation for anti-corruption efforts, specifying acts of corruption and violations related to anti-corruption.

The Government has issued a comprehensive programme for State administrative reform for the 2021-30 period, aiming to continue efforts to build a democratic, professional, and effective administrative system. Key focuses include institutional reforms, and the development of e-Government and digital government. The Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced new tools such as the Administrative Reform Index and the Satisfaction Index of Public Administration Services.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs ao Ngoc Dung, and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan provided insights into their respective sectors and addressed pressing concerns raised by lawmakers at the eighth session of the 15th National Assembly on Monday.

Minister Nguyen Kim Son announced the proposed amendments to Decree 127 concerning State management responsibilities in education. This includes evaluating which administrative body should oversee continuing education and vocational training centres.

By the end of November, the ministry plans to hold a national conference with directors of all centres to address management and operational bottlenecks, he said.

Son also underlined the need to identify challenges in training a workforce that meets the demands of foreign-invested enterprises, advocating for planning and proactive measures to ensure the workforce is adequately prepared for emerging and pillar technological fields.

Meanwhile, Minister ao Ngoc Dung highlighted the development of a scheme aimed at cultivating a semiconductor workforce by 2030, with a vision to 2050, and another for the hi-tech industry. He underscored the necessity of effective policies to attract a quality workforce into the public sector.

In higher education, he called for a focus on scientific research and identified university autonomy as a breakthrough.

Looking ahead, he proposed building a national policy framework on preventing population aging and adjusting the replacement birth rate, starting from 2025.

Minister Le Minh Hoan, for his part, reported that the ministry has submitted two decrees to the Government, aimed at supporting agricultural production affected by natural disasters and production losses caused by animal diseases. The ministry has also redesigned its policy to increase aid for affected farmers while preventing policy profiteering.

About sustainable fisheries development, he noted that the Prime Minister recently issued a dispatch outlining urgent tasks and solutions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, in preparation for an upcoming session with the European Commissions fifth inspection delegation.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his entourage left Ha Noi on November 5 for the 8th Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Summit in China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

His trip to China from November 5-8 also includes attendance at the 10th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit, the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Viet Nam (CLMV) Cooperation Summit, and working sessions.

The PM is accompanied by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh at, Government Inspector General oan Hong Phong, Minister-Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs Hau A Lenh, Secretary of the Lai Chau provincial Party Committee Giang Pao My, Secretary of the ien Bien provincial Party Committee Tran Quoc Cuong, Secretary of the Cao Bang provincial Party Committee Tran Hong Minh, General Director of the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) o Tien Sy, Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of Public Security Lieut. Gen. Le Van Tuyen, Deputy Chairman of the Government Office Nguyen Sy Hiep, Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai, and Vietnamese Consul General in Chinas Kunming Hoang Minh Son.

These are the first in-person high-level activities of the GMS, ACMECS and CLMV mechanisms since 2018. Viet Nam views these cooperation platforms as strategic avenues to connect with top partners and enhance international support for the Mekong sub-region's development.

Viet Nam's active and proactive participation in these mechanisms reflects its commitment to contributing to the common interests of the region, improving sub-regional cooperation effectiveness, and effectively pooling external resources for national development.

This working trip comes at a time when Viet Nam-China fine neighbourliness is flourishing, characterised by the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. The highlight is high-level visits between the two countries' leaders in recent times.

Economic cooperation, trade and investment between Viet Nam and China have seen substantial strides, with two-way trade reaching US$171.9 billion in 2023. China remains Viet Nam's largest trade partner and second largest export market. Meanwhile, Viet Nam is China's largest trade partner in ASEAN and its fifth largest globally.

The trip underscores Viet Nam's message of valuing and contributing to the promotion of the GMS, ACMECS and CLMV mechanisms, as well as overall Mekong sub-regional cooperation, creating a breakthough in a new phase of development. At the same time, it aims to continue strengthening and boosting friendly neighbourliness and the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries and the Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.  VNA/VNS
KUNMING  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his entourage arrived at Kunming Changshui International Airport in Chinas Yunnan Province on November 5 morning, starting their working trip to attend the 8th Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Summit and hold bilateral activities in the country.

Chinh's four-day trip, made at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also includes attendance at the 10th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit, and the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Viet Nam (CLMV) Cooperation Summit.

Welcoming him at the airport were Liu Fei, member of the standing board and head of the organisation commission of the Yunnan provincial Party Committee, Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam He Wei, and Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai, among others.

These are the first in-person high-level activities of the GMS, ACMECS, and CLMV mechanisms since 2018. Viet Nam views these cooperation platforms as strategic venues to connect with top partners and enhance international support for the Mekong sub-region's development.

Viet Nam's active and proactive participation in these mechanisms reflects its commitment to contributing to the common interests of the region, improving sub-regional cooperation effectiveness, and effectively pooling external resources for national development.

This working trip comes at a time when Viet Nam-China good neighbourliness is flourishing, characterised by the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. The highlight is high-level visits between the two countries' leaders in recent times.

Economic cooperation, trade, and investment between Viet Nam and China have seen substantial strides, with two-way trade reaching US$171.9 billion in 2023. China remains Viet Nam's largest trade partner and second largest export market. Meanwhile, Viet Nam is China's largest trade partner in ASEAN and its fifth largest globally.

The trip underscores Viet Nam's message of valuing and contributing to the promotion of the GMS, ACMECS, and CLMV mechanisms, as well as overall Mekong sub-regional cooperation, creating a breakthrough in the new phase of development. At the same time, it aims to continue strengthening and boosting friendly neighbourliness and the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries and the Viet Nam - China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.  VNS
KUNMING  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation visited the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site in Kunming, Yunan Province China, as part of his trip to the country to attend several regional Mekong summits.

With deep respect and infinite gratitude, PM Chinh and the delegation laid flowers and observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the late Presidents great contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

In the guestbook at the memorial site, the Vietnamese Government leader wrote: "I felt deeply moved in my visit to the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site in Kunming. This is a valuable historical site that stands as proof of the enduring solidarity and bond between the revolutions of the two Parties and the two countries Viet Nam and China.

"The Vietnamese Government sincerely thanks the Party, administration, and people of Yunnan Province for respectfully preserving this memorial site. We believe that this will always be a 'red address' for the people, especially the youth of both countries, to learn from and positively contribute to nurturing the Viet Nam-China friendship of 'both comrades and brothers' to remain evergreen and last for evermore."

The Ho Chi Minh Relic Site in Kunming, China, is where the Vietnamese founding father lived and worked between February-October 1940. During this time, he met with Vietnamese revolutionaries such as Pham Van ong, Vo Nguyen Giap, and others in Kunming to discuss critical events of the Vietnamese revolution.

President Ho Chi Minh also did survey trips along the Yunnan-Viet Nam railway. The memorial site holds significant historical, cultural, and educational value. In 2011, the old house was recognised as a city-level cultural relic protection unit, and in 2019, it was upgraded to a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.

To continue preserving and promoting the traditional friendship between China and Viet Nam, and to foster people-to-people and cultural exchanges, on May 19, 2022, the Yunnan Provincial Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Culture and Tourism, and Kunming City authorities, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Viet Nam in Kunming and other relevant agencies, organised a groundbreaking ceremony for the restoration of President Ho Chi Minhs former residence.

The former residence has three floors, constructed from brick and wood and is situated near the People's Government Headquarters of Wuhua District (Kunming City). The site houses many valuable images and documents related to President Ho Chi Minh during his time living there.  VNS
YUNNAN  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday met representatives of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Kunming city, Chinas Yunnan Province, and the Vietnamese community there.

The meeting took place as part of his ongoing trip to China to attend the eighth Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit, the 10th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit, and the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Viet Nam Cooperation Summit, and hold bilateral activities in the neighbouring country.

The leader underlined the close ties between Yunnan and its Vietnamese neighbours of Lao Cai, ien Bien, Lai Chau, and Ha Giang, saying they all hold important positions and roles in advancing Viet Nam-China relations, particularly in realising the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Reviewing the progress in the bilateral relationship, the PM said it is an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority, and emphasised the camaraderie plus brotherhood between the two countries.

Chinh noted his hope that the Vietnamese community there will always treasure, preserve, consolidate, and strengthen the good relationship, especially in the context of building the Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

He thanked the Chinese Party, State, and people for promoting the relationship, as well as supporting the Vietnamese community there.

Briefing the overseas Vietnamese on the situation at home, the leader urged them to carry forward solidarity, preserve traditional culture, abide by the host countrys law, and contribute more to the homeland, development in the two nations, and the Viet Nam-China ties.

About 4,000 Vietnamese are working and living in Yunnan. They raised US$5,000 in support of victims of the recent flooding at home.

The same day, the PM attended a Vietnamese culture-tourism festival in Kunming, part of activities towards the 75th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and the "Year of Viet Nam-China Humanistic Exchange" in 2025.

There, he visited a photo exhibition featuring Viet Nam's heritage, culture, and tourism, and enjoyed an art programme by Vietnamese and Chinese artists, honouring the solidarity and friendship between the two countries.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The General Department of Politics of the Viet Nam Peoples Army (VPA) opened a training course on trade union affairs for officers of the Lao Peoples Army (LPA) in Ha Noi on Tuesday.

In his opening remarks, Colonel Nguyen inh uc, who is in charge of the trade union affairs division at the General Department of Politics, highlighted that with the close and loyal relationship between the two countries, trade union cadres and members of the two armies have long upheld and promoted the traditions of their nations and militaries.

With a sense of dedication and responsibility, they have carried out many practical and effective activities to contribute to the special friendship between the Vietnamese and Lao armies, he said.

uc affirmed that this training course reflects the special attention from the two countries' ministries of national defence, as well as the solidarity between trade union members of the VPA and the LPA.

During the month-long course, participants will engage in field trips to learn experiences related to organisation models and trade union activities in certain units and enterprises in Viet Nam. They will also have a chance to visit some historical and cultural relics along with scenic spots.

The course is expected to help enrich their knowledge, skills, and expertise in the military trade union work, and grasp an insight into the history, culture, and people of Viet Nam and the VPA. VNS
Voters line up to cast their ballots in the General Election at the Richard and Meg Weekley Community Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Cypress. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

The Houston metro area may get an early wake-up call on Election Day as a line of strong storms sweeps through. For people hoping to get out early in the day to cast their vote, an umbrella may be your best friend as pockets of heavy rainfall pop up across Southeast Texas.

Although the Election Day forecast includes plenty of rain, we will have a risk of showers each day this week. Lets figure out how you can make your political voice heard without completely soaking yourself.

CHECK ROAD CONDITIONS: Get updates on morning road conditions using our interactive map.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Election Day weather timeline

Morning: The predawn hours Tuesday, just before the 7 a.m. opening of polling places across Texas, will likely feature the worst weather of Election Day. High-resolution forecast models agree that storms will roar through communities like College Station and Brenham between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. Storms will move east towards Interstate 45 from there, likely pushing into the Houston metro area between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. Storms should move east of Liberty and Galveston between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.

The High Resolution Rapid Refresh forecast model expects a line of strong thunderstorms to push through the Houston metro area between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. Tuesday. Voters heading to the polls early on Election Day may want to carry an umbrella with them. WeatherBELL

This line of storms will come through at an unfavorable time for morning commuters. A few storms could become severe with damaging winds or even large hail. Although the window for strong storms in Greater Houston will close by 8 a.m., areas east of Houston won't be in the clear before 10 a.m.

Voters wait in line before the polls open at the West Gray Multi Service Center on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Midday: While the worst weather on Election Day will be found around the time when polls open at 7 a.m., scattered showers and a few storms are likely after the cold front passes through. Anyone planning to head to the polls on their lunch break should still have an umbrella handy. As slightly drier air moves into Southeast Texas behind the cold front, scattered downpours should diminish west of Interstate 45 by 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Closer to Houston, it may be more like 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. before showers completely push east of the city.

The window for strong storms will close by Tuesday afternoon, as depicted by this future weather radar snapshot from the High Resolution Rapid Refresh forecast model. WeatherBELL

We may even squeeze in some sunshine during the afternoon, especially if youre farther east along the Interstate 10 corridor in Katy or Columbus.

Evening: If you waited until Election Day to vote, the best weather for standing in line to cast your ballot will be in those few hours just before polls close at 7 p.m.

As the cold front marches deeper into Louisiana by Tuesday evening, weather across the Houston metro area will drastically improve. This time of day features partly to mostly cloudy skies as northerly winds slowly introduce much drier air.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The High Resolution Rapid Refresh forecast model, shown here, suggests storms will move out of Southeast Texas by the time polls close at 7 p.m. WeatherBELL

When Texas polls close at 7 p.m., Houston temperatures will likely be around 70 degrees. As long as youre in line when polls close, you will still be allowed to cast your vote.

Beyond Election Day

Although Southeast Texas will maintain daily rain chances this week, the showers will be more hit-or-miss than the Election Day downpours. A series of upper-level atmospheric disturbances will pivot across the base of a digging trough of low atmospheric pressure aloft, resulting in at least a few showers through the upcoming weekend.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Rain chances in most of Southeast Texas will be between 20% and 40%, higher percentages may be found closer to College Station and Bryan, especially Wednesday into Thursday.
CUU LONG DELTA  Many areas in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region are at high risk of flooding due to tidal surges combined with heavy rainfall in the first half of November this year, according to the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee.

Due to this combination, in early November, many areas in Can Tho City and the provinces of Vinh Long, Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, and Hau Giang will be facing a high risk of flooding.

Localities in the region are therefore being urged to proactively implement measures to protect low-lying fields and areas without flood protection dikes to mitigate risks and prepare for potential breaches and landslides in flood-prone regions.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the Mekong River Commission and international organisations forecast, total rainfall over the Mekong River Basin in the first half of November is forecasted to be approximately 3-5 per cent higher than the multi-year average.

Currently, reservoirs on Lan Thuong River are storing about 95 per cent of their total useful capacity, while reservoirs in the lower Mekong Basin are also up to 80 per cent of their useful capacity and are expected to continue generating electricity.

It is anticipated that the flow reaching Kratie (Cambodia) will gradually decrease as the region enters the transition season. Therefore, the total flow passing through the Kratie station in the first half of this month is forecasted to range from 16 billion cu.m to 19 billion cu.m, while the current water storage in Tonle Sap Lake is 39.1 billion cu.m, which will continue to contribute to the main Mekong River flow.

The Viet Nam National Mekong Committee predicted that the maximum daily water level at the Tan Chau station in Tay Ninh Province in early this month will fluctuate with the tides between 2.4 and 2.8m, higher than the multi-year average.

The average daily flow through Tan Chau station in the first half of this month is expected to range from 15,000cu.m per second to 18,800cu.m per second, higher than the multi-year average.

The total flow at this station during this period is projected to be between 21.9 billion cu.m and 23.4 billion cu.m, higher than the multi-year average but comparable to the same period in 2023.

At the Chau oc station in An Giang Province, the maximum daily water level is expected to range from 2.2 to 2.5m, below the flood warning level 1. The average daily flow through Chau oc station during this period is forecasted to fluctuate between 2,500cu.m per second and 3,800cu.m per second.

The total flow through Chau oc station is projected to be between 4.5 billion cu.m and 4.8 billion cu.m, similar to the multi-year average but lower than in 2023.

Due to the combination of tidal surges, local rainfall and upstream flows, the maximum water levels at the Tan Chau and Chau oc stations are forecasted to remain below warning level 1.

However, in central areas like Can Tho City and My Thuan District of Vinh Long Province, water levels are expected to reach warning levels of 2 to 3.

Most coastal stations are anticipated to reach flood warning level 1 or higher due to tidal surges.  VNS
HCM CITY  Some 88 per cent of professionals would like to trial a four-day work week, and 62 per cent of them believe it would raise their productivity, a survey by Robert Walters, a global talent solutions business, has found.

The 4-day work week: Is Asia ready for it? surveyed over 5,000 professionals and companies across 11 Asian countries and territories.

It also found that 40 per cent of those against such a trial are concerned about increased stress due to the same workload being condensed into fewer days, and would prefer splitting their work load across five days instead.

There were also concerns about the impact on their finances, with 27 per cent saying a four-day week would mean an increase in expenditure due to more time spent outside of work.

To achieve a four-day work week with the same amount of pay, 60 per cent of professionals are willing give up hybrid working or work two additional hours a day across the work week.

Across the region, employers and professionals remain open to the value of a four-day work week to increase productivity and support talent attraction and retention.

Compared to other countries in Asia, the transition to a four-day work week is likely to be more gradual for Viet Nam  with 26 per cent of employers more willing to offer flexible working hours on Fridays.

Phuc Pham, country manager at Robert Walters Vietnam, said: "Anyone considering a shorter work week should keep in mind that theres no universal solution. The real focus should be on adapting it to fit the specific needs of your business, employees and customers.

The biggest concerns for employers about a four-day work week are bad customer experience (67 per cent), incurring costs due to delayed projects or having to hire more people (62 per cent) and causing employee resentment due to difficulty in implementing across the entire office (48 per cent).

But, compared to a regional average of 66 per cent, 75 per cent of employers positive about a four-day work week believe it can yield improved employee productivity levels, with 50 per cent thinking it will help attract and retain employees.  VNS
HA NOI  Railway workers on Monday returns property to two foreign passengers who left their belongings on trains, said the State-run rail operator Viet Nam Railways (VNR).

In one case, a male passenger had bought a private sleeper compartment on the SP4 train (Lao Cai-Ha Noi route), but after getting off the train, he left behind a black backpack, with a passport, a pair of headphones, an iPod, and a large amount of foreign currency including US$439 and 190 Australian dollars inside.

The SP4 train captain Pham Quang Chien returned the property to the foreigner at the Ha Noi Station.

The second case occurred on the HCM City-a Nang railway route also on Monday.

At 12.57pm, the worker in charge of carriage 10A of train SE4, Nguyen Thi Thoan, discovered a passenger's belongings left on the train while she was changing the bed sheets.

Inside were VN15.7 million ($620), 100 euros, 30,800 Cambodian riels ($7.5), one passport and five visa cards all under the name Fien Leenaerts.

Immediately, the train captain Tran Xuan Tra contacted the representative of the travel company and agreed to hand over the property to the Hue Station and then send it to the a Nang Station as soon as possible.

The timely return of passengers belongings, including many important documents, was especially meaningful to the foreigners.

They were very happy to receive their belongings back and did not forget to thank the kind, honest and dedicated Vietnamese railway workers, according to the rail company.  VNS
HA NOI  The Swiss Government and the World Bank have signed an agreement to promote green and resilient growth in Viet Nams major cities.

The US$5 million grant initiative, financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), also aims to strengthen the ongoing partnership between Switzerland and the World Bank in advancing sustainable urban development in Viet Nam.

This grant enables us to support continued dialogue to integrate sustainable practices within the citys urban planning and economic policies, building a model for climate-resilient, and low-carbon urban development, said Mariam J. Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos.

The funding will deepen our engagement with Viett Nams largest cities, particularly HCM City, a Nang and Can Tho, as they advance toward a vision of green growth.

The Viet Nam Accelerating Green and Resilient Growth in Large Cities Single-Donor Trust Fund aims to help large Vietnamese cities grow more sustainably while managing the increasing risks and mitigating the future impacts of climate change.

Under this programme, the World Bank will develop a knowledge base of technical and operational best practices, drawing on international expertise adapted to the local context, to provide strategic solutions for urban challenges.

The programme will also strengthen policy-making capacity and support cities and national agencies in mobilising and diversifying financial resources for investment projects while promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing.

This partnership reflects Switzerlands commitment to sustainable urban development in Viet Nam, said H.E. Thomas Gass, Swiss Ambassador to Viet Nam.

By combining Swiss financing with World Bank knowledge, we aim to help Vietnamese cities achieve their green growth objectives while building resilience against climate challenges.

Switzerland and the World Bank have been long-term strategic partners in supporting urban development in Viet Nam.

This initiative builds on previous successful collaborations, including one that established the countrys first flood risk management system in Can Tho.

The impact of these joint efforts extends beyond Viet Nam, shaping the World Banks Sustainable Urban and Regional Development Programme and City Resilience Programme, both of which are also financed by Switzerland at the global level.  VNS
HA NOI  Hoan Kiem District Police today said they have launched prosecution proceedings for a motorcycle accident that killed a 27-year-old woman on Sunday night in Ha Noi that have drawn much public attention in recent days.

Ten motorcyclists who were allegedly involved in illegal racing at the time of the crash have been arrested for further investigation.

Early reports indicate that the female victim, whose initials are given as N.H.Q., was waiting for the red light at the Tran Hung ao-Ba Trieu intersection at around 12.15am when a group of 25 to 30 motorcyclists allegedly raced through the area.

One of the suspected racers was N.H.N., 19, who was carrying N.P.A., 19, going in the opposite direction. Police said they crashed into Q.s motorbike, causing her to fall to the ground.

Shortly afterwards, another motorbike in the suspected racer gang operated by N.T.M.K., 16, and L..C., 16, reached the intersection and allegedly ran over Q. with speed of 60-70km/h.

The victim was killed on the spot. The group fled the scene but have been later arrested by the police.

Police said N.H.N. sustained injuries in the crash and was treated at a local hospital. She previously dropped out of school and was seen as a leader of a group of delinquents in Xuan La Village in Ha Nois Tay Ho District, according to Ha Noi Moi (New Hanoi) newspaper.

All members of the racer gang are between 16 and 19 years old.

Thuy, the victims aunt, told Dan Tri newspaper: We only hope for justice so that no other family has to bear the same tragedy as ours.

Q. is remembered by her family and friends as a kind, hard-working young woman. She had been planning to get married early next year, after the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

On the night of the accident, Q. was out to send off a friend who was going back to HCM City.

After growing worried when Q. did not pick up her phone, her mother contacted her friends and went out to search for her with her brother based on their guesses of the route she might go.

They later received a call from Q.s friend, who saw her motorbike in an accident at the Tran Hung ao-Ba Trieu intersection, and found out that Q. was the victim of the crash.  VNS
HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered authorities to launch a strict campaign in November to combat fishing vessels that lack proper documentation and fail to meet legal standards for fishing activities.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed a directive on Monday, on behalf of the Prime Minister, regarding urgent measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The directive also calls for thorough preparation to host the European Commissions (EC) fifth inspection team.

The directive was sent to ministers from the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Finance, Planning and Investment, Information and Communications, Foreign Affairs, Public Security, and National Defence, along with chairs of the 28 coastal provincial and city Peoples Committees and the chairpersons of relevant fishery associations, such as the Viet Nam Fisheries Association.

The directive highlights that despite seven years of IUU countermeasures, numerous critical targets and objectives remain unmet. These include registration, issuance of fishing permits, addressing the 'three-nos' (no registration, no ownership, no fishing licences) vessels and ensuring compliance with vessel monitoring system (VMS) regulations.

To lift the 'Yellow Card' warning from the EC, which could affect Viet Nams fisheries sector, the Prime Minister has urged that each agency establishes specific roles and responsibilities, clear completion timelines and outcomes.

The directive requires strict accountability from agency heads for the completion of assigned duties and encourages timely recognition or disciplinary action for compliance or negligence.

Throughout November, law enforcement agencies are instructed to conduct intensive patrols to identify and address 'three-nos' vessels, unauthorised fishing activities and unregistered vessels still operating.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, together with the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Science and Technology, will standardise specifications for VMS devices to prevent tampering and ensure connectivity for tracking fishing vessels. They will work with relevant technology companies to enhance Viet Nams fisheries information management system, the VNFishbase national fisheries database and VMS monitoring with AI technology.

The Ministry of National Defence will task the Navy, Border Guard, and Coast Guard to increase patrols near border areas with other countries, where Vietnamese fishing vessels have repeatedly infringed upon foreign waters.

The Ministry of Public Security will direct coastal provincial police to regulate undocumented fishing vessel sales, purchases and transfers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will encourage diplomatic cooperation to share and obtain data from foreign authorities, as well as to sign bilateral agreements and establish hotline services with these countries to coordinate action on Vietnamese fishing vessels and crew members.

Specifically, the chairpersons of the 28 coastal provincial and city Peoples Committees are expected to lead local IUU prevention efforts. They are instructed to promptly categorise and assess the status of all vessels, address remaining issues related to undocumented vessels and ensure their details are recorded in the VNFishbase database, to be completed by November 20. VNS
BAC GIANG  Poverty reduction efforts in Bac Giang Province have achieved remarkable success in recent years, driven by a combination of strong government support and the unwavering determination of local residents.

These initiatives have not only resulted in significant improvements in living conditions, but have also laid the groundwork for sustainable development in the region.

The province increasingly affirms its commitment to the goal of 'Working Together for the Poor - No One Left Behind' through flexible and innovative methods tailored to local conditions.

As part of the National Target Programme on Sustainable Poverty Reduction for the period 2021-2025, Bac Giang aims to reduce the provincial poverty rate by an average of one per cent each year.

To date, the province has consistently exceeded its targets, achieving an average annual poverty reduction of 1.32 per cent from 2021 to 2023.

In 2021, the first year under the new poverty standards, the provincial poverty rate stood at 5.27 per cent. This figure decreased to 3.81 per cent in 2022 and further to 2.63 per cent in 2023.

Not only has the province achieved notable reductions in poverty, but the sustainability of its poverty alleviation measures has also improved.

From 2016 to 2020, the average rate of households falling back into poverty was 0.64 per cent and this figure decreased to 0.39 per cent during the 2021-2023 period.

Deputy director of the provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Truong uc Huan, said that the provinces approach involves mobilising the entire political system and society, fostering a spirit of self-reliance among the poor.

Son ong District, one of the poorest districts in the country, has achieved an average annual poverty rate reduction of five per cent from 2020 to 2023, surpassing the target of 2.5 to 3 per cent.

In 2023 alone, the district recorded a poverty reduction of 5.23 per cent, exceeding its goal of 4 per cent. Local authorities and residents are now focused on implementing strategies to lift Son ong out of poverty by 2025.

Deputy chairwoman of Son ong District People's Committee, Tong Thi Huong Giang, noted that the district combines solutions to support production, create jobs and increase incomes for the poor while prioritising resources for infrastructure development.

Through the project for supporting investment in socio-economic infrastructure in poor districts, a part of the National Target Programme on Sustainable Poverty Reduction for the period 2021-2025, Son ong has received over VN374.4 billion (US$14.74 million).

This funding has facilitated the improvement and construction of five inter-communal transport projects, enhancing goods transport and community services, alongside the establishment of four health stations serving over 3,500 households.

The district has also maintained and repaired 44 rural roads and pumping stations, strengthening essential infrastructure for production and living standards, creating regional connectivity and promoting trade to support sustainable poverty reduction.

Bac Giang aims to reduce the provincial poverty rate to 1.8 per cent by the end of 2024, and to 0.9 per cent by the end of 2025.

Prioritising resources for difficult areas

Bac Giang has allocated nearly VN720.7 billion for the National Target Programme on Sustainable Poverty Reduction during the 2021-2024 period, encompassing seven component projects.

Local authorities have adopted flexible and innovative measures to prioritise resources for challenging areas, applying appropriate support methods that align with the real conditions of the poor to maximise effectiveness.

From 2021 to 2023, under the livelihood diversification and poverty reduction model expansion project, Bac Giang has implemented 230 projects supporting production development, including 27 crop projects and 203 livestock projects, benefitting nearly 3,300 poor households and 1,840 near-poor households, with 335 households escaping poverty.

Luc Nam, one of the mountainous districts in Bac Giang with a significant ethnic population, has also seen progress.

In 2024, the local authority allocated funds for 25 projects to support households in livestock and crop production, with a total budget of over VN5.1 billion.

Head of the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in Luc Nam district, Vu Hoai Son, said that to enhance the effectiveness of support for residents, local authorities provide information about support programmes without imposing restrictions, allowing households to choose suitable crops and livestock based on their production conditions, climate and local soil quality. They also form groups of experienced farmers to assist poorer households.

After being classified as a poor household due to health issues, o Thi Mai, 40, from Khieu Hamlet, Phuong Son Town, received 450 chicks through the sustainable poverty reduction programme.

Local officials assisted her in building chicken coops and provided training in animal care. Choosing poultry farming to suit her family's needs, Mai's flock is now thriving and she anticipates escaping poverty by years end.

To address the housing shortage for poor and near-poor households, Lang Giang District has intensified advocacy and mobilised community resources from businesses, philanthropists, party members, and the public.

In 2024, local authorities identified 156 households in the district needing new or repaired housing.

Within seven months of launching the campaign, they mobilised over VN5.1 billion in cash, successfully eliminating temporary and dilapidated homes for poor families and veterans.

These innovative approaches have significantly improved the material and spiritual lives of the poor in Bac Giang, encouraging a mindset shift towards self-empowerment.

Each year, hundreds of households request removal from the poverty list, with 113 families opting to escape poverty in 2023 alone.  VNS
TOKYO  A number of arrests were made over the weekend with suspected connections to dark part-time jobs in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Since August, there have been 23 such robberies mainly in Tokyo and five surrounding prefectures.

Early Sunday morning, a man broke into a one-story house in Yotsukaido, Chiba Prefecture, assaulting a 57-year-old male resident. The robber stole cash and fled.

Later the same day, the Chiba prefectural police arrested Yuta Kaneko, 28, of Shiki, Saitama Prefecture, on suspicion of home invasion and robbery resulting in bodily harm. Kaneko claimed to be a company employee.

Police said they will investigate whether the case is one of the recent robberies perpetrated by dark part-time workers in the Tokyo metropolitan area and elsewhere.

According to the police, Kaneko broke into the house between 4:20 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. by breaking a bedroom window. He got on top of the male resident and beat him on the face multiple times before taking about 13,000 from a wallet in the adjacent room.

Kaneko admitted the charges after being arrested, and reportedly told the police that he had trouble making a living because his debts had increased.

He committed the crime for money, Kaneko reportedly said, and searched for lucrative part-time jobs on X (formerly Twitter). He received instructions on committing the crime through Signal, a messenger application with a high level of privacy.

Other arrests made

The MPD arrested a 28-year-old unemployed man from Fujimi, Saitama Prefecture, on Saturday on suspicion of aiding and abetting a home invasion and robbery resulting in injury on Sept. 28. He allegedly purchased a crowbar and a hammer at a home improvement store in Kamagaya, Chiba Prefecture, at around 6 p.m. on Sept. 27, the police said.

The man told the police that he applied for a highly paid baggage-carrying job advertised on X, and was told what to do through the Signal messaging app.

I thought it was a dark part-time job but I couldnt quit because I was threatened by the person giving the orders, he was quoted as saying.

In Kanagawa Prefecture, a 30-year-old woman became the second person to be arrested by the Kanagawa prefectural police for her suspected involvement in a robbery-murder case in Yokohama in October, the police said Sunday.

The arrested, Miho Kimoto of Adachi Ward, Tokyo, is suspected of acting as a mule in the case.

According to a police announcement, Kimoto is suspected of conspiring with Mazuki Takarada, 22, from Inzai, Chiba Prefecture, and others in the assault and the murder of Hiroharu Goto, 75, at his home around Oct. 15. The group is suspected of taking about 200,000 in cash from the residence.

Kimoto was arrested on Saturday. She reportedly denied part of the charges, saying she collected money gained through crime but did not commit the robbery with Takarada.

According to sources close to the investigators, Takarada put the cash he took from the victim inside a toilet in a park in Tokyo, and Kimoto collected the money after she received an order through a highly confidential texting app.

Meanwhile, a man suspected of recruiting perpetrators in a case involving robbery and injury in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, in October, told police that he applied for the job through X, just like the perpetrators.

According to sources close to the investigators, the suspect, Yuya Nagura, 31, told police that a higher-up in the robbery group who gave him orders had Naguras address, real name and other personal information. Nagura was arrested on suspicion of robbery resulting in injury and other charges.  The Japan News/ANN
Data last updated 01:46pm Wednesday (GMT+7) from the Associated Press (AP)

VNS Infographic Anh uc

The 2024 United States Election pits current US Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in one of the most unpredictable and historical elections ever.

As the world turn their eyes to the United States of America, VNS's interactive infographic will provide updates on the results of the 2024 US Presidential Elections, as well as the races in the Senate and the House of Representatives. VNS
FPT Corporation will provide consulting support to help Ba Ria-Vung Tau in implementing digital transformation across governance, the economy, and society.

BR-VT and FPT sign a long-term cooperation agreement.

The two sides will provide consultation on strategic solutions for the digital transformation process. They will work together to develop plans to overcome shortcomings and propose solutions to achieve digital transformation goals.

The cooperation will include consulting on planning for the development of telecommunications infrastructure, IT, building digital transformation platforms, managing digital data, and ensuring information security. The goal is to modernise the digital transformation process, making the province a role model.

To promote the participation of the community and enterprises, the province and FPT will organise communication activities, conferences, and workshops on digital transformation, connecting enterprises with government at all levels. They will also support Made in Vietnam digital transformation platforms to promote digital transformation for enterprises in the province.

The programme also includes training courses and technology transfer for the community digital technology team, helping apply digital transformation to each enterprise, business household, and citizen. The province will also focus on training high-quality human resources in digital transformation and information security for officials and civil servants. Students majoring in IT will have the opportunity to intern and be recruited at FPT University and member units of FPT Group.

FPT Corporation's chairman, Truong Gia Binh, believes that digital transformation is entering a new revolution, bringing significant opportunities for growth

Specific cooperation contents include supporting expert consultation on data integration, and sharing, monitoring, and the efficient operation of the provincial smart operations centre. It will also support the provinces deployment and operation of the digital citizen app.

The deployment and operation of e-commerce platforms will also be a focus, supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises in the province to access, use, and deploy digital platforms on the FPT ecosystem.

The province will continue to monitor all levels and sectors to effectively implement the proposed digital transformation plans. The goal is to accompany the national digital transformation strategy in 2024, with a focus on developing the digital economy based on IT, the digitalisation of economic sectors, digital governance, and digital data management, to promote sustainable and rapid socioeconomic development.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau records breakthroughs in digital transformation The province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau has been implementing solutions to accelerate and comprehensively promote the digital transformation process, bringing many practical benefits to residents and businesses.

FPT sets goal of hundreds of thousands of high-quality tech workers Global leading IT firm FPT has set a goal to develop hundreds of thousands of high-quality developers while taking a large step towards making Vietnam a global technology hub.
Despite challenges in quantifying this impact, the report highlights measurable forms of giving, such as time and money, estimating that global individual giving reaches an impressive $1.3 trillion annually.

Citi's Global Community Day 2024 in June. Photo: Citi

While individuals in the US lead in both absolute monetary terms and as a percentage of national output, regions like Asia-Pacific are trailblazers in volunteering.

Although volunteer numbers are on the decline, millions still contribute their time, generating significant value for the global economy.

Last year, Citi's 'Perspectives on the Future of Giving' report noted a trend of philanthropy growing more affluent and institutional, impacting societal and non-profit sectors.

The rising influence of high-net-worth individuals and foundations underscores a shift in philanthropic agendas.

The report is useful in quantifying the value of philanthropy to the global economy and its impact on wider societal development.

However, this shift suggests individual giving might be larger than anticipated, when accounting for direct donations, non-monetary contributions, and the socioeconomic value of sustainable investments linked with philanthropic goals.

Furthermore, the report explores causes that resonate globally and the multiplier effects of volunteerism, providing valuable insights into how philanthropy can drive societal development and economic growth and the potential multiplier of impact non-profit organisations can make with $1 donated.

The report is useful in quantifying the value of philanthropy to the global economy and its impact on wider societal development.

At Citi Vietnam, we are deeply committed to building lasting connections and positive change through volunteerism. In 2024, our colleagues, together with family and friends, planted hundreds of trees in Long An and Ha Nam provinces, supporting Vietnam's initiative to plant one billion trees within five years, said Hanh Do, country head of Public Affairs at Citi Vietnam.

We also hosted annual blood donation drives in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, raising awareness about the importance of blood donations. In response to the needs of local communities, Citi Foundation has contributed $80,000 through UNICEF to aid Typhoon Yagi relief efforts, and $500,000 in catalytic funding as part of the Foundations 2024 Global Innovation Challenge to Blue Dragon's project addressing homelessness in Vietnam. These efforts reflect our dedication to contributing positively to the community and society at large.

Citi appoints new head of Financing for Investment Banking Citi has announced that Achintya Mangla will become head of Financing for Investment Banking from September 4.

Citi report highlights common language for global payments The payment industry is evolving at pace, led by the rapid growth of cross-border money flows, according to Citis latest GPS report released in late October.
The transfer will provide significant capital gains to SHBs shareholders while improving SHBs financial capability and position in the market.

SHB announced a resolution approving the transfer of the remaining stake in SHBFinance to Krungsri.

In August 2021, SHB and Krungsri signed an agreement for the transfer of SHBFinance's entire charter capital in two phases. In May 2023, SHB completed the transfer of half of SHBFinances capital to Krungsri. SHBFinance was transformed from a single-member limited liability finance company into a multi-member company, with a new licence from the State Bank of Vietnam. According to the agreement, the remaining 50 per cent of SHBFinance's charter capital would be transferred by SHB to Krungsri after three years.

The transfer of 100 per cent of SHBFinances charter capital provides a significant capital surplus to SHBs shareholders, strengthening the company's capital base and increasing its financial flexibility. SHB will continue to collaborate with partners to develop its retail business offerings with technology platforms, convenient products, as well as advanced and modern services. In particular, SHB will focus on core business segments and invest in digital transformation, opening up many new development opportunities.

In the first nine months of 2024, SHBs accumulated pre-tax profit reached VND9 trillion ($355 million), fulfilling 80 per cent of its annual target. Total assets stood at VNDD688.3 trillion ($27.2 billion), up 9.2 per cent from the end of 2023. Outstanding credit balances reached VND495.4 trillion ($19.5 billion). SHBs key business indicators are among the leading groups in the industry, such as a return on equity of 22.8 per cent.

With the orientation of sustainable, safe, and effective development, SHB is improving its management capacity according to international standards and modern models. The bank's capital adequacy ratio is over 11.8 per cent, exceeding the regulatory requirement set by the central bank and contributing to both the operational safety and sustainability of the banking industry.

As part of its comprehensive transformation strategy, SHB has consistently bolstered innovation, technology adoption, and new initiatives to bring convenient and modern services to customers. By applying technology in the operation process, SHB has optimised its cost-to-income ratio at 24.68 per cent, the lowest in the industry.

In addition, the bank has adopted leading technologies such as AI, machine learning, and big data. This is coupled with digitising internal operations from products to customer services. As a result, transactions via digital channels and online platforms are among the top in the industry. As of present, 90 per cent of its essential banking services can be performed on digital channels, and 92 per cent of transactions by both corporate and retail customers are completed via mobile and internet banking.

SHB has set a goal to become the top bank in Vietnam by efficiency, the most favoured digital bank, the best retail bank, and the top bank in providing capital sources and financial products to both private and state-owned enterprises. SHB also boasts a supply chain, value chain, and ecosystem with green development.

As of the first half of 2024, after nearly seven years of operation, SHBFinance held eighth position in the market, aiming to become among the top five within the next five years. In the past year, SHBFinance has achieved remarkable growth in market share, serving more than 3 million loan applications and recording great customer engagement, with the rate of customer returns increasing by 15.3 per cent.

SHB puts down welcome mat for foreign firms A financial solution package for overseas-funded firms with outstanding promotions, simple applications, and quick procedures has been rolled out by a Vietnamese bank.

SHB recognised as the bank with the best SME initiative Saigon-Hanoi Commercial Joint-Stock Bank (SHB) has been recognised for its social impact finance and small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) partnership initiatives.
According to Ngo Thi Thanh Vy, deputy general director of Long An International Port Management and Operations JSC, currently, Long An International Port is exploiting domestic containers from the north, central and south and vice versa.

"We will start deploying international transportation in 2025," said Ngo Thi Thanh Vy, deputy general director of Long An International Port (LAIP) Management and Operations JSC.

Vy was quoted during a tour of the LAIP site for investors on November 1. The excursion was organised as part of the 2024 Vietnam Logistics Conference, organised by VIR from October 31 to November 1 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ngo Thi Thanh Vy, deputy general director of LAIP Management and Operations JSC

"When opening a new route, shipping lines must be calculated carefully. LAIP is gradually investing efforts to provide customers with the best solution," said Vy.

LAIP will connect domestic and international trade with the Mekong Delta region and Long An province. The port will also connect goods and warehouses with provinces in the Mekong Delta region and Ho Chi Minh City, and the Southeast region with the Cambodian market.

According to Vy, currently about 70-75 per cent of goods in the Mekong Delta region transported by road or through ports in Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

"The Mekong Delta is a massive market for business as well as a focal point for agricultural exports. However, the area is a major bottleneck, lacking an adequate logistics system to export goods," she said. "This is wasteful because transportation usually accounts for 30-40 per cent of costs, depending on location and the type of product."

Goods passing through LAIP do not have to bear infrastructure fees, meaning goods transported through the port will save 10-30 per cent on transportation costs.

Anand Awasthi, procurement executive at Valency International Vietnam, spoke of the many advantages LAIP has to entice businesses.

"The most important thing is the location, and LAIP has a very advantageous location. The second most important is the service costs, which are also favourable," said Awasthi.

Valency International Vietnam already has a long-term agreement with LAIP and Awasthi hopes to see further cooperation in the future.

Vo Quoc Huy, chairman of LAIP JSC, spoke about the port's maim investor, Dong Tam Group. "There is currently no other large-scale seaport in the Mekong Delta region. Dong Tam Group invested in LAIP to help businesses in the region transport their goods quickly and efficiently," he said.

Vo Quoc Huy, chairman of Long An International Port JSC (on the left) speaking with participants

Long An International Port inks deal with Port of Long Beach On November 15, Long An International Port (Vietnam) and the Port of Long Beach (US) signed a letter of intent to establish a sister port relationship. This coincided with an event to welcome Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation partners organised by the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA).

Long An International Port praised at conference Long An International port has been recognised and commended for its scale, development strategy, and potential to drive economic and social development in the Mekong Delta and the region as a whole.

Long An International Port partners with Oriental Port and Allied Services Corporation Long An International Port signed a Letter of Intent for future cooperation with Philippines' Oriental Port and Allied Services Corporation (OPASCOR) during the Philippine Ports and Logistics 2024 Conference and Exhibition on March 21.
In your new role at Marriott, do you think Vietnam will be a challenging or exciting new market, given your history of managing large markets like South Korea and parts of China?

Vietnam stands out as one of Asias most dynamic hospitality markets, with immense potential for future growth.

The latest data from the General Statistics Office shows that international arrivals to Vietnam surged by 43 per cent on-year in the first nine months of 2024, reaching over 12.7 million, evidence of the countrys thriving tourism sector.

South Korea and China lead as the top source markets, contributing 3.4 million and 2.7 million visitors, respectively. Domestic tourism is equally strong, with around 95 million visits in the first nine months, including 56 million overnight stays in accommodations.

To meet this demand, Marriott Internationals presence in Vietnam has expanded from 10 to 24 properties over the last two years.

Recent standout openings include Sheraton Hanoi West, JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon, and The Westin Cam Ranh Resort & Spa. Looking ahead, were excited to open Four Points by Sheraton Ha Giang this year. With over 50 projects in the pipeline, Marriott International is committed to launching more exciting properties and brands in Vietnam.

Duke Nam, Marriott International's newly assigned area vice president South Korea, Philippines, and Vietnam

What are Vietnam's advantages to continue welcoming visitors from these two markets?

Vietnam has become a top destination for Korean and Chinese tourists, thanks to its proximity, abundant flights, and affordability. However, what truly draws visitors are the unique experiences Vietnam offers.

For Korean travellers, Vietnams vibrant street food scene, featuring dishes like pho, banh mi, and egg coffee, has become a sensation. Key destinations for Korean visitors include Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Danang, celebrated for their stunning beaches, diverse culinary experiences, and luxurious resorts.

Chinese tourists, meanwhile, are drawn to Vietnams rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural landscapes. This years top five destinations for Chinese travellers, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Nha Trang, Danang, and Phu Quoc, highlight Vietnams appeal for both city escapes and beach holidays.

As many travellers seek authentic experiences, we are weaving these elements into our guest offerings across our properties in Vietnam.

Looking forward, Vietnam can capitalise further on demand from Korea and China by increasing flight frequencies at tier-two hubs such as Cam Ranh, Can Tho, Dalat, and Phu Quoc.

In 2025, what will be your highlights specifically for the Vietnam market from a strategic and operational perspective of the hotels and resorts under Marriott International?

In terms of portfolio growth, our 25th property in Vietnam, Four Points by Sheraton Ha Giang, will open in late Q4, marking our debut in this scenic northern province.

In 2025, we expect to welcome at least two more properties, including a landmark luxury hotel.

Sustainability remains at the core of our business, guided by Marriott's Serve360 platform for sustainability and social impact.

In 2024, all properties in Vietnam launched a comprehensive action plan targeting a 15 per cent reduction in water consumption and a 50 per cent reduction in food waste.

Independent sustainability certification remains a priority, with 14 hotels actively pursuing certification this year. Additionally, energy audits are paving the way for LEED certification next year.

Currently, 60 per cent of our properties in Vietnam have replaced plastic bottles in guest rooms, and we aim to extend this to all hotels by end-2025. We are also accelerating our responsible sourcing initiatives, including cage-free eggs, crate-free pork, and sustainable seafood.

In development, we are dedicated to empowering Vietnamese talent to reach their full professional potential. We currently have over 7,700 managed associates across our 24 properties in Vietnam, and since 2021, we have signed MoUs with more than 70 higher education establishments.

How is your division of management and investment in South Korea, the Philippines, and Vietnam?

Korea is a key source market for both Vietnam and the Philippines. To capitalise on this, we are enhancing our loyalty programme and expanding strategic partnerships in Korea, which we anticipate will positively impact our hotels and resorts.

We are equally committed to developing local talent across all our markets, with 45 per cent of our workforce now locally employed region-wide. Additionally, with the strong Korean market presence in cities like Hanoi and Haiphong, our Korean-speaking associates are well-positioned to engage and grow business from this key source market.

Are there any differences in the investment and expansion mechanisms in South Korea, the Philippines, and Vietnam that you aim for?

Our goal is to be everywhere our guests want us to be, aligning with Marriott Internationals broader strategic vision.

Alongside new-build projects, we are actively pursuing conversion opportunities to expand our presence.

In 2024, we unveiled two major conversion properties in Vietnam, the 520-key Sheraton Hanoi West and the 565-key JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon. With over 50 properties in the pipeline, we will continue to leverage various opportunities to meet the demands of this dynamic Vietnamese market.

In Korea, were set to launch another major conversion in 2025 with the 564-key Westin Seoul Parnas, adding to our strong national footprint of 37 hotels and resorts, including 23 in Seoul. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, our portfolio is also growing, with 12 properties currently open and an additional 17 in development.

Duke, a South Korean national who was educated in Switzerland and the UK, has spent more than 25-years with Marriott Internationals portfolio of brands, including senior leadership roles across Asia-Pacific. Based in Seoul, Duke brings unparalleled experience, exceptional leadership skills, and a strong performance record, making him uniquely qualified to lead Marriott into this exciting new era. Dukes expanded role will see him responsible for over 70 operating properties across 16 brands in South Korea, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection, a luxuly hotel operated by Marriott International.

Marriott International announces 20 new hotels in Vietnam Marriott International plans to launch 20 additional hotels and resorts in Vietnam's prime locations, as president and CEO Anthony Capuano highlights the country's attractive tourism assets, including its natural landscapes, rich culture, and diverse cuisine.

Marriott International sees exceptional growth In 2023, Marriott International celebrated a milestone year in the Asia Pacific, securing over 80 deals to add around 18,000 rooms, excluding Mainland China, highlighting its expansion and deepened presence in pivotal markets like Japan, India, and Vietnam.

IFF Holdings, Marriott International open luxury hotel, residences In a significant expansion of its luxury hospitality offerings in Southeast Asia, IFF Holdings has announced a signed agreement with Marriott International to open Arbora, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Quangnam, Danang and The Residences at Arbora, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Quangnam, Danang.
The project is expected to lift the provinces textile industry to a new level.

Ninh Thuan welcomes $5.8 million faux fur fabric project. Photo: Du Long IP

The plant will be located in Du Long Industrial Park (IP) in Thuan Bac district, and to be powered by new environmentally friendly fabric production technology. The $5.8 million Ninh Thuan Faux Fur Fabric Manufacturing Plant is set to address bottlenecks in the weaving and dyeing fields, helping strengthen Ninh Thuans and Vietnams position in the global market.

In its first phase, the plant aims to provide nearly 200 jobs, contributing to income growth and skills development.

The project will cover over 28,400sq.m, with an annual production capacity of 4.5 million square metres of fabric in the initial phase. Photo: Du Long IP

The project is expected to finalise legal procedures shortly, paving the way for construction to begin from November.

Construction and equipment installation are set for completion by February 2025, allowing operation to start from May 2025.

The new project in Ninh Thuan aims to bolster the countrys textile industry by leveraging advanced production technology from Daewon, a company affiliated with renowned Korean faux fur fabric manufacturer Donglim Co., Ltd that boasts more than 35 years experience.

The project is expected to finalise legal procedures shortly, paving the way for construction to begin from November.

Meanwhile, strategic partners MN Inter-Fashion Ltd (Japan) and Paraivi Enterprises V1 LLC (the US) shall bring a competitive edge with their significant influence in the wholesale fabric markets in the US and Europe.

This partnership will facilitate easier entry and distribution in key international markets.

In the past two years, Du Long IP has enticed nearly $107 million in total investment, including $48 million in foreign direct investment (FDI), leading the province in foreign investment attraction.

Du Long IP and Thanh Hai IP are currently two leading IPs in Ninh Thuan in terms of investment attraction in 2024.

Thanh Hai IP, based in Phan Rang-Thap Cham city, was established in 2015. The IP has since attracted $109.2 billion with over 20 projects.

Du Long IP currently leads the province in attracting FDI. German-backed Ninh Thuan Dyeing Textile Limited Co., Ltd, with a total investment reaching $26.5 million, is set for operations in early 2025. Photo: Du Long IP

According to Ninh Thuan Peoples Committee, these two IPs have invested in centralised wastewater treatment facilities and automated wastewater monitoring systems.

Specifically, Thanh Hai IP and Du Long IP have invested in a centralised wastewater treatment system with a capacity of 1,400 cubic metres per day-night and 3,000 cubic metres per day-night, respectively.

In recent years, Ninh Thuan has implemented various policies to attract investors to explore and expand their businesses.

The province is committed to continuously improving the local business investment environment, creating favourable conditions for investors, supporting them throughout their operations, and leveraging the provinces abounding potential and advantages.

Samsung Display to pour $1.8 billion into new OLED plant in Bac Ninh Samsung Display is planning to invest $1.8 billion in an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display factory in the northern province of Bac Ninh to bolster its worldwide manufacturing capabilities.

Bac Ninh welcomes new premium industrial real estate project The premium industrial real estate project, SLP Park Bac Ninh, located in Thuan Thanh 2 Industrial Park, is set to be completed by the end of the month.
These efforts have generated positive impacts while reflecting SLP Vietnam's dedication to corporate social responsibility.

JHS Global Giving Day is an annual event initiated by the Jeffrey H. Schwartz Foundation (JHS), GLP, and GLP Capital Partners (GCP) to demonstrate a commitment to creating sustainable and positive changes for the environment, communities, and society through meaningful local activities.

In 2024, SLP Vietnam launched this programme in September with a series of emergency relief efforts in Haiphong and Yen Bai, two areas severely affected by Typhoon Yagi. Working with the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Children's Rights and local authorities, the company provided multiple scholarships for children and relief packages for families in need. In Haiphong, 1,000 meals and 50 scholarships were delivered to students in Ngo Quyen district, encouraging their educational efforts. In Yen Bai, SLP Vietnam donated over 160 relief packages to families heavily affected by recent floods, benefiting more than 1,000 residents.

In southern Vietnam, on October 22, SLP Vietnam visited the Vocational Training Centre for Disabled People and Orphans in Hoc Mon District, Ho Chi Minh City, to conduct charitable activities. The company donated essential items such as water purifiers, pressure washers, and other necessities to help improve the living conditions of students with disabilities residing and training at the centre.

Additionally, the SLP team has participated in tree planting and organised a creative competition involving handcrafted products made by 65 teenagers with disabilities at the centre. The products were judged on-site, and company representatives presented awards to encourage the children. Prior to these activities, SLP organised internal fundraising and donation events across offices nationwide to gather additional resources for these initiatives.

Nguyen Le Hang, director of external relations at SLP Vietnam, emphasised, "The series of activities within the Global Giving Day 2024 is part of SLP's commitment to contributing to community development through practical initiatives. We believe that supporting those in difficult circumstances and contributing to local communities are integral to SLP's sustainable development strategy in Vietnam."

SLP is a leading developer of modern industrial and logistics infrastructure, with a long-term investment commitment in Vietnam. As of April 2024, SLP had established a portfolio of 11 modern industrial facilities across six key provinces, covering nearly one million square metres.

SLP at the forefront of changes in Vietnam's industrial property market As Vietnams industrial property landscape is changing with more institutional players, SLP, a leading industrial and logistic infrastructure developer worldwide, is at the forefront of the changes.

Operational efficiency is ensured via SLPs offerings SLP, a part of GLP, is poised to expand its impact on Vietnams industrial and logistics infrastructure with its robust investments in modern warehouses and factory facilities. Edwin Chee, chief operating officer of SLP Vietnam, discussed with VIRs Thanh Van his insights into the emerging trends in the Vietnamese market and the companys strategies to unlock potential.
Super Typhoon Yagi, which struck northern Vietnam on September 7, 2024, remains fresh in the minds of many. As one of the most powerful storms in decades, Yagi brought torrential rains, flooding, and landslides, causing extensive damage to roads, agricultural land, factories, and ports, including major facilities in Hanoi and Haiphong.

The typhoon tragically left more than 325 people dead or missing and severely impacted 1.6 million people across 26 provinces, destroying homes, cutting off essential resources like clean water and electricity, and resulting in economic losses exceeding VND81.5 trillion ($3.39 billion), double the initial estimates.

Damaged buildings and debris on a street after Super Typhoon Yagi hit Halong, in Quang Ninh province, on September 8. Photo: MarsConnect

This devastation highlighted the severe consequences of underpreparedness, underscoring the critical need for financial resilience. Many affected families and businesses lacked sufficient insurance coverage, leaving them vulnerable to the disasters financial aftermath. The typhoon serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing the role of insurance in safeguarding against unexpected events.

Growing importance of insurance

Typhoon Yagi has reinforced the need for greater insurance awareness and coverage in Vietnam. The insurance industry is experiencing growth, with premium revenue expected to reach VND243.5 trillion ($10.15 billion) in 2024, marking a 9.97 per cent increase from the previous year. However, insurance penetration remains low, with only 2.3 to 2.8 per cent of the population insured. This limited coverage exacerbates financial vulnerability, especially in a country frequently affected by natural disasters.

The life insurance sector, however, faced a setback in 2023, with revenues declining by 12.5 per cent due to high-profile scandals that eroded consumer trust. To rebuild confidence, regulatory reforms and increased transparency are essential. On the other hand, non-life insurance continues to grow, with projected growth of 12 per cent in 2024, driven by increased demand for health, property, and disaster coverage. Expanding insurance coverage is vital to foster financial resilience and mitigate the socio-economic impacts of future disasters. Strengthening consumer trust and increasing accessibility can enhance Vietnams financial stability, making individuals and businesses better equipped to recover from crises.

Insurance Premiums and Market Forecast 2024. Photo: Marsconnect

MarsConnect: simplifying insurance for a digital generation

In this landscape, MarsConnect is transforming the insurance market in Vietnam, making financial security more accessible, transparent, and tailored. By leveraging AI-driven technology, expert advisory services, and robust data security, MarsConnect aims to engage young professionals, families, and first-time insurance buyers. The platform offers more than just insurance solutions; it empowers users to build financial confidence and prioritize their security.

MarsConnect simplifies the process of selecting insurance by offering a centralised platform where users can compare, purchase, and manage policies from trusted providers like Bao Viet, AIA, and Sun Life. The user-friendly design makes insurance accessible, especially for newcomers to the industry.

The AI technology at MarsConnects core personalises recommendations based on each users income, lifestyle, and life stage, ensuring coverage that meets individual needs without unnecessary costs. This approach allows users to make informed decisions, optimising peace of mind and financial resilience. Recognising that insurance complexities can lead to scepticism, MarsConnect provides a personalised experience that builds trust, assuring users that their financial security is a priority.

MarsConnect also focuses on educating users about insurance fundamentals, with clear information on policies, premiums, and coverage options. This educational approach is particularly helpful for those new to insurance, empowering them to make proactive financial decisions confidently. By fostering understanding and engagement, MarsConnect builds lasting relationships with its users.

Photo: MarsConnect

Commitment to financial literacy and advisory services

MarsConnect is committed to enhancing financial literacy, offering educational resources on various insurance types, coverage specifics, and planning essentials. Users can explore content that guides them in choosing appropriate policies and understanding which coverages are critical at different life stages. By nurturing financial literacy, MarsConnect empowers users to make responsible decisions for their future.

The platforms AI-driven features also help users navigate insurance options, gaining insights into their financial needs and learning to evaluate policies effectively. This aligns with MarsConnects mission to build a financially savvy community, supporting Vietnams broader financial resilience.

Beyond insurance, MarsConnect offers certified financial advisory services directly through the platform. Advisors registered with Vietnams Ministry of Finance provide unbiased, professional guidance, assisting users in setting and achieving their financial and insurance goals. This service is ideal for those new to insurance or seeking to deepen their financial knowledge. Users can compare advisors, select a suitable match, and receive tailored advice on policies and long-term plans. By combining insurance with expert financial support, MarsConnect enhances user confidence and reinforces trust.

As Vietnams middle class expands, so does the demand for accessible and reliable financial tools. MarsConnect is well-positioned to meet this demand, combining advanced technology with consumer insights. For investors, MarsConnect presents a promising opportunity to support a platform poised to capture a significant share of Vietnams evolving financial market. With a blend of AI technology, certified advisors, and plans for future expansion into wealth management, MarsConnect aims to redefine financial security in Vietnam.

In a world where financial security is paramount, MarsConnect goes beyond being an insurance platformits a partner in financial empowerment and growth. Download MarsConnect today on the App Store or Google Play and take the first step towards a secure, informed future.

Vietnam, RoK sign deal to implement bilateral agreement on social insurance Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have signed an administrative deal on the implementation of a bilateral agreement on social insurance.

Income Insurance explores strategic partnership opportunities to expand in Vietnam Income Insurance, a composite insurance company in Singapore, is exploring potential partnership opportunities, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), to expand its presence in Vietnam.
Yilun Cheng is an investigative reporter for the Houston Chronicle.

Yilun studied political science as an undergrad at the University of California, Berkeley and as a grad student at Columbia University. She later earned her masters in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Before coming to Houston, she covered immigration policies and marginalized communities for the Columbus Dispatch. She previously covered City Hall and local politics for the Houston Chronicle.
Ryan Nickerson is a Quality of Life reporter for the Houston Chronicle's Key Topics team.

Ryan covers aspects of local government that affect the everyday lives of Houston residents, such as water bills, trash pickup, and public meetings. Have a story idea? Or is something affecting your quality of life in Houston? Email Ryan at ryan.nickerson@houstonchronicle.com.

Ryan is a graduate of Texas Southern University and loves filmmaking and cycling.
archives 9 Mar - 16 Mar (1) 2 Mar - 9 Mar (2) 16 Feb - 23 Feb (3) 9 Feb - 16 Feb (1) 2 Feb - 9 Feb (3) 26 Jan - 2 Feb (2) 12 Jan - 19 Jan (1) 5 Jan - 12 Jan (1) 22 Dec - 29 Dec (1) 15 Dec - 22 Dec (2) 8 Dec - 15 Dec (1) 24 Nov - 1 Dec (1) 17 Nov - 24 Nov (4) 10 Nov - 17 Nov (2) 3 Nov - 10 Nov (1) 27 Oct - 3 Nov (4) 20 Oct - 27 Oct (4) 13 Oct - 20 Oct (1) 6 Oct - 13 Oct (1) 29 Sep - 6 Oct (1) 22 Sep - 29 Sep (1) 15 Sep - 22 Sep (1) 18 Aug - 25 Aug (5) 4 Aug - 11 Aug (2) 21 Jul - 28 Jul (6) 7 Jul - 14 Jul (3) 30 Jun - 7 Jul (2) 23 Jun - 30 Jun (5) 16 Jun - 23 Jun (2) 9 Jun - 16 Jun (3) 2 Jun - 9 Jun (2) 26 May - 2 Jun (3) 19 May - 26 May (2) 12 May - 19 May (3) 5 May - 12 May (3) 28 Apr - 5 May (1) 14 Apr - 21 Apr (1) 7 Apr - 14 Apr (3) 17 Mar - 24 Mar (1) 10 Mar - 17 Mar (1) 3 Mar - 10 Mar (1) 11 Feb - 18 Feb (2) 4 Feb - 11 Feb (1) 21 Jan - 28 Jan (1) 14 Jan - 21 Jan (1) 7 Jan - 14 Jan (3) 10 Dec - 17 Dec (1) 26 Nov - 3 Dec (1) 29 Oct - 5 Nov (1) 3 Sep - 10 Sep (1) 27 Aug - 3 Sep (2) 6 Aug - 13 Aug (1) 30 Jul - 6 Aug (6) 9 Jul - 16 Jul (1) 2 Jul - 9 Jul (6) 18 Jun - 25 Jun (4) 4 Jun - 11 Jun (5) 21 May - 28 May (4) 14 May - 21 May (1) 7 May - 14 May (4) 23 Apr - 30 Apr (2) 26 Mar - 2 Apr (1) 19 Mar - 26 Mar (1) 19 Feb - 26 Feb (3) 12 Feb - 19 Feb (1) 22 Jan - 29 Jan (2) 15 Jan - 22 Jan (1) 25 Dec - 1 Jan (2) 20 Nov - 27 Nov (1) 11 Sep - 18 Sep (1) 14 Aug - 21 Aug (3) 7 Aug - 14 Aug (3) 17 Jul - 24 Jul (3) 10 Jul - 17 Jul (3) 19 Jun - 26 Jun (2) 12 Jun - 19 Jun (4) 22 May - 29 May (1) 15 May - 22 May (5) 1 May - 8 May (2) 17 Apr - 24 Apr (3) 27 Feb - 6 Mar (3) 13 Feb - 20 Feb (1) 30 Jan - 6 Feb (3) 2 Jan - 9 Jan (4) 26 Dec - 2 Jan (1) 5 Dec - 12 Dec (3) 28 Nov - 5 Dec (2) 14 Nov - 21 Nov (1) 7 Nov - 14 Nov (1) 10 Oct - 17 Oct (1) 22 Aug - 29 Aug (3) 15 Aug - 22 Aug (1) 8 Aug - 15 Aug (3) 1 Aug - 8 Aug (1) 25 Jul - 1 Aug (3) 18 Jul - 25 Jul (1) 11 Jul - 18 Jul (1) 27 Jun - 4 Jul (4) 20 Jun - 27 Jun (3) 13 Jun - 20 Jun (1) 30 May - 6 Jun (2) 23 May - 30 May (4) 2 May - 9 May (3) 25 Apr - 2 May (4) 4 Apr - 11 Apr (2) 28 Mar - 4 Apr (4) 28 Feb - 7 Mar (1) 7 Feb - 14 Feb (2) 10 Jan - 17 Jan (2) 27 Dec - 3 Jan (2) 13 Dec - 20 Dec (3) 6 Dec - 13 Dec (1) 29 Nov - 6 Dec (1) 15 Nov - 22 Nov (6) 8 Nov - 15 Nov (1) 25 Oct - 1 Nov (1) 18 Oct - 25 Oct (3) 4 Oct - 11 Oct (1) 27 Sep - 4 Oct (1) 20 Sep - 27 Sep (2) 13 Sep - 20 Sep (4) 6 Sep - 13 Sep (3) 30 Aug - 6 Sep (1) 23 Aug - 30 Aug (1) 16 Aug - 23 Aug (4) 9 Aug - 16 Aug (1) 2 Aug - 9 Aug (3) 26 Jul - 2 Aug (4) 19 Jul - 26 Jul (5) 12 Jul - 19 Jul (2) 5 Jul - 12 Jul (7) 28 Jun - 5 Jul (2) 21 Jun - 28 Jun (7) 14 Jun - 21 Jun (4) 7 Jun - 14 Jun (4) 31 May - 7 Jun (3) 24 May - 31 May (2) 17 May - 24 May (1) 10 May - 17 May (1) 19 Apr - 26 Apr (1) 12 Apr - 19 Apr (1) 15 Mar - 22 Mar (1) 8 Mar - 15 Mar (3) 1 Mar - 8 Mar (2) 23 Feb - 1 Mar (2) 9 Feb - 16 Feb (3) 26 Jan - 2 Feb (1) 19 Jan - 26 Jan (2) 12 Jan - 19 Jan (2) 5 Jan - 12 Jan (1) 29 Dec - 5 Jan (1) 8 Dec - 15 Dec (1) 24 Nov - 1 Dec (2) 17 Nov - 24 Nov (1) 27 Oct - 3 Nov (1) 6 Oct - 13 Oct (1) 1 Sep - 8 Sep (2) 25 Aug - 1 Sep (4) 18 Aug - 25 Aug (1) 11 Aug - 18 Aug (2) 4 Aug - 11 Aug (8) 28 Jul - 4 Aug (5) 14 Jul - 21 Jul (3) 7 Jul - 14 Jul (3) 30 Jun - 7 Jul (4) 23 Jun - 30 Jun (2) 16 Jun - 23 Jun (4) 9 Jun - 16 Jun (1) 2 Jun - 9 Jun (5) 26 May - 2 Jun (1) 19 May - 26 May (6) 12 May - 19 May (1) 21 Apr - 28 Apr (3) 14 Apr - 21 Apr (1) 31 Mar - 7 Apr (3) 24 Mar - 31 Mar (6) 17 Mar - 24 Mar (5) 10 Mar - 17 Mar (1) 3 Mar - 10 Mar (3) 24 Feb - 3 Mar (2) 17 Feb - 24 Feb (5) 10 Feb - 17 Feb (3) 3 Feb - 10 Feb (2) 20 Jan - 27 Jan (3) 13 Jan - 20 Jan (1) 23 Dec - 30 Dec (3) 2 Dec - 9 Dec (1) 25 Nov - 2 Dec (2) 18 Nov - 25 Nov (2) 11 Nov - 18 Nov (2) 4 Nov - 11 Nov (1) 21 Oct - 28 Oct (4) 14 Oct - 21 Oct (5) 7 Oct - 14 Oct (2) 30 Sep - 7 Oct (1) 23 Sep - 30 Sep (1) 9 Sep - 16 Sep (4) 2 Sep - 9 Sep (1) 19 Aug - 26 Aug (1) 12 Aug - 19 Aug (4) 5 Aug - 12 Aug (6) 29 Jul - 5 Aug (2) 22 Jul - 29 Jul (1) 15 Jul - 22 Jul (3) 8 Jul - 15 Jul (4) 1 Jul - 8 Jul (1) 24 Jun - 1 Jul (1) 17 Jun - 24 Jun (3) 10 Jun - 17 Jun (5) 3 Jun - 10 Jun (3) 27 May - 3 Jun (5) 20 May - 27 May (6) 13 May - 20 May (6) 6 May - 13 May (1) 29 Apr - 6 May (5) 22 Apr - 29 Apr (4) 15 Apr - 22 Apr (6) 8 Apr - 15 Apr (4) 1 Apr - 8 Apr (4) 25 Mar - 1 Apr (3) 18 Mar - 25 Mar (3) 11 Mar - 18 Mar (3) 4 Mar - 11 Mar (4) 25 Feb - 4 Mar (3) 18 Feb - 25 Feb (1) 11 Feb - 18 Feb (4) 4 Feb - 11 Feb (5) 28 Jan - 4 Feb (6) 21 Jan - 28 Jan (1) 14 Jan - 21 Jan (4) 7 Jan - 14 Jan (2) 31 Dec - 7 Jan (7) 24 Dec - 31 Dec (2) 17 Dec - 24 Dec (3) 10 Dec - 17 Dec (1) 3 Dec - 10 Dec (4) 26 Nov - 3 Dec (3) 19 Nov - 26 Nov (2) 12 Nov - 19 Nov (1) 5 Nov - 12 Nov (4) 22 Oct - 29 Oct (3) 15 Oct - 22 Oct (4) 8 Oct - 15 Oct (4) 1 Oct - 8 Oct (1) 10 Sep - 17 Sep (2) 3 Sep - 10 Sep (2) 27 Aug - 3 Sep (1) 20 Aug - 27 Aug (6) 6 Aug - 13 Aug (4) 30 Jul - 6 Aug (1) 23 Jul - 30 Jul (5) 16 Jul - 23 Jul (3) 9 Jul - 16 Jul (5) 25 Jun - 2 Jul (5) 18 Jun - 25 Jun (2) 11 Jun - 18 Jun (6) 4 Jun - 11 Jun (1) 28 May - 4 Jun (5) 21 May - 28 May (2) 14 May - 21 May (4) 7 May - 14 May (4) 30 Apr - 7 May (4) 23 Apr - 30 Apr (3) 16 Apr - 23 Apr (3) 9 Apr - 16 Apr (1) 2 Apr - 9 Apr (3) 26 Mar - 2 Apr (2) 19 Mar - 26 Mar (3) 12 Mar - 19 Mar (3) 5 Mar - 12 Mar (2) 26 Feb - 5 Mar (3) 19 Feb - 26 Feb (2) 12 Feb - 19 Feb (2) 5 Feb - 12 Feb (6) 29 Jan - 5 Feb (5) 22 Jan - 29 Jan (1) 15 Jan - 22 Jan (8) 8 Jan - 15 Jan (7) 1 Jan - 8 Jan (4) 25 Dec - 1 Jan (3) 11 Dec - 18 Dec (3) 13 Nov - 20 Nov (4) 6 Nov - 13 Nov (2) 30 Oct - 6 Nov (1) 23 Oct - 30 Oct (1) 16 Oct - 23 Oct (1) 9 Oct - 16 Oct (1) 2 Oct - 9 Oct (2) 25 Sep - 2 Oct (1) 18 Sep - 25 Sep (4) 11 Sep - 18 Sep (2) 4 Sep - 11 Sep (1) 28 Aug - 4 Sep (4) 21 Aug - 28 Aug (1) 14 Aug - 21 Aug (2) 7 Aug - 14 Aug (4) 31 Jul - 7 Aug (6) 24 Jul - 31 Jul (3) 17 Jul - 24 Jul (6) 10 Jul - 17 Jul (3) 3 Jul - 10 Jul (6) 26 Jun - 3 Jul (3) 19 Jun - 26 Jun (4) 5 Jun - 12 Jun (5) 29 May - 5 Jun (1) 22 May - 29 May (1) 15 May - 22 May (1) 8 May - 15 May (5) 1 May - 8 May (5) 24 Apr - 1 May (1) 17 Apr - 24 Apr (2) 10 Apr - 17 Apr (3) 3 Apr - 10 Apr (2) 20 Mar - 27 Mar (2) 13 Mar - 20 Mar (4) 6 Mar - 13 Mar (1) 28 Feb - 6 Mar (2) 21 Feb - 28 Feb (1) 14 Feb - 21 Feb (1) 7 Feb - 14 Feb (3) 24 Jan - 31 Jan (2) 17 Jan - 24 Jan (3) 10 Jan - 17 Jan (2) 3 Jan - 10 Jan (1) 27 Dec - 3 Jan (1) 20 Dec - 27 Dec (1) 13 Dec - 20 Dec (3) 6 Dec - 13 Dec (2) 29 Nov - 6 Dec (2) 22 Nov - 29 Nov (2) 15 Nov - 22 Nov (1) 8 Nov - 15 Nov (5) 1 Nov - 8 Nov (2) 25 Oct - 1 Nov (2) 18 Oct - 25 Oct (1) 11 Oct - 18 Oct (4) 4 Oct - 11 Oct (1) 27 Sep - 4 Oct (3) 20 Sep - 27 Sep (2) 13 Sep - 20 Sep (1) 6 Sep - 13 Sep (3) 30 Aug - 6 Sep (5) 23 Aug - 30 Aug (6) 16 Aug - 23 Aug (1) 9 Aug - 16 Aug (1) 2 Aug - 9 Aug (3) 26 Jul - 2 Aug (2) 19 Jul - 26 Jul (1) 12 Jul - 19 Jul (5) 5 Jul - 12 Jul (6) 28 Jun - 5 Jul (4) 21 Jun - 28 Jun (7) 14 Jun - 21 Jun (5) 7 Jun - 14 Jun (2) 31 May - 7 Jun (5) 24 May - 31 May (3) 17 May - 24 May (5) 10 May - 17 May (3) 3 May - 10 May (1) 26 Apr - 3 May (1) 19 Apr - 26 Apr (5) 12 Apr - 19 Apr (5) 5 Apr - 12 Apr (2) 29 Mar - 5 Apr (1) 22 Mar - 29 Mar (5) 15 Mar - 22 Mar (9) 8 Mar - 15 Mar (6) 1 Mar - 8 Mar (10) 22 Feb - 1 Mar (5) 15 Feb - 22 Feb (5) 1 Feb - 8 Feb (2) 25 Jan - 1 Feb (1) 18 Jan - 25 Jan (4) 11 Jan - 18 Jan (1) 4 Jan - 11 Jan (3) 28 Dec - 4 Jan (3) 21 Dec - 28 Dec (3) 14 Dec - 21 Dec (4) 7 Dec - 14 Dec (2) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (3) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (3) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (3) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (5) 26 Oct - 2 Nov (3) 19 Oct - 26 Oct (8) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (6) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (3) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (5) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (4) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (1) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (4) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (1) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (2) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (2) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (7) 3 Aug - 10 Aug (3) 27 Jul - 3 Aug (3) 20 Jul - 27 Jul (3) 13 Jul - 20 Jul (4) 6 Jul - 13 Jul (1) 29 Jun - 6 Jul (5) 22 Jun - 29 Jun (2) 15 Jun - 22 Jun (4) 8 Jun - 15 Jun (2) 1 Jun - 8 Jun (2) 25 May - 1 Jun (8) 18 May - 25 May (4) 11 May - 18 May (1) 4 May - 11 May (3) 27 Apr - 4 May (4) 20 Apr - 27 Apr (2) 13 Apr - 20 Apr (6) 6 Apr - 13 Apr (2) 23 Mar - 30 Mar (4) 16 Mar - 23 Mar (2) 9 Mar - 16 Mar (2) 2 Mar - 9 Mar (2) 23 Feb - 2 Mar (2) 16 Feb - 23 Feb (1) 9 Feb - 16 Feb (6) 2 Feb - 9 Feb (1) 26 Jan - 2 Feb (2) 19 Jan - 26 Jan (1) 12 Jan - 19 Jan (1) 29 Dec - 5 Jan (1) 22 Dec - 29 Dec (2) 8 Dec - 15 Dec (2) 1 Dec - 8 Dec (1) 24 Nov - 1 Dec (4) 17 Nov - 24 Nov (4) 10 Nov - 17 Nov (1) 3 Nov - 10 Nov (4) 20 Oct - 27 Oct (2) 13 Oct - 20 Oct (4) 29 Sep - 6 Oct (1) 22 Sep - 29 Sep (2) 15 Sep - 22 Sep (3) 8 Sep - 15 Sep (1) 1 Sep - 8 Sep (6) 25 Aug - 1 Sep (7) 18 Aug - 25 Aug (9) 11 Aug - 18 Aug (6) 4 Aug - 11 Aug (4) 28 Jul - 4 Aug (3) 21 Jul - 28 Jul (8) 14 Jul - 21 Jul (4) 7 Jul - 14 Jul (5) 30 Jun - 7 Jul (8) 23 Jun - 30 Jun (8) 16 Jun - 23 Jun (4) 9 Jun - 16 Jun (7) 2 Jun - 9 Jun (7) 26 May - 2 Jun (8) 19 May - 26 May (7) 12 May - 19 May (5) 5 May - 12 May (5) 28 Apr - 5 May (11) 21 Apr - 28 Apr (6) 14 Apr - 21 Apr (5) 7 Apr - 14 Apr (6) 31 Mar - 7 Apr (7) 24 Mar - 31 Mar (4) 17 Mar - 24 Mar (4) 3 Mar - 10 Mar (6) 24 Feb - 3 Mar (3) 17 Feb - 24 Feb (3) 10 Feb - 17 Feb (5) 3 Feb - 10 Feb (3) 27 Jan - 3 Feb (6) 20 Jan - 27 Jan (1) 13 Jan - 20 Jan (6) 6 Jan - 13 Jan (2) 30 Dec - 6 Jan (2) 23 Dec - 30 Dec (1) 16 Dec - 23 Dec (3) 9 Dec - 16 Dec (2) 2 Dec - 9 Dec (1) 25 Nov - 2 Dec (1) 18 Nov - 25 Nov (3) 11 Nov - 18 Nov (5) 4 Nov - 11 Nov (2) 28 Oct - 4 Nov (6) 21 Oct - 28 Oct (9) 14 Oct - 21 Oct (9) 30 Sep - 7 Oct (4) 23 Sep - 30 Sep (2) 16 Sep - 23 Sep (2) 9 Sep - 16 Sep (6) 2 Sep - 9 Sep (3) 26 Aug - 2 Sep (3) 19 Aug - 26 Aug (3) 12 Aug - 19 Aug (7) 5 Aug - 12 Aug (4) 29 Jul - 5 Aug (8) 22 Jul - 29 Jul (7) 15 Jul - 22 Jul (7) 8 Jul - 15 Jul (7) 1 Jul - 8 Jul (7) 24 Jun - 1 Jul (9) 17 Jun - 24 Jun (10) 10 Jun - 17 Jun (7) 3 Jun - 10 Jun (10) 27 May - 3 Jun (6) 20 May - 27 May (8) 13 May - 20 May (8) 6 May - 13 May (11) 29 Apr - 6 May (6) 22 Apr - 29 Apr (8) 15 Apr - 22 Apr (5) 8 Apr - 15 Apr (11) 1 Apr - 8 Apr (5) 25 Mar - 1 Apr (9) 18 Mar - 25 Mar (9) 11 Mar - 18 Mar (8) 4 Mar - 11 Mar (8) 19 Feb - 26 Feb (7) 12 Feb - 19 Feb (7) 5 Feb - 12 Feb (5) 29 Jan - 5 Feb (7) 22 Jan - 29 Jan (4) 15 Jan - 22 Jan (2) 8 Jan - 15 Jan (5) 1 Jan - 8 Jan (5) 25 Dec - 1 Jan (6) 18 Dec - 25 Dec (4) 11 Dec - 18 Dec (5) 4 Dec - 11 Dec (7) 27 Nov - 4 Dec (7) 20 Nov - 27 Nov (7) 13 Nov - 20 Nov (3) 6 Nov - 13 Nov (4) 30 Oct - 6 Nov (5) 23 Oct - 30 Oct (9) 16 Oct - 23 Oct (3) 9 Oct - 16 Oct (8) 2 Oct - 9 Oct (5) 25 Sep - 2 Oct (11) 18 Sep - 25 Sep (4) 11 Sep - 18 Sep (6) 4 Sep - 11 Sep (6) 28 Aug - 4 Sep (7) 21 Aug - 28 Aug (3) 14 Aug - 21 Aug (9) 7 Aug - 14 Aug (4) 31 Jul - 7 Aug (8) 24 Jul - 31 Jul (11) 17 Jul - 24 Jul (8) 10 Jul - 17 Jul (9) 3 Jul - 10 Jul (11) 26 Jun - 3 Jul (9) 19 Jun - 26 Jun (9) 12 Jun - 19 Jun (7) 5 Jun - 12 Jun (9) 29 May - 5 Jun (5) 22 May - 29 May (8) 15 May - 22 May (9) 8 May - 15 May (4) 1 May - 8 May (6) 24 Apr - 1 May (6) 17 Apr - 24 Apr (10) 10 Apr - 17 Apr (8) 3 Apr - 10 Apr (8) 27 Mar - 3 Apr (8) 20 Mar - 27 Mar (8) 13 Mar - 20 Mar (12) 6 Mar - 13 Mar (7) 27 Feb - 6 Mar (7) 20 Feb - 27 Feb (11) 13 Feb - 20 Feb (7) 6 Feb - 13 Feb (5) 30 Jan - 6 Feb (8) 23 Jan - 30 Jan (10) 16 Jan - 23 Jan (10) 9 Jan - 16 Jan (9) 2 Jan - 9 Jan (11) 26 Dec - 2 Jan (6) 19 Dec - 26 Dec (7) 12 Dec - 19 Dec (6) 5 Dec - 12 Dec (7) 28 Nov - 5 Dec (5) 21 Nov - 28 Nov (4) 14 Nov - 21 Nov (7) 7 Nov - 14 Nov (6) 31 Oct - 7 Nov (6) 24 Oct - 31 Oct (5) 17 Oct - 24 Oct (5) 10 Oct - 17 Oct (7) 3 Oct - 10 Oct (2) 26 Sep - 3 Oct (4) 19 Sep - 26 Sep (6) 12 Sep - 19 Sep (7) 5 Sep - 12 Sep (10) 29 Aug - 5 Sep (8) 22 Aug - 29 Aug (5) 15 Aug - 22 Aug (6) 8 Aug - 15 Aug (6) 1 Aug - 8 Aug (4) 25 Jul - 1 Aug (13) 18 Jul - 25 Jul (9) 11 Jul - 18 Jul (9) 4 Jul - 11 Jul (8) 27 Jun - 4 Jul (9) 20 Jun - 27 Jun (11) 13 Jun - 20 Jun (11) 6 Jun - 13 Jun (11) 30 May - 6 Jun (9) 23 May - 30 May (23) 16 May - 23 May (12) 9 May - 16 May (12) 2 May - 9 May (10) 25 Apr - 2 May (7) 18 Apr - 25 Apr (9) 11 Apr - 18 Apr (10) 4 Apr - 11 Apr (11) 28 Mar - 4 Apr (9) 21 Mar - 28 Mar (6) 14 Mar - 21 Mar (9) 7 Mar - 14 Mar (2) 28 Feb - 7 Mar (9) 21 Feb - 28 Feb (7) 14 Feb - 21 Feb (9) 7 Feb - 14 Feb (9) 31 Jan - 7 Feb (6) 24 Jan - 31 Jan (14) 17 Jan - 24 Jan (9) 10 Jan - 17 Jan (11) 3 Jan - 10 Jan (10) 27 Dec - 3 Jan (10) 20 Dec - 27 Dec (8) 13 Dec - 20 Dec (6) 6 Dec - 13 Dec (9) 29 Nov - 6 Dec (13) 22 Nov - 29 Nov (10) 15 Nov - 22 Nov (14) 8 Nov - 15 Nov (11) 1 Nov - 8 Nov (16) 25 Oct - 1 Nov (13) 18 Oct - 25 Oct (12) 11 Oct - 18 Oct (9) 4 Oct - 11 Oct (11) 27 Sep - 4 Oct (14) 20 Sep - 27 Sep (19) 13 Sep - 20 Sep (13) 6 Sep - 13 Sep (12) 30 Aug - 6 Sep (15) 23 Aug - 30 Aug (15) 16 Aug - 23 Aug (16) 9 Aug - 16 Aug (14) 2 Aug - 9 Aug (15) 26 Jul - 2 Aug (20) 19 Jul - 26 Jul (10) 12 Jul - 19 Jul (13) 5 Jul - 12 Jul (21) 28 Jun - 5 Jul (15) 21 Jun - 28 Jun (20) 14 Jun - 21 Jun (10) 7 Jun - 14 Jun (13) 31 May - 7 Jun (13) 24 May - 31 May (13) 17 May - 24 May (15) 10 May - 17 May (16) 3 May - 10 May (11) 26 Apr - 3 May (21) 19 Apr - 26 Apr (17) 12 Apr - 19 Apr (20) 5 Apr - 12 Apr (16) 29 Mar - 5 Apr (19) 22 Mar - 29 Mar (17) 15 Mar - 22 Mar (23) 8 Mar - 15 Mar (22) 1 Mar - 8 Mar (21) 22 Feb - 1 Mar (22) 15 Feb - 22 Feb (25) 8 Feb - 15 Feb (25) 1 Feb - 8 Feb (21) 25 Jan - 1 Feb (23) 18 Jan - 25 Jan (19) 11 Jan - 18 Jan (35) 4 Jan - 11 Jan (23) 28 Dec - 4 Jan (27) 21 Dec - 28 Dec (28) 14 Dec - 21 Dec (23) 7 Dec - 14 Dec (22) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (19) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (22) 16 Nov - 23 Nov (19) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (15) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (17) 26 Oct - 2 Nov (10) 19 Oct - 26 Oct (12) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (13) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (19) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (14) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (17) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (19) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (22) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (15) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (14) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (9) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (5)
After remaining silent after the divorce, Yulhee will not hold back anymore and will file a lawsuit against her ex-husband, Choi Minhwan, to regain custody of her children and receive alimony.

On November 4, the former Laboum member went to the Seoul Family Court to submit her application for mediation to change the custody of her son and twin daughters.

She is also belatedly taking legal procedures to claim her shared properties with Minhwan, which she initially gave up when they parted ways in 2023.

Originally, the former K-pop star noted that she decided to take nothing and give custody to her former husband, so that her children could grow up in a "realistic" environment, regardless of being painted as the "bad mother."

However, after recent reports blaming her for their divorce and asserted that she run away from their home, Yulhee took to her YouTube channel to prevent further misunderstandings and revealed that she was actually cheated on by Minhwan.

READ ALSO: Yulhee Reveals Reason She Gave Up Children's Custody to Minhwan + Why They Divorced

In a video, she exposed him by providing audio recordings where her ex-husband contacted a broker to visit adult salons to rent service girls multiple times. Not only this, but Yulhee also narrated how he would embarrass her in front of her in-laws by touching her private parts in front of them.

On top of the lawsuit Yulhee filed, Minhwan is also being investigated for violating the Prostitution and Sexual Violence Punishment Act (forced molestation by family relation).

Following these, Choi Minhwan has recently withdrawn from all his broadcasts, including "The Return of Superman," and took a break from his FT Island activities.

RELATED ARTICLE: Yulhee Reveals Audio Records of Ex-Husband Minhwan Desperately Looking for Service Girls

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Nov 5th, 2024

Wrexham.com has invited local Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home  you can find them all here. 

In this months column Wrexhams Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths, writes:

I remain extremely concerned surrounding the ongoing developments at Oscar Mayer.

The major ready meal manufacturer, based on the Wrexham Industrial Estate, is proposing significant changes to its workers pay and conditions.

Oscar Mayers most controversial proposal is to fire and rehire the workers in order to remove some paid breaks, reduce other breaks and eradicate any enhanced payments and days off in lieu for working bank holidays.

Workers stand to lose up to 3,000 a year so strike action was initiated in September, with more than 500 employees taking part.

In addition to striking outside some local supermarkets that are clients of Oscar Mayer, the workers recently marched through the city centre and formed a powerful demonstration on Queens Square.

Sadly, it appears a resolution is some way off. I, along with other local politicians, have recently been informed that Oscar Mayer is refusing to engage with Unite the Union representatives.

Oscar Mayer workers are not striking because they want more money, they are asking for parity and fairness. The Employment Rights Bill, introduced by the UK Labour Government last month, vows to end to the unscrupulous fire and rehire practices, which have no place in a modern labour market.

Although I was informed by Oscar Mayer that fire and rehire was not its desired outcome, this objectionable practice remains a possibility and is something I wholeheartedly oppose.

I urge the company to withdraw its threat of fire and rehire and to enter meaningful negotiations with Unite in order to find a satisfactory solution.

Thousands more people across Wales will automatically receive at-home bowel screening tests to help save more lives.

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers, with nearly 2,400 people in Wales diagnosed every year. However, almost nine out of ten people survive bowel cancer when it is detected and treated earlier on.

Over the last 3 years, the age of bowel cancer screening has been lowered in Wales and since the beginning of this month, 50-year-olds registered with a GP in Wales have started to be offered self-screening for bowel cancer for the first time.

The screening kits will arrive in the post so people can complete the test in the comfort of their own home.

In the early stages of bowel cancer, people may feel well and have no symptoms so I urge everyone in Wrexham who receives the invitation to take up the offer as it could save your life.

Bowel screening in Wales is changing! From October 2024, people aged 50 will automatically be invited to receive a free NHS bowel screening test kit every two years! Dont ignore your free test kit when you receive it  it could save your life! https://t.co/20kdUxubTT pic.twitter.com/mJMY6Hcdsa  Welsh Government Health and Social Care (@WGHealthandCare) October 7, 2024

I recently met with members of Bowel Cancer Support North Wales, a self-help group that provide support to people affected by bowel cancer, their families and carers.

The group meets on the first Thursday of every month in the Wynnstay Arms Hotel in Wrexham city centre between 7pm  9pm.

Anyone in the Wrexham area affected by bowel cancer is welcome to attend. You can email enquiries@bowelcancersupport.co.uk for more information or visit the website: www.bowelcancersupport.co.uk.

For 85 years, Citizens Advice has been offering practical, independent advice and support to those in need.

To mark the milestone, Wrexham Citizens Advice recently held a special celebratory event and it was a pleasure to pop along.

The team provide such a valuable service to the local population and I am sure they will continue to play a crucial role in the community for many more years to come.

For 85 years, @CitizensAdvice has been offering practical advice and support to those in need. Emily, Heather and the team in #Wrexham provide a valuable service to the local population.@CABCymru #85YearsOfThePeoplesChampion pic.twitter.com/tMrNf1XUCQ  Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) September 4, 2024

Finally, last month we marked World Mental Health Day. Every year, the 10th October is a day to raise awareness about mental health and show everyone that mental health matters.

While it is vital we have a special day to highlight the significance of mental health, it is also important to recognise support is available all year round.

There are a number of organisations and charities, such as Mind Cymru and the C.A.L.L. mental health helpline. In addition, the NHS 111 Press 2 service offers urgent mental health support for people of all ages across Wales, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If anyone in Wrexham is struggling or if youre concerned for the wellbeing of a friend or loved one, talking to someone can make a world of difference.

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Today may be #WorldMentalHealthDay but its important to remember support is available all year round.#WMHD24 @MindCymru pic.twitter.com/pAWkzqb9PS  Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) October 10, 2024
FIREM acquires former Tetra Pak site on Wrexham Industrial Estate

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Nov 5th, 2024

FI Real Estate Management (FIREM) has acquired the 268,000 sq ft former Tetra Pak site on Wrexham Industrial Estate.

FIREM, one of the UKs most established names in commercial property and asset management, has taken over the site from plastics manufacturing giant Mainetti.

The site, which spans a total of 30 acres and has been renamed Bedwell Park, has a long history, having previously been the UK and Ireland distribution centre for Tetra Pak from the 1970s until 2013, and sits opposite the existing F Lloyd Penley warehouse facility.

Its acquisition by FIREM is part of the firms plans for continued expansion in Wrexham Industrial Estate, the second largest business park in the UK.

With two new flagship schemes, Wrexham 1M and Wrexham 152, also now in construction, delivering a combined 1,152,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art industrial and logistics space on the estate, FIREMs acquisition of the former Tetra Pak site takes its total footprint in Wrexham Industrial Estate to 3.1m sq ft.

Over the next 10 years, it is estimated that FIREM will be generating an estimated 1.2bn in economic value in Wrexham.

Bedwell Park benefits from a 7.5kVA power supply, uncommon for most industrial facilities in the vicinity, and is fully fitted out and ready for occupation by a business looking to either establish or expand their presence in the region. FIREM is also continuing to invest in the site by creating a 24-hour HGV parking facility.

Tim Knowles, Founder and Managing Director of FI Real Estate Management, said: Bringing the former Tetra Pak site into our portfolio and back to its former glory is a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to Wrexham Industrial Estate.

Its a site thats brimming with potential for businesses seeking a new headquarters  with high-quality space, on-site warehousing, and a substantial power supply and infrastructure in place.

Our historic and continued investment in Wrexham reflects our confidence in the areas growth and its role as a key industrial hub in Wales and the UK.

With the addition of this site, we are not only expanding our footprint but also strengthening the future economic prospects of the region.

Looking ahead, we are excited to continue growing our presence here, creating the right conditions for businesses to thrive.

Our goal is to provide flexible, modern spaces that enable companies to expand and succeed, and with new developments in progress, we are positioning the estate as a prime destination for industrial and logistics operations in the UK.
Online grooming crimes in Wales have more than doubled over the last six years

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Nov 5th, 2024

Online grooming crimes in Wales have more than doubled over the last six years, according to new data from the NSPCC.

The charitys report reveals that Welsh police forces recorded 554 incidents of Sexual Communication with a Child in 2023/24, a sharp increase from 274 cases in 2017/18.

The figures, compiled from Dyfed Powys, Gwent, North Wales, and South Wales police forces, show a concerning national trend that saw a near-doubling of online grooming cases across the UK in the same period.

The NSPCC attributes much of this rise to the misuse of popular social media platforms.

Snapchat emerged as the most common platform for online grooming in the UK last year, linked to 48% of cases where the platform was disclosed.

Meta platforms were also widely used, with WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram collectively accounting for nearly a third of recorded cases.

Cross-Platform Abuse and Predatory Tactics

The new findings reveal that offenders often employ a cross-platform approach to target children. Starting with public communication on platforms such as Snapchat or TikTok, predators then move conversations to private or encrypted messaging apps where abuse can continue undetected.

Social media chat apps, video games, and even messaging functions on consoles are frequently misused in these cases, creating a digital environment that allows for swift communication and eludes oversight.

Girls remain the predominant victims of online grooming, making up 81% of UK cases where the gender of the victim was known in 2023/24.

The youngest recorded victim in Wales was a five-year-old boy, highlighting the devastating reach of these crimes across all ages.

NSPCC Calls for Proactive Safeguarding Measures

The NSPCC issued these findings a year after the passing of the Online Safety Act, a law aimed at making the internet a safer space for children. However, the charity has criticised the Acts effectiveness, urging Ofcom, the UKs communications regulator, to strengthen its rules on child protection within social media.

NSPCC Chief Executive Sir Peter Wanless argues that Ofcom must take a more ambitious approach, ensuring that tech companies take responsibility for preventing the exploitation of children on their platforms.

A year since the Online Safety Act became law, we are still waiting for tech companies to make their platforms safe for children, Wanless said. Much of this abuse is taking place in private messaging, which is why we need the UK Government to strengthen the Act and give Ofcom more legal authority to tackle child sexual abuse on apps like Snapchat and WhatsApp.

The NSPCC calls for a shift from a reactive to a preventative regulatory approach, where safeguarding features are incorporated into the design of social media platforms, rather than relying on action after harm occurs.

Police Urge Companies to Do More

The National Police Chiefs Council Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigations, Becky Riggs, echoed the NSPCCs concerns, urging technology companies to fulfil their legal and moral obligations to keep children safe.

Ms Riggs highlighted that while law enforcement continues to investigate and prosecute offenders, tech companies must bear more responsibility for the online spaces they create.

Policing will not stop in its fight against those who commit these horrific crimes, Riggs stated. But we cannot do this alone. While we pursue and prosecute those who exploit children, we repeat our call for more to be done by companies in this space.
Four years ago during the 2020 election, more than 158 million people cast ballots for the presidential election.

However, the popular vote does not determine who becomes the President.

The winner of the election comes down to the Electoral College.

When you go out to vote for president and vice president, your vote goes to a statewide tally.

Typically, the candidate with the most votes in a state will receive all of the state's electoral college votes.

This system is in place here in Nevada, as well as 47 other states and Washington D.C.

However, in Maine and Nebraska, there are split votes, which means two electoral votes are given to the popular vote winner, and then one electoral vote goes to the winner of each congressional district.

Each state has a different number of electoral college votes, and it is based off how many seats in Congress the state has.

Every state automatically gets two electoral votes because we all have two senators.

However, the rest is based on how many representatives are in the house, and that number is determined by the state's population.

Larger states such as California have 54 electoral votes, and here in Nevada we have six.

In total, there are 538 electoral votes, and to become president, a candidate must win the majority, which is at least 270.

On election day, states will begin calling races as the numbers come in after the polls close.

States have until December 10th to finalize any disputes they may have.

On December 17th, electors will meet to cast their ballots for president.

Finally, on January 6th, Congress will meet to certify the election and make the winner of the presidential election official.
Cambodia, China eye stronger digital economy cooperation

Xinhua) 09:32, November 05, 2024

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 China-Cambodia Digital Economy Cooperation Forum was convened here in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on Monday, exploring ways to boost stronger digital economy cooperation between the two countries.

In an opening speech, Cambodian Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth said the forum was vital to further promoting cooperation between Cambodia and China, especially in the fields of technology, innovation, and digital economy.

"For Cambodia, the development of the digital economy is considered an important driver in the process of economic development," he told the forum with approximately 250 participants.

Pornmoniroth, who is also a Cambodian deputy prime minister, said the development of digital technology is one of the top priorities in the Cambodian government's Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1 and that digital technology will help Cambodia achieve its vision of becoming a high-income country by 2050.

"In recent years, digital technology has been rapidly developed, becoming a new stand for supporting and ensuring economic resilience," he said.

"The digital technology has spurred new innovations that contribute to value added creation, productivity increase, and work efficiency, as well as become a catalyst for global trade and economic connectivity," he added.

Pornmoniroth said Cambodia and China have been working closely to promote digital economy and that the Southeast Asian country has collaborated with Alibaba to boost e-commerce and with UnionPay International and Ant International's Alipay+ to bolster cross-border QR code payments.

At the event, the Digital Economy Professional Association of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia was launched.

Pornmoniroth hopes that the association will play a leading role in promoting digital innovations, producing digital talents, and enhancing the use of digital technology.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin praised Cambodia for its rapid development of digital economy, and was amazed by the significant rise of mobile payments with smartphones.

He was pleased to see that China-Cambodia digital economy cooperation has progressed well, saying that China will continue to help Cambodia achieve the goal of 100 percent high-speed Internet coverage in urban areas and 70 percent coverage in rural areas by 2025.

"Chinese companies in Cambodia have fully utilized their own technological advantages to promote emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud technology, and mobile payments in Cambodia, helping the kingdom improve its digital level and promote digital transformation," he said.

Lin Shiqiang, president of the China Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, said China Unicom, Huawei and other companies have played a crucial role in constructing Cambodia-China submarine cable, providing strong support for the deep integration and connectivity of the digital economy of the two countries.

Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at the BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh, said China has been a great supporter of digitalization of Cambodia, gradually transforming Cambodia's present system into digitalization.

"China has a policy. They are sharing their wealth and their technology with countries and with their friends like Cambodia," he told Xinhua.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Jaehyun's Instagram update has gained traction on social media. This sparked a community thread from fans, who discussed the idol's new haircut for his military enlistment.

On November 3, netizens gathered in an online forum, titled, "NCT 127 Jaehyun's Insta Update." The author uploaded the idol's Instagram post on the same date. The photos showed Jaehyun flexing his new buzz cut, which signals his service in the military.

Jaehyun also posted a caption saying, "Remembering the memories we shared, looking forward to the journey together."

Netizens reacted to Jaehyun's haircut and expressed how much it suits the idol. They also took this chance to bid farewell to Jaehyun and wish him luck in the military. Others expressed sadness over Jaehyun's absence from the group during his service.

Read their comments here:

"Even with his head shaved, he's still handsome."

"He looks more handsome with his head shaved."

"I think Jaehyun will do well in the army, but why am I crying?"

"The blonde buzz eats."

"Jaehyun is still looking good just as expected."

"Come on, South Korea, this man's served enough. What do you mean he has to serve again?"

"Jaehyun's enlistment doesn't feel real to me."

Wishing Jaehyun the best of luck in his military service!

Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news.

KpopStarz owns this article

Written by Israel Monte
Weather Alert

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. Wind prone areas may see gusts exceeding 70 mph. Over Pyramid Lake winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph and wave heights 3 to 7 feet. * WHERE...In California, Surprise Valley California. In Nevada, Northern Washoe County, Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake, and Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area. * WHEN...From 11 AM this morning to 11 PM PDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Reduced visibility is also possible due to blowing dust especially near deserts, playas, and sinks. Small boats, kayaks and paddle boards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds may knock down burned trees in the Davis Fire burn area. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Now is the time to secure loose outdoor items such as patio furniture, holiday decorations, and trash cans before winds increase which could blow these items away. The best thing to do is prepare ahead of time by making sure you have extra food and water on hand, flashlights with spare batteries and/or candles in the event of a power outage. &&
The frigid floor when you climb out of bed on a February morning. The gusts of wind as you struggle toward your car after grocery shopping. The darkness that descends on a December afternoon. The brown crusty snow piled in parking lots long after a February storm. Winter is a bummer, right?

But it doesn't have to be.

Members only

In her new book How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark or Difficult Days, Stanford-trained health psychologist Kari Leibowitz argues that creating and maintaining a positive wintertime mindset can be the difference between experiencing the joys and delights of a special time of year and grimly "sleepwalking" through a whole season.

And its not that hard to choose the former, says Leibowitz  a reformed winter hater, as she puts it  whose research has included spending a sunless season in Northern Norway and visits to some of the chilliest places on earth. Her book describes how people in these cultures have, by necessity, adapted their behaviors and attitudes to make their winter days more pleasurable  and how we can borrow some of their strategies.

The easy stuff includes making your home as snug as can be (get out those fluffy blankets, candles and fairy lights, people!). But she also advocates bundling up appropriately and spending time outside, even on the coldest days (it can be a serious mood booster), as well as changing the way you talk about winter. It can be subtle: She'll say, "I hate being cold," not "I hate the cold," for instance.

If you adapt your physical environment and behavior during winter, Leibowitz insists, your outlook is likely to change with it. (Its a fake it till you make it kind of thing, which she describes as a tragically underrated strategy.)

The author discussed ways to winter well with AARP by video chat from Amsterdam, where shes been living for the past few years. (The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)

Start preparing for winter in the fall

I love the fall. It's the time of year when it starts getting darker, and I start changing my behavior. I get out the candles, and I light them when the sun sets or, if it's gray and cloudy out, I'll light them when I sit at the table to eat breakfast in the morning. It's so basic, it's almost cliche, like, Oh, light some candles. But it's really about transforming the darkness. It's really about saying, OK, it's gray and cloudy and dark out, so that facilitates me making it cozy inside. Maybe Ill host a cozy dinner party. Ill put a heavy duvet on the bed and get out my pajamas and fuzzy socks.
The days grow cold and dark  but the winter movie outlook is getting brighter! Many of what are apt to be the best films of the year are coming to screens big and small. Put these on your calendar, and dont forget to pass the popcorn!

Members only

Emilia Perez (in theaters, on Netflix Nov. 13)

A lawyer (Zoe Saldana) helps a drug cartel kingpin (Karla Sofia Gascon) find a new life, a new name and a new gender. Who says a violent gangster film cant also be a musical, and more over the top than any opera?

Heretic (in theaters Nov. 15)

In this taut three-hander, issues of religious doctrine, faith and belief intersect with scary The Exorcist movie staples. Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher), two perky young Mormon missionaries in Boulder, Colorado, knock on one last door for the day as a storm breaks. With a twinkly smile, Mr. Reed (a wily Hugh Grant, 64, leaning into playing the heavy) invites the women in for blueberry pie, Cokes and theological discussions. When they become increasingly uncomfortable, they discover themselves in a locked-house mystery with deadly consequences. Chatty but chilling.

Joy (on Netflix Nov. 22)

Not to be confused with the underwhelming 2015 Jennifer Lawrence movie about a self-wringing mop tycoon, this Joy dramatizes the true story of the worlds first test-tube baby, Louise Joy Brown. Weaving together a trio of narrative perspectives  including those of a naive young nurse (Thomasin McKenzie), a visionary scientist (James Norton), and a trailblazing surgeon (Bill Nighy, 74, rhymes with why), the film is set in the UK in the 60s and 70s, back when IVF was not only a controversial idea, but also felt like the far-fetched stuff of science fiction.

Red One (in theaters Nov. 15)

Dwayne The Rock Johnson, 52, explains his film about the North Pole security chief (Johnson) and the race to retrieve Santa (J.K. Simmons, 69) from kidnappers and save Christmas: Think Jumanji meets Miracle on 34th Street meets Hobbs & Shaw with a dash of Harry Potter and sprinkled on top with my all-time favorite Christmas movie, Its a Wonderful Life.

Gladiator II (in theaters Nov. 22)

What could be more fun than Ridley Scotts quintuple 2000 Oscar winner Gladiator? A sequel featuring Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal heroically battling killer monkeys, elephants and soldiers in the Roman Colosseum, with Denzel Washington, 69, as the wily arms dealer Macrinus, scheming to seize the throne from Romes bloodthirsty, decadent, entertainingly insane young twin emperors (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger).
By Dale Critchley, Workplace Policy Manager, Aviva



The aim is to deliver a relatively small number of very large pension schemes on the premise that these would deliver better outcomes for savers. Economies of scale are factors which can deliver better pension saving outcomes. Scale can allow for automation, making administration more efficient, but it also means providers can invest in online services that offer savers the opportunity to manage their pensions more easily. The idea is that more engaged savers should make more informed decisions which could drive better retirement outcomes. Scale also provides the benefit case for innovation in areas like retirement solutions. Small pension schemes might struggle to justify the cost of investment in an area that impacts a fraction of their members each year. While a provider that administers thousands of pension schemes with millions of members can deliver benefits to thousands of retirees each year. Scale can also enable opportunities for investment in a more diverse range of asset classes. This has been seen in Australia and Canada, where some of the largest pension funds have invested in infrastructure projects around the world to diversify returns for members. Scale may also allow for bigger investment management and governance budgets, potentially producing higher returns, and better run pension schemes. Well managed, efficient, and innovative pension schemes which deliver higher returns from more diversified investments, is the consolidation vision. The problems associated with numerous small pension pots have been talked about in the industry for some time. With low levels of engagement, poor decision making when taking benefits, high administrative overheads and lost pots, all common. The smallest pension pots, which are under 1,000, are due to be automatically consolidated to help address the issue and legislation is expected to be included in the Pension Schemes Bill next year. This development is likely to allow the transfer of savings of workplace personal pension members to another pension scheme without requiring their consent. If extended beyond small pots this could enable similar to those under occupational pension schemes where schemes can consolidate benefits if it is in the savers interest. Outside of regulation and legislation, there is action that individual savers can make to track down and consolidate their pensions. The Pension Policy Institute calculates there could be 2.8 million lost pension pots in the UK, worth 26.6bn. The Aviva Working Lives Report 2024 found that 41% of employees say they have multiple pension pots and 29% dont know how many pots they have. Almost three quarters of employees (73%) want help tracking down their pensions. The introduction of Pensions Dashboards will be the next big industry-wide step in helping people track down their pensions. However, data limitations might mean they cant provide all the information required to decide on whether to consolidate a pension. But there are now already innovative services available from providers which offer detailed reports showing charges under old pensions and valuable features like guarantees. While the benefits of consolidating a pension might include lower charges, higher investment returns and easier financial planning, the biggest potential benefit could come at retirement. Managing multiple pension pots while saving can be difficult, but it might be even trickier to consider multiple sources of retirement income and the underlying investments while making choices at the all-important retirement stage. Which is why the word consolidation should be a consideration in every retirement plan.




Swiss Re agrees to sell iptiQ's European P&C business to Allianz Direct, in line with its strategic decision to withdraw from iptiQ. Allianz Direct, the pan-European online insurer of Allianz Group, will take over the risk carrier based in Luxembourg (iptiQ EMEA P&C S.A.), more than 100 employees currently working in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy, and all distribution agreements. iptiQ is a digital insurer that partners with other insurers, brokers, banks and consumer brands to deliver innovative P&C as well as life and health insurance products to end-consumers (B2B2C). Earlier this year, Swiss Re announced its plans to withdraw from iptiQ as the Group had concluded that, in a strategic context, it was not the best owner for this business in the long term. Jef Van In, CEO of iptiQ, said: "We are very pleased to have found a new owner for iptiQ's European P&C business. This transaction is an important milestone in Swiss Re's plan to withdraw from the iptiQ business as we strive to deliver the best possible outcome for the different units within the business and for all our stakeholders. We remain fully committed to supporting all our clients, partners and colleagues during the transition period." The acquisition will expand Allianz Direct's footprint further into the B2B2C segment as it is taking over more than 130,000 iptiQ customers. The transaction is in line with Allianz Direct's goal to expand its B2B2C operations as it can capitalise on iptiQ's distinctive business model and expertise in this segment. Philipp Kroetz, CEO Allianz Direct: "The acquisition of iptiQ's European P&C business underlines our commitment to grow our footprint in key European markets, both in B2C and B2B2C distribution. We are excited to welcome the team from iptiQ to Allianz Direct and look forward to our future success. I am confident that together iptiQ and Allianz Direct can leverage the platform's scale and competitiveness for its products and operations to drive further success for our business partners."


Akanksha Jain, who served as the Head of Public Relations and Corporate Communications at BharatPe, recently announced her departure from the company after dedicating over four years to building the brand into a leading name in Indias fintech space. In a reflective LinkedIn post, Jain shared her decision to move on, highlighting her journey at BharatPe and expressing gratitude for the team and leadership who supported her along the way.

During her tenure, Jain played a pivotal role in establishing BharatPe's brand identity and reputation. Her efforts included building awareness for the company, guiding BharatPe to become the first fintech to invest in a Small Finance Bank, and positioning the organization and its leaders as prominent voices within the industry. She also steered BharatPes communications during one of the most challenging crises in the startup ecosystem, reinforcing her reputation as a resilient and strategic communicator.



Reflecting on her experience, Jain described her time at BharatPe as one of the most enterprising, challenging, exciting, and enriching years of her career. I have had the opportunity to work with great leaders and founders who valued the role of communications and trusted as well as empowered me to deliver the best, she shared. Jains departure marks the close of an impactful chapter at BharatPe, where her strategic contributions have helped shape the brand's trajectory and industry presence.

Jains career spans nearly two decades, with rich experience across prominent organizations. Before BharatPe, she was the Global Head of PR and Communications and Head of Content Marketing at Pine Labs, where she led brand-building initiatives on a global scale. At MobiKwik, she held the position of Director and Head of Public Relations and Communications, where she significantly shaped the companys external engagement and brand perception. She also served as the Head of Public Relations and Communications and Head of CSR at VLCC, focusing on both external communications and corporate social responsibility. Her earlier roles at HCL Technologies, John Keells Holdings, and AskmeBazaar further solidified her expertise across diverse industries.
Honda Cars India Ltd, leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, today released the teaser for the All-New 3rd Generation Honda Amaze, an innovative and stylish premium compact sedan designed for young buyers and modern families.



Building on its successful legacy as Indias trusted and popular choice among entry sedans, the All-New Amaze combines bold design, cutting-edge technology, and Hondas signature reliability to meet the lifestyle and aspirations of todays dynamic generation.



Since its debut in India in 2013 and subsequent launch of 2nd Generation in 2018, Honda Amaze has set a benchmark for premium styling among entry sedans winning hearts of Indian consumers, and is celebrated for its stylish appeal, comfort, performance, safety and unbeatable value making it the perfect car for those starting new journeys.

Commenting on the teaser release, Takuya Tsumura, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, The Honda Amaze has always been a special product for us and our customers in India. As a pioneer in premium styling for entry sedans, the Honda Amaze has always set the standard for design and sophistication in its segment. With the 3rd generation, we are excited to take this to the next level, offering our modern Indian customers an enhanced premium package like never before.
Informa Markets in India (IMI) launched its highly anticipated corporate AV film, MILAN, marking a bold progression from its previous brand film released over nine years ago. Aligned with IMIs Festivity of Business campaign and celebrating the organizations 18 years of excellence in fostering business connections and industry growth, MILAN captures the essence of evolution and opportunity in todays business world. The grand unveiling at The St. Regis, Mumbai, brought together industry leaders, promoting collaboration and innovation.

The AV reflects IMI's aspirations for the next decade, portraying the company as a trailblazer in connecting businesses and inspiring the next steps in their growth. The central message of Starting the Right Conversations showcases IMI as the key enabler of opportunities, driving businesses toward the future by fostering impactful connections. It resonates emotionally, urging businesses to explore new possibilities and opportunities.

Set in a sci-fi-inspired world expo, the film transports viewers from a barren desert to a futuristic, bustling expo of endless possibilities. The transition symbolizes the journey of businesses from struggling in hostile environments to thriving with the right connections. The visually stunning world is brought to life with holographic displays, neon elements, and floating structures, emphasizing Indias readiness to embrace the future.

Rooted in Indian culture, the AV maintains its Indian flavour with vibrant contrasts in costumes and a scene-stealing woman on a Chakda motorcycle, embodying IMIs fearless approach to innovation. The film speaks to a demographic of late 20s to 40s entrepreneurs with a commitment to building Future India. Older audiences will feel a sense of pride in seeing India on the global stage.

MILAN was brought to life by a powerhouse team, led by Creative Director Prateek Sethi of Trip Creative Services, known for his work across major campaigns and animated series. Filmmaker Himadri Mandal added a layer of storytelling magic, while Kabir Bedis narration lends gravitas to the entire production. Other notable contributors include Shruti Mhatre (Costume Stylist), Oankar Chavan (Director of Photography), and Rahull Raut (Sound Designer). The star-studded cast features Vedieka Dutt, Neel Samarth, and Lovedeep Sharma.

The narrative follows two friends lost in a deserta metaphor for struggling businessesuntil a good Samaritan, representing Informa Markets in India, guides them to a vibrant carnival of opportunities. The expo acts as a launchpad for ideas, recognition, and innovation.

The AV is a visual spectacle, using a mix of CGI, VFX, and holographic technology to create a larger-than-life world that symbolises the future of India. The film aims to inspire businesses to explore uncharted territories and become a part of the myriad platforms IMI provides.

With this AV, Informa Markets in India invites companies, both established and emerging, to join a universe of opportunities. The film highlights how IMI helps businesses form the connections that build relationships and unlock endless possibilities.

Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets in India, stated, As India's leading B2B events organiser, we are dedicated to fostering connections and driving innovation in a nation poised to become one of the top three economic giants in the next decade. With a thriving startup ecosystem ranked third globally, we are well-positioned to harness this momentum. Our Festivity of Business campaign creates unparalleled opportunities for networking and collaboration across diverse industry sectors.

This year marks our 18th anniversary in the Indian market, and our new corporate film encapsulates our journey and evolution. It showcases our commitment to building purpose-driven relationships and supporting businesses at every stage. By illustrating our impactful role in the exhibitions industry, it reinforces our mission to elevate India into a premier exhibitions hub, fueling business growth and enhancing our trade landscape.

Nabjeet Ganguli, Chief Marketing Officer of Informa Markets in India, commented, The release of 'MILAN' vividly portrays our vision for the future of business connections, crafted with immense thought and care. By centering our narrative on Starting the Right Conversations, we aim to illustrate how Informa Markets empowers businesses to evolve and seize new opportunities in an ever-changing landscape. This film encapsulates the essence of our missionfostering meaningful connections, striking the right conversations and cultivating profitable relationships that lead to sustainable progress. We invite all stakeholders to join us on this transformative journey, where collaboration, innovation, and dialogue become catalysts for growth.

Prateek Sethi, Creative Director, Trip Creative Services, Trip Creative, said Milan was a hallmark campaign in our portfolio. We were excited to partner with Informa Markets in India, Indias largest B2B exhibition organiser. Under the leadership of its Managing Director, Yogesh Mudras, the Marketing team led by Nabjeet Ganguli, and the various teams at Informa Markets in India, exciting initiatives were brought to life! Through this campaign, we showcased their expertise in live media and market intelligence, while our creative efforts focused on driving impactful results for our valued clients through the integrated teamwork. This milestone marked a significant step in our growth journey. Moreover, we successfully strengthened the connection between Informa Markets brands and their audience, while also enhancing our portfolio.

The 'Festivity of Business' campaign pays tribute to India's economic triumphs and burgeoning global influence, featuring a rich array of signature expos, conferences, industry awards, buyer-seller meets, and training programs over the next 3-4 months. Key exhibitions include Food Ingredients India, ProPak India, Renewable Energy India (REI), Battery Show India, Refcold India, World of Concrete India, CPHI PMEC India, OSH India, Cosmoprof India, IFSEC India, Kolkata Jewellery Show, Retail Jeweller Guild Awards, India Pharma Awards.

Attendees will gain a competitive edge through tech-enabled hybrid solutions, comprehensive product showcases, innovation incubators, and insightful CXO roundtables. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in eco-friendly practices across all platforms, aligning with the global drive for a greener future.
Pepperfry has announced the appointment of Shubbam Sharrma as Chief Growth Officer. Shubbam brings over 17 years of experience in retail, e-commerce, and omnichannel, having successfully led strategic growth initiatives and high-performing teams across various sectors.

In his new role as Pepperfrys Chief Growth Officer, Shubbam will spearhead the company's growth strategy with a focus on expanding market share, strengthening customer acquisition, and enhancing operational efficiency. His responsibilities will include growing the Home Categories exponentially, launching new Categories and expanding the B2B segment through initiatives like the Multi-tiered Channel Partner Program and exploration of new B2B avenues with HORECA and Corporates. Shubbam's deep understanding of the consumer market and proven track record in driving disruptive innovation makes him a valuable addition to Pepperfrys leadership team.

Speaking on the new appointment Ashish Shah, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer at Pepperfry, said, We are delighted to welcome Shubbam to the Pepperfry family. His extensive experience in driving growth in retail, coupled with his deep understanding of the consumer landscape, makes him the ideal leader to spearhead our next phase of expansion. We are confident that Shubbams vision and expertise will be instrumental in solidifying Pepperfrys position as the undisputed leader in the furniture, mattress and home decor market.

Shubbam Sharrma, Chief Growth Officer, Pepperfry, said, Im thrilled to be part of Pepperfry during this exciting phase of its growth journey. For anyone looking to buy furniture, Pepperfry has become the go-to destination. Our aim would be to further enhance this segment with tech-driven innovation and omnichannel integration to complete more and more customer journeys and make the business funnel more efficient. By fostering content and community engagement, we will democratize access for D2C entrepreneurs, helping to bring the best curated collections to our customers.

Our vision is to blend new-age and legacy brands, creating a one-stop destination for all things hometruly the best of both worlds. Furthermore, we see immense potential in the B2B segment, particularly in building a curated platform for architects and interior designers to meet their discerning clients' needs. As any B2B client setting up a workspace requires extensive furniture and decor, we are committed to developing efficient channels to serve this segment effectively. Together, we will set new benchmarks for customer-centricity, operational excellence and innovation., added Shubbam Sharma.

Before joining Pepperfry, Shubbam served as Chief Business Officer at ImpactGuru, where he spearheaded growth across multiple cities and optimised operations, marketing, and HR processes. He was instrumental in establishing CarDekho as a market leader in the used car retail business during his tenure as Used Cars P&L Head. His consulting experience with KSA Technopak and RedSeer further broadened his expertise in guiding consumer internet and traditional retail companies on growth strategies, digital transformation, and market expansion. Shubbam, who began his career at Godrej, has also co-founded a D2C fashion brand aiming to create a modern, accessible alternative in ethnic fashion.

Shubbam holds an MBA from IIM Lucknow and a B.Tech from College of Engineering Roorkee. Outside work, he enjoys researching consumer brands, listening to podcasts and audibles, and staying energized through yoga and meditation.
With Election Day 2024 results in, Republican former President Donald Trump was again elected president.

Trump won Alabamas nine electoral votes over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and then secured the election.

In Alabamas 2nd District Congressional race, Democrat Shomari Figures defeated Republican Caroleene Dobson in the district that stretches from Montgomery to Mobile.

Follow us here for the latest updates and election results:

Wednesday Nov. 6, 6:05 a.m. U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville have congratulated Trump and vow to work with him to get America back on track.

11:47 p.m. Democrats sweep Bessemer races, circuit judge, probate judge contests

11:45 p.m. Shelby County Republicans dominate local races

11:29 p.m. Understanding the Electoral College - heres all you need to know.

11:15 p.m. Alabama voters say yes to allowing Franklin County school system to sell its land. How did the vote for Amendment 1 turn out?

11:07 p.m. From AP - Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing California on Wednesday. Elected to the House in 1987, Pelosi was the first woman to be elected as U.S. House speaker. She has led the House Democrats since 2003. Pelosi represents a district that encompasses most of San Francisco.

10:53 p.m. In another important Alabama election, Republican Associate Justice Sarah Stewart, elected to the Supreme Court in 2018, will be the next chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court after defeating Democrat Greg Griffin, a Montgomery County circuit judge. Stewart defeated Griffin 66% to 34%.

10:44 p.m. Harris wins Virginia and its 13 electoral votes. Harris victory marks the third time Donald Trump has lost the Old Dominion state. The Democratic nominee for president has won Virginia in every election since 2008.

10:33 p.m. Figures has been elected to Alabamas redrawn District 2 Congressional seat.

The win made Figures the fourth Black person ever elected to Congress from Alabama. It also means Alabama -- for the first time in its tortured history with race relations -- will have two Black members of Congress serving at the same time.

10:24 p.m. Dobson is addressing supporters in Mobile, tearing up as she spoke.

We knew that the courts had given the other team a home-field advantage, Dobson said. We ran a strong race, and we talked about issues that matter most to Alabama families.

10:22 p.m. From AP -- Trump has won North Carolina, narrowing Harris path to victory. Harris campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon told staff in a memo that the blue wall of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin was now the Democrats clearest path to victory.

10:16 p.m. Results from Madison County, including a handful of local races.

10:04 p.m.

Shomari Figures arrives to his Election Night rally with his young family in tow. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/i6YK2PIOZW  John Sharp (@JohnSharp99) November 6, 2024

10 p.m. Marshall County now completely wet after voters approve countywide alcohol sales.

The county has been the second-largest remaining in Alabama that is still considered somewhat dry. On Tuesday, voters were asked to make Marshall County completely wet, and to back a referendum that one state lawmaker says gets people caught up to the 21st century.

9:43 p.m. AP: Republican Gary Palmer wins reelection to 6th Congressional District; Rep. Barry Moore, Republican, wins reelection to Alabamas 1st Congressional District. Republican Dale Strong also won reelection to his 5th Congressional District seat.

9:29 p.m. AP: Democrat Terri Sewell wins reelection to U.S. House in Alabamas 7th Congressional District.

9:06 p.m. An Alabama voter was all of us today when it came to the only statewide Amendment on the ballot.

Montgomery resident Dameion Henderson went viral on social media for his reaction to the ballot question.

Franklin Board of Education I hope I did right by yall cuz I didnt know [what the hell] they was talking bout on that ballot, Henderson posted to Facebook.

8:32 p.m. - Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, has won the election to success retiring Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virgnia. The seat is enough to give Republicans control of the Senate if Trump wins tonight with his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, serving as the tie-breaker in an evenly divided Senate.

8:29 p.m. U.S. Rep Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) was in attendance at Dobsons watch party with the Mobile County GOP Tuesday night.

Carl was defeated in the Congressional District 1 Republican primary by U.S. Rep Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), in a rare matchup between two incumbents following redistricting.

Carl said he was disappointed that he wasnt on the ballot but said he hadnt ruled out running for political office again.

There are several races hes considering, he said.

Were going to wait until this race is over with and kind of let the dust die down a little bit, Carl said.

Right now, Im trying to figure out where God wants me.

Carl spoke fondly of Dobson, whom he said he was in contact with early. He said he felt optimistic about her chances, depending on turnout in Montgomery. I think shell do well down here, and very well in the rural areas, Carl said.

Montgomerys going to tell a lot in that race, but Im feeling pretty positive about both [Dobsons race and the presidential race].

7:50 p.m. People gathering at hotel in Mobile for Shomari Figures party.

I found the Figures gathering. Small but developing crowd here at the Moonlight Ballroom at the historic Battlehouse Hotel in downtown Mobile. #alpolitics #AL2 pic.twitter.com/dhIDm8xBew  John Sharp (@JohnSharp99) November 6, 2024

7:23 p.m. Here is how AP calls the races in states where polls just closed, like Alabama.

7:15 p.m. Alabama U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt, Mike Rogers, and Dale Strong have won re-election, according to an AP call.

7:04 p.m. Not a surprise but Alabama has been called for Trump. Heres our latest tally: AP is calling South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Mississippi. Harris wins Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maryland.

6:46 p.m. When will we know who our next president will be? Settle in - it could be a long night.

6:36 p.m. From AP -- Trump won West Virginia for the third straight presidential election cycle on Tuesday. The victory adds four electoral votes to the former presidents count.

6:13 p.m. For Trump, the outcome of Tuesdays election is about more than winning the White House.

If Trump wins, he could wield the vast powers of the U.S. presidency to shield him from ongoing federal prosecutions. If he loses, he faces the threat of being sentenced later this month to jail time in New York.

6:02 p.m. From The Associated Press -- Trump won Indiana, a reliably conservative state, to claim its 11 electoral votes and Kentuckys eight electoral votes. Harris won the Democratic stronghold of Vermont and its three electoral votes.

5:56 p.m. With a little more than an hour until polls close, heres a bit of Alabama election history from the Library of Congress.

Something to ponder as you head out to vote today, for free. In the Library's Rosa Parks Papers collection, there's a receipt for the poll tax she had to pay to vote in Alabama in 1956. Poll taxes, a Jim Crow-era voter suppression tool, were not abolished federally until 1964. pic.twitter.com/QhL4R5AwA7  Library of Congress (@librarycongress) November 5, 2024

5:38 p.m. A Birmingham bar has deleted a social media post offering Trump Chardonnay or Champagne on election night. Roots and Revelry bar manager Zachary Austin told AL.com the owner Robert Lynns opinion does not represent everyone that works at the location.

5:34 p.m. Will Alabama ever get early voting? Thats a change many said they would like to see.

4:29 p.m. Polls close at 7 p.m., except in St. Clair County where hours are being extended. You can see why here.

4:02 p.m. Trump lashed out at Oprah Winfrey and at Fox News on Tuesday morning, saying the channel is not pro-Trump at all and should be ashamed for running clips of Winfrey. I think its a disgrace what Fox does. Everyone thinks Fox is so pro-Trump. Theyre not pro-Trump at all. Theyve put Oprah on all morning long, thats all I see is Oprah.

3:57 p.m. A conspiracy theory implying Google was trying to meddle in the closely watched presidential race between Harris and Trump took root on Election Day -- but the search giant said theres a logical explanation for why searches about where to vote for each candidate were different. Heres what the search giant says happened.

3:26 p.m. Election day is moving along smoothly in most places. Nationally, there have been scattered reports of with delays from extreme weather, ballot printing errors and technical problems.

3:23 p.m. From the Associated Press -- Harris urges North Carolinians who havent voted to get going.

The path to the White House runs through North Carolina, Harris said in an interview on Raleighs Foxy 107.1. And its a tight race. We are tied. Every vote matters.

Harris told host Karen Clark she plans to work the phones until polls close to get out every vote she can.

This is about turning the page and bringing in a new generation of leadership for America, Harris said.

2:47 p.m. A Birmingham bars special for Trump Chardonnay or Champagne is drawing mixed reactions online. You can see what people are saying about Roots & Reverlys offering here.

2:36 p.m. Even well-known college football coaches arent immune from election day issues, as Alabama native Dabo Swinney proves.

2:10 p.m. Could a comedians offensive joke cost Trump the election?

Democrats cite Tony Hinchcliffe calling Puerto Rico a " floating island of garbage " at a rally as the turning point in their effort to win. If Trump loses and Hinchcliffes joke is a turning point, his appearance could go down as the most influential comedy set of all time.

1:17 p.m. An Alabama Congressman showed up to vote today in a garbage truck.

I used to be a garbage man, so I know what garbage looks like, Rep. Barry Moore tweeted last week. The real garbage is the policies of the Biden-Harris Administration.

The arrival by Moore, a Republican, references comments made last week by President Joe Biden when he called supporters of Donald Trump garbage.

1:12 p.m. The final election prediction is out and heres who experts believe will likely win. Spoiler - its a super close race.

12:40 p.m. St. Clair County has ordered corrected ballots after two amendments were left off. Officials expect to receive them in time for people to vote on the amendments today. Only precincts affected by the printing error will be affected.

In addition, polling hours are being extended until 9 p.m. All ballots during the extra hours are counted as provisional ballots.

11:54 a.m. Trump said he will accept the results should he lose if its a fair election.

Id be the first one to acknowledge, the results, Trump said, though what meets that definition wasnt clear.

11:08 a.m. Alabama law allows those who are physically disabled or 70 and older to skip to the front of the line at the request of the voter. Click here to learn more.

10:51 a.m. What are the top concerns of Alabama voters in this election? My Family and I are voting for our Future, Freedom, Democracy, Voting Rights, Reproductive Rights, Peace, Normalcy, Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, the Economy, one person wrote.

10:15 a.m. No lines to get in to poll at 607 Airport Road, inside the Trinity United Methodist church.

Trinity United Methodist poll in HuntsvilleKayode Crown

10:10 a.m. Alabama elected officials are sharing messages on social media as they go out to vote today.

Election Day is a GOOD day in America! I am proud to live in the best state in the greatest nation on this Earth, and I was excited to get out and cast my vote this morning. I encourage everyone to do the same! #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/JpX3MrnqVH  Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) November 5, 2024

Were going to show Love that she can do anything in this world.



Im voting for my daughters future.



Proudly casting my ballot for Vice President @KamalaHarris.



VOTE!  pic.twitter.com/qznMX5Plaz  Randall Woodfin (@randallwoodfin) November 5, 2024

Todays the day! Lets get out the vote and preserve the American Dream for future generations.  pic.twitter.com/YEO7VRvHCF  Katie Britt (@KatieBrittforAL) November 5, 2024

We voted this morning for @realDonaldTrump and to make America Great again. Go vote!!!! pic.twitter.com/qNzRdbb3Rr  Will Ainsworth (@willainsworthAL) November 5, 2024

10:04 a.m. From The Associated Press -- The seven battleground states have varying rules on when votes are counted, so it is expected to take some time before all votes are tallied in the key states that are expected to decide the razor-tight race.

Were going to be patient, Harris campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon said during a Tuesday appearance on MSNBC. Were going to be very focused on whats happening in the early part of the night. But we know some of our bigger battleground states are not going to be fully tallied until later in the night or early in the morning.

OMalley Dillon was hopeful that early turnout in Georgia and North Carolina was a positive sign for the Harris campaign.

By the time early voting in North Carolina had ended on Saturday, over 4.4 million voters  or nearly 57% of all registered voters in the state  had cast their ballots. It was particularly robust in the 25 western counties affected by Hurricane Helene and was even stronger at 59% of registered voters.

Georgia meanwhile saw more than 4 million voters cast early ballots, a record-breaking number for the state.

9:16 a.m. Ballots in St. Clair County are missing a statewide amendment and a local amendment, creating concerns and confusion at polling places. AL.com is working to get answers from public officials about what is being done.

8:47 a.m. From The Associated Press -- Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance voted in Cincinnati this morning.

Look, I feel good. You never know until you know, but I feel good about this race, Vance said after he and his wife cast their ballots.

Vance said he would depart for Palm Beach, Florida, later today to be with Donald Trump as results come in.

8:33 a.m. Alabama law requires employers to give workers time off to vote. But there are some restrictions to that requirement. Heres a look at what that means.

8:30 a.m. Having problems at the polls? You can let us know by email at news@al.com.

Alabama, if you have problems at your voting place today, please let us at @aldotcom know. Thanks.  Kyle Whitmire (@WarOnDumb) November 5, 2024

7:17 a.m. Can you take a selfie with your ballot? Heres your answer.

7:08 a.m. Election Day has proven to be cloudy and rainy for parts of Alabama this morning. Here is a look at todays forecast.

A light drizzle greeted voters waiting outside the Homewood Public Library on Nov. 5, 2024.Bob Sims

7 a.m. The polls are now open in Alabama. You can get out and vote until polls close at 7 tonight.

6:37 a.m. Gov. Kay Ivey was back in the office Monday after being treated for dehydration at a Sunday campaign event for Dobson and plans to vote today.

Election Day is finally here, and I look forward to casting my vote for @realDonaldTrump and @DobsonForAL. Polls are open 7AM-7PM. Be sure to get out and vote!   Kay Ivey (@kayiveyforgov) November 5, 2024

6:16 a.m. The Alabama Republican Party is placing 200 poll watchers around the state today and sending another 200 to Georgia. The ALGOP will also have dozens of election lawyers stationed in key areas in Alabama.

The Alabama Democratic Party will have poll watchers in all 67 counties. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Hutchins III will also oversee complaints pertaining to voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud.

5:51 a.m. From The Associated Press -- Harris and Trump entered Election Day focused on seven battleground states, five of them carried by Trump in 2016 before flipping to Biden in 2020: the blue wall of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin as well as Arizona and Georgia. Nevada and North Carolina, which Democrats and Republicans respectively carried in the last two elections, also were closely contested.

The closeness of the race and the number of states in play raised the likelihood that once again a victor might not be known on election night. There was one early harbinger from the New Hampshire hamlet of Dixville Notch, which by tradition votes after midnight on Election Day. Dixville Notch split between Trump and Harris, with three votes for each.

5:38 a.m. AL.com columnist Roy S. Johnson has put together a playlist for those standing in line at the polls. Here is his curated 20-song playlist that reflects the importance of this day.

5:20 a.m. Alabamians have donated more than $3.3 million to Vice President Kamala Harris campaign. Thats more than former President Donald Trump received from donors in the state during the same time frame. Heres a look at the top Alabama donors to each campaign.

5:09 a.m. Voters will decide one statewide constitutional amendment today. Statewide Amendment 1, if approved by voters, wiould give the Franklin County School System the ability to sell a large portion of land it owns in Walker and Fayette counties in hopes of selling or leasing it to a developer.

Where you can find sample ballots for all 67 counties

Whats on the minds of Alabama Congressional District 2 voters?

Why analysts predict a Shomari Figures win in Alabamas 2nd district

Alabamas Amendment 1 aims to benefit a rural school system, and attract a Buc-ees?

Alabamas one-and-done vote: How straight ticket voting dominates elections

Why a large Alabama county looks to go completely wet

Is the economy the No.1 issue in Alabamas 2nd Congressional District?
Alabama law requires employers to give workers time off to vote. But there are some restrictions to that requirement.

The law states employees have to provide reasonable notice to take necessary time off to vote in any city, county, state or federal political party primary or election, as long as the worker is qualified and registered to vote on the day the election takes place.

Employers are only required to provide one hour off. They arent required to give time off if an employees start time is at least two hours after polls open (polls open at 7 a.m. in Alabama) or ends at least an hour before the polls close (polls close at 7 p.m. in Alabama). In other words, if a persons job doesnt start until 9 a.m. and ends by 6 p.m., time off from a job isnt required. And anyone in line by 7 p.m. must be allowed to vote.

The employer can also specify what time period will be provided for voting.

Employers are not required to pay workers for time off to vote.

Alabama is one of 28 states and Washington, D.C. that requires businesses to give their employees time off during work on election day. Seven of the states, including Alabama, do not mandate paid time off for voting.
Former President Donald Trump said he will accept the results should he lose if its a fair election.

Id be the first one to acknowledge, the results, Trump said, though what meets that definition wasnt clear.

Speaking to reporters after voting in Florida, Trump said that he had no plans to tell his supporters to refrain from violence should he lose.

I dont have to tell them, because they are not violent people, he said.

Trump planned to visit a nearby campaign office to thank those working on his behalf.

Trump said he thinks the results should be known tonight.

Im hearing in Pennsylvania they wont have an answer til two or three days from now, Trump said. I think its an absolute outrage if thats the case.

Trump says he will have a very special group of people at Mar-a-Lago and a few thousand people at a nearby convention center to watch the election results.

It looks like we have a very substantial lead, he said without elaborating on whether he has a plan on when to declare victory.

It seems that the conservatives are voting very powerfully, Trump told reporters.

It looks like Republicans have shown up in force, he said.

Asked if he had any regrets about his campaign, Trump responded, I cant think of any.
Alabama voters will be asked to vote on one statewide constitutional amendment on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

While on everyones ballot, Statewide Amendment 1 is really aimed at benefiting one place - the Franklin County School System in northwest Alabama.

If approved by voters, the Franklin County School System would gain the ability to sell a large portion of land it owns in Walker and Fayette counties in hopes of selling or leasing it to a developer.

Election results: Live results from Alabama and the nation

Where is the land in question?

It is approximately 225 acres at Interstate 22 and Alabama State Route 13, north of Eldridge.

Why cant Franklin County just sell or lease the property now?

The lands are considered sixteenth section lands and indemnity lands that Congress granted to schools in Alabama in the 1800s for the support and maintenance of public schools in Alabama.

And the school system cannot sell nor lease the land because its managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The amendment, if approved, transfers ownership rights of those lands to the Franklin County School Board, and any money earned from the lease or sale of the lands will be paid to the school system.

Why do all voters  not just those in the areas affected - have to vote on it?

The amendment needs statewide approval because it involves multiple counties, and not just one, said State Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville. Alabama also does not have home rule authority, so individual county and local governments need the state legislature to support an amendment similar to this one for everyone in the state to vote on.

Where will the money go from the sale/lease of the land?

Proceeds from a lease or sale would go toward capital improvement projects at Franklin County Schools, where there is a need for expansion projects, Kiel said.

What would Walker and Fayette counties, where the land is located, get out of it?

Walker and Fayette counties could get sales taxes and property taxes from the developments likely to come from that area at the I-22/Route 13 interchange, Kiel said.

If you look at other intersections on I-22, in that area, youll find that Jasper has a Loves Truck Stop and retail development there, Kiel said. If you go west to Winfield, they have a new truck stop there. This is one of the more higher traffic areas. Its not been looked at for development  and if Buc-ees was looking for a West Alabama location, this would be that location.
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (PANA) - Vice-President Teodoro Obiang Mangue has warned that civil servants caught having sex in their offices will face "severe measures"
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Companies around the country are offering freebies as Americans head to the polls.

Here are some offers available nationwide:

RIDESHARE/ TRANSPORTATION

Uber: Uber is offering riders 50% off trips to their polling place (up to $10). The app also will help users find the nearest polling place, reports CNN.

Lyft: Lyft is also offering a 50% discount (up to $10) on Election Day rides to the polls. Users can preload the ride code VOTE24 on or before November 5.

Lime: The e-scooter company Lime will provide free 30-minute rides to the polls place for voters up until Nov. 5 under the code VOTE2024.

FOOD

Johnny Rockets will give free milkshakes with any in-store purchase on Tuesday to diners who show proof they voted, including an I Voted sticker.

Krispy Kreme: Krispy Kreme is commemorating Election Day on Nov. 5, by offering all guests a free original glazed doughnut at participating stores in the United States. The doughnut chain will also offer an extra treat on Election Day by handing out I Voted stickers at participating shops across the U.S
In the unincorporated community of Toney in rural northwestern Madison County, youll find the remains of what was once a little whistle-stop town. The remnants, located about four miles from the Tennessee line, include a store and post office, some probable old cotton warehouses, and a railroad depot.

What it doesnt have is a railroad. So how and why did the buildings get there?

Old store near the intersection of Old Railroad Bed and Baites roads in Toney, Ala. The Middle Tennessee and Alabama Railroad went through the area in the late 1800s.Kelly Kazek

Part of the answer can be found on a road sign at the crossroads: Old Railroad Bed Road. The Middle Tennessee and Alabama Railway was built through the area in 1893 with plans to continue the line all the way to Decatur. It never quite made it, eventually ending at the nearby community of Jeff. The only remainder of Jeff is its namesake, Jeff Road.

In 1897, the rail line was sold to the Nashville, Chattanooga and Saint Louis Railroad. In 1929, rail service was stopped altogether. The rails were removed in the 1930s.

Buildings near the intersection of Old Railroad Bed and Baites roads in Toney, Ala. The Middle Tennessee and Alabama Railroad went through the area in the late 1800s.Kelly Kazek

When I stumbled on the abandoned whistle-stop village after moving to the area five years ago, I was curious what it used to be. Was the community of Toney once a town? Or were the buildings the remnants of another town? Ill share what I discovered in my research and I welcome any input from readers. Send an email to kkazek@al.com.

I came across an online history that said there was once a community called Dan in this area. It had numerous businesses, including a cotton gin, a sawmill, blacksmith shop and four stores. But the history also says all the buildings in Dan except a house and grist mill were destroyed by a 1913 tornado.

Buildings near the intersection of Old Railroad Bed and Baites roads in Toney, Ala. The Middle Tennessee and Alabama Railroad went through the area in the late 1800s.Kelly Kazek

A March 15, 1913, article in The Birmingham Post-Herald describes the destruction in the area as part of a series of tornadoes that struck the South on March 13. In Madison County, The cyclone apparently divided itself in two parts someone west of here and struck 18 miles northwest and seven miles southwest of Huntsville simultaneously, the article said. A great many farm houses were blown away; much timber was blown down and a great deal of stock was killed. The property loss is heavy.

Bulah Posey, the 8-year-old daughter of Lonnie and Mary Posey, and an unnamed man were killed, according to the March 20, 1913, edition of The Huntsville Weekly Times quoted on FindaGrave.com.

Most newspapers described the area as Toney, which likely included the community of Dan.

The old Toney Depot in Toney, Ala. The Middle Tennessee and Alabama Railroad went through the area in the late 1800s before it became part of the Nashville, Chattanooga and Saint Louis Railroad.Courtesy of Wil Elrick

I have since learned the abandoned building with the red roof on Old Railroad Bed Road is known as Old Toney Depot and the weathered gray building at the intersection with Baites Road was once a combination general store and post office.

Old store building near the intersection of Old Railroad Bed and Baites roads in Toney, Ala. The Middle Tennessee and Alabama Railroad went through the area in the late 1800s.Kelly Kazek

I could not find a name for the store, or what community the post office served, but I did discover the Toney Post Office was founded in 1898. The first postmaster was Blanche Ralls Toney. According to a 1970s history by Jay Crook located farther down on the history page, there was a separate post office in Dan from 1872-1904, which would mean Dan had already stopped being an incorporated town nine years before the tornado destroyed it.

That means its likely that Dan was absorbed into Toney following the tornado and the remaining ghost town was the central part of Toney at the time. Toney still has a U.S. Post Office, which is located on Toney Road, a mile and a half from the ghost town.

Dans gristmill, which survived the 1913 storm, was torn down in about 1939, Crook said. The grist mill was, most likely, the tallest of all the buildings in Dan, Crook wrote. The grist mill was three stories tall and was built without a single nail. All the main beams and foundation beams were hand honed and were notched and pegged into place.
Five people have been arrested for allegedly taking part in a retail theft scheme that resulted in a loss of almost $400,000 in merchandise from a Dollar General in Grand Bay.

According to the Mobile County Sheriffs Office, investigators began looking into the store after receiving a complaint on Oct. 10.

Two store employees, Brittany Forrest and Calie Kent, allegedly coordinated with Ophia Gordon, Carl Kent and Ilia Forrest to carry out the thefts. All of the individuals involved are either family or friends.

Officials said the shoplifting was performed by loading grocery carts with items and then allegedly having Brittany or Calie close the purchase after only scanning one or two items during checkout.

All five of the suspects were arrested Thursday and charged with organized retail theft.
A Birmingham City Councilman arrested for DUI in a city vehicle in south Alabama over the weekend apologized Tuesday during the councils regular meeting.

Councilman J.T. Moore, who is the chair of the Community Development Committee and a member of the Public Safety Committee, was taken into custody on the side of Interstate 65 in Sundays predawn hours. He was in a city vehicle at the time.

One of my favorite books is As a Man Thinketh and theres a quote in the book that says circumstances do not make the man but they reveal him to himself, Moore said.

Although I am not proud of the incident that took place this past weekend, I am proud to say I have shown up today to take responsibility and accountability for my actions.

I want to say to my colleagues on the council, my family, District 4 and the City of Birmingham, I truly do apologize and pray for your forgiveness in the matter Moore said.

It was not clear as of Tuesday why Moore was in Creola. City council members cannot drive city vehicles under a 1967 state law.

Councilman Clinton Woods showed support for Moore before the meeting ended.

I did want to say to my colleague I know it took a lot to show up this morning, Woods said.

At the end of the day, our mistakes and failures are not the end in the road. Its a bend in the road and I know youll do the work to go forward.

Creola police Chief Shane Stringer said police received a call at 3:55 a.m. Sunday of a possible intoxicated driver on I-65 near the 20 mile marker. When officers arrived, they found a black Chevrolet Tahoe with a blue municipal tag pulled off to the side of the interstate.

Stringer said the driver  later identified as Moore  was passed out.

The officers, the chief said, beat on the window attempting to get his attention.

He eventually came to, and they had to open the door, Stringer said. They could immediately smell alcohol.

Officers started to talk to Moore, and he admitted to the officers that he had been drinking. Since Moore admitted to drinking, the chief said, officers for safety reasons did not administer a field sobriety test since they were on the interstate.

Moore was taken to the Saraland Police Department, where he was given a breathalyzer test and a field sobriety test.

He failed all of the above, Stringer said.

Moore was then booked into the Mobile Metro County Jail. He was released at 12:58 p.m. Sunday.

The vehicle was found to be registered to the City of Birmingham. It was towed from the interstate.
A Birmingham mother of four has been sentenced to prison for the domestic shooting death that was initially deemed justified.

A Jefferson County judge sentenced 31-year-old Felesha Rashaad McBride to 13 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections.

McBride was convicted in September in the slaying of 32-year-old Mario Joe Kindred.

The shooting happened Aug. 17, 2020, in the citys Titusville community.

Birminghams South Precinct officers responded about 1:45 p.m. that Monday to UAB Hospital after they were notified a man had been brought there with a gunshot wound.

He was pronounced dead at 3:01 p.m.

Investigators then learned the shooting had taken place at 308 Gamma Street and began to process that scene. Police at the time said multiple gunshots were heard there and witnesses saw a female driving a small silver sedan flee the scene.

There were also reports of a physical altercation prior to the gunfire.

McBride later turned herself in at Birmingham Police Headquarters, and police said the shooting appeared to be domestic.

Two days later, investigators presented their evidence to the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office for review and the homicide was deemed justifiable.

On Oct. 22, 2020, however, investigators resubmitted the case to the district attorneys office based on new developments and McBride was charged and arrested.

McBrides trial began Sept. 16, 2024, before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Michael Streety and ended with the guilty verdict.

Jurors were allowed to consider the lesser charge of provocation manslaughter but unanimously to convict on murder.

Jefferson County Deputy District Attorneys Bella Colombo and Blake Owens prosecuted the case. Attorney Roger Appell defended McBride.

McBride is the mother and sole caretaker of four children, ages 12, 9, 6 and 1. Appell argued that she is a hard worker and loved by her family and friends and asked for a split sentence of 20 years with three to serve.

Felesha is a mother and a caregiver. She has done everything to rehabilitate herself, Appell wrote in court documents. Society, nor her family, would be benefited by a long incarceration.

Streety sentenced McBride to the 13 years, the minimum under voluntary guidelines.

McBride was allowed to remain out on bond pending her sentencing Monday. She was booked into the Jefferson County Jail to await transfer to the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Nine more churches across Southern Alabama have sued the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, hoping to keep their property in a dispute that split the denomination in Alabama the past several years.

These latest nine churches were among the 44 that previously sued the conference as a group in an effort to force the conference to allow them to disaffiliate. The latest round of lawsuits by individual churches were filed on Oct. 31 in seven different counties.

In Mobile County, Theodore and Trinity churches sued. In Conecuh County, Baggett Chapel sued. In Clarke County, Coffeeville Church sued. In Coffee County, Elba Methodist Church sued. In Dale County, Pleasant Hill and Westview Heights churches sued. In Houston County, Highland Park Church of Dothan sued. In Lee County, Gold Hill Church sued.

They are making a similar argument, that the congregations own their own property, rather than the conference, which claims to hold it in trust.

The churches say property disputes are subject to civil court jurisdiction.

In their previous group lawsuit, they had asked Montgomery Circuit Court to force the conference to allow them to disaffiliate. The court ruled that was a church matter to be decided by the denominational court.

The United Methodist Judicial Court ruled last month that after the expiration of a special disaffiliation rule at the end of 2023, that no other church policy allows the churches to disaffiliate.

The denominations Book of Discipline had a temporary disaffiliation clause that ended Dec. 31, 2023, that had allowed churches to negotiate for their property and leave the denomination. After that expired, some churches that still wanted to leave argued for using another provision, Paragraph 2549, as a route to disaffiliation by closing a church, then selling it to the congregation that voted to leave.

Within our structure, the conference board of trustees plays a pivotal role as they work in tandem with the bishop and cabinet to safeguard the interest and rights of the annual conference in all matters relating to property, said a statement released by the conference after that ruling.

We are saddened by churches who seek legal action against the conference, the Alabama-West Florida Conference office said in a statement released today. We are praying for all involved.

The nine churches who filed lawsuits Friday are in addition to four that had previously sued.

Harvest Church in Dothan, not a part of the group lawsuit, was the first to sue individually in Houston County, arguing that it could prove its historic ownership had never been signed over in a trust clause. While other churches negotiated payments to the conference, Harvest argued it owed no money to keep its own property. The state Supreme Court sent that case back to a lower court for a ruling, denying the conferences request that the lawsuit be dismissed. Lead Pastor Ralph Sigler said he expects it to go to trial in spring 2025.

Selma Methodist Church, founded in 1835, is the most recent of the group of 44 churches to file its own lawsuit, saying it never signed a trust clause giving the denomination authority over its property and asking a Dallas County judge to declare that the congregations trustees had the only legal claim to the property.

The First Methodist Church of Demopolis, founded in 1847, sued in August saying it has owned its own property throughout its history and has never signed a trust clause giving ownership to the denomination. The 177-year-old Demopolis church, one of the 44 plaintiffs in the group case, filed its new solo lawsuit on Aug. 16 in Marengo County.

Guys Chapel, a 114-year-old church in Baldwin County, sued the conference in July saying it could prove its historic ownership of its property had never been relinquished by signing documents for the denomination to hold it in trust.

For years, conservative churches complained that the denominations rules banning same-sex weddings and ordination of LGBTQ clergy were not enforced. United Methodists elected their first openly LGBTQ bishop in 2016, Bishop Karen Oliveto. This year at the United Methodist General Conference, the denomination officially dropped the bans on same-sex weddings and LGBTQ clergy.
An Orange County, Florida man hospitalized in critical condition after being tracked to Alabama and shot in a confrontation with law enforcement is now a suspect in his girlfriends death.

Detectives with the Orange County Sheriffs Office are seeking a warrant for first-degree murder against Jorge Javier Quintero, 41, after his girlfriend, 29-year-old Carmen Elsa Escalante Carrera, was found dead Thursday by Georgia law enforcement, according to a press release from the Sheriffs Office.

Deputies responded to Maribou Circle in eastern Orange County on Tuesday to do a well-being check on Quintero after he reportedly made suicidal statements to family members but found neither him nor Escalante Carrera there.

Quintero was tracked to Saraland in a rental pickup truck and was shot in the encounter with the United States Marshals Service. He was transported to the hospital, where he remained in critical condition as of Monday, the release said.

The Sheriffs Office worked subsequently with law enforcement in Alabama and Georgia to search for Escalante Carrera. Law enforcement in Georgia found what was described as an object they suspected to contain a body on Thursday, and the body was identified as Escalante Carrera over the weekend.

No more information was included in the release. The investigation is still ongoing.

2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A man threatening suicide was shot by Lee County sheriffs deputies after authorities say he pointed his gun at them.

Wesley Floyd Pooles gun turned out to be a pellet gun that resembled a real firearm, authorities said Tuesday.

The 52-year-old Phenix City man is recovering.

Lee County deputies received a 911 call at 9:10 p.m. Monday from a man - now identified as Poole  stating he was going to kill himself, said sheriffs Captain Jimmy Taylor.

When communications officers tried to talk to him, he would not give them any information and hung up the phone.

Deputies arrived at his location in the 100 block of Lee Road 482 and met with a concerned neighbor who told them Poole was walking around his home with a gun.

At 9:24 p.m., deputies saw Poole outside of the residence with a gun to his head threatening to kill himself.

Lee County negotiators were notified and responded to the scene.

After about 1  hours of negotiations, Taylor said, Poole pointed the gun at deputies.

Deputies fired at him, striking him in the shoulder. He was taken to Piedmont Hospital in Columbus where he is listed in stable condition.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigators were summoned to lead the probe, which is standard when law enforcement shoots someone.
Ballots sent to St. Clair County for Tuesdays election were missing a statewide amendment and a local amendment, officials said.

Following an order from St. Clair County Circuit Court, polling hours at precincts where the ballots were misprinted will be extended by two hours, to 9 p.m.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m. * Be advised that long lines are expected to continue at polling locations * New information from... Posted by The City of Pell City on Tuesday, November 5, 2024

The ballots affected polling places at Ashville City Hall, Poplar Springs Church, Argo Town Hall, Wattsville Volunteer Fire, Celebrations, New Long Volunteer Fire, Boys & Girls Club, Cook Springs Baptist Church, Moody Civic Center, Cropwell Baptist Church, Prescott Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist Church, Whites Chapel Town Hall and Cedar Grove Baptist Church.

St. Clair County Probate Judge Andrew Weathington said the county has ordered corrected ballots and said he expects to receive them in time for people to vote on the amendments. Only precincts affected by the printing error will be affected.

All ballots during the extra hours are counted as provisional ballots.

Were going to do all we can to make it right for everyone, he said.

The company that printed the ballots, ES&S Election Systems, said about 28,000 ballots were missing the two amendments. The company said it immediately began printing replacement ballots.

ES&S takes responsibility for this unfortunate error and is working to determine the root cause, the company said in a memorandum to Wethington.

At a news conference Tuesday morning, Weathington said the votes of people who have already voted will count, he said.

Were just asking everybody to be as patient as they can with us, Weathington said. Weve got new ballots coming. Theyre having to be printed in Birmingham from the original printer. It was just a mess-up. It was just an accident. Im not sure what to call it, but it just is what it is. And so, theyre trying to fix it.

So as soon as we get them, were going to start distributing them and try to get this thing back to running normal.

Voter guide: What you need to know about the election

Jess Unger, a senior staff attorney with the Southern Poverty Law Centers voting rights litigation team, said there are concerns about whether the two-hour extension of polling hours will be adequate.

Of course, mistakes happen, but this has been pretty severe, Unger said. As far as we know, we have gone about seven hours out of the 12-hour voting window today that folks in St. Clair County have not been able to vote a complete ballot at the affected polling places. And that is quite the delay. We do want voters to be able to be made whole here.

I think that an extension is certainly in order to try to make up for lost time. But you and I can do math the same way. A two-hour extension from seven oclock to nine oclock, thats two hours. And voters have been out of luck at these polling places for seven hours today.

The SPLC and other organizations are operating a hotline for voters who encounter problems today, 866-OUR VOTE (866-687-8683). Unger said the ballot problem in St. Clair County has been one of the issues generating the most calls.

Were going to continue to look at all the other options on the table to see if theres anything else we can do to help make voters whole. Because this was a humdinger as far Election Day difficulties go, Unger said.

Unger said they have not had reports of any other major problems in Alabama today, other than long lines caused by strong voter turnout.

Weathington said the ballots were proofed before they were printed and were correct. Weathington said the two amendments were on the back side.

We check it down to the commas and the periods. And everything was correct. The amendments were on there. All the candidates were on there. Everything was on there, Weathington said.

The ballots were not checked again after they were printed and sent to the county, Weathington said.

We stacked them up nice and neat in numerical order, Weathington said. But we dont open the boxes. I dont believe thats a good practice to open the ballots before they get to the polling place. So, we leave them sealed. Weve already proofed.

But when the ballot boxes were opened this morning, it turned out that the amendments were missing from some of the ballots.

Around 6 oclock we got our first phone call from one of our polling inspectors that said, Hey, our ballots are missing the amendment, Weathington said. At which point we started digging in and we got a few more phone calls.

Weathington said he understands how hard the situation is on voters.

Im as frustrated as anybody, Weathington said. And I understand that we have to take off work and all that stuff to go vote. And I apologize. I dont know what else to say other than were very, very sorry. And were trying to fix it as quick as we can. The ball it just not in our court at the moment.

The ACLU of Alabama has asked the St. Clair County probate office to extend voting hours for as long as necessary to get new ballots.

Sen. Lance Bell, who represents the county, said he has been getting calls this morning about the problem.

Bell said he had spoken with Weathington and with the secretary of states office.

They are working to rectify the situation, Bell said.

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen sent out a statement saying the accuracy of ballots was a responsibility of the counties.

My office is aware of the issue in St. Clair county, Allen said.

However, all ballots are proofed, inspected, and approved at the local level by the office of the county probate judge and then the countys selected vendor prints the ballots. That process is not something the Office of the Secretary of State has any jurisdiction or authority over.

Morgan Montiel said she and her husband showed up at their polling place at 6 a.m. Montiel noticed that neither the statewide amendment or a local one, which changes the way Pell City residents are represented by county and city school boards, were there.

Montiel said she has not been able to get answers to her questions of whether polls will stay open late to rectify the mistake or what will happen after voters voted with incorrect ballots.

It looks like it may be every single ballot that was not printed correctly, Montiel said. No one was able to tell me anything. I feel like my voice isnt being heard.

This is a developing story and will be updated.
Its Election Day. Some last-minute notes are down below.

Thanks for reading,

Ike

Stats of the worst kind

Weve all been hoping that somehow we wouldnt get here, but Birmingham passed a morbid milestone on Monday.

AL.coms Carol Robinson reports that the killing of a young man was the citys 135th homicide in 2024 to tie its 2023 total with almost two whole months left in the year.

Police said more than 20 shots were fired at 12 minutes past noon in the north part of town.

The 135 homicides put Birmingham 13 away from the citys record. There were 148 homicides in 1933.

Official in trouble

Birmingham City Councilman J.T. Moore was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Creola, reports AL.coms Carol Robinson.

Creola police say Moore was passed out in a Birmingham city vehicle alongside I-65. They said they took him to Saraland Police Department and that he failed a sobriety test and breathalyzer test there.

He was booked into the Mobile County Jail.

RIP Jimmy Holley

An Alabama legislator from 1974 to 2022, Jimmy Holley, an Elba Republican, passed away Monday, reports AL.coms Mike Cason. Holley served in the state House of Representatives as a Democrat from 1974-94, then moved over to the Senate, where he switched parties before the GOP swept into power and eventually stepped down two years ago. Jimmy Holley was 80 years old.

RIP Cammie East Cowan

That same year that Holley joined the Alabama Legislature, Cammie East Cowan began her newspaper career at the Mobile Press and Register. She worked as a copy editor and features writer who was known for her literary connections, such as her folks' Haunted Book Shop and her friendship with To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee. If you recognize Cowan from her work with the Press-Register make sure you read Lawrence Speckers story about her at AL.com.

Final election thoughts

Its also Election Day. Which means that after today we can go back to every television commercials pushing pharmaceuticals.

Or do they only target folks of a certain age? Because I shouldnt be there yet.

The polls are open today from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. If you plan on voting, and I hope you do, make sure you follow through no matter what you might hear about lines or results based on exit polling. It aint over till its over, and anything suggesting otherwise is either garbage or rat poison.

Ive had sort of the opposite experience. I received a text message that said hey, Willie -- thats what some voting group or another calls me is Willie -- and warned me that while other people wont know who I voted for, theyll know whether I voted.

In case Halloween wasnt creepy enough.

I would encourage you to hit the Alabama Secretary of States website for sample ballots, polling places, etc.

And dont leave your photo ID at home when you go vote.

If you dont use the straight-party voting, make sure you dont skip over the Alabama Supreme Court races. While most of those are unopposed, there is a Republican and a Democrat running for chief justice.

If you do use straight-party voting, dont forget you still have that statewide constitutional amendment you can vote on. Some of you have local amendments as well.

No matter what happens today, every conservative and liberal and moderate is welcome back here tomorrow. And while its great to be informed and interested, a lot of folks out there get really torn up during presidential elections, so lets all be nice to somebody today. Across-the-aisle sympathy in particular can be a powerful thing.

More Alabama News

Born on This Date

In 1936, country record producer and songwriter Billy Sherill of Phil Campbell.

In 1936, photographer and painter William Christenberry of Tuscaloosa.

In 1971, triple-jumper Erick Walder of Mobile.

The podcast
China's strict one-child policy has left at least one million parents alone in old age since losing their only child, according to a report.

From 1980 to 2015, the Chinese government implemented a one-child policy restricting most couples to having only one child. This meant that families who had lost their only child---whether due to illness, suicide, or murder--- were now left grieving and alone in old age.

This is significant, especially in China, where children are often viewed as the main source of finances for their elderly parents.

It was estimated in 2010 that at least one million Chinese families had lost their only child, leaving the parents uncertain of their future, according to Sixth Tone's Shi Lihong.

"Families with an only child are walking on a tightrope. Every family can fall off the tightrope at any moment [if they lose their only child]," a bereaved mother said. "We are the unlucky ones."

Read Also: Russians Who Refuse To Bear Children Will Be Fined Thousands of Dollars

What Is China's One-Child Policy?

China introduced the one-child policy in 1979 and fully implemented it in 1980. At the time, China hoped to curb the country's rapidly growing population by restricting most couples to having only one child.

The government provided financial and employment incentives to families who complied. They also imposed fines on those who violated the rules. At times, Chinese officials used forced abortions and mass sterilizations to force couples to have only one child.

There were a few exceptions to the policy. Rural families, for instance, were allowed to have a second child if their first was a girl. Ethnic minorities were also often exempt. Furthermore, wealthy Chinese families who could afford to pay the hefty fines were able to have more than one child.

This policy led many baby girls to be abandoned or placed in orphanages. There were also cases of sex-selective abortions and female infanticide. This is largely due to the traditional preference for male children.

The policy has also prevented up to 400 million births, according to some estimates, as reported by Investopedia. China has contested this figure, noting that only 36% of its citizens were impacted by the one-child policy.
This is an opinion cartoon.

The Handmaids Tale Election Day 2024 is upon us. Finally. Weve been waiting over two years for this one and theres a lot on the line. Democracy and womens reproductive rights are on the ballot and under attack by a rogue authoritarian-leaning Supreme Court and a flock of extreme nationalists with a dystopian plan for our nation.

Sign up for JD Crowes newsletter: Enter your email to subscribe to JDs weekly newsletter, Crowe Jam.

Lordy. What else is at stake? Modern America.

Alabama is a willing testing ground for many of the dark ideas of Project 2025.

Related: How to vote in Alabama: How do I find my polling place?

Stay sane and peaceful out there, folks. Be kind to your neighbors. Hug em up but give them their space. Dont get in their face. Were all in this together.

Come hell or high water, vote your conscience.

Check out more cartoons and stuff by JD Crowe

JD Crowe is the cartoonist for Alabama Media Group and AL.com. He won the RFK Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartoons in 2020. In 2018, he was awarded the Rex Babin Memorial Award for local and state cartoons by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Follow JD on Facebook, Twitter @Crowejam and Instagram @JDCrowepix. Give him a holler @jdcrowe@al.com.
Rafael became a hurricane as it approached the Cayman Islands on Tuesday night. And its expected to get stronger.

The National Hurricane Center upgraded Rafael to a hurricane earlier Tuesday, and the storm continued to strengthen, with 80 mph winds late Tuesday night.

The upgrade makes Rafael the 11th hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

The hurricane center said Rafael will move near or over the Caymans tonight. Western Cuba could be in the bullseye on Wednesday, and Rafael could be a Category 2 hurricane by that point, forecasters said.

The long-range track for Rafael shows the storm moving into the central Gulf of Mexico by late Wednesday, still as a hurricane. It will move slowly northward across the Gulf, and the center could be approaching the Louisiana coast on Sunday.

The timing has slowed down as of Tuesday night, with Rafael now forecast to still be in the Gulf by Sunday night. Earlier forecasts had the storm near the Louisiana coast by Sunday afternoon.

The cone of uncertainty as of Tuesday night stretched from Mississippi in the east (Alabama is no longer in the cone) to as far west as eastern Texas, with Louisiana in the center of the cone. Rafael is expected to be a tropical storm by the time it nears the northern Gulf Coast.

The hurricane center continued to caution that Rafaels long-range track is very uncertain.

It is too soon to determine what, if any, impacts Rafael could bring to portions of the northern Gulf Coast, the hurricane center said. Residents in this area should regularly monitor updates to the forecast.

As of 9 p.m. CST Tuesday, the center of Hurricane Rafael was located about 60 miles east-northeast of Grand Cayman and was tracking to the northwest at 13 mph.

The hurricane center said steady to rapid intensification will be possible over the next 24 to 36 hours. Forecasters think Rafael could strengthen more before it makes landfall in Cuba on Wednesday. The hurricane centers intensity forecast shows Rafael peaking with winds of 90 mph, which is still within Category 1 range.

Rafael could bring 3 to 6 inches of rain to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

The Lower Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas could get 1 to 3 inches of rain as well as up to 3 feet of storm surge from Rafael as it passes by the islands to the west.

Cuba is in line to get some considerable storm surge. The hurricane center said 6 to 9 feet will be possible along the southwest coast of the island.

Here are the watches and warnings:

* A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Cayman Islands and the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas and the Isle of Youth.

* A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Lower and Middle Florida Keys from Key West to west of the Channel 5 Bridge, the Dry Tortugas and the Cuban provinces of Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus and Ciego de Avila.

* A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Camaguey and Las Tunas.
Rafael strengthened to the 11th hurricane of 2024 in the Atlantic on Tuesday night as it approached the Cayman Islands.

Rafael continued to strengthen and was a Category 1 hurricane with 80 mph winds late Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The hurricane center said Rafael will move near or over the Caymans tonight and then Cuba on Wednesday, emerging into the southern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday night.

Heres the track for Rafael as of Tuesday night:

Rafael was upgraded to a Category 1 on Tuesday. It will pass near or over the Cayman Islands tonight and could make landfall in western Cuba as a Category 2 storm before heading into the Gulf of Mexico.National Hurricane Center

The hurricane centers long-range forecast track shows Rafael moving slowly across the Gulf and has its center near Louisiana by Sunday night -- which is slower than previous forecasts.

Rafael is expected to weaken over the Gulf and be a tropical storm at that point.

However, the hurricane center continued to caution that the long-range forecast for Rafael is more uncertain than usual, and those along the northern Gulf Coast were urged to keep a very close eye on the forecast this week.

As of Tuesday night the Alabama coast had been removed from the hurricane centers cone of uncertainty. The cone shows where just the center of the storm could go. Wind and rain from the storm could reach far outside the cone.

Alabamas National Weather Service forecasters were keeping a close eye on Rafael on Tuesday but cautioned that the storms long-range track is full of question marks that will affect Alabamas forecast through the weekend.

There is an unusually large amount of uncertainty with the movement of this system later in the week, the National Weather Service office in Mobile said on Tuesday morning. Beach hazards, including dangerous rip currents and increasing surf will be likely this week into the weekend. It is too early to determine other impacts. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts closely.

Forecasters said There unfortunately continues to be substantial uncertainty with the trajectory of Rafael Thursday onward as it is not clear how quickly ridging over the southeastern states will break down. Hopefully, this will be resolved as new data becomes available.

The weather services rip current forecast includes a high risk through the next few days, and that will continue into the weekend:

The weather service expects a surge of tropical moisture to reach Alabamas coastal areas by Wednesday, and that combined with another weather system could cause an uptick in showers and storms over the southern part of the state.

Rain chances for Friday through the weekend will heavily depend on Rafaels track, according to the weather service.

The weather service office in Birmingham was also tracking Rafael and said on Tuesday that no significant impacts are expected at this time, though beneficial rainfall could move into Central Alabama should the system approach the northern Gulf Coast.

The weather service in Huntsville said that if Rafael tracks more to the north it will likely bring higher rain chances through the weekend. However, if the storm heads more to the northwest rain chances will trend downward.

NOAAs Weather Prediction Center shows that Alabama could see some rain through the next seven days:

Here is the seven-day precipitation outlook, which shows that Alabama could pick up needed rain. This could change depending on Rafael's eventual track.Weather Prediction Center

Those along the Gulf Coast were urged to keep a close eye on the forecast through this week as Rafaels path becomes more clear.
Over the past few months, a lot of ink has been spilled and words spoken about Project 2025 and former President Donald Trumps support for it. Almost all of whats been written and said have been lies from biased writers and pundits.

Commentators have alternately, and sometimes in the same story, called it fascist, anti-democratic, a plan to destroy the U.S. system of checks and balances, and perhaps cringiest of all, a Christo-Fascist plan to create a theocracy.

In actuality, Project 2025 is none of these things, except in the unhinged minds of the labelers. In fact, it is the very opposite.

Project 2025 strongly supports the checks and balances in the Constitution, which have been significantly reduced since it was written. Contrary to the claim commonly made by Project 2025s detractors and defenders alike, the United States is not a democracy; it is a constitutional republic with limited democratic elements. Project 2025 defends the constraints placed on the federal government enshrined in the Constitution, restraints placed upon both presidential (executive) authority and democratic majority rule, which in contrast to the world we live in today have virtually unlimited and unchecked power into the very recesses of individuals lives.

Project 2025 recognizes that the federal government, as designed by the Founders, has limited powers, with most power and decision making explicitly reserved to the states and the people therein. Our Founders were all about individual freedom and responsibility and self-rule, not rule by demagogues in the guise of democratic populists or paternalistic father/mother figures. As such, the role of democracy is present but circumscribed and lies solely in the domain of the elected legislature. In the Constitution, the executive branch, aside from war powers, existed solely to execute and carry out the law as written by Congress, not as decided by executive order.

So, Project 2025 is not anti-democratic, rather it is pro-democracy within its proper constitutional limits. Nor is it fascist, which for me is the most confused and easily falsified claim made about Project 2025. Fascism and socialism are all about expanding the power of government over, and most often against, the will and well-being of individuals. Fascism, like socialism, demands ever bigger government with ever more power over society. What Project 2025 proposes is just the opposite, a smaller government with less of a dictatorial role in individuals lives. It is about freeing people to make decisions about how to live for themselves, regardless of what their neighbors or rulers might think is right, wise, or best for society or them. Project 2025 does not place society or the government and its needs above the desires and needs of individuals and the families and communities they voluntarily create and join. To be clear, a program cant be fascist if it limits the power of government to a minimal role in peoples lives -- which Project 2025 does.

Having discussed what Project 2025 is not, lets touch on what it is or proposes in a couple of areas, to prove the point.

The Constitution does not delegate to the federal government a role in education -- that was left to the states and the people. Yet, in 1979, with the creation of the U.S. Department of Education (DoE), the federal government arrogated to itself a role in dictating and incentivizing with dollars kids education.

Staffed with thousands of bureaucrats, it is unclear that the DoE has done anything at all to improve the education of Americas kids. Since its creation, literacy, science, and math scores have plummeted as concerns about gender, social justice, climate justice, and other controversial, nonessential and even nonsensical topics have taken up more and more classroom time. Of course, this reduces the time spent helping kids learn and become competent in reading, writing, arithmetic, history (and I dont mean woke revisionist history through the lens of people who claim the United States is an institutionally racist society), and how to conduct science.

As an example of the latter point, the teaching of the scientific method -- hypothesis and theory development, experimentation, testing, and verification -- is no longer contained in the recently revised national next generation science standards, having been replaced by consensus. Equity and comity have replaced competence, excellence and the pursuit of knowledge and truth, as the core of the scientific discipline. Under federal guidance, incentivized by funding and directives, school systems across the country now have almost as many administrators and non-teaching staff as teachers -- none of which benefits or improves the education of students.

Project 2025 would reverse this. The country did without a DoE for 190 years and the education of students would be improved if it did so again. At the state level, Project 2025 endorses education dollars following the kids so parents can choose what schools, public or private, they think best suits their childrens needs and educational advancement. This would set up a competition for excellence in schools wishing to attract students and the education dollars they come with. Thats not anti-democratic, thats anti-bureaucratic. Empowering parents is pro-choice, the very opposite of bureaucratic, administrative fascism.

Concerning the environment, Project 2025 would end Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy mission creep by specifically limiting those agencies to carry out only those programs and missions specifically delegated by Congress. No more appliance and car diktats based on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, because fighting climate change and controlling energy use to limit CO2 emissions is nowhere mentioned in any law Congress has passed. This is pro-democracy over unaccountable bureaucracy.

Congress would have the final say over whether administrative agencies have interpreted the laws theyve written correctly, and if Congress says an agency has overstepped its bounds, a congressional resolution of disapproval would end the debate. Congress interpretation of what it means when it writes a law would surpass agencies or the executives views of what a law allows, or more accurately, what agency bureaucrats or the president believe the law should have required. Thats pro-democracy! Those democratically elected to write laws should have the final say on what those laws actually say and intend, rather than unaccountable bureaucrats.

Project 2025 would keep energy affordable and reliable while allowing individuals to choose their vehicles and appliances, sans government interference. Our Founders never would have countenanced the federal government dictating peoples modes of transportation or the types of technologies they use to cook their meals, store their food, wash their clothes, or communicate with each other, or access knowledge and express points of view, to take just a few examples.

Also, under Project 2025, the science used by federal agencies to justify the rules and restrictions they develop could no longer be kept secret. As with all good science, it would have to be transparent, so other researchers could determine whether the health and welfare benefits claimed to flow from rules are likely to actually materialize and be justified in light of the possible harms or costs. Only when science is transparent can the public, those who fund and live under the restrictions, make informed decisions about whether the rules are desired. The public should weigh the benefits and costs, especially the often-overlooked opportunity costs. Such decisions shouldnt be made for them by executive agencies.

In short, Project 2025 is about expanding freedom and localizing government choice as much as possible, as the Constitution designed our federalist system of government to function. That is the furthest thing from fascism, socialism, and anti-democratic as one can get.

H. Sterling Burnett, Ph.D., (hsburnett@heartland.org) is the director of the Arthur B. Robinson Center on Climate and Environmental Policy at The Heartland Institute, a non-partisan, non-profit research organization based in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Image: PxFuel
Wiscasset is a small picturesque coastal village in the mid-coast region of Maine. About an hour north of Portland on Route 1, Wiscasset exudes all the visual charm expected from a seaside New England town. Beautiful historic homes line both sides of the main street along with antique shops and art galleries.

Up the road apiece " as the locals would say, lies another quaint coastal village called Damariscotta. It too is a pretty coastal town that lures tourists from all over with fine restaurants and gift shops.

It is a wealthy area of the state and for the most part is very blue politically. You see more Harris signs than Trump signs, even though the number of Trump signs has grown quite a bit. Most of the Democrats that live in the center of these towns probably feel quite safe from the Trump deplorables that might live in the outskirts of their enclaves.

Today we turned that idea on its head and decided to perform a friendly invasion of sorts.

Affectionally called The Trump Train, residents who are tired of the taxes, tired of the liberal polices, and tired of the nonsense coming from Washington D.C. formed a caravan of trucks and cars, bedecked with Trump signs and flags to support Donald Trump for president. The goal was to drive slowly and safely through both towns honking horns and waving at passers-by. Some folks took poster boards and taped them to their windows with messages that read Trump 2024 or God Bless the USA Such deplorable behavior indeed. We gathered at the Wiscasset Speedway, a small racetrack just outside of town.

At the head of the Trump Train was a beautiful green garbage truck decorated with Trump signs. Before getting in our cars and trucks to start the Train, we stood together at the back end of the garbage truck and said the Pledge of Allegiance. When it was time to sing the National Anthem, we heard the voices of the J6 Prison Choir coming over the loudspeaker reminding us that the Trump Train is for them as well. It was a tearful moment I will not forget.

With the Great Green Trump Garbage Truck leading the way, we began our slow drive towards downtown Wiscasset. Flashers on, horns honking and hands waving, it must have been quite a spectacle to see us coming down the road. More than a few folks were gathered by the roadside cheering us on and waving their own patriotic flags. Families on porches, old and young, all part of the forgotten folks that live and work on the outskirts of these pretty little towns. The only thing that might be considered negative, but I though was hilarious was a woman standing at the end of her driveway enthusiastically flipping us the bird. I dont think she was suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome; I think she was trying her best to enjoy it bless her heart.

The organizers of this event did their homework, because as we approached Downtown Wiscasset, police cars had already blocked off traffic to allow us to turn onto Route 1.

As we were driving through the center of town, traffic lights had already been set to flashing yellow so we could pass uninterrupted.

A few locals who were out walking looked up at us with astonishment and disbelief. One older couple slowly shook their heads at us. I dont think seeing the Trump Train was on their bucket list today.

My wife opened her window, and we gave them big smiles and two thumbs up. Im convinced they ran home and locked their doors. The Deplorables are Coming!

The Deplorables are coming! What fun!

As we crossed Wiscasset bridge, with Garbage Truck One leading the way, we began the eight-mile journey to our next destination, Damariscotta.

As a side note, many cars that were approaching us from the north, flashed their lights and honked their horns in support of what we were doing. That felt awesome.

I really dont think Damariscotta knew what was coming. The locals were out walking the main street, shopping and dining. Even at this time of year you might still find some tourists milling about taking in the sights.

Here came the Trump Train. A friendly caravan of mobile deplorables descended on this little place with flashers on and horns honking, providing all kinds of friendly conservative mayhem. Some folks smiled and waved. Others were not too happy.

One young bystander decided to end this whole charade by standing in front of the truck directly in front of us. She began pushing and pushing against the truck thinking she could push us all the way back to Wiscasset. Her efforts didnt work, and she had to jump out of the way. You just cant stop a Trump Train. Some might call her a Karen but from what I saw, the name Moonbat seemed to fit.

As we slowly made our way through town, leaving the poor Damariscotta residents in shock and awe, I couldnt help but wonder if this escapade might have put some fear in the progressive little darlings. The election is only two days away and there is an air of uncertainty on the left. The winds of change are blowing and its not blowing their way.

In conclusion, we made our way back to the Wiscasset Speedway and reveled in the fun, took some pictures and prayed for a positive outcome this coming Tuesday.

The Trump Train was a blast, one of the best things I have been a part of, and I will not forget it. I hope you all have the chance to ride on a Trump Train in your hometowns one of these days. God Bless!

Image: Dennis King
My friend asked me a question. Did I think the Democrats will remove Biden if Harris loses the election? Yes.

Do I think the leading Democrats would jump at the chance to score so many firsts, even if it means depriving some future woman, Asian, Indian, or female of African descent who campaigned for and won the presidency? These grasping, corrupt, lying leftists? Yes.

November 5, 2024, through January 19, 2025, is 75 days. What might President Harris accomplish? First and most obviously, moving the Bidens out and her family in. Theres no time to redecorate as she did as Vice President, although there might be time to change the stationery.

The first order of real business would be for Harris to nominate her Vice President. Would it be Tim Walz? Would she opt out of that awkward relationship with a man about whom questions regarding his eligibility for a security clearance have been raised? Her VP pick would need a majority vote from both the House and the Senate. Would Speaker Johnson require hearings if the nominee was one of todays skeezy Dem leaders?

Image by AI.

The Senate is in session for nine days in November and 15 days in December; the House for eight and 12, respectively. Not a whole lot of time. If the Vice Presidents position is vacant, the President Pro Tempore, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), takes over, but without the power to break a tie. Replacing the VP could get really spicy, especially if the conservatives find their spines and gonads. The 119th Congress takes office on January 3, 2025.

Would Harris keep Bidens Cabinet and other appointees on board? Whether they would agree to work for her might be a more pertinent question. Most of the highest-level appointees require Senate confirmation, except for the Chief of Staff.

Would Harris keep on the current White House staff? She has churned through multiple versions of campaign staff and office staff over the past 5 years. During her campaign, its rumored that she may not have managed to retain the respect and loyalty of Joe Bidens people. Would she hang on to anyone?

What about Harriss truncated first hundred days? At the legislative level, shes promised that, regarding the economy, shell make tax cuts and add child tax credits, along with stopping price gouging for the cost of groceries. On immigration, she promises to increase the number of border patrol agents, get a border security act passed, and pave a pathway to citizenship for all these illegal aliens. She says shell sign a bill that would restore the provisions of Roe v. Wade. She wants to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, though she has defined neither. She wants to require a universal background check for all gun purchases.

Without Congresss cooperation, Kamala will accomplish nothing on her list. The Senate is divided, and I would expect every Republican to show up every day to ensure that the travesty of Harris becoming 47 for 75 days is as insignificant as possible. Nothing they propose would benefit America or Americans.

Harris would be left to issue executive orders, which would be challenged immediately in court. Conservatives continue to try to quash the Chevron Doctrine, and were slowly getting there. Thats the legal fiction that agencies know best how to interpret and augment the work of Congress, something Congress needs to address with finality. She knows that any of her E.O.s would be undone on January 20.

What Harris would have is a little leftover spending authority thats been granted to the president in some of these omnibus national security bills, mostly discretionary funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. She would have a few weeks to direct the remaining FY-2024 appropriations and the limited FY-2025 funding available under the Continuing Resolution that expires on December 20, 2024.

Do you think the 118th is going to pass anything on her behalf? Dont spend all of your Christmas money just yet.

Harris certainly wont bother to work on the FY-2025 or FY-2026 budgets, as the House will ignore whatever she does. Shell be dismissed by the larger international community.

She could make her case, speak to the masses...no, what am I thinking? Without a functioning teleprompter, the connection between her brain and her speech and gestures breaks down in seconds. In effect, she would be the lamest of lame ducks ever to occupy the First Residence. But we and our children would pay for such narcissism. A former President Harris would receive a pension, an office and staff, and Secret Service protection for the rest of her life.

Kamala Harris would go down in history with inconsequential firsts. Historians would fuss over whether she or William Harrison (31 days in 1841) was the least effective U.S. president in history. What a legacy!

Anony Mee is the nom de blog of a retired public servant who X-tweets at oh_yeahMee.
Below are my quick thoughts as election day unfolds:

There are not yet enough data points to extrapolate a trend, but some early signs are positive for President Trump:

Trump beat Harris in Dixie Notch, New Hampshire, 3-3. Technically its a tie, but considering Biden won all 5 votes in 2020 in the tiny township, its a win for Trump. Results from New Hampshire should come in early, and if Trump keeps it close throughout the state, it may be tempting to break into a Trump jig and hand jive.

Trump Media & Technology Group Corp (stock symbol DJT), is up ten percent as I type (05:30 PST). DJT is more volatile than Bidens demented moods, and has minimal fundamental value (so far), but it is seen as a proxy for Trumps electoral success.

Trump-linked Phunwares stock continues to rally. As I type, the mobile-advertising stock tied to Trump is also up about ten percent.

Bitcoin (and other crypto plays) are having an exuberant morningso far. Their performance has recently correlated with perceptions of Trumps chance. Contrasted to stick-in-the-mud Gensler at the SEC, who favors enforcement over cooperation, Trump believes America should play a leading role in Bitcoin. Hed rather we embrace it rather than surrender related AI and blockchain technologies to foreigners.

It is said revenge is a dish best served cold. Well, after being persecuted and ridiculed for years, its time to serve it up. What will really rankle the hateful Dems is that Trumps revenge will be his (and America-loving supporters) success.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
The suburbs outside of Philadelphia have turned into a psychological battleground. The messages run the gamut regarding outright lies about Israel, to sinister threats of bodily and property destruction against registered Republicans who dont vote for Kamala Harris.

A nephew and his girlfriend recently received letters threatening them not to vote Republican. The threats contain words to the effect of, We know where you live and if you vote Republican there might be a dead dog or cat, or a fire at night. We know where you live.

One of the letters was turned over to local police. Their response was that without video evidence, or a return address, there was nothing they could do.

Coincidentally at the same time, due to a surprising conversation I had at a beauty salon I have been going to for years, I started a non- scientific anecdotal survey. My single question was: How many Jewish people do you think there are worldwide?

Not one person answered under 100 million! This is extremely disturbing and quite dangerous. The correct answer is somewhere between fifteen and seventeen million Jews globallybut when a people are perceived falsely as so powerful and mighty, lies about them are more readily accepted.

Then this week, an astute and accomplished Christian girlfriend, Gayle, reached out to me about an email she had receivedshe wanted to know how Israelis felt about our upcoming presidential election because the email stated that Israelis overwhelmingly wanted Harris to win. (Gayle lives in a heavily Jewish area, and received the email erroneously.)

Gayle didnt believe the message and sought clarificationso allow me to clarify.

Arutz Sheva is a Zionist religious media network that publishes in Hebrew, English, and Russian. It is known in English as Israel National News and has the third largest weekend circulation in Israel. It began as a radio station, and its name in Hebrew means Channel 7.

On October 29, 2024, Arutz Sheva published the results of a survey it had conducted about the U.S. presidential election. In the general Israeli population, including Jews, Muslims, Christians, and other religious demographics, 66% preferred Trump, 17% preferred Harris and 17% were undecided.

Of the Israelis who make up the conservative coalitions who voted for current Prime Minister, Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu, 93% preferred Trump, and only 1% preferred Harris! In no way is Kamala Harris the preferred candidate of Jews; see also Susan Quinns piece, American Jews are shifting to the right published November 4, 2024.

It would appear the lies regarding Israeli preference are due to the fact that the bestial crimes, perpetrated against Israelis over one year ago, created a dent in the almost monolithic Jewish support for Democrat candidates.

These illegal acts represent election interference, dirty scare tactics, and outright intimidation. Probably, unfortunately, the perpetrators will never be caught, but one hopes their fears of a Trump victory are well-founded.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
What is Israel? An embattled democracy nobly waging a defensive war against genocidal enemies? Or a bullying regional power indiscriminately slaughtering innocent Arabs? Like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the 2024 Democrats are saying, Both!

In the Harris presidential campaigns Pennsylvania TV ads, Israel is waging a noble defense of its security. But in her Michigan campaign ads, Israel is the agent of Gazan suffering that must be stopped.

Connecticut voters witnessed a similar pattern in recent statements by New Haven congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. Her doublespeak about Israel in its hour of maximum danger offers a sobering portrait of the Democrats failings on this critical issue of global security.

On October 7, 2024, the Greater New Haven Jewish Community Center hosted a tearful memorial observance, one year since Hamas perpetrated its invasion, mass rapes, and horrific slaughters of innocent Israelis. Before this solemn audience DeLauro pledged her support for Israels right to defend itself.

Yet it has now been revealed that during that same week, DeLauro sent an e-mail to a Jewish constituent, apparently intended not for that constituent, but rather for a harsh critic of Israel. The e-mail hypocritically contradicted and hence rendered hollow, the congresswomans high-minded declaration of support for Israel at the prior memorial. It was filled with false slanders of Israel, such as:

The claim that Israel has indiscriminately bombed... schools, hospitals, and refugee camps.

The accusation that [n]ot enough is being done to protect innocent Palestinians caught in the crosshairs...

An expression of outrage about an Israeli airstrike that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers . . . .

An indictment of Israels military forces for having put millions at risk of starvation.

All those charges of Israeli perfidy are demonstrably false. DeLauros apparent ignorance of this reality reflects inexcusable factual illiteracy on this critically important issue.

In fact, and more than any other nation in history, Israel has repeatedly notified Gazan civilians over various media -- by literally millions of phone, text, and leaflet-dropped messages -- of impending military action. Israel also has opened and protected humanitarian escape corridors for Gazan civilians before each major military action.

Such warnings put Israels own troops at greater risk. And because of these selfless efforts -- as confirmed by a leading expert on urban warfare, West Point professor John Spencer -- Israel has achieved one of the lowest rates of civilian-to-combatant deaths in the history of warfare.

As for the tragic deaths of World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers, the documented reality is this: The WCK truck in question was hijacked by armed Hamas terrorists. The IDF had repeatedly sought to contact WCK before attacking the hijackers, but WCK never responded.

And contrary to allegations of millions at risk of starvation, Israel has made sure that thousands of pounds of food are delivered into Gaza daily. But as confirmed by many Gazan civilians, it is Hamas that hijacks the aid trucks, hoarding the food for their own terrorist cadres. Hence Israels humanitarian efforts for Gazan civilians have in fact kept its genocidal enemy well-fed and thus able to fight harder. Yet Israel still keeps the aid coming.

Shockingly absent from DeLauros vilification of Israel was any mention of the fact that Hamas uses Gazan civilians as human shields, by attacking Israeli troops from inside schools, mosques, and hospitals. Nowhere did DeLauro acknowledge that when Israel opens escape corridors, Hamas sends trucks to block their own peoples flight from harm; nor did she mention the witness accounts that show Hamas snipers shooting their own people seeking to enter the corridors.

Instead, DeLauros e-message portrayed Israel -- and not Hamas -- as a mass-murdering pariah state. It invites the question whether DeLauros public statements of support for Israel -- this small, besieged, yet noble democratic ally of America -- are just opportune political rhetoric. Which version reflects the real DeLauro: The pretty words that invite Jewish support? Or the defamatory condemnation of Israel, which emboldens Israels enemies and hence endangers its survival?

Both the Connecticut Jewish community and Americans concerned for Israels and Americas national security await an answer. Amid the clear morality of both Isreals cause and its supremely ethical military tactics, this should not be a difficult question.

Henry Kopel is a former federal prosecutor and the author of War on Hate: How to Stop Genocide, Fight Terrorism, and Defend Freedom (Lexington Books, 2021).

Image: Pixabay
The title of the classic book To Kill a Mockingbird means to destroy innocence. The Biden-Harris administration has certainly done that, and many a Blue State government has done the same. Take New Yorks governmentplease. The Empire States Department of Environmental Conservation actually sent multiple agents into a couples home to abduct their pet squirrel, Peanut, and subsequently murder him.

I know that sounds preposterous, but does it reallyin a post COVID-19 84 world? One wouldnt think the NYDEC would be in the business of aborting squirrels after birth, but who knows anymore. NYDEC also confiscated and offed Fred the raccoon, too, another animal owned by the aggrieved couplewho have a farm for rescue animals. Why? Ostensibly because squirrels and raccoons in close quarters with humans could transmit rabies.

If anyone in this tale of woe is rabid, it is the government officials who took and killed Peanut and Fredand subsequently announced that they were both rabies-free. They are both dead now, too. Forever.

This is an extraordinarily relevant and cautionary tale for our timescoming as it does on the cusp of the presidential election, and Democrats ever bolder attempts to enhance and solidify their power. This was, in a sense, a morality play, with Peanut and Fred as animal martyrs. Youve no doubt heard the expression canary in a coal mine, but squirrel in a New York home will suffice, as well.

The agents reportedly ransacked the house of Mark Longo, Peanut and Freds owner, for nearly five hours, and apparently implied that they could see to the deportation of his wife. This is mindful of the feds assault on Mar-a-Lago, though they didnt abduct and euthanize Melania, just rummaged through her lingerie drawer.

This shocking and terrifying illustration of governments power may have been intended to illustrate the shocking and terrifying power of government. And this utter disregard for private propertyand simple decencyis profoundly evil. What too few realize is that, the bigger the government, the more evil it becomes. There is no historical example to counter that assertion. Everything bigger tends to lose its heart, soul, and values. Compare a small, family-owned business to Target or Facebook. Think of Big Pharma, Big Education, Big business (mostly international corporations), Big Tech, and Big Media, nearly all of which are owned by a handful of corporations with no particular allegiance to the USAor to anything but money. Which, sadly, can also be said of the Democrat partywhich is now anything but democratic.

Literally or figuratively, theyve come for the cats, theyve come for the dogs. Theyve come for a raccoon, and theyve come for a squirrel. Theyve come for Jan. 6ers. And they will be coming for you and I next, if the Joy-bringer is installed as president.

This is a unique election, as, for the first time, a major party made its elected candidate stand down, and replaced him with one nobody voted for, in a coup for the ages. Democrats have so little regard for their own constituents/voters, they assumed this would work. If, through ignorance, insanity, sadomasochism, or theft, this occurs, you can kiss the former Land of the Free, and Home of the Brave goodbye.

COVID defeated Trump the last time, and the obsequious behavior of Americans during the pandemic let Democrats know that they had carte blanche to do whatever they liked moving forward in their endless quest for power.

So they are imprisoning their political opponents and murdering peoples pets.

Which tells you all you need to know.

RIP Fred and Peanut.

Lets hope its not RIP America.

Image generated by AI.
A 17-year-old Florida teen wearing a Donald Trump shirt was arrested after punching a 70-year-old woman attending a rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris.

The 17-year-old boy, whose identity was not publicly released by authorities, was reportedly wearing a shirt featuring Trump raising his middle finger. The boy allegedly punched the 70-year-old woman, identified as Kathleen Tomasko, in the stomach. Tomasko was knocked off her feet.

The incident occurred at the "We Won't Go Back" rally on Roosevelt Bridge last Saturday, per TC Palm.

What Led to the Incident?

Speaking with reporters, Tomasko said she had never interacted with the teen nor did she see the 17-year-old walking towards her before the attack.

"I'm standing there and people are moving and this kid just turned around and he punched me. I don't know where he came from," Tomasko said, as quoted by USA Today.

Stuart Police Department spokesperson Brian Bossio said witnesses they spoke to at the scene said they saw the 17-year-old walking away from a separate altercation with a male Harris supporter moments before he punched Tomasko.

It was noted that the teen was one of at least four Trump supporters who attended the rally.

The 17-year-old was arrested by police officers hired by the event organizers. He has since been charged with battery on a person 65 years of age or over, Bossio said.

Violence in the 2024 Election

The 17-year-old was the second teen to have been arrested in the week leading up to the presidential election. On October 29, authorities arrested 18-year-old Trump supporter Caleb James Williams after he allegedly threatened two Harris supporters with a two-foot machete at an early voting site in Jacksonville.

Prior to that incident, Williams had driven to a Jacksonville library with seven 16- and 17-year-olds to "protest and antagonize" Harris supporters. He later allegedly threatened two female Harris supporters, aged 71 and 54, when their protest escalated, as reported by AP News.

Williams has since been charged with aggravated assault on a person 65 years of age or older. He was also given a misdemeanor charge of improper exhibition of a firearm or dangerous weapon.
Last Friday, a Mexican journalist popped the big question: Who is going to win the U.S. election and what does mean for us?

I answered, making a couple of points:

First, no one is talking about Latin America up here. Yes, Mexico is on the agenda but talk of Trump tariffs is really about China.

Second, I answered another question by pointing out that I have no idea of what a Harris presidency would do. Again, VP Harris has not addressed the issue. As for a Trump return, we do know his record: he is supportive of free trade agreements as long as U.S. workers do not get the short end of the deal.

There is concern because too many Mexicans have a bad case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Others are more pragmatic or lukewarm, such as Travis Bembenek, CEO of Mexico Daily News. This is what he wrote:

Former President Trump by far has had the most vocal comments about what he would do with tariffs with Mexico. As a result, many think he would be bad for Mexico. But the current USMCA agreement, which has undeniably been good for the country and allowed Mexico to steadily increase exports to the point of now being the No. 1 exporter to the United States, was signed during the Trump administration. Ironically, Vice President Harris was one of only 11 Senators to vote against the agreement. If elected president, Trump would most certainly take a hard line on Mexico on many topics, but it appears he would likely take an even harder line on China, which could ultimately benefit Mexico. Harris might not be as hard on tariffs on Mexico, but also might not be as hard on China. As much as I would like to provide a clear answer, its really not obvious yet which candidate would be better for Mexico. There are still too many unknowns. Only a few days of high anxiety remain. Lets pray for a clear winner and a clear path forward. That clarity will hopefully allow Mexico and the new U.S. administration to begin engaging on the many important issues and opportunities that the two countries face.

My view is that a Trump presidency will use tariffs to negotiate a better border deal and will quickly activate the "Stay in Mexico" policy.

What makes the situation more complicated is that the new President Claudia Sheinbaum is off to a shaky start. She is having a constitutional battle over the judicial reforms passed by her predecessor. Cartel violence is topic # 1 with Mexicans. The economy is also a bit shaky and there is talk of a "weak peso."

Last but not least, I always remind that the best solution to U.S.-Mexico relations is a strong U.S. economy. My guess is that most Mexicans know thats more likely to happen with Trump because it happened before.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Ron Cogswell
The tension between Huawei and the US government has been one of the hot topics in the tech industry lately. The company has been sanctioned since 2019 and was banned from importing chips manufactured for US-based equipment. While this restriction has affected Huawei, it continues to grow its operations exponentially from its homeland. In its effort to expand the chip manufacturing business, Huawei is reportedly reaching out to TSMC engineers on an average every three months.

Huawei is reportedly approaching TSMC engineers for job offers with mouthwatering salary

According to a French publication, Le Monde, Huawei has been trying to onboard the existing TSMC engineers. The Chinese company is reaching out to engineers on an average every three months with a luring offer of three times the salary of what they are currently getting at TSMC. The TSMC engineers have been getting emails about how they are the perfect fit for the roles and how their experience is in line with Huaweis needs.

Notably, all these emails come from a recruitment agency hired by Huawei. Now, you must be wondering why Huawei is after TSMC engineers, right? Well, the answer is rather simple. Huawei wants to onboard talent that is familiar with the modern chipset. The company has been dealing with outdated technology for the last five years due to US sanctions which have limited its chipsets to only 7nm thickness. However, this has been a big problem since other smartphone manufacturers are already using 3nm chips.

Although Huawei has been able to produce 5G chips in its homeland, it has shown intentions of manufacturing 5nm chipsets. The problem with Huawei here is it would require people who are familiar with the modern chip manufacturing process. The answer in Huaweis eyes is TSMC engineers, at least that is what the report says.

Engineers havent been responding to such emails

That said, TSMCs engineers arent responding to such emails from Huawei for some obvious reasons. They believe accepting such an offer would mean working with a company deemed a threat to national security and the consequences could be pretty bad in the context of their career. On the other hand, if Huawei lays them off in the future, their present employer (TSMC) wouldnt consider them for rehiring.

This isnt the first time TSMC and Huawei have been in the news. More recently, the US government questioned TSMC over dealings with Huawei. Late last month, TSMC even told the US government that it found its chip in Huaweis product despite the ongoing sanction. Its no wonder that Huawei is pulling all sorts of tricks to be relevant in the tech market. Moreover, it seems it will continue to do so in the future as well.
The all-new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition keeps on selling like hotcakes. Samsung hosted a second sale in its homeland, and it took only five minutes for all available units to be gone.

The Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition keeps on selling like hotcakes in Samsungs homeland

The initial batch of the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition units sold out in ten minutes. It took even less with the second batch, even though we dont know how many units exactly were made available. Chances are that the number was not high, though.

This smartphone was announced not long ago in South Korea, Samsungs homeland. Its a new version of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, kind of, but it comes with improved hardware. Its not only thinner, but it has a better camera setup too.

This smartphone is expected to make its way to China too, but under a different name. Based on reports that weve seen, it wont be making its way to any more markets, however, unfortunately.

This phone has a number of advantages over the Galaxy Z Fold 6

In addition to the camera and thinness advantage, this smartphone also comes with larger displays than its sibling. It also has a less noticeable crease, and ships with more RAM than the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

As if thats not enough, it also comes with Wi-Fi 7 support, which is not something we can say for the Galaxy Z Fold 6. This new model has a number of advantages over the Galaxy Z Fold 6, as you can see.

Thats actually why its a shame Samsung wont push it to more markets, well, at least according to reports. We can see users being quite interested in this phone in other markets, especially the US and Europe.

Chances are that well see these improvements in the Galaxy Z Fold 7, though, as Samsung is expected to finally make a significant step forward following a rather iterative update with the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
T-Mobile 6G NVIDIA collaboration marks a significant step in advancing wireless technology. On November 5, 2024, T-Mobile announced a new initiative to integrate artificial intelligence directly into radio access networks (RAN), partnering with NVIDIA to enhance mobile connectivity and pave the way for 6G.

Injecting AI into the RAN

The partnership aims to leverage NVIDIAs expertise in artificial intelligence to improve the performance of T-Mobiles network. By embedding AI into the RAN, the company hopes to boost speeds not only for 5G users but also for future 6G applications. The integration may involve using NVIDIAs Grace Hopper GPU, known for its high-performance capabilities. However, this approach comes with substantial costs, raising questions about the practicality of deploying such technology at scale.

While the potential for enhanced speeds is appealing, some experts argue against relying solely on high-performance large language models (LLMs) for AI operations in the RAN. They suggest that smaller language models (SLMs) could provide a more cost-effective solution, allowing for efficient operation without the hefty price tag associated with GPUs. The industry continues to evaluate what roles AI can play in optimizing RAN performance without overextending budgets.

Fujitsu is also making strides in this area, demonstrating AI capabilities in its 5G radios during the recent Mobile World Congress. The company utilized NVIDIAs Superchips to enhance signal processing, resulting in a notable increase in upload speeds. Fujitsus Rob Hughes reported a significant improvement, showcasing the potential of AI-powered RAN operations.

Fujitsu plans to release its enhanced radios later this year, indicating strong market interest in AI-driven technologies. Meanwhile, other players, like Nokia, are exploring similar partnerships with NVIDIA, highlighting a broader trend in the telecommunications industry.

The future of RAN with NVIDIA

The ongoing discussions about the need for high-performance AI solutions in RAN operations reveal a complex landscape. While the allure of advanced GPUs remains strong, some experts believe that alternative computing solutions could suffice for specific tasks within the network. With the industry gearing up for 6G, the focus may shift toward more efficient computing methods that can support the growing demands of mobile users.

As T-Mobile 6G NVIDIA moves forward, the smartphone carrier industry will closely watch how these developments unfold. The push for smarter, faster networks could redefine mobile connectivity, offering users unprecedented speed and performance in the years to come.
A pregnant 18-year-old teenager from Texas has died after the state's ban on abortion stopped her doctors from providing her life-saving medical care.

Nevaeh Crain, 18, died just days after her baby shower after developing sepsis while suffering a miscarriage. Doctors failed to intervene to remove the unviable fetus due to the near-total ban on abortion in the state until after they confirmed "fetal demise."

However, it was already too dangerous to perform procedures on Crain by the time doctors confirmed the death of the fetus. She died in the intensive care unit, as first reported by ProPublica.

Teen Suffers Miscarriage That Led to Her Death

On Oct. 28, 2023, Crain woke up with a headache. She later developed a fever and suffered from nausea and vomiting. She was taken to the emergency room in the afternoon, where they waited for four hours. She was diagnosed with strep throat and discharged with antibiotics.

It was noted that the healthcare providers did not evaluate her pregnancy during the visit, even after she complained of sharp abdominal cramps.

Read Also: South Dakota Judge Upholds Abortion Ballot Question Despite Lawsuit

They rushed Crain to a different hospital hours later after she complained of intense stomach pain. She was promptly diagnosed with sepsis and a urinary tract infection. She was given IV fluids and antibiotics for two hours and was later discharged with more antibiotics despite showing signs of declining.

Crain returned to the hospital again the following morning after she experienced heavy bleeding. Doctors on duty at the time could no longer find a fetal heartbeat. However, the abortion ban meant they could not remove an unviable fetus unless the mother's life was at risk.

"Pretty consistently, people say, 'Until we can be absolutely certain this isn't a normal pregnancy, we can't do anything, because it could be alleged that we were doing an abortion,'" San Antonio OB-GYN Dr. Tony Ogburn told the publication.

Doctors confirmed the death of the fetus more than two hours later after performing a second ultrasound. However, it was no longer safe to perform surgical procedures to remove the fetus at the time. Crain died hours later.

Another Pregnant Woman Who Miscarried Dies

Crain is at least one of two pregnant women in Texas who died after doctors delayed emergency care. Josseli Barnica was 17 weeks pregnant when she suffered a miscarriage. However, doctors delayed treatment for 40 hours as they had to wait until there was no fetal heartbeat. This exposed Barnica's uterus to bacteria, causing an infection that claimed her life three days later.

Experts who reviewed Barnica's case said her death was "preventable" had she been given emergency care.
New BBC chairman Dr Samir Shah is expected to say reforming the licence fee, replacing it, or coming up with a whole new mechanism are all options being considered in discussions about the corporations future.

In his first major speech since taking over the role earlier this year, the chairman will discuss the future governance and funding of the BBC when he speaks to leading media figures and decision makers at Leeds Conservatoire on Tuesday.

The former government announced a review into the corporations licence fee model, which will look at alternative funding for the broadcasters operations for when its current charter period ends in December 2027.

Dr Samir Shah (Department for Culture, Media and Sport/PA)

Speaking at Leeds Conservatoire, Dr Shah will say reforming the licence fee, replacing it, or coming up with a whole new mechanism all remain on the table.

The annual fee faced years of scrutiny under the Conservative government, with it being frozen for two years at 159 before it was increased at a lower rate than the corporation expected, bringing the charge to 169.50 in April.

In July, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told reporters: We are committed to the BBC and we are committed to the licensing arrangements.

Indian-born TV and radio executive Dr Shah, who has worked in broadcasting for more than 40 years, is also expected to question the sense of almost perpetual government review over the BBC and call for innovation and suggest the idea of a permanent BBC Charter.

The current BBC Royal Charter, which forms the constitutional basis of the corporation and makes clear its public purpose, began in January 2017 and runs until December 2027.

In the speech, Dr Shah will also not support subscription and advertising as possible future funding models as he feels they shift the priority from serving audiences to profiting from them.

If we want a universal public service BBC, that requires a universal funding model. And we have to be realistic that ideas like ad-funding or subscription do not pass that test when it comes to the BBC public service mission, he is expected to say.

Both introduce a commercial agenda, which means the priority becomes, not how you serve British audiences, but how you profit from them.

And putting some or all BBC content behind a paywall is simply not compatible with public service.

It prioritises the needs of the better off, and leaves behind the poorer, the more marginalised or digitally disenfranchised.

The new chairman will also discuss how the BBC must reflect the public it serves fully which means it must employ people from all locations, backgrounds, and walks of life.

BBC director-general Tim Davie said at a Royal Television Society event in March that he is open to a more progressive licence fee.

He also revealed the corporation will launch its biggest-ever consultation process next year so the public can drive the debate on its future.
MPs from Northern Ireland have pressed ministers on the price and reliability of flights from Belfast to London, with the DUPs Sammy Wilson alleging you can fly to Australia cheaper.

Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said he had gone soft by granting an urgent question to DUP MP for Strangford Jim Shannon, on belatedly announced cancellations of flights.

Transport Minister Mike Kane said UK connectivity is an important issue, but added its unusual were doing it in an urgent question, and not the adjournment debate.

Mr Wilson referred to British Airways monopoly on flights from Belfast City to London City Airport, before being reminded by the minister that several other operators offer flights on alternative routes.

The member for East Antrim told MPs: The problem as I see it, and increasingly were finding flights delayed, and its one company in particular, BA who have monopoly on the flights.

And I think its an economic lesson to be learned as well, that monopolies are abused, and one only has to look at the price, which is charged on some occasions  you can fly to Australia cheaper than you can fly to London on some occasions with British Airways.

And secondly, of course, they seem to delay flights and sometimes they give technical reasons, weather reasons, or whatever. Very often its because the planes are not full, and they simply amalgamate flights.

Mr Kane replied: I dont want to pick on particular airlines, and I am discussing with airline CEOs around regional connectivity in the UK, because I do think it is vital, which I think is the point (Mr Wilson) is making.

But I would just point out gently, that Belfast International is a great airport to fly through, and also it is well served, not just by a single operator. It has multiple operators serving multiple airports.

TUV MP for North Antrim Jim Allister also raised dubious cancellations, caused by a commercial monopoly on that specific route, to which the minister replied: There is actually a very open market in terms of connectivity and number of airlines from Northern Ireland.

Passengers at Belfast International Airport (Liam McBurney/PA)

Earlier Mr Kane said connectivity across the UK is vital and the Government is currently funding three public service obligation routes into London.

He said: However, the UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector, as I have said, and its for airports to invest in their infrastructure and airlines to determine the routes they operate.

Mr Shannon argued that flight cancellations between Belfast and London were becoming the norm, and this will affect business investment and tourism in Northern Ireland, and needs an urgent review of procedures.

Mr Kane replied: Belfast is still served by 22 to 35 flights per day, and I suggest that he does take it up with airlines and the airport himself.

Conservative shadow transport minister Gareth Bacon said the Governments decision to increase air passenger duty has led to a worried response from the passenger aviation sector, and Ryan Air has already announced their intentions to cut flights to and from UK airports by 10%.

He continued: This is a Government which has so far shown itself to be deeply uninterested in the consequences of its actions on workers, on farmers, and now on air passengers.

Mr Kane said he would not be taking lectures from the Tories on support for aviation, and added that the Government is looking at strengthening rights for passengers going forward.

SDLP MP Colum Eastwood (Foyle) said: I think weve finally figured out why the shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland hasnt been able to make it to Northern Ireland just yet.

He also called on the Government to do some work to bring fares down at Derry Airport, because they are out of reach for many people in that area.

Mr Kane replied: Yes, we can look at this when we come up to review with our public sector obligation.
The BBC Children In Need appeal show will return to screens with a Doctor Who Christmas special preview and appearances from Strictly Come Dancing and Gladiator stars.

BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay, The Saturdays star Rochelle Humes, Paralympian Ade Adepitan, presenter Mel Giedroyc, comedian and podcaster Chris Ramsay and actor Lenny Rush will host the main fundraising programme from Salford on Friday November 15.

The three-hour show will be filled with star-studded sketches, musical acts and surprises from a host of celebrities.

Introducing the 2024 BBC Children in Need presenter lineup  We're delighted that @vernonkay and @RochelleHumes are joining the returning gang of @AdeAdepitan, @IAmChrisRamsey, @mrlennyrush and Mel Geidroyc #ChildreninNeed | Fri 15th Nov, 7pm | @bbc One and @bbciplayer. pic.twitter.com/EbC8mAhGAh  BBC Children in Need (@BBCCiN) October 15, 2024

Doctor Who fans will be treated with a special auction as well as the 15th incarnation of the Time Lord, Ncuti Gatwa, introducing an exclusive preview from the upcoming Christmas special.

Stars of the BBCs Gladiators will feature in the show as youve never seen them before while the Strictly Come Dancing professionals will be joined by a global superstar, the broadcaster said.

Elsewhere, famous faces will be attempting to make a group of children from Children In Need projects laugh when they take a seat in Graham Nortons famous red chair, but if they fail they will be tipped upside down.

There will also be a special performance from the cast of circus spectacular Come Alive! The Greatest Showman, a unique Dragons Den pitch and a special CBeebies Bedtime Story.

Continuing the musical performances, for the first time the BBC Children In Need Choir will feature children from across the UK, who have been supported by funds raised, coming together in the studio to sing the classic Take That song Never Forget.

Ella Henderson will sing a duet on the appeal show (Ian West/PA)

Pop star Ella Henderson will also sing a duet with 17-year-old Tanisha, who has been a hospice ambassador after her fathers death.

Tanisha will be part of The One Shows Challenge Squad with other young people who have benefited from charity funding from the BBC fundraiser and have awe-inspiring stories.

The show will also reveal the total raised by Paddy McGuinness from his BBC Radio 2 ultra endurance cycle challenge, which will see him cycle through three nations and eight counties to raise funds for Children In Need.

Children In Need funds family centres, community spaces, youth clubs and refuges, homeless shelters, hospices and helplines across the UK.

The Children In Need appeal show, taking place at MediaCityUK in Salford, will air from 7pm on November 15.
Two British music producers have flown to the US to campaign for Kamala Harris, describing Donald Trumps allyship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin as terrifying for the UK.

Dan Glatman and Jon Cohen landed on Thursday in Pennsylvania, a battleground swing state, joining an army of volunteers knocking on doors and engaging with voters ahead of polling day on Tuesday.

The London-born pair have no vote or stake in the US election, but 52-year-old Mr Cohen told the PA news agency it was becoming impossible to overlook when the stakes are so high.

Dan Glatman and Jon Cohen on the Kamala Harris campaign trail in Pennsylvania (Dan Glatman/PA)

Mr Cohen, whose producing credits include Joss Stone and Leona Lewis, told PA: Were both just normal Brits, but with an eye on the state of the world its impossible to ignore the election here because it will obviously have such far-reaching consequences for everyone.

And so weve been constantly following everything over the last few months and just feeling really strongly that just standing by and watching it happen didnt really feel right.

We both felt the need to come over here and lend a hand. There are really strong laws around foreign interference in elections  you cant send money, you cant donate  but its absolutely fine to volunteer.

So we just thought wed get on a plane, come over here and knock on doors and just do whatever we can to lend a hand.

Both fathers of young children, the pair described the election as a pivotal moment in history.

Dan Glatman met governor Josh Shapiro while campaigning in Pennsylvania (Dan Glatman/PA)

To us, it doesnt feel like an act of charity in any way whatsoever, because theres no-one in the world who isnt going to be affected by what happens tomorrow, Mr Cohen said.

Mr Glatman, best known as the co-creator and manager of British boyband Blue, told PA: We were just extremely concerned in the UK.

We exist under the protection of the American defence umbrella, theres a lot of rhetoric around that (but) ultimately, its the proximity of (Donald) Trump to (Vladimir) Putin that really, really terrifies us.

Thats terrifying. It is clear where his loyalties lie, he said, later adding: The other thing for us is climate, Trumps stance on climate denial fills us with horror.

Mr Glatman spoke about the phenomenal camaraderie of volunteers united with the same cause as they all campaign for the Democratic Party.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris (Susan Walsh/AP)

We are part of a team that is knocking 2,000 doors a minute, so to be part of this is a real privilege actually, and its a total and utter fantastic use of our time, he said.

The 49-year-old also said that when their British accent has been noted on the doorstep theres been quite a lot of gratitude and it has been quite emotional.

Mr Cohen told PA: That sense of all being in it together and working hard together and knowing that youre morally on the right side of things, its a fantastic feeling, but people are nervous  it is going to be close.

The interesting thing is on the other side, we havent seen anyone canvassing the streets for Trump, not a single person, and weve walked hundreds of streets so far, not seen a single person knocking on doors for Trump.

We want to feel positive, but the stakes are so high that everyone is also just a bit nervous, waiting to see what happens, he said.

After the terrible shock of the 2016 election there is not complacency this time around, Mr Cohen said, adding: No-one is taking anything for granted.

Dan Glatman and Jon Cohen on the campaign trail (Dan Glatman/PA)

During their days campaigning in Pennsylvania, the pair met governor Josh Shapiro, who was endorsing Anna Thomas running for state representative.

Reflecting on the people they had met during their trip, the pair said people are choosing to back Ms Harris following her pledge to support abortion rights after the 2022 Supreme Court decision that ended the constitutional right to abortion services.

Yesterday we spoke to a grandmother who was saying, I have to vote for my granddaughters, I have to protect their rights, I have to protect their freedoms, theyre under threat, thats why Im doing this, thats why Im voting for Kamala, Mr Glatman said.

We had a bit of a moment, it was actually quite emotional, and it really made us realise just how lucky we are.

I have got two teenage daughters, I feel an enormous amount of allyship with the women of America, as does Jon.

The abortion issue over here is very, very real, we dont realise how lucky we are in the UK.

Ms Harris spent her final day before the election in Pennsylvania, whose 19 electoral votes offer the largest prize among the states expected to determine the electoral college outcome.
The minimum terms handed to Britains youngster knife murderers for killing Shawn Seesahai are set to be reviewed by the Court of Appeal after claims the sentences were unduly lenient.

The boys, now aged 13, were both 12 when they attacked Mr Seesahai with a machete on playing fields in Wolverhampton on November 13 last year.

They were both convicted of murder in June and were each ordered to serve life sentences with a minimum term of eight-and-a-half years at Nottingham Crown Court in September.

Shawn Seesahai was visiting Wolverhampton with friends (Family handout/PA)

High Court judge Mrs Justice Tipples had previously ruled that the defendants should be protected by anonymity orders, saying their welfare outweighed the wider public interest in open justice and unrestricted reporting.

In a statement confirming that the sentencing of the boys is set to be reviewed, a spokesperson for the Attorney Generals Office said: These sentences have now been referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The scheme allows relatives, victims and members of the public who believe sentences are unreasonably low to ask the Attorney Generals Office to review cases relating to a number of specific serious offences, and consider whether they should be sent to the Court of Appeal.

Mr Seesahai was stabbed through the heart and lungs, and suffered a skull fracture on Stowlawn playing fields, with one of the wounds he suffered almost passing all the way through his body.

His killers were described during their sentencing as the youngest knife murderers and are believed to be the youngest defendants convicted of murder in the UK since Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, both aged 11, were found guilty in 1993 of killing two-year-old James Bulger.

Passing sentence, Mrs Justice Tipples told Mr Seesahais killers: What you both did is horrific and shocking. You did not know Shawn. He was a stranger to you.

You both killed Shawn in an attack which lasted less than a minute when he asked you to move (from a park bench).

Police at the scene a day after the attack (Stephanie Wareham/PA)

I am sure from the injuries Shawn suffered that you intended to kill him. Shawn did not deserve to be attacked. Shawn did not deserve to die.

Shawns parents, sister and friends did not deserve to lose him from their lives and to suffer the never-ending grief, pain and loss you have caused them.

It is clear that the sentence I have decided to pass cannot make that right. What you did in those few moments has also changed your lives for ever.

You will both have to live with the consequences of what you did for the rest of your lives.

The judge added she could not be sure which of the boys had inflicted a 23cm-deep wound with the machete.

In a victim impact statement read to the sentencing hearing, the family of 19-year-old Mr Seesahai, who was living in Birmingham, said they are haunted by thoughts of how scared he must have been when he was killed.

Relatives of Anguilla-born Mr Seesahai described his murder as tragic, unexpected and senseless, and having been committed for no reason at all.

Both boys pleaded not guilty to murder, blaming the other for inflicting four wounds with the machete.

One of the youths admitted possession of the knife prior to the trial, while the other was found guilty of the same charge when they were both unanimously convicted of murder on June 10.
Darcy Graham has been ruled out of Scotlands showdown with South Africa on Sunday after failing to pass head injury protocols.

The prolific wing left the field in the closing stages of Saturdays 57-17 win over Fiji as a result of a head knock sustained while scoring his fourth try of the match.

Head coach Gregor Townsend revealed on Tuesday afternoon that Graham will play no part against the Boks this weekend. There was better news for Scotland, however, as a hamstring injury sustained by versatile back Kyle Rowe  the most obvious contender to replace Graham on the wing after starting at full-back against Fiji  is not as bad as first feared.

Yes, its mixed news, so the good news is that Kyle Rowe is much better than expected, Townsend said. We literally got his scan results back in the last hour, so he has a chance for this week, so were not ruling him out for this week, and obviously that means were not ruling him out for the tournament, which is positive.

We all felt after the game that with a hamstring injury, it could be him missing the next few games, but no, hes recovering well, and the scan provided positive news.

Darcy, unfortunately, failed his (Head Injury Assessment) HIA2 and his HIA3, so hell be ruled out for this weekend.

These obviously take their natural time to recover, its a 12-day period, so hell do nothing for the next three days and then he starts the graduated return to play. If everything goes well, hell be available for Portugal (the following Saturday).

Toulon scrum-half Ben White, Toulouse full-back Blair Kinghorn and Bath stand-off Finn Russell are all back in the mix for Sunday after being unavailable for the Fiji game as it took place outside the international window.

Townsend has various options to plug the gaps in his back three left by Graham and potentially Rowe, with Tom Jordan, Jamie Dobie, Kinghorn, Huw Jones and Harry Paterson all versatile enough to play different roles in the back division if required.

Blair Kinghorn is back in contention for Scotland (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Blairs been our starting full-back for a wee while now, hes been in great form for Toulouse, but hes also played on the wing for us, and hes played on the wing for Toulouse this year, said Townsend.

Kyle is still an option, well see how he progresses over the next couple of days. Harry Paterson has played very well for us in the summer and also in the Six Nations, Arron Reed was in cracking form, I saw two games for Sale which were outstanding.

And weve also got Jamie Dobie, whos played on the wing for us on the summer tour and for Glasgow.

Townsend refused to be drawn on the case of Stuart Hogg, the 32-year-old former Scotland captain who pleaded guilty on Monday to a charge of abusing his estranged wife over the course of five years.

Im not going to comment on any specific cases, especially one thats still ongoing, but on behalf of Scottish Rugby, we condemn any abuse, whether thats domestic, online, social, and thats something we feel strongly about, said Townsend.
Declan Rice has been ruled out of Arsenals Champions League match against Inter Milan in the latest injury blow to manager Mikel Arteta.

Rice sustained a foot problem in the Gunners 1-0 Premier League defeat at Newcastle and has not travelled to Italy.

Arsenal, who trail leaders Liverpool by seven points, face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Touched down in Milan. Lets get to work. pic.twitter.com/UvLZJFhXSF  Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 5, 2024

Declan unfortunately picked up an injury against Newcastle, said Arteta.

It is a knock, a problem on his foot, and he wasnt comfortable to put his boots on so at the moment he is not fit.

He wasnt feeling good the last few days. Well have to assess him on Thursday and see if hes ready for Chelsea.

In a major boost to Arteta however, Martin Odegaard is set for an imminent return following an ankle injury which has sidelined the Gunners skipper for two months.

Odegaard, 25, trained with his team-mates at Arsenals London Colney base on Tuesday before heading out to Milan.

Martin Odegaard is back in training after injury (Zac Goodwin/PA)

However, Arteta confirmed Bukayo Saka will captain his side, indicating the Norwegian will be on the bench for Wednesdays fixture at the San Siro.

Its great to have him back, added Arteta.

He trained with us for the first time today. Hes back a bit earlier than we expected, but its great to have him here and we will decide if we use him tomorrow.

Arsenals build-up has been overshadowed by the shock departure of sporting director Edu.

The former Arsenal player  a member of Arsene Wengers 2004 Invincibles squad  handed in his resignation this week and is reportedly set to link up with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Edu has been credited with Arsenals revival and bringing Arteta to the club.

Edu, left, has worked closely with Mikel Arteta (Anthony Devlin/PA)

The Spaniard continued: Everything happened very quickly.

Obviously I loved working with him. I really enjoyed being alongside him in this incredible journey.

From day one, weve been together. We both had this special chemistry and Im very blessed that hes been part of my life in such a beautiful place, managing this incredible club, and hes been a massive part of that.

Hes had an amazing opportunity in a different role and he believes that its the right professional move for him. We have to respect that and from the bottom of my heart I think everybody really feels that we want the best for him.

Asked if Edus sudden departure, coupled with Arsenals downturn in results, spells trouble for his team, Arteta replied: The plan and the vision that starts with ownership is very clear and very ambitious and that is going to continue.

We have a very strong leadership team with an unbelievable know-how, a real passion and great feelings for the football club.

Arsenal beat Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 in their last Champions League game (Adam Davy/PA)

We have to move on because thats the reality of our industry.

Prior to their recent domestic troubles, Artetas side have enjoyed a strong start in Europe  drawing away at Atalanta before successive home wins against Paris St Germain and Shakhtar Donetsk.

In moments when you have a defeat or two or certain news nobody expects, we stick together and bring positive energy, concluded Arteta.

My blood is pumping because this is the kind of game we want to play. They were in the final of the Champions League two years ago. They won the Scudetto last year.

We want to show the ambition we have. These are the games we want to play, thats for sure.
Britain must radically shake up the power system, build vast amounts of new pylons and secure 40 billion of annual investment to hit its 2030 clean energy goals, ministers have been told.

The National Energy Systems Operator (Neso) said that while Labours plan to decarbonise the grid by the end of the decade is a huge challenge it is achievable.

Despite the hurdles, however, the public body set out a route to decarbonising the grid by the end of the decade, something opponents have said is impossible without risking blackouts and rising bills.

Overall costs to consumers will not necessarily rise as a result of the policy, and bills could even fall in the long run, as the power system becomes less exposed to international gas prices, said Neso, the body responsible for running the grid.

But Labour will need to reform the planning system to allow the swift building of new pylons, wind farms and solar plants to hit the target, it said.

Energy Security Ed Miliband said he is determined to carry out the reforms to the planning system and the power grid (Ben Whitley/PA)

More than twice as much transmission network  pylons, overhead power cables and substations  needs to be built than in the previous decade, it added.

The requirement, which equates to more than 1,000 kilometres of power lines, will set ministers on a collision course with vocal anti-pylon lobbyists in rural areas.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the analysis is conclusive proof that Labours plan to make the UK a clean energy superpower is the right choice.

He said the Government is determined to carry out the reforms to the planning system and the grid to hit the target, which comes five years sooner than a previous 2035 target set by the Conservatives.

Neso also said the Government will need to speed up the so-called grid queue, where green energy sources face years-long delays to actually connect to the power network.

The public body is consulting on replacing the current first come, first served approach to grid connections, to instead prioritise projects which are ready to go ahead.

The report called for a fast ramp-up of offshore and onshore wind farms (Ben Birchall/PA)

Fintan Slye, chief executive of Neso, said: Theres no doubt that the challenges ahead on the journey to delivering clean power are great.

However, if the scale of those challenges is matched with the bold, sustained actions that are outlined in this report, the benefits delivered could be even greater, he added.

Mr Slye said the plan could deliver a backbone of home-grown energy that breaks the link between volatile international gas prices.

The report said some of the UKs nuclear power stations will also need to stay open longer than planned. Several sites in Torness, Heysham and Hartlepool are currently due to close in 2028, but may need to continue operating.

The analysis found the UK would also need a roughly fivefold expansion of its demand flexibility service, where consumers and businesses are encouraged to save money by using less electricity during busy times to help reduce demands on the grid.

Neso is already ramping up its consumer demand flexibility service this winter. In return for reducing power use at peak times, customers who are signed up to the scheme and who have smart meters can get money off their bills.

Greg Jackson, founder of Octopus Energy, the UKs largest household supplier, said: Its great to see clean power by 2030 is possible  and the best path will revolve around customers, not just infrastructure.

John Pettigrew, chief executive of National Grid, the listed company which owns much of Englands power infrastructure, added that the analysis is an immensely helpful milestone for providing clarity on the steps that we, along with government, the regulator and industry must take.

He called for a relentless focus on meaningful and immediate reforms, of which connections and planning will be critical to success.

Alistair Phillips-Davies, boss of energy giant SSE, said: Industry will invest the money needed if regulators deliver investible frameworks and the government provides supportive policies that get projects built.

The faster we get there the quicker we can deliver the good jobs and energy security we all want to see; building a strong homegrown system that is affordable and protects families and businesses from future energy price shocks.

Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of regulator Ofgem, said it is a big step forward to achieving clean power by 2030.

We will study the advice carefully along with government, he said.

The best way to protect consumers is to end fossil fuel dependency and get to net zero  but there are tough trade-offs required as Neso argues.

The Government will publish a so-called clean power action plan in the coming months.
Martin Odegaard is set to hand Arsenal a major boost by making his comeback against Inter Milan.

Odegaard  who has been out of action since September with an ankle injury  trained alongside his team-mates at Arsenals London Colney base on Tuesday morning.

And the PA news agency understands Odegaard will travel to Milan ahead of his sides Champions League fixture at San Siro on Wednesday.

Back stronger. Martin Odegaard returns to full training  pic.twitter.com/C3UhiuYbuU  Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 5, 2024

The Arsenal captain, 25, has missed his sides last 12 matches following an injury he sustained on international duty with Norway.

And although it is uncertain how many minutes he will be afforded against the Italian champions, his imminent return comes at the perfect time for the Gunners who have slipped seven points behind Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title.

Mikel Artetas side have enjoyed a strong start to their European campaign  drawing away at Atalanta before successive home wins against Paris St Germain and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Arteta is likely to provide a further update on Odegaards availability when he addresses the media at San Siro on Tuesday evening.
Stormonts First Minister Michelle ONeill is to participate in the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at Belfast City Hall  the first time a senior Sinn Fein figure will take part in such an event in Northern Ireland.

The Sinn Fein vice president said her attendance was a demonstration of her determination to fulfil her pledge to be a First Minister for all.

Ms ONeill, who will lay a laurel wreath at the Cenotaph in Belfast in her role as First Minister, will attend with DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly.

In an interview with the PA news agency, the First Minister said she appreciated some republicans would be uncomfortable with her being there, but she insisted it was nevertheless the right thing to do.

First Minister and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill speaking to the PA news agency in Parliament Buildings at Stormont said that she took her pledge to represent everybody seriously (Liam McBurney/PA)

Back in February, it was a moment of progress and equality here when I became the first nationalist, republican First Minister and I made very firm pledges at that time that I would represent everybody in society, she said.

So when I got this invitation to attend remembrance events this weekend, I thought it was important to take that invitation up because that for me is the fulfilment of my commitment to those people out there from a British and unionist identity who hold this important Remembrance Day very carefully to their own heart.

So, for me, this is about acknowledgement of loss, but its also about being respectful to all those people out there and fulfilling my commitment to be First Minister for all.

She added: I think its going to be an uncomfortable thing for many republicans out there. I mean I think thats understandable.

But, you know, I pledged to be a First Minister for all. I think its important at times like this, not least when you take a look around the world and whats happening, the conflict, the world at war with itself, not least whats happening in Palestine and the genocide of people there, that people need to lead.

I am a leader. Im a First Minister for everybody in this society.

In 2002, Belfasts first Sinn Fein Lord Mayor, Alex Maskey, laid a wreath in memory of the victims of the battle of the Somme at the Cenotaph at Belfast City Hall (Paul Faith/PA)

Sinn Feins approach to remembrance events linked to the British armed forces has evolved gradually since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, beginning in 2002 when the then Sinn Fein Lord Mayor of Belfast Alex Maskey laid a laurel wreath at the Cenotaph at City Hall on the July anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

The republican party has gone on to participate in Armistice ceremonies in Belfast while Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald and Ms ONeill have both attended an annual church service in St Patricks Cathedral in Dublin to mark Remembrance Sunday.

In 2016, the late Martin McGuinness, who was then Stormont deputy First Minister, visited two First World War battle sites  the Somme in France and Flanders in Belgium. The former IRA commander turned political leader said the visits were made in the spirit of reconciliation.

However, until now, the partys leadership has declined to participate in Remembrance Sunday ceremonies in Northern Ireland, previously citing concerns about excessive British military trappings on show at the events.

Remembrance Sunday also holds an added significance in the context of the Troubles, due to the IRAs notorious bomb attack in Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh in 1987.

The no-warning blast at the towns war memorial, as crowds gathered for the annual ceremony, killed 11 people  with a 12th victim dying years later having never woken from a coma.

Asked about how IRA victims may respond to her attendance on Sunday, Ms ONeill said: Ive said it now on a few occasions that I regret every single loss of life. Theres nothing poetic or romantic about war. War is horrible. People lost loved ones, and for this weekend in particular, I think its important, because this is, for me, about an acknowledgement of all loss.

She added: Im always comfortable in saying that I am sorry that any single person lost their life in conflict. But, for me, this is an opportunity this weekend to demonstrate that commitment to a shared society, that shared understanding of acceptance in terms of remembrance, that acceptance in terms of the fact that we have a contested past in many ways and contested narratives in many ways as well. But for me, this is about leadership.

Asked about families whose loved ones were killed by British soldiers during the Troubles, and how they might respond to her attendance, the First Minister spoke of a desire to create space for everyone to remember their dead.

Were 26 years post the Good Friday Agreement and our own peace agreement, and how precious that is to us all, she said.

I also contend that everybody has a right to remember their dead, and I think we need to create the space for all of our people out there to remember their dead in a way that they feel is respectful and appropriate to them. Lets create space for each other.

Ms ONeills move comes 14 years after then Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny became the first taoiseach to attend a Remembrance Day service in Northern Ireland when he took part in commemorations at Enniskillen in 2012.

He began a tradition that has been continued by Mr Kennys successors as Irish premier.

Their attendance has been symbolic of the greater recognition now afforded in the Republic of Ireland to those Irishmen who fought and died serving in the British Army in the First World War.

Ms ONeills announcement comes in the week when the date of the forthcoming Irish general election will be announced.

First Minister and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill in a Sinn Fein party room in Parliament Buildings (Liam McBurney/PA)

She insisted her decision was not linked to electoral politics south of the border.

Since I pledged to be a First Minister for all, Ive lived up to that commitment at every turn, she said.

I intend to take that opportunity at every turn to represent everybody fairly equally and in a very inclusive way in our society. This, to me, is about nothing else other than fulfilling that commitment to be First Minister for all.

Sinn Fein has been reeling from a series of controversies in recent weeks linked to its handling of allegations against several party members.

Ms ONeill denied her announcement was an attempt to shift the focus away from the partys internal difficulties.

Im going to have no truck with that, she said of the suggestion.

I took this initiative because I believe its the right thing to do. I believe it is a fulfilment of my commitment to be First Minister for all.

We cant escape the fact the past number of weeks have been difficult for the party, and Ive publicly stated all of that in terms of the public record.

But this is not about that. This is about me fulfilling my commitment to be First Minister for all.
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
Migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel as more than 600 people made the journey so far this month, the latest figures show.

Pictures show people wearing life jackets coming ashore in Dover, Kent, from a Border Force boat.

The French coastguard said it was monitoring activity in the Channel amid the good weather conditions on Tuesday.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, on board a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA)

A spokesman for the UK coastguard added that it was also monitoring and responding to small boat activity in the Channel and Border Force vessels have been sent.

Some 611 people have arrived so far in November, with crossings recorded by the Home Office over three days.

According to the latest figures published by the Government department, 178 people arrived in three boats on Monday.

More than 5,400 people made the journey in October, making it the busiest month of the year so far.

The provisional total for the year so far is 31,272, which is up 17% on this time last year (26,699) but down 22% on 2022 (39,929), which was a record high year for crossings.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer said the Government will treat people smugglers like terrorists as he announced a further 75 million for his border security command on Monday.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper meanwhile would not commit to specific targets or a timeframe for getting small boat crossings down, but said that the Government will try and make progress as rapidly as possible.
Jack Curran says ketamine is absolutely ravaging the UK. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian

The first time Nick (not his real name) tried ketamine, he felt as if hed entered another dimension. Though he smoked marijuana regularly and had experimented with other drugs, Nick had never even heard of ketamine. But when his friend pulled out a bag of white powder, I did what anybody else would do at 20 years old. I tried it, he says. And I found it really fun, to be honest. The floaty feeling, like hed been lifted out of his own body, was euphoric, he says. Like youre in a fairy world.

Sixteen years later, reality is biting hard. Nick, now 36, has spent the past three months in recovery for ketamine addiction after more than a decade of heavy use. His bladder is a fifth of the size it should be, he says. Its more than likely that it will have to be removed and replaced with a urostomy bag.

Thats setting aside all the other brutal things hes gone through as a consequence of ketamine addiction  from being bed-bound by pain to embarrassing bladder failures. Now six months clean, Nick still cannot last half an hour without needing to use the toilet. I am now a disabled person, having been such a fit lad, he says.

Nick is sharing his story to warn others of the dangers of ketamine, which is rapidly emerging as gen Zs recreational drug of choice. Widely used in human and veterinary medicine as an anaesthetic, in illicit use the class B substance is typically snorted for its dissociative effects. According to the most recent government figures, use in England and Wales has more than doubled since 2016; among 16- to 24-year-olds, it has more than tripled, and there are stories of addicts as young as 12 or 13. The story is similar elsewhere. In Australia, recreational use of ketamine was reported to have reached a record high last year. In the US, seizures of illicit ketamine grew by 349% between 2017 and 2022. The death of Friends actor Matthew Perry at the age of 54 from acute effects of ketamine raised awareness of the risks of addiction.

But most users are under 30  reflecting its widespread availability and relatively low cost. A gram of cocaine typically costs 80 or more in the UK, but the same amount of ketamine may be as little as 30. Doctors are increasingly seeing people in their 20s and even younger presenting with incontinence and other bladder problems caused by chronic ketamine use. The drug affects the organs lining, and over time may cause it to shrink. Users then become dependent on ketamine for pain relief, creating a vicious cycle thats difficult to break.

Weve got people who are probably 20 or 21 needing major surgery, says Mohammed Belal of the British Association of Urological Surgeons. This reflects the increase in ketamine use reported just before and during the Covid pandemic, but the recent UK surge is also striking for its geographic spread, Belal adds. Where ketamine used to be localised to major cities, it is now commonplace in other areas, too, including Barnsley and East Anglia. This puts additional pressure on treatment services.

Ketamine never used to be part of my daily job, and now it is, says Scott Ardley, a senior treatment adviser at Rehabs UK, who is based in Suffolk. He is receiving more calls from parents concerned about their teenage children and twentysomethings ketamine use: Its not having it down the pub, or with friends  its doing it by themselves, and getting hooked on it.

Of those under 18 who sought help from NHS alcohol and drug services in the year to March 2023, 6% had problems associated with ketamine  up from less than 1% in 2015. This summer, Shropshire council reported an increase in ketamine-related hospitalisations, coinciding with a spell of hot weather and the end of exam season.

Agnes Wootton, from the drug and alcohol support charity With You, says young people are turning to ketamine for the same reasons they might try any mind-altering substance: to escape reality. It is most commonly used as a party drug, and is now quite socially acceptable at clubs or music festivals, she says. She has also heard of young people taking ketamine to enhance creativity, owing to the drugs hallucinogenic effects. The vast majority of users stick to that recreational level, says Wootton. But tolerance can build up quickly, potentially leading to dependency and addiction.

Its just a sneaky drug  it tricks your brain, says Nick. After that blissful first experience, he started using ketamine more frequently in social settings. Mixing ketamine with beer made you feel like youd had twice as many drinks. It also didnt come with much of a hangover. He started using ketamine when he was home by himself  to watch a film, or help him get to sleep. Ive realised, as I get older, I was doing it to mask problems I had inside, he says.

He started smoking marijuana at 12 and never learned to cope with difficult emotions, instead escaping into drugs, he says. When Nicks grandmother was confined to bed after a fall, ketamine helped him cope with her care. He likens the relaxing effect to cannabis, and even a post-work glass of wine: You can have a little bit of ketamine, and within an hour, its worn off.

Indeed, one explanation thats been given for the surge in young people using ketamine is that they are seeking to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, and manage their mental health. The vast majority are using it to self-medicate for emotional distress, said Owen Bowden-Jones, a consultant psychiatrist and founder of the Club Drug clinic, in September.

Clinical trials suggest ketamine has promise as a therapy for treatment-resistant depression, but gaps in knowledge about the optimal dose and mode of administration mean it remains experimental. Street supply of ketamine may also be mixed with other toxins, adding to the risks. This year, three Liverpool men were hospitalised with seizures linked to a contaminated batch. But the adverse effects of long-term, heavy recreational use of ketamine arent widely known. It hasnt really got the kind of negative connotations the other drugs might have, says Wootton, and that might partly be because of that lack of education.

After a year, Nick was using all the time, exacerbated by mounting stresses in his work and family life. His addiction was able to progress due to ketamines relatively low-key nature. If youre taking a stimulant, youre normally out of it for quite a while, plus youre going 100 miles an hour  people can really see it, says Nick. With ketamine, as long as youre not having large doses, you can kind of keep it a secret. His body was registering the toll, however. First, he noticed he needed to use the toilet more often, including during the night. Then he started getting shooting pains in his stomach and kidneys. Still he didnt seek help: I didnt think I had a problem, he says. Embarrassment about his symptoms was another barrier. It being your private parts, its quite daunting. You dont want to talk to anybody about it  you feel weak.

When Nick stopped working due to the pandemic, his use of ketamine rocketed further. Then, one day, all of a sudden, those shooting pains became constant. It felt like my bladder just gave up on me, he says.

Belal, the urologist, says symptoms tend to present within the first year of heavy use. If you were to stop, then the bladder tends to recover. But many people dont make the association between needing to go to the toilet more frequently and using ketamine. Over time, the changes within the bladder tend to become permanent, and the pain worsens  causing people to use the drug more frequently, and in larger doses, as an anaesthetic.

In its third stage, the damage spreads through the ureters up to the kidneys, potentially causing renal failure. Liver function is also affected. Patients then typically need reconstructive surgery, says Belal  but by that point, they are dependent on ketamine for relief. They just cant stop, and that makes life extremely difficult in terms of how to manage them  We cant provide that service until theyve given up.

Nick was stuck in that agonising cycle for years. Ive gone days and days, lying in bed screaming, feeling like someones sticking red-hot needles in my balls, he says. He couldnt even go to the supermarket, because Id go [down] one aisle then Id have to go to the toilet  It just destroys you completely. In May, Nick attempted suicide. I thought I was beyond help, he says. I gave up. I thought: Im knackered. Im done.

Two months later, he moved into Reflections House, a recovery centre in Castleford, where he began unpicking his addiction. Theyve made me realise that it wasnt ketamine that was the problem; it was me, he says.

Ketamine poses a unique challenge for treatment providers, says Ardley. Once users are trapped in the cycle of self-medication, its not just the mental aspect of the addiction that needs attention: Theres a physical element, which needs to be taken seriously. But community services are oversubscribed, reflecting government funding cuts, meaning that by the time people get help, theyre in a worse situation, Ardley says.

Private clinics, too, are still developing best practice for ketamine addiction. There needs to be more people getting together in the UK to understand what treatment works, says Ardley.

James Pierce from Barnsley Recovery Steps echoes the call for a comprehensive, targeted response to the growing ketamine crisis in the UK. Users have told him of seeking help from drug support services, but finding them poorly equipped to help. They felt that the worker didnt really have much insight into ket use, or didnt really understand the pain they were experiencing, Pierce says.

Jack Curran, 28, from Bexleyheath, in south-east London, says ketamine is absolutely ravaging the UK. He is a recovery worker at the Lighthouse rehab clinic in Southend-on-Sea, and is in recovery himself. Curran started taking the drug after he was seriously injured in a fight at 18. It not only helped with my pain, but it also calmed my mind down a bit, he says. Within two years, he was using as much as two to three grams of ketamine daily. He takes medication for rheumatoid arthritis, which delayed the onset of physical symptoms. But when they eventually hit, they were horrendous, he says. I couldnt go to work  couldnt do anything. Id be living in my room with a hot-water bottle, getting in the bath every half-hour or every hour through the night, in absolute, extreme agony.

Not only did Curran feel in constant need of the toilet, it felt like I was peeing glass, he says. His bladder was riddled with ulcers, and could stretch only to 30ml; normal capacity is between 300ml and 600ml. At 25, Curran was periodically wearing nappies. I just carried on through this absolute carnage, losing my spiritual, emotional and physical health, he says. By age 27, Curran had been in and out of rehab without successfully kicking his addiction; he knows multiple people who have killed themselves. Curran believes that he, too, would have died, had he not become desperate enough to give recovery another chance. When he checked into a treatment centre for a third time, he says, I was seven stone; my liver was packing up, and my kidneys  I thought: Im actually going to die.

Now nearly two years clean, Currans bladder capacity has increased to around 100ml and he is no longer in constant pain. But he still has to use the toilet every hour, including during the night, and may yet need surgery. This is what a drug, a little white powder, has done to me  its mental, he says.

Curran finds purpose, now, in raising awareness of the devastation ketamine can cause, and helping others to beat their addiction. Having spoken publicly about his experience, he receives hundreds of messages on Instagram from young people seeking help from all over the world. Some are 15 or 16 years old. Curran tells them to quit before they get caught in the catch-22 of taking ketamine to relieve the pain its causing. As soon as you get in that loop  it makes it 100 times harder to stop.

Nick also urges caution. He is haunted by the words of a doctor who told him that hed chosen the one drug that completely ruins your body. I never knew that about ketamine, he says.

If you are struggling with any of the issues raised in this article, wearewithyou.org.uk offers harm reduction information and confidential online chat with a recovery worker. To find support near you in the UK, use Talk to Franks online service finder.

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counsellor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.

 Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.

 This article was amended on 5 November 2024. An earlier version misnamed the drug and alcohol support charity With You and referred to a colostomy bag when a urostomy bag was intended.
Benjamin Netanyahu (right) has fired Yoav Gallant (left) amid a row over the direction of the war - Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Yoav Gallant, his defence minister, amid a row over the direction of the war.

The prime minister of Israel said that trust between himself and Mr Gallant had cracked and gaps in their approach to the year-long war in Gaza and more recently Lebanon had grown wider.

Mr Netanyahu replaced Mr Gallant with Israel Katz, the former foreign minister, after the surprise sacking, with the new defence minister expected to take a more hardline approach to Iran.

Mr Gallant had long complained that Israel is fighting with no clear end goal, reportedly describing Mr Netanyahus aim of total victory as gibberish.

A source familiar with the issue told The Telegraph that Mr Netanyahu had decided a while ago to fire Mr Gallant but decided to announce it on Tuesday while Washington and the world media focuses on the US election.

The US is preoccupied with the elections so it was a matter of timing, the source said.]

The dismissal sparked protests across the country, including a mass gathering that paralysed central Tel Aviv.

Within hours, thousands of protesters gathered in the city, blocking its main highway and crippling traffic.

The crowd, many holding blue and white Israeli flags and others blowing whistles and pounding drums, gathered around multiple bonfires.

Thousands also demonstrated outside Mr Netanyahus home in Jerusalem and elsewhere in the city.

Protesters near Mr Netanyahus residence in Jerusalem - AP

Gideon Saar will take over from Mr Katz as foreign minister as Mr Netanyahu cited a breakdown in trust between him and Mr Gallant as he was sacked for the second time in two years.

My supreme commitment as prime minister of Israel is to safeguard Israels security and lead us to an absolute victory, he said in a video statement.

In the midst of a war, more than ever, there needs to be full trust between the prime minister and the defence minister.

Unfortunately, although in the first months of the war there was trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the defence minister.

Protesters take to the streets in Tel Aviv - Shutterstock

Mr Netanyahu, who is also fighting a scandal over alleged leaks linked to an aide, added that they had disagreed on the handling of the war and grown continually apart.

I made many attempts to bridge these gaps but they kept getting wider, he said. They also came to the knowledge of the public in an unacceptable way, and worse than that, they came to the knowledge of the enemy. Our enemies enjoyed it and derived a lot of benefit from it.

Mr Gallant said he was fired over his firm belief that everyone of conscription age  18 in Israel  must serve in the IDF.

This is not just a social issue  but the most important issue for our existence and our future, he said, implying Mr Netanyahu did not hold the same belief.

Mr Gallant said that the security of the state of Israel was and will always remain the mission of my life.

Mr Netanyahu is reported to have handed Mr Gallant a one-sentence termination letter in person, according to The Times of Israel.

Israel Katz, the new defence minister, is considered a hawk - Florion Goga/Reuters

Tensions between the pair have become apparent in recent weeks with Mr Netanyahu briefly blocking a visit by Mr Gallant to Washington in October.

Mr Gallant said the trip was postponed at the prime ministers request as Mr Netanyahu awaited a one-on-one call with President Biden.

Mr Netanyahu was reportedly concerned about Washingtons close relationship with Mr Gallant, who has been the USs key interlocutor as Biden officials push for more aid to be delivered to Gaza and restraint on the battlefield.

When Mr Netanyahu first tried to fire Mr Gallant in March 2023, mass protests, later dubbed Gallant night, broke out immediately in Tel Aviv. Mr Gallant had opposed Mr Netanyahus sweeping judicial reforms, which brought tens of thousands of Israelis out on the streets across the countrys major cities.

In a letter to Mr Netanyahu before Israel struck Iran in October, Mr Gallant is said to have complained Israel was fighting according to an outdated compass and needed to revise its official war aims.

He reportedly wrote: Significant developments in the war, especially Israel and Iran trading direct blows, raise the necessity of holding a discussion and updating the wars goals with a comprehensive look.

Mr Netanyahu is also understood to have decided to fire Mr Gallant amid growing divisions within his government over the drafting of ultra-orthodox Haredi men into the IDF.

Hard-Right members of his coalition are urging him to pass laws that would benefit Haredis who avoid military service.

Mr Gallant opposes the laws but ultra-orthodox parties have threatened to bring down the government if they are not passed.

Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, urged Israelis to take to the streets as they did last time Mr Gallant was sacked.

Firing Yoav Gallant in the middle of the war is an act of madness. Netanyahu is selling out Israels security and the soldiers of the IDF for his own political survival. I call upon Yesh Atid supporters and every patriotic Zionist to take to the streets tonight in protest, he said.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents most of those still being held in Gaza, expressed deep concern over the move and how it could affect the fate of the 101 hostages still held by Hamas.

Immediate release of hostages

We expect the incoming defence minister, Israel Katz, to prioritise a hostage deal and work closely with mediators and the international community to secure the immediate release of all hostages.

The defence ministers foremost obligation is to ensure the security of our citizens. We expect him to fulfil his duty both to the state and to the women, men and children who were kidnapped on Oct 7. Our future as a society depends on the return of all hostages and the end of this war.

However, hard-Right members of Mr Netanyahus government welcomed the decision.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, said: Congratulations to the prime minister on the decision to fire Gallant. With Gallant, who is still deeply trapped in the concept it is not possible to achieve absolute victory and the prime minister did well to remove him from his position.

Mr Katz is considered a hawk and may want to show he is tougher than Mr Gallant in dealing with Hamas and Hezbollah.

A firm believer in targeted killings as a method to weaken Israels enemies, Mr Katz is expected to push for more assassinations. He is also a firm advocate of strikes on Iran.
Efthyia Constantinou was found dead with stab wounds to her neck in her mothers home in north London - Met Police

A carer for an elderly couple murdered their daughter in their home, a court has been told.

Zaneta Peto, 55, is accused of stabbing Efthyia Constantinou, 62, to death with a kitchen knife in front of Ms Constantinous elderly mother on Oct 30.

Ms Peto, of Enfield, killed Ms Constantinou in her mothers home on Westerham Avenue, Edmonton, the Old Bailey heard.

Prosecutors said CCTV installed in the home to monitor the parents picked up the sound of the elderly mothers screams as she watched Ms Peto kill her daughter.

Ms Constantinou was found dead with stab wounds to her neck, and a knife approximately 8cm (3 inches) long and 2cm (1 inch) wide was found in the kitchen sink. The top of the blade was bent and the hilt bloodstained.

Paul Casey, prosecuting, said police responded to an abandoned call (a call in which the line is connected but stays silent) made from the address shortly before 5pm last Wednesday.

He said: Officers found Ms Constantinou lying on the kitchen floor covered in blood. She had sustained multiple laceration injuries predominantly to the area of her neck.

Treatment was administered and the London ambulance service arrived shortly after, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Motion-activated CCTV

The CCTV cameras installed by Ms Constantinou in the lounge and kitchen were motion-activated, with the capacity to capture sound and video.

Footage from the kitchen camera ended at 4.20pm on the day of the killing. However, footage from the lounge continued, showing an elderly man sitting on the sofa, while screams could be heard on its soundtrack.

Mr Casey said: The defendant was asked during interview whether she had interfered with [the camera] but she denied doing so.

There is footage from the lounge of the elderly man sitting on the sofa and voices and screams can be heard. The Crowns case is that these voices were inside the home.

From 4.20pm, the lounge footage showed the defendant repeatedly encouraging the elderly man to remain in the room.

Mr Casey added: The Crowns case is that between approximately 4.10pm to 4.20pm this defendant attacked Ms Constantinou.

Ms Peto sobbed on a video link from HMP Bronzefield, stopping occasionally to shout in Greek: Its all lies.

She was charged with murder and remanded in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on Jan 31 2025.
Previous blocks to the scheme have prompted the Italian government to issue a decree determining safe countries - Ivan Romano/Getty Images Europe

Communist judges are blocking the Italian governments scheme to process migrants in Albania, the countrys deputy prime minister has claimed.

The controversial proposal to process migrants in offshore centres was dealt a fresh blow on Monday after a Sicilian court refused to grant a detention order for an Egyptian asylum seeker, ruling that his home country could not be considered safe.

The Sicilian court, headed by Judge Massimo Escher, cited serious human rights violations in Egypt, including the death penalty, systematic torture by police, and violence and discrimination.

Due to some Communist judges who dont implement laws, the unsafe country at this point is Italy, said Matteo Salvini, who also heads the far-Right League Party. But we are not giving up!

In a separate move, a judge in Rome on Tuesday called on the European Union Court of Justice to make an urgent ruling on whether Italy had the right to determine whether countries were safe for migrant repatriation.

Matteo Salvini says we are not giving up following most recent block to the proposed offshore detention scheme - Antonio Melta/Shutterstock

The same court previously blocked the detention of 12 migrants in Albania in October, prompting the government to issue a decree determining safe countries.

Last week, judges in Bologna asked the EU court to clarify if European or Italian law should prevail in the case of a Bangladeshi national who had applied for international protection.

Giorgia Meloni, Italys prime minister, remains determined to push ahead with her plan to process migrants offshore.

The scheme would transfer migrants 15 miles inland of Albania where their asylum applications would be processed - Adnan Beci/AFP

On Monday she met the head of the national body representing Italys magistrates, while Tommaso Foti, a politician in her Brothers of Italy party, accused judges of dangerous interference in the legislative process.

Meanwhile, following the failure of its first voyage, the Italian navy ship, Libra, intercepted a small group of asylum seekers on Monday.

After a screening process on board, the migrants were expected to be transferred to the port of Shengjin, a town in Albania. From there, they will be taken by bus to a migrant centre in Gjader, 15 miles inland, where their asylum applications will be processed.

A group of migrants embark on an Italian coast guard ship at Shengjin port in Albania in October - Adnan Beci/AFP

Matteo Mauri, from the opposition Democratic Party, called on the government to stop interfering with the countrys judicial process and to stop the transfer of migrants.

The scheme is being closely monitored by those in the European Union. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has also expressed an interest in seeing how the scheme fares, despite scrapping the Conservative governments plan to send migrants to Rwanda.

The migrant scheme is estimated to cost 670 million (560 million) and has been designed to process as many as 36,000 migrants and refugees a year.
Conor McGregor outside the High Court in Dublin where he is appearing over a civil assault claim - Niall Carson

Conor McGregor, the mixed martial arts fighter, raped a woman in a Dublin hotel, the citys High Court was told on Tuesday.

Nikita Ni Laimhin is claiming civil damages against Mr McGregor and another man, James Lawrence, alleging she was sexually assaulted in 2018.

The Irish fighters lawyers claim Ms Ni Laimhin is attempting extortion. Both Mr McGregor and Mr Lawrence claim the sex was consensual.

Mr McGregor, nicknamed Notorious, was in court to hear Justice Alexander Owen tell the jury it was alleged he and Mr Lawrence had in effect raped her on Dec 9 2018.

The court was told Mr McGregor collected Ms Ni Laimhin, a hairdresser, who has no automatic right to anonymity, and her friend in his car following a Christmas party on Dec 8.

Ms Ni Laimhin, who has no automatic right to anonymity, is alleging Mr McGregor collected her and her friend in his car - Niall Carson

John Gordon SC, for Ms Ni Laimhin, said the pair knew each other because they were about the same age, from the same area and had mutual friends.

Mr Gordon said Mr McGregor was considered a hero around the Dublin suburb of Drimnagh, where Ms Ni Laimhin lived with her partner and seven-year-old daughter.

On the night, Ms Ni Laimhin had been drinking, had taken some cocaine and been out with friends.

The court also heard that she suffered from depression and had been on antidepressants.

The court was told that Mr McGregor had a bag of cocaine, which was shared between Mr McGregor, the complainant and her friend.

The group, which included the complainant, Mr McGregor, Mr Lawrence, as well as his security team and others, then went to a penthouse suite in the Beacon Hotel in Dublin.

She tried to push him off her

At one point, Mr McGregor went into a bedroom and beckoned Ms Ni Laimhin to join him. The court was told that Mr McGregor came on to her, but she did not want to have sexual intercourse with him as she was on her period.

Mr Gordon told the court she alleged that Mr McGregor pinned her down on the bed and she was no physical match for him.

She will tell you that she was nervous, that she tried to push him off her but she was completely unable to do so, he added.

You will see pictures of her hands and wrists which are black and blue. You will see that her left breast has a bloodied scratch. The scratch is there because she was wearing a watch and had her hands up to protect herself. She was pressed down on and the watch scarred her breast.

Mr McGregor then flips her over and puts her arm in a lock and draws her up by the neck. She cant breathe. And he does it again.

By the third time he does it, she gives up. She cant resist this any more. In the course of this, he says: Now you know what it was like to be in the Octagon when I went down three times.

She was at this point completely terrified. She was then subject to a violent and vicious assault.

A bit of rough sex

It is alleged later that she had sex with Mr Lawrence, but Mr Gordon said she had no recollection of such an event ever happening.

Ms Ni Laimhin later went home and visited her mother, who called 999. Ms Ni Laimhin was taken to hospital in an ambulance. The court was told that she was shaking and in pain while being transferred to hospital.

Mr Gordon said: In the face of this, Mr McGregor will tell you that this was a consensual encounter, that they were just having fun and a bit of rough sex. Thats his answer.

The defence claimed in the evidence booklet that Ms Ni Laimhin had several opportunities to complain to people about how she was treated but did not.

It is also claimed that Ms Ni Laimhin is engaged in an attempt at extortion, the court heard.

The hearing is expected to last around two weeks.
Donald Trump has previously suggested he could use increased tariffs to help him phase out income tax - Ryan M. Kelly / AFP

Donald Trump has said he could impose 100 per cent tariffs on Mexico as part of his negotiating strategy to seal the border if he wins the presidential election.

Speaking at one of his final rallies of the 2024 cycle in Raleigh, North Carolina on Monday, Trump said he would consider significant new tariffs on the USs biggest trading partner in an attempt to bring illegal migration down.

The former president, who has already said he would impose tariffs of 60 per cent on Chinese goods and between 10 and 20 per cent on all other imports, has promised to protect domestic production by hammering exporters to the US.

The plan for Mexico, he said, would convince the country to seal the southern US border.

If they dont stop this onslaught of criminals and drugs coming into our country, I am going to immediately impose a 25 per cent tariff on everything they send into the United States of America, Trump said. Youre the first ones Ive told it to.

He later added that the plan has a 100 per cent chance of working because he would ratchet up the rate if Mexico refused.

If that doesnt work, Ill make it 50, and if that doesnt work, Ill make it 75, he said. Then Ill make it 100.

Trumps plan to use tariffs as an aggressive weapon in his foreign policy arsenal has caused alarm among economists, who said they amounted to a consumer tax on everyday imported goods.

Mexico is the USs largest trading partner, and exports billions of dollars of computers, cars and machinery north each year.

Mexican police with migrants in Tapachula. Trump said he wanted the country to seal its border - Juan Manuel Blanco/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Last week, John Paulson, a billionaire hedge fund manager, suggested that Trumps plan for double-digit tariffs on all countries was part of a negotiating strategy to secure other foreign policy aims.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican primary contender who now serves as a Trump campaign surrogate, said the same in a recent interview.

However, Trump has gone further to suggest he would ultimately like to scrap federal income tax and replace the revenue with money generated from tariffs.

Kamala Harriss campaign has said his plans would amount to thousands of dollars of price rises for average Americans, because the increased import costs would be passed on to consumers by retailers.

Trump has suggested that Mexico is responsible for illegal migration in all three of his presidential campaigns, including his 2016 run in which he famously pledged to build a border wall and make Mexico pay.

During his first administration, however, he signed a free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. His plan to impose tariffs to bring down illegal migration would contravene the deal he signed in office.

Trumps $300 billion tariffs on China from his first term are more popular, and have largely been maintained by the Biden administration. Earlier this year, Joe Biden announced plans for a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicle imports to support domestic manufacturers.

In 2022, Mr Biden negotiated a new border deal with the Mexican government, which agreed to spend $1.5 billion upgrading its security measures. Mexico never paid for Trumps border wall.
The principal of Erskine Stewarts Melville School said Labours plan to levy VAT on school fees was ideological - Stephen Finn/Alamy

State schools in Edinburgh were deluged with enrolment enquiries after Sir Keir Starmer unveiled plans for a tax raid on private education, figures reveal.

Statistics released by Edinburgh council show that the number of queries from parents about school placements have more than doubled in the past five years, and surged after Labour announced its plan to end the VAT exemption in 2021.

The Scottish Tories said the figures showed that parents in the capital, where more than a fifth of secondary pupils are privately educated, were fearful of the impact of the tax raid.

There were 4,904 inquiries about placements in Edinburgh state schools in 2023-24, a five-year high, responses to freedom of information requests reveal. The total has more than doubled since 2019-20, when there were 2,259 questions to the same service.

Anthony Simpson, the principal of Erskine Stewarts Melville School, warned that the VAT plan posed a threat to schools in the sector

Last week, Anthony Simpson, the principal of Erskine Stewarts Melville School, warned that Labours plan to levy VAT on school fees was ideological and posed a threat to some schools in the sector.

Inquiries would have included those from parents keen to send their children to state schools outside their catchment areas, as well as potentially private school parents considering switching to state education.

Parents all over Edinburgh are anxious on numerous fronts about schooling, and these figures reveal the extent of that, Miles Briggs, the Scottish Tory shadow education secretary, said.

With Labours ridiculous policy of adding VAT to private school fees, many are being forced to consider alternative options because the new expense is simply out of reach.

Keir Starmer proudly announced his intentions to add VAT in 2021, and these figures suggest that understandably alarmed parents in Edinburgh.

Miles Briggs, the Scottish Tory shadow education secretary, said parents all over Edinburgh are anxious about schooling - SST/Alamy Live News

There were 3,007 enrolment enquiries for Edinburgh state schools in the year to April 2021, for Primary 1 and Secondary 1 places. Sir Keir outlined his plan to end a VAT exemption in September 2021.

That year, the number of parents contacting the service rose to 3,704, before surging again to 4,290 the following year, and 4,904 in 2023-24. The figures do not include enquiries made directly to state schools.

The Budget last week confirmed that tax breaks for private schools will end from next year, meaning 20 per cent VAT will be added to fees from January. In April, schools will lose charitable business rate relief.

Labour has claimed the policy will raise around 1.7 billion per year for state schools. However, there have been warnings that parents will no longer be able to afford fees, potentially increasing pressure and costs for the state sector.

Labour-led Edinburgh council said there was spare capacity in the state sector in the city - Westend61

Edinburgh council, which is led by a Labour administration, said there was spare capacity in the state sector in the city.

Were ready to give all children and young people the best start in life, Joan Griffiths, the councils education, children and families convenor, said. With the extensions were making to some of our school buildings and the new campuses were planning to build, we dont expect many of our secondary schools to hit capacity in the next decade.

Plus, we believe secondary school rolls across the city will slow because primary school rolls are falling.

Our latest projections show we have capacity for a further 12,700 pupils in our schools, but well continue to keep this under review.
Thousands of migrants gathered in a caravan in Tapachula, Mexico - Juan Manuel Blanco/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

An election day caravan of 3,000 migrants departed Mexico for the US on Tuesday.

Before heading northward, the migrants gathered in Tapachula, the capital of the southern Chiapas state, carrying banners with messages such as no more migrant blood and images of the Virgin of Guadalupe, an important religious and cultural symbol in Mexico, according to Reuters.

We want US authorities to see us, to see that we are people who want to work, not to harm anyone, said Roy Murillo, a Honduran migrant who joined the caravan with his two children and pregnant wife.

In recent years, several caravans with people hoping to enter the United States have attempted to reach the US-Mexico border, travelling in mass groups for safety. Most have dispersed along the way.

Im afraid to travel alone with my family. Here, the cartels either kidnap you or kill you. ... Thats why were coming in the caravan, Mr Murillo said.

The migrants paraded through the streets, shouting slogans and wielding banners - Isaac Guzman/AFP via Getty Images

Mr Murillo recounted his unsuccessful attempts to secure an asylum appointment through a mobile app developed by the US Customs and Border Protection agency.

Tapachula, a mandatory crossing point for tens of thousands of migrants, has become one of Mexicos most violent cities in recent months, with migrants frequently targeted by organised crime, according to official data.

I feel suffocated here. Thats why we decided to leave, said Thais, a 28-year-old Venezuelan migrant who spoke on condition that her surname not be used due to safety concerns.

She joined the caravan with her husband and three-year-old daughter.

I wish Mr Trump and Ms Kamala would see that we are human beings, that we want to live and support our families, she added.
Fluoride is a mineral found widely in nature that has been added to the water supply because it strengthens teeth and prevents cavities. RFK Jr wants Donald Trump to remove fluoride from tap water. Heres what the science says. Photograph: Paper Boat Creative/Getty Images

Donald Trump would push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day in office if elected, former independent candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr declared on Saturday.

Kennedy, a prominent proponent of debunked public health claims whom Trump has promised will take care of health in his administration, made the declaration on X, claiming that fluoride was an industrial waste linked to a variety of health conditions.

Fluoride is a compound naturally present in groundwater, water sources and plants. The addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water is widely considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, for its role in preventing tooth decay.

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral found widely in nature, released from rocks into soils and water. Certain plants  including plants consumed by humans, such as tea  absorb and concentrate fluoride.

Its not an industrial waste product. Its a natural substance, said Prof Oliver Jones, a professor of chemistry at RMIT University.

Related: In Florida, the future of abortion might come down to men

Fluoride has been added to drinking water and toothpaste for decades because it strengthens teeth and prevents cavities.

When fluoride is incorporated into tooth enamel, it forms a mineral known as fluorapatite, which is better able to withstand acids, said Prof Loc Do, a professor of dental public health at the University of Queensland. It makes the enamel more resistant to bacteria that are causing decay, he said.

The World Health Organizations safe limit for fluoride in drinking water is 1.5mg of fluoride per litre of water  or 1.5 parts per million. The typical concentration of fluoride in regular toothpaste is between 1,000 and 1,500 parts per million.

How long has fluoride been added to drinking water?

In the early 1900s, dentists noticed that rates of tooth decay were lower in areas where people had splotchy staining on their teeth  a condition caused by excess fluoride and now known as dental fluorosis. They realised that areas with naturally higher fluoride levels in water had lower rates of dental decay.

In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first place in the world to add fluoride to its drinking water. Fluoridation in the US is not mandatory and occurs on a voluntary basis, but by 2012, more than 67% of the overall US population had access to fluoridated tap water.

In 2011, the US Health and Human Services Department lowered its recommended level of fluoride in drinking water to 0.7mg of fluoride per litre  0.7 parts per million. For five decades before that, the upper limit was 1.2.

Does fluoride in water have any health effects? Is it safe?

A number of international health agencies have endorsed fluoride in drinking water as effective and safe. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named fluoridation one of the 10 great public health interventions of the 20th century.

Contrary to Kennedys claims, studies have found no evidence linking fluoride in regular drinking water to conditions such as osteoporosis, bone fractures or cancer.

Related: Nobel prize winners endorse Harris and warn Trump would endanger future of science

As with any chemical compound, ingestion of fluoride at high levels can have adverse effects, such as skeletal fluorosis, a condition in which fluoride is incorporated into the bones, and dental fluorosis. These only occur with chronic exposure to fluoride at far higher levels than the safe drinking limits.

Everything is a poison at high enough levels  even water, Jones said.

In August, the USs National Toxicology Program released a review suggesting a link between fluoride exposure above 1.5mg of fluoride per litre of water and lower IQ in children. However, experts have pointed out that there is a lack of high quality research on the topic.

Some studies  were considered as having a high risk of bias in other systematic reviews, Do said. Dos own research has found no association between drinking fluoridated water before age five and changes in behavioural development or executive functioning.

What countries add fluoride to water?

Dozens of countries artificially fluoridate drinking water. As of 2012, about 435 million people globally have access to water with fluoride at recommended levels.

The US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Brazil are among the countries that add fluoride to water in at least some regions.

Do said adding fluoride to water was a good method to reduce socioeconomic inequality in dental health. Its a passive way to reduce dental caries.

What could change if Donald Trump wins the US election?

Kennedy, who Donald Trump has promised to put in charge of health initiatives, said on Saturday that the Republican would push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day in office if elected president.

Kennedy has emerged as one of Trumps top surrogates after dropping out as independent candidate. On Sunday, Trump told NBC News that he and Kennedy had not spoken about fluoride, but that the plan sounds OK to me.

Where has fluoride been removed from water in the past and what was the effect?

Authorities in several jurisdictions have removed fluoride from drinking water by public mandate, such as in Calgary, Canada in 2011, or by ministerial decree, such as in Israel in 2014.

Research shows that dental cavities in children increased in Calgary after the end of fluoridation, while the rates of dental treatment significantly increased in Israel. Calgary is set to re-introduce fluoridation in 2025.

Germany stopped fluoridating its water in the 1970s and never reintroduced it, but since 1991 has sold salt with added fluoride.

Read more of the Guardians 2024 US election coverage:
Blog Archive: Mar 2025 (80) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55)
Fethullah Gulen at his home in Pennsylvania, in 2016. After a tip-off in 1999 that he was about to be arrested, he escaped from Turkey to the US. Photograph: Charles Mostoller/Reuters

In 1962, a 21-year-old imam, Fethullah Gulen, arrived in the southern Turkish port of Iskenderun to finish his military service. He also gave sermons in the towns main mosque. This was the heyday of secular Turkey, and he quickly ran into difficulties from a secularist commanding officer who, seeing his sermons as a threat to the republic, ordered that he should be detained for two weeks.

Another officer, however, had a different approach. Spotting that the young soldier was highly intelligent and well-read in Islamic religious texts, but with almost no formal education inside the conventional school system, he recommended that Gulen should start reading western literary classics as well. The young recruit began to read, and enjoy, Dante, Camus and Dostoevsky, eventually developing a taste even for the German philosopher Immanuel Kant.

This was perhaps the moment when the career pursued by Gulen, who has died aged 83, began to deviate sharply from that of most Turkish imams. In the next six decades he became internationally famous, feted especially in the US, while writing about 50 books, sponsoring dialogue between Christians and Muslims, and heading a global religious brotherhood with a great number of schools in five continents and a vast international business network. However, this trajectory would end in mortal conflict with the Turkish state, with Gulen accused of terrorism by the president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and tens of thousands of his followers in jail, stripped of assets or in exile.

To his admirers, including US members of Congress and Christian theologians, Gulen remained a virtual saint, a Muslim cleric on friendly terms with the western world. In Turkey, among many Turks other than his own following, Gulen was a deeply sinister figure whose efforts to capture the state culminated in 2016 in a botched military coup in which more than 200 people died.

One of eight children, Gulen was born in the village of Korucuk in north-eastern Turkey at a time of severe wartime hardship. His father, Ramiz, was a village imam connnected with the conservative Naqshbandi Sufi brotherhood, while his mother, Refia, combined raising livestock and a family with teaching Quran classes for girls.

Gulen had only three years of formal primary schooling. However he knew parts of the Quran by heart at the age of four and the whole of it when he was eight. At 13 he became a pupil for five years at an underground theological school at the Kursunlu mosque in Erzurum. In his mid-teens he joined a new brotherhood, the Nurcus, who supported the adoption of western science while vehemently opposing the republic founded by Kemal Ataturk and its westernising reforms. Gulen worked with the Nurcus until he set up his own brotherhood in the early 1970s.

In 1959, Gulen received his icazetname (Islamic studies diploma) as a preacher, making him an official of Turkeys presidency of religious affairs, a state Sunni organisation, which posted him to a mosque in Edirne. He remained a government imam until 1981. His powerful emotional sermons quickly won him a wide reputation, and he was known as the weeping imam. His followers wept with him. He began organising teaching and discussion meetings, usually before prayers. These marked the first beginnings of his global movement.

Around 1966, Gulen was transferred to a mosque in Izmir on the Aegean, and it was there that his career took flight. In 1971 he suffered a severe setback when the military threw out Turkeys civilian government and he was arrested and imprisoned for seven months. By the mid-70s, though, Gulen had become a well-known lecturer as well as preacher, travelling across the country to talk on topics such as the gift of prophecy, the Quran and science, and Darwinism.

Nevertheless, he learned to live discreetly and to disguise his actions. Even though he publicly supported Turkeys 1980 military coup because it crushed communism and opened the way to religious education, he lived under cover for six years because some in the pro-military establishment saw him as an Islamist.

You could say I was protected by high friends in Ankara, he told the Turkish journalist Mehmet Ali Birand in 1998. After a tipoff during a pilgrimage to Mecca, he returned to Turkey by hiring a smuggler to take him over the mountains, minefields and barbed wire of the Syrian border. Another time he was detained and taken to a military barracks, to be released only after then prime minister Turgut Ozal held a midnight cabinet meeting about the case.

Gulens teachings extracted universal values from Islam, accepted their commonalities with those of other cultures and religions, and promoted the study of western science. His genius lay in doing so without being so specific as to offend pious Muslim values. I tried to show the way. Its as if a crystal broke into little pieces, scattered left and right. Im trying to bring this societys pieces back together again, to provide education, and as much as I can, to advise people to serve what I believe in, he said.

His rise was assisted by the steady growth in the numbers of Turkish students studying in Islamic vocational schools, partly as a result of moves by the military after the 1980 coup to stem the growth of leftist movements by encouraging religious education. In towns across Turkey, businessmen joined the brotherhood, prayed with it, and paid up to a fifth of their income to it, apparently in return for a promise that they would never be allowed to fail commercially.

The movement was eventually a founding influence on more than 1,000 schools in Turkey and abroad as well as several universities of its own. Some had high academic standards and were especially popular in under-served countries in Africa and Central Asia. For a time they were even standard-bearers of expanding Turkish commercial and cultural influence. However, the Gulenist movement is also suspected of using the schools as a means to recruit high-performing new members.

The way in which these various activities were organised and financed remained very mysterious. Though there seem to have been imams in charge of different parts of Turkey and abis (big brothers) issuing strict orders at the local level, no hierarchy or plan was ever revealed. Gulen himself claimed that he had only set up a few model institutions, which were copied and spread spontaneously. The Gulenist movement has long preferred to call itself Hizmet, or service.

Gulen lived modestly as a celibate cleric beside a teaching centre and mosque. He maintained that the Prophet Muhammad had come to him in a dream and told him not to marry. By the 90s his health was failing because of diabetes and heart problems, but he had become an internationally leading figure in Islamic-Christian dialogue, even meeting Pope John Paul II in 1998.

In March 1999, he received a tip-off, apparently from sources within the government of Bulent Ecevit, that the security forces and the countrys intelligence services were about to arrest him, and he escaped in haste to the US. In Turkey the military put him on trial in his absence.

The most damning piece of evidence produced by the security services was a clandestine video of Gulen telling his followers to capture state power by waiting and moving within the arteries of the system, without anyone noticing your existence, until you reach all the power centres. The accusations against him did not prevent Gulen from being given a green card to reside in the US, in 2002.

At the end of that year, Turkeys Islamists finally took power in Turkey and Erdogans Justice and Development party (AKP) formed a strong government. Gulen stayed in the US, despite sharing much of the AKPs religious-nationalist world view and repeated invitations to return to Turkey. He declined to do so even after the court charges against him collapsed.

Meanwhile the influence of his followers grew steadily. The Gulenists had very few ministers in AKP cabinets, but they increasingly dominated the police, the ministry of justice, parts of the foreign ministry, and many government agencies, as well as much of the press. Their main obstacle was the army, until then supremely powerful in Turkey.

In 2008 prosecutors from Gulens movement began a series of arrests against army officers, journalists and others, on what proved eventually to be completely bogus terrorism and conspiracy charges, relying on faked evidence. By 2011, the crackdown had forced into submission the old military elite, long dominant as the countrys self-appointed guardians of Ataturks secularist legacy.

In 2012 Gulenist prosecutors attempted to question the head of the security services over secret truce talks with Turkeys Kurdish militants. The incident rang alarm bells in the government, and in 2013 relations between the ruling AKP and Gulen and his followers turned into undisguised conflict. In a bid to impede Erdogans government in December that year, Gulenist prosecutors ordered two rounds of arrests of figures close to ministers on corruption charges.

Erdogan and Gulen were locked in a power struggle, but by the end of 2014 the government had broken the power of the movement in the police and the judiciary. Many senior Gulenist officials began fleeing abroad and Gulens press and media empire came under pressure.

One institution where the Gulenists retained secret supporters was the armed forces. This is why Erdogans government blamed Gulens movement for the bloody but curiously clumsy attempt at a military takeover on 15 July 2016. Gulen denied the accusations against him, claiming that Erdogan set up the coup as a false flag event in order to seize sole control of the country.

Whatever the real cause, Erdogan has ruled supreme since then. The Gulenist movement has never recovered. Gulenists were purged throughout the country. Even in villages, followers were detained, lost jobs, saw property confiscated, suffered discrimination from state institutions or were ostracised. Ankara moved sharply to seize control of or close down as many of the Gulenist schools as possible.

The Turkish government issued a red international arrest warrant for Gulen and made numerous attempts to have him extradited to Turkey, but all were rejected by the US authorities. Though stateless, he continued to live in Pennsylvania.

He is survived by some of his seven siblings, and many nephews and nieces.

 Mohammed Fethullah Gulen, religious leader, born 27 April 1941; died 20 October 2024

 This obituary has been revised since David Barchards death in 2020.
Donald Trump is said to be willing to give Robert F Kennedy Jr a major role in health policy if he wins the election - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Of all of the policies Donald Trump has pinned his election hopes on, until this week the removal of fluoride from Americas drinking water had not featured high on the list.

In the final days of campaigning, the former president might have preferred to demonstrate his strengths on immigration and the economy.

Instead, he has found himself discussing a possible reversal of the decades-old practice, hailed by some as one of the United States greatest public health victories.

The plan is the brainchild of Robert F Kennedy Jr, the former independent presidential candidate, who is set to take a leading administration role if Trump is re-elected.

It sounds OK to me, Trump said on Sunday. You know, its possible.

It was the latest example of Trumps campaign embracing the anti-vaccine campaigner, including courting him for a role overseeing the health portfolio.

Mr Kennedy dropped out of the presidential campaign in August to endorse Trump for the White House.

But owing to the late nature of his withdrawal, his name remains on the ballot in the heavily-contested swing states of Michigan and Wisconsin.

While support for Mr Kennedy is low in the key battleground states, it is sufficient that he could effectively rob Trump or Kamala Harris of victory.

Tapping into the concerns of Mr Kennedys supporters and persuading them to cast their vote for him instead could provide Trump the boost he needs to get over the line.

Pollsters say these voters are generally anti-establishment and hold more unconventional views on health than the majority of people.

Mr Kennedy is a prominent critic of vaccines, and has claimed childhood immunisation can cause autism.

Last week, he said fluoride was an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease.

A Trump-led White House would advise US water systems to remove the chemical on January 20, 2025  inauguration day  he added.

The practice of putting small doses of fluoride into American water began in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1945.

In 1962, the US Public Health Service recommended adding small amounts to drinking water to strengthen teeth.

Almost 210 million people are on fluoridated water systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions latest estimates.

The American Dental Association said the move has reduced dental decay by at least 25 per cent.

But like with mass-vaccination, fluoridation of water has long been the subject of health concerns and conspiracy theories.

These claims have not always been unsubstantiated.

Lower IQ

A US government report published earlier this year suggested consuming fluoride at twice the recommended amount is linked to lower IQ in children.

In the past, fluoridation has been linked to health conditions such as fluorosis  a build-up of the product in the teeth and bones  as well as bone cancer, impaired brain development and Downs syndrome.

Americas practice of adding fluoride to drinking water is much more substantial than many of its Western allies, such as the UK, where only 10 per cent of Britons have the mineral added to their water supply.

Many European countries have also opted against or phased out artificially increasing fluoride levels in water supplies.

A 2003 study across 16 European nations found that the vast majority of people opposed water fluoridation.

Mr Kennedys concerns over fluoride in water come amid a growing sentiment in America that its citizens are consuming too many additives  and it is not the only one of his policies that the Trump campaign seems open to.

In recent years there has been somewhat of an anti-establishment backlash against products such as processed food and drink, vaccines and heavily chemically-enhanced toiletries and cleaning products.

Mr Kennedy has said he wants to ban pesticides, seed oils and food additives.

JD Vance, Trumps running mate, seemed to echo some of these concerns when he spoke of the virtues of ditching processed foods like vegan meat substitutes on his recent appearance on Joe Rogans podcast.

Speaking to Joe Rogan, JD Vance cast doubt over Covid vaccines

On the Joe Rogan Experience, Mr Vance also cast doubt over the safety of the Covid vaccine  another key concern of Mr Kennedy.

If RFK Jr did end up in charge of health policy, it is likely to see a fundamental change to some of Americas most prominent health institutions.

In the lead-up to the election, he has suggested overhauling regulators, whom he claims are sock puppets to the pharmaceutical industry and are making Americans less healthy.

Other proposals are more akin to those put forward by Ms Harris, like price-caps on drugs and crackdowns on processed foods.

Backing these seemingly fringe health issues might get Trump over the line and into the White House.

But they also might set the US on a path that is much more sceptical about traditional public health expertise.
Labour will press ahead with its plans to charge private schools VAT from January 2025 - Monkeybusinessimages/iStock

The Foreign Office has pleaded with private schools to roll out discounts for diplomats after the Governments VAT raid on fees.

Hundreds of diplomats children receive Government funding to help pay their boarding school fees while their parents serve the country abroad.

But the taxpayer-funded support is capped and the difference parents are expected to pay is set to grow as schools raise their fees to pay for the VAT they will now be charged.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has now written to dozens of top boarding schools asking for them to offer diplomats a discount on their childrens fees. Private schools said the FCDO appeared to be asking boarding schools to effectively exempt the Government from the fee rises it had caused.

The email was sent to schools on Friday morning  two days after Rachel Reeves confirmed new rules for private schools in the Budget  and thanked staff for supporting the education of these children, and for the pastoral support which is so important for our families when parents are posted overseas.

Ampleforth College is one of the top private schools in the UK already offering military parent discounts - Park Dale/Alamy

The letter said: I am enquiring whether you would consider providing a discount to include FCDO families. As you may be aware, FCDO staff and their families are subject to regular movements to and from overseas postings, in the same way as military families.

By offering a discount, inclusion on this list would help make your school more attractive to prospective parents.

The letter also asked schools to provide details of their plans to deal with the Governments tax raid, which will hit private schools with VAT from January 1 2025.

Separately, we are hearing a lot of concern from our families about [the] impact of the new Governments proposal to remove the exemption from VAT for private school fees, the FCDOs education team in the HR department said.

It added that staff would find it helpful to understand any plans your school may be considering in relation to this, before asking schools to consider the discount request favourably.

The emails subject line was: FCDO DISCOUNT REQUEST AND VAT IMPACT.

The FCDO denied any link between the requests for discounts and the VAT policy change.

Labours policy is likely to lead thousands of parents to pull their children out of private education - Supersizer/E+

Ms Reeves confirmed last Wednesday in her maiden Budget that private schools will be charged VAT of 20 per cent, reversing a previously long-held exemption. Most schools have said they will put up their fees to cover the increased costs.

The Chancellor defied calls to exempt military and diplomatic families from the tax policy but has announced they will instead receive more taxpayer-funded support. However the exact details of the support have not yet been revealed.

A spokesperson for the Independent Schools Council (ISC) said: It is somewhat surprising for the Government to ask that it be effectively exempted from the fee rises it has caused.

The extra costs to the Government are because of the VAT policy it rushed through against the advice of tax and teaching experts. We remain open to working with the Government on ways to mitigate the impact of VAT on diplomatic families  as well as on children with SEND [special educational needs], on military families and on faith-based education.

Neil OBrien MP, the shadow education minister, said: The sheer brass neck of this Government clearly knows no bounds.

Despite the endless warnings of the damage [its] tax would cause, Labour chose to press ahead anyway  and are now asking schools to foot the bill for the diplomats that [it] failed to consider.

This policy is a mess, and there are still unanswered questions about the impact on children with special needs too.

The Foreign Office has pleaded with private schools to offer its staff discounted fees - Dominic Lipinski/PA

Around 4,700 children from military and diplomatic families already receive support on their school fees through the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA). The FCDO spent 13.7 million subsidising the cost of UK private school fees for children of diplomats in 2022/23. A total of 514 pupils had their school fees at British boarding schools covered by the department last year, at an average cost of 26,848.

The allowance is designed to provide stability for children whose parents frequently work away, and can cover up to 90 per cent of boarding school fees.

It is currently capped at 9,080 per term for secondary schools  almost 6,000 less than average boarding school fees, according to the ISC. This means that military and diplomatic parents often have to pay as much as 18,000 each year despite receiving Government support.

The FCDO has said it will increase CEA funding to account for the impact for any private school fee increases. It came after groups representing military and diplomatic families warned of an exodus unless the Government rolled out further support. Securing discounts for diplomatic families would reduce the additional funding they would need to provide.

Rachel Reeves has overseen 40bns worth of tax rises in the Budget - Tayfun Salci/Shutterstock

Some private boarding schools already offer discounts for military and diplomatic families to help reduce the bill for parents. It means leading boarding schools such as Gordonstoun, Ampleforth College and Millfield School sometimes pay tens of thousands of pounds to subsidise the cost of private education for service children.

The request for discounts comes as both the FCDO and MoD face a steep rise in costs following the promise to raise the CEA. The Treasury confirmed last week that the two Government departments will have to eat into their own budgets to boost the financial support scheme.

Last month, the FCDO said it expected the VAT policy to increase their education costs by 2.5m in 2025-26.

Government departments are understood to be facing funding pressures after Ms Reeves instructed them to make billions of pounds of savings.

An FCDO spokesperson said: There will be no exemptions for diplomats on VAT for private school fees and the FCDO is not asking schools for special treatment in relation to this policy. This is not and has never been government policy.
Beau Lamarre-Condons lawyer has withdrawn from his case, a Sydney court has heard, and is expected to be replaced by legal aid. Photograph: James Gourley/AAP

A former Sydney police officer accused of killing two men with his service weapon will be back in court in two weeks, after his lawyer was replaced by legal aid.

Beau Lamarre-Condon, 29, is accused of murdering the TV presenter Jesse Baird  whom he had reportedly previously dated  along with Bairds partner, Luke Davies, in February.

In court on Tuesday, Lamarre-Condons lawyer John Walford withdrew from the case. Guardian Australia understands Lamarre-Condon applied for, and was granted, public funding for his case: he will be represented by Legal Aid NSW.

Related: Encrypted messaging app developer moves out of Australia after police visit employees home

Lamarre-Condon appeared in court by video link from prison, where he is on remand. He did not speak except to say thanks to the magistrate, Clare Farnan. He was removed from the screen before his matter was dealt with in court.

He is yet to enter a plea.

The magistrate said it was regrettable that legal representation is changing at this late stage, and emphasised to his new counsel the need to avoid any further delays.

Police have alleged Lamarre-Condon shot Baird and Davies with his NSW police handgun inside Bairds Paddington home sometime on 19 February before dumping their bodies, wrapped in surfboard bags, on a rural property in Bungonia, about 200km south-west of Sydney.

Police alleged the attack was premeditated and followed a months-long campaign of predatory behaviour targeting Baird, with whom Lamarre-Condon had had an on-and-off-again relationship.

Lamarre-Condon was arrested after presenting to Bondi police station, four days after the alleged murders. The bodies of Baird and Davies were found on 27 February.

Lamarre-Condon has been in custody since his arrest, and has been sacked by the NSW police force. He faces two charges of domestic violence-related murder, as well as a third charge of aggravated break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Police first became concerned for the welfare of Baird and Davies in late February when a council worker found bloodied clothing and personal possessions  including keys and credit cards  in a skip bin in Cronulla.

The pair had last been seen at a pre-Mardi Gras party.

That concern escalated when police found blood in Bairds share house in Paddington, in Sydneys eastern suburbs.

Police have alleged at least one bullet casing was found at the scene which was ballistically linked to a police-issue handgun issued to Lamarre-Condon.

Lamarre-Condons new defence had sought an adjournment for five months to have a forensic psychiatrists assessment made and to assess fully the brief of evidence. But the long delay was opposed by prosecutors who argued it could be done more quickly.

The magistrate granted the two-week adjournment. Lamarre-Condon remains on remand at Long Bay jail in Sydney.
Rockets, fired from Iran, are seen over Jerusalem from Hebron, West Bank, on 1 October. Israels attacks on Iran were most commonly viewed as not justified in all seven countries, while Irans attacks on Israel were condemned by between 58% (France) and 71% (Spain). Photograph: Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu/Getty Images

Full-scale war in the Middle East involving Israel and Iran is now likely, most western Europeans responding in a poll believe, with many criticising Israels conduct thus far and saying that if such a war did occur, the US and Europe should not provide it with military aid.

A YouGov Eurotrack survey in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Denmark and the UK found that strong majorities in all seven countries, ranging from 65% in France to 82% in Spain, felt the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 were not justified.

However, the most commonly held opinion in each country  from a low of 43% in Germany, 46% in France, 47% in the UK, 57% in Italy to a high of 65% in Spain  was that neither have Israels subsequent attacks in Gaza been justified.

Similar if slightly larger pluralities  from 47% in Denmark through 49% in Germany, 50% in France and the UK and 68% in Spain, consistently one of the EUs most pro-Palestinian member states  said Israels attacks on Lebanon were unjustified.

Israels attacks on Iran were also most commonly viewed as not justified in all seven countries, by between 45% (Denmark) and 68% (Spain) of respondents, while Irans attacks on Israel were condemned by between 58% (France) and 71% (Spain).

The EU has been divided over the conflict in Gaza, with countries such as Spain and Ireland formally recognising a Palestinian state earlier this year but others, including Germany, arguing support of Israels security is central to its foreign policy.

Asked about Israels attacks on Gaza, which Palestinian health authorities say have killed more than 43,000 people, the most popular opinion was that Israel had been right to send troops into Gaza, but has gone too far and killed too many civilians.

That view was held by somewhat smaller pluralities of between 25% (Italy) and 39% (Sweden)  but more respondents (between 16% and 26%) felt Israel had been wrong to use military force against Hamas than that it had acted proportionately (10% to 19%).

Similarly, when asked whether Europe and the US should be doing more to help Israel meet its military objectives or to restrain Benjamin Netanyahus government from taking military action, pluralities of between 22% (France) and 36% (Spain) chose the latter.

Significant minorities of between 21% (France and the UK) and 25% (Italy), meanwhile, said they felt Europe and the US should not be involved at all.

Outright majorities ranging from 52% in Denmark through to 58% in France, 59% in Germany and Italy and 61% in the UK and 65% in Spain said they thought full-blown war in the region involving Israel and Iran was either very or fairly likely.

If such a war were to break out, the most widely held view in all seven countries  from 42% in Denmark to 47% in Britain, 51% in Germany and 59% in Italy  was that Europe and the US should not provide military aid to Israel.

Asked to give their overall opinion of Palestine and Israel, the most common assessment of both in all seven countries was very or fairly unfavourable. Only in Italy were opinions of Palestine remotely close, with 33% negative and 30% positive.

Elsewhere, 61% of Germans said they had an unfavourable view of Palestine, compared with 15% who were favourable, while the corresponding figures in Sweden were 57% and 20% and in France, 42% unfavourable against 25% favourable.

Opinions of Israel were equally poor, with net favourability ratings ranging from minus 15 in France through minus 24 in Germany, minus 30 in Sweden and minus 33 in Spain.
Rudy Giuliani at the Mandel community center in Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Rudy Giuliani turned up to vote in Florida for Tuesdays presidential election in a Mercedes Benz convertible that a court had ordered him to surrender more than a week ago as part of a $148m settlement to two Georgia poll workers he defamed.

The 1980s car, once owned by the actor Lauren Bacall, is among the assets of the disgraced former New York mayor and vocal Donald Trump acolyte that Giuliani is deliberately hiding from their reach, according to a letter their attorney, Aaron Nathan, sent to the judge in the case.

Additionally, Nathan said, the contents of Giulianis $5m Manhattan apartment to which the pair are also entitled were stripped out some weeks ago in contravention of the judge Lewis Limans receivership order. Nathan said Giuliani had deliberately ignored the courts deadline for handing over the assets.

[Giuliani] has yet to reveal where the vast majority of the receivership property is actually located, despite repeated requests to his counsel, said the letter, sent on behalf of the poll workers Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss.

That silence is especially outrageous given the revelation that the defendant apparently took affirmative steps to move his property out of the New York apartment in recent weeks, while a restraining notice was in effect. Furthermore, despite the cooperative pose [he] put on in his letter of October 29, the receivers inquiries since that time have been met predominantly with evasion or silence.

In addition to the Upper East Side apartment, Giuliani was ordered to turn over several items of New York Yankees memorabilia and about two dozen luxury watches.

In response to the letter, Liman has ordered Giuliani to appear at a hearing in New York on Thursday. Giulianis attorney, Kenneth Caruso, has requested a delay so his client can fulfill an obligation to host a radio broadcast from Florida that evening.

Giuliani, wearing a New York fire department hat and stars-and-stripes shirt, was pictured arriving at the polling site in Palm Beach on Tuesday in the passenger seat of the Mercedes SL500. He spoke to reporters but had no comment about the settlement.

Caruso, in a court filing last week, denied Giuliani was being obstructive. [He] is, and will remain, ready to comply with Limans order, Caruso said  but claimed that Giuliani, who filed for bankruptcy last year, had not received information about how to deliver it, the Hill reported.

Nathan said that claim was misleading.

Giulianis spokesperson Ted Goodman, meanwhile, told the Hill in a statement that he has made available his property and possessions as ordered and that he had put a few items into storage over the past year.

Anything else that was removed was related to Giulianis nightly livestreams, Goodman claimed, asserting it was therefore outside the settlement. A separate lawsuit over Giulianis Palm Beach apartment is ongoing.

In a subsequent statement to the Guardian on Tuesday, Goodman said Giuliani had made efforts to hand over the car.

Our lawyers have requested documentation to transfer over the title of the vehicle, and havent heard back from opposing counsel, he said.

This is yet another attempt to render Mayor Rudy Giuliani  a man who has improved the lives of more people than almost any other living American  penniless and homeless. The weaponization of our once-sacred justice system should concern every American, regardless of partisan political affiliation.

Separately Michael Ragusa, Giulianis head of security, appeared to defend the disbarred lawyers retention of the Mercedes Benz in his own statement.

Mayor Giuliani is an 80-year-old man with a bad knee and 9/11-related lung disease, relies on this vehicle as his primary means of transportation in Florida, where there is no mass transit system like New York Citys, he said.

Related: Giuliani ordered to turn over apartment and Benz to Georgia election workers

He currently holds an active Florida drivers license. The way he is being pushed toward poverty by those targeting him, after all he has done for this country, is appalling and it is clearly politically motivated.

In July, a judge dismissed Giulianis bankruptcy case, clearing the way for Freeman and Moss to begin collecting the settlement. But Nathan said in the letter dated Monday that Giuliani had refused or been unable to answer basic questions about the location of most of the property.

He wrote: The visit to the apartment, which all parties understood to be for the purposes of assessing the transportation and storage needs for the receivership property contained therein, instead revealed that the apartment was substantially empty.

Freeman and Moss said they received death threats and constant intimidation following the 2020 election that Trump lost to Joe Biden when Giuliani amplified a misleading video and falsely accused them of illegal activity while counting ballots in Atlanta on election night.

The pair were formally cleared by investigators of any wrongdoing, and a jury ruled Giuliani owed them $148m for spreading lies about them.

The pair subsequently settled similar defamation lawsuits with far-right media outlets the Gateway Pundit and One America News.

Giuliani has sometimes been an attorney for Trump, who is running for the presidency again on Tuesday in a contest pitting him against Kamala Harris.

Read more of the Guardians 2024 US election coverage
Peter Mandelson and William Hague

The Conservative party has a new leader, and the Americans have gone to the polls; in Oxford, meanwhile, either Elish Angiolini, Dominic Grieve, William Hague, Peter Mandelson, or Jan Royall will soon emerge as Chancellor-elect and the Universitys next titular head. The absence of any wildcards suggests an impatience on the part of the electorate for the unsatisfactory smorgasbord that was initially presented.

The first-round voting blocs crystallised early on. One recently-elected Labour MP used his social-media platforms to announce that his first choice was Lord Mandelson and his second Lady Royall; for balance, a number of correspondents noted that they took particular pleasure in placing the chapodiphobic Lady Royall thirty-eighth  but evidently to no avail.

Alastair Bruce has not made the cut, alas. When I bumped into him in the Bodleian cafe he was wearing a sweatshirt that read Candidate for Chancellor, and assured me that he would restore the waterfall cravat (the flouncy lace jabot that Roy Jenkins set aside in 1987) if elected. He would have looked fabulous.

Jenkins only got in because Edward Heath and Robert Blake divided the Tory vote; a similar split may now occur in two directions, paving the way for Lady Elish.

To anyone who has not spent the last decade in Oxford it may seem like wisdom to elect a college head who is about to retire; others will want to see a Chancellor who comes with a fresh pair of eyes. After an exhausting few years in which academic politics have very publicly brought out the worst in students and dons alike, theres much to be said for a new broom.

While Lady Elish has many fine qualities, St Hughs, which she has led for the last decade, has not risen above the maelstrom. Only last week an email went round from one of its Equalities Officer, Elyse Levens, to say that there is financial provision for anyone who feels they need or want gender-affirming items such as binders, packers, wigs, or anything else dont worry about the fund running out!

Whoever eventually triumphs will have a relatively undefined role. From outside, the Chancellorship seems to involve plenty of dressing up, walking about, sitting down, and standing up again  and a certain amount of shaking hands with the great, the good, and the stinking rich. Honorary doctorates for foreign potentates do not confer themselves.

Like the House of Peers in Iolanthe, the Chancellors of the University have historically been called upon to do nothing in particular, but to do it very well. With the right intervention at the right time  and at other times with no intervention at all  they have set the tone by which the University speaks not necessarily to its resident members, but to the wider world.

Whatever the outcome, the powers-that-be have already decided that there will be no meeting of Convocation to confirm the result, and no physical proclamation. As the election has been held online we will be informing the electorate of the final result online as well, writes Elizabeth Botwright, the Head of the Vice-Chancellors Office.

Her moniker came as a surprise, as I had laboured under the impression that the Head of the Vice-Chancellors Office was in fact, well, the Vice-Chancellor. Under the new Chancellor, pace Juvenal, who will administer the administrators?

Serenhedd James teaches History at St Stephens House, Oxford, and is Editor of the Catholic Herald
Kemi Badenoch leads the first meeting of her shadow cabinet

Kemi Badenoch has appointed Chris Philp as the new shadow home secretary as she announced her shadow cabinet.

Other significant appointments include James Cartlidge as shadow defence secretary, Ed Argar as shadow health secretary and Andrew Griffith as shadow business and trade secretary.

They will join Mel Stride who is shadow chancellor, Dame Priti Patel who is shadow foreign secretary and Robert Jenrick who is shadow justice secretary.

However, there is no role for Tom Tugendhat, another of Mrs Badenochs Tory leadership rivals, while James Cleverly had already ruled himself out of staying on the frontbench. The shadow cabinet met for this first time this morning.

The new Tory leader said: I am delighted to have appointed my shadow cabinet, which draws on the talents of people from across the Conservative Party, based on meritocracy and with a breadth of experience and perspective, just as I promised during the campaign.

Our partys problems will only be solved with a team effort, and I am confident my shadow cabinet ministers will deliver effective opposition as we seek to win back the trust of the public.

We will now get to work holding Labour to account and rebuilding our party based on Conservative principles and values. The process of renewing our great party has now begun.

03:42 PM GMT

That is all for today...

Thank you for joining me for todays politics live blog.

I will be back tomorrow morning.

02:52 PM GMT

Telegraph readers respond to Badenochs shadow cabinet appointments

Kemi Badenoch today revealed the shadow cabinet she hopes will propel the Tories back into power at the next general election.

Her top team is a mix of veteran operators and new blood.

Telegraph readers have been busy responding to the appointments in the comments section of todays live blog. Here is a selection:

02:36 PM GMT

New shadow housing secretary focused on making it much easier to get on the housing ladder

Very sad to be leaving my post as Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade but also very much looking forward to the new challenges in my role as Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, all policy areas I'm very passionate about, not least pic.twitter.com/yWYVdBLx08  Kevin Hollinrake MP (@kevinhollinrake) November 5, 2024

02:20 PM GMT

Wes Streeting urges Tory shadow to restore reason to Conservatism

Wes Streeting said he hoped his Tory shadow would help to restore reason to Conservatism.

The Health Secretary congratulated Edward Argar on being appointed shadow health secretary but also took a shot at the Tories at the same time:

Congratulations to Ed Argar on his appointment to the best job in opposition. He is one of the few keepers of the One Nation Tory flame, now dimmed by the surge of the right wing populism that has swept his party. Wish him every success in restoring reason to Conservatism.  Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) November 5, 2024

02:06 PM GMT

Kemi Badenoch poses with shadow cabinet for family photo

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, is pictured today with her shadow cabinet - Twitter - @Conservatives

02:01 PM GMT

Labour: Badenoch shadow cabinet appointments show Tories have learnt nothing

Kemi Badenochs shadow cabinet appointments show the Tories have learnt nothing, Labour claimed.

Ellie Reeves, the Labour Party chair, claimed that chaos, division, and recklessness will continue unabated at the heart of the Tories.

She said: Instead of turning the page on 14 years of Tory government, Kemi Badenochs Shadow Cabinet shows that the Conservatives have learnt nothing.

How can the new Conservative leader claim to be changing the Tory Party when most of her team were ministers for Liz Truss as they crashed Britains economy, or claim to want to uphold standards when most went AWOL for the vote on Boris Johnsons antics at Partygate?

Badenochs appointments guarantee that chaos, division, and recklessness will continue unabated at the heart of the Tories. Meanwhile, Labour is getting on with fixing the foundations of the British economy and delivering for working people.

01:44 PM GMT

Pictured: Lammy meets with South African counterpart

David Lammy meets with Ronald Ozzy Lamola, South Africas minister of international relations and cooperation - Jerome Delay/AP

01:41 PM GMT

Six in 10 oppose farmer tax raid, new polling shows

Six in ten voters, including almost half of Labour voters, believe farmers who pass their farms onto the next generation should be exempt from inheritance tax, new polling has found.

The study, conducted by pollsters More in Common, found that 57 per cent of voters surveyed agreed with the statement: When a farmer passes their farm onto the next generation, they should not be required to pay inheritance tax on their farms.

Just 24 per cent were in favour of the move.

The polling comes amid a backlash to plans announced by Rachel Reeves last week to place a 20 per cent tax on farmers assets worth more than 1 million.

The measure has the potential to generate significant negative coverage for the Government if farmers campaign against it, More in Common warned.

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at the Countryside Alliance said: While some in Whitehall might think otherwise, there is huge sympathy and support from the public for our farmers. These figures only reinforce the importance of the Government engaging with farming organisations and having a rethink.

01:18 PM GMT

Labour MP mugged on walk back to flat

A Labour MP has said he was mugged on his way back to his London flat.

Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South, thanked police for their swift response to the incident on Monday night.

He posted on social media site X: Last night, as I was returning to my flat in London, I was attacked and mugged by a group of individuals.

Luckily, I have no injuries and I am OK. Unfortunately, they just took my phone so Im without one for the foreseeable future.

I want to thank the Metropolitan Police Service for their swift response and support. The officers who assisted me went above and beyond. They are a remarkable credit to the force.

The Metropolitan Police said: Officers were called at 21:55hrs on Monday, 4 November following reports of a robbery on Lambeth Walk. The victim was approached by a group of men who stole his phone from his hand. Enquiries remain ongoing.

12:46 PM GMT

No 10 refuses to commit to meeting farmers union

Downing Street has refused to commit to a meeting with farmers to discuss the impact of the Governments tractor tax, Amy Gibbons writes.

Sir Keir Starmer is under increasing pressure to sit down with the National Farmers Union (NFU) as the backlash to the inheritance tax raid announced at the Budget continues to build.

This morning, Tom Bradshaw, the president of the NFU, called for talks with the Prime Minister and Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor.

Asked whether Sir Keir and Ms Reeves would sit down with the NFU, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said the Government was always listening to the sector but refrained from making any firm commitments.

I always update on PM diary in the usual way, but my point is that we continue to engage with the sector, he said.

The Environment Secretary and the Exchequer Secretary jointly met with the NFU president yesterday following meetings with the farming minister, and well obviously continue to meet with the sector at various levels.

12:41 PM GMT

Badenoch leads first shadow cabinet meeting

Kemi Badenoch has posted photos of her first shadow cabinet meeting.

The newly elected Tory leader wrote on Instagram: Delighted to hold my first meeting of the new Shadow Cabinet this morning.

My team draws on talents from across our party, based on meritocracy and with a breadth of experience and perspective, just as I promised during the campaign. We will now get to work holding Labour to account and rebuilding our party based on Conservative principles and values.

Kemi Badenoch leads her first shadow cabinet meeting as Tory leader

12:20 PM GMT

Pictured: Phillipson leaves No 10 after Cabinet meeting

Bridget Phillipson leaves 10 Downing Street

11:50 AM GMT

Pictured: Robber Reeves protest outside Parliament

Pensioners and campaigners protest the Governments cut to the winter fuel payments - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing

11:35 AM GMT

Barclay sends best wishes to successor on Defra role

Steve Barclay has congratulated his successor, Victoria Atkins, on her new role as shadow Defra secretary.

The former shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs did not publicly back any of the leadership contenders but posted on X: Congratulations @VictoriaAtkins on becoming the new Shadow Defra Secretary.

Wishing you every success in supporting our farmers and rural communities in the face of a Labour government that simply doesnt understand them.

Congratulations @VictoriaAtkins on becoming the new Shadow Defra Secretary.



 Wishing you every success in supporting our farmers and rural communities in the face of a Labour government that simply doesn't understand them. https://t.co/1G5kCvUhZS  Steve Barclay (@SteveBarclay) November 5, 2024

11:15 AM GMT

Dodds congratulates Tory shadows on women and equalities roles

Congratulations to new Shadow Equalities Ministers @mimsdavies and @ClaireCoutinho on your appointment.



I look forward to working with you to break down barriers for everyone, and advance equality across our country.  Anneliese Dodds (@AnnelieseDodds) November 5, 2024

11:05 AM GMT

Women and equalities brief split in two by Badenoch

Kemi Badenoch has split the women and equalities brief into two parts.

Anneliese Dodds is the Governments minister for women and equalities but the shadowing role will be undertaken by both Claire Coutinho and Mims Davies.

Ms Coutinho has been made the shadow minister for equalities, as well as serving as shadow energy secretary, while Ms Davies has been made the shadow minister for women, as well as serving as shadow Welsh secretary.

11:00 AM GMT

Badenochs shadow cabinet slightly younger than Sunaks top team

Kemi Badenochs new shadow cabinet may bring with it a new generation of senior Tories, but a quick analysis shows her top team is only slightly younger than her predecessors, writes Amy Gibbons.

Mrs Badenoch, 44, is herself the same age as Rishi Sunak, who became the youngest prime minister in modern times at the age of 42.

Her shadow cabinet has an average age of 50, just two years younger than Mr Sunaks team, which averaged 52 years old at the time of the election on July 4.

The youngest shadow minister is Julia Lopez, Mrs Badenochs parliamentary private secretary, who is 38. The eldest is Lord True, 73, who will continue as shadow leader of the House of Lords.

Mrs Badenochs team also has roughly the same number of women as Mr Sunaks final cabinet, although she has two (including herself) in Great Offices of State, where the former prime minister had none.

The analysis includes all full cabinet and shadow cabinet members, as well as those who are invited to attend.

10:43 AM GMT

Tory chairman: I understand why people have joined Reform

The Conservative Partys new co-chairman said he needs to rebuild the partys membership, which has significantly declined.

Nigel Huddleston was asked about Reform UK reporting it now has 95,000 members (see the post below at 09.13), while the Tory leadership election results on Saturday showed the party had 131,680 Tory members eligible to vote  a record low.

He told LBC: One of my roles is to grow the membership base, and I understand why people have joined Reform, but I say if you want change in Britain, you need to join the Conservative Party, because we will be the ones who hopefully will form the next government.

He added: I think when were able to articulate our policy platform, it resonates with large numbers of people across the country, including millions of people who maybe voted Reform at the last election, we need to make sure that they can come back to the Conservatives, and we want to be clear that they have a home here because we share their values.

10:38 AM GMT

Wales deserves so much better than two failing Labour governments, says Mims Davies

I am delighted to be asked by @KemiBadenoch to be the new Shadow Secretary of State for Wales . I am truly thrilled also to continue as Shadow Minister for Women - especially as we approach 2028 and the centenary of universal suffrage. My love for Wales is enduring & I am pic.twitter.com/0aIlGuL5Lp  Mims Davies MP (@mimsdavies) November 5, 2024

10:26 AM GMT

Shadow defence secretary vows to hold Labour to account on armed forces funding

Incredibly privileged to have been asked by @KemiBadenoch to serve as Shadow Defence Secretary in her new Shadow Cabinet. I look forward to working with the Government on matters of national interest, especially Ukraine, whilst holding them to account on a pathway to 2.5%. pic.twitter.com/L6VED5eUWt  James Cartlidge MP   (@jcartlidgemp) November 5, 2024

10:14 AM GMT

Just three Jenrick supporters handed shadow cabinet roles

Only three backers of Robert Jenricks Tory leadership campaign have been appointed to Kemi Badenochs shadow cabinet, writes Ben Riley-Smith.

Ed Argar has been made the shadow health secretary and Victoria Atkins has been appointed shadow environment secretary. Mr Jenrick himself was appointed the shadow justice secretary yesterday.

It means of the 25 Tory shadow cabinet ministers announced by Ms Badenoch, just three publicly supported Mr Jenrick to win.

In the final round, Mr Jenrick won 41 Tory MP votes, meaning the vast majority of them have been overlooked from the shadow cabinet.

One Tory source told The Telegraph: This is a very Kemi shadow cabinet.

Mr Jenrick, Mr Argar and Ms Atkins do have senior positions on the frontbench.

10:11 AM GMT

Analysis: Out with the old, in with the new as Badenoch turns to next generation

Kemi Badenochs new shadow cabinet represents a shift to a new generation of senior Tories.

Some of the old guard fight on - Mel Stride, Dame Priti Patel, Robert Jenrick - but many of the Conservative Partys most senior elected figures will now be on the backbenches.

Jeremy Hunt, Suella Braverman, Oliver Dowden, Steve Barclay and Tom Tugendhat are all now on the outside looking in.

Mrs Braverman will be hoping the mix of a handful of veterans and a significant amount of fresh blood will help set the Conservative Party back on a course to power.

10:07 AM GMT

Atkins asked specifically for environment brief

Victoria Atkins, who has been appointed shadow environment secretary, requested the role, according to a source close to Kemi Badenoch.

She had been shadow health secretary, meaning in theory the new environment position is a step down in seniority.

A Badenoch source said Ms Atkins asked specifically for the environment brief.

Vicky really wants to take the fight to Labour on farming, the source added.

10:00 AM GMT

This is a unity shadow cabinet

A source close to Kemi Badenoch said she was unveiling a unity shadow cabinet.

The source said: This is a shadow cabinet that is based on meritocracy, its based on experience.

There is geographical spread, there is an age spread. Appointments come from the Right to the Left of the party, from Kemi supporters to [Robert] Jenrick supporters. This is a unity shadow cabinet.

09:53 AM GMT

Badenoch: The process of renewing our great party has now begun

Kemi Badenoch said the process of renewing our great party has now begun after she unveiled her shadow cabinet.

The Tory leader said her appointments had been based on meritocracy.

She said in a statement: I am delighted to have appointed my shadow cabinet, which draws on the talents of people from across the Conservative Party, based on meritocracy and with a breadth of experience and perspective, just as I promised during the campaign.

Our partys problems will only be solved with a team effort, and I am confident my shadow cabinet ministers will deliver effective opposition as we seek to win back the trust of the public.

We will now get to work holding Labour to account and rebuilding our party based on Conservative principles and values. The process of renewing our great party has now begun.

09:50 AM GMT

Lib Dems: Badenoch has appointed shadow cabinet of contradictions

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said:

This [shadow] cabinet of contradictions is a recipe for yet more Conservative chaos. How can they claim to be able to hold this new government to account when they have just as many disagreements with each other?

From a shadow justice secretary who wants to leave the ECHR to a shadow foreign secretary who had to resign for holding undisclosed meetings, this shadow cabinet has more than a whiff of impropriety.

The Conservative Party voted for the economic vandalism caused by Liz Trusss mini Budget and shattered the NHS. Every major challenge that this country faces the Conservative Party is responsible for.

The Liberal Democrats are the only party that can provide the decent opposition that this country needs.

09:48 AM GMT

New shadow business secretary: Labour treating companies like cash cows

I'm pleased to have been appointed Shadow Secretary for Business and Trade.



Britain's businesses need a government that has their backs, not one that brings them down.



Rather than cutting red tape, this Government has decided to burden businesses and treat them like cash cows. pic.twitter.com/GSCAEskj40  Andrew Griffith MP (@griffitha) November 5, 2024

09:44 AM GMT

Philp: We need to very substantially reduce legal migration

Chris Philp said the UK needed to very substantially reduce legal migration and end illegal entry to the country after he was appointed as shadow home secretary.

Mr Philp said in a lengthy Twitter thread that Labour had already showed itself to be soft on crime and on criminals.

He said: We now have a mission to hold Labour to account and win back the trust of the public. Conservatives need to work to develop detailed and credible plans, based on our core principles, in order to do that.

He added: We need to very substantially reduce legal migration, aim to end illegal entry to the UK and remove those with no right to be here - especially criminals. Nothing can be allowed to stand in the way of this critical mission.

09:40 AM GMT

New environment secretary promises to hold Labour to account on rural issues

I am delighted to be the new Shadow Sec for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Labour's Budget of broken promises will hurt rural and coastal Britain and has shown that Labour does not understand the pressures we face.

I look forward to holding them to account on food  Victoria Atkins (@VictoriaAtkins) November 5, 2024

09:37 AM GMT

Welsh Tory leader: Shadow cabinet is exciting and balanced

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives said the new shadow cabinet was exciting and balanced.

Andrew RT Davies said: Kemi Badenochs new Shadow Cabinet is an exciting and balanced team to hold the UK Government to account.

We in Wales are particularly looking forward to working with Mims Davies to make sure we can put an end to Labour rule in Wales as well as in Westminster.

I know that Mims and her other colleagues will stand up for Wales as they take on this lying Labour Government.

09:31 AM GMT

No Tugendhat in Badenochs shadow cabinet

There is one big name missing from Kemi Badenochs shadow cabinet: Tom Tugendhat.

Mrs Badenoch found roles for three of her Tory leadership rivals - Mel Stride, Robert Jenrick and Dame Priti Patel - and James Cleverly had ruled out staying on the frontbench.

But Mr Tugendhat, the former security minister, is notable by his absence.

09:20 AM GMT

Kemi Badenochs shadow cabinet in full

Shadow chancellor: Mel Stride

Shadow foreign secretary: Dame Priti Patel

Shadow home secretary: Chris Philp

Shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and shadow Northern Ireland secretary: Alex Burghart

Shadow defence secretary: James Cartlidge

Shadow justice secretary: Robert Jenrick

Shadow education secretary: Laura Trott

Shadow health secretary: Ed Argar

Shadow communities secretary: Kevin Hollinrake

Shadow environment secretary: Victoria Atkins

Shadow business secretary: Andrew Griffith

Shadow energy secretary: Claire Coutinho

Shadow work and pensions secretary: Helen Whately

Shadow transport secretary: Gareth Bacon

Shadow culture secretary: Stuart Andrew

Shadow science secretary: Alan Mak

Shadow Scottish secretary: Andrew Bowie

Shadow Welsh secretary and shadow minister for women: Mims Davies

Opposition chief whip: Dame Rebecca Harris

Shadow Commons leader: Jesse Norman

Shadow Lords leader: Lord True

Co-chairmen of the party: Nigel Huddleston and Lord Johnson

Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury: Richard Fuller

09:17 AM GMT

Chris Philp appointed as shadow home secretary

Chris Philp has been appointed shadow home secretary as Kemi Badenoch announced her shadow cabinet.

Other significant appointments include James Cartlidge as shadow defence secretary, Ed Argar as shadow health secretary and Andrew Griffith as shadow business and trade secretary.

Chris Philp, the new shadow home secretary - Thomas Krych/Story Picture Agency

09:13 AM GMT

Farage: Reform membership has increased since Badenoch became Tory leader

Nigel Farage said Reform UK has seen a boost in membership since Kemi Badenoch was picked as Conservative Party leader.

He told LBC: Seeing it already. Seeing it already. Weve gone through 95,000 members this morning. So weve gone up 1,500 in the last three or four days.

And these are Conservatives who are hanging on to see whether the party could change direction. For us as a party, its very good news.

Speaking from a Donald Trump rally in the US, he said of Ms Badenoch: Theres going to be no change whatsoever. She is a continuity candidate with all the influences of Michael Gove and all the gang in 10 Downing Street, and somehow she thinks, miraculously, she can bring them together.

There are two parties within the Conservative Party. Youve got the Reform-minded people and the Liberal Democrat-minded people, and they are so far apart, its not true.

"For us as a party, it's very good news."



Nigel Farage tells @NickFerrariLBC that Reform UK have welcomed 1,500 new members since Kemi Badenoch became leader of the Conservatives. pic.twitter.com/BKFflNeABW  LBC (@LBC) November 5, 2024

08:54 AM GMT

Shadow ministers could be given more than one job

Tory co-chairman Nigel Huddleston said he expected Kemi Badenoch to double up on shadow ministerial positions to make sure the opposition can shadow the Government with a drastically reduced number of MPs.

Asked how the party would be able to cover and shadow with its 121 Conservative MPs when there are 124 positions in the Government, he told Sky News: Well, we will cover it because weve got immense talent in the Conservative Party.

Its not uncommon. For example, when I was in government, a couple of times, I was both a whip and a minister, and that happens as well.

So actually, you dont need quite the number that you might imagine in terms of coverage, and weve got some very competent people who can often do two jobs. But the key thing is, weve also got some new talent as well in the party.

Weve got 28 new MPs, some of whom youve seen deliver the most amazing maiden speeches and bringing great experience. And I suspect that some of those will be in the government as well.

08:22 AM GMT

How the joint Tory chairmen celebrated their appointment

Two chairmen at the Two Chairmen



Good first day as co-chairman with my friend Lord Johnson.



But now down to work! pic.twitter.com/mfn2KoZAwG  Nigel Huddleston MP (@HuddlestonNigel) November 4, 2024

08:08 AM GMT

Pictured: Streeting talks to broadcasters in Westminster this morning

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, speaks to broadcasters in Westminster this morning - Thomas Krych /Story Picture Agency

08:04 AM GMT

Tory frontbench will be mix of big beasts and new MPs

Kemi Badenochs top team will be a mix of big beasts from the past and newly elected Tory MPs, the chairman of the Conservative Party said.

Nigel Huddleston said the most important thing was that the new team will be united. He said Tory disunity had annoyed voters at the general election.

He told GB News: We will bring in some big beasts from the past, some of who have got great experience, and of course some new people.

But the key thing is we will unite around renewal, we will unite around Kemi because we have to do that.

One of the messages I got loud and clear from the electorate at the last general election, it was the disunity that annoyed people, it was the fact that we were fighting amongst ourselves, that people didnt understand what we stood for.

Those are all things that Kemni has taken on board and this new message from the new opposition will be very clear indeed.

07:52 AM GMT

Conservatives now up for the fight with Badenoch as leader, says Tory chairman

The Tories are now up for the fight against Labour after the election of Kemi Badenoch as leader, the chairman of the Conservative Party said.

Nigel Huddleston said the Tories will now unite around Mrs Badenoch and provide effective opposition to Labour because the whole future of the country is at stake.

He told GB News: We do need to focus on those principles that unite us which is very different, I think you saw in the Budget last week in particular, we believe in low taxes, we believe in personal responsibility, we believe in efficient and where possible small government.

This is in stark contrast to the opposition and we are up for the fight now. We will unite around the new leader because the whole future of the country is at stake and therefore we take that responsibility to be an effective opposition very seriously indeed.

07:47 AM GMT

Tory chairman: Conservative Party needs fresh look after election beating

The Conservative Party needs a fresh look after its general election beating, the new Tory chairman said.

Nigel Huddleston said the party will undertake a period of reflection to figure out why it lost to Labour as he suggested policy announcements could be some way off.

He told GB News: We have got a period of reflection to do and Kemi was very clear in her whole election campaign, her whole election campaign was called Renewal 2030, it wasnt Kemi for Leader.

Nigel Huddleston, the Tory chairman, is pictured this morning speaking to broadcasters - Thomas Krych/Story Picture Agency

It is about renewing the party, uniting the party and making sure that we hold this Government to account and therefore be in a position to win as many seats as possible come the next election and of course local elections coming up.

In order to do that we do need a fresh look. We took a beating at the last general election, we need to properly reflect and understand why and then develop policies based on those core principles that unite us.

07:42 AM GMT

Badenoch embracing all the talents with frontbench appointments, says Huddleston

The shadow cabinet will reflect the breadth of the Conservative Party, the Tory chairman said.

Nigel Huddleston told GB News: She [Kemi Badenoch] wants to make sure that this is a shadow cabinet and a shadow team that reflects the breadth of the party and embraces all the talents.

Reshuffles and appointments is always a somewhat difficult process.

But I have sensed a strong sense of good will for support and you have seen many, many colleagues of mine who supported other candidates come out and say look, we are now backing Kemi, she is the leader, we want to support her and I think that is the overall tone you will see today.

07:36 AM GMT

Tory chairman: Badenoch uniting Conservative Party with shadow cabinet appointments

Kemi Badenochs shadow cabinet appointments are driven by a desire to unite the Conservative Party, the new Tory chairman said this morning.

Nigel Huddleston said the new Tory leader wanted to make use of all of the big talents in the party.

Asked about the appointments of Mel Stride, Dame Priti Patel and Robert Jenrick, Mr Huddleston said he could not confirm the appointments just yet.

But he said: Kemi was very clear that she wanted to offer roles to all of her opponents because she has a great degree of respect for them, all of those who wish to serve, and all of the names you mentioned, they are talents in the party and one of the key things Kemi wants to do is unite the party and make sure that we draw in all the talents in terms of those serving in the shadow team.

07:27 AM GMT

Tory chairman: All shadow cabinet roles will be filled before first meeting

The new joint chairman of the Conservative Party confirmed Kemi Badenoch will fill the remaining posts in her shadow cabinet before it meets at 10am this morning.

Asked if he expected all of the roles to be filled before the first meeting, Nigel Huddleston told GB News: I believe we do. Kemi appointed a few roles out of necessity over the last couple of days including the chief whip, myself and my co-chair and a couple of education ministers because they had to be in the chamber yesterday.

But most of the appointments will be announced shortly. You dont have long to wait now and the intention is to have the first shadow cabinet meeting about 10 oclock this morning.

07:18 AM GMT

Jenrick mocks Starmer: The people smugglers are laughing at you

Robert Jenrick, the new shadow justice secretary, has mocked Sir Keir Starmer over his latest crackdown on migrant small boat Channel crossings as he claimed the people smugglers are laughing at you.

The Prime Minister yesterday unveiled a 150 million package of measures designed to stop the boats as he repeated his pledge to treat the smuggling gangs the same as terrorists.

But Mr Jenrick, who was appointed to Kemi Badenochs shadow cabinet yesterday, said Labours decision to scrap the Tories Rwanda deportation plan meant it was now open season for the crossings.

He tweeted:

The people smugglers are laughing at you.



You scrapped, not strengthened, the Rwanda plan.



And 17,000 illegal migrants have crossed on small boats since you entered No10.



It's open season now. https://t.co/N72gUgZ3sf  Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) November 4, 2024

07:15 AM GMT

Badenochs shadow cabinet set to meet for first time

It is a big day for Kemi Badenoch as the new Tory leader holds the first meeting of her new shadow cabinet.

Three of her former leadership rivals will be in the room after Mrs Badenoch appointed Robert Jenrick as shadow justice secretary, Dame Priti Patel as shadow foreign secretary and Mel Stride as shadow chancellor.

Mrs Badenoch will be hoping that the appointments will help to unify the Tories after the lengthy race to replace Rishi Sunak.

Most of the shadow cabinet is yet to be named but we should find out who has been given the frontbench jobs in the next few hours.
Chris Webb: Luckily, I have no injuries and I am OK - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Footage has emerged of the moment a Labour MP was mugged by a gang of youths on bicycles.

Chris Webb, the MP for Blackpool South, had his phone stolen as he walked to his flat in London at around 10pm on Monday.

CCTV footage obtained by The Telegraph shows Mr Webb, 38, walking away from a convenience store in Lambeth after trying unsuccessfully to collect a parcel.

In the video, four youths dressed in black and wearing balaclavas can be seen cycling on the pavement behind the MP before one appears to snatch his phone.

The group then rides off, chased for a few yards by Mr Webb on foot.

Mr Webb, who was not injured during the incident, called the police using his Apple Watch as people from nearby shops came out to assist him.

Mohammad Khan, the owner of the convenience shop, told The Telegraph he believed the youths could have been following the MP before they struck.

He said:  He (Mr Webb) always comes to my shop. He is a nice guy, a quiet guy. He is a gentleman.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Webb, 38, wrote: Last night, as I was returning to my flat in London, I was attacked and mugged by a group of individuals.

Luckily, I have no injuries and I am OK. Unfortunately, they just took my phone so Im without one for the foreseeable future.

I want to thank the Met Police for their swift response and support. The officers who assisted me went above and beyond. They are a remarkable credit to the force.

Im not an easy target

Mr Webb said that while he was not an easy target, the group, wearing balaclavas, had managed to catch him off guard. He said he suspected they had seen him using his new iPhone and walking alone.

He added: I dont think I was targeted as an MP. Whilst I was in a suit and shirt and tie, they would not have known I was a member of Parliament.

Im a big guy. Im 6ft 2ins ... Im not an easy target, but obviously these were confident enough to kind of grab me and stop me so they could get away. My instant reaction was to kind of chase, and then I quickly realised that is not a smart thing to do in the surroundings I dont know, in a place Im unfamiliar and outnumbered six to one.

I wasnt on the phone at the time and I didnt hear them, which is remarkable in itself of how stealthy these are because these are on bikes. Im normally pretty aware of my surroundings, Ive got pretty decent reflexes and things like that from training and boxing training. So Im kind of surprised how they managed to get so close to me without me realising.

Last night, as I was returning to my flat in London, I was attacked and mugged by a group of individuals.



Luckily, I have no injuries and I am ok. Unfortunately, they just took my phone so I'm without one for the foreseeable future.



I want to thank the @metpoliceuk for their  Chris Webb MP (@ChrisWebbMP) November 5, 2024

Mr Webb said he had used the tracking on his phone via his smartwatch to lead police to an area where officers arrested an individual with a bag of stolen phones. However, his was not among them.

A Met spokesman said: Officers were called at 21.55 on Monday Nov 4 following reports of a robbery in Lambeth. The victim was approached by a group of men who stole his phone from his hand. Inquiries remain ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or X @MetCC and quote CAD7685/4 November. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Tim Farron, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats, was one of several politicians to expressed concern, writing: Thats awful  I hope you are OK?  Mr Webb replied: Im fine thanks Tim.

Labour MPs including Chris Bryant, the culture minister, Josh Fenton Glynn, the MP for Calder Valley, and the Jarrow and Gateshead East MP Kate Osborne posted messages of support.

Mr Webb won his Lancashire seat in a by-election victory in May, retaining it at the general election in July. He is the son of a postman and a teaching assistant who wanted to follow in their footsteps into the public sector.

In an interview with Sky News, he revealed that he first joined a picket line aged two when his father was on strike and has been a Labour Party member for more than 20 years.
A false-colour image of monkeypox particles (red) found within an infected cell - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global health emergency over a new strain of mpox that is spreading rapidly in Africa.

Thousands of cases of the disease  formerly known as monkeypox  and hundreds of deaths have already been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this year.

In recent weeks, infections have begun to spread to other neighbouring countries across East and Central Africa. Scientists are particularly concerned by how fast the new variant of the disease is spreading, and by its high fatality rate.

A single case of the new mpox clade, called Clade 1b, was detected in the UK on 30 October.

Heres everything you need to know about the virus that has set alarm bells ringing.

What is mpox?

Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact. It was first identified at the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen in 1958, when scientists noticed outbreaks of a pox-like disease in monkeys being kept for research.

The first human case was not confirmed until 1970, when a nine-year-old boy living in the DRC developed a nasty rash that reminded doctors of smallpox.

Scientists have identified two major strains  or clades  of mpox in Africa.

Clade 1 is endemic to Central Africa and is the most deadly strain of the disease. Clade 2, responsible for the 2022 outbreak that spread globally, is endemic to West Africa. It is milder and less infectious and 99.9 per cent of people infected survive.

The strain driving the current outbreak is known as clade 1b, which has a higher mortality rate than the strain which prompted the first emergency in 2022  thought to be as high as five per cent in adults and 10 per cent in children.

Clade 1b emerged in September last year, with the first cases found in sex workers in the DRC mining town of Kamituga, around 170 miles from the border with Rwanda.

The WHO renamed monkeypox in 2022 to restrain what it called racist and stigmatising language surrounding the infection.

Skin lesions on the arms and torso of a person infected with mpox - CDC/BRIAN W.J. MAHY/REUTERS

What are the symptoms?

Children and adolescents have been most affected in the outbreak thats now spreading in Africa, where more than 60 per cent of known fatal cases are under the age of five. In the 2022 global outbreak, the first symptoms of mpox included a high temperature or fever, headaches, muscle aches, swollen glands and exhaustion.

Between one to five days after the first symptoms, a rash usually appears on the face before spreading to other parts of the body including the genitals and anus. The rash begins as raised spots, which grow into lesions filled with fluid. The lesions can be excruciatingly painful, until the healing phase, when they begin to crust and cause intense itching.

The infection typically lasts two to four weeks, according to the WHO, and patients remain infectious until the symptoms start to heal. Some people with mpox have experienced blood in their stools and pain in the rectum. In severe cases, a person can die after developing pneumonia or a bacterial infection of the lesions, leading to sepsis.

The severity of disease is often determined by the variant. Mortality is higher among children and young adults and people with weak immune systems, particularly those with HIV, are especially vulnerable to severe disease. Infection during pregnancy puts the mother at severe risk, along with the threat of congenital infection and pregnancy loss.

Rare complications include inflammation of the heart muscle and brain, as well as seizures. Lesions can cause blindness if they develop on the eyelids.

Mpox spread: Where have infections been confirmed?

Check this map to see which countries have confirmed cases of the more dangerous strain.

Mpox transmission

The current variant, clade 1, is reported to be spreading rapidly through sexual contact, similar to the milder strain known as clade 2b that blew over in 2022. It was reported in June that 29 per cent of confirmed cases of the new strain were among sex workers.

However, mpox isnt considered a sexually transmitted disease, because it also spreads via other forms of close contact, such as skin-to-skin contact or sharing towels, clothing or bedding with someone who has the virus. This can put healthcare workers in particular at risk. The virus can also spread during pregnancy to the foetus, during or after birth through skin-skin contact.

The pathogen enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth, rectum and anus. There have been some reports that mpox can be spread through coughing and sneezing, although experts stress there is not yet enough evidence to show that the virus is able to spread via respiratory routes.

A health worker collects a sample from a child suspected of being infected with mpox - Arlette Bashizi/REUTERS

It is also still unclear if the virus can spread through bodily fluids during sex, experts have said. During the first major outbreak in 2022, the virus mostly spread among communities of gay men. The new variant appears to be more transmissible, and is reportedly infecting many people without sexual contact.

The emergence of a new mutant strain, or clade, is concerning as it indicates the virus is adapting and getting better at spreading from person to person. In parts of Africa, people who come into physical contact with an animal that carries the virus can develop mpox.

The main animal source of the disease hasnt been identified, but infected rodents are suspected of playing a key part in transmission. The virus can also be caught through eating contaminated bushmeat which is not cooked thoroughly.

What is a global health emergency and why was one declared?

A public health emergency of international concern or PHEIC is the WHOs highest form of alert.

They are declared when diseases are spreading in new or unusual ways, and are aimed at galvanising international co-operation and funding to tackle an outbreak.

The WHOs declaration follows a similar label from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this week.

Speaking after the emergency was declared, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying.

A coordinated international response is essential to stop this outbreak and save lives, he said.

When was the last global mpox outbreak?

Mpox was last declared a PHEIC in May 2022, when it triggered outbreaks in more than 100 countries across the world that had never reported mpox before.

It marked a significant departure from the diseases typical pattern of spread in central and western Africa, where people are mainly infected by wild rodents and primates and outbreaks have not spilled across borders.

Around 100,000 cases of the virus were recorded by August this year, with over 200 deaths.

Can it be treated?

Most cases of mpox usually mean only mild illness and many people recover within a few weeks. Treatments are mainly aimed at relieving symptoms.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says smallpox vaccine, antivirals and vaccinia immune globulin can be used to treat mpox as well as control it.

Is there an mpox vaccine yet?

There are three vaccines which protect against mpox  MVA-BN (made by Bavarian Nordic), LC16 (made by KM Biologics) and OrthopoxVac (which is licensed in Russia).

All of these shots originated as vaccines protecting against smallpox. The two viruses are very closely linked, and some experts have hypothesised that mpox has flourished because of falling immunity to smallpox - which was wiped out in 1980, following a global vaccination campaign.

The two most commonly used shots currently are MVA-BN and LC16; during the global outbreak of clade 2 mpox, it was the former that was deployed in Britain, under the brand name Imvanex.

The DRC, where the more dangerous strain dubbed clade 1 is spreading, it was only in May that MVA-BN and LC16 were finally approved for general use. Only LC16 has been approved in children, who have been badly hit by the current outbreak.

Vials of mpox vaccine. All three of the main vaccines for the virus originated as shots against smallpox - PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP

When will the DRC get more vaccines?

Health authorities in the DRC have said they will need around 3.5 million doses to protect its population, though supplies in the vast country remain extremely limited.

Several countries, including the US, Japan, and France, have said they will donate doses from their own stockpiles, and it is expected the jabs will reach the DRC as soon as next week.

The global vaccine group Gavi has also said it had up to $500 million to spend on getting shots to countries affected by the escalating outbreak.

The African Union has approved $10.4 million of emergency funding for the African Centre for Disease Controls efforts to curb mpox, which said it aimed to secure three million doses of vaccine this year.

Yet sources involved in planning the countrys rollout told Reuters that just 65,000 doses were likely to be available in the short term, with vaccination campaigns unlikely to begin until at least October.

Other elements need to be hashed out too: who will get the vaccine? How will it be distributed? Can it be used as a prophylaxis  meaning it could be given in a targeted way to the contacts of mpox patients.

Do the vaccines work against all clades?

Yes  tentatively. According to the European Centre for Disease Control, data on clade-specific vaccine effectiveness is currently limited  much of the evidence links to clade two after it lapped the globe.

But public health experts say that, because the two strains are 90 per cent similar, they expect the vaccine to work against clade one.

And in a recent podcast for the Infectious Disease Society of America Dr Agam Rao, an mpox expert at the CDC said one small study from the agency suggested that the shots do produce a good immune response and appeared to protect health care workers in an area highly endemic for clade one.

Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security
A sense of powerlessness lingers in Chiva a week after the flood. Photograph: Bruna Casas/Reuters

Everyone in Chiva has their own memories of what happened here a week ago. For some it is the frantic phone calls to loved ones; for others, the disbelief as this small Valencian town, like so many others, was swallowed up by flood waters that bore away cars and trees as if they were paper boats.

For Lourdes Valles, it is the sound of a car horn sounding through the sodden darkness of last Tuesday night.

That car was swept by outside and I didnt know that cars start up when theyre flooded, she says, standing in the damp ruins of the medical clinic she runs.

The horn was going  beep! beep! beep!  like it was asking for help. I just cant get that out of my head. The sound of it and the powerlessness I felt. There was nothing I could do.

That sense of powerlessness lingers in Chiva, despite the arrival on Tuesday morning of more troops with rucksacks and bed rolls, despite the army of volunteers with brooms and despite the good Samaritans who pad the streets, offering residents water, sandwiches, bananas and apples.

Chiva now has the feeling of a garrison town, which seems bitterly appropriate. It was like we were in Afghanistan the next day, says Valles. It was like a bomb had gone off.

Elena, a Romanian woman who lives close to the ravine that bisects Chiva, reluctantly accepted a banana from an insistent volunteer. But what she really wants is to be able to get back into the flat she shared with her late husband, and to start putting her life back together.

Its a good thing that my husbands dead because this would have given him a heart attack, she says, pointing to the ravine and the wrecked houses. There was a wooden bridge here but that was swept away and the water here reached a height of 2 metres. I dont need this banana. I just need help to get all my stuff cleared out.

A municipal architect who has just inspected the flat reassures her that the army will be along in a minute. There are people on the way, he says, and theyre stronger than you or me.

Farther up the same road, not far from the damp, late 18th century church of St John the Baptist, which has become a storeroom for bottles of bleach, buckets, mops and brooms, Loles Ferrer, and her sister, Maria Jesus, have come to check on their parents house.

For them, the fear and desperation of a week ago have given way to an unpleasant feeling of deja vu as some Spanish politicians engage in a familiar blame game. From the Madrid train bombings of 2004 to the Covid pandemic and now to the floods that have claimed at least 217 lives, it seems there is no tragedy that cannot be cheapened, twisted and sharpened into a political weapon.

It was like we were in Afghanistan the next day

Over recent days, Valencias regional leader, Carlos Mazon  a member of the conservative Peoples party (PP)  has sought to blame Spains socialist government and even the armed forces military emergencies unit (UME) for the disaster and the delay in relieving it. His administration, meanwhile, stands accused of waiting almost 14 hours before sending an emergency alert to peoples phones last Tuesday.

Theres so much confrontation and so many tensions among the politicians here, says Loles. The PP here seems to be dead set against anything the Spanish government does. But they should have been united at all levels.

She and her sister would also like to see less finger-pointing and more discussion of the role the climate emergency played in the disaster.

The politicians need to stop shouting over the climate scientists and not recognising whats going on, adds Loles. Nothing like this has ever happened here. Our parents used to talk about a flood in the 1940s, but that was nothing compared with this. And it doesnt help that theyve built new places so close to the ravine.

The scale of the crisis is evident well beyond Valencia. The motorway into the region is beaded with the green Jeeps and trucks of an army logistics brigade, the red-and-yellow vehicles of the UME, and a small convoy of white Madrid city council rubbish trucks with cranes. Closer to the city of Valencia, the roadsides are lined with mud and mutilated cars and its endless industrial outskirts are water-logged and patrolled by police and bands of broom-wielding volunteers.

Standing in her clinic and listing off the damages  the destroyed ultrasound machine, the lost patient records  Valles says the impact of the floods was increased by the number of cars in the town and by the fact that the gully was full of tree branches and reeds. In the past, she adds, people used to keep it clean to ensure that heavy rains did not inundate Chiva.

She, too, is sick of the political bickering even as people in the town are still assessing the damage to their lives and livelihoods and architects are arriving to see which buildings will need to be torn down.

I dont think this is the time to assign blame or to insult people, she says. All the politicians are the same to me, left or right, but we need to find solutions after so many people have lost their lives. So Ive lost my business but its just a business and well open up again. We havent lost anyone. The important thing now is rebuilding.
Former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant speaks to the press in Tel Aviv on 5 November after he was fired by the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Photograph: Nir Elias/Reuters

Benjamin Netanyahus decision to fire his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, removes one of the harshest critics from his own government and empowers members of the far-right and ultra-Orthodox interests in Israel to key positions in Netanyahus cabinet.

By all accounts, the key causes for Gallants departure lie in domestic Israeli politics: the two mens disagreements over a hostage deal with Hamas, Gallants opposition to blanket exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews from service in the IDF, and over a leaking scandal involving a close aide to Netanyahu.

But Gallants departure also comes at a crucial moment: the day of a US presidential election that will determine the nature of continued US support for Israels wars in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as leniency toward Israeli policy in the West Bank and a potential escalation with Iran.

Related: Feedback loop: the tangled ties between the US election and the Middle East war

In many ways, Gallants sacking is the first step to clear the decks for an unclear new relationship with the US  either with a Kamala Harris administration that will probably continue support for Israel in an environment of deep distrust and growing criticism over the deaths of Palestinians, or a highly unpredictable Donald Trump administration that has vowed to back Israel to finish the job despite a fraught personal relationship between the two men.

And for the lame duck Biden administration, the firing also erases one of the strongest relationships between Israel and Washington further ensuring that the White House will struggle to restrain Netanyahu or secure a landmark cessation of hostilities before the US presidential inauguration in January.

US officials were surprised by Netanyahus decision to fire Gallant, who has been one of the most important conduits to the US government via the defence secretary, Lloyd Austin. The two men are said to speak almost daily, and had helped repair some confidence in the relationship after Israel had surprised the US with the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah.

When Netanyahu previously sought to fire Gallant in 2023, the decision sparked both protests at home and a note of deep concern from the White House. And when Netanyahu told Gallant to cancel a trip to the United States last month before Israels response to an Iranian ballistic missiles attack, a defence department spokeswoman said she would not discuss the decision to avoid entangling herself in Israeli politics.

They have a good relationship with each other, Sabrina Singh, the defence spokesperson, said of Gallant and Austin, adding that the two men had spoken to each other a ballpark 80 times. They can pick up the phone at any time, at any hour of the night and speak very candidly to each other.

The journalist Bob Woodward recently described the deep distrust between the Netanyahu and Biden administrations, saying that Biden had told close aides that 18 of the 19 people who work for Netanyahu are liars. Israeli media have speculated that Gallant was the sole Israeli official who was still trusted in Washington.

In the run-up to the Israeli response to Iran, the two men were in close contact  Austin had told Gallant the US fully supported Israel in its standoff with Tehran and the men also discussed the opportunities that now exist to use diplomacy to dial down tensions in the region.

It is widely understood that US policy with Israel is at a turning point with neither side clear on whether a Trump presidency would continue any of the policies enforced under Biden and his state department.

Austin and the secretary of state, Antony Blinken, on 13 October sent a letter to Israel that demanded it improve humanitarian conditions within Gaza within 30 days or risk having some US military assistance cut off. The Biden administration has been reluctant to take any firm steps in terms of cutting aid off to Israel, so the letter marked a potential watershed with respect to US policy.

But the deadline comes after the election of the next US president and it is likely that if Trump wins, Netanyahu will simply ignore the ultimatum. And, at the same time, Gallants ousting does not suggest that Netanyahu is looking to make concessions to a Biden administration that is soon to be on its way out.
North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency released this picture on 1 November showing a test-fire of the new Hwasong-19 ICBM at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Photograph: KCNA via KNS/AFP/Getty Images

North Koreas UN envoy has said Pyongyang will accelerate a buildup of its nuclear weapons programme just days after it test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time this year at a moment of rising tensions with the west.

Kim Song, North Koreas ambassador to the UN, said during a security council meeting on Monday that Pyongyang would accelerate the programme to counter any threat presented by hostile nuclear weapons states.

Early on Tuesday, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North had fired several short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea east of the Korean Peninsula. Japans coast guard said the projectile wsa believed to be a ballistic missile, and broadcaster NHK reported it appeared to have landed outside Japans exclusive economic zone in the ocean.

The security council meeting was convened to address Pyongyangs testing of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday meant to demonstrate North Koreas growing prowess at developing missiles that could deliver more powerful nuclear warheads potentially to the mainland US.

The US and Ukraine have warned that North Korea has nearly 8,000 soldiers stationed in the Kursk region of Russia who could go into combat in Ukraine in the coming days, and both countries have warned that those troops will become legitimate military targets if they take part in fighting.

The nuclear threat of United States against [North Korea] has already reached critical point in terms of its scale and danger, Kim said. Due to reckless moves of the United States, the potential situation is approaching the brink of war.

During the meeting, the US accused China and Russia of shamelessly protecting Pyongyang at the UN from closer scrutiny of its sanctions-violating activities, and said Pyongyang had been emboldened to continue advancing its unlawful ballistic missile, nuclear and WMD programmes.

North Korea is believed to be seeking Russian missile and space technology as part of a deal to provide troops in Russias war against Ukraine. But US officials have not said what they believe Vladimir Putin has provided to North Korea in exchange.

Russia and China have shamelessly protected Pyongyang from any reprisal, or even condemnation of its actions, said Robert Wood, the deputy US ambassador to the UN.

Putin greeted North Koreas foreign minister in a surprise meeting in the Kremlin after the US warnings about North Korean soldiers approaching Ukraine.

Footage was broadcast showing Putin meeting Choe Son Hui, the North Korean envoy, with whom he shook hands for a full minute. The meeting took place on Russias National Unity Day, a national holiday, and Choe said he brought sincere, warm, comradely greetings from the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un.

The meeting was not previously scheduled and may have been prompted by the warnings by the west about the North Korean troops preparing to fight.

The US and South Korea announced a new memorandum of understanding to develop cooperation on civil nuclear energy, strengthening their administration of export controls on civil nuclear technology, the US Department of Energy said in a statement.

The department claimed that the announcement would help combat the climate crisis and protect critical supply chains, while creating billions of dollars worth of new economic opportunities.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, reportedly told his MPs Labor would run a scare campaign on abortion and they shouldnt take the bait. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

Peter Dutton has blasted Coalition MPs for fuelling a federal debate on abortion laws, declaring there would be no change to policy if he wins government and they must show more discipline on the topic.

Dutton told MPs in his private weekly party-room address on Tuesday morning that the 11th-hour emergence of the issue during the recent Queensland state election campaign may have cost the Liberal National party votes.

One Coalition MP, speaking anonymously, told Guardian Australia that Dutton spoke very firmly on the issue in the context of the coming federal election, due by May, and warned against people speaking out, without singling out individuals.

The Northern Territory Country Liberal party senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price reopened debate at the federal level two weeks ago after she gave a media interview condemning later-term abortion, which she described as anything after the first trimester, and said full-term termination becomes infanticide.

Later-term abortion is a non-medical term for terminations after 20 weeks gestation, according to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and can happen because of foetal abnormalities or if the mothers life is at risk. The first trimester is 12 weeks.

Her comments came after the issue had emerged during the Queensland election campaign and dominated debate in the lead-up to polling day.

Prices public intervention, which was not authorised by the Coalition leadership, prompted senior colleagues to speak out immediately, saying there was no proposed change to the parties policy. The deputy Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, the opposition finance spokesperson, Jane Hume, and the Nationals Senate leader, Bridget McKenzie, all rejected any suggestion that abortion should be reopened as an issue at the federal level.

Even Queensland Nationals senator Matt Canavan, who has pressed for changes to abortion law, said after Prices comments that timing was important and it would be unhelpful to reopen debate before a federal election.

On Tuesday, Dutton is understood to have addressed his remarks to all Liberal and Nationals parliamentarians, though most senators were not present due to estimates committee hearings. Price was among those who did not attend the meeting.

[He said] it is not a federal issue, it had an impact in Queensland and discipline is extremely important, one MP reported Dutton as saying.

Dutton is believed to have also said he understands that some people in the Coalition have strong views but that nothing could be gained by airing them as it is a state issue.

The government will try and run a scare campaign on it, so dont take the bait is how the MP characterised the message.

The opposition leader said Coalition MPs should not be drawn into debate on the issue by Labor, warning it was a distraction that could result in lost votes.

One member said the party needed to be attuned to city tactics while praising the partys election performance in north Queensland.

Related: Its kind of whispered in corridors: women being forced into underground abortion networks in rural NSW, study finds

Attracting strong support in Duttons home state of Queensland is crucial to the Coalitions chances of taking government at the coming federal election, which is due to be held by May next year.

Speaking to ABC radio on 22 October, just days before the Queensland election, Dutton downplayed the likely impact of the abortion debate on voter sentiment.

To be honest, I dont think its a debate that is shifting votes one way or the other, he said at the time.

In Queensland, the debate was sparked by Katters Australian party MP Robbie Katter suggesting he would press an incoming LNP government to legislate to wind back aspects of the states abortion law.

The then opposition leader  now premier  David Crisafulli faced sustained questioning over his position, condemning Labor for inflaming what he said was a scare campaign and eventually ruling out any change to the law.
Carnality fuses with high art  Picassos Faun Uncovering a Woman, 1936, from the Vollard Suite. Photograph:  Succession Picasso, DACS, London 2024

Pablo Picasso had a lot on, from shattering the western pictorial tradition with cubism to making sculptures from string and gloves. Why did he also produce a lifetimes worth of fine art prints? Right through this show we see how he took on this refined genre in order to defile it, rubbing art history in the muck while giving it perverse, indestructible new life.

The desecration begins with his 1905 print Salome. Herod watches dead-eyed as Salome dances naked, but Picasso lets us see more than the Biblical King as Salome raises her left leg high in the air like a dancer at the Moulin Rouge. Already Picasso is depicting the body, as he said he wanted to, like a blind man who pictures an arse by the way it feels.

This desire drives Picassos prints right through to his 1968 series Raphael and La Fornarina, in which the Renaissance artist and his mistress have sex in multiple positions while the Pope watches. The 86-year-old Picasso might be publishing a manifesto of what his life as an artist has been about  the body, not the soul.

In the Vollard Suite, the great series of etchings created between 1930 and 1937, carnality fuses with high art. You see a bearded artist more interested in the head he has carved of his model than he is in the naked woman herself. The real model has a classical profile, but her portrait is a mass of protuberances and ovoids based on sculptures Picasso was creating at the time. The Vollard Suite is about the mystery of art, how it refuses to merely mirror life.

It is also filthy. In another scene the bearded artist relaxes with his best mate the Minotaur. The man-bull hybrid and the artist raise their glasses as they cavort with two nude women, or the same woman two ways up, whose billowing breasts and hips are those Picasso typically gives his lover Marie-Therese Walter. Which is Picasso  artist or Minotaur? He is both, he says with self-mockery, as artist and monster enjoy their bacchanal like gangsters at a brothel.

Its not so funny when the Minotaur is a rapist. Or when he nuzzles his huge, stinking head with its matted fur close to a sleeping womans face. This is not Carry On Greek Myths. The Minotaur is a monster who ends up sacrificed in the arena. Earlier artists such as Titian and Rubens illustrated Greek myths but Picasso appropriates them, chews them up and produces his own new fairytales of sex and death. In a cathartic final image, the Minotaur has been blinded for its sins and is led through the night by a girl: Picasso hopes for redemption.

The Vollard Suite is Picassos confrontation with his inner beast, but this 1930s masterpiece also faces the violence and irrationality of the fascist abyss. Next comes his 1937 comic strip The Dream and Lie of Franco, in which the eloquence of the Vollard Suite becomes a howl. Franco, leader of the far-right forces in the Spanish civil war, is caricatured with bristling rage as an onion-like pustule who sprouts phalluses, a brutish, murderous Don Quixote. The results of his violence stop you in your tracks. A woman screams at the sky while black lines of tears flow down her face. A mother runs out of her house with her baby in her arms, the awful way its head hangs upside down with gaping mouth and empty eyes telling you the child is dead.

This devastating image of bereavement is enlarged on an epic scale in Guernica, reproduced here to make the point. Theres another affinity between Picassos prints and his anti-war painting: theyre both black and white. Picasso is at one with the print medium because it cuts everything down to the bone  to black lines on white paper.

Women are always on his mind. The self-pleasing sexual fantasist who imagines he is a minotaur or satyr is also the most compassionate of political artists. In his eyes women are always the first victims of war, and mothers are its bereaved witnesses. His own much loved mother, whose family name Picasso he took, was living in Barcelona in 1937 at the heart of the war.

Often in Picasso exhibitions you thrill, but then feel disappointed by his later works. I was tense, waiting for the falling off. Here it never happens. After the second world war, his prints dont slacken but take on a crude art brut power. His 347 Suite, created in 1968, consists, naturally, of 347 prints  the British Museum owns them all. We get a joyful dollop of rollicking nudity, ogling artists and a caricature of De Gaulle. Picasso sides with the student revolution in Paris: a man in his 80s yet a child of the 60s. Still complex after all these years.
The new project would be next to the existing Scout Moor windfarm near Greater Manchester. Photograph: Joel Goodman/The Guardian

Plans to build what would be the biggest onshore windfarm in England will move forward this week, the first since the Labour government lifted the de facto ban put in place by the Conservatives nine years ago.

An independent renewable energy developer has submitted plans to erect 21 wind turbines next to an existing windfarm north of Manchester.

While other onshore sites in England have more turbines, those at the proposed windfarm at Scout Moor would be more powerful because of technological advances that would enable more than 100 megawatts to be generated there.

Related: Britains green energy pledge credible if planning fixed, says system operator

That is enough electricity to power the equivalent of 100,000 homes and meet more than 10% of Greater Manchesters domestic energy needs before the end of the decade.

This would help to meet the governments target of doubling Britains onshore wind power capacity by 2030. That target alongside goals to triple its solar power capacity and quadruple its offshore wind capacity are part of a plan to create a zero-carbon electricity system in the 2030s.

The developer, Cubico Sustainable Investments, will set out its plans to build the new project alongside its proposal for a multimillion-pound community wealth fund to support local people.

If approved, the site would also be the fifth biggest onshore wind power producer in the UK, with the others all in Scotland, topped by the 539MW generated by the 215 turbines at Whitelee, south of Glasgow.

Plans for the Scout Moor site were shelved 10 years ago after a backlash against onshore windfarms in England prompted the then Tory government to put in place planning rules that in effect ruled out new developments.

David Swindin, the Cubico chief executive, said his team had been developing new projects for about four years in anticipation of the rules changing to allow further onshore windfarms to be built in England.

Cubico is one of the worlds largest privately owned renewables developers. It is one of many windfarm developers hoping to erect onshore turbines in England for the first time in almost a decade. Labour lifted the Tories de facto ban within 72 hours of coming into power in July.

Swindon said: It was obvious that there was going to be pressure to change the rules, even for the Conservatives. And for some time it seemed likely that Labour would come to power. So we have been eagerly waiting for the moment that we can press the button.

Peter Rowe, the projects development manager, said the site was one of the most ideal locations for a windfarm in England thanks to its high wind speeds and close proximity to energy consumers in Greater Manchester. The location rules out the need for expensive grid upgrades to carry the electricity long-distances.

Clearly we will be going into a public consultation [with the local community] very sensitively. The site itself has been used in the past for mining and quarrying, and the area has been at the heart of Britains industrial story. So what were putting forward is a modern reinterpretation of how the moors and uplands have been used historically, he said.

James Robottom, the head of policy at Renewable UK, a trade association, said that since the government lifted the block on onshore windfarms in England, ambitious plans were beginning to come forward with a strong emphasis on the new investment, jobs and benefit funds which they would bring to local communities.

Close consultation with these communities is a key element of every proposal, ensuring that local people have a strong voice in the planning process, he added.

A government spokesperson said: While we cant comment on this specific case, onshore wind is crucial to making Britain a clean energy superpower, boosting the UKs energy independence and protecting bill payers.
People line up to vote on election day as a polling site opens in Pine Lake, Georgia. Photograph: Ben Rollins/The Guardian

America had previously always been somebody elses country, said Christopher La Rose, a health researcher, as he waited just before 7am in Pine Lake, a village thats too small for postal delivery just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

But that changed recently for La Rose, who is of Guyanese descent, when he became an American citizen. He had the jitters on Monday night, before using his first-ever vote in a US election to back Kamala Harris.

I am sincerely concerned about the way that the country could devolve if the other chap got into office, La Rose said. Im concerned about the political party that has coalesced around him, and how they have, in my mind, lost their way, and Im voting to protect my kids.

Georgia is one of the seven swing states where election results are close enough to fight over and voters in all of those states say they definitely feel fought over.

At a busy polling place in Scottsdale, Arizona, the conservative youth organization Turning Point brought out a bright pink party bus adorned with Trump train signs, which they will use to take voters to other Scottsdale polling places if the lines become too long. The group also put up signs imploring voters to stay put: stay in line, dont leave your country behind, one sign said.

A man was also gathering signatures for America Pac, Elon Musks group that is paying circulators to sign up other people who could win a $1m prize. Elon Musk needs our help, the man told one voter.

Musks controversial effort to drive turnout is late to the race. In many swing states, most people who are going to vote have already done so. More than 80 million people cast ballots before election day across the country, with 4 million in Georgia alone  80% of Georgias 2020 vote total.

Georgias in-person votes will be counted and announced about an hour after polls close at 7pmlocal time, elections officials said last week. Georgia officials have meticulously tried to avoid giving election integrity denialists something to wrap a grievance around this year. The election interference attempts of 2020 still resonate.

Gabriel Sterling, election operations chief for Georgias secretary of state, at midday on Tuesday that all polling locations were working smoothly, with an average wait  if there is a wait  of two minutes and an average check-in time of 49 seconds.

Cyndi Keen, a lifelong Republican, voted a straight Republican ticket on Tuesday. When it comes down to looking at having a better life for my children, for my grandkids and for myself, I like the Republican policies better, she said. She thought the results will be close  and her household had voted for different candidates. Im in a house divided, my sweetie went the other way. Hes straight Republican but he voted for Harris.

Cathy Garcia, an activist with the Working Families party from Santa Fe, New Mexico, flew to Atlanta this week. Tuesday morning with eight hours to go, she was beating on doors in Atlantas south-eastern suburbs, looking to put the last voter in line. She was accompanied by a far-flung team visiting from safe Democratic states  Massachusetts, California, New York  putting in work where it might count the most.

They wrestled with the cellphone app showing them where to find clusters of registered voters who had not yet voted. The apartment complex in south DeKalb county gave them some density to work with, but low-income people tend to be more transient  and less likely to be at home in the middle of the day.

Their effort demonstrates the effort the campaigns are making to get every last voter they can to a poll.

Read more of the Guardians 2024 US election coverage

Kamala Harris was spending the day on Tuesday at the Naval Observatory, the vice-presidents residence in Washington. The public is not expected to see the Democratic nominee until Tuesday night, where she is poised to deliver remarks at Howard University, her alma mater, in Washington DC. But she has been blitzing radio stations with calls across the country in a last-effort push for votes.

Trump has ratcheted up outrage in the waning days of the election, wrapping himself and Republican voters in the politics of extreme grievance over descriptions of himself and his supporters as garbage, Nazis and fascists. And yet, his comments at rallies have included increasingly strident attacks on undocumented people, who he has called animals and monsters, and personal attacks on Harris.

Trump partisans have cheered him on and adopted his tone.

Hes a big daddy. Hell smack you if youre an asshole, said Joanne Kelchner, 77, a retiree from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, who voted for Trump had harsh words for Harris. Why is she not proud of her Brahmin heritage? Kelchner asked. I mean the elite class of India and pretending that shes not Black, whatever  God bless us all.

But partisan rancor abounds.

Donald Trump is crazy. I mean, hes a lunatic and the people I think that vote for him are lunatics because he is crazy, said Jeannie Strickland, a retiree from Georgia. Hes trying to get people revved up to fight for him. I think if they put his butt in jail, like they should have done at least two years ago, it might calm him down a little bit, but they dont do anything to him. Im scared hes going to win, and I might have to find an island somewhere and go live somewhere else, because he likes Hitler, and he liked the things Hitler did.

Both sides have armies of lawyers in anticipation of legal challenges on and after election day. And law enforcement agencies nationwide are on high alert for potential violence.

Tensions briefly flared outside a polling site in a library in downtown Phoenix, where a group of men decked out in American flag T-shirts had gathered to wave Union Yes for Harris Walz signs. As another man in a truck drove past, he hollered at the men: Fuck you!

Angel Torres Pina, a 21-year-old who serves in the military and who voted for the first time on Tuesday, wanted politics to become less divisive and fear-based. He was somewhat nervous about voting at the library at all. Am I making the right decisions? Am I making the wrong decisions? Are people gonna bad-talk about me because I voted for what I believe in? said Torres Pina, an independent who voted for Harris. I keep seeing on the news about these riots, these protests, these chaos, and it makes me a bit scared for if Im voting right or wrong.

While many Americans have described how stressful this election is, Dawn Alter, a 50-year-old sales representative from New Berlin, Wisconsin, was in good spirits on Tuesday morning. Alter was supporting Harris, and thought the vice-president stood a chance in Wisconsin  a key swing state.

Alter believes Trump has shed support here since 2020, and viewed herself as evidence: she abandoned Trump after supporting the former president in 2020, saying she was tired of the division and negativity he has sowed.

Its a lot of discord, theres too much misinformation, said Alter. There needs to be change and unity  I think those are the two biggest things for me.

In 2016, Wisconsin voters elected Donald Trump by less than a percentage point, and in 2020, the state flipped for Joe Biden by a similarly narrow margin. Polling suggests the presidential race in Wisconsin is essentially a toss-up, and voters were acutely aware of the uncertainty they face.

Matt Steigerwald, a college lecturer from Wisconsin, said he was cautiously optimistic, adding: Wisconsin is probably going to be pretty tight. Steigerwald, who joked that he was a bleeding-heart liberal, said that even as a left-of-center voter, he found Trump especially abhorrent.

I just dont know how you can support somebody whos said and done so many awful things, who treats women so poorly, who treats people of different races so poorly  hes just an awful human being from my perspective, said Steigerwald.

 Additional reporting by Carter Sherman, Alice Herman, Sam Levine and Rachel Leingang
Keir Starmer

That the Labour backbench is not a drawer filled with especially sharp knives is a fact becoming clearer by the day. Theres the man from Runcorn with an apparent penchant for beating up his constituents outside a chippy. Or slum landlord MP Jas Athwal, accused of presiding over Dickensian squalor like some latter-day Wackford Squeers.

Even among such luminaries, there are few blunter knives than Dawn Butler MP. She is famous for her long-running campaign to raise awareness about homosexuality in giraffes (90 per cent of them are gay), her insistence that children are born without sex or her proud use of corporate gobbledegook: she once claimed to feel belittled by the fact that the word upskilling was not in the Oxford English Dictionary.

Engaging in what a particular type of Leftist views as harmless banter, Butler unwittingly unveiled another example of two-tierism in Labours Britain. Over the weekend, she shared a post describing Kemi Badenoch as the UKs most prominent member of white supremacys black collaborator class. Never mind that Butler has previously called for other MPs to be sacked for similar incidents, nor that in 2022, Rupa Huq lost the whip for several months after describing Kwasi Kwarteng as superficially black. That was then; now in power, progressive race-baiting goes unpunished.

For all the pantomime nature of Labours hypocrisy here, there are far more insidious examples of two-tier Britain in action. We are moving towards a sharply-divided economic setup between the chosen public sector workers and their private sector counterparts. Not only is the public sector effectively exempted from paying the increase in employer NI contributions, with the Treasury allocating money to offset higher costs, the private sector will bear the brunt of Rachel Reevess IHT pensions raid.

The parliamentary Labour party seems to view the private sector primarily as a milch cow for maintaining the public sector. Astonishingly few of their number have ever set up a business or employed people (for a party obsessed with lived experience, this seems one sort that doesnt bother them at all). Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds offers a striking example; his sole interaction with the private sector consists of a short stint as a solicitor in the late-noughties, sandwiched between various jobs in local and national politics. Not that this stopped him from, hilariously, lecturing Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on how to run his business. Labours definition of working people clearly didnt include employers, self-employed people, farmers and countless others slogging away in the productive side of the economy. Perhaps work only counts if it means working for the state.

In pre-election interviews, Labour frontbenchers insisted that their spending plans would be funded by a push for growth, rather than taxation. Last weeks budget made clear that their real priority is redistribution.

This is hardly surprising, but depressing nevertheless. Low growth begets a corresponding zero-sum mentality. Incapable of enhancing prosperity, the business of politics is limited to divvying up an ever-diminishing pool of spoils. You can detect this growing sense of bitterness in public discourse. News of the ongoing exodus of millionaires from Britain is often greeted with a nonchalant who cares?, or even good riddance! But supporters of an expansive welfare state should be especially worried; high-earners are essential to funding it. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, for all their faults, understood this.

I have lost count of the number of high-flying friends who have left, or plan to leave, Britain for opportunities in countries offering a better chance of saving for the future. Again, the usual suspects might say, good riddance, but someone earning 100,000 a year pays more than 30,000 in income tax and NICs (before student loan or pension contributions), meaning that it would take at least six people earning 30,000 a year to cover the contribution of just one of these high-earners, who may also be subsidising services they never use through private healthcare and so on. Graduate higher-earners face marginal rates of 60+ per cent, perhaps even 100 per cent if they have young children and lose their free childcare entitlement beyond 100,000.

The response from progressives is usually theyve done well, so why should they complain?, rather than worrying about unintended consequences, or thinking it a shame that more people dont earn these kinds of salaries. What are piddling considerations like economic incentives when theres petty class warfare to be waged?

Ever since The West Wing was screened, swathes of the British ruling class began to believe they were no longer governing a medium-sized monarchy in Western Europe, but were in fact holding the reins of the grand American republic. Politicians began speaking of the separation of powers. Bog-standard parliamentary assistants found themselves relabelled chiefs-of-staff. John Prescott became a running mate, instead of a pugnacious man from Hull.

With all eyes on the US election, it strikes me that we are America-brained in precisely the wrong way. If we could achieve a fraction of the USAs growth prospects wed be laughing. The Yanks are famously pleased for other people whove done well. In classic British style, weve stumbled on the worst of all possible worlds; Americas venom and culture war obsession with none of her positivity or economic drive.
Donald Trump has claimed he does not know who is behind the document - Joe Raedle/Getty

Follow The Telegraphs latest US election live blog

Kamala Harris, the US vice-president, has described the ultra-conservative instruction manual known as Project 2025 as an assault on democracy.

Trump has eschewed the 922-page document, which called for the appointment of vetted Trump loyalists as civil servants, enabling them to enact sweeping tax cuts and other proposals.

What is Project 2025?

Produced by a conservative think tank, the document sets out a potential blueprint for a Trump administration, should he win the election in November.

Democrats are hoping that it contains enough ammunition to take down Trump.

What is included in the document?

The Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind the project, says that it paves the way for an effective conservative administration and can be used to prize the country from the hands of the radical Left.

In several key areas, the document echoes positions that Trump has set out in the past and outlines how he could implement them as president.

It proposes mass deportations of more than 11 million illegal immigrants; Trump has pledged to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.

It proposes giving the executive power to sack thousands of civil servants in favour of political appointees  a move Trump ordered but did not have time to usher in before leaving office.

Kamala Harris told a rally on Tuesday that, among other things, Project 2025 abolish the department of education - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America

And it proposes bringing the justice department and FBI under the presidents control. Trump has called for both to be defunded following his criminal indictments, and said he would weaponise them against political rivals.

Ms Harris has said that Project 2025 will cut social security, remove the price cap on insulin and abolish the department of education.

But most worryingly, Ms Harris told supporters: If implemented this plan will be the latest attack in Donald Trumps full-on assault on reproductive freedom.

Abortion access would be further restricted and limits on birth control introduced, she added.

Does Trump support Project 2025?

Trump has reportedly eschewed the document, with reports saying the project was killed off following the intervention of a senior Trump campaign official, Chris LaCivita.

President Trumps campaign has been very clear for over a year that Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the president in any way, the Trump campaign said in a statement.

Reports of Project 2025s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign - it will not end well for you.

In a bid to appear more moderate on issues such as abortion access, Trump had already sought to distance himself from the project in recent months, even though many of the groups and individuals that support it are closely linked to him.

Those behind Project 2025 have floated in and out of Trump orbit over the last eight years.

In some areas the sprawling policy document goes well beyond Trumps publicly stated views.

As Ms Harris said, it endorses limiting access to the abortion pill mifepristone.

Trump was forced to furiously backpedal earlier this year when he appeared to be considering cuts to Medicare - Brian Snyder/REUTERS

The official Republican platform, released this week, omitted a national abortion ban as an ambition for the first time in 40 years.

Project 2025 also calls for limits to be placed on Medicare claims, to disincentivise permanent dependence on the health insurance programme among over-65s.

Trump was forced to furiously backpedal earlier this year when he appeared to be considering cuts to Medicare. The newly released Republican platform vowed to maintain current levels of spending  softening another longstanding position.

Who is behind Project 2025?

Kevin Roberts, the foundations president, had said he believed the document would help transform US politics.

We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless  if the Left allows it to be, he said.

In total, 31 authors and editors of Project 2025 were Trump administration officials, according to the Biden campaign.

The director is Paul Dans, who served in the Office of Personnel Management during Trumps term in the White House. The document was co-edited by Steven Groves, who spent three years in the administration, while Spencer Chretien, the former special assistant to the president, is the projects associate director.

One chapter was written by Russ Vought, Trumps director of the office of management and budget. Earlier this year, Trump named Mr Vought as policy director to craft the Republican party platform ahead of its national convention.

Ed Martin, the platforms deputy policy director, leads a conservative pressure group listed on the Project 2025 advisory board.

Stephen Miller, a longtime Trump adviser, is the president of America First Legal, which also advises the project, and appears on a video promoting its presidential transition academy.

Ben Carson, Trumps former housing secretary; Peter Navarro, the former White House trade adviser; and Mark Meadows, Trumps final chief of staff, are all involved in the project.
Jeanne Lowe of Redding, an employee at the Igo Country Store, stands for a portrait outside the store and bar in Igo, California. Photograph: Marlena Sloss

Residents of one of Californias most conservative counties are bracing for a contentious election, as the community grapples with a thriving election denialism movement that has amplified conspiracy theories about voter fraud and made life increasingly difficult for election workers.

In recent weeks, some residents of Shasta county, home to 180,000 people in the states far north, have urged the county not to certify the election results while one official warned that if Donald Trump is cheated out of the election, there would be a price to pay.

While the USs attention is on the swing states that will determine the outcome of the race between Kamala Harris and Trump, Shasta county offers a look at how the election denialism movement and extremist politics are affecting communities across the country.

Its already been a tense time in Shasta county for the last three to four years, said Nathan Blaze, a local activist and chef. Its just getting more and more divided.

In recent years, Shasta county has gained notoriety for its far-right politics and embrace of election conspiracy theories.

The county in 2016 and 2020 favored Trump by large margins, and the region became a center of the election denialism movement that falsely claimed Trump did not lose the 2020 presidential race.

Since then, a group of local activists who believe there is widespread voter fraud have been relentless in their efforts to uncover evidence of tampering and to remake the voting system.

The group successfully lobbied officials, some of whom have also spread election misinformation, to throw out the countys voting machines and institute a hand-count system. Their efforts were promoted by leaders in the movement, such as Mike Lindell, but ultimately thwarted by a new state law preventing manual tallies in most elections.

They have kept a close eye on election workers, showing up at the county office to observe the process, and creating an environment that workers say is hostile. Election workers are frequently interrogated about processes and procedures by people who will not be moved to trust in the voting system regardless of what workers say, and they have reported that observers sometimes film or record them.

The elections office has taken additional security measures to protect its workers. But still roughly half of all staff have left in the past year, including one person who reported the office faced harassment from an elected official.

Tanner Johnson, who worked in the office for more than a year, told a local publication, A News Cafe, that working in such difficult conditions took a toll on his mental health and that he feared the office could see violence.

Theres just been a lot of saber rattling for the last couple of years, and its just been ridiculous, with one pissing contest after another, he told the outlet. But eventually, someones going to actually draw the saber. And I dont want to be there for that.

At a rowdy and tense meeting of the countys governing body last week, the group of residents who have pushed misinformation about elections complained about what they described as a lack of transparency from the elections office and urged officials to put pressure on the head of the office.

You cannot certify the election next Tuesday, no matter what happens because of whats happening in that office, one man said.

Some residents told the Guardian that things felt calmer than they had in past elections, but there remains an underlying current of discontent.

Blaze said he planned to visit the elections office on Tuesday evening to observe the observers and film them so they dont try to get away with doing something bad.

He and others have made a point of speaking out against the extremism that has come to define local politics, he said. Weve been standing up to these people. Theres nothing a bully is more afraid of than someone who isnt [afraid].

Read more of the Guardians 2024 US election coverage:
China to fully supply school uniform fabric for Sri Lankan students in 2025

Xinhua) 09:45, November 05, 2024

COLOMBO, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government will fully supply the fabric needed for school uniforms free of charge for all public-school students in Sri Lanka in 2025, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong has said.

During his speech at the Award Ceremony of the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship at Keppetipola Maha Vidyalaya in Gampaha, Qi noted that in 2023 and 2024, China donated 70 percent and 80 percent of the fabric for school uniforms to public school students nationwide, respectively.

Qi stated that the 2025 donation will total 11.82 million meters of fabric, valued at approximately 5.2 billion rupees (around 18 million U.S. dollars).

The fabric is expected to arrive in Colombo in three shipments before the end of this year, he said.

Following Sri Lanka's economic crisis in 2022, China donated 10,000 tons of rice to the country, covering half a year's lunch needs for 1.1 million students across 7,900 schools in Sri Lanka's nine provinces, Qi said.

In recent weeks, China has provided about 30 million rupees (roughly 102,000 dollars) in emergency humanitarian aid to assist over 100,000 affected individuals in overcoming challenges and rebuilding their homes, he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Russia has captured more Ukrainian territory in October than in any other month for more than two years, according to analysts - Russian Defense Ministry

Russian forces have intensified attacks along Ukraines front lines as the US votes in a presidential election that could determine the outcome of the war.

Moscows forces have advanced into Kurakhove, a front-line town that serves as an important logistics hub in the region of Donetsk, according to military bloggers.

Russian troops may have advanced up to six miles in some parts of the region in the last week, according to the British Ministry of Defence.

Russia is believed to have captured more Ukrainian territory in October than in any other month for more than two years, analysts have said, despite the war becoming an attritional grind.

In Kyiv, a former defence and security official told The Telegraph that Russian forces had intensified attacks on the front line ahead of the US election.

Biden was unfortunately terrible at deterrence, said Oleksandr Danylyuk, who is now an expert on Russian hybrid warfare at the Royal United Services Institute. That is why its reasonable for the Russians to use the last weeks of his presidency to get as much as they can.

Another official said Russian forces were not working to an American deadline but rather to an internal one.

Pavel Fedosenko, a Ukrainian officer commanding troops near the recently occupied town of Selydove, told The Telegraph that Russia was stepping up its attacks as it had certain deadlines they want to meet.

But he added that Russias increasing attacks were unlikely to be related to the elections  they do not care.

Those who are storming [infantry] hardly know about the elections. They have a task and are forced to do it, they are also demotivated.

Russian troops may have advanced up to six miles in some parts of Donetsk in the last week, according to the MoD - Russian Defense Ministry

Emil Kastehelmi, an open-source analyst with the Finland-based Black Bird Group, said Russias advances could be put down to weaknesses in Ukraines defensive lines and manpower.

Ukraine does not have enough men to patch together exhausted front-line units or build proper reserve units, which greatly affects fighting units, Mr Kastehelmi said.

Ukraines patchy defensive network along the front line is an even greater problem, he said, as poor co-ordination of the network has given Russia the opportunity to find and exploit weak spots in the Donetsk region.

They are now into an area [of] roughly 225sq km that has virtually no fortifications. They have bypassed the major heavy fortifications, Mr Kastehelmi said.

Another area of the front line that has been buckling is the Ukrainian line west of Vuhledar, a town that Russian forces captured at the start of October. A lack of Ukrainian fortifications to the west of the town has accelerated Russian progress, weaknesses found by constant Russian pressure and probing.

Russian snipers and other forces are finding and exploiting weak spots in Ukrainian lines - Russian Defense Ministry

Its part of the Russian military doctrine to reinforce success. They find an opening and press and pressure and divert resources, said Mr Kastehelmi.

This is a view shared by John Foreman, a former British defence attache in Moscow and Kyiv, who also said that the Ukrainian army had spread itself too thin by invading Kursk.

The Kursk incursion hasnt distracted the Russians at all. If anything its a strategic Ukrainian mistake, he said.

But Oleksandr Borodin, a spokesman for 3rd assault brigade, which is fighting on the borders of the Luhansk and Kharkiv regions, said his troops had experienced fewer Russian attacks due to poor weather.

The worse the weather is, the harder it is for the enemy to use UAVs and aviation in general, and thats why its easier for us now, when the weather is so unstable, Mr Borodin said.

There are constant infantry assaults, but they [the Russian military] dont use mechanised units [armoured vehicles] as often because we have destroyed a lot of equipment.

I cannot link this to the American elections but rather, during the Kursk operation they were more active here, and then they were using equipment. Now they are attacking less because of the weather.

Bleak assessments of Ukraines problems on the front line have been backed up by reports from Ukrainian soldiers who have described the situation as critical.

US intelligence has also confirmed that all of North Koreas contingent of 12,000 soldiers sent to Russia have now arrived in the Kursk region ahead of deployment on the frontlines

Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the US-based Foreign Policy Research Institute, said that this would stretch the Ukrainian army further.

Russias greatest battlefield advantage right now is in manpower, and thousands of additional North Korean infantry in Kursk, even without combat experience and coordination problems, would compound that advantage, he said.
Different plankton found off Greenland and California, including Sapphirina and an unidentified siphonophore species related to hydrozoan jellies. Photograph: Leonid Moroz/University of Florida

Off the west coast of Greenland, a 17-metre (56ft) aluminium sailing boat creeps through a narrow, rocky fjord in the Arctic twilight. The research team onboard, still bleary-eyed from the rough nine-day passage across the Labrador Sea, lower nets to collect plankton. This is the first time anyone has sequenced the DNA of the tiny marine creatures that live here.

Watching the nets with palpable excitement is Prof Leonid Moroz, a neuroscientist at the University of Floridas Whitney marine lab. This is what the world looked like when life began, he tells his friend, Peter Molnar, the expedition leader with whom he co-founded the Ocean Genome Atlas Project (Ogap).

Moroz gestures toward Greenlands glaciated valleys. The rapid warming here is replicating conditions from 600m years ago, when complex life forms began appearing. Were sailing through deep biological time right now, he says.

Moroz and Molnars mission is to classify, observe, sequence and map 80% of the seas smallest creatures to learn more about ourselves, and the health of the planet.

Plankton and humans do not have much in common at first glance. But studying marine organisms has led to breakthrough understandings about our own brains and bodies. Observing the electrical discharges of jellyfish taught us how to restart the heart. Sea slugs showed us how memories form. Squid taught us how signals spread between different parts of the brain. Horseshoe crabs demonstrated how visual receptors work.

An unusual aspect of Moroz and Molnars research trips is that they are unlocking planktons secrets onboard sailing boats rather than engine-powered vessels  and they are not alone in this endeavour.

Large oceanographic vessels can cost $100,000 [77,000] a day, which can quickly bankrupt your research organisation, says Chris Bowler, an oceanographer with Frances National Centre for Scientific Research and a scientific adviser to the Tara Ocean Foundation.

For the past two years he has collected plankton samples for the Microbiomes Mission, a research initiative to study micro-organisms in the ocean, onboard a 33-metre schooner. Working from a sailboat is 50 times cheaper, Bowler says.

That cost saving also allows researchers the luxury of time, which is imperative for finding the genetic commonalities and patterns that will reveal answers about human health. Bowler says it is important to analyse and observe these microscopic organisms interacting with each other and the world around them. That cannot happen in a lab back on land because the organisms are too fragile.

Low-carbon, readily available and easier to manoeuvre near to shore, sailing boats also dont vibrate, so you can do really precise work aboard, says Molnar, who has captained Ogap voyages over more than 9,000 nautical miles.

The reason that microscopic marine life can teach us about our own development is convergent evolution. This is when unrelated organisms arrive at the same solution to a problem, such as how birds, beetles, butterflies and bats all adapted to fly, but did so at different times and in slightly different ways. Overlapping solutions provide common building blocks for everything from how to fold a protein to how to form a brain.

Every organism that lives here today is a logbook of every single adaptation that made it successful, Moroz says. The brain is one of the most complicated structures in the universe. Yet 70% of our knowledge about how the brain works is thanks to marine creatures. Without them, many of todays medicines would simply not exist.

The brain is one of the universes most complicated structures. Yet 70% of our knowledge about how it works is thanks to marine creatures Leonid Moroz

The reason he studies plankton is because their logbook is the longest  some single-celled marine organisms have been around for more than 3bn years. That means they have more tricks up their metaphorical sleeves than we do.

Some groups of these marine species do not age, never develop cancers and they can fully regenerate when damaged. They are able to perform many tasks better than us, Moroz says.

One way to take human medicine to the next level is to take our cues from these organisms. But first, we have to identify them. Ogaps lofty mission would not have been possible 10 years ago; rapid technological advances have reduced the size of equipment, while satellite communications and AI have shrunk the timeframe for analysing results from months to minutes.

In Greenland, for example, Ogap kept marine organisms alive for several days on their sailing boat while sequencing their DNA during different stages of life. We were able to watch them reproduce, decay, then repair themselves, even die, all while taking high-resolution video, Molnar says.

The team then uploaded the data via Starlink to universities where scientists used AI to look for pattern recognition in the organisms DNA. Literally within an hour, we would have results back on the sailboat, Molnar says. This type of work was simply science fiction 10 years ago.

While the technology is new, using sailing boats to explore is a millennia-old human endeavour.

Theres a long history of sailing to answer scientific questions, says David Conover, the owner of ArcticEarth, the sailing boat Ogap used for its Greenland expedition. From Captain Cooks anthropological discoveries in the Pacific to Darwins groundbreaking observations on natural selection onboard the Beagle, sailing boats have afforded many types of researchers the luxury of getting to far-flung parts of the world to deeply engage with their surroundings.

The more time you can afford to be at sea, the more open you are to discovery, Conover says.

Related: A huge loss: is it the end for the ship that helped us understand life on Earth?

The key now is to observe the cornucopia of unknown marine organisms before they disappear for ever. By the time you finish your coffee tomorrow morning, between 20 and 100 species will have vanished for ever, including the wonderful solutions they were offered by nature, which is a huge loss for biomedical science, Moroz says.

To continue documenting the wonders of tiny single-celled sea creatures, Ogap will head next to Patagonia, at the tip of South America. Eventually, Ogaps genomic atlas will be digitised and made freely available, providing a baseline of marine biodiversity as well as valuable insights for the development of new medicines.

Every day is a surprise, Moroz says. That is the finest part of all of these voyages  the level of excitement, of discovery. Its so rich. Its nonstop.
Jessica Long sued Shasta county after sheriffs deputies there seized her daughters goat, Cedar, for slaughter. Photograph: Advancing Law for Animals

The family of a child whose pet goat was seized and then slaughtered due to the technicalities of a county fair has received a $300,000 settlement from a California county.

Jessica Long sued Shasta county after sheriffs deputies there seized her daughters goat, Cedar, for slaughter. The recent six-figure settlement to which Longs family and the county agreed resolved the legal differences between them, though the litigation is still pending against other defendants.

The Long familys ordeal began in June 2022 at the Shasta county fair. Long and her relatives put Cedar up for auction. But Longs daughter  now nine  had a change of heart and realized she couldnt part with her beloved goat and friend.

Long withdrew Cedar, then seven months old, from auction before bidding began  and offered in writing to compensate the goats buyer.

Shasta fair officials refused the withdrawal request, citing fair rules  and Cedar was sold for $902.

Long took matters into her own hands and took Cedar to a farm in Sonoma county, California  more than 200 miles (322km) away. But fair officials persisted, calling Long demanding that she return the goat.

Related: New York authorities euthanize social media star Peanut the squirrel

The lawsuit asserts that after coming across an Instagram post galvanizing support to save the goat, a sheriffs detective applied for a warrant to search a Napa county farm at the direction of his boss. A magistrate approved the warrant, Longs lawsuit says.

But Cedar was nowhere to be found. The detective then allegedly travelled to other farms, for which he did not have search warrants.

Cedar was turned over to third parties whom they deemed to be his rightful owner outside of any lawful judicial process and eventually slaughtered. Long and her family, meanwhile, were out of town when the goat was killed.

Long filed the federal lawsuit in the eastern district of California against the county and the sheriffs office employees, alleging they violated her and her daughters right to due process as well as their right against unreasonable search and seizure.

As a result, the young girl who raised Cedar lost him, and Cedar lost his life, the lawsuit said. Now plaintiffs can never get him back.

Unfortunately, this litigation cannot bring Cedar home. But the $300,000 settlement with the county of Shasta and Shasta county sheriffs office is the first step in moving forward, attorney Vanessa Shakib, co-director of Advancing Law for Animals, said in an Instagram post.

Shakib said Long was still pursuing litigation against the fair organizers, employees and a volunteer.

The California department of food and agriculture, which oversees the fair, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tom Bradshaw, the NFU president, said: We would be delighted to have a meeting with Keir Starmer or Rachel Reeves - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph

Sir Keir Starmer is under growing pressure to meet farmers over the impact of his inheritance tax raid.

On Tuesday, Tom Bradshaw, the president of the National Farmers Union (NFU), called for talks with the Prime Minister and Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor.

Labour councillors have joined political opponents in demanding that Downing Street agrees to a meeting as a backlash against the policy grows.

In the Budget, Ms Reeves ended the situation in which all farmers could pass on their farms without paying inheritance tax, with estates worth more than 1 million now in line for a tax bill.

It emerged on Monday that farmers were considering militant action in protest against the move. Earlier this year, tractors brought Parliament Square to a standstill in a protest over imports.

Mr Bradshaw told The Telegraph: We would be delighted to have a meeting with Keir Starmer or Rachel Reeves.

Im convinced if we could have half an hour with either, we can talk them through the unintended consequences of this policy, both the human impact and the impact on food production.

Mr Bradshaw met Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, on Monday but no change in the Governments position was announced and ministers defended the farms tax raid.

The Liberal Democrats, who have called the changes to agricultural property relief a tractor tax, are calling for Sir Keir and Ms Reeves to meet farmers.

Tim Farron, the Lib Dems environment spokesman, said: The Government just does not get it. The livelihoods of family farmers are hanging by a thread whilst the Government ploughs ahead with this disastrous policy.

The Chancellor and Prime Minister need to take their fingers out of their ears, sit down with the NFU, listen to their concerns and scrap this disastrous family farm tax.

A Labour councillor from a rural part of England told The Telegraph: They absolutely should [meet the NFU]. Theyre not doing themselves no favours. Theyll get beaten on a landslide [at the next election].

Im not a Tory  I come from six generations of coal miners  but theyve been doing some strange things. Theres other ways of doing it, but Im not happy about it. I support farmers  they provide our food.

A second rural Labour councillor told The Telegraph: I would always agree with negotiation. They call Lincolnshire the county that feeds the country. We should be looking after our farmers.

Number 10 has so far resisted agreeing to a meeting. Asked on Tuesday whether Sir Keir and Ms Reeves would sit down with Mr Bradshaw, a Downing Street spokesman said the Government was always listening to the sector, but refused to make any firm commitments.

He said: Im not going to get into kind of future diary requests at the moment, but Ill provide further updates on that as relevant.
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are taking part in one of the tightest presidential election races in history - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are battling for the White House, with polling showing it will be one of the closest presidential races in history.

It could take anywhere between hours and weeks for the winner to be declared, depending on their eventual margin of victory and whether the result spawns any legal battles.

One of the earliest indications for who will win the White House will be the exit poll.

However, not all of its projections will be released immediately by TV networks, even after polls have closed and the votes that will decide the next president are being tallied.

First exit poll: Female turnout high in boost for Kamala Harris

Female turnout in the US election is set to be high, according to early exit polls that could prove to be a boost for Kamala Harris.

Early data shows women accounting for some 53 per cent of the vote, six points ahead of men, and one point up on the last election.

In another possible boost for Harris, voters think the state of democracy is the most important issue at this election

Ms Harris has put abortion and the threat to democracy posed by Donald Trump at the centre of her campaign.

The exit polls showed 35 per cent of voters say the future of democracy in the US is a top concern, ahead of the economy (31 per cent), abortion (18 per cent) immigration (14 per cent).

Millions of voters across the US have flocked to polling stations with reports of record turnout in a number of states, including key battlegrounds such as Georgia and North Carolina.

What time are the exit polls released?

The embargo period for exit polls will end at 5pm ET on polling day, after which news organisations are allowed to begin reporting results from individual states.

However, at this point they are not permitted to project a winner while voting is still taking place.

Exit polls will only be announced in states where the margins are large enough and they will not be used in the battleground states to project whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump have won.

Instead, statisticians will use a combination of the exit poll, actual declared votes and other data to forecast a winner.

Along with establishing how respondents voted, the exit poll also questions voters on their demographics and what motivated their decision.

When will we know who won the election?

If one candidate has a significant lead over the other, then the result may be clear within a matter of hours.

However, a fine margin of victory will mean delays in how long it will take for experts to declare whether Ms Harris or Trump has come out on top.

Previous contests have taken days or even weeks to be called.

In 2000, when Al Gore and George W Bush competed for the White House, polling day was on Nov 7 but the election was not called until Dec 12.

It hinged on the result in Florida, where votes were subject to an automatic recount because of Mr Bushs fine margin of victory.

The saga eventually ended in the Supreme Court, where justices voted to terminate the recount, prompting Mr Gore to concede shortly afterwards.

If the 2024 election hinges on a handful of votes in a single state, a similar legal battle could break out between the two parties.

When will the election results be announced?

Although the result will likely be called well before, the winner will not officially be announced until January.

First, the states need to certify the results for the presidential election, with that taking place in either November or December.

A joint session of Congress then counts the electoral votes and will declare the election winner on Jan 6 2025, as set out by the 12th Amendment.

It was the certification process in 2021 that prompted the storming of the Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump.

When was the 2020 election result called?

The 2020 election was called for Joe Biden by TV networks on Nov 7  four days after polls closed and ballot counting began.

CNN was the first to break cover, and was followed in a matter of seconds by CNS, MSNBC, CBS and a series of other networks.

The latest batch of votes counted in Pennsylvania had put Mr Biden out of reach by Trump by giving the Democrat a lead of more than 30,000 votes. Trump had declared victory in the state three days earlier even while more than a million ballots remained uncounted.

America, Im honoured that you have chosen me to lead our great country, Mr Biden wrote on social media later the same day.

The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a president for all Americans  whether you voted for me or not.
Donald Trump, pictured with wife Melania in Florida after casting his vote, initially said he would accept the election result, if it was fair - AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Donald Trump has claimed there is massive cheating taking place in the presidential election, hours after saying he would only accept the result of the vote if it was fair.

The former US president posted on his Truth Social account on Tuesday afternoon:

Philadelphias district attorney responded saying there is no factual basis whatsoever to Trumps claim of cheating.

Larry Krasner said: The only talk about massive cheating has come from one of the candidates, Donald J. Trump. There is no factual basis whatsoever within law enforcement to support this wild allegation.

We have invited complaints and allegations of improprieties all day. If Donald J. Trump has any facts to support his wild allegations, we want them now. Right now. We are not holding our breath.

Trumps claim sets the scene for what Democrats fear will be another contested election if Kamala Harris is declared the winner, after Trump refused to accept the result in 2020.

Republicans have claimed a variety of instances of voter fraud at this election, including claims of voters being turned away from polling stations during the early voting period and some electronic voting machines malfunctioning.

Casting his vote in Palm Beach, Florida, earlier on Tuesday, Trump said: If I lose an election, if its a fair election, Im gonna be the first one to acknowledge it.

At that point the former president said that he thought that the election had been fair, despite legal challenges and thousands of lawyers on both sides.

Asked whether he would call for calm among his supporters if he lost, Trump said: I certainly dont want any violence. He added: Of course therell be no violence; my supporters are not violent people.

Rudy Giuliani, Trumps former lawyer, told The Telegraph he had seen no sign of cheating, but added: I know anything is possible with crooked Democrats.

Rudy Giuliani warned anything is possible with crooked Democrats - Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

It comes after Kamala Harris took part in a series of local radio interviews in key battleground states as the Democrats mounted their final push to get voters out to polling stations.

Addressing slurs her opponents had levelled against her, including Trump calling her a low-IQ individual, Ms Harris said their insults were meant to distract her, adding: Im not going to get distracted by that noise.

Nate Silver, one of Americas top polling analysts, has said that the race is closer than a coin flip, with his election model predicting Ms Harris would win by a narrow margin.

Trump said on Tuesday that he felt very confident after a great campaign.

I think it was maybe the best of the three, he said. We did great in the first one. We did much better in the second one. But something happened, and this was the best, I would say.

He added he would not stand for a fourth time if he lost, and would leave politics sad and very fulfilled.

Kamala Harris, pictured with husband Doug Emhoff, shrugged off personal attacks - AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Despite Trumps promise to respect the result of the election, federal authorities have been making preparations for civil unrest in swing states and in Washington, DC.

In some states, the National Guard has been placed on standby to quell protests, while elsewhere police have been given training on dealing with riots.

Trump has repeatedly claimed the 2020 election was stolen and has been indicted on charges of election interference in Georgia for his alleged attempt to overturn the result in that state.

A separate case in Washington accused him of defrauding the American people over his denial of the result and alleged involvement in the Jan 6 riots at the Capitol.

On Tuesday, Trump called for the US voting system to return to paper ballots, after issues with voting machines during this cycle and amid claims from his supporters that computers used in 2020 were central to a conspiracy to steal the result for Joe Biden.

We have too complicated a process, he told reporters. If we had a piece of paper watermarked, you know that paper is more sophisticated now than computers.

Its watermarked paper, you cannot...its unbelievable, what happens with it. Theres nothing you can do to cheat.
Education minister Jason Clare says Labor intends for the proposed Australian Tertiary Education Commission to set university fees in the future. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/AAP

Labor has confirmed university fees will be set using advice from its proposed Australian Tertiary Education Commission, as it ramps up attacks on the Coalition for opposing Help debt cuts.

The Albanese governments plan to cut all Help debts by 20% and to lift the repayment threshold has drawn criticism from the opposition, students and some academics for not addressing the underlying cost of university courses.

Labor has also been under pressure from the Greens and crossbench to undo the Coalitions controversial jobs ready graduate changes, which hiked the cost of arts degrees.

Related: Encrypted messaging app developer moves out of Australia after police visit employees home

On Tuesday the education minister, Jason Clare, told Labor caucus that fees paid by MPs and senators in the past amounted to about a 30% contribution to the cost of a degree, but now its more like a 40% contribution.

He said the 20% reduction in Help debt fixes that for a generation and flagged that Labor intends for the commission to help set fees into the future.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, accused his predecessor, Scott Morrison, of having deliberately lowered the threshold for Help debt repayments, which Labor now proposes to raise from $54,000 to $67,000.

Albanese also took aim at Paul Fletcher, the manager of opposition business. Like me, he got a free education but hes now lecturing people that they cant have their debt reduced, Albanese said.

This is a fight we will win. They dont see that lifting the number of people in Tafe and uni is an investment in the whole country.

Fletcher had told ABC Radio on Monday the Coalition believed the Help debt cut was a profoundly unfair policy.

It will cost 27 million Australians, he said. All 27 million Australians will be required to contribute to the cost of it, but 24 million Australians will not benefit from it.

The commonwealth already pays around 60% of the cost of a university students education. So theres already a very significant amount being paid by taxpayers.

The 2024 budget announced that the Australian Tertiary Education Commission is intended to be established by 1 July 2025 and will be responsible for  delivery of funding arrangements for higher education.

Guardian Australia understands the start date is intended to allow the commission to give advice on fees in time for the 2026 academic year.

A consultation paper released mid-year said its potential roles included implementing managed growth funding for universities, [and] implementing needs-based funding for underrepresented cohorts.

On Sunday Clare said the commission would help us set those fees, fix the funding model for universities, and also provide universities with extra funding for students who are more likely to drop out to help them complete their degrees.

And I hope to be in a position later this year to provide more detail on all of that.

The Greens have called on Labor to enact changes to Help debts immediately and reverse the Coalitions job ready graduate fee changes.

The partys deputy leader and education spokesperson, Mehreen Faruqi, said: Labor was vehemently against Morrisons uni fee hikes scheme in opposition, calling them beyond repair, yet theyve backed the fee hikes whilst in power and ignored advice from their own Accord process to urgently address them.

Labor should have dumped Morrisons job ready graduates scheme the second they came to power, she said.

Students starting university next year shouldnt have to cop these ridiculous fees.
The down-ballot elections results will determine whether the presidential victor will actually be able to implement his legislative agenda. Illustration: Guardian Design/The Guardian

Much attention has been paid to the historic race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, but the results of down-ballot elections will determine whether the new president will actually be able to implement a legislative agenda next year.

With Republicans defending a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, Democrats only need to flip a handful of seats to wrest back control of the lower chamber, and both parties are going all out to win.

Here are 10 House races to watch this year:

Arizonas first congressional district

Republican incumbent David Schweikert is running for re-election in this toss-up district, which covers north-east Phoenix and Scottsdale. As one of 16 House Republicans representing districts that Joe Biden won in 2020, Schweikert is vulnerable, and Democrats have identified the seat as one of their top targets this year.

After post-2020 redistricting moved the district to the left, physician Amish Shah won a crowded Democratic primary there in July. Given that Schweikert secured re-election by less than one point in 2022 and a recent Democratic internal poll showed the two candidates virtually tied, this race will be a hard-fought sprint to the finish line.

Californias 45th congressional district

Republican congresswoman Michelle Steel has emerged victorious from some tough political battles in the past, as she won re-election by five points in 2022, but Democrats hope to bring an end to that winning streak this year.

A recent poll showed Democrat Derek Tran with a narrow lead over Steel in this district, which covers parts of Orange and Los Angeles counties. The Cook Political Report gives Democrats a two-point advantage in the district, but Steel has proven adept at overcoming difficult odds.

Iowas third congressional district

Freshman Republican Zach Nunn was previously favored to win re-election in this Des Moines area district that Trump narrowly carried in 2020. Nunn flipped the seat in 2020 after defeating incumbent Democrat Cindy Axne by less than one point.

Related: The key US Senate races that could determine who controls the chamber

This time around, Harris is in a strong position to win the district, and Democrat Lanon Baccams strong fundraising record has helped put the seat in play for his party.

Maines second congressional district

Democratic incumbent Jared Golden is running for a fourth term in this perpetual swing district that Republicans have repeatedly tried and failed to flip. Golden defeated former Republican congressman Bruce Poliquin by six points in 2022, even though Trump carried the district by six points two years earlier, according to data compiled by Daily Kos.

But this time around, Republicans believe they have a strong candidate in Austin Theriault, a state representative and former professional racecar driver who held a slight lead over Golden in a recent poll. Golden has proven politically resilient in this right-leaning district, so a loss could point to broader electoral problems for Democrats.

Michigans seventh congressional district

Democratic congresswoman Elissa Slotkins decision to run for Senate has created an opening in this bellwether district, which both parties have identified as a key target this year.

Former Republican state senator Tom Barrett is running again after losing the 2022 election to Slotkin by six points, and he will face former Democratic state senator Curtis Hertel. The Cook Political Report has described the district as the most competitive open seat in the country, so the results here could have much broader implications in the battle for the House.

Nebraskas second congressional district

This district will play a key role in both the presidential race and the battle for the House. Like Maine, Nebraska allocates a portion of its electoral votes based on congressional districts, and Harris is favored to win the electoral vote of the second district.

With more attention on the second district because of the presidential race, Republican incumbent Don Bacon is facing some tough headwinds in his re-election bid. Bacon defeated Democrat Tony Vargas by just three points in 2022, and recent polls show Vargas opening up a small lead in this years rematch.

North Carolinas first congressional district

Freshman Democratic congressman Don Davis is running for re-election in this north-eastern North Carolina district, which shifted to the right after the latest round of redistricting.

Much to the relief of Republican strategists, Laurie Buckhout won the congressional nomination over Sandy Smith, a hard-right firebrand who lost to Davis by five points in 2022.

Republicans are hopeful that Buckhouts impressive resume as an army veteran and founder of her own consulting firm, combined with the more favorable district lines, will be enough to unseat Davis. But the incumbent held a six-point lead over his Republican challenger as of late September, one survey found.

New Yorks 17th congressional district

Mike Lawler made headlines when he defeated incumbent Sean Patrick Maloney, then the chair of House Democrats campaign arm, by less than one point in 2022. This year, Lawler will face off against former Democratic congressman Mondaire Jones in this Hudson valley district that went for Biden in 2020.

Lawler did not get dealt the worst hand from New Yorks redistricting process; that distinction goes to fellow Republican freshman Brandon Williams, whose Syracuse-area seat went from Biden +7 to Biden +11, according to the Cook Political Report.

Related: Factchecking the most pervasive myths and lies about US elections

All the same, Lawler will face stiff competition in a race that will be closely watched for broader electoral trends in November. If he cannot hold on to the seat, it could spell trouble for Republicans up and down the ballot.

Pennsylvanias 10th congressional district

This seat may be harder for Democrats to flip, as the Cook Political Report gives Republicans a five-point advantage in the district. The hard-right views of Republican incumbent Scott Perry, who allegedly played a central role in Trumps campaign to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, could allow Democrat Janelle Stelson to pull off an upset.

Stelson, a former local news anchor, has focused her pitch on attacking Perry as a symbol of a dysfunctional Congress, and her message appears to be resonating with voters. One poll conducted in October showed Stelson leading by nine points, forcing Perrys allies to allocate more funding to the race.

Virginias seventh congressional district

Democrat Eugene Vindman, who first attracted national attention for his role in Trumps first impeachment trial, is facing a tougher than expected fight in this Virginia district that covers some of the Washington exurbs.

Democrats are looking to hold the seat, which was left open after congresswoman Abigail Spanberger chose to launch a gubernatorial campaign rather than seek re-election.

Internal polls show Vindman running neck and neck with his opponent, Republican Derrick Anderson, despite the Democrats hefty fundraising advantage. A loss in this bellwether district, which Biden won by seven points in 2020, could spell trouble for Democrats hopes of retaking the House.

Read more of the Guardians 2024 US election coverage:
US Army parachute troops practice an assault. The elite 75th Ranger Regiment recently practiced such an assault on an air base in Palau - Jason Weeding/Australian Army/Reuters

Airfields are few and far between across the vast reaches of the western Pacific Ocean. Every strip of concrete capable of launching and landing military aircraft is precious. And thats why, in October, the US Army practiced seizing a Pacific airfield.

During, say, a war with China over Taiwan, the Army might try to capture Chinese airfields on reclaimed reefs in the China Seas and turn them over to the US Air Force or, at the very least, deny them to Chinese forces. But the Army clearly expects the Chinese to fight for every square foot of concrete  and to swiftly counterattack in an attempt to retake any runways they lose.

The war game in Palau  a tiny island country 1,400 miles southeast of Taiwan  began with five USAF Boeing C-17 airlifters and one Australian air force C-17 flying to Palaus Roman Tmetuchl International Airport apparently from Guam, 800 miles to the east. Inside some of the four-engine C-17s: US Army Airborne Rangers from the elite 75th Ranger Regiment.

US Rangers are a so-called Tier Two special operations force like most US spec-ops forces including the majority of the Navy SEAL teams, Army Green Berets etc. Tier One  nowadays aka Special Mission Units  are small elites within the Tier Two elites: a handful of units including the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (aka DevGru or SEAL Team Six), Army 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment  Delta (Delta Force) and others.

Britain nowadays has Rangers as part of its newly formed Ranger Regiment, but they are more focused on partnering with allied forces around the world  their nearest US equivalent is probably the Green Berets. The British equivalent of the US Rangers, meanwhile, would be 1st Battalion, the Parachute Regiment  permanently assigned to the UK Special Forces as the Special Forces Support Group, and with a different and arduous entry and training pipeline via the other, regular Para battalions.

Meanwhile in the Pacific it seems the US Rangers parachuted onto the airfield, simulating its capture. In actual practice, such a battle would probably be furious  and costly for the attackers. The German Fallschirmjager paratroops, who pioneered parachute-borne airfield seizures during World War II, suffered 44 per cent casualties capturing Allied air bases in Crete in 1941 and subsequently abandoned the idea. British paras jumping in to seize El Gamil airfield during the Suez crisis did so easily, but the Egyptian defenders were scarcely world-class opposition. Russian VDV airborne troops attempting to seize Hostomel airbase in Ukraine at the start of the 2022 invasion were bloodily repulsed.

Where its possible, air assault forces today tend to prefer the use of helicopters or tiltrotors to parachutes. Rotary wing aircraft deliver troops as formed units, rather than scattering and mixing them up as mass parachute operations do. They also offer fire support and an option for retreat.

But even relatively long-ranging tiltrotors could struggle to cover the huge distances of a Pacific war; helicopters even more so. Many missions that might arise in the Island Chains could only be carried out by long-ranging C-17s or other jet transports  and that would mean parachutes, unless the planes were able to land by surprise.

What happened after the parachute assault in Palau represents a new wrinkle in airfield-seizure tactics. A C-17 landed at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport and disgorged a wheeled High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System launcher from the Armys 17th Field Artillery Brigade.

HIMARS, which the Ukrainian army has been using to devastating effect against invading Russian forces, can fire an array of guided rockets against targets on land and at sea hundreds of miles away. With the help of some US Space Force communications specialists who apparently fed the HIMARS crews targeting data via satellite, the launcher in Palau fired six rockets  and then rolled back onto the C-17 for the long trip back to Hawaii via Guam.

The Army frequently rehearses airfield seizures. The Army and the US Marine Corps also frequently rehearse the rapid insertion of HIMARS to remote bases. Its rarer for the services to combine these operations. But it also makes sense for precision rocket launchers to join in the airfield assaults.

An ATACMS missile launches. The box holding an ATACMS can alternatively hold six shorter-ranged GMLRS rockets, also highly effective weapons. The Himars launcher vehicle can be carried in a C-17 transport plane

Thats because, in a major war with China, the Chinese almost certainly would move fast to recapture any of their airfields the Americans seize. The counterattacks could come by air, land or sea. A HIMARS is powerless to intervene in an aerial assault, but it can smash up incoming overland and amphibious attacks with aplomb.

Just one of the HIMARS Army Tactical Missile System rockets can range 190 miles and scatter nearly a thousand grenade-size bomblets, any one of which could kill a soldier, immobilize a vehicle or punch a hole in the topside of a ship. Ukraine often aims its ATACMS at Russian training bases near the front line, peppering the assembled trainees with lethal fragments.

The Palau exercise points the way forward for base-hungry American forces in the Pacific. Rangers seize an airfield; HIMARS helps the Rangers defend the airfield until heavier reinforcements can fly in.

The addition of HIMARS to the traditional airfield op addresses a worrying lack of real-world evidence that lightly-armed infantry can capture and hold an airstrip all on their own against a determined foe. Since World War II, the use of parachute forces has been in increasingly permissive environments against  ill-equipped and poorly-organized opponents, R F M. Williams wrote in a 2021 article in Military Review.

It should go without saying the Chinese military is neither ill-equipped nor poorly-organized. It might take some serious firepower to permanently wrest control of a front-line base from Chinese forces. Especially a base as valuable as an air base.
The outcome of the US election matters to Northern Ireland, the leader of the official Opposition at Stormont has said.

Matthew OToole paid tribute to the role previous US administrations had played in the peace process in the region.

The race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump for the White House is expected to be close as millions of Americans cast their vote.

Former US president Donald Trump playing golf at Turnberry golf course during his visit to the UK in May 2023 (Jane Barlow/PA)

The counting process is expected to start in the early hours of Wednesday, UK time.

Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday morning, Matthew OToole said the world is focused on the outcome of the election.

For those of us who think the US, when led properly and in the right context, can provide positive leadership, the past year or more has been extraordinarily difficult, he told MLAs during members statements.

We have seen what has amounted to genocide in Gaza, we have seen unconscionable and almost indescribable loss of human life.

That has happened, it has to be said, with the tacit engagement of a US administration that appears to have attempted at times to try and restrain that, but had not been successful. Thats been very difficult for those of us who believe that the US can play a positive role in the world.

Kamala Harris attends the second day of the AI safety summit, the first global summit on the safe use of artificial intelligence, at Bletchley Park in November 2023 (Leon Neal/PA)

It is, however, important to say that the outcome of this election is still extraordinarily important. When it operates at its best, any US administration can play a hugely positive role in the world including on the island of Ireland.

These institutions, our agreement, would not exist as they currently exist without a positive active role by the United States, by successive administrations. We may not have returned last year to do our job had there not been positive, active engagement by the President Biden administration.

I want to acknowledge the enormously important and positive transformational role that an active US administration can play and has played here in Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland, and to that end, the outcome of this election matters.
The boss of Primark said the weight of tax rises in the autumn Budget has fallen on the high street, as he revealed the employer national insurance hike will send the retailers bills up by tens of millions of pounds.

George Weston, the chief executive of Associated British Foods, which owns Primark alongside food and sugar brands, said it was preparing for a big jump in business costs.

Last week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled her first Budget which she said met the Governments promise not to increase taxes for working people.

But she introduced measures including an increase to the rate of employer national insurance from April next year.

Mr Weston said that change means the national insurance bill for AB Foods will go up by tens of millions.

Were an international business as well, we have choices about where we will invest, he told the PA news agency.

AB Foods operates in 56 countries around the world, with Primark recently launching its first US marketing campaign in New York in a bid to attract more American shoppers.

We undoubtedly have significant increases in costs that we are facing. It is not a surprise, the money had to come from somewhere.

The boss added: Its quite clear to me that this a Budget where the weight of the tax rises are falling on business  within that, its fallen particularly on the high street.

The remarks come after AB Foods reported 1.1 billion in operating profits at Primark for the year to September 14, which was 53% higher than the previous year.

In the UK, sales rose 1% year on year, with poor weather in April and June knocking demand for summer clothing.

Mr Weston said there was an unwillingness to spend in advance of needing something among consumers, reflecting a caution that has been prevalent since the cost-of-living crisis.

But wage growth, along with a Budget that was not too impactful for household incomes, should bolster spending going into the Christmas season, he said.

The chief executive also revealed that the group was continuing to face pressure across its supply chain, with ongoing disruption to trade routes along the Red Sea and protesting in Bangladesh.

But he stressed that Primark has no intention of raising prices throughout the rest of the year.
Scammers are preying on people who are desperate to secure an appointment with an NHS dentist, according to leading members of the profession.

People are falling victim to fake websites offering NHS dental appointments secured through a pre-payment system, the British Dental Association (BDA) said.

The organisation said scammers have targeted people in Essex, Devon, Merseyside, Norfolk and Suffolk, taking up to 319.10 for care.

Jacqui Nicholson, 62, from County Durham, fell for the scam after a two-year wait for an NHS dentist.

The website was promoted by someone she trusted on social media.

Jacqui Nicholson was scammed out of more than 100 (Jacqui Nicholson/PA)

Mrs Nicholson paid 53 each for appointments for herself and her husband, and claims the website had an NHS logo, pre-payment options and detailed email confirmation.

She said: It looked so real. I even Google Mapped it. Its hard to tell whats real and whats fake. Dont fall for it.

BDA chairman Eddie Crouch called for urgency from the Government.

In the run-up to Julys general election, Labour made a manifesto commitment to create 700,000 new urgent and emergency dental appointments.

Criminals are now preying on desperate patients left with no options, Mr Crouch said.

We need real urgency and ambition from Labour on NHS dentistry. Fraudsters will keep seeing real opportunities as long as the new Governments promises remain unkept.

The BDA wrote to Chancellor Rachel Reeves after the announcement in last weeks Budget that employers national insurance contributions will rise from April.

It said the change will significantly add to the financial pressures dental practices face, as the overwhelming majority are small businesses.

The BDA wrote: Practices are running on empty, struggling to recruit or retain staff.

The real reform this service desperately needs, and your party has promised, will need to go hand in hand with fair and sustainable funding.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the Government will continue negotiations to deliver on Labours manifesto commitment of 700,000 more urgent dental appointments (Lucy North/PA)

Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Good Morning Britain: I want to thank the British Dental Association for raising awareness of these kinds of scams, and well be looking at what more we can do within the law to clamp down on that.

Theyve done the public a real service this morning in giving some practical advice and help to avoid other people being taken in.

But Eddie Crouch is also right that we need to stop the rot in NHS dentistry which has been allowed to continue for far too long.

Eddie was just in the Department this week, with the British Dental Association meeting the Minister for Care.

Now the Chancellor has set the budget and the spending review totals for the next few years, we can negotiate the dentistry contract to deliver on our manifesto commitment of 700,000 more urgent dentistry appointments, but also to do the wider fundamental reform that NHS dentistry needs. So we will continue those negotiations and report back.
Dentistry student Sumayah has become the seventh contestant to be eliminated from The Great British Bake Off after failing to impress during dessert week.

Tuesdays episode of the Channel 4 competition saw Dylan named star baker, while 19-year-old Sumayah, from Lancashire, said goodbye to her fellow contestants.

During this weeks set of challenges the bakers made a steamed suet pudding, meringue nests for the signature challenge, and tiramisus with a twist.

Sumayah has become the latest baker to leave the tent (Channel 4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon/PA)

Sumayah said: I feel like it wasnt one specific event that let me down, it was just kind of a series of mistakes here and there.

I have learned to be more confident in myself and my ideas. You learn a lot from everyone and I feel I am going to take a piece of everyone away with me.

Reflecting further on the experience, she said: Ive learnt that Im capable of achieving hard things, and to give myself credit for doing so.

Its easy to dismiss accomplishments just because you were able to do it, but the amazing support from everyone really opened my eyes.

Not only did I work hard to achieve what I did, but I am also so privileged to be able to undergo this experience.

Sumayah said she had no regrets (Channel 4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon/PA)

I truly have no regrets. The rush and adrenaline of being in the tent was so gratifying, it pushed me to incredible heights that I miss every single day!

Speaking about what she will take away from the experience, she said: I like how the tent pushed you to your limit, encouraged stepping out of your comfort zone and really gave way to reaching new creative heights.

After all the briefs are ridiculous for a reason. Ive come out a lot more confident in all aspects of my life overall.

Honestly, it was all so worth it. It was the most unique and formative experience to spend time with such talented and kind people! In short, the real magic was the friends we made along the way.

Judge Dame Prue Leith said: I am really sorry to see Sumayah go home. She is so talented and so artistic and her flavours are so bold and imaginative, but I think this week she had a problem.

 Sumayah will join comedians Jo Brand and Tom Allen on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice on Thursday November 7 on Channel 4 at 8pm.
The Prince of Wales will have a high-level meeting with South Africas president as he continues his visit to the Commonwealth nation.

Williams audience with Cyril Ramaphosa has been described as a follow-up to the state visit made to the UK by Mr Ramaphosa in 2022.

Later the prince will give a major speech on nature, the environment and his support for wildlife rangers at the start of a two-day summit for United for Wildlife, his umbrella organisation combating the illegal trafficking of animals.

The future king began a four-day visit to Cape Town on Monday and during the coming days will take part in a series of events shining a light on young African climate activists and promoting his Earthshot Prize awards ceremony.

Dubbed the princes Super Bowl moment, the prize-giving event on Wednesday will recognise environmental solutions to repair the planet, with five category winners each receiving 1 million to scale up their plans.

The prince and the president will sit down for talks later and be joined by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, in the country for a meeting with his South African counterpart Ronald Lamola.

Antony Phillipson, Britains high commissioner to South Africa, said about the royal visit: I would just highlight that we are actually delighted to have the Prince of Wales here this week for Earthshot week, and we will be taking the opportunity of doing some bilateral events with him, and for him.

He added: We very much see this as a follow-up to the state visit which we continue to see here as a very historic moment between the UK and South Africa.

William will also attend Earthshot+, a day of conversations with world-leading experts aimed at enhancing the impact of the Earthshot Prize, with the event featuring a young environmentalist, an Earthshot trustee and Mr Lammy, among others.

Later, William changed from the sustainable causal outfit he wore for the walk up Signal Hill, a shirt by EcoAlf and jacket by Rapanui, to a suit, shirt and tie for his meeting with South Africas president, Cyril Ramaphosa.

The two men met at the entrance of Mr Ramaphosas official residence in Cape Town, but when they posed for pictures on steps leading to the garden, they were asked by the press to greet each other again and the president joked another handshake and shook hands with his guest.

Also at the meeting was Foreign Secretary David Lammy, in the country for a meeting with his South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola.
Cheapism / iStock

Money for Nothing

Looking for a little extra dough each month? It might not require getting a second job. Here are a few ways to make passive income, some with relatively little effort.

Rockaa/istockphoto

Open a High-Yield Savings Account

Seems a funny way to make money, but its kinda a no-brainer. High-yield savings accounts help you earn more interest than a typical savings account  to the tune of 4% or more in some cases.

CentralITAlliance/istockphoto

Sell Your Photography Online

If youre more than an amateur photographer but dont do anything commercially with the photos you take, consider selling them online. Sites like Getty Images, iStock, and Alamy allow you to sell stock photos. Upload them once and you could see recurring, passive revenue.

pabst_ell/istockphoto

Rent Out Your Car

Just like you can rent out your house through Airbnb, you can also rent out your car, assuming its relatively new and in good condition. Sites like Turo let you earn anywhere from $12,000 to $64,000 a year.

Public Domain/WIkimedia Commons

Invest in Dividend Stocks

If youre keen on the stock market, look for stocks that pay dividends. Not only can you make money if you sell when the price of the stock rises, but the company will also split profits with you and other shareholders.

Ogulcan Aksoy/iStock

Turn Your Car into an Advertising Machine

There are advertising companies that will pay you to wrap your car with a brands advertising. Theyll pay you  and all you have to do is drive as youd normally drive.

stockcam/istockphoto

Rent Your Home

If you have a second property (maybe you inherited your Nonnas house), its worth investing in fixing it up so you can turn it into a rental property. Most cities in the U.S. have seen a rise in rental prices, so you could stand to make some serious cash with your rental.

Creative-Family/istockphoto

Sell Your Designs

If youve got sketchbooks full of designs but you havent capitalized on them, consider uploading them to sites like Zazzle and CafePress where they can be turned into cool products like tote bags, shirts, and posters. You can also sell the products on your own website, if you have one. The best part? You dont have to deal with shipping. Its all handled through these websites.

Kravk/ Wikimedia Commons

Sell Your Crafts

Likewise, if youve got stacks of crocheted hats, acorn people, jewelry, or any other creative endeavor lying around your house, you can sell them on Etsy. People are always looking for unique and artistic gifts, so why not sell them yours? At the right price, that is.

Jacob Wackerhausen / iStock

Create an Online Course

If youre an expert in something, whether thats tarot card reading, accounting, yoga, or Pomeranian dogs, theres a course inside you waiting to be birthed. Though you invest time and money in creating an online course, the great part is that, once its uploaded, you dont have to lift a finger while it sells.

Rockaa/istockphoto

Launch a Dropshipping Business

Like the idea of running an ecommerce business but hate the idea of fulfilling product orders? Meet dropshipping: You list products on your own website, but the orders are fulfilled by a supplier. So all you have to do is attract customers. Theyll ship the orders, and youll enjoy the revenue.

Vanessa Nunes/istockphoto

Get Started with Affiliate Marketing

If you already have a website, blog, or social media channel with a lot of traffic, affiliate marketing could be an easy way to add income. You connect with brands who will pay you to mention their products. You might get paid every time someone clicks on a link on your site, or when they make a purchase.

monsitj/istockphoto

Create an App

This is for you techies out there: there is literally an app for everything these days, and people like choice. So if you have a killer idea for an app that will train people to do more pushups, eat healthier, live better, or just unwind, spend time creating it and uploading it to app stores. Set your price (or make it free and earn your money through advertising) and watch the money roll in.

Bosca78/istockphoto

Self-Publish an eBook

Amazon has made it easy to publish books and sell them on its platform. So if youve got something worth saying in book form, get it written and get it published. But also keep in mind: Book prices on Amazon are low, and they take a chunk of your profits. You can also sell your book for more on your own website.

Daisy-Daisy/istockphoto

Turn Trash into Treasure

Love thrift stores and garage sales? Are you a master at finding hidden treasures? You can take your purchases, rehab them, and then sell them. That could mean digging for designer clothes at the swap meet, painting old furniture, or scavenging for antiques that you can sell for a profit.

NanoStockk/istockphoto

Become a Peer-to-Peer Lender

For people who cant get loans with traditional banks, there is peer-to-peer lending. Thats where individuals (like you) lend money to others. As a lender, you can decide how much interest you will charge (some platforms may have limits or rules on this), so when the loan is paid off, youll have made a profit.

For more smart money-making tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.

This article was originally published on Cheapism

Cheapism / iStock

More From Cheapism
Bruce Springsteen is getting a front row seat to the filming of his movie.

The Boss visited the set of Deliver Me from Nowhere, about the making of Springsteens 1982 album Nebraska, which filmed Monday, Nov. 4 ,in Bayonne, according to pics snapped by Backgrid photo agency.

Springsteen hugged Jeremy Allen White, star of FXs The Bear, who's playing the Boss in the film, on the set. Springsteen was also seen with director Scott Cooper.

The shoot took place at John's Midtown Tavern in Bayonne, and a nearby parking lot that was setup to resemble an early '80s, late '70s used car dealership.

Bruce Springsteen stands backstage before former President Barack Obama speaks Oct. 28 during a campaign rally in support of Kamala Harris at Temple University in Philadelphia.

More: Bruce Springsteen: Donald Trump doesn't understand what it means to be 'deeply American'

Springsteen played with the E Street Band in Toronto on Nov. 3.

On Nov. 1, Springsteen visited the set of the movie in Rockaway. There he hugged actor Stephen Graham, whos playing his father, Douglas Springsteen, in the film.

The movie is based on the book Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska by musician Warren Zanes.

More: Jeremy Allen White in NJ as Bruce Springsteen. Here's where filming is taking place

Its a lovely cast and I am involved a little, said Springsteen on the U.K.'s The Graham Norton Show earlier this month. This is not easy to do because you cant do an imitation, you have to do a personal interpretation.

Filming will take place primarily in New Jersey and New York, with additional production in Los Angeles, according to filmmakers.

Casting calls have been made for locals for background work in various roles not covered by SAG-AFTRA by Grant Wilfley Casting.

Announced filming in the state will take place Dec. 5, in Denville; Dec. 9 to 13, and Dec. 16 in Asbury Park; and Jan. 9 and 10 in Bergen County, according to the casting calls.

Scenes will be set in the early 1980s, with an Asbury Park scene taking place in the 1950s.

Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene.

Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at cjordan@app.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bruce Springsteen visits Jeremy Allen White in Bayonne
The car went off the cliff shortly after 4 pm on Monday in Carlsbad, California.

A driver flew off a cliff in Southern California and landed upside down on the beach following a police pursuit  and miraculously survived, according to police.

The vehicle drove off the cliff in Carlsbad shortly after 4 p.m. Monday after the driver had crashed into a fence at Carlsbads Fleet Maintenance Department building about 4 miles away just moments earlier, sparking a police chase, according to Carlsbad police.

The driver, who has not been identified, refused to stop for officers  but the pursuit was called off due to safety concerns.

The car went off the cliff shortly after 4 p.m. Monday in Carlsbad, California. KNSD

Minutes later, police watched the vehicle drive right off the edge of the cliff and onto South Carlsbad State Beach dozens of feet down.

A witness was driving from Carlsbad Village toward the Encinas area when he saw four police vehicles following the car before watching the vehicle go over the ledge, he told NBC San Diego.

I at first thought it was a regular traffic stop when I saw him, but when I saw the four police vehicles following him, I was like, This is definitely something different,' the witness said.

I saw the car go off the cliff. It sounded like an explosion, honestly. It was similar to a firework, he added. It was just one big thud. It sounded like a wave breaking  a really hard wave. It was insane.

Another witness, Michael Shryock, was heading south on Carlsbad Boulevard when he saw the car crash.

It didnt have any abnormal speeds, just looked like someone driving down coast with cops behind and his hazard lights on going 40, 50 miles per hour, then drove off the cliff, Shryock said.

The driver is expected to survive, police said. KNSD

Police had been pursuing the driver after he crashed into a fence at the Carlsbad Police Department and refused to stop. KNSD

Video posted online shows the mangled red sedan upside down and smoking at the foot of the cliff moments after the crash as stunned beachgoers watched.

Officers immediately called for medical help and rushed to the bottom of the cliff on foot to assist the driver.

The driver suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital after being treated by members of the Carlsbad Fire Department.

Police say he is expected to survive.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but police do not believe drugs or alcohol were a factor.
People cast their ballots Monday, the last day of early voting, in Howell, Mich.

The 2024 election hangs on a knife edge, with polling forecasting one of the closest elections in modern American history.

An early wave of polls will close at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the East Coast, giving viewers a valuable glimpse at whether the national environment is trending red or blue  including which messages in contested areas are winning out, which way the suburbs are leaning and whether Black voters are delivering for Democrats.

The answers will provide Americans an early look into the key races for control of Congress and other downballot contests, along with insights on how Vice President Kamala Harris is faring against former President Donald Trump.

Some of the first polls will close at 6 p.m. ET in parts of Indiana and Kentucky. The only potential competitive congressional race to watch in those states is Indianas 1st District, where Democrat Rep. Frank Mrvan is running for re-election. Neither partys outside groups have engaged in the race, but if GOP underdog Randy Niemeyer pulls off an upset, it could foreshadow a red wave.

Both parties believe a wave is unlikely, so other districts will provide better clues about which way the winds are blowing in competitive races for Congress and the marquee presidential contest between Harris and Trump.

Here are some early bellwethers to watch:

Two Virginia districts offer a glimpse

Two congressional districts in Virginia, where polls close at 7 p.m. ET, could tell the story of the evening: the 2nd District, centered around Virginia Beach and the 7th District, which includes Fredericksburg. Both districts may be valuable early indicators of how the election is playing out in the suburbs, which are key to Democratic victories up and down the ballot.

Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans is favored in the swingy 2nd District. If she loses to Democratic rival Missy Cotter Smasal, GOP operatives will be worrying that theyre in for a bad night. It may also mean that Democrats messages of protecting abortion rights, preserving democracy and rejecting extremism  major themes of Cotter Smasals underdog campaign, as well as Harris  are resonating.

Kiggans is one of 16 House Republicans running for re-election in districts President Joe Biden won in 2020. Biden won this seat by just 2 points in 2020, according to an analysis from the NBC News Decision Desk. So this race could provide some early clues about the presidential race as well.

Follow live updates on the 2024 election

Virginias closely divided 7th District pits two political novices and Army veterans against each other: Democrat Eugene Vindman and Republican Derrick Anderson, with Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., vacating the seat to run for governor. Democrats are slight favorites in the district, a blend of urban and rural parts of Northern Virginia, which Biden carried by 6 points four years ago. Vindman played a role in reporting the Ukraine phone call that led to Trumps first impeachment, and his brother, Alexander, testified in those impeachment hearings. Anderson has been dogged by his use of a fake family photo, posing with his friends wife and three children to create the appearance that hes a family man in campaign footage.

If Jen Kiggans lost in Virginia Beach, that would be an upset. If [Eugene] Vindman lost in Northern Virginia, Virginia-7, thatd be an upset. And if these races go chalk, thats reflecting what we expected, which is a really close House race, said Kyle Kondik, the managing editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball, a nonpartisan election forecaster at the University of Virginia.

If one party wins both these races, they could be in for a strong night across the country.

North Carolinas 1st District: Test of Black vote

This district in North Carolina, where polls close at 7:30 p.m. ET, will provide a valuable early gauge of the Black vote, one of the most important questions of the 2024 election cycle. The closely divided 1st District is 39% Black, according to Census data, and both parties have been aggressively courting voters there.

The rural district has become a tougher climb for Democrats since Republicans redrew the states congressional map late last year. Biden would have won this redrawn district by just 1 point in 2020. And national Republicans got their preferred candidate, GOP Army veteran Laurie Buckhout, through the primary to take on first-term Democratic Rep. Don Davis.

Essential to carrying the district, and to a possible victory for Harris, is strong Black voter turnout and avoiding significant defections to Trump as he seeks to peel off a slice of young Black men. If she fails at either task, it rapidly complicates her path to victory, as well as Democrats hopes in a series of races down the ballot.

Are Trumps tactics working? Or is Harris holding her own with Black voters? Are they highly motivated to vote? Or turning out in lower numbers than usual? The results in this district could help answer those questions.

And the answers will have profound implications across the country, including in North Carolina, which is one of seven battleground states expected to decide the presidential election.

Ohios 9th District: Trump Country test

Republicans looking to make gains among blue-collar voters key to the Trump coalition could get some early clues in Ohios 9th District, where polls also close at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who was first elected in 1982, faces Republican state Rep. Derek Merrin in the Toledo-based district, which Trump won by 3 points in 2020. Kaptur cruised to re-election in 2022 against a deeply flawed opponent, but Republicans are optimistic Merrin can defeat her this year.

Kaptur is one of five Democrats running for re-election in districts Trump won in 2020, and her race could provide an early indication of whether Democrats in similar districts can hang on. And Kapturs ability to outperform Harris will test the electorates appetite to split their tickets between the two parties, a dynamic that carries implications in many Senate races, too.
Political life will get easier for President Biden once the election is over and he doesnt have to worry about controversial moves that could damage Vice President Kamala Harriss chances of winning the White House. And theres a lot Biden might do after the election that he wouldnt do before it.

The so-called lame-duck session  the period from Election Day until the new president takes office the following January  occasionally produces some interesting surprises. Theres also a congressional lame-duck session, which goes from Election Day until new members take their seats in early January.

If theres a change in political power in the White House or Congress, the lame-duck session can be an opportunity for the outgoing party to wrap up unfinished business, especially involving moves that might be politically unpopular.

Seventeen days before leaving the White House, in 1960, President Dwight Eisenhower severed relations with Cuba, clinching its place in the Soviet orbit. President Jimmy Carter signed the Superfund environmental cleanup law during his lame-duck session in 1980. President George W. Bush approved the federal bailouts of General Motors (GM) and Chrysler (STLA) during the lame-duck period in 2008.

Biden hasnt overtly signaled any major moves he plans to make during the next 10 weeks, but there are a number of unsettled issues on which he might feel he has a freer hand to act.

Iran

One is sanctions on Iran, which has fully asserted itself as the most nettlesome nation in the Middle East. Iran backs the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups at war with Israel, and the conflict has escalated to direct exchanges of fire between Israel and Iran: once in April and again in October. The bloody scorecard now shows Israel with the latest jab and Iran vowing yet another retaliation.

Biden has taken heat for tacitly easing enforcement of long-standing sanctions against Iran that are meant to hamper its ability to earn desperately needed revenue from oil exports. Biden suffered clear political damage when US gasoline prices hit $5 per gallon in 2022, and hes been determined to get gas prices down ever since. That includes letting Iran export more oil into global markets than it might under tougher enforcement, with the marginal supply boost putting downward pressure on prices.

Biden wont have to worry quite as much about gasoline prices during the next couple of months, which means he might be able to tighten up on Iran. Eurasia Group estimates that Biden could take a range of actions that would reduce Iranian oil exports by 150,000 barrels per day to 700,000 barrels per day. The effect on oil prices, and, eventually, gas prices, could be negligible at the lower end, with a pop of 10% or more at the higher end.

Tit-for-tat bombing between Israel and Iran is obviously a complicating factor. Its possible Biden could use tighter sanctions against Iran to try to dissuade Israel from any further military action, if it's planning any. Biden may also want to end his presidency by demonstrating to critics that hes tough on Iran. If Harris wins, Biden might also be doing her a favor by playing bad cop toward Iran and giving her some leverage to play good cop once she takes office.

President Joe Biden walks from Marine One as he arrives on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Russia

Biden has also drawn flak for a plan to limit Russias oil revenue  its main source of funding for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine  that isnt especially effective. One part of the Biden plan is a $60 per barrel cap on the price purchasing nations pay for Russian oil. Other efforts are meant to limit Russias ability to access tankers and other infrastructure it needs to export oil. Russia has found many workarounds allowing it to evade sanctions and keep the oil flowing.

The difficulty for Biden has been crimping Russias oil revenue without, once again, causing a supply shortfall that could drive up prices for American consumers. Some allies of Ukraine have called for lowering the Russian oil price cap to as low as $30, while even some Biden administration officials want to impose new sanctions that would make it harder for Russia to ship oil. Both moves are more likely with the election out of the way.

Drop Rick Newman a note, follow him on X, or sign up for his newsletter.

Ukraine

A final touchy issue is more US aid for Ukraine, which is stuck in a deadly war of attrition with Russian invaders exploiting advantages in both manpower and war materiel. The last big aid package for Ukraine was a $61 billion program Congress passed in April, which took months of debate while Ukrainian troops ran desperately short of ammunition. Another similar package will be no easy lift, and it may be impossible if Trump wins the White House or Republicans retain control of the House of Representatives.

But Ukraines allies on Capitol Hill are lobbying for more aid anyway, and there are other things Biden could do without congressional action. One of the most consequential would be lifting restrictions on the ways Ukraine can use advanced American weapons, such as allowing strikes on military sites inside Russia. Theres no silver-bullet solution that would promptly tilt the war in Ukraines favor, but many analysts think 2025 could be the year that Russia begins to hemorrhage resources, making ongoing US and Western support for Ukraine decisive  if it lasts.

Biden has generally governed as a careful pragmatist on some of the thorniest issues his administration has faced. If hes contemplating bolder action, the lame-duck session is the time to move. Historians will be watching.

Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X at @rickjnewman.

Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Editors note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travels weekly newsletter. Get news about destinations, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, and where to stay.

Bad weather. Computer glitches. Air traffic controller shortages. Holiday crunches. Accidents and investigations. Unruly passengers. So many things can cause a flight to be delayed or canceled.

Its no wonder travelers are wary about making it to their destinations on time  or at all. (And even if they make it, their lost luggage might not).

Heres some advice for navigating a very complicated and frustrating system when flights are delayed or canceled.

Before you go to the airport

Check the status of your flight before you head to the airport. If your flight has been canceled, you could save yourself the hassle of a trip to a busy airport. - Pattarisara Suvichanarakul/iStockphoto/Getty Images

As bad as it is to find out your flight has been delayed for a long time, or worse, canceled, its better to find out from the comfort of home or a hotel room.

Check your flight status before you go the airport. Most of these notifications are not happening at the last minute, said Scott Keyes, the founder of Going.com. Save yourself the drive to the airport.

Other tips from Keyes:

Sign up for airlines free text alerts on the status of flights when you buy your ticket. Also, download your carriers app.

Put your airline and flight number directly into a Google search bar to retrieve the flight status that way.

Check the website FlightAware for larger flight trends across the country.

Hop on waiver offers ahead of bad weather quickly. Early birds have the best choices of the remaining seats and flights.

If youre at the airport already

Travelers look at the departure information at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. If your flight is delayed or canceled after you've already arrived, make a beeline to the airline agents' desk. - Julien De Rosa/AFP/Getty Images

Sometimes, the delays and cancellations happen after youve arrived at the airport. Once the bad news has been delivered, what should you do?

Keyes said to head as fast as you can to the airline agents desk. Its going to make a difference who arrives first. Its first-come, first-serve. Positioning yourself close to the desk can pay off, Keyes said.

Then you might want to call up your carrier while youre waiting. It might be faster to get through to a call center. Whatever happens first, great, he said.

Other tactics you can try:

Go to a self-serve kiosk, American Airlines and United Airlines advise.

Use social media to your advantage, the travel advice website Travel Lens suggests. Try contacting the airline via X or other platforms when calls arent going through.

Try an international call center for your carrier, Keyes suggests. Calls to US domestic numbers might have longer waits.

Attitude and research matter

A Southwest Airlines employee assists a passenger during check-in at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. - Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Whether youre dealing with an agent in person or over the phone, how you approach things can make a big difference.

Honey attracts more flies than vinegar, Keyes said. Look at this from the airline agents perspective.  The agent is the one who has the most ability to help you. Asking nicely and sympathetically is far more likely to get what you want than being a jerk about it.

He had another tip when its your turn to talk to an agent about making new arrangements: Come prepared to offer your own options already. Doing your own research is absolutely helpful.

Other considerations:

Book directly with an airline if the price is the same. If youve booked through a third-party site, youll have to deal through them when theres a cancellation.

Avoid layovers when booking if possible, the consumer advocacy group US PIRG suggests. The more times you stop, the more chances for something to go wrong.

Regarding tarmac delays, airlines must provide working bathrooms the entire time, US PIRG says. After two hours, you must have food and water. After three hours, you must be in the air or back in the airport  or the airline faces massive fines.

Help from other airlines

Cooperation between airlines could work in your favor.

When flights are canceled, many airlines have the option of putting you on another carriers flight because they have interline agreements, Lousson Smith, product operations specialist at Going.com, told CNN Travel.

This means, for example, if Delta is having service interruptions but American is running a flight to your destination, you may be able to get on that flight.

Frequent flyer miles

Travelers wait in line to pass through security at Denver International Airport in Colorado on December 28, 2022. The winter holiday travel season can be particularly crowded and stressful. - Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Thanks to changes in frequent flyer programs over the past several years, airlines often still have flights available with miles even when demand is high during a weather event, Julian Kheel, founder and CEO of Points Path, told CNN Travel in an email

Youll need to be prepared to spend a lot of miles, and you may not get the best value for them. But you could save yourself some significant cash if youre trying to evacuate away from a storm, Kheel said.

Most US airlines now allow you to cancel flights booked with frequent flyer miles without any fee or penalty right up until departure time. That means you can book multiple alternate flights on different airlines using your miles in case one of them ends up delayed or canceled.

But dont try to book alternate flights on the same airline, as duplicates can be automatically canceled. And dont forget to cancel the remaining flights you dont end up using so you can get your miles back.

Trapped for the night

Passengers take a nap on the floor as they wait for their flights at the Guadalajara International Airport in Mexico on July 14, 2024. Sometimes, if might be easier to hunker down at the airport rather than scramble for a hotel room during a flight delay. - Ulises Ruiz/AFP/Getty Images

What do you do if it looks like youre not going to be able to fly out until the next day and youre not in your home city?

Ask the airline to put you up in a hotel or give you a hotel voucher. They might do it; they might not. Its not required by law, Keyes said. Theyre less likely to do it theres a weather issue, he said.

Many airlines have committed to offering meal and hotel vouchers in certain cases. The US Department of Transportation has a dashboard that tracks those commitments.

Other things to consider:

Book your flight with a credit card, Smith said: Many credit cards offer travel protections such as reimbursement if a flight cancellation forces you to get a hotel, meals, etc.

Consider hunkering down at the airport rather than going to and from a hotel if your flight is delayed but not canceled. A lot depends on your personal comfort level and the estimated wait time, Keyes said.

Check whether there is a hotel room available within the airport.

Try getting into an airport lounge if you can, where you can recharge your phone and rest more easily, the Points Guy advises.

Make safety your No. 1 priority. If extreme weather is causing air travel disruption, trying to make the journey by road could be hazardous, Keyes warns.

Travel insurance and receipts

Talk to an expert about whether it's a good idea to purchase travel insurance. And research what kind of coverage you might get from your credit card, too. - Poike/iStockphoto/Getty Images

Consider buying travel insurance, advised Airport Parking Reservations in an email to CNN Travel.

It said most travel insurance policies provide additional cover for travel uncertainty. Additional [coverage] usually becomes applicable if your flight is postponed by more than 12 hours due to a strike, adverse weather or a mechanical breakdown.

The site also advises that you keep any receipts of airport purchases. You can try to get the money back from the airline later.

New automatic refunds in the US

Airlines in the United States are now required to give passengers cash refunds if their flight is significantly delayed or canceled, even if that person does not explicitly ask for a refund.

The Department of Transportation says the final federal rule requiring that airlines dole out refunds  not vouchers  went into effect on October 28, 2024. Find out the details here.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Americans are traveling far and wide to vote. (kaylaiutzwig/hutravelstheworld via TikTok)

Fly 1,500 miles home with me to vote, Kayla Iutzwig says in a TikTok video showing her packing a suitcase and heading to the airport. The 21-year-old lives in Los Angeles but is registered to vote in her home state of Texas. My initial voting plan was to do a mail-in ballot, which I requested back in September and never received, she tells Yahoo Life. In the video, she mentioned that her mail-in ballot request was declined  likely because she wouldnt qualify for one in Texas.

I think this election is the most important in my lifetime, she says. I traveled by plane, which was $350 roundtrip and took three and a half hours each way.

Rebecca James also took to TikTok to share a series of videos documenting her voting process, which included a $700 plane ticket from Phoenix to Georgia. She told her TikTok audience that she had applied for an absentee ballot on Oct. 4 but still hadnt received it two weeks later. Ultimately, she decided it was important enough to go in person. Im not f***ing around about womens rights, she said in one video.

Some of the travel has even been international, like one woman named Shanna who commented on a video saying that she flew from Italy to South Carolina to vote. Nicole Nina, a travel content creator, also posted about flying from Spain to Chicago just to cast her ballot.

Some of those who are making the trek, like Samantha Balsham, tell Yahoo Life that the effort is worth it to make sure their vote counts.

At 19 years old, this presidential election is the first one in which Balsham can vote. Shes from Bucks County, Pa., but attends college in Rhode Island. Like many others, Balsham was relying on an absentee ballot that never came. Since I didn't get my ballot after days of consistently checking, I decided to just go home for the election, she tells Yahoo Life.

She journeyed back home on Monday via a five-and-a-half-hour Amtrak train to make sure shed get to her polling place on Election Day. All in all, casting her ballot will cost her 11 hours and $300 round trip. Pennsylvania is a key battleground state, so I knew not voting wasnt an option, she says.

Maria Fernanda Garcia Castillo is a 22-year-old originally from Smithfield, N.C., four hours from where she now lives in Charlotte. She found herself in a similar situation when she requested a mail-in ballot and was told that she wouldnt be able to get one since her name was misspelled in her countys system. That meant taking unplanned time off from her job to make the long trip home and back. Given how important this election was and knowing I live in a swing state, I couldnt afford to let my vote go uncast, she tells Yahoo Life.

While Castillo was able to vote early, many voters are still in the process of traveling on Election Day  whether that means catching an early morning flight or road-tripping in the middle of the night.

One woman was even able to crowdsource the funds to fly from New York City back to Michigan, where she is registered. She posted a TikTok video Monday evening saying that she was contemplating making the trip after her absentee ballot was lost in the mail twice  and was on a flight by Tuesday.

One lesson learned from the experience, according to Iutzwig, is that the process to receive mail-in ballots should be much easier, she says. But shes happy to see so many people making the same effort she did. It was completely worth it to me to participate in voting to hopefully secure a bright future for our country.
One of Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will likely reach the benchmark of 270 electoral votes needed to become the 47th president soon after the last votes are cast Nov. 5.

However, it is statistically possible that neither candidate will hit that magic number.

There are two ways such an outcome could unfold: Either Trump and Harris each receive 269 electoral votes, or so-called faithless electors cast their ballot for other candidates.

Kamala Harris campaigns at Freddy & Tonys Restaurant, a Puerto Rican restaurant, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 27, 2024. AFP via Getty Images

Here is a rundown of what would happen:

12th Amendment

The electors from each state will meet on Dec. 17 to formalize the Electoral College result.

Only 30 states and the District of Columbia require that electors either vote for the candidate that won their jurisdiction or the candidate nominated by one of the two major parties.

In 2016, seven electors in Hawaii, Texas and Washington state voted for someone other than Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump.

Therefore, while Trump won states that were worth 306 electoral votes and Clinton won states worth 232, the final Electoral College result was Trump 304, Clinton 227.

Donald Trump dances at a campaign rally at McCamish Pavilion Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Atlanta. AP

The 119th Congress will meet in joint session Jan. 6, 2025, to count the electoral votes. If neither candidate is confirmed to have received 270, the House will elect the president.

Each states House delegation receives one vote, with a majority (26) needed to pick a winner. Currently, Republicans have the majority in 26 delegations, while Democrats have the edge in 22 delegations and two states (Minnesota and North Carolina) evenly split  though that number is likely to change after the American people have their say.

Follow along with The Posts coverage of the 2024 election

As of Friday, the website 270ToWin has a median forecast of 28 states with a majority GOP House delegation in 2025 and Democrats with the majority in just 19 state delegations.

The Senate process for electing the vice president is simpler, with a simple majority needed. Just two-thirds of the chambers members (67 senators) need to vote to make it an official tally  so in theory, someone could be elevated to a heartbeat from the presidency with the support of just 34 senators.

What if Congress cant decide?

In short, they have to decide.

If the House fails to pick a president on the first ballot, then they must keep going until the tie is broken.

If neither Harris nor Trump will have been picked by the time the 47th presidents term begins (noon on Jan. 20, 2025), the vice president-elect, chosen by the Senate, will stand in until a commander-in-chief is chosen.

If neither chamber is able to reach a majority in time of Inauguration Day, the speaker of the House would serve as president  but only until either a vice president or president is elected  per the Presidential Succession Act of 1947.

Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at McCamish Pavilion on October 28, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images

Presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at The Union in Carson City on April 2, 2019. Andy Barron / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The odds

The chances of no candidate reaching 270 electoral votes is very low.

On the polling website FiveThirtyEight, the outcome no winner occurred just three times across 1,000 simulations as of Friday.

The House of Representatives has chosen a president just twice, in 1800 and 1824.
A protester holds an Israeli flag as Israelis light a bonfire during a protest after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed his defense minister Yoav Gallant in a surprise announcement in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dismissed his popular defense minister, Yoav Gallant, in a surprise announcement that came as the country is embroiled in wars on multiple fronts across the region. The move sparked protests across the country, including a mass gathering that paralyzed central Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly been at odds over the war in Gaza. But Netanyahu had avoided firing his rival before taking the step as the world's attention was focused on the U.S. presidential election. Netanyahu cited significant gaps and a crisis of trust" in his Tuesday evening announcement as he replaced Gallant with a longtime loyalist.

In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and defense minister, Netanyahu said. Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the defense minister.

In the early days of the war, Israel's leadership presented a unified front as it responded to Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. But as the war has dragged on and spread to Lebanon, key policy differences have emerged.

While Netanyahu has called for continued military pressure on Hamas, Gallant had taken a more pragmatic approach, saying that military force has created the necessary conditions for at least a temporary diplomatic deal that could bring home hostages held by the militant group.

In a late-night news conference broadcast on national TV, Gallant said that he had disagreed with Netanyahu over three main issues: the need to end controversial exemptions from the military draft for ultra-Orthodox men, the urgent need for a hostage deal and the need to establish an official commission of inquiry into the political and security failures of Oct. 7, when Hamas militants stormed into Israel and killed 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage. Israel estimates that about 100 hostages remain in captivity, only about 65 of them still alive.

With military service compulsory for most Jews, Gallant said that drafting the ultra-Orthodox was both an issue of fairness and security at a time when Israel faces so many challenges.

He said a hostage deal was needed as quickly as possible, when they are still alive and said there will be no forgiveness for neglecting them. And he said a full investigation into the events of Oct. 7 was the only way to ensure the government would learn the proper lessons. Netanyahu has rejected calls for an inquiry, saying it should only take place when the war is over.

Gallant ended his statement by honoring the soldiers serving in the army and those who have died in the wars. He held up his hand and saluted as he walked away from the podium.

Many of the families of the hostages, along with tens of thousands of people who have joined anti-government protests, accuse Netanyahu of scuttling a deal in order to maintain his hold on power.

Netanyahu's hard-line partners have threatened to bring down the government if he makes concessions to Hamas, raising the risk of early elections at a time when the prime minister's popularity is low. This week, authorities announced the arrest of a Netanyahu aide on suspicion of leaking classified information to foreign media that gave the prime minister political cover as hostage talks fell apart.

Firing Gallant in the middle of a war is an act of madness, opposition leader Yair Lapid said on X. Netanyahu is selling Israels security and the Israeli army soldiers for a disgraceful political survival.

Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, whose largely ceremonial office is meant to help unify the country, called the dismissal the last thing Israel needs.

The grassroots forum representing hostage families said Gallants dismissal is a direct continuation of the efforts to torpedo the abductee deal.

Within hours, thousands of protesters gathered in central Tel Aviv, blocking the city's main highway and crippling traffic. The crowd, many holding blue and white Israeli flags and others blowing whistles and pounding drums, gathered around multiple bonfires. Several thousand people demonstrated outside Netanyahu's home in Jerusalem and elsewhere in the city. Protesters gathered and blocked roads in several other spots across the country, and Israeli TV stations showed images of police scuffling with protesters.

The dismissal comes at a delicate time. Israeli troops remain bogged down in Gaza, over a year after invading the territory in a war that has killed over 43,000 Palestinians, including tens of thousands of civilians, and caused widespread destruction, while Israeli ground troops are pressing ahead with a month-old ground invasion against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have been killed in the fighting.

Israel also has clashed with Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, and is facing the possibility of another strike by Iran. Iran has vowed to avenge an Israeli strike that came in response to an Oct. 1 Iranian missile attack, itself a reprisal for earlier Israeli attacks on Iranian-linked targets.

On Monday, Gallant announced he had sent out thousands of draft notices to young ultra-Orthodox men. The system of exemptions for religious men has bred widespread resentment among the secular majority, and Israel's Supreme Court has ordered the government to scrap the system. Netanyahu, whose governing coalition depends on ultra-Orthodox parties, has not yet implemented the order.

Channel 13 TV said Netanyahu had also taken advantage of the U.S. election, when American attention is focused elsewhere, to dismiss his rival.

The White House on Tuesday declined to comment on the firing but called Gallant an important partner on all matters related to the defense of Israel.

As close partners, we will continue to work collaboratively with Israels next minister of defense," the White House National Security Council said.

Gallant, a former general with a gruff, no-nonsense demeanor, has emerged as the most popular figure with the public in Israel's wartime government. Gallant has worn a simple, black buttoned shirt throughout the war in a sign of sorrow over the Oct. 7 attack and developed a strong relationship with his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

A previous attempt by Netanyahu to fire Gallant in March 2023 sparked widespread street protests against Netanyahu. He also flirted with the idea of dismissing Gallant over the summer but held off until Tuesday's announcement.

Israel Katz, his replacement, currently serves as foreign minister and is a longtime Netanyahu loyalist and veteran Cabinet minister. Katz thanked Netanyahu and pledged to lead the security establishment to victory in the wars against Israels enemies.

Katz, 69, was a junior officer in the military decades ago and has little military experience, though he has been a key member of Netanyahu's Security Cabinet over the years. Gideon Saar, a former Netanyahu rival who rejoined the government in September, will take the foreign affairs post.

Netanyahu has a long history of neutralizing his rivals. In his statement, he claimed he had made many attempts to bridge the gaps with Gallant.

But they kept getting wider," he said. Our enemies enjoyed it and derived a lot of benefit from it.

___

Associated Press writers Eleanor H. Reich in New York and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed reporting.
CINCINNATI  VP hopeful JD Vance cast his vote Tuesday here  just 30 minutes from the city of Middletown, where he famously grew up in a drug- and alcohol-addicted home.

For me to be standing here today is a testament to the American dream, Vance told reporters outside the precinct. My heart is just overwhelmed with gratitude.

Vance prepares to vote in Ohio. AP

The senator expressed cautious optimism as he confirmed he voted for himself, former President Donald Trump and Senate candidate Bernie Moreno.

I feel good, Vance said. But you never know until you know. Our message is that we do expect to win. I felt this way before I won my first election and I feel that way today.

JD Vance votes at the St Anthony of Padua Maronite Catholic Church on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. AP

Vance said he missed a call from Trump at 3 a.m. and decided to wait until his ride to the airport after voting to return it.

Hopefully hes sleeping, Vance said. I doubt it though. So right now Im focused here and on paying down the debt I owe to this country. Its a debt Ill never be able to fully repay.

Vance speaks outside after voting. AP

The 40-year-old legislator urged the nation not to lose its soul whatever the elections outcome.

No matter what, half the country is gonna be hurting today, Vance said. We feel the best way to heal that country is to govern strong and as best we can. But family, friendships those are what matters most. Nobody should ever discard them for the sake of politics.

As polls opened this morning, Trump was ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris by nearly 9 points in Ohio  a state he carried by more than 8 in both 2016 and 2020  according to the RealClearPolitics survey average.
Karen Read with John O'Keefe/ Karen Read in court/Judge Beverly Cannone

Lawyers on both sides of Karen Reads case have asked for her new trial to be delayed by three months, as prosecutors said they want to re-test evidence and prepare to call new witnesses.

Read, 44, is scheduled to face trial a second time in the case accusing her of drunkenly backing her SUV over her Boston cop boyfriend John OKeefe in January 2022 and leaving him to die in the snow.

Her retrial is scheduled for Jan. 27 after the first one ended with a hung jury over the summer.

Prosecutors and Karen Reads lawyers are asking to postpone her new trial by three months. David McGlynn

However, on Monday prosecutors filed a motion  with Reads consent  asking Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone to push the new trial back to April 1.

Special Assistant District Attorney Hank Brennan said in the two-page filing that the office plans to re-test forensic evidence and call new expert witnesses that did not testify at the first trial  all of which will take time to prepare.

Reads team said it will then need time to consider and potentially respond to it possibly with additional experts of its own, the filing says.

Cannone must still sign off on the request for postponement  which she is likely to do given both sides have agreed to it.

Read faces charges of second-degree murder, leaving the scene of a death and manslaughter in the slaying of OKeefe  to which she has adamantly maintained her innocence.

The trial ended with a deadlocked jury on July 1 in the case that garnered a cult-like following of supporters for Reads innocence.

The first trial against Read ended this summer with a hung jury in the case accusing her of murdering her Boston cop boyfriend John OKeefe. Courtesy of David Yannetti

Judge Beverly Cannone set her new trial for Jan. 27 and the judge must sign off on the request to postpone it until April. David McGlynn

Reads lawyers told the jury that their client was the victim of a law enforcement cover-up to hide that OKeefe was actually killed in a fight with his cop buddies after Read dropped him off in at the Canton, Mass. home of cop Brian Albert.

Judge Cannone denied Reads bid to have dismissed the counts of murder and leaving the scene of a death on the grounds that several jurors allegedly came forward to the defense team claiming they actually meant to acquit Read on those charges.

The prosecutors office and Reads lawyers both didnt immediately return requests for comment Tuesday morning.
Voters cast their ballots Friday, the last day of early voting, in Gwinnett County, Ga.

Once the polls begin to close Election Day, all eyes will turn to the swing states across the country counting votes in the presidential race. And within those states, there are a handful of counties that could hold the keys to the outcome.

Here's a look at some of the key counties to watch across the seven presidential battleground states, ordered by the state's final poll closing time (in Eastern Standard Time).

Georgia (7 p.m.)

Chattooga: One of NBC News' seven communities to watch as part of the 2022 "County to County" project, this northwestern county is rural and has a significant chunk of evangelical voters. Even though then-President Donald Trump lost the state in 2020, his support here grew.

Cherokee and Forsyth: The suburbs and exurbs around Marietta tell a different story, one of reliably Republican communities drifting away from the party in recent years. Mitt Romney won more than 80% in Forsyth in 2012, but Trump won just two-thirds of the vote there eight years later.

Gwinnett and Cobb: It's no doubt much of the discussion election night will center on the Atlanta suburbs. Democrats have run up the score here in recent elections and likely need to keep the double-digit margins up to win again.

North Carolina (7:30 p.m.)

Anson: In addition to running up their margins in big cities, Democrats also need to mobilize voters in the rural South, particularly Black voters. In 2020, Joe Biden won this county by only 4 points over Trump, while Hillary Clinton carried it by 13 points in 2016. If Vice President Kamala Harris is struggling to match Biden's margins with Black voters, that could cost her here.

Henderson: South of Asheville, this county is among those in the federal disaster zone in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in late September. While Trump won this county easily in 2020, his share of the vote dropped 3 points between 2016 and 2020 (from 62% to 59%), and he wasn't able to hit the 63% Romney got in 2012. Trump could help defend against the Democratic push for an upset here by finishing closer to the GOP's 2016 or 2012 marks. Nikki Haley outperformed her state vote share here in March's Republican presidential primary.

Nash: East of Raleigh, Nash has been decided by razor-thin margins in the past few presidential elections (Trump won it in 2016 while Biden won it in 2020). It's also home to a competitive congressional race.

Wake: Home to Raleigh in the fast-growing Research Triangle, Democrats have been building up their leads here and will need to continue to do so if they want to flip North Carolina.

Pennsylvania (8 p.m.)

Bucks: One of the key collar counties in the Philadelphia suburbs, it's one where, as Dave Wasserman, senior editor and elections analyst at The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter (and an NBC News Decision Desk contributor), notes in a recent analysis is "Trumps best opportunity to make progress in the Philly suburbs" because of a higher share of non-college-educated whites.

Erie: Smack dab in the middle between Buffalo and Cleveland, this blue-collar swing county (north of Pittsburgh on Lake Erie) backed Trump in 2016 by 2 points before Biden won it by 1 point in 2020.

Lackawanna: This Scranton-area county swung away from Democrats from 2012 to 2016 before shifting back a bit in 2020 (Barack Obama +28, Clinton +3, Biden +8). The 2024 margin here might be telling as to whether Biden, a Scranton native, was uniquely able to stem the Democratic erosion.

Northampton: Northampton has served as one of the best bellwether counties in recent memory, picking the presidential winner for decades.

Arizona (9 p.m.)

Maricopa: The massive focus on Maricopa isn't a surprise, considering it's home to more than half the state's residents. Democrats have made gains here as they've made the state more competitive by bringing moderate Republican and Hispanic voters into their coalition. While Trump won it by 3 points in 2016, Biden won Maricopa by 2 points four years later.

Michigan (9 p.m.)

Kent: Home to Grand Rapids, Romney won this once-reliable Republican county with 53% of the vote in 2012. Trump narrowly won it in 2016 with 48%, but Biden flipped it four years later with 42%. If Trump can make Kent look more like 2016 or 2012 again, he could be in for a good night in the state.

Wayne: An obvious point of emphasis for both campaigns, as the county is home to Detroit and will be a proving ground for how Harris can perform with Black and Arab American voters. Neither Clinton nor Biden could match Obama's 2012 mark of 73% there.

Grand Traverse: Home of Traverse City, this wealthy area of northwest Michigan has been trending toward the Democrats. Trump would like to reverse that trend this go-around.

Wisconsin (9 p.m.)

Dane: Home to Madison and the University of Wisconsin, this county is all about the Democratic intensity in highly educated college towns. Biden netted 181,327 votes over Trump here in 2020  up from Clintons 146,422 in 2016. And that Democratic gain helped the party flip Wisconsin in 2020, given that Biden won the state by just 20,000 votes.

Ozaukee: North of Milwaukee, its the "O" in the "WOW" counties, the nickname for the three suburban counties in the state that have served as an ancestral home for Republicans. Bidens 43% there in 2020 was the best a Democrat performed there since 1964, as Ozaukee and Waukesha have drifted a bit away from the GOP in recent years.

Washington: The only county of the three "WOW" counties in which Trump increased his vote share between 2016 and 2020, Washington is pushing back on the trend that's affected its neighboring counties. Trump needs to hold firm here and make sure any slippage in the suburbs elsewhere doesn't take hold in Washington.
The life of a wild animal is not an easy one. They spend almost every waking minute of their day searching for foodhunting or foraging, or traveling to places where the food supply will be better. People have it easythey just run down to the nearest grocery store or even call to have a fresh hot meal delivered to their door. Do you think wild bears have time for Netflix? No, no they do not.

And yet, this black bear in Tongass National Forest in Alaska seems to have worked out somewhat of a cheat code while fishing in this stream. At least, he takes his job lying down.

The Work smart, not hard award goes to BB, who relishes comfort almost as much as he enjoys fish. He's mastered the art of relaxation while catching a meal. This laid-back angler is proof you don't always have to work hard to enjoy the fruits of your labor. #AnanBearAwards pic.twitter.com/80FnzACQqu  Tongass Nat'l Forest (@TongassNF) October 26, 2024

BB, a black bear living in the Tongan National Forest in southeastern Alaska, is one of many bears being tracked by the rangers in the forest. Like his fellow ursine, he likes to play in the water and eat as many fish as he can get his claws on. But he also knows how to relax, as you can see in this video.

Related: Alaskan Woman Captures Precious Moment Bear Cub Cries to Mom

The Work smart, not hard award goes to BB, who relishes comfort almost as much as he enjoys fish, reads the caption on this clip of BB sprawled across a rock in the stream, waiting to catch any fish that swim by. He's mastered the art of relaxation while catching a meal. This laid-back angler is proof you don't always have to work hard to enjoy the fruits of your labor. 

Fishing Bears

The Tongass National Forest is home to many bears, both black and brown. The reason the bears love this area is because the high concentration of salmon in the rives and streams of the forest, which are an abundant and fat-rich food source for these creatures to stock up on during the summer and fall months. During the warmer season, bears become hyperphagic, gorging on enormous amounts of food and becoming quite fat in order to help them survive the lean winter months, when food is scarce and they entire a hibernation-like state called torpor.

Bears and Water

Water serves as a vital hunting ground for bears, especially the fish-rich rivers and streams of the Alaskan wilderness. One of a mama bears main instructional skillsets to be passed on to her cubs is how to catch fish, and bears congregate and even get territorial around the best fishing spots. However, bears are in fact omnivorous and will eat anything from plants and berries to carrion to small animals, fish, and of coursehuman trash.

On top of its importance to bears as a food source, water is a habitat for bears for relaxing and even just playing. This same Twitter account is known for posting videos of bears seemingly chilling in these same streams and rivers. During hot summer months, they will find a body of water and just relax in it, whether its a large pond or river like this one, a small stream, or even a simple tub. Bears have been known to invade backyard pools, and even take naps while lying in streams.

So its not surprising to see this one completely comfortable balancing over a waterfall in order to catch fish.

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos.

Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
What is pisco, and how should you drink it? We talked to beverage industry insiders for the scoop on this South American spirit.

Mizina / Getty Images

Pisco, a distilled grape spirit hailing from South America, has been enjoyed for centuries and is now making its mark on the global cocktail scene. Whether sipped neat or mixed into cocktails, this aromatic spirit carries a rich history and unique flavor profile that newcomers and connoisseurs can both appreciate. Lets explore pisco, how it's traditionally consumed, what to look for when purchasing a bottle, and the most popular ways to drink it.







Meet Our Expert

Kami Kenna , partner at Topa Spirits, producer of Pisco Logia

Alex Hildebrandt , co-founder at Suyo Pisco

Glendon Hartley , beverage director and Pisco curator, Bar Amazonia, Washington DC

Francine Cohen, hospitality industry consultant and founder Inside F&B







Related: '90s Drinks Are Backand More Cocktail Trends for 2023, According to Bartenders

What Is Pisco?

Pisco is a brandy produced in South America, primarily in Peru and Chile, from fermented grape juice. Though both countries claim pisco as their own, the two variations have some distinct differences, stemming from how they are produced, the types of grapes used, and regional techniques.

In Peru, pisco must be made using only eight specific grape varieties, such as Quebranta and Italia. Its distilled in small batches and cant be diluted with water after distillation. On the other hand, Chilean pisco can be made from a broader range of grapes, and producers have more flexibility in adjusting alcohol content after distillation. The result is two unique styles of pisco with varying flavor profiles.



What Does Pisco Taste Like?

Pisco is smooth and versatile on the palate, making it an excellent spirit to enjoy on its own or in cocktails.

The flavor of pisco can be surprisingly complex, offering a range of notes from floral and fruity to herbal and earthy, depending on the grape varieties used. When asked to describe the flavor of Peruvian pisco, Kami Kenna, Partner at Topa Spirits- producer of Pisco Logia, says: Stone fruit, floral, herbal, silky, unaged spirit that when distilled from grapes cultivated in ideal climates, is complex and inspiring.

Chilean pisco may be aged in wood, lending it more robust flavors such as vanilla, caramel, and spice. Glendon Hartley, beverage director, and pisco curator, Bar Amazonia, Washington DC, says: Chilean pisco is made more like a cognac than a pisco. Its often double or even triple-distilled and very often is aged in a barrel.

In contrast, Peruvian pisco is typically unaged, which means it retains the fresh, vibrant characteristics of the grapes, with flavors like citrus, green apple, and pear. Francine Cohen, hospitality industry consultant and founder of Inside F&B, says, Peru approaches pisco production with reverence and consideration for quality. Like France with its rules about champagne and Mexico with its guidelines for tequila, so too does Peru closely oversee their heritage spirit. You will feel Perus national spirit, even if you cant get on a plane.

photokool / Getty Images

Types of Pisco

There are several types of pisco, each with its own unique characteristics. The two main categories, Chilean and Peruvian pisco, vary widely from each other both in production and in flavor.

Alex Hildebrandt, the co-founder at Suyo Pisco, explains that Chilean pisco primarily uses the Muscat grape from two regions in Chile. "It can be distilled more than once, barrel aging is allowed, and there are no clear regulations about use of additives. Peruvian pisco can use eight grapes from five southern coastal regions in Peru; no use of pomace is permitted (only the wine must is allowed)," he says. Its single-distilled and rested in neutral containers for at least three months (no barrel aging is allowed). Peruvian pisco is the most terroir-driven spirit in the world, as it is the only spirit that contains only one ingredient: grapes.

Kenna elaborates: Of the eight designated grapes in pisco from Peru, at least one of those grapes, potentially two, are endemic grapes to Peruthe offspring of traditional grapes that were brought from Europe and only exist in Peru. In Chile, there are different grapes, different distillation methods, proofing, and aging! All pisco from Peru is unaged and distilled to proofthe only other spirit distilled to proof is some Schochu and some mezcal.

Related: Shrub Drinks Are the Secret to Elevated Cocktails and MocktailsHere's How to Make One

What to Look for When Buying Pisco



When shopping for pisco, the most important factor is origindetermine if you prefer the fresher, fruitier style of Peruvian pisco or the slightly more robust, aged profile of Chilean pisco. Look for bottles that indicate the type of pisco on the label (Puro, Acholado, etc.) and the grape varieties used. Kenna says, most important to me in any spirit category is knowing who made the product. Is the distiller's name on the bottle? Is there production information? The more information the label and brand divulgethe better.

Hildebrandt says that for first-time consumers, he recommends buying a "Puro" (a single varietal). "I like suggesting a Quebranta because it's very approachable (both in taste and it tends to be more affordable). Also, if possible, I like to recommend a pisco from a northern coastal region like Lima, where you find very fresh, crisp noteswith some minerality due to proximity to the oceanthat are unique to the southern regions that have a more arid climate.

How to Drink Pisco

Pisco has a long history as both a versatile cocktail ingredient and a spirit to be savored on its own. Here are a few traditional ways to enjoy pisco:

Neat: Sip pisco neat (without ice) to appreciate its nuanced flavors. Serving Peruvian pisco at room temperature allows the fruity and floral notes to shine, while Chilean pisco can be slightly chilled if it has been aged.

As an Aperitif: Pisco is often enjoyed before meals in Peru and Chile to stimulate the appetite. Serve a small pour of pisco over ice with a twist of lime or lemon for a refreshing, palate-cleansing aperitif.

In Cocktails: Pisco's versatility makes it an excellent base for cocktails. Its bright, fresh flavors pair well with citrus, herbs, and even spices.

Related: Pineapple-Cucumber Spritz With Pisco

Popular Pisco Cocktails

Pisco Sour: Perhaps the most famous pisco cocktail, the pisco sour is a refreshing blend of pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white, shaken until frothy and topped with a dash of bitters. This cocktail perfectly balances the spirit's fruity notes with tart citrus.

Chirulin: An Afro-Peruvian cocktail with cinnamon syrup, pisco, grapefruit juice, and lime.

Chilcano: Another popular Peruvian cocktail, the Chilcano mixes pisco with ginger ale, lime juice, and bitters for a light, effervescent drink perfect for warm-weather sipping.

Pisco Punch: Originating in San Francisco during the Gold Rush era, this cocktail combines pisco with pineapple syrup, lime juice, and sparkling water.

El Capitan: Similar to a Manhattan, this cocktail mixes pisco with sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters, creating a rich, spirit-forward drink. Garnish with olives for an authentic touch!



Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned pisco enthusiast, this South American spirit offers an array of flavors and ways to enjoy it. And whether you sip it neat, as an aperitif, or in a complex cocktail, pisco is a crowd-pleaser worthy of a spot in your bar cart! With its growing popularity, there's never been a better time to explore what pisco has to offer.



Related: Martha's Classic Whiskey Sour


SC upholds validity of UP Madarsa Education Act The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside the Allahabad High Court ruling which had struck down the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004 as unconstitutional and violative of the principles of secularism. A Bench headed by CJI, DY Chandrachud said that the Allahabad High Court erred in holding that the Madarsa Education Act, 2004 was bound to be struck down for violation of the basic structure.



However, the CJI Chandrachud-led Bench held the Madarsa Education Act unconstitutional to the extent it regulates higher education in relation to 'fazil' and 'kamil' degrees for being in conflict with the UGC Act.



Earlier in April, staying the impugned decision, the Bench, also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, had observed that the Allahabad High Court misconstrued the provisions of the Madarsa Act and the view taken by it was prima facie not correct.



Delivering a verdict on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by an advocate challenging vires of the Madarsa Act, 2004, the Allahabad HC, in its March 22 order, had held the law violative of the principles of secularism, Articles 14, 21 and 21-A of the Constitution of India and Section 22 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.



It had asked the Uttar Pradesh government to take steps to accommodate madrasa students in regular schools, adding that if required, new schools would be established to ensure that children between the ages of 6 to 14 years are not left without admission in duly recognised institutions.



With less than a week's time left to him in the highest judicial office of the country, CJI Chandrachud is yet to pronounce several important decisions, including the AMU minority status case.



Before his retirement on November 10, the CJI-led Constitution Bench will also decide the question as to whether Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) licence holders require a separate endorsement to drive a transport vehicle of LMV class.




Police officers standing in front of the US Capitol in Washington DC, United States, on November 4, 2024, ahead of the US Presidential Election

A man who smelled like fuel and carried a blowtorch lighter and flare gun was arrested Tuesday at the US Capitol as millions of Americans went to the polls.

The unidentified man was attempting to enter the Capitol Visitor Center when he was stopped during the regular screening process, US Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger told reporters.

Officers picked up on a faint odor of fuel as the man approached the screening area and was asked to place his backpack and coat on the airport-style screening machine.

When they pulled the backpack off the conveyor belt, they noticed a much stronger scent of gasoline, Manger said of his officers, noting that the suspect hesitated briefly before sending his belongings through the scanner.

The screening revealed the man had what looked like a firearm inside his backpack, alarming police who later discovered it to be a flare gun.

Also in the backpack were two bottles of an accelerant that may have been gasoline, the chief said.

It appeared that at least one of the bottles was leaking, and thats why the backpack smelled so strongly, he said.

The man also had with him a stack of papers, which he told police he intended to deliver to Congress, the chief said.

Heightened security is in place at the U.S. Capitol Complex as the nation awaits the presidential results. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Were still going through all of those papers and we are trying to determine where, in fact, he did come from, Manger said, adding that police were searching his social media for clues.

Fox News reported the papers were a 25-page manifesto with anti-government and anti-Israel statements, and that the man drove all night from Michigan to the nations capital.

Manger would only confirm that the suspect appears to hail from outside the DC area.

It was not immediately clear whether the man, described as a white male in his late-20s, planned to set himself on fire  or whether the stunt was related to the election.

Were certainly on a heightened alert and have been for the days till Election Day, today, Manger said. We have an enhanced posture in terms of our security currently and itll just continue through November, through December and January, and beyond the inauguration if need be.

Capitol Police closed the visitor center for tours for the day after the incident. The case remains under investigation.

The visitor center is attached to the Capitol and accessible to the public. It serves as the ticketing location and entrance for tours of the building. It also hosts a gift shop, movie theaters and historic statues.

The incident is just one of several Election Day threats reported across the country  including in the swing states of Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin, according to a statement by the FBI.

The FBI is aware of bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains, the investigative agency said in a statement.

None of the bomb threats have been credible, the bureau added.
Mourners carry the body of Naji al-Baba,16, who the Palestinian Health Ministry said was killed by Israeli forces in the town of Halhul, West Bank, during his funeral on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Israeli strikes killed at least 30 people in Gaza, including on a home where displaced families were sheltering, according to Palestinian health officials.

Ten people were killed early Tuesday, including four children and two women, and a strike late Monday on the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya killed at least 20 people, including eight women and six children, health officials said.

The Israeli military said it targeted a weapons storage facility from which a militant had operated, and that numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians.

Israel has been waging a massive offensive in northern Gaza  which was already the most isolated and heavily destroyed part of the territory  for nearly a month.

Despite growing pressure from the United States and others in the international community for a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon, intensified Israeli strikes against the Hezbollah militant group are expanding beyond Lebanons border areas. Israel is also fighting a seemingly endless war against Hamas in northern Gaza.

Since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in 2023, at least 3,000 people have been killed and some 13,500 wounded in Lebanon, the Health Ministry reports.

More than a year of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 people, Palestinian health officials say. They do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but say more than half of those killed were women and children. The war began after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducting 250 others.

___

Heres the latest:

White House caught off guard by Israeli defense minister getting fired

WASHINGTON, D.C.  White House officials were taken by surprise by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus firing of defense minister Yoav Gallant and found the move concerning, according to a United States official.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, added that Biden advisers have real questions about the reasons for Gallants firing and about what is driving the decision.

The timing of the move was also confounding at the White House, the official added. Israel is still embroiled in conflicts Gaza and Lebanon and bracing for a retaliatory attack from Iran for its Oct. 26 strikes on Iranian military strikes. That Israeli strike was carried in response for an Iranian missile attack in early October.

___

Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed.

Northern Gaza under a near-total brutal siege, UN humanitarian chief says

UNITED NATIONS  Northern Gaza has been under a near-total brutal siege for the past month and Palestinian civilians are starving while the world watches, the acting United Nations humanitarian chief said Tuesday.

Joyce Msuya said in a post on X that Israeli military ground operations have left Palestinians without the essentials to survive, forced them to flee for safety multiple times, and cut off their escape and supply routes.

These atrocities must stop, she said.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters that the humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories, Muhannad Hadi, visited the Al Moumanya school in Gaza City on Tuesday. The school was run by the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees known as UNRWA and is now sheltering hundreds of families, most of whom fled the north.

Hadi told U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that conditions in the school are unbearable, saying families lack food, water and functioning toilets and are crammed into very overcrowded facilities, the U.N. spokesperson said.

Hadi told the U.N. chief that sewage at the school is running everywhere, and waste is everywhere, Dujarric said.

Israeli airstrike south of Beirut kills at least 15, Lebanon's Health Ministry says

BEIRUT  An Israeli airstrike that hit an apartment building in a village south of Beirut killed at least 15 people, Lebanons Health Ministry said Tuesday.

The ministry said the toll is not final and operations to rescue people from under the rubble are ongoing.

Lebanons state news agency said the airstrike hit an area known as Barja just north of the port city of Sidon. It was not immediately clear what the target of the airstrike was.

Earlier on Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike killed one person and wounded 20 others in the nearby town of Jiyeh.

Both attacks hit areas that have not been a regular target of Israeli military operations and had not received prior evacuation warnings

Israeli leader Netanyahu dismisses popular defense minister

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dismissed his popular defense minister, Yoav Gallant, in a surprise announcement that came as the country is embroiled in wars on multiple fronts across the region.

The move sparked protests across the country.

Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly been at odds over the war in Gaza. But Netanyahu had avoided firing his rival before taking the step as the worlds attention was focused on the U.S. presidential election. Netanyahu cited significant gaps and a crisis of trust between the men in his Tuesday evening announcement.

In the early days of the war, Israels leadership presented a unified front as it responded to Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack. But as the war has dragged on and spread to Lebanon, key policy differences have emerged.

The White House on Tuesday declined to comment on Netanyahus decision to oust the defense minister but called Gallant an important partner on all matters related to the defense of Israel.

As close partners, we will continue to work collaboratively with Israels next Minister of Defense, the White House National Security Council said in a statement.

UN agency says Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have driven half a million people over the border into Syria

ARIDA, Lebanon  Israels escalated aerial bombardment of Lebanon has driven over half a million people to cross the border into Syria, overwhelming already strained resources.

Among the arrivals, an estimated 7,000 are pregnant, with about 800 expected to give birth within the next month, Muriel Mafico, the representative of the United Nations Population Fund in Syria, told The Associated Press.

The majority of the people who arrived in Syria are women and children, she said. Once again, it is women and children who are paying a heavy price.

Mafico said the UNFPA, along with its international and local partners, is providing services at the border as well as following up on those women who are ending up in shelters or staying with relatives in Syria.

But, she said, "the response so far is less than adequate due to the constraints on resources that we have.

The Lebanese General Security recorded 361,300 Syrians and 177,864 Lebanese crossing into Syria between Sept. 23 and Nov. 1, according to a report by Lebanons crisis response unit.

Israeli airstrike on apartment building in Lebanese coastal town kills at least 1

JIYEH, Lebanon  An Israeli airstrike on an apartment building in a coastal town south of Beirut killed at least one person, Lebanons Health Ministry said.

The ministry said 20 others were wounded in the strike Tuesday in Jiyeh, around 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of the port of Sidon.

The attack hit an area that has not been a regular target of Israeli military operations and had not received prior evacuation warnings.

It felt like it was inside the house, Malika Al Hajj, an older woman living in the area, told The Associated Press. I ran away  I dont even know which neighbor brought me out, because everything was black. You couldnt see anything.

Once outside, Hajj said she discovered that the strike had hit the nearby building where her nephews live.

Men, women and children live inside, she said. I just want to be reassured. I saw some of them, but the others, they told me, were taken to the hospital."

At the site of the strike, the buildings skeletal frame stands amid the rubble, its concrete shattered, windows blown out and metal twisted from the impact.

Families were seen leaving the area, carrying what belongings they could gather.

Israeli airstrike targets Hezbollah weapons facility in Syria

JERUSALEM  The Israeli military said it conducted an airstrike on a Hezbollah weapons storage facility in Syria on Tuesday.

The military said the strike targeted the facility run by Hezbollahs munitions unit in the Syrian town of al-Qusayr, near the border with Lebanon. It said Hezbollah had recently expanded its facilities in the area to step up weapons smuggling into Lebanon from Syria.

The strikes hit an industrial zone in al-Qusayr, according to Syrian state media and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a conflict-monitoring group. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria over recent years, primarily targeting government-controlled areas, but it rarely acknowledges or discusses these operations. The strikes often target Syrian forces or Iranian-backed groups.

On Monday, an Israeli airstrike struck near the Sayida Zeinab suburb, south of Damascus, an area where Iran-backed groups are active. The Israeli military claimed responsibility for killing the head of Hezbollahs military branch in Syria, whom it identified as Mahmoud Mohammed Shaheen.

For the past month, Israel has been carrying out an escalated bombardment campaign in Lebanon, aiming to cripple the Hezbollah militant group, which is allied with Syria and Iran. Israel has also launched ground incursions just across the Israel-Lebanon border, saying it aims to put an end to a year of Hezbollah rocket fire into northern Israel.

Palestinians trickle out of war-ravaged northern Gaza

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  Dozens of Palestinians trickled southward from war-ravaged northern Gaza, recounting how they had hardly eaten in days with aid long cut off to the area under heavy Israeli bombardment and military campaign.

Leaving the far northern town of Beit Lahiya, the families  mostly women and children  dragged rucksacks and satchels with belongings as they walked down a street entering Gaza City, where every building had been completely flattened or partially destroyed.

We came barefoot. We have no sandals, no clothes, nothing. We have no money. There is no food or drink, said Huda Abu Laila.

Israel launched a fresh offensive in northern Gaza in early October, focusing on Jabaliya, a densely populated, decades-old urban refugee camp where it says Hamas had regrouped. Other areas also hit include Beit Lahyia and Beit Hanoun, situated just north of Gaza City, like Jabaliya.

The U.N. estimated last week that some 100,000 people remain in the affected area. It has said no aid has reached the far north of the enclave for weeks. On Monday, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said that there are no ambulances or emergency crews currently operating north of Gaza City.

Israel has repeatedly issued evacuation warnings for the entirety of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, where several hundred thousand more Palestinians remain.

WHO working to arrange medical evacuation from Gaza

GENEVA  The World Health Organization says its working to arrange medical evacuations for more than 100 people from Gaza on Wednesday, which would be the largest such operation of its kind in six months.

Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, said the U.N. health agency was helping coordinate the evacuations through the Kerem Shalom crossing based on a list of priority candidates drawn up by the Health Ministry in Gaza.

Speaking by video from Gaza to reporters in Geneva, Peeperkorn said medical evacuations have been arranged for 282 people since Israeli forces forced the closure of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt on May 6.

Before the Rafah closure, nearly 4,700 people were ferried out of Gaza in medical evacuations since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, he said.

The largest one since May involved 97 people who were evacuated on Sept. 11. Thousands of people remain on waiting lists to get out.

WHO said people with chronic conditions like cancer as patients from trauma cases  injuries  were among those to be evacuated. Peeperkorn said most would be taken to the United Arab Emirates for further care, while about 30 were to go to Romania.

Irans top diplomat says Tehran would respond to Israels strike in a measured way

ISLAMABAD  Irans foreign minister on Tuesday reiterated that his country does not seek an escalation in the Middle East but reserved the right to defend itself against Israels attack with a measured and calculative response.

Iranian officials are increasingly threatening to launch yet another strike against Israel after its Oct. 26 attack on the Islamic Republic that targeted military bases and other locations and killed at least five people.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking at a news conference during a visit to Pakistan, said that unlike the Israeli regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek escalation.

We reserve our inherent rights to legitimate defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and we will certainly respond to the Israeli aggression in a proper time and in a proper manner in a very measured and very calculated manner, he said.

Araghchi met with Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who called for an urgent cease-fire to de-escalate tensions in the region.

The Lebanese Red Cross will try again to remove bodies from a strike site

BEIRUT  The Lebanese Red Cross will send another convoy Tuesday to Wata al-Khiam in southern Lebanon to search for and remove the bodies of 15 people killed in an Israeli airstrike, Lebanons state-run National News Agency said.

Paramedics accessed the site of the strike two days prior and removed five other bodies, but needed to return with larger vehicles to remove the rubble. The NNA said the deployment is in coordination with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, which is the usual procedure.

The Red Cross did not immediately comment on the news, but expressed concern in recent weeks over several instances where Israel has struck in or close to areas where they have deployed paramedics to search for wounded people and casualties.

The Israeli military said it issued warnings to the residents there in late October to evacuate ahead of strikes on Hezbollah militant targets, and told ambulances to avoid the area.

Israeli airstrike kills 20 people in northern Gaza, Palestinians officials say

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  Palestinian medical officials say an Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip has killed at least 20 people, mostly women and children.

Hossam Abu Safiya, the director of a nearby hospital that received the casualties, said the strike late Monday hit a home in the town of Beit Lahiya where multiple families were sheltering.

The dead included eight women and six children, according to a list provided by the Gaza Health Ministrys emergency service.

The Israeli military said it targeted a weapons storage facility from which a militant had operated, and that numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians.

Israel has been waging a massive offensive in northern Gaza  which was already the most isolated and heavily destroyed part of the territory  for nearly a month. It ordered the complete evacuation of Beit Lahiya, the nearby town of Beit Hanoun, and the urban Jabaliya refugee camp, and has allowed almost no humanitarian aid into the area for over a month.

Tens of thousands of people have fled to nearby Gaza City in the latest wave of displacement in the war, which began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Israeli strikes kill 10 in Gaza

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  Palestinian officials say Israeli strikes early Tuesday killed 10 people in the Gaza Strip, including four children and two women.

One strike hit a house in the Tufah neighborhood in Gaza City, killing two children and their parents, according to the Gaza Health Ministrys emergency service. Two other children were wounded, it said.

In the central town of Zuweida, an Israeli airstrike hit a tent where a displaced family was sheltering, killing four people, including a mother and her two children, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah.

Another strike hit a house in Deir al-Balah, killing two people, the hospital said.

An Associated Press journalist counted the bodies at the hospital morgue.

The Israeli military says it only targets militants and accuses them of hiding among civilians. It rarely comments on individual strikes, which often kill women and children.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking another 250 hostage. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Israels offensive has killed over 43,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which says over half were women and children. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Israeli forces kill 4 people in the occupied West Bank

RAMALLAH, West Bank  Palestinian officials say Israeli forces have killed four people in the occupied West Bank.

Two were killed in an airstrike early Tuesday near the northern city of Jenin, a flashpoint for Israeli-Palestinian violence in recent years. Two other people were fatally shot in the village of Tamoun, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

The Israeli military said it called in an airstrike on a militant cell near Jenin. It also said it killed two armed militants in an airstrike in the Tamoun area.

Israeli forces have carried out near-daily military raids in the West Bank since Hamas Oct. 7 attack out of the Gaza Strip triggered the Israel-Hamas war. The Health Ministry says at least 767 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since then. Most appear to have been militants killed in battles with Israeli forces, but the dead also include civilian bystanders and people killed during protests.

Israel says the raids are aimed at dismantling Hamas in the West Bank and preventing attacks. Palestinians have carried out dozens of stabbing, shooting and car-ramming attacks against Israelis since the start of the war.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, and the Palestinians want it to form the main part of their future state.
A growing number of wealthy travelers are booking luxury safaris. David Silverman/Getty Images

African safaris are often considered bucket list vacations.

Some luxury travel agencies and tour operators say they've seen an uptick in travelers booking luxury safaris.

High-end options can cost more than $2,500 per person and day.

The sound of hyenas crunching on bones is one Sophie Serrano will never forget.

The trip she heard it on was just as unforgettable.

Serrano, a 28-year-old travel content creator, went with her family on her first safari in November 2023. It was her mother's bucket list vacation, she told BI, estimating that they paid $9,000 to $10,000 per person to spend 10 days at three luxury Tanzanian lodges (plus an additional three days in Zanzibar).

"It's a trip we had talked about for many years, and realistically, it just wasn't affordable for us in the past," Serrano said. "We got together and discussed if it was a financial sacrifice we wanted to make last year, and we all said yes."

Serrano and her family stayed at three lodges over 10 days. Sophie Serrano

Being surrounded by a group of monkeys was especially memorable  as was getting a massage during her stay at the high-end Siringit Serengeti Camp "with the sounds of the birds around."

"I've completely fallen in love with Africa," Serrano said. "I want to see all of it."

She's not alone  as of late, a growing number of travelers have been itching to go on a luxurious African safari, too.

Some operators and lodges are seeing a windfall

Micato Safaris organizes safari itineraries. Micato Safaris

Luxury tour operator Abercrombie and Kent's African safaris have always been among its best-selling vacations, the company told BI in an email. After the COVID-19 pandemic, interest has increased strongly.

The company offers dozens of these adventurous itineraries. Most first-timers book its 14-day Kenya and Tanzania program, which promises the opportunity to spot the "Big Five"  lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, and Cape buffalos  starting at about $24,800 per person in 2025, it said.

Dennis Pinto, the managing director of high-end safari operator Micato Safaris, told BI in an email that demand for its vacations has been "stronger than ever."

Bookings for Micato's safaris increased from 2023 to 2024. Micato Safaris

Micato's bookings ballooned 21.4% from 2023 to 2024, he said. Looking forward, reservations for 2025 are already pacing 19% ahead of this time last year.

Custom itineraries have been especially popular among its customers, according to Pinto. Its most booked itinerary is a "glamourous, unabashedly luxurious" 15-day Kenya and Tanzania itinerary, which includes six flights, a hot air balloon ride, and two nights at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti (or a comparable hotel)  all for a starting cost of $37,000 per person in 2025.

Four Seasons operates a safari lodge in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. Richard Waite/Four Seasons

If you prefer to plan your own high-end safari, there are countless lodges and camps to choose from. During your search, you'll likely come across Singita's chain of luxury eastern and southern African safari lodges, whose guests have included Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres.

Good luck booking them  Singita has seen 80% to 90% occupancy rates throughout 2024, mostly in Tanzania and Rwanda, a spokesperson told BI. It no longer experiences a low season, they said, and shoulder season "barely ceases to exist in the safari world."

A one-night stay at its newest 10-guest Milele villa in Tanzania's Grumeti Reserve will cost upward of $35,000. The price is set to increase to $36,400 in 2025.

Singita opened the 10-guest Sinigta Milele villa in June. Singita

"Post-COVID-19, people said, 'I am going to take that greatest-of-all-time trip," Melissa Krueger, CEO of high-end travel wholesaler Classic Vacations, told BI. The company launched its African portfolio, which includes properties with safari experiences, in March. "They want to do something highly memorable. We'll continue to see an increase in business."

Some luxury travel agencies are noticing it, too

Luxury travel agency Indagare told BI in an email that safari bookings are "trending upward.

In 2023, the company sold 78 safaris, a 73% boost from the year prior.

For agencies like Scott Dunn Private  whose members must spend a minimum of $100,000 on travel annually  safaris have always been popular. Lately, Botswana has been a big hit, with bookings growing 75%, Julie Durso, a Scott Dunn Private travel manager, told BI.

Some luxury travel agencies are seeing an uptick in safari bookings. Londolozi Images/Mint Images/Getty Images

The company's safari-seeking clients  often honeymooners, empty nesters, and multi-generational families  are especially partial to higher-end options, spending an average of $1,500 to $2,000 per person and day, Jackie Roth, another Scott Dunn Private travel manager, told BI.

With such prices, some travelers might consider luxury safaris a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

For others, the first time is the start of a fixation

Serrano went on her first safari with her family. Sophie Serrano

Misty Belles, vice president of global public relations for luxury travel agency Virtuoso, told BI that safaris have remained consistently popular among Virtuoso's clients, some of whom are repeat visitors.

Take Serrano, for example. She's going on her second safari at the end of November, a year after her first, and is already planning another Gorilla trekking trip.

Isabella John, a 25-year-old travel content creator and cofounder of social media management agency Nomad Social, has already been twice.

Umlani Bushcamp is located on South Africa's Timbavati Game Reserve, which borders Kruger National Park. JaySi/Shutterstock

She called both experiences  the most recent a girls' trip to Umlani Bushcamp in the Timbavati reserve in March  "humbling."

"I was flooded with emotions of gratitude," she told BI. She remembers crying alongside her friends as they saw their first herd of elephants and falling asleep to the distant sound of roaring lions as they spent a night in Umlani's open-air tree house. "It was an emotional trip."

"It is pricey, but it's worth the sacrifice," Serrano said.

She may travel for a living, but "nothing will compare to a safari."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Johnny Carson on the "Tonight Show" set. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Johnny Carson was so popular during his heyday that a late-night quip about a toilet paper shortage caused a run on the product at grocery stores across the country in 1973, nearly a half-century before widespread pandemic hoarding of that important bathroom product. Such was Carsons sway on our culture as host of The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992.

No one else has had that kind of influence, says Jay Leno, who found himself at the center of a succession drama when he became Carsons Tonight Show successor rather than David Letterman.

Jimmy Kimmel, another showbiz offspring of Carson, considers him the Abe Lincoln of late-night TV, his stature qualifying for Mount Rushmore status in the comedy world.

There are a lot of presidents we don't think much about because we're always thinking about Lincoln, says Kimmel, who has now spent two decades as a late-night host himself. Props should go to Steve Allen, who invented the whole thing, while Letterman gave the format an absurdist twist, but Johnny was the most important, Kimmel says. Johnny was just such a part of the fabric of our lives.

Carson at his peak averaged 9 million viewers nightly; Stephen Colbert now leads a crowded field with about 3 million. Even people too young to have watched Carson acknowledge his legacy. He really was the monarch and owned the airwaves, says Eric Andre, 41, who studied the master before launching his self-named Adult Swim show in 2012.

Now, some 32 years since Carsons last show, heeeeres Carson the Magnificent, a biography that tackles the comedians life and legacy. The project was so many years in the making that primary author Bill Zehme died before he could complete it.

This was Bill's white whale and I don't believe he was ever going to finish it, says Kimmel, who let the journalist live at his house for months at one point so he could focus on the book instead of celebrity interviews to pay the rent.

Zehme, who wrote for Rolling Stone and other major magazines, had authored books on Frank Sinatra and Andy Kaufman in addition to ghostwriting memoirs for Regis Philbin and Leno. A lifelong Carson fan, he conducted the final major interview with the Tonight Show host and originally planned to publish this book in 2007.

But he kept digging and digging in the hopes, Kimmel says, of trying to get under the skin of the oft-inscrutable Carson. Then Zehme got colorectal cancer and spent most of his last years battling the disease while trying to finish the book.

He survived for almost a decade, but his health was never good enough to really dive back in, says Mike Thomas, who finished the book after Zehmes death. Thomas had worked for Zehme as a research assistant on the Sinatra, Leno, Philbin and Kaufman books before leaving for a career at the Chicago Sun-Times.

Zehme had about three-quarters of the book written and polished; Thomas used Zehmes research and reporting to finish it.

His daughter gave me the key to Carson Land, a storage locker that was just jammed with binders, photos, records, even a big pink canceled check from Johnny to [band leader] Doc Severinsen, Thomas says. It was a matter of sifting through and figuring out what I needed to complete Johnnys story.

That story is neither hagiography nor hit job. Johnny was a complicated guy, but his genius was undeniable, Thomas says. Bill got to the core of Johnny as much as anybody was going to, but he was in many ways an inscrutable guy.

Zehme captures the magnificence of Carson the performer, the quintessential showman, who knew exactly what his audiences wanted, where the boundaries were and how to push them ever so lightly.

Johnny always had these slightly risque jokes but had a great sense of what mainstream America would tolerate, Leno says. He knew just how far to push things.

He seemed so graceful and effortless the way he did the show, Kimmel adds, but there was so much about Johnny that I don't think anybody living knows.

In Zehme's depiction, Carsons public persona was a deception, a sleight of hand befitting a man who started as a magician and never lost his love for it. In private, he was not only cold and aloof but a lackluster father and a hard-drinking womanizer who, when under the influence, sometimes got physical with his wives.

"Occasionally he would wake the next day to discover that some such havoc had bruised the flesh of his sons' mother," one passage of the book reads.

He was always nice to me, Leno says, but I know Johnny was not a good drinker and when he got drunk he got a little mean.

Kimmel says the biography is not a particularly flattering portrayal of Johnny, but its a fair one. And I think that's probably good because we tend to turn people into caricatures. We think that person that you see on TV is that person. We all felt like we knew Johnny Carson, but we obviously didn't.

At one point in Zehmes interview with Carson, the legend muses that if they asked younger people about The Ed Sullivan Show  once the biggest show in America  31 years after it ended, they look at you like it never existed. And why should they remember it?

A similar interval after Carsons last show, his ghost still lingers, and not just because of YouTube, where the icon's estate has curated his clips.

There's enough clips of Johnny at his best that people can find whatever they want, Leno says, although he notes that the jokes and flagrant sexism in many sketches feel dated.

Carson's influence on everyone who followed remains enormous. On any given Monday, you might hear Jon Stewart briefly slip into an impression of him; other fans including Letterman and Conan OBrien are still active on TV and podcasts, while the current crop of hosts  Kimmel, Colbert, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers  are all old enough to have watched Carson growing up.

Theyre all living in the shadow of Carson, Andre says, though he thinks this book will mostly reach boomers and Gen Xers. For his part, Thomas hopes the book can introduce a new generation to Carsons work.

When he got his show, Kimmel went to the Paley Center in Beverly Hills, then called the Museum of Broadcasting, to watch Allen, Jack Paar and Carson.

The number one thing I learned was that I would never be anywhere near as good as Johnny, Kimmel says.

In his prime, Carson was the biggest star on the set, Kimmel points out. Maybe Frank Sinatra would shop up and he and Johnny were equals, but thats it. I can assure you that if Taylor Swift is on my show, it does not feel like were equals.



Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) -A U.S. judge overseeing lawsuits accusing Harvard University of antisemitism on Tuesday narrowed but refused to dismiss a case by two advocacy groups accusing the Ivy League school of making it unbearable for Jewish students to study there.

U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns said the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education can pursue a hostile educational environment claim on behalf of students.

The Boston-based judge dismissed claims that Harvard directly discriminated against Jewish and Israeli students, and retaliated against them for complaining about antisemitism.

In August, Stearns refused to dismiss a related lawsuit by Jewish students who accused Harvard of letting its Cambridge, Massachusetts, campus become a bastion of rampant antisemitism.

Both lawsuits accused Harvard of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars federal funds recipients from allowing discrimination based on race, religion and national origin, and sought to stop further violations.

The lawsuits are among many accusing major universities of allowing and encouraging antisemitism following the October 2023 outbreak of war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

Tuesday's decision primarily concerned Harvard's alleged mishandling of incidents from the spring and autumn of 2023.

In one, a Jewish lecturer at Harvard's Kennedy School allegedly pressured students in a course on organizing community action to abandon a project predicated on the existence of a "liberal-Jewish democracy," because associating "Jewish" with "democracy" created an "unsafe space" for classmates.

The other concerned a viral "die-in" near Harvard Business School where attendees accused Israel of war crimes, chanted antisemitic slogans and allegedly physically assaulted an Israeli-Jewish student.

Stearns said the plaintiffs can try to prove Harvard's "deliberate indifference" to harassment, reflecting its failure to discipline the professor and alleged lack of speed investigating various incidents.

"To conclude that the mere act of launching an investigation without any further follow-through necessarily defeats a deliberate indifference claim, would be to prioritize form over function," Stearns wrote.

Stearns nonetheless found no plausible accusations that Harvard's responses reflected anti-Jewish or anti-Israeli animus, or retaliation.

Harvard spokesman Jason Newton said antisemitism has no place on campus, and that the school has taken steps to support its Jewish community, encourage civil dialogue and strengthen disciplinary policies and rules on using public spaces.

"This work is ongoing, and Harvard is fully committed to it and confident we are moving in the right direction," he said.

A lawyer for the plaintiffs had no immediate comment.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New YorkEditing by Bill Berkrot and Matthew Lewis)
Suspected shooter

The illegal migrant who allegedly opened fire on a Jewish man walking to synagogue in Chicago last weekend was hit with new hate crime and terrorism charges on Thursday, according to authorities.

Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, was slapped with the additional charges after he allegedly shot and wounded a 39-year-old Jewish man Saturday morning in the citys West Ridge neighborhood  and then got into an ensuing shootout with authorities leading up to his arrest.

This shooting is deeply personal to members of our Jewish community, we know that, Windy City Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said during a press conference streamed locally. But this shooting should be personal to everyone across the city.

The suspect allegedly targeted a Jewish man because of his faith.

Just before he exchanged gunfire with police, the alleged gunman reportedly shouted Allahu Akbar. He was critically wounded in the shootout where medics were also caught in the crossfire. Abdallahi remained hospitalized on Thursday.

The victim fortunately did not sustain life-threatening injuries and no first responders were hurt.

Abdallahi was initially charged with counts of attempted murder, attempted murder of a police officer, aggravated battery and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

The lack of hate crime charges at the start of the case infuriated members of the Jewish community. But Snelling said investigators needed time to firm up the felony count as a hate crime and terrorism charge.

There must be sufficient evidence to support hate crimes and terrorism charges and it was important we took our time to thoroughly investigate and confirm that this was indeed a crime of that nature, he said. We did not secure these charges because of public pressure or media attention.

Detectives combed through the suspects phone which showed he planned to target Jewish community members leading up to the shooting, Snelling added.

The alleged perp got into a shootout with responding police and was wounded. X@anjewla90

A terrorism charge is rarely lodged, Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx noted.

We underscore the gravity of targeting specific communities with violence intended to intimidate or terrorize, she said. This charge sends a clear message.

Mayor Brandon Johnson, who was blasted earlier the week for not acknowledging that the victim was Jewish in an initial statement, called the hate directed at the Jewish community hideous.

There is absolutely no place in Chicago for antisemitism, Johnson said during the press conference. Theres no place in our city for hatred toward the Jewish community.

Abdallahi, who is from the West African country Mauritania, entered San Diego in March 2023 and was screened by border agents before he was released into the country, officials previously told The Post.

When the migrant was caught at the border last year, authorities didnt find any criminal or terrorist histories linked to him, sources said.

Abdallahi was due in court on Tuesday, but thats been delayed because he remains in the hospital, Foxx said.
Isaac Darko, left, helps Lucy Baffoe uses a mobile phone outside her home in Nkoranza village, Ghana in 2021, as part of an Opportunity International initiative. Credit - Arete -- Patrick Abah -- Opportunity International

Over the past year, rural farmers in Malawi have been seeking advice about their crops and animals from a generative AI chatbot. These farmers ask questions in Chichewa, their native tongue, and the app, Ulangizi, responds in kind, using conversational language based on information taken from the governments agricultural manual. In the past we could wait for days for agriculture extension workers to come and address whatever problems we had on our farms, Maron Galeta, a Malawian farmer, told Bloomberg. Just a touch of a button we have all the information we need.

The nonprofit behind the app, Opportunity International, hopes to bring similar AI-based solutions to other impoverished communities. In February, Opportunity ran an acceleration incubator for humanitarian workers across the world to pitch AI-based ideas and then develop them alongside mentors from institutions like Microsoft and Amazon. On October 30, Opportunity announced the three winners of this program: free-to-use apps that aim to help African farmers with crop and climate strategy, teachers with lesson planning, and school leaders with administration management. The winners will each receive about $150,000 in funding to pilot the apps in their communities, with the goal of reaching millions of people within two years.

Greg Nelson, the CTO of Opportunity, hopes that the program will show the power of AI to level playing fields for those who previously faced barriers to accessing knowledge and expertise. Since the mobile phone, this is the biggest democratizing change that we have seen in our lifetime, he says.

In early February, Opportunity employees from around the world participated in brainstorming sessions for the incubator, generating more than 200 ideas. Many of these employees hoped to wield generative AIs potential to solve the specific problems of clients they had long worked with on the ground in high-poverty areas. For instance, verbal chatbots offering targeted advice and trained upon specific languages and vetted documents could be especially useful for communities with limited literacy. Our clients are never going to use Google, Nelson says. Now, they can speak, and are spoken to, in their own language.

Read More: AI's Underwhelming Impact On the 2024 Elections.

The top 20 teams then worked to transform their ideas into app prototypes, with assistance from mentors at major tech companies and technical support from MIT platforms. The three winners, which do not yet have formal names, were then picked by a panel of judges. The first winner is a farming app that hopes to improve upon Ulangizi. While that app offers general knowledge, this one will be designed to take in personalized data and give specific farming advicelike what seeds to plant and when and how much fertilizer to usebased upon a farmers acreage, crop history, and climate.

Rebecca Nakacwa, who is based in Uganda and one of the projects founders, says that the apps ability to understand climate patterns in real time is crucial. When we went to farmers, we thought the biggest problem was around pricing, she says. But we were so surprised, because they told us their topmost problem is climate: finding a solution to how to work with the different climate changes. We know that with AI, this is achievable. She hopes to have the app ready for the start of planting season in Rwanda and Malawi next summer.

Khumbo Msutu, a project coordinator at Opportunity International, with local loan officers in Zomba, Malawi, in 2023. Eden Sparke / Arete / OpportunitEden Sparke / Arete / Opportunity International

The second app helps teachers develop lesson plans tailored to their students. The app is led by Lordina Omanhene-Gyimah, who taught in a rural school in Ghana. She found that teachers faced an acute lack of resources and knowledge about how to cater to classrooms filled with students of different ages and learning styles. Her app allows teachers to input information about students learning styles, and then creates lesson plans based on the national school curriculum. Omanhene-Gyimah hopes to roll out the app in classrooms in Ghana and Uganda before the next academic school year.

The third app is designed to help school owners in areas from teacher recruitment to marketing to behavioral management. Anne Njine, a former Kenyan teacher, hopes that the app will be a partner in the pocket for school leaders, to give them real time solutions and ideas. Opportunity says that the app is ready to be rolled out to 20,000 schools, potentially reaching 6,000,000 students.

Read More: Meteorologists Are Using AI To Forecast Hurricanes.

The success of these apps is far from guaranteed. People in rural areas often lack smartphones or mobile connectivity. (An Opportunity rep says that the apps will be designed to work offline.) There are steep learning curves for new users of AI, and models sometimes return false answers, which can be problematic in educational settings. Nelson hopes that training these AIs on specific data sets and alongside clients will produce better, more accurate results.

Nelsons goal is for the incubator program to launch three new AI-based apps a year. But thats dependent on the funding of philanthropists and corporate partners. (Opportunity declined to say how much it has raised for the program so far.)

The founders of the three winning apps are confident that they have found transformative real-life use cases for an industry whose impact is often exaggerated by runaway hype. Its not just we like using AI because its in vogue and everybody's doing it, Omanhene-Gyimah says. We are in the field. We work with these clients on a daily basis, and we know what they need.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
The New York state trooper who claimed he was shot during a traffic stop on Long Island last week was suspended without pay  as officials probe whether he lied about the incident, authorities said.

Police spent hours searching Trooper Thomas Mascias home in West Hempstead on Monday after launching an internal investigation into his account of the Oct. 30 saga that sparked a days-long hunt for the apparent gunman.

State cops also abruptly canceled the alert theyd issued for a black Dodge Charger with temporary New Jersey plates that the 27-year-old trooper had alleged was involved in the shooting.

The department declined to comment further on Mascias suspension.

New York State Trooper Thomas Mascia in an undated photo.

We cant get into specifics while the investigation is ongoing, a police spokesperson said.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said her office was actively investigating certain inconsistencies in the case.

Her office also declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation.

Police sources had earlier said investigators were probing whether Mascia shot himself during the ordeal  and that he was undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.

Neighbors told Newsday that investigators had started knocking on doors to ask residents questions and seek doorbell camera footage from them.

NY State Trooper Thomas Mascia leaving the Nassau University Medical Center. Brigitte Stelzer

The trooper is believed to be the son of Thomas Mascia Sr., former partner of NYPD Officer Michael Dowd  one of the most corrupt officers in the Big Apples history, multiple sources told The Post.

The pair, who worked alongside each other in the 94th Precinct, were both busted in the 1990s  and featured on The Posts front page  for running a cocaine ring linking Brooklyn to Suffolk County.

Dowd notoriously ended up spending 12 years in prison for shaking down drug dealers, pilfering their wares and then selling the drugs when he worked in Brooklyns 75th Precinct in the late 1980s and early 90s.

The younger Mascia reported that a motorist had opened fire on him when he pulled over on the Southern State Parkway and started approaching the vehicle at about 11:30 p.m.

Shots fired! Shots fired! Im hit! I think my kneecap is broken, Mascia said on the police radio as he called it in.

Another trooper responded to his call and rushed him to the Nassau University Medical Center, where he underwent surgery.

Cops arrive at the scene of the shooting. Diego Luzuriaga (FreedomNewsTV)

Mascia was released from the hospital last Friday as cops put out a $10,000 reward for any information on the shooting.

The Post reached out to Mascia about the probe but didnt hear back immediately.

Jeffrey Lichtman, a lawyer representing the trooper, said he was still gathering facts about the case.

Nothing to offer beyond that at this time, unfortunately, he said.

With Post wires
Voters wait in line to cast their ballots at Scranton High School in Scranton, Pa., on Tuesday.

As Election Day finally arrives, election officials, legal experts and researchers are bracing for a flood of disinformation and legal claims as vote counting begins.

The final week of the campaign featured three dynamics that could lead to a protracted legal dispute if the results are close, legal experts said.

Scores of lawsuitsmany of them frivoloushave already been filed, domestic and foreign actors are spreading false accounts of voter fraud, and former President Donald Trump continues to claim that the election will be rigged against him.

Theyve already started cheating, Trump said Sunday at a rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Election experts say that if a clear winner emerges quickly and voting proceeds without major disruptions, large numbers of Americans may have faith in the results. But they warned that delays in the counting or a tight race in which a single state decides the presidency could lead to a divisive legal battle.

The longer the race remains unresolved, experts predicted, the more time domestic and foreign actors will have to spread disinformation that will sow doubt, discord and division over the results.

Danielle Tomson, research manager at the University of Washingtons Center for an Informed Public, predicted an increase in rumors on Election Day as more people go to the polls and encounter both real and perceived problems with voting.

The problem is when political actors or influencers take one real problem, Tomson said, and misleadingly exaggerate its impact or scope to indicate some larger coordinate fraud or mass conspiracy.

We expect to see a huge focus on swing states, voting machines and voter eligibility, she said.

Arizona elections worker Jennifer Liewer said she and her co-workers are prepared for the vote and any potential disruptions.

The reality is that we do have security personnel who are monitoring, to make sure if there are threats... appropriate people are aware of them, said Liewer, Maricopa Countys deputy elections director.

But she acknowledged she and her co-workers have no idea how the final chapter of the 2024 election will unfold.

We dont know what will happen once results begin to get posted, and how people will react, she said. We hope that they will have trust in the system.

Workers erect security fencing outside the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Monday.

A flood of disinformation and legal claims

In Seattle, 25 researchers at the Center for an Informed Public will work in shifts to document rumors as they arise on Election Day and beyond. It is one of a few large-scale academic projects still studying election disinformation  several prominent others shuttered or were weakened in response to a conservative attack on such research.

In published primers, the researchers have said to expect a steady stream of rumors throughout the day  potentially hundreds of videos, photos and statements purporting to capture suspected irregularities, conspiracy theories or concerns Trump and his allies may present as evidence of voter fraud.

Already, this election season has been shaped by online content alleging voting machine malfunctioning, unfair ballot ordering and noncitizens illegally voting, as well as false conspiracy claims involving the news media and other viral videos that have had to be debunked by election officials, secretaries of state and federal agencies.

Conservative groups pushing election conspiracy theories have also signaled their intention to paint any irregularities or routine processes as fraud, like longer count times in states that dont allow workers to pre-process mail-in or absentee ballots.

A misleading advertisement from the Election Integrity Network says The Glitch Is In alongside a carousel of news coverage of such procedural Election Day issues. The Election Integrity Networks founder, Cleta Mitchell, promotes her thousand-strong group as a kind of national neighborhood watch.

Researchers also point to a new kind of infrastructure around documenting and sharing such rumors on Election Day. Whereas in years past, they were more likely to appear organically on social media platforms, this year, official channels have been built to shepherd the so-called evidence into channels where it can be used.

Videos are already flooding X, specifically on a channel that X owner Elon Musk, a major Trump backer, has promoted via his America PAC. The community described as dedicated to sharing potential instances of voter fraud and irregularities that Americans are experiencing in the 2024 Election, has over 60,000 members, and is already a hub for baseless rumors.

The top posts in that community on Tuesday included videos from political activists known for misleading content: including one from the Heritage Foundation claiming voters were registering with illegal addresses in Maricopa County, Ariz and James OKeefe, suggesting noncitizens were voting in Philadelphia.

That public depository joins other existing clearinghouses that election deniers claim prove widespread cheating. Election conspiracy theorists, including MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and activists with True the Vote, offer apps to collect purported evidence of fraud.

Beyond fearmongering, experts expect such content from voters, poll watchers, influencers and operatives to become the stuff of lawsuits contesting the results.

Election deniers are willing to grab on to the thinnest reed and try to make it a federal case, both figuratively and literally, said Ben Berwick, head of election law and litigation at Protect Democracy, a nonprofit group focused on protecting the integrity of American elections.

Part of the effort to challenge the results of the 2020 election, and the midterms two years later, Berwick said, was based on affidavits and declarations from eyewitnesses who say they believe they saw something illegal.

In every instance, it turned out that the person who signed the affidavit misunderstood what they saw, or in some cases, it was just truly made up, Berwick said. The lawsuits in 2020 were rejected in part because there was absolutely no evidence for the claims that there was any wrongdoing. I am sure that this time around, there is going to be an effort to come to court with more quote, unquote evidence, right?

Whatever they can get their hands on, that they can twist to look like some kind of conspiracy or fraud or even error, he added, whatever they can get their hands on, they will use.

A security guard stands behind a fence at the Maricopa County Election and Tabulation Center in Phoenix on Monday.

Foreign interference and stepped-up security

Foreign actors, meanwhile, are spreading disinformation of their own and amplifying false claims from Americans. On Monday night, the FBI and officials from the National Intelligence Directors Office and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said the U.S. intelligence community has identified two more fake videos produced by Russia designed to undermine Americans confidence in the election results.

Russian influence actors recently posted and amplified an article falsely claiming that U.S. officials across swing states plan to orchestrate election fraud using a range of tactics, such as ballot stuffing and cyber attacks, the statement said. Russian influence actors also manufactured and amplified a recent video that falsely depicted an interview with an individual claiming election fraud in Arizona.

The agencies said the video, which Arizonas secretary of state had refuted earlier, falsely described a scheme that involved creating fake overseas ballots and changing voter rolls to favor Democrat Kamala Harris.

The Secret Service also announced Monday that it was installing additional fencing around the White House, the Naval Observatory  Harris official residence as vice president  and the Palm Beach County, Florida, Convention Center, where Trump plans to speak on election night.

Twenty states also placed about 250 National Guard troops on active duty so they could be available for election support. The troops are mostly activated when needed for cyber support, law enforcement or general support.

In Arizona on election eve, Liewer, the Maricopa County deputy elections director, said she still hopes for the best.

Tomorrow is what we work so hard for. Its that voters can come and cast a ballot in this election. Everything we do is for that, she said. Thats what motivates us, to ensure that thats done fairly and transparently. That is what guides us.
Dr. Frederick Evans, at left with his wife Michelle, was joined in South Africa by SC State graduates Michael and Brenda Beauford.

Dr. Frederick Evans, SC States provost and vice president for academic affairs, serves his community through education, church and law enforcement.

Dr. Frederick Evans ORANGEBURG, S.C.  Dr. Frederick Evans is the textbook definition of a community servant leader.

As South Carolina State Universitys provost and vice president for academic affairs, Evans is charged with maintaining the universitys academic programs and standards. Its more than a job to him -- its a calling.

I care about the university. All of my decisions are intentional, and I'm very strategic with what I do because of the level of trust that the university has bestowed upon me to take care of the students, the faculty, and staff, Evans said. That is my commitment, you know, to the institution and to my professional career."

Evans applies that same sense of duty outside of his SC State responsibilities.

He is an active member of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina, and the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office, where he serves as a reserve captain in the major crime unit.

It is my way to maintain my law enforcement certification by the state of South Carolina and give back to the county of Orangeburg, Evans said. I believe jail is not the only answer. Someone must be at the street level to help, particularly our youth.

Experience in South Africa

Through their church, Evans and his wife, Michelle, participated in a mission trip to Africa last summer through an organization based out of New York, So Send I You Inc. The Christian-based organization focuses on Africa, Asia, Europe, and churches within the states.

The Evanses' pastor committed to traveling to Crossroads/Cape Town, South Africa, for the groundbreaking of a church, with 12 church members. Also on the trip were SC State alumni Michael and Brenda Beauford, Class of 1979.

We had the opportunity to go into a highly impoverished area, Evans said, describing the two-week trip as very humbling.

The churches are being built in South Africa to be resource centers for basic needs to live, educate, and serve mankind.

I was looking to enter maybe like an older church or something they were going to replace, SC States provost said. I saw an old white tent with holes, which was a church with a podium and old folding chairs.

Evans said his biggest takeaway from the trip came from the tour guide informing him of Africas living conditions and way of living. The tour guide explained every section of the different cities he visited including East London, South Africa and Johannesburg, South Africa.

You think about in America 30 years after the civil war ended, where we were at that time -- thats where we are right now, the tour guide told Evans.

Evans also learned about the education system and its challenges.

They can only accept so many children, Evans said. My takeaway from an educational vantage point of view is the access to education -- that struggle is real.

Aside from the groundbreaking for the church, the Evanses and church members also attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a child development center that was completed in Africa. The child development center was for children from ages 2-6 years old.

I learned that within their cultures, the have and have-nots, the provost said. The haves -- the way the income is there, those families can send their children to school. The have-nots, which is a very, very high number, those kids dont have the opportunity to go to school.

Cape Town, South Africa

An expert in educational leadership

Evans formerly served SC State as the dean of the College of Graduate & Professional Studies and as an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, teaching doctoral and educational specialist-level courses and directing student research.

His key areas of expertise are in leadership, ethics, management, and school law. Evans has provided expert witness consulting for several legal cases on matters such as school board policy, school discipline, higher education, K-12 ADA compliance, personnel administration, and public safety standards/school ethics.

He received his Bachelor of Arts in social science/political science, and Master of Education in secondary education/history, instruction, policy, higher education administration, and law.

Evans has worked in the field of education for more than 35 years, published multiple peer-reviewed articles, completed several grant projects, and is currently completing a textbook in the discipline of educational leadership.

I never thought that I would be in my current position, Evans said. I thought I was doing a lot when I was a dean, but becoming a provost, I see where I can make a greater impact advocating for our students.

Evans compared his current role to being a drum major for SC State students.

Without students, I have no job, Evans said.
Pediatricians worry that political rhetoric doubting the safety and effectiveness of vaccines could reverse decades of public health successes.

Some pediatricians are stunned by the possibility that vaccines proven to save kids lives could be banned in a second Trump administration.

On Sunday, former President Donald Trump told NBC News that if he wins Tuesday, hell make a decision about whether to outlaw some vaccines based on the recommendation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a notorious vaccine critic without any medical training. Kennedy ran for president as an independent before he endorsed Trump. The president doesnt have authority to ban vaccines but can influence public health with appointments to federal agencies that can change recommendations or potentially revoke approvals.

Despite decades of evidence proving the safety and effectiveness of childhood vaccines, anti-vaccine discourse picked up steam when Trump indicated that, if hes elected to a second term as president, hed tap Kennedy for a big role in his administration, most likely to work on health.

The potential for a vocal vaccine opponent to be placed in a position to make pivotal decisions about the shots gravely concerns many pediatricians, who predict it would lead to deadly outbreaks not seen in the U.S. in decades by accelerating the number of parents who reject vaccinations for their kids.

I have watched a child die in the hospital of a vaccine-preventable illness because her parents refused to vaccinate her. Many parents today have not witnessed that  yet, said Dr. Catherine Ohmstede, a pediatrician at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina. If this trend continues, that is the reality we are going to face.

Decades of research have proven the safety and effectiveness of vaccinating kids against a number of illnesses, including measles, chickenpox and polio. An August report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that routine childhood vaccines have prevented about 508 million illnesses and more than 1.1 million deaths among kids born in the past 30 years.

Its very sad to me that as a community, we have taken the most magnificent innovation in human health in the history of humanity and turned it into a political weapon, Ohmstede said.

Falling vaccination rates

Kennedy has long spread unproven conspiracy theories about vaccine harms. Parents are prime targets.

Its much easier to scare people than to unscare them, said Dr. Adam Ratner, director of the division of pediatric infectious diseases at Hassenfeld Childrens Hospital at NYU Langone in New York City. Many people have a fear of doing something that may cause harm, but they dont think a lot about the potential harm of not doing something.

Some pediatricians in largely Republican states declined to comment.

The majority of parents in the U.S. support vaccination for their children, according to public health data. However, kindergarten vaccination rates had been falling in the U.S. for years before Trump embraced Kennedy and his anti-vaccine views. In 2022, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, then the director of the CDC, warned that vaccine misinformation was one of the biggest threats to childrens health in the U.S.

Last month, the CDC reported that the percentage of children exempted from vaccine requirements rose to 3.3%, up from 3% the previous year. Thats an all-time high.

As exemptions have risen, so have the number of cases of measles in the U.S.

There have been 15 outbreaks of measles this year for a total of 272 cases as of Nov. 1, according to the CDC. More than half were among little children under age 5, and a quarter were among children 5 to 19. Almost 90% of all patients were unvaccinated. About 40% of the people with measles were hospitalized with complications.

Working in the pediatric ICU, we see the extremes of what happens when kids do not get vaccinated, said Dr. Deanna Behrens, a pediatrician and representative for the Illinois chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Im concerned about anything that would reduce either the number of parents who are willing to get their kids vaccinated or the number of children who get vaccinated in general.

The onus would be on pediatricians to carefully and sensitively counsel parents who have heard from their favored political candidate that vaccines might not be necessary or even harmful.

Amy Pisani, CEO of the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, Vaccinate Your Family, said she worries about the outcomes of the latest anti-vaccine sentiments.

Five or 10 years from now, she predicted, people are going to send their kids to kindergarten and wonder whether or not theyre in a room thats filled with children who arent protected against these very deadly diseases.

We will start having outbreaks, she said. It will be outbreak after outbreak.




Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner issued a clear message to potential election obstructers on Monday.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner issued a blunt warning to those looking to interfere with the election process Tuesday  after two heavily armed men threatened to straighten out the vote during the last election.

Anybody who thinks its time to play militia, F around and find out, Krasner said on Monday night, just hours before tens of thousands of Philadelphians flock to the polls.

Anybody who thinks its time to insult, to deride, to mistreat, to threaten people, F around and find out, he continued.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner issued a clear message to potential election obstructers on Monday. Philadelphia District Attorneys Office via Storyful

We do have the cuffs, we do have the jail cells, we do have the Philly juries and we have the state prisons. So if youre going to try to turn an election into some form of coercion, if youre going to try to bully people, bully votes or voters, youre going to try to erase votes, youre going to try any of that nonsense, were not playing. F around and find out. Thats what were going to do, Krasner said.

Pennsylvania voters could potentially decide whether former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris will be in the White House for the next four years.

Philadelphia voters could play key roll in electing the next President of the United States. Getty Images

Trump and Harris are in a deadlocked tie, according to the final New York Times/Siena poll.

During the 2020 election, two Virginia men were arrested in Philadelphia with an automatic weapon and a stockpile of ammunition after now-President Biden overtook Trumps initial lead in the Keystone state.

They intended to straighten out the vote as election workers counted ballots, according to law enforcement.

Joshua Macias and Antonio Lamotta were stopped by cops outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center after authorities in Virginia got a tip that they were heading to the city in a silver Hummer decked out in QAnon regalia.

The pair were found guilty of two counts each for violating state gun laws and sentenced in March 2023 to two years probation and prison time that had been served prior to sentencing, according to CNN.

LaMotta was also federally charged for his participation in the Capitol Hill riots and sentenced to 6 months in prison.
Shes a self-described die-hard Republican. But her husband could be sent back to Mexico under former President Donald Trumps vow of mass deportations if he were to win the election. So which candidate will she choose?

Thats what Georgia resident Tracy Gonzalez said is the question of the hour for her on this Election Day.

But the answer for her is not that simple.

Im at a loss for words today because I really thought by today I would know what I was going to do and I still dont know this morning, Gonzalez told Scripps News on the morning of Election Day.

RELATED STORY | Scripps News/Ipsos poll: Majority supports mass deportation of undocumented immigrants

Gonzalez and her husband  who she described as her life partner and best friend  have been married since 2011.

Her husband entered the country from Mexico for the first time in 1999, then again in 2006 after having to briefly return to his home country for a family emergency. Gonzalez said that created something called a break in his bar, which means he would have to spend 10 years outside of the U.S. before being eligible to ask for a pardon for residency.

Gonzalez said she and her husband have been working with an immigration attorney since 2008 and a run-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Savannah, Georgia led to more complications.

Now, she said her husband has what is called an administratively closed deportation which essentially stops the process of deportation and allows him to have temporary legal status under a work permit that they have to renew annually.

The problem is, Gonzalez said, that it does not give her husband a path to residency or citizenship.

People tend to have this vision that when you marry an American citizen you automatically have a pathway to citizenship and its just not so, Gonzalez told Scripps News.

But Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris has vowed to keep families together with her plans to address immigration. And President Joe Biden signed an executive order earlier this year aimed at helping the 28 million mixed-status families in the U.S. together, according to the bipartisan immigration reform organization FWD.

RELATED STORY | Where do Kamala Harris and Tim Walz stand on immigration?

On the other side, Trump has repeatedly promised mass deportations of people who are not in the U.S. legally.

Gonzalez said she was raised in a conservative household that has always voted Republican. She also owns a bail bond company and said Democrats dont typically support her business.

My husband, God bless him, he supports me. Anything and everything that I do. And he just tells me to do what I think is right, said Gonzalez.
Many children have a favorite blankie that goes everywhere with them. I know my kids all did, and my daughters still sleep with theirs even though they're 15 now! Dexter is a rescued Beagle, and he also has a favorite blankie. His mom posted a video on Friday, November 1st showing Dexter dragging it all the way outside with him, and it's the cutest thing you'll see today.

The video starts with Dexter already with the blanket in his mouth, dragging it behind him. He's headed towards the door to the yard, following another dog out the door. Watch on because getting that big blanket through the doggy door isn't as easy as you'd think it might be!

This made my heart so happy! Talk about determination - Dexter didn't give up even though it took some work to get it out of the house! It looked like a warm, sunny day...I wonder if his plan was to lay on it and enjoy a nap.

Commenters also thought the video was adorable. @Diane said, "Success! So cute!" @elisethomas89 shared, "Have blankly will go outside. For my sun soaking & picnic myself." and another commenter added, "Just like Linus and his blanket!" And I laughed at the comment, "Is he running away from home?

Related: Rescue Dog's Love for His Trusty Security Blankie Is Giving People the Feels

Do Beagles Make Good Pets?

When we decided as a family that we wanted to get a dog, we all thought that a Beagle would be a good one. They're clearly adorable, a little bit feisty, and have big personalities. We thought it would be a great match for our family without really knowing anything about them other than that we all think they're cute little dogs. One thing that I've learned from writing about pets for a couple of years is that just because a dog is cute doesn't mean it would make a good pet for every family. It's important to know the good, the bad, and the ugly about the breed you are considering so you can make an informed decision about whether do dog will fit into your family's lifestyle, and if you'll be able to keep up with their exercise demands and other needs.

Beagles have some great qualities that make them good family pets. They're always happy, they love to cuddle, they get along great with kids, they are extremely intelligent, and they're relatively low maintenance.

On the other hand, they do have some qualities that might turn some families off. Beagles are notorious for stealing any and all food that they can get their hands on; they're master food thieves and will go to any lengths to get to it. They also have loose lips and low-hanging jowls, making them big droolers. Beagles are noisy and love to bark and howl...as a matter of fact, IHeartDogs rates them as the Number One noisiest breed, even over Siberian Huskies! That reason alone is enough for me to pass on choosing a Beagle.

Beagles have a natural musky scent that comes from their skin oils and sweat glands. Even after regular baths and grooming, their natural scent may still hang on. Potty training a Beagle can also be difficult since they're known to be a bit stubborn. Had we not researched the breed, we wouldn't have known any of this! That's why it's important to learn everything you can about a breed to determine if it's a fit for your family.

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
Rudy Giuliani in Palm Beach, Fla., on Tuesday.

Rudy Giuliani has yet to surrender any of the valuables he was ordered to turn over to the two election workers he defamed, their lawyers say  including the Mercedes he was spotted riding around in Tuesday in Palm Beach, Florida.

The former Trump lawyer was photographed in the convertible 1980 Mercedes-Benz SL500 outside the polling place where former President Donald Trump voted.

The car  which used to belong to Hollywood legend Lauren Bacall  was among the items a federal judge ordered Giuliani to turn over to Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Shaye Moss last month to begin paying the $146 million judgment he owes them.

The Oct. 22 ruling by U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman gave Giuliani one week to transfer personal property including cash accounts, jewelry and valuables, a legal claim for unpaid attorneys fees, and his interest in his Madison Avenue co-op apartment to a receivership."

In a court filing Monday, Aaron Nathan, an attorney for Freeman and Moss, said that Giuliani "has yet to transfer any property into the Receivers custody," and that he and his lawyer "have refused or been unable to answer basic questions about the location of most of the property subject to the receivership." That includes some of Giuliani's prized Yankees memorabilia, including a signed Joe DiMaggio jersey and an autographed Reggie Jackson picture.

Nathan added that representatives for Freeman and Moss "were finally granted access" to Giuliani's New York apartment on Halloween, only to discover that he "had moved virtually all of its contents out approximately four weeks ago  something that neither Defendant nor Defendants counsel had bothered to mention."

They said they were told that the car was in Florida but not where it was garaged, and that Giuliani's collection of luxury watches was in Florida, too, but not which ones. He also has yet to turn over any cash from his bank accounts or the co-op shares and proprietary lease for the apartment.

Citing Nathan's allegations, Liman on Tuesday ordered Giuliani to appear before him in New York on Thursday, and rejected a request from Giuliani's lawyer that the hearing be held remotely or in-person next week.

A spokesman for Giuliani, Ted Goodman, said, "Our lawyers have requested documentation to transfer over the title of the vehicle, and haven't heard back from opposing counsel."

He also said that Freeman and Moss were trying to leave the former New York City mayor "penniless and homeless," and that Giuliani wasn't being evasive.

"Mayor Giuliani has made available his property and possessions as ordered. A few items were put into storage over the course of the past year, and anything else removed was related to his two livestream programs," Goodman said.

Freeman and Moss filed their enforcement action in August after another judge dismissed Giulianis bankruptcy case in part because of his failure to turn over information about his businesses while submitting incomplete or incorrect information about his personal spending.

Giuliani had filed for bankruptcy shortly after a jury hit him with a massive verdict for his repeated false claims about Freeman and Moss, lies that subjected them to racist death threats and forced them out of their jobs.

The judge in that case had found Giuliani, a former federal prosecutor, liable for defamation after he ignored her orders to turn over required information to Freeman and Moss.

Giuliani first made the claims about the mother and daughter while he was leading then-President Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. He's since been stripped of his law licenses in New York and Washington, D.C., and been charged in criminal election interference cases in Arizona and Georgia. He has pleaded not guilty in both.
A federal jury has convicted an operative of a Somalian terrorist organization of conspiring to kill Americans in an attack modeled after the Sept. 11 hijackings.

Cholo Abdi Abdullah, 34, was convicted in New York on Monday of six charges, including conspiring to support the terror organization commonly known as al-Shabab, and conspiring to murder Americans.

The jury found that Cholo Abdi Abdullah, an operative of the terrorist organization al-Shabab, conspired to murder Americans in a terrorist attack reminiscent of the Sept. 11 attack on our country, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. He added the "conviction ensures that Abdullah will spend decades in prison for his crimes.

Somali security officers hold position on their open trucks near Syl Hotel, the scene of an al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group's attack in Mogadishu, Somalia, on March 15, 2024.

After training for months in Somalia with AK-47 rifles and explosives, Abdullah spent months at a flight school in the Philippines training to obtain a commercial pilot license and researched how to target tall buildings in U.S. cities, according to the indictment and evidence at trial. He also learned how to obtain transit visas to the U.S. and how to open a cockpit door from the outside.

His research mimicked the training of al-Qaida operatives who hijacked four U.S. airliners on Sept. 11, 2001, and crashed them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon outside Washington and a field in western Pennsylvania, killing a total of nearly 3,000 people.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams in New York, whose office prosecuted Abdullah, called him "responsible for trying to replicate one of historys most heinous acts of terrorism.

"Abdullah relentlessly pursued his goals and was on the cusp of getting a commercial pilot license while conducting extensive attack planning, such as how to breach an airplane cockpit door," Williams said.

Al-Shabab has sworn allegiance to al-Qaida and is responsible for its own deadly attacks since 2019, according to prosecutors.

After the U.S. moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, al-Shabab attacked a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, in January 2019, which resulted in the deaths of 21 people including a survivor of Sept. 11. Another attack in September 2019 was at a U.S. military facility in Somalia. And an attack in January 2020 at a U.S. facility in Kenya killed three Americans.

Abdullah is scheduled to be sentenced March 10. He faces a maximum term of life in prison for one of the charges: conspiring to commit terrorism across national borders, and a maximum of 20 years for others.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Somalia terror operative convicted of planning 9/11-style attack on US
TAIPEI, Taiwan  For years, Taiwan has enjoyed solid bipartisan support in Washington  a consensus that has only strengthened as China has increasingly threatened the self-governing island, which it claims as its own territory and has promised to reunify with the mainland.

In recent months, however, Donald Trumps rhetoric has left someexperts questioning whether Taiwan could continue to rely on the U.S. if the former president is reelected to the White House, given his wariness of American commitments to foreign partners and his enthusiasm for strongmen like Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Taiwanese officials HuffPost heard from during a weeklong press delegation last week largely struck a diplomatic tone when asked about the upcoming U.S. election.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Francois Chihchung Wu said Taiwan will be closely monitoring the election on Tuesday and expressed measured anxiety about what the outcome will mean for future relations between the two democratic countries.

Of course, we are very concerned by the presidential election of the U.S., because the U.S. is our most important ally, he told the group of visiting international reporters, responding to a question from Brad Dress as The Hill.

Wu added that Taiwans concern boils down to uncertainty and said the island remains hopeful that whoever is elected on Nov. 5 will continue supporting its capital, Taipei.

Polls show Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump in a neck-and-neck race for the Oval Office. The vote comes as observers worry a flashpoint is nearing for bubbling tensions between communist-led China and Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China.

Since establishing relations with China in 1979, America has maintained a one China policy that recognizes the Beijing government as the sole representative of China and acknowledges but does not endorse its claim to Taiwan.

In this screen grab from video released by the Taiwan coast guard, a member of the Taiwan coast guard monitors a China coast guard boat as it passes near the coast of Matsu islands, Taiwan, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. via Associated Press

Yet even as Washington has not sought formal independence for Taiwan, instead, it has been an unofficial ally and the islands largest weapons supplier. In 2022, Biden vowed to defend Taiwan if China tried to invade. And last week, the U.S. approved the sale of nearly $2 billion worth of arms to Taiwan, including advanced surface-to-air missile defense systems.

Taiwan has been very happy for the support of the Biden administration, Wu said.

[Biden] was very successful to cross a red line imposed by China, he continued. In the past, China always said that if China found any foreign military in Taiwan, it would be considered a declaration of war, but now we have the U.S. Army [Special Forces stationed] in Taiwan. We also send our soldiers to be trained in the U.S. China can just be angry. The only thing China can show is to be angry.

Meanwhile, Trump has repeatedly praised Xi, calling him a brilliant guy who controls 1.4 billion people with an iron fist. In recentinterviews, Trump has falsely accused Taiwan of stealing the semiconductor industry from the U.S., threatened to impose tariffs on its chips, and argued Taiwan should pay us for defense.

Echoing the approach of other worried American partners who have faced criticism from Trump and seen him praise their rivals, like European leaders, Wu avoided direct criticism of the Republican presidential nominee while trying to position support for his country as in line with Trumps thinking.

For Mr. Trump, he always said that he wants to make America great again, the Taiwanese leader said. From my observation, if Trump abandoned Taiwan, I wonder how he can make America great again, because he would lose the support and credibility of the U.S. in the total Asia-Pacific.

Wu did swing back at Trumps comment about Taiwan needing to pay for U.S. protection, noting the island already pays for its own defense. If the U.S. or any other country wants to sell Taiwan more advanced weapons, it would be happy to pay for them, he said.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te delivers a speech during a ceremony commemorating the 66th anniversary of China's deadly attack on Kinmen island, Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. via Associated Press

Senior Taiwanese officials reiterated their countrys longstanding narrative that the U.S. is essential to the region  a line of thinking that could appeal to both Harris-style proponents of American alliances and Trump supporters who worry Beijing will reduce American influence in the area.

I personally think that the reason why the Taiwan Strait has been peaceful for many, many years, one of the reasons, is because of deterrence from the U.S., Mainland Affairs Council Deputy MinisterLiang Wen-chieh told visiting reporters. As mainland Chinese power has been growing in terms of military and economics, whether or not this kind of deterrence will continue to be effective will have to depend on the determination and the strength of Taiwanese people and, of course, the determination and the power of the U.S.

Liang added that Xi is watching the U.S. closely, and it is key that the U.S. leader is not viewed in Beijing as someone who will back down.

Pressed about how he views Trump in that context, Liang said he has his own opinions but declined to elaborate.

Trump renewed his call for Taiwan to pay for U.S. protection  once again casting American ties to foreign countries not as a matter of shared interests and values but as a protection racket and so far less reliable  last week on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. When asked about Trumps comments, a Chinese official implied that Trump could abandon Taiwan if reelected as president. The Taiwanese people know that the United States will always pursue America first and that Taiwan could go from being a pawn to an outcast at any time, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, told state media, according to Newsweek.

Alongside its ongoing efforts to deter military escalation by China in the region, the U.S. has spent tens of billions of dollars in recent years supporting Ukraine in its war of survival against Russia and Israel in wars against militias in the Palestinian territory of Gaza and Lebanon.

Asked if Taiwan is concerned increased U.S. military aid to Ukraine and Israel could mean there is eventually less U.S. support available for the island, Wu argued maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific remains a top priority for Washington.



We feel that the U.S. is putting more and more resources in the Indo-Pacific, he told HuffPost. They need to pay high attention to the rise of China.

Whatever occurs stateside, Taiwanese officials emphasized they are relying on their own policies as they continue to hope a Chinese invasion can be avoided and a diplomatic Taipei-Beijing solution achieved.

Our position is that we have to show our determination, said Catherine Hsu, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of International Information Services. We need to be able to defend ourselves before we can ask for any support from outside. That is the reason why we have been further strengthening our national defense.

While Chinas Xi has repeatedly vowed to unite China with Taiwan by military force if necessary, Hsu stressed that Taiwan does not see war as imminent or unavoidable.

Our goal is not to have that situation happen, she said. The strategy is that we work with those democracies that share the common concern to prevent the war from happening.

Disclosure: HuffPost traveled to Taipei as part of a press delegation that the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized and paid for.

Related...
By Florence Loeve and Sudip Kar-Gupta

PARIS (Reuters) -Investigators searched the offices of U.S. streaming giant Netflix in France and the Netherlands on Tuesday as part of a preliminary investigation into tax fraud laundering, a French judicial source said.

The French investigation, carried out by the Parquet National Financier (PNF) - a special financial crime prosecution unit known for pursuing high-stakes white-collar probes that often involve large international companies - was opened in November 2022.

"We are cooperating with the authorities in France, where Netflix is a significant contributor to the local economy, and we comply with the tax laws and regulations in all the countries in which we operate," a Netflix spokesperson told Reuters.

Investigators specialising in financial crime and corruption raided the company's offices in central Paris on Tuesday morning.

Dutch authorities were simultaneously searching the company's European headquarters in Amsterdam, the French judicial source said.

"Cooperation between the French and Dutch authorities has been under way for many months as part of these proceedings," the French source said. The office of the Dutch prosecutor for financial crime declined to comment and referred questions to the PNF.

A preliminary investigation in France does not imply criminal charges and does not necessarily lead to a trial.

It was not immediately clear what prompted the investigation.

Large tech companies offering their online services and subscriptions across borders often run into difficulties with European tax authorities.

News website La Lettre reported last year that Netflix's French subsidiary became the subject of scrutiny from tax authorities over its low reported turnover, which the outlet said was at odds with paying user numbers in the country.

Between 2019 and 2020, Netflix Services France paid less than 1.0 million euros ($1.09 million) in corporate taxes, by involving a separate unit registered in the Netherlands, La Lettre said, adding the company stopped the practice in 2021.

Corporate records reviewed by Reuters showed the revenue of Netflix's French unit surged to around 1.2 billion euros in 2021, from 47 million the year before.

Netflix in France did not respond to a request for comment on the alleged reporting of revenues through Amsterdam rather than France in 2019 and 2020.

The PNF declined to give details on the scope of its investigation.

In 2022, Netflix agreed to settle a tax dispute with Italy by paying 55.8 million euros.

Netflix said on its website it opened its Paris office, located just around the corner from the Opera Garnier, in 2020 and employed around 40 staff.

The company produces most of its original films and series, including the global blockbuster Emily in Paris by working with third-party contractors.

($1 = 0.9149 euros)

(Additional reporting by Toby Sterling in Amsterdam and Mathieu Rosemain in Paris; Writing by Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Richard Lough, Ed Osmond and Sandra Maler)
Taylor Swift's three weekend shows at the Superdome seem to have pushed New Orleans into a new era, you could even say the city has entered its Taylor Swift Era.

Not only did Taylor Swift and her fans bring joy and glitter to New Orleans, but they turned that glitter into gold and brought forth new economic heights to the city.

According to Greater New Orleans Inc., Taylor Swifts economic impact is so immense that the term Swiftonomics has been coined.

Taylor Swift's economic impact on New Orleans during one weekend

Nearly 200,000 tickets were sold for Taylor Swifts three shows over the weekend in New Orleans, and according to Greater New Orleans Inc., thats 65,000 tickets sold per night.

From ticket sales alone, the revenue brought in is close to $200 million, and thats not including additional revenue from merchandise sales, restaurant and hotel earnings, as well as additional tourism expenses.

'Swiftonomics': Kansas City small businesses thank Taylor Swift for economic boom: 'She changed our lives'

Additional revenue aside from ticket sales

When factoring additional expenses spent throughout New Orleans by concert goers, the estimated overall revenue for the weekend is said to be around $500 million. This estimated sum is from three nights alone and, for the sake of comparison, Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans bring in about $900 million over the span of two weeks.

Taylor Swift fans from Ascension Parish shared their photos from the Eras Tour stop in New Orleans.

Regarding merchandise sales, the demand for items was so great that merch sales opened on Wednesday, which was two days before the first show. According to the U.S. Travel Association, an estimated additional $1,300 is spent by each Taylor Swift concert goer.

New Orleans hotels and restaurants were filled with concert attendees, and New Orleans & Company recorded 100% occupancy on the nights of Friday and Saturday, and then 80% occupancy on Sunday night. These percentages were taken from around 26,000 hotel accommodations found throughout the Central Business District, French Quarter and Warehouse district in New Orleans.

The U.S. Travel Association also estimated that the total impact of Swifts Eras Tour in the U.S. could exceed $10 billion in revenue when indirect spending of consumers who may have not actually attended the concerts, but engaged in spending around the time of the events, is factored in.

Kasas City economics: 'Sharing the KC Love': Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce romance boosts KC economy

Weekend concerts served as trial-run for New Orleans city projects

Greater New Orleans Inc. also says that another benefit of Swifts Eras Tour in New Orleans was that the events served as a trial-run for infrastructure systems that are in-development for the upcoming Super Bowl LIX.

In New Orleans, majority of the Poydras Corridor infrastructure has been resurfaced, the Superdomes upgraded internet service was tested, Duncan Plaza became a cultural and rideshare site, and a reinvigorated French Quarter has been described as the safest it has ever been.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Taylor Swift's Eras Tour significantly impacted the economy of New Orleans
A shuttered TGI Fridays location in Appleton, Wisconsin pictured in September 2024.

TGI Fridays will live to see another day, at least while bankruptcy proceedings continue.

The casual dining destination filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection over the weekend, calling the restructuring an opportunity for TGI Fridays' "go-forward restaurants to proceed with an optimized corporate infrastructure that enables them to reach their full potential," Rohit Manocha, the executive chairman of TGI Fridays Inc., said in a press release.

According to Manocha, the chain's "financial challenges" were the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and their capital structure.

Thirty-nine company-owned TGI Fridays locations, included in the bankruptcy filing, will stay open and so will the hundreds of others the company owns in the U.S. and abroad. Restaurant locations owned and operated by third-party entity TGI Fridays Franchisor, LLC will also stay open.

According to CNN, TGI Fridays shuttered 50 locations last week before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company had more than 270 locations worldwide before the closures. Now, there are a little more than 160 TGI Fridays locations across the country and internationally that are currently open.

TGI Fridays Franchisor has provided interim funding to TGI Fridays Incorporated to "to maintain support services for franchisees" while a "new long-term support structure" is devised.

TGI Fridays did not immediately respond to request for comment from USA TODAY Monday.

Here's what we know so far.

How many TGI Fridays locations closed in the US this year?

A brightly lit TGI Fridays sign that adorned a Corpus Christi, Texas location.

The first TGI Fridays location opened in Manhattan, New York, in 1965.

In January, TGI Fridays closed 36 "underperforming" locations in 12 states, including in Massachusetts and New Jersey.

The closures at that time were part of an "ongoing growth strategy" intended to create an "unprecedented opportunity for Fridays to drive forward its vision for the future," Ray Risley, U.S. President and Chief Operating Officer at TGI Fridays, said in a statement.

TGI Fridays, which is privately owned by TriArtisan Capital Advisors, also planned to appoint several new top executives and planned to sell some of its restaurants back to its former CEO.

TGI Fridays has faced similar challenges to that of Red Lobster, which recently began its emergence from bankruptcy.

"The next steps announced today are difficult but necessary actions to protect the best interests of our stakeholders, including our domestic and international franchisees and our valued team members around the world," Manocha said.

TGI Fridays closures

California

Fresno: 1077 E. Herndon Ave.

Colorado

Longmont: 125 Ken Pratt Blvd.

Denver: 8104 Northfield Blvd.

Connecticut

Newington: 3025 Berlin Turnpike

Florida

Ormond Beach: 24 Ocean Shore Blvd.

Royal Palm: 580 N. State Road 7

Massachusetts

Berlin/Marlborough: 601 Donald Lynch Blvd.

Danvers: 49 Newbury St.

Dedham: 750 Providence Highway

Seekonk: 1105 Fall River Ave.

Mansfield: 280 School St. Suite A100

North Attleboro: 1385 S. Washington St.

Maryland

Columbia: 8330 Benson Drive

Bowie: 15207 Major Lansdale Blvd.

New Hampshire

Amherst: 124 NH-101A Ste. 28

New Jersey

Eatontown: 180 NJ-35 Ste. 6000

Hackensack: 411 Hackensack Ave.

Iselin/Woodbridge: 401 Gill Lane

Wayne Town Center: 71 Route 23 South

Marlton: 970 Rte. 73 N

Princeton: 3535 US-1 #275

Springfield: 40 US-22

New York

Albany: 1475 Western Ave.

Bay Shore: 1725 Sunrise Highway

Hauppauge: 3045 Expy Drive N.

Massapequa: 5204 Sunrise Highway

Woodbury Township: 5 Centre Dr.

Pennsylvania

Willow Grove: 2500 W. Moreland Rd.

Texas

Corpus Christi: 5217 S. Padre Island Dr.

Houston/Almeda: 12895 Gulf Freeway

North Arlington: 1524 N. Collins St.

The Woodlands: 1105 Lake Woodlands Dr.

Virginia

Springfield: 6751-B Frontier Dr.

Woodbridge/Potomac Mills: 13237 Worth Ave.

Fredericksburg: 1160 Carl D Silver Parkway

Manassas: 7401 Sudley Rd.

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund and Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: TGI Fridays to keep 39 restaurants open after bankruptcy filing
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. sought to reassure voters Monday that power shut-offs are unlikely to affect polling locations in the Bay Area, despite a red flag warning in effect due to heightened wildfire risks. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Election Day Forecast: Powerful Santa Ana winds threaten California with severe fire danger

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. sought to reassure voters Monday that power shut-offs are unlikely to affect polling locations in Northern California, despite a red flag warning in effect due to heightened wildfire risks.

The utility company alerted 15,000 customers across 17 counties about potential power outages beginning Tuesday, driven by anticipated dry conditions and a strong Diablo wind event which could elevate the risk of wildfires in the region.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

However, only two polling places  one in Los Gatos and the other at the Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center in Middletown (Lake County)  are located within the potential outage zone. PG&E clarified that any power disruptions would not begin until after polls close at 9:30 p.m.

Forecasts predicted northerly to easterly winds will intensify Tuesday afternoon, peaking on Wednesday before gradually tapering off by Thursday. Gusts could surpass 50 mph in the higher elevations of the North Bay and East Bay, with winds reaching up to 70 mph on Mount St. Helena and Mount Diablo. Even stronger gusts are possible in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for a significant portion of the Bay Area, indicating a high fire danger, which will be in effect from 11 a.m. Tuesday until 7 a.m. Thursday.

PG&E noted there are 7,000 polling stations within its service area and was working to minimize disruptions as it prepares for potential outages in Napa, Sonoma, Contra Costa, Santa Clara and Alameda counties.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

However, additional outages may still occur unexpectedly.

A full list of potentially affected areas is available on PG&Es website and on the Chronicles power outage map.

Chronicle newsroom meteorologist Anthony Edwards contributed to this report.
It may have a French-sounding name, but this homey, hearty, tomato-forward chicken braise, made with sofrito as its base and with golden rum as part of the cooking liquid, is Caribbean in essence and flavor.

In this recipe from our cookbook  Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the Year, we adapted San Juan chef Jose Santaellas recipe from his book Cocina Tropical. Instead of a whole cut-up chicken, we use only bone-in thighs, as dark meat stands up better to braising than more delicate breast meat.

We also simmer the potatoes and carrots for about 10 minutes in a little water, giving the root vegetables a head start on cooking before the tomatoes, wine and rum are introduced. If added raw to an acidic liquid, the vegetables require extended cooking to fully tenderize. You will need 1 cup of sofrito for this recipe, so be sure to cook up a batch in advance.

The braising liquid is quite acidic. Be sure to use a nonreactive pot, such as stainless steel or enamel-coated cast iron, so the metal does not react to the acidity and cause off flavors. After returning the browned chicken to the Dutch oven, cover the pot only partially. A little evaporation is desirable so the braise isnt too watery. Serve with rice and, if youre so inclined, with fried sweet plantains.

Chicken Fricase with Tomatoes, Potatoes and Carrots

Start to finish: 1 hours (30 minutes active) Servings: 4 to 6

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon dried oregano Kosher salt and ground black pepper 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, trimmed 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup sofrito  cup pitted green olives 4 bay leaves 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into -inch pieces 1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced  inch thick on the diagonal 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes (1 cups) 6-ounce can tomato paste 1 cup dry white wine  cup golden rum Chopped fresh cilantro, to serve Directions: In a small bowl, stir together the oregano and  teaspoon each salt and pepper. Season the chicken on all sides with the mixture. In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the chicken and cook, turning once or twice, until browned on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a large plate; set aside.

Add the sofrito to the pot along with the olives and bay; cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the potatoes, carrots, 2 cups water and  teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender-crisp, about 10 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes to the pot along with the tomato paste, wine and rum; stir to combine. Return the chicken to the pot, nestling the pieces into the mixture, then add the accumulated juices. Return to a simmer, cover partially and cook, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are tender and a skewer inserted into the chicken meets no resistance, 40 to 45 minutes.

Remove the pot from the heat, then remove and discard the bay. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve sprinkled with cilantro.

Sofrito

Start to finish: 30 minutes Makes about 2 cups

Ingredients:

 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped 10 medium garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon tomato paste  cup finely chopped smoked ham 8 ounces ripe tomatoes, cored and chopped 1 large cubanelle pepper or 1 medium red, yellow or orange bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped 3 tablespoons drained capers 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 tablespoon annatto oil (optional)

Directions: In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the onions and cook, stirring often, until beginning to brown, 2 to 4 minutes.

Add the garlic and tomato paste; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the ham and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.

Add the tomatoes, pepper, capers, bay, oregano and annatto oil (if using). Cook, stirring often, until the mixture begins to stick to the pan, 6 to 8 minutes; reduce the heat if it begins to brown. Transfer to a small bowl.

____ EDITORS NOTE:

For more recipes, go to Christopher Kimballs Milk Street at 177milkstreet.com/ap
A demonstrator during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, on July 15, 2024 Credit - Victor J. BlueBloomberg via Getty Images

In 2016, Americans unwittingly took part in demonstrations set up by the Russian government. There were Florida Goes Trump rallies in Ft. Lauderdale and Coral Spring, and dueling protests at an Islamic center in Houstonall of them, federal officials assert, orchestrated on Facebook by Russian agents.

After the 2020 elections, Iran was behind a website filled with death threats against U.S. election officials. And during this years election, the FBI foiled a plot by Iran to pay an assassin $1 million to kill Donald Trump.

With Election Day now here, Americas spy agencies are warning that Russia and Iran are not done.

Declassified intelligence shows that adversaries like Russia and Iran are still attempting to sow chaos in the countrys jittery politics and are expected to step up those efforts in the weeks between and Jan. 6when Congress officially counts the electoral college votes and declares a winner of the presidential contest.

Disinformation is being peddled by foreign adversaries at a greater level than ever before, Jen Easterly, the head of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency that leads the government efforts to safeguard the election, told reporters on Monday. Easterly said there have been low-level attempts to disrupt election computer systems and destroy ballot drop boxes, but the agency sees no evidence of activity that has the potential to materially impact the outcome of the presidential election.

The main concern is what happens after the election. Iran and Russia could use tactics that foment or contribute to violent protests, says a declassified National Intelligence Council Memorandum dated Oct. 8.

The weeks between Election Day and the formal electoral vote count on Jan. 6 would be a time when foreign actors could amplify calls for violent protests and physical threats to election officials needed to certify results, the memo states.

Read more: The Dates That Matter After Election Day

The Biden administration intends to publicize these efforts as much as possible. During the weeks after the election, the U.S. government plans to issue direct warnings to adversaries attempting to disrupt the election and release information to the public about fake videos and false information.

Some of that work has already started. In recent weeks, U.S. intelligence officials declassified assessments and attempted to publicly debunk fake videos. On Nov. 1, U.S. intelligence agencies announced that a Russian propaganda unit was behind a fake video purportedly showing someone saying Vice President Kamala Harris was bribed to tip off a celebrity before a police raid, and that the same unit is behind a fake video claiming to show mail-in ballots for Trump being destroyed in Pennsylvania.

Those efforts to disrupt the elections also came in the form of hacking. In late June and early July, Iranian-backed hackers sent emails to President Bidens presidential campaign that included excerpts from emails illegally stolen from Trumps campaign. Those same Iranian actors, according to a U.S. intelligence security update, also sent such material to U.S. media organizations. Iranian hackers were able to use social engineering tricks against Republican and Democratic campaigns. The resulting thefts were intended to influence the U.S. election process, the intelligence community concluded. Iran wants to stoke discord and undermine confidence in U.S. elections, the security update states.

But the intelligence agencies concluded that while foreign adversaries may try to spread lies about the election, they wont be able to manipulate the official results. Voting machines arent connected to the Internet or each other, they say, and security measures in place are expected to ensure any attempts at tampering would be detected.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Gregory Dahl Nickell, pictured with his mother 1970, was an Army soldier home for Thanksgiving weekend in 1972 when he was shot and killed. Now, 50 years, police have made an arrest in the case (Family photo/KSL)

A Utah man has been charged with murder more than 50 years after a 21-year-old Army soldier was fatally gunned down and his date was kidnapped and raped.

Darrel Eugene Choate, 74, was charged in connection to the 1972 murder of Gregory Dahl Nickell, according to charging documents filed Friday, KSL reported.

Nickell, who was home in Vernal, Utah, for Thanksgiving, was out on a date with an 18-year-old woman on November 26, 1972, when they were ambushed.

They were parked at a scenic overlook when a man knocked on the window and claimed he had been in a crash, according to the Uintah County Sheriffs Office. One of the men asked for a ride back into town and when Nickell agreed to help, he was shot at least three times.

The gunman and another man set Nickells car on fire with his body still inside. His date, an 18-year-old woman who was not named, was kidnapped and raped before being released several hours later.

Nickells date told the sheriffs office her account of the night, recalling that they had killed him.

But figuring out who they were would take detectives decades.

Gregory Dahl Nickell, 21, was shot and killed while on a date in 1972. New DNA testing led police to a suspect in the case (Uintah County Sheriff's Office)

In 2019, the Uintah County Sheriffs Office resubmitted evidence collected in 1972 to the Utah State Crime Lab, which included DNA evidence collected from Nickells date at the hospital at the time of the attack.

Then in 2022, on the 50th anniversary of Nickells murder, the sheriffs office announced that through extensive DNA testing, Daniel Arthur Bell, was one of the two men involved in the murder. But Bell was never arrested in the case. He died in 2019 at the age of 88.

However, detectives believed a second, younger suspect was still out there and continued to pursue their investigation.

When Bell was first on their radar as a suspect, detectives spoke to his widow and learned that before his death, Bell was convicted of rape in Oregon in 1987 and that his friend Gene was involved in a rape in Washington. The last time Bell had seen Gene was in the 1980s or 90s, according to the probable cause statement.

Authorities responded to the residence of Darrel Eugene Choate on an unrelated call and obtained a DNA sample, which was compared with the DNA sample of the unknown suspect in the Utah cold-case murder.

According to the charging documents filed on Friday, DNA testing revealed that Darrel Eugene Choate is a direct DNA match for one of the suspects who had murdered Greg Nickell and raped (the woman). This direct DNA match is proof that Darrel Eugene Choate is one of the two suspects and is not just a close familial match to one of the suspects.

Detectives learned that Choate, who lives in Tooele, Utah, has an extensive criminal record which did include sexual offenses in Price. Darrel Eugene Choate has also made statements in records that he believes he is able to read minds, according to the charges.

When my brother was killed, I talked to him, of course he wasnt there, but I knew he was there in spirit, and I told him 52 years ago that I was never going to stop, I was going to find who did this to him, Nickells sister Lynnette Nickell Ray told Fox13.

I just want to be able to look him in the face and ask him why.
Justine Goode / NBC News; Getty Images

Once the last voter casts their ballot in a state and the polls close, the process of revealing the winner begins. Thats when Election Day turns into election night, and each state starts reporting its vote totals.

Some states  like Florida, Georgia and North Carolina  report their vote quickly, while others like Arizona, Nevada and California typically take longer, upward of a week or two to tabulate most of their ballots. Within many states, the patterns of how votes are reported can make it difficult to tell in the middle of election night who the winner is going to be in the end.

For example, vote returns can skew toward one party early in a night because only a certain type of vote is reported first  like when mail ballots are counted before any in-person Election Day votes. These patterns can create what are sometimes referred to as vote mirages.

Read more election explainers from the NBC News Decision Desk

<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/decision-desk-projections-2024-election-how-work-rcna174116" target="_blank">How the NBC News Decision Desk projects races on general election night 2024</a>

<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/when-race-called-election-2024-harris-trump-president-rcna175473" target="_blank">Inside NBC News' Decision Desk: When will we know who won the presidential race?</a>

<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/exit-polls-how-work-voters-data-demographics-rcna175474" target="_blank">How exit polls work and how NBC News uses them on election night</a>

<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/votes-get-counted-reported-election-night-nbc-news-gathers-checks-data-rcna174579" target="_blank">How votes get counted and reported on election night  and how NBC News gathers and checks the data</a>

A vote mirage is when the current vote count shows a candidate getting a higher percentage of the vote than they will ultimately end up with in the final count. Mirages can be red or blue depending on which party appears to be benefiting  but appears is the really important thing here, because like any other mirage, a vote mirage is fleeting and doesnt reflect the final reality.

The factors that produce a vote mirage

Generally speaking, there are three factors that produce vote mirages: geography, vote mode and order of tabulation.

Mirages can emerge because of geographic differences in the counties that report more quickly or more slowly. Its common for small, rural counties or precincts to report their tallies more quickly than large, urban ones, because the logistics of counting votes are simpler when there are fewer ballots to handle. As a result, since voters in rural areas are more likely to be Republican than voters in urban areas, a red mirage can happen when a states vote count overrepresents rural areas at a certain point on election night.

Virginia is an example of a state that usually has a geography-driven red mirage early on election night. This is because Fairfax County, a high-population suburb of Washington, D.C., where Joe Biden received 70% of the vote in 2020, tends to be one of the last counties in the state to report most of its results. Until Fairfax County has reported most or all of its votes, Donald Trump will likely have a statewide vote percentage that is higher than his final statewide total.

On election night 2020, Fairfax County reported the results from a majority of its ballots (nearly 375,000 votes) at 11:43 p.m. ET. This single report caused Trumps statewide vote percentage to shrink in that moment from 50.2% to 45.8%. (Thats close to Trumps final vote share in Virginia, 44%.)

Another factor that can cause vote mirages is partisan differences by vote mode  mail ballots, early in-person votes, Election Day in-person votes, and so on.

Many states and counties tend to report the results of each mode one at a time. This can cause vote mirages if one party is more likely than the other to cast its votes using a particular mode. This was the case in 2020, when Democrats voted more by mail than Republicans, and Republicans were much more likely to show up on Election Day.

This difference caused a large blue mirage in North Carolina in 2020. In the first hour after polls closed, most North Carolina counties had reported their mail and early in-person votes. Those votes were heavily Democratic, and at 8:18 p.m. ET, Biden was at 57.6% in the statewide vote count. But over the next three hours, the state reported its heavily Republican Election Day votes, causing Bidens vote percentage to shrink to his final number there, 48.6%.

The third factor that can produce vote mirages is more complicated: differences in the order that specific modes of ballots are counted. This tends to be the most consequential in states and counties that report the results of their mail ballots in small batches.

Many election offices tend to count their mail ballots in the order that they were received, meaning that ballots returned by voters in mid-October will appear in the vote tallies earlier than those received on Election Day. This will produce a vote mirage if there are partisan differences between the earliest-returned mail ballots and the later-returned ones.

This is what occurred in Arizona in 2020. The mail ballots reported by Maricopa County (which accounts for 60% of the states voters) on election night included those returned by voters by the weekend before Election Day. This ended up producing a blue mirage, because those earlier mail votes were more Democratic than the later ones.

The results of the later-returned mail ballots were reported in the days following Election Day. Because those late-arriving mail ballots were heavily pro-Republican, Donald Trumps vote count grew from 46.8% at 3 a.m. ET on election night to his ultimate vote share of 48.9%  just shy of Bidens 49.2%.

Interestingly, Arizonas pattern in the 2018 midterm election was the opposite. Late-arriving mail ballots were much more heavily pro-Democratic, and, once they were added, the Democrat, Kyrsten Sinema, went from trailing by 0.8 percentage points on Election Night to winning the election by 2 points.

What to watch for in terms of mirages in each state

The NBC News Decision Desk accounts for these mirages when deciding whether to project the winner in a race. For example, we are less likely to project a Republican winner in a state if all the remaining uncounted ballots are expected to come from heavily Democratic counties. Conversely, we are less likely to make a projection if the Democrat is ahead but most of the uncounted ballots are expected to be strongly Republican, in-person Election Day votes.

We are also cautious about assuming that historical patterns will hold in 2024, especially given that the 2020 election was held during a pandemic, with voters more likely to vote by mail and social distancing affecting how election officials tabulated the results. This year, the Trump campaign has also encouraged his supporters to vote early, which may affect partisan differences between vote modes.

Here are specific details about the mirages we have seen in key swing states in the past  and what could happen on election night this year.

North Carolina: Most of the mail ballots will likely be reported first, causing a blue mirage. In a change for this years election, in-person early ballots cannot be tabulated until after polls close on Election Day. We expect the in-person early votes to start coming in around 8 p.m. ET, a half-hour after polls close in the state. But the vote percentages will shift toward Republicans as in-person Election Day votes get reported over the course of the evening.

Georgia: Most counties will report their early in-person and mail ballots first, likely causing a blue mirage before the statewide results move toward Trump as Election Day votes are reported. After that, there may be a small shift back toward the Democrats, as the late-arriving mail ballots are reported from large metro Atlanta counties. Unlike 2020, Georgia counties are not allowed to pause their vote-counting process until they have counted all ballots.

Pennsylvania: We expect the earliest-reported votes to be dominated by mail ballots, including from heavily Democratic Philadelphia and Allegheny counties, causing an early blue mirage. Then, as in-person Election Day votes are reported, the blue mirage will turn into a red one, with the results tipping more Republican than we expect to see in the final margin. Finally those large counties (particularly Philadelphia) will continue to count and report their remaining mail ballots. This will likely shift the race back in Democrats direction.

In 2020, the Pennsylvania results at 3 a.m. ET on election night were about 7 percentage points more Republican than the final result. In the 2022 Senate election, the 3 a.m. red mirage was just over 1 percentage point from the final margin.

Michigan: We expect a slight red mirage in Michigan as smaller, more pro-Republican localities report their votes. The total vote count will likely trickle upward as small places report, and the size of the mirage will shrink when large, Democratic cities like Detroit, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor report. This year, Michigan voters can vote early in person for the first time in a general election, and clerks are now permitted to preprocess their mail ballots, enabling faster counting. Both of these changes may cause differences in vote reporting patterns compared to what we have seen in previous elections.

Wisconsin: In most Wisconsin municipalities, all modes of vote are reported together. This produces a slight red mirage, because smaller, rural municipalities tend to report more quickly.

A handful of large municipalities, including the city of Milwaukee, tabulate their mail ballots centrally and report them separately from their Election Day votes. The state will experience a red mirage until the heavily Democratic mail ballots from most heavily Democratic cities in the state are reported. At 4:42 a.m. ET on election night 2020, Milwaukee reported that Biden had received 85% of its 168,000 mail ballots. This caused Bidens statewide total to increase from 47.3% to 49.3%.

Arizona: In 2020, about 70% of the states votes  mostly early in-person and early-arriving mail ballots  were reported in the first hour after polls closed. This generated a statewide Biden lead of over 14 percentage points in a state he ultimately won by 0.3 points.

As Election Day votes were reported in the next few hours of election night, the size of the blue mirage shrunk to about 3.5 points. It continued to shrink after Election Day as the pro-Trump, late-arriving mail ballots were reported. In the 2022 Senate race, the Democrat was ahead in the first hour by 19 points and won by 5. But in the 2018 Senate race, the pattern worked in the opposite direction, with the Republican ahead by 3 points early before ultimately losing by 2 points.

Nevada: Nevada will experience a red mirage until Clark County (Las Vegas) reports. In 2020, Clarks first report came 90 minutes after the first county in the state had reported its votes. In 2022, this gap was only 10 minutes. Then, the first report in Clark may cause a blue mirage, which will shrink as in-person Election Day votes are tabulated statewide.

Late-arriving mail ballots will be reported in the days after Election Day. In 2020, these ballots moved Bidens lead from 0.6 percentage points to a final result of 2.4 points.
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania  Voters in a deep-red Pennsylvania county will get two extra hours to vote on Election Day after widespread problems with voting machines caused confusion and long lines.

The issues with scanning ballots in Cambria County threatened to disenfranchise voters in the critical swing state, a local election official said Tuesday.

Problems were also reported with tabulation machines in Bedford County.

Authorities reassured voters that their ballots will be counted despite the malfunctions.

Former President Donald Trump won the counties with 68% and 83% of the vote a four years ago with 68% and 83% of the vote, respectively.

Voters in Cambria County, PA encountered issues with ballot machines this morning.. X / @KimJFlanders

The Cambria County Board of Election learned early this morning that a software malfunction in the Countys Electronic Voting System has prevented voters from scanning their ballots, Cambria County Solicitor Ron Repak said in a statement.

This should not discourage voters from voting at their voting precincts. The Board has filed a Court Order extending the time to vote within Cambria County.

Follow The Posts live blog for the latest updates on the 2024 presidential election

Nathan Anderson, an IT specialist from Johnstown, Cambrias largest city, said he ran into issues at his voting site when he cast his ballot for Trump this morning.

He said a poll worker put his ballot in a lock box until it could be scanned, but Anderson admitted he had reservations about the issue.

I was able to turn in my ballot, whether or not it gets scanned, Ill never know to be honest, he said.

View this document on Scribd

Anderson added that others were also leaving their ballots with poll workers to be scanned later rather than coming back once the machines are fixed.

Election officials filed emergency paperwork to extend the voting time by two hours to 10 p.m. to rectify the issue and ensure all ballots are counted, according to the petition filed in county court.

In the filing, Repak said, The malfunction caused voter confusion, long lines of voters, and many individuals left the polling locations without casting a ballot.

He also added that the malfunction threatens to disenfranchise a significant number of voters in Cambria County.

A judge quickly approved the order, but noted that any ballot cast after the standard 8 p.m. deadline would be provisional.

In Bedford County, local officials said the several precincts reported issues with their tabulator machines before the polls were opened, with support teams sent out to resolve the issue.

The ability to vote has not been impacted and at this time all sites are being addressed, said Jeffrey Gable, director of Elections in Bedford County.

Pennsylvania has the most electoral college votes of any swing state in the 2024 election. Given that Trump, 78, lost the Keystone State by just over one percentage point in 2020 and that polls have pegged the state as a statistical tossup, the outages have sparked serious concerns for Republicans.

Cambria County, which is about 65 miles east of Pittsburgh, has a population of 131,000; Bedford, next door, has about 47,000 residents.

Both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris previously campaigned in Johnstown.

Trump was joined by Megyn Kelly as he delivered his penultimate speech before the election on Monday night. REUTERS

The machine and software issues in Cambria and Bedford counties come as the country is on edge over the election. Four years ago, Trump peddled unsubstantiated claims about widespread voter fraud. Ahead of this election cycle, he has warned of potential maleficence.

Trumps allies have been carefully on the lookout for any irregularities and geared up to potentially file a slew of lawsuits. The issues in Cambria and Bedford could give fodder for potential suits.

This will be the most important day in American History. Voter enthusiasm is THROUGH THE ROOF because people want to Make America Great Again. That means lines are going to be long! I need you to deliver your vote no matter how long it takes. STAY IN LINE! The Radical Communist Democrats want you to pack up and go home, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Tuesday.

Repak suggested that the countys response to the software and machine snafus illustrates how the system is working to safeguard voters from glitches.

Cambria County Board of Elections took measures to have IT specialists called to review the software issue. There is a process in place for issues of this nature. All completed ballots will be accepted, secured, and counted by the Board of Elections, he stressed.

The County Board of Elections has express voting machine at precinct locations to continue to allow voting electronically, while still allowing hand ballots to be cast, Repak went on. The County Board of Elections will be continuing to monitor this issue and take any necessary action to ensure that all voters have an opportunity to cast their ballots.

Follow along with The Posts coverage of the 2024 election

Local voter Jessie Anderson said she was shocked by the voting issue but relieved that she chose to cast her ballot early on Oct. 29, anticipating possible Election Day issues.

Ive never voted early; voted by mail. But Trump kept putting it out there. Make it too big to rig, she echoed the former president.

With the polls nearly deadlocked, Harris and Trump are both hoping for a win in Pennsylvania. Getty Images

The Pennsylvania Department of State said it has been made aware of the issues in Cambria County and is working with local officials to correct them.

Voters are continuing to vote by paper ballot, in accordance with normal operations, while the county resolves the issue with in-precinct scanning, the department said in a statement.

We are working with the County to resolve this technical matter and remain committed to ensuring a free, fair, safe, and secure election.

Trump has a 0.6 percentage point edge over Harris in the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate of multi-candidate polling. The 45th president had flipped the state in 2016 but lost it in 2020.
I hope we get as much as five years. But I think we will enjoy each other as long as we have it, Bernard Snyder, 98, said of his marriage to Jo Cartwright, 96

Linda Raymond/Getty A senior couple holding hands (stock image)

Bernard Snyder and Jo Cartwright are showing it's never too late for love.

The couple, both widows, married on Friday, Nov. 1, after meeting at their retirement home in Austin, Texas. Snyder is 98 and his new bride is 96.

The groom was smitten the first time he saw Cartwright. "I had to find out who she was," he told local outlet KUT News. Cartwright recalls suddenly noticing Snyder around her a lot.

Wherever I was, he was there, she told the outlet. I would look up and there he was right there. And I thought, Well, maybe this man  maybe he likes me a little bit. 

Related: Man, 100, and Woman, 102, Get Married in Retirement Home Where They Met: Lucky to Have Found Each Other

Snyder originally moved into the retirement home with his former wife in 2017. She died in 2023 after a long illness, leaving Snyder feeling lonely following his 73-year marriage.

After Cartwright caught his eye, he worked up the courage and asked her to be his "dinner partner." Their first meal together soon led to chatty walks in the courtyard.

Before long, they both found themselves falling in love  something they never expected. It didn't ever occur to me that I would meet anybody  or even want to, Cartwright told KUT News. But I guess I fell in love with him  after a few months.

Added Snyder: I'm thinking, 'I was married 73 years,' which is a long time. I didn't think there was going to be anybody. I never even thought about it because it just didn't seem logical."

Adene Sanchez/Getty Stock image of a couple holding hands

When Snyder popped the question and Cartwright said yes, they were excited  but worried about how their children  they each have three  would take the news. Snyder told the outlet he had seen other widowed men of his generation upset their children by getting remarried.

But, as it turned out, their kids were super supportive, telling the couple, "Whatever makes you happy makes us happy." They even jumped right in and planned the pair's wedding, held in the same courtyard where their romance first bloomed.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Their loved ones gathered together on Friday for the ceremony, which concluded with the newlyweds breaking a glass in a nod to Snyder's Jewish faith and releasing butterflies. Now, they are planning to fully embrace their time together as husband and wife.

Related: Alabama Couple Celebrates 80th Wedding Anniversary and Shares Secret to Their Lasting Marriage

I hope we get as much as five years. But I think we will enjoy each other as long as we have it, Snyder told KUT News.

As for Cartwright, she has a message for others out there thinking that their time for love is in the past. The basic crux of the whole story is that you can love again, she said. It's wonderful to know that you can.


The woman who pleaded guilty to dressing as a clown and fatally shooting the wife of a man she later would marry has been released from prison, according to Florida Department of Corrections records.

Sheila Keen-Warren, 61, was released from custody on Saturday, Nov. 2, after serving nearly 18 months, state records show. She entered her plea to second-degree murder in April 2023, more than 30 years after investigators found Marlene Warren shot at her Wellington Aero Club home near West Palm Beach, Florida.

The May 26, 1990, fatal shooting is one of Palm Beach County's most notorious murder cases, drawing international attention. Authorities said Warren opened the door and was greeted by Keen-Warren, who was dressed in a clown suit and carrying balloons, flowers and a gun.

Keen-Warren was arrested nearly three decades later in 2017 at her home in Virginia after investigators cited new evidence linking her to the crime. In exchange for her plea, she received a 12-year prison sentence, with credit for the five and a half years she spent in jail while awaiting trial.

Sheila Keen-Warren, seen here in court in 2019, pleaded guilty to dressing as a clown and fatally shooting her lover's wife in Wellington in 1990. Keen-Warren has recently been released from prison, according to Florida Department of Corrections records.

Keen-Warren has maintained her innocence despite taking the plea, her attorney saying at the time that she chose to take the state's offer rather than risk a potential life sentence had the case gone to trial.

"We are absolutely thrilled that Ms. Keen-Warren has been released from prison and is returning to her family," her attorney, Greg Rosenfeld, said in a statement to The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network. "As we've stated from the beginning, she did not commit this crime."

However, Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said Keen-Warren will forever be linked to Marlene Warren's murder.

Sheila Keen-Warren will always be an admitted convicted murderer and will wear that stain for every day for the rest of her life," he said in a statement to The Post.

Rosenfeld told The Post in 2023 that Keen-Warren would likely spend about 16 months in prison, citing gain time and Florida sentencing laws that existed at the time of Marlene Warren's murder.

Gain time incentivizes good behavior among inmates, promising to shave time off a person's sentence for each month they remain incarcerated without incident. Current state law requires that people serve at least 85% of their sentences, limiting the amount of gain time a person can accrue, but Keen-Warren was not subject to laws enacted after the crime.

New evidence linked Sheila Keen-Warren to 1990 Wellington 'clown' murder, investigators said

Judge Scott Suskauer holds up a plea agreement to Sheila Keen Warren after she pleaded guilty to the 1990 Wellington "clown" murder of Marlene Warren.

Investigators suspected Keen-Warren of the murder early on, tipped off by her coworkers that she was having an affair with Marlene Warren's husband, Michael. Keen-Warren worked at a car dealership owned by Michael Warren and took care of rental properties owned by Michael and Marlene.

She denied rumors of having an affair with Michael but married him years later. The couple was living in Virginia at the time of Keen-Warren's arrest.

Keen-Warren was formally linked to Marlene Warren's murder after a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office detective who took over the case in 2013 discovered a previously unseen 6- to 8-inch fiber among the crime-scene evidence. Prosecutors later argued that the fiber linked Keen-Warren to the murder.

The murder was the subject of a two-hour ABC "20/20" documentary in May 2023, a month after Warren entered her plea.

Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida's 'clown' killer, Sheila Warren, free from prison
Ravens are a large black bird in the corvid family, which also contains crows, magpies, and even blue jays. Ravens are famous for their size, ability to mimic the sounds of other animals and even human speech, and their importance in superstition and literary traditions. Ravens live in the Tower of London, and its said that Britain will fall if they ever leave (the ones who live there arent in a hurry given they are regularly fed by staff and tourists alike). In America, ravens are most often associated with the spooky poet Edgar Allan Poe, who famous poem The Raven was about a talking bird visiting a mourning man who thinks the animal is some kind of visitor from the land of the dead.

And maybe good old Eddy was actually on to something. For although ravens and their odd behaviors may not actually be signs from the beyondthey certainly are capable of making people think that they are. In fact, this woman and her talking raven have a theory that the species love of mimicry may be what is fueling most legends of spooky happenings in woods and other wild places.

In this video, a raven-keeper, which has got to be one of the coolest designations out there, explains why she thinks its ravens, and not ghosts, mimics, skin walkers, or other beings of supernatural dread that are actually haunting our woods and wilds.

Related: Brilliant Raven Playing with a 'Shape-Sorting' Toy Has People Impressed

Its commonplace these days to hear scary stories of people calling for you in the woods, of doors being knocked in the middle of nowhere, and of sounds sounding near and far at once. Is it ghosts? Bigfoot? Other ghouls that wander the mountain halls? Theres even a folkloric monster called a mimic.

But what if it was a bird all along?

Ravens Are Master Mimics

According to this woman, its just ravens. Ravens and other corvids are masters of mimicry. She says they are even better than parrots, who just copy sounds in their squeaky parrot voices, whereas ravens take the time to really sound exactly like whatever it is they are mimicking. She claims her raven, Fable, can make over one hundred different sounds. She can sound like me, she can sound like other people, like a droplet of water, a knock on a door, a machine the list goes on and on.

It makes sense that if you were to hear a sound coming from one place and then another, its possible what you are noticing is a bird flitting around among the treetops and playing games of mimicry. Are these tree knocking sounds Bigfoot researchers going on about the sound of ravens clicking? Is the disembodied hello of the forest nothing more than a lonely bird?

Admittedly, thats not necessarily any less spooky.

In the video, she shows how her raven asks for a kiss by making the mwah sound, butif you listen closelyshe also mimics the sound of her human taking a breath. Now, imagine hearing that at night.

My Rule For Recognizing Ravens in the Wild

How to tell the difference between a crow and a raven, simplified:

1. If it looks like a crow, it's a crow.

2. If you're not sure, it's a crow.

3. If you're like, DEAR GOD WHAT IS THAT THING, it's a raven.

Hope that helps!

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos.

Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
FILE - A New York State Police logo is shown on a state police officer's car near Dannemora, N.Y., Friday, June 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NEW YORK (AP)  New York State Police suspended a trooper without pay Monday after launching an investigation into his account of being shot and wounded while attempting to help a motorist on a Long Island highway last week.

Officers executed a search warrant at Trooper Thomas Mascia's residence in West Hempstead earlier Monday as they probed the circumstances of the shooting he reported Oct. 30, which had prompted a manhunt for the purported gunman.

State police canceled an alert issued for a black Dodge Charger with a temporary New Jersey registration that the trooper said was involved in the shooting.

Department spokesperson Beau Duffy declined to comment further on the suspension.

We cant get into specifics while the investigation is ongoing, he wrote in a email.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said her office is assisting state police in investigating certain inconsistencies in the reporting of the shooting. A spokesperson for her office declined to elaborate, saying the investigation is ongoing.

Police on Monday closed off the West Hempstead road where Mascia lives, and officers were seen entering his home.

Neighbors told Newsday that investigators began knocking on doors to ask residents questions and seek doorbell camera footage Sunday.

Mascia, who was released from the hospital Friday, didnt respond to phone messages seeking comment Monday.

Jeffrey Lichtman, a lawyer representing the trooper, said he's still gathering facts about the case.

Nothing to offer beyond that at this time, unfortunately, he wrote in an email.

The New York State Police Benevolent Association, a union representing state troopers, said it is not involved in the investigation but is monitoring the situation.

New York State Police Superintendent Steven James said at a news conference last week that the shooting happened on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead, which is roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Manhattan in suburban Nassau County.

Mascia had been patrolling the parkway shortly before midnight when he observed a black sedan parked on the left-hand shoulder and went to offer assistance, James said.

When he exited his patrol car, he said, he was met with gunfire and shot in the leg before the driver fled heading west in the direction of New York City.

The 27-year-old, who became a trooper in 2019, used a tourniquet to stem the bleeding until other officers arrived, James said.

Police at the time said there was no video footage of the episode since the troopers body camera was not activated.

The camera activates automatically when the lights on a patrol car's roof are fully turned on; Mascia reported only turning on the rear lights of the car.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Cop Shot, a New York City group, offered a total of $15,000 in rewards for information about the shooting.
The new tech helped police locate a suspect in a Walgreens theft attempting to sell the merchandise miles away, police said. Filipa Ioannou/The Chronicle

San Francisco police said Monday that they used newly acquired security technology to find and arrest a suspect in the theft of more than $2,500 in merchandise from a Walgreens store, officials said Monday.

Taji Muhammed, 23, was arrested Oct. 30, and booked into San Francisco County Jail on suspicion of second-degree burglary, grand theft, organized retail theft and resisting arrest, police said. Shortly after noon on that day, officers responded to the Walgreens on the 400 block of Mission Street after two people stuffed numerous items into backpacks and fled the store, police said.

Officers deployed new mobile security cameras from Utah-based company LiveView Technologies and a drone to spot Muhammed at 24th and Mission streets attempting to sell some of the stolen merchandise, police said. He tried to flee from police but was arrested shortly after.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Officers recovered the stolen merchandise and returned it to the Walgreens.

LiveView Technologies sells various types of security cameras, as well as other surveillance software, according to its website.

In a statement Monday, Police Chief Bill Scott said, I want to thank our hard-working officers who are using technology to make important arrests. We are sending a message that these crimes will not be tolerated in San Francisco.

Muhammeds arrest came on the heels of a crackdown on organized retail theft a day earlier in which San Francisco police arrested 13 suspects.
Marysville, CA (95901)

Today

Becoming windy with showers developing this afternoon. High 63F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 49F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Marysville, CA (95901)

Today

Becoming windy with showers this afternoon. High 62F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 49F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched its Generative AI Partner Innovation Alliance initiative to expand the reach of its Generative AI Innovation Center program (GenAIIC) via systems integrators (SI) and consulting firms.

The GenAIIC launched in June 2023, aims to connect customers with AWS AI and machine learning scientists and strategy experts to help envision, identify and develop GenAI solutions.

Meanwhile, the Alliance initiative provides customers with access to a network of SI and consulting firms around the world with expertise in the area.

The Alliance has launched with nine global partners to offer industry- and regional-specific expertise, as well as added resources to scale the number of customers AWS can support with proof-of-concept and production implementations.

The nine starting partners include Booz Allen Hamilton, Crayon, Escala24x7, Megazone Cloud, NCS Group, Quanitphi and Rackspace. Additionally, Deloitte and Caylent are included as the Alliances initial systems integrators.

We focus on developing end-to-end solutions and customising foundation models when necessary to address specific needs, always prioritisng security and scalability, said Sri Elaprolu, global head of the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center.
A male great white shark that was seen underwater near the Farallon Islands in San Francisco on Saturday was estimated to be 9-10 feet long. Michael Pierson/Oceanic Society

Whale watchers on a trip out of San Francisco encountered two great white sharks Saturday in the waters surrounding the Farallon Islands, which are known to be sharky this time of year.

Both of them swam under the boat a few times, so the passengers got really good looks at them, said Michael Pierson, a naturalist at the nonprofit Oceanic Society, which leads trips to the islands. Pierson used a new GoPro camera to capture underwater video of the sharks. Everybody was really excited.

The Farallons make up one point of the so-called Red Triangle, a region that extends from Bodega Bay and Point Reyes to the islands, where researchers believe up to 300 great whites spend time feeding on sea lions and elephant seals during a peak season that lasts roughly from late September to November.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

A male shark cruises underwater to feed on a sea lion near the Farallon Islands off of San Francisco. San Francisco Chronicle

When the tour boat approached the islands Saturday, Pierson saw a floating sea lion carcass and suggested the captain idle there for a while. No sharks arrived at first, but when the boat later returned to the spot, they saw one chomping on the sea lion, he said.

Pierson lowered his new camera underwater. His video footage shows a female shark cruising back and forth through the sun-dappled water before disappearing from view.

A few minutes later, in a different area, they saw another dead sea lion and soon yet another shark feeding on it, this time a younger male Pierson estimates was 9-10 feet long. Thats small for great whites, which can grow up to 21 feet long.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Pierson sent the images to scientists at Point Blue Conservation Science, which runs the research program on the Farallon Islands, and at the California White Shark Project, which tracks and identifies sharks using photos of their dorsal fins, each of which has unique markings.
by Joseph Masilamany

The Malaysian premier has announced that he intends to submit a draft resolution to the General Assembly calling for Israel's expulsion in connection with the ban on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees voted by the Knesset. Cooperation with Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to continue delivering aid to Gaza.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) - Malaysia is working on a draft resolution to be submitted to the UN General Assembly calling for Israel's expulsion from the international body in connection with the ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from carrying out humanitarian work in the war-affected regions, voted last week by the Jewish state. This was announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a speech at the Dewan Rakyat (the Parliament in Kuala Lumpur), confirming the intention to keep Malaysia at the forefront of the political confrontation over the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon.

Anwar Ibrahim explained that an advisory opinion has been requested from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israel's obligation to allow UN activities and presence in Palestine. The draft resolution is expected to be submitted to the UN General Assembly shortly, with the aim of providing a legal basis for UNRWA to continue providing basic services to over six million Palestinian refugees.

UNRWA has been the main lifeline for channelling international aid to the Palestinian people for 75 years. Malaysia fully supports the decisive role of this agency and our cooperation will continue to be strengthened, Ibrahim said. We have received the appreciation of UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, he added, who conveyed this to Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan during the previous UN session, asking to strengthen this cooperation.

He also said he had received an invitation from King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia to attend the emergency Arab-Islamic summit on 11 November to address the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Malaysian prime minister pointed out that it has been a year since Israel began its attack on Gaza and cited figures that, as of 1 November, the conflict in the region had claimed the lives of 43,204 Palestinians, including 16,500 children. On average, 118 Palestinians have been killed and 277 injured every day since October 2023, he commented.

Regarding the continuation of Malaysia's humanitarian missions for the Palestinian population, the Prime Minister said Malaysia will have to rely on the governments of Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to ensure that aid can be delivered to the people in the area. I will discuss with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on 10 November to express our gratitude because Egypt has provided a special route for Malaysia's humanitarian aid at the Rafah crossing, which is blocked by Israel, he said.
The 36-year-old reporter who documented online scam centres in Sihanoukville was released on bail three weeks after his arrest in late September, following apologies to former Prime Minister Hun Sen and his son, current Prime Minister Hun Manet. Dara explained that detention and police threats have undermined his spirit.

Phnom Penh (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Mech Dara, a Cambodian journalist arrested at the end of September for reporting on the proliferation of cyber scam centres in his country, has announced his retirement from journalism.

Detained on 30 September on charges of inciting social unrest, the 36-year-old was released after three weeks thanks to international pressure and the release of a video showing him apologising to the former leader of Cambodia, Hun Sen, and his son, current Prime Minister Hun Manet.

I have decided that I am retiring from journalism because of the arrest, the questioning and imprisonment, Mr Dara told Agence France Presse (AFP). I have lost my courage, he added.

Dara said that police questioned and threatened him. It has attacked my spirit, and I have no more courage, Mr Dara said, referring to the arrest and time he spent in prison.

The questioning and then being in the prison, it really, really crushed my soul. Dara said that he asked the court to drop the charges against him.

Prime Minister Hun Manet yesterday posted pictures of himself with Dara, including a moment when the two embraced. Dara said he had communicated his decision to the prime minister during a meeting shortly after his release.

Police detained Dara after stopping the car in which he was travelling with his family on their way out of Sihanoukville, a city known for its cyber scam activity.

According to the Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association, the arrest took place after the journalist posted a picture on social media purportedly showing a tourist site demolished to make way for a quarry. For local authorities, this was "fake news.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court accused him of posting messages on social media platforms designed to ignite anger [and] to make people misunderstand about the leadership of the Cambodian government.

Such language is used whenever the authorities go after activists and crack down on dissenting voices.

Dara, who faces up to two years in prison if convicted, worked for Voice of Democracy, an independent broadcaster closed by the authorities in February 2023.

Since then, the journalist has used social media to document criminal operations in online scam centres and some of his reports have also appeared in international news outlets.

In 2023, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken presented Dara with a "Hero Award" for his investigations into human trafficking.

For Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Mr Daras departure will leave a hole in the Cambodian journalistic field.

By repressing journalists such as Mech Dara, the Cambodian government sent a chilling message and directly threatens any remaining independent journalists in the country, RSFs Aleksandra Bielakowska told AFP.

Beh Lih Yi, Asia programme coordinator of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), called the story "alarming.

Cambodias once vibrant free press is a ghost of its former self after nearly four decades of Hun Sens iron-fisted rule. Prime Minister Hun Manet is no different from his father, she told AFP.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

From Sarajevo, where the World Congress of Uyghur Exiles is taking place, Director Zumretaj Arkin's denounces Beijing's pressure. The positive narrative that the standard of living in Xinjiang continues to improve is just propaganda.

Sarajevo (AsiaNews) - From Xinjiang, the northwestern Turkic province of China, where Uyghurs and other representatives of Turkic language and culture ethnic groups live, worrying news continues to arrive about people being sent to concentration camps, where they are forced to work for rehabilitation.

Radio Azattyk spoke about this with the director of the World Congress of Uyghurs Abroad, Zumretaj Arkin, to understand why this situation is being talked about in the West, but kept silent in neighbouring Central Asia.

The Congress held its general assembly in the past few days in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Uyghur delegates from 25 different countries from Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America gathered.

The organisers pointed out the criticism that came from the Chinese authorities. Bosnia was also chosen for the fact that it witnessed genocide, as Arkin explains, although there are differences between the situations in the Chinese and Balkan worlds.

The repression and violence in these lands have been documented and reported to international courts, as one would like to see happen for the fate of the Uyghurs.

Cooperation is sought from civil society and with survivors, historians and people sensitive to these events, to learn from the Balkan events what should be done to support the Uyghurs of Xinjiang.

Especially since the tribunal for the international Uyghur case was chaired by Englishman Sir Geoffrey Nice, who was also the prosecutor in the case of Serbian war criminal Slobodan Milosevic. The victims in Bosnia are still struggling for recognition of responsibility for the genocide, and the search for the remains of their murdered relatives.

Bosnia is also a Muslim-majority country, which therefore shows more intense solidarity with its Uyghur co-religionists. Since the announcement of the assembly last June, those in charge have received many threats, says Arkin, and real smear campaigns against members of Congress, especially candidates for positions of responsibility.

The Chinese government pressurised their families back home, taking several relatives hostage, not to mention the slander spread on the internet and social networks, with an avalanche of spam messages from Chinese accounts, in which even the ex-president's signature was used to send forged documents.

The Chinese embassy in Bosnia also threatened to prevent the rally, even conjuring up catastrophes at the rally site and sending unwanted guests from Turkey to disrupt the whole organisation.

As Zumretaj explains, the Chinese use many tools to organise transnational repressions, as we call the tactics adopted through people they trust, often with the support of diplomats and a vast network of informers.

Uyghurs loyal to the Beijing government are also active, spying on their own community in various countries and spreading discord among their compatriots, as well as various agents from China and other nationalities.

In Xinjiang, persecution is particularly directed at restricting religious freedom, with a series of increasingly strict laws and regulations starting in 2014 under the auspices of de-extremisation and the fight against terrorism.

Even private prayer in the home is considered a crime of extremism, not to mention Friday prayer gatherings or other Islamic rituals, such as pilgrimage and visiting mosques. For these reasons, more than 3 million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims from Xinjiang have allegedly been taken to rehabilitation camps over the past ten years.

The Chinese government tries to deny these accusations and put forward a positive narrative that the Uyghurs' standard of living continues to improve, but as Arkin puts it, this is just propaganda, and the silence of the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is due to the fact that they are all indebted to Beijing for the large Chinese investments in recent years.
Pakistans parliament approved a series of bills in about 40 minutes, sparking a strong reaction from the main opposition party, which is led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The army chief of staff, who was supposed to leave next year, will thus remain in office until 2027. The number of justices on the Supreme Court has also been increased.

Islamabad (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Pakistan's coalition government led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has adopted a series of legislative changes, extending the tenure of the chiefs of the armed forces from three to five years, and increasing the number of Supreme Court justices.

The approval process took place yesterday in raucous parliamentary sessions with protests by the opposition led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Local media note that all the amendments were approved by the National Assembly and the Senate in 24 and 16 minutes respectively, without the possibility of debate and in the absence of both the chairman and deputy chairman of the Senate.

As a protest, some PTI lawmakers shouted slogans and tore up copies of the law. Former PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub, who is the official leader of the opposition in parliament, said that legislative activity without debate is neither good for the country nor for the armed forces.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar replied noting that the extension of mandates could bring stability and continuity of policies within the institutions.

Pakistan has often been under military rule, and the countrys armed forces continue to play a prominent role in political life.

For some observers, Imran Khan, who has been in prison for over a year, was ousted from the post of prime minister in 2022 after losing the support of the military.

PTI lawmakers, despite a landslide victory in the legislative elections in February this year, have been marginalised thanks to an alliance between the country's two historic rivals, the Muslim League of Pakistan (PML) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

With the latest amendments to the Pakistan Army Act, a law that dates back to 1952, tenure for the heads of the armed forces will start on the day of appointment and the retirement age limit for generals at 64 will no longer be taken into account.

This way, the current army chief of staff, General Asim Munir, whose mandate would have expired next year, can remain in office until 2027.

Parliament also approved a series of laws increasing the number of justices on the Supreme Court from 17 to a maximum of 34 and from nine to 12 on the Islamabad High Court.

Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar explained that this measure will reduce the backlog of pending cases, while for the opposition it is yet another attempt to counter Imran Khans popularity.

In a previous ruling, the Supreme Court had called for his release and even a UN commission of experts said that the former prime ministers detention was illegal.
Today's news: Prayers are said for Kamala Harris at the Hindu temple in the family's native village; Armenia's religious leaders on the eve of Cop29 in Baku: Justice for Artshak refugees abandoned by the world; 400 refugees a day flow into Iraq from Lebanon; After 70 years, the Tokyo Stock Exchange extends trading by half an hour to attract foreign investors.

NORTH KOREA

North Korea today launched several short-range ballistic missiles that sank in the Sea of Japan after a distance of about 400 kilometres. This was reported by the South Korean military, which said it detected the launches around 7.30am from the Sariwon area in the western province of North Hwanghae. The barrage of missiles came just hours before the US presidential vote. The launches came five days after the North launched its new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

INDIA-UNITED STATES

Residents of Thulasendrapuram - the village in Tamil Nadu where Kamala Harris' maternal family hails from - will hold a special prayer at the Hindu temple today for the distinguished fellow citizen who is up against Donald Trump in the US presidential election. At the temple, Harris' name is engraved on a stone listing public donations, along with that of her grandfather P.V. Gopalan. Outside, a large banner wishes the daughter of the earth to win the election.

ARMENIA

A few days before Cop29, the UN Climate Change Conference that will open in Baku on 11 November, the spiritual leaders of the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical Churches - Aram I, Raphael Bedros XXI and Paul Haidostian - jointly issued an appeal reiterating their protest and concern for the 120,000 Artsakh Armenians forcibly evacuated from Nagorno Karabakh after its conquest by Azerbaijan, the planned destruction of Armenian religious and cultural buildings and monuments, and the illegal detention of Artsakh political leaders. Stigmatising the indifference of the international community, they call for uniting and reorganising resources around a pan-Armenian agenda in which national values should take precedence over all other external and temporary considerations.

IRAQ-LIBAN

Iraq is also becoming a flight destination from Lebanon, which has been brought to its knees by Israeli raids against Hezbollah. The UN refugee agency said that an average of between 400 and 600 refugees arrive in the country every day. According to figures released yesterday by the Ministry of Health in Beirut, more than 3,000 Lebanese have been killed in the conflict, including 589 women and at least 185 children.

JAPAN

The Tokyo Stock Exchange extended trading hours by 30 minutes starting today as part of efforts to make its markets more attractive to foreign investors and encourage trading activity. With the first extension of closing hours in 70 years, the Tokyo Stock Exchange will henceforth operate from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break, according to a statement released by the Japan Exchange Group Inc.

HONG KONG

Hong Kong experienced its hottest October since measurements began in 1884, with the city's Observatory recording an average temperature of 27.3 degrees Celsius for the month, 1.6 degrees above normal. It was also a much drier month than normal, with just 11.3 millimetres of precipitation. This is about 9 per cent of the 120.3 millimetres recorded on average between 1991 and 2020. These figures follow a summer that had already been much warmer than usual.

RUSSIA

The Moscow Patriarchate has warned all bishops of the non-canonicity of the icon called the Mother of God Liberator of Donetsk, circulated among Russian soldiers at the front in Ukraine, warning them to remove it from all churches for the devotion of the faithful, and to refute the rumours spread about its thaumaturgic powers and mystical origin.
by Nirmala Carvalho

The long-postponed rite takes place amid protest. The apostolic administration of the "rebel" Diocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly limited the rite to new priests who sign an affidavit in which they commit themselves to celebrate the liturgy according to the "uniform" rite adopted by the synod. In a circular he banned priests and lay people from participating in associations that criticise the official stance of the Church.

Kochi (AsiaNews)  The ordination of new priests in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly is further stoking the row over the liturgy that continues to tear apart the Syro-Malabar Church since 2021.

After a long postponement, eight deacons were ordained priests during a celebration held yesterday at the Minor Seminary of the Sacred Heart in Thrikkakara.

The Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Bosco Puthoor, agreed to proceed only after the deacons signed an affidavit in which they agreed to carry out priestly functions following the laws of the Church, with particular reference to the "uniform" form of the celebration of the Sacra Qurbana, the Eucharistic liturgy of Malabar communities, which has been a source of tensions for years in the Church of Ernakulam-Angamaly.

In a 30-October circular, Bishop Puthur asked priests and laity not associate with organisations that criticise the official stance of the Church or demean its leadership on social media.

In the circular, the prelate announced that police would be deployed outside the Curia, banning "any gathering without the permission of the apostolic administrator. Reactions were not long in coming.

Almost two hundred priests participated in the ordination ceremony, said Fr Kuriakose Mundadan, secretary of the archdiocese's presbyteral council, speaking to AsiaNews.

Usually in the ordination liturgy the first part is the ordination and then the first Holy Mass will be celebrated, he explained.

Many priests from the archdiocese attended the ordination ceremony. But they boycotted the first Mass of the new priests with Mar Bosco Puthoor to express their dissatisfaction with the recent appointments and not allowing the new priests to celebrate the Mass facing the people as it is celebrated in almost all the parishes in the archdiocese.

After the ordination ceremony the priests gathered together and passed a resolution asking the apostolic administrator to immediately reinstate the canonical bodies in the archdiocese, Fr Mundanan said.

Representatives of the Almaya Munnettam forum also waited for the end of the celebration to register their protest to Bishop Puthur against the circular of 30 October, which some groups of faithful burnt at the end of last Sunday liturgies.

The group also stated that it plans to boycott the apostolic administrator in all public forums, since they do not approve the appointment of new members of the curia.
Champion local news.

Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told.
In a response to a question from RFE/RLs Armenian Service, Hovannisian did not provide details on when or what specific proposals were submitted.

Earlier, Armenias Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said in parliament that Yerevan and Baku were still negotiating one or two wordings of the potential treaty.

Hovannisian reiterated that discussions on these key points were ongoing, with Yerevan now awaiting a response from Baku.

On October 31, Mirzoyan expressed cautious optimism, suggesting that both sides could soon resolve their differences and finalize a peace agreement. However, he did not specify the exact issues currently being considered in the negotiations.

Earlier, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian had proposed that Armenia and Azerbaijan move forward with signing a peace treaty based on the parts of the draft both sides have already agreed upon, which he said constitutes roughly 80 percent of the document. He suggested that any remaining issues could be addressed later. However, Baku rejected this approach.

Optimism regarding the possibility of Armenia and Azerbaijan signing a peace agreement in the near future grew after Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in Kazan on the sidelines of the BRICS summit hosted by Russia last month.

Few details of the October 24 meeting were officially reported, but an ally of Pashinian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service last month that Yerevan was satisfied with the talks where some tangible results may have been achieved.

Pro-government lawmaker Hovik Aghazarian also confirmed that issues related to regional unblocking, and more specifically to the restoration of cargo transportation, were also addressed at the Kazan talks.

Armenia and Azerbaijan engaged in fence-mending talks following a deadly war in 2020 over Nagorno-Karabakh, during which Baku regained control of much of the breakaway region. Azerbaijan completed its takeover of the region in 2023 when more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled hostilities and resettled in Armenia.

The United States and other international partners of Armenia and Azerbaijan have repeatedly expressed their support for a peace treaty between the two South Caucasus nations, encouraging them to finalize it already this year.
Jovany Portades, the man suspected of slashing a womans throat on a BART train in San Francisco. BART

A man arrested in connection with an unprovoked stabbing on a moving BART train had long been estranged from his family as he cycled in and out of jail for committing crimes, and he clearly needed help, his half brother told the Chronicle on Monday.

It was a desperate move, Sylvester Portades said of the stunning act of violence, which occurred about 8:10 a.m. Saturday on a train rolling into the 24th Mission Street Station in San Francisco.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The perpetrator, identified by police as 34-year-old Jovany Portades, allegedly slashed the throat of a 54-year-old female stranger who remained hospitalized in serious condition Monday.

BART police said officers arrested Jovany Portades after an alert station agent spotted him at 2 p.m. Sunday at Fruitvale Station in Oakland.

Although Sylvester Portades now lives out of state, he became aware of the incident as it dominated Bay Area news feeds on Saturday  along with a grainy train-surveillance photograph that police released to help with their manhunt.

When Sylvester looked closely at the blurred, pixelated image of a man with braided hair and a windbreaker, he recognized a long-lost family member.

I dont know if this man is homeless, Sylvester said, referring to Jovany. I dont know if anyone wants to help him. He doesnt have a family to help him, but he looks like hes in a mental state that he needs help.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Records in Alameda and Solano counties show Jovany had a long criminal history, including felony convictions for burglary, drug trafficking, selling ammunition to a minor and robbery, among other crimes. Last year he pleaded no contest to robbery charges for breaking into a Berkeley home in the middle of the night and punching a victim 20 to 40 times, police said, before stealing the persons cellphone and laptop. He has also been admitted on at least one occasion to a psychiatric hospital.

His most recent arrest occurred in January, following a physical altercation with a store employee who stopped him for shoplifting in Alameda. The case was dismissed as part of a plea bargain with the district attorneys office that allowed Portades to admit to a probation violation, for which he was sentenced to a year in jail  with credit for time served  in April, and released in July. His defense attorney declined to comment, as did both victims in the Alameda County cases.

Sylvester, who was born to the same father but has a different mother and is 13 years older than Jovany, described his half-brother as troubled from childhood.

I remember meeting Jovany for the first time, and he was 9 or 10 years old, smoking a cigarette inside the house, Sylvester said, recalling visits to his fathers home in Vallejo.

In the years since those early visits, the distance between the brothers widened.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Talking to media on Tuesday, Armenias Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovannisian said that the threats as well as insults were made during a diplomatic reception and that the Armenian side notified both the Belgian authorities and the European Union about the incident.

An investigation on that matter is ongoing, Hovannisian told reporters.

The incident was first reported by the American publication Politico, which cited Balayan as saying that Sadikov had threatened him during the event. The Armenian Embassy in Brussels subsequently filed an official complaint with other diplomatic missions in the Belgian capital.

The incident reportedly took place at a reception hosted by the Turkish Embassy at the Tangla Hotel in Brussels, marking Turkeys national holiday. Sadikov has reportedly denied the allegations, dismissing them as ridiculous.

The tensions come amid ongoing negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan over a potential peace agreement to end decades of enmity resulting from territorial disputes.

The two nations have fought two major wars since the early 1990s, with the most recent conflict in 2020 resulting in a victory for Azerbaijan. That war led to the defeat of Armenia-backed ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh, with Azerbaijan seizing control over parts of the region. In September 2023, Azerbaijan completed its military takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh, displacing more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians, nearly the entire population of the enclave, who fled to Armenia.
This marks the 11th edition of the draft exchanged by the two sides since they began their current negotiations more than two years ago.

Earlier on Tuesday, Armenias Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovannisian said that Yerevan had sent proposals to Baku aimed at overcoming the remaining differences and signing the peace treaty. He said Armenia was now awaiting a response from Azerbaijan.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian had previously proposed that Armenia and Azerbaijan move forward with signing a peace treaty based on the parts of the draft both sides have already agreed upon, which he said constitutes roughly 80 percent of the document. He suggested that any remaining issues could be addressed later. However, Baku rejected this approach.

Speaking in parliament last week Armenias Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that Yerevan and Baku were still negotiating one or two wordings of the potential treaty.

He expressed cautious optimism, suggesting that both sides could soon resolve their differences and finalize the peace deal. He, however, did not specify the exact issues under discussion.

Optimism regarding the possibility of Armenia and Azerbaijan signing a peace agreement in the near future grew after Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in Kazan on the sidelines of the BRICS summit hosted by Russia last month.

Few details of the October 24 meeting were officially reported, but an ally of Pashinian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service last month that Yerevan was satisfied with the talks where some tangible results may have been achieved.

Pro-government lawmaker Hovik Aghazarian also confirmed that issues related to regional unblocking, and more specifically to the restoration of cargo transportation, were also addressed at the Kazan talks.

Armenia and Azerbaijan engaged in fence-mending talks following a deadly war in 2020 over Nagorno-Karabakh, during which Baku regained control of much of the breakaway region. Azerbaijan completed its takeover of the region in 2023 when more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled hostilities and resettled in Armenia.

The United States and other Western partners of Armenia and Azerbaijan have repeatedly expressed their support for a peace treaty between the two South Caucasus nations, encouraging them to finalize it already this year.

Most of the recent progress in the Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement process  including the release of a group of Armenian detainees and the demarcation of a section of the border  came as a result of direct talks between the two sides.

Meanwhile, Russia, which has mediated Armenian-Azerbaijani talks for years and admittedly has vested geopolitical interests in the South Caucasus, has warned against what its foreign minister described as a hasty peace. In remarks quoted by Russias RIA Novosti news agency on Tuesday, Sergey Lavrov claimed that unlike Western pseudo-mediators, we are not pushing our partners to hastily conclude a peace treaty.

A hasty peace without a comprehensive consideration of the positions of Baku and Yerevan, as well as the realities on the ground, will not lead to anything good. On the contrary, it will create additional risks of tensions and potential escalation of the conflict, Lavrov said.

Receiving credentials from newly appointed foreign ambassadors, including Armenias ambassador Gurgen Arsenian, at the Kremlin today, Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to his press office, also emphasized that we [Russia] have done and are doing everything for achieving the normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations and ensuring lasting peace in the Trans-Caucasus.
5 November 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan is actively advancing its transition from traditional to renewable energy sources. Despite being an oil and gas-producing nation, the country is committed to addressing global energy challenges and is keenly interested in harnessing clean energy. Notably, this year has been designated as the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World," coinciding with Baku's upcoming hosting of the 29th UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change.

Azerbaijan's focus on alternative energy sources and international cooperation in this sector has been developing over the past several years. President Ilham Aliyev has issued directives to leverage renewable energy resources in the liberated territories.

Under President Aliyevs leadership, transforming these areas into "green energy" zones has become a key strategic priority in the countrys economic development plan. In a meeting held on January 6, 2021, discussing the economic outcomes of 2020 following the 44-day Patriotic War, President Aliyev articulated a strategic vision for establishing a Green Energy Zone in the liberated territories, emphasizing the significant energy potential available for restoration.

The selection of these regions is strategic, primarily due to their considerable alternative energy potential. To assess this potential comprehensively, Azerbaijan has engaged Japan's TEPSCO, an international consulting firm, to prepare a detailed concept document.

The objective of this concept is to harness the abundant renewable energy resources in the liberated territories, ensuring the delivery of environmentally friendly green energy. It aims to formulate proposals for implementing sustainable and energy-efficient green technologies, including the development of energy demand models based on various scenarios.

How are renewable energy sources utilized in the Green Energy Zone?

The development of the Green Energy Zone encompasses a comprehensive approach to integrating renewable energy sources in the liberated territories. Key initiatives include:

- Electricity Generation: Harnessing renewable energy for electricity production.

- Energy Efficiency Measures: Implementing strategies to enhance energy efficiency across various sectors.

- Electric Vehicles: Promoting the use of electric vehicles to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

- Renewable Energy Installations: Installing renewable energy devices, particularly solar panels, on building rooftops.

- Solar-Powered Lighting: Utilizing solar energy-based LED lamps for street and road lighting.

- Sustainable Heating and Cooling: Integrating renewable energy technologies for heating, cooling, and hot water supply.

- Smart Energy Management: Applying advanced energy management technologies to optimize energy use.

- Energy-Oriented Waste Management: Implementing waste management practices that prioritize energy recovery.

According to the State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources, the adoption of electric vehicles is a crucial factor in fostering a cleaner environment in the liberated territories.

But what is the advantage of electric cars?

1. Environmental benefits: Electric cars produce zero tailpipe emissions, significantly reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles.

2. Cost efficiency: While the initial purchase price can be higher, electric vehicles (EVs) often have lower operating costs. They require less maintenance and benefit from cheaper fuel costs, especially with the growing availability of renewable energy sources.

3. Energy independence: By using domestically produced electricity, electric cars can reduce dependence on imported oil, enhancing national energy security.

4. Performance: Electric cars offer instant torque, resulting in smooth acceleration and a quiet driving experience. They also have fewer moving parts, which can contribute to a more reliable performance.

5. Incentives: Many governments provide tax incentives, rebates, and grants for purchasing electric vehicles, making them more financially accessible.

6. Technological innovation: The rise of electric vehicles is driving advancements in battery technology, energy storage, and smart grid solutions, contributing to a more sustainable energy ecosystem.

7. Public health: By reducing air pollutants, electric vehicles can improve public health outcomes, particularly in urban areas where air quality is often a concern.

8. Integration with renewable energy: Electric cars can be charged using renewable energy sources, making them a key component of a sustainable energy future.

Overall, the adoption of electric vehicles supports environmental sustainability, enhances economic efficiency, and promotes public health.

To promote the use of public electric vehicles and private cars within the "Green Energy Zone," it is essential to develop a robust infrastructure of electric charging stations, which is a critical component of this initiative.

To this end, plans are in place to install a total of 20 Electric Charging Stations (EDMs) in the liberated territories by the end of 2024. Currently, there are 12 operational electric charging facilities managed by "Azerishiq" OJSC at six locations, including the "Zangilan" substation, "Jabrayil" Intellectual Education Center, and "Khojali" Digital Management Center.

Additionally, three charging stations have been established in the courtyard of the Congress Center in Zangilan, and two more charging stations are located in the car park of the "Shusha Hotel and Congress Center" in Shusha.

In conclusion, the strategic development of the Green Energy Zone aims to harness the abundant renewable resources in liberated territories, focusing on initiatives that promote electricity generation, energy efficiency, and the integration of electric vehicles. The planned installation of 20 Electric Charging Stations by 2024 will further facilitate this transition, providing the necessary infrastructure to support electric mobility and contribute to a cleaner environment.
5 November 2024 11:19 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

The Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, has traveled to Italy, Azernews reports, citing Ministry of Energy.

The minister will attend the first Ministerial Meeting of the World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which will be held in Rome on November 6.

The event, co-chaired by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, will focus on adopting an inclusive and global approach to the development of nuclear fusion energy, and promoting global efforts within the WFEG framework.

During the event, the Energy Minister is expected to deliver a speech and hold bilateral meetings.
5 November 2024 15:15 (UTC+04:00)

Full digital access to all news for 1 year

Full digital access to all news for 6 months

Full digital access to all news for 3 months

Full digital access to all news for 1 month

Find the plan that suits you best.

Kazakhstan has finalized agreements to supply a significant volume of grain to Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan

Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.

Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.

By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.

Subscribe

You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper

Thank you!
Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has received Yalchin Adigozalov, a renowned conductor, People's Artist, and professor at the Uzeyir Hajibayli Baku Music Academy, who turns 65 this year, Azernews reports, citing the ministry.

At the meeting, Adil Karimli congratulated the musician on behalf of the ministry's staff and the cultural community, conveying his best wishes.

The minister underlined that President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva continuously show attention and care for the development of culture, including the music sector, in Azerbaijan.

The contributions of those who have played a role in the advancement of our music are highly valued. Yalchin Adigozelov has been awarded the title of "People's Artist" for his work in this field and was also honoured with the "Shohrat" (Glory) Order.



It was mentioned that Yalchin Adigozalov has organized numerous premieres in Baku with a classical repertoire and has actively promoted the works of Azerbaijani composers both domestically and abroad, engaging in extensive concert activities with symphonic orchestras.



During the meeting, the ministry awarded the jubilant artist a diploma of honour for his services to developing Azerbaijani culture.



Yalchin Adigozelov expressed his gratitude for the recognition and congratulations regarding his creativity.



The discussion also included an exchange of views on the prospects for the development of the music sector.



It should be noted that Professor Yalchin Adigozelov has been involved in pedagogical activities at the Baku Music Academy for nearly 30 years. His students are currently among the leading conductors in the republic. Since 2023, the People's Artist has been the artistic director and chief conductor of the Niyazi State Symphony Orchestra, which operates under the Heydar Aliyev Palace.
5 November 2024 14:39 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

On November 6, the premiere of the film "Old Suitcases" (Kohn Camadanlar), dubbed in Turkish, will take place at the "CSO Ada" center in Ankara, Azernews reports, citing AZERTAC.

The screening of this film is dedicated to the heroes of the First and Second Garabagh Wars and marks the fourth anniversary of Azerbaijan's Victory Day. The event is supported by Turkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ankara's Gazi University, the Altndag district municipality, and several public organizations and institutions of the brotherly country.

The film's screenplay is based on real events and reflects the heroism of Azerbaijani warriors who fought against Armenian invaders.

The filmmakersdirector Saida Haqverdiyeva, screenwriter Sevda Sultanova, director of photography Shahmar Safaroglu, and othersaim to convey the tragic atmosphere of the war, including the horrors of the Khojaly genocide.

Old Suitcases was completed in 2021 and was produced with the support of the DOST Agency under Azerbaijan's Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

Before the premiere, an exhibition titled "Women, Peace, Victory" will be held.
5 November 2024 14:03 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Armenia has sent its next and final package of proposals to Azerbaijan to reach a comprehensive peace agreement, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Azernews reports via Russian Media.

"We have sent the last package of proposals, we are waiting for a response from the Azerbaijani side," Hovhannisyan told journalists in parliament, underscoring the current state of negotiations.

Previously, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated that only "one or two points" remain to be agreed upon before an agreement can be signed with Azerbaijan. He expressed hope that both sides would soon reach a consensus on these outstanding issues.

Armenia previously submitted a set of proposals to Azerbaijan concerning the draft peace treaty in late August.

According to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, this version (in August) of the peace treaty contained 17 articles, of which 13 have been agreed upon, including the preamble.
5 November 2024 10:42 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov pays an official visit to Slovakia at the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Robert Kalinak, Azernews reports.

As part of the visit, Colonel General Z.Hasanov attended Slavin War Memorial. He honored the memory of the fallen by laying a wreath at the monument.

The Azerbaijan Defense Minister met with his Slovak counterpart in Bratislava.

At the official welcoming ceremony prior to the meeting, the Defense Ministers passed along the guard of honor. The national anthems of both countries were performed, accompanied by a distinguished military orchestra.

The meeting included a detailed exchange of views on the current state of military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Slovakia and the importance of mutual visits.

The sides also discussed the prospects for the development of military and military-technical cooperation.
5 November 2024 12:07 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

Anar Aliyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, met with Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches of the Holy See, Azernews reports.

The meeting focused on existing relations between Azerbaijan and the Vatican, as well as projects in the framework of cooperation with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Cardinal Gugerotti praised the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's projects in the Vatican and conveyed Pope Francis's special gratitude to the Foundation's President, Mehriban Aliyeva, for her continuous support.

The meeting highlighted the Foundation's restoration of catacombs in the Vatican, close cooperation with the Vatican Museums and the Apostolic Library, the digitization of archival manuscripts, and the visit of Vatican archaeologists to Azerbaijan for the restoration of historical and religious monuments, as well as the exchange of experience. The importance of implementing new projects in the future was also emphasized.

Cardinal Gugerotti commended these initiatives and noted that the construction of a new Catholic church in Baku, supported by the Azerbaijani government and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, is a striking example of the countrys multicultural policies.

The guest also emphasized that, against the backdrop of growing religious conflicts worldwide, Azerbaijan's multiculturalism policy and the peaceful coexistence of various religions in the country, along with the freedom of religious belief, are the greatest contributions to peace.

Anar Aliyev, Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, mentioned that the Foundations President, Mehriban Aliyeva, has always placed special importance on relations with the Vatican and expressed confidence that this collaboration will continue to develop. The cooperation agreement signed with the Governorate of Vatican City regarding restoration work at St. Peter's Basilica was highlighted as a clear indicator of the close partnership between the two sides.

The representative of the Holy See also proposed holding Azerbaijani Cultural Days in the Vatican, organizing exhibitions and concert programs, and facilitating mutual exchanges between experts in various fields as part of future joint projects.

During the meeting, Cardinal Gugerotti was informed about preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will take place in Baku from November 11-22. The guest expressed confidence that the upcoming Global Summit of Religious Leaders, held under the slogan "World Religions for a Green Planet," will contribute to positive interfaith relations and the success of the international conference.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Evan Vucci/Associated Press A poll worker displays I voted stickers at a polling place inside El Mansour Restaurant in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Mayoral candidate Daniel Lurie during his election night watch party at the Chapel in San Francisco on Tuesday, Nov. 05, 2024. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Recall supporters hold signs as seen through a stairway screen during an election night watch party held by Oakland United to Recall Sheng Thao (OUST) & Safe Alameda For Everyone (SAFE) in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The organizations were supporters of the recall movements against Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Mayoral candidate Daniel Luries election night watch party at the Chapel in San Francisco on Tuesday, Nov. 05, 2024. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao listens to a question from the media during election night gathering at Fluid 510 in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle A voter casts their ballot at a polling place inside El Mansour Restaurant in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Shamello Jackson, 37, of Oakland watches results as the Xi Gamma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. holds an Election Night Watch Party at Oeste in Oakland on Tuesday. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Voters cast their ballots at City Hall in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Voters fill out their ballot cards at City Hall during Election Day in San Francisco on Tuesday. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Carmen Lopez hands a pen to a voting official before casting her vote at City Hall during Election Day in San Francisco on Tuesday. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris drops by a phone bank event at the Democratic National Committee headquarters on Election Day in Washington, D.C. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, depart after casting their votes Tuesday at a polling place in Palm Beach, Fla. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Brenda Wyatt, of Oakland, left, converses with Oakland native Nichelle Rachal, right, as they attend an Election Night Watch Party hosted by the Xi Gamma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Oeste in Oakland, Calif. on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Brenda Wyatt, of Oakland, holds a Kamala Harris campaign flag as she attends an Election Night Watch Party hosted by the Xi Gamma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Oeste in Oakland, Calif. on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Volunteer Debra Walker checks a newly printed posters of Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris during an election watch party at the San Francisco Democratic Party headquarters in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Volunteer JD Beltran places the tap at a cutout figure of Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris during an election watch party at the San Francisco Democratic Party headquarters in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Donald Trump dominated the battleground states to claim victory in the 2024 presidential election.

Latest updates:

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Donald Trump flipped Wisconsin, according to The Associated Press, securing over 270 electoral college votes needed to become the 47th president of the United States. He is the first president in more than 120 years to serve nonconsecutive terms.

The San Francisco Department of Elections posted a final update for Election Night early Wednesday morning. The results showed Mayor London Breed was trailing badly in her battle to retain her seat, with nonprofit founder Daniel Lurie ahead in the San Francisco mayors race and many more votes left to be counted in the ranked-choice election.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

By the time voters ranked-choice preferences were accounted for, Lurie had 56% to Breeds 44%. But the race remained too close to call.

The next round of results will be shared at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Former President Donald Trump declared victory at his watch party in West Palm Beach early Wednesday morning Eastern Time.

Trump addressed supporters after 2 a.m. EST at his election night watch party near his Mar-a-Lago estate, joined by his running mate Sen. J.D. Vance, wife Melania Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, among others.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

We overcame obstacles that nobody thought possible, Trump said. But its a political victory that our country has never seen before.

The presidential race has not yet officially been called for Trump, and he previously erroneously declared victory in 2020. But he spoke just as the race in Pennsylvania was called for his campaign, and he led in other key battleground states. He also won North Carolina and Georgia.

 Molly Burke

Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended a watch party for Donald Trump on Tuesday night at the Palm Beach Convention Center, the Associated Press reported. Kennedy ended his presidential bid in August and endorsed Trump, who promised him an unspecified role in health care policy.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Voters in Missouri amended the state's Constitution to protect abortion rights up to the point of viability, around 24 weeks, the Associated Press reported. The amendment legalized abortion in the state two years after lawmakers passed a total ban. Missouri's Republican-led statehouse was the first to completely restrict abortion after U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022.

As she continued to strike a hopeful tone about her chances of being reelected, San Francisco Mayor London Breed had some choice words when asked how she felt about the influence of money in the mayors race this year. Rival candidate Daniel Lurie, who was leading Tuesday night, spent millions of dollars of his own money on his campaign, helping make the mayoral election the most expensive in modern San Francisco history.

It has been really one of the most sad and horrible things Ive seen in politics in San Francisco, that someone would take their wealth and just basically buy this office, Breed said. Its really unfortunate and pretty disgusting.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Asked if she had anything to say to Lurie, Breed said San Franciscos not for sale.

She said the mayoral election was not over until the last vote is counted, hoping that yet-to-be-counted mail-in ballots and provisional ballots would break in her favor.

We need to make sure that we are holding out the hope and the excitement for the future, she said. We are not giving up the fight.

 J.D. Morris

Leaders of the Oakland mayoral recall campaign had celebratory drinks at a nearby victory party Tuesday night, then returned to their own in time to make the 11 p.m. newscasts.

While he was careful not to claim victory  yet  recall leader Seneca Scott said it was all but certain.

He said he wasnt at all surprised.

We knew in January this would happen, he said. We knew every step of the way.

Edward Escobar, who worked on the recall for Citizens United, referred to Thaos statement when she fired Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong.

The mayor said to the chief of police that he served at the will of the mayor. This is a powerful message that she serves at the will of the people. And the people have spoken.

 Michael Cabanatuan

Daniel Lurie stepped on to the stage just after 10 p.m. as the crowd roared.

Its going to be a long night, he said, adding that early returns had left his team feeling very optimistic. We believe strongly that its time for accountable leadership in City Hall, he said, to cheers.

We knew this would not be easy, he said, noting that the last time San Francisco elected an outsider to City Hall was in 1911, after the earthquake. A century later, the city is at another inflection point, he said.

In thousands of conversations, he said, voters expressed a gnawing sense that maybe San Franciscos problems were intractable, driven by poor results and ever growing budgets.

But after 250 meet and greets, 140,000 door knocks, Hope is alive and well in San Francisco, he said.

 St. John Barned-Smith

After returns showed the lead growing for the recall effort against Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao on Tuesday night, the election party of recall supporters quickly dispersed.

They headed home or to nearby bars in Jack London Square to watch national returns. Some chanted bye-bye and waved  as if bidding Thao farewell  as they departed. But there were no speeches or statements.

By 10 p.m., the beers and sodas were being packed into coolers and a pair of TV crews were preparing to give their final reports. Signs decrying the state of Oakland and calling for the mayors recall sat in piles against the wall.

 Michael Cabanatuan

As Vice President Kamala Harris' chances for an electoral college victory dwindled Tuesday night, supporters at a watch party in Oakland moved from upbeat to tense.

This is a different type of anxiety. Its fear, said Shamello Jackson, an Oakland resident whod been invited to the watch party by a friend. What do the next (four) years look like for people of color? By 9 p.m., shed bitten her nails all the way down.

Camille Stroughter, 49, of Oakland was feeling pensive and nervous after a news outlet called Georgia for Trump.

I just feel like its a repeat of 2016, she said. I just wanted something better. She was thinking about how to talk about a potential Harris loss with her 15-year-old daughter.

The election remained too close to call by 10 p.m., with Harris still having a sliver of a chance of a win through the blue wall states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, though Trump was leading her in all three.

Meanwhile, an Oueste server said it was the bars busiest Tuesday night in years.

 Susie Neilson

Donald Trumps win in Georgia flips the state from 2020, returning its 16 electoral votes to Republicans. He lost to Joe Biden by 11,779 votes in 2020 but sought to overturn the result, setting off a political and legal struggle that led to his indictment in the state.



Kanishka Cheng, head of the big spending political group TogetherSF Action, was holding out hope that Proposition D, a ballot measure her group backed to reduce the amount of city commissions and increase the mayors power over her appointees, would pass despite the measure trailing in early results.

Were still very hopeful, Cheng said.

Cheng was disappointed by Mark Farrells showing in the mayors race, but relieved that progressive Aaron Peskin was not leading. Farrell was her groups top choice for mayor.

At the end of the day, as long as we have a moderate mayor, were ultimately in a good place as a city, Cheng said.

 Michael Barba

History professor Heather McCarty took an early lead in the race to fill four seats on the seven-member Board of Trustees for City College of San Francisco, just ahead of incumbents Aliya Chisti, Alan Wong and Luis Zamora.

Kamala Harris' election night party ended without a sight of the candidate.

Just before 1 a.m. ET, Harris-Walz Campaign Co-Chair Cedric Richmond, came out to address the small crowd still gathered on the Howard University campus.

Thank you for being here, thank you for believing in the promise of America. We still have votes to count, we still have states that have not been called yet. We will continue overnight to fight to make sure that every vote is counted, that every voice has spoken, Richmond said.

Richmond told the crowd that Harris wouldnt appear at Howard tonight, but would address the nation from the university campus tomorrow.

 Shira Stein

Reacting to the presidential returns while speaking to reporters at Mayor London Breeds election night watch party, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu expressed disappointment that Harris appeared to be struggling with some key demographic groups.

We all hoped that America was going to be better when it comes to supporting a woman of color, Chiu said.

If Trump wins the presidency, Chiu said, his work is going to change dramatically.

My office had several dozen legal matters with the Trump administration, he said. We were part of the legal resistance. And if the worst comes to be, well be right there again.

 J.D. Morris

Trailing badly in early returns in the recall election against her, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao spoke to the press briefly Tuesday night at a chaotic briefing at the front door of a Harris-Walz election night party.

Im very optimistic, she said, her voice drowned out by the music and sound of the crowd.

She said she had faith in Oakland voters and said that the citys more progressive votes often come in later in the evening.

The mayor said she was proud of her record as mayor.

Thao also said she did not regret not having mounted a stronger anti-recall campaign.

Absolutely not, she said. I dont have any regrets.

 Michael Cabanatuan

Republicans regained control of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday by flipping Democratic-held seats and retaining incumbents. Key victories included GOP Sen. Deb Fischer fending off independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska and Jim Justice winning in West Virginia to replace Joe Manchin. Democratic efforts to unseat Ted Cruz in Texas and Rick Scott in Florida also failed.

Measure NN, a parcel tax that would fund violence reduction services in Oakland and increase police and fire minimum staffing, was leading Tuesday evening with 67% of the vote. It needs 50% to pass. The nine-year program would impose an annual tax of $198 on single-family residential parcels, $132 per unit for multiple-family residential properties, and a varying amount on nonresidential parcels based on a formula.

Measure MM was leading in early returns, with 70% of the vote. The measure is a special parcel tax that would last for 20 years in the citys Wildfire Prevention Zone and would implement wildfire prevention plans in Oakland. The tax would be at a rate of $99 per single-family parcel, $65 per condominium or multifamily unit and a formula-based amount for nonresidential parcels. It needs a two-thirds majority to pass.

Measure OO passed with about 71% of the vote. It needed a simple majority to pass. The measure will strengthen the citys public ethics commission by setting new guidelines for commission members. It also amends the Lobbyist Registration Act to restrict payments and expenses incurred by local government lobbyists.

Vice President Kamala Harris does not plan to address the public tonight, according to a White House source.

With his wife at his side, Mark Farrell conceded in the San Francisco mayors race after the first round of results showed him trailing far behind his opponents. Addressing the crowd gathered in the patio of Campus bar, he thanked his staff and supporters and encouraged them to stand behind whoever emerges the winner for the betterment of the city.

Lets get this out of the way up front, Farrell began. Early results, not what we wanted to be in this mayoral race. We are good with that, it will take a while to sink it for everyone.

But lets make sure as San Franciscans that whoever the next mayor is we all get behind him or her, Farrell said.

 Michael Barba

Speaking to supporters at a packed China Basin restaurant at about 9:15 p.m., San Francisco Mayor London Breed struck a confident tone about her reelection prospects after early returns showed her trailing nonprofit founder Daniel Lurie.

It aint over till its over, Breed told the standing-room only crowd.

She reminded her supporters that she trailed in early results on the first night of vote counting when she was elected mayor in June 2018.

I have been behind before. I have been counted out before. And for whatever reason, I ended up winning that race by 2,500 votes, she said, referring to her victory over Mark Leno.

Breed said she was happy that two measures she got on the ballot, Props B and O, were leading.

We know that we have laid the groundwork for this city to continue to move forward because we are on the rise, she said. Hopefully well get through the night and see something positive.

Four more years! Four more years! The standing room only crowd cheered back to her.

Shortly after he won the race for Californias open Senate seat, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, urged patience as the nation waits to learn the results of the presidential race. But, in what seemed to be a nod to the early returns favoring former President Donald Trump, said he would fight to protect Californians' rights in his role in the Senate, promising to defend abortion rights, fight climate change and protect immigrants.

I am committed to taking on the big fights to protect our freedoms and to protect our democracy, he said. California will continue to be at the forefront of progress.

Trump has called Schiff out by name in recent weeks as an enemy from within. If he wins the presidency, the rivalry between Trump and Californias junior senator could intensify as a key dynamic in national politics.

Schiff said the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-San Francisco, was on his mind as he declared victory at an election night party in Southern California.

Nobody will be able to fill Diannes immense shoes, but her memory will be my guide, he said.

 Sophia Bollag

Oaklands former police chief, LeRonne Armstrong, was trailing Rowena Brown, a state legislative director, for the citys at-large City Council seat in early returns on Tuesday night. Brown, the legislative director for Assembly Member Mia Bonta, had secured 30.67% of the vote and Armstrong secured 29.3%. Charlene Wang, who works in civil rights, had 20.12% of the vote. Ranked choice voting tabulations have not yet been applied.

Incumbent West Oakland City Council Member Carroll Fife, who was first elected in 2020 in an upset victory over longtime District 3 Council Member Lynette Gibson McElhaney, was leading the race to retain her seat as of Tuesday night with 46.35% of the vote. The seat represents parts of West Oakland, downtown, Jack London Square and Adams Point. Warren Logan, a transportation planner under former Mayor Libby Schaaf, was trailing with 34.17% of the vote. Ranked choice voting has not been applied.

Its starting to feel a lot like 2016 for Democrats.

Kamala Harris is running out of viable paths to the White House as Donald Trump has taken critical battleground states that Harris forces were hopeful she would peel off.

Trump was leading in Georgia, which Democrats won in 2020, and won North Carolina.

With those two states potentially in Trumps win column, Harris must win the Blue Wall states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, where the votes are still being counted. But Harris is trailing in each by at least two percentage points.

Harris campaign manager Jen OMalley Dillon remained optimistic.

Those of you who were around in 2020 know this well: It takes time for all the votes to be counted  and all the votes will be counted, OMalley Dillon wrote in an email to staffers Tuesday night. Thats how our system works. What we do know is this race is not going to come into focus until the early morning hours. Well continue to keep you all updated as we get more information. This is what weve been built for, so lets finish up what we have in front of us tonight, get some sleep and get ready to close out strong tomorrow.

Hurting Harris is that she is underperforming with female voters. According to CBS exit polls, 54% of female voters cast their ballots for Harris, lower than the 57% of women who backed Joe Biden in 2020.

 Joe Garofoli

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was elected to a third Senate term after beating Democrat and former NFL linebacker Colin Allred with nearly 54% of the vote, the Associated Press reported. The hard-fought race was the most expensive in the nation this year, according to the Houston Chronicle. Texas Democrats have not won a statewide race in three decades.

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao was expected to show up at an election night party in downtown Oakland Tuesday  but it wasnt her party.

The Harris-Walz campaign was throwing a bash at Fluid 510, a club in Broadway in downtown Oakland, where the embattled mayor was expected to make an appearance around 9:30 p.m.

 Michael Cabanatuan

The fate of San Franciscos progressive-majority Board of Supervisors was uncertain Tuesday night after initial ballots were counted in the six districts up for grabs. Of the three incumbents seeking reelection for another four years, Supervisor Myrna Melgar was leading, Supervisor Dean Preston was trailing, and Supervisor Connie Chan was neck-and-neck with her opponent, with more votes still to be counted in the ranked-choice elections. All six supervisor races were considered competitive as political moderates attempted to re-create the wins they achieved in 2022.

 Roland Li

Vice President Kamala Harris carried more than 80% of the presidential vote in San Francisco, with about a third of votes tallied. Early returns showed about 16% of city voters chose former President Donald Trump, while just over 1% opted for Green Party candidate Jill Stein and 1% backed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi defeated Republican Bruce Lou in the House race for Californias 11th Congressional District. She led by 63 points, according to early returns.

 Molly Burke

Republican Philip Wing, who said he had run unsuccessfully for the state Assembly in 1994, said he was encouraged by what he was seeing in early election returns.

It looks good, Wing said, at the San Francisco GOP watch party in North Beach. The questionable states look like they are leaning towards him.

At the bar, San Francisco Republican Party Chair John Dennis sat on the edge of his stool, his eyes glued to the TV: Donald Trump is inching closer to becoming the 47th president of the United States.

His words were drowned out by a cheering crowd.

 Chase DiFeliciantonio, Laura Waxmann

Kamala Harris won Hawaii (4 electoral votes), Virginia (13) and New Mexico (5), as well as the 2nd Congressional District in Nebraska (1).

Longtime conservative broadcaster Michael Savage spent the early evening doing his live YouTube talk show with his billionaire son piping in live from Trumps stronghold in Mar-A-Lago, and as vote returns rolled in he was confident of a Republican win.

Whats going on is the people in the middle, average people, are saying enough is enough, Savage, who lives in Marin County, told the Chronicle. Trump has said things that are so f stupid, but today people will take someone who says stupid stuff but who also has a track record.

When Trump was president, we had low inflation. Eggs were cheaper, gas was cheaper. People are voting their pocketbooks. Harris is the empty skirt.

 Kevin Fagan

Five candidates were in a tight race Tuesday for four open seats on the San Francisco school board, with early returns putting the newcomers out ahead of the only incumbent running.

Jaime Huling was leading the pack of a total of 11 contenders, followed by Parag Gupta, Supryia Ray and John Jersin, with current board President Matt Alexander following closely behind in fifth place.

Candidate Ann Hsu, who was appointed to the school board following the 2022 recall and then ousted by voters in the general election months later, was trailing well behind in seventh place.

Incumbent state Sen. Scott Wiener won reelection in California Senate District 11, defeating Republican challenger Yvette Corkrean. The district includes San Francisco and parts of San Mateo County, such as Daly City and Colma.

A ballot measure that would close a 2-mile stretch of San Franciscos Great Highway was leading in early returns Tuesday with 53% of the vote in favor and 47% against. The controversial measure would ban vehicles on the citys westernmost coastal boulevard between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard. It needs more than 50% of the vote to win.

The ballot measure divided westside residents who viewed it as either a bane or a boon for their neighborhood.

Moderate challenger Bilal Mahmood opened a lead over Supervisor Dean Preston in a heated race for the District 5 seat on the Board of Supervisors in early returns. By the time voters ranked-choice preferences were accounted for, early results showed Mahmood leading in the race, with 54% share of the vote compared with Prestons 46% of the vote. Mahmood is a former Obama administration staffer who lost his bid for state Assembly in 2022. District 5, which includes the Tenderloin, Haight-Ashbury and Western Addition, is one of the citys most progressive districts. An upset in this race would be a significant blow to progressives amid an ascendant moderate wave in city politics.

 Maggie Angst

San Francisco voters considered 15 ballot measures Tuesday, including charter amendments and bonds. The S.F. propositions would create a new inspector general position, consolidate city commissions and fund school upgrades, among other things.

Five measures passed, including the $790 million school bond and a sweeping tax overhaul. Another 10 measures were still too close to call in early returns, including the controversial fate of the Upper Great Highway.

Measure J, the controversial Sonoma County proposition to ban factory farming, was trailing overwhelmingly in early returns Tuesday, with 85% of voters saying no and just 15% saying yes. It needed more than a 50% tally to pass.

The measure was expected to affect fewer than 20 large farms in the county, but those huge producers enjoy broad support in a region where agriculture is a major economic driver. Dairy farmers Clover Sonoma and Straus Family Creamery, as well as egg producer Weber Family Farms, would have been hit by the ballot measure.

Two new Bay Area lawmakers will be heading to the U.S. House of Representatives in January, joining Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who secured her 20th election to Congress.

Sam Liccardo was leading Evan Low, 62.8% to 37.2%, in the race for an open Silicon Valley House seat, according to early returns. In the other Bay Area open seat  to replace retiring Rep. Barbara Lee  Lateefah Simon was leading Jennifer Tran 63 percent to 37 percent, according to early results. Pelosi defeated her Republican opponent, Bruce Lou.

 Molly Burke

Californians voted to increase punishments for repeat theft and drug crimes Tuesday, approving Prop 36 by a wide margin of 70.5% to 29.5% in early returns.

Prop 36 generated significant interest among Californians and spurred a debate over how the state should best address the entwined issues of crime and addiction. Proponents say the measure to increase jail sentences will make streets safer and hold thieves and drug users accountable. Opponents argue it will mark a return to failed tough on crime policies that wont address its stated goals of reducing homelessness, crime and drug issues.

 Sophia Bollag

San Franciscos business tax reform measure won on Tuesday with strong early support. In initial returns, 70% of voters backed the measure, which requires more than 50% support to pass.

Mayor London Breed was trailing nonprofit founder Daniel Lurie in early returns in the San Francisco mayors race Tuesday, with many more votes left to be counted in the ranked-choice election.

By the time voters ranked-choice preferences were accounted for, Lurie had 57% to Breeds 43%. But the race remained too close to call as election officials must still process tens of thousands of ballots in a city where the vast majority of people vote by mail.

In the tally of first-choice votes Tuesday, Lurie led the field with 29% compared with 25% for Breed, 21% for Supervisor Aaron Peskin, 18% for former interim mayor Mark Farrell and 3% for Supervisor Ahsha Safai. Under the citys ranked-choice system, if no candidate gets a majority on the first round, those with the fewest first-choice votes are eliminated and their ballots are reevaluated to consider supporters lower-ranking choices.

A Berkeley City Council member who has centered her campaign on promising to revitalize the citys downtown took the lead Tuesday in early returns for the race for mayor. Sophie Hahn, who was elected in 2016 and was endorsed by the current mayor, had received 42% of the vote in early returns.

Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert was elected to Congress again on Tuesday after switching districts to run in a more conservative area. Boebert, a prominent member of the ultra-right House Freedom Caucus known for making homophobic and transphobic statements, live-tweeted from inside the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.

As early results in Oaklands mayoral recall election began to trickle in, supporters cheered the news and expressed optimism Mayor Sheng Thao would be ousted.

Im thrilled, said Sean Parkin, who owns a health clinic and has been active in the recall effort. Im glad the voters are expressing themselves.

News reporters and photographers outnumbered recall supporters at the election night party in the Leviathan building, an odd modern industrial structure in Oaklands Jack London Square.

Parkin said he got involved because he tired of break-ins at his business, Cityhealth, and robberies of his employees. Were hoping for better leadership, he said. Were hoping for leadership that will prioritize safety and businesses.

 Michael Cabanatuan

Elon Musk stated he would work to reduce federal agencies if Trump wins the presidency and offers him a role. Speaking on Tucker Carlsons show from Mar-a-Lago, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and owner of X (formerly Twitter). said, Weve got a gigantic bureaucracy, weve got overregulation. We need to let the builders of America build.

Alma Clements, from Red Bluff in rural Tehama County, was in San Francisco on Election Day to visit her daughter, Samantha Clements.

We need to put an end to whats happened to our kids said the elder Clements, clad in an American flag sweater at the San Francisco GOP party in North Beach. She said she feels that gender care for children is being pushed on young people.

Clements said she was a teacher and registered Republican, but said her husband, a Democrat, had flipped to Trump this election.

 Chase DiFeliciantonio

Kamala Harris won Oregon (8 electoral votes) but Donald Trump won the swing state of North Carolina (16), giving him a path to victory.

Prop 33 was losing in early returns Tuesday night, with 64.1% opposed and 35.9% in support. This measure would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995, allowing local governments to impose rent control if they choose. Currently, rental units built after 1995, single-family homes and new tenant agreements are not subject to local rent control. If passed, Prop 33 would remove those restrictions. The measure would also remove the states broader authority to regulate localities rent control.

The rent control measure is the third in six years that has been sent to voters, both of which previously failed by wide margins.

 Molly Burke

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao was trailing in her quest to remain in office with 64% of voters backing her recall in early returns Tuesday. Nearly 36% of voters opposed her recall.

Thao, a progressive, was elected in 2022 with a margin of fewer than 700 votes, beating moderate Loren Taylor. She is the daughter of refugees, formerly homeless and the citys first Hmong mayor. In her first speech after winning the election, Thao promised to bring unity to the city, working with the City Council and other groups to tackle the citys most pressing issues.

Prop 36 was ahead in early returns Tuesday evening. The measure has generated significant interest among Californians and spurred a debate over how the state should best address the entwined issues of crime and addiction. Proponents say the measure to increase jail sentences will make streets safer and hold thieves and drug users accountable. Opponents argue it would mark a return to failed tough on crime policies that wont address its stated goals of reducing homelessness, crime and drug issues.

Prop 36 would roll back parts of a measure voters approved in 2014 to downgrade drug possession and thefts worth less than $950 to misdemeanors. The 2014 law, known as Prop 47, intended to divert money from locking up low-level offenders into rehabilitation programs, but critics say it instead convinced thieves they wouldnt face consequences for stealing.

Prop 36 would eliminate the $950 threshold for a third theft, meaning someone caught stealing three times could be charged with a felony, regardless of the value of the merchandise stolen. It would do the same for a third drug possession charge. That could add years of jail time for people convicted of those crimes.

 Sophia Bollag

Republican Gov. Jim Justice will replace retiring West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, the Associated Press reported. Manchin, who decided not to seek reelection, was a longtime Democrat who registered as an independent with no party affiliation earlier this year. Manchin gained national recognition as a crucial swing voter during negotiations over President Joe Bidens Build Back Better initiative, which he ultimately rejected.

The fate of Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price was in jeopardy Tuesday night as initial ballots showed voters leaning toward ousting her in a historic recall election. In early returns of less than 150,000 votes, 65% were in favor of recalling Price. The results were expected to serve as a barometer not only of support for Price, but for the criminal justice reform movement in the Bay Area and beyond. Price and her supporters have said the recall is an attempt to obstruct much-needed changes that aimed to make the criminal justice system fairer and to address root causes of crime. Her critics have said she was too lenient toward those her office prosecuted.

 David Hernandez

Democrat Andy Kim of New Jersey will become the first Korean American in the U.S. Senate. The New Jersey congressman won the seat formerly held by Bob Menendez, who resigned following federal bribery and corruption charges. Kim defeated his Republican challenger with 53% of the vote, the Associated Press reported.

In an unassuming banquet room in San Leandro, dozens gathered Tuesday night to cheer on the recall of District Attorney Pamela Price, the overwhelming majority of whom were the family members of people who had been murdered. Poster-sized photos of the deceased lined the walls, punctuated by signs demanding justice for murdered victims.

But the crowd was buoyant in the hours leading up to the first drop of election results expected before 9 p.m., confident that they had succeeded in ousting the first-term prosecutor. People are listening now, said Patricia Harris, whose son, Jarin Purvis, was fatally shot in Oakland in 2020. Theyre not listening to what (Price) is trying to put out there. Harris said her family was gutted when, after Prices administration inherited her sons case, prosecutors significantly lightened the charges and brokered a plea deal that amount to about a four-year prison sentence. Hes already out, Harris said.

 Megan Cassidy

An abortion rights ballot initiative that would have overturned Floridas six-week abortion ban fell short by a small margin, the Associated Press reported. The initiative, known as Amendment 4, would have altered Floridas state Constitution to include abortion protections up to 24 weeks. It earned 57% of the vote but needed a 60% supermajority to pass.

Republicans and a few Trump-loving Democrats lined up Tuesday night at the buffet for the San Francisco GOP party in North Beach, some waiting in MAGA hats for a spread of chicken in red sauce with a side of penne and a charcuterie platter to match.

S.F. GOP Chairman John Dennis said hed gone from Nauseously optimistic to cautiously optimistic, saying the early returns were encouraging for his party. Im optimistic Trump is going to win he said in a room filling with several dozen jubilant Republicans. Among them were a few Democrats who said theyd broken away and cast their vote for Trump.

San Francisco resident Sophia DeAnda said he was a retired military veteran and was sporting a construction hard hat. He identified as a registered Democrat, but said I want any politician that will lower taxes saying taxes and inflation have taken a big bite out of his budget and benefits checks.

 Chase DiFeliciantonio

At a watch party organized by Vice President Kamala Harris' sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, the mood was overall upbeat despite early returns showing Donald Trump favored to win the seven battleground states. But by 8 p.m., some supporters were beginning to express doubt. Aaron Phipps, an Oakland resident, was sitting at the bar with his eyes glued to an election map on his laptop. He said he was not yet worried but feeling cautious and stressed. He noted the length of time it will take to count ballots in different parts of the country. Its a close race, he said.

 Susie Neilson

Kamala Harris won California (54 electoral votes) and Washington (12), while Donald Trump won Idaho (4).

Burbank Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat, won the race to become Californias next senator Tuesday, defeating Republican Steve Garvey.

He will replace Sen. Laphonza Butler, who was appointed to the Senate by Gov. Gavin Newsom after the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Butler, who opted not to run for the seat, will continue in her role until November.

 Sophia Bollag

Sarah McBride is set to become the first openly transgender member of Congress after beating Republican John Whalen III to represent Delawares at-large House district. The Democratic state senator and LGBTQ activist easily defeated Whalen after raising millions in campaign contributions from around the country, the Associated Press reported. McBride will become the first openly transgender person to serve in Congress when she is sworn in.

The polls are closed in California, and results are starting to come in.

Several hoax bomb threats targeted precincts in Democratic strongholds around the Atlanta metro area on Tuesday, leading officials to extend voting hours at some polling places. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told reporters Tuesday evening that the bomb threats did not impact the states vote tallies. The FBI was investigating bomb threats to polling locations in several states, but said none were credible.

Emotions at Kamala Harris election night party in Washington, D.C., were anxious but still hopeful Tuesday night as results slowly rolled in from the Midwest and East Coast swing states.

Everybody here wants to feel really optimistic about this election, but were just left on this cliffhanger, so were just trying to get through it right now, Howard University student Malik Rolle said.

Im honestly feeling incredibly anxious, very upset, Janella Laurio, a Howard University student from Colorado, told the Chronicle. I wasnt expecting to be coming here tonight with so much anxiety; I had a lot of hope for North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Im not worried, Amber Williams, a doctoral candidate at Howard, said. I was scared a lot, up until today. But I dont know, I feel very calm and I believe that we will be on the right side of this  well end this election on the right side.

 Shira Stein

Trading in the Trump Media & Technology Groups stock was temporarily suspended three times throughout the day Tuesday due to rampant price fluctuations caused by too many shares changing hands at once. At one point, the price dropped 15% in just 15 minutes, Fortune reported. Trump Media, which trades under the stock ticker DJT, is estimated to account for more than half of former President Donald Trumps wealth.

Trinity Place, an 1100-unit rental complex across from U.N. Plaza in San Francisco, is boarded up with fresh plywood on election night, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. J.K. Dineen/The Chronicle

An hour before the polls had closed in San Francisco, Belfor Emergency Services was boarding up the front of Trinity Place at 1177 Market St., an 1,100-unit rental complex across from U.N. Plaza.

Plywood covered a stretch of the building between Seventh and Eighth streets. Its just a precaution in case Trump wins (and) things get ugly, said a Balfor employee. Trinity Place is just to the west of a polling place at Lighthouse for the Blind.

While the fresh plywood stood out, the inactivity on the block is not unusual. The boarded up section is immediately to the east of the vacant Whole Foods, which closed due to crime and safety concerns about a year after opening.

 J.K. Dineen

Voting has concluded in key battleground states  Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona and Nevada  but many votes remain uncounted. The results so far indicate a tight presidential race in each, keeping them all in play as potential factors in determining the election outcome.

Fani Willis, the Georgia prosecutor who charged Donald Trump for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election, was elected to a second term, the Associated Press reported. Willis secured a second four-year term as district attorney for Fulton County, encompassing the greater Atlanta area.

Donald Trump won Texas (40 electoral votes), Ohio (17), Utah (6 electoral votes), Montana (4) and Missouri (10), all Republican strongholds. Kamala Harris won Colorado (10 electoral votes).

California voters are deciding the fate of 10 ballot measures, including the crime-focused measure Prop 36. The initiative would increase punishments for people caught stealing property or possessing drugs at least three times by allowing prosecutors to charge those offenses as felonies, which could add years of jail time to sentences for those crimes. It would partially roll back criminal justice reforms voters passed in 2014 that downgraded drug possession and thefts worth less than $950 from felonies to misdemeanors.

Supporters of Prop 36 say the increased punishments are necessary to hold people accountable when they commit crimes. Opponents point out that to fund increased jail costs, the measure will cut funding for drug treatment and rehabilitation programs that have been shown to make people less likely to commit crimes in the first place.

Read more about Prop 36 here.

 Sophia Bollag

On election night, you can find the San Francisco mayoral candidates at the following locations: Daniel Lurie will be hosting his election event at the Chapel, 777 Valencia St., at 8 p.m. Mark Farrells gathering will take place at Campus, 2241 Chestnut St., beginning at 8 p.m. Aaron Peskin will be at Bimbos 365, at 1025 Columbus Ave., also starting at 8 p.m. Mayor London Breed will be at Little Skillet, 360 Ritch St., with festivities starting at 8:30 p.m.

Proposition 33 could be the final push for rent control from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation if a related ballot measure passes. Prop 33 would revoke state limitations on cities ability to implement rent control. Polling shows the measure is facing a tight race. This is the third version of this measure on the ballot for California voters since 2018. Michael Weinstein, the president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a Los Angeles-based organization serving HIV and AIDS patients, has been the primary backer of the propositions, which have previously failed. Though the measure has split Dems, YIMBYs are opposed to it.

If Prop 34 passes, restricting certain health care providers spending to direct patient care, AIDS Healthcare Foundation would likely be one of the only groups affected. The measure would prohibit the group from using funds  like the millions of dollars they have donated to Yes on 33  on political campaigns. But if voters pass Prop 34, a legal battle is almost certain to follow over whether the measure, which opponents have called a revenge initiative, is constitutional.

 Molly Burke

Donald Trump has won Wyoming (3 electoral votes), Louisiana (8), South Dakota (3), North Dakota (3) and Nebraska, while Kamala Harris picked up New York (28),

The number of San Francisco voters registered for this years election is about the same as the count from 2020, though more voters requested Chinese-language ballots.

About 521,000 San Francisco residents were registered to vote as Monday, just a few hundred fewer than the number registered on the same day in 2020, according to data from the San Francisco Department of Elections. Roughly 498,000 San Franciscians registered to vote for the November 2022 election.

The number of residents requesting a bilingual ballot in English and Chinese increased slightly, from 29,300 in 2020 to 30,300 in 2024. The count of registered Republicans and registered Democrats rose by about 4,500 voters each, while the number of those who didnt select a party fell by about 14,000 people.

In California, all active registered voters receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November election. While the regular voter registration deadline was in late October, eligible voters can still register to vote at a polling location and receive a provisional ballot.

 Christian Leonard

The New York Times has launched its election prediction needle, a live forecast that estimates the outcome of the presidential race. The forecast is based on pre-election data, the votes reported so far and an estimate of the remaining votes. Early results indicate that the election is likely to be very close.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi expressed confidence on Tuesday that, regardless of the outcome of the presidential race, Democrats will reclaim control of the House of Representatives. I do believe that we will win the House, that Hakeem will be speaker, the San Francisco congresswoman said in an interview with PBS. It is necessary from the standpoint of our policies, but also in terms of our democracy that, on January 6, just as I had the gavel last time, its important for him to have the gavel to make sure that the election is accepted by the Congress of the United States.

Donald Trump has won Mississippi (6 electoral votes), Alabama (9), Arkansas (6), Oklahoma (7), Tennessee (11), Florida (30) and South Carolina (9)  all solidly Republican states. Kamala Harris has won Illinois (19 electoral votes), New Jersey (14), Maryland (10), Connecticut (7), Massachusetts (11) and Rhode Island (4)  states where Democrats dominate.

Eight candidates are vying for four seats on the seven-member Board of Trustees at City College of San Francisco, a community college of 44,000 students with multiple campuses across the city, from Chinatown to the Bayview. The current board ran afoul of state accreditors, who placed the school on warning this year for three governance violations, including neglecting the long-term fiscal health of the school. The trustees have until March 1 to show how they will fix the problems.

City College needs to attract thousands of new students. Without them, its state funding will remain at the current level for years to come. Thats the essence of the leadership dispute dividing the school: Should City College live within its means and expand only when more students show up? Or should it push for more enrollment by rehiring laid-off faculty, raising pay and restoring class cuts?

Burlingame lawyer Joe Cotchett, whose storied career has included cases against the Trump administration and the Ku Klux Klan, said hes had his workers knocking on doors in Arizona and Nevada for Kamala Harris, and now that zero hour has arrived, Im confident Harris will win.

He fully anticipates that Donald Trump will claim the election was rigged if he loses, but he doubts the former president will be able to mount a formidable effort to overturn the election. The difference this time is that hes not in charge like last time, he said.

Its hard to believe what comes out of Trumps mouth, Cotchett said Tueday at the traditional Johns Grill election lunch in San Francisco, which drew thousands of bigwigs and regular folks alike for free food and gossip on Tuesday. Ive never seen anything like it in my life. We need to defeat this guy.

 Kevin Fagan

Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar expressed concern with a high rate of rejected ballots in the states most populous counties, home to Reno and Las Vegas, the New York Times reported. Aguilar said that one group was dealing with a particularly high rate: young voters.

Aguilar pointed to inconsistent, undeveloped signatures from young people, meaning that many didnt sign their ballot returns similarly to the signatures on file with the DMV.

Kim Alexander, president of the California Voter Foundation, said that young people should look at the signature on their licenses to make sure they match it when finalizing their envelopes. California voters can cure any rejected ballots for signature issues within four weeks of Election Day.

Another big concern for young voters? Understanding the mail system. Most mailboxes have already been collected today, so voters should be sure to return any last-minute mail-in ballots to voting centers  which are open until 8 p.m.  rather than sending them in the mail, to make sure they are received in time and counted.

 Molly Burke

Kamala Harris will hold her election night party at her alma mater, Howard University. Howard, located in Washington, D.C., is an historically Black college known as The Mecca to its Black students and alumni. The campus is where Harris launched her first campaign for freshman class representative, her failed 2020 presidential campaign and gave her first speech of the 2024 campaign.

I have so many fond memories as a student at The Mecca, and I recognize that my time at Howard shaped me into the person I am today. At Howard, we learn that we have the capacity to be great and also that we have the responsibility to work hard to live up to that potential each day, Harris wrote Oct. 19 in a letter to student newspaper the Hilltop.

Former President Donald Trump will hold his election night party at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., near his Mar-a-Lago Club.

 Shira Stein

Elon Musk announced on X Spaces that he plans to remain actively involved in American politics after Tuesdays election and that his super PAC would weigh in heavily in upcoming campaigns. America PAC is going to keep going after this election  and preparing for the midterms and any intermediate elections, as well as looking at elections at the district attorney and sort of judicial levels, Musk said.

Donald Trump won West Virginia for the third consecutive election, gaining four electoral votes. The state lost one electoral vote due to the 2020 census. Trump won every county in 2016 and 2020, and no Democrat has won the state since Bill Clinton in 1996.

Laura Girvin pauses filling in her ballot in a voting booth as she holds 2-month-old Sierra in a carrier and talks to her son Brooks, 2, at a polling place at Accion Latina on Tuesday in San Francisco. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

The parking lot was full at the Zayante Fire Department, which transformed into a polling place for residents in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Dozens of voters gathered inside the volunteer firehouse and were offered the option to vote on a paper ballot or electronic tablet.

Jen and Ben Haid, Ben Lomond residents, reflected after they cast their votes with their nearly 5-year-old daughter in tow. The couple both voted for Kamala Harris.

Jen Haid said it was especially important that their daughter accompanied them. We feel proud to bring our daughter here to vote, to show her what it means as a family, Haid said. With whats at stake and the overturning of Roe two years ago, I think it definitely sets an example.

 Hannah Hagemann

As voters filled out their ballots on Tuesday, public safety was likely to be top of mind, according to a Chronicle poll. 34% of respondents said that crime and public safety was their top priority this election  the highest share of any of the issues, which also included housing affordability, homelessness, transportation and the economy.

Donald Trump won Kentuckys 8 electoral votes and Indianas 11 electoral votes. Kamala Harris won Vermonts 3 electoral votes. See the election results map.



Polls closed at 7 p.m. ET in Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Vermont and parts of Indiana and Kentucky, as well as most of Florida. However, five Fulton County locations stayed open longer due to evacuation delays from threats. The next round of polls closes at 7:30 p.m. ET.

In preparation for potential election night protests, several businesses in downtown Oakland boarded up their storefronts Tuesday. While large-scale demonstrations did not occur in Oakland after the 2020 election, the city saw significant unrest following Donald Trumps 2016 victory, including vandalism and arson. The FBI said it is monitoring threats nationwide, with the San Francisco office establishing a regional command post. We bring in our partners so that we can address information, intelligence and threats that come in and we can disseminate that information to the key partners, which is state and local officials around the United States, an FBI spokesperson said in a statement shared by KGO TV.

Local law enforcement, including the Oakland Police Department, is also ramping up security. We are providing extra staffing to facilitate peoples rights to peaceful gatherings and to address any crime-related incidents, the agency said in a statement.

In Palm Beach, Fla., on Election Day, former President Donald Trump expressed confidence in his chances for the 2024 election while casting his vote, calling his campaign the best hes run. He anticipated a strong Republican turnout and insisted there would be no violence post-election. Of course, there will be no violence. My supporters are not violent people, Trump said. These are people that believe in no violence, unlike your question. You believe in violence.

When asked if this would be his final campaign, Trump replied, I would think so. Elon Musk, a major backer of Trumps re-election, will join him at Mar-a-Lago for election night. Meanwhile, a man was arrested at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center after authorities discovered he smelled like fuel, had a torch & a flare gun, leading to the centers closure for the day.

Polls have closed in parts of Indiana and Kentucky, with voting set to end at 7 p.m. Eastern in six additional states, including the battleground Georgia. Voter turnout appears strong in what both parties consider a critical election. While some minor technical issues were reported, there were no widespread voting problems.

With five of the eight City Council seats up for election, Oakland voters have a chance to change the citys direction. Three incumbents are leaving the council, which has been dominated by a progressive majority over the past two years. Rebecca Kaplan, who represents the entire city; Dan Kalb, who represents North Oakland; and Treva Reid, who represents parts of East Oakland, are leaving their seats open. A recent poll by the Oakland Chamber of Commerce found that 75% of the 702 respondents  nearly 10% more than a previous chamber poll  felt Oakland was headed in the wrong direction.

Follow the races with our live election results page for Oakland.

 Sarah Ravani

Evelyn Reuss finds a space to fill out her ballot on the floor at the San Francisco County Fair Building on Election Day. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

The New York Times political analysis team said on Tuesday it is uncertain whether it will be able to publish the needle  a data-driven election tracker  due to ongoing strikes by the Tech Guild. While the strike doesnt directly impact the model itself, it affects the infrastructure needed to run and publish the data, according to Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst. With the models complexity and potential for bugs, theres a possibility it wont be ready for public release. Instead, findings will likely be shared through written reports and charts on the NYT website, with minimal updates via social media.

Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown said he was very confident that the vice president would win the election. She wins. Im celebrating already, Brown said, standing outside Johns Grill greeting a never-ending stream of attendees at the annual event he helped host. Brown said this years luncheon is the largest hes attended. Its much larger than anything Ive ever seen, he said. The crowd at this years luncheon drew more civilians than in past years, Brown said. In the past, these events have been dominated by people connected to the press, politics, advertisement, donations, Brown said. You look around here, thats not the case today. The case today is just people, ordinary people, becoming part of the political scene.

 Maliya Ellis

Alameda County voters will decide whether to recall District Attorney Pamela Price, who has faced criticism for her criminal justice reform efforts. Elected less than two years ago, Price promised to reduce incarceration rates, particularly for young Black men, but her approach has drawn backlash amid rising crime and her refusal to seek harsher charges in several cases. Despite the relentless opposition, over-the-top scrutiny, and criticism of every decision, I have been keeping my promises, Price said in a last-minute plea Tuesday. I have not wavered in my commitment to racial justice, gender justice, youth rehabilitation, holding rogue police and prosecutors accountable, and ending both gun violence and mass incarceration.

Read more about the recall vote here.

For the first time, 16- and 17-year-old students in Oakland and Berkeley can vote in their school board elections during the 2024 elections. About 1,200 students are registered to vote. Voters in both cities years ago approved the right for teens to vote in school board elections but this is the first election where it takes effect. On Tuesday, voters in Albany will decide whether to give 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in their school board elections.

 Aidin Vaziri

I am feeling optimistic and confident with respect to my race, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins told the Chronicle outside Johns Grill Tuesday. Jenkins said her re-election would let her see this mission through of making San Francisco a place where people could feel safe and be safe in reality. Jenkins was challenged by Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Ryan Khojasteh, a former deputy prosecutor under Jenkins.

But Jenkins said she was nervous for the results of the presidential race. I think its going to be a tight one, so were just holding our breath. Jenkins said Harris political roots as one of her predecessors in the role of San Franciscos district attorney absolutely gave this election special meaning for her.

I never would have imagined myself being elected on this, let alone holding a position that started the career of hopefully our future first female president of the United States, Jenkins said.

 Maliya Ellis

In one Northern California county, a surge in election-related harassment has led to an exodus of election workers. Tensions escalated in the Shasta County elections office when self-appointed observers allegedly began scrutinizing staff closely, even following them into break rooms and attempting to enter offices. These aggressive tactics, aimed at uncovering alleged voter fraud fomented by former President Donald Trumps false claims that the election was stolen, prompted Tanner Johnson, an account clerk, to resign. He was one of 10 employees to leave, citing harassment and invasive surveillance. They want to catch us in a lie, Johnson told CalMatters. Im not going to be a martyr for $19.60 an hour.

Read more about whats happening with Shasta County election workers here.

Mayor Sheng Thao is facing a recall after less than two years in office. The last time a politician faced a recall in Oakland was more than 100 years ago and it was unsuccessful. The effort to recall Thao started shortly after she took office when she fired popular Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong for mishandling two officer misconduct investigations.

Recall supporters blame Thao for what they say is an uptick in crime, although data shows some crime has fallen. If Thao is recalled, the City Council president would become interim mayor until a special election occurs. More information on how the recall works can be found here.

 Sarah Ravani

San Francisco Mayor London Breed stands next to a cutout of Kamala Harris as Breed visits with staff and volunteers at the S.F. Democratic County Central Committee headquarters on Tuesday. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

San Francisco Mayor London Breed is locked in a tough reelection fight against four main challengers who argue that she hasnt made enough progress on improving the citys most serious challenges around drug dealing, homelessness, property crime and downtowns struggling economy. Polls have shown Breed is in danger of losing her job, but shes been making a big push to win over skeptical voters in the campaigns final days.

At a rally last week where she delivered her closing argument of the race, Breed pointed to her administrations work to expand the homeless shelter system and build more housing. She also cited the citys declining crime reports, even as she acknowledged that she was not saying we are where we need to be on public safety.

We have laid the foundation, and a lot of the things that we worked together to put into place are finally starting to work, Breed said.



 J.D. Morris

On Tuesday, Emily Baden was joined by her husband, son, mother and mother-in-law to cast her vote in-person for the first time as a California resident.

Before moving to San Francisco, Baden and her husband were neighbors with conservative Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in Alexandria, Va. A neighborhood dispute between Baden and Alitos wife after the 2020 election made national news earlier this year.

Casting her vote at a neighborhood polling place in the garage of a Mission District building, Baden, 40, became emotional when asked how she felt.

I feel great today because I know that I did everything in my power to prevent a dictator from taking office, she said through tears, referring to Donald Trump. And if he does get elected, if he continues to literally change the fabric of this country I did everything that I could to try and stop that, she added.

 Jessica Flores and Maliya Ellis

Thousands flocked to Johns Grill Tuesday for the historic restaurants Election Day luncheon in a record turnout for the annual event.

The line for the free luncheon stretched down Ellis Street and around Powell Street just before 11:30 a.m., when the event was slated to begin.

By 12:10 p.m., 1,000 people had already helped themselves to the buffet, according to Lee Houskeeper, an organizer. As of 1 p.m., Housekeeper said the event was in track to surpass its previous record of 4,000 attendees, set last October. More than 4,000 people attended the luncheon, Houskeeper said

The mood was celebratory and excitement was palpable. The George Washington High School marching band played crowd favorites, like Sweet Caroline, and then a DJ took over, spinning beats beneath the restaurants green awning.

Most attendees sported I Voted stickers and many held signs or wore merchandise supporting mayoral candidates or the Harris-Walz campaign. A person holding a rainbow parasol, rainbow feather boa, and bedazzled pink sunglasses shouted Lets go, Kamala! A woman held a giant cardboard sign with a painted image of Mayor London Breeds face.

Former mayor Willie Brown shook hands and posed for pictures by the restaurants entrance; District Attorney Brooke Jenkins made her way through the crowd, greeting attendees. Some attendees said they saw Daniel Lurie make a brief appearance at the event.

 Maliya Ellis

San Franciscos mayoral election will have far more voters than previous races because of a 2022 ballot measure that moved mayoral contests from odd-numbered years to even-numbered presidential election years.

The measure was intended to boost turnout, and that much is guaranteed, but no one knows how it will impact the outcome of the race. Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin hopes the larger electorate will draw more left-leaning voters, allowing him to become the citys first progressive mayor in more than three decades. But the race also became historically expensive, and that may benefit a more moderate candidate with a bigger campaign war chest such as Mayor London Breed, nonprofit founder Daniel Lurie or former interim mayor Mark Farrell. Lurie, an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, spent millions of dollars of his own money on his campaign  far outpacing the rest of the field.

 J.D. Morris

San Francisco mayoral candidate Mark Farrell has agreed to pay a record $108,179 settlement to the citys Ethics Commission over campaign finance violations. The commission claims Farrell improperly transferred $93,000 from his political action committee supporting Proposition D to his mayoral campaign. While PACs can accept unlimited donations, campaign committees are restricted to individual contributions of $500 or less. The settlement marks one of the largest ethics penalties in San Francisco history, punctuating a mayoral campaign dogged by ethics concerns. Read more here about Farrells fine.

Mayoral candidate Daniel Lurie claps with his wife, Becca, after casting his ballot at a polling station in San Francisco City Hall during Election Day. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

San Francisco mayoral candidate Daniel Lurie, a nonprofit founder who led the Chronicles final poll of the mayoral race last month, dropped off his mail-in ballot at a City Hall ballot box late Tuesday morning. He was joined by his wife, Becca Prowda, who works for Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Lurie is an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune whos spent millions of dollars of his own money trying to unseat Mayor London Breed and defeat three other prominent challengers to her reelection bid. If Lurie prevails in the race, hed be the first San Francisco mayor in more than a century to have never served in government before his election. Breed, for her part, already cast her vote at City Hall on Halloween.

Breed donned a white suffragist costume, paying homage to those who fought for womens right to vote, as she dropped off her mail-in ballot at a drop box, according to a video her campaign shared on social media.

 J.D. Morris

The FBI is investigating bomb threats targeting polling sites across multiple states, many originating from Russian email domains.

While none of the threats have been deemed credible, the FBI said it is making election security a priority: We will continue to work closely with our state and local law enforcement partners to respond to any threats to our elections and to protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote, the agency said in a statement Tuesday. It was not immediately clear whether any threats had been made at California polling places.

A handful of California races are key to Democrats hope of flipping control of the House of Representatives. In the Central Valley, two Democratic former Assembly members are challenging incumbent Republican members of Congress. Rudy Salas and Rep. David Valadao are locked in a tight race for the seat surrounding Bakersfield, while Adam Gray and Rep. John Duarte are neck-and-neck in the 13th District just to the north. Other races in potentially flippable Southern California districts will be closely watched by both parties.

In the Bay Area, two House districts are facing tighter contests between Democrats. Evan Low and Sam Liccardo are both vying for outgoing Rep. Anna Eshoos seat, while Lateefah Simon and Jennifer Tran are seeking to replace retiring Rep. Barbara Lee.

 Molly Burke

A voting center in Alameda County, located at the Joaquin Miller Center in Oakland, was closed Tuesday due to a red flag warning. Voters were redirected to Vote Center No. 72 at Montera Middle School.

A 24-hour drop box is also available at Woodminster Market. The closure was unrelated to PG&Es planned power outages, which the utility said is unlikely to affect polls. For more information, visit the countys election website.

A poll commissioned by the Chronicle conducted in October found that nonprofit founder Daniel Lurie was pulling ahead of Mayor London Breed and the other prominent competitors in the mayor race.

Roughly 23% of likely voters said Lurie was their top pick for mayor, nearly identical to the 24% who said the same of Breed. But when accounting for voters second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-place picks  reflecting San Franciscos ranked-choice voting system  Lurie led Breed 56% to 44% in the final tally.

The poll, conducted Oct. 15-16, surveyed 802 likely voters and had a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

Kamala Harris spent the morning of Election Day calling into drive-time radio stations in swing states to encourage people to vote, her campaign said in a statement. She called stations in all seven swing states, including Power 99 in Philadelphia, KDKA NewsRadio in Pittsburgh, V103 Atlanta, Foxy 107.2 in Raleigh, 101.7 The Truth in Milwaukee, KCEP in Las Vegas and Radio Campesina Network in Phoenix.

Harris said her first order of business if elected would be focused on bringing down the cost of living. I have a package of plans that address that. Everything from what we need to do to create, for example of first-time national ban on corporate price gouging on groceries, what we can do around tax credits for young families, tax credits and support for small businesses, including what we can do around a $25,000 down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, Harris told KDKA NewsRadio.

Harris will do additional interviews throughout the day, campaign staff said. She told KDKA she plans to have dinner with her family and then go to her election night party at her alma mater, Howard University, in Washington D.C.

 Shira Stein

Phone banking at Kamala Harriss San Francisco headquarters was briefly disrupted Monday afternoon when four Donald Trump supporters, clad in the former presidents gear, attempted to enter Harriss Market Street offices.

The headquarters was busy with volunteers making calls urging voters to support Harris when, according to San Francisco Democratic Party chair Nancy Tung, the group of Trump backers showed up trying to change the minds of those present.

One of the individuals was identified as Danny Mullen, a right-wing YouTuber known for his provocative stunts. Tung said she and others confronted the group and asked them to leave, but they refused, escalating the situation into a tense shouting match.

In a video shared on the San Francisco Standards X account, Tung can be seen pulling one of the HQ volunteers away from a Trump supporter as the confrontation grew more heated. Eventually, the group left, but the incident underscored for Tung the increasingly charged atmosphere of this election cycle.

Im not blind to the fact theres political violence even in our democracy and that theres extremists that might choose to target the headquarters, Tung said. Its a stunt by a guy whos an online provocateur and its not the first time hes come to S.F. and tried to get a rise out of people.

Mullen has gained notoriety for videos posted on his YouTube channel, which include videos titled things like Walking the Tenderloin at Night and San Francisco is a DISASTER, which criticize Democrats for their handling of citys issues.

 Aldo Toledo

National results will begin dropping at 4 p.m. PST, as the first polls around the country close. California polls close at 8 p.m.

When are we likely to know who won? The presidential race could get called quickly, or it could take days. In 2020, Joe Biden was reported as the winner on Saturday. This years tight race has everyone predicting that media outlets are likely to be extremely cautious about projecting a winner. The Chronicle uses Associated Press data in our national and state live results page, and if AP calls the race, so will we. If other media outlets  but not the Associated Press  are announcing a winner, we will examine the data to make a decision on whether to report those calls.

Anywhere from 8 to 9 p.m., Bay Area counties will drop their first batches of results. As results come in, the Chronicle will call many local races, including the S.F. mayor race, when we have determined the winner of a measure or race beyond any reasonable doubt. To do this, we use expected turnout information and historical data on how much election outcomes typically change from partial to final results.

Over 7.6 million ballots were cast in California before the final days of voting, but the counting process will take days if not weeks. The uncertainty, heightened by the states universal mail-in voting system, may fuel doubts and conspiracy theories about election integrity. In response, state and local officials are working to reassure the public that all ballots are secure and will be counted accurately.

To enhance transparency, the California Voter Foundation launched an initiative to monitor ballot counting in seven key congressional districts, providing updates on the count and candidate margins starting Tuesday until Dec. 5.

We have more competitive races and narrower margins in California today than we used to, Kim Alexander, the foundations president, said in a statement. In some contests, practically every single ballot must be counted before a winner can be determined.

Officials stress that despite occasional mishaps, there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in California that could affect the outcome.

 Aidin Vaziri

Pacific Gas & Electric is warning 15,000 customers across 17 counties that they may face power outages starting Tuesday due to anticipated high winds and dry conditions. However, only two polling places in Northern California  one in Los Gatos and the other in Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center in Middletown  fall within the outage zone. PG&E clarified that if the power is cut, it will not occur until 9:30 p.m., after polls close. There are 7,000 polling stations in PG&Es service area. The utility company said it is working to minimize disruptions as it prepares for potential outages extending through Thursday in parts of Napa, Sonoma, Contra Costa, Santa Clara and Alameda counties.

 Aidin Vaziri

Need a ride to cast your vote? Uber and Lyft are offering discounts on rideshares to polling places on Election Day. Heres how to take advantage of the offers:

Lyft: Go to the Rewards tab in the app and enter the code VOTE24. When you book a ride to any polling place between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Nov. 5, youll get 50 percent off your ride, bikeshare, or scooter ride, up to a maximum of $10.

Uber: Click the Go Vote tile in the app. Enter your home address and Uber will locate your polling place for you. Youll get 50 percent off your ride there any time on Election Day. The maximum total discounted value is $10, up to a maximum of $10. Uber is also offering 25 percent off food orders made on Election Day after 6 p.m. until 7 a.m. the next day via Uber Eats, up to $15 with a $25 minimum order.

For both apps, the ride discounts only apply on your way to the polls. Getting home is up to you. If youd rather mail in your ballot, you can still do that today.
5 November 2024 11:53 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

The opening of the Global Summit of Religious Leaders has been held in Baku, Azernews reports.

The summit, which took place at the "Gulustan" Palace, was attended by around 30 leaders of world and traditional religions, representing 55 countries and 30 international organizations. These included patriarchs, Vatican and Al-Azhar officials, as well as prominent religious and public figures from various continents and confessions, all internationally recognized.

Having previously hosted the First and Second World Summits of Religious Leaders, Azerbaijans goal for this summit, within the framework of COP 29, is to make a tangible contribution to addressing the issue of climate change from a moral perspective, which is of great significance for the future of our planet.

It should be noted that the Global Summit of Religious Leaders in Baku, held under the slogan "World Religions for a Green Planet," was organized under the initiative and patronage of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Ilham Aliyev. The summits partners include Azerbaijans Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, the Caucasian Muslims Office, the International Council of Muslim Elders, and the UN Environment Programme.

The summit will take place on November 5-6. Additionally, a visit to Azerbaijan's territories liberated from Armenian occupation by foreign guests is also planned.
5 November 2024 12:45 (UTC+04:00)

On November 5, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in the Kyrgyz Republic to attend the 11th Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States, Azernews reports.

A guard of honor was lined up for the Azerbaijani President at Bishkek Manas 2 International Airport.

President Ilham Aliyev was welcomed by Akylbek Zhaparov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Head of the Presidential Administration, along with other officials.
5 November 2024 17:04 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) held a meeting with executives from various banks, convening under the wider Presidium of the Azerbaijan Banks Association, as shared by CBA Chairman Taleh Kazimov on X, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, we reviewed the banking sectors results for the third quarter and discussed medium-term goals. Topics of discussion included the current macroeconomic situation, recent economic indicators, their impact on the financial sector, and feedback from the sector representatives, Kazimov stated.

The meeting also touched on COP29-related matters, addressing the challenges ahead for the financial sector and outlining strategic actions.
5 November 2024 20:18 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

Armenias provocative policies towards Azerbaijan and the claims it has made at international tribunals are some of the biggest obstacles to resolving the conflict between the two countries today. This situation causes serious concern both regionally and internationally. Armenias appeals to international courts and its unfair claims against Azerbaijan reflect its intent to delay peace and create tension in the region.

Especially after the 2020 Patriotic War, Azerbaijan has exposed Armenia's aggressive policies on numerous platforms. However, many international organizations, particularly the UN, OSCE, and others, have ignored the war crimes committed by Armenia and, in many cases, unjustly criticized Azerbaijan, demonstrating that international law and justice are not being properly applied.

This time, the International Court of Justice, which Armenia has appealed to again, already has an archive of groundless complaints from Armenia. For example, in previous years, Armenia brought Azerbaijan before the international court, claiming that Azerbaijan had discriminated against and violated the rights of its Armenian population. In this complaint, Armenia alleged that the rights of the Armenian population were violated during the Garabagh conflict, that they were forcibly displaced from their homes, and that Azerbaijanis had damaged the cultural heritage in the occupied territories.

Interestingly, despite the fact that Azerbaijan has a significant number of Armenian churches and villages, there has not been a single recorded Armenian village or mosque in Armenia. Armenians living in Azerbaijan, like citizens of other different nationalities, live freely, practising their religious rituals and customs. Even during the 2020 Patriotic War, Armenians in Baku, as a community, appealed to Catholicos II Garegin, the world Armenians, and the Armenians living in Garabagh, urging them to call for an end to the occupation of Azerbaijani lands.

The International Court of Justice rejected Armenia's baseless claims in 2021. In 2023, Armenia again appealed to the International Court of Justice, complaining about the "illegal" activities at the Lachin border crossing point. The International Court of Justice unanimously rejected this demand as well. This situation shows that the International Court of Justice carefully investigates the claims and makes appropriate decisions by comparing the positions of both countries. It is clear that Armenias appeals and actions at the Court are, in fact, intended to spread false information to the international community regarding the conflict in the South Caucasus and Armenian provocations. Armenia tries to use such courts to strengthen its position in international law, but such positions are harder to be validated and accepted by the world. This is because numerous international documents and information about war crimes have already exposed Armenias illegal actions in Azerbaijans territories.

The International Court of Justice, through its decisions regarding the conflict, calls on both parties to comply with certain obligations and to act under international law. However, the impact of these decisions is not sufficiently effective in bringing long-term and comprehensive peace, as some international bodies still ignore Armenias crimes. This continues to create a significant injustice for Azerbaijan.

On November 12, the International Court of Justice will publish its next response to Armenias claims. The day before, the COP29 event will begin in Azerbaijan. It is regrettable that on such a significant day, Armenian hypocrisy will again take the spotlight.

International events like COP29 provide important opportunities to maintain the stability of Azerbaijan and the entire region. On such platforms, more effort should be made to represent the truth and justice. It is crucial for international organizations, especially on human rights issues, to adopt a more objective and just approach, because the atrocities committed by Armenians in Azerbaijan have, in fact, turned into a massive humanitarian tragedy, and this issue must be brought to the attention of the international community for a long time.

The Armenian side, which accuses Azerbaijan and cannot digest the victory of the Azerbaijani army in Garabagh, must not forget that, along with its moral debts, it will have to pay trillions of dollars in compensation to Azerbaijan.
5 November 2024 15:37 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The program of events for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has been announced, Azernews reports citing the official website of COP29.

The program includes sessions and seminars planned for the Blue and Green zones.

It was noted that the program features various sessions, workshops, and keynote speeches on topics such as climate action, sustainability, and global partnerships.

You can familiarize yourself with the program here: [COP29 Program]

It is important to note that the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be held in Azerbaijan in just a few days. This decision was made during the COP28 plenary session in Dubai on December 11 of last year.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, aimed at preventing dangerous human interference with the climate system. The acronym "COP" stands for the "Conference of the Parties," which is the highest decision-making body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Convention.

The Convention has 198 parties, and COP meetings are typically held annually unless the parties decide otherwise. The first COP took place in Berlin in March 1995, and the UNFCCC Secretariat is based in Bonn, Germany.
5 November 2024 17:58 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Gobustan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located near Baku, Azerbaijan, is a remarkable place that highlights our rich history and culture. Famous for its stunning rock formations and ancient carvings, Gobustan provides a fascinating look at the lives of the people who lived there thousands of years ago.

These petroglyphs, which depict various aspects of early human life, reveal the struggles and celebrations of our ancestors and their connection to the environment.

An infotour has organized for students at Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of this remarkable site,

The tour began with an overview of the reserve, followed by an introduction to the museum located within the complex. Faiq Ismayilov, an employee of the Institute of History and Ethnology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, emphasized the importance of preserving historical and cultural monuments, stating, "They are the guides to our past and future. The historical and cultural monuments are a national treasure, and protecting them is everyone's duty. I am very glad to see that young people show great interest in our ancient monuments."

Rza Alakbarzada, the project executor of the "Protect Your Cultural Heritage" initiative, underlined that the project involves various infotours to Gobustan State Historical and Artistic Reserve, Mardakan and Ramana castles, the Pir Hussein shrine, and other outdoor museums with the participation of around 40 university students. He elaborated on the project's goals, which include promoting and protecting the country's rich historical and cultural heritage, enhancing practical knowledge in this field, strengthening the national human resource potential, and supporting the education of the younger generation.

Nazrin Heydarova, a student at the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University and the chair of the CreArt cultural club under the Ministry of Culture, stated that the event is a significant tool for showcasing our cultural heritage to the world. She highlighted that "the rock carvings of Gobustan are a vivid example of Azerbaijan's ancient cultural heritage and historical richness. They have played a significant role in the formation of Azerbaijani culture. It is our duty to preserve Gobustan's historical heritage and pass this richness on to future generations."

Participants of the infotour left the reserve with positive impressions after getting to know the Gobustan monuments closely, underscoring the importance of initiatives like this for fostering awareness and appreciation of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage.

Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve

Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve is a destination that should be at the top of any history buff's list.

The area has been inhabited for thousands of years and boasts over 600,000 distinct paintings, ranging from 20,000 years old to as recent as 5,000 years ago. In 2007, Gobustan was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Among the 6,000 drawings found in Gobustan are petroglyphs - stone and iron-age figures depicting hunting scenes, ceremonies, and rituals.

The famous explorer Thor Heyerdahl investigated the Gobustan petroglyphs and concluded that the oldest known images of a pirogue boat are found there.

He also made a sensational hypothesis about a connection between Norwegians and Azerbaijanis, suggesting that the ancestors of Scandinavians migrated from Azerbaijan.

Most of the rock engravings in Gobustan depict primitive men, animals, battle scenes, and other cultural practices.

In addition to the petroglyphs, visitors can see the musical gemstone known as Gaval Dash, which produces a tambourine-like sound when struck in various places.

Many Azerbaijani musicians have used Gaval Dash to create wonderful music pieces.

The musical stone and the Yall chain dance were also featured in the interval act of the semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 held in Baku.

There is also a stone slab with a Latin inscription from the first century, left behind by the 12th Roman legion of Emperor Domitian, indicating their stay in the area.

Gobustan has been granted national status since 2006. The reserve's main goal is to safeguard the ancient rock carvings and burial mounds found in the area.

Every year, this awe-inspiring open-air museum attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.
5 November 2024 17:18 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

A meeting was held between the Office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, Azernews reports.

A meeting was held between the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Ombudsman) and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population on the topic of joint cooperation in addressing citizens' complaints and ensuring social rights more effectively.

The meeting was attended by Hidayt Abdullayev, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Aydn Sfixanl, Head of the Ombudsmans Office, as well as the heads of the relevant structural departments of both institutions and other responsible officials.

During the meeting, a wide exchange of views took place on issues such as investigating complaints received by both institutions regarding the provision of social rights, jointly solving problems in this area, ensuring citizen satisfaction, legal awareness initiatives, and several other matters.

In conclusion, it was emphasized that to ensure more effective cooperation in these areas, it is necessary to improve the existing information exchange between the institutions and to conduct awareness-raising activities on the promotion of human rights.
5 November 2024 16:33 (UTC+04:00)

Full digital access to all news for 1 year

Full digital access to all news for 6 months

Full digital access to all news for 3 months

Full digital access to all news for 1 month

Find the plan that suits you best.

Georgia's imported natural gas from Azerbaijan in the January-September period of 2024 has been disclosed.

Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.

Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.

By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.

Subscribe

You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper

Thank you!
5 November 2024 19:15 (UTC+04:00)

Full digital access to all news for 1 year

Full digital access to all news for 6 months

Full digital access to all news for 3 months

Full digital access to all news for 1 month

Find the plan that suits you best.

Azerbaijan's export of crude oil and oil products to Tunisia saw a substantial surge in January-September this year, Azernews reports.

Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.

Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.

By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.

Subscribe

You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper

Thank you!
5 November 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

Germany will give Ukraine an additional 200 million euros before winter.

Azernews reports, citing RBC Ukraine that German Foreign Minister Annalena Barbok said this during her visit to Kyiv.

According to him, the funds will be used to increase the emergency humanitarian aid allocated by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so that houses near the front line and without power supply can get fuel. Ukrainians will be equipped with everything they need, especially blankets.

At the same time, the minister claimed that almost two-thirds of Ukraine's energy infrastructure was destroyed.

It is noteworthy that Germany is Ukraine's second-largest arms supplier after the United States.
Xi congratulates Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu on election as Fijian president

Xinhua) 13:03, November 05, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday congratulated Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu on election as Fijian president.

In his congratulatory message, Xi said that Fiji was the first Pacific island country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 49 years ago, the two countries have made substantial progress in their relations, improved the wellbeing of the two peoples and promoted peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large, he said.

The Chinese president said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Fiji relations and stands ready to work with Lalabalavu to promote the sustained, sound, and steady development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
People fill the Comstock Saloon in San Francisco. The popular bar offers free lunch on Fridays. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

If I had to choose my favorite meal of the week, Friday lunch would be a top contender. Zuni and Palm City are charmed places to get the weekend started early with a burger or hoagie and a glass of wine. But they both have a downside: Lunch isnt free.

This is true of most places, in my experience, which is why Comstock Saloons free lunch Fridays are so alluring. I had heard rumors of this weekly special, but as I scanned the menu on a recent visit, I saw no mention of it. Were here for the free lunch, I half whispered to co-owner Jonny Raglin, worried I had been punked. We have that, he replied.

Raglin has been serving free (with purchase of two drinks) lunch for 14 years, but the tradition of San Francisco bars offering a gratis meal dates back to at least the late 19th century. A Chronicle article from 2009 references a survey from the 1890s of 4,500 saloons and bars. Almost all of them provided free lunches that ranged from bologna, cheese, bread, steamed clams and chowder at joints along the waterfront to clam chowder, clam fritters, frijoles, ham, tongue, chopped beef, pigs feet, shrimp salad, chicken salad, sandwiches of all kinds, roast beef, roast mutton, baked salmon trout, strawberry shortcake, lemon pie, green onions, radishes, olives, celery, ginger snaps, wine crackers, Saratoga chips and apple and banana fritters at upscale establishments on Market Street.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The free lunch at Comstock Saloon, which recently landed on my colleague Esther Mobleys list of the best cocktail bars in the Bay Area, isnt roast mutton, but it isnt bologna on a roll either. Each Friday morning on Instagram, the bar posts a photo of chef Manuel Interian, a winning smile on his face, proudly proffering the days special. Recent lunches have included lemon pepper wings with green papaya salad, stuffed shiitake mushrooms and chicken chow mein. If Interian is cooking a specialty of his home state of Yucatan or Vietnamese food (he used to work at Turtle Tower, renowned for its pho), Raglin advises clearing your Friday afternoon schedule.

On the Friday I visited, Interian was serving an autumnal fettuccine alfredo, the creamy ribbons punctuated by cubes of sweet butternut squash. The dish needed salt, but after a shaker was procured, it was perfectly pleasant, and did I mention it was free?

Fettuccine alfredo with butternut squash at Comstock Saloon. MacKenzie Chung Fegan / The Chronicle

As for the two drinks, the fizzy, bourbon-based Cherry Bounce, a favorite of Esthers, would be an excellent way to kick off the weekend. But wine, beer and nonalcoholic cocktails also count toward the minimum. Since I was on deadline, I ordered a salted honey phosphate ($10), a bracingly sour soda balanced by sweet and salt, and a house-made blueberry and ginger kombucha ($11), served with a twist in a flute.

Had I stopped there, my total for lunch, not including tax and tip, would have come to $21  a pretty great deal for a bowl of pasta and two fancy bevs in a beautifully preserved, historic establishment. But, in the mood to linger at the handsome mahogany bar with punkah fans swirling overhead, we also ordered a starter of chicken liver mousse ($16) and a side of brussels sprouts ($15) roasted with fish sauce. Other patrons, including about a dozen folks who appeared to be local bartenders, clapping one another on the back and swapping sips of drinks, seemed to have made the same calculation. Friday lunch is no time to rush.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Comstock Saloon. 155 Columbus Ave., San Francisco. comstocksaloon.com
5 November 2024 23:22 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

North Korea has launched several short-range ballistic missiles into the eastern waters, Azernews reports.

The South Korean Armed Forces Headquarters issued a statement confirming the missile launch, which occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time. The General Staff of South Korea reported that North Korea had notified both the United States and Japan about the missile test.

Japan's Coast Guard confirmed that the missile, believed to be ballistic, fell into the sea outside the country's exclusive economic zone, posing no direct threat to Japanese territory.

It is notable that this missile launch coincides with heightened tensions in the region, especially on the eve of the U.S. presidential election. On October 31, North Korea had previously tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-19. In response to this, South Korea, the United States, and Japan conducted joint military drills south of the Korean Peninsula, showcasing their continued military cooperation in the face of North Korea's provocative actions.

This recent missile launch adds to a growing pattern of North Korea's missile tests this year, which have been seen as a response to increased military presence in the region and a demonstration of its growing missile capabilities. The ongoing tensions are closely watched by international analysts, as they could influence not only regional security dynamics but also U.S. foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region leading up to the elections.
5 November 2024 22:48 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

University students in England will have to pay higher tuition fees starting next year, Azernews reports.

Tuition fees, which have remained unchanged for many years, will rise to 9,535 after an 8-year freeze.

Additionally, student housing loans for day-to-day living expenses will increase by 3.2%, providing students with an extra 414 per year in financial support. This increase is intended to help students cover both tuition and living costs.

Nevertheless, the rise in tuition fees is a serious concern in the country. According to a BBC study conducted earlier this year, around 1.8 million people in England have student debt of at least 50,000.

It should be noted that the increase in tuition fees will affect students studying in England, but does not apply to Scottish students studying in Scotland. The Scottish National Party introduced free education in Scotland in 2008. Under this policy, Scottish universities receive funding to cover student tuition costs, making higher education free for Scottish citizens.
5 November 2024 20:18 (UTC+04:00)

The United States has agreed to sell four E-7 long-range radar detection and control aircraft, along with related equipment, to the Republic of Korea for $4.92 billion, Azernews reports .

The agreement was announced by the U.S. State Department and the relevant agency within the Pentagon, which is responsible for supplying military equipment abroad through intergovernmental contracts, strengthening relations between the U.S. military and other nations, and providing financial and technical assistance to Washington's defense partners.

As part of the deal with Seoul, the transfer will include CFM56 jet engines, global positioning systems, radios, digital radar warning receivers, missile attack warning sensors, transponders, as well as personnel training, spare parts, and maintenance.

According to the State Department and the Pentagon, the sale "will enhance the Republic of Korea's ability to counter both current and future threats." U.S. officials have stated that the deal "will not alter the basic military balance" in the region. The document also notes that the sale "will not negatively impact the operational readiness of the U.S. defense system."

Approval for these agreements, as required by U.S. law, has been granted by the State Department. The Washington administration has already notified Congress of its decision, and the legislative branch now has 30 days to review the agreements and potentially block them.
A roll of I Voted stickers at San Francisco City Hall on Oct. 30. If your ballot is rejected it can be fixed in the weeks after Election Day. Haven Daley/Associated Press

Election Day is here, and for the millions of Californians who have already voted, there are steps they can take to make sure their ballots are counted.

After researching and taking time to complete a pages-long ballot, thousands of voters statewide each election have their votes rejected for their signatures, or lack thereof. Whether you forgot to sign your ballot return envelope or signed it in a way that doesnt match previous signatures, your ballot can be fixed in the weeks after the election.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Here is how to make sure your vote is counted.

Mail-in ballots on Election Day

For voters submitting mail-in ballots on Election Day, the safest option for making sure your vote is counted is to drop off the ballot at a voting site before they close at 8 p.m.

Kim Alexander, president of the California Voter Foundation, a nonpartisan voting organization, said that while ballot drop boxes will still be an option for ballot submissions on Tuesday, voters should double check the hours on their chosen drop box to ensure its still open.

For those who intend to mail their ballots, Alexander said to make sure they get it in a mailbox that has not yet been collected for the day. To be counted, ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, meaning they have to be in a mail carriers haul back to the post office before the end of the day. Voters can also mail their ballot directly at their nearest post office to make sure its received in time.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

For those who are farther from home, Alexander recommends taking your ballot to the nearest voting site, even if its in a different county. All California voting officials must forward ballots to the correct precincts to be counted if received by the deadline.

What if your ballot is rejected?

Every election cycle, a portion of ballots across California are rejected. Most of them were turned in late  which cannot be remedied  or had an issue with the signature on the envelope containing the ballot. Luckily for voters, signature problems can be cured by submitting a form sent by their county elections office by Dec. 3.

The quickest way to know if your ballot has a problem is to sign up for ballot tracking through the California Secretary of States website at https://wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov. Voters will be able to see if their ballot has been accepted and counted or if there is a problem that can be addressed.

Voters whose ballots need fixing will also receive a letter from their county elections office, as well as a phone call and email if that information is on file.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

John Arntz, director of the San Francisco Department of Elections, said that the notification should come to voters in English and Chinese, unless they have selected a different secondary language for voting.

Arntz said that the notification includes a form for voters to complete to verify their signature. They can either return it by mail, email or in person to have their vote counted.

Alexander said that signature problems  which affected 394 San Francisco ballots in the March primary election  can affect first-time and younger voters who have not yet developed a regular signature or are unaware that the signature on their ballots will be compared to the signature on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Older voters are also impacted more often by signature problems as their dexterity and handwriting changes with age, making it more difficult to match their previous signatures.

Alexander said that voters have 28 days  based on a new state law implemented this election  to get ballot curing forms back to their county elections office to have their votes counted. Counties will not be able to certify their votes until that deadline passes, Alexander said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

In San Francisco, with ranked-choice voting for mayoral candidates, the cured ballots could end up impacting the final results if the election is neck and neck. Arntz said that the reports put out before he certifies the election are just a snapshot of the votes counted by that moment, but that cured votes submitted by the deadline could change the trajectory of the instant runoff election.

In this years primary election, nearly 1,200 Alameda County voters had fixable signature problems. San Mateo County had over 400, Contra Costa County had over 1,000 and Santa Clara County had nearly 500.

Alexander estimates that only about 50% of those ballots end up being cured and counted, based on a study her organization did of a handful of California counties.

Recently, campaigns have realized in races with razor-thin margins that ballot curing can make a difference, Alexander said. For tight House races in the Central Valley and Southern California, volunteers could be working for weeks after Election Day to get signatures fixed.
The 2024 election is expected to prompt significant health policy changes in the U.S., including on issues such as abortion, drug prices and Medicaid.

Here are five healthcare measures that voters in states across the country have seen on their ballots:

1. Paid sick leave and minimum wage

Voters in Alaska, Missouri and Nebraska are deciding on measures to grant paid sick leave. Currently, 14 states and Washington, D.C., guarantee sick days.

If approved, workers could accrue paid time off, with employees at large organizations in Missouri and Nebraska earning one day of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked for six weeks.

Alaska and Missouri's proposals also include gradually raising the state minimum wage to $15 per hour.

2. Medicaid work requirements

South Dakota's Constitutional Amendment F would allow the state to implement work requirements for individuals eligible for Medicaid, excluding those who are physically or mentally disabled.

According to a pamphlet from the South Dakota secretary of state's office, any proposed work requirements would need federal approval.

The measure would include reasonable exceptions for groups such as students, parents of young children or those with serious health issues, Rep. Tony Venhuizen said in the pamphlet. Opponents argue that some individuals might need to stop working due to illness and could risk losing coverage.

3. Abortion access

Voters in 10 states  including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York and South Dakota  are considering abortion-related measures, CBS News reported Nov. 4.

Arizona's Proposition 139 would establish a "fundamental right" to abortion in the state if passed. Florida's Amendment 4 would repeal its six-week abortion ban, while Missouri's Amendment 3 would amend its constitution to reverse its abortion ban, which currently permits abortion only in medical emergencies.

Nebraska ballots include two measures: one establishing a right to abortion until fetal viability and another limiting abortion in second and third trimesters with exceptions, according to CBS News.

4. Health system sales tax increase

Denver voters are considering Ballot Issue 2Q, which proposes a 0.34% sales tax increase to support Denver Health. The tax increase could generate up to $70 million annually for the system, which has struggled financially.

5. Hospital property tax funding renewal

Voters in Bernalillo County, N.M., will decide whether to renew property tax funding for Albuquerque-based University of New Mexico Hospital.

Residents have supported the measure for 72 years, and approval would extend the levy for another eight years. The levy makes up about 10% of the hospital's budget and helps fund expenses such as supply maintenance and facility cleaning.
Some employees at St. Joseph Medical Center in Houston say they did not receive the correct amount on their Nov. 1 paychecks, or receive them at all, ABC13 reported Nov. 4.

Dallas-based Steward Health Care sought Chapter 11 protection in May. In September, Healthcare Systems of America, an affiliate of Glendale, Calif.-based American Healthcare Systems, assumed operations of eight Steward hospitals, including St. Joseph.

One hospital employee told ABC13 that dozens of staff members either did not receive their paychecks or did not receive the full amount owed.

"Unfortunately, due to a variety of technical issues that developed during the recent management transition away from Steward Health Care, this payroll contained a significant number of errors," Faisal Gill, chief legal officer of American Healthcare Systems, said in a statement shared with Becker's on Nov. 5. "This is completely unacceptable, and we are taking measures to make sure nothing like this can ever happen again  We apologize to everyone who was affected."

Staff members will receive accurate funds for payroll by the end of the day Nov. 5, Mr. Gill confirmed.
With just one month as executive vice president and CFO of Houston Methodist under his belt, Anthony DeFurio has stepped into his new role with a clear vision for the future of the health system.

Mr. DeFurio comes from Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health, where he served as executive vice president and CFO. He succeeded Kevin Burns, who retired at the end of September.

Becker's connected with Mr. DeFurio to discuss his strategies for not only sustaining but elevating the financial health of Houston Methodist, which include a careful balance between leadership style, annual budgeting, fostering collaborations and long-term strategic planning.

Editor's note: Responses have been lightly edited for context and clarity.

Question: Can you provide three financial goals that you have for Houston Methodist in your new role? What strategies do you plan to implement to accomplish these goals?

Anthony DeFurio: Houston Methodist has a long, proud history as one of the nations leading academic medical centers. Our vision is to lead medicine through unparalleled safety, quality, service, and innovation.

Fulfilling this vision requires balancing the clinical, research and teaching missions during both long-term strategic financial planning cycles and annual operating and capital budget development. Partnering with clinical and operational leaders to achieve the goals established during those planning cycles is essential.

Third, making sure that the balance sheet of the organization is healthy and consistent with the longer-term goals of the organization requires leadership from the senior finance team.

Q: What is your leadership style like and how will this help Houston Methodist achieve financial success?

AD: Leading the financial organization of a large academic medical system requires an open and collaborative communication style. It is quite natural in a learning organization to be able to share best practices and develop a shared appreciation for how financial acumen and discipline will continue to support the goals of unparalleled safety, quality, service and innovation.

Additionally, senior finance executives must be intentional about developing their teams and bringing cross-functional thinking to the complex challenges facing the healthcare industry.

Q: What advice do you have for hospital and health system financial leaders looking to get their margins up?

AD: [Financial leaders should be] disciplined about the capital allocation process when facing competing needs for growth capital, partnerships and acquisitions, and innovation will be the key to achieving sustainable margins over time.

Developing a strategic financial plan that is a critical component of the overall strategic plan and vision of the organization is essential. Margin compression has made this discipline more critical than ever.
Gabriel (Gabe) Behling was appointed COO of Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, Neb.

Mr. Behling brings 19 years of experience in the healthcare and energy sectors to the role, according to a news release.

Most recently, he served as director of support services at North Platte, Neb.-based Great Plains Health.
John Tucker will step down from his role as CEO of Paris-based West Tennessee Healthcare Henry County Hospital for a new position in Colorado.

He will remain with West Tennessee Healthcare through mid-December, according to a Nov. 4 system news release shared with Becker's.

Mr. Tucker will become president of Salida, Colo.-based Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center, the release said.

He served as the hospital's first CEO under West Tennessee's management, a transition that was approved by the system's board in July.

Mr. Tucker's leadership was instrumental during a period of significant accomplishments and growth, the release said. He guided key initiatives, such as restructuring service offerings and establishing the lease agreement with West Tennessee Healthcare.
Noel Cervino, president and CEO of University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata, will retire later this year.

Mr. Cervino took the helm in 2009, according to a Nov. 4 news release from the hospital.

Albert Zanger, who has been promoted to senior vice president and chief administrative officer of the hospital, will succeed Mr. Cervino, the release said.

Mr. Zanger joined the hospital in 2019 and most recently served as senior vice president of finance and operations. He has been with University of Maryland Medical System since 2009.

Mohan Suntha, MD, system president and CEO, highlighted Mr. Zanger's leadership in major facility projects, financial performance and advancement of physician services in the release.

Under Mr. Cervino's leadership, Charles Regional Medical Center became part of University of Maryland Medical System in 2011 and improved patient care, financial performance and community outreach, the release said.
In creating new C-suite roles within healthcare, hospitals and health systems have cited reasons as varied as seeing new opportunities for growth or finding gaps in coverage as their motivation.

At least 31 new leadership roles have been added to healthcare organizations since February 2024. Among the new roles are chief health equity officer, chief decarbonization officer and chief experience officer.

Here is why four organizations added new roles to their executive leadership teams.

Greater connection between physician and facility leaders

Mobile, Ala.-based USA Health did not have a systemwide chief medical officer until 2018, said Michael Chang, MD, who currently holds the position.

"As the role evolved and we got the health system used to the concept of a system CMO, we realized that we needed faculty CMOs as well," Dr. Chang told Becker's.

In April, Manimaran Ramani, MD, was named the inaugural chief medical officer of Children's & Women's Hospital. Dr. Chang and Deborah Browning, MSN, RN, CEO of the hospital, saw the benefit of a local leader.

"It became obvious to both her and me that we needed somebody local to the facility that was her partner on the physician side on a daily basis to move the ball forward," he said. "Dr. Ramani is present with her at the daily safety check ins. He meets with her on a regular basis, and they discuss opportunities and issues in each of the CMO (focus areas)."

Dr. Chang emphasized the necessity of physician leadership in healthcare.

"The executive team of any health system is going to need a physician's perspective on strategic moves," he said. "They're going to need a clinician's perspective on operational matters, and they're going to need somebody that has boots on the ground in the quality and safety world."

Investment in academic partnerships

Baton Rouge, La.-based Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System appointed Catherine O'Neal, MD, as its first chief academic officer in August. In the role, Dr. O'Neal ensures alignment with academic partners and oversees the system's academic vision.

System CEO E.J. Kuiper told Becker's the decision to add the role stemmed from both opportunity and talent. Upon joining the system, Mr. Kuiper noted several existing academic partnerships. He had also recognized the talents of Dr. O'Neal, who was previously chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.

"As part of my overall assessment of the health system's strengths and weaknesses, investing in our academic partnerships became very clear early on," Mr. Kuiper said. After discussing the creation of the new role with the leadership team, they discovered that there was a desire to do something special with academic endeavors, and Dr. O'Neal was the clear choice, he said.

Hunter Richardson, chief administrative officer, added that another goal for the new role was to bring consistency across the multi-state approach to talent development.

"We're less than 90 days into having the new role. However, we already have a better understanding of the existing landscape, affiliations and talent needs," Mr. Richardson said. "Were now partnering with our workforce development and DEI teams to further define needs and opportunities to maximize future talent pipelines."

Acceleration of innovation in technology and AI

Amid the acceleration of innovation in technology and AI, Cleveland Clinic has expanded its leadership team to include its first vice president and chief artificial intelligence officer.

"Innovation in technology and AI is only accelerating, and the potential for these innovations to help transform healthcare is massive," Rohit Chandra, PhD, the health system's chief digital officer told Becker's.

"Therefore, it made sense to have dedicated expertise in house to enable us to lead those transformations. Our top leadership has made leveraging AI a priority for our organization and was supportive of me expanding my team to include a chief AI officer."

Ben Shahshahani, PhD, formerly with SiriusXM and Pandora, where he served as senior vice president of science, machine learning and product analytics, assumed the chief AI officer role in August. Prior to Dr. Shahshahani's role, Cleveland Clinic also hired Albert Marinez as its first chief analytics officer in 2023.

Dr. Chandra said Cleveland Clinic hired Dr. Shahshahani "with the goal of directing the use of AI across our health system. He will work closely with other executives, clinical leaders and data scientists to drive Cleveland Clinic's AI vision of transforming healthcare delivery."

Dr. Shahshahani leads the development and execution of the health system's AI strategy, focusing on transforming patient care, enhancing employee experience and improving organizational efficiencies, Dr. Chandra added. He does this while prioritizing safety and adhering to industry regulations, ethical standards and data-security best practices.

"AI is coming, and over time it is going to impact everyone," said Dr. Chandra. "Everyone doesn't have to have their own chief AI officer, but everyone needs to prepare to be an adopter  (a) early or on time, but you don't want to be lagging and (b) in whatever areas that are most impactful to them."

Developing leadership teams at new facilities

Newport News, Va.-based Riverside Health is set to open Riverside Smithfield (Va.) Hospital by the end of 2025, President and CEO Mike Dacey, MD, told Becker's.

While leadership definitely wanted to hire a chief medical officer and a chief nursing officer for the new Riverside Smithfield Hospital, the main concern was timing, Dr. Dacey said.

On the one hand, hiring the leaders later in the process of building the hospital would seem better from a financial standpoint, he said. On the other hand, from an operational standpoint, it was beneficial to hire the leaders early.

Thus, in July, Justin Billings, MD, was named chief medical officer, and Michelle Wooten, BSN, RN, was named chief nursing officer.

"We believe that filling them early makes sense because they can get to know the community and they can get to know the operations. The chief medical officer will be able to build outreach and relationships with doctors in that community," Dr. Dacey said. "The chief nursing officer would get a head start on recruiting, which is very important these days, and the hospital president gets to know the various community leaders as well."

Because all health systems are under some financial pressure currently, it can be tempting to want to minimize leadership roles, he added.

"But these leadership roles have value. They make very important decisions involving large amounts of money that affect people's lives," Dr. Dacey said. "So you want the best leaders possible. We put them in early because we viewed it as an investment."

What is needed in creating new roles?

"New executive roles are a significant investment in the future of any organization," Mr. Richardson said.

He also stressed that the defined need should align with the organizational strategy and enhance the value of the organization by either maximizing revenue or avoiding cost.
CEOs who ascend from entry-level positions to the top role, known as "CEO lifers," offer distinct advantages and risks to organizations, according to an Oct. 27 report from the Financial Times.

In September, Nike appointed Elliott Hill as CEO. Mr. Hill joined Nike as an intern in 1988 and held more than a dozen roles, from sales to global retail leadership, before briefly retiring in 2020. He now joins executives like General Motors' Mary Barra and Walmarts Doug McMillon, who each spent decades at a single company before advancing to the top role.

These CEO lifers offer deep institutional knowledge and loyalty, which can improve employee morale and create visible pathways for career growth, experts told Financial Times. However, some experts argue that CEO lifers could potentially hinder innovation, as internal promotions can reinforce existing routines and hinder fresh insights that outside hires often bring.

For companies requiring major strategic shifts or operating in quickly evolving industries, external CEOs may offer a sharper edge, according to Monika Hamori, PhD, associate professor of human resource management at IE Business School in Madrid.

Building a diverse leadership team around CEO lifers can also be effective to bring in complementary skills and broaden strategic outlooks, according to Dr. Hamori.

"Executives with different prior industry or company affiliations could help counterbalance the skill sets of a CEO who grew up in a single firm," she told the Financial Times.

Moreover, insider CEOs can bring diverse perspectives back to their companies by joining an outside board or regularly networking with other CEOs.

About 20% of CEOs at large U.S. companies have been with their firms for more than 21 years, according to data from Altrata.

View the full article here.
Horizon Medical Center of Denton (Texas) has agreed to pay $14.2 million to settle potential Medicare regulation and Stark Law violations.

The medical center self-reported violations at four outpatient surgery centers, according to a Nov. 4 Justice Department news release. Horizon disclosed that it failed to include a "PN" modifier and location to identify services performed at non-excepted, off-campus outpatient facilities when submitting claims to Medicare.

Horizon also disclosed that it had entered into management agreements with third-party companies affiliated with physicians performing surgeries at its outpatient facilities. It also leased equipment through operating agreements with companies affiliated with those same physicians.

As part of its disclosure, Horizon included an analysis conducted by an independent third-party expert to assess the financial impact of omitting the required modifier.






Walgreens has agreed to pay $100 million to settle a class action lawsuit accusing the pharmacy chain of inflating prescription drug prices for insured customers.

The settlement, announced after seven years of litigation, resolves claims that Walgreens improperly inflated its "usual and customary" prices for prescription drugs by not factoring in the lower prices it charged members of its prescription savings club, according to court documents obtained by Becker's.

This comes after Walgreens also agreed to pay $106.8 million in September to resolve allegations of submitting false billing claims to federal healthcare programs.

The lawsuit, initially filed in 2017, alleged that by excluding PSC prices when determining usual and customary prices, Walgreens caused insured customers and third-party payors to overpay for prescription medications.

Plaintiffs argued that these inflated prices were deceptive and violated consumer protection laws. As a part of the settlement, Walgreens agreed to terminate the PSC program.

In an email shared with Becker's, a Walgreens spokesperson stated, "We admit no liability and believe these claims never had any merit. We launched the prescription savings club more than 15 years ago to provide equitable access to lower-cost medications for uninsured and underinsured. This resolution allows us to focus on our turnaround strategy that will benefit our patients, customers, team members and shareholders."

The $100 million settlement covers individuals or entities who paid for prescriptions at Walgreens using insurance between January 2007 and present.
A person votes at the San Francisco City Hall voting center on Monday, the final day of early voting ahead of Election Day. Loren Elliott/Getty Images

Theres reason for hope among California Democrats headed into Election Day.

Early Democratic voter turnout is much higher than it was in 2022 in several key California House races, which could give Democrats a shot at retaking the House.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Both parties have targeted several key House districts in the Central Valley and Southern California that President Joe Biden won in 2020, but Republicans won two years ago. In each, the Democratic turnout is higher than it was in the midterm elections two years ago. Democrats need to win a net of four races to take back control of the House.

Theres absolutely going to be higher turnout than two years ago, said Paul Mitchell, vice president of Political Data, a California voter data firm.

Mitchell noted that in the 22nd Congressional District, where Republican Rep. David Valadao is trying to stave off former Assembly Member Rudy Salas, a Democrat, 25% of voters have already cast ballots. Two years ago, there was 35% turnout (overall). So we know its gonna be higher than last cycle. Valadao beat Salas by 887 votes two years ago.

Statewide, Mitchell predicts turnout will be 75% of registered voters, lower than 2020s 80% but higher than 2016s 75% and 2022s 51%. He couldnt predict, however, how much the relatively high turnout would affect any of the statewide ballot measures except for perhaps Proposition 33, which would repeal a state law that limits the ability of local governments to enact rent control.

A larger electorate, with a greater share of younger voters and renters  which is common to presidential election years  might help Prop 33 pass. A September survey from the Public Policy Institute of California found that 54% of voters supported the measure while 46% opposed it.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Even though the voters who have cast ballots so far are skewing older and whiter, Mitchell said, theres no signal were receiving that despite younger, Latino and independent voters not turning out yet, that theyre not going to turn out, all the data suggests they will turn out, because in polling, theyre saying that theyre enthusiastic.

Mitchell offered a major caveat to extrapolating too much from early returns. Its difficult to make more definitive predictions about trends because of how Republican voter behavior has changed. In 2020, in light of Trump sowing doubt about the safety of mail-in voting, more Republicans cast their votes in person on Election Day. Mitchell said those concerns have remained as some pockets of Republicans will only vote in person, with those voters typically being the more Trumpy, white, less-educated voters. Some Republicans will only vote in person because they dont trust vote by mail. But in suburbs like Orange County, where there are high-income Republicans, theyre reverting back to voting by mail, he said.

Younger voters, who tend to skew Democratic, are more likely to vote or turn in their ballots on Election Day.

Nevertheless, more Californians have cast ballots than did in 2022. Even though 2020 was a presidential election year, Mitchell cautioned against comparisons because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

One beneficiary of a higher turnout could be former Democratic Assembly Member Adam Gray, who is again facing Rep. John Duarte, R-Turlock (Stanislaus County), who beat him by 564 votes in 2022 in a House district that Biden carried. Gray is counting on the higher turnout that a presidential election year typically inspires to put him over the top this year.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Turnout is also beating the 2022 pace in battleground Southern California seats held by Republican Reps. Mike Garcia and Ken Calvert, both of whom are trying to fend off strong Democratic challenges.

Abortion rights is the top issue for Democrats in battleground California House races, according to polling Mitchell is conducting, while immigration is the top driver for Republicans.

House voters also seem keenly aware of how important their vote is nationally, as nearly half of voters from both parties say their House vote is being driven by determining party control for Congress. It tells me that voters in these key competitive districts are keenly aware that on issues like environment, abortion, taxes, immigration, that their vote for Congress is not just a vote for an individual, its a vote for a party, and thats whats driving election results in these districts.

The presence of Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket is expected to boost turnout, but not because she is a California native, Mitchell said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
As the U.S. healthcare industry mitigates a critical shortage of intravenous fluids, experts predict the supply strain will alleviate by early December, Bloomberg reported Nov. 5.

After Hurricane Helene sent flooding through Baxter's North Cove manufacturing site in Marion, N.C.  which supplied 60% of the nation's IV supply  the drugmaker temporarily closed the plant. On Oct. 31, Baxter restarted its highest-throughput manufacturing line, which accounts for 25% of the site's total production.

Health systems are rationing supply and some hospitals are pausing surgeries as the U.S. imports products from Europe and China. IV fluids from China have different labels and instructions, Bloomberg reported, so those imports are going to dialysis centers instead of the hospital supply chain.

Mike Schiller, executive director of the AHA's Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management, told Bloomberg his organization is seeing gray market manufacturers offering "significantly higher" prices for IV fluids compared to what hospitals typically pay.

By the first week of December, the U.S. will have "a more stabilized environment where hospitals will begin to see a more consistent delivery of the allocations that Baxter has been discussing," Mr. Schiller said.
In a Nov. 3 interview with NBC News, former president Donald Trump said he will "make a decision" on whether to ban some vaccines based on Robert Kennedy Jr.'s recommendations.

If elected for a second term, Mr. Trump has hinted at a healthcare role for Mr. Kennedy, who has been an outspoken critic of vaccines for children for years.

"Well, Im going to talk to [Mr. Kennedy] and talk to other people, and I'll make a decision, but he's a very talented guy and has strong views," Mr. Trump told NBC News about the potential of banning select vaccines.

A U.S. president cannot ban vaccines unilaterally but can influence public health through federal agency appointments aimed at changing recommendations or removing approvals. Pediatricians told the outlet they are concerned about vaccination rates falling even lower, leading to preventable outbreaks.

Already, vaccine hesitancy has been associated with rising infection rates, according to a study by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. And in late 2022, 28% of parents said in a KFF survey that they should be able to decide not to vaccinate their children  an increase from 16% in 2019.

"It's much easier to scare people than to unscare them," Adam Ratner, MD, director of pediatric infectious diseases at NYU Langone Health's Hassenfeld Children's Hospital in New York City, told NBC News. "Many people have a fear of doing something that may cause harm, but they dont think a lot about the potential harm of not doing something."
Dr. Thomas performed a hip replacement with the help of AI imaging, according to a Nov. 4 news release shared with Beckers. The scans were made into a 3D model to apply patient-specific implants.

Peachtree Orthopedics has 11 locations in Georgia. Dr. Thomas joined the practice in 2014.
Maeve Monaghan of NOW Group, Jackie Henry of Deloitte and Steve Orr of Catalyst

Business advisory firm Deloitte has announced a new partnership with Catalyst as they open a hub for entrepreneurs in Belfast city centre.

The new Catalyst Bedford Street will be based on the ground floor of Ewarts Warehouse, part of Deloittes new headquarters.

Its hoped it will draw start-ups and growing companies to set up in the historic Linen Quarter.

The new space will feature more than 90 desks in open-plan areas and studios, meeting pods and individual call booths, a presentation and events space and a cafe, to be run by social enterprise The NOW Group.

Jackie Henry, managing partner for people and purpose at Deloitte and office senior partner in Belfast, said: Our purpose is to make an impact that matters. In Northern Ireland we continue to make bold choices and lead the way when it comes to fostering collaboration, driving innovation and shared prosperity.

Deloitte is always looking for ways to maximise value, and this exciting new venture with Catalyst is the latest demonstration of our commitment to playing an active role in the growth of our local economy and further development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem here in Belfast.

Our new office brings Deloittes expertise in Belfast together under one roof in a building designed to foster even greater collaboration between teams.

Steve Orr, chief executive of Catalyst, said: Catalyst is committed to identifying and investing in opportunities that empower entrepreneurs and drive innovation across Northern Ireland. We remain focused on fostering an environment where innovative companies can thrive and make a lasting impact.

We have considered a number of options to expand our footprint into the city centre, but when Deloitte offered us the chance to partner and establish Catalyst Bedford Street here, it made perfect sense.

Catalyst will host some of its entrepreneurship programmes from the new hub, including workshops for INVENT, CoFounders and Hello Possible.

NOW Group provides support and training for people with learning difficulties and disabilities to help them gain employment.

Chief executive Maeve Monaghan said: Loaf Catering being named as the new cafe operator for the Ewart Building is the latest exciting step in NOW Groups partnership with Deloitte, which began five years ago and has already created multiple social value and supply chain opportunities.

This new cafe venture will provide training placements for individuals with disabilities, helping them gain the skills needed to succeed in hospitality and catering. These training opportunities will enable trainees to secure roles with local employers, advancing NOW Groups mission of supporting jobs with a future.
Music and Gigs

Sundays are pretty busy for me but its all of my own choosing and I wouldnt have it any other way
A Co Down pub has been selected by The Times as one of the best pub stays in the UK, the only Northern Irish pub to make the list.

The Rostrevor Inn in Rostrevor was named 16th in the papers best 23 Cosy Pubs for Autumn list.

The pubs location, which is set against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains and borders Carlingford Lough, was among the reasons listed for its entry in the list.

Staff at the pub which is celebrating its ninth year of business this month have said they are thrilled with making the list.

The pub boasts an award-winning bistro, and Crawfords, a traditional bar named after the family who ran the pub from 1854.

The pubs entry in the Times list said: For a winters tale, you cant beat The Chronicles of Narnia, and you can see some of the inspiration for the magical kingdom by exploring the Mourne Mountains, where the author CS Lewis spent his childhood holidays.

"This pub, where the mountains run down to Carlingford Lough, is just a few yards from Kilbroney Park with its Narnia walking trail.

"Theres plenty of craic in the traditional bar with live music and storytelling, while the pubs bistro turns out a highly commended steak as well as good quality seafood. One of the inns seven bedrooms is decorated with Narnia memorabilia (but sadly no magic wardrobe).

Writing about the area, the author of the Chronicles of Narnia once said that part of Rostrevor which overlooks Carlingford Lough is my idea of Narnia".

The pub celebrates their connection to the author with exterior murals, two Narnian-themed family rooms and occasionally hosting talks by US academic and CS Lewis expert professor Jerry Root from US Wheaton College.

Rostrevor Inn, Newry

A spokesperson for the pub said: "All at the Rostrevor Inn are thrilled that we have been selected by the Times as one of the best pub stays across the UK in their list of 23 cosy pubs for autumn, the only one in Northern Ireland to be included.

"We were picked out for several reasons, including our beautiful location in the foothills of the Mournes and adjacent to Carlingford Lough.

They added: We are proud of our top-class local suppliers, including Killowen and Mourne Dew distilleries, Whitewater brewery, McIvors cider and our local meat and seafood suppliers.

We host a regular songs and stories by the fireside session on Wednesdays, a traditional session on Sunday afternoons and live music at the weekends.

We also have a monthly folk club, the Rostrevor Folk Club at Crawfords, which has hosted the likes of Andy Irvine, Eleanor McEvoy, Eleanor Shanley, Aoife Scott, Mick Hanly and Daoiri Farrell.

An Irish speaking evening is held monthly in Crawfords, a spokesperson of the Rostrevor Inn said.
Its not something I want to court: Barry Ward on fame, dating rumours and his new ITV crime drama
Property Personality of the Year David Little, centre, and Garret Kavanagh, director of Openreach NI with Margaret Canning, business editor, Belfast Telegraph

David Little said he was caught completely unawares when he was named Property Personality of the Year at the 2024 Belfast Telegraph Business Awards in partnership with Openreach.

The award is an attempt by his peers to recognise and reward the contribution Mr Little has made over the course of a long career in housing and social housing. He is chair of the Forum for Better Housing NI, a former chair of Co-Ownership NI, and has contributed to the growth of many major housing associations here.

Mr Little filled the Belfast Telegraph in on his journey. I was a civil engineering graduate and Ive worked in housing for the last 30 years.

Ive sort of done everything, from running housing sites  which is probably the most pleasurable part of my life, actually. Handing over a new house to a young couple is lovely.

Then I worked for the National House Building Council (NHBC) who look after the warranties for new homes and try to improve their quality  that was good. I actually retired seven years ago!

Mr Little remains passionate about housing, and in particular the importance of making the standard of new homes, and new social homes, better.

Ive a lot of contacts in the social housing sector, and thats the biggest challenge for the industry in the next 10 to 15 years, improving the quality of housing stock.

Sponsor openreach

But he said continued problems with sewage system and water connections meant constructing new builds was not easy  and he made a dire prediction.

Unless thats resolved the new build housing market in Northern Ireland is going to die.

Taken aback by the award, Mr Little was keen to pay tribute to his many friends, colleagues and associates who were at the awards, and to underline the importance of their work.

As long as people keep asking me to do stuff, Ill keep doing stuff.

The people in this room are absolutely fabulous. The people in the management of housing associations now are absolutely brilliant. A lot of the house builders management are absolutely brilliant.

You see a lot of people have come up through the ranks from the trades to running their own companies.

You see second and third generation people here as well.

But if we let the new-build housing market go here its hard to get it back. Its a big problem with getting tradesmen. Theres a lot more money to be had down in Dublin or across the water.

Mr Littles thoughts on what his legacy in the industry would be sum up the personality that so many others have gravitated towards: I just tried to be useful.
Church of Ireland place of worship among five UK cathedrals to feature in postal services 2024 festive campaign

Liverpool Cathedral also appears in the new Christmas stamp collection

Dean of Armagh the Very Rev Shane Forster is delighted at the recognition for St Patrick's Armagh

An illustration of St Patricks Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh will feature on Royal Mail 2nd class stamps this festive season.

Its part of the postal services 2024 Christmas campaign showcasing UK cathedrals.

Dean of Armagh the Very Reverend Shane Forster said he was delighted.

The image of the light shining out through the cathedrals stained-glass windows, along with young people carol singing and playing in the snow, portrays a lovely traditional winter scene, he added.

Artist Judy Joel is to be congratulated for creating a very special set of seasonal stamps which send out a message of joy and hope at Christmas.

St Patrick's Cathedral Armagh showcased in Royal Mail's festive campaign.

The cathedrals that feature on the stamps stand as symbols of faith at the very centre of each picture and at the heart of their local communities.

Ms Joel, who is based in Penzance, has been creating paintings which have sold worldwide for the past 50 years.

Read more Daring to Dream - an autumn reflection from the Archbishops of Armagh

Royal Mail said the UKs principal churches, which serve as the seats of bishops, play a key role during what is a time of celebration in the midst of winter darkness.

From St Patricks Cathedral in Armagh, founded by the great Irish saint as a monastic community on a hilltop, to Liverpool Cathedral, consecrated a century ago, cathedrals bear witness to history and play a key role in the nations spiritual, cultural and social life, it said.

With candlelight, festive decorations, magnificent architecture, awe-inspiring art and treasures, and sublime music and liturgy, cathedrals are wonderful and welcoming places to visit at Christmas.

Liverpool Cathedral also appears in the new Christmas stamp collection

Royal Mails David Gold added cathedrals are a hugely significant part of our cultural heritage and provide support to their communities.

They come into their own at Christmas, offering warmth and welcome to all, he said.

These stamps featuring beautiful illustrations of cathedrals from across the UK will spread the joys of this celebratory time of year.

St Marys Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh, Liverpool Cathedral, St Deiniols Cathedral in Bangor, and Londons Westminster Cathedral are also included in Royal Mails Christmas Special Stamps collection.

They are available to buy from today online or by calling 03457 641641.
Belfast man jailed after unprovoked attack on man meditating in city centre aggravated by racial hostility

The judge in the case also highlighted the attack was aggravated by racial hostility

Image of Cornmarket in Belfast city centre Credit: Google Maps

Ashleigh McDonald Tue 5 Nov 2024 at 16:45







A Belfast man who launched an "unprovoked" attack aggravated by "racial hostility" on a man who was meditating was jailed for 21 months today.
A rendering of the conceptual proposal for a remake of Embarcadero Plaza at the foot of Market Street. The idea is from BXP, owner of the multi-towered Embarcadero Center to the west. HOK and BPX

A plan to dramatically transform San Franciscos stark Embarcadero Plaza into a green and vibrant park twice the size of Union Square could move forward this week, Mayor London Breed announced Monday.

Standing on the brick-and-concrete plaza with the huge brutalist Vaillancourt Fountain looming behind her, Breed said she would introduce legislation at the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday to approve a public-private partnership and allow for private fundraising to remake the plaza. The city would work with the landlords of the adjacent Embarcadero Center towers to make the plan a reality.

Working together, we are going to reimagine what Embarcadero Plaza will be in the future, Breed said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The mayor noted that the plaza was created as a paved and bricked buffer zone in the shadow of the old Embarcadero Freeway, the elevated double-decker roadway built in the late 1950s that cut off the Ferry Building and adjacent piers from the rest of the city.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, with Vaillancourt Fountain in the background, on Monday discusses a plan to transform Embarcadero Plaza. Sam Whiting/The Chronicle

When the freeway was demolished in the aftermath of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the paved plaza became obsolete.

The plaza is now seen as a barrier between housing and offices on the east side of the Embarcadero and the waterfront Ferry Building and promenade across the street to the west.

Under the proposed agreement, a new public-private partnership would redesign and improve both Embarcadero Plaza and the adjacent Sue Bierman Park.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The concept is to tear out the brick-and-concrete plaza, cover it with grass or other natural surfaces, and combine it with Sue Bierman Park to create a seamless property of nearly 5 acres.

The plan includes creating a retail corridor with an event stage on the perimeter of Four Embarcadero, and a promenade closer to the Embarcadero.

The partnership, approved last month by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission, comprises the Rec and Park Department and Office of Economic and Workforce Development, real estate developer BXP and the community benefit district Downtown SF Partnership.

BXP, formerly Boston Properties, owns the adjacent Embarcadero Center row of four office and retail high-rises. BXP will provide the first $2.5 million for the preliminary renderings drawn up by HOK, the architecture firm that designed Oracle Park, and to fund a project manager through the Rec and Park Department.

A rendering of the conceptual proposal for a remake of Embarcadero Plaza at the foot of Market Street. The idea is from BXP, owner of the multi-towered Embarcadero Center to the west. Any makeover would be a city project, so details are likely to change if it eventually occurs. HOK and BPX

The park project does not yet have a budget, but the city is expected to contribute $15 million or more in public money. BXP and the Downtown SF Partnership would commit another $10 million, if the board approves it. It is possible that if Measure B, the infrastructure bond, passes, it could be another source of funding.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

I am excited and proud about this transformation, said Kat Anderson, president of the Recreation and Park Commission, who noted that completion of construction is at least three years away and is likely to rise in cost from the preliminary estimate of $25 million.

With the Ferry Building just across the street and the Bay Bridge in the backdrop, Embarcadero Plazas strategic position between downtown and the iconic waterfront has always been its greatest asset, said Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg in a statement.

In the last year, attempts have been made to revitalize the plaza starting with the installation of two pop-up padel courts. In August, a public dance party drew 5,000 people, and in September, Free Shakespeare in the Park was held in Sue Bierman Park for the first time.

Breed said she attended a rave at the plaza and quipped that the only function of the Vaillancourt Fountain was to block the view of the bay.

The dried-up Vaillancourt Fountain, which was installed at San Franciscos Embarcadero Plaza in 1971. Sam Whiting/The Chronicle

The mayor did not specifically call for demolition of the fountain sculpture, but none of the four park renderings she presented included it in the plan. The Arts Commission will ultimately determine the fountains fate.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The plaza belongs to Rec and Park, as does Sue Bierman Park.

Former interim mayor and Supervisor Mark Farrell, one of Breeds opponents in her bid for reelection, also proposed reviving Embarcadero Plaza during his campaign, offering a conceptual rendering from the Gensler design firm of a new park in front of the Ferry Building.

Breed made her announcement the day before the election.

We want to get this project going and make Embarcadero Plaza amazing, she said. This is exactly what we need to do to make downtown better.
A Belfast man was fined 275 today after he was shouting and screaming at the check-in desks at Belfast International Airport.

Representing himself at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, 40-year-old Stephen Henderson told District Judge Nigel Broderick I just want it dealt with despite the risk of his offending carrying potential jail sentences.
The case marks the first use of a Restricted Sales Order in NI

A Belfast city centre shop has been banned from selling tobacco and nicotine inhaling products for 18 months after selling the products illegally to children.

It follows a case taken by Belfast City Council against OReillys on Donegall Street in the city.

Belfast Magistrates also handed out a Restricted Sales Order against the shops owner  Michael OReilly  who entered guilty pleas to breaching a similar 12-month order issued in February 2023.

The prosecutions followed a test purchase by Belfast City Council officers which confirmed Mr OReilly illegally sold a nicotine inhaling product to a child under 18.

This is the first case in Northern Ireland where a Restricted Sales Order has been granted to prevent an individual from selling tobacco and nicotine inhaling products.

OReilly was also fined 1,000 and ordered to pay court costs of 131. He is prohibited from selling tobacco and nicotine inhaling products  including vapes  from any location for a period of 18 months.

News Catch Up: Tuesday 5th November
A departure board at Belfast International Airport as flights to the UK and Ireland were cancelled as a result of air traffic control issues in the UK (Liam McBurney/PA)

MPs from Northern Ireland have pressed ministers on the price and reliability of flights from Belfast to London, with the DUPs Sammy Wilson alleging you can fly to Australia cheaper.

Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said he had gone soft by granting an urgent question to DUP MP for Strangford Jim Shannon, on belatedly announced cancellations of flights.

Transport Minister Mike Kane said UK connectivity is an important issue, but added its unusual were doing it in an urgent question, and not the adjournment debate.

Mr Wilson referred to British Airways monopoly on flights from Belfast City to London City Airport, before being reminded by the minister that several other operators offer flights on alternative routes.

The member for East Antrim told MPs: The problem as I see it, and increasingly were finding flights delayed, and its one company in particular, BA who have monopoly on the flights.

And I think its an economic lesson to be learned as well, that monopolies are abused, and one only has to look at the price, which is charged on some occasions  you can fly to Australia cheaper than you can fly to London on some occasions with British Airways.

And secondly, of course, they seem to delay flights and sometimes they give technical reasons, weather reasons, or whatever. Very often its because the planes are not full, and they simply amalgamate flights.

Mr Kane replied: I dont want to pick on particular airlines, and I am discussing with airline CEOs around regional connectivity in the UK, because I do think it is vital, which I think is the point (Mr Wilson) is making.

But I would just point out gently, that Belfast International is a great airport to fly through, and also it is well served, not just by a single operator. It has multiple operators serving multiple airports.

TUV MP for North Antrim Jim Allister also raised dubious cancellations, caused by a commercial monopoly on that specific route, to which the minister replied: There is actually a very open market in terms of connectivity and number of airlines from Northern Ireland.

Passengers at Belfast International Airport (Liam McBurney/PA)

Earlier Mr Kane said connectivity across the UK is vital and the Government is currently funding three public service obligation routes into London.

He said: However, the UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector, as I have said, and its for airports to invest in their infrastructure and airlines to determine the routes they operate.

Mr Shannon argued that flight cancellations between Belfast and London were becoming the norm, and this will affect business investment and tourism in Northern Ireland, and needs an urgent review of procedures.

Mr Kane replied: Belfast is still served by 22 to 35 flights per day, and I suggest that he does take it up with airlines and the airport himself.

Conservative shadow transport minister Gareth Bacon said the Governments decision to increase air passenger duty has led to a worried response from the passenger aviation sector, and Ryan Air has already announced their intentions to cut flights to and from UK airports by 10%.

He continued: This is a Government which has so far shown itself to be deeply uninterested in the consequences of its actions on workers, on farmers, and now on air passengers.

Mr Kane said he would not be taking lectures from the Tories on support for aviation, and added that the Government is looking at strengthening rights for passengers going forward.

SDLP MP Colum Eastwood (Foyle) said: I think weve finally figured out why the shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland hasnt been able to make it to Northern Ireland just yet.

He also called on the Government to do some work to bring fares down at Derry Airport, because they are out of reach for many people in that area.

Mr Kane replied: Yes, we can look at this when we come up to review with our public sector obligation.
The house in Derry's Limewood Street in the Bogside where Pipe bomb was thrown through the living room window. PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/11/2024

The house in Derry's Limewood Street in the Bogside where Pipe bomb was thrown through the living room window. PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/11/2024

Convicted child sex offender Michael McMonagle is believed to have been the intended target of a pipe bomb attack in Derry that forced an elderly couple from their home on Monday evening.

The former Sinn Fein press officer lives in the same street where the explosion took place.

The PSNI say they are pursuing a case of potential mistaken identity as part of the investigation.

McMonagle is due back in court this week to be sentenced for 14 child sex offences.

The elderly couple were left in a state of severe shock after a device was throw through a window of their home.

Neighbours say the couples son arrived on the scene and took them from the property to get them to safety while bomb disposal officers examined the remnants of the device.

Neighbours are said to be furious at the targeting of the elderly couple who are well known and respected in the area.

Dissident republicans are being blamed for the botched bomb attack.

A security alert was sparked in the Limewood Street area following the incident on Monday evening.

Detective Sergeant Mark Gingell said police received a report at around 7.30pm that an object had been thrown at a house in the area.

Officers attended and observed the remnants of what they believed to have been a pipe bomb device and alerted army technical officers, he said.

The object, which has been declared as a viable suspected pipe bomb, has been removed and taken away for further forensic examination.

It is believed that this device was put through the window of the house and has exploded. This has caused damage to the property but could have led to the occupants being badly injured or even killed.

He issued an appeal for information.

We are appealing to anyone with information regarding this crime, and anyone who may have captured any footage in the area on Monday evening to contact detectives at Strand Road on 101, he added.

The house in Derry's Limewood Street in the Bogside where Pipe bomb was thrown through the living room window. PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/11/2024

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood condemned what he described as a shocking and distressing incident.

Theres no excuse for the attack on the home of an elderly couple in Derry this evening, the SDLP representative said.

The people responsible have caused distress to this family and disruption for the community.

In September McMonagle, 42, from Limewood Street in the city, admitted a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

He had originally faced 15 charges, including attempting to incite two children to engage in sexual activity.

He was also accused of 13 counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.

The offences relate to various dates between May 2020 and August 2021.

At his first court appearance last year he was charged with three offences but 12 more were added later.

When he was re-arraigned in court in September, he spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

When the charges were put to him, he pleaded guilty to 14 of the 15 offences.

A prosecution barrister said another charge was being left on the books.

The court was told that a pre-sentence report would be prepared and a psychological assessment would be carried out.

McMonagle was also placed on the sexual offenders register, he is expected to be sentenced later this week when more details of his offending will be placed before the court.

A PSNI spokesperson said: Enquiries are continuing and detectives are investigating the possibility this may have been a case of mistaken identity. The investigation remains at an early stage.

Michael McMonagle

News Catch Up: Tuesday 5th November
Pair urged to come forward as search continues for English visitor (20) who disappeared on visit to top tourist attraction

An image released of two men who handed in a backpack belonging to Mr McLennan on Saturday

Lester McLennan, a keen hiker, disappeared at the Giant's Causeway on Friday

The mother of a missing man has pleaded for two people who handed in his black rucksack to come forward.

Lalitha McLennan says shes had sleepless nights and feels numb since Lester (20) disappeared. The pair are visiting from England.

Her son took a bus from Belfast to the Giants Causeway at 9.30am on Friday.

He was subsequently reported missing and a search was launched on Saturday.

Ms McLennan said: He was excited to see the Causeway.

Hed been up the West Highland way in the summer.

He likes hiking and natural spaces and was really keen to see it.

An image released of two men who handed in a backpack belonging to Mr McLennan on Saturday

The last confirmed trace from his phone was around 5.30pm at the popular tourist attraction.

She is calling for the two men who handed the bag in at the visitors centre to come forward, as well as anyone else who used the cliff trail on Friday.

She said: The police told me today that there is CCTV footage of the pair who handed in the bag. It looked like the pair were in walking gear.

It would be really helpful if we could track them down and know exactly where they found that bag.

She added: Lester was wearing a really long grey woollen coat, so he would have looked quite distinctive.

I think he was also wearing a square brown leather bag over his shoulder.

The coastguard, community rescue teams, PSNI and search and rescue dogs are conducting the hunt.

A coastguard helicopter was deployed on Sunday morning to help assist the operation.

Sean McGarry of the Community Rescue Service in Coleraine said weather conditions were generally good, but daylight hours are limited due to the time of year.

He added: At the minute there are different search teams involved.

Were searching areas that havent yet been done, spreading out a bit further every time.

There is no indication at this moment and time where he might have gone, other than the fact we do know he made it to the Giants Causeway.

Lester McLennan missing from the Giant's Causeway area since Friday November 1

Due to the rugged nature of the terrain at the Causeway, rocky outcrops can pose a risk to those taking the cliff-top trail.

Mr McGarry urged members of the public wanting to lend a helping hand to refrain from joining the search effort.

He said: There are cliffs, water and land, so its a mixed bag.

However, all of our guys and the search teams are very well experienced and equipped.

The conditions are pretty good. We only have a limited amount of daylight, but we will continue searching in the night.

The PSNI had earlier called on the two men who handed Lesters backpack in to get in touch so they could pinpoint exactly where it was found.

It added: Police are appealing to Lester or anyone who may have seen him on November 1 or 2 to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 76 02/11/24.

Lester is a white male, 6ft 3in tall, of slim build, with light brown hair. He was wearing black glasses, light beige trousers with a dark belt, walking boots, a long grey coat to below the knee and a dark zip-up jacket. Lester was also carrying a black backpack.
People at the rally protesting the demolition of the Boyne Bridge in Belfast on Tuesday. Pic: Pacemaker

Police estimate that a couple of hundred people gathered in Sandy Row on Tuesday evening, to again voice their objections to the demolition of the Boyne Bridge.

Work began around dismantling the historic bridge last month, as part of Translinks redevelopment work linked to the new 340m Grand Central Station.

Tuesdays Save Sandy Row Rally was organised by locals who staged an earlier protest on October 11 against the bridges demolition and other issues facing the area.

The Ulster First Flute band played music at the King William mural opposite the bridge, while campaigner Billy Dickson stood on top of an open-top sightseeing tour bus to address the crowd.

He spoke about residents disappointment that the bridge was never listed for its historic significance, and the fact that recent roadworks around it have caused noise issues, keeping some locals up until 3am.

Another protest has been scheduled for Saturday, November 30, for the 12th anniversary of the Belfast city centre flag protests.

Mr Dickson said it would also be used to highlight the issues of Sandy Row, and the parade will begin from the Sandy Row Orange Hall.

Those gathered cheered as he shouted: How about we send Lambeg drums up around their houses at five or six in the morning and see how they like it?

"Unionist, Protestant communities are being hammered into the ground," he said to the crowd as he further called people from "north, south, east and west" to "stand up" as there is "only so long you can stay on the ground.

DUP councillor Tracy Kelly told this newspaper that this rally is long overdue.

However, she hoped that the Boyne Bridge issue doesnt overshadow other concerns, including a lack of family-friendly housing, plans for more student flats, and the economic decline of Sandy Row, made worse by the traffic congestion caused by the ongoing roadworks as a result of the new station.

I have seen rant after rant on Facebook. Im glad people are actually pulling themselves together and saying enough is enough, she continued.

Over the last 10-15 years, as soon as the transport hub was mentioned, you saw Sandy Row changing.

Private developers swept in and bought land that would have been a lot cheaper then, knowing that once a new transport hub was put in, the land around it would obviously be more expensive.

To me, its constant battles in Sandy Row. Theres no good news coming in, its always fighting against student accommodation, fighting against private developers, fighting against more private apartments.

In the last decade, theres been a serious decline in shops being demolished and land being left vacant, waiting to be flipped.

I do worry that with the bridge. That planning application went through in 2019. I worry that the rally is totally focused on the bridge, when there are so many other things around here that we need help with.

Describing the Boyne Bridges cultural historic connections to the area, Mr Dickson told The Belfast Telegraph: Its not one of the eight wonders of the world, but its a Sandy Row icon.

And Sandy Row without it is unthinkable.

If the bridge goes, its still not the end of it for us itll affect us mentally.

He said that those who assembled at the rally call upon Translink to stop all plans to demolish the bridge with immediate effect.

Mr Dickson noted that locals also refuse to consider the current planning proposals by the NI Housing Executive for mixed-use development on the Hope Street site only a 100% social housing scheme, including bringing back lost streets, will be acceptable to the community.

In a statement, a Translink spokesperson said the Durham Street area will close for up to 12 months as they sensitively dismantle the existing 1936 Durham Street/Boyne Bridge to facilitate the safe completion of the first phase of streets works associated with the new station.

Our contractor will seek to preserve key elements of the bridge, and we are continuing to engage with the local community on an arts and heritage programme which will utilise these materials for future projects.
Lifeboats were launched to the scene

The RNLI and Coastguard are at the scene.

An extensive search for an overturned boat off the coast of Antrim has been stood down after nothing was found, the Coastguard has confirmed.

A number of lifeboats attended the incident close to Larne last night, with the Coastguard helicopter also attending.

HM Coastguard said helicopters from Prestwick and Larne and Red Bay RNLI lifeboats were tasked to the scene after a report of the overturned craft was received at around 4.20pm on Monday.

The search was stood down at about 10.30pm that same night after nothing was found.

The Coastguard confirmed nobody was on board the vessel which overturned, with the boat having been reported lost by its owner at the end of last month.

They said nobody has been reported missing.

P&O Ferries European Highlander and European Causeway assisted with the search before making their way to their final destinations of Larne and Cairnryan respectively.

It is understood both vessels used thermal imaging cameras to help search teams in the area.

Weather conditions in the area had been foggy at the time the incident was reported, with rain and wind also causing difficulties for the search teams.

A HM Coastguard spokesperson said: An extensive search launched in response to a report from an aircraft of an overturned catamaran 12 nautical miles off Larne, Northern Ireland, at around 4:20pm on 4 November, was stood down at about 10.30pm, pending any new information, after nothing was found.

"An HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick was sent as well as Larne and Red Bay RNLI lifeboats, with support from some nearby vessels. A vessel fitting the description was reported lost by its owner on 27 October and no persons have been reported missing.

The RNLI and Coastguard are at the scene.

News Catch Up - Monday 4th November
First Minister and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill said that Sinn Fein does not have a culture problem (Liam McBurney/PA)

Michelle ONeill has insisted there is not a problem with the culture in Sinn Fein following a series of controversies that have hit the party.

Ms ONeill vowed to build back trust with anyone whose confidence in her party had been dinted following criticism of its handling of several separate allegations against party members.

Stormonts First Minister and the Sinn Fein vice president insisted her party took action when it became aware of the various complaints and allegations.

First Minister and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill (Liam McBurney/PA).

Well there has been a number of instances, we cant escape that, she told the PA news agency.

I work hard to ensure that we have the publics trust and to build back anything that perhaps we may have lost.

Sinn Fein has faced criticism over how it has dealt with a number of controversies, including those involving former press officer Michael McMonagle and former senator Niall O Donnghaile.

In September, McMonagle, 43, from Limewood Street, Londonderry, admitted a series of offences including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

It subsequently emerged that two other press officers, who have since resigned from the party, provided job references for him after Sinn Fein had suspended him amid police inquiries.

The references enabled McMonagle to get a job with the British Heart Foundation in 2022, with the charity unaware of the allegations.

Last month, former Sinn Fein senator and Belfast lord mayor Mr O Donnghaile revealed that he stepped down from the Seanad and left the party last December because of a complaint that accused him of sending inappropriate text messages to a teenager.

Sinn Fein referred that matter to the PSNI and social services last September, but no criminal investigation was undertaken.

Separately last month, it emerged that a Sinn Fein member had resigned from the party after admitting involvement in an incident where a portrait of former DUP lord mayor Lord Wallace Browne was damaged at Belfast City Hall.

I would hope that people will see that as soon as any of these things came to our attention, we took immediate action, Ms ONeill said.

I have no tolerance for this type of behaviour in this party.

I will not tolerate these types of actions, and I will take action to dismiss people that are engaged in any of this type of activity.

But I dont believe its a culture in Sinn Fein and I think its a conflation of a number of issues over a number of weeks unfortunately.

However, we have to answer up to that, and we have, but I hope that the public will take some comfort from the fact that as soon as information came to our attention, we took action.

Other issues that have hit Sinn Fein in recent weeks include the resignation of high-profile Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley who quit the party in October amid a controversy relating to a complaint against him.

He claimed he was subjected to a character assassination by a clique within the party and likened its processes to a kangaroo court.

Sinn Fein rejected his claims and insisted it handled the matter in accordance with proper procedures.

His resignation came days after fellow Sinn Fein TD Patricia Ryan quit the party.

She said her departure was in response to the party undermining her.

The latest controversy emerged on Sunday evening when Sinn Fein announced that it had suspended one of its Belfast city councillors after an allegation that he exchanged inappropriate online messages with a minor.

The party said it had suspended JJ Magee without prejudice having referred the matter to social services and the PSNI.

Solicitors for Mr Magee have said he absolutely denies any allegation of inappropriate conduct.

KRW Law said the complaint against its client had been made to the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards, adding that Mr Magee has lodged a 12,000-word, 38-page rebuttal with the commissioner.

The solicitors said Mr Magee had not made Sinn Fein aware of the complaint as there was no substance to it and he believed the matter would be resolved quickly by the commissioner.

The PSNI said it received a report in June this year to regard to inappropriate messages. Officers said no criminal offences were detected, and safeguarding assessments and engagement with other statutory bodies were conducted at the time.

Ms ONeill said Mr Magee should have told the party about the complaint against him.

He should have informed the party of anything of this nature, she said.

We did our due diligence in terms of referring this both to the police and social services, which is the appropriate response whenever something like this comes to our attention.

Asked if she was aware of any other allegations in relation to other party figures that are not already in the public domain, Ms ONeill said she was not.
The new shadow environment secretary has said the crass decision to remove some inheritance tax relief for farms has betrayed the Governments lack of knowledge about the countryside.

Victoria Atkins said the move had consigned family farms and businesses to being sold off and split up as families cannot afford massive tax bills.

Under plans announced in the Budget, inheritance tax will be charged at 20% on agricultural assets above 1 million, although Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said that in some cases the threshold could in practice be about 3 million.

The Chancellor said only a very small number of agricultural properties will be affected by the change (PA)

While the 20% figure still represents a relief of 50% compared to the standard rate, farming unions and opposition parties have criticised the move, arguing that it will make British farms uncompetitive.

Writing in the Telegraph newspaper, Ms Atkins said: This is a serious mistake that Labour has made in their Budget. Their lack of understanding of the realities of farming was revealed in the crass decision to slash years of careful tax policy to keep family farms intact and protected from inheritance tax.

She suggested the move would make the UK more reliant on imports, adding: If farmers have to set aside money for a potential tax raid rather than investing in the farm, it will no doubt impact food production, increase prices and make British farmers less competitive.

Ms Reeves has defended her proposed reforms to inheritance tax on farms by claiming it is not affordable to keep the current system.

The Chancellor used her first Budget to announce a change to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) from April 2026 in a bid to secure more money for public services.

Budget documents state the Government wants to restrict the generosity of APR and BPR for the wealthiest estates.

The first 1 million of combined business and agricultural assets will continue to attract no inheritance tax.

But for assets over 1 million, inheritance tax will apply with 50% relief, at an effective rate of 20%.

The Chancellor said only a very small number of agricultural properties will be affected, although the National Farmers Union warned the reforms could force farmers to sell their family farms to pay the inheritance tax bill.

Ms Reeves said many difficult decisions were needed in the Budget in order to fix public services and place the economy on a firmer footing.

It comes as farmers plan to stage a mass demonstration outside the Northern Farming Conference on Wednesday to protest the changes.

Organisers say hundreds of people  some in tractors  are planning to attend the event in Hexham, Northumberland.
Legal action against MI5 is the next step for vindication for scores of survivors and people bereaved by the Manchester Arena attack, a tribunal has been told (Yui Mok/PA)

Legal action against MI5 is the next step for vindication for scores of survivors and people bereaved by the Manchester Arena attack, a tribunal has been told.

More than 200 people affected by the bombing have brought a case to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) against the Security Services, claiming that the failure to take appropriate measures to prevent the atrocity infringed their human rights.

An inquiry found the bombing might have been prevented if MI5 had acted on key intelligence received in the months before the attack.

In the wake of the findings, the agencys director-general, Ken McCallum, also expressed deep regret that such intelligence was not obtained.

Two pieces of information about suicide bomber Salman Abedi were assessed at the time by the security service to not relate to terrorism.

MI5 director-general Ken McCallum speaking in Manchester following publication of the third and final report from Sir John Saunders inquiry (Danny Lawson/PA)

But inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders said, having heard from MI5 witnesses at the hearings into the May 2017 atrocity which killed 22 people and injured hundreds of others, he considered that did not present an accurate picture.

Lawyers for those affected bringing their case to the IPT said the inquiry found there was a real possibility that one of the pieces of intelligence could have obtained information which may have led to actions preventing the attack.

Pete Weatherby KC, for those affected, said in written submissions: The perpetrators were not unknowns who acted spontaneously or with a simplicity which gave little room for discovery.

At a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, the tribunal in London heard arguments about the nature of the case and whether it has been brought too late.

Asked about the nature of the case, Mr Weatherby said: There is the vindication of the claimants rights.

We say that must not be or should not be overlooked in this.

The claimants are very interested and engaged with this process.

They were pleased that the public inquiry brought out material and information and conclusions that had not hitherto been there but they see this process as being the next step in (their) vindication.

The barrister later said the people bringing the legal claim are also seeking damages.

Neil Sheldon KC, for the Security Services, said the inquiry into the atrocity was inquisitorial, adding: The obligation on all those involved was to give the inquiry the fullest possible co-operation that it could in its search for the truth.

As part of its full co-operation to the inquiry, my client provided a self-critical internal review.

The 22 people who were killed in Salman Abedis suicide bomb attack at the Manchester Arena in May 2017 (Greater Manchester Police/PA)

The barrister said the review included about how the two pieces of intelligence were handled.

There was no lack of candour, Mr Sheldon added.

The barrister later told the tribunal it could be important to have some idea of where this claim is going and what it is seeking to achieve.

Mr Sheldon also said it is unlikely that compensatory damages could be paid in this case.

The tribunal heard that the cases on behalf of more than 200 people, including survivors, people on behalf of those who died, and people who were affected by proximity to the aftermath, will be led by three lead cases.

These are the cases of Chloe Rutherford, 17, from South Shields, who died in the attack, Eve Hibbert, who suffered severe brain damage, and Lesley Callander, whose 18-year-old daughter Georgina was killed.

Lord Justice Singh and Mrs Justice Farbey will give a ruling in writing at a later date.
Red flag warnings for heightened fire weather conditions are in effect throughout California ahead of a strong Santa Ana and Diablo wind event. Baron/Lynx

Updated forecast: Bay Area braces for intense winds as fire danger and outage risks climb

Powerful Santa Ana and Diablo winds are forecast to begin Tuesday night across California, prompting the National Weather Service to warn of potential damage, power outages and heightened wildfire risk.

This is a fairly rare type of Santa Ana wind event were expecting, said Robbie Munroe, a meteorologist at the weather services office in Oxnard.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

California fire map & tracker: Latest updates on active fires throughout the state

The weather service issued a high wind warning for gusts of 60 to 80 mph  up to 100 mph in mountain locations  for much of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, including Santa Clarita, Woodland Hills, Ventura, Oxnard, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks. The warning is in effect from 4 a.m. Wednesday to 4 p.m. Thursday. Additional high wind warnings and advisories have been issued for other parts of Central and Southern California.

Weather models predict powerful Santa Ana winds in Southern California from Tuesday night through Thursday, especially in Ventura County. Baron/Lynx

Munroe said the destructive 2018 Woolsey Fire and 2019 Thomas Fire ignited amid similar conditions, adding the forecast has us very concerned.

Elevated fire weather is also forecast in Northern California amid dry and windy conditions. Widespread red flag warnings are in place across the Central Valley and Bay Area, but the weather service highlighted the western Sacramento Valley, the delta region, the East Bay and North Bay for the highest wildfire risk.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

More than 32 million Californians live in an area covered by a red flag warning or fire weather watch for high fire danger this week. The warnings begin at staggered times throughout the state, with the wildfire risk generally expected to peak Tuesday evening through Thursday.

Pacific Gas and Electric. Co warned of power shutoffs to prevent wildfire risk, but outages are not expected to begin until after Election Day polling closes.

Gusts up to 50 mph are possible in the Sacramento Valley and northern San Joaquin Valley, possibly even stronger in Solano County. The North Bay mountains, East Bay hills and Santa Cruz Mountains could gust over 55 mph, and up to 70 mph atop Mount St. Helena and Mount Diablo.

Diablo winds are often limited to the higher elevations of the Bay Area, but breezes should extend region-wide Tuesday night and Wednesday. Gusts of 30 to 40 mph are forecast in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose, with the strongest winds Tuesday night until midday Wednesday.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The National Weather Service forecasts elevated fire weather conditions in parts of Northern California from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday. Baron/Lynx

We are leaning more on the side that stronger winds will mix down into the valleys, said Rachel Kennedy, a meteorologist at the weather service office in Monterey. I wouldnt fully rule out the possibility of a stronger wind gust mixing down to the valleys of Sonoma and Napa counties.

It will likely be the strongest offshore wind event in the Bay Area in nearly four years. Weakened trees could snap or fall, causing power outages in some areas. Remaining Halloween decorations should be secured before the winds arrive.

Even in areas that experience significantly lower wind speeds, the air will be noticeably dry. Relative humidity is forecast to drop to the 10% to 20% range along the California coastline.

Were going to bring the desert to the beach, is the bottom line, said Alex Tardy, a warning coordination meteorologist at the San Diego weather service office.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Tuesday breakdown

San Francisco: Another sunny day is expected in the city. Temperatures will be a few degrees above normal, in the mid- to upper 60s. Winds will be generally light until sunset but will gradually crank up overnight, gusting up to 35 mph by Wednesday morning, stronger around Twin Peaks and Telegraph Hill. Overnight lows will be in the low to mid-50s.

North Bay: Winds will slowly increase throughout the day, becoming strong by the evening. By 10 p.m., gusts could exceed 45 mph in Fairfield, Vacaville and the Mayacamas Mountains. Breezy conditions should extend throughout Wine Country on Wednesday morning. Before the winds hit, conditions will be pleasant Tuesday. Highs will be in the mid- to upper 70s. Overnight lows will vary considerably, in the mid-50s in windy areas but dropping to the low 40s in sheltered valleys.

East Bay: A dry air mass will contribute to fantastic visibility throughout the East Bay. Highs will be in the low 70s in Berkeley, Oakland, Hayward and Fremont and the mid-70s in Concord, Walnut Creek and the Tri-Valley. Winds will increase in the evening, kicking into full gear overnight with gusts of 30 to 40 mph in the valleys and 50 mph or stronger in the hills. Lows will be in the low to mid-50s.

Pacific Coast and Peninsula: The Peninsula should avoid the winds for the most part during the day, with pleasant weather. Temperatures will be in the mid-60s at the coast and upper 60s to low 70s along the Interstate 280 and Highway 101 corridor. Winds will crank up overnight, gusting 40 to 50 mph in the mountains and up to 30 mph in South San Francisco, San Mateo and Redwood City. A few stronger gusts could also mix toward Half Moon Bay. Overnight lows will be in the upper 40s to low 50s.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
The number of police officers sacked and barred from returning to the service rose 50 percent in the year to March 2024 (Hannah McKay/PA)

Nearly 600 police officers were sacked and barred from returning to the job in the year to March 2024, figures show.

The number, 593, is a 50% rise on the 394 officers who were kicked out of the service in the previous 12 months, the College of Policing said.

The increase follows public concern over the culture in parts of policing, following the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer in 2021, and then-Met police sergeant David Carrick being unmasked as a serial sex offender who abused victims over nearly 20 years.

Groups of officers have also been punished for sharing deeply offensive WhatsApp messages.

(PA Graphics)

The 593 officers were from a workforce of more than 147,000 across the 43 police forces in England and Wales.

The latest figures from the College of Policing for the Police Barred List include categories for the reason for sacking, with 912 recorded in total as multiple reasons can apply to one case.

Dishonesty was the most common reason recorded, in 125 cases, while sexual offences or misconduct was recorded in 74 and discriminatory behaviour in 71, and unlawful access to or disclosure of information in 66.

Eighteen officers were sacked for being part of a discriminatory WhatsApp group, the same number for possessing indecent images of children, and 33 for abusing their position for a sexual purpose.

(PA Graphics)

Most of those, some 519, who lost their jobs were constables, while 48 were sergeants; 16 inspectors; five chief inspectors; two superintendents; one chief superintendent and two chief officers.

A total of 233 police staff and 30 specials were added to the Police Barred List between April 1 2023 and March 31 2024.

The figures show that 79 of the officers and specials who were sacked were from a black or other ethnic minority (BAME) background, 12.7 percent of the total dismissed; 530 were white, and ethnicity was not recorded in the remaining 14 cases.

Workforce data shows that as of March 31 2024 eight per cent of officers in England and Wales said they are from a BAME background.

The College of Policing figures also show that of 623 officers and specials who were sacked, 491 were male, 97 were female, one preferred to self-describe and 34 preferred not to say.

By individual force, the five forces with the highest numbers of officer sackings were the Metropolitan Police, 123 out of a workforce of 34,818; Greater Manchester Police with 36 out of 8,189; West Yorkshire 30 out of 6,156; West Midlands with 29 out of 8,102; and Essex with 25 out of 3,827.

Reasons for sacking included offensive WhatsApp messages in 18 cases, abusing their position for a sexual purpose in 33 (Aaron Chown/PA)

The first four forces are in the top 10 largest in England and Wales by workforce, while Essex is 26th.

The most common reasons for sacking among staff, from a total of 319 recorded, were dishonesty (45), unlawful access to or disclosure of information (37), discriminatory behaviour (31), and sexual offences or misconduct (26).

For specials, with 43 recorded, the most common included dishonesty (8), unlawful access to or disclosure of information (5), drink driving (4), and sexual offences or misconduct (4).

Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding, Director of Operational Standards at the College of Policing, said: It is of course, hugely disappointing to see the conduct of a number of officers falling far below the standard that we set for policing and which the public rightly expects.

However, these figures show that we have effective, robust procedures in place to identify and deal with these officers swiftly, and to prevent them from holding future roles in within the police.

These figures show that there is nowhere to hide for people who fail to meet the high standards set across our police forces.

Their behaviour tarnishes policing and erodes public trust.

The service will continue working to ensure we attract the right people into policing, ensuring that those who fail to meet these high standards have no future in policing.
Two women walk in the mud after floods in Catarroja on the outskirts of Valencia, Spain (Alberto Saiz/AP)

Eighty-nine people are confirmed to be missing one week after the catastrophic floods in the eastern Valencia region, Spanish authorities said.

It is the first figure of the missing to be made public.

The number only corresponds to the eastern Valencia region, where 211 of the 217 confirmed deaths took place.

Volunteers and residents clean the mud from the streets in an area affected by floods in Paiporta, Valencia (Emilio Morenatti/AP)

The Superior Court of Valencia said the figure was based on those cases whereby families had provided information and biological samples of their unlocated loved ones.
A group of Kurdish migrants from Iran and Iraq who failed in their attempt to reach the UK by boat walk back to the town of Ambleteuse, northern France (Bernat Armangue/AP)

A French court in Lille found 18 defendants guilty on Tuesday in a migrant-smuggling trial linked to dangerous English Channel crossings.

The group was charged after a 2022 police operation across Europe led to several arrests and the seizure of boats, life jackets and cash.

One of the ringleaders, from Iraq, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined 200,000 euros (167,709).

Most of the defendants were not in court for the sentencing. Some attended the trial remotely from various prisons in northern France, while others are not in custody.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The trial has shed light on the clandestine business in what has been a particularly deadly year for the many of men, women and children who attempt the crossing on small and often dangerously overloaded boats.

The 18 defendants were swept up in a pan-European operation that led to dozens of arrests in Germany, France, Britain and the Netherlands in July 2022.

Those arrested included the suspected ringleader of a network that smuggled as many as 10,000 people across the bustling shipping lanes of the English Channel.

The police raids also led to the seizures of 135 boats in Germany and the Netherlands, more than 1,000 life jackets, outboard engines, packs of paddles and cash.

Migrants have long used the wide beaches of northern France as launching points for attempted crossings to the UK. It is favoured by many as a destination for reasons of language or family ties.(PA Graphics)

Europes increasingly strict asylum rules, growing xenophobia and hostile treatment of migrants are also pushing many migrants north.

The British and French governments have worked for years to stop the risky crossings but have failed to deter people fleeing conflict or crushing poverty. Smugglers charge thousands of euros per person for passage.

More than 31,000 migrants have made the perilous Channel crossing so far this year, more than in all of 2023, though fewer than in 2022. At least 56 people have died in the attempts this year, according to French officials, making 2024 the deadliest since the crossings began surging in 2018.

On Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told an Interpol conference that people-smuggling should be viewed as a global security threat similar to terrorism.

He said intelligence and law-enforcement agencies should try to stop smuggling gangs before they act in the same way they do in counterterrorism operations.

Fourteen of the 18 defendants in Lille are from Iraq, with the others from Iran, Poland, France and the Netherlands.
Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, left, shakes hand with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar prior to their meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Tuesday (Pakistan Foreign Ministry via AP)

Irans foreign minister on Tuesday reiterated that his country does not seek an escalation in the Middle East but reserved the right to defend itself against Israels attack with a measured and calculative response.

Iranian officials are increasingly threatening to launch yet another strike against Israel after its October 26 attack on the Islamic Republic that targeted military bases and other locations and killed at least five people.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking at a news conference during a visit to Pakistan, said that unlike the Israeli regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek escalation.

We reserve our inherent rights to legitimate defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and we will certainly respond to the Israeli aggression in a proper time and in a proper manner in a very measured and very calculated manner, he said.

Mr Araghchi met Pakistans foreign minister Ishaq Dar, who called for an urgent ceasefire to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Iran has sought for years to revive a long-stalled multi-billion gas pipeline project launched in 2013 to supply Iranian natural gas to energy-starved Pakistan.

The project  opposed by Washington as a violation of sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear programme  has been on hold since 2014.
BENNINGTON  An attempted murder defendant who was part of a Massachusetts drug gang involved in a shootout in Pownal in 2022 has pleaded to one count of drug trafficking after further investigation pointed away from her being one of the shooters.

Odalys Velez-Perez, 22, of Springfield, Massachusetts, took a plea deal after state prosecutors amended their original charges, deleting the attempted murder charge and replacing it with a felony charge of Fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. She was given a 5-10-year sentence  suspended, with two years to serve and credit for time already spent locked up. She was also given five years of probation after incarceration.

Prosecutor Jared Bianchi confirmed the amended charge and explained the reasoning behind the change, including the fact that further investigation from several sources pointed to Velez-Perez not being one of the shooters. He also confirmed Velez-Perez, locked up since her arrest, had made substantial strides in treatment and offender programs while incarcerated.

According to an affidavit in the case, Velez-Peres was part of a drug gang from Massachusetts and had moved into a residence in Pownal after members of the Latin Kings had abandoned the house. By early 2022, the Latin Kings gang allegedly tried to reclaim the residence. Gang members arrived at the home on Route 7 on the night of January 26, 2022, and approached the house, spraying bullets in an attempt to retake the drug location. Velez-Perez was part of the gang that had taken over, and members started shooting back in a wild shootout that resulted in numerous arrests on both sides. A member of the rival gang inside the Pownal house, a teen named Isaiah Rodriguez, was later found shot to death along a remote part of Danby Mountain Road in a snowbank.

Although Velez-Perez was spotted on surveillance video holding a weapon, according to an ongoing investigation, she never fired at anyone.

Of the six individuals inside the home that night beside Velez-Perez, two were the legal residents of the property and ran away when the shooting started; two others  Giovanni Torres and John Pena-Baez  were also charged with attempted murder. Torres pleaded to a lesser charge of aggravated assault and was sentenced to two years behind bars. Pena-Baez has yet to answer charges. He has an outstanding arrest warrant in Vermont for this shooting and is also the prime suspect in the Isaiah Rodriguez murder. Rodriguez, just 17, was shot several times and left in a show bank over a gun dispute within his own gang. His body was found less than a month after the Pownal shootout.

There are currently three other individuals facing charges related to Isaiah Rodriguezs homicide, including the suspected shooters. All four are currently in custody, with three held outside Vermont. Besides Pena-Baez, Christopher Morgan is currently in federal custody on gun and drug charges. Joerick Johnson is in the hands of Massachusetts authorities on separate charges and is fighting extradition to Vermont to face murder charges. Both are under separate Vermont arrest warrants. A fourth individual, Elijah Johnson of Manchester, is in Vermont custody in the murder.

Velez-Perez apologized to the court at her change of plea hearing Monday morning, telling the court that she was sorry for the harm she has caused, how her priorities have changed, and that she had made progress in the months since her arrest in several programs while incarcerated. She hoped to move on from the incident.

Velez-Perez is facing a 5-year probation term after she is released. She will have to follow several conditions of probation, including possible prohibited travel, no criminal behavior, no purchasing or possessing any regulated drug without a valid prescription, urine testing, warrantless searches of her person and property, GPS monitoring, prohibition of associating with specific individuals according to her probation officer, screening for mental health and substance abuse, a curfew, no firearms, no discharge from probation before 3.5 years, and no contact with anyone associated with the case.

When asked for comment about the plea deal, Prosecutor Bianchi said, "This is an appropriate outcome based on what we now understand as the facts. We take very seriously the severity of the event, and the fact that Mrs. Velez-Perez has worked hard since her incarceration to help understand and lawfully move forward."

Velez-Perez was taken back into custody to serve the remainder of her sentence immediately after her hearing.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
A Pittsfield man admitted Monday to speeding away from a car stop, running over an officer's foot then leading police on a car chase that ended in a fiery crash.
You are the owner of this article.
GREAT BARRINGTON  Yes, a temporary bridge can be installed at Brookside Road. But the town will have to pay for it, state officials said.

It will cost $3.5 million to $4.1 million, depending on whether a new temporary bridge is constructed, or the temporary Division Street span  which is currently keeping that road open  is reused at the Brookside crossing.

And yes, the existing Brookside Road bridge potentially could be reopened as a single-lane crossing, pending an assessment by engineers. That would involve repairs  which also would be on the town's dime.

All those options are possible, Massachusetts Department of Transportation officials and engineers told the Select Board and residents Monday night during a standing-room only meeting at Town Hall that spilled out into the hallway and frequently had to be shushed.

DOT officials in May ordered the town to close the Brookside bridge after the states routine inspection found it severely deteriorated, and missing sections of steel beams. Since then, nearby residents have been calling for faster and more affordable solutions to reopening the bridge, including a temporary or one-lane solution. The current scope of the project will take roughly eight years to completion and $11.6 million of mostly federal money.

Town voters will have to sign off, at annual town meeting in May, on any expenditures for a temporary bridge or major repair at Brookside.

But on Monday night, residents did not complain about detours or costs. They grilled officials about how all this came to be and how fast it could be fixed. It was residents versus the boulder of bureaucratic forces.

Every solution to reopen the town-owned river crossing at Brookside Road will take money and time, said DOTs Bridge Program Manager Robert Rottenbucher. Thats because, he said, the letter of the law, cant be sidestepped when it comes to environmental permits and all the other details of a bridge project.

And in the case of installing a temporary bridge  it will still take roughly two to three years to engineer and install, according to DOT District 1 Director Francesca Hemming, who also provided the cost estimates.

An earmark of $500,000 will soften the blow for possible installation of a temporary bridge or repairs. State Rep. William Smitty Pignateli, D-Lenox, told the board he had secured it in a bond bill that is awaiting the governors signature.

Inspection reports over the last two decades showed that the bridge was steadily worsening. The town never made repairs or did maintenance, despite inspection reports showing the structural damage, and a warning from state engineers in 2019. The town did begin preliminary engineering to prepare for the temporary one-lane bridge at Division Street to be moved when that bridge is eventually replaced.

In an effort to get answers, outraged residents formed the Brookside Neighbors Group and pushed for this meeting in order to get all the necessary officials in the same room.

The shutdown, residents say, has caused a cascade of problems, as well as sparked safety concerns, given what is roughly a 20-minute detour into Sheffield and back.

Its also affecting businesses in town as residents from the area east of the river have changed their shopping habits and many now orbit toward nearby Connecticut.

Great Barrington Bagel Co. and Deli owner Bob Climo, who came to support the residents, later told The Eagle that he's lost his usual "15 to 25 [residents] a day, easy from the area affected by the bridge shutdown.

Holmes and Tighe & Bond engineer and Project Manager Andrea Lacasse said they had not been asked to study the option to keep one lane open at Brookside. Holmes said they would be "happy to evaluate" it if asked by the town. They said they had not received the report from the May inspection. DOT officials said they had emailed it to Aberdale on June 28.

Aberdale noted that none of the studies or actual work on a temporary bridge can be started until at least July 1 when the new budget is available  and thats pushing it.

Resident Nora Fernandez asked DOT official Rottenbucher questions about why the general timeline for a solution is so long.

It really sounds outrageous, she said, speaking from her experience as an architect.

I have a hard time understanding why things take us so long as well," Rottenbucher replied, suggesting that government red tape is hard to cut. "But it's grounded in reality.


Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute.

Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno.

Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi.
A criminal solicitor has gone on trial accused of theft and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Cahir OHiggins (49) pleaded not guilty to one count of theft of 400 in July 2016 and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in December 2017. Mr O'Higgins of Cahir O'Higgins and Company, Kingsbride House, Parkgate Street, Dublin denies all the allegations against him.

Advertisement

Opening the prosecution's case on Tuesday afternoon, Eoin Lawlor SC told jurors that Mr O'Higgins is a criminal defence solicitor with 20 years' experience.

He said the alleged injured party in this case is Raul Sanz, a Spanish national, who was a defendant in a case before the Dublin District Court on July 30th, 2016.

Legal firm Darcy Horan were assigned to Mr Sanz under the legal aid scheme, but they didn't have a representative at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ), and an arrangement was made for Mr O'Higgins to stand in and represent the defendant.

Mr Lawlor said the presiding judge was told by Mr O'Higgins that his client wished to plead guilty and agreed to strike out the case against Mr Sanz if 200 was paid. Mr O'Higgins then volunteered to withdraw the money.

Advertisement

Mr Sanz's bank card and PIN were obtained by the investigating garda and given to Mr O'Higgins, who then went to the Londis shop on Parkgate Street, the court heard.

Mr Lawlor said it is the State's case that Mr O'Higgins made three withdrawals totalling 600 from the ATM in the shop. It is alleged Mr O'Higgins placed 200 into papers he was holding, and put the balance of 400 into his pocket.

When Mr O'Higgins returned to the courtroom, 200 was paid and the case against Mr Sanz was struck out.

Mr Lawlor said Mr Sanz was brought from the holding area to the ground floor of the CCJ, where Mr O'Higgins told the garda he needed to have a private consultation with his client. This took place without an interpreter.

Advertisement

Mr Lawlor said Mr Sanz became aware Mr O'Higgins had withdrawn a sum of money in addition to the 200 to pay for his services.

No receipt or invoice

He said there was no receipt or invoice from Mr O'Higgins reflecting any money having been paid for services rendered, if that is the purpose for which he kept the money. The court heard Mr O'Higgins does not accept that he kept the 400.

Darcy Horan solicitors subsequently made a claim to the legal aid scheme in relation to this case.

Mr Lawlor said gardai started an investigation after a complaint was made and on December 8th, 2017, Mr O'Higgins was invited to attend a voluntary cautioned interview.

Advertisement

Following this, Mr O'Higgins emailed scans of a two-page document that purported to be contemporaneous notes made while he was representing Mr Sanz. These notes stated Mr Sanz agreed to and instructed the withdrawal of 600 and that Mr O'Higgins handed him 400 in an envelope.

On December 17th, 2017, Mr O'Higgins attended the Bridgewell Garda Station for a voluntary interview with gardai and handed over the original of these notes. Mr O'Higgins told gardai that Mr Sanz gave consent for 600 to be withdrawn.

Mr Lawlor said gardai then showed Mr O'Higgins CCTV footage from July 30th, 2016. At this point, Mr O'Higgins said he would be candid and admitted the notes were not contemporaneous, but drawn up some time later.

Prosecuting counsel said Mr O'Higgins told gardai that these notes contained untruths and were drawn up due to concerns about a potential Law Society investigation. Mr O'Higgins said he handed the 400 to Mr Sanz in an envelope along with the charge sheets.

Advertisement

Mr Lawlor said Mr O'Higgins made a prepared statement to gardai in early 2018 in which he accepted he had withdrawn 600.

He said he did this as he understood the investigating garda intended to ask the District Court judge to re-open the case and he formed the view that the judge, whom the accused described as unpredictable, may increase the fine or request compensation be paid.

Mr O'Higgins told gardai he divided the money into two sums, describing the 400 as contingency money. He accepted he hadn't sought his client's consent, but believed it was inferred from the circumstances. Mr O'Higgins maintained that he put the 400 into an envelope and gave it to Mr Sanz.

After he was charged on April 7th, 2020, Mr Lawlor told the jury that Mr O'Higgins replied that he was surprised by this allegation, Im not guilty and I will answer it at the appropriate time.

Garda Tao Yu gave evidence that he arrested Mr Sanz in the early hours of July 30th, 2016 for criminal damage after a fire started in a toilet cubicle at Dicey's nightclub.

Under cross-examination, Gda Yu told Michael O'Higgins SC, defending, that he could not remember if he had any conversation with Mr O'Higgins about applying to the judge to re-open the case, after the judge had indicated he would strike out the case if 200 was paid.

Gda Yu accepted he could have intended to ask the judge to re-open the case, but repeated that he didn't know and couldn't remember.

The witness also told defence counsel that he couldn't recall if he saw Mr O'Higgins hand anything to Mr Sanz.

Ireland Gerry Hutch free to travel to Ireland, boosting ge... Read More

A copy of a map of the ground floor of the CCJ was shown to the jury, along with CCTV footage from within the building on July 30th, 2016.

Mr O'Higgins has pleaded not guilty of the theft of 400 on July 30th, 2016 at Londis shop, on Parkgate Street.

He also pleaded not guilty to four counts of perverting the course of public justice contrary to common law, on December 8th and December 17th, 2017 , within the State and at the Bridewell Garda Station in Dublin.

The trial is expected to last six days and continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.
A Dublin businessman and former election candidate who lost the plot when he produced a slash hook after a work crew cut off his water supply has avoided jail and a criminal conviction.

Brian Garrigan (57), of Fairview Corner, Dublin 3, who unsuccessfully ran as an independent candidate in the 2020 general election and this years council elections, was accused of engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour under the Public Order Act, a weapons offence for the production of a slash-hook during a dispute, and criminal damage to freshly laid tarmac.

Advertisement

The incident occurred at Annesley Bridge Road, Fairview, Dublin, on October 22nd last year, when Garrigans water was cut off by road workers who refused to turn it back on over the weekend.

He said despite repeated requests, workers cursed at his wife and covered a stop cock which was switched off and covered with tarmac.

Garrigan, the owner of an IT recovery and computer repair business, who plans to run in the next general election, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. However, he was convicted following a hearing before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court last month.

The judge ruled that Garrigan had broken the law but gave him a chance to avoid having a recorded conviction.

Advertisement

On Tuesday, the court heard Garrigan had donated 500 to the Make a Wish childrens charity. Judge Hughes applied the Probation of Offenders Act and granted gardai a destruction order for the slash-hook.

Judge Hughes had said it appeared after the issues with his water supply that the accused was at the end of his tether and lost the plot and acted in a way he should not have behaved.

Garda Lawrence Kavanagh said that around lunchtime on Sunday, he had been in a patrol car nearby when a woman came up to tell him what was happening.

He observed that the accused was behind a construction barrier, and there were workers present, as well as members of the public, including families, in the area. A cafe was also open nearby.

Advertisement

He said Garrigan was swinging a large slash-hook into the ground while workers tried getting him to stop but were standing back from him.

The garda said some people were frantic when they told him about the accused, whose wife and children were crying in their doorway.

Garda Kavanagh said the accused had been swinging the slash hook into tarmac newly laid over water pipes. Garrigan, he recalled, was upset at being disconnected due to the work and that he had no water since the previous evening.

The garda agreed that the accused put down the slash-hook when asked and that he cooperated. He said the disconnection severely impacted the accuseds home and business.

Advertisement

In evidence, which was uncontradicted, Garrigan said the crew turned off his water on the Saturday evening. He said they were Romanian and did not speak English, but his wife was from Romania and spoke to them.

He claimed they were verbally abusive to her, and they still had no water on that Sunday afternoon; they could not drink, bathe the children or wash their uniforms for school the next day.

He told Judge Hughes that he asked the crew, via his wife, to put the water back on. However, they lay down the tarmac over the stopcock access cover. Garrigan claimed they were asked four times; he tried to get an engineer out to help, but when they refused the fifth time, he took out the slash hook.

He explained that he had it for his computer work because he often had to destroy hard drives and used the slash hook for that purpose.

Advertisement

However, he denied that he swung it and said that he used it to scratch away the tarmac to turn back on his supply. He also said he could have reset the tarmac, which the workers would pull up the following day anyway.

Ireland Gerry Hutch free to travel to Ireland, boosting ge... Read More

An hour and a half later, when he was released from the local garda station, another crew pulled up the tarmac and reconnected his water.

The judge noted the father of two had no prior convictions of relevance.

Mr Garrigans website and social media say he has donated more than 550 free computers to various causes. He announced on X, formerly Twitter, that he ran in the local elections for Dublin Central to put Irish lives first, with a photo of him holding an Irish Lives Matter poster.

He had canvassed on various issues, including immigration, health, the climate emergency, housing and gender equality.
Gerry Hutchs hopes of standing in the general election were given a boost on Tuesday after it emerged he is free to travel to Ireland.

Court officials also confirmed his bid to run for the Dail had been a fundamental part of his successful appeal against his remand in prison last month.

Advertisement

It had been thought a judge who provisionally released him on 100,000 bail on Monday had imposed strict conditions, including a travel ban.

But court officials confirmed on Tuesday that no conditions were attached to the release.

Hutch, 61, was one of two of the nine suspects held in Lanzarote during dawn raids on October 23rd who were remanded in custody after a behind-closed-doors court hearing in the island capital Arrecife two days later.

He and an alleged British associate were sent to Lanzarote's tough Tahiche Prison before it emerged on Monday that Hutch had been provisionally released.

Advertisement

The Canary Islands High Court press office said Tuesday in a new statement: With regards to the alleged leader of an international criminal gang who yesterday was provisionally released on bail of 100,000, Court of Instruction Number Two in Arrecife informs that apart from the aforementioned bail to ensure his presence at the trial, no other precautionary measures have been imposed.

One of the main arguments taken into account by both the prosecutor in his favourable report on the conceding of bail and the investigating magistrate when taking the decision is that the person under investigation alleged in his appeal the withdrawal of his passport or other measures limiting his movements would prevent his free access to the elections.

He alleged that would cause irreparable damage to his right to passive suffrage, which remains intact.

Only a conviction can prevent him from standing for election. The other person remanded in prison on October 25th remains in prison. A secrecy order over the case is still in place."

Advertisement

Court officials have confirmed Hutch is being investigated on suspicion of money laundering.

In their statement Monday they said: The Irish citizen remanded in custody in Lanzarote on October 25th as the alleged leader of an international criminal gang has been provisionally released on bail of 100,000 this morning, November 4th, after Court of Instruction Number Two in Arrecife upheld his appeal against the imprisonment order.

The investigating magistrate took this decision after receiving a report from the Public Prosecutor's Office which was favourable to the appeal.

The Irish citizen is being investigated as the alleged perpetrator of a money laundering offence committed in the context of a criminal organisation.

Advertisement

Overnight reports claimed Hutch was more determined than ever to stand in the general election.

Election 2024 Election will be called by the end of the week  T... Read More

The veteran Dublin criminal was also said to be furious over the garda dawn raid on his Clontarf home when they knew he was out of the country.

Hutch has been openly travelling between Ireland and Spain using his own passport since he was acquitted last year of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016.

Despite his determination to run for the Dail, he faces an uphill battle to get enough votes according to a Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll at the weekend.

Just eight per cent of people said they would consider giving Hutch a No.1 vote if he was to run as a candidate in their constituency.
A murder accused inquired about renting a storage unit while the body of a drug dealer who had been shot dead remained in his apartment, a trial has heard.

Dean Caffrey (38) denies murdering 28-year-old Sean McCarthy, whose body was found in a wardrobe of the accused's home four days after he had gone missing.

Advertisement

Mr Caffrey would later tell gardai that the deceased had accused him of stealing heroin, came to his apartment with a gun and threatened that he would "leave in a body bag" if he didn't pay 5,000.

In her opening speech, prosecution counsel Kathleen Noctor SC said Mr Caffrey told gardai there was a scuffle and he, the accused, secured the firearm and discharged it in the direction of Mr McCarthy, causing the fatal wound.

The prosecution intends to prove that Mr Caffrey intended to kill or cause serious injury to the deceased and that he is guilty of murder.

Mr Caffrey of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sean McCarthy on a date between August 2nd and 7th 2022, both dates inclusive, in the State.

Advertisement

Emma Flynn on Tuesday told Ms Noctor that she works for U Store It in Dublin, a company providing short and long-term storage. She confirmed that on August 3rd, 2022, at 7.15pm, one day after the accused said the fatal scuffle took place, a man calling himself Dean Caffrey filled out an online form requesting a unit.

The request was for a 16-square-foot unit in the Charlestown depot, required within one week and for a period of one to three months to hold "household clutter".

The following day, Ms Flynn called the number attached to the online form and spoke with a male customer calling himself Dean. The man asked to reserve a 20-square-foot unit, but none were immediately available.

Ms Flynn told the customer she would call again when one did come available, but she cancelled the booking on August 11th after repeated efforts to contact him failed.

Advertisement

The witness agreed with defence counsel Kevin White BL that in filling out the online form, Mr Caffrey had used his own name, mobile number and email address.

He had also confirmed his address over the phone the following day as Beaucourt Avenue in Drumcondra and gave debit card details.

Ms Flynn agreed that background noise she noticed during the phone call would be consistent with Mr Caffrey having been working at Dublin Airport when she called.

The trial continues in front of Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and five women.
One in five workers are struggling with illegal substance use, according to the latest Laya Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index.

Launched on Tuesday at Croke Park, the comprehensive annual report, now in its fifth year, provides insights into the evolving landscape of employee wellbeing in Ireland.

Advertisement

The 2024 Index reveals that 16 per cent of employees are addicted to or have an unhealthy relationship with Class A or illicit drugs.

Overall, two in five Irish workers report addiction to or an unhealthy relationship with at least one substance, with nicotine (29 per cent) and alcohol (21 per cent) being the most prevalent.

The data shows that men, those aged 24 and under, and those with a disability or health condition, are more likely to struggle with addiction.

Senior managers are also more likely to report unhealthy relationships with substances compared to those in more junior roles.

Advertisement

Beyond substance use, the Index highlights the growing prevalence of other addictions impacting the workplace.

Almost a third of workers (33 per cent) admit to an unhealthy relationship with social media, while 30 per cent report the same about work itself.

One in five respondents identify similar struggles with pornography or sex, mirroring the figure (19 per cent) for gambling addiction.

Head of health and wellbeing at Laya Healthcare, Sinead Proos, said: Employers should recognise addiction as a serious issue impacting Irish workplaces, encompassing substance use, gambling, and social media.

Advertisement

"While these results are concerning, they also present a valuable opportunity for employers to prioritise employee wellbeing.

"By fostering a supportive culture and providing access to resources like counselling and employee assistance programs, we can support and empower employees to make the first steps towards improving their health and wellbeing.

Health conditions

The Index also sheds light on the prevalence of health conditions and disabilities among Irish workers.

A significant one in two employees report living with an underlying health condition or mental wellbeing issue. Anxiety and depression are the most commonly cited conditions, with one in ten Irish employees having a diagnosis of depression.

Advertisement

Ireland 71% of Irish employers hire 'underqualified' staff... Read More

The data reveals a disconnect between employees and their organisations regarding these issues. 54 per cent of those with a health condition or disability admit they would be embarrassed to speak to their employer about it, while one in two with a mental health condition fear being treated differently if they disclose it to their employer.

Furthermore, nearly half of all employees (48 per cent) are unaware of the support resources available to them.

The Index highlights the disparity in diagnosis rates between physical and mental health conditions. People with physical conditions are more likely to have a formal diagnosis than those with mental health or communication difficulties.

For example, while most people with a visual or hearing impairment have been diagnosed, the rates are significantly lower for anxiety and speech and language problems.
Michelle ONeill has insisted there is not a problem with the culture in Sinn Fein following a series of controversies that have hit the party.

Ms ONeill vowed to build back trust with anyone whose confidence in her party had been dinted following criticism of its handling of several separate allegations against party members.

Advertisement

Stormonts First Minister and the Sinn Fein vice president insisted her party took action when it became aware of the various complaints and allegations.

First Minister and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill (Liam McBurney/PA).

Well there has been a number of instances, we cant escape that, she told the PA news agency.

I work hard to ensure that we have the publics trust and to build back anything that perhaps we may have lost.

Sinn Fein has faced criticism over how it has dealt with a number of controversies, including those involving former press officer Michael McMonagle and former senator Niall O Donnghaile.

Advertisement

In September, McMonagle, 43, from Limewood Street, Derry, admitted a series of offences including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

It subsequently emerged that two other press officers, who have since resigned from the party, provided job references for him after Sinn Fein had suspended him amid police inquiries.

The references enabled McMonagle to get a job with the British Heart Foundation in 2022, with the charity unaware of the allegations.

Last month, former Sinn Fein senator and Belfast lord mayor Mr O Donnghaile revealed that he stepped down from the Seanad and left the party last December because of a complaint that accused him of sending inappropriate text messages to a teenager.

Advertisement

Sinn Fein referred that matter to the PSNI and social services last September, but no criminal investigation was undertaken.

Separately last month, it emerged that a Sinn Fein member had resigned from the party after admitting involvement in an incident where a portrait of former DUP lord mayor Lord Wallace Browne was damaged at Belfast City Hall.

I would hope that people will see that as soon as any of these things came to our attention, we took immediate action, Ms ONeill said.

I have no tolerance for this type of behaviour in this party.

Advertisement

I will not tolerate these types of actions, and I will take action to dismiss people that are engaged in any of this type of activity.

But I dont believe its a culture in Sinn Fein and I think its a conflation of a number of issues over a number of weeks, unfortunately.

However, we have to answer up to that, and we have, but I hope that the public will take some comfort from the fact that as soon as information came to our attention, we took action.

Other issues that have hit Sinn Fein in recent weeks include the resignation of high-profile Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley, who quit the party in October amid a controversy relating to a complaint against him.

Advertisement

He claimed he was subjected to a character assassination by a clique within the party and likened its processes to a kangaroo court.

Sinn Fein rejected his claims and insisted it handled the matter in accordance with proper procedures.

His resignation came days after fellow Sinn Fein TD Patricia Ryan quit the party.

She said her departure was in response to the party undermining her.

The latest controversy emerged on Sunday evening when Sinn Fein announced that it had suspended one of its Belfast city councillors after an allegation that he exchanged inappropriate online messages with a minor.

The party said it had suspended JJ Magee without prejudice, having referred the matter to social services and the PSNI.

Solicitors for Mr Magee have said he absolutely denies any allegation of inappropriate conduct.

KRW Law said the complaint against its client had been made to the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards, adding that Mr Magee has lodged a 12,000-word, 38-page rebuttal with the commissioner.

The solicitors said Mr Magee had not made Sinn Fein aware of the complaint as there was no substance to it and he believed the matter would be resolved quickly by the commissioner.

The PSNI said it received a report in June this year with regard to inappropriate messages. Officers said no criminal offences were detected, and safeguarding assessments and engagement with other statutory bodies were conducted at the time.

Ms ONeill said Mr Magee should have told the party about the complaint against him.

He should have informed the party of anything of this nature, she said.

We did our due diligence in terms of referring this both to the police and social services, which is the appropriate response whenever something like this comes to our attention.

Asked if she was aware of any other allegations in relation to other party figures that are not already in the public domain, Ms ONeill said she was not.
A court challenge that has stalled plans to house up to 1,000 male asylum seekers on a State-owned north Co Dublin site alleges breaches of environmental laws and pressure on transport and wastewater services.

Local group SMTW Environmental DAC also says that without strict control measures, there is a significant risk the 1,000 men who are free to walk along local rural roads that have no footpaths will create a nuisance to the local population of about 300 residents.

Advertisement

The group claims Minister for Integration Roderick OGorman incorrectly granted a statutory instrument confirming the Thornton Hall development did not need to be subject to two types of environmental assessment and An Bord Pleanala approval.

In an affidavit, Liam OGradaigh, who is a director and member of SMTW, said the group issued its case over serious concerns regarding the lawful sustainability of the process leading to the Ministers signing of the statutory instrument.

He said he finds it very troubling that there is such a paucity of information about how the Minister determined that the environmental assessments and planning application were not required.

On Monday, barrister David OBrien, for SMTW, told the High Court that the Minister has agreed to revoke his statutory instrument. The court heard this revocation had not yet been exercised.

Advertisement

The first 40 international protection applicants were initially due to be housed in tents on the 160-acre site in August, with this due to increase to 400 by October and to 1,000 by the end of the year.

Early last month, the department said the first asylum seekers would move on the site during October.

The department proposes that the military tents would in due course be swapped out for 130 modular units.

In legal documents, SMTW, represented by PB Cunningham & Co, says it has a keen interest in environmental protection and was established to ensure proper planning and sustainability of St Margarets, The Ward and surrounding areas.

Advertisement

In 2023, it unsuccessfully brought court proceedings, along with Friends of the Irish Environment, challenging a ministerial direction for Fingal County Council to remove Dublin Airport noise mitigation measures from its development plan.

The Thornton Hall case alleges the Minister failed to carry out lawful environmental assessments of the site under EUs Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats directives.

SMTW claims the ministerial order refers to the Minister being satisfied an environmental impact assessment is not required for the project. However, SMTW says, no screening determination is available and the Minister has no competence to make such a determination.

SMTW says there is severe pressure on the existing wastewater treatment plants in the area and proper assessment of the development must at least confirm that these can accept the material from the site. It points to a proposed housing development next to Thornton Hall that was recently refused permission because there was no foul sewer infrastructure to service it.

Advertisement

It alleges that the proposal to accommodate 1,000 men on the site yields an obligation to service 150,000 litres of wastewater daily or for the sewage to be treated on site. It says neither option has been properly assessed.

Traffic and transport constraints are also cited by the group, which says the main bus service is already over capacity and cannot cater to an additional 1,000 people.

The lack of public footpaths around the site means the occupants will cause a significant traffic hazard and a health and safety issue, it says.
A young Dublin woman, who had undergone weight loss surgery in Turkey, died from a blood clot shortly after she had spent almost 44 hours sitting in an overcrowded emergency department, an inquest has heard.

Erin Dennis (26), a betting shop worker of Cushlawn, Tallaght, Dublin, died on March 2nd, 2022, after collapsing at home shortly after she had left the emergency department at Tallaght University Hospital (TUH).

Advertisement

A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court on Tuesday heard TUH has apologised for any failings that had been identified in a clinical review of the circumstances of Ms Dennis death.

However, a barrister representing her family, Nichola Delaney BL, said they had heard many apologies from hospitals about failings in care and wondered how many times it would be before an apology is sincere".

The inquest heard Ms Dennis had spent a total of 43 hours and 38 minutes in TUHs emergency department where kidney stones were diagnosed as the cause of her abdominal pain.

Evidence was also given that an ECG scan was not carried out on Ms Dennis prior to her discharge from TUH as required by the hospitals policy after she was found with a fast heart rate.

Advertisement

A staff nurse, Junnel Aganon, said the patients condition meant her vital signs should also have been checked every four to six hours, but it was not possible due to overcrowding.

The coroner, Clare Keane, recorded a narrative verdict based on very complex evidence relating to several issues regarding the deceaseds health in various periods before her death.

Dr Keane confirmed that the cause of death was a pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis of an artery in the deceaseds left leg.

The coroner said it came against a background of Ms Dennis having a raised body mass index (BMI), undergoing surgery in Turkey for a gastric sleeve  an operation to remove a large part of the stomach  as well as suffering a fracture to her left ankle while in hospital.

Advertisement

A consultant in emergency medicine, Michael Bennett, acknowledged that Ms Dennis had a protracted stay in a severely overcrowded and understaffed emergency department prior to her death.

With this level of overcrowding, we are unable to see patients in a timely and safe manner due to the lack of clinical space, said Dr Bennett.

The inquest heard that patients should be triaged within 15 minutes, but it was four hours and 29 minutes before Ms Dennis was seen when she arrived in the hospital on February 28th, 2022.

Once triaged, Ms Dennis condition meant she should have been examined by a doctor within one hour.

Advertisement

However, Dr Bennett accepted that it was almost 11 hours before the patient was seen by a doctor, while it took a further six and a half hours before the results of a CT scan became available.

Ms Dennis chose to have the kidney stones diagnosed by the scan managed conservatively and left TUH shortly after 3:30pm on March 2nd, 2022.

However, she collapsed outside her home around 5pm and was in cardiac arrest as she arrived back at the hospital at 5:48pm. Efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at 7:03pm.

Ms Denniss mother, Theresa Dixon, broke down in tears as she recounted how her daughter had complained about dizziness, blurred vision and her left eye turning in which first led to her being admitted to TUH on January 23rd, 2022.

Advertisement

She was my breath. My only child that came from my body. I have failed her because it was my job to protect her, Ms Dixon sobbed.

While in hospital, Ms Dennis required surgery after suffering a fracture to her left ankle after she fell while going to the toilet on January 24th, 2022.

She was discharged on February 17th, 2022 but needed to return to the hospital on February 28th, 2022 with back pain.

The inquest heard Ms Dennis, who was overweight, had decided to travel to Turkey in November 2021 for gastric sleeve surgery after researching the topic for a few years and was taking multivitamins after the operation.

A consultant neurologist at TUH, Allan McCarthy, said medical records showed that Ms Dennis had been vomiting five or six times a day for an eight-week period when she was admitted to the hospital in January 2022.

Dr McCarthy said the patient had been diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy  a brain disorder caused by the lack of vitamin B1.

He noted that the multivitamins that Ms Dennis had been using did not contain vitamin B1.

Dr McCarthy said doctors had believed the vomiting was due to the effect of the gastric sleeve surgery as there was no other obvious cause".

The consultant admitted that he was worried about the degree and duration of vomiting as it would lead to a deficiency of vitamin B1 in a patient after three to six weeks.

The inquest heard that the fracture to the deceaseds left ankle was linked to a problem with her gait which may have been due to her lack of vitamin B1.

Dr McCarthy also noted there was no record of Ms Dennis taking any anti-blood clotting medication after the surgery in Turkey.

The consultant confirmed that the dosage of anticoagulants prescribed to the patient after the surgery on her ankle was doubled during her stay in hospital due to her weight.

Evidence was heard that doctors at TUH did not consider Ms Dennis at risk of blood clots when she attended an outpatient clinic to review her ankle on March 1st, 2022, as she was six weeks after surgery at that stage and her leg appeared normal.

Medical records showed the deceased had never complained at any stage of pains in her leg.

The inquest heard that Ms Dennis had some mobility after she had been discharged home on February 17th, 2022, but also used a wheelchair.

Offering her sympathy to Ms Dennis family, Dr Keane said Erin had great hope that the surgery she had undergone in Turkey would be life-changing".

The tragic outcome could not be foreseen, the coroner added.
A woman has been jailed for two years for her role in the robbery with menace of a young girl who was slapped, threatened with a stick, caught in a headlock and had her hair pulled before a confirmation necklace given to her by her grandmother was grabbed from her neck.

Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that Natasha Morey (30) was with an accomplice in a wooded area by the Mardyke Skate Park in the city at around 3.30pm on September 3rd, 2023.

Advertisement

The women approached two 15-year-old girls and their slightly older male friend who had been innocently enjoying the sunny afternoon.

Detective Garda Patrick Houlihan said that the young teenagers were told that they would be given safe passage if they handed over money. The frightened teenagers gave the women the opportunity contents of their pockets which totalled just under 10.

One of the youngsters parted with her bus money. When she said that was all she had on her person the women insisted that she was lying.

Garda Houlihan said that one of the youngsters was tackled by the woman.

Advertisement

She was grabbed and her face was slapped. She was threatened with a stick and a chain worth 300 was pulled from her neck. 

The injured parties existed the area. But the women chased the group, put them in fear and again threatened to give them a slap.

The youngsters gave a description of the suspects who were identified as Ms Morey of Liffey Park in Mayfield in Cork and her co accused Michelle Harrington (36) who has since been jailed for three years for her role in the offence.

Prosecuting barrister Emmet Boyle, SC, said that Ms Harrington was the main driver in the daytime offence. Ms Morey has 17 previous convictions. However, this is her first offence before the Circuit Court.

Advertisement

Defence counsel Seamus Roche, SC, said that Ms Morey was very sorry for her involvement in the case. He described her background as troubled and stressed that she fully accepted her part in the offence. He emphasised that Ms Harrington was the main protagonist.

She (Ms Morey) is very sorry. She could have done more to restrain the other lady and she was involved herself.

The mother of three is on a methadone programme in prison arising out of her heroin addiction. Ms Morey pleaded guilty three counts of robbery.

Victim impact statements were handed in to the presiding judge. One of the girls told Judge Sheehan that she only felt safe with her parents and was nervous outside of the house. The court heard that the stolen necklace was given to the young girl by a grandmother who has since passed away.

Advertisement

Judge Dermot Sheehan said that the two women were equally responsible but that he would reflect the lesser participation of Ms Morey in the offence. He jailed Ms Morey for four years, suspending the last two years of the sentence.

Her accomplice, Michelle Harrington of Ravensdale in Mahon in Cork was jailed last June for her role in the offence. She received a sentence which was twelve months longer than that of Ms Morey to reflect her greater role in the robbery.

The mother of four had 40 previous convictions, including counts for theft, burglary, endangerment and causing criminal damage. Defence Counsel Mahon Corkery said that drug addiction played a role in the opportunistic offence.

Judge Cormac Quinn said that aggravating factors included that the injured parties included two juvenile girls and the fact that Ms Harrington had relevant previous convictions.

In mitigation, the judge took into consideration the defendants addictions, the fact that there was no weapon, the guilty plea and that there was an expression of regret.
Australias foreign minister said she has raised allegations with her Indian counterpart that India has targeted Sikh activists in Canada.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she discussed the Canadian allegations with Indian foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar while he was in the Australian capital Canberra.

Advertisement

India has denied Canadas allegation that Indian home minister Amit Shah ordered the targeting of Sikh activists inside Canada.

Ms Wong said her message to the Sikh community was that people have a right to be safe and respected in Australia, regardless of who they are.

Weve made clear our concerns about the allegations under investigation. Weve said that we respect Canadas judicial process, Ms Wong said at a news conference with Mr Jaishankar.





Australia and India's partnership is central to the peace, stability and prosperity of our shared region.



Today, I welcomed my good friend @DrSJaishankar to Canberra for the 15th Australia-India Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue. pic.twitter.com/ohIqA7BAMP  Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) November 5, 2024

We convey our views to India as you would expect us to do and we have a principled position in relation to matters such as the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary and also, frankly, the sovereignty of all countries.

Advertisement

Mr Jaishankar said Canada has put Indian diplomats under surveillance, which was unacceptable.

Canada has developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics, he said.

Australia has close intelligence-sharing ties with Canada as members of the Five Eyes alliance, which also includes the United States, Britain and New Zealand.

Over the weekend, India officially protested Canadas allegation of Sikh activists being targeted there as absurd and baseless

Advertisement

On Tuesday, Mr Jaishankar also condemned reports of vandalism at a Hindu temple near Toronto in Canada on Sunday as deeply concerning.

In videos on social media, demonstrators carrying yellow flags in support of the Sikh separatist movement can be seen clashing with others, including some holding Indias national flag, inside the temple complex.

Indian consular officials were visiting the temple where the clashes erupted. It was unclear how the violence began.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the violence at the temple unacceptable, adding that every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.

Advertisement

The attack on the temple also drew a strong rebuke from Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats.

Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve, he wrote on the social media platform X, adding that India expects Canada to ensure justice.

Relations between the two countries soured after Mr Trudeau said last year there were credible allegations the Indian government had links to the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

Advertisement



Justin Trudeau (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

India has vehemently rejected the accusation.

New Delhi, long anxious about Sikh separatist groups, has increasingly accused the Canadian government of giving free rein to separatists from a once-strong movement to create an independent Sikh homeland, known as Khalistan, in India.

The diplomatic row led to the expulsion of each sides top diplomats last month.

Mr Jaishankar said: We believe in freedoms, but we also believe freedom should not be misused.

Canada is not the only country that has accused Indian officials of plotting an assassination on foreign soil.

The United States Justice Department announced criminal charges in mid-October against an Indian government employee in connection with an alleged foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.

The Justice Department said Vikash Yadav, who authorities say directed the New York plot from India, faces murder-for-hire charges in an alleged planned killing that prosecutors have previously said was meant to precede a string of other politically motivated murders in the United States and Canada.
The one million dollars-a-day voter sweepstakes that Elon Musks political action committee is hosting in swing states can continue through the day of presidential election, a Pennsylvania judge has ruled.

Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta  ruling after Mr Musks lawyers said the winners are not chosen by chance  did not immediately give a reason for the ruling.

Advertisement

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner had called the sweepstakes a scam that violates state election law and asked that it be shut down.



Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner (Matt Rourke/AP)

The winners of the sweepstakes did not win by chance but are instead paid spokespeople for the group, Mr Musks lawyers said in court.

Musk lawyer Chris Gober said the final two recipients before Tuesdays presidential election will be in Arizona on Monday and Michigan on Tuesday.

The one million dollars recipients are not chosen by chance, Mr Gober said on Monday.

Advertisement

We know exactly who will be announced as the recipient today and tomorrow.

Chris Young, the director of America PAC, testified that the recipients are vetted ahead of time, to feel out their personality, (and) make sure they were someone whose values aligned with the group.



America PAC lawyer Chris Gober (Matt Rourke/AP)

The disclosures prompted a lawyer for Mr Krasner to call the effort a scam that is designed to actually influence a national election.

Mr Musks lawyers, in closing arguments, called it core political speech given that participants sign a petition endorsing the US Constitution.

Advertisement

They said Mr Krasners legal bid to shut down the sweepstakes under Pennsylvania law was moot because there would be no more Pennsylvania winners before the programme ends.

Mr Krasner believes the giveaways violates state election law and contradict what Mr Musk promised when he announced them during an appearance with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps campaign in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on October 19: Were going to be awarding a million dollars randomly to people who have signed the petition every day from now until the election.

Mr Young also acknowledged that the PAC made the recipients sign nondisclosure agreements.

They couldnt really reveal the truth about how they got the money, right? asked Krasner lawyer John Summers.

Advertisement

Sounds right, Mr Young said.

In an October 20 social media post shown in court, Mr Musk said anyone signing the petition had a daily chance of winning one million dollars!

Mr Summers grilled him on Mr Musks use of both the words chance and randomly, prompting Mr Young, who also serves as the PACs treasurer, to concede the latter was not the word I would have selected.

Mr Young said the winners knew they would be called on stage but not specifically that they would win the money.

Advertisement

Mr Musk did not attend the hearing. He has committed more than 70 million dollars to the super PAC to help Mr Trump and other Republicans win in November.

This was all a political marketing masquerading as a lottery, Mr Krasner testified on Monday morning. Thats what it is. A grift.
A French court in Lille found 18 defendants guilty on Tuesday in a migrant-smuggling trial linked to dangerous English Channel crossings.

The group was charged after a 2022 police operation across Europe led to several arrests and the seizure of boats, life jackets and cash.

Advertisement

One of the ringleaders, from Iraq, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined 200,000 euros (16,785).

Most of the defendants were not in court for the sentencing. Some attended the trial remotely from various prisons in northern France, while others are not in custody.



A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The trial has shed light on the clandestine business in what has been a particularly deadly year for the many of men, women and children who attempt the crossing on small and often dangerously overloaded boats.

The 18 defendants were swept up in a pan-European operation that led to dozens of arrests in Germany, France, Britain and the Netherlands in July 2022.

Advertisement

Those arrested included the suspected ringleader of a network that smuggled as many as 10,000 people across the bustling shipping lanes of the English Channel.

The police raids also led to the seizures of 135 boats in Germany and the Netherlands, more than 1,000 life jackets, outboard engines, packs of paddles and cash.

Migrants have long used the wide beaches of northern France as launching points for attempted crossings to the UK. It is favoured by many as a destination for reasons of language or family ties.



(PA Graphics)

Europes increasingly strict asylum rules, growing xenophobia and hostile treatment of migrants are also pushing many migrants north.

Advertisement

The British and French governments have worked for years to stop the risky crossings but have failed to deter people fleeing conflict or crushing poverty. Smugglers charge thousands of euros per person for passage.

More than 31,000 migrants have made the perilous Channel crossing so far this year, more than in all of 2023, though fewer than in 2022. At least 56 people have died in the attempts this year, according to French officials, making 2024 the deadliest since the crossings began surging in 2018.

On Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told an Interpol conference that people-smuggling should be viewed as a global security threat similar to terrorism.

He said intelligence and law-enforcement agencies should try to stop smuggling gangs before they act in the same way they do in counterterrorism operations.

Advertisement

Fourteen of the 18 defendants in Lille are from Iraq, with the others from Iran, Poland, France and the Netherlands.
Residents of a small South Indian village have gathered to pray for Kamala Harriss success in the US presidential election.

There is little to distinguish the village of Thulasendrapuram from any other rural community in Tamil Nadu, except its connection to the woman who could become Americas first leader with South Asian roots.

Advertisement

As millions of Americans vote, Ms Harris has people rooting for her from thousands of miles away in a village where her mothers family has ancestral ties. Banners and billboards bearing her face are seen throughout the community.

Our deity is a very powerful God. If we pray well to him, he will make her victorious, said M Natarajan, the temple priest who led the prayers in front of the image of Hindu deity Ayyanar, a form of Lord Shiva.



M Natarajan, head priest of Sri Dharmasastha Hindu temple, points out Kamala Harriss name on a plaque displaying names of donors written in Tamil (Aijaz Rahi/AP)

Ms Harriss maternal grandfather was born in the village, about 350km (215 miles) from the southern coastal city of Chennai, more than 100 years ago. As an adult, he moved to Chennai, where he worked as a high-ranking government official until his retirement.

Ms Harris has never visited Thulasendrapuram and she has no living relatives in the village, but people here still venerate her family.

Advertisement

Our village ancestors granddaughter is running as a US presidential candidate. Her victory will be happy news for every one of us, Mr Natarajan said.

The villages sudden fame has helped bring money in. Recently, construction began on a water storage tank with funds donated by a local bank. Village residents say it will carry a plaque with Ms Harriss name.

Ms Harriss late mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was born in India. After moving to the US to study, she married a Jamaican man, and they named their daughter Kamala, a Sanskrit word for lotus flower.

Other than trips during her childhood, Ms Harris has not visited India much but she has often spoken emotionally about her ties to her late mothers country of birth. On Tuesday, she released a campaign video highlighting her mother, who arrived in the US at age 19 and became a cancer researcher.

Advertisement

Titled Mother, the video ends with a narrator saying: This daughter of Shyamala, this daughter of the American story, is ready to lead us forward.

Ms Harris has often talked about how she was guided by the values of her Indian-born grandfather and mother. She has also spoken of her love of south Indian food, especially a type of steamed rice cake called idli.

Ms Harriss name is engraved in a list of donors  her aunt Sarala Gopalan gave money to the temple in her name  along with that of her grandfather. Outside, a large banner wishes the daughter of the land success in the election.

Manikandan Ganesan, a villager who runs a small store near the temple, said Ms Harriss bid for the presidency has made the village famous. He hopes Ms Harris will eventually visit them.

Advertisement

Even if she mentioned that she would visit our village, it would make us very happy, Mr Ganesan said. Her victory itself will be a big source of happiness for us.

Local politician Arulmozhi Sudhakar said: From the time when women were not even allowed to step out of their house, to now a woman from our village contesting in the US presidential election  this brings happiness for us.

The coming generations will see her as a role model to succeed in life.
Irans foreign minister on Tuesday reiterated that his country does not seek an escalation in the Middle East but reserved the right to defend itself against Israels attack with a measured and calculative response.

Iranian officials are increasingly threatening to launch yet another strike against Israel after its October 26 attack on the Islamic Republic that targeted military bases and other locations and killed at least five people.

Advertisement

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking at a news conference during a visit to Pakistan, said that unlike the Israeli regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek escalation.

We reserve our inherent rights to legitimate defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and we will certainly respond to the Israeli aggression in a proper time and in a proper manner in a very measured and very calculated manner, he said.

Mr Araghchi met Pakistans foreign minister Ishaq Dar, who called for an urgent ceasefire to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Iran has sought for years to revive a long-stalled multi-billion gas pipeline project launched in 2013 to supply Iranian natural gas to energy-starved Pakistan.

Advertisement

The project  opposed by Washington as a violation of sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear programme  has been on hold since 2014.
Israeli strikes killed at least 30 people overnight in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials.

Strikes early on Tuesday killed 10 people in the Gaza Strip, including four children and two women, and a strike late on Monday on the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya killed at least 20 people, including eight women and six children.

Advertisement

The strike on Monday hit a home where several displaced families were sheltering in Beit Lahiya, near the border with Israel, according to Hossam Abu Safiya, the director of the recently raided and barely functioning Kamal Adwan Hospital, which received the casualties.

The Israeli military said it targeted a weapons storage facility from which a militant had operated, and that numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians.

Israel has been waging a massive offensive in northern Gaza  which was already the most isolated and heavily destroyed part of the territory  for nearly a month.



Mourners carry the body of Naji al-Baba, 16, who the Palestinian Health Ministry said was killed by Israeli forces in the town of Halhul, West Bank (Mahmoud Illean/AP)

Despite growing pressure from the United States and others in the international community for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, intensified Israeli strikes against the Hezbollah militant group are expanding beyond Lebanons border areas.

Advertisement

Israel is also fighting a war against Hamas in northern Gaza.

Since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in 2023, at least 3,000 people have been killed and some 13,500 wounded in Lebanon, the health ministry reports.

More than a year of Israels war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 people, Palestinian health officials say. They do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but say more than half of those killed were women and children.

The war began after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on October 7 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 250 others.

Advertisement



People searching for victims at a destroyed building hit in an Israeli airstrike, in Ghaziyeh, south Lebanon, on Sunday (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

In Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) said the Lebanese Red Cross will send another convoy on Tuesday to Wata al-Khiam in the south of the country to search for and remove the bodies of 15 people killed in an Israeli airstrike.

Paramedics accessed the site of the strike two days ago and removed five bodies, but needed to return with larger vehicles to remove the rubble.

The NNA said the deployment is in co-ordination with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, Unifil, which is the usual procedure.

The Red Cross did not immediately comment on the news, but expressed concern in recent weeks over several instances where Israel has struck in or close to areas where they have deployed paramedics to search for wounded people and casualties.

Advertisement

The Israeli military said it issued warnings to the residents there in late October to evacuate ahead of strikes on Hezbollah militant targets, and told ambulances to avoid the area.
A Russian rocket has blasted off successfully carrying a pair of Iranian satellites into orbit, a launch that reflected growing cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.

The Soyuz rocket lifted off as scheduled on Tuesday from the Vostochny launchpad in far eastern Russia and placed its payload into a designated orbit nine minutes after the launch.

Advertisement

It was carrying two Russian Ionosphere-M Earth observation satellites and several dozen smaller satellites, including the two Iranian ones.

Irans two satellites, named Kowsar and Hodhod, were the first launched on behalf of the countrys private sector.



A Soyuz rocket lifts off from a launch site in Vostochny, far eastern Russia, carrying satellites, including two built by Iran (Roscosmos/AP)

In 2022, a Russian rocket launched an Iranian Earth observation satellite called Khayyam which was built in Russia on Tehrans order. In February Russia put another Iranian satellite named Pars-1 into orbit.

Tuesdays launch comes as Russia and Iran have expanded ties in various spheres.

Advertisement

Ukraine and the West have accused Tehran of providing Moscow with hundreds of exploding drones for use on the battlefield in Ukraine and helped launch their production in Russia.

The Iranian drone deliveries, which Moscow and Tehran have denied, have allowed for a constant barrage of long-range drone strikes at Ukraines infrastructure.

Moscow and Tehran are planning to bolster their ties with a comprehensive strategic partnership to be signed during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkians planned visit to Russia. The date for that visit has not been set, but the Kremlin said it could happen soon.

Tuesdays successful launch of the Iranian satellites atop a Russian rocket follows a series of failed launches suffered by Irans civilian space program in recent years. There have been five failed launches in a row for the Simorgh program, a satellite-carrying rocket.

Advertisement

A fire at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in February 2019 killed three researchers, authorities said at the time.

A launchpad rocket explosion later that year drew the attention of then-President Donald Trump, who taunted Iran with a tweet showing what appeared to be a US surveillance photo of the site.



A Soyuz rocket lifts off from a launch site in Vostochny, far eastern Russia to carry satellites, including two built by Iran, into orbit (Roscosmos/AP)

At the same time, a separate Iranian space programme run by the countrys paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has seen successful launches from a military base outside of Shahroud, 215 miles east of the capital Tehran.

Satellite images analysed by The Associated Press show Israel likely bombed the site during its October 26 retaliatory strike on Iran.

Advertisement

The US intelligence communitys worldwide threat assessment this year said Irans development of satellite launch vehicles would shorten the timeline for Iran to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile because it uses similar technology.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles can be used to deliver nuclear weapons.

Iran is now producing uranium close to weapons-grade levels after the collapse of its nuclear deal with world powers.

Tehran has enough enriched uranium for several nuclear weapons, if it chooses to produce them, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned.

Advertisement

Iran has always denied seeking nuclear weapons and says its space program, like its nuclear activities, is for purely civilian purposes.

US intelligence agencies and the IAEA say Iran had an organised military nuclear program up until 2003.
Spains central government approved a 10.6 billion relief package for 78 communities on Tuesday that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez compared with measures taken during the Covid-19 pandemic.

They include direct payments of 20,000 to 60,000 to owners of damaged homes, among other financial aid for businesses and municipal governments.

Advertisement

We have a lot of work left to do, and we know it, Mr Sanchez said.

Mr Sanchez said he will ask the European Union to help pay for the relief.

Thousands of soldiers are working with firefighters and police reinforcements in the immense emergency response in areas of eastern Spain, including hard-hit Valencia.

People shovel away mud on Tuesday after floods in Catarroja on the outskirts of Valencia (Alberto Saiz/AP)

Officers and troops are searching in destroyed homes, the countless cars strewn across highways, streets, or in the mud in canals and gorges.

Advertisement

Authorities are worried about other health problems caused by the aftermath of the deadliest natural disaster in Spains recent history.

They have urged people to get tetanus shots and to treat any wounds to prevent infections and to clean the mud from their skin. Many people wear face masks.

Thousands of volunteers are helping out, filling the void left by authorities. But the frustration over the crisis management boiled over on Sunday when a crowd in hard-hit Paiporta hurled mud and other objects at Spains royals, the prime minister and regional officials when they made their first visit to the epicentre of the flood damage.
A Swedish court has sentenced a far-right politician to four months in jail for two counts of incitement against an ethnic group after he made comments at political rallies two years ago.

The Danish-Swedish 42-year-old man, who was not named but has been identified by Swedish media as Rasmus Paludan, founder and head of the Danish nationalist anti-immigration party Stram Kurs, had been previously convicted and sentenced by a Danish court on a similar charge, the Malmo District Court said.

Advertisement

In 2022, Paludan made his offensive remarks directed at Muslims, Arabs and Africans during protests that he led in the southern city of Malmo in 2022, the court said. He also burned a copy of the Koran, Islams holy book, on at least one occasion. In response, a violent wave of riots swept the country.

Some observers also say Paludans actions may have momentarily risked Swedens chances of joining Nato after increasing political tensions with Turkey. Sweden joined the alliance in March this year.

The court in a statement Tuesday said Paludans remarks against Muslims cannot be excused as criticism of Islam or as political campaign work.

Chief Councilor Nicklas Soderberg, the courts chairman, said: It is permitted to publicly make critical statements about, for example, Islam and also Muslims, but the disrespect of a group of people must not clearly cross the line for a factual and valid discussion.

Advertisement

He added that during the Malmo rallies in April and September 2022 there was no question of any such discussion, and that Paludans public statements only amounted to insulting Muslims.

The court took particular interest in whether the politician knew the protests were filmed and published on Facebook.

Paludan had said that he was not aware of it but the district court disagreed and said his actions at the gatherings would be downright illogical if he didnt know about the publication on Facebook.

Paludan, a lawyer by profession, told Swedish media outlets that he was not surprised by the verdict.

Advertisement

It was expected. We will appeal, the Swedish newspaper Expressen quoted him as saying.
Thousands of opposition supporters rallied outside Georgias parliament for the second straight Monday to denounce the October 26 election as illegitimate after the ruling party was declared the winner amid allegations of vote-rigging helped by Russia.

The protesters, who waved Georgian and European Union flags, demanded a new parliamentary election under international supervision and an investigation of the alleged ballot irregularities.

Advertisement

Opposition leaders vowed to boycott sessions of parliament and hold regular protests until their demands are met.





We will not accept illegitimate elections, we will not recognise an illegitimate parliament, said Badri Japaridze, leader of the Lelo Strong Georgia Coalition.

We will not go to that parliament, and we will not let (the ruling party) Georgian Dream announce itself as the legitimate representative of the Georgian people, because they have stolen the elections.

This is a special operation backed by Russia, where the future of the Georgian people has been stolen, and we will not accept that.

Advertisement

The protest on Monday took place under the watch of riot police, reflecting the simmering political tensions in the South Caucasus country of 3.7 million people that lies between Russia and Turkey.

The Central Election Commission said Georgian Dream won about 54% of the vote. Its leaders have rejected the opposition claims of vote fraud.

President Salome Zourabichvili, who has rejected the official results, says Georgia has fallen victim to pressure from Moscow against joining the EU. Ms Zourabichvili, who holds a mostly ceremonial position, has urged the United States and EU to support the demonstrations.

Officials in Washington and Brussels have urged a full investigation of the election, while the Kremlin has rejected the accusations of interference.

Advertisement

Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the United National Movement Coalition, said that the opposition is urging the West not to recognise the vote and will gather more evidence of violations to push for a new election.

He vowed to organise protests not only in the capital but across the country.



Protesters with Georgian and EU flags take part in the rally in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday (Zurab Tsertsvadze/AP)

Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012, was established by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire who made his fortune in Russia.

The opposition has accused it of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted toward Moscow. It has recently adopted laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights.

Advertisement

European election observers said the election took place in a divisive atmosphere marked by instances of bribery, double voting and physical violence. Observers said instances of intimidation and other violations were particularly prevalent in rural areas.

The EU suspended Georgias membership application process indefinitely because of its passage in June of a Russian-style foreign influence law. Many Georgians viewed the parliamentary election as a pivotal referendum on the countrys effort to join the EU.

Georgian Dream promised to continue pushing toward EU accession but it also wants to reset ties with Russia, the countrys former imperial master. In 2008, Georgia fought and lost a brief war with Moscow, which then recognised the independence of two breakaway Georgian regions and bolstered its military presence there.

Georgias prosecutors last week launched an investigation of the alleged vote-rigging. The opposition immediately objected that the Prosecutors Office would not conduct an independent investigation because its head was appointed by the Georgian Dream-controlled parliament.

Advertisement

The investigation was requested by the Central Election Commission and Ms Zourabichvili was summoned for questioning on Thursday about the allegations.

Others who may possess information related to the alleged criminal act also would be questioned, the Prosecutors Office said.

Ms Zourabichvili said she would not obey the summons, arguing that the prosecutors should have found the evidence itself.
Ukrainian troops have for the first time engaged with North Korean units that were recently deployed to help Russia in the war with its neighbour, Ukraines defence minister said.

Another Kyiv official said Ukraines army fired artillery at North Korean soldiers in Russias Kursk border region.

Advertisement

The comments were the first official reports that Ukrainian and North Korean forces have engaged in combat, following a deployment that has given the war a new complexion as it approaches its 1,000-day milestone.



Russian soldiers at an undisclosed location in Ukraine (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

Neither claim could be independently confirmed.

The Ukrainian and North Korean troops engaged in small-scale fighting that amounted to the start of Pyongyangs direct involvement in Europes biggest conflict since the Second World War, Ukraines defence minister Rustem Umerov told South Koreas public broadcaster KBS in an interview.

North Korean soldiers are mixed with Russian troops and are misidentified on their uniforms, Mr Umerov was quoted as saying by KBS.

Advertisement

That makes it hard to say whether there were any North Korean casualties, he said.

Mr Umerov reportedly said he expects that five North Korean units, each consisting of about 3,000 soldiers, will be deployed to the Kursk area.

Meanwhile, Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation branch of Ukraines Security Council, said the first North Korean troops have already been shelled, in the Kursk region.

He provided no further details.

Advertisement

Western governments had expected that the North Korean soldiers would be sent to Russias Kursk border region, where a three-month-old incursion by the Ukrainian army is the first occupation of Russian territory since the Second World War and has embarrassed the Kremlin.





US, South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence assessments say up to 12,000 North Korean combat troops are being sent by Pyongyang to the war under a pact with Moscow.

The Pentagon said on Monday that at least 10,000 North Korean soldiers were in Russia near Ukraines border.

More troops from North Koreas 1.3 million-strong army may be slated for deployment in Russia, according to an analysis published on Tuesday by the European Council on Foreign Relations, an international think tank.

Advertisement

The ramifications extend far beyond Europe, it said.

Despite integration challenges  including communication barriers and differing military doctrines  the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia represents a significant shift in European and Asian security relations, the analysis said.

For the first time in generations, troops from East Asia are actively engaging in a European conflict.

The North Korean troops, whose fighting quality and battle experience is unknown, are adding to Ukraines worsening situation on the battlefield.

Advertisement

Ukrainian defences, especially in the eastern Donetsk region, are buckling under the strain of Russias costly but relentless months-long onslaught.

Russian advances have recently accelerated, with battlefield gains of up to 9km (more than five miles) in some parts of Donetsk, the UK Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday on the social platform X.

It said Russia has superior troop numbers, and despite heavy casualties the Kremlins recruitment drive is providing enough new troops to keep up the pressure.

Russia has held the battlefield initiative in Ukraine for the past year.

Ukrainian officials have long complained that Western military support takes too long to arrive in the country.

In early October, Russian forces drove Ukrainian troops out of Vuhledar, a town perched atop a tactically significant hill in eastern Ukraine.

It was part of a key belt of Ukrainian defences in the east.

Russias next targets are likely to be the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk and the strategically important city of Chasiv Yar.

In the meantime, Russia has kept up its long-range aerial attacks on civilian areas of Ukraine, authorities say.

A Tuesday morning attack on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia killed six people and injured 23 others, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said.

The head of Ukraines presidential office, Andrii Yermak, said the Russian attacks must be stopped with strong action.

A stronger position by (Ukraines Western) allies is needed, he wrote on Telegram.
Niche industries, products gain popularity overseas

People's Daily Online) 14:13, November 05, 2024

Since the beginning of this year, some niche industries and products have frequently "broken out of their niche" and gone overseas. Chinese domestic brands are gradually shedding their past image of being low-end and cheap, becoming beloved products for overseas consumers.

At the 136th Canton Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, an electric three-wheeled vehicle caught the eye of foreign buyers. The product features solar panels on its roof, allowing for a range of up to 100 kilometers on a single charge of 15 minutes. Specifically tailored for customers in Africa, India, and other regions, it garnered significant interest and attention.

The popularity of electric three-wheeled vehicles overseas is not a coincidence. Compared to the pickup trucks commonly used on farms in Europe and America, Chinese-made electric three-wheeled vehicles with the same utility have a price tag that is only one fifth of the pickup trucks, and they are easier to operate, offering a higher cost-performance ratio.

A passenger electric tricycle exhibited by Huaihai Holding Group attracts extensive attention at the 136th Canton Fair held in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Photo/Canton Fair)

"This year, overseas orders have increased by 50 percent year-on-year, with an average of eight containers shipped per day," said a representative from a low-speed electric vehicle company at the Canton Fair.

Chenghai district of Shantou, Guangdong Province, is renowned as the "toy and gift capital of China." In 2023, the toy and creative industry in Chenghai achieved an output value exceeding 50 billion yuan (about $7.05 billion), with approximately 70 percent of toy orders originating from overseas markets.

Traditionally, a toy manufactured in Chenghai would undergo a complex distribution process involving importers, wholesalers, and retailers before reaching international consumers.

The emergence of cross-border e-commerce has revolutionized the global expansion of Chenghai toys. Platforms now handle warehousing, transportation, distribution, and customer service, allowing manufacturers to focus on production and supply.

Data indicates that from January to August this year, Chenghai's toy and creative industry achieved an export value surpassing 6.7 billion yuan, with a growth rate of 8 percent.

Panjin in northeast China's Liaoning Province is China's largest hub for river crab production.

Data reveals that since the start of the river crab export season in September this year, Panjin Customs has overseen the export of 5.8 tonnes of river crabs, valued at 1.22 million yuan, marking a 2.4-fold increase in value compared to the same period last year.

Today, Panjin rice and Panjin river crabs have emerged as the pride of the city. According to a recent report, the brand values of "Panjin rice" and "Panjin river crabs" this year reached 60.68 billion yuan and 43.29 billion yuan, respectively, securing the top two spots among local agricultural brands in Liaoning Province.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
More than two dozen states have indicated they would be willing to send National Guard troops to Washington if requested following the presidential election and in the run-up to the inauguration, Guard officials said.

The District of Columbia has not made any formal requests for Guard troops, but officials across the government have been preparing for the possibility the US Capitol could again be rocked by violence around the certification of the election by Congress on January 6 and the inauguration two weeks later.

Advertisement

About 25,000 Guard troops from around the country flooded into Washington in the days after the January 6 2021, riot, when thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying President Joe Bidens win.

The troops, along with local and federal law enforcement, locked down the city for the inauguration, securing the Capitol, monuments, Metro entrances and the perimeter of the central part of the city.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally (AP/Evan Vucci)

Colonel Jean Paul Laurenceau, chief of future operations for the National Guard Bureau, said on Monday it is not yet clear how many Guard troops will be needed or requested this year.

He said it will depend on what the District of Columbia wants, but he noted the National Guard Bureau and the states are leaning forward in anticipation of a request for assistance.

Advertisement

Were here to support DC with sustainment, lodging, transportation  anything they need to prepare for this mission, he said.

Other officials have said it also will depend on intelligence reports assessing the potential threats to the city and the transition of power.

Fueling concerns about possible violence are Mr Trumps claims  without proof  that cheating is already underway in the election. At rally after rally, he has told supporters the only way he can lose is if Democrats cheat and he has repeatedly refused to say whether he will accept the results regardless of the outcome.

Guard members have historically provided support for presidential inaugurations, going back to President George Washington.

Advertisement

People attack the US Capitol in Washington on January 6 2021 (AP/Jose Luis Magana)

But the 2021 event involved an enormous response due to the riot on January 6, which forced lawmakers to flee the Capitol, delaying the certification of the presidential vote for hours. In the days afterwards, Guard forces arrived in the city by the busload.

In 2021, a few states declined to send troops, also worried about violence within their own borders and capitals.

Defence officials said on Monday that 10 states have activated state Guard members to assist with the election  primarily doing cybersecurity missions. The total number of troops is about 125.

Nine states and the District of Columbia have put a total of about 120 Guard troops on standby, ready to deploy if needed on Tuesday or in the following days  also mostly for cyber missions and some security.

Advertisement

Those states are Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.

Officials said those numbers could change on election day as states reassess their needs.
Deep in the Merri Creek, which twists 70 kilometres through Melbournes northern suburbs, lurks a deadly virus.

But this virus  a bacteriophage, which preys on bacteria and replicates within  has the potential to eventually save millions of human lives.

Professor Trevor Lithgow and his team discovered a previously unknown virus in the Merri Creek. Credit: Jason South

Researchers from Monash University, working in partnership with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, have discovered in Merri Creek water a previously unknown bacteriophage, which kills a common superbug found in hospitals worldwide.

That superbug, Klebsiella, is increasingly resistant to antibiotics and can cause pneumonia, wound infections and even meningitis in patients it infects.
Advertisement

Eating outFood Five essential restaurants at Brisbanes blockbuster new food precinct From sky-high dining overlooking the river to a refined Vietnamese and Thai spot, these are the new openings to check out at Queens Wharf. Matt Shea November 5, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

It might have been a slow start for food and beverage at Queens Wharf after the much-anticipated precinct was unveiled to the public in early August, but three months on, the openings are coming thick and fast. The precinct includes casual eateries and bars, such as Babblers and Cicada Blu, both on the Sky Deck, while old favourites, such as Luke Nguyens Fat Noodle, have made the two-block move over from The Treasury. Azteca, Potentia Solutions Leisures new restaurant at Queens Wharf. Markus Ravik But theres also a stack of fresh (or refreshed) concepts and high-quality restaurants from new (to The Star, anyway) operators. Here are five to check out.

Advertisement

Sokyo Sokyo Brisbane presents as a different beast to its dark, moody and celebrated sister venue in Sydney. Alex Yu in the kitchen at the newly opened Sokyo Brisbane. Markus Ravik Design firm Hassell has given the 160-seat restaurant a lighter and brighter treatment that makes the most of its floor-to-ceiling windows looking across the expressway to the river and South Bank. Its all light-timber screens and detailing, the two signature elements  a swank circular private dining room and a lengthy sushi bar backed by black tiling. In the kitchen is gun sushi chef Alex Yu, who spent eight years at the Sydney restaurant before going on to Yugen in Melbourne, which he helped earn two chefs hats.

Advertisement

The Star has a new contender for Brisbanes best Japanese restaurant Yus menu is split into starters, tempura and items cooked on the robata grill on the one hand, and traditional sushi items on the other, including nigiri, sashimi, and signature nigiri and sushi rolls. Theres also a Sokyo signature tasting menu, a banquet set menu, and a vegetarian set menu. Aburi nigiri at Sokyo Brisbane. Markus Ravik For drinks, theres a signature cocktail list, and a sake menu that includes sparkling sake. The wine list runs to about 110 bottles and favours local producers, but includes a lengthy selection of champagne.

Advertisement

Black Hide Steak & Seafood by Gambaro The new Black Hide flips its Treasury predecessors date-night vibes for something lighter and brighter. Black Hides fitout is light and bright, and very different to the old restaurant at The Treasury. Markus Ravik Lisa Henderson of S.SHYNE oversaw a fitout that features plenty of timber, cream curtains and lengthy aquamarine banquettes designed to reflect the new restaurants prime position overlooking the river. It suits a menu that now taps a wider variety of seafood.

Advertisement

Gambaros Black Hide returns at Queens Wharf, but not as you know it For entrees, you can order tuna tartare served on a rice cracker with umeboshi dressing; grilled scallops with garlic, parsley butter and pangrattato; and tuna tataki with wakame and shiitake mushrooms. For mains theres a lobster linguini with tomato, parsley and lemon zest; grilled Mooloolaba prawns with parsley and garlic butter, and lemon; or lobster from the tank grilled or poached with a lemon herb and garlic butter. Theres also a cold seafood platter. Lobster pasta with tomato, parsley and lemon zest at Black Hide. Markus Ravik Steaks are refreshingly straightforward, split into a selection of Angus three-score cuts and Wagyu five-score cuts, with the menu topping out with a 1200 gram Angus tomahawk priced at $240 (designed to feed up to three people).

Advertisement

Azteca From Potentia Solutions Leisure (Lina, Soko Rooftop et al) comes Azteca. Its the groups best-realised venue to date. Azteca was recently unveiled on the level four terrace at Queens Wharf. Markus Ravik The 126-seat design (40 of which are outside overlooking the river) by Blackbox Design Cos Ann Huntington, with its breeze blocks, mosaic tiles, heavy timber features and live hanging greenery, feels like an evolution on the Peruvian-inspired Soko. But this is a restaurant first, bar second, and it draws inspiration from various parts of North, Central and South America. On the menu, there are starters such as yellowfin tuna tacos with kimchi carrot and Yarra Valley salmon roe; bone marrow with braised kangaroo tail, yuca hash browns and a shiso chimichurri; and coral trout ceviche.

Advertisement

Exclusive Take a peek at Queens Wharfs latest  a striking Latin American eatery Larger plates include Elgin Valley free-range half-chicken served with a dark chocolate mole sauce, and line-caught coral trout with baby corn, spring onion, pickled onion and huitlacoche. The drinks menu uses cachaca (a Brazilian spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice) as its cornerstone; it fuels a caipirinha menu that ranges from a classic with sugar syrup and lime, to pomegranate and hibiscus, and watermelon and jalapeno numbers. Aztecas yellowfin tuna tiradito with citrus, sesame, peanut, aji mirisol and radish. Markus Ravik Elsewhere, there are signature cocktails and a tight 60-bottle wine list that dedicates plenty of space to drops from Argentina and Chile, plus Coravin by-the glass selections.

Advertisement

Aloria The Star has been talking up Aloria as the sky-high jewel in the Queens Wharf crown. Aloria opened on the Queens Wharf Sky Deck in late October. Markus Ravik Twenty-three floors up, it looks the part with its glass brick, cabinets full of wine, blush-pink furniture, and eye-popping views of the river and the city. Chef Shayne Mansfields menu, though, isnt about anything flash.

Advertisement

Exclusive First look: Queens Wharf unveils its sky-high crown jewel Instead, it focuses on local produce presented at its best, whether thats via pickling, ferments, ageing, or the simple application of wood fire and smoke. Alorias menu features dishes such as wood-roasted oysters with a white soy emulsion; tiger prawn with fermented chilli butter; miso-roasted cauliflower with burnt leek, toasted yeast cream, The Falls Farm radishes and chive oil; and a 90-day dry-aged bone-in sirloin served with confit garlic and bone marrow sauce. Aloria Stockyard 90-day dry-aged bistecca. Markus Ravik Theres also a 270-bottle wine list compiled by sommelier Damian Danaher that ranges from approachable local producers to some rare European bottles, including a 1982 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild bordeaux that clocks in at $20,599.

Advertisement

Luc Lac Luc Lac is the latest venue from Ghanem Group (Donna Chang, Blackbird, Byblos et al). The cuisine? Elevated Vietnamese and Thai. Luc Lacs lengthy, intricately detailed bar is one of the venues major drawcards. Markus Ravik Regular Ghanem collaborators Space Cubed Design have given the restaurant an immaculately detailed, lengthy timber bar, tiled walls, rattan furniture and richly patterned fabrics and wallpaper. Its a treatment as colourful as group chef Jake Nicolson and head chef Dann Rowells food.

Advertisement

Refined Vietnamese and Thai arrives at Queens Wharf with Luc Lac Theres grilled beef la lot (beef wrapped in betel leaf) with nuoc cham, toasted rice, charred lime and watercress; hand-caught Port Fairy periwinkle escargot with ginger and garlic; kampot peppered wagyu beef bo luc lac (the traditional shaking beef dish that lends the restaurant its name), cherry tomatoes and capsicum; tiger prawns with hot and sour dressing, and fried shallots; pan-roasted spiced John Dory with son-in-law egg, cucumber and sawtooth coriander; and lemongrass braised pork belly with baby tiger abalone, kohlrabi and apple. Tiger prawns with hot and sour dressing. Markus Ravik Drinks are cocktail forward, with a focused list of signatures, as well as twisted classics, such as a variation on a Tommys that mixes in green chilli nam jim, and a Sidecar that features tamarind and toasted red rice. The wine list is a relatively concise 140 bottles favouring floral drops that can converse with the spice and flavour of the food.
When I was in high school, unless you studied accounting as a subject, there were no financial literacy lessons  nothing on how taxes work, nor super, budgeting or responsibly managing money.

A lot has improved since then, but the challenge with different secondary school curriculums around the country is that some students are better off than others when it comes to financial literacy.

Financial adviser Dawn Thomas wants superannuation to be taught to secondary schools students. Credit: Trevor Collens

Dawn Thomas is a senior financial adviser at The Wealth Designers, a financial consultancy with offices in Perth and Sydney. She facilitates financial literacy sessions with secondary school students.

If it was up to her, Thomas would prioritise teaching students about superannuation.
US-based publicly listed company Chegg markets itself as a study help website, but its long been a thorn in the side of Australian academic integrity units.

Universities have accused it of helping students cheat on their assignments and exams, a claim it vigorously defends.

Australias anti-cheating laws are being tested in court for the first time. Credit: Oscar Colman

Now, in an Australian first, the government has taken Chegg to court, accusing it of falling foul of the countrys anti-cheating laws.

Documents seen by this masthead reveal the case is based on five university students accused of using the website to cheat.
Each spring, HSC students at Loreto Normanhurst gather on the schools oval. They form a circle and lightly bounce up and down before a countdown begins. At zero, two students each release a white bird which flies up into the sky above.

Loreto says the end-of-school tradition signifies freedom and letting go. But animal rights advocates say it puts the birds at risk of death from starvation, dehydration or predation.

Students releasing the white birds at Loreto Normanhurst in 2017. Credit: Loreto Normanhurst

The absolute entitlement of the school to think that their traditions are more important than animal welfare is sickening, one school community member said in an anonymous letter.

Loreto Normanhursts tradition of releasing birds began in 2001, the school says on social media. Nearby girls school Ravenswood usually releases three birds each year while Pymble Ladies College also uses birds. It released 30 of them in 2017.
Medical staff at five Sydney hospitals are demanding management explain the silent culling of hundreds of jobs from the network, as health districts come under increasing pressure from the NSW government to rein in spending.

Sydney Local Health District chief executive Deb Willcox, who was appointed to the role last month, met senior doctors from Royal Prince Alfred, Concord, Canterbury, Balmain and Sydney Dental hospitals on Friday after staff at Concord raised concerns about a proposed reduction in full-time equivalent positions over the financial year.

Deb Willcox was appointed chief executive of the Sydney Local Health District last month. Credit: Rhett Wyman

Doctors told a meeting of Concord Hospitals medical staff council on October 24 that the hospital was funded for 2241 full-time positions over this financial year  a figure management had told them was about 60 fewer than the previous year.

The doctors said they had been told more than 400 jobs would go across the health district. A source familiar with the reductions but not authorised to speak publicly said the number was closer to 210.
Queenslands new state government has dredged up plans for a controversial cableway in talks with Gold Coast council about ecotourism ventures, raising concerns with conservation groups.

Minister for Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said the talks were part of the governments push to bulk up tourism infrastructure before the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Were leading up to the 2032 Olympics [and] weve got this golden runway, and then I hope we can embed a legacy tourism decade where people want to come to Queensland, he said.

A cableway in a national park is not unheard of. The Kuranda Skyrail near Cairns was built in 1995 and spans World Heritage-listed rainforest. Credit: Tourism Queensland

The cableway is exactly the type of project that we want to work with the city of the Gold Coast and other proponents around the state to deliver ... so that people, once theyre here on the Gold Coast, can enjoy just not the gold but the green up behind them.
Hidden away off main roads in the inner city is arguably Brisbanes happiest school.

Buranda State School has just 259 students and is nestled among trees next to Norman Creek, attracting birds and other wildlife, despite being only a few kilometres from the CBD.

Theres something special about the school, with 100 per cent of students who filled out its survey last year saying they liked being at school, they felt safe, and their teachers motivated them to learn. This years results were also positive.

Year 6 students Sifti, Nina and Tristan enjoy learning at Buranda State School. Credit: Felicity Caldwell

Burandas teachers love it too, with 95 per cent saying this year that they enjoy working there.
Commuter car parks at Oakleigh and Footscray train stations are being sold off to private developers to be turned into apartments, but the government is under fire for failing to enforce an affordable housing target more ambitious than the bare minimum.

Tender documents released by the state government show that two slices of land earmarked for the development of about 240 new homes during Premier Jacinta Allans housing announcements last month are car parks owned by government agency VicTrack.

The documents, prepared for the government by property agency Savills, call on developers to submit their interest in acquiring the sites  each about 2500 square metres  to deliver new homes close to public transport.

The projects must have at least 10 per cent affordable housing  the minimum expectation for a development plan to receive fast-tracked approval by the planning minister.
West Australian parents are spending thousands of dollars to secure their childs spot at some of the states most expensive private schools as waitlists for the institutions continue to grow.

All but two of 12 Perth schools with some of the highest annual fees in the state increased their enrolment fees this year  a compulsory and non-refundable charge parents must pay  with three schools now charging more than $8000 and a further six schools charging more than $6000.

Other lower-fee private schools also require enrolment payments, but they are often under $1000. The cost is often set at a quarter of the amount the school charges annually for year 7 tuition.

But the fee does not go towards the tuition, and is often paid years in advance. Without payment, a students placement will not be confirmed.
Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed his popular defence minister in a surprise announcement while the nation is embroiled in wars on multiple fronts across the region. The move sparked protests across the country.

Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant have repeatedly been at odds over the war in Gaza. But Netanyahu had avoided firing his rival as the worlds attention was focused on the US presidential election.

Netanyahu cited significant gaps and a crisis of trust between the two men in his announcement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in 2023. Credit: AP

In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and defence minister, Netanyahu said. Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the defence minister.
Palm Beach, Florida: Donald Trump closed his campaign with false claims about election fraud and Kamala Harris crowd sizes, but it was the Republican nominee who spoke in partly empty arenas as both candidates crossed the finish line.

The former president crossed three states on the final full day of campaigning, beginning in North Carolina, heading to Pittsburgh in the all-important state of Pennsylvania (where Harris spent the entire day) and finishing, as is his tradition, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he started speaking after midnight and was still speaking at 1.30am.

Donald Trump speaks during his closing campaign event at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Credit: Bloomberg

We do not have to live this way, he said in Pittsburgh as he asked Americans, as per his stump speech, whether they felt better off than four years ago. We do not have to settle for weakness, incompetence, decline and decay.

Trump has always measured success by TV ratings and crowd sizes, but he appeared to struggle on those indicators as the campaign drew to a close. Reporters on the ground relayed that Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, was about 70 per cent full, and the upper stands at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh were cordoned off and empty.
When Donald Trump first entered the White House in 2017, he had no political experience and little knowledge of the levers of federal power. His agenda was stymied by Congress and the courts, as well as senior staff members who served as guardrails.

That will not be the case when Trump returns to Washington in early 2025  there will be far fewer checks on him as he enacts his sweeping plan to transform America.

Trump supporters celebrate an extraordinary victory. Credit: AP

Why will he be able to enact his vision?

Firstly, the Republicans have already claimed back the Senate and may yet also win a majority in the House, providing an easier path through Congress for his proposals.

Trumps Republican critics in Congress have largely been defeated or retired, and the US Supreme Court, with three Trump-appointed justices, issued a ruling earlier this year affording presidents broad immunity from prosecution.

Trump has also vowed to bring with him loyalists who will enact his agenda, no questions asked, and who will arrive with hundreds of draft executive orders, legislative proposals and in-depth policy papers in hand.

His agenda includes plans to launch the largest deportation effort in the nations history, to use the Justice Department to punish his enemies, to dramatically expand the use of tariffs and to pursue a zero-sum approach to foreign policy that threatens to upend longstanding foreign alliances. That means the future of NATO is again in doubt.

In terms of his criminal proceedings, when he becomes president on January 20, Trump could appoint an attorney-general who would erase the federal charges against him.

With AP
Lims appointment as our Asia lead is a significant step in our international growth strategy, White said. His deep knowledge of financial services and passion for innovation will be key as we deliver on our promise to provide fast, reliable funding to SMEs across the region.
With the right amendments, this legislation is the best and cheapest way for the Federal parliament to add 105,000 new rental homes to supply across Australia over the next decade, said Mike Zorbas (pictured above), CEO of the Property Council of Australia.
Group Key Figures as of September 30, 2024 (CHF million)1

Q3 2024

Q3 2023

YoY

9M 2024

9M 2023

YoY

Order intake

538

567

-5.1%2

1 832

1 905

-3.8%4

Sales

580

623

-6.9%3

1 747

2 061

-15.2%5

Operational EBITDA

98

106

-7.3%

285

344

-17.2%

Operational EBITDA margin

16.9%

17.0%

-8 bps

16.3%

16.7%

-38 bps

EBITDA

92

95

-3.1%

273

319

-14.5%

EBITDA margin

15.9%

15.3%

62 bps

15.6%

15.5%

13 bps

1 Due to rounding, some totals may not correspond with the sum of the separate figures. For the reconciliation of operational and reported EBITDA figures, please see earnings presentation. 2 Impact from M&A: +0.0%, foreign exchange (FX): -1.1%, organic: -4.0%. 3 Impact from M&A: +0.0%, FX: -1.8%, organic: -5.2%. 4Impact from M&A: +1.7%, FX: -3.4%, organic: -2.2%. 5 Impact from M&A: +1.3%, FX: -3.0%, organic: -13.5%.

Michael Suess, Executive Chairman of Oerlikon, stated:

In the third quarter, we achieved robust profitability, driven by our strong focus on execution quality in challenging end markets. Surface Solutions resilience, supported by innovation and diversification started a decade ago, positions us strongly to benefit when markets recover. Polymer Processing Solutions still faces challenges in its end markets, yet succeeded in delivering a strong 13% EBITDA margin, which was well above the levels during the last downcycle. Our pure play strategy implementation is on track. We have initiated actions to merge our headquarters organization with that of Surface Solutions, and these changes will be implemented from January 2025 onwards. In addition, our manmade fibers business will be set-up as an independent organization ready for separation. As we evaluate different options, our goal remains to create maximum value for all stakeholders.

Separation of Oerlikons Manmade Fibers Business on Track

As announced in February 2024, the planned separation of Oerlikons manmade fibers business over 12-36 months and the implementation of Oerlikons pure play strategy focusing on surface solutions are well on track. As a next step, the manmade fibers business will be set-up as a largely independent organization ready for the planned separation.

In preparation for the separation, Oerlikon is reducing its support functions, as it will no longer require all of the Groups current resources. Accordingly, streamlining has been initiated, merging headquarters functions with those from Surface Solutions. Oerlikon has introduced a retention plan to ensure business continuity and retain talents. The streamlining will result in an agile and lean organization, while allowing Oerlikon to adjust its costs base to reflect the future revenue of the company.

Surface Solutions Division with Stable Sales and Improved Profitability

Surface Solutions delivered stable sales (-1% year-over-year) at constant exchange rates despite declining end markets. Resilience was supported by continued innovation and a robust performance in general industries, energy and aviation. Order intake decreased by 5% year-over-year at constant exchange rates. This was driven by slowing markets in the third quarter, as indicated by contracting purchasing managers indices (PMIs) worldwide.

Operational EBITDA margin improved 45 basis points to 18.0% in Q3, supported by pricing, efficiency and innovation.

Key figures as of September 30, 2024 (CHF million)1

Q3 2024

Q3 2023

YoY

9M 2024

9M 2023

YoY

Order intake

343

367

-6.6%2

1 123

1 144

-1.8%4

Sales (to third parties)

356

368

-3.4%3

1 120

1 130

-0.9%5

Operational EBITDA

64

65

-0.9%

203

190

6.9%

Operational EBITDA margin

18.0%

17.5%

45 bps

18.1%

16.7%

134 bps

EBITDA

63

63

0%

199

182

9.1%

EBITDA margin

17.5%

16.9%

58 bps

17.7%

16.1%

164 bps

1Due to rounding, some totals may not correspond with the sum of the separate figures. 2 Impact from M&A: +0.0%, FX: -1.8%, organic: -4.9%. 3 Impact from M&A: +0.0%, FX: -1.9%, organic: -1.4%. 4Impact from M&A: +2.9%, FX: -3.5%, organic: -1.2%. 5 Impact from M&A: +2.4%, FX: -3.5%, organic: +0.3%.

Polymer Processing Solutions Division with Stabilizing Orders and Robust Profitability

Polymer Processing Solutions order intake continued to stabilize (-2%) year-over-year, while sales at constant currency declined by 11%, reflecting postponement of orders in 2023. The division continued to see positive momentum in small- and mid-sized filament orders. Sluggish industrial production, as indicated in PMIs, impacted the non-filament business, where Q3 orders have decreased to 2016 trough levels.

The division achieved a robust operational EBITDA margin of 13.1% despite lower sales volume. The margin was supported by proactive cost actions, counteracting opeRating leverage and limited pass-through of higher input costs to maintain volume.

Key figures as of September 30, 2024 (CHF million)1

Q3 2024

Q3 2023

YoY

9M 2024

9M 2023

YoY

Order intake

195

199

-2.2%2

709

760

-6.8%4

Sales (to third parties)

224

255

-12.1%3

627

931

-32.7%5

Operational EBITDA

29

35

-16.7%

74

142

-47.8%

Operational EBITDA margin

13.1%

13.8%

-73 bps

11.8%

15.3%

-345 bps

EBITDA

28

28

-0.9%

72

127

-43.7%

EBITDA margin

12.5%

11.1%

141 bps

11.4%

13.7%

-223 bps

1 Due to rounding, some totals may not correspond with the sum of the separate figures. 2 Impact from M&A: +0.0%, FX: 0.0%, organic: -2.3%. 3 Impact from M&A: 0.0%, FX: -1.5%, organic: -10.5%. 4Impact from M&A: +0.0%, FX: -3.2%, organic: -3.6%. 5 Impact from M&A: +0.0%, FX: -2.4%, organic: -30.2%.





Additional Information

To participate in the results conference call today at 10:30 CET, please click on this link to join the webcast. To ask questions in the Q&A session, please dial in.

Country

Local toll call numbers

Switzerland

+41 58 310 50 00

UK

+44 207 107 06 13

USA

+1 631 570 56 13

The media release can be found at www.oerlikon.com/pressreleases and www.oerlikon.com/ir.

About Oerlikon

Oerlikon (SIX: OERL) is a global innovation powerhouse for surface engineering, polymer processing and additive manufacturing. The Groups solutions and comprehensive services, together with its advanced materials, empower customers by improving and maximizing the performance, function, design and sustainability of customers products and manufacturing processes in key industries. Pioneering technology for decades, everything Oerlikon invents and does is guided by its passion to support customers goals and foster a sustainable world. Headquartered in Pfaeffikon, Switzerland, the Group operates its business in two Divisions  Surface Solutions and Polymer Processing Solutions. It has a global footprint of more than 12 600 employees at 207 locations in 38 countries and generated sales of CHF 2.7 billion in 2023.
Blackmoor Investment Partners (Blackmoor), a long-term equity investor and active owner of high quality European public companies with significant improvement potential, has attracted investment from and appointed Alex Savin as Senior Partner.

Blackmoor was founded by Douglas Smith and Guido Schmidt-Chiari in 2017 to deliver superior returns to its investors by deploying private equity best practices to implement value creation strategies at its investee companies. Since inception, it has made over 25 core investments, having initiated and implemented change programs across its portfolio, significantly outperforming relevant benchmarks.

Alex Savin brings extensive private equity experience, having worked at Bain & Companys Private Equity practice in London and Boston, and co-founding one of the most successful private equity firms in Central and Eastern Europe, which was backed by global institutional investors and delivered outstanding results. Prior to joining Blackmoor, he led Chrome Capital, an investment firm operating across Europe and the US. Savin will now fully dedicate his time to broadening and expanding Blackmoors model and scaling its business. With Savin on board, Blackmoors senior team aims to build on past successes and enhance its distinct private equity approach to public investments to become a partner of choice for global investors looking to generate outsized returns in Europe.

Douglas Smith, Senior Partner remarked: "Alex has been a key adviser to our firm for several years. His appointment is transformational for Blackmoor and signals our intent to further strengthen our core private equity approach to public market investments. In our role as a strategic reference shareholder, Blackmoor works with companies and fellow shareholders to unlock operational improvements, strengthen governance and facilitate strategic M&A to realise our companies full potential. Our ability to tap into Alexs impressive 30+ year track record and networks will be invaluable as we deepen our private equity capabilities in origination, engagement, through to exit.

Alexander Savin, Senior Partner remarked: "I am thrilled to be joining Blackmoor due to the strength of our senior bench, our track record and the opportunities that lie ahead to grow the business. Our high conviction, thematic-based strategy will enable us to capitalise on numerous opportunities in our markets. I look forward to helping to expand Blackmoors private equity capabilities and its potential to generate superior returns to a broader pool of investors across Europe, the US and globally.

For enquiries: https://Blackmoorip.com or contact [email protected]

About Blackmoor

Blackmoor Investment Partners is a long-term investor and an active owner of a limited number of strategic minority stakes in high quality European public companies with significant value creation and M&A potential.

We seek to deliver superior long-term returns for our investors by engaging with Boards and Management of our investee companies to unlock value though improvements in strategy, operations, capital structure, investor relations and execution of strategic M&A opportunities.

Blackmoor Investment Partners Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241104597569/en/
Global IT company FPT has recently entered into a three-year partnership agreement with OutSystems, a recognized leader in high-performance application development. Through this collaboration, FPT will become one of Outystemss reseller and delivery partners in the South Korean market, offering clients accelerated time-to-market and cost-efficient software solutions.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241104816290/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

By harnessing OutSystems' industry-leading low-code platform, FPT aims to enrich its portfolio with faster application development, prototyping, and deployment services. The partnership also unlocks opportunities to extend market reach through OutSystems' partner ecosystem. Additionally, the two companies will co-host workshops and engage in joint sales and marketing initiatives, fostering knowledge exchange and driving shared success.

By combining OutSystems AI-powered low-code platform with FPT's proven delivery capabilities, the collaboration will empower businesses to enhance operational efficiency, extend system functionality, and leverage customer experience. It will prioritize the development of innovative solutions, particularly generative AI-powered low-code technologies, to accelerate the digital transformation of Korean enterprises and enhance their agility and competitiveness in an increasingly dynamic market.

With years of experience supporting both global and South Korean enterprises, FPT has developed deep insights into the unique challenges our local customers face. Through this partnership with OutSystems, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering businesses in South Korea with world-class solutions to enhance their agility, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth, Ha Minh Tuan, Chief Executive Officer of FPT Korea, FPT Corporation pledged.

"OutSystems is excited to bring generative AI-powered low-code solutions to support the digital transformation of Korean businesses. We are confident that FPT will play an important role in advancing the low-code market, leveraging our strong partnership to achieve this goal. Together, we are committed to delivering impactful solutions that address the critical challenges faced by organizations in Korea, including IT resource shortages, budgetary constraints, and stringent timelines for digital transformation," said Head of OutSystems Korea, Changhyeon Kim.

FPT's partnership with OutSystems, established in 2019, has resulted in remarkable joint achievements. The company boasts a team of over 5,000 low-code developers, enabling it to deliver a comprehensive range of services, including the development, operation, and maintenance of software applications on low-code platforms.

About FPT

FPT Corporation (FPT) is a globally leading technology and IT services provider headquartered in Vietnam. FPT operates in three core sectors: Technology, Telecommunications, and Education. During over three decades of development, FPT has constantly provided practical and effective products to millions of people and tens of thousands of business and non-business organizations worldwide, establishing Vietnams position on the global tech map. Keeping up with the latest market trends and emerging technologies, FPT has developed the Made-by-FPT ecosystem of services, products, solutions, and platforms, which enables sustainable growth for organizations and businesses and offers distinctive experiences to customers. In 2023, FPT recorded a total revenue of USD 2.17 billion and 48,000+ employees. For more information about global IT services, please visit https://fptsoftware.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241104816290/en/
More than 120 FFA students competed in the State Land Judging Contest on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

The Lincoln County Conservation District hosted the event in Reardan, Wash., at the farm of Jim and Diane Baye. Other volunteers included Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) staff, Stevens County Conservation District, and FFA affiliates.

Despite the cold, foggy start to the morning, the event ended in sunshine and one team announced as the representative for the state at the National State Land Judging contest next spring.

From the 26 groups representing schools throughout Washington, the top teams were recognized with certificates based on their scores. Prosser 1 took third place, while Garfield Palouse 1 was awarded runner-up.

The first-place team, Colfax 1, will go on to represent the state next April at the national level.

The highest scoring individual students were also announced and awarded, and Preston Olson from Garfield-Palouse 1 received the highest overall score.

Land judging contestants evaluated soil and site characteristics at three cropland sites and one home site. Backhoe pits up to 40-plus inches deep were excavated at each of the four sites to expose the soil profiles. A variety of soils that formed in different parent materials within each pit were judged for the contest.

Thanks to Jim and Diane Baye for hosting the contest on their farmland, and to the volunteers who helped facilitate and judge the contest, excavate the contest pits, and prepare the site.

Congratulations to the Colfax 1 team for their first-place achievement, and good luck representing Washington at the National Land Judging Contest in Oklahoma City in April-May 2025.
Attorneys general from 25 states have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a case that pits an environmental group against the Port of Tacoma over the scope of the Clean Water Act.

Led by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, the states argue a ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that went against the port will spur costly and unproductive lawsuits by environmental groups nationwide.

The court ruled Puget Soundkeeper Alliance can sue the port and a terminal operator, SSA Terminals, in federal court for allegedly violating Washington state water-quality regulations.

The port and SSA are petitioning the Supreme Court to hear an appeal, warning the ruling allows an unlimited army of private groups to use federal law and courts to enforce state laws  without the consent of a state.

The state coalition joined the American Farm Bureau, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington Public Ports Association and others in filing friend-of-the-court briefs asking the Supreme Court to review the decision.

Bird said in a statement the ruling hands over enforcement of water-pollution laws to politically unaccountable private groups.

We must not allow unelected green activists to weaponize lawsuits to force woke mandates, hurt farmers or threaten cities that are working hard to keep drinking water clean, Bird said.

Puget Soundkeeper alleges the port and SSA allow polluted stormwater to run off a 12-acre wharf and into Puget Sound in violation of a permit issued by the state Department of Ecology.

Five cranes on the wharf load and unload cargo. Because there is no industrial activity, such as cleaning or maintaining vehicles, the water draining through holes in the wharf is not regulated by the Clean Water Act.

U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle in Tacoma dismissed the lawsuit, but a three-judge 9th Circuit panel reinstated it. The court ruled the state permit incorporated the Clean Water Acts citizen-suit provision.

The ruling correctly followed a precedent the court set in 1996 in a case involving the discharge of raw sewage into the Willamette River by the city of Portland, according to Justice Diarmuid OScannlains concurring opinion.

OScannlain, however, recalled he warned back then the court had significantly reshaped the Clean Water Act without congressional approval. This objection is as strong today as it was in 1996, OScannlain wrote.

OScannlain also noted the 9th Circuits rulings conflict with a 1993 decision by the 2nd Circuit Court that found private groups couldnt sue in federal court to enforce New York state environmental regulations.

The Supreme Court has yet to conference on the ports petition.

In the meantime, the lawsuit has gone back to Settles courtroom. The port and SSA are asking Settle to stay proceedings until the Supreme Court decides on the petition.

Puget Soundkeeper wants to move ahead with the lawsuit, arguing in a court document the odds of the Supreme Court granting the ports petition are extremely low.

SSA tests stormwater running off the dock and takes action when pollutants exceed targets, according to court records. Puget Soundkeeper alleges SSA and the port are not doing enough.

The other states asking the Supreme Court to take up the case are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Ryan Dunne

Disgraced former solicitor Michael Lynn, who is appealing his five-and-a-half-year sentence for stealing just over 18 million from six financial institutions during the Celtic Tiger era, has been told that Irish society is a victim of his offending.

You become a member of an honourable profession that operates by professional standards, so if you breach that you let not just yourself down, you let your colleagues down and all of society down, said Mr Justice John Edwards at the Court of Appeal on Monday during the sentence appeal of Michael Lynn.

Lynn was jailed for obtaining multiple mortgages on the same properties in a situation where banks were unaware that other institutions were also providing finance.

These properties included 'Glenlion', Lynn's 5.5 million home in Howth, and multiple investment properties.

He had to be extradited from Brazil in 2018 after spending years resisting attempts to have him face charges. As part of the extradition agreement with Brazil, Lynn was to be given credit for the prison time he has already served.

Lynn, of Millbrook Court, Redcross, Co. Wicklow, pleaded not guilty to theft contrary to section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud offences), but he was found guilty by a jury of ten of the 21 theft counts against him following a second Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial last year after the jury in his first trial in 2022 failed to reach a verdict.

He was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to five and a half years in prison having been convicted of stealing 18.1 million from six financial institutions.

Judge Nolan fixed the headline sentence at 16 years, before discounting three years for mitigation.

He subtracted a further seven and a half years because of time spent by Lynn in a Brazilian prison while awaiting extradition, and also because of the conditions of the prison in Brazil.

The judge also took into consideration 105 days Lynn spent in Cloverhill, with the sentence backdated to December 20, 2023.

Appealing the severity of the sentence, counsel for Lynn, Paul Comiskey OKeefe BL said that because of the dearth of comparative case law, he was asking the court to focus on the quantum of loss in this case.

He said that this case featured a loss of 18 million, but he referenced other cases where the loss was multiples of this amount. He also said that the victims in this case were not left in dire financial circumstances from the appellant's offending.

To this, Mr Justice Edwards referenced the culpability and harm done, as the appellant was a solicitor, which meant there was public confidence in a person in his position.

Even if there was no individual victim, it is Irish society that is a victim in that regard, said Mr Justice Edwards, adding that Lynn had done untold damage.

Mr Comiskey OKeefe replied that the communitys right to punishment can arise, but he said that Lynn was punished by being struck off as a solicitor.

Mr Justice Edwards said that because Lynn had been a solicitor, he had been in the position to know the implications of what he was doing, which meant he had breached his code of standards and professional ethics.

Mr Comiskey OKeefe said that the commission of the offence did not take place in the performance of legal services, so as Lynn's actions were not carried out for a client, there had not been a breach of trust.

You become a member of an honourable profession that operates by professional standards, so if you breach that you let not just yourself down, you let your colleagues down and all society down, said Mr Justice Edwards.

Mr Justice Edwards went on to say that being struck off does not exonerate someone from facing criminal punishment, asking if a thief loses his job should he not have to face prison just because he has already lost his job.

Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said that the defence was overlooking the fact that the appellants actions would have lessened the overall image of solicitors.

She went on to address the societal impact, as if a bank loses money, that loss is passed down the line, so the general victim of this crime was society at large.

Mr Comiskey OKeefe next said that the sentencing judge did not give sufficient weight to the recovery by financial institutions of certain losses, nor to the asset disposal by the appellant for the repayment of losses.

Mr Justice Edwards noted that astronomical, eye watering figures were involved.

Mr Comiskey OKeefe repeated his assertion that not enough weight was given to the mitigating factor that this case involved a convicted person who is a solicitor who had not used a clients account for the offending, to which Mr Justice Edwards said that was not mitigation, merely the absence of an aggravating factor.

Mr Comiskey OKeefe next said that not enough weight was given to the post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by Lynn because of the time he served in prison in Brazil, of which the sentencing judge took account.

During his trial, Lynn took the stand and claimed the banks were aware he had multiple loans on the same properties and that this was custom and practice among bankers in Celtic Tiger Ireland.

He was extradited from Brazil in 2018 after spending four and a half years in a hellhole prison there. In the first trial, Lynn told the jury the jail was essentially run by prisoners, and he witnessed the beheading of a young gay prisoner.

Karl Finnegan SC, counsel for the DPP, said that there was nothing which indicated that the sentencing judge did anything that he was not entitled to do within his area of discretion, and there was no error of principle.

He described the seven and a half years mitigation given as extremely generous, as it was not sustainable to say that the final sentence was excessive. He said that during the trial, total loans of 36.5 million were identified, of which 27.85 million were on the indictment, with Lynn found guilty by the jury of offending covering just over 18 million.

This was a complex scheme of offending that involved multiple loans from multiple institutions, said Mr Finnegan, adding that Lynn used his position of trust to exploit weaknesses in the system.

Mr Finnegan said that another aggravating factor was that Lynn accused other witnesses of being complicit in this offending, which led to their characters being impugned.

Its unfortunate that he would continue to try to reduce his culpability. It should be measured by him alone and not on other people he may have been dealing with, said Mr Finnegan.

He said the mitigating factors were limited by there not being a plea of guilty, nor any remorse shown by the appellant for his actions. He went on to say that the global sentence set by the sentencing judge made sense in this case, which was one of the greatest thefts in the history of the State, carried out to amass as much wealth as possible.

Mr Justice Edwards said the court would reserve judgement in the case.
High Court Reporters

A number of people who worked as "content moderators" for the social media platform Facebook are suing their former employers and Facebook/Meta claiming they suffered serious psychological injuries from being exposed to graphic and violent content.

The cases have been brought in the High Court because Meta, which operates Facebook, has its European headquarters in Dublin.

One of the cases was brought by a man who worked for German company CCC Essen Digital Gmbh between 2018 and 2019 in Essen under a contract of employment to which Meta was not a party but merely outsourced the work to CCC.

That case and two others with similar claims by the plaintiffs, who also did not work in Ireland, were considered by the High Court as representatives for deciding whether Ireland was the correct jurisdiction for hearing the personal injury claims.

While these three were chosen as representative, it was on the understanding that they were not binding directly on the remaining cases but that these cases would provide some assistance in the resolution of the balance of the actions.

All three people were content moderators, later called "subject-matter experts", who ensured compliance with Meta/Facebooks implementation standards for online content.

In a ruling relating to whether CCC should make discovery of certain documents for the purpose of the court dealing with the jurisdictional issue, Mr Justice Conleth Bradley refused the discovery sought.

Referring to the first plaintiffs proceedings, the judge said this case was against both the employing company (CCC) and Meta as it was claimed that Meta was the "anchor defendant" for the purposes of meeting the criteria under which jurisdiction in the EU certain civil cases can be heard.

It is alleged that, by reason of the unique and comprehensive degree of control which Meta/Facebook exercised over the system of work implemented by CCC Essen, it has a liability where there is alleged negligence in respect of the injuries suffered in the course of the plaintiffs work.

As part of his case, the man sought discovery of documents from CCC, including the contracts governing the relationship between CCC and Meta and documents on any associated policies and procedures governing what content moderation was.

CCC opposed the application.

The judge said that having regard to the applicable legal principles relating to the exercise of what the authorities suggest is an exceptional jurisdiction, he considered that the discovery sought by the plaintiff, at this juncture, was not necessary for the fair disposal of the jurisdictional issue.

The full hearing of the jurisdictional issue is yet to take place.
November 4, 2024: As of October, NATO has a new leader and multiple problems to deal with and solve. First, there is the war in Ukraine. Russia invaded in early 2022 and failed to win the expected quick victory. Instead Russia has lost over 600,000 dead, wounded and missing. A growing number of the missing are deserters who fled either before they were sent to Ukraine or after they arrived. Its illegal for Russian soldiers to desert but so many are doing so that the government ignores that problem. Thats because all those deserters are more than the prison system can handle and admitting there are that many deserters is an embarrassing admission of defeat. Russian leader Vladimir Putin does not tolerate defeat and is desperately seeking ways to avoid it. One of his latest efforts involves hiring 12,000 North Korean soldiers to restore the capabilities of his depleted army. That wont be enough and Putin sees the war as an endurance contest. He has pledged to keep fighting as long as it takes. Putin believes NATO will eventually tire of supporting Ukraine and allow Putin to annex Ukraine as part of Putins revived Soviet Union.

The new NATO leader realizes he cannot let Putin get his way. Losing Ukraine would mean the next targets would be NATO members like Poland and the Baltic States. Poland sees this as a possibility and ordered a thousand K2 tanks from South Korea. The K2 is similar to the American M1 but was developed and built in South Korea using no American components or items where the U.S. owns the patents. Because of this South Korea can sell the K2 to Poland without American restrictions. Poland has already received over a hundred K2s and will eventually produce at least 500 K2s in Poland under license. Poland already has some German Leopard 2s and American M1s. Within a few years Poland will have the largest tank force in Europe, and that includes Russia.

Putin does not want to attack NATO because Russia would be defeated, but Ukraine is another matter. Putin believes he can eventually persuade NATO to pressure Ukraine into surrendering the 26 percent of Ukraine that Russia already occupies. Ukrainians refuse to accept that large a loss and are willing to keep fighting to ensure the Russians do not get their way.

In a world where clarity and finality are admired, the Ukraine War is murky and unending. NATO continues to be the primary supplier of weapons and economic aid to Ukraine. Most of Ukraine has not been affected by the fighting. Ukraine is still a major grain exporter, as is Russia. These grain exports cannot be disrupted because many countries, like Afghanistan, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey and Yemen depend on the Ukrainian grain exports. Western nations on this list can easily switch to another supplier, but African, Middle Eastern and Asian customers often cannot.

Most NATO nations are not directly impacted by the stability of the Ukrainian grain exports, but many of the nations that are vulnerable have important relationships with NATO nations. As a result, continued Ukrainian grain exports is an important issue for NATO nations.

Ukraine wants to become a NATO member and NATO is willing to accept Ukraine as its 33rd member. This cannot happen while Ukraine is still at war and Vladimir Putin has hinted at a deal that would involve Ukraine surrendering Russian occupied land in order to gain NATO membership. This is a surrender too far for Ukraine, which rejected this deal. Ukraine realizes that their fight against Russia prevents the Russians from going after Poland and the Baltic States. While such an attack on NATO members seems improbable, so was the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

NATO finds itself in an impossible situation that must be resolved. Ukraine cannot afford to be lost and Russia must realize that fighting the NATO alliance is a losing proposition. Maybe not, but in the past Russia did not hesitate to attack Poland, Finland and planned to invade Germany before the Germans themselves attacked in 1941. Ironically, the war in Ukraine is the first major war in Europe since 1945 when the Western allies and Russia defeated Nazi Germany. By invading Ukraine, the Russians became the Nazis and they steadfastly refuse to accept that. Russia says it is in Ukraine to eliminate pro-Nazi elements and bring Ukraine back into a new Russian empire. NATO members do not believe any of that and are resigned to the task of continuing to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Another problem facing NATO is the reluctance of the United States to continue being the major supplier of aid for Ukraine. The Americans want NATO nations to do more of this and some NATO nations, like Poland, Romania, Finland, the Baltic States, and Germany are doing just that.

Managing NATO in wartime may be a headache but so far these efforts have been successful. Doubts linger about NATO'S ability to keep it up.
TESCO Ireland is to create 24 temporary jobs in Carlow for the Christmas period. The initiative is part of the companys plan to hire almost 1,200 temporary staff for festive roles across its superstores and extra stores nationwide.

These roles are designed to offer flexible hours, a variety of shift options and competitive benefits from day one, making them attractive for those looking for work over the festive season.

As part of its seasonal recruitment drive, Tesco is looking for enthusiastic people in Carlow to join its team and deliver exceptional service to customers. Whether youre looking for extra hours to suit your schedule or seeking new opportunities, these roles offer a chance to contribute to a dynamic and supportive team.

The company says that all employees will benefit from Tescos competitive reward and benefits package, which includes free access to a virtual GP, life assurance and a comprehensive employee assistance programme (EAP) offering 24/7 emotional and wellbeing support to staff and their families. It says these benefits reflect Tescos commitment to colleague wellbeing through its Wellbeing First approach, focusing on supporting the body, mind and life of its team members.

After Christmas, temporary employees will have the opportunity to apply for any permanent roles that have become available, either in existing stores or in new Tesco locations planned for the coming year.

Anyone interested in applying for a job at Tesco Ireland can visit https://roi.tesco-careers.com/festive/ to apply now.
Advertisement

Aktobecem plans to build a new cement plant in the Aktobe region, Kazakhstan, according to Trend News Agency. The 2Mta project is valued at US$143.1m.



Aktobes aim, Askhatar Sakharov, met with investors from Singapore and Kazakhstan to discuss the development of the project.



"We are ready to support the implementation of the cement plant project. This enterprise will make a significant contribution to the development of the construction industry in the region by providing the local market with high-quality cement and creating new jobs. Furthermore, the implementation of this project will attract additional investments and contribute to the economic growth of our region," Shakharov noted during the meeting with investors.



It is expected that the launch of the project will create more than 500 jobs as well as open up new opportunities for local construction companies. The new plant is anticipated to cover 80 per cent of Aktobes cement required and reduce logistics costs.
Advertisement

The Belarusian Cement Co Group (BCC) has signed an agreement with Russias Titan-2 Group, according to the press service of the Ministry of Architecture and Construction of Belarus.

BCC Group CEO Alexander Dovgalo has inked an agreement with Russias Titan-2 Concern to the tune of RUB1.6bn ($16.5m), says the statement.



Titan-2 Group is a strategic partner of Rosatom, the state corporation that runs Russias nuclear facilities, and builds the countrys nuclear and thermal power facilities, as well as oil, gas and chemical industrial facilities.
November 4, 2024: The Netherlands is reviving and rebuilding its naval forces. This includes some novel innovations, like arming several commercial ships with weapons stored and operated from shipping containers. These containers would not look out of place on the deck of a freighter, and the few naval personnel needed to operate the weapons could wear civilian clothes when on deck.

The weapons in the containers include drones for surveillance as well as some drones for attacking hostile warships. In addition there might be one or two anti-ship missiles. These missiles are relatively small and can be launched vertically.

The Dutch will not reveal which of their merchant ships is armed and will provide protection to all their cargo ships operating to or from Dutch ports. There is no urgent need for armed merchant ships just now. By revealing their plans, actual or potentially hostile nations must now be worrying about Dutch merchant ships.

What the Netherlands is going is reminiscent of the Q-Ships used by Britain against U-Boats, and the thirteen armed but disguised German merchant vessels used during both World Wars to prey on allied merchant vessels. During World War I Germany was blockaded by British mine fields near the German coast and the Royal Navy based in nearby British anchorages. The German fleet sought to break out of the British blockade in 1916, but the subsequent Battle of Jutland was one by the British.

This left the Germans with their fleet of Q-Ships that continued to operate. The Q-Ships didnt have to be built from ships in Germany. There were many nations willing to allow the local German Embassy to buy and arm merchant ships to be Q-Ships. Overall, more than a hundred British, Americans and German Q-Ships were deployed during both World Wars. The Q-Ship concert didnt work but nations continue to change that. The Netherlands is the latest navy to adopt a Q-Ship type vessel. In this case the Dutch are arming their naval replenishment ships. These vessels deliver food, fuel and other supplies to Dutch ships operating in distant waters. Because these ships were sometimes operating in dangerous areas, they are armed with surveillance and attack drones. Hidden deck guns are now a thing of the past. A cargo container on deck full of drones gets the job done.

The Americans are arming some of their cargo containers with cruise missiles, but that is an offensive weapon presently carried by warships and submarines. The Dutch are concentrating on some upgraded and improved warship designs that plan to use missile armed cargo ships as storage vessels for missiles and a launching site for missile attacks planned by the crew of a nearby warship, or some naval officer back in Holland.

The Dutch are moving forward with their missile armed merchant ship concept. An important aspect of this is that these merchant ships can carry hundreds of cruise and anti-ship missiles. This is a less expensive solution than what the United States did with four of their SSBNs Nuclear ballistic missile submarines) converted by 2008 into four SSGNs.

The SSGN is a cruise missile-armed submarine. One of these SSGNs was used in combat during 2011 against targets in Libya. With nearly all the country overrun by rebels, it was possible to get a close look at how well a new version of the American Tomahawk did in its first combat use. The missile performed as predicted. Most of these Tomahawks were fired during the initial air attack. Moreover, most of the more than a hundred Tomahawks were fired by one ship: the nuclear submarine USS Florida. This was the first time an SSGN saw combat, but not the first time nuclear subs have fired missiles in wartime. U.S. SSNs have fired Tomahawks several times.

Each of these SSGNs carry 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, as well as space for 66 SEAL commandos and their equipment. The idea of converting ballistic missile subs that must have been scrapped to fulfill disarmament agreements, had been bouncing around since the 1990s. After September 11, 2001, the idea got some traction. The navy submariners love this one, because they lost a lot of their reason for being with the end of the Cold War. The United States had built a powerful nuclear submarine force during the Cold War, but with the rapid disappearance of the Soviet navy in the 1990s, there was little reason to keep over a hundred nuclear subs in commission. These boats are expensive, costing over a billion each to build and over a million dollars a week to operate. The four Ohio class SSBN being converted each had at least twenty years of life left in them.

The idea of a sub, armed with 154 highly accurate cruise missiles, and capable of rapidly traveling underwater, ignoring weather and observation, at a speed of over 1,200 kilometers a day, to a far off hotspot, had great appeal in the post-Cold War world. The ability to carry a large force of commandos as well was also attractive. In one sub you have your choice of hammer or scalpel. Whether or not this multi-billion dollar investment will pay off remains to be seen, but it certainly worked off Libya.

The current Dutch fleet consists of three diesel electric submarines, two frigates, four destroyers, four offshore patrol vessels, three amphibious warfare ships, four minesweepers, and about thirty support and small patrol boats. The Netherlands is spending nearly three billion dollars to build four new Walrus-class 3,200 ton diesel electric subs equipped with AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) and more effective lithium ion batteries. These subs wont be completed until the early 2030s. The Dutch dont reveal how many armed merchant ships they presently have and plan to modify or build.
The future home of the UTC School of Nursing, the Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building, broke ground on Monday.

Located at the corner of Palmetto and East 3rd streets, this new building will be approximately 90,000 square feet with state-of-the-art classrooms and a cutting-edge simulation lab. The new facility will also allow for a 152 percent enrollment increase in the School of Nursing, which currently accepts approximately 50 percent of applicants and turns down eligible students due to space and class size limitations.

We are here today because of the outstanding nursing program at UTC that will provide a workforce badly needed in our community, in our state and in our region, said UTC Chancellor Steven R. Anglewho noted that the schools recent May 2024 Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates and the first cohort of accelerated BSN graduates achieved a 100 percent pass rate for the National Council Licensure Examination on the first attempt, fulfilling the requirement for licensure as a registered nurse. What a testament to the great faculty and staff of our nursing program who are supporting these students and challenging them to be the very best.

The groundbreaking was attended by faculty, staff, students, alums, building donors and numerous dignitariesincluding UT System President Randy Boyd; U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann; Tennessee Sen. Bo Watson, chair of the Hamilton County Legislative Delegation and the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee; Rep. Patsy Hazlewood, chair of the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee; and Rep. Yusuf Hakeem.

Nursing is special; we need more nurses. I hear it from hospitals all across the state, all across the country, Rep. Fleischmann said. This building is so important, so I cannot be more thankful to our entire University of Tennessee system, to the people who are here today.

This new Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building is an incredible example of this great decade that were leading here at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the UT system, President Boyd said. Were talking about making this the greatest decade in the history of the University of Tennessee, but we cant make it the greatest decade in the University of Tennessee System unless its also the greatest decade in the University of Tennessee at Chattanoogas history. I think were well on the way to being able to do that.

The projects anticipated cost of $77 million will be funded through a combination of donations and state resources, with a building campaign goal of $21 million.

Chancellor Angle thanked the entire Hamilton County legislative delegation, saying, We moved forward in the state capital queue for funding and wouldnt be at this point in the process without the delegation making sure that we were staying true to what our public university should do with a project like this.

I want to particularly call out the hard work of Senator Watson and Rep. Hazlewood as chair of the Finance and Budget Committees. They just did an incredible job. I know we would not be here without their hard work and commitment to see that this building actually competed for funding at a time that was really challenging for higher education with capital projects.

Senator Watson, who received a bachelors degree in biology from UTC in 1983 and a physical therapy degree from UT Health Science Center in Memphis, began his talk by acknowledging the School of Nursing faculty and staff wearing white lab coats.

I am at heart a human scientist just as you," said Senator Watson. "I am at heart a clinicianand clinicians know that all great science begins with a great academic facility and great academic faculty. Thats what were trying to create here today. Its not that our faculty isnt great already. Its not that our facilities arent adequate already. Its just that human science is moving forward at a pace and level of technology that requires new facilities. I have been a strong advocate for this building for the last five years.

This facility will help prepare Hamilton County for the next generation of nurses and the health care delivery system that will make a difference in peoples lives. So as one clinician to another, one health scientist to another, congratulations UT Chattanooga. I look forward to seeing this building in the ground and up and seeing students working throughout our community, bringing Chattanooga and bringing Hamilton County into this next century with technology and health care skill and expertise that will be surpassed by no one.

In October 2023, UTC received an $8 million gift from the Kennedy Foundation, Inc. to name the Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building after the parents of the current Kennedy Foundation trusteesJim Kennedy III, Elizabeth Kennedy Spratlin and Molly Kennedy (82).

This will be the first building on campus to be named after an alumna. Dorothy (82) received a degree in English while attending UTC at the same time as her daughter, Molly.

This is the largest single gift in the School of Nursings history.

Mom and Dad, Dorothy and Jim Kennedy, would be so proud to be a part of this amazing venture into UTCs investment in the medical field in nursing, Jim Kennedy III said. Mom was a graduate of UTC and she would be so honored that this very important facility on campus at UTC will be named after her and Dad.

Over 70 percent of UTC Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates remain in the Chattanooga area upon completing their degree. That percentage jumps to 83 percent for Family Nurse Practitioner graduates.

For over a decade, the United States has experienced a severe nursing shortage that increased because of the pandemic.

If our enthusiasm is evident, then Ive conveyed the feelings of the faculty, staff and students, said Dr. Chris Smith, director of the School of Nursing and UTCs chief health affairs officer. On behalf of all of us, thank you for placing your trust value in usand that we will continue to educate and graduate the best-prepared nurses in the area. We know that health care facilities are counting on us to continue to achieve the high standards we have set. Were ready to fill our end of the bargain.

The Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building is projected to be completed in the fall of 2026.

To learn more about the project, visit give.utc.edu/kennedy-health-sciences-building.
The U.S. Constitution provides all citizens the right to peacefully assemble and have the freedom to speak and petition the government to redress of grievances. What does redress grievances mean? Per Wikipedia the redress of grievances refers to the formal process by which individuals can seek correction or remedy for perceived injustices or wrongs, particularly those committed by the government. It demands accountability of our elected officials.

The accountability is a two way street, we elect the officials to represent us as American citizens and expect accountability for those we elect.

The 2nd amendment provides the right for the citizens to keep and bear arms. This also is a two way street where we are allowed the protection of arms and a check against unchecked federal power.

These rights we're given to the citizens of a free state and with that I ask everyone who is a United States citizen to vote. No matter your party affiliation, it's your right and your duty to vote.

Tim Bittenbender
In late September, Hurricane Helene severely impacted Eastern Tennessee, causing loss of life and billions in damages. Many residents are facing significant uninsured losses and urgently still need assistance. Local organizations and churches stepped up to provide essential support to affected individuals, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in times of crisis. However, it is still not enough.

The natural disaster means that in 2025, the Tennessee General Assembly must change its focus and priorities; infrastructure, the state budget, and education reform will garner attention. Tennessee's lawmakers are facing challenges as they prioritize the next state budget.

Our current budget is around $53 billion, and it has grown significantly in the last six years under the Lee Administration with stagnant revenue growth. With $144 million previously allocated for a failed universal school voucher proposal, there is hesitance to tap into the states $2.15 billion rainy day fund due to potential risks to the states bond rating. Tennessee fell $333 million short of tax projections in Fiscal Year 2023, and Lee's budget anticipates collecting about $719 million less in revenue than initially planned for Fiscal Year 2024.

On one hand, Governor Lee is beholden to a special interest lobby advocating for universal vouchers; on the other hand, Tennesseans have never been obligated to pay for the education of 100,000 students already attending private schools. This could ultimately cost taxpayers an additional $700 million annually. The era of big government is alive and well in Tennessee.

The introduction of the Helene Emergency Assistance Loans (HEAL) Program, which offers loans for disaster recovery instead of direct aid, has raised concerns among affected residents and advocates who call for immediate financial support rather than loans. Will the funds be returned to TennCare, where the state is taking them from?

Public infrastructure needs present an opportunity for significant improvement as we address the existing backlog, estimated at $68 billion. This situation underscores the necessity for focused recovery efforts across the state, paving the way for a more effective disaster response and a building on infrastructure needs for the future.

The contrast between the funding for universal vouchers and the urgent need for disaster recovery and public education underscores a disconnect in legislative priorities. Lawmakers must balance the immediate needs of storm-impacted communities with the broader budget implications. It is anticipated that Governor Lee may call a special session of the Tennessee General Assembly to advocate for universal vouchers, raising concerns about prioritizing educational reforms over disaster recovery.

The decline in SNAP funding for low-income households and a decrease in economically disadvantaged students qualifying for meal programs reflect deeper systemic issues that threaten educational resources and community stability. Policymakers and media should check with local school districts to determine if schools face any problems with economically disadvantaged students qualifying for meal programs and, if so, what the potential fiscal impact is.

The push for universal vouchers needs critical examination due to potential negative impacts on public education, including widening academic gaps, increased segregation, and diverting funds from public schools. The primary issue will be accountability. If universal vouchers are implemented, private schools accepting them must adhere to the same standards as public schools to ensure educational quality and prevent discrimination against marginalized groups. This should also include open meetings and greater transparency.

Education reform initiatives like the Achievement School District have faced justified criticism for failing to deliver promised improvements. There is a pressing need for practical, personalized intervention strategies in education. In the past six years, "disruptors" have emerged in the education reform movement in Tennessee, emphasizing testing, competition, and accountability. This contrasts with traditional reformers who focus on funding, teacher training, and smaller class sizes. Eventually, we must focus on building a system that works as the Tennessee Constitution mandates funding a system of public schools.

As state leaders navigate these complex issues, they must prioritize transparency and community engagement while addressing the urgent needs of all Tennesseans, particularly in education and disaster recovery. The growing demand for government accountability reflects citizens' expectations for a responsive administration prioritizing comprehensive needs, including our focus on education, infrastructure, and disaster recovery.

Stakeholders must advocate for a balanced approach that serves the community's best interests and fosters solutions for all Tennesseans. As lawmakers navigate these complex issues, they must listen to their constituents and address the urgent needs of their communities, especially in education.

JC Bowman

Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee
November 5, 2024: Israel has been under attack by rockets and missiles since the nation was founded in 1948. So far Israel has had to deal with 19 wars with its Arab neighbors Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and Jordan. After 1979 Iran went from ally and trading partner to the principal enemy of the new religious dictatorship that has misruled the former Israeli friend. Iranian efforts to destroy Israel have led to a series of Iranian failures. The latest one is the October 1 st missile attack on Israel that employed over 200 missiles. Israel intercepted nearly all of them and the few that got through caused little damage and only one fatality, a Palestinian man killed by a large component so an intercepted Iranian missile. Israel had some help from three American destroyers off the coast using their anti-aircraft weapons. There was also an attack from Yemen, where the Yemeni Houthi rebels, who are supplied with Iranian weapons, fired drones at Tel Aviv and Ashkelon. Some of these were intercepted by American destroyers off the Yemen coast.

In July a Houthi drone hit Tel Aviv and killed one Israeli and wounded four others. In response an Israeli air strike against the Yemen port of Hodeidah killed six and wounded over 70 people. This attacks did extensive damage to the port and surrounding areas. The U.S. Navy also launched cruise missiles at Houthi targets in Yemen. On October 16th American B-2 bombers attacked Houthi targets outside the Yemen capital of Sanaa . This was in response to a September attack when over 30 Houthi missile and drones attacked three American destroyers in the Red Sea. The ships intercepted all the incoming missiles and drones.

Then there is Hamas, an associate but not an ally of Iran, and Hezbollah which is an ally and client of Iran. Earlier this year Israel used exploding pagers and portable radios, plus airstrikes, to decapitate Hezbollahs leadership. Israel also killed several senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders including the elusive Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas supreme leader and one of its founders. Sinwar was moving about in Gaza when he and some aides were confronted by some Israeli soldiers. There was a brief gunbattle and the Israelis discovered that one of the dead men was the elusive Yahya Sinwar. Within a day, DNA tests confirmed that Sinwar was dead. His death was a catastrophe for Hamas which had recently suffered the loss of several leaders. Sinwar had spent two years planning and organizing the October 2023 Hamas offensive in Gaza that left over a thousand Israeli dead. This was the largest number of Israelis ever killed in one day, let alone one action. With Sinwar gone, several lesser Hamas leaders are feuding with each other to determine who will replace their departed leader. You cant replace someone like Sinwar and his aides who are finding that out as their succession disputes leave Hamas paralyzed and starting to fall apart.

Now virtually leaderless, Palestinians are unsure of what the future will bring. Most Palestinians live in or immediately adjacent to Israel. Two million of Israels 9.8 million population are Palestinians. The Gaza Strip contains 365 square kilometers of territory and 2.1 million Palestinians. The West Bank contains 5,655 square kilometers and 4.1 million Palestinians. Gaza has had many rulers over the last century. A century ago Gaza was administered by British officials and occupied by British troops. After 1945 Gaza was ruled by Egyptian officials. In 1956 a war between several Arab states and Israel was won by the Israelis, who also captured Gaza but then withdrew. The 1967 Arab Israeli war saw Gaza once more captured by the Israelis and administered by them until 2005 when, after an 11 year process, Israeli forces withdrew and a local Palestinian government, initially Al Fatah, which also ruled the West Bank, took over Gaza.

While some Arab groups, and Iran, developed an intense hatred for Israel, the Israelis created the most affluent and technologically advanced state in the region. Eventually neighboring Arab nations realized that it was much better to have Israel as a trading partner rather than the target of many attacks that always failed and earned the attackers heavy losses.

One of the major defensive systems Israel developed was Iron Dome. This system has, for over a decade, been the principal weapon that kept Israel safe from missile and drone attacks.

Iron Dome missile launchers hold 20 Tamir missiles. Each 160mm diameter Tamir weighs 90 kg and is three meters long. Tamirs guidance system has a radar and a proximity fuze which detects the size and speed of a nearby target and detonates the warhead only if the right type of target like drone, cruise missile or rocket is detected. Because of recently added features for destroying cruise missiles and drones, the cost per Tamir missile went from $50,000 to nearly $150,000.

In 2020 Tamir proved its ability to down cruise missiles and drones using the Iron Dome radar and fire control system. In that test Iron Dome systems on land and Israeli ships were integrated into a multi-layer air defense system that included Davids Sling, which is similar to the American Patriot, and Israels own Arrow ABM (anti-ballistic missile system). Iron Dome can use other air defense search, fire control and target management systems. With that Israel began offering the Tamir missiles and launchers to export customers.

Continuous Israeli upgrades of Iron Dome enabled it to shoot down various types of drones. This required some software modifications and was done at the request of the U.S. Army. Iron Dome was already capable of shooting down aircraft and helicopters. The drones were often much smaller, but so are the rockets and mortar shells Iron Dome can knock down. The United States has contributed over a billion dollars to development and procurement of Iron Dome. Periodically adding new features like this helps export sales.

Israel initially designed Iron Dome to only defend stationary targets. By 2014 Israel had fifteen batteries of Iron Dome and over 2,000 Tamir missiles. That was enough to shut down a Hamas effort to hit Israel with thousands of rockets. Each battery has radar, fire control equipment, and 3-4 missile launchers each with 20 missiles) and cost about $37-50 million for the basic, no anti-aircraft capability model, and depending on how many missiles it is shipped with. With the new system, a battery with two radars and three launchers costs about $100 million and can protect an area of about 150 square kilometers.

In 2014 the U.S. Army purchased an Iron Dome anti-rocket battery from Israel, mainly to determine if Iron Dome would be worth getting for deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan where American troops were still stationed. This American purchase was the first export sale of Iron Dome. The U.S. bought two more batteries in 2020 and 2021. Israeli efforts to export their Iron Dome anti-rocket system were slow initially but eventually succeeded with Azerbaijan, India and several other counters placing orders. The Israeli manufacturer of Iron Dome thought this would make Iron Dome a hot export item. After all, Israel is one of the top ten weapons exporters in the world. This is because the Israeli system works well and is usually combat tested. Although the Iron Dome system had succeeded in shooting down about 85 percent of the rockets headed for Israeli populated areas, that was a unique situation.

Continued success eventually made Iron Dome exportable, especially after the anti-aircraft, drone and cruise missile capabilities were added. The U.S. was willing to buy more Iron Dome systems but wanted access to the fire control source code. Israel refused because American security is less strict than Israels and a leak of that source code would enable an enemy to determine exploitable weaknesses in Iron Dome. This software dispute was eventually resolved.

The main problem is that Iron Dome was designed to deal with an enemy that is a terrorist organization like Hamas operating out of an area like Gaza that is basically home for Palestinian refugees who have been there for over 60 years. Hamas wants nothing less than the destruction of Israel. Hezbollah, a similar organization, controls southern Lebanon and is also dedicated to the destruction of Israel, using 100,000  150,000 unguided rockets and guided missiles it received from Iran. This is the unique situation that Iron Dome was designed to deal with. When faced with a massive launch of rockets at once, Iron Dome is unable to shoot down all of those headed for populated areas. While the intercept rate is lower, Iron Dome has shown it can still reduce Israeli casualties and property damage. Iron Dome recently added a high-powered laser device that can knock down many rockets but at shorter ranges.
The City Council is set to vote next Tuesday on a contract with consultants to begin the process of returning passenger rail service to Chattanooga.

WSP USA was selected for phase 1 at a price of $472,426. The amount is fully funded by the Federal Rail Administration.

Chattanooga is the lead agency in a four-city consortium that also includes Atlanta, Nashville and Memphis.

Ellis Smith, of the mayor's office, said, "Trains are running between those cities right now. There's just not passenger service."

He said CSX operates most of those lines.

Mr. Smith said the initial process will include assessments of who would want to ride, what level of service is needed, and locations where side tracks need to be added.

He said the second phase would include adding the site tracks and taking additional steps toward bringing back passenger trains.

He said WSP helped get this process going and is also helping secure similar passenger service in Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia.

Vice Chair Jenny Hill said she would use the service, but only if it was affordable and has frequent trains.

She said, "It needs to be less expensive than it would cost me to put gas in my car."

Mr. Smith said Amtrak may operate the trains, but it possibly could be a different provider.
The Dalton Mayor and Council held a special called meeting on Tuesday morning to consider a vote on new rules for the sale of alcoholic beverages. The council voted to approve Ordinance 24-27 which modifies Chapter 6 of the City's Code of Ordinances. Among other changes, the new rules create additional categories of licenses that allow for the sale of distilled spirits. Previously, a business had to be considered a bona fide restaurant in order to sell distilled spirits. The new ordinance also clarifies the time when various license holders must stop serving alcohol.

The City of Dalton had studied changes to Chapter 6 of the City's Code of Ordinances for much of the year. Chapter 6 deals with licenses and rules for the sale of alcoholic beverages in Dalton. The review was part of a larger review of the Code of Ordinances to ensure the ordinances were not in conflict with the City's new charter and current state laws. City leaders laid out proposed changes at public meetings in March, August, and September. In response to feedback from the public and business community at those meetings, the proposed ordinance went through a series of different changes as leaders worked to craft an ordinance that served the community and business community alike. The Mayor and Council held a final public work session on the ordinance on Monday evening before their regular meeting.

The new alcohol code has two new categories of businesses that can sell distilled spirits. Bars or cafes can now obtain pouring distilled spirits licenses. A "bar" is defined as any business that is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages and derives 75 percent or more of its annual gross revenue from alcohol sales for consumption on site. A "cafe" is defined as any business licensed to sell alcoholic beverages that derives at least 25 percent of its annual gross revenue from the sale of food and non-alcoholic beverages. "Restaurants", which are businesses that derive a minimum of 50 percent of their annual gross revenue from the sale of prepared meals or food, are the third category of business able to obtain a pouring distilled spirits license. Restaurants are the only category able to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises on Sundays in accordance with Georgia's "brunch bill." Both the definitions of "cafe" and "restaurant" have a several other requirements for businesses to be considered as a cafe or restaurant which can be found in the text of the ordinance.

Under the new alcohol code, bars and cafes can serve alcohol until 1:00 am. Patrons must leave the premises by 1:30 am. Restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol until 2:00 am. Restaurants may remain open and continue to serve food, but all alcoholic beverages must be off of tables and consumption must end by 3:00 am.

Previous drafts of Ordinance 24-27 included provisions that would have required pouring alcohol outlets to use ID scanners and install security cameras at public points of entry, but those provisions have been removed from the final version that was enacted by the City Council. A provision requiring alcohol handlers training for staff at pouring alcohol outlets was also removed from the final version. A requirement to have security personnel on site for outlets selling distilled spirits remains in the final version of the ordinance, but only takes effect at 10:00 pm.

The final version of the new alcohol code also returns the responsibility for first review new alcoholic beverage license applications to the Dalton Public Safety Commission (PSC). The PSC will make recommendations on new applications to the Mayor and Council which has final authority to grant or deny the applications. The PSC also can review violations of the alcohol code.

The Council voted 3-0 to approve the ordinance. Councilmember Tyree Goodlett was not present and Mayor Annalee Sams typically only votes in the event of a tie. The new alcohol code will take effect on January 1st, 2025 which will give retailers the opportunity to review the new rules and either renew their licenses or apply for one of the new license categories if they wish.
On November 1, 2024, a significant milestone was reached at JUKE Systemtechnik GmbH in Altenberge: The two long-standing CEOs Heinrich Jurgens and Martin Hovestadt handed over the management to the next generation. Their two sons Max Jurgens and Steffen Hovestadt, who have both been with the company for several years, took over the management on November 1, 2024. The generational change is flanked by Dominik Fockenbrock, who joined the management team in July 2023. He has been with the company for 30 years and was previously Head of Development.

Max Jurgens, Heinrich Jurgens, Dominik Fockenbrock, Martin Hovestadt, Steffen Hovestadt JUKE Systemtechnik GmbH

The generational change was carefully prepared over the long term in advance. During an intensive onboarding and training phase, the new Managing Directors worked in all departments of the company and were actively involved in the operational processes. By working closely with the teams and getting to know all areas, they were able to prepare themselves thoroughly for their future tasks.

Placing the succession in the hands of our sons was our wish and part of our corporate strategy to maintain independence and continuity, explain the previous CEOs Heinrich Jurgens and Martin Hovestadt. Thanks to the long-standing preparation, the appropriate training of our sons and the involvement of the second management level, we are convinced that the transition will be seamless and that the company will continue to grow.

The second management level consists of the heads of the operational and strategic divisions and was involved in the succession process from the outset. They worked closely together to help shape the change and prepare for the new managing directors. This integration of all relevant levels ensures that the transition in company management will be smooth and stable for both the employees and the business partners.

We are looking forward to taking over responsibility in the company together with Dominik Fockenbrock and continuing the companys successful history, say the new CEOs Max Jurgens and Steffen Hovestadt. Our aim is to preserve what has been established and at the same time provide new ideas with strength and energy in order to develop the company for the future.

Max Jurgens trained as a commercial manager in wholesale and foreign trade, graduated from the Universidad Nebrija in Spain with a Bachelor of Business Administration and completed his training at Steinbeis University with a part-time Master of Business and Engineering. Before starting at JUKE, he worked for a good 4 years at Schmitz Cargobull AG in Zaragoza and Altenberge as Supply Chain Manager and gained valuable experience in international purchasing management and logistics as well as in projects to optimize production processes.

Steffen Hovestadt studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Dortmund and graduated with a Master of Science. He then worked for a good 4 years at Qioptiq Photonics GmbH & Co. KG in Gottingen as a development engineer. During this time, he was responsible for the management of complex development projects in the field of optical technologies, the planning of modern development infrastructure and dealing with a wide range of international customers before starting his onboarding and training phase at JUKE.

The two previous CEOs Heinrich Jurgens and Martin Hovestadt will remain associated with the company as shareholders even after the generational change. They will take care of strategic projects and actively continue the very well-established networking work in trade associations, associations, and initiatives.
Home News Christian attorney warns 'tearing down' religious freedom in US is 'spirit of the age'

An attorney dedicated to upholding religious freedom said hes greatly disturbed by the growing hostility toward the exercise of religion in the public square, particularly in Michigan.

An attorney dedicated to upholding religious freedom stated that he is greatly disturbed to see what Michigan has become, warning of a growing hostility in the state toward the exercise of religion in the public square.

Louis Brown, a lawyer and the executive director of the Catholic healthcare nonprofit Christ Medicus Foundation, spoke during an Oct. 25 webinar discussing the Napa Legal Institutes release of its 2024 Faith and Freedom Index.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

The report ranked states based on religious and regulatory freedom, finding that various parts of the country over-burden and are even hostile toward faith-based nonprofits.

According to the index, Michigan, Washington, Massachusetts and West Virginia are some of the worst states for religious freedom. Michigan received a religious freedom score of 22% and a regulatory freedom score of 49%, earning an overall score of 32%.

Washington state earned a combined score of 35%, while Massachusetts and West Virginia each had an overall score of 38%.

States that received the highest overall rankings for protecting religious freedom and creating an environment for faith-based nonprofits to thrive included Alabama (72%), Indiana (68%), Texas (64%) and Kansas (64%).

The Faith and Freedom Index is a natural and important extension of Napa Legals work, Napa Legal Counsel Frank DeVito, who also spoke during the webinar, said in a statement provided to The Christian Post.

By analyzing the laws that affect faith-based nonprofits and publishing the results, Napa Legal can better educate nonprofits, lawyers and state policymakers on the state laws that affect religious organizations, he added. This education leads to better awareness and compliance for faith-based nonprofits, better legal training for the lawyers who serve those organizations and the possibility of state lawmakers passing better laws to help faith-based nonprofits thrive.

For Brown, Michigans ranking was not surprising, but he still expressed dismay over what his former home state had become. The lawyer remembered with fondness the Michigan he grew up in during the '80s and '90s, noting that the protection of religious exercise at the time advanced [his] growth and development as a child.

Browns mother taught at a Catholic high school that served students from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds. The attorney also attended Catholic schools throughout his childhood, and the neighborhood where he lived was also home to what he described as a vibrant Orthodox Jewish community. According to Brown, two of his Orthodox neighbors became his surrogate grandparents.

At the time in Metro Detroit, you had a backbone of that larger community that was significantly made up of a beautiful tapestry of Catholic, Protestant and Jewish communities, he said. African Americans, Hispanics and European Americans who shared a common belief in God-given human dignity and the beauty of religious faith.

Unfortunately, however, over the last several years, I have been greatly disturbed by the local and state policies that have been passed by state legislatures, and in some cases, local elected leaders at the municipal level in Michigan that have failed to respect and protect religious freedom, the sanctity of life and human dignity.

There seems to be generally a growing hostility in Michigan towards the exercise of religion in the public square, Brown stated. A discouragement not only in rhetoric but also in law and policy, of Michiganders exercising their religious faith to love and care for Gods people in the public square.

Highlighting the index, Brown urged spiritual leaders, elected officials, university presidents and attorneys general to study the report and understand their states ranking.

Brown also advised churches and faith-based nonprofits to structure themselves in a manner that provides maximum protections for their religious mission under state and federal law. Lastly, he urged community leaders and state policymakers to support changes to state law that more robustly protect the exercise of religion.

Religious freedom is vital to human dignity, to all other civil rights in America and to a healthy civil society, Brown said. What were seeing, and particularly in the states that rank towards the bottom of this index, is a spirit of the age in our country that is tearing down the very foundations of the human freedoms that we enjoy.

The challenge we have today is to defend our human dignity and our human freedom, not just as a tribal community, were not here as a tribe but we're here as people of faith to love, care, serve and uplift Gods people so that they can thrive, live life fully alive and fully enjoy the freedom that God intended for His people, Brown stated.
Home News Candace Cameron Bure challenges followers to 'vote like Jesus'

Full House alum Candace Cameron Bure has encouraged her followers to vote like Jesus on Election Day as the race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris nears the finish line.

On her Instagram stories, the 48-year-old actress  known for her outspoken Christian faith  re-shared a link to a YouTube video from a church service that offered guidance on "how to vote like Jesus."

In her post, Bure urged her fellow Christians to consider the message. "Christian  if you are undecided on whether to vote or who to vote for, please watch!!" she wrote, adding an American flag emoji. She also included a sticker reading, "please VOTE." Bure did not endorse any specific candidate or political party.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

The video was posted by Lakepointe Church in Rockwall, Texas, and features Pastor Josh Howerton, who called on Christians to engage politically. If the church wont disciple people, the world will, Howerton said.

So what's going to happen? Check this out: if godly leaders, godly pastors and godly voices all go silent or refuse to be clear on issues related to politics and government, then the only voices that are left are the godless ones. So we have to understand this, that if we don't do this, they will, he said in his sermon.

Lakepointe Church captioned the sermon with a message aimed at mobilizing Christians to vote in line with their faith.

Your vote is your voice, and it has the power to slow the decay of society, the post read. Remember, when we step up, were not just participating in politics; were making a divine impact. Jesus is Lord over all government! Lets stand firm in our faith and make a difference.

The churchs hashtags included: #VoteLikeJesus, #FaithInPolitics and #Election2024.

In his sermon, Howerton added that though it might feel like the church is getting more political, that isnt whats happening. Rather, politics are getting more theological, and politics are getting more spiritual.

When the government moved past things like building roads, issuing driver's licenses and teaching math to things like redefining marriage, erasing gender, reframing abortion as reproductive rights, and then using the government school system to indoctrinate everybody's kids into believing those things, hey guys, the Church didn't move. Politics did, he said.

That's what happened. Politics moved. So when that happens, it's the job of Bible-believing churches to grab a Bible in their hand, Holy Spirit of their heart, wisdom in their head, courage in their bones.

Bure previously shared with The Christian Post how the older she gets, the more she feels called to take on projects that align with her Christian faith and inspire the next generation.

And though shes taken bullets for her beliefs, Bure later said in a podcast interview that her brother, fellow actor Kirk Cameron, kept her grounded and edified when she needed it most by telling her she is now part of the "James 1 Club."

The Scripture states that Christians are to "take joy when their faith is tested because it produces perseverance and spiritual growth and maturity."

"That James 1 Club has been really important for me because I faced some trials that I haven't faced before. I know they are still going to come. They are still there. They are waiting for me."

"I could have bailed and just said, 'You know what? I'm totally done with this,' or 'I don't want to be a public figure anymore,'" Bure added. "You have to be ready for some of those fiery darts to be thrown at you in a bigger public platform.
Home News Church reels after murdered missionarys wife arrested in connection with his death

Members of the Lakes Area Vineyard Church in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, where the late Beau Shroyer and his family were longtime members before moving to Lubango, Angola, to serve as missionaries in 2021, are now reeling in a complex web of emotions after learning that Beaus wife, Jackie Shroyer, was arrested in connection with his murder in the southern African country just over a week ago.

It's been a pretty heavy and emotionally complicated week. The news of Beaus death along with now the heartbreaking news of Jackie's arrest in connection with his death has overwhelmed us with grief and speculation and confusion, Troy Easton, lead pastor, of Lakes Area Vineyard Church, said in a message to his congregation Sunday.

Eastons comments to his congregation on the 44-year-old Beau Shroyers death came less than 48 hours after he announced in a letter that Jackie Shroyer had been arrested.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

As you all know, our community has been deeply saddened by the death of our dear brother and friend Beau Shroyer, who was killed in a violent, criminal attack in Angola, Africa on Friday, October 25. Today, our grief and sadness has deepened immeasurably as weve learned that his wife, Jackie Shroyer, has been arrested in connection with his death, Easton wrote. Im so sorry and simply do not have words to express my disbelief and sorrow about this news.

The Shroyer family had been working with the missionary organization SIM USA during their time in Angola and Easton said the couples five children were being well cared for despite the tragedy.

What I can tell you is that the Shroyer children are well cared for, and we will work alongside SIM USA and SIM Angola to ensure that continues to be the case, Easton explained.

In a presentation on their missionary work in Lubango to Country Faith Church in June which has now been made private by the church on YouTube, Jackie Shroyer, also 44, revealed that she and her family moved to Angola about three years ago. She said it was their first time as a family living overseas and their first time working as missionaries and they struggled to adjust.

She explained that in their first year in Lubango, they focused on learning Portuguese and the culture and constantly battled malaria and security issues.

We battled many other sicknesses. We had a lot of security issues. Mistrust with guards. We went through so many guards, and we had several break-ins in our home during the night while we were at home sleeping, Jackie Shroyer said.

On top of everything else, trying to figure out how to live in this culture, we had so many changes, so many difficult experiences that caused a lot of fear and trauma, she added.

The couple said they had returned to the U.S. this summer for the first time since they relocated to Lubango in 2021, and Beau Shroyer, who previously worked as a realtor and police officer, quickly announced on his professional realtor Facebook page that he was open to work during his time stateside.

Im back in Detroit Lakes for the summer, and still licensed to help you buy or sell your home in Minnesota. [...], he wrote on June 1.

While ministry of officials have confirmed that Beau Shroyers death was violent, it remained unclear Monday how exactly he was killed as the church asked for privacy during their time of grief. And while he doesnt know how exactly God will work this tragedy for the churchs good, Easton said he believes that God will work things out.

I get that losing my friend this week, our friend and brother, to a senseless and vicious crime was already so painful, especially in light of the family that he left behind and the sacrifices that we know he already made to love and serve God but now that grief is compounded by news that is unthinkable, he told his congregation on Sunday.

I'm so sorry church for your loss, for our loss, and for how much this hurts. I'm sorry for all the unanswered questions and the confusion this creates for us, and I am just deeply sorry that this is what we need to walk through and face as a community right now.
Home News Conservative commentator banned from CNN for joke blasts 'religious' fervor of Left Ryan James Girdusky founded 1776 Project PAC in 2021

The conservative commentator and political consultant who was banned from CNN last week over a joke said he believes the political Left has been overtaken by a seemingly religious fervor.

Ryan James Girdusky, 37, drew attention last week when he appeared on CNN anchor Abby Phillip's show and said he hopes pro-Palestinian journalist Mehdi Hasan's "beeper doesn't go off" after Hasan accused Trump supporters of behaving like Nazis.

Girdusky's quip, which was an apparent reference to the pagers of Hamas terrorists exploding in September, prompted immediate backlash from the other panelists and an accusation from Hasan that Girdusky wanted him to die, which Girdusky denied.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

Footage of the exchange received tens of millions of views on X, though neither Girdusky nor Hasan appeared during the next segment, and CNN later released a statement saying that Girdusky would not be allowed back.

Girdusky to Hasan: I hope your beeper doesnt go off pic.twitter.com/YmHhYnkDZ3  Acyn (@Acyn) October 29, 2024

In the wake of his comment and subsequent ban from the network, Girdusky made several prominent media appearances, including with Glenn Beck and Megyn Kelly. Speaking with The Christian Post in a recent interview, he pushed back against accusations that have been hurled against him, such as that from journalist Matthew Sheffield, who accused him of being a "radical Christian supremacist."

Girdusky, who worked for the Protect Ohio Values PAC that helped elect Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, said Sheffield's accusation was one he had neither heard nor cared about, and said he "doesn't even know" what a Christian nationalist is.

"If you look on social media, you'll see everything from that I am a Jewish activist to a Christian supremacist," he said. "I'm just a regular Catholic conservative who is not far-right. I'm just me. I feel like I'm pretty middle of the road as far as politics go."

"People try to label people with slogans so they don't ever have to hear what you say, and I just reject that entire thing, and that's all," he added.

In 2021, Girdusky founded the 1776 Project PAC, which aims to assert political change at the local level by "electing school board members nationwide who want to reform our public education system by promoting patriotism and pride in American history," according to its website. They claim to have helped elect more than 200 school board candidates in more than a dozen states.

The PAC opposes encroaching critical race theory, transgenderism, and other radical ideologies that Girdusky said have seeped into even the smallest school districts.

Though he noted his PAC is not religious, Girdusky acknowledged a spiritual aspect to his fight against leftist indoctrination in the public school system. He noted the political Left appears to be driven by an almost religious fervor, especially regarding the school system.

"I think that it's a spiritual issue and a religious issue in the sense that the indoctrination of the Left and how fervently they believe it is almost like a religious position," he said. "The goal of the public school system should not be to make everyone Christian, or make everyone Catholic, or make everyone anything."

He said the role of schools to challenge students has largely given way to enforcing "an ideological standard that is horrific and does not help them."

"If we didn't have a single culture war issue in schools  school prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, CRT, trans issues, you name it  if we had none of those things, we still have failing schools," he said. "The essential thing they're supposed to be doing is broken, and so often the people who advocate for issues in schools are doing so on behalf of adults who work there, not children who learn there."

Despite his at-times acerbic rhetoric, Girdusky said his Catholic faith has taught him humility.

"I think that what plays at the center of my Christian and Catholic faith is, like every other person, I can think really negative things about people. I can have biases. I can fall into stereotypes and angry feelings, and I have so many personal shortcomings," he said.

"And it is only because I understand people have a soul  and sometimes they are broken, but they are made in the likeness of Christ  that I work really hard at overcoming every single thing that is a sin; all those things are a sin. And that is really where the center of my faith comes into it."

Girdusky said he has hated the attention he has gotten since last week's incident on CNN, but that he feels called to the work he's doing, even if it brings him unwanted attention. He silenced his mentions on X after he went viral and said he has been inundated on Instagram with thousands of unsolicited friend requests, though he is reluctant to delete the app because he uses it to find cooking recipes.

"I have a million very well-intentioned good people in my life who love me and say, 'Why don't you just stop? Why do you have to say anything? Why do you have to do this? You can have a nice, quiet life. Why do you have to just put yourself out there?'"

Girdusky was reluctant to characterize his work as a divine calling, but noted that his faith drives him as an individual.

"I don't know, but I find myself seeing idiots saying lies all the time, and I want to scream at the top of my lungs," he said. "I have a fundamental allergy to people who talk to adults like they are children and who promote narratives over facts. It drives me literally out of my mind."

"Where I got that from, I don't know. It's not genetic, so it has to be from somewhere else. So if that's a divine thing, fine. I would never call myself a Christian nationalist. I'm certainly not the best Catholic in the entire world. I'm never going to be canonized as a saint. That's OK."

"But I hope that with what I do and how I do it, I make some people's lives a little better," he added.
Home News Lila Rose voting for Trump after months of criticizing his abortion position

After months of criticizing former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, for adopting an insufficiently pro-life position on abortion, pro-life activist Lila Rose announced that she is voting for him in the election.

Rose, the founder of the pro-life advocacy group Live Action, explained her decision in a lengthy X post on Saturday, noting that she "opposed both Donald Trumps and Kamala Harris positions on abortion over the last few months."

Over the past few days, media, allies and friends have asked me who I will be voting for on November 5th, Rose noted. I will be voting for Donald Trump.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

Roses statement reflects the fact that Trump has drawn the ire of pro-life activists, including Rose, for insisting that the legality of abortion should be decided on a state-by-state basis following the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision.

The 2022 Dobbsdecision determined that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion, overturning the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade.

Rose supports federal action to ensure that all children, no matter how he or she is conceived, has a right to be given a chance at life.

Abortion is not a states rights issue. Abortion is a human rights issue, and it is already unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment, which declares that no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, she insisted.

While many states have implemented strong pro-life protections following the Dobbs ruling, others have gone in the opposite direction and passed extremely permissive abortion laws.

After sharing her belief that both of the two main political parties actively espouse anti-life policies and asked, whats a pro-life voter to do, Rose asserted that no pro-life voter should vote for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

As attorney general of California, she selectively prosecuted pro-life journalists who exposed Planned Parenthood selling baby body parts, a federal crime, Rose explained. Harris also used her power as AG to attempt to force pro-life pregnancy nonprofits in California to post abortion advertisements in their clinics.

Harris opposes conscience exceptions for healthcare professionals, meaning she supports forcing healthcare professionals and hospitals, including those of faith, to commit abortions or lose their ability to practice medicine. Along with opposing all restrictions, Harris supports taxpayer-funded abortion.

Describing the recurring message in nearly every interview and speech Harris gives as her unflinching support for abortion, Rose condemned her embrace of the most pro-abortion campaign in American history.

She not only stands against the rights of preborn children, but she actively works to thwart the rights of pro-life Americans, including conservatives and Christians, to advocate for those children, Rose said.

The pro-life activist expressed disappointment that the 2024 Republican Party Platform was gutted of pro-life and pro-marriage principles at the insistence of President Trumps allies.

Rose also criticized the Trump campaigns support for abortion pills, the infertility treatment in-vitro fertilization condemned by pro-lifers for leaving some embryos created by the process destroyed, opposition to a federal abortion ban and the candidates criticism of pro-life laws implemented following the Dobbs decision, including a six-week abortion ban in Florida.

At the same time, Rose acknowledged that Trump had appointed three of the Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe, calling it "a tremendous milestone for the pro-life movement.

For Trump to oppose many of these pro-life laws, when it was his judicial appointments that paved the way for them, is a tragedy and a wasted opportunity, she stated.

Rose detailed how she recently had the opportunity to meet privately with President Trump to discuss her disagreements with him on the issue of abortion.

Some progress was made," she reported. "When enough pro-life allies expressed outrage and threatened to withhold their vote, Trump reversed his position on Amendment 4, which would legalize abortion through all nine months in his home state of Florida, and expressed his opposition to it."

"Kamala Harris policies and record on abortion are objectively worse than Trumps. If Trump doesnt win on November 5th, it will be Kamala Harris who will assume the presidency.

Rose concluded by stating that "I believe it is crucial that we continue to speak boldly against any anti-life policies that Trump may advance" should he be elected president.
Home News What America would look like under Trump vs. Harris: Reliability of polls, election news and forecasts

What would a second term look like for former President Donald Trump? What would a Kamala Harris presidency look like?

The Christian Post's Ryan Foley joins "The Inside Story" to break it all down, explaining how reliable the polls are, what shocks him most about the 2024 campaign:

The Inside Story takes you behind the headlines of the biggest faith, culture, and political headlines of the week. In 15 minutes or less, Christian Post staff writers and editors will help you navigate and understand whats driving each story, the issues at play  and why it all matters.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

Listen to more Christian podcasts today on the Edifi app  and be sure to subscribe to The Inside Story on your favorite platforms:
Home Opinion How to help the Jewish community in this election

I am often asked by Christian friends and colleagues how they can support the Jewish community or the Jewish state. I deeply appreciate their allyship, which is sadly all too rare from non-Jewish communities in a post-Oct. 7th world. Normally, I can offer them many different answers, like fact-checking the information they share on social media to ensure that it isnt uninformed propaganda or simply checking in on your Jewish friends.

But this historic election, after one of the worst years for the American Jewish community on record, is not normal. Right now, the advice I can offer Christians who want to support Jews is simple  go out and vote this year, and vote for the Republican Party.

Politicians have long courted the support of Christian voters, and for good reason  they are an influential and civically engaged bloc in America. Demographic studies show that about two-thirds of adult Americans identify as Christian, and that about 55% of this group considers themselves practicing Christians. Moreover, research shows that this group of practicing Christians are significantly more likely to vote than the general voting-eligible public, and that this holds true across racial groups in America. In other words, since practicing Christians comprise a large part of the American electorate and vote at a much higher rate, they can have an outsized influence on the outcome of elections.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

Christians are also more likely to hold conservative political views and therefore to ally with the Republican Party, a trend that also continues across most racial groups in America. Even in 2016, when the Christian vote was moderately divided by the Never Trump movement, practicing Christians still turned out for Trump in significantly greater numbers than the general public and were undoubtedly part of his eventual victory.

Unfortunately, a study from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University estimates that as many as 41 million Christians  32 million of whom attend church regularly  will not be voting this year. This is an enormous missed opportunity. Even if the choices arent perfect, voting is still the best way to champion deeply held values and do your part to shape an American future you believe in. This sometimes entails making approximations or compromises, because our two-party system makes it nearly inevitable that the viable options wont be a total reflection of all our opinions, but settling on the closest candidate and casting a vote for him is a responsibility that comes with faith  Christian, Jewish, or anything else.

I understand the objections some Christians may have about Donald Trump  he is not a perfect candidate. But the reality is that the Trump-Vance ticket offers a significantly better version of America than the Harris-Walz platform, and that failing to exercise your sizable political influence may well lead to a Democratic victory that will be a disaster and threat to your closely held beliefs.



The Democrats have been waging an assault on religious liberty for years, trying to chip away at the First Amendment right to practice ones religion in any way we see fit through decisions like forcing Christian business owners to pay for employees abortions. They have touted ideas about gender and trans ideology that directly contradict Christian beliefs about male-female relations. They espouse rhetoric at every turn that diminishes the role of American Christians at the expense of religious minorities, including subsets like the radical Muslims in Dearborn, Michigan who openly profess to hate America and its values.

And this is to say nothing of the Democratic positions on Israel and antisemitism. Anyone who has watched the news with horror over the past year has seen how the left has embraced an ugly, vitriolic form of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish hate. Rather than expunging terror apologists, jihadist cheerleaders, and anti-American radicals from their ranks, the Democrats have created space for them in their party and in the elite institutions they control.



Democrats have gone out of their way to curtail Israels war effort by withholding weapons, issuing ultimatums, platforming virulent anti-Zionists, and condemning the Jewish state at every turn  thereby making it easier for violent terrorists to wage a war that threatens not only Israel but also the west and its civilizational values. Forget their lip service  these people are not Jewish allies, and they do not have our best interests at heart. Handing them a resounding loss this November is the best way to force a course correction for the party, which has had an outsized role in creating the antisemitic climate in America today.

This is why I tell Christian allies that the best way to support the Jewish people is by casting the right vote this November, and standing alongside us in our battle against discrimination, double standards, and radical Islamist values. Despite our differing religions, our interests are aligned  a version of America rooted in our love for faith, family, and country, which opposes the radical ideologies on the left and firmly casts out anyone who rejects the American values that we hold dear.

This election, there is only one party that offers this vision, and it is incumbent on us to throw our support behind it  or risk facing the steep consequences of a victory for the other side.
Home Opinion I will not vote for hypocrites. I am not voting for Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris, the most pro-abortion presidential candidate in history, is a hypocrite.

So was I.

In 1982, my girlfriend, Sandy, was pregnant. I was the father.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

Sandy and I were in graduate school. She believed in a womans right to choose, and that abortion was a reproductive choice. We spoke in clinical terms, referring to that growing human inside her as a thing. She had plans and raising a child  then  would destroy them. She feared she would resent our baby. I am afraid I will end up hating him, she said.

Sandy was brilliant, decent and kind. She would have been a great mom. And I know if I had given her encouragement, rather than silence, she would not have aborted our baby.

But I accepted her reasoning though I knew, deep down, it was a lie. I was in my mid-twenties. I too had plans and a pregnancy would interfere.

The night of the abortion, I was lying in bed. The silence outside was painful. I heard an animal crying and moaning. I think it was dying.

That animal was speaking to me. You are the worst type of hypocrite, it said. I had let a woman make a horribly wrong decision while keeping my hands clean. I had no defense.

In 2006, long after Sandy and I broke up, she called me. I had not spoken to her in 23 years. We spoke easily. Then she brought up our baby. Sandy no longer used terms like womans right to choose, or clump of cells.

She was crying. Our baby would be 25 now, she said.

Im sorry how it turned out, I said, not knowing what else to say.

Those who speak of abortion as a good thing, even virtuous, never mention this kind of anguish.

In 1987, I married Ellen. We believed our relationship was special.

In 1993, Ellen became pregnant with Kevin and Daniel. As they grew, she would rub her belly and say, I have two babies. She was happy and proud.

Then at 24 weeks, Ellen began having abdominal pain.

She was hospitalized and then went into labor. It was busy in the maternity ward. She was neglected for the first two hours of her labor. When the staff finally checked, they rushed her into surgery and performed an emergency C-section.

Our boys lived 70 and 90 minutes. They were perfect. Tiny, 1  pounds each. Fingers and hands and closed eyes. Lying side-by-side. A nurse took them to Ellen. She was drugged. She said they were so beautiful.

We had one daughter, born in 1996. Then Ellen suffered two more miscarriages. We gave up trying to have children.

Our marriage began to die when we lost our twins. We claimed to be Catholics but had no relationship with God. Without faith to help us, we handled our grief in destructive ways. We divorced.

Politicians who reduce babies in utero to cells or choices or abstractions show no real empathy for such agony, no understanding that every human life has incalculable value in Gods eyes.

In 2015, I married Kim. She had adopted six children from the foster system, ranging from 8 months to 4 years of age. I could not say, No, when a social worker called, she said. When she was forced to divorce her husband, she became a single mother raising six children. All are now adults.

I am now a believer in Christ. I do my best to follow His example  and my wifes  and not be hypocritical. Hypocrisy has no place in a Christ-centered life.

Being a believer does not mean cherry-picking the rules you like while ignoring the rest. It does not mean presenting yourself as devout for political gain.

Kamala Harris is actively courting black voters at their places of worship. She has a unique and interesting religious identity, said Nathan Finn of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Referring to her Baptist and Hindu roots, he added, I dont know that weve had another president who is this religiously diverse ...

Diverse or not, Harris does not follow the teachings of either religion. She is being lauded as something she is not, a woman of faith.

Her childhood church, the 23rd Avenue Church of God in Oakland, is affiliated with Church of God Ministries. The Church of God opposes abortion, except when the health of the mother is at risk. Abortion is not the will of God, the church says.

The Hindu religion similarly condemns abortion.

Abortion opposition is not a minor tenet of these faiths. They believe in the sanctity of human life.

Yet during a 2022 speech to the National Baptist Convention, Harris branded those believers opposed to abortion, people fighting for the sanctity of human life, as extremists. In effect, she was describing those who attend church beside her.

Harris has been presenting herself as devout while condemning the teachings of her own church. This is hypocrisy of the highest order. She does not deserve our vote.
Home Opinion The overuse of 'fascism' by the Left is a dangerous game

In the well-known Aesops Fable of yesteryear, a young boy repeatedly tricks his village into thinking a wolf is attacking his flock, only to laugh as they come running. When the wolf actually does appear, his cries are met with indifference and disaster ensues.

Today, were witnessing a political parallel, with the incessant cries of fascism coming from the Left and their echo chambers in the mainstream media.

For more than eight years, this has been the go-to epithet for anyone to the right of center on the political stage in America. This is not because any recent candidates actually exhibit any of the traits of fascist leaders but because some of them have challenged the status quo with an unorthodox style and conservative policies.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

But herein lies the rub: By branding everything from tax cuts to immigration enforcement as fascism, the term has been stripped of its historical gravitas, becoming nothing more than a rhetorical cudgel.

Fascism, actual fascism, is characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of political opposition, and strong regimentation of society and the economy.

Now, lets juxtapose this with the modern American conservative movement.

Conservatives advocating for secure borders isnt a call for racial purity or nationalistic supremacy; its a plea for sovereignty and security, principles enshrined in every nations right to protect its citizens. And it was something that most American leaders, both left and right, used to advocate for.

The desire for clean and safe cities? This isnt an authoritarian crackdown but a basic expectation of any functioning society. Upholding the First and Second Amendments isnt about suppressing dissent or arming a militia; its about preserving the very freedoms that define America. And lower taxes? Thats not an economic clampdown but a belief in less governmental control over personal wealth.

To be clear, fascism is a specific ideology with historical hallmarks like authoritarianism, the deification of the state, and the suppression of political rivals and dissenting views. But none of these are uniquely present in todays conservative movement. Yet, every policy disagreement, every election challenge, and every conservative justice appointed is met with hyperbolic accusations of an impending fascist regime.

But what happens when we cry wolf too many times? The real danger is twofold. First, it desensitizes the public to genuine threats of totalitarianism. When every conservative is a fascist, then no one really is, and we risk ignoring real authoritarian impulses where they might actually exist.

And heres where the plot thickens: Often, the accusation functions as a confession. While the Left points one finger at the Right, three fingers point back at them.

Contrast this with the actions taken by the so-called progressives. In the Lefts zeal to enforce radical gender ideology or expand abortion access  and crush any Christians who object  theres a clear move to silence or coerce those with religious objections. Isnt this, in essence, a form of totalitarianism? When universities, once the bastions of free thought, become echo chambers where only one set of ideas can be safely expressed, were not just flirting with incipient fascism  were setting the table for it.

Consider just a few other examples of the Lefts budding totalitarianism:

Targeting political opponents: Under the guise of justice, weve seen an unprecedented targeting of political opponents. From the aggressive pursuit of January 6 attendees, some charged with nothing more than trespassing, to Tulsi Gabbard being put on a terror watchlist for air travel to the reams of political investigations into Elon Musk and his high-tech companies after he bought Twitter and refused to act as a censorship platform.

Silencing pro-lifers: The recent crackdowns on pro-life activists, with some sentenced to severe jail time for engaging in peaceful sit-in protests or sidewalk counseling, reveal a coordinated effort to chill dissent and free speech. When did defending life become synonymous with crime in America?

Religious liberty under siege: The threats to remove First Amendment exemptions from Christian hospitals and doctors who refuse to perform abortions or from Christians who refuse to embrace or celebrate radical gender ideology isnt just an attack on religious freedom, its a move towards compelled speech and action, eerily reminiscent of totalitarian mandates.

For any fair observer, it is plain as day that it is the Left that shows a worrying inclination towards fascist tendencies. This, of course, includes their growing desire for hate speech regulations that target Christian and conservative viewpoints or their efforts to force social media platforms to carry out content moderation policies that disproportionately affect right-leaning voices.

The irony is rich. While the Left accuses the Right of being fascists, theyre the ones who actually engage in behavior that edges dangerously close to the very definition of total control over public and private life. Theyve become the architects of a soft totalitarianism, where conformity is enforced not just by jackboots but by social ostracization, deplatforming, and economic punishment.

The overuse of fascism by the Left isnt just a disservice to political discourse  its a dangerous game. By diluting the term, they not only desensitize us to real tyranny but also, perhaps unwittingly, shine a light on their own authoritarian leanings.

We must be vigilant, not against the phantom fascists of media hysteria but against the real encroachments on our freedoms, wherever they may come from. Lets not be the village that ignores the wolf when it truly arrives, all because we grew tired of false alarms.

Originally published at the Standing for Freedom Center.
Home News Gateway Church edits advice to abuse victims: Go to the police first, not church

A day after urging sex abuse victims of current or former leaders of the embattled Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, to report their abuse to elders, longtime elder at the megachurch, Tra Willbanks, revised his advice on Sunday, urging them instead to go to the police first.

The revision of Willbanks comments, which was first highlighted on X by survivor advocate Amy Smith, came during the longtime elders presentation of an overview of a four-month internal investigation led by the law firm Haynes & Boone into allegations that the churchs founder, Robert Morris, sexually assaulted Cindy Clemishire for more than four years beginning when she was 12 in the 1980s.

After presenting his overview of the report, which led to the removal of multiple elders who knew that Clemishire had made claims that she was sexually abused as a minor by Morris prior to her story being made public on June 14, Willbanks urged members during the churchs Saturday afternoon service to report any claims of sexual abuse by current or former leaders to the church.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

We are relieved to share with you that in the course of their investigation Haynes and Boone did not learn of any other sexual assault allegation by Robert Morris. So no other abuse by him has been reported or uncovered in the investigation. At this time, to our knowledge, there are no other victims beyond Cindy Clemishire, Willbanks said as he read from a prepared statement.

However, we do want to be very clear to those of you sitting here today and to those of you that are not with us but who may hear or read our comments. If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse by a current or former leader of this church and you have not felt comfortable sharing your story, we ask that you would do so. You can contact us directly at connect@gatewayelders.com, Willbanks continued.

The church was later called out on social media for advising survivors to report crimes to elders instead of the police, according to Smith.

Elder Tra Willbanks instructed church members yesterday to submit their allegations of sexual abuse at Gateway via email to church elders without mention of reporting to law enforcement, Smith noted on X Sunday, noting the discrepancy between the two statements.

Willbanks' statement to the church on Sunday advised victims to go to the police first and tell the church only if they think its necessary.

If you or anyone you know is a victim of sexual abuse by a current or former leader of this church and you have not felt comfortable sharing your story we ask that you please do. You can go to the police first and if it's information that you believe we as leadership of Gateway need to know, you can contact us directly at connect@gatewayelders.com, Willbanks advised. Your email will be held in the strictest of confidence. And to anyone out there. If you are a victim of sexual abuse as a child, please know that you cannot have consented. No child can consent to sexual abuse.

When asked why victims were not initially advised to report their abuse to the police first, a spokesperson for Gateway Church told The Christian Post on Tuesday that The elders' message, which is available on Gateway's YouTube, is all we can provide at this time.

Morris resigned from Gateway Church on June 18, just days after Clemishire reported that he began sexually abusing her on Dec. 25, 1982. She says the abuse continued for four-and-a-half years before it came to light. But Morris was later allowed to return to ministry.

When questioned about the allegations by The Christian Post, Morris initially confessed to being involved in "inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady" more than 35 years ago and said he repented and was restored to ministry.

Elders at Gateway Church, who commissioned the independent investigation into Clemishire's allegations, initially defended Morris and stated that the pastor, who was a married, traveling evangelist at the time of the alleged abuse, had already repented and was biblically restored to ministry.

Gateway elders later revised their public statement on the allegations in their announcement of Morris' resignation, saying they were not aware Morris had sexually abused a child.

The results of the Haynes & Boone investigation, which was completed a few weeks ago, were initially presented to a subcommittee of elders who have denounced sexual abuse in all of its forms, according to Willbanks.

"What happened to Cindy was heartbreaking and vile, and we denounce any sexual abuse in all of its forms," he said. "We feel deep sorrow for those who have been victimized by such despicable actions, but I do want to take a minute, and I just want to appreciate Cindy for her bravery and for telling her story for helping bring some awareness to this issue. She has positively impacted countless lives."
Home News Jack Graham says pastors urging congregations not to vote 'have lost all credibility' Justin Peters replies with Paula White criticism

A social media post from a well-known Evangelical pastor has sparked debate about Christians' engagement in politics and what pastors should advise their congregations.

On Saturday, Jack Graham, senior pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the nations largest congregations, expressed his disapproval of fellow Christian leaders who advised against voting in the election.

He wrote: If you are a pastor or Christian leader advising people not to vote in this most consequential election, you have lost all credibility not only in the church but before a watching world, referencing Matthew 5:14-16.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

Its not clear whether Graham intended to make reference to a specific Bible teacher or pastor, but a Barna survey released in October found as many as 104 million people of faith, including 32 million self-identified Christians who regularly attend church, are unlikely to vote on Nov. 5.

Grahams remarks ignited a firestorm of responses, including from Justin Peters, a Bible scholar known for his criticism of prosperity preachers and the New Apostolic Reformation movement.

Peters countered Grahams stance by stating, And if you are a pastor who repeatedly has endorsed and promoted Paula White, you have lost all credibility not only in the (true) church but also before a watching world and the watching Christ.

And if you are a pastor who repeatedly has endorsed and promoted Paula White, you have lost all credibility not only in the (true) church but also before a watching world and the watching Christ.  Justin Peters (@JustinPetersMin) November 2, 2024

The remark was an apparent reference to Grahams endorsement of Paula White-Cain's 2019 book Something Greater, though Peters did not elaborate. Other well-known Christian leaders, including evangelist Franklin Graham and First Baptist Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress, also endorsed Whites book.

Both Jack Graham and White attended the National Faith Summit in Powder Springs, Georgia, where former President Donald Trump vowed to reinstate the faith office he originally established during his first term.

Graham was among several Evangelical leaders who prayed over Trump at the conclusion of the summit.

Graham's comments came just days before Americans head to the polls in what many analysts believe could be a tight race between Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump.

Researchers with the Barna Group last month found that voter enthusiasm in 2024 is significantly lower than what it was in 2020, with over half (57%) of the respondents in the study saying they dislike all the major candidates, while 55% felt none of the candidates reflect their most important views.

At least half of all respondents also felt like their one vote wouldn't make a difference and have grown weary of the voting process.

As of Tuesday afternoon, a number of national polls indicated a tight race, including The Hill, which shows a statistical dead heat, and the ABC News/538 polling indicating both Harris and Trump with near-equal chances of victory.

Whoever is ultimately elected, many Christian churches have already distanced themselves from the 2024 presidential election, the research finds, as they abstain even from encouraging their congregants to vote.

"Pastors often seek opportunities to have a positive influence in people's lives and upon the culture, and to help the community in which their church is located," Barna said, adding that his research indicated an estimated 5 million churchgoers could be swayed to cast their vote simply by their pastor encouraging them to do so.
Home News 'I shouldn't have left': Trump talks 2020, offers prayer to God, calls Harris 'vessel' for demonic Dems

In a final campaign lap before Election Day, former President Donald Trump voiced his regret over leaving the White House following his defeat to President Joe Biden.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters at a rally in Lititz, Pennsylvania, Trump appeared to lament his decision to leave the White House after losing to Biden in 2020.

I shouldnt have left, I mean, honestly. We did so well, we had such a great   before trailing off, reflecting on his presidency and the state of the nation.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

The former president then pivoted to his record on immigration, according to Newser, with his claim that the U.S. had the safest border in the history of our country the day that I left.

At one point, he made an offhand comment suggesting he wouldnt mind if someone aimed a gun at journalists covering the event as he recounted the failed assassination attempt against him in July that led to measures such as the bulletproof glass surrounding him.

I have a piece of glass over here, and I don't have a piece of glass there. And I have this piece of glass here, but all we have really over here is the fake news, he said.

After pointing at the glass separating him from the press, Trump added, And to get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news. And I don't mind that so much. I don't mind that."

Throughout the rally, Trump referred to journalists as "bloodsuckers, earning applause from his supporters.

Following backlash, a campaign spokesman clarified that Trump was not advocating violence against the media. The presidents statement about protective glass placement has nothing to do with the media being harmed, or anything else, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told The Associated Press.

Trump also suggested Democrats are fighting so hard to steal the election. He criticized the use of electronic voting, insisting that every state should revert to paper ballots, though he did not provide evidence to support his claims of widespread voter fraud.

In his remarks, Trump continued to malign the vice president, referring to her as a vessel for a demonic party and questioning her intelligence. He also voiced frustration with the media, stating that corrupt media and fake polls were artificially propping her up.

At another rally on Sunday in Macon, Georgia, Trump seemingly offered a prayer for God to help the United States.

Two days from now, it is hardworking patriots like you who are going to save our country  , the former president said.  ... What a beautiful sound, two days, ohhh, [looks skyward] please, please, please help this country, please.

Upon resuming his speech, Trump looked beyond Tuesdays election and promised his supporters the four greatest years in American history.

Its gonna be so good; its gonna be so much fun, he said. Itll be nasty a little bit at times, maybe at the beginning in particular, but its going to be something and were going to go to heights this country never has reached and nobody ever even thought it could.

Youre going to see things that youre not going to believe.

In response to Trumps statements, Harris told reporters Sunday the comments are meant to distract from the fact that we have and support free and fair elections in our country, the AP reported.

Voicing her confidence in the vote tally, Harris warned her supporters and in particular people who have not yet voted to not fall for this tactic, which I think includes suggesting to people that if they vote, their vote won't matter.
Donald Trump spent the last day of campaigning promising to make America great again and fix all its ills. (Photo: X)

Christians in the US are praying God's will be done as Americans prepare to cast their votes in an election that has been nail-bitingly close to the end.

Polling shows that Democratic hopeful Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump are neck and neck.

Harris dubbed it "one of the closest races in history" in her final campaign speech at a star-studded rally in Philadelphia. In an earlier rally in Pittsburgh she said she wanted to be a "president for all Americans".

Trump wrapped up his campaign in Michigan late on Monday night. He used his final day of campaigning to attack immigration and hurl insults at his political opponents. He also alluded to recent assassination attempts.

"Many people say that God saved me in order to save America," Trump told the rally. "It's a beautiful expression and I think it might be true."

More than 81 million Americans have already voted early and millions more will cast their votes throughout Tuesday.

Evangelical leader Franklin Graham has spent the last few weeks urging people to pray and get out and vote.

"Today we are on the eve of the most important election in the history of our nation. Join me in praying that God's will be done," he told his 10 million Facebook followers last night.

Earlier he wrote, "Our country is in trouble, and there's so much at stake. The election is just a couple of days away and may be the most important election in the history of the U.S. Pray that God will protect us from the evil that is before us."

Harvest pastor Greg Laurie said, "As we look forward to this year's elections for our country's leaders, we should all be praying."

He told Americans to trust in God with the nation's future no matter who wins the election.

"Presidential elections are big events. Billions of dollars are poured into campaigns that run for two years or more. Candidates become fixtures on our television screens and social media feeds. And we start to invest ourselves in the process. We develop a rooting interest. Sometimes, that means rooting for a candidate; sometimes, it means rooting against one," he said.

"The more of a stake we have in the outcome of an election, the more likely we are to be anxious about it. The doom-and-gloom predictions about what will happen 'if X becomes president' feed that anxiety. Jesus' words in Matthew 6:3334 are a reality check: 'Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today' (NLT).

"The things that may change following an election are insignificant compared to the things that absolutely will not change. God still sees the future. He knows the outcome of every decision. His hand is on the steering wheel. He cares about you. And He will always be with you."

John McLaughlin, a pollster for Trump in 2016 and 2020, told "The Rosenberg Report" on TBN that the evangelical vote would be critical in this election.

"We do see in the polls that we're running over 70 per cent of support with Evangelical voters  that's strong," he said.

"But I'll tell you what, there are Evangelical voters who may not vote because some of them think Trump's got it in the bag, he's going to win ... Some of them think that their votes don't really count. Well, in this race, your votes do count."
The late Minnesota missionary Beau Shroyer, 44, was killed while serving in Lubango, Angola. (Photo: YouTube/Country Faith Church)

(CP) Members of the Lakes Area Vineyard Church in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, where the late Beau Shroyer and his family were longtime members before moving to Lubango, Angola, to serve as missionaries in 2021, are now reeling in a complex web of emotions after learning that Beau's wife, Jackie Shroyer, was arrested in connection with his murder in the southern African country just over a week ago.

"It's been a pretty heavy and emotionally complicated week. The news of Beau's death along with now the heartbreaking news of Jackie's arrest in connection with his death has overwhelmed us with grief and speculation and confusion," Troy Easton, lead pastor, of Lakes Area Vineyard Church, said in a message to his congregation Sunday.

Easton's comments to his congregation on the 44-year-old Beau Shroyer's death came less than 48 hours after he announced in a letter that Jackie Shroyer had been arrested.

"As you all know, our community has been deeply saddened by the death of our dear brother and friend Beau Shroyer, who was killed in a violent, criminal attack in Angola, Africa on Friday, October 25. Today, our grief and sadness has deepened immeasurably as we've learned that his wife, Jackie Shroyer, has been arrested in connection with his death," Easton wrote. "I'm so sorry and simply do not have words to express my disbelief and sorrow about this news."

The Shroyer family had been working with the missionary organization SIM USA during their time in Angola and Easton said the couple's five children were being "well cared for" despite the tragedy.

"What I can tell you is that the Shroyer children are well cared for, and we will work alongside SIM USA and SIM Angola to ensure that continues to be the case," Easton explained.

In a presentation on their missionary work in Lubango to Country Faith Church in June which has now been made private by the church on YouTube, Jackie Shroyer, also 44, revealed that she and her family moved to Angola about three years ago. She said it was their first time as a family living overseas and their first time working as missionaries and they struggled to adjust.

She explained that in their first year in Lubango, they focused on learning Portuguese and the culture and constantly battled malaria and security issues.

"We battled many other sicknesses. We had a lot of security issues. Mistrust with guards. We went through so many guards, and we had several break-ins in our home during the night while we were at home sleeping," Jackie Shroyer said.

"On top of everything else, trying to figure out how to live in this culture, we had so many changes, so many difficult experiences that caused a lot of fear and trauma," she added.

The couple said they had returned to the U.S. this summer for the first time since they relocated to Lubango in 2021, and Beau Shroyer, who previously worked as a realtor and police officer, quickly announced on his professional realtor Facebook page that he was open to work during his time stateside.

"I'm back in Detroit Lakes for the summer, and still licensed to help you buy or sell your home in Minnesota. [...]," he wrote on June 1.

While ministry of officials have confirmed that Beau Shroyer's death was "violent," it remained unclear Monday how exactly he was killed as the church asked for privacy during their time of grief. And while he doesn't know how exactly God will work this tragedy for the church's good, Easton said he believes that God will work things out.

"I get that losing my friend this week, our friend and brother, to a senseless and vicious crime was already so painful, especially in light of the family that he left behind and the sacrifices that we know he already made to love and serve God but now that grief is compounded by news that is unthinkable," he told his congregation on Sunday.

"I'm so sorry church for your loss, for our loss, and for how much this hurts. I'm sorry for all the unanswered questions and the confusion this creates for us, and I am just deeply sorry that this is what we need to walk through and face as a community right now."

 The Christian Post
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
Email Toate Articolele

Va rugam sa activati javascript in browser-ul dvs. pentru a putea trimite acest formular
In 2016, Borough Market joined the living wage movement and became the 2,500th accredited employer certified by the Living Wage Foundation.

For eight years, the charitable trust that runs Londons iconic market has been committed to paying every staff member the real living wage, a voluntary rate based on the cost of living.

But paying a fair hourly rate was no longer enough for Borough Market, which became an accredited living hours employer earlier this year.

Frontline workers

Borough Market is an unincorporated trust whose charitable objects are to provide a market as a public amenity for the benefit of the public and the relief of the rates for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish of St Saviours, Southwark.

The charity does not receive public funding and gets its core income from its estate via pitch fees and rents levied on its market stands and investment properties.

Chief executive Jane Swift describes her organisation as a big landlord that offers affordable rent and service charges for its traders.

She says: Its about small artisan producers. Weve published our strategy which is holistically looking at food and the broken food system and the place as a community.

As a charity, were unusual because its acts of parliament governing us and were here to preserve the land as a market for the benefit of the public.

When we did our strategic work a year or so ago, we looked at a purpose statement that was more meaningful which is for community, the love of food and a better tomorrow.

Borough Market is quite a monster of an operation, Swift says, with 28 properties, around 120 traders split between semi-permanent stands and umbrella traders and 41 employees.

A good chunk of the charitys staff are frontline operational workers, Swift adds, who range from cleaners to security guards and supervisors to market managers.

Weve got a development team that works with the traders, taking them on the journey with us, our strategy and food policy. Were looking at them as small businesses and what we can do to develop them, says Swift.

Weve got a finance and property department and a bit of IT, HR, governance and admin. Were operating 24/7 even though were open six days a week from Tuesday to Sunday  on Monday, theres a massive deep clean.

Its the right thing to do

Swift says that many people are unaware that Borough Market is run by a charitable trust whose obligation is to serve the community.

A fundamental part of that community is the staff who run the market and the people who keep it clean, safe and welcoming for the millions of visitors it gets each year.

That is why, she says, becoming an accredited living wage employer was an easy decision to make.

In the end, its not just the right thing to do but it has benefits for everyone involved, she says.

The Borough Market trust wins, the staff win and the public who depend so much on their hard work and diligence wins too.

Running a site like this, whether youre security, a cleaner or one of the directors, everybody works hard, so its making sure that people are rewarded for all of that.

Swift argues that being a living wage employer is also a way for her organisation to show employees that it cares about them and wants to give them a chance to thrive.

When people arent paid enough, they tend to have more than one job. That affects their home life: theyre exhausted and dont get any quality of life. So, that whole piece around making this a thriving place to work, rather than people just being able to survive, is important.

Weve got our accreditation because we want to say to the outside world that we care about our teams. Its a badge of honour.

Plus, as someone from a working-class background, Swift has experienced first-hand what it means to feel financially insecure.

My parents were working-class people. My dad worked two jobs night and day and my mum did something similar in college. Ive been that kid whose parents were struggling to make ends meet. Then, when my husband and I were trying to buy our place, we had five jobs going between us to make ends meet.

This isnt about ticking the box and just being the right thing to do. This is personal for me. Ive experienced that both as a child and a parent. Its important that we do what we can.

Enticing traders

Borough Market is also supporting and encouraging its traders to gain living wage and living hours accreditations.

Ultimately, the charity hopes that everyone working in the market, not just its own staff, will be able to enjoy the same sense of security these provide.

Swift says: Weve started to work with our traders as part of our food policy. New traders are committed to paying the London living wage and do that as part of the application to get a place here.

Weve taken that next step further to say: It's something we're looking for from everyone who trades here. We started doing this in the early part of the year and there are now 33 traders that have their living wage accreditation. Some of them are starting to look at their living hours.

Swift concedes that it is not always easy to convince traders to become accredited, and some face unexpected challenges during the process.

Because its still fairly early days, were working hand in hand with the traders to get them to understand that its not an onerous process. Weve created detailed, frequently asked questions to bust any myths, she says.

Weve got a buddy system where some of our accredited traders are working with those that arent yet accredited to help them through the process and answer questions.

Weve got a couple of complex businesses were working with to work out how we can overcome those things so that were hopefully beating the path for other traders that might have similar things and use those as a case study. Weve got a way to go.

Ensuring secure working hours

Swift says that being a living wage employer is only one part of the equation, with staff also entitled to know how many hours and when they will work so they can feel secure in their jobs, organise their lives and plan for the future.

In May, the Living Wage Foundation announced that Borough Market had become an accredited living hours employer, ensuring secure working hours and shift patterns.

Living hours is an initiative that builds upon the living wage accreditation and requires employers to provide workers with at least four weeks notice of shifts, with guaranteed payment if they are cancelled within this period.

It also requires accredited employers to offer a minimum of 16 working hours every week to each employee; and a contract that accurately reflects the number of hours worked.

Swift says: Youve got to pay the right amount and then youve got to make the right number of hours available. We wanted to make sure that people had the hours they needed and some way of planning their lives.

Living hours is four weeks but we tend to do six weeks and try and extend that out to 12 weeks if we can so that people can plan in advance.

That security of agreed hours gives people certainty: they havent got that anxiousness of financial instability and all that goes with that, the mental health issues and impact that that has on peoples families. Its the right thing to do.

She adds that Borough Market has started to put its toe in the water about the living pension accreditation and what that might mean, trying to do all that we possibly can for the people working hard for us.

Everything about us is about our values and we feel that thats a fundamental basic that we have to be living and breathing, supporting and caring for our teams in what we do.

Other charities can take the leap

Swift acknowledges that the charity sector is in a tough place at the moment, financially, but she would encourage any charity to take the leap and become living wage employers.

Look at it and even if you cant do it right this minute, just lay yourself out a journey to get to that gradually or have that conversation with the Living Wage Foundation because there are so many different types of businesses that have the accreditation.

Theyve probably seen everything and worked out a way that things are achievable.

Encourage that dialogue and bust those myths. Dont think this is something that you cant do because we hear this is too expensive. Just understand the consequences of that.

Often, charity jobs are much lower paid than commercial roles but as a charity, I think there are principles and values that start with the people in our teams.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter.

Just days ahead of the 2024 presidential election, local news network and progressive political campaign vehicle Courier Newsrooms homepage featured an article outlining political ad spending in the final weeks before polling day. It highlighted Elon Muskbacked groups Future Coalition PAC and Progress 2028, which have been running ads boosting Donald Trump, microtargeting voters, and spreading misinformation about Kamala Harriss policy platform.

The article warned that last-minute anonymous groups have come out of the woodwork to persuade voters online. What it does not mention is that one of the biggest political advertisers on Metas platforms is Courier Newsroom itself.

Courier newsrooms collectively spent more than $6 million in October 2024. Combined, they are the third highest spender on political ads on Meta, compared with other individual spenders pulled from the Meta Ad Library Report. Thats more than double the amount the Musk-backed America PAC spent on Meta ads and trailing only the Harris and Trump campaigns themselves. By investing large amounts of money in political ads, Courier is continuing a strategy of microtargeting voters to boost voter turnout in a way that benefits the left, using local news as an engagement strategy. Its tactics are part of a wider movement that blurs the line between political campaigning and journalism.

We asked Anna Brugmann, director of policy at Rebuild Local News, about the large ad spend by the network. Do you know of any other newsrooms that have $6 million? Brugmann said, referring to Couriers ad spending in October. While this kind of spending might be typical for political advertising, it is a budget far beyond the reach of most local newsrooms. Couriers pattern of spending in the 2024 election cycle also raises inevitable questions about funding sources and demonstrates to what extent the network is a campaigning tool rather than local journalism.

Courier Newsroom originally emerged from ACRONYM, a nonprofit founded by Tara McGowan, a former Democratic political strategist and founder of a parallel Democrat-aligned super-PAC called PACRONYM. The company runs eleven local news sites strategically placed in swing states, such as The Keystone in Pennsylvania, Cardinal & Pine in North Carolina, and The Gander in Michigan. Its 2024 ad spending is concentrated in these three states. Interestingly, Courier Newsroom does not operate in Georgia, where right-wing paid partisan pink slime publications like Metric Medias Peach Tree Times have recently been active. Courier also has newsrooms in Texas, Florida, and Virginiabut there is no evidence of its spending any money promoting Facebook or Instagram ads in those states.

Roughly $4 million of Couriers final ad blitz on Meta was spent during the week of October 20the final days that new political ads could be purchased on Meta, according to data we analyzed from the Meta Ad Library.

To combat misinformation about the election results, Meta has banned new political ads in the final week before the election, but some ads purchased before the deadline can continue to be shown. Before the final cutoff date for launching political ads, Courier spent around $2.4 million on over 400 ads that will continue to run during the election. These ads are being shown to voters during the pivotal days when polls are open, while most other political ads are put on snooze.

Couriers origins are that of a political campaigning vehicle, but the company has adopted the same tactic as other paid partisan networks. Its website identifies it as a news outlet that produces factual pro-democracy news from the left and claims adherence to journalistic principles like editorial independence. But in addition to promoting news articles that support progressive talking points, the network runs explicitly political ads.

One, for example, recruits participants to a program that claims they can receive up to $400 for talking to their family and friends about voting for Kamala Harris and Democrats this election cycle. Relentless, the organization mentioned in the ad, was cofounded by Greta Carnes, previous senior director of organizing at ACRONYM, the nonprofit that originally launched Courier. Ads like this ran in four statesPennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, and Arizonawith a total ad spend of between $25,000 and $30,000. Many are still active going into Election Day.

While many ads do link to articles from Couriers outlets, many do not. Another ad paid for by one of Couriers newsrooms shows an unnamed woman speaking on Harriss policy agenda with the 82-page document in the backdrop. The ad didnt link to any editorial content from Courier Newsrooms outlets. Instead, it encourages viewers to go to Harriss official website: Kamala Harris has a plan and you can read about it. Claire Heddles, a reporter for NOTUS, also reported similar ads, placed by Courier on Snapchat, including one that she wrote looked identical to an official Harris campaign ad and directed users to her campaign website.

Ads also targeted key demographics for Democrats in swing states. For pages like The Keystone and Cardinal & Pine, the ad library shows Courier used custom lists to target all campaigns to specific audiences based on information like email, phone numbers, and physical addresses. The source of these lists is not available in the ad library. Ads for The Keystone, Couriers Pennsylvania arm, reached more women than men. Many of their ads focused on reproductive rights. One ad, for example, features filmmaker and journalist Allan Piper stating when they say [Trump] is coming after birth control, we need to believe them.

We found a similar pattern of ads reaching women more than men across most of the Courier outlets.

Seven of The Keystones ads exclusively targeted men in Pennsylvania. While these ads cost The Keystone only between $12,000 and $17,000, a minuscule fraction of its roughly $2 million budget, the ads that were targeted exclusively at men in Pennsylvania seemed to contain messages for Black male voters specifically, like Wheres Trumps policy for black men? or Opportunity Agenda for Black Men.

Its not unusual for newsrooms to run ads, but it is unusual when theyre as explicitly political and targeted as Couriers. Local news might advertise its own newsroom, but its not going to take out advertisements to reinforce a particular issue or a particular candidate, Brugmann said. Tow Center has been tracking microtargeting by Courier and other partisan networks for years.

In the last month of the election cycle, the biggest individual ad spends from Courier seem to be aimed at getting its target audience to the polls.

In October, 35 of the 48 Meta ads, which cost at least $30,000 each, directed users to voting resources, often linking to guides included on each newsrooms website. These ads cost the newsrooms at least $1.5 million in total.

While these ads arent always overtly political, much of the final blitz is geared at getting the progressive audience that Courier has built out to the polls. Many ads link directly to each sites Voting Guide, but some funnel Meta users to the Good Information Foundations Voting and Elections Hub, providing voter information once a user enters their email and physical address.

What these outlets are doing is trading on the trust of local newsrooms, says Brugmann.

McGowan, the founder of Courier Newsroom, said in a 2019 interview to Bloomberg that many of her critics would see her media company as an affront to journalistic integrity because its not balanced. But she argued that balance does not exist anymore and that without new innovative models for journalism the information war is lost to verified liars pouring millions of dollars into Facebook.

But the issue is not so much the lack of balance. While the networks ties to Democratic PACs upon its founding were well documented, its current funding structure isnt well understood, either by readers or by outside observers.

In 2021, Good Information Inc., a public benefit corporation owned by McGowan, acquired Courier; its funding has since been largely unavailable to the public, with the exception of a few investors Courier lists on its website. The following year, the Federal Election Commission unanimously rejected a conservative nonprofits complaint that Courier Newsroom failed to identify as a political committee. Though the law does not define press entity or media entity, the commission stated that Courier cannot be a political committee, falls under press exemption, and does not need to disclose or report any expenditures.

Theyre a B Corp, and so they dont have the same sorts of transparency and reporting that nonprofits do, said Brugmann. Well, thats kind of the issue, isnt it?

At the time of publication, Courier did not return Tows request for comment.

Pink Slime?

Courier isnt the only paid partisan news network running Meta Ads, but of all the networks Tow Center tracks, it is spending by far the most. Tow Center mentioned the network in its January report titled Pink Slime: Partisan Journalism and the Future of Local News.

Courier rejects the idea that it is a low-quality pink slime networkand in some ways it is right. Courier differs from content networks like Metric Media, a sprawling right-wing agglomeration of almost 1,300 websites that masquerade as local news and are populated primarily by inane templated, auto-generated articles, usually without bylines, usually interspersed with political content intended to promote specific political agendas.

To discuss Courier Newsroom in the same breath as pink slime journalism is not necessarily to equate the twoat least not directly. There are tangible differences, the report argues. Courier generates content written by real authors who are often based in the states where they operate. It even allowed the Tow Center access to observe The Ganders operations in Michigan in 2022.

But the report argues that it is appropriate to mention them together because Courier has persistently attracted questions about, for example, its transparency around its structure, backing, and historical ties to dark money groups; its entanglement with the political establishment; heavy use of microtargeting to reach specific segments of the electorate with ads said to blur the lines between political advocacy and news; and a lack of transparency around how those ads are funded.

Whoever their funders are in 2024, Courier has deep pockets. It has consistently outspent other partisan paid news networks on Meta, which is one of the few places where ad-spending data is available. Metric Medias tactics also rely less on targeted digital advertising, and include delivering deceptive physical newspapers in some areas, in comparison with Courier, which is strongly focused on social media ad targeting.

The ongoing focus on pink slime publications comes at a time when initiatives are looking to revive local newsrooms in the US through a mixture of philanthropic action and policy changes. Last month, Press Forwarda national initiative to strengthen local newsannounced that it will hand out $20 million to hundreds of newsrooms across the US (part of a broader initiative by Press Forward to get $500 million into local news). And in California, legislation is in the works to force tech giants to pay for a portion of advertising profits. Meta, however, has been pushing back against such initiatives; last year, the company blocked access to news on Facebook and Instagram for Canadians in order to avoid paying sums to news publishers. And yet Meta hasnt hesitated to allow networks like Courier to pay it to publish political advertisements.

Observers have often questioned the effectiveness of the partisan paid approach, especially when attached to high-volume, low-quality content. But Courier Newsroom uses a somewhat elevated strategy, one that includes pushing better-resourced content to its audience, testing the effectiveness of certain talking points beforehand, and spending heavily on digital targeted advertising. The increased spending through the network this election cycle points to the Democratic campaigning apparatus, at least for now, seeing the strategy as effective.

Whether this actually turns out to be an effective strategyand whether parties double down on this tactic over promoting AI-generated junk news in future racesis something well have better insight into after Election Day on Tuesday. But, if they do double down, this may further enrage those trying to save local news.

As Todd Shepherd, an investigative reporter who has written about The Keystone for Broad + Libertya local nonprofit news outlet covering Pennsylvania and parts of New Jerseytold Tow Center in an interview, I find it obscene that an outlet like [Courier] asks their readers for $10 and $20 contributions when theyre running million-dollar Facebook campaigns like this, like theyre asking their readers to support their journalism.

Brugmann of Rebuild Local News was also left asking, What could that $6 million have done if it was dedicated to local quality journalism?

Methodology

We used two data sources for our story. First, we pulled ad-level data from a third-party copy of the Meta Ad Librarys political ads that was made publicly available on GitHub. Our authors were unable to obtain access to the official ad library API. To find pages, we searched the data for the partisan local news networks that Tow Center has been following: Courier Newsroom, Local Report, Metric Media, Star News, and American Independent networks, if they had any spending in the past ninety days (as of November 3, 2024). We also searched for individual Courier newsrooms that did not mention Courier in their ad metadata. To get total spending, we summed the minimum spend for each ad campaign provided by the dataset, so our estimates will be conservative. We based time frames on the day an ad first appeared on Meta.

The comparison table with the Trump and Harris campaigns was pulled from the Meta Ad Library Report. We summed any page name funded by Harris for President or the Harris Victory Fund as one category, and any funders for the Donald J. Trump page or from Trump National Committee JFC as well as ads from the various Courier newsrooms.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider bids by two tech giants  Metas Facebook and Nvidia  to fend off federal securities fraud lawsuits in separate cases that could make it harder for private litigants to hold companies to account.

After a trio of Supreme Court rulings in June that weakened federal regulators  including the Securities and Exchange Commission that polices securities fraud  the justices may now be poised to rein in the power of private plaintiffs to enforce federal rules aimed at punishing corporate misconduct.

Andrew Feller, a former SEC lawyer now in private practice, said the Supreme Courts recent track record of handing down business-friendly decisions that narrowed the authority of federal regulators suggests that Facebook and Nvidia may similarly find a receptive audience before the justices.

The Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority.

I think business interests will continue their recent pattern of aggressively challenging rules intended to hold them accountable, including by challenging the remaining private rights of action, Feller said.

A private right of action refers to the ability of a private person or group to sue for an alleged harm.

Social media platform Facebook and artificial intelligence chipmaker Nvidia appealed to the Supreme Court after the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed separate class action securities fraud lawsuits to proceed against them.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday is due to hear arguments in Facebooks bid to dismiss a suit accusing the company of misleading investors in violation of the Securities Exchange Act, a 1934 federal law that requires publicly traded companies to disclose their business risks.

The plaintiffs, a group of Facebook investors led by Amalgamated Bank, accused the company in a 2018 class action of withholding information from investors about a 2015 data breach involving British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica that affected more than 30 million Facebook users.

The suit arose after Facebooks stock fell following 2018 media reports that Cambridge Analytica had used improperly harvested Facebook user data in connection with Donald Trumps successful presidential campaign in 2016. The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages in part to recoup the lost value of the Facebook stock held by the investors.

At issue is whether Facebook broke the law when it failed to detail the prior data breach in subsequent business-risk disclosures, and instead portrayed the risk of such incidents as purely hypothetical.

Facebook in its Supreme Court filing argued, among other things, that it was not required to state that its warned-of risk had already materialized because a reasonable investor would understand (risk disclosures) to be forward-looking and probabilistic in nature.

The SEC in 2019 brought an enforcement action against Facebook over the matter, which the company settled for $100 million. Facebook paid a separate $5 billion penalty to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission over the Cambridge Analytica issue.

Michael Perino, a professor at St. Johns University School of Law in New York, described private rights of action as a necessary supplement to public enforcement efforts.

The SEC is arguably under-resourced given the broad scope of its responsibilities, Perino said. Securities class action lawsuits effectively deputize private attorneys to bring actions on behalf of aggrieved investors.

The Supreme Court on Nov. 13 is due to hear arguments in Nvidias bid to scuttle a securities class action accusing the Santa Clara, California-based company of misleading investors about how much of its sales went to the volatile cryptocurrency industry.

The 2018 suit, led by the Stockholm-based investment management firm E. Ohman J:or Fonder AB, accused Nvidia of violating the Securities Exchange Act by making statements in 2017 and 2018 that falsely downplayed how much of the companys revenue growth came from crypto-related purchases.

Those omissions misled investors and analysts who were interested in understanding the impact of cryptomining on Nvidias business, the plaintiffs said.

In its Supreme Court filing, Nvidia said the plaintiffs had failed to clear the legal bar set in a 1995 federal law called Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that established the standard for bringing private securities fraud suits.

Nvidia in 2022 agreed to pay $5.5 million to U.S. authorities to settle charges that it did not properly disclose the impact of cryptomining on its gaming business.

David Shargel, a lawyer in private practice who has represented clients before the SEC, said private securities litigation could gain prominence due to recent Supreme Court rulings weakening federal regulators.

Among the cases Shargel cited was a June 27 decision that rejected the SECs in-house enforcement of laws protecting investors against securities fraud as a violation of the U.S. Constitutions Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial.

This could further tax the commissions resources, as well as those of other agencies looking to bring fraud-like claims, opening the door for more private litigation, Shargel said of the SEC.

I think its hard to predict exactly which way private actions will trend, Shargel added, but its not hard to imagine that they may take on greater significance.

(Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham)
JPMorgan Chase will pay $151 million to settle five U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement cases, including accusations that the largest U.S. bank made misleading disclosures to brokerage customers, the regulator said.

The settlements include $61 million of civil fines and $90 million of reimbursements to customers. JPMorgan did not admit or deny wrongdoing in agreeing to the settlements.

JPMorgans conduct across multiple business lines violated various laws designed to protect investors from the risks of self-dealing and conflicts of interest, Sanjay Wadhwa, acting director of the SEC enforcement division, said in a statement.

In the largest settlement, JPMorgan will pay a $10 million civil fine and reimburse $90 million to customers who invested in conduit products.

These products pooled customer money to invest in private equity or hedge funds that would later distribute shares of companies that went public.

The SEC said JPMorgan did not disclose it had complete discretion over when to sell and the number of shares to be sold. It said this exposed customers to market risk, including when prices fell because the bank sometimes took months to sell shares.

JPMorgan was separately fined $45 million for failing to fully disclose from July 2017 to October 2024 how the bank and its brokers could benefit financially by recommending some in-house investments over similar products managed by third parties.

In a statement, the New York-based bank said it was pleased to settle, fixes problems when they arise, and strives to uphold the highest standards in client service.

The SEC also accused JPMorgan of recommending some mutual funds to 10,500 retail brokerage customers when materially less expensive but otherwise identical exchange-traded fund (ETF) products were available.

JPMorgan voluntarily repaid those customers $15.2 million, and was not fined after reporting the issue, the SEC said.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the first financial package for victims of the storms that killed more than 200 people in the countrys eastern region of Valencia.

Spain will earmark as much as 10.6 billion ($11.5 billion) for its first relief package and more will be announced in the future, Sanchez said in a press conference Tuesday in Madrid. The package includes direct aid for households, self-employed workers and firms; state-backed credit guarantees for companies and residents; and funds for city governments to pay for repairs and reconstruction.

The announcement comes less than 24 hours after Carlos Mazon, the president of the Valencia region, said he was going to ask Madrid for 31.4 billion in aid.

Spain is still dealing with the aftermath of the Oct. 29 floods, which hit 75 cities and towns in Valencia and three towns in two other regions. According to the most recent government figures, the death toll is 217, although hundreds of people are still missing. Streets in flood-hit areas remain buried in mud, and more than 100,000 cars are thought to have been impacted. The storm represents one of Spains worst natural disasters in living memory.

On Saturday, Sanchez announced Spains biggest peacetime deployment of military and security forces to the flood-hit region. Around 15,000 troops were assisting in relief efforts as of Tuesday.

Response to the tragedy has been complicated by the fact that the regional administration in Valencia is led by a center-right party that represents the main opposition to Sanchezs Socialists. Bickering between the central and regional governments have contributed to conflicting accounts over how alerts and rescue efforts were managed.

So far, the government of Valencia has pledged 250 million in aid. On Monday, the billionaire owner of the Zara clothing chain, Spaniard Amancio Ortega, announced a 100 million donation for flood victims.

Spanish banks have an exposure of about 20 billion to the Valencia region through mortages and loans, according to estimates by the Spanish central bank published Tuesday. Exposure is relatively high but it is not a systemic event, the Bank of Spains general director of financial stability Angel Estrada said Tuesday.

The financial package announced by Sanchez on Tuesday includes 838 million in direct aid to self-employed workers and companies in addition to as much as 5 billion in state-backed guarantees in the form of credit loans for companies and households, Sanchez said.

The government will also cover all emergency expenses paid by city governments in flood-hit areas and up to half of the costs of all urban reconstruction projects, he said.

Top photo: Emergency service workers search the Bonaire Shopping Center near Valencia. Photographer: Angel Garcia/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
MANZINI - Nurses have resolved to march and petition the Prime Minister, Russell Dlamini, and Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula over the continuing health crisis.

The nurses, who are organised under the banner of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU), made this resolution during their national general council meeting, which was held at Shosholoza Conference Room in Manzini, last week. The petition delivery march will be held next week.

According to SWADNU Secretary General Mayibongwe Masangane, the meeting reflected that the issue of shortage of drugs dates back to 2016 and since then, emaSwati have been dying at their hands. He said at their workstations, they no longer treat people, but offer words of comfort to the public who need medical attention.

This, he said, is because they do not have working tools and drugs. He said at times they see government issuing statements, which suggest that medical drugs have been delivered. He said those media statements are nothing but political statements. This is because those drugs do not last even three weeks, he said.

In that regard, he said the national general council decided that they should petition the prime minister and minister of Health next week. He said there is a proposal that they should engage the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) to lead the petition delivery, so that even the other concerned unions can join them.

However, he said they found out that there are some unions which had already written to the federation and asked it to convene a general council meeting to discuss same. He said they will come up with the exact date for the petition delivery march after the federations general council meeting, because by then, they will know if they will deliver these petitions alone as nurses or they will be with other sister unions under the banner of TUCOSWA.

Another issue, which will be in the petition, is the anomalies which reportedly took place at Central Medical Stores (CMS) as it seems like there had been corruption from procurement of medical drugs, storage and distribution. He said they want government to finalise the matter and see those who were involved behind bars before it implement the restructuring exercise.

We will also demand working tools and that government should address the shortage of nurses in health facilities, Masangane said. Again, he said the national general council also ordered branch leaders to facilitate pickets at health facilities in their branches. This, he said will be a build-up to the petition delivery march.
LOBAMBA  At least E118 million has been spent on external travel in the current financial year of government.

This is according to the performance report for the second quarter of the Ministry of Finance.Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg told Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday that at least E375 million was a control item in the ministrys budget, but E118 million had been spent so far. He was responding to a question from Kubuta MP Masiphula Mamba, who said the recurrent expenditure is very high and that the country should obey warnings by the International Monetary Fund.The minister then pointed to his ministrys performance report, stating that E118 million had been spent so far in external travels.

I must confess that the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation travel was not captured correctly in the report, he said. Meanwhile, the report states that the variance shows that travelling is at 26 per cent at this time of the year. Due to the increasing number of external travels that occurred during the last month of the 2nd quarter, reallocations from various centres within the same head were done to facilitate the expenditure, thus the expenditure variance is still within the provisions made on the budget, the report states.

Clarified

On another note, the minister clarified that the 33 per cent taxation on commercial entities is meant to boost businesses, so they can grow their businesses. He was responding to a question by Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba. When we reduce the tax from companies, it is so that they can be able to grow quicker and employ more people. You must understand that the company and the businessman who owns the company are two entities. When the businessman takes away the money from the company to spend, he pays 33 per cent. The minister says this is also applicable when the businessman takes the money by way of dividends.

We are trying to incentivise that business people should not take the money out, it means they are paying 33 per cent, but if they leave the money in the business, they are paying 25 per cent. This should stimulate the growth of companies in Eswatini and reduce poverty. He said the taxation is not necessarily in a high bracket because a similar tax in the neighbouring country is 45 per cent. He explained that the 33 per cent is applicable to those who earn over E250 000 per year.

This means you are taxing people that can afford to pay the tax, he said. The principle of tax is that you apply it to those who can afford to help those who cannot afford it, he said. He said government has no intentions to increase the tax, and would also not reduce it.
MANZINI  A chilling tale of a mothers cruelty unfolded in court yesterday as a woman confessed to the horrific murder of her one-month-old baby.

The accused, Zinhle Gugulethu Sihlongonyane (26), appeared at the Manzini Magistrates Court, facing a charge of murder. According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly first suffocated her infant child by blocking the nostrils with her jacket until blood began to flow. The gruesome act was followed by the heartless disposal of the innocent life.

Unidentified

The accused is alleged to have then proceeded to an unidentified homestead, where she callously dumped the lifeless body of her child into a pit latrine. In a shocking twist, the accused reportedly attempted to deceive her mother by falsely claiming that she had given the baby to a caucasian couple. This elaborate lie was meant to conceal the heinous crime she had committed.Narrating the events leading to the incident, it was revealed that on the morning of Wednesday, October 30, Sihlongonyane told her mother she was going to the clinic at Lobamba. She left home with her child and, upon arriving at the clinic, received her medication.

After that, she proceeded to Mashibhini at Lobamba to visit a friend, but found that her friend was not at home. Deciding to see her another day, she boarded a kombi and returned home.

At Mahlanya, she got off to buy some items. Later, she boarded another kombi and alighted at Hamsi. From there, she received a lift that dropped her off at a waiting room at KaGcina.

While sitting in the waiting room with her child, she reflected on how the childs father had abandoned her when she was two months pregnant.

Promised

Ever since, he has never come to see her. Whenever she spoke to him on the phone, he promised to send money, but not once did he ever do so, a source shared. Desperate to find a solution to her predicament, the mother allegedly decided to take the life of her child. It is said that she dressed the child in a pink jacket with a hood, which she then used to smother the babys nostrils for approximately five minutes. When she removed the hood from the infants face, she noticed blood seeping from the nostrils, which stained both her hands and clothing.

With the child now deceased, the mother allegedly turned her attention to concealing the evidence of her crime. According to reports, she spotted a homestead adjacent to the waiting room and rushed there, hoping to find a place to dispose of the body.

She allegedly resorted to dropping the lifeless body of her child into the pit latrine on the homesteads property. It is reported that Sihlongonyanes mother called to check on them, and she told her that she had given the baby to the caucasian couple. It is believed that the mother did not believe her. The mother then stated that she would call the police and that her daughter would be arrested, but she did not receive a response. Eventually, the daughter acknowledged that she was aware of the possibility of being arrested. She left the house for a while, and upon her return, she found her mother on the phone with the police, providing them with directions to the homestead.

She then went outside, and when she came back, she discovered police officers waiting for her. It is said that the police enquired about the baby, and both the woman and her mother provided statements. Consequently, they both boarded a police van and were taken to Matsapha Police Station at Sigodvweni, where the police launched a further investigation. Subsequently, the babys body was discovered at the specified homestead and retrieved.As the legal process unfolds, the community awaits justice for the innocent child. The accused is expected to face severe consequences for her actions, serving as a stark reminder of the value of human life and the devastating impact of violence.
CNBC's Jim Cramer reviewed Monday's market action, saying the session's moves reflect investors who feel Vice President Kamala Harris could win the presidency, even as the race remains deadlocked in the polls on the eve of Election Day.

"I'm not sure the market's right about what a Harris presidency would mean for business, but at least now we have a blueprint for what Wall Street thinks it'll mean," he said.

Traders, Cramer said, are looking to get ahead of election results, and they're looking for signs that someone knows something that others don't. He suggested that some on Wall Street foresee a Harris victory because of a surprising new poll released this weekend that showed Harris ahead in Iowa, a traditionally red state that seemed like a shoo-in for former President Donald Trump, who won the state during the past two elections. The poll showed Harris leading Trump 47% to 44%, and Cramer said it has led investors to question whether other red states could turn blue.

He pointed to several sectors that pulled ahead on Monday, including home builders DR Horton, Lennar and Toll Brothers , which may have been sent higher as investors anticipated the effects of Harris' proposed tax breaks and aid for first-time home buyers. Companies that rely heavily on imports  like alcohol seller Constellation Brands or cosmetics company E.l.f. Beauty  may have rallied at the prospect of a Harris administration because of the vice president's more moderate trade stance compared to her opponent, who has vowed to implement dramatic trade duties across industries, Cramer said.

Meanwhile, hyperscaler stocks like Amazon and Alphabet traded lower, he added. Cramer said Wall Street could suspect that Harris will continue the Biden administration's legacy of strong antitrust law enforcement, perhaps keeping on officials like Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, who has been tough on big business.

"I like the idea that you can now get a jump on what traders think," he said. "Then again, I don't regard traders as the best prognosticators of anything other than what other, slower traders might do within the next day or two  just not worth changing our portfolio over. I say stay the course."
CNBC's Jim Cramer on Monday told investors not to write off the power of European markets, pointing out economic growth across the region.

"This continent of 750 million people, twice our market size, is now percolating," he said. "We're seeing company after company put up better than expected European numbers, yet no one seems to notice thanks to a combination of, I don't know, ennui and disbelief."

Cramer conceded that he understands why some on Wall Street don't expect much from Europe, saying many companies tend to put up earnings misses there and "the cards seemed stacked against you" for more than a decade.

But he pointed out a number of developments in the European economy, including three rate cuts from the European Central Bank. Cramer suggested there's been growth across the continent, especially in southern rim countries like Portugal, Italy and Greece. According to him, Europe had been "underbanked" since March of 2023 when Credit Suisse fell into crisis  but noted the success of Banco Santander 's business, saying it "told the tale of a continent that's waking up." He also said investors shouldn't ignore robust economic data out of Spain, which on Monday reported that manufacturing grew at the fastest pace in more than two years last month.

Cramer added that he was impressed by growth in European markets that tech giants Amazon and Apple reported when they posted earnings last week. He also compared Europe to China, expressing pessimism about the latter's efforts to stimulate the economy. And according to him, American businesses could have trouble operating in China if former President Donald Trump wins the election and drastically raises tariffs.

"Sooner or later, Wall Street's going to wake up to the fact that Europe is back," Cramer said.
People are seen shopping in a Walgreens in Manhattan, New York City, on Nov. 26, 2021.

Walgreens has agreed to pay $100 million to settle a proposed class action lawsuit accusing it of fraudulently overcharging customers for a decade when they bought generic drugs through private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.

Walgreens was accused of wrongly requiring insured customers to pay more than members of its Prescription Savings Club, who for a low annual fee could buy more than 500 widely prescribed generic drugs for $5, $10 and $15 for 30-day prescriptions, and $10, $20 and $30 for 90-day prescriptions without using insurance.

In a filing on Friday in federal court in Chicago, lawyers for the class of plaintiffs suing the drugstore chain sought approval for the settlement, calling it an "excellent result" for the class.

"We admit no liability and believe these claims never had any merit," a Walgreens spokesperson said in a statement. "This resolution allows us to focus on our turnaround strategy that will benefit our patients, customers, team members and shareholders."

The lawsuit alleged that the prices Walgreens charged to its savings club members were its "usual and customary" prices, and that the prices it reported to insurers for reimbursement were inflated. It said that insured customers reasonably believed that they would not pay more than customers who paid out of pocket, but they did end up paying more in the form of copays and deductibles.

The lawsuit sought damages for insured customers nationwide since 2007, when the Prescription Savings Club began.

One condition of the settlement was that Walgreens end the savings club, which it did in August.

The case is Russo et al v. Walgreen Co., U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois, No. 1:17-cv-02246.

For plaintiffs: Paul Geller of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, Joseph Guglielmo of Scott + Scott and others

For Walgreens: Selina Coleman and Michael Scott Leib of Reed Smith
Amazon said Tuesday it received regulatory approval to begin flying a smaller, quieter version of its delivery drone, the latest step in its long-running efforts to get the futuristic program off the ground.

The company unveiled the new drone, called the MK30, in November 2022. It said then that the MK30, in addition to the other changes, would fly through light rain and have twice the range of earlier models.

Amazon said the Federal Aviation Administration's approval includes permission to fly the MK30 over longer distances and beyond the visual line of sight of pilots. The agency granted a similar waiver for Amazon's Prime Air program in May, though that was limited to flights in College Station, Texas, one of the cities where it has been conducting tests.

Alongside the FAA approval, Matt McCardle, head of regulatory affairs for Prime Air, said the company is starting to make drone deliveries Tuesday near Phoenix, Arizona. In April, Amazon said it planned to spin up drone operations in Tolleson, a city west of Phoenix, after it shut down an earlier test site in Lockeford, California. The company will dispatch the drones near one of its warehouses in Tolleson as it looks to integrate Prime Air more closely into its existing logistics network and further speed up deliveries.

An FAA spokesperson said the agency granted Amazon permission to conduct beyond visual line of sight deliveries in Tolleson on Oct. 31.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos first unveiled plans for the ambitious service more than a decade ago, remarking at the time that the program could be up and running within five years. Despite Amazon investing billions of dollars into the program, progress has been slow.

Prime Air encountered regulatory hurdles, missed deadlines and had layoffs last year, coinciding with widespread cost-cutting efforts by CEO Andy Jassy. The program also lost some key executives, including its primary liaison with the FAA and its founding leader. Amazon hired former Boeing executive David Carbon to run the operation.

It has also encountered pushback from some residents in the cities where it is trialing drone deliveries. Residents in College Station complained about the noise levels enough that it prompted the city's mayor to mention the concerns in a letter to the FAA, CNBC previously reported. In response, Amazon executives told residents the company would identify a new drone delivery launch site by October 2025.

Amazon is not the only company trying to crack delivery by drone. It is competing with Wing, owned by Google parent Alphabet ; UPS ; Walmart ; and a host of startups including Zipline and Matternet.
Beijing will avoid escalation of its dispute with the European Union over tariffs on its electric vehicles, industry watchers said, a day after China again approached the World Trade Organization for resolution.

China's commerce ministry said Monday that it had filed an additional appeal with the WTO over the EU's tariffs on its EVs, as bilateral talks have yet to lead to a breakthrough.

The move is "a warning shot against Europe to show that it [China] is strong but won't go too far," Shaun Rein, managing director of China Market Research told CNBC, who expects China's response to be "measured" as it seeks closer economic relations with Europe amid intensifying tensions with the U.S.

Since the tariffs came into effect last Wednesday, both sides have explored the possibility of setting minimum price commitments from Chinese car producers, as an alternative to the tariffs. The EU reportedly accounted for more than 40% of Chinese EV exports in 2023.

China will put its "best foot forward and make every effort" to find a middle ground with the EU, said Sam Radwan, chief executive of consultancy Enhance International.

He said that it was unlikely that the China-EU dispute would escalate to the same level as the Washington-Beijing spat  U.S. has announced 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs  noting the EU's heavy reliance on China in their EV value chain.

EU has raised its tariffs to as much as 45.3% on Chinese EVs following an year-long investigation. The measures had prompted Beijing to target European exports such as pork, dairy and brandy products.
MBABANE - As police deepen their investigation into the widespread facata scam, two key figures suspected to be the masterminds behind these crimes have been arrested.

The 24-year-old and 32-year-old suspects were apprehended at a luxurious lodge in the Lubombo Region, where they were enjoying the spoils of their alleged criminal activities.

This takes the number of suspects who have been arrested for the facata scam to 34. Through the facata scam, countless individuals have been defrauded millions of Emalangeni. These offences are committed through sophisticated electronic means.The scammers supposedly trick their victims into entering information on their cellphones, allowing the scammers to remotely withdraw money from their Mobile Money (MoMo) and bank accounts.

Ringleaders

The recent arrest of the alleged ringleaders marks a crucial step in dismantling this criminal network. Acting on a tip-off from the public, police executed a well-coordinated raid on the lodge. Upon arrest, the suspects were found in possession of alcohol and they were accompanied by two women. As investigations intensify, authorities anticipate more arrests and expect to uncover the full extent of the scams reach and the intricate methods employed by the syndicate. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, confirmed the arrest of the duo. They are set to make their maiden court appearance at the Manzini Magistrates Court in due course. It has been revealed that a warrant of arrest was issued against one of the suspects by the Manzini Magistrates Court.

Prior to his arrest, he was already on the police radar. Authorities believe that the two men were the linchpins in the facata scam and their arrest will lead to the detention of more individuals involved in this criminal operation. Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. During the early stages of the operation of the facata scam syndicate, a female traditional healer (inyanga) from KaBhudla, under Mafutseni Constituency in the Manzini Region, was found with cash amounting to E30 000. The money is suspected to be part of a sum of E234 000, which the facata scam suspects defrauded a Matsapha businessman, through cybercrime.

Some of the scammers are facing 28 counts and others over 40. The offences involve contravening the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011, theft by false pretences, as well as the Prevention of Organised Crime Act of 2018. The amount, which they supposedly defrauded the unsuspecting members of the public, amounted to E955 691.73 - according to their charge sheets. Some of the suspects: Lindelwa Fana Mbingo (19) of Thulwane, Celumusa Mdumseni Msibi (27) of Sithobelweni, Nhlanhla Maseko (21) of Thulwane, Wakhile Felix Mtsetfwa (19) of Thulwane, Sandile Wandile Matsenjwa (30) of KaBhudla, Wakhile Sanele Mamba (19) of Thulwane and Sipho Neliswa Mbingo (21) of Thulwane. Others include Nkosikhona Fisokuhle Maziya (24) of KaBhudla and Siyabonga Sakhile Ndlovu (22) of KaBhudla. Gcina Ndlovu (21) of KaBhudla and Mbongeni Bongani Maphalala (22) of Thulwane were also conjoined to the crimes, charged with theft by false pretences. One of the six suspects to be recently arrested is a 48-year-old man of Thulwane and it is alleged that he harboured some of the facata scam suspects.

Appearance

Nkosinathi Emmanuel Thomo made his maiden appearance before Manzini Principal Magistrate Florence Msibi last week. He is facing three counts, which include that of contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act of 2018, the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011, as well as theft by false pretences. According to sources, Thomo was purportedly harbouring some of the suspects involved in the facata scam at his residential home at Thulwane. On the other hand, according to the charge sheet, in the first count, the accused person, being a member of a criminal gang involved in criminal activities, allegedly obtained and stole E12 000 from Fikile Sifundza in June 2024.

The incident is said to have happened at Mhlumeni, in the Lubombo Region. For this offence, he reportedly contravened Section 5 (1) (a) (b) and Section 5 (2) (a), (b) and (c), as read with Section 6 (1) and (b) of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act of 2018. In the second count, he reportedly defrauded Sifundza a sum of E12 000. It is said he supposedly posed as someone who was removing hacking viruses from her cellphone and MTN Eswatini MoMo account. In the process, it is alleged that he purportedly induced her to provide him with her MTN Eswatini MoMo credentials. According to the charge sheet, this offence happened in June 2024, at Mhlumeni, in the Lubombo Region.

Reason

In the third count, it is alleged that Thomo contravened the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Preventive) Act of 2011 on June 6, 2024 and October 25, 2024, while he was reportedly using money which had been obtained through the commission of an offence, while knowing or having reason to believe that the cash had been gained through criminal offences. During his appearance before the Manzini principal magistrate yesterday, the accused persons right to legal representation was explained and he chose to hire the services of an attorney. He was remanded in custody until November 6, 2024, pending committal to the High Court.

On another note, the source highlighted that more arrests are expected as the suspects who are already in custody, are cooperating with the police in their investigations. In fact, he said the arrest of six suspects on Monday and yesterday, was a result of the cooperation received by the investigating officers from the suspects, who are already in custody.
The Astrazeneca logo is pictured at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2021 in Shanghai, China, July 7, 2021.

AstraZeneca shares on Tuesday recorded their worst day since March 2020 after a report that dozens of the drugmaker's senior executives in China could be implicated in the largest insurance fraud case in the country's pharma sector in years.

The Anglo-Swedish company, which has invested heavily in the world's No. 2 pharmaceuticals market, said last week that its China president, Leon Wang, was under investigation and that the drugmaker would cooperate with authorities.

AstraZeneca had not said what the investigation was about or whether Wang, who grew up in China and has been with the company for more than a decade, had been detained by authorities.

The investigation by Chinese authorities has now expanded to include the public security bureau, supervisory commission and other relevant bodies, financial media company Yicai reported on Tuesday, citing a person familiar with the matter.

The report added that medical representatives have been previously found to fake prescriptions for AstraZeneca's lung cancer drug, Tagrisso, to allow patients to buy it through the state's medical insurance program.

"As a matter of policy, we do not comment on speculative media reports including those related to ongoing investigations in China," AstraZeneca said.

"If requested, we will fully cooperate with the Chinese authorities," the company added and said that its operations and delivery of medicines were ongoing in China.

AstraZeneca is one of the biggest multinational drugmakers in China, which accounts for 13% of its overall revenue. It said last year it would build a $450 million factory in the country and has also signed several licensing deals with Chinese firms.

However, AstraZeneca's more than 30-year presence in the country has not been without challenges over prescriptions and sales.

In 2022, Chinese authorities had summoned AstraZeneca officials over an investigation of suspected medical insurance fraud by its employees, and had ordered that the drugmaker tighten its marketing activities.

The FTSE 100 component fell as much as 8.4% on Tuesday to hit a seven-month low of 10,118 pence and was the second-biggest percentage loser on the blue-chip index.
A Chinese flag flutters on top of the Great Hall of the People ahead of the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum (BRF), to mark 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, in Beijing, China October 18, 2023.

BEIJING  A closely watched meeting of China's parliament standing committee on Monday reviewed a proposal to raise the local government debt limit, according to state media.

New debt would go toward replacing hidden debt, the report said, noting that Finance Minister Lan Fo'an spoke at the meeting on the plan.

Lan indicated at a press conference last month that an increase in the local debt limit was in the works. Local authorities in China have historically been responsible for much of public services spending, but have struggled financially as revenue from land sales to developers has dropped.

China has about 50 trillion yuan to 60 trillion yuan (about $7 trillion to $8.45 trillion) in outstanding hidden debt, according to Ting Lu, chief China economist at Nomura.
In 2017, Detroit-native Vincent Orr was working as a production supervisor at Chrysler, when he kept seeing and hearing advertisements for The Detroit Land Bank Authority. The organization, founded in 2008, offers residents of Detroit, Michigan the opportunity to buy vacant, abandoned, or deteriorated houses and land at auction. Orr submitted a bid and won a three-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath house for $2,100. The property had been abandoned for about a decade. "I wanted to invest my money, so I got up one day and decided to look on the website and saw they had something in my neighborhood for sale," Orr tells CNBC Make It. "I drove by and decided to bid on it. I never saw the inside, and by 4 p.m. that day, I was the property owner."

Orr's first house had extensive water damage. Vincent Orr

But Orr was in for a rude awakening. When he finally got access to the inside of the house, it had a giant hole in the roof, water damage, and the electrical and plumbing needed replacing. Despite all the repair work that lay ahead, Orr was still excited about purchasing his first home in the neighborhood where he went to high school. "I thought it had great bones. I liked the architecture, and I was familiar with the neighborhood. I knew the potential of the area and the property," Orr says. "I was also excited to have a piece of history because the house was built in the 1920s." One condition of the winning the auction was that Orr had to renovate the home and make it livable in nine months. He estimates he has spent $40,000 fixing up the house so far and says there is still more to do.

One condition of the winning the auction was that Orr had to renovate the home and make it livable in nine months. At the end of those nine months, Orr's mother moved into the home and lived there rent-free. Vincent Orr

At the end of those nine months, Orr's mother moved into the home and lived there rent-free. "Since I was a child, I had been telling her that I was going to buy her a house," he says. "For her to actually see me carry through was amazing for both of us." For Orr, who was 27 at the time, becoming a first-time homeowner and successfully turning the abandoned house into a home was a major accomplishment. "To be able to own a home that was paid off with no loans, no mortgage and then be able to let my mom live there was a great feeling," he says.

Orr bought the property right next to his mother's for $1,200  it had been abandoned for about a decade. Vincent Orr

Just two years after buying the first property, Orr bought the property right next to his mother's for $1,200  it had also been abandoned for about a decade. "I just couldn't see myself putting all this money in next door and not having it look nice on the other side," he says. Orr admits that the condition of this second house was much worse than the first one he bought, but "I really liked the architecture of that one. It reminded me of a gingerbread house," he says. "I was excited to get my hands on it and bring it back to life. A lot of people didn't want to bid on it because it had been in a fire." There was no living room floor, and the house had even been on the city's demolition list before Orr bought it.

Orr did most of the renovations on the second house himself. In October, he launched his own hardwood and epoxy flooring business. Vincent Orr

After securing the deed from the Detroit Land Bank Authority, Orr got to work. He estimates he's spent $60,000 renovating it so far. Orr lived in the house while working on it, which he says was a challenge, especially because it was during the pandemic. He moved out in 2021 and leased it to a family friend. He is also letting them live there rent-free until the renovations are complete. And as if two properties weren't enough, Orr bought a third on the north side of his original abandoned home for just $100. "There was a house on the lot, but it had caught fire, and the city of Detroit ended up tearing it down," Orr says.

Orr lived in the second property until 2021 when he moved out and leased it to a family friend. He is letting them live there rent-free until the renovations are complete. Vincent Orr

At the time of writing, Orr says he plans to build a new house on the lot and do most of the work himself. He is in the process of becoming a licensed builder, having left his job at Chrysler in 2022 and General Motors in September. In October, he launched his own hardwood and epoxy flooring business. Orr says he has no plan in place for when he'll start building the house. He estimates he'll need $100,000 to $150,000 and does not want to take out a loan. "I'm just waiting to get the funds in order," he says.

And as if two properties weren't enough, Orr bought a third on the north side of his original abandoned home for just $100. Vincent Orr

Orr says his biggest regret is not having bought more properties from the Detroit Land Bank Authority. He estimates the value of his houses has increased since he bought the first one seven years ago. "I don't know if it would be possible in today's climate because Detroit has gained popularity. You have a lot of people moving in and I'm happy to see it, but on the other side, small developers like myself can't get my hands on anything," he says. But the now 34-year-old says he doesn't ever plan on selling them.

Orr plans to build a new house on the lot and do most of the work himself. Vincent Orr

"I believe in ownership, and those homes are part of my retirement plan," he says. "When I'm too old to work or just want to relax in the later years, I have those properties to rent out and gain income from because I don't know if we can depend on Social Security." And for anyone looking to take advantage of an auction process like the one the Detroit Land Bank Authority offers, Orr's advice is to not overthink it.

Orr says these houses are his retirement plan and doesn't ever want to sell. Vincent Orr
European stocks closed slightly higher Tuesday as global markets braced for the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 ended the session up 0.06%, with sectors divided across the flatline following a mixed session. Industrial stocks added 1.2% while autos fell 1.82%.

Shares in Hugo Boss closed 4.3% lower after the company posted a better-than-expected operating profit in the third quarter but flagged declines in the Asia-Pacific region linked to weakness in China.

Elsewhere, Schroders shares tumbled 13.7% after the asset manager posted its latest trading update.
Investors in Europe who are concerned about former President Donald Trump's potential return to the White House have several options at their disposal, according to Barclays strategists. The bank suggested that European equities could face significant headwinds if Trump wins the presidency, primarily due to the potential for trade tariffs and protectionist policies . European markets are already trading with a risk premium ahead of a potential Trump win, and the investment bank believes the full impact may not be reflected in current valuations. "The possibility to bypass Congress increases the risk of tariff implementation in the event of a Trump win," said Barclays strategists led by Emmanuel Cau in a note to clients on Oct. 23. "Compared to a status quo scenario under a Harris win, a Trump win may have broader and more discriminant implications for markets." The investment bank stressed that it is independent and does not support or endorse any presidential candidate in the election. "Nor does our research attempt to predict whether any particular candidate will be elected," reads the disclaimer accompanying the research note. The table below shows the stocks identified by Barlcays that are most exposed to potential tariffs and have underperformed the broader market by nearly 15% since early April. Conversely, according to Barclays, the above stocks could get a boost if Vice President Kamala Harris wins Tuesday's election. Hedging strategies For investors looking to protect their portfolios from downside risks, Barclays recommended several hedging strategies. The bank's strategists favor put options on major European indices like the Euro Stoxx 50 or the German DAX . Put options are derivatives  with their value derived from that of an underlying asset  and give the owner the right to sell a stock for a given price within a given period of time. The put options recommended by Barclays would become more valuable if European stocks decline, offering protection against market turbulence. "With equity vols relatively low and put skew steep, we like buying SX5E or DAX put spreads to hedge against a Trump win which we believe is likely to further hurt European assets (equities and EUR alike)," the strategists said. Barclays economists have also estimated that if Trump implements his proposed 10% global tariffs and 60% tariffs on Chinese goods, the euro zone could face a 0.7% hit to GDP. While this impact is smaller than the projected effects for both China and the U.S., they cautioned it could be more persistent given Europe's relatively open economy. Under such a scenario, Barclays strategists warned that investors would have nowhere to hide anywhere. "But while Europe would likely get hit the most, we do not think US equities would be immune." A Trump presidency isn't all bad news for Europe, however. The strategists also laid out the upside for European markets if the former president regains control of the White House. "Although quite hypothetical at this stage, one potential positive catalyst for Europe to look forward to in the event Trump wins the presidential election is his approach to the Russia-Ukraine war," the strategists noted, suggesting that any move toward ending the conflict could reduce the risk premium currently weighing on European assets.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed reporting.
When Kobe Harris started his lip balm company on his bedroom floor in 2019, he wasn't necessarily looking to immediately drop out of college.

Then, he sold $15,000 worth of lip balm in one day, and decided to take the leap, Harris said on Friday's episode of ABC's "Shark Tank."

Harris is the founder of Kobee's, a Las Vegas-based company that sells lip balms, lotion, lip scrub, cuticle butter and hand salve made with four ingredients: beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower oil and mango butter. The products come in compostable packaging and retail anywhere from $5 to $42, according to the company's website.

The idea struck Harris while he was conducting research on sustainability and bees for one of his professors at Loyola University Chicago, he said. He asked his mom for $200 to purchase some ingredients on Amazon, and used them to experiment with lip balm formulas on his bedroom floor at home while working a summer lifeguarding job, he added.

DON'T MISS: The ultimate guide to earning passive income online

By the time the school year came around again, Harris was successfully making sales  so he decided to drop out and pursue his business full-time, he said: "Since classes were online, I just told my dad, 'I'm still in school,' but really I was just in the basement making lip balms."

Today, Kobee's is a profitable startup, said Harris: The company was on track to end 2024 with nearly $4 million in sales and roughly $750,000 in profit, at the time of the show's taping. It sells primarily on Amazon and Kobee's direct-to-consumer website.

Harris didn't immediately respond to CNBC Make It's request for updated financials. On "Shark Tank," he asked the show's investor judges for a $300,000 investment in exchange for 6% of his company, saying he wanted mentorship and help with product distribution.

Most of the investors quickly dropped out. Guest panelist Kendra Scott said she didn't know how to help the company, Lori Grenier said the natural lip balm market was already too crowded, and Daymond John and Mark Cuban each said the investment just wasn't right for them.

Kevin O'Leary, however, offered up the $300,000  and his myriad connections with retailers  for a 20% equity stake in Kobee. Harris countered with 10%, and O'Leary proposed 15%.

After thinking for a moment, Harris said, "I won't do that," and the negotiation fell through.

Harris said he needed to trust his gut  a common lesson from CEOs, career experts and other successful people across the business world. It's the advice Harris' mom, a multi-time business owner, gave him when he told her he wanted to drop out of college to make lip balm, he said.

"I know my business better than anybody," said Harris.

Want to make extra money outside of your day job? Sign up for CNBC's online course How to Earn Passive Income Online to learn about common passive income streams, tips to get started and real-life success stories.

Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his defense minister Tuesday, a long rumored move that was announced on election day in the United States. The two have repeatedly clashed over the conduct of the war in Gaza and Lebanon.

Gallant will be replaced by Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Netanyahu said in a statement. Gideon Saar, a former Netanyahu opponent, will become foreign minister and cement his support for the fragile ruling coalition keeping the embattled Israeli leader in power.

"In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and the minister of defense," Netanyahu said in his statement. "Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the minister of defense."

Netanyahu added that there were significant "gaps" between what the Cabinet had decided and what he termed "the campaign."

He added that most members of the government and the Cabinet shared the sense of a "crisis of trust" with Gallant.

Signs of strains in the Gallant-Netanyahu relationship have appeared over the last months. Gallant was scheduled to meet with his counterpart U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Washington in early October  a trip Gallant initiated  but the trip was postponed at Netanyahu's request.

Gallant, who has a decades-long military career, has been critical of Netanyahu's approach to the conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah.

His firing drew immediate criticism from opposition leader Benny Gantz, who said it was "politics at the expense of national security."

In a nationally televised statement, Gallant challenged Netanyahu over his refusal to discuss a cease-fire and hostage deal in May. He said that would lead to Israel being forced to rule over the Palestinian enclave again.

"We must make tough decisions for the future of our country, favoring national priorities above all other possible considerations, even with the possibility of personal or political costs," Gallant said over the summer.

Netanyahu previously fired Gallant in March 2023, after he publicly disagreed with the government and pushed to stop a controversial plan to overhaul the judicial system. The move led to mass protests and Netanyahu reversed the decision.

Israel's offensive in Gaza since then has killed more than 43,000 people, according to health officials in the enclave. The war in Gaza began with Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attacks, in which about 1,200 people were killed and Palestinian militants took around 250 hostages. Around 100 people remain in captivity, although a third are believed to be dead.
People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing missiles that flew 400 km after lifting off at around 7:30 a.m. from Sariwon, just south of the capital Pyongyang, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, November 5, 2024.

North Korea on Tuesday fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern sea, the South Korean military said, as the country continued its weapons demonstrations hours before the U.S. presidential election.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles flew about 400 kilometers (250 miles) but didn't specify how many were fired. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said they landed in waters outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone and there were no immediate reports of damage.

The launches came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a flight test of the country's newest intercontinental ballistic missile designed to reach the U.S. mainland. In response to that launch, the United States flew a long-range B-1B bomber in a trilateral drill with South Korea and Japan on Sunday in a show of force. That drew condemnation from Kim's powerful sister, who on Tuesday accused North Korea's rivals of raising tensions with "aggressive and adventuristic military threats."

South Korean officials have said that North Korea was likely to dial up its military displays around the U.S. presidential election to command the attention of Washington. South Korea's military intelligence agency said last week that North Korea has also likely completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test.

Outside officials and analysts say North Korea eventually hopes to use an expanded nuclear arsenal as leverage to win concessions such as sanctions relief after a new U.S. president is elected.

There are widespread views that Kim Jong Un would prefer a win by Republican candidate Donald Trump, with whom he engaged in high-stakes nuclear diplomacy in 2018-19, seeing him as a more likely counterpart to give him what he wants than Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. During campaigning, Harris said she won't "cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un who are rooting for Trump."
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media after voting at a polling station setup in the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center on March 19, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida.

Florida has led the country in disenfranchising citizens with felony records. But Donald Trump, the only former president ever to be found guilty of criminal charges, should have no trouble casting his ballot in the Sunshine State.

That's because Trump was convicted in New York.

Under Florida law, an out-of-state felony conviction makes a person ineligible to vote only if they would also be ineligible in the state where they were found guilty.

Trump on May 30 was convicted by a New York jury of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money scheme to pay porn star Stormy Daniels for her silence ahead of the 2016 election.

A New York law passed in 2021 allows for convicted felons to register to vote if they are not incarcerated. It also restores the voting rights of convicted felons upon their release from incarceration.

On Sept. 6, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan ruled that Trump will not be sentenced in the hush money case until Nov. 26  three weeks after Election Day.

Trump traveled back to Florida on Tuesday, and he is expected to cast his ballot near his Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach.

 Kevin Breuninger
Election Day is here, and with it comes a parade of stressors. Many Americans are not only worried about the outcome, but what might happen in the aftermath, regardless of who wins.

Almost three-fourths, 74%, of Americans said they were concerned that the election results could lead to violence, according to data from the American Psychological Association. And 56% are worried that the 2024 election could be the end of democracy in the United States.

With 24-hour news coverage already underway, it's nearly impossible to avoid the anxiety the day promises. But, you could soothe some of those nerves by not going it alone, says Vanessa Kennedy, the director of psychology at Driftwood Recovery, a rehabilitation center in Austin, Texas.

"Open, sedentary time has been shown to increase anxiety because our mind can run wild and get creative with extreme visions of fearful outcomes," she says.

Getting together with friends and planning an outing can help make tonight a more positive experience. "Talk to family and friends you find assuring and helpful to reduce your anxiety," Kennedy says.

However, not all people operate as stress relievers. And on days like this, being selective about who you interact with is key.

"We all know people who may add to our anxiety as opposed to calming us in the face of uncertainty," Kennedy says. Today is not the day to contact them.
A pedestrian walks past a Vodafone store in central London on May 16, 2023. British mobile giant Vodafone is to axe 11,000 jobs over three years in the latest cull to hit the tech sector, as new boss Margherita Della Valle slammed recent performance. Adrian Dennis | AFP | Getty Images

LONDON  British telecom firms Vodafone and Three's multibillion-pound merger could go ahead if the companies adopt a series of proposed remedies to clear competition concerns, regulators said Tuesday. In a statement, the Competition and Markets Authority said that the 15 billion ($19.5 billion) deal is likely to be approved, if Vodafone and Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison's Three proceed with billions of pounds of investment into British telecom infrastructure and add short-term customer protections. Vodafone has previously said that the combined entity, once merged, would invest 11 billion ($14.46 billion) into U.K. telecommunications infrastructure. Among the conditions required for the deal to go through are: a legally mandated commitment, overseen by telecom watchdog Ofcom and the CMA, to deliver on their joint plan to upgrade and improve networks over the next eight years across the U.K.

maintaining certain existing mobile tariffs and data plans for at least three years for both current and future Vodafone and Three customers, including their sub-brands

pre-agreed prices and contract terms to ensure mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs)  carriers that use network infrastructure from third-party operators  can still get competitive wholesale deals Vodafone shares were up 1.5% Tuesday. Stuart McIntosh, chair of the CMA inquiry group leading the investigation, said the regulator believes the Vodafone-Three merger has the potential to be "pro-competitive" for the U.K. mobile sector, if its concerns are addressed.

"Our provisional view is that binding commitments combined with short-term protections for consumers and wholesale providers would address our concerns while preserving the benefits of this merger," McIntosh said in a statement Tuesday. Vodafone and Three hold that the CMA's remedy framework "provides a path to final clearance," a Vodafone spokesperson told CNBC via email Tuesday. "The merger will be a catalyst for positive change. It will bring significant benefits to businesses and consumers throughout the UK, and it will bring advanced 5G to every school and hospital across the country," the Vodafone spokesperson said. The CMA said its final decision on the merger is due by Dec. 7. The CMA provisionally found in September that the Vodafone-Three merger could lead to higher prices for customers and harm competition among MVNOs, such as Sky Mobile, Lyca, Lebara and iD Mobile. Following the provisional findings, the watchdog consulted on potential solutions to address its concerns. Vodafone first announced its agreement with CK Hutchison to merge with Three in June last year. Vodafone would own 51% of the combined business, leaving CK Hutchison with the rest.

watch now

The deal, which marks one of the first major U.K. telecom consolidation efforts in several years, would reduce the number of mobile operators in the country to just three. Vodafone and Three were lagging behind larger rivals EE, which was bought by BT in 2016, and behind O2, which is owned by Telefonica and Liberty Global . Vodafone argues the deal is justified since U.K. digital infrastructure is lagging behind other major economies, highlighting the need for increased investment in areas like next-generation 5G networks and broader coverage to more parts of the country. Vodafone has also said it disagrees with earlier findings from the CMA that the merger would lead to price increases for consumers. It says the merger wouldn't pricing strategy and would enhance competition between mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs.

Kester Mann, director of consumer and connectivity at technology research firm CCS Insight, said that the CMA's announcement of Tuesday marked a "big step forward" for the two telecoms giants to complete their deal to merge. "Approval would mark one of the most significant developments in the history of UK mobile, heralding the arrival of a new market leader with over 29 million customers," Mann said in emailed comments. "The watchdog's statement won't be welcomed by all. BT and Sky Mobile have sternly opposed the deal and are likely to vociferously attempt one final time to have it blocked before the CMA's final deadline in less than five weeks," Mann added. BT, the U.K.'s largest telecoms network provider, has previously said that the proposed merger would created an entity with "disproportionate share of capacity and spectrum, unprecedented in U.K. and Western European mobile markets." BT said it thinks the deal would "substantially lessen competition and deter investment."
Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Tuesday: Morgan Stanley reiterates Home Depot as overweight The firm says it's bullish ahead of earnings next week. "HD is a high-quality macro/housing play with more limited downside risk in the near-term." Bank of America initiates Ceribell as buy The firm says the neurological condition monitoring company has an impressive AI algorithm. "We are initiating coverage on Ceribell (CBLL) with a Buy rating and a $32 PO." Morgan Stanley reiterates Live Nation as overweight Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $140 per share from $120. "OW LYV remains our preferred exposure to strong consumer demand for live events and concerts." Morgan Stanley reiterates Eli Lilly as a top pick The firm says it's sticking with Eli Lilly following the Obesity Week conference in San Antonio, "While the GLP-1 class continues to dominate much of the commercial/pipeline development, at the conference there was increasing discussion about the next wave of mechanisms, including amylin." Morgan Stanley reiterates Boeing as equal weight The firm says it sees the stock reacting favorably following news of the labor resolution. "We expect Boeing's stock to react positively to the labor resolution. We expect investor focus to shift toward execution, current regulatory constraints, and the supply chain following the stock's reaction to the labor resolution." Morgan Stanley upgrades Carvana to equal weight from underweight The firm raised its price target on the stock to $260 per share from $110 following earnings and says the Carvana bull case is starting to play out. "Our previous bull case scenario is playing out: Carvana's results were strong enough to materially increase our forecasts, the multiple and our rating." JPMorgan initiates Upstream Bio as overweight JPMorgan says the biotech company is well positioned. "We are initiating coverage of Upstream Bio with an Overweight rating and a Dec- 2025 price target of $38." RBC reiterates Microsoft a outperform The firm says it's more constructive on the stock after a visit to the company's headquarters. "We maintain our Outperform rating and $500 PT on Microsoft , following our campus visit with executives at the company's headquarters in Redmond, WA." Bank of America reiterates Broadcom as buy The firm says it's sticking by shares of Broadcom. " Broadcom has an extensive semiconductor product portfolio, which addresses applications within the wired infrastructure, wireless communications, enterprise storage, and industrial end markets." Bank of America reiterates Apple as buy Bank of America says it sees "limited" impact to Apple earnings regardless of the Presidential outcome. "We see a higher likelihood of new import tariffs if the Republicans control Congress and the Presidency. Either way, we would expect limited impact on Apple's earnings." Bank of America reiterates Palantir as buy The firm says Palantir is an AI "juggernaut" following earnings on Monday. "We continue to view the adoption of PLTR's AI-enabled products and reach in its early days, as more companies realize the time, resource, and cost savings possible. In our view, Palantir's moat as the differentiated agnostic AI-enabler is only growing with each new use-case carrying compounding unit economics." Bank of America reiterates Arista Networks as buy Bank of America says it sees share gains ahead for the networking equipment company. "We raise our Arista PO to $455 from $380, still based on a 42.5x forward P/E multiple on the back of Meta and Microsoft's strong capex commentary, reflecting the company's growing opportunity in AI Ethernet networking buildouts." Morgan Stanley upgrades Disc Medicine to overweight from equal weight The firm says it's upgrading Disc after the biotech company got a series of regulatory updates on its Schizophrenia drug, Bitopertin. "Bitopertin regulatory update restores our confidence in potential approval, with upside surprise of a likely faster timeline." Bernstein initiates Eaton as outperform Bernstein said in its initiation of Eaton that the electric company is a beneficiary of growing electric demand in the years ahead. "Electricity demand is entering an era of secular growth, the world is changing the way energy flows, and the infrastructure build-out to support these megatrends is in its early stages." Deutsche Bank downgrades Marqeta to sector weight from overweight Deutsche says there's too much regulatory uncertainty surrounding the card issuing platform. "Due to the regulatory overhang and client-specific headwinds facing MQ, we are moving to the sideline downgrading the shares to Hold and setting a $4 TP as we expect the confusion and uncertainty around MQ's core embedded finance market to linger." Bernstein upgrades eBay to outperform from market perform Bernstein said it sees an attractive entry point for the online e-commerce site. "We are upgrading EBAY from Market-Perform to Outperform, maintaining our PT of $70. We couldn't justify an upgrade when the stock was in the mid-to-high $60/share range, but we believe the recent pullback offers a better entry point." Jefferies initiates Alarm.com as buy Jefferies says the home security company has a "quality business." "ALRM has a durable growth profile and solid profitability." Barclays initiates Celestica as overweight Barclays says the electronics manufacturing company is "uniquely" positioned. "We are initiating coverage of Celestica with an OW rating and $91 price target." Telsey downgrades Dollar Tree to market perform from outperform Telsey says it's concerned about management changes. "Downgrading DLTR to Market Perform Rating from Outperform: The departure of CEO Rick Dreiling reduces our confidence in the story and limits our visibility on the strategy and execution ahead." Truist upgrades MasTec to buy from hold The firm says it's bullish on the infrastructure construction company. "While MTZ has been one of the best performers among our coverage year to date, we still believe there is a significant opportunity for the stock to re-rate as the top line and margin performance improves for the company's Power Delivery, Clean Energy & Infrastructure, and Communications segments." Bank of America upgrades MDU Resources to buy from neutral The firm says growth is underappreciated at the construction company. "We upgrade MDU Resources (MDU) to Buy from Neutral. After the spin-off of the company's construction services business, which was completed on November 1, MDU shares traded down 4%. We now see an attractive opportunity, as shares now trade -10% below the value implied by our sum-of-the-parts valuation of the remaining portfolio." Morgan Stanley reinstates Krispy Kreme as equal weight Morgan Stanley says Krispy Kreme has a balanced risk/reward right now. "MCD partnership an interesting catalyst to support expansion strategy. But not entirely unappreciated, in our view, and flow through to key metrics will take time to show." Bank of America upgrades Idacorp to buy from neutral The firm says it sees "outsized growth" for the electricity holding company. "We upgrade IDA to Buy from Neutral. We apply the latest peer multiple of 15.5x vs 16.2x prior, to our refreshed FY26 estimate, increasing our PO 4% to $117 from $113. We see upside to the already outsized current growth forecast driven by large load growth forecasts and potential upside to generation/transmission spend at an attractive valuation."
For tourists returning from vacation, a phone full of photos and a suitcase bursting with souvenirs are usually the closest they can come to bringing a piece of their holiday destination home with them. However, communications company ItalyComunica said it has bottled the very air of Italy's picturesque Lake Como and is selling cans of fresh Lake Como air for $11 apiece.Each can, according to CNN, contains 400 millilitres of "100% authentic air" collected from Lake Como, a destination that has become increasingly popular with tourists in recent years thanks to its beauty and its celebrity associations  and movies like "Casino Royale" and "House of Gucci", which were filmed here.Over 5.6 million tourists visited Lake Como in 2023, and the numbers are growing consistently, according to the Lombardy tourism bureau. To capitalise on the visitor numbers, marketing specialist Davide Abagnale originally created an e-commerce site selling Lake Como posters.His latest initiative, selling canned air, aims to "create a souvenir that can be easily transported in a suitcase for tourists" and "something original, fun and even provocative," a spokesperson for ItalyComunica told CNN."It's not a product; it's a tangible memory that you carry in your heart," Abagnale told CNN, adding that once tourists are home and have opened the can, they can repurpose it as a souvenir pen holder. Not everyone is on board with this. Como mayor Alessandro Rapinese said it wouldn't be his first idea for tourists, and would prefer they take home other souvenirs, like the silk scarves the region is known for.Nonetheless, he told CNN, "It's a novel idea, but not for everyone," and added, "But as mayor of one of Italy's most beautiful cities, if someone wants to take some of their air home, that's fine as long as they also take beautiful memories of the area."Despite the apparent novelty, Como isn't the first Italian tourist spot to offer a can of its finest air, the idea came from other locations, like Naples, where the local air has been sold for years.In 2020, one company began selling bottles of "authentic" air from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to provide UK residents overseas with the scent of home. Tourists can also buy cans of air in Iceland, while a Canadian company saw its sales boom in 2015 when hundreds of Chinese customers began buying canned air.
North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile on Tuesday, according to South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff and Japans Coast Guard, ratcheting up tensions just days after testing a new intercontinental ballistic missile ahead of the US election.At least one missile was launched toward waters off its east coast, Japans Coast Guard said. Further details were not immediately available.
Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday.
Ryan Reynolds is adorable! Whether hes smirking through Mint Mobile commercials, buying up quaint Wales towns with superpal Rob McElhenney or decapitating faceless Marvel minions with a smart-ass quip, the actor is the face of self-satisfied charm. Who doesnt love Ryan Reynolds?

Well, Martha Stewart for starters.

The vitriol came out when Stewart appeared on Bilt Rewards Rent Free game show, per PEOPLE. Stewart was asked which celebrities she thought respondents had named as the most fun to hang out with and Reynolds name came to mind  but for all the wrong reasons. Hes probably on the list just because he covers himself up in his movies, and you dont see his face  Ryan Reynolds, is he one of those? she asked before making it clear that Reynolds wouldnt be on her personal tally of great hangs. You want to know something? Hes not so funny in real life. No, hes not so funny. Hes very serious.

Don't Miss

Stewart "would take Ryan off, and I would put in somebody else  maybe George Clooney, Taylor Swift, Brad Pitt or best friend forever Snoop Dogg.

Whats Stewarts problem with Reynolds? Hes a good actor, she admitted. He can act funny, but he isnt funny. Maybe he can get to be funny again. ... Im going to get in trouble."

Its not clear exactly what the beef is about, but it appears personal, not professional. Stewart and Reynolds are neighbors in Bedford, New York, and it sounds like theyve gotten into it over something. Unraked leaves? Holiday decorations left up too long? Unpaid neighborhood association dues?

Id disagree with her. But I tried that once, Reynolds clapped back this weekend on Twitter. The woman is unexpectedly spry. She really closed the gap after a mile or so.

Advertisement

Hugh Jackman had his Deadpool and Wolverine costars back. Finally someone says it, he applauded in the replies.

Reynolds Twitter followers were here for the beef, with one noting that they did not have a get off my lawn level feud between Ryan Reynolds & Martha Stewart on my 2024 bingo card.

The Free Guy actor better watch his back, warned another. Shes been to prison, so do't mess with her. Shell shank you in the laundry room while baking a cake.

The day you cross Martha, said another reply, is gonna be the day that Martha smokes two different things at once.
Japan considers deploying long-range missiles on Kyushu Island - Reports 16 Mar 2025 | 11:34 AM Tokyo, Mar 16 (UNI) Japan is eyeing the deployment of long-range missiles on the island of Kyushu to the southwest of the country in order to enhance its' defense capabilities, the Kyodo news agency reported on Sunday, citing government sources. see more..

Crew Dragon with Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov docks with ISS 16 Mar 2025 | 11:10 AM Moscow, Mar 16 (UNI) The Crew Dragon spacecraft with Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov on board docked with the International Space Station (ISS), according to a broadcast on the SpaceX page on X. see more..

Iraqi PM, French president discuss ties, regional issues over phone 16 Mar 2025 | 11:00 AM Baghdad, Mar 16 (UNI) Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani held Saturday a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, during which they discussed bilateral relations and the situations in the Middle East. see more..

Judge blocks Trump from using 1798 wartime act for deportations 16 Mar 2025 | 10:41 AM Washington, Mar 16 (UNI) A federal judge on Saturday barred U.S. President Donald Trump's administration from invoking the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport five Venezuelan nationals from the United States, local media reported. see more..
Today, abortion will effectively be on the ballot in all 50 states as America ponders electing an administration that will likely attempt to institute a nation-wide abortion ban  who wants a balloon animal??

Saturday Night Live alumna Cecily Strong doesnt want her brief performance as that SNL abortion clown to define her comedy legacy. Strong also believes that its nobodys business besides her own how, on the day before her 23rd birthday, she, herself, terminated a pregnancy that was so early that her doctor jokingly asked her if she got pregnant on the way over to the clinic. However, that normalizing and hilarious line is still one of her favorite jokes of all time, and, in 2024, as a pregnant mother at the age of 40, Strong is revisiting that classic bit along with the Weekend Update segment that inspired scores of women to reach out to her with their own experiences regarding abortion rights.

Don't Miss

Over the weekend, Strong posted a pregnancy announcement on Instagram along with an emotional reflection on the legacy of the 2021 SNL sketch in which she forced America to face the realities of abortion during the final days of Roe v. Wade:

A couple years ago I did a piece on SNL as Goober the Clown who had an abortion the day before her 23rd birthday, Strong began in her post. Im happy to report that same clown is now very happily pregnant from IVF at 40.

Advertisement

Its kind of insane and scary to disclose all of this. But for me, its much scarier to think about what could happen after Tuesdays election, Strong continued. I currently live in a state where I will be able to receive all the healthcare I may possibly need. But we wont be safe anywhere in the U.S. if there is national ban like the one promised by Project 2025. The Supreme Court has already decided its okay to let some of us die depending on our geography and the current Republican nominee brags about being responsible for that Supreme Court decision, the comedy star wrote, possibly referencing the national news story about Texas women dying from miscarriage complications after doctors denied them care under the state's strict abortion ban.

Ive been in lots of waiting rooms with other women throughout my life, wrote Strong, adding of the SNL sketch, I had family and strangers reach out after Goober and tell me of their own experiences  some of whom had never shared with anyone before. Ive seen so many women in these waiting rooms going through their own struggles and journeys with their reproductive health and family planning and bodily autonomy.

Advertisement

Some look relieved. Some look excited. Some look fearful. Some look like they are carrying the deep sadness of prior losses and the even deeper hope of some good news finally, Strong continued. But the one thing nobody in those rooms has ever looked is unable to make her own decisions.

Lets all please vote to protect and uplift and support all of us that share or have shared those waiting rooms together, Strong concluded. And for the future ones like the little miss thing Im really really hopeful Ill get to meet next spring.
There was a time when Jerry Seinfelds public opinions mostly concerned things like breakfast cereal, sneakers and the fallibility of Supermans secret identity.

But lately, Seinfeld has been generating headlines for offering his opinions on a number of matters, including how the extreme left is killing comedy, a claim that he recently walked back. I did not know that people care what comedians say. That literally came as news to me. Who the hell cares what a comedian thinks about anything? Seinfeld argued.

Yet, despite claiming nobody cares what comedians think, he still keeps telling the press what he thinks about things. Most recently, he weighed in on the private school that his two sons attended, for an article that ran in The New York Times.

Don't Miss

The Times piece reported that high school students at New Yorks Ethical Culture Fieldston School will be excusing students from classes, and making psychologists available for counseling, on the day after the election, in case anyone feels too emotionally distressed. In addition to these measures, no homework will be assigned on election day, according to an email that was sent out to members of the schools community.

Since the school declined to make a comment in the article, The New York Times instead decided to reach out to the guy who directed the worlds only Pop-Tart movie.

Advertisement

While one current parent called the move the right decision, Seinfeld, whose kids no longer attend Fieldston, was less of a fan. So he opted to make that opinion known despite the fact that this will literally have no effect on his life whatsoever. This is why the kids hated it, Seinfeld told The Times. What kind of lives have these people led that makes them think that this is the right way to handle young people? To encourage them to buckle. This is the lesson they are providing, for ungodly sums of money.

He later called the paper back to clarify that he didnt mean that his kids hated the school, but they hated the coddling that would happen at times.

Advertisement

Okay, first of all, complaining that a private school, which costs in excess of $65,000 per year to attend, is coddling students is a little like grumbling that your private swimming pool is too wet. Secondly, its well-documented that anxiety and depression are currently sky high amongst young people for reasons that should seem pretty obvious to anyone with access to an internet connected device and/or a window. Teaching kids the importance of mental health isnt buckling.

Advertisement

Its also been widely reported that election-related stress is a real problem for some adults, so it stands to reason that teenagers could similarly be coping with mass anxiety thats rippling across the country right now. So why exactly is it a problem that kids mental health is being prioritized for just one measly day? The real problem here is that kids only get this kind of support at schools that cost $65K to attend.

Also, just throwing this out there, perhaps Jerry Seinfeld isnt the best celebrity to reach out to on issues concerning the well-being of high school students?

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this).
Its been three and a half years since John Mulaney separated from his ex-wife of seven years, multimedia artist Anna Marie Tendler, but the grown-up Tumblr girls who have never met either of them remember the breakup like it was yesterday.

When the Saturday Night Live writers room veteran returned to host the show this past Saturday, Mulaney began his opening monologue with a couple minutes of riffing about his kids, his wife and his mother-in-law, all expected topics for a newly married father of two to tackle. Mulaney and actress Olivia Munn tied the knot back in July, two months before the birth of their daughter and just shy of three years since they welcomed their son into the world amidst mounting social media acrimony over the dubious timeline of Mulaneys divorced-to-dad transition.

Don't Miss

During his SNL set, Mulaney joked about his new familys diminutive stature, making a point to mention Munns Chinese-Vietnamese heritage in the bit. Since this is now the second time that Mulaney has mentioned the race of his wife at the time while riffing about the qualities stereotypically assigned to that group, the sizable contingency of his scorned ex-fans who stay abreast of his artistry and personal life pounced on the opportunity to point out that weve seen this kind of comedy from him before:

Longtime Mulaney fans or former-fans-turned-haters will recall how, in three consecutive specials leading up to his split with Tendler, Mulaney made a point to mention his fondness for Jewish women and his now-ex-wife's stereotypically Semitic qualities, saying of Tendler in the 2018 special Kid Gorgeous at Radio City, She is a dynamite, five-foot, Jewish bitch and shes the best.

Advertisement

So, when Mulaney took the stage on Saturday and started riffing about Munns half-Chinese-Vietnamese heritage, his return to playfully racial/racist wife guy humor sparked an extra degree of outrage beyond the usual backlash to his every mention of his new family.

Of course, the John Mulaney is a racist misogynist crowd is far from the only voice on Twitter and TikTok where parasocial discourse over Mulaneys personal life will continue to rage until a solar flare mercifully knocks out communications systems worldwide. There are plenty of remaining Mulaney fans on every social media platform who continue to snarkily point out that two strangers getting a divorce a couple years ago is none of the internets business, and Mulaneys stand-up routine has always been so much more than just stereotypical jokes about his significant other.

Advertisement

Ultimately, Mulaney is still a stand-up comedian post-divorce, and comedians tend to make jokes about their personal lives, especially ones with young children. If every comic who has ever had a bad breakup had to quit joking about their personal life, wed be stuck watching virgins host SNL every Saturday for the rest of time.

Good thing Mulaneys most ravenous haters dont have weekend plans.
Once available with the next release of vDefend, likely in February or March 2025, installation of Intelligent Assist will be fast, with approved infosec staff ready to use it in a day, Broadcom said.

Initially, the tool based on Google Gemini will be free, but with limits on the number of queries or chats. There will be an option to pay for unlimited access. Those who choose to use their own genAI model face no extra charge.

Being a threat hunter or threat analyst in the security operations center today is one of the most stressful jobs for a variety of reasons, Rajagpalan said. First, its very hard to find experienced cybersecurity professionals who can do threat investigation, so teams are always unskilled. Second is, the CISOs I talk to say [to us], Do whatever you can to help our SOC team, because theyre just drowning under a flood of events, alerts and so on. We think with this Intelligent Assist we can dramatically reduce the volume of threats and alerts they have to handle. Also, they dont have to become familiar with every type of malware or ransomware out there. Thats what the tool is for  they can look it up. Number three is how do I [a CISO] mitigate it [the problem], and this solution will help the security team.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey was treated by paramedics Sunday after appearing to become unsteady at a campaign rally for congressional candidate Caroleene Dobson.

Iveys office said the governor had gotten dehydrated and recovered after being treated with fluids. She returned to work Monday, her spokeswoman said.

Email newsletter signup

Ivey, 80, was attending a Sunday evening campaign rally for Dobson at SweetCreek Farm Market in Pike Road, about 18 miles (29 kilometers) southeast of Montgomery, when the incident occurred. Witnesses said Ivey was shaking as she stood with Dobson and held on to a beam for support. WAKA posted video from the event showing the governor looking unsteady. The station reported that members of Iveys staff then ran up to her. An ambulance was called to the scene.

While campaigning for Caroleene Dobson at an event this evening, the governor got dehydrated. She received fluids and was evaluated on site out of precaution. She immediately felt better and is at home doing well this evening, Ivey spokeswoman Gina Maiola wrote in a texted statement.

Maiola said the governor was in the office Monday. She had meetings scheduled with legislative leaders and others.

The Republican governor announced in 2019 that she had been diagnosed with early stage lung cancer and would undergo radiation treatments. She said in 2020 that the cancer appeared to be gone and that her doctor considered her cancer-free.

Dobson is the Republican nominee in the 2nd Congressional District. Ivey has endorsed Dobson in the race.
HANCEVILLE  A new municipal judge will hold court at the city of Hanceville, after the Hanceville City Council appointed Cullman attorney Heath Meherg to the position at its recent regular meeting.

Born and raised in Cullman, Meherg is a partner at Cullmans Griffith, Lowry, & Meherg, LLC law firm. He also has a local background serving as a municipal attorney, including his 2012-2015 stint as the first in-house attorney for the Cullman County Commission.

Email newsletter signup

As Hancevilles municipal judge, Meherg will preside over city court sessions, which meet twice each month. With mayor Jimmy Sawyer and other city officials witnessing, Meherg was sworn in as Hancevilles new judge during a small ceremony at city hall on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

Mehergs term at Hanceville began on Nov. 2, and will extend for two years.

In other business at its regular meeting, the council:

 Held a review discussion, but took no action on, the citys ordinance (Ord. 625) setting forth rates of pay for the mayor and council member positions. Should the council act to change the pay rate for any of the citys elected positions, the changes would not apply to the currently seated council. Rather, the changes would, by law, take effect only after a new administration has been elected. The citys next municipal election will be held in the summer of 2025.

 Approved the surplus of a non-functioning vacuum cleaner owned by the city.

 Tabled a motion to purchase a software agreement for computer software used by the citys fire department for fire and emergency medical services call reporting.

 The next regular meeting of the Hanceville City Council will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, in the council meeting room at Hanceville City Hall. A public 5 p.m. work session will precede the meeting at the same location.
Hungarian PM arrives in Kyrgyzstan on state visit

Bishkek, Nov 5 (UNI) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has arrived in Bishkek on an official visit, the press office of the Kyrgyz government said on Tuesday.

"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has arrived in the Kyrgyz Republic on an official visit. The Hungarian prime minister was greeted by Alylbek Japarov, the head of the cabinet of ministers and the presidential administration, at the Manas international airport," the press office said.

Orban is expected to hold high-level talks with Kyrgyz leaders and discuss a wide range of issues of strategic partnership between the two countries. Bishkek and Budapest also plan to sign a number of documents aimed at further developing and strengthening Kyrgyz-Hungarian bilateral cooperation during the meetings, according to the statement.
Photo: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images

New York City rarely goes through droughts so we figured you might have some questions about this current dry spell. Heres everything you need to know:

I saw Eric Adams issued a drought watch. What does that mean?

A drought watch is the first step in the states early-warning system and is declared when a drought is developing. The city advises the public to begin voluntarily conserving water while city agencies begin preparing for water savings plans.

Is it really that dry?

If you havent noticed from your desperately chapped lips, the New York City metro area hasnt seen any significant rainfall since September 27. It didnt rain the entire month of October, which usually sees an average of 4.5 inches of rain, making it the second-longest dry period since 1869.

What happens if it keeps not raining?

If things stay this dry, the situation could be upgraded to a drought warning within weeks. Then it could become an emergency, then a disaster. Under an emergency, mandatory water restrictions could be imposed.

Okay, so back to the drought watch. What is the city asking us to do?

The Department of Environmental Protection has listed water-saving tips on their site like taking shorter showers and turning the faucet off when youre shaving. Running an appliance like a dishwasher when its fully loaded is more efficient than doing dishes by hand. When every New Yorker makes even small changes, like turning off the tap when washing hands, brushing teeth and doing dishes, we save millions of gallons by the minute, Meera Joshi, the citys deputy mayor for operations, told the New York Times. Aggarwala noted in the press conference that the biggest source of water waste in homes are leaking toilets, so you should check yours out if you can. (Which seems like good advice in general.)

Will that actually work?

If we can cut our water consumption by only 5 percent today, every 20 days we do that, that buys us another day of full water supply later on, Aggarwala said. But Andrew Kruczkiewicz, senior staff associate at Columbia Universitys National Center for Disaster Preparedness, also points out that the true efficacy of some of these water-saving tips will be a matter of policy, such as the DEPs suggestion to install water-saving toilets. The question I have is at what level of drought will the city have to financially support ways that will lead people to make these changes that they recommend?

Do I panic?

Nobody needs to panic, Aggarwala told The City. But we really want New Yorkers to start being much more conscientious about how much water to consume on a daily basis and reduce wherever possible. I asked Kruczkiewicz if he was worried. Not yet, he said.

When was the last time New Yorkers went through a drought?

In 2002, Mayor Bloomberg issued a drought emergency. Businesses had to cut their water usage by 15 percent, and certain actions were prohibited, like car washing and hosing down the sidewalks. People were only allowed to water their lawns for four hours every other day. (The hold of the lawn on American culture persists.) Waiters could serve tap water only upon request.

What about before that?

By now youve probably seen this incredible video from Mayor Kochs Keep New York Wet campaign in the 1980s when he issued three drought emergencies. Drink (metaphorically, of course) every time a kid says wudduh.

New York City is under a drought watch.



Heres former Mayor Ed Koch in 1980 for the Keep New York City Wet campaign  maybe @NYCMayor should replicate it (via @LaGuardiaWagner https://t.co/dn3xQ5xP40) https://t.co/cO8L7i6s01 pic.twitter.com/ZgsKlhPU1D  katie honan (@katie_honan) November 2, 2024

So why is it so dry right now  its climate change, right?

Its true that were experiencing an unprecedented period of dry weather, but as the saying goes: Weather is not climate. Still, as Bloomberg pointed out, climate change has already made a specific type of drought  flash droughts  more likely. Whenever were talking about extreme events, we must ask about the link to climate change, Kruczkiewicz said. (He emphasized, however, that not all drought types will get worse due to climate change in all areas.)

Whats going on with our water supply?

New York Citys drinking water comes from three main watershed systems located upstate. As The City reported, the DEP is currently repairing a long-time leak in one of them, the Delaware Aqueduct, which usually provides 90 percent of our water. Were currently relying more on the Croton Watershed, which means were slightly more dependent on rainfall levels. Reservoir levels are now at two-thirds, when theyre usually at 75 percent this time of the year. As DEP Commissioner Aggarwala noted in a press conference, well need six inches of rain to cover the deficit.

If the drought persists, whos going to feel it the most?

A drought wont affect everyone equally. Its not just drinking water availability  while one person might have to stop watering their lawn, a contractor whose business is to landscape that lawn might be out of work. Kruczkiewicz says even more than just having warning systems in place, we need to focus on the disproportionality of impact of droughts.

What else should we be worried about? Wildfires?

There have already been wildfires in New Jersey, Connecticut, and other areas in the Northeast. While its not something you think about happening in New York City, we still have parks and larger forested areas where fires can happen  in fact, Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and Clove Lakes Park in Staten Island have already seen brush fires. We would ask people not to throw cigarettes into anything thats combustible, like leaves, FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker told CBS. Maybe dont throw your cigs into leaf piles even when it starts raining again, okay?
Great Rooms A visual diary by Design Editor Wendy Goodman. The Living Room: A vintage coyote bench by Mario Lopez Torres sits by a custom elm screen by David OBrien of Hawk & Stone that hides the air conditioner. The wood sculpture with two bumps on the wall is by Alma Allen, as is the bronze spiral coffee table. The large landscape painting is by Arch Connelly. Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson

After living in a Soho loft  3,000 square feet, light-flooded by 16 windows  for seven years, Ryan Lawson had to find a new place when his landlord died and the building was sold. He wanted to move to the Village, but all the apartments he saw were like total sad caves, he says. He walked out of one and into one of those classic restaurants that havent changed in decades  one that he loved. It was 5 p.m., and I thought, You know what? Ill just have a martini.

What followed sounds like the opening of a Dawn Powell novel. Lawson describes sitting at the bar chatting with the owner of the restaurant and the building about his real-estate conundrum, and it turned out there was an empty apartment just upstairs. He asked to see it then and there.

So Franco the bartender put a napkin over my martini, says Lawson. Despite the fact that the entire place had fluorescent lights and was painted the exact color of a Band-Aid, and the refrigerator covered one of the windows, he told the owner, Ill take it.

Lawson, an interior designer and collector of objects and the stories behind them, has let it evolve since. This is me. This is home, Lawson says of the eclectic interior, emphasizing that this is not how he would design for a client.

Do you remember Fred Silberman Antiques? Lawson asks, as we walk through the hallway and he gestures to an iron monkey on the wall. Fred sold me this. Its from 1904, and its stamped by iron master Alessandro Mazzucotelli. Look at his face. Isnt it amazing? There is the rare piece that Lawson doesnt know the provenance of. He found the odd-shaped chaise that now sits in the corner of the living room in Parma; its draped with a cotton Hopi wedding sash he found in Santa Fe. He decided the chandelier he installed when he moved in needed something extra, so he commissioned papier-mache artist Thomas Engelhart to make what he calls a wrecking ball to hang at the bottom; it looks like it could do some damage but is as light as air.

Did you know he threw ceramics? Lawson asks, pointing out a large vessel by Mario Bellini, better known for his marshmallowlike puffy sofas. Then theres the button sculpture by L.A. artist Clare Graham, a former Imagineer at Disney, which hangs in one corner.

We move on to his bedroom. Over Lawsons headboard are a series of photographs. This is an amazing story, he says. There is a man called Sanle Sory who was a photographer in Burkina Faso, and he had a portrait studio. Each subject chose their backdrops. (Sory had an exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago in 2018.) He painted the walls with colors from his own collaboration with Ressource paints.

Lawson has been collecting most of his life. He grew up in Arkansas, and with the encouragement of his retired art-teacher neighbor, a Mrs. Gardner, he studied both architecture and painting at Washington University in St. Louis before moving to New York, where he started his design firm. Hes never stopped collecting. Its not necessarily intentional buying in terms of where it is going to go, he says, but I think that the sort of alchemy of it is that it lands together here because it was filtered through the sieve of my brain. The sum is better than the parts, or I hope so.

The Entryway: A 1940s wrought-ironandmarble console table holds marble vessels by Angelo Mangiarotti (right) and a decorated vase by mid-century French artist Jean Derval. A pair of 90s Venetian beaded mirrors flank the large mirror. Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson

The Entryway Console: The decorated vase, one of my favorites, Lawson says, was thrown and painted by mid-century artist Jean Derval. Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson

The Living Room Bookshelves: The flower painting is by Mark Beldan. The asymmetrical vintage chaise was reupholstered in checkerboard Larsen fabric. The chandeliers dangling spiked ornament is by artist Thomas Engelhart. The Hem sofa against the wall to the left is covered in deadstock linen velvet by Glant. The fabric was sitting in the factory storage for the past 40 years, and only 30 yards existed in the whole entire world, and I bought it, Ryan Lawson says. Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson

The Kitchen: This is basically a cocktail-party kitchen, Lawson says. I pay no attention to it. He replaced the refrigerator with two undercounter ones hidden by an indigo Japanese textile. The ceramic vessel, far left, is by John Gill. The red linen and woodwall sculpture is by Gerald Lajoie from Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson This is basically a cocktail-party kitchen, Lawson says. I pay no attention to it. He replaced the refrigerator with two undercounter ones hidden by an indigo Japanese textile. The ceramic vessel, far left, is by John Gill. The red linen and woodwall sculpture is by Gerald Lajoie from Pangee Gallery in Montreal.

The Bedroom: The bed is part of Lawsons design for the Very Ryan Lawson collection. The quilt was his great grandmothers. The Akari light is by Noguchi. The painting on the back wall is by Joe Henry Baker. The Justine Hill painting (right) is from Dimin Gallery. Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson

The Sanle Sory photographs are from the Yossi Milo Gallery. The brown linen coverlet is from Cultiver by Colin King. Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson

The Bathroom: The wavy custom shelf is Lawsons design, painted in RL-16. The ceramic mask is by Manal Kara from Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson The wavy custom shelf is Lawsons design, painted in RL-16. The ceramic mask is by Manal Kara from Stellarhighway gallery

Lawson in the living room. Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson
Damascus/Jerusalem, Nov 5 (UNI) Israeli airstrikes targeted areas near the Syrian capital Damascus on Monday evening.

"The Israeli enemy launched an aerial attack from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan, targeting several civilian sites south of Damascus," resulting in material damage, the Syrian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

Specific details on the extent of the damage were not immediately available.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said in a statement that it struck a site used as Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters in Syria, aiming to "undermine the intelligence abilities of Hezbollah."

The military said the compound attacked reportedly served as a branch of Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters, "an independent intelligence gathering, coordination, and assessment network under the direct command of Hezbollah's Head of Intelligence."

According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the strikes consisted of three separate attacks on farms located in southern and southeastern Sayyidah Zaynab within the Damascus countryside.

The observatory reported confirmed human casualties but did not provide specific numbers.

The targeting of Hezbollah's intelligence assets in Syria follows a broader Israeli campaign against Hezbollah sites and operatives in Lebanon.

UNI/XINHUA ARN
BSI cracks down on flipkart and Amazon for selling unsafe Non-Certified products 15 Mar 2025 | 10:17 PM New Delhi, Mar 15 (UNI) Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on Saturday carried out search and seizure operations at multiple warehouse locations of leading e-commerce platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart, in Lucknow, Gurugram, and Delhi. see more..

Transfer of Assam Rifles battalion land to Mizoram govt takes place in Aizawl 15 Mar 2025 | 8:26 PM New Delhi, Mar 15 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday attended the transfer of Assam Riflles Battalion land to the Government of Mizoram and formal exchange of maps ceremony in Aizawl. see more..

Amit Shah inaugurates Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, Assam 15 Mar 2025 | 7:50 PM New Delhi, Mar 15 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday inaugurated the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, Assam. see more..

Got Washington DC cleaned up, didn't want PM Modi other leaders to see tents, graffiti: President Trump 15 Mar 2025 | 6:46 PM Washington/New Delhi, Mar 15 (UNI) US President Donald Trump said that he ordered the clean up of the capital city as he didnt want Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other visiting world leaders to see tents, graffiti, broken barriers and pot holes. see more..
Kamala Harris has an upcoming election night event at her college alma mater, but local businesses, residents, and students are feeling the impact.

Around the area of Howard University, D.C. police already directed traffic to the north of Florida Avenue on Monday, although there are still major traffic clearings to be done within the nearest roads from the campus.

According to DC News Now, business owners are adjusting to the challenges posed by road closure and barriers around Howard. For commuters, reaching work in the area is more difficult than usual. Employees also struggle to find a parking spot and expect that more time will take them to settle on election night. Despite the inconvenience, some already prepared for it in advance, understanding the importance of the event.

Read more: VP Kamala Harris Could Become First President to Graduate From A Historically Black College or University

Preparations Around Howard University for Kamala Harris Event

Security measures are now being set up with fencing and barricades along Georgia Avenue. Students are more concerned with protests should Harris take the lead, reminding them of the memories of the January 6, 2021 violence from MAGA Trump Supporters.

While it's an uneasy feeling to have strict security around, students feel more protected due to the possibility of outrage from the opposition.

Besides local residents, students, and businesses, there are now visitors to D.C. who are embracing the experience despite the heavy disruptions. For Harris supporters, they are ready to witness history even if it means facing inconveniences.

Currently, road closures are expected to begin at 7 PM until when security officials will deem it safe, with parking restrictions lifted by November 10.

University Herald previously mentioned that Harris would be the first president to graduate from an HBCU, or a university built to educate students of African-American descent.
AT THE weekend, The Mail on Sunday reported that a new audit of baby deaths at the hospital where Lucy Letby worked suggested that many of the most rapid deteriorations in its vulnerable young patients took place when she wasnt on duty.

So I make no apology for returning to a subject that is of growing concern to me and many others.

Last month, Letbys bid to challenge her latest conviction for the attempted murder of a premature baby was dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

In a retrial in July, the former neonatal nurse had been convicted of attempting to kill the newborn known as Baby K. Her lawyers had argued that the Baby K retrial was unfair because the jury was prejudiced by media coverage from the original trial which ran from October 2022 to August 2023.

At that trial, Letby had been found guilty of murdering seven babies and the attempted murder of six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital between

Former nurse Lucy Letby has been given 15 whole-life sentences but questions remain about the safety of her convictions

June 2015 and June 2016. She has since been handed 15 whole-life sentences.

I am one of a growing number of people, in Britain and beyond, who harbour serious doubts about the safety of Letbys conviction on all charges.

Indeed, I believe this may be the biggest miscarriage of justice this country has ever seen.

Those doubts are shared by eminent doctors, scientists, nurses, statisticians and psychiatrists.

They include Dr Tariq Ali, former head of the paediatric critical care unit at Oxford University Hospitals; Philip Dawid, an emeritus professor of statistics at Cambridge University; Jane Hutton, a professor of statistics at Warwick University; Professor Gillian Tully, a leading expert in forensic science, and Dr Neil Aiton, a consultant neonatologist who is also a medical expert witness with more than two decades experience.

In July, they were among 24 experts who signed a private letter to the Secretary of State for Health Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood asking the government to postpone, or change the terms of, the Thirlwall public inquiry.

The ongoing probe, which began in September, is looking into the events at the Countess of Chester Hospital and their implications following Letbys conviction.

The experts said they believed the inquirys narrow terms could prevent lessons being learned about possible negligent deaths that were presumed to be murders on the neonatal ward.

Their concerns centre around not just one, but practically every finding made in the trial  medical, forensic, psychological and statistical.

And some leading neonatologists believe the babies were not murdered, but died due to sub-optimal care at the unit, which had chronic short-staffing levels as far back as 2010.

In February 2016, the unit had been criticised by the official regulator and in an independent review by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health that same year. The new audit of baby deaths reported by The Mail on Sunday supports the argument that fatalities were due to wider failures of care at the hospital.

It was a 13,000-word article in the New Yorker magazine back in May that set the ball rolling, questioning the circumstantial and arguably flawed evidence upon which Letby was convicted.

On October 24, the New York Times entered the fray, with an article entitled 5 Key Questions Hanging Over the Lucy Letby Killer Nurse Case.

It detailed concerns that statistics were misused; that there were doubts about air embolism evidence (the claim that some babies were murdered by being injected with air) and the insulin poisoning of others.

The piece also pointed out the long-standing concerns about staffing levels in the neonatal unit, and reports that a bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is potentially fatal to premature infants, had been found in the units water supply in early 2015.

Retired paediatrician Dr Dewi Evans reviewed the clinical notes of all 30 babies who died or suffered sudden collapses on the unit where Letby worked

Much of the clinical evidence against Letby was provided by the lead prosecution witness, a retired general paediatrician from Wales, Dr Dewi Evans.

As part of his role Dr Evans reviewed the clinical notes of all 30 babies whod died or suffered sudden unexplained collapses on the unit over a two-year period. He concluded seven had been murdered and another seven deliberately harmed in 25 separate incidents.

The deaths and injuries were attributed to overfeeding (excessive quantities of milk pumped into stomachs); air injected into stomachs or arteries, while two babies appeared to have been given insulin overdoses.

Then last month, on BBC Radio 4s File on 4 programme, Dr Evans admitted hed changed his mind about how Baby C, one of Letbys alleged victims, had died.

In court, Evans had said that Baby C was harmed by an injection of air to the stomach revealed by an X-ray two days before the child died. However, the jury later heard that Letby wasnt on duty the day the X-ray was taken.

Dr Evans said that later evidence about shift patterns had prompted him to change his mind about the cause of death. He claimed this would have had little effect on the verdict.

Police outside Lucy Letby's home in Chester after she was arrested

Dr Evans told the Mail his opinion on Baby C evolved after listening to the evidence but given that Baby Cs parents had asked the police for their childs medical history not to be discussed, he would not elaborate further. Given the importance of Dr Evanss evidence in the case and the concerns of some experts about the conviction, I decided to look more closely at Dr Evans.

My interest was triggered in part by my colleague Glen Owens article in The Mail on Sunday on October 27. Glen reported that a judge in another case in 2022 had described Dr Evanss evidence as worthless  more of which later.

Dewi Evans is a man who seems to relish his high profile in the media, regularly speaking to newspapers (including this one), and appearing on TV and radio.

He has been widely described as one of the most senior neonatal paediatricians in Wales. But the more I read  including the court transcript from the original trial  the more I questioned if that description remains accurate.

Now I have one crucial question: was Dr Evans qualified enough to be the lead prosecution witness in this highly complex case?

Supporters rallied outside court as ex-nurse Lucy Letby appealed her conviction for the murders of babies in her care

The 74-year-old grandfather retired from frontline medicine at the Singleton Hospital, Swansea, in 2009, where he had been a consultant paediatrician since 1991 with a speciality in endocrinology and childhood diabetes.

In court, Dr Evans described how he had designed and led the development of the neonatal unit at the Singleton. He spoke at length about his experience in the 1980s and 1990s  when neonatology (the care of newborn and premature infants) was a relatively new discipline.

Today, it is one of the most specialised and technical fields of medicine and his lack of hands-on, up-to-date clinical experience in a neonatal unit is, I would argue, concerning given the huge complexity of the Letby case and the number of babies involved.

To take just one example; giving evidence in the original trial at Manchester Crown Court, Dr Evans was handed a Philips IntelliVue MP30 monitor used in neonatal units to measure and track a babys vital signs. He appeared not to recognise it, saying we didnt use it in Swansea at that time.

Im not surprised by his answer. I briefly worked on a Liverpool special care baby unit in the 1980s when I was a nurse and I wouldnt have recognised such a monitor either. The care we gave to neonates (tiny babies) back then was basic, to say the least.

My point is that rapid advances in health technology mean we simply cannot compare the care provided to these tiny babies and the equipment used to deliver it even ten years ago  let alone three or four decades ago  with what is best practice today.

Under cross-examination,

Dr Evans agreed he had never worked exclusively in the speciality of neonatology, that he was registered as a general paediatrician and that he had conducted his neonatology duties alongside his paediatric role.

He also said he did not like the term expert witness and preferred to be described as an independent medical witness.

He added: My opinion is based on not being an expert, my opinion is based on being a doctor.

Last week, Dr Evans told the Mail when asked when was the last time he worked on a neonatal unit: My clinical [hands on] neonatal practice was from the mid-1970s until 2007.

Ill ask the key question again. Given that the chief prosecution witness was not a doctor with up-to-date experience of a modern neonatal unit, was he the person best suited to this role?

Dr Evans seems to have a penchant for making headlines  something he admitted in a podcast with celebrity psychiatrist Dr Raj Persaud. He said that hed got into trouble with his employers in the past because Id speak to the Press about all of this, which of course, youre not supposed to do.

But he insisted his high profile had, over the years, helped to fundraise for hospitals and units hed worked in.

Since his retirement from clinical work 15 years ago, Dr Evans has focused on his role as an independent medical witness (expert witness) via his business, Dewi Evans Paediatric Consulting.

In court he confirmed that, over 30 years, he has given evidence in civil and criminal cases on clinical negligence and child safeguarding and prepared hundreds of reports for courts, the police and the National Crime Agency (NCA).

In the podcast, Dr Persaud asked Dr Evans why he took on medical witness work. Dr Evans flippantly replied, To keep my son in cars and my daughter in horses, adding that they both left university without any debt at all.

It is certainly a lucrative business  but his role as witness has not been without controversy. As The Mail on Sunday reported on October 27, a judge in a 2022 case at which Dr Evans had been an expert witness described his evidence as worthless and accused him of making no effort to provide a balanced opinion.

The Court of Appeal judge, Lord Justice Jackson, was damning: He either knows what his professional colleagues have concluded and disregards it, or he has not taken steps to inform himself of their views. Either approach amounts to a breach of proper professional conduct. No attempt has been made to engage with the full range of medical information or the powerful contradictory indicators.[the report] ends with tendentious and partisan expressions of opinion that are outside Dr Evanss professional competence and have no place in a reputable expert report.

Dr Evans has said he stood by his report in this case. I have prepared dozens of reports for the Family Court. Im in huge demand for opinions because of my track record as a witness. This is a one-off for me.

I was curious to know exactly how Dr Evans found himself at the centre of the Letby case, one of the biggest trials in recent legal history. And its fair to say that he was not shy in coming forward.

In that illuminating interview with Dr Persaud, Dr Evans said he had first learnt about the problems at the Countess of Chester Hospital in an article in a Sunday newspaper in May 2017.

He said the article prompted him to mention, in an email sent to the NCA about an unrelated case, the baby deaths in Chester. Jurors in the original trial were read the email sent by Dr Evans.

Writing to Nick at the NCAs national injuries database, Dr Evans said: Incidentally Ive read about the high rate of babies in Chester and that the police are investigating. Do they have a paediatric/neonatal contact?

I was involved in neonatal medicine for 30 years including leading the intensive care set-up in Swansea. Ive also prepared numerous neonatal cases where clinical negligence was alleged.

Sounds like my kind of case.

It prompted the following exchange with Letbys barrister who said to Dr Evans: This is you putting yourself forward. In effect, touting for this job.

Dr Evans replied: I was offering my professional opinion if that was in their interest.

In the podcast Dr Evans describes driving from his home in Carmarthen to Cheshire Police HQ at Winsford in July 2017 and asking to see the case notes of one or two babies.

After spotting something that shouldnt be there, he asked to see the post-mortem results of the baby concerned which, he says, showed trauma to the liver. He says he concluded it was an inflicted injury and told police: We have to investigate this.

Later in that podcast interview, Dr Evans insists theres no side to me: Im not the prosecutors man. Certainly, he has worked for the defence in previous cases, but I would suggest that when it came to Letby, having spent seven years working for Cheshire Police and then the Crown Prosecution Service, it seems to me that his independence was compromised.

Many, far better qualified than me, have questioned the evidence against Letby. Now, having looked more closely at Dr Evans and read his court testimony, I am even more firmly on their side.

Everyone in this country is entitled to a fair trial. But if the system under which that supposedly fair trial takes place involves expert witnesses who, by their own admission, have no recent relevant experience in the discipline crucial to the case they are providing evidence on, then something is very seriously wrong.

I would have expected the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to have had an opinion on this, but there has been only silence. It is surely now time to examine and if necessary, reform how such experts are appointed.

Today Lucy Letby has a new legal team, led by barrister Mark McDonald, preparing an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission which will decide whether it should be referred to the Court of Appeal.

Until justice is seen to have been done fairly then the questions swirling around the trial of Lucy Letby will never go away.
The language is vile, of course  but also almost farcical in its hysteria.

Responding to the election of Kemi Badenoch as the new Conservative leader, Labour MP Dawn Butler shared a post with her 240,000 followers that described Badenoch as the most prominent member of white supremacys black collaborator class.

Butler subsequently deleted her retweet of a comment from Left-wing writer Nels Abbey, who later insisted he was being satirical when he described Badenochism as white supremacy in blackface.

But the damage was done  and not for the first time.

Back in October, ultra-Left lawyer and social media activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu called Badenoch the black face of white supremacy and a racial gatekeeper.

Newly elected Tory leader Kemi Badenoch waves as she leaves the Conservative Party headquarters in central London

Kehinde Andrews, a professor at Birmingham City University, has called Badenoch 'the shining ebony example' of 'the psychosis of whiteness'

Not to be outdone, Kehinde Andrews, professor of so-called black studies at Birmingham City university, has grotesquely called Badenoch the shining ebony example of the psychosis of whiteness.

This, then, is the hateful face of the modern Left. But the truth is that such squeals of fury and indignation are nothing new.

Indeed, any senior Conservative with African or Asian heritage has faced the same kind of abuse for years.

Left-wingers have been unable to countenance the fact that a member of an ethnic minority has risen to a position of influence and authority by dint of their own merit, while failing to share the Lefts pervasive sense of grievance and victimhood.

In 2019, then Home Secretary Priti Patel was accused by a writer in the Left-wing Huffington Post of having internalised whiteness as well as a Raj complex.

The following year, the Guardian newspaper published a sickeningly racist cartoon of Patel as a bull with a ring through her nose  particularly offensive given that her family are Hindus, for whom cattle are sacred.

In 2022, west London MP Rupa Huq described Kwasi Kwarteng, who was then the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as superficially black an insult for which she lost the party whip and later apologised.

Andrews, Mos-Shogbamimu, Butler, Abbey and the rest of them are all card-carrying affiliates of this pernicious and ugly culture.

It goes without saying that they despise our history and our country. But their deepest loathing is reserved for anyone black, Asian or mixed race who has the temerity to disagree with them politically.

One arch Left-winger, Kerry-Anne Mendoza, the former editor of the online Corbynista rag The Canary, declared in 2019: Someone from a minority group who chooses to serve in a far-right government [i.e. a Conservative] is no longer a person of colour. Theyre a turncoat of colour.

This corrosive world view, which holds that the hue of your skin should determine your political views, is at once racist and deeply patronising.

Labour MP Dawn Butler shared a post with her 240,000 followers that described Badenoch as the most prominent member of white supremacys black collaborator class

Kemi Badenoch giving her acceptance speech after being elected Tory leader. While Tory politicians from minority backgrounds have held all the great offices of state - only one non-white Labour frontbencher can match them

While Tory politicians from minority backgrounds have held all the great offices of state  from Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister to Suella Braverman as Home Secretary, Sajid Javid as Chancellor and James Cleverly as Foreign Secretary  only one non-white Labour frontbencher can match them, current Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

A glance at recent history shows that Labours reactionary resistance to non-white politicians is so instinctive that very few ever have an opportunity to rise up the party ladder  unlike the fiercely independent Badenoch, Braverman and Patel.

As for Dawn Butlers retweet of Abbeys racist abuse against Kemi Badenoch, there may be a degree of jealousy at play.

Butler  the MP for Brent East who previously represented Brent Central (20152024) and Brent South (20052010)  has been unable to advance very far in her party despite the manifest mediocrity of most of her colleagues.

No matter: it is clear to me that she should now have the whip withdrawn for her disgraceful conduct.

Butler may not like it, but Badenoch is part of a growing population of Black Africans here who are fiercely patriotic, well-integrated and high-achieving.

Labour needs to learn to champion such aspiration and meritocracy instead of constantly favouring identity politics and victimhood, especially for people from immigrant families.

But there seems little chance of that. Last weeks Budget introduced a cruel 20 per cent tax on private school fees, a levy that will disproportionately hurt parents from ethnic minorities.

Why? The latest Independent Schools Council survey shows that four in ten private school pupils are from non-white families, a figure that has nearly doubled in the past two decades.

Some, of course, are foreign students at boarding schools, but many are ordinary children from West African backgrounds, like Badenoch herself. Families with Nigerian and Ghanaian roots are often deeply committed to education and will make almost any sacrifices to give their children the best academic start in life.

Author and TV presenter Candice Brathwaite, attacking Keir Starmer earlier this year over the tax plan, said many ethnic minority parents have three jobs apiece to make that education happen, just to make their generational landscape a bit more socially mobile.

Kemi Badenoch won the leadership contest by promoting the values of a stable family unit, individual initiative, hard work and learning from setbacks.

She believes people should take responsibility for their own failures, rather than blaming anyone else.

Badenochs self-reliance clearly resonates with ordinary Conservative members, who handed her the job of rebuilding the party following the election defeat

And she is the last person to weaponise her race or her gender  indeed, she pointedly upbraids Rachel Reeves for boasting of having smashed through what Badenoch calls a very, very low glass ceiling in becoming the first female Chancellor.

Badenochs self-reliance clearly resonates with ordinary Conservative members, because it was the grass-roots activists, not the Westminster cabal, that handed her the job of rebuilding the party after a catastrophic election defeat, irrespective of her background.

Those voters trust her to bring an honest perspective, based on her own experience, to the issues of immigration and womens rights.

But more than that, they believe shes capable of governing the country for everyone, not just a narrow band of embittered campaigners who cant see past the end of their own long list of grievances.
Every picture tells a story, according to Rod Stewart. So what are we to make of these two snapshots of our new Socialist overlords?

Exhibit One: The Right Honourable Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, posing in a pair of 420 leather-lined Le Chameau 'Chasseur' boots alongside Minette Batters, former president of the National Farmers' Union.

Exhibit Two: Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves at a farm in Swerford, Oxfordshire, with Keir Starmer on the General Election campaign trail in July. She's wearing a pair of pristine white plimsolls. Both photocalls were arranged to demonstrate Labour's commitment to the rural economy.

That, of course, was before Reeves sounded the death knell for farming families in her scorched-earth Budget, scrapping the exemptions which until now have allowed farms to be passed down the generations free of inheritance tax.

As the headline on a commentary by Reed's former new best friend Batters in The Mail on Sunday put it: 'This Treasury attack on farmers is unforgivable. It will destroy lives, force up food prices . . . and ruin the countryside.'

Exhibit One: The Right Honourable Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, posing in a pair of 420 leather-lined Le Chameau 'Chasseur' boots alongside Minette Batters, former president of the National Farmers' Union

Exhibit Two: Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves at a farm in Swerford, Oxfordshire, with Keir Starmer on the general election campaign trail in July. She's wearing a pair of pristine white plimsolls. Both photocalls were arranged to demonstrate Labour's commitment to the rural economy

The devastating impact of the tax-grab cannot be overstated, both on those directly affected and the country's food security. Farms which have been in some families for hundreds of years will have to be sold to meet the tax bills, which could run into hundreds of thousands. Others will simply go bankrupt.

Suicide rates among our farmers, already alarmingly high, are predicted to soar. So much for Labour's posturing about Mental Elf.

Food production, which has fallen from 78 per cent of our needs after World War II to just 62 per cent today, will collapse further, making us increasingly dependent on foreign imports.

This is despite Starmer promising before the election to protect the rural economy. He told the NFU conference earlier this year: 'We can't have farmers struggling.' As we have since discovered to our cost after any number of broken promises, Starmer speaks with forked tongue. A complete and utter lawyer.

Still, we should have seen this coming. All you had to do was look at their feet. Reed, the MP for Streatham in South London, obviously thought he cut quite a dash in his designer wellies, which cost more than many farmers earn in a week.

Not that he paid for them, of course. They were bought for him by Labour's sugar-daddy Waheed Alli, just like Starmer's fancy spectacles and suits.

Le Chameau Chasseurs might be all the rage on Clapham Common, but your average farmer wouldn't be seen dead in a pair.

As a former leader of Lambeth Council, Reed will be well acquainted with Clapham Common, which falls within the borough. Not so much with the everyday country folk of Much-Culling-In-The-Marsh.

Labour donor Lord Alli

Who thought it was a good idea to put a former leader of the Socialist Republic of Lambeth in charge of agriculture?

The only cash crop they grow in South London is pot. Reed's background is in publishing, not pig-rearing.

He's more interested in the 'Environment' bit of his brief than the Food and Rural Affairs.

Since taking up the post, he said: 'There's a need to transition farming to a more nature-positive model.' Whatever the hell that means. No one is more 'nature-positive' than the farming community, caring for livestock, nurturing crops and maintaining the landscape of our green and pleasant.

Labour politicians can't look at a field with wanting to 'rewild' it or carpet it with solar panels. Reed probably thought he looks the dog's wotsits in his posh Wellingtons. But in the real world of the working countryside he'd have stood out like a sore thumb.

It reminded me of the Only Fools episode in which Del Boy kitted out Rodney in tweed plus-twos and deerstalker for a shooting party.

Reed's outfit couldn't have shouted 'Sarf Lunnon' any louder if he'd taken along a sawn-off Purdey, like Del.

About the only place in the countryside he'd have got away with his Le Chameaus is the Soho Farmhouse, the Cotswold home-from-home of London luvvies.

As for Reeves, who also hails from urban South London, what was she thinking when she decided to pull on a pair of white plimsolls for a farm visit? They'd have been covered in muck in no time at all.

I doubt she bought them herself, either. They were probably paid for by the Labour donor, not Lord Alli in this case, who bunged her 7,500 to buy clothes.

Modern Labour is a metropolitan party. They know about as much about Much Culling as they do about the travails of trying to run a small business

Their choice of footwear is a glaring illustration of Labour's total failure to understand or empathise with rural folk.

Not that I imagine they care. Modern Labour is a metropolitan party. They know about as much about Much Culling as they do about the travails of trying to run a small business.

We should have seen this coming. It's 20 years since Labour, under Tony Blair, banned fox hunting and sent in the police to crack skulls when the Countryside March came to town.

Starmer might take the knee to Black Lives Matter but he couldn't give a damn about the hard-pressed farmers of rural Britain.

If every picture tells a story, then the photos of Reeves and Reed in their fancy footwear are worth a thousand words.

Speaking of footwear (see elsewhere), what kind of shape are your slippers in? If they're a bit ropey, you could be entitled to a free pair courtesy of the NHS.

Reader Stephen Brace emails from Essex with exciting news of the latest initiative from his local health authority.

The 'Slipper Swap' programme kicks off at Ingatestone fire station tomorrow and runs until December 18, taking in Hutton, Basildon and a tea dance in Brentwood. If you're over 65, just take along your old slippers and they'll give you a brand new 'NHS-approved' pair with 'secure fastenings and robust soles'.

The idea is to reduce the risk of older folk suffering trip and fall injuries and cluttering up A&E and overcrowded hospital wards (more likely, corridors) during the annual winter crisis.

Speaking of footwear (see elsewhere), what kind of shape are your slippers in? If they're a bit ropey, you could be entitled to a free pair courtesy of the NHS

Rachel Reeves is taxing us until the pips squeak to bung the NHS another 25 billion, which will rapidly disappear down the usual black hole

I went base over tip on the stairs last Christmas. Since I'm over 65, I wonder if I qualify, or is this confined to Essex?

Goodness knows how much all this is costing, but we keep being told that the health service is skint. Rachel Reeves is taxing us until the pips squeak to bung the NHS another 25 billion, which will rapidly disappear down the usual black hole.

How can they afford gimmicks like this when there's a backlog of seven million waiting for treatment? Yes, I get the logic of this scheme, but when the NHS was set up, I doubt Beveridge envisaged that one day it would extend to giving away carpet slippers.

Slip, slidin' away...

999 call handlers are refusing to return to work insisting they can keep working from home (pictured: Scotland Yard)

Civilian staff at Scotland Yard, including 999 call handlers, are refusing to return to their desks, insisting they can carry on WFH.

Its bad enough the police not investigating crimes such as burglary. In future you wont even be able to report them.

Thank you for calling 999. All our operators are working from home today, eating Hobnobs and watching reruns of The Bill on UK Gold ...

I wrote last week about councils banning Guy Fawkes Night fireworks. A number of readers have asked if the ban extends to Diwali celebrations, currently taking place across the country. Thought not.
Within hours of Kemi Badenoch becoming Tory leader, the supposedly liberal Left launched a vicious and wholly predictable hate campaign against her.

One might think the election of the first black woman to head a major UK political party would be a cause for celebration among those who claim to cherish diversity and equality of opportunity.

But no. Mrs Badenoch has committed the cardinal sin of being a Conservative  which in the eyes of these witless bigots makes her a traitor. By their narrow-minded creed, black people are downtrodden victims of structural racism. To have one who aspires to be a Tory prime minister is simply anathema.

One of those fuelling the smears was Labour MP Dawn Butler, who shared a tweet describing Mrs Badenoch as white supremacy in blackface.

To most people, the term white supremacy conjures up burning crosses and marching Nazi stormtroopers. Applying it to a high-achieving black woman is beyond offensive.

One might think the election of the first black woman to head a major UK political party would be a cause for celebration among those who claim to cherish diversity and equality of opportunity. But no. Mrs Badenoch has committed the cardinal sin of being a Conservative

One of those fuelling the smears was Labour MP Dawn Butler, who shared a tweet describing Mrs Badenoch as white supremacy in blackface

Ms Butler is a former Shadow Secretary for Women and Equalities. Is this her idea of promoting black female empowerment?

So far Sir Keir Starmer shows no signs of withdrawing the party whip from her, suggesting he doesnt take this issue terribly seriously. He really should.Mrs Badenoch is just the latest in a long line of ethnic minority Tories to face the Lefts wrath. Kwasi Kwarteng, Priti Patel, Suella Braverman, Sajid Javid, and Rishi Sunak have all suffered the most appalling online abuse.

The truth is the Conservative Party has done far more for equality and diversity than Labour ever has. Four female leaders, one of them black, four ethnic minority Chancellors, one Foreign Secretary, four Home Secretaries  the list goes on.

Mrs Badenoch happens to be of British-Nigerian heritage, but she won the leadership election solely because she was the best candidate.

Unlike Labour, the Conservatives have moved on from stale debates of the past and embraced equality and diversity in deed as well as word. Thats what the Left cant stand.

All talk on migration

With great fanfare, Sir Keir declares it his personal mission to curb cross-Channel migration. But how does our tough-talking PM propose to achieve his objective?

With great fanfare, Sir Keir declares it his personal mission to curb cross-Channel migration. But how does our tough-talking PM propose to achieve his objective?

The measures announced yesterday  enhanced powers to target criminal gangs, treating people smugglers as terrorists, closer liaison with the EU  are little more than window dressing.

The number of migrants unlawfully entering this country has accelerated since Labour won power, with 5,400 crossing the Channel in October alone. It shows no sign of abating.

Having scrapped the Rwanda deterrent and declared an effective amnesty for those arriving in small boats, Sir Keir has played into the hands of the smuggling gangs he says he wants to smash.

In opposition, his party voted against every Tory proposal which might have helped deter illegal migration. By doing so, it exacerbated the problem he is now scrabbling desperately to solve.

Raw deal for students

Four years after Sir Keir pledged to abolish tuition fees, he is increasing them

Not content with fleecing pensioners, farmers, businesses, savers and charities, the Government is now doing the same to students.

Four years after Sir Keir pledged to abolish tuition fees, he is increasing them.

Havent these young people suffered enough?

During Covid, face-to-face tuition was non-existent and since then it has been much diminished.

For an average 45,000 debt, many students receive a substandard experience. They deserve a discount, not an increase.
Are there nervous jitters in Montecito as Harry and Meghan watch the election results roll in?

Whether Harry declared his past use of drugs on his visa application remains a hot topic, with the Heritage Foundation appealing a judgment that the details remain secret.

Asked about the case, Donald Trump said: Well have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied, theyll have to take appropriate action.

Are there nervous jitters in Montecito as Harry and Meghan watch the election results roll in? Whether Harry declared his past use of drugs on his visa application remains a hot topic, with the Heritage Foundation appealing a judgment that the details remain secret

Asked about the case, Donald Trump said: Well have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied, theyll have to take appropriate action

If Harry was economical with the truth and this was made public, Trump  should he secure a second term  could award him the order of the boot. At least Frogmore Cottage is still empty.

One oddity of the election has been the Sussexes silence, neither endorsing Harris or attacking Trump.

In 2020, when Harris was named as Joe Bidens running mate, Meg was effusive. Im excited to see that representation, she told Gloria Steinem. Being biracial, growing up, whether it was a doll or person in office, you need to see someone who looks like you.

Harris has also supported Meghan. If she wins, will she give Meghan a job?

Kamala Harris has supported Meghan. If she wins, will she give Meghan a job?

BBC chief US political correspondent Gary ODonoghue, who has been blind since he was eight years old, says he is more able to focus on what people are saying than those who can see.

As he covers the election, Gary says: One of the advantages of being blind is that you can focus on the words. Im a listener, but I spend 70 per cent more time than my colleagues just trying to keep up.

Gavin and Staceys Joanna Page is considering a curious memorial to mark the end of the hit series: Having one of her fictional mum Gwens famous omelettes tattooed under her breast.

Gavin and Staceys Joanna Page is considering a curious memorial to mark the end of the hit series: Having one of her fictional mum Gwens famous omelettes tattooed under her breast

Its only if I lift up the boob that people will be able to see it, she explains.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said working people 17 times in her Budget speech.

She earns 150,000 plus a generous pension scheme and expenses. Her husband Nick Joicey earned around 175,000 in his last role as director general of the Cabinet Offices economic and domestic secretariat.

And her sister Ellie Reeves, Minister without Portfolio, is on 159,000. Are they working people?

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said working people 17 times in her Budget speech. She earns 150,000 plus a generous pension scheme and expenses. Her husband Nick Joicey earned around 175,000 in his last role

In the new podcast True Criminals, Skys Martin Brunt describes an encounter with writer Laurie Lee in the gents of serial killers Fred and Rosemary Wests pub during the Cromwell Street murders investigation in Gloucester.

Lee told Martin he was fascinated by the case and had got his wife Kathy to drop him off at the pub door, but she refused to go in with him. Cider with Rosie anyone?

In the new podcast True Criminals, Skys Martin Brunt describes an encounter with writer Laurie Lee in the gents of serial killers Fred and Rosemary Wests pub during the Cromwell Street murders investigation in Gloucester

The late racing aficionado Alastair Down was once in an Irish pub with Bruce Springsteen, surrounded by autograph hunters.

An old man ignored The Boss, asking: Mr Down, could I be having your autograph and would you tell me the winner of the Hennessy?
If you are anything like me, you would have pored over the photos of Queen Mary at Balmoral Beach last week, searching for the familiar and oh-so-relatable signs of a scorned wife - self-pity, sadness, shame.

After all, the pictures were taken almost a year to the day since her 'Romeo' husband King Frederik was caught enjoying a cosy night out in Madrid with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova - throwing the Danish royal family into crisis and prompting feverish speculation in the press about the state of the couple's marriage.

And yet I spied none of the tell-tale signs of heartbreak as Mary frolicked at the beach with her girlfriends. All I saw was a 52-year-old woman who looked bloody sensational: sporty, fit, toned and laughing uproariously.

The girl from Tassie seemed genuinely happy to be back on sunny Australian soil - and we were only too pleased to have her home.

It's a lesson to us all, ladies: forget revenge being a dish best served cold. Revenge is a dish best served in a sophisticated, flattering swimsuit, looking the best you've ever looked, basking on one of our best beaches, under our peerless blue skies.

If you've got to Mary's age and haven't experienced some form of cheating, deceit, hurt or disappointment courtesy of your husband - whether it be an affair, a one-night stand, emotional cheating or, in Fred's case, in all-advised late-night stroll with a socialite that resulted in a tabloid frenzy - then your marriage is doing pretty well.

Marriage is hard work, and I salute those that stick at it. It's not for me, but that's a topic for another day.

It's been 12 months since Fred and Genoveva were snapped walking around Buen Retiro Park. The rumour mill exploded: was this Mexican temptress Fred's secret lover? Fred, Genoveva and the palace denied it - and I'm not suggesting any affair took place. But what I am fairly sure of - call it women's intuition - is that seeing those photos of the King with a gorgeous divorcee like Genoveva would have shook the loyal, dutiful Queen to the core.

Queen Mary of Denmark flaunted her svelte physique at Sydney's Balmoral Beach last Thursday during an unannounced return to her home country

The world gasped, especially us Aussies. How could Fred, a man who has spent his entire life in the spotlight, have been so careless? He must have known how his friendship with Genoveva would have looked. Meanwhile, we were all assuming the worst, waiting with bated breath on what our beloved Mary would do next.

Part of me expected to see her tearfully arrive at Sydney Airport the next day, welcomed by the open arms of her fellow countrymen and women.

But Mary had other plans.

She wasn't going anywhere. Mary did what millions of wives around the world do after being embarrassed by their husbands: she stayed.

Strong women don't play the victim. They rarely indulge in self-pity. They hold their heads up, they keep calm (in public anyway) and carry on.

They may cry to their friends and sob in the shower. They may throw vases, scream and yell behind closed doors.

But they stay. Just like Queen Mary.

Stoic. Strong. Fierce.

Queen Mary reminds me of Princess Diana when Charles admitted to his affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles. She picked herself up, dusted herself off and stunned the world in that 'revenge dress' - a low-cut black evening gown by Christina Stambolian - while attending a Vanity Fair fundraiser at the Serpentine Gallery in London. She showed the world she was a survivor, and she wasn't going to let her husband's adultery bring her down.

Queen Mary's flattering rose-pink Copenhagen Cartel one-piece reminds me of Princess Diana in her 'revenge dress' (pictured) after Charles admitted to his affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles

Don't get me wrong - the situations are not identical here. Charles admitted to his affair; Frederik has made it clear there was nothing untoward going on. But when I saw Mary in her flattering rose-pink Copenhagen Cartel one-piece (which costs $247, by the way), all I could think was: this is Mary's revenge swimsuit.

Then I had another thought: If anyone wears the pants in the Danish royal palace from now on, it's our Mary.

Remember those royal engagements that followed Fred and Genoveva's tabloid scandal? The icy looks, the stilted body language - all signs women recognise: I am with you, but not the way we used to be. I have forgiven you, but I won't forget.

Fred knows he has some work to do, and he won't want to lose Mary.

Remember those royal engagements that followed Fred and Genoveva's tabloid scandal? The icy looks, the stilted body language - all signs women recognise: I am with you, but not the way we used to be. I have forgiven you, but I won't forget

Queen Mary's visit to Australia comes 12 months after rumours exploded about her husband King Frederik, 56, having an 'affair' with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova (right)

I can't know for sure if the royal couple has moved past the embarrassment of Fred's unwise friendship with Genoveva. Those of us who have been through marital crises will know that once that initial trust has been broken, it is rarely the same again.

But in my experience, one thing is crystal clear: wives rarely leave in situations like this. If anything, the husband's mistake - whether it be a moment of poor judgement like in Fred's case or a full-blown extramarital affair - only makes them stronger.

Which is why what I'm about to say isn't directed at wives, but the 'other woman': If you find yourself entangled with a married man, just remember - he's never going to walk out on his marriage, and she will never leave him. She may punish him forever, but she will stay - even if it is just to spite you, to show she's 'won'.

And if you're the wife in this situation, chances are you've already decided to give him another chance... but my advice? Pack your bags now.

The old adage is true, once a cheater, most likely always a cheater. Fred's 'affair' scandal may have been a false alarm, but other men caught red-handed don't change their ways.

You may have 'won' by preserving your marriage, but what exactly have you won? A cheater who doesn't respect you. It's hardly winning the lottery is it?

And believe me, I've seen it enough times. Men wait until the coast is clear before they're back to their old ways. They just can't help themselves. Many don't want to deal with the underlying reasons behind their deceit; whether it's addiction, trauma, sadness or stress. Quick fixes like affairs don't work.

I've seen too many strong, beautiful, successful and smart women give their lives and freedom away to low-level men that don't value them and chase anything in a skirt once their backs are turned. It saddens me tremendously.

Mary, it's good to see you looking so happy in Australia without your husband by your side. It's great to know you're getting on with your life - and I hope he will be more prudent with his friendships in the future.

I tip my hat to you for sticking to your marriage. If it had been my husband in those Madrid photos, regardless of the innocent explanation, I don't think I could stay.
Viral baby hippo Moo Deng has made a shock prediction in the 2024 US presidential election.

The zookeepers at Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo tested the four-month-old hippo by giving her two fruit-filled watermelons to choose from, emblazoned with either Donald Trump's name or that of Kamala Harris.

They then let Moo Deng, whose name means 'bouncy pork', choose which melon she wanted to feast on.

The young mammal opted for Donald Trump.

However, one of the zookeepers later revealed on social media that Trump's melon contained some larger pieces of fruit in it, which may have influenced Moo Deng's decision.

Pictured: Moo Deng predicts the outcome of the US presidential election

Moo Deng (left) eating a dish of carved fruit with Donald Trump's name in Thai

The viral hippo picked Donald Trump as her presidential pick in the election

Viral baby hippo Moo Deng has made a shock prediction in the 2024 US presidential election by eating melons marked with the candidates' names

While Moo Deng found it easy to pick a winner, the real result won't be as straight-forward.

Trump's camp said on Tuesday morning they did not expect a result today.

Ann Selzer, a well-respected political pollster, released a survey on Saturday finding Vice President Kamala Harris had suddenly surged to a three percentage point-lead in Iowa, but polls elsewhere have them tied.

The surprising outlier survey made headlines across the country as the VP has been widely expected to lose the Hawkeye State.

Since Moo Deng was born in July, she has gone viral online with her miniature frame and podgy proportions inspiring a fervent following.

Even the Royal Thai Embassy featured the baby hippo on its social media channels.

Fans have made artwork and cakes in her image with one cosmetics chain also telling its customers to 'wear your blush like a baby hippo'.

Moo Deng's fame started when zookeepers at Khao Kheow Open Zoo started posting videos of her on their TikTok account which now has 2.5million followers.

She now has dozens of Instagram and Facebook pages documenting her daily life on social media.

Pictured: One of the plates of fruit Moo Deng was offered to eat to predict the election

Moo Deng's fame started when zookeepers at Khao Kheow Open Zoo started posting videos of her on their TikTok account which now has 2.5million followers

One of the zookeepers later revealed on social media that Trump's melon contained some larger pieces of fruit in it, which may have influenced Moo Deng's decision

Ann Selzer, a well-respected political pollster, released a survey on Saturday finding Vice President Kamala Harris had suddenly surged to a three percentage point-lead in Iowa

Atthapon Nundee, 31, a zookeeper at Khao Kheow Open Zoo said according to The Guardian: 'The moment I saw Moo-Deng born, I set a goal to make her famous, but I never expected it would spread abroad.

'I thought she could be famous in Thailand but not internationally.'

'She is called 'bouncy' and she is quite 'bouncy' too,' he added.

Mr Nundee explained that Moo Deng spends most of her time sleeping and only drinks her mother's milk.

Pygmy hippos, otherwise known as dwarf hippos, are originally from West Africa.

They are currently classified as endangered and experts believe there are fewer than 3,000 left in the wild.

Moo Deng now has dozens of Instagram and Facebook pages documenting her daily life on social media

Pictured: Moo Deng predicts the outcome of the US presidential election
Jill Biden has reworn a controversial dress for the second time.

On Monday, she arrived in Durham, North Carolina, in a custom frock from designer Christian Siriano with the word 'vote' written all over it.

The 73-year-old first wore the dress at the presidential debate between Donald Trump and her husband Joe Biden.

At the time, the New York Times pointed out that she'd worn it to grab attention and make a statement.

The debate ended up being a disaster for her husband, who ended up canceling his reelection campaign so that Kamala Harris could take his place.

Jill Biden wore a controversial dress for the second time during a campaign stop for Kamala Harris in North Carolina on Monday

She arrived in Durham, North Carolina, in a custom frock from designer Christian Siriano with the word 'vote' written all over it

Siriano gushed about the garment shortly after the debate aired back in June.

'Dr. Biden wearing my dress sends a clear message to us all. A vote for Biden is a vote for human and civil rights,' he posted on X.

'As a young American brand and designer, what we can do is give our clothes a voice and I hope this speaks to you. Now lets get to work!'

The First Lady confidently rocked the frock again on Monday, but with a surprising twist.

This time around, she added a navy blue blazer on top.

It's unclear if she opted for the blazer to add something new to the look, or if she simply donned it because it was cold.

Dr. Biden was campaigning for Kamala Harris in North Carolina, and even brought cookies to engage local voters.

The 73-year-old first wore the dress at the presidential debate between Donald Trump and her husband Joe Biden

The debate ended up being a disaster for her husband, who ended up canceling his reelection campaign so that Kamala Harris could take his place

The dress has drawn a mixed reaction from political junkies on social media, with some loving the message while others found it condescending.

'I'll vote for Biden, but I was very offended that Jill Biden wore that "vote" dress. As if we need to be reminded by an article of clothing. It was very narcissistic,' one complained.

'Jill Biden with the VOTE dress. YASSS,' exclaimed another.

The glamorous Dr. Biden has made quite a splash in the fashion world, covering Vogue magazine twice and also appearing in the magazine with her daughter Naomi.

She also attended New York Fashion Week in September, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Rufus Wainwright and Jude Law.
The Scottish Zoo hopes to offer its own answer to viral Thailand hippo Moo Deng

Edinburgh Zoo has issued a grovelling apology after welcoming a new pygmy hippo called Haggis.

The Scottish centre announced the birth of the calf on Monday, sharing a sweet video of her sniffing and interacting with staff.

On Twitter, the zoo wrote: 'Moo Deng? Who deng? Introducing... Haggis,' presenting Scotland's answer to Thailand's viral sensation pygmy hippo.

The post soon met with controversy, as viewers joked the zoo was 'pitting two women against each other'.

In response, the zoo quickly backed down with a statement advocating to celebrate all 'pygmy hippo divas' - which has now racked up 52,000 likes.

Edinburgh Zoo has issued a grovelling apology after welcoming a new pygmy hippo called Haggis (pictured)

Moo Deng, the internet sensation Thailand hippo, who went viral on social media. Pictured in September

They wrote: 'Sorry guys, this is our official notes app apology. We were wrong to put Haggis and Moo Deng against each other.

'There is space in this world for two beautiful pygmy hippo divas and we should celebrate them all. Sorry to Moo Deng. Let's work it out on the remix.'

In response to the original post, people had written: 'Why are we pitting two women against each other? SMH this industry is vile !!!';

'We need to stop pitting female celebrities against each other! Theres room for everybody!!';

'I dont care for this, you didnt need to take a shot at Moo Deng. Haggis wasnt born into this world to be used a cudgel.'

The zoo has settled on the name 'Haggis' for the Scotland-born animal who was born last Wednesday.

She follows in the footsteps of Khao Kheow Open Zoo's Moo Deng - but it is yet to be seen whether Haggis will amass as many fans as the Thailand inhabitant who went viral on social media over her personality and charm.

Announcing her arrival on Monday, Edinburgh Zoo said: 'Otto and Gloria have welcomed an adorable pygmy hippo calf! She is doing well, but we'll be keeping the hippo house closed for the time being so that our expert keepers can keep a close eye on mum and baby at this sensitive time.'

The Scottish centre announced the birth of the calf on Monday, sharing a sweet video of her sniffing and interacting with staff (pictured)

The zoo quickly backed down with a statement advocating to celebrate all 'pygmy hippo divas'

Viewers joked the zoo was 'pitting two women against each other'

Photo of Haggis the pygmy hippo, whose birth was happily announced by Edinburgh Zoo on Monday

The 'incredibly rare' animal was born at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo on Wednesday October 30

Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: 'Haggis is doing really well so far and it is amazing to see her personality beginning to shine already.

'The first 30 days are critical for her development, so the pygmy hippo house will be closed for now to allow us to keep a close eye on mum and baby at this sensitive time.

'While Thailand's Moo Deng has become a viral global icon, it is important to remember that pygmy hippos are incredibly rare.

'It is great to have our own little ambassador right here in Edinburgh to connect with our visitors and help raise awareness of the challenges the species face in the wild.'

The female calf was born on October 30.

Native to forests and swamps in West Africa, it is estimated that only 2,500 are left in the wild due to habitat loss.

Moo Deng (pictured) was born on July 10 this year and went viral on social media over her personality and charm

Shockingly, some fans of Moo Deng earlier claimed last month she was actually 'mean' and would become 'dangerous' as she grows older.

To celebrate Haggis's arrival Edinburgh Zoo is offering people the chance to meet her, with funds raised to go towards animal care.

Moo Deng, which literally means 'bouncy pork' in Thai, is a type of meatball.

The sensation was born on July 10 this year to parents Jonah and Tony.

Shockingly, some fans of Moo Deng earlier claimed last month she was actually 'mean' and would become 'dangerous' as she grows older.

A viral clip uploaded by staff at the Chonburi province zoo and reposted by @ask_aubry on X shows the baby hippo 'waking up moisturised and choosing violence'.

In the footage, Moo Deng can be seen being rinsed down with a hose by a male zookeeper in her enclosure, with her mother stood only a metre away.

Time will tell whether Haggis will match the fame of Moo Deng but it seems the Edinburgh Zoo staff adore her in any case

Moo Deng appears to react strongly to being sprayed with the water - and retaliates by charging at her handler and nipping at his leg.

The member of staff laughs while shooting content on his phone, before he attempts to pull the slippery calf away - at first, with little success.

Moo Deng is relentless as she doubles back for another mouthful, this time aiming for the handler's back as he turns his body away from the calf's sharp developing teeth.

In the end, the handler forces the baby hippo to retreat into nearby trees after lightly tapping her bottom with his hand.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo is located around 100km southeast of Bangkok and Moo Deng has doubled the number of visitors at the site.

The hippo's miniature frame and podgy proportions helped inspire a fervent following.

Even the Royal Thai Embassy featured the baby hippo on its social media channels.

Fans have made artwork and cakes in her image with one cosmetics chain also telling its customers to 'wear your blush like a baby hippo'.

Moo Deng's fame started when zookeepers at Khao Kheow Open Zoo started posting videos of her on their TikTok account which now has 2.5million followers.

She now has dozens of Instagram and Facebook pages documenting her daily life on social media.

It emerged in September that some visitors at the zoo were filming themselves throwing objects at Moo Deng, with one even pouring water on her to wake her up.

This led to stern words being issued by the zoo's director Narongwit Chodchoi who warned those involved could face legal consequences, adding that the treatment is not only 'cruel' but 'dangerous'.

And later that month - perhaps even more surprisingly - makeup moguls across the internet began swiping their cheeks with vibrant pink and charcoal grey as they attempted to recapture the swampy look of the popular hippo.
The research was conducted by the School of Design at the University of Leeds

A pair of 15 jeans outperformed a 150 alternative in terms of durability, a new study has found.

The University of Leeds teamed up with Primark to assess the longevity of its items in comparison to more expensive alternatives.

Despite common perception, the study found that there is no correlation between price and durability.

The university's school of design tested 65 products from various stores with ranging price points using technology that mimics years of wear and tear in garments.

The results revealed a 15 pair of women's jeans are 'more durable' than a 150 equivalent, according to the BBC.

It comes as the fast fashion clothes shop pledged to produce items that are less harmful to the environment following backlash against fast fashion and its links to waste and pollution.

The Irish retailer plans to incorporate the findings into its durability framework to encourage customers to understand the quality on offer for their money.

Speaking in BBC podcast You and Yours, Kate Morris, who led the testing for Primark's durability project, said: 'We have equipment that can mimic years and years of wear and tear of garments in a matter of hours of days.

The study conducted by University of Leeds found that price does not necessarily correlate to improved durability (pictured: Stock image)

Kate continued: 'So, in total, we had 65 garments in this study that ranged from jeans, t-shirts and hoodies.

'We washed the clothes in domestic washing machines and tried to mimic the lifetime wash cycle.'

Kate and her team discovered that price does not necessarily determine a piece of clothing's durability.

'We found that price really isn't an indicator of durability, and out of the 17 men's t-shirts that we tested, one costing 5 was ranked the second most durable out of everything,' she said.

The findings 'surprised' Kate. She said: 'I think because there's this narrative that goes round that you expect expensive items to perform a lot better.'

Eco-conscious shoppers have directed their anger at Primark for years due to its fast fashion approach, but the store hopes the new research will change that.

Primark's Longevity and Partnerships Lead Vicky Swain explained on the podcast: 'The durability framework is new to Primark but our work on durability isn't.

'Durability has been a focus for Primark for well over a decade, we've been investing in making our clothes more durable and made with more sustainable materials of years now.

In a 'surprising' result, the study found that a pair of 15 women's jeans were more durable than a 150 alternative (pictured: Stock image of Primark store in Shropshire)

'In essence, we developed a framework to ensure customers can know that when they're purchasing something that the items are going to last.'

For Vicky, her work on durability means the results are less surprising, and she is striving for shoppers to assign different emotional value to Primark clothes, treating items as they would ones from more expensive shops.

The company, along with online fashion giants such as Boohoo and Pretty Little Thing, has been at the forefront of the emergence of cheap fashions.

In 2021, Primark pledged to ensure all its clothes are made using recycled or more sustainable materials by 2030.

Since then, the store has worked to transition the materials of all entry price T-shirts to ethically sourced cotton.

The company also shared aims to halve its carbon emissions, pursue a decent living wage for garment workers and design its clothes to be recyclable and more durable.

At the time, Paul Marchant, Primark chief executive, said: 'Our new commitments mark a significant acceleration in the pace and scale of change.'

Mr Marchant added: 'Our ambition is to offer customers the affordable prices they know and love us for, but with products that are made in a way that is better for the planet and the people who make them

'(The changes require) us to think differently about how we do business. Right from how our clothes are designed and manufactured, through to how we sell them in stores.'

On any potential impact on prices, he said: 'We believe that sustainability shouldn't be priced at a premium that only a minority can afford.

'Because of who we are, we believe we have the opportunity to make more sustainable fashion choices affordable to all.'
US business schools are about to reach gender parity as more women enroll this year, compared to other graduate courses.

Over the past four years, female enrollment increased by 13%, with about 6,100 women starting their MBA this fall in all 61 programs of the US and international business schools.

Bloomberg shared that this outpaces the combined 3% increase for all students in all courses, which means more women are leaning toward these programs by a great percentage. With this, women now make up 42% of total MBA enrollment in the US,

While there is stability, some are still concerned about its progress. Experts believe that a slowdown is expected, however, it doesn't change the fact that women now represent 45% to 50% of classroom students. This means a run towards an inclusive environment in the US educational industry.

Gender Equality in MBA Programs

Now, there is progress in MBA programs when it comes to gender parity. So far, 8 institutions reached at least 51% female enrollment this fall, which is a new high. Leading the list is Johns Hopkins University, which according to US News & World Report, record 55% female enrollees. Not only does this imply access to education, but also progress towards support and representation on campuses.

Besides Johns Hopkins, 19 schools also reported female enrolment of 45% or more, the first time it hit the mark in the history of US MBA enrollees.

However, while some schools were able to achieve this, they weren't able to maintain it for a long time due to unsustainable practices that will support female participation in MBA programs. This is where targeted recruitment will come in handy, with the State University of New York at Buffalo actively engaging with prospective female students through focus groups and webinars.

Looking ahead, more MBA schools are hoping to achieve 50% women students to support the ultimate goal of transitioning these students into corporate leadership roles. Currently, only 7.4% of S&P 500 CEOs are women with MBA degrees.
He famously wasn't afraid to cut some shapes at King Charles' Coronation Concert last year.

But when it comes to dancing on the internet, Mike Tindall is much more reserved.

Last week, the former England rugby star, 46, appeared on SPORTBible's 'Red Flag, Green Flag' series along with James Haskell to promote their new book The Good, the Bad and the Rugby.

During the video interview, the podcast hosts were given light-hearted scenarios that could be considered a 'red flag' - including ordering chips at a Chinese restaurant or people sending lengthy voice notes.

In response, the pair - who both played for England together - had to wave a red or green flag and give their reasoning.

A video of Mike Tindall and James Haskell doing the 'Da Dip' TikTok dance has amassed over 1m views online

Despite taking different stances on certain issues, Mike and James were in agreement that TikTok dancing came under the category of 'red flag'.

When posed the question, Mike let out an exasperated sigh and joked that TikTok dance routines filled him with 'self-loathing'.

The pair revealed that they recently learnt a TikTok dance - which is a version of the 1996 'Da Dip' routine - with their co-author and co-presenter Alex Payne.

The video - which has amassed over 1.2m views on Instagram - shows Mike standing in the middle of his co-hosts and shimmying from side-to-side with his hands on his hips before doing finger guns.

James then copies the moves in the background before the pair turn to the side and break out some more moves.

'I had to flog myself into doing it,' James joked.

Although it was only supposed to be a one-off, Mike said that one of his nieces saw the video - and pressured him into doing another.

He said: 'Off the back of us doing that one last week, I then had to do it with my niece... which was really awkward.'

Although Mike Tindall didn't specify which royal he was talking about, he could have been referring to his nieces Isla and Savannah Phillips (pictured) - who also live in Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire

It's also possible that Mike could have been referring to Princess Charlotte - who is his wife's cousin

Although Mike didn't specify which of his nieces he did the TikTok dance with, he and his wife Zara are believed to have a close relationship with Peter Phillips' daughters.

Savannah and Isla Phillips also live on Princess Anne's Gloucestershire estate Gatcombe Park - where the ex-rugby player is raising his three children Mia, 10, Lena, six, and Lucas, three, with Zara.

However, it's also possible that Mike - who serves as something of an uncle figure to William and Kate's children - could have been referring to Princess Charlotte, who is his wife's cousin.

Mike also has an older brother called Ian - but it's not known if he has any children.

While Mike joked TikTok dances are a 'necessary evil sometimes', James added: 'There should be an age limit on it [...]

'I think it's a band between 16 and 21 when you're allowed to dance. If you're an adult, no.'

Pictured: Mike Tindall with his wife Zara danced the night away at the Coronation concert in London last year

Zara was radiant as she joined her husband Mike to attend the star-studded Coronation concert

Mike and James' TikTok dance went down a storm with their followers across multiple social channels.

One wrote on Instagram: 'You two need to sign up for Strictly and compete against each other.'

Another added: 'Love it, can't stop watching!'

Meanwhile, a third said: 'I have watched this at least 10 times. Totally made my day, thanks guys.'

In May 2023, Mike Tindall was seen dancing at the Coronation Concert in London as Lionel Richie performed.

On a later episode of his podcast, the father-of-three joked that he was afraid he would 'sl*t drop' and 'rip his trousers' during the event, which was broadcast live.

Speaking to his co-hosts, Mike revealed that he was worried he'd get carried away with the fun but admitted he 'enjoyed himself' at the party in Windsor.

He said: 'You can't hear Lionel Richie sing All Night Long and not get up and dance.

'The worst thing was everything else. You're going "yep I'll get up and dance to this". And then you're like "is the King gonna stand up?"'

It was certainly a party-filled Coronation weekend for the Tindalls, after Mike and Zara partied till 2am in London on the Friday night before looking fresh-faced and high-spirted as ever for King Charles III's crowning the next day.
A psychic who successfully predicted the Microsoft global outage has claimed the US is on the 'brink of fragmentation' ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Athos Salome, 38, who is often referred to as the 'living Nostradamus', has previously had a number of foresights turn out to be true. He predicted the coronavirus pandemic and Queen Elizabeth's death.

Now, with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris locked in one of the closest presidential races in history, Salome is offering his prediction for what will happen if Harris is successful.

Athos Salome, 38, from Brazil, has claimed the US is on the 'brink of fragmentation'- saying to brace for 'alarming escalation of tensions' if Trump loses the presidential election

Millions of Americans are casting their votes today in the nail-biter race. In early signs of chaos, voting machines in some states went down - sparking fury among Republicans.

Steering clear of actually predicting a winner, he says the US will see an 'organized and systematic reaction' from the former president and the Republican Party if they lose.

It will resemble the dark days that followed the 2020 election, he says, when Trump challenged Joe Biden's electoral victory.

In an exclusive interview, Salome told FEMAIL of a strategic move by Republican governors, senators and congressmen, who will openly challenge the federal government.

He said: 'In 2024, Trump's defeat will not be a simple political farewell; it will be the start of a coordinated resistance, something unprecedented. If he loses, he probably won't accept the result as legitimate.'

As Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are locked in one of the closest presidential races in history, Salome gives a chilling prediction which he says will mark the beginning of a 'new era of division' in the United States

Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania on Monday night in her final campaign event

Salome claimed this fragmentation could lead the country to a kind of 'divided sovereignty' (picture: Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump rallied at the U.S. Capitol in Washington in 2021)

He added he believes Trump and his team will likely try and contest any defeat in the courts; and will hope to rely on the Supreme Court, which contains a majority of Republican-appointed judges, to support their cause.

Salome suggested the Republican Party may try to 'block and slow down measures by the new president'.

The psychic suggested the strategy, if adopted, may later contribute to full-on 'institutionalized fragmentation' of society, powered by outlets spreading disinformation.

He believes there is a risk that a 'parallel reality' where a significant proportion of the population will see the new elected government as 'illegitimate, corrupt and a direct threat to 'true American values'.

Voters line up to cast their ballots in Wisconsin on November 5

Salome warned that this perception, which he thinks will most likely affect Trump voters if their candidate doesn't win, will create a 'crisis of public confidence' in American institutions, further dividing the population between those who accept the government and those who believe they live in a 'camouflaged dictatorship'.

He added: 'The consequence will be profound alienation, where millions of American citizens will completely disconnect from traditional sources of information, becoming immune to any attempt at reconciliation with the elected government.'

He warned there is a danger of serious conflict in certain states where tensions run highest, and this could result in civil disobedience against the ruling government.

He added: 'These states, by becoming less responsive to the federal government, could begin a process of decentralization that directly challenges the country's federal structure.

'This environment of extreme polarization and distrust of democratic institutions could mark the beginning of an era of fragmentation in the United States, where the very concept of the "United States of America" is threatened.

'The unity of the country will be at the mercy of a leader who, even out of power, has a unique and unprecedented influence, capable of molding the reality of a significant fraction of the American population,' the Brazilian said.
It's 51 first dates now!

Drew Barrymore has revealed that she and Adam Sandler's daughters watched their cult-classic movie, 50 First Dates, together.

Barrymore, 49, shared the sweet story during Monday's episode of her talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show, while hosting guests Emily Osment and Montana Jordan.

Osment admitted on-air that she had only just watched the 2004 film for the first time, to which Barrymore shared that her daughter had recently seen it as well.

'My daughter and Adam's daughter were watching it at my house the other night, and I was like, "Why are you guys watching this?"' Barrymore said.

Drew Barrymore has revealed that she and Adam Sandler's daughters watched their cult-classic movie, 50 First Dates, all together

Barrymore shares two daughters, Olive, 12, and Frankie, 10 with ex-husband Will Kopelman

Sandler and his wife, Jackie Sandler, also have two daughters, Sadie, 18, and Sunny, 16, pictured above

'Like, don't you get enough of me and your Dad?' she joked.

While Barrymore didn't specify which one of her or Sandler's daughters were watching, it turned out to be a super sweet moment between the families.

Barrymore shares two daughters, Olive, 12, and Frankie, 10 with ex-husband Will Kopelman, while 58-year-old Sandler and wife Jackie also have two daughters, Sadie, 18, and Sunny, 16.

'They were just so happy and I was like, "Oh, but this is so sweet and wonderful,"' the Charlie's Angels star said.

In response, Osment said the sight must have been 'kind of comforting,' to which Barrymore agreed.

The actress explained that it was an especially great moment, since typically, your kids will 'reject so many things about you,' and when you see them 'embracing' something about you, you think it's 'fantastic.'

The movie, which is a romantic comedy, chronicles Lucy, played by Barrymore, who has short-term memory loss.

Henry, a marine vet, played by Sandler, wants to date Lucy, but since she has short-term memory loss, he has to try and court her every single day.

The movie, which is a romantic comedy, chronicles Lucy, played by Barrymore, who has short-term memory loss

Barrymore's adorable story comes just a few months after she gave an urgent warning to parents about the dangers of social media

Barrymore's adorable story comes just a few months after she gave an urgent warning to parents about the dangers of social media.

The actress made the post on her Instagram in late August, writing, in part, about her chaotic childhood and the importance of implementing 'guardrails' on technology to protect children.

'Remember my childhood? How are we allowing kids to just have this much access?' she questioned.

'For brains that are not fully developed? And group texts? These texts can get so toxic.

'We must protect our children from being put in scenarios where they cannot always control the rhetoric of the multiple-party dynamics that get put on record on a cloud only to potentially haunt them one day.'

She said she hoped someone would make a device that had 'so many of the amazing aspects of artistic and inspiring innovations without the pitfalls of social media.'

'What if someone could make a tangible solution I could give to my kids so I could protect them the way I wanted to be protected,' she continued.

'I want to not only protect my kids, but I also want to be able to point to a solution with other parents.'
The frock was similar to Kate's Alessandra Rich gown she donned in 2019

Sarah Ferguson has channelled Kate Middleton's style by stepping out in a polka dot frock as she visited a primary school today.

The Duchess of York is currently in Australia for her book tour and she stopped by Safety Bay High School and Waikiki Primary School in Perth to visit pupils.

The 65-year-old former wife of Prince Andrew made the trip down under just weeks after King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the country on a royal tour.

And it seems Sarah - who is often affectionately known as Fergie - took style tips from the Princess of Wales when packing her suitcase.

She opted for a monochrome polka dot tea dress, which falls just below the knee, consists of a large white contrasting collar and has pearl buttons.

This is remarkably similar to Kate's Alessandra Rich gown that she wore to an event at Bletchley Park in 2019.

The Duchess of York is currently in Australia for her book tour and she stopped by Safety Bay High School and Waikiki Primary School in Perth

Kate's Alessandra Rich gown that she wore to an event at Bletchley Park in 2019

The Princess of Wales donned a navy polka dot print maxi dress and also had a statement white collar and silver buttons.

Fergie opted to pair her ensemble with a pair of simple black loafers and her usual silver jewellery.

But it seems Fergie has looked to Kate for style inspiration more than once, as the duo were spotted wearing almost identical outfits on several occasions.

Fergie donned a sleek black gown with a crisp white cape detail over the shoulders that she wore for a charity gala in Cannes earlier this year.

It bore close resemblance to the frock Kate wore to the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick in 2022.

More recently, Sarah opted for a Safiyaa caped gown that was again similar to a gown from the same designer that Kate wore last year.

Today, Fergie was snapped reading a book to primary school children, along with posing for pictures with them in the playground.

The Duchess of York wore her red tresses loose, letting them fall past her shoulders in a casual style.

Fergie was also given a bouquet of flowers from a pupil (L) during her visit to Perth

Today, Fergie was snapped reading a book to primary school children, along with posing for pictures with them in the playground

Fergie beamed as she chatted to students in a classroom during her Australian book tour

Sarah opted for a Safiyaa caped gown that was again similar to a gown from the same designer that Kate wore last year

Fergie donned a sleek black gown with a crisp white cape detail over the shoulders that she wore for a charity gala in Cannes earlier this year, similar to Kate's dress in 2022

The mother-of-two wrote on Instagram: 'It was such a wonderful visit meeting and getting to know all of you at Safety Bay HS & Waikiki Primary School.

'I was especially excited to talk with the children about the environment, and discuss the many ways in which young people can make real change for our planet having introduced them to the @youthimpactcouncil and the work were already doing.

'And what a pleasure it was to read to such a cheerful and engaged class at Waikiki!

'Thank you students and staff for welcoming me to your school and for being such a positive, bright light!'

Fergie was also given a bouquet of flowers from a pupil and beamed as she chatted to students in a classroom.

She posted some of the day from the day on Instagram and racked up comments from fans who commended her for the visit to the schools.

One wrote: 'Its incredibly heartening to see you take the time Sarah to spend time with those beautiful school children. Theres no doubt they will treasure the memory of your special visit always!'

The Duchess of York posed for photos with royal fans during the trips to the schools

The Princess of Kates is pictured wearing a navy polka dot frock in 2019

Fergie posted some of the day from the day on Instagram and racked up comments from fans who commended her for the visit to the schools

Another penned: 'You truly are my favourite royal just beautiful.'

A third said: 'Thank you for visiting our school! I'm so glad I managed to sneak in a little cameo in your last photo. Our students will never forgot this moment and neither will we!'

A fourth commented: 'Amazing, my boys were super lucky to have met you at Waikiki PS thank you!!'

Yesterday, Fergie showed off her sense of humour in her latest TikTok video, joking she's 'every day a bride' as she filmed herself getting ready for a book signing in Perth.

'Every day a bride! Every day a bride,' she laughed in the light-hearted post, as her make-up was touched up before the event.

She offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her preparations for the book signing, pulling faces at the camera.

Posing beside a bin, Fergie said: 'Just about to make my speech - in a waste bucket!'

'Life's too short to be serious all of the time!' she added in the caption of the video, showing a medley of humorous moments.
Viewers of Martha's Netflix documentary were stunned by her damning quip

The mogul didn't mince her words over the reporter's coverage of her trial

Martha Stewart has left viewers of her new Netflix documentary completely stunned after she made a savage remark about a journalist who wrote 'horrible things' about her during her trial.

In 2004, the businesswoman and homemaker, 83, was sentenced to five months in federal prison after being found guilty of conspiracy to obstruct and making false statements to federal investigators in connection with an insider trading case.

Reflecting on the news coverage of her trial, Martha had some choice words for a particular reporter at the New York Post  and audiences had no idea just how cut-throat she could be.

Speaking in the documentary, titled Martha, the lifestyle guru said directly to the camera: 'New York Post lady was there just looking so smug.

'She had written horrible things during the entire trial.

Martha Stewart made a savage remark about a journalist who wrote 'horrible things' about her

The homemaker, 83, was furious with a reporter at the New York Post - but is delighted that she is 'dead now'

'She's dead now, thank goodness and nobody has to put up with that crap she was writing all the time.'

Viewers were tickled by Martha's savage quip and flooded social media to praise her bluntness.

Taking to X, one said: 'Martha Stewart, I was not familiar with your game.'

'I don't care, I love Martha!' another posted.

A third said: 'Martha literally has me scream-laughing on this Netflix documentary.'

'She is so real for this,' a fourth commented.

'This doc is brilliant. If you don't like Martha, this won't make you - but Martha is authentic and I'm here for it,' a fifth added.

A sixth asked: 'Who knew she was SO FUNNY?!'

Martha was sentenced to five months in federal prison in 2004

Viewers were tickled by Martha's savage quip and flooded social media to praise her bluntness

Martha was found guilty on counts of conspiracy and obstruction and two counts of making false statements in March 2004 after a six-week trial.

She was locked up in October that same year, before being released in March 2005 and spent a further five months in home confinement.

Reflecting on her trial, Martha revealed that her daughter, Alexis, whom she shares with ex-husband Andrew, fainted upon hearing the verdict.

Alexis said in a voiceover of her fainting spell: 'It was so horrifying and incomprehensible and when I woke up I was unfortunately still there.'

Martha continued: 'It was so horrifying to me that I had to go through that to be a trophy for those idiots in the U.S. Attorney's Office.

'Those prosecutors should have been put in a Cuisinart and turned on high. I was a trophy, a prominent woman, the first billionaire woman in America, "We got her."'

Martha's Netflix documentary launched on the streaming giant on October 30.

Shortly after its release, Martha blasted the film by R.J. Cutler, revealing that she 'hated' the final scenes and believed the second half to be 'a bit lazy'.
A Formula 1 fan has been met with furious backlash after kissing Brad Pitt at the Mexican Grand Prix.

Racers faced off at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City on October 27, with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz taking home the win.

While the drivers put on a speedy show, all eyes were on the Hollywood heavyweight, 60, who made a surprise appearance at the race to film scenes for his upcoming F1 movie.

The actor caught the attention of fans - specifically one woman who decided to show Brad her love for him in a move that has been labeled as 'disrespectful' by people online.

The unnamed woman was captured pulling the superstar by his neck and planting a kiss on his cheek while holding her phone in his face.

A Formula 1 fan has been met with furious backlash after kissing Brad Pitt at the Mexican Grand Prix

While the drivers put on a speedy show, all eyes were on the Hollywood heavyweight, 60, who made an appearance at the racing competition to film scenes for his upcoming F1 movie

The clip has since been circulating social media, leaving F1 enthusiasts fuming.

In the footage, the woman is seen running up to Brad in an attempt to take a snap with him after he had wrapped up a long day of filming.

Brad - who was sporting a white racing jumpsuit - reluctantly obliged and posed for a photo with the admirer.

However, things went south when the anonymous woman wrapped her hand around his neck and kissed his cheek.

As she grabbed him and gave him a smooch, Brad could be seen attempting to free himself.

His security ultimately stepped in and took the woman - who was laughing - off the actor.

People on the web flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts on the shocking fan moment.

One person said: 'This is absolutely disrespectful. First, you're invading his personal space and HE'S HUMAN, second, you don't have his permission you didn't even ask about it. Third, he is tired of the filming and anyways he went back to take a pic with you, can you act with respect?'

The unnamed woman was captured pulling the superstar by his neck and planting a kiss on his cheek while holding her phone in his face

People on the web flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts on the shocking fan moment

Another user added: 'Disgusting.'

Someone else wrote: 'Crazy old women. Poor Brad. That was harassment.'

One user wrote: 'Some people are the reason of why celebrities don't approach real fans. Imagine for a moment being in his shoes, would you like someone you don't even know to grab you and kiss you?? Brad is always so kind and takes time with everyone so please be kind too. He's too patient'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Brad's representatives for comment.

The actor has been busy filming his F1 movie for more than a year.

The first trailer for upcoming movie debuted during the British Grand Prix in July, which Brad attended with his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon.

His action drama began production more than a year ago.

It kicked off in July 2023 at the Silverstone Circuit in the United Kingdom, where the Fight Club star was seen racing during several Grand Prix events.

The feature follows retired F1 driver Sonny Hayes (Brad), who returns to the sport when a friend encourages him to become a mentor.

Pure happiness on her face when she meets and kisses our Sonny 



Translation from the video

BRAD PITT CONQUERING MEXICO... LITERALLY

THIS IS HOW THE STAR LEFT THE TRACK



Video by @ESPNF1#RaceWeek #VivaMexico #APXGP #F1 #F1Movie pic.twitter.com/fHzTbgsNXu  Expensify APX GP (@APXgpF1Team) October 27, 2024

The film follows retired F1 driver Sonny Hayes (Brad), who returns to the sport when a friend encourages him to become a mentor

After Saturday's qualifying races were finished, an area of the track was dedicated to shooting scenes, according to Hello! magazine.

At the end, Brad popped out from his car, removed his helmet and waved to a crowd of cheering spectators.

Joseph Kosinski is directing the film, which also stars Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Damson Idris, Sarah Niles and Tobias Menzies.

F1 legend Lewis Hamilton is producing the film alongside Brad and Jerry Bruckheimer.

It was made in collaboration with F1 and its community, with all 10 teams, their drivers, the FIA, and race promoters contributing to the authenticity of the story.
The Bachelor alum Madison Prewett's clothing collection is getting roasted on social media after she heavily endorsed Donald Trump for president, with people joking that they can't wait for her to create The Handmaid's Tale inspired clothing.

The former reality star shared a snippet from this week's episode of her Stay True podcast on Instagram that outraged her liberal followers who called for the separation of church and state.

In the caption Madison, 28, wrote that they discussed 'faith, politics, and this 2024 Election.'

'We all have a role and responsibility to be informed, vote, and pray for America,' the Auburn, Alabama native explained.

Madison, who has 2.2 million followers on TikTok, faced pushback from people who called out her college merch collection and suggested she start selling 'red robes and white bonnets' instead of game day attire.

The Bachelor alum Madison Prewett's clothing collection is getting roasted on social media after she heavily endorsed Donald Trump for president

The former reality star shared a snippet from this week's episode of her Stay True podcast on Instagram that outraged her liberal followers who called for the separation of church and state

Madison then took to TikTok to promote Auburn University merchandise from Game Day Couture and was quickly trolled by social media users for the casual collection

Madison made the podcast endorsement alongside controversial conservative content creator Allie Stuckey.

Both women discussed 'their role as Christians in all of this' and 'why women have been so targeted.'

'You don't even have to see it as a Democrat and a Republican thing - just see it as a Christian thing,' Madison told her listeners.

Madison then asked, 'What is God's heart towards children? What is God's heart towards family? What is God's heart towards marriage?'

Allie, who wrote the book Toxic Empathy, explained that she believes candidates 'manipulate' women's 'rightful compassion and empathy into believing we have to be pro-choice to be pro-woman and it's just not true.'

Madison then took to TikTok to promote Auburn University merchandise from Game Day Couture and was quickly trolled by social media users for the casual collection.

'When's the red robe and bonnet collection dropping?' one commenter questioned, referencing the dystopian book and Hulu show The Handmaid's Tale, where women who can still bear children wear a red dress and white bonnet to signify their status.

Another woman snarked, 'Wow, you really seem to love this school. Should we all be Auburn fans, as well? Why stop at just forcing religion upon your fellow Americans?'

In another video promoting the college-themed collection, a commenter echoed, 'Awe can't wait for the red robe and white bonnet drop,' as another clapped back, '$100 says she doesn't know how to read or what the Handmaid's Tale even is.'

Madison (left) made the podcast endorsement alongside conservative content creator Allie Stuckey (right)

'You don't even have to see it as a Democrat and a Republican thing - just see it as a Christian thing,' Madison told her listeners

'When's the red robe and bonnet collection dropping?' one commenter questioned, referencing the dystopian book and Hulu show The Handmaid's Tale, as seen above

After her sister commented supportively, 'All so cute! I need!' another commenter wrote, 'When do you drop your pointy white hats and cloaks!!' in reference to the robes worn by members of the Ku Klux Klan.

However, many conservatives supported the religious podcast host and explained that they agreed with her fully in the comments.

One raved, 'Such a beautiful MAMA! So much love for you sweetest girl! Can't wait to watch you be the best Mama!'

Madison revealed that she and husband pastor Grant Troutt are expecting their first child, a baby girl, during a gender reveal party in their backyard in August.

The Made For This Moment author starred on Peter Weber's season of the ABC dating show and was the runner-up to Hannah Ann Sluss.

Madison, who was waiting until marriage to have sex, withdrew when they didn't see eye-to-eye on religion and she didn't approve of him having sexual relationships with other contestants.

Peter ultimately proposed to Hannah, but broke off the engagement after revealing he still had feeling for Madison.

While they briefly tried dating again, Peter's mother, Barb, famously didn't approve and it ultimately didn't work out.
The 22-year-old passionately urged Gen Z to cast their votes on Election Day

Bill Gates' daughter Phoebe has endorsed Kamala Harris as she urged Gen Z to head to the polls on Election Day.

The 22-year-old - whose Microsoft founder father is worth a staggering $134 billion - revealed she was inspired by mom Melinda in an opinion piece shared with Nylon.

Phoebe admitted that she was 'overwhelmed with anger' after Roe v. Wade was overturned, sparking her to embark on a mission to motivate younger generations to vote for the current Vice President.

The brunette beauty and activist begged people to vote 'as though our lives and futures depend on it - because they do.'

Phoebe told Gen Z voters to 'fight for our rights' as she slammed former President Donald Trump and detailed the encouraging words her mom shared with her when Roe v. Wade was stripped away.

Bill Gates' daughter Phoebe has endorsed Kamala Harris as she urged Gen Z to head to the polls on Election Day

The 22-year-old wrote: 'I've been passionate about sexual and reproductive health issues since my early teenage years, inspired by mother's focus on gender issues around the world.'

She noted that her 'spark turned into a fire' when Roe v. Wade was overturned, which stripped away the federal constitutional right to abortions.

Phoebe traveled to a slew of states and witnessed the impact of abortion bans on women as she revealed that she was voting for Kamala Harris to protect reproduction rights.

She told the outlet: 'This is the new reality my generation has faced since the Dobbs decision was handed down by Donald Trump's Supreme Court picks. Instantly, we had fewer rights than those who came before.

'But we won't accept that.

'We are at a crossroads with this election. There are an estimated 41 million of us Gen Zers who are eligible to vote, and we need to do so as though our lives and futures depend on it  because they do.

'That's why I am voting for the presidential candidate who will fight for reproductive freedom: Vice President Kamala Harris.'

Phoebe further revealed that she was with her mother when Roe v. Wade was overturned, adding that Melinda offered her some words of wisdom for her fight for the future.

The 22-year-old - whose Microsoft founder father is worth a staggering $134 billion - revealed she was inspired by mom Melinda in an opinion piece shared with Nylon

Phoebe (pictured with dad Bill) admitted that she was 'overwhelmed with anger' after Roe v. Wade was overturned, sparking her to embark on a mission to motivate younger generations to vote

'She saw how upset I was, and that's when she said the most important thing anyone has ever said to me: "Get mad. Stay mad. But ask yourself, What are you going to do about it?"' the 22-year-old explained.

Phoebe noted that she was following in her mom's footsteps, who has been a prominent advocate for women's rights since 1997.

The 60-year-old and ex-husband Bill previously founded the Gates Learning Foundation, which has given a flood of money to communities around the world to improve equality.

Melinda furthered her fight for women's rights in 2012 when she led the London Summit on Family Planning to help over 120 million women gain access to contraceptives.

In 2019, she published a book entitled, The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World.

The mother-daughter duo are frequently spotted posing up a storm together as they attend glamorous events, with the pair now even stepping into the world of activism together.

Phoebe told Gen Z voters to 'fight for our rights' as she slammed former President Donald Trump

Both Harris and Trump campaigned into the dead of night on Monday to try and win over final votes, and now their fortunes are out of their hands

Millions of Americans are flooding polls nationwide today to vote in what could be the closest election in history.

After an unprecedented and exhausting campaign - with a candidate dropping out and two assassination attempts - betting market Kalshi has given Trump a 60 per cent chance of winning.

Technical issues have been reported in the early morning hours in Indiana and crucial Pennsylvania, where voters in Cambria County were left waiting for the ballot machines to be fixed.

All eyes will be on the seven swing states that will be critical for victory: Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Arizona, Michigan and Nevada.

Both Harris and Trump campaigned into the dead of night on Monday to try and win over final votes, and now their fortunes are out of their hands.
The Prince of Wales hailed the 'breathtaking ideas' of young environmentalists as he wore a tie made from plastic bottles today.

Sporting the 43 tie by by Circ x Wilmok - one of last year's Earthshot finalists - William said he has 'hope and optimism' that young people will repair the planet and urged those present to invest in their ideas.

He spoke warmly of the 120 youngsters participating in the inaugural Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme that he had met the previous day and said: 'The energy and the enthusiasm and the brilliance in that room was spectacular.'

He added: 'The breadth of knowledge, the energy, the solutions they've got and the ideas that they have is breathtaking and we just need to hear more of them.

'This is what the Earthshot prize is about: to give them that platform.'

The Prince of Wales attends Earthshot+ at Portside Tower in Cape Town this afternoon

Prince Williams speaks during Earthshot+ this afternoon at Portside Tower in Cape Town

Prince William wears a friendship bracelet with the word 'Papa', made by Princess Charlotte

The Prince of Wales attends Earthshot+ at Portside Tower in Cape Town this afternoon

William went on to explain that his global environmental award 'isn't just a prize' but is about scale and impact as he went on to explain the so-called 'dating service' that Earthshot launched last year.

The prince explained that Launchpad connect funders with current and former finalists

'Collaboration is key,' he said. 'To put people in one big melting point - sparks will fly.'

He gave the example of 2023 Earthshot Prize Finalist Enso, who announced a partnership with Uber earlier this year.

The London-based start-up creates tyres specifically designed for electric vehicles that are more sustainable and reduce harmful tyre pollution.

Concluding his time on the panel, moderated by Kenyan environmentalist Wanjira Mathai, William brought it back to the importance of young environmentalists.

The Prince of Wales attends Earthshot+ at Portside Tower in Cape Town this afternoon

Prince Williams speaks during Earthshot+ this afternoon at Portside Tower in Cape Town

Prince Williams attends Earthshot+ this afternoon at Portside Tower in Cape Town

Prince William wears a friendship bracelet with the word 'Papa', made by Princess Charlotte

He said: 'I have hope I have optimism that these guys and girls can change our future and we have to invest in them as we invest in mother nature as well.'

The prince sat through an hour's summit at Earthshot+ that started with a vibrant performance by South African drummers in traditional dress.

William heard of the importance of reaching the 30x30 target - a worldwide initiative for governments to designate 30 percent of Earth's land and ocean as protected areas by 2030 - and the need to bring Mother Nature into the boardroom.

Craig Foster, a South African documentary filmmaker and naturalist, urged people to bare in mind the youth of today when they make policy decisions.

'Look into the eyes of your children and grandchildren,' he said. 'To imagine how it is going to affect their lives.

'Because mother nature, biodiversity, is woven into their futures in a way that is impossible to extract. It is absolutely critical to have that in mind in all the decision-making.'
Melania Trump's set tongues wagging as she joined her husband, Donald, to cast their vote at the Mandel Recreation Centre in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Election Day.

As the former President spoke to reporters on Tuesday, Melania stood by his side, wearing a floor-length, short-sleeve, black-and-white polka dot dress from Christian Dior, the same one she wore during her September interview on Fox News while promoting her memoir.

Of course, her hair was perfectly blown out and she accessorized with sky-high black heels, complete with a pair of ginormous black sunglasses.

But online, everyone was asking the same question: why was she wearing such large sunglasses - and indoors, no less?

Many users took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts on her voting-day look, including some outlandish theories about the big frames.

Melania Trump joined her husband, Donald, to cast their vote at the Mandel Recreation Centre in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Election Day - but it was her outfit that turned heads

But online, everyone was asking the same question: why was she wearing such large sunglasses - and indoors, no less?

As the former President spoke to reporters on Tuesday, Melania stood by his side, wearing a long, short-sleeve, black-and-white polka dot dress

The polls will close tonight, and Americans will decide whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris will take the win

'Is Melania wearing her sunglasses to hide her disgust? Eye rolls?' one person wrote.

Another agreed, 'Melania is wearing the big dark sunglasses so we can't see her eyes roll when this full of s*** serial lying orange imbecile says in his low energy raspy voice, "my supporters are not violent people". His MAGAt's did J6 (January 6) for him & have called for civil war & violence if he loses.'

'Why is Melania wearing sunglasses in the voting station? Is she embarrassed to be seen with Trump,' someone else wondered.

An X user joked, 'Melania wearing sunglasses indoors so she can roll her eyes at the d****bag standing next to her. Anyone think she voted for Harris?'

Others even shared the wild theory that it wasn't Melania at all standing beside Trump, and that it was instead a body double.

'Is that fake Melania with Trump at the polling place? Why is she wearing sunglasses inside?' one person questioned.

Someone else seconded, 'That person standing next to Trump indoors with huge sunglasses does NOT look like Melania.'

'Is that really Melania? Why is she wearing sunglasses inside? Weird. Fuzzy video from NewsNation...,' another X user penned.

Others even shared the wild theory that it wasn't Melania at all standing beside Trump, and that it was instead a body double

Many users took to X, formerly Twitter, to hilariously share their thoughts on her voting-day look, including some outlandish theories

While at the polls, Melania spoke just a few words to reporters, telling them that she was feeling 'very good.'

Trump, wearing his signature 'Make America Great Again' hat, answered many questions and slammed reports of chaos at the polling stations around the nation.

'It is crazy,' he said. 'I am just hearing in certain states it is going to be a long time.'

He specifically mentioned Pennsylvania, the battleground state that could decide the winner, where polls are showing that the race is currently tied.

'I'm hearing in Pennsylvania they won't have an answer until two or three days from now. I think it's an absolute outrage if that's the case,' Trump said.

'In certain states it is going to be a long time and it won't even be close. It won't be that close. They say I will win the state but it will take a long time to certify it.'

As polls are set to close tonight with just hours to go, top pollster Nate Silver finally revealed his final prediction of the 2024 election.

Silver says it's 'literally closer than a coin flip,' as what could be the closest election in U.S. history comes to a close Tuesday.

Trump, wearing his signature 'Make America Great Again' hat, answered many questions and slammed reports of chaos at the polling stations around the nation

While at the polls, Melania spoke just a few words to reporters, telling them that she was feeling 'very good'

But in the end, he thinks that Democrat Kamala Harris will come out on top, but only by a small percentage in the majority of his matchups.

'The race is literally closer than a coin flip: empirically, heads wins 50.5 percent of the time, more than Harris's 50.015 percent,' Silver said on Tuesday morning.

According to his model, Harris won the Electoral College in 50.015 per cent of the simulations compared to Trump's 49.985 per cent.

That equates to Harris winning 40,012 simulations to Trump's 39,718.

He added that he had never seen anything like this during his years of predicting elections.
Queen Camilla has been forced to cancel her forthcoming public engagements after falling ill with a chest infection.

It's understood that the 77-year-old is recovering at home in Wiltshire and is being monitored by doctors.

Due to her illness, Her Majesty has had to reluctantly withdraw from the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey this Thursday.

As the daughter of decorated war hero Major Bruce Shand, who earned two military crosses in the Second World War for his bravery, it is a duty she takes extremely diligently and will be seen as a sign of how poorly she is feeling.

The Duchess of Gloucester, 78, will step in for her.

Camilla is snapped with her broken leg in plaster, using a wheelchair, while attending an event at Clarence House in April 2010

However, Camilla does very much hope to attend this weekend's Remembrance events, including the ceremony at the Cenotaph on Sunday.

Camilla will also have to cancel her appearance at a reception at Buckingham Palace in honour of the nation's Olympic and Paralympic stars this Thursday.

King Charles will still attend, accompanied by his sister Princess Anne.

The update comes after a year of health troubles for the Royal Family, with both the King and the Princess of Wales being diagnosed with cancer.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest.

'With great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week but she very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend's Remembrance events as normal.

'She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.'

The Queen has suffered from a number of injuries and illnesses over the years.

The Queen was seen sporting a bandage on her ankle while attending the special sitting of the States of Deliberation, at Guernsey Parliament in July

In July 2024, she was snapped with a bandaged ankle while at the special sitting of the States of Deliberation at the Guernsey Parliament.

In 2022, upon becoming queen, she was secretly suffering from a broken toe.

Other maladies she's experienced over the years include back pain, a broken leg, and Covid - which she has had twice.

Around the beginning of 2021, Her Majesty contracted the coronavirus for the first time, during which period she self-isolated.

Then a year later, in February 2022, she once again contracted the virus, forcing her to cancel engagements and take time off.

This came after the royal was told by medics to cancel her appearance at a gala dinner in 2019, while ill with a chest infection.

Another engagement she was forced to pull out of was a Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace in 2015 - which she could not attend due to neck and shoulder pain.

One of her most extensive medical treatments came in 2010, when the royal underwent a hysterectomy.

The operation meant she had to spend a few days in hospital, followed by a six-week rest.

Some speculated that the procedure could be cancer-related - particularly as she used to be a smoker - but aides confirmed that it was not.

That same year, Camilla broke her leg, but despite the injury, she continued to attend engagements, with her leg in plaster, using a wheelchair.

However, she did have to cancel some further engagements that year after suffering from a painful trapped nerve.

During a tour to eastern Europe with the then-Prince Charles, she was unable to fulfil all her planned appearances in Poland.

Regarding her current illness, MailOnline understands that there is 'no cause for alarm' and it is just one of the many 'seasonal bugs' that can be picked up at this time of year, especially given her international travel.

Camilla and the King have also just undertaken a gruelling 11-day, 30,000-mile round trip, partly on commercial airlines.

The Queen broke up her journey by visiting an Ayurvedic spa in India for a few days on the way out, and again on the way home for three days, this time with the King.

No further details regarding her illness or treatment have been released, but Camilla is understood to be under doctors' supervision.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla recently returned from a trip to Samoa (pictured in Apia in October)

News of the Queen's illness comes ahead of a new ITV documentary in which Camilla vows she will 'keep trying' to end domestic violence, until she is 'able to no more'.

Camilla tells the film, being shown on November 11, that domestic abuse is a 'heinous crime' and she is determined to continue raising awareness of the issue.

The Queen was followed over the course of a year for the show looking at her work in this field, including private meetings with survivors and a visit to a refuge centre.

On ending domestic violence, Camilla said in the programme 'Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors' that it is 'going to take a long, long time because it has been going on forever'.

She continued: 'It's been going since, since time began. But I think if you look at the steps that we've taken since the bad old days, we have made a huge amount of progress, and I shall keep on trying until I am able to no more.'
He had been busy promoting the upcoming movie in Sydney, Australia

Jonathan Bailey has sent the internet into meltdown after he posed alongside his Wicked costars in Australia  captivating fans across the globe with his muscular legs.

The 36-year-old Bridgerton actor was in Sydney promoting the upcoming musical blockbuster with fellow cast members Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo on Tuesday morning when photos quickly went viral.

Dressed in tiny black shorts and a black long-sleeved shirt, British star Jonathan instantly drew attention to his strapping pins, while Cynthia and Ariana opted for more conservative green and pink garb respectively.

He completed his daring look with a pair of loafers, and accessorized with black sunglasses.

Unsurprisingly, fans simply couldn't take their eyes off Jonathan's bulging legs and raced to voice their thirst on social media.

Jonathan Bailey has gone viral after posing with his Wicked costars in Sydney, Australia

The actor's legs have set the internet alight after he was pictured alongside Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for a photo call at the Australian premiere

Taking to X, one said: 'I'll tell you what's WICKED  my thoughts about Jonathan Bailey's legs.

'How do you even  what workout is he doing? RIP Mike of Angelo you would have loved him.'

Another wrote: 'I want, no NEED, Jonathan Bailey's legs wrapped around me.'

A third added: 'Leave it to Jonathan Bailey to create a welcome, well-timed distraction from... well, everything by posing in short shorts.'

'Sorry all I see are Jonathan Bailey's legs in this picture. Oh wow!!' a fourth said.

A fifth posted: 'Jonathan Bailey is cordially invited to wrap his legs around my neck like a python.'

Meanwhile, others felt compelled to go to the gym after seeing Jonathan's legs in all their glory.

'Woke up to that Jonathan Bailey picture and decided not to skip legs today,' one wrote, while another said, 'I know Jonathan Bailey doesn't play about leg day.'

Jonathan wore a pair of black short shorts with a black polo shirt and loafers

He also posed for pictures alongside costar Jeff Goldblum

All eyes were on Jonathan's legs - and fans were shameless with their thirst

The world premiere of Wicked took place in the Australian city on Sunday.

The movie is about an unlikely friendship that emerges between Elphaba (played by Cynthia) and Glinda (Ariana), two clashing witches in the magical land of Oz.

Elphaba is wrongfully cast as a wicked witch as she seeks to expose the fraudulent, corrupt Wizard who rules the land.

Wicked is the origin story of 'a green-skinned woman who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West.'

It serves as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, exploring the narrative before Dorothy's arrival and delving into the former friendship between the characters Elphaba and Glinda.

In the film, Bridgerton heartthrob Jonathan plays Elphaba's love interest Fiyero Tigelaar.

Last month, Wicked fans were left furious over a newly released scene Jonathan and Ariana performing Dancing Through Life.

While the pair were seen passionately belting out their vocals and embracing in the clip, fans quickly took to X to lambast the 'poor lighting' and likened the film to a 'reality show' rather than a Hollywood blockbuster.
A plus-size influencer says that she can only fly via private jets after commercial airlines were unable to fit her 55-inch backside.

Gracie Bon, from Panama, has racked up over nine million followers thanks to her gravity-defying curves and bombshell good looks.

After claiming that some airlines 'banned' her from flying due to her size, Gracie has now taken to flying private.

'Every time I used to travel, I used to buy two or three seats,' she explained in a video.

'So I started a campaign requesting bigger seats and they didn't like it. Now, flying private is my only solution,' she continued.

Plus-size influencer Gracie Bon says that she can only fly via private jets after commercial airlines were unable to fit her 55-inch backside

'Every time I used to travel, I used to buy two or three seats,' she explained in a video

In the video, Grace filmed herself gallivanting around the private jet and chatting with the pilots.

She also ordered multiple meals before eventually falling asleep on a lounger for three hours.

The only problem she ran into was in the bathroom, where she admitted that the toilet may be too small for her oversized derriere.

Gracie previously insisted that her large curves are 'all natural' after fans insisted she's had plastic surgery and a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).

Although Gracie receives positive comments about her body on her posts, she also gets many trolls who say she has manufactured her voluptuous shape.

The 27-year-old recently hit back at these negative remarks with a post online claiming that her body is 'what God gave me.'

Last year, she also took to her Instagram to discuss the struggles of taking a flight as a plus-sized woman.

Gracie, from Panama, has racked up over nine million followers thanks to her gravity-defying curves and bombshell good looks

She was seen walking through the airport on a moving walkway, glancing behind her to smile while showing off her figure.

The model exclaimed: 'Airplanes should have bigger seats.

'So today I had a flight and even if I was flying in first class, I couldn't fit on the airplane - so this is a petition for all the airlines so big girls like me can fly.'

Gracie insists: 'It's not my fault I have an a*** this big.

'Please just make them bigger.'

She shared the clip on Instagram for her millions of followers where it went viral with over a million views.

However, the post drew some backlash, with users claiming that Gracie only had herself to blame.

One user penned: 'What you need is a bigger brain,' meanwhile a second wrote: 'It's your fault. You paid for the surgeries.'
The supermarket chain have employed the help of several stars

Brits know when to begin roasting chestnuts and stoking a festive fire - not by the sound of sleigh bells but the annual jingle of the supermarket Christmas advert.

As Christmas kicks off across the UK, the nation has already been served a generous helping of festive adverts from the likes of M&S, Morrisons, Asda and Aldi - and joining them next is Waitrose with a pudding mystery Christmas campaign.

Today, the supermarket has released a star studded whodunnit advert - Sweet Suspicion, A Waitrose Mystery - featuring a two-part campaign and festive cliffhanger.

Viewers will be treated to the first instalment in a double part mystery this year, featuring a star studded cast including Fleabag's Sian Clifford, Succession star, Matthew Macfadyen, and Afterlife comedian, Joe Wilkinson.

Keen box watchers will also spot Sex Education star Rakhee Thakrar and Dustin Demri-Burns of 'Slow Horses', among those seated at the festive dinner table.

Britons know when to begin roasting chestnuts and stoking a festive fire - not by the sound of sleigh bells but the annual jingle of the supermarket Christmas advert

Today, the supermarket has released a star studded whodunnit advert - Sweet Suspicion, A Waitrose Mystery - featuring a two-part campaign and festive cliffhanger

The 90-second film follows one family preparing the Christmas meal. While Steve, played by Demri-Burns, glazes the turkey and roasts the spuds, May, played by Clifford, sneaks off from parsnip peeling to munch on a predinner cheese selection.

Meanwhile, Samira, played by Thakrar, shakes up the Christmas cocktails and the kids, played by Naya and Sonny, layer the gingerbread house.

But amid the preparations for the festive feast, the family soon discover there is a thief among them.

Much to their horror, the Waitrose Red Velvet Bauble Dessert, generously provided by Uncle Phil, played by Wilkinson, has mysteriously vanished from the fridge.

The amateur detective, played by Macfadyen, makes it his mission to find out whodunnit amongst the equally dubious dinner guests.

Viewers are made to guess the culprit of the pudding thief. Was it the downtrodden grandma - once the Christmas pudding baker, now the cranberry sauce maker - the cheese feaster May, or turkey roaster Steve?

Also a potential suspect is the family cat, Fig - played by a feline actor of the same name.

The mystery will be left for viewers to ponder of the next two weeks, when a subsequent 60-second clip will reveal the gluttonous pudding thief.

Viewers will be treated to the first instalment in a double part mystery this year, featuring a star studded cast including Fleabag 's Sian Clifford, (right) Succession star, Matthew Macfadyen , and Afterlife comedian, Joe Wilkinson

Viewers are made to guess the culprit of the pudding thief. Was it the downtrodden grandma - once the Christmas pudding baker, now the cranberry sauce maker - the cheese feaster May, or turkey roaster Steve

Keen box watchers will also spot Sex Education star Rakhee Thakrar of 'Sex Education' (pictured left) and Dustin Demri-Burns of 'Slow Horses', among those seated at the festive dinner table

While Steve, played by Demri-Burns, (pictured right) glazes the turkey and roasts the spuds, May, played by Clifford, (left) sneaks off from parsnip peeling to munch on a predinner cheese selection

Pictured: Joe Wilkinson as Uncle Phil. Meanwhile, Samira, played by Thakrar, shakes up the Christmas cocktails and the kids, played by Naya and Sonny, layer the gingerbread house

The advert is one element of the supermarket's campaign to interact directly with customers, including extra social media alibis from the suspecting festive diners, and a physical evidence board at London Kings Cross Station.

Directing the cliffhanger advert is Bafta winner Lucy Forbes, who previously directed Adam Kay's drama miseries This Is Going to Hurt.

The supermarket chain is releasing 550 new products for the festive season, including more than 150 new items to mix up the mystery at the dinner table.

Among them is The No.1 Red Velvet Dessert, the stolen pudding at the centre of the story. The family sized festive delight will be available for families to fill their fridges from 19 December.

Meanwhile, sweet treat fiends can get their hands on individual Red Velvet Bauble Desserts which are available instore and online.

Several other delectable products from the chain's Christmas range feature in the campaign.

Among those is their gooey Reuben Rarebit cheese bake, crumbly Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac and a sticky Treacle Glazed Turkey Crown.

Directing the cliffhanger advert was, Bafta winner Lucy Forbes, who previously directed Adam Kay's drama miseries This Is Going to Hurt

Keen box watchers will also spot Sex Education star Rakhee Thakrar of 'Sex Education' and Dustin Demri-Burns of 'Slow Horses', (pictured) among those seated at the festive dinner table

.The advert is one element of the supermarket's campaign to interact directly with customers, including extra social media alibis from the suspecting festive diners, and a physical evidence board at London Kings Cross Station

The supermarket chain is releasing 550 new products for the festive season, including more than 150 new items to mix up the mystery at the dinner table

Customer Director Nathan Ansell said: 'For the first time, we're keeping Waitrose customers guessing with a 'whodunnit' festive crime drama featuring a stellar cast for this year's Christmas ad.

'Our Christmas Campaign is all about how Waitrose (Christmas) food is so good, you can't wait to get your hands on it so we've showcased the very best of our delicious range while also adding a touch of festive fun and sparkle. Was it Uncle Phil? Was it Fig the cat? You'll have to wait and see!

Matthew Macfadyen, who plays the Detective, said: 'I wonder if my extensive repertoire of past Detective roles led to me to this very moment  starring in this wonderful Waitrose whodunnit.

'Working with such a great cast on such a fun project for Christmas was such a joy. I think together, we have created a story that will have the public speculating over who the pud thief really is!'

Sian Clifford, who plays the part of May, said: 'Christmas is often a time that brings together a cast of all kinds of different characters  usually good food is the one thing we can all agree on! It was a really tough gig having to eat the delicious Waitrose food for four days but someone's gotta do it and I was happy to give it a go - nothing says Christmas like indulging!'

Rakhee Thakrar, Samira, said: 'I've always seen myself as the perfect host, much like Samira, however I'm lucky to not have awkward guests at my Christmas celebrations so we rarely have any mystery or drama but I loved being a suspect... or the culprit, who knows?!'
The royal arrived in Copenhagen for an awards ceremony today

Queen Mary of Denmark appeared in good spirits as she stepped out for a solo event in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

The Danish royal, 52, looked striking as she arrived today at Copenhagen City Hall in her native Denmark, to host the Children's Aid Day award ceremony.

Attending the event without the company of her husband King Frederik, 56, Mary beamed from ear to ear as greeted officials in the Scandinavian capital.

The mother-of-four stunned in an ankle-length soft coral gown and a fashionable chocolate brown jacket.

She styled the suede jacket with bronze leather belt, pulled in at her waist to accentuate her slender waist.

Queen Mary of Denmark (pictured) appeared in good spirits today as she stepped out for a solo event in Copenhagen

The Danish royal, 52, looked striking as she arrived at Copenhagen City Hall in Denmark to attend the Children's Aid Day award ceremony on Tuesday

Offering a flashy finish to the ensemble, the royal donned a chic pair of leopard print stilettos.

She wore her thick brunette tresses down at her shoulders in gentle waves and matched her glamorous outfit to an elegant makeup look.

Accentuating her vibrant eyes, the queen donned a mauve smoky eyes, adding a touch of the sun to her cheeky with a swipe of bronze.

The royal was pictured posting for pictures alongside winners of the event, smiling as she clutched a bouquet of flowers.

The queen, who is a patron of the Children's Aid Foundation, hosted the ceremony, handing out awards to this years recipients, Eva Riedel and Kevin Pedersen.

Winners of the awards were gifted 10,000 DKK, the equivalent to other 1000, as well as a a 'Lillebror' canvas created by the Brazilian artist Romero Britto.

The nonprofit Danish charity works to empower and spotlight young people living in care in Denmark while working to improve their lives and boost independence.

Each year, the charity hosts two awards ceremonies, the Children's Aid Award and the Little Brother Award.

It comes just a day after the royal was spotted meeting with hospital clowns during a solo visit to the town of Middelfart in her native Denmark.

Attending the event without the company of her husband King Frederik, 56, Mary beamed from ear to ear as greeted officials in the Scandinavian capital

The mother-of-four stunned in an ankle-length soft coral gown and a fashionable chocolate brown jacket

Offering a flashy finish to the ensemble, the royal donned a chic pair of leopard print stilettos

She wore her thick brunette tresses down at her shoulders in gentle waves and matched her glamorous outfit to an elegant makeup look

Accentuating her vibrant eyes, the queen donned a mauve smoky eyes, adding a touch of the sun to her cheeky with a swipe of bronze

The queen, who is a patron of the Children's Aid Foundation, hosted the ceremony, handing out awards to this years recipients, Eva Riedel and Kevin Pedersen

It comes just a day after the royal was spotted meeting with hospital clowns during a solo visit to the town of Middelfart in her native Denmark

Mary was seen grinning as she was handed a beautiful bouquet of flowers before meeting with Danish Hospital Clowns - an organisation that works to lighten the days of children who are receiving medical treatment.

Those who are part of the movement are professionals who have to undergo special training which can take up to a year-and-a-half to complete.

Mary was greeted by workers who were dressed in colourful ensembles with balloon headwear and round clown noses.

The beaming monarch appeared unfazed following the one-year anniversary of her husband King Frederik's rumoured 'affair' scandal.

Mary smiled politely as hospital employees put on a show for her at the Severin Konference hotel.

The mother-of-four put her best fashion foot forward and wore a vibrant ensemble to the occasion.

Mary sported an Erdem Lindsay Hideko Silk Floral-print Blouse that she tucked into a black belted maxi skirt, which showed off her slender figure.

Completing the look with sheer tights, Mary donned a simple black heels and a pair of gold pendant earrings.

Those who take part in the Danish Hospital Clowns training programme are taught about relationship building and neuropsychology along with how to better understand the needs of hospitalised children.

The glamorous queen wore a light coral dress with a a ruffled collar

Mary is a patron Childrens Aid Foundation charity

Mary smiled sweetly at onlookers as she climbed red carpeted steps outside Copenhagen City Hall

Winners of the awards were gifted 10,000 DKK, the equivalent to other 1000, as well as a a 'Lillebror' canvas created by the Brazilian artist Romero Britto

Mary picture on stage with the winners of the awards as she attended the event in her native Denmark on Tuesday

Mary beamed as she stood next to winners of the Children's Aid Day awards

The royal posed for pictures onstage at the awards ceremony on Tuesday

The team is built up of around 61 hospital clown members and they visit more than 30,000 children who are admitted to Denmark every year.

The clowns have also worked at several of the country's child and adolescent psychiatric departments.

Mary also met with some of the children and youths who got to meet the clowns while in hospital, along with giving a talk about the organisation onstage at the conference.
Doctors have hit out against X-rated content creator Bonnie Blue for encouraging extreme sexual behaviours that could result in intimate health problems.

Former NHS GP and gynaecological specialist Dr Shirin Lakhani has warned that sex sessions lasting 'hours on end'  as Blue claims to enjoy  risk tears in vaginal tissue, urine infections and even a permanent disfigurement of the penis.

Bonnie Blue, a 25 year-old adult content creator, has stunned the internet by admitting she advertises sexual services for students.

The OnlyFans star, who has 135,000 Instagram followers, claimed to have visited college campuses across the UK, the US and Australia, where she'd sleep with multiple men in one day.

She claimed to have bedded 158 men in two weeks as part of her Nottingham Trent University visit.

The greatest number of men she's slept with in one day is 22, which took place during an 11-hour sex session, she admitted during a podcast interview.

Social media users have accused her of 'prostitution', while some have called those who invite her on to their podcasts 'a disgrace to feminism'.

Bonnie Blue, 25, from Nottingham, has sparked outrage with her outlandish attitude to casual sex.

X-rated content creator Bonnie Blue claimed to have slept with 22 men in one night during an 11-hour sex session.

Most recently, Australians have launched a petition to ban the influencer from entering the country  where she currently lives  to stop her controversial plans to film sex with 'barely legal 18-year-olds'.

While exactly how much is harmful depends on age and natural levels of lubrication, going at it for 11-hours straight is 'definitely too much,' according to Dr Shirin Lakhani, a GP who specialises in gynaecological health.

She warns of many little-know risks of lengthy bonking sessions 'with no breaks in between', including painful tears, strains, reduced sensation in the gentials, and even a fractured penis.

'Everytime you have intercourse, both the penis and the vaginal tissues will be subjected to friction,' says Dr Lakhani.

'As the friction builds up, both men and women are likely to experience pain.'

It may take less time for women to suffer painful consequences, such as breaks in the sensitive genital tissue  and urinary tract infections (UTIs), according to the GP.

UTIs occur when bacteria  usually from the back passage  contaminate the tube through which urine exists the body.

Doctors say sexually active people must take breaks between intercourse to reduce the risk of tears and fractures.

Women are more than 30 times more likely than men to contract UTIs, studies show, because their tube, called the urethra, is shorter.

'You can also get diminished sensation in the genitals after a while because of over-stimulation,' warns Dr Lakhani.

The most extreme consequence of too much sex affects men, she says. 'It's also possible to fracture the penis after excessive sex, particularly if the activity is strenuous.'

She explains that this happens when the delicate blood vessels inside the penis break due to 'traumatic' injury. Over time, scar tissue can build-up in the sex organ, causing it to bend when erect, known as Peyronie's Disease.

Researchers have echoed Dr Lakhani's concerns about extremely long sessions of sexual activity.

According to one 2005 survey of 50 sex experts  including psychologists, doctors and marriage therapists  the 'ideal' length of intercourse is between seven to 13 minutes.

The category of 10-30 minutes was voted by most therapists as being 'too long'.

Dr Lakhani is keen to highlight the biggest risk associated with extreme sexual behaviour like that of Bonnie Blue's.

'I hope she used protection with all those men,' she said. 'Clearly there's a huge risk of sexually transmitted infections.'

As well as the risk of well-known sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhoea, unprotected sex can dramatic fuel the risk of contracting Human papillomavirus (HPV)  which is the cause of 70 per cent of throat cancers, and 99 per cent of cervical cancers.
From her blue scrubs to her reassuring smile, the woman pictured in information posters in GP practices in Bradford certainly gave the impression she was a doctor.

And the wording, The Physician will see you now, seemed to leave no room for doubt.

But the poster was actually about physician associates (PAs). These are healthcare workers who have had just two years training  compared with a GPs ten  and who are only allowed to diagnose and treat patients under supervision.

When doctors started to complain, the posters  which were designed to explain the range of healthcare workers in GP practices in the area  were swiftly removed. But what happened at Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership last year is just one example of where PAs have been misleadingly presented as regulated health professionals.

Posters about physician associates (PAs) in Bradford (above and below) were removed after complaints that they were being misrepresented as doctors





In September, for instance, the Advertising Standards Authority issued a warning to a GP practice after it misled patients about the level of training PAs have.

On its website, Churchfields Surgery in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, told patients that PAs train in and are examined in all areas of medicine and that training encompasses medication and prescribing, just as a trainee doctor would receive.

In fact, PAs are not trained in all areas of medicine, and the practice was told not to conflate the respective roles, training and duties of PAs and GPs. It has since altered the wording.

In another recent case, Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust admitted that it had replaced a paediatrician with a PA in its safeguarding team to carry out medical checks on children thought to have been sexually abused. This mistake could mean those suspected of the abuse wouldnt be sent for trial, as PAs are not allowed to give evidence as professional expert witnesses.

And despite NHS Englands chief doctor Professor Sir Stephen Powis telling hospitals in February they must not replace doctors with PAs, freedom of information data, obtained by Channel 4, found that between April and September this year, 11 trusts had used PAs to cover staff rota gaps for 109 medical shifts across departments including paediatrics, care of the elderly, A&E and trauma.

The increasing use of PAs is causing such mounting concern that the Royal College of General Practitioners has recently voted to oppose their use in general practice.

According to a report of the meeting by the Kings Fund think-tank, there was a palpable hostility in the room  and this continued to play out on social media. It has been a tumultuous time for the college, an RCP insider admits.

Emily Chesterton died weeks before her 30th birthday after a physician associate at her GP practice missed signs that she had a life-threatening blood clot

Then, in July, the British Medical Association published an open letter, signed by more than 13,000 doctors, warning that the skills of doctors were being demeaned, devalued and even replaced by the deployment of PAs. It also pointed to widespread evidence of PAs substituting doctors on hospital rotas and in general practice, leading to alarming situations where patients are being treated by unqualified staff.

And last month, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh called for an immediate suspension of any further recruitment or deployment of PAs across the UK until a clear ceiling of practice is set.

With tensions running high, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges  the umbrella organisation that represents all royal colleges  is urging Health Secretary Wes Streeting and the chief executive of NHS England, Amanda Pritchard, to organise a rapid review of medical associates (which includes anaesthesia associates) to assess whether they are improving patient care.

Marion and Brendan Chesterton certainly would not say so. Their youngest daughter Emily died in November 2022, just weeks after her 30th birthday, after a PA missed signs that she had a life-threatening blood clot.

Emily made an appointment at her GP practice on October 31 after developing a painful left calf, breathlessness and a cough.

She thought she was seeing a GP; in fact, the person who diagnosed long Covid and a calf sprain was a PA. With her symptoms worsening, Emily returned to the Vale Practice in Crouch End, North London, on November 7, where she was again seen by a PA. This time she was given a prescription for propranolol (which slows heart rate) to relieve her anxiety.

When Emilys concerned parents drove from their home in Salford, Greater Manchester, to collect her from that appointment, Marion, 65, recalls: I couldnt believe what I was seeing. My daughter, who had never had a sick day off in her life, was now pale, breathless and could hardly walk.

It was only at the inquest into Emily's death (she is pictured, right with her mother Marion, centre, and sister Jasmine) that the family learned instead of seeing a GP, she had seen a PA

They drove her back to her flat in North London, but her breathlessness continued to get worse, says Marion. After taking just one [propranolol] tablet, she passed out.

She died on the way to hospital. A coroners report found that a blood clot in her leg had travelled to her lungs.

The cardiologist who had tried to save Emilys life told us that the propranolol was the worst thing she could have been given. It basically slowed her heart rate, which meant less blood was circulating to her heart and lungs, says Brendan, also 65.

It was only at the inquest after her death that the family learned that instead of seeing a GP, Emily had seen a PA. We had never heard of a physician associate before, and neither had the coroner, says Marian.

The coroner said Emily should have been referred to A&E, and if she had been the likelihood is that she would have survived. That was very difficult to hear, says Marion. Our sorrow quickly turned into anger, she told Good Health in an exclusive interview to launch a campaign for clarity on the PA role.

Emilys case triggered a landslide change in the view doctors have of PAs, says Dr Matt Kneale, an A&E doctor and member of Doctors Association UK, an online professional network.

Until that point, while I had worked with PAs professionally, like many of my fellow doctors I wasnt really aware of what was involved in their training or the risks that they were taking  risks that have been put on them by NHS trusts and NHS England, he says.

PAs arent new  the role was introduced in 2003 to reduce the load on doctors. Initially called physician assistants, in 2013, their title was changed to physician associates, the Government arguing that it would be difficult to regulate them, as assistants dont act autonomously.

Yet over a decade later, they are still to be regulated (although this is meant to happen from next month). But Emilys parents are campaigning for the job title to be changed back to physician assistants to make their role clearer.

Meanwhile, while they initially welcomed PAs introduction, some of the royal colleges that represent doctors groups want a pause in recruitment until safeguards are in place, such as a PA register (requiring they meet set credentials), nationally agreed standards for their scope of practice  and a system to suspend or strike them off the register if they fail to meet those standards.

What might shock people to learn is that, despite the years of no regulation, the number of PAs employed in GP surgeries and hospitals has grown significantly.

There are 4,600 on the registry of the Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA)  a professional body, although registration is only voluntary  but last year NHS England published a plan to increase their number to 10,000 by 2036/37.

Patients often have little inkling that their PA is not a doctor. Almost half of patients (48 per cent) still do not understand the difference between the roles, according to a survey by Healthwatch England. Yet their training is very different.

After five years at medical school, doctors do two years of foundation training and then specialist training. At the very minimum, it takes ten years to become a GP and 13 to be a hospital consultant. By contrast, PAs do a two-year clinical skills course after a science degree.

Theres a real problem with the amount PAs dont know  theyre effectively being asked to do a version of our job, but they dont have the skills and training to do that well, say Dr Helen Salisbury, a GP and medical education fellow at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at Oxford University.

The most difficult job in medicine is working out whats wrong with someone, and the level of seriousness  and PAs dont have the training to do it.

There are lots of physician associates who are aware of their limits and will say I cant deal with this and hand it on to a doctor. But for some, we have a real problem with unknown unknowns. If youve never heard of something, you might not spot it.

Some PAs are doing quite complicated interventional things such as putting cameras down patients throats and into bladders, which is a skill you can learn  but its a question of knowing what to do if things dont go to plan.

She denies that doctors are just protecting their roles.

If Im going to have my gas boiler replaced, I want someone whos done the gas boiler fitting exams, says Dr Salisbury. I dont want an apprentice who kind of knows some of it  I want the actual expert.

Dr Helen Salisbury, a GP and medical education fellow at Oxford University, says: Theres a real problem with the amount PAs dont know  theyre effectively being asked to do a version of our job, but they dont have the skills and training to do that well.'

One reason for the expansion of PA roles was to cut costs, specifically on agency staff. Yet PAs typically start at an NHS pay band 7, at 46,148 a year, rising to 52,809 after five years. Junior doctors start on a basic salary of 32,398: those beginning their specialist training earn 43,923.

You can see why many junior doctors are angry, says Dr Kneale, whos on 43,000 basic after five years training plus two-and-a-half years working as a doctor. Not only are we being replaced by another profession, but we are being replaced by people who are less qualified  and get paid more.

PAs may also indirectly cost the NHS more. Lawyers say the NHS is opening itself up to potential negligence claims by expanding the role of PAs.

Daniel Phelps, a medical negligence solicitor at Pearson Solicitors in Manchester, is dealing with two PA cases. One is anticipated to result in damages of around 1 million after a PA failed to spot warning signs of a stroke, which left the patient requiring lifelong nursing care.

Since January 2020, there have been 75 complaints about physician associates to the FPA, although the organisation would not confirm how many practitioners had been removed from its voluntary register.

The General Medical Council (GMC), which is set to regulate PAs from December, is facing legal challenges from organisations that want the distinction between doctors and PAs made more explicit. There are also calls to stop the GMC calling PAs medical professionals, and for a code of practice outlining what PAs or anaesthesia associates can  and cannot  do.

PA representatives concede that any bad blood between doctors and PAs has not been helped by some universities encouraging newly qualified PAs to think of themselves as comparable to doctors, by using terms such as registrar equivalent  a registrar will have done at least seven years training.

This is clearly wrong, says Professor Jeannie Watkins, programme director of physician associate studies at Swansea University: PAs are trained to provide care as physician associates, they are not doctors.

But, far from side-stepping regulation, Stephen Nash, a PA and chief executive of United Medical Associate Professionals, adds that PAs have been campaigning for regulation for the best part of 20 years.

Patients should not fear that there are rogue PAs running around doing anything they want. If a PA has been asked to do a job, its because the person asking them to do that job knows they can do it.

Indeed, according to research by Vari Drennan, a professor of healthcare and policy research at Kingston University, PAs are a safe addition when used appropriately and supervised.

In general practice, PAs complement the work of GPs  and, in hospitals, they provide valuable continuity within teams, she says. This is in contrast to doctors in training who often come from a different hospital for a fixed time and then move on. The continuity the PAs provided was viewed as important to consultants, patients, doctors in training and other hospital staff, she told Good Health.

If youre working with a PA in a settled, established team in a familiar role  and theyve got good senior supervision  then some of the talk of risk is overblown, says Professor David Oliver, a consultant in geriatrics and acute general medicine. But, reiterating a familiar theme, he adds: There needs to be a nationally set scope of practice with defined limits for PAs.

And proper supervision. As Professor Alison Leary, a senior consultant at the World Health Organisation and chair of healthcare and workforce modelling at London South Bank University, says: When we review cases where things have gone wrong in patient care, when it comes to PA cases, often you will see they havent been properly supervised. Where are the supervising doctors who should be overseeing their work?

Stephen Nash agrees: Were becoming the bogeyman of the NHS.

Indeed, there has been a backlash among patients.

PAs are now getting people saying, I dont want to see you, I want to see a proper doctor, says Dr Salisbury. I can understand why patients are doing it but its uncomfortable for the PAs.

Professor Oliver predicts that a lot of PA graduates in future wont get jobs. I think theres going to be a reluctance to appoint them in view of the current concerns, controversies and scrutiny, he says.

And theres the rub: could all this have been done better?

The roll-out of PAs is the worst example of a policy implementation in the NHS Ive seen in my life, says Professor Partha Kar, an NHS consultant at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and the Governments national adviser on diabetes.

As someone whos been a big supporter of the expansion of nursing roles in diabetes care, Im not against role development at all, but it must be properly planned and reviewed from a safety point of view, with adequate training, supervision and regulation.

The bottom line is, would I like any of my loved ones to be seen by a PA? In the unregulated Wild West we have around this group, the answer is no.

Back in Salford, the Chestertons say they will never move from the family home. Emilys still here, says Marion, with tears in her eyes. Her bedroom is still known as Emilys room.

What happened to our beautiful daughter was so wrong. It must not be allowed to happen to anyone else. [By campaigning] were trying to do something positive so that some good can come from her death.

The Vale Practice, where Emily was seen, no longer employs PAs.

A spokesperson for NHS England said PAs are no substitute for doctors: There is also clear guidance on the appropriate deployment of these roles, which makes it clear that PAs should provide support and perform tasks under the supervision of doctors to help them do their jobs.
Indoor vaping will be banned in public places and bright packaging and fruity flavours restricted as part of a major crackdown on the habit.

Retailers will be forced to obtain a licence to sell vapes and tobacco and could face fines of up to 2,500 for breaching stricter rules.

Under government plans, manufacturers will have to sell vapes in plain packaging and stop producing tasty flavours in a bid to make them less attractive to children.

The gadgets will be hidden from view in shops, as is already the case with cigarettes, and there will be a ban on vaping advertising and sponsorship.

Shops could face on the spot fines of 200 if caught flouting the law by trading standards, while repeat offenders could face stiffer financial penalties in court and have their licence revoked.

Under government plans, manufacturers will have to sell vapes in plain packaging and stop producing tasty flavours in a bid to make them less attractive to children (file image)

The Department of Health and Social Care said it will create a smoke-free generation by phasing-out the sale of tobacco products across the UK (file image)

The proposals, which will be subject to public consultation, are aimed at protecting children from becoming hooked on nicotine while enabling adult smokers to use vapes as a quit aid (file image)

The new world-leading reforms feature in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which the Government will introduce in Parliament today [TUE].

The Department of Health and Social Care said it will create a smoke-free generation by phasing-out the sale of tobacco products across the UK.

Anyone aged 15 or young this year will never be able to legally buy tobacco as the age restriction is lifted by one year each year.

The tough laws will also give ministers the power to extend the current indoor smoking ban to some outdoor settings, including around schools, hospitals and playgrounds.

But in a major u-turn on leaked proposals, the extensions will not apply to areas outside bars, pubs and restaurants - much to the relief of the countrys struggling hospitality sector.

Disposable vapes are also due to be banned from 1 June 2025 under separate environmental legislation.

Health secretary Wes Streeting said: Unless we act to help people stay healthy, the rising tide of ill-health in our society threatens to overwhelm and bankrupt our NHS.

This government is taking bold action to create the first smoke free generation, clamp down on kids getting hooked on nicotine through vapes, and protect children and vulnerable people from the harms of secondhand smoke.

This historic legislation will save thousands of lives and protect the NHS.

But youth vaping has more than doubled in the last four years, with the government blaming the targeting of vapes to children via flavours, branding and advertising. In 2023, one in four 11 to 15-year old's had tried vaping

Health secretary Wes Streeting said: Unless we act to help people stay healthy, the rising tide of ill-health in our society threatens to overwhelm and bankrupt our NHS'

By building a healthy society, we will also help to build a healthy economy, with fewer people off work sick.

The proposals, which will be subject to public consultation, are aimed at protecting children from becoming hooked on nicotine while enabling adult smokers to use vapes as a quit aid.

Selling vapes to under 18s is illegal.

But youth vaping has more than doubled in the last four years, with the government blaming the targeting of vapes to children via flavours, branding and advertising.

In 2023, one in four 11 to 15-year olds had tried vaping.

Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England, said: The rising numbers of children vaping is a major concern and the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will help prevent marketing vapes to children, which is utterly unacceptable.

Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of the charity Action on Smoking and Health, said: Vapes are a vital tool to help adults quit but regulations have needed an overhaul for some years since appealing disposable vapes hit the market driving up use among teenagers.

This new legislation takes important powers to regulate the product design, branding and contents in ways that can protect kids from taking up vaping and drive-up product quality for adults switching.

The Conservatives had proposed their own Tobacco and Vapes Bill but it was not passed into law before the general election. It did not contain as many measures.

Smoking claims around 80,000 lives a year in the UK, putting huge pressure on the NHS, taking up appointments, scans and operations, and costing taxpayers 3.1billion a year.

The cost of smoking to the economy is even greater, with 18billion lost in productivity every year, as smokers are a third more likely to be off work sick, the Department of Health and Social Care said.

Shops could face on the spot fines of 200 if caught flouting the law by trading standards, while repeat offenders could face stiffer financial penalties in court and have their licence revoked (file image)

Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England, said: The rising numbers of children vaping is a major concern and the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will help prevent marketing vapes to children, which is utterly unacceptable

Tobacco is responsible for one in four of all cancer deaths and killing up to two-thirds of its long-term users.

Smoking also substantially increases the risk of many major health conditions throughout peoples lives, such as strokes, diabetes, heart disease, stillbirth, dementia and asthma.

Almost every minute someone is admitted to hospital because of smoking and up to 75,000 GP appointments can be attributed to smoking each month - over 100 every hour.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade body UKHospitality, said: The rumoured ban on smoking in outdoor areas understandably caused angst amongst hospitality businesses, who were concerned that it would impact trade and undermine their investments in creating outdoor spaces for customers.

While were yet to see the detail, this initial confirmation that hospitality wont be included is positive.
Almost a third of children in parts of England are obese by the time they start secondary school, figures revealed today.

Thirty-one per cent of Year 6 pupils in Knowsley, Merseyside, are classed as obese  more than twice the levels logged in leafy areas such as Surrey and Richmond-upon-Thames.

Nationally, the rate stands at over a fifth, a slight drop on last year but still higher than the figure recorded pre-pandemic.

Waistlines also rose among children in reception, with the proportion of four and five year olds deemed obese hitting one in ten.

Health officials today labelled the figures 'concerning' and warned that the NHS 'cannot solve' Britain's childhood obesity crisis 'alone'.

The figures come from the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP), which involve measuring the height and weight of more than a million children every year.

The obesity rate among 10 to 11-year-olds fell to 22.1 per cent in 2023/34 from 22.7 per cent in 2022/23.

Meanwhile, the proportion of youngsters deemed either overweight or obese also dipped, from 36.6 per cent to 35.8. Both measures are above pre-pandemic levels.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

But when broken down by local authorities, data showed 30.7 per cent of Year 6 pupils were obese in Knowsley.

This was followed by Wolverhampton and the London borough of Barking and Dagenham with rates of 30.2 and 29.5 per cent respectively.

By comparison, the figure stood at 13.8 per cent in both Richmond-upon-Thames and Wokingham and 14.3 per cent in Surrey.

Among children in reception, 9.6 per cent were considered obese in 2022/23, up on the 9.2 per cent in the previous year, according to NHS England.

When the number who are deemed overweight was also included, the share stood at 22.1 per cent.

This was up 0.8 per cent on the previous year.

One in seven reception-aged children aged four and five (14.1 per cent) were considered obese in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough  the worst hit areas.

This was followed by Sandwell (13.5 per cent) and Blackpool (13.4 per cent).

Over a million children had their height and weight measured under the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). Nationally, the rate among children in Year 6 stands at over a third, despite having fallen slightly since Covid began

For comparison, just 5.5 per cent were obese in Wokingham and 6.4 per cent in Cambridgeshire.

Childhood obesity has been a growing issue for years, with easy access to fast food, more screen time and sedentary lifestyles blamed for spiralling rates in some parts of the UK.

The NCMP was established in state-funded schools in England in 2006 and was considered a key element of the former Government's war on childhood obesity.

It measures the height and weight of children which are then used to generate a Body Mass Index.

This is compared to a national scale to determine whether that child is underweight, normal, overweight or obese.

But in 2022, researchers from Queen Mary University of London warned the programme may do more harm than good and potentially encourage eating disorders in kids.

Parents of slim children have even complained about their kids wrongly being labelled fat.

Professor Simon Kenny, NHS England's National Clinical Director for Children and Young People, said today: 'These latest figures continue to concern me as they show almost one in ten children are now classified as obese in their first year of school.

'Obesity can have a major impact on a child's life  it affects every organ in the body and is effectively a ticking health timebomb for the future by increasing a child's risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, mental health issues and many other illnesses.

'The NHS is committed to helping young people and families affected by extreme weight issues with tailored packages of physical, psychological and social support, including our 30 specialist weight-loss clinics spread across the country to ensure that every child can access support if they need it.

'But the NHS cannot solve this alone and continued action from industry, local and national government, and wider society together with the NHS is essential to help create a healthy nation.'

How much physical activity should children and young people aged 5 to 18 do to keep healthy? Children and young people aged 5 to 18 should: Aim for an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity a day across the week

Take part in a variety of types and intensities of physical activity across the week to develop movement skills, muscles and bones

Reduce the time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity. Aim to spread activity throughout the day Advertisement

Labour ministers have pledged to introduce tight restrictions on advertising junk food, alongside a ban on children being able to purchase sugary, high-caffeine energy drinks.

Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne said: 'Our widening waistlines are costing the NHS and the economy billions of pounds as well as setting kids up for an unhealthy life.

'Children with obesity are five times as likely to live with the condition as adults, so it is vital that we take urgent action to protect children today by shifting our focus from treatment to prevention.

'That's why we're restricting junk food advertising on TV and online, limiting school childrens access to fast food, and banning the sale of energy drinks to under 16s.'

The Local Government Association today said cash raised from the soft drinks sugar tax should be targeted at areas with higher levels of deprivation, child obesity and tooth decay.

It said the tax has raised 1.9 billion since it was introduced in 2018, 'yet councils are increasingly concerned about where the money is being spent'.

It also wants the tax extended to include milk-based drinks such as milkshakes, and high-sugar coffees as well as high-sugar items like cakes, biscuits and chocolate.

It comes as the World Health Organization last year also revealed 37million children under the age of five are now overweight globally  four million more than at the turn of the century.

Australia ranked second in the table of 198 countries, with 21.8 per cent of children there classified as overweight.

Britain was 22nd (11.3 per cent), while the US claimed 52nd spot (7.9 per cent).

Obesity doesn't just expand waistlines but health care costs, with the NHS spending an estimated 6.1billion annually on treating weight-related disease like diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
A difficult-to-treat 'genital super fungus' is likely already silently spreading in the UK, experts warned today.

Cases of the contagious infection dubbed a 'potential public health threat' have already been reported in New York.

Known medically as trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII), the rare type of ringworm has previously been spotted across Southeast Asia and Europe, with doctors in France recording 13 cases nationwide in 2023 alone.

But experts said the condition, which often causes painful rashes across the genitals, thighs and buttocks, was 'very likely' to have 'already spread' undetected in Britain.

Lab tests to confirm cases of the 'slow growing bug' can take up to three weeks for results to come back, they warned.

The condition itself can lurk in the body for days before causing tell-tale symptoms, too.

Dr David Denning, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Manchester, told MailOnline it was 'very likely that there are undetected cases' in the UK, 'particularly those in the early stages'.

He added: 'Today if you had a rash on your chest or your back, you might not bother to deal with it for a week or two.

According to the New York cases, the patients, identified by letters A-D. Pictured, patient A

Known medically as trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII), it is a rare type of ringworm. Pictured, patient B

'If you were to go to a doctor and they prescribe something like a steroid or antibacterial cream but it doesn't work, we could be looking at six to eight weeks since it began.

'But you could have transmitted it in the first two or three weeks to a partner or a friend that you gave a big hug to, went swimming with.

'They would then get it and you'd start a cycle.

'It's likely no more transmissable than other skin fungi but it is very inflammatory meaning you get a much worse rash and usual treatments don't work.

'We've seen cases in France, Germany, Canada, previously, as well as in the Middle East, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

'There's a large number of people in this country that would have gone back and forward from these countries for work, relationships and weddings for instance.'

Dr Neil Stone, a consultant in infectious diseases and microbiology at University College London Hospitals also told MailOnline: 'It is inevitably going to spread worldwide including in the UK and it's up to doctors to recognise them and do the appropriate testing and seek treatment advice from specialists.

'We also need to increase research into the diagnosis and management of these emerging infections.

Experts said the condition, which often causes painful rashes across the genitals, thighs and buttocks, was 'very likely' to have 'already spread' undetected in Britain

'Historically fungal infection have been neglected leaving us with few treatment options.'

It comes as US health officials in June confirmed one man in New York had become the first ever to contract the infection via sex in the US.

He previously travelled to England, Greece and California, and said he had sexual encounters during his trips.

But, the unnamed patient said, he did not notice similar skin conditions in any of his partners.

Earlier this month US health officials also reported that a further three cases had been detected in the city.

While not fatal, TMVII can leave sufferers with permanent scarring or pigmentation on areas of the skin that were infected.

The New York researchers warned the rashes experienced by people infected with this type of ringworm may also present differently than the more common ringworm and could be mistaken for eczema, leaving patients without relief for months.

Experts today also cautioned 'very long waiting lists' for NHS dermatology treatment and 'long waits' for PCR test results could see at risk patients waiting weeks before the infection is confirmed.

Patient D (pictured above) was identified as a sex worker who had contact with patient A

Dr Denning told MailOnline: 'The NHS waiting list for dermatology treatment is very long.

'You also have to take a culture and send it off to one of the fungal laboratories to identify it, which typically takes three weeks.

'There are some fast molecular tests, PCR tests, which could be used, but they're far from routine in Britain.

'There's only one or two labs doing those things.

'Then to be sure that it's resistant to the anti antifungals, you have to do a sensitivity test.

And only one or two labs in the country that do those tests at the moment.

'So it is going to be an increasing problem. It will get into the general population of Britain, and we'll end up with it being transmitted in Britain.'

According to the New York cases, the patients, identified by letters A-D, were all gay or bisexual men in their 30s, who had recently had multiple male sexual partners.

Patients A and D reported sexual contact with each and patient D was identified as a sex worker.

Patients B and C reported no known contact with a partner who had the condition, but patient B had recently traveled to Europe.

Each was eventually successfully treated with antifungals, although in one case it did take up to eight weeks for the rash to begin to improve.
Doctors are warning Americans to wear face masks and take other precautions at the ballot box today amid a 'perfect storm' for diseases.

Millions will head to polling stations where they'll face long waits in cramped lines and touch pens and electronic screens used by countless others.

Dr William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, said with flu and an unusual type of pneumonia around, it raised the risk of getting sick.

He urged people to wear masks while in indoor lines and consider keeping a distance of six feet.

Dr. Tess Barton, a pediatric infectious diseases expert in Texas, also urged voters to wipe down voting screens and pens before casting their ballots.

Dr Schaffner told DailyMail.com: 'I would hope everyone has already received both their influenza and Covid vaccines, and those aged 75 years and older, their RSV vaccines.

'But, beyond that, wear a mask  because influenza is starting and Covid is still spreading out there.

'This refers particularly to a group of people who are a high risk group, so those who are older and have underlying conditions like lung disease and heart disease.'

Pictured above is a woman wearing a face mask at a postal ballot center in Phoenix, Arizona, during the 2020 presidential election



CDC surveillance so far this year shows minimal flu and Covid activity, but does suggest there has been a surge in 'walking pneumonia' cases.

It comes after health officials started urging people to mask up again as winter approaches.

Dr Schaffner added: 'I would start by wearing a face mask when I am waiting in the line, particularly indoors. If the line snakes out of doors, you are still in close proximity to people so I would wear a mask then also.

'I think it would be good to do social distancing too. I have seen in our local public library that people are very respectful and have a little bit of distance between themselves, but certainly not six feet, so it is not entirely successful.

'This is not just something I preach too. I voted by mail, but whenever I go to the supermarket, since I have some grey hair and I am in one of those more at-risk groups, I wear a mask.'

Doctors say infected patients could spread the disease via sneezes and coughs that release airborne droplets.

They may also spread the disease by touching their nose or mouth and then a surface, such as a voting machine or pen.

Others may then pick up or breathe in these droplets while waiting in line to vote or while in voting booths, risking an infection.

Dr Barton said: 'We're all touching the same little pens and touch screens when we vote.

'If you're going to be in line with a lot of people, some of them may be sick.'

The above map shows that at the end of September, the latest week available, all states had 'low' or 'minimal' flu activity

There has been an uptick in 'walking pneumonia' infections, however, particularly among children

The US flu season typically starts in October, and peaks around December and February.

But data suggests that infections with flu, Covid and RSV are yet to take off  although there is a surge in 'walking pneumonia', mostly among young children.

All states had a 'low' or 'minimal' level of flu activity in the week to September 28, the latest available, data shows.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Mask mandates became a staple in many Democrat states during the Covid pandemic as a way to stop the virus spreading.

But studies have failed to show they reduced infections or deaths.

A major review by the Cochrane Institute found they make 'little to no difference' to someone's risk of catching Covid.

At the same time, some research suggests Covid measures like masking and social distancing may put people  especially children  more at risk of severe infections.

They say it robs children of exposure to diseases early in life, which means their immune system may not develop correctly.

Walking pneumonia is a bacterial infection that can cause excessive coughing, a fever and a headache.

But it is also considered to be less severe than the main form of the disease, with patients not sick enough to stop carrying out daily tasks.
Advertisement

'Forever chemicals' found in tap water, food wrappers and shampoo may explain an explosion of disease in young people, a study warns.

The new research shows that these toxic substances damage the microbiome, the delicate protective balance of bacteria in the gut.

People with higher levels of these chemicals, called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) had lower levels of gut bacteria that prevent inflammation, which has been linked to diseases such as colon cancer.

In addition to examining the microbiome, the researchers tested how healthy participants' kidneys were years later They found the forever chemicals may have been responsible for up to 50 percent decrease in kidney function over a four year period.

PFAS - which are dubbed forever chemicals because they don't break down in our bodies or environment - have been used in manufacturing since the 1940s to make products, stain, grease and water resistant.

But research linking the chemicals to immune system problems, pregnancy complications and kidney and testicular cancer has been growing.

It comes as researchers elsewhere look to the gut as one of the potential causes behind the uptick in colon cancer in young people, with the number of people under 55 being diagnosed with the cancer nearly doubling over the past 25 years.

TYPE YOUR ZIP CODE IN THE SEARCH BAR BELOW TO FIND OUT THE PFAS LEVELS IN YOUR LOCAL WATER SUPPLY

Your browser does not support iframes.

Meanwhile, a 2024 study showed more than 70million Americans may live in homes with PFAS-contaminated drinking water.

This year, the EPA created a law in that requires public drinking water systems to start testing and limiting their water for PFAS by 2025.

Aside from water, the CDC says someone can be exposed to forever chemicals by eating food manufactured near PFAS factories, eating fish caught in PFAS contaminated water or breathing in contaminated soil or dust.

Long-term exposure to PFAS may lead to an increased risk of prostate, kidney and testicular cancer, developmental delays in children, decreased fertility in women and disruption to the body's hormone balance, according to the EPA.

Kidney damage has been one of the most widely accepted side affects of PFAS exposure, and scientists like Professor Jesse Goodrich

Professor Goodrich, whose research was published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, are trying to explain why.

Professor Goodrich, from the University of Southern California, told The Guardian: 'Along with these metabolic diseases comes a higher risk of diabetic or chronic kidney diseases, and this is one of the fastest-growing causes of mortality in the US, so its a really important question.'

His study included 78 people with an average age of 20 who lived near USC who didn't have conditions that would already interfere with their gut, like obesity, diabetes or infections.

They took stool and blood samples in 2014, to check their baseline gut health and PFAS levels. They gave each person a PFAS burden score, a number developed to estimate exposure to chemical mixtures.

Then, in 2018, they took samples again to measure their kidney function. The people with higher levels of PFAS in their blood had lower levels of a bacteria called Lachnospiraceae, which has been shown by previous studies to reduce inflammation and prevent kidney disease, the study authors wrote.

They found the people who had higher PFAS concentration tended to have lower kidney function in the years following. For each increase of their PFAS burden score, their kidney function decreased by about 2.4 percent.

The cities depicted on the map are just a handful of many that have been identified as having higher concentrations of PFAS in the public water supply and private wells

PFAS in drinking water can come from waste runoff from the production of water, stain and grease resistant items. The EPA moved to force public utilities to begin treating water for these chemicals by 2025

Decreased kidney function can lead to chronic kidney disease, a condition where your kidneys slowly stop removing waste from your blood, causing a dangerous build up of toxic fluid that can cause major organ systems to shut down, according to Mayo Clinic.

Professor Goodrich said experts don't yet know for sure how PFAS causes kidney damage, but it appears it could have to do with the disruption to the gut's function.

It is already known that the bacteria of the gut produce chemicals that can tax or support the kidneys, and that they seem to play a role in regulating the inflammation of the organs.

Prof Goodrich cautioned that their study had limitations - since it was performed in such a small sample size, it's difficult to know if their findings will apply to the broader population.

But this isn't the only study investigating PFAS' impact on bodily functions.

The chemicals have also been shown to blunt the immune system - making it harder for your body to fight back against infections, according to research from Northeastern University, which could have implications throughout the body.

A 2023 study from Yale School of Public Health found two PFAS chemicals caused colon cancer cells to grow and spread more rapidly. This can make for a more deadly cancer, and suggests exposure to these chemicals may cause colon cancer to develop.

Studies performed in fire fighters, who are exposed to burning PFAS chemicals in fire-fighting foam, have shown they're at increased risk for colorectal cancer, Jie Zheng, a Yale epidemiologist said.

It's also been suggested that as much as 80 percent of all colorectal cancer cases are related to some sort of external factor, like chemical exposure.
A Florida woman was rushed to the hospital after making a mistake while attempting to use eye drops.

Brianne Shipley woke up at night to drop some antibiotics into her right eye to treat a bacterial infection.

But in the darkness she accidentally grabbed her nail glue bottle and poured it into the infected eye, saying it immediately caused her to scream in pain.

She said: 'After it happened, I literally was screaming hysterically, telling my phone to call 911 and trying to wake my son up.'

Revealing the pain, she said it felt like her eye was 'on fire' and as though there were 'rocks' scraping against it.

She first ran to the sink and then to the shower to try and wash the glue from her eye, before rushing to the ER where doctors removed whole chunks using Q-tips.

At least three days on from the accident, Ms Shipley says the vision in her right eye remains 'a little blurry' but that she is hopeful that it will get better.

When she spoke to DailyMail.com today, she was waiting to see a doctor who would examine the damage to her eye. In other cases, people have also mistaken super glue for eye drops.

Brianne Shipley, from Florida, said she put the nail glue into her eye by accident. She is pictured above wearing a Morgan Lens, which tries to clean the eye using water to remove any chemicals or shards

She revealed the accident in a TikTok that has now wracked up more than 2million views, with many commenting saying they had done similar.

She said doctors told her when she was admitted that the accident was 'more common' than many believe.

The eye drop bottle is both a similar size and shape to that for nail glue, with Ms Shipley  who hadn't used eye drops previously  keeping both by her bed.

Describing the moment she poured nail glue into her eye, she told PEOPLE: 'After I got the notification [to treat my eye], I blindly reached over, grabbed the bottle, opened my eye with one hand and put the drops in.

'As the drop was falling I realized the consistency of the plastic bottle felt wrong. As soon as it hit my eye, I started screaming.

'That first 10 minutes was just huge panic  I didn't know what was going to happen.'

She added: 'That drive to the hospital was the worst pain  it was just burning, on fire, it felt like rocks in my eye.'

Ms Shipley also suffers from type 2 diabetes, and said that shortly before treating her eye she had woken up because of low blood sugar and eaten a sweet.

Ms Shipley accidentally picked up the bottle of eye glue in the dark when she was searching for her eye ointment. She also suffers from type 2 diabetes

Pictured above are some of the shards of glue that were removed from her eye by doctors

The above shows her eye the morning after the accident, and how it looked about a day ago. The right eye was affected

As her eye was flooded with pain, she screamed for her 17-year-old son who Googled the injury and said she should rush to the bathroom to try to wash the glue out of her eye. Doctors later said this likely minimized the damage.

Once at the ER, she received pain medications and doctors then searched the eye for any tears or abrasions due to the glue.

They also fitted a Morgan Lens, a medical device that continuously cleans the eye with water to remove any chemicals or foreign objects like glue shards.

She was discharged the next day with an ointment for her eye, and has now returned to the hospital for a check-up.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Responding to her video, one viewer said, 'it's so crazy how often this happens', while a second said, 'this happens so often I'm surprised they haven't changed the bottles at this point'.

It was not clear which brand of nail glue she accidentally put into her eye, but health officials say online that people who do this should immediately go to the ER.

Experts say online that chemicals in the glue can irritate the eyes and be dangerous for someone's vision. They also said that any scents in the products can cause tearing of the eyes and make them feel irritated.

The Arizona Poison Centers says: 'For people with glue in their eyes, we always recommend going to a health-care facility. This is the best way to avoid possible eye damage.

'While there are no documented cases of permanent eye damage from glue in the eye, various temporary problems may result from trying to remove the glue yourself.'

They also recommended keeping medications in a separate place to avoid someone accidentally using the wrong bottle.
Robert F Kennedy Jr is calling for the removal of fluoride from America's water supply, declaring it his first act as an official in a possible Trump administration.

Reports that the controversial former presidential candidate may be tapped for a Trump White House position have been floating around for weeks, and RFK tweeted that if appointed, he would 'advise all US water systems to remove fluoride from public water.'

In a post on X, Kennedy, a staunch anti-vaxxer, claimed fluoride causes bone cancer, IQ loss and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Adding fluoride to water has been touted as a great public health achievement, but doubt over its benefits and concerns of its health impact have been on the rise.

Water fluoridation is standard national policy in the US, England and Canada, but other developed countries such Germany, Sweden, Scotland and Switzerland have discontinued it, arguing people now get enough fluoride through other sources, like toothpaste and mouthwash.

And earlier this year, a US federal judge ruled the EPA should reevaluate national fluoride regulations based on a study performed by a federal organization that provided evidence 'with moderate confidence' that fluoride was linked to lower IQ in children.

Still, Dr Paul Offit, a physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, told NPR that Kennedy's claims are misleading.

Dr Offit said: 'Fluoride has been well tested. It clearly and definitively decreases cavities, and is not associated with any clear evidence of the chronic diseases mentioned in that tweet'.

Robert F Kennedy Jr is a staunch anti-vaxxer and declared he would pull fluoride from public water systems if given a position in a possible Trump White House

Your browser does not support iframes.

Other health authorities side with Offit, listing water fluoridation as one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century.

The NIH says it helps to prevent cavities, stave off illnesses and avoid hundreds of millions of dollars in associated medical costs for Americans.

Much of the literature around water fluoridation, which began in the US in 1944, shows the practice is safe.

Since then, the government has moved to fluoridate most public supplies, meaning roughly 72 percent of Americans that use public water supplies drink water with fluoride added to it.

The element makes teeth more resistant to substances that can wear down enamel - like citrus, sugary foods and carbonated beverages - which thin and weaken teeth and make them more sensitive.

This, in turn, prevents cavities and other dental infections.

Since national fluoridation came around, rates of dental problems in children have declined, and the program is praised by dentists.

For nearly as long though, critics have been raising concerns about the safety of fluoride.

In his November 2nd post on X, Kennedy said: 'Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease.'

He then linked to a video from the anti-vaccine advocate Del Bigtree.

It's not clear if Trump supports this plan, and he has yet to publicly state if he would give Kennedy a position in his administration if he were to win.

However, the former president did say in a phone call with NBC: 'Well, I havent talked to him about it yet, but it sounds OK to me.'

But, Dr Offit told NPR: 'Robert F Kennedy Jr is a science denialist. He makes up his own scientific truths and ignores the actual truth.'

The US started adding fluoride to their tap water in the 1940's. Roughly 72 percent of Americans that use public utilities get fluorinated drinking water

Fluoride is the active ingredient in most toothpastes, and 13million children participate in fluoride mouth rinse programs, which has students rinse their mouths with a sodium fluoride mouth wash during the school day, according to the NIH.

In 2015, the US Department of Health and Human Services Agency reviewed the levels of fluoride added to water and decided to standardize the national recommendation.

Older recommendations had allowed different concentrations based on the local air temperature, but the 2015 update set the limit at 0.7 mg of fluoride per liter of water.

This re-evaluation didn't come about because of concerns about health impacts, however, but instead it was meant to address concerns that higher levels of fluoride could cause white patches to develop on teeth.

But critics point to other countries that have eliminated the substance from their water supply.

Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden have discontinued fluoride plans in favor of other national dental programs. They have not banned fluoride outright, and in Germany, there is a history of adding fluoride to salt.

Opponents of fluoridation note that adding it to water might have been necessary for people in the 1900s who didn't have access to fluoride in dental products, but that in the modern world, people get enough fluoride already - and excess exposure could be detrimental

Most recently, in the US, a study from the National Toxicology Program found there was a link between high levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ.

The levels of fluoride they included in the study were two times higher than the federal limit for drinking water.

The authors wrote this didn't prove definitively that fluoride causes lower IQ, and noted their study just establishes a pattern between the two.

The authors said: 'Many substances are healthy and beneficial when taken in small doses but may cause harm at high doses. More research is needed to better understand if there are health risks associated with low fluoride exposures.'

Still, federal judge Edward Chen found the evidence from the study compelling enough to issue an order asking the EPA to regulate drinking water. He specifically asked

In response to Jude Chen's ruling, the American Dental Association issued a staunch support of fluoridation.

It read: 'The key takeaway for the public and public health community from this ruling is that it does not conclude with any certainty that fluoridated water is injurious to public health.'
A new book, Opening Heavens Door, will make you re-think everything you thought about death. Here, in the third part of our spine-tingling series, survivors of shipwrecks, air crashes and terrorist attacks tell how they were mysteriously guided to safety.

As he lay sleeping in a muddy trench in France one night, William Bird woke to find someone shaking him. It was 1917. Hed just been through the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and he was exhausted. Irritably, he tried to pull away  but whoever it was continued to shake him with some urgency.

So Bird  a journalist in civilian life  wearily opened his eyes and, to his utter astonishment, recognised his brother, Steve, whod been reported missing in action two years earlier.

Steve put his warm hand over my mouth as I started to shout my happiness, Bird recalled. Then he pointed to the sleepers in the bivvy and to my rifle. Get your gear, he said.

Many strange stories emerged from the Great War including that of journalist William Bird, who woke to find someone shaking him in 1917

As Bird tried to work out how his brother had located him, he let Steve lead him away from the other sleeping men. By the time it occurred to him to ask where they were going, his brother had rounded a corner  and vanished.

Bird searched for him frantically, but eventually came to the conclusion hed been asleep on his feet. Anyway, his brother had been wearing the uniform and cap of 1915  two years out of date.

It had been a dream, for sure. Bird crawled into the nearest trench hole and fell asleep. The next morning, he was awakened by soldiers who were highly excited to find him alive. The trench where hed dreamed of his brother shaking him awake had been hit by a high-explosive shell.

As Bird soon saw, the bodies of the men whod remained there were beyond recognition.

Had he dreamed up his brother? Perhaps. However, tales abound of soldiers being assisted by some ghostly presence in their hour of need.

Another World War I soldier, George Maxwell, became separated from his platoon in no-mans-land. He was not only lost but uncertain of the contours of the enemy lines. Terrified, he was about to bolt in a random direction when a voice commanded: Be seated and await deliverance.

Brought up short by the authority of this unseen speaker, Maxwell obeyed. One of his comrades later found him kneeling in a crater, and led him to safety.

Sir Ernest Shackleton. With two of his crew members, he'd made a desperate, exhausted trek across a mountainous 25-mile stretch of Antarctica

Who is the third who walks always beside you? wrote the poet T.S. Eliot in 1922. When I count, there are only you and I together, / But when I look ahead up the white road /There is always another one walking beside you.

These lines in Eliots great poem The Waste Land have been assumed to allude to the uncanny experience of Sir Ernest Shackleton, after his boat became mired in ice in 1916. With two of his crew members, hed made a desperate, exhausted trek across a 25-mile, mountainous stretch of Antarctica. At some point, all three men became aware of a presence  another companion  accompanying and guiding them.

The Third Man  although in reality it was a fourth  then seemed to escort them safely to a whaling station. Yet none of the men spoke about him during the trek itself, each thinking that they alone had sensed the extra companion.

Later, when Shackleton was asked about this, he said the experience had been too transcendent to be the subject of casual Ouija Board chatter.

His sense of wonder has been shared by many explorers, sailors, divers and mountaineers who have experienced the Third Man in times of duress. Their companions have sometimes been visible, sometimes not. Sometimes, the presence has spoken aloud to them, other times not. But, always, the presence has comforted them or led them to safety.

How then do we explain the Third Man? Early scientific theories tended to focus on the location.

Soldiers in World War I, for example, were presumed to have been sleep-deprived. Mountaineers were thought to be suffering from the effects of altitude, lack of oxygen and cold.

Victims of shipwreck were assumed to have hallucinated due to sunstroke and dehydration. Polar explorers had been tricked into the illusion by sensory deprivation in a world of white.

But even if any of the above could be proved, what about people in collapsing towers?

In the more recent past, three 9/11 World Trade Centre survivors claimed that they had been guided to safety by sensed presences.

Covered in dust, survivors seek refuge after two hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001

One had stopped at a wall of fire, but was prodded through and later led down the stairs of the North Tower. Another was comforted as he lay beneath the rubble. A third, who had been trapped beneath concrete, received encouraging visits from a presence she perceived as a monk.

Similarly, in 1989, two climbers separately became aware of a kind, middle-aged Tibetan woman while they were on Mount Kanchenjunga in India. Lou Whittaker knew her as a friendly spirit at the base camp. She kept him company each evening, he says, for three months.

Whittakers wife, Ingrid, meanwhile, was trekking down from the summit to the base camp with an expedition group when she developed altitude sickness. For several days, she lay in a tent  where she found herself being attended during the day by a Tibetan woman.

She was wearing a headscarf and a long dress. She was shadowy and two-dimensional, like a silhouette  and very comforting, she reported.

In 1989, two climbers separately became aware of a kind, middle-aged Tibetan woman while they were on Mount Kanchenjunga in India

It wasnt till months later that the couple compared notes and realised theyd been visited by the same ethereal woman.

For many, however, the sensed presence remains unseen.

From all reports, its not like the shivery sensation you get when youre being stared at, or a momentary stirring of shadow and light. Nor is it like thinking someones there when the wind whispers through a candle.

There is nothing at all speculative about the Third Man. Indeed, those who encounter him all describe having a sudden, vivid and indisputable awareness that someone is with them.

So what do scientists make of the Third Man now?

Over the past decade, Swiss neuroscientists have tried to replicate a sensed presence in their labs by using electrodes to stimulate a part of the brain called the left temporoparietal junction.

Lead researcher Olaf Blanke, at the Mind-Brain Institute in Lausanne, suspects that any dysfunction in this area  due, for example, to a reduction in oxygen  could make someone disoriented. Specifically, he thinks that this brain dysfunction may cause people to blur the boundaries between themselves and others.

So far, however, his theory remains unproven. Nor is it likely to explain why a sensed presence can keep reappearing, or stay with someone for months, until hes no longer needed.

For the Third Man is nothing if not helpful. As journalist John Geiger discovered when he researched the subject, there are literally dozens of references in memoirs, diaries and letters to his crucial interventions.

Which, of course, makes it even more unlikely the Third Man is a by-product of oxygen deprivation or sunstroke.

Another journalist, Maria Coffey, embarked on a book about endurance athletes  and was surprised by what she found.

Many of the athletes were typically hard-headed pragmatists. Yet theyd not only had sensed companions, but often had accurate dreams about their coming ordeal and telepathic access to distress messages from partners.

What the athletes also had in common was intense focus and heightened awareness. Was this, Coffey wondered, what enabled them to tune in to fields of perception to which we are ordinarily oblivious?

Possibly. But perhaps an even tougher question is: why is the Third Man so purposefully supportive of the people who sense him? After all, far from being just a voice in someones head, he often prods, bullies, meddles and seizes control.

In 1983, the U.S. climber James Sevigny was severely injured by an avalanche in Banff National Park, and could barely move.

His back was broken, as were his arms, nose and some ribs. He was bleeding internally, and he lost consciousness for an hour.

Just as he was succumbing to shock and hypothermia, a sensed presence more or less bullied him to get up. Then it pushed him through deep-crusted snow, 1.5km back to camp.

All decisions, said Sevigny, were made by the presence. I was merely taking instructions.

As soon as he reached his tent, his bossy companion disappeared. Moments later, Sevigny was found by some cross-country skiers and taken by helicopter to a hospital.

Joshua Slocum, the first man to sail solo around the world, had a similar experience. In the midst of a storm, he had fallen ill with food poisoning and was no longer able to steer his boat.

To his astonishment, a tall man appeared and said that hed handle the tiller. Somehow, Slocum had the impression that he was a friend and a seaman of vast experience.

The man kept the vessel on course for 145km, until Slocum could resume control. Then he dematerialised.

In most such cases, the presence seems to vanish moments after the problem is resolved, even if the person at risk isnt yet aware that hes out of danger.

For instance, shipwreck survivor Ensio Tiira said hed finally lost all hope  while adrift on a raft  when his sensed companion disappeared on the 30th day. But that also turned out to be the day that Tiira was rescued.

Why is the Third Man so comforting  and so real? Most scientists believe the answer must lie deep in the brain, which somehow projects the image of a consoling, guiding presence. In truth, thats just another theory. No one really knows. In the meantime, describing a sensed presence as a hallucination seems presumptuous and unhelpful.

As Martha Farah, director of the Centre for Neuroscience & Society at the University of Pennsylvania, has said: We should not assume we can explain everything that matters in terms of chemistry, biology and physics.

And certainly, we should not infer that whatever cannot be explained in those terms does not matter.

On a bitterly cold day in January 1979, a young woman doctor was tending to her critically-ill patient in the back of a small plane.

It was a case of measles encephalitis, and Dr Yvonne Kason was anxious to reach the nearest hospital, a few hundred miles away, as quickly as humanly possible.

The wind, however, had started to rise, and soon the twin-engined craft was in the midst of an icy blizzard. Then, to the horror of the pilot, one of the propellers suddenly stopped working just as the plane was approaching a hill.

There was no choice: he had to attempt a crash landing.

I just felt intense panic, intense fear, Dr Kason told me 30 years later. I thought: Oh my God, Im going to die!

But, to her astonishment, she felt a wave of tranquillity wash away her terror. Then she heard a voice. Be still, it said, and know that I am God.

Hold on, I asked Dr Kason when we met  how did she know it wasnt her own voice, or a thought passing through her mind?

She considered the question. OK. Its like youre walking down a hall, and someone comes on a loudspeaker and tells you to stop. You know its not you. It was a low voice, a deep tone, and it was profoundly comforting.

As the plane fell from the sky, Dr Kason said: I felt peaceful and calm. I knew there was nothing to be afraid of. And I knew that there is nothing to fear in death.

The plane came down on a partially frozen bay in Ontario, Canada  but the ice was so thin that the plane began to sink. Dr Kason, then 26, tried desperately to rescue her patient, but she couldnt undo the stretcher straps in time.

She, the pilot and an accompanying nurse were thrown into the freezing water. Dr Kason tried to swim through the blizzard to reach a firmer part of the ice  but the voice once again took charge.

Swim to shore, it kept repeating. Against her better judgment, she decided to follow its advice.

My parka and boots were like lead, she recalled. I didnt think I was going to make it. I kept going under, and water filled my lungs. Abruptly, she said, it was like I was no longer looking out of my eyes. I was 20-30ft up, and I could see myself swimming. Dr Kason continued: This, to me, was bizarre, because Id heard descriptions of people going out-of-body when they were lying down, but not when they were swimming.

She found herself encompassed by light. I still existed, but I was in this incredible ocean of light and love, she said. The strongest aspect for me was the love. It was a maternal love. Like I was a newborn baby on my mothers shoulder, utterly safe. Like Id been lost for centuries and Id found my way home. There was no question but that I was sort of embraced by a higher power.

In that love, and in that light and in that intelligence, I just knew that whatever happened was meant to be. I was in complete joy, complete love, complete contentment.

Yet somehow her body, now pain-wracked from the cold, also kept swimming. In fact, her consciousness was constantly shifting back and forth between the light and the physical reality of the water.

It was sort of like a split-screen TV  thats the best way I can describe it, Dr Kason said.

The big picture was the light, and the little tiny picture was the body swimming to shore.

But at a certain point, as my body was sinking, I shifted more of my attention to it. I remember thinking calmly: Oh, yes, you drown the third time you go down.

Dr Kason might well have died then, but a current suddenly swept her towards a pine tree that had fallen into the lake. And thats how I survived, because I did not have the strength to swim the last few feet to shore.

Miraculously, the pilot and nurse also survived. All three were later rescued by a helicopter that had responded to the plane's final distress signal. By the time they reached the hospital, Dr Kason was slipping in and out of consciousness and suffering from severe hypothermia. All the while, she continued to hover above her body.

Again, she heard a voice  though she was also articulating the words herself.

It said: Boy, could I use a hot bath. Clearly, it was something higher speaking through my mouth, telling the nurses what to do. How did my body speak this, when I wasnt even thinking it?

Dr Kason herself had no training in the treatment of hypothermia. Even the nurses clearly hadnt considered putting her into a hot bath. But one of them remarked: Gee, maybe that would help  lets take her to the whirlpool in Physio.

Again, the voice had been right. When they put me in the bath, said Dr Kason, I felt like a genie being sucked back into a bottle. I was fully back in my body.

Thirty years on, every detail of her ordeal was vivid. But did she really have an encounter with God? Or was it the Third Man, providing guidance but strength?

As an open-minded doctor, Yvonne Kason feels her experience has much in common with that of a religious mystic who spends hours in prayer, or of a yogi in deep meditation. To me, she said, these are all glimpses of the same spiritual reality.
My wife and I and I are in our early 80s and have lived in Spain for 21 years. My wife has banked with Santander (formerly Abbey National) for 45 years, but we have suddenly found ourselves unable to get her a new debit card since her old one expired.

Apparently, my wifes credentials arent correct and the bank needed proof such as a utility bill. I sent our electricity bill but it was only in my name. I also sent two other official documents showing her name and our address but have had no response. We are not able to pay for food for ourselves or for our 40 rescue cats.

B.N., Spain.

Sally Hamilton replies: They say curiosity killed the cat, but I simply had to find out how you came to have 40 feline mouths to feed  as well as get to the bottom of your challenges in accessing vital cash.

Your wife explained it all began three years ago when she spotted a mother cat frantically carrying four kittens, one by one, by the scruff of their necks and dropping them onto your porch.

Your wife was in such awe at the efforts the mum made to bring her offspring to safety that she took in the whole family. Sometime later two more pregnant strays turned up and stayed. Your wifes soft spot for rescuing animals means you now house 40 cats, plus a dog and occasional other canine visitors. The bill for feeding them all is about 100 (83) a week.

Meeting your bills wasnt a problem until recently as you regularly transferred your British state and personal pensions totalling about 1,000 a month from a deposit account you hold jointly into your wifes personal current account. Both are UK Santander accounts.

SCAM WATCH Households should beware fraudsters trying to cash in on the changes to Winter Fuel Payment eligibility. Tricksters are sending out texts impersonating the Government which claim to be a reminder about winter welfare distribution. The text says we have discussed preparing to start issuing winter heating subsidies. It provides a link to apply for the subsidy and claims there is no age limit for this benefit. You should not click on the link if you receive this scam text. Instead, forward it to 7726 to report it.

She then used the debit card for spending. Each new card was previously sent to a trusted friends address in the UK. They then forwarded it to your post office box in a nearby Spanish town, as there is no residential delivery service in the remote mountain area where you live.

The arrangement worked until your friend moved and the most recent plastic was returned to sender. This alerted Santander, which requested the updated security details.

You tried to resolve matters and even purchased an iPhone so that you could communicate with Santander by email instead of by phone, as well as set up online banking. In June, you stopped chasing because of a hospital stay.

But, when the card expired in September, you were forced to act. Making no progress on your own, and having to borrow cash from friends to feed yourself and your furry friends, you asked me to intervene.

Following investigations, Santander said it could not send out the card as address verification for your wife was still required. You sent other documents.

A few days ago Santander confirmed these had been received and that a new card was on its way to your post box service, which the bank has accepted as your address. Your wife can collect the card upon presenting her ID. Your arrangements for banking had become a cats cradle over the years, but now you are online, with your address updated, you should not lose access to your cash again.

As it happens, you are lucky to bank with Santander, as many other High Street banks have recently closed the shutters to British expat customers.

A Santander spokesman says: It is vital that we hold correct contact information, including addresses, for all of our customers.

As Mr and Mrs N had not updated the address we hold for them for around 20 years, we were unable to quickly assist with providing a new card and online banking credentials. Were sorry that we missed an opportunity in June to enact a change of address sooner and have offered 300 in recognition of this. Purrfect.

In March my friend's dementia and Parkinson's deteriorated badly and he was taken into residential care. He no longer has the capacity to use his mobile phone. As I have a financial lasting power of attorney (LPA) for him, I went to a Tesco Mobile shop to ask how to cancel his account. Despite doing everything asked, the process has turned into a nightmare over the past few months with debt collectors chasing me for non-payment of his mobile bills. Please can you help.

M.L., Greater London.

Sally Hamilton replies: Your friend is lucky to have you acting in his interests. Having a financial LPA takes the burden off people when they lose capacity so that their bills can be managed (hopefully) smoothly by someone they trust. While acting as someone's attorney when they are too frail to manage decisions on their own is a blessing for them, it can be a challenge for the person in charge if things go wrong.

I would have thought cancelling a 7 a month phone contract would be simple, but you hit one hurdle after another. On visiting the mobile store to ask for help, Tesco told you to use your friend's phone to call customer services as it would immediately recognise his account. You did this in April and were able to explain the situation. A call handler said she would make a note of the cancellation and send you a confirmation email.

Nothing came to you, although a customer satisfaction email arrived in your friend's inbox. Meanwhile, you asked the bank to cancel the monthly direct debit. After several weeks, a letter arrived warning of arrears, so you phoned customer services again. Tesco asked you to email a copy of the LPA which they said was not legible and requested you scan each page separately. This you did. You heard nothing further so assumed all was well.

A few weeks later, a debt collector's letter landed on the doormat. You made contact and they also requested sight of the LPA. As they also couldn't read the emailed version, you posted hard copies, along with printouts of your correspondence with Tesco Mobile.

Despite this, you are still being chased by letter and daily texts for the debt and when you called the collection agency, it said there was no record of the documents.

At the end of your tether, you came to me. On my request, Tesco Mobile delved into the case. It did not explain what had gone wrong but it finally put things right and called off the debt collectors. A Tesco Mobile spokesman says: 'We're really sorry this has happened. We've written off the remaining balance on this account and have reached out to the customer to apologise.'

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT In June I lost electricity supply to my home. I called an engineer who said there was no fault with the property. Scottish Power brought a generator while it worked on the fault. Ive been trying to get reimbursed for the engineers fee and compensation for losing power to no avail. A. O., Conwy. SP Energy Networks apologises and says it had a generator running within the amount of time required by regulations, known as the guaranteed standard for power cuts. It has reimbursed the 25 engineer fee. Your provider Octopus Energy originally told you to contact Scottish Power instead of its partner SP Energy Networks to get compensation, so it has given you 75. *** I bought two Eurostar tickets to visit Paris in 2020. The train was cancelled due to Covid and Eurostar would only issue a voucher as a refund. The voucher had a 12-month expiry date so I exchanged it for more tickets. Due to ill health I have had to change the date of the trip five times, each time paying fees to Eurostar. I dont know if Ill ever be able to use the tickets so would like a refund. M. Q., via email. Eurostar says it will give you a cash refund of 278 but it cannot refund the fees you paid to change your booking. *** My wife and I flew from Gatwick to Tenerife in September with TUI but our flight was delayed by eight hours. We were told that we would get 20 worth of refreshments and could claim compensation of around 350 each under EU regulations. I later emailed TUI but it said it was not obliged to pay this as the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances. R. C., via email. TUI apologises and says customers were provided with funds to purchase a drink or snack. Reimbursement for the delay isnt payable under EU regulations.
AstraZeneca shares suffered their worst one-day drop in more than four years following reports executives in its China business are embroiled in a widening fraud probe.

The FTSE 100 pharma giant, one of the UKs largest companies, saw 14.4billion wiped off its value after a Chinese state-controlled media outlet said dozens of managers at the business were implicated in a scandal.

An announcement from the group last week revealed that its Chinese arm president Leon Wang was under investigation.

Shares hit: In a blow to boss Pascal Soriot (pictured), AstraZeneca saw 14.4bn wiped off its value after Chinese media said dozens of managers were implicated in a scandal

An insider at the drugmaker has alleged that stretching targets put extreme pressure on AstraZenecas sales reps and contributed to issues around compliance, according to Shanghai-based Yicai.

The news outlet also reported that the investigation into AstraZeneca has expanded to include several government agencies.

Shares tumbled 8.4 per cent, or 928p at 10114p. That took losses since its peak in early September, soon after it became Britains first ever 200billion company, to 24 per cent.

The sell-off over the past two months  which have coincided with a string of issues in China  has seen its value fall from 205billion to 156billion.

The probe is a setback for chief executive Pascal Soriot who has been hailed for his stewardship of the company since taking over in 2012.

Shares had more than quadrupled on his watch, before the recent sell-off, and still remain some 250 per cent up.

An AstraZeneca spokesman said: As a matter of policy, we do not comment on speculative media reports including those related to ongoing investigations in China. If requested, we will fully cooperate with the Chinese authorities.

In October, reports emerged that Eva Yin, a former senior executive at AstraZenecas China business, had been detained.

The previous month, five current and former employees were also held by Chinese authorities, reportedly for questioning over possibly breaching data privacy laws and importing unlicensed medications.

It is not the first time that AstraZeneca has butted heads with Chinese officials.

In 2022, local police arrested several employees as part of a probe into whether they had faked patient gene-testing results to claim funds from Chinas state-run medical insurance fund.

The fallout from this latest investigation threatens AstraZenecas business in one of its most critical markets. China accounts for 4.5billion in sales last year, about 13 per cent of its total.

AstraZeneca is the largest pharmaceutical company operating in China and has around 17,000 staff. The group is also planning to build a 350m factory and has also recently signed a number of licensing deals with Chinese companies.

These include a 1.5billion agreement struck last year with Chinese firm Eccogene to develop a weight-loss drug as AstraZeneca moves to take advantage of soaring demand for medicines such as Ozempic.

It is not the only British pharma firm on the hunt for deals in China.

Last week, FTSE 100 rival GSK signed a 653million deal with Chinese biotech firm Chimagen to buy an experimental drug for the autoimmune disease lupus.
Advertisement

View the results of the 2024 US presidential election in Louisiana with our unrivalled catalogue of maps and charts.

All of our graphics are synchronised with a database manned by Associated Press (AP), which has tallied millions of ballots and determined which candidates have won their races since Zachary Taylor was elected President in 1848.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.
Advertisement

View the results of the 2024 US presidential election in North Dakota with our unrivalled catalogue of maps and charts.

All of our graphics are synchronised with a database manned by Associated Press (AP), which has tallied millions of ballots and determined which candidates have won their races since Zachary Taylor was elected President in 1848.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.
Advertisement

View the results of the 2024 US presidential election in Ohio with our unrivalled catalogue of maps and charts.

All of our graphics are synchronised with a database manned by Associated Press (AP), which has tallied millions of ballots and determined which candidates have won their races since Zachary Taylor was elected President in 1848.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.
Advertisement

View the results of the 2024 US presidential election in West Virginia with our unrivalled catalogue of maps and charts.

All of our graphics are synchronised with a database manned by Associated Press (AP), which has tallied millions of ballots and determined which candidates have won their races since Zachary Taylor was elected President in 1848.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.
While abortion has been a central issue in the 2024 presidential race, and it is also on the ballot in ten states in the November election.

It could be a driving force to get some people to the polls as abortion access has been a mobilizing one since Roe v Wade was overturned ending the national right to an abortion and sending abortion access back to states.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe with the Dobbs decision in June 2022, 21 states have banned abortion or passed further restrictions beyond Roe.

But since Roe fell, multiple states have given voters a say on whether to protect or further restrict abortion rights.

For every abortion measure that has been on a ballot so far, be it to protect, expand access or restrict it, voters have opted to protect abortion rights including in red states such as Ohio and Kansas.

Voters in ten states will get to vote on abortion ballot initiatives in the November 5 election

On Election Day, voters in ten states will get to vote on abortion ballot initiatives in their state including two in presidential battleground states and one in Donald Trump's home state of Florida which he said he would vote against.

Here are the abortion ballot measures going before voters on November:

Arizona

In Arizona, voters will get to decide on Proposition 139. The ballot measure would establish the fundamental right to an abortion and prohibit the state from restricting or banning abortion before viability.

A 'yes' vote supports amending the state Constitution while a 'no' vote would oppose amending it to protect the right to an abortion.

Signs in favor of Proposition 139 in Arizona which would amend the state constitution to enshrine the right to an abortion

Anti-abortion protesters holding signs opposing Proposition 139 in Arizona

The amendment needs more than 50 percent of support to pass, but a recent New York Times/Siena poll found 58 percent of voters plan to support it.

It comes after Arizona was front and center in the fight for abortion rights earlier this year after the Arizona Supreme Court let the state enforce a 1864 abortion criminalizing abortion except when the life of the mother is in jeopardy.

It received outrage nationwide and left lawmakers scrambling in the state. Republicans in the state legislature first blocked efforts to repeal the ban before three GOP members sided with Democrats two weeks later to pass legislation which the state's Democratic governor signs.

Arizona also is a battleground state in the presidential race but has a major Senate race, so turnout is expected to be high for the election.

Colorado

While abortion is legal in Colorado, voters there will get to decide on Amendment 79 which would create the right to an abortion in the state Constitution and allow the use of public funds for abortion.

A 'yes' vote in favor of the amendment enshrines the right while a 'no' vote would oppose adding it to the state constitution.

In 2022, the state legislature passed a bill ensuring the right to an abortion remained legal there, but the amendment on the ballot would prevent the legislature from future restrictions.

Florida

Florida has one of the most high-profile fights for abortion rights in the country with Amendment 4.

It comes after the Republican-controlled state legislature first passed a 15 week ban on abortion in 2022 and then a six week ban last year, which GOP Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law.

The amendment would add language to the Florida Constitution stating 'no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patients health, as determined by the patients healthcare provider.'

It still preserves current language that allows a law requiring parents to be notified before a minor can get an abortion.

'Yes on 4' campaign material to end Florida's six week abortion ban with an amendment to the state's constitution being voted on November 5

Supporters say it will return health care decisions to women and their doctors, but critics claim the language is too vague.

Trump earlier this year said he would vote against Amendment 4 after some initial confusion despite claiming he does not agree with the state's six week ban.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking against Amendment 4 on October 21

Polling has showed a majority of voters in Florida support the amendment even though Trump and DeSantis are against it.

This could potentially lead to some mixed results with voters in the state supporting the amendment while also voting for the ex-president who is against it in his home state and nominated three of the six justices that overturned Roe.

However, Florida has a 60 percent threshold to pass an amendment, so the measure could also receive a majority of the vote but still fall short in the state.

Maryland

Abortion is currently legal in Maryland without limits, but there is a ballot measure in the state to preserve it.

A 'yes' vote on Maryland Question 1 would add a new article to the state Constitution's Declaration of Rights that establishes the right to reproductive freedom including the ability to make decisions about preventing, continuing or ending one's own pregnancy.

A 'no' vote would reject adding the language.

Missouri

Voters in Missouri will be voting on Amendment 3, which would add the fundamental right to reproductive freedom to the state Constitution including abortion and 'all matters relating to reproductive health care.'

The measure, also known as the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, comes as the state has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country with no exceptions for rape or incest.

If passed, Amendment 3 would establish the right to make reproductive health care decisions including on abortion without interference up until fetal viability, which is around 22 to 24 weeks into pregnancy.

Activists celebrating outside the Missouri Supreme Court after it ruled Amendment 3 could stay on the ballot in November

A sign against Amendment 3 in Missouri ahead of voters in the red state heading to the polls

Missouri was the first state to implement an abortion ban after Roe was overturned in 2022.

Montana

Abortion in the red state of Montana is currently protected up until fetal viability due to a state Supreme Court decision. However, on November 5, voters there will get to vote on adding abortion protections to the state Constitution.

Voting 'yes' on Montana CI-128 would add language to protect the ability to make decisions about ones own pregnancy including on abortion up until fetal viability.

A 'no' vote on the measure would oppose changing the state Constitution.

It comes after voters in the state rejected a ballot measure in 2022 that could have led to further restrictions in the state.

Nebraska

Nebraska has two ballot measures dealing with abortion on its ballot this November as the state currently bans abortion after twelve weeks.

Initiative 434, from Protect Women and Children Nebraska, prohibits abortion after the first trimester except in cases of medical emergencies or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. A 'yes' vote would ad restrictions while a 'no' vote rejects them.

Separately, Initiative 439, led by Protect Our Rights, protects the right to an abortion in the state Constitution up until fetal viability. On this measure, a 'yes' vote adds abortion protections while a 'no' vote rejects them.

Protesters at the state capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska as lawmakers worked to pass the 12-week abortion ban in the state in May 2023

Abortion rights activists have accused conservatives of attempting to confuse voters in the state while encouraging people to remember they need to vote on two separate ballot measures - for one and against the other.

Nevada

Nevada is another battleground state where voters will also get to vote directly on abortion on November 5. The state protects access to abortion in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Nevada Question 6 is an initiative that would enshrine abortion rights in the state's Constitution up until fetal viability.

A 'yes' vote would add the language protecting abortion while a 'no' vote would reject adding abortion protections to the state Constitution.

New York

While abortion is legal in the state, advocates are aiming to prevent future restrictions with a measure this November.

Proposition 1 is an amendment protecting against unequal treatment. A 'yes' vote would add language to the state Constitution to include protections against discrimination based on ethnicity, age, disability, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, reproductive health care, autonomy and more.

While the amendment does not specifically use the word 'abortion' it would enshrine it as part of a broader set of rights in the Constitution.

Those who oppose it point out that abortion is already legal in the state and claim changing the Constitution is not necessary.

South Dakota

Abortion is banned in South Dakota including in cases of rape and incest, but voters will get a say on the issue there on November 5 with Constitutional Amendment G, also known as the Right to Abortion initiative.

A 'yes' vote would enshrine the right to an abortion in the state Constitution with a trimester framework for regulating it.

The state would be blocked from regulating abortion in the first trimester and only would allow for limited regulations in the second trimester.

A 'no' vote rejects adding the language to the state's Constitution, thus keeping the state's almost total abortion ban in place.
A high-security prison is being swarmed by so many drones it is like an 'airport' with inmates burning holes in their Perspex cell windows to smuggle in drugs, a damning report revealed today.

The rampant drugs problem at HMP Garth, a high-security men's jail in Lancashire, has been exposed in a new official inspection.

More than a dozen cells had holes in their windows, which had been burnt by inmates using the element from their kettles. They then use mops and brooms to haul in illicit substances hanging down from drones hovering outside.

The use of smug-smuggling drones is rife across the UK prison estate, and earlier this year a couple were jailed for making more than a hundred drops in 11 jails over just a year.

Drone pilot Sajad Hashimi, 27, flew his DJI Phantom 4 into prisons on 78 dates between August 2022 and October last year - making drops as far south as Dorset and as far north as Edinburgh, with his wife Zerka Maranay hiring cars to help along the way.

Prisoners at HMP Garth have used kettles to burn holes into Perspex windows so they can smuggle in drugs from drones

Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor wrote in a report published today that prisoners were 'continually burning holes in the prison windows at a faster rate than they could be repaired'

This gallery of photos shows the disgusting state of cells where new prisoners spent their first night

Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor wrote in his report on HMP Garth - published today - that prisoners were 'continually burning holes in the prison windows at a faster rate than they could be repaired'.

His analysis revealed a third of all random drug test results at the jail were positive and nearly two-thirds of inmates said illicit substances were easy to acquire behind bars.

He found the number of assaults had risen by 45 per cent since the last inspection, 'with much of this likely to be driven by the illicit economy and subsequent debt'.

Mr Taylor discovered 17 prisoners had been refusing to leave their cells, of whom seven had been doing so for more than seven months, with many fearing for their safety because of drug debts.

'Isolating prisoners received very little time out of cell and most did not have daily access to a shower or fresh air,' he added.

HMP Garth houses 816 prisoners mostly serving long or indeterminate sentences and is intended to be a training prison that provides education for inmates.

However, Mr Taylor found it was unable to fulfill this role due to many prisoners being locked in their cells for much of the day in an attempt to reduce rampant violence.

He wrote: 'Too many prisoners were locked behind their cell doors for hours. Even those who were employed had only been offered part-time work.'

Another photo showing a cell at the prison, which was described as 'troubled'

HMP Garth houses 816 prisoners mostly serving long or indeterminate sentences and is intended to be a training prison that provides education for inmates

Mr Taylor said prisoners used mops and brooms to haul in drugs from drones. Pictured is broken equipment in a cleaning cupboard

Mr Taylor condemned the poor physical condition of the jail. Pictured are chairs with slash marks in them

This graph shows how HMP Garth has changed on a number of indicators from 2022 to 2024

Serjad Hashimi and his wife Zerka Maranay were convicted earlier this year for flying drones over prisons to make illegal drops of drugs and mobile phones

The Chief Inspector said prisoners and staff agreed that drugs were one of the main causes of violence, and that while jail bosses were taking some positive steps to tackle the problem 'only the replacement of the windows would reduce this substantially'.

He also slammed the poor physical condition of the prison, describing 'leaking roofs, peeling floors, and parts of the older wings in an advanced state of dilapidation'.

The report follows the release of troubling data showing assaults on prison officers in England and Wales have reached a new high.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) also disclosed a rise in reoffending rates, a record number of freed criminals called back to jail and a surge in the number of recalled offenders still on the run.

The figures revealed a criminal justice system in crisis and raised fresh questions about Labour's decision to free thousands of inmates in its early release scheme.

The MoJ said there were a record 10,281 assaults on jail staff, up 30 per cent on the previous 12 months. Some 974 of these were serious assaults, a 24 per cent jump.

Reoffending rates  the proportion of convicted criminals who go on to commit new crimes  were up one per cent to 26.4 per cent overall.

A pile of paperwork related to outstanding adjudications - formal hearings held within a prison where a prisoner is charged with breaking prison rules

Mr Taylor discovered 17 prisoners at HMP Garth had been refusing to leave their cells, of whom seven had been doing so for more than seven months, with many fearing for their safety because of drug debts

A photo of the gym at HMP Garth, which is located in the village of Ulnes Walton in Lancashire

The authorities recalled 9,782 inmates to jail between April and June, a 44 per cent increase on the same period last year. Prisoners are recalled if they commit new crimes or breach the terms of their release.

The huge numbers being sent back to jail is expected to pose a serious problem for Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

She is freeing thousands of inmates  including some violent offenders  after they serve 40 per cent of their sentence to free up space in overcrowded jails.

But higher numbers of offenders being sent back means the policy could create less space than expected.

Meanwhile, the MoJ figures  covering England and Wales  showed there are 2,605 criminals on the run after being recalled to prison.

Prisons minister Lord Timpson said in response to the figures: 'These statistics yet again illustrate the scale of the prison crisis this Government inherited and how prisons are failing their basic function to cut crime.'

The Ministry of Justice said: 'The new Government inherited a prison system in crisis and reports like these demonstrate the need for robust action to get the situation back under control.

'We have zero tolerance towards violence and drugs and our security measures, such as X-ray body scanners and anti-drone no-fly zones, detect and stop drugs from entering our prisons.'
At first it seems like a filibuster. Of course J.D. Vance knows the price of a gallon of milk, he insists.

'I do. I think. Right now?' he says, sitting beside wife Usha on his campaign jet, nicknamed Trump Force Two.

'I know the answer to this question very well. Are we talking about organic? Are we talking about the DC area... the Ohio area? Because at Kroger, the price of a gallon of milk, my guess is about $3.60 a gallon. Check, check if that's right.'

A swift fact check ensues as staffers fiddle with phones, looking up the price at the Vance's nearest store.

The answer comes back: $3.29, which is not bad for a former venture capitalist-turned-senator who now has to live inside a Secret Service bubble as running mate to Donald Trump.

Sen. J.D. Vance and his wife Usha board their 737 campaign plane for a trip that will take them to four rallies via seven states on the final slog before Election Day

It is not the question Vance expected as he spent the final day of the campaign criss-crossing battleground states to seal the deal with American voters.

He will check off Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, and Pennsylvania before the day is out.

But there is time for a beer run along the way and an hour here or there relaxing with Usha beside him in the front of the plane.

Except when the man from DailyMail.com is asking about groceries.

His answer punctures one nagging doubt about Trump and Vance and their claim to understand working families struggling with rising bills. Do either of them ever do any grocery shopping?

'I still buy approximately 50 percent of our groceries,' says Vance, before explaining that now it tends to be online orders because of Secret Service restrictions.

'Is that true?' I ask Usha who has already become accustomed to life as a real-time fact checker, answering questions in the past about whether her husband wears mascara or eyeliner (he does not).

'It used to be more,' she answers, before explaining that the whole familytwo young sons and a daughterwould head to Kroger before school twice a week to stock up on food and essentials.

Depending on what happens on Tuesday, the security bubble may be about to get a whole lot more restrictive.

Where some politicians may aspire to the private plane and the chauffeured SUV, Vance chafes.

'I aspire to get my f***ing minivan back,' he says with a grin, 'but that's not gonna happen.'

The next 24 hours will determine whether or not Vance will ever get his minivan back.

Vance said he has not talked to Trump about what his portfolio might be in a Trump-Vance administration, even though there was an obvious role.

'We need Donald Trump in two places at once. That obviously is impossible, but we can have Donald Trump in one place and JD Vance in another,' he told DailyMail.com.

'But I haven't talked to the President any great detail about it, because we're both very superstitious, and we don't like to talk about the transition.'

DailyMail.com was with Vance and his team every step of the way on their final frantic day of the campaign, as they took five flights, across seven states, and held four rallies.

8:12am: A disheveled Vance boards plane

Vance clutches iced coffee and he arrived in jeans, a sweatshirt and a flannel jacket

Vance has been traveling on a chartered 737-800, seen here during an earlier trip

Vance's motorcade pulls up to Trump Force One at the Cincinnati Municipal Airport. The senator looks like we all feel: he's wearing jeans and sweatshirt, his beard looks unkempt and he doesn't crack a smile.

He clutches an iced coffee like his life depends on it.

We're all ready for this be over. And we all know that it will be a long day, returning home close to midnight.

In contrast, his wife Usha emerges from their armored SUV looking a picture of good cheer. Her husband only cracks a smile when she points out how his traveling press corps has grown in size for the final day.

He waves from the top of the steps while an aide carries two boxes of donuts to the press cabin at the back of the plane.

Twenty minutes later and his chartered 737 has taken off en route to Wisconsin and the first of four campaign rallies in battleground states.

8:38am: The Final Countdown

Weary travelers are jolted awake when Europe's 'The Final Countdown' blares out over the plane's sound system.

It's like the last day of school. Staffers are ready for a break. And chuckle at the choice of music

'Will things ever be the same again?'

10:35am: La Crosse, Wisconsin

The first rally of the day. The Vances come on stage together before Usha ducks out of the way

Vance has changed into suit and tie by the time he disembarks in Wisconsin. About 500 people are waiting for him in a non-descript conference center room, festooned with the usual Stars and Stripes paraphernalia.

'Will you please welcome the next vice president of the United States and Usha Vance,' says the host.

They walk on stage together. Usha beams and waves to the crowd but quickly exits stage right, to take up a seat out of spotlight away from the stage.

Her husband gets quickly to the nub of his argument - that Kamala Harris can't represent a new way of doing things when she is the sitting vice president.

'Kamala Harris more of the same high grocery prices. She is more of the same chaos around the world and more the same wide open borders. So...'

In what becomes a pattern for the day, the traveling press pack is told to be ready to head for the motorcade when Vance starts his anecdote about 'steak night.'

11:16am: The world's biggest six pack

The motorcade makes an unexpected stop in the middle of La Crosse, beside what look like six gigantic chemical tanks, but which is actually the world's biggest six pack.

The would-be vice president is making a beer run at the City Brewery, which can brew 1,100 barrels of beer a day.

The Vance campaign's purchase looks meager in comparison to that capacity. An aide is spotted carrying Vance's six pack to a van, after the senator showcases it in a video for X.

12:20pm: 'I'm hoping for Johnny Walker Blue'

The Vances board the plane after the first campaign stop in La Crosse, Wisconsin

Vance is sitting with his wife Usha and aides at the front of the plane when DailyMail.com is invited forward to talk with the man who could be the next vice president of the United States.

He is taking nothing for granted as he reflects on the ups and downs of the campaign.

'All I care about at the end of the day is winning,' he says, before explaining that one of his best friend just messaged him with a text that captured his mood.

'He said, look, I think things are gonna go to well, and this is what I have for you, and it's Johnnie Walker Blue and he said, and if things don't go well, I've got this, and it's Beam's Eight Star.

'So I'm hoping it's Johnnie Walker Blue.'

Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a high-end whiskey, retailing for $200 and up. Beam's Eight Star is not.

His role in the campaign was simple, he adds, as he thinks about all the stops for ice cream, the rallies and the TV appearances since he was named Trump's running mate.

'Fundamentally, my job has been to define Kamala Harris, to try to identify the ways in which her policies have been bad for people, and to hammer that message as much as possible to as many people who will listen,' he says.

'And that's why we do so many media interviews, and that's why we do so many events, and that's why we do so many press conferences.'

He chafes at the security bubble that means he finds it harder and harder to meet people beyond a choreographed campaign stop.

1:11pm The stump speech gets an update

In Flint, Michigan, Vance appeared at the FIM Capitol Theater in front of hundreds of people

He updated his stump speech to include the story of an Orthodox Jewish man shot dead in Chicago by an illegal immigrant in an apparently anti-Semitic attack

The second rally of the day and this time it is at the Capitol Theater in Flint, Michigan. It is the sort of deep-carpeted, slightly scruffy place that Vance knows well from the Midwest.

He sticks close to his stump speech, repeating lines that landed well in Wisconsin, such as promising to return when he is vice president.

But he has added in details of anti-Semitic shooting in Chicago, where an Orthodox Jewish man was shot dead by an illegal immigrant.

In our chat he used it as an example of the media missing the point, of focusing on his past remarks about 'childless cat ladies' or Trump's comments about Liz Cheney facing rifle barrels when real people, outside the elite bubble, have other worries.

'Why is the media not talking more about the fact that this person is in our country because [Kamala Harris] didn't do her job?' he told me on the plane. 'That that lack of curiosity and focus from the media has really shocked me.'

After about 30 minutes on stage he has begun to talk about the woman who could no longer afford 'family steak night.'

That is the cue for the media to head for the motorcade.

2:50pm: Pizza time

Campaign life is not easy on the waistline. Late-night burgers or pizza after events is par for the course.

Earlier in the campaign Vance revealed to DailyMail.com how he had adopted a fitness regimen when running for Senate in 2022 because he realized it was not the healthiest of lifestyles.

The result was dropping 20lb.

On Trump Force Two, Monday meant elevenses of McDonald's burgers followed by plates of pizza in the early afternoon, at least in the press cabin at the back.

The plane is decorated on the inside with campaign slogans. 'Trump secured the largest pay raise for our troops in a decade,' reads one.

4: 51pm: On the stump with Matt Gaetz

Another rally, another smooch with Usha before she ducks out of the limelight

Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida was one of the warm- up speakers before Vance appeared

We are ahead of schedule and the warm-up acts, including Rep. Matt Gaetz and Georgia's lieutenant governor, cut their speeches short.

Vance takes the stage to what is now a familiar sound and the banjos of Merle Haggard's 'America First,' echoing around a hangar-like space in the bowels of Atlanta's Cobb Galleria Center.

On the final day of campaigning there is no time for his signature move, inviting questions from journalists and turning every event into a press conference.

More to the point, election eve is not the time for an unexpected question and a gaffe that could overshadow Election Day.

Just ask Democrats who have banished Joe Biden from the election trail.

'Fundamentally, my job has been to define Kamala Harris, to try to identify the ways in which her policies have been bad for people, and to hammer that message as much as possible to as many people who will listen,' he told me earlier.

'And that's why we do so many media interviews, and that's why we do so many events, and that's why we do so many press conferences.'

He is getting to the anecdote about the woman who had to cancel family steak night, so the press is ushered quickly out to the motorcade.

He is on a tight schedule. On the final day of campaigning there is no time for his signature move, inviting questions from journalists and turning every event into a press conference.

Vance was hitting some of the same states as Donald Trump, as they leave nothing to chance

More to the point, election eve is not the time to be taking questions: There is little chance of delivering an answer so good that it knocks out the opposition; but it is possible to upstage your boss and create a firestorm that distracts from the closing message.

Just ask Democrats why Joe Biden has been disappeared from the campaign.

'Fundamentally, my job has been to define Kamala Harris, to try to identify the ways in which her policies have been bad for people, and to hammer that message as much as possible to as many people who will listen,' he told me earlier.

'And that's why we do so many media interviews, and that's why we do so many events, and that's why we do so many press conferences.'

His Georgia rally did not so much deliver a gaffe as an explosive moment, seized on by critics who accused him of dangerous rhetoric when he riffed on the idea that Biden had called Trump supporters 'garbage.'

'We are going to take out the trash in Washington D.C.' he continues, 'and the trash's name is Kamala Harris.'

At other rallies he just refers to taking out the trash in Washington, leaving viewers to join the work.

In any event before long he is getting to the anecdote about the woman who had to cancel family steak night, so the press is ushered quickly out to the motorcade.

7:59pm: Vance makes it seven states in a day

The final event is in front of the rowdiest crowd of the day in Newtown, Pennsylvania

There is no fanfare, no glitterballs exploding. With the night already dark, the motorcade passes from New Jersey (where Trump Force Two landed at Trenton) into Pennsylvania, marking the seventh state of the day.

After starting in Ohio, we have traveled through Wisconsin, Minnesota (briefly), Michigan, Georgia, New Jersey finally Pennsylvania.

The rally is in Newtown, in a vast barn with an Astroturf floor.

The crowd, which Vance says is 2,500, is the liveliest of the day.

And they cheer along at the right moments and join him when he describes Harris' fumbling answer when asked what she would have done differently to Biden.

'Not a thing that comes to mind,' they shout happily.

'Where's the open bar,' says Vance. 'This is a hell of a crowd.'

10:45pm: What's next?

On Tuesday, he will vote in Cincinnati and then fly to join Trump in Palm Beach.

We leave Pennsylvania 45 minutes ahead of schedule and arrive early back at Cincinnati.

His staff assembles at the bottom of the steps as he and Usha disembark from Air Force One. The campaign is over and everyone is lightheaded, chanting, 'J.D., J.D., J.D.'

His response comes in typical Vance style. He roasts them with a smile and the sort of language that his famous Mamaw (who raised him and 'who could make a sailor blush' with her cursing) would have enjoyed.
As Winona McMichael packs her bag for work each morning, she checks she has her phone, wallet and keys. Then she looks for her gunshot wound kit.

But she is not a soldier, police officer or even a paramedic, as one might expect. She is a volunteer at an abortion clinic in Orlando, Florida, helping escort patients inside for treatment.

'Things have gotten physical before,' 28-year-old McMichael, told the Daily Mail. 'We all carry those gunshot kits and we've had classes on how to pack bullet wounds.'

Worryingly, experts say the debate over abortion access is now so highly charged that safety measures like this are a necessity.

Across the US there have been 11 murders, 42 bombings and 531 assaults on patients, providers, and volunteers associated with abortion clinics since 1977, according to the latest data from the National Abortion Federation.

Deborah Dorbert, 33, was forced to carry her baby to term despite knowing he would either be stillborn or die within minutes of birth in 2022.

That violence is now sharply on the rise, according to their data, particularly for cases of assaults, bomb threats and stalking.

And, as America stands on the eve of one the most tightly contested elections in modern history, abortion has become even more of a trigger issue.

Recent polls have shown a stark gender divide between Republican and Democratic voters, with abortion being one of the key issues driving women to vote for Kamala Harris.

Former President Donald Trump has long boasted about his role in helping to overturn Roe v Wade in 2022, by filling the Supreme Court with conservative justices who then voted to end the constitutional right to an abortion.

In doing so, power over abortion access was handed back to individual states  and, in the deepest of Red states, extremely strict conditions were put in place almost immediately. Thirteen states now have total bans on abortion with very limited exceptions, and four have six-week bans.

But there is increasing evidence that people are revolting. A poll by the Pew Research Center in May found 63 percent of Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or most circumstances.

Even Trump himself has indicated he would vote to overturn a six-week ban, telling the Mail in August: 'I think six weeks is a mistake.'

In Trump's home state of Florida  where abortion volunteer Winona McMichael's clinic is  Governor Ron DeSantis brought a six-week ban into effect on May 1, replacing the pre-existing 15-week ban that had been in place since 2022.

The move was met with instant outrage  not least because Florida had been one of the few remaining Southern states where women could access abortion care.

In Trump's home state of Florida  where abortion volunteer Winona McMichael's clinic is  Governor Ron DeSantis brought a six-week ban into effect on May 1, replacing the pre-existing 15-week ban that had been in place since 2022.

But now, the tide may well turn, as while Trump is almost certain to triumph in the state on November 5, Floridians also have the chance to pass a measure, Amendment 4, to overturn DeSantis's six-week ban.

Amendment 4 requires 60 percent of votes to pass, and the most recent poll by Florida Atlantic University suggests that  even in such a reliably-Republican state  public opinion is within touching distance of that figure.

When you read the horrifying stories of Floridians, you begin to understand why

Deborah Dorbert, 33, was denied an abortion and had to carry her baby to term as she did not have the money to travel out of state, despite knowing he would either be stillborn or die within minutes of birth in 2022.

'We were overjoyed,' Deborah told the Mail. 'We were going to have a little boy.'

Then tragedy struck.

'At 23 weeks, we went in for a routine ultrasound and our doctor told us our baby did not have kidneys and that there was very little amniotic fluid,' Deborah said, 'it was our worst nightmare come true.'

The diagnosis meant that Deborah's baby would almost certainly be stillborn.

But because of the ban (then at 15 weeks), and a lack of clarity over what qualifies as a 'fatal fetal abnormality' as an exemption, Deborah's doctors told her their hands were tied, and they could not perform an abortion.

'I had no choice but to carry my pregnancy to term for 13 more weeks, knowing that my baby boy would die shortly thereafter,' she said.

When Deborah went into labor, she had to explain to her then-four-year-old son that despite the fact she was going to hospital, his baby brother wouldn't be coming home. '[It was] an unbearable type of heartbreak,' she said.

After giving birth, the horror deepened.

'I was handed my newborn baby already cold and blue,' Deborah said. 'I was forced to watch him suffocate, for 94 excruciating minutes, until he passed away.'

Another of the most emotive of the stories that has emerged in recent months is that of Caroline, a woman who shared her ordeal in an advert campaigning for the overturning of Florida's six-week ban.

Another of the most emotive of the stories that has emerged in recent months is that of Caroline, a woman who shared her ordeal in an advert campaigning for the overturning of Florida's six-week ban.

Last month, DeSantis's administration tried to block TV stations from running the advert, but a judge overruled, saying: 'It's the First Amendment, stupid.'

Caroline  who is not sharing her surname  reveals how she became pregnant with her second child in 2022, before Florida's six-week ban went into effect in May 2024.

At 18 weeks pregnant, Caroline started suffering alarming symptoms.

'I wasn't able to speak, write, focus or read,' she told the Mail, 'it happened so fast, like over six days, I thought maybe I was having a stroke.'

Caroline went to the emergency room and doctors found a 'large mass' in her brain.

'After being in the Neuro ICU for two weeks, I was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, glioblastoma,' Caroline said. 'There is no cure for the cancer I have and they weren't sure how long I would live, especially with the [pregnancy induced] hormones.'

The doctors wanted her to start chemotherapy and radiation straight away, but Caroline couldn't do either while pregnant.

She was left with a terrible choice: try to carry her baby to term and risk dying in the process or soon after  or terminate her pregnancy and get treatment, to spend more time with her already two-year-old daughter.

'It was the hardest decision I have ever made, but I chose to end my pregnancy and begin to prepare for radiation the very next day,' she told the Mail. 'My abortion allowed me more time to be a mother to my daughter and a wife to my husband. I am grateful for the legal right to have made that decision.'

Two years later, with the more restrictive current ban in place, Caroline wouldn't have had the chance to make such a choice.

'Florida's ban does not even make exceptions in cases like mine and for me abortion care was medically necessary to save my life,' she said.

Winona McMichael, 28, has to carry a gunshot wound kit to volunteer at an abortion clinic in Orlando, Florida, helping escort patients inside for treatment.

Across the US there have been 11 murders, 42 bombings and 531 assaults on patients, providers, and volunteers associated with abortion clinics since 1977, according to the latest data from the National Abortion Federation (protests at a clinic in Orlando).

Recent polls have shown a stark gender divide between Republican and Democratic voters, with abortion being one of the key issues driving women to vote for Kamala Harris.

Now, women are finding themselves forced to leave the state to access essential care.

Since the six-week abortion ban was passed, Winona McMichael estimates 70 percent of the women that come and try to end their pregnancies at the Orlando clinic she volunteers at are turned away.

'It's really scary, because a majority of people that need to access this care are very young,' McMichael told the Mail, 'almost all the women we see are under 25.'

Often, they've traveled for hours to be there, taking time off work and finding childcare for their other children.

'We see patients that say that they slept on the side of the road or slept in their cars to be here,' McMichael said.

And when they are seen, only to find out they are too far along under Floridian law, many of them break down outside the clinic not knowing where to turn next.

'It's a very scared confusion of, 'I don't understand, I don't understand, why I can't access this care here?',' McMichael described.

Unable to help, McMichael and other volunteers say they give patients information and connect them to other clinics out of state and even in Puerto Rico, where they can travel for care.

'We will get them to Puerto Rico, and they will have their procedure done there. And then two weeks later, they can come back into the Orlando clinic for their follow up-appointment,' she said.

It's a last-ditch option and often comes at great cost.

The family of one woman, Megan Palmese, started a GoFundMe to cover the expenses of her travel out of state for abortion care in the midst of a medical emergency. Her family drove nearly 1,200 miles to New York, where Megan underwent a total hysterectomy. She was forced to take three months of work for travel, treatment and recovery.

The family of one woman, Megan Palmese, started a GoFundMe to cover the expenses of her travel out of state for abortion care in the midst of a medical emergency.

In early April this year, Megan was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy surgery the following month. A few weeks later she began feeling nauseous and discovered she was pregnant.

'An ultrasound revealed a life-threatening cesarean ectopic pregnancy [in which an embryo implants in the scar tissue from a previous C-section],' her family wrote on the GoFundMe, 'but due to certain legislation, she was unable to get the necessary care in Florida.'

It is unclear why doctors allegedly denied her care, but at least one physician who treated Palmese said he was at a loss over her predicament.

'My understanding is I don't understand it,' Dr. Michael Leslie Nimaroff told the New York Times.

'As a health care provider for women, it's very hard for us to understand not being able to intervene for the mother's wellness and safety. It goes against what we're taught.'

Her family drove nearly 1,200 miles to New York, where Megan underwent a total hysterectomy. She was forced to take three months of work for travel, treatment and recovery.

'This journey has been emotionally and financially challenging, highlighting how difficult it can be for women to seek basic life-saving treatment,' her family wrote on the GoFundMe page.

But Megan was one of the lucky ones, able to pay her way to a safer state and receive the care she needed.

Spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union, Keisha Mulfort, told the Mail: 'When you have bans like [Florida's] that are one size fits all, you just put women in the position to wait until they bleed out, or wait until they begin to miscarry, or for other complications to start in order for them to get care. And that is not acceptable, not in the country that proclaims to be the greatest.
Americans are heading to the polls today to decide the next president in what has become the closest race to White House in decades.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump made their final case Monday in the hours before Election Day, when voters will either choose America's first woman president or hand the Republican an unprecedented comeback.

Trump - the Republican nominee - promised to lead the United States to 'new heights of glory' while Democrat Harris said the 'momentum is on our side' as the polls show the pair in a dead heat.

With everything potentially coming down to a few thousand votes in seven key battleground states, the outcome of the election has never been more uncertain.

Here's MailOnline's guide to the 2024 US Election...

Kamala Harris (left) and Donald Trump (right) made their final case Monday in the hours before Election Day, when voters will either choose America's first woman president or hand the Republican an unprecedented comeback likely to rattle the world

How the Electoral College system works and the 270 votes that will decide who wins

The Electoral College is voting system that is made up of a 538-member body of 'electors' who vote for the president.

Each US state gets as many electors as it has members of Congress - those in the House and the Senate. There are currently 538 electors in all, including three for Washington DC, which is represented in the system despite not being a state.

Each state's electors vote for the candidate who won the popular vote in that state.

The runner-up gets nothing - except in Nebraska and Maine where elector votes are awarded based on congressional district and statewide results.

To win the presidency, a candidate must secure 270 electoral votes - a majority of the 538 possible votes.

Seven states are considered swing states in the 2024 presidential race with 93 electoral votes up for grabs, but the path to the White House will come down to who wins Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina

What are the 7 key battleground swing states and why do they matter?

Trump and Harris are fighting to win the electoral votes in seven so-called swing states - states that don't clearly favor one political party over the other.

Both candidates have been aggressively campaigning across the country, but in the lead up to Election Day have concentrated efforts in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

In a razor-tight election, just a handful of votes in any of those states could ultimately decide the fate of the White House.

Where do Donald Trump and Kamala Harris stand on the key issues?

ECONOMY

Trump has vowed to impose sweeping tariffs on imported goods and on specific companies and countries.

He pledged to end taxes on tips and overtime, to make emergency generators tax-deductible in states hit by natural disasters, to lower corporate tax rates and to open federal lands to foreign companies and housing.

Harris' economic plans include tax cuts for most Americans, bans on price gouging, more affordable housing and a new child tax credit, as well as efforts to boost domestic manufacturing.

She proposed increasing the corporate tax rate to 28 per cent from 21 per cent and ending taxes on tips.

CRIME

Tackling crime has been a focal point of Trump's campaign, with the Republican nominee repeatedly casting himself as the 'law and order' candidate.

In February last year, he laid out his plan to tackle crime which involved a 'record investment in hiring, retention and training' for police officers across the country and strengthened liability protections for law enforcement agencies.

He has also called for police officers to be entitled to 'immunity from prosecution.'

Trump has also pledged to 'send in federal assets', such as the National Guard, to combat lawlessness in US cities and wants to provide federal funding for the use of 'stop and frisk' tactics.

While on the campaign trail, Harris has leaned more heavily into her personal background as a prosecutor and contrasted that with Trump being found guilty of 34 felony counts in a New York hush money case and being found liable for fraudulent business practices and sexual abuse in civil court.

However, while she has highlighted her work as a 'progressive prosecutor', critics note that she has repeatedly contradicted herself on crime issues.

She emphasized the fight for racial justice during her 2019 presidential bid, but had implemented racial bias training for parts of law enforcement while serving as attorney general in California.

She has previously said that she would expand investigations into police misconduct and set a national standard for use of force. She also wanted to require states to report use of force incidents and create a national police misconduct registry.

Harris - who reiterated on the 2024 campaign trail that she is a gun owner and supports Second Amendment rights - has also advocated for a ban of assault rifles, universal background checks and red flag laws, which allow a state court to order the temporary seizure of firearms from a person believed to be a danger.

ABORTION

Trump takes credit for the US Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade protections, saying abortion laws should be left to the states. Trump said he does not support banning birth control.

Harris has made reproductive rights and personal freedoms a rallying cry and has called on Congress to pass national legislation codifying access to safe abortion.

She has promoted President Joe Biden's administration's efforts short of federal law, including steps to protect women who travel to access the procedure and limit how law enforcement collects medical records.

Her argument to the public is rooted in the concept of freedom, saying 'the freedom to make decisions about one's own body should not be made by the government.'

IMMIGRATION

Trump has made immigration a top issue throughout his campaign, promising mass deportations, including legal Haitian immigrants given Temporary Protected Status in Springfield, Ohio.

He said he would end birthright citizenship and expand a travel ban on people from certain countries.

Harris has promised tougher immigration and fentanyl controls at the border.

FOREIGN POLICY

Trump has vowed to fundamentally alter the US relationship with NATO and to resolve the Ukraine war with possible peace talks that might require Kyiv to cede territory.

He has said Hamas must be 'crushed' and vowed to be tougher on Iran, but has given few details or policy proposals.

Harris is expected to stick largely to Biden's playbook on key foreign policy issues such as Ukraine, China and Iran.

She pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a Gaza ceasefire deal but has also taken a hard line against Hamas, saying the terrorist group must be 'eliminated,' and remains committed to the US policy of arming Israel.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Trump, who has previously branded climate change as a 'hoax', has campaigned on a platform involving a rollback of climate regulations passed under Biden designed to curb the release of greenhouse gases from the oil and gas industry.

That includes leaving the Paris Agreement, under which countries pledge to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius by 2050, and potentially undoing Biden's flagship IRA, which provides massive subsidies and incentives to clean energy technologies.

Harris' climate and energy positions are similar to those held by Biden, who made fighting climate change a top priority.

How the polls have shifted and how they're shaping up

The polls are on a knife's edge this year and the next president could be decided by just a few thousand votes.

The Real Clear Polling average has Trump up over Harris nationally by 0.1 per cent.

But the race may end up being the closest in US history as a new TIPP poll had both candidates tied on 48 percent on the election eve.

Betting markets on Monday showed Trump has recaptured a slight lead over Harris after a shock Iowa poll had him behind the VP in the solidly red state.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

When will we know who has won US 2024 election?

As every state follows different procedures for counting and reporting results, there will be a wide range of times that the winner is determined in each, whether on Tuesday night, into early Wednesday or beyond.

As soon as the polls close in a state on Tuesday evening, that state can be called by the US news networks for either Harris or Trump.

For those states that traditionally vote solidly Republican (such as Wyoming and Oklahoma) or Democrat (California and New York), the call is likely to happen almost the moment the polls close, before a single vote has been officially counted.

But where the race is expected to be close - like in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia or Pennsylvania - news outlets will want to wait until most votes are actually counted and reported before making a projection.

Because of this, some states might not be called for either candidate for hours, possibly days.

This map shows the given times for when the last polls close in each state. All times are GMT

At least eight states (highlighted in orange) may not be able to declare a winner on election night between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris

With polls showing the race a virtual coin flip between Trump and Harris, it is unclear how long it will take for the winner to be announced this time.

In 2020, the Associated Press called 26 states instantly when their polls closed and another five came in less than an hour.

Within 24 hours, 45 states and the District of Columbia had been called. But Biden and Trump were still short of the 270 electoral college votes needed to win.

Biden declared victory three-and-a-half days after the polls closed, when the AP called Pennsylvania.

Millions of voters have also sent in mail-in ballots, which take much longer to count than those cast at in-person polling places and factor in more greatly on election night calls in a tight race.

Some, including swing states Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, won't begin counting absentee ballots until Election Day itself, which could delay results further given how consequential they may be to both candidates' paths to victory.
With more than 400,000 immigrants arriving in Australia in the last financial year, veteran businessman Dick Smith is one of many high-profile Aussies calling for the urgent stabilisation of the population before it's too late.

Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) has more than 17,000 signatures - including Mr Smith's - for its 'Say NO to a Big Australia!' campaign, just months out from the federal election where immigration is expected to be a major talking point.

'We're on our way to doubling our population, which will be a disaster for Australia,' Mr Smith, 80, told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday.

The philanthropist said neither the Government nor the Opposition have any plan to control Australia's population growth while SPA has called for policies that see the population stabilise below 30million.

'Every Australian family has a population plan. They can have 20 children in their lifetime, but none do,' he said.

'They all have the number of children they can give a good life to. So they all have a plan. But when it comes to as a country, we have no plan at all.'

Despite his enormous wealth, the millionaire admits he worries for the future of his nine grandchildren in the face of record immigration in Australia.

He said the lack of a plan to tackle the issue is driven by big corporations.

Veteran businessman Dick Smith (pictured) is one of the many prominent Aussies who have signed a new position statement calling for the stabilisation of Australia's population

'The billionaires who have doubled their wealth in the last 10 years, they just want more money,' Mr Smith said.

'And one of the biggest drivers of population growth is developer Harry Triguboff. He's already worth $22billion (but) he constantly spruiks more immigration because he desperately wants more money.'

In May, Mr Triguboff, the founder and CEO of home-building giant Meriton, called for more immigration.

'The migrants we bring must be from everywhere,' he said.

'Many countries have residents who would be only too happy to come. Many people suffer overseas and they are often very well educated and used to hard work. We must have both of these.'

But Mr Smith dismissed such talk, sarcastically suggesting this strategy would lead to 'just endless growth, I suppose, until we run out of food'.

He pointed out that many politicians purport to want a lower level of immigration until they get to the point where they can do something about it, but choose not to, including John Howard, who was prime minister from 1996 to 2007.

'Up until John Howard's time, we had an approximate immigration of about 70,000 net a year for many decades, and that gave us a wonderful Australia where we could cope [and] housing was affordable,' Mr Smith said.

'That was the optimum number, about 70,000 a year, which is what I support. Now, it's around 300,000 a year, or (in the 2022-2023 financial) year, it was 500,000.'

Sustainable Population Australia has got more than 17,000 signatures for its 'Say NO to a Big Australia!' campaign. A packed Bondi Beach is pictured

Mr Smith said the only people who benefit from very high levels of immigration are the extremely rich.

'It's really good for the billionaires... the greed, they'll just make unbelievable amounts of more money,' he said.

'But for just about everyone else, [they'll be] worse off because the wealth of our country is fixed, it's fixed from the mineral and primary resources we have.

'Double the population and everyone is worth half as much.'

Mr Smith warns living conditions will be bleak for future generations, who could be 'crammed' into huge, Chinese-style apartments if immigration remains at current levels.

'For the interests of our children and grandchildren, we should have a population plan. It's a dry, arid country and yes, I have no doubt we can squeeze 100million in here, but there will be a lot of really poor people,' he said.

'They'll be crammed like termites and battery hens into high rises. We're already building our first high rise schools so they won't even have a school yard to play in.

'So with a country that's got so much open space, we will end up with termite mounds and it will be a huge leap backwards because of our own stupidity.'

Mr Smith dismissed the 'ridiculous' notion that Australia needs mass immigration to curb a huge skills shortage across the country.

'We should train people to fill those positions,' he said.

Sustainable Population Australia's (SPA) national president Peter Strachan agrees.

'Australians are angry about the impact of rapid population growth on their lives and are frustrated that their voices are not being heard by our political leaders,' he said.

Mr Strachan said the 17,000 signatures showed that 'Australians have spoken and are waiting for our federal leaders to meet us at the table'.

'Survey after survey demonstrates that most Australians want population growth to stop. Congestion, cost of living, the housing crisis, along with concerns for the environment and water security are just a few of the reasons why Australians are seeking real leadership on this issue,' he said.

'People are tired of having their voices dismissed by vested interests, including property developers, big business and, counterintuitively, many environment and conservation organisations.'
Republican Donald Trump goes up against Democrat Kamala Harris in the US presidential election being held on Tuesday November 5, US time.

Trump will be attempting to return to the White House after he became one-term president losing to Joe Biden in 2020 whereas Harris hopes to make the step up after serving as vice-president for the past four years.

Here's what Australians need to know.

What time is the US election Australian time?

With US states being 15 to 19 hours behind Australia's east coast much of the action will take place on Wednesday, November 6.

Voting in US eastern states will close at 6pm US Eastern Time on Tuesday, which in Australia will be from 10am Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) on Wednesday.

In Queensland it will be 9am, 9.30am in South Australia and 7am in Western Australia.

By 8pm US Eastern Time polls will have fully closed in more than 20 states, including the crucial swing states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

In Australia this will be by Wednesday noon AEDT, 11am in Queensland, 11.30am in SA and 9am in WA.

Republican candidate Donald Trump is running to get back in the White House, which he lost to Joe Biden in 2020

Voting in chief battleground states Michigan and Wisconsin will close at 9pm US Eastern Time, meaning 1pm (AEDT), 12pm in Queensland, 12.30pm in SA and 10am WA.

The last US polls close in Hawaii and Alaska at 12am Wednesday US Eastern Time, which is 4pm (AEDT), 3pm in Queensland, 3.300m in SA and 1pm in WA.

When will we know who has won?

Unless the election is abnormally tight the winner should be evident by the time polls close in Hawaii and Alaska (4pm, AEDT), which is several hours after vote counting begins in key eastern states.

However, polls are predicting a tight race.

In 2020 the Associated Press did not declare Biden the winner until the next day and in 2016 it took until 2.29am US Eastern Time to declare Trump the winner, which was evening in Australia (7.30pm AEDT).

How to watch the US election coverage in Australia?

All free-to-air TV stations will have rolling coverage. The ABC, Channel 10, Nine and SBSs coverage all begins at or shortly after 10am AEDT on Wednesday. Channel Sevens coverage will begin at 11.30am, with Natalie Barr in Washington.

Coverage will continue through the day with breaks for local news bulletins and evening programs.

The SBS broadcast will include coverage from the US outlet PBS.

Coverage will continue throughout the day, with Australian channels breaking for local news bulletins and evening programs at different points.

Democrat candidate Kamala Harris has spent the last four years being vice president to Mr Biden

Who will cover online?

Daily Mail Australia will have continuous coverage. You can find a live blog here.

Where are election watch parties?

Election watch parties are happening in major Australian capitals.

Sydney

A 'Trump Election Watch Party' will be held at the Sanctuary hotel on Kent Street from 1pm on Wednesday.

Democrats Abroad is holding its party at Kent Street hotel from 9.30am on Wednesday.

Melbourne

AmCham, the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia, is holding a watch party at Hawthorn hotel from 2pm on Wednesday. The party will feature a live broadcast of NBCs election coverage. This is a paid, ticketed event.

Democrats Abroad is holding its party at Belgrave hotel from 10am on Wednesday.

Brisbane

Democrats Abroad, an official arm of the Democratic party, is holding its party at the Pig N Whistle from 10am on Wednesday.

Adelaide

The University of Adelaides Politics and International Relations Association will be holding its party at the Crown and Sceptre hotel from 11am (local time) on Wednesday.

Canberra

Democrats Abroad is holding its party at PJs in the City from 10am on Wednesday 6 November.

Perth

Perth USAsia Centre will be holding its party at the IQX building at the University of Western Australia from 7.30am on Wednesday.
A scorching heatwave is set to strike huge swathes of Australia this week as a giant mass of hot air spreads across the country.

Central and northern parts of Australia will cop the brunt of the scorching weather and become some of the hottest places in the world heading into the weekend.

Temperatures will exceed 40C in parts of NSW, QLD, SA, the NT and WA with coastal and southern parts also expected to experience summer-like weather conditions.

Even Victoria won't be immune from the heat, with the city of Mildura, in the state's northwest, likely to experience its earliest 40C day of the year since 2009.

'While hot weather is common in Australia at this time of year, this week's heat will be above average during both days and nights,' Weatherzone's Ben Domensino said.

'This will cause severe heatwave conditions in several states, particularly in Queensland.'

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an extreme heatwave warning for Thursday, Friday and Saturday over isolated pockets of the northern Kimberley in WA, the Top End in the NT, and in western and central Queensland.

The bureau said a severe to low intensity heatwave is likely for wider parts of northern WA, the NT, and Queensland from Cape York extending down to Brisbane.

Low intensity heatwave conditions are likely for northeastern parts of NSW, Victoria and the southern parts of SA and WA.

Capital cities will escape the most intense heat with the weekend likely to bring summer-like beach weather.

Australia is in for a sweltering first week of November with much of the country seeing temperatures similar to those in the height of summer (pictured, Bondi beach in Sydney)

Heatwave conditions will hit huge swathes of the country stretching from western NSW up to Queensland, through SA and the NT and over to northern WA (pictured, heat on Wednesday)

According to the Queensland Department of Health, extreme heatwave events claim more lives than any other natural disasters.

The department advises residents to stay cool and hydrated by keeping out of direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day and drinking two to three litres of water at regular intervals.

'Do not leave children, adults or animals in parked cars. If you do go out, wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose, porous clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen and regularly rest in the shade,' it said.

Sydney

Tuesday

Max 21 Cloudy. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1mm. Chance of any rain: 30 per cent.

Sydney area: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, becoming less likely in the afternoon. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then tending northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the evening.

Fire Danger - Moderate. Sun protection recommended from 8:50 am to 4:20 pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High].

Wednesday

Min 18 Max 27 Partly cloudy. Chance of any rain: 20 per cent.

Sydney area: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the late evening.

Sun protection recommended from 8.50am to 4.20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High].

Thursday

Min 20 Max 32 Shower or two. Possible rainfall: 0 to 6mm. Chance of any rain: 70 per cent.

Sydney area: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds northerly 15 to 20km/h shifting southerly 20 to 30km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening.

Melbourne

Tuesday

Max 26 Sunny. Chance of any rain: 5 per cent.

Melbourne area: Sunny. Light winds becoming south to southeasterly 15 to 20km/h about the bayside suburbs in the afternoon then becoming light in the evening.

Fire Danger - Moderate. Sun protection recommended from 9.20am to 4.40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High].

Wednesday

Min 19 Max 33 Possible shower. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1mm. Chance of any rain: 40 per cent.

Melbourne area: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the late afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds northerly 35 to 50km/h shifting south to southwesterly 20 to 30km/h in the late afternoon.

Sun protection recommended from 9.20am to 4.50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High].

Thursday

Min 14 Max 22 Possible shower. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1mm. Chance of any rain: 40 per cent.

Melbourne area: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 25km/h becoming light during the evening.

Sun protection recommended from 9.10am to 4.40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High].

A large hot air mass will collect over the centre of Australia this week causing temperatures to soar across the country (pictured, bathers at Bondi Beach)

This weekend looks to be perfect for beach trips with little rain along with hot and dry air

Brisbane

Tuesday

Max 32 Possible shower. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1mm. Chance of any rain: 40 per cent.

Brisbane area: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers and the chance of a thunderstorm, most likely in the west during this afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 20km/h in the morning then tending northeasterly 15 to 25km/h in the middle of the day.

Fire Danger - Moderate. Sun protection recommended from 7.40am to 3.20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High].

Wednesday

Min 21 Max 31. Sunny. Chance of any rain: 5 per cent.

Brisbane area: Mostly sunny. The chance of a thunderstorm in the west in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 20km/h in the morning then tending northeasterly 20 to 3 km/h in the middle of the day.

Sun protection recommended from 7.40am to 3.20 pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High].

Thursday

Min 21 Max 32 Sunny. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Brisbane area: Sunny day. The chance of a thunderstorm in the west in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 20 to 30km/h during the morning.

Sun protection recommended from 7.30am to 3.20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 11 [Extreme].

Adelaide

Tuesday

Max 30 Shower or two. Chance of any rain: 60 per cent.

Adelaide area: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds north to northeasterly 15 to 20km/h tending east to northeasterly 20 to 30km/h in the middle of the day then tending north to northeasterly 25 to 35km/h in the late evening.

Fire Danger- Mount Lofty Ranges: Moderate. Adelaide Metropolitan: No Rating

Sun protection recommended from 9am to 4.50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High].

Wednesday

Min 18 Max 25 Partly cloudy. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1mm. Chance of any rain: 30 per cent.

Adelaide area: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the morning. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds north to northwesterly 20 to 30km/h shifting southwesterly 15 to 25km/h in the late morning.

Sun protection recommended from 9am to 4.50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High].

Thursday

Min 13 Max 22 Shower or two. Possible rainfall: 0 to 2mm. Chance of any rain: 60 per cent.

Adelaide area: Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. Light winds becoming westerly 25 to 35km/h during the morning.

Sun protection recommended from 9am to 4:50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High].

Authorities have urged Aussies to take care in the heat by drinking plenty of water and not leaving children or animals in hot cars (pictured, Bondi Icebergs)

A severe heatwave warning has been issued for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Perth

Tuesday

Max 22 Shower or two. Possible rainfall: 0 to 2mm. Chance of any rain: 50 per cent.

Perth area: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, becoming less likely this afternoon. Winds westerly 20 to 30km/h turning southwesterly 25 to 35km/h in the early afternoon then decreasing to 15 to 25km/h in the late afternoon.

Fire Danger -Swan Coastal North: Moderate. Swan Inland North: Moderate. Swan Coastal South: Moderate. Swan Inland South: Moderate.

Sun protection recommended from 8.10am to 3.50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High].

Wednesday

Min 13 Max 21 Cloudy. Chance of any rain: 20 per cent.

Perth area: Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the morning and early afternoon. Winds southwesterly 20 to 30km/h becoming light in the evening.

Sun protection recommended from 8.10am to 3.50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High].

Thursday

Min 9 Max 23 Mostly sunny. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Perth area: Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming south to southwesterly 20 to 30km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.

Sun protection recommended from 8.10am to 3.50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High].

Canberra

Tuesday

Max 27Cloud clearing. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Canberra area: Cloudy morning, becoming a mostly sunny afternoon. Light winds.

Fire Danger - Moderate

Sun protection recommended from 8.50am to 4.40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High].

Wednesday

Min 10 Max 32 Partly cloudy. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Canberra area: The chance of fog in the early morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. Light winds becoming west to northwesterly 15 to 25km/h in the middle of the day then tending north to northwesterly 15 to 20 m/h in the evening.

Sun protection recommended from 8.50am to 4.40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High].

Thursday

Min 16 Max 29 Showers. Possible rainfall: 1 to 10mm. Chance of any rain: 80 per cent.

Canberra area: Cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming west to northwesterly 15 to 25km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.

Sun protection recommended from 8.50am to 4.40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High].

This summer is also expected to be hot despite the bureau saying a La Nina weather pattern cold be declared, which indicates a higher possibility of rainfall

A global heatmap showing the forecast for Wednesday, with Australia among the hottest areas in the world

Darwin

Tuesday

Max 35 Mostly sunny. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1mm. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Darwin City and Outer Darwin area: Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 20km/h in the morning then tending north to northeasterly in the middle of the day.

Fire Danger - Darwin and Adelaide River: High. Northern Fire Protection Area: Moderate.

Sun protection recommended from 8.40am to 4.20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 13 [Extreme].

Wednesday

Min 26 Max 35 Mostly sunny. Chance of any rain: 20 per cent.

Darwin City and Outer Darwin area: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 15 to 20km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the late afternoon.

Sun protection recommended from 8.40am to 4.20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 13 [Extreme].

Thursday

Min 27 Max 34 Partly cloudy. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1mm. Chance of any rain: 30 per cent.

Darwin City and Outer Darwin area: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds.

Sun protection recommended from 8.30am to 4.20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 13 [Extreme].

Hobart

Tuesday

Max 22 Mostly sunny. Chance of any rain: 5 per cent.

Hobart area: Mostly sunny. Light winds.

Fire Danger - Moderate

Sun protection recommended from 9.10am to 4.40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 8 [Very High].

Wednesday

Min 10 Max 28. Possible afternoon shower. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1mm. Chance of any rain: 40 per cent.

Hobart area: Mostly sunny morning. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and early evening. Winds north to northwesterly 25 to 35km/h turning west to southwesterly 20 to 30km/h in the late afternoon.

Sun protection recommended from 9.10am to 4.30pm, UV Index predicted to reach 8 [Very High].

Thursday

Min 9 Max 19 Possible afternoon shower. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1mm. Chance of any rain: 40 per cent.

Hobart area: Mostly sunny morning. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 25km/h during the morning then shifting northeasterly 15 to 20km/h during the evening.

Sun protection recommended from 9.20am to 4.20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 7 [High].
On a breezy autumn day in north Georgia, Fiona Bagley mused in the back of her tea shop about Donald Trump winning a second White House bid.

'I don't think he wants to be a dictator,' the 64-year-old retired Captain of the Royal Military Police explained. 'I don't think he wants to do any of the bad things they say.'

Bagley, originally from Epsom, Surrey before settling with her American husband in Dahlonega, Georgia, is unconcerned with the Trumpian horror scenarios many of her U.K.-based friends are frantically posting about on Facebook and that she sees in her newsfeeds.

She's busy trying to make her bottom line and 18 employees depend on it.

'The last four years have been brutal,' the 60-year-old entrepreneur explained.

'I've seen my shipping costs double, the price of product has doubled, but people's incomes have not risen to the same amount. So they're not spending the money.'

Fiona Bagley, 64, originally from Epsom, Surrey, outside of London, now owns multiple businesses in the 7,000-person town of Dahlonega, Georgia, including an English tea room and British gift shop. She revealed to DailyMail.com that she is backing Donald Trump because she believes he will be better for business and her 18 employees

Your browser does not support iframes.

'So it's hard for me to raise the prices to a point where I'm, you know, making us whole because people can't afford to pay those prices.'

Her journey to this point comes primarily informed by her experiences as a small business owner in a town of 7,000 people.

Bagley, in addition to operating Waffle's English Tea Room, owns a British gift shop called Crown and Bear in the Georgia town sitting at the southern gate to the Appalachian mountains.

Featuring a stunning array of orange and amber hued maple trees intermixed with magnolias the stretch of northern Georgia Bagley occupies is gorgeous but not necessarily a bustling transit hub of commerce.

This new economic reality has been a driving factor realigning her political calculus she told DailyMail.com sitting in the back of her shop.

She also expressed a keen interest and deep participation in American gun culture.

Bagley told DailyMail.com she believes major cities, Atlanta an hour and twenty minutes south, have become more dangerous, and 'packin' helps alleviate the danger she said wryly.

Unlike the U.K.'s tough gun control laws the tea shop owner loves Georgia's lenient open carry laws as any would be attacker 'would end up as a stain on the pavement.'

A number of bobbleheads line her shop that sits on the local town square across from a museum

The shop features plenty of royals merchandise

Fiona Bagley shown here at her British gift shop store Crown and Bear

This election is business to the Georgia voter, who's home state has shown a razor thin margin between the Republican and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

Trump leads Harris by a 1.5 point lead heading into Election Day in the southern state, according to FiveThirtyEight's presidential average.

In 2020 Georgia voter's sided with President Joe Biden by a minuscule 12,000 vote margin.

The Republican's campaign this time around has shown similar weaknesses to the 45th president's White House run in 2020, notably Trump is still polling poorly among women.

But for those who may not align with the former 'Apprentice' star's bombastic outbursts, his policies do not seen quite so outrageous.

Bagley shared that though she does not agree with the rhetoric of the Republican candidate, she does think he is good at governing and that he brings more experience to the job.

'I'm not voting on his personality at all,' she revealed. 'I'm voting on what he can do.'

And her top issues are largely addressed in policies proposed by Trump she explained, not Harris.

Plus she sees Democratic party rule as a threat to her guns.

And having served in the British armed forces before settling in the rural American south, Bagley quite likes her weaponry.

The tea room owner admitted that she enjoys the a firearm culture of her small southern town where people frequently mull about their lives armed, she admitted. Fiona said she has pistols, an AR-15, an AK-47 and some crossbows

Bagley carrying a rifle while she was serving in the Royao Military Police

She said she has been around guns more often than the average U.K. resident and is fond of owning firearms, with proper training and storage, of course

Bagley shooting on her Georgia farm

'Some of my friends they but they've asked me, Why do you have an AK 47 Why do you have an RF 15?' she mimicked her inquisitive British friends.

'Because I can,' she said dryly with a big smile. 'It's the culture. I mean, you go to the Walmart here, you'll see guys with guns on their hips going in.'

She expressed skepticism about Harris's bona fides and resume, wondering whether she has the necessary connections and leadership abilities.

'For me, it's the economy, immigration, abortion, and I don't think she addressed any of those, any of those issues have got better since they've been in power.'

The tea room owner said growing up during the Margaret Thatcher era she is prone to having a conservative tilt, she pointed to her Catholic faith as evidence of this too, and that the political landscape of the U.K. has delved leftward in recent years.

The Georgia business owner said she likes Trump's economic leadership and connections to global leaders around the world

Harris's time as vice president did not convince Bagley that she would make a good president

'I think we have flipped in the U.K. I think we used to be more in align with, you know, the conservative ideals, and at some point we changed,' she recounted.

Between the U.K's political evolution and her own personal leanings she has found herself in a no-man's-land politically at times in the U.S.

'I've never felt I had to apologize for my political leanings. I've never felt that until this last couple of cycles, and now I feel that, whereas in the U.K., I think people keep their politics more to themselves.'

And having spent the last 30 years in the U.S. married to a Army Ranger veteran Bagley has adopted the stereotypical American persona of a gun-totting second amendment defender.

She boasts a verified arsenal featuring handguns, crossbows and AR and AK-styled rifles.

'I've always liked weapons, she claimed, and, perhaps more importantly, 'I am an American citizen, is my right as an American.'

'Because, believe me, if they had taken away your guns when they wanted to your national anthem might be a little different today,' she said jibbing about the English attempt to strip Americans of their weapons before the American Revolution.

Bagley and her regiment, she is the woman seated in the front row on the left

Returning to her thoughts about who will rule the U.S. after 2024 Bagley explained she could not support Harris because she has proven ineffective.

'It boils down to the three and a half years, nearly four years, she's already had,' she told DailyMail.com.

'In the meantime, I gotta make my businesses work,' she continued. 'And that's what he's gonna do. He's gonna make it better for me.'

'And if I go the way I'm going right now, I don't know if we can make it another four years,' she continued.
Google wins lawsuit over gift card fraud. Court rules Google not liable for losses caused by third-party scammers. Case highlights challenges of combating gift card fraud.

In a significant legal victory for tech giant Google, a federal judge dismissed a class action lawsuit alleging the company illicitly profited from gift card scams. The lawsuit, spearheaded by plaintiff Judy May, claimed Google knowingly benefited from fraudulent activities by refusing to refund millions of dollars stolen through Google Play gift card scams. This case highlights the growing concern of gift card fraud and the complex legal battles surrounding it.

The Crux of the Case

Judy May, an Indiana resident, fell victim to a common gift card scam in April 2021. She was tricked into purchasing Google Play gift cards under the pretense of securing federal grant money. After providing the codes to the scammers, she lost $1,000. Mays lawsuit contended that Google should be held accountable for these losses, arguing the company failed to provide adequate warnings about potential scams and profited from the fraudulent transactions by retaining commissions.

The Courts Decision

U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman, presiding over the case in San Jose, California, dismissed the lawsuit. Judge Freeman asserted that Mays losses were directly caused by the scammers who deceived her, not by Google. The court found no evidence to support the claim that Google had knowledge of the stolen funds or intentionally facilitated the fraud. Furthermore, the judge ruled that Googles commission on gift card purchases, ranging from 15% to 30%, was unrelated to the initial fraudulent act.

Key Takeaways and Implications

This case underscores the challenges faced by victims of gift card fraud in seeking recourse. While the court acknowledged the devastating impact of such scams, it emphasized the need to establish a direct link between the company and the fraudulent activity. The ruling also highlights the complexities of assigning liability in cases involving third-party fraud.

The Growing Menace of Gift Card Fraud

Gift card fraud has become a pervasive problem, with scammers employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive victims. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost a staggering $217 million to gift card scams in 2023. This figure likely represents only a fraction of the actual losses, as many cases go unreported. Gift cards, particularly those from major retailers like Google Play, have become a favored tool for scammers due to their ease of use and anonymity.

Googles Stance and Response

Google has consistently maintained that it takes measures to combat gift card fraud and protect its users. The company provides information on its website about common scams and encourages users to report suspicious activity. However, critics argue that these efforts are insufficient and that Google could do more to prevent fraud and assist victims.

While this ruling represents a setback for victims of gift card fraud, the fight is far from over. May has the option to refile her lawsuit, and other similar cases are pending. The outcome of these legal battles could have significant implications for how companies address and prevent gift card fraud in the future.

My Perspective

Having followed this case closely, I believe it raises important questions about consumer protection in the digital age. While companies like Google cannot be held responsible for every instance of fraud, they have a moral obligation to take proactive steps to safeguard their users. This includes providing clear warnings about potential scams, making it easier for victims to report fraud, and offering refunds in cases of proven deception.

The dismissal of the class action lawsuit against Google marks a significant development in the ongoing battle against gift card fraud. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and awareness in the face of increasingly sophisticated scams. As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial for companies, consumers, and lawmakers to work together to create a safer and more secure online environment.
Record numbers of police officers are being kicked out of forces with dismissals rocketing by 50 per cent in the last year, shock new figures show.

Almost 600 officers were sacked and banned from returning to any police job in the year to March 2024.

That is a 50 per cent rise on the 394 officers booted out of forces in the previous 12 months, according to new figures from the College of Policing.

The number of officers being barred from policing has risen eight-fold from 70 cases between December 2017- March 2018 to 593 this year.

One in eight of those 593 officers were removed due to sexual offences or misconduct.

Almost 600 officers were sacked and banned from returning to any police job in the year to March 2024. That is a 50 per cent rise on the 394 officers booted out of forces in the previous 12 months, according to new figures from the College of Policing

The dramatic increase comes after police leaders vowed to root out bad behaviour following a series of shocking cases including the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by Met officer Wayne Couzens in 2021

Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding (pictured), Director of Operational Standards at the College of Policing, said: 'It is of course, hugely disappointing to see the conduct of a number of officers falling far below the standard that we set for policing and which the public rightly expects'

The dramatic increase comes after police leaders vowed to root out bad behaviour following a series of shocking cases including the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by Met officer Wayne Couzens in 2021.

In recent years officers have been punished for sharing appalling messages about rape, domestic violence and killing black children.

In one disturbing case, officers photographed the bodies of two murdered sisters at a police cordon.

The latest figures from the Police Barred List show that 593 officers were sacked from a workforce of more than 147,000 across 43 police forces in England and Wales.

But critics have questioned whether enough officers are being punished.

In 2022 Baroness Casey warned hundreds of Met Police officers had been getting away with breaking the law and misconduct.

Scotland Yard got rid of the highest number of officers dismissing 123 in the 12 months, followed by Greater Manchester Police with 36, West Yorkshire removed 30 and West Midlands kicked out 29 (file image)

At the time, the force was investigating more than 600 domestic and sexual abuse allegations against its officers.

But only 88 people were sacked by the force between 2022-2023.

The latest figures show that of the 593 officers dismissed nationally, dishonesty was the most common reason recorded accounting for 125 cases, followed by 74 sexual offences or misconduct, 71 instances of discriminatory behaviour and 66 cases of unlawful access to or disclosure of information.

The figures show 33 officers were removed for abusing their position for a sexual purpose, 18 were sacked for being part of a discriminatory WhatsApp group and another 18 officers were removed for possessing indecent images of children.

Most of those (519) who lost their jobs were constables, but there were also 48 sergeants, 16 inspectors, five chief inspectors, two superintendents, one chief superintendent and two chief officers.

A breakdown shows the majority of offending officers were male (491), compared to 97 female officers dismissed.

The figures also reveal that most of the culprits were white (530), with only 12.7 per cent of those sacked being from a black or other ethnic minority background.

Scotland Yard got rid of the highest number of officers dismissing 123 in the 12 months, followed by Greater Manchester Police with 36, West Yorkshire removed 30 and West Midlands kicked out 29.

A total of 233 police staff and 30 specials were also added to the Police Barred List between April 1 2023 and March 31 2024.

A total of 233 police staff and 30 specials were also added to the Police Barred List between April 1 2023 and March 31 2024. The most common reason for the sacking of police staff was dishonesty, but there were also 26 cases of sexual offences or misconduct (file image)

The most common reason for the sacking of police staff was dishonesty, but there were also 26 cases of sexual offences or misconduct.

Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding, Director of Operational Standards at the College of Policing, said: It is of course, hugely disappointing to see the conduct of a number of officers falling far below the standard that we set for policing and which the public rightly expects.

However, these figures show that we have effective, robust procedures in place to identify and deal with these officers swiftly, and to prevent them from holding future roles in within the police.

These figures show that there is nowhere to hide for people who fail to meet the high standards set across our police forces.

Their behaviour tarnishes policing and erodes public trust.

The service will continue working to ensure we attract the right people into policing, ensuring that those who fail to meet these high standards have no future in policing.
The BBC's chairman is set to spark controversy when he argues the corporation could be given a permanent charter, raising fears it would be face less scrutiny.

In his first major speech since he took up the role in March, Dr Samir Shah will suggest the change in a bid to tackle 'a sense of almost perpetual Government review over the BBC'.

But one prominent MP criticised the idea saying if the corporation did not want 'scrutiny by Government' then it should 'be in private hands'.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith added that a permanent charter made 'no sense' amid the 'revolutionary' changes in the media landscape.

The corporation currently has a ten-year charter, along with a mid-term review about half-way through this period.

In his first major speech since he took up the role in March, Dr Samir Shah will suggest the change in a bid to tackle 'a sense of almost perpetual Government review over the BBC'

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith added that a permanent charter made 'no sense' amid the 'revolutionary' changes in the media landscape

The BBC's headquarters at Broadcasting House. The corporation currently has a ten-year charter, along with a mid-term review about half-way through this period

This allows the Government to make major changes to the BBC when it renews the corporation's charter, including its mission and public purposes. But in a speech to be delivered today, Dr Shah will float the idea of a permanent BBC charter.

He will say: 'There are more than 1,000 Charter bodies, and I am not aware of any other that needs to be renewed like the BBC.'

When you add in the fact that the Charter renewal process takes around two years, and the BBC is also subject to a mid-Charter assessment, the reality is a sense of almost perpetual Government review over the BBC.'

But Mr Duncan Smith said it 'makes no sense' to have the charter 'dumped there' like it was on a 'tablet of stone'.

He said it would be a 'bad idea' because it would say 'we're okay, we don't have to change'.

He said: 'If he wants to change all of that, then the answer is in that case the BBC should be in private hands, if it does not want scrutiny by Government.'

The MP added: 'The BBC is at the end of the day funded by taxpayers, so somebody has to be responsible for ensuring taxpayers get a fair deal.'

Mr Duncan Smith said: 'I think it is important to keep them on their toes.'

He said it was important for Government to make sure the BBC was 'able to deal with the things that are happening' in broadcasting.

The current BBC Royal Charter, which forms the constitutional basis of the corporation and makes clear its public purpose, began in January 2017 and runs until December 2027.

Dr Shah is also expected to say 'reforming the licence fee, replacing it, or coming up with a whole new mechanism' are all options being considered in discussions about the corporation's future

Mr Duncan Smith said it was important for Government to make sure the BBC was 'able to deal with the things that are happening' in broadcasting

The previous Government introduced a new mid-term charter review which looked specifically at the corporation's governance and regulation arrangements.

This year's mid-term review concluded impartiality continued to be an 'ongoing issue for audiences' and there was a 'lack of public confidence in the way the BBC currently handles complaints'.

Dr Shah will suggest that a permanent charter would bring the BBC in line with other organisations like the British Council, the Bank of England and UK Sport.

In the speech he will insist such a move would not diminish the scrutiny or accountability of the BBC or the need to regulate the BBC.

He will add the move would not prevent debate about the shape and direction of the corporation as the media landscape changes.

Dr Shah is also expected to say 'reforming the licence fee, replacing it, or coming up with a whole new mechanism' are all options being considered in discussions about the corporation's future.

He will also dismiss using subscription paywalls or advertising to fund the BBC In the future.

Dr Shah will say these alternative ways of paying for the broadcaster would introduce a 'commercial agenda' that would prioritise how to profit from audiences, rather than serving them.

He is set to warn that putting shows behind a paywall risked leaving behind 'the poorer, the more marginalised or digitally disenfranchised'.

The BBC is currently funded by the licence fee but there are growing concerns it is not fit for purpose in the changing media landscape, with some calling for a replacement.

Dr Shah will also say the BBC must take further action to employ people from all parts of society so that the corporation truly represents the public and is 'for everyone'.

The BBC's headquarters at night. The BBC is currently funded by the licence fee but there are growing concerns it is not fit for purpose in the changing media landscape, with some calling for a replacement

The 72-year-old is expected to tell the audience in Leeds: 'If we want a universal public service BBC, that requires a universal funding model.

'And we have to be realistic that ideas like ad-funding or subscription do not pass that test when it comes to the BBC public service mission.'

He will add: 'Both introduce a commercial agenda, which means the priority becomes, not how you serve British audiences, but how you profit from them.

'And putting some or all BBC content behind a paywall is simply not compatible with public service. It prioritises the needs of the better off, and leaves behind the poorer, the more marginalised or digitally disenfranchised.'

A BBC source told the Mail: 'No-one is saying we don't want scrutiny from Government or elsewhere. We want the debate to be about what the BBC can provide for people and how we can do that.'
Vocal Trump critic Mark Cuban has secretly owned a luxurious condo in Trump Tower for the past 25 years.

The 66-year-old Dallas-based investor, who made his wealth in computer software, purchased a 3,700-square-foot property on the 45th floor of Trump International Hotel and Tower on Central Park West in July 2000 for $13.5million, according to property records obtained by the New York Post.

His four bedroom, six bath property offers a huge living room with two walls of windows, offering panoramic views of Central Park, as well as a formal dining room that overlooks the city, according to a recent listing for a similar property that is selling for $19.75million.

The primary suite also boasts east-facing views of Central Park and the city skyline, as well as two private bathrooms.

Additionally, the condo has a breakfast nook, a private library offering floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bath.

Vocal Trump critic Mark Cuban, 66, has been secretly owning a condo in Trump Tower for 25 years, according to property records

He purchased a 3,700-square-foot property on the 45th floor of Trump International Hotel and Tower on Central Park West in July 2000 for $13.5million

As a resident of the luxury condominium building, Cuban also enjoys access to a 24-hour doorman and concierge services, a health club and spa, a 55-foot-long heated pool, a steam room, a sauna, valet parking and even room service from the Michelin-starred Jean-Georges restaurant next door.

It is unclear how often Cuban takes advantage of these amenities and how often he stays at the property.

He had purchased the condo through The Radical Revocable Trust, a company he oversees as trustee and a property deed in 2000 includes rights to the shared amenities.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Cuban claimed the value of the property had plummeted since he purchased the luxury apartment.

'I bought it 25 years ago. When I looked to sell it a few years ago, the value was more than cut in half,' he said. 'I got interest at 33m in 2014. In 2018 the best offer I could get was less than half of that.'

The property offers a huge living room with two walls of windows, offering panoramic views of Central Park, as well as a formal dining room that overlooks the city, according to a recent listing for a condo with the same floor plan that is selling for $19.75million

Each of its spacious bedrooms comes with its own en-suite bathroom, according to the listing

Then when Trump first ran for president in 2016, he had Cuban's support.

But in a recent interview with podcaster Theo Von, Cuban alluded to a fallout between him and the former president.

He said he felt Trump was 'the best thing to happen in politics because he wasn't a typical candidate' when he first ran, but then he 'kind of grew out of it.'

When asked to explain further, Cuban said that 'whenever you try to get into a conversation about details' with Trump 'it never worked.'

Still, Cuban admitted he worked with the then-president when the COVID pandemic came to the United States in 2020.

'He asked me to come help during COVID,' Cuban said. 'When he asked me to help out [with] healthcare, I showed up, right, because country over party.

'And I would do it again if he wins, but I hope he doesn't.'

Cuban originally supported Donald Trump when he first ran for president in 2016, but has since become a major supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris

The Shark Tank star has since become a major supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris, who has phone banked for the Democratic nominee and has appeared at several of her rallies.

At an invite-only event at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh last month, Cuban said Harris can 'absolutely' win his home state of Pennsylvania as he vowed to do 'whatever I can' to get Harris over the finish line in the must-win swing state.

'I'm from Pittsburgh, so meeting with and talking to a bunch of people and, you know, taking pictures, signing autographs and doing what I need to do,' Cuban said of his role boosting the vice president.

He has also made controversial remarks on The View, suggesting Trump does not surround himself with 'intelligent women.'

'Donald Trump  you never see him around strong, intelligent women, ever. It's just that simple,' the prominent Kamala Harris supporter said from inside one of his private jets in an interview with The View.

'It's just that simple. They're intimidating to him. He doesn't like to be challenged by them.'

He has phone banked for the vice president and has appeared at her rallies

The comments sparked backlash from the former president's inner circle with even liberal host Joy Behar disagreeing with Cuban's remarks, saying even Stormy Daniels 'was smart.'

The Trump campaign also seized on the remarks as evidence to back its claim that Democrats, including Kamala Harris, despise voters who support the former president.

Trump's national press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the comments were 'extremely insulting to the thousands of women who work for President Trump, and the tens of millions of women who are proudly voting for him.'

'Joe Biden called Trump supporters garbage, and now, Kamala's top surrogate Mark Cuban insinuated female Trump supporters are "weak and dumb,"' she said.

The billionaire investor has since admitted he made a flub on air.

'It's part of politics, it was my mistake, and I apologized for it. I certainly wasn't saying anything negative about anyone supporting Trump,' Cuban told DailyMail.com.

When asked what his wife off 22 years made of his comments, he said: 'Tiffany watched the entire interview and had no issue with it. She knew what I was trying to say.

'She also knows that when I do hundreds of interviews, there will be some I mess up on. I flubbed many more Mavs interviews that got me fined by the NBA. So she is kind of used to it,' he added, referring to when he owned the Dallas Mavericks.
The BBC has been criticised for screening a new documentary about Chris Kaba two weeks after the officer who shot him dead in 2022 was cleared of a murder charge and had a 10,000 bounty put on his head.

24-year-old gang member Kaba was shot and killed in Streatham, south London, by the Met Police in September 2022 after trying to ram his way out of a police roadblock with a car linked to a previous 'firearms incident.'

The officer who shot him, Sergeant Martyn Blake, shot him in the head and was later charged with murder, which he was later cleared of following a trial at the Old Bailey last month.

Kaba's former gang, the notorious group known as '67' have placed an 10,000 bounty on his head and the officer has been forced into hiding.

The BBC tonight broadcast a Panorama documentary that examined Kaba's killing and the fallout from it.

Gang member Chris Kaba, 24, was shot and killed in Streatham, south London, by a Metropolitan Police firearms officer in September 2022

Chris' father Prosper (pictured) featured heavily in the new BBC documentary

Chris Kaba was said to have been a core member of the 67 gang

Chris Hobbs, a former Met officer and police commentator, told the Telegraph: 'The timing of this documentary is very questionable, given that there remains a significant threat to Sgt Blake's life.

'The flames have only just begun to die down, but then you have the IOPC and its investigator choosing to throw petrol on to the embers, with the assistance of the BBC and its Panorama documentary.

'We are now fully aware of the extreme levels of violence which surrounded Mr Kaba and his fellow gang thugs.

'This documentary is therefore only likely to increase the risk faced by the officer who was found not guilty of murder.

The programme was also aired despite proceedings into alleged misconduct remaining active.

One serving Met firearms officer told the newspaper: 'Two weeks ago, Sgt Blake was cleared of murder by a jury of his peers. They took just three hours to decide the case against him was unfounded.

'We then discover that Chris Kaba was a key member of one of the most dangerous gangs in London and members of that enterprise have placed a 10,000 bounty on Sgt Blake's life.

This footage shows the moment Kaba was shot dead on September 5, 2022

Protesters have insisted that Chris Kaba was denied justice by the recent acquittal

'I would have hoped all of that might be enough to persuade the BBC to hold off airing such a potentially provocative programme. But sadly not. Let's just hope this doesn't spark the sort of violent backlash that we feared following the verdict.'

The documentary featured Sal Naseem, a former director at the Independent Office for Police Conduct, who said the Met had been 'pressing' him over whether a firearm was found in Kaba's car at the time of the shooting.

'A forensic examination had been done. We were satisfied that no non-police firearms had been recovered. I remember having an exchange with a senior officer from the Met where they were questioning, "Are you certain that the vehicle has been sweeped thoroughly enough?"

'They were pressing me, "Are you sure? Are you sure there's not a firearm here?"

'Yes, we were sure. It betrayed a strong desire that something was found. Then, the scenario becomes "this was an armed man", and the picture it paints is different to the scenario where he was unarmed.'

He added that he was not convinced at the time that Kaba was enough of a danger to justify Blake's decision to kill him, a statement criticised by the IOPC itself.

The police watchdog said, that as an ex-employee, Mr Naseem did not represent its official view, adding that he was not a key decision-maker in the Kaba case when it concluded.

Chris' father, Prosper Kaba, said he didn't see a reason to carry on living after his son died

Helen Lumuanganu (pictured), Chris' mother, featured heavily in the documentary

Also featured in the documentary were Kaba's parents, Prosper and Helen.

Prosper told Panorama that following his son's death, he has felt no reason to keep living life.

He said: 'People have to lose their parents. This is life - you are born, you have your parents, they die. You can understand it, you can explain.

'But a parent who loses a son, especially at that age... for me, life doesn't have any meaning.'

A spokesperson for the BBC told the Telegraph: 'This investigation is in the public interest.

'All of our programmes are produced in accordance with the BBC's editorial guidelines - this includes a commitment to impartiality and hearing a range of perspectives.

'We encourage people to watch the documentary in full and to make up their own minds.'
Angry farmers rounded on Labour yesterday as they threatened militant action over inheritance tax changes.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) said the policy could affect two-thirds of farms as Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs urged the Government to rethink.

Tory MP John Glen warned ministers it could be Labours equivalent of the pasty tax  a levy on takeaway goods which the Tories had to reverse following a massive backlash.

And former minister Kevin Hollinrake said the policy was the product of a warped socialist ideology and would lead to a transition of family farms to state ownership.

The Government announced in the Budget that inheritance tax will be charged at 20 per cent on farms worth more than 1million.

A farmers protest in March this year. Angry farmers rounded on Labour yesterday as they threatened militant action over inheritance tax changes

Farmers last demonstrated in London in March over food security fears (pictured)

NFU president Tom Bradshaw held an urgent meeting with Environment Secretary Steve Reed and Treasury minister James Murray to discuss the policy yesterday

From April 2026, inheritance tax will be levied at an effective rate of 20 per cent on the value of business and agricultural assets over 1million.

Ministers claim that in practice, only farms worth more than 3million could be affected, and said more than 70 per cent would not have to pay the charge.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves caused fury over the weekend after she insisted that only a very small number of agricultural properties will be affected.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw held an urgent meeting with Environment Secretary Steve Reed and Treasury minister James Murray to discuss the policy yesterday.

Mr Bradshaw challenged Treasury figures which suggest 73 per cent of farmers will be unaffected and said separate figures from the environment department suggested two-thirds would be liable.

He said: At last years NFU Conference, we heard from Sir Keir Starmer, Losing a farm is not like losing any other business, it cant come back. He was right. It cant. And neither can its ability to produce food for the nation.

He said of furious farmers: I have never seen the weight of support, the strength of feeling and anger that there is in this industry today.

Many of them want to be militant. Now we are not encouraging that in any way shape or form, but Government need to understand that there is a real strength of feeling behind what this change means for the future of family farming in this country.

Hundreds of farmers are expected to protest outside Parliament later this month, much like they did in March, when many drove their tractors to Westminster to highlight the lack of support for UK food production. Last week, Lord MacPherson, the former permanent secretary to the Treasury, told Times Radio that he expected farmers to dump stuff like manure on Parliament Square in an echo of protests staged by French farmers.

He said: Farmers are such a strong lobby and in recent years have tended to take their tactical lead from French farmers. So expect quite a lot of stuff to be dumped on Parliament Square.

Asked if that could include manure, he replied: Perhaps.

The NFU, which is not advocating militant action, has planned a meeting in Westminster for November 19 at the Church House conference centre which 600 farmers are expected to attend.

When asked about fears over the mental health of farmers following the announcement, Mr Bradshaw said there could be some very, very tragic unintended consequences but that he did not want to speculate further.

Tory MP John Glen warned ministers it could be Labours equivalent of the pasty tax  a levy on takeaway goods which the Tories had to reverse following a massive backlash

Chancellor Rachel Reeves caused fury over the weekend after she insisted that only a very small number of agricultural properties will be affected

Former minister Kevin Hollinrake said the policy was the product of a warped socialist ideology and would lead to a transition of family farms to state ownership

Yesterday, ministers faced questions from MPs on the issue, with many stressing that farms were often asset rich but cash poor, with many making no money.

Former minister Mr Hollinrake said reform of agricultural property relief is a transition from family farms to the state justified by warped socialist ideology.

He told MPs: The only transition [farmers] can see is transition from family farms to the state. Does he realise that the farming industry is one of the least profitable sectors in the country?

Other than by some warped socialist ideology how can he justify taking away 40 years of profits to the typical farm?

Last night the Daily Telegraph reported that farmers are discussing plans to stop spreading sewage sludge - a highly effective fertiliser - on their land in protest over Labours inheritance tax raid.

Such a move would force water firms to find alternative dumping grounds.

Your browser does not support iframes.

One Dartmoor farmer wrote on an online forum: If you truly want to be seen to put your childrens futures first, then now this week is the time to phone your sludge supplier [and] put a temporary halt on all deliveries.

If enough of you do this, we have a reasonable chance of changing government policy. If you dont, we have no hope at all and will only have ourselves to blame.

Lets see who deserves recognition for doing something unselfish for the greater good of all.

A government spokesman said: Ministers made clear the vast majority will not be affected by these changes. They will be able to pass the family farm down to their children just as previous generations have always done.

This is a fair and balanced approach that protects the family farm while also fixing the public services that we all rely on.
A woman's body has been found inside a Queensland home with police launching a homicide investigation.

The 47-year-old was found dead at a unit on Chandler Street at Garbutt, in Townsville, at 1.45pm on Monday.

Emergency services were called to perform a welfare check.

A crime scene was established following the grim discovery.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Domino's Pizza has announced its long-serving chief executive will retire from the fast-food chain after 22 years in the top job.

Don Meij will step down from the role on Wednesday and will be replaced by Mark van Dyck as the pizza maker's new global leader, the company announced on Tuesday morning.

Mr Meij has worked with the company for almost 40 years, starting as a delivery driver in Redcliffe, Queensland.

During his reign, Domino's escalated rapidly.

The company listed on the stock exchange in 2005 with 387 stores and yearly sales of $300m.

In 2024, the company operates more than 3700 stores in 12 markets with sales of more than $4b.

After Wednesday, Mr Meji will work with the Domino's Board and Mr van Dyck for a further 12 months, the company said.

Prior to taking on the Domino's role, Mr van Dyck served on the executive board of Compass Group, a London-listed food service company with a market capitalisation of $79bn.

Don Meij will step down from the role on Wednesday and will be replaced by Mark van Dyck as the pizza maker's new global leader, the company announced on Tuesday morning

He led the Asia Pacific division, overseeing 66000 employees in 11 countries.

Mr Meij worked with the company for almost 40 years, starting as a delivery driver in Redcliffe, Queensland.

Domino's chairman Jack Cowin, in thanking Mr Meij, said he had transformed Domino's from a Brisbane-based company to a 'truly global business'.

'Under his leadership Domino's Pizza grew from a Brisbane-based company to a truly global business, the market leader in each of the markets the company has operated for more than three years in Europe and the Asia-Pacific,' he said.

'Don has done an exceptional job of delivering positive outcome for all our stakeholders, including franchise partners, shareholders and employees. He leaves an impressive legacy.'

Mr Meij said it had been an 'incredible honour' to lead the company.

'Domino's has really been my life,' he said.

'When I started as a delivery driver in Redcliffe, I never imagines I'd become CEO of a truly global company with more than $4bn in sales.

'While this decision was not easy, it's the right time for me to step back and for new leadership to guide the next era of growth.'

The number of Domino's stores has grown from 387 in 2005 to more than 3,700 today (stock image)

While the company has boomed over the past two decades, it has struggled this year, with the stock down 43 per cent year-to-date.

In its latest trading update, Domino's said group same-store sales had slipped 1.2 per cent in the first 17 weeks for the 2025 financial year, against a 2.7 per cent rise in the prior corresponding period.

Mr Cowin said the Board had picked Mr van Dyck because of his 'track record of successful transformations'.

'During his time at Compass, Mr van Dyck doubled underlying growth and significantly increased profitability,' Mr Cowin said.

'He also restructured and accelerated growth and profitability of the Japanese business and competed a strategic reset of the Australian business, making it one of the most profitable markets globally for Compass.'

Prior to Compass, Mr van Dyck served in leadership positions at American soft drink giant Coca Cola.

Mr van Dyck, in his new role, will be paid $1.585m per annum and granted shares in the company.
EXCLUSIVE

Tormented schoolgirl Ella Catley-Crawford, 12, has donated her vital organs to save others after evil online bullies drove her to her death.

Her heartbroken mum Julie Crawford, 55, from Manly in Brisbane, made the agonising decision to switch off her daughter's life support on Saturday.

Ella had been in a coma since attempting suicide six days earlier when Ms Crawford found her daughter's apparently lifeless body.

The tragedy came after months of relentless bullying on Snapchat following a heartless catfishing incident when she joined a new elite private girls school.

But in the wake of her death, Ella's kidneys and liver have all now been matched with recipients though Donate Life, to give new hope to others.

Ms Crawford authorised the organ donations, which also included her heart tissue, after a conversation she had with her daughter years prior.

'It's actually something I talked about with Ella,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday.

Tormented schoolgirl Ella Catley-Crawford, 12, (pictured with her mother, Julie) has donated her vital organs to save others after evil online bullies drove her to her death

'When I was filling out my own forms to be a donor, she asked me about it and she understood and agreed with what it meant to do that for others.'

The family hope their actions will be a 'testament to her compassionate spirit.'

Ella's torment began when she won an academic scholarship to a prestigious girl's school in Brisbane, which she joined in February but her family has asked not to be identified.

'She was both excited and nervous about going to high school because she didn't know anyone there,' Ms Crawford told Daily Mail Australia.

'At first she seemed to be making new friends and enjoying her new school, but after just a few weeks I noticed that she was on her phone a lot more.

'It was never out of her hand.'

Ms Crawford had given Ella her old phone for Christmas to entertain her on the bus to and from school, but banned her from using apps like Tiktok and Snapchat.

Talented Ella Catley-Crawford won an academic scholarship for high school

But she quickly saw her daughter was glued to its tiny screen.

'I thought she was just texting her new friends at first,' she said. 'I knew they had a Year Seven group chat, but it was Snapchat.

'I made her delete it straight away even though she told me she was being safe.

'I don't know how but she made another account and hid it from me.'

Despite Ms Crawford's repeated attempts to stamp it out, the bullying quickly escalated and regularly left her daughter in tears.

Then in March Ms Crawford, an HR manager, received a call from the school alleging concerns had been raised that Ella, who was then 11, had been bullying other students online.

'I told them 'I don't think so,' that they had it wrong and they investigated it further,' she said.

Days later, three Year Seven girls were suspended for bullying Ella online.

Julie Crawford regularly found Ella in tears about messages she was receiving, but the worried mum couldn't see them because of the app's automatic message deletion

Julie Crawford, 55, says she knew her only child was suffering but was powerless to stop it, despite trying everything she could to protect her daughter

The school never gave Ms Crawford the details of their findings, but the damage was already done, her mum said.

'I don't know exactly what it was all about,' she added.

'People had pretended to be people they were not, one girl pretended to be a boy and messages Ella sent to them were shared around to others.

'Friends started to pull away from her and she was uninvited to a birthday party with some of the kids saying they needed a break, that it was too much, that she was too much.'

By the end of the first term in April, Ms Crawford decided she'd had enough and moved her 'bright and quirky,' daughter to another school.

But although Ella was instantly happier and making new friends, she couldn't escape the online abuse which followed her.

'The new school was great but the bullies still got to her via the apps,' said the mum.

'Ella was so down I took her to the doctors and she was diagnosed with depression and on medication.

'But I made sure I was always around and that we had things to do to keep her busy.'

Ms Crawford says that when her daughter was distracted with things to look forward to, her 'best friend and love of her life,' was her former happy self.

But as soon as she was left with her phone, things quickly changed.

'Some days in the holidays she wouldn't get out of bed,' said her mum.

'I just hoped it wouldn't get worse but I never expected her to kill herself.'

Julie Crawford found Ella apparently lifeless on Sunday October 27 and began resuscitation while waiting for paramedics

Ella was on life support for a week before she lost her fight on Sunday

Ms Crawford found her daughter apparently lifeless on Sunday, October 27 and began CPR while waiting for paramedics.

Ella was rushed to Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane and spent a week on life support before doctors confirmed she had no brain activity.

Queensland Police have seized Ella's phone and iPad and are now investigating her death.

Her shattered mum has been left heartbroken and says without Ella she has nothing left, so will now dedicate herself to raising awareness in the hope she can help others.

She has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for the funeral costs, time off work to grieve and to facilitate more awareness.

'Social media bullying is real,' the fundraising appeal adds.

'If you ask if we are angryyes, we are. If you ask if we are sadabsolutely. And if you ask if the system let her downit did.

'This catastrophic reality has changed our family's history forever.

'Social media and online presence pose real dangers, and despite our efforts to keep our children safe, technology can become an addictive lifeline, especially when they feel isolated.'

If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36.
Philadelphia's district attorney delivered a stern message to anyone attempting to interfere with voters on Election Day - warning them to 'F around and find out.'

In 2020, Two men who were arrested for allegedly taking an AR-15 and a samurai sword to a Philadelphia vote count center.

This year on election eve Democratic DA Larry Krasner took time away from his unsuccessful lawsuit against Elon Musk to discuss protecting the vote.

'I also want to be clear. Anybody who thinks it's time to play militia, F around and find out. Anybody who thinks it's time to insult, to mistreat, to threaten people, F around and find out,' said Krasner, one of the progressive prosecutors funded by billionaire George Soros.

He clarified that the city - which leans heavily Democrat and is likely to be a part of Kamala Harris' strategy to try and defeat Donald Trump in swing state Pennsylvania - has 'no deep, abiding fears or concerns' that such a thing will happen.

Philadelphia's district attorney had a profane message to anyone attempting to interfere with voters on Election Day, daring them to 'F around and find out'

He clarified that the city - which leans heavily Democrat and is likely to be a part of Kamala Harris ' strategy to try and defeat Donald Trump in swing state Pennsylvania - has 'no deep, abiding fears or concerns' that such a thing will happen

However, he made a stark promise to deal with anyone planning to interfere with voting, a contrast from his soft-on-crime, progressive prosecutor reputation.

'We got a pair of handcuffs, we got a jail cell, and we got a Philadelphia jury,' he said.

He made it clear that he was speaking about agitators who brought phony challenges to the vote.

'Anybody who thinks you're going to play those games in Philadelphia, you're going to do it in bad faith, I've got no problem with doing it in good faith, but if you do it in bad faith, there is an election court, there are judges, they have orders,' he said.

Krasner tried to stress a bipartisan nature to people who potentially would try to stop folks from voting.

'We do not care who gets your vote. We care that you get to vote. That is the most important thing,' Krasner said.

Joshua Macias, 42, from Chesapeake, Virginia, and Antonio Lamotta, 61, from the same town, were detained two nights after Election Day 2020, police in Philadelphia said.

Macias founded Vets for Trump in 2016; Lamotta is a member.

Krasner made a stark promise to deal with anyone planning to interfere with voting, a contrast from his soft-on-crime, progressive prosecutor reputation

Joshua Macias (pictured right), 42, from Chesapeake, Virginia , and Antonio Lamotta (pictured left), 61, from the same town, were detained two nights after Election Day 2020, police in Philadelphia said

Danielle Outlaw, then-Philadelphia police commissioner, said at a press conference that the FBI had been tipped off that individuals were headed from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia with weapons.

They were arrested outside the Philadelphia Convention Center where ballot counting was taking place.

Joe Biden had still not been declared winner in the Keystone State over Donald Trump.

They were told that a man and his mother and another person were traveling to the Philadelphia region to 'straighten things out' as vote counting continued.

Americans are braced for civil unrest amid scary predictions of 'blood' during Tuesday's knife's-edge presidential election that appears to hinge on the results in just seven swing states, reviving painful memories of recent assassination bids and chaos after the 2020 vote.

The 2024 race has already seen bloodshed, with the July 13 shooting at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which grazed the former president and left one attendee dead and two more wounded.

The contest has also been marred by damning rhetoric between the rival campaigns. A speaker at a Trump rally spoke recently of the 'slaughter' of Democrats, and Trump himself has spoken of 'shooting at' former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney.

Meanwhile, Harris has called Trump a 'threat' to democracy who must be defeated at the ballot box, while her boss the outgoing President Joe Biden has called the MAGA Republican's supporters 'garbage.'

A Trump supporter, left, gets into a confrontation with a Harris fan outside an event for Tim Walz in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania, last week.

Meanwhile, the specter of January 6, 2021, when supporters of Trump stormed the US Capitol, seeking to overturn the former president's election loss to Biden - has cast a long shadow over US politics.

This time round, Trump has repeatedly refused to state whether he will accept the election results, and is already alleging fraud and cheating in neck-and-neck swing states such as Pennsylvania, laying the groundwork for what many fear will be more unrest.

Tensions mounted on Monday as Trump and his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, made their final bid to woo voters, hours before polling stations open on Tuesday in a close-call contest that hinges on a handful of electoral battlegrounds.

The election prediction website 538 slightly favors Trump to win the White House, with a 52 percent chance against 48 percent for Harris  but for many commentators the race is more or less a dead heat.
A police officer has made a late change to his legal representation after he was accused of murdering two men with his service weapon in an alleged double homicide that shocked the nation.

Beau Lamarre-Condon faced Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday after spending more than eight months behind bars on remand.

The 29-year-old has been charged with murdering Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird and his boyfriend, Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, at a Paddington share house in February.

Police allege he killed the couple using a police-issued firearm before placing their bodies inside surfboard bags and transporting them to a remote property near Goulburn, in the NSW southern tablelands.

The murders allegedly followed 'predatory' behaviour from Lamarre-Condon, who had been in a brief relationship with Mr Baird in the months before his death.

Lamarre-Condon was expected to enter pleas on Tuesday in answer to two counts of domestic violence related murder and one count of break and enter.

However, as revealed last week by Daily Mail Australia, his lawyer John Walford told the court he was officially withdrawing from the matter after months of representing Mr Lamarre-Condon.

The former police officer will now be represented by NSW Legal Aid on the taxpayer's dime.

Beau Lamarre-Condon faced Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday after spending more than eight months behind bars on remand

Magistrate Clare Farnan said 'it was regrettable that legal representation is changing at this late stage'.

Lamarre-Condon's new lawyer Rachel Durmush told the court that Legal Aid had received the majority of the evidence against its client.

She asked for a two week adjournment to confirm they had received the entire brief and liaise with the Crown prosecution about the next steps.

The court was told Legal Aid had initially sought a staggering five-month adjournment in order to obtain a report from a forensic psychiatrist, but the Crown opposed the lengthy delay.

Crown prosecutor Brendan Donnelly explained it was not clear why an appointment could not be made sooner or whether the psychiatrist's report would even be ready by March next year.

He said a shorter adjournment would give the parties an opportunity to 'create a realistic timeline' and allow the Crown to form a position on whether a longer adjournment is necessary.

Ms Farnan ordered the matter return to court later this month.

Lamarre-Condon appeared briefly on screen wearing a prison-issued green T-shirt and blank expression as he was told he was not required on screen.

The bodies of Mr Baird (left) and Mr Davies (right) were found near Goulburn in the NSW Southern Tablelands after a week-long search

A family member of one of his alleged victims was granted special permission to dial in to the court proceedings on Tuesday.

Police allege Lamarre-Condon planned to kill Mr Baird and Mr Davies became collateral damage.

The serving police officer turned himself in four days after the couple were killed in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

The men's bodies were subsequently found on a rural property near Goulburn in the NSW Southern Tablelands after a week-long search.

Lamarre-Condon has since been dismissed from the NSW Police Force.
SNYDERWestern Texas College welcomes Command Sergeant Major Corey Chester as the speaker for their annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 2024. The event takes place at the flagpoles just outside the Scurry County Museum on campus. The College invites all Veterans and the community to attend.

We invite everyone to join the WTC community in honoring those who have selflessly sacrificed for our freedom, said Dr. Barb Beebe, President of Western Texas College.

Your presence at the ceremony not only shows your appreciation but also demonstrates your support for the brave individuals who have defended our nation.

A Veteran of the Texas Army National Guard 176th Engineer Brigade, Chester deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, and Kosovo during his career that garnered him more than 25 awards. A Snyder native, he owns three businesses: Alexander's Pest & Weed Control, Chester's Auto Sales, and Alexander's Foam Insulation. Chester has served the community through his activities in the Snyder Rotary, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Were honored to have Corey Chester speak this year, said Ralph Ramon, Vice President and Dean of Student Services at Western Texas College. Ramon plans the event alongside faculty and staff.

Every year, our Veterans Day speaker inspires and moves us, he added. Were privileged to recognize the service and sacrifice of our military men and women through this ceremony.

Dr. Geron Scates, Mass Communications Professor and Radio Station Manager, hosts the event.

Following the ceremony, WTC will host a reception at the Scurry County Museum. The reception offers a meaningful opportunity for attendees to connect, share stories, and personally express their gratitude.

If inclement weather prevails, the ceremony will move inside the Museum.

For more information, contact Ralph Ramon at 325-574-7625.
Ladbaby has broken his silence on groping allegations as he also reveals the vicious trolling he and his wife received over the years was so severe that anti-terror police were called in.

In 2022, the influencer, real name Mark Hoyle, 37, was accused of hugging and rubbing up against an unknown woman in a Nottingham club.

An 18-second video of the incident was sent to Mr Hoyle and his wife Roxanne along with a demand for 10,000 to prevent it from being released.

The couple ignored the message hoping the blackmail was just a hoax, but months later the clip was widely shared online.

There is no suggestion the touching in the video is non-consensual and the clip was later deleted from TikTok for violating its content terms.

Mark Hoyle and his wife Roxanne have faced vile abuse online and in real life following their success

Mark Hoyle and Roxanne pose for a picture with the Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis

An online troll sent the clip to the couple along with a randsom of 10,000 in order for the clip not to be released

The couple topped the charts with their single Food Aid, a rework of the Band Aid song Do They Know It's Christmas

A source close to the couple said: 'Those who know Mark understand he would never engage in such behaviour, and they are keen to put these false allegations behind them.'

Speaking to The Guardian ahead of a new memoir, Our LadBaby Journey: Success, Sacrifice and Sausage Rolls, Mr Hoyle said: 'We were lucky we had each other  that's what we've always said about LadBaby, the good and the bad.'

LadBaby started making joke songs on YouTube but amazingly managed to claim the top spot on the UK Singles Chart each year from 2018 to 2022 with tunes such as 'I Love Sausage Rolls'.

But even though it started as a lighthearted endeavour to raise cash for charity, the couple faced a backlash after unfounded allegations were spread online that they were pocketing money for the Trussell Trust.

They received thousands of abusive messages online along with threats in public with Mr Hoyle being confronted in a pub and having to be escorted to safety by bouncers.

Also, because Mr Hoyle refused to say how the couple voted in a 2019 Guardian interview, they were attacked for being 'Tories'.

The abuse became so severe that Mr Hoyle started to suffer from panic attacks.

The police took the case seriously and anti-terror officers were assigned to advise the couple at their home.

Mrs Hoyle said: 'I don't think people realise the impact of that level of trolling, where the police came to support us through that time.'

They've got five consecutive festive number one singles under their belt and have even surpassed a record set by The Beatles

Roxanne Hoyle and Mark 'Ladbaby' Hoyle arriving at the 24th British Independent Film Awards ceremony

Hoyle, a former graphic designer, and his fellow vlogger wife share two children who also regularly feature on their social media channel (pictured together with their two children in 2018)

LadBaby pictured attending the VIP launch party for Christmas at Hamleys in London in November 2023

Last year LadBaby treated Nottingham audiences with its first ever live show. A TikTok video shared by the couple's account shows a packed theatre delighting in humorous festive skits

Husband-wife duo LadBaby remain united together despite unfounded allegations, rumours and online trolling

The new autobiography details the 'obstacles' the couple, who remain defiantly united, have had to overcome over the years such as living off just 20 a week.

The Hoyles have got five consecutive festive number-one singles under their belt and have even surpassed a record set by The Beatles.

They never expected to hit their level of fame when they first made a food-inspired charity tune in 2018.

That year, We Built This City... On Sausage Rolls, a parody of the 1985 Starship hit, scooped the coveted number one, beating songs by Ava Max and Ariana Grande to the top spot.

Further successes followed including I Love Sausage Rolls (2019), Don't Stop Me Eatin' (2020) and the Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John-featuring Sausage Rolls For Everyone (2021).

Speaking to The Metro last year after securing their fifth Christmas hit, Mr Hoyle said: 'Five years ago when we started this, we knew the importance of food banks in this country and we wanted to raise funds and awareness for that so we did that one [song], that was lovely.'

Hoyle, a former graphic designer, and his fellow vlogger wife share two children who also regularly feature on their social media channels.

The family-friendly star has also collaborated with Walkers Crisps and Trussell Trust's nationwide food bank network for charity.

Last year, LadBaby treated Nottingham audiences with its first-ever live show.
Friends of artist Sarah Cunningham have been paying tribute to the 'fantastically talented' woman after police said they had found a body in their search for her.

Officers launched an investigation when the 31-year-old went missing in north London in the early hours of Saturday.

The Metropolitan Police had said the last sighting of the 5ft 3in artist was at around 3am in Jamestown Road, Camden.

Ms Cunningham's boyfriend Jack Brown said she was spotted leaving an apartment building there at around 2.30am.

Yesterday the police said a body had been found at nearby Chalk Farm Underground Station just after 1am that morning - nearly 48 hours after she vanished.

British artist Sarah Cunningham (pictured) went missing in Camden over the weekend

The 31-year-old is seen in Seoul just over a week before she went missing in Camden

Her boyfriend, Jack Brown, had issued a desperate appeal on social media to find her

Although the body is yet to be formally identified, her family has been informed.

One person, Daniel Ison, said on Facebook he was 'completely shocked and heartbroken' about the news, saying he had known Ms Cunningham since they were 'about six'.

Mr Ison added: 'She was always such a warm, silly, positive, funny and a fantastically talented person.

'She had so much life ahead of her. Sending love and support to Sarah's family, Fernwood family and whoever else this wonderful person touched the life of.'

Backlit Gallery, a Nottingham-based studio where Sarah used to work, said: 'The Backlit team and studio community is devastated by the loss of our dear friend and former resident, Sarah Cunningham.

Ms Cunningham, 31, (pictured, left) was last seen on Jamestown Road on Saturday

Ms Cunningham has been described as a 'fantastically talented' by those who knew her

'Sarah was one of our most committed and caring people to work with, who had achieved great success with their artwork.

'We send our heartfelt condolences to Sarah's friends and family at this time.

'We hope to come together and support one another as a community while we mourn the loss of such an exceptional and much-loved person.'

Kimberley-Rose Abbott, who had worked with Ms Cunningham in studios, described her as an 'incredible artist', 'such a loving person' and a 'beautiful soul'.

She added: 'You will always be loved by so many that you touched through your creativity and kindness.

'I'll always cherish our time in the studios and working with one another.

'My condolences to all family and friends of Sarah.'

Another person, Taidi Wilkins, said her daughter had known Ms Cunningham and that 'she has left a big hole in everyone's heart'.

The last photo Ms Cunningham shared on social media shows her in Seoul, South Korea

Ms Mayer added: 'I didnt know Sarah, but she was one of the Bomb Factory community of artists, based at the Chelsea studios. A wonderful painter, very widely liked and admired.'

Ms Cunningham's work has been exhibited all around the world, including in Berlin, Aspen and Vancouver. Between June and July, her work was on display at the Lisson Gallery in Los Angeles.

According to her social media, she had also visited Seoul, South Korea, last month where her work was being exhibited in a Burberry store.

Born in Nottingham in 1993, Ms Cunningham went on to study Fine Art at Loughborough University from 2012 to 2015 before completing a masters in painting at the Royal College of Art between 2019 and 2022.

The painter was also the recipient of the Ali. H Alkazzi Scholarship Award, which offers the chosen artist full funding and living expenses at the Royal College of Art.

The Lisson Gallery said of her work: 'Throughout this exhibition, Cunningham explores aerial and bodily movements, flipping directions and orientations until reaching that moment when verticality and horizontality shift or tilt beyond recognition  when up becomes down, or left suddenly turns right.'

Jamie Klingler, co-founder of the Reclaim These Streets group which campaigns to prevent violence against women, has previously shared appeals to find Ms Cunningham and said she had been in contact with the family.

She said that the last sighting of her was when she got into a dark Vauxhall with a man with long dark hair, heading to Islington.

But it is understood that the sighting was investigated by detectives, who concluded the woman in question was not Ms Cunningham.

A Met Police spokesman said: 'At around 01:11hrs on Monday, 4 November emergency services were called to reports of a casualty on the tracks at Chalk Farm Underground Station.

'While we await formal identification, Sarah's family have been informed of this development. They have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.

'Officers from the Met are working with colleagues in the British Transport Police to look into the circumstances.

'The death is being treated as unexpected but at this time it is not thought to be suspicious.'

MailOnline has contacted the police force for further comment.
He is being mourned by wife and three children

A much-loved Aussie dad who died unexpectedly just 18 months after getting married is being mourned by his new wife and their three young children.

Jake Mumberson, from Gledswood Hills in south-western Sydney, died after suffering a heart attack on November 1 - just 11 days before his 32nd birthday.

He and his wife Cassie, 29, had just gotten married 18 months earlier when he became the father of her two sons, Zak and Nix, from a previous relationship.

'They called him Dad,' Ms Mumberson told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday. The couple also share a two-year-old daughter, Willow.

Mr Mumberson, who ran his own fencing and landscaping business, was in hospital for an unrelated condition when he died last week.

'Two hours after being there, he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest,' Ms Mumberson said. 'It was just completely out of the blue.'

Tragically, Jake had previously had his heart checked after his mother died of a heart attack three years ago but 'everything came back normal'.

Ms Mumberson said it was 'terrible' having to break the news to their children.

Jake and Cassie Mumberson are pictured with her two sons from a previous marriage, Nix and Zak, and their two-year-old daughter Willow before his tragic death

Mr Mumberson, from Gledswood Hills in south-western Sydney, died after suffering a heart attack in hospital on November 1 - just 11 days before his 32nd birthday

'Jake's grandmother also passed away last year and the kids loved her so much,' Ms Mumberson said.

'So we've just pretty much said to them that he's now in heaven with her and his mummy. That's how we told them.'

She said the younger children don't really understand that their dad is gone.

'My daughter does not, she's two. My son who's six, he does understand but doesn't at the same time. But my nine-year-old, he does. He definitely does.'

Ms Mumberson said she is still coming to terms with her husband's death.

'I'm still in a lot of shock. I'm on a roller coaster of emotions. I am sad and then I cry and then I'm happy and then I don't know, it's just all over the joint,' she said.

The sudden loss has meant Ms Mumberson has not yet made plans for a funeral.

To help the family out during a time of incredible stress, family friend Millie Jadrijevic has set up a GoFundMe.

'Jake was unexpectedly and unjustly separated from his beloved wife Cass, Zak and Nix who he treated wholeheartedly like his own, and beautiful daughter Willow,' Ms Jadrijevic wrote.

'Their journey and the next chapter of life were abruptly cut short.'

Mr Mumberson has been described as a 'devoted young husband, father, son and brother'

The father-of-three is pictured with his beloved daughter Willow at Christmas 2023

Ms Mumberson said her children don't really understand that he's gone (the family is pictured)

Ms Jadrijevic said Mr Mumberson was a 'devoted young husband, father, son, brother, and cherished friend'.

'As Cass grapples with the task of forging a future without Jake by her side, life feels daunting and uncertain,' she wrote.

Ms Jadrijevic said her friend now has to 'navigate the loss of her husband while striving to provide the very best for her three beautiful children'.

'Every single donation makes a difference to support Cass on this path to healing, allowing her the necessary time to regain her footing,' she added.

'Fly high, Jake. Watch over Cass and your precious children.'
EU officials have been holding 'crisis talks' to determine how the continent will fare if Donald Trump wins the presidential election tomorrow.

Trump and Kamala Harris are neck and neck as they leave their hopes of winning the Oval Office to the American public, with aggregated poll data from FiveThirtyEight suggesting Harris is one point ahead, well within a margin of error.

Following his fractured relationship with the EU during his time as the 45th president, bloc officials have privately said they are extremely worried about what he may do if elected.

EU officials hold 'crisis talks' over Donald Trump winning - warning of a 'cold shower' for Europe.

They have since learned their lesson since he was in office, believing that taking a tougher stance with him may prove fruitful.

Officials said they have drawn up plans to heavily tax products symbolic of America's national identity, including Kentucky Bourbon and Harley-Davidson motorbikes, if Trump decides to be bullish with the EU.

These products come from states that are vulnerable to swinging in the 2026 midterm election, which bloc officials believe will pressure Congressional representatives to work against Trump.

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump looks on during a campaign rally at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 4, 2024

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, visits Old San Juan Cafe as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro looks on during a campaign stop in Reading, Pa., Monday, Nov. 4, 2024

EU officials have privately warned that Trump may not be willing to play ball with the bloc (File image)

'One of the lessons of the last time was that appeasement doesn't seem to work with this guy,' an EU diplomat said.

'It's almost like dealing with a schoolyard bully. You give him a firm punch in the nose, and reshape the balance of power,' they added.

'We certainly hope that that won't be necessary. We'd be perfectly content to leave those options in a drawer in the Berlaymont,' the diplomat said.

The EU is particularly worried about how Trump may change America's policy on Ukraine and its defence against Russia.

Earlier this month, the billionaire claimed that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was responsible for Russia's invasion of the eastern European country.

He was quick to add: 'That doesn't mean I don't want to help him because I feel very badly for those people. But he should never have let that war start. The war's a loser.'

An EU official told the newspaper that if Trump refuses to chip in, the EU will make sure Ukraine stays funded: 'I think the member states will find a way [to plug the US gap]. The EU will continue financing Ukraine as long as it takes. This isn't just Ukraine's security, it's Europe's security.'

Trump stands alongside Mr Farage during a campaign rally at Phoenix Goodyear Airport in Goodyear, Arizona, on October 28, 2020

Trump is surrounded by Secret Service agents as leaves the Santander Arena following a campaign rally last night

But another official warned that Trump's well-known sympathy for Vladimir Putin was a warning for the bloc to ensure that strategy doesn't rely on America.

'Strategic autonomy needs to be implemented as soon as possible because our future should not depend on who should be the next president of the United States,' an EU official said.

The official said the EU had proved it could respond to crisis situations with 'massive changes'. The source said: 'The EU is no longer dependent on Russian gas, for example.'

The race has narrowed further, according to J.L. Partners, whose election model shows Trump losing his advantage.

Their latest numbers show that Trump wins in 60.4 percent of simulations. That is his lowest number for a month and means he has dropped eight points in the past week as momentum shifts to Harris.

That moves the overall result from Lean Trump (albeit it by the smallest of margins) into tossup Trump territory.

The former president is now locked in a tight race with Vice President Kamala Harris on the eve of the presidential election

Swing state probabilities have all changed since yesterday, with particularly notable impacts in Michigan, Wisconsin and Arizona.

In Arizona, Trump's win probability has increased by 6.5 points. It has moved from Likely Trump to Strong Trump.

Michigan saw Harris' win probability increase by 12.8 points. It is now a Lean Harris state having become Tossup Harris yesterday.

Wisconsin has seen a 16.1 point movement against Trump. The state has shifted from Tossup Trump to Lean Harris.

In his briefing note, data scientist Callum Hunter wrote:

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally in Memorial Hall at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa.,

Your browser does not support iframes.

'The final day of the campaign has seen big movements at the state level in our model. With Michigan and Wisconsin veering strongly towards Harris due to new polls and correlation effects within the model.

'With these states now considered Harris states, the race has shifted such that Pennsylvania is the deciding state for both campaigns - in 56 percent of simulations Pennsylvania is the deciding state.

'Whilst October saw Trump's rise give him multiple routes to the White House, the latest rounds of polling have closed many of those off.

'Both campaigns are now fighting for Pennsylvania - literally tens of thousands of voters might decide this election and it may come down to the thinnest of margins.

'As the fog of campaigning lifts on the battleground states the final face-off is set to take place in the Keystone state itself. Brace yourselves. We are in for a very bumpy ride.'
A doctor accused of asking a male patient for sexual acts before giving prescriptions has been banned from healthcare for 10 years.

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal last Friday ruled Dr Thean Soo Chin, who had a practice in the suburb of Balgownie in Wollongong, south of Sydney, had engaged in unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct.

Dr Chin, also known as Christopher Chin, was charged in 2019 and 2020 with sexual offences against the three patients but was found not guilty following trials.

Accusations made against him at the Tribunal by the Health Care Complaints Commission included touching a patient's buttocks while saying 'soft bum' and wearing an apron with a naked man and protruding rubber penis for a consultation.

He was also accused of grabbing the patient's ears and thrusting his pelvis towards the man's face, mimicking fellatio, while saying 'yeah baby' with all the incidents occurring between August 2016 and December of that year.

The Tribunal deemed Dr Chin's conduct towards that patient as 'wholly inappropriate' although the medic's lawyer did not make admissions to these claims.

NCAT also slammed his conduct towards two other patients as 'predatory'.

Dr Chin's lawyer did make admissions of 'inappropriate behaviour of a sexual nature' with a patient over a number of consultations in 2016.

A doctor has been banned from practicing for 10 years over a series of sexual misconduct claims (stock image pictured)

This included taking photos of the man's penis and touching it without clinical reason, sending the patient photos of his own penis as well as performing oral sex on the patient and receiving it.

He also kissed the patient and made sexual comments, including during a prostate exam as well as pinching and squeezing the patient's nipples, the Tribunal heard.

This patient, who had become dependent on pain medication after surgery and previously gave evidence, said he feared Dr Chin would not prescribe him the drugs if he did not engage in the sexual activities, the Tribunal heard.

The patient accused Dr Chin of getting 'me deliberately hooked on drugs so that he could hold out prescriptions in exchange for sexual acts. I would never have done those things', the Tribunal heard.

The patient told the Tribunal during one consultation Dr Chin said he would prescribe 10 boxes of prescription boxes if the man kissed and sucked his penis and fellatio on the medic subsequently occurred.

Afterwards, Dr Chin told the patient he would have to engage in sexual intercourse 'for your next ten boxes', the Tribunal heard.

Dr Chin's lawyer argued his client used an 'unfortunate turn of phrase', but the Tribunal was not convinced the doctor had not meant exactly what he'd said.

The Tribunal found Dr Chin improperly prescribed drugs of dependence and addiction, including benzodiazepines and opioids, without regard for the safety of patients that he knew had histories of drug use.

Medical notes Dr Chen made also showed an unprofessional attitude and disrespect to patients, the Tribunal found.

The banned doctor was found to have prescribed addictive painkillers without medical justification

He wrote of one patient that he would do a prostate exam without lubricant if he was lying about a a matter.

He referred to another patient as 'chicken shit' and said it was 'funny' that anoter patient's wife hadn't left him.

Dr Chin also failed to record certain aspects of the patients' medical histories, in one case his opioid addiction.

The Tribunal labelled Dr Chin's sexual conduct towards his patients an 'egregious breach of his professional obligations' and rejected his assertion he had a relationship or friendship with two of them.

Dr Chin's prescription of the drugs without authority nor attempt to wean patients off them was 'disgraceful', the Tribunal found.

After being registered as a NSW medical practitioner on 12 December 1985 Dr Chin practiced up until he was suspended in 2019 following the complaints made by patients to police.

With his registration cancelled without possibility of review for 10 years Dr Chin has indicated he does not intend to practice medicine again.
A homegrown terrorist allegedly tried to blow up a Nashville power plant using what federal prosecutors have referred to as a weapon of mass destruction.

Skyler Philippi, 24, of Columbia, Tennessee has been arrested for allegedly plotting to destroy the power plant using explosives attached to a drone, prosecutors announced on Monday.

They say Philippi was trying to further his white supremacist goals and believed that blowing up the power plant would usher in a 'New Age.'

'As charged, Skyler Philippi believed he was moments away from launching an attack on a Nashville energy facility to further his violent white supremacist ideology - but the FBI [had] already compromised his plot,' Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

'This case serves as yet another warning to those seeking to sow violence and chaos in the name of hatred by attacking our country's critical infrastructure: the Justice Department will find you, we will disrupt your plot and we will hold you accountable.'

Skyler Philippi, 24, of Columbia, Tennessee has been arrested for allegedly plotting to blow up a Nashville power plant

According to a criminal complaint, Philippi told an informant in June about his desire to commit a mass shooting at a YMCA facility located in his hometown.

The following month, he allegedly told another person about the impact of attacking large interstate substations, saying it would 'shock the system' and cause other substations to malfunction.

Later, prosecutors say, Philippi told the informant and an undercover agent he had written a manifesto about his desire to attack 'high tax cities or industrial areas to let the k***s lose money,' using a derogatory word for Jewish people.

In that conversation, he also reportedly spoke about getting into a shooting with a black person from Louisville, Kentucky, and argued that the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks 'were an inside job organized by a Jewish person.'

Philippi went on to tell the informants he was previously affiliated with white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups: the Atomwaffen Division and the National Alliance.

The two groups have previously targeted racial minorities, the Jewish community, the LGBTQ+ community, government, journalists and infrastructure.

Prosecutors said he spoke with undercover agents about acquiring C-4 and building pipe bombs

During that conversation on August 7, prosecutors say Philippi once again brought up his plan of attacking nine power plants across the country to assist in accelerating the collapse of the American power grid.

By September, Philippi is said to have met with undercover agents to discuss his plans.

He said he had researched previous attacks on electric substations, and concluded that attacking it with guns would not be sufficient, the complaint says.

Instead, Philippi allegedly planned to use a drone with explosives attached to it, which he would fly to the substation.

Philippi also allegedly said he wanted to build the drone himself, claiming the parts would 'cost around $150' and he could '3D print the [drone] body for pennies.'

He then reportedly asked the undercover agents to get the parts he needed, and showed the agents an open-source website with the locations electric substations in the Nashville area.

'I definitely want to hit Nashville, like 100 percent, I want to get Nashville,' Philippi told the agents, according to the complaint.

'I also know Louisville pretty God d*** well, since I lived there.

'I spent about five months scouting out every single place [power station] and even coming up with a game plan to hit as fast as I could,' he allegedly added.

'I had whole maps made, printed out on paper, to actually do that.'

His plan was to allegedly attach explosives to a drone and fly it at the power station

Later that month, prosecutors say Philippi drove with undercover agents to an electric substation he had previously researched and targeted to conduct reconnaissance.

While driving, the undercover agents introduced him to a third undercover agent who said he could provide explosives, and that agent agreed to provide 'poor man's C-4.'

The crew later also discussed making pipe bombs, with Philippi saying he purchased black powder to use in the bombs.

During the reconnaissance mission, Philippi is said to have noted that certain components of the substation were flammable and attacking them 'guaranteed to take everything down' and 'destroy evidence.'

'Holy s***. This will go up like a f***in' Fourth of July firework,' the accused terrorist allegedly said.

He is also said to have spoken to the undercover agents about operational security, telling them to dress as members of the clergy with fake glasses on the night of the attack, and suggested they wear leather gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints and shoes that are too large.

Philippi also allegedly suggested they leave their smartphones behind on the night of the attack, rent a Toyota Prius to blend into a nearby neighborhood from where he planned to launch the drone and burn their clothes afterward.

Then on the day of the planned attack, November 2, Philippi and his undercover accomplices participated in a 'Nordic ritual' in which they recited a Nordic prayer and discussed the Norse god Odin.

From there, the crew got lunch and returned to a hotel, where one of the agents asked him what the attack meant to him.

He allegedly responded that 'This is where the New Age begins' and that it was 'time to do something big' that would be remembered 'in the annals of history.'

In the lead-up to the planned attack, one of the undercover agents handed Philippi inactive C-4 and instructions on how to use it, and when he was taken into custody the drone was already powered up with the explosive device armed, prosecutors said.

'Philippi was prepared to attach the explosives to the drone when he was arrested,' the criminal complaint reads.

'Philippi attempted to use a weapon of mass destruction to destroy an energy facility that provides electricity to hundreds of businesses, thereby affecting interstate commerce.'

He is charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility.

If convicted, Philippi faces a maximum penalty of life behind bars.
Snake is one of the few words two-year-old Ezra Porter knows, which came in handy when the youngster was bitten by one of the deadly reptiles while playing outside.

The toddler has earned the praise of his family and doctors for alerting his mother after he was bitten on the foot by an eastern brown snake, one of the most venomous in the world, at his home in Port Wakefield last month.

Ezra immediately ran inside to tell his mum after he was attacked on his playset in the backyard of his home 100km north of Adelaide.

Miranda Porter raced outside just in time to see the snake before it slithered away.

'I saw the bite mark and it was extremely scary to be honest... I asked ''where did it get you?'' I cried, I was shaking,' Ms Porter told 7News.

Ms Porter said she was 'terrified' that the situation could have turned deadly and that it was an absolute 'blessing' her little boy was unhurt.

'To have that thought... We're just about to lose our little man. There's no words to describe that,' she said.

She called triple-zero and Ezra was airlifted to the Women's and Children's Hospital.

Ezra Porter has earned the praise of his family and doctors after quickly alerting his parents moments after being bitten by a snake (pictured as he was airlifted to hospital)

The toddler was bitten by an extremely venomous eastern brown snake in his backyard (stock)

Once at hospital, doctors determined the injury had fortunately been a 'dry bite', a term used when no venom has been injected into the wound.

If the eastern brown snake had injected it's venom, Ezra's quick thinking could have saved his life as the toxin can cause death in less than an hour.

Dr Michela Mitchell, from the Women's and Children's Hospital Toxicology Department, said it was remarkable Ezra was able to recognise the danger and tell his mother what had happened.

'The fact he could identify what a snake was is fantastic,' she said.

Experts recommend children should be taught about snake safety before they are three-years-old and begin playing outside.

Ezra has been on his playset (pictured) in the backyard when he was bitten on the foot
Dozens of migrants marooned on the remote Chagos Islands could be brought to the UK under plans being discussed by ministers.

The Foreign Office is in advanced talks about an arrangement that could see 61 Sri Lankan migrants who landed on the Indian Ocean island three years ago brought to the UK.

The move is likely to revive the row over Sir Keir Starmers controversial decision to surrender sovereignty of the islands to the island state of Mauritius, which has close links to China.

Ministers said the deal was needed to secure the future of the strategically vital UK-US military base on the largest island Diego Garcia.

But critics accused the government of setting a dangerous precedent that could eventually lead to the UK losing control of other territories, including the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar.

Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago and site of a major United States military base in the middle of the Indian Ocean leased from Britain

Sri Lankan migrants stuck on Diego Garcia (pictured) could be moved to the UK under plans by ministers

Under the terms of the deal, migrants who arrive illegally on the islands in the coming months while the agreement with Mauritius is finalised, will be sent to another remote British territory, St Helena, which is thousands of miles away in the Atlantic.

Once the deal is finalised, the fate of new arrivals will become a matter for Mauritius.

But the agreement does not cover migrants who have already reached the islands, and who now look set to be sent to the UK.

Some 61 Tamil Sri Lankan asylum seekers have been living on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands, since October 2021 after being rescued at sea by Royal Navy personnel.

In March this year, some of the migrants brought legal action against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, claiming there had been an unlawful delay in arranging their relocation to a safe third country.

The High Court in London was previously told that some of the migrants face inhumane conditions on the island, including overcrowding and rat infestations.

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) or Chagos Islands (formerly the Oil Islands) is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom situated in the Indian Ocean, halfway between Africa and Indonesia

Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Some of the migrants brought legal action against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, claiming there had been an unlawful delay' to their relocation to a safe third country

On Monday, lawyers for the Foreign Office and Home Office said there had been a proposed change in policy to allow families, children and unaccompanied men who do not have criminal convictions or outstanding investigations the opportunity to transfer directly to the UK.

Asked about Diego Garcia on Monday, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: The government inherited a deeply troubling situation that remained unresolved under the previous administration when it came to migrants who had arrived at Diego Garcia.

Diego Garcia had clearly never been a suitable long-term location for migrants and the Government has been working to find a solution that protects their welfare and the integrity of British territorial borders. Discussions in relation to those migrants are ongoing.
A serial killer who called himself the 'Crossbow Cannibal' has now been 'attacked in prison by a fellow inmate' who had been friends with one of his victims.

Murderer Stephen Griffiths was handed a life sentence in 2010 after he killed three women working in the red light district in Bradford - dismembering and eating some of their body parts.

But he is presently recovering in the hospital wing at HMP Full Sutton after crossing paths with someone who knew one of his victims, Suzanne Blamires, 36.

The inmate reportedly grew angry he had been put on the same wing as the cannibal and so 'sent Griffiths flying and knocked him out' after punching him in the face in a prison corridor, an insider said.

Griffiths was knocked unconscious as a result of the blow when he fell back from the force and also suffered injuries to his face.

Murderer Stephen Griffiths was handed a life sentence in 2010 after he killed three women working in the red light district in Bradford

Suzanne Blamires, 36, from Allerton, was murdered by Griffiths in 2010

The Bradford criminology student, who told police he was studying for a PhD in homicide, killed 43-year-old Susan Rushworth, who disappeared in June, 2009, followed by 31-year-old Shelley Armitage in April, 2010, and then 36-year-old Suzanne Blamires in May of the same year.

In 2010, Leeds Crown Court heard gruesome details of the killings by the then-40-year-old including the shocking revelation that 81 different pieces of Ms Blamires were found in or by the River Aire in Shipley.

When he was arrested Griffiths told police 'I've killed loads' and claimed he had eaten some of Ms Blamires's flesh, adding: 'That's part of the magic.'

He used a powerful crossbow and a knife.

The Sun has now reported about the prison attack him, quoting a source as saying: 'The inmate said he knew Suzanne, Griffiths' victim, and had grown up with her.

'He was unhappy being on a wing with his friend's killer.

'I don't know how Griffiths came to know that he knew Suzanne.

For many years Griffiths studied the disturbed minds of the most infamous serial killers, terrorists and war criminals

'The inmate was worried he would be attacked himself.

'The inmate who attacked Griffiths felt that Griffiths was going to hurt him.

'So he sent Griffiths flying and knocked him out.

'Griffiths was thrown six feet backwards and the attack knocked him spark out.

'There was some blood; the force caused some sort of lesion.

'The inmate has now been put on 'basic' for a month, as is the case when there is any kind of violence on the wing.

'Griffiths went to the hospital wing. He had some bruises on his face.'

The Prison Service told the Sun: 'Violence is not tolerated in prisons and anyone found responsible will be punished.'

Killer Griffiths had been caught in May 2010 when a caretaker at the flats where he lived saw horrific CCTV footage of Ms Blamires's final moments.

Shelley Armitage, 31, who went missing from Bradford's red light district in 26 April 2010

Susan Rushworth, 43, who went missing on 22 June 2001

Suzanne died from severe head injuries caused by a crossbow bolt, and was also found with knife wounds.

During his trial, Griffiths stood in the dock to enter his pleas surrounded by five security guards. Dressed in a grey tracksuit, he said 'yes' when asked to confirm his name.

He said 'guilty' in a quiet voice when the clerk put each of the three murder charges to him.

Judge Mr Justice Openshaw, told the court the defendant's mental health had been carefully examined and there was 'no question that he was fit to plead'.

The furniture and the walls in Griffiths' flat were splattered with the victims' blood and he claimed to have eaten raw parts of the flesh of Ms Blamires.

Ms Blamires's mother Nicky condemned the triple killer's actions, saying: 'Stephen Griffiths is a coward and we are shocked he pleaded guilty as it is not something I thought he would have the courage to do.'

Christine Thompson, Susan Rushworth's mother, issued an emotional appeal to Griffiths to tell them what he has done with her daughter's body so she can finally be laid to rest.

She said: 'As a family, we have not been able to put our daughter to rest because she has not been found, so we want to appeal to this man to tell us what he has done with Susan.'

Gill Armitage, Shelley Armitage's mother, said: 'She took the wrong path at the young age of 16 years old when she became a victim of heroin. Her death will haunt us for the rest of our lives.'

Griffiths had a violent past and a history of poor mental health. He spent time in Rampton high security hospital in Nottinghamshire in the early 1990s.

As a 17-year-old he was arrested for shoplifting in a supermarket but as he was detained he slashed a security guard's throat with a knife.

He was jailed for three years.

In 1989 he was prosecuted for possession of an air pistol but was not jailed. He was ordered to do 100 hours' community service as he had fallen foul of the previous conviction.

In 1991 he received a 24-month sentence at Leeds Crown Court for affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

His girlfriends said he was violent and abused them but were too terrified to testify against him and no charges were brought.

Only a few months ago, Kathy Hancock, who dated the 'crossbow cannibal' for a decade before he was convicted of murdering three women, relived her ordeal of their 'abusive' relationship.

Kathy Hancock from the Isle of Wight, once a prison officer at Full Sutton Prison, near York, publicly recounted her ten years of 'torture' and 'abuse' at the hands of Stephen Griffiths.

She said: 'I got two thirds the way through a cup of tea and felt strange, he looked at me and said ''do you feel ok?'' and I said ''not really, I feel really weird''. My eyesight was fuzzy and he was looking down at me laughing.

'He was enjoying it, there is this look he gets with a grin, no compassion, enjoying the nastiness of it. I asked why and he said to punish me because my dog growled at him.'

Kathy said she was increasingly controlled and coerced by Griffiths, to the point where he even abducted her dogs in the middle of the night. All these years on, she still doesn't know their fate.

Following his arrest, Griffiths said: 'I'm misanthropic, I don't have much time for the human race.'

MailOnline has contacted the Ministry of Justice for comment.
Police have been called in to investigate white supremacists for staging a 'disgusting' mountaintop rally where they claimed an Indigenous sacred site for the 'white man'.

Far-right group the National Socialist Network posted an image to social media of its members masked in balaclavas on Mount Warning in NSW, holding up a banner proclaiming 'Mt Warning for white man' from a summit lookout and later fixing it to a fence.

It said the members had travelled from Queensland to the mountain in northern NSW during a weekend in late November.

Wollumbin Mountain, formerly known as Mount Warning, has been off-limits to the general public since the end of the pandemic due to its significance for the local Bundjalung people.

NSW Police on Tuesday said officers had not been called to the site over the past two weekends to respond to protests.

However, investigators were working with National Parks and Wildlife Service staff to look into the reported breach.

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said any attempt to spread hate would be taken extremely seriously.

'This behaviour is utterly disgusting and I condemn those involved,' she said in a statement.

Members of far right group the National Socialist Network in Queensland staged a protest on Mount Warning, which has been closed to non-Indigenous people

'To these far-right extremists and neo-Nazis who are reportedly from Queensland. You and your vile demonstration are not welcome in NSW.'

She said the behaviour was not acceptable anywhere, whether it be at sacred sites or on Sydney streets.

In the images posted to social media one of the 13 uniformly black-clad men holds an Australian flag while two others display the neo-Nazi flag.

'The National Socialist Network in Queensland travelled to climb Mt Warning last weekend,' the group said.

'White Australians established and maintained the trail for nearly a century, and White Australians will decide who climbs it.'

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe labelled the mountaintop protest as 'disgusting'

The group that staged the protest said 'white Australians would decide who climbs the mountain'

In August, a hiking activist and a NSW state MP also defied the ban on climbing the mountain near Murwillumbah in northern NSW.

NSW Upper House MP John Ruddick and Marc Hendrickx, of the Right to Climb advocacy group, were photographed posing arms around each other's shoulders at the summit lookout wearing Libertarian Party branded clothing.

'Access to these wonderful natural places is part of what really underlies and builds our Australian character; and if we were unable to access these places, then really it's like an attack on being Australian,' Mr Hendrickx said.

'Mount Warning genuinely is a charismatic mountain and so I understand why some Aboriginal groups say it's a sacred mountain, but I agree with other Aboriginal groups that say, 'look, it is sacred, but it's so sacred everybody should be able to climb it',' Mr Ruddick said.

A member of the black-clad and masked group was seen tying the the sign to the lookout's fence

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in August, both men slammed the current rules around Mount Warning, the disrepair of its walking tracks and the state government for continually extending its closure.

NSW National Parks has defended the ban

'Wollumbin is highly significant to Aboriginal people, particularly the Bundjalung nation,' it said.

'Visitors are asked to respect their wishes and not climb the summit track.'

'Decisions about the future of the summit track will be made by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in accordance with the wishes of Aboriginal custodians.'

The traditional custodians have been represented by the Wollumbin Consultative Group, which represents a range of Aboriginal groups and families with connections to Wollumbin according to its website.

NSW Upper House MP John Ruddick (left) and Marc Hendrickx, a member of the Right to Climb advocacy group, (right) climbed the Wollumbin-Mount Warning summit trail on Saturday despite the track being closed to the public since 2020

Mount Warning is famous as it is the highest peak at Australia's most easterly point, thereby being the first part of Australia each day to get sunlight

The group previously caused an uproar when they claimed allowing females - including those of Indigenous heritage - on the site would ruin its cultural significance.

It has also been criticised for its 'secrecy' and being difficult to get a response from.

'I don't have confidence in them,' Mr Ruddick said.

'They're a very secretive group. I've asked a number of times through national parks to have meetings with them, but I've been denied access,' Mr Hendrickx said.

'I haven't been able to get in touch, or get phone numbers, or make contact with them. I'd love to be able to sit down at a table and discuss the issue face to face.'

Mr Ruddick tabled a petition to NSW parliament in August calling for the immediate reopening of the Wollumbin Mount Warning summit trail earlier this year.

Mount Warning is famous as it is the highest peak at Australia's most easterly point, thereby being the first part of Australia each day to get sunlight.

The peak attracted more than 127,000 visitors every year before the picturesque trail in the Tweed shire was shut down in March 2020.
A prisoner freed under a controversial early release scheme had to be returned to jail 12 hours later after carrying out an assault.

The man was freed, it is claimed, with only a few days notice, before assaulting a neighbour and being returned to custody.

Now pressure has mounted on the Scottish Government over its scheme, after it emerged more than a quarter of eligible inmates had to be denied freedom because of the risk they posed.

Hundreds of prisoners were released before the end of their sentences to ease overcrowding in jails.

But it has emerged prison governors stepped in to veto the release of 171 of the 648 eligible inmates because they were a risk to the public or themselves.

A prison freed early under the Scottish Government's release scheme was returned to prison within just 12 hours (file photo)

Yesterday ministers were accused of recklessness over the early release scheme and were urged to crack on with the construction of new prisons.

A charity supporting the victims of crime has also called for a rethink of the policy, it was reported by justice and social affairs magazine 1919.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: These astonishing stats lay bare the recklessness of the SNPs early release scheme. The SNP should apply some common sense and crack on with delivering the long overdue new prisons in Glasgow and the Highlands which are essential to tackling the prison population crisis.

Scotlands prison estate has a target capacity of 8,007 but there have been periods with more than 8,300 inmates being held.

There are fears that more than 9,000 people could be incarcerated by January, and concerns have been raised about the impact on rehabilitation.

Under the scheme, only prisoners with 180 days or fewer left of a sentence of under four years can be considered for early release.

Prison governors can block the release of individual inmates, and criminals convicted of sexual offences or domestic abuse are not eligible to be let out early.

Of the 477 freed between June and July, 57 were back behind bars within weeks and 12 of those were free for ten days or fewer.

Malcom Paul, mentoring services manager at Heavy Sound, which operates a prison-based programme, said sufficient support on the outside is essential to help prisoners reintegrate.

Scottish Conservative Justice spokesperson Liam Kerr accused minister of 'recklessness' over the early release scheme and urged the SNP to deliver new prisons

He told 1919 that one man he was helping was freed a week before his planned release date, leaving insufficient time to put the required support in place for him when he got out.

Mr Paul said the man ended up assaulting one of his neighbours and was back in prison within 12 hours.

Victim Support Scotland also said adequate preparation, rehabilitation and access to support services need to be in place before criminals are freed.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: We always work hard to support people in their journey towards release.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: We worked closely with the Scottish Prison Service, and other partners to ensure that appropriate pre-release planning took place.
An investigator has told the WA Supreme Court the home of alleged mum killer Andre Rebelo and his former partner Grace Piscopo was bugged by police.

Former WA Police detective Warren Jacobs gave evidence in the murder trial of Rebelo, who is accused of killing his mother Colleen Rebelo on May 25, 2020, an allegation he has denied.

Mr Jacobs told the court that police were issued a warrant to use listening devices in the bedroom of Rebelo's Beaconsfield home and an optical and audio recording device downstairs.

The devices were installed in the house from September 9, 2020 until December 7, 2020.

Mr Jacobs confirmed to defence lawyer Anthony Elliott the devices were installed to see if there was any discussion betwee Rebelo, Ms Piscopo and any other people relevant to a fraud inquiry.

Mr Elliott put to Mr Jacobs that even though the offence was described as fraud, the officers listened out for discussions about insurance, fraud, Ms Rebelo, death, murder and anything that could be sensibly connected with those things.

'Yes,' Mr Jacobs replied.

Detective Sergeant Clinton Bragg told the court that Mr Rebelo googled 'coroner's aneurysm causes' and 'inquest' after his mother's death.

Recording devices were installed in the home of Andre Zachary Rebelo and his former partner model Gracie Piscopo (pictured) for three months in 2020, a court has been told

Colleen Rebelo's (pictured) cause of death has never been determined despite extensive testing by authorities. The court was told police discovered Mr Rebelo had taken out three life insurance policies against his mother in the week before she died

The court was told police discovered Rebelo had taken out three life insurance policies against his mother in the week before she died in which he stood to gain $1.15m from her death.

Three days after she died, he started the claims process to gain money from premiums.

One of the insurers suspected the claim was fraudulent and reported it to police.

Mr Rebelo had submitted forged copies of a medical certificate from his mother's psychologist, her last will and testament along with a fake copy of a coroner's report into her death.

He was charged with fraud in October 2020 and later charged with murder in November 2022.

He declared bankruptcy on March 31, 2022.

Mr Rebelo pleaded guilty to forgery but has denied killing his mother.

Police were initially investigating a fraud complaint but started suspecting Mr Rebelo murdered his mother about October 1, 2020.

Sergeant Bragg said he was briefed about the case on August 31, 2020 and started investigations, but because three months had lapsed since Ms Rebelo had died, police were unable to obtain any evidence from CCTV footage.

Police searched the home of Ms Piscopo and Mr Rebelo (pictured) on September 16, 2020. Ms Piscopo is not accused of any wrongdoing

He told the court that 16 days later police searched Ms Rebelo's home where her children Monique and Fabian were at the time, with police seizing laptops and mobile phones from the home.

He said her children were taken to the Fremantle Police Station to give statements.

Sergeant Bragg told the court that a search was also carried out at Rebelo's home on the same day. Police seized computers and laptops and took him in for questioning.

'Andre was interviewed later that evening about this incident, he was taken into custody and arrested that day,' Sergeant Bragg said.

'I went back to the homicide squad office and took Andre back to the watch house, I believe he was bailed.

'He was charged with attempted fraud, five other forgery offences and released on bail.'

Detective Sergeant Jason Hutchinson told the court that he examined a computer used by Rebelo and found activity from December 2019 to July 2020 had been removed, including internet search history.

He said there was also no chrome history prior to June 2020.

Police discovered Google searches for 'coroner's aneurysm causes', 'word doc assist' and 'inquest' on a computer used by Mr Rebelo (pictured with Ms Piscopo)

Sergeant Hutchinson told the court that he did find Google searches that were relevant to the case that included 'coroner's aneurysm causes', 'word doc assist' and 'inquest'.

A computer mostly used by Ms Piscopo revealed photos of the couple with their son Romeo taken at 8.07am on the day Rebelo's mother died.

At 10.24am and 2pm, photos of Ms Piscopo were found on the computer. After 8.07am there were no photos of Rebelo.

During the trial, the court has been told Rebelo portrayed a glamorous lifestyle on social media with Ms Piscopo that was funded by credit cards and personal loans.

The jury was told Ms Piscopo was a successful model and social media influencer, but Rebelo had lived beyond his means and was unable to repay his financial obligations.

Ms Piscopo is not accused of any wrongdoing.

WA Police financial crime squad investigator Darren Stammers investigated the couple's financial records for a three-year period until June 2020.

The court was shown about a month after Ms Rebelo died, the couple had a combined debt of $121,000 and little money in their savings accounts.

Mr Rebelo was being pursued by debt collection agencies after he failed to make repayments on his credit card.

State prosecutor Brett Tooker (pictured) told the court that when premiums had to be paid and money started coming out of Rebelo's account, he had to act

The prosecution argued that Mr Rebelo must have thought his world was closing in around him and led him to take out three life insurance policies against his mother.

State prosecutor Brett Tooker told the court that when premiums had to be paid and money started coming out of Mr Rebelo's account, he had to act.

'Which is why five days later he killed his mother, then three days later started pursing policies,' he told the court.

While Ms Rebelo's death was sudden and unexpected, it was not treated as suspicious by first responders who attended her home.

Her cause of death has never been determined despite auxiliary testing performed at her autopsy.

The defence has argued traces of focal subendocardial interstitial fibrosis found on Ms Rebelo's heart could have caused her to die suddenly from cardiac arrhythmia.

The trial continues.
A young Aussie who was left with critical brain injuries after a horror motorbike accident in Bali has landed back on Australian soil.

Dylan suffered 'extensive and life-threatening injuries' in the crash on October 29 and spent over a week on life support in a Balinese hospital.

On Monday, his family confirmed he had been safely repatriated to Australia.

'The flight went smoothly and the teams in Denpasar and Australia were truly exceptional in getting him home,' his father Steven Brown said.

'While it feels amazing to be back, we're forever grateful to the staff in Denpasar who, without a doubt, saved Dylan's life.

'He's now being evaluated for the best possible care, is comfortable, and though still critical, doing well.'

Dylan underwent surgery in Denpasar to remove a large blood clot putting pressure on his brain that was estimated to cost upwards of $40,000.

A GoFundMe campaign has raised $136,000 with one anonymous donor contributing $40,000 to cover Dylan's ongoing hospital bills.

The family of a young Aussie critically injured in Bali (pictured) has provided a major update

Dylan had been on holiday when he sustained critical brain injuries in the crash on October 29

Organiser Steven Brown expressed his gratitude to those who had donated.

'Dylan may be able to come home after this surgery and that would be a huge positive step for him and his family,' Mr Brown wrote last week.

'But bringing him home will cost between $50,000 to $100,000 so your donations to help with this mean the world to us.

'We desperately want our beautiful kind son and brother home and alive.'

'To all the donors so far and to the large anonymous donor. We are in tears of thanks for your generosity,' he said.

You can donate to Dylan's GoFundMe here.
Predicting tomorrow's U.S. election result is an extremely difficult task. The polling is all over the place and the betting markets are far from stable.

Even when early results start to roll in late Wednesday morning Australian time, it could be a long wait before we know with any certainty who is victorious.

While it is likely that the Democrats and Kamala Harris will win the national popular vote, winning enough votes in the key states will decide the outcome.

That's the Electoral College vote, designed to ensure that smaller states aren't forgotten in presidential campaigns.

Donald Trump needs to win back states he won against Hillary Clinton back in 2016 but lost to Joe Biden four years later when he was ousted as president.

The critical Blue Wall states, as Democrats like to call them - Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - all supported Biden in 2020, but are no certainty of backing a Harris presidency. The polls in each of them have been extremely tight.

Whatever happens, there will be significant implications not just for Americans but for the rest of the world too.

Australia, as a longtime ally and trading partner of the U.S., will be heavily impacted by who wins the race for the White House.

Whatever happens tomorrow, there will be significant implications not just for Americans but for Australians and the rest of the world

For Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a Harris presidency would bring about a more predictable U.S. foreign policy

Trump wins: Hip pocket pain for Aussies - followed by an economic boom?

If Trump returns as president, he has pledged to increase tariffs to protect American industries. It's a popular policy in working-class states.

Such a move could see a rise in trade protectionism right around the world.

Australia has always been a trading nation: we produce many more goods than we need domestically, so an increase in global protectionism will hit us harder than many other countries.

Trump has refused to exempt Australia from his tariff plans, meaning that our second-biggest trading partner will, to some extent, close its doors to our goods.

At the very least they will become more expensive compared to locally produced American products, forcing some exports to look for new markets abroad. If they can't find them, Australian producers may take an economic hit.

This is a concern if Trump wins - but it isn't the whole story. There could be an upside to Trump's likely first move as president.

While the U.S. is our second-biggest trading partner, China is our largest, and growing. It has been holding off announcing a major fiscal stimulus package to help its ailing economy.

That's because it wants to see what the outcome of the U.S. election looks like before taking decisive actions.

If Trump does win, there is a good chance China will inject significant government stimulus into its domestic economy to help offset the impact of U.S. tariffs.

It has done so before, when Trump raised tariffs during his first term as president.

Such a move could be a boom for Australian miners exporting to China. A domestic Chinese stimulus package would increase demand for our iron ore, for example, as well as other goods.

The Australian government has only recently reopened trade with China in the wake of it putting its own trade barriers in place, impacting wine, beef and seafood exports, among others.

Awkwardness for Albo, uncertainty in Asia

Another consideration if Trump wins is what happens to the geopolitical stability of the Asia-Pacific region where we live.

It's no secret that Trump talks tough when it comes to China. This will put Australia in a difficult position, wedged between our key military ally and our largest trading partner at a time when the U.S. is becoming more trade-protectionist.

It is also difficult to know how the Albanese government will go dealing with a Trump presidency. Diplomatic relations might be strained if Albo sticks to his commitment to retain Kevin Rudd as our Ambassador in the U.S.

Rudd has been highly critical of Trump in the past, labelling him 'nuts' and 'a traitor to the west'.

Trump didn't mince his words in response, recently describing Rudd as 'not the brightest bulb' and even suggesting he might refuse to deal with him.

That would be a disaster, perhaps so much so that Albo would need to backflip and replace his man in Washington.

It all depends on what sort of president Trump decides to be if re-elected for a second term.

His running mate, JD Vance, was highly critical of Trump in the past - even comparing him to Hitler - but still made it onto the Republican ticket by kissing the ring.

Rudd would need to do the same, but even then it might not be enough.

Kamala Harris wins: More of the same - unless she radically changes direction

A Harris victory is likely to simply be more of the same - an extension of the Biden presidency, only shifting to a new generation.

She would likely keep the AUKUS submarines deal safe, from an Australian perspective, and continue to support social liberal policies at home such as more accessible health care and funding for education.

Much of President Harris's attention will be on carving out a bold new domestic agenda at home, rather than abroad - so voters see her as more than the underwhelming vice president she has been for the past four years.

That sort of Harris presidency could see America drift leftwards, further isolating one-time Trump voters, and further polarising the nation as the Harris approach becomes all about appealing to the base rather than the centre.

More likely, Harris would look to promote herself as a next-generation champion for mainstream America, perhaps by following Trumps isolationist tendencies and focusing on domestic renewal in battleground states. Albeit while modernising social policies in cautious incremental ways.

Albo would breathe a big sigh of relief if Harris won - but Trump could STILL cause trouble

Whatever way you cut it, the Labor government would find it easier to deal with a President Harris, assuming Albanese is still around after his own electoral showdown by next May.

A Harris presidency would certainly be less volatile than a return of Trump, but she is an untested leader on the global stage.

How she might deal with China in the context of its regional ambitions is an unknown, and what happens in that geopolitical space is all important to Australia.

Democrats have worked hard to paint a Trump comeback as something that must be stopped, suggesting he would be a threat to democracy itself.

They said similar things about Trump back in 2016, yet after four years as president the democratic system voted him out.

Anthony Albanese would find it easier to deal with a President Kamala Harris - who comes from the same side of politics

Not without complaint, however. The January 6 Washington, D.C., riots and claims by Trump and his supporters that the 2020 election was 'rigged' haven't abated, and will flare up again if he loses this time around, too.

The volatility that will cause will be substantial within the U.S., but may turn out to be more of a spectator sport for the rest of the world.

One of the risks for Australia in the longer term is that the U.S. turns more and more inwards in the coming years, irrespective of who wins the presidency. It is arguably a more likely scenario if Trump wins, but the way this presidential election campaign has played out suggests it is a live option either way.

Meanwhile, the AUKUS deal is slated to be the largest defence build in Australian history.

Both major parties in the U.S. say the deal is safe, but Trump moreso than Harris has speculated that what's been agreed to could be open for renegotiation if he wins.

Again, how true that is, compared to the rhetorical claims being made, will only be known once we get a sense of what a second Trump administration looks like if he wins, and who he appoints to key cabinet positions such as Defence and Secretary of State.

What to watch for after the polls close on Wednesday AEDT - and how Australia's system differs

Americans head to the polls on Tuesday, which is a matter of hours from now with the time difference.

For us, that means counting won't commence until late Wednesday morning, with the picture of which candidate is best placed to win becoming more apparent throughout Wednesday afternoon, Australian time.

If Trump is successful, the implications of Biden's refusal to step aside and let Harris run in his place will come into view.

If Harris wins, she'll become the first female President in American history. Her task will be to try to bring Americans together, but that aim will be hammered by irate Trump supporters and the man himself, who is already laying the foundations for discontent if he does lose.

Trump has already changed the nature of modern politics since his victory in 2016. Populism has long been a feature of politicking in democratic nations, as you would expect.

But he has shifted the dial on that reality in ways that make it harder to call out bluff and bluster.

It would be a mistake, however, to assume that Trump losing will bring that era to a close. That's because he's been more of a symptom of popular discontent with traditional politics than the cause of it.

Mainstream voters in the U.S. feel left out of policymaking and left behind. Trump has tapped into that sentiment, stylistically and with many of the policies he's promoted.

Even if he loses, the disconnect many Americans feel from the political process won't go away, and that sentiment will continue to shape political debates there and here.

Trump has trailed in the polls to a far greater extent at previous presidential showdowns than he is now, suggesting that unless pollsters in the U.S. have corrected how they sample voters, he could be well-placed to win.

That reality sits in contrast to the challenge Trump faces overcoming concerns that his position on the issue of abortion could see women's rights get further eroded if he makes a successful comeback.

True or not, that fear could drive more Americans to polling booths to vote against Trump than has been the case in the past. That is the biggest threat to his comeback in 2024.

Australians watching the results come in tomorrow need to remember the U.S. has a very different electoral system compared to here.

We have compulsory voting and preferencing; the U.S. has neither. In America, on average, only half the eligible voting population bothers to cast a ballot.

Which is why 'getting out the vote' is a crucial part of campaigning in the U.S., but not here.

The Democrats do that better than Republicans, which is an advantage for Harris. But can Harris inspire enough people to turn out to vote, or will she only rely on an anti-Trump vote?

We know Trump voters have been motivated to turn out to support him personally in the past, but is that belief as strong after the riots in D.C. when he lost in 2020? Or, with Biden now out of the picture, is Trump seen as the ageing candidate, someone who should be left out to pasture rather than returned to the epicentre of power?

This time tomorrow we will have a much better idea which way Americans have decided to go.
The devastated family of a young boy who was swept out to sea say they 'remain hopeful' he will be found alive - as a desperate search to find him enters its third day.

Laith Alaid, 11, had just finished fishing with his father, 43, and three younger brothers - aged nine, seven, and three - when he was swept out into the ocean at The Entrance, on NSW's Central Coast, at about 5.15pm on Sunday.

His father was helping the three younger brothers cross a channel as they returned back to the shore when Laith, who was walking behind him, was pulled away by the tide.

The family released a photo of Laith on Tuesday as they thanked those who have rallied around them, saying they are 'deeply moved by the community support'.

The image, which shows the young boy proudly holding two small fish, was taken just a few hours before he went missing.

'Thank you to all the volunteers, emergency services, and members of the Central Coast community, who have selflessly dedicated their time and resources to the search efforts,' the family said.

'We remain hopeful, and we ask the community to stay vigilant for anything that might assist in the search.'

The family have requested privacy as they focus on finding their 'beloved boy'.

Laith Alaid, 11, is missing off the NSW Central Coast. This photo was reportedly taken just a few hours before he was swept out to sea

Rescue helicopters, water police, and surf lifesavers have spent the past few days searching for the young boy, whose family recently moved to Australia from Iraq.

Witnesses say Laith's family have remained at the beach the past few days as they hope for a miracle.

'They didn't go home [on Sunday],' one woman said.

'I saw them at 1.30am still sitting there with blankets crying. It killed me.'

Another witness said Laith's father became overwhelmed with emotion as he watched the search operation on Monday.

'When the helicopter would go low and look like it might have found something, he would go back to his car,' they said.

It is understood Laith was walking with a camp chair on his back as the family crossed the notorious channel.

Two bystanders helped look after the the man's younger children while he frantically tried to rescue his son.

The distraught father was later pictured sitting on the sand hugging his youngest son tight while being consoled.

The family, who are understood to not speak English, had been visiting the area from Sydney.

It's understood the mother didn't go on the fishing trip but travelled to the Central Coast with family and friends on Monday as the search resumed.

The distraught father is seen embracing his youngest son shortly after his eldest was swept out to sea on Sunday afternoon

The 43-year-old father was crossing The Entrance Channel with his four boys - aged 11, nine, seven and three - when the eldest child was swept into the water

Daily Mail Australia understands locals have offered the family accommodation in the area amid the search, with more relatives arriving to support them.

Local members of the community have also been offering their support by donating food and other supplies.

Tuggerah Lakes Inspector David Piddington told media on Monday that NSW Police has a specialist family liaison officer helping the family.

'The family are very distraught and as I said they are being very well supported by our family liaison officer, chaplains and we will assist them as much as we can,' he said.

Police divers found the boy's chair, towel and esky before the search was suspended just after 4pm on Monday.

The Entrance Channel is one of the most dangerous locations on the Central Coast due to the strong currents during changing tides.

The treacherous channel, known as the 'black spot', connects Tuggerah Lakes to the ocean.

Many people cross the channel at low tide as a way to get back to The Entrance car park or to access North Entrance.

The extensive search and rescue operation (pictured) resumed on Tuesday

The father tried desperately to reach his son who was pulled by the strong tide but was unsuccessful (pictured, men thought to be relatives or friends watch over the stretch of water where the boy was swept out to sea)

However when the tide changes, the strong currents pulling water out to sea are powerful.

In 2016, two fishermen drowned in the The Entrance Channel after they fell into the water while fishing.

In 2012, 15-year-old boy Keon Sbrugnera also drowned after he was caught in a rip while swimming with friends.

In the same year, a strong current during an incoming tide pulled a Toyota HiLux ute into the middle of The Entrance Channel.

An excavator had to be called in to help remove the ute from the water.

As Laith's family are from an Arabic-speaking background, the latest tragedy has prompted calls for warnings in multiple languages for those unaware of the channel's hidden dangers.

Signs warning beachgoers of the dangers are located in number of spots near the channel.

Locals believe the warning signs are not enough to deter visitors and that three separate stairs and handrails that lead directly to the water actually entice people to the channel

The channel at The Entrance is a notorious danger spot as the shifting sands push strong currents out to sea (pictured)

The signs, written in English, warn: 'Beware - fast, changing currents and deep holes'.

They also state the area was a 'known danger for fishing, night wading, swimming' and urge people to visit a patrolled beach about 400m away.

Locals believe the signs are not enough to deter visitors and that three separate stairs and handrails actually entice people down into the water.

Surf Life Saving Central Coast chief executive Michael Hyslop said the effectiveness of the signs would be considered.
The ABC has apologised to its audience, military commandos and a former US drug enforcement official over errors in its 'Line of Fire' reports about alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

Five additional gunshots were added to a clip in which a soldier fired a single warning shot from a helicopter as it flew above an Afghan compound where unarmed civilians walked below.

The interim findings from an ABC report released this week found the 'audio editing error' arose through an 'inadvertent consequence of attempts to create clean, accurate and effective sequences in the story'.

The video was aired by the ABC in 2022 but former special forces commando Heston Russell revealed the inaccuracies in the footage in an interview with Seven's Spotlight program earlier this year.

The ABC removed the 56-second clip from an online article after it acknowledged the error in the video and initiated an independent investigation.

'The ABC sincerely regrets and apologises for the editing errors in the video clips, including to members of the 2nd Commando Regiment,' ABC news director Justin Stevens said in a statement this week.

'The ABC stands by the vital importance of its investigations into the alleged conduct of Australian soldiers.

'The editing errors, while deeply regrettable, do not weaken the value of the ABC's reporting over many years on these crucial issues.'

ABC News boss Justin Stevens (pictured) has apologised over errors in the broadcaster's Line of Fire reports about alleged war crimes in Afghanistan

Original helmet-cam video from the 2012 incident in Afghanistan shows a single warning shot about to be fired from a military helicopter - but in the ABC version five extra shots are heard

The review also found comments from former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) leader Bret Hamilton had misrepresented him.

'The review found Mr Hamilton's final comment in an interview that alleged war crimes should always be investigated was not in proper context and therefore did not accurately represent him as talking about allegations of war crimes in general rather than referring to any specific allegations,' Mr Stevens said.

'The review found this was potentially misleading. It found Mr Hamilton's views were otherwise accurately represented.

'ABC News sincerely regrets and apologises to Mr Hamilton as well as our audience members for this. That was not the meaning we intended to convey.'

The interim review is being carried out by former ABC and SBS veteran journalist turned media executive Alan Sunderland.

During senate estimates on Tuesday, ABC acting managing director Melanie Kleyn said the report found 'no evidence of any intent to mislead by any ABC employee'.

Ms Kleyn said there was 'not a deliberate editorial decision to include additional gunshots to mislead or deceive' and refuted the suggestion that the central focus of the entire story was misleadingly altered.

'The review has also found that the stories contained important issues that are in the public interest in relation to the issue of altered audio,' she said.

In October 2023, former special forces commando Heston Russell (pictured) won his defamation case against the ABC after a Federal Court judge ruled it could not prove articles the national broadcaster published were reported in the public interest

According to the interim report there was no deliberate effort to 'distort the depiction of the events that occurred' by the ABC.

Mr Stevens also denied the footage was deliberately doctored and criticised the response from competitor media companies.

'The great shame from all of this is that for weeks, various outlets have accused journalists of the highest integrity of doctoring material, which is one of the most offensive and damaging allegations one can make against a journalist,' he said.

'The meaning of doctoring is to deceitfully change something intentionally. What Mr Sunderland's review shows independently is that our team and journalists and executives at all levels did not doctor any material.

'So there was mistakes, but it was not deliberate, and there was no doctoring.'

The ABC was also questioned on why it did not act on a letter sent by Mr Russell's lawyers on November 22, 2022, after the footage was initially aired.

Ms Kleyn said the broadcaster's news division was 'not handed a copy of that letter,' with Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson lashing her comments as 'outrageous'.

'Mr Russell's lawyers were writing to your lawyers, saying you've got it wrong. You've put these fake gunshots in the video and what? No one did anything?' she said.

'Are you telling me that the lawyers just sat on their hands and did nothing. Did they tell anyone in news?'

During this period, Mr Russell had already launched defamation proceedings against the ABC and was later awarded $390,000 in damages in October, 2023.

Mr Stevens said the issues should have been flagged with the ABC's editorial team, instead of its legal team, but Senator Henderson rejected his claims.

'There was every opportunity after that date between then and now for these issues to be brought to ABC news' attention via a formal complaint, via the processes we have in place, and as far as I'm aware, that did not occur,' he said.

Ms Kleyn said Mr Sunderland was still reviewing the circumstances around the letter ABC's legal team received and why it wasn't passed onto the news division.

She said the the final report would include a finding on the issue.
Far-right extremist Ammon Bundy has spoken out about his new life on the run from the law, as the former sheriff of the Idaho county where he is wanted explains why cops have not yet arrested him.

The 49-year-old former gubernatorial candidate has a warrant out for his arrest after he fled Idaho instead of paying a $53million judgment in a defamation case in which he was accused of claiming that a hospital was guilty of child sex trafficking.

He has now emerged in southern Utah, close to the Nevada border, where he says he just wants to live in peace.

'I left to try to get peace,' Bundy told The Independent, noting that he abandoned his truck repair business and what he has described as a 'beautiful' house with five acres of land and hundreds of fruit trees.

'I displaced my entire family to another state, I left all my commercial properties, my community, our church, our house,' he said.

Far-right extremist Ammon Bundy, 49, has spoken out about his new life on the run from the law as a warrant remains out for his arrest in Idaho

He is now planning to stay in Utah so long as the state 'doesn't want to make a political statement, and as long as the feds don't want to make a political statement.'

For now, it does not seem that law enforcement will track him down.

Gary Raney - the former sheriff of Ada County, where the arrest warrant was issued, said he believes the chaos Bundy has caused in the past with his organized standoffs may make anyone with the power to arrest him reluctant to do so.

'Even when he was sort of holed up at his place here outside of Boise, I encouraged the sheriff: don't do anything, take your time, don't go create a situation where he can put on a show and have his supporter come defend him or fundraise for him,' Raney told the outlet.

'That's probably what's happening here in Utah. They probably don't want to create a situation that could be deadly.'

Gary Raney - the former sheriff of Ada County, where the arrest warrant was issued, said he believes the chaos Bundy has caused in the past with his organized standoffs may make anyone with the power to arrest him reluctant to do so

He said he has displaced his entire family in his move to Utah, close to the Nevada border

Bundy had his first run-in with the government in 2014, after the Bureau of Land Management moved in to requisition his father's cattle.

The government claimed at the time that his father, Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, had illegally grazed his cattle on public land for 20 some-odd years, and when he refused to pay $1million in unpaid grazing fees, the bureau took his cattle.

The Bureau of Land Management accused Ammon's father, Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, of illegally grazing his cattle on public land for some 20-odd years

In response, the elder Bundy summoned hundreds of men, women and militia members to his cause.

On April 12, the armed gang surrounded the site where the impounded cattle was kept and demanded the animals back, allegedly setting up sniper positions on nearby highway bridges and badly outgunning the federal officials.

Federal prosecutors portrayed the protesters, some of whom were equipped with tactical gear and assault rifles, as part of a 'massive armed assault' against federal officers.

'Outnumbered by more than 4:1, unwilling to risk harm to children and other unarmed bystanders [...], and wishing to avoid the firefight that was sure to follow if they engaged the snipers on the bridge who posed such an obvious threat to their lives, the officers had no choice and were forced to leave and abandon the cattle,' a federal indictment against Cliven, Ammon and his brother Ryan.

Ammon played a critical role in the standoff and has often told a story about how he was tasered three times in one confrontation.

To this day, cattle still graze the disputed land.

Ammon was arrested after playing a critical role in the stand-off with government

Ammon joined another armed standoff less than two years later

Ammon joined another armed standoff less than two years later, again in a dispute over control of federal land.

In that case, Ammon and hundreds of militants from across the West occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, about 30 miles south of Burns, Oregon, demanding the land be handed over to local ranchers.

That standoff ended when one of the occupiers was shot dead by police after a car chase.

Bundy was then arrested along with 10 of his fellow occupiers, and faced a slew of charges for both government standoffs - though he would eventually escape conviction on both.

In Oregon, Ammon and his brother Ryan were acquitted by a jury of all charges, while in Nevada, the case was thrown out because prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense.

Bundy now credits his time in jail, which included more than a year spent in solitary confinement, with cementing his antigovernmental views.

Those became even more prominent during the COVID pandemic, when he created an online coalition called The People's Rights Network, which attracted a host of right-wing militia groups to its cause.

A report by the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights and the Montana Human Rights Network claimed he 'cultivated a dangerous new network of militia members, anti-maskers, conspiracists, preppers, anti-vaxxers and others.'

The group, which the Institute called 'Ammon's army,' then led a series of protests against COVID measures, including one in which heavily-armed militia members stormed Michigan legislative chambers and hanged an effigy of the governor.

Bundy, at the time, warned that if Idahoans complied with mask measures 'then they will go further until we are lined up naked, facing a mass grave, being shot in the back of the head.'

He led a series of protests against COVID measures, including one in which heavily-armed militia members stormed Michigan legislative chambers and hanged an effigy of the governor

By 2022, Bundy decided to run for governor of Idaho.

But amid his campaign, the sick grandchild of one of his supporters, Diego Rodriguez, was taken into protective custody as the baby was suffering severe malnutrition.

Bundy saw that intervention as a breach of parent's rights, another sign of the government overreach he had been fighting against for years, and mobilized his supporters to join a campaign of harassment against the hospital in an effort to get the baby released to its parents.

Hundreds then gathered outside St. Luke's hospital, threatening to storm the building.

The messaging from his supporters included claims of 'medical kidnapping' and even accusations of pedophilia against the authorities.

Doctors, nurses and local police received death threats during the stand-off and the hospital was forced to close for several hours until the crowd dispersed.

One doctor was even harassed so mercilessly that she ended up leaving the country.

Bundy was taken to Ada County Jail after allegedly showing up with several supporters at St. Luke's Meridian Medical Center and refusing to leave

He remains wanted in Idaho after he fled Idaho instead of paying a $53million judgment in a defamation case in which he was accused of claiming that a hospital was guilty of child sex trafficking

Erik Stidham, an attorney who represented St. Luke's at Bundy's trial, told The Independent 'this infant was suffering from severe dehydration and at the trial a number of medical professionals testified that the baby at that point was at risk of death, absent immediate intervention.'

He noted that Bundy also made money off of the protests.

'At that point in time, he was what was described to the jury as a "conflict entrepreneur." He was amassing really significant political influence for himself through the People's Rights Network, and he was getting donations flowing to him personally through the members.

'So it was not just a political gambit, it was a financial venture for him.'

Bundy did not attend the trial, and when it came time for the authorities to start collecting the $53million judgment, he fled the state.

'All I was doing is trying to protect and defend that family,' he said of the parents of baby Cyrus.

He admitted he knew that some people got hurt because of his actions.

'The doctor who first saw baby Cyrus when they took him to St. Luke's Hospital - she's a young doctor, she's probably thinking she's going to do the best she can,' Bundy said.

'She probably loves kids, but she threatened CPS on this family that did nothing wrong.'

The baby eventually recovered from the illness that caused him to lose so much weight and is now living with his parents in Florida.

Bundy, who once ran for Idaho governor, now says he sees his fight with the hospital as part of his fight against government overreach

Bundy now says he sees his fight with the hospital as part of his fight against government overreach.

'It's about fascism, government and corporations coming together and restricting rights, infringing rights and saying basically, we have a right to take your kid whenever we decide,' he explained.

'And I fundamentally am against that, like in every way.'

Yet former Sheriff Raney said Bundy has long said he wished to be left alone.

'And my response to it is: so did that physician, so did that nurse, so did that child protective services worker, so did law enforcement. They just want to be left alone,' Raney said.

'He's a hypocrite.'

Attorneys for St. Luke's say they have now been able to acquire $4million to $5million of Bundy's property and are continuing to go after more, despite Bundy declaring bankruptcy.

The attorneys for the hospital accused him of hiding his assets.

'If Bundy wishes to obtain a fresh start, he must produce discovery to lay bare his long-obscured finances,' they wrote in a motion to the Utah Bankruptcy Court.

But Bundy has suggested he might not go quietly if law enforcement keeps coming for him.

'I hope they don't continue to pursue and to pursue and to pursue because I really don't want to leave the United States,' he said.

'And I really don't want to have to stop and make a stand.'
A former police officer in Ohio is facing a life sentence for shooting and killing an unarmed black man four years ago.

During a Monday court hearing, Adam Coy, 48, was found guilty of murdering Andre Hill, 47, in his garage on December 22, 2020.

Hill was shot four times after Coy ordered him to come out of his garage. The victim was holding a cellphone and keys.

Coy alleged in court that he believed the set of keys was a silver revolver.

'I thought I was going to die,' Coy testified last week, ABC News reported.

Adam Coy, 48, was found guilty in court on Monday for murdering Andre Hill in 2020

Hill, 47, was unarmed in his garage when Coy shot him at around 1 am on December 22, 2020

Hill had a phone and set of keys in his hand, which Coy argued he believed was a revolver

The jury at Franklin County Court of Common Pleas deliberated for about two and a half days. Aside from murder, Coy was also found guilty of felonious assault and reckless homicide.

Coy will be officially sentenced on November 25.

Judge Stephen L. McIntosh rescinded Coy's $1 million bond and the former cop was taken into custody.

Shawna Barnett, one of Hill's sisters, reflected on the verdict: 'I wasn't fearful because I know what I saw, I know what happened, I know what [Coy] did, so there was no question in my mind.'

'It's been way too long, I'm glad that it's over. It won't bring Andre back, but hopefully it'll set a precedent across the board for everyone else.

Hill's death sparked uproar within his community as protestors demonstrated near his home

Coy testified he thought he was 'going to die' before he shot Hill dead

'This is not something we can tolerate.'

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, representing Hill's family, said in a statement: 'This verdict delivers a measure of justice for Andre Hill's family, who have waited nearly four years to see criminal accountability for his tragic and unnecessary death.

'Andre was an unarmed, innocent man, and his life was taken with disregard for the duty to protect and serve. Todays verdict underscores that no one is above the law, including those sworn to uphold it.'

Hill was a beloved father and grandfather who has aspirations of owning his own restaurant after working as a chef and restaurant manager for years, according to the Boston Globe.

Coy and another officer responded to a neighbor's non-emergency call after 1am on the night Hill was killed.

The call was about a car parked in front of the neighbor's house in Columbus' northwest side that had been running, then shut off, then turned back on, according to a released copy of the call.

Police bodycam footage showed Hill emerging from a garage before he was fatally shot by Coy.

Hill and his daughter, Karissa, when she was young (pictured). Hill was described as a family man who aspired to own a restaurant one day

Karissa sobbed in court on Monday in reaction to hearing the verdict

Hill was left on the ground without aid for about 13 minutes after Coy shot him

There is no audio because Coy hadn't activated the body camera, but an automatic 'look back' feature captured the shooting without audio.

He only turned on the body camera after he shot Hill.

In the moments after Hill was fatally shot, additional bodycam footage shows two other Columbus officers rolled Hill over and put handcuffs on him before leaving him alone again.

They left him lying without any aid for about 13 minutes.

None of them, according to the footage released, offered any first aid even though Hill was barely moving, groaning and bleeding while laying on the garage floor.

The killer cop was fired a week after the shooting. He was charged with murder in February, 2021.

Coy, who had a long history of complaints from citizens, was fired on December 28 for failing to activate his body camera before the confrontation and for not providing medical aid to Hill.

He had more than 36 complaints against him at the time.

Coy was arrested and charged with murder in February 2021, months after the shooting

Hill was pronounced dead about an hour after the shooting and Coy was arrested a few days after the incident.

'In this case, the citizens of Franklin County, represented by the individual grand jurors, found probable cause to believe that Mr. Coy committed a crime when he killed Andre Hill by gunfire,' Attorney General Dave Yost said during a February 2021 news conference.

Hill's death caused an uproar within his community, with protesters demonstrating in front of his home after his death.
The first results in the 2024 Presidential Election came in a little after midnight in the small New Hampshire town of Dixville Notch - and they weren't what anyone was expecting.

The town's six residents honored its tradition of voting at the stroke of midnight.

In 2020, it was a clean-sweep for Biden.

This year, however, the vote was split - three for Trump, and three for Harris.

Dixville Notch has produced the first results of the first-in-the-nation primary since 1960 with its midnight vote on Election Day.

Voting is officially underway on Election Day in America in the town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, where the six registered voters cast their ballots

The results are already too close to call, as the half dozen voters were split three to three between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump

Kamala Harris (pictured Monday) entered Election Day with a 4-point lead over Donald Trump after slashing the gender gap, the final PBS News/NPR/Marist poll has found

With such a tiny sample, the vote doesn't typically indicate how the election will end up.

The voters, all Republicans, all cast their ballots for Nikki Haley in the GOP primary, giving her a clean sweep over former President Donald Trump and all the other candidates.

It comes as a final key poll revealed that Harris entered Election Day with a 4-point lead over Trump after slashing the gender gap.

Harris, 60, has the support of 51 percent of likely voters, according to the latest PBS News/NPR/Marist poll. Trump has support from 47 per cent.

The survey found that Harris' surge comes after Trump's lead among male voters significantly declined in the final days leading up to the election.

Trump, 78, previously held a 57 per cent lead amongst male voters, but now only leads 51 per cent to Harris' 47 per cent. However, the Democrat's lead among women shrunk from 18 to 11 points.

Analysts say the top line results of the Marist poll are nearly identical to those of the 2020 election, which reported Joe Biden leading Trump 51 to 47 per cent.

People line up to vote in the 2024 U.S. presidential election on Election Day at Park Tavern in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., November 5, 2024

The outcome of this year's knife-edge election, which has become the closest race to White House in decades, is too close to call and could potentially come down to a few thousand votes in seven key swing states.

The survey found that Harris holds a 4-point lead over Trump nationally, which is just outside the poll's 3.5-point margin of error.

Analysts say that most notable change in the last month of the campaign is the gender gap shrinking by half.

Voters wait for the polls to open at the Longley Elementary School in Maine's 2nd congressional district to cast their votes on Election Day in Lewiston, Maine, U.S., November 5, 2024

Your browser does not support iframes.

The outcome of this year's knife-edge election is too close to call and could potentially come down to a few thousand votes in seven key swing states. Pictured are voters casting their ballots in Howell, Michigan Sunday, on the last day of early voting

A dog named Daisy looks on as their owner fills out a ballot in a polling place at the Cincinnati Observatory on November 5, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio

In October, Harris had the support of 41 per cent of men. That has now increased to 47 per cent.

Trump's support amongst male voters dropped from 57 to 51 per cent, but he still maintains a lead over Harris in this demographic.

The Vice President maintained her lead amongst women voters, but did see it drop from 58 to 55 per cent from October to November.

Trump, however, saw a rise in support amongst women with 44 per cent now saying they will back him, a 4-point increase from last month.

The gender split in the Marist poll is nearly identical to the split between Biden and Trump in 2020, analysts noted.

Harris has also shrunken the lead that Trump has with white voters, the poll revealed. Trump led this demographic by 12 points in 2020, but now leads by 9.

However, compared to Biden in 2020, Harris has seen a slight decline in support from Black and Latino voters.

She has the support of 83 percent of Black likely voters and 61 percent of Latino likely voters, a drop of 8 and 2 points respectively from the share that support Biden four years ago.

Many Granite State voters will wake up Tuesday morning to the results of Dixville Notch's election as other polling places begin opening as residents head to work.

The voting took place in a new location, the living room of Tillotson House, with the Balsams Resort undergoing renovations. It made for a congenial setting, with an 11-month-old golden retriever named Maxine greeting media and voters.

Just 20 miles from the Canadian border, The Balsams opened its closely-watched polling place in the living room at the Tillotson House to a room full of journalists who documented the votes of the town's handful of voters.

People wait in line to vote at the Brooklyn Museum on November 05, 2024 in New York City

The voters, all Republicans, all cast their ballots for Nikki Haley at midnight on Tuesday, giving her a clean sweep over former President Donald Trump and all the other candidates

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump reacts during his campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S., November 5, 2024

A Trump supporter, left, gets into a confrontation with a Harris fan outside an event for Tim Walz in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania, last week

Workers erect anti-scale fencing and other security measures around Howard University in DC where Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris will spend election night

Authorities working to put out a fire at a ballot box in Vancouver, WA started early Monday morning. It was one of two fires set at two ballot boxes in two separate states

Prior to the pandemic, the small New Hampshire town had double the residents it has now, with a dozen casting ballots back to 2010 and even more in years prior.

Les Otten, the principal owner and developer of the Balsams Resort, spoke during the primary of how unique the event is.

'It's special. It really is,' Otten said. 'It's what ought to happen in every community in the United States, where there is 100 percent participation, everybody votes.'

'None of the six of us can complain about the outcome of the election, because we've participated.'

Dixville Notch caters to snowmobilers and Nordic skiers in the winter, and golfers and hikers in the summer.

For the primary, it had four registered Republicans and two undeclared voters.

Meanwhile Americans are bracing for civil unrest amid scary predictions of 'blood' during today's knife's-edge presidential election that appears to hinge on the results in just seven swing states, reviving painful memories of recent assassination bids and chaos after the 2020 vote.

Businesses in Washington, DC were on Monday boarding up their windows as security fencing went up around the White House, US Vice President Harris's residence, and other key buildings in the capital.

Fights have broken out at polling stations and election workers have prepared for gun attacks, amid a flurry of threats to blow up political offices and other sensitive sites ahead of election day.

Washington state has activated some members of the National Guard to be on standby, while a Democratic congressman has warned 'there may be blood' resulting from clashes between angry voters.

Donald Trump supporters face off with police inside the US Capitol during a protest meant to stop the transfer of power to Joe Biden, on January 6, 2021

Passers-by stand in front of a fence on the grounds of the White House

Workers erect anti-scale fencing around the White House and the Treasury Department on Sunday

Workers are seen boarding up ground level storefronts and buildings along Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House

Police and guardsmen are on standby for election chaos in Portland, Oregon, with its record of Antifa violence, and where Mayor Ted Wheeler warns of 'uncertainty and tension' during polling.

The 2024 race has already seen bloodshed, with the July 13 shooting at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which grazed the former president and left one attendee dead and two more wounded.

The contest has also been marred by damning rhetoric between the rival campaigns. A speaker at a Trump rally spoke recently of the 'slaughter' of Democrats, and Trump himself has spoken of 'shooting at' former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney.

Meanwhile, Harris has called Trump a 'threat' to democracy who must be defeated at the ballot box, while her boss the outgoing President Joe Biden has called the MAGA Republican's supporters 'garbage.'

Meanwhile, the specter of January 6, 2021, when supporters of Trump stormed the US Capitol, seeking to overturn the former president's election loss to Biden - has cast a long shadow over US politics.

This time round, Trump has repeatedly refused to state whether he will accept the election results, and is already alleging fraud and cheating in neck-and-neck swing states such as Pennsylvania, laying the groundwork for what many fear will be more unrest.

Trump supporter Bill Robinson, 65, of North Carolina, says some kind of violence now looks likely.

'It's a horrendous possibility, because it looks like there's no other option than some kind of extreme unrest,' Robinson told USA Today.

Tensions mounted on Monday as Trump and his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, made their final bid to woo voters, hours before polling stations open on Tuesday in a close-call contest that hinges on a handful of electoral battlegrounds.

Hours before the polls opened, Joe Rogan endorsed Donald Trump in the election after sitting down with Elon Musk for a two-hour interview.

People wait in line to vote at the Brooklyn Museum on November 05, 2024 in New York City

A man carrying a guitar votes at P.S. 140 Nathan Straus Elementary School for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, on Election Day in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 5, 2024

Joe Rogan has endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 election after sitting down for Elon Musk for a two-hour interview

Oprah Winfrey (left) gave the most dire warning about the reelection of former President Donald Trump at the final 2024 rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris at the 'Rocky Steps' in front of Philadelphia's Museum of Art Monday night

'If it wasn't for him (Musk) we'd be f***ed,' Rogan wrote on X just hours before the polls open.

'He makes what I think is the most compelling case for Trump you'll hear, and I agree with him every step of the way.

'For the record, yes, that's an endorsement of Trump. Enjoy the podcast'.

It's a drastic reversal from the podcaster's 2020 support for Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a self-proclaimed democratic socialist who helped develop the Green New Deal.

On Monday, Rogan sat with the Tesla billionaire in a wide-ranging conversation for two hours and 45 minutes.

In the episode the Tesla chief details the case for Trump to Rogan who seems enraptured by Musk's matter-of-fact explanations.

'If Trump doesn't win, this is the last election,' Musk said.

'I think you're right,' Rogan retorts immediately. 'I think a lot of people are waking up and realizing that who have been lifelong Democrats.'

Meanwhile, talk show great Oprah Winfrey gave a dire warning about former President Trump winning today's election at a star-studded rally in support of Vice President Harris late Monday night in Philadelphia.

'If we don't show up tomorrow, it is entirely possible that we will not have the opportunity to ever cast a ballot again,' Winfrey warned the crowd, who waited for hours to see a line-up that included Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Will.i.am, Fat Joe and the Roots.

Winfrey told Democrats, 'All the anxiety and the fear you're feeling, you're feeling that because you sense the danger.'

'And you change that with your vote,' she said. 'You are voting for healing over hate.'
The mountain coined the 'beating heart of climbing in Australia' by rock climbers is set to be closed following a secretive four year investigation into its cultural heritage.

Up to half of the tracks around Victoria's Mount Arapiles, in the state's west, will be closed after Parks Victoria found tens of thousands of Indigenous artefacts, scarred trees and rock art.

The mountain is known around the world as an incredible rock climbing site with its closure likely to have devastating consequences on local Natimuk community by diminishing tourism.

Mt Arapiles' shutdown will also lead to the shutting of the iconic Pines campground.

The Victorian government shared news of the closure on Monday, just months after Premier Jacinta Allan promised she wouldn't 'padlock' Victoria's state forests.

'As Premier, and as a proud country Victorian, I will never put a padlock on our public forest,' she declared in August.

'I know there are some people who are worried about the future of our state's forests. And I understand there needs to be a balance. There are pockets that we need to protect, areas we must conserve.

'But, to me, the most important thing we can do for our bush is make sure it's enjoyed.'

Up to half of the tracks around Victoria's Mt Arapiles will be closed following the discovery of its connection to Indigenous heritage

Climbers slammed Ms Allan for seemingly going back on her word with a decision to close the epicentre of Australian rock climbing.

Save Grampians Climbing wrote: 'It's a wipe-out folks. The literal beating heart of climbing in Australia has been ripped out and discarded.'

Adding insult is the fact that climbers were largely responsible for remediating Mt Arapiles, also known as Dyurrite, after its former use as a rifle range.

Opposition spokesman James Newbury accused Ms Allan of misleading climbers with her comments.

Parks Victoria found tens-of-thousands of Indigenous artefacts, scarred trees and rock art around Mt Arapiles, a popular rock climbing destination

'Jacinta Allan has been caught talking out of both sides of her mouth again,' he said.

'Despite promising not to lock up our parkland, her government has been caught doing secret lock out deals. And within weeks, Labor has admitted they will be ramming new laws through parliament that lock up parks further. Jacinta Allan's promises are worthless.'

It is likely the artefacts found around Mt Arapiles are predominantly stone chips. Scar trees are found throughout western Victoria but rock art is much rarer.

It's understood most of the rock art found in the national park isn't visible to the naked eye.

The Victorian government last month confirmed it would create legislation for a new Wombat-Lerderderg National Park and Mount Buangor National Park by November from the Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park.

Parks Victoria said its investigation, completed in conjunction with the local Barengi Gadjin Land Council, was conducted between November 2020 and February 2023.

The Victorian government shared news of the closure on Monday, just months after Premier Jacinta Allan (pictured) promised she wouldn't 'padlock' Victoria's state forests

'These surveys were intended to record cultural heritage, regionally significant threatened plants and investigate the impacts of recreational activities on this rich cultural and environmental landscape,' it said.

'The study's specific focus was climbing areas identified through the Crag  a global online database of climbing and bouldering areas  and the informal trail network that has been created linking climbing areas to each other and to the formal track network.

'Located on the sandstone escarpments on the eastern side of Dyurrite (Mount Arapiles) and the sandstone escarpments of Mitre Rock, the study area included 153 climbing areas and more than 35 kilometres of informal walking tracks leading to, and between these climbing areas.'

Mount Arapiles is a rock formation that rises about 140 metres above the Wimmera Plains in the Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park near the town of Natimuk.
Billionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes is embroiled in a multi-million dollar dispute with Sydney Metro over real estate that was later bought to build a new Metro station.

The Merivale boss' family business empire Hemmes Hermitage Pty Ltd claims the plot of land in George Street, in the heart of the Sydney CBD, is worth $215million.

Lawyers for the transport agency however, presented documents in court earlier this year to claim the market value of the land is only worth less than half of that amount at $91million.

The dispute was ignited after Sydney Metro acquired two properties opposite Wynyard Station in 2022, which Hemmes Hermitage purchased for $77million in 2018.

The properties were acquired compulsorily as part of the ongoing construction of Hunter Street station, which will form part of the new $25billion Metro West line.

Hemmes Hermitage said at the time the adjoining properties at 312 and 314-318 George Street would become part of a redevelopment of The Ivy precinct, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The company's legal representatives launched legal action in the Land and Environment Court in June last year to dispute the valuation of the land.

Hemmes Hermitage's legal team argued that the land was worth double the amount Sydney Metro was willing to pay.

Billionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes (pictured right) is locked in a multi-million dollar dispute with Sydney Metro after the transport agency acquired two properties in Sydney's CBD

The company also argued the properties were vital to create a multi-purpose commercial, hotel and hospitality venue as part of the sprawling Ivy precinct.

Sydney Metro previously rejected the an offer of $102million for the land by the NSW Valuer General.

Lawyers for the transport agency said the 'various theoretical development schemes' had not progressed significantly when they acquired the land.

The lawyers also argued that a laneway owned by the City of Sydney Council would have stopped the proposed development of the properties.

The state government is required to pay legal costs concerning the compulsory acquisition of land if the amount is reasonable.

Sydney Metro claimed the legal fees that Hemmes Hermitage has incurred until June this year, which is worth $498,000, is unreasonable.

The latest legal battle comes after the company launched a separate lawsuit in September seeking $19million from Sydney Metro over the acquisition of the land.

Hemmes Hermitage Pty Ltd claims the plot of land where the two properties are located is worth $215million (pictured the land acquired by Sydney Metro and the Ivy Precinct)

Hemmes Hermitage said at the time the properties would become part of a redevelopment of The Ivy precinct, a popular restaurant and night time spot in Sydney (pictured The Ivy)

The company claimed that it lost several access rights, which they estimate reduced the value of the Ivy Precinct from $525million to $506million.

Mr Hemmes is also part of a group of companies that are fighting for the rights to build two skyscrapers that are 51 and 58 storeys above the Metro station.

A Hemmes Hermitage spokesperson told the the Sydney Morning Herald they had 'nothing to say' about the ongoing court case, other than it's 'proceeding per the usual course of such matters.'

A Sydney Metro spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the agency is unable to comment on matters currently before the courts.

'Where a property is compulsorily acquired and agreement on the compensation has not been reached, the Valuer General independently determines compensation to be paid,' the spokesperson said.

'Owners who disagree with the Valuer Generals determination are able to appeal to the Land and Environment Court.'
A desperate search to find a missing boy who was swept out to sea has been scaled down after the major three-day operation failed to find any trace of him.

Laith Alaid, 11, had just finished fishing with his father, 43, and three younger brothers - aged nine, seven, and three - when he was swept out into the ocean at The Entrance, on NSW's Central Coast, at about 5.15pm on Sunday.

His father was helping the three younger brothers cross a channel as they returned back to the shore when Laith, who was walking behind him, was pulled away by the tide.

Rescue helicopters, water police, and surf lifesavers have spent the past few days searching for the young boy, whose family recently moved to Australia from Iraq.

NSW Police announced on Tuesday that the co-ordinated multi-agency search had been suspended.

'However, Tuggerah Lakes Police District, Marine Area Command and Surf Life Saving NSW, will continue regular patrols of the area over the coming days,' NSW Police said.

The heartbreaking update comes as the family released a photo of Laith on Tuesday and they thanked those who have rallied around them, saying they are 'deeply moved by the community support'.

The image, which shows the young boy proudly holding two small fish, was taken just a few hours before he went missing.

Laith Alaid, 11, is missing off the NSW Central Coast. This photo was reportedly taken just a few hours before he was swept out to sea

'Thank you to all the volunteers, emergency services, and members of the Central Coast community, who have selflessly dedicated their time and resources to the search efforts,' the family said.

'We remain hopeful, and we ask the community to stay vigilant for anything that might assist in the search.'

The family have requested privacy as they focus on finding their 'beloved boy'.

Witnesses say Laith's family have remained at the beach the past few days as they hope for a miracle.

'They didn't go home [on Sunday],' one woman said.

'I saw them at 1.30am still sitting there with blankets crying. It killed me.'

Another witness said Laith's father became overwhelmed with emotion as he watched the search operation on Monday.

'When the helicopter would go low and look like it might have found something, he would go back to his car,' they said.

It is understood Laith was walking with a camp chair on his back as the family crossed the notorious channel.

The distraught father is seen embracing his youngest son shortly after his eldest was swept out to sea on Sunday afternoon

The 43-year-old father was crossing The Entrance Channel with his four boys - aged 11, nine, seven and three - when the eldest child was swept into the water

Two bystanders helped look after the the man's younger children while he frantically tried to rescue his son.

The distraught father was later pictured sitting on the sand hugging his youngest son tight while being consoled.

The family, who are understood to not speak English, had been visiting the area from Sydney.

It's understood the mother didn't go on the fishing trip but travelled to the Central Coast with family and friends on Monday as the search resumed.

Daily Mail Australia understands locals have offered the family accommodation in the area amid the search, with more relatives arriving to support them.

Local members of the community have also been offering their support by donating food and other supplies.

Tuggerah Lakes Inspector David Piddington told media on Monday that NSW Police has a specialist family liaison officer helping the family.

'The family are very distraught and as I said they are being very well supported by our family liaison officer, chaplains and we will assist them as much as we can,' he said.

Police divers found the boy's chair, towel and esky before the search was suspended just after 4pm on Monday.

The Entrance Channel is one of the most dangerous locations on the Central Coast due to the strong currents during changing tides.

The treacherous channel, known as the 'black spot', connects Tuggerah Lakes to the ocean.

Many people cross the channel at low tide as a way to get back to The Entrance car park or to access North Entrance.

The extensive search and rescue operation (pictured) resumed on Tuesday

The father tried desperately to reach his son who was pulled by the strong tide but was unsuccessful (pictured, men thought to be relatives or friends watch over the stretch of water where the boy was swept out to sea)

However when the tide changes, the strong currents pulling water out to sea are powerful.

In 2016, two fishermen drowned in the The Entrance Channel after they fell into the water while fishing.

In 2012, 15-year-old boy Keon Sbrugnera also drowned after he was caught in a rip while swimming with friends.

In the same year, a strong current during an incoming tide pulled a Toyota HiLux ute into the middle of The Entrance Channel.

An excavator had to be called in to help remove the ute from the water.

As Laith's family are from an Arabic-speaking background, the latest tragedy has prompted calls for warnings in multiple languages for those unaware of the channel's hidden dangers.

Signs warning beachgoers of the dangers are located in number of spots near the channel.

Locals believe the warning signs are not enough to deter visitors and that three separate stairs and handrails that lead directly to the water actually entice people to the channel

The channel at The Entrance is a notorious danger spot as the shifting sands push strong currents out to sea (pictured)

The signs, written in English, warn: 'Beware - fast, changing currents and deep holes'.

They also state the area was a 'known danger for fishing, night wading, swimming' and urge people to visit a patrolled beach about 400m away.

Locals believe the signs are not enough to deter visitors and that three separate stairs and handrails actually entice people down into the water.

Surf Life Saving Central Coast chief executive Michael Hyslop said the effectiveness of the signs would be considered.
Senior doctors are charging the NHS up to 200,000 extra per year in premium overtime rates to tackle waiting list backlogs.

Consultants - many working part-time - are being paid more than 200 per hour, or four times their regular salary, for extra shifts.

Doctors receiving up to 200,000 on top of their usual salary are effectively being paid double their annual pay packet for overtime alone, the BBC reports.

The NHS paid almost 1 billion in overtime pay to staff in 2023-24, with six in ten consultants picking up extra hours.

It comes as Labour set out its plan to tackle waiting lists in last week's budget, pledging an extra 25 billion for the NHS this year and next.

Consultants - many working part-time - are being paid more than 200 per hour, or four times their regular salary, for extra shifts

Officials said overtime rates had been driven up by staff shortages and recent strike action

An investigation found that while the average overtime pay for NHS consultants was just over 27,000 per year, at least half of trusts are paying some in excess of 100,000.

One consultant at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was paid in excess of 208,000. This was for 128 days of work, with pay averaging 188 per hour.

Medway NHS Foundation Trust also paid one staff member more than 200,000 - with three radiologists picking up at least 150,000 each.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust paid three consultants more than 100,000, with one earning above 198,000.

And NHS Humber Health Partnership, which runs five hospitals, paid three consultants between 185,000 and 240,000.

The NHS and hospital trusts said that they must pay competitive rates that match those available in the private sector in order to tackle waiting list backlogs.

They added prices had been driven up by staffing issues, recent strike action and staff sickness.

One consultant at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was paid in excess of 208,000 (Pictured: Bradford Royal Infirmary)

The British Medical Association (BMA) told the BBC the NHS would not have to rely on expensive overtime pay if there were not significant staff shortages.

The NHS said it now employees more consultants than previously, accounting for some of the rise in overtime pay, and it is reducing reliance on agency staff which can be even more expensive.

But a senior NHS source said consultants place the NHS in an impossible negotiating position.

'Consultants hold all the cards  they know we cannot make progress on the backlog without them,' they said.

They added consultants' contracts meant they can opt out of working weekends and evening shifts - which could pose a major problem for Labour's plan to use unsociable hours to bring down waiting lists.

BMA consultant co-leaders Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta said: 'Unfortunately, a declining workforce in crisis and spiralling patient demand - which has led to sky high waiting lists - means that extra hours of work are essential to get the job done.'
An Aussie man has been left outraged after discovering on his weekly trip to his local Bunnings that there was no sausage sizzle.

The disappointed customer expressed his outrage on Reddit and shared a photo of the sign the hardware store had placed over the usual sausage sizzle menu bearing the bad news last weekend.

'Apologies, our community sausage sizzle is closed today,' the sign read.

'Thanks for your support and understanding.'

To make matters worse, the man lives in a regional area with the next Bunnings store a 90 minute drive away.

'So I just went home to bed and cried myself to sleep,' he wrote.

Shocked Aussies were quick to show their support.

Many admitted the sausage sizzle was the only reason they went to Bunnings every weekend.

A man was left devastated on the weekend when he arrived at Bunnings to find a sign saying there was no community sausage sizzle (pictured)

'Why is Bunnings still open then? What's the point?' one wrote.

Another added the lack of a sausage sizzle was 'absolutely un-Australian' while another irate Aussie asked if the move was 'even legal?'.

Others shared in the man's devastation, with one calling it 'a travesty'.

'Thoughts and prayers,' one wrote.

Another added: 'Royal Commission now!'

The much-loved sausage sizzle, put on by various community groups to raise money, has become a popular fixture with Bunnings shoppers not just for the taste, but also the price.

The traditional Aussie snack of barbecued sausages on bread with onion and sauce s is capped at $3.50 at Bunnings, while soft drink cans are under $2 - exceptional value against the high cost of living.

But sometimes a group can't make their allotted weekend and the sausage sizzle is called off, Bunnings Regional Manager Deb Thompson told news.com.au.

'Occasionally, a community group cancels their sausage sizzle, which occurred at one of our NSW stores over the weekend,' she said.

'While we always offer the spot to other local community groups, we are sometimes unable to find a replacement at such short notice.

Aussies also love the price - a sausage sandwich with onions is capped at $3.50 and a can of drink just $2 (pictured)

'We appreciate the community's understanding and look forward to holding future sausage sizzles.'

But some Aussies commented that if a community group doesn't show up, Bunnings staff should step in.

'This is crazy. When I used to do the sausage sizzles at my local Bunnings, they had to go ahead,' one wrote.

'If no community group was there, the Bunnings staff would do so and donate proceeds to local charity.'

A second added: 'Yeah, I also used to be the set up person on weekends when I worked there, and if the group didn't show we ran it ourselves'.

'It was always chaos but it happened a few times.'

Some Aussies thought staff should step in and do the sausage sizzle if a community group cancels (stock image)

But the original poster believes it may have come down to location and staff.

'We are a regional store so not as busy as the city, so probably less staff on,' he said.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Bunnings for further comment.
Man allegedly tried to flee the scene

Three people taken to hospital

A man has been arrested after he allegedly slashed three people with a box cutter near a bus stop outside a busy shopping centre.

The terrifying scenes unfolded at Westfield Fountain Gate in Narre Warren, in Melbourne's south-east shortly before 2.30pm on Tuesday.

Emergency services rushed to the scene following reports that three people were injured.

Two men and a woman were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Emergency services were called to Westfield Fountain Gate Shopping Centre (pictured) on Tuesday afternoon

The allegedly armed man, 30 is accused of fleeing the scene before he was located by police and arrested inside Westfield a short time later.

Witnesses reported that the man, who was covered in blood, allegedly tried to hide in the toilets, The Herald Sun reports.

'A [alleged] knife attack at the bus stop and [a] huge police presence,' a bystander wrote online.

'They arrested the guy full of blood on his face [allegedly] from inside the toilet in front of Coles.'

A Narre Warren man, 30 has since been charged with affray, recklessly cause injury, unlawful assault and possess controlled weapon.

He was bailed to appear in Dandenong Magistrates Court in February.
The woman who was seen holding a sobbing Queen Letizia as the Spanish royal family paid a visit to the flood-ravaged Valencian town of Paiporta has revealed exactly what she said to the monarch to make her break down.

The flood victim, who gave her name as Alicia, appeared to offer the emotional queen a shoulder to cry on and a comforting embrace in a series of images that went viral following the royal visit on Sunday.

Yet Alicia has now set the record straight - she was not there to console, but to confront.

'People have called me from all over, from Italy, from Romania... they say that I was trying to console the queen.

'What I was telling her was that they had not seen anything of what happened, that they should go into the town,' Alicia told Las Provincias, recounting the moment that left Letizia struggling to maintain composure.

'This could have been avoided.'

Alicia's frustration is emblematic of the outrage simmering in Paiporta where flash floods left homes and businesses buried under thick mud, killed hundreds of people and left thousands more without food, water, and basic aid.

Rescuers and divers are still combing through flooded underground car parks in search of bodies.

Spain's Queen Letizia reacts as she conforts a woman affected by the floods in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, Sunday Nov. 3, 2024

Alicia is seen standing beside the Queen as she clutches her face in distress

Alicia's frustration is emblematic of the outrage simmering in Paiporta where flash floods left homes and businesses buried under thick mud

'What I was telling her was that they had not seen anything of what happened, that they should go into the town,' Alicia told Las Provincias , recounting the moment that left Letizia struggling to maintain composure

Though Queen Letizia and King Felipe arrived hoping to bring comfort, they were instead met with a wave of raw emotion. Survivors recounted their harrowing experiences while others pelted the monarchs with mud and chanted 'murderers!'

Letizia looked on several occasions to be overwhelmed by the torrent of anger after mudslingers in the crowd left her face spattered with dirt.

Eyes bulging from her head, the Queen was seen gingerly rubbing her temples in an attempt to remain calm before she burst into tears amid her conversation with Alicia.

'All she could say was, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry",' Alicia recalled.

Much of Valencia is still reeling almost a week after the floods swept through and devastated communities, with other storm systems now pelting Barcelona with torrential rain.

The official death toll from last week's flooding stands at 217 but there are fears it will continue to increase with many people still missing and hopes for finding survivors ebbing.

Almost all the deaths have been in the Valencia region, where thousands of security and emergency services frantically cleared debris and mud in the search for bodies.

With telephone and transport networks severely damaged, establishing a precise figure of missing people is difficult.

While Letizia was reduced to tears by the stories from flood survivors in Paiporta on Sunday, King Felipe cut a sombre figure, touring the town with a look of quiet sorrow etched across his face.

He largely accepted the rage directed at him, offering condolences, speaking one-on-one with residents and embracing several distraught victims even after being forced to seek protection from demonstrators flinging mud and projectiles in his direction.

Spain's Queen Letizia consoles a woman during her visit to Paiporta, eastern Spain, November 3 2024

Spain's Queen Letizia reacts as she visits people affected by the floods in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, Sunday Nov. 3, 2024

Though Queen Letizia and King Felipe arrived hoping to bring comfort, they were instead met with a wave of raw emotion

Spain's Queen Letizia consoles a woman during her visit to Paiporta, eastern Spain, November 3, 2024

Queen Letizia can be seen with mud on her face while a bodyguard behind her has blood streaming down his head after he was likely hit by one of the objects thrown at the royals

People help to clean, following heavy rains that caused floods, in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, November 4, 2024

But even he could not hold back from snapping at one particularly vulgar crowd member, barking in response to their screams: 'If you want, I won't come - I'll stay in Madrid (next time).'

Though the monarchs faced harsh treatment, Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez was met with anger and aggression.

Many Valencians blame Sanchez and his government for the perceived failings of authorities to warn residents about the flood and provide immediate aid in its aftermath.

People repeatedly screamed at him to leave as soon as he stepped out of his vehicle - he was quickly bundled back into his car which was set upon by protesters who kicked at the bodywork and battered the windows.

Throughout the royal visit to Paiporta, traumatised victims spoke with reporters and media outlets to tell of the dire situation and explain their anger directed towards the monarchs and the prime minister.

Jose Ribelles, a 23-year-old supermarket worker whose life had been upended by the flood, told the Times: 'What do you expect? For us to tell him sweet nothings?'

He accused the Spanish state of not doing enough to support victims of the flood.

'They wanted to kill us. The first thing you have to do is warn people when a dam is about to be overwhelmed and broken.

'You can't warn people when they are already drowning.'

He said he witnessed several dead bodies in the supermarket he worked at.

'There were 12 deaths among my colleagues. The flood got them in the garage.'

The floods had already hit Paiporta when the regional officials issued an alert to mobile phones.

Spain's Queen Letizia reacts during a visit to Paiporta, eastern Spain, 03 November 2024

King Felipe VI of Spain (L) talks with a person as angry residents heckle him during his visit to Paiporta

Spain's King Felipe (C) visits Paiporta, in the province of Valencia, eastern Spain, 03 November 2024

Spain's King Felipe gestures with mud on his clothes and face, thrown at him by citizens, as he tries to speak to people during his visit to the areas affected by a storm, following heavy rains that caused floods, in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, November 3, 2024

Spain's King Felipe has been heckled and had mud thrown at him by furious local during his visit to Valencia, where more than 200 people died in devastating floods

View of several cars in a flooded area after heavy rain and flooding hit large parts of the country on November 04, 2024 in Paiporta, Spain

People help to clean, following heavy rains that caused floods, in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, November 4, 2024

Furious protesters chase off Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez

The Spanish PM's car is seen with its windows smashed by the angry mob

King Felipe's visit to Paiporta was accompanied by shouting from enraged locals

Salvadora Ortiz Cavanilla, 68, reacts as she explains how her house filled with water, following heavy rains that caused floods, in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, November 4, 2024

Spanish Army start cleaning following the deadly floods in the Valencian town of Paiporta, Spain on November 3, 2024

A firefighter searches for victims in the half-buried wreckage of a car on a riverbank in Paiporta, in the region of Valencia, eastern Spain, on November 3, 2024

It sounded two hours too late, with thousands of homes already overrun by the deluge by the time the alert rang out.

More anger has been fuelled by the inability of officials to respond quickly to the aftermath.

'We have lost everything!' people were heard telling the King and Queen.

Even now, five days after the flood struck, many people still do not have drinking water.

Internet and mobile phone coverage remain patchy, and most people only got power back on Saturday.

Stores and supermarkets are in ruins and Paiporta, with a population of 30,000, still has many city blocks completely clogged with piles of detritus, countless totalled cars and layers of mud.

A man sits on the street after heavy rain and flooding hit large parts of the country on November 04, 2024 in Paiporta, Spain

A woman cleans thick mud, in the aftermath of floods caused by heavy rains, in Sedavi, near Valencia, Spain, November 3, 2024

Spain's Queen Letizia speaks to people as she has mud on her face, following heavy rains that caused floods, in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, November 3, 2024

Food donations were made available to hard-hit residents in Valencia

A police officer checking inside piled up vehicles for victims in the aftermath of the flooding on Saturday

Another Paiportan resident, 20-year-old Francisco Javier Molina, added: 'The king and all came very clean and to look good in front of the town and cameras but this doesn't help us at all.

'He should come here and get rid of the mud and the dead that are in garages. And then he'll be one of us.'

According to a journalist for Spanish broadcaster RTVE, one woman wept and told the king she did not have food and nappies, while another person said: 'Don't abandon us.'

The royals spent roughly an hour trying to calm tempers in Paiporta before leaving.

They were meant to visit another nearby town, Chiva, but it was later revealed that they 'postponed the visit', fearing another similar reception.

Chiva citizens reportedly shouted 'cowards' at the absent monarchs.

One woman who lives there, Maria Tarin, told the Times: 'The king can shove it but it's (Valencia President) Carlos Mazon and Pedro Sanchez who are to blame.

'Better that they didn't come because it wouldn't have ended well for them.'

Both Sanchez and Mazon were forced to flee Paiporta as enraged residents attempted to attack their cars.

'I understand the indignation and of course I stayed to receive it,' Mazon later said on X.

'It was my moral and political obligation. The attitude of the king this morning was exemplary.'

Sanchez wrote: 'I want to express all my government's solidarity and its acknowledgement of the anguish, suffering, uncertainty and the needs of the residents of Paiporta and the region of Valencia'.

He added that he believes the majority of people 'reject the types of violence that unfortunately we saw.'

Isabel Diaz Ayuso, president of the community government in Madrid, echoed the praise for the King and added that Queen Letizia embodied 'the sentiment of Spain'.

Cars piled up in a ditch at a construction site after being swept off the road by powerful floods

People wearing PPE try to sweep away mud as they desperately clean up the streets

The extraordinary scenes in Paiporta on Sunday underscored the depth of the anger in the country over the response to the nation's worst such in decades.

Describing 'the worst natural disaster in the recent history of our country,' Prime Minister Sanchez said it was the second deadliest flood in Europe this century.

'I am aware the response is not enough, there are problems and severe shortages... towns buried by mud, desperate people searching for their relatives... we have to improve,' Sanchez said.

With an extra 10,000 troops, police and civil guards sent to the Valencia region, Spain has now ordered its largest peacetime military and security force deployment, Sanchez said.

Still, most of the clean-up of the layers of mud and debris that invaded countless homes has been carried out by residents and thousands of volunteers.

'Thank you to the people who have come to help us, to all of them, because from the authorities: nothing,' Estrella Caceres, 66, told AFP in the town of Sedavi.

In Chiva, restaurant owner Danna Daniella said she was still in shock, haunted by memories of people trapped by the raging floods 'asking for help and there was nothing we could do'.

'It drives you crazy. You look for answers and you don't find them.'

Vehicles pile up in the streets caused by late Tuesday and early Wednesday storm that left hundreds dead or missing in Alfafar, Valencia

A view of the demolition works at a damaged house after flash floods in Letur, province of Albacete, Spain

A crowd of angry survivors tossed mud and shouted insults at King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia as well as government officials when they made their first visit to one of the hardest hit towns on Sunday

Angry residents of Paiporta shout during King Felipe VI of Spain's visit to this town, in the region of Valencia, eastern Spain, on November 3, 2024

Queen Letizia could be seen with mud speckled over her face

The storm and flooding has left carnage in its wake, with a huge clean-up operation now underway

Queen Letizia of Spain, with mud stains on her face, approaches to speak with a town resident during the Spanish royal couple's visit to Paiporta

A handout photo made available by the Spanish Royal Household shows Spain's Queen Letizia greeting Portuguese rescue team members as she arrives to visit the control station for the floods in Paiporta, eastern Spain, 3 November 2024

Rescuers continue to search for survivors with fears underwater car parks will be 'mass graves'

People walking through a muddy street in Alfafar, Valencia following the mega storm

Six days on from the horrendous floods, many parts of Valencia remain inaccessible and communities have largely been forced to fend for themselves.

Sanchez said yesterday that electricity had been restored to 94 per cent of homes affected by power outages and that around half of the cut telephone lines had been repaired.

But Transport Minister Oscar Puente told El Pais daily that certain places would probably remain inaccessible by land for weeks because local and regional roads resembled a 'Swiss cheese'.

On Sunday, the Valencia government limited the number of volunteers authorised to travel to the city's southern suburbs to 2,000 and restricted access to 12 localities.

Despite this thousands made their way to stricken communes on foot, carrying brooms and shovels.

Restoring order and distributing aid to destroyed towns and villages - some of which have been cut off from food, water and power since Tuesday's torrent - is a priority.

Storms coming off the Mediterranean are common this time of year.

But scientists have warned that climate change is increasing the ferocity, length and frequency of extreme weather events.

Civil Guard officers search for survivors inside cars trapped under the foundations of a building under construction in the town of Paiporta, Valencia

King Felipe consoles a man in Paiporta, the worst-hit town in the Valencia region

Volunteers and residents clean the mud four days after flash floods swept away everything in their path in Paiporta, outskirts of Valencia

Officials expect the death toll to keep rising, with the disaster already Europe's worst flood-related calamities since 1967 when at least 500 people died in Portugal

The extraordinary scenes underscored the depth of the anger in the country over the response to the nation's worst such disaster in decades

More anger has been fuelled in the region by the inability of officials to respond quickly in the aftermath

Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia shake hands with authorities and emergency service personnel outside a command center as they visit the areas affected by the DANA, following heavy rains that caused floods, in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain November 3, 2024

Your browser does not support iframes.

The damage from the storm late Tuesday and early Wednesday last week recalled the aftermath of a tsunami, with survivors left to pick up the pieces as they mourn their loved ones.

Cars were piled on one another like fallen dominoes, uprooted trees, downed power lines and household items all mired in mud that covered streets in dozens of communities in Valencia.

Scientists explained how the deluge began after cold and warm air clashed to produce powerful rain clouds.

The phenomenon is known locally as DANA, a Spanish acronym for high-altitude isolated depression, and unlike common storms or squalls it can form independently of polar or subtropical jet streams.

When cold air blows over warm Mediterranean waters it causes hotter air to rise quickly and form towering, dense, water-laden clouds that can remain over the same area for many hours, raising their destructive potential.

The event sometimes provokes large hail storms and tornadoes, as seen this week, meteorologists say.

Eastern and Southern Spain are particularly susceptible to the phenomenon due to its position between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Warm, humid air masses and cold fronts meet in a region where mountains favour the formation of storm clouds and rainfall.

The country has also suffered through an almost two-year drought, meaning that when the deluge happened, the ground was so hard that it could not absorb the rain, worsening the effect of the flash floods.
North Korean troops sent to aid Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine gunned down their own Russian comrades after shooting in the wrong direction, a captured Russian soldier has claimed.

Video purportedly shows the Russian soldier recalling his experience in the Kursk region with Putin's newest recruits.

The unnamed soldier says his unit was in a forest with ten North Korean soldiers after having been sent to dig out trenches when they were caught in a crossfire.

'During the assault, the Koreans started firing at us', he explained.

'We tried to explain to them where to aim, but I think they shot two of our own'.

A video that surfaced on social media showed the moment a Russian soldier captured by Ukrainian troops recalled his experience in the Kursk region with Putin's newest recruits from North Korea

It comes after North Korea's foreign minister vowed last week that it would stand by Russia until its victory in Ukraine during a visit to Moscow

Kim Jong Un has reportedly dispatched up to 10,000 troops to support Russia's devastating invasion of Ukraine

'I decided it was better to surrender in this situation that to be killed by our own bullet', the soldier said.

The apparent episode of friendly fire is the latest in a series of frontline humiliations for Putin and his blundering forces.

It comes after North Korea's foreign minister vowed last week that it would stand by Russia until its victory in Ukraine during a visit to Moscow.

Choe Son Hui's visit to Russia came amid reports that up to 10,000 North Korean troops could be training in Russia and on the brink of entering the more than two-year conflict on Russia's side.

US intelligence said last week that some North Korean troops had already made their way to the Kursk border region, with Washington and Seoul warning North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to withdraw his army.

Russia's lower parliament meanwhile unanimously ratified a defence treaty with North Korea that was struck between Putin and Kim during the Russian president's state visit to the North Korean capital in June.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's intelligence services released audio last week of that they claimed to be Russian troops complaining about the arrival of North Korean fighters.

In one recording, a pair of soldiers can be heard bellyaching about the so-called 'K battalion', referring to them as 'f***ing Chinese' and declaring one of his fellow servicemen had said 'who knows what the f*** we're supposed to do with them'.

Another clip obtained by Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (GUR) appeared to expose the lack of communication and planning regarding the North Korean troops' integration with their Russian counterparts.

A video allegedly showing North Korean soldiers in Russia surfaced last month

North Korea's involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict comes after President Vladimir Putin signed a mutual assistance pact with Pyongyang this summer

'He was just talking about the K battalion, I say: ''And who is getting the weapons and ammunition for them? We got rations, and as far as I heard those are for the brigade'',' one Russian soldier moaned.

'He was like ''What f***ing brigade? You're getting everything.'' I just said that I understood everything and went out for a smoke.'

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has called the deployment a 'provocation that threatens global security beyond the Korean Peninsula and Europe'.

Yoon also said South Korea will 'review' its stance on providing weapons to Ukraine in its war with Russia, which the country has long resisted.

Seoul has already sold billions of dollars of tanks, howitzers, attack aircraft and rocket launchers to Poland, a key ally of Kyiv.
Prince William joked that he would try not to 'wipe myself out in front of everybody' today as he enjoyed the spectacular views of Cape Town and Table Mountain.

The Prince of Wales went on a walk with Australian conservationist Robert Irwin, 20-year-old son of the late Steve Irwin, on the second day of his visit to South Africa.

William - who is in the country for a four-day visit centred around the Earthshot Prize awards tomorrow - traversed a rocky climb as he walked up Signal Hill and quipped as he spied the waiting media: 'I'll try not to wipe myself out in front of everybody.'

And Irwin later tweeted a video of him with William, in which he asked the prince what his 'favourite African animal' was. William replied: 'Oh, it's a tough question, it's a really tough question. My children ask me this regularly. I think I'm going to have to say the cheetah. Fantastic animal.' Irwin then said his favourite was the chameleon.

The prince also spoke with park rangers, firefighters, mountain rescue volunteers, biodiversity experts and youth volunteers in front of the scenic backdrop.

They told him about the diversity of fauna and flora and the work they do to protect the environment while ensuring residents and tourists are able to enjoy the area.

William, 42, was met upon his arrival by Megan Taplin, park manager for Table Mountain National Park, and they also went on a walk to discuss local biodiversity.

He also met Cape Town City Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Bathandwa Diniso, a youth representative for South Africa National Parks (SANParks) Honorary Rangers.

Along with a group of young people from the Mayine e-Africa group, they together discussed encouraging the importance of getting young people to visit the park.

Later, the prince held a high-level meeting with South Africa's president Cyril Ramaphosa, which was described as a 'follow-up' to the state visit made to the UK by Mr Ramaphosa in 2022.

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

The Prince of Wales meets youth conservation volunteers with Robert Irwin (centre right) and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis (second right), during a visit to Signal Hill this morning

Prince William meets Lia the canine ranger who works on Signal Hill in Cape Town

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin

The Prince of Wales meets youth conservation volunteers with Robert Irwin (centre right) and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis (second right), during a visit to Signal Hill this morning

Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin

The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today

The heir to the throne also continued his theme of wearing sustainable clothing on the four-day visit, and was today sporting an eco-friendly 48 vegan shirt by EcoAlf and 90 jacket by Rapanui, which uses recycled clothing in production.

He also wore a 43 tie made from recycled plastic by Wilmok.

Signal Hill is part of the wider Table Mountain National Park and is a biodiversity hotspot thanks to its rare and endangered plants including the unique fynbos.

William asked Ms Taplin: 'How difficult is it to balance the tourism with the biodiversity and wildlife? All the hard work you guys do makes it look like it does now. Stunning.'

The royal was told that while it is rare for bigger game to come down to the fynbos, which is not particularly nutrient rich, it is a haven for bird and insect life.

'Well, it's looking spectacular at the moment,' he said.

Along the route the prince met several groups of rangers who work to protect the unique biodiversity of the area, as well as hikers and the tourists who visit.

The Prince of Wales during an audience today with Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa, at Genadendal Residence, his official residence in Cape Town

The Prince of Wales with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Cape Town today

The Prince of Wales with Cyril Ramaphos at Genadendal Residence in Cape Town today

Cyril Ramaphos hosts the Prince of Wales at Genadendal Residence in Cape Town today

The Prince of Wales with Cyril Ramaphos at Genadendal Residence in Cape Town today

'What a stunning spot to meet you guys in. Look at this, it's amazing,' he said, looking out over the coastline.

Asking about the effects of climate change, William said: 'And what are you seeing in terms of impact in the park? Are you seeing more flash flooding?

Speaking to rangers who now have a team of seven dogs to help them in their work, the prince stopped to hello to Lia, a Dutch Shepherd dog, who was taking advantage of the moment to lie down.

Smiling, William said: 'Take your time, it's not a problem. That's how we should all be today. She knows we're not a threat so she's taking some zzzs while she can.'

He was told that the dogs are a 'critical' part of the team because they have 'a much better sense of danger than we do'.

The Prince of Wales talks to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa in Cape Town today

Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin

Robert Irwin, son of the late Steve Irwin, during Prince William's visit to Signal Hill today

Prince William walks with Robert Irwin and park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

Prince William walks with Robert Irwin and park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today

Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

The Prince of Wales talks to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa in Cape Town today

The Prince of Wales arrives for a visit to Signal Hill today as his engagements continue

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

Bending down to stroke her head the prince said fondly: 'Morning, sleepy are we today?' Lia's handler said she was 'very calm'.

The prince was told about Lia's work protecting abalone, a sea snail prized as a delicacy in the Far East, which are under threat from poaching because they have become so valuable.

William also spoke intently about the work the rangers do, which is often low paid and dangerous. 'You guys put yourself at risk keeping wildlife and tourists safe,' he said.

Speaking to a group of volunteer firefighters, he added: 'What can we do, what technology would be really useful for you guys to stop the fires, especially with the wind up here?

'Presumably prevention management is better than putting a fire out? How do we help you to work out new solutions?'

He was told that visitors to the area were a 'soft target' for criminals because they often carried expensive equipment and the perpetrators could escape easily back into urban areas.

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

The Prince of Wales talks to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa in Cape Town today

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today

Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Asked how his trip had been so far, William said: 'Yesterday was awesome. There was a lot of energy in the room. A lot of solutions.'

He and Irwin also chatted with Mr Hill-Lewis about how 'amazing' the surf looked and how 'cage diving' with sharks that is popular in the area.

William said he was 'fascinated' by the creatures but didn't appear keen to try it himself, saying: 'On a boat, maybe, but not in the water. I see great whites on the TV and that's enough!'

Before posing for a group picture in front of the iconic view of Table Mountain from Signal Hill, the prince spoke to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa about the importance of encouraging young people to visit the park.

'How do you feel about being in the outdoor and nature?' William asked. 'Do you want to be rangers when you grow up? It's beautiful out here, look after it guys.'

Speaking afterwards, Irwin said of his meeting with the prince: 'You can instantly tell that passion the rangers and volunteers have here on the ground here at Signal Hill rubs off on everyone. You just can't help but fall in love with this place.

'Prince William, myself and everyone here have certainly fallen in love with Cape Town. It's a beautiful location and the conservation work is being done here, it just fills my heart with hope.

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today

The Prince of Wales talks to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa in Cape Town today

'I really loved having a conversation with Prince William about the importance of support for rangers. They are on the front line of conservation and you have to remember that these days conservation can be a dangerous business.

'And it's really nice to know that Prince William is ensuring rangers are valued and they get the resources and the support they need. Very encouraging steps in the right direction. It's great that William is putting himself behind this. Protecting the environment is about protecting people too.'

Referring to the Earthshot Prize, he said: 'I think Prince William's idea behind Earthshot is fantastic. For the first time we have an environmental movement on a scale we have never seen before. And it's putting money where it is needed most and leading with a sense of positivity. It's the beacon, it's this light we can all strive towards.

'We can absolutely address the big issues we are facing globally but we are also rewarding the innovations and celebrating the great work being done. And it makes a very hopeful atmosphere that young people can grow up in.'

Ms Taplin also spoke of her delight at William's visit, saying: 'It was really important to raise global awareness of the conservation issues that are being faced and the important role our national parks play in preserving the unique biodiversity in all different areas of the world, and particularly here. It was also great for Prince William to meet our rangers and hear about the work they do and the challenges they face on a daily basis.

'They face a lot of challenges in law enforcement and combating environmental crime here on Table Mountain. We also deal with a lot of visitors safety. Abalone poaching is an organised crime network and they deal with this on a daily basis.

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today

Prince William talks to Robert Irwin during his visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

The Prince of Wales talks to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa in Cape Town today

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

'I think Prince William was really struck by the biodiversity here. We were talking about the diversity of skills our rangers need when tackling the challenges here. I think he was very impressed by the dedicated work they are putting in.

'I hope he comes and brings his family back here. I wish had longer time together to go hiking up the mountain. But I am sure he will come back and bring his family. '

Soon after, William changed from the sustainable causal outfit to a suit, shirt and tie for his meeting with South Africa's president Cyril Ramaphosa.

The two men met at the entrance of Mr Ramaphosas official residence in Cape Town, but when they posed for pictures on steps leading to the garden, they were asked by the press to greet each other again and the president joked another handshake and shook hands with his guest.

Also at the meeting was Foreign Secretary David Lammy, in the country for a meeting with his South African counterpart Ronald Lamola.

The Prince of Wales warmly thanked President Ramaphosa for his support of the Earthshot Prize, ahead of it being hosted in Cape Town tomorrow evening.

He also remarked about the warm welcome he has received in South Africa since his arrival and shared how much he enjoyed visiting Ocean View yesterday evening to see the power of sport in empowering local young people.

Sitting alongside the Foreign Secretary, William discussed the strength and importance of the UK/South Africa bilateral relationship and remarked how much he enjoyed seeing the President during his State Visit in London last year.

Later, the prince will give a major speech on nature, the environment and his support for wildlife rangers at the start of a two-day summit for United for Wildlife, his umbrella organisation combating the illegal trafficking of animals.

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William visits Signal Hill in Cape Town this morning as he stands next to Robert Irwin

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

The Prince of Wales talks to a group of young people from Mayine e-Africa in Cape Town today

The Prince of Wales talks to park rangers during a visit to Signal Hill in Cape Town today

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

Prince William talks to Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin at Signal Hill today

A general view from Signal Hill in Cape Town today ahead of Prince William's engagement

A general view from Signal Hill in Cape Town today ahead of Prince William's engagement

A general view from Signal Hill in Cape Town today ahead of Prince William's engagement

A general view from Signal Hill in Cape Town today ahead of Prince William's engagement

The future king began a four-day visit to Cape Town yesterday and during the coming days will take part in a series of events shining a light on young African climate activists and promoting his Earthshot Prize awards ceremony.

Dubbed the prince's 'Super Bowl' moment, the prize-giving event tomorrow will recognise environmental solutions to 'repair' the planet, with five category winners each receiving 1million to 'scale up' their plans.

Antony Phillipson, Britain's high commissioner to South Africa, said about the royal visit: 'I would just highlight that we are actually delighted to have the Prince of Wales here this week for Earthshot week, and we will be taking the opportunity of doing some bilateral events with him, and for him.'

He added: 'We very much see this as a follow-up to the state visit ... which we continue to see here as a very historic moment between the UK and South Africa.'

William will also attend Earthshot+, a day of conversations with world-leading experts aimed at enhancing the impact of the Earthshot Prize, with the event featuring a young environmentalist, an Earthshot trustee and Mr Lammy, among others.
Playwright Polly Stenham MBE has won a court battle against a landlord who accused her of 'trashing' a 5,000-a-week flat and letting her cat urinate all over the furniture.

Ms Stenham, author of the Olivier-nominated play That Face, was accused by media lawyer landlord Elio Cassandro of leaving his Notting Hill flat with a 'pungent odour' after she moved out - and marker pen stains on his sofa.

He also claimed she left scuff marks all over the floor with her wheelie suitcase. In all, his compensation claims, lodged at Central London County Court, totalled 10,000 - and prompted bitter exchanges in court between the pair.

However, Mr Cassandro, 45, failed to win any compensation after a judge ruled that the minimal damages he agreed could have been caused by the playwright were covered by a pricey security deposit she had put down at the start of the tenancy.

Ms Stenham, now 38, found fame at just 19 with That Face - which premiered in the West End with a cast including Lindsay Duncan and Matt Smith.

Playwright Polly Stenham has won a bitter court battle with her landlord after he claimed she left his flat smelling like cat urine

Landlord and solicitor Elio Cassandro claimed the Olivier-nominated playwright had caused 10,000 of damage to his lodgings

The flat in Notting Hill, around which the case revolved. The court ultimately dismissed the case

She rented the Notting Hill property for two months in June 2022, the court was told.

In court documents, Mr Cassandro said he had paid over 2,500 to have his sofa reupholstered, over 3,200 to replace carpets and more than 800 to have the hallway floor sanded after the tenancy ended.

The writer had also let 150 of house plants die alongside the other damage, he claimed.

He alleged the playwright's cat had 'urinated across the sofas, the carpet and the pillows,' adding: 'I am fed up and would like to be compensated for the damage she has caused and the losses I have incurred.'

But in her written defence, Ms Stenham pointed out that she in fact paid for a professional clean of the property after her exit, also insisting that her landlord had 'exaggerated his claim'.

She had denied the claims of damage, but acknowledged her cat may have urinated outside the litter tray 'on occasions', adding: 'On the occasions that the cat had urinated outside its litter box and it was discovered, the spot was cleaned.'

Judge Morayo Fagborun Bennett, sitting at Central London County Court, rejected Mr Cassandro's claim after a trial.

The judge found Mr Cassandro had 'proved his case' over 544 worth of damages for five missing forks, a damaged dishwasher, and a damaged rug - although not caused by the cat.

But she rejected his other complaints and refused his claim overall, saying that the 544 was covered by a 2,000 rental deposit put down by Ms Stenham.

The court heard the playwright rented Mr Cassandro's 3-bedroom flat in Notting Hill, west London, at a rate of 775-a-day, for nearly two months.

'Ms Stenham rented my flat furnished for two months,' the landlord said in his court submissions.

'During that time she trashed the place. She also kept a cat there. The cat...urinated across the sofas, the carpets and the pillows. She ruined the sheets. She treated the place in the most disrespectful way possible.'

He also complained about alleged damage caused by her writing pens to his sofa, telling Judge Fagborun Bennett he was particularly upset as 'normally this is my home'.

'This wasn't just about wear and tear,' said the lawyer, representing himself in court.

'I had no issue with the cat, but it was implied that if the cat caused damage, in this case by urine stains on the carpet, then it would not be for me to pay for it.

'In the same way, if Polly was negligent and caused damage to the sofa, such as the black marks which are there on the sofa, then it would be for her to remedy.'

Polly Stenham pictured in 2009. She found fame with the play That Face, which she wrote at the age of 19

The West End run of the play opened with stars such as Matt Smith and Lindsay Duncan (pictured)

Mr Cassandro told the court he tried to get the pen marks removed by professional cleaners, but that it did not work, leaving re-upholstery as the only option.

'If I'd wanted a black and blue sofa I would have bought a black and blue sofa,' he told the judge.

'The cost of putting right the sofa is 2,500 for re-upholstering it.'

In her defence to the claim, lawyers for the playwright said: 'It is admitted the defendant kept a cat at the property and on occasion the cat urinated outside its litter box.

'On the occasions that the cat had urinated outside its litter box and it was discovered by the defendant, the spot was cleaned.

'It was within the contemplation of the parties that a cat would be staying at the property and the claimant required a deposit for damage if any resulting.

'The defendant arranged for the property to be professionally cleaned on her departure, although not contractually obliged to do so.'

Cross-examining his former tenant in court, Mr Cassandro asked her: 'Did you use a marker pen on the sofa when drawing or writing? Did you use a permanent marker pen?'

'I have never done deliberate damage. My job as a writer involves having pens in the house, but anything that happened would have been entirely accidental,' insisted Ms Stenham.

Giving her ruling, the judge said Mr Cassandro had failed to prove that Ms Stenham's cat left urine marks and dismissed suggestions that the flat had been left smelling of cat urine.

While Ms Stenham may have accidentally left ink marks on the sofa, there was no need to spend 2,520 re-upholstering it, the judge ruled.

'It doesn't appear to have caused any diminution in value and the claimant is not entitled to 2,520 in respect of the damage caused,' she said.

Nor could the demise of Mr Cassandro's house plants be blamed on Ms Stenham, she said.

'Ms Stenham's case was that there was no obligation to look after these plants,' she added.

'Mr Cassandro's case was that using the property in a tenant-like manner involved doing little jobs like watering plants.

'But I find he has not proved that she took on any responsibility for looking after or keeping the plants alive.'

That Face continues to be revived for theatre runs with stars such as Frances Barber and James Norton (pictured in 2010 performing the play)

She has since written other plays including Tusk Tusk and No Quarter - and co-wrote psychological horror film The Neon Demon, starring Elle Fanning (above)

The judge also threw out claims that the flat needed an intensive deep clean after the tenant moved out, plus a compensation claim based on scuff marks in the hallway caused by Ms Stenham's wheelie suitcase.

Mr Cassandro's damages claim totaled 10,303 including interest, but the judge rejected it because the 544 for damage done was already covered by Ms Stenham's 2,000 deposit.

'This deposit was sufficient to cover all these bases and so therefore I dismiss Mr Cassandro's claim,' she concluded.

Writer Ms Stenham won the 2007 Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright for her play 'That Face,' starring Lindsay Duncan and Matt Smith, with one critic labelling it 'one of the most astonishing debuts I have ever seen'.

She went on to pen a series of subsequent plays at the Royal Court - including Tusk Tusk and No Quarter - while also enjoying a career as a TV and movie writer, scripting films including the 2016 psychological horror flick, The Neon Demon.

On top of her work as a writer, Ms Stenham also opened the Cob Studios art gallery in Camden, north London, and was awarded with the MBE for her services to theatre and literature four years ago.
Kamala Harris entered Election Day with a 4-point lead over Donald Trump after slashing the gender gap, a final key poll has found.

Harris, 60, has the support of 51 per cent of likely voters, according to the latest PBS News/NPR/Marist poll. Trump has support from 47 per cent.

The survey found that Harris' surge comes after Trump's lead among male voters significantly declined in the final days leading up to the election.

Trump, 78, previously held a 57 per cent lead amongst male voters, but now only leads 51 per cent to Harris' 47 per cent. However, the Democrat's lead among women shrunk from 18 to 11 points.

Analysts say the top line results of the Marist poll are nearly identical to those of the 2020 election, which reported Joe Biden leading Trump 51 to 47 per cent.

The outcome of this year's knife-edge election, which has become the closest race to the White House in decades, is too close to call and could potentially come down to a few thousand votes in seven key swing states.

Kamala Harris (pictured Monday) entered Election Day with a 4-point lead over Donald Trump after slashing the gender gap, the final PBS News/NPR/Marist poll has found

Harris has the support of 51 per cent of likely voters, according to the poll. Donald Trump (pictured Monday) has support from 47 per cent

The survey found that Harris holds a 4-point lead over Trump nationally, which is just outside the poll's 3.5-point margin of error.

Analysts say that most notable change in the last month of the campaign is the gender gap shrinking by half.

In October, Harris had the support of 41 per cent of men. That has now increased to 47 per cent.

Trump's support amongst male voters dropped from 57 to 51 per cent, but he still maintains a lead over Harris in this demographic.

The Vice President maintained her lead amongst women voters, but did see it drop from 58 to 55 per cent from October to November.

Trump, however, saw a rise in support amongst women with 44 per cent now saying they will back him, a 4-point increase from last month.

The gender split in the Marist poll is nearly identical to the split between Biden and Trump in 2020, analysts noted.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Harris has also shrunken the lead that Trump has with white voters, the poll revealed. Trump led this demographic by 12 points in 2020, but now leads by 9.

However, compared to Biden in 2020, Harris has seen a slight decline in support from Black and Latino voters.

She has the support of 83 per cent of Black likely voters and 61 per cent of Latino likely voters, a drop of 8 and 2 points respectively from the share that support Biden four years ago.

The Vice President in recent weeks has also placed emphasis on attracting Republican voters who are disillusioned with Trump and campaigned in swing states with Republican officials who endorsed her.

The final Marist poll has found that 8 per cent of Republicans say they will vote for Harris, a 3-point increase from last month. It is also double the number of Democrats who say they will back Trump.

Additionally, more than half of independents polled say they will support Trump.

The outcome of this year's knife-edge election is too close to call and could potentially come down to a few thousand votes in seven key swing states. The winner may not be known for days after Tuesday's vote. Pictured are voters casting their ballots in Howell, Michigan Sunday, on the last day of early voting

Trump and Harris both predicted victory as they campaigned across Pennsylvania and other battleground states on Monday and urged supporters who have not yet cast their ballots to show up on Election Day.

The winner may not be known for days after Tuesday's vote, though Trump has already signaled that he will attempt to fight any defeat, as he did in 2020.

The Harris campaign said Monday that its internal data shows undecided voters are breaking in their favor, and says it has seen an increase in early voting among core parts of its coalition, including young voters and voters of color.

Trump campaign officials said they were monitoring early-voting results that show more women have voted than men. That is significant given Harris led Trump by 50 per cent to 38 per cent among female registered voters, according to an October Reuters/Ipsos poll, while Trump led among men 48 per cent to 41 per cent.

One Trump campaign official said they thought the Republican would carry North Carolina, Georgia and Arizona, which would still require him to carry one of the battleground states in the Rust Belt - Michigan, Wisconsin or Pennsylvania - to win the White House.

Republicans also appeared to be posting strong early-vote results in Nevada, and have been heartened by robust early-voting numbers in the hurricane-ravaged western counties of North Carolina.

Trump and his allies, who falsely claim his 2020 defeat was the result of fraud, have spent months laying the groundwork to again challenge the result if he loses.

He has promised 'retribution' if elected, spoken of prosecuting his political rivals and described Democrats as the 'enemy from within.'

Harris campaign officials said his attempts to allege fraud will fail. 'Voters select the president, not Donald Trump,' Dana Remus, a campaign legal adviser, told reporters.
Police officers have slammed the BBC for its 'utter lack of balance' in a new Panorama documentary about the fatal shooting of violent gang member Chris Kaba.

The 24-year-old was shot in the head by Met firearms officer Sergeant Martyn Blake as he tried to ram his way out of a police roadblock in Streatham.

Critics rounded on the BBC for repeatedly referring to the career criminal as 'unarmed' despite him being behind the wheel of an Audi Q8 that Sgt Blake feared he would use to run over his colleagues in a desperate bid to escape.

They also questioned the timing of the broadcast, a fortnight after the officer was cleared of murder and it emerged associates of Kaba's notorious '67' gang had placed a 10,000 bounty on his head.

The documentary featured an interview with Kaba's grieving parents, who said officers should have arrested their son rather than shooting him dead. Police footage shows that officers repeatedly ordered the gang member to get out of his car.

Chris Kaba was shot in the head by Met firearms officer Sergeant Martyn Blake as he tried to ram his way out of a police roadblock in Streatham

Critics rounded on the BBC for repeatedly referring to the career criminal as 'unarmed' despite him being behind the wheel of a Audi Q8 that Sgt Blake feared he would use to run over his colleagues in a desperate bid to escape

Matt Cane, General Secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, accused the BBC of failing in its duty to be impartial.

'Police officers will be stunned - but perhaps not surprised - about the utter lack of balance in the BBC Panorama documentary aired last night over the death of Chris Kaba,' he said.

'We say again the ramifications of this case remain widespread; police officers should not have their livelihoods, and their liberty, put at risk for performing what unequivocally, in this case, was his lawful and appropriate function.

'The continued use of the word ''unarmed'' when talking about Kaba remains scandalous when we consider how many colleagues have lost their lives because of vehicles. Cars are - in the hands of dangerous criminals - very much weapons.'

Armed police began tailing Kaba's Audi Q8 on the night of September 5, 2022, because his Audi Q8 had been used as a getaway car in a gang-related shooting the night before in Brixton.

Kaba himself had shot a gang rival in both legs at the Oval Space nightclub in Tower Hamlets on August 30, 2022.

The gangster was found to have gunshot residue on his sleeve and a balaclava in his pocket on the night he was killed by Sgt Blake, a fact Peter Bleksley - himself a former Met firearms officer - accused the BBC of failing to mention.

He said: 'Dear @BBCPanorama, was it an oversight or a deliberate omission, to fail to mention that there was firearm residue on Kaba's sleeve at the time he was shot, and that he was also in possession of a balaclava? Please, do tell'

The documentary featured Sal Naseem, a former director at the Independent Office for Police Conduct, who said the Met had been 'pressing' him over whether a firearm was found in Kaba's car at the time of the shooting.

He told the programme: 'A forensic examination had been done. We were satisfied that no non-police firearms had been recovered. I remember having an exchange with a senior officer from the Met where they were questioning, ''Are you certain that the vehicle has been sweeped thoroughly enough?''

'They were pressing me, ''Are you sure? Are you sure there's not a firearm here?'' Yes, we were sure. It betrayed a strong desire that something was found. Then, the scenario becomes ''this was an armed man'', and the picture it paints is different to the scenario where he was unarmed.'

Grabs from footage of Kaba (marked in blue) who opened fire with a gun (circled in pink) inside a nightclub in East London six days before his death

Kaba started blasting at Brandon Malutshi, chasing him outside the Oval Space Club in Hackney, with one of the bullets hitting him in the leg

Kaba's rap name was 'Mad Itch' or 'Itch' and he released drill rap songs bragging about gunning down rivals and selling drugs. A still from one of his videos is pictured above, for the song Numerous Times

Kaba's associates, Shemiah Bell (left) and Marcus Pottinger (centre), both 31, were found guilty of wounding with intent in February while Connel Bamgboye (right), 29, was convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence

Mr Naseem added that he was not convinced at the time that Kaba was enough of a danger to justify Sgt Blake's decision to kill him.

The IOPC has insisted Mr Naseem does not represent its official view, adding that he was not a key decision-maker in the Kaba case when it concluded.

Also featured in the documentary were Kaba's parents, Prosper and Helen.

Prosper told Panorama that following his son's death, he has felt no reason to keep living life.

He said: 'People have to lose their parents. This is life - you are born, you have your parents, they die. You can understand it, you can explain. But a parent who loses a son, especially at that age... for me, life doesn't have any meaning.'

Chris Hobbs, a former Met officer and police commentator, suggested the documentary was poorly timed.

'The timing of this documentary is very questionable, given that there remains a significant threat to Sgt Blake's life,' he told the Telegraph.

'The flames have only just begun to die down, but then you have the IOPC and its investigator choosing to throw petrol onto the embers, with the assistance of the BBC and its Panorama documentary.

'We are now fully aware of the extreme levels of violence which surrounded Mr Kaba and his fellow gang thugs.

'This documentary is therefore only likely to increase the risk faced by the officer who was found not guilty of murder.

The programme was also aired despite proceedings into alleged misconduct remaining active.

Kaba was one of London's most feared gangsters with a shocking history of violence

Armed police had started tailing the vehicle that Kaba was driving because the Audi Q8 had been used as a getaway car

One serving Met firearms officer told the newspaper: 'Two weeks ago, Sgt Blake was cleared of murder by a jury of his peers. They took just three hours to decide the case against him was unfounded.

'We then discover that Chris Kaba was a key member of one of the most dangerous gangs in London and members of that enterprise have placed a 10,000 bounty on Sgt Blake's life.

'I would have hoped all of that might be enough to persuade the BBC to hold off airing such a potentially provocative programme. But sadly not. Let's just hope this doesn't spark the sort of violent backlash that we feared following the verdict.'

A BBC spokesman said: 'This investigation is in the public interest.

'All of our programmes are produced in accordance with the BBC's editorial guidelines - this includes a commitment to impartiality and hearing a range of perspectives.

'We encourage people to watch the documentary in full and to make up their own minds.'

Kaba was a leading member of the 67 gang, which police consider the most dangerous gang in South London.

Kaba's father Prosper (pictured) believes police should have arrested their son rather than shooting him dead. Police footage shows that officers repeatedly ordered the gang member to get out of his car

Helen Lumuanganu (pictured), Kaba's mother, also featured heavily in the documentary

Just six days before his death, Kaba brazenly gunned down a rival in the middle of a crowded nightclub during a bloody feud for control of a profitable county lines drug network.

In a shocking attack captured on CCTV, the gangster started blasting at Brandon Malutshi chasing him outside the Oval Space Club in Hackney, with one of the bullets hitting him in the leg.

Had he not been killed, Kaba would have stood trial at the Old Bailey for the attempted murder of Mr Malutshi who miraculously survived the nightclub shooting on August 30, 2022.

His accomplices were later convicted for their role in the shooting during a trial effectively held in secret to avoid any prejudice to jurors in the Blake case.

CCTV footage showed Kaba spotting his rival at the club on the evening of August 30, 2022, before grabbing a bag from a friend, pulling on a single black glove then covering his face.

He then snatched the pistol from the bag and fired across the dancefloor at Malutshi, who sprinted away.

Protesters have claimed that Kaba was a victim despite the officer who shot him being cleared of murder

Kaba chased him and fired a volley of bullets at his target, hitting him in the leg just below the buttock.

Mr Malutshi, a member of the '17' gang, was flown by air ambulance to the Royal London Hospital and survived the shooting, eventually discharging himself against medical advice with a small bullet fragment still in his right leg.

Kaba's associates, Shemiah Bell and Marcus Pottinger, both 31, were found guilty of wounding with intent in February while Connel Bamgboye, 29, was convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

But it was Kaba who had pulled the trigger as part of a vicious war for control over a 'county lines' drug dealing network which raged between the two gangs.

A BBC spokesperson said: 'We reject the suggestion that the documentary is unfair or unbalanced. This is a public interest investigation into the events of the night of the shooting and their context and consequences.

'A broad range of important issues are covered in the programme, including: how the armed police operation unfolded, Chris Kaba's criminal history and his actions when the police tried to stop him, as well as community tensions, and concerns over the way firearms officers are handled when they are subject to an investigation of a firearms discharge.

'In addition to interviews with Chris Kaba's family, the programme also featured interviews with the former IOPC official who led the investigation, a former Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police, and serving and former firearms officers. It contains a detailed analysis of what happened on the night using police bodycam footage and the assessment, at the time, of the independent watchdog's regional director.

'All of our programmes are produced in accordance with the BBC's editorial guidelines. We advise people to watch the documentary and to make up their own minds.'
A comedian suing Steve Coogan's production company has told the High Court it 'obviously copied' elements of a sitcom he created.

Joshua Rinkoff, also known as Harry Deansway, is claiming Baby Cow Production copied parts of his sitcom Shambles in its 2022 series Live at The Moth Club (LATMC).

Mr Rinkoff, who created, wrote and directed two series of Shambles said producers working on LATMC 'would have seen some or all' of his show and 'obviously copied both the format and distinctive elements' of the sitcom.

LATMC, which is set at a run-down comedy club, was first released in 2022 and includes real life comedians performing stand-up and sketches.

Mr Rinkoff claims that some of the characters in the show are 'identical' to those in his web series, released in 2013, Shambles, and that even the jokes are 'similar'.

A comedian suing Steve Coogan's, pictured, production company has claimed producers 'obviously copied' elements of a sitcom he created

Mr Rinkoff, pictured, who created, wrote and directed two series of Shambles said producers working on LATMC 'would have seen some or all' of his show

He says he is going ahead with legal action for 'the principle' and even compared it to a 'classic David and Goliath clash'.

Meanwhile Baby Cow Productions 'strongly refute' the allegations and say there are 'no substantial similarities between the two shows that would lead one, in context, to believe one has been copied from the other'.

At a hearing in London on Monday, Tim Sampson, on behalf of Mr Rinkoff, said in written submissions that Shambles was 'freely available' to watch online and had been 'shared widely on social media by individuals connected to the comedy scene', including producers and writers associated with LATMC.

Dr Sampson argued there were 'numerous high-level similarities' between the two shows, such as both being set in a real comedy club, interspersing genuine live comedy acts and the use of fly-on-the-wall documentary style, that 'simply could not all have arisen by coincidence'.

The barrister said that although the plotlines of two episodes, LATMC's Don't Go In There and Shambles' High Spirits, were 'not identical' they were 'clearly based on the same premise - a false belief that the club is haunted'.

Mr Rinkoff says the series bears a striking similarity to his web series, Shambles (pictured), which is also set in a run-down comedy club

Live at the Moth Club is set in a run-down comedy club. Pictured: Seb Cardinal (left) and Dustin Demri-Burns (right), who appeared in the show

He argued that LATMC's writers made a 'tweak' to their episode to 'avoid their version being a direct copy'.

Jonathan Hill, on behalf of Baby Cow Productions - which Coogan co-founded in the 1990s - said the writers who were brought in to work on LATMC were 'unaware of Shambles'.

He argued that LATC is a 'mockumentary, not a sitcom, and one of its key features is that it presents substantial passages of actual stand-up, which Shambles does not.'

Mr Hill later said the 'similar real-life settings' and the 'unsurprising features of showing comedy club personnel' are 'all the series have in common'.

He added: 'As can be immediately seen by watching the shows, the two are very different and, leaving aside the defendant's evidence that Shambles was not copied or referred to when making LATMC, it is deeply implausible that LATMC was in any way copied from Shambles'.

The hearing in front of Recorder Amanda Michaels, is due to conclude on Tuesday with a decision expected in writing at a later date.
Police are still hunting for a second suspect after Anya Taylor-Joy and her husband were forced to lock themselves in a bedroom during a terrifying robbery more than 18 months ago.

The Hollywood actress, 28, and her musician partner Malcolm McRae, 30, had been staying in London along with his bandmate Kane Richotte, 33, when a gang of masked robbers burst in on February 12 last year.

The two intruders even attempted to enter the bedroom where Taylor-Joy and McRae were hiding. They were staying at a London mansion belonging to a well-known celebrity, whose identity cannot be reported for legal reasons.

Kirk Holdrick, also known as Aaron Evans, has been charged with burglary and is currently being held on remand.

Holdrick, who went on a string of dates with The Only Way Is Essex star Hannah Voyan in 2022, has pleaded not guilty and will stand trial in September over the alleged burglary which can now be reported after a judge lifted restrictions.

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that his alleged accomplice is still at large and that enquiries are 'ongoing'.

Anya Taylor-Joy and her husband Malcolm McRae, pictured here in Los Angeles in February this year, were subject to a terrifying robbery last year it has been revealed

The incident took place just a week before Taylor-Joy appeared on the red carpet at the BAFTA Film Awards 2023 (pictured) in London

Kirk Holdrick is accused of being one of the two robbers who raided the property. Pictured: Holdrick seen on a date with The Only Way Is Essex star Hannah Voyan in 2022

Holdrick (pictured) denies burglary and will face a trial in September next year over the incident

A spokesman for the force told MailOnline: 'Met officers have charged a man with aggravated burglary following a break-in at a house in north London in February last year.

'Aaron Evans, 42 (18.07.1982), of no fixed address, allegedly broke into a private property and demanded items in Camden on Sunday, 12 February 2023. Nobody was injured in the incident.

'Evans was arrested on Wednesday, 26 July 2023 and charged on Monday, 30 October 2023.

'He is currently on remand and is due to appear at Wood Green Crown Court on Thursday, 25 September 2025.

'Another male is currently still outstanding, enquiries are ongoing.'

The incident took place a week before Taylor-Joy appeared on the red carpet at the BAFTA Film Awards in the capital.

At the time the actress had been staying a property in north London with McRae and Richotte, who perform together in the rock band more*.

The mansion in question is not owned by the couple, but by another well-known public figure whose name cannot be revealed for legal reasons.

As first reported by The Standard, the couple are believed to have been left shaken by the incident, although none of them were physically hurt.

Holdrick, who is reportedly being held at Gartree Prison in Leicestershire, is set to face a four-day trial over the incident at Wood Green Crown Court in London on September 29 next year.

The defendant, who is believed to deny any involvement in the incident, had reportedly dated TOWIE star Hannah Voyan on and off for around a year in 2022, with the couple seen holding hands leaving a restaurant in London.

Judge Kalyani Kaul KC allowed for reporting restrictions on naming the victims in the case to be published after a nine-month legal challenge by The Standard.

Taylor-Joy, who was born in the United States, has become one of Hollywood's most popular stars in recent years after getting her break in small budget horror film The Witch in 2015.

Taylor-Joy and McRae were not injured in the incident, but are believed to have been left shaken. Pictured: The couple seen in Los Angeles in October 2022

Pictured: Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae watch the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo in May this year

Anya Taylor-Joy and her husband are pictured attending Wimbledon on July 13 earlier this year

Anya Taylor-Joy (L) kisses her partner Malcolm McRae during the Women's Singles final match at Wimbledon

Taylor-Joy had been in the house with her husband McRae (right) and his bandmate Kane Richotte (left)

Holdrick, pictured here with TOWIS's Hannah Voyan in 2022, is understood to deny any involvement with the incident

The following year she starred in M. Night Shyamalan thriller Split alongside James McAvoy.

Since then she has starred in hits such as animated film The Super Mario Bros. Movie, sci-fi blockbuster Dune: Part Two and the Mad Max prequel Furiosa.

The actress has also appeared on TV with her credits including the supremely popular BBC show Peaky Blinders and The Queen's Gambit on Netflix.

Taylor-Joy and McRae began their relationship in 2021, before eloping on April Fools day the following year to have a private wedding ceremony in New Orleans.

They held a second lavish ceremony in September 2023 in Venice, Italy, attended by guests including Cara Delevingne and Julia Garner.

Rock star McRae performs in the band more* with Richotte, with the pair also trying their hand at acting after appearing in Prime Video series Daisy Jones and the Six.
ITV's new crime drama Until I Kill You has captured the attention of viewers with its chilling tale of one woman's horrifying ordeal at the hands of her boyfriend.

But it is perhaps even more terrifying because it is based on the true story of agency nurse Delia Balmer's near fatal relationship with axe murderer John Sweeney.

Branded the 'scalp hunter killer', Sweeney murdered and dismembered two former girlfriends before dumping their remains in canals in Rotterdam and London.

He attempted to murder Delia, bludgeoning her with an axe, but she remains his sole known survivor and is currently serving life for his crimes.

The series is inspired by the 2017 memoir, Living with a Serial Killer, and is accompanied by a new documentary which details the true timeline of events.

In the drama, romance blossomed between Sweeney (played by Shaun Evans) and Delia (played by Anna Maxwell Martin) when he approached her at a bar in Camden, London, one evening and offered to buy her a drink. They bond over their shared love of travel.

While at first appearing attentive and caring, buying Delia bouquets of flowers and showing outward signs of affection, their relationship quickly deteriorated.

Sweeney, who took up residence in Delia's flat, became erratic and controlling towards Delia, criticising her appearance and where she spent her free time.

When she finally gathered the strength to demand him to leave, she was met with his wrath.

Delia Balmer (pictured) who survived a horrific ordeal at the hands of her ex-boyfriend John Sweeney

Delia (pictured as a young woman) met Sweeney in a pub in Camden, London, when she was working as an agency nurse

'Scalp Hunter' John Sweeney, was jailed for life for murdering Melissa Halstead and Paula Fields and throwing their mutilated bodies into canals

Anna Maxwell Martin as Delia Balmer and Shaun Evans as John Sweeney in ITV's Until I Kill You

Delia found herself increasingly tormented by Sweeney. She was hacked to within an inch of her life by the killer, who attacked her with a hammer and an axe.

Prior to the attempt on her life, Sweeney had held her captive and repeatedly raped her in a week-long ordeal, for which he was arrested but released on bail.

In 1994, in a terrifying ordeal spanning just a few days, Sweeney held Delia against her will, tied her to the bed and intimidated her with threats of disfiguring her tongue.

It is then that Sweeney admitted to murdering his ex-girlfriend Melissa Halstead, 33, in Rotterdam.

In her memoir, Delia recounted Sweeney's admission: 'We had a room in Amsterdam. I went in. There were two Germans there with her. I killed them all. I didn't know what to do with the bodies. I sat with them for three days. On the third day, I cut them up, and I put them in bags and I threw them in the canal.'

However, Delia's struggles did not end there, as she was then let down by the police and the legal system.

Her life was then put in danger once again when Sweeney was released on bail and made a second attempt on her life.

He was finally caught in 2001 and sentenced to nine years in prison for his attack on Delia.

Sweeney's first victim Melissa Halstead met a recently divorced Sweeney in 1986 while she was working internationally as a model and photographer.

About a year into their relationship, he had been charged at least once for domestic violence against her, and was subjected to a number of fines until the pair relocated to Austria.

He had tracked her down, stalked her, tied her up and attacked her with a hammer which cracked her skull.

After being released and ordered to leave Austria, the pair settled in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

But her body was found floating in a canal in May 3, 1990, after he transported her body to Rotterdam.

Detectives found deeply disturbing drawings by the murderer, including sketches that suggested how he butchered Melissa.

The American model's body was found dismembered in a Dutch canal. In one poem, Sweeney said she had been 'fed to the fishes and chopped into bits, Amsterdam was the pits'.

There were also self-portraits captioned 'seal hunter' in which the killer was shown as a devil with a bloody axe.

It was not until 2008 that Melissa's remains were identified using an advanced DNA test, paving the way for Sweeney to be charged with her murder.

The new documentary revealed how Sweeney butchered the women's bodies, removing their heads and hands so their corpses couldn't be identified.

He then tied up their body parts with rope and put them into bags filled with tiles and bricks to weigh them down in the water.

Melissa was thrown into a Rotterdam canal, while Paula's was put into London's Regent's Canal.

The body of Paula Fields, a 31-year-old mother was cut into six pieces and stuffed into holdalls.

The Halewood woman's head, hands and feet were never found.

Prosecutors during the killer's trial in 2011 said this was a deliberate attempt to prevent them from being identified and Sweeney being exposed as being responsible for the murders.

While at first appearing attentive and caring, buying Delia bouquets of flowers and showing outward signs of affection, their relationship quickly deteriorates (pictured is Anna Maxwell Martin as Delia Balmer and Shaun Evans as John Sweeney)

Anna Maxwell Martin as Delia Balmer in Until I Kill You which dramatises the relationship between Delia and axe murderer John Sweeney

Delia, who collaborated on the ITV production of Until I Kill You, said she remains an 'angry person' as a result of her experiences

While serving time for the assault on Delia, Sweeney was interrogated about Melissa and Paula. Thanks to advancements in DNA technology, as well as Delia's testimony, authorities were able to bring a case against him.

Sweeney was given a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey in 2011 after being convicted of murdering Melissa, a former model from Ohio, and Paula Fields, a mother-of-three living in north London. The woman's remains were found a decade apart.

In 2023, it was reported that Sweeney had been linked to some of the cases included in an Interpol appeal which is seeking to uncover the names of 22 women - each of whom are suspected murder victims from across Europe since 1976.

Three of those pictured by Operation Identify Me were women who were decapitated and had their remains left in canals in the Netherlands.

Sweeney worked in the country in the 1990s, and his victim Melissa, was found there.

Sweeney declined to leave his cell at Belmarsh prison when his sentence was pronounced.

Judge Mr Justice Saunders, who presided over the sentencing, told the court: 'These were terrible, wicked crimes. The heads of the victims having been removed, it is impossible to be certain how they were killed.

'The mutilation of the bodies is a serious aggravating feature of the murders.'

Delia, who collaborated on the ITV production of Until I Kill You, said she remains an 'angry person' as a result of her experiences.

In an interview before the show was released she said: 'My concern has always been to get the truth out by whatever means. I remain an angry person.

'Sweeney was let out on bail. The police gave me insufficient protection before his final assault. Later, I was forced to go to court to be further traumatised by the system.'
Farmers are plotting a co-ordinated 'sewage strike' as widespread anger grows into militant action over Labour's inheritance tax raid.

President of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) Tom Bradshaw said anger among farmers is 'like I've never experienced before' and said 'many' are considering drastic action.

It comes amid fears Britain could be brought to a standstill as farmers emulate their Dutch counterparts and stage nationwide protests, with a rally planned in London later this month.

British farmers are reportedly plotting a co-ordinated 'sewage strike' which would see them stop spreading sludge and biosolids - remains of human waste after liquid has been removed.

Experts say this could cause chaos for sewage and water companies as farmers in the UK take about 3.6 million tonnes of sewage sludge from water treatment plants and spread it on agricultural land.

Withdrawing this effective way to get rid of sewage waste would force bosses to suddenly find somewhere new to dumps millions of tonnes of sewage.

Farmers demonstrated in London in March over food security fears - and it is feared they could do so again

Concerns over new EU environmental legislation led to months of protests in which farmers blocked major roads and highways with queues of tractors (Pictured: protests in Brussels)

Dutch farmers used tractors and trailers to block major roads including highways and set fires to disrupt traffic

One Dartmoor farmer told the Telegraph: 'If you truly want to be seen to put your children's futures first, then now this week is the time to phone your sludge supplier [and] put a temporary halt on all deliveries.

'If enough of you do this, we have a reasonable chance of changing government policy. If you don't, we have no hope at all and will only have ourselves to blame. Let's see who deserves recognition for doing something unselfish for the greater good of all.'

It has sparked concerns the UK could soon follow in the footsteps of the Netherlands which saw disruptive protests across the country earlier this year, and stop spreading sludge on their land.

Dutch farmers used tractors and trailers to block major roads including highways and set fires to disrupt traffic.

They also used dozens of tractors to block the Dutch-Belgian motorway border crossing between Maastricht and Liege.

Dutch and Belgian farmers protest on the highway near Arendonk, near the border with the Netherlands

There are fears protests in the UK could mirror scenes seen in the Netherlands earlier this year (pictured)

Now the NFU has raised the prospect of similar action in the UK following Rachel Reeves announcing an end to the exemption on inheritance tax for farmers, with a new 20 percent levy to be imposed on farm assets above 1 million from April 2026.

Farmers have been left outraged by the change, which they say will put an end to family farms by forcing their children to sell land in order to pay hefty tax bills.

The Treasury has claimed that in effect farms worth up to 3 million will be exempt from the tax, but the NFU - basing its claims on Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) figures - dispute this.

Farmers are expected to protest at Westminster on November 19 against the plans.

Asked about the threat of 'militant' action, a government spokesperson said: 'We understand the concerns people in the farming community have... but when you look at data 73 percent of claimants will not be affected.'

When pressed, the spokesperson: 'The changes that the Chancellor announced at the Budget they will happen.'

Mr Bradshaw said: 'We've got many people  and we do not support this  talking about militant action.

'This is the only way they think their voices are going to be heard. And I think that just demonstrates the strength of feeling that there is bubbling up around all four corners of the UK.

'We've done everything in the past to say, 'Don't protest'. Today, I'm not in a position where I can say to people they've got no reason to do that.'

There are fears fresh protests or blockades could bring vital parts of the UK's food industry to a standstill

After Rachel Reeves' (pictured) Budget, the government was warned the new measures could stop an entire generation from farming

The government expects the new tax rules to raise an extra half a billion pounds by 2028/9.

The Treasury says just 27 percent of farms will be affected, but the NFU says the true figure, based on analysis of DEFRA figures, is 66 percent.

The new rules mean farmers can pass on 1 million of agricultural assets tax-free, in addition to exemptions for all inheritances - a 325,000 tax-free allowance, plus a further 175,000 for a main residence.

The Treasury argues this means most farmers can use all three and pass on 1.5 million of assets without tax - and if the farm is owned by a married couple, both are eligible for the exemptions. This would enable them to jointly pass on 3 million of assets.

The government also pointed out that farmers who pass on the farm seven years before their death will not leave their heirs facing any inheritance tax.

But Mr Bradshaw, who met with government representatives on Monday, says farmers are still furious.

He held an urgent meeting with Environment Secretary Steve Reed and Treasury minister James Murray to discuss the policy.

It raises concerns the UK could see widescale protests and strikes by farmers, potentially bringing the country to a standstill and threatening food security.

Similar action by farmers across Europe over the last few years caused massive disruption, especially in the Netherlands, France and Brussels.

Farmers drive slowly through central London in protests on food security in March

Concerns over new EU environmental legislation led to months of protests in which farmers blocked major roads and highways with queues of tractors.

They also blockaded the streets around the EU Parliament in Brussels, spraying manure over the roads.

Farmers eventually won concessions including the scrapping of planned new pesticide legislation and extra protections for nature.

In the UK, hundreds of farmers are expected to protest outside Parliament later this month, much like they did in March, when many drove their tractors to Westminster to highlight the lack of support for UK food production.

A government representative said: 'The government's commitment to our farmers remains steadfast. It's why we have committed 5 billion to the farming budget over two years  more money than ever for sustainable food production.

'We understand concerns about changes to Agricultural Property Relief and the Defra Secretary of State and Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury met with NFU President Tom Bradshaw today.

'Ministers made clear that the vast majority of those claiming relief will not be affected by these changes. They will be able to pass the family farm down to their children just as previous generations have always done.

'This is a fair and balanced approach that protects the family farm while also fixing the public services that we all rely on. We remain committed to working with the NFU and listening to farmers.'

Asked to comment on the prospect of mass 'militant' protest, the NFU provided further comment from Mr Bradshaw.

He said: 'Farmers and growers have been left reeling from the changes announced in the budget which demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding of how the British farming sector is shaped and managed. The current plans to change APR and BPR need to be overturned and fast.

'Farmers are rightly angry and concerned about their future and the future of their family farms, having been reassured by minsters in the lead up to the Budget that APR and BPR changes were not on the table.

'The Treasury's figures which claim this will only affect one in four British farms are misleading. The 1 million cap to APR shows how little this government understands the sector.

'Very few viable farms would be worth under 1m, but lots of smallholdings and houses with a few acres let for grazing might be. The asset value of genuine food-producing farms will be high, given the size they need to be to remain viable businesses; but that's the value of the asset, it doesn't reflect its profitability which is often, and increasingly so, very low.

'Clearly the government does not understand that family farms are not only small farms, and that just because a farm is an asset, it doesn't mean those who work it are wealthy. Every penny the Chancellor saves from this will come directly from the next generation having to break up their family farm. It simply mustn't happen.

'MPs need to understand the consequences of these actions which is why we are mobilising our members for a mass lobby in the coming weeks. British farmers will ask their MPs to look them in the eye and tell them whether they support this.

'There's still time for the government to accept they've got this wrong, and my message to ministers is that they should do the right thing and reverse this awful family farm tax.'
A judge has ruled that Elon Musk's $1 million voter giveaway can continue.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, sued Musk and his pro-Trump political action committee, America PAC, last week, calling the $1 million awards to registered voters in battleground states 'an illegal lottery scheme.'

Krasner had asked that the daily giveaways be shut down, but Pennsylvania Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta declined to do so after a daylong hearing on Monday featuring Musk's lawyers and prosecutors.

Foglietta did not immediately provide a reason for his decision, though no more giveaways were planned in Pennsylvania. Musk did not attend Monday's hearing.

SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk awarded Kristine Fishell with a $1 million check during the town hall at the Roxain Theater on October 20, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Elon Musk (pictured, right, onstage in Philadelphia) promised to give away $1 million every day until November 5 to registered voters in key swing states who signed his online free speech and gun rights petition

Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks at a campaign rally alongside former president and White House hopeful Donald Trump

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO promised last month to give away $1 million daily until Election Day.

According to the America PAC website, 16 people, including four in Pennsylvania, have received the $1 million awards. The winners were reportedly randomly selected among those who signed a petition pledging support for free speech and gun rights.

The offer was limited to registered voters in one of seven states that will likely decide the outcome of the Nov. 5 election - Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Musk gave away the first $1 million at an October 19 America PAC rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's state capital.

The Justice Department warned Musk and his America PAC last month that the sweepstakes may violate federal law, which prohibits paying people to register to vote.

Musk, 53, who also owns X, formerly Twitter, has thrown his millions, time and considerable influence into backing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump since endorsing him in July.

Musk, the world's richest man, has reportedly donated at least $118 million to his political action committee America PAC, an organization which collects funds for elections.

He has also appeared on stage with Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania and hosted a series of town halls on his own in the eastern state, seen as critical in today's election.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner waits for a hearing to begin at a City Hall courtroom on October 31

Musk, who previously supported Barack Obama but has become increasingly conservative in recent years, peppers his 202 million followers on X daily with messages championing Trump and denigrating his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

The lawsuit over his giveaway said it should be stopped because it amounts to an illegal lottery that violates consumer protection laws by using deceptive language.

DA Krasner said in a statement following the filing of the complaint: 'The Philadelphia District Attorney is charged with protecting the public from public nuisances and unfair trade practices, including illegal lotteries.

'The DA is also charged with protecting the public from interference with the integrity of elections.'

Krasner's office said Musk and America PAC have not published clear rules for the giveaway and has not said how they are protecting voters' personal information.

He also said people who receive Musk's money are 'not actually chosen at random,' citing two winners who attended two pro-Trump rallies.

Musk has so far given nearly $120 million to America PAC, according to federal disclosures, making the group a crucial part of Trump's bid to regain the White House.

The entrepreneur has increasingly supported Republican causes and this year became an outspoken Trump supporter.

Trump in turn has said that if elected, he would appoint Musk to head a government efficiency commission.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing a growing backlash over Labour's decision to increase tuition fees for the first time in eight years, as he is accused of yet another policy U-turn.

The PM is under pressure after yesterday's announcement that from the start of the 2025/26 academic year fees for domestic undergraduate students in England will rise to 9,535 per year.

They had been frozen at a maximum of 9,250 since 2017, and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told MPs it was necessary to 'secure the future of higher education' amid financial challenges.

It comes as university leaders have warned of significant financial concerns as a result of frozen tuition fees paid by domestic students and a fall in the number of international students.

However Sir Keir campaigned for the Labour leadership in 2020 saying he would 'support the abolition of tuition fees.

The Tories leapt on the prime minister's latest U-turn, which came days after the Budget increased taxes by 40billion.

Since becoming Labour leader he has reversed his position on issues ranging from tax to benefits and gender identity.

Conservative Party co-chairman Nigel Huddleston told Sky News: 'I'm concerned about it because it's yet another example of what we're seeing as a pattern here, of Labour in opposition saying one thing, and then in government doing another, usually at the cost of somebody  in this case students.'

The PM is under pressure after yesterday's announcement that from the start of the 2025/26 academic year fees for domestic undergraduate students in England will rise to 9,535 per year.

When he was campaigning to be Labour leader in 2020, Sir Keir Starmer pledged to 'support the abolition of tuition fees' but later rowed back on that promise

But Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a former president of the National Union of Students, defended the PM.

Asked about previous comments by Sir Keir Starmer on his desire to abolish tuition fees, Mr Streeting told Times Radio: 'I think that would be a fair criticism if Keir Starmer hadn't said very clearly well ahead of the general election that because of the state of the economy, because of the state of the public finances, we would not be able to go into the general election in our manifesto committing to abolish tuition fees.

'He was upfront about that, took the criticism at the time and said he would rather be honest ahead of the election instead of letting let people down afterwards.'

In 2020, Sir Keir pledged to uphold Labour's commitment to abolish tuition fees during his party leadership campaign.

At the time, the then-shadow Brexit secretary said his party must stand by its plan to 'end the national scandal of spiralling student debt' by scrapping the fees.

Three years later, Sir Keir revealed he was preparing to 'move on' from this commitment.

In May 2023, he said the current student fee system was 'unfair' but that the country found itself in a 'different financial situation' to when Labour had pledged to scrap the fees.

In August 2023, the Labour leader insisted he would put in place a 'fairer' deal for students and admitted that he would not be able to afford to attend university today because of the cost.

During the general election campaign in June, Sir Keir said he had backtracked on his promise to abolish tuition fees as he was a 'common sense politician' and he wanted to prioritise getting the NHS 'back on its feet'.

Budget tax increases

Last week Sir Keir was accused of telling a 'double lie' by insisting the Budget would not be a 'war on Middle Britain' nor break Labour manifesto promises.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves hit employers with a whopping 25 billion increase in their National Insurance bills and announced a welter of other tax rises on Wednesday.

But the Prime Minister had denied that he misled voters when he pledged during the General Election campaign not to hit 'working people' with increases to VAT, National Insurance or income tax.

Green prosperity plan

Sir Keir faced a credibility crisis before the election after ditching the central plank of his environmental economic policy.

After spending months defending the need to put the UK at the forefront of a new global industry and provide sustainable and cheap power for millions he U-turned by dramatically scaling it back by around 80 per cent.

Blaming the Tories' handling of the economy, especially under Liz Truss, he said that instead of spending 28billion on its Green Prosperity Plan every year, a future Labour government would spend less than that over the course of the next parliament, if elected.

The new plan involves a headline figure of 23.5 billion over five years, or 4.7billion a year. And it plans to part fund the plans with a bigger attack on energy firms via the windfall tax.

The Energy Profits Levy, which is due to run until March 2028 will now run until the end of the Parliament, probably late 2029. The rate at which excess profits are taxed will also rise from 75 per cent to 78 per cent, putting it on a par with a tax levied in Norway.

The move emerged just a day after the leader insisted the package is 'desperately needed'. But shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has been striking a very different tone, warning that she will not allow any policies in the manifesto that are unaffordable.

Gender identity

In April Sir Keir said his views on gender issues 'start with biology' despite previously stating that a women could have a penis.

The Labour leader said he backed blocking trans women from female-only hospital wards and prisons following the Government's proposed changes to the NHS constitution.

The changes will see trans women banned from female-only wards and also give female patients the right to request to be treated by a doctor of the same sex for intimate care.

Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain about the proposed changes, Sir Keir said: 'There's a distinction between sex and gender. The Labour Party has championed women's rights for a very long time.'

The Labour leader has repeatedly faced questions about his views on transgender issues.

He has previously said that '99.9% of women' do not have a penis and in 2021 he said it was 'not right' for Labour MP Rosie Duffield to state that 'only women have a cervix'.

Two-child benefit cap

Sir Keir faced his first Labour rebellion just two weeks after being elected during a vote on child benefits in the House of Commons.

The new prime minister saw seven of his own MPs defy the party whip to vote for an SNP amendment which would have scrapped the two-child benefit cap.

The group was made up of prominent figures from the left-wing of the party, including former key Corbynites John McDonnell, Richard Burgon and Rebecca Long Bailey, who were later suspended for defying him.

But abolishing the limit on the benefit was once one of his own policies.

In February 2023, in a diatribe against how the benefit system works, he tweeted: 'Its time to scrap Universal Credit and create a social security system fit for the 21st century with compassion and justice as its founding principles.

We must scrap the inhuman Work Capability Assessments and private provision of 'disability assessments (e.g. ATOS), scrap punitive sanctions, two-child limit and benefits cap.'
Nearly 180 migrants crossed the Channel on the day Keir Starmer suggested in a major speech that stopping people smugglers was as important as tackling global warming.

The Prime Minister insisted it is his 'personal mission' to bring down smuggling gangs as he unveiled a fresh push at an Interpol conference in Glasgow yesterday.

Yet on Britain's coast the flow of illegal migrants continued unabated, with 178 arriving in three boats, according to official figures.

More than 17,500 migrants have reached Britain since the election. The running tally for the year is up 16 per cent to almost 32,000 compared with the same point last year.

In his speech, Sir Keir laid out a series of new measures to tackle the 'vile trade' and said he would put the issue 'top of the agenda again' at a European Political Community meeting later this week.

The Prime Minister insisted it is his 'personal mission' to bring down smuggling gangs as he unveiled a fresh push at an Interpol conference in Glasgow yesterday

Yet on Britain's coast the flow of illegal migrants continued unabated, with 178 arriving in three boats, according to official figures

Migrants are driven away from Dover yesterday after being rescued from the Channel

However, critics argue that none of the measures will be effective as he has scrapped the Tories' Rwanda plan, which was intended to deter people from attempting the deadly crossing.

Comparing the challenge of smashing smugglers to the COP26 agreement reached in the same city in 2021, Sir Keir said: 'If together we can win this war against the people smugglers then this gathering will have achieved a victory for humanity every bit as significant as the Glasgow Climate Pact.

'Because you will have helped to smash the gangs, secure our borders and save countless lives.'

Labour's new Border Security Command (BSC) is getting an extra 75million of funding and enhanced powers to stop and search suspected human traffickers, including seizing their phones and other devices.

Officials will be able to obtain search warrants to seize items from premises before an offence has even taken place - powers currently reserved only for anti-terror cases.

Suspected people traffickers will face invasive financial searches, as the law is changed to allow courts to grant permission for scrutiny of accounts, property and other assets, government sources said.

Serious Crime Prevention Orders will be expanded to suspected gang members before they are even convicted to restrict their access to the internet, banking and travel.

Sir Keir said there is 'nothing progressive about turning a blind eye as men, women and children die in the Channel'.

'People smuggling should be viewed as a global security threat similar to terrorism. We've got to combine resources, share intelligence and tactics, and tackle the problem upstream, working together to shut down the smuggling routes,' he said.

Sir Keir and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper meet members of law enforcement in Glasgow yesterday

He added: 'When I was the director of public prosecutions, it was my personal mission to smash the terrorist gangs and we worked across borders to ensure the safety of citizens across Europe and across the world.

'Now, as the UK's Prime Minister, it is my personal mission to smash the people-smuggling gangs, and, look, that starts here in the UK.'

Pointing to the new border security command and upstream efforts, Sir Keir added: 'We're going to treat people smugglers like terrorists. So, we're taking our approach to counter terrorism, which we know works, and applying it to the gangs.'

Sir Keir said the international community must do 'everything possible' to stop people-smuggling.

He said: 'The only way to defeat this vital trade and save lives is to stop people being smuggled here in the first place, and that means doing everything possible to deepen our cross-border co-operation.

'So, international agreements matter. We have to use every tool that we have  operational, diplomatic, political  to join up our response.'

He cited an agreement with France to increase intelligence sharing, a treaty that the UK is negotiating with Germany and work with Italy that includes dismantling supply chains for maritime equipment.

Sir Keir added: 'As part of the UK's wider reset with the European Union, we are seeking a new security pact, including restoring access to real-time intelligence sharing networks.

'At the European political community this Thursday in Hungary, I'll be putting this issue at the top of the international agenda once again.'

Downing Street insisted the Government wants to see small boat crossing numbers falling, but would not reveal if ministers have a target.

Your browser does not support iframes.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman insisted the Government is 'going to make progress as rapidly as is possible' on migrant crossings, pointing to its record of 9,400 returns recorded since Labour took power.

But he would not be drawn into revealing if the Government has a target for when crossings will start to reduce, telling reporters: 'I am not going to set out new targets here today.

'You have got the manifesto commitment, you have got the Prime Minister's words. Clearly the Government's ambition is to reduce small boats crossings and that is why we are putting significant resource focus into this crisis.'
The closure of two hugely popular Cornish tourist destinations in the space of a couple of hours has left locals in shock amid concerns about the state of the county's holiday industry.

Dairyland Farm Park, near Newquay, has been welcoming visitors for almost five decades, but shut its doors for the final time last weekend.

Citing persistent financial struggles, the attraction shared its difficulties in trying to recover from the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic against the backdrop of rising operating costs.

Described by General manager Keith Thompson as a 'massive loss for Cornwall', Dairyland's closure was bookended by the immediate shutting of Flambards Theme Park in Helston.

Similarly, Flambards had been open for 48 years and cited a steady decline in visitors over the recent holiday periods, making trading untenable.

The closure of two such prominent tourist attractions follows the worrying news that this past year saw Cornwall endure its worst summer visitor numbers for a decade, according to the South West Business Council (SWBC).

Dairyland Farm Park ceased trading after 49 years in operation over the weekend

The unexpected closure of Dairyland has been described as a 'massive loss' for the tourism industry in Cornwall

Flambards Theme Park in Helston announced the closure on Monday morning, citing rising costs and a 'steady decline in visitor numbers'

Flambards closure comes a number of months after the park announced the pausing of four of its rides due to an 'ongoing shortage of specialist parts'

In decades gone by, a trip to England's sunny southwest was seen as one the premier staycation options available to holiday-goers.

However, businesses in Cornwall have been struggling for some time as its tourism industry slowly dwindles.

There were a multitude of reasons for this according to the SWBC's chairman, Tim Jones, who told the BBC earlier this summer that 17 per cent of bars and restaurants had shut down in the area.

Issues impacting visitor numbers ranged from increased operating costs resulting in the need to cut staffing and in turn cap tourists at some attractions, while others pinpointed the lack of adequate public transport infrastructure as a major stumbling block.

Journeys can take many hours from urban centres such as London and Manchester, with many transfers required to reach some of Cornwall's most picturesque locations without your own car.

In an age of cut-price flights to the likes of Spain, Italy and Greece, Cornish businesses have claimed that many potential domestic tourists are put off from the start due to the complexity and pricing of travel when compared with foreign sun trips.

Cornwall was once a staycation hub for domestic tourists, but has endured a difficult decade in the age of cut-price sun holidays abroad

Cornish towns such as Newquay are struggling to attract tourists due to poor public transport infrastructure, according to local business owners

Described as a 'vital' part of the area's economy, Sally Everton of Visit Devon expressed her wish for both tourists and the governments support in backing the Cornish tourism industry during what continues to be a difficult trading period.

Travel expert Zak Ali, commercial leader for Together Travel, has recently voiced his concerns over tourist's 'abandoning' of Cornwall's seaside towns.

Speaking to the Express last month, Ali bemoaned the dire situation facing travel agents in the area, who could potentially be facing the prospect of mass redundancies.

With uncertainty in the housing market, Ali says that travel agents are finding it difficult to keep properties open and available on the rental market.

Adding to agents woes in securing tourist accommodation for short-term lets is the fact that as of April next year, second homes in the area are set to be slapped with a 100 per cent hike in council tax.

With Cornwall's tourism industry worth roughly 2 billion annually, or 15 per cent of the local economy, Mr Ali said there will be wider implications for the local economy should the tourism industry continue to struggle.

'We've seen it in the summer we've just had already, the destination has not been as strong as it has been historically.

'The tourism industry will see a negative impact. I think it will be detrimental to the overall income generated on the back of tourism,' Mr Ali concluded.
A Spanish lawyer and influencer filming videos in flood-ravaged Valencia for a news segment has been slammed after a clip emerged of him deliberately covering his knees with mud for the report.

Ruben Gisbert, from Valencia, was visiting flood-hit parts of the region while filming clips for Horizonte, a news programme directed and presented by Spanish journalist Iker Jimenez.

But an onlooker recording the scene from the window of their apartment caught the moment Gisbert took a few steps back and knelt down to make sure his legs were covered in dirt before returning to say his piece to camera.

Gisbert, who describes himself as a 'practising lawyer and freedom revolutionary', took to social media to point out his move was simply for continuity purposes, claiming he wanted to ensure his appearance would match an earlier shot so the programme could be presented as if it were live.

But enraged flood victims and commentators online have described the filming trick as 'shameful'.

Horizonte's Jimenez also released a video declaring he had never asked Gisbert to 'dramatise something' for the camera and said the influencer will no longer be allowed to collaborate with the programme for the 'stupid' behaviour.

Ruben Gisbert, from Valencia, was visiting flood hit parts of the region while filming clips for Horizonte

An onlooker caught the moment Gisbert took a few steps back and knelt down to make sure his legs were covered in dirt before returning to say his piece to camera

In the wake of the criticism, Gisbert shared his own video to social media entitled 'THIS IS WHAT I DID AND THIS IS WHAT I'M DOING, PLEASE SHARE'. He apologised for his actions but also appeared irritated by the vitriol which he clearly felt was unwarranted

View of several cars in a flooded area of Paiporta, Valencia, after heavy rain and flooding

People help clean, following heavy rains that caused floods, in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, November 4, 2024

The video of Gisbert's behind-the-scenes trick was shared widely on social media and sparked a major backlash.

'How shameless, how little respect and empathy for people who have lost everything,' one person said.

'You've been there for days, telling stories, giving people a voice... and you have to get dirty like a f***ing scavenger? What's the point? Go f*** yourself, vulture,' another raged.

Others pointed to the video as yet more evidence of attempts by media and politicians to manipulate people.

Much of Valencia is still reeling almost a week after the floods swept through and devastated communities, with other storm systems now pelting Barcelona with torrential rain.

The official death toll from last week's flooding stands at 217, but there are fears it will continue to increase with many people still missing and hopes of finding survivors are ebbing.

Almost all the deaths have been in the Valencia region, where thousands of security and emergency services frantically cleared debris and mud in the search for bodies.

With telephone and transport networks severely damaged, establishing a precise figure of missing people is difficult.

In the wake of the criticism, Gisbert shared his own video to social media entitled 'THIS IS WHAT I DID AND THIS IS WHAT I'M DOING, PLEASE SHARE'.

He apologised for his actions but also appeared irritated by the vitriol which he clearly felt was unwarranted.

As the torrent of criticism mounted, Gisbert released a written statement in which he sought only to apologise and did not try to explain his position

'Did I do it for you to see mud on my knees despite the fact I've spent seven days covered in mud? Yes, that's why I did it.

'Why? Because the first video we took we had filmed when I went inside the garage with mud up to my knees... so I can't appear in the second video without mud on my knees if I'm supposed to be coming from a garage.

'I did that so you couldn't tell that we weren't live,' he said.

'I'm sorry... I didn't think people would have been so on top of me, filming me, watching me and orchestrating this,' he added, arguing he had good intentions and was in Valencia to contribute to clean-up and aid efforts.

'It's invalidating what I'm doing, it's invalidating who I am. I am a loyal person, I do things correctly, I've never stolen from anyone ever in my life and I've been here working hard since the first f*** day. That's all.'

As the torrent of criticism mounted, he released a written statement in which he sought only to apologise and did not try to explain his actions.

'Friends, I have done something stupid. I have learned an important lesson A painful lesson in a very difficult context that I could never have imagined.'

MailOnline attempted to contact Gisbert for comment via email and his website but was unable to reach him.

A man sits on the street after heavy rain and flooding hit large parts of the country on November 04, 2024 in Paiporta, Spain

Civil Guards walk in a flooded indoor car park to check cars for bodies after floods near Valencia, Spain, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024

People help to clean, following heavy rains that caused floods, in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, November 4, 2024

Jimenez meanwhile went out of his way to distance himself from the backlash, praising Gisbert for his efforts in Valencia but ultimately labelling his behaviour as stupid and declaring he could 'no longer count on him' and had 'been failed' by the influencer.

'I have never forced anyone to cover themselves in mud to dramatise something... For what? I don't understand. You were already covered in mud. I don't understand.

'I'm frankly quite disgusted - we didn't tell him to do that. I've spoken to him and I still can't understand it,' Jimenez said.

'I've told him I can't count on you, you've failed me. What need was there to exaggerate in the midst of all of this drama?'

However, other media figures in Spain sprung to Gisbert's defence.

Presenter Maria Patino stated she had 'verified' that Gisbert had spent all week in his native Valencia contributing to aid and rescue efforts and was 'on the frontline' of the disaster working hard in service of those affected.

'It is a shame... he has handled (the situation) badly, because he has manipulated a reality.

'But he has been working hard there for seven days and I have been able to verify that it is true,' said the presenter.

'We focus on a scene, but behind that scene, there is a guy I don't know at all, who also declares himself a political activist. I don't care about his ideology, but he is there at the forefront,' she concluded.

Meanwhile, in Valencia, the search continues for bodies inside houses and thousands of wrecked cars strewn in the streets, on highways, and in canals that channelled last week's floods into populated areas.

Salvadora Ortiz Cavanilla, 68, reacts as she explains how her house filled with water, following heavy rains that caused floods, in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, November 4, 2024

Spain's King Felipe has been heckled and had mud thrown at him by furious local during his visit to Valencia, where more than 200 people died in devastating floods

King Felipe's visit to Paiporta was accompanied by shouting from enraged locals

Spain's interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said that authorities can still not give a reliable estimate of the missing.

Spanish national television RTVE, however, has broadcast pleas for help by several desperate people whose loved ones are unaccounted for.

In the Aldaia municipality, some 50 soldiers, police and firefighters, some wearing wetsuits, searched in a huge shopping centre's underground car park for possible victims.

They used a small boat and spotlights to move around in the huge structure with vehicles submerged in at least a metre of murky water.

Police spokesman Ricardo Gutierrez told reporters that so far some 50 vehicles had been found and no bodies had been discovered there.

The Bonaire shopping mall's 1,800 underground parking spaces quickly filled with water and mud on Tuesday and Wednesday when the southern outskirts of Valencia were hit by a tsunami-like flooding.

The team is using four pumps to remove the water.

Citizens, volunteers and thousands of soldiers and police officers pressed on with their gargantuan clean-up effort to clear out mud and debris.

Many people feel abandoned by authorities, their anger erupting on Sunday when a crowd tossed mud at Spain's royal couple, the prime minister and regional leaders as they made their first visit to Paiporta, where over 60 people died and the survivors have lost their homes and still don't have drinking water.
A couple have won their battle to demolish their 2million home in a stunning natural location because it is too old fashioned.

Paula and Geraint Jewson, 66, own the 'second most expensive home' in a millionaire's row overlooking the Welsh coastline.

The 1930s single storey house, known as Ynys Y Big, has its own island, woodland and harbour and is set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

But the large home, which is on a 1.62 hectare site in Anglesey, north Wales, was described as 'a truly poor state.'

And now Paula and Geraint's plans to demolish the 'dated' home and replace it with a new two-storey modern development have been approved.

The 2million Welsh home is set to be demolished due to being too 'old fashioned'

Geraint Jewson, 66, one of the owners of the 2million house on the Welsh coastline

Paula Jewson, 66, one of the owners of the 2million house on the Welsh coastline

The couple's agent Rhys Davies told the council's planning committee that 'the house is in a poor state of repair and not in a suitable state for renovation.'

The two previous applications were refused in 2019 and 2021 - but the third application included a revised design for a new house.

'It's now a much smaller, traditional house,' he said in the meeting on October 2 of this year.

Mr Davies said objections likely 'referred to the previous application,' adding that 'the plans had been discussed with neighbours.'

'The footprint of the new house has been 'moved back' on the site,' he said.

It was now 'mainly on the current footprint of the existing dwelling' and gave 'no visual impact to the neighbours.'

He added that the replacement was the most sustainable long-term solution and the home in Gwynedd would be of 'a high standard.'

The home currently has a sizeable lounge, sitting and dining room, conservatory and a bespoke kitchen and a utility room.

It also has four double bedrooms and two family bathrooms - with the master bedroom having its own en suite bathroom.

The southeast property has outstanding views across the water towards Snowdonia and its own stone harbour quay.

The 1930s single storey house, known as Ynys Y Big even has its own island

Plans for the new modern home, in place of the 1930s single-storey house, have been approved

Planning manager Rhys Jones said the matter had taken five years of discussions and 'considerable compromise.'

He said: 'I feel what is in front of us today is acceptable in terms of quality location design.'

The meeting heard that there had been some local concerns that the home would be nearer the Menai Strait.

But Mr Jones said the house was 'not that much closer' and the building had only been 'turned slightly.'

He added that the visual impact was 'not much more' than the existing building.

Speaking on the condition of the house, he said that the property was 'likely to need extensive modernisation.'

There was also 'excessive dampness throughout the building' and asbestos was 'likely present.'

Considerable groundwork and drainage work was also required and its roof timbers were 'performing sufficiently but would not meet current structural requirements.'

The Authority's Valuation Officer also noted a cost comparison which 'demonstrated that the repair of the existing building would not be economically viable.'

'It's clear that work needed to bring the property to an acceptable standard are significant,' said Mr Jones.

'It is therefore accepted that the renovation and retention of the existing building is not economically feasible, replacement is the only appropriate and sustainable solution.'

Over the years, neighbours were furious over a plan as the site is 'located outside any development boundary in an AONB where the primary objective is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the landscape.'

Previous objectors also noted that issues identified in the structural report were 'likely due the fact that the property has been neglected and unoccupied since 2017 and had not been maintained rather than any major issues with the condition of the building.'

In a vote, the council's planning committee unanimously approved the application.
Keir Starmer is braced for the fallout from a possible Donald Trump presidency today as Labour MPs quietly hope for a Kamala Harris win.

The US election is on a knife edge as voting begins, with the outcome seen as a defining moment globally.

But UK ministers have been maintaining a vow of silence about the consequences, after tensions flared over Labour supporters helping to campaign for the Democrat contender.

The PM has also repeatedly clashed with billionaire Elon Musk, who could end up playing a key role in a Trump administration should the Republic emerge victorious.

Labour MPs have been notably quiet about the US election online following legal complaints from the Trump campaign about activists canvassing in swing states.

One senior government source told MailOnline of the restraint: 'Long may it continue.'

However, some have been unable to resist reposting pro-Democrat messages on social media.

Keir Starmer is braced for the fallout from a possible Donald Trump presidency today as Labour MPs quietly hope for a Kamala Harris win

The PM has also repeatedly clashed with billionaire Elon Musk , who could end up playing a key role in a Trump (pictured) administration should the Republic emerge victorious

Labour MPs have been notably quiet about the US election online following legal complaints from the Trump campaign about activists canvassing for Harris (pictured) in swing states

In a round of interviews this morning, Health Secretary Wes Streeting was asked for his views on the election.

He joked 'I've got lots of thoughts but not ones I'm going to share as a government minister.'

Mr Streeting was challenged about a 2017 social media post where he described Trump as an 'odious, sad, little man', adding: 'Imagine being proud to have that as your President.'

He told Good Morning Britain: 'The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have been working hard to build a relationship with President Trump and his team, so that in the event that he is elected as the next president of the United States, we start with the strong working relationship which is in our national interest and in the interests of the United States as well.

'And it's not often I would pray and aid Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform Party but, as he said overnight, President Trump, you know, he speaks as he finds.

'He had a very good meeting with Keir Starmer not too long ago, and of course, he'll be aware of things that we've we've all said in the past'

Mr Streeting said: 'The important thing about this relationship, this transatlantic relationship, is one of the most important alliances that Britain has.

In a round of interviews this morning, Health Secretary Wes Streeting was asked for his views on the election. He joked 'I've got lots of thoughts but not ones I'm going to share as a government minister.'

Some Labour MPs have been unable to resist reposting pro-Democrat messages on social media

'We have shared values and shared strategic interests, and with war on our continent, in Ukraine, war in the Middle East and wider geopolitical threats, it is in the UK and United States' national interests to work closely together.

'That won't change, whoever the occupant of the Oval Office is, and we only have hours now to wait until polls close.'

Senior government sources have poured cold water on Mr Farage's suggestion that he could act as a 'conduit' between his old ally Mr Trump and the UK government.

'That's good of him,' one said witheringly.
A 15-year-old mystery that has puzzled a small village in eastern France may finally be resolved after new homeowners stumbled upon the body of a man who vanished over a decade ago.

While renovating their recently purchased home in Erstroff, a village near the German border, the homeowners discovered the remains of Alois Iffly, who disappeared in 2009 at the age of 81.

Local prosecutor Olivier Glady confirmed the identification on November 4, stating that the scene suggested a suicide.

A rope was still hanging in the attic where Iffly's body was discovered on November 2.

The previous owner's wife continued to live in the house until her passing in 2020, apparently unaware of her husband's remains in the attic.

A 15-year-old mystery that has puzzled a small village in eastern France may finally be resolved after new homeowners stumbled upon the body of a man who vanished over a decade ago (pictured: Erstroff, eastern France)

While renovating their recently purchased home in Erstroff, a village near the German border, the homeowners discovered the remains of Alois Iffly, who disappeared in 2009 (stock image)

The house was sold in 2023, which lead to the new owners beginning a series of renovations and repairs.

During their efforts to locate the source of a roof leak, the homeowners found the 'skeletal remains' of Iffly tucked inside a cubbyhole, according to Glady.

Regional newspaper Le Republicain Lorrain, which first reported the discovery, described extensive but unsuccessful efforts to locate Iffly after his disappearance.

With the remains now sent to Strasbourg for an autopsy, authorities hope to confirm the cause of death, potentially bringing closure to one of the region's longest-standing mysteries.

It comes after a man who vanished almost 30 years ago at the age of 17 following an alleged kidnapping was found alive in his neighbour's house in a hole in the ground in a sheep pen underneath stacks of hay.

Named as Omar Bin Omran (or Imran) and said to be one of nine children, he is believed to have disappeared in the city of Djelfa in Algeria 27 years ago.

His family assumed he had been killed during the civil war between the North African nation's government and various Islamist rebel groups that raged for 10 years in the 1990s and early 2000s.

With the remains now sent to Strasbourg for an autopsy, authorities hope to confirm the cause of death, potentially bringing closure to one of the region's longest-standing mysteries (pictured: Erstroff, eastern France)

The truth was much closer to home: the missing man was found in his neighbour's house less than 200 metres away from that of his own family.

A 61-year-old was arrested after Omar, now 45, was rescued on May 12.

Footage was shared on social media and broadcast on Algerian television networks of the moment that he was found in what appeared to be a hole in the ground, described by authorities as a sheep pen, within the home of his alleged captor.

The blurry video shows torchlights shining into a pit surrounded by hay as Omar furtively looks up, seemingly in shock at the search party surrounding him, stray pieces of straw in his hair.

Other images have since been circulated of the bearded man emerging from the hole, thought to be a sheep pen, and of him as a teenager, sitting with a dog and with young children before he disappeared.
A Kenyan member of terrorist group al-Shabab has been convicted of plotting to fly an airliner into a United States' skyscraper after training as a pilot in the Philippines.

Cholo Abdi Abdullah, 34, was found guilty on all six accounts he faced for the 9/11 style attack by a federal jury in Manhattan on Monday, court records show.

He's faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in March.

Abdullah was arrested in 2019 in the Philippines with an improvised explosive device, a hand grenade and a gun, CNN reported at the time.

Prosecutors said he planned the attack for four years, undergoing extensive training in explosives and how to operate in secret and avoid detection.

Cholo Abdi Abdullah (pictured), 34, was found guilty on all six accounts he faced for the 9/11 style attack by a federal jury in Manhattan on Monday

Pictured: The Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, which hears cases from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

He then moved to the Philippines in 2017 where he began training as a commercial pilot.

Abdullah was almost finished with his two-year pilot training when he was arrested in 2019 on local charges.

He was transferred the following year to US law enforcement authorities, who charged him with terrorism related crimes.

Prosecutors said Abdullah also researched how to breach a cockpit door and information 'about the tallest building in a major US city' before he was caught.

The State Department in 2008 designated al-Shabab, which means 'the youth' in Arabic, as a foreign terrorist organization.

The militant group is an al-Qaida affiliate that has fought to establish an Islamic state in Somalia based on Shariah law.

Abdullah represented himself during the trial, which opened last week.

He declined to give an opening statement and did not actively participate in questioning witnesses.

In court papers filed ahead of the trial, prosecutors said Abdullah intended to 'merely sit passively during the trial, not oppose the prosecution and whatever the outcome, he would accept the outcome because he does not believe that this is a legitimate system.'

Pictured: US Attorney General Merrick B Garland holds a press conference at the Department of Justice, Washington on October 10

Attorney General Merrick B Garland said following the conviction: 'The jury found that Cholo Abdi Abdullah, an operative of the terrorist organization al Shabaab, conspired to murder Americans in a terrorist attack reminiscent of the September 11 attack on our country.

'Today's conviction ensures that Abdullah will spend decades in prison for his crimes.

'The Justice Department will never stop working to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who would use heinous acts of violence to harm the American people.

'It does not matter where terrorists hide, they will not evade the long arm of the law.'

US Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York added: 'I commend the tireless work of our federal law enforcement partners and the career national security prosecutors of this office.

'This effort has been carried forward by generations of agents and prosecutors who never relented in their effort to bring Abdullah to justice and keep this nation safe.

'Thanks to their work and todays verdict, Abdullah will now serve a lengthy sentence in federal prison.'

Lawyers appointed to assist Abdullah in his self-defense didn't respond to an email seeking comment Monday.
Russian spies sent a package of electric sex toys to Western Europe before concealed incendiary devices ignited in British and German DHL depots in what is being described as an alleged test run for a potential US-bound flight attack.

Two incendiary devices had been shipped via a DHL logistics centre on July 22 to Birmingham, England, and Leipzig, Germany, resulting in a fire.

But it has now been revealed that the explosives were reportedly hidden in a shipment containing erotic gadgets and massage pillows, as they were used as cover to smuggle highly dangerous incendiary devices onto cargo routes destined for Western Europe.

Sources have suggested the package in Leipzig was also bound for the UK, but it remains unclear why the UK was the chosen destination for the two devices, originally shipped from Lithuania.

Four people in Poland have been arrested in connection to the July blaze and charged with participating in sabotage or terrorist operations on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency. Two other individuals are also wanted by investigators in the country.

Massage pillows and other erotic gadgets were reportedly found in a shipment that concealed incendiary devices that later detonated in British and German DHL depots

The alleged suspect is spotted in security camera footage

Two incendiary devices had been shipped via a DHL logistics centre on July 22 to Birmingham , England, and Leipzig, Germany, resulting in a fire

Images released by the Wall Street Journal, provided by an unnamed European security official, appear to show the massage pillows, suspect and the moment of the explosion.

The only official statement in the UK about the alleged plot was made last month, when counter-terror police confirmed a device had caught fire in Birmingham, nobody was hurt, and it was dealt with 'by staff and the local fire brigade at the time'.

But investigators believed there could have been far more serious consequences had the camouflaged devices ignited while in flight.

Poland's prosecutor's office said: 'The group's goal was also to test the transfer channel for such parcels, which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada.'

Head of Poland's foreign intelligence agency, Pawel Szota, alo blamed Russia, although the prosecutor's office statement did not name a foreign government suspected of directing the operations.

British police and officials, as well as their European counterparts in Germany, Poland and Lithuania, also strongly suspect that Russia was behind the attacks as part of an effort to cause 'mayhem' in the west in retaliation for western military support to Ukraine.

On Monday, the WSJ reported that the secretive weapons were electronic massagers modified with a flammable magnesium-based substance.

Magnesium-related fires are notoriously challenging to put out and are worsened if water is applied.

But Russia has denied involvement in the alleged plot.

'These are traditional unsubstantiated insinuations from the media,' Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the US newspaper.

Polish reports have claimed two incendiary devices that had been shipped via a DHL logistics centre on July 22 to Birmingham, England, and Leipzig, Germany, resulting in a fire, were hidden among a package of 'erotic gadgets and massage pillows'

German intelligence service chief Thomas Haldenwang previously warned of an increase in 'aggressive behaviour' from Moscow

Delay of the plane was referenced as fortunate, with experts warning there could have been a very different outcome had it taken off on time.

Concerns over Russia's suspected involvement came as Western officials are increasingly fearing the country may be responsible for similar sabotage acts.

German intelligence service chief Thomas Haldenwang previously said Russian 'aggression' was 'putting people's lives at risk' as well as affecting 'all areas of our free society'.

Mr Haldenwang told a Bundestag committee that had the package ignited after the flight had taken off, the plane would have crashed.

Kremlin aggression is 'putting people's lives at risk' as well as affecting 'all areas of our free society', he said.

Foreign intelligence service chief Bruno Kahl added Putin was likely to further 'test the West's red lines', amid the increase in tensions between Russia and Nato over the invasion of Ukraine.

He said there was now a willingness at a 'previously unknown level' to attempt sabotage from the Kremlin.

A warehouse in London belonging to a company with links to Ukraine caught fire in a a suspected deliberate attack in March.

Meanwhile in Germany a military base was the target of a suspected attempt to contaminate its drinking water in August.

US intelligence also uncovered a plot to murder Armin Papperger, the CEO of weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall, which has supplied vehicles and ammunition to Ukraine.

And Russia was accused of being behind a fire at a shopping centre in Warsaw by Polish prime minister Donald Tusk.
Prosecutors have argued if former nightclub owner John Ibrahim had been in a car mistakenly targeted by two alleged gunman, one of them would have 'taken the shot'.

Yousif Zrayka, 21, and Siaosi Maeakafa Tupoulahi, 24, are accused of conspiring to shoot Ibrahim in a murder plot gone wrong on July 25, near his home in Sydney's Dover Heights.

Zrayka was denied bail following a Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday, after the court heard he was allegedly still wearing a balaclava and gloves when he was apprehended.

The men allegedly staked out Ibrahim's street and targeted two vehicles they mistakenly believed to be his, with Tupoulahi accused of going so far as to raise his weapon towards the driver of the second car.

'If the intended victim had been in the (vehicle) there is no doubt that (Tupoulahi) would have taken the shot,' prosecutors said in a written submission to the court.

In recommending bail be denied, prosecutors submitted Zrayka was facing an 'overwhelming' case against him, with much of the incident caught on CCTV.

'Police have seized telephones and pieced together the lead-up to the conspiracy to commit murder offence,' the prosecution submitted.

'There was a significant level of planning involved.'

The two men allegedly staked out the street where John Ibrahim (pictured right) lives and targeted two vehicles they mistakenly believed belonged to the former nightclub owner

The men allegedly fled the scene near Ibrahim's home after police were called, sparking a brief pursuit.

When the men were forced to stop due to heavy traffic, Zrayka surrendered while Tupoulahi was able to resist attempts to arrest him and flee into nearby properties, a document of alleged facts states.

'During this time, Tupoulahi had his balaclava on causing fear for residents who were inside their homes,' the document states.

It says Tupoulahi was tasered and arrested after being disturbed by a resident who found him hiding down the side of their home.

'The prosecution submits the actions of Tupoulahi and Zrayka possess all the hallmarks of an organised crime contract murder,' the document states.

It labels Ibrahim a high-profile member of the community who has family with links to organised crime.

At the time of the alleged offending, Zrayka was on a conditional release order after being found returning on a flight from Tasmania with $45,000 cash strapped to his body, prosecutors submitted.

Prosecutors said in a written submission that if Mr Ibrahim (pictured right) had been in the vehicle, one of the alleged gunmen would have taken the shot

The men allegedly fled the scene near Ibrahim's home after police were called, sparking a brief pursuit before they were caught by police (pictured one of the alleged gunmen arrested by police)

They said based on this, along with the alleged murder plot, the court would find he must have criminal associations.

It was agreed by the parties that if the matter was to go to trial it would not be until late 2025 at the earliest.
A Lebanese village has been razed to dust by more than a dozen simultaneous explosions, with the shocking moment captured in dramatic aerial footage.

Video of the destruction of Mais al-Jabal has been circulating online, with houses covering lush hills seen crumpling in seconds in a cloud of grey dust.

Local media has reported that thousands of residential buildings have been wiped out by Israel in southern Lebanon since last year, raising fears that it may be aiming to create a depopulated buffer zone north of its border.

Similar aerial images have been captured of a number of border villages, including Mhaibib and Odaisseh, since Israel sent ground troops into southern Lebanon in late September.

Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah infrastructure near the frontier in a bid to push the Iran-backed group away from the border and allow for its residents to return to northern Israel.

Aerial footage which has been circulating online shows the moment a settlement in southern Lebanon is razed

More than a dozen simultaneous detonations happen at once in the shocking footage

Plumes of smoke rise into the sky as Mais al-Jabal is destroyed in seconds

A view of Mais al-Jabal, captured on October 24, after an intense Israeli aerial attack

Dranatic footage shows hilltop houses being destroyed by simultaneous explosions

Dark smoke rises into the sky as the buildings crumble

Monday's video from Mais al-Jabal showed large detonations near a vacated hospital in the village, said mayor Abdul-Monhem Choukair.

The area has been repeatedly struck since Israel and Hezbollah started trading cross-border fire in October last year.

'Seventy percent of Mais al-Jabal is destroyed,' the mayor said, adding that the 'Israeli enemy's goal is systematic destruction'.

Choukair said four people, aged between 85 and 90, are trapped in Mais al-Jabal pending their rescue.

More than 3,000 people have been killed and nearly 13,500 injured in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since October 2023, according to health authorities in the country.

The Israeli army has erased 37 towns and destroyed more than 40,000 houses since last year, local media reported today.

Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said the destruction has impacted an area reaching almost 2 miles deep from Naqoura, a city in the south-west of the country, to the outskirts of Khiam further inland.

NNA previously reported that Israeli troops dynamited buildings in at least seven border villages last month.

Israel's Channel 12 last month broadcast footage appearing to show one of its presenters blow up a building while embedded with soldiers in the village of Aita al-Shaab.

The southern Lebanese village of Aita al-Shaab is pictured on September 26 (above) and following an intense Israeli bombardment on October 24

A man walks above the rubble following an Israeli strike in the village of Douris in the Baalbeck district of eastern Lebanon's Bekaa valley on November 4

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Zawtar el Charkiyeh, on November 4

Lebanon's National Human Rights Commission has said 'the ongoing destruction campaign carried out by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon is a war crime'.

Between October 2023 and October 2024, locations 'were wantonly and systematically destroyed in at least eight Lebanese villages', it said, basing its findings on satellite images and videos shared on social media by Israeli soldiers.

Israeli warplanes and ground forces have blasted a trail of destruction through southern Lebanon since troops first crossed the border to carry out raids from October 1.

The aim, Israel says, is to debilitate Hezbollah, push it away from the border and end more than a year of rocket fire into northern Israel.

This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC, captured on September 26, shows the village of Ramyah in southern Lebanon

This image, captured on October 24, shows Ramyah destroyed after an Israeli bombardment

But United Nations peacekeepers and Lebanese troops in the south have also come under fire from Israeli forces, escalating concerns over whether they can remain in place.

More than one million people have fled the Israeli bombardment, emptying much of the south of its residents.

Some experts say Israel may be aiming to create a depopulated buffer zone, a strategy it has already deployed along its border with Gaza.

Some conditions for such a zone appear already in place, according to an Associated Press analysis of satellite imagery and data collected by mapping experts that show the breadth of destruction across 11 villages next to the border.
is seen in flagrante with wives of officials in videos

Hundreds of sex tapes involving a high-ranking Equatorial Guinean civil servant with other mens' wives have done the rounds on social media, prompting the authorities to attempt to curb their spread.

In the videos the married director of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), Baltasar Ebang Engonga, is seen in flagrante with various partners - including the wives of prominent officials - at his office in the finance ministry.

On Monday, the country's vice president Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue announced on X that the government would order the 'immediate suspension of all civil servants who have had sexual relations in the offices of the ministries, as this constitutes a flagrant violation of the code of conduct and the law on public ethics.'

It is not the first time that sex tapes involving civil servants have been leaked on social media.

But the affair has blown up to unprecedented proportions due to the notoriety of the officials involved.

In leaked sex tapes, married director of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), Baltasar Ebang Engonga (pictured), is seen in flagrante with various partners - including the wives of prominent officials - at his office in the finance ministry

Last week, Obiang said that he had given 24 hours' notice to Equatorial Guinea's telecommunications ministry, regulator and telephone companies 'to curb the distribution of pornographic videos that are flooding social networks in Equatorial Guinea.'

'As the government, we cannot continue to see families destroyed,' said the vice-president in charge of defence and security.

According to accounts first spread by Whatsapp groups and then posted to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X, Engonga shot more than 400 pornographic videos in his office.

Nicknamed "Bello" on account of his good looks, Ebang Engonga is a married father and the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, the current Chairman of the Commission of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community.

He is also related to the country's long-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

The sex tapes were leaked on social networks at a time when he had been remanded in custody at Malabo's infamous Black Beach prison in a case of embezzlement of public funds, according to state television station TVGE.

Equatorial Guinea's chief prosecutor Anatolio Nzang Nguema, assured TVGE that if medical examinations revealed that Ebang Engonga was 'infected with a sexually transmitted disease' he would be prosecuted for an offence against 'public health.'

The flow of internet traffic, and in particular the downloading of images, has been severely disrupted in the country after the authorities took measures to curb the sex tapes' spread, witnesses told AFP.

Equatorial Guinea's vice president Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue (pictured) announced that the government would order the 'immediate suspension of all civil servants who have had sexual relations in the offices of the ministries'

Social media is awash with speculation that more videos involving other individuals, both men and women, could be released in the next few days.

It comes after at least a dozen MPs, their staff members and political journalists were targeted in a sinister cyber honeytrap scandal in April.

Parliamentary authorities were under pressure to investigate after a string of Westminster figures  including a serving minister  were sent flirtatious messages and naked pictures.

Victims voiced concerns that those behind the 'spear phishing' attacks seemed to have intimate knowledge of their lives and movements and there are fears that a foreign state may be involved.

Former Conservative party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith branded the attacks  revealed by politics news website Politico  an 'assault on parliamentary democracy' and demanded that the authorities increase security.
An automated system that helps train wheels grip tracks failed on a train involved in a fatal crash in mid-Wales on October 21, investigators said.

A man died and 15 others were rushed to hospital after the pair of locomotives collided into each other on the Cambrian line near Llanbrynmair, Powys, on October 21.

Hoses fitted to the Transport for Wales (TfW) train to discharge sand when wheels slide during braking were 'blocked', the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said.

The train was travelling at between 15-24mph when it collided head-on with another TfW train travelling at around 6mph.

Passenger David Tudor Evans, 66, died and four other people were seriously injured.

Eleven more people sustained injuries which required hospital treatment.

A man died and 15 others were rushed to hospital after the pair of public transport vehicles collided into each other on the Cambrian line near Llanbrynmair, Powys

A Transport for Wales (TfW) train was travelling at between 15-24mph when it collided head-on with another TfW train travelling at around 6mph (Pictured: The two collided trains)

Passenger David Tudor Evans (pictured) died and was identified by his wife at the scene

Both trains involved in the crash were two-carriage class 158 units and the train with the failed sanding system was travelling west to Aberystwyth.

It was supposed to stop inside a loop to allow an eastbound train to pass on the single track.

Initial analysis of the on-board data recorder shows the driver applied the brakes as the train neared the loop, during which time the wheels began to slide.

Around 40 seconds later, the driver made an emergency brake demand, which remained in place until the crash.

The train passed through the loop and rejoined the single line, sliding for around 900 metres downhill before the collision occurred.

A close family friend of Mr Evans, who did not want to be named, said: 'The report is quite clear that there have been failings with the systems. It's of great concern that this should have happened.

'In light of this initial disclosure I would call for a totally independent inquiry, possibly a public inquiry, that looks at all the aspects of the investigation and what went wrong.'

Speaking about Mr Evans, he said: 'He was a lovely guy, full of life and enjoyment.

'He was a keen cyclist, very into his sport, and was now into his retirement.

'That's all been taken away from him.'

The RAIB said its investigation will consider several aspects, such as the sanding system, the performance of the trains, and the policies of TfW and Network Rail related to managing the risk of wheels sliding.

Hours earlier, Transport for Wales told passengers services were running at reduced speeds because the track was 'extremely slippery'.

Hoses fitted to the Transport for Wales (TfW) train to discharge sand when wheels slide during braking were 'blocked', the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said (Pictured: The aftermath of the crash)

Pictured: The damage caused when the trains collided

Passenger Jonah Evans, 25, said: 'The driver ran in and sat on a chair and said, 'Brace yourselves, we're about to hit a train!'

'Someone lost their teeth, cracked ribs.'

Another passenger, Anthony Hurford, told BBC Breakfast: 'The word that keeps coming to my head is just "brutal", really.'

After the collision took place, Dyfed-Powys Police officers swarmed the area, along with British Transport Police, Welsh Ambulance Service, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and HM Coastguard crew members.

The line between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth was closed for the rest of the night and he main A470 trunk road in Talerddig was also shut by police.

Following the crash, Network Rail said one of its railhead treatment trains - which tackle autumn leaf fall - ran along the line and passing loop the night before the crash.

Leaves cause major disruption every autumn when they stick to damp rails and become compressed by train wheels.

This creates a smooth, slippery layer similar to black ice on roads, reducing trains' grip.

Speed restrictions are often imposed in an attempt to reduce accidents such as the crash between two trains outside a tunnel near Salisbury, Wiltshire, in October 2021 which left 13 passengers and one driver requiring hospital treatment.

The two trains could be seen, through trees and farmland, still upright on the main line between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth

A South Western Railway train slipped on crushed leaves, causing it to slide past a stop signal and smash into the side of a Great Western Railway service.

A funeral for Mr Evans will be held on Saturday at Aberystwyth Crematorium.

The hearse will be followed by a replica rally car built by Mr Evans.

Transport for Wales said it has carried out 'enhanced safety checks' to trains using the route where the crash happened - and has 'fully cooperated' with investigations by British Transport Police, Office of Rail and Road and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.

A spokesman for the Welsh Government-owned company said: 'As investigations are currently still ongoing, we'll continue to work together with investigators to understand what happened and await the full conclusion and recommendations of the investigation.

'Safety is always our main priority for our customers and colleagues, and we have carried out enhanced checks to the trains and the railway line to enable the reopening of the Cambrian line on Monday 28 October 2024.

'At this early stage of the investigation, it's fundamental that we await the findings of the full report and show sensitivity towards our customers, colleagues, the local community and the families of those affected by the incident.'
Residents in one of Sydney's most poshest suburbs want to stop a much-loved Christmas event from going ahead due to noise concerns and potential damage to their local park.

Organisers have been left shocked by the community pushback opposed for a Christmas fair scheduled to be held on November 30 in Double Bay in the city's east.

A group of residents have objected to the free event taking place in Steyne Park - claiming it would create litter, cause traffic chaos and 'create a loss of peace'.

The family friendly event would include Christmas carols, face painting, busker-style music, fete stalls, children's rides and an early evening fireworks display, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The event's fate now lies in the hands of Woollahra Council, which will make its decision this week.

All but two of the 14 submissions lodged so far are in favour of cancelling the event.

Anthony Tregoning is among those concerned about the impact on the area.

'There is likely to be damage to the grass which will take considerable time to be restored,' he told the The Daily Telegraph.

A group of residents in the wealthy Sydney suburb of Double Bay have objected to a family-friendly fair taking place in late November because of damage to the grass and the potential noise (pictured Double Bay Christmas Fair in a previous year)

The fair (pictured previously) features stalls, music, children's rides and fireworks

'Amplified music and announcements would disturb residents in surrounding streets and areas as far away as Edgecliff and Bellevue Hill,' he said.

Double Bay Residents' Association president Katherine Grinberg fears the event could set a 'precedent for other organisations to apply to use the park'.

Event organisers The Bay Street Initiative, said the fair is not a 'large-scale' music festival or a nightclub - and were expecting a maximum of 5,000 people.

'It will start at 11am and finish by 8pm. Therell be some live music, but its not going to run late into the evening or impact peoples sleep,' a spokeswoman said.

She said the fair would be a positive event for the area and not a 'raucous' one.

Another organiser, John Keenan, said the plan mitigated against noise and parking issues.

He added that event used to take place in the area before Covid and had been popular with locals.

Organisers have been left stunned that some residents have opposed their plan - saying it won't be a 'raucous' event and there will a maximum of 5,000 people visiting during its operating hours of 11am to 8pm (pictured a past Double Bay Christmas Fair)

The event already has the vote of Woollahra mayor Sarah Swan, who 'wholeheartedly' supported the fair.

The mayor said young families are always looking for activities to do and was 'willing to accept' the one-day event for the opportunity to hear 'the sound of children laughing'.

Many other residents agreed and believed the event was important for their community.

'The grass will grow back,' one commented.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Woollahra Council for comment.
This is the dramatic moment armed police officers swooped on a gang selling a gun in a deal masterminded by a murderer from behind bars.

Three men and 17-year-old boy, from Birmingham, were about to exchange the handgun for two stolen cars with a criminal from London when they were intercepted by officers on August 9 last year.

Detectives caught wind of the meeting and descended on the gang while they were parked up in a Ford Fiesta in Selly Oak, a residential area of south-west Birmingham which is home to thousands of students in the city.

The raid, carried out as part of Operation Target, resulted in four men and one teen being jailed.

Police searched the vehicle and found a blank firing gun on the back seat which had been converted into a live-firing weapon. They also discovered ten live rounds of ammunition.

This is the dramatic moment armed police officers swooped on a gang selling a gun in Selly Oak, Birmingham

Dillon Cordova (left) did not appear for sentencing, while Furrukh Khan (right) has been jailed for seven years

Ishmail Kaseba (left) was jailed for eight-and-a-half years. Meanwhile Drew Neale (right) was jailed for six years and eight months

Teeko Le masterminded the deal from prison using a smuggled mobile phone, police revealed

Dillon Cordova, 18, Furrukh Khan, 25, Ishmail Kaseba, 24, and a boy who is now 17, were all in the Ford Fiesta.

London-based gang member Drew Neale, 21, was arrested while he waited in a nearby road.

Detectives discovered convicted murderer Teeko Le, 21, had masterminded the deal from prison using a smuggled mobile phone.

The gang were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday.

Le, of no fixed address, was jailed for six years after he was found guilty of conspiracy to sell the gun and ammunition.

It will start at the end of the minimum 20-year term which he is serving for murder.

Le was aged 17 when he shot Naasir Francis, 22, after a confrontation in the Lozells area of Birmingham in August 2020.

Mr Francis was unarmed and tried to get away, but was killed by Le who used an automatic pistol - possibly a Glock weapon - in broad daylight.

Dillon Cordova is arrested during police swoop on a Ford Fiesta to arrest gang members in possession of firearms

Ishmail Kaseba is pulled out of the vehicle and pinned to the floor by officers in Selly Oak

This was the handgun recovered from the Ford Fiesta in police sting 'Operation Target'

Police searched the vehicle and found a blank firing gun on the back seat which had been converted into a live-firing weapon. They also discovered ten live rounds of ammunition

Dillon Cordova, 18, Furrukh Khan, 25, Ishmail Kaseba, 24, and a boy who is now 17, were all in the Ford Fiesta. London-based gang member Drew Neale, 21, was arrested while he waited in a nearby road

Kaseba, of no fixed address, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years after being found guilty of the same offences.

Khan, of Rocky Lane, Birmingham, was jailed for seven years and seven months for the same offences, and also possession of a shotgun which was found at his home.

Neale, of no fixed address, was jailed for six years and eight months for being involved in the sale of the gun and ammunition, and handling stolen goods.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sent to a young offenders institution for three years for firearms and ammunition sale offences.

Cordova was convicted at trial earlier this year but failed to appear for sentencing and is being hunted by police.

Detective Insp Amar Patel, from the Regional Organised Crime Unit for the West Midlands, said: 'Had we not intervened when we did, this gun would have been handed over and been used in further criminality - to threaten or harm others.

'The gun had DNA of Khan and Cordova on it, along with that of the 17-year-old.

'We will relentlessly pursue those involved in gun crime in the West Midlands, and ensure they are brought to justice.'
Waleed Aly has stunned fellow panellists on The Project by predicting that Kamala Harris will defeat Donald Trump to become the next US president just hours before voters go to the polls.

The Gold Logie winning host, who is in the US capital Washington D.C. to cover the presidential race, made the surprise claim on the Channel Ten program on Tuesday night.

He was put on the spot by fellow panellist Kate Langbroek who asked who would get the keys to the White House.

'There's no point having you on unless you give us a name,' Langbroek told him.

'Who is going to win?'

Without hesitation, Aly responded: 'Kamala Harris. There's a name'.

Langbroek appeared shocked as fellow co-presenters Hamish Macdonald, Sarah Harris and comedian Sam Taunton gasped.

'Oh really!' Langbroek said.

Fellow panellist and popular radio presenter Kate Langbroek (pictured) appeared shocked when Waleed Aly made the shocking prediction

'Is that a bet Waleed?' Sarah Harris asked.

Aly went on to explain his prediction, despite polls saying that the election is still too close to call.

'My theory is, Trump has fewer ways to win. Kamala has a bit more room for error in the people she is targeting and who might turn out,' he said.

'Where as Trump is really going for a particular kind of voter - especially a male voter [and] especially a young voter.

'The problem he has is that they are not people who typically turn out and vote.'

Aly went on to concede that Trump may win if certain factors swing in his favour, including whether the voters he targeted during the election campaign turn up and vote for him.

Waleed Aly (pictured) is in the US capital of Washington D.C. to cover the presidential race

Aly thinks Democratic nominee Kamala Harris (pictured) has a better chance of winning because her opponent Donald Trump has fewer ways to gain victory

'This is such a strange election. There are so many elements of the voting block that could break off and vote in ways you do not expect,' Aly said.

Almost 80million Americans have cast their votes on the final day of polling.

Vice President and Democratic nominee Ms Harris and her Republican rival Mr Trump ended their respective campaign trails in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania on Monday.

Both candidates need to win 270 out of the 538 Electoral College votes that cover each of the 50 states across America and the District of Columbia.

Ms Harris is vying to make history as the first US female president.

Ms Harris and Mr Trump (pictured centre) need to win 270 out of the 538 Electoral College votes that covers each of the 50 states across America and the District of Columbia

Harris entered the race after President Joe Biden pulled out following his disastrous debate performance against Trump in June.

Trump, who survived two attempted assassination attempts, would become the first convicted felon to sit in the Oval Office if he wins.

The former president has also been impeached twice while he was in office from 2017 to 2021.

A winner could be declared as early as Wednesday afternoon AEDT.
Vladimir Putin appeared to spook North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Hui with a minute-long handshake in the Kremlin.

The dictator expressed his gratitude to Kim Jong Un's top envoy after he bailed out the Russian leader by deploying 11,000 troops to fight against Ukraine.

But she looked confused and uncomfortable as Putin failed to loosen his grip on her hand while expressing his thanks to the repressive state for the military aid.

As the 60-year-old diplomat replied to him in Russian, he kept hold of her hand.

Handshaking is not a widespread custom among everyday interactions within North Korean society.

Vladimir Putin spooks North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Hui with a mammoth handshake in the Kremlin after her boss Kim Jong Un sent 11,000 troops to boost his failed attempt to dislodge Ukrainian forces from Kursk region

Handshaking is not a widespread custom among everyday interactions within North Korean society

North Korean forces have been deployed to Russia's Kursk region where some 400 square miles is occupied by Ukrainian forces.

Kyiv says it has already engaged the North Korean fighters - but Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has made clear he is alarmed at a lack of Western military support to help him counter the new Pyongyang troops fighting six time zones from home.

He warned in his nightly TV message: 'As for the North Korean troops in Russia, there are already 11,000 in the Kursk region.

'We see an increase in North Koreans and we do not see an increase in the reaction of our [Western] partners.'

Choe Son Hui had not been scheduled to meet Putin on her visit to Russia, but the Kremlin dictator changed his schedule to see her.

She said: 'From the very beginning of the special military operation, respected comrade Chairman of State Affairs Kim Jong Un gave the order that we, without looking over our shoulder at anyone, should invariably and powerfully support and provide assistance to the Russian army and the Russian people in their holy war.

'We have no doubt that under the wise leadership of the respected President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, the Russian army and people will certainly achieve a great victory in their sacred struggle to protect the sovereign rights and security of their state.'

Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council's Centre for Countering Disinformation, revealed that the North Koreans are wearing Russian uniforms.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has made clear he is alarmed at a lack of Western military support to help him counter the new Pyongyang troops

'The first ones have already been under fire,' he said.

'I can't talk about the losses yet, I don't know this, the information is being checked.

'But the fact that the first ones have already been spotted and there was shelling on these positions, that's for sure.'

It comes after a Russian soldier revealed how North Korean troops sent to help Putin's war effort gunned down their own comrades after shooting in the wrong direction.

A video that surfaced on social media showed the moment a Russian soldier captured by Ukrainian troops recalled his experience in the Kursk region with Putin's newest recruits.

The unnamed soldier and his unit were in a forest with 10 North Korean soldiers after having been sent to dig out trenches when they were caught in a crossfire.

'During the assault, the Koreans started firing at us', he explained.

'We tried to explain to them where to aim, but I think they shot two of our own'.

'I decided it was better to surrender in this situation that to be killed by our own bullet', the soldier said.
Advertisement

Voters have flocked to the polls on election day despite dismal weather conditions in several southern states, after Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump made their final campaign pitches on Monday.

Umbrella-clad Texans braved wind and rain to hit the polls on Tuesday, while in Jefferson County, just outside St Louis in Missouri, polling stations are bracing for potential flooding which could cause last-minute chaos.

In the key swing state of North Carolina, people lined up before the sun rose to cast what could be the deciding ballots in the most closely-run contest for the White House in decades.

Another battleground state, Pennsylvania, also drew long lines first thing on Tuesday as election day voters scrambled to cast their ballot before work.

More than 80 million people have already voted, and millions more Americans are expected to weigh in on the excruciatingly close-fought contest.

Umbrella-clad Texans (pictured) braved wind and rain to hit the polls on Tuesday, while in Jefferson County, just outside St Louis in Missouri, polling stations are bracing for potential flooding which could cause last-minute chaos

Pictured: Voters wait in line to cast their ballots at Scranton High School in Scranton, Pa., on Election Day

Despite heavy rain, people wait in line to vote at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center on November 5, 2024 in Houston, Texas

The first votes in the country were cast just after midnight in the small town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire. (Pictured: a resident casting their vote at the Tillotson House in the town)

Voters line up outside of a polling station at St. John's Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church before the polls open on Election Day in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on November 5

Some voters dressed up for the occasion - with a mom and daughter duo in St Petersburg, Florida , wearing all-white with sashes which read 'Voters for Women'. Dawn Goddard (left) and her daughter Ilene Goddard (right) said they were excited to cast their votes for Kamala Harris

Mike Samson reads the newspaper while waiting in line before the polls open at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center on November 5, 2024 in Houston, Texas

Some voters dressed up for the occasion - with a mom and daughter duo in St Petersburg, Florida, wearing all-white with sashes which read 'Voters for Women'.

Dawn Goddard and her daughter Ilene Goddard, 18, said they were excited to cast their votes for Kamala Harris.

'I brought her to vote in 2016 and we were very hopeful then,' Dawn Goddard said. 'And we are even more hopeful today.'

Meanwhile, at another polling station in the same city, voters were greeted by a life-size cardboard cutout of Donald Trump, erected by a fan close to the voting point.

The first votes in the country were cast just after midnight in the small town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.

The results were too close to call, as the half dozen voters were split three-to-three between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

It's actually a sharp swing from 2020, when Joe Biden swept all five who voted against Trump.

Dixville Notch has produced the first results of the first-in-the-nation primary since 1960 with its midnight vote on Election Day.

At another polling station in St Petersburg, Florida, voters were greeted by a life-size cardboard cutout of Donald Trump, erected by a fan close to the voting point

In the key swing state of North Carolina, voters lined up before the sun rose to cast what could be the deciding ballots in the most closely-run contest for the White House in decades

Pictured: Voters line up outside of a polling station at Donegan Elementary School as the polls open on Election Day in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Pictured: People vote at a polling place on Election Day in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 5

A boy watches his father voting for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, on Election Day in Asheville, North Carolina, November 5

Voters wait in a long line at the start of Election Day in Asheville, North Carolina, on November 5, 2024

It comes as a final key poll revealed that Harris entered Election Day with a 4-point lead over Trump after slashing the gender gap.

Harris, 60, has the support of 51 percent of likely voters, according to the latest PBS News/NPR/Marist poll. Trump has support from 47 per cent.

The survey found that Harris' surge comes after Trump's lead among male voters significantly declined in the final days leading up to the election.

Trump, 78, previously held a 57 per cent lead amongst male voters, but now only leads 51 per cent to Harris' 47 per cent. However, the Democrat's lead among women shrunk from 18 to 11 points.

Pictured: People wait in line to vote at a polling station in Smyrna, Georgia, on Election Day, November 5, 2024

Voters wait in line at a polling station on November 5, 2024 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, a suburban community outside Pittsburgh on November 5, 2024

Pictured: People line up to vote outside of a polling station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Election Day, November 5, 2024

Voters wait in line at the Oakmont United Methodist Church on November 5, 2024 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, a suburban community outside Pittsburgh on November 5, 2024

People vote as others wait in line at a polling station at Greater Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, located within Mecklenburg County, on November 5, 2024

Analysts say the top line results of the Marist poll are nearly identical to those of the 2020 election, which reported Joe Biden leading Trump 51 to 47 per cent.

The outcome of this year's knife-edge election, which has become the closest race to White House in decades, is too close to call and could potentially come down to a few thousand votes in seven key swing states.

The survey found that Harris holds a 4-point lead over Trump nationally, which is just outside the poll's 3.5-point margin of error.

An election worker hands back a voter's ID card during the check in process to receive a ballot. North Carolina requires voters to present voter ID

Pictured: Voters casting their ballots in Washington DC
MSNBC liberal media personalities have chastised former president Donald Trump for throwing out vile insults at his final campaign rally.

Trump singled out former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at his Michigan rally Monday night, calling her a 'crazy horrible human being who cheats like hell.'

'She's a crooked person. She's a bad person. Evil. She's an evil, sick, crazy  oh no. It starts with a B, but I won't say it,' the Republican presidential candidate said.

The hosts of MSNBC's Morning Joe were left reeling over the remarks and tore into him for insulting a woman.

'Over the last several weeks, if you could name about 10 things that the Republican ticket could do to drive women voters away, to drive Hispanics away, to drive older voters away, they've checked every one of those boxes,' Joe Scarborough said.

The hosts of MSNBC's Morning Joe were left reeling over Trump's final campaign rally

Former President Donald Trump singled out former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at his Michigan rally Monday night

During Monday's rally, Trump said 'nobody lies like this Kamala' and called her a 'very low IQ person,' on a day the Harris campaign made a point of noting she hadn't mentioned Trump's name on the trail.

His co-host and wife Mika Brzezinski argued Trump's repeated use of vulgar language to talk about women along with his bizarre microphone moment on Friday night when he experienced audio issues will drive women to vote for Kamala Harris.

During the Friday rally Trump was seen yanking at the microphone at his stand before he started pretended to put his mouth around it.

'[His remarks give] a feel for who he is. About to use the b-word for Kamala Harris, kind of playing with that. Or for Nancy Pelosi. Also, you know, in the past couple of days, it's really hard not to forget the vulgar gesture that he made,' Brzenzinski said.

Husband and wife co-host duo Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski said Trump's insults isolate female voters

'I just don't see women going in and voting for that. I see women voting for women across America now who have struggled and died at the hands of Donald Trump's abortion ban, because of the lack of access to health care, the health care he denied them. I see them voting for their daughters, voting for their sisters.'

Contributor Claire McCaskill said: 'It's nuts They spend most of their time offending women voters. Keep in mind who they have to get to the polls to win [it hurts] the reliability of women in this election [to turn up for Trump], when every day, they say something that women go: "No, no. You're a jerk. I'm not voting for you, you're a jerk."'

The four-hour morning show has become a bastion of the Democratic establishment with President Joe Biden routinely tuning in while doing his morning exercises to see his acolytes promote the party's talking points.

Scarborough, host of the left-wing channel's Morning Joe, has long railed against Donald Trump as a threat to democracy in a bitter personal feud dating back nearly a decade.

Brzezinski also mention during Trump's Friday rally he was seen yanking at the microphone at his stand before he started putting his mouth around it

On Monday, he celebrated a surprising poll from Iowa showing Harris leading Trump in the traditionally Republican state, calling it a 'canary in the coal mine.'

The MSNBC host revealed he was in a media 'dark zone' over the weekend until Brzezinski called him up to reveal the news of pollster Ann Selzer's outlier survey showing Harris leading Trump in Iowa by three points.

'Im like, what?' Scarborough exclaimed. 'Then Im on the phone the rest of the night. John Heilemann... first of all, Ann gets it right every time. Just about every time.'

The show quickly rallied behind Harris candidacy after she usurped Biden as the Democratic Party's nominee.
Home Depot founder Bernie Marcus, who has donated millions to Donald Trump, has died.

The billionaire died at the age of 95, according to an internal memo, obtained by CNN.

Marcus died in his home in Boca Raton, Florida, on November 4,Jobs Creators Network, his nonprofit group, confirmed to DailyMail.com.

He died of natural causes.

'The entire Home Depot family is deeply saddened by the death of our co-founder Bernie Marcus,' a spokesperson told the New York Post.

'He was a master merchant and a retail visionary. But even more importantly, he valued our associates, customers and communities above all.'

Marcus, who had a net worth of $7.4 billion, started The Home Depot in 1978 with Arthur Blank. The hardware store would go on to have a value of $400 billion and more than 2,300 stores, CNN reported.

Home Depot founder Bernie Marcus, who has donated millions to Donald Trump, has died at the age of 95

In 2019, Marcus revealed that between 80 and 90 percent of his fortune would go to the Marcus Foundation - which looks to build community food resources.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp released a statement on Tuesday, writing on X: 'Georgia was blessed to know such a man of vision and generosity, and we will keep Belli, the entire Marcus family, and The Home Depot team in our thoughts and prayers as we honor his life and memory.'

The hardware store founder was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1929 to Russian Jewish immigrants, and he was the youngest of four siblings.

They lived in a tenement and struggled financially, but Marcus enjoyed it.

'I grew up in a tenement, and to me, that was a palace. Thats just where I grew up. My parents were Russian immigrants. Spoke Yiddish in the house, didnt speak English,' he said, according to WSB-TV.

'It was great. I had lots of kids to play with. In the tenement, all we had was kids. All kids like myself, all of us poor, were all the same, in the same boat.'

In recent years, Marcus was well-known as being a megadonor to Republican efforts, including Former President Donald Trump.

The retail heavyweight told the New York Post last year that Joe Biden was a 'dunce' and 'the most divisive president we've ever seen,' while blaming him for many of America's problems.

In recent years, Marcus was well-known as being a megadonor to Republican efforts , including Former President Donald Trump

He also backed claims 81-year-old Biden - the oldest president in US history - was mentally-unfit for top office and even claimed he may be a 'puppet' mouthpiece for others within the Democrat party.

'Somebody is feeding him like a puppet,' the businessman told the Post before the president dropped out of the race, adding that if Biden were elected again, America would become 'a Third World country.'

FEC data shows the 95-year-old billionaire has poured $64 million into Republican campaigns over the years, including Trump's 2016 White House bid - but he admitted he's was 'struggling' to get behind many of his former political favorites.

He often made appearances on right-wing shows, such as Fox News, and actively showed his support for the 45th president.

Marcus has also donated millions to the campaigns of John McCain and Ron DeSantis, according to CNN.

In 2022, he criticized Americans for being too socialist and said 'nobody works' and that 'nobody gives a damn.'

'Just give it to me. Send me money. I dont want to work  Im too lazy, Im too fat, Im too stupid,' he mocked. 'The woke people have taken over the world.'

'We used to have free speech here. We dont have it,' he said at the time.

The Rutgers University graduate met his cofounder while working at Handy Dan Home Improvement in California.

Home Depot would come about after they were both fired from the Golden State store, and they devised a plan to create a bigger hardware store, according to CNN.

The Rutgers University graduate met his cofounder while working at Handy Dan Home Improvement in California. Home Depot would come about after they were both fired from the Golden State store, and they devised a plan to create a bigger hardware store

FEC data shows the 95-year-old billionaire (pictured with Martha Stewart) has poured $64 million into Republican campaigns over the years, including Trump's 2016 White House bid

They started their company in Atlanta, Georgia, where Marcus and his wife Billi were well-known philanthropists.

He was the CEO of the company until 1997 and was a chairman until 2002. He retired afterward.

The GOP donor said last year that he wasn't sure he'd be able to launch Home Depot in the current socio-economic climate due to 'regulations and all this woke crap.'

Marcus had previously attacked the modern generation of business leaders for prioritizing 'woke issues' at the expense of shareholders.

He and his wife also started the Marcus Autism Center at Emory University and donated to several Jewish and medical organizations over the years, including a $250million grant to help open the Georgia Aquarium in 2005, according to CNN.

'Whenever I go somewhere, I like to stop in and see an aquarium. And when I go into an aquarium and I look at the children, and I see their wide eyes just looking incredulously at some of these creatures floating around, what else brings joy,' Marcus previously said, according to WSB-TV.
A gym-goer was left outraged after he was booted from his $350-a-month New York City gym for wearing an 'offensive' t-shirt bearing an image of Donald Trump.

The 27-year-old tech-startup founder was in the middle of his workout at an Equinox gym before he was told he needed to cover up or leave.

His shirt featured Trump's infamous mugshot accompanied by the words: 'Never Surrender.'

The 27-year-old was working out at an Equinox gym before he was told to leave for wearing a Trump t-shirt

His shirt featured Trump's infamous mugshot accompanied by the words: 'Never Surrender'

'[The general manager] told me Equinox is a "safe space" and that my shirt was offensive,' Jared told the New York Post, without providing his last name.

He filmed his interaction with the gym's manager questioning the policy.

The t-shirt featured former president Donald Trump's infamous mugshot over the words 'Never Surrender'

In the video, the manager said she gave Jared her business card and would be sending him an email with written confirmation of the situation.

'They're kicking me out, can you believe that? They're kicking me out because I'm wearing Trump,' he says to another gym-goer entering the building.

The manager, Queen Ogunyinka, then said: 'I'm just asking him to cover it up just like anybody coming in here with a Kamala Harris shirt.'

Jared, who is Jewish, told DailyMail.com that he had previously worn shirts to the gym with pro-Israel messages without encountering any issues.

'But only three days from the election I was kicked out for wearing the candidate on my shirt,' he explained.

'American democracy is about freedom of speech and debate. Tim and time again, the left does everything in their power to silence ideas. I refuse to be bullied,' he told the Post.

Equinox later released a statement saying it had apologized to Jared for the manager 'mistakenly' telling him he couldn't wear the shirt

The location's manager, Queen Ogunyinka, told Jared he needed to cover up 'just like anybody coming in here with a Kamala Harris shirt'

The UC-Berkley alum said he was no stranger to 'leftist elitism' and has 'lost friends' or been 'looked down upon' for speaking his mind.

'When they have no arguments left, they try to demonize you,' he told the Post.

Jared admitted he has not always supported Trump and didn't vote for him in 2016, but now feels compelled.

'The antisemitism and anti-Americanism of the left drove me to support him today,' he said. 'As a Jew, I must stand with the pro-Israel candidate Donald Trump.'

A Equinox spokesperson told the Post that Jared's shirt did not go against the gym's policies.

'An Equinox associate mistakenly asked a member to cover up an article of clothing. The shirt did not violate our dress code, and we have apologized to the member directly,' the spokesperson said.

Jared confirmed he had been contacted and issued an apology, but said he will likely be looking for a new gym.

Jared, who is Jewish, said he didn't always support Trump but felt compelled to now due to the former president's 'pro-Israel' stance

He received plenty of support online as his video circulated widely.

'Nothing like standing up for what you believe in, even if it means taking a stand at the gym,' one commenter wrote.

Another added: 'Politics shouldn't dictate your attire, but here we are, with Equinox playing fashion police.'

The gym has already been in hot water over political alignment after the chairman and founder of Related Companies, the parent company of Equinox and SoulCycle, threw an expensive fundraiser for Trump.

Stephen Ross threw the fundraiser in 2019, charging $100,000 for a photo with the former president and $250,000 for a seat with a private roundtable conversation. The lowest price of entry was $5,600.

Stephen Ross came under fire in 2019 for an expensive fundraiser for Trump. Ross is the chairman and founder of Related Companies, the parent company of Equinox and SoulCycle

The fundraiser sparked outrage, particularly among Equinox members, and a Change.org campaign was launched.

The campaign said: 'We joined this gym because we believed it shared our values. We believed it was a safe space for people like us. We believed that we were supporting a company that was inclusive, accepting and celebrating our diversity and supporting our physical and mental health as a community.'

The petition, created by activist and actor Wilson Cruz, hoped to put an end to the fundraiser and garnered more than 14,000 signatures.

Ross said he has always been an 'active participant in the democratic process,' the Post reported.

'I have known Donald Trump for 40 years, and while we agree on some issues, we strongly disagree on many others, and I have never been bashful about expressing my opinions,' he added.

Jared said that 'antisemitism and anti-Americanism of the left drove me to support [Donald Trump]'

Both Equinox and SoulCycle also released a statement saying they did not support the event.

'We are committed to all our members and communities we live in. We believe in tolerance and equality and will always stay true to those values,' the statement read.

According to Equinox's member policy, the gym 'may deny you use of its Clubs if you do not wear proper attire and footwear, as determined in Equinox's discretion.'

The policies, according to the company, are in place to create a 'welcoming, inclusive community.'
Queen Camilla has been forced to cancel her forthcoming public engagements after being laid low by a nasty chest infection.

The 77-year-old royal is understood to be recovering at home in Wiltshire and is being monitored by doctors.

It means that Her Majesty has had to reluctantly withdraw from the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey this Thursday.

As the daughter of decorated war hero Major Bruce Shand, who earned two military crosses in the Second World War for his bravery, it is a duty she takes extremely diligently and will be seen as a sign of how poorly she is feeling.

The Duchess of Gloucester, 78, will step in for her.

However, Camilla does very much hope to attend this weekend's Remembrance events, including the ceremony at the Cenotaph on Sunday.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla on a beach in Apia during their trip to Samoa on October 25

Queen Camilla waves while boarding an Royal Australian Air Force plane ahead of departing from Faleolo Airport in Samoa after the royal visit to Australia and Samoa on October 26

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend a welcome ceremony in Apia, Samoa, on October 24

The update comes after a year of health troubles for the Royal Family, with both the King and the Princess of Wales being diagnosed with cancer.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest.

'With great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week but she very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend's Remembrance events as normal.

'She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer posted a get-well message to the Queen on social media. He wrote: 'On behalf of the whole country, I wish Her Majesty The Queen a speedy recovery.'

Camilla will also have to cancel her appearance at a reception at Buckingham Palace in honour of the nation's Olympic and Paralympic stars this Thursday.

The King will still attend, accompanied by his sister Princess Anne.

Georges Maniuri of Vanatu presents his credentials to the King at Buckingham Palace today

Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani of Qatar presents his credentials today

Rajendre Khargi of Suriname presents his credentials to Charles at Buckingham Palace today

The Queen returned to the UK on October 30 after a busy official overseas tour to Australia and Samoa with the monarch, which included a three-day stopover in India on the way back.

MailOnline understands that there is 'no cause for alarm' and it is just one of the many 'seasonal bugs' that can be picked up at this time of year, especially given her international travel.

Camilla and the King have also just undertaken a gruelling 11-day, 30,000-mile round trip, partly on commercial airlines.

The Queen broke up her journey by visiting an Ayurvedic spa in India for a few days on the way out, and again on the way home for three days, this time with the King.

No further details regarding her illness or treatment have been released, but Camilla is understood to be under doctors' supervision.

Meanwhile, the King was carrying on with his duties at Buckingham Palace today, holding audiences with two new ambassadors and a high commissioner.

The 75-year-old monarch welcomed Qatari ambassador Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani; Rajendre Khargi, who is the ambassador from the Republic of Suriname; and the High Commissioner for the Republic of Vanuatu, Georges Maniuri, who presented their credentials in the 1844 room.

Charles and Camilla spent around two weeks out of the UK for their nine-day official tour.

They stopped off in India for the luxury spa break on their return flight from Samoa, with the King following advice to take periods of rest to prioritise his cancer recovery.

The royal couple were reported to have spent three days at the 3,000-a-week holistic Soukya resort in Bangalore, known for its yoga programmes and Ayurvedic treatments.

The Queen has been focused on her husband's health in recent months, telling author Lee Child in June that he was 'doing fine' but 'won't slow down and won't do what he's told'.

Charles, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February, paused his treatment to undertake his historic first official trip to Australia as the country's monarch in October.

The visit hit the headlines when Australian senator Lidia Thorpe berated the King and accused him of 'genocide' against the First Nations, after his speech during the monarch and Camilla's official welcome to Canberra.

The Duchess of Gloucester has stepped in to attend a Remembrance event at Westminster Abbey on Thursday. Camilla is pictured with her at Buckingham Palace on February 22

It comes ahead of a new ITV documentary in which Camilla vows she will 'keep trying' to end domestic violence, until she is 'able to no more'.

Camilla tells the film, being shown on November 11, that domestic abuse is a 'heinous crime' and she is determined to continue raising awareness of the issue.

The Queen was followed over the course of a year for the show looking at her work in this field, including private meetings with survivors and a visit to a refuge centre.

On ending domestic violence, Camilla said in the programme 'Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors' that it is 'going to take a long, long time because it has been going on forever'.

She continued: 'It's been going since, since time began. But I think if you look at the steps that we've taken since the bad old days, we have made a huge amount of progress, and I shall keep on trying until I am able to no more.'

Meanwhile Prince William is on a four-day visit to South Africa to promote his environmental Earthshot Prize, which is holding its annual awards ceremony in Cape Town tomorrow.

Today, William took in the views of Cape Town's famous Table Mountain when he met park rangers at Signal Hall  and later had a meeting with South Africa's president, Cyril Ramaphosa.
The View's Whoopi Goldberg fawned over former Representative Liz Cheney as the daytime talk show cohost begged her to 'run the CIA' after Donald Trump's harsh comments.

The long-time Republican, 58 - who has endorsed Kamala Harris - joined the ladies of The View on Monday to discuss Tuesday's election and why she's voting blue for the first time.

While on the show - where Cheney said she believes Speaker Mike Johnson won't ratify the vote if Trump loses - Goldberg tried to convince the lawyer to potentially run for an attorney general position.

'You could conceivably be a great AG,' Whoopi, 68, told the former representative. 'I say this because your moral core is magnificent.

'I know you probably don't want to even think about it, but I just feel like I would feel a lot better with you leading the FBI, the CIA, the NBC, everybody. I'm just saying, should it be floated, please think about it.'

The Wyoming resident looks uncomfortable as Goldberg laid on the praises and didn't comment on whether or not she'd consider running for an AG spot.

Instead she simply reverted the conversation back to the 2024 election, telling the panel: 'We have to get Vice President Harris elected tomorrow [Tuesday].'

The long-time Republican, 58 - who has endorsed Kamala Harris - joined the ladies of The View on Monday to discuss Tuesday's election and why she's voting blue for the first time

While on the show, Goldberg tried to convince the lawyer to potentially run for an attorney general position. 'I say this because your moral core is magnificent,' Goldberg said

The daughter of Dick Cheney went on to say that she believes 'women are going to save this republic' as poll numbers show more women than men turned out for early voting.

'So get out and vote,' Cheney told the audience.

'All women are invited to this party,' Goldberg supported. 'It's important that women know we are talking to all women, not just one side or the other... We need you - and men - but we really need you women.'

Harris is beating Trump is the gender wars, with a 16-point lead for female voters, according to an NBC poll. Trump, on the other hand, has an 18-point lead when it comes to male voters.

This creates a net gap of a 34-point divide between genders.

The VP has largely attracted black voters, as well as those under 30 and white voters with college degrees, the poll found.

'Women are going to save the day in this election. I really believe that,' Cheney told the hosts of The View.

When asked what she thought about husbands being horrified to learn their wives will be voting in their own self-interest, she reiterated that it was important for girls to do exactly that.

'Some of [Trump's campaign staff] have actually talked about repealing the 19th Amendment,' she said.

The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920.

'People need to really, really remember the misogynist aspect of all of this well,' Cheney said. 'Let's defeat Donald Trump tomorrow [Tuesday] whether he likes it or not.'

She also criticized Trump proposal of putting RFK Jr. - who dropped out of the race earlier this year - in charge of women's healthcare.

'We don't have enough time on this show to go through that,' she said.

Cheney simply reverted the conversation back to the 2024 election, telling the panel: 'We have to get Vice President Harris elected tomorrow [Tuesday].'

She also warned Americans to prepare to potentially face another Stop the Steal campaign if Trump were to lose as his campaign has 'already begun pushing notions about rigger elections, stolen election, fraudulent claims.'

'Everybody's got to be aware that they're going to do it,' she said.

She went on to say she doesn't think Speaker Johnson will do the right thing.

'No, he wont,' Cheney, who is a member of the GOP party, said. 'I think that's why it's so important that Republicans not be the majority come January.'

Since Cheney has come out and supported Harris for president, Donald Trump has attacked her.

Trump, at an event with Tucker Carlson on Thursday, said Cheney should be put on a battlefield 'with nine barrels shooting at her face.'

Democrats immediately criticized him for the comment, but Harris took it a step further, saying Trump should no longer be in the presidential race.

'This must be disqualifying,' Harris told reporters in Wisconsin. 'Anyone who wants to be president of the United States who uses that kind of violent rhetoric is clearly is disqualified and unqualified to be president.'

She called Cheney 'a true patriot who has shown extraordinary courage in putting country above party.'

'Trump, however, considers his political opponents the enemy and is permanently out for revenge and increasingly unstable and unhinged. His enemies list has grown longer.'

'His rhetoric has grown more extreme, and he is even less focused than before on the needs and the concerns and the challenges facing the American people,' Harris added.

The Democratic nominees said she has not spoken to Cheney since Trump's remark.

Cheney also warned Americans to prepare to potentially face another Stop the Steal campaign if Trump were to lose. She went on to say she doesn't think Speaker Johnson will do the right thing

Trump has long railed against Cheney, who criticized him for his role in the January 6th insurrection and was one of two Republican lawmakers who sat on the House committee investigating it.

'She's a radical war hawk,' Trump said of her at event Thursday night at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. 'Let's put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Let's see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face.'

Both Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, have endorsed Harris.

Trump had mentioned Liz Cheney's father before he unleashed the diatribe.

'I don't blame him for sticking with his daughter. But his daughter's a very dumb individual, very dumb,' Trump said.

Cheney took to social media to respond to Trump, saying 'this is how dictators destroy free nations.'

'They threaten those who speak against them with death,' she wrote in the post. 'We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant.'

Trump's campaign said the former president was criticizing Cheney's hawkish foreign policy and that they were being misrepresented in media outlets.
As voters headed to polling stations on Tuesday, a new website has emerged as a way to influence the outcome in the seven swing states that will decide who wins the White House.

It's called Swap Your Vote. Set up by anti-war campaigners, it has won plaudits from HBO host John Oliver, Georgia state representative Ruwa Romman, a Democrat, and others.

Organizers say it helps electors in tossup states register objections to Vice President Kamala Harris' support for the Israel-Hamas war, while not clearing a path to victory for former president Donald Trump.

They do this by signing up to 'swap' their vote with an elector in a safely blue state, such as New York, California, or Massachusetts.

In doing so, the tossup state elector agrees to vote for Harris, in a state where every ballot counts.

Many anti-war protestors want to register their objections to the Biden-Harris administration's support for Israel without helping Donald Trump win the election.

Speaking to Arab-American voters in battleground Michigan this week, Harris vowed to do 'everything in my power to end the war in Gaza.'

In exchange, their partner in a blue state agrees to cast a protest vote for the third-party or write-in candidate of the swing-state voter's choice.

That way, the purple state voter registers their protest against the Democratic Biden-Harris administration, without making it easier for Trump, a Republican, to win their state, organizers say.

It also likely means extra votes for the Green Party's Jill Stein and other outsiders in safe blue states.

To encourage more sign-ups from the battlegrounds, website organizers are currently matching them with two voters in safely blue states.

So far, about 11,000 voters have signed up to the platform.

That number of swaps is unlikely to affect the outcome in any state.

The closest state in the 2020 election was Georgia, where President Joe Biden beat Trump by some 12,000 votes.

But it could prove pivotal in a tossup state with a razor-thin margin between Trump and Harris when the votes are counted on Tuesday night.

Its biggest impact may be seen in Michigan, a swing state with an outsize share of Arab-American voters who have leaned Democrat in recent cycles but are disgruntled by the administration's support for Israel.

In her closing pitch for the presidency this week at a rally in East Lansing, Michigan, home to 200,000 Arab Americans, Harris vowed to end Israel's assault on the coastal Palestinian territory.

'As president, I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza,' Harris told the crowd.

The site was started two weeks ago by Rae Abileah, a long-time anti-war campaigner.

The Swap Your Vote site matches electors in battleground states to those in safely blue states.

She vowed to 'bring home the hostages, end the suffering in Gaza, ensure Israel is secure, and ensure the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, security, and self-determination.'

The vote-swap site comes as progressives across the nation describe heart-wrenching decisions over how to voice disapproval of the administration without inadvertently boosting Trump's chances.

It was started two weeks ago by Rae Abileah, who was formerly involved with the hard-left anti-war groups Jewish Voice for Peace and CODEPINK.

She says she felt stuck between a rock and a hard place about voting for Harris as her administration continued sending guns and money to support Israel's assault on Gaza.

Gaza officials say some 44,000 Palestinians have died from Israel's assault on the Strip following Hamas' murderous raids into southern Israel on October 7.

Abileah says the site solves the 'conundrum' of being able to 'keep pressure' on the Biden-Harris administration over Gaza while also managing to 'defeat Trump,' she told Fast Company.

She says she was inspired by the 2000 election, which came down to a few hundred votes between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore in Florida.

Back then, vote swapping was uncommon.

But the right number of trades could have swung the election for Gore  who may have made less hawkish decisions than Bush about actions in Afghanistan and Iraq, says Abileah.

US representative Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, was one of the first to propose organized vote swapping in the 2000 race, but it did not become widespread until 2016.

The vote-swapping site could lead to some extra ballots for the Green Party's long shot candidate Jill Stein.

Organizers say the deals are legal, but even so, vote-swapping is not without its problems.

Chiefly, there is no way to enforce what a vote-swapping partner actually does when they're at the polling station.

It's an honor system, which is vulnerable to people operating in bad faith.

Romman, the Palestinian-American lawmaker from Georgia, says she was skeptical about the scheme at first but ultimately decided to trade her ballot.

She cast her vote for Harris in battleground Georgia, pairing with voters in safe states. She left it up to them to decide who to back.

The system was an option for 'people like me, who continue to be completely torn up about how to maneuver this election cycle as an ongoing genocide continues in Gaza,' Romman told The Intercept.
An Indiana House of Representatives candidate has been arrested on the eve of the election for violating a protection order.

Republican delegate for the 26th House District Jim Schenke was booked into Tippecanoe County Jail on Monday on a preliminary charge of invasion of privacy.

He is accused of commenting on the Facebook post of a person who has a protection order against him.

Police received a call about the incident at 9.30pm on Sunday and Schenke, 57, was arrested at his Wabash Township home the next day.

The challenger for West Lafayette currently has two protection orders against him placed by a local attorney and their staff.

Republican delegate for the 26th House District Jim Schenke has been arrested on the eve of the election for violating a protection order

He is accused of commenting on the Facebook post of a person who has a protection order against him

The politician also placed one against a person living in his neighborhood.

He was booked into jail at 6.10am on Monday morning, but has since been bonded out.

Schenke took to Facebook to deny the allegations, stating that he was the victim in the situation.

'For anyone who cares about honesty I have been accused of violating a protective order,' Schenke said.

'In truth I have a protective order against the sociopath that has been stalking and menacing me for months.'

He likened the individual concerned to Michael Keaton's psychotic, con-artist character in the 1990 movie Pacific Heights.

Schenke said the individual is, 'a drunk angry pagan transgender activist who became insanely convinced that I wanted to kill his child who imagines himself some sort of caped Avenger with a license to stalk and menace those he hates.'

Tippecanoe County Chief Deputy Terry Ruley said there was probable cause to arrest Schenke for violating the protection order.

He was booked into the county jail on a preliminary charge of violation of privacy but claims that he is the victim of a 'sociopath' who he has taken his own protective order out against

Schenke, pictured with his family, is hoping to be the first Republican for the 26th House District since 2018

He is running against incumbent Democrat Chris Campbell

The incident is the latest scandal to hit the embattled politician, after he was accused of driving his campaign motorhome into a light post while uninsured.

However, the charge was dropped on October 22.

He still faces another civil charge from the Tippecanoe County Election Board for allegedly failing to include adequate political disclaimers in his campaign adverts.

Schenke is campaigning to unseat Democrat Chris Campbell. If he is successful, he will become the first Republican house member for the district since 2018.

Chief Deputy Ruley said that Schenke had been released from jail after posting bond.

'The sheriffs office received a complaint from the other party on Sunday evening at approximately 8:35 PM stating that Schenke allegedly violated the order of protection by communicating to them through social media. What that verbiage was I have not seen nor heard,' he said.

'He was booked into the Tippecanoe county jail Monday morning at 6:10 AM. He bonded out at 6:14 pm Monday evening after posting bond.'
Fans of YouTube sensation Mr. Beast have been left stunned after discovering his past criminal record.

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, is known for his over-the-top challenges, massive giveaways, and viral stunts. He is famously tight-lipped about his personal finances but Forbes reported that he earned $85 million in 2024.

Now a 2018 mugshot of the YouTube star has surfaced amid a class-action lawsuit filed by former contestants of his upcoming gameshow for alleged 'chronic mistreatment,' including sexual harassment.

On January 21, 2018, at around 2:30am, MrBeast had been pulled over by police along with two other drivers on a North Carolina highway after reportedly driving at 122 mph, per the Tarboro Police Department.

Two vehicles were racing each other when MrBeast, who was 19 at the time, was stopped, according to reports. He was arrested and taken into custody, facing charges of speeding in a 70 mph zone, reckless driving, and engaging in a speed competition. He was held on a $100,000 bond.

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, was arrested in 2018 for reckless driving and engaging in a speed competition

Fans speculate that MrBeast was driving a BMW i8, a car he had recently bought and flaunted in a now-deleted video

Fans speculate that MrBeast was driving a BMW i8, which he recently flaunted in a now-deleted video.

In the video, he revealed that he financed the car not only with his YouTube income but also by selling some of his cryptocurrency holdings.

News of the arrest caught many fans off guard.

'This is something that the YouTube community doesn't know yet. Pretty surprising tbh,' said a Reddit user.

Another commented, 'I did not know MrBeast got arrested before.'

'Well, this is surprising, like what the f**k,' said a third.

While MrBeast has never publicly commented on his 2018 arrest, he did recently address the sexual misconduct allegations surrounding his company.

MrBeast is the target of a class action lawsuit, along with Amazon, which picked up the show

Five anonymous competitors say they were subjected to a toxic working environment, which included unchecked sexual harassment against female contestants

The 26-year-old content creator is the target of a class action lawsuit, along with Amazon, which picked up his upcoming game show.

Five participants of the forthcoming Beast Games are suing the internet personality, alleging 'unreasonable, unsafe and unlawful employment conditions.

They claim production teams maintained 'the strictest control' over them, including removing their belongings and withholding food, water and medical care to the extent that several contestants were hospitalized for dehydration.

They also accuse the Youtuber of fostering a 'toxic and hostile' work environment, particularly for female participants, as a result of 'boys-will-be-boys working conditions seemingly promoted by Mr Donaldson,' per the filing.

In August, reports surfaced that YouTuber MrBeast hired high-priced celebrity lawyer Alex Spiro to address allegations from a former employee. This ex-employee, Dawson French, used online aliases to accuse MrBeast of manipulating his extravagant giveaways and knowingly employing a sex offender.

MrBeast has remained silent on the claims, but a cease-and-desist letter reportedly sent by Spiro to French accuses him of spreading 'misinformation and false statements.'

MrBeast's company is also accused of withholding food, water, medical supplies and hygiene products during production

The letter, obtained by DailyMail.com, threatens legal action and seeks damages if French continues posting under the aliases MrBeastCreative and DogPack404.

French, contacted by DailyMail.com, countered with a serious accusation: 'MrBeast has knowingly kept rapists and pedophiles on payroll (allegedly for legal reasons, but I believe some were convicted).'

MrBeast boasts a staggering 327 million followers, making him the most-followed individual on YouTube.

He also oversees four additional channels, each with over 25 million subscribers.
A Massachusetts woman has been accused of pocketing $1 million by administering 'potentially life-threatening' phony filler injections while posing as a nurse.

The disgraced glamourous aesthetician Rebecca Fadanelli, 38, of Stoughton, who owns two spas in South Easton and Randolph, allegedly began offering illegal services in March 2021 after smuggling counterfeit drugs into the US.

Since then she has 'completed approximately 1,631 Botox appointments, totaling $522,869 in client payments, and 1,085 filler appointments, totaling $410,545 in client payments,' federal prosecutors said.

Fadanelli was arrested on Friday for illegally smuggling goods into the US, sale or dispensing a counterfeit drug and sale or dispensing of a counterfeit device.

Rebecca Fadanelli, 38, of Stoughton, was arrested on Friday for illegally smuggling goods into the US, sale or dispensing a counterfeit drug and sale or dispensing of a counterfeit device

The glamourous aesthetician, who owns two spas in South Easton and Randolph, also posed herself as nurse to her clients when she collected just shy of $1 million for her alleged illegal services. Pictured: Inside of Fadanelli's Skin Beaute Med Spa

Fadanelli was not licensed or certified when she administered thousands of illegal counterfeit Botox, Sculptra, and Juvederm injections that she imported from China and Brazil, prosecutors revealed.

The spa owner is also accused of purchasing vials of Botox for $50 from Alibaba - a Chinese-owned online marketplace. This is far lower than the market price tag of $650.

The accusations came after one of Fadanelli's clients tipped off investigators when she suffered an adverse lip filler reaction in 2022, which included bumps in her lips and tingling.

The client, who remains unidentified, alleged that she never received a copy of the prescription for the substance injected despite asking for it.

Agents later discovered that Homeland Security Investigations were also actively pursuing a case against the 38-year-old.

Customs and Border Control had seized international parcels shipped to the 'nurse' amid suspicion the packages contained illegal prescription drugs.

Investigators also said Fadanelli was caught returning from Brazil with illegal injectables at Massachusetts-based Logan Airport.

They then reportedly searched the beautician's spas where they uncovered the fake cosmetics.

'For years, Ms. Fadanelli allegedly put unsuspecting patients at risk by representing herself to be a nurse and then administering thousands of illegal, counterfeit injections,' acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy said in a press release.

'The type of deception alleged here is illegal, reckless and potentially life-threatening.'

The accusations came after one of Fadanelli's clients tipped off investigators following an adverse reaction which included bumps in her lips and tingling after she received a lip filler injection from disgraced beautician in 2022.

Fadanelli was not licensed or certified when she gave thousands of illegal counterfeit Botox, Sculptra, and Juvederm injections which she imported from China and Brazil, prosecutors revealed

The spa owner also faces up to 10 years in prison and another fine of $250,000 for charges of knowingly selling or dispensing a counterfeit drug or device. Pictured: Inside Fadnelli's Skin Beaute Med Spa

Fadanelli allegedly later admitted to the Feds that she did purchase the injectable drugs from the Chinese supplier and did not know if they were FDA-approved.

She did not enter a plea when she appeared in court on Friday.

She faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for the charge of importing merchandise contrary to the law.

The spa owner faces up to an additional 10 years in prison and another fine of $250,000 for charges of knowingly selling or dispensing a counterfeit drug or device.
A top Kremlin official has warned a 'tired' Donald Trump could face a JFK-style assassination if he 'really tries' to end Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine should he emerge victorious from today's US presidential election.

The chilling warning came on Sunday from close Putin crony Dmitry Medvedev, formerly Russian president and his country's longest-serving prime minister, now deputy head of the Kremlin's security council.

He also branded US Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris 'stupid' and 'controllable' who - as president - would be 'afraid of everyone around her'.

'For Russia, the elections will not change anything, since the candidates' positions fully reflect the bipartisan consensus on the need for our country to be defeated [in the war].

'Kamala is stupid, inexperienced, controllable and will be afraid of everyone around her. A synod of the most important ministers and assistants will rule, plus indirectly the Obama family.'

Trump may face the same fate as John F Kennedy in 1963, predicted Medvedev, who was Russian president from 2008 to 2012.

'A tired Trump, issuing platitudes like ''I'll offer a deal'' and ''I have a great relationship with'' will also be forced to follow all the system's rules.

'He won't be able to stop the war. Not in a day, not in three days, not in three months.

'And if he really tries, he could become the new JFK.'

The chilling warning delivered on Sunday came from close Putin crony Dmitry Medvedev, formerly Russian president and his country's longest-serving prime minister

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now a senior Kremlin security official, pictured with Vladimir Putin

FILE IMAGE: US President Donald Trump (R) meets Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) on the first day of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan on June 28, 2019

Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., November 4, 2024

US President John F Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Texas Governor John Connally, and others smile at the crowds lining their motorcade route in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. Minutes later the President was assassinated as his car passed through Dealey Plaza

President Kennedy was shot dead in one of world's most infamous assassinations on November 22, 1963, as his open-top presidential motorcade rumbled through the centre of Dallas, Texas.

Medvedev - who a day earlier warned the West not to underestimate Putin's willingness to use nuclear weapons - said the result of the election was of little importance.

'Only one thing matters: how much money the new POTUS will knock out for someone else's distant war - for his military-industrial complex and for the [Ukrainians] to cut up.

'Therefore, the best way to please the candidates for the highest American office on November 5 is to continue to smash the Kyiv Nazi regime.'

The Kremlin has denied frequent accusations that it seeks to interfere in the American election.

Using a derogatory Russian term for the US, he said: 'The world is frozen in awkward poses ahead of the presidential elections in the overseas Pindostan'.

Medvedev is Putin's deputy on the Russian Security Council, a powerful Kremlin body responsible for formulating national security policies and coordinating their implementation.

He is also the first deputy chairman of the Military-Industrial Commission, overseeing Russia's defence industry, and chairman of state giant Rostelecom, the country's largest digital services provider.

On Saturday, Medvedev warned Putin is ready to use nuclear weapons and trigger World War Three if provoked.

The West is mistaken to believe he will 'never cross a certain line', the former president remarked.

Trump has frequently claimed he could have ended the war between Ukraine and Russia had he been president

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024

A Ukrainian service member from the special police unit Hyzhak (Predator) fires a howitzer D30 towards Russian troops, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the frontline city of Toretsk, Ukraine October 25, 2024

A man walks past a building damaged by a Russian military strike in the town of Pokrovsk, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region

'If we are talking about the existence of our state, as the president of our country has repeatedly said we simply will not have any choice,' said Medvedev.

The US and West were 'wrong' in thinking Putin would not cross the line if NATO sought to inflict a defeat on Russia in the Ukraine war.

'If the new [US] leader is going to be fiercely dedicated to adding fuel to the fire of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it will be a very bad choice.

'Because this is the road to hell. It's really a road to World War Three.

'Whoever decides to continue the war will be making a very dangerous mistake,

'You have to be an absolute moron.'

Medvedev's statements came as EU officials held 'crisis talks' to determine how the continent will fare if Donald Trump wins the presidential election.

Trump and Kamala Harris are neck and neck as they leave their hopes of winning the Oval Office to the American public, with aggregated poll data from FiveThirtyEight suggesting Harris is one point ahead, well within a margin of error.

Following his fractured relationship with the EU during his time as the 45th president, bloc officials have privately said they are extremely worried about what he may do if elected.

Officials said they have drawn up plans to heavily tax products symbolic of America's national identity, including Kentucky Bourbon and Harley-Davidson motorbikes, if Trump decides to be bullish with the EU with regard to trade deals.

These products come from states that are vulnerable to swinging in the 2026 midterm election, which bloc officials believe will pressure Congressional representatives to work against Trump.
A former Republican aide has been embroiled in scandal after posting photos online of a supermarket worker in North Carolina without the employee's consent.

Jennifer Sloan Rachmuth, 54, of Apex, who previously worked as the campaign manager for a GOP candidate running for state superintendent, was arrested and charged with one count of cyberstalking Sunday after posting photos on X of a Harris Teeter store worker wearing a keffiyeh and calling the employee a 'Hamas sympathizer.'

On November 3, Rachmuth posted on X that she had been arrested and suggested the 'North Carolina Democratic Party is involved.'

'I will fight this and continue to fight against antisemitism on campus and in the public square,' she wrote.

Jennifer Sloan Rachmuth's original post and follow-up post after she was arrested

Rachmuth, 54, was arrested and charged with one count of cyberstalking after sharing photos on X of an employee wearing a keffiyeh and calling the worker a 'Hamas sympathizer'

Police initially said she posted pictures of a stranger online without consent 'for the purpose of terrifying, harassing or embarrassing,' according to documents.

In North Carolina, it is illegal to film or photograph of individuals in private spaces.

On Tuesday, the charges were dropped against Rachmuth - who identifies herself as an investigative journalist and political commentator in her X profile - the The News & Observer reported.

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman told the outlet Monday that she was filing a motion to dismiss the charge because the allegations did not 'meet the standards of the state's cyberstalking statute.'

Rachmuth said she was handcuffed and arrested in front her neighbors and children after the post.

'This is happening too often in America,' she wrote on X. 'I greatly appreciate DA Freeman taking swift, corrective action today.'

White taking photos of people without their consent is generally legal in public areas in North Carolina, it is illegal on private property, the Small Business Chronicle reported.

Rachmuth said she had been handcuffed and arrested in front her neighbors

Since then, charges have been dropped against the Jewish conservative political commentator

This is because the interior of a store is typically viewed as private property, where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Rachmuth previously worked as the campaign manager for Michele Morrow, a Republican candidate for the state superintendent seat.

She is also the president of Education First, an organization 'fighting for parental rights and against institutional radicalization and sexualization of children.'

.
A Black Lives Matter leader has revealed he is voting for Donald Trump after years of being 'blindly loyal to the Democrat party'.

Mark Fisher, who lists himself as a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Rhode Island, warned that it would be a 'disaster for the country' if Kamala Harris is elected.

'Historically the Democrat party has been the party that black people overwhelmingly vote for, but we haven't gotten anything in return,' Fisher told the New York Post. 'To me that is the definition of insanity.'

He explained his decision was due to his belief that 'many people were doing a lot better under Donald Trump' and his frustration with what he sees as a lack of progress under the Democrats.

Fisher said that 'after 60 years', the country's 'ghettoes' still look like a 'bomb has dropped on it', while school and education systems are failing and crime is 'abysmal'.

Black Lives Matter leader Mark Fisher has revealed he is voting for Donald Trump after years of being 'blindly loyal to the Democrat party'

In the last 60 years, the Republicans have won eight elections compared to the Democrats' six.

'I've been a lifelong Democrat, I voted for Biden in 2020 which I do regret now,' Fisher added. 'I come from a family of Democrats. For so long we have just been blindly loyalty to the Democratic party for no reason.

'They have given us no reason to maintain such loyalty to them. '

He contrasted this with Trump, who he said implemented 'opportunity zones for the black community', including 'investments into black neighborhoods'.

'Whoever feels like they are not being heard and is interested in conservative policies can look at Donald Trump and how could you not want to follow someone like that?' Fisher asked.

The activist's bio on X states that he is Black Lives Matter INC Executive Director and Founder and Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Co-founder.

Fisher, who lists himself as a co-founder of non-profit Black Lives Matter Rhode Island , warned that it would be a 'disaster for the country' if Kamala Harris is elected

He said that 'many people' were doing better in the US under the leadership of Donald Trump

However, Black Lives Matter RI's head Gary Dantzler disputed these claims, stating that Fisher only ever worked as an advocate.

'Mark Fisher stated he was one of the co-founders of BLM,' Dantzler told the Providence Journal.

'Absolutely not. He was a respected advocate for BLM. That's it. And he was paid and somewhere he got fired and demoted.'

Another separate civil rights group, the BLM RI Political Action Committee, also issued a statement disavowing Fisher stating he, 'is not and has never been affiliated with our organization.'

'The views expressed by Mr. Fisher [...] do not reflect the values or beliefs of BLM RI PAC,' the group said. '

We would like to emphasize that Mark Fisher claims association with Black Lives Matter Rhode Island, a nonprofit organization. Any statements or actions attributed to him should not be conflated with our organization.'

While Fisher lists himself as a leader with BLM in Rhode Island, the two main BLM groups in the area have both distanced themselves from him

Fisher has previously expressed his admiration for Trump and received the former president's praise in return.

'Spoke with Mark Fisher yesterday, a great guy, very honored to have his and BLM's support,' Trump wrote in a post on X.
Eight people went on trial in France on Monday, charged with contributing to the climate of hatred that led to an 18-year-old Islamist radical of Chechen origin beheading teacher Samuel Paty outside Paris in 2020.

Seven men and one woman are appearing in court in the trial, set to last until December, over the murder of 47-year-old Paty, a teacher of history and geography.

The trial - to run until December 20 - began with the defendants and dozens of witnesses confirming their identity.

Perpetrator Abdoullakh Anzorov, who had requested asylum in France, was killed by police shortly after he murdered Paty near the latter's school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine west of Paris.

The teacher, who had shown his class cartoons of the Islamic Prophet Mohammed from the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, is regarded as a free speech hero by the French authorities.

This court sketch made and published on November 4, 2024, shows (L-R) defendants Abdelhakim Sefrioui, Louqmane Ingar, Azim Epsirkhanov, Priscilla Mangel and Yusuf Cinar sitting during the trial of eight adults charged with contributing to the climate of hatred that led to an 18-year-old Islamist radical in the 2020 beheading teacher Samuel Paty

History and geography teacher Samuel Paty, 47, was decapitated outside a school near Paris after receiving death threats for showing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in a lesson

General view of the courthouse on the Ile de la Cite on the first day of the trial of eight people accused of involvement in the beheading of French history teacher Samuel Paty by a suspected Islamist in 2020 in an attack outside his school in the Paris suburb of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine

Six defendants, three of whom are under judicial supervision, are being tried for participation in a criminal terrorist act, which is punishable by 30 years in jail.

They will not be cross-examined on their alleged involvement in the killing until November 20.

They include Brahim Chnina, a 52-year-old Moroccan.

He is the father of a schoolgirl, then aged 13, who falsely claimed that Paty had asked Muslim students to leave his classroom before showing caricatures of the prophet Mohammed.

She was not in the classroom at the time.

Also on trial is Abdelhakim Sefrioui, a 65-year-old Franco-Moroccan Islamist activist.

He and Chnina spread the teenager's lies on social networks with the aim, according to the prosecution, of 'designating a target', 'provoking a feeling of hatred' and 'thus preparing several crimes'.

Both men have been in pre-trial detention for the past four years.

Between October 9 and 13, Chnina spoke to Anzorov nine times by telephone after he published videos criticising Paty, the investigation showed.

Sefrioui posted a video criticising what he considered to be Islamophobia in France and describing Paty as a 'teaching thug', but told investigators he was only seeking 'administrative sanctions'.

People look at flowers layed outside the Bois d'Aulne secondary school in homage to slain history teacher Samuel Paty, who was beheaded by an attacker for showing pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in his civics class, on October 19, 2020, in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, northwest of Paris. Eight people aged 22 to 65 are appearing before the special assize court in Paris starting on November 4, 2024

Relatives and colleagues hold a picture of Samuel Paty

French lawyer for the French Association of Victims of Terrorism (AFVT) Antoine Casubolo Ferro answers journalists as he arrives for the trial of eight adults for the murder of teacher Samuel Paty

Two young friends of the attacker are facing even graver charges of 'complicity in terrorist murder', a crime punishable by life imprisonment.

Naim Boudaoud, 22, and Azim Epsirkhanov, 23, a Russian of Chechen origin, are accused of having accompanied Anzorov to a knife shop in the northern city of Rouen the day before the attack.

'Nearly three years of investigation have never managed to establish that Naim Boudaoud had any knowledge of the attacker's criminal plans,' his lawyers Adel Fares and Hiba Rizkallah told AFP.

Boudaoud is accused of accompanying Anzorov to buy two replica guns and steel pellets the day of the attack.

Epsirkhanov admitted he had received 800 euros from Anzorov to find him a real gun but had not succeeded.

Paty had used the Charlie Hebdo magazine as part of an ethics class to discuss free speech laws in France, where blasphemy is legal and cartoons mocking religious figures have a long history.

His killing took place just weeks after Charlie Hebdo republished the Prophet Mohammed cartoons.

After the magazine used the images in 2015, Islamist gunmen stormed its offices, killing 12 people.

Four other defendants interacted with Anzorov online.

Yusuf Cinar, a 22-year-old Turkish national, shared a jihadist Snapchat account with him, that later published images of Paty's killing.

Ismail Gamaev, a 22-year-old Russian of Chechen origin with refugee status, and Louqmane Ingar, also 22, exchanged jihadist content on a Snapchat group with Anzorov. The first posted an image of Paty's head with smiley faces after the killing.

The only woman on trial is 36-year-old Priscilla Mangel, a Muslim convert who conversed with Paty's killer on X, describing the teacher's class as 'an example of the war waged by (France's) Republican institutions against Muslims'.

Thibault de Montbrial and Pauline Ragot, lawyers for Mickaelle Paty, one of the sisters of the murdered teacher, said his killing had highlighted the 'depth of Islamist infiltration in France'.

The trial should 'allow our society to become aware of a mortal peril', they added.

Six former secondary school pupils were sentenced in December 2023 to terms ranging from 14 months suspended to six months in prison, following a closed-door trial before the juvenile court. Those sentenced to prison, however, will not serve jail time.

Chnina's daughter was sentenced to 18 months of probation after being convicted of slander.

The girl, still a minor, is to speak in court on November 26.
To the world, she was the godmother of punk, a rule-defying haute couturier who repeatedly stuck two fingers up to the establishment as she made her mark on global fashion.

By the time of her death in 2022, she had amassed a 20.5million fortune, dressed everyone from Carrie Bradshaw to the Sex Pistols and modelled for 18 portraits now hanging in the National Gallery.

She won every award and accolade going, notoriously making headlines in 1992 for turning up to collect her OBE at Buckingham Palace without any underwear on.

To Cora Corre, however, Dame Vivienne Westwood was simply Grandma.

And the 81-year-old with flame-coloured hair and a permanent twinkle in her sea-green eyes had been a key part of Coras life since she was a baby.

Dame Vivienne Westwood and granddaughter Cora Corre at Paris Fashion Week in March 2022

As her grandmothers muse, Cora walked her first catwalk, the 2001 Vivienne Westwood show in Paris, when she was just four years old. She went on her first protest, the 2003 march against the war in Iraq, aged six.

She even inspired a fashion campaign  Viviennes 2009 collection was based on Coras time at the 36,000-a-year Bedales School in Hampshire  in her GCSE year and found herself being dubbed the next Cara Delevingne.

Fast-forward a few years and Cora, now 27, is forging her way as a successful model and activist, continuing to support her late grandmothers work and wearing her label with pride  just as Vivienne would have wanted.

Or at least, that is how it seemed.

But last week Cora  the daughter of Viviennes younger son, Joe Corre, and entrepreneur Serena Rees, co-founders of the lingerie brand Agent Provocateur  opened up about an extraordinary dispute going on at Vivienne Westwood Ltd, in an astonishingly stark letter emailed to all staff.

In the three-page letter, seen in full by the Mail, Cora alleges her grandmother was bullied in later life by the companys current chief executive officer, Italian businessman Carlo DAmario, 79, who joined in 1986.

She says Viviennes legacy has been betrayed and disrespected by Carlo, accusing him of bringing enormous shame and reputational damage to the brand.

As many of you know, in the years leading up to my grandmothers death, she was deeply unhappy with the way the VW [Vivienne Westwood] company was being run, Cora continues.

It was her wish that the current CEO, Carlo DAmario, was removed and that the company was properly managed in a way that respected her values.

Cora, her father Joe Corre and his mother Dame Vivienne at London Fashon Week in 2017

She adds: Seemingly, not content with the damage Carlo inflicted on Vivienne personally, he is now inflicting damage on her legacy through the company.

She goes on to ask the companys directors to remove the CEO from his position with immediate effect, and concludes by resigning from her own role as campaigns manager.

The letter sent shockwaves through the fashion community and fans of the 50-year-old brand, many of whom had assumed those at the helm after Viviennes death were working with her family and had their full support.

But fashion is, as its often said, a cut-throat world and  if the leaked letter is anything to go by  it seems family ties count for little, even at the very top.

A source close to the family says Cora is now taking time away from the spotlight and  apart from posting a brief update for her 42,000 Instagram followers, in which she says her position at the company had become untenable  has no more to say on the matter.

This was a difficult decision for her but she is confident in it, the source says. She knows its what her grandmother would have wanted. Its been a long time coming.

Meanwhile, Vivienne Westwood Ltd and Carlo DAmario did not respond to repeated requests for comment and have not responded to the letters accusations.

Before now, from the outside at least, there had been few signs of turbulence at the company.

Carlo D'Amario, the chief executive of Vivienne Westwood Ltd. Cora alleges that he has 'betrayed and disrespected' her late grandmother's legacy

So how has one of Britains biggest business success stories, which recorded an operating profit of 38.5million in its most recent annual accounts, come to be at loggerheads with the Corre and Westwood families?

While DAmario may have a different take, of course, friends of the families claim fractures in the company all stem from Carlo DAmario himself.

Indeed, some say his relationship with Vivienne, who hailed from Tintwistle, Derbyshire, soured as far back as 2016. But it didnt start out that way.

A former fabric buyer from Milan, who had a brief stint at a Russian university as part of a study programme with the Italian Communist Party, Carlo spent seven years at the Italian fashion house Fiorucci before setting up his own PR company, Casanova.

He met Vivienne, who had recently separated from Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, at a Paris fashion show in 1985 and the pair had a brief romance, before he came on board as managing director of her company the following year.

When I met Vivienne Westwood, I thought she was a multi-millionaire because in some ways she was more famous in 1985 than she is now, he told an interviewer in 1997.

I was very shocked when she said how little money they made. Luckily she seduced me.

No one in the business knew much about him. One journalist described him as a wheeler-dealer. Another said he was slightly eccentric with a dishevelled look.

His glass eye (reportedly lost in a misadventure) and propensity to wear sunglasses indoors only increased the mystery surrounding him.

Viviennes loved ones, friends say, were unsure about him, nor did he do much to endear them with his brusque and confident manner.

Indeed, at her memorial service at Southwark Cathedral last February, one mourner recalls Viviennes son Joe Corre openly voicing his dislike for him.

At first, Carlo managed Viviennes affairs in Italy, before moving to London in 1993 and taking on a 30 per cent stake in the company. Soon he was promoted to director.

In the first three years, he increased annual turnover from a few hundred thousand to 20million  silencing his doubters and cementing his position at its helm.

With a focus on expanding Vivienne Westwood Ltd abroad, particularly in Japan, Carlo  who went on to marry one of the companys former press officers with whom he had a family  drove success after success.

I spend 95 per cent of my time looking for people for the team, he has said. We want the people to stay with us all their lives. You cant just buy people in. I dont believe in mercenaries. I believe in the Peoples Army.

But staff tell a somewhat different story to this portrayal of a harmonious work environment.

Some sources claim they feel there is a toxic atmosphere at the company and that the culture has worsened recently.

One former employee told the Mail this week: Whatever he [DAmario] wants he gets to have it.

Vivienne Westwood with Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren in 1977

But another former staff member who spent 13 years at Vivienne Westwood warns that the power dynamics within the company are more complicated than they seem.

Its not just black and white, she says. There are so many colours and its very difficult to take sides.

The company is hugely troubled.

Signs of disorder in the ranks first made headlines in July, when one of the directors, the acclaimed designer and former host of BBCs The Clothes Show, Jeff Banks, was pushed out of the business amid reports of a boardroom coup.

Jeff, 81, who joined the company several years earlier, had been summoned by Vivienne to her deathbed where she charged him with protecting her legacy.

His tenure lasted just 18 months, however, with rifts widening over the direction the company was going in.

One well-placed source said bitter in-fighting among top-ranking staff was so bad it made House of Gucci look like Play School, referring to the 2021 film about the vicious battle to control the Italian fashion brand.

On one side of the split were said to be Viviennes family (Jeff Banks is a friend of the Corre clan); on the other, Carlo and  perhaps unexpectedly  Andreas Kronthaler, Viviennes widower.

Andreas, 58, was Viviennes third husband, whom she met while teaching fashion design in Vienna in 1988: he, at 25 years her junior, was her student.

They began working together and married in 1992, with Vivienne formally acknowledging Andreas contribution to the brand by making him creative director in 2016.

Andreas made a touching tribute to her after her death.

I will continue with Vivienne in my heart, he said. We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with. Thank you darling.

Cora, in particular, was once very close to him. The pair follow one another on social media, and on one of his Instagram posts from 2021, featuring Vivienne holding a bunch of flowers, she has written: Love you both so much.

But their relationship appears to have broken down, in business terms at least.

One family friend explains: What has exacerbated things is that since [Viviennes] death, her husband Andreas ended up siding with Carlo, and that has now led to a decline in relations with him.

Cora as a girl with her father Joe Corre and mother Serena Rees, the co-founders of the lingerie brand Agent Provocateur

Andreas Kronthaler did not respond to requests for comment.

Yet more discord has been fuelled by the apparent clash between Vivienne Westwood Ltd and The Vivienne Foundation, a fundraising body first established by Vivienne in 2018 and officially launched by Cora in 2023 and it is this which has brought things to a head, at least where Cora is concerned.

While the limited company oversees the fashion business, the foundation  staffed by Cora, her dad Joe, her uncle Ben Westwood and Andreas Kronthaler  is entirely philanthropic, working with charities and NGOs linked to causes the designer cared about, including promoting human rights and stopping climate change.

Before her death, Cora claims, her grandmother transferred her entire creative estate  all her designs, drawings and artwork  to the foundation.

The Foundation has been holding out for some time now for a way to have a harmonious working relationship with the VW company, she writes in her letter.

However, it has now been two years and despite our best efforts, not a single conversation has been instigated by the VW Company with The Foundation.

This breakdown in communication has brought me so much sadness.

The fact that Vivienne Westwood Ltd has continued to use Viviennes designs  including in a recent campaign with Palace Skateboards, said by family sources to be the final straw in Coras decision to leave  with what they allege is no prior agreement and without paying royalities is a particular source of contention.

In a further blow, Cora says, Vivienne Westwood Ltd recently won a legal battle to trademark The Vivienne Foundation for charitable fundraising, hosting events and conferences, preventing The Vivienne Foundation itself from doing so.

Now ask yourself, for what possible reason would it be legitimate for VW company business to register these trademarks, if not solely to prevent The Foundations legitimate charitable activities as Vivienne would have wished, she asks.

Effectively Carlo is preventing The Vivienne Foundation from raising money to support NGOs and the charities Vivienne was so passionate about.

Like so many family business disputes, there are clearly myriad emotions  as well as competing interests and motivations  at play.

But with a brand as high-profile as Vivienne Westwood, the stakes are higher than most.

Alison Lowe, a fashion consultant and course leader of the Fashion Entrepreneurship MBA at the University of East London, says such power struggles are common in so-called legacy brands.

Family members understandably have a deep personal connection to the brand, and thus will have heightened emotional responses when they feel the legacy is being compromised, she explains.

Their loyalty to the family legacy can clash with business decisions, especially when external executives prioritise ownership, profit or expansion over preserving the founders unique style or values.

She warns that such power struggles, especially when they spill over into the public domain, can greatly affect the brands reputation, direction and internal dynamics.

This is something both sides, if they want to ensure the survival of Viviennes lifetime of work, would do well to bear in mind.

Though Cora has said her piece for now, this is unlikely to be the last we hear of her.

Writing a tribute to Vivienne earlier this year, she said: My Grandma was inspired to do her work for future generations.

She fought for the future, through the art of protest and unpopular ideas. This is something I will now carry forward.

Ever her grandmothers champion, burning bright with that same activist spirit, shes got plenty of fight in her yet.
An 11-year-old boy was the only one to survive a tragic California boating accident this weekend.

The boy was a cousin to the children who survived a November 2017 mass shooting. The shooter fired at three of Rancho Tehama resident Tiffany Phommathep's children while she was driving them to school.

The tragedy at sea, which saw five people died and 14 injured and involved this same family, occurred almost exactly seven years to the day after the shooting.

Tiffany's husband, Johnny Phommathep, along with sons Johnny Jr., 17, and Jake, 14 - both of whom were injured in the shooting seven years ago - set sail on Saturday for an afternoon crabbing trip on Bodega Bay, which is more than 60 miles north of San Francisco.

The boat eventually capsized in the rough waters, sparking a search for survivors. The 11-year-old was the only one who managed to swim back to shore sometime Saturday night using a cooler to stay buoyant, ABC 7 reported.

Tiffany Phommathep is pictured with her husband Johnny Phommathep and their children

Seven years before the boating accident, three of the Phommathep boys and their mother narrowly survived a mass shooting. They are pictured at the hospital after the fact

'He self-rescued. He was able to make it to shore and stayed the night on the shore. In the morning, he walked up and was found by passersby on Highway 1 and he survived. It's really miraculous that he made it,' said Misti Wood, a spokesperson for the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

Levi Read, Chief Petty Officer with the US Coast Guard, told ABC 7 that the 11-year-old is now in stable condition after being taken to the hospital.

Johnny Jr., who sometimes went by JJ, was found dead on the coast.

For the other four missing boaters, including Johnny Sr. and 14-year-old Jake, it's not likely that they'll be found alive, according to the Coast Guard.

'The survivability at this point is unlikely,' Read said.

To this point, Johnny Jr.'s body has been the only one recovered by authorities.

This comes after the Coast Guard suspended the search at around 6:30 pm on Sunday.

Rescue crews spent about 57 combined hours and covered more than 2,100 square miles, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Pictured: A Sonoma Sheriff's vehicle is parked by the Bodega Bay, where Johnny and two of his sons went out on a boat this weekend

Levi Read, Chief Petty Officer with the US Coast Guard, said 'survivability at this point is unlikely' for the four missing boaters

A Coast Guard ship searches for the Phommathep family

'The decision to suspend a search is always difficult to make and never done lightly,' Chief Warrant Officer Michael L. Zapawa, search and rescue coordinator for the San Francisco sector, said in a news release. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the missing boaters during this incredibly difficult time.'

Now Tiffany, who has four surviving children, has experienced two horrific tragedies just years apart. What's even more, she just added another little one to her family: a baby boy that's about 3 months old.

Sara Lobdell is the school secretary at Rancho Tehama Elementary, the school that was shot at during the mass shooting seven years ago that Tiffany and her children narrowly survived.

Lobdell is a friend of Tiffany's and organized a GoFundMe page to help her through this most recent tragedy.

A previous GoFundMe established for the Phommathep family after the 2017 shooting said Tiffany's husband, a military veteran, was the sole provider.

A recent picture of Johnny Phommathep, left, and his family celebrating a birthday

Johnny Phommathep was in the military and the sole provider for his wife Tiffany, who is a stay-at-home mother

Johnny and Tiffany are pictured together in an undated photo

Tiffany is pictured recovering in a hospital bed after the shooting

'We're in contact,' Lobdell said regarding her conversations with Tiffany. 'She's trying to hang in there for her other children.'

'It doesn't seem real,' she added.

Lobdell's GoFundMe has raised more than $16,000 so far, aiming to reach a goal of $100,000.

'We're just trying to do something to alleviate what she's going through... and help financially any way we can,' Lobdell told DailyMail.com. 'So I'm really happy about that.'

Almost seven years ago, Tiffany was driving her two sons who had been on the boat, Johnny Jr. and Jake, to Rancho Tehama Elementary on the morning of November 14, 2017. Her then-2-year-old son Niko was also in the car.

Kevin Neal committed a mass shooting in California in November 2017. Among his victims were members of the Phommathep family

Johnny Jr. and Jake were 10 and 7 at the time, and it was a day like any other.

That was until 44-year-old Kevin Neal, who just so happened to be a neighbor of the family, rear-ended Tiffany's pickup truck and began firing wildly at them, the Redding Record Searchlight reported.

Tiffany acted fast, throwing her body over Johnny Jr. in the passenger seat to shield him from bullets.

'I just kept on praying that hed go away because I cant take another bullet. I knew I wouldnt make it,' Tiffany told KCRA days after the shooting.

Tiffany, then 31 years old, was shot four times in the back, left shoulder and once in the hip. One of the bullets became lodged in her intestines.

Johnny Jr. was shot twice in the calf, Jake was shot above his left ankle, and Niko didn't get hit but did have scratches on his face and neck from glass shards.

Neal died by suicide after police caught up to him.

Johnny Sr., who wasn't present during the shooting, later praised his namesake son for pulling his two younger brothers into the front of the car to protect them.

'He was a hero the way he performed,' he said.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office for an update on the missing boat but didn't receive a response before publication.
Donald Trump has little chance of winning any electoral college votes from safely blue California in Tuesday's election.

But Golden State voters may yet buoy the former Republican president's chances, The Wall Street Journal says in an editorial.

Population flight from California, New York, Illinois and other progressive states to electoral battlegrounds in recent years could sway the outcome of the 2024 race, the Journal argues.

That's in part because migration patterns in the 2010s cut Democrats' advantage in the Electoral College after the post-2020 Census reapportionment, says the article.

California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia each lost a vote.

Voters on Tuesday waiting to vote in Cypress, Texas, which is worth two additional electoral college votes in the 2024 race thanks to inbound migration.

A family readies to leave Queens, in New York, which has lost tens of thousands of voters to Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and elsewhere since 2020.

At the same time, Texas gained two, while Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon each added one.

That means Vice President Kamala Harris starts with a smaller advantage over Trump than her boss Joe Biden did in 2020, the Journal says.

That creates more 'pathways' for Trump to win the 270 electoral votes that secures the White House, it adds.

Trump could attain 270 by keeping all the safely red states and winning the swing states of Georgia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, says the Journal.

'If Ms. Harris loses in such a scenario, Democrats can blame progressives in Sacramento, Albany, and Springfield for driving an exodus to red states with their ever-higher taxes and cost of living,' says the editorial board.

'Millions of Americans have voted with their pocket book as Democrats who run one-party states have entrenched their power and made it hard to correct policy.'

Domestic migration patterns could help Trump in another way, the Journal adds.

Some 700,000 Americans on net moved to Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin from other states between 2020 and 2023, Census Bureau data show.

Many of those migrants are 'fleeing high taxes and the social and economic consequences of progressive policies,' says the Journal.

As such, they may lean conservative  perhaps evidenced by Florida's switch to being reliably Republican as it absorbs newcomers from across the US, it says.

Florida is now home to 1.6 million native New Yorkers, says the Journal.

Some former residents of California say they were driven out of the state by high taxes and social problems, including homelessness.

Supporters of former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump hold a flag outside a polling station, on Election Day, in The Villages, Florida, which has welcomed newcomers to the state in recent years.

A voter holds a ballot before casting his vote during Election Day in Miami, Florida.

Another 60,000 have relocated to North Carolina since 2020 and 28,000 have moved to Georgia.

'Many are college-educated suburbanites who dislike both Mr. Trump's character and the left's cultural excesses,' says the paper.

'It's hard to predict how they will vote.'

Wisconsin, Arizona, and Nevada have all gained tens of thousands of residents since 2020  and there are signs they are trending more Republican than four years ago, says the paper.

'It's possible the polls will be wrong again this year and one of the two candidates will win a more convincing victory,' it says.

'But if the election is close, and Mr. Trump wins Arizona and Nevada, he might thank California Gov. Gavin Newsom.'
What does YOUR working week look like? Email jon.brady@mailonline.co.uk

London's trainee lawyers are being asked to regularly work 70-hour weeks by US firms to justify starting salaries of more than 170,000, a survey has confirmed.

Research conducted by the website Legal Cheek found that American firms dominated the table on working hours among younger lawyers in the Square Mile, taking the first eleven places.

Young solicitors working for firms such as Weil, Gotshal and Manges reported that they worked on average 67.5 hours over the normal five-day working week.

Whilst working as juniors, employees at the New York-based company are also often required to work for at least part of the weekend, taking their six-day average to more than 70 hours.

Researchers found that many junior lawyers at these demanding firms routinely finished their days after 10.30pm, with one junior solicitor claiming he 'hadn't seen sunlight in three months'.

What does YOUR working week look like? Email jon.brady@mailonline.co.uk

The top legal firms are increasing salaries for newly qualified lawyers to 'insane' levels, bosses have said

Trainees at US firms are famously required to produce higher billing targets then their UK counterparts - recording at least 2,000 billable hours a year, while those at the top English firms are normally required to do about 1,800.

Linklaters was the highest ranking English firm for average working hours, with trainees reporting that they logged more than 60 hours on average, with about 57 hours in the five-day week.

Junior lawyers working at the London offices of Gibson Dunn and Paul Weiss  based in Los Angeles and New York, respectively - are paid 180,000 from the day they qualified.

In the magic circle, the elite group of five domestic City law firms including Linklaters, newly qualified solicitors can expect to be paid 30,000 less than this.

But pay for the most junior ranks at these top UK legal firms has jumped 50 per cent over the last five years, as competition with US firms has grown fierce.

Quinn Emanuel has hiked its base salary for newly qualified workers by 18 per cent  which could be as much as 8,900 a month after tax

It usually takes at least six years to qualify as a solicitor in Britain if they study law at university.

This means someone as young as 26 working at either of the firms could now be earning 40,000 more than the Prime Minister.

Junior lawyers at Freshfields, Linklaters' arch rival, reportedly turn in 56.5 hours a week over five days, also taking their six-day average to more than 60 hours.

Those training at Slaughter and May, widely perceived to be the highest earning of the five 'magic circle' firms, worked the shortest weeks - earning slightly more than 51 hours on average over five days.

Outside of this group, the highly respected City firm Trowers and Hamlins reported a five-day working week of only 46 hours, still way above the 36.6 hours average across the UK.

When asked what the toughest part of the job was, one of the junior solicitors told researchers: 'The always available culture  you're expected to answer calls at ungodly hours or on days off  but hey, that's what they pay you for.'

What does YOUR working week look like? Email jon.brady@mailonline.co.uk
An 11-year-old Florida girl was horrifically killed after she was thrown overboard and fatally struck by a boat's propeller while out on Palm Beach County's Lake Osborne.

Brooke Mejeur was aboard the 20-foot pontoon boat along with two unnamed adults and two unnamed minors when she was accidentally ejected.

The boat's bow suddenly and without warning dropped, sending the young girl into the water, before she was fatally struck by the boat's propeller in front of the other passengers, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

An 11-year-old girl tragically died while boating on Lake Osborne in Palm Beach County, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed. Pictured: Lake Osborne

Brooke Mejeur was aboard the 20-foot pontoon boat along with two unnamed adults and two unnamed minors when she was accidentally ejected. Pictured: Stock image of a 20-foot pontoon boat

According to a preliminary FWC investigation, two adults and three minors were on board a 20-foot pontoon boat when the bow of the vessel dropped suddenly, ejecting the 11-year-old into the water

Mejeur was taken to shore but later died from her injuries.

An investigation into the Sunday incident is ongoing.

'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Brooke Mejeur during this incredibly difficult time,' FWC said.

Others out on the lake that day noticed the patrol boats scouring the late on that fateful day.

Local lakeside Floridian, Luke Price, told WPTV that he has 'been out in the water since he was born' and has witnessed a handful of boating accidents over the years but nothing as tragic as this.

'Anything can happen, always take precautions,' he added.

Lake Osborne is a popular destination for recreational boaters, fishermen and nature-lovers.

The grim accident comes just days after a Florida real estate developer was hit with a felony homicide charge stemming from a 2022 boat crash that killed a 17-year-old girl and left another disabled.

Miami-Dade prosecutors now believe George Pino, 53, committed 'vessel homicide,' a crime that could land him prison for up to 15 years if he's convicted.

On September 4, 2022, Pino was driving a 29-foot Robalo boat with 13 others on board, including his daughter Cecilia Lianne Pino, who was celebrating her birthday.

The majority of the passengers were Cecilia's teenage friends.

A Florida real estate developer was hit with a felony homicide charge stemming from a 2022 boat crash that killed a 17-year-old girl and left another disabled. Pictured: The vessel capsized and all 14 people onboard ended up in the water

Pino was driving this 29-foot Robalo boat. Pictured: The right side of the vessel was torn open in the crash

Pino eventually struck a channel marker in the Upper Keys near Boca Chita Key, causing the boat to flip upside down and throw everyone overboard, according to prosecutors and officials with the FWC.

Almost everyone was injured, but 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez died and Katerina Puig, who was 18 at the time, was left with debilitating and permanent injuries that will preclude her from living an independent life.

An FWC incident report said authorities found 61 empty alcohol bottles and cans, one empty champagne bottle and a half-empty liquor bottle on the boat, NBC 6 reported.

Despite this, no one admitted to consuming the alcohol and Pino refused to take a breathalyzer test because he didn't have an attorney present.

A final FWC report released around a year after the crash concluded that Pino showed no signs of impairment, but that he 'did operate his vessel in a careless manner by violating four navigational rules.'

For instance, he was piloting the boat at 45-47 miles per hour, which was a factor in the crash according to the FWC.
A babysitter who abused and neglected the children she was watching has avoided prison after being given a light sentence.

Melieah Fisher, 31, of Greenfield, Indiana, was sentenced to 1,095 days on house arrest followed by two and a half years of probation through the Hancock County Community Corrections program, according to court records.

Alarm bells rang for the Greenfield Police Department on mid-September 2022 when the Department of Child Services reported a string of child injuries.

Multiple parents, who had entrusted their children to Fisher, discovered their kids with bruises, popped blood vessels, and hematomas, reports Fox 59.

The abusive babysitter was originally arrested in 2022 on 10 felony charges, including neglect and battery of a minor, each of which carried up to six years in prison. She later pleaded guilty to five counts of neglect as part of a plea deal.

Melieah Fisher, 31, was sentenced to 1,095 days on house arrest followed by two and a half years of probation through the Hancock County Community Corrections program, according to court records

The investigation began on September 15, 2022, when the Indiana Department of Child Services alerted the Greenfield Police Department about allegations of child abuse occurring at a local babysitter's home.

Authorities visited Fisher's home the same day and spoke with her about one of the children in her care, who had visible marks on their body.

Fisher reportedly told the detective that the child's forehead and nose injuries were from a fall three days earlier. She also mentioned that she had observed bruising on the child's legs, arms, and back when the child arrived.

The report indicated that Fisher acknowledged other children in her care had sustained injuries while under her supervision, but she claimed the children 'play rough.'

On September 17, 2022, officials interviewed the parents of two other children who had been cared for by Fisher. The parents explained that they had found Fisher through Real Life Church about a year earlier.

The mother told authorities that when she visited Fisher's home in July, she noticed a large hematoma on one of the children's foreheads.

Fisher claimed that the injury occurred after the child fell of the toilet and hit their head.

The report also noted that, on September 9, 2022, parents said the child had bruising on their back, face, and neck.

When the parent asked the other child about the injuries, the child allegedly said that Fisher had slapped their sibling, who had popped blood vessels in their left eye.

'Mom, you get beat up punched, slapped if you spill something or make a mess,' the sibling who was slapped told his mother

The abusive babysitter was originally arrested in 2022 on 10 felony charges, including neglect and battery of a minor

Another parent expressed concern about Fisher's supervision of children, noting instances of neglect, such as leaving children unsupervised in the garage or engaging in minimal interaction.

The parent also raised concerns about potential bullying by another child residing in the home

Another child witness described a disturbing incident where Fisher dropped their sibling, causing injuries.

The child also revealed harsh disciplinary tactics, including punishment for crying and a ban on noise during nap time.

Medical records confirmed significant injuries to one child, and investigators believe other, nonverbal children may have also been abused.
New video from inside the chaotic Cambria County polling station in Pennsylvania showed the moment voting machines suddenly stopped working on election day.

The footage, obtained by Daily Mail, showed voters being asked to place their ballots into a box rather than submit them to the electronic machine.

Dubious voters did as requested, then shared their thoughts on social media.

'Very interest... they go to start scanning our ballots into the box and guess what? The box doesn't work,' said Amanda Wagner.

'What did they do? They just unlock it and stick all of our ballots underneath.'

Officials filed an order to extend voting hours in the county from 8pm to 10pm following the 'software malfunction' that kept voters from scanning their ballots.

It remains unclear what triggered the malfunction. Officials insist it has now been repaired.

Voters in Cambria County, Pennsylvania , have been forced to place their ballots into boxes after voting machines malfunctioned throughout the entire county

Election workers said 'there is a process in place for issues of this nature' and the malfunction 'should not discourage voters from voting at their voting precincts.'

'The Cambria County Board of Election learned early this morning that a software malfunction in the Countys Electronic Voting System has prevented voters from scanning their ballots,' the Office of County Commissioners said.

'The Board has filed a Court Order extending the time to vote within Cambria County.

'No one should be turned away from the polls if they wish to cast their vote. Cambria County Board of Elections took measures to have IT specialists called to review the software issue.

'All completed ballots will be accepted, secured, and counted by the Board of Elections.'

The states Department of State added: 'The Department of State is in contact with county officials in Cambria County.

'Voters are continuing to vote by paper ballot, in accordance with normal operations, while the county resolves the issue with in-precinct scanning.

Voters are seen in Cambria County as the ballot machines malfunctioned on Tuesday

'We are working with the County to resolve this technical matter and remain committed to ensuring a free, fair, safe, and secure election.'

The Republican National Committee has spoken out on the Cambria ballot machines, saying they are supporting an extension of voting hours.

RNC Chairman Michael Whatle said: 'This morning's ballot processing issues in Cambria have resulted in delays  this is unacceptable, plain and simple. Our legal team acted immediately to support extended hours to give voters the opportunity to vote - we need voters to STAY IN LINE!'

Trump won Cambria county by 68.1 percent in 2020 and 67.3 percent in 2016.

Bedford County in PA also reported issues with ballot scanners on Tuesday morning.

Pennsylvania is one of seven swing states expected to decide the election, barring a major surprise, alongside Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.

While there have been no major reports of any malicious cyberactivity affecting election offices, foreign actors have been active in using fake social media profiles and websites to drum up partisan vitriol and disinformation.

In the final weeks, U.S. intelligence officials have attributed multiple fake videos alleging election fraud in presidential swing states to Russia.

Voters line up at a polling station at Farmersville Elementary School in Easton, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is one of seven states that are expected to decide the election

On the eve of Election Day, they issued a joint statement with federal law enforcement agencies warning that Russia in particular was ramping up its influence operations, including ways that could incite violence, and likely would continue those efforts well after votes have been cast.

Harris entered Election Day with a 4-point lead over Trump after slashing the gender gap.

Harris, 60, has the support of 51 percent of likely voters, according to the latest PBS News/NPR/Marist poll. Trump has support from 47 per cent.

The survey found that Harris' surge comes after Trump's lead among male voters significantly declined in the final days leading up to the election.

Trump, 78, previously held a 57 per cent lead amongst male voters, but now only leads 51 per cent to Harris' 47 per cent.

However, the Democrat's lead among women shrunk from 18 to 11 points.
A council worker who protested against the use of woke pronouns has been hit with a 12,000 legal bill.

Jim Orwin lost his job when he refused to use 'acceptable' pronouns such as he/him and instead used the words 'XYchromosomeGuy/AdultHumanMale' to the end of his emails.

The ICT project officer was suspended and eventually sacked by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in 2022 when he refused to change the sign-off.

In May he took the authority to a tribunal, saying they had discriminated against his beliefs and he had been unfairly dismissed as if he had remained silent he would have 'facilitated the steady creep of evil'.

Although the panel dismissed his case and found he was not discriminated against, it did accept his gender-critical beliefs amounted to a protected 'philosophical belief within the meaning of section 10 of the Equality Act 2010'.

But now Mr Orwin has forced to pay the council 12,000 after an employment judge ruled his tribunal claim was 'vexatious'.

Jim Orwin (pictured) has been ordered to pay 12,000 in legal costs after challenging his sacking by East Riding of Yorkshire Council

The row started when an email was sent out to all staff by East Riding of Yorkshire Council's chief executive Caroline Lacey in April 2022, urging them to 'consider adding pronouns' to their emails.

Staff were told that it was an 'individual choice' and were given links to websites which offered explanations as to why such words could be used.

The tribunal heard the reason for bringing in the policy was to 'promote inclusion of people who identify their gender in a way that is not necessarily consistent with their biological sex'.

However, after receiving the email, Mr Orwin 'quickly formed the view' it had been done to 'facilitate self-identification.'

He told the hearing: 'Had the email contained a genuine invitation simply for colleagues to add pronouns to email signatures and not facilitated self-identification I would have chosen the 'Do not show' option not to display pronouns.

'It is my firm belief that announcing pronouns in emails or before meetings is a political gesture designed to intimidate anyone who does not embrace the contested ideology of gender identity.'

He 'interpreted' the email to allow employees to add their own pronouns rather than having to choose from a list.

Therefore, he decided to add the words 'XYchromosomeGuy/AdultHumanMale' and following this he contacted his manager to give him 'advanced notice'.

When he was asked why he simply couldn't choose the 'other' option of pronouns, Mr Orwin said: 'Not adding a pronoun would be accepting this garbage and is not an option I can choose.'

The tribunal heard how Mr Orwin thought the only way to challenge the policy was to 'adopt deliberately provocative pronouns'.

However, he was told his choices were unacceptable as they 'may be deemed offensive to others'.

The ICT project officer was suspended and eventually sacked by the council, pictured, in 2022 when he refused to change the footer on his emails

He carried on defying orders to remove them, claiming it was 'unlawful discrimination' and in August 2022 was summoned to a disciplinary hearing.

He said he wouldn't back down as it was 'all about principles' and was sacked.

Mr Orwin, from Hull, said that four different employment judges dealt with the various stages of the tribunal process and that it was never suggested that his claim was vexatious.

He said: 'Not one of the judges, nor the Council's legal team, so much as suggested that possibility. The word was never mentioned.

'The first suggestion that my claim might be considered vexatious was in the Council's recent costs application. I understand that it is not unusual for employers who succeed in defending claims in the employment tribunal to submit a costs application, but the general principle in employment tribunals is that each party is responsible for its own legal costs. In his costs order, the judge said I pursued the case because I found the concept of gender self-identification objectionable, which I think any reasonable person would consider to be entirely consistent with holding gender-critical beliefs, and therefore not vexatious at all.

'Those who share gender-critical beliefs must be able to bring legitimate claims of belief discrimination to the Employment Tribunal without the threat of sanctions being imposed on them simply because of their protected beliefs.

'I think in the current climate, most of the British public will see this costs order judgment as yet another example of a two-tier judiciary, and somewhat inconsistent with the Employment Tribunal's duty of political impartiality.'

The tribunal found Mr Orwin's 'gender-critical belief' constitutes a 'philosophical belief'.

However, Employment Judge Ian Miller concluded he had not been discriminated against by being told to change his pronouns.

He said: 'The real reason that [Mr Orwin] decided to add 'XY-chromosome-guy/adult-human-male' was in protest.'

Mr Miller added: 'The footer was designed to provoke and, we think given his acceptance of possible offence, was designed to offend.'

The judge said the implementation of the policy was 'poorly thought through and badly executed'.

Dismissing his claims of discrimination, he said: 'None of the treatment he experienced was because of his beliefs (or expression of beliefs).

His claim of unfair dismissal was also dismissed as it was 'well within the band of reasonable responses of a reasonable employer'.

Awarding costs, the judge found that Mr Orwin pursued the claim 'solely' because he 'found objectionable both the concept of gender self-identification and the council's decision to adopt a policy that indicated they believed the ideology of gender self-identification to be valid.'

Mr Orwin has now launched a crowdfunding bid to raise the cash for the council's costs.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: 'Costs are a usual consideration in legal proceedings. It was considered appropriate for the council to make an application to recover costs incurred at public expense in defending this claim and costs were subsequently awarded by the Employment Tribunal following this application.'
Advertisement

Incredible photos show Americans flocking to polling stations across the country to cast their votes in what is set to be one of the closest presidential elections in history.

Umbrella-clad Texans braved wind and rain to hit the polls on Tuesday, while in Jefferson County, just outside St Louis in Missouri, polling stations are bracing for potential flooding that could cause last-minute chaos.

In the key swing state of North Carolina, people lined up before the sun rose, while another battleground state, Pennsylvania, also drew long lines first thing.

More than 80 million people have already voted, and millions more are expected to weigh in today after Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump made their final campaign pitches on Monday.

Attendees gathered at Kamala Harris' election night HQ event at Howard University in Washington DC

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by former U.S. first lady Melania Trump, speaks to reporters after voting at Mandel Recreation Center on Election Day in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 5, 2024

Pets have also been spotted at polling stations, including Penny the three-year-old labradoodle in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

A young girl holds a 'Black Voters for Harris-Walz' sign outside the Democratic Party's election night HQ party

A showgirl attends a Sin City voting party at Las Vegas City Hall as Nevada residents head to the polls

Student supporters of Kamala Harris react to poll numbers during the vice president's event at Howard University

Voters attend an election night watch party in Orlando, Florida, before the state was called for Donald Trump

A person looks over their ballot at ImpactLife in Davenport, Iowa, during Election Day

An Amish man walks past supporters of former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as he approaches a polling station at the Ronks Fire Department in Ronks, Pennsylvania

MAGA hats are handed out to students on Election Day at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona

The first votes in the country were cast just after midnight in the small town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire. (Pictured: a resident casting their vote at the Tillotson House in the town)

Voters line up outside of a polling station at St. John's Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church before the polls open on Election Day in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on November 5

Some voters dressed up for the occasion - with a mom and daughter duo in St Petersburg, Florida , wearing all-white with sashes which read 'Voters for Women'. Dawn Goddard (left) and her daughter Ilene Goddard (right) said they were excited to cast their votes for Kamala Harris

Mike Samson reads the newspaper while waiting in line before the polls open at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center on November 5, 2024 in Houston, Texas

Some voters dressed up for the occasion - with a mom and daughter duo in St Petersburg, Florida, wearing all-white with sashes which read 'Voters for Women'.

Dawn Goddard and her daughter Ilene Goddard, 18, said they were excited to cast their votes for Kamala Harris.

'I brought her to vote in 2016 and we were very hopeful then,' Dawn Goddard said. 'And we are even more hopeful today.'

Meanwhile, at another polling station in the same city, voters were greeted by a life-size cardboard cutout of Donald Trump, erected by a fan close to the voting point.

The first votes in the country were cast just after midnight in the small town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.

The results were too close to call, as the half dozen voters were split three-to-three between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

It's actually a sharp swing from 2020, when Joe Biden swept all five who voted against Trump.

Dixville Notch has produced the first results of the first-in-the-nation primary since 1960 with its midnight vote on Election Day.

An election official clashes with a voter as he bars entry to the polling station over his choice of shirt showing Donald Trump as 'America's most wanted president' in Burbank, California

Hooper, the Detroit Pistons mascot, pays a visit to the polling station at Detroit Fire Department Engine 17 Ladder 7 Chief 5 on November 5, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan

LaMont Williams votes via provisional ballot in the 2024 U.S. presidential election on Election Day, at the Mattress Factory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., November 5, 2024

Voter Kim Dryer carries a handmade doll of Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump outside a polling site on election day in West Palm Beach, Florida

A dog named Daisy looks on as their owner fills out a ballot in a polling place at the Cincinnati Observatory in Ohio

At another polling station in St Petersburg, Florida, voters were greeted by a life-size cardboard cutout of Donald Trump, erected by a fan close to the voting point

Supporters of former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gather near his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Election Day, November 5, 2024

People take pictures with a Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris cutout after voting on Election Day at Scranton High School on November 05, 2024 in Scranton, Pennsylvania

In the key swing state of North Carolina, voters lined up before the sun rose to cast what could be the deciding ballots in the most closely-run contest for the White House in decades

Pictured: Voters line up outside of a polling station at Donegan Elementary School as the polls open on Election Day in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Pictured: People vote at a polling place on Election Day in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 5

A boy watches his father voting for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, on Election Day in Asheville, North Carolina, November 5

Voters wait in a long line at the start of Election Day in Asheville, North Carolina, on November 5, 2024

It comes as a final key poll revealed that Harris entered Election Day with a 4-point lead over Trump after slashing the gender gap.

Harris, 60, has the support of 51 percent of likely voters, according to the latest PBS News/NPR/Marist poll. Trump has support from 47 per cent.

The survey found that Harris' surge comes after Trump's lead among male voters significantly declined in the final days leading up to the election.

Trump, 78, previously held a 57 per cent lead amongst male voters, but now only leads 51 per cent to Harris' 47 per cent. However, the Democrat's lead among women shrunk from 18 to 11 points.

Pictured: People wait in line to vote at a polling station in Smyrna, Georgia, on Election Day, November 5, 2024

Umbrella-clad Texans (pictured) braved wind and rain to hit the polls on Tuesday, while in Jefferson County, just outside St Louis in Missouri, polling stations are bracing for potential flooding which could cause last-minute chaos

Voters wait in line at a polling station on November 5, 2024 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, a suburban community outside Pittsburgh on November 5, 2024

Pictured: People line up to vote outside of a polling station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Election Day, November 5, 2024

Voters wait in line at the Oakmont United Methodist Church on November 5, 2024 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, a suburban community outside Pittsburgh on November 5, 2024

People vote as others wait in line at a polling station at Greater Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, located within Mecklenburg County, on November 5, 2024

Analysts say the top line results of the Marist poll are nearly identical to those of the 2020 election, which reported Joe Biden leading Trump 51 to 47 per cent.

The outcome of this year's knife-edge election, which has become the closest race to White House in decades, is too close to call and could potentially come down to a few thousand votes in seven key swing states.

The survey found that Harris holds a 4-point lead over Trump nationally, which is just outside the poll's 3.5-point margin of error.

An election worker hands back a voter's ID card during the check in process to receive a ballot. North Carolina requires voters to present voter ID

Pictured: Voters casting their ballots in Washington DC
Donald Trump said he felt 'confident' after he cast his vote in Palm Beach, Florida, even as polls show the race between him and Kamala Harris is virtually tied.

The 78-year-old was accompanied by wife Melania, who kept her sunglasses on as her husband took questions from reporters with just hours until the polls close in what could be one of the closest elections in history.

She answered one short question about how she was feeling: 'Very good. Thank you.'

Trump, wearing his signature 'Make America Great Again' hat, answered many questions and highlighted reports of chaos at the polling stations around the nation. He also wore an 'I voted' sticker.

'It is crazy,' the former president said. 'I am just hearing in certain states it is going to be a long time.'

He specifically mentioned Pennsylvania, the battleground state that could decide the winner. Polls show the race there is tied. There have also been reports of problems scanning ballots in Cambria and Bedford counties, two of the most Republican counties in the state.

'I'm hearing in Pennsylvania they won't have an answer until two or three days from now. I think it's an absolute outrage if that's the case,' Trump noted.

'In certain states it is going to be a long time and it won't even be close. It won't be that close. They say I will win the state but it will take a long time to certify it.'

Donald Trump and Melania Trump after voting in Florida

Your browser does not support iframes.

He argued if more Republicans than Democrats voted he should be declared the winner. There is no way to know if Republicans voted for him or an alternative.

'It looks like we have a very substantial lead. It looks like we have many more Republicans voting today than Democrats. If you have a lead and we have a bigger vote that means you are doing very well. They have to call a winner. And they should call a winner, yes,' he said.

But he said he would concede if he lost a 'fair' election.

'If it's a fair election I would be the first one to acknowledge it if I lost. And so far I think it's been fair,' he said. Trump, on the campaign trail, has indicated he doesn't trust the voting process and could challenge the results if Harris wins.

'I ran a great campaign. I think it was maybe the best of the three. We did great in the first one, much better in the second one. Something happened. And this was the best - I would say this was the best campaign we ran,' he said.

Trump conceded no matter the result of the presidential race it would be his last campaign.

'I would think so,' he said, adding he feels 'sad and very fulfilled.'

'I would think we are going to have a very big victory today,' Trump noted.

The former president also slammed Oprah Winfrey for endorsing Harris, saying he has been on her show and 'she has been to Mar-a-Lago many times.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

Donald Trump and Melania visit his campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach

The Trumps thanked the campaign staff for all their work

After they voted the couple swung by Trumps campaign headquarters to thank his staff and asked them to make sure there was no cheating happening on Election Day.

You are going to be watching. They're watching to make sure there is no cheating, right. No cheating, he said.

He also sounded confident of a victory.

Over the country - I hear it's all red, he said. We went in with a very big lead. We just have to keep it. I hear it's beyond that. It's a movement. There hasn't been a movement like this. We will turn this country around.

Melania said a quick word to thank the staff.

A great job. Thank you so much for your support. It was hard work, I know. It's hours to hours. I know how hard my husband is working. Nonstop. Thank you for all of your support. Great job, she told them.

The first lady made few appearances on the campaign trail.

There appears to be heavy voter interest across the country with long lines seen at polling stations throughout the nation. Counting the votes will extend beyond election night on Tuesday and it's unclear when there will be a final result.

In the 2020 presidential race it took four days to declare a winner. Regardless, Trump has baselessly claimed that if he lost, it would be due to fraud.

The former president will spend the day at his Mar-a-Lago estate in advance of a party at a nearby convention center.

Donald Trump told his staff to watch out for 'cheating' on Election Day

Donald Trump walks with Melania after voting at Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach

Your browser does not support iframes.

Trump opted to vote in person on Tuesday. Figures from the Division of Elections showed that 50% of Floridians voted early by mail.

Trump can legally vote even though he is a convicted felon.

The former president was convicted this year in New York State Court of falsifying records.

The state of Florida generally forbids felons from voting until they have served out their sentence or had their voting rights restored through the State Clemency Board.

But those rules do not apply to Trump as Florida law also stipulates that those convicted out of state are beholden to the voting laws of the state in which they were convicted.

New York State law allows felons to vote as long as they are not incarcerated. Therefore Trump can vote in Florida.

Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in New York on November 26 and could face probation or up to four years in prison.

Donald Trump - with wife Melania - said this would be his last campaign

Donald Trump held what he said was his last campaign rally. He said he had held more than 900 of them

Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff at Harris' final rally in Philadelphia

The former president held the last rally of his campaign in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the early hours of Tuesday morning, after spending the day on the campaign trail.

Taking the stage shortly after midnight, Trump went on a rant against Harris, saying 'nobody lies like this Kamala' and calling her a 'very low IQ person.'

His comments came on a day the Harris campaign made a point of noting she hadn't mentioned Trump's name on the trail.

Trump falsely claimed Harris had only a few hundred people at her rally, even though she drew thousands Monday.

Harris made her closing argument with a rally in Philadelphia. She spent Monday making multiple stops in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania.

Rudy Giuliani was spotted in a car outside the voting center in Palm Beach where Trump voted

Rudy Giuliani waves to onlookers

Harris and Trump entered Election Day focused on seven battleground states, five of them carried by Trump in 2016 before flipping to Joe Biden in 2020: the 'blue wall' of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin as well as Arizona and Georgia.

Nevada and North Carolina, which Democrats and Republicans respectively carried in the last two elections, also were closely contested.

Trump, 78, would be the oldest president ever elected. He would also be the first defeated president in 132 years to win another term in the White House, and the first person convicted of a felony to take over the Oval Office.
A mother is facing court action and could ultimately lose her job over her refusal to accept a school fine after her teenage daughter was banned from lessons for having her ears pierced.

Last May, Helen Gent was shocked when she arrived home to find her 14-year-old daughter Lucille had been taken out of class and put into isolation.

The teen had arrived back to Magnus Church of England Academy in Newark after half-term wearing 'tiny' stud earrings, but was informed after the fact that they were against the school's uniform policy.

Despite explaining to the school that the earrings needed to be kept in for 6-8 weeks to avoid infection, Ms Gent says that Magnus Academy still refused to allow her daughter back into the classroom.

The 45-year-old took Lucille out of lessons for five days to homeschool her, but she returned the following week wearing plastic studs instead, with no further issues raised by staff.

However, when the next school year started Ms Gent received a letter from the school accusing Lucille of accumulating 'unauthorised absences' and stating she had been fined 60, which would would double to 120 if not paid within 28 days.

Helen Gent (pictured right) with daughter Lucille (pictured left). Ms Gent has refused to pay a fine over Lucille's wearing of earrings to school and is now facing court action

The 'tiny' stud earrings worn by Lucille which sparked controversy with her school Magnus Academy in Newark

A close-up of the 'tiny' stud earring worn by Lucille which sparked controversy with her school Magnus Academy in Newark

Despite the prospect of the fine increasing and possible court action though, Ms Gent is refusing to pay the fine as she claims the absences were enforced by the school and were not her choice.

Having now received a court summons, Ms Gent recalled the incident, arguing: 'I took her to school to register for classes every single day of those five days, and they refused to let her into class.

'It was not a case of me taking her on holiday, I took her in and they refused her. How is that an unauthorised absence'.

Labelling the school's decision to pursue the incident to this degree an 'overreaction', Ms Gent shared how her confusion as to why her 'straight A student' daughter was being treated in such a way.

With the case currently before Nottinghamshire Crown Court, Ms Gent was forced to hire a solicitor.

Discussing the prospect of potentially having a criminal record over her daughter's choice of jewellery, Ms Gent expressed her outrage, saying: 'the result of me having a criminal record could prevent me from getting employment in the future and it could even affect the job I do currently.

'I'm a taxi driver, I work with vulnerable children and adults. I have got a clear DBS check because of working with children and adults.

'But it's required as part of my taxi licence, if I then have a criminal record, I would have to ask permission from Newark and Sherwood District Council to set that aside so that I can continue my work as a taxi driver.

'If they decide not to do that, I would be unemployed - this is absolutely ridiculous.'

Magnus Academy in Newark has been accused by Ms Gent of isolating her daughter from lessons due to 'sexist, archaic and irrelevant' uniform rules

Lucille (pictured left) and mother Helen (pictured right) were shocked to see a fine arrive for a five-day period of 'unauthorised absences' from school

Ms Gent has previously branded Magnus Academy's uniform policy as 'sexist, archaic and irrelevant', claiming that the state-run school is subjecting students to a 'Victorian-style authoritarian policy'.

The bewildered mother went on to add that wearing earrings is a part of British culture and 'isn't relevant to a child's learning ability... Even the NHS has revised its policy to allow stud earrings, because they recognise it doesnt prevent their staff from doing their work and is not a health and safety obstacle'.

Responding to Ms Gent's comments, a Magnus Academy Spokesperson stated that the schools uniform policy was clearly visible on its website and that the guidance has not changed in over six years.

The spokesperson added that the school refrains from exclusion over uniform breaches, instead 'working with families' to resolve issues quickly whilst also providing 'full teacher support for them to complete work elsewhere within the school'.
A Labour MP helped police snare a phone thief after he was mugged by a balaclava-clad gang who laughed as they stole his 1,400 iPhone on a central London street last night.

Chris Webb, the MP for Blackpool South, was targeted by the group of five or six men on bikes after he had phoned his wife to check in on his eight-month-old son.

The 38-year-old, who won a landslide victory in the Blackpool South by-election in May, described the shocking moment the men held his arms as they grabbed the phone from his jacket pocket as he walked back to his flat on Monday night.

As the gang escaped, he locked his iPhone using his Apple smartwatch and when the police came, he helped them to track the phone to a location where an individual was caught with a bag of phones and arrested. His own phone was not recovered.

Moments before the attack, he had told his wife Portia that he was going to hang up because he was in an area he didn't know well and felt apprehensive.

Labour MP Chris Webb was last night 'attacked and mugged' as he was returning to his flat in London

'I was walking back from Parliament on Monday evening about 10pm and had been on the phone to my wife and checking in on my son,' he told the Mail.

'I said to my wife: 'I'm going to put my phone away because I don't know this area,' before putting it in my pocket.

'I then popped into a local shop to pick up a delivery. I had walked four or five steps after I left the shop and went to get my phone out to call her back.

'They came up behind  they were deadly silent. They were wearing balaclavas and were on bikes.

'The first I knew of it was when they grabbed my arms. Then they snatched the phone from my pocket and cycled off.

'I shouted and swore at them and considered giving chase. They were cheering and laughing. I realised I was outnumbered so I left it.'

He said he was 'shocked and frustrated' by the ordeal, adding: 'I'm a big lad  a 6ft 2in rugby player so I don't normally worry about this stuff.'

Mr Webb, who won his seat at a by-election in May, phoned the police who he said 'went above and beyond' to help him.

Labour candidate Chris Webb waits with his wife Portia Webb and son Cillian Douglas Webb when he won the Blackpool South by-election in May

The attack happened at 10pm near his flat which is just ten minutes' walk from Parliament, which sits late on a Monday evening.

He thinks he was targeted because he was 'suited and booted', rather than because he was an MP. Luckily, he was insured.

He said he was 'kicking himself' that he had left his Apple AirPods at home in Blackpool because he would have used them to speak on his new iPhone 16 Pro Max.

'They probably clocked me on the phone and then waited for me to leave the shop before they came back to steal it,' he said.

'It's just bad luck  I've come away unscathed and I have no injuries. I am thankful for the swift police response.

'But it's probably a message to be more vigilant and to use headphones when you can, especially when in new surroundings.'

Mr Webb says he used the tracking on his phone via his Apple smart watch to lead police to an area where they caught someone with stolen phones - but his phone was not among them.

His advice to others is to stay vigilant when out at night with your phone, use headphones where possible and do not have your phone out on show.

'I think I was just a victim of crime who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was not being as vigilant as I should be with my phone out at 10 o'clock at night,' he told the PA news agency.

Fellow MPs sent Mr Webb messages of support, including Chris Bryant who said: 'I hope you're OK. Sending you best wishes.'

Other Labour MPs including Kate Osborne, Josh Fenton-Glynn and Jacob Collier echoed Mr Bryant's well wishes.

Mr Webb became the MP for Blackpool South after Labour's massive by-election victory in May. He received 10,825 votes at the time, with the Tories embarrassingly trailing behind with just 3,218.

He is the son of a postman and a teaching assistant who wanted to 'follow in their footsteps' into the public sector.

Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner meet MP Chris Webb after his victory in Blackpool South

In an interview with Sky News, he revealed that he first joined the picket line aged two when his father was on strike. He has been a Labour Party member for more than 20 years.

Mr Webb, who described himself as 'Blackpool born and bred', lives in his constituency with his wife Portia and baby Cillian. But he also has a flat in London, where he was returning to when he was attacked.

The MP was also the deputy police and crime commissioner for Lancashire between 2018 and 2021 and a councillor for Manchester City Council from 2015 to 2018.

Following the attack, he tweeted: 'Luckily I have no injuries and I am ok.

'The officers who assisted me went above and beyond,' he said. 'They are a remarkable credit to the force.'

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'Officers were called at 21:55hrs on Monday, 4 November following reports of a robbery on Lambeth Walk.

'The victim was approached by a group of men who stole his phone from his hand.

'Enquiries remain ongoing.'
A suspected Russian plot to target US-bound flights with exploding sex toys could escalate into an all-out war between NATO and Russia, an expert has warned.

Two incendiary devices ignited in British and German DHL depots in July after being reportedly hidden among erotic gadgets and sex toys.

While no one was injured in the fires, authorities warned that the planes could have been downed if the explosives ignited mid-flight.

In the Birmingham, the parcel exploded hours after being loaded onto a plane, whereas in Germany the package ignited on the ground during a flight delay.

Western officials fear the incidents were test runs for a plot to target US-bound flights - a move they say would be a major escalation, especially if it resulted in a mass-casualty event.

Dr Samuel Ramani, an expert at leading defence and security think tank RUSI, has now told MailOnline that the 'bomb plots' could lead to 'all-out confrontation' if the West retaliates.

Two incendiary devices were shipped via a DHL logistics centre on July 22 to Birmingham , England, and Leipzig, Germany, resulting in a fire

The alleged suspect is spotted in security camera footage

Massage pillows and other erotic gadgets were reportedly found in a shipment that concealed incendiary devices that later detonated in British and German DHL depots

'If the West comes together and takes threat seriously Russia could end up losing from this,' he said.

'The irony is the Russians might end up getting something they don't want in return for the attacks.

'They might see NATO countries increase their weapons supplies to Ukraine and allow them to fire missiles further into Russia.

'It is probably something that could trigger an all-out confrontation, but it would likely be limited to Ukraine.

'It could absolutely escalate the confrontation but within the parameters already set.'

He said what Russia is doing is a 'form of terrorism' and that the parcels were a response to Britain's approval of the use of storm shadow missiles in Ukraine.

And when asked if people should be fearful of the threat posed by Russia, Dr Ramani said: 'Yes, people should be very vigilant - they should not take threat less seriously than ISIS or any other terror group.

'They are terrorists in the same way, very serious intent, strategic action, not just a rogue action, criminal for hire, this is a state sponsored operation.'

Four people in Poland have been arrested in connection to the July warehouse blaze.

They have been charged with participating in sabotage or terrorist operations on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the Security Council meeting on nuclear deterrence at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on September 25

Polish reports claimed two incendiary devices that were shipped via a DHL logistics centre were hidden among a package of 'erotic gadgets and massage pillows'

Sources have suggested that the package which ignited in Leipzig was also bound for the UK, but it remains unclear why the UK was the chosen destination for the two devices, originally shipped from Lithuania.

Images released by the Wall Street Journal, provided by an unnamed European security official, appear to show the massage pillows, suspect and the moment of the explosion.

So far, counter-terrorism police in the UK have only confirmed that a device in Birmingham caught fire and that it was dealt with 'by staff and the local fire brigade at the time'.

But investigators have said there could have been far more serious consequences had the camouflaged devices ignited while in flight.

Poland's prosecutor's office said: 'The group's goal was also to test the transfer channel for such parcels, which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada.'

Head of Poland's foreign intelligence agency, Pawel Szota, also blamed Russia, although the prosecutor's office statement did not name a foreign government suspected of directing the operations.

British police and officials, as well as their European counterparts in Germany, Poland and Lithuania, also strongly suspect that Russia was behind the attacks as part of an effort to cause 'mayhem' in retaliation for western military support to Ukraine.

But Russia has denied involvement in the alleged plot.

'These are traditional unsubstantiated insinuations from the media,' Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the WSJ.

German intelligence service chief Thomas Haldenwang previously warned of an increase in 'aggressive behaviour' from Moscow

Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether Russia was behind an incendiary device that burst into flames at this DHL centre in Minworth, Birmingham (pictured)

Concerns over Russia's suspected involvement came as Western officials are increasingly fearing the country may be responsible for similar sabotage acts.

German intelligence service chief Thomas Haldenwang previously said Russian 'aggression' was 'putting people's lives at risk' as well as affecting 'all areas of our free society.

Foreign intelligence service chief Bruno Kahl added Putin was likely to further 'test the West's red lines', amid the increase in tensions between Russia and Nato over the invasion of Ukraine.

He said there was now a willingness at a 'previously unknown level' to attempt sabotage from the Kremlin.

A warehouse in London belonging to a company with links to Ukraine caught fire in a a suspected deliberate attack in March.

Meanwhile in Germany a military base was the target of a suspected attempt to contaminate its drinking water in August.

US intelligence also uncovered a plot to murder Armin Papperger, the CEO of weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall, which has supplied vehicles and ammunition to Ukraine.

And Russia was accused of being behind a fire at a shopping centre in Warsaw by Polish prime minister Donald Tusk.
Top pollster Nate Silver has released his long-awaited final prediction of the 2024 election hours before the polls close across the U.S.

And he says it's 'literally closer than a coin flip,' and potentially the closest election in U.S. history just hours before the polls close on Tuesday.

After 80,000 model simulations, Silver has Democrat Kamala Harris beating Donald Trump in the majority of match ups.

'Empirically, heads wins 50.5 percent of the time, more than Harris's 50.015 percent,' Silver said on Tuesday morning.

According to his model, Harris wins the Electoral College in 50.015% of the simulations compared to Trump's 49.985%. That equates to Harris winning 40,012 simulations to Trump's 39,718.

'When I say the odds in are about as close as you can possibly get to 50/50, I'm not exaggerating,' Silver said.

Trump and his wife Melania cast their ballots in Palm Beach, Florida, Tuesday morning. The ex-president cast doubt on there being a quick result tonight because of the tight race in swing states.

Donald Trump said he felt 'confident' after he cast his vote in Palm Beach, Florida, even as polls show the race between him and Kamala Harris is virtually tied

Your browser does not support iframes.

'It is crazy,' the former president said. 'I am just hearing in certain states it is going to be a long time.'

He specifically mentioned Pennsylvania, the battleground state that could decide the winner. Polls show the race there is tied. There have also been reports of problems scanning ballots in Cambria and Bedford counties, two of the most Republican counties in the state.

'I'm hearing in Pennsylvania they won't have an answer until two or three days from now. I think it's an absolute outrage if that's the case,' Trump noted.

'In certain states it is going to be a long time and it won't even be close. It won't be that close. They say I will win the state but it will take a long time to certify it.'

He touted the 'big lead' that he said Republicans have on Election Day, as GOP voters typically vote in-person more frequently than Democrats.

'I would think we are going to have a very big victory today,' Trump noted.

Silver went on to say that he's never seen 'anything like this' in all his years of predicting elections, including five presidential races and nine general elections.

Donald Trump and Melania visit his campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach

Your browser does not support iframes.

The outlying races were Electoral College ties 269 - 269 that eventually resulted in Trump victories due to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives' involvement in the process in this specific scenario.

The nail-biting race is one of the closest in history and is likely to be decided by a couple of thousand votes in smatterings across swing states, as indicated by the pollster's final prediction.

Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Nevada and Michigan will all be closely watched today as votes trickle in.

Those states are the crucial swing states that will ultimately decide the outcome.

The analysis found that on November 5, Harris led Trump in national polling averages by just one point, up 48.6% to 47.6%.

It also shows that the Republican holds leads across all of the critical swing states except Michigan where he is down 1.2 points and Wisconsin where he is behind by one point.

Trump will be watching the Election Day results from his home in Florida

Nate Silver speaks at 'On The Fault Lines: Decision 2018' Midterm Election Panel on October 25, 2018, in New York City

A Trump supporter holds a sign on Election Day

This is in line with the final predictions from major election models.

According to FiveThirtyEight, Harris holds a 1.2 point lead on Election Day.

The RealClearPolitics presidential voting average, meanwhile, has Harris up just one tenth of a percentage point, leading 48.7% to Trump's 48.6%.

One survey presented data that may scare the Republican heading into Election Day.

Kamala Harris has cut Donald Trump's double-digit lead among male voters in half to single digits, a final Marist poll found.

Voter breakdowns have long shown a gender gap with women supporting Harris and men supporting Trump. Harris making up ground with the male vote would be a troubling sign for the former president.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in Phoenix

Your browser does not support iframes.

A Nevada resident wears an 'I voted' sticker after exiting the polls

Voters line up to cast their ballots at Allegiant Stadium on November 05, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as multiple state elections

At the beginning of October, Trump had a 16-point lead among men  57% to Harris's 41%, according to an NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll.

Now Harris had cut that down to just four points: she has 47% to Trump's 51%, according to the latest numbers released Monday.

However betting markets show favorable odds for Trump.

On the forecasting site Predictit he overtook Harris last night and has surged this morning. The site now gives Trump a 10 percent lead in terms of his chances of winning the election.

It reflects similar movement on other betting sites like Polymarket, where the Republican was similarly up by ten points.
Two small children were found decapitated in a bathtub yesterday on the French island of Guadeloupe.

The bodies of the mutilated four-year-old and 13-month-old siblings were discovered by their distressed father overnight in their family home.

The children's mother, who is the prime murder suspect, was found naked and wandering the streets by two police officers after the alarm was raised.

According to French outlet Le Parisien, the woman, who is believed to be in her forties, was speaking incoherently and was unable to explain the reasons for her actions when approached by police.

According to public prosecutor Caroline Talbo, the woman was initially taken into custody and then released due to her mental state, and has since been hospitalised.

Two small children were found decapitated in a bathtub yesterday on the French island of Guadeloupe

The police have opened a murder investigation, but further details have not been disclosed.

The horrific killing of two innocent children come s just days after a woman killed herself and her two children last week after jumping off Niagara Falls.

Chianti Means, 33, stepped over the guardrail at Luna Island on Monday night, with her two kids Roman, 9, and Mecca, four months.

Police said last Wednesday that after sweeping the area thoroughly for days that search and rescue efforts were unsuccessful.

Since her passing, previous Facebook posts she had made have resurfaced online in which she expressed a desire to get back with the father of her daughter.

Just days before jumping to her and her kids' deaths, Means marvelled about her daughter, writing online that she was beautiful.

On October 14, Means expressed regret that she and her daughter's father were no longer together.
A Georgia poll worker has been arrested by federal officials for allegedly mailing a letter threatening other poll workers with rape, a 'beatdown' and a bomb threat.

Nicholas Wimbish, 25, of Milledgeville, Georgia, got into a verbal argument with a voter while serving as a poll worker at the Jones County Elections Office in Gray, Georgia on October 16.

Prosecutors allege that the registered Republican spent the rest of the evening researching online what personal information about him might be publicly accessible.

The next day, the Georgia College and State University graduate allegedly mailed a letter addressed to the Jones County Elections Superintendent under an alias named 'Jones County Voter'.

Nicholas Wimbish, 25, of Milledgeville, Georgia, got into a verbal argument with a voter while serving as a poll worker at the Jones County Elections Office in Gray, Georgia on October 16

The letter was drafted to make it appear as if it came from the voter and accused Wimbish of 'give[n] me hell', 'conspiring votes' and 'distracting voters from concentrating'.

Furthermore, the paper threatened that Wimbish and others 'should look over their shoulder... I know where they go... I know where they all live because I found home voting addresses for all them'.

Additionally, he said that the 'young men will get beatdown if they fight me' and 'will get the treason punishment by firing squad if they fight back,' according to the Department of Justice.

The letter also threatened to 'rage rape' the 'ladies' and warned them to 'watch every move they make and look over their shoulder'.

The letter was drafted to make it appear as if it came from the voter and accused Wimbish of 'give[n] me hell', 'conspiring votes' and 'distracting voters from concentrating'

If found guilty by federal prosecutors, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 25 years in prison

The letter also threatened to 'rage rape' the 'ladies' and warned them to 'watch every move they make and look over their shoulder'

Ultimately, it concluded with a handwritten note, 'PS boom toy in early vote place, cigar burning, be safe.'

Wimbish has since been charged with mailing a bomb threat, conveying false information about a bomb threat, mailing a threatening letter and making false statements to the FBI.

If found guilty by federal prosecutors, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 25 years in prison.

The accused was one of the five students stationed at Georgia polling site. According to a May article, 'Wimbish of Milledgeville managed a precinct at the Jones County Senior Center with senior Emily Lanham of Augusta, Georgia.'

He had recently graduated with a master's in public administration and previously earned a degree in political science with a minor in rhetoric.

Furthermore, the paper threatened that Wimbish and others 'should look over their shoulder... I know where they go... I know where they all live because I found home voting addresses for all them'

Wimbish had plans to teach or manage elections in the future, according to the profile done on him for the article.

'Its been great to explore a potential career path in this field. I never realized the true meaning of this work and that its something I could make a career out of, until I met Professor Claire Sanders.

'Working any election in any capacitywhether for an internship or notis a crowning moment. The sense of achievement, being a part of democracy-in-action, is rewarding,' he said.

Days after his arrest, he posted a short CNN clip of Gabriel Sterling, COO of Georgia Secretary of State's Office addressing voters.

Days after his arrest, he posted a short CNN clip of Gabriel Sterling, COO of Georgia Secretary of State's Office addressing voters

Wimbish had plans to teach or manage elections in the future, according to the profile done on him for the article

'The (candidate) you hate winning, it might happen.'

'Please respect your community's election officials and all election officials, as well as their safety.

'Do know despite people's weird theories, election workers have a passion and duty to execute an election fairly, are doing the people's work without fraud, deceit, and interference of any kind.

'After the election, hopefully the outcome can be widely peacefully accepted and the political rhetoric can be toned down,' he captioned the November 1 post.

The FBI Atlanta Field Office is currently investigating the case.
By NICOLE LAMPERT

An NHS hospital trust has vowed to investigate a nurse after she was photographed wearing her pink scrubs at a pro-Palestine demonstration.

Jo Jo Forsythe, a phlebotomist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, was identified after being photographed and videoed in her uniform at the demonstration  breaking NHS rules on uniform guidance.

Ms Forsythe was photographed at the latest pro-Palestinian demonstration in London last Saturday wearing a pink nurse's uniform, an NHS lanyard hanging on a Palestine thread, a Palestine keffiyeh and multiple 'free Palestine' badges.

The back of her outfit bore her name Jo Jo.

This was despite NHS rules saying scrubs should not be worn outside the hospital environment and that staff should not wear numerous badges.

Jo Jo Forsythe (left), a phlebotomist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, was identified after being photographed and videoed in her uniform at a pro-Palestine demonstration

Ms Forsythe (right) was photographed at the latest pro-Palestinian demonstration in London last Saturday wearing a pink nurse's uniform, an NHS lanyard hanging on a Palestine thread, a Palestine keffiyeh and multiple 'free Palestine' badges

The NHS guidance also states: 'The way staff dress is an important influence on people's overall perceptions of the standards of care they experience.'

Ms Forsythe was photographed by the X (formerly Twitter) pro-Israel activist account called Stop The Hate and identified by a second group @GnasherJew which also found video of her as part of a crowd which was singing 'Zionists are not welcome here'.

'Since the October 7 massacre, actions by some healthcare professionals and others in various sectors have fuelled discrimination against Jews,' the anonymous GnasherJew group told MailOnline in a statement.

'Over the past year, we have received numerous reports of Jewish staff and patients experiencing both direct and indirect discrimination within the NHS, affecting their ability to receive equal treatment simply because they identify as Jewish.

NHS staff publicly shouting, 'Zionists are not welcome here' on the streets of London is not a political statement  it is discrimination against the majority of Jews who identify as Zionists. This disturbing pattern is happening far too often to ignore.'

A spokesperson for the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust revealed to MailOnline it was investigating Ms Forsythe's behaviour saying: 'We are following up on issues raised in social media posts made over the weekend.'

At the same demonstration, a group represented Homerton Hospital demanding sanctions against Israel and 'an end to the genocide' while at a demonstration in Leeds, it appeared other NHS workers were demonstrating in their scrubs.

It also comes just days after Health Secretary Wes Streeting insisted 'There's no place for antisemitism in our NHS.'

A spokesperson for the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust revealed to MailOnline it was investigating Ms Forsythe's (left) behaviour

People take part in a Palestine Solidarity Campaign rally in central London on November 2

Pro-Palestine demonstrators marched to the US embassy in London to demand an end to the conflict in Gaza

They also called for a stop to the strikes in Lebanon, and to show opposition to a possible war with Iran

Jeremy Corbyn was seen giving an interview on the day of the demonstration which was attended by Ms Forsythe

The NHS spends around 40 million a year on DEI initiatives which are meant to stamp out racism in the workplace.

The General Medical Council announced earlier this year that the number of complaints about doctors subjecting Jewish colleagues to antisemitic abuse after October 7 jumped from eight to 60.

According to one poll, three quarters of Jewish healthcare workers have suffered at least one antisemitic incident since October 7- and half reported feeling unsafe at work.

Dave Rich, an antisemitism expert who works at the Community Security Trust  a charity which is backed by the Home Office to provide security to British Jews - said growing antisemitism within the health service was leading to discrimination.

He added: 'I've heard numerous stories over the past year of Jewish staff or service users being directly or indirectly discriminated against, sometimes unintentionally, sometimes without their knowledge, but always in a way that impacts their ability to be treated equally while identifying as Jewish.'

The investigation into her behaviour comes amid growing claims of an antisemitism problem within the NHS with a slew of doctors under investigation or suspended for posting either antisemitic comments or pro Hamas social media posts.

This includes Northwick Park Hospital surgeon Dr Manoj Sen being sacked for sharing social media posts which included the comment, 'the Jews are our misfortune' and calling another user 'Jewboy' and 'circumcised vermin'; Kingston Hospital doctor Daniel Nava Rodrigues being investigated for writing on X, 'Dead and/or suffering Israelis are the only thing that brightens the day'; and Dr Asif Munaf, a former contestant on The Apprentice being suspended by the General Medical Council (GMC) for a series of antisemitic outbursts.
Britain's strictest pub that banned Ugg boots, gilets and 'big chains' has hit back at critics, sharing a photo of its packed bar as a smug tribute to all those who doubted it.

The Wobbly Goblin in Stockton-on-Tees rolled out its new policy last month which prohibits a number of items of clothing and even face tattoos prompting some social media users to express their disapproval.

Many people commented 'good look with that' and 'that's hilarious'. The Stockton boozer was also told 'you're literally going to get NO customers' and 'imagine wiping out 99% of your customer base in one'.

A photo posted to Facebook to indicate that the pub has not been struggling for customers despite people's doubts

The packed Wobbly Goblin bar. It rolled out a new policy last month which prohibits a number of items of clothing and even face tattoos prompting some social media users to express their disapproval

One person said she 'used to go in here after work on a weekend a lot of years ago and the best part of the wobbly was the edgy people in there!'

Another individual said: 'Can all our customers stop coming in please. Wouldnt that have been easier to type?'

Multiple users also took aim at the stipulation regarding tattoos in particular, with many labelling it 'discrimination'.

But new photos posted by the pub of its packed bars and queues on Saturday night have given the doubters some food for thought.

The pub owner, posting a photo on Facebook of crowds queuing up outside the venue and scores of people enjoying themselves inside, commented: 'If this is what 'no customers' and 'North Korea' looks like, then count us in!

'Thanks for the predictions, Facebook - we'll be over here enjoying the full house!'

Punters at the Wobbly Goblin Teesside pub have been hit with a strict new dress code and some are not happy about it

The entirety of The Wobbly Goblin's new dress code from their controversial Facebook post which elicited hundreds of comments
A Class A drug trafficker who disguised ecstasy as bath salts worth hundreds of thousands of pounds has been handed a jail sentence of over seven years.

Abigail Kavanagh, 25, played a 'pivotal' role in the trafficking and helped flood UK prisons with the 'zombie' drug Spice for a smuggling ring before she was stopped by border force officers.

An investigation by police looking into the import of wholesale quantities of MDMA - known as Ecstasy - led to her arrest.

Officials at East Midlands Airport intercepted a package sent from over 1,000 miles away in Austria and destined for Kavanagh's home address in Ely, Cardiff.

The package had 10 kilograms of MDMA disguised as bath salts - and the drugs had a potential street value of 300,000.

A young female gang member who disguised ecstasy as bath salts and smuggled drugs into prisons has been jailed for over seven years

Abigail Kavanagh, 25, played a role in trafficking Class A drugs worth around 300,000 for an organised crime gang

Officers of Operation Gemstone run by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales, then arrested Kavanagh at her home.

Police discovered secret messages from her phone that her role in the gang also involved arranging deliveries of Spice to prisons across South Wales and collecting cash for the group.

Kavanagh was sentenced at Newport Crown Court on Tuesday, October 22, for her role in trafficking controlled drugs on behalf of the group.

His Honour Judge Williams said: 'You knew you were playing for high stakes, and you lost.'

Kavanagh of Ely, Cardiff, was initially sentenced to nine years in prison - but reduced to seven years and six months following a guilty plea.

Kavanagh was tasked with receiving Class A drugs with a potential street value of hundreds of thousands of pounds

Abigail Kavanagh mugshot. She was sentenced at Newport Crown Court on Tuesday, October 22, for her role in trafficking controlled drugs on behalf of the group

Speaking after the sentence Detective Constable Rhys Richards, of Tarian, said: 'Abigail Kavanagh was a pivotal member of an organised crime group.

'She was tasked with receiving Class A drugs with a potential street value of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

'She was also tasked with arranging deliveries of Spice to prisons and collecting cash for the group.

'Offenders who import and traffic drugs around our communities and prisons do not care about the harm they bring. Their sole concern is profit.

'Kavanagh has received a lengthy custodial sentence, which sends a clear message to those who choose to get involved in this type of criminality.

'Tarian will continue to work closely with partner agencies, including Border Force and the National Crime Agency, to use every resource within our power to bring these offenders to justice.'
This is the harrowing moment a group of balaclava-clad thugs mugged and attacked a Labour MP, snatching his 1,400 iPhone out of his hands on a central London street last night.

Chris Webb, the MP for Blackpool South was targeted by a group of around four men as he returned to his flat in the city, shortly after collecting a parcel from a corner shop in Lambeth.

The terrifying footage shows the 6ft politician making his way down the quiet street as the criminals sped up behind him on electric bikes before swopping in and nabbing his phone in a matter of seconds.

As the gang escaped, he locked his iPhone using his Apple smartwatch and when the police came, he helped them to track the phone to a location where an individual was caught with a bag of phones and arrested. His own phone was not recovered.

Moments before the shocking attack, the 38-year-old had been on the phone with his wife Portia, who he told that he was going to hang up as he was in an area he didn't know well and was apprehensive.

Harrowing footage shows the MP outside of the corner shop in Lambeth only seconds before he is mugged of his 1.400 iPhone

Around four balaclava-clad thugs descended within seconds on the politician nabbing his phone out of his hands

Labour MP Chris Webb was last night 'attacked and mugged' as he was returning to his flat in London

The CCTV footage shows Mr Webb attempting to give the thugs chase as they sped off with his phone into the night.

Mohammad Khan, who owns the shop where the CCTV footage was taken, told The Sun that the politician who often comes to the corner store to collect parcels and was a 'nice guy'.

Recalling the harrowing incident, Mr Webb told the Mail: 'I was walking back from Parliament on Monday evening about 10pm and had been on the phone to my wife and checking in on my son,

'I said to my wife: "I'm going to put my phone away because I don't know this area," before putting it in my pocket.

'I then popped into a local shop to pick up a delivery. I had walked four or five steps after I left the shop and went to get my phone out to call her back.

'They came up behind  they were deadly silent. They were wearing balaclavas and were on bikes.

'The first I knew of it was when they grabbed my arms. Then they snatched the phone from my pocket and cycled off.

'I shouted and swore at them and considered giving chase. They were cheering and laughing. I realised I was outnumbered so I left it.'

Labour candidate Chris Webb waits with his wife Portia Webb and son Cillian Douglas Webb when he won the Blackpool South by-election in May

He said he was 'shocked and frustrated' by the ordeal, adding: 'I'm a big lad  a 6ft 2in rugby player so I don't normally worry about this stuff.'

The 38-year-old, who won a landslide victory in the Blackpool South by-election in May, praised the 'swift response' by Metropolitan Police officers following the terrifying attack.

He added: 'I want to thank the Met Police for their swift response and support. The officers who assisted me went above and beyond. They are a remarkable credit to the force.'

Fellow MPs sent Mr Webb messages of support, including Chris Bryant who said: 'I hope you're OK. Sending you best wishes.'

Other Labour MPs including Kate Osborne, Josh Fenton-Glynn and Jacob Collier echoed Mr Bryant's well wishes.

Mr Webb became the MP for Blackpool South after Labour's massive by-election victory in May. He received 10,825 votes at the time, with the Tories embarrassingly trailing behind with just 3,218.

He is the son of a postman and a teaching assistant who wanted to 'follow in their footsteps' into the public sector.

In an interview with Sky News, he revealed that he first joined the picket line aged two when his father was on strike. He has been a Labour Party member for more than 20 years.

Mr Webb, who described himself as 'Blackpool born and bred', lives in his constituency with his wife Portia and baby Cillian. But he also has a flat in London, where he was returning to when he was attacked.

Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner meet MP Chris Webb after his victory in Blackpool South

The MP was also the deputy police and crime commissioner for Lancashire between 2018 and 2021 and a councillor for Manchester City Council from 2015 to 2018.

Following the attack, he tweeted: 'Luckily I have no injuries and I am ok.

'The officers who assisted me went above and beyond,' he said. 'They are a remarkable credit to the force.'

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'Officers were called at 21:55hrs on Monday, 4 November following reports of a robbery on Lambeth Walk.

'The victim was approached by a group of men who stole his phone from his hand.

'Enquiries remain ongoing.'
Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly offering Hamas 'millions of dollars' for each remaining hostage kidnapped by the terrorist group during the October 7 attacks.

The country's military has also pledged to provide safe passage to the captors out of Gaza.

There are thought to be more than 60 hostages still alive and the bodies of a further 35 held by Hamas.

Those who are yet to return home include dual British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, 28, who was forcibly taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza in southern Israel.

According to an Israeli official, the hostage takers and their families would be given immunity against capture or punishment, with the government set to pay out millions for the return of their citizens after almost 400 days since they were kidnapped, The Telegraph reports.

Israel 's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly offering Hamas 'millions of dollars' for each remaining hostage kidnapped by the terrorist group during the October 7 attacks

Hundreds took to the streets to demand the return of the hostages in a march through Tel Aviv on Tuesday night

The mother of a hostage at the march said: 'Gallant's dismissal sends a clear message - there is no one left to prevent the foiling of hostage deal; it's time to take to the streets'

Netanyahu's announcement of a deal to pay Hamas 'millions of dollars' for the return of each hostage came as he revealed the departure of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant

The announcement of the initiative came just as news broke on Tuesday night that Netanyahu has sacked his Defence Minister over a breakdown in trust during the Gaza war against Hamas.

'Over the past few months that trust has eroded. In light of this, I decided today to end the term of the defence minister,' the PM said in a statement issued by his office.

Yoav Gallant, who only returned to the post in April after being sacked last March, will be replaced by Foreign Minister Israel Katz, the office reported.

Hundreds took to the streets to demand the return of the hostages in a march through Tel Aviv as news broke of the decision, Haaretz reports.

The mother of a hostage said: 'Gallant's dismissal sends a clear message - there is no one left to prevent the foiling of hostage deal; it's time to take to the streets.'

Netanyahu had discussed a 'millions of dollars' deal for each hostage at a security cabinet meeting on Sunday, Israeli broadcaster Keshet 12 revealed.

There has not yet been a response from Hamas on the initiative, which comes just hours after the group turned down the latest ceasefire proposal.

Egypt's president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Sunday that his nation had proposed a two-day ceasefire in Gaza to exchange four Israeli hostages with some Palestinian prisoners.

The plan aimed to get Israel and Hamas to agree to a halt in fighting for less than a month in the hope it would lead to a more permanent ceasefire.

There are thought to be more than 60 hostages still alive and the bodies of a further 35 held by Hamas. Those who are yet to return home include dual British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, 28, who was forcibly taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023

Diplomats and representatives from the United States, Qatar and Egypt have been leading multiple negotiations to bring an end to the war, which erupted after Hamas terrorists stormed into southern Israel on October 7 last year, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostage, according to Israeli official figures.

Meanwhile the death toll from Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza is approaching 43,000, Gaza health officials say, with the densely populated enclave in ruins.

After receiving news on Monday that the ceasefire proposal had been rejected, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said in a statement that Hamas had 'once again refused to release even a limited number of hostages to secure a ceasefire and relief for the people of Gaza.'

Speaking to AFP, Hamas official Taher al-Nunu, a Hamas official, said a 'temporary pause in the war, only to resume aggression later, is something we have already expressed our position on. Hamas supports a permanent end to the war, not a temporary one'.

Hamas has repeatedly said it will only release the hostages in exchange for a lasting cease-fire, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas says those demands have not changed following last month's killing of its top leader Yahya Sinwar, as the United States, Egypt and Qatar continue efforts to restart the negotiations.

An Israeli official meanwhile predicted a 'renewed momentum' to devise a deal that will secure the hostages following the US elections, Ynet reports.
Lucy Letby was 80 per cent more likely to be on duty when babies unexpectedly collapsed or died, a nursing boss told the public inquiry today.

Sian Williams, the deputy director of nursing at the Countess of Chester Hospital, discovered the neo-natal nurse had been regularly present when infants fell ill soon after she murdered her final two victims, in June 2016.

The nursing chief claimed she repeatedly urged senior managers to go to the police, but said they refused and 'wouldn't listen.'

Instead Letby was removed from the unit and it was another 10 months before officers were called in to investigate.

The 34-year-old is serving 15 whole life terms after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more between June 2015 and June 2016.

Williams told the inquiry Letby (pictured) was more likely to be on duty during the incidents

Deputy Director of Nursing Sian Williams (left) spoke at the public inquiry today

The Thirlwall Inquiry, which is investigating Letby's crimes, heard that Ms Williams was asked to analyse staffing rotas and medical records after doctors voiced suspicions that Letby was deliberately harming patients, following the deaths of two triplet brothers on consecutive shifts, in June 2016.

'My recollection is the consultants had done a staffing review themselves and come up with the name Letby so we were tasked to go back and go through that, which is what myself and Julie Fogarty (head of midwifery) did,' she said.

'We came to a similar (finding) to the doctors, that she (Letby) was 80 per cent more likely to be on duty either during or before a baby collapsed.'

Ms Williams said she was so alarmed by the findings that she immediately reported them to the hospital's medical director, Ian Harvey, and the director of human resources, Sue Hodkinson.

She also spoke to Alison Kelly, the director of nursing, 'a number of times' about calling in police.

She revealed she had previous experience, in another job, of police being contacted amid suspicions that a staff member was tampering with equipment in a high dependency unit, and because of this she became 'uncomfortable' with the decision of senior managers at the Countess not to call officers in to investigate.

She added: 'I did tell them, I spoke to Alison Kelly on a number of occasions and I remember with Karen Rees (director of nursing for urgent care) in my office saying we need to go to the police, and she (Alison Kelly) said I've taken advice and that was it, she wouldn't listen.

Court artist drawing of Lucy Letby giving evidence during her trial at Manchester Crown Court

Body worn camera footage issued by Cheshire Constabulary of the arrest of Lucy Letby

Letby is serving 15 whole-life orders after being found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to end the lives of seven more between 2015 and 2016

'The executives said they had taken advice and we had to do our own investigation first.'

Ms Williams admitted she had a responsibility to go to the police herself and regretted not doing so after she realised Letby was the common factor in the babies' deaths.

The inquiry heard that, following the deaths of the triplets, known as Babies O and P, consultants were so concerned about 'foul play' that they kept a bag of feed that had been given to one of them to check if it had been tampered with.

But, although calling in the police was initially considered, notes of a meeting of senior managers a week later revealed a decision was taken to carry out their own internal investigations and call in the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to conduct an external review instead.

Ms Williams broke down in tears and admitted that the hospital had shown no compassion to the parents of the babies when they kept them in the dark about such investigations for months - and even years - after suspicions were raised.

She agreed it was 'deplorable' that they had to find out about them from newspaper articles, but insisted she had been told what she 'could and couldn't say' to them by Mrs Kelly.

Ms Williams said: 'I cannot dispute, sitting here defending effective communication for this because it was poor, there is little doubt it was poor.'

Rachel Langdale, counsel for the inquiry, said: 'With little compassion or understanding of their anxiety and their position.'

She tearfully replied: 'I can't dispute, I've not been in their position and on reflection that's one area we could have improved.'

Ms Williams also admitted 'misleading' the mother of Baby C, a premature baby boy murdered by Letby, in a meeting to discuss the Royal College review, when she was told the investigation was simply a 'formality to check staffing levels'.

Lucy Letby appears by video link during an appeal against her conviction for trying to murder a newborn baby, at the Court of Appeal in London, Britain, October 24

Lucy Letby worked at the neonatal unit of the The Countess of Chester Hospital (pictured, file)

Image of the corridor within the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit (showing the entrances to nurseries 2,3 & 4)

Richard Baker KC, who represents the parents of Baby C, said: 'You knew there was real suspicion that a nurse had murdered their baby and that your own view was the police should be called. It's misleading isn't it not to keep parents informed if that's a real concern.'

'Yes,' Ms Williams replied. 'We were told what we could or couldn't saybecause the inquiry hadn't completed yet, the executive team were still of the opinion there wasn't foul play.'

Mr Baker went on: 'You must have had a sense of being part of a cover up.'

She replied: 'I was uncomfortable with the whole thing, that's why I kept going back to why don't they bring the police in.'

Asked if she wanted to say anything to Baby C's mother, who was at Liverpool Town Hall to listen to the evidence, Ms Williams said: 'Just how desperately, desperately sorry I am for the lack of communication and the whole situation, that on reflection could have been so different.'

The inquiry continues.
The iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in 'The Wizard of Oz' are returning to auction after a nearly two-decade absence.

Following an international tour, renowned memorabilia collector Michael Shaw, the original owner of the shoes, handed the pair over to be auctioned off at Heritage Auctions in Dallas.

Online bidding is open at Heritage Auctions in Dallas and will run through December 7th. As of Tuesday afternoon, the highest bid was $550,000

The shoes, one of the four surviving pairs from the 1939 film, were stolen in August 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, when a thief broke a display case and stole the slippers.

Nearly two decades later, the FBI recovered the slippers in a 2018 sting operation in Minneapolis.

The iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in 'The Wizard of Oz' are returning to auction after a nearly two-decade absence

Online bidding is open at Heritage Auctions in Dallas and will run through December 7th. As of Tuesday afternoon, the highest bid was $550,000

According to federal prosecutors, their market value is estimated at around $3.5 million. They were originally insured for $1 million at the time they were stolen.

'It's become an infamous thing for us,' executive director of the Judy Garland Museum Janie Heitz told CBS News. 'We will forever be known as a place where the ruby slippers were stolen, which comes with a lot of bad but can also come with some good because it put us on the map.'

The Judy Garland Museum is once again fighting for the ruby red slippers that brought Dorothy back to Kansas.

The city of Grand Rapids has initiated a fundraising campaign at its annual Judy Garland Festival with the goal of repurchasing the ruby slippers.

Furthermore, Minnesota lawmakers have set aside $100,000 this year to ensure the return of the iconic footwear to their rightful home.

In the beloved 1939 film, Garland portrayed the character of Dorothy Gale, who famously transported herself back to Kansas by clicking the heels of her ruby red slippers and repeating the now-legendary phrase, 'There's no place like home.'

Tragically, Garland passed away in 1969 at the age of 47 from an accidental barbiturate overdose. Of the several pairs of ruby slippers she wore in 'The Wizard of Oz,' only four authentic pairs remain.

Three are currently housed at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Smithsonian, and in a private collection.

The shoes that are set to be auctioned are 'of a higher quality than the pair now residing in the Smithsonian,' according to a Forbes report from 2008.

A career criminal named Terry Jon Martin, 76, pled guilty to the theft of a major artwork after his confession in October 2023 and avoided prison time due to his declining health.

Martin was sentenced to time served and one year supervised release and ordered to pay $23,500 in restitution to the Judy Garland Childrens Museum.

The elderly former mob said he was lured by the idea of 'one last score' before stealing the iconic ruby slippers Judy Garland wore in The Wizard of Oz. He added he had been convinced by an old acquaintance that the shoes' $1 million insured value must mean they were encrusted with real jewels.

Martin's defense attorney recently disclosed his motive behind the 2005 heist from the Judy Garland Museum in Garland's hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in a memo submitted before his January 29 sentencing.

During the 1939 iconic movie The Wizard of Oz, Garland wore several pairs while playing the beloved character Dorothy

The second man, Jerry Hal Saliterman, 76, was charged with theft of a major artwork and witness tampering.

He made his first court appearance on Friday, and like Martin, he appeared to be suffering from declining health as he appeared in front of the judge with an oxygen tank and in a wheelchair, according to the Associated Press.

Two years ago, the iconic blue and white gingham dress Garland wore in the movie was also rediscovered at Washington, D.C.'s Catholic University after it was missing for 50 years.
A Trump voter got into a clash with Michigan polling staff after she refused to take off her MAGA cap.

Michelle Gregoire claims she was 'assaulted' while trying to cast her ballot in Battle Creek in the battleground state on Tuesday.

Staff at the voting booth said they had asked her to remove her 'party or designation' in reference to the bright-red headwear.

Gregoire shared footage of part of the heated exchange, in which she is seen repeatedly trying to get around the staff member to vote.

'Let me cast my ballot, sir, you cannot touch me. Do not touch me like that again,' she says to him.

Michelle Gregoire claims she was 'assaulted' while trying to cast her ballot in Battle Creek on Tuesday after refusing to remove her MAGA hat

The poll worker replies by repeating, 'Take your hat off' as she continues demanding he not touch her.

As she waves her hand in front of the camera, the poll worker attempts to reach for her ballot paper.

'Hey!' She yells, 'This man is refusing to let me cast my ballot.'

'This lady is refusing to take off her party or designation,' the worker responds.

Gregoire replies that her hat does not constitute support for a party or designation.

'Actually, I am a registered libertarian, so f**k off,' she retorts before heading over to the ballot box and submitting her vote.

In footage taken outside the polling station, two men who Gregoire identified as police are heard informing her they cannot arrest the man as it would interfere with the administration of the election.

'The report is getting done right away, there are notifications being made up the command when it comes to people in charge of polling officials.

This poll worker told her she needed to remove the headwear as it contained affiliation to a party or delegate

Gregoire repeatedly warned staff not to touch her 'again', before she was able to successfully cast her vote

I was just assaulted at my polling location in Battle Creek, Michigan. pic.twitter.com/PCFAqlx3ld  Shelly (@FreeTheMitten) November 5, 2024

'It is not being swept under the rug, it is not being ignored but because it could further disrupt election proceedings we cannot arrest him today,' an officer says.

'I think that him assaulting people would disrupt it, you know what I mean?' Gregoire replies.

Voters in Michigan are not allowed to wear anything that is election or campaign related when casting their ballots.

The mom later confirmed she was able to vote. Her page on X shows overwhelming support for Trump.

'I did vote! But alas, I was denied my sticker,' Gregoire wrote.

'Don't let them stop you America. Fight against censorship. Fight against fascism. Fight against the state.'

Millions of Americans will head to the polls in what is shaping up to be one of the closest presidential elections in US history.

Voters will decide between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, two candidates who have vastly different visions for America.

The polls could not be tighter as an unprecedented campaign that saw two assassination attempts and a candidate dropping out draws to a close.
A university has scrapped its English Literature degree after they claimed it is 'no longer viable in the current climate.'

Canterbury is a city steeped in history when it comes to english literature having been the birthplace of The Canterbury Tales - a collection stories written in the 14th century which are often cited as some of the greatest poetic works in the English language.

However, that legacy could be about to come to an abrupt end as one of the city's university announces it will no longer offer English Literature as a subject.

Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent made the shocking announcement that the course will be scrapped from September next year.

Students currently in their first or second year will be able to finish their degree and those completing a foundation year will be given the chance to switch to alternative courses.

Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent made the shocking announcement that the course will be scrapped from September next year

A collection of english literature books in a library. Students currently in their first or second year will be able to finish their degree and those completing a foundation year will be given the chance to switch to alternative courses

Canterbury is a city steeped in history when it comes to english literature having been the birthplace of The Canterbury Tales - a collection stories written in the 14th century which are often cited as some of the greatest poetic works in the English language

The university is yet to confirm how many jobs will be lost from the decision, but said staff will be 'supported'.

A spokesperson said: 'At Canterbury Christ Church University, we constantly evaluate the subjects we offer to ensure we are able to meet the needs of future students and employers.

'For a number of reasons, we've seen a significant decline in the number of students wanting to study English Literature in recent years and the course is no longer viable in the current climate.

'We are sorry to say that the decision has therefore been taken to stop offering English Literature for new students.

'We will continue to teach-out the course to current first and second year students, who will continue to experience the same high-quality teaching throughout the rest of their academic journey and be able to complete the course.

'Students on the Foundation Year, if successful, will be offered the opportunity to continue onto alternative courses.

'Colleagues will be supported throughout this transition in the coming months as we explore the impact with them.'

One disgruntled student told the BBC the decision was a 'betrayal to the city of Canterbury'.

Canterbury has a played a significant role in the history of English literature, through Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales' and also as the birthplace of Christopher Marlowe and Aphra Behn.
The FBI says fake 'Russian bomb threats' have been made to polling places in several states as Americans cast their ballots in one of the closest elections in U.S. history.

Polling places in swing states of Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin were targeted in the plot by the Russians.

But none of the threats have been 'determined to be credible thus far,' the FBI said in a statement on Election Day.

'The FBI is aware of bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains.'

Republican Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger gives an update on Election Day in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 5 November 2024

After an early morning bomb scare in Atlanta, Georgia, shuttered two polling locations, another round of threats came in the evening halting voting and prompting evacuations.

Police have responded to Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library due to a bomb threat on Tuesday evening.

DeKalb County had evacuations at seven different locations - five of them polling stations. Officials there are requesting extensions in voting times and saying those in line there will be allowed to vote.

Police have done multiple bomb sweeps at different areas as threatening calls have come in.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said earlier Tuesday that Russians were involved in the threats, particularly one that shuttered a school and polling location in nearby Fulton County south of Atlanta.

'Georgia is not going to be intimidated. Russia just decided they picked on the wrong Georgia, Raffensperger said Tuesday. 'They need to pick on the other one in the Black Sea because were no going to be intimidated, but were just excited about where we are right now.'

The Arizona Secretary of State's office similarly confirmed Tuesday that 'foreign enemies' like Russia were involved in unsubstantiated bomb threats made in the northern part of the state.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Brad Raffensperger, Georgia Secretary of State, said Russians carried out a phony bomb threat at a polling location on Election Day

Citizens participate in early voting at a Dekalb County advance polling location in Atlanta

Fulton County School Police also received threats at a school that was also polling place around 8:15 am ET on Tuesday morning.

Feldwood Elementary School in south Fulton was cleared by authorities and no evidence of a bomb was found.

Raffensperger said: 'We've heard some threats that were of Russian origin. It was a bomb threat.'

He said that his team did not think that they were 'viable' threats.

'But in the interest of public safety you always check that out,' Raffensperger continued.

'They're not our friends,' the Georgia official said of the Russians. 'They're up to mischief it seems and they don't want us to have a smooth, fair and accurate election.'

'And they think they can make us fight amongst ourselves.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Ultimately the phony bomb threat will not have an impact on the result of the election, authorities confirmed.

During a press conference Tuesday afternoon Fulton County Election Director Nadine Williams said that five locations received threats, but only two were evacuated.

She said the whole disruption lasted less than an hour.

The impacted polling locations will now stay open later than the expected 7 pm ET closing time.

An Atlanta voter casts their ballot

A family casts their ballots at the Fulton County Ponce de Leon Library voting precinct on Election Day in Atlanta, Georgia

Local election officials said that the location likely will remain open an additional 30 minutes until around 7:30 pm local time.

'Election integrity is among the FBIs highest priorities,' the FBI statement continued.

'We will continue to work closely with our state and local law enforcement partners to respond to any threats to our elections and to protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote.'
Kemi Badenoch has told her new shadow cabinet that an early Holyrood election could be the first test of her leadership - as she prepares for much closer ties with the Scottish Tories.

The new Conservative leader yesterday highlighted how crucial it is that the party begins its fightback in Scotland.

She acknowledged the prospect of an early Holyrood election if the SNP fails to get majority support for its Budget, which is due to be published early next month.

Ms Badenoch also held her first talks with Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay last night, as they prepare for much closer working in a bid to improve relations between the partys Westminster and Holyrood operations.

Andrew Bowie, who was yesterday appointed as Shadow Scottish Secretary and also as a shadow energy and net zero minister, said Scotland featured quite prominently in Ms Badenochs first talks with her new frontbench team yesterday.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is seeking to strengthen ties with the party in Scotland

He said: There was a discussion about how we take on Reform and win back votes from the Liberal Democrats but the discussion did turn to 2026 Scottish Parliament election and the possibility, some would even say probability, of an early election in Scotland should the SNP not get their budget passed and how that will be the first electoral test for us with her as leader at a UK level, for Russell in Scotland and indeed the first test for Keir Starmers Labour Party (in government).

It actually featured quite prominently in the discussions around the Shadow Cabinet table. She is meeting virtually with Russell later today and they will be discussing how they are going to work together, and I obviously will play a key part in that.

I have already spoken to Russell twice and Im going to be speaking to him on a regular basis and getting up to Edinburgh to meet the team, because it is really important that the shadow Scottish operation here and the operation in Edinburgh are in lock-step.

Too often weve been in a place where the Westminster operation and the Holyrood operation from a Conservative perspective have not been as interconnected as they probably should be. Thats got to end if we are going to have a combined approach to winning back those voters that we need to both north and south of the Border.

He also said that Mr Findlay will have a key role at the heart of Kemis operation.

During the Scottish Tory leadership contest, challenger Murdo Fraser had proposed an independent commission on the partys constitution which opponents claimed was a trojan horse plan to split the party.

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has praised Ms Badenoch's appointments to the shadow cabinet at Westminster

Mr Bowie, who backed both Ms Badenoch and Mr Findlay, said there is now an opportunity for closer ties between the party at Holyrood and Westminster.

He said: We have an opportunity now that were in opposition both in London and in Edinburgh to take this time to actually do the hard work thats required to ensure we are very much on the same page, lines of communications are open and are fluid, and that myself, Kemi and Russell are very much working together and utilising the best of both of our parties to stand up for Scotland within the UK.

It wasnt through any deliberate acts that the relationship wasnt as strong as it probably should have been but I think the priorities of a governing party and the priorities of an opposition party are sometimes quite different. Weve got an opportunity now to resolve that and move forward.

Ahead of his virtual talks with Ms Badenoch last night, Mr Findlay said: Kemi has drawn on our partys abundance of talent to assemble a strong shadow cabinet which will take the fight to the catastrophic Labour government in London and SNP government in Edinburgh.

'New Shadow Scottish Secretary Andrew Bowie will hold Sir Keir Stramers failing Labour to account for imposing the hated family farm tax, axing lifeline winter fuel payments for elderly people and abandoning North Sea oil and gas.'
A Michigan father broke down in tears as he told a CNN reporter why he voted for Kamala Harris to be president.

Jason Faasse was interviewed by the network as he exited his polling station in Grand Rapids on Tuesday.

'I have three daughters - four children overall - and women's rights are pretty important to them,' said an emotional Faasse, a facility and events coordinator at Calvin University.

'Sorry, I am getting a little emotional about that. I didn't think I was gonna do that,' he added as he teared up.

'But just their bodies, their choice, that type of mentality. I want them to grow up in a world that's welcoming to everybody, so yeah, that's why I cast my vote today.'

Reproductive rights have been a central issue in the 2024 presidential race, after the Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe v Wade - ending the national right to an abortion and sending abortion access back to states.

There are ten states which will vote on abortion ballot initiatives on Tuesday.

Democrats are hopeful the Republican push to restrict abortion will backfire and mobilize more voters for Harris.

Jason Faasse was interviewed by CNN as he exited his polling station in Grand Rapids on Tuesday. The father teared up as he shared he voted for Kamala Harris

Voters in ten states will get to vote on abortion ballot initiatives in the November 5 election

The Vice President was in Michigan on Sunday, dashing through four stops across the battleground state including at Michigan State University.

Meanwhile, Trump was in Grand Rapids closing out his campaign during the early hours of Tuesday.

The nail-biting race is one of the closest in history and is likely to be decided by a couple of thousand votes across the swing states.

Election day on Tuesday unfolded relatively smoothly across America with only minor delays from extreme weather, ballot printing errors and technical problems.

VP Harris was in Michigan on Sunday, dashing through four stops across the battleground state. She is seen in East Lansing

Meanwhile Trump was in Grand Rapids closing out his campaign during the early hours of Tuesday

In Pennsylvania, early reports that Republican poll watchers were not allowed into some polling sites were soon resolved.

Moreover, a state judge ordered polls to remain open for two extra hours in Cambria County in Pennsylvania, which voted 68 percent for former President Donald Trump in 2020.

The county sought the extension after a software malfunction affected ballot-scanning machines, though county officials confirmed no one was turned away from the polls and said all ballots would be counted.

A technical malfunction in Champaign County, Illinois, and challenges with e-pollbooks in Louisville, Kentucky, also delayed voting, but those issues were soon fixed and voting was back up and running.

In Arizona's Maricopa County, one voting location was slightly delayed when a worker forgot to bring a key.

Election day on Tuesday has unfolded largely smoothly across the nation. Voters are seen in Detroit, Michigan

As of Tuesday, Associated Press tracking of advance voting nationwide showed more than 82 million ballots already cast  slightly more than half the total number of votes in the presidential election four years earlier.

That's driven partly by Republican voters, who were casting early ballots at a higher rate than in recent previous elections after a campaign by Trump and the Republican National Committee to counter the Democrats' longstanding advantage in the early vote.
The abandoned Six Flags theme park in New Orleans will finally be demolished nearly 20 years after Hurricane Katrina trashed it and permanently shut it down.

Demolition is underway at the eastern New Orleans site of the decaying complex of carnival rides and buildings that became a symbol of the 2005 storms enduring devastation, The New Orleans Advocate reported.

The park opened in 2000 just off Interstate 10 as Jazzland Theme Park, but it went bankrupt in just two seasons.

Six Flags took over the lease, but then Hurricane Katrina struck, flooding the park and much of the city with seven feet of water. The grounds were left flooded for a month after a drainage pump failure.

The 227-acre theme park never reopened, and Six Flags declared bankruptcy in 2009.

The abandoned Six Flags theme park in New Orleans will finally be demolished nearly 20 years after Hurricane Katrina trashed it and permanently shut it down

When Hurricane Katrina struck, it flooded the park and much of the city with seven feet of water. The grounds were left flooded for a month after a drainage pump failure

Control of the property then went to the Industrial Development Board of the City of New Orleans, which negotiated an agreement with the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority that gave NORA title transfer ownership of the site.

Smoot Construction, based in New Orleans, was hired to lead the demolition project and has started to dismantle the sites many unsalvageable structures, developer Troy Henry told the newspaper on Monday.

'Its a good thing. Its a happy day,' Henry said. 'Were excited about the progress, were happy to see the ball rolling.'

Henry and others are advancing new plans for the land through a development partnership called Bayou Phoenix.

The park opened in 2000 just off Interstate 10 as Jazzland Theme Park, but it went bankrupt in two seasons. Six Flags took over the lease

The 227-acre theme park never reopened and Six Flags declared bankruptcy in 2009

Bayou Phoenix was tapped for the redevelopment in 2021. They are seeking $100 million in government funding for the project

The proposals include a warehouse and distribution center, an educational facility run by a local nonprofit called STEM NOLA, a water park, hotel, e-sports arena and a movie studio.

Henry said Bayou Phoenix has reached an agreement with one of three 'anchor tenants' for the proposed core projects and talks are continuing with potential tenants for the remaining two 'anchor' projects.

Developers hope to finish those talks by years end, he said.

Bayou Phoenix was tapped for the redevelopment in 2021, the outlet said.

They are seeking $100million in government funding for the project.

Smoot Construction, based in New Orleans, was hired to lead the demolition project and has started to dismantle the sites many unsalvageable structures

At one point, the grounds in all its decaying glory were used to shoot apocalyptic scenes for movies

Prior to Bayou Phoenix's acquisition, it passed through many hands.

Fours years after the hurricane, the City of New Orleans finally ended its lease with the theme park and signed a deal with Nickelodeon to redevelop the park. That deal later fell through after Nickelodeon cut ties with a local partner, according to The Advocate.

In 2011, talks of an outlet mall going in were had, but it quickly dissolved.

At one point, the grounds in all its decaying glory were used to shoot apocalyptic scenes, according to The Advocate.
One resident on a tiny Alaskan island is set to become the final American to vote for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Election.

Adak Island, which is closer to Russia than mainland Alaska, has registered the last in-person ballot since it did away with absentee-only voting in the 2012 election.

Polls are open on the island from 7am to 8pm (HST), meaning it will be 1am on the East Coast when the last vote is cast.

The island, which is best known as a former World War II military base and later as a naval station, is located 1,200 miles southwest of Anchorage and further west than Hawaii, where polls close an hour earlier.

'People have a little bit of fun on that day because, I mean, realistically everybody knows the election's decided way before we're closed,' said city manager Layton Lockett. 'But, you know, it's still fun.'

Adak Island (pictured) off the coast of Alaska will be home to the last American to vote in the 2024 Presidential Election

There are U.S. territories farther west than Alaska, but there is no process in the Electoral College that allows residents in Guam, the northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands to vote for president, according to the National Archives.

It is unknown who the last person in Adak was to cast their vote in 2020. But votes from the island are counted with the state of Alaska - where Donald Trump won in the last election.

The 2020 Census recorded 171 residents on Adak, but Lockett said the number is probably now down to below 50 full-time residents.

'I'm not sure who the last voter will be this year,' said Adak City Clerk Jana Lekanoff. 'Maybe it'll be a bit of a competition?'

In 2012, Mary Nelson was the last American to vote on election night because she was a poll worker in Adak at the time and had forgotten to cast her ballot until just before the 8pm poll closing time.

'When I opened the [voting booth's] curtain to come back out, the city manager took my picture and announced that I was the last person in Adak to vote,' she said.

'We had votes to count, and they were waiting for us in Nome to call with our vote count.'

The votes from the island are counted with the state of Alaska - where Donald Trump won in the last election

City manager Layton Lockett said most of its residents are wondering if whoever wins the election will encourage the military to come back to Adak

Adak Island holds historical significance following its role in World War II. The U.S. built facilities on the island after Japanese forces took islands farther west in the Aleutian chain.

Troops landed in August 1942 to begin building an Army base, and enemy planes dropped nine bombs on the island two months later.

These landed in undeveloped areas but the landscape was riddled with machine gun fire.

The Navy began building facilities in January 1943.

In May 1943, about 27,000 combat troops gathered on Adak as a staging point to retake nearby Attu Island from the Japanese.

After the war, the island was transferred to the Air Force and then the Navy in 1950.

Nearly 80,000 acres of the 180,000-acre island were set aside for Navy use and the rest of the island remained part of what eventually became the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

The base closed in 1997. The Navy retains about 5,600 acres with the remainder either owned by the Aleut Corp., the Alaska Native regional corporation for the area; the city of Adak, or the refuge.

In 2012, when Adak finally switched to in-person voting, Mary Nelson (pictured) was the last American to vote on election night

The island best known as a former World War II military base and later naval station is 1,200 miles southwest of Anchorage

The only commercial transportation to the island is via Alaska Airlines. There is no ferry, marine passenger service or other commercial air service to the island

Lockett said the city is facing tough times with a dwindling population and lack of an economic driver. The town's fish processing plant has closed numerous times over the years.

The only commercial transportation to the island is via Alaska Airlines. There is no ferry, marine passenger service or other commercial air service to the island unless it is chartered, according to the city website.

When it comes to politics, Lockett said it's pretty easy in a small town to know where your neighbors fall politically, but there seems to be one goal that unites everyone.

Whoever is in office, are they going to try to 'encourage the military to come back to Adak in some way, shape or form?' he said.

'Were kind of in that great midst of, what's next for Adak, because we're struggling,' Lockett said.
Sesame Street is offering advice to 'anxious' children ahead of Election Day.

On Monday, Grover, a blue Muppet character on the popular PBS/HBO children's television show, took to 'X', formerly Twitter, to share a soothing message.

'It's ok to feel anxious', the post read, coupled with a graphic of the fuzzed character looking particularly troubled.

The Monday post was captioned: 'We all face moments when things feel overwhelming, and thats okay. Remember, you are not alone.'

Grover, a blue Muppet character on the popular PBS/ HBO children's television show, Sesame Street, took to 'X', formerly Twitter, on Monday to share the soothing message

Sharing the same sentiment as Grover, students at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy have been offered 'self-care suites' on Election Day where they can fiddle with Legos until 'all the scary stuff blows over'

The beloved Muppet's supportive outcry is just one of many election-related self care initiatives being offered to help ease the worries of America's apparent anxiety-riddled youth.

Sharing the same sentiment as Grover and the rest of his Sesame Street crew, students at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy - a ritzy, private, $61,200 per year school - have been offered 'self-care suites' on Election Day where they can play with Legos until 'all the scary stuff blows over.'

'In recognition of these stressful times, all McCourt community members are welcome to gather  in the 3rd floor Commons to take a much needed break, joining us for mindfulness activities and snacks throughout the day,' Jaclyn Clevenger, the schools director of student engagement wrote in an email to students.

As part of the 'self-care' program students at the elite Washington DC university can revert to activities akin with a child's birthday party when political discourse is simply too overwhelming.

Inside the lux 'self-care suites' students will be treated to a Lego station, coloring books and even milk and cookies and hot chocolate.

Students at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, have been offered a similar refuge. But rather than limited solely to Election Day, students can indulge week-long.

Much like Georgetown's debate evading offerings, at University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington (pictured), students have been offered a similar refuge - but rather than limited solely to Election Day, students can indulge week-long

Vice President Kamala Harris will face off against former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, November 5 for the coveted US Presidential seat

Inside the lux 'self-care suites' students will be treated to a Lego station, coloring books and even milk and cookies and hot chocolate, all inside a space free from anything resembling debate

Puget Sound students can treat themselves to a satisfying anti-election cupcake while enjoying a 'walkable labyrinth' featuring 'calming lighting and music.'

Those seeking additional refuge can also partake in calming arts and crafts activities such as beading, canvas-bag decorating and painting.

In the days succeeding the election, students can then participate in a 'Pause for Paws' event, with furry friends available for soothing pets and cuddles.

If that wasn't enough, on Thursday, the Pacific Northwestern school is offering a 'post election processing space' where students can create collages, journal with the help of self-care writing prompts and even indulge in a baked potato bar.

The extravagant offerings come just days after famed comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, blasted his children's former private school after they said they would allow 'emotionally distressed' kids to take the day off after the election.

Children attending Ethical Culture Fieldston School, which costs $65,540 a year in fees, will be allowed to excuse themselves from classes on Wednesday or whenever the full election results are announced.

The 70-year-old comedian said it was decisions like this one that irritated his family, and forced him to transfer his son out

The school, seen here, has said they will allow children to be excused from classes next week due to the election

In an email titled 'Election Day Support', Stacey Bobo, principal of the upper school said it 'acknowledges that this may be a high-stakes and emotional time' for them.

The email, seen by The New York Times, added: 'No matter the election outcome, [the school] will create space to provide students with the support they may need.'

Speaking with the Times, the 70-year-old comedian said it was decisions like this that irritated his family and forced him to transfer his son out.

He said: 'This is why the kids hated it. What kind of lives have these people led that makes them think that this is the right way to handle young people?

'To encourage them to buckle. This is the lesson they are providing, for ungodly sums of money.'

The email continued that no homework would be assigned on Election Day, and no assessments would take place on Wednesday.
In 2008, little more than a year after the SNP had won its first Scottish Parliamentary election, I fell into step on a Holyrood corridor with a government minister.

Id been looking for this person - who I knew well - for much of the day; a nervous source had told me a story about then First Minister Alex Salmond and I thought I could trust this senior MSP to confirm or deny it.

We stopped in a quiet corner near the lifts in the MSPs block and I put it to the minister - someone with whom Id shared many convivial lunches - that female civil servants working in the First Ministers official residence Bute House had been advised to take steps not to be alone with Mr Salmond.

I was taken aback by the ferocity of the politicians denial that any such thing had happened. To suggest the First Minister had ever behaved inappropriately around female staff was to lie, to smear, to defame.

A year later, I called another senior SNP politician to discuss a different story Id been told about Mr Salmond. I asked whether it was the case that a senior member of management at Edinburgh Airport had phoned then SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson to complain about Mr Salmonds behaviour around female members of staff and to revoke the First Ministers access to private VIP areas.

Rumours surrounded Alex Salmond's behaviour as far back as 2008

This, I was told, was absolute nonsense. Again, that defame word swiftly came into the conversation.

The hint of legal action that accompanied denials of two separate allegation by two separate politicians struck me as significant. I wondered whether theyd been prepared for my questions or similar questions from others.

I suppose I shall have to live with the not knowing.

We heard, during the trial of Mr Salmond on a number of sex crime charges, that female civil servants had been advised not to work alone with him at Bute House. We later learned that a complaint about Mr Salmond had, indeed, been made to Mr Robertson by a member of Edinburgh Airport management.

Mr Salmond walked free from court in 2020 after a string of not guilty (and one not proven) verdicts but, during the case, even his own lawyer conceded his clients behaviour towards female staff had often fallen short of what might have been expected.

Mr Salmond was found not guilty of all 12 sexual assault charges he faced following a trial in 2020

Since Mr Salmonds death at the age of 69 following a heart attack in North Macedonia, last month, some of his closest friends and political allies have been especially vocal in their view that the former First Minister passed away having had his reputation dragged through the mud by his enemies in the SNP.

Mr Salmonds preferred version of events - that he was the victim of a monstrous conspiracy - lives on with supporters, such as Tory MP David Davis and former Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who vow to clear their friends name.

By far the most troubling aspect of the campaign - if we can call it as much - to restore the late nationalist leaders reputation is the way in which the female complainers in the criminal trial are discussed online by Mr Salmonds supporters.

These women are characterised as conspirators - along with members of the media, the crown office, and the civil service - in a scheme to destroy Mr Salmond for political reasons. Frequently, supporters of the late politician hint at the identities of the women who gave evidence against him. The insistence that if only people knew who these women were theyd see things differently is commonplace.

Mr Salmond at a conference in North Macedonia shortly before his death aged 69

Quite why the SNP might suddenly, in 2018, have felt the need to orchestrate a preposterously complicated scheme to frame - and then have tried with the hope of conviction - their former leader is not at all clear.

Admirers of Mr Salmonds content themselves with the belief that he somehow constituted a threat to the leadership of his successor Nicola Sturgeon and that, this being so, he had to be destroyed.

The reality is that Mr Salmond had lost his parliamentary seat in 2017 and, by the time concerns were raised about his behaviour a year later, he had trashed his reputation by taking the Kremlin Ruble as a presenter on Vladimir Putins propaganda channel RT, formerly Russia Today.

The supposed plot against Mr Salmond is a disgruntled fairground owner away from being Scooby-Doo-laughable, yet his acolytes must believe it for to believe the alternative would be to accept their heros fallibility.

It has emerged in recent days that Police Scotland received a new allegation of a non-recent sexual assault in the days following his death.

A new allegation of sexual assault against Mr Salmond has been reported to police following his death

A spokesperson for the force said the information received was being assessed. It is not clear where such an assessment might lead. It would not be possible to bring a prosecution against Mr Salmond since he is now deceased, although police could investigate if there is the suggestion anyone still living was also involved in any alleged criminality,

For some supporters of Mr Salmonds this latest revelation - along with news that six women approached the SNP just two years ago with allegations of historic inappropriate behaviour by the nationalist hero - is nothing more than proof that even in death he must be destroyed and then destroyed some more.

In the aftermath of Mr Salmonds passing, there was - among what we might call the political class - much discussion about whether further complaints about him might now surface. It will have come as little surprise to many in the Holyrood village that a new allegation has already been made.

I wonder for how long supporters of Mr Salmond will console themselves with the idea that he was conspired against. How many more women might have to come forward before questions begin forming in their minds?

For now, those public figures loudly speaking out about the allegations against Mr Salmond are feeding a dark, misogynistic narrative that paints complainers as perjurers.

While supporters of Mr Salmond continue to besmirch the reputations of the women who complained abut his behaviour, neither the Scottish Government nor the SNP has done much to restore faith that either can be trusted to take seriously - and investigate properly - allegations of sexual impropriety in the workplace.

Mr Salmonds success in proving that the Scottish Governments investigation into earlier allegations against him was flawed means that, even now, a cloud hangs over civil service procedures. This, Im afraid, makes it all too easy for complainers to be unfairly dismissed without a hearing. The systems not fair, you see? No point in listening to any evidence.

The SNPs shame is that it could have put an end to allegations against Mr Salmond a very long time ago. When complaints - credible and numerous - were made to party officials, they were covered up. Thus, Mr Salmonds behaviour - which, remember, even his own defence lawyer admitted could be inappropriate - was enabled by colleagues.

The SNP might now see the late Alex Salmond as a pariah but senior figures used to be more forgiving. I remember some of the lies they told to protect him.
Google has been accused of election interference for showing voters where they can vote for Kamala Harris - but not for Donald Trump.

Elon Musk sounded the alarm on X on Tuesday after followers complained.

When a voter on their phone typed into Google: 'Where can I vote for Kamala Harris?', Google responded with a map showing the nearest polling station.

But when searching 'Where can I vote for Donald Trump?', no such map appeared, prompting the user to enter their full address.

A Google search for 'where can I vote for Harris' yields a Google map with a prompt, asking for an address to locate the nearest polling station

The same search for Trump, however, offers no such polling station finder

Instead, 'where can I vote for Trump' yields a result for CNN and NBC articles about the election

DailyMail.com ran the same test - and yielded the same result. A search for 'where can I vote for Harris' offered a map of NYC

But when searching 'Where can I vote for Donald Trump?', no such map appeared, prompting the user to enter their full address

Others echoed his comments and said it was proof of left-leaning big tech interfering with the outcome of the nail-biter election.

Google, however, has said that the 'Where to vote' panel is appearing on some specific searches because there is a county named 'Harris' in Texas.

The company said shortly after that the issue had been fixed.

Musk acknowledged Google's explanation, and replied: 'Thanks for the clarification.'

However, the apparent error by Google was enough evidence for many Trump supporters that the tech giant was trying to influence the presidential election.

Google, however, has said that the 'Where to vote' panel is appearing on some specific searches because there is a county named 'Harris in Texas

The company said shortly after that the issue had been fixed

The popular conservative X account End Wokeness said: 'Google is interfering in the election to help Kamala Harris. Try this yourself.'

Conservative X user Robby Starbuck added: 'Google will likely say it's a glitch but these 'glitches' always go in one direction.

'No one believes it's not intentional.'

In every swing state, Trump and Harris are tied, according to latest polling.

Trump himself conceded that his team does not expect an election result tonight.

Harris and Trump are tied in every swing state in what forecasters say is one of the tightest races in history

But Republicans have blasted major TV networks for giving Kamala and her camp more airtime.

She appeared on SNL on Saturday - and her VP pick, Tim Walz, was on CBS's Stephen Colbert last night.

Many say it amounts to a breach of the equal air-time rule.
The US Army soldier who was injured while working on the American-built pier to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza has died.

Motor transport operator Sgt. Quandarius Stanley, 23, was critically injured in May when high winds and heavy seas damaged the pier while beaching four Army vessels.

US military officials have not provided details on how exactly Stanley was injured but have noted it was not in combat.

He had been assigned to the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.

Two other service members also were injured but later returned to duty.

Motor transport operator Sgt. Quandarius Stanley, 23, was critically injured when high winds and heavy seas damaged the pier while beaching four Army vessels and he died on Thursday

The pier, costing some $320million, was operational for just 20 days since May

A U.S. Army soldier gestures as trucks loaded with humanitarian aid arrive at the pier, June 25

'Sgt. Quandarius Stanley was an instrumental and well respected first-line leader in the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary (TBX), especially during the mission to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza,' said Col. John 'Eddie' Gray, brigade commander.

'We will continue to provide support to his family during this difficult time. Our entire unit mourns alongside his family.'

Capt. Shkeila Milford-Glover, spokesperson for the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, said Stanley had recently retired and was receiving treatment in a long-term care medical center.

The massive pier project was hampered by unexpected bad weather and security issues, as well as persistent safety issues involving Israeli forces that prompted aid agencies to halt distribution of the supplies out of fear of being injured and killed.

The Defense Department formally pulled the pier from the Gaza shore on June 28 and declared an end in mid-July to the mission to bring aid into the territory besieged by the war between Israel and Hamas.

1 million pounds of aid is estimated to have passed through the pier through its brief lifespan

An American soldier stands guard with a dog at Trident Pier on June 25

An American boat carrying US soldiers and journalists sails near the Trident Pier, June 25

All together, the military moved nearly 20 million pounds of aid onto the Gaza shore in what officials said was the 'largest volume of humanitarian assistance' ever delivered into the Middle East.

But aid agencies had difficulty moving the food brought ashore to areas further into Gaza where it was needed.
Bunnings has apologised after a woman's weekend was 'ruined' by a single sign sitting outside a regional NSW store.

A disappointed customer headed to her local Bunnings in rural NSW in the hopes of getting a sausage during the store's famous sausage sizzle.

However, when she arrived, she was devastated to learn there would be no sausage sizzle.

'Apologies, our community sausage sizzle is closed today,' the sign read, which was shared on Reddit.

'Thanks for your support and understanding.'

The disheartened sausage-seeker shared her frustrations online and the anger rippled through the country as others shared their support for the woman, with some labelling Bunnings' act as 'un-Australian'.

'Is this even legal?' someone joked.

'This is an outrage,' said another.

A sandwich board outside Bunnings saying that their famous sausage sizzle had been cancelled (pictured)

The humble sausage sizzle has been a staple of Bunnings visits since 2004

One person insisted the lack of sausage sizzle was reason enough for a 'Royal Commission NOW'.

To make matters worse, the closest Bunnings to the woman was a '1.5 hour drive' away, so the likelihood of her getting her hands on a Bunnings snag was looking few and far between.

Bunnings regional manager Deb Thompsopn said there was a legitimate reason for the cancellation.

'Occasionally, a community group cancels their sausage sizzle, which occurred at one of our NSW stores over the weekend,' Thompson said.

'While we always offer the spot to other local community groups, we are sometimes unable to find a replacement at such short notice.

'We appreciate the community's understanding and look forward to holding future sausage sizzles.'
Outrage over Peanut the Squirrel's death has sparked bomb threats directed at New York state offices of the agency that euthanized the beloved pet.

The furry social media sensation - along with his raccoon friend Fred - were seized from their owners' home on October 30 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and put down two days later.

Since then, the squirrel's untimely end has provoked outrage and criticism from prominent MAGA Republicans.

After several DEC offices across the state received bomb threats this week, state employees were offered the option of working from home, the Times Union reported.

Outrage over Peanut the Squirrel's death has sparked bomb threats directed at New York state offices of the agency that euthanized the beloved pet

The furry social media sensation was seized from his owners' home on October 30 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Offices in Allegany, Bath, Buffalo, Cortland, New Paltz, New York City, Sherburne, Stony Brook, Syracuse, and Tarrytown all received threat, though none were found to be credible, the Times Union reported.

DEC officials had seized Peanut and Fred from the Pine City residence of Mark and Daniela Longo, a couple who run a small animal rescue.

Wildlife authorities reportedly visited the property after receiving anonymous complaints about conditions there.

Peanut was euthanized after biting a person involved in the investigation.

The DEC issued an email statement to staff, saying that the agency was working with state police to address the threats, according to Times Union.

Since then, the beloved squirrel's untimely end has provoked outrage, bomb threats, and criticism from prominent MAGA Republicans

After several DEC offices received bomb threats this week, state employees were offered the option of working from home

'Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our employees. As you are aware, there have been a number of threats toward DEC and our staff in recent days and we are taking these extremely seriously, including by coordinating closely with the New York State Police.'

The animals' owner, Mark Longo, 34, did not have the proper licensing to legally keep the critters.

Earlier this week, he said he believed officials raided his and his wife's home because of their OnlyFans account.

'I think there's an ulterior motive here, and it seems it has to do with my spicy social media presence, especially since other than taking the animals, they took no action against me,' he told TMZ.

He said when officials first showed up, one of the first questions they asked was whether they have any cameras inside the house.

Peanut had hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms

Multiple anonymous complaints about Peanut - also spelled P'Nut or PNUT - brought at least six officers from the DEC to Longo's home near the Pennsylvania border last week.

DEC officials took the squirrel and raccoon from Longo's home after they carried out a search warrant signed by four state agencies, all ignoring calls for clemency.

'The DEC came to my house and raided my house without a search warrant to find a squirrel!' said Longo. 'I was treated as if I was a drug dealer and they were going for drugs and guns.'

Longo runs an animal sanctuary with his wife Daniela - and they each have a large social media presence that promotes their OnlyFans content.

He said they were able to purchase their 350-acre home with the $800,000 that they made in one month posting their porn online after their content gained traction after Peanut went viral.

Peanut's death became a bizarre election talking point after a fake Trump post that appeared to condemn the seizure and subsequent death of the squirrel went viral

'Maybe it's someone who thinks I use this place to make a lot of money. Did this do wonders to my OnlyFans? Absolutely. It's making a lot of money from this,' Longo told the New York Post.

Peanut's death became a bizarre election talking point after a fake Trump post that appeared to condemn the seizure and subsequent death of the squirrel went viral.

When the real Trump campaign got wind of the wind-up, they clarified it was false.

'It's a fake statement,' Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told the Post. 'He didn't actually say that,' she added.
A dog owner had to put her beloved pet down after the animal suffered a stroke, believed to have been triggered by fireworks being set off through the night.

Lucy Gell, 56, had been using a radio to mask the sound of fireworks, but said whippet Betsy was discovered in distress once the family had gone to bed.

'We were in bed, the radio was turned off and she had an adverse reaction to the fireworks,' she said.

'We heard the other dogs barking and went downstairs. She was in real distress and had lost the use of one of her back legs. Her tongue had gone white.'

Ms Gell, from New Mills, Derbyshire, took the dog to an emergency vet in Macclesfield, Cheshire, on the night of October 26, who told her the blood supply to Betsy's leg had stopped because of a stroke.

It later led to the full loss of her legs and the animal was put down on October 27.

Ms Gell said her dog had 'lost the use of one of her back legs and her tongue had gone white from loss of circulation' after a night terrified of the fireworks

Ms Gell called for a change to firework laws after the tragic loss of her dog, Betsy

Under current law, fireworks can be bought by anyone aged 18 or over and let off up until 11pm at night  or 1am on Bonfire Night, New Year's Eve, at Chinese New Year or Diwali.

Ms Gell, a puppet animator, called on people to consider the impact of unorganised firework displays in the wake of her tragedy.

She said: 'It's the randomness of it that people can just buy them and they can let them go off at any time.'

Ms Gell said Betsy was a healthy dog but that her reaction to fireworks was getting 'worse and worse'.

'Betsy wasn't always scared of fireworks  it's just been in recent years after she grew older,' she said.

After her partner spent 'ages and ages' with their pets, Ms Gell followed him downstairs and told how she saw Betsy 'crying, distressed and unsettled'.

She said: 'It was very clear she'd lost the use of one of her back legs and her tongue had gone white from loss of circulation. I spent a couple of hours with her. She calmed down and went to sleep, so we went to bed.'

But worse was to follow the next morning.

'I found her in the kitchen lying by the back door. There was poo all over the floor and she didn't have use of any of her legs.

'We called the emergency vet and took her straight away. There was nothing they could do for her - she had to be put to sleep,' she said.

'There was nothing we could do so we had to make the decision to have her put to sleep. It was heartbreaking,' she said.

'It's just the circumstances, the issue was the fireworks. I don't mind organised displays but it's the randomness of it that people can just buy them and there is no legislation that they can go off at any time.'

Ms Gell called for a change to the law to limit the availability of fireworks.

'When I was growing up in the 1970s and 80s, (Bonfire Night) was all about fireworks that were pretty; it was a nice, social event, gathered around a fire with sparklers. Now it's just noise, loud bangs.

'Fireworks-makers are catering for the demand - people want the loud ones which go off in the sky  but what people have to remember is that animals' hearing is so much more sensitive than that of humans. Even small bangs affect a dog or cat.

'I think the 11pm limit is unacceptable  not everyone wants to hear it. People should let their neighbours know if they are letting off fireworks.

'I think there needs to be a change in the law so fireworks aren't so readily available. You can buy them once you're 18 but a lot of people are still too immature then. I think the minimum age should be raised to 25.'

Ms Gell worked on the 1996 Tim Burton film Mars Attacks!, starring Jack Nicholson, and the BBC animated children's series Brambly Hedge, from the same era.

The artist, who went on to become a puppet animator, working on shops such as Noddy, Postman Pat and Bob the Builder, urged people to be mindful of the effects letting off fireworks can have on pets and people with PTSD, including veterans.

Carrie Stones, An RSPCA campaign manager, said the charity is behind a push to change laws around fireworks, which includes a push for light shows, drone displays and capping how loud a firework can be to 90 decibels.

'For people with pets, the stress and anxiety around firework season can build resentment with more than half of people telling us that they dread it because of the impact they have on them and their animals.

'We've seen reports and video footage from people showing dogs shaking, panting in fear and trying to hide. We've seen horses bouncing off the walls off their stables during fireworks displays.

'This is why we want to see changes to firework legislation.'

Ms Gell, who sells her original prints online, said Betsy featured in a lot of her work

Fireworks in London, November 2. Charities have joined Ms Gell in calls for a change to the law

A deer found next to a cliff in Aberdeenshire with 'catastrophic injuries' was also likely spooked by fireworks, experts warned in the latest such case.

The animal was found alive at the foot of cliffs in Crovie, Aberdeenshire, on Sunday, suffering from a 'badly fractured jaw and multiple leg fractures..'

New Arc Wildlife Rescue, a charity based in the area, were called out to the scene, but sadly, had to euthanize the deer due to the extent of its injuries.

After speaking to members of the public who reported hearing fireworks being set off, charity staff believe that the animal was 'spooked' by the sounds, fleeing and falling over the cliff edge.

'With a badly fractured jaw, and multiple leg fractures, it was clear the deer had fallen from the cliffs above,' said a representative from New Arc Wildlife.

'Sadly due to the extent of the injuries we had no choice but to end the deer's suffering immediately.'

'Although we can only speculate as to what caused the deer to fall down the cliff, members of the public present at the scene stated there was a firework event adjacent to the incident location the previous night which may have spooked the deer.

'As it isn't a common event to find deer who have fallen from height, it is clear that something would have spooked the deer to cause it to run over the edge.

'Fireworks can be problematic for both vulnerable members of society, pets, livestock and wild animals.'

The charity have now urged members of the public to get involved with 'fantastic' campaigns to address unregulated usage of fireworks.
Pauline Hanson has broken down in tears in her first interview since she lost a defamation case brought by Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi.

The One Nation leader said Australia is 'not the country' she 'grew up in' after a judge found she had racially vilified Ms Faruqi when she told her to 'p*** off back to Pakistan' in a tweet.

The Federal court ruled on Friday that the tweet was racist, that Senator Hanson must remove it and that she must pay Senator Faruqi's legal fees after she launched the defamation action on September 9, 2022.

The judge declined to make orders proposed by Senator Faruqi that Senator Hanson pay $150,000 to a charity or undertake anti-racism training.

Senator Hanson appeared deeply affected by Judge Angus Stewart ruling that her post was unlawful under section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

'I just feel that the country's changed so much, in such a way that people can't say what they think anymore. The thought police are out there,' she told Sky News host Andrew Bolt.

'It's not the country that I grew up in. People may criticise my comment (but) I've never changed since I first entered politics nearly 30 years ago.

'The decision made, I think, was unfair, unjust and a bit hard but I'm not going to give up. I'm going to appeal against it, I'm going to fight this.'

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has broken down in tears during an interview after a judge ruled her post telling a rival Senator to 'p*** off back to Pakistan' was racist

Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi said the tweet provoked a 'torrent of racist abuse' and she launched defamation in the Federal Court

In a scathing judgment, Justice Angus Stewart found Senator Hanson engaged in 'seriously offensive' and intimidating behaviour with the tweet.

The day of Queen Elizabeth's death, Senator Faruqi took to Twitter, now known as X, to offer condolences to those who knew the monarch.

But she added she could not mourn the passing of the leader of a 'racist empire built on stolen lives, land and wealth of colonised peoples'.

In a response, Senator Hanson said she was appalled and disgusted by the comments.

'When you immigrated to Australia you took every advantage of this country,' she wrote.

'It's clear you're not happy, so pack your bags and p*** off back to Pakistan.'

Justice Stewart said this post was othering and exclusionary.

'It is a message that Senator Faruqi is, as an immigrant, a second-class citizen, and that she should be grateful for what she has and keep quiet,' he said in his Federal Court ruling.

The phrase 'go back to where you came from' was a racist, anti-immigrant and nativist trope traceable to the White Australia Policy, the judge noted.

Migrants and other Muslims would have been offended, insulted, humiliated and intimidated by the tweet, he said.

'It is a strong form of racism,' Justice Stewart said.

He found Senator Hanson had a decades-long tendency to make negative, derogatory, discriminating or hateful statements against people of colour, migrants and Muslims.

Senator Hanson claimed the decision gave her the opinion Australia is 'not the same country' that she 'grew up in' and that it was an attack on free speech

Senator Faruqi outside court after her win. Senator Hanson was ordered to remove the tweet and pay legal costs

Justice Stewart rejected the One Nation leader's claim she did not know her Greens rival was a Muslim at the time of the tweet.

Similarly he dismissed arguments the post was a fair comment in a political discussion about alleged hypocrisy from the Greens deputy in criticising the monarchy while benefiting from life in Australia.

Her submissions that sections of the Racial Discrimination Act went against the implied constitutional right of political communication were also shot down.

Justice Stewart said the law prevented some topics being discussed by politicians, but this limitation was only slight and served to protect the public from hatred and discrimination that could itself silence the vulnerable.

He was also highly critical of the One Nation leader as a witness, calling her generally unreliable, argumentative and unwilling to accept obvious truths.

'I was left with the distinct impression that Senator Hanson would say anything that came to mind if she thought that it would suit her at that time; she had little regard to whether what she said was true or false,' he said.

In a statement, the Greens deputy leader said the decision was a win for everyone who had been told to go back to where they came from.

'And believe me, far too many of us have been subjected to this ultimate racist slur far too many times in this country,' she said.

She said the judgment set a precedent for how racism would be viewed in Australia, saying it was about time the One Nation leader faced consequences for her comments.
The remains of more than two dozen Civil War veterans were discovered after sitting for decades in storage facilities at a funeral home and cemetery Seattle.

The cardboard and copper urns bearing the 28 soldiers names' were recovered by The Missing in America Project (MIA), an organization dedicated to finding and laying to rest the lost remains of veterans.

The MIA works to help locate, identify and inter any unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans, with hopes to 'provide honor and respect to those who have served this country' by giving them a final resting place.

'It's amazing that they were still there and we found them,' said Tom Keating, the organization's Washington state coordinator. 'It's something long overdue. These people have been waiting a long time for a burial.'

Many of the veterans, all of whom were Union soldiers, were buried at Washington's Tahoma National Cemetery in August.

Civil War re-enactors participated in ceremonies during funeral services for the burial of Byron Johnson, a Union soldier who was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1844 and fought in the Civil War

'It's amazing that they were still there and we found them,' said Tom Keating, Missing in Action Project's Washington state coordinator. 'It's something long overdue. These people have been waiting a long time for a burial'

During the service, the historical 4th US Infantry Regiment dressed in Union uniforms fired musket volleys while the crowd sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

The names and units of each veteran were called out before stories were shared and they were buried. Among them was one who had been held at Andersonville, a Confederate prison, as well as those who had fought in critical battles such as Gettysburg, Stones River and the Atlanta campaign.

While some remains are hidden away in funeral homes, others have been found where they fell in battle or by Civil War re-enactors combing old graveyards.

Some of the discovered remains will be buried at Washington State Veterans Cemetery, while a Navy veteran will be buried at sea. Others were sent to different states, including Rhode Island and Maine, where family connections were revealed.

One was Byron Johnson, who was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1844 and had enlisted at 18.

Amelia Boivin, a constituent liaison in the Pawtucket mayor's office, had the task of finding out Johnson's story. Boivin discovered that Johnson had died in Seattle in 1913 and had no living relatives.

Johnson was buried with military honors at his family's plot in Oak Grove Cemetery.

Flowers were put on Byron Johnson's grave following his funeral on October 16 in his family's cemetery plot in Seattle

Johnson was discovered to have enlisted at age 18 and died in 1913. Amelia Boivin, who uncovered his story, called the reburials a 'resolution of sorts'

'When you have somebody who served in a war but especially this war, we want to honor them. It became more intriguing when you think this individual was left out there and not buried in his own community,' Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien said.

The reburials often turn into major events, allowing residents to celebrate those who lost their lives and remember the war.

'It was important to remind people not only in Pawtucket but the state of Rhode Island and nationwide that we have people who sacrificed their lives for us and for a lot of the freedoms we have,' he said.

'It's the best thing we can do for a veteran,' added Bruce Frail, a former commander-in-chief with the Sons of Union Veterans and state coordinator for Missing in America Project.

'The feeling that you get when you honor somebody in that way, it's indescribable,' he said.

Boivin called the discovery of their stories and their reburials a 'resolution of sorts.'

'It felt like we were doing right for someone who otherwise would have been lost to history.'
A former Come Dine With Me winner who had sex with a 15-year-old boy has been convicted of hurling racist abuse at her neighbour.

Mother-of-three Lucy Haughey, 44, from Glasgow nabbed a jackpot of 1,000 when she won an episode of the famed Channel 4 show in 2017.

Lucy Haughey, 44, spewed abusive language towards Roman Kavur, calling him a 'foreign c***' on their shared landing in Glasgow's Cathcart on March 8, 2024.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how Haughey, who was said to have smelt of alcohol, also booted Mr Kavur's front door leaving it damaged.

She has now been found guilty of behaving in a threatening or in an abusive manner which was racially aggravated.

Lucy Haughey, 38, from Glasgow, bagged the 1000 jackpot when she won an episode of Channel 4's popular show, Come Dine With Me back in 2017

A ex Come Dine With Me winner has now been convicted of hurling racist abuse at her neighbour (Pictured at Glasgow Sheriff Court)

Seven years ago, Haughey was previously given a three-year community payback order for sleeping with a 15-year-old boy.

Her previous convictions also include stalking social worker Shannon Low in 2017 for which she was sentenced to community service.

Haughey posted a video on social media about Miss Low in 2022 which included abusive comments and was banned from contacting the woman for a decade.

Haughey was fined 515 and ordered to do 234 hours of unpaid work earlier this year for stalking a woman named Joanne Bell.

The 44-year-old, who is based in Greece, will now have to return to Scotland next month to be sentenced for her latest offence at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

The trial heard that Haughey originally had a cordial relationship with Mr Kavur when he and his partner moved into their flat with their twin babies in April 2023.

The mental health worker claimed that Haughey and his partner, dental nurse Valerie Zbila, had disagreements which he himself did not become embroiled in.

On March 8, 2024, Mr Kavur said he heard shouting near his home at around 6.50pm and went to investigate the noise.

'I couldn't really hear what she was saying, I heard shouting from the level below us - I didn't know it was Miss Haughey at the time,' he said.

'I looked through the glass window on the door and I saw Miss Haughey and she saw me.

'She seemed intoxicated at the time and said racial abuse at me saying "you foreign c***" or something like that.'

Mother-of-three Lucy Haughey, 44, (pictured) hurled racial abuse at her neighbour Mr Kavur on March 8, 2024

The reality TV contestant who had sex with a 15-year-old boy was also convicted for stalking Sharon Low in 2022

Mr Kavur then said he opened his door, something which he claimed was a 'mistake' on his part.

The procurator fiscal depute asked the witness what he hoped to achieve by opening the door, to which Mr Kavur replied: 'To see why she said it but I don't know - she was intoxicated.

'She came a little bit close to me and I smelled alcohol so I closed the door then called the police.'

The witness claimed that Haughey went on to kick his front door which caused damage to his letterbox.

When asked how he knew that she kicked the door, Mr Kavur replied: 'I could hear the impact. She was facing towards the door.

He added: 'She was either punching it or kicking it. If she was using her head, I would have seen it.'

Mr Kavur claimed that he initially went to work nearby that night but was allowed to return home after half an hour.

He stated that he could still hear Haughey shouting from her home but could not remember what was said.

Mr Kavur told the court: 'I apologise if it was because the kids were crying or woke Miss Haughey up but it's something that I can't control.'

The witness said that he is in now the process of moving out of the property.

Haughey - who represented herself - stated to her neighbour: 'It was your opinion I was intoxicated when I appeared downstairs on a different level?'

Mr Kavur replied: 'Yes.'

Haughey: 'Wow, you could get a job as a sniffer dog.'

Haughey also put it to the witness that the damage to the door was not submitted into evidence after seven months to which Mr Kavur agreed.

Earlier the court heard PC Josh Kay, 27, say he attended Haughey's home around midnight that day and arrested her.

The 44-year-old who is based in Greece will now have to attend her sentencing in Glasgow next month

He said: 'There was a lot of shouting, speaking to a boy who was at the property saying that she should have phoned the police first and if she did so she wouldn't have been arrested.'

Haughey told the court in her evidence today that the entire incident did not happen.

She was asked why she made a comment of: 'This is what happens when people come to your door' to the police on the night of the incident.

Haughey claimed that this was in reference to an incident to a matter from another day, whilst also stating the allegations made by her neighbours were 'lies' and 'malicious.'

She told the court that she now lives in Greece as an author specialising in domestic abuse and her property in Glasgow is up for sale.

Sheriff Collette Gallagher told Haughey when convicting her that she believed the Crown witnesses were 'credible and reliable.'
A registered Republican voter stunned Fox News after he revealed his pick for the presidential election winner in North Carolina.

Co-host of the Fox & Friends television segment, Will Cain, was taken aback by a self-proclaimed 'Trump-loving' voter's answer regarding his pick to win the crucial Tar Heel state's election.

North Carolina has a massive 16 electoral college votes at stake.

Cain, the host of the show's weekend edition, went to a diner in Concord filled to the brim with 'MAGA diehards' beaming nothing but optimism regarding the prospects of the former President.

Co-host of Fox & Friends television segment, Will Cain, was taken aback by a self-proclaimed 'Trump-loving' voter's answer regarding his pick to win the Tar Heel state's election

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

But, one voter, identified as George, failed to to raise his hand when the Fox host asked everyone present to raise their hand if they thought the Republican nominee was going to win their state.

'Im not gonna throw George under the bus here, but Im kinda gonna throw George under the bus,' Cain joked.

When asked who thought the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, would win the state's presidential candidacy George raised his lonely hand, prompting an eruption of laughter frim Cain and his constituents.

'Ive been to the polls two or three times with my children who are first-time voters -and they voted the correct way,' George explained himself, emphasizing his support for the Republican Presidential nominee.

Your browser does not support iframes.

One voter, identified as George (pictured), failed to to raise his hand when the host asked everyone present if they thought the Republican nominee was going to win their state

When asked who thought the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, would win the state's presidential candidacy George raised his lonely hand, prompting an eruption of laughter frim Cain and his constituents. Pictured: Attendees raising their hands at Cain's question

So far, over 4.2 million voters cast ballots in the early voting period this year in North Carolina, besting the previous record of 3.6 million cast in 2020, according to the state's Board of Elections data

'And every time I was there I was outnumbered 20, 30 to one and in some cases it was worse than that,' he added.

So far, over 4.2 million voters cast ballots in the early voting period this year in North Carolina, besting the previous record of 3.6 million cast in 2020, according to the state's Board of Elections data.

However, 63.2 percent of Republicans cast early ballots, a larger amount than that of registered Democrats coming in at 58.7 percent. Yet, polls have generally shown the two candidates neck-and-neck in the state.
A British businessman is behind bars in a Hong Kong jail charged with murdering his lover at a waterfall.

Jamie Chapman, 34, was raised by his parents Kevin and Lee in a 1m detached house in Surrey.

He sought to make his fortune in Hong Kong, launching upmarket ice cream and coffee shops.

Last night however he was in prison being held on suspicion of murdering a 25-year-old Indonesian housemaid at a beauty spot in the former colony on Monday.

Police were called after Novitasari Mevi was found dead at picturesque Waterfall Bay Park in Pok Fu Lam on the south coast of Hong Kong island.

Jamie Chapman, 34, is behind bars in a Hong Kong jail charged with murdering his lover at a waterfall

Mevi Novitasari (pictured) was found dead at a famed beauty spot in Hong Kong last week

Collect picture from the family of Mevi Novitasari, pictured here with her daughter Khaira

Police were called after Novitasari Mevi was found dead at picturesque Waterfall Bay Park in Pok Fu Lam on the south coast of Hong Kong island

According to local reports she had suffered severe head injuries.It is claimed in local media that she had been embroiled in a clandestine affair with Chapman - who is married to a woman said to a be a Hong Kong local, aged 36.

It is alleged that the supposed lovers met at the park, with witnesses claiming to have seen them together before Miss Mevi was found dead.

The Briton was arrested along with his wife at a high-speed railway station in West Kowloon on the mainland on Tuesday, apparently after heading away from home, but as they then made their way back to Hong Kong - where they live in a high-rise flat not far from the scene of the maids death.

Yesterday morning Chapman appeared at Hong Kongs eastern court to face a charge of murdering Miss Mevi last Sunday.

The prosecution successfully sought an adjournment so police investigation can continue - and there was neither any objection from Chapmans lawyer, nor any request for bail.

Chapmans wife was freed on bail after being arrested on suspicion of aiding an offender. She must report to a police station in December.

As a result the Briton was remanded in custody awaiting his next court hearing in January.

Principal Magistrate Don So Man-Lung told the Briton: In the meantime, you will stay in jail.

Jamie Chapman (pictured being escorted to Hong Kong's Eastern Court on Friday) stands accused of killing his lover

Mevi Novitasari was due to visit her family (pictured) before her tragic passing

Chapman (pictured, centre) is believed to have studied at Loughborough University

Superintendent Sin Kwok-Ming said Chapman had done many unreasonable things, including not contacting police.

Chapman launched an upmarket Italian ice cream gelateria called Givres in one of central Hong Kongs smartest areas eight years ago.

He had more recently relocated the shop to the high-rise citys equivalent of Londons trendy Soho, and renamed it Barista, with more of an emphasis on coffee.

Online he boasts that his ice cream concept was born in London, and that his ice creams sculpted into the form of roses are topped off with Great British service.

He was also involved in helping promote a miracle coffee grinder-cum-coffee-maker, Brewbuddy, launched in Britain by his father Kevin, 63, and sister Sophie, 31.

Yesterday, the curtains were drawn at the familys smart 1m detached home in Virginia Water, Surrey, and there was no response to enquiries.
Two suspected dine-and-dashers have been accused of targeting a Welsh restaurant's opening night where they stuffed their faces with fillet steaks and bottles of Malbec before leaving without paying the 155 bill.

The Welsh House in Carmarthen has shared a CCTV image of two men it claimed dined for free on October 25 as they gobbled on 30 steaks, cockles and laverbread, and 25 bottles of Malbec wine and Irish whiskey coffees.

The alleged dine-and-dashers then left at 9.47pm through the front door without settling their 155.60 bill.

A black and white image shows two men - both wearing hooded jackets - passing the reception area.

Restaurant bosses have urged the men to come back and pay up saying they hoped it was a 'genuine mistake'.

The Welsh House in Carmarthen has shared a CCTV image of two men it claimed dined for free on October 25 as they gobbled on 30 steaks, cockles and laverbread, and 25 bottles of Malbec wine and Irish whiskey coffees

The Welsh House in Carmarthen was celebrating its opening night when bosses claimed they were targeted by suspected dine and dashers

A spokesperson for the restaurant said: 'We opened our doors on Friday, October 25, and our team has loved preparing our wholesome Welsh dishes and serving our fantastic customers here in Carmarthen.

'Unfortunately, on the evening of our opening day, a couple dined with us and left without paying their bill.

'We put a message out on social media as we truly hoped it was an oversight and that the couple would come forward and settle what they owe.

'The response from the public and the town has been incredible. People understand that hospitality is a tough sector.

'Average profit margins are between just 3pc and 5pc and a "dine and dash" incident can mean the difference between making a modest profit or a loss on any day.

'We remain committed to providing honest food made from the best locally sourced Welsh produce and to keeping our authentic dishes affordable for all our customers.

'We want to thank everyone for their support. It has been truly humbling. From people popping in to ask how we are all getting on to seeing positive messages online.

'We do have CCTV of the couple who were at table 6. As a restaurant, we don't want to "name and shame" people as we hope that leaving without paying was a genuine mistake.

The Welsh House - which already had venues open in Cardiff, Swansea and Neath - posted an update today to say no one has come forward to pay the bill

'In an ideal world, they would simply return and pay the bill, and we can all draw a line under the event and get back to what matters to us more than anything in the world - delighting our brilliant customers here in Carmarthen and showcasing amazing producers from across Carmarthenshire and Wales.'

The Welsh House - which already had venues open in Cardiff, Swansea and Neath - posted an update today to say no one has come forward to pay the bill.

Police have reportedly been notified of the suspected 'dine and dash'.

MailOnline has contacted The Welsh House and Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.

The claim comes after a spate of dine-and-dash incidents across the country - which a leading hospitality industry figure claims many restaurants are powerless to stop.

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, says dine-and-dashing is on the rise amid stretched police resources, making alleged food thieves feel they are untouchable.

'In all honesty I think there is an escalation because people have been able to get away with it, with limited or no action taken by the police in many circumstances,' Mr Kill told Yahoo! News UK in May.

'The greater the chance of getting away with it, the more people will take that chance.

'It is also clear that police have limited or no time to deal with petty crime and businesses feel that these crimes are not being taken seriously, resulting in people walking free without recourse.'

According to UK Hospitality - the trade body for hospitality businesses in the UK - a third of operators had recently experienced an incident of dine and dash.

Rosemary McDonagh (pictured) was in a Wagamama branch with friends in Ashford, Kent, when they were handed a 277 bill to pay. A court heard that McDonagh complained about the food before leaving without footing the large bill

Wagamama restaurant in Ashford where McDonagh left without footing her bill. McDonagh refused to pay over allegation there was a hair in her food

Of those affected, 29% said the frequency of incidents had increased compared with the previous year.

Tony Sophoclides, UK Hospitality strategic affairs director, told the BBC walking out of restaurants without paying was unacceptable and showed 'a complete lack of respect'.

He said the rise in the number of incidents was probably linked to the cost-of-living crisis.

In September, a mother admitted to performing a 'dine and dash' at a Wagamama restaurant after she refused to pay over claims there was a hair in her food.

Rosemary McDonagh was in a branch of the restaurant with friends in Ashford, Kent, when they were handed a 277 bill to pay.

A court heard that McDonagh complained about the food before leaving without footing the large bill.

The mother-of-two was arrested on Tuesday September 10 and later pleaded guilty to the 'dine and dash' offence at Maidstone Magistrates' Court.
Donald Trump got rid of his third-party problem when he brought Robert F. Kennedy Jr. into the fold over the summer.

But Kamala Harris still had a big one threatening her campaign's fate as voters headed to the polls Tuesday - and her name is Jill Stein.

The Green Party ticket topper, who Democrats were hoping would drop out, is sure to siphon votes away from the vice president, largely over the conflict in the Middle East, in what could be one of the closest elections in history.

Just 1,000 ballots cast for Stein in one of the six battleground states where she appears on the ballot - she's not competing in Nevada - could tilt the election.

Democrats are increasingly anxious that it will hurt Harris' chances of taking the keys to the White House if Stein is successful Tuesday night.

Dr. Jill Stein spoke by phone with DailyMail.com Thursday morning from Pittsburgh. For the third time, she's running as the Green Party's presidetial nominee and has attracted voters angry over the U.S.'s support for Israel's war on Gaza

With America bitterly divided and the U.S. involvement in the Gaza war a source of anger for millions, the left-leaning Stein could be perceived as a viable alternative.

While Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was convinced by former President Donald Trump to abandon his independent presidential bid in exchange for a role in a Trump 2.0 White House, Stein said no such overtures were made.

Nor would she have accepted them.

During the final days of the 2024 campaign, the Green Party presidential candidate spoke with DailyMail.com and suggested there was nothing Vice President Kamala Harris could have done to push her from the race.

'We would never have trusted them to have backed off the genocide. We would not have trusted them to do that,' she said in a phone interview Thursday. 'So we would have remained in that race as a watchdog and as a threat against their backsliding.'

The genocide Stein is referring to is Gaza and the 'they' she speaks of is Harris and what she sees as the even-more-guilty Democratic National Committee, 'which is the real mouthpiece for the shaming and blaming of independent voters,' she said.

While Stein ran for president in 2012, it was in 2016 when she became more memorable due to the condemnation she received after Hillary Clinton lost, as more people voted for the Green Party hopeful than the margin Clinton lost by in Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Clinton herself wrote in her memoir: 'There were more than enough Stein voters to swing the result, just like Ralph Nader did in Florida and New Hampshire in 2000.'

Green Party presidential hopeful marches with pro-Palestinian protesters in St. Louis, Missouri in April

Still, Stein threw cold water on that sentiment.

'If you look at the data in 2016, the exit polls showed that people who voted for our campaign would not have otherwise come out,' she explained. 'So this charge that we stole votes is really a very self-serving piece of propaganda, essentially.'

She said that her supporters found it 'ludicrous and offensive' that they would have backed Clinton.

'And ludicrous that they were ever supporting Joe Biden and then when Kamala Harris failed to distinguish herself from Joe Biden, she never had these voters either,' Stein said.

Harris - who took over the Democratic nomination from Biden in July - has found herself in an impossibly tricky situation politically when it comes to the war in Gaza.

Her rhetoric has been more sympathetic to the Palestinian civilians being killed - and she talked tough after her meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just days after Biden's withdrawal - but Harris has not backed an arms embargo, as many on the left want.

It wouldn't matter if Harris had, said Stein.

'Would I have bowed out? No,' Stein said. 'Because power concedes nothing without a demand, right? If we bowed out, that's the end of the Green Party, not just in this election, but period.

'Because you have to maintain your ballot status in order to jumpstart your next race,' she continued. 'You want to get the best result you possibly can because of the way ballot access rules are written. You have to come out of there with the highest percentage of the vote possible in order to roll over your ballot access.'

When RFK Jr. suspended his campaign in August he initially told his supporters in swing states to back Trump.

He told those in safe red or blue states to vote for him.

Would Stein have ever instructed her supporters to do the same for Harris had the Democrat been more supportive of an arms embargo and the Palestinian cause?

'Well I would say that, you know, what are the odds that Harris would have done that?' Stein asked.

'The odds that Harris would have ever done that, you know, are pretty much non-existent,' she continued. 'From the intensity of the support by Harris and Biden for Netanyahu. Effectively Netanyahu is our commander-in-chief right now.'

While Stein's Green Party has become a place for many Muslim and Arab-American voters to now call home, Jewish Insider reported on comments her running mate, Rudolph 'Butch' Ware, made celebrating violence against Israelis - especially on or marking October 7.

Green Party presidential hopeful Jill Stein has attracted a coalition that includes a number of Muslim and Arab-Americans who are frustrated with the Biden administration's handling of the war in Gaza, as thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed

When asked if there's 'daylight' between her and her running mate on the subject, Stein said: 'So in my view, October 7 is part of a long exchange. That basically began with massacres even before the founding of the state of Israel.'

'And I think that's easily lost sight of when people take a position on October 7,' she said. 'So truth to tell I avoid being distracted by October 7. It's just the latest in a series of exchanges.'

'There's also a lot of fog of war around what happened on October 7,' the Green Party candidate said.

She then added, 'not that it wasn't horrible.'

'It was horrible, I abhor all violence against civilians,' Stein said.

'At the same time, according to international law, there is a right of resistance. There is a right of armed resistance from an occupied people,' she argued.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Stein also said she disagreed with the framing that October 7th caused the current Israeli assault on Gaza.

'You can put the goal post wherever you want,' she said. 'The problem began when Zionists came with the intention of violently displacing Palestinians. So if you need to put a goal post, I would put it there.'

When asked if Stein understood why some people might be offended by her running mate's comments about October 7, she replied: 'People are going to get upset.'

'This is a very controversial issue. Our opposing genocide is extremely controversial,' she said. 'I think Jews are a traumatized people. Many Jews having come out of the anti-Semitism of Europe and the Holocaust.'

Stein, herself, is Jewish.

'And you know, as a Muslim himself, he has a different set of sensitivities and you know, history of trauma. And as an African-American himself, he has a whole other history of trauma,' Stein added.

'I think we're not the same person, and we can have different views, and our views are controversial because we are opposing a system of economic and political elites that are doing all they can to try to drum up fear campaigns and smear campaigns against us,' she also said.

Dr. Jill Stein speaks at a rally in Dearborn, Michigan earlier this month. She'll end her presidential campaign back in Dearborn, which became the first Arab-majority city in the U.S. in 2023

In particular, Stein bristled at comments made by progressive Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who discouraged Green-curious voters by saying the presidential hopeful hasn't done anything to build up the party between election cycles.

'If you have been your party's nominee for 12 years in a row, and you cannot grow your movement, pretty much at all, and can't peruse any successful strategy...and all you do is show up every four years to speak to people who are justifiably p***ed off, you're not serious,' AOC said in an Instagram story last month. 'To me, it does not read as authentic, it reads as predatory.'

Stein brought up Ocasio-Cortez unprompted.

'And, by the way, the AOC thing is a lie. That is a lie,' she said. 'We have, we had, we've elected over 1,500 local elected officials and have currently 150 in office. So we don't go away. The big media goes away.'

Stein was talking to DailyMail.com from Pittsburgh Thursday morning, but she was headed to California - a deep blue state - over the weekend before spending her final hours campaigning in Dearborn, Michigan.

'So as you can see, our strategy goes well beyond swing states,' Stein said. 'It's really where there are real hotbeds of political activism.'

Dearborn became the first Arab-majority city in the U.S. in 2023 and Michigan is the likeliest of the six battlegrounds where Stein competing could have an impact.

Dr. Jill Stein throws up her first at a campaign stop Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Stein appears as a candidate on six of the seven battleground states' ballots including Arizona. She won't be on the ballot in Nevada

During the Michigan Democratic primary held in February, 101,623 voters said they were 'uncommitted' instead of backing President Joe Biden, a protest vote over his handling of Gaza - showing its potency as an issue in the Wolverine State.

A Marist poll of Michigan published on Friday morning has Harris ahead by three percent, with one percent backing another candidate.

The Real Clear Politics polling average on Friday has Harris up by 2.4 points over Trump, with Stein receiving an average of 1.8 percent of Michigan's vote share.

Nationally, Stein is polling at 1.1 percent, according to the RCP average.

Your browser does not support iframes.

A speaker at a recent event headlined by Stein in Dearborn openly admitted they had no expectations of winning the White House.

'But we do have a real opportunity to win something historic. We could deny Kamala Harris the state of Michigan.' former Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant told the crowd.

As for what success looks like for Stein Tuesday, she answered that will be 'what comes out of it.'

'Are we establishing new parties? Do we have more candidates running for office?'

'And as horrific as this genocide is, you know, and the climate crisis, it is a big wake-up moment now for so many Americans,' she said.

'And this is why the Democrats are running scared. This is why they are taking out ads against us. They're absolutely terrified and they have no one to blame but themselves,' she said.

'But Kamala Harris could have earned those votes back in a heartbeat by, you know, by agreeing to an embargo,' Stein said.

But Stein, of course, would have remained on the ballot.
The Church of England sparked fury last night after its racial justice commission suggested congregations in rural parishes around Britain are racist.

A review by the Archbishops' Commission for Racial Justice took aim at congregations in predominantly white areas for their lack of cultural awareness.

It also claims ethnic minorities are viewed with suspicion by churchgoers and clergy in 'rural/remote and traditional- conservative locations.

The 68-page report brands the CofE as structurally and institutionally racist. Elsewhere, it singles out the North for having fewer Black and Asian clergy, suggesting its due to the region not being regarded as attractive or welcoming.

Titled Behind the Stained Glass and carried out over a six-month period, it concludes: The evidence confirms the existence of both structural and institutional racism within the Church of England.

The Church of England sparked fury after its racial justice commission suggested congregations in rural parishes around Britain are racist (file image)

Lord Boateng, Britain's first black Cabinet minister, speaks as he attends the Chatham House Africa Programme event on June 17 2019. He has welcomed the report but says it demonstrated that CofE leaders pay lip service while presiding over an institution rife with structural and systemic racism

Clergy reacted with consternation last night and said the racial justice commission had clearly set out to reach its own foregone conclusion. However the CofE said the commission is independent and was set up to 'challenge and indeed criticise the Church'.

Reverend Ian Paul described the finding of institutional racism as completely unproven, saying: The idea that congregations or panels being white-majority is a problem is bizarre  we live in a white-majority country.

Mr Paul, a member of the General Synod and Archbishops Council, added: The report appears to reflect more than anything the ignorance and prejudice of those who wrote it.

The table at the end is ignorant and offensive, reflecting the ill-informed stereotypes of the authors.

The report  based on internal data and interviews with 109 people from 24 out of 42 dioceses  breaks down churches into four groups and suggests only liberal/progressive churches in urban areas are accepting of people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

The report said that dioceses will be required to implement an Anti-racism Action Plan and all senior clergy forced to undertake whiteness awareness training.

Veteran General Synod member Prudence Dailey said: The thing I find most upsetting and offensive about this report is that it correlates an attachment to tradition and history with racism.

The Archbishops Commission for Racial Justice will produce a final report later this year after more than three years of examining racial discrimination in the church.

It was launched after the Archbishop of Canterbury declared that the CofE is deeply institutionally racist as he apologised for the Churchs history in 2020.

Welcoming the report, the commissions chairman Lord Boateng, who was Britains first black Cabinet minister, said it demonstrated that CofE leaders pay lip service while presiding over an institution rife with structural and systemic racism.
Two people have been killed following a shooting at Chicago's Navy Pier that left others scrambling for shelter in bathrooms and cars.

A security guard had located 'two down' with shell casings surrounding them at a loading dock area shortly after 1pm on Tuesday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Paramedics were then called to the scene, where they found two wounded men, ages 47 and 51, outside, Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said.

Both were then brought to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries, Chicago Police Chief Jon Hein announced at a news conference.

He said officers are now actively seeking a person of interest, whom they have described as a disgruntled former employee who fired multiple shots in a 'non-public place' at the Navy Pier.

A shooting at Chicago's Navy Pier left two men dead as others scrambled for shelter Tuesday afternoon

'We have identified who we believe the suspect is,' Hein said, 'and were hoping to have him in custody very shortly.'

Scanner traffic obtained by the Sun-Times indicated police were looking for a 36-year-old man in a white chef's hat, a white chef's jacket and black pants who walked back into the pier following the shooting.

Dispatchers said he was seen on video at 1:21pm, but had possibly changed into a black North Face sweater, white or beige pants and was wearing a black beanie.

Police now say they believe the suspect was an employee of one of the restaurants at the tourist destination, who was fired on October 14 but still had access to an administrative office.

Court records obtained by CWB Chicago show the suspect was previously convicted of armed robbery in 2008 and had a gun charge dropped in 2017.

The victims, whose names have not yet been released, worked for a subcontractor in the area.

Chicago Police Chief Jon Hein said officers are 'actively seeking' a person of interest in the case

Police in tactical gear were seen swarming the area at around 2pm while officials at Navy Pier asked everyone there to shelter in place until the all-clear was given.

The team, wearing bulletproof vests and carrying rifles, were later seen canvassing an area with dumpsters and then entering a garage.

During that time, Benjamin Scott was listening to music at the pier after getting off of work.

He told the Sun-Times he saw officers arrive on the scene, so he left and was standing near a bus terminal when officers surrounded him with their guns drawn.

Scott had apparently been wearing the same clothing as the suspect, but he did not resist and police let him go.

'It's really scary,' he said of the shooting.

Jacoyah Harrison was also at the pier with her mom to enjoy their day off and to celebrate her upcoming birthday.

They decided to take in a show, when they were ordered to evacuate the theater.

They were then 'greeted by machine guns,' Harrison's mom said.

But police say they do not believe members of the public were ever at risk, Navy Pier COO Brian Murphy said.

He explained that a lockdown alert was immediately sent to the pier's 70 tenants through an internal communications system, but has since been lifted.

Murphy also added that his thoughts were with the victims 'who just came to work today.'
A popular hotel co-owned by a former BBC director-general has closed its doors to paying guests without warning and instead been turned over to house almost 300 asylum seekers.

The Best Western Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham - owned by a group chaired by Greg Dyke - has been a fixture in the prosperous Greater Manchester town since the 1970s.

As recently as last week, local businesses were being encouraged to book their Christmas parties there.

However despite Labours manifesto pledge to end the use of hotels, barges and military sites as accommodation for asylum seekers, the Cresta Court is now housing mainly-male migrants under a Home Office-approved deal - to the fury of many locals.

It comes after ministers warned that the immigration system would descend into chaos if they failed to open more asylum hotels.

The Cresta Court Hotel in upmarket Altrincham has closed for one year as migrants are about to move in

Migrants were spotted at the hotel today - understood to be from Syria, Yemen, Iran and Somalia

The news caused outrage in the town as Parties weddings and functions have all been cancelled. Pictured: Migrants outside the hotel

The hotel is part of Vine Hotels, which Greg Dyke (pictured) - a former FA chairman and BBC director-general from 2000-2004 - chairs as well as being a major shareholder

Worried residents gathered at a meeting on Monday to voice their concerns

But some residents gathered to show their support for migrants and refugees outside the venue despite the migrants being housed with no notice

Upcoming bookings at the Cresta Court - including at least two weddings - have been abruptly cancelled, with room reservations no longer being taken.

Staff were last week seen removing posters emblazoned Christmas is coming advertising the hotels events venue.

Meanwhile bored-looking young men - understood to be from Syria, Yemen, Iran and Somalia - have been seen congregating outside.

The hotel is part of Vine Hotels, which Mr Dyke - a former FA chairman and BBC director-general from 2000-2004 - chairs as well as being a major shareholder.

It is understood to have signed a year-long deal with private contractor Serco to house asylum seekers after receiving Home Office ministerial approval.

On Monday a public meeting was held at which locals expressed safety fears over the hotels proximity to several schools as well as placing local health services and police under strain.

Nearby residents say they were given no advance warning.

At the meeting, locals expressed safety fears over the hotels proximity to several schools as well as placing local health services and police under strain

People speaking out said they were 'not happy to be honest' and that they 'were given no notice at all'

Police talk to members of the public who stood outside the hotel holding signs which said 'Refugees welcome'

Yesterday a 59-year-old who only gave her first name Angela told the Daily Mail: Im devastated.

I dont feel I can take my grandchildren down the park now and Im going to get extra security at home.

I think its just the wrong place to put them, so close to the town centre.

Even if they dont intend to be, their presence will feel threatening.

Im also worried about the impact on the town in general and on visitors who might be put off from coming.

Another woman said: I am just not happy to be honest.

We were given no notice at all.

An 88-year-old woman living close to the hotel said: Its difficult because they have to go somewhere.

But I admit it has caused me concern because I was worried it could lead to crime going up.

One of the new residents, a 27-year-old man, said hed only arrived in Britain on Saturday via a small boat after fleeing violence in his native Syria.

He said it was a good hotel and that he hoped to eventually find work in a restaurant once his asylum claim is processed.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'This government inherited an asylum system under unprecedented strain, with thousands stuck in a backlog without their claims processed.

'We have taken immediate action to restart asylum processing which will save an estimated 7 billion for the tax payer over the next ten years, and are delivering a major uplift in returns to remove people with no right to be in the UK.

Over the long term this will reduce our reliance on hotels and costs of accommodation.

'We remain absolutely committed to ending the use of hotels for asylum seekers and continue to identify a range of accommodation options to minimise their use.'

Has your event been cancelled? Email rory.tingle@mailonline.co.uk
Here's a disturbing scenario as we wait to find out who becomes the next President of the United States.

All the polls are suggesting a tight battle. Much of the rhetoric suggests whatever the outcome it will a contested result, with recounts in key battleground states.

A Supreme Court challenge not unlike what happened back in 2000 when George W. Bush defeated Al Gore isn't out of the question either.

And there is even the potential for a tie in the Electoral College votes.

When you consider how volatile US politics is right now, what both presidential candidates are saying about one another, and in the context of claims the 2020 election was stolen which lead to riots in Capitol, a drawn out process to determine the next President will create enormous tensions.

And here is where a potential nightmare scenario could unfold.

It would be the President of the Senate, as the constitutionally appointed officer who certifies the presidential election outcome at a joint congressional sitting, who ultimately declares the winner.

Guess who that is? Democratic candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris, that's who!

Imagine a scenario in which, after all of the potential recounts and court challenges and claims of a rigged election, Kamala Harris then signs off on her own victory

Trump supporters would go wild. Trump would go wild, writes Peter van Onselen

Imagine a scenario in which, after all of the potential recounts and court challenges and claims of a rigged election, Harris then signs off on her own victory.

Trump supporters would go wild. Trump would go wild.

Alternatively, she'll face the indignity of signing off on Trump's win - after all the nasty things he's said about her and her campaign.

But it is the first scenario that is the one likely to cause instability.

The date of the joint sitting is January 6 next year. In such a set of circumstances tensions will escalate and the previous riots in DC might look tame in comparison. Back then it was Trump's VP Mike Pence who signed off on Joe Biden's win, and even that simple constitutionally defined duty was considered controversial by some Trump supporters.

No script writer for the most edgy of political thrillers could come up with a more juicy scenario than a highly likely scenario once all the votes are counted.

But before we get there, today we'll watch at the votes roll in. Assuming all other state by state results go as expected, there are seven key battleground states:

1. Michigan

2. Pennsylvania

3. Wisconsin

4. North Carolina

5. Arizona

6. Georgia

7. Nevada

The first three are the so-called 'blue wall'. The traditional working class rust belt of America supported Biden last time. If all three states back Harris this time, she almost certainly wins.

In contrast as long as Trump wins back North Carolina, Arizona and Georgia - all of which he won against Hillary Clinton in 2016 - he can win by only reclaiming one state within the blue wall to be victorious.

Nevada is a very small state, but it becomes interesting depending on where other states land because who wins it could turn the result into an electoral college tie, which send the result to Congress to decide the winner.

So sit back, watch the results roll in, but don't make the mistake of assuming early leads matter. American elections see big shifts as chunks of votes come in for particular areas that vote very differently to one another, shifting the numbers you'll see dramatically and suddenly.

My kiss of death? A Trump victory but that's more of a guess than a prediction, and I would be very happy to be wrong.

This election is just too close to call.
Former President Donald Trump voiced his concerns about Democrats cheating in Philadelphia and Detroit on social media on Tuesday, as voters were still going out to the polls.

'A lot of talk about massive CHEATING in Philadelphia,' Trump wrote on social media. 'Law Enforcement coming!!!'

The former president did not immediately cite evidence to back his claim, which earned a sharp rebuke from City Commissioner of Philadelphia Seth Bluestein, a Republican.

'There is absolutely no truth to this allegation,' he wrote on social media. 'It is yet another example of disinformation. Voting in Philadelphia has been safe and secure.'

Bluestein added he was in 'regular contact' with the Republican National Committee and was 'responsive to every report of irregularities at the polls.'

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump thanks his staff at his campaign headquarters on Election Day, November 5, 2024

There is absolutely no truth to this allegation. It is yet another example of disinformation. Voting in Philadelphia has been safe and secure. pic.twitter.com/wMiPnAgO17  Seth Bluestein (@SethBluestein) November 5, 2024

Your browser does not support iframes.

Trump again made his claim, citing problems in Detroit, Michigan, as well.

'Philadelphia and Detroit! Heavy Law Enforcement is there!!!' he wrote.

Trump's concerns about Philadelphia may be a result of reports of higher than expected turnout for Harris.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner also responded immediately to Trump's claim in a statement.

'There is no factual basis whatsoever within law enforcement to support this wild allegation,' he said.

He added that he was monitoring the election, inviting people to submit any concerns or complaints about the election process.

'If Donald J. Trump has any facts to support his wild allegations, we want them now,' he said. 'Right now. We are not holding our breath.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Democrats have been praising turnout in Philadelphia turnout as a major boost for Vice President Kamala Harris, which would allow her to erase high rural voting margins for Trump.

'Voter turnout is extremely high,' Philadelphia Democratic Party Chairman Robert Brady told journalist David Shuster. 'Ive been doing elections for 50 years chair and Ive been chairman for 40 years and now its the highest weve ever seen for this point.'
Grieving Victorian families will soon have to pay a sevenfold increase in death charges - on top of hefty taxes to finance Melbourne's Covid lockdowns.

Victoria formally abolished all death duties in 1981.

But those mourning the death of a loved one still have to pay a probate filing fee to the Supreme Court to cover the administrative costs of transferring or dividing up a deceased estate among surviving family and friends.

The costs for processing the legal claims via a solicitor had, until now, been modest in Victoria for the relatives of a deceased loved one who had left behind a typical suburban home.

But now the deceased estate costs will be in the hundreds for a small apartment estate, climbing into the thousands for an average, Melbourne house, and into the tens of thousands for homes sold in more upmarket areas.

Fees are meant to increase on July 1 each year, but Victorian probate office fees are now set to soar just four months into the 2024-25 financial year.

Shadow attorney-general Michael O'Brien described the increases as a 'death tax by stealth'.

From November 18, estates worth less than $500,000 will incur a probate fee of $514.40 - an expense that will be 7.5 times more expensive than the existing fee of $68.60.

Grieving Victorians will soon have to pay a sevenfold increase in death charges to finance Melbourne 's Covid lockdowns (pictured is a stock image)

Estates valued from $500,000 to $1million will incur a $1,028.80 charge - almost triple the existing level of $367.40.

That kind of cost increase would affect a family selling a median-priced Melbourne house worth $928,808 or an apartment with a middle price of $613,638, based on CoreLogic data.

For deceased estate assets worth $1million to $2million, the fee will be $2,400.50 - up from $685.90.

The fee for estates worth more than $2million but less than $3million will be $4,801.00 - up from $1,502.40.

On estates worth $3million to less than $5million, the fee jumps to $7,185.20 - a tripling from $2,318.90.

Acting Attorney-General Enver Erdogan on Monday also announced new fees for the ultra rich.

'For the very small percentage of Victorians dealing with multimillion dollar estates, the fees will be lifted to cover the level of administration and dispute resolution these complex applications often require in court,' he said.

That means estates worth $5million to $7million will incur a $12,002.60 fee, rising to $16,803.60 for estates worth more than $7million.

Mr O'Brien, a former Liberal leader, said the increases were a poor reflection on Premier Jacinta Allan, with her state set to have a $2.2billion Budget deficit in 2024-25.

'For the Allan Labor government to resort to taxing dead Victorians and their grieving families, and to announce it on the eve of Melbourne Cup, just shows you how bankrupt this government is  financially and morally,' he said.

Victoria's Labor government last year introduced a series of taxes on businesses and property investors in a bid to raise $31.5billion over a decade to pay for Melbourne being the world's most locked down city during Covid.

The Opposition said said the increases were a poor reflection on Premier Jacinta Allan, with her state set to have a $2.2billion Budget deficit in 2024-25

This included a $975 land tax on property investors.

The federal government abolished inheritance taxes in 1979, taking the lead from Queensland.

Other states copied in the following years, with all states scrapping death duties by 1982 in a bid to stop the elderly and the wealthy from moving interstate.

Every state, levies probate fees with the amounts varying depending on the size of an estate.

While Victoria's probate fee increases are steep, other states charge even more.

New South Wales charges $1,873 for estates worth $500,000 to $1million and $2,494 for estates valued at $1million to $2million.

South Australia charges $1,914 for estates worth $200,000 to $500,000, $2,549 for estates worth $500,000 to $1million and $3,826 for estates worth more than $1million.

Tasmania charges $1,024.76 in fees for estates valued at $250,000 to $500,000, $1,290.30 for estates worth $500,000 to $1million and $1,634.38 for estates worth $1million to $2million.

Queensland has a flat filing fee of $793 while in Western Australia it's $408.
The Royal Family may have vast wealth, but they are renowned for repurposing their favourite items of clothing.

Leading this approach, Princess Anne has recycled many of her coats, dresses, hats and handbags over the years, some of which she has owned for decades.

And Catherine, Princess of Wales, has publicly embraced this practice countless times.

Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice joined in by wearing her grandmother Queen Elizabeth's vintage Norman Hartnell dress on her wedding day in 2020.

This trend is not limited to the UK, as many international royals are also rewearing dresses and celebrating hand-me-downs - read on to find out who.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands

Queen Maxima wore a recycled outfit at the Council of State, held at Palace Noordeinde in The Hague, last month.

The monarch dusted off her icy blue Valentino gown for the third time since debuting it at the 2011 wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

The exquisite lace design boasted a strapless, scalloped neckline and tiered skirt adorned with chiffon ruffles.

She had also selected the designer ensemble in 2021 when she accompanied her husband, Willem-Alexander, to the Konzerthaus concert hall in Berlin.

Queen Maxima has worn her Valentino gown thee times since debuting it at the 2011 wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco (left)

Catherine, Princess of Wales

Attending the Earthshot Prize Awards in 2021, Kate revisited her fashion archives.

She recycled a lilac dress by Alexander McQueen, previously worn a decade earlier at a Bafta black-tie event in 2011.

Kate updated the graceful ensemble with an embellished belt and styled her hair in loose waves.

Kate revisited her fashion archives at the 2021 Earthshot Prize Award

Queen Mary of Denmark

Queen Mary of Denmark has proven her commitment to sustainable fashion by wearing a burgundy ball gown on five occasions, notably during the royal family's New Year reception.

She introduced the Birgit Hallstein dress, featuring a demure boat neck and long train, at the lavish event in 2007.

Most recently, she chose this design for the 2024 gala, teaming it with Gianvito Rossi pumps and the Ruby Parure Tiara.

The result was just as captivating as its initial appearance 17 years ago.

Queen Mary wore her Birgit Hallstein velvet dress for the 2024 New Year gala, teaming it with the Ruby Parure Tiara

Demonstrating her dedication to sustainable fashion, Queen Mary of Denmark has showcased this burgundy ball gown on five occasions, often at the royal family's New Year receptions

Princess Beatrice

In a heartfelt tribute to her late grandmother, Princess Beatrice wore a dress belonging to Queen Elizabeth on her wedding day.

The exquisite Norman Hartnell creation, first worn by Her Majesty for a state dinner in Rome in 1961, was remodelled by the late Queen's dresser, Angela Kelly, and designer, Stewart Parvin.

Beatrice accessorised with the Queen Mary Diamond Fringe Tiara, which the then Princess Elizabeth wore at her wedding to Prince Philip on November 20, 1947.

The vintage dress, made from ivory Peau De Soie taffeta, featured geometric hand-embroidered diamantes across the bodice, waist and hips.

Angela Kelly and Stewart Parvin softened the full-skirted silhouette to create a more contemporary shape, while matching organza sleeves were carefully added to the original design.

Each alteration made to the dress was fully reversible.

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were married on July 17, 2020, at Royal Lodge

Princess Anne

Princess Anne has worn her lilac coat on at least six royal engagements between 1982 and 2004.

The Princess Royal debuted the coat, with a John Boyd veiled hat, when welcoming Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands for a state visit in 1982.

A year later, she wore it for the unveiling of the Mountbatten Memorial Statue in London, followed by an appearance in 1988 to launch the submarine HMS Talent.

Anne wore the elegant coat again for the 1992 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey and then for a fourth time on a visit to Greenwich's Royal Naval College in 1997.

More recently, the royal reached for the A-line wool design on Christmas Day in 2001, 2004 and 2013, often pairing it with her original hat.

Anne wore this lilac coat on at least six royal engagements between 1982 and 2004

Queen Letizia of Spain

Queen Letizia of Spain paid homage to her mother-in-law's impeccable sense of style when she wore a Valentino outfit first donned by Queen Sofia in 1977.

King Felipe VI's wife recycled the beautiful dress worn by her mother-in-law, now aged 85, during a visit to Germany 44 years ago with her husband, the disgraced King Juan Carlos, who has gone into exile in the Middle East.

The floral embroidered bodice and billowing emerald skirt were updated with a striped belt for a diplomatic reception in January 2022.

Queen Letizia paid homage to her mother-in-law's impeccable sense of style when she wore a Valentino outfit first donned by Queen Sofia in 1977

Queen Rania of Jordan

Queen Rania was the epitome of elegance in an official portrait released to mark King Abdullah II of Jordan's Silver Jubilee in June.

The Jordanian royal chose a very special simple, but striking, black dress from her wardrobe, featuring a bateau neckline and column skirt, complemented by a burgundy sash representing the Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali.

Rania wore the dress in her first official portrait taken in 1999 - and she appeared as captivating now as as she did at 29.

Queen Rania looked the epitome of grace in an official portrait marking King Abdullah II of Jordan's Silver Jubilee. Rania wore the dress in her first official portrait, taken in 1999 (left)

Lady Louise Windsor

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, wrapped up warm in her navy Roland Mouret coat on five instances between 2018 and 2019, even inspiring her daughter, Lady Louise, to follow suit.

The luxurious 'Millington' double-wool crepe coat combines style and practicality with its flared sleeves, distinctive lapels and a knee-length cut.

When arriving at St Mary Magdalene Church in 2022, Louise accessorised the coat with a coordinating Jane Taylor London trilby and nude suede heels.

Sophie's Roland Mouret coat appears to be in pristine condition - even though Lady Louise has waited four years to wear it

Princess Victoria of Sweden

Queen Silvia of Sweden's 1995 Nobel Prize gown made a lasting impression, leading her daughter, Princess Victoria, to revive it 23 years later.

At the same event in 2018, Victoria donned her mother's strapless colour-block dress by Nina Ricci.

She enhanced the look with the Connaught Tiara, which was designed in 1860 and worn by Queen Silvia on several occasions.
Declaring that Texas will 'not be bullied by the Department of Justice,' the state Attorney General blocked federal election monitors from going inside voting locations across the Lone Star State on Tuesday.

Department of Justice election monitors had planned to be inside polling sites in eight Texas counties, including Atascosa, Bexar (San Antonio), Dallas, Frio, Harris (Houston,) Hays, Palo Pinto, and Waller.

The feds made the announcement four days before the November 5 presidential election, adding that election monitors would be in 27 states, including Texas.

However, state attorney general and Donald Trump ally Ken Paxton sued the federal government, stating that Texas law does not allow federal representatives inside polling places or central counting stations.

'Texans run Texas elections, and we will not be bullied by the Department of Justice,' Paxton said in a press release Tuesday morning.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, center, visits the Manhattan courthouse in April where Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felonies in a hush money trial earlier this year. Paxton is a staunch Donald Trump ally

'The DOJ knows it has no authority to monitor Texas elections and backed down when Texas stood up for the rule of law. No federal agent will be permitted to interfere with Texass free and fair elections.'

Despite Paxton claiming a 'major victory' against the federal government, the feds and Paxton agreed to allow monitors outside voting locations to ensure Texans' civil rights are preserved.

Monitors must stay 100 feet away from those sites, but are allowed to speak to voters, according to the order reached by both parties.

Paxton urged Texans to flag any violations of this agreement by making reports to his office.

However, officials in Houston requested help from the federal government, pleading for DOJ monitors in the nation's fourth largest city.

A voter at the Shady Lane Park Recreation Center in Houston, Texas

Polls opened at 7 a.m. in Houston area with lines forming outside a polling site in the suburb of Cypress

Voters line up to cast their ballots in the Houston area

A bilingual curbside voting sign outside of a polling place in Edinburg, Texas. The small town is the state's border region where many voters speak Spanish as a first language

'We ask for the presence of the Justice Department here because Texas is one of the most voter restrictive states in the nation,' Democratic Commissioner Rodney Ellis of Harris County said Monday.

The Justice Department routinely sends staff to monitor compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country, however, states can decline their intervention.

'On Election Day, the Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws.

'Reports may be made through the departments website or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931,' the DOJ said.
Archaeologists have unearthed a first-of-its-kind ancient Egyptian tomb that dates back nearly 4,000 years.

The burial chamber contained the remains of 11 men, women and children, suggesting it was a family cemetery used for generations during the 12th and 13th Dynasty.

The find marks the first Middle Kingdom tomb that has been discovered in the area, which ranged from 1938 BC to 1630 BC.

American and Egyptian researchers with the South Asasif Conservation Project noted that the bodies were lain side-by-side in wooden coffins, with their heads facing in alternating directions.

Although ancient floods had destroyed the wooden coffins and their linen wrappings, researchers found that items like figurines and jewelry - including a necklace and hippo-head amulet - were still intact.

Among the treasures were two copper mirrors, one had a lotus-shaped handle while the other had a design of Hathor - the Egyptian goddess of the sky, women, fertility and love.

The tomb was discovered next to the Temple of Hatshepsut on the west bank of the Nile River in Luxor.

Katherine Blakeney, the lead American archaeologist, said: 'The unearthing of the first Middle Kingdom tomb in the South Asasif necropolis alters its history, placing South Asasif within the sprawling Theban Middle Kingdom necropolis.'

Researchers plan to continue excavations to find other artifacts that could shed light on how people lived during the Middle Kingdom in Egypt

The artifacts included a beaded necklace made of amethyst that was discovered while the archaeologists conducted restoration efforts of the tomb of Karabaskin, a 25th Dynasty official

The researchers identified skeletons belonging to five women, two men and three children, with the final family member's gender and age still unknown.

The discovery was made during restoration efforts of the tomb of Karabaskin, a 25th Dynasty mayor of Thebes and the fourth priest of Amun, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MTA).

Archaeologists said that the find has altered the South Asasif's history, which was previously believed to only contain burials from the 18th, 22nd, 25th and 26th dynasties of ancient Egypt, ranging from 1550 BC to 525 BC.

The graves likely date back to the top 12 families in the region, the MTA said, adding that the find could contribute to archaeologist's understanding of the burial practices and rituals at the time.

The majority of the jewelry was found among the female's remains with the exception of an exquisite necklace that was discovered in one of the men's tombs.

This was perhaps the most prominent of the discoveries because the necklace, which consisted of 30 amethyst beads and two beads of agate surrounding the head of a hippopotamus, indicated the man held a high station.

During the Theban Middle Kingdom, the hippopotamus was considered of utmost importance because it represented the Nile River's power and was often buried in tombs to protect the deceased as they entered the afterlife.

Figurines of hippos were commonly found in Middle Kingdom tombs and was sometimes depicted as the pregnant goddess Taweret which signified fertility and protection.

This necklace was considered to be the most important because it was the only one belonging to a man and may have signified that he was of a higher station

Archaeologists found necklaces, bracelets and other artifacts that primarily belonged to women in the tomb

The animal also decorated necklaces, bracelets, rings and belts made of red agate that were still in good condition when the tomb was opened.

'Such craftsmanship underscores the cultural and artistic sophistication of the Middle Kingdom,' Blakeney told Archaeology Magazine.

Egyptians who lived during the Middle Kingdom experienced a period of prosperity and political stability.

After decades of disarray, they built a strong centralized government and had a thriving trade and successful agriculture that led to an abundance in food production and a thriving economy.

Pharaohs in the 12th Dynasty were considered to be 'good shepherds' who actively cared for their people and members of the middle class saw their lives improve as they gained access to more consumer goods.

The Middle Kingdom is believed to have peaked during this time when pharaohs Amenemhet I and Senusret I boosted the people's prosperity, cultural, artistic and literary achievements.

The American team said it is now planning to conduct additional excavations in the area to reveal more aspects of the ancient tomb and shed light on how its inhabitants lived during the Middle Kingdom era.
A controversial company is charging parents-to-be between $4,000 to $50,000 (3,150-38,500) to screen their embryos for intelligence, an investigation has revealed.

PolygenX, a screening service provided by US-based startup Heliospect Genomics LLC, uses controversial genetic techniques to analyse embryos for traits like height and intelligence.

According to a report from Hope Not Hate, this 'Superbaby Factory' claims to help parents undergoing IVF select embryos that will have the highest IQ.

Heliospect Genomics counts prominent pro-natalists Malcolm and Simone Collins as clients and has even gained the support of the billionaire SpaceX founder Elon Musk.

Only accepting vetted clients from referrals, the company stealthily caters to the demand for 'designer babies' among the wealthiest parents.

However, Heliospect Genomics has come under fire for its dubious methods.

The company's techniques, which are not legal in the UK, have been branded by critics as a form of eugenics - the belief that the human race can be improved by selective breeding.

The company claims to use a technique called preimplantation genetic testing for polygenic risk (PGT-P) to screen for traits ranging from intelligence and self-control to risk of obesity or ADHD.

A secretive company is offering wealthy parents-to-be undergoing IVF (pictured) the option to screen their embryos for intelligence, height, and gender

The company claims to allow parents undergoing IVF the option to choose which embryo to implant based on a prediction of IQ scores (file photo)

US-based startup Helisopect Genomics LLC claims their PolygenX screening service can predict the IQ, height, self-control, and risk of ADHD and obesity of their embryos

This method analyses the genetic code of embryos to predict the probability that they will develop complex traits involving multiple genes.

In the UK genetic testing can only be used to screen for life-threatening illnesses such as cystic fibrosis and it is not legal to use PGT-P to select traits like intelligence, gender, or height.

However, in the US and other countries, the rules are far more relaxed and several companies have sprung up to offer PGT-P services.

But what makes PolygenX unique is that it specifically focuses on intelligence and IQ as a target for selection.

Over a year-long period, an undercover reporter for Hope Not Hate infiltrated the company by posing as a potential parent seeking IVF.

The reporter received their referral to the company from Simone Collins, a prominent pronatalist and advocate for selecting children based on their IQ.

During a meeting, Ms Collins showed a PolygenX website on which her frozen embryos' intelligence was ranked on a bell curve.

In a video of the meeting, Ms Collins explains how she is planning on selecting one of the embryos with the highest IQ to be implanted.

Parents can choose the embryos with the highest predicted IQ score to be implanted in a technique which is not legal in the UK

Undercover footage taken by Hope Not Hate recorded prominent pro-natalist Simone Collins showing her frozen embryos' IQ ratings

How does PolygenX help parents select their embryo's IQ? In the UK using genetic screening to select for IQ or height is not legal. Customers travel to a country with looser laws and receive normal IVF treatment. The couple's sperm and eggs are combined and the embryos are frozen. The parents send the embryo's genetic data to the PolygenX service which predicts which might have the highest IQ. The couple then return to the IVF clinic and request that specific embryo to be implanted. Advertisement

During meetings with company executives, Heliospect Genomics also explained the steps their PolygenX customers take to get their designer babies.

First, a British parent would need to approach an IVF clinic in a country with less strict regulation, such as the US.

They then undergo normal IVF treatment which involves combining sperm and eggs before freezing the resulting embryos.

The parent would then request the genetic data of these embryos and send this to Heliospect Genomics.

After analysing the data, Heliospect Genomics will rank each of the embryos according to traits such as IQ, risk of ADHD or bipolar disorder, biological sex and different forms of cancer.

Finally, the parent would return to the IVF clinic and request to have their chosen embryo implanted.

Using the PolygenX dashboard, parents can also calculate how many IQ points their child could expect to gain based on how many embryos they screen.

The UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) prohibits any use of PGT-P that does not meet the strict criteria for genetic testing and is not backed by scientific evidence.

To undergo the treatment, parents would follow the normal IVF process. But, before implanting the embryo, PolygenX uses a technique called preimplantation genetic testing for polygenic risk (PGT-P) to predict which embryo will have the highest IQ

HFEA chief executive Peter Thompson told MailOnline: 'Current evidence suggests that polygenic risk scores, which claim to estimate your genetic risk for certain diseases or traits like IQ or height, can be interpreted too rigidly and are not currently backed up by evidence from scientific studies.'

Additionally, there mixed evidence as to whether traits such as intelligence are as strongly determined by genetics as Heliospect Genomics claims.

Mr Thompson adds: 'Its also worth bearing in mind that making healthy lifestyle choices is likely to have a bigger impact on preventing disease than relying on these genetic scores.'

This means that many viable embryos are discarded because of diseases the baby would never develop.

Ultimately, that means a lower chance of a healthy baby being born and many more unnecessary rounds of IVF.

Many critics also dispute the ethics of allowing babies to be engineered for traits which aren't linked to their health.

These concerns are heightened by the fact that these services are so expensive that they will only be available to the super-rich.

This has sparked worries that genetic advantages may become divided by class and wealth.

In the UK it is not legal to use PGT-P to test for anything other than life-threatening conditions. However, PolygenX claims to use this controversial technique to boost children's IQ

Currently, five parents have undergone this treatment but the company's client list is understandably kept confidential.

However, speaking to an undercover reporter Mr Anomaly said that he had secured a meeting with Elon Musk to discuss the company.

Mr Anomaly said that 'he thinks its cool' and added: 'I know he supports us.'

Additionally, Hope Not Hate alleges that this analysis is only possible thanks to data provided by the UK Biobank, a scientific database holding the genetic data and medical records of 500,000 people.

PolygenXs name does not appear on the UK Biobanks website but, in 2023, according to Hope not Hate a man identified as the principal investigator of a project for Heliospect Genomics made a request for biobank information in order to test 'advanced techniques on new genetic data'.

While the PolygenX service does not directly use UK Biobank data, Hope Not Hate claims that it has been able to gain access to data through the company Heliospect Genomics.

Speaking to an undercover reporter Mr Anomaly said: 'The UK Biobank is a godsend. Thats basically the best thing that's ever happened for this field.'

PolygenX's founder Jonathan Anomaly claims to have had a meeting with Elon Musk (pictured) and says the billionaire 'supports us'

In their report, Hope Not Hate argues that there are 'ethical concerns' over a company using British volunteers' data to carry out procedures that are not legal in the UK.

PGT-P screening itself has been described as a form of eugenics.

Coercive eugenics was a scientific idea championed by the Nazi party and used to justify racial purges of 'inferior' genes.

The company's co-founder, Jonathan Anomaly, has been an outspoken advocate of PGT-P screening and voluntary eugenics

Mr Anomaly has been a frequent defender of eugenics - the belief that the human race can be enhanced by deliberate genetic selection. Pictured: Mr Anomaly defends the term 'eugenics' on a podcast

On his substack and on various podcasts, Mr Anomaly has claimed it was not fair that eugenics has become a 'dirty word'.

Instead, Mr Anomaly has advocated for giving parents the choice whether they want to enhance their children's genes.

Mr Anomaly also describes himself as a 'race realist', referring to the belief that there are scientifically demonstratable racial differences.

Heliospect Genomics LLC, and Mr Anomaly strongly dispute Hope Not Hate's characterisation and reject any association between the company and the alt-right.
READ MORE: Remember the 5th of November... because soon it will be cancelled

It was 419 years ago today that one of the most catastrophic episodes in English history was only narrowly averted.

In the early hours of November 5th, 1605, Guy Fawkes was caught under London's House of Lords with a box of matches and 36 barrels of gunpower.

Along with his fellow Catholic conspirators, Fawkes was found guilty of trying to blow up Parliament and assassinate James I of England.

Fortunately, the disastrous blast was foiled, and Fawkes was tortured on the rack before being tried for high treason in January 1606.

Ever since, the question persists  what would have happened had the dastardly Gunpowder Plot been successful?

MailOnline's interactive maps give an idea of the kind of devastation that would have occurred  and how this would compare to a nuclear attack on London.

They show that the Gunpowder Plot would have razed everything to the ground within a radius of about 130 feet, while up to 360 feet away buildings would have been at least partially destroyed.

A 300kiloton nuclear weapon, meanwhile, could cause an estimated 281,010 fatalities if dropped in the centre of London.

Your browser does not support iframes.

In what became known as the Gunpowder Plot, Catholic conspirators led by Robert Catesby (depicted above with Guy Fawkes and other plotters) fatefully planned to kill James I by blowing up Parliament in 1605

The map showing the likely damage of the Gunpowder Plot is based on a 2003 analysis by the Centre for Explosion Studies at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, led by Dr Geraint Thomas.

The researchers found the explosion would have destroyed Westminster Hall and Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and more.

Of course, the Houses of Parliament as we know it today were built in the 19th century following a fire, but Fawkes would have hastened its demise.

Jewel Tower, part of the Palace of Westminster from the 14th century, could have been partially damaged, as well as Whitehall - the site of Downing Street today.

Within a radius of about 130 feet, everything would have been razed to the ground, while up to 360 feet away buildings would have been at least partially destroyed.

Up to around 3,000 feet, some windows would have been blown out and Londoners would have felt the force of the blast.

Even further from the heart of the blast, lesser effects such as the sound of a faint bang may have been audible.

Dr Thomas and colleagues based their estimate on the assumption that the gunpowder would have been as powerful as TNT today.

Your browser does not support iframes.

The cellar beneath the House of Lords, as illustrated in 1799, where Guy Fawkes was found with the gunpowder, thought to no longer exist. It was described as 77 feet long, 24 feet and 4 inches wide, and 10 feet high

Fawkes was just one of 13 co-conspirators; he is most famous because he was the one caught as he was guarding the explosives, not because he was the ringleader

How deadly would a nuclear blast be over London? A 300kiloton nuclear weapon, equivalent to 300,000 tons of TNT in strength, could cause an estimated 281,010 fatalities if dropped in the centre of London. In the immediate aftermath, there could be an estimated 662,900 casualties on top of the figure. A more powerful 500kt bomb could cause as many as 392,940 fatalities - and an additional 855,910 casualties. And at 800kt, a bomb could cause as many as 534,900 fatalities - and 1,070,150 injuries. Advertisement

'Fawkes was an expert in explosives and if he had the powder well packed in barrels, it would have an equivalent blast radius to modern TNT,' Dr Thomas said.

The study referred to models given during the world wars regarding TNT detonation and how much damage that would cause depending on distance.

'Admittedly we do not know the exact composition of the gunpowder or where it was placed in relation to structural walls,' said co-author Cathy Gardner.

'It is hard to say the exact damage that would have been caused and the Houses of Parliament might still have been standing, just about  but the building would not have been in a good state.'

In all, 36 barrels of gunpowder totaling 2,500kg were stored in a cellar underneath the House of Lords  a space that no longer exists.

The intention had been to detonate them during the State Opening of Parliament on November 5, when James I, the Queen and his heir would also be present.

The plot was hatched by Robert Catesby when it had become clear that King James I, who came to power in 1603, was going to continue the persecution of Catholics carried out by his predecessor Queen Elizabeth I.

It's known that Fawkes  an explosives expert who had served in the Spanish army  used substantially more gunpowder than he needed.

In 2005, to mark the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot, a full-size replica of the House of Lords was built and destroyed with barrels of gunpowder at RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria, England

Originally from York, Fawkes' job was to light the fuse and escape across the Thames  but with hours to go he was found during a royal search following a tip-off.

An anonymous letter of warning was sent to William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle, a Catholic member of Parliament, who immediately showed it to the authorities.

An extract reads: 'They shall receive a terrible blow this parliament and yet they shall not see who hurts them'.

Royal guards searched The House of Lords and in the early hours of November 5, Fawkes was found in the cellars, with a fuse, a small lamp, a box of matches and 36 poorly-hidden barrels of gunpowder.

After Fawkes's arrest, Catesby and the other plotters fled the 80 miles from London back to Ashby St Ledgers in Northamptonshire in seven hours.

Catesby died two days later in a shootout as he attempted to resist arrest at Holbeach House in Staffordshire.

His head was later cut off and taken to London, where it was stuck on the roof Parliament.

Fawkes and fellow conspirators Thomas Wintour, Ambrose Rookwood and Robert Keyes were hanged, drawn and quartered in the Old Palace Yard, opposite Parliament at Westminster.

Fawkes's death came after he was subjected to three months of interrogation and torture.

His signature on the confession he made on November 9 was barely legible, demonstrating the impact of the torture.
Whether it's your air fryer or your video doorbell, many of us now use several smart devices in our day-to-day lives.

But research may have you reassessing which gadgets you keep in your home.

Experts from Which? have warned that four unexpected devices could be spying on you.

In their study, the team rated popular smart devices across six categories  consent, transparency, data security, data minimisation, trackers and data deletion.

Based on these ratings, the researchers gave each product an overall privacy score.

Their findings reveal that several popular air fryers can listen in to your conversations and even send your personal data back to China.

Meanwhile, several smart speakers are 'stuffed' with trackers - including Facebook and Google.

'Our research shows how smart tech manufacturers and the firms they work with are currently able to collect data from consumers, seemingly with reckless abandon, and this is often done with little or no transparency,' said Harry Rose, Which? magazine editor.

Whether it's your air fryer or your video doorbell, many of us now use several smart devices in our day-to-day lives. Pictured: Aigostar air fryer

Which? rated popular smart devices across six categories and gave each a privacy score

Air fryers

Which?'s analysis revealed that three products  Aigostar, Xiaomi Mi Smart, and Cosori CAF-LI401S  knew their customers' precise location and wanted permission to record audio on the user's phone.

The Xiaomi app linked to its air fryer connected to trackers from Facebook, Pangle (the ad network of TikTok for Business), and Chinese tech giant Tencent (depending on the location of the user), while the Aigostar air fryer wanted to know the user's gender and date of birth when setting up an account.

Meanwhile, both the Aigostar and Xiaomi air fryers sent personal data to servers in China - although this was flagged in the privacy notice.

In response, a Xiaomi spokesman said: 'The permission to record audio on Xiaomi Home app is not applicable to Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer which does not operate directly through voice commands and video chat.'

A Cosori spokesman added: 'We prioritise privacy, and subject to our internal compliance requirements, the smart products must comply with GDPR.'

Aigostar did not respond to a request for comment.

Smartwatches

Huawei's device was found to request a staggering nine 'risky' phone permissions

The Kuzil (left)and WeurGhy (right) were found to be essentially the same product

How to improve your data privacy Care about what you share Some data collection is optional during setup. Only share what you are comfortable with. Check permissions On iOS and Android, you can review permission requests before downloading an app, and check what each app has access to in settings. Deny access In settings, you can deny or limit access to data such as location, contacts, and so on. Delete recordings In Alexa and Google Assistant settings, you can set voice recordings to be deleted automatically rather than stored after a period of time. Read the privacy notice At least browse the policy, particularly the data collection sections. You have the right to object to a company processing your data. Advertisement

In the smartwatch category, Which? tested the three most popular devices sold on Amazon  the Huawei Ultimate, the Kuzil, and WeurGhy.

Huawei's device was found to request a staggering nine 'risky' phone permissions, including your precise location, the ability to record audio, access to your stored files, and the ability to see all other apps installed.

In response, the company said that these permissions all had a justified need.

'Huawei takes consumers' privacy incredibly seriously,' a spokesman said.

'Clearly, to be useful lifestyle and health/fitness partners, smartwatches require permissions to access a number of personal data; we are very clear both on the devices at set-up, and on the companion app Huawei Health, which permissions are required and why, and users have full control over turning them on or off at any time.'

Meanwhile, the Kuzil and WeurGhy were found to be essentially the same product, which Which? says is a common problem on marketplaces where little-known brands sell near identical goods.

Both smartwatches required consent to work, and if declined, they only operated as basic watches.

Which? also found none of the legally required information on how long the smartwatches would be supported with security updates.

However, both watches did not appear to use any trackers.

WeurGhy and Kuzil were uncontactable.

The Hisense 40A4KTUK (pictured) and Samsung EU43CU7100KXXU both required a postcode at set up, while the LG 43UR78006LK asked for a postcode, although this was not mandatory

The Hisense smart TV did not connect to any trackers that Which?'s researchers could detect, but Samsung and LG linked to several of them, including Facebook and Google. Pictured: LG 43UR78006LK

Smart TVs

Which?'s analysis found that smart TV menus are 'littered' with ads and 'thirsty' for user data.

The Hisense 40A4KTUK and Samsung EU43CU7100KXXU both required a postcode at set up, while the LG 43UR78006LK asked for a postcode, although this was not mandatory.

Samsung's TV app requested eight risky phone permissions, including the ability to see all the other apps on the phone.

The Hisense smart TV did not connect to any trackers that Which?'s researchers could detect, but Samsung and LG linked to several of them, including Facebook and Google.

In response, Samsung said: 'At Samsung, the security and privacy of our customers' data is of the utmost importance. And we employ industry-standard security safeguards and practices to ensure that the data are secured. Customers are also given the option to view, download or delete any personal data through their Samsung accounts.'

A Hisense spokesperson added: 'Hisense UK values its relationships with its customers and respects their data privacy rights.

'We are compliant with all UK data privacy laws and only capture the postcodes of our customers to enable them to receive regional specific content, enhancing their user experience.

Which? tested the Bose Portable Home Speaker (left), Amazon Echo Pop (right), and Google Nest Mini (Second Gen)

'If users are concerned, then many of our TVs will accept a partial postcode.'

LG declined to comment.

Smart speakers

Which? tested the Bose Portable Home Speaker, Amazon Echo Pop, and Google Nest Mini (Second Gen).

Bose's speaker and app was found to take the fewest upfront phone permissions of the three devices tested, but was 'stuffed' with trackers.

This included Facebook, Google, and digital marketing firm Urbanairship.

The Bose speaker also scored poorly on how it secured customer consent for data tracking.

In contrast, the Amazon Echo was found to give useful options to skip various requests to share data.

However, both the Amazon and Google accounts needed to use the Echo Pop or Nest Mini, respectively, do not give users an easy option to opt out of trackers.

An Amazon spokesperson said: 'We design our products to protect our customers' privacy and security and to put them in control of their experience.

'For example, we build easy-to-use controls for our customersthese include physical buttons or shutters, simple in-app controls, and prompts within the device set up experienceand have created resources that explain how our devices and services work and the options available to customers.'

A Google spokesperson added: 'Our customers' privacy is very important to us and Google fully complies with applicable privacy laws and provides transparency to our users regarding the data we collect and how we use it.

'For those moments when users want additional privacy controls on Google Nest smart speakers and displays, users can use Google Assistant in Guest Mode.

'When in Guest Mode, Google Assistant won't say or show personal results, personal contacts, and automatically deletes audio recordings and Google Assistant activity. '

How to improve your data privacy

Based on the findings, Which? has given several pieces of advice on how you can improve your data privacy:

Care about what you share

Some data collection is optional during setup, and that means you can opt out (although potentially with consequences in terms of functionality). Only share what you are comfortable with.

Check permissions

On iOS and Android, you can review permission requests before downloading an app, and check what each app has access to in your settings.

Deny access

Also in your phone settings, you can potentially deny or limit access to data such as location, contacts, and so on. Although, that might stop or limit aspects of the app.

Delete recordings

Using the Alexa and Google Assistant settings, you can set your voice recordings to be deleted automatically rather than stored after a period of time.

Read the privacy notice

Do at least browse the policy, particularly the data collection sections. You have the right to object to a company processing your data.
There are many ways to catch a killer: DNA analysis, psychological profiling, crime scene investigation - but now experts have added handwriting to the list.

Graphologists - or analysts who study handwriting to determine the writer's personality traits - have closely investigated serial killers' penmanship to look for commonalities that could help law enforcement evaluate suspects.

While graphology is a controversial field, some believe that if a person's handwriting possesses certain unique features, it's a clear sign that they have a serial killer's mentality.

Those features include unusual spacing between words, broken letters, fake letters, unusual punctuation, printed letters, and inconsistent variances in letter sizing, according to graphologist Anna Koren.

Many handwriting samples from the world's most prolific serial killers - such as Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy and Jeffrey Dahmer - possess some of these stylistic traits.

If nothing else, graphology offers a way to peer into the mind of a murderer and help experts understand their sinister psychology.

Ted Bundy

Ted Bundy brutally assaulted and murdered 20 confirmed victims (but confessed to a total of 30 murders) between 1974 and 1978. All of his victims were female

Ted Bundy's handwriting contains strong lower zone emphasis and deformed letters

Ted Bundy brutally assaulted and murdered 20 confirmed victims (but confessed to a total of 30 murders) between 1974 and 1978. All of his victims were female.

Biographer Ann Rule described Bundy as a 'sadistic sociopath who took pleasure from another human's pain and the control he had over his victims, to the point of death and even after.'

Koren, who has been studying penmanship since the 1970s, said that evidence of Bundy's sadistic sociopathy could be found in his handwriting.

In her analysis, she pointed out the emphasized lower zone - or the area before the baseline into which the tails of lowercase letters like Y or J extend.

Bundy's writing included large, dramatic loops in the lower zone.

While upper-zone emphasis is more common in the penmanship of serial killers, exaggerated features - like these loops - can also be a sign of what Koren called the 'schizoid' personality, which 80 percent of the killers she's analyzed possess.

She also highlighted his deformed letters. Bundy's handwriting was practically illegible due to his use of strong angles, narrow letters and crowded spacing.

These features are also indicative of the 'schizoid' personality, according to Koren.

John Wayne Gacy

John Wayne Gacy, also known as 'the Killer Clown,' tortured, assaulted and murdered at least 33 young men and boys between 1972 and 1978

John Wayne Gacy's handwriting shows high pastocity, a weak lower zone, and left-leaning loops that suggest he was violent, sexually deviant and had an explosive temper

John Wayne Gacy, also known as 'the Killer Clown,' tortured, assaulted and murdered at least 33 young men and boys between 1972 and 1978.

Twenty six of his victims' bodies were found in the crawl space of his home near Chicago, three were buried on his property, and four were found in the Des Plaines River.

According to an analysis by The Handwriting Analysts Group, there are several signs of Gacy's deviant behavior lurking in his penmanship.

This killer's handwriting showed heavy pastocity - or a high amount of extra ink flowing onto the page.

This may indicate a strong need to satisfy urges or a tendency toward 'wanton sexuality and cruel violence.'

His lower zone letter formations - especially the loops that extend to the left combined with high pastocity - suggest 'an explosive temper with perverse sadistic tendencies,' the analysis reads.

And the left-leaning tendency and weak nature of the lower zone may indicate that Gacy was unsure of his sexuality, the analysts explain.

Jeffrey Dahmer

Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as the 'Milwaukee Cannibal,' killed and dismembered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991

Jeffrey Dahmer's handwriting contains a right-leaning slant, wide spaces between words and letters, and broken letters such as unclosed O's and lowercase A's

Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as the 'Milwaukee Cannibal,' killed and dismembered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991.

Many of his later murders involved necrophilia, cannibalism, and the preservation of body parts.

His handwriting contained 'most schizoid characteristics,' according to Koren.

Some of the most notable features included a right-leaning slant, wide spaces between words and letters, broken letters such as unclosed O's and lowercase A's, and the use of printed letters.

All of these are signs of a schizoid personality, according to Koren.

Son of Sam

David Berkowitz, widely known by his self-given nickname 'Son of Sam,' terrorized New York City from 1976 to 1977

David Berkowitz's handwriting has strange beginnings and endings, unusual letters, covering strokes and a slow, tense nature

David Berkowitz, widely known by his self-given nickname 'Son of Sam,' terrorized New York City from 1976 to 1977.

During those years, he shot 17 victims with a .44 caliber revolver, killing six and wounding 11.

Koren pointed to strange beginnings and endings in his handwriting, 'as well as an abundant amount of strange letters and covering strokes,' that point to his disturbed personality.

Beginning and ending letters in an unusual way may be indicative of the schizoid personality, according to Koren.

Covering strokes can suggest that the writer wants to cover up their thoughts or be secretive, according to Graphology Report Maker.

Koren believes that this feature is characteristic of the schizoid personality.

She also pointed out that his handwriting was 'slow and tense.'

Writing slowly can can indicate that a person is organized, methodical and self-reliant, as serial killers often are.

The tense aspects of his penmanship are also a sign of a schizoid personality, according to Koren.

The Zodiac Killer has never been caught, and he or she is known only by this self-given pseudonym

The Zodiac Killer's letters included a code made up of invented characters, wide spaces between words, and slightly slanted, printed letters

The Zodiac Killer has never been caught, and he or she is known only by this self-given pseudonym.

This prolific serial murderer killed five known victims and injured two others.

The Zodiac shot most of the victims, but two were stabbed.

This killer claimed to have taken the lives of 37 people, but this has never been confirmed.

The Zodiac's known crimes took place from 1968 to 1969, but the killer began sending letters to police in 1968 and continued until 1974.

These letters have served as critical evidence in the case, and the Zodiac's handwriting has been extensively analyzed.

Like Dahmer's, this penmanship possessed most of the features that are characteristic of a schizoid personality, according to Koren.

For example, the murderer used print script, wrote at a slight slant and left wide spaces between words.

Additionally, the Zodiac created a unique code to leave cryptic messages in the letters. Invented characters such as these are indicative of a schizoid personality, according to Koren.
A 'lost' castle linked to Mary Queen of Scots, Scotland's legendary 16th century monarch, may finally have been found, experts reveal.

Artefacts that may confirm the existence of Eddlewood Castle have been uncovered in woodland near Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

A cobbled surface, a possible drain and pottery sherds dated to the 14th and 15th century are all thought to have been part of the castle.

Eddlewood Castle was allegedly torn down after the Battle of Langside of 1568  a seminal Scottish battle that Mary's forces lost.

However, Mary's connection to Eddlewood Castle and exactly why it was destroyed by opposing forces are less clear.

What's more, nothing is known of the castle's appearance or when it was built  making it one of Scotland's great medieval mysteries.

Scotland's beleaguered queen was famously forced to abdicate in favour of her one-year-old son James VI in 1567.

Two decades later, she was beheaded on the orders of England's Queen Elizabeth I after being implicated in a plot to assassinate her.

Volunteers have discovered artefacts in the Chatelherault Country Park forest near Hamilton which they think is Eddlewood Castle, a lost medieval castle

Mary Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 - 8 February 1587) was Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication in 1567. She was executed in February 1587 after 19 years in captivity, when she was found guilty of plotting the assassination of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I

Successful excavations in July 2024, led by volunteers from Clutha Archaeology Group, were conducted in the Chatelherault Country Park forest near Hamilton.

According to Ailsa Smith, co-founder of Clutha Archaeology Group and member of Scottish Strategic Archaeology Committee, the pottery sherds are confirmed as medieval.

'We plan to carry out another excavation in 2025 to explore the site further and hopefully find more artefacts and wall remains,' Ms Smith said.

'In the meantime, we will continue our archival research to see if we can find earlier historic references to the castle and the Eddlewood estate.'

Archeologists knew about a circular mound labelled 'castle' on a plan of the Eddlewood estate prepared for the Duke of Hamilton around 1776.

'The layout of the castle, mound, wooded area and [nearby stream] Meikle Burn on this map is the same as it is today,' said Ms Smith.

'This image is the strongest evidence that Eddlewood Castle ever existed.'

As well as this, there's a written account from 1889 that mentions Eddlewood Castle and its connection to the Battle of Langside.

'Castle': The site is marked on an estate plan prepared for the Duke of Hamilton around 1776

The excavation site is near Chatelherault Country Park in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland

Successful excavations in July 2024, led by volunteers from Clutha Archaeology Group, were conducted in the Chatelherault Country Park forest near Hamilton

The seminal Battle of Langside of 1568 was fought between forces loyal to Mary, Queen of Scots and forces acting in the name of her infant son James VI.

According to the 1889 account, Eddlewood Castle was dismantled after the Battle of Langside, which Mary's forces lost.

The 19th century record states that the location of the 'probably dismantled' castle 'is marked by a mound of rubbish and the fragment of a wall'.

However, academics say the account was written more than 300 years after the castle was reportedly destroyed and may be unreliable.

It is possible that the link between Eddlewood Castle and the Battle of Langside was created to make the site 'more interesting' to visitors in the early days of tourism in Scotland.

For Clutha Archaeology Group, the next step will be matching 'documentary evidence' with 'archaeological evidence', along with further excavations of the site.

While the new dig seems to provide compelling evidence that Eddlewood Castle existed, establishing the building's connection with Mary may be a lot more difficult.

A spokesman for Society of Antiquaries of Scotland told MailOnline: 'We don't know what connection Mary had to Eddlewood, if any, because we don't know for sure if there was a castle there at all at the time she was alive.

Eddlewood Castle was allegedly torn down after the Battle of Langside of 1568 - a seminal Scottish battle that Mary's forces lost. Battle of Langside is depicted here in this artist's impression

Archaeologists and volunteers will keep looking for below-ground physical remains they can identify and date. If they find them, it might shed some light on that 19th century story

'That's what the archaeology is trying to find out.'

Mary became Queen of Scotland in December 1542  when she was just a few days old  following the death of her father, King James V.

With her country in need of an ally amid incursions by King Henry VIII's forces, she was sent to marry the future King Francis II of France when she was still a teenager.

But he died in 1560, just two years after they tied the knot and less than 12 months after he had become the monarch.

So Mary, now aged 18, returned to Scotland  where her mother had been governing in her place until her death in June 1560  to reclaim her throne.

She opted to marry the handsome Lord Darnley as part of her ploy to overcome Scottish lords' opposition to her return.

In June 1566, seven months before Lord Darnley's murder, Mary gave birth to their only child, the future King James I of England (James VI of Scotland).

The baby was baptized in the Catholic faith in Stirling Castle in December 1566, causing alarm amongst the Protestants.

The following year, Mary's Protestant Lords rose against her and her army confronted theirs at Carberry Hill, near Edinburgh, on June 15, 1567.

Mary, Queen of Scots, with her second husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. Lord Darnley had one child with Mary, the future James VI of Scotland and I of England

Mary surrendered, was imprisoned in Lochleven Castle, Kinrossshire and was forced to abdicate in favour of her infant son.

On May 2, 1568, Mary escaped from Lochleven Castle and an army of her supporters was defeated at the Battle of Langside, near Glasgow, on May 13.

Around 100 of Mary's men were killed and her army fled, while Mary fled south to England.

Mary had believed that her cousin Queen Elizabeth I would support her cause, but instead she was kept in captivity in England for 19 years.

As Mary was Catholic and Elizabeth Protestant, Mary became the centre of many Catholic conspiracies and plots.

Eventually Elizabeth agreed to Mary's execution and signed her death warrant when she was implicated in the Babington Plot, a plan to assassinate Elizabeth.

Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire on the morning of February 8, 1587, at the age of 44.
The butchered remains of a dolphin have been discovered on a New Jersey Beach.

Federal authorities were called to the scene in Allenhurst, finding the animal's flesh had been 'completely removed with clean cuts from a sharp instrument, leaving only the head, dorsal fin and flukes.'

The dolphin's organs, except for the heart and lungs, had been also been removed.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center released a disturbing image of the mutilated carcass lying on a metal gurney before it was carried away for an investigation, hoping to find the culprit.

The creature was identified as a common dolphin, which is not listed as threatened or endangered.

However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is investigating the death that would result in up to $100,000 plus one year imprisonment if the culprit is caught.

Federal authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the death of a dolphin found on a beach. The animal's flesh had been 'completely removed with clean cuts from a sharp instrument'

The night before the grisly discovery, a common dolphin was reportedly struggling in the surf a block away, according to the stranding center.

Witnesses said the dolphin was able to make it over a sandbar and swam out to sea. It is not known whether the dolphin that was butchered was the same animal, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said.

The animal's carcass was taken to the stranding center and 'thoroughly' photographed and documented, the group said.

New Jersey experienced its third-highest number of stranded dolphins in the past two decades last year, with 54 in total found along the shores.

That was more than 50 percent higher than the annual median of 35 deaths since 2002

NOAA reported the likely cause of the deaths were due to cetacean morbillivirus, which is similar to measles in humans and canine distemper in dogs.

Even though the common dolphin is not considered an endangered species, the animal is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

That means it is illegal to kill and consume dolphin meat in the US.

Common dolphins are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, making it illegal to kill or eat the animal

New Jersey experienced a similar death in February when another dead dolphin appeared on the beach.

The marine animal was spotted on February 19, as it laid on the sands of Avalon bleeding from its eye and a gaping hole along its mouth.

However, locals pointed to sonar blasting from an offshore wind that was said to be mapping the area.

Evidence has shown that when exposed to high sonar frequencies, marine mammals swim hundreds of miles and rapidly change their depth, which can cause bleeding from the eyes and ears.

Bonnie Brady, executive director at Long Island Commercial Fishing Association, told DailyMail.com that the marine animal was a short-beaked common dolphin, which can be found along the continental slope in waters between 650 to 6,500 feet deep.

She noted that it is very rare that this type of dolphin would be found close to the beach.

Jamie Steiert, an Avalon local, spotted the dead dolphin on the beach.

NJ conservation officer picked it up while I was there and said he was meeting up with the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, Steiert told DailyMail.com.

I hear they are already saying the dolphin was scavenged. We have been asking consistently to prove that there is no hearing damage but we are always shut out.

The only way to determine whether a marine animal died due to sonar is to perform a necropsy and analyze the ear bone for damage.
A tornado ripped through Louisiana Tuesday morning, destroying homes and inuring at least two people.

The violently rotating column of air was spotted near Basile and moved north towards the Pine Prairie.

Residents in the small town of Evangeline Parish reported infrastructure damages and minor injuries.

Several locations west of Baton Rouge are also under a tornado watch due to severe thunderstorms in the area.

'Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter,' the National Weather Service (NWS) warned.

'Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.'

NWS has also urged residents to take cover in an interior room on the lowest floor and avoid windows.

A tornado ripped through Louisiana Tuesday morning, destroying homes and inuring at least two people

Several locations west of Baton Rouge are also under a tornado watch due to severe thunderstorms in the area

The NWS has issued a tornado warning for parts of Acadia and Lafayette counties in southern Louisiana until at least 10:30 CST.

Affected areas include Lafayette, Scott and Rayne, but the warning could expand on short notice.

Authorities could extend or expand the warning on short notice.

Meteorologists Adam Oliver captured the tornado in Acadia Parish near Indian Bayou, showing the cyclone moving across an open area as heavy rain falls.

'Its passed over Hwy 35! Seek shelter immediately,' Oliver posted on X.

The NWS reported wind gusts are at least 60 miles per hour in the area with a severe thunderstorm was located near Brouillette, or near Marksville.

'A tornado watch remains in effect for the warned area. Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms,' the agency stated.

'Although a tornado is not immediately likely, if one is spotted act quickly and move to a place of safety inside a sturdy structure, such as a small interior room.'

Residents Basile reported business have been destroyed. Pictured is the Rhea's Specialty Meat & Smokehouse after the tornado ripped through the area

Weather trackers showed tornadoes could expand into western Mississippi later this afternoon.

Radar picked up a cold front moving into western Louisiana this morning, which likely triggered storms sweeping across the state.

Meteorologist Malcolm Byron said: 'We've already seen a handful of Tornado Warnings to the west.

'The highest chance of a quick spin-up does appear to be in that direction, but we'll be watching it closely.'
Major fears of election fraud have hit New York City - but probably not the political race you had in mind.

The Big Apple's dog mayor race - an honorary title given out every two years - has been engulfed in scandal this year after a crypto community swayed voters into choosing a winner.

Approximately 16 canines, hand-selected by their social media, went head-to-head for the honorary title that was to be decided on November 11.

The race was down to Enzo the Shih Tzu and Bertram the Pomeranian as of Wednesday until Enzo's owner pulled him out, claiming interference.

Olivia Caputo posted on Instagram that the 'gigantic bomb of votes hit Twitter' Wednesday evening, saying a crypto group had infiltrated the Dog Mayor platform to to pump their valueless sh**coin.'

'They are offering payment/giveaways to sway people to vote for Bert, which is illegal per FTC guidelines,' Caputo continued.

The crypto group also posted 'highly incendiary comments' about Enzo on the NYC Dog Mayor platform, she wrote.

'We have NEVER received the kind of negative comments and messages that we have received while participating in this contest,' she stated.

Olivia Caputo pulled her Shih Tzu, Enzo, out of the raise, claiming voter interference by a crypto scheme

New York City began the dog mayor elections shortly after Littleton, Colorado began its tradition in 2021.

The East Coast city introduced the 2024 candidates in July using a March Madness-style bracket and were chosen for certain talents ranging from hugging, singing, fashion and giving high fives.

The election takes place via Dog Mayor NYC's Instagram stories, Facebook group and X account every Wednesday until it's down to the last two political pooches, who faced off this week and ended with Enzo dropping out.

Caputo speculated that the group was executing a 'pump and dump' scheme, which is a market manipulation tactic in which the token is artificially inflated to attract participants, and then sold off, causing the price to crash, according to Coinbase.

'If they're really not invested in the actual project here at all, it's all about their crypto coin and something about that is really icky to me, I don't want to be associated with all with it at all,' Caputo said.

Not only did she claim interference, but she discovered negative comments about Enzo in a public Telegraph forum on Sunday.

Caputo brought the issues to the attention of the Dog Mayor founder Stephen Calabria, who said they could not disqualify Bertram because of the crypto group's actions.

But she told amNewYork that Calabria did nothing to protect her or Enzo from the hate comments.

When Enzo's followers tried to draw attention to the issue, they were blocked by the Dog Mayor account, Caputo said.

Enzo was facing off Bertram the Pomeranian that saw a spike in votes on Twitter

As Americans head to the polls to vote for the next US president, there's been a shocking twist in the Honorary NYC Dog Mayor election that has participants decrying crypto users

The language in there that they use talking about Enzo and me is very, very disturbing, to say the least. It seemed threatening, very negative, very hateful,' Caputo said.

'It's ironic honestly because Stephen echoes all the time how this is supposed to be fun and lighthearted but he's let it to be anything but that. He hasn't protected that in any way, shape or form,' she said.

Following Enzo's exit from the race, the Dog Mayor Instagram account announced that Simon the Basset-Cattle Dog would take his place in the final face-off against Bertram, and stated that the account has no financial stake in the race.

'We're a neutral organization and don't support individual candidates over others, nor do we support any ancillary financial interests associated with the individual candidates,' the statement read.

'We have literally zero financial interest in this at all, outside of trying to bring joy to the world and getting more puppies adopted.'

'We don't condone negativity directed towards anyone, canine or human, and do not support anyone trying to buy or pay for votes.'

Bertram the Pomeranian's Instagram page posted a statement on their story to say that they have nothing to do with the crypto group or hate comments toward Enzo.
The US military is set to conduct a test launch of a hypersonic nuclear missile hours after polls close on Election Day.

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is scheduled to blast off between 11:01pm and 5:01am PT from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Some Americans have expressed concerns about the nuclear weapon test on the same day as the country is casting their votes for the next president.

But military officials noted that the 'test is routine and was scheduled years in advance.'

They said the purpose of the test was to show the 'readiness of nuclear US forces' and provide 'confidence in the nation's nuclear deterrence' amid fears of the growing threat of the outbreak of World War III.

The exercise will see the ICBM travel 4,200 miles from the base to Kwajalein Atoll, a small island in the North Pacific, which will take about 22 minutes.

The weapon can reach speeds over 15,000 miles per hour, allowing it to hit any target worldwide in just 30 minutes after launch.

Moscow sits about 5,900 miles from California, while Beijing is about 6,000 miles away - the two nations deemed a threat to the US.

The US military is set to launch an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) between 11:01pm and 5:01am PT from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base

The weapon will more than 4,000 miles at speeds over 15,000 miles per hour to a test range on the Marshall Islands in the central Pacific Ocean

ICBM is one of two currently used by America - the other is submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) that are deployed from underwater submarines.

However, the US's Titan topped speeds of 16,000mph when it was used from 1963 through 1987.

Titan was capable of traveling to a target more than 6,000 miles away in less than 30 minutes.

But the missile was phased out to make way for more advanced systems such as the MX Peacekeeper that had a similar speed and distance.

ICBM is a vital component of the US military's nuclear forces, capable of delivering a nuclear payload to targets around the world, but is scheduled to be phased out by 2029 and replaced with the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM.

The US Air Force said that 'the Sentinel weapon system is the most cost-effective option for maintaining a safe, secure, and effective land-based leg of the nuclear triad and would extend its capabilities through 2075.'

The upcoming weapon will replace the 400 Minuteman III ICBMs currently in service for more than 50 years in Air Force missile fields at F.E. Warren Air Force Base (AFB), Wyoming; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; and Minot AFB, North Dakota.

The California base conducted the same test in June.

The California base conducted the same test in June (pictured)

ICBM is a vital component of the US military's nuclear forces, capable of delivering a nuclear payload to targets around the world

Col. Bryan Titus, Space Launch Delta 30 vice commander, said: 'his test launch marks the start of a remarkable week for our Guardians and Airmen at Vandenberg, with two test launches scheduled from the Western Range.

'These tests hold immense significance, not only for our nation's defense but also serve as a pivotal moment in showcasing the exceptional capabilities and expertise of our dedicated team.'

The upcoming test, however, comes less than a week after North Korean vowed to stand by Russia until its victory in Ukraine.

And just days of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned the US and Russia are very close to engaging in 'direct military conflict.'

'Under the current president (Joe Biden), who has taken the downward spiral of Russophobia in the US to its logical conclusion, our countries are on the brink of direct military conflict,' he told the Hurriyet daily, without elaborating.

Asked about next week's US election pitting former Republican president Donald Trump against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, Lavrov said the outcome would make little difference to Russia.

We have no preference. When the Trump administration was in power, it adopted the highest number of anti-Russian sanctions compared to its predecessors,' he said.

'No matter who wins the elections, we don't think the United States' anti-Russian bent can change.'
Center Parcs has announced that it will open its first holiday village in Scotland, on a site in the Scottish Borders.

The company revealed that the 350-400million village will lie approximately three miles north of Hawick and 55 miles south of Edinburgh.

Center Parcs described the site as well-located and that it would provide significant benefits to the local economy in Scotland, including job creation.

The company continued in a statement: The proposed village will be a similar concept to Center Parcs existing six holiday villages in England and Ireland, and a planning application will be submitted for approximately 700 lodges. The site will offer a range of indoor and outdoor activities, shops, bars, restaurants, an Aqua Sana Forest Spa and Center Parcs iconic indoor water park, the Subtropical Swimming Paradise.

Center Parcs plans to undertake an extensive programme of afforestation, carefully cultivating a new woodland and delivering significant biodiversity net gain on the site. Currently, the site is predominantly open grassland with some woodland areas.

The firm added: Proposals are at an early stage and Center Parcs intends to submit a planning application in 2025.

During the construction phase of the project, 750-800 mainly regional jobs will be created, Center Parcs said, and local contractors will be used where possible.

Once operational, the village is expected to create around 1,200 permanent non-seasonal jobs.

Center Parcs has announced that it will open its first holiday village in Scotland, on a site in the Scottish Borders (file image of Center Parcs Elveden Forest)

Colin McKinlay, Chief Executive Officer of Center Parcs, said: This is a tremendously exciting project and offers the opportunity to transform leisure and tourism in the Scottish Borders.

'Center Parcs is an exceptionally popular destination for families in the UK and Ireland and there is robust demand to support a seventh village.

Throughout our history, we have demonstrated that a Center Parcs village provides significant economic benefits locally, regionally and nationally.

Many Scottish families already visit Center Parcs villages in England, and this village will offer the chance for people to enjoy their holidays closer to home, which in turn will benefit the local economy.

Sustainability is core to our values. In our three decades of operating in the UK and Ireland, we have transformed areas of commercial woodland into a rich tapestry of flora and fauna, considerably enhancing the biodiversity of each village.

'This site gives us the opportunity to take a bold, new approach and create a woodland ourselves, delivering significant biodiversity net gain and planting thousands of new trees.

David Hope-Jones, the chief executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA), said: 'We welcome this news of the proposal to build Scotlands first Center Parcs village in the Scottish Borders as it will create significant economic and community benefit, bring new visitors to the region and increase interest in the South of Scotland. The scale of the investment and potential is immense; it represents a huge endorsement of our regions fast-growing reputation as a year-round destination.'
Netflix streamers have been left furious after binge watching what they called the 'best TV series of 2024'.

Viewers of The Diplomat, starring Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell, were outraged after watching season two of the show as they demanded more episodes.

The thriller show, which aired its first season in April 2023, has only produced six episodes for its second stint.

The Diplomat follows Keris character Kate Wyler, who is named the new American ambassador to the United Kingdom, as she attempts to defuse international crises and form strategic alliances with other countries.

The character also has to manage her deteriorating marriage to Rufus Hal.

Netflix streamers have been left furious after binge watching what they called the 'best TV series of 2024'

Viewers of The Diplomat, starring Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell, were outraged after watching season two of the show as they demanded more episodes

The political series also stars Rory Kinnear and David Gyasi as the UK Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary.

While season one was a hit with critics, season two has received the same positive feedback and the new six episodes are currently rated 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

But fans who raced through all six episodes are now regretting their actions, as they believed that Netflix was producing eight episodes the same as the fire season.

'Damn, only six episodes in S2 of The Diplomat!? Theyve been in the UK for too long; Wow the diplomat season two is only six episode; everyone's complaining about the diplomat only having six episodes this season. you need to fix that! s03 needs 10 eps!;

'The diplomat having six episodes is so upsetting. season 2 was so good; Why is the diplomat just six episodes? And that ending; Why is this season of The Diplomat only six episodes? It should already have six seasons with 22 episodes each'.

Last month The Diplomat fans were overjoyed when the streamer announced that the beloved drama had been renewed for a third season.

The series has proved popular with fans and was already recommissioned ahead of its second season premiere on October 31.

Sharing their thoughts to X, fans of the show wrote: 'Love that they're keeping the Keri Russell train rolling and can't wait for season 2 to drop'; 'My weekend plans got changed. Release the new season of The Diplomat now';

The thriller show, which follows Keris character Kate Wyler, who is named the new American ambassador to the United Kingdom, has only produced six episodes for its second stint

While season one was a hit with critics, season two has received the same positive feedback and the new six episodes is currently rated 94% on Rotten Tomatoes

But fans who raced through all six episodes are now regretting their actions, as they believed that Netflix was producing eight episodes the same as the fire season

'I cannot freaking wait! this show is epic! would make Tom Clancy proud!'; 'When youre right, youre right. Season 3 news is also a good thing.'

Others added: 'Keri Russell has been fantastic in the series, and with Season 3 already confirmed, it shows how strong the shows momentum is'; 'Keri Russell rocks! Thrilled to see her back on screen for Season 3!'

Netflix confirmed: 'Production is currently underway, and will take place in London and New York City.

'The series is created by Debora Cahn, who returns to Season 3 as executive producer alongside Janice Wiliams, Keri Russell, and Alex Graves.

Additional Season 3 details and additional information will be shared at a later time.'

The synopsis for season two reads: 'A deadly explosion in the heart of London shatters US Ambassador Kate Wylers world (Keri Russell).

'Struggling to rebuild the lives that broke and the team that split apart, Kates worst fears unfold: The attack that brought her to the UK didnt come from a rival nation, it came from inside the British government.

'As Kate chases the truth, her only real ally is her almost-ex-husband Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell), very much alive, and very much involved.

Last month The Diplomat fans were overjoyed when the streamer announced that the beloved drama had been renewed for a third season

Sharing their thoughts to X, fans of the show wrote: 'Love that they're keeping the Keri Russell train rolling and can't wait for season 2 to drop'

'She faces a fraught marriage, a complex dynamic with British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), and a threatening visit from Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney).'

The Diplomat premiered on the streaming platform last Spring and sees Keri portray Kate Wyler, who has just been named the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.

The new position came at as a surprise, as the character was supposed to be heading to Afghanistan.

The career diplomat, who is married to another well-known diplomat named Hal (Sewell) will now have to forge international alliances and stop war from breaking out all over the globe. It all unfolds as she copes with her crumbling marriage.

Keri is also a producer on the series, a first for her illustrious career.

The Diplomat seasons one and two are available to stream on Netflix now.
Good Morning Britain fans were left divided during Tuesday's episode as a supersized hosting team was drafted in for a major presenter shake-up

They complained on X: 'we don't need this!' as things were changed on the programme due to the US election.

Susanna Reid and Ed Balls have headed to Washington for coverage while Richard Madeley and Kate Garraway back in the studio with newsreader Ranvir Singh.

On Monday's episode the exciting trip was confirmed as Ed declared at the end: 'Susanna, grab your bags we're about to go.'

Susanna, 53, then briefly added: 'Tune into Good Morning Britain tomorrow live from Washington.'

Good Morning Britain fans were left divided during Tuesday's episode as a supersized hosting team was drafted in for major presenter shake-up (Susanna Reid and Ed Balls in Washington)

Susanna and Ed have headed to Washington for coverage while Richard Madeley and Kate Garraway (seen) are back in the studio with newsreader Ranvir Singh

But fans were confused about why it was needed for them to head to America in the first place.

They penned on X (Twitter): 'There's not even one thing that they will be to say or to demonstrate in Washington that couldn't have been done better in GMB's London studio.',

'Are we watching Good Morning Britain or Good Morning America?',

The episode also included weather updates from the US with viewers complaining: 'Like we're interested in American weather. #GMB.',

'We do not need USA weather... jeez #GMB.'

Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will be taking over The White House after the last of Americans head to the polls on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Radio Times, Susanna said about the trip: 'Ed Balls and I are flying straight out to Washington DC after hosting Good Morning Britain on Monday 4 November.

'We'll be soaking up the atmosphere. Then we'll be on the ground, presenting the election results programme on the Wednesday morning.

'It'll be one of those weeks where sleep takes a backseat. There are some stories where the adrenaline and cortisone just stream through your body'.

Fans were confused about why it was needed for them to head to America in the first place and were not happy about the weather reports from the US (Laura Tobin seen)

They penned on X (Twitter): 'There's not even one thing that they will be to say or to demonstrate in Washington that couldn't have been done better in GMB's London studio'

On Monday's episode the exciting trip was confirmed as Ed declared at the end: 'Susanna, grab your bags we're about to go'

It comes after Susanna broke her silence on the Strictly Come Dancing bullying probe as she spoke in a candid new interview on Sunday.

The TV star and journalist appeared on the show in 2013 and was a runner-up with her dance partner Kevin Clifton.

Last year a dark cloud covered the BBC show after Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington made claims against her partner Giovanni Pernice.

The BBC upheld six of the 17 complaints and apologised publicly to Amanda, though Giovanni was cleared of the more serious allegations.

Susanna has now told The Times of working with her partner Kevin, 42: 'I had such a great experience with him.'

But she added of the show's controversy: 'It is like being on a different planet, because everything sparkles, and so it's a shame when it doesn't for other people.

'I think it's really important that if people have had a bad experience that is addressed and they are supported.'

During the interview she also spoke about working in the ITV studios near where This Morning is filmed - but told how she doesn't have much to do with the daytime show.

Asked if she watched former This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield's recent survival show she bluntly told the publication: 'I didn't watch it, and I don't know him.'

Kamala Harris (seen) or Donald Trump will be taking over The White House after the last of Americans head to the polls on Tuesday

Last month Phillip revealed he had secretly filmed a special three part series for Channel 5, which required him to give up his home comforts for some soul-searching on a tropical island in the Indian Ocean.

It was the first time he had been on TV since leaving the ITV's This Morning in May 2023 after admitting to a relationship with a much younger male colleague.

After the affair was revealed his co-host on the show at that time Holly Willoughby reportedly cut all ties with him.

Susanna said she felt that ITV had dealt with the scandal and that it 'feels like we've moved on.'
Joel Deerings killer is finally revealed as ITV viewers are shown an intense flashback to the night he died.

Meanwhile David is visited in prison, while Lauren fears for the future as she worries about baby Frankie.

Read on for all the upcoming drama from Weatherfield.

1. David confronts Clayton

David confides in Nick about the prison visiting order Clayton has sent.

Nick reckons he should come clean, knowing how Shona would feel if she found out David had kept this from her.

Later, David heads to the prison to see Clayton, but what does he have planned for Shonas son?

David confides in Nick about the prison visiting order Clayton has sent

2. Dee-Dee confesses to Kit

Dee-Dee is struggling with her guilt and admits to Kit that she hit Joel with a crowbar on the night he died, but it was in self-defence and Joel was alive when she left him.

Later, Kit is then faced with a shock piece of evidence. Is Dee-Dee now the chief suspect or is someone else in the frame?

Dee-Dee is struggling with her guilt and admits to Kit that she hit Joel with a crowbar on the night he died, but it was in self-defence and Joel was alive when she left him

3. Tim worries for Mason

With Sallys mothers ring missing, she blames Mason and berates Tim for letting him in their house.

When Tim spots Mason with his brothers he confronts them but realises that Mason is scared.

Later, Mason arrives at Sally and Tims, so Sally grabs him and calls the police.

With Sallys mothers ring missing, she blames Mason and berates Tim for letting him in their house

4. Has Lisa been framed?

Lisa tells Carla that someone  most likely the murderer - must have planted her police-issue CS spray with the murder weapon to set her up.

She explains that she is going to retrace her steps in the hope of exposing the killer, but is it her own tracks shes trying to cover?

Lisa tells Carla that someone  most likely the murderer - must have planted her police-issue CS spray with the murder weapon to set her up

5. Lauren fears for the future

Lauren hugs baby Frankie close and confesses to Max that she lives in constant fear that one day social services will take him away from her.

Max tries to reassure her that if they stick together then everything will work out for them.

Lauren hugs baby Frankie close and confesses to Max that she lives in constant fear that one day social services will take him away from her

6. Bad news for Shona

David returns home to find Shona distraught. As he calms her down, Shona reveals that she had a visit from the police and Clayton is in hospital.

What happened at the prison to put him there?

David returns home to find Shona distraught. As he calms her down, Shona reveals that she had a visit from the police and Clayton is in hospital

7. Joels killer unmasked!

Finally, Joels killer is revealed. As Kit conducts police interviews with the suspects, viewers will flash back to that fateful night and discover who delivered the fatal blow on the bridge.
This Morning's Ben Shephard dropped Cat Deeley as the pair attempted the viral Dancing With The Stars lift on Tuesday's episode.

Presenters Ben, 49, and Cat, 48, took on the challenge right at the start of the show but it seriously backfired.

The move was performed by this season's contestant Danny Amendola and his partner, Witney Carson, as he lifted her from the ground by the ankle.

The elaborate choreography has now gone viral on TikTok, with thousands of people trying it out for themselves at home - including last season's DWTS contestant Ariana Madix, Nick Cannon and Summer House stars Amanda Batula and Kyle Cooke.

The duo opened the show with Ben asking Cat if she was okay after they attempted the move saying: 'Do you need medical assistance!?'

This Morning's Ben Shephard dropped Cat Deeley as the pair attempted the viral Dancing With The Stars lift on Tuesday's episode

Presenters Ben, 49, and Cat, 48, took on the challenge right at the start of the show but it seriously backfired

The move was performed by this season's contestant Danny Amendola and his partner, Witney Carson, as he lifted her from the ground by the ankle (seen)

They then played the clip of them trying it before they went live on air as Ben struggled to get Cat up off the floor.

When he did get her up she nearly made it to her feet before falling to the ground in a heap and laughing.

It comes after a back and neck surgeon sounded the alarm on the dangerous move last week.

It could cause a whole host of problems for your neck and back, according to board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Rahul Shah out of New Jersey's Premier Orthopaedic Associates.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Dr. Shah explained why the move is so dangerous, and warned that it could result in serious injury.

'In the process of going from a laying down to a standing position, muscles that folks don't typically use may be recruited, potentially resulting in injury,' Dr. Shah told DailyMail.com.

'Specifically, if one doesn't have enough core strength to allow the individual pulling on the leg, one may torque through the spine and cause injury,' he added.

'Additionally, the one who is pulling the leg may also not have enough strength or enough of a stable platform off of which to pull the leg, and this may result in injury for either or both parties involved.'

Cat and Ben opened the show with Ben asking Cat if she was okay after they attempted the move saying: 'Do you need medical assistance!?'

They then played the clip of them trying it before they went live on air as Ben struggled to get Cat up off the floor

It comes after a back and neck surgeon sounded the alarm on the dangerous move just last week

It could cause a whole host of problems for your neck and back, according to board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Rahul Shah out of New Jersey's Premier Orthopaedic Associates

Dr. Shah said that the choreography could potentially 'overload' the lower back and hips, which could lead to a herniated disc.

'If one overloads the lower back or hips, one can over torque the back, hips or pelvis, resulting in injuries that can encompass a muscle pull to a herniated disc, or even a fracture if one falls while executing the maneuver,' Dr. Shah explained.

People who have 'underlying back or hip injuries' should especially be cautious of trying these moves at home.

And, those who have weak cores should also avoid trying the fancy leg lift out for their TikTok viewers.

'Additionally, if one has a slippery floor or an unstable platform, such moves should be avoided,' he added.

Dancing With The Stars, which has been running since 2005 and is currently on its 33rd season, pairs celebrities with professional dancers and has them competing live, on-air each week.

The elaborate choreography has now gone viral on TikTok, with thousands of people trying it out for themselves at home (the original move is seen)

It has seen stars such as Kim Kardashian, Mark Cuban, Denise Richards, Kelly Osbourne and Wendy Williams as contestants, just to name a few.

But although entertaining, Dr. Shah admitted to DailyMail.com that he still has some concerns about the show's moves in general.

'I have concerns about the lay person trying to execute the advanced maneuvers in DWTS without appropriate training or practice as such moves, done by a beginner, may lead to injury,' he shared with DailyMail.com.

So, the next time you watch Dancing With The Stars, you may want to keep the moves on-screen, and not to your real life.
Mastermind viewers broke down in tears as a contestant shared a heart-wrenching message at the end of the BBC show on Monday night's episode.

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight, hoping to become the Mastermind champion.

This week the episode featured four contestants - Kaushik, Rachel, Laura, and John - with each of them picking a specialist subject.

School administrator John led at the end of the show after scoring 24 points with his subject Red Rum and secured a chance at the semi finals.

At the end of the episode John poignantly shared that his late wife had encouraged him to apply for the show before her passing.

Mastermind viewers broke down in tears as a contestant shared a heart-wrenching message at the end of the BBC show on Monday night's episode

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight, hoping to become the Mastermind champion

He sweetly said: 'Never in my wildest dreams would I ever think I'd be standing here!'

Clive then said to him: 'You've done it, you've got 24 points.'

John then responded: 'I was very much instructed by my wife to apply. And if you knew Caroline, you wouldn't have any doubt that I duly applied.

'But it was sad, my darling wife Caroline unfortunately died as the show was about to be made. So this one is for you, Caro.'

Fans were left in tears after the emotional moment as they penned on X: 'The man who won Mastermind tonight said his wife died just before the show was filmed and it was all for her I can't deal with this.',

'Did not have getting emotional at an episode of #mastermind on my 2024 bingo card. John you are a wee dote. I hope your lovely wife is watching down on you smiling!',

'Oh John. Caroline would have been so proud of you.',

'Wasn't expecting that bombshell John, my fave subject ever, Rummy of course, and then the close, I'm not welling up!!! #mastermind.'

It comes after last month Clive apologised after failing to declare at least 65,000 of earnings from corporate events.

The Mastermind host earned the money from corporate events over the last 12 months, including speeches at functions hosted by Dutch bank ING and the Royal College of Surgeons.

This week the episode featured four contestants - Kaushik, Rachel, Laura, and John - with each of them picking a specialist subject

Fans were left in tears after the emotional moment as they penned on X: 'The man who won Mastermind tonight said his wife died just before the show was filmed and it was all for her I can't deal with this'

On top of his 310,000-a-year salary for presenting the News At One, News At Six and News At Ten, Clive earns an undisclosed sum for his work on the quiz show.

Clive, 60, received income for a total of eleven events over the past year, earning between 5,000 and 10,000 for nine of them, and over 10,000 for the remaining two, the Sunday Times reported.

BBC TV stars have been required to declare earnings from outside sources since 2021.

In a recent list of the Corporation's high profile earners, Clive was found to have received the most from external sources, six of which he had declared this year until June.

Events for which he was paid included the British Insurance Brokers' Association conference, which was previously hosted by his colleague, disgraced newsreader Huw Edwards.

But his list omitted eleven gigs, including keynote speeches at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce's annual business conference and Legal & General Investment Management's UK Wholesale Conference.

He also chaired a debate at a GreenTalks Live event at the Isle of Man Energy & Sustainability Centre and hosted a lunch for the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association.

Most recently, he spoke at the Association of Insurance and Risk Managers in Industry and Commerce conference in June.

Clive joined the BBC in 1987 as a local radio trainee reporter as has risen to one of the Corporation's most visible stars.

He is a regular face on news bulletins, and anchored the BBC's election night broadcast in July alongside journalist Laura Kuenssberg.

A source said that Clive had been 'very foolish' not to list the corporate gigs, saying: 'Whatever sins of greed or pride they commit, declare it and you're forgiven.'

They added that there was 'quite a bit of bitterness' over the issue, which they said was yet more evidence that star anchors are 'not deities the BBC builds them up to be'.

It comes after last month Clive apologised after failing to declare at least 65,000 of earnings from corporate events

Clive is expected to declare earnings from more events over the summer in his next submission to the register.

In September he hosted both the Highways Awards and the Legal Business Awards in London, and also attended the Institute of Directors Northern Ireland dinner as a special guest.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: 'We have spoken to Clive to remind him of his responsibilities with regards to the external events register, and he has apologised for these errors.'

MailOnline has contacted Clive Myrie for comment.
This Morning star Trevor Sorbie has revealed that he 'might not make it to Christmas' as he told how he has just weeks to live in a new interview.

Hairdresser to the stars Trevor, 75, shared the sad news that he had terminal bowel cancer last month.

He said at the time: 'I lost a lot of blood one night and was unusually disturbed so went to hospital. They told me I had bowel cancer and I had a little panic attack.'

Now he has told how he's turned down chemotherapy treatment which 'might have given him another month.'

In an interview with The Times on Tuesday he said of his chemo: 'I can't face any more of that poison.'

This Morning star Trevor Sorbie has revealed that he 'might not make it to Christmas' as he told how he has just weeks to live in a new interview

Hairdresser to the stars Trevor, 75, shared the sad news that he had terminal bowel cancer last month and feared he may not live to see Christmas

He added: 'When I asked a nurse if I'd still be here at Christmas, she said, 'We don't know, Trevor'.' And that annoyed me.

'I've got cancer in my body, but not in here. My brain is my engine and I'll go when I'm ready.'

Appearing on This Morning last month alongside his wife Carole, Trevor revealed the sad news and said he found out in June he has around six months left.

He said: 'I lost a lot of blood one night and was unusually disturbed so went to hospital. They told me I had bowel cancer and I had a little panic attack.

'I looked at Carole and she looked at me, we were both speechless, I didn't know what to say. So I went and had a big gin and tonic.'

It then spread to his liver and he had a six and a half hour operation, he came back and he had another six and a half hour operation.

Carole said Trevor's last scan in September was when they realised 'no treatment is going to work' as the growth is now too large and too close to a major blood vessel.

He has, up until recently, been going to work two days a week as it is 'his medicine and my life'.

He told Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard: 'I never wake up thinking, 'Oh poor me, I've got cancer' or feel sorry for myself.

He said at the time: 'I lost a lot of blood one night and was unusually disturbed so went to hospital. They told me I had bowel cancer and I had a little panic attack'

Appearing on This Morning last month alongside his wife Carole, Trevor revealed the sad news and said he found out in June he has around six months left

A message posted on Trevor's official Instagram last month paid tribute to his incredible career

'Sixty years I've worked passionately to achieve beyond my wildest dreams. When I go in it's my staff, I've had them for 30 years, I'm just one of the team.

'I had a nurse come round the other day to assess me and as I asked 'Will I make Christmas?' She said 'I don't know Trevor'.

'I said 'I damn well will'. The brain rules the body. The heart plays a big part as well but that is the engine.'

Speaking of how she's feeling, Carole said: 'It's totally overwhelming most days, but I get my strength through this man - he's guiding me through a good death - living a good life and dying a good death - and up until then I hadn't thought about that.

'What we do every day now is show thanks for every day that we have and wake up together and it's all the simple things.

'Our little dog is pure medicine, we have a wonderful family, and we are supported by the whole Trevor Sorbie family and we are all being guided by Trevor.

She added: 'I did struggle and was crying a lot but Trevor and my son encourage me to go to counselling and I've actually started bereavement counselling which I didn't know you could do before and they are going to guide me through and hold my hand and up until two years, or however long it takes after the event.

'I do feel very supported and feel lucky I have that support but more so from Trevor than anyone because he's incredible.'

Trevor has one child, daughter Jade from a previous marriage.

Trevor said he has found strength in his own charity My Wig Hair, which teaches hairdressers how to cut wigs in such a way to make them look like they are real hair.

The charity came to be after the hairdresser was involved in helping his brother's wife create a wig that looked like real hair as she battled with bone cancer.

He said: 'I've got a charity and I've helped many women through cancer, cutting wigs for them. People handle it in different ways.

'There is no one way, no right way, wrong way. It is however that person deals with it. If you get this right (the brain) and it's easy for me to say get that right.

'You can fight this. Doctors have even said you're breaking medical science, you shouldn't be here right now. Last night we went out and just had a lovely dinner.'

A message posted on Trevor's official Instagram on Wednesday paid tribute to his incredible career.

'This morning, Trevor Sorbie MBE will be appearing on This Morning on ITV to reflect on his remarkable 45-year career and the journey he's been on since his cancer diagnosis five years ago.'

'From creating the revolutionary haircut that became The Wedge 50 years ago to opening his first salon in 1979, Trevor's creativity, kindness, and passion have transformed the world of hairdressing. His influence, from trend-setting styles like The Scrunch and The Wolf, to mentoring countless hairdressers, continues to inspire us all.'

'As Trevor now reaches the end of his cancer treatment, we know his time with us is limited, but his spirit remains focused on celebrating life and the remarkable legacy he has built.'

Trevor is the creator of the wedge haircut and a four-time British Hairdresser of the Year winner. He was appointed an MBE in 2004.

His celebrity clients include Paul McCartney, Helen Mirren, Grace Jones, Bryan Ferry, and The Beach Boys.

The hairdresser was also a regular on daytime shows such as This Morning and The Wright Stuff, offering advice or giving makeovers.

Following his emotional interview, viewers took to X, formerly Twitter, to commend him on his bravery and said urged him to 'keep fighting'.

They wrote: 'sending hugs to Trevor and his wife xx'

'what a man! a genuine true legacy of a man! & the 2 of them, this team! Carole & Trevor are just the dream team. two awesome humans. Trevor, we love you. & we will never ever forget. thankyou thankyou thankyou for your work, your talents ie: that 'wedge' & more important, your beautiful smile'.

'So lovely to see you today Trevor, happy memories of the makeovers back in the day. By being on the show you have no doubt helped others. Sending lots of love to you and your lovely wife. x'

It then spread to his liver and he had a six and a half hour operation, he came back and he had another six and a half hour operation

Following his emotional interview, viewers took to X, formerly Twitter, to commend him on his bravery and said urged him to 'keep fighting'

'Honestly God bless Trevor. I don't know how Ben and Kat held it together. What a gorgeous man and it's so so sad he will be gone soon... God bless'.

'What an emotional/uplifting interview. What an incredible man keep fighting Trevor'.

Looking back on his incredible career Trevor revealed he didn't plan to be a hairdresser originally.

He said, 'I wanted to be an artist. But I got bullied at school and my dad was a barber, and he said come into the salon and I found hairdressing easy! I was cutting people's hair within three months, so I was still quite creative.'

Of his statement styles from the 70s and 80s, Trevor admitted, 'At the time you have no idea you are creating anything groundbreaking. You're just doing what you feel comes natural. I mean I invented scrunch drying as a bit of an accident - to speed up the process a little bit.'
Tammy Slaton has slammed rumors that her younger sister, Amy Slaton, is pregnant with her third child.

The 1000-lb Sisters star, 38 - who recently opened up about her 500-lb weight loss journey - jumped to her main TikTok account on Monday to address the speculation.

During the nine-second clip, the TV personality stated, 'I wish people would stop spreading rumors but I'm here to tell you, Amy is not pregnant.'

Slaton then shut down another rumor in regards to her sister-in-law, Brittany, who is married to her brother Chris Combs and expressed that 'Brittany did not pass away.'

Social media users shared their thoughts and relief over the update, with one typing out in the comment section, 'Thankyou!! I was looking EVERYWHERE about Brittney. I was about to cry.'

Tammy Slaton, 38, has slammed rumors that her younger sister, Amy Slaton, 37, is pregnant with her third child

Another shared, 'I'm so thankful to hear this. Thank you for letting me know. I was heartbroken. Glad Brittany is ok.'

'I did not see those rumors. Who would say those things!!' one fan added, while another penned, 'Thank you for the update Tammy!'

Tammy has previously taken to social media to address trolls - and responded to a fan sharing a negative comment about her teeth earlier this year in January.

'With all due respect, I wish people like you would stop commenting c**p like this. It is not helping my confidence,' she said in a video on TikTok.

The star then explained to her followers that, 'Getting my teeth fixed costs money that I don't have right now.'

'I had to calm myself down before I replied because I really wanted to go off on you. I really wanted to tell you if you had a true problem with my teeth then pay for them yourself. But I don't want to be that person. I don't want to be rude.'

Towards the end of the clip, Tammy added, 'We should be lifting up each other. It doesn't matter if I'm missing teeth.'

'It's sad. Why hate? Why can't you just appreciate the hard work I've put in? Why can't you just appreciate that I'm still alive? Yes, I have flaws. I'm human. I'm not gonna let you or anyone else ruin my day.'

The 1000-lb Sisters star - who recently opened up about her 500-lb weight loss journey - jumped to her main TikTok account on Monday to address the speculation

During the nine-second clip, the TV personality stated, 'I wish people would stop spreading rumors but I'm here to tell you, Amy is not pregnant'

Social media users shared their thoughts and relief over the update, with one typing out in the comment section, 'Thankyou!! I was looking EVERYWHERE about Brittney. I was about to cry'

Another shared, 'I'm so thankful to hear this. Thank you for letting me know. I was heartbroken. Glad Brittany is ok'

Amy is already mother to children Gage, four, and Glenn, two - whom she shares with ex-husband Michael Halterman.

Last year in March, he notably filed for dissolution of marriage with children, per Kentucky state documents obtained by Us Weekly at the time.

Before the divorce news came to light, Amy and her two kids had moved in with Tammy. A source told The U.S. Sun a month earlier that both Slaton and Halterman had not been living together for seven months.

The former couple had previous disagreements about their sons being on the TLC series, 1000-lb Sisters.

During an interview with People late last year in December, Amy admitted that the split took a toll on her mental health and was the 'worst it's ever been.'

She expressed, 'And it wasn't just affecting me, it was affecting Gage and Glenn. So it was just rough.'

In regards to her two sons, Amy stated, 'I try to be there for them as much as possible. If they ain't at Daddy's, they're with me. I know my mama couldn't always do that.'

The reality star also added, 'I want them to learn how to be good guys. I want them to learn as much as they can, soak up all that knowledge.'

Amy is already mother to children Gage, four, and Glenn, two - whom she shares with ex-husband Michael Halterman

'I don't want them to be on the streets one day,' she continued. 'I want them to actually be contributing members of society.'

Back in September, Amy was arrested on drug and child endangerment charges at the Tennessee Safari Park zoo.

Tammy reportedly picked up Amy's two sons, Gage and Glenn, after their mother was taken into custody on Labor Day, a law enforcement source shared with People.

Amy was arrested at the zoo but the source was unable to confirm if the children were picked up by their aunt at the zoo or at the Crockett County Sheriff's Office later that day.

Amy's friend Brian Scott Lovvorn was with her at the park and was also arrested. He is facing the same charges as her and they were both released from police custody.

The two were 'holding hands' as they left custody and were also picked up by Amy's brother Chris, the source told People.

Amy was reportedly bitten by a camel before her arrest. She received medical treatment at the zoo and was pictured being wheeled out of a Tennessee safari park on a stretcher.

The TV personality looked pained as she lay on the stretcher with her right forearm wrapped in a shirt. The nature of the injury is currently unknown.

Back in September, Amy was arrested on drug and child endangerment charges at the Tennessee Safari Park zoo; Amy's mugshot seen above in Tennessee

Amy was reportedly bitten by a camel before her arrest. She received medical treatment at the zoo and was pictured being wheeled out of a Tennessee safari park on a stretcher

Police were called to the park for the camel bite but upon arrival, they noted 'suspicious odors' coming from their vehicle, according to the deputies.

A spokesman for the Crockett County Sheriff's Department told People responding officers discovered 'what they believed to be mushrooms' and 'what they believed to be marijuana' inside Slaton's vehicle after smelling marijuana in the car and seeing the drugs out 'in plain sight.'

Slaton and friend Lovvorn were arrested and face charges of illegal possession of schedule I, illegal possession of schedule VI and two counts of child endangerment.

Tammy's two children were in the car when their mother was arrested but were uninjured, the Crockett County Sheriff told Us Weekly.

Tennessee Safari Park co-owner Claude Conley denied Slaton had been bitten by a camel, telling The U.S. Sun 'there is no bruising.'

They were booked into the Crockett County Jail on on $10,000 bond - with a representative confirming the pair had been released; Amy and Tammy seen on 1000-lb Sisters above

'She cut her arm on something, it's not consistent with an animal bite.'

'Her boyfriend or the man she was with was acting crazy, screaming and yelling and all kinds of stuff.'

Conley continued, 'He got mad that the police came out there because he just wanted the ambulance to come.'

They were booked into the Crockett County Jail on on $10,000 bond - with a representative confirming the pair had been released.
The View's staunchly Republican cohost Alyssa Farah Griffin revealed her surprising presidential endorsement on Election Day.

The former Donald Trump staffer, 35, said on Tuesday's show she had switched sides and voted for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris due to feeling disappointed by Trump and the Republican Party's 'failure to rebuild.'

Speaking on The View, she said: 'Four years ago today, I was in the White House with Donald Trump on election night. I believed he deserved to lose that night [in 2020], at that point.

'I thought he hadnt fought to win the election, but I thought the next four years would be the Republican party rebuilding and becoming something I could believe in and turning the page on Donald Trump, and it didnt do that.

'So, this weekend, on Saturday, for the first time in my life, I voted for a Democrat.'

The View's staunchly Republican host Alyssa Farah Griffin revealed her surprising presidential endorsement on Election Day on Tuesday

The former Donald Trump staffer, 35, voted for Democrat candidate Kamala Harris due to feeling disappointed by Trump and the Republican Party's 'failure to rebuild' - pictured with Trump in 2020

'I voted for Kamala Harris,' she said and added that she 'voted down-ballot for Republicans' for her remaining race decisions.

Griffin added: 'I consider my vote on loan to her.'

'Im worried about the direction Donald Trump will take this country, and I take my own warning seriously.

'What I saw is very real. Im a Christian, Im an American, and Im a Republican, in that order, and I need somebody who shares my values.

'I need somebody whos a kind and decent person who will bring this country together,' Griffin said.

Still, she added of Harris: 'I dont agree with a lot of her policies.'

'We can criticize those down the road, but today its about a brighter future and I think the best thing for the country and the future of the Republican party is that Donald Trump lose and that Kamala Harris is elected.'

Griffin, who interviewed Harris last month on The View, quit her White House gig in December 2020.

She previously explained that she did so 'because I was uncomfortable with the lies about the election.'

Griffin said she 'considers my vote on loan' to Harris - pictured with the VP on The View in October

Trump and Harris' battle for the US presidency is slated to be one of the closest political contests in history (pictured September)

She was among the Trump officials who were texting White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to have the then-president call off the crowd during the January 6 Capitol attack.

While she called January 6 a 'horrific day' she added, 'that was just kind of an encapsulation of who Donald Trump, the man, is.'

'He is the person of the lowest moral character that I've ever worked for,' she said.

Griffin then warned what could be expected in a second term.

'The first term you had people like Vice President Pence there - an imperfect actor - but somebody who I genuinely think tried to guide him the right way and keep him focused and in bounds with the Constitution,' she said.

She said those types of people would not be welcome for round No. 2.

'They don't want Ronald Reagan Republicans, they want Tucker Carlson Republicans, so buckle up guys,' Griffin said.

As polls are set to close tonight with just hours to go, top pollster Nate Silver finally revealed his final prediction of the 2024 election.

Silver says it's 'literally closer than a coin flip,' as what could be the closest election in U.S. history comes to a close Tuesday.

But in the end, he thinks that Democrat Kamala Harris will come out on top, but only by a small percentage in the majority of his matchups.

Trump is pictured with wife Melania Trump as he voted in Palm Beach, Florida on November 5

'The race is literally closer than a coin flip: empirically, heads wins 50.5 percent of the time, more than Harris's 50.015 percent,' Silver said on Tuesday morning.

According to his model, Harris won the Electoral College in 50.015 per cent of the simulations compared to Trump's 49.985 per cent.

That equates to Harris winning 40,012 simulations to Trump's 39,718.

He added that he had never seen anything like this during his years of predicting elections.
He revealed what it was like to work with stars and what's next for him

While speaking to DailyMail.com, he has recalled his extensive experience

One of Nashville's greatest songwriters has revealed what it is really like to work with some of the industry's biggest names as he admitted that Music City has changed.

Gary Burr has spent over a decade helping A-listers like Kelly Clarkson, Tim McGraw and Reba McEntire unveil attention-grabbing hits that have changed country music forever.

Now, while speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, the music mogul has opened up about how he stood out from the other talents flocking to Nashville to get their big break.

The Connecticut-born songwriter admitted that the first few songs he wrote were 'really, really bad.'

He explained that he was forced to learn to write songs 'the way people in Nashville talk' as he admitted that the city is no longer the dream-chasing area it used to be.

One of Nashville's greatest songwriters has revealed what it was like to work with some of the industry's biggest names as he admitted that the Music City has changed

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Gary detailed how he got his start in the songwriting business.

He explained that the creative in him flourished after he joined a band and they needed new songs.

He told DailyMail.com: 'At some point somebody in the band noticed that all those songs were written by the guitar players of those bands. So they turned to me and said, "You're the guitar player, you're supposed to write."

'And I couldn't really argue that point so I just wrote a bunch of really bad songs, and little by little they got less bad.'

Eventually, Gary's friends encouraged him to send the songs to music agencies, which sparked the beginning of his songwriting career.

'I sent them to somebody up in New York City who worked for CBS records and he became my mentor, and I started writing songs and sending them to him.

'Everything I wrote was really long and tedious, and I was trying to be like Bob Dylan or something. Then I started listening to the radio and realized that I have to write simpler songs,' he added.

Eventually, Gary landed upon country music because the songs were straightforward and resembled his writing style.

Gary Burr (seen with Fergie) has spent over a decade helping A-listers like Kelly Clarkson, Tim McGraw and Reba McEntire unveil attention-grabbing hits that have changed country music forever

Now, while speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, the music mogul (seen with Tom Hanks) has opened up about what made him stand out from the other talents flocking to Nashville to get their big break

It was then that his songs began being recorded by some of music's greatest artists.

Some of the songs Gary wrote include, Before Your Love by Kelly Clarkson, Nobody Wants To Be Lonely by Christina Aguilara and Ricky Martin, Can't Be Really Gone by Tim McGraw, Cover To Cover by Billy Ray Cyrus and Up And Flying by Reba McEntire.

While having many hits blasting on the radio, Gary was still living in Connecticut.

So, he decided to make the move from the North to the South and fully incorporate himself in the country industry.

He told DailyMail.com: 'I had gotten so much attention and action that I finally moved from Connecticut down to Nashville, and then you have access to everybody, and you're meeting all these people, and you're writing with people, and they turn you on to somebody else.

'And that's where I start to meet all these really cool, groovy people that I got to work with over the years.'

Despite working with some of country's biggest stars, Gary admitted that he wasn't well versed in Western hits when he began his career.

'It wasn't until years later when I would go, "Oh, my God I wrote with that guy, and he's this guy." I had no idea,' the songwriter added.

He admitted that despite being a fan of people he was working with later on, he had to leave it behind because it could 'get in the way' of writing.

The Connecticut-born songwriter admitted that the first few songs he wrote were 'really really bad'

He explained that he was forced to learn to write songs 'the way people in Nashville talk' as he admitted that the city is no longer the dream-chasing area it used to be

Gary noted that some of his songwriting gigs have even landed him friendships, including one of with Beatles member Ringo Starr.

The legend confessed that Nashville doesn't operate as it once used to as he explained that artists are now coming in with their own groups.

He admitted to DailyMail.com: 'There's a lot of writers, and almost all the artists are not only really young, but they kind of come to town with their own posse of writers. So there's not a lot of room for the old.'

After writing for some of the world's greatest artists, Gary moved on from penning songs and began working on books.

Gary's book, Reunion: A Rock and Roll Fairy Tale, hit shelves July 2, 2024, and has been receiving rave reviews with those in and outside of music studios.

He explained: 'In my world John never died. A reason comes along for the Beatles to try to get back together and reunite when they're 58 years old.

'Because I've worked with Ringo for 20 years. I've heard the stories, and I know how he's always told me how they all reacted to each other, and talked to each other.'

Gary worked on the book for a total of 'three years' and has revealed that he is 'really, really proud' of it.

He told DailyMail.com: 'What I'd like to do is transition to book writing, because I've actually written a second book.'
Robert Irwin has maintained his silence after his advertising partner HelloFresh has come under fire over 'unfair' dismissal claims in the UK.

The conservationist, 20, launched a new advertising venture with the major food delivery company earlier this year, fronting a string of Australian adverts for them.

But in recent days, the global brand has come under the spotlight after workers at a UK warehouse staged a protest when 79 people were let go, with HelloFresh forced to deny claims of 'unfair' dismissal.

Since then, HelloFresh also announced planned to close one of its UK distribution centres and is bidding farewell to another 900 members of staff.

Amid the news, Australian influencer Danielle Mitchell took to Instagram to announce that she would no longer be working with HelloFresh in light of the claims.

An Australian Instagram account, @influencer.updates.au, also drew attention to Robert's collaboration with the brand as they shared a photograph of his advert.

However, TV presenter Robert has seemingly not yet addressed the allegations and has maintained his silence on his social media pages.

While he has not posted an advert with HelloFresh in recent days, he has not spoken about the UK claims and appears to still be collaborating with the brand.

Robert Irwin has maintained his silence after his advertising partner HelloFresh has come under fire over 'unfair' dismissal claims in the UK

A spokesperson for HelloFresh Australia said: 'At HelloFresh, we pride ourselves on being a company which treats all our employees with kindness and respect and providing a safe and supportive workplace across all our facilities.

'There has been a lot of misinformation and mischaracterisations included in the recent TikTok, and we want to shed light on the reality of the HelloFresh employee experience, as the information shared in the video does not represent an accurate picture of our company values.

'We believe in taking care of our employees and are committed to being an employer of choice in every community we operate.

'We have been in touch with Robert directly regarding this matter.'

HelloFresh is known for being a popular partner brand with influencers around the globe, with many promoting the service on social media and in the adverts.

In Australia, the likes of Natalie Tran, Celeste Barber, Beau Ryan and Ed Kavalee have starred in the food delivery service's adverts.

Globally, Neil Patrick Harris and his husband David Burtka have also partnered with the brand as have a string of UK stars including TV presenters and Love Island stars.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Robert's representatives for comment.

Aussie social media star Danielle took to her Instagram Stories on Monday to address the recent UK protests over the dismissal of HelloFresh workers.

She revealed she would no longer be working with the brand in light of the news as she thanked her fans for drawing her attention to the allegations.

The conservationist, 20, launched a new advertising venture with the major food delivery company earlier this year, fronting a string of Australian adverts for them

'I want to take a moment to address the recent allegations regarding HelloFresh and their treatment of employees in the UK,' she penned.

'I have previously partnered with HelloFresh, but I want to clarify that I have not worked with them since June/July and at the time, I was unaware of what was happening.

'I do not support the reported unfair practices and appreciate those who have reached out and tagged me in videos.

'I want to be clear that I will not be collaborating with HelloFresh moving forward. Thank you for your continued support.'

Last month, HelloFresh confirmed it will bid farewell to 900 members of staff amid plans to close one of its UK distribution centres.

HelloFresh said it had only taken the decision after careful consideration and would enter into a consultation process with affected employees.

It came after staff at the warehouse staged a protest earlier this month after 79 workers were let go.

The Community Trade Union, which represents employees, called the news 'dreadful' and said the workforce deserved better.

Union officials claimed the dismissals came after some staff complained about working conditions such as toilet break policies.

In recent days, workers at a UK HelloFresh warehouse staged a protest when 79 people were let go. The brand then confirmed it will bid farewell to 900 members of staff amid plans to close one of its UK distribution centres

Denying the claims, HelloFresh said workers had been dismissed for 'serious breaches of employment terms'.

The firm told the BBC it was reviewing its operations to make sure it was working sustainably and delivering the 'best possible product' to its customers.

It added that most of the staff members who were dismissed would be offered redeployment to its other sites in Derby and Banbury.

The company also stressed that the shake-up would be better for the planet.

It said that moving to a 'two-site model' would help it limit waste and lower its carbon footprint while offering customers personalisation.
The Daily Show producer-host Jon Stewart has been publicly blasted, yet again, by his former correspondent Wyatt Cenac, this time, for 'shielding' Trump rally comedian Tony Hinchcliffe.

The 61-year-old Mark Twain Prize winner admitted on the October 28th episode of his Comedy Central show that he finds the 40-year-old insult comic 'very funny' despite him calling Puerto Rico 'a floating island of garbage' and other racially-charged material.

'[Jon excused] the comedian's participation in a xenophobic rally as the fault of the organizers for booking a "roast comedian." Having worked for Jon, his response wasn't really surprising. Disappointing but not surprising,' the outraged 48-year-old wrote on Substack Sunday.

'He appeared to be shielding a comedian whose performance offered those rally attendees the chance to laugh at bigotry which perhaps made the more serious hateful vitriol that followed that much easier to swallow.'

Cenac continued: 'On Monday, "America's trusted" voice wasn't defending comedy as much as suggesting to racists maybe if their hate speech had made him laugh, he might have their backs too.'

The Daily Show producer-host Jon Stewart (L, pictured in 2015) has been publicly blasted, yet again, by his former correspondent Wyatt Cenac (R), this time, for 'shielding' Trump rally comedian Tony Hinchcliffe

Cenac also criticized Stewart for defending Joe Rogan - whose podcast boasts 18.1M subscribers - despite him 'coming under fire for spreading misinformation about COVID, as well as a history of misogynist and racist comments.'

'[Stewart said Rogan] was personally "more worried about the algorithm of misinformation than the purveyor of misinformation," which feels a bit like being worried about bullets but not the person holding the gun,' the Grammy-nominated funnyman wrote.

Cenac noted how the 23-time Emmy winner defended Dave Chappelle for his transgender jokes because 'his intentions are never hurtful' and 'feigned ignorance' when asked about having Louis CK on The Daily Show after allegations he sexually harassed women.

'When it comes to criticizing other comedians, Jon in his unique position often chooses to close ranks the way cops do when a fellow officer is under investigation for impropriety,' Cenac wrote.

The native New Yorker spoke out while realizing that most people will think of him as 'that guy who had a bad experience working for Jon Stewart and was the only one dumb enough to speak about it.'

Indeed, Wyatt was the only African-American writer working on The Daily Show when he became deeply offended by Jon's minstrel-style impersonation of Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain in 2011, which led to an explosive confrontation.

'[Stewart] got incredibly defensive. I remember he was like, "What are you trying to say? There's a tone in your voice,"' Cenac recalled to WTF with Marc Maron in 2015.

'I was like, "There's no tone. It bothered me. It sounded like Kingfish." And then he got upset. And he stood up and he was just like, "F*** off. I'm done with you." And he just started screaming that to me. And he screamed it a few times. "F*** off! I'm done with you." And he stormed out. And then I didn't know if I had been fired.'

The 61-year-old Mark Twain Prize winner admitted on the October 28th episode of his show that he finds the 40-year-old insult comic 'very funny' despite his racially-charged material

The outraged 48-year-old (pictured October 13) wrote on Substack Sunday: '[Jon excused] the comedian's participation in a xenophobic rally as the fault of the organizers for booking a "roast comedian." Having worked for Jon, his response wasn't really surprising. Disappointing but not surprising'

Cenac added: 'He appeared to be shielding a comedian whose performance offered those rally attendees the chance to laugh at bigotry which perhaps made the more serious hateful vitriol that followed that much easier to swallow'

Cenac continued: 'On Monday, "America's trusted" voice wasn't defending comedy as much as suggesting to racists maybe if their hate speech had made him laugh, he might have their backs too'

The Grammy-nominated funnyman also criticized Jon for defending Joe Rogan (pictured in 2022) despite him 'coming under fire for spreading misinformation about COVID'

Cenac noted how Stewart defended Dave Chappelle (L) for his transgender jokes because 'his intentions are never hurtful' and 'feigned ignorance' when asked about having Louis CK (R) on The Daily Show after allegations he sexually harassed women

Cenac spoke out while realizing that most people will think of him as 'that guy who had a bad experience working for Jon Stewart and was the only one dumb enough to speak about it'

The native New Yorker was the only African-American writer working on The Daily Show when he became deeply offended by Jon's minstrel-style impersonation of Herman Cain in 2011, which led to an explosive confrontation

The five-time Peabody winner - whose contract was extended till the end of 2025 - told The Breakfast Club in 2020 that the incident with his ex-staffer was 'humbling'

'Those were hard lessons for me and they were humbling lessons and I was defensive about them,' Stewart admitted

Cenac - who quit The Daily Show in 2012 - won all three of his Emmy Awards for writing on the late-night satirical news show in 2009, 2011, and 2012 (pictured)

The five-time Peabody winner - whose contract was extended til the end of 2025 - told The Breakfast Club in 2020 that the incident with his ex-staffer was 'humbling' but they made up via email in 2015.

'Those were hard lessons for me and they were humbling lessons and I was defensive about them,' Stewart admitted.

'We think we're doing the right thing, but we're not doing it in the right way.'

The Great North actor - who quit The Daily Show in 2012 - won all three of his Emmy Awards for writing on the late-night satirical news show in 2009, 2011, and 2012.

Cenac went on to launch his own late-night satirical comedy show Wyatt Cenac's Problem Areas, which was canceled by HBO in 2019 after two seasons.

Cenac - whose last gig was producing and writing Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie! - has released four albums and two stand-up specials.
Jessica Simpson was spotted at the Los Angeles airport LAX looking happy while taking a selfie with a friend.

The Dukes of Hazzard star, 44, was very noticeably not wearing her wedding ring amid rumors of a split from her husband of 10 years, Eric Johnson.

Jessica wore a black coat with a shearling collar with multi-colored pants and black platform boots.

Her brunette friend laughed as the Newlyweds Nick and Jessica reality TV star snapped the photo.

Jessica, who recently celebrated seven years of sobriety, sparked rumors of a split after not wearing her engagement ring, not posting a pic of Eric on her very active social media accounts since April and not publicly posting a birthday tribute to him.

Jessica Simpson was spotted at LAX looking happy while taking a selfie with a friend

Now a source has sensationally alleged: 'It's pretty much over. It's only a matter of time before she files for divorce,' according to In Touch.

Simpson and Johnson were last seen together in public this June, when they attended Birdie's kindergarten graduation together.

The songstress was not wearing her wedding ring on that occasion  nor when she was seen out and about in Los Angeles earlier this month.

The couple share daughters Max, 12, and Birdie, five, and son Ace, 11.

Simpson did not publicly wish Johnson a happy birthday on his 45th birthday September 15, though she had penned a glowing Instagram tribute to him after he turned 44 last year.

Instead, on Johnson's 45th birthday last month, Simpson cryptically reposted a clip of Pastor Timothy Timberlake delivering a speech about forgiveness.

'Forgiveness doesn't change the person who hurt you. Are you listening to me? Forgiveness doesn't change that person. Forgiveness changes you,' he said.

'Guess what forgiveness does not do? Forgiveness does not mean you forget. One of the most crazy theories is that you forgive and forget. You don't forget, but you do have the opportunity to forgive every time you remember.'

By contrast, after Johnson's birthday in 2023, Simpson posted: 'Eric turned 44 on Sept 15 and his family gave him all the love cells we have to celebrate his life. My heart is so taken with this Man, I could hardly call it my own.We love youuuu'.

The Dukes of Hazzard star, 44, was very noticeably not wearing her wedding ring amid rumors of a split from her husband of 10 years, Eric Johnson

A source has sensationally alleged: 'It's pretty much over. It's only a matter of time before she files for divorce,' according to In Touch. Jessica and Eric pictured here in 2017

Simpson and Johnson were last seen together in public this June, when they attended Birdie's kindergarten graduation together

However in more recent months Johnson has been absent from Simpson's Instagram page, where she has been seen multiple times posing without her engagement ring.

Early this September, shortly before Johnson's birthday, Simpson posted a back-to-school album with her children  and her left hand fourth finger was bare once again.

Last year, Simpson moved to Nashville part time in order to work on new music, after not releasing an album since the 2010 record Happy Christmas.

Although her husband and children were able to spend the summer of 2023 with her in Nashville, they eventually returned to Los Angeles because of school, while Simpson divided her time between the two cities.
Reality star Erica Taltos, who has been seen in ABC's The Bachelor universe and MTV's Jersey Shore, appeared worse for wear in a newly-surfaced mugshot.

Taltos, 35, appeared on two episodes of Jersey Shore in 2011 and three episodes of Bachelor Pad in 2012.

Taltos, who was seen on the shows with her twin sister Brittany, was taken into custody May 7, 2023 in connection with battery at a Florida Arby's restaurant, The U.S. Sun reported Monday after reviewing a police report in the case.

Police said in the report that a woman who reported the incident who 'was pulling through the drive-through to order her food ... noticed a female subject later identified as Erica S. Taltos lying down in front of the north side entrance of the building.'

The reporting party 'advised she made a comment in reference to Taltos sleeping in front of the business and continued to drive to the next window to pay for the food she had ordered,' police said.

Reality star Erica Taltos, 35, who has been seen in The Bachelor universe and Jersey Shore, appeared worse for wear in a newly-surfaced mugshot from a May 2023 arrest in Florida

Erica Taltos (R) and twin sister Brittany Taltos (in pink) pictured in 2011

The woman who reported the incident said that Taltos confronted her at the drive-thru window and 'a brief verbal altercation ensued.'

After the woman asked Taltos to go away, the police report read, 'Taltos refused to do so and punched her on the right side of her face with a closed fist.'

In the incident, Taltos said 'she wished to press charges' but didn't suffer any injuries and passed on medical treatment, according to the police report.

A witness told police that they saw Taltos and the woman arguing, and Taltos striking the woman's face.

Taltos was subsequently arrested in connection with battery and held on a bond of $500, pleading not guilty to the allegations in court two days later.

The outlet, citing legal docs filed this past April 18, said that Taltos reached an agreement with the presiding court to participate in a drug-testing program and attend a mental health program.

Program supervisors said in notes this past June 27 that Taltos had been 'doing well in the program,' which she finished July 25. On July 30, prosecutors decided not to pursue the charge.

Taltos this past September said on Facebook that she had undergone 'a mental tuneup' at a Clearwater, Florida facility, according to the outlet, as she wrote, 'Thank you EVERYONE for all the love, support and prayers!'

The sisters were pictured in Italy in 2011 with Jersey Shore's Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino

They were seen in a segment with the show's former host Chris Harrison

Taltos' most recent post came this past September 15, according to The U.S. Sun, as she said, 'Last day of work for awhile. I'll be back though, the best version of myself thus far.'

Taltos has run into a number of legal issues in the decade-plus since she was seen on the popular reality shows.

Taltos received a sentence of one year probation and community service in connection with a December 2021 charge of battery upon a law enforcement officer.

Taltos entered a not guilty plea in connection with a March 2015 arrest in connection with domestic violence; resisting an officer; and disorderly intoxication, the outlet reported. The charges in the case were ultimately dropped.

Taltos in 2015 paid a $213 fine in connection with a September 2014 theft arrest.

During her appearances on Jersey Shore, Erica partied with the regulars on the show, kissing cast member Deena Cortese at one point.

Cortese said, 'This girl Erica seems like a blast in a glass like me - she likes to party, she likes to dance.'

On Bachelor Pad, Erica and Brittany were selected to play for a $250,000 prize as part of the show's season three debut.

The Taltos sisters were pictured in a promotional shot for Bachelor Pad in 2012

The sisters appeared on a 2020 episode of Dr. Phil, in which Brittany said Erica had been hospitalized dozens of times due to severe health complications as result of drinking 'pretty much what she can get a hold of.'

Brittany said, 'I've seen her drink hand sanitizer, vanilla extract, hairspray  I would say seventy percent of the time she ends up at the hospital. Erica is constantly putting herself in danger because of her addiction.

'One time Erica fell asleep at the wheel while taking Ambien and she crashed into a pole ... she gets into cars with strange men, she stays at seedy motels and hostels, she's even been homeless.'
Courtney Stubbs and her husband Jack Millar have come under fire for getting a new dog after getting rid of their pet due to 'behavioural issues'.

The reality TV stars took to Instagram on Tuesday to confirm that they have welcomed a new dog, a border collie called Kobe, to their family.

Love Island Australia star Courtney posted a jovial video of themselves on the beach with their daughter Penelope, 12 months, and their new puppy Kobe.

In an accompanying caption, she told how they were forced to rehome their other dog Finn with Married At First Sight star Jack's parents due to 'behavioural issues'.

She said Finn's behaviour had become 'severe' over the past 18 months, making it 'dangerous' for Penelope, leading them to take the difficult decision to rehome him.

However, the couple came under fire in the comments from some enraged fans who criticised their decision to get another dog so soon after rehoming Finn, particularly considering Penelope is still young.

Explaining their decision in a lengthy caption, Courtney wrote: 'We are so excited to welcome our little boy Kobe to the family.

'A little secret we wanted to share with you, although one that does come with mixed feelings. To explain the absence of Finn Both of us have received lots of messages about Finn and where he is.

Courtney Stubbs and her husband Jack Millar have come under fire for buying a new dog (pictured) soon after getting rid of their pet due to 'behavioural issues'

'He is OK but is no longer living with us. Over the past 18 months Finn has had some behavioural issues that have become quite severe and dangerous around Penelope.

'A lot of time was spent trying to train him ourselves and with a specialist. We set spots for him away from Penelope but unfortunately nothing worked.

'Sadly, now Finn lives with Jack's parents where he is very loved!

'Jack and I always wanted Penelope to grow up with a dog, just like we did as kids. The decision to rehome Finn and for us to find another dog was not a decision we took lightly.

'Kobe and Penelope have already connected and it's so beautiful to see them grow together everyday. On to this chapter for our family.'

However, some fans took to the comments to criticise the couple for getting another dog so soon after having difficulties with Finn and while Penelope is still young.

Others also shared their concern about the couple choosing to get a border collie, which need a minimum of two hours exercise every day and a lot of early training.

However, border collies are often considered to be a good family pet because they are energetic, even-tempered and generally good with children.

In an Instagram post, Courtney old how they were forced to rehome their other dog Finn (pictured) with Married At First Sight star Jack's parents due to 'behavioural issues'

One wrote: 'I don't understand getting rid of him then topping it off and getting another dog!! That's what it makes it 100 times worse!!'

Another said: 'I will never understand people that get dogs and then give them away and then get another, let's hope this one lasts a bit longer.'

A third penned: 'I'm curious why you removed a dog to keep Penelope safe and then got another dog whose predictability and temperament you will not know.

'I've known lots of people have issues with border collies including myself, border collies can get very confused in domestic settings as it goes against their natural instincts. Would love to know what you're going to be doing to make this a success.'

A third claimed: 'You should not have got another dog. Poor Finn.'

Another added: 'This is why charities rarely adopt to families with young children. Safety reasons being the fundamental one.

'They shouldn't have replaced the dog and waited until their child was older. But it's their life and I'm sure this dog won't get passed on too.'

While it is not known exactly when the couple rehomed Finn, he has not featured on their Instagram pages in a number of months.

Courtney hit back at fans who remarked that border collies need a lot of exercise, writing: 'Penelope and I go walking almost everyday and now we get to bring Kobe along which is amazing! We also have an outdoor area with grass for both the kids.'

Other fans also took to the comments section to defend Courtney and Jack, praising them for deciding to rehome Finn with Jack's parents, rather than a shelter.

The reality TV stars took to Instagram on Tuesday to confirm that they have welcomed a new dog, a border collie called Kobe, to their family

One shared: 'If people actually took the time to read I'm pretty sure Jack's parents will provide Finn with all the love and care he needs.'

Another wrote: 'You don't need to explain yourselves to anyone, your child is your number one priority, I wish you both nothing but the best. Blessings for you all.'

A third commented: 'I'm so sorry you've got people critiquing your parenting/dog raising - border collies are beautiful and my two adore kids and always have! They thrive in chaos.'

Another added: 'Absolutely understand, beautiful family and especially gorgeous parents love love your posts and welcome to the family Kobe, so happy Finn is happy as well win win situation .'

Jack also responded to fans who shared their concerns about rehoming Finn, explaining how he has a heart disorder which causes 'high levels of anxiety'.

He insisted the decision to rehome Finn wasn't easy in the slightest and said he still sees the pooch on a regular basis.

He shared: 'Finn was and is my whole world. To answer all of your questions, Finn has a heart disorder that causes high levels of anxiety. This can't be treated with any medicines.

Jack also responded to fans who shared their concerns about rehoming Finn (pictured with Courtney), explaining how he has a heart disorder which causes 'high levels of anxiety'

'Due to his behavioural issues stemming from this, my parents are taking care of him. He is still part of our family.

'Unfortunately happy isn't something Finn is much of at the moment. He is very aggressive and angry when tired, and he tired easily.

'To use the above ladies words, 'misguided' would be to assume a full picture when that full picture has never been given. I still do love, and see Finn very often for clarity.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Courtney and the RSPCA for comment.

Courtney and Jack have been dating since July 2022 and they found out they were expecting their first child together just eight months later.

The happy couple welcomed their daughter Penelope on November 10, 2023, and are gearing up to celebrate her first birthday on Sunday.
An iconic 80s actress made a glamorous appearance in a strapless sheer dress on Monday.

The star, 64, proved she hadn't aged a day since her most famous film premiered in 1987 as she attended the Warsaw premiere of Jesse Eisenberg's latest film A Real Pain.

The brunette beauty showed off her age-defying figure in the silver gown which she wore with a pair of platform black sling backs.

She opted for minimal jewelry accessorising only with a pair of silver earrings and she laughed and joked on the red carpet.

The star is set to play Marcia in the harrowing Holocaust film directed by The Social Network star, her first film role in five years.

But can you guess who she is?

Iconic 80s actress Jennifer Grey, 64, made a glamorous appearance in a strapless sheer dress on Monday

The Hollywood actress is renowned for starring in the iconic movie Dirty Dancing with the late actor Patrick Swayze in 1987

The star proved she hasn't aged a day since her most famous film premiered 43 years ago as she attended the Polish premiere of Jesse Eisenberg 's latest film A Real Pain

Jennifer Grey showed she still had it 43 years after her most famous film came out as she celebrated the Polish premiere of her latest film.

The glamourous outing comes after the Dirty Dancing star put on a busty display in a plunging maroon top and sequined skirt at the UK premiere of her latest project.

The brunette beauty posed up a storm in her chic monochrome look alongisde her co-stars.

The movie follows two cousins who explore their generational family trauma while visiting a concentration camp in Poland.

The feature film is directed by Jesse Eisenberg, 40, who also stars as one of the cousins.

Kieran Culkin, 41, plays the other cousin while Jennifer plays a visitor to the concentration camp.

Jesse and Kieran's characters travel to Poland after the death of their beloved grandmother and the actor/director commented on the film's location during an interview with Variety at the annual film festival.

He said 'there's a certain idea of a Holocaust movie' where there's 'this reverence for the trauma and the horrors. And of course!'

The glamourous outing comes after the Dirty Dancing star put on a busty display in a plunging maroon top and sequined skirt at the UK premiere of her latest project

But the Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice star was trying to do something different.

'The thing that reaches me the most is when someone can humanize that experience in fiction that doesn't feel sanctimonious of false, and that's what I was going for.'

And even though the movie is premiering during the tensions of the Israel-Hamas war, Jesse insists his film is in no way political.

He said: 'The movie is not political. It could take place any time over the last 30 yearsand the last 30 years have been froth with ups and downs. It makes sense now as any time.'

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January - where Culkin admitted that Eisenberg was 'shaking' on the red carpet.

It was picked up by Searchlight Pictures for a whopping $10 million price tag after an all-night auction shortly after the premiere.
Blake Lively has revealed Australian director Baz Luhrmann signed her first autograph, which she still keeps on her wall.

The Elvis director, 62, was being honoured at the 2024 LACMA Art and Film Gala in Los Angeles over the weekend, which actress Blake, 37, also attended.

Blake took to Instagram to share photos of herself at the event in a stunning mini dress by Tamara Ralph and paid tribute to Baz in a long caption.

'Baz Luhrmann was the first and only signed poster I was ever lucky enough to have on my wall when I was a teenager,' she revealed.

'It's still on my wall today. To know him will always be surreal.'

The star, who worked with the Australian auteur on a recent Vogue shoot, went on to say Baz is 'mischievous and magical.'

'He'll grab your hand and run away from the gala with you to do an impromptu photoshoot because he's inspired by everything, your cape and a palm tree is all he needs to see thrill.'

'He'll enthusiastically play along when you ask to put your cape on him so you can take pictures of him in a pose that he has subliminally trademarked in every girl who grew up in the 90s.'

Blake Lively (pictured) has revealed Australian director Baz Luhrmann gave her her first autograph, which she still keeps on her wall

'Baz serves as not only your inspiration, your creativity, your possibility, and your unfiltered joy, but he's the match and the lighter fluid to it.'

'He's happiest when you're happiest. That applies to strangers, friends, colleagues. You can see it in his work, because it's WHO HE IS,' the Hollywood star explained.

Blake's tribute to Baz comes after her promotional tour for It Ends With Us, which was shrouded with negative press - among the drama was her frosty relationship with her co-star and the film's director Justin Baldoni.

In addition, Blake promoted the film as something to 'grab your friends and wear your florals,' which came across as insensitive and tone deaf to some due to the domestic violence themes present in the movie.

Journalist Kjersti Flaa also posted an interview she did in 2016 to her YouTube page.

'Baz Luhrmann was the first and only signed poster I was ever lucky enough to have on my wall when I was a teenager,' she revealed. Pictured Blake and Baz

At the time, Blake was pregnant - and it was public that she was pregnant - and the journalist started off the interview congratulating her on her 'little bump,' to which Blake replied back and congratulated the journalist on her 'little bump' despite the fact that she was not pregnant.

She never apologised to the journalist.

Another instance was an interview Blake did on a local Chicago news broadcast, when the host asked her what she should tell a fan who approached her to discuss the main theme of the movie which was domestic violence.

Blake sarcastically answered, asking the host if she should give them her address.
Steph Claire Smith was slammed by fans on Monday when she shared explicit details about her sex life with husband Josh Miller.

The influencer, 30, recounted a recent sex injury on her KICPOD podcast and spared no grisly detail - leaving her Instagram followers cringing.

Her extremely graphic story about a sex toy mishap attracted backlash online from listeners who said Steph should 'keep it to herself' and stop 'attention seeking'.

'What happens with your husband in the bedroom should stay in the bedroom... where is the respect and privacy these days?' one person commented.

'Oh gosh. Keep it to yourself. This overly outward sexual chat is so overdone and attention seeking,' another added.

A third wrote, 'It's 7 in the morning', while someone else said the explicit podcast segment was 'weird and awkward'.

Other fans said they found it 'strange' Steph and her co-host Laura Henshaw have decided to start 'speaking openly' about their sex lives.

'I just don't find it very appealing and I definitely wouldn't want my daughter listening to this kind of content. Sad because I really looked up to you both,' they said.

Steph Claire Smith, 30, (left) was slammed by fans on Monday when she shared explicit details about her sex life with husband Josh Miller, 34, (right)

The influencer recounted a recent sexcapade on her KICPOD podcast and spared no grisly detail - leaving her Instagram followers cringing

'Harvey will love this in the future,' added another sarcastically, referring to Steph's three-year-old son she shares with Miller.

Someone else fumed: 'Desperate for attention and listeners. Your podcast is boring. You need to [go] back to the drawing board. Be more creative.'

Despite the backlash, some loyal fans came to Steph's defence and slammed her naysayers, saying they loved hearing the influencer being open about her personal life.

'Comment section is lame! I appreciate you being open about [sex]. Give the people what they want (at least those of us who aren't lame),' one person wrote.

Another said: 'The comments are just as funny as [the] snippet! This is nothing that normal gfs don't talk about, they are just extending it to us, I am here for it.'

'Had the biggest giggle listening to this at work. Love it!' a third added, while one user said Steph's critics were 'pathetic'.

When approached for comment on the backlash, Steph told Daily Mail Australia: 'The topic of sex shouldn't be so taboo.'

She added: 'Laura and I have built the confidence to speak up about who we are, and what we stand for, and to cover the topics we find important.

'When it comes to being more open about our sex lives, we've been doing that for a few years now.

'We're two women in our 30s, very comfortable with ourselves, our bodies and with the idea that people know we're sexually active.'

It's the second time in as many months the health and fitness influencer has received backlash from her follows.

Her story attracted backlash online from listeners who said Steph should 'keep it to herself' and stop 'attention seeking'

Steph hit back at critics in early September when she came under fire for going to the gym with her toddler son Harvey.

She shared a video of herself at the gym with her son in tow, prompting mum-shaming trolls to criticise her for not going without Harvey another time.

One follower commented: 'If it was your day with him, why did you need to go to the gym. Wouldn't you want to do fun things with him?'

In a since-deleted TikTok post and Instagram reel, Steph clapped back at her critics, saying she didn't 'need someone else's judgement'.

She fumed: 'If it's not how you parent, fine, but casting this kind of judgement publicly is just so unnecessary.

'This comment was on my latest reel, where I showed myself getting a gym workout in, and taking Harvey with me for the first time ever.'

Steph also insisted that making time to exercise is not a selfish act for a parent to do and suggested that taking a toddler to the gym was a way to instill a healthy lifestyle.
Elizabeth Hurley bucked the red dress theme as she joined Samantha Armytage and Sylvia Jeffreys at the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday.

While a whole host of celebrities stepped out in rouge outfits on the big day, Liz, 59, made her very own fashion statement as she strutted her stuff in a yellow ensemble.

The famed English model put on a very elegant display in a figure-hugging off-the-shoulder midi dress with a statement ruffled floral neckline.

Arriving at the world-famous 'Birdcage', she gave herself a few extra inches with a pair of cream heels and toted her essentials in a colour coordinated handbag.

The Bedazzled actress fixed a huge yellow floral fascinator from Merve Bayindir into her brunette tresses and shielded her eyes with a pair of round shades.

She was joined at the festivities by her son Damian, 22, and they were seen enjoying the quality mother-son time together as they posed up a storm on the carpet.

Damian cut a dapper figure in a black suit and pinstripe trousers, which he teamed with a white shirt, blue tie and a grey waistcoat.

The model - who Liz had during a brief relationship with late millionaire filmmaker Steve Bing - shielded his eyes with a pair of oversized sunglasses.

Elizabeth Hurley bucked the red dress theme as she joined Samantha Armytage and Sylvia Jeffreys at the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday

While a whole host of celebrities stepped out in rouge outfits on the big day, Liz, 59, made her very own fashion statement as she strutted her stuff in a yellow ensemble

He also coordinated with his beloved mother as he fixed a yellow flower into his lapel to complete his suave ensemble.

While there is no official dress code for the day, racegoers are encouraged to wear bright and bold colours, with most opting to wear all-red ensembles this year.

And Aussie TV presenter Samantha appeared to have got the memo as she posed up a storm in all-red at the long-awaited 164th staging of the Melbourne Cup.

For the star-studded occasion, Samantha put on a very glamorous display in a red off-the-shoulder gown with statement puffed sleeves.

The new Golden Bachelor host, 48, who has moved to Channel Nine from Seven after 21 years with the network, added to her frame with a pair of red strapped heels.

In line with the apparent all-red outfit theme, she toted her essentials in a small rouge clutch bag and fixed a subtle fascinator into her golden locks.

She was joined at the glitzy event by Today co-host Sylvia, 38, who put on a colourful display in a stunning pink ensemble.

The TV presenter captured attention in her bright pink midi dress which featured puffed sleeves and buckled belt detailing around the bodice.

The famed English model put on a very elegant display in a figure-hugging off-the-shoulder midi dress with a statement ruffled floral neckline

She was joined at the festivities by her son Damian, 22, and they were seen enjoying the quality mother-son time together as they posed up a storm on the carpet

Damian cut a dapper figure in a black suit and pinstripe trousers, which he teamed with a white shirt, blue tie and a grey waistcoat

Arriving at the world-famous 'Birdcage', Liz gave herself a few extra inches with a pair of cream heels and toted her essentials in a colour coordinated handbag

The Bedazzled actress fixed a huge yellow floral fascinator into her brunette tresses and shielded her eyes with a pair of round shades

Liz appeared to be in jovial form as she flashed a huge smile, while she added to her stunning features with a glossy make-up palette

She was seen being assisted by a member of staff as she strutted her stuff in her high heels at the Australian event

He also coordinated with his beloved mother as he fixed a yellow flower into his lapel to complete his suave ensemble

While there is no official dress code for the day, racegoers are encouraged to wear bright and bold colours, with most opting to wear all-red ensembles. Pictured: Damian Hurley

She teamed her effortlessly chic ensemble with a pair of white heels and swept her golden tresses back into an up-do, held in place by a statement pink hairband.

Sylvia accessorised with a pair of gold earrings and held a white clutch bag in one hand as she joined the list of select guests inside the Birdcage.

Elsewhere, model Olivia Molly Rogers ensured all eyes were on her as she strutted her stuff in her bold wrap-around ensemble with a ruffled neckline.

The 2017 Miss Universe Australia winner, 32, fixed a huge wide-brimmed hat on top of her glossy brunette locks as she kept in line with the racing day dress code.

She let her outfit do all the talking as she opted for very minimal accessories while stepping out for the hotly-anticipated 164th staging of the Melbourne Cup.

Nadia Bartel was also among the A-list Aussie guest list, while American socialite Nicky Hilton also jetted in for the esteemed racing day.

Meanwhile, Kate Waterhouse, 40, showed off her toned legs in a sophisticated midi dress from Versace featuring the brand's signature gold clasps.

Kate gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of pointed rouge stilettos and toted her essentials in a red clutch bag as she looked racing day ready.

The journalist oozed sophistication as she shielded her eyes with white cat-eye shades from G.O.D eyewear and swept her golden locks beneath a red headscarf.

Aussie TV presenter Samantha appeared to have got the all-red memo as she posed up a storm in all-red at the long-awaited 164th staging of the Melbourne Cup

For the star-studded occasion, Samantha put on a very glamorous display in a red off-the-shoulder gown with statement puffed sleeves

In line with the apparent all-red outfit theme, she toted her essentials in a small rouge clutch bag and fixed a subtle fascinator into her golden locks

She was joined at the glitzy event by Today co-host Sylvia, 38, who put on a colourful display in a stunning pink ensemble

The TV presenter captured attention in her bright pink midi dress which featured puffed sleeves and buckled belt detailing around the bodice

Elsewhere, model Olivia Molly Rogers ensured all eyes were on her as she strutted her stuff in her bold wrap-around ensemble with a ruffled neckline

The 2017 Miss Universe Australia winner, 32, fixed a huge wide-brimmed hat on top of her glossy brunette locks as she kept in line with the racing day dress code

She let her outfit do all the talking as she opted for very minimal accessories while stepping out for the hotly-anticipated 164th staging of the Melbourne Cup

Nadia Bartel also put on a very leggy display in a blue mini dress with a plunging neckline as she stormed the arrivals

The fashion designer, 39, added a few extra inches to her frame with a pair of white pointed heels and accessorised with a pair of statement silver earrings

She swept her brunette tresses back into a sleek half-up half-down style and opted for a bronzed make-up palette

American socialite Nicky Hilton pulled out all the stops as she looked incredible in a pastel yellow ensemble, made up of an off-the-shoulder blazer and a floating skirt

The model, 41, teamed her stunning ensemble with a pair of blue and silver heels and accessorised with a gorgeous silver necklace

She finished off her look with a gold hat and showed off her stunning features with a glamorous make-up palette

Melissa Leong also embraced the red theme for her appearance at the Cup

The ex-MasterChef host wore an eclectic ensemble for her high-profile outing

Kate Waterhouse, 40, made sure to capture attention as she stormed the top event on the Australian celebrity social calendar in a vibrant rouge designer ensemble

The journalist oozed sophistication as she shielded her eyes with white cat-eye shades from G.O.D eyewear and swept her golden locks beneath a red headscarf

She showed off her toned legs in a sophisticated midi dress from Versace featuring the brand's signature gold clasps on the straps

The journalist oozed sophistication as she shielded her eyes with white cat-eye shades from G.O.D eyewear and swept her golden locks beneath a red hair scarf

Kate was the picture of elegance as she explored the best the Birdcage has to offer at the racecourse

Kate has long held a passion for horse racing as she is the daughter of horse trainer Gai Waterhouse and bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse.

Also in attendance was Richard Wilkins, who put on a very loved-up display with his new girlfriend Mia Hawkswell at the globally-famous racing day event.

The TV presenter, 69, cut a dapper figure in an all-black suit and shades as he stepped out holding hands with make-up artist Mia, 47.

The couple, whose romance emerged earlier this year, appeared to be in jovial spirits as they flashed huge smiles for the cameras.

Mia looked effortlessly chic in a stylish yellow summer dress which she teamed with a pair of black heels and reflective sunglasses.

Irish singer Ronan Keating also stepped out alongside his Aussie TV producer wife Storm and the couple looked as close as ever as they walked hand-in-hand.

The Boyzone star, 47, who is performing at the Melbourne Cup Carnival, cut a suave figure in a white two-piece suit, which he styled with brown boots and a dark tie.

His wife Storm, 43, looked stylish as she stepped out in a white floating summer dress and pointed heels as she brought the glamour.

Also in attendance was Richard Wilkins, who put on a very loved-up display with his new girlfriend Mia Hawkswell at the globally-famous racing day event

The TV presenter, 69, cut a dapper figure in an all-black suit and shades as he stepped out holding hands with make-up artist Mia, 47

Irish singer Ronan Keating also stepped out alongside his wife Storm and the couple looked as close as ever as they walked hand-in-hand

The Boyzone star, 47, who is performing at the Melbourne Cup Carnival, cut a suave figure in a white two-piece suit, which he styled with brown boots and a dark tie

His wife Storm, 43, looked stylish as she stepped out in a white floating summer dress and pointed heels as she brought the glamour to the event

The couple were seen posing up a storm alongside jockey Michelle Payne (centre), who made sure to turn heads in a bold gold mini dress

Ronan will be performing at Flemington Racecourse as part of the Crown Oaks Day festivities on November 7 and he will also put on a smaller gig the day before

Boomtown Rats rocker Bob Geldof, who is currently filming in Australia, cut a dapper figure in an all-black suit as he joined the celebrity guests

She accessorised her ensemble with an array of silver jewellery and completed her look with a white fascinator headpiece.

Ronan performed at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday and will take to the stage again as part of the Crown Oaks Day festivities on November 7.

He will also put on a smaller performance for lucky guests at the VRC Crown Oaks Club Lunch on November 6.

It will be the Boyzone star's only performances in Australia this year as he recently wrapped up his European tour.

Elsewhere, famed Aussie swimmer Ariarne Titmus also cut an elegant figure in a stunning rouge strapless mini dress.

The eye-catching gown featured a dramatic off-the-shoulder floral neckline and Ariarne added to her frame with a pair of beige heeled sandals.

The Olympic champion, 24, kept her essentials in a metallic silver clutch bag and accentuated her stunning features with a bronzed make-up palette.

Also there on the star-studded day were the likes of Married At First Sight couple Jules Robinson and Cameron Merchant, radio star Lauren Phillips, and Nick and Rozalia Russian, among many others.

The Block's Kristian and Mimi, who were at the centre of a 'flirtgate' scandal on the show, were also in attendance and put on a very loved-up display following the controversy.

Celebrities are given the ultimate VIP treatment inside Flemington's world-famous 'Birdcage', where guests are treated to high-class delicacies from free-flowing French Champagne, specialty cocktails and meals prepared by famed chefs.

Melbourne's 'it' couple Rozalia and Nick Russian also stepped out in style as they proved themselves to be racing day veterans

Rozalia looked as glamorous as ever in a strapless pink gown with a plunging neckline and a dramatic train as she attended the luxury Lexus marquee

Nick cut a dapper figure in a blue suit as he wrapped his arm around his wife during the fun-filled day out

Nathan and Tayla Broad also pulled out all the stops for the festivities and put on a cosy display as they posed arm-in-arm

Tayla looked incredible in a figure-hugging strapless gown with bow detailing, which she styled with black heels and over-the-elbow gloves

She added to her stunning features with a glowing make-up palette and toted her essentials in a small handbag

Her AFL star husband Nathan cut a dapper figure in a grey three-piece suit as he smiled alongside Tayla

Shane Warne's daughter Brooke also put on a leggy display in a red mini dress and matching heels

She toted her essentials in a small handbag and appeared to be in jovial spirits as she posed up a storm at the event

Jules Robinson looked effortlessly stylish in a halter-neck cream and green dress as she stepped out alongside her husband Cameron Merchant

The couple, who met on Married At First Sight, proved they are still going strong as they posed arm-in-arm together

Jules, who recently welcomed their second child into the world, completed her ensemble with sheer gloves and a cream clutch bag

Michael and Lindy Klim's daughter Stella, 18, sported a white dress as she arrived at the star-studded event

Stella's mother Lindy has recently moved back to Melbourne from Bali after her split from her second husband, property developer Adam Ellis. Stella is pictured

Australian high jumper Amy Pejkovic made sure to turn heads in a strapless pink velvet gown and plum pointed heels

Footy's most talked-about couple Ivan Soldo and Chelsea Becirevic also made a loved-up appearance at the Melbourne Cup

Ivan cut a suave figure in a blue suit while Chelsea made sure to capture attention in a figure-hugging pink mini dress

Brodie Ryan put on a very sophisticated display in a strapless navy dress embellished with an array of peach floral patterns

She toted her essentials in a small green handbag and fixed a wide-brimmed black hat on top of her brunette tresses

In keeping with the apparent red dress code, famed Aussie swimmer Ariarne Titmus also cut an elegant figure in a stunning red strapless mini dress

The eye-catching gown featured a dramatic off-the-shoulder floral neckline and Ariarne added to her frame with a pair of beige heeled sandals

The Olympic champion, 24, kept her essentials in a metallic silver clutch bag and accentuated her stunning features with a bronzed make-up palette

AFL star Rory Lobb and his partner Lexi Mary put on a cosy display as they posed arm-in-arm during the festivities

3AW football presenter Jacqueline Felgate looked pretty in pink as she sported a floral patterned dress and chunky heels

Georgia Garnaut and Maddison Sullivan-Thorpe looked incredible as they posed for the cameras while enjoying a drink together

This year's VIP attendees have also been indulging in caviar bumps - a fine dining trend which refers to eating a mound of the expensive food off the back of the hand.

The list of famous guests are being hosted by G.H. Mumm, the official Champagne sponsor of the event, Furphy, winemakers Penfolds, Lexus and Crown Resorts.

Channel Nine also have their own marquee while Don Julio has opened a vibrant pink-themed tequila bar offering delicious specialty cocktails and live DJ performances.

Music producer Fisher, whose full name is Paul Fisher, celebrated his 38th birthday at the Birdcage's Lexus marquee on Tuesday as he joined the guest list.

Huge crowds have descended on Flemington Racecourse ahead of the 164th staging of the Melbourne Cup at 3pm on Tuesday.

Thousands of Aussies gathered ahead of the hotly-anticipated race, with racing fans around the world turning their attention to Melbourne.

The event was broadcast live on Channel Nine and Sarah Abo and Alex Cullen were spotted backstage preparing for filming ahead of the big event.

The Block's Kristian and Mimi, who were at the centre of a 'flirtgate' scandal on the show, were also in attendance and put on a very loved-up display following the controversy

Australian music producer Fisher - whose full name is Paul Nicholas Fisher, also celebrated his 38th birthday at Flemington Racecourse

He put on a very loved-up display with his wife Chloe, who recently welcomed their first child Bobbi together

Nedd Brockmann got into the partying spirit as he sent a shower of G.H. Mumm's free-flowing Cordon Rouge champagne high into the sky

He didn't hold back as he got involved in the iconic practice during the world-famous day at the races

The Block billionaire Adrian Portelli cut a smart figure in a white shirt and trousers, which he teamed with a checkered jacket

The happy couple stepped out at the Lexus booth in the Birdcage to celebrate the music star's birthday in style

Michelle Payne made sure to capture attention in a stylish gold ensemble as she posed alongside Jessica Fox

Fashion racing enthusiast Viera Macikova showed off her unique sense of style in a red jacket embellished with love hearts, which she styled with wide-leg trousers

She completed her look with a red love heart handbag and sported some colour coordinated shades on the day

Emma Booth cut a stylish figure in a fashionable orange dress, which she styled with a beaded hairband and metallic clutch bag

Crystal Kimber-Peters made sure to capture attention in a shimmering metallic silver strapless dress, which she styled with rainbow strapped heels

She fixed a very dramatic pink fascinator in her golden tresses, which matched her vibrant handbag

Deborah Quinn put on a very quirky display in a white layered shirt with unique gold sleeves as she made quite the entrance to the event

Chantelle Ford brought her very own signature style to the event in an edgy white co-ord set, which she teamed with vibrant purple shades

Mitch Edwards and Mark Mckie also showed off their sensational senses of style as they stepped out in very fashionable attires

Hannah Del Sasso kept in line with the apparent all-red theme in a stunning satin ensemble on the big day

Meanwhile, Perry Lee made sure to turn heads in a bright pink princess-style dress with a tutu skirt

TV presenter Brodie Young also cut a suave figure in a beige suit jacket, which he styled with a crisp white shirt and coordinated trousers

Today Show host Sarah, 38, looked effortlessly stylish in a baby blue jacket, which she coordinated with a matching bow in her brunette tresses.

She was seen trying to fix the giant accessory into her tresses, before later stripping down to a sophisticated all-white suit for the broadcast.

Sarah was joined by her co-host Alex, 43, who looked dapper in a navy suit as he got ready for their busy day of broadcasting duties.

The stayers event is one of the biggest in the world and has produced a long list of champions over the years, including the likes of Phar Lap, Kingston Town and the invincible feats of Makybe Diva.

And this year, it was Knight's Choice who defied all of the so-called experts and odds as the horse claimed the top prize.

The Melbourne Cup is being broadcast live on Channel Nine and Sarah Abo and Alex Cullen were spotted backstage preparing for filming ahead of the big event

Today show host Sarah, 38, looked effortlessly stylish in a baby blue jacket, which she coordinated with a matching bow in her brunette tresses

She was seen trying to fix the giant accessory into her tresses as her co-host Alex watched on as she appeared to be deciding about the accessory

Sarah was joined by her co-host Alex, 43, who looked dapper in a navy suit as he got ready for their busy day of broadcasting duties

The presenters appeared to be in jovial spirits ahead of the busy day as they laughed and joked together backstage

Huge crowds have descended on Flemington Racecourse ahead of the 164th staging of the Melbourne Cup at 3pm on Tuesday

This year, 24 more horses and their jockeys will be looking to etch their names into the history books while punters will be hoping to pick the winner. Pictured: Michael Dee riding Tycoon Star in Race 1, the Darley Maribyrnong Plate

MELBOURNE CUP 2024 FIELD Horse Trainer(s) Jockey Barrier Weight Odds Vauban (FR) Willie Mullins William Buick 11 55.5kg $4.50 Buckaroo (UK) Chris Waller Joao Moreira 21 54.5kg $5 Circle of Fire (UK) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Mark Zahra 24 54.5kg $15 Warp Speed (JPN) Noboru Takagi Akira Sugawara 3 54.5kg $12 Kovalica (NZ) Chris Waller Damian Lane 17 53.5kg $10 Sharp 'n' Smart (NZ) Graeme & Deborah Rogerson Michael Dee 15 53.5kg $20 Just Fine (IRE) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Jye Mcneil 13 53kg $25 Land Legend (FR) Chris Waller Zac Purton 18 53kg $30 Absurde (FR) Willie Mullins Kerrin Mcevoy 7 52.5kg $18 Athabascan (FR) John O'shea & Tom Charlton Zac Lloyd 2 52kg $35 Knight's Choice (AUS) John Symons & Sheila Laxon Robbie Dolan 6 51.5kg $50 Okita Soushi (IRE) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jamie Kah 10 51kg $8 Onesmoothoperator (USA) Brian Ellison Craig Williams 12 51kg $12 Zardozi (AUS) James Cummings Andrea Atzeni 4 51kg $22 Sea King (UK) Harry Eustace Hollie Doyle 1 50.5kg $15 Valiant King (UK) Chris Waller Craig Newitt 22 50.5kg $40 Fancy Man (IRE) Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Ron Stewart 19 50kg $60 Interpretation (IRE) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Teo Nugent 14 50kg $25 Manzoice (AUS) Chris Waller Declan Bates 8 50kg $50 Mostly Cloudy (IRE) Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Karis Teetan 16 50kg $70 Positivity (NZ) Andrew Forsman Winona Costin 20 50kg $80 Saint George (UK) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Tyler Schiller 9 50kg $100 The Map (AUS) Dan Clarken & Oopy Macgillivray Rachel King 23 50kg $150 Trust in You (NZ) Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley Mark Du Plessis 5 50kg $200

Despite odds bloated out to as high as 81-1, the winner stormed home down the infamous Flemington straight and bust its way to the lead.

Robbie Dolan put in the ride of his life to claim just his third Group 1 win, followed closely behind by Warp Speed and Okita Soushi.

Ahead of the race, several horses have been already withdrawn from the 2024 Cup due to veterinary concerns, including Jan Brueghel, Brayden Star, Muramasa and Via Sistina.

Veteran bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse had highlighted Circle of Fire as a Melbourne Cup 'bolter' worth attention, but it came in a measly sixth place.
Dawn O'Porter has opened up about her childhood after losing her mum aged seven as she reveals she used comedy to mask her pain.

The author and director, 45, grew up in Guernsey before leaving to go to study acting at Liverpool Performing Arts.

Speaking on The Mail's The Life Of Bryony podcast, she revealed that she moved in with her grandma after the death of her mum, and later her aunt and uncle.

'There was a lot of trauma for me because obviously my mum had died,' Dawn said.

'But at the same time, I was a happy kid. I was, the school jester trying to, like, make everyone laugh, probably to mask my pain, but I was still funny.'

Dawn O'Porter has opened up about her childhood after losing her mum aged seven as she reveals she used comedy to mask her pain

Speaking on The Mail's The Life Of Bryony podcast, she revealed that she moved in with her grandma after the death of her mum, and later her aunt and uncle

Speaking about losing her mother, she said: 'I lived with my, my mum died just before I turned seven and I lived with my grandparents until I was 10. And then I moved in with my aunt and uncle who became my parents. My dad is wonderful and lives up in Scotland, but we didn't live with him.

'And so it was, it was extraordinary, but also not awful. My aunt and uncle had this lovely house.

'There was a lot of trauma for me because obviously my mum had died. But at the same time, I was a happy kid. I was, the school jester trying to, like, make everyone laugh, probably to mask my pain, but I was still funny.

'I did terribly in school, failed everything, was an absolute disaster, but I remember laughing so much, and I remember having really good teenage years.

'I dealt with it but there was no therapy back in the 80s on Guernsey.

'It's, it's not something that I feel like ruined my life. It gave me extraordinary motivation. It gave me a lot of drive.

'I think when something like that happens to you as a child, you have been given feelings and things to deal with that you shouldn't ever have had adults get.

'And so it puts a lot of a lot of emotion of feeling into your body that you get to grow up with, which is in the end, quite a nice thing. Obviously, I wish it never f****ng happened.

'I look at my life now, and I don't think it's a coincidence that I write for a living, and I put it all onto the page, it all comes out constantly.'

During the interview, Dawn reminisced about growing up in Guernsey.

Speaking about losing her mother, she said: 'I lived with my, my mum died just before I turned seven and I lived with my grandparents until I was 10'

During the interview, Dawn reminisced about growing up in Guernsey

She said: 'Towards the end of my twenties I remember having five quid going, well, do I feed me or do I feed the cat?

'I discovered there was a local coffee shop that sold a granola bar for 2.60 and that granola bar was really massive and would really fill me up. So when I was really broke, I just lived on granola bars.

'But I think back then, especially in Guernsey, getting blackout drunk was very aspirational. Well, that was the goal. We would drink, we would drink to get as pissed as possible.

'And it makes me shudder now. I go back to Guernsey, I'm like Oh, if those streets could talk. What people remember that I don't remember.'

Dawn has had a successful writing and television career.

She first appeared on the BBC documentary Super Slim Me where she attempted to slim down to a size zero using drastic regimes.

She has also appeared on various Channel 4 shows including How to Look Good Naked and Extreme Wife.

In May 2013, she released her first novel, Paper Aeroplanes, the fictional tale of an intense female friendship loosely inspired by her own childhood in Guernsey and has since releseased many others.

Dawn and actor Chris O'Dowd, 45, have been married since 2012, tying the knot in an intimate ceremony after first meeting at her 30th birthday party in 2009

Dawn has been married to actor Chris O'Dowd, 45, since 2012, tying the knot in an intimate ceremony after first meeting at her 30th birthday party in 2009.

In September she revealed they had recently decided to return to the UK with their two sons after living stateside for 16 years.

At the time Dawn admitted the gun culture in America is 'terrifying' and that she began to find living their with young children 'really unsettling'.

Ever feel like life is a bittoo much? Bestselling author and journalist Bryony Gordon is here to ditch the shame and dive headfirst into life's messier bits. Search for The Life of Bryony wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes released every Monday and Friday.
An Australian model has been slammed for the very revealing dress she wore to the Wicked premiere in Sydney on Sunday.

Isabelle Mathers, 25, stole the show when she arrived in a completely sheer black gown with only bits of lace covering her private areas.

The online personality, who boasts 2million followers on Instagram, shamelessly flaunted her slim figure as she posed up a storm on the red carpet.

'That's really not a dress u don't need to be na'k'ed to be pretty [sic],' one person commented on her Instagram posts of the event.

'Dress code is really not that bad. I don't say be covered all over obviously not, but bare minimum at least.'

Another added: 'It's lovely but to a PG movie premiere? It's not the Met Gala.'

'How is that appropriate for the event or classy?' a third added.

'You look beautiful but this is literally just lingerie? And the big black pants feel like they don't match with the delicate lace unfortunately,' another user said.

An Australian model (pictured) has been slammed for the very revealing dress she wore to the Wicked premiere in Sydney on Sunday

Isabelle bared all in the sheer frock which featured spaghetti straps and a plunging neckline.

The material fit snug to her frame with small panels of lace covering her chest and black underwear before the dress dropped down into a mermaid hem.

The model opted for a very bronzed makeup look with a full nude lip as she let her brunette tresses fall in loose waves down her back.

It's not the first time Isabelle has received backlash over her bold sense of style, as she recently upstaged the bride at her father's wedding.

Isabelle Mathers, 25, stole the show when she arrived in a completely sheer black gown with only bits of lace covering her private areas

The online personality, who boasts 2million followers on Instagram, shamelessly flaunted her slim figure in the barely-there frock

'That's really not a dress u don't need to be na'k'ed to be pretty [sic],' one person commented on her Instagram posts of the event

Many of the images she shared of her father's nuptials in September featured the influencer wearing a form-fitting satin and lace gown.

The frock, which was made by New York designer Danielle Guizio, appeared to be white in the images, though Isabelle claimed the colour was 'baby pink'.

Isabelle shared one clip that showed her in her wedding garb seductively sashaying backwards from the camera as her partner, model Harri Musumeci watched on.

The nuptials appeared to be a somewhat low-key and casual affair appearing to take place in what looked to be a backyard.

The bride wore a cute white and pink floral print dress that finished at the knee and a pair of bone coloured heels.

Her dad, meanwhile, took a casual approach in a pair of khaki chinos, and a short-sleeve white linen shirt that was unbuttoned at the chest.
Eamonn Holmes appeared to take a swipe at his estranged wife Ruth Langsford with a cryptic Instagram post on Saturday.

The GB news host, 64, took to social media to share a picture of a mural with the words 'You are doing my head in' around a picture of a woman in a yellow dress lying on a chaise lounge.

The presenter captioned the snap: 'When u know u r in Belfast! On the wall in a Cafe. Dont know the artist but I love it !!!! Who does your head in ?'.

And the Instagram snap seemed to be a thinly veiled dig at his former spouse.

Eamonn and Loose Women star Ruth, also 64, announced their plans to divorce in June after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together.

Eamonn Holmes, 64, appeared to take a swipe at his estranged wife Ruth Langsford with a cryptic Instagram post on Saturday

The GB news host, 64, took to social media to share a picture of a mural with the words 'You are doing my head in' around a picture of a woman in a yellow dress lying on a chaise lounge

The TV star has been dating counsellor Katie Alexander, 42, since his split from Ruth and has been open about his new partner.

And Katie, who enjoyed a romantic cruise with the TV star earlier this year, has told friends she is in for 'the long haul' with Eamonn.

She has been helping Eamonn through the split from Ruth, but her friends say she is at pains to point out that their friendship has only grown close once the marriage was over in May.

Eamonn proved he was very much enjoying his new romance after the pair jetted off for a luxury holiday together over the summer.

The GB News presenter was seen cheekily grabbing his new lover Katie's bottom in Ibiza last month

The getaway reportedly left Eamonn's estranged wife Ruth shocked, with the holiday occurring just four months after the former golden couple announced they were divorcing.

The Northern Irish presenter has been open about his new relationship with the pair pictured enjoying two holidays together over the summer.

In May it emerged Eamonn and Ruth had split after 14 years of marriage and would divorce. Cracks had started to appear in their relationship and they had not been photographed together for two years.

The TV star has been dating relationship counsellor Katie Alexander, 42, since his split from Ruth and has been open about his new partner

Katie has been helping Eamonn through the split from Ruth, but her friends say she is at pains to point out that their friendship has only grown close once the marriage was over in May

And it has now been revealed that Eamonn and his new girlfriend first messaged each other 12 years ago (Katie is pictured back right, with TV star Laura Hamilton pictured back left)

And it has now been revealed that Eamonn and his new girlfriend first messaged each other 12 years ago.

The pair first exchanged flirty messages on social media in 2012 according The Sun.

The TV host and and relationship therapist were both married at the time and the messages initially included her then husband George.

Back in 2012, Katie's former partner joked that he believed his wife was 'flirting' with Eamonn, but with both men sharing a love for Manchester United, quipped: 'Good job we're both Red.'

Reports then emerged she'd been left 'devastated' when she discovered 'messages from another woman' on his laptop.

A source has now told the The Sun: 'We knew Eamonn and Katie got together via social media, but no one knew how far back they went.

'Ruth will be shocked they were in contact 12 years ago. I don't think she would have known.'

It comes after Ruth spoke candidly about how heartbreak was her biggest fear, but not for her, instead fearing her son Jack, 22, would have his heart broken (pictured on Loose Women)

'Eamonn gets a buzz out of replying to messages from fans. He and Katie had a real connection, and it blossomed into something more.'

It comes after Ruth spoke candidly about heartbreak amid her divorce with Woman & Home in which she revealed heartbreak was her biggest fear, but not for her, instead fearing her son Jack, 22, would have his heart broken.

When asked what she 'wants most in life', Ruth confessed: 'Happiness. Happiness for my son, Jack.

'When you have children, you look at them starting out in life and just want everything to be good for them, for them to be happy and to not have their hearts broken. You can't guarantee any of that, but that's what I want most for Jack.'

Ruth shares Jack with Eamonn and she is also stepmother to his children Declan, 35, Rebecca, 32, and Niall, 30, from his first marriage to ex-wife Gabrielle.
With just one day before the 2024 Presidential election, Candace Cameron Bure is getting political with her social media followers.

The 48-year-old Full House star has not been shy expressing her religious beliefs on social media, and now she's trying to sway undecided voters, which comes just months after her father-in-law passed away.

Bure took to her Instagram story on Sunday, sharing a link to the Lakepointe Church YouTube, a 44-minute video entitled, 'How to Vote Like Jesus.'

She also shared a pink sticker that read, 'Please Vote,' adding, 'Christian... if you are undecided on whether to vote or who to vote for, please watch!!'

The video from Pastor Josh Howerton, who suggested the more recent notion that religious leaders shouldn't comment on politics is 'completely unbiblical.'

With just one day before the 2024 Presidential election, Candace Cameron Bure is getting political with her social media followers.

The 48-year-old Full House star has not been shy expressing her religious beliefs on social media, and now she's trying to sway undecided voters, which comes just months after her father-in-law passed away .

Bure took to her Instagram story on Sunday, sharing a link to the Lakepointe Church YouTube , a 44-minute video entitled, 'How to Vote Like Jesus'

Neither Bure nor Howertown specifically endorse one specific candidate in her post or his video, however Howerton insists it's a Christian's duty to vote.

'30 million Bible-believing Christians abdicated their spiritual responsibility and did not vote in the last Presidential election. That last election was decided by a strategically placed 42,000 votes,' Howerton said.

He also wanted everyone there, 'walking in as disciples' and doing their, 'God-given job' and vote on Tuesday.

She made headlines this summer by blasting the Olympics' Last Summer tableau as 'disgusting.'

She insisted that her faith is a 'cornerstone' in her life that does not waiver.

'My faith is the cornerstone of who I am. It's where my worldview comes from,' she told Parade in October.

'I value the Bible so very much as the blueprint or the guide for my life, and it's not something that I can leave at the doorstep,' she added.

'So that has been an incredible guiding light in my life, but it's also seeped into every aspect of my life. Im really proud of it,' Bure insisted.

Neither Bure nor Howertown specifically endorse one specific candidate in her post or his video, however Howerton insists it's a Christian's duty to vote

'30 million Bible-believing Christians abdicated their spiritual responsibility and did not vote in the last Presidential election. That last election was decided by a strategically placed 42,000 votes,' Howerton said

He also wanted everyone there, 'walking in as disciples' and doing their, 'God-given job' and vote on Tuesday.

She added 'I would say for the most part it's probably helped me in my career,' before adding a specific example from The View

'And that was surprising to me because a lot of times we don't think of Hollywood as a super-faithful place,' she said.

She added 'I would say for the most part it's probably helped me in my career,' before adding a specific example from The View.

'When I was a co-host on The View [from 2015-16], the producer told me,: We hired you as a reflection of a woman who is strong in your faith, and so we would love to hear your voice on this panel'," Bure says.

'And that was surprising to me because a lot of times we don't think of Hollywood as a super-faithful place,' she said.

'So I feel like God opened those doors for me to be able to use my voice, and it was embraced more than there was pushback. That's not to say I haven't had pushback,' she added.

'I certainly have over my career, and it's getting a little bit tougher today. As our culture progresses, as every year goes on, it gets a little bit harder. And yet it just makes me stand firmer and more grounded and understanding of who I want to be,' she said.
Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey have spoken out about playing gay characters as straight actors for their new film Queer.

The James Bond star, 56, and the Outer Banks actor, 31, are the latest to grace the front cover of Variety ahead of the film's release.

The film is based on William Burroughs' semi-autobiographical novella and stars Daniel as American expat and war veteran William Lee, who has a romance with a younger man, Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), a drug addict and discharged Navy serviceman.

But speaking to Variety, the duo lifted the lid on their feelings towards portraying gay characters as straight men - after Daniel played serial womaniser Bond.

'It wasn't part of the audition process[director Luca Guadagnino] didn't ask us the intricacies of our sexuality,' Drew revealed.

Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey have spoken out about playing gay characters as straight actors for their new film Queer as they grace Variety's front cover

The film is based on William Burroughs' semi-autobiographical novella and stars Daniel as American expat and war veteran William Lee, who has a romance with a younger man, Eugene Allerton

In real life, both men are straight, with Daniel married to Rachel Weisz and Drew dating Odessa A'Zion.

Craig added: 'I'm not dismissing it, but I didn't reallyThere's kind of a trust in the director, and a trust in the process of what you know, and realising that the story has massive, universal themes that appeal hopefully to everybody.

'The movie's not defined by that. I really, genuinely don't think it is. Other people see it differentlythat's up to them.'

'I've been shooting sex on-screen since I did my short film 'Qui' when I was 22,' Luca added. 'I always said to myself, if you start to give that scene a level of awareness or alarm, it's going to become what it shouldn't be.

'Quality means making an audience surrender to what they are seeing,' he says, 'not judging, not feeling the fakeness of it, but believing it completely.

The films sees some steamy scenes between Daniel and Drew, with the former saying: ''You kind of have to leave your ego at the door. You've got to kind of just let it go. There are no rules. '

In response, Drew said: 'That's what I learned from you. There's no ego involved. I've never seen a freer actor.'

The James Bond star, 56, and the Outer Banks actor, 31, are the latest to grace the front cover of Variety ahead of the film's release

But speaking to Variety, the duo lifted the lid on their feelings towards portraying gay characters as straight men - after Daniel played serial womaniser Bond

In real life, both men are straight, with Daniel married to Rachel Weisz and Drew dating Odessa A'Zion

The films sees some steamy scenes between Daniel and Drew, with the former saying: ''You kind of have to leave your ego at the door'

Daniel added: 'I've been in movies with terrible love scenes. It doesn't work.

'You need a director who has a sensitivity, a director who understands, toto put it crasslymake it real. That's one's job on the day: to make it as real as possible.'

The most recent trailer opens with Daniel Craig's character strolling through the streets of Mexico City at night.

He enters a cafe where he spots Allerton sitting near the window and the two men exchange a look.

Daniel's character is then heard telling a friend: 'It was a wise old queen who told me I have a duty to live, to conquer hate with knowledge and sinceity and love.

'The difficult is to convince someone else that he is really a part of you.'

In response, Drew said: 'That's what I learned from you. There's no ego involved. I've never seen a freer actor'

The most recent trailer opens with Daniel Craig's character strolling through the streets of Mexico City at nigh

Daniel's character is then heard telling a friend: 'It was a wise old queen who told me I have a duty to live, to conquer hate with knowledge and sinceity and love'

The trailer then sees William and Allerton spending time together at the cinema and the beach before they appear to have sex and are also seen lying in bed.

Daniel spoke about the love scenes in the film, telling the Venice Film Festival: 'We just wanted to make it as touching and as real and as natural as we could.'

Delegates at the film festival have professed surprise at the sex scenes which are like nothing hitherto seen in a mainstream film.
Courtney Act gave Sydney's notorious 'sham socialite' Suzan Mutesi a run for her money at the Wicked premiere on Sunday.

The iconic Australian drag queen said she 'caused chaos' on the yellow brick carpet by twirling and lifting her magnificent green cape with free abandon.

However, the most chaos was created for the 38-year-old 'fake influencer' that Sydney loves to hate.

Known for her elaborate outfits and striking red carpet appearances, Mutesi's would-be moment was unfortunately upstaged by Courtney's glorious green cape.

'The most Wicked thing to happen last night,' Courtney captioned a photo in which her billowing cape completely obscured Mutesi from the camera's view.

'Sorry Suzan!'

Ever the good sport, Mutesi shared the same image to her own Instagram Stories on Monday.

While Mutesi's recent antics have gained more attention, Courtney may have won this round.

Courtney Act (left) gave Sydney's notorious 'sham socialite' Suzan Mutesi (right) a run for her money at the Wicked premiere on Sunday

Mutesi attended the Wicked premiere in a busty red two-piece, which she paired with some emerald green heels.

'A MUST SEE!! Had a MAGICAL night at WICKED! The experience was truly unforgettable!' Suzan captioned a video of the film's stars and of herself posing with a 360 video camera.

The 'red carpet pest' has previously been caught using extreme photo editing to significantly alter her appearance online.

She is also accused of buying her 1.2 million Instagram followers, a claim she denies.

Her large green cape caused some issues for other Aussie celebs clamouring for their turn on the media wall at the end of the carpet. Pictured: Courtney Act and her cape, and Suzan Mutesi

Last year, she faced embarrassment after purchasing a general admission ticket to the Logies and then tried to walk onto the red carpet backwards.

She insisted in various media interviews that she had been invited by famous friends, until every TV network clarified that she was not a guest.

The full-time red carpet attendee has been jokingly referred to as a 'dependable seat filler' by high-profile Sydney publicists, who begrudgingly admit: 'She always turns a look.'

Mutesi, who bills herself as an 'actor, author, model, fashion designer and writer', has starred in exactly one episode of Australian reality television.

When contacted to clarify whether or not Mutesi 'crashed' the 2023 Logies red carpet, her manager Max Markson said: 'If she did, she did an amazing job because she did better credit with her picture in media across the world than anybody else attending the Logies.'

Meanwhile, pop sensation Ariana Grande, musical theatre legend Cynthia Erivo, and Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey enchanted Australian crowds on Sunday when they stepped out for the star-studded international premiere of the musical's film adaption.

Wicked co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Enviros walking the red carpet at the international premiere of their film

The much-anticipated event saw thousands of fans flock to Sydney's State Theatre.

Local celebrities and influencers coveted their invitations to walk the yellow brick carpet alongside, or at least in the vicinity of, some bonafide A-listers.
The Block couple Mimi and Kristian Belperio put on a defiant display on Tuesday by attending the 2024 Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse, amid the fallout of the flirtgate scandal.

The Adelaide couple, whose marriage was put to the test after Mimi engaged in some flirty banter with fellow contestant Brad Baker, proved their relationship is still going strong as they posed together at the event.

Mimi, 28, flaunted her enviable curves in a peachy strapless minidress, which showcased her flawless figure and gym-toned long, slender legs.

She completed her colourful look with striking purple heels and a matching wide-brimmed hat and accessorised with a red designer handbag.

The reality star added to her stunning look with gold earrings and she wore her jet-black hair tied back.

A light layer of nude make-up highlighted her natural beauty and she beamed from ear to ear as she posed outside The Birdcage stand at the exclusive event.

Meanwhile, Kristian, 31, cut a dashing figure in an unbuttoned tan blazer paired with matching pants and a crisp white dress shirt.

He completed his slick look with black dress shoes and a matching tie and his brunette hair and beard were freshly styled.

The Block couple Mimi and Kristian Belperio put on a defiant display on Tuesday by attending the 2024 Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse, amid the fallout of the flirtgate scandal

The couple defiantly posed for the cameras and confirmed their relationship is still going strong, amid the shocking flirting scandal in which fellow contestant Brad Baker told Mimi he would follow her OnlyFans page.

Tensions came to a head during Sunday night's shock episode, in which Brad's wife Kylie walked out on the show, telling host Scott Cam she was done.

The Block saw its lowest point play out on national TV when contestant Kylie locked horns with fiery host Scott Cam before fleeing barefoot into the night.

The 37-year-old hairdresser had her seven-year marriage to Brad implode on-air when the Cairns-based tradesman, 32, told fellow contestant Mimi he would 'follow' her OnlyFans account if she had one.

The Adelaide couple, whose marriage was put to the test after Mimi engaged in some flirty banter with fellow contestant Brad Baker, proved their relationship is still going strong as they posed together at the event

The astonishing scenes come after Kylie split from her husband Brad on national TV last week, following his flirtatious comments.

The couple, who share four children together, saw their relationship implode when the plumber told Mimi he would 'follow' her on an adult subscription site.

Kylie sensationally quit after the flirty exchange and flew home to Cairns, only to return to the Phillip Island construction site on Wednesday to dump her tradie husband on TV.
Brian Austin Green and fiancee Sharna Burgess looked spiffy as they attended the Pencils of Promise Gala in New York City on Monday evening.

The 51-year-old Beverly Hills, 90210 star  who was previously married to Megan Fox  and his future wife put on a loved-up display as they walked the red carpet.

Green wore a textured dark gray suit with a darker gray button-up shirt underneath, rounding out the look with black dress shoes.

His dark hair was cut short on the sides with a longer top and he sported a grizzled beard and black eyeglasses.

Meanwhile, 39-year-old Burgess commanded attention in a bold, skin-baring, pink and flesh-toned gown.

Brian Austin Green and fiancee Sharna Burgess looked spiffy as they attended the Pencils of Promise Gala in New York City on Monday evening

The 51-year-old Beverly Hills, 90210 star and his future wife put on a loved-up display as they walked the red carpet

The mother-of-one and stepmother-of-three showed off her cleavage in the sleeveless look, which boasted a low-cut corseted bodice.

The number also featured a revealing slit on one side, exposing one of the Australian ballroom dancer's toned legs.

It had a long, pleated skirt and a thick strip of fabric that went diagonally across her chest and around her neck.

Sharna's bright ensemble was punctuated with a pair of nude-toned, strappy heels that showed off her natural-looking pedicure.

The beauty's visage was aglow in a full face of rosy-hued makeup including soft blush, eyeshadow, and a matte pink lipstick.

Her shiny red hair was arranged in a side part with loosely curled ends that fell over one side of her chest.

Green and Burgess got engaged in June 2023, but didn't share the news publicly until that September.

They share two-year-old son Zane and also parent Brian's three sons with Fox  Noah, 12, Bodhi, 10, and Journey, eight.

Burgess, 39, commanded attention in a bold, skin-baring, pink and flesh-toned gown

Ja Rule and longtime wife Aisha Atkins coordinated in his and hers black looks at the event

Music artist Ja Rule, 48, and his longtime wife Aisha Atkins were also at the black tie affair, which was held at Ziegfeld Ballroom.

The couple, who married in 2001, coordinated in his and hers black outfits, with Aisha donning a long, leather dress and pointy-heels.

According to the official website, Pencils of Promise 'creates a better world through education, building schools, and WASH programs.'

Ja Rule, born Jeffrey Bruce Atkins Sr., and Aisha traveled to Ghana with the nonprofit earlier this year.

On April 12, the mom-of-three shared a video of her husband speaking on stage at a groundbreaking ceremony and wrote: 'Cant express how proud I am of my husband @jarule for doing this amazing work for the children in Ghana. He has accomplished so many amazing things throughout his career but this is something that we will hold dear to our hearts forever!'
Sir Bob Geldof arrived at the Melbourne Cup Carnival on Tuesday.

The Irish musician, 73, who is currently in Australia filming for comedy movie Zombie Plane, looked dapper as he arrived at Flemington Racecourse.

The iconic rock star wore a black suit paired with a purple shirt for the surprise outing.

He went without a tie, opting for an informal yet-chic-look as he worked his angles at the event.

The Boomtown Rats rocker wore his long white hair out, in his characteristic tussled style, and rocked a distinguished beard.

Geldof was all smiles as he took off his statement sunglasses and posed for the cameras, before moving off to enjoy the festivities.

But Sir Bob wasn't the only famous face at the Race That Stops the Nation.

Elizabeth Hurley, Samantha Armytage, Sylvia Jeffreys and Olivia Molly Rogers were among the stars at the event.

Sir Bob Geldof arrived at the Melbourne Cup Carnival on Tuesday. The Irish musician, 73, who is currently in Australia filming for comedy movie Zombie Plane, looked dapper as he arrived at Flemington Racecourse. Pictured

The iconic rock star wore a black suit paired with a purple shirt. He went without a tie, opting for an informal yet chic look as he worked his angles at the event

Celebrities poured into Flemington's world-famous 'Birdcage' on Tuesday afternoon, where guests are treated to high-class delicacies: From free-flowing French Champagne, to speciality cocktails, and meals prepared by famed five-star chefs.

This year's VIP attendees have also been indulging in caviar bumps - a fine dining trend which refers to eating a mound of the expensive food off the back of the hand.

According to Daily Mail insider Jana Hocking, they were the only bumps being consumed in the exclusive venue, in stark contrast to the halycon days of wild celebrity antics.

The list of famous guests are being hosted by G.H. Mumm, the official Champagne sponsor of the event, Furphy, winemakers Penfolds, Lexus and Crown Resorts.

The Boomtown Rats rocker wore his long white hair out and in his characteristic tussled style, and rocked a distinguished beard. Geldof was all smiles as he took of his statement sunglasses and posed for cameras before moving off to enjoy the festivities

Channel Nine also have their own marquee while Don Julio has opened a vibrant pink-themed tequila bar offering delicious speciality cocktails and live DJ performances.

Music producer Fisher, whose full name is Paul Fisher, celebrated his 38th birthday at the Birdcage's Lexus marquee on Tuesday as he joined the guest list.

Huge crowds descended on Flemington Racecourse ahead of the 164th staging of the Melbourne Cup at 3pm.

Knight's Choice has claimed the 2024 Melbourne Cup in a photo finish, beating Japanese raider Warp Speed by a nose.
Jacqui Felgate has revealed the staggering amount of social media messages she has to deal with in a day.

Aside from her role as the drive presenter on Melbourne's 3AW, Jacqui also keeps Victorians informed about the goings on in their neck of the woods via her 358,000 follower-strong Instagram page.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, Jacqui said that she is often inundated with DMs from Melbournians, especially those that want to talk about the weather.

'If it's a really busy day, like a big weather event for example, you might get 1000 DMs in a day from people wanting to talk about the weather,' Jacqui said.

The radio and television presenter added that she had the perfect way of dealing with trolls - simply by ignoring them.

'[I get] hardly any, it's below 0.1 per cent because when they message, you know all about them because you've got their profile right there,' she said.

'If they've got 0 followers I just ignore it.

Jacqui added that she doesn't mind 1000s of Victorian's sliding into her DMs.

Jacqui Felgate has revealed the staggering amount of social media messages she has to deal with in a day. Pictured

'But most people are so lovely and are so genuine, every day I pinch myself for being so lucky starting that page and people having a genuine interest in what I do,' she said.

And Jacqui certainly came dressed to impress on race day.

The former Channel Seven newsreader wore a cute ankle-length floral patterned mauve dress.

Aside from her role as the drive presenter on Melbourne's 3AW, Jacqui also keeps Victorians informed about the goings on in their neck of the woods via her 358,000 follower-strong Instagram page

She gave off an air of Parisian chic with a matching beret with a mesh net.

Jacqui finished off her race day ensemble with a pair of pink Valentino one stud pumps and a Gucci super mini Dionysus bag.

She accessorised with a light rose lip and a matching shade of blush, while adding a pop of drama to the ensemble with a smoky eye.

Jacqui recently gave her take on the AFL's Brownlow Medal after 3AW colleague Neil Mitchell criticised the awards for objectifying women.

Speaking with Jacqui in September about the awards, Neil said he didn't want to be the 'fun police', but insisted that the women at the event were being 'judged and rated on how they look'.

'Why is it all year we get lectured about how it's sexist and offensive to objectify women, and then it gets to Brownlow night and it's, "Let's objectify women"?' he asked 3AM Drive host Jacqui Felgate on Tuesday.

'You're objectifying women.'

Jacqui certainly came dressed to impress on race day

She gave off an air of Parisian chic with a matching beret with a mesh net

Jacqui strongly disagreed, arguing that the event celebrates the stars' partners instead of treating them like sex objects.

'I don't think the Brownlows objectify women at all,' she explained.

'And as somebody who has been to many, and hosted it for two years, what I would say is that I think the Brownlow has become this event that partners get to support players, and players get to support their female partners.

'I think the men get almost as much pleasure out of seeing their partner and enjoying it.

'And if you look on social [media], you will see to a fault every male player who went last night posting about their wife or girlfriend or partner, saying she had a ripping night, she looks fantastic.

'I don't think it's objectifying women at all.'
Azealia Banks says she is now voting for Democrat Kamala Harris over Republican Donald Trump in Tuesday's U.S. presidential election, after previously saying she was voting for Trump.

The 33-year-old musical artist cited Trump's alliance with tech billionaire Elon Musk as a key factor in her decision to switch her vote in a series of lengthy tweets Monday.

'I really think keeping Elon Musk away from any type of political power in the USA is tantamount to any issue on the table here,' the New York City native said. 'You have to be a complete idiot to think that dirtbag cares about anyone or anything other than himself.'

Banks said she believes Musk has 'already been given way too much tax payer money' and 'allowing him to ascend to any position of political authority is very f***ing dangerous.'

She took a number of shots at Musk's ethics and business tactics, adding that 'one does not become the richest man in the world because of honesty and good character.'

Azealia Banks, 33, says she is now voting for Democrat Kamala Harris over Republican Donald Trump in Tuesday's presidential election, after previously saying she was voting for Trump. Pictured in concert in San Francisco in February of 2022

Banks cited Trump's alliance with Elon Musk, 53, as a key factor in her decision to switch her vote in a series of lengthy tweets Monday. Musk pictured in Pennsylvania last month

Banks did not give a glowing endorsement of Harris, calling the vice president 'stupid and incoherent' and describing her running mate Tim Walz as 'trash.'

Banks said she was reluctantly endorsing Harris 'despite the fact that [she] is the only Democratic Nominee to not have actively [campaigned] in a Primary.'

Banks described Harris's path to the Democratic presidential nomination 'the most undemocratic s*** ever,' adding that it 'really says alot about her supporters lack of commonsense.'

Banks, who has been outspoken about her disdain for the Tesla founder in the past, again cited Musk in her conclusion, saying that she 'will be Voting For Kamala Harris tomorrow' as Musk 'belongs no where near American Politics.'

Banks in November of 2023 said she was planning to vote for Trump, telling The Standard that she felt 'way safer' where 'everyone carries a gun.'

Banks Monday was also critical of Trump's affiliation with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who she called a 'zombie a**,' adding that his potential position as 'health minister' was 'gross and stupid AF.'

Banks also said Trump had prodded China too much, as America 'is not going to ... become the self sufficient domestic manufacturing powerhouse he dreams of;' and that he had been 'DELUSIONAL' in his stated immigration ambitions.

She said that while 'we are on the precipice of two major wars with four nuclear powers involved. USA, Iran, Israel and Russia ... the everyday American is too sick/obese/distracted/transgendered to fight a war and win.'

Banks did not give a glowing endorsement of Harris, calling the vice president 'stupid and incoherent' and describing her running mate Tim Walz as 'trash'

Banks in November of 2023 said she was planning to vote for Trump, telling The Standard that she felt 'way safer' where 'everyone carries a gun'

Banks advised Harris to 'actually pay attention and get caught up to speed' when elected.

'Please don't get caught slippin' sis,' she said. 'Make Us Proud. REVISE THAT WEAK A** ECONOMIC PLAN for Black men and Direct it Towards Black Women, we are the social cultural and economic backbone of Black American society and if anyone needs unforgivable loans and free weed to cope with the bulls***.... it's us.'

She added, 'And please, in 2028 get some *real* Black female intellects to campaign with you. the Meg the Stallion and Cardi B endorsements were f***ing horrible. Don't ever [embarrass] us like that again sis. May The Force Be With You, niece.'
Nearly four months after her split with third husband Josh Hall, Christina Hall has sent fans into a frenzy with speculation about a new boyfriend.

The 41-year-old realtor took to Instagram to share a photo with a man named Jared Merrell from Casa del Faro in Mexico over the weekend, just weeks after her ex demanded a whopping $65K a month in spousal support.

It didn't take long for many of her 1.8 million Instagram followers to start speculating that this may be her new boyfriend.

She said in the caption, 'Happy Birthday to my brother from another mother. Thank you for ALWAYS being such a great friend. Love you and your family so much. So happy to be celebrating you all weekend!'

He replied, 'Love youuuu,' with two heart-eye emojis, and while fans kept asking the realtor if he would be her fourth husband, that's certainly not the case.

Nearly four months after her split with third husband Josh Hall, Christina Hall has sent fans into a frenzy with speculation about a new boyfriend

He replied, 'Love youuuu,' with two heart-eye emojis, and while fans kept asking the realtor if he would be her fourth husband, that's certainly not the case.

Instagram user raising.the.travellers said, 'Thought this was husband number 4 for a second there.'

mackgrl78 added 'Its her friend. She says its her brother from another mother. If u check out his profile hes married with 4 kids. You can still have a male as a friend and nothing more attached to it.'

Indeed, a quick scan of Merrell's profile reveals a post from mid-September where he's celebrating his 20th anniversary with his wife, @mrsjstar25.

Haack's Instagram story also features a photo with several women, including Merrell's wife at the Mexican resort.

binx_87 added, 'Lmao! I first thought she was introducing us to a new boyfriend I was like damn girl slow down!!'

miss19melissa added, 'This guy & his wife were on her show as they got a kitchen upgrade. His wife is a best friend to Christina & she gets her cats from his dealership she said. Def not ever a boyfriend.'

Still, others weren't convinced like flip_brooks, who commented, 'WHO IS YOUR MAN NOW,' as sacredintrovert joked 'WHEW. good thing he's your brother I thought you were married again.'

annette.caldwell added 'Next husband,' whlie clairebearsweepit called out the trolls, stating, 'Geez these trolls are atrollin! Its OK for men & women to be FRIENDS ppl! Happy birthday to your friend @thechristinahall !!!'

Instagram user raising.the.travellers said, 'Thought this was husband number 4 for a second there'

mackgrl78 added 'Its her friend. She says its her brother from another mother. If u check out his profile hes married with 4 kids. You can still have a male as a friend and nothing more attached to it'

Indeed, a quick scan of Merrell's profile reveals a post from mid-September where he's celebrating his 20th anniversary with his wife, @mrsjstar25

Haack's Instagram story also features a photo with several women, including Merrell's wife at the Mexican resort.

miss19melissa added, 'This guy & his wife were on her show as they got a kitchen upgrade. His wife is a best friend to Christina & she gets her cats from his dealership she said. Def not ever a boyfriend.'

Still, others weren't convinced like flip_brooks, who commented, 'WHO IS YOUR MAN NOW,' as sacredintrovert joked 'WHEW. good thing he's your brother I thought you were married again'

Hall's getaway came after her bid to sell her former Tennessee marital home for $4.5million has suffered a major setback - amid her divorce battle with Josh Hall.

The home was purchased by Christina in February 2021, prior to their wedding, and put on the market last month - with Josh filing a temporary emergency order to stop the sale of the Franklin property days later.

However DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal the home has been temporarily taken off the market and placed on hold amid the pair's divorce drama.

A listing for the lavish six bed, six bath home shows the home's status as 'coming soon/hold' while another reads: 'Off market'.
Joey Essex shared a very flirty exchange with TV host in cringy chat on Monday when he insisted hes husband material.'

The former TOWIE star, 34, joined US station KTLA with host Jasmine Simpkins and the panel, who cheekily suggested that he take his clothes off in the interview.

Joey discussed his career plans in Los Angeles following his split from Love Island's Jessy Potts, 25, in September - just seven weeks after leaving the villa together.

'I'm so excited to be here, you all look beautiful by the way,' he said after being introduced.

'Can you just keep talking we love your accent?' the panel teased back.

Joey Essex shared a very flirty exchange with TV host in cringy chat on Monday when he insisted hes husband material'

The former TOWIE star, 34, joined US station KTLA with host Jasmine Simpkins and the panel, who cheekily suggested that he take his clothes off in the interview

Discussing Joey's outfit, Jasmine explained how she had helped him choose what to wear for the show including the mohair cardigan.

'Maybe a little later we can tell you to take it off', the girls joked while Joey awkwardly giggled.

As they flipped the conversation to his reality TV career, Joey continued: 'In the UK it's pretty hectic for me, I do get stopped. But I enjoy it, I enjoy the life that I live.

'I am looking for somewhere to live in LA. I'm looking for a flat because I own a house in Essex and it's a lot of working looking after a house.

'I clean my own house, my own clothes, my own dishes. I'm perfect husband material, I must say.'

Joey's flirty discussion comes after his ex Jessy adressed their split during a question and answer session on Instagram.

When one fan asked if going on Love Island was worth it, she answered: 'It was the best thing I've ever done, without a doubt.

'I had so much fun doing it, have been given incredible opportunities since leaving the villa and despite it not working on the outside, I did meet someone I liked and had the best summer ever with an amazing group of people.'

Joey discussed his career plans in Los Angeles following his split from Love Island's Jessy Potts, 25, in September - just seven weeks after leaving the villa together (pictured in August)

Discussing Joey's outfit, Jasmine explained how she had helped him choose what to wear for the show and joked 'Maybe a little later we can tell you to take it off'

The ITV2 stars, who met on the latest series of the dating reality show, confirmed the break up over the summer, with Joey, insisting he hopes to stay friends with Jessy.

The pair said they 'tried to make their relationship work' but after leaving the show it 'just wasn't meant to be'.

Joey recently had spoken out for the first time since they announced the news and revealed what happened between the pair.

When quizzed by Goss.ie at the launch of the latest tanning range from Iconic Bronze, the reality TV icon replied: 'Unfortunately, we just parted ways. I wish her all the best.'

Joey was also questioned on the possibility of making an appearance on the second season of Love Island All Stars, which he quickly shut down.

'I mean not right now no,' he confirmed, 'that's definitely not in the pipeline right now.'

Announcing their breakup in September, Joey told The Sun: 'Unfortunately, we have decided to call an end to the relationship but I hope we can continue to be friends. I truly wish Jessy the very best with whatever she does in the future.'

Jessy added: 'I appreciate the Love Island experience I had with Joey, we tried to make it work but it wasn't to be.

'I'm so grateful to everyone who supported us and look forward to all of the exciting opportunities ahead.'

The pair fell in love during series 11 of Love Island and made it all the way to the grand finale.

But less than two months on, it was recently rumoured that the pair were 'hardly speaking' amid their busy schedules.

A source told The Sun: 'Joey and Jessy have barely spent any time together as he's been so busy doing nightclub PAs - it's causing a lot of friction between them.

'At Ronnie Vint's Eggiboff event it was noticed by a lot of people that they hardly spoke. Sadly it looks like it's only a matter of time before they split.'

Jessy herself also noted that things had become 'hard' as they tried to navigate their relationship away from the bubble of the villa.

She told Heatworld: 'We're organising when to see each other, and I think it's hard because you compare it to the other couples.

Joey's flirty discussion comes after his ex Jessy adressed their split during a question and answer session on Instagram

Joey and Jessy fell in love during series 11 of Love Island and made it all the way to the grand finale (pictured on Love Island)

It comes after Joey broke his silence on his split from Jessy and revealed if he'd be up for a stint on the Love Island All Stars series

Jessy also noted that it was always going to be 'different' for them because Joey was resuming his 'normal life' as a celebrity, whilst she had to learn to cope with her newfound fame.

She added: 'They're with each other 24/7, whereas we always knew it was going to be different because he's catching up on his normal life, whereas for the rest of us we're thrown into a new life.

'Everything is new and we're waiting for things to come up. It was always going to be slightly different.

'We're both making the effort and everyone's speculating that we've broken up. We're working it out.'
Elizabeth Hurley flashed a peek of her cleavage as she slipped into a dressing gown to get ready for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday.

The actress, 59, left little to the imagination as she showcased her eye-popping figure in the Instagram reel, shared with her three million followers.

In the clip, she lounged around in the comfy attire while her hair and makeup team swarmed around to glam her up for the Australian event.

Elizabeth wasn't afraid to flaunt her incredible figure as she posed up a storm and blew kisses at the camera in the white dressing gown, which featured an orange sun pattern and tassels on the sleeves.

Her team applied a full face of glamorous makeup, including a sultry palette of smoky eyeshadow and a glossy pink lip colour.

Elizabeth Hurley flashed a peek of her cleavage as she slipped into a racy open dressing gown to get ready for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse on instagram on Tuesday

In the clip, she lounged around in the comfy attire while her hair and makeup team swarmed around to glam her up for the Australian event

The actress, 59, left little to the imagination as she showcased her eye-popping figure in the Instagram reel, shared with her three million followers

She wore her brunette tresses in stunning curls, before she swapped the dressing gown for her bright yellow race-day attire.

Elizabeth seemed to be on cloud nine as she got ready for the event and made her way around the stunning hotel where she was staying.

Taking a moment to appreciate the people she works with, Liz penned in the caption: 'Getting ready. You're only as good as your team,' alongside a love heart emoji.

The famed English model bucked the red dress theme as she joined Samantha Armytage and Sylvia Jeffreys at the racecourse for the event.

While a whole host of celebrities stepped out in rouge outfits on the big day, Liz made her very own fashion statement as she strutted her stuff in a yellow ensemble.

Elizabeth put on a very elegant display in a figure-hugging off-the-shoulder midi dress with a statement ruffled floral neckline.

Arriving at the world-famous 'Birdcage', she gave herself a few extra inches with a pair of cream heels and toted her essentials in a colour-coordinated handbag.

The Bedazzled actress fixed a huge yellow floral fascinator into her brunette tresses and shielded her eyes with a pair of round shades.

Elizabeth wasn't afraid to flaunt her incredible figure as she posed up a storm and blew kisses at the camera in the white dressing gown

Her team applied a full face of glamorous makeup, including a sultry palette of smoky eyeshadow and a glossy pink lip colour

Elizabeth seemed to be on cloud nine as she got ready for the event and made her way around the stunning hotel where she was staying

The famed English model bucked the red dress theme as she joined Samantha Armytage and Sylvia Jeffreys at the racecourse for the event

She was joined at the festivities by her son Damian, 22, and they were seen enjoying the quality mother-son time together as they posed up a storm on the carpet

She showcased the glorious Australian weather in the video

Taking a moment to appreciate the people she works with, Liz penned in the caption: 'Getting ready. You're only as good as your team,' alongside a love heart emoji

She was joined at the festivities by her son Damian, 22, and they were seen enjoying the quality mother-son time together as they posed up a storm on the carpet.

Damian cut a dapper figure in a black suit and pinstripe trousers, which he teamed with a white shirt, blue tie and a grey waistcoat.

The model - who Liz had during a brief relationship with late millionaire filmmaker Steve Bing - shielded his eyes with a pair of oversized sunglasses.

He also coordinated with his beloved mother as he fixed a yellow flower into his lapel to complete his suave ensemble.

The outing comes as it was announced that Elizabeth is the star of this season's first major Christmas TV advert for former high street staple Debenhams.

The actress joins Glow Up host Leomie Anderson, 31, comedian Ellie Taylor , 40, and model and podcaster Hannah Cooper-Dommett, 35, in the festive promo, which acts as a reminder Debenhams is now a flourishing online retailer.

Mother-of-one Elizabeth dons a sparkling green gown while lying on a sofa uttering the brand's new tagline 'Duh, Debenhams', as she lauds the ease of online ordering instead of traipsing around the shops amid the chaos of Christmas.

Speaking about her cameo in the advert, Elizabeth said: 'I'm absolutely delighted to be part of 'Duh, Debenhams' this Christmas, my favourite time of year.

The outing comes as it was announced that Elizabeth is the star of this season's first major Christmas TV advert for former high street staple Debenhams

The model and actress joins Glow Up host Leomie Anderson, comedian Ellie Taylor and model and podcaster Hannah Cooper-Dommett in the festive promo

It's been a busy month for Liz, who was presented with the Commitment to a Cause award at the Madrid Harper's Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards last week

The actress descended onto the red carpet alongside her son Damian at the star-studded event

'This campaign beautifully embodies the joy of the festive season, blending humour with style.

'There's nothing quite like celebrating with loved ones at holiday parties, and Debenhams makes it easy to find the perfect outfits and gifts that elevate every gathering.'

The advert is accompanied by the classic Carol of the Bells track, with an added fresh spin on the festive favourite, blending memorable carol notes with the campaign's playful expression, 'Duh.'

It's been a busy month for Liz, who was presented with the Commitment to a Cause award at the Madrid Harper's Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards last week.

The actress has been a proud ambassador for The Estee Lauder Companies' Breast Cancer Campaign since 1996.

The actress descended onto the red carpet alongside her son Damian at the star-studded event.

Elizabeth stole the show in the dazzling figure-hugging ensemble as she flaunted her tiny waist and age-defying looks.

Actor and model Damian bared his chest as he went shirtless in the bright red suit and black patent shows.

The mother-son duo looked happier than ever as they posed at the photocall before heading into the ceremony, where Elizabeth received the award for her dedication to raising awareness for breast cancer.
Kurt Capewell has welcomed his first child with fiancee, Skye.

The NRL star shared the joyous news to social media on Tuesday alongside a gallery of images.

In the first frame Kurt is seen dressed in scrubs and a bright red hair net as he tenderly smiles at his partner.

Elsewhere in the image, their newborn son is seen wearing a tiny beanie, peacefully resting on his mother's chest.

In a second image, Kurt looks every inch the doting dad as he holds his son close to his chest, while smiling at the camera.

In a third image, the couple share a close-up of their pride and joy.

They captioned the gallery with some tender words.

'Charlie Mace Capewell. Welcome to the world son,' they wrote.

Kurt Capewell has welcomed his first child with fiancee, Skye. Both pictured

In the first frame Kurt is seen dressed in scrubs and a bright red hair net as he tenderly smiles at his partner. Elsewhere in the image, their newborn son is seen wearing a tiny beanie, peacefully resting on his mother's chest

In a second image, Kurt looks every inch the doting dad as he holds his son close to his chest, while smiling at the camera

Fans and friends flooded the post with warm wishes.

NRL mates Herbie Farnworth and Matt Burton were among the first to comment, with Herbie writing, 'Congratulations ' and Matt adding, 'Congrats mate!'

Fellow NRL player Auvae Fono said, 'Alright!!!! Surely playing for kiwis in 19yrs?' referencing the future sporting potential of the newborn.

Meanwhile, Billy Walters wrote, 'Congrats guys the best.'

In a third image, the couple share a close-up of their pride and joy

Kurt and Skye got engaged in April this year.

They keep their personal lives relatively private, rarely sharing intimate details on social media.

Capewell has built a reputation in the NRL, having played for teams including the Cronulla Sharks, Penrith Panthers, and currently the Brisbane Broncos.

Kurt and Skye got engaged in April
Jenna Coleman and her boyfriend Jamie Childs enjoyed a stroll through north London with their new baby on Monday.

The actress, 38, who first revealed her pregnancy in June, looked as stylish as ever in an Autumnal look.

She wore a burnt orange pinafore dress with a black long sleeved top and opaque tights layered underneath.

Jenna added a long trench coat, a pair of chunky loafers and shielded her eyes with oval framed Celine sunglasses.

Meanwhile, Jamie wore a black wool coat with beige chino trousers and boots as he pushed the pram.

Jenna Coleman and her boyfriend Jamie Childs enjoyed a stroll through north London with their new baby on Monday

The actress, 38, who first revealed her pregnancy in June , looked as stylish as ever in an Autumnal look

Jenna revealed her pregnancy in June when she debuted her baby bump at a dinner at Chatsworth House.

She has not yet made any announcement that she has given birth, but has taken to her social media frequently to share glimpses into her pregnancy journey with her fans.

Jenna and Jamie met back in 2020 on the set of the first season of Netflix show, The Sandman, where she played Johanna Constantine and he directed several episodes.

The couple were first romantically linked in December 2021, before they were spotted together for the first time the following February.

They were photographed on a stroll in Islington smiling and holding hands, just days after they were seen outside her 2.2million home as furniture was moved in.

They went on to work together again on Jamie's first film Jackdaw, with Jenna playing a lead character called Bo.

However, the pair work to keep their relationship private, with their public appearances together being rare and Jenna having never spoken publicly about their romance.

But earlier this year, Jenna and Jamie sparked speculation that they had taken their relationship to the next level after being seen wearing a ring on her wedding finger in January.

She wore a burnt orange pinafore dress with a black long sleeved top and opaque tights layered underneath

The actress carried a Chanel bucket bag

Jenna topped off her outfit with a pair of chunky loafers and shielded her eyes with oval framed Celine sunglasses

Meanwhile, Jamie wore a black wool coat with beige chino trousers and boots as he pushed the pram

On a stroll together in north London, Jenna could be seen sporting a chunky gold band, while walking hand-in-hand with Jamie, who tenderly stroked her hair at several points.

While it didn't mark the first time she'd been seen wearing the ring, she usually wore it on a different finger  leading to speculation that the move was significant.

Meanwhile, Jenna previously joked that she has been cast as a mother so many times she has 'no noises left' for any future childbirth scenes.

The Queen Victoria star once said: 'I've done so many labour scenes I've got no noises left. I don't know what to do any more.

'They've got to stop having me in labour. I haven't even had children yet, I don't know what I'm doing.'

She fretted about playing a mother in the BBC's 2018 psychological mystery The Cry, revealing that she messaged friends with children to get a better insight into what motherhood entails.

After it aired Jenna admitted: 'I spent a good first chunk of it just thinking they'd completely miscast me.

The couple have yet to announce the birth of their child

Jenna revealed her pregnancy in June as she debuted her blossoming baby bump at a dinner at Chatsworth House (pictured)

She has not yet made any announcement that she has given birth, but has taken to her social media frequently to share glimpses into her pregnancy journey with her fans

Jenna and Jamie met back in 2020 on the set of the first season of Netflix show, The Sandman, where she played Johanna Constantine and he directed several episodes (pictured in November)

The Jetty star previously dated Tom Hughes, who played her husband Prince Albert in ITV 's Victoria, after meeting on the set of BBC drama series Dancing On The Edge in 2013 (pictured in 2017)

'Why on earth me? I'm not a mother. It was something so, well, primal that I haven't literally experienced. And I have really struggled with that.'

The Jetty star previously dated Tom Hughes, who played her husband Prince Albert in ITV's Victoria, after meeting on the set of BBC drama series Dancing On The Edge in 2013.

However they went their separate ways in 2020, with it reported at the time the pair were 'terribly sad' by the end of their relationship, with the actress moving into her own pad and they reportedly attempted to 'salvage a friendship'.

Before Tom, Jenna was in a relationship with Game Of Thrones star Richard Madden, dating on and off for four years after getting together in 2012.
Jack Whitehall debuted a new moustache as he enjoyed a family day out with his partner Roxy Horner and their 13-month-old daughter Elsie.

The comedian, 36, and his model girlfriend, 33, went for an afternoon stroll in the Westbourne Grove shopping area in Notting Hill.

Jack sported a new moustache on the outing and cut a casual figure in a black jumper and a pair of light grey shorts.

Also sporting a beige cap, the comic completed his look with a pair of trainers as he cradled Elsie in his arms.

Roxy looked effortlessly stylish as she wrapped up in a black leather jacket, pairing it with a light grey top.

Jack Whitehall debuted a new moustache as he enjoyed a family day out with his partner Roxy Horner and their 13-month-old daughter Elsie

The comedian, 36, and his model girlfriend, 33, went for an afternoon stroll in the Westbourne Grove shopping area in Notting Hill

Jack sported a new moustache on the outing and cut a casual figure in a black jumper and a pair of light grey shorts

Also sporting a beige cap, the comic completed his look with a pair of trainers as he cradled Elsie in his arms

The beauty also wore a pair of blue jeans and added height to her frame with black ankle boots.

Styling her blonde locks into a bob, Roxy completed her outfit for the day with a pair of gold earrings.

The pair looked every inch the doting parents with Jack giving Elsie a kiss on the cheek while Roxy beamed from ear-to-ear.

Roxy welcomed Elsie at the iconic Lindo Wing, in which a host of royals have given birth, last year, after which Jack admitted the experience was both 'utterly overwhelming' and 'joyous' in ways he 'couldn't have imagined'.

It comes after Jack reportedly become one of the Britain's richest comedian behind Peter Kay, Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais.

The funnyman is said to have amassed a whopping 11.4M fortune, after raking in 2.3M and welcoming his first child with girlfriend Roxy Horner, baby daughter Elsie during a very busy 2023.

According to The Sun Jack's dosh is mostly thanks to his show's on Netflix, including Travels With My Father where he globe trots with grouchy dad Michael, as well as his own comedy special that debuted on the streaming service last year.

In new filings the publication reports that the comedian's company Jackpot Productions grew its shareholders' fund to 11,420,635 from 9,585,293 over the last year, as well as having a whopping 4.4M in the bank.

The pair looked every inch the doting parents with Jack giving Elsie a kiss on the cheek while Roxy beamed from ear-to-ear

Roxy looked effortlessly stylish as she wrapped up in a black leather jacket, pairing it with a light grey top

The beauty also wore a pair of blue jeans and added height to her frame with black ankle boots

A source said: 'There is no stopping Jack. Even becoming a dad hasn't slowed down his earnings  and the commissions keep coming'.

'He remains hugely likeable, and crucially his comedy appeals to advertisers as it's safe and clean.

'Leaning on the relationship he has with his grouchy dad Michael and fun-loving mum Hilary has helped take him from laddy topics to more relatable topics, too. It's hard to see a time when Jack won't be popular.'
Gogglebox Australia fan-favourites Matty and Sarah Marie Fahd shared a stunning pre-parenthood snap that showed off their bronzed beach bodies.

The couple took to Instagram on Tuesday with a nostalgic post.

'Pre-kids, nice tan and good abs, not quite knowing our lives would change for the better with our two beautiful boys,' they captioned it.

The picture captured Matty, 36, and Sarah Marie, 37, sitting together on a sandy patch, looking gorgeous and blissfully carefree.

Matty, sported a toned physique, flashed a charming smile as he leant towards Sarah Marie.

Wearing a white bikini with black-and-white striped bottoms, Sarah Marie looked radiant, with her long, wavy hair cascading around her shoulders.

The couple's followers were quick to flood the comments section with admiration.

One fan wrote, 'Wow, you two look amazing and still do after two boys. Your wife is stunning!'

Gogglebox Australia fan-favourites Matty and Sarah Marie Fahd shared a stunning pre-parenthood snap that showed off their bronzed beach bodies

'Pre-kids, nice tan and good abs, not quite knowing our lives would change for the better with our two beautiful boys,' they captioned the post

Another fan seemed momentarily taken aback by the image's timeless quality, commenting, 'I thought this was current.'

It's clear that the pair have maintained their good looks and charm despite the busy life that comes with parenthood.

Others expressed admiration for the couple's journey from pre-parenthood to raising two young boys.

'Gorgeous humans pre & post kiddos,' wrote another, celebrating the growth of their family.

Sarah and Matty began dating in 2014 and tied the knot four years later in 2018.

The couple then welcomed their first son Malik in November 2019. Their second son Lyon came in May 2023. Both pictured

The couple then welcomed their first son Malik in November 2019.

Their second son Lyon came in May 2023, with the pair announcing his birth on Instagram alongside a carousel of photos.

The series of snaps displayed a radiant Sarah posing cheek-to-cheek with newborn Lyon, as well as tender moments of her cradling the baby boy in her hospital bed.

Sarah and Matty captioned the images with moving words, revealing they plan on loving Lyon 'until the end of time'.
Ruth Langsford looked as gorgeous as ever as she showed off her incredible new makeover on Instagram on Tuesday.

The Loose Women presenter, 64, treated herself to a pamper session by makeup artist Liv Davey and hairstylist Maurice Flynn.

Her glam squad styled her hair in loose waves, which added volume to it, and opted for a radiant palette of make up.

The TV star appeared in high spirits as she flashed the camera a big smile for a number of stunning snaps.

Ruth's makeover comes after her estranged husband Eamonn Holmes appeared to take a swipe at her with a cryptic Instagram post on Saturday.

Ruth Langsford looked as gorgeous as ever as she showed off her incredible new makeover on Instagram on Tuesday

It comes after her estranged husband Eamonn Holmes appeared to take a swipe at her with a cryptic Instagram post on Saturday

The GB news host, 64, took to social media to share a picture of a mural with the words 'You are doing my head in' around a picture of a woman in a yellow dress lying on a chaise lounge.

The presenter captioned the snap: 'When u know u r in Belfast! On the wall in a Cafe. Dont know the artist but I love it !!!! Who does your head in ?'.

And the Instagram snap seemed to be a thinly veiled dig at his former spouse.

Eamonn and Loose Women star Ruth, also 64, announced their plans to divorce in June after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together.

The TV star has been dating counsellor Katie Alexander, 42, since his split from Ruth and has been open about his new partner.

And Katie, who enjoyed a romantic cruise with the TV star earlier this year, has told friends she is in for 'the long haul' with Eamonn.

She has been helping Eamonn through the split from Ruth, but her friends say she is at pains to point out that their friendship has only grown close once the marriage was over in May.

Eamonn proved he was very much enjoying his new romance after the pair jetted off for a luxury holiday together over the summer.

The TV presenter appeared in high spirits as she flashed the camera a big smile for a number of stunning snaps

The stunning snaps come after Eamonn, 64, took to social media to share a picture of a mural with the words 'You are doing my head in' around a picture of a woman in a yellow dress lying on a chaise lounge

The GB News presenter was seen cheekily grabbing his new lover Katie's bottom in Ibiza last month.

The getaway reportedly left Eamonn's estranged wife Ruth shocked, with the holiday occurring just four months after the former golden couple announced they were divorcing.

The Northern Irish presenter has been open about his new relationship with the pair pictured enjoying two holidays together over the summer.

In May it emerged Eamonn and Ruth had split after 14 years of marriage and would divorce. Cracks had started to appear in their relationship and they had not been photographed together for two years.

And it has now been revealed that Eamonn and his new girlfriend first messaged each other 12 years ago.

The pair first exchanged flirty messages on social media in 2012 according The Sun.

Eamonn has been dating relationship counsellor Katie Alexander, 42, since his split from Ruth and has been open about his new partner - they first messaged each other 12 years ago (Katie is pictured back right, with TV star Laura Hamilton pictured back left)

The TV host and and relationship therapist were both married at the time and the messages initially included her then husband George.

Back in 2012, Katie's former partner joked that he believed his wife was 'flirting' with Eamonn, but with both men sharing a love for Manchester United, quipped: 'Good job we're both Red.'

Reports then emerged she'd been left 'devastated' when she discovered 'messages from another woman' on his laptop.

A source has now told the The Sun: 'We knew Eamonn and Katie got together via social media, but no one knew how far back they went.

'Ruth will be shocked they were in contact 12 years ago. I don't think she would have known.'

Eamonn gets a buzz out of replying to messages from fans. He and Katie had a real connection, and it blossomed into something more.'

It comes after Ruth spoke candidly about how heartbreak was her biggest fear, but not for her, instead fearing her son Jack, 22, would have his heart broken (pictured on Loose Women)

It comes after Ruth spoke candidly about heartbreak amid her divorce with Woman & Home in which she revealed heartbreak was her biggest fear, but not for her, instead fearing her son Jack, 22, would have his heart broken.

When asked what she 'wants most in life', Ruth confessed: 'Happiness. Happiness for my son, Jack.

'When you have children, you look at them starting out in life and just want everything to be good for them, for them to be happy and to not have their hearts broken.

'You can't guarantee any of that, but that's what I want most for Jack.'

Ruth shares Jack with Eamonn and she is also stepmother to his children Declan, 35, Rebecca, 32, and Niall, 30, from his first marriage to ex-wife Gabrielle.
Victoria Beckham has spoken out on the viral moment from husband David's Netflix documentary, insisting cameras captured an unrehearsed, candid interraction.

The family had fans in hysterics last October thanks to a scene in the documentary which saw David poke fun at his wife's claim about her 'very working, working class' roots.

David interrupted, incredulous, and asked Victoria to be honest to which she replied: 'I am!' He then repeatedly asked Victoria to reveal what car her dad used to drive her to school in.

The Spice Girl eventually gave in and said: 'OK. In the '80s, my dad had a Rolls-Royce.' 'Thank you.' David replied, and immediately left and closed the door behind him, his job done.

Victoria has revealed in a new interview with Harper's Bazaar magazine that the scene was completely candid, explaining: 'David was in the other room watching the monitor, and then he put his head in the door.'

Victoria Beckham has spoken out on the viral moment from husband David's Netflix documentary, insisting cameras captured an unrehearsed, candid interraction

The family had fans in hysterics last October thanks to a scene in the documentary which saw David poke fun at his wife's claim about her 'very working, working class' roots

'It was not rehearsed. Like the dancing in the tent. None of it was rehearsed.'

Victoria has captalised on the moment with a 110 'My Dad Had A Rolls Royce' T-shirt as part of her self-titled clothing range.

The couple also spoofed the scene in a Super Bowl advert debut for Uber Eats.

According to Netflix's own data, Beckham was the most-watched show for two weeks when it was released a year ago, with 11,600,000 fans watching globally.

Elsewhere in her Harper's Bazaar interview Victoria admitted she no longer cares about being a celebrity after turning 50 as she passes the baton to her daughter Harper.

The fashion designer discussed how she has nativated being in the public eye since she soared to stardom as part of the Spice Girls in the nineties.

The mother of four admitted it 'used to be fun' getting dressed up and being snapped by the paparazzi in a stylish outfit, however she admitted she no longer cares for it.

Victoria has revealed in a new interview with Harper's Bazaar magazine that the scene was completely candid

Victoria (right) shared a throwback snap with sister Louise on their father's Rolls Royce after THAT viral moment in the documentary

Speaking about protecting her privacy, she said: ''You have to go through those times to make you, ultimately, who you are. We've kind of figured out how to be quite discreet, which is just how we want to conduct our lives right now.

'I suppose it used to be fun to go out and be chased by paparazzi walking down Bond Street  and you would dress knowing you were going to get that. I don't want that any more.'

'I've been doing this too long. I suppose I did when I was growing up but, nowadays, there's just too much going on; too busy; too many kids to worry about. I woke up at 50, and I gave a s*** less.'

While she may be keen to step away from the spotlight, it has been reported that Victoria and David have plotted a secret multi-million pound career move to launch daughter Harper, 13, into the industry.

The December/January issue of Harpers Bazaar UK is on sale from 6 November
Hollywood pinup Joy Corrigan shared several new eye-popping images to Instagram on Monday.

The Alo model wore no bra as she had on a nude-toned sheer top that showed off her chest. Corrigan looked like a natural beauty with light makeup and prescription glasses on.

The 36-year-old fashion magazine cover girl was outside the Saint Laurent store in New York City as she held onto a healthy green drink.

This comes a year after she removed her breast implants which she though would mean her bikini modeling career 'would be over.'

Hollywood pinup Joy Corrigan shared several new eye-popping images to Instagram on Monday

'My health has improved greatly,' the 3D Model - who boasts 1.6M social media followers - wrote a year ago.

'I feel more vibrant, full of life, and most importantly healthier than ever! I was nervous coming back to Swim Week this year with a different look. Walking down the runway and doing beach photo shoots in swimsuits had me worried about how I would be perceived.

'I pushed through and was brave despite my fears. I embraced my new self. I'm falling in love with the way I look because I feel amazing about my health and how I feel, and that's what matters to me.'

Joy is 'beyond grateful' that her career 'is thriving' with recent modeling gigs for Beach Bunny Swimwear and Cupshe during Paraiso Miami Swim Week, which took place from May 30 to June 2.

'I've learned that even if you have insecurities, push through and be strong because that's what makes you beautiful and strong,' Corrigan continued.

The Alo model wore no bra as she had on a nude-toned sheer top that showed off her chest

Corrigan looked like a natural beauty with light makeup and prescription glasses on. The fashion magazine cover girl was outside the Saint Laurent store in New York City

'I hope this post encourages at least one person to realize you don't need to alter your body to have a successful career or to be loved. We all have fears  be brave and do the thing that scares you the most! You are beautiful just the way you are. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey! Love you.'

In 2022, the Naked Species swimwear co-founder underwent an explant with total capsulectomy procedure (costing $12K) at Dr. David Rankin's Aqua Plastic Surgery clinic in Jupiter, FL.

Joy documented her medical journey on September 5, revealing she 'was terrified to go into surgery' but 'as soon as it was done their was a huge sense of relief and freedom, I instantly knew that I made the right choice.'

Corrigan at the Angel Ball in NYC hosted by Gabrielle's Angel Foundation in late October

2024 vs 2023: This comes a year after she removed her breast implants which she though would mean her bikini modeling career 'would be over'

Corrigan documented her medical journey on September 5, revealing she 'was terrified to go into surgery' but 'as soon as it was done their was a huge sense of relief and freedom, I instantly knew that I made the right choice'

Corrigan has been an outspoken advocate of breast implant illness which has a long list of symptoms including joint and muscle pain, adrenal fatigue, brain fog, unexplained skin rashes, dry eyes, and gastrointestinal problems.

Other BII symptoms include breathing problems, sleep disturbance, dry mouth, anxiety, depression, headaches, and hair loss - according to breastcancer.org.

The Massachusetts-born beauty was supported throughout her medical ordeal by her family, friends, and boyfriend - Stealth CEO Ted Dhanik - whom she hasn't been pictured with since.

Joy and her sister Gina Corrigan Smith co-founded the clothing company Naked Species, which donates 10% of all proceeds to the non-profit organization for endangered species, Wild Tomorrow Fund.

Corriganis every bit the influencer with paid partnerships for brands like Alo, Soursop Nutrition Supplements, G-DEFY clothing, Innersense Organic Beauty, and Clarins cosmetics.

The 5ft8in blonde bombshell grew up on a small farm in North Carolina with her nine siblings before being scouted at age 14 in a Raleigh mall.
Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello spent the entire day before the US presidential election feeding trolls on X and repeatedly shutting down their accusation of him endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.

The 60-year-old socialist explained how he spent two years working as the scheduling secretary for Democratic US Senator Alan Cranston from 1987-1988 where he 'saw first hand how oligarch money controls and criminally shapes politics and policy.'

'No one's eyes are more open than mine on this topic. Democrats are war criminals. Republicans are war criminals,' Tom - who boasts 4.6M social media followers - tweeted on Monday.

'While I do always vote because racists and the ruling class don't want me to, I believe that real change comes from creating an irresistible force from below - working and fighting before, during and after and election at the grassroots regardless of who wins, not just crossing your fingers and begging elites for crumbs.

'The ONLY candidate I have EVER publicly or privately endorsed was Cindy Sheehan, an anti-war activist who's son was killed in the Iraq War. She's was a true badass. Please pass this info along to the legions of misinformed chodes who have a similar perspective to your own.'

Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello spent the day before the election feeding trolls on X and shutting down their accusation of him endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris

X user @robbystarbuck replied: 'You're voting for Kamala though, right? If so, you're voting for the same candidate as Dick Cheney. If not, I'll delete my post and admit I'm wrong.'

Morello clapped back: 'Delete your post, apology accepted.'

When X user @hexagong tweeted 'You endorsed her bro,' the two-time Grammy winner replied: 'Swing and a miss!'

And when X user @bannedbybiden called Tom a 'SOROS Stooge' he wisecracked: 'I miss him! Never got my damn check!'

Morello's Twitter rant began by him blasting so-called fans 'in Paul Ryan mode' who grossly misinterpret RATM songs like Killing in the Name and War Machine.

The Harvard University grad also defended his band against accusations they required vaccinations to attend their 19-date Public Service Announcement Tour in 2022.

'No sir, no one was required to be vaccinated to attend or buy a ticket to any RATM show ever,' Tom tweeted.

'Feel free to check with any of the tens of thousands who attended. Blinded by presumptive bias and misinformation what other sacred tenets of your world view and opinions are perhaps based on total falsities?"

The 60-year-old socialist spent two years working as the scheduling secretary for Democratic US Senator Alan Cranston from (pictured in 1987) where he 'saw first hand how oligarch money controls and criminally shapes politics and policy'

Tom - who boasts 4.6M social media followers - tweeted on Monday: 'No one's eyes are more open than mine on this topic. Democrats are war criminals. Republicans are war criminals'

Morello continued: 'The ONLY candidate I have EVER publicly or privately endorsed was Cindy Sheehan, an anti-war activist who's son was killed in the Iraq War. She's was a true badass'

When X user @robbystarbuck said he'd delete his post if he was wrong about the two-time Grammy winner's presidential pick, he replied: 'Delete your post, apology accepted'

When X user @hexagong tweeted 'You endorsed her bro,' Tom replied: 'Swing and a miss!'

And when X user @bannedbybiden called Morello a 'SOROS Stooge' he wisecracked: 'I miss him! Never got my damn check!'

The Harvard University grad's Twitter rant began by him blasting so-called fans 'in Paul Ryan mode' who grossly misinterpret RATM songs like Killing in the Name and War Machine

Tom also defended his band against accusations they required vaccinations to attend their 19-date Public Service Announcement Tour in 2022 (pictured in 2010)

Morello tweeted: 'No sir, no one was required to be vaccinated to attend or buy a ticket to any RATM show ever. Feel free to check with any of the tens of thousands who attended'

Regardless, on January 3, RATM drummer Brad Wilk formally announced that the band would 'not be touring or playing live again. I'm sorry for those of you who have been waiting for this to happen. I really wish it was'

This, only two months after RATM were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (pictured in 2023)

Regardless, on January 3, RATM drummer Brad Wilk formally announced that the band would 'not be touring or playing live again. I'm sorry for those of you who have been waiting for this to happen. I really wish it was.'

This, only two months after RATM were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

On September 25, Morello was honored in Oklahoma with the 2024 Woody Guthrie Prize 'for his longstanding commitment to using his artistic gifts and platform to champion social justice, human rights, and activism.'
She instantly became a pop culture icon after bursting into the public eye as loudmouthed Page 3 girl, Jordan.

Having tried her hand at modelling, singing, presenting, campaigning and reality TV, the glamour model quickly became a household name in Britain.

Yet while Katie Price's moniker will ring a bell for both young and old, you would be forgiven for not recognising the star on sight alone, with Katie famously undergoing numerous cosmetic procedures over the years.

After two decades in the spotlight, Katie is almost unrecognisable from the naturally pretty teenager who burst on to the modelling scene at the age of 16, with her natural curls and fresh-faced beauty winning her an army of fans.

Katie, now 46, has undergone an array of procedures over the years, including rhinoplasty, a silhouette facelift, 3D, veneers, lip fillers and Botox, culminating in her first facelift in 2017.

Now, after two decades under the surgeon's scalpel, MailOnline takes a look at the many faces of Katie Price.

The many faces of Katie Price: MailOnline takes a look at the star's changing look after two decades of boob jobs, Botox and face lifts

1995 - Barefaced beauty

At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling.

At a friend's suggestion, the teenager had professional photographs taken and was quickly snapped up by a modelling agency who landed her a Page 3 slot in The Sun newspaper the following year, sparking the creation of her glamour model alter ego, Jordan.

Speaking last year, Katie revealed she was glad that she wasn't exposed to social media at the time as she had 'no idea what Botox was or fillers', otherwise she may have started her tweaks and enhancements at an even earlier age.

1995: At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling

1998 - First boob job

Having just turned 20, the rising glamour model experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C.

The procedure cost 4,500 and it's thought her mum Amy and stepdad Paul helped pay for her to have the procedure.

Katie has since spoken out about her decision to go under the knife, admitting she was 'too young' and that she feels sorry for young girls growing up these days in a world of social media and filters.

1998: Having just turned 20, Katie experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C

1999 - Second and third boob job

Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures the following year at the age of 21.

Katie boosted her bust from a C cup to a D cup and just a few months later went up again to a F cup.

Katie has previously claimed that she has only paid for two of her boob jobs over the course of her career - it is not known if these were the ones.

1999: Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures at the age of 21

2001 - Lip fillers

At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers.

While the glamour model did not confirm the rumours at the time, she was seen sporting a noticeably fuller pout while out enjoying the party scene.

Her overall look had also started drastically transforming, with the model sporting dramatic false lashes, bright lipstick and pale hair extensions.

2001: At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers

2004 - Botox

Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines and wrinkles.

She made no secret of her love of the procedure, announcing at the time: 'I get my forehead and around my eyes Botoxed every six months and I love it. You can't beat it. It just freezes all the wrinkles and that's what you want.'

At the time, Katie insisted she would never take things further and have a facelift, explaining: 'I'd never have a full facelift. I've seen what they can do to people and I don't want to go through that.'

2004: Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines

2006 - Fourth boob job

Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup.

The glamour model also played around with her overall look and embraced her dark side with a new brunette hairstyle.

She also continued to dabble with fillers and Botox.

2006: Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup

2007 - First nose job and veneers

At the age of 29, Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and treating herself to a 25,000 set of new veneers.

'Oh my God, it burned like hell!' she said at the time. 'The next day I had this hideous red rash on my chin but two days later there wasn't a single spot left.'

Speaking about her nose job at the time, she admitted to liking her original nose, explaining: 'I liked my nose before and now. If I had a cupboard with both noses, I would alternate between them!'

2007:Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and a 25,000 set of veneers

2008 - Fifth boob job

Despite gradually increasingly her bust size over the year, Katie fancied a change on her 30th and brought her bra size back down from an F cup to a C cup.

The procedure meant that Katie had returned to the size of her first boob job 10 years prior.

Katie's changing shape also coincided with the launch of her first clothing line - an equestrian range.

2008: Despite gradually increasingly her bust size, Katie fancied a change and brought her bra size back down to a C cup

2011 - Sixth boob job

Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup.

Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers.

The Loose Women panelist admitted that she loved having her cheeks filled to give her a 'plumper, more youthful look'.

2011: Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup

2015 - Seventh and eighth boob job

Just before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, the reality star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast and an implant protruding from her flesh.

Katie told her shocked housemates: 'Ive got no tits anymore. Theyve gone. Theres not even anything there. If you saw what Im like underneath. The scars gone septic. My whole implant was hanging out on New Years Day.'

Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house she underwent corrective surgery and had her implants swapped for a D-cup.

2015: Just before Celebrity Big Brother, the star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast

2016 - Ninth boob job and tattooed makeup

Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie was undeterred and flew to a Brussels clinic to go under the knife yet again, this time settling on a 32GG bust.

The reality star also had her eyebrows and lips tattooed, also known as 'permanent make-up', explaining that she prefers to go make-up free on a day-to-day basis.

Additionally the star has regular facial treatments, last year sharing a bloodied selfie after having a dermal roller micro-needling treatment, which sees a dermaroller with many tiny needles rolled across into the skin - designed to stimulate cells into regeneration.

2016: Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie flew to a Brussels clinic to get another boob job, this time a 32GG cup

2017 - First face lift, new veneers and 10th boob job

Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word undergoing a 'Silhouette' face lift.

The procedure is designed to lift a sagging cheeks and blurred jawline, using 'sutures' implanted under the skin to sculpt features.

However, Katie was soon spotted with puffy features, revealing that she suffered an allergic reaction to anesthetic penicillin after having further work on her veneers. She also had her breast implants reduced from 1000ml implants to 795ml.

2017: Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word

2018 - Second face lift

Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 to correct it.

She said at the time 'I need to get my face re-corrected after surgeon has totally f**ked my face up', admitting it had

He agent added: 'She had the thread and it really quite distorted her look. She got a lot of backlash, a lot of negative press, a lot of trolling, everyone saying shed taken it too far, when actually it was a job that had not gone to plan.'

2018: Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40

2019 - Third face lift, boob job first Brazilian bum lift and 11th boob job

Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her entire look with a full body transformation.

The reality star opted for a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck.

Just three months later she returned to the clinic and opted for another boob job, going back down to a D cup.

2019: Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her look with a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck

2020 - 12th boob job and another set of veneers

Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers and revealed her real teeth had been reduced to stubs as she flashed a smile on her YouTube channel.

The mother-of-five then jetted to Belgium to correct botched surgery on her breasts, saying her surgeon was utterly shocked by the 'awful' previous procedure.

Katie said: 'They looked deformed, they were absolutely awful. That's the first time I've gone to a different surgeon. I had to go back to Frank with my head down, ashamed that I'd been to another clinic.'

2020: Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers then jetted to Belgium to correct a botched boob job

2021 - Liposuction, eye and lid lifts and 13th boob job

Amid the Covid pandemic, Katie jetted off to then red-list Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, and fat injected into her bum.

The reality star also visited Belgium to have her 13th boob job as well as full body liposuction with bum fat removal.

The plastic surgery - performed by Dr Frank Plovier - came just five days ahead of the glamour model's sentencing for her shocking drink-drive crash.

2021: Katie jetted to Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts

2022 - Another brow and eye lift

Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium at the beginning of 2022 for an eye and brow lift and had been concealing her new look with her head in a bandage.

Dr Judy Todd, an aesthetic doctor at Clinica Medica in Glasgow, said: 'It appears like she's had a face lift, temporal brow lift, and possibly an upper blepharoplasty.'

It was reported last month that Katie plans to travel to Turkey imminently for yet more plastic surgery, amid claims she wanted to get some tweaks in after being unhappy with her latest work.

Sian Dellar, Brow Specialist and Founder of Sian Dellar Permanent Makeup Clinic, added: 'Katie's eyebrows, like the rest of her, have changed lots over the years!

'Back in the 90s she had a very thin over plucked brow which was the fashion at the time, and today she has an extremely thick and unnatural looking brow.

'Currently it seems the face or eye lift that shes had have pulled her brows outward which looks unnatural and makes the brows appear almost stretched.

'Of course, as with any enhancement, its personal preference but we recommend not going too many shades darker, and keeping the shape as natural looking as possible and work to create or enhance brows to frame the face.

'Katies choice to have them so thick and dark and in that unusual positioning means they dominate her face and are the first thing the eye is drawn to. I would love to see Katie take her brows back to 2015/2016 when the fuller brow became a big trend. She got it right then and they framed her face well.'

2022: Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium for an eye and brow lift and is planning to to travel to Turkey for more surgery

2023 - 16th and 'biggest ever' boob job

It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th.

The star went under the knife in a bid to have the 'biggest in Britain' and was subsequently pictured being wheeled into surgery at the Be Clinic in Belgium.

She is said to have wanted even bigger breasts, opting for 2120 CC implants in a bid to boost her already large bust size.

Katie told OK! magazine of her boobs: 'I love them. They healed really quickly and they didn't hurt at all. That probably doesn't help. Because I heal quickly, it doesn't put me off and I have more.

'I would go bigger as well  and I will eventually. I just love having big boobs and a small body. I've always loved that look. In my eyes, if I'm having a boob job, I want them to look fake, I don't want them to look natural. I don't like the natural look.

'I just like that old-school American Playboy pin-up look. When I have surgery, that is what I'm striving for. If I could look like my airbrushed pictures, that would be amazing. But that's impossible to achieve.'

2023: It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th

2024 - MORE facial surgery

In July 2024 Katie confirmed she is travelling to Turkey for facial surgery, to be filmed for a new documentary, after failing to attend a bankruptcy hearing.

The former glamour model was absent at a scheduled 760,000 bankruptcy court hearing having flown overseas for her latest cosmetic procedure.

A warrant was subsequently issued, with Katie admitting she's 'doing the best she can' to rectify her financial issues after receiving 'very clear warnings' that she needed to attend court.
Voters are heading to the polls to cast their ballots for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris in one of the nation's most historic presidential races.

Celebrities made sure to cast their vote as they shared their steps on Instagram.

Many female stars overwhelmed social media with their notes.

Reese Witherspoon, Demi Moore, Brooks Shields, Valerie Bertinelli and Chelsea Handler were just some of the many stars urging their fans to vote.

Julia Roberts also cast her vote as she wore a POTUS female T-shirt with no makeup on.

'There is a time to Hope, there is a time to Pray and there is time to VOTE. TODAY IS THE DAY!' wrote the Oscar-winning actress on Instagram.

Voters are heading to the polls to cast their ballots for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris in one of the nation's most historic presidential races. Julia Roberts seen on Tuesday

Halle Berry said, 'I hope you all exercised your fundamental right to vote and have your voice heard today! I DID!'

Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., November 4

Halle Berry said, 'I hope you all exercised your fundamental right to vote and have your voice heard today! I DID!'

Gigi Hadid posed for a car selfie wearing her 'I Voted' sticker after casting her ballot in Pennsylvania.

Jennifer Lopez urged followers to vote saying, 'Your voice is your power! Make sure every voice is heard by stashing with me.'

Alyssa Milano shared: 'Lets get it done, America. #harriswalz2024.'

Reese Witherspoon wore her I Voted sticker over her ivory V-neck sweater. Olivia Rodrigo wore a white shirt as she held up a ballot at home.

Anne Hathaway said on Instagram: 'I voted like half the country's lives depended on it. I voted for Kamala Harris. VOTE.'

Katy Perry wrote on her page next to a video of her with Kamala: 'This is @kamalaharris. Shes gonna be well Were the only ones who can finish this sentence VOTE!'

Bertinelli said: 'Your vote is your power.

'I proudly cast my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. I am adding my power to the millions of women who demand the rights to our own bodies. We demand our right to reproductive care and reproductive freedom. We demand our rights not be stripped from us.

'We vote for the beautiful women and children who have died because of the inhumane laws put in place by over 20 states after Roe v. Wade was abolished.

'We are not going back. And by the way, the beautiful citizens of Puerto Rico are Americans.'

Gigi Hadid also shared a snap of herself voting as well as a picture of her casting her vote, alongside the caption: 'Proud to vote in Pennsylvania

Eva Longoria took this selfie while in a car on Tuesday

There were a lot of women taking to Instagram to push voting; Demi Moore pictured

Sharon Stone said there is a good chance the next president will be a woman

Jennifer Lopez urged followers to vote saying, 'Your voice is your power! Make sure every voice is heard by stashing with me'

Mariah Carey and Kerry Washington were in matching looks in a new voting post

Jessica Biel was makeup free with a gray beanie on that had her vote sticker attached

Reese Witherspoon wore her I Voted sticker over her ivory V-neck sweater

Christina Aguilera shared a post on Tuesday where she wore a Harris/Walz cap.

'I didnt expect to touch down in Vegas again this year, but for something so crucial at this turning point in our lives, I proudly stand to support democracy and the fight for continued freedom and RIGHTS,' she said of the rally in Nevada.

'I support Kamala Harris which means standing for equal rights, protection, and the freedom to live your truth.

'This election is critical, and your vote is your POWER. Make your voice heard and choose freedom.

'GO VOTE.'

Madonna also took to Instagram to urge fans to vote

'We voted!!!!! Going to go home and pray now!! @kamalaharris for President! Save our country,' Madonna captioned one picture of herself alongside daughter Lourdes Leon

She and Leon, 28, both wore 'I Voted' stickers

Madonna seen voting

Christina Aguilera shared a post on Tuesday where she wore a Harris/Walz cap. 'I didnt expect to touch down in Vegas again this year, but for something so crucial at this turning point in our lives, I proudly stand to support democracy and the fight for continued freedom and RIGHTS,' she said of the rally in Nevada

Anne Hathaway said on Instagram: 'I voted like half the country's lives depended on it. I voted for Kamala Harris. VOTE'

Blanca Blanco wore a VOTE bikini while in a swimming pool. The Finding Nicole actress said: 'Your voice is powerful! Make sure its heardget out and vote!'

Alyssa Milano announced she is voting for Kamala Harris

Chris Pratt shared: 'I got a sticker. Scratch and sniff. Smells like freedom'

Olivia Rodrigo wore a white shirt as she held up a ballot at home

Blake Lively shared a voting photo with husband Ryan Reynolds

Blake Lively shared a voting photo with husband Ryan Reynolds.

Demi Moore said: 'We voted! Excited to have cast my vote for HarrisWalz. Voting is such an important part of our democracy, dont forget to exercise your right to vote!'

Michelle Pfeiffer put her I Voted sticker on her nose. Mandy Moore voted by mail from Los Angeles as she held up her ballot.

Chris Pratt shared: 'I got a sticker. Scratch and sniff. Smells like freedom.'

Alec Baldwin posed with wife Hilaria as he wrote on Instagram: 'Today is that day. Make America Unafraid Again. Reasonable again. Kind Again. Admired again.'

Chelsea Handler posted: 'Ladies, the stakes have never been higher. Make a stand for our rights, our bodies, and our future.

'A Trump presidency threatens everything weve fought for, from reproductive rights to equal opportunities. If we dont show up for Kamala Harris, we risk losing so much. This is our chance to be heard and protect what matters most.

'Dont sit this one out. Vote with your conscious and like your rights depend on it. Make a plan and find voting info in your state at IWillVote.com.'

Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles put her I Vote sticker on her forehead

Julianne Hough of Dancing With The Stars fame held up her sticker

Jennifer Garner said she was proud to cast her ballot for Kamala and Tim

Katy Perry was seen filling out her election ballot

Sarah Jessica Parker had her I Voted Early 2024 sticker on her bare chest

Mandy Moore voted by mail from Los Angeles

Lily Collins pointed to her I Voted sticker on her beige sweater

Blanca Blanco of the movie Finding Nicole said: 'Your voice is powerful! Make sure its heardget out and vote!'

It is raining across much of the nation's midsection Tuesday morning.

Forecasters say storms are possible in large swaths of the country later in the day. That hasn't stopped lines of voters before dawn.

In Scranton, Pennsylvania, Liza Fortt, a 74-year-old Black woman, arrived at her polling location in a wheelchair and not feeling well.

But she said she ventured out anyway to vote for Harris. She said she never thought shed have such an opportunity, to cast a ballot for a Black woman in a presidential race.

'Im proud, to see a woman, not only a woman, but a Black woman,' Fortt said.

Zoe Kravitz, who recently split from fiance Channing Tatum, shared she is voting for Kamala Harris

Chelsea Handler posted: 'Ladies, the stakes have never been higher. Make a stand for our rights, our bodies, and our future'

Michelle Pfeiffer put her I Voted sticker on her nose

Jennifer Aniston voted last week

Alec Baldwin posed with wife Hilaria as he wrote on Instagram: 'Today is that day. Make America Unafraid Again. Reasonable again. Kind Again. Admired again'

Demi Moore's daughter Rumer Willis - who won DWTS - held up her sticker

Nicole Richie posed with a pal in Los Angeles

Voters stand in line outside a polling place at Madison Church, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona

Liza Fortt, 74, center, accompanied by her son Timothy Walker, left, and husband Willie Fortt moves in line to cast her ballot for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at a polling place at Scranton High School in Scranton, Pa., on Election Day

Voters receive their ballots at a polling place, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Springfield, Pa

Volunteers check the ballots at the Bronx County Supreme Court in New York on Election Day, Tuesday

Chicago school teacher Tabitha Berry, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, fills out a ballot for the general election on Tuesday

Voters cast their ballots at the Bronx County Supreme Court in New York on Election Day

Stickers sit on a table inside a polling place

Selena Gomez also urged voters to 'stay in line' if they're at their polling place on Tuesday.

She also insisted to her followers to stay in line even after the polling place has officially closed, since they will stay open until everyone can vote.

Anne Hathaway also mirrored Selena's sentiment, adding, 'Whoa hearing there are massively long lines at colleges and universities everywhere but especially in Pennsylvania.'

She added, 'Please stay in line!Please let @joytothepolls & @pizzatothepolls know where you're at and they'll try to get you some pizza and music- democracy must be fed (and needs a beat).'

'MOST IMPORTANTLY if you are in line before the polls close, stay in line, even after closing time. Polls will stay open until everyone in that line has voted! These are your rights!Thank you voters!' she concluded.

Demi Lovato took to her Instagram story sporting a Kamala Harris t-shirt.

She also shared another Instagram story video where she told her fans to stay in line so your vote can be counted.

Ciara shared a video of her in a red outfit, adding, 'When you mailed in your mail-in ballot, so you already know your vote counted.'

Selena Gomez also urged voters to 'stay in line' if they're at their polling place on Tuesday

She also insisted to her followers to stay in line even after the polling place has officially closed, since they will stay open until everyone can vote

Anne Hathaway also mirrored Selena's sentiment, adding, 'Whoa hearing there are massively long lines at colleges and universities everywhere but especially in Pennsylvania.'

She added, 'Please stay in line!Please let @joytothepolls & @pizzatothepolls know where you're at and they'll try to get you some pizza and music- democracy must be fed (and needs a beat)'

'MOST IMPORTANTLY if you are in line before the polls close, stay in line, even after closing time. Polls will stay open until everyone in that line has voted! These are your rights!Thank you voters!' she concluded

Demi Lovato took to her Instagram story sporting a Kamala Harris t-shirt

She also shared another Instagram story video where she told her fans to stay in line so your vote can be counted

Ciara shared a video of her in a red outfit, adding, 'When you mailed in your mail-in ballot, so you already know your vote counted'

Beyonce also took to social media, sharing a pro-Kamala Harris video for her millions of followers

She explained the concept of 'The Red Mirage,' explaining why Republican votes tend to get counted before Democrat votes

Lady Gaga shared a photo of her in a black leather jacket displaying her 'I Voted sticker,' adding, 'I voted! Let's do this!'

Zoe Saldana shared her voting selfie, adding, 'Made a selfie shoot outta of it, but this mom of 3, feminist, cat lover, daughter of immigrants VOTED for @kamalaharris & @timwalz'

Christina Ricci showed off her 'I Voted' sticker, adding, 'VOTE!!! Vote like you are a woman who might have complications during a miscarriage and need lifesaving medical help!!!! For gods sake, vote like you have a heart and soul and care about other peoples well-being and happiness,' tagging Kamala Harris and Tim Walz

Beyonce also took to social media, sharing a pro-Kamala Harris video for her millions of followers.

She explained the concept of 'The Red Mirage,' explaining why Republican votes tend to get counted before Democrat votes.

Lady Gaga shared a photo of her in a black leather jacket displaying her 'I Voted sticker,' adding, 'I voted! Let's do this!'

Zoe Saldana shared her voting selfie, adding, 'Made a selfie shoot outta of it, but this mom of 3, feminist, cat lover, daughter of immigrants VOTED for @kamalaharris & @timwalz.'

Christina Ricci showed off her 'I Voted' sticker, adding, 'VOTE!!! Vote like you are a woman who might have complications during a miscarriage and need lifesaving medical help!!!! For gods sake, vote like you have a heart and soul and care about other peoples well-being and happiness,' tagging Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
Penelope Cruz looked typically chic as she attended the Chanel Cruise 2024/25 Hong Kong Replica Show at the Design Institute on Tuesday.

The actress, 50, put on a leggy display in a white feather mini skirt with a pearl belt around her waist, teamed with a matching blazer.

She elevated her height in platform heels and toted her belongings in a stylish white Chanel shoulder bag.

Penelope hid her eyes behind dark cat eye sunglasses and accessorised with dazzling silver jewellery, while her long brunette locks were styled in loose curls.

She was joined by William Chang Suk-Ping, Jasmine Tan, Carina Lau and Chow Yun-fat at the lavish event.

Penelope Cruz looked typically chic as she attended the Chanel Cruise 2024/25 Hong Kong Replica Show at the Design Institute on Tuesday

The actress, 50, put on a leggy display in a white feather mini skirt with a pearl belt around her waist, teamed with a matching blazer

It comes after it was revealed Penelope and Johnny Depp are slated to work on their fourth film together.

The Oscar-nominated actor, 61, and Oscar-winning actress, who were pictured together last month in her native Spain, will star in the action thriller Day Drinker, with Marc Webb, 50, directing, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Lionsgate movie will be sold internationally at the forthcoming American Film Market film festival beginning November 5 in Las Vegas , according to the outlet.

The motion picture will mark Depp's biggest-yet attempt to revive his silver screen career amid years of scandal in the wake of his contentious split with Amber Heard .

Depp and Cruz have previously appeared in the films Blow (2001), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) and Murder on the Orient Express (2017).

Depp starred in the French movie Jeanne du Barry in 2023, and directed this year's independent film Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness.

THR noted that both projects 'were not commercial plays' and financed by European investors.

She accessorised with dazzling silver jewellery, while her long brunette locks were styled in loose curls

Penelope toted her belongings in a stylish white Chanel shoulder bag

She was joined by William Chang Suk-Ping, Jasmine Tan, Carina Lau and Chow Yun-fat at the lavish event

Angele and Whitney Peak also attended and looked very stylish sat in the front row

A model walks the runway during the CHANEL Cruise 2024/25 Hong Kong Replica evening show

The storyline of the project, the outlet reported, was described as 'a cruise ship bartender' and 'a mysterious day drinker' crossing paths and finding 'themselves entangled in a criminal underbelly, and connected in unexpected ways.'

Lionsgate exec Adam Fogelson told the outlet in a statement: 'Day Drinker combines a highly commercial concept with wildly outrageous twists and turns all set in an incredible world, and there is no better filmmaker than Marc or two more perfectly cast actors than Johnny and Penelope to bring that world to life.'

At the 2023 Cannes Film Festival , Depp spoke about how his scandalous split from Heard impacted his show business career .

'Did I feel boycotted by Hollywood?' he said. 'You'd have to not have a pulse to feel like, "No. None of this is happening. It's a weird joke." When you're asked to resign from a film you're doing because of something that is merely a function of vowels and consonants floating in the air, yes, you feel boycotted.'

Depp added, 'I don't feel boycotted by Hollywood, because I don't think about Hollywood.'

Producers on Day Drinker include Adam Kolbrenner, Zach Dean, Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, THR reported.

Johnny Depp, 61, and Penelope, 50, are slated to work on their fourth film together, the action thriller Day Drinker. Pictured Sunday in Milan, Italy

Depp and Cruz pictured in September in a photo she posted to Instagram Stories

The stars played the roles of George and Mirtha Jung in the 2001 motion picture Blow from late filmmaker Ted Demme

Reactions were mixed to news of the upcoming movie in a tweet highlighting the THR story on Lionsgate's page.

Some were excited for the cinematic reunion between Depp and Cruz, with sentiments such as 'Two legends! I can't wait!!;' 'Thank you for this!! Looking forward to it!!;' and 'LOVE this duo!!!! Great job getting them back together again on screen!!'

Others cited allegations made by Heard, chiding the studio for giving the controversial actor a platform.

One user said, 'You are absolutely disgusting,' another said, 'Shame on you,' and another predicted 'this is going to flop HARD just scrap it now and save yourselves the embarrassment.'
Vanessa Feltz turned heads as she joined Lizzie Cundy and Hayley Sparkes in leading the glamour at the London Lifestyle Awards on Monday night.

The trio ensured all eyes were on them as they posed up a storm before entering the star-studded event which took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel.

Vanessa, 62, caught the eye as she walked the red carpet in a red lace cleavage-baring gown.

The stunning dress featured a fishtail skirt and cinched her in at the waist, showing off her incredible curves.

Meanwhile, Lizzie, 56, sent temperatures soaring as she flashed her nude underwear in a sheer gold maxi dress.

Vanessa Feltz (left) turned heads as she joined Lizzie Cundy (centre) and Hayley Sparkes (right) in leading the glamour at the London Lifestyle Awards on Monday evening

She teamed her racy look with pointed silver heels and gold jewellery.

TV presenter Hayley, 41, wowed in a fitted silver embellished gown that flaunted her stunning figure.

She added silver pointed heels, silver jewellery and added a swipe of red lipstick for a pop of colour.

Also at the event was Hayley Palmer, Linda Robson, Danielle Mason, and Stefan Pierre-Tomlin.

Hayley, 42, oozed elegance in a red sequin gown which featured a plunging neckline.

The beauty matched the look with a red lipstick and accessorised with dangly earrings and a gold watch.

Actress Danielle, 41, looked stunning in a deep blue velvet gown that featured an off the shoulder strap, while Britain's Got Talent star Francine Lewis wowed in a plunging burgundy dress.

Model Stefan, 33, better known to many as the 'most swiped' man on Tinder, cut a dapper figure in a all black ensemble.

Vanessa, 62, caught the eye as she walked the red carpet in a red lace cleavage-baring gown

Lizzie, 56, sent temperatures soaring as she flashed her nude underwear in a sheer gold maxi dress

TV presenter Hayley, 41, wowed in a fitted silver embellished gown that flaunted her stunning figure

Also at the event was Hayley Palmer (left), who oozed elegance in a red sequin gown which featured a plunging neckline, while actress Danielle Mason (right) looked stunning in a deep blue velvet gown

Britain's Got Talent star Francine Lewis wowed in a plunging burgundy dress

Model Stefan, 33, better known to many as the 'most swiped' man on Tinder, cut a dapper figure in a all black ensemble

After the glamorous event, Vanessa opened up on one of the 'perils of being single' as she attempted to get out of a figure-hugging red ballgown by herself.

Despite getting offers from 'kind gentlemen' who wanted to accompany her home to 'make sure she wasn't stuck,' Vanessa opted for independence and wanted to do it by herself.

She documented the experience in a video she shared with her 399,000 Instagram followers after the glitzy event.

Filming herself in the mirror, she said: 'I've just come from the London Lifestyle Awards and I was amazed how many kind open-hearted gentlemen offered to accompany me home, just to make sure that I wasn't stuck in my dress.

'But I said, "don't worry I'm gonna be fine because I put this dress on myself so I damn well should be able to get it off".

After the event, Vanessa opened up on one of the 'perils of being single' as she attempted to get out of a figure-hugging red ballgown by herself

The presenter split from her ex-fiance Ben Ofoedu, 52, in February last year after 16 years together when she discovered he had been unfaithful (pictured in 2021)

She continued: 'So now is the moment of reckoning so let me start by moving this beautiful jacket. Right so that was easy to do that.'

The star was wearing a cream fluffy jacket featuring pink star details, which she managed to get off without issue.

'The ballgown you can see is fairly straightforward,' she continued: 'but this actually has a zip at the back which I did up by myself.'

She reached around to the back of the dress and added: 'I'm quite confident that I should be able to do this without the assistance of a strange gentleman, so let's see.

'And low and behold I can remove the dress - I mean, I won't do it with you watching, but I could if I wanted to.'

Vanessa wrote in the caption: 'The perils of being single part 9. Thanks guys. I think I can undo this one on my own! #zip #undo #fashion #dress #vanessafeltz #vanessabaresall #single #diy #allbymyself'

The presenter split from her ex-fiance Ben Ofoedu, 52, in February last year after 16 years together when she discovered he had been unfaithful.

In August, Vanessa admitted she finds the 'crushing solitude' of being single difficult to navigate following her split from Ben.

The star has been single since the breakup but has gone on plenty of dates, most of which appear to have been unsuccessful.

Writing in her Express column, Vanessa candidly admitted she has struggled with feeling lonely after having had a partner for so many years.

She wrote: 'I've been so lucky to holiday in Spain with my grandchildren, but returning to an empty house feels bleak after days of fun and laughter.

'I'm a reluctant singleton. I try to muster some backbone, but I don't like it. I've found the contrast between the togetherness of family 24/7 to crushing solitude tough to navigate. My heart goes out to all those in the same boat.'
Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice revealed why she no longer speaks to her brother Joe Gorga, and his wife, Melissa Gorga.

While appearing on a recent episode of her podcast, Turning the Tables, the TV personality, 52, shed light on their long-running family drama.

'I don't speak to my brother anymore, and his wife,' she told listeners. 'What family member comes on a show behind your back? I kept my mouth shut. There's a lot of things I could've said throughout the years. This is going on over 10 years.'

Ultimately, she claims him and her sister-in-law, 45, not coming to her wedding to her husband, Luis Ruelas, severed their relationship beyond repair.

'They were making all this stuff up, like, "Why didn't you put me in the wedding?" I didn't put my sister-in-law [in the wedding]. But I didn't put her in because I didn't want to because of all that she's done to me for the past 10 years,' the mother-of-four said.

Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice revealed why she no longer speaks to her brother Joe Gorga , and his wife, Melissa Gorga; seen in 2023

She continued: 'Then  I was like, "Let me just put her in." I was trying to do the right thing and then she said "no." I was like, 'Oh my God, they're just doing this all for a storyline.'

Giudice said there isn't any 'going back after that.'

'I'm tired of their s**t. I'm not doing this anymore. I'm done,' the reality star explained. 'I gave them over 10 years of chances.'

The drama even prevented Giudice and Melissa from filming season 14 of the Real Housewives of New Jersey together.

In August, she stated that fans would never see her and Melissa on camera together again.

'Never again. Never Again. First of all, to me, family is so sacred,' she said during an appearance on Kelly Ripa's Sirius XM podcast Let's Talk Off Camera podcast. 'You never go against the family. I live by that. I stand by that. Im a loyal person.'

Giudice pointed out that she did forgive em cause' her 'parents were around' and she didn't want to hut them.

'My parents were so upset. Theyre like, What? Me and my brother were best friends. We always got along. We never fought. We were really best friends until this happened. Until the show,' she said.

While appearing on a recent episode of her podcast, Turning the Tables , the TV personality, 52, opened up about their ugly family drama and why they've gone no contact (pictured in 2018)

'I don't speak to my brother anymore, and his wife,' she told listeners. 'What family member comes on a show behind your back? I kept my mouth shut. There's a lot of things I could've said throughout the years. This is going on over 10 years' (seen in 2018)

The Live with Kelly and Mark host asked if it was RHONJ that started the feud between Teresa and her brother and sister-in-law.

'Well, it was like a little jealousy about that I was on the show and they werent, and its like, This is my thing.

'You know, its like it wouldve been so beautiful for us to be a united front and to show America, and to show the world that instead of fighting, like to me, this is like disgraceful.

'I tell my daughters, I beg my daughters. Im like, Please always get along. Thats the only thing I only ask for is I want you four to always love each other and if somebody has something more than the other, you know, you guys enjoy it.'

Ultimately, she claims him and her sister-in-law, 45, not coming to her wedding to her husband, Luis Ruelas (seen in 2024), severed their relationship beyond repair

Teresa added: 'You should all be happy for each other and lift each other up, you know?

Meanwhile, there may be big changes in store for the cast of the Real Housewives of New Jersey.

During a segment on his Andy Cohen Live radio show for SiriusXM, Cohen indicated that the cast might be completely swapped out for 'fresh faces' while chatting with a caller who was angry about the current show's cast and direction.

The woman, who complained that RHONJ is 'so boring now' and said she wanted to see longtime star Melissa and newcomer Margaret Josephs jettisoned in favor of keeping Teresa, wasn't initially mollified after Andy said there would be 'big new changes to the show.'

The drama even prevented Giudice and Melissa from filming season 14 of the Real Housewives of New Jersey together (seen here in 2016)

After the caller continued to voice a stream of complaints about the current season, Andy interjected, 'We are rebooting the show.'

'Were gonna reboot it,' Cohen continued. 'Were gonna do something different.'

The caller continued as she talked up Teresa's presence on the series, before Andy seemed to try to wrap up the rant.

Melissa Gorga and Joe Gorga seen in 2024

'OK, all right. OK, we're gonna see what we do. We'll see,' the seemingly annoyed Watch What Happens Live host said as he ended the conversation.

'I don't know. Maybe just all fresh faces. We'll see,' he added.
Carre Otis celebrated a legal victory on Monday, one that could have far reaching repercussions.

The model, 56, who sued Gerald Marie, Elite Model Managements former European chief, charging he repeatedly sexually abused her when she was still a teenager, could have finally have her day in court.

A lower court had dismissed the case, which was filed under New York state's Child Victims Act, because the alleged abuse took place in France, but Otis appealed and is now one step closer to victory.

In a celebratory post on Instagram, the Marin County, California-born beauty announced the US Court of Appeals had ruled 'the New York State Child Victims Act can apply to abuse that happened elsewhere.'

'This is a huge win not only in my individual pursuit of justice, but for all survivors,' she explained. 'I am hugely grateful to every person who supported me along the way.'

Carre Otis, 56, celebrated a legal victory on Monday, one that could have far reaching repercussions. The US Court of Appeals ruled her case against alleged abuser Gerald Marie, can go forward, even though the purported abuse took place in France (Pictured in New York City in November 2021)

Otis said she was only 17 when the photographer sexually abused her several times a week while she was working with him in Paris. 'It became clearer and clearer to me that if I did push back, I would not work,' she told The New York Times in August 2021 (Pictured In New York City circa 1991)

Otis said 2019 law, which allowed victims of past sexual abuse to file suit until the age of 55, and the Adult Survivors Act, passed in 2022, 'have allowed me and many others in our community to attempt to hold our abusers accountable for the harm they have caused.'

'This process has not been easy, but it has been deeply meaningful to be able to seek closure and move toward healing.'

She then went on to urge New York state Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the Fashion Workers Act, which Otis said would help 'to prevent this abuse from happening in the first place.'

'The rampant sexual abuse of young people in the fashion industry has gone largely unchecked for decades,' she alleged, 'and models continue to work without basic labor protections.'

'As the fashion capital of the U.S., New York must continue to lead on workers and survivors rights by making this essential bill law.'

The bill would require modeling agencies, to, among other things, 'conduct due diligence to ensure castings and jobs dont pose unreasonable risk of danger to the model, allow a model to be accompanied by a chaperone, and establish a zero tolerance policy for abuse.' according to the Model Alliance.

The bill, if passed, would provide financial protections as well.

Fellow model Helena Christensen reached out writing, 'This is amazing!! Im so happy for you '

Otis said the alleged abuse took place several times a week in the apartment where she was staying with Marie and then girlfriend Linda Evangelista. Two dozen women have since come forward alleging abuse by Marie

Former model Sara Ziff, 41, who has also filed to hold her alleged abusers responsible under the Adult Survivors Act, wrote, 'Proud to stand with you '

The Adult Survivors Act allowed victims of sexual offenses to file lawsuits against their alleged abusers for a one year time period from November 24, 2022, to November 24, 2023, even though the statute of limitations on the purported crimes had expired.

Otis was a teenaged runaway when she was discovered by a modeling scout in San Francisco at age 16, and eventually ended up in New York City. It was from there as a 17-year-old was booked for shoots with Marie, who was reportedly known for having a bad reputation, and sent to Paris, where she lived with him and then partner Linda Evangelista.

During that time, Otis said Marie would sexually assault her several times a week. 'It became clearer and clearer to me that if I did push back, I would not work,' she told The New York Times in August 2021.

Some two dozen women have since come forward in France, alleging similar abuse at the hands of the famed photographer.

After returning to the US, Otis left the fashion business for a while, but found fame on her own, working with photographers such as Herb Ritts and Richard Avedon and modeling for Calvin Klein.

Otis said after suffering the abuse, most of her romantic relationships were abusive, including her marriage to her Wild Orchid co-star Mickey Rourke, 72.

The couple married in 1992. During their six year marriage, Rourke was arrested once on charges of spousal abuse in 1994, but the charges were dropped.

In her memoir, Beauty Disrupted, Otis revealed the actor was extremely jealous during their relationship.

Otis said after suffering the abuse, most of her romantic relationships were abusive, including her marriage to her Wild Orchid co-star Mickey Rourke, 72

The couple married in 1992. During their six year marriage, Rourke was arrested once on charges of spousal abuse in 1994, but the charges were dropped (Pictured in London in November 1995)

At one point, she revealed she was accidentally shot when a gun The Wrestler star had stuffed into her purse, fired accidentally. The bullet reportedly came within inches of her heart.

After divorcing Rourke in 1998, Otis said she turned to therapy and meditation to help her deal with her trauma.

She married chemical engineer Matthew Sutton in 2005. The couple live in Colorado and are the parents of two children.

Otis still dabbles in modeling, recently starring in a campaign for Dolce & Gabbana.
Georgina Rodriguez and her sister, Ivana, have hinted at a family feud as the former WAG has reportedly removed all traces of her sibling from social media.

The model, 30, who is Cristiano Ronaldo's long-term partner, has cleaned her Instagram of all snaps including her sister, 34, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Georgina and Ivana have appeared to have also unfollowed one another on the platforms.

The Spanish outlet has suggested that there is some tension between the two despite Ivana keeping pictures of Georgina on her grid.

And despite the reports of their possible feud, the reasons why are not yet known.

Georgina Rodriguez and her sister, Ivana, have hinted at a family feud as the former WAG has reportedly removed all traces of her sibling from social media

The model, 30, who is Cristiano Ronaldo 's long-term partner, has cleaned her Instagram of all snaps including her sister, 34, according to Mundo Deportivo

The rumours are believed to have first started brewing when Ivana was barely seen throughout the second season of Georgina's Netflix show, I Am Georgina.

MailOnline has contacted Georgina's representatives for a comment.

The reports have come after the model revealed that she recently spent four days in hospital with pneumonia.

She shared a health update on her Instagram story which explained the shocking news.

She penned: 'Finally back home! I spent four days in the hospital with pneumonia, I'm better now but still recovering at home with my family.

'I have to say a big THANK YOU to all the staff members, doctors, nurses and everyone at the hospital... they took care of me so wonderfully and I am very grateful for that.

'Thank you all for such a great stay.'

Georgina was admitted to Saudi German Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she is based with Ronaldo, according to the Sun.

Georgina and Ivana appear to have also unfollowed one another on the platforms

The Spanish outlet has suggested that there is some tension between the two despite Ivana keeping pictures of Georgina on her grid

And despite the reports of their possible feud, the reasons why are not yet known

The reports have come after the model revealed that she recently spent four days in hospital with pneumonia

On her Instagram story, Rodriguez opened up on the news and thanked staff for their help

The pair have been together since 2016 after meeting in Madrid and have two children

The influencer and model has been with the Portuguese superstar since 2016 after they met at a Gucci retail store in Madrid.

They have two children together, while Ronaldo has three other children from previous relationships.

During Georgina's time in hospital, Ronaldo played two games for Al-Nassr, scoring in a 2-1 Saudi Pro League victory over Al-Shabab last Friday, before his side won 1-0 against Iranian outfit Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

When Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January 2023, it was reported that alongside Rodriguez, they were given permission by the rulers of the kingdom to live together.

This was an exception to the rule that unmarried couples are not allowed to live together in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, speaking in the latest season of her hit Netflix reality show, Georgina revealed how elated she was once she learned Ronaldo was moving to the Middle East at the end of 2022.

'When Cris told me he was going to play for Al-Nassr, I was so relieved because I really wanted to leave Manchester,' Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez is an influencer and model and the couple both have huge followings on social media

She added: 'I knew something big was waiting for us and we were highly motivated. I was very happy to come to Saudi Arabia'.

However, the couple and their kids' transition to life in Saudi Arabia was not smooth sailing.

'It all happened so quickly,' Georgina said.

'At the beginning, I had some ups and downs because we had never lived in a hotel for so long. There were days when I didn't want anyone to see me, but overall, I was very excited.'
Kris Jenner turned 69-years-old on Tuesday and was given several gushing Instagram tributes.

Her daughter Kim Kardashian posted a flashback photo from the 1980s when she was just a child.

'Happy Birthday to the queen of our world Kris Jenner!' began the SKIMS founder.

'I am so beyond grateful for the love and support you show each of your kids.

'It really is unmatched and am just so lucky I get to experience true unconditional love like this. I love you so much and celebrating you today and every day!'

Kim's sister Khloe Kardashian hit the like button.

Kris Jenner turned 69-years-old on Tuesday and was given several gushing Instagram tributes. Her daughter Kim Kardashian posted a flashback photo from the 1980s

'Happy Birthday to the queen of our world Kris Jenner!' began the SKIMS founder. 'I am so beyond grateful for the love and support you show each of your kids.' Seen November 2 in LA

Jonathan Cheban, aka Foodgod, shared a photo with Kris.

In his note he said: 'Happy birthday Kris Jenner. Love you so much and thank you for always being there.'

He also shared an image from filming Keeping Up With The Kardashians as he said: 'Always the most fun.'

Lauren Sanchez, the future Mrs Jeff Bezos, shared an older photo as she shared: 'Thank you for the light and love you bring to everyone around you. I truly love you so much' as she added a red heart emoji.

Khloe shared: 'Singing on the top Of my lungs Happy Birthday Mommy!!

'There are no words that could ever fully capture how much you mean to me, but I will try, because you deserve to know. Since day one, you have been my world, my rock, my greatest source of love. (With my daddy)

'Mommy, without you there is nothing. You are everything to me and so much more! You have taught me so muchhow to love unconditionally, how to be strong even when things seem impossible, how to show compassion even when you dont want to lol Your wisdom, your zest for life and your love are qualities I admire more than I can ever express.

Jonathan Cheban, aka Foodgod, shared a photo with Kris. In his note he said: 'Happy birthday Kris Jenner. Love you so much and thank you for always being there'

'There is no world or lifetime that doesnt have you in it right by my side. You make every moment I have with you memorable! You make life worth living! You remind me that each day of life is a celebration! You remind me to live and not just exist. You remind me to dance as often as I can. You make me believe I can do anything at any time and You make life look so damn fabulous!

'To the most selfless, beautiful, kind, and loving mommy on the planet - Happy happy birthday!!

'A massive Martini Cheers to my biggest inspiration, The queen of my world!! Martini Cheers to The life of every party, to the woman who makes me laugh until I cry. The gate keeper to all that is sacred and special! Our Secret holder, problem solver, My heartbeat, My teacher, My safe place, My best friend! My entire life! My world! My neighbor for life HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!!'

Hair dresser Jen Atkin shared images with Kris and called her a 'force' as she noted the momager has given her 'guidance' with her life and career over the years.

Kendall Jenner and Kourtney Kardashian's son Rocky Barker also recently had birthdays.

Lauren Sanchez , the future Mrs Jeff Bezos , shared an older photo as she shared: 'Thank you for the light and love you bring to everyone around you. I truly love you so much' as she added a red heart emoji

Here Lauren flashes her diamond ring from Bezos as she poses in a closet

This comes after Kris got into the spirit of Halloween for Khloe's bash in a Snow White costume that fit her perfectly.

The momager looked decades younger than her age and has the exact right complexion and hair color to pull off the beloved Disney character.

Khloe shared a pic with her mother on her Instagram Stories and captioned it, 'My mom showed up at Snow White! I thought one of my sisters hired a Disney Princess but no.. it was @krisjenner!!!

Kris was the doting grandmother getting into the fun of the party with all of the kids.

Khloe Kardashian, 40, threw her annual 'cousin's pumpkin party' at her $17 million Hidden Hills, California mansion with mom Kris

Kris got into the spirit of Halloween for the festive bash in a Snow White costume that fit her perfectly

On another photo of Jenner as Snow White, Khloe wrote, 'The fact that she came to our pumpkin party as Snow White.

'Mom I love you so much. You're insane and I'm obsessed with you,' she gushed.

Per Kardashian tradition, Khloe went all out decorating for the event with tons of pumpkins, massive balloon arches and every kid's favorite thing  a slime-making station.

The slime-making station was located at the arts and crafts table where the kids could also decorate pumpkins and 'spooky' gingerbread houses and paint canvases to take home.
Brad Pitts fans were enraged after one overzealous woman grabbed the actor by the neck and slapped a kiss on his cheek at the Mexican Grand Prix.

But despite the furor, the Hollywood star, 60, was unfazed by the impromptu display of affection and is simply happy it was a kiss and not a punch in the face.

The actor was filming scenes for his new movie, F1, when an anonymous fan ran over to him, pulled him by his neck and kissed him while holding her phone in his face to capture the shock encounter on camera.

Pitt was caught off guard by the interaction but didnt feel threatened.

Brad is so relaxed and is never negative over positive fan interactions, an insider told DailyMail.com.

Brad Pitt s fans were enraged after one overzealous woman grabbed the actor by the neck and slapped a kiss on his cheek at the Mexican Grand Prix

But despite the furor, the Hollywood star, 60, was unfazed by the impromptu display of affection and is simply happy it was a kiss and not a punch in the face

While it may have caught him off guard, at the end of the day he is appreciative of his diehard adoring fans. He didnt feel threatened and didnt have an issue with the exchange.

They finished: At the end of the day a kiss on the cheek is sure a lot better than a punch in the face.

Pitt could be seen attempting to free himself before his security stepped in to remove the woman, who was laughing.

The disgusting behavior irked fans who branded the fan disrespectful.

'This is absolutely disrespectful, wrote one person on X. First, you're invading his personal space and HE'S HUMAN, second, you don't have his permission you didn't even ask about it. Third, he is tired of the filming and anyways he went back to take a pic with you, can you act with respect?'

Another user added: 'Disgusting.'

Someone else wrote: 'Crazy old women. Poor Brad. That was harassment.'

Pitt, who is dating model Ines de Ramon, made a surprise appearance at the race to film scenes for his upcoming movie which follows retired driver Sonny Hayes, played by Pitt, who returns to the sport when a friend encourages him to become a mentor.

While it may have caught him off guard... he is appreciative of his diehard adoring fans. He didnt feel threatened and didnt have an issue with the exchange, source told DailyMail.com

Pure happiness on her face when she meets and kisses our Sonny 



Translation from the video

BRAD PITT CONQUERING MEXICO... LITERALLY

THIS IS HOW THE STAR LEFT THE TRACK



Video by @ESPNF1#RaceWeek #VivaMexico #APXGP #F1 #F1Movie pic.twitter.com/fHzTbgsNXu  Expensify APX GP (@APXgpF1Team) October 27, 2024

The two-time Oscar-winner, who is still finalizing his lengthy divorce from Angelina Jolie, was seen waving a big Mexican flag after removing his helmet as he got into character in October.

Production on F1 kicked off last summer at the Silverstone Circuit in the UK, where the Fight Club star was seen racing during several Grand Prix events.

The first trailer debuted during the British Grand Prix in July, which Pitt attended with his girlfriend.

Joseph Kosinski is directing the film, which also stars Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Damson Idris, Sarah Niles and Tobias Menzies.

Pitt, who is dating model Ines de Ramon, made a surprise appearance at the race to film scenes for his upcoming movie

Racing legend Lewis Hamilton is producing alongside Pitt and Jerry Bruckheimer.

It was made in collaboration with F1 and its community, with all 10 teams, their drivers, the FIA, and race promoters contributing to the authenticity of the story.

It was acquired by Apple for $130 million-$140 million, before above-the-line compensation, according to Deadline.

F1 is slated for release on June 27, 2025 in North America.
Fans were left shocked after Woody Harrelson was spotted out and about in Cardiff enjoying a Welsh holiday with his wife.

The actor, 63, made a very unexpected visit to a massage and holistic healing shop in the capital city where he enjoyed some pampering and relaxation.

The Hunger Games star and his wife, Laura Louie, 58, visited Love Live Light Healing Hub in Pontcanna where the star had a 25 Pressotherapy leg massage which used air pressure to improve blood circulation

The Hollywood couple also enjoyed an Acai bowl during their visit to the holistic wellness centre before posing with fans and workers.

The True Detective actor featured in several snaps on the Love Live Light Healing Hub's Instagram.

Fans were left shocked after Woody Harrelson was spotted out and about in Cardiff enjoying a Welsh holiday with his wife

He was dressed very casually for his visit in a pair of baggy black tracksuit bottoms, a blue zip-up hoodie and a blue coat.

He added a pair of beaten-up white trainers and a khaki cap and smiled as he met the manager of the massage shop Dorka.

And the owners seemed over the moon to have met the star who they described as 'well respected' in the world of wellness.

In a post shared to their social media, the business wrote: 'Look who came in to @lovelivelighthealinghub with their wonderful wife for a Pressotherapy Massage today, none other than @woodyharrelson from hit movies like Moneytrain, The Man From Toronto and White Men Cant Jump!

Thank you to our amazing team for taking great care of Woody and his family. A wonderful affirmation that everything that were about at the Healing Hub is in great alignment as some of you may not know, but Woody is well respected not only in Hollywood, but also worldwide in the wellness realm

'Thanks Woody for visiting today and enjoying one of our Acai Bali bowls. We hope to see you again soon'

The wellness cafe and studio in the heart of Cardiff has a range of holistic healing techniques and offer massages, advice, healthy snacks and self-care services.

And this is not the first time the A-List actor has popped up in the UK.

Earlier this year the star enjoyed an intimate dinner in The River Cafe restaurant in London with British icon, Paul McCartney.

The Hunger Games star visited Love Live Light Healing Hub in Pontcanna where the star had a 25 Pressotherapy leg massage

Woody and his wife, Laura Louie, 58, also enjoyed an Acai bowl while they waited (the couple pictured at Wimbledon 2019)

And the owners seemed over the moon to have met the star who they described as 'well respected' in the world of wellness

The wellness cafe and studio in the heart of Cardiff has a range of holistic healing techniques and offer massages, advice, healthy snacks and self-care services

Sir Paul enjoyed a family dinner with wife Nancy and his daughters Stella and Mary.

The Beatles star, 81, stepped out in typically dapper attire while his Nancy, 64, added a dash of colour to her otherwise muted ensemble, with a bright red scarf.

Sir Paul's fashion designer daughter Stella, 52, toted a studded handbag from her own label, while her elder sister Mary, 54. looked chic in a tailored grey coat.

The group were joined by American actor Woody Harrelson, 62, who cut a casual figure as he arrived at the venue for the evening.

Woody wore black embellished jogging bottoms and a zip-up hoodie for the occassion.

Woody's weekend in Cardiff comes after Netflix fans went wild for the Natural Born Killer's new psychological thriller.

The film, Kate,is a psychological thriller that follows its eponymous lead character, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, an assassin, whose mentor and handler (Woody ) orders her to kill a high-ranking yakuza boss.

During Kate's final mission, she finds out that she has been poisoned and has at most a day to live.

After learning that she was given radiation poisoning by a man named Stephen, Kate steals injectable stimulant drugs and a gun and sets out to exact revenge on who might have ordered him to poison her.
Sebastian Stan blasted Donald Trump in an interview done just before Election Day.

Stan, 42, who portrayed Trump in The Apprentice biopic, had a thing or two to say about the presidential candidate while recording an upcoming episode of The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast.

The interview, which was done in front of a live audience at the Miami Film Festival GEMS event, was conducted less than 48 hours before Election Day.

Stan branded Trump, who is running for president against Kamala Harris, as 'one paranoid, scared little man' who 'aint caring about your situation.'

The actor informed viewers they can watch The Apprentice on video on demand before heading to the polls 'and if youre living in this country, you should, because its your right to,' he stressed.

Sebastian Stan blasted Donald Trump in an interview done just before Election Day; pictured Sunday at the Miami Film Festival GEMS

Trump is running for president against Kamala Harris; pictured in Palm Beach on November 5

'You have the right to be curious and know what there is to know,' Stan, whose biopic was slammed by Trump as 'fake', said. 'What is really so controversial about this film? I mean, I think whats the scariest part is our own level of denial of reality at this point. If you want to really know, its out there, its all been documented for the last 30, 40 years.'

He continued, 'Theres people that are going to say, "We dont know what the truth is anymore." Thats the problem! He [Trump] has muddled it up so much You can create your own truth at this point, believe what you want, and thats what people are doing. But I think if you really care, you can still find it.'

Stan also addressed the advantages of depicting facts through film rather than another medium.

'I can sit here and tell you things youve heard already for, like, 30,000 hours, and its not really going to make a difference,' he continued.

'You hear facts, we all hear information, but you dont experience it. Its the experience of being with this person for two hours, and seeing where hes coming from, and really asking yourself at the end of this film, "Do you trust this person? Do you really trust that this guy is going to make a decision thats going to be good for you or good for him?"

'And let me tell you something: There is one paranoid, scared little man thats still out there fighting the good fight to get into the membership club of Manhattan and be put on a plaque on a wall. He aint caring about your situation. Its that hes got to get there first. And thats just what the film is.'

The Romanian-born actor, who immigrated to the United States with his mother at age 12, said the role appealed to him because he believed it ultimately embodied the American Dream.

The interview, which was done in front of a live audience at the Miami Film Festival GEMS event, was conducted less than 48 hours before Election Day

Stan, 42, portrayed Trump in The Apprentice, the biopic chronicling the rise of the businessman

'What essentially started with my sort of dismissive, judgmental attitude of this guy started to shape into something bigger, which was not just about this guy, but also about a certain mindset and this idea of the American dream as we know it, and what is it, really?

'Because I had been obsessing about it since my mom, in New York City, pointed to the Twin Towers, and all around us, and said, "This is the promised land, this is the land of the free, this is the land of opportunity. This is where you can become someone. And I sacrificed my life for you to get here." And so I have always been in love with this idea. I am sort of an example of the American dream. Ive lucked out.'

'The movie was asking the question, "What is the cost?" And this man was sort of a really good example of what can happen as a result when you lose who you are because you are so focused on one thing and that nothing else matters, not even your humanity.'

Millions of Americans will head to the polls in what is shaping up to be one of the closest presidential elections in US history.

Voters will decide between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, two candidates who have vastly different visions for America.

The polls could not be tighter as an unprecedented campaign that saw two assassination attempts and a candidate dropping out draws to a close.
Mark Ruffalo shared a last-minute plea to voters still torn between voting for Green Party nominee Jill Stein or Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

On Sunday, the 56-year-old actor urged his fans to cast their ballot for Harris, the Democratic nominee, over Stein, 74, despite feeling personally 'outraged' by the Biden administrations stance on the the Israel-Gaza war.

'If youre still deciding between voting for Kamala Harris or Jill Stein, please take a moment to watch. I made this video with Palestinian American and political activist @RaniaBatrice . We understand being conflicted but wanted to share our perspective,' he captioned the post, which has 1.6 million views.

In a video, uploaded to X, the 13 Going on 30 star and Rania Batrice, a Palestinian political activist, detailed why they have chosen to vote for Harris over Stein.

Batrice stressed that while she does not feel Harris has 'done enough' to earn her vote that she's the only candidate that can be pushed to 'move beyond rhetoric and into an actual commitment to uphold our very own U.S. laws as well as international humanitarian law.'

Mark Ruffalo shared a last-minute plea to voters still torn between voting for Green Party nominee Jill Stein or Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election

Meanwhile, Ruffalo, who expressed frustration over being put in a 'impossible position,' insisted that another Donald Trump presidency would lead to 'even more pain and struggle for our allied communities.'

'I understand how devastated and angry you are. For over a year now, many of us have been on the front lines calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza,' he noted. "We've been outraged at the Biden administrations complicity and inhumanity as the invasion has spread to Lebanon and marches closer and closer towards a forever war.'

The pair, then, made it explicitly clear they were both voting for Harris.

'We understand how difficult this is, we've been put in an impossible position, and yet, another Trump presidency will ensure even more pain and struggle for our allied communities.'

Batrice went on to slam Stein for 'preying on' their trauma and lying to her supporters by claiming that 'there's any scenario' that she could win the election.

'Jill Stein has no credibility or the ability to be president,' Ruffalo said. 'We have to be strategic about who we vote for and with the vast majority of people in poll after poll wanting an end to the genocide and for existing laws to be followed.'

'We're voting for Kamala Harris for president because we can and we will hold her accountable on her first day in office. We ask you to join us,' he concluded.

On Sunday, the 56-year-old actor urged his fans to cast their ballot for Harris, the Democratic nominee, over Stein, 74, despite feeling personally 'outraged' by the Biden administrations stance on the the Israel-Gaza war

In a video, uploaded to X, the 13 Going on 30 star and Rania Batrice, a Palestinian political activist, detailed why they have chosen to vote for Harris over Stein

On Election Day, he shared a selfie of himself wearing multiple 'Vote' pins as well as information for his followers to ind their polling locations.

Earlier this week, he teamed up with his Avengers costars Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Danai Gurira, Don Cheadle and Paul Bettany to endorse Harris.

'Dont sit this one out. Its the one where we will lose big: Project 2025, womens reproductive rights, climate change, LGBTQIA+ rights, public education, student debt relief, Affordable Care Act, Social Security, and as of today, life saving vaccines. This shit is real and its going to come for you,' he captioned the post.

Over the weekend, he also attended Governor Tim Walz's rally in Michigan.

'Thank you, Governor @timwalz, for such an energizing rally! Your passion, commitment, and energy filled the air, reminding us all why this election matters so much.

Ruffalo, who expressed frustration over being put in a 'impossible position,' insisted that another Donald Trump presidency would lead to 'even more pain and struggle for our allied communities' (seen at a Harris at a rally on October 27, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Throughout her campaign, Harris (pictured earlier this month) has also received an outpour of support from Oscar winners, Grammys superstars and musical icons, including from Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, and George Clooney

Throughout her campaign, Harris has received an outpour of support from Oscar winners, Grammys superstars and musical icons, including from Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin, Charli XCX, Bruce Springsteen, George Clooney and Eminem.

Meanwhile, public figures, like Kanye West, Dennis Quaid, Elon Musk, Kansas City Chief kicker, Harrison Butker, Russell Brand, Savannah Chrisley, Kelsey Grammar, Hulk Hogan and Kid Rock, have said they are voting for Trump.
Dave Grohl's wife of 21 years Jordyn Blum was spotted without her wedding ring as she dropped off her ballot on Election Day in Los Angeles.

Her sighting comes just four days after Dave called off a divorce lawyer - amid his secret baby scandal.

The Foo Fighters frontman, 55, shocked fans in September when he confessed he fathered a baby girl with an unnamed woman and cheated on wife Jordyn, 48.

Dave, who shares three daughters with Jordyn, had revealed he was fighting to regain his family's trust.

Jordyn cut a casual figure in a white tee with jeans, adding a black cardigan, flats and a cross-body handbag - without her wedding ring - for her Tuesday afternoon outing.

Dave Grohl's wife of 21 years Jordyn Blum was spotted without her wedding ring as she dropped off her ballot on Election Day in Los Angeles

Her sighting comes just four days after Dave called off a divorce lawyer - amid his secret baby scandal

Jordyn didn't wear her ring while out

A source told People magazine that the rocker is focused on working things out with her and their daughters, and that divorce is off the table.

The source said: 'He's no longer working with a divorce attorney and instead hoping to work things out with his wife.'

Another insider said that he 'loves his family,' noting that he has 'been prioritizing his family. He knows he messed up. It's one of those situations where you don't realize what you have done until you're about to lose it. He doesn't want to lose his family.'

The Foo Fighters frontman, 55, shocked fans in September when he confessed he fathered a baby girl with an unnamed woman and cheated on wife Jordyn, 48.

Multiple sources have claimed that Jordyn has known about the baby 'for a while,' and said she is a 'great mom and very dedicated to their daughters.'

Jordyn and Dave shared daughters Violet, 18, Harper, 15, and Ophelia, 10.

On September 10, Dave took to his social media to announce in a statement that he had welcomed a daughter while vowing to try to 'regain [the] trust' of his wife and their daughters.

He said in his statement on Instagram: 'I've recently become the father of a new baby daughter, born outside of my marriage. I plan to be a loving and supportive parent to her.'

Dave, who shares three daughters with Jordyn, had revealed he was fighting to regain his family's trust

Jordyn cut a casual figure in a white tee with jeans, adding a black cardigan, flats and a cross-body handbag - without her wedding ring

Dave has been married to Jordyn since 2003, after they dating for two years; Jordyn and Dave pictured together in 2016

On September 10, Dave took to his social media to announce in a statement that he had welcomed a daughter while vowing to try to 'regain [the] trust' of his wife and their daughters

Jordyn and Dave shared daughters Violet, 18, Harper, 15, and Ophelia, 10; seen with his family on February 5, 2023 in LA

Adding: 'I love my wife and my children, and I am doing everything I can to regain their trust and earn their forgiveness.'

'We're grateful for your consideration toward all the children involved, as we move forward together,' he concluded.

He did not share any information on the mother of his fourth child.

Dave has been married to Jordyn since 2003, after they dating for two years.

Dave was previously married to Jennifer Leigh Youngblood - from 1994 until they separated in 1996, divorcing in 1997 after cheating on her.
Donald Trump's favorite A-lister has doubled down on her endorsement of Kamala Harris for US President - after the Republican admitted his love for the star.

Julia Roberts, 57, who has been campaigning for Harris and vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, caught the ire of Trump after she urged wives of his supporters to secretly vote for Harris in an advert for evangelical group Vote Common Good.

After Trump branded her 'cringe' and said he was 'disappointed' in her for narrating the video, Roberts has taken to Instagram to encourage others to vote for Harris once more.

The star dressed in a T-shirt with the word POTUS and the female gender symbol on it, along with an I Voted sticker.

She wrote: 'There is a time to hope, there is a time to pray and there is a time to vote. Today is the day!' - before closing the comment section.

Donald Trump's favorite A-lister has doubled down on her endorsement of Kamala Harris for US President - after the Republican admitted his love for the star

In the advert released last month, a husband and wife - both sporting stars and stripes caps and apparently Donald Trump supporters - are seen heading into a voting center.

The husband says 'Your turn honey' as the woman walks into a booth.

Catching eyes with another female voter across the room, she smiles and casts her vote for Harris-Walz.

Roberts narrates: 'In the one place in America where women still have a right to choose, you can vote any way you want and no one will ever know.'

As the women leave after voting, the husband asks: 'Did you make the right choice?' and she responds: 'Sure did, honey' before sharing a knowing look with her friend.

Roberts continues: 'Remember what happens in the booth, stays in the booth.'

Vote Common Good says they are working to help Evangelical and Catholic voters find an 'exit ramp' from voting Republican.

Trump took umbrage at Roberts in an awkward chat with Fox and Friends, saying: 'Im so disappointed at Julia Roberts because I love...' before stopping herself.

Julia Roberts, 57, who has been campaigning for Harris and vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, dressed in a T-shirt with the word POTUS and the female gender symbol on it, along with an I Voted sticker

Roberts caught the ire of Trump after she urged wives of his supporters to secretly vote for Harris in an advert for evangelical group Vote Common Good - pictured

Trump branded Roberts 'cringe' but admitted he loved her after the advert - pictured with VP nominee JD Vance in September

He added: 'Shes going to look back at that and cringe that, did I really say that? It doesnt say much for her relationship but Im sure she has a great relationship.

'Even if you have a horrible  if you had a bad relationship, youre going to tell your husband. Thats a ridiculous ad. Its so stupid. Youre going to look back some days and just say, did I really make that?'

Roberts is married to Danny Moder and the pair share three children.

Last month Roberts championed for women's reproductive rights ahead of the crucial 2024 United States presidential election.

The actress spoke on stage at the Harris-Walz reproductive freedom rally in Georgia's fiercely conservative Cherokee County.

The Smyrna, Georgia native was joined by the state's Democratic Party leader Stacey Abrams during the high-energy rally.

Georgia recently reinstated its strict ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy  two years after the Supreme Court's controversial overturning of Roe V. Wade.

Harris and vice presidential nominee Tim Walz are pictured August

Rape, incest and the health of the mother are all listed as 'exceptions' to the six-week abortion ban.

Roberts said it took her 10 hours to make it to the event but that she'd 'do it all over again' to inspire the 'brave' men and women in attendance.

She kicked off her impassioned speech by sending 'prayers' to those affected by powerful Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in Tampa Bay, Florida on Wednesday night.

She then explained that her parents were 'activists' who encouraged her to be a 'conversationalist' who takes interest in those who think 'differently' than her.

'Clearly we all [in this room] feel the same way [politically],' she quipped before encouraging fellow Democrats to 'talk to all the people' in their lives despite political differences.

'Maybe they don't understand things quite the way you do. Bring them into a conversation. Make sure they're registered to vote - even in they're not voting for the person you think they should vote for.

'It is the United States of America and we've been lacking in the 'united' part for so long,' said Roberts, earning herself a round of applause from the audience, as per Fox 5.

Roberts said she 'believes' in the state of Georgia and applauded those who turned out for the rally.

'I believe in Georgia. I wouldn't have come home if I didn't believe that we can accomplish really beautiful goals that will extend beyond our state's borders.

Roberts has been historically vocal about her Democratic politics, having previously endorsed Barack Obama and Joe Biden for president; (L-R) George Clooney, President Biden, Julia and former President Barack Obama pictured in June 2024

Trump is pictured with wife Melania Trump as he voted in Palm Beach, Florida on November 5

'I just hope that all the women here tonight talk to all the men that aren't here tonight. And all you brave men who are here tonight, talk to all the other men who aren't here tonight.'

Roberts has been historically vocal about her liberal politics, having previously endorsed Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden for president.

As polls are set to close tonight with just hours to go, top pollster Nate Silver finally revealed his final prediction of the 2024 election.

Silver says it's 'literally closer than a coin flip,' as what could be the closest election in U.S. history comes to a close Tuesday.

But in the end, he thinks that Democrat Kamala Harris will come out on top, but only by a small percentage in the majority of his matchups.

'The race is literally closer than a coin flip: empirically, heads wins 50.5 percent of the time, more than Harris's 50.015 percent,' Silver said on Tuesday morning.

According to his model, Harris won the Electoral College in 50.015 per cent of the simulations compared to Trump's 49.985 per cent.

That equates to Harris winning 40,012 simulations to Trump's 39,718.

He added that he had never seen anything like this during his years of predicting elections.
A supermarket chain is the latest to roll back on self-checkouts amid a backlash against the controversial technology.

Hy-Vee, with around 300 stores primarily in the Midwest and South, has fully replaced self-checkouts with staffed lanes in some locations. Others have created express lanes, imposing a 12-item limit on the kiosks.

Bosses say they 'want to provide a better customer experience in several of our stores by bringing back the face-to-face interaction with our employees'.

In reality, the retailer - like its rivals - is ditching self-checkout kiosks because they are especially vulnerable to theft.

'Most of the rollback of self-checkouts is due to retailer concerns over theft,' retail expert Neil Saunders of Global Data told DailyMail.com.

Hy-Vee was recently named the nation's favorite grocery store

Theft rates at self-checkouts are reasonably high both because of deliberate actions and accidental mistakes,' Saunders explained.

'Forcing more customers to use manned checkouts resolves a lot of these issues and saves retailers money. This doesnt mean that self-checkouts will be abandoned completely, but there will be a lot more restrictions around their use.'

The employee-owned chain, founded in Iowa in 1930, was recently crowned the nation's favorite grocery store.

'We want to provide a better customer experience in several of our stores by bringing back the face-to-face interaction with our employees that we had pre-Covid,' a spokesperson said.

'Retailers like Target and Walmart have already been removing self checkouts across the country for several months so we are not the first to do this.'

The company has not yet provided a list of all the stores that are affected by the change.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the Hy-Vee in Urbanville had no self checkouts as of Sunday.

Despite the company's insistence the change is about customer service experts have argued that it is more likely to reduce theft.

'They're rethinking their business strategy. Sometimes self-checkout aisles can lead to more inventory shrinkage, typically theft or just misplacing of items,' Iowa State University professor Peter Ralston told KCCI.

The supermarket chain began introducing self-checkouts at some of its locations back in 2019 and then ramped up the rollout in 2020 during the pandemic.

Hy-Vee has been gradually moving away from self-checkouts since 2023 when it ended its Scan & Go cashierless checkout app after just two years.

Self-checkouts were introduced as a way to cut lines, boost efficiency in store and reduce staffing numbers - and boomed in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

But the backlash against self-checkouts is growing - with shoppers and store staff alike turning on them.

Customers feel like they are being made to work for free, while store bosses blame them for a jump in theft.

The ten best supermarkets were named by customers in a recent USA Today poll

Hy-Vee claims it is removing its self-checkouts to boost customer experience in stores

Walmart - America's biggest retailer - began removing the machines from some of its stores earlier this year.

So far, it has removed them completely from at least six stores this year.

Target has done so for least one shop - even after committing to them in all its 2,000 stores as recently as March. Target also has a limit - of ten items - to make the lines move faster.

Dollar General has also begun removing self-checkouts from their stores due to high levels of shoplifting.

Kroger also added traditional checkout lanes at a store in Texas where it had previously been offering only self-checkout machines.

Meanwhile, Costco started placing additional staff in self-checkout areas to supervise shoppers and ensure all items wee being scanned correctly.
China holds wide appeal for investors

08:17, November 05, 2024 By Zhong Nan ( China Daily

This photo taken on Nov 4, 2024, shows the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo which will be held from Nov 5 to 10, in East China's Shanghai. (Photo/Xinhua)

Motivated by China's complete removal of market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector, executives from multinational corporations attending the seventh China International Import Expo said they will deploy more resources in the country, with a particular focus on high-end manufacturing.

This year's CIIE, scheduled in Shanghai from Tuesday to Nov 10, will debut more than 400 new products, technologies and services across advanced sectors, including high-end equipment, advanced materials and marine engineering products, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The latest edition of China's national negative list for foreign investment, which took effect on Friday, has removed the last two manufacturing-related restrictions, further opening the sector to global investors, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

Attracted by China's innovation capability, business model transformation, and bilateral and multilateral free trade deals, many global manufacturers are increasingly inclined to invest in new innovation centers, expand production capacities, and advance digital transformation initiatives within the country, said Sun Xiao, secretary-general of the China Chamber of International Commerce.

For China, the manufacturing industry is the earliest sector to open up to foreign investors, and it is also the most competitive, with a high level of integration with the global industrial division of labor, said Sun.

Schneider Electric, a French industrial and technology group and a seven-time participant at the CIIE, will present at this year's event new concepts, products, services, and applications that combine digital, automation, and electrification technologies, underscoring its commitment to China through its "China Hub" strategy.

Yin Zheng, executive vice-president of Schneider Electric's China and East Asia operations, said that China has become Schneider Electric's second-largest market in the world and one of its four global research and development bases.

"Through the CIIE, a world-class communication platform, we aim to continuously deepen ecosystem cooperation and work with more Chinese industrial partners to jointly build new quality productive forces," he added.

Arthur Xu, president for China at Danfoss Group, a Danish engineering company, said that Danfoss will bring its products and solutions in the data center, water and wastewater treatment, marine, food and beverage, and heat recovery fields, among others, to the CIIE this year. These proven solutions will offer unique value for China's green transition, he said.

In addition to plans to begin construction in April in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, on its new manufacturing facility, which will be one of the biggest production sites in Danfoss' history, the company also announced in September that it has completed construction of a work campus in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

The new campus is dedicated to the innovation and production of specialized transistor modules as well as electric and hybrid power train systems.

With the structure of foreign investment continuing to be optimized, China saw the high-tech manufacturing sector use 77.12 billion yuan ($10.87 billion) in foreign direct investment in the first three quarters of 2024, accounting for 12 percent of the national total, according to the Ministry of Commerce. That is an increase of 1.5 percentage points from the same period last year.

Tang Wenhong, assistant minister of commerce, said that China's well-developed industrial system, commitment to continued openness, and efforts to scale up high-tech manufacturing remain key drivers for foreign manufacturers' investment in the country.

Nipsea Group, a Singapore-based paint and coating manufacturer, will make its debut as a participant at the CIIE this week with a 300-square-meter booth.

"This year, we have officially transitioned from being a witness to a participant at the CIIE, presenting our latest products and technology solutions," said Eric Chung, CEO of Nippon Paint China, a subsidiary of Nipsea Group.

"This move not only underscores our unwavering commitment to the Chinese market, but also reflects our firm determination to contribute to the high-quality development of China's economy," Chung said, adding that the company will showcase its newest automotive coatings and marine paint products at the expo.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
China's commitment to higher-level opening-up is strengthening fair competition in the global market, and its push to establish a high-standard socialist market economy is bringing much-needed stability and certainty amid the challenges facing the global economy, experts said. The Chinese and foreign experts made the remarks during the 90th International Forum on China Reform in Haikou, Hainan province, which was held by the China Institute for Reform and Development and China Daily. The two-day event concluded on Sunday. Chi Fulin, president of the China Institute for Reform and Development, said that China's economic growth potential is projected to boost the formation of a new pattern of economic growth in Asia, and Asia's role and advantages in promoting free trade and global economic growth will become even more pronounced. "This is fueled by favorable cooperation mechanisms such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free trade agreement that has created the world's largest trading group, and the free trade agreement 3.0 version between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations," he said. Qu Yingpu, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, said via video link at the forum that Hainan serves as China's gateway from land to sea and as a new highland of free trade. The building of the Hainan Free Trade Port is progressing steadily, he noted, and it is expected to further expand the advantages of China's opening-up to the outside world. The development of the Hainan FTP has provided policy support and faster channels for closer economic and trade exchanges between the province and ASEAN member states. In the first three quarters of this year, the import and export value of trade in goods between Hainan and ASEAN member states reached a record high of 43.49 billion yuan ($6.1 billion), up 70 percent year-on-year. The trade value has already surpassed the figure for the entirety of last year, according to data from Haikou Customs. Speaking at the Haikou forum, Zhang Jun, secretary-general of the Boao Forum for Asia, said that sticking to economic globalization and building a higher level of an open world economy is not a matter of choice, but a necessary path to achieve win-win and sustainable development. Ong Tee Keat, president of the Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific in Malaysia, said at the forum that what China's trading partners value the most is the openness of the Chinese market and the peace and stability dividends that are brought by regional development. Pascal Lamy, former director-general of the World Trade Organization, told the forum that trade opening is the way to go, and it has to be done in a way that takes into account the specific challenges of developing countries. He said via video link that the multilateral, rule-based trading system is under stress with growing geopolitical tensions, and this is a very serious matter, adding that the trade measures that have been taken by some industrialized countries are not WTO-compliant. "Fairness has to remain the main principle, taking into account the fact that we have different capacities and different comparative advantages," Lamy said. China is strengthening policy support to bolster foreign trade and investment, and the China International Import Expo will be held for the seventh consecutive year, from Tuesday to Nov 10, with representatives of global companies gathering in Shanghai. Express service provider FedEx from the United States, a participant in the import expo this year, said China's commitment to continue opening-up and its efforts to build a modern industrial system will further facilitate global trade. The company announced in late October a major upgrade of its international express and cargo hub at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The upgrade will transform the facility into an intercontinental transit hub, said Poh-Yian Koh, senior vice-president of FedEx Express and president of FedEx China.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said India has been re-elected as the President of Indian Solar Alliance (ISA) from 2024 to 2026.

Addressing the press conference at 7th General Assembly of the ISA, Joshi informed that France has been reelected as Vice-President of the ISA.

India's election to the President post is a testament to the impactful work the country, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been doing over the years for the global good in advancing solar energy adoption across the globe and boosting investment in essential solar projects, including mini-grids and healthcare solutions, Joshi opined.

Eight Vice Presidents of the Standing Committee, two from each of the four ISA geographical regions, were also selected by the Assembly.

From the Africa Region, Ghana and Seychelles have been selected as the Vice Presidents, while South Sudan and the Comoros will support the Vice Presidents as Vice-Chairs of Africa.

From the Asia and the Pacific Region, Australia and Sri Lanka have been selected as Vice Presidents, with the United Arab Emirates and Papua New Guinea as the Vice-Chairs, he informed.

Germany and Italy have been selected as Vice Presidents from the Europe and the Others Region, along with Greece and Norway as Vice-Chair. Leading the Regional Committee of the Latin America and the Caribbean region will be Grenada and Suriname, Jamaica and Haiti as Vice-Chairs, he said.

ISA Member Countries have also selected the third Director General of the Alliance. Ashish Khanna is the Director General Designate and will assume office in March 2025, when the tenure of the incumbent Director General, Ajay Mathur, comes to a close, he informed.

ISA initiated Demonstration Projects in 2020 to meet the needs of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Development States (SIDS).

The aim was to exhibit solar technology applications that can be scaled up and build the capacity of member countries to replicate these solar-powered solutions.

Joshi noted that 11 of these projects were dedicated to the people of the respective countries: Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cuba, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Samoa, Senegal, The Gambia, and Tonga.

ISA remains committed to supporting governments in their efforts to scale up solar energy projects and improve the lives of their people, he stated.

An important topic of discussion will be the guidelines for the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme, which provides for 10 per cent to 35 per cent of the total solar project cost to be given as a grant for developing solar projects in LDCs and SIDS identified by the countries themselves, provided 90 per cent of the project cost is locked in, he said.

The ISA Assembly will also consider a proposal for promotion of greater involvement of women in ISA's initiatives, programs, and support activities, wherever feasible, across member countries, he said.
As India races toward a sustainable mobility future, electric vehicles have emerged as key drivers in reducing emissions and lowering fossil fuel dependence

Sustainable mobility is the future of transportation, focusing on reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and minimising harmful emissions. In this context, Electric Vehicles (EVs) have emerged as a game-changer, offering lower emissions and a reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional gasoline vehicles. Governments worldwide are encouraging the adoption of EVs to address climate change, and India is no exception.

Indias Push for Electric Mobility:

The Indian government has laid out ambitious targets to boost the adoption of EVs, with policies and incentives underlining its commitment. In July 2023, NITI Aayog set a clear roadmap, aligning with the national goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. The targets are impressive: 30 per cent EV penetration in private cars; 70 per cent in commercial vehicles; ; 40 per cent in buses 80 per cent for both two- and three-wheelers. Indias EV market has seen tremendous growth, with EV registrations increasing eleven-fold, from 1.3 million in 2018 to over 15 million in 2023. This momentum is further fueled by the Governments aim to make 100 per cent of EV production local, contributing to both sustainability and economic growth.

Challenges in EV Charging Infrastructure While EV adoption is on the rise, Indias progress is hindered by gaps in charging infrastructure. Sustainable EV infrastructure, especially charging stations, is critical to supporting the EV ecosystem. However, several challenges remain:

Unequal Distribution of Charging Stations: Most of Indias 1,742 charging stations are located in urban areas, leaving rural regions underserved.

Limited Grid Capacity: Although EVs will only account for 1.3% to 4.8% of Indias overall electricity demand by 2030, managing peak demand and ensuring grid stability remain key issues.

Technological Constraints: Current charging methods, including conductive, inductive, and battery swapping, all present unique challenges in cost, efficiency, and scalability.

Regulatory and Policy Barriers: Compared to global EV leaders like Singapore, Indias regulatory framework is still evolving, and better coordination between the government and private sector is essential to build a robust charging infrastructure. To achieve its EV goals, India needs to significantly expand and upgrade its EV charging network. Sustainable EV infrastructure in both urban and rural areas is essential for widespread adoption. Here are key strategies for success:

Expansion to Rural Areas: Addressing the rural-urban disparity with solar-powered and mobile charging stations can help bring sustainable mobility to remote regions.

Partnerships: Public-private partnerships will be crucial in scaling up the infrastructure. Stakeholders such as automakers, technology companies, and the government must work together to establish a reliable and accessible network of charging points.

Technological Innovations:

Standardizing charging systems and investing in advanced technologies like smart grids and energy storage solutions can make EV infrastructure more efficient and user-friendly.

Supportive Policies: Financial incentives, tax breaks, and clearer regulations on EV infrastructure development can help catalyze faster growth in the sector. As India continues its journey toward sustainable mobility, developing a robust EV charging infrastructure is critical to ensuring the success of its electric mobility mission. With the governments ambitious targets and contributions from key players, India is poised to make substantial progress in transforming its transportation sector. With collective effort, India can achieve its vision of a greener, cleaner future while fostering economic growth.

(The author is CTO & Co-Founder, Park+; views are personal)
In a historic tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Government has announced sesquicentennial celebration to honour Patels unyielding legacy in unifying India

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that to honour Sardar Patels monumental contributions, to commemorate, his enduring legacy as the visionary behind the establishment of one of the worlds most robust democracies and his pivotal role in unifying India from Kashmir to Lakshwadeep which remains indelible, the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, will celebrate his sesquicentennial from 2024 to 2026.

After the nationwide movement to erect the Statue of Unity, this is another watershed occasion, when the legacy of Sardar Patel would be commemorated and cherished. This honour was long due and is richly deserved. The Sardars centenary in 1975, was a given a short-shrift. It was deliberate. The Indira-led Congress, busy enforcing an unethical and draconian Emergency, had little time to commemorate Sardar Patel.

A commemoration would have certainly raised hard questions. Moreover, could Sardars democratic legacy be commemorated, with the entire Opposition, minus the crooning communists, behind bars? One of Patels foremost biographers, Rajmohan Gandhi, writing in 1991, spoke of how acknowledgements in the case of Nehru were fulsome and in the case of Gandhi dutiful, but in the case of Patel, were niggardly. Speaking of the Nehru centenary celebrations in 1989, Gandhi writes, that it found expression on a thousand billboards, in commemorative TV serials, in festivals and in numerous other platforms. While Patels centenary on October 31, 1975, four months after Emergency was clamped, was by contrast, wholly neglected by official India and the rest of the Establishment.

In a long interview with Harry Hodson, British economist and editor, Patels shadow and trouble-shooter-in-chief, VP Menon, recalled a day when the usually tolerant and absorbing Patel chose to talk back to Nehru. You think you made the Congress?, he snapped, We are all co-builders in it. You think I want your position? If that was the case, I would not have resigned my Presidency and asked Gandhiji that you should take over. I told him that I would stand down. There was rare emotion in the Sardars voice, writes Narayani Basu in her biography of Menon citing that particularly acerbic encounter. The post Sardar Patel Congress was made to believe that it was Nehru alone who made it and therefore only he and his political progeny were worthy of commemoration and remembrance. VP was saddened to see that under the veil of idealism and greatness Nehru wrapped himself in, there existed a vindictive and petty man.

For someone who saw Patel so closely for many intense years, VP told Hodson, how Sardar died as a very, very bitter and sad man, and Panditji should never have treated him the way he did. That propensity of negating Patel and his contribution to our national march percolated through Nehrus dynasty and the Congress that he shepherded post-Patel. In his biographical opus, LK Advani has rightly described the Congresss degringolade, after Patel, arguing that after Sardar Patel passed away, there was no one left in the Congress Party to counterbalance Nehrus negative views on various important issues. As an acolyte of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee and belonging to his intellectual and political lineage, the occasion of Sardar Patels sesquicentennial commemoration also brings to my mind the special bond that they shared in free Indias first cabinet.

Patels biographer Rajmohan Gandhi argues that in the politically significant selection of Ambedkar and Mookerjee, Patels was undoubtedly the decisive role. While Sardar had his eyes on Babasaheb Ambedkar from the summer of 1946, Dr Mookerjee, who then represented the Hindu Mahasabha, had earned Sardars plaudits by calling for and advocating the partition of Bengal in March 1947 and by refusing to join an abortive bid for a united and independent sovereign Bengal that Sarat Bose and the then Muslim League premier of Bengal, mastermind of the bloody 1946 Direct Action,

H S Suhrawardy, had floated. It was a clever ploy by Suhrawardy to try and wean away the whole of Bengal from India and to toss it eventually into his master Jinnahs Pakistan cauldron.

Both, Dr Mookerjees bold advocacy and Sardar Patels support to his demand, saved Bengal and ensured that a portion of it remained an integral part of India. It was a moment, like a few more to follow in the coming years, in which both Sardar Patel and Dr Mookerjee worked closely.

In his voluminous memoirs, Living an Era, veteran Congressman DP Mishra, recalls that, when Suhrawardy realised his nefarious plan of snatching away Bengal was falling through, he took to making veiled threats about Calcutta being destroyed as a result of communal warfare and told Mountbatten that he feared serious riots and damage in Calcutta and wanted six-months joint control of the city.

Mishra writes that when Mountbatten sought Patels reaction to the proposal, Patel replied, not even for six hours. These are all worth remembering, commemorating and revisiting.

The nationwide Statue of Unity movement from 2013 to 2104, the humongous mission of erecting and unveiling the Statue of Unity, and the commemoration of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, have all been milestones in the last decade. A long and deliberately neglected legacy is being mainstreamed.

(The author is chairman of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation and National Executive Committee member of the BJP; views are personal)
Dadasaheb Phalke Award-winning actor Mithun Chakraborty-starrer Bengali film 'Shontaan' (offspring), which is based on ties between parents and their children, will be released this December, an industry body official said on Tuesday.

Chakraborty and actor Ritwik Chakraborty essay the roles of a father and a son in the film which also casts Subhashree Ganguly, Kharaj Mukherjee and Sohini Sengupta among others.

The film, directed by Raj Chakraborty, will hit the screens on December 20 to regale moviegoers who flock to cinema halls during the Christmas-New Year season, an official of the Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA) said.

Two other Bengali films 'Khadaan' starring Dev, Jisshu Sengupta and Barkha Bist, and 5 no Swapnamoy Lane' starring Kharaj Mukherjee, Aparajita Adhya and Chandan Sen among others are also slated to hit the screens in December, he said.

About his upcoming film, Chakraborty, known for his work on social issues in the mainstream genre, said on X handle in Bengali, Shontaan with focus on umbilical ties is coming. It is a tribute to the sacrifice of parents and is releasing this December.

Reuniting with his signature genre, Raj Chakraborty delves deep into the fabric of family relationships, crafting a story that captures the unspoken bonds, generational divides and heartwarming connections between parents and children," producer SVF said in a statement.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has received a fresh threat along with a demand of Rs 5 crore from a person claiming to brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, officials said on Tuesday.

The threat message, which also asked Khan to apologise apparently over an alleged blackbuck poaching incident, was received at the Mumbai traffic police control room located in Worli area late Monday night, an official said.

The message sender claimed he is brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, the police official said.

If Salman Khan wants to stay alive, he should go to our (Bishnoi community) temple and apologise or pay Rs 5 crore. If he does not do so, we will kill him; our gang is still active, the message said.

Taking serious cognisance of the message, an on-duty security officer informed about it to the higher-ups and Worli police, the official said.

Police are probing the origin of the threat message and have beefed up security measures for Salman Khan, sources said.

The police are also checking if the message is linked to Lawrence Bishnoi, who is lodged at the Sabarmati jail in Gujarat on various charges, including attempted murder and extortion, they added.

Khan has earlier also received threats along with the demand for money.

On October 29, a man sent a threat message on the traffic police's WhatsApp helpline number, threatening to kill Khan and Maharashtra NCP leader Zeeshan Siddique if they failed to pay up Rs 2 crore.

The person in the message warned the two will meet the same fate as former state minister Baba Siddique, father of Zeeshan Siddique, and his warning should not be treated as a joke, he said.

Baba Siddique was shot dead by three gunmen in the Bandra area on October 12.

The police on October 30 arrested a man, resident of Bandra (West), an upscale area where Khan also resides, in that connection and recovered the mobile phone and the SIM card used in the crime, an official earlier said.

Earlier last month, the Mumbai traffic police's WhatsApp helpline desk had received a threat message demanding Rs 5 crore from the actor. The police subsequently arrested a man from Jamshedpur in Jharkhand in connection with the threat message.

The Mumbai police last month also arrested a man from Noida in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly issuing a death threat to Khan and Zeeshan Siddique.

Notably, Khan had earlier also received death threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Suspected members of the dreaded gang opened fire outside the actor's Bandra home in April this year.

A few months back, the Navi Mumbai police uncovered a plot by the Bishnoi gang to kill Khan after which his security was stepped up.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that the comprehensive strategic partnership with Australia is growing steadily as he met his Australian counterpart Penny Wong for the 15th India-Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue here.

Both the leaders also discussed "respective neighbourhoods, Indo-Pacific, West Asia, Ukraine and the global strategic scenario."

"Concluded the 15th India - Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue with FM @SenatorWong in Canberra today. Our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is growing steadily. Reflected in stronger political ties, robust defence & security cooperation, expanded trade, greater mobility and deeper educational linkages," Jaishankar posted on X.

"Discussed our respective neighbourhoods, Indo-Pacific, West Asia, Ukraine and the global strategic scenario," his post said.

Taking to X, Wong said," Australia and India's partnership is central to the peace, stability and prosperity of our shared region. Today, I welcomed my good friend @DrSJaishankar to Canberra for the 15th Australia-India Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue."

Wong also announced that Australia will send a 'First Nations Business Mission' to India for the first time next year. The mission will support new commercial partnerships for First Nations businesses looking to engage with India and will promote First Nation businesses to new markets overseas.

She further posted,"We're cooperating in important sectors including science and technology, clean energy, agriculture, education and skills, and tourism. Today, I announced the Albanese Government is funding 6 impressive projects under the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership."

Meanwhile, the Australian foreign ministry said in a press release that,"Australia and India are close partners with strong strategic, economic and community ties  almost one million Australians trace their heritage to India. We share a vision for an Indo-Pacific region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous."

"Ahead of 2025  the fifth year of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership  the Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue is an opportunity to take stock of the progress we have made, and to chart the way forward for the next phase in our relationship," it said.

The statement said that both the leaders "will discuss how we can advance our cooperation in important sectors  including science and technology, clean energy, trade and investment  and how we can deepen our defence and maritime security engagement."

"India is the world's fastest-growing major economy, and on track to be the third largest by the end of the decade. India is an essential partner as we diversify our trade links and secure our supply chains," it said.

The two leaders will also attend 'Raisina Down Under', the Australian iteration of India's Raisina Dialogue.

The Raisina Dialogue is India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the international community.
With just days remaining until the November 20 Uttar Pradesh Assembly by-elections, the political sparring over slogans has intensified. Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav recently criticised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths batenge toh katenge remark, calling it the worst slogan in history. In response, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya accused the SP of supporting jihadis to secure votes.

The issue has drawn comments from leaders across the political spectrum, including Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, who weighed in on the escalating rhetoric. Political analysts suggest that while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is appealing to religious sentiments, the SP aims to shift the focus toward caste-based solidarity through its PDA (backward, Dalit, and minority) framework.

Maurya took to social media platform X, alleging that the SPs true agenda was to appease Muslims and support jihadis for vote-bank politics. SPs politics of dividing society through fronts like love jihad, land jihad, and vote jihad reveals Akhilesh Yadavs so-called harmony claims, he posted. Maurya questioned if this was the PDA that Yadav promoted, declaring, SPs true character and face have been exposed.

Meanwhile, a poster outside the SP office has reignited the debate. Displayed on Saturday night, it reads, Mathadhish will divide and cut PDA will unite and win, implying the SPs commitment to uniting marginalised communities against division. This follows Mayawatis own statement urging voters to align with the BSP, dismissing the SP-BJP slogan battle as a distraction from real issues.

The slogan originated when Adityanath introduced batenge toh katenge (if you divide, you will be cut off) during the Haryana elections, later endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the line Ek hain toh safe hain (if we are united, we are safe). Some attribute this messaging to the BJPs recent success in Haryana.

In response, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav took to social media with the counter-slogan judenge toh jeetenge (if we unite, we will win), emphasising positive politics. In the interest of society, the Chief Minister should rethink his negative outlook and consider changing his advisors, Yadav wrote, urging Adityanath to adopt a more inclusive approach. He added, A good leader nurtures positive thoughts and keeps both his sleeves and arms open.

Yadav further commented on the role of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the by-elections, suggesting that its entry has unsettled both the BJP and SP, as both parties attempt to shift public focus with competing posters. Yadav stated, Instead of divisive slogans, what is truly needed is a commitment to unity - if we join with the BSP, we will progress and remain safe.

In recent days, the city has seen a surge in political hoardings and posters reinforcing these rival slogans. Notably, a hoarding appeared outside the SP office proclaiming 27 ke Sattadhish, a reference to political power dynamics in the upcoming 2027 elections.

Adityanaths slogan bantoge to katoge has also sparked responses from Yadav, including his slogan, judenge toh jeetenge, which has begun to appear on hoardings around the city.

As the election date draws closer, these symbolic slogans have become central to campaign strategies, capturing the intensity of the political discourse leading up to the by-elections.
Eight consecutive incidents of terrorist violence in a gap of 20 days in Kashmir valley, after the formation of the Omar Abdullah government, have sent alarm bells ringing in the entire security grid to gear up for the long winter ahead.

The pattern of strikes also shows a disturbing trend as the terrorist handlers picked up dormant and least expected areas to target the security forces. The terrorist handlers have also shifted their focus from the Jammu region back to Kashmir valley to drive a wedge between the newly elected popular government and the security establishment.

Recently, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a meeting of the Unified command headquarters in the aftermath of a dastardly attack on the construction workers in the Gagangir area of Sonamarg newly elected Chief Minister Omar Abdullah remained conspicuous by his absence.

The selection of targets and timing of these attacks suggested the terrorist handlers wanted to demonstrate their capabilities to strike at will despite the huge presence of security forces in the hinterland. Two days after the grenade attack hit the shoppers in the busy Sunday market near the TRC centre in Srinagar, a group of heavily armed terrorists were trapped by the security forces in the Kaitsan forest area of Bandipora on Tuesday.

The security forces launched the operation on receipt of credible inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. Till the time of filing the report, the security forces had established contact with the terrorists and heavy exchange of firing was going on in the area.

Srinagar-based Chinar Corps posted on X, Based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists in the general area of Kaitsan forest, a Joint Operation was launched by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF in the general area Chuntawadi Kaitsan, Bandipora. Contact was established and a firefight ensued. Operation is in progress.

However, unconfirmed reports claimed one terrorist was neutralised in the ongoing operations in the area. Additional troops were also rushed in to plug the gaps to prevent the escape of terrorists pinned down in the thickly forested area of Kaitsan.

Meanwhile, Sinha warned on Tuesday that the houses of those providing shelter to terrorists would be razed to the ground as he asked people to stand up against the perpetrators of terror. He also said if security forces, the Union Territory administration and people come together, then terrorism could be eliminated from the region in a year.

I have directed the forces not to harm any innocent but the culprits will not be spared. If anyone provides shelter to terrorists, then his house will be razed to the ground. There will be no compromise on it, the LG said at a function in north Kashmirs Baramulla district.

In a veiled reference to some of the politicians vocal on the issue, Sinha said some people make statements that atrocities are being committed on those providing shelter to terrorists. However, this is not an atrocity, but a demand for justice and such justice will continue, he added.

Sinha said some people are trying to disrupt the peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Our neighbour is trying, but it does not worry us. It is the people here who are doing it on its directions (that is a cause of concern). It is not just the job of the security forces and the administration but the people as well to identify such people, he said. He added that if the forces, administration and people come together, then it (terrorism) will not remain here for more than a year. But if the people give them shelter and then say we are doing injustice to them, then that is not right.

Asking the people of Jammu and Kashmir to stand up against terror, Sinha asked the gathering whether anyone has the right to kill those who work to improve connectivity in the region. He was referring to the October 20 killings of a local doctor and six non-local labourers by terrorists at a tunnel construction site in the Gagangir area of Ganderbal district. If people do not stand up against such elements, this scenario will never change. I think those who only issue statements for formality are worse than them (terrorists), the LG said.
In a big relief to Madrassas in Uttar Pradesh, the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the constitutional validity of the 2004 Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrassa Education Law, and set aside an Allahabad High Court verdict quashing it on the ground that it was violative of the principle of secularism. However, the Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra set aside provisions of the Act which empowers the Madarsa Board to prescribe course of instructions and text books for higher education - kamil (postgraduate course) and fazil (junior research programme). The SC held that these particular provisions are in violation of the University Grants Commission Act (UGC Act).

The Bench said that the High Court erred in holding that the law was violative of the principle of secularism. We have upheld the validity of the UP madrassa law and moreover a statute can be struck down only if the State lacks the legislative competence, CJI Chandrachud said while pronouncing the verdict.

The order came as a big relief to teachers and students of UP Madrassas as the High Court had ordered closure of the seminaries and relocation of students to other schools in the state. On March 22, the High Court declared the Act as unconstitutional and violative of the principle of secularism, and asked the State Government to accommodate madrassa students in the formal schooling system. In a breather for about 17 lakh Madrassa students, the SC stayed the HC order on April 5.

The three Judge Bench of the SC said the legislative scheme of the law was to standardise the level of education being prescribed in Madrassas. The bench heard a battery of lawyers including senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi, P Chidambaram, Mukul Rohatgi, representing petitioners against the HC verdict.

The SC said that a law can be struck down for violation of fundamental rights under part III of the Constitution or on grounds of legislative competence but not for violation of basic structure. Statute can be struck down only for violation of part III or legislative competence and not for violating basic structure.

The High Court erred in holding that statute had to be struck down for violating basic structure, said the SC verdict, adding that the object of the Act is to protect the rights of minorities which is in tune with the States positive obligation.

The legislative scheme for the Act is to standardise the level of education being prescribed in the madrasas. The Madarsa Act does not interfere with the day to day working of the madrasas. It is to protect the rights of minorities in the State of Uttar Pradesh and is consistent with positive obligation of the State which ensures the students to pass out and earn a decent living, the SC held.

The Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004 had defined Madarsa education as including education in Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Islamic-studies, philosophy and other branches of learning as may be specified by the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education. The stated object of the 2004 Act was to empower the Madrasa Education Board by overseeing the functioning of Madrasas. The Act was challenged on the ground that it goes against the principle of secularism. It was also argued that it fails to provide quality compulsory education up to the age of 14 years/Class-VIII, as is mandatorily required to be provided under Article 21A of the Constitution of India.
The Delhi BJP and Congress on Tuesday lashed out at the ruling AAP for failing to do the necessary preparations for the Chhath Puja due to the negligence and inaction of the Chief Minister Atishis government.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said that it would not be an exaggeration to say that this year Atishis government has shown great negligence in Chhath preparations and is indulging in corruption. The government has played with the faith of Chhath devotees and the entire Purvanchal society, he said.

Due to the inaction and negligence of the Kejriwal-Atishi government, on Chhath Puja which started with Nahai Khay today, till this evening, neither the dug ponds have been filled with water nor have the drinking water tankers reached more than 800 temporary Chhath Ghats, Sachdeva alleged.

Claiming that the AAP MLAs are openly spreading political corruption, he said, Whether it is on the river bank or at the temporary Ghats, the AAP MLAs have got the work of tents and electricity supply delayed and are pressurizing the Chhath committees to first put up hoardings with photos of Kejriwal-Atishi and the MLA. It is extremely shameful that the ruling MLAs are not giving full support to the Puja arrangements just to get their photos put up, he said.

Delhi BJP's Purvanchal Morcha President Santosh Ojha said that the Purvanchal community living in the city can clearly see the dark face of the AAP government and will give a befitting reply to its leaders at the right time.

Further, Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav said that the fact that the Purvanchal devotees will be forced to hold the Chhath Puja festival in the dirty, poisonous waters of Yamuna shows total governance failure by the AAP government.

Year after year, Kejriwal and his party promises to provide clean waters for the devotees to hold the festival, including construction of nearly 1000 Chhath ghats, but in the end devotees are compelled to stand in the toxic Yamuna to celebrate the festival, Yadav said.

He claimed that the stretch of the Yamuna passing through the Capital is so toxic that people suffer skin rashes and breathing trouble, eye infection and other health problems if they come in contact with the water, but Chief Minister Atishi and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and other leaders of the AAP seemed to be least bothered about the health of the devotees.
The Delhi Police has submitted its reply to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), saying it follows "multi-pronged strategies" for managing traffic and that "concerted efforts" are being made to control parking norms violations.

Earlier, while hearing the matter regarding air pollution in the national capital, the tribunal had directed Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora and the city's special commissioner of police (traffic management) to disclose the steps taken on the ground level to mitigate the contributory polluting factors of vehicular movements and parking issues.

The report filed on November 2 said, "Delhi traffic police follows multi-pronged strategies for managing traffic on Delhi roads based on regulation, enforcement, engineering intervention by stakeholders and the specified actions are being taken by the Delhi police to mitigate the contributory air polluting factors."

It said 1,800 traffic police personnel were regularly deployed, which increased to 2,000 after invoking the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Besides, over 280 prosecution teams were formed to check violations of pollution under control (PUC) norms and assistant commissioners of police (ACPs) were nominated as nodal officers at the identified 13 pollution hotspot zones, it added. Monitoring committees were formed for 11 revenue districts to coordinate with the districts and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) zones to ensure compliance with directions, such as removing congestion and checking traffic law violations, the report said.

It said 24 joint enforcement teams have been deployed with the transport department for acting against e-rickshaws and old age vehicles.

According to the report, traffic engineering proposals regarding road maintenance were being regularly sent to agencies such as the Public Works Department (PWD), MCD, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC).

"A letter was sent to agencies concerned on March 20, 2024, regarding 134 congestion points experiencing traffic congestion due to ongoing construction activities, encroachment, heavy volume of traffic for taking suitable remedial measures to improve the flow of traffic," the report said. It said another letter was sent regarding the optimisation of Multi-Level Car Parkings (MLCPs), including the review and rationalisation of parking charges while communications were also sent regarding 128 potholed roads and 97 encroached or damaged footpaths.

"That concerted efforts are made to check and control violation of parking norms and restrictions timings by the concerned traffic circles in which prominent market areas fall like Lajpat Nagar, Nehru Place, Karol Bagh, Chandni Chowk, Sarojini Nagar, Green Park, Tilak Nagar, Kamla Nagar, etc, to ensure uninterrupted flow of traffic," the report said.

It said 2,78,772 challans were issued till October 31 for vehicles plying without Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, 4,55,808 challans were issued for improper parking, 1,63,399 vehicles were towed for the offence and 3,508 challans were issued for old vehicles. The report said action was also being taken for various offences such as transportation of construction and demolition material without proper covers, vehicles not plying in designated lanes, driving against the flow and violation of no entry timings. "Submission of action taken reports to Green War Room of the environment department daily and periodic reports such as monthly and quarterly reports are also sent," it said.
A presidential campaign marked by upheaval and rancor approached its finale on Election Day as Americans decided whether to send Donald Trump back to the White House or elevate Kamala Harris to the Oval Office.

Voters on Tuesday faced a stark choice between two candidates who have offered drastically different temperaments and visions for the world's largest economy and dominant military power.

Harris, the Democratic vice president, stands to be the first female president if elected. She has promised to work across the aisle to tackle economic worries and other issues without radically departing from the course set by President Joe Biden. Trump, the Republican former president, has vowed to replace thousands of federal workers with loyalists, impose sweeping tariffs on allies and foes alike, and stage the largest deportation operation in US history.

The two candidates spent the waning hours of the campaign overlapping in Pennsylvania, the biggest battleground state. They were trying to energise their bases as well as Americans still on the fence or debating whether to vote at all.

"It's important, it's my civic duty and it's important that I vote for myself and I vote for the democracy and the country which I supported for 22 years of my life, said Ron Kessler, 54, an Air Force veteran from Pennsylvania who said he was voting for just the second time.

Harris and Trump entered Election Day focused on seven battleground states, five of them carried by Trump in 2016 before flipping to Biden in 2020: the blue wall of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin as well as Arizona and Georgia. Nevada and North Carolina, which Democrats and Republicans respectively carried in the last two elections, also were closely contested.

The closeness of the race and the number of states in play raised the likelihood that once again a victor might not be known on election night. There was one early harbinger from the New Hampshire hamlet of Dixville Notch, which by tradition votes after midnight on Election Day. Dixville Notch split between Trump and Harris, with three votes for each.

Last time, it took four days to declare a winner. Regardless, Trump has baselessly claimed that if he lost, it would be due to fraud. Harris' campaign was preparing for him to try to declare victory before a winner is known on Tuesday night or to try to contest the result if she wins. Four years ago, Trump launched an effort to overturn the voters' will that ended in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol.

Trump planned to vote in his adopted home state of Florida on Tuesday, then spend the day at his Mar-a-Lago estate in advance of a party at a nearby convention centre.

Harris already voted by mail in her home state of California. She'll have a watch party at her alma mater, Howard University in Washington.

Each candidate would take the country into new terrain

Harris, 60, would be the first woman, Black woman and person of South Asian descent to serve as president. She also would be the first sitting vice president to win the White House in 32 years.

A victory would cap a whirlwind campaign unlike any other in American history. Harris ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket less than four months ago after Biden, facing massive pressure from his party after a disastrous debate performance, ended his reelection bid.

Trump, 78, would be the oldest president ever elected. He would also be the first defeated president in 132 years to win another term in the White House, and the first person convicted of a felony to take over the Oval Office.

Having left Washington abandoned by some allies after January 6, Trump defeated younger rivals in the Republican primary and consolidated the support of longtime allies and harsh critics within his party. He survived one assassination attempt by millimeters at a July rally. Secret Service agents foiled a second attempt in September.

A victory for Trump would affirm that enough voters put aside warnings from many of Trump's former aides or instead prioritised concerns about Biden and Harris' stewardship of the economy or the US-Mexico border.

It would all but ensure he avoids going to prison after being found guilty of his role in hiding hush-money payments to an adult film actress during his first run for president in 2016. His sentencing in that case could occur later this month. And upon taking office, Trump could end the federal investigation into his effort to overturn the 2020 election results.

The election has huge stakes for America and the world

The potential turbulence of a second Trump term has been magnified by his embrace of the Republican Party's far right and his disregard for long-held democratic norms.

Trump has used harsh rhetoric against Harris and other Democrats, calling them demonic, and has suggested military action against people he calls enemies from within.

Harris, pointing to the warnings of Trump's former aides, has labelled him a fascist and blamed Trump for putting women's lives in danger by nominating three of the justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. In the closing hours of the campaign, she tried to strike a more positive tone and went the entire last day Monday without saying her Republican opponent's name.

Heading into Election Day, federal, state and local officials expressed confidence in the integrity of the nation's election systems. They nonetheless were braced to contend with what they say is an unprecedented level of foreign disinformation  particularly from Russia and Iran  as well as the possibility of physical violence or cyberattacks.

Both sides have armies of lawyers in anticipation of legal challenges on and after Election Day. And law enforcement agencies nationwide are on high alert for potential violence.

The outcome of the race was being closely watched around the world, with the future of American support for Ukraine, US fidelity to its global alliances and the nation's commitment to stand up to autocrats hanging in the balance.

Harris has vowed to continue backing Kyiv's defence against Russia's full-scale 2022 invasion. Trump has sharply criticised Ukraine, praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and suggested he would encourage Russia to attack NATO allies of the US that Trump considers delinquent.

Voters nationwide also were deciding thousands of other races that will decide everything from control of Congress to state ballot measures on abortion access.

More than 81 million people voted early  shy of the record set during the 2020 pandemic, when Trump encouraged Republicans to stick to voting on Election Day. This time, he urged his voters to lock down their ballots in advance and they complied in droves.
The Winter Session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on November 25 and continue till December 20, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday.

Rijiju said a special celebration to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution will be held in the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan on November 26, observed as Constitution Day.

"Hon'ble President, on the recommendation of the Government of India, has approved the proposal for summoning both the Houses of Parliament for the Winter Session, 2024, from 25th November to 20th December, 2024 (subject to exigencies of parliamentary business)," Rijiju said.

The Joint Committee on Waqf Amendment Bill is expected to submit its report on November 29 in Parliament, if it sticks to the deadline given to it in the previous session.
Hinting at retirement from parliamentary politics, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said he will have to think about whether he should seek another Rajya Sabha term after his current tenure ends.

Speaking at a campaign rally for grand-nephew Yugendra Pawar at Supa in Baramati assembly constituency in the district, the 83-year-old leader said he has to stop at some point make way for the new leadership. He has won 14 elections during his political career, the veteran leader noted. "With your support, I first went to the state assembly.

I became a minister of state and (then) cabinet minister. I became chief minister four times. I worked as defence minister at the Centre. Later I worked as agriculture minister for ten years, and today I am in the Rajya Sabha," said Pawar.

Some years ago, he decided not to contest Lok Sabha elections as he wanted to give the responsibility to a new leadership, he said. "I decided that I will not be involved in the local politics here and gave all the responsibilities to Ajit dada (nephew Ajit Pawar). For the last 25-30 years, he had all the responsibilities.

For the first 30 years, I was there, later Ajit dada was there for another 25 to 30 years and now there is a need to make arrangements for a new leadership," he said.

The Nationalist Congress Party faction headed by Sharad Pawar has given ticket to Yugendra, who would be taking on his uncle and deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in Baramati in the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections. Ajit Pawar split the NCP in 2023 and joined hands with the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance.

Listing his accomplishments, Sharad Pawar said some development took place when he was holdings positions of power. "I did a lot of things. I waived farm loans of Rs 70,000 crore, worked to increase the prices of agriculture produce, facilitated agriculture exports, gave women opportunities in the armed forces while working in the defence ministry," he said.

Women were given 50 percent representation in local bodies when he was Maharashtra chief minister, Pawar noted. He blamed nephew Ajit, the incumbent Baramati MLA, for not paying attention to the issue of water scarcity in this western Maharashtra region.

"While I was the chief (minister) of the state, I gave approval to the Janai Shirsai (water lifting) project in Baramati. The responsibility to carry out the work was given to the next leadership (Ajit Pawar). Unfortunately, he did not complete the work," Sharad Pawar claimed. New leadership was needed for completing these incomplete works, he added.

"I can only give one assurance. I am not in power. I am in the Rajya Sabha and I got one and a half years' term left. Afterwards, I will have to take the decision as to whether to go to the Rajya Sabha again. I will not contest Lok Sabha, nor will I contest any (other) election.

I have contested 14 elections so far and every time, you have made me victorious, and that is why there is a need to stop somewhere. And that is why I have started working to bring in a new leadership," he said.

This, however, does not mean he will retire from the social sphere, Sharad Pawar said. "I will not be in power, but will continue to work for the people, work for the drought-affected regions, the marginalised segments of society," he said.
Lough Neagh is the largest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland but for more than a year, the lough has been dominating international news headlines for the algal bloom crisis rather than for its natural beauty.

A delegation from Lough Neagh Partnership has visited community trusts and development organisations on the island of Lewis and Harris to learn lessons which they hope will assist in their campaign to clean up Lough Neagh in the wake of the ecological disaster.

The Lough Neagh Partnership undertook the study visit to explore the potential for community land ownership as a possible way forward. The visit was part of The National Lottery Heritage Fund project which will culminate in a ten year resilience plan for Lough Neagh.

Professor Alastair McIntosh, a human ecologist who was raised and educated in Lewis, facilitated the study visit and arranged meetings with representatives from community trusts in West Harris, North Harris, Carloway, Galson and Stornoway, as well as Community Land Scotland and Harris Development Ltd.

Michael Browne, Lough Neagh Heritage Plan Coordinator, said; Lough Neagh is a critical asset, providing significant environmental, recreational and economic value. Recently the lough has faced one of its most serious environmental challenges with the outbreak of the blue green algal bloom.

By transitioning ownership and adopting innovative management models, there is an opportunity to strengthen the stewardship of this vital resource, ensuring its natural beauty and ecological value are preserved and sustainably managed for future generations.

The Lough Neagh Partnership delegation was eager to explore and learn from successful management practices on the Isle of Lewis and Harris.

We were particularly pleased to have Professor Alastair McIntosh coordinate this important study visit, offering valuable insights that could help shape the future of Lough Neagh.

Alastair McIntosh said: In my experience, these kinds of sharing experiences are important not just for the guests but also for the hosts. He added that the trusts had thrown their doors open enthusiastically to the Lough Neagh Partnership delegation.

For more information on the Lough Neagh Partnership, please visit www.loughneaghpartnership.org
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .

Support our mission and join our community now.
Toyota, Hyundai chiefs signal potential alliance in racing event, fueling EV cooperation speculation

Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung's historic first public meeting in South Korea has sparked speculation about potential collaboration between the world's top automakers. The leaders met at a joint "Hyundai N x Toyota GAZOO Racing" event, where Toyoda, speaking in Korean, referenced their earlier private meeting in Japan and hinted at future partnership opportunities.

Industry observers suggest the racing collaboration could pave the way for broader cooperation in EVs and hydrogen technology, areas where both companies have significant investments. The two automakers currently dominate the global hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) market, with Hyundai and Toyota reporting 4,881 and 3,678 units sold respectively between January and November 2023, according to SNE Research.

The potential alliance comes as both automakers face challenges in expanding their FCV market presence and could leverage their combined technological expertise to improve infrastructure and reduce costs. The partnership would unite two automotive dynasties known for their racing heritage, with both Toyoda (racing under the pseudonym Morizo Kinoshita) and Chung being active supporters of motorsport initiatives.
China extends lead over Japan in global auto exports, defying tariff challenges

At the close of October 2024, China and Japan disclosed automotive export figures covering January to September. DIGITIMES Research noted that China's lead over Japan, first achieved in 2023, has continued to expand throughout 2024 as China's vehicle exports meet international standards and capture key market opportunities.

China's rise to the top in automotive exports has drawn widespread attention, particularly given that Japan held the title of the world's largest vehicle exporter for nearly five decades until China surpassed it last year. During the first nine months of 2024, China further extended its lead.

In 2023, China exported 5.221 million vehicles, outpacing Japan's 4.423 million units by roughly 800,000 vehiclesthe first time China claimed the top spot. From January through September 2024, China shipped 4.7 million units compared to Japan's 3.061 million, widening the gap to 1.639 million units. China's automotive exports surged 26.7% compared to the same period last year, while Japan's declined by 4%.

China's export growth is driven by multiple factors. With a saturating domestic market and only a 3% average annual growth rate over the past decade, Chinese automakers have increasingly turned overseas for new opportunities. EV adoption in China has also reached 38.6%, signaling a push to tap into foreign markets for sustained growth.

Further bolstering exports, China's vehicle models increasingly align with international demand. Once dominated by small, regionally-focused cars, Chinese exports now include competitively priced SUVs and technologically advanced EVs that rival European and US counterparts in quality and appeal.

China's export reach has also shifted. Previously focused on Africa and less-developed regions, Chinese vehicles now target higher-income, densely populated countries, providing a significant boost to export growth.

EVs remain a stronghold for China's automakers, driving substantial export volume. In 2023, China exported 1.77 million EVs, over 30% of its total vehicle exports. Through the first nine months of 2024, EV exports totaled 1.524 million, representing 32.4% of all auto exportsa 22% increase from the same period last year.

The European Union, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, the Middle East, and other Asian countries account for 82% of China's EV exports, with the EU and Southeast Asia leading at 32.3% and 16.7%, respectively. Although recent EU tariffs have impacted Chinese EV exports to the region, China's cost-effective, feature-rich vehicles continue to counterbalance tariff pressures, with automakers increasingly diversifying into new markets to mitigate the impact.
Michelle ONeill has insisted there is not a problem with the culture in Sinn Fein following a series of controversies that have hit the party.

Ms ONeill vowed to build back trust with anyone whose confidence in her party had been dinted following criticism of its handling of several separate allegations against party members.

Stormonts First Minister and the Sinn Fein vice president insisted her party took action when it became aware of the various complaints and allegations.

Well there has been a number of instances, we cant escape that, she told the PA news agency.

I work hard to ensure that we have the publics trust and to build back anything that perhaps we may have lost.

Sinn Fein has faced criticism over how it has dealt with a number of controversies, including those involving former press officer Michael McMonagle and former senator Niall O Donnghaile.

In September, McMonagle, 43, from Limewood Street, Londonderry, admitted a series of offences including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

It subsequently emerged that two other press officers, who have since resigned from the party, provided job references for him after Sinn Fein had suspended him amid police inquiries.

The references enabled McMonagle to get a job with the British Heart Foundation in 2022, with the charity unaware of the allegations.

Last month, former Sinn Fein senator and Belfast lord mayor Mr O Donnghaile revealed that he stepped down from the Seanad and left the party last December because of a complaint that accused him of sending inappropriate text messages to a teenager.

Sinn Fein referred that matter to the PSNI and social services last September, but no criminal investigation was undertaken.

Separately last month, it emerged that a Sinn Fein member had resigned from the party after admitting involvement in an incident where a portrait of former DUP lord mayor Lord Wallace Browne was damaged at Belfast City Hall.

I would hope that people will see that as soon as any of these things came to our attention, we took immediate action, Ms ONeill said.

I have no tolerance for this type of behaviour in this party.

I will not tolerate these types of actions, and I will take action to dismiss people that are engaged in any of this type of activity.

But I dont believe its a culture in Sinn Fein and I think its a conflation of a number of issues over a number of weeks unfortunately.

However, we have to answer up to that, and we have, but I hope that the public will take some comfort from the fact that as soon as information came to our attention, we took action.

Other issues that have hit Sinn Fein in recent weeks include the resignation of high-profile Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley who quit the party in October amid a controversy relating to a complaint against him.

He claimed he was subjected to a character assassination by a clique within the party and likened its processes to a kangaroo court.

Sinn Fein rejected his claims and insisted it handled the matter in accordance with proper procedures.

His resignation came days after fellow Sinn Fein TD Patricia Ryan quit the party.

She said her departure was in response to the party undermining her.

The latest controversy emerged on Sunday evening when Sinn Fein announced that it had suspended one of its Belfast city councillors after an allegation that he exchanged inappropriate online messages with a minor.

The party said it had suspended JJ Magee without prejudice having referred the matter to social services and the PSNI.

Solicitors for Mr Magee have said he absolutely denies any allegation of inappropriate conduct.

KRW Law said the complaint against its client had been made to the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards, adding that Mr Magee has lodged a 12,000-word, 38-page rebuttal with the commissioner.

The solicitors said Mr Magee had not made Sinn Fein aware of the complaint as there was no substance to it and he believed the matter would be resolved quickly by the commissioner.

The PSNI said it received a report in June this year to regard to inappropriate messages. Officers said no criminal offences were detected, and safeguarding assessments and engagement with other statutory bodies were conducted at the time.

Ms ONeill said Mr Magee should have told the party about the complaint against him.

He should have informed the party of anything of this nature, she said.

We did our due diligence in terms of referring this both to the police and social services, which is the appropriate response whenever something like this comes to our attention.

Asked if she was aware of any other allegations in relation to other party figures that are not already in the public domain, Ms ONeill said she was not.
A man who posed as a so-called ghost insurance broker and obtained 12,500 in fake policy payments from unsuspecting people in his community has been jailed for two years and ordered to sell his motorbike.

The victims of Cesar Fernandes Borges Filho trusted him because he was one of their own, Judge Martin Nolan said while sentencing him in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court this Tuesday.

The court heard Filho, who has an address in County Waterford, targeted people in the Brazilian community who had recently arrived in the country and were not familiar with the Irish insurance policy system.

The 34-year-old, who has an address at Ballymacaw, Dunmore East pleaded guilty to seven counts of deception relating to dishonestly inducing a person to take out a purported motor insurance policy at an unknown location in the State on dates in 2019 and 2020.

READ ALSO: Man pleads guilty to 'serious assault' that left then-girlfriend with broken ribs and eye socket

Sergeant Gavin Coleman told Breffni Gordon BL, prosecuting, that Filho chose numbers at random when telling people how much the policy would cost them, with amounts ranging from 900 to 2,480.

He took a total of around 12,500 from his victims, who were under the impression they had purchased motor insurance policies, which were not actually valid. The transactions were mostly carried out over WhatsApp and Filho gained customers through word of mouth in the Brazilian community, the court heard.

Only one victim in the case handed in a victim impact statement, which was not read aloud during the sentencing hearing.

Sgt Coleman told the court that most of the victims were reluctant to engage with gardai and the criminal justice system, and many had to be persuaded that they were not in trouble themselves.

The court heard the victims were in the country on legitimate visas and were of little means. Sgt Coleman said they wanted him to convey to the court that the losses they incurred as a result of Filho's actions were significant to them.

The court heard that Filho's actions came to light when a red flag was raised after his email address appeared in duplicate on an insurance company's online system.

When interviewed by gardai, he made admissions. He has a previous conviction for similar deception matters as well as road traffic offences.

The court heard that after his home was searched, a motorbike worth 10,000 belonging to Filho was seized. Defence counsel was seeking to have the bike returned, the court heard.

Letters of apology from Filho and his wife were submitted to the court in mitigation.

He is originally from Brazil but has been living in Ireland since he was a teenager. The court heard he was not in a position to repay any money to his victims as he recently moved home and had to pay a deposit. He is the father of a newborn baby.

Sentencing Filho, Judge Nolan said he had taken advantage of a situation and left a number of trusting people at a loss. He noted there was excellent mitigation - particularly Filho's cooperation with gardai and his guilty pleas. The judge said he is unlikely to reoffend.

He set a sentence of three years' imprisonment but suspended the final year on a number of conditions, including that Filho's motorbike be sold and the proceeds divided among his victims.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport James Lawless has announced that Emerald Airlines will continue to operate the government-funded PSO air service between Donegal and Dublin airports for an additional one-year period.

Emerald Airlines was awarded this contract in 2022 following an EU public tendering process conducted by the Department in accordance with the requirements of EU Regulation 1008/2008.

This Regulation, on the common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, allows for the provision of PSO air services to isolated areas  those not adequately served by alternative transport services to administrative, business, education and medical centres.

This contract, providing twice daily two-way air services facilitating same-day return trips from Donegal and further international connectivity from Dublin Airport, marks Governments commitment to ensuring continued connectivity to the North-West region.

The current contract, which was due to expire on February 25, 2025, has now been extended for an additional one-year period, as allowed for under contract.

"This is welcome news for all concerned," General Election Candidate Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher said. "Donegal Airport has had strong growth in passenger numbers since the pandemic. The airport was used by 38,600 passengers in 2023 and that number has increased to 39,400 already this year.

READ NEXT: Coiste Forbartha na Carraige honoured at All-Ireland Community Awards

"The Minister reassured me that the proposed cap on passenger numbers landing into Dublin will have no impact for Donegal Airport. I am well aware of the concerns that passengers, including the [430] Donegal Cancer patients, have had over the last weeks and I do hope that today's announcement will allay their fears.

"I am pleased that the Minister accepted my invitation to visit the Airport during the summer as it gave him an insight into the importance of Donegal Airport to the region. I have been a supporter and advocate for Donegal Airport all my political life and shall continue that same support if elected to the 34th Dail."

Minister of State Lawless said: I am delighted to announce today a one-year extension to the PSO air service contract between Donegal and Dublin airports.

Government recognises the important role this service plays in providing the people and businesses in this remote region with daily air services to Dublin, to attend medical and other important appointments. As well as supporting Governments commitment to balanced regional development, these services also support growth of the economy and tourism in the region.

I was encouraged to see the strong growth of this service since Emerald Airlines commenced operations, with passenger traffic peaking last year. I am delighted to witness a further 20% growth in passenger traffic to date this year.

I am aware of concerns that some, including the Donegal Cancer Flights & Services, have raised about the potential impact of the passenger cap at Dublin Airport on the PSO air service. I wish to assure the people and businesses in this remote region that there will be no impact to passengers using this service under this important contract. I am acutely aware of the importance this PSO service has to the region, including for passengers travelling for medical reasons.

Ian Lough, Head of Commercial at Emerald Airlines, said: We are pleased to announce that our contract serving the Government funded PSO air service between Donegal and Dublin has been extended until the end of February 2026. We remain dedicated to serving the Donegal community and look forward to the continued success of this vital route."
It was said here last week that City Of Troy would have to work like a Trojan if he was to win the biggest race on the Breeders Cup programme at the Del Mar course in San Diego.

Perhaps he did work like a Trojan, but what he had to offer fell well short of what was required. The thoroughbred, described by his trainer, Aidan OBrien, as the best he ever trained, could only finish eighth, some thirteen lengths off the winner, the American-trained Sierra Leone.

There was some consolation  in fact, a lot of consolation  for City Of Troys owners, Coolmore; they also own the winner.

However, if you were to ask them, theyd probably have preferred it had their other horse won. Already crowned the best 3-year-old in Europe, numbering this years Epsom Derby among his wins, City Of Troy was attempting to prove himself on a dirt track, having already conquered all on grass.

Racing on dirt, however, is a horse of a different colour. In ways, its like a greyhound racing. A quick break from the gate is essential; those slow away have, literally, the dirt kicked up in their faces.

And thats what City Of Troy had, having been slower than the others to come away. He had fewer behind than in front of him throughout the race, and it was only late on that he made some progress.

Flat racing is not as popular as National Hunt, and though City Of Troy was one of the most talked about horse in this country for some time, the non-racing public didnt really latch on to him. Where is he running, someone asked me last Saturday when I mentioned the race was on television.

Contrast that with the time Arkle was in his pomp. That was back in the 1960s, when the greatest ever steeplechaser won three Cheltenham Cold Cups, along with other major races, the Irish Grand National among them. For a number of years, the Tom Dreaper-trained horse was on many lips.

This, however, is not comparing like with like. A star jumpers career lasts an awful lot longer than his Flat racing counterparts, mainly because there is nothing for him to do but race.

When he retires he can only be turned out to grass, unlike a Flat champion. For the latter, the breeding shed beckons, and if he becomes a big hit with the girls, producing as good as himself, the money he can earn for his owners is colossal.

It was said on the radio on Saturday, during a discussion on the Breeders Cup meeting that Frankel, an unbeaten champion of a decade ago, is commanding a fee of 250,000, and he can have as many as 200 visitors in a year. Do the math.

While Aidan OBrien didnt win the big one, there was lots for him and his team to celebrate. He won two other major races over the weekend, bringing his Breeders Cup tally to 20, which gives him a share of the record.

All of this is a long way from a 1 mile handicap run at Dundalk last Friday night. The fifth of eight races had a maximum field of 14 runners, and among them was Proleek Prince, trained in Deerpark, Ravensdale, by Michael Rice.

Owners are the Slieve Foy Syndicate, comprising a group of local lads. Two of them have strong Dundalk Gaels connections, and one of them told me a number of weeks back that hed keep me in touch. This I interpreted as, Ill let you know when hes a chance.

I could only conclude that on reading Proleek Prince had trotted up at 9/1, giving a bold front-running performance, that my pal had lost my number. Next time, maybe.

There were other local owners in the Dundalk winners enclosure recently. Glyde Rangers, name after the team that had a great 2023 season, but came up well short this year, is owned by a group of Ardee and Tallanstown lads, and as one who has backed the gelding quite often, I know that he wasnt winning out of turn.
A young mothers group from Muirhevnamor, Dundalk; a parent group from Rathmullan, Drogheda; and a group of mothers from Greece, Serbia and beyond who are based in Louth will be demonstrating their learnings from the inaugural Town Scientist pilot project over the next two Sundays as part of Louth Science Festival and the wider, nationwide Science Week event.

Town Scientist is a pilot programme developed and delivered by Dundalk native Dr Niamh Shaw, scientist, engineer, communicator and performer. Funded by Research Ireland, Town Scientist is a pilot project operating in Louth and Offaly in partnership with Louth County Library, Louth ABC programme and Birr Castle Demesne, aiming to work with people from local communities to make science more accessible and to break down barriers that often keep people from engaging with scientific topics.

The first phase of Town Scientist kicked off in February this year and has involved a series of informal science learning sessions for the participants.

The learning sessions covered complex issues such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), climate change, Antarctica, Mars, auroras, eclipses, comets and more, with a view to enabling participants to continue their own learning journeys and play a greater role in fostering a love of STEM in their families and in the wider community.

Town Scientist will be showcased by members of the learning groups as part of Louth Science Festival over the next two weekends. The groups will:

Share their learnings and talk about their experience with members of the public;

Demonstrate experiments on the hour every hour;

Distribute free Advent calendars of science trivia which they created themselves, as well as guides for home science experiments for all the family to get involved in.

The events will take place:

Sunday, 10th November, 11am to 4pm at Dundalk County Library; and

Sunday, 17th November, 11am to 4pm at Drogheda Civic Offices.

Dr Shaw is calling on locals in Dundalk and Drogheda to come along to the events over the next two weeks and to find out more about Town Scientist: The world is changing at a rapid pace, and our planet is currently facing many challenges. Topics like AI, climate change and what this means for our future is rarely out of the news.

For many people in Louth, these topics can seem overly complex and out-of-reach, and Town Scientist is aiming to bridge the gap between these technological changes and their implications for society to enable locals to engage with these topics and influence the future direction of their communities and Ireland as a whole.

This is the first pilot study of Town Scientist, and it has been a huge success so far. Parents who have participated in the workshops have reported a hugely positive experience. Dundalk Credit Union and Louth County Council have shown their support for a longer-term six month pilot to continue in Dundalk in 2025, if funding is secured.

"I have so many plans to work with even more groups in the town and county. I would encourage parents and families throughout Louth to come along to Louth Science Festival over the next two Sundays to chat with me and to meet some of the parents involved.

Also speaking about Town Scientist was parent participant Michelle Quinn, a mother of three from Muirhevnamor in Dundalk and who was part of the young mothers group. Before we started Town Scientist with Niamh I had zero interest in science, said Michelle.

I never enjoyed it in school, thought it simply wasnt for me. Town Scientist has been transformative for me, it has opened up my world to science and I have loved my experience. It has sparked a curiosity I never knew I had. While my children are laughing at my enthusiasm for it, it has helped me become more involved in their learning and education. I would encourage other parents to come along to Louth Science Festival events over the coming weeks to find out more.

Speaking further, Dr Shaw said: My vision is that this model will be replicated in towns throughout Ireland. This project is my long-term investment in Irelands future, so that our citizens will be prepared for this tech-heavy future society but more importantly will be empowered to discuss and debate how we will build sustainable towns and cities of our future.

Mary McHugh from Louth Library Service said: The Town Scientist pilot has been hugely successful in Louth, and has given Louth parents the knowledge and confidence to engage with STEM topics and issues that directly affect them and their childrens futures. It has huge potential to be replicated throughout Ireland and we look forward to seeing the long term positive impact it will have on Louth parents and children.

Further information on Dr Shaw visit: https://niamhshaw.ie/.
Cavan/Monaghan duo, The Two Five Ones are set to host a Speakeasy Night in the Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol on Saturday 23 November at 8pm.

This is a follow up to last years sold out event in the Oriel Centre and promises to be a fun night with a difference. Dress up in 1920s to 1950s garb is encouraged for those who want to get into the full swing of the evening but not essential to enjoy the atmosphere.

The Two Five Ones have been putting on Speakeasy nights since 2018. Speakeasy bars sprang up all over America during the prohibition era. Basically, they were secret bars, often with live music. Their shows generally take place in quirky venues, barns, old churches and the like so the Dundalk Old Gaol will certainly fit the bill, and of course the bar will be open on the night.

There are still some tickets available for the Speakeasy Night in the Gaol from the Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol and from their website, or directly from Eventbrite. The Two Five Ones will be a band of four for the night, with Alex Watson on double bass and Newry man John Cosgrove on Soprano Saxophone and special guest vocalist Aoibhin Ni Ghabhann.

Expect to hear songs from the golden age of 1920s, 30s, 40s and 50s on the night along with some of The Two Five Ones own compositions. Their second studio album Slave to the Moon was launched by Charlie McGettigan in 2023 and has received airplay in stations across Ireland, UK, Europe and Canada.
Following an information in October to help relaunch the 2nd Louth Blackrock Scout Group in the Blackrock/Haggardstown & surrounding area, Scouting Ireland is holding a follow up meeting for adults only, on Wednesday 6 November in the Geraldines at 7.30pm.

Scouting Ireland Development Support Officer for the North Eastern Province, Mr Peter O'Brien, has issued a statement in relation to the upcoming meeting. It reads as follows:

"On behalf of the Community and Scouting Ireland I would like to thank you for taking the time to attend the presentation on scouting in the Geraldines on Monday 21st last.

"With expression of interest that we received at that presentation I would like to invite you to a further meeting to explore the process that might be adopted to relaunch the 2nd Louth Blackrock Scout Group in the area.

"At this meeting we would explore the necessary steps required to relaunch the 2nd Louth Blackrock in the area. We would outline in detail the role and commitment of the leader and we will try to establish if there is a core of adults willing to train as leaders.

"The meeting will take place on Wednesday 6th November in the Geraldines at 7.30pm. If you know of any other adults who have expressed an interest in the project and were unable to attend the presentation, please do encourage them to attend this meeting.

"If you have any queries on this meeting, Scouting in General or are unable to attend this particular date please do not hesitate to contact me on the number below

Thanks

Peter"

Peter O'Brien

Development Support Officer

North Eastern Province

Scouting Ireland,

National Office,

Larch Hill,

Dublin

D16 P023

087-4826523
An armed robber who claimed he was acting under duress when he raided a village shop has had his five-year sentence quashed by the Court of Appeal.



Peter Sheeran, aged 33, of Carraig Mor, Kilcoole, County Wicklow left two children - a two-year old and a seven year old - in a car while he carried out the robbery in the village of Kilanerin on the Wicklow/Wexford border on June 17, 2023.



Armed with a bread knife, he took 1,000 from the till in Murphys Gala store, only to be then caught and detained by passers-by close to the scene of the crime shortly afterwards.



He pleaded guilty to robbery at Wexford Circuit Court in December 2023, when Judge Cormac Quinn imposed a five-year sentence, with the final year suspended.

READ ALSO: Lengthy prison sentence for 'monster' who sexually abused young boys over 12-year period

In appealing against the severity of that sentence on Monday, counsel for Sheeran, Brian Mulvany BL, submitted that mitigating factors such as the appellant having no previous convictions, that he was acting under duress at the time of the robbery and that the offence was not premeditated, were not sufficiently taken into account.



Sinead Gleeson BL, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, disputed that the planning was minimal. She also submitted that the knife used by Sheeran was more on the "machete side of things than a bread knife - not a samurai sword but more than a bread knife".



Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy noted that this was a serious offence and said the court was mindful of the aggravating factors in the case, with one woman giving up her job because of the psychological effects of the robbery and another concerned about the health of her unborn child.



While Mr Justice McCarthy accepted that the appellant was acting under duress, he held that there was premeditation in the fact that the appellant drove to the scene, armed himself with a knife and cut holes in a beanie hat as a form of disguise.



Delivering the judgement of the court, Mr Justice John Edwards further noted the aggravating factors in the case included that the appellant left two children in the car and had frightened individuals as he was armed.

Although Sheeran had pleaded guilty, the fact that he was caught red-handed didnt give him much choice, the judge noted.



Mr Justice Edwards held, however, that given the mitigating factors, the sentence was disproportionate and excessive and that a lower sentence may be more appropriate, especially as the appellant has no previous convictions.



He noted that the appellant has sought to deal with his addiction issues and on that basis, the court requested a urine analysis to ensure he has addressed his addiction issues.



Mr Justice Edwards said the court would quash Sheeran's sentence, with the appellant to remain remanded in custody in Castlerea prison pending re-sentencing on Monday, December 16.
The Government will work with local representatives to get high-quality jobs into a multi-million-euro North Cork IDA site that has been idle for two decades, a Cabinet minister has said.

The 19-acre IDA Technology Park on the Dublin Road, in Fermoy, was launched in 2002 to considerable fanfare, but it has never been occupied.

In 2009, a local councillor  Seamus Coleman, a Sinn Fein member of the then Fermoy Town Council  warned that the site was in danger of becoming a picnic area.

I am concerned that all the money that has been spent on the park will be wasted and it will fall into disrepair, unless it is occupied soon, Mr Coleman said.

Idle

Last week, Enterprise Minister Peter Burke was in Fermoy to launch the campaign office of his Fine Gael colleague, local county councillor Noel McCarthy, and was asked by reporters about the technology park, which has been idle for 22 years.

Mr Burke said that his department was really trying our best to facilitate high-value jobs and said Cork county had benefitted from a number of multinational investments in recent months and years.

Obviously, we would like to try and prioritise as many areas as we can and we will be doing that, working with Noel [McCarthy] and others in the area, and trying to get as much high-quality investment as we can in, Mr Burke said.

Mr Burke cautioned that Irelands offering, while competitive, had faced significant challenges in recent times, and he cited the outcome of todays US presidential election as something that could potentially add to those challenges.
The pantomime at Cork Opera House this festive season is Cinderella.

The 69 shows will run from November 30, through Christmas, until January 19.

The fairytale promises to be a spectacle of joy, filled with surprises and a sprinkle of pantomime magic that will leave both young and old believing that dreams do come true.

Cork Opera House CEO, Eibhlin Gleeson, said: Cork Opera House is thrilled to bring this years pantomime production to life with more magic, laughter, and surprises than ever before.

Celebration

This show is a celebration of creativity, community, and joy: Everything our audiences love about the festive season.

Our team has worked tirelessly to create an experience that will delight audiences of all ages, and we cant wait to share it with everyone.

Panto co-writer Frank Mackey will return to the stage as Corks most popular dame, Nanny Nellie. Cinderella will be played by Megan Pottinger, whom audiences may remember as Jill from last years hit panto, Jack and the Beanstalk.

Corks own Alison McCormack and Julie Maguire will play the all-singing, all-dancing wicked stepsisters, while Michael Grennell will return to the Opera House stage as Cinderellas stepmother, Baroness Melania Hardup.

Cinderellas prince will be played by UK actor Paul Wilkins, and rounding out the cast as everyones favourite hapless sidekick, Buttons, is Blarneys Brian OMuiri, fresh from his run in the West End production of The Book of Mormon.

Joining them on stage is a full cast of professional dancers, musicians, and young talent from Corks stage schools.

Magical

Panto director Trevor Ryan urged anyone who loves the festive season to join the cast at the Opera House for the greatest panto of them all.

This laugh-a-minute magical extravaganza will keep audiences both young and old entertained, he said.

Cork Opera House will also stage two relaxed performances of this years panto for those with autism and those with sensory-processing differences.

The panto will run from November 30 to January 19 and performances will take place at 7pm, Tuesday to Friday, 2pm, and 7pm on Saturdays and 1pm and 6pm on Sundays.

To book tickets, visit https://www.corkoperahouse.ie.
Volunteers from Ballincollig Tidy Towns (BTT) were out in their high-vis jackets on Sunday morning just the same as they are every weekend, but perhaps they got a little more notice than usual.

There are a lot of people beeping their car horns and coming over to congratulate us, volunteer Mary Meaney said.

Its very nice to see that bit of appreciation for all our hard work.

Last Friday, at a ceremony in Croke Park, Ballincollig was awarded Irelands Tidiest Town 2024 in the TidyTowns awards, and was also named Irelands Tidiest Large Urban Centre, earning its 12th gold medal in the competition. The Village has twice finished in second place in the competition, in 2018 and again last year.

Csaba King with the overall SuperValu Tidy Towns gold medal winner trophy for Ballincollig and TY students Eadaoin O'Connell and Emelia Hallissey with the trophy for best urban centre. Picture Dan Linehan

Ms Meaney, who founded Pats Little Free Library in Ballincolligs Regional Park in memory of her late husband, Pat, said several people had approached her on Sunday morning to say well done.

As she spoke to The Echo, former councillor Derry Canty called over for a chat. He recalled that he had been at the earliest meetings with BTT chairman Tom Butler: We thought, the two of us, the only two to turn up, were we going off our game trying to organise it?

But look, its paid off, and fair play to everyone, tis a great achievement, because morning, noon and night theyre out, Mr Canty said.

Shane Twomey and his mother Lorna with the overall SuperValu Tidy Towns gold medal winner trophy for Ballincollig .Picture Dan Linehan

More than two dozen volunteers worked in several estates, along the pavements, and in the Regional Park until just after midday, and then they repaired for refreshments, as they do every weekend, to The Plaza Bistro, where a literal red carpet - on loan from Scoil Barra - had been rolled out for them.

Mary Tekinkus, proprietor of The Plaza, said the volunteers had been working for 25 years, 52 weeks of the year, thats 1,300 weeks.

TY students Sinead Comber and Hannah Rose Ryan working hard after Ballincollig won the SuperValu Tidy Towns gold medal. Picture Dan Linehan

You have Jacqueline Cullinane, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday, Maureen Holden, Kitty OCallaghan, theyre such an inspiring group. BTT committee member and volunteer, Fine Gael councillor and election candidate Garret Kelleher said it had been a very poignant coincidence that Ballincollig had won its award on the second anniversary of the passing of BTT stalwart Tony Whelan.

Weve all been thinking, especially over the past few days, of Tony and his enormous contribution, Mr Kelleher said.

Members of Ballincollig Tidy Towns starting another clean up. Included are from left, Denis O'Leary with TY students, Ava, Cillian, Liam, Audrey, Eadaoin O'Connell,Hannah Rose, Sinead and Emelia with Ballincollig Tidy Towns Chairman Tom Butler. Picture Dan Linehan

Tom Butler, who has been BTT chairman for the past 25 years, said it had been a rollercoaster since the win on Friday, and the full meaning of the win was only starting to sink in.

To win the All-Ireland in Croke Park, to win the county, the regional, the large urban centre, plus our 12th gold medal, its just incredible, and over the weekend we can see what it actually means to the community, from the feedback and the comments and the beautiful remarks from people, Mr Butler said.

TY student Ava Smith working hard after Ballincollig won the SuperValu Tidy Towns gold medal. Picture Dan Linehan

Theres great pride in our community and were just honoured to have the All-Ireland in Ballincollig.

Joining the volunteers for refreshments were several Transition Year students from Gael Cholaiste Choilm, Colaiste Choilm, and Ballincollig Community School.

Were so lucky to have these fantastic young people onboard, and everybody who is helping out, Mr Butler said.

Were planning for 2025 already.

Ballincollig Tidy Towns Chairman Tom Butler with the SuperValu National Tidy Towns Gold Medal Winner trophy and Irelands Tidiest Large Urban Centre trophy as he gets covered with leaves by the TY students helping out with the work. . Picture Dan Linehan

Have Ballincollig news to share? Contact Donal.okeeffe@theecho.ie




A general election will be called by the end of the week, Taoiseach Simon Harris has said.

The Fine Gael leader was speaking on his way into cabinet this morning and ahead of the Dails return after the October midterm.

The three leaders of the coalition have agreed to hold an election this year but a date has not yet been officially announced.

Passing the Finance Bill, which enacts measures announced in Budget 2025, has been cited as a priority before the Dail is dissolved.

The Bill is expected to pass through the final stages this week.

Mr Harris has suggested the polling date would be on a Friday and said this week that it will be held this month.

Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has said there are two possible election dates  Friday November 29 or Friday December 6.

Its my expectation that we will have a general election campaign under way by the end of the week, Mr Harris said.

We have to do a bit of business this week that is important business, we need to pass the Finance Bill, thats on track to be passed over the course of the next 48 hours or so.

Legislation

He said other legislation, such as the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill and the Appropriation Bill which ensures the country has enough money to keep on running, will also need to be allowed pass.

Once thats out of the way, I do intend to seek a dissolution of the Dail this week, Mr Harris said.

I dont think that will come as a shock to any person right across this country.

That will provide a period of time in which we can have an election campaign and invite the people of Ireland to give their verdict on the next number of years.

And then hopefully give time over the Christmas period and the time ahead for, whatever verdict those people give, for those parties to engage in how to form government.

Significant resources

Im really looking forward to the weeks ahead. This is a great country, it can be even better. We now have significant resources at our disposal, we have significant policies and plans.

I believe with a mix of energy and experience we can make really good progress over the next few years on a whole range of issues.

Mr Harris is due to travel to Budapest for a meeting of EU leaders on Friday where the conflict in the Middle East, the safety of Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon, and the outcome of the US presidential election are to be discussed.

Also speaking on his way into Cabinet on Tuesday, Mr Martin said: It is our expectation that it will be dissolved this week. I think thats not exactly a secret at this stage, I think all parties are now preparing for a general election.

Green Party leader and Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman said the taoiseach didnt inform us of his plans on what day this week the election would be called.

Im hoping for an election on November 29, and that would require a dissolution this week.

I think the very latest is Friday so thats what Im hoping to see.
The Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Boyle is leading a delegation to China, visiting Corks twin city of Shanghai, and partner city of Shenzhen.

Healthcare, business, and education links between the two cities will be explored during the trip, which concludes on Saturday.

The delegation will meet with the consul general of Ireland in Shanghai, David Murphy, as well as with state agencies in Ireland House to discuss opportunities for Cork city.

Irelands ambassador to China, Dr Nicholas OBrien, who previously served as consul general in Shanghai and concluded the original sister city agreement between Cork and Shanghai 19 years ago, will join the delegation.

Opportunities to develop the programme of training and exchange in primary care between the HSE in Cork and Kerry and the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission will be pursued.

Agreement

This follows the conclusion of a new agreement between the agencies, signed in Cork city Hall in the presence of the Chinese ambassador this year.

Senior representation from the HSE, as well as Corks higher-education institutions, are also participating in the visit.

Additionally, business engagements have been organised at the Chinese International Import Expo, including with Cork Chamber of Commerce and several business chambers in Shanghai.

As part of their trip, the delegation will visit Shenzhen, the first in-person engagement with the city since before the pandemic, and focus on exploring opportunities for Cork business in light of Shenzhens international reputation in the manufacturing sector.

The visit will include an engagement with PCH International, a Cork-based firm with operations in the Chinese city, and engagement with Shenzhen City Hall on areas of future collaboration, in advance of a return visit to Cork by a Shenzhen city delegation at the end of November.
Former broadcaster David Davin-Power was a journalistic giant who had an eloquence as a broadcaster, mourners heard.

The well-known former RTE political correspondent, nicknamed DDP, died last week aged 72 after an illness.

Mr Davin-Power is survived by his wife Dearbhla and his children Nick, Caroline, Julia, Ben and Emily.

Mourners who gathered at St Vincent de Paul Church in Marino, Dublin heard how he embraced the madness of family life which he juggled along with the demands of his almost 50-year journalism career.

The Dubliner became part of the RTE Radio team that set up 'Morning Ireland' in 1984, with he and David Hanly becoming its first co-presenters.

Mr Davin-Power later served as RTE Northern Ireland editor and reported on the peace process, before working as a political correspondent at Leinster House for more than 15 years.

He retired in 2017  criticising RTEs policy of retiring at 65 as redundancy by age  but continued to write columns for The Times Ireland edition and the Sunday Independent.

A man of faith

At his funeral mass, attended by president Michael D Higgins, mourners heard he was a man of faith and Dublin was one of his favourite subjects.

President Michael D Higgins consoles David Davin Power's wife Dearbhla.

His son Nick described the family move to Belfast in 1991 when Mr Davin-Power became RTEs Northern Ireland editor.

Although the Northern editor posting was challenging in those days, dad did a fantastic job in sheltering us from the darker side of Belfast, he said.

I do recall, however, on one occasion at our house wed been living in, some sectarian graffiti appearing on the side wall after locals had established our persuasion, dad furiously scrubbing before we returned home.

He said that as the 1990s progressed, so did the intensity of his fathers work, which sometimes crossed into family life.

Such example being in August 96, dad driving the three of us down the Lisburn Road in Belfast when his suitcase-sized mobile phone started buzzing. Pulling over and answering, dads face dropped, the phone call ends.

The ceasefire is over kids, its just been called in. Two years of peace evaporating before our eyes.

The feeling of disbelief being shaken off by dad as his mind turned to doing the job  get the children home, get them safe and fed, contact the London office, Canary Wharf in an hour, assemble a crew.

Caroline said her father was his work, he was his family and never pushed away family requirements.

Every Christmas, Julia and I would be given his book wish list, which ranged from books on Dublins lampposts, cinemas, graveyards and canals to name a few. My sister joked if there was encyclopaedia on Dublin sewers, dad would be at the book launch.

Dads affection for Dublin was symptomatic of his wider love for his country. He knew the length and breadth of Ireland. In the pre-Google Map era, if we were ever lost on an Irish country road, a call would be made to dad, and he would navigate us out.

Poem

Mr Davin-Powers sister Mary said that they both had similar tastes in literature, music and poetry and thanked their parents for that influence, before reciting Brendan Kennellys poem Begin.

Mr Davin-Powers nephew Manus Carlisle told the congregation: David made his mark on the world by bringing news of the day into all of our sitting rooms. He delivered the facts in a balanced, fair and insightful manner.

Retired RTE newsreader Bryan Dobson told mourners that although Mr Davin-Power had been ill, his friends and family had hoped there would be more time with him.

He said many friends were deeply shocked at news of his death, and had been looking forward to hearing his thoughts on the upcoming general election.

We hoped there might yet be time, time to meet for a pint, to share a meal, to recommend a good book, to attend a concert, to watch a cricket match, or just to talk. Because DDP was the best of company.

His conversation sparkled. It was witty, informed, opinionated and wide-ranging.

He held firm views on a variety of topics  government quangos, not a fan. Enforced retirement  unjust and outdated.

And the Griffith Avenue bicycle lane. As a cyclist, I rashly suggested it was a great piece of infrastructure  that didnt end well.

He said the tributes that had poured in since Mr Davin-Powers death had described him as knowledgeable, intelligent, incisive, trusted, a consummate broadcaster, funny, supportive, caring, a great storyteller.

He said for those who were friends with him, he was also loyal, generous, mischievous, curious, gregarious as well as a loving husband, a proud father and a besotted grandfather.
Former finance minister and Cork TD Michael McGrath has said he would prepare the first-ever EU strategy to fight corruption in his new role as European commissioner for democracy, justice and rule of law at the European Parliament.

A committee of MEPs in the European Parliament voted to confirm Mr McGraths appointment to the role on Tuesday following a three-hour hearing during which he was questioned by three committees.

In his opening statement, Michael McGrath said he would introduce a so-called Democracy Shield against information manipulation and foreign interference and emphasised that compliance with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights should be a precondition for the benefits of Union membership.

Mr McGrath also told MEPs he would prepare the first-ever EU strategy to fight corruption. Responding to questions about the upcoming Victims Rights Directive, he asked for Parliaments support in the negotiations to safeguard important elements of the Commissions proposal.

He also committed to work to protect women from violence and to develop the Digital Fairness Act to prevent consumers from exploitation, make sure that influencers are not misleading them, and that children are protected. The digitalisation of courts also featured prominently as a priority in the exchange.

Michael McGrath speaking at the Deloitte Ireland leadership dinner at The River Lee Hotel ahead of Budget 2025. Photo Darragh Kane.

Mr McGrath required a two-thirds majority of a voting committee of MEPs to be approved as commissioner and was successful in his bid.

He is one of more than 20 nominated commissioners to face three-hour-long questioning on their portfolios this week, after which representatives of various committees assess whether a candidate is qualified.

Based on the committee recommendations, the Conference of Presidents is set to conduct the final evaluation and declare the hearings closed on November 21.

Once all evaluation hearings have concluded, the election of the full college of commissioners is scheduled to take place between November 25 and 28.

The commissioner for justice is responsible for leading the EUs efforts to tackle breaches of the rule of law by member states.

The wide-ranging portfolio includes responsibility for the protection of data, consumer rights, ensuring free and fair elections, media freedom, and tackling corruption and misinformation.

Wishing Mr McGrath well in his future role, Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central Simon Coveney said: Id like to wish Michael McGrath well in his new role as EU commissioner for justice. I think that Michael McGrath is more than qualified for the job of EU commissioner.

This is an important time for politics across the European Union and so sending someone who is experienced and talented is important to maintain Irelands credibility and influence at an EU level.

"I wish Michael, Sarah, and his family well in their new life between Carrigaline and Brussels.

Former lord mayor of Cork Deirdre Forde, who also served with Mr McGrath in the county council, said: I watched the Joint Committees proceedings this morning and commissioner-designate Michael McGrath showed an outstanding grasp of this critical portfolio for the future of the EU and its Member States.

I and Im sure all of us here in Cork congratulate and wish him well in his future work.

Mr McGrath was first elected to Dail Eireann in 2007. He entered a coalition government in 2020, first as the minister for public expenditure and reform, before taking over the finance portfolio in 2022.

Mr McGrath stepped down as finance minister in June after the Cabinet agreed to nominate him as Irelands next EU commissioner.
The 2024 US election is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in the countrys history. Donald Trumps attempt to retake the White House represents the ultimate stress test of the American democratic experiment.

The January 6 insurrection should have ended Trumps political career in 2021, but when Republicans in the Senate backed away from impeaching him, they threw a political lifeline to a man who had done so much damage to the nations political institutions.

A host of previous associates have come out and criticised the former President, including some of the most senior members of staff from his first term. The former chairman of the joint chiefs, retired general Mark Milley, told journalist Bob Woodward that Trump is now the most dangerous person to this country; someone who is fascist to the core.

It was an assessment met with agreement by Trumps former Secretary of Defence, General James Mattis. In a recent interview with the New York Times, General John Kelly, Trumps longest serving Chief of Staff, said, based on his experience, Trump met the definition of a fascist and would rule the country like a dictator - 13 officials from the Trump White House signed an open letter backing that claim, joined by more than 100 former staffers and national security leaders from past Republican administrations who have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.

'The enemy within'

As his campaign has progressed, Trumps language has grown more apocalyptic and revenge-fuelled, with his rage focused on those whom he perceives to have wronged him.

He recently proposed using the military to go after the enemy within, a group that includes senior Democratic politicians Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff. Using dehumanizing language, he has denounced his enemies as communists, Marxists, fascists and radical left thugs that live like vermin.

Despite repeated evidence of Trumps dark and dangerous rhetoric, Republican congressman and right-wing pundits have played down these comments, untroubled by these calls for retribution against political enemies. With a compliant Supreme Court that recently legalised a blanket Presidential immunity, there are real concerns about where that retribution will lead.

Trumps political career has revolved around portraying immigrants as enemy invaders and his campaign has taken this rhetoric to worrying levels.

Last December, in terms that echoed Nazi anti-Jewish propaganda; he said immigrants were poisoning the blood of our country. These words have real world consequences - his lies about Haitian immigrants in Ohio stealing pets for food have led to bomb threats and a splintering of a previously integrated community.

Trumps political resurrection is indicative of the disparate realities US citizens are living. The algorithmically led content that drives the social media business model has funnelled inflammatory content into the smartphones of voters. Conspiracy theories have flourished on these platforms; eroding the concept of an objective, shared reality.

Trump's ascension

One of Trumps most prominent backers is Elon Musk, the worlds richest man. Since purchasing the X platform (formerly Twitter) in 2022, Musk has dissolved its Trust and Safety Council and it has become a repository for lies and conspiracy theories. Trump and Musk have used X to push disinformation about election integrity, undermining voters faith in the system, and laying the groundwork for a contesting of the final result.

Trumps ascension is also evidence of the weaknesses in a US media which has become too beholden to the greater viewership that Trumps grotesquery generates. Traditional media outlets have normalised Trumps extreme rhetoric; treating it as politics as usual.

The effect has been to create a kind of false equivalency between the candidates, with Harris being held to a much higher standard than Trump. Details of her policy plans have been parsed by journalists whilst Trumps campaign platform has little content beyond insults, threats, and appeals to nativism.

Trumps effect on international security must also be considered. He has regularly questioned the validity of NATO, suggesting in February he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to any NATO country that was delinquent as it had failed to pay its dues.

He has repeatedly disparaged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, criticizing his calls for further funding assistance from the US government; mockingly referring to him as the greatest salesman in history. Indeed, it is notable that his most venomous comments are spared for his fellow US and international allies. Authoritarians like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are spoken of in far more respectful and glowing terms.

There are genuine concerns Trump would offer Ukrainian territory to Russia via a hastily constructed peace deal, thereby encouraging Putin to set his sights on other post-Soviet states like Moldova and Poland.

Objectively, the Biden Administration should have planned a successor the moment he was sworn in in January, 2021. The short time frame since Harris was announced as Democratic nominee has made it difficult for her to define what her administration would look like.

She has promised to be a president for all Americans and to reach across the political aisle. Should she emerge victorious, much work needs to be done to make real positive change in the lives of US citizens, too many of whom feel the system is rigged against them.

There are ongoing issues with the cost of living, access to healthcare, and a lack of jobs. A Harris administration must also focus on healing the deep divisions in the country.

The choice for America could not be more stark  sober competence or impulsive instability. A second Trump presidency would further pit Americans against each other. A Harris Presidency could create the space for citizens to re-engage positively with the political system; to see each other as fellow Americans and not as the enemy within.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

Funding of 200,000 has been given to Trinity College Dublin to set up a publicly available archive on the work of the late renowned journalist Robert Fisk.

Fisk was one of the best known Middle East correspondents who spent his career reporting from the region and won accolades for challenging mainstream narratives.

Fisk died in November 2020 at a hospital in Dublin, shortly after falling ill at his home in Dalkey.

Notes and documents from Fisks 50-year journalistic career were donated to Trinity College Dublins library by his widow, Nelofer Pazira-Fisk.

Robert Fisk

Fisk received a PhD in political science from Trinity in 1985 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2008.

Trinity College Dublin has pledged to make the archive fully accessible, both online and in person, as soon as possible.

It said this would involve two years of extensive work to catalogue, conserve, preserve and digitise such a significant archive, and that the government funding of 200,000 euro would facilitate this.

Ms Pazira-Fisk said: I am grateful to people in Ireland for their moral stand against oppression and injustices  and to the Irish Government for this kind financial support.

Robert said we must bear witness and record what we see, so no one can say that they did not know.

At a time when a dark curtain of censorship is extending across the Western democracies, when journalism is under attack, reporters face death and targeted assault, false labels and accusations undermine the work of anyone who dares speak out. The preservation and dissemination of information has become more pressing.

She added: Robert and I often discussed our wish to pass on our archive so the future generations could make use of it with the hope that it will foster questioning and debate. And that knowledge of history enables humanity to say no to violence of all kinds.

Born in Kent, Fisk began his career on Fleet Street at the Sunday Express and went on to work for The Times, where he was based in Belfast, Portugal and the Middle East.

He moved to Beirut in 1976, a year after Lebanons civil war broke out, and continued to work and live from an apartment located on the citys Mediterranean corniche until his death.

In 1982, he was one of the first journalists at the Sabra and Shatila camp in Beirut, where Christian militia had slaughtered hundreds of Palestinian refugees.

Fisks archive includes material from his first posting in Belfast in 1972 for the The Times, up until the posthumous publication of his final book, The Night of Power: Betrayal of the Middle East (2024).

Notes from his interviews with Osama Bin Laden in the caves of Afghanistan will be included in the archive, as well as photographs, audio files of interviews, drafts for published works, and correspondence of letters and emails.

The collection also includes artefacts such as explosives shells and salvaged items such as the strip of an oil painting taken from a church by Islamists.

From left: Patrick ODonovan TD, Nelofer Pazira-Fisk, Trinity provost Dr Linda Doyle, and librarian and college archivist Helen Shenton. Photo: Paul Sharp

Trinity College Provost Dr Linda Doyle said it was honoured to receive the donation of Fisks archive.

It will advance teaching and research into the conflicts covered by Robert Fisk over so many years and will act as a vital resource for researchers, policy makers and the public, she said.

Todays announcement will contribute to the archives conservation and accessibility for the future.

Librarian and college archivist, Helen Shenton, said: Robert Fisk was unfaltering in his commitment to frontline journalism and being a witness to history, with one-on-one access to sources  many of whom are no longer alive today.

The exceptional archive includes born digital content, containing email correspondence, representing a new archival area of the 21st century.

The Library of Trinity College will ensure the physical and digital preservation of this archive and make it accessible in the near future and for posterity. It will be available through our Research Collections Study Centre and online through our virtual Trinity library programme.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Patrick ODonovan, said Fisks incredible career spanned numerous significant events.

The funding announced today will provide Trinity with the necessary resources to undertake an essential two-year conservation project.

The availability of these materials will undoubtedly enrich the academic experiences of students and researchers alike.
By David Young, PA

Michelle ONeill has insisted there is not a problem with the culture in Sinn Fein following a series of controversies that have hit the party.

Ms ONeill vowed to build back trust with anyone whose confidence in her party had been dinted following criticism of its handling of several separate allegations against party members.

Stormonts First Minister and the Sinn Fein vice president insisted her party took action when it became aware of the various complaints and allegations.

First Minister and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill (Liam McBurney/PA).

Well there has been a number of instances, we cant escape that, she told the PA news agency.

I work hard to ensure that we have the publics trust and to build back anything that perhaps we may have lost.

Sinn Fein has faced criticism over how it has dealt with a number of controversies, including those involving former press officer Michael McMonagle and former senator Niall O Donnghaile.

In September, McMonagle, 43, from Limewood Street, Derry, admitted a series of offences including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

It subsequently emerged that two other press officers, who have since resigned from the party, provided job references for him after Sinn Fein had suspended him amid police inquiries.

The references enabled McMonagle to get a job with the British Heart Foundation in 2022, with the charity unaware of the allegations.

Last month, former Sinn Fein senator and Belfast lord mayor Mr O Donnghaile revealed that he stepped down from the Seanad and left the party last December because of a complaint that accused him of sending inappropriate text messages to a teenager.

Sinn Fein referred that matter to the PSNI and social services last September, but no criminal investigation was undertaken.

Separately last month, it emerged that a Sinn Fein member had resigned from the party after admitting involvement in an incident where a portrait of former DUP lord mayor Lord Wallace Browne was damaged at Belfast City Hall.

I would hope that people will see that as soon as any of these things came to our attention, we took immediate action, Ms ONeill said.

I have no tolerance for this type of behaviour in this party.

I will not tolerate these types of actions, and I will take action to dismiss people that are engaged in any of this type of activity.

But I dont believe its a culture in Sinn Fein and I think its a conflation of a number of issues over a number of weeks, unfortunately.

However, we have to answer up to that, and we have, but I hope that the public will take some comfort from the fact that as soon as information came to our attention, we took action.

Other issues that have hit Sinn Fein in recent weeks include the resignation of high-profile Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley, who quit the party in October amid a controversy relating to a complaint against him.

He claimed he was subjected to a character assassination by a clique within the party and likened its processes to a kangaroo court.

Sinn Fein rejected his claims and insisted it handled the matter in accordance with proper procedures.

His resignation came days after fellow Sinn Fein TD Patricia Ryan quit the party.

She said her departure was in response to the party undermining her.

The latest controversy emerged on Sunday evening when Sinn Fein announced that it had suspended one of its Belfast city councillors after an allegation that he exchanged inappropriate online messages with a minor.

The party said it had suspended JJ Magee without prejudice, having referred the matter to social services and the PSNI.

Solicitors for Mr Magee have said he absolutely denies any allegation of inappropriate conduct.

KRW Law said the complaint against its client had been made to the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards, adding that Mr Magee has lodged a 12,000-word, 38-page rebuttal with the commissioner.

The solicitors said Mr Magee had not made Sinn Fein aware of the complaint as there was no substance to it and he believed the matter would be resolved quickly by the commissioner.

The PSNI said it received a report in June this year with regard to inappropriate messages. Officers said no criminal offences were detected, and safeguarding assessments and engagement with other statutory bodies were conducted at the time.

Ms ONeill said Mr Magee should have told the party about the complaint against him.

He should have informed the party of anything of this nature, she said.

We did our due diligence in terms of referring this both to the police and social services, which is the appropriate response whenever something like this comes to our attention.

Asked if she was aware of any other allegations in relation to other party figures that are not already in the public domain, Ms ONeill said she was not.
By Grainne Ni Aodha and Cillian Sherlock, PA

It is an ambition to hold the general election on November 29th, a spokesman for the Taoiseach has said.

It comes after Simon Harris said the election will be called by the end of the week.

The three leaders of the Coalition have agreed to hold an election this year but a date has not yet been officially announced.

Passing the Finance Bill through the Dail, which enacts measures announced in Budget 2025, had been cited as a priority before the election can be called.

The Taoiseach has previously suggested the polling date would be on a Friday and said this week that it will be held this month, pointing towards November 29th.

Speaking to reporters before Cabinet on Tuesday, Mr Harris said he intends to seek a dissolution of the Dail this week.

He added: Its my expectation that we will have a general election campaign under way by the end of the week.

When later asked about a timeline for Government formation following an election, a spokesman for Mr Harris said: We have an election on November 29th thats the ambition. Thats what it looks like, the Taoiseach said that earlier today.

Under that timeline, Mr Harris will this week have to inform President Michael D Higgins at Aras an Uachtarain of his intention to dissolve the Dail.

However, he will be out of the country for a proportion of Thursday and Friday when he travels to Budapest for a meeting of EU leaders.

Mr Harris said other legislation, such as the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill and the Appropriation Bill which ensures the country has enough money to keep on running, will also need to be allowed pass.

Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin had previously said there are two possible election dates, November 29th or December 6th.

Also speaking on his way into Cabinet he said: It is our expectation that it will be dissolved this week.

I think thats not exactly a secret at this stage, I think all parties are now preparing for a general election.

Green Party leader and Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman said the Taoiseach didnt inform us of his plans on what day this week the election would be called.

Im hoping for an election on November 29th, and that would require a dissolution this week. I think the very latest is Friday so thats what Im hoping to see.

Mr Harris said he expected that parties would engage in talks to form the next Government over the Christmas period.
Finding reliable, relevant information about cancer feels like a minefield, particularly womens gynaecological cancers, where shame or stigma often previously shrouded them with a lack of discussion, awareness or openness.

For cervical cancer, weve come a long way in this regard, with awareness and knowledge increasing exponentially in recent years. There are other gynaecological cancers, however, that remain less known about, with further work to be done in public education.

Gynaecological cancer refer to any cancer of the female reproductive system which includes the uterus (womb), the ovaries, the cervix (the neck of the womb), the vulva (the outer part of the female genitals) or the vagina.

The Irish Cancer Society provides invaluable support to all who are navigating a cancer journey, and their families. In particular, they have supported the development of a relatively new resource called This is GO to provide gynaecological and breast cancer support for patients and their families. This programme is part of the Irish Cancer Societys Womens Health Initiative (WHI), the aim of which is to improve health and wellbeing for women impacted by cancer who are dealing with the side effects and consequences of treatment. It was established when The Living Well Cancer Programme based in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH) met for the first time.

Phase 1 of This is GO was launched in September, 2021 as a personalised online resource for women impacted by cervical cancer. Its also been designed for those who have a partner in your life, to provide support.

Healthcare providers working in the area are also encouraged to use it to support their practice in relation to those who are newly diagnosed, receiving treatment, in surveillance or living well with and beyond cancer.

During 2022, the remaining four gynaecological cancers - Ovarian, Uterine, Vulval and Vaginal - were launched, as well as the addition of a genetic pathway for those impacted by BRCA and Lynch Syndrome.

The benefits of this resource are (1) its made for the patient through public involvement, (2) its populated by leading health experts in the field, (3) its easy to use and navigate with very clear instructions and signposting, and (4) its tailored to meet your needs through the use of information that is current, reputable and relevant.

A really important piece of the This is GO toolkit is the two-week downloadable symptom chart, a visual way to track the symptoms that you may be experiencing, which may help to discern where the issue lies and what information to bring to your GP or consultant when you meet with them. It lists the main symptoms of cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulval cancer and clearly indicates where any overlap of symptoms might occur.

For example, pelvic pain or pressure could be pelvic or uterine cancer, while abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge might feature across a number of the cancers.

Users can create their own profile on the website, which allows them to then tailor the content they see, and to bookmark the relevant resources for easier future access. They include latest research studies and decode the science for readers, to give peace of mind that theyre being treated based on most up to date evidence.

Information around gynaecological cancer is imperative to ensure early detection, as well as supported care and informed cancer journeys. Knowing the places to find this information is so important. Chat to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns around symptoms that you might be experiencing to investigate further. Timely intervention is key.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

The COP16 biodiversity summit in Cali, Colombia, ended in disappointment this weekend, with countries failing to determine how to raise $200 billion a year in funding for conservation by 2030, reported Reuters.

Originally intended as a check-in on countries progress with meeting the goals of the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), COP16 went into overtime Saturday as nations scrambled to reach a consensus while delegates dwindled along with hopes for a decisive conclusion.

I am both saddened and enraged by the non-outcome of COP16, said Shilps Gautam, carbon removal financing firm Opnas chief executive, as Reuters reported. The wild thing about the nature financing discussions is that the numbers discussed are already a pittance.

Rich countries seemed to hit a wall when it came to global nature conservation funding, with discussions shifting toward talks of bridging the gap with private money.

The funds are intended to finance actions that promote and support nature, such as sustainable agriculture and ensuring wildlife reserves are thriving.

Human activities like urban development, agriculture and mining are increasingly destroying natures balance and pushing our planet to its limits. As the burning of fossil fuels causes the planet to warm at an unprecedented rate, weather patterns and the worlds water cycle become steadily more unbalanced, leading to catastrophic extreme weather events, drought and wildfires.

The two-week biodiversity summit was scheduled to wrap up on Friday, but by roll call Saturday, there were no longer enough delegates present for the quorum required to pass an agreement. The conference ended with suspension of the meeting and an air of unfinished business.

This COP was meant to be a status check on countries progress toward saving nature, and all indicators on that status are blinking red, said Crystal Davis, global director of the food, land and water program at the World Resources Institute, as reported by Euronews. The primary concern is that countries are not on track to protect 30 per cent of the worlds land and water by 2030. Without conserving the most critical ecosystems, the consequences for all countries will be immense.

COP16 did have some successes, including a worldwide tax on companies that profit from genetic data derived from nature, as well as the establishment of a representative body for Indigenous Peoples at the conference.

The outcome of COP16 represents a mixed bag. We saw real progress on important issues like benefit sharing related to digital sequence information, health and biodiversity, mainstreaming biodiversity into infrastructure and other sectors, and enabling the increased participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities. But the lack of progress on finance will hold back efforts to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030, said Ginette Hemley, WWF-US senior vice president for wildlife, in a press release from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The non-consensus on how to fund the essential goals of the GBF leaves Earths biodiversity hanging in the balance.

[W]ere now veering dangerously off track, said Kirsten Schuijt, director general of WWF International, as Euronews reported. This outcome jeopardises the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Nobody should be okay with this  because it will impact us all.

At COP16, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called upon nations to make substantial new contributions to the GBF Fund, but the response was lackluster, reported Reuters. Countries pledged $163 million to the fund during the conference, bringing the total to approximately $400 million  far short of the goal of $30 billion by 2030.

Despite the hard-won breakthrough on creating a fund for profits from natures genetic information and ongoing rhetoric about the urgency of scaling up finance for nature, there has not been significant headway made on how we will finance nature recovery, nor clarity on how we monitor progress at a global level. Two years on, the vast majority of nature targets agreed in Montreal regrettably currently still feel like unfunded words on paper, said Catherine Weller, Fauna & Flora director of global policy, as The Guardian reported.

Countries will meet next week at the United Nations COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, which will also focus on funding  in that case, rich countries contributing funds to help poorer nations cope with the financial costs of the climate crisis.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

A farmer sprays crops. The pesticide paraquat is linked to Parkinsons disease and other serious health risks. Edwin Tan / E+ / Getty Images

In an open letter, seven United States senators are asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to do what dozens of countries have already done and ban the toxic weedkiller paraquat, which has been associated with Parkinsons disease and other serious health risks.

The October 31 letter addressed to EPA Administrator Michael Regan followed similar correspondence sent to the EPA by 47 Members of Congress earlier in the month, also calling for a ban on the controversial herbicide.

Paraquat is a highly toxic pesticide whose continued use cannot be justified given its harms to farmworkers and rural communities. We write to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban the use of paraquat in the United States, the senators wrote in the letter.

In their letter, the lawmakers said some studies had found paraquat use to be associated with a 64 percent higher likelihood of developing Parkinsons, thyroid cancer, non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and other thyroid problems, reported The Guardian.

I hope the EPA will follow the science and ban paraquat, said the letters organizer, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, as The Guardian reported.

According to the EPA, there is not a clear link between exposure to paraquat and Parkinsons.

However, the EPA said it would review additional studies and issue a final report on the matter by mid-January of next year.

For 60 years, paraquat has been helping fuel the rise of Parkinsons disease, said Ray Dorsey, a University of Rochester professor of neurology, as reported by The Guardian. The evidence from human, laboratory and apparently even the companys own research is overwhelming. When paraquat is banned, more lives will be spared the consequences of Parkinsons.

Syngenta, the Chinese manufacturer of paraquat products, has said that a causal connection between paraquat and Parkinsons disease has not been established by a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

However, internal documents by the company revealed by The Guardian demonstrate that Syngenta had been aware for many years of scientific evidence of paraquat affecting the brain in similar ways to those that cause Parkinsons, and had secretly tried to influence scientific research in order to counteract evidence of harm by the product.

Thousands of paraquat users in the U.S. who also suffer from Parkinsons brought a lawsuit against Syngenta, alleging that the company had a responsibility to warn them of the potential of developing the disease, but that it instead attempted to conceal evidence of risk.

Paraquat has been linked to Parkinsons disease, thyroid cancer, and other health harms such as kidney, liver, and respiratory damage, and reproductive harm, including neurodevelopmental impact on developing fetuses. In rural areas, exposure to paraquat and other pesticides during pregnancy can increase the risk of leukemia, the senators said in the letter. Citing these and other risks, more than 70 countries have banned the use of paraquat, including China, Brazil, the European Union, and Turkey We urge you to protect the health of farmworkers and rural residents by banning paraquat.
Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products .

If you haven't already switched, we rounded up the best Mint alternatives to replace the app that shut down.

As a long-time Mint user, I was frustrated to say the least when news broke at the end of 2023 that Intuit would shut Mint down. I, like millions of others, enjoyed how easily Mint allowed us to track all accounts in one place and monitor credit scores. I also used it regularly to track spending, set goals like pay my mortgage down faster and with general money management.



So I set out to find the best Mint alternatives in the wake of its disappointing demise. I gave Credit Karma, Intuits other financial app, a try but found it to be a poor Mint substitute. The following guide lays out my experience testing some of the most popular Mint replacement apps available today in search of my next budgeting app.



Our pick for best Mint alternative remains Quicken Simplifi, even months after the Mint shutting down, thanks to its easy to use app, good income and bill detection and its affordable price. But there are plenty of other solid options out there for those with different needs. If youre also on the hunt for a budgeting app to replace Mint, we hope these details can help you decide which of the best budgeting apps out there will be right for you.

Table of contents

Best Mint alternatives in 2025

Quicken The best Mint alternative overall Quicken Simplifi Monthly cost: $4 | Tracks spending: Yes | Investment tracking: Yes | Links to bank accounts: Yes | Mobile app: iOS, Android A complete, easy-to-use app that costs less than the competition  and feels the most like Mint. Pros Easy-to-use app with a gentle learning curve

Does a good job detecting recurring income and bills

Less expensive than the competition

Lets you share app access with a spouse or financial advisor

Handy refund tracker Cons No free trial

You can't create an account using your Apple or Google ID

No Zillow integration $48/year at Quicken

No pun intended, but what I like about Quicken Simplifi is its simplicity. Whereas other budgeting apps try to distinguish themselves with dark themes and customizable emoji, Simplifi has a clean user interface, with a landing page that you just keep scrolling through to get a detailed overview of all your stats. These include your top-line balances; net worth; recent spending; upcoming recurring payments; a snapshot of your spending plan; top spending categories; achievements; and any watchlists youve set up. You can also set up savings goals elsewhere in the app. I also appreciate how it offers neat, almost playful visualizations without ever looking cluttered. I felt at home in the mobile and web dashboards after a day or so, which is faster than I adapted to some competing services (Im looking at you, YNAB and Monarch).

Getting set up with Simplifi was mostly painless. I was particularly impressed at how easily it connected to Fidelity; not all budget trackers do, for whatever reason. This is also one of the only services I tested that gives you the option of inviting a spouse or financial advisor to co-manage your account. One thing I would add to my initial assessment of the app, having used it for a few months now: I wish Simplifi offered Zillow integration for easily tracking your home value (or at least a rough estimate of it). Various competitors including Monarch Money and Copilot Money work with Zillow, so clearly there's a Zillow API available for use. As it stands, Simplifi users must add real estate manually like any other asset.

Dana Wollman / Engadget

In practice, Simplifi miscategorized some of my expenses, but nothing out of the ordinary compared to any of these budget trackers. As youre reviewing transactions, you can also mark if youre expecting a refund, which is a unique feature among the services I tested. Simplifi also estimated my regular income better than some other apps I tested. Most of all, I appreciated the option of being able to categorize some, but not all, purchases from a merchant as recurring. For instance, I can add my two Amazon subscribe-and-saves as recurring payments, without having to create a broad-strokes rule for every Amazon purchase.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The budgeting feature is also self-explanatory and can likely accommodate your preferred budgeting method. Just check that your regular income is accurate and be sure to set up recurring payments, making note of which are bills and which are subscriptions. This is important because Simplifi shows you your total take-home income as well as an income after bills figure. That number includes, well, bills but not discretionary subscriptions. From there, you can add spending targets by category in the planned spending bucket. Planned spending can also include one-time expenditures, not just monthly budgets. When you create a budget, Simplifi will suggest a number based on a six-month average.

Not dealbreakers, but two things to keep in mind as you get started: Simplifi is notable in that you cant set up an account through Apple or Google. There is also no option for a free trial, though Quicken promises a 30-day money back guarantee.

Monarch Money The best Mint alternative (runner-up) Monarch Money Monthly cost: Starts at $9 | Tracks spending: Yes | Investment tracking: Yes | Links to bank accounts: Yes | Mobile app: iOS, Android A robust budgeting app thats a little harder to use than our top pick, but not prohibitively so. (Power users might not mind.) Pros Lots of detail and opportunities for customization

Helpful goals feature

You can grant account access to other people

Chrome extension for importing from Mint

Month-in-review recap is more thorough than most

Car value syncing

Zillow integration Cons Steeper learning curve than some other budget trackers

The mobile app feels restricted and less intuitive than the web version

Doesnt seem to distinguish between bills and other recurring expenses

Some bugginess on mobile around creating rules for expense categories $50 a year at Monarch Money

Monarch Money grew on me. My first impression of the budgeting app, which was founded by a former Mint product manager, was that it's more difficult to use than others on this list, including Simplifi, NerdWallet and Copilot. And it is. Editing expense categories, adding recurring transactions and creating rules, for example, is a little more complicated than it needs to be, especially in the mobile app. (My advice: Use the web app for fine-tuning details.) Monarch also didnt get my income right; I had to edit it.

Once youre set up, though, Monarch offers an impressive level of granularity. In the budgets section, you can see a bona fide balance sheet showing budgets and actuals for each category. You'll also find a forecast, for the year or by month. And recurring expenses can be set not just by merchant, but other parameters as well. For instance, while most Amazon purchases might be marked as shopping, those for the amounts of $54.18 or $34.18 are definitely baby supplies, and can be automatically marked as such each time, not to mention programmed as recurring payments. Weirdly, though, theres no way to mark certain recurring payments as bills, specifically.

Dana Wollman / Engadget

Not long after I first published this story in December 2023, Monarch introduced a detailed reporting section where you can create on-demand graphs based on things like accounts, categories and tags. That feature is available just on the web version of the app for now. As part of this same update, Monarch added support for an aggregator that makes it possible to automatically update the value of your car. This, combined with the existing Zillow integration for tracking your home value, makes it easy to quickly add a non-liquid asset like a vehicle or real estate, and have it show up in your net worth graph.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The mobile app is mostly self-explanatory. The main dashboard shows your net worth; your four most recent transactions; a month-over-month spending comparison; income month-to-date; upcoming bills; an investments snapshot; a list of any goals youve set; and, finally, a link to your month-in-review. That month-in-review is more detailed than most, delving into cash flow; top income and expense categories; cash flow trends; changes to your net worth, assets and liabilities; plus asset and liability breakdowns. In February 2024, Monarch expanded on the net worth graph, so that if you click on the Accounts tab you can see how your net worth changed over different periods of time, including one month, three months, six months, a year or all time.

On the main screen, youll also find tabs for accounts, transactions, cash flow, budget and recurring. Like many of the other apps featured here, Monarch can auto-detect recurring expenses and income, even if it gets the category wrong. (They all do to an extent.) Expense categories are marked by emoji, which you can customize if youre so inclined.

Monarch Money uses a combination of networks to connect with banks, including Plaid, MX and Finicity, a competing network owned by Mastercard. (I have a quick explainer on Plaid, the industry standard in this space, toward the end of this guide.) As part of an update in late December, Monarch has also made it easier to connect through those other two networks, if for some reason Plaid fails. Similar to NerdWallet, I found myself completing two-factor authentication every time I wanted to get past the Plaid screen to add another account. Notably, Monarch is the only other app I tested that allows you to grant access to someone else in your family  likely a spouse or financial advisor. Monarch also has a Chrome extension for importing from Mint, though really this is just a shortcut for downloading a CSV file, which youll have to do regardless of where you choose to take your Mint data.

Additionally, Monarch just added the ability to track Apple Card, Apple Cash, and Savings accounts, thanks to new functionality brought with the iOS 17.4 update. It's not the only one either; currently, Copilot and YNAB have also added similar functionality that will be available to anyone with the latest versions of their respective apps on a device running iOS 17.4. Instead of manually uploading statements, the new functionality allows apps like Monarch's to automatically pull in transactions and balance history. That should make it easier to account for spending on Apple cards and accounts throughout the month.

Monarch also recently launched investment transactions in beta. It also says bill tracking and an overhauled goals system are coming soon. Monarch hasn't provided a timeline for that last one, except to say that the improved goals feature is coming soon.

Copilot Money The best up-and-comer Copilot Money Monthly cost: Starts at $8 | Tracks spending: Yes | Investment tracking: Yes | Links to bank accounts: Yes | Mobile app: iOS A beautifully designed and reasonably priced app with lots of features in development  including Android and web apps. Pros Slick UI

Standalone Mac app

Lower monthly price than some competing apps

Does a good job visualizing recurring expenses

Optional Amazon, Venmo and Zillow integration

To review section is handy Cons No web or Android app yet

Miscategorized more expenses than our top pick

Lots of otherwise common features are still in development Two months free at Copilot Money

Copilot Money might be the best-looking budgeting app I tested. It also has the distinction of being exclusive to iOS and Macs  at least for now. Andres Ugarte, the companys CEO, has publicly promised that Android and web apps are coming soon. But until it follows through, I cant recommend Copilot for most people with so many good competitors out there.

Copilot Money for Web and Android!



Thanks to the support from our users, and the overwhelming positive reception we're seeing from folks migrating from Mint, we can now say that we'll be building @copilotmoney for Web and Android with a goal to launch in 2024.



We'll continue to  Andres Ugarte (@chuga) November 15, 2023

There are other features that Copilot is missing, which Ill get into. But it is promising, and one to keep an eye on. Its just a fast, efficient, well designed app, and Android users will be in for a treat when theyll finally be able to download it. It makes good use of colors, emoji and graphs to help you understand at a glance how youre doing on everything from your budgets to your investment performance to your credit card debt over time. In particular, Copilot does a better job than almost any other app of visualizing your recurring monthly expenses.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Behind those punchy colors and cutesy emoji, though, is some sophisticated performance. Copilots AI-powered Intelligence gets smarter as you go at categorizing your expenses. (You can also add your own categories, complete with your choice of emoji.) Its not perfect. Copilot miscategorized some purchases (they all do), but it makes it easier to edit than most. On top of that, the internal search feature is very fast; it starts whittling down results in your transaction history as soon as you begin typing.

Dana Wollman / Engadget

Copilot is also unique in offering Amazon and Venmo integrations, allowing you to see transaction details. With Amazon, this requires just signing into your Amazon account via an in-app browser. For Venmo, you have to set up fwd@copilot.money as a forwarding address and then create a filter, wherein emails from venmo@venmo.com are automatically forwarded to fwd@copilot.money. Like Monarch Money, you can also add any property you own and track its value through Zillow, which is integrated with the app.

While the app is heavily automated, I still appreciate that Copilot marks new transactions for review. Its a good way to both weed out fraudulent charges, and also be somewhat intentional about your spending habits.

Like Monarch Money, Copilot updated its app to make it easier to connect to banks through networks other than Plaid. As part of the same update, Copilot said it has improved its connections to both American Express and Fidelity which, again, can be a bugbear for some budget tracking apps. In an even more recent update, Copilot added a Mint import option, which other budgeting apps have begun to offer as well.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Because the app is relatively new (it launched in early 2020), the company is still catching up to the competition on some table-stakes features. Ugarte told me that his team is almost done building out a detailed cash flow section as well. On its website, Copilot also promises a raft of AI-powered features that build on its current Intelligence platform, the one that powers its smart expense categorization. These include smart financial goals, natural language search, a chat interface, forecasting and benchmarking. That benchmarking, Ugarte tells me, is meant to give people a sense of how theyre doing compared to other Copilot users, on both spending and investment performance. Most of these features should arrive in the new year.

Copilot does a couple interesting things for new customers that distinguish it from the competition. Theres a demo mode that feels like a game simulator; no need to add your own accounts. The company is also offering two free months with RIPMINT  a more generous introductory offer than most. When it finally does come time to pony up, the $7.92 monthly plan is cheaper than some competing apps, although the $95-a-year-option is in the same ballpark.

NerdWallet The best free budgeting app NerdWallet Monthly cost: $0 | Tracks spending: Yes | Investment tracking: Yes | Links to bank accounts: Yes | Mobile app: iOS, Android The best free budget tracking app you can get (and there arent many compromises besides the ever-present ads). Pros Free

Easy to use

Helpful weekly insights

NerdWallet has a deep well of helpful financial explainers and guides

One of the few options that offers credit score monitoring Cons Ads everywhere

No customization for spending categories

Less adept at detecting regular income

One of the more tedious setup processes Free at NerdWallet

You may know NerdWallet as a site that offers a mix of personal finance news, explainers and guides. I see it often when I google a financial term I dont know and sure enough, its one of the sites Im most likely to click on. As it happens, NerdWallet also has the distinction of offering one of the only free budgeting apps I tested. In fact, there is no paid version; nothing is locked behind a paywall. The main catch: There are ads everywhere. To be fair, the free version of Mint was like this, too.

Even with the inescapable credit card offers, NerdWallet has a clean, easy-to-understand user interface, which includes both a web and a mobile app. The key metrics that it highlights most prominently are your cash flow, net worth and credit score. (Of note, although Mint itself offered credit score monitoring, most of its rivals do not.) I particularly enjoyed the weekly insights, which delve into things like where you spent the most money or how much you paid in fees  and how that compares to the previous month. Because this is NerdWallet, an encyclopedia of financial info, you get some particularly specific category options when setting up your accounts (think: a Roth or non-Roth IRA).

Dana Wollman / Engadget

As a budgeting app, NerdWallet is more than serviceable, if a bit basic. Like other apps I tested, you can set up recurring bills. Importantly, it follows the popular 50/30/20 budgeting rule, which has you putting 50% of your budget toward things you need, 30% toward things you want, and the remaining 20% into savings or debt repayments. If this works for you, great  just know that you cant customize your budget to the same degree as some competing apps. You cant currently create custom spending categories, though a note inside the dashboard section of the app says youll be able to customize them in the future. You also cant move items from the wants column to needs or vice versa but In the future, you'll be able to move specific transactions to actively manage what falls into each group. A NerdWallet spokesperson declined to provide an ETA, though.

Lastly, its worth noting that NerdWallet had one of the most onerous setup processes of any app I tested. I dont think this is a dealbreaker, as youll only have to do it once and, hopefully, you arent setting up six or seven apps in tandem as I was. What made NerdWallets onboarding especially tedious is that every time I wanted to add an account, I had to go through a two-factor authentication process to even get past the Plaid splash screen, and thats not including the 2FA I had set up at each of my banks. This is a security policy on NerdWallets end, not Plaids, a Plaid spokesperson says.

Precisely because NerdWallet is one of the only budget trackers to offer credit score monitoring, it also needs more of your personal info during setup, including your birthday, address, phone number and the last four digits of your social security number. Its the same with Credit Karma, which also does credit score monitoring.

Related to the setup process, I found that NerdWallet was less adept than other apps at automatically detecting my regular income. In my case, it counted a large one-time wire transfer as income, at which point my only other option was to enter my income manually (which is slightly annoying because I would have needed my pay stub handy to double-check my take-home pay).

YNAB Another Mint alternative we tested YNAB Monthly cost: Starts at $8 | Tracks spending: Yes | Investment tracking: Yes | Links to bank accounts: Yes | Mobile app: iOS, Android An app with a cult following that promotes a different, more hands-on approach to budgeting. Not for people who want a set-and-forget experience. Pros Particularly strong emphasis on budgeting

Unique zero-dollar approach to financial planning that some people swear by Cons Steep learning curve

Harder to use certain features on the mobile app than on the web $99 a year or $14.99 a month at YNAB

YNAB is, by its own admission, different from anything youve tried before. The app, whose name is short for You Need a Budget, promotes a so-called zero-based budgeting system, which forces you to assign a purpose for every dollar you earn. A frequently used analogy is to put each dollar in an envelope; you can always move money from one envelope to another in a pinch. These envelopes can include rent and utilities, along with unforeseen expenses like holiday gifts and the inevitable car repair. The idea is that if you budget a certain amount for the unknowns each month, they wont feel like theyre sneaking up on you.

Importantly, YNAB is only concerned with the money you have in your accounts now. The app does not ask you to provide your take-home income or set up recurring income payments (although there is a way to do this). The money you will make later in the month through your salaried job is not relevant, because YNAB does not engage in forecasting.

The app is harder to learn than any other here, and it requires more ongoing effort from the user. And YNAB knows that. Inside both the mobile and web apps are links to videos and other tutorials. Although I never quite got comfortable with the user interface, I did come to appreciate YNABs insistence on intentionality. Forcing users to draft a new budget each month and to review each transaction is not necessarily a bad thing. As YNAB says on its website, Sure, youve got pie charts showing that you spent an obscene amount of money in restaurants  but youve still spent an obscene amount of money in restaurants. I can see this approach being useful for people who dont tend to have a lot of cash in reserve at a given time, or who have spending habits they want to correct (to riff off of YNABs own example, ordering Seamless four times a week).

My colleague Valentina Palladino, knowing I was working on this guide, penned a respectful rebuttal, explaining why shes been using YNAB for years. Perhaps, like her, you have major savings goals you want to achieve, whether its paying for a wedding or buying a house. I suggest you give her column a read. For me, though, YNABs approach feels like overkill.

PocketGuard Another Mint alternative we tested PocketGuard Monthly cost: Starts at $6 | Tracks spending: Yes | Investment tracking: Yes | Links to bank accounts: Yes | Mobile app: iOS, Android A slightly rougher-around-the-edges user experience, but you still get lots of functionality for a lower price than others and more features coming soon. Pros One of the only budget trackers with a free plan

You can avoid an ongoing subscription fee by opting for a one-time lifetime license

Less expensive than most competitors

Helpful upcoming bills view in the app Cons The free version is so restricted that the free label feels misleading; the user experience feels less polished than some competing apps

The web app doesnt take advantage of the larger screen space on desktop $7.99 a month or $34.99 a year at PocketGuard

PocketGuard is one of the only reputable free budget trackers I found in my research. Just know its far more restricted at the free tier than NerdWallet or Mint. In my testing, I was prompted to pay after I attempted to link more than two bank accounts. So much for free, unless you keep things simple with one cash account and one credit card. When it comes time to upgrade to PocketGuard Plus, you have three options: pay $7.99 a month, $34.99 a year or $79.99 for a one-time lifetime license. That lifetime option is actually one of the few unique selling points for me: Im sure some people will appreciate paying once and never having to, uh, budget for it again.

From the main screen, youll see tabs for accounts, insights, transactions and the Plan, which is where you see recurring payments stacked on top of what looks like a budget. The main overview screen shows you your net worth, total assets and debts; net income and total spending for the month; upcoming bills; a handy reminder of when your next paycheck lands; any debt payoff plan you have; and any goals.

Dana Wollman / Engadget

Like some other apps, including Quicken Simplifi, PocketGuard promotes an after bills approach, where you enter all of your recurring bills, and then PocketGuard shows you whats left, and thats what youre supposed to be budgeting: your disposable income. Obviously, other apps have a different philosophy: take into account all of your post-tax income and use it to pay the bills, purchase things you want and maybe even save a little. But in PocketGuard, its the in your pocket number thats most prominent. To PocketGuards credit, it does a good job visualizing which bills are upcoming and which ones youve already paid.

PocketGuard has also publicly committed to adding some popular features. These include rollover budgeting, categorization rules and shared household access.

Dana Wollman / Engadget

Although PocketGuards UI is easy enough to understand, it lacks polish. The accounts tab is a little busy, and doesnt show totals for categories like cash or investments. Seemingly small details like weirdly phrased or punctuated copy occasionally make the app feel janky. More than once, it prompted me to update the app when no updates were available. The web version, meanwhile, feels like the mobile app blown up to a larger format and doesnt take advantage of the extra screen real estate.

Of note, although PocketGuard does work with Plaid, its primary bank-connecting platform is actually Finicity. Setting up my accounts through Finicity was mostly a straightforward process. I did encounter one hiccup: Finicity would not connect to my SoFi account. I was able to do it through Plaid, but PocketGuard doesnt make it easy to access Plaid in the app. The only way, as far as I can tell, is to knowingly search for the name of a bank that isnt available through Finicity, at which point you get the option to try Plaid instead. Like I said: the experience can be janky.

What is Plaid and how does it work?

Each of the apps I tested uses the same underlying network, called Plaid, to pull in financial data, so its worth explaining in its own section what it is and how it works. Plaid was founded as a fintech startup in 2013 and is today the industry standard in connecting banks with third-party apps. Plaid works with over 12,000 financial institutions across the US, Canada and Europe. Additionally, more than 8,000 third-party apps and services rely on Plaid, the company claims.

To be clear, you dont need a dedicated Plaid app to use it; the technology is baked into a wide array of apps, including the budget trackers I tested for this guide. Once you find the add an account option in whichever one youre using, youll see a menu of commonly used banks. Theres also a search field you can use to look yours up directly. Once you find yours, youll be prompted to enter your login credentials. If you have two-factor authentication set up, youll need to enter a one-time passcode as well.

As the middleman, Plaid is a passthrough for information that may include your account balances, transaction history, account type and routing or account number. Plaid uses encryption, and says it has a policy of not selling or renting customer data to other companies. However, I would not be doing my job if I didnt note that in 2022 Plaid was forced to pay $58 million to consumers in a class action suit for collecting more financial data than was needed. As part of the settlement, Plaid was compelled to change some of its business practices.

In a statement provided to Engadget, a Plaid spokesperson said the company continues to deny the allegations underpinning the lawsuit and that the crux of the non-financial terms in the settlement are focused on us accelerating workstreams already underway related to giving people more transparency into Plaids role in connecting their accounts, and ensuring that our workstreams around data minimization remain on track.

My top Mint alternative picks

To conclude, you might be wondering what app I decided on for myself after all of this research. The answer is actually two apps: Quicken Simplifi, my overall top pick, and Copilot Money. For now, I am actively using both apps and still deciding, long-term, which I feel more comfortable with. I tend to prefer Copilot's fast, colorful user interface, but as I explained above, it's too lacking in table-stakes features for me to go so far as to name it the best overall option.

How to import your financial data from the Mint app

Mint users should consider getting their data ready to migrate to their new budgeting app of choice soon. Unfortunately, importing data from Mint is not as easy as entering your credentials from inside your new app and hitting import. In fact, any app that advertises the ability to port over your stats from Mint is just going to have you upload a CSV file of transactions and other data.

To download a CSV file from Mint, do the following:

Sign into Mint.com and hit Transactions in the menu on the left side of the screen. Select an account, or all accounts. Scroll down and look for export [number] transactions in smaller print. Your CSV file should begin downloading.

Note: Downloading on a per-account basis might seem more annoying, but could help you get set up on the other side, if the app youre using has you importing transactions one-for-one into their corresponding accounts.

How we tested Mint alternatives

Before I dove into the world of budgeting apps, I had to do some research. To find a list of apps to test, I consulted trusty ol Google (and even trustier Reddit); read reviews of popular apps on the App Store; and also asked friends and colleagues what budget tracking apps they might be using. Some of the apps I found were free, just like Mint. These, of course, show loads of ads (excuse me, offers) to stay in business. But most of the available apps require paid subscriptions, with prices typically topping out around $100 a year, or $15 a month. (Spoiler: My top pick is cheaper than that.)

Since this guide is meant to help Mint users find a permanent replacement, any services I chose to test needed to do several things: import all of your account data into one place; offer budgeting tools; and track your spending, net worth and credit score. Except where noted, all of these apps are available for iOS, Android and on the web.

Once I had my shortlist of six apps, I got to work setting them up. For the sake of thoroughly testing these apps (and remember, I really was looking for a Mint alternative myself), I made a point of adding every account to every budgeting app, no matter how small or immaterial the balance. What ensued was a veritable Groundhog Day of two-factor authentication. Just hours of entering passwords and one-time passcodes, for the same banks half a dozen times over. Hopefully, you only have to do this once.

What about Rocket Money?

Rocket Money is another free financial app that tracks spending and supports things like balance alerts and account linking. If you pay for the premium tier, the service can also help you cancel unwanted subscriptions. We did not test it for this guide, but we'll consider it in future updates.
A man allegedly behind a series of corporate cyberattacks is reportedly in custody in Canada. Bloomberg reported on Monday that the suspect, 26-year-old Alexander Connor Moucka, was apprehended by authorities on a provisional arrest warrant on October 30, following a request from the US. The hacks targeted corporate customers of Snowflake, a cloud data partner of AT&T, Live Nation and others.

The hacks targeted over 100 organizations, leading to millions of users personal data theft. In addition to AT&T and Ticketmaster, that list included Lending Tree, Advance Auto Parts and Neiman Marcus. AT&T declined to comment for this story. We also contacted Live Nation but havent heard back. (Well update this story if we do.)

Krebs on Security reported on Tuesday that Moucka is named in multiple sealed indictments from US prosecutors and federal law enforcement agencies. The suspect allegedly nabbed stolen credentials from cybercriminal forums (and similar places), betting that customers had reused the same credentials elsewhere. He is said to have then used those logins to access the accounts of Snowflakes corporate clients and extort them, threatening to sell the data on criminal forums if they didnt pay. AT&T reportedly paid the hacker a $370,000 ransom to delete the records.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Krebs says the online handles Moucka used corresponded to those of a prolific cybercriminal sitting at the intersection of Western, English-speaking cybercriminals and extremist groups that harass and extort minors into harming themselves or others. The report claims Moucka was part of a hacking group called UNC5537 that also included an elusive American, John Erin Binns, currently in Turkey. Binns was behind a 2021 T-Mobile hack that affected at least 76.6 million customers.

Snowflake pointed fingers at its corporate clients for failing to set up multi-factor authentication. We have a broader challenge in the security community and enterprises that a lot of people arent nailing the basics, Snowflakes Chief Information Security Officer Brad Jones told Bloomberg. But Snowflakes apparent failure to require two-factor security sits on equal ground with its customers decisions not to set it up  especially with millions of customers information on the line.

Why did AT&T and other companies entrust Snowflake with so much customer data? The wireless carrier hasnt said. Snowflake offers cloud-based data analysis services. In July, AT&T said that nearly all of its customers were affected by the hack, suggesting that almost all of its subscribers were potentially having their data analyzed by a cloud partner of its wireless carrier. A total of 110 million AT&T customers were said to be affected.

Fortunately, AT&T said the breach didnt contain the contents of calls or texts. However, it included the phone numbers each account interacted with and a tally of each customers calls, texts, and call durations. It also contained cell site identification numbers. Cybersecurity expert Javvad Malik told Engadget this summer that the latter could potentially allow for the triangulation of users locations.
Looking to watch something really bittersweet? The co-creator of the absolutely incredible sci-fi cartoon Scavengers Reign dropped a trailer for the second season , just after Netflix decided it would not fund a renewal. Its a full minute of new footage, complete with bloodthirsty plants, bat-monkey hybrid creatures and all kinds of psychedelic sci-fi madness.

The teaser was produced in-house, using the production companys own money. Co-creator Joe Bennett wrote on Instagram that this is not the end. There is more story to be told, we are ready to make another season. However, he also added that as of right now, Scavengers Reign is not being renewed for a second season.

The show has had a rocky road, premiering on Max a couple of years back before being canceled. The critically-acclaimed first season eventually ended up on Netflix , where it attracted new viewers. The so-called Netflix bump made fans excited for a renewal, but that wasnt in the cards. Theres still a chance that buzz generated from this trailer could entice another streamer to invest in the show. Apple TV+ sure has a lot of sci-fi shows , so why not add one more? Someone get Tim Cook on the horn.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

If youve never watched Scavengers Reign, its on Netflix right now. This is one of the best sci-fi shows ever made, animated or not. Its seriously so, so good. If you have any interest in classic sci-fi or gorgeous animation, thisll be your jam. Its been called a Moebius comic brought to life and a gorgeous, hypnotic space trip.

The show follows a group of survivors spread across an alien planet after a wreck. They encounter some of the trippiest things ever conceived as they struggle to stay alive and find rescue. Its like a 1950s sci-fi novel come to life but, well, mixed with an acid trip.

The voice cast includes Alia Shawkat, from Arrested Development and Search Party, and Wunmi Mosaku from Loki, among others. There are 12 episodes in the first season, which makes for a nice binge or two. Just saying.
This is a test to see if the material is durable enough to handle the endless void of the cosmos.

Japanese researchers just sent the worlds first wooden satellite to space, as reported by CNN. LignoSat, named after the Latin word for wood, was developed by Kyoto University and a company called Sumitomo Forestry. It was included in a SpaceX mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and will soon be released into orbit above the Earth.

Why do this? There are two main reasons. First of all, itll be a test as to the durability of wood when faced with the harsh conditions of space. If successful, the researchers plan on making more wooden structures and jettisoning them to the cosmos.

Kyoto University

With timber, a material we can produce by ourselves, we will be able to build houses, live and work in space forever, said Takao Doi, an astronaut affiliated with Kyoto University. This is the first step in a 50-year plan that includes planting trees and building actual timber houses on the moon and even Mars.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Early 1900s airplanes were made of wood, said Kyoto University forest science professor Koji Murata. A wooden satellite should be feasible, too.

For those balking at the idea of wooden structures being used in space, consider some of the benefits. The material should actually be more durable in space than on Earth because, well, the endless void doesnt have any water or oxygen. Theres nothing to cause rot and it's very hard for it to catch fire. It even offers fairly decent protection from radiation.

The other reason has to do with all of those other satellites in orbit. The planets currently surrounded by more than 3,000 satellites, not to mention all kinds of affiliated space debris. Wooden satellites would eventually fall back down to Earth and burn up during re-entry.

Metal satellites will (mostly) burn up during the return trip, but not before creating harmful aluminum oxide particles. We dont really have a plan in place for the ever-expanding amount of space junk entombing the planet, so this could help. Doi envisions a scenario in which metal satellites might be banned in the future. In any event, having a log cabin on the moon would be one heck of a good time. There's literally an Apple TV+ show plus about just that.
Richard Gere has publicly endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election that takes place on Tuesday (Nov. 5).

The actor pledged his support to the Democratic candidate and current vice president on the eve of the general election in a new video message that emerged on social media, specifically addressed to his home state voters in Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, the 75-year-old leading man  Gere is best known for films like Pretty Woman, American Gigolo, Runaway Bride, Primal Fear and The Mothman Prophecies  is also one step closer to moving he and his family to Spain after he sold his house in Connecticut for a whopping amount.

Gere's support for Harris isn't surprising to those who have followed his advocacy work. The actor has a long history of engaging in political and social causes, often using his platform to speak out on issues like human rights and environmental preservation.

His endorsement also highlights a broader trend of celebrity influence in modern politics, where familiar faces can energize voter turnout and sway public opinion. Gere's message to Pennsylvania voters carries a personal touch, drawing on his roots in the state to connect with locals in a meaningful way.

"Hi Pennsylvania," Gere begins his video address, as seen on X (formerly Twitter) at Kamala for PA. He continues, "I'm Richard Gere, I was born in Philadelphia. My mom and dad were born and raised in Brooklyn, Pennsylvania, in Northeastern Pennsylvania  Susquehanna County."

Getting down to brass tacks, the actor says, "We got a big election coming up here. I think you're aware of that. But I want you to know you can still make a big difference here."

He adds, "I've thought about it, I've done my research, and I'm very clear. I am voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. I like them, I like what they stand for. I believe in them. I think they're good for America, and they're good for us." Watch the video below.

Richard Gere wants voters in his home state to know that this election is extremely important and it's not too late to get involved.



Talk to your friends. Talk to your family. Sign up to phone bank and canvass at https://t.co/IVNgzpO1qc.



Pull out all the stops, Pennsylvania. pic.twitter.com/xAMnXlrsdw  Kamala for PA (@KamalaforPA) November 4, 2024

"So please, get out and vote, and do what you can," he relays. "There's still time. Talk to your friends, talk to your neighbors  get out there. It's really an important election  probably the most important one I've been aware of, and I'm 75 years old  I'm one of the old dogs. So please, Kamala Harris [and] Tim Walz. Good luck to you all, bye."

But that's not all. People magazine reported on Monday (Nov. 4) that Gere recently sold his Connecticut home for $10.75 million after earlier revealing plans to relocate to Spain with his wife, Alejandra Silva, a Spanish native, and their two children.

"For Alejandra, it will be wonderful to be closer to her family, her lifelong friends and her culture," Gere told Vanity Fair in an interview earlier this year (translated by People). He added, "She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers."

Spain stands to be a "great adventure" for him and his family, Gere also said. Accompanying them will be their two children, Alexander, 5, and James, 4. Gere also shares a son named Homer, 24, with his second wife, Carey Lowell. Silva has a son, Albert, 11, with ex-husband Govind Friedland.
It is now being claimed that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's eviction from Frogmore Cottage is part of the plan of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The couple was asked to vacate the property in 2023 after they permanently moved to the United States in 2020.

According to RadarOnline, a palace source told author Robert Hardman for his book "Charles III: New King New Court" that had the late queen "lived another year, he would have been out."

"It was her plan to move him out, to end the lease for the Sussexes at Frogmore Cottage and to move Andrew in there," the source further revealed.

"It was mainly a money thing, as she could see it was becoming unsustainable," the source added.

As of writing, Prince Andrew still resides in the Royal Lodge. However, it has been reported that he has been eyeing the property for his daughter, Princess Eugenie, and her family.

OK Magazine reported last month that a palace source claimed that "Andrew won't move into Frogmore but is still trying to wangle it for his family."

"Eugenie has stayed there on and off since Harry and Meghan left for America," the source pointed out. "She helped pack up their things."

The source further claimed that Princess Beatrice and husband Jack Brooksbank "need a bigger home for their family."

The couple welcomed son August in 2021. A second son, Ernest, was born last year.

"They adore Frogmore Cottage and have stayed there often so making it into a full-time home makes sense," the palace source claimed. "Andrew knows Beatrice is settled so wants to make sure Eugenie finds a property that she can call a family home."

Princess Beatrice and her family have been splitting their time between the United Kingdom and Melides, which is located in Portugal since 2022.

Melides is the same area where the Sussexes have reportedly purchased a beachfront property recently.

Reports have claimed that it may have been a recommendation of Princess Beatrice and her husband.
Tori Spelling recently revealed a long-forgotten memory with her former 'Beverly Hills, 90210' co-star Brian Austin Green, recounting details of their first intimate encounter.

On an episode of her 'Misspelling' podcast, Spelling shared that their first hookup happened at the Disneyland Hotel. She explained, on the podcast published Tuesday, November 5, that the two had spent the day bickering while waiting in line for the Matterhorn ride, which prompted her to ask Green why they "always" seemed to argue.

Spelling recalled his surprising response: "You said, 'Have you ever thought maybe I always fight with you because I love you?' " They then began kissing, and Green suggested, "Do you want to get out of here?" She responded, "Yeah."

As Spelling recounted the moment, Green, who didn't remember it, reacted with amusement, saying, "Wait, what? I love this story." Spelling described the experience as "kind of epic" and "out of a John Hughes movie," adding that she even made a memorable call to their mutual friend Jennie Garth from the lobby the next morning.

Green seemed curious about the forgotten details and asked if they had been "super drunk" at the time, which Spelling confirmed. Green admitted that drinking was a regular part of their lives back then. While he remembered "a lot of other times [hooking up]," he confessed, "I do not remember that time at all."

Their conversation shifted to the nature of their past relationship. Green struggled to define it, saying it was "much more than dating." Spelling, however, jokingly dismissed his attempt to label it as a "brother and sister" connection, saying, "You don't f**k your family."

The pair, now both 51, have reconnected after reportedly not speaking for 18 years. Their lives have since taken different paths, with Spelling recently separating from her husband, Dean McDermott, and Green now co-parenting his children with exes Megan Fox and Vanessa Marcil, as well as his fiancee, Sharna Burgess.

The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' alums famously portrayed love interests Donna and David, but dated in real life at the series' start.
In a recent interview, Dr. Taling Tene Rodrigue, Cameroonian scholar and head of the Center for African Film & TV at Zhejiang Normal Universitys Institute of African Studies, reflected on Chinas development journey and its potential insights for African nations. Having lived in China for over a decade, Dr. Rodrigue has observed first-hand the countrys rapid advancements and the valuable lessons it could offer African countries in areas from technology to cultural exchange. Dr. Rodrigue, who joined fellow African scholars in co-signing a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, expressed appreciation for Chinas commitment to Africa and the inclusiveness of its leadership. We are honored to know that the top leadership is taking into account the voices of thinkers, he noted, emphasizing the growing importance of China-Africa cooperation as both regions navigate their development goals. Driven by a passion for fostering mutual understanding, Dr. Rodrigue draws on his personal experiences to bridge cultural gaps between Africa and China. His love for Chinese culture, originally sparked by watching Kung Fu movies as a child, inspired him to work in film and media to share the story of modern China with African audiences. While those early films left a lasting impression, he acknowledged that they often presented an outdated image of China. Now, he hopes to convey the full scope of contemporary Chinas achievements, especially to the youth. Culture defines people, Dr. Rodrigue emphasized, underscoring the power of film to connect and inspire. He believes Chinas unique approach to development has contributed to the countrys progress in areas like science, technology, and the economy. He sees Chinas resilience and commitment to pursuing its own path as qualities that could encourage African countries to explore innovative approaches tailored to their distinct contexts. As Africa and China continue to strengthen ties, Dr. Rodrigue envisions a future where both regions can build a resilient partnership founded on shared goals and mutual respect. Through cultural and academic exchanges, he hopes to deepen this collaboration and foster a greater understanding between African and Chinese communities.
Queen Camilla is currently under the weather.

The queen is battling a reported chest infection, forcing her to cancel her scheduled appearances this week, per Buckingham Palace.

Doctors have advised that Camilla take a short period of rest at home, however she hopes to be healthy enough to attend Remembrance events, set to take place this weekend. Per the Palace, it is understood that there is no cause for alarm at this time.

Regarding the queen's exact condition, doctors claim the royal has a "relatively minor bug," which could have been picked up during her extended travels. She recently returned to the United Kingdom last Wednesday after traveling with King Charles.

"She apologizes to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result," the statement added.

She and Charles took a trip to Australia and Samoa, which also included a pit stop in India on their way back. The king's trip to Australia is marked as his first visit as monarch, in addition to his visit to Samoa marking his first as head of the Commonwealth.

The 77-year-old could possibly miss out on the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance located at Westminster Abbey this Thursday, November 6, per the 'BBC,' where she's scheduled to be represented by the Duchess of Gloucester. Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, who is married to the late Queen Elizabeth's cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, is a full-time working member of the royal family.

The Prime Minister also sent his well wishes to the "unwell" queen, per the media outlet, wishing her a "speedy recovery" in a message penned via social media, per the British outlet.

The palace also made a statement regarding Queen Camilla, saying: "Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest.

"With great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week, but she very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend's Remembrance events as normal," the statement concludes. The queen will also reportedly miss a reception for Olympic and Paralympic medalists on November 7 at Buckingham Palace, per 'TODAY.'

Meanwhile King Charles  who was diagnosed with cancer in February  is set to resume treatment upon his return to the UK, per the news outlet.
Barry Keoghan recently clarified rumors about his viral nude dance scene in 'Saltburn,' confirming he did not use a prosthetic for his performance.

Speaking on 'The Louis Theroux Podcast,' the Irish actor, known for his role as a scholarship student navigating high society in Emerald Fennell's 'Saltburn' (2023), shared that what audiences saw on screen was entirely him. When Theroux mentioned speculation that his "willy had been enhanced" for the scene, Keoghan jokingly replied, "That wasn't me, by the way. No, I'm playing. Of course it was me."

The scene featured Keoghan dancing fully nude through an empty mansion to Sophie Ellis-Bextor's "Murder on the Dancefloor" (2001). Keoghan recalled his conversation with director Fennell about the scene's purpose. He explained that the character's comfort in his own space was key: "When you have that space, we all do at home, we walk around naked because we're comfy and this is our environment."

Keoghan admitted his nervousness about performing in the nude, revealing, "The initial thing was about me having no clothes on. I'm a bit, ehhh." However, once filming began, he quickly embraced the role. "After take one, I was ready to go. I was like, 'Let's go again. Let's go again,' " he said, crediting the supportive environment on set for helping him focus on the story instead of his discomfort.

Director Fennell described filming the scene multiple times to achieve the right energy. She recalled that the seventh take was technically perfect but lacked the "absolutely devilish joy" they were seeking. "Barry, to his credit, did it four more times until the one that you see, which has this total f*****g evil joie de vivre that is impossible not to be on board with," she said. Keoghan himself was surprised by his moves, laughing, "I didn't know I could dance like that... Wow. Where did them things come from?"

The memorable scene helped bring Ellis-Bextor's 2001 track back into the limelight, propelling it up the UK and US charts once again, underscoring 'Saltburn's' impact on popular culture.
A woman identified as Jane Doe, who has accused Russell Simmons of rape, is challenging his claim that he is "retired" and living in Indonesia as a way to avoid facing her lawsuit in New York.

Doe, a former Def Jam employee, alleges Simmons raped her in his New York apartment in the mid-1990s and argues that his assertion of being "stateless" is an attempt to avoid the court's jurisdiction.

"Defendant is running from the court's jurisdiction to avoid taking accountability for his actions," she wrote in a recent filing obtained by 'Rolling Stone.'

Doe's filing urges the court to question Simmons' claim that he lives in Bali under a retirement visa. While Simmons stated that he sold his last U.S. property in 2021 and is now permanently settled in Indonesia, Doe argues that he still maintains active ties to New York.

In her filing, she states Simmons, 67, continues to pay for a Manhattan apartment for his children, maintains office space for his company, Russell Simmons TV (RSTV, Inc.), and has business interests in New York, suggesting he is far from retired. She alleges that "building an empire and being retired are mutually exclusive."

Furthermore, Doe's legal team notes that the father of two allegedly remains actively involved in various ventures, such as the Gdas Bali Health and Wellness Resort, which he reportedly co-owns, and acts as a public figure for the media company Gushcloud. Her filing argues that his continued work disqualifies him from claiming retirement status, as an Indonesian retirement visa would require proof that he is not actively engaged in business activities.

Doe also disputes Simmons' claims that he considers the U.S. as "home." She cited a recent interview with 'AllHipHop' in which the former record executive claimed he regularly visits cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami, countering any notion of his permanent residence in Indonesia. Simmons is reported to have told the outlet, "I'm always in L.A., I'm always in New York and Miami," dismissing the notion that he cannot return to the U.S.

While Doe's lawsuit is one of many allegations against Simmons, he has consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming he has passed "nine lie detector tests." The judge overseeing this case has not yet made a ruling on Simmons' motion to dismiss due to alleged lack of jurisdiction.
The polarization of the U.S. presidential election has spilled beyond American borders and into the realm of Thailand's internationally celebrated sensation, Moo Deng, who now faces backlash after predicting a Donald Trump victory.

Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus who skyrocketed to internet fame in September, was presented with two cakes in her enclosure. One cake had "Donald Trump" written on it, the other, "Kamala Harris."

WATCH: Celebrity baby hippo Moo Deng predicts Trump will win US election based on which cake she eats



READ: https://t.co/J8wkF9goXS pic.twitter.com/1bYbjnnwI2  Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) November 4, 2024

Moo Deng's mother approached the cakes first, digging into the "Harris" cake. Moo Deng, who has shown no evidence of literacy, munched the "Trump" cake. According to the exercise's playful premise, Moo Deng predicts Trump will win.

Reactions to Moo Deng's so-called presidential pick showed just how fickle fame can be, with an onslaught of comments calling for an end to Moo Deng's reign over the internet.

Moo Deng is over  Queens of Bravo (@queensofbravo) November 4, 2024

End of the Moon Deng era   Zakar Twins (@ZakarTwins) November 4, 2024

people who hated Moo Deng but didn't have a good reason seeing this news pic.twitter.com/e7fm9kw6xI  Sigmatic (@sigmatic_) November 4, 2024

Her integrity was questioned.

never trusted this oversized rat.  M1das (@M1das_OW2) November 4, 2024

TRAITOR  Angelica Reed (@Angelica_Reed1) November 4, 2024

Threats ranged from thinly veiled to overtly violent.

kill that damn pig   (@AG7Source) November 4, 2024

moo deng gonna end up with that squirrel  Bob (@emptytesticles) November 4, 2024

But many came to Moo Deng's defense.

do NOT bring her into this.  Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) November 4, 2024

she didn't say she would vote for him she just predicted a winner. stay off my queen's neck!  ras ali |    (@rasalistair) November 4, 2024

Devotees pointed out her tender age.

SHE'S JUST A BABY SHE DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT POLITICS PLEASE JUST GIVE HER A BREAK   Kate  (@ifkate) November 4, 2024

Please do not drag Moo Deng she's just a child   Anne (@AnneTheReUp) November 4, 2024

Or offered alternate explanations for why Moo Deng might have chosen the Trump cake.

This was a misinterpretation. Moo Deng was trying to express the saying of 'eating the rich', therefore eating Donald Trump, signifying he wants him out of the presidental race and in turn endorsing Kamala Harris.  BLUFFY (@blluuffy) November 4, 2024

She obviously thought she was attacking him and eating him alive, don't do her like this   (@lovedoveclarke) November 4, 2024

Others had rational arguments for why Moo Deng's cancellation was completely unnecessary.

doing PAYOLA hate against a thai celebrity to distract from the fact that your country is one big joke. she only began eating solid food 2 weeks ago, what makes you think she even cares about the US elections? she simply picked the bigger fruit.  yammi (@sighyam) November 4, 2024

She is not american. She cant vote   Vin (@WhoisVindictive) November 4, 2024

Or at least wished her luck in the cut throat world of internet fame.

Hope Moo Deng has good PR crisis management  Joshbigosh (@ottersquatter) November 5, 2024

Moo Deng has offered no additional commentary on the presidential election.

Meanwhile, the American people anxiously await official election results that will either prove or disprove Moo Deng's prediction.

Originally published by Latin Times.
What role do Kourtney Kardashian's three children with Scott Disick play in her life now that she has a new baby boy, Rocky, with her current husband, blink-182's Travis Barker? And how much contact does she currently maintain with them?

We may not know the answers, but regardless, the celebrity rumor mill has kicked into high gear about it after it emerged this week that Kourtney and Travis had welcomed their first child together, Rocky Thirteen Barker. And some of those rumors seem to connect to what viewers have already seen on shows like The Kardashians.

Kourtney has three kids with Scott  Mason, Penelope, and Reign. (The latter reportedly bears a striking resemblance to Justin Bieber.) Kourtney and Scott split in 2015 but remained close to parent their kids, as the Kardashians' various reality TV series have shown. Barker has two children, Alabama and Landon, from his marriage to Shanna Moakler.

Already, arrangements between the Kardashian-Disick branch of the family tree had at times seemed tenuous. Earlier this year, the celebrity magazine Hello! reported that14-year-old Mason "prefers to stay with his dad rather than join the extended family on trips, with Kourtney sharing her disappointment that Mason didn't want to join the Kardashian-Barker clan in Australia in February" (Interestingly, Mason also doesn't follow Travis on Instagram.)

But now, someone on TikTok has suggested a very unconfirmed take that they think Kourtney's kids with Disick are making their displeasure known to the family, now that Kourtney and Travis, who wed back in 2022, have a brand new kid in their marriage.

So what's the proposed deal with Kourtney and her children with Scott? Watch the video below for one unverified hypothesis that's making the rounds on TikTok.

"There are new rumors going around because apparently all of Kourtney Kardashian's kids are so annoyed by her relationship with Travis," The Real Andy of Beverly Hills says in a viral video on TikTok, putting forth some unsubstantiated theories about the multi-tiered relationship between Kourtney, Travis, Scott and all of their children.

"They do not want to see it anymore, they are not happy around him, they don't feel good around him  allegedly," the influencer adds without citing his sources.

Proposing that Disick is getting pushed away from the Kardashians  something that Andy notes Disick himself once suggested to Kris Jenner on the family's reality shows  the TikTok gossiper references Kourtney and Travis' overt displays of affection from Hulu's The Kardashians that made her kids visibly cringe on the show then...and purportedly still makes them now. (See clip below.)

"Apparently, all of them [have] voiced to Kourtney how the excessive PDA  how, like, being with Travis  is so uncomfortable for them," Andy says. He also notes that Kourtney's children with Disick weren't publicly involved in Kourtney and Travis' marriage proposal.

Alabama has also spoken about the new baby Rocky, as pointed out by BuzzFeed: Travis' 18-year-old daughter previously said that the name Rocky was "so bad" before coming around and later admitting to E! News, "It's a cool name. We all have very authentic, weird names."

Article originally published on 'Music Times.'
1

Mas de un centenar de personas atendidas tras una mascleta en la Plaza del Ayuntamiento con asistencia masiva
Sustainable food campaigners have called out meat producer Cranswick's plans to build a 'US-style megafarm' in Norfolk as 'madness'.

Campaigning groups Feedback and Sustain have called on the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk to reject the proposal.

In the summer, Cranswick Plc, one of the UKs largest meat producers, submitted proposals to expand an existing site at Methwold and Feltwell to house 870,000 chickens and 14,000 pigs.

Cranswick said it would be a sustainable, modern farm and would help create jobs and boost the local economy.

But campaigners have today warned the council that it was 'breaking the law' by leaving greenhouse gas emissions out of the scope of the planning application.

They also said that local and national climate change commitments would be 'jeopardised' if the farm's extension went ahead.

There is also local resistance to the Methwold farm: to date, the council has received 10,000 letters objecting to the proposal.

Natasha Hurley, director of campaigns at Feedback, said the meat producer's plans was 'madness'.

She said: "This megafarm must be stopped, and we believe the law is on our side.

"We urge West Norfolk Borough Council in the strongest possible terms to reject this planning application.

Ruth Westcott, campaign manager at Sustain, added that 'industrial megafarms' were 'completely unnecessary'.

"As well as the unacceptable impact on the climate, family farmers say these kind of supply chains impose prices, trading terms, and insecurity that they cant survive."

The council said it will shortly be conducting a public consultation following the submission of an updated environmental statement by Cranswick.
A young farmer from Cumbria has been described as dynamite for the industry after winning the annual Young Farmer of the Year award.

The award, which was issued at the NFYFCs YFC Achiever Awards, recognises the achievements of those involved in YFCs across England and Wales.

Hector Meanwell, 25, from Tebay in Cumbria, was given the award by Kelvin and Liz Fletcher, stars of ITV series Fletchers Family Farm.

Hector, who helps run his familys regenerative upland farm, as well as managing Low Beckside farm for the Ernest Cook Trust, is eager to bridge the gap between consumers and farms.

Hes involved in launching a farm shop on his farm and runs educational sessions at Low Beckside to engage children, as well as those from disadvantaged backgrounds, about the opportunities in agriculture.

The judges were impressed by Hectors ambition and his willingness to champion the sector  even taking on a member of the House of Lords who questioned the abundance of biodiversity on his farm.

Kelvin Fletcher said: The unique thing about Hector is that people like him dont come along very often. Hes an entrepreneur, hes got spirit.

"He will do things on a huge scale. Im buzzing about the future of farming if it looks like Hector.

"Hes hard working, passionate, willing to be transparent and open with people that doubt the integrity of his work and brings them on board."

Robbie Tuer, 27, a member of Raughton Head YFC in Cumbria, was announced as the runner up of the Young Farmer of the Year award.

Coming from a non-farming background, he works as a ruminant sales representative for Aspatria, where he looks after a large number of farmers in north Cumbria.

He sits on various committees for agricultural shows and societies along with developing a network with his local parish council and lobbying with MPs.

Robbie is the vice chair of NFYFCs YFC AGRI group and is trained to deliver NFYFCs farm safety and mental health workshops to clubs.

Kelvin added: If farming is to say what it is and what it can be, there are no better spokespeople than Hector and Robbie  they are dynamite.

"Theyre fantastic and the fact they are both from Cumbria as well speaks volumes about that county and the people.
Morrisons has confirmed it will invest 1.4 billion in its farmer suppliers next year as it commits to 'standing shoulder to shoulder' with the industry.

The 1.4bn investment will include contracts, cashflow schemes and practical industry support, the supermarket chain said today (5 November).

The retailer said it will also bring forward support planned for December, by offering a 5% discount for farmers to use in its stores and online.

This extends to all livestock suppliers who provide lamb, beef and pork, and egg farmers and fruit and veg growers who supply Morrisons directly.

Dairy farmers with a Morrisons contract will also be included in the December discount offer.

Rami Baitieh, Morrisons chief executive officer, explained that the retailer was British farmings 'single biggest direct customer'.

He said: "We stand shoulder to shoulder with British farmers; some of the unsung heroes of our society, growing and providing home-grown food, which we all benefit from every day.

"In light of the budget, our 1.4bn investment in UK farming demonstrates our core commitment to long term relationships through contracts, cashflow schemes and practical industry support.

The retailer's For Farmers range which includes milk, eggs, cheese and cream, also enables customers to give back directly to farmers, and has raised over 25m to date.

As more customers choose to show their support for British farmers, Morrisons also confirmed today that additional products are set to be considered for the range in the coming months.
Over 150,000 people have signed a petition calling on the government to reverse its deeply controversial decision on agricultural property relief (APR).

Calls to overturn the tax change - dubbed the 'family farm tax' - have gathered pace after the NFU launched a viral campaign following last week's autumn budget.

Tens of thousands of people have been adding their names to the campaign, which warns that if the change goes ahead, it will deal a 'hammer blow' to families.

It comes after the Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in the budget that farmers would have to pay 20% inheritance tax on farms worth more than 1m.

This has left many families fearing they would have to break up their farm to pay the bill.

Labour's announcement was made despite multiple warnings from farming groups for the government not to make any changes to APR.

Immediately after the announcement, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said it needed to be 'overturned, and fast'.

He said: Farmers are rightly angry and concerned about their future and for the future of their family farms, having been reassured by ministers in the lead up to the budget that APR changes were not on the table.

The farming community have taken to social media to express their anger and frustration at the announcement and backed NFU calls for an immediate u-turn.

On social media, arable farmer Tom Allen Stevens said: Congratulations for launching this petition on the family farms tax and reaching the 100,000 target.

"Consumers know there is a better way to support public services than tax cash-poor farmers.

Another farmer, Tracy Graham, added: Signed and shared. Everyone able to sign this really should.

"This is the single most important petition I feel I have ever signed. Thank you to all our farmers.

It comes as farmers across the UK are set to descend on central London later this month as part of a rally against the budget.

Organised by the NFU, the 'mass lobby of MPs' will take place at the Church House conference centre in Westminster, on Tuesday 19 November.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents landowners, has also launched a campaign, calling on the public to 'defend' family farms.

The body warned that the budget had the potential to be 'deeply damaging' for British farming, land management, food security and environmental recovery.
Hens housed inside during an avian influenza outbreak will not lose their free-range status on their egg labels, the Welsh government has announced.

Changes to Wales's egg marketing regulations have been made following lobbying by numerous industry groups, including NFU Cymru.

When implemented, it will mean that hens can still be housed whilst a housing order remains in place during a bird flu outbreak and not lose their free-range status.

Figures show that well over 90 percent of Welsh eggs are from free-range flocks.

When enacted, the change will mean that Wales will come in line on egg labelling with the rest of the UK and the European Union.

Chairman of the NFU Cymru Poultry Board, Richard Williams welcomed the change, as the union 'lobbied hard on this matter for a number of reasons'.

From the disease control point of view, it makes sense for birds to be housed over high-risk periods and not to have an arbitrary 16 week cut off," he said.

"To have different rules to England on free range egg labelling would be a logistical nightmare for packers, as there is a huge movement of eggs both ways over the Welsh border."

Currently, in Wales, when mandatory housing measures are introduced to protect birds from the spread of disease, eggs from free range birds can only continue to be labelled as free range for 16 weeks after the housing order has come into effect.

After that period, these eggs must then be labelled as barn eggs. This rule is part of the existing derogation period under the Egg Marketing Standards Regulations.

However, in both 2021-22 and 2022-3, the 16-week derogation period was exceeded by six and seven weeks respectively, which led to huge costs for the industry as egg packaging had to be changed to comply with legislation.

Earlier this year, the UK self-declared freedom from avian influenza, which came into effect from 29 March 2024.

There are currently no outbreaks in poultry or other captive birds, but the virus continues to be found in wild birds in Britain and across Europe.

Defra said keepers should remain vigilant and practice stringent biosecurity to protect the health and welfare of their birds.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has "finally learned the importance of self care".

Dwayne Johnson has stressed the importance of self-care

The 52-year-old star has taken to social media to explain that he's recently made a concerted effort to find more peace and tranquility in his life.

Alongside a video of Dwayne enjoying a scenic view early in the morning, he wrote on Instagram: "Sitting quietly as the sun rises - to recharge, settle my mind before I leave for tour and the madness begins. The world is loud and noisy, and pulls at us from a million different directions.

"Find your anchor [anchor emoji] that helps you recalibrate your soul and protect it at all cost. After all these years Ive finally learned the importance of self care. (sic)"

In his video message, Dwayne - who is preparing to head to Germany for a movie premiere - explained that he wanted to share with his followers "what heaven looks like".

As he panned the camera around, the wrestler-turned-actor said: "Well, there's a few other things about what morning heaven looks like - I'm going to keep this post clean, but here, check this out - this is my view every morning..."

Dwayne subsequently explained that he tries to find time to "recharge" and "sit in silence".

The 'Red One' star continued: "So peaceful up here. I love coming up here, I'll just sit up here for 30, 45 minutes, sometimes longer sometimes shorter. Just recharge man, and sit in silence. Maybe I'll turn some music on, maybe I'l start singing, there's a bunch of bald eagles who fly around here too, and they're like 'Please stop singing, we don't need that s*** in the morning.' This is my, one of my anchors. Gotta protect your anchors."
Keanu Reeves vomited "a couple of times" while shooting stunts for 'John Wick'.

Keanu Reeves stars in the money-spinning franchise

The 60-year-old actor starred in the original 'John Wick' movie back in 2014, and Keanu has admitted that he relished the challenge of shooting the action scenes.

Speaking at an anniversary screening of the movie in Los Angeles, Keanu shared: "I had so many wonderful teachers and guidance and worked with so many talented actors, actresses and stunt people in the sense of it's such a dance and collaboration and cooperation. So there's a couple of times where you throw up or puke or whatever, but that's what makes it good!"

Ian McShane actually praised his co-star for pushing himself to his physical limits.

The 82-year-old actor said: "He pushes the envelope all the time.

"So when your leading actors says, We'd like do another one, and it's raining for the seventh day in a row outside  and you're standing there, whatever. And you go, Well, Keanu's doing it. Here we are. Here we go.'"

Meanwhile, Eva Longoria recently revealed that she invested $6 million into the movie and helped to save it.

The actress - who doesn't actually appear in 'John Wick' - told Business Insider: "An agent, and he wasn't even my agent, he called me and said, You got money, you should put your money here. And I didn't even know how a movie was made. I was like, What do you mean gap financing?"

Eva has made a healthy return on her initial investment - but she wishes she profited from the other 'John Wick' movies, too.

She said: "What I'm p***** off about is I wasn't connected to the rest of them. This was a one-time thing. That was the gamble. But that was my only mistake, not being attached to all of the films."
Matt Damon thinks moviegoers aren't "aware of how much power they have".

Matt Damon has helped to finance the new movie

The 54-year-old actor and Ben Affleck, his childhood friend, have helped to finance the new drama movie, 'Small Things Like These', through their Artists Equity company, and Matt has suggested that it represents a sea change in the context of modern cinema.

The Hollywood star told 'Extra': "in the 90s there would've been a number of films of this scale. There would've been a number of these every year, and they've been decreasing, obviously, over the years.

"The only way to remedy that is to make these films and to put them in theatres and for moviegoers to go support them. I think people might not be aware of how much power they have as moviegoers. If people go and see it, we can make more of them."

Matt actually appears in the new movie alongside Cillian Murphy, and he relished working with his former 'Oppenheimer' co-star.

The actor also admitted that he had no hesitation about throwing his support behind the film, which is an adaptation of Claire Keegan's novel of the same name.

Matt - who is one of the highest paid actors of all time - shared: "We were just getting Artist Equity off the ground, I asked him if he had anything and he says, 'I happen to have this really wonderful script. Im like, Oh, my God, this is exactly what we are looking for.

"I read the script and immediately sent it to Ben  It was a very embarrassingly easy decision for us to finance this film. We all knew each other, and we know the quality of work these people do."
Tom Ford has splashed 80 million on a luxury abode in London's affluent Chelsea.

Tom Ford has bought up a luxury Chelsea mansion for 80 million

The US billionaire fashion designer, 63, is said to have purchased the property for the staggering sum - which is believed to be one of the biggest real estate sales in the British capital this year, Bloomberg reports.

The property boasts nine bedrooms, a swimming pool, cinema, and a unique glass lift.

The former Gucci and YSL creative director is reported to have sold a property in nearby Regents Park for an eight-figure sum.

Ford - who previously owned a home at The Boltons in Chelsea - managed to save himself a whopping 1.6 million in tax as the sale took place before Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced the Labour government was upping stamp duty on second homes in her controversial budget last week.

Last year, the filmmaker paid a whopping $52 million on Jackie Kennedy Onassis' childhood home.

The fashion muse - who sold his eponymous fashion label to Estee Lauder Cos. in a deal valued at around $2.8 billion - bought the Hamptons home from media producer David Zander.

The house sits on seven acres of land, just blocks from the Atlantic ocean and was originally listed for $55 million.

It was designed by architect Arthur C. Jackson and completed in 1917 and includes an eight-bedroom main home featuring tall casement windows, beamed ceilings.

The compound also includes a two-bedroom guesthouse, caretakers cottage, pool house and three-car garage with a workshop, along with a flower meadow.

Zander bought the property from retail executive Reed Krakoff and his wife Delphine for $24 million in 2018.

He made substantial renovations during his five years of ownership, including revamping the interiors and rebuilding parts of the exterior.

He previously told The Wall Street Journal: "Every time I think theres a spot in the house that I love the most, I go and sit somewhere else and I love that the most."

Back in the 1920s, the property was known as Lasataa Native American word meaning Place of Peaceand owned by the former First Ladys paternal grandfather John Vernou Bouvier Jr.

The home is believed to be where Onassis would often spend her summers as a child.
Queen Camilla has pulled out of engagements this week after falling ill with a chest infection.

Queen Camilla has a chest infection and will take a 'short period of rest'

The 77-year-old royal will not attend the annual Field of Remembrance event at Westminster Abbey on Thursday (07.11.24) after being advised by doctors to take a "short period of rest", Buckingham Palace confirmed.

It's hoped that she will be recovered in time to attend the events planned for Remembrance Sunday (10.11.24).

A spokesperson said: "Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest.

"With great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week, but she very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekends Remembrance events as normal.

"She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result."

Camila and King Charles, 76, just completed a nine-day tour of Australia and Samoa.

Camila being struck down with a chest infection comes as the king continues to battle an undisclosed form of cancer.

Her son, Tom Parker Bowles, recently admitted it's been a "very worrying" time for the monarch and the rest of the royal family since he was diagnosed with the "terrifying disease" in January, but he's doing all he can and following doctors' advice.

Speaking to PEOPLE magazine, the writer said: "The King is strong. He is doing what he can. He's following the advice of his doctors. Fingers crossed, touch wood.

"It's a terrifying disease, and when someone close to you gets it in whatever capacity, it's a very worrying thing."

Tom is "incredibly proud" of his mother for how "strong" she has been for her husband.

He continued: "But my mother is strong as well. She supports him in every way. I think it's wonderful to have someone you love by your side.

"I'm incredibly proud of her. She's at an age when most people think of retiring, but she never complains; she just gets on with it."
Turkiye's apparel exports experienced a 6.02 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in January-September 2024, totalling $13,247 million, compared to $14,096 million during the same period in 2023, according to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute and the Ministry of Trade. Exports also decreased by 4.78 per cent in September 2024.

Exports of knitted and crocheted clothing and accessories (HS Chapter 61) fell by 3.4 per cent, reaching $7,555.667 million, down from $7,818.852 million in JanuarySeptember 2023. Non-knitted apparel and accessories (HS Chapter 62) experienced a 9.3 per cent decline, dropping to $5,692.723 million from $6,278.818 million during the same period last year, according to the trade report on the top twenty chapters.

Turkiye's apparel exports fell by 6.02 per cent YoY to $13.247 billion in JanuarySeptember 2024, down from $14.096 billion in 2023. Exports of knitted apparel decreased by 3.4 per cent, while non-knitted items saw a 9.3 per cent drop. In September, overall exports declined 4.78 per cent. Meanwhile, imports of non-knitted and crocheted goods rose 16.9 per cent YoY.

In September 2024, Turkiyes garment exports dropped by 4.78 per cent to $1,512.876 million. Exports of knitted and crocheted clothing and accessories declined by 2.9 per cent to $919.348 million, compared to $946.398 million in September 2023. Non-knitted apparel and accessories also saw a 7.6 per cent reduction, decreasing from $642.535 million in September 2023 to $593.528 million in September 2024.

Among the top 20 chapters of products imported by the country, the inbound shipment of non-knitted and crocheted goods and articles (HS Chapter 62) rose by 16.9 per cent to $1,429.355 million in the first nine months of the current year, compared to $1,222.549 million in January-September 2023. In September 2024, imports surged by 13 per cent to $191.929 million, up from $169.813 million in the same period last year.

In 2023, Turkiyes apparel exports decreased by 5.86 per cent to $18.321 billion, down from $19.463 billion in 2022, following $18.294 billion in 2021.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Bollywood actor Salman Khan has received yet another threat allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The Mumbai Police received the threatening message that stated that Salman had two options - apologise or pay Rs 5 crore to stay alive.





This is the second death threat that the actor received in a week, the earlier one being a ransom demand of Rs 2 crore. Last week, Mumbai Traffic Police Control received a message from an unknown person who said that the actor would face dire consequences if he failed to pay the amount. The message was sent to the Mumbai Police traffic control room in the name of Bishnoi last night over WhatsApp. It stated that if the actor wants to stay alive then he has to "go to our temple and apologize or pay Rs 5 crore. If he does not do so, we will kill him, our gang is still active."

The Mumbai police also arrested a man from Noida some time back who allegedly issued a death threat to Khan and Baba Siddique's son Zeeshan Siddique. The actor has been receiving death threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and suspected members of the gang had also fired shots outside Salman Khan's home earlier this year.





Meanwhile, Salman Khan is currently in Hyderabad, shooting for his upcoming film, Sikandar.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Thandel (@thandelthemovie)





They both look happy and content with each other. Releasing the poster, the team announced that Thandel will have a theatrical release on February 7, 2025.





Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi will be reuniting on screen again after their previous hit Love Story. Thandel is said to be based on a real-life event that took place in the village of D Matchilesam in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district. Thandel has been directed by Chandoo Mondeti.















They both look happy and content with each other. Releasing the poster, the team announced that Thandel will have a theatrical release on February 7, 2025.Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi will be reuniting on screen again after their previous hit Love Story. Thandel is said to be based on a real-life event that took place in the village of D Matchilesam in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district.

Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi's much awaited film Thandel has a release date finally. As the film's production is near completion, the makers have announced the release date. The makers released the poster capturing the romantic essence of the film. It shows Chaitanya holding Sai Pallavi tightly in his arms.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 4, 2024) - For over a decade, First Frontier Logistics has been a trusted partner for local and international companies, specializing in cross-border freight solutions between Canada, the USA, and Mexico. Recognized by the Women Business Enterprise (WBE) as the "Top Exporter" for 2023, First Frontier Logistics continues to demonstrate its commitment to excellence in logistics for the North American Market.

First Frontier Logistics is dedicated to helping businesses operate seamlessly and cost-effectively across North America. The company has successfully collaborated with multiple multinational brands, optimizing shipping strategies and achieving significant cost savings. Notably, First Frontier Logistics reduced shipping rates by up to 30% on multiple lanes through strategic contractual agreements and leveraging technology for route optimization solutions.

Strengthening Trade Corridors With Enhanced Partnerships

To further its mission of providing faster and more reliable cross-border services, First Frontier Logistics has established strategic partnerships with leading trucking companies and technology companies, enhancing its capabilities and coverage across key trade corridors. These partnerships allow the company to offer a full spectrum of solutions, including LTL (Less Than Truckload) and FTL (Full Truckload) shipping and expedited freight services. By leveraging third-party logistics (3PL) and freight brokerage, First Frontier Logistics can lower transportation costs, consolidate loads, optimize shipping routes, and eliminate the need for multiple service providers.

While optimizing capacity, First Frontier Logistics is also taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint, reflecting a responsible approach to environmental stewardship. The company integrates state-of-the-art technology such as cloud-based TMS, real-time tracking, and EDI connections to enhance supply chain visibility and efficiency. These tools enable precise optimization and compliance management, reducing transit times and driving seamless cross-border operations.

Addressing Challenges with Innovative Solutions

The cross-border trade in North America has been growing steadily.

Efficient logistics are critical to managing this surge in trade volume. First Frontier Logistics provides the necessary infrastructure and expertise to meet this demand, offering several benefits that address common challenges faced by key industries, including automotive, food, medical, and packaging.

Navigating Complex Regulations: Cross-border transportation involves intricate regulations and customs procedures. First Frontier Logistics' expertise simplifies this process, reducing the risk of delays and compliance issues.

Reducing Operational Costs: Efficient logistics solutions can significantly lower transportation expenses. First Frontier Logistics optimizes routes and consolidates shipments, helping companies establish a cost-effective supply chain.

Enhancing Supply Chain Reliability: Through open communication and transparency, First Frontier Logistics keeps clients in the loop throughout the process, facilitating timely deliveries and dependable service.

Expanding Market Reach: Seamless logistics services enable businesses to enter new markets within North America, aiming to increase their customer base and revenue potential.

Mitigating Risks: Transporting oversized loads and sensitive materials requires specialized handling to prevent damage. First Frontier Logistics is equipped with the necessary expertise and tools to manage these high-risk shipments effectively.

Improving Time-to-Market: Expedited freight options allow businesses to quickly respond to market demands, enabling faster product launches while maintaining a competitive edge.

Leveraging Local Insights for Seamless Operations

First Frontier Logistics harnesses a powerful combination of local expertise, bilingual support, and advanced technology to deliver seamless, efficient operations across North America. With offices strategically positioned in Canada and Mexico, and a bilingual team fluent in English and Spanish, the company ensures clear communication and quick adaptation to regional challenges. This fosters stronger relationships with local authorities and partners, enabling smoother cross-border transitions and minimizing delays.

Looking Ahead

First Frontier Logistics continued growth is poised to become a catalyst for deeper economic integration across Canada, the US, and Mexico. Through reliable and efficient logistics solutions, the company supports businesses in overcoming trade barriers and boosting commerce and collaboration within the region.

First Frontier Logistics is a key player in the future of North American trade, offering services that not only meet current demands but are also adaptable to the changing landscape of global commerce.

To learn more about First Frontier Logistics and its offerings, visit First Frontier Transportation Services, Cross-Border FTL, Nearshoring Expertise, or contact the company directly via their Help Center.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/227432

SOURCE: Brand Featured
TOKYO, Nov 5, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - Eisai Co., Ltd. and Eisai's corporate venture capital subsidiary, Eisai Innovation, Inc. announced today that Eisai Innovation,Inc. has been selected as a registered venture capital (Registered VC) of the Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem implemented by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).To address the shortage of large-scale funding necessary for new drug development, this program provides subsidies to pharmaceutical startups for development and commercialization. This support is contingent upon startups securing funding from AMED-registered venture capital firms, which specialize in drug development and offer hands-on business management and commercialization support.The Eisai global network of affiliated companies (the 'Eisai Group') launched its venture investment business in May 2019, aiming to support the acceleration of drug discovery innovation and the establishment of an ecosystem platform in areas includingdementia. This involves supporting the discovery of innovative technologies and services by supporting venture businesses with such capabilities and exploring possible future collaborations with these businesses. Eisai Innovation, Inc. was established in theU.S. in August 2019 as Eisai's corporate venture capital subsidiary. It identifies opportunities for the Eisai Group to invest in venture businesses that align with Eisai's goal of contributing to patients, focusing on cutting-edge drug discovery platforms, andnew modalities, as well as leading biotechnology in focus areas of neurology, oncology, and global health. The company also supports investment in drug discovery technologies in other areas, where significant future innovations are anticipated. As anAMED-registered VC, Eisai Innovation, Inc. aims to further contribute to strengthening the drug discovery venture ecosystem in Japan.Eisai and Eisai Innovation, Inc. are committed to utilizing their participation in the Strengthening Program for PharmaceuticalStartup Ecosystem to accelerate flexible support of academia, drug discovery ventures, and IT ventures, to create innovative new medicines targeting diseases with high unmet medical needs., Eisai aims to effectively achieve social good in the form of relievinganxiety over health and reducing health disparities by creating solutions through an ecosystem in collaboration with other industries.*Please refer to following web page for Eisai's venture investment businesswww.eisai.com/innovation/cvc/index.html https://www.eisaiinnovation.com/MEDIA CONTACTSEisai Co., Ltd.Public Relations DepartmentTEL: +81 (0)3-3817-5120Eisai Innovation, Inc. https://www.eisaiinnovation.com/Source: EisaiCopyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Highlights:

Golden Horse's Australian initial public offering (IPO or Offer) to open 5th November 2024 and is expected to close on or before 15th November 2024, with an indicative ASX listing date of 2nd December 2024 under the ASX ticker code: GHM.

The IPO aims to raise a minimum of A$16 million and maximum of A$18 million (before costs) to support exploration in the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt, a premier gold-producing region in Australia.

The Offer includes up to 72 million Chess Depositary Interests (CDIs) priced at A$0.25 each, with a priority allocation of up to A$4 million reserved for eligible Emerald Resources NL shareholders.

Proceeds will fund a comprehensive exploration program, including mineral resource definition drilling, brownfields exploration, and greenfields exploration across the Southern Cross Project.

Golden Horse has assembled a highly experienced board and management team who are well qualified to exploit the potential of Golden Horse's gold assets.

Vancouver, British Columba--(Newsfile Corp. - November 4, 2024) - Golden Horse Minerals Limited, (TSXV: GHML) ("Golden Horse" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its Australian initial public offering ("IPO" or "Offer") to raise a minimum of A$16 million and maximum of A$18 million (before costs) will open 5th November 2024 and is expected to close on 15th November 2024.

This pivotal step will facilitate Golden Horse's listing on the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX"), with an indicative listing date of 2nd December 2024 under the ticker code: GHM.

The offer consists of up to 72 million Chess Depositary Interests ("CDIs") priced at A$0.25 each, with a priority allocation of up to A$4 million reserved for eligible Emerald Resources NL (ASX: EMR) shareholders.1

The funds raised from the Offer will be used by Golden Horse to leverage its strategic position in the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt, one of Australia's most prolific gold-producing regions. The Company's Southern Cross Project spans over 130 kilometres and presents both advanced and untapped exploration opportunities offering the Company a district-scale opportunity for significant discoveries.

The Funds raised will be used to continue the Company's comprehensive exploration program including:

Mineral Resource Definition Drilling at key prospects such as Hopes Hill, Hakes Find, and Pilot to establish a solid resource base.

Brownfields Exploration at sites like Greenmount and Baby Queen, aimed at expanding known gold zones using existing infrastructure and historical mining data.

Greenfields Exploration to systematically test new targets, ensuring continuous target generation and discovery.

Figure 1: Map highlighting location of GHM tenements throughout the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8288/228906_4890b4c314c6aa5c_001full.jpg

Managing Director and CEO Nicholas Anderson said: "We are thrilled to announce that our offer will open on 5th November 2024. This is a significant milestone for Golden Horse as we position ourselves to unlock the immense potential of the Southern Cross region. We are committed to delivering value to our shareholders and are eager to embark on this exciting journey."

Golden Horse boasts a highly experienced board and management team, well-equipped to execute the Company's ambitious exploration strategy. Chairman Graeme Sloan and Managing Director/CEO Nicholas Anderson lead a team with deep industry knowledge and a proven track record in mining and exploration. Their expertise will be instrumental in navigating the complexities of the Australian market and maximising the potential of the Company's projects.

An overview of the Golden Horse board members, following the Company's admission to the ASX (and subject to election at the Company's annual general and special meeting to be held 12th November 2024 (the "2024 AGM")), is provided below:

Graeme Sloan, Chairman

Mr. Sloan is a Mining Engineer with over 35 years of leadership experience, specialising in corporate affairs and operations across multiple commodities. He has a proven track record in building companies through growth and M&A and is committed to ESG practices. He currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Kali Metals (ASX: KM1).

Nicholas Anderson, Managing Director/CEO

Mr. Anderson is a Chemical Engineer with over 20 years in the resources sector, experienced in capital raising and mergers/acquisitions. He has previously served as CFO of Rivet Group and is currently on the board of Kin Mining (ASX: KIN), focusing on strategic growth.

Jim Harris, Non-Executive Director

Mr. Harris has extensive experience in managing construction and engineering projects both in Australia and internationally. He has held executive roles at Swanline Developments and Alcoa, with expertise in project management. He holds qualifications in legal studies and public administration.

Brett Dunnachie, Non-Executive Director

Mr. Dunnachie is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years in corporate roles, currently serving as Chief Corporate Officer at Emerald (ASX: EMR), where he manages operations for the Okvau Gold Mine. His background includes corporate governance and regulatory compliance. Mr. Dunnachie was nominated to the Board by Emerald.

Following the IPO, subject to receipt of the approval of the TSXV and shareholders at the 2024 AGM Golden Horse plans to delist from the TSX Venture Exchange. This strategic move would streamline the Company's corporate structure, allowing it to focus on its Australian operations, minimise corporate costs and maximise shareholder value.

Golden Horse lodged a replacement prospectus on the 5th November 2024. Eligible investors who wish to participate in the offer can access the replacement prospectus electronically on the Golden Horse website via the link below:

https://ghmipooffer.computersharecas.com.au/offer/home/

Golden Horse looks forward to this exciting opportunity to position the Company to unlock the potential of the Southern Cross region and create significant value for our shareholders.

ENDS

Disclaimer

This release may include forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements regarding targets, estimates and assumptions in respect of metal production and prices, operating costs and results, capital expenditures, mineral reserves and mineral resources and anticipated grades and recovery rates, and are or may be based on assumptions and estimates related to future technical, economic, market, political, social and other conditions. These forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward-looking statements inherently involve subjective judgement and analysis and are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Golden Horse. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Golden Horse's present and future business strategies and the political and economic environment in which the Golden Horse will operate in the future, which are not guarantees or predictions of future performance. Actual results and developments may vary materially from those that may be contemplated or implied by forward-looking statements in this release.

Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. All information in respect of Exploration Results and other technical information should be read in conjunction with Competent Person Statements in this release (where applicable). To the maximum extent permitted by law, Golden Horse and any of its related bodies corporate and affiliates and their officers, employees, agents, associates and advisers:

disclaim any obligations or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to the information in this release to reflect any events, circumstances or change in expectations or assumptions after the date of this release;

do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information in this release, or likelihood of fulfilment of any forward-looking statement or any event or results expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement; and

disclaim all responsibility and liability for these forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, liability for negligence).

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Competent Person's Statement

Mr. Jonathan Lea, a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and an independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for the preparation of the technical content regarding the Southern Cross Project contained in this document. Mr. Lea has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this news release.

1 Refer to TSXV announcement dated 3rd September 2024 and 11th October 2024.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228906

SOURCE: Golden Horse Minerals Limited
The pilot aims to speed up the process for safely and securely finding participants for UK clinical trials, improving efficiencies and opportunities for people to take part in research and access innovative new medicines.

The pilot will test a new model combining NWEH's secure, tried and tested FARSITE platform, with the scale and depth of CPRD's 18-million anonymised patient records, using secure and remote access, without transferring data between the organisations, enabling clinical trial feasibility studies and find-and-refer services at a speed and scale not previously possible in the UK.

MANCHESTER, England, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NorthWest EHealth (NWEH) has announced a pilot of a new model for safely and securely finding participants for clinical trials, using the Medicine and Healthcare product Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) data services. This initiative aims to improve the speed, scale, inclusivity and representativeness of participants found for novel clinical trials.

Current approaches to finding suitable participants for clinical trials can frequently take weeks or months, often leading to more costs and delays. The new model being piloted combines the speed of NWEH's secure FARSITE platform with more than 18-million anonymised patient records, provided by the CPRD data service. This new approach would mean more diverse and inclusive clinical trials in the UK, as well as finding participants more quickly and efficiently.

NWEH's FARSITE is a secure platform that enables rapid feasibility across a representative population, while preserving participant anonymity. It accurately finds potential trial participants with pin-point accuracy through easy-to-use inclusion and exclusion criteria when inputting information. This unlocks potential participant pools for find-and-refer services who are then contacted directly by their GP practices, increasing opportunities for people to participate in clinical trials.

If successful, the new model could result in enhanced innovation and efficiencies in medical research, improving public access to clinical trials, to support the discovery and validation of advanced approaches to treatment and be expanded across the UK.

Jonathan Wogel, Chief Executive Officer of NWEH, said: "We are excited to announce this pilot initiative, which aims to support the nation's life sciences sector by accelerating and optimising the set-up of clinical trials in the UK. By combining our agile and innovative FARSITE technology with CPRD data, clinical trial feasibility and find-and-refer services can be conducted more quickly, with more precise determination of the most relevant clinical trial participants, including under-served populations. This, in turn, can reduce costs and support more robust studies optimised to help improve health outcomes for patients, once again positioning the UK as a leader in clinical research."

Notes to editors

About NorthWest EHealth (NWEH) and the FARSITE platform

NWEH is a Manchester based pioneer in clinical trial technologies, using transformative solutions and expertise to streamline clinical trial management, for trials that are smarter, faster and truer-to-life.

NWEH transformative technology is tried and tested with in-house expertise to streamline clinical trial delivery, for trials that are smarter, faster and truer-to-life. NWEH's technology is powered for precision. From complex trial criteria to data insights, NWEH's robust experience and services deliver clinical trials that are accurate, consistent, and reliable.

FARSITE is a secure platform which enables rapid feasibility across a representative population, while preserving participant anonymity. It unlocks potential participant pools for find-and-refer services who can be then be contacted directly by their GP practices, increasing opportunities for people to participate in clinical trials. Since its launch in 2009 the unique FARSITE platform has recruited over 20,000 participants to clinical trials in the UK, improving the speed and efficiency of clinical research.

NWEH is proud to be supporting the UK in its ambitions to re-establish the nation as a clinical research hub and global science superpower. For more information, please visit: www.nweh.co.uk

About the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and anonymised primary care (NHS) data sets

CPRD is the MHRA's real-world data service with 27% population coverage providing the life sciences sector with anonymised primary care (NHS) datasets that can be linked to other datasets. Researchers can access these datasets to design and run clinical projects and to deliver research outputs that can help to improve and safeguard public health.

CPRD data that are made available to external organisations for the purposes of approved observational research - following approval of a research protocol setting out the proposed use of CPRD data, and execution of a data sharing agreement - are anonymised in line with guidance issued by the Information Commissioner's Office.

For more information, please visit: cprd.com

Contacts:

Sean Deans, +44 (0) 7831 396860, sean.deans@ovidhealth.com

Will Brennan, +44 (0) 7464 245643, will.brennan@ovidhealth.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2548165/NWEH_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/northwest-ehealth-nweh-announces-a-pilot-to-test-a-new-model-for-finding-and-recruiting-participants-for-clinical-trials-using-the-clinical-practice-research-datalink-302295475.html
CHICAGO (dpa-AFX) - Boeing Co.'s (BA) more than 32,000 machinists have ended the seven-week long strike, after majority of workers voted to approve a new contract that will deliver 43.65% compounded wage increase.The machinists, part of The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers or IAM District 751 and W24, voted to ratify the new union contract, which the union said has instantly set a new standard for compensation and wages for aerospace industry workers.The union member had walked off the job on September 13, demanding better contract terms. The new offer is the company's fourth one, while all previous three offers were rejected by the striking union members.IAM now said that its members voted by 59 percent to approve the deal.The new contract includes a 43.65% compounded wage increase, and 38% before compounding, over the four-year life of the contract.IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary Allen said, 'For many frontline Boeing workers in the IAM Union, the terms of this contract will be life-changing. It's the most significant upgrade we've had to our collective bargaining agreement in a decade - and it will prove to be an example for the rest of the industry to live up to. Their strike was a great example of workers standing up for not just themselves, but also their families and communities.'Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
TOKYO, Nov 5, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI, TSE Code: 7011) announced that order intake rose 7.9% year-on-year to JPY3,383.5 billion in the half year ended September 30, 2024. Revenue rose 11.1% to JPY2,298.1 billion year-on-year, resulting in profit from business activities (business profit) of JPY188.4 billion, an 86.7% increase over the previous fiscal year, which represents a profit margin of 8.2%. Profit attributable to owners of parent (net income) was JPY107.1 billion, an increase of 16.5% year-on-year, with a profit margin of 4.7%. EBITDA was JPY266.2 billion, a 57.7% increase over 1H FY2023, with an EBITDA margin of 11.6%, up 3.4 percentage points year-on-year.In Energy, order intake increased by JPY225.6 billion YoY as Gas Turbine Combined Cycle (GTCC) and Aero Engines continued to see strong demand. Contracts for nine large frame gas turbine units were concluded in the first half, with the largest YoY growth seen in the Americas. Revenue increased by JPY71.2 billion YoY mainly from large volume in Aero Engines and steady project execution in GTCC and Nuclear Power. Margin improvements in GTCC and Steam Power, together with higher revenue and a rebound from 1H FY2023 one-time expenses in Aero Engines, as well as stable performance in Nuclear Power served to increase segment business profit by JPY61.5 billion YoY.In P&I, order intake was up JPY176.6 billion YoY due to strength in Metals Machinery, Machinery Systems, and Waste-to-Energy Systems. Revenue grew by JPY12.1 billion as Metals Machinery continued to work through its extensive backlog. Margin improvements in Engineering and Machinery Systems, combined with increased revenue in Metals Machinery helped to raise segment business profit by JPY12.0 billion YoY.In LT&D, revenue was down JPY0.5 billion YoY due to fewer unit deliveries in Logistics Systems. This issue, combined with additional costs caused by supply chain disruption in Turbochargers resulted in a JPY9.7 billion decline in segment business profit.In ADS, order intake decreased by JPY197.2 billion YoY in response to extremely large orders volume in 1H FY2023 in Defense & Space. Revenue was up JPY112.7 billion YoY mainly due to growth in Aircraft & Missile Systems in Defense & Space. Higher unit deliveries and positive impact from the depreciation of the yen in Commercial Aircraft also served to increase revenue. The factors affecting revenue also served to raise segment business profit by JPY16.5 billion YoY.FY2024 Earnings ForecastMHI revised its guidance for the period ending March 31, 2025, increasing the target for order intake by JPY200 billion over the previous announcement made August 6, 2024. This was in response to steady progress mainly in Energy. Totals for all other financial indicators remained unchanged, while business profit targets for Energy, P&I, and LT&D were updated.CFO Message"In the first half of this fiscal year, MHI continued the strong growth trend started in the first quarter, with order intake, revenue, business profit, and net income all up year-on-year," Hisato Kozawa, MHI Chief Financial Officer commented. Kozawa continued, "In terms of order intake, GTCC and Aero Engines in Energy, and Metals Machinery in P&I were stand-outs, enabling YoY orders growth despite the extremely high level achieved during the same period last year in Defense & Space. Revenue was up mainly in Energy and ADS as these segments steadily executed on their large order backlogs. These revenue increases, combined with margin improvements and depreciation of the yen helped us to greatly increase progress toward our business profit guidance of JPY350 billion.""Based on our results through September of this year, especially in Energy, we have increased our full-year order intake guidance by JPY200 billion," Kozawa went on. "We have also updated the business profit forecast for three of our segments in order to reflect the faster progress seen in Energy and P&I, and the slightly lagging performance in LT&D. All other targets have been restated. Looking forward to the remaining two quarters, we aim to outperform current business profit guidance by continuing the strong trends from the first half while effectively controlling one-time expenses."Note regarding forward looking statements:Forecasts regarding future performance outlined in these materials are based on judgments made in accordance with information available at the time they were prepared. As such, these projections include risk and uncertainty. Investors are recommended not to depend solely on these projections when making investment decisions. Actual results may vary significantly from these projections due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, economic trends affecting the Company's operating environment, fluctuations in the value of the Japanese yen to the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies, and trends in Japan's stock markets. The results projected here should not be construed in any way as a guarantee by the Company.About MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world's leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Moonpig Group Plc - Share Repurchase Programme

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 05

5 November 2024

Moonpig Group plc

Share Repurchase Programme

Moonpig Group plc (the "Company") announces that further to the announcement on 16 October 2024, it is today commencing a share buyback programme (the "Share Buyback Programme") to repurchase up to 25m of its ordinary shares (the "Shares").

The Share Buyback Programme will run from the date of this announcement until either 30 April 2025 or until notified by the Company. The Company's policy with respect to share buybacks is that it will only conduct share buybacks when they use excess capital and they are earnings enhancing.

The Share Buyback Programme will operate under the authority granted at the Company's 2024 Annual General Meeting, by which the Company was authorised to repurchase up to a maximum amount of 34,362,148 Shares (the "Share Buyback Authority"). The purpose of the Share Buyback Programme is to return excess capital to shareholders and reduce the capital of the Company. Shares bought back under the Share Buyback Programme are intended to be cancelled.

In order to implement the Share Buyback Programme, J.P. Morgan Securities plc ("JPMS plc") shall purchase ordinary shares as riskless principal (and not as agent of the Company) for the subsequent sale on to, and purchase by, the Company. JPMS plc will make its trading decisions in relation to the ordinary shares independently of, and uninfluenced by, the Company, and in accordance with certain pre-set parameters agreed with the Company. Any purchases of Ordinary Shares under the Share Buyback Programme will be carried out on the London Stock Exchange and in accordance with (and subject to the limits prescribed by) the Share Buyback Authority, Chapter 9 of the Financial Conduct Authority's Listing Rules, Article 5(1) of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended (the "Withdrawal Act")) and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2016/1052 (as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the Withdrawal Act).

Enquiries:

Moonpig Group investors@moonpig.com, pressoffice@moonpig.com Nickyl Raithatha, Chief Executive Officer Andy MacKinnon, Chief Financial Officer

About Moonpig:

Moonpig Group plc (the "Group") is a leading online greeting cards and gifting platform, comprising the Moonpig, Red Letter Days and Buyagift brands in the UK and the Greetz brand in the Netherlands. The Group is the online market leader in cards in both of its markets and is also the UK market leader in gift experiences.

The Group's leading customer proposition includes an extensive range of cards, a curated range of gifts, personalisation features and next day delivery offering.
Progress on share buyback programme

ING announced today that, as part of our 2.0 billion share buyback programme announced on 31 October 2024, in total 4,016,274 shares were repurchased during the week of 31 October 2024 up to and including 1 November 2024.

In line with the purpose of the programme to reduce the share capital of ING, the ordinary shares were repurchased at an average price of 15.64 for a total consideration of 62,798,086.93. To date approximately 3.14% of the maximum total value of the share buyback programme has been completed.

For detailed information on the daily repurchased shares, individual share purchase transactions and weekly reports, see the ING website at www.ing.com/investorrelations.

Note for editors

For more on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroomor via X @ING_newsfeed. Photos of ING operations, buildings and its executives are available for download at Flickr.

Press enquiries Investor enquiries Christoph Linke ING Group Investor Relations +31 20 576 5000 +31 20 576 6396 Christoph.Linke@ing.com (mailto:Christoph.Linke@ing.com) Investor.Relations@ing.com (mailto:Investor.Relations@ing.com)

ING PROFILE

ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank's more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 40 countries.

ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N).

ING aims to put sustainability at the heart of what we do. Our policies and actions are assessed by independent research and ratings providers, which give updates on them annually. ING's ESG rating by MSCI was reconfirmed by MSCI as 'AA' in August 2024 for the fifth year. As of December 2023, in Sustainalytics' view, ING's management of ESG material risk is 'Strong'. Our current ESG Risk Rating, is 17.2 (Low Risk). ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers. Here are some examples: Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell.

Important legal information

Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014 ('Market Abuse Regulation').

ING Group's annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ('IFRS- EU'). In preparing the financial information in this document, except as described otherwise, the same accounting principles are applied as in the 2023 ING Group consolidated annual accounts. All figures in this document are unaudited. Small differences are possible in the tables due to rounding.

Certain of the statements contained herein are not historical facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to di?er materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual results, performance or events may di?er materially from those in such statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation:

This document may contain ESG-related material that has been prepared by ING on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. ING has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third-party sources and makes no representations or warranties as to accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or reliability of such information.

Materiality, as used in the context of ESG, is distinct from, and should not be confused with, such term as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or as defined for Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC') reporting purposes. Any issues identified as material for purposes of ESG in this document are therefore not necessarily material as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or for SEC reporting purposes. In addition, there is currently no single, globally recognized set of accepted definitions in assessing whether activities are "green" or "sustainable." Without limiting any of the statements contained herein, we make no representation or warranty as to whether any of our securities constitutes a green or sustainable security or conforms to present or future investor expectations or objectives for green or sustainable investing. For information on characteristics of a security, use of proceeds, a description of applicable project(s) and/or any other relevant information, please reference the offering documents for such security.

This document may contain inactive textual addresses to internet websites operated by us and third parties. Reference to such websites is made for information purposes only, and information found at such websites is not incorporated by reference into this document. ING does not make any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of, or take any responsibility for, any information found at any websites operated by third parties. ING specifically disclaims any liability with respect to any information found at websites operated by third parties. ING cannot guarantee that websites operated by third parties remain available following the publication of this document, or that any information found at such websites will not change following the filing of this document. Many of those factors are beyond ING's control.

Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of ING speak only as of the date they are made, and ING assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or for any other reason.

This document does not constitute an o?er to sell, or a solicitation of an o?er to purchase, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction.

Attachment
Quantum Kinetics Corporation Achieves Milestone in Physics by Sustaining 200 million Degrees Celsius for 24 hours

In the global race to fusion, Quantum Kinetics Corporation (QKC) has recently set a record in nuclear research that will be hard to beat. During two successive third party, peer-reviewed experiments with radioactive wastewater, QKC successfully triggered plasma fusion temperatures of 200 million degrees Celsius (18 keV X-rays) for 24 hours while at the same time cracking Uranium 234 / 235 / 238 - something thought impossible. The Company calls the process "Safe Nuclear Systems."

The previous record had been set by the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Reactor ( KSTAR ) in April 2024 by reaching 105 million degrees Celsius (9 keV X-rays) for an impressive 48 seconds. In contrast, QKC's achievement with its patented modular reactor triggered nuclear fusion and surpassed KSTAR's mark by an order of magnitude greater than a fraction of a minute. The momentous demonstration takes QKC to the top of the S-curve in fusion research and establishes the path forward for safe and clean nuclear power globally. See Figure 1 .

Figure 1: Plasma fusion (X-ray) temperatures while processing radioactive wastewater. At (a) 1-min into the experiment showing over >208 million degree Celsius. At (b) 2-mins into the experiment showing over >220 million degrees Celsius temperatures. At (c) 6-hrs into the experiment. (d) Temperatures after 24-hrs. RED emissions spectrum is the 24-hrs temperature overlay. The reactor behaved similarly to a stabilizing cosmological star cooling down by ~187% while still maintaining temperatures of 200 million degrees Celsius .

Economic implications of the iconic discovery are astonishing. The globalist from a leading nuclear research company indicated, "This is impressive data. QKC could become a billion-dollar company rather quickly by treating stored nuclear wastewater at legacy and operational nuclear power plants."

Commercial applications of isotope editing and the potential to generate vast amounts of clean energy are staggering. A University of Washington professor and forensic engineer stated, "I'd love to see what happens at a large scale."

QKC's newly elected Vice President, Randal Bird, a retired business manager who was present as an observer of the recent experiments at the national laboratory, commented, "This is truly extraordinary. In addition to thorium, lead, and tungsten forming from the process, we see other elements forming like boron, potassium, magnesium, gallium, and silicon. I've never seen anything like this before." See Figure 2.

Figure 2: The elements fabricated and remediated post-treatment with the Electro-Physical Transmutation (E-PT) process. Green is source values. White has zero value changes. Red is a reduction from source. Blue is the production of elements. Values in ug/L.

Founder Riley Lee, a retired Attorney/CPA, voiced the opinion, "I see there are many applications for this invention. This technology will link up well to other systems and provide a strong impetus for solving some of the world's greatest challenges."

Inventor McKane Lee affirmed in a recent podcast with Unscripted Arena , "We can now safely target and treat used nuclear fuel (UNF) with a powerful transmutation process." Lee goes on to say, "We can crack Uranium, Cesium, and other dangerous radioactive elements by downshifting them to a safe and useful status. We are proud to announce the bright future of Safe Nuclear."

According to Stanford University: Doerr School of Sustainability , American taxpayers pay too much for storage of UNF annually, a staggering $500M. These ancillary energy costs will increase exponentially with the advent of AI and the accelerating demand for electric vehicles. The IAEA projects the global nuclear fission industry must expand energy outputs from 393-Gigawatt to over 792-Gigawatts in the near future. QKC offers innovative solutions to the pending energy crunch by dramatically reducing costs of UNF remediation. More importantly, Safe Nuclear will save taxpayers billions while reducing widespread and ominous risks of radioactive contamination. See Video 1 .

Video 1 : QKC's CEO introduces Electro-Physical Transmutation ( E-PT ) technology for UNF Remediation solutions. A new platform technology has arrived. It is called, "Safe Nuclear Energy" and is capable of vectoring nuclear fusion plasma temperatures from 11.6 million to 200 million degrees Celsius with economical inputs.

Having shown sustainable, mind-blowing temperatures are possible when any water source is present, QKC now turns its focus on becoming the leader in the fields of applied quantum physics and commercial fusion deployment. The Company's plan is to continue the Safe Nuclear innovation and establish at scale frameworks for a radically new clean energy methodology.

About Quantum Kinetics Corporation:

QKC holds six patents, numerous trademarks, and copyrights on safe nuclear devices. QKC is preparing an omnibus patent to ensure their technology is legalized properly in the hot fusion sector(s). QKC's research has been published with npjNature: Clean Water for successful water isotope manipulation. QKC is registered with SAM/DUNS and is eligible for emergency Federal contracting in Washington, Oregon, and California. QKC is ramping up for Series-A come Q1 of 2025. QKC is aiming to be the first ever publicly traded company on the market with Safe Nuclear Energy System (SNES) i.e., fusion based energy technologies. QKC recently collaborated with Unscripted Arena in a recent podcast. Click here to view the podcast.

For further information visit: http://www.quantumkinetics.co

Partnership & Investment interests, contact: info@quantumkinetics.co

YouTube (Bronze Member): https://www.youtube.com/@quantumkineticscorporation

"The Quantum Kinetic Well: Powering the World with Endless Clean Energy"

Amazon , Audible Book , and Barnes and Noble .

QUANTUM KINETICS CORPORATION'S PRIOR PRESS RELEASES:

1.) JANUARY 2024: SAFE NUCLEAR

2.) FEBRUARY 2024: NEW DAWN

3.) APRIL 2024: EARTH DAY

4.) AUGUST 2024: REMEDIATION OF UNF

SOURCE: Quantum Kinetics Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Warsaw, Poland--(Newsfile Corp. - November 5, 2024) - Storyby's product, DramaShorts, releases two new original short series, "The Mafia Boss" and "The Billionaire's Backup Bride". Both are bite-sized stories about love, power struggles, and big money. The series are already available via the iOS, Android, or the web version.

Two new bite-sized series released by DramaShorts

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8871/224356_picture1.jpg

DramaShorts offers iOS and Android apps that get users into the immersive world of dynamic storytelling. Film series unfold in bite-sized episodes inspired by the best of AlphaNovel Writer and literary masterpieces.

The Mafia Boss

The story features Ukrainian actor Daniel Salem as Luciano Romano, a mafia leader involved in the power struggles within his tribe.

Disguised cop Talia Rici finds herself in a perilous game as she gets close to the infamous mafia boss, Luciano. Her mission to eliminate him becomes a thrilling tale of passion and high stakes. As Talia dives deeper into the world of criminal politics, she faces an agonizing choice. How far will she go to maintain her cover? Are her feelings for Luciano even real?

This story is set to help viewers decide if love can still blossom amidst betrayal.

The Billionaire's Backup Bride

Elena Wilshire finds herself caught in a perilous dilemma, trapped between her deep affection for her boyfriend, Nicholas, and a dangerous proposition from the enigmatic CEO, Sebastian. As secrets unravel and power dynamics intensify, Elena is thrust into a world of deceit, passion, and manipulation.

With everything on the line, she faces a heart-wrenching decision that could alter her life forever. In Sebastian's realm, love and betrayal dance perilously close, and Elena quickly discovers she may be a part of a bigger drama.

The series is based on the novels by prominent authors whose stories were written using Storyby's flagship product, AlphaNovel Writer.

Why Short Vertical Format is on the Rise

These two series follow the market need to fill a niche of binge-watching content. As viewers become increasingly short on time, the short vertical format comes out on top.

Artem Kutukov, Storyby's CEO and co-founder, comments on the release of the series: "In 2024, we feel very strongly that the bite-sized format will continue evolving. We plan on filming even more captivating stories based on the best-selling pieces by our authors."

Since April 2024, DramaShorts has been cutting the edge of the short series market. The product offers original shows packed with drama, a state-of-the-art recommendation system, and seamless streaming on any mobile device.

The team has released three original series based on worldwide bestsellers, totaling 35 stories on the product's movie shelf.

Other famous series by DramaShorts include "Taming Mr Black", "Alpha Rick", and "Rejecting My Lucan Mate".

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224356

SOURCE: PRNews OU
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 5, 2024) - RED METAL RESOURCES LTD. (CSE: RMES) (OTC PINK: RMESF) (FSE: I660) ("Red Metal" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has acquired a 100% interest in four additional mineral claims directly contiguous to Quebec Innovative Materials Corp.'s ("QIMC") recent expansion claims staking and in the area of its expansion of its natural renewable hydrogen discovery (See QIMC news dated October 3rd 2024).

The Company's four new claims are located to the North of QIMC's announced 11 km expansion of natural renewable hydrogen discovery. Recent soil gas measurements from QIMC's Line 13 recorded at 594, 543, and 463 ppm, are the highest levels detected outside of those previously reported from Line 7 on September 4th, 2024, press release. These new high readings by QIMC, located 11 km northwest of the 1,000 ppm samples collected on Line 7, highlight the district hydrogen-rich zone across the Ville Marie property.

This news release contains information about adjacent properties on which the Company has no right to explore or mine. Investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties.

Fig 1. Location of new RMES claims

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4932/228897_79798792244209e9_001full.jpg

Red Metal has now acquired 100% interest in four separate packages of mineral claims and mineral claim applications and is currently reviewing regional geological data to assist in the evaluation of potential additional acquisitions in the immediate area as well as the formulation of an initial exploration plan with further details to be provided in due course.

Red Metal Resources President and CEO, Caitlin Jeffs, stated, "We are aggressively expanding our geological footprint in this emerging natural hydrogen district and are actively evaluating additional acquisitions in the area. Recent natural hydrogen discoveries demonstrate the rich potential and uniqueness of this region and strategically positions Red Metal amongst first movers of sustainable energy solutions through renewable natural hydrogen. Red Metal is actively planning an initial exploration program directly next to QIMC's recent hydrogen discovery. This new property represents an exciting opportunity to expand our clean energy portfolio as we continue to advance our Carrizal Copper/Gold/Cobalt property in the Coastal Cordillera, Chile."

Red Metal's claim blocks now consist of four separate packages, covering 23 cells and totaling over 1,300 hectares to the North, Northeast and the Southwest of QIMC's Hydrogen-in-soil sample discovery. These claim blocks are contiguous on three sides to Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. and cover possible extensions in multiple directions. To date, 15 of the 23 cells have been approved by the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests.

Terms of the Agreement

Under the terms of the Agreement to acquire a 100% interest in four mineral claims, Company has agreed to pay CA$5,000. No royalty is to be paid out of any potential future revenue. The Company's acquisition of the Property remains subject to customary conditions of closing, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (if required).

About Red Metal Resources Ltd.

Red Metal Resources is a mineral exploration company focused on growth through acquiring, exploring and developing clean energy and strategic minerals projects. The Company's current portfolio include the 100% owned Ville Marie claims in Quebec, Canada as well as Company's Chilean projects which are located in the prolific Candelaria iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) belt of Chile's coastal Cordillera. Red Metal is quoted on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol RMES, on OTC Link alternative trading system on the OTC Pink marketplace under the symbol RMESF and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol I660.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements - All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Red Metal provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the ability to raise adequate financing, receipt of required approvals, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Red Metal's public filings under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Red Metal has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Red Metal disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228897

SOURCE: Red Metal Resources Ltd.
Perth, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 5, 2024) - Sarytogan Graphite Limited (ASX: SGA) is pleased to announce the company is participating in the upcoming 121 Mining Investment Conference in London. Sean Gregory, Managing Director of Sarytogan Graphite Limited will be presenting about the Company's recent and future planned activities.

121 Mining Investment London will be hosting over 150 mining companies and more than 500 investors for two days of pre-arranged, targeted 1-2-1 meetings.

Alongside the curated schedule of pre-booked meetings matching investors with appropriate projects, the conference programme will provide expert commentary and the latest market intelligence on key industry developments.

This year's event is being held on November 14-15.

Any investors who would like to attend 121 Mining Investment London can register for a free pass here.

About 121 Mining Investment

The 121 Mining Investment global event series connects portfolio managers and analysts from institutional funds, private equity groups and family offices with mining company management teams for 1-2-1, private in-person meetings.

121 Mining Investment has an ever-expanding global portfolio, currently covering London, New York, Cape Town, Dubai and Singapore, as well as online editions throughout the year.

About Sarytogan Graphite Limited

Sarytogan Graphite is an emerging graphite development company advancing the 100% owned Sarytogan Graphite project in Central Kazakhstan.With tier-one partners, a globally significant resource and outstanding project economics, our vision is to power a sustainable future through a reliable supply of high quality graphite materials.

For additional information, please contact:

SOURCE: 121 Mining Investment Conference
Matthias Loebich takes the baton from Kiumars Hamidian, who has been Managing Partner of BearingPoint since 2018 and did not stand for re-election after two terms in office as planned.

The partnership of the independent management and technology consultancy BearingPoint has elected Matthias Loebich to be its global Managing Partner. Matthias succeeds Kiumars Hamidian, who successfully headed the business since his appointment in 2018 and did not stand for re-election after two terms in office as planned. The new Managing Partner was elected by the BearingPoint Partners across the globe in a collaborative process based on the principle of One Partner One Vote. The election process had been extended as Stefan Penthin decided not to take the position due to personal reasons and to continue as a Partner at BearingPoint. Matthias assumes his new role as Managing Partner with immediate effect.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241105469392/en/

BearingPoint announces Matthias Loebich as its Managing Partner. (Photo: Business Wire)

Matthias Loebich (52) has been with BearingPoint for 26 years and became a Partner in 2007. He has a proven track record in leading large transformation projects across different industries, working primarily in an international environment. Matthias was one of the founding Partners in the European management buyout in 2009, which established BearingPoint as an independent, Partner-owned management and technology consultancy. He has been a member of the firm's global Management Committee since 2014 and in charge of BearingPoint's worldwide consulting network as well as its joint venture Arcwide. Furthermore, he has been the regional leader of the firm's North American and Asian practices. In addition to his role at BearingPoint, Matthias serves as Honorary President of the European Federation of Management Consultancies Associations (FEACO).

The cornerstones of Matthias' 2030 agenda are empowering people and fostering genuine client orientation and global relevance by providing innovative products and services.

Matthias Loebich comments: "I am honored to be entrusted as the Managing Partner of our firm and am thrilled to be given the responsibility of contributing to writing the next chapter in the success story of BearingPoint. It is a privilege for me to take over from Kiu. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping our firm into the powerhouse it is today while delivering more for people, more innovation for our clients, and more for our planet.

"As I take on this new role, I'm excited about the journey ahead. I'm looking forward to further developing our firm along the strategic cornerstones of genuine client orientation, people empowerment, differentiation through innovative products, and leveraging global synergies. A key focus will be harnessing the power of our global presence and relevance to elevate the value we bring to clients. Our purpose, 'Together, we are more than business,' will remain our guiding principle as we move forward, building on the strong culture and values that Kiu has established.

"I look forward to working closely with our dedicated and talented teams across the globe, engaging with our great clients and network partners, and driving forward with the strategic vision that will take BearingPoint to the next level of its worldwide evolution while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in consulting."

Kiumars Hamidian comments: "Congratulations to Matthias Loebich! He is a globally well-respected senior leader with huge experience and knowledge across cultures inside and outside the firm, and I am confident that he will lead BearingPoint with the same dedication and vision that have been the hallmark of our success. Matthias' deep international industry expertise and his leadership roles on a global as well as regional level for different markets around the globe make him exceptionally well-suited to lead BearingPoint into a prosperous future."

Kiumars Hamidian, Managing Partner at BearingPoint since 2018, successfully guided BearingPoint through the pandemic and to new heights. Under his leadership, revenues rose to more than EUR 1 billion, and the number of employees increased to more than six thousand in 2023.

During Hamidian's time in office, 14 acquisitions were delivered, a new subsidiary in India opened, and the US and Asia businesses expanded. In addition, the first joint venture, Arcwide, has been successfully established, and BearingPoint RegTech and BearingPoint Beyond (today flourishing as independent companies) have been successfully spun off. Moreover, BearingPoint established its purpose, "Together, we are more than business," and embraced a people-centric culture.

After the handover phase to Matthias Loebich, Kiumars Hamidian will start his official early retirement phase in 2025.

About BearingPoint

BearingPoint is an independent management and technology consultancy with European roots and a global reach. The company operates in three business units: Consulting, Products, and Capital. Consulting covers the advisory business with a clear focus on selected business areas. Products provides IP-driven digital assets and managed services for business-critical processes. Capital delivers M&A and transaction services.

BearingPoint's clients include many of the world's leading companies and organizations. The firm has a global consulting network with more than 10,000 people and supports clients in over 70 countries, engaging with them to achieve measurable and sustainable success.

BearingPoint is a certified B Corporation, meeting high standards of social and environmental impact.

For more information, please visit:

Homepage: www.bearingpoint.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bearingpoint

Twitter: @BearingPoint

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241105469392/en/

Contacts:

Press contact

Alexander Bock

Global Senior Manager Communications

Telephone: +49 89 540338029

Email: alexander.bock@bearingpoint.com
SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA) successfully hosted its Annual Microfinance Conference in Siem Reap, gathering over three hundred leaders, policymakers, and international partners under the theme "Sustainable and Inclusive Microfinance: Current Situation and Future Trends." This conference underscored CMA's dedication to expanding financial inclusion and promoting responsible growth, aligning with global development goals and positioning Cambodia as a model for sustainable finance.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Dith Nita, Chairwoman of CMA, emphasized CMA's mission to strengthen Cambodia's microfinance sector, stating, "Sustainable and inclusive microfinance is not only a goal, but it is a necessity. Together, we're working toward a stronger economy, a fairer society, and a financial system that serves all Cambodians." Her remarks highlighted CMA's core commitment to client protection and empowerment across Cambodia's rural and underserved communities, which include 74.4% of the population.

CMA's 132 member institutions play a vital role in this mission, managing a combined loan portfolio of $5.11 billion USD, serving 1.55 million active borrowers, and holding $2.21 billion in deposits across nearly two million accounts, 67% of which are held by women. This commitment not only supports financial accessibility but also contributes significantly to local employment, with over 21,000 staff members across nine hundred branches.

A highlight of the conference was the recognition of the Bakong payment system, developed by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC). Launched in 2020, Bakong now has ten million active wallets, bridging traditional financial services and the unbanked population through seamless, low-cost digital finance. This pioneering initiative has earned international acclaim for advancing financial inclusion, and CMA expressed deep gratitude to NBC for its leadership in supporting this transformative step toward economic resilience and client empowerment.

While client protection and empowerment remain central to CMA's mission, the association is also paving the way in green finance, aligning with the global shift toward environmental sustainability. CMA collaborates with Oxfam to advance green finance initiatives and works alongside Water.org to provide technical assistance in developing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) products. Mrs. Dith Nita remarked, "We encourage our members to view green finance as essential, paving a path toward sustainability that benefits clients and the environment." This initiative supports global sustainability goals, including clean water access and climate action.

Throughout the day, CMA reinforced the importance of financial literacy, capacity building, and adherence to a strong code of conduct in creating a transparent, resilient financial sector. Concluding the conference, a call to action was made to continue collaborative efforts in promoting sustainable and inclusive finance that aligns with both Cambodia's needs and global priorities.

The Annual Microfinance Conference 2024 concluded with a collective commitment to build a resilient and inclusive financial future. CMA invites international partners, investors, and stakeholders to contribute to a financial landscape that empowers local communities and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through this annual event and ongoing initiatives, CMA remains dedicated to empowering communities, supporting sustainable growth, and actively participating in global efforts toward inclusive economic development.

Contact Information: Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA), Name: Tongngy Kaing, Email: hoc@cma-network.org, Phone Number: +855 95 262 111

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cambodia-microfinance-association-catalyzes-global-efforts-in-sustainable-inclusive-finance-302292870.html
WASHINGTON and BERLIN, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chemonics International, a leading sustainable development company, announced its acquisition of Luvent Consulting, a prominent Berlin-based company specialising in sustainable development solutions. This strategic partnership signals Chemonics' commitment to expanding its presence in Europe and beyond, as it continues to address complex global challenges.

With 50 years of experience, Chemonics has established itself as a trusted partner in delivering innovative and effective development solutions in more than 150 countries. By joining forces with Luvent's expertise and network, Chemonics aims to strengthen its support for international partnerships working towards tailored, locally driven solutions to communities around the world.

"Acquiring Luvent Consulting represents an exciting milestone for Chemonics as we grow our client base and expand our capabilities," said Jamey Butcher, Chemonics President and CEO. "Luvent's extensive experience and understanding of the sustainable development landscape align seamlessly with our mission to promote meaningful change worldwide. Together, we look forward to driving even greater impact and advancing the sustainable development goals."

Luvent brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a specialist in international development, delivering innovative solutions in digital transformation, private sector development, and climate action. As a value-driven company, the Luvent team has successfully implemented projects worldwide on behalf of European donors, earning recognition for their innovative approaches, measurable results, and inclusive partnerships.

"We are thrilled to join forces with Chemonics, a leader in the international development sector," said Alexander von Bruhl-Pohl, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Luvent. "This partnership will enable us to leverage our expertise on a larger scale, reaching more communities and driving positive change where it is needed most."

"This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for Luvent Consulting as we integrate Chemonics' extensive global resources with our innovative approach to international development," said Benedikt Pollmeier-Aletras, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Luvent. "We are eager to leverage Chemonics' deep experience and infrastructure to deliver even more impactful and sustainable solutions, especially in partnership with European funding institutions. Together, we can drive forward the evolution of development cooperation in a purposeful and value-driven way."

The acquisition of Luvent underscores Chemonics' commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation in the global development community. By combining resources, networks, and expertise, Chemonics and Luvent aim to deliver sustainable solutions that address the world's most pressing challenges, from poverty alleviation to environmental conservation.

About Chemonics International:

Chemonics International is a leading sustainable development company that works in more than 100 countries around the world. Our mission is to promote meaningful change to help people live healthier, more productive, and more independent lives. For more information, please visit www.chemonics.com.

About Luvent:

Luvent Consulting is Europe's specialist in developing and implementing innovative solutions for the most pressing challenges in international development. By focusing on digital transformation, climate action, and sustainable economic growth through private sector partnerships, we are dedicated to delivering value-driven, transformative projects that create lasting impact, empower communities, and safeguard the well-being of future generations." For more information, please visit www.luvent-consulting.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1040652/Chemonics_International_Logo.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2544628/Luvent_Consulting_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/chemonics-acquires-berlin-based-luvent-consulting-strengthening-its-global-reach-302293204.html
VEVEY, Switzerland, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nestle Professional, Nestle's business-to-business and out-of-home expert, is expanding its Nescafe Fusion system, a range of coffee machines that offer a wide variety of personalized drink options, from hot or cold, to whole roasted beans or instant, to dairy or plant-based milks for white cups.

Offices, hotels, convenience stores as well as education and healthcare institutions consider coffee essential for their customers and employees and look to offer a wider range of beverage choices. Due to the growing demand for cold coffee, especially among younger generations, having an iced beverage option is as important as having a hot one. Food service providers need to answer to this rising consumer demand by having both hot and cold options available at the same time, in a convenient, easy-to-use and personalized manner. But this can be challenging.

Delivering on that need, Nescafe Fusion provides espresso-based beverages, filter coffee and popular iced drinks, like lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas. Food service providers can choose from 14 different coffee machine models based on their business size, cup capacity, counter space and consumer needs. The Nescafe Fusion range has already been launched in 15 markets across Asia, Europe and Latin America and is now being rolled out to an additional 60 markets. The range was developed under the leadership of Nestle's R&D teams in Orbe, Switzerland, combining system expertise and coffee know-how.

"As the demand for cold beverages increases, particularly among younger generations, our food service providers need to adapt and cater to this trend by offering a versatile menu of both hot and iced beverages," said Reinhold Jakobi, Global Head of Nestle Professional. "Nescafe Fusion delivers customizable coffee experiences while reflecting our commitment to sustainability."

In addition to being easy to operate and providing different coffee menu options, the Nescafe Fusion machines use up to 30% recycled plastic[1] and can achieve energy savings of up to 60%[2] compared to previous Nescafe machines. The machines use hot water to pre-heat the brewing chamber on demand, replacing heating fans.

To help them decide which Nescafe Fusion machine best fits their business needs, food service providers can use the Lifecycle Assessment Tool to assess a machine's emissions, water usage, resource impact and more[3]. This tool provides region-specific data for Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia.

Telemetry is embedded into Nescafe Fusion machines for troubleshooting, machine settings and beverage calibrations. Nestle Professional technical experts receive issue reports on a real-time basis, reducing the need for travel to check or maintain the systems.

As all aspects of sustainability are important, Nestle Professional customers can trace the coffee from the region it was grown to where it was roasted and packed via the "Trace my Coffee" pilot program, launched in Spain and the Netherlands and soon to be launched in the UK and Portugal.

[1] The % is evaluated on total weight of plastic used.

[2] Compared to previous models, valid for bean to cup models

[3] The environmental footprint values given are indicative only. All results are based on a combination of data sources, including public data, Nestle data, machine manufacturer data and Quantis data. This means that the life cycle assessment covers all specific Nestle Professional results regarding coffee, cup and machine.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2548532/Nescafe_Iced_Americano.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2548533/Nescafe_Iced_Caramel_Macchiato.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2548705/Nestle_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nescafe-fusion-enables-food-service-providers-to-deliver-personalized-coffee-experiences-302295920.html
Continued momentum shows banks see behavioral biometric intelligence as a mandatory solution for combatting next-generation fraud, scams, and financial crime

NEW YORK, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BioCatch, the global leader in digital fraud detection and financial crime prevention powered by behavioral biometric intelligence, grew its Q3 annual recurring revenue (ARR) by 40% year-over-year. BioCatch welcomed 31 new customers in the quarter and continues to strengthen relationships with the world's largest retail banks, achieving a world-class 124% net dollar retention over the last 12 months.

BioCatch's flagship product portfolio, BioCatch Connect, continues to fuel the company's growth. Total ARR from new products grew 165% year over year, driven in part by significant adoption of its mules solution in the APAC region, where BioCatch helped APAC banks shut down more than 150,000 money mule accounts in 2023.

"We remain laser focused on our customers," BioCatch CEO Gadi Mazor said. "Bad actors never stop innovating, and so we - as an industry - must not either. We believe cooperation among banks, regulators, law enforcement, and vendors is a vital part of this progress and must be foundational to an industry-wide, proactive fraud and financial crime detection and prevention strategy. We're excited to introduce new initiatives and deliver forward-thinking solutions in the next few months and beyond that we believe will change forever change the fraud and financial crime fighting landscape."

Other milestones achieved in Q3 include:

The official closing of global investment firm Permira's acquisition of a majority stake in the company.





The signing of a global deal with a multi-national bank headquartered in Europe.





Adding 31 new customers to a global roster of 237, including onboarding one of the world's largest 100 retail banks. BioCatch now serves 34 of the global top-100 banks.





Onboarding 23 new employees, bringing the total team headcount to more than 340 in 21 different nations.





Continued and consistent EBITDA growth and zero debt.





Releasing two highly publicized research reports covering fraud trends in Brazil and Latin America.





Partnering with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) on its The State of Scams in France - 2024 report and Javelin Strategy & Research on a consumer survey covering The Emotional Undercurrent of Financial Scams.





Co-publishing Financial Crime and 314(b): A Practical Guide to Navigating Information Sharing Obstacles with The Knoble.





Earning the silver medal in the Best Financial Crime Investigation and Reporting category of Datos Insights' 2024 Fraud & AML Impact Awards.

About BioCatch:

BioCatch stands at the forefront of digital fraud detection, pioneering behavioral biometric intelligence grounded in advanced cognitive science and machine learning. BioCatch analyzes thousands of user interactions to support a digital banking environment where identity, trust, and ease coexist. Today, 34 of the world's largest 100 banks and 237 total financial institutions rely on BioCatch Connect to combat fraud, facilitate digital transformation, and grow customer relationships. BioCatch's Client Innovation Board - an industry-led initiative featuring American Express, Barclays, Citi Ventures, HSBC, and National Australia Bank - collaborates to pioneer creative and innovative ways to leverage customer relationships for fraud prevention. With more than a decade of data analysis, 93 registered patents, and unmatched expertise, BioCatch continues to lead innovation to address future challenges. For more information, please visit www.biocatch.com.

PR contact:

Mac King

BioCatch senior comms manager

Mac.King@BioCatch.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1843699/biocatch_logo_rgb_2x_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/biocatch-continues-rapid-expansion-through-q3-grows-arr-by-40-year-over-year-302295752.html
$27.3 million Series B funding co-led by Kibo Invest and Openspace, continued participation from MTR Lab, Taronga Ventures and 2150

Ampd Energy has deployed +300 smart battery units - primarily in construction - in seven countries, abating over 69,000 tons of CO2, the equivalent of 88,000 cars

In 2025 expansion is planned into new markets (mining and manufacturing) and geographies (Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and the USA)

SINGAPORE, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ampd Energy , a global energy industry innovator and manufacturer of the Enertainer and Ampd Silo battery energy storage systems (ESS) for heavy industries, today announced that it has raised $27.3 million in an oversubscribed Series B funding. The round was co-led by Kibo Invest and Openspace, the largest investor in this round, with notable participation from existing investors MTR Lab, Taronga Ventures and 2150, confirming their support and belief in Ampd Energy by participating above pro-rata. The funds will be used to further expand decarbonization across new verticals and regions.

According to the IEA , the combined building and construction sector is responsible for 30% of total global final energy consumption and 27% of total emissions in the overall energy sector. Compared to fossil fuel generators, Ampd Energy's Ampd Silo and Enertainer energy storage products reduce carbon footprints by up to 90%, are significantly quieter, emit zero air pollutants and eliminate diesel handling and usage risks.

Focusing on technical innovation and commercial viability, the company to date has deployed more than 300 units among seven countries, primarily in construction and abated over 69,000 tons of CO2, which is equivalent to removing over 88,000 cars from the road. The 2022 Earthshot Prize finalist plans to leverage this recent funding - secured in a challenging fundraising environment - to expand into new markets such as mining and manufacturing in 2025. Proceeds will also go toward targeting new geographies including the Middle East, Europe, United States and Southeast Asia, supported by their new partnership with Kibo Invest and Openspace.

"This new funding is a testament to the hard work of our team, our focus on being a commercially viable cleaner solution for businesses around the world, and the commitment from our investors in creating an emission-free future for industries," said Anthony Stewart, CFO at Ampd Energy. 'We're looking ahead to accelerating our growth, entering new verticals and delivering even more innovative solutions to our customers globally."

"We are particularly impressed by Ampd Energy's visionary leadership and their sharp focus on executing a clear strategic roadmap," said James Marshall, CEO of Kibo Invest. "Their commitment to excellence resonates with our own investment philosophy. We're excited to support Ampd Energy's expansion into new markets and industries, driving further growth and amplifying their positive impact on the global energy landscape. At Kibo Invest, we are dedicated to investing in forward-thinking companies that are shaping the future, and Ampd Energy is a prime example of that vision in action."

Jessica Huang Pouleur, Partner at Openspace, agrees. "We're pleased to back Ampd Energy, which has demonstrated impressive current traction to date and are, even now, just starting to realize the full potential of their energy storage solutions in Southeast Asia and globally. The backbone of the business is a committed and strong management team, who have shown time after time what it takes to build in a commercially viable yet impactful way. We're looking forward to partnering with Ampd Energy to deliver the significantly reduced reliance on diesel that their innovations make possible."

Ampd Energy's Enertainer and Ampd Silo ESS provides clean, affordable, stable and emissions-free futures for industries all over the world, along with valuable data-driven insights, providing 24/7 real-time monitoring and problem diagnostics, thanks to their robust proprietary software.

For more information on Ampd Energy and its Enertainer and Ampd Silo ESS, go to https://www.ampd.energy .

About Ampd Energy

Ampd Energy is driving the global energy transition on construction sites and heavy industries through the creation of state-of-the-art energy storage systems (ESS), connectivity software and data science to electrify, connect and optimize the industrial and construction sectors. Brandon Ng co-founded Ampd Energy in 2014. The company enables smart, fully automated, emission-free and connected construction sites of the future with highly efficient and scalable energy management. For more information, go to https://www.ampd.energy .

About Kibo Invest

Kibo Invest is an investment office focused on driving innovation and sustainable returns. Through its climate tech fund, it invests in companies that are revolutionizing industries and addressing urgent climate challenges. Based in Singapore, and investing across continents, it leverages its global network to identify and support high-potential ventures. www.kiboinvest.com

About Openspace

Openspace is a Southeast Asia focused investment firm, backing transformative companies where tech meets life. It now manages over US$800 million across four early-stage and one growth fund, with offices in Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia. It invests across sectors, but has a growing focus on climate-tech. Its portfolio includes GoTo, Kredivo, Love, Bonito, Igloo, Finnomena, Sarisuki and Fano. www.openspace.vc

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2548592/AMPD_Energy_CMYK_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ampd-energy-secures-oversubscribed-27-3-million-in-series-b-funding-to-accelerate-clean-battery-energy-storage-solutions-globally-302295919.html
Omega Pacific Resources Inc. (CSE:OMGA)(OTCQB:OMGPF)(FSE:Q0F) ("Omega Pacific" or the "Company") is pleased to welcome Mr. John Williamson, P.Geol., to the Company's Board of Directors as an independent director.

Over his 35-year career, Mr. Williamson has collaborated with and led industry geoscientists and capital markets professionals on numerous successful ventures, raising nearly $1 billion in capital for the exploration and mining of base and precious metals projects, including the discovery and/ or growth of at least 10 million ounces of gold on 3 continents. He has served as founder, Chairman, President, CEO, CFO or Director of companies with operations in North and South America, Africa and Australia. On more than one occasion his teams' efforts have been recognized for excellence by being named to the TSX Venture 50TM.

Of particular interest to Omega Pacific Resources shareholders, Mr. Williamson was the architect of Thesis Gold, formerly Benchmark Metals Inc. where he was the co-founder, Chairman and CEO until 2023. Thesis' Lawyers-Ranch Project is located in the Toodoggone District of British Columbia, approximately 50km from the Williams Property.

Jason Leikam, Omega Pacific CEO, states, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Mr. Williamson to our team. His extensive experience in resource development, particularly his success with exploration projects in BC's Toodoggone District, makes him an invaluable addition to our Board. We are eager for his input and guidance as we refine our strategic approach to the Williams Property. Mr. Williamson's proven ability to identify high-potential opportunities and attract investment capital will be instrumental in building a premier asset in the Golden Horseshoe. His expertise positions Omega Pacific for both immediate and sustained growth."

About Omega Pacific

Omega Pacific is a mineral exploration company focused on the development of mineral projects containing base and precious metals. The Company is actively exploring its British Columbia located properties and continues to evaluate assets globally for further acquisitions.

For more information, please contact:

Omega Pacific Resources Inc.

Jason Leikam, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Tel: +1 (778) 858-8085

Email: jason@omegapacific.ca

Cautionary Statement

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's financings and the future plans or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's management's discussion and analysis, which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Omega Pacific Resources

View the original press release on accesswire.com
HEALWELL's AI and data science subsidiaries have executed 5 new Master Services Agreements (" MSA ") with new pharmaceutical partners in Q3-2024; bringing the total number of MSAs with life sciences partners to 27, which includes 6 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the world. HEALWELL's AI and data science subsidiaries generated patient identification revenue from 23 of these pharmaceutical partners in Q3-2024.

") with new pharmaceutical partners in Q3-2024; bringing the total number of MSAs with life sciences partners to 27, which includes 6 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the world. HEALWELL's AI and data science subsidiaries generated patient identification revenue from 23 of these pharmaceutical partners in Q3-2024. HEALWELL subsidiary, Khure Health, has executed an MSA for patient identification purposes with a major multi-national medical device conglomerate highlighting an expansion into a broader life sciences customer base.

In addition, HEALWELL's Pentavere subsidiary has executed a commercial agreement with a major U.S. health system, utilizing Pentavere's DARWEN AI platform to identify patients with valvular heart disease.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 5, 2024) - HEALWELL AI Inc. (TSX: AIDX) (OTCQX: HWAIF) ("HEALWELL" or the "Company"), a healthcare technology company focused on AI and data science for preventative care, is pleased to provide a corporate update highlighting the recent success of its AI and data science business unit in accelerating the commercialization of its solutions and expanding new relationships with life sciences and pharmaceutical partners. HEALWELL's AI and data science subsidiaries executed 5 Master Service Agreements ("MSA") with new pharmaceutical partners in Q3-2024, bringing the business' cumulative total to 27 signed MSAs with life science partners, which include 6 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the world, compared to 12 cumulative signed MSA at the beginning of the year. HEALWELL also generated revenue from 23 pharmaceutical or life sciences customers in Q3-2024, compared to 8 pharmaceutical or life sciences customers that generated patient identification revenue in Q4-2023, demonstrating successful progress in the commercialization of its AI solutions in the healthcare and life science sectors since the beginning of this year.

YTD Comparison of Signed MSAs and Revenue-Generating Pharma or Life Science Partners

Q4-2023 Q3-2024 Total cumulative # of signed MSAs 12 27 # of Pharma or Life Sciences customers that generated revenue in the quarter 8 23

Dr. Alexander Dobranowski, CEO of HEALWELL, commented, "I am thrilled to share the exciting progress our AI and data science subsidiaries, Khure and Pentavere, have made in advancing the commercialization of their AI-driven patient identification solutions and services. Since the close of last calendar year, our AI powered lines of business have achieved remarkable growth, more than doubling the number of signed MSAs with life science partners and nearly tripling those that are actively generating revenue. This impressive progress, achieved in a relatively short timeframe, underscores our commitment to driving value for our life science partners. Additionally, we are seeing meaningful expansion within these partnerships, as Pentavere is advancing towards recurring subscription-based revenue models with its pharma clients, and Khure has begun executing agreements with the medical device community, highlighting our growing reach across the life sciences landscape."

HEALWELL subsidiaries, Khure Health Inc. ("Khure") and Pentavere Research Group Inc. ("Pentavere"), continue to make significant advancements in their businesses marked by key achievements in the quarter. Khure has expanded its reach within the life sciences sector by signing an MSA with a major global medical device conglomerate for patient identification purposes, where the therapeutic being administered after identification would be a medical device, underscoring the potential for commercialization amongst a broadened life science customer base.

Pentavere, has achieved substantial progress in generating pharma-oriented subscription revenue, a significant achievement as one of the few AI and data science companies in the industry to accomplish this, with six life science customers now adopting this model. Additionally, Pentavere has also entered into a strategic commercial agreement with a major U.S. health system, leveraging its DARWEN AI platform to identify patients with valvular heart disease, a condition affecting 2.5% of the Canadian population with 40% remaining untreated (Source: Canadian Cardiovascular Society, 2022). These accomplishments highlight HEALWELL's commitment to delivering impactful AI-driven solutions and expanding its presence in the healthcare and life sciences markets.

HEALWELL's globally validated artificial intelligence technology in combination with its Contract Research Organization (CRO) capabilities allows the Company to unlock tremendous potential end-to-end value for the life sciences sector. The Company's advanced AI and data science capabilities are expected to streamline clinical trial processes, from patient recruitment to data analysis. AI-driven tools will also help identify eligible participants, predict outcomes, and reduce trial duration by automating data collection and analysis, making the process more efficient and cost-effective. By seeking to establish a unique niche in AI-enhanced clinical trials, HEALWELL is positioning itself as a leader in the emerging space of digital healthcare solutions for research. These efforts will enhance partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and other research institutions seeking to leverage AI for trial optimizations, contributing to further financial growth and technological development.

Dr. Alexander Dobranowski

Chief Executive Officer

HEALWELL AI Inc.

About HEALWELL AI

HEALWELL is a healthcare technology company focused on AI and data science for preventative care. Its mission is to improve healthcare and save lives through early identification and detection of disease. Using its own proprietary technology, the Company is developing and commercializing advanced clinical decision support systems that can help healthcare providers detect rare and chronic diseases, improve efficiency of their practice and ultimately help improve patient health outcomes. HEALWELL is executing a strategy centered around developing and acquiring technology and clinical sciences capabilities that complement the Company's road map. HEALWELL is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "AIDX" and on the OTC Exchange under the symbol "HWAIF". To learn more about HEALWELL, please visit https://healwell.ai/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and are based on assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements with respect to, among other things, the growth and expansion of the Company's AI and Data Services business units into new revenue models and customer segments, the potential synergies between the Company's AI and clinical research capabilities and their anticipated value to the Company's customers. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "seeking", "opportunity", "potential", "growing", "expanding", "advancing", "leveraging", "improve", "expect", "future", "plan", "position", "opportunity" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain future conditions, actions, events or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "can" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms . Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon management's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as a number of specific factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by HEALWELL as of the date of such statements, are outside of HEALWELL's control and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies which could result in the forward-looking statements ultimately being entirely or partially incorrect or untrue. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on various assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following: HEALWELL's ability to foster and maintain its business and customer relationships; HEALWELL's ability to develop new technologies, products and services and the timelines on which they can be developed; new technologies functioning as expected; customers adopting and using new technologies, products and services as expected; the need to develop increasingly innovative technologies, products and services; competition in the industry; the stability of general economic and market conditions; HEALWELL's ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations; HEALWELL's continued compliance with third party intellectual property rights; and that the risk factors noted below, collectively, do not have a material impact on HEALWELL's business, operations, revenues and/or results. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections, or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved.

Known and unknown risk factors, many of which are beyond the control of HEALWELL, could cause the actual results of HEALWELL to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include but are not limited to those factors which are discussed under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in HEALWELL's most recent annual information form dated April 1, 2024, which is available under HEALWELL's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com. The risk factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect HEALWELL and the reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. HEALWELL disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228911

SOURCE: HEALWELL AI
India has been re-elected to hold the presidency of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), with France to serve as co-president, for a two-year term from 2024 to 2026. From pv magazine India The seventh session of the ISA Assembly in New Delhi has selected India as president and France as co-president for a period of two years from 2024 to 2026. India ran unopposed for the presidency, while France and Grenada contested the co-presidency. The assembly elects the president and co-president by considering equitable geographic representation. ISA members are grouped into four regional categories: ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
MUNICH (dpa-AFX) - Reinsurer Swiss Re Ltd. (SSREY.PK) Tuesday announced its agreement to sell iptiQ's European Property & Casualty or P&C business to Allianz Direct, affiliated to Allianz Group (ALIZY). The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.The transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of fiscal 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvalsiptiQ is a digital insurer that partners with other insurers, brokers, banks and consumer brands to deliver innovative P&C as well as life and health insurance products to end-consumers or B2B2C.The move is in line with Swiss Re's strategic decision to withdraw from Luxembourg -based iptiQ, which was announced earlier this year. The company had concluded that, in a strategic context, it was not the best owner for this business in the long term.Under the deal, Allianz Direct, the pan-European online insurer of Allianz Group, will take over the risk carrier with more than 100 employees, and all distribution agreements.The transaction is in line with Allianz Direct's goal to expand its B2B2C operations as it can capitalise on iptiQ's distinctive business model and expertise in this segment.Philipp Kroetz, CEO Allianz Direct, said, 'The acquisition of iptiQ's European P&C business underlines our commitment to grow our footprint in key European markets, both in B2C and B2B2C distribution. We are excited to welcome the team from iptiQ to Allianz Direct and look forward to our future success. I am confident that together iptiQ and Allianz Direct can leverage the platform's scale and competitiveness for its products and operations to drive further success for our business partners.'Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
IDnow partners with IDnow Trust Services AB to provide qualified electronic signatures, time stamps and seals to its customers and beyond

MUNICH, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IDnow, a leading identity verification platform provider in Europe, announces its partnership with newly founded IDnow Trust Services AB, a certified Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) under EU Regulation 910/2014 (eIDAS).1 Founded as a joint venture in Stockholm in early 2024 between IDnow and ESYSCO, a system integrator and technology provider, the company offers qualified trust services, such as electronic signatures, time stamps, and seals, that combine security, compliance, and user convenience.

Innovation and leadership in the digital signature market

As a recognized QTSP in the EU by the Swedish supervisory body Post-och telestyrelsen (PTS), IDnow Trust Services AB will issue, validate, and manage electronic certificates and time stamps; capture additional information, such as qualified time; hold identification evidence data, and perform certificate revocation, while complying as a Certificate Authority (CA). The QTSP provides assurance of the existence of specific electronic data at a specific time, such as proof that documents have been submitted for processing.

One of the features that IDnow Trust Services AB will immediately enable for IDnow's customers is SMS-free signing. This certified capability simplifies the signing process, eliminating the requirement of One-Time Password (OTP) codes and driving higher conversion rates. IDnow Trust Services AB is the first QTSP that will allow this new user authentication process, which is already acknowledged by different CEN and ETSI standards and which will revolutionize the user experience in the digital signature market.

New joint venture secures trust and simplifies compliance

"We are incredibly pleased that our joint venture, IDnow Trust Services AB, is already bearing the fruits of our labor. At IDnow, we have long made it our mission to actively shape and lead the Know Your Customer and digital identity industry; we are now once again showing this leadership role by doubling down on trust services, as they are an essential part of the transformation of the digital identity market heralded by eIDAS 2.0," says Andreas Bodczek, CEO of IDnow.

He continues: "In the coming years, our customers will benefit from the synergy of identity verification and qualified trust services, ensuring a compliant and efficient experience for all business-critical operations across the EU. This collaboration sets a new standard for trust and operational efficiency, positioning businesses for long-term success in the fast-evolving digital landscape."

Johannes Leser, CEO of IDnow Trust Services AB, adds: "Trust and liability is the backbone of all business, and it will be the driving force behind the global digital economy. IDnow Trust Services AB is committed to delivering innovative and highly dependable solutions to IDnow, its customers, and partners. With trust as our mutual foundation, we're poised to revolutionize the European digital signature market, which is expected to be seven times larger by 2030 than it is today."

About IDnow

IDnow is a leading identity verification platform provider in Europe with a vision to make the connected world a safer place. The IDnow platform provides a broad portfolio of identity verification solutions, ranging from automated to human-assisted from purely online to point-of-sale, each of them optimized for user conversion rates and security.

In 2021, IDnow acquired the French market leader for identity technology, ARIADNEXT, and the German identity Trust Management AG, enabling IDnow to offer its customers one of the broadest identification solutions through a single, integrated platform.

The company has offices in Germany, United Kingdom, and France and is backed by renowned institutional investors, including Corsair Capital and Seventure Partners. Its portfolio of over 900 international clients spans a wide range of industries, and includes leading international players, such as UniCredit, Telefonica, Sixt, Credit Agricole Personal Finance and Mobility, BNP Paribas Personal Finance, and Munich Re, as well as digital champions like N26, Solarisbank, Younited, BoursoBank, and Klarna.

Press contact IDnow

Katherina Riesner

press@idnow.io

+49 89 41324 6030

About IDnow Trust Services AB

IDnow Trust Services AB is a joint venture between IDnow GmbH and ESYSCO Sp. z o.o. The company is a certified Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) under EU Regulation 910/2014 (eIDAS), compliant with the creation and validation of electronic signatures, electronic time stamps, electronic seals, and certificates related to these services.

As an eIDAS-certified QTSP, IDnow Trust Services AB leads the way in compliance. It provides omnichannel trust services, including Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES), helps customers conduct cross-border business within the EU, and assists companies in the transition to fully digital processes.

1 The electronic Identification and Signature (eIDAS) regulation defines a QTSP as a natural or a legal person who provides one or more qualified trust services.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2196749/5005893/IDnow_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/idnow-trust-services-ab-certified-as-a-qualified-trust-service-provider-in-the-european-union-302295487.html
EQS-News: Marley Spoon Group SE / Key word(s): Quarter Results

Marley Spoon Group SE reports Q3 2024 Results



05.11.2024 / 10:19 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





MARLEY SPOON GROUP REPORTS ANOTHER POSITIVE OPERATING EBITDA QUARTER IN Q3 2024; DELIVERS 8.3% NET REVENUE GROWTH YOY Marley Spoon Group SE ("Marley Spoon" or the "Company"), a leading global subscription-based meal kit provider, reported its results for the quarter ending 30 September 2024 ("Q3 2024").

Highlights: ? Net revenue of 84.0m, up 8.3% year-over-year (YoY);

? Strong margin expansion to 34.5%, up 3.1 percentage points YoY;

? Operating EBITDA of 2.0m, up 3.7m YoY;

? Operating Cash Flow of (1.1)m in Q3 2024 and quarter-end cash balance of 9.5m;

? The Company reaffirms full year 2024 net revenue and Operating EBITDA guidance, upgrades FY 2024 contribution margin guidance. Marley Spoon's CEO Daniel Raab, commented: "We have delivered another quarter of accelerated year- over-year net revenue growth, with the positive topline development being driven by an increase in order average value, the addition of Bistro to our portfolio and our marketing investment strategy that continues to prioritize quality over quantity. We remain encouraged by increased engagement by our base customers, demonstrated by an increase in year-over-year order frequency. Operationally, we also saw another quarter of contribution margin improvement vs. the previous year such that we have upgraded our guidance on this KPI. The margin improvement, combined with continued cost discipline, has led to our fourth consecutive positive Operating EBITDA quarter. I would like to thank everyone at Marley Spoon for their continued focus and dedication in delivering consistently against our plans."

Q3 2024 Business Update Marley Spoon's Q3 2024 net revenue landed at 84.0, 8.3% growth year-over-year, an improvement over Q2 2024's net revenue growth of 0.9%. Average order value was up 13% vs. Q3 2023 driven in part by the Company's Market offering, premium recipes and an increase of family portions in the plan size mix. The acquisition of bistroMD in February 2024 also contributed to the net revenue performance. Order frequency increased 11% as customer quality continued to positively evolve, owing to the Company's previously announced adjustments to its investment strategy that reduced reliance on deep discounting to drive customer acquisitions. Contribution margin (CM) expanded once again in Q3 2024, improving 310 basis points (bps) vs. Q3 2023. The Company's lower level of marketing discounts given was a large contributor, as was the average order value increase. Operating Contribution Margin (Operating CM), defined as CM excluding the impacts of marketing vouchers and fixed costs such as expenses relating to site leases, contracted just 40 bps to 40.0% in Q3 2024. In the US, the Company started to see the benefits of lower food and packaging costs from FreshRealm, though this was offset by higher picking costs in the US due to fulfillment changes (fulfillment center rationalization) and Australia (temporary staffing inefficiencies). In Europe, Operating CM improved 160 bps YoY driven by improved waste management and logistics utilization. Marketing spend increased modestly by 3.4% YoY with efficient steering of seasonal investments focused on back-to-school campaigns, while marketing voucher costs were down nearly 30% in the quarter. Marley Spoon continues to see improved order frequency (+11% YoY) from its base customers, an outcome of the continued focus on cohort quality. G&A decreased 2.3% in Q3 2024 YoY, despite consolidating Bistro's fixed costs, as a result of the Company's financial discipline and the continued benefits of last year's cost reduction programs. Excluding the addition of Bistro, G&A is down 15.0% YoY, or approximately 2.5m. Overall, the margin improvement and G&A savings offset the increased marketing investments to deliver positive Operating EBITDA in the quarter of 2.0m, an improvement of 3.7m vs. Q3 2023. CASH FLOW The Q3 2024 ending cash balance for the combined Marley Spoon Group (including bistroMD) and Marley Spoon SE was 9.5m. Cash from operations in Q3 2024 was (1.1)m, with improvements in inventory offset by lower AP balances, mostly driven by certain one-off transaction fees settled in the beginning of the quarter. Cash from investing activities amounted to (2.3)m, with (1.7)m of the total driven by investment in the Company's digital platforms. The remaining investment comes from (0.2)m in expenditure against property, plant and equipment in the Company's Chefgood production facility and (0.3)m toward the final earn-out payment for the 2022 acquisition of Chefgood. Finally, cash from financing activities was (3.8)m comprised almost equally of payments toward the Company's leases and loan obligations, offset partially by a drawdown of 0.5m against Bistro's revolver loan facility.



RECONFIRMING 2024 GUIDANCE Marley Spoon CFO, Jennifer Bernstein, commented, "Q3 2024 was another quarter of consistent delivery of our plans. Revenue KPIs are stabilizing, margin has expanded and our cost savings initiatives are bearing fruit with lower YoY G&A. As a result, for the fourth consecutive quarter we delivered positive Operating EBITDA. 2024 Guidance: Narrowing net revenue growth vs. FY 2023 to flat-to-low single digit growth in constant currency;

Upgrading Contribution Margin to expand 280-310 basis points vs. the prior year;

Re-affirming full-year positive Operating EBITDA, with an expected landing in the mid-single digits.



About Marley Spoon Marley Spoon Group SE, is a global direct-to-consumer (DTC) meal-kit company. Our Vision is to "Build a better everyday, just for you, just right". We started Marley Spoon in 2014 to help our customers to cook for their families and deal with their busy lives. We also felt there should be a more sustainable way to cook at home, reducing food waste that traditional supermarket supply chains generate. Marley Spoon currently operates various brands in three regions: Australia, the United States, and Europe (Austria, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands). Our meal-kit brands, Marley Spoon, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon, and Dinnerly, bring pre-portioned fresh ingredients with tasty and simple recipes and other eating solutions reliably to our customers every week. Our customers just decide what to eat, when to eat, and leave behind the hassle of grocery shopping. Chefgood and bistroMD are our direct-to-consumer ready- to-heat (RTH) services that offer tasty, high-quality, healthy, and nutritious RTH meals and eating solutions for our wellness and health-focused customers.

Disclaimer This announcement constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy securities. Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by the use of the words "may", "will", "should", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "project", "goal" or "target" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, forecasts, estimates, projections, opinions or plans that are inherently subject to significant risks, as well as uncertainties and contingencies that are subject to change. No representation is made or will be made by Marley Spoon Group SE or any of their respective affiliates that any forward-looking statement will be achieved or will prove to be correct. The actual future business, financial position, results of operations and prospects may differ materially from those projected or forecast in the forward-looking statements. Neither Marley Spoon Group SE nor any of their respective affiliates assume any obligation to update, and do not expect to publicly update, or publicly revise, any forward-looking statements or other information contained in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.



Please see here for further details:

Q3 statement 2024

Investor presentation with Q3 2024



05.11.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


Leuven, Belgium - November 5, 2024 - 10:30 AM CET - Oxurion NV (Euronext Brussels: OXUR) announces that it terminated the private judicial reorganization (PRJ) procedure initiated on August 22, 2024. The Company had not taken any step towards its creditors within such procedure as it continued to dialogue with its creditors outside the framework of that procedure. Following such discussions, amicable agreements were reached with its key creditors. These creditors were mainly suppliers related to the THR-149 and THR-687 programs.

At the start of the procedure, the total debt of the company amounted to 14.7 million, of which 9 million was owed to Atlas. As per the agreements the debt is reduced by 3.5m and stands now at 11.2m of which 9.05m owed to Atlas. No conditions precedent nor conditions subsequent are included in those agreements.

The company is currently not negotiating other agreements with its creditors but might do so in the coming months.

About Oxurion

Oxurion (Euronext Brussels: OXUR) specializes in developing next-generation therapies for retinal diseases. The company is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. More information is available at www.oxurion.com

Important Information on Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Consequently, the company cannot guarantee that these forward-looking statements will materialize and undertakes no obligation to update or revise them in light of new information, future events, or for any other reason. Additional information regarding the risks and uncertainties affecting the company, as well as other factors that could lead to material differences between actual results and forward-looking statements, is included in the company's annual report. This press release does not constitute an offer or invitation to sell or purchase any Oxurion securities or assets in any jurisdiction. No Oxurion securities may be offered or sold in the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or in compliance with an exemption from this Act, and in accordance with applicable state securities laws in the United States.

Contacts :

OXURION NV:

Pascal Ghoson, CEO pascal.ghoson@oxurion.com

Contact presse et investisseurs: Gabriel Rafaty I Oxurion@aimpact.net

------------------------

This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ".

- SECURITY MASTER Key:

xpyaaMhul5qVmJ2bZJVtZ2ZpZphhx5LJamOVxWOaZJ6Uam2WlmlpmJSaZnFpm2Vt

- Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com.

------------------------



 Copyright Actusnews Wire

Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free

Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-88607-prj-termination-and-debt-reduction-en_20241105.pdf
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - European stocks eked out modest gains in cautious trade on Tuesday as investors reacted to mixed earnings updates and awaited interest-rate decisions from the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve later this week.Meanwhile, all attention is focused on what is being called the 'closest race in history' of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, with Donald Trump facing off against Kamala Harris.The pan European STOXX 600 was up 0.2 percent at 510.33 after falling 0.3 percent on Monday.The German DAX, France's CAC 40 and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 all were up around 0.3 percent.In corporate news, Vestas, the world's largest maker of wind turbines, plummeted 11 percent after lowering its projections for EBIT before special items in the Service segment to EUR 450 million from EUR 500 million.Belgian chemical maker Syensqo soared 6 percent as it unveiled plans to cur around 2 percent of its workforce.Staffing company Adecco slumped 7.7 percent after Q3 result missed consensus estimate.Reinsurer Swiss Re gained 1.1 percent after it has agreed to sell the digital insurer's European P&C business to Allianz Direct, the pan-European online insurer of Allianz Group.Associated British Foods rallied 2.7 percent as the Primark owner reported strong financial results for the year ending 14 September 2024, driven by revenues growth in its retail and foods businesses.Fashion retailer ASOS slumped 7.5 percent after reporting a widened pretax loss for fiscal 2024.Asset manager Schroders plummeted almost 12 percent after it reported 2.3 billion ($3 billion) of quarterly outflows and warned of more to come.Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty gained 1 percent on winning a $746 million (575 million) Texas Interstate contract.French construction-to-telecoms group Bouygues jumped 3.2 percent as nine-month core earnings came in slightly above expectations.German utility Uniper SE rose over 1 percent after confirming its FY24 guidance.Luxury fashion company Hugo Boss fell 3 percent after reporting a decline in third-quarter net profit.Dialysis company Fresenius Medical Care added 1.5 percent as Q3 profit beat market views.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The UK National Energy System Operator (NESO) has published its Clean Power 2030 Advice to Government, setting out pathways to decarbonize the power system of Great Britain by 2030. It calls for a threefold increase in the pace of deployment to hit clean energy targets. Solar capacity in Great Britain should triple by 2030 to meet net zero targets, according to new advice to the UK government from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Published on Nov. 5, 2024, the Clean Power in 2030 report lists 47 GW of deployed solar capacity by 2030 as one of the key features of a carbon-free grid. ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Japanese yen weakened against other against major currencies in the European session on Tuesday.The yen fell to a 4-day low of 176.61 against the Swiss franc, from an early high of 176.06.Against the euro and the pound, yen slid to 165.94 and 197.73 from early highs of 165.41 and 197.01, respectively.Against the U.S., Australia, the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars, the yen edged down to 152.55, 100.78, 91.38 and 109.75 from early highs of 152.09, 100.13, 90.84 and 109.42, respectively.If the yen extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 178.00 against the franc, 170.00 against the euro, 200.00 against the pound, 155.00 against the greenback, 102.00against the aussie, 93.00 against the kiwi and 112.00 against the loonie.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Closing of transaction following the receipt of all required regulatory approvals

TTP Group is a leading engineering firm specializing in biotech and pharmaceutical industries

Clients include blue-chip companies from biotech and pharma sectors across Europe

Exyte CEO Buchele: "The acquisition of TTP brings additional engineering expertise, experience, and business opportunities to Exyte, particularly in the thriving European biopharma and life sciences markets."

STUTTGART, Germany, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Exyte, a global leader in the design, engineering, and delivery of high-tech facilities, has successfully completed the acquisition of TTP Group ("TTP"). The transaction, announced in September 2024, has closed following the receipt of all required regulatory approvals.

TTP is a specialized and trusted partner for blue-chip clients in the biotech, pharma and chemical industries across Europe. The company, through its two operational brands 'Pharmaplan' and 'Triplan', covers the entire service spectrum from Engineering to Procurement, Construction Management, and Validation.

Exyte will combine TTP's operations with its own Biopharma and Life Sciences activities in Europe, aiming to establish an even stronger partnership with the rapidly growing European biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. This acquisition further solidifies Exyte's position as a global player in the pharma market, enhancing its presence and capabilities in Europe.

Exyte CEO Dr. Wolfgang Buchele says, "This strategic move is an important step for Exyte on our 'Pathway to Ten' and aligns perfectly with our future agenda 'Next Level'. By combining TTP's engineering expertise with Exyte's project execution capabilities, we will strengthen our presence in Europe's biotech and pharma sectors, offering clients comprehensive support from strategic planning to facility delivery."

Dr. Andreas Bonhoff, CEO of TTP Group, states, "TTP and Exyte share the ambition to offer innovative, sustainable solutions, and together, we will continue to expand in the growing market for pharmaceutical facilities. The combination of our strengths is a win for our clients and a positive step towards a successful future."

Strategic expansion of Biopharma & Life Sciences

The Global Business Unit Biopharma and Life Sciences, led by President Ronan Donohue, is the second-largest segment of Exyte by sales. Revenue of Biopharma and Life Sciences reached 580 million in 2023. The order intake grew by 12 percent to 650 million. As part of the "Next Level" agenda, the segment's sales are expected to continue growing, with its share of total sales increasing further. In the medium term, Exyte's business segment Biopharma and Life Sciences plans to achieve more than 1.5 billion in sales. Donohue says, "The combination of TTP with our current European organization in the Biopharma and Life Science business segment is a key accelerator for the growth of the Global Business Unit."

About Exyte

Exyte is a global leader in the design, engineering, and delivery of ultra-clean and sustainable facilities for high-tech industries. With cutting-edge expertise developed over more than a century, the company serves clients in the sophisticated markets of semiconductors, battery cells, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and data centers. Exyte offers a full range of services from consulting to managing the implementation of built complete solutions with the highest standards in safety and quality to its customers worldwide. Exyte creates a better future by enabling key industries to enhance the quality of modern life. In 2023, the company generated sales of 7.1 billion with around 9.900 employees worldwide. www.exyte.net

About TTP

TTP Group is a corporate group specializing in consulting and engineering services for the process industry. With more than 1,000 employees working under the operational brands Pharmaplan and Triplan, the company operates at 27 locations in Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland. Pharmaplan covers the entire value chain of pharmaceutical engineering, from consulting to the execution of EPCM projects and upgrades, qualification and validation as well as local site support. Triplan, as a leading engineering partner for the chemical industry, provides the technical development of new construction, renovation projects, and the optimization of existing facilities. With its two strong brands, established for over 50 years, the TTP Group is considered one of the leading engineering service providers in Europe. www.ttp-group.eu

Contact

Samy Abdel Aal

Public Relations Manager

Phone: +49 711 880 44 696

Mobile: +49 172 840 33 01

samy.abdelaal@exyte.net

www.exyte.net

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2548613/Exyte_TTP.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1487100/Exyte_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/exyte-completes-acquisition-of-ttp-group-302296475.html
CHICAGO (dpa-AFX) - Nearly two months long strike at Boeing Co. has ended after a majority of around 33,000 frontline workers voted to approve a new contract that will deliver 43.65 percent compounded wage increase.Following the deal, Boeing shares were gaining around 1.91 percent in the pre-market activity on the NYSE to trade at $158.50.While announcing the news at its website, Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg said, 'While the past few months have been difficult for all of us, we are all part of the same team. We will only move forward by listening and working together. There is much work ahead to return to the excellence that made Boeing an iconic company.'As per the aerospace giant, employees may return to work beginning at the start of the first shift on November 6 and must return by the beginning of their shift on November 12.The machinists, part of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers or IAM District 751 and W24, voted to ratify the new union contract, which the union said has instantly set a new standard for compensation and wages for aerospace industry workers.The union members in Washington State, Oregon and California had walked off the job on September 13, demanding better wages and working conditions. The strike had halted mainly the production of Boeing's 737 MAX jets, as well as 767 and 777 widebody planes.The new offer is the company's fourth one, while all previous three offers were rejected by the striking union members.IAM now said that its members voted by 59 percent to approve the deal.In a statement, IAM noted that acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su, in recent weeks, worked on behalf of the Biden-Harris administration to help restart and reach a positive resolution to negotiations that had previously stalled.The company's new contract includes a 43.65 percent compounded wage increase, and 38 percent before compounding, over the four-year life of the contract.Further, a $12,000 ratification bonus combines the previous $7,000 ratification bonus and the $5,000 lump sum into the 401(k). Now, union members can choose how this total amount is received, whether in their paycheck, contribution to 401(k), or a combination of both.IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary Allen said, 'For many frontline Boeing workers in the IAM Union, the terms of this contract will be life-changing. It's the most significant upgrade we've had to our collective bargaining agreement in a decade - and it will prove to be an example for the rest of the industry to live up to. Their strike was a great example of workers standing up for not just themselves, but also their families and communities.'Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
New Indonesia Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) service to commence in the first half of December 2024.

Dedicated email and live support to be available in seven languages - English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, German, and French.

Multilingual website to be available in seven languages - English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, German, and French.

Group booking facility to be available for the benefit of travel trade and conventions.

MUMBAI, India, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Directorate General of Immigration under the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Indonesia has appointed VFS Global, the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, as the exclusive private service provider for Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) to make the process seamless, promote inbound tourism, increase investments into Indonesia, and enhance overall traveller experience.

VFS Global's new e-VoA platform, set to commence in the first half of December 2024, will be available for nationals of the 97 countries eligible for e-VoA, including Japan.

Travellers will soon be able to enjoy a quicker and smoother visa application journey through VFS Global by completing the entire process online before departure and receiving a pre-approved e-VoA. The e-VoA can be easily obtained by visiting VFS Global website, submitting all the required documents, and paying the necessary fees online prior to travel. Once the application is submitted, travellers can receive their visas on their email before departure. With the payment having been made online, travellers can enjoy a smoother and faster entry experience through E-gates or immigration counters.

Mr. Silmy Karim, Director General of Immigration of Indonesia, said, "The Directorate General of Immigration offers the latest digital solutions that enhance the experience for foreign nationals who wish to visit Indonesia. In our collaboration with VFS Global, we aim to effectively contribute to increasing the arrival of foreigners, taking into account the network and digital platform owned by our partners."

Travellers applying for Indonesia e-VoA via VFS Global will get a dedicated email and live support in seven languages - English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, German, and French - to help them with their queries. VFS Global will add more language support in due course of time for key markets.

Mr. Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global Group said, "Indonesia is a very popular destination for travellers across the globe, and we are excited to unveil a service that will make their visa application process quicker, simpler and much more convenient. This user-friendly and highly secure digital e-Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) service will considerably enhance the visa application experience, thereby facilitate increase in tourism to the country. We are honoured to partner with the Directorate General of Immigration under the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia for this service."

VFS Global's new e-VoA platform will ensure all the documents applicants submit are complete and error-free. It also offers OCR technology which will enable applicant details to be auto populated, thereby saving time and effort for applicants. The new platform will also provide group booking facility which could be beneficials for travel trade and conventions.

About VFS Global

As the world's leading outsourcing and technology service specialist, VFS Global embraces technological innovation including Generative AI to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment.

With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritizes ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 69 client governments. Operating over 3,400 Application Centres in 153 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 297 million applications since 2001.

Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai and majority owned through investment funds managed by Blackstone Inc, along with the Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation and EQT, VFS Global is committed to creating value for all stakeholders and leading in responsible, innovative solutions making government services more effective and efficient.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549084/VFS_Global_Ceremony_Jakarta.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/vfs-global-appointed-to-offer-new-indonesia-e-visa-on-arrival-service-to-japanese-96-other-nationalities-302296483.html
Infosys Springboard digital inclusion platform to support residents gain critical digital and employability skills

LONDON, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced a collaboration with Southwark Council to launch its digital learning platform - Springboard in the borough. This initiative aims to provide Southwark residents, colleges, and schools with free access to Infosys' flagship digital learning platform, Springboard.

Southwark Council has created a three-year strategy to support digital inclusion across all its communities, delivered alongside the council's wider strategic framework. The council believes that access to the internet, a device, and the skills to go online should be considered the fourth utility, no different from gas, water, and electricity.

Springboard is Infosys' flagship digital learning platform designed to empower people, communities, and society with skills to be successful in the 21st century. The platform features content spanning digital learning, emerging technologies, and life skills. Collaborating with curriculum partners, non-profits, and a global network of leading educational institutions, Springboard is led by a team of experts who are truly invested in equipping the residents of the borough with the right tools and resources to participate in society and the digital economy.

Infosys Springboard will help Southwark residents acquire new skills and enhance employability, supporting individuals, communities, and businesses alike. In particular, it aims to be available to everyone for free to help increase digital literacy across the board and ensure nobody is left behind. The platform will also support digitally engaged communities by making devices and digital assets available to those who need them.

The announcement follows a successful 2021 deployment of Springboard in Brent, which sought to tackle the digital skills gap and boost employability post-lockdown. Succeeded by Sandwell in 2023, where the Springboard platform has helped residents unlock new opportunities to innovate and give them the digital skills needed for the future. Since the launch of the initiatives with Brent and Sandwell councils over 50,000 registered users are actively benefiting from over 10,000 courses offered through the Springboard platform.

Following the success of Brent and Sandwell, the key objectives of Infosys Springboard in Southwark include:

Digital Literacy for All: The platform will be freely accessible to everyone, promoting digital literacy and ensuring that no one is left behind.

The platform will be freely accessible to everyone, promoting digital literacy and ensuring that no one is left behind. Supporting Digitally Engaged Communities: Springboard will make devices and digital assets available to those who cannot afford them, fostering digitally engaged communities.

Springboard will make devices and digital assets available to those who cannot afford them, fostering digitally engaged communities. Boosting Entrepreneurship and Business Services: Entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized businesses can enhance their services through digital efforts.

Dionne Lowndes, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Southwark Council, said: "Partnering with Infosys to bring the Springboard platform to Southwark is a significant step towards realising our ambitious three-year digital strategy. The initiative will not only empower our residents, but local businesses too, with vital digital skills and resources. By enhancing this kind of accessibility and fostering innovation, we are working to enable our community to thrive in an ever-advancing technological world."

Thirumala Arohi, Executive Vice President and Head - Education, Training and Assessment, Infosys, emphasised the importance of upskilling and reskilling. Arohi said: "Empowering individuals, entrepreneurs and small and medium sized businesses through digital efforts is a key focus for Infosys. Our collaboration with Southwark Council will help provide essential digital skills for individuals who can't afford them, fostering digitally engaged communities. We are committed to ensuring equitable access to digital education and look forward to seeing a positive impact on Southwark's residents and businesses as they embrace new opportunities and innovations."

For more information about Infosys Springboard, please click HERE.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, increased competition for talent, our ability to attract and retain personnel, increase in wages, investments to reskill our employees, our ability to effectively implement a hybrid work model, economic uncertainties and geo-political situations, technological disruptions and innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, and cybersecurity matters. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/4364085/Infosys_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/southwark-council-collaborates-with-infosys-to-provide-digital-learning-platforms-for-residents-colleges-and-schools-302296482.html
DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an impressive demonstration of agility and foresight, FBOX has embarked on a series of transformative initiatives over the past two months, affirming its status as a pioneering leader in the cooling industry.

At the recent exhibition Bitcoin Amsterdam, FBOX introduced its revolutionary clean energy green mining solution. The innovation effectively addresses the critical challenge of unstable power output in renewable energy mining, showcasing the company's commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices.

Following this significant launch, FBOX made a strong entry into the data center liquid cooling sector at Gitex Global in Dubai. This strategic move highlights the company's advanced cooling technologies, meticulously designed to meet the evolving demands of modern data centers and ensure optimal performance, enabling broader applications of cooling technology across various industries.

The momentum continued at the Blockchain Life Dubai, where FBOX unveiled a specialized cooling solution tailored for the Antminer S21 immersion miner. This initiative underscores FBOX's dedication to delivering customizable, state-of-the-art solutions for the cryptocurrency mining industry, reinforcing its adaptability in a rapidly changing industry.

Looking ahead, FBOX will be exhibiting at the upcoming SC 24, the International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis in Atlanta, USA in November. With two strategically positioned booths showcasing its innovative data center liquid cooling products, the company signals its commitment to establishing a robust presence.

These swift advancements underscore FBOX's dynamic growth trajectory and strategic focus on capitalizing on high-demand markets. As the company continues to innovate, it remains dedicated to fostering sustainable solutions and driving excellence in the cooling solutions industry.

About FBOX

FBOX is a leading solution provider in the cooling industry, renowned for its innovative immersion, hydro, and air-cooling products. Committed to advancing cooling technology, FBOX offers stable, high-performance cooling solutions that are highly compatible across diverse environments.

By enabling efficient overclocking while ensuring thermal stability, FBOX products are widely adopted in North and South America, as well as the Middle East, positioning the company as a trusted leader in the market.

For additional details, visit:

Official Site: www.fboxdata.com

LinkedIn: FBOXDATA

Twitter: FBOXDATA

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fbox-accelerates-growth-and-innovation-in-the-cooling-industry-with-strategic-initiatives-302296487.html
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Joe Biden has congratulated the International Association of Machinists and Boeing for coming to an agreement that ended a seven-week long strike by the machinists at the aircraft manufacturing company.Boeing Co.'s more than 32,000 machinists ended their prolonged strike Monday, after majority of workers voted to approve a new contract that will deliver 43.65 percent compounded wage increase.The machinists, part of The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, voted to ratify the new union contract, which the union said, has instantly set a new standard for compensation and wages for aerospace industry workers.The union members had walked off the job on September 13, demanding better contract terms. The new offer is the company's fourth one, while all previous three offers were rejected by the striking union members.The new contract includes a 43.65 percent compounded wage increase, and 38 percent before compounding, over the four-year span of the contract.The agreement reflects the hard work and sacrifices of 33,000 Machinist workers, Biden noted in a statement.'This contract provides a 38% wage increase over four years, improves workers' ability to retire with dignity, and supports fairness at the workplace. This contract is also important for Boeing's future as a critical part of America's aerospace sector. And it was achieved with the support of my economic team, including Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su and National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard,' he added.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
PYONGYANG (dpa-AFX) - 10,000 North Korean troops are currently camped in Russia's Kursk Oblast, and if they join forces with Russian troops in the war, they are legitimate targets for Ukrainian soldiers, according to the Pentagon.Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a news conference that the U.S. Defense officials estimate there are now 11,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia. 'We've seen the press reports about alleged [North Korean] combat ops, and we're looking into those. At this point, we cannot corroborate those reports. But as you heard [Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III] say last week, should these troops engage in combat support operations against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets.'The North Korean troops entered Russia last month, and Russian troops are training those forces in infantry tactics, operating with unmanned aerial vehicles, artillery tactics, trench-clearing and the like, according to intelligence. 'All indications are that they will provide some type of combat or combat support capability. We would fully expect that the Ukrainians would do what they need to do to defend themselves and their personnel,' Ryder told reporters.The Russians have provided the North Korean troops with Russian uniforms and equipment.'We'll see exactly how these forces are integrated into Russian operations, and how they're committed to the battlefield, assuming that they are replacements for Russian forces,' he said.Ryder pointed to Austin's remarks last week discussing the large number of casualties Russian forces are suffering. The North Korean forces could be coming in 'to replace the massive losses that Russia is experiencing. I think that is probably a fair assessment, and I certainly would not want to be a North Korean soldier there.'Ryder also discussed the deployment of additional U.S. forces to the Central Command region. Austin ordered additional ballistic missile defense destroyers, fighter squadrons, tanker aircraft and several B-52 long-range strike bombers to the Middle East.The B-52 bombers have already arrived in the region with the other forces expected in the days and weeks to come.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification is an internal compliance measure for U.S. federal government business and places an emphasis on the stringent security standards Plurilock upholds

CMMC Level 1 safeguards U.S. federal contract information

Regular cybersecurity assessments of contractors provide the Department of Defense with increased assurance that sensitive information is adequately protected

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 5, 2024) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), a global cybersecurity services and solutions provider, announces that the Company's subsidiary, Aurora Systems Consulting Inc., has achieved Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 1 compliance for the United States Department of Defense (DoD).

The DoD relies on private companies to provide essential goods and services. These companies, collectively known as the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), can pose considerable cybersecurity risks if there are vulnerabilities in their information systems. Cyberattacks that steal intellectual property and sensitive information threaten both the economy and national security. To manage these risks, the DoD has started including cybersecurity requirements in its contracts. The DoD sees CMMC Level 1 as an opportunity to work with contractors to improve their cybersecurity practices.

Regular cybersecurity assessments of defense contractors give the DoD greater confidence that sensitive information shared with the DIB is properly secured. The CMMC program streamlines and enhances accountability in the cybersecurity assessment process. Level 1 covers the fundamental safeguarding requirements for Federal Contract Information, which is information provided by or created for the Government under contract that is not meant for public release.

"All DoD contractors must pass independent security checks to meet CMMC standards," said Ian L. Paterson, CEO of Plurilock. "This is an internal compliance measure for U.S. federal government business and places an emphasis on the exacting security standards we maintain as a Company. The more compliance we achieve, the stronger our business position in the market."

About Plurilock

Plurilock sells cybersecurity solutions to the United States and Canadian Federal Governments along with Global 2000 companies. Through these relationships, Plurilock sells its unique brand of Critical Services-aiding clients with our expertise to defend against, detect, and prevent costly data breaches and cyberattacks.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, and unforeseen events and developments. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Plurilock undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228804

SOURCE: Plurilock Security Inc.
"What happens in our oceans influences everyone's lives by impacting our weather, climate, food production, transport, economies, and well-being in general."

People with an interest in our oceans from academics to businesspeople through to representatives from navies and weather services are meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, for a deep dive into satellite data and its uses.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241105106009/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

Europe's meteorological satellite agency, EUMETSAT, the European Commission, the European Space Agency, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and Mercator Ocean International are hosting the two-day event starting today.

The aim is to showcase how data from the Copernicus Sentinel satellites are used to benefit agencies and businesses with an interest in the marine environment, to connect data users with different skills and expertise, and to receive feedback on how to better meet the needs of existing and potential data users.

"What happens in our oceans influences everyone's lives by impacting our weather, climate, food production, transport, economies, and well-being in general, but it is impossible to fully observe with in-situ sensors," EUMETSAT Director-General Phil Evans said. "We need satellites to gain a more complete picture.

"Many sectors of our economies and our governments are becoming more reliant on data for decision making, particularly as a result of climate change.

"It's a long journey from the acquisition of a byte of data on a satellite to what is actually happening in an aquaculture farm, to give one example, and the aim of this event to is show the range of data and information available, how it can be used, to connect people across this value chain, and, importantly, to hear feedback on any gaps or necessary improvements."

EUMETSAT's Copernicus Programme Manager Lieven Bydekerke said the uses of data from the Sentinel satellites go well beyond what was imaginable when they were designed.

"The data streams from the Copernicus Sentinels are a game-changer for marine science and operational communities," Bydekerke said. "They provide high-quality and continuous information about the dynamics, health, and diversity of our oceans."

Mercator Ocean International Head of Markets and Services Laurence Crosnier said the organisation was excited to highlight the role of the Copernicus Marine Service and the EU's Ocean Digital Twin in the development of marine applications during the Marine user days.

"This event is a unique opportunity for the marine community to engage with Copernicus Marine data, exchange insights, and shape the future of ocean services for larger societal benefit," Crosnier said.

"As we look ahead to this collaborative gathering, we invite all stakeholders to join us in harnessing the power of marine data for a sustainable and resilient future."

The event will feature a variety of presentations, networking events, and workshops covering topics such as:

The European marine data landscape and the blue economy

The European Union's Copernicus programme and its relevance to the marine community

Marine ecosystems and living resources

Marine data for ship routing, fishers, climate reporting and renewable energy

About EUMETSAT

EUMETSAT, Europe's meteorological satellite agency, monitors the weather and climate from space. Based in Darmstadt, Germany, EUMETSAT provides its 30 member states with meteorological imagery and data that are essential for keeping their communities safe and for the benefit of critical sectors of their economies.

EUMETSAT's 30 member states are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkiye and the United Kingdom.

For more information www.eumetsat.int

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241105106009/en/

Contacts:

Media Relations EUMETSAT:

Tel: +49 6151 807 7320

Email: press@eumetsat.int
Launch of Physically Backed Yield-Bearing Bitcoin (BTC) ETP on Xetra: Valour Digital Securities Limited and Core Foundation partner to bring a yield-bearing Bitcoin ("BTC") ETP on Frankfurt Borse Xetra with a 0.9% management fee, offering German investors exposure to Bitcoin with an initial fixed yield of 1.40%.

1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking (1VBS) ETP with Core Blockchain: The Core blockchain network, powered by Bitcoin, forms the foundation for 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking (1VBS) ETP (ISIN: GB00BRBV3124), providing Ethereum Virtual Machine ("EVM") compatibility and the innovative Satoshi Plus consensus mechanism (https://docs.coredao.org/docs/Learn/core-concepts/satoshi-plus-consensus/components) to enhance security and scalability.

Simplified Investment with 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking (1VBS) ETP: Through delegating Bitcoins to Core validators, this innovative product ensures custodial control while offering yield without the need for investors to set up their own validators. The yield is reflected in the Digital Asset Entitlement and Net Asset Value (NAV) at the end of each trading day.



TORONTO, Nov. 05, 2024))), a financial technology company that pioneers the convergence of traditional capital markets with the world of decentralized finance, an organization dedicated to the development of the Core blockchain network ("Core Chain"). This addition to Valour's portfolio on Xetra offers a new, physically backed option alongside the yield-focused certificate launched earlier this year, to address diverse investor needs.

The ETP provides German investors exposure to Bitcoin with an initial fixed yield of 1.40% (annualized) on the Xetra premium exchange.

"This new staking ETP represents a significant opportunity to investors. 1VBS not only invests the world's strongest crypto currency but also generates passive income through an innovative staking mechanism. This dual benefit enhances an investor's investment strategy while simplifying the process, allowing the earning of rewards without the technical complexities of managing underlying assets and staking process. It is a compelling option for informed investors seeking to grow their portfolios in a regulated environment.", says Elaine Buehler, Head of Product at Valour.

Trading of the 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking (1VBS) ETP (ISIN: GB00BRBV3124) commenced on November 1, 2024, with a 0.9% management fee.

"We're thrilled to bring German investors a new, physically backed, yield-bearing Bitcoin ETP on Xetra, offering secure and simplified access to Bitcoin's growth potential with an attractive initial fixed yield of 1.40%," said Olivier Roussy Newton, CEO of DeFi Technologies. "This partnership with Core Foundation underscores our commitment to developing trusted, institutionally aligned digital asset solutions. By maintaining full custodial control within a compliant framework, we enable investors to benefit from Bitcoin staking with the security and confidence they expect from regulated financial products."

Core Chain: Enhancing Security and Yield

The Core blockchain network, a Bitcoin-powered layer-one blockchain compatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) smart contracts, supports 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking (1VBS). By leveraging 50% of Bitcoin mining hash power, Core Chain enhances security in exchange for unlocking Bitcoin utility and rewards, making it the most Bitcoin-aligned EVM blockchain, with features including BTCfi and Bitcoin staking.

1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking (1VBS) simplifies Bitcoin investment, making it secure and accessible for investors seeking Bitcoin's growth potential. Yield is credited to each product's Digital Asset entitlement and reflected in the Net Asset Value (NAV) daily.

Yield Generation and Custodial Security

The 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking (1VBS) ETP generates yield by delegating Bitcoins to a Core Chain validator through non-custodial, native Bitcoin staking. Staking rewards, received as CORE tokens in a separate wallet, are converted to Bitcoins and added to the ETP's NAV and own wallet daily. The underlying assets of the ETP remain in Bitcoins at all times. Core Chain, a secure and scalable layer-one blockchain powered by Bitcoin, is supported by a unique 'Satoshi Plus' consensus mechanism that enables Bitcoin miners to delegate Proof of Work ("DPoW") to Core validators, thereby developing the potential of Bitcoin-backed decentralized applications.

Throughout the staking process, Valour retains full custodial control, ensuring security and compliance. Bitcoins are securely staked through a 'stake transaction,' a native Bitcoin transaction type with a short-term lockup period, including staking details like the Core Validator and reward address. During the lockup, the underlying Bitcoins cannot be transferred or slashed, and they remain under Valour's custodial control with a regulated custodian at all times.

About DeFi Technologies

DeFi Technologies Inc.))) is a financial technology company that pioneers the convergence of traditional capital markets with the world of decentralized financeand Twitter , and for more details, visit https://defi.tech/

About Valour

Valour Inc. and Valour Digital Securities Limited))).

In addition to their novel physical backed digital asset platform, which includes 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Carbon Neutral ETP, 1Valour Ethereum Physical Staking, and 1Valour Internet Computer Physical Staking, Valour offers fully hedged digital asset ETPs with low to zero management fees, with product listings across European exchanges, banks and broker platforms. Valour's existing product range includes Valour Uniswap.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information:

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to the the listing of 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking (1VBS) ETP and yields thereunder; the development of the Core blockchain; investor confidence in Valour's ETPs; investor interest and confidence in digital assets; the regulatory environment with respect to the growth and adoption of decentralized finance; the pursuit by the Company and its subsidiaries of business opportunities; and the merits or potential returns of any such opportunities. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but is not limited the acceptance of Valour exchange traded products by exchanges; growth and development of decentralised finance and cryptocurrency sector; rules and regulations with respect to decentralised finance and cryptocurrency; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

THE CBOE CANADA EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

For further information, please contact:
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Distinguished business leader and former Majid Al Futtaim Group CEO Alain Bejjani delivered compelling insights on leadership, sustainability and technological innovation at a high-level seminar hosted by Sharjah Asset Management, the investment arm of the Government of Sharjah.

Drawing from his extensive experience leading one of the Middle East's largest holding companies, Bejjani addressed the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability.

He said: "We're witnessing a fundamental shift in how businesses approach sustainability. It's no longer just about environmental compliance - it's about meeting the sophisticated demands of consumers who increasingly make decisions based on corporate environmental responsibility."

Mr Bejjani emphasized that while implementing sustainable practices requires significant investment, it has become essential for long-term business success.

"Companies that view sustainability as a core business driver rather than a compliance exercise will be better positioned to thrive in tomorrow's economy," he said.

Speaking to an audience of business leaders, government officials and academics, Bejjani emphasized the critical importance of decisive leadership during periods of regional and global uncertainty.

Mr Bejjani said: "The UAE has consistently demonstrated how strong leadership can create stability amid regional challenges. In today's complex business environment, leaders must not only navigate uncertainty but transform it into opportunity through strategic thinking and robust financial management."

The Lebanese-born business leader, who steered Majid Al Futtaim's operations across thirteen countries from 2015 to 2022, also shared perspectives on the transformation of workplace dynamics, particularly in light of recent global changes.

"The traditional metrics of productivity are being redefined. Success in today's business environment demands both smart work and hard work - it's about maximizing impact rather than simply counting hours," he said.

Addressing the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, Bejjani highlighted both opportunities and challenges.

"We're at a crucial juncture where AI is being shaped not just by governments or tech giants, but by users worldwide. Understanding this dynamic is essential for business leaders as we navigate the future of technology in commerce," he said.

The seminar, organised by Sharjah Asset Management as part of its commitment to fostering economic development and knowledge sharing, brought together key stakeholders from across the MENA region.

Media Contact:

Media Team

https://www.sam.ae/

Sharjah Asset Management

+97180080088

SOURCE: Sharjah Asset Management Company

View the original press release on accesswire.com
SEOUL (dpa-AFX) - The United States and South Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Principles Concerning Nuclear Exports and Cooperation, advancing their cooperation on civil nuclear energy.The two countries reaffirmed their mutual commitment to promoting the expansion of peaceful nuclear energy while upholding the highest standards of nonproliferation, safety, safeguards, and security.Toward this end, the two allies strengthened their administration of export controls on civil nuclear technology.'These further commitments will provide a springboard for the expansion of our bilateral work in combatting climate change, accelerating global energy transitions, and assuring critical supply chains while creating billions of dollars worth of new economic opportunities and the creation or maintenance of tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs for both of our industries,' the U.S. Department of Energy said in a statement.The MOU will proceed to final review in both countries' capitals.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Klondike Gold Corp. (TSXV:KG)(FRA:LBDP)(OTCQB:KDKGF) ("Klondike Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce seven drill hole results which tested for southwest and northwest extensions of gold mineralization at the Stander Zone. The seven holes were planned as part of a discovery drill program adjacent to the Company's November 10, 2022 Stander Zone Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") 1 within the Company's 100% owned 727 km 2 Klondike District Property (the "Property") in the Dawson mining district, Yukon, Canada. (see Figure 1).

Highlights Summary:

New high grade gold-bearing quartz vein zones discovered adjacent the Stander Zone to the southwest and northwest demonstrate significant exploration potential in these directions to further expand the Stander Zone MRE area.

EC24-526 intersects stacked gold zones including 1.54 g/t Au over 27.0m, 0.66 g/t Au over 5.50m, and 1.38 g/t Au over 7.0m within 130 meters of surface, 100 meters southwest of the Stander Zone MRE area.

EC24-552 encounters 0.79 g/t Au over 6.0m within 20 meters of surface, 200 meters southwest of the Stander Zone MRE area.

EC24-527, a 400 meter exploration step-out to the northwest, intersects 0.38 g/t Au over 11.50m within 50m from surface.

This successful exploration phase intersects near surface gold mineralization prospectively expanding the Stander Zone length 400 meters northwest and width 200 meters southwest.

Additional drill results are pending.

Peter Tallman, Klondike Gold's President & CEO states "This year's drilling at Stander Zone including today's results have potentially doubled the gold-mineralized strike length and increased the width by 50%. We expect these results will expand our existing resources as well add two new adjacent discoveries for near term growth. All this is results from our team's successful structural mapping of gold controlling orogenic faults thereby rewriting the geology of the Klondike. Today's results continue to indicate the significant potential economic value to our shareholders of the Company's 727 km 2 Klondike District Property."

In 2024 the Company conducted a resource expansion and discovery drill program targeting Stander Zone gold mineralization as outlined in the Company's November 10, 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") 1 . A total of 26 holes for 4,160.52m were completed in this overall program divided into phases targeting specific Stander Zone adjacent subareas.

Seven core holes reported here (EC24-526 to EC24-528 and EC24-550 to EC24-553) tested for across strike continuation of width of Stander Zone mineralization to the southwest (5 holes) and for along strike continuation of mineralization to the northwest (2 holes) well outside the 2022 Stander Zone MRE extents. Holes in both these areas successfully intersected significant intervals of gold mineralization to extend the prospective area strike length and width of the Stander Zone. Summary results are shown in Table 1 and drill hole collar locations are shown in Figure 1.

Table 1: Summary of Significant Gold Intervals at Stander Zone Northwestern and Southwestern Extensions

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Stander Southeast EC24-526 1.50 7.00 5.50 0.66 And 105.00 132.00 27.00 1.54 Including 106.50 108.00 1.50 10.34 And 125.00 132.00 7.00 1.38 EC24-550 176.00 177.00 1.00 2.74 EC24-551 133.00 142.00 9.00 0.68 EC24-552 14.00 20.00 6.00 0.79 EC24-553 No significant assay Stander Northeast EC24-527 46.00 57.50 11.50 0.38 Including 57.00 57.50 0.50 5.55 EC24-528 37.00 56.50 19.50 0.17

Figure 1: 2024 Stander Zone program drill hole location map with 2022 MRE pit outline for reference. Drill holes in this release are labelled.

Discussion

Stander Zone Southwest Across-Strike Drilling (EC24-526; EC24-550 to EC24-553):

Three exploration holes on section (EC24-551, EC24-526, and EC24-552) intersected gold mineralization representing a previously undetected gold zone projected to outcrop 300m in front (downhill) of the Stander Zone, and with a projected 35 o to 50 o degree northeast dip, to continue to depth beneath it. These drilling results, the first exploration to test for mineralization to the southwest, have shown potential to significantly expand the Stander Zone mineralization footprint in this direction with further drilling.

Stander Zone Northwest Along-Strike Drilling (EC24-527, EC24-528):

Two exploration holes tested for continuation of the Stander Zone approximately 400 meters to the northwest. Exploration drilling in recent seasons had targeted anomalous soils upslope to the north considered to be along strike with limited result. Early 2024 rock sampling results led to testing downslope to the southwest for evidence of Stander Zone style gold mineralization. Both drill holes produced encouraging near-surface sheeted extensional vein zones hosting gold mineralization over extended lengths. This appears to be typical Stander Zone 'halo' mineralization 400 meters to the northwest and an excellent exploration target area.

Overall, new understanding of the Stander Zone with deeper and adjacent drilling in 2024 has demonstrated multiple stacked gold-bearing 'quartz vein zones' exhibiting along-strike and dip continuity. New drilling reported in this news release has intersected gold mineralization 300 meters to the southwest beyond the extent of the Mineral Resource area. This follows the previous news releases (see NR 22 October, 2024 and 29 October, 2024) reporting significant extensions of mineralization adjacent and beneath the Mineral Resource with similar gold grades.

The intersection lengths reported here should not be considered estimated true widths ("ETW") 2 without additional drilling. These 2024 results are not included in the Company's November 10, 2022 Stander Zone mineral resource estimate ("MRE") 1 which was based upon 40 initial holes completed from 2015 through 2021 using a gold price of $1,700 USD and a 0.2 g/t Au cut-off.

The Stander Zone mineralization is associated with a 5 kilometer corridor of mineralization adjacent the major Eldorado Fault now recognized by the Company to be a master control of orogenic gold mineralization within the Klondike District.

Figure 2: Location of Stander Zone MRE area and other significant nearby gold showings along the Eldorado Fault.

The overall objectives of 2024 Klondike District Property drill testing at Stander Zone include:

Diamond drilling to test for expansion of the Stander Zone mineral resource area, and specifically to follow up high grade (>1 opt Au) gold drill intersections from late 2023. All 2024 Stander Zone drilling results have now been released.

Diamond drilling to test for expansion of extents of Gay Gulch Showing gold mineralization; with 6 drill holes still pending.

Prospecting and drill testing for repeated stacked gold-bearing quartz vein zones predicted by orogenic gold deposit models, targeting potential for deeper gold mineralization.

Figure 3: Klondike District Property extent with location of Stander Zone exploration area (purple outline) near Dawson.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The technical and scientific information contained within this news release has been reviewed and approved by Peter Tallman, P.Geo., President and CEO of Klondike Gold and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 policy. Detailed technical information, specifications, analytical information and procedures can be found on the Company's website.

ABOUT KLONDIKE GOLD CORP.

Klondike Gold is a Vancouver based gold exploration company advancing its 100%-owned Klondike District Gold Project located at Dawson City, Yukon, one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world. The Klondike District Gold Project targets gold associated with district scale orogenic faults along the 55-kilometer length of the famous Klondike Goldfields placer district. Multi-kilometer gold mineralization has been identified at both the Lone Star Zone and Stander Zone, among other targets. The Company has identified a Mineral Resource Estimate of 469,000 Indicated and 112,000 Inferred gold ounces1, a milestone first for the Klondike District. The Stander Zone ("MRE") was published November 10, 2022 based upon 40 initial holes completed from 2015 through 2021 using a gold price of $1,700 USD and a 0.2 g/t Au cut-off.

The Company is focused on exploration and development of its 727 square kilometer property accessible by scheduled airline and government-maintained roads located on the outskirts of Dawson City, Yukon, within the Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation traditional territory.

ON BEHALF OF KLONDIKE GOLD CORP.

"Peter Tallman"

Peter Tallman,

President and CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Telephone: (604) 609-6138

E-mail: info@klondikegoldcorp.com

Website: www.klondikegoldcorp.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements". When used in this document, the words "anticipated", "expect", "estimated", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management, however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. Klondike Gold does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws.

Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market volatility; the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities; fluctuations in commodity prices and changes in the Company's business plans.In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including without limitation, that the Company will continue with its stated business objectives and its ability to raise additional capital to proceed. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company seeks safe harbor.

For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

1 The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Klondike District Property was prepared by Marc Jutras, P.Eng., M.A.Sc., Principal, Ginto Consulting Inc., an independent Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. The technical report supporting the Mineral Resource Estimate entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Klondike District Gold Project, Yukon Territory, Canada" has been filed on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca effective November 10, 2022. Refer to news release of December 16, 2022. 2 Estimated True Widths for reported vein intercepts are based on oriented core measurements of individual veins where available or measured angles perpendicular to vein margins, and/or 3D models of vein intercepts. The measured and model average "sheeted extensional vein" dip is 35 o northeasterly, and typical drill hole dip angle is 55 o southwesterly. Other potentially oblique gold-mineralized veins (eg. "quartz breccia veins") may be present. Differences between individual ETWs and down-hole interval lengths may vary between drill holes depending on drill hole azimuth and inclination, variations in vein zone strike and dip, and overall geometries of the different vein systems.

SOURCE: Klondike Gold Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Cosmo Gold Shareholders Vote in Favour of Transaction

Sarama Resources Ltd. ("Sarama" or the "Company") (ASX:SRR)(TSX-V:SWA) is pleased to advise that the shareholders of Cosmo Gold Ltd ("Cosmo") have voted in favour of Sarama's acquisition of a majority interest(1) in the Cosmo Gold Project (the "Project") in Western Australia. This shareholder approval was a key outstanding condition to be satisfied for the Transaction (defined below) to be completed.

The acquisition now has approval from the shareholders of both Sarama and Cosmo and Sarama has received requisite approval and conditional approval from securities exchanges in Australia and Canada respectively. It is anticipated the Transaction will be completed in mid-November 2024.

The 580km Cosmo Gold Project(2) covers the entirety of the Cosmo-Newbery Greenstone Belt and is located approximately 85km north-east of Laverton in a region known for its prolific gold endowment (refer Figure 1). As one of the last effectively unexplored greenstone belts in Western Australia, the Project presents a unique and compelling opportunity for the Company.

Highlights

Sarama acquiring a majority interest in, and control of, Cosmo Gold Project in Western Australia

Sarama acquiring an initial 80% interest (1) with ability to increase to 100% in the majority of the Project (1)

580km landholding capturing +50km strike length in highly prospective gold producing region; 95km from both the world-class Gruyere Mine and Laverton gold district

Project captures one of the last effectively unexplored greenstone belts in Western Australia; virtually no effective exploration undertaken for several decades

Project is very well located being only a 4 hour drive from Kalgoorlie on predominantly paved roads

All shareholders approvals for the Transaction secured

Key conditions precedent satisfied and completion of transaction anticipated in mid-November 2024

Meetings with Traditional Owners confirm support for Sarama's involvement and its planned endeavours

Soil geochemistry program underway to generate regional targets in unexplored areas

Sarama's Executive Chairman, Andrew Dinning commented:

"We are pleased to have passed this major milestone and look forward to finalizing the acquisition of a majority interest in the Cosmo Gold Project in the coming weeks. Together with Cosmo, we have commenced our first soil geochemistry program which will continue over the next 6-8 weeks and feed into larger targeting efforts and work up of drill targets for the 2025 exploration season."

Cosmo Newbery Project

The Project is comprised of 7 contiguous exploration tenements covering approximately 580km in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia, approximately 85km north-east of Laverton and 95km west of the world-class Gruyere Gold Mine. The Project is readily accessible via the Great Central Road which services the Cosmo Newbery Community.

The Project captures one of the last unexplored greenstone belts in Western Australia and with a strike length of +50km, the Cosmo Newbery Belt represents a large and prospective system with gold first being discovered in the area in the 1890's. Multiple historical gold workings are documented within the Project area and work undertaken to date, has identified multiple exploration targets for follow up.

Despite this significant prospectivity, the Project has seen virtually no modern exploration or drilling of merit due to a lack of land access persisting over a significant period. As a result, the Project has not benefited from the evolution of geochemical and geophysical techniques which now facilitate effective exploration in deeply weathered and complex regolith settings which is particularly pertinent given approximately 75% of the Project area is under cover.

Following the relatively recent securing of land access, the Project is now available for systematic and modern-day exploration programs to be conducted on a broad-scale. It is anticipated that future exploration programs will initially follow-up preliminary targets generated from regional soil sampling and limited reconnaissance drilling programs, a majority of which extended to approximately 5m below surface with a small percentage extending up to 30m below surface.

Figure 1 - Cosmo Gold Project Location, Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia

Transaction Progress

Pursuant to the binding Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement executed (on 12 August 2024) by Sarama, and a 100%-owned subsidiary, with Cosmo and Adelong Gold Limited ("Adelong"), Sarama will acquire 80% of Cosmo's interest in the Project (the "Transaction") and will be granted the right to acquire the remainder of Cosmo's interest in the Project within a 2-year period post completion(1). Further, an existing debt obligation of Cosmo to Adelong will be satisfied and discharged as part of the Transaction. Refer Sarama news release 13 August 2024 for further details.

Since the execution of a memorandum of understanding and the binding agreement Sarama and Cosmo have been working to satisfy the conditions precedent to enable completion of the Transaction.

Sarama has successfully gained regulatory approval for the Transaction from the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") and conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V"). Final TSX-V approval for completion of the transaction is anticipated once various compliance items are filed. The Transaction has enjoyed support from the shareholders of both Sarama and Cosmo shareholders.

Sarama and Cosmo have been jointly working on the maintenance of the mineral tenure for the 7 exploration licences comprising the Project. These efforts have culminated in the extension of several licences for new terms and receipt of recent advice from the Western Australian Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has confirmed that all tenements are current and in good standing.

Introductions to the Traditional Owners of lands within the Project area have been made and these groups are supportive of Sarama's involvement in the Project, which will be confirmed with the procedural assignment of access agreements closer to the time of completion of the Transaction.

Cosmo has generated valuable base level data that has identified a number of target areas including kilometre-scale gold-in-soil anomalies and multiple structural and geophysical targets. Soil geochemistry exploration programs have commenced in regional areas and are expected to provide first-pass, broad-scale coverage in prospective but underexplored areas. It is anticipated that results from this initial program will inform design of expanded soil geochemistry programs to be undertaken post completion of the Transaction that will ultimately feed into drilling targeting. Whilst Sarama's exploration focus is gold, the Project is prospective for other commodities including nickel and rare earth elements, for which soil anomalism at a kilometre-scale has been already identified.

For further information, please contact:

Company Activities

Andrew Dinning or Paul Schmiede

Sarama Resources Ltd

e: info@saramaresources.com

t: +61 8 9363 7600

FOOTNOTES

Upon completion of the Transaction, Sarama, via its 100%-owned subsidiary, will acquire from Cosmo an 80% interest in all the Project's Exploration Licences, with the exception of E38/2274 for which Sarama will acquire an effective 60% interest (with Cosmo retaining a 15% interest and an exisitng joint tenement holder retaining a 25% interest). The tenements in which Sarama will acquire an 80% interest account for approximately 80% of the total area of the Project. For a period of 2-years following completion of the Transaction, Sarama will have the right to acquire Cosmo's remaining 20% interest, which would result in Sarama having an aggregate 100% interest, in all the Project's Exploration Licences (with the exception of Exploration Licence E38/2274 which would be held 75% by Sarama and 25% by an exisitng joint tenement holder in the event that Sarama exercises the option to acquire Cosmo's remaining interest in the Project). The Project is comprised of the following contiguous Exploration Licences: E38/2851, E38/3456, E38/2627, E38/2274, E38/3525, E38/3249 and E38/2774 covering approximately 580km. Cosmo currently has a 100% interest in all the Project's Exploration Licences with the exception of E38/2274 for which Cosmo holds a 75% interest.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Information in this news release that is not a statement of historical fact constitutes forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the prospectivity of the Cosmo Gold Project, information with respect to Sarama having or acquiring mineral interests in areas which are considered highly prospective for gold and other commodities and which remain underexplored, costs and timing of future exploration, the potential for exploration discoveries and generation of targets, the intention to gain the best commercial outcome for shareholders of the Company, timing and receipt of approvals, consents and permits under applicable legislation and the completion of a transaction to acquire the Cosmo Gold Project. Actual results, performance or achievements of the Company may vary from the results suggested by such forward-looking statements due to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such factors include, among others, that the business of exploration for gold and other precious minerals involves a high degree of risk and is highly speculative in nature; Mineral Resources are not mineral reserves, they do not have demonstrated economic viability, and there is no certainty that they can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration; few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines; geological factors; the actual results of current and future exploration; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents.

There can be no assurance that any mineralisation that is discovered will be proven to be economic, or that future required regulatory licensing or approvals will be obtained. However, the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the Company's ability to carry on its exploration activities, the sufficiency of funding, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of gold and other precious metals, that the Company will not be affected by adverse political and security-related events, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain further financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Sarama does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable laws.

QUALIFIED PERSON'S STATEMENT

Scientific or technical information in this disclosure that relates to exploration is based on information compiled or approved by Paul Schmiede. Paul Schmiede is an employee of Sarama Resources Ltd and is a Fellow in good standing of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Paul Schmiede has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Paul Schmiede consents to the inclusion in this news release of the information in the form and context in which it appears.

This announcement has been authorised by the Board of Sarama Resources.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Sarama Resources Ltd.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Xwbit, a well-established digital asset exchange known for its focus on security and user-centered services, is set to advance its expansion strategy in Europe with a targeted initiative to increase collaborations with local partners across the continent in 2025. By building on existing strengths and integrating localized support, Xwbit aims to bring innovative, reliable, and secure digital asset trading options closer to European investors.

The 2025 European collaboration initiative is part of Xwbit's broader objective to position itself as a trusted digital asset platform globally. Recognizing the growing interest in digital assets and blockchain technologies in Europe, Xwbit intends to harness the strengths of regional partners who understand the local markets, regulatory landscape, and user needs. By working closely with these entities, Xwbit will be able to adapt to specific requirements of European users, thereby fostering a stronger presence and offering more tailored trading solutions.

With this collaboration model, Xwbit plans to significantly enhance liquidity on its platform, thereby improving the overall trading experience for its users. Local partners will play a pivotal role in providing insights into market trends and supporting regional outreach efforts, allowing Xwbit to cater to the unique preferences of European traders. Xwbit will also collaborate with these partners on infrastructure and service improvements, including localized support and faster transaction processing, aimed at creating a seamless experience for European users.

A critical component of Xwbit's initiative is its dedication to regulatory compliance, which is increasingly important in Europe's complex financial ecosystem. Through these collaborations, Xwbit aims to ensure that its platform aligns with the latest regulatory standards, providing users with a compliant trading environment that prioritizes data security, transparency, and responsible trading practices. By partnering with entities that are well-versed in local regulations, Xwbit is committed to creating a robust and trustworthy ecosystem that instills confidence in its European users.

Furthermore, Xwbit's expanded presence will contribute to greater accessibility and awareness of digital assets, encouraging more investors to explore opportunities within the digital finance space. As part of its partnership model, Xwbit is also exploring co-development opportunities with local fintech innovators, aiming to introduce advanced trading tools and enhanced features tailored to the European market. This forward-looking approach reflects Xwbit's commitment to promoting sustainable growth, supporting financial education, and driving innovation in the digital asset sector.

The 2025 European expansion highlights Xwbit's strategy to work hand-in-hand with the financial community and local entities to provide digital asset trading services that are not only secure but also aligned with regional standards and expectations. By combining the strengths of established local expertise with Xwbit's technical prowess, the exchange seeks to foster an inclusive, compliant, and dynamic digital finance environment across Europe.

Xwbit's reinforced focus on Europe underscores its mission to make digital asset trading accessible, secure, and aligned with the values of transparency and trust that European users prioritize. As digital assets continue to gain prominence, Xwbit's approach to building strong partnerships with local players positions it as a leading force in the European market. These efforts reflect the exchange's ongoing commitment to empowering users and advancing the digital asset ecosystem globally, creating lasting impact for users in Europe and beyond.

About Xwbit

Xwbit is a cutting-edge digital asset exchange dedicated to providing a secure, transparent, and user-centric platform for trading cryptocurrencies and digital assets. With a focus on innovation, Xwbit offers a wide range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of both individual traders and institutional investors.

Media Contact

Organization: Xwbit Ltd

Contact Person Name: Daniel Walker

Website: https://xwbit.com/

Email: media@xwbit.com

Address: 946 18th St

City: Denver

State: CO

Country: United States

SOURCE: Xwbit Ltd

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 5, 2024) - Glow Lifetech Corp. (CSE: GLOW) (OTC Pink: GLWLF) (FSE: 9DO) ("Glow" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering") of up to 18,000,000 units ("Units") at a price of $0.05 per Unit, for total gross proceeds of up to $900,000, and issue up to 11,820,000 common shares ("Shares") in settlement of up to $591,000 in debt at a deemed price of $0.05 per Share (the "Debt Settlement").

Each Unit issued under the Offering will consist of one Share and one half of one common share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each full Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one Share ("Warrant Share") for a period of eighteen months following the closing of the Offering, at an exercise price of $0.07 per Warrant Share.

The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering for general working capital purposes. All securities issued in connection with the Offering and the Debt Settlement will be subject to a four month and one day hold as required under applicable securities laws. The board of directors of the Company has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company to settle outstanding debts through the issuance of the Shares in order to preserve the company's cash for working capital.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) except pursuant to an available exemption under the 1933 Act and compliance with, or exemption from, applicable U.S. state securities laws.

SUBSCRIBE: For more information on Glow or to subscribe to the Company's mail list visit: https://www.glowlifetech.com/news

About Glow Lifetech Corp

Glow Lifetech is a Canadian-based biotechnology company focused on producing nutraceutical and cannabinoid-based products with dramatically enhanced bioavailability, absorption and effectiveness. Glow has a groundbreaking, plant-based MyCell Technology delivery system, which transforms poorly absorbed natural compounds into enhanced water-compatible concentrates that unlock the full healing potential of the valuable compounds.

Website: www.glowlifetech.com

Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements with respect to the proposed Debt Settlement, including the amount and completion thereof and statements regarding the Offering, including the amount of proceeds expected to be raised, the timing for closing, the receipt of required regulatory approvals and the intended use of proceeds. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the Offering and Debt Settlement described in this news release will be completed on the terms described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228919

SOURCE: Glow LifeTech Corp.
CRANBURY, N.J. and BERLIN, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Visionet Deutschland GmbH, a subsidiary of Visionet Systems Inc., has announced the acquisition of Rodl Dynamics GmbH. Rodl Dynamics GmbH is an affiliate of Rodl & Partner, one of the largest auditing and consulting firms in Germany. Rodl Dynamics specializes in digital transformation solutions with a focus on Microsoft Dynamics ERP, CRM, and Business Intelligence for medium-sized enterprises. This acquisition strengthens Visionet's local presence in Germany and bolsters its Microsoft Dynamics offerings in the European market. With the combined expertise of a robust onshore team and Visionet's global delivery expertise, Visionet is poised to deliver scalable digital solutions across industries, solidifying its position as a leading digital solutions provider in Europe.

"This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Visionet's global growth strategy, bringing us closer to our goal of $1 billion in revenue. Together, we are well-positioned to leverage our global consulting and delivery expertise to drive digital innovation and support enterprise customers in achieving their strategic goals," stated Kamran Ozair, CEO of Visionet Systems Inc.

"With Rodl Dynamics, we are even better equipped to deepen our impact in the European region. This acquisition strengthens our Microsoft consulting capabilities globally, allowing us to expand our offerings to a broader customer base and solidify Visionet's position as a trusted advisor for digital transformation," added Ali Zubairy, Head of Europe & UK, Visionet Systems Inc.

"We are gaining an incredibly talented team from Rodl Dynamics. I would like to welcome Andreas Palsbroker and Rene Richartz, the Managing Directors of Rodl Dynamics who will play a crucial role in the growth of Visionet Deutschland," said Adeel Edhi, General Manager, Visionet Deutschland.

With this strategic acquisition, Visionet Deutschland benefits from an expanded base of customers and a skilled Microsoft consulting team. The acquisition also strengthens Visionet's consulting and data capabilities, particularly in the areas of finance, supply chain, manufacturing and retail.

The combined expertise and expanded pool of certified professionals allows Visionet to offer first-class digital transformation solutions, far beyond ERP, to both national and international clients.

The acquisition is supported and advised by Visionet Ventures, the innovation and incubation arm of Visionet Systems Inc. that partners with visionary entrepreneurs to accelerate growth and create lasting impact.

About Visionet Systems Inc.

Visionet is a leading IT services firm delivering digital experiences, enterprise modernization, Data & AI applications, and managed IT services. We leverage digital, data, and cloud technologies to meet clients' needs efficiently. Serving diverse sectors, we simplify complexities and foster innovation. With a global presence, Visionet ensures measurable business impact and a unique partnership experience.

Learn more at visionet.com.

About Rodl Dynamics GmbH

Rodl Dynamics GmbH, an affiliate of Rodl & Partner, focuses on the digital transformation of business processes, delivering tailored ERP, CRM, and Business Intelligence solutions. Leveraging the full Microsoft technology stack, Rodl Dynamics integrates seamless digital solutions for medium-sized enterprises, especially in the retail and services sectors.

For more information, visit Microsoft Dynamics 365 erfolgreich einfuhren | Rodl Dynamics (roedldynamics.de)

For media queries, please contact pr@visionet.com.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2306541/5002212/VisionetSystem_Logo.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2548547/Rodl_dynamics.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/visionet-strengthens-european-presence-with-the-strategic-acquisition-of-rodl-dynamics-302296450.html
B.C. utility will advise General Fusion as it prepares to deploy practical commercial fusion technology to power a lower carbon energy future

RICHMOND, British Columbia, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, General Fusion announced that FortisBC Inc. (FortisBC), a regulated utility providing safe and reliable electricity, has joined its Market Development Advisory Committee (MDAC). With energy demand in B.C. forecasted to increase by 15 per cent or more by 2030, clean and abundant fusion energy is well-positioned to support the province's growing energy needs and power its path to net zero emissions by 2050. General Fusion's Lawson Machine 26 (LM26) fusion demonstration at its Richmond labs de-risks and fast-tracks its path to a commercial power plant by the 2030s. Through its MDAC, General Fusion is gaining input from potential early adopters across the energy industry as it progresses toward building a commercial-scale machine and first-of-a-kind power plant. General Fusion is collaborating with key players in Canada, such as FortisBC, to commercialize the company's homegrown fusion technology and drive significant job creation and economic benefits in B.C. and across Canada through global exports.

"We believe that fusion will be part of the energy solution and are committed to working with energy providers to develop a practical and economical power plant that is cost-competitive," said Greg Twinney, CEO, General Fusion. "We're excited to work with FortisBC to advance the design of our commercial machine and explore the future deployment of our clean energy technology developed over the past two decades here in B.C."

"At FortisBC, we actively evaluate new technology that has the potential to provide lower-carbon energy options for our customers and reduce overall emissions," said Dawn Mehrer, vice-president of corporate services and technology at FortisBC. "We are excited to work with General Fusion to support the development of an innovative energy solution that could one day play a role in B.C.'s energy transition."

When commercialized, a single General Fusion power plant will be designed to provide zero-carbon power to approximately 150,000 Canadian homes, with the ability to be placed close to energy demand, minimizing the need for long transmission lines or pipelines and at a cost competitive with other energy sources. The company's approach is ideal for repowering existing power generation sites and industrial steam heat use. In its current design, a General Fusion power plant will produce about 300 MWe from two 150 MW machines running in tandem.

Quick Facts:

Fusion energy is the ultimate clean energy solution - it is the energy source that powers the sun and stars. Fusion is the process by which two light nuclei merge to form a heavier one, producing a massive amount of energy.

General Fusion's Magnetized Target Fusion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC1q4sFnfxE) (MTF) technology is designed to scale for cost-efficient power plants. It uses mechanical compression to create fusion conditions in short pulses, eliminating the need for expensive lasers or superconducting magnets. An MTF power plant is designed to produce its own fuel and inherently includes a method to extract the energy and put it to work.

Today, General Fusion is accelerating its progress by building LM26. The fusion demonstration machine is on track to achieve transformative technical milestones in the next 24 months-1 keV in the first half of 2025, then 10 keV, and ultimately scientific breakeven equivalent by 2026.

General Fusion's MDAC membership spans North America, Europe, and Asia and guides the design and development of a practical MTF power plant that will meet users' needs. Member companies include FortisBC, Bruce Power, Duke Energy, Tennessee Valley Authority, E.ON, and Renexia. For a complete list, please visit generalfusion.com/about/partners/ (https://generalfusion.com/about/partners/).

About General Fusion

General Fusion is pursuing a fast and practical approach to commercial fusion energy and is headquartered in Richmond, Canada. The company was established in 2002 and is funded by a global syndicate of leading energy venture capital firms, industry leaders, and technology pioneers. Learn more at www.generalfusion.com.

General Fusion Media Relations

media@generalfusion.com

+1-866-904-0995

Follow General Fusion

twitter.com/generalfusion

instagram.com/generalfusion

linkedin.com/company/general-fusion

facebook.com/generalfusion
Igraine Plc - Notice of AGM, Investment Rights in GEM Energia Ltd and Board Changes

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 05

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014, AS AMENDED ("MAR"). ON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE ("RIS"), THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

Igraine plc

AQSE: KING

("Igraine" or "the Company")

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Exclusive Investment Rights in GEM Energia Ltd

Board Changes

Further to the announcement of 21 October 2024, Igraine is pleased to announce the posting today of its Notice of Annual General Meeting ("AGM") and Circular to Shareholders. Shareholders will be asked to approve, amongst the standard AGM Resolutions, approval for the exclusive Investment Rights over GEM Energia Limited ("GEM") and its subsidiaries battery storage projects, including a right of first refusal on all current and future battery storage projects within GEM's portfolio.

The Circular includes a Notice of AGM, Report and Accounts and a Form of Proxy for the proposed Resolutions. The AGM and Circular will shortly be available on the Company's website at https://igraineplc.com. The AGM will be held at the offices of Peterhouse Capital Limited at 3rd Floor, 80 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6EE, on 29 November 2024 at 3.00 p.m.

Subject to the passing of the Resolutions, David Levis will be appointed as Executive Director, and his appointment is detailed in the Circular.

A copy of the Executive Director's letter contained in the Circular are set out in full below of this announcement without material amendment or adjustment.

Capitalised terms in this announcement shall have the same meaning as in the Circular.

The Directors of the Company, who have issued this RIS announcement after due and careful enquiry, accept responsibility for its content.

Enquiries

Company:

Steve Winfield (Executive Director)

Steve@igraineplc.com

Simon Grant-Rennick (Non-Executive Director)

Simon@igraineplc.com

Investor relations: info@igraineplc.com

AQSE Growth Market Corporate Adviser:

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Tel: +44 (0) 207 469 0930

Letter from the Executive Director

IGRAINE PLC

(Incorporated in England and Wales with Registered No. 06400833)



Directors: Registered Office: Stephen Winfield (Executive Director) Simon Grant-Rennick (Non-Executive Director) Hill Dickinson LLP8th Floor 20 PrimroseStreet The Broadgate TowerLondon, EC2A 2EW

To the Shareholders of Igraine Plc

Grant of Investment Rights Over GEM Energia Limited (GEM)

Amendment of Investment Strategy

Loan Facility with Vela Technologies Plc

and

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Dear Shareholder,

Introduction

As part of Igraine Plc's strategic expansion, the Board is pleased to propose a series of Resolutions aimed at supporting the Company's future growth and enhancing shareholder value. These Resolutions include the allotment of relevant securities, the disapplication of pre-emption rights, and the expansion of our investment strategy, which will enable us to capitalise on new opportunities in the energy sector.

In particular, the Company is seeking Shareholder approval to allot new Ordinary Shares as part of a proposed share issuance to GEM Energia Limited ("GEM"), a company specialising in the planning development of lithium-ion battery energy storage systems across the United Kingdom. GEM, through its wholly owned subsidiary, SPVs, focuses on identifying and bringing forward the planning approvals of battery storage projects that are becoming instrumental in stabilising the national grid and facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources. As the UK's energy landscape transitions towards greener solutions, the role of battery storage is increasingly vital, ensuring the efficient utilisation of energy and enhancing grid stability.

To support these efforts, Igraine has secured exclusive Investment Rights in GEM's battery storage projects, with a right of first refusal on all current and future projects. This arrangement not only positions Igraine to participate in high-value energy infrastructure developments but also aligns with our broader strategy of diversifying the Company's investment portfolio.

In consideration of these Investment Rights, the Board proposes the issuance of 35,510,811 new Ordinary Shares to GEM. This issuance forms a crucial part of the agreement, providing GEM with a meaningful equity stake in the Company in exchange for the exclusive Investment Rights that they have granted to Igraine.

Expansion of Investment Strategy and GEM detail

As announced on 21 October 2024, Igraine has conditionally entered into an agreement with GEM for the grant of exclusive Investment Rights over GEM, that includes the right of first refusal on all current and future battery storage projects within GEM's portfolio. To this extend, Igraine is requesting permission from Shareholders to expand its investment strategy to include investing in green energy renewable technology.

Subject to the Resolutions passing, the GEM exclusive Investment Rights agreement terms will be:

Igraine will fund all projects with investment planning projects in the GEM portfolio and pipeline, through the creation of Special Purpose Investment companies ("SPV"), for each project.

Vela funding will advance the planning of battery storage sites up to RTB stage, with a view to a sale thereafter.

Igraine may be diluted through other third-party investors into the SPVs

Pro-rata to Igraine's shareholding in each SPV, it will receive 85% of the proceeds from each successful sale, with the remaining 15% allocated to GEM. Thus, if Igraine owns 60% of the SPV, on a sale of for example 1,000,000, Igraine will receive 510,000 and GEM will receive 90,000.

GEM commercial rational:

Costs to achieve suitable planning consent and obtain grid connection ranges from circa 120,000 for a 30MW site up to circa 550,000 for a 400MW site, depending on the capacity size of the land. The timing is typically over a 12-to-24-month period.

At RTB, the expected sale value that a typical 100MW site can achieve is between 6 - 12 million post granting of planning permission, compared to a cost outlay of approximately 200,000.

GEM currently has 6 sites that with available funding are ready to progress to planning application stages and RTB.

Vela Technologies plc Convertible Loan Note Facility

To assist in funding GEM's pipeline of development sites through to RTB, Igraine has entered into a Convertible Loan Note Facility agreement with AIM quoted Vela, with the first 50,000 tranche of a minimum 200,000 drawdown facility, being made available on passing of the Resolutions.

Details of the Vela Convertible Loan Note Facility agreement are available in the Vela RNS announced on 21 October 2024, on the LSE, and can be found at:

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/VELA/investment-in-igraine-plc-via-cln/16723034

Appointment of David Edward Levis, aged 59

The Board is also pleased to announce that David Levis, CEO and Director of GEM, has agreed to join the Board of Directors of Igraine Plc as Executive Director, subject to the Resolutions passing at the AGM. David brings with him over a decade of experience in the development of large-scale energy projects, including battery storage, solar energy, and energy-from-waste initiatives. His extensive expertise in corporate finance, developed during his time with KPMG Corporate Finance and BDO Corporate Finance, provides David with deep insight into public offerings, private placements, and acquisition strategies. We are confident that his wealth of experience will significantly strengthen the Board's ability to deliver on Igraine's strategic goals.

Mr Levis has held the following directorships (including directorships of companies registered outside England and Wales) within five years prior to the date of this Document:

Proposed Director Current Directorships Past Directorships Davids Levis GEM Energia Limited AIB Holdings Limited Green Energy Management Limited Atlantic Tattenhall Ltd BES1 Holdings Limited Atlantic Ringmer 1 Ltd BES2 Holdings Limited Bluestone Property & Developments Ltd BES3 Holdings Limited Investment and Property Managers Ltd DAR100 Holdings Limited Parkgate Atlantic Holdings Ltd DAR400 Holdings Limited Aeternis Energy Ltd FRN100 Holdings Limited FRK50 Holdings Limited

Mr Levis does not hold any Ordinary Shares in the Company as at the date of this Document.

There is no further information regarding Mr Levis to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 4.9 of the Aquis Rules.

David Levis will enter into a service agreement with the Company, under the terms of which he has agreed to act as an Executive Director. The service agreement will become effective from the passing of the Resolutions and may be terminated by either party giving to the other 1 months' prior written notice, such notice not to be given prior to the first anniversary of the Annual General Meeting.

Creation of Performance Warrant Pool, Directors Holdings and GEM Holding

The Directors are also proposing under Resolution 8 to a create Performance Warrant pool totalling 12,250,000 warrants over Ordinary Shares for the benefit of Directors, management and advisors. The performance warrants will have a strike price of 0.02p and a life to expiry of 5-years from the date of grant, on passing of the Resolutions.

Conditional on approval of the Resolutions, the Directors', Proposed Director's and GEM's Ordinary Shares and Performance Warrants in the Company will be as follows:

Directors, Proposed Director and GEM's Ordinary Share holding Ordinary Shares held at date of this Document Total Ordinary Shares held on passing of the Resolutions Simon Grant-Rennick (Director) 5,076,240 (% Issued Share Capital: 5.87%) 5,076,240 (% Issued Share Capital: 4.16%) Stephen Winfield (Director) Nil Nil David Levis (Proposed Director) Nil Nil GEM* Nil 35,510,811(% Issued Share Capital: 29.10%)

* David Levis and his wife Gillian Levis together own 29.63% of GEM's issued share capital.

Action to be taken

Shareholders will find a Form of Proxy enclosed for use at the Annual General Meeting. Whether or not you intend to be present at the Annual General Meeting, you are requested to complete and return the Form of Proxy in accordance with the instructions printed thereon as soon as possible.

To be valid, completed Forms of Proxy must be received by the Company's registrars, Share Registrars Limited, not later than 3.00 p.m. on 27 November 2024, being 48 business hours before the time appointed for holding the Annual General Meeting. Alternatively, you can register your vote(s) for the Annual General Meeting by logging on to www.shareregistrars.uk.com, clicking on the "Proxy Vote" button and then following the on-screen instructions (you can locate your log-in details on the top of the proxy form).

You are entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and to exercise all or any of your rights to vote instead of you. Completion of the Form of Proxy will not preclude you from attending and voting at the Annual General Meeting in person if you so wish. Your attention is drawn to the notes to the Form of Proxy.

The notice of the Annual General Meeting is set out at the end of this Document.

Recommendation

The Board believes that the flexibility granted through these Investment Rights, particularly the ability to exit funded projects at the valuable RTB stage or continue their development, offers significant potential to enhance Shareholder value considerably.

Given the long-term benefits anticipated from this partnership with GEM and the positive impact it is expected to have on Igraine's strategic positioning, the Board strongly recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of the Resolutions, as they intend to do in respect of their own Ordinary Shares, representing 5.87% of the Issued Share Capital. These proposals not only advance Igraine's strategic objectives but also offer considerable potential for value creation, aligning with the Company's goal of delivering sustainable growth.

Yours faithfully,

Stephen Winfield

Executive Director

For and on behalf of the Board Igraine Plc
ABU DHABI, UAE, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hollywood couple Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth have collaborated with Experience Abu Dhabi, sharing all the city has to offer blending rich culture, adventure, and peaceful escapes, with incredible weather and endless experiences for every kind of traveller to enjoy at their own pace.

The two-year partnership was announced with a campaign film that features the duo on set, dreaming of a much-needed holiday. Using a mix of comedy and action, the film sees the couple agree that they could use an escape and imagine the blissful moments they could be experiencing in a destination that has it all...Abu Dhabi.

Elsa commented on putting family first: "When it comes to family holidays, Abu Dhabi has it all. Whether it is for us as a couple or a family, every day here is a new adventure, there is something for each one of us to enjoy and discover. My kids have fallen in love with Abu Dhabi, as it gives them a playground for all the things they want to do. Whether it's theme parks with exciting roller coasters, dune bashing and horse riding in the desert to catching the best wave, Abu Dhabi has it all and is now our must-do holiday spot."

Chris reflected on creating memories: "We're thrilled to partner with Experience Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi's got everything we love all in one place. The adventures have left us with amazing memories that will last a lifetime-you can tell how special it was since the kids didn't want to leave. We've loved everything about the culture, the people and the experiences. It's a place where we can unwind, and relax, with the feeling of being at home. We've travelled the world, but Abu Dhabi has captured our hearts. We're already planning for our next trip!"

As heard in the film, the message "Could Use A Vacation Right Now" resonates with the world. So many of us are drowning in deadlines, work commitments, and a never-ending to-do list-dreaming of that next great holiday. In Abu Dhabi, you can swap your daily routine for the perfect escape, from inspiring cultural experiences to galloping across desert dunes, riding waves at Surf Abu Dhabi and reconnecting with loved ones under a stunning sunset on a white-sand beach.

The campaign film showcases how Abu Dhabi inspires every family to find their own pace-a destination brimming with new adventures and countless opportunities to create lasting memories. From kayaking around Louvre Abu Dhabi to thrilling rollercoasters, all wrapped in the warmth of Emirati hospitality, the couple had the perfect family getaway. They savoured traditional Emirati cuisine before sunset strolls on the beach, feeling welcomed and at ease.

H.E. Nouf Mohamed Al-Boushelaibi, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "We're incredibly passionate about sharing Abu Dhabi with the world and are proud to have Elsa and Chris partnering with us. Their dynamic energy and love for discovery highlights everything Abu Dhabi has to offer from inspiring cultural experiences to adventures, creating meaningful and lasting memories, all at their own pace."

Get inspired by Chris and Elsa's dream-come-true adventure in Abu Dhabi and watch the new film here.

About Experience Abu Dhabi:

Experience Abu Dhabi is the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi.

DCT Abu Dhabi drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi's wider global ambitions.

By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate's position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate's potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi's vision is defined by the emirate's people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi's status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQEYVigHGZQ

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549319/Elsa_Pataky.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549316/Chris_Hemsworth.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549317/Elsa_Pataky_Chris_Hemsworth_Desert.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549318/Elsa_Pataky_Chris_Hemsworth_dining.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2239093/4629993/Experience_Abu_Dhabi_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/could-use-a-vacation-right-now-elsa-pataky-and-chris-hemsworth-partner-with-experience-abu-dhabi-302296608.html
Basel, 05 November 2024 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that it will present more than 40 abstracts across nine blood disorders at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, held 7-10 December 2024 in San Diego, US. The data underscore Roche's commitment to advance patient outcomes in lymphoma with long-term follow-up of its approved medicines Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin), Lunsumio (mosunetuzumab) and Columvi (glofitamab) as well as new investigational combination data.



Key presentations include:

Five-year data from the phase III POLARIX study (abstract #469) reinforce the potential of Polivy in combination with MabThera/Rituxan (rituximab), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone (R-CHP) to provide durable and lasting remissions and for the first time show a positive trend in overall survival (OS) for people with first-line diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), an area that previously had little advancement in nearly two decades. 1

Extended follow-up data of up to four years from the pivotal GO29781 study of Lunsumio (abstract #4407) and NP30179 study of Columvi (abstract #865) show long-lasting remissions and immune system recovery after the end of treatment, supporting the use of fixed-duration bispecific antibodies for third line or later (3L+) follicular lymphoma (FL) and DLBCL respectively. 2,3

First presentation of data for a subcutaneous formulation of Lunsumio monotherapy from the pivotal phase II GO29781 study (abstract #1645) show high rates of deep and durable responses and low rates and severity of cytokine release syndrome in people with 3L+ FL. 4 Subcutaneously administered Lunsumio could further improve the patient experience by combining shorter administration time with the existing benefits of a fixed-duration and outpatient therapy.

Subcutaneously administered Lunsumio could further improve the patient experience by combining shorter administration time with the existing benefits of a fixed-duration and outpatient therapy. New patient-reported outcomes data from the phase III STARGLO study (abstract #5132) indicate comparable health-related quality of life between treatment arms, despite higher median number of cycles received with the Columvi combination (11 versus 4). 5 Together with the significant improvement in OS observed in the study, these data support the potential benefit for patients with second-line or later DLBCL.

Together with the significant improvement in OS observed in the study, these data support the potential benefit for patients with second-line or later DLBCL. New and updated data from investigational study combinations of Polivy with bispecific antibodies Lunsumio and Columvi in relapsed or refractory DLBCL, including the phase Ib/II NP39488 (abstract #988) and phase II GO40516 (abstract #989) studies, add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the potential of novel bispecific antibody/Polivy combinations in earlier treatment lines, and support their ongoing phase III development.6,7





Overview of key presentations featuring Roche medicines

Medicine Abstract title Abstract number/presentation details Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin)



Five-Year Analysis of the POLARIX Study: Prolonged Follow-up Confirms Positive Impact of Polatuzumab Vedotin Plus Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Prednisone (Pola-R-CHP) on Outcomes #469 oral presentation







Session: 626. Aggressive Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: CARs, Bispecifics, and ADCs: Progress and Challenges in Aggressive B Cell Lymphoma







Sunday 8 December 2024







9.30am PST A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study of Pola-R-CHP in Patients With Previously Untreated Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (POLASTAR): A Preliminary Analysis #4475 poster presentation







Session: 626. Aggressive Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster III







Monday 9 December 2024







6pm-8pm PST Lunsumio (mosunetuzumab)



















A Randomized Phase II Study of Mosunetuzumab SC Plus Polatuzumab Vedotin Demonstrates Improved Outcomes Versus Rituximab Plus Polatuzumab Vedotin in Patients (Pts) with Relapsed or Refractory (R/R) Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL) #989 oral presentation







Session: 627. Aggressive Lymphomas: Pharmacologic Therapies: Chemotherapy-free Combinations for Relapsed Aggressive Lymphomas







Monday 9 December 2024







5.30pm PST Subcutaneous Mosunetuzumab Leads to High Rates of Durable Responses, Low Rates of Cytokine Release Syndrome, and Non-Inferior Exposure Compared with Intravenous Administration in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma: Primary Analysis of a Pivotal Phase II Study #1645 poster presentation







Session: 623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom's, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster I







Saturday 7 December 2024







5.30pm-7.30pm PST Mosunetuzumab Continues to Demonstrate Clinically Meaningful Outcomes in Patients with Relapsed and/or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma after =2 Prior Therapies Including Those with a History of POD24: 4-Year Follow-up of a Pivotal Phase II Study #4407 poster presentation







Session: 623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom's, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster III







Monday 9 December 2024







6pm-8pm PST Mosunetuzumab Monotherapy Demonstrates Encouraging Activity and a Manageable Safety Profile in Patients with Heavily Pre-Treated Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma #1646 poster presentation







Session: 623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom's, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster I







Saturday 7 December 2024







5.30pm-7.30pm PST Fixed-Duration Subcutaneous Mosunetuzumab is Active and has a Manageable Safety Profile in Patients with Previously Untreated, Low-Tumor Burden Follicular Lymphoma: Updated Results from the Phase II MorningSun Study #3008 poster presentation







Session: 623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom's, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster II







Sunday 8 December 2024







6pm-8pm PST Travel Burden and Travel Costs of Bispecific Antibodies in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma and Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma #782 oral presentation







Session: 902. Health Services and Quality Improvement: Lymphoid Malignancies: For a Better Tomorrow - Improving Access to Blood Cancer Treatments and Trials







Monday 9 December 2024







10.45am PST Columvi (glofitamab)



















Fixed-duration Glofitamab Monotherapy Continues to Demonstrate Durable Responses in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma: 3-year Follow-Up From a Pivotal

Phase II Study #865 oral presentation







Session: 627. Aggressive Lymphomas: Pharmacologic Therapies: New R-CHOP Combinations for Treatment Naive DLBCL







Sunday 8 December 2024







Midday PST Glofitamab in Combination with Polatuzumab Vedotin Maintains Durable Responses and a Manageable Safety Profile in Patients with Heavily Pre-treated Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL) Including High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma (HGBCL): Extended Follow-Up of a Phase Ib/II Study #988 oral presentation







Session: 627. Aggressive Lymphomas: Pharmacologic Therapies: Chemotherapy-free Combinations for Relapsed Aggressive Lymphomas







Monday 9 December 2024







5.15pm PST Glofitamab in Combination with Rituximab plus Ifosfamide, Carboplatin, and Etoposide shows Favorable Efficacy and Manageable Safety in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, Eligible for Stem Cell Transplant or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy: Results from a Phase Ib Study #987 oral presentation







Session: 627. Aggressive Lymphomas: Pharmacologic Therapies: Chemotherapy-free Combinations for Relapsed Aggressive Lymphomas







Monday 9 December 2024







5pm PST Primary Results of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large

B-cell Lymphoma Treated with Glofitamab plus Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin (Glofit-GemOx) Versus Rituximab plus GemOx (R-GemOx) from the Phase III STARGLO Study #5132 poster presentation







Session: 906. Outcomes Research: Lymphoid Malignancies Excluding Plasma Cell Disorders: Poster III







Monday 9 December 2024







6pm-8pm PST Glofitamab Induces High Response Rates and Durable Remissions in Patients (Pts) with Heavily Pretreated Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), including those with a Poor Prognosis: Subgroup Results from a Phase I/II Study #1631 poster presentation







Session: 623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom's, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster I







Saturday 7 December 2024







5.30pm-7.30pm PST A Healthcare Utilization Model Comparing Time Toxicity Between Glofitamab and Epcoritamab Treatment Regimens #3647 poster presentation







Session: 902. Health Services and Quality Improvement: Lymphoid Malignancies: Poster II







Sunday 8 December 2024







6pm-8pm PST Englumafusp alfa Englumafusp alfa (CD19-4-1BBL) combined with glofitamab is safe and efficacious in patients with r/r B-NHL: extended follow up analysis of the dose-escalation part of Phase 1 trial BP41072 #990 oral presentation







Session: 627. Aggressive Lymphomas: Pharmacologic Therapies: Chemotherapy-free Combinations for Relapsed Aggressive Lymphomas







Monday 9 December 2024







5.45pm PST Cevostamab Cevostamab in Patients with Heavily Pretreated Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM): Updated Results from an Ongoing Phase I Study Demonstrate Clinically Meaningful Activity and Manageable Safety and Inform the Doses and Regimen for Combination Studies #1021 oral presentation







Session: 654. Multiple Myeloma: Pharmacologic Therapies: Into the Future: New Drugs and Combinations in Multiple Myeloma







Monday 9 December 2024







4.30pm PST Venclexta/Venclyxto (venetoclax)* CRISTALLO: Results from a Phase III Trial of Venetoclax-Obinutuzumab versus Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab or Bendamustine-Rituximab in Patients with Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Without Del(17p) or TP53 Mutations #3237 poster presentation







Session: 642. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster II







Sunday 8 December 2024







6pm-8pm PST P-CD19CD20-ALLO1

(in collaboration with Poseida Therapeutics) P-CD19CD20-ALLO1: Potent Fully Allogeneic CAR-T Therapy Targeting CD19 and CD20 with Superior Efficacy Over Single-Target Products #4805 poster presentation







Session: 702. CAR-T Cell Therapies: Basic and Translational: Poster III







Monday 9 December 2024

6pm-8pm PST P-BCMA-ALLO1 (in collaboration with Poseida Therapeutics) A Phase 1 Study of P-BCMA-ALLO1, a Non-viral, Allogeneic BCMA Directed CAR-T in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM): Results from Optimized Lymphodepletion Cohort #4828 poster presentation







Session: 704. Cellular Immunotherapies: Early Phase Clinical Trials and Toxicities: Poster III







Monday 9 December 2024

6pm-8pm PST Hemlibra (emicizumab)



Bleed Patterns in Infants, From Birth to 12 Months of Age, with Hemophilia A Treated with Emicizumab: Exploratory Analysis of the HAVEN 7 Study #1214 poster presentation







Session: 322. Hemophilia A and B: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster I







Saturday 7 December 2024







5.30pm-7.30pm PST Real-World Experience With Emicizumab for Hemophilia A From the Physician Perspective Based on Survey Data #5078 poster presentation







Session: 905. Outcomes Research: Non-Malignant Conditions Excluding Hemoglobinopathies: Poster III







Monday 9 December 2024







6pm-8pm PST PiaSky (crovalimab)



Phase III Randomized COMMODORE 2 Trial: 2-Year Efficacy and Safety of Crovalimab in Patients With Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) Naive to Complement Inhibition #2687 poster presentation







Session: 508. Bone Marrow Failure: Acquired: Poster II







Sunday 8 December 2024







6pm-8pm PST Phase III COMMODORE 1 Trial: 2-Year Efficacy and Safety of Crovalimab in Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) Who Switched from Ravulizumab #4078 poster presentation







Session: 508. Bone Marrow Failure: Acquired: Poster III







Monday 9 December 2024







6pm-8pm PST

*Venclexta/Venclyxto is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialised by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the US, and commercialised by AbbVie outside of the US.

About Roche in haematology

Roche has been developing medicines for people with malignant and non-malignant blood diseases for more than 25 years; our experience and knowledge in this therapeutic area runs deep. Today, we are investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options to patients across a wide range of haematologic diseases. Our approved medicines include MabThera/Rituxan (rituximab), Gazyva/Gazyvaro (obinutuzumab), Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin), Venclexta/Venclyxto (venetoclax) in collaboration with AbbVie, Hemlibra (emicizumab), PiaSky (crovalimab), Lunsumio (mosunetuzumab) and Columvi (glofitamab). Our pipeline of investigational haematology medicines includes T-cell engaging bispecific antibody cevostamab, targeting both FcRH5 and CD3 and Tecentriq (atezolizumab). Our scientific expertise, combined with the breadth of our portfolio and pipeline, also provides a unique opportunity to develop combination regimens that aim to improve the lives of patients even further.

About Roche

Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche's business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045.

Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com .

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.



References

[1] Salles G, et al. Five-Year Analysis of the POLARIX Study: Prolonged Follow-up Confirms Positive Impact of Polatuzumab Vedotin Plus Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Prednisone (Pola-R-CHP) on Outcomes. Presented at: ASH Annual Meeting; 2024 Dec 7-10; San Diego, CA, USA. Abstract #469.

[2] Shadman M, et al. Mosunetuzumab Continues to Demonstrate Clinically Meaningful Outcomes in Patients with Relapsed and/or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma after =2 Prior Therapies Including Those with a History of POD24: 4-Year Follow-up of a Pivotal Phase II Study. Presented at: ASH Annual Meeting; 2024 Dec 7-10; San Diego, CA, USA. Abstract #4407.

[3] Dickinson M, et al. Fixed-duration Glofitamab Monotherapy Continues to Demonstrate Durable Responses in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma: 3-year Follow-Up From a Pivotal Phase II Study. Presented at: ASH Annual Meeting; 2024 Dec 7-10; San Diego, CA, USA. Abstract #865.

[4] Bartlett N, et al. Subcutaneous Mosunetuzumab Leads to High Rates of Durable Responses, Low Rates of Cytokine Release Syndrome, and Non-Inferior Exposure Compared with Intravenous Administration in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma: Primary Analysis of a Pivotal Phase II Study. Presented at: ASH Annual Meeting; 2024 Dec 7-10; San Diego, CA, USA. Abstract #1645.

[5] Gregory G, et al. Primary Results of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Treated with Glofitamab plus Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin (Glofit-GemOx) Versus Rituximab plus GemOx (R-GemOx) from the Phase III STARGLO Study. Presented at: ASH Annual Meeting; 2024 Dec 7-10; San Diego, CA, USA. Abstract #5132.

[6] Hutchings M, et al. Glofitamab in Combination with Polatuzumab Vedotin Maintains Durable Responses and a Manageable Safety Profile in Patients with Heavily Pre-treated Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL) Including High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma (HGBCL): Extended Follow-Up of a Phase Ib/II Study. Presented at: ASH Annual Meeting; 2024 Dec 7-10; San Diego, CA, USA. Abstract #988.

[7] Chavez J, et al. A Randomized Phase II Study of Mosunetuzumab SC Plus Polatuzumab Vedotin Demonstrates Improved Outcomes Versus Rituximab Plus Polatuzumab Vedotin in Patients (Pts) with Relapsed or Refractory (R/R) Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL). Presented at: ASH Annual Meeting; 2024 Dec 7-10; San Diego, CA, USA. Abstract #989.

Roche Global Media Relations

Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com

Hans Trees, PhD

Phone: +41 79 407 72 58 Sileia Urech

Phone: +41 79 935 81 48



Nathalie Altermatt

Phone: +41 79 771 05 25 Lorena Corfas

Phone: +34 620 29 25 51



Simon Goldsborough

Phone: +44 797 32 72 915 Karsten Kleine

Phone: +41 79 461 86 83



Nina Mahlitz

Phone: +41 79 327 54 74 Kirti Pandey

Phone: +49 172 6367262



Yvette Petillon

Phone: +41 79 961 92 50 Dr. Rebekka Schnell

Phone: +41 79 205 27 03

Roche Investor Relations

Dr. Bruno Eschli

Phone: +41 61 68-75284

e-mail: bruno.eschli@roche.com Dr. Sabine Borngraber

Phone: +41 61 68-88027

e-mail: sabine.borngraeber@roche.com (mailto:sabine.borngraeber@roche.com)



Dr. Birgit Masjost

Phone: +41 61 68-84814

e-mail: birgit.masjost@roche.com

Investor Relations North America

Loren Kalm

Phone: +1 650 225 3217

e-mail: kalm.loren@gene.com





Attachment
AI-Powered Tools for YouTube Creators: Boost Engagement, Streamline Comment Management, and Maximise Monetisation.

HYDERABAD, INDIA / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Hypesquad.ai is a groundbreaking platform and social media management tool designed to help YouTube creators, e-commerce brands, and affiliate marketers elevate their digital presence. As a powerful new tool for creators, Hypesquad.ai offers advanced features like reply signature, sentiment analysis, personalised comment replies , bulk posting and it's completely free, making it a game-changer for community engagement, and monetisation. Hypesquad.ai has quickly become essential for content creators looking for tools to grow their social media impact, enhance digital marketing, and turn engagement into measurable results.

Logo

Hypesquad.ai empowers YouTube creators with tools for engagement, comment management, and monetisation.

Empowering YouTube Creators: Expanding Reach and Maximising Metrics

YouTube creators focused on growth, Hypesquad.ai provides crucial tools to foster community engagement and increase YouTube subscribers. With personalised replies, creators can address followers directly, building loyalty and encouraging clicks on the YouTube subscribe button to boost overall YouTube subscriber count. The platform's sentiment analysis provides insight into audience comments, helping creators refine their strategy to keep followers engaged.

Hypesquad.ai's YouTube comment management feature allows creators to efficiently handle large volumes of comments, making sure every engagement is acknowledged and enhancing their credibility. For those interested in monetisation YouTube strategies, the platform also provides actionable insights on how to monetise on YouTube and increase AdSense YouTube earnings, transforming engagement into sustainable income. Hypesquad.ai enables creators to build a dedicated following while maximising their revenue potential on the platform.

Boosting E-commerce and Affiliate Marketing Through Engagement

E-commerce brands and affiliate marketers, Hypesquad.ai's reply signature feature is a powerful asset. This marketing automation software allows brands to include product links directly in comment replies, turning each engagement into a potential converstion. For those using the Amazon Affiliate Program, this tool seamlessly integrates affiliate links, maximising revenue by embedding recommendations in real-time comment replies. By driving traffic from YouTube interactions directly to product pages, Hypesquad.ai supports social media marketing, lead generation, and affiliate marketing, helping brands build visibility and increase conversions.

This integrated approach makes Hypesquad.ai a valuable solution for brands looking to achieve meaningful results from their social media efforts, offering unique content management features that elevate both engagement and profitability.

About Hypesquad.ai

Hypesquad.ai provides powerful, AI-powered tools tailored for community engagement, content management, and monetisation, making it a key resource for YouTube creators, e-commerce brands, and affiliate marketers. With features like personalised comment replies, reply signatures, and sentiment analysis, Hypesquad.ai empowers users to foster strong audience connections, drive social media growth, and maximise revenue. Discover how Hypesquad.ai can transform your digital engagement and monetisation strategy at www.hypesquad.ai.

Contact Information

Anirudh Lolla

Marketing

anirudhlolla@hypesquad.ai

8897452108

SOURCE: HypeSquad.ai

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Flower Mound, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - November 5, 2024) - Lancaster Roofing recently completed a Grand Prairie commercial roof replacement, overcoming structural challenges and saving the client approximately $80,000. The 35-year-old property, a combination of office space and warehouse, had suffered from persistent leaks and recurring repair costs. Seeking a long-term, budget-conscious solution, the client enlisted Lancaster Roofing to address the building's aging roof.

The project presented a significant challenge due to the building's gypsum roof deck, which could not accommodate traditional mechanically fastened systems. After a fastener pull test with OMG, Lancaster Roofing confirmed that the deck did not meet the necessary pull values for secure mechanical attachment. While a fully adhered system was technically feasible, it would have required extensive adhesive work, raising the project cost by $80,000.

Lancaster Roofing stands behind all inspections, services, and installations to deliver the highest-quality roofing and construction solution

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/228150_a62eb23ad49bba9e_001full.jpg

To address these issues, Lancaster Roofing selected Carlisle's VacuSeal Vent Secured Roof System, which avoids the use of adhesives or mechanical fasteners. The system uses strategically placed vents that harness wind power to create suction, securing the TPO membrane in place. This solution not only resolved the limitations of the gypsum deck but also minimized installation time and costs.

The entire installation was completed in just three days-half the time required for traditional systems-helping the client avoid extended disruptions. The VacuSeal system also provided additional benefits, including the absence of VOC emissions and reflective TPO membranes that reduce solar heat absorption, enhancing energy efficiency in Texas's climate.

Lancaster Roofing, a commercial roofer Grand Prairie TX, recommended ongoing maintenance to ensure the new roof remains in optimal condition. This includes regular inspections, quarterly debris removal, and gutter and drain cleaning to monitor for potential punctures or blockages.

This project exemplifies Lancaster Roofing's expertise in solving complex roofing challenges while delivering cost-effective solutions. With the VacuSeal system installed, the building is now better equipped to handle Texas weather, providing long-term protection and value.

About Lancaster Roofing:

Lancaster Roofing provides expert roofing solutions for commercial properties, focusing on tailored services for industrial, retail, office, medical, and other specialized facilities. Known for their attention to detail and reliability, the team delivers high-quality inspections, installations, and maintenance services that meet the specific structural needs of each property.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228150

SOURCE: GetFeatured
Leshines is the supply chain solution provider of Lenovo Group, which ranks among the top ten on Gartner's prestigious Top 25 supply chain list.

The move reinforces ewpartners' and Leshine's commitment to fostering local industrial growth and empowering enterprises in Saudi Arabia.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ewpartners (formerly eWTP Arabia Capital), the first international investment firm to establish a Saudi-Asia cross border platform, has announced a USD $50 million investment in Leshines, the supply chain solutions arm of Chinese multinational tech company Lenovo at The Future Investment Initiative (FII), a premier global platform that drives transformative investments and fosters international partnerships for sustainable economic growth.

The investment accelerates the localization of Leshines capabilities in Saudi Arabia, further strengthening the Kingdom's position as a vital player in sustainable global trade networks and supply chain operations.

Five months ago, Lenovo and PIF-backed company Alat announced a strategic collaboration, including a proposed US$2 billion investment. Today, this partnership is set to advance to the next step.

Leshines is also exploring the option of entering the KSA-Sino Logistics Special Economic Zone at King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, an initiative which was announced by the Saudi Ministry of Transport and Logistics earlier this month. Managed by ewpartners, the Zone will cover a total area of 4 square kilometres and consist of a logistics industrial park, an international commercial and business park, and corresponding living space and facilities. It will enable international companies to manufacture locally in Saudi and then springboard their distribution to other markets worldwide. It is expected to attract over 3,000 wholesalers and retailers and around 200 light industrial manufacturers from China and Asia.

Jerry Li, Founder and Managing Partner at ewpartners said the following on the announcement:

"This investment is a significant step towards building the future of Saudi Arabia that we all envision, and we are actively working to establish this goal. Our investment in Leshines underscores our commitment to this project and our determination to foster local industrial growth and the development of Saudi enterprises. By partnering with Leshines to bring advanced supply chain solutions to Saudi Arabia and the MENA markets, we further assist Chinese companies in exploring localized production and empower local enterprises, aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030."

Alan Zhou, COO of Leshines, commented on the announcement:

As Lenovo's smart supply chain solution platform, Leshines will take this opportunity to establish roots in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the MENA region, and build the foundational strategic capabilities of an advanced digital supply chain. As a globally leading strategic fund, ewpartners' strategic resources and unique advantages in KSA, the Middle East, and emerging markets perfectly match Leshines' strategic vision and development roadmap. With solid support and a strong partnership with ewpartners, we are confident that Saudi Arabia will become an important node in the Smart Supply Chain Platform, contributing to the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The investment in Leshines marks the first transaction for ewpartners Fund II. Amid the growing synergy between China and the Middle East, ewpartners' investment model has garnered recognition from key stakeholders in the region. Supported by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, ewpartners has also recently secured commitments from other GCC sovereign wealth funds, including USD 150 million from the Oman Investment Authority.

About ewpartners

ewpartners (formerly eWTP Arabia Capital) is an international investment firm specialising in cross-border investments between Asia and the MENA region. Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the firm has been active in Saudi Arabia since 2017 and was the first investment firm to launch a cross-border platform between the Kingdom and China.

Headquartered in Riyadh, ewpartners focuses on building value across borders by establishing strategic partnerships with exceptional companies. Our team's expertise in shaping innovative conducive policy frameworks can support governments in fostering economic transformation and diversification driven by innovation and technology.

ewpartners is committed to investing in, supporting, and growing successful businesses across the Asia and MENA regions, with a focus on key industries and themes such as digital infrastructure & solutions, advanced manufacturing & energy transition, and logistics & consumer enablement.

About Leshines:

Lenovo Group is a global tech giant. For three consecutive years, Lenovo has ranked among the top ten on Gartner's prestigious Top 25 supply chain list. As the strategic empowerment platform of Lenovo Global Supply Chain, Leshines is tasked with the important mission of driving supply chain transformation and upgrading through technological innovation. Drawing on Lenovo's global industry strengths and management expertise, Leshines delivers digital international supply chain solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Chinese manufacturers expanding overseas.

About the KSA-Sino Logistics Special Economic Zone

The Special Economic Zone is a collaboration between ewpartners and the King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) and was announced on 13th of October 2024. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics and is one of several recently announced initiatives designed to strengthen supply chains and streamline trade, e-commerce and investment in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The project aims to create an integrated ecosystem that will encompass global enterprises, logistic facilities, supply chains, and high-end manufacturing, significantly bolstering Saudi Arabia's regional and global distribution capabilities. International companies will establish manufacturing capabilities within the Zone and collaborate with Saudi enterprises to produce locally for distribution to markets around the world.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549392/ewpartners_Leshines.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ewpartners-announces-50-million-strategic-investment-in-leshines-to-localize-manufacturing-in-the-middle-east-302296652.html
This Strengthens KingsRock's Presence in Europe

NEW YORK and LONDON, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KingsRock Advisors, LLC ("KingsRock"), an independent global advisory firm, announced today its international expansion in the UK, opening a new office in London and adding Partners and Managing Directors to accelerate the growth of KingsRock's capital solutions and corporate finance business.

We are pleased to welcome the following Senior Investment Bankers who have joined KingsRock recently in our London office, with further expansion planned:

Sumit Chaudhary, Partner, former Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs

Aurelia Lamorre-Cargill, Partner, former Deutsche Bank and Barclays

Andrew Burton, Managing Director, former Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse

Xavier Lagache, Managing Director, former Deutsche Bank and BAML

Pedro Rua, Managing Director, former Citi and StormHarbour

Matthias Russwurm, Managing Director, former Deutsche Bank



This team's unique investment banking experience coupled with having worked together with US for decades in senior roles across credit structuring and origination, fixed income markets structuring, equity linked capital markets, liability management and restructuring, leverage finance and project finance do/will support our international growth and strategy to originate, structure and distribute private capital markets transactions. This will further strengthen KingsRock's ability to serve issuer clients and serve the private credit, special situations and private equity investor universe with ever more tailormade capital solutions and investment opportunities.



"We are excited to welcome our new Partners and Managing Directors to KingsRock as we continue to expand the global reach of our capital solutions business. Our commitment to strengthening our partnership model will further enhance our ability to serve our credit, corporate and sponsor clients around the world. In the near term, we will share more details about our European expansion, and our growing partnerships beyond Europe to support clients worldwide," said Hakan Wohlin, Founder & Managing Partner, and Louis Jaffe, Co-Founder & Managing Partner.

KingsRock has already closed several significant transactions in 2024. From London, KingsRock Advisors UK acted as Financial Advisor to CPI Property Group SA, a leading European landlord with assets of more than 20 billion, on a 250 million minority equity investment into a Polish office and retail portfolio by Sona Asset Management.

About KingsRock:

KingsRock Advisors, LLC headquartered at 900 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, is an independent global advisory firm, with securities offered by KingsRock Securities LLC, a FINRA member firm and SIPC, as well as KingsRock Advisors UK Ltd and KingsRock Advisors Europe AB, both wholly owned subsidiaries of KingsRock Advisors LLC.



Founded in 2020, KingsRock's comprises a team of over 20 professionals who advises on a wide range of private capital markets transactions including debt, hybrid, equity and M&A covering structures from vanilla to highly structured. The team collectively has worked on thousands of transactions across various industry sectors worldwide. Clients include private equity and private credit firms, corporations, financial institutions, government-related entities, and institutional investors.



KingsRock Advisors offers the experience and global reach of a large firm, combined with the structural agility and creativity of a boutique. An independent advisory firm with a global network that provides unconflicted strategic and financial advisory services, along with innovative capital solutions and special situations. The firms' bankers excel in complex transactions and deliver swift results often where large banks and traditional sources of financing do not have the ability to engage. KingsRock advisors operates across all major industry sectors and is supported by a global network of 115 independent Senior Advisors across 45 countries, who bring decades of deal making experience.

Disclaimer:

KingsRock Advisors UK Ltd is a private limited company registered in England and Wales with registration number 15240371. KingsRock Advisors UK Ltd (FRN 1006329) is an Appointed Representative under Bluegrove Capital Management Ltd (FRN: 960363), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Securities offered by KingsRock Securities LLC, a FINRA, member firm and a member of SIPC. , a wholly owned subsidiary of KingsRock Advisors LLC. 900 Third Avenue, 10th Floor  New York, NY 10022.

This message is provided for information purposes and does not constitute an invitation, solicitation or offer to buy or sell any securities or investment. Neither KingsRock Securities, LLC nor its affiliates provide accounting, tax or legal advice; such matters should be discussed with your advisors and/or counsel.

Info@kingsrock.com

Download Press Release Pdfhere
One of the few remaining industries dominated by check payments is now adopting online payments and financing, shaped by modern retail checkout convenience and trends.

AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / The fast checkout experience enjoyed by online consumers today has its roots in a 1999 patent by, unsurprisingly, Amazon. The "one-click buying" patent, once owned and defended by the tech giant, expired in 2017. Platforms like Shopify and Paypal have iterated on easier and more flexible checkout experiences to help sellers avoid the thing they fear most - abandoned carts. ePayPolicy, a payments platform for insurance companies, believes the insurance industry is no different.

ePayPolicy

ePayPolicy provides insurance payments tools for carriers, brokers, agencies, MGAs and premium finance companies.

Online shoppers are fickle. Given that many purchases are discretionary, it comes as no surprise that studies suggest 70% of carts are abandoned. Extra steps like account creation, or a complicated user experience are top reasons for abandonment. As online shopping has become nearly universal, expectations have shifted. A 2022 Capterra study indicated that two-thirds of buyers expect checkout to take less than 4 minutes.

In short - if customers find it hard to pay, they look elsewhere.

Unlike a pair of Nikes, insurance coverage is not discretionary. The necessity of insurance begets its resilience. Insurance companies have continued to grow over the last decade, in spite of the fact that insurance and healthcare are laggards when it comes to payment convenience.

Over 50% of insurance payments are still made by check, more than double the average of other industries. Customer convenience aside, faster payment acceptance is often critical to bind new coverage. Additionally, over half of policyholders indicated they'd switch insurers to get access to instant claims payments.

Fair or unfair, many policyholders see insurance coverage as a commodity and will do business with the companies that offer the ease they've been conditioned to expect. The shift in consumer demands has led insurance carriers, agencies, MGAs, brokers and premium finance companies to embrace online payments for their policyholders.

"The time we save equals more than 150 hours per year," said Diane Ferber, an agency owner. "Before we started using ePayPolicy, we either swiped the card through the machine or manually entered it in. Now, we text or email a link to the insured for payment."

Legacy insurance software and manual processes have been one of the largest obstacles in the insurance industry's slow adoption of modern payments. The shift in consumer expectations, as well as tools that integrate with core insurance platforms, has led the way for change. Leading agencies are now moving beyond expected online credit card and payment options with additional conveniences, like premium financing at checkout, for additional customer flexibility.

"We're finding that more of our clients appreciate the ability to handle payments and paperwork in more of a self-service function," said Sarah Goldbach, Director of Operations at RK Tongue. "By implementing Finance Connect, clients can choose their payment option or choose to finance at their own discretion."

Features like ePayPolicy's Finance Connect help tie together long-standing industry partners - premium finance companies and the agencies and brokers they serve - in a modern payment experience that mirrors the growing "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) retail checkout that's exploded in popularity over the last 5 years. From 2019-2021, the top 5 retail BNPL lenders grew 970%.

Premium-related insurance funds move across a tight-knit network of insurance companies. Many of these relationships are decades-long and highly strategic, where the need is not for additional partners and workflows but simplification. Online payments with features like Finance Connect offer exactly that - help collect insured payment faster, with existing PFC partners, in order to move those funds across the insurance ecosystem with greater ease and digital transparency.

Goldbach and the team at RK Tongue integrated their online payments with both their core agency management system (Vertafore's AMS360) and their premium finance partner and moved a phone and paper-based process completely online. In doing so, they not only added additional payment convenience for the insured but saved time for their AR/AP teams.

"Adding Finance Connect made us more efficient just in time for our heavy season, where we tend to fall behind our billing goals," said Goldbach. "We were down a staff member for the last month of our busy season and still finished 3 weeks ahead of our Q3 goal. This was a game changer for our billing team."

Contact Information

Justin Jaksha

VP Marketing

justin@epay3.com

8333729300

SOURCE: ePayPolicy

View the original press release on newswire.com.
OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Royal Canadian Mint is issuing a new $2 commemorative circulation coin as an invitation to all people living in Canada to celebrate Inuit Nunangat. This coin is also an invitation to learn more about the distinct ways of life and culture of Inuit thriving in this vast northern homeland. In a first for a Canadian circulation coin, four different artists, each representing one of the four regions of Inuit Nunangat, have collaborated on designing its reverse. On the coin, Inuit unity is symbolized through the four artists' joint representation of the story of Nuliajuk, spirit of the sea, and through an ulu representing each of their homes within the Inuit homeland. This coin will begin circulating as of today.

"Nuliajuk's story is one of the most important in Inuit culture, and we are excited that she will now be honored in Canadian currency, the way we have honored her in our hearts and imaginations since time immemorial. Congratulations on a beautiful design by Mary Okheena, Charlotte Karetak, Thomassie Mangiok, and Tegan Voisey. We are also proud of this work in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mint, who have collaborated with Inuit on this project in a genuine and respectful manner," said Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

"Walking the path of reconciliation includes honouring the rich cultural contributions of Indigenous Peoples," said the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. "Inuit have called the North home for time immemorial, and it is fitting that the toonie-whose iconic polar bear has long spotlighted the Arctic-will now share the vibrant Inuit culture and distinct ways of life in Inuit Nunangat with all Canadians."

The artwork appearing on the reverse of the 2024 $2 circulation coin celebrating Inuit Nunangat (???? ????) is the creation of Tegan Voisey (Makkovik, Nunatsiavut), Thomassie Mangiok (Ivujivik, Nunavik), Charlotte Karetak (Arviat, Nunavut) and Mary Okheena (Ulukhaktok, Inuvialuit Settlement Region). The inner core of the coin features an image of Nuliajuk, spirit of the sea, wearing an atigi (parka), and clockwise from Nuliajuk are a walrus, two beluga whales, a seal, and an arctic char. On the right of the outer ring appear four different artistic interpretations of uluit (knives), whose appearance is derived from the traditional shape for uluit found in each region, and that act as each of the artist's signatures. The inscription "Inuit Nunangat" appears on the left. The coin's obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

More information on the meaning of these designs and the story of Inuit Nunangat can be found at www.mint.ca/IN.

"We are thankful to have been given the opportunity to work with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and four talented Inuit artists to celebrate Inuit Nunangat on a new circulation coin," said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Collaborating with the communities to tell their story is how we at the Royal Canadian Mint seek to engage all people living in Canada, and we are pleased to share Inuit stories far and wide by celebrating Inuit Nunangat in this way."

Limited to a mintage of three million coins, of which two million will be coloured, this new $2 circulation coin will begin circulating on November 7. It will reach Canadians through their change as bank branches and businesses replenish their inventories of $2 coins.

The coloured and uncoloured circulation coin are also available in 15,000 coloured and 10,000 uncoloured limited-edition special wrap rolls of 25 uncirculated coins each, retailing for $79.95 CAD.

These collectibles can be ordered as of today by contacting the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca.They are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's Winnipeg boutique, as well as through the Mint's global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

Images of the circulation coin and collector products are available here.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. The Mint is one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, producing award-winning collector coins, market-leading bullion products, as well as Canada's prestigious military and civilian honours. As an established London and COMEX Good Delivery refiner, the Mint also offers a full spectrum of best-in-class gold and silver refining services. As an organization that strives to take better care of the environment, to cultivate safe and inclusive workplaces and to make a positive impact on the communities where it operates, the Mint integrates environmental, social and governance practices in every aspect of its operations.

For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca. Follow the Mint on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

About Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) is the national representative organization for 70,000 Inuit in Canada, the majority of whom live in the 51 communities spread across the four Inuit regions of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut, which comprise the Inuit homeland. Inuit Nunangat makes up more than 40 percent of Canada's land area and more than 72 percent of its coastline. ITK represents the rights and interests of Inuit at the national level through a democratic governance structure that represents all Inuit regions. ITK advocates for policies, programs, and services to address the social, cultural, political, and environmental issues facing our people.

For more information, media are asked to contact: Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Royal Canadian Mint, Telephone: 613-884-6370, reeves@mint.ca

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/royal-canadian-mint-celebrates-the-people-traditions-and-lands-of-inuit-nunangat-on-a-new-2-commemorative-circulation-coin-302296462.html
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Aerospace testing market was valued at USD 5.29 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 6.68 billion by 2029; it is expected to register a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Aviation technology advancements, such as lightweight composites, new avionics components, and autonomous and electric aircraft, are the primary drivers of aerospace testing market. As regulatory and safety standards grow, so does the need for intensive testing throughout all phases of product design and manufacture, as well as periodic maintenance, to validate reliability and safety. In addition, the growing frequency of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities due to increasing international commercial and defense fleets aggravates the demand for testing services. Along with environmental concerns and meeting sustainability goals, manufacturers are developing fuel efficient, low emission systems and therefore testing services are necessary to meet industry standards and ensure safety in next generation aerospace systems.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=32924426

Browse in-depth TOC on "Aerospace Testing Market"

150 - Tables

70 - Figures

260 - Pages

Aerospace Testing Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $ 5.29 billion Estimated Value by 2029 $ 6.68 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% Market Size Available for 2020-2029 Forecast Period 2024-2029 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Testing Type, Sourcing Type, End-user, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge The rapid advancement of aerospace technologies requires ongoing updates in testing methodologies and equipment Key Market Opportunities The development of advanced aircraft technologies creates a growing need for specialized testing Key Market Drivers Rising demand for commercial aircraft necessitates both initial and ongoing testing of new aircraft and their components

Avionics/Flight & Electronics Testing services segment to account for the largest market share in the forecasted year.

Avionics/flight & electronic testing services are becoming more in demand with modern aeronautical electronics becoming more complex and more integrated into modern aircraft. As the technology of aerospace develops, so would similarly the technology of avionics systems become more sophisticated, and more dependent on a higher level of sophisticated technology (navigation, communication, flight control, safety features) which themselves are already subject to rigorous tests to meet high levels of safety, reliability and regulatory safety. Moreover, as other next generation technologies are being developed such as autonomous flight systems, electric propulsion, and advanced sensors, avionics and electronics testing will be even more crucial. Moreover, this segment requires specialized testing services because these systems must run reliably at different altitudes, temperatures, and emissions.

Commercial end-user accounted for the largest market share of in the forecasted year.

Commercial aviation takes the largest share of the aerospace testing market due to the need to test new aircraft models and the strict safety regulations that must be followed in order to maintain operational reliability. As air travel demand continues to rise around the globe, and these markets continue to grow, there is an ever-increasing demand for the testing and certification of commercial aircraft components and systems such as engines, avionics and the airframe structural integrity. Despite this, commercial aviation remains ahead as a result of high safety, efficiency, and regulatory standards requirements, making it the largest segment of the aerospace testing market.

Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=32924426

North America is expected to hold the largest share of the Aerospace testing market during the forecast period.

North America dominates the aerospace testing industry with state-of-the-art testing facilities and a strong presence of aerospace manufacturers and defense contractors. In particular, the U.S. hosts global leaders in companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman which demand severe testing for commercial, military and space applications. Due to strong government support, large defense budgets, and stringent regulations in North America, aerospace testing thrives. The aerospace testing industry relies heavily on government funding for research and development. As a result, safety standards can be maintained, and innovation can flourish in the industry. Government regulations also mandate that all aerospace products meet strict safety and performance specifications, and in turn, the demand for testing aerospace products is extremely comprehensive.

Key Players-

The key companies that offer aerospace testing companies include Element Materials Technology (UK), SGS SA (Switzerland), Intertek Group plc (UK), Applus+ (Spain), TUV SUD (Germany), TUV Rheinland (Germany), TUV NORD Group (Germany), Rohde & Schwarz (Germany), Eurofins Scientific (Luxembourg), The Boeing Company (US), Airbus (Netherlands), MISTRAS Group (US), Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), Bureau Veritas (France), and DEKRA (Germany).

Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=32924426

Browse Adjacent Market: Semiconductor and Electronics Market Research Reports &Consulting

Related Reports:

Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market Size, Share & Industry Growth Analysis Report by Service Type, Sourcing Type (In-house, Outsourced), Application (Consumer Goods & Retail, Agriculture & Food, Industrial & Manufacturing, Medical & Life Sciences) and Region - Global Forecast to 2029

Test and Measurement Equipment Market by Automated Test Equipment, Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, BERT, Modular Instruments, NDT Equipment, Machine Vision Inspection Systems and Machine Condition Monitoring System - Global Forecast to 2029

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report.

MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients.

Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes.

The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry.

To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contact:

Mr. Rohan Salgarkar

MarketsandMarkets INC.

1615 South Congress Ave.

Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445

USA: +1-888-600-6441

Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com

Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/

Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/certificate-testing-market.asp

Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/certificate-testing.asp

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aerospace-testing-market-worth-6-68-billion-by-2029---exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302296335.html
Engineering Support for Midwest Clients

DULUTH, MN / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Multidiscipline engineering firm Coffman Engineers, Inc. (Coffman) announced the opening of a Duluth, Minnesota, office at 371 Canal Park Drive, Suite 210. This is the firm's furthest north Midwest location, the first in Minnesota, and allows it to serve existing oil and gas clients in the area. The new location also offers an opportunity for the firm to support other markets including industrial, healthcare, education, hospitality, and energy/utility.

Andrew Onken, NACE, Coffman Engineers, Duluth, MN

The office is managed by Canaan Bontadelli, PE, Senior Vice President and Rocky Mountain Regional Manager, and led by Minnesotan, Andrew Onken, NACE.

The Duluth office is focused on expanding Coffman's AC interference services as part of the corrosion control group while offering multidiscipline engineering services from a more efficient Midwest location. The office also offers civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection engineering services supported by regional offices.

"This expansion represents a significant milestone for Coffman in the Midwest. For our team of engineers that call Duluth home, we anchor our continued specialized corrosion control services with a physical location and look forward to expanding our local capabilities to other engineering disciplines," said Onken.

"Andrew and his team are respected professionals in a highly technical service and have been critical in deepening our connection with existing clients while also securing new contracts and relationships in the region," said Bontadelli. "Duluth is a vibrant city that provides a great place to expand our business. We look forward to being an active part of this community."

For more information, visit https://www.coffman.com/news/coffman-opens-office-in-duluth-mn/.

About Coffman Engineers

Coffman Engineers is a multidiscipline engineering consulting firm that offers clients local, personalized services by integrating many disciplines including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and other specialties. Coffman has 900+ employees in 23 offices across the U.S. committed to the team effort it takes to build a better world. This year, Coffman is celebrating 45 years in business. Visit coffman.com or connect with us on social media.

For more information about this topic, please call Beth Ito at 808.687.8884 or email beth.ito@coffman.com.

Contact Information

Beth Ito

Corporate Communications

beth.ito@coffman.com

808-687-8884

Related Files

Coffman Engineers New Duluth MN Office Press Release

SOURCE: Coffman Engineers, Inc.

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Regulatory News:

CLASQUIN (Paris:ALCLA):

This press release does not constitute an offer to purchase shares or any form of canvassing.

INITIATED BY

SAS Shipping Agencies Services Sarl ("SAS")

PRESENTED BY

SOCIETE GENERALE

BANK PRESENTING THE OFFER AND ACTING AS GUARANTOR

Press release relating to the public availability of the Reply Document and the document on "other information relating to the legal, financial and accounting characteristics of Clasquin"

AMF This press release was prepared and is being distributed by CLASQUIN pursuant to Articles 231-27 paragraph 3 and 231-28 of the General Regulation of the French Financial Markets Authority ("AMF"). Pursuant to Article L. 621-8 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and Article 231-26 of the AMF General Regulation, and in accordance with its clearance decision (declaration de conformite) on the public tender offer (the "Offer") dated November 5, 2024, the AMF has issued approval no. 24-460 to CLASQUIN's reply document (the "Reply Document").

Important notice Pursuant to Articles 231-19 and 261-1 et seq. of the AMF General Regulation, the report prepared by Accuracy, represented by Mr. Henri Philippe, as independent expert, is included in the Reply Document. In accordance with the provisions of Article L. 433-4 II of the French Monetary and Financial Code and Articles 237-1 et seq. of the AMF General Regulation, in the event that, at the closing of the Offer referred to in the Reply Document, the number of Clasquin shares not tendered by minority shareholders (with the exception of Treasury Shares and Unavailable Free Shares subject to the liquidity mechanism) does not represent more than 10% of the share capital and voting rights of Clasquin, SAS intends to file a request with the AMF to carry out, within three months following the closing of the Offer, a squeeze-out procedure for the Clasquin shares not tendered to the Offer to be transferred to SAS, in return for compensation equal to the Offer price, i.e. 142.03 per Clasquin share.

In accordance with the provisions of Article 231-28 of the AMF General Regulation, the document on "other information relating to the legal, financial and accounting characteristics" of CLASQUIN (the "Other Information Document") was filed with the AMF on November 5, 2024 and is made available to the public today.

The Reply Document and the Other Information Document are available on the AMF website (www.amf-france.org) and the CLASQUIN website (www.clasquin.com) and may be obtained free of charge from CLASQUIN, 235 Cours Lafayette, 69006 Lyon, France.

Prior to the opening of the Offer, the AMF and Euronext will publish, respectively, a notice of opening and timetable and a notice announcing the terms and timetable of the Offer.

Warning This press release has been prepared for information purposes only. It does not constitute an offer to the public and is not intended for distribution in countries other than France. The distribution of this press release, the Offer and its acceptance may be subject to specific regulations or restrictions in certain countries. The Offer is not addressed to persons subject to such restrictions, either directly or indirectly, and may not be accepted from any country where the Offer would be subject to such restrictions. Accordingly, persons into whose possession this Announcement comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any local restrictions that may apply. Clasquin declines all responsibility for any violation of these restrictions by any person.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241105045511/en/

Contacts:

CLASQUIN
OSLO, Norway and PORT-LA NOUVELLE, France, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoegh Evi, a global leader in marine energy infrastructure solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement with the port of Port-La Nouvelle to develop a floating terminal for hydrogen imports. The hydrogen will be imported from producers located in the Middle East, North Africa and the Americas.

The terminal at Port-La Nouvelle will accelerate the shift to clean energy in Europe by becoming a vital hub for importing large volumes of hydrogen.

"As a global leader in floating terminal infrastructure, Hoegh Evi is leveraging our extensive expertise to enable Europe to import significant volumes of clean molecules within this decade. With its strategic location and well-established marine infrastructure, Port-La Nouvelle is ideally positioned to become a key entry point for hydrogen and low-carbon fuels. Together we are driving the energy transition forward by establishing a crucial hub for clean energy in Europe," said Erik Nyheim, President & CEO of Hoegh Evi.

In collaboration with European projects such as the HySoW Hydrogen and the gas pipeline operator Terega, the floating import terminal will connect Port-La Nouvelle to major hydrogen transport infrastructures, thereby strengthening the industrial and energy attractiveness of the Occitanie region and promoting job growth.

"In recent years, the port of Port-La Nouvelle has made significant investments to expand and prepare the port for the future. Our focus is to become an enabler in the green energy transition. The port of Port-La Nouvelle is eager to accommodate new types of traffic, particularly those associated with renewable energies and especially those linked to hydrogen molecules. We look forward to working with Hoegh Evi towards our common goal of turning Port-La Nouvelle into the European gateway hub in the Mediterranean for hydrogen, " said Hans Kerstens, CEO of SEMOP Port-La Nouvelle.

The terminal will facilitate the import of up to 210,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year as early as 2030, according to the project timeline and dependent on the readiness of France's hydrogen pipeline. The partners are now collaborating on a feasibility assessment and design of the infrastructure solution within the port.

CONTACT:

For more information:

Christine Corkery Steinsholt, Head of Communications and Marketing

christine.steinsholt@hoeghevi.com | +47 950 95 481

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Public/16996/4061639/805bd4ccf1d10899.pdf Press Release - Hoegh Evi and SEMOP PLN to develop H2 terminal in Port-La Nouvelle final https://mb.cision.com/Public/16996/4061639/9415a2018a600afa_org.jpg Hoegh illustrations Image 2 cam 2 prv1

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hoegh-evi-to-partner-with-semop-port-la-nouvelle-to-develop-strategic-infrastructure-for-hydrogen-import-to-france-and-europe-302296750.html
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Lenovo

In the heart of the Yangtze River, a playful but critically endangered creature, often called the "Smiling Angel", swims gracefully. This is the Yangtze finless porpoise, a beacon of hope for the river's ecosystem. One particular porpoise, known as "No. 1575," recently found a new guardian and ally: Lenovo.

The Beginning of a Unique Partnership

It all began with a simple yet profound question: How can a technology leader like Lenovo make an immediate impact on wildlife conservation? The answer was found in the waters of the Yangtze River, where the survival of the finless porpoise was at stake. With the porpoise population alarmingly low-fewer than 1,000 individuals left in the wild-Lenovo teams recognized the urgent need for action.

In 2021, Lenovo's collaboration with the Tian'ezhou Reserve and donation of China's first smart IT ecological protection solution marked a significant step in their commitment to biodiversity. Building on this initiative, Lenovo decided to adopt "No. 1575," a young female porpoise. Female porpoises play a vital role in the species' recovery, driving the population's future stability and growth. Lenovo's commitment to "No. 1575" extends beyond adoption and involves ensuring her successful reintegration into the wild. Partnering with the Wuhan Baiji Conservation Foundation, Lenovo blends technology with nature conservation.

Meeting "No. 1575"

In April 2024, "No. 1575" underwent a health check, revealing her to be a lively and healthy young female, measuring 138 cm in length and weighing 36.4 kg. She was almost ready for adulthood and, importantly, for potential motherhood. Her playful nature quickly endeared her to the researchers, who noted how she enjoyed cooperative hunting games with two other porpoises.

Anyone who met "No. 1575" was instantly captivated by her charm. Yet, her true journey was only just beginning. Lenovo's team was committed to preparing her for the wild, with the aim of releasing her into the Yangtze River once she was ready.

Rewilding: The Journey Back Home

Rewilding isn't easy. "No. 1575" began her rewilding training at the Hubei Yangtze Xinluo Section Baiji National Nature Reserve. This phase was crucial: teaching her to adapt to the river's natural conditions. She needed to learn how to find food, navigate the waters, and avoid potential dangers without human help.

The training was intensive, and Lenovo's support made a significant difference. They provided not just financial aid but also the application of AI technology.

We provided AI PCs, which include an original an AI assistant with advanced information processing capabilities, to support porpoise research and frontline protection, as well as to explore AI's role in biodiversity conservation.

This blend of nature and technology ensured that "No. 1575" received the best possible preparation for her release into the wild.

The Ceremony of Hope

Lenovo and the conservation foundation held a heartfelt ceremony titled "AI Guardianship, Porpoises Leaping in the Yangtze." During this event, Lenovo received the official adoption certificate and unveiled a specially designed digital image of "No. 1575", along with original merchandise. They also launched a nationwide contest to give her a name, inviting the public to be part of this conservation story.

The ceremony wasn't just a formality; it was a pledge to the future. It marked the beginning of a journey where technology meets nature, promising a brighter future for "No. 1575" and her kind.

A Broader Mission

Lenovo's adoption of "No. 1575" is a key chapter in "Chasing the Yangtze Finless Porpoise," a groundbreaking project launched in 2023 in collaboration with Chinese National Geographic Channel. This initiative focuses on the recovery of the Yangtze finless porpoise population and the overall health of the Yangtze River ecosystem. Lenovo has actively engaged in biodiversity protection along the river, contributing to both public education and hands-on conservation efforts.

"Chasing the Yangtze Finless Porpoise" is creating the world's first wild porpoise observation guide, with the Yangtze porpoise ecological map and guide nearing completion. Lenovo also provided AI PCs and smart devices equipped with advanced AI technology to support scientific research and frontline conservation efforts.

As the first company to adopt a porpoise with a dedicated rewilding plan, Lenovo is setting a new standard in both ex-situ conservation and wild population recovery. Wang Ding, Chairman of Wuhan Baiji Conservation Foundation and Researcher of Institute of Aquatic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), notes, "We are very much looking forward to the return of this porpoise 'No. 1575' to the Yangtze River to contribute to the recovery of the porpoise population in the wild!"

The Road Ahead

As "No. 1575" thrives in her natural habitat, Lenovo remains steadfast in their support. The company's involvement in her rewilding is not just a corporate responsibility; it embodies Lenovo's commitment to providing smarter technology that builds a brighter, more sustainable future for our customers, colleagues, communities, and the planet.

This story of "No. 1575" and Lenovo is more than a tale of adoption; it's a narrative of hope, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of conservation. As Lenovo continues to blend technology with environmental stewardship, the future looks promising for "No. 1575" and the countless other creatures that call the Yangtze River home.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Lenovo on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Lenovo

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/lenovo

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Lenovo

View the original press release on accesswire.com
AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Consero Global, the pioneer in Finance as a Service (FaaS), is the 28th-fastest growing company in Central Texas in 2024, according to The Austin Business Journal's Fast 50 list. This is the sixth consecutive year Consero has been recognized for the honor.

With a 20.9% compound annual growth rate since 2021, Consero has consistently stood out for its ability to drive revenue growth through various market cycles. Consero previously ranked #29 and #17 on the list in 2023 and 2022, respectively.

"We are incredibly gratified to be recognized as one of the top companies in our region by the Austin Business Journal," says David Sawatzky, CEO of Consero. "This is a testament to the value of the Consero model and our team's outstanding work to help our clients unlock growth through uncertain market and economic conditions."

In addition to their flagship Finance as a Service model, Sawatzky credits Consero's recent expansion of core offerings, including Flex Finance, Advisory Services, and FaaS for Nonprofits as key drivers of the firm's growth. "Whether by way of strategic acquisition or organic expansion, we're agnostic and relentless in finding the right opportunities to improve our model and provide our clients tailored solutions for their back office challenges," says Sawatzky.

"This recognition proves that we're on the right track on our mission to change how businesses achieve financial clarity." Sawatzky concluded, "The best is yet to come, and we're laser-focused on upgrading our tech capabilities, underpinned by AI and analytics, to pair with our strategic expertise."

The Fast 50 list comprises 50 privately held businesses headquartered in Austin with the highest compound annual growth rate from 2021 to 2023. To qualify, companies must have reported a minimum net revenue of over $1,000,000 in each fiscal year from 2021 to 2023.

About Consero

Founded in 2006, Consero disrupts how businesses build and maintain their finance and accounting functions. Consero's cloud-based platform delivers the financial clarity and efficiency needed to drive a business forward. Serving more than 350 clients and their portfolio companies, Consero, backed by BV Investment Partners, provides the technology, processes, and people in a fully managed solution to deliver precise financial visibility and improved operational scalability. Contact Consero for more information about gaining greater control of your financial operations. More info at www.conseroglobal.com.

Contact Information

Bridget Howard

VP of Marketing

bridget@conseroglobal.com

5122774443

SOURCE: Consero Global

View the original press release on newswire.com.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The health department is concerned about the increase in cases of whooping cough in Michigan, and is urging people to get vaccinated.As of October 28, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has recorded 830 confirmed or probable cases of whooping cough.According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the whooping cough cases have increased over five times across the nation as of October 26 compared to the same time in 2023.'Vaccinations continue to be our top line of defense against the spread of pertussis,' advised Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive.'With a declining rate of immunizations, we are unfortunately seeing a rise in pertussis and other vaccine-preventable diseases statewide. We encourage all Michiganders to stay up to date with their immunization schedule.'Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a very contagious respiratory illness caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria that are typically accompanied by an uncontrollable hacking cough, 'followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like 'whoop,' as described by Mayo Clinic.Initial symptoms mirror allergies or the common cold-congestion, runny nose, watery eyes-with more serious symptoms including severe fatigue and vomiting from all the coughing.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
by Xinhua writer Yuan Quan BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The western regions of China have experienced remarkable economic strides in recent years, and one contributing factor to this success is the progress made in intellectual property (IP). Amidst the country's green transformation and pursuit of high-quality growth, this once-impoverished hinterland has now taken an IP-driven development path. The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has recently reported rapid growth in two key IP types in the regions. By the end of September, the number of valid invention patents in the regions reached 493,000, up 16.7 percent year on year. Registered trademarks also rose by 10.5 percent compared to the previous year. Such growth has not been easy to achieve. Comprising 12 provincial-level regions, western China covers two-thirds of the country's land area and is home to over a quarter of its population. A sparsely populated area with limited infrastructure, the western regions have lagged economically compared to the eastern provinces. However, in recent years, these regions have actively promoted emerging industries, such as smart manufacturing, new energy vehicles and low-altitude economy, which in China are considered as new quality productive forces with high-value invention patents. Local departments have provided IP guidance and financial support to enterprises within these industries, facilitating their rapid growth and narrowing the gap with the east. FROM INNOVATION TO INVENTION Some have even taken the lead in the country, such as clean energy technology. In northwest China's Qinghai Province, a vast photovoltaic power generation park has been constructed in the Talatan Gobi Desert, spanning 600 square kilometers. Amidst the solar panels, flocks of white sheep were spotted roaming around. A few years ago, Talatan was a barren land. The locals creatively planted grass to prevent sand erosion and installed a large area of photovoltaic panels. The water used for cleaning the panels infiltrated beneath the surface, nourishing the grass. However, the grass growth-induced shade problem caused the solar panels to malfunction. To manage grass without chemicals, the park integrated sheep farming -- using the animals to control vegetation and contribute to ecological conservation. This "photovoltaic sheep" concept, patented in 2018, has boosted the efficiency of local photovoltaic power generation, with the park now generating up to 80 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Another example is the China-Laos Railway, which links Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, and the Lao capital Vientiane. The construction of the cross-border railway was a challenging task due to the complex geological structures along the route. Chinese engineers drilled solid tunnels through delicate mountain terrain and constructed high-pier and large-span railway bridges in earthquake-prone areas. Nearly 30 patents were obtained during the construction process, which has not only greatly improved efficiency and safety but also provided technical references for other major projects in both countries. In October this year, the patent-rich railway has facilitated over 42 million passenger trips since its operation in December 2021. The innovative achievements from China's western regions have also garnered global attention. According to the latest report by the World Intellectual Property Organization, four major cities in the area - Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Lanzhou - continue to lead the top 100 science and technology cluster ranking. These cities have further enhanced their industrial concentration, attracting high-quality enterprises and talent, and establishing themselves as significant regional hubs of innovation. "The market economy necessitates us to establish advanced technology as our competitive advantage and transform tech achievements into business resources. Therefore, we have chosen the path of IP," said Wang Shechang, chairman of Xi'an-based China National Heavy Machinery Research Institute Co., Ltd. "Protecting IP is not only safeguarding innovation but also utilizing them as a means to enhance value exchange and facilitate the transformation of tech accomplishments," Wang noted. FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL Geographical indications (GI) are also a key element in the winning formula of development in Western China. GI is a type of IP that signifies a product's specific origin and the qualities or reputation linked to that location. It serves as a mark of quality, setting the product apart from competitors. The latest data shows that the western region has recognized 931 GI products, accounting for 38.8 percent of the national total, with a direct annual output value of 429.8 billion yuan(60.36 billion U.S. dollars). "The brand value has been greatly enhanced as many products have obtained GI labels," said Dolkun Awut, head of the Xinjiang IP department. "We leverage this advantage to drive the development of the GI industry and contribute to rural revitalization." The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is a major GI contributor. It has 211 GIs, with a comprehensive output value of over 200 billion yuan and employment for over 5 million people. The promotion of GI has also strengthened cooperation between the western region and the world. According to the CNIPA, 36 GI products from the western regions have been included in the first China-EU GI list. In 2021, the two sides signed an agreement to enhance bilateral trade of agri-food products, with recognition and protection of 100 Chinese GIs and 96 EU GIs. Taking the wine at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain as an example, since it was included in the first China-EU GI list, the product from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has been exported to over 40 countries and regions, and major wine-producing areas in European countries such as Britain and France have imported 228,000 liters of this Chinese wine. Western China also places great importance on IP exchanges with neighboring countries. In Xinjiang, the local IP department has been providing guidance to Chinese enterprises on marketing in Central Asian countries and helping them improve their ability to handle IP disputes. Guangxi and ASEAN countries have established forums and conferences on IP cooperation. They have also collaborated on patent technology transfer within the biomedicine and new energy vehicle industries. Moreover, universities in Guangxi conducted academic IP programs with those in Macao Special Administrative Region and Vietnam. China's GDP saw a 5.2 percent year-on-year increase last year, with the western regions outperforming the national average at 5.5 percent. In this remote but robust area, more enterprises and innovators have valued IP, leveraging their innovations to bolster industries with competitive edges and stimulate better economic growth.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 5, 2024) - Geologica Resource Corp. (CSE: GRCM) (FSE: 862) ("Geologica" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an update to the proposed $300,000 financing from the issuance of Units originally announced on September 23, 2024

The Company proposes to issue 10,000,000 Units at $0.03 per unit for proceeds of $300,000 (the "Units") each Unit consists of a share and a half of a warrant. Each whole warrant may be exercised for up to 2 years from closing for $0.05. Eligible subscribers will be able to use the Investment Dealer Exemption and Existing Shareholder Exemption as detailed in the announcement, October 2, 2024. There is no minimum Offering and the maximum offering is 10,000,000 units. Assuming the Offering is fully subscribed, the Corporation plans to allocate the gross proceeds of the Offering to: (i) exploration on its BC properties ($150,000) and (ii) general working capital ($150,000).

The company is proposing to settle $62,600 debt by the issuance of 1,252,000 at $0.05 ("Debt Units"). Each Debt Unit will consist of a share and a whole warrant ("Debt Warrant"). The Debt Warrant may be exercised for 5 years for $0.05.

The Company will issue 400,000 shares late payment penalty to the CEO at a deemed value of $0.025. The payment of the original debt was due June 26, 2024. The penalty clause is a term included in the original loan agreement between the CEO and Company. No principal or interest has been paid on the debt.

The Company will issue 250,000 shares to the vendor of the Topley Property as required under the previously announced option agreement for the Topley property.

About Geologica Resource Corp.

Geologica Resource Corp. is a mineral explorer, focused on exploration of copper and critical minerals for electrification. Geologica's Topley Copper Project is located with excellent infrastructure in the Babine Porphyry Belt of central British Columbia (the"BPB"). The BPB is a very active area with major miners investing in junior explorers. The company recently acquired the Titan rare critical minerals/copper/gold property enhanced with Antimony (Sb), Tellurium (Te) and Silver (Ag) and Lincoln copper/gold property in the Atlin camp. Atlin is area with many operating and past producing precious and base metal mines.





Buchan Creek 2018 Rock Samples at Titan

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10667/228966_buchancreektable.jpg

The accuracy of the technical content of this overview had been reviewed by David Mark P.Geo. David is a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101, and a member of the Company's board of directors. He approves the technical content of this press release.

The securities issued as described above will be subject to restrictions on resale for 4 months and a day, pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws and the rules of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

Further information on Geologica Resource Corp. can be found on the Company's website https://geologicaresource.com/ and on SEDAR at https://www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "ensuring", "believe", "anticipate", "will", "would" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the Company's plans and objectives with respect to the Topley Project. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, failure to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals, risks and uncertainties inherent in the exploration and development of mineral properties, and other risk factors set forth in the long-form prospectus of the Company dated July 22, 2022 under the heading "Risk Factors", a copy of which is available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including, but not limited to, the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228966

SOURCE: Geologica Resource Corp.
Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. ("Protagonist" or the "Company") announced that final data from the Phase 2 REVIVE study with rusfertide in polycythemia vera will be the focus of a poster presentation at the 66th Annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting being held in San Diego from December 7-10, 2024.

ASH Presentation Details:

Presenting author: Aaron Gerds, MD (Cleveland Clinic)

Publication Number: 4559

Title: Final Results from the Phase 2 Revive Study Investigating the Hepcidin Mimetic Rusfertide in Patients with Polycythemia Vera (PV)

Session Name: 634. Myeloproliferative Syndromes: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster III

Session Date: Monday, December 9, 2024

Presentation Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM PST

Location: San Diego Convention Center, Halls G-H

About Protagonist

Protagonist Therapeutics is a late-stage development biopharmaceutical company. Two novel peptides derived from Protagonist's proprietary discovery platform are in advanced Phase 3 clinical development, with potential New Drug Application submissions to the FDA in 2025. JNJ-2113 is an oral Interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) antagonist licensed to Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) in Phase 3 development for psoriasis and nearing completion of Phase 2b development for ulcerative colitis. Following JNJ-2113's joint discovery by Company and JNJ scientists pursuant to the companies' IL-23R collaboration, the Company was primarily responsible for development of JNJ-2113 through Phase 1, with JNJ assuming responsibility for development in Phase 2 and beyond. Rusfertide is a mimetic of the natural hormone hepcidin in Phase 3 development for the rare blood disorder polycythemia vera (PV). Rusfertide is being co-developed and will be co-commercialized with Takeda Pharmaceuticals pursuant to a worldwide collaboration and license agreement entered into in 2024 under which the Company remains primarily responsible for development through NDA filing. The Company also has a number of promising pre-clinical discovery programs addressing validated targets, including IL-17, obesity and oral hepcidin.

More information on Protagonist, its pipeline drug candidates and clinical studies can be found on the Company's website at https://www.protagonist-inc.com/.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the potential benefits of JNJ-2113 and rusfertide, the timing of JNJ-2113 and rusfertide clinical trials, and timing of developments and announcements in our discovery programs. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "may," "will," "expect," or the negative or plural of these words or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not limited to, our ability to develop and commercialize our product candidates, our ability to earn milestone payments under our collaboration agreements with Janssen and Takeda, our ability to use and expand our programs to build a pipeline of product candidates, our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our product candidates, our ability to operate in a competitive industry and compete successfully against competitors that have greater resources than we do, and our ability to obtain and adequately protect intellectual property rights for our product candidates. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors affecting our business can be found in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in our most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate, may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. We assume no obligation to update our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Investor Relations Contact

Corey Davis, Ph.D.

LifeSci Advisors

+1 212 915 2577

cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com

Media Relations Contact

Virginia Amann

ENTENTE Network of Companies

virginiaamann@ententeinc.com

+1 833 500 0061

SOURCE: Protagonist Therapeutics

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Rio Tinto will partner with China's State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) to demonstrate battery swap electric haul truck technology at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia.

Battery swapping technology allows a battery electric vehicle to quickly exchange a discharged battery pack for a fully charged one, instead of recharging the vehicle at a static charging station.

The technology is already applied on haul trucks in mining operations across China, and this collaboration will enable Rio Tinto to demonstrate a complete battery electric truck and charging ecosystem at one of its operations.

The two-year project will demonstrate eight mining haul trucks (91 tonne payload), 13 batteries (800kWh), and a robotic battery swap and charging station in non-production activities in the aboveground operations at Oyu Tolgoi.

Rio Tinto operates about 700 haul trucks across its global operations, of which 100 are classified as small or medium class (100 200 tonne payload).

Rio Tinto Chief Decarbonisation Officer Jonathon McCarthy said: "By partnering with the State Power Investment Corporation, we will be demonstrating the latest technology and innovation available in China and assessing its potential to help decarbonise our operations quickly and cost effectively.

"This demonstration will allow us to explore applications for battery swap technology that deliver more flexibility and less downtime than current static charging technologies. This work will complement the electrification pilots of ultra class mining haul trucks planned for the Pilbara.

"We look forward to partnering on more opportunities in the future to apply China's innovations to the global resources sector and contribute to the world's low-carbon transition."

Chairman of State Power Investment Group Capital Holding Co., Ltd Han Zhiwei said: "Through our collaboration with Rio Tinto, we are bringing leading green transportation innovations to the international market, showcasing the strength of Chinese enterprises in the field of green technology innovation. We hope our low-carbon technologies will assist Rio Tinto in achieving its decarbonisation targets, and we look forward to continued cooperation between both parties to jointly promote the application of green energy."

Oyu Tolgoi Chief Executive Officer Deirdre Lingenfelder said: "We are proud the Oyu Tolgoi team is playing a pivotal role in advancing this innovative technology on behalf of Rio Tinto. This project represents a significant step in our ongoing decarbonisation journey, aligning closely with Oyu Tolgoi's strategic commitment to sustainable growth. By expanding our use of underground battery electric equipment and implementing other emissions reduction initiatives, we are actively driving progress toward a net zero-carbon future for our operations."

Technical experts from Rio Tinto and Oyu Tolgoi have worked closely with SPIC and truck manufacturer Tonly to adjust equipment design to align with Rio Tinto electrical and truck safety requirements. The trucks will perform tailings dam rehabilitation work and topsoil movement and be operated and maintained by Oyu Tolgoi personnel.

Each battery is expected to last up to 8 hours, depending on the work performed, and the battery swap process takes around 7 minutes, enabling increased use of the equipment through minimal charging downtime. The first truck is ready to arrive at Oyu Tolgoi this year and the remaining seven trucks, along with the battery swap and charging infrastructure, will be in operation by mid-2025.

Rio Tinto is committed to reaching net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050 and believes Chinese innovation and technologies can play an important role in achieving this.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241105713274/en/

Contacts:

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Media Relations,

United Kingdom

Matthew Klar

M +44 7796 630 637

David Outhwaite

M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations,

Australia

Matt Chambers

M +61 433 525 739

Michelle Lee

M +61 458 609 322

Rachel Pupazzoni

M +61 438 875 469

Media Relations,

Canada

Simon Letendre

M +1 514 796 4973

Malika Cherry

M +1 418 592 7293

Vanessa Damha

M +1 514 715 2152

Media Relations,

US

Jesse Riseborough

M +1 202 394 9480

Investor Relations,

United Kingdom

David Ovington

M +44 7920 010 978

Laura Brooks

M +44 7826 942 797

Wei Wei Hu

M +44 7825 907 230

Investor Relations,

Australia

Tom Gallop

M +61 439 353 948

Amar Jambaa

M +61 472 865 948

Rio Tinto plc

6 St James's Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited

Level 43, 120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

riotinto.com

Category: Oyu Tolgoi
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 5, 2024) - Legend Power Systems Inc. (TSXV: LPS) (OTCQB: LPSIF) ("Legend Power" or the "Company") a global leader in commercial electrical system solutions, has approved, subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange, the grant of 5,200,000 incentive stock options (the "Options") to acquire common shares in the capital of Legend Power (each a "Common Share"). 3,150,000 of the Options were granted to executive officers and the remainder to employees of the Company. The Options are non-transferable and exercisable until November 5, 2029, at $0.22 per Option, subject to vesting provisions.

About Legend Power Systems Inc.

Legend Power Systems Inc. (https://legendpower.com/) provides an intelligent energy management platform that analyzes and improves building energy challenges, significantly impacting asset management and corporate performance. Legend Power's proven solutions support proactive executive decision-making in a complex and volatile business and energy environment. The proprietary and patented system reduces total energy consumption and power costs, while also maximizing the life of electrical equipment. Legend Power's unique solution is also a key contributor to both corporate sustainability efforts and the meeting of utility energy efficiency targets.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including the Company's quarterly and annual Management's Discussion & Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements other than as may be required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228990

SOURCE: Legend Power Systems Inc.
The ROS-1 NSCLC current market is mainly dominated by tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as XALKORI at present and is anticipated to be dominated by Repotrectinib, Taletrectinib, and NVL-520 by 2034. Additionally, the market for ROS1 inhibitors is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. This is due to the increasing biomarker testing rates, the increasing number of patients who are being diagnosed with different types of cancers, the growing awareness of ROS1 mutations, and entry of next-generation emerging ROS1 TKIs with superior CNS penetration and broader coverage of ROS1 resistance mutations than first-generation TKIs.

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's ROS1 Inhibitors Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, emerging ROS1 inhibitors, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted ROS1 inhibitors market size from 2020 to 2034, segmented into the 7MM [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Key Takeaways from the ROS1 Inhibitors Market Report

As per DelveInsight's analysis, the ROS-1 inhibitor market size in the 7MM for ROS-1 Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was estimated to be nearly USD 290 million in 2023, in which the US accounted for the maximum share of the total market.

in 2023, in which the US accounted for the maximum share of the total market. In the US, the highest revenue was captured by XALKORI (crizotinib), which is anticipated to decline owing to the entry of next-generation ROS-1 targeting therapies by 2034.

(crizotinib), which is anticipated to decline owing to the entry of next-generation ROS-1 targeting therapies by 2034. Leading ROS1 inhibitor companies such as AnHeart Therapeutics , Nuvalent , and others are developing novel ROS1 inhibitors that can be available in the ROS1 inhibitors market in the coming years.

, , and others are developing novel ROS1 inhibitors that can be available in the ROS1 inhibitors market in the coming years. Some of the key ROS1 inhibitors in the pipeline include Taletrectinib , NVL-520 , and others.

, , and others. In March 2024, China's second National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) accepted taletrectinib's new drug application (NDA) and granted Priority Review Designation for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive NSCLC who have been previously treated with ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

(NDA) and granted for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive NSCLC who have been previously treated with ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In February 2024, NVL-520 received the Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Discover which therapies are expected to grab the ROS1 inhibitors market share @ ROS1 Inhibitors Market Report

ROS1 Inhibitors Market Dynamics

The market dynamics for ROS1 inhibitors are shaped by several key factors, including the growing incidence of NSCLC, advancements in precision medicine, and the competitive landscape of pharmaceutical innovation. The prevalence of ROS1 gene rearrangements in NSCLC, although rare (occurring in about 1-2% of cases), has spurred significant interest among pharmaceutical companies in developing therapies that can effectively target this genetic anomaly. As a result, the market is seeing increased investment in R&D activities aimed at enhancing the efficacy and safety profiles of ROS1 inhibitors.

One of the major drivers of the ROS1 inhibitors market is the growing adoption of personalized medicine approaches in oncology. As molecular diagnostics become more sophisticated and widely available, more patients with NSCLC are being identified as candidates for ROS1-targeted therapies. This has led to an increased demand for these inhibitors, as they offer a more tailored and potentially more effective treatment option compared to traditional chemotherapy. Moreover, the approval of several ROS1 inhibitors by regulatory bodies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) has further fueled market growth, providing oncologists with a broader arsenal of treatment options.

The competitive landscape of the ROS1 inhibitors market is characterized by both established pharmaceutical giants and smaller biotech firms vying to capture market share. Companies like Pfizer, with its drug XALKORI (crizotinib), were early entrants in this space and have set a high standard for subsequent therapies.

Choosing between XALKORI, ROZLYTREK, and AUGTYRO-the recommended first-line treatments approved by the FDA-requires taking into account factors including systemic and CNS efficacy, tolerability, and access to therapy. Notably, ROS1 TKI resistance always arises, reducing the therapeutic effectiveness of these medications and causing disease recurrence. Numerous next-generation ROS1 TKIs are currently in the pipeline, which cover a wider range of ROS1 resistance mutations and have better CNS penetration than first-generation TKIs, as well as other therapeutic approaches to treat TKI resistance. These advancements have been made possible by understanding of the molecular mechanisms of resistance. Newer entrants are challenging dominance of current TKIs. This competition is expected to drive innovation and potentially lead to the development of more effective treatments with fewer side effects.

Another important aspect of the ROS1 inhibitors market dynamics is the pricing and reimbursement landscape. As with many targeted therapies, the high cost of ROS1 inhibitors poses a challenge for healthcare systems, particularly in countries with limited healthcare budgets. Reimbursement policies can significantly impact the adoption of these therapies, making it crucial for pharmaceutical companies to engage with healthcare payers to ensure that patients have access to these potentially life-saving treatments. Additionally, the emergence of biosimilars and generics could play a role in making ROS1 inhibitors more affordable and accessible, further influencing market dynamics.

ROS1 Inhibitors Treatment Market

The ROS1 inhibitor shows exceptional effectiveness in treating NSCLC, including both well-established therapies with regulatory approval and new treatments in development. ROS1 inhibitors have transformed the management of NSCLC, becoming a critical therapeutic strategy.

The current market for ROS-1 NSCLC is primarily led by TKIs like XALKORI. XALKORI functions as a TKIs, targeting the ALK or ROS1 kinases, which activate the ALK or ROS1 gene. This action prevents the oncogenic fusion proteins from triggering gene expression. Additionally, approved treatments like ROZLYTREK (entrectinib) and ZYKADIA (ceritinib) have shown remarkable success in ROS1-positive NSCLC, with indications extending across various stages of the disease.

ROZLYTREK, an oral prescription medication developed by Genentech, is designed for adults with NSCLC that has metastasized and is linked to an abnormal ROS1 gene. Additionally, it is prescribed for adults and children aged one month and older with solid tumors caused by specific abnormal NTRK genes, especially when the cancer has spread, or surgery could lead to severe complications. This treatment is used when there are no satisfactory alternative options, or when the cancer persists or spreads despite other treatments.

In August 2019, the FDA granted accelerated approval to ROZLYTREK for adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with solid tumors that have an NTRK gene fusion without a known resistance mutation, that are metastatic, or where surgical removal is likely to cause significant complications, and have either progressed after treatment or have no other satisfactory standard therapy options. Additionally, ROZLYTREK was approved for adults with metastatic ROS1-positive NSCLC. The drug is also being explored for its potential in treating other cancers, including breast and colorectal cancer.

Learn more about the FDA-approved ROS1 inhibitors @ ROS1 Inhibitors Drugs

Key Emerging ROS1 Inhibitors and Companies

Several key players, including Genentech, Pfizer, Novartis, Bristol Mayer Squibb, AnHeart Therapeutics, and others, are involved in developing drugs for ROS1 inhibitors for various indications such as NSCLC, breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and others.

Taletrectinib is an oral, potent, brain-penetrant, and selective next-generation ROS1 inhibitor, considered a potential best-in-class treatment. It is currently being evaluated in a Phase II interventional study for ROS1-positive NSCLC in both TKI-naive patients and those previously treated with TKIs. Developed by AnHeart Therapeutics, taletrectinib received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA in March 2024.

In 2023, China's NMPA accepted its first NDA and granted Priority Review Designation for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive NSCLC previously treated with ROS1 TKIs. In March 2024, a second NDA was accepted by the NMPA for first-line treatment of ROS1-positive lung cancer. Additionally, in 2021, Innovent and AnHeart Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Nuvation Bio, entered an exclusive licensing agreement for the co-development and commercialization of taletrectinib in Greater China, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Zidesamtinib is a new brain-penetrant inhibitor specifically designed to target ROS1, aimed at addressing the challenges of treating tumors driven by ROS1 mutations that have become resistant to existing ROS1 inhibitors. This includes tumors with the common G2032R "solvent front" resistance mutation. The drug also avoids inhibiting the closely related TRK family and is intended to treat brain metastases. Currently, in Phase II trials, it is being studied as NVL-520 for its high selectivity in patients with advanced NSCLC and other solid tumors (ARROS-1). This drug is being developed by Nuvalent, and in February 2024, NVL-520 received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA.

The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies are poised to transform the ROS1 inhibitors market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the ROS1 inhibitors market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth.

To know more about ROS1 inhibitors clinical trials, visit @ ROS1 Inhibitors Treatment Drugs

ROS1 Inhibitors Overview

Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (ROS1) is a crucial transmembrane receptor protein that governs various cellular processes, including apoptosis, survival, differentiation, proliferation, cell migration, and transformation. It plays a significant role in several malignancies, such as glioblastoma, colorectal cancer, gastric adenocarcinoma, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, ovarian cancer, angiosarcoma, and non-small cell lung cancer. A ROS1 inhibitor is a compound that blocks the activity of the abnormal ROS1 fusion protein found in certain cancer cells. By inhibiting this protein, ROS1 inhibitors may help prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells.

These inhibitors are a form of targeted therapy, with all ROS1 inhibitors being multi-kinase inhibitors capable of inhibiting Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK), Mesenchymal Epithelial Transition (MET), and other kinases, in addition to ROS1. ROS1 kinase inhibitors specifically target the kinase domain of ROS1. Conventional kinases are classified into DFG-in (active, type I) and DFG-out (inactive, type II) based on their domain conformation. For patients with stage four ROS1-positive lung cancer, a ROS1 TKI or ROS1 inhibitor is recommended.

ROS1 Inhibitors Epidemiology Segmentation

ROS1 oncogenic fusions are observed in 1-2% of NSCLC patients. It is estimated that there are more than 4,000 newly diagnosed patients with ROS1-positive NSCLC in the United States each year. The ROS1 inhibitors market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020-2034 in the 7MM segmented into:

Total Cases of Selected Indications for ROS1 Inhibitor

Total Eligible Patient Pool of Selected Indication for ROS1 Inhibitor

Total Treatable Cases in Selected Indication for ROS1 Inhibitor

ROS1 Inhibitors Report Metrics Details Study Period 2020-2034 ROS1 Inhibitors Report Coverage 7MM [The United States, the EU-4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan] Key ROS1 Inhibitors Companies AnHeart Therapeutics, Nuvalent, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Pfizer, and others Key ROS1 Inhibitors Taletrectinib, NVL-520, AUGTYRO, ROZLYTREK, XALKORI, and others

Scope of the ROS1 Inhibitors Market Report

ROS1 Inhibitors Therapeutic Assessment: ROS1 Inhibitors current marketed and emerging therapies

ROS1 Inhibitors current marketed and emerging therapies ROS1 Inhibitors Market Dynamics: Conjoint Analysis of Emerging ROS1 Inhibitors Drugs

Conjoint Analysis of Emerging ROS1 Inhibitors Drugs Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, ROS1 Inhibitors Market Access and Reimbursement

Discover more about ROS1 inhibitors in development @ ROS1 Inhibitors Clinical Trials

Table of Contents

1 Key Insights 2 Report Introduction 3 Executive Summary of ROS1 Inhibitor 4 Key Events 5 Epidemiology Market Forecast Methodology 6 ROS1 Inhibitor Market Overview at a Glance in the 7MM 6.1. Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2023 6.2. Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2034 6.3. Market Share (%) Distribution by Indications in 2023 6.4. Market Share (%) Distribution by Indications in 2034 7 ROS1 Inhibitor: Background and Overview 7.1. Introduction 7.2. Potential of ROS1 Inhibitors in Different Indications 7.3. Clinical Applications of ROS1 Inhibitors 8 Target Patient Pool 8.1. Assumptions and Rationale 8.2. Key Findings 8.2. Total Cases of Selected Indication for ROS1 Inhibitors in the 7MM 8.3. Total Eligible Patient Pool of Selected Indication for ROS1 Inhibitors in the 7MM 8.4. Total Treatable Cases in Selected Indication for ROS1 Inhibitors in the 7MM 9 Marketed Therapies 9.1. Key Competitors 9.2. ROZLYTREK (entrectinib): Genentech 9.2.1. Product Description 9.2.2. Regulatory milestones 9.2.3. Other developmental activities 9.2.4. Clinical development 9.2.5. Safety and efficacy 9.3. XALKORI (crizotinib): Pfizer 9.3.1. Product Description 9.3.2. Regulatory milestones 9.3.3. Other developmental activities 9.3.4. Clinical development 9.3.5. Safety and efficacy List to be continued in the report 10 Emerging Therapies 10.1. Key Competitors 10.2. Taletrectinib: AnHeart Therapeutics 10.2.1. Product Description 10.2.2. Other developmental activities 10.2.3. Clinical development 10.2.4. Safety and efficacy 10.3. NVL-520: Nuvalent 10.3.1. Product Description 10.3.2. Other developmental activities 10.3.3. Clinical development 10.3.4. Safety and efficacy List to be continued in the report 11 ROS1 Inhibitors: Seven Major Market Analysis 11.1. Key Findings 11.2. Market Outlook 11.3. Conjoint Analysis 11.4. Key Market Forecast Assumptions 11.4.1. Cost Assumptions and Rebates 11.4.2. Pricing Trends 11.4.3. Analogue Assessment 11.4.4. Launch Year and Therapy Uptakes 11.5. Total Market Sizes of ROS1 Inhibitors in the 7MM 11.6. The United States 11.6.1. Market Size of ROS1 Inhibitors by Indications in the United States 11.6.2. Market Size of ROS1 Inhibitors by Therapies in the United States 11.7. EU4 and the UK 11.7.1. Market Size of ROS1 Inhibitors by Indications in EU4 and the UK 11.7.2. Market Size of ROS1 Inhibitors by Therapies in EU4 and the UK 11.8. Japan 11.8.1 Market Size of ROS1 Inhibitor by Indications in Japan 11.8.2. Market Size of ROS1 Inhibitors by Therapies in Japan 12 SWOT Analysis 13 KOL Views 14 Unmet Needs 15 Market Access and Reimbursement 16 Appendix 16.1. Bibliography 16.2. Report Methodology 17 DelveInsight Capabilities 18 Disclaimer 19 About DelveInsight

Related Reports

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Market

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2032 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key NSCLC companies, including EMD Serono, Merck, Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc., Celgene, CellSight Technologies, Inc., BeyondSpring Pharmaceuticals Inc., J Ints Bio, Forward Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Teligene US, Rain Oncology Inc, ReHeva Biosciences, Inc., Amgen, Novartis, RedCloud Bio, Parexel, Vitrac Therapeutics, LLC, Mythic Therapeutics, Instil Bio, Mirati Therapeutics Inc., Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., AstraZeneca, Precision Biologics, Inc, Promontory Therapeutics Inc., Palobiofarma SL, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Revolution Medicines, Inc., Cullinan Oncology, LLC, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc., Innate Pharma, among others.

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Pipeline

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Pipeline Insight - 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key non-small cell lung cancer companies, including BridgeBio Pharma, Daiichi Sankyo, EMD Serono, Merck, BridgeBio Pharma, Abbvie, Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Company BioNTech SE, Shenzhen TargetRx, Taiho Pharmaceutical, Chong Kun Dang, Bristol Myers Squibb, Innovent Biologics, Xuanzhu Biopharmaceutical, Bayer, GeneScience Pharmaceuticals, InventisBio, Apollomics, Imugene, Ono Pharmaceutical, Pierre Fabre, Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Surface Oncology, Inhibrx, Sinocelltech, Mirati Therapeutics, REVOLUTION Medicines, Yong Shun Technology Development, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Galecto Biotech, among others.

HER2-mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Pipeline

HER2-mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Pipeline Insight - 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer companies, including Dizal Pharmaceuticals, Puma Biotechnology, AstraZeneca, Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, among others.

Small Cell Lung Cancer Market

Small Cell Lung Cancer Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2032 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key small cell lung cancer companies, including Ascentage Pharma, Merck & Co, AstraZeneca, Advenchen Laboratories, Advanced Accelerator Applications, Trillium Therapeutics, Wigen Biomedicine, Linton Pharm, Carrick Therapeutics, among others.

About DelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve.

Contact Us

Shruti Thakur

info@delveinsight.com

+14699457679

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ros1-inhibitors-market-booms-as-demand-for-targeted-cancer-therapies-escalates--delveinsight-302296261.html
Thunder Bay Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 5, 2024) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (FSE: M1C1) (the "Company" or Metals Creek) announces that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of flow-through and non flow-through units (the "Private Placement"). The Private placement is expected to close on or before November 30, 2024.

The Company intends to issue up to 14,285,715 flow-through units at a price of $0.035 per unit (the "FT Units") for aggregate proceeds of up to $500,000. Each FT Unit will consist of one flow-through common share (the "FT Shares") and one half of a non flow-through common share purchase warrant (the "FT Warrants"). Each full FT Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional non flow-through common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.07 per common share for a period of 24 months from the date of issue. The FT Shares will entitle the holder to receive the tax benefits applicable to flow-through shares, in accordance with provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

The Company also intends to issue up to 10,000,000 non flow-through units at a price of $0.03 per unit (the "NFT Units") for aggregate proceeds of up to $300,000. Each NFT Unit will consist of one non flow-through common share and one non flow-through common share purchase warrant (the "NFT Warrants"). Each NFT Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional non flow-through common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.05 per common share for a period of 24 months from the date of issue.

In connection with the private placement, the company may pay finders' fees in cash or securities or a combination of both, as permitted by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period. The Private Placement is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

The proceeds raised from the FT Units will be used for exploration on the companies Tillex Copper Project, the Yellow Fox/Careless Cove/ Clarks Brook Antimony-Gold Property and the Ogden Gold Property and will ensure that such Canadian Exploration Expenses qualify as a "flow-through mining expenditure" for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada), related to the exploration of the Company's exploration projects.

About Metals Creek Resources Corp.

Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property from Newmont Corporation, including the former Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has an 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF). In addition, Metals Creek owns and/or has option agreements in place to acquire a 100% interest in claims in the Shabaqua Corners area of North western Ontario.

Metals Creek also has multiple quality projects available for option which can be viewed on the Company's website. Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact the Company at the number below.

Additional information concerning the Company is contained in documents filed by the Company with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228996

SOURCE: Metals Creek Resources Corp.
CrossBridge Bio, a Houston, TX-based biotechnology company pioneering dual-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) as targeted cancer therapies, raised $10M in funding.

The round was led by TMC Venture Fund and CE-Ventures, with participation from Portal Innovations, Alexandria Venture Investments, Linden Lake Labs, and several pre-seed investors.

The company intends to use the funds for the development of its lead program, CBB-120, a potential TROP-2 dual-payload ADC for the treatment of solid tumors, and accelerate the expansion of its pipeline of novel ADC programs. Additionally, funds will be used to further derisk its proprietary linker technology with dual-payload applications, a critical component of its ADC platform, to improve the safety and efficacy profiles of its current and future drug candidates.

Led by CEO Michael Torres, CrossBridge Bio is providing an approach to deliver the stable antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) therapeutics that carry dual payloads as targeted treatments for a range of challenging cancers. Leveraging technology from the labs, the company aims to improve therapeutic indices and tackle tumor heterogeneity and resistance.

It is advancing a portfolio of dual-payload ADC programs for solid tumor cancers, led by CBB-120, a potential TROP2 ADC for certain breast cancers and other TROP2-positive cancers where the dual payloads will be most effective. It was formed during the TMC Innovations Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics program and is headquartered in Houston, TX.

As part of this financing, both William McKeon, President and CEO of the Texas Medical Center (TMC), and Damir Illich, Ph.D. Manager, Life Sciences of CE-Ventures, will join CrossBridge Bios board of directors, bringing extensive experience in healthcare and life sciences to support the companys strategic growth.

FinSMEs

05/11/2024
Caption: Pictured (l-r) at NexusUCD in Dublin are; Brian Murphy, COO and Co-Founder, Customs Window Technologies, Anne Lanigan, Divisional Manager, Technology & Services, Enterprise Ireland and Johnny Dunne, CEO and Co-Founder, Customs Window Technologies. Credit: Paul Sharp / Sharppix

Customs Window Technologies, a Dublin, Ireland-based RegTech platform provider, raised 800K in Seed funding.

The round was led by private and EIIS investors, with the support of Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) funding. Mike Stalley, Founder and CEO of Fiscal Reps, a tax compliance software firm which he sold in 2017 to Sovos is among the private investors and will advise the company on its UK and international strategic growth plans.

The company intends to use the funds to scale into the UK market.

Founded in 2022 by Brian Murphy and Johnny Dunne and is headquartered at NexusUCD in Dublin, Customs Window provides clients, such as e-commerce platforms and logistics companies, with an integrated platform and open API to simplify the customs declaration creation and submission process. This enables clients to increase their declaration clearance rates and at the same time automate their processing of declarations while ensuring effective data management and reporting for compliance and risk management. The company is currently a participant in University College Dublins inaugural AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme which is being delivered by NovaUCD in partnership with CeADAR, Irelands Centre for AI.

FinSMEs

05/11/2024
Miros, a Tallin, Estonia-based visual search technology startup, raised 6m in pre-Series A funding.

The round, which brings total raised capital to 8m, was led by EBRD Venture Capital and Tera Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations, its development efforts, and focuses on European and US retailers.

Led by Heikki Haldre, Co-Founder and CEO, Miros leverages AI technology that allows shoppers to communicate their preferences through their natural browsing behavior. The technology has been used major corporate partners like SAP, NVIDIA, and PwC.

Taking insights from the fashion industry, Miros is expanding Wordless Search to other areas such as footwear, furniture, decor, stock images, and beyond.

FinSMEs

05/11/2024
Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know won the first prize earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festivals La Cinef Selection read more

(Film & Television Institute of India) FTIIs award-winning Kannada short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know, directed by Chidananda S Naik, has qualified for the Oscars 2025 in the Live Action Short Film category.

The short film won the first prize earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festivals La Cinef Selection. The 16-minute-long Kannada project is inspired by Indian folk stories and traditions.

After bagging the prize at Cannes, the jury praised the film and commented, An illumination that, from the depths of the night, shines with humour and a keen sense of direction, the first prize is awarded to Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know by Chidananda S Naik.

Advertisement

"Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know", an FTII student film, OFFICIALLY QUALIFIES for the 2025 Oscars in the Live Action Short Film Category!



The film's poignant & profound narrative is centered on an elderly woman who steals the village rooster



(1/3)#FTII #Oscars #LaCinef pic.twitter.com/YNRdV6KwRg  FTII (@FTIIOfficial) November 4, 2024

Produced as part of final year exercise, film has won several Awards this year including La Cinef - Cannes 2024. The qualification comes after it won at Bengaluru International Short Film Festival



(2/3)#Cannes2024 #BengaluruInternationalShortFilmFestival pic.twitter.com/9HREuH7a6M  FTII (@FTIIOfficial) November 4, 2024

Advertisement

Congratulations to entire student team Mr. Chidanand Naik (Direction), Suraj Thakur (Camera), Manoj V (Editing) and Abhishek Kadam (Sound).



Read more: https://t.co/f5hr6YbVXq



(3/3) pic.twitter.com/By6FfuPqOa  FTII (@FTIIOfficial) November 4, 2024

I have aspired to tell this story for as long as I can remember. Our goal was to recreate the experience of not merely hearing these stories but of genuinely living theman experience I hope resonates with audiences around the globe, said Chidananda in the press note.
Baltasar Engonga, the director general of Equatorial Guineas National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), has been arrested for allegedly recording more than 400 sex tapes featuring the wives of prominent people in the country. The scandal surfaced amid an economic fraud probe into the 54-year-old economist read more

Ebang Engonga is a married father and the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, the current Chairman of the Commission of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community. Image Courtesy: @Christ24Intern1/X

Baltasar Engonga, the director general of Equatorial Guineas National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), has been arrested for allegedly recording more than 400 sex tapes featuring the wives of prominent people in the country.

The scandal surfaced amid an economic fraud probe into the 54-year-old economist.

This case is particularly significant due to its sheer size and the profiles of the people involved.

Heres all we know about it.

The scandal

The ANIF officials discovered multiple CDs that documented Baltasar Engongas sexual relations with prominent women, such as his brothers wife, the presidents cousin and sister, the Director General of Polices wife, and the spouses of over 20 ministers.

The footage, which was found in his personal office, was allegedly taken with consent and has since gone viral online, sparking a media uproar.

Advertisement

Engongas office was the site of some of the encounters; one scene purportedly showed him having intercourse next to the flag of the country.

The controversy was initially reported by local media site Ahora EG, which called it one of the most important in the nations modern history.

According to the report, Engonga has been involved in a sexual scandal since last October.

Baltasar Ebang Engonga is said to have filmed these scenes with the consent of the women themselves, which exonerates him from a possible crime of violation of integrity. In the videos, he is seen having unprotected sex with several women, including those married to powerful and well-known people in the country, but also with the most diva and influential single women in Equatorial Guinea. Some scenes take place in hotel rooms, houses, even in the protagonists office at the Ministry of Finance, the report said.

The investigation into his activities is ongoing, and there is widespread speculation that more officials may be implicated as the case develops.

Also read: Videos, warning letter, pen drive & more: How Karnataka sex scandal involving Deve Gowdas grandson Prajwal Revanna unfolded

About Engonga

Nicknamed Bello on account of his good looks, Engonga is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjoo, the head of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) commission, and a nephew of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, as per The Africa Report.

Also an economist, the 54-year-old is the Director General of ANIF, Equatorial Guineas National Financial Investigation Agency.

Among his responsibilities include directing initiatives to curb financial corruption in the nation and supervising financial investigations.

Hes one of the countrys most powerful men, entrusted by the family with control over finances and tax administration, a Malabo insider told the outlet.

However, Engonga came under fire for making questionable transactions from public accounts in Equatorial Guinea to private accounts in the Cayman Islands. Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, popularly known as Teodorin, began looking into these public funds transfers in October.

Advertisement

Teodorin viewed this as a chance to bring down Engonga, who had previously been a contender to succeed his father, President Obiang.

Governments action

In a prompt response, the government of Equatorial Guinea suspended all officials who engaged in sexual activity within ministry offices.

Vice President Teodoro Nguema denounced the acts as being against the nations public ethics law and code of conduct. He emphasised the importance of ethics and respect while restating the governments zero tolerance approach for conduct that compromises the integrity of public service.

Given the abuse that has been shown on social media in Equatorial Guinea in recent days, and remembering that ministries are solely and exclusively for carrying out administrative work in support of the countrys development, sexual relations in offices are prohibited, he stated, adding, Control mechanisms are already in place, and anyone who violates this rule again will be subject to disciplinary proceedings for indecent conduct and will be dismissed from their job.

Advertisement

Although Engonga is charged with corruption, officials have pointed out that consensual sex is not illegal until coercion or violence is demonstrated.

Nzang Nguema, the nations attorney general, has called on victims of sexual abuse to come forward, highlighting the dangers such frequent sexual encounters have to the publics health.

The possibility of a contagious disease being spread through these sexual interactions makes the situation even more critical.

Equatorial Guineas chief prosecutor, Anatolio Nzang Nguema, assured TVGE that if medical examinations revealed that Ebang Engonga was infected with a sexually transmitted disease he would be prosecuted for an offence against public health.

The flow of internet traffic, and in particular the downloading of images, has been severely disrupted in the country after the authorities took measures to curb the sex tapes spread, witnesses told AFP.

Advertisement

Social media is awash with speculation that more videos involving other individuals, both men and women, could be released in the next few days.

With inputs from agencies
Heavy rains and significant hail storms have swept across parts of the Saudi Arabia since last week. The strange weather took a dramatic turn when Al-Jawf region witnessed snow fall for the time, creating a visual spectacle never seen before in the arid landscape. So, what triggered this unexpected weather phenomenon? read more

Heavy rains and significant hail have swept across parts of the Kingdom's Al-Jawf region. Now, a chilly spell of snowfall blanketed the mountainous areas, creating a visual spectacle never seen before in the arid landscape. Image courtesy: X/@GlobalDiss

Whats the last thing you would expect to find in a desert?

Lashing rains? A chilly climate? Wintery snow?

Surprisingly, all of these are true for a desert in Saudi Arabia, which has recently morphed into a stunning winter wonderland.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, heavy rains and significant hail have swept across parts of the Kingdoms Al-Jawf region. Now, a chilly spell of snowfall blanketed the mountainous areas, creating a visual spectacle never seen before in the arid landscape.

Advertisement

So, how did it snow in a desert? What triggered this unexpected weather phenomenon? Lets take a closer look.

From sand dunes to snow capes

Saudi Arabia has been experiencing an unusual bout of weather since last week.

Last Wednesday, heavy rains accompanied by large amounts of hail swept across parts of the Kingdoms Al-Jawf region followed by the northern borders, Riyadh, and the Mecca region. The strange weather has also affected Asir, Tabuk, and Al Bahah sections, according to Watchers.news.

On Monday, snowfall blanketed the mountainous areas of Al-Jawf, surprising the locals and drawing a range of reactions (and stunning pictures) on social media.

The visuals show some hailstones accumulating to cover roads and valleys. Some users even claimed the storm has produced waterfalls, and ice rivers in the region.

 Suudi Arabistann colluk Al-Jawf bolgesinde kar  ve tipi.pic.twitter.com/to6Sl3jIs7  Dr. Ali Demirdas (@DrDemirdasEn) November 3, 2024

Northern Saudi Arabia: Snow blankets the desert after heavy rains and hail. Just yesterday, winter transformed the mountainous landscape.



Yes, this is normal. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have well-known weather modification programs. pic.twitter.com/ZoFQ3Gav92  Global Dissident (@GlobalDiss) November 3, 2024

Northern Saudi Arabia: Snow blankets the desert after heavy rains and hail. Just yesterday, winter transformed the mountainous landscape.



Yes, this is normal. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have well-known weather modification programs. pic.twitter.com/ZoFQ3Gav92  Global Dissident (@GlobalDiss) November 3, 2024

Advertisement

For the first Time in history, snow has fallen in the northern regions of Saudi Arabia. A heavy snowfall occurred in the northern region of Al-Jawf. This is reported by the publication Khaleej Times.#saudiflood #saudisnow #forthefirsttimesnowinsaudidesert pic.twitter.com/G9ElNgpkfu  Kamran (@Kamran_khan_3) November 5, 2024

Why did it snow?

The UAEs National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said the reason for these unusual hailstorms is a low-pressure system spreading from the Arabian Sea to Oman.

This weather pattern has introduced moisture-laden air into an area typically characterised by dryness, leading to thunderstorms, hail, and rainfall across Saudi Arabia and neighbouring United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to Khaleej Times, the NCM has issued warnings regarding potential thunderstorms in most parts of Al-Jawf over the coming days.

The forecast includes expectations of further heavy rain and hail, which could impair visibility. Additionally, strong winds are anticipated to accompany these storms.

In light of these developments, the Kingdoms Directorate-General of Civil Defense (DGCD) and the NCM have advised residents to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

Also read: In less than 100 years, Persian Gulf could be fatally hot for humans

Advertisement

Is snow the new normal in deserts?

Snowfall in Saudi Arabia is rare but not entirely unheard of.

A few years ago, a town in the Sahara desert, known for its blistering temperatures that often surpass 58 degrees Celsius, saw a dramatic drop to -2 degrees Celsius, resulting in an unexpected snowfall.

This phenomenon is often attributed to the broader impacts of climate change. According to the World Bank, West Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate-related impacts. Projections indicate rising average temperatures, which could lead to increasingly erratic and extreme weather patterns.

Experts also suggest that such unusual weather events, including snowfall in deserts, are becoming more frequent due to changing atmospheric conditions driven by global climate change.

Advertisement

Earlier this year, Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, grappled with severe flooding after an unprecedented spell of heavy rainfall. Visuals showed cars being swept away by powerful floodwaters. This event came shortly after similar flooding incidents in Dubai.

As these anomalies become more common, Gulf countries must develop and implement stronger policies and strategies to cope with and mitigate the effects of these climate extremes.

With input from agencies
A team of researchers from the University of California says deafening male insects makes them unable to mate and reproduce. The findings, which were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, may significantly alter our approach to managing the spread of disease by effectively controlling mosquito vector populations read more

The silhouettes of dead Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are seen through a light box at the entomology department of the Health Ministry in Guatemala City, Guatemala, July 21, 2024. Representational Image/Reuters

Researchers have found a unique method of combating mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, yellow fever, and Zika.

Male mosquitoes use their hearing to track out females based on their appealing wingbeats, and they have sex while flying in midair. Female mosquitoes are the ones that transmit diseases to humans. Thus, scientists believe preventing them from having offspring will lower the overall number of mosquitoes.

A team of researchers from the University of California says deafening male insects make them unable to mate and reproduce.

Advertisement

Lets take a closer look.

Deaf mosquitoes dont mate

The University of California, Santa Barbara, Irvine team analysed Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which annually infect over 400 million people with illnesses.

After carefully observing the insects aerial mating behaviours, which can last anywhere from a few seconds to less than a minute, they devised a genetic method to interfere with it.

They specifically targeted trpVa, a protein that seems to be crucial for hearing. The team knocked off the gene using CRISPR-Cas9.

Neurones in the altered mosquitoes that are typically engaged in sound detection could not react to the wingbeats or flight tones of possible mates. The alluring sound was ignored.

If they cant hear the female wingbeat, theyre not interested, Professor Craig Montell said.

Wild (non-mutant) males, on the other hand, copulated quickly, often, and fertilised almost every female in their cage.

The researchers claimed that because mating by deaf males was completely prevented, the effect of the gene knockout was absolute.

Also read: Over 12 million cases, 8,000 deaths in 2024: Is dengue the new global pandemic?

How will it help in fighting dengue?

The findings, which were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, may significantly alter our approach to managing the spread of disease by effectively managing mosquito vector populations.

BBC reached out to Dr Joerg Albert, a specialist in mosquito mating from the University of Oldenburg in Germany, about what he thought of the study.

According to him, targeting the sense of sound was a viable method of controlling mosquitoes, but it required research and management.

The study provides a first direct molecular test, which suggests that hearing is indeed not only important for mosquito reproduction but essential. Without the ability of males to hear  and acoustically chase  female mosquitoes might become extinct.

Advertisement

He noted that releasing sterile males in regions where there are pockets of diseases carried by mosquitoes is another strategy under study.

Also read: What is driving a surge in dengue cases in Europe?

Similar study

Researchers from Japans Nagoya University have discovered how the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) differentiate themselves from other species. These species males use the particular frequencies of sound produced by the flapping wings of females to identify their own species.

These results, which were reported in iScience, have ramifications for creating novel artificial flight sound-based mosquito control techniques.

In the past few decades, the territories of the two types of mosquitoes have increasingly overlapped. Mainly at dusk, male Aedes mosquitoes form a swarm, a large group of flying males waiting for fertile females to fly in, Dr Matthew Su, joint corresponding author of the study, was quoted as saying by Phys.org, adding, When a female enters the group, the male uses his excellent hearing to hear her wing sound, approach her, and attempt to mate. But females of other species could enter the group too, so we became interested in how males avoid mating with the wrong species.

Advertisement

To quantify and compare the frequencies of male and female mosquito wingbeats across species, the study team placed microphones in mosquito breeding cages.

In comparison to yellow fever mosquitoes, they found that Asian tiger mosquitoes, both male and female, exhibited greater wing sound frequencies. They postulated that this distinction accounted for mosquitoes avoidance of mating with the incorrect species.

They observed that male Asian tiger mosquitoes consistently responded to higher frequencies of sound than male yellow fever mosquitoes when they produced artificial female wing sounds and played them back to male mosquitoes.

According to the researchers, oviposition and sound traps together may be used to stop mosquitoes from breeding and eradicate them, but this would not be a desirable result.

Advertisement

Despite their potential to spread disease, mosquitoes are an essential component of the food chain, serving as food for fish, birds, bats, and frogs, among others, and some are crucial pollinators.

Elimination may not be a good idea because we dont know the effects on the ecosystem. Instead, we feel that limited biocontrol is better, Dr Su explained. Ultimately, we will have to live together with mosquitoes, ideally separately. Therefore, we have to understand them and drive numbers down to levels where diseases are less likely to be transmitted.

With inputs from agencies
Japan is planning to build an automated cargo transport corridor between the capital city of Tokyo and Osaka. Dubbed a conveyor belt road by the government, the project is aimed to make up for a shortage of truck drivers read more

This illustration taken from the government's official YouTube video shows a conveyor belt road. Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism/AP

In recent decades, Japan has achieved significant strides in robotics, computing, and transportation.

Now, the country is aiming higher as it plans to build an automated cargo transport corridor between the capital city of Tokyo and Osaka

The automated cargo transport corridor is being created in an effort to address Japans truck driver problem as the countrys population ages.

Heres all we know about it.

The conveyor belt road

A computer graphics video made by the government shows big, wheeled boxes moving along a three-lane corridor, also called an auto flow road, in the middle of a big highway.

A trial system is due to start test runs in 2027 or early 2028, aiming for full operations by the mid-2030s. The amount of funding for the project is not yet set but it is seen as one way to help the country cope with soaring deliveries.

Advertisement

The loading will be automated using forklifts and coordinated with airports, railways and ports.

Yuri Endo, a senior deputy director overseeing the effort at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said, We need to be innovative with the way we approach roads. The key concept of the auto flow-road is to create dedicated spaces within the road network for logistics, utilising a 24-hour automated and unstaffed transport system."

Apart from making up for a shrinking labour force and the need to reduce workloads for drivers, the system also would help cut carbon emissions, she said.

She added, The key concept of the auto flow road is to create dedicated spaces within the road network for logistics, utilising a 24-hour automated and unmanned transportation system.

Yuri Endo, an official at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, speaks with The Associated Press at the ministry office in Tokyo. AP

The system, which is also intended for business deliveries, may be expanded to other routes if all goes well. Human drivers may still have to do last-mile deliveries to peoples doors, although driverless technology may be used in the future.

The plan may sound like a solution that would only work in relatively low-crime, densely populated societies like Japan, not sprawling nations like the US.

However, similar ideas are being considered in Switzerland and Great Britain. The plan in Switzerland involves an underground pathway, while the one being planned in London will be a fully automated system running on low-cost linear motors.

Also read: A robot retrieved first melted fuel from Fukushima nuclear reactor: Heres why its a big deal

Labour shortage

Japans shortage of truck drivers is worsening due to laws that went into effect earlier this year that limit the amount of overtime drivers can log. The move aims to avoid overwork and accidents and to make the jobs tolerable.

Around 1,000 people have died each year as a result of delivery trucks colliding with cars in recent years.

Although it is better than the roughly 2,000 fatalities that occurred in 2010, the Trucking Association, which represents around 400 trucking companies and organisations nationwide, wants to make deliveries even safer. The group also encourages customers to combine their orders or postpone delivery orders.

Advertisement

Industry insiders and the government claim this is a 2024 problem.

According to the Japan Trucking Association, trucks account for nearly all (more than 91 per cent) of the approximately 4.3 billion tonnes of domestic transport capacity. That is only a small portion of what is happening in a large nation like the United States.

According to South China Morning Post which cited Yuji Yano, a professor at Ryutsu Keizai University, That means the 2024 problem isnt just a transport problem but really a peoples problem."

Advertisement

Furthermore, according to government predictions, Japans total transport capacity is expected to decline by 34 per cent by 2030.

Also read: What caused Japans iconic Mount Fuji to remain snowless for the first time in 130 years?

Declining population

According to government data, the number of Japanese families using online shopping increased from about 40 per cent to over 60 per cent during the pandemic, despite the countrys population continuing to decline due to a lowering birth rate.

According to new government figures, the number of Japanese people 65 and older reached an astounding 36.25 million in 2024, making up 29.3 per cent of the countrys total population.

According to the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, older people will account for 34.8 per cent of the population by 2040.

With inputs from agencies
Lahore, Pakistans second-largest city, was ranked as the worlds most polluted city last week, with a record-high pollution reading of 1,900 near the Pakistan-India border. Now, Pakistans Punjab government has blamed India for the severe pollution and urged its neighbour to address the issue seriously read more

Pakistans second-largest city, Lahore, was ranked as the worlds most polluted city last week after its air quality index (AQI) reached a record high over the weekend. However, Pakistans government has blamed India for the rise in pollution levels.

On Sunday, Lahore topped the global list of most polluted cities, recording a record-high pollution reading of 1,900 near the Pakistan-India border the previous day, according to data from the provincial government and Swiss monitoring group IQAir.

Advertisement

Notably, AQI levels are categorised as follows: zero to 50 is good; 51 to 100 satisfactory; 101 to 200 moderate; 201 to 300 poor; 301 to 400 very poor; 401 to 450 severe; and above 450 severe plus.

Pollution levels beyond World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended safety limits are estimated to reduce life expectancy in Lahore by an average of 7.5 years, according to the University of Chicagos Energy Policy Institute.

United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) estimates that nearly 600 million children in South Asia are exposed to dangerously high levels of air pollution.

Green Lockdown in Lahore

Amid worsening air quality in Lahore, authorities have implemented a green lockdown to control the impact.

Primary schools have been closed for a week and Pakistans Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has advised parents to ensure children wear masks. Citizens are urged to stay indoors, keep doors and windows closed, and avoid unnecessary travel, the minister said, adding that hospitals are now equipped with smog counters.

To reduce vehicle emissions, 50% of the office staff has been asked to work from home.

A tractor-trolley releases smoke and moves on a road as smog envelops the area in Lahore, Pakistan. AP

Further measures include a ban on rickshaws and a halt on construction in certain areas to control pollution levels. Factories and construction sites that violate regulations risk closure, she said.

Last month, children across Lahore were restricted from outdoor activities until at least January 2025, with school hours adjusted to avoid peak pollution times.

Advertisement

ALSO READ | Emergency measures imposed in Lahore as air pollution hits historic high

Pakistan blames India

Speaking to the media, Pakistans Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said, The wind direction brings air from India into Pakistan, yet India does not seem to be taking this problem as seriously as it should. She also urged the Punjab authorities in India to take this matter seriously.

Delhi ranks first in smog levels today, with Lahore closely following in second place. Delhis air quality index is around 393, while Lahores is close to 280, she said, adding that China has also battled smog for 26 years.

Meanwhile, Marriyum Aurangzeb said last week that the government would ask the Pakistan Foreign Office to raise the issue of cross-border pollution with India. Easterly winds from Amritsar and Chandigarh have spiked Lahores air quality index to over 1,000 for the past two days, she said.

People should take precautions, especially the elderly and children.

Advertisement

Aurangzeb, who holds the environment portfolio in the cabinet, said Punjab plans to formally communicate with New Delhi through the Foreign Office.

At a recent Diwali event, Pakistans Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also hinted at coordinating with her counterpart in Punjab to address the smog jointly. This matter needs to be resolved diplomatically with India. I am considering writing to Indian Punjabs chief minister. This is not a political issue; it is a humanitarian one.

Not the first time Pakistan has blamed India

This is not the first time Pakistan has blamed India for poor air quality in Lahore.

Pigeons fly in heavy smog in Lahore, Pakistan. AP

In October last year, Pakistan announced that it would raise the problem of stubble burning in Indian Punjab with India at a diplomatic level after Lahores air quality worsened. During a meeting with the-then interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, Punjabs then-caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi said crop residue burning in Indian Punjab was a major factor behind the smog affecting Lahore.

Advertisement

In 2019, as Lahore residents were struggling with breathing issues, stinging eyes, and nausea from thick smog, then Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul Wazir placed the blame on the countrys neighbour for worsening air quality. Misinformation is being spread about Lahores air quality, Wazir wrote on X, adding that It is nowhere as bad as being asserted by vested elements.

In a separate X post in 2018, Wazir labelled smog as an environmental concern in Pakistan and connected it to unconventional warfare with India. She wrote, Smog is a major environmental concern in Pakistan. And we have to accept and acknowledge that its connected to the unconventional warfare were embattled in with our eastern neighbour, India.

Advertisement

However, a 2019 report by Dawn, a Pakistani daily, dismissed these claims, arguing that the idea that crop burning in India causes Lahores smog was not only without evidence but also statistically false with a very small correlation coefficient. The report clarified that the transport sector, rather than crop fires, was the primary cause of air pollution in the city.

Preparations for artificial rain among steps to combat smog

Aurangzeb announced that preparations for artificial rain were ready, though suitable clouds were currently unavailable.

Listing the steps taken to combat smog, Aurangzeb mentioned that Maryam Nawaz had mobilised departments over the past eight months to combat smog. Farmers are now receiving 1,000 subsidised super-seeders, with plans to increase distribution to 5,000, and rental options available at the local council level to discourage crop residue burning, she said, Dawn reported.

Pakistani man and woman cyclists wear masks as smog envelops the areas of Lahore, Pakistan. AP

Aurangzeb added that 550 kilns had been shut down, construction projects not following SOPs were restricted, and vehicles emitting excessive smoke were being seized. She added that the Environmental Protection Department had been restructured to improve its effectiveness and that an electric mass transport system was in development.

Authorities will use the week to conduct research, mapping, and studies to reassess and determine if extended school closures are needed, the minister was quoted as saying by the state-run APP.

Notably, the WHO warns that breathing polluted air can lead to serious health issues, including strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases. Smog is especially prevalent in winter, as colder, denser air traps pollutants from low-quality fuels used in vehicles and factories near ground level.

With inputs from agencies
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court set aside the Allahabad High Courts March ruling that had deemed the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, unconstitutional. The legislation was challenged by a lawyer who claimed it violated Articles 14 (right to equality) and 21-A (providing free and compulsory education for children between the ages of six and 14) of the Constitution read more

The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, dismissing the Allahabad High Court verdict that struck down the legislation earlier this year. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud ruled that the High Court erred in quashing the Madarsa Act on the ground that it violated the basic constitutional tenet of secularism.

The order comes as a huge relief to thousands of students and teachers in Uttar Pradesh madarsas as the Allahabad HC had directed the closure of these institutions and integration of students into the mainstream education system.

Advertisement

Lets take a closer look.

What is the UP Madarsa Act 2004?

The Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, was introduced to streamline education in madarsas, providing a legal framework. Madarsa education has been defined as education in Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Islamic studies, Tibb (traditional medicine), philosophy and other branches, as per Times of India (TOI).

In these Islamic schools, pupils study the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) syllabus, along with religious education.

The Act led to the creation of the UP Board of Madarsa Education, which mainly consists of Muslim members. This board prepares course material, conducts exams and awards degrees, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees known as Kamil and Fazil respectively.

There are 16,513 recognised and 8,449 unrecognised madrasas in UP, with roughly 25 lakh students, as per Indian Express.

Why Allahabad HC quashed UP Madarsa Act 2004

A petition was filed by the lawyer Anshuman Singh Rathore challenging the Madarsa Act, saying the provisions, scheme and the environment violate Articles 14 (right to equality before law), 15 (prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth) and 21-A (right to free and compulsory education for children between the ages of six and 14) of the Constitution.

The fundamental rights under the aforesaid articles, more specifically under Article 14 and 21-A, include the right to universal quality education, which also includes secular education, he claimed.

In March, the Allahabad High Court struck down the UP Madarsa Act, calling it unconstitutional.

A bench of Justices Subhash Vidyarthi and Vivek Chaudhary ruled on March 22 that the Act violated the principle of secularism. The HC said that  (it is) compulsory for a student of Madarsa to study in every class, Islam as a religion, including all its prescriptions, instructions and philosophies The modern subjects are either absent or are optional

The court said it was the governments duty to impart secular education and not discriminate by providing education based on religion.

The bench also observed that the state was denying quality education to madarsa students in modern subjects.

Moreover, the court held that the Act was violative of Section 22 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. It said that as per the UGC Act, only universities or institutions deemed to be a University can grant degrees, and no other person or authority, including any Madarsa or the Madarsa Board, can confer any degree.

Advertisement

The HC ordered the state government to take steps forthwith for accommodating the madrasa students in regular schools recognised under the Primary Education Board and schools recognised under the High School and Intermediate Education Board of the state of Uttar Pradesh.

On April 5, the top court stayed the High Courts decision until it decided on the validity of the law.

What has the SC said?

Upholding the constitutional validity of the UP Madarsa Act, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (November 5) set aside the Allahabad High Courts March ruling.

However, the apex court deemed the provisions of the legislation regulating higher education degrees such as Fazil and Kamil unconstitutional, finding them in conflict with the UGC Act.

The Madrasa Act regulates the standard of education in Madarsa as recognised by the Board for imparting Madarsa education.is consistent with the positive obligation of the state to ensure that students studying and recognised Madrasas attain a level of competency which will allow them to effectively participate in society and earn a living, CJI Chandrachud said while reading out the judgement, as per Indian Express.

Advertisement

The top court noted that the provisions of the Act are reasonable because they subserve the objective recognition that is improving the academic excellence of students in the recognised Madrasas and making them capable to sit for examinations conducted by the board.

SC upholds validity of 2004 Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, says it does not violate principle of secularism.



SC sets aside Allahabad HC order that had quashed UP Board of Madarsa Education Act and asked state to relocate students to other schools.



We have pic.twitter.com/kVqZ9mCi95  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 5, 2024

Advertisement

The bench, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said the Madarsa Act secures the interests of the minority community in UP as it regulates the standard of education in these institutes, organises exams and confers certificates to students that allow them to pursue higher education.

The judgement said that the Allahabad HC erred in holding that the education provided under the Madrasa Act is violative of Article 21A because the Right to Education Act, which facilitates the fulfillment of the fundamental right under Article 21A, contain the specific provision by which it does not apply to minority educational institutions.

Advertisement

The top court added that the right of religious minority to establish and administer to impart both religious and secular education is protected by Article 30 and the Board and the state government have sufficient regulatory powers to prescribe and regulate standards of education for the Madrasas.

The bench said that while Madrasas impart religious instruction, their primary aim is education.

The apex court held that the corollary to Article 28(3) is that religious instruction may be imparted in an educational institution, which is recognised by the state or which receives state aid, but no student can be compelled to participate in religious instruction in such an institution.

The Supreme Courts verdict on UP Madarsa Education Act can have wider ramifications. File Photo/Reuters

As per Indian Express, during the hearings of the case in October, two questions had emerged before the apex court: whether madarsas impart religious education or religious instruction and whether it was correct for the HC to strike down the entire Act instead of restricting its order to certain provisions.

The UP government had told the Supreme Court it believed that the law was constitutional and should not have been quashed entirely, but some provisions needed to be scrutinised.

The top court had on October 22 reserved its judgement on pleas challenging the Allahabad High Court order.

The CJI noted earlier that the verdict in this case could have wider ramifications on religious education across the country.

With inputs from agencies
Barcelona reported a strong rain and hail storm on Monday, disrupting flights and some train services. This comes after Valencia witnessed flash floods last week, leading to hundreds of casualties. Heres what is going on read more

Cyclists observe a flooded car in the Barcelona suburbs of Castelldefels on November 4, 2024 as torrential rain struck Catalonia. AFP

Spain is reeling from the worst flooding in decades that has killed at least 217 people. Most of the casualties occurred near Valencia, which was hit by devastating floods last week.

On Monday (November 4), recurrent storms in the east of Spain dumped rain on Barcelona, disrupting flights and some train services. More rain is predicted for parts of the country today.

Lets take a closer look.

Rain lashes Barcelona

A strong hailstorm struck Barcelona in eastern Spain on Monday, as search and rescue operations continued in Valencia.

An alert on mobile phones warned people in Barcelona about extreme and continued rainfall on the southern outskirts of the city, as per an Associated Press (AP) report.

Advertisement

People were urged to avoid any gorges or canals which would be normally dry.

Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente suspended commuter rail service in northeast Catalonia, a region housing 8 million (80 lakh) people. Do not travel unless strictly necessary, residents were told.

Local media showed cars partially inundated on a highway. Many highways had to be shut down due to flooding.

Classes were cancelled in the city of Tarragona in southern Catalonia after the red alert was issued for torrential rains.

Footage on social media displayed stairwells and streets covered with water, reported Sky News.

Spains airport operator Aena cancelled or delayed about 50 flights due to take off from Barcelonas El Prat airport. It said on its X account that 17 flights to land at the airport on Monday morning were diverted to alternative airports.

A view of a flooded part of the airport in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, November 4, 2024. AP

A spokesperson told Reuters that the rains stopped late Monday morning and the airport resumed operations.

Valencia bears the brunt

A storm that pummelled Valencia brought a years worth of rain last week. Search continued on Monday for missing people, with rescuers focusing on underground car parks, reported BBC.

They were also searching houses, canals and damaged cars scattered on streets and highways for bodies.

Shoppers and workers are feared trapped in the underground parking at a shopping mall in the Aldaia municipality, on the outskirts of Valencia.

Advertisement

A woman cleans thick mud, in the aftermath of floods caused by heavy rains, in Sedavi, near Valencia, Spain, November 3, 2024. Reuters

About 50 soldiers, police and firefighters searched the car park using small boats and spotlights, wading through submerged vehicles, as per AP.

According to police spokesman Ricardo Gutierrez, no victims were found in the first 50 vehicles discovered at the site.

Rescuers used drones and water pumps to search and clear underground carparks and garages. With these drones, we can send them inside the garages and have a first visual of whats going on, the police spokesperson was quoted as saying by Reuters.

On Monday morning, Spains Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska did not share how many are still missing.

Authorities in flood-hit Valencia have extended travel restrictions for two more days, cancelled school classes and urged people to work from home.

Advertisement

Public anger has bubbled over a perceived lack of warning and a feeling of abandonment by authorities.

Spains royal couple, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, faced the ire of the survivors on Sunday in Paiporta, where more than 60 people died. Mud and insults were thrown at the monarchs and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, as protesters shouted: Murderers, murderers!

The interior minister has blamed marginal groups for provoking the violence, telling public broadcaster TVE that an investigation has been launched.

The army deployed over 5,000 soldiers over the weekend to help distribute food and water, assist in clean-up efforts and guard against looters, Defence Minister Margarita Robles told state-owned radio RNE. She said 2,500 more soldiers would be pressed into service.

Advertisement

A warship with 104 marines, helicopters and trucks with food and water arrived in Valencias port on Monday.

Thousands of volunteers have been helping to clear the debris from streets and homes.

The Spanish government has said it will announce a package of relief measures to help people cope with the situation, Reuters reported.

Is climate change to blame?

It is not unusual for Spain to witness storms in autumn that cause flooding. However, this time, the country saw one of the worst floods in Europe this century.

The deadly flash floods in Valencia, which reported most of the casualties, were caused by the Dana phenomenon. This weather event occurs when warm, moist air collides with cold air.

Scientists say climate change is leading to extreme weather. According to meteorologists, warming of the Mediterranean Sea, which enhances water evaporation, is making torrential rains more intense.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies
A girder being set up at the bullet train project site had fallen today. In this incident, 2 people were rescued and sent to hospital. As per primary information, 1 or 2 people might be trapped; operation is underway to rescue them," says DSP Anand, Gaurav Jasani. read more

An under-construction bridge, part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project collapsed on Tuesday in Anand district, Gujarat, resulting in the death of one worker, according to reports.

#WATCH | Gujarat: Concrete blocks collapsed at a construction site of the bullet train project in Anand, today. Rescue operations are underway. Anand police, fire brigade officials have reached the spot.



National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited says, "Today evening at Mahi pic.twitter.com/LapwfEOo5h  ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2024

Advertisement

The collapse happened around 5 PM, raising fears that several may be trapped under the rubble. Local authorities quickly began rescue operations to locate and assist those affected by the incident.

National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited said, Today evening at Mahi river, at the construction site of a bullet train project three laborers were trapped in between concrete blocks.

A rescue operation is in progress using cranes and excavators, it said, adding that one labour has been rescued and has been recovering in the hospital.

According to the Times of India report, Anand district superintendent of police Gaurav Jasani confirmed the incident, saying, Two workers who have been rescued have been shifted to the hospital for treatment. They are fine. It is believed that two other workers are still trapped. We are carrying out rescue operations.

Advertisement

#WATCH | Gujarat | On the incident at bullet train project site in Anand, DSP Anand, Gaurav Jasani says, " A girder being set up at the bullet train project site had fallen today. In this incident, 2 people were rescued and sent to hospital. As per primary information, 1 or 2 pic.twitter.com/DuRwBpxMw6  ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2024
Though Hindus have not been able to wield an influence that is comparable to the Jewish or Islamist lobbies yet, but at least there is a start read more

The statement posted by Donald Trump where he has condemned the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh is an important one. AP

In the final days of campaigning, heated exchanges between US presidential election contenders Kamala Harris and Donald Trump accelerated at an expected rate. But one remark made by Trump last week particularly captured my attention when he spoke on the plight of the Bangladeshi Hindus.

At a time when Indias own opposition parties have abandoned them to be slaughtered by the now emboldened Islamist forces, this gesture was exceptional.

While posting a message on the Hindu festival of Diwali on social media platform X, Trump condemned the barbaric violence taking place against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh. He also accused Kamala and Joe Biden of ignoring Hindus across the world and in America.

Advertisement

Interestingly, Trump also called out the anti-Hindu agenda of the radical leftists as well and vowed to protect Hindu Americans after coming to power. In the same message, he also promised to strengthen the countrys great partnership with India, where he referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his good friend.

These remarks by Donald Trump came on the eve of US elections, and there is no doubt that besides a legitimate concern for the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus, it also has some degree of politicking to it.

After all, a whopping 80 per cent of the population of Indian-Americans is Hindu and in a close electoral contest where Kamala Harris is giving a tough fight to Trump, every constituency of support matters. In fact, Trump has courted the Hindu diaspora community settled in the United States even on previous occasions as well for political reasons. During the 2016 presidential elections, he attended a massive rally in New Jersey trying to woo the Hindu-American community. He had also carried forward the precedent set by President George W Bush in 2003 of celebrating Diwali at the White House by lighting the ceremonial lamp every year during his presidency.

However, despite all the attempts by Republican candidate Donald Trump to woo the Hindu electorate in the US, the Indian-American community has long been a supporter of candidates from the Democratic Party instead. This is because of its stand on immigration, healthcare, and other issues, which resonates more with Indian-Americans.

At a population of around 5.2 million, they make up the second largest immigrant community in the US, showing a deep preference for the Democratic Party historically. But this trend is also changing sharply now. As per a survey released this year by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the number of Indian-American respondents who identified themselves as Democrats has fallen to 47 per cent from 56 per cent in the last four years. While those who identify themselves as Republicans have increased to 21 per cent from just around 15 per cent since 2020. If these numbers hold true, they will also significantly impact their voting pattern in the current elections. This means the support base for the Grand Old Party is widening among the Indian-Americans, of which the majority are people from the Hindu community.

Advertisement

Interestingly, Trumps outreach to the Hindu Americans has come at a time when one of the major grudges that they have with the Republicans is their perceived intolerance towards minorities, especially under the influence of the Christian evangelical lobby. In such a scenario, some past statements by Republican leaders calling the countrymen to embrace Christian nationalism havent gone down well with its political base among the Indian-American community.

But now the Republican Party is fast transforming its past image where many pro-Hindu leaders have risen up to the top ladders and are wearing their credentials with aplomb. This includes Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and the vice presidential nominee JD Vances wife, Usha Vance. Unlike Kamala Harris, who, despite having Indian ancestry, has played up her identity as a black woman, these leaders who come from a Hindu background have always expressed immense pride for their roots.

Advertisement

The trend of politicians embracing their Hindu identity more openly is not limited to American politics alone. We have seen Rishi Sunak do the same in the United Kingdom as well. In fact, in recent years, there have been many instances of various international leaders raising the issue of Hindu rights on global platforms. Last year, Geert Wilders, a Dutch politician, vowed to support the cause of persecuted Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh after a surprise election victory in December 2023. In fact, Wilders has been a long-standing advocate of Hindu rights; he has even raised the matter of attacks on Hindus in Islamic countries in the parliament of the Netherlands.

Advertisement

Similarly, Tulsi Gabbard, who is herself a practicing Hindu, has played a key role in elevating the status of the community in American politics. Way back in 2013, she sent a loud message to the entire world when, after winning her election to the Congress as the first and only practicing Hindu, she took an oath on Srimad Bhagvad Gita.

Trumps reference to Bangladeshi Hindus is an extension of the same trend. This shows that Hindu identity and Hindu rights are gaining more prominence across the world, and in a much welcome move, this community is finally looking to increase its stakes in the global political discourse.

Advertisement

In India, Hindus are often accused of majoritarianism and demonised for seeking a political identity. This despite the fact that other communities are rather encouraged to mobilise politically due to the compulsion of vote-bank politics by certain mainstream political parties in the country. This name-calling and suppression of political free will of Hindus has an effect on their global identity as well. For instance, in Canada, a large section of the immigrant population is Hindu and often faces attacks on its places of worship, among other forms of harassment, and yet it is the Khalistanis who dominate the narrative and compel politicians to appease them by deploying their collective strength.

Hindus may be a comfortable majority in India, but if we look at the global level, then Hindus are not a majority community but just a small minority in comparison to Abrahamic religions such as Islam and Christianity. If Christians constitute 31.6 per cent of the world population and Muslims comprise around 25.8 per cent then only a small section of 15 per cent identifies itself as Hindus globally.

Besides India and Nepal and, to a certain extent, Mauritius, Hindus in any other country of the world are identified as a minority community. In such a scenario, their rights are often ignored, with grim stories of their persecution in many countries going completely under the radar. But in recent years, thanks to Indias economic performance and the increasing purchasing power of the Hindu community in the country, there has been a willingness to back campaigns for Hindu rights across the world.

This doesnt mean that Hindus have been able to wield an influence that is comparable to the Jewish or the Islamist lobbies yet. But at least there is a start. The statement posted by Donald Trump where he has condemned the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh is an important one. The Hindus are finally finding a political voice globally.

The author is a New Delhi-based commentator on geopolitics and foreign policy. She holds a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She tweets @TrulyMonica. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The Indian leadership must make it clear to Canada, and its Fives Eyes friends, that there cannot be a normal relationship with a terror-sponsoring nation read more

Canada, under Justin Trudeau, is fast and dangerously sliding towards becoming a Pakistan. It has been sheltering anti-India Khalistan elements since the 1980s, if not before. But now, there is not even an attempt to keep this dirty nexus under cover. If Pakistan patronises Islamist terrorists by calling them freedom fighters, Trudeaus Canada shelters Khalistani terrorists as Sikh activists  a sordid attempt to give the entire community, known for its patriotism, sacrifice, and love for India, a bad name.

Advertisement

The recent Khalistani attack on minority Hindus in a temple in Canada exposes the Canadian narrative on several fronts: One, there is nothing civil about these so-called Sikh activists in Canada. They are terrorists, criminals, and extortionists.

Two, the Canadian support for these goons is not confined to just giving them freedom to express themselves. As the videos widely circulated on social media show, the Canadian police not just provided active support in unleashing mayhem on the streets but also provided them protection by crushing any semblance of opposition coming from the other side.

So, in Trudeaus Canada, the Khalistanis are allowed to desecrate, tear apart, or even burn the Indian tricolour; they are even allowed to stage the mock killing of Indira Gandhi and Narendra Modi. But when Hindu protesters try doing the same with Khalistani flags, the police suddenly become agitated and aggressive.

Three, Trudeau, who came to power by selling lofty libertarian dreams, has kind of built an Animal Farm-like state where, to use George Orwells words, all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. In the process, he has allowed Khalistani terrorists to become a law unto themselves as they intimidate and harass Hindus settled and working in Canada.

Advertisement

Trudeau seems to be replicating Pakistans jihadi model to bleed India. As things stand today, the Pakistan-based terrorists now kill more of their people than they kill outsiders! Trudeaus Canada seems to have taken the same treacherous path. This dangerous prospect may still be some decades away, but if not arrested on time, it will come with violence and vengeance in Canada.

Here, one needs to realise that Khalistan is a Pakistani creation with American complicity. No wonder the founder of the Khalistan movement, Jagjit Singh Chauhan, was in Pakistan soon before setting up this terror outfit. During his stay there, he was hosted by none other than Gen Yahya Khan, the countrys military dictator. Soon after, he went to New York, and on October 12, 1971, an advertisement was published in The New York Times announcing the birth of Khalistan. We are going to wait no more, the advertisement said. Today we are launching the final crusade We are a nation in our own right. The Pakistan Embassy was believed to have sponsored that advertisement on American soil!

Advertisement

After the humiliation in the 1971 war, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who took over from Gen Yahya Khan, adopted the sinister Khalistan project with an added rage for revenge. As a young journalist in 1973, Tarek Fatah, the late Pakistan-born Canadian journalist, heard Bhutto pledge at an off-the-record briefing to carve out a piece from IndiaKhalistanto avenge 1971. Pakistan will also have a Bangladesh, carved out of India, Fatah quoted Bhutto as saying, except it will be on Pakistans border. It also made geostrategic sense: For once Khalistan was accomplished, then Kashmir, geographically cut off from the rest of India, would be there for the taking!

Advertisement

It is this Pakistani connection that explains why the official map of Khalistan, published by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), led by the US-based Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, incorporates not just the Indian state of Punjab but also the whole of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi; Khalistanis also claim a large part of Rajasthan. Except Punjab, all other Indian states claimed by Khalistanis have a minuscule Sikh presence. Haryana has 87 per cent Hindus; Delhi has 81 per cent Hindus; Himachal Pradesh has 95 per cent Hindus, while in Rajasthan there are 88 per cent Hindus.

This Khalistani hunger for land is confined to India alone. For, the official map seeks not an inch of land from the Pakistani side  it doesnt even claim Lahore, which was the erstwhile capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Even the holy Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, is voluntarily excluded from the Khalistan map. The very fact that the Khalistanis want Delhi and not Lahore exposes the real, pernicious agenda of the so-called movement for the nation of Sikhs.

Advertisement

Canada cannot succeed where Pakistan failed  in bleeding India into disintegration. The foremost reason is the geographical disadvantage that Ottawa faces. Pakistan had the advantage of being Indias immediate neighbour. Justin Trudeau seems to be goaded by the American Deep State to poke at rising India. There also seems to be a Chinese angle. For the Trudeaus, father and son, have always had close connections with the Chinese.

Such was Pierre Trudeaus fascination for China that Jeremy Kinsman, former Canadian ambassador to Russia and the EU, in one of his articles in 2016, praised Trudeau Sr for his efforts in building diplomatic relations between China and the West at the height of the Cold War. Praising how Pierre Trudeau has broken the ice in Beijing as early as in 1949, Kinsman went to the extent of saying that US President Richard Nixon followed a trail blazed by a Canadian Prime Minister.

Justin seems to be following his fathers path, blindly and adoringly. Justin Trudeaus Khalistan policy may have many fathers, but only one loser: Canada. This will become obvious when these Khalistani thugs stop getting any traction. They will then do what most terrorist outfits had done in the past: Bleed the hands that had fed them in the past!

Once their India dream sours, a section of them would start believing, sooner than later, in creating a Khalistan in Canada. And with generous Indian payback  one former intelligence officer told this author how many of these Khalistani thugs are more than willing to do Indias betting for a few more dollars  this could be a real, much painful Canadian ulcer.

As for now, India must deal with Canada the way it has been dealing with a terror state called Pakistan. The Indian leadership must make it clear to Ottawa, and its Fives Eyes friends, that there cannot be a normal relationship with a terror-sponsoring nation. Canada, under Trudeau, has formally joined Pakistan on this dubious list.

The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Chief Minister of Pakistans Punjab Maryam Nawaz is right that this is a humanitarian issue, but it can be asserted that all matters that impact the security and safety of people can ultimately be called humanitarian issues read more

Lahore, capital of Punjab, Pakistans overwhelmingly largest province and the beating heart of the country, has been enveloped by a deadly smog for many days. On November 2, its AQI levels reached 1067. Consequently, the next day, the government closed primary schools for a week, advised families to keep the elderly and young children indoors, stopped work on brick kilns, and advised transporters to stop using vehicles emitting polluting smoke. Construction activity has not been suspended as yet, though. The smog has covered areas of the central parts of the province too.

Advertisement

Pakistans Environment Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Sunday that easterly winds from Amritsar and Chandigarh, which were expected to continue for around a week, had spiked the AQI levels to over 1000. She told the media that her ministry would write to Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs to suggest that joint talks be held with India to tackle the smog problem. Separately, news reports admit that the problem is caused by crop burning in Punjab, diesel fume emission from vehicles, and the working of brick kilns.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had, on October 10, called for smog diplomacy between Indias Punjab state and Pakistans Punjab province to tackle a problem that was common to both. While addressing a meeting organized to greet the countrys Hindu minority on October 30, that is, on the eve of Diwali, Maryam Nawaz referred to the smog problem and told the gathering that she proposed to write to the Chief Minister of Indian Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, on the issue because until both Punjabs come together, [they] wont be able to tackle the issue of smog. She also said that this was not just a political issue; this is a humanitarian issue. She also said that around 30 per cent of the smog came from India but added that the winds did not know that there is a border in between.

The fact is that the smog issue confronts both India and Pakistan. Both countries are taking action to control the problem, which constitutes a great danger to human health. Reports indicate that crop burning incidents in the northern Indian states are lower this year than in the past, but AQI levels in the northern states and in the National Capital Region are very high, and despite the efforts of the central and state governments, the problem of air pollution has not come under control. Media reports from Pakistan state that the authorities are taking criminal action against those who are burning garbage, but obviously these actions have not reduced the problem.

It is also undeniable that smog from one country enters the other depending on the wind direction at this time of the year. The issue is whether both countries can really take joint action; what can be ruled out straightaway is that this matter can be handled together by the two Punjabs. Maryam Nawaz may be well meaning and may have an affinity for the ancestral village in Amritsar from where her grandfather came, but this issue will necessarily have to involve the two national governments that Marriyum Aurangzeb recognised.

Advertisement

The question is if, in the present state of India-Pakistan relations and Pakistans continuing hostility towards India, it is possible to even make a beginning of holding talks that will involve meetings of environmental experts of the two countries to understand their individual problems with increased air pollution at this time of the year. Maryam Nawaz is right that this is a humanitarian issue, but it can be asserted that all matters that impact the security and safety of people can ultimately be called humanitarian issues. Hence, it needs to be examined: What is the ambit of humanitarian issues?

In 1998, India and Pakistan agreed on a dialogue formatcalled the Composite Dialoguewhich involved three separate categories of issues, though they were not formally designated as such. The first category was humanitarian issues. These involved inadvertent border crossers, fishermen who strayed into the territorial waters of the other state, the exchange of prisoners, and visits of people to one country to places of pilgrimage located in the other. The second category consisted of areas of possible cooperation such as trade and commerce, and the third related to matters where there were differences, such as terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, and Sir Creek. A discussion on smog would necessarily come in the second category. This is not a matter of semantics but the nature of the India-Pakistan dialogue structure.

Advertisement

The dialogue process has not happened for more than 12 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attempted to begin the dialogue in 2015. In December that year, prior to his visit to Lahore on Christmas Day that month, the two countries agreed to begin a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue process that was essentially based on the categories of the Composite Dialogue. The Pakistani army sabotaged that effort through the Pathankot attack in January 2016, and relations reached a crisis point after the Pulwama terrorist attack of February 2019.

However, what put the relations in deep freeze was Pakistans reaction to the constitutional changes in J&K in August 2019. Pakistan broke off all cooperative mechanisms, including trade and the High Commissioners were recalled too by both countries. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars visit to Pakistan last month for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisations (SCO) Head of Governments Meeting went off smoothly, but there is no indication that bilateral ties will be restored to normalcy anytime soon.

Advertisement

Indeed, if anything, the likelihood of fresh problems is high because, after the formation of the Omar Abdullah-led government in the UT of J&K, there has been an increase in terrorism in the territory. This is partly because the Pakistani army does not want a perception that J&K is returning to normalcy to gain strength in the international community. In these circumstances, the chances of India-Pakistani returning to normalcy are difficult to imagine. The only silver lining is that the ceasefire of February 2021 continues to hold.

There is no doubt that India and Pakistan belong to the same landmass and hence will have to bear the brunt of climate change. This will be exacerbated by anthropogenic activity and the rise in population in both countries. In fact, the rate of growth of population is alarming in Pakistan. With its economy in shambles, there will be a continuous supply of young people to be indoctrinated in extreme versions of the Islamic faith and in anti-India sentiments. This does not augur well for cooperative efforts of the kind that Maryam Nawaz has in mind.

Advertisement

One last point. It is noteworthy that Pakistan is trying its best to project that it is a moderate Islamic country where minorities are secure. Maryam Nawazs attendance at the pre-Diwali function was illustrative of this endeavour. It is particularly striking that the banner behind her, as she spoke, was in Urdu and roughly translated into English it read, Minorities are our Crown.

Nothing can be further from the truth in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The writer is a former Indian diplomat who served as Indias Ambassador to Afghanistan and Myanmar, and as secretary, the Ministry of External Affairs. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Despite transformative development measures in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, a clear divide persists among political leaders, who continue to champion its restoration. And against this backdrop, J&K has witnessed a spike in terror incidents after the assembly election read more

The recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including the disturbing grenade blast at crowded Sunday market, starkly expose the regions fragile state of security. This new wave of violence reflects a troubling shift in insurgent tactics, where groups not only employ force but also seek to manipulate public perception and deepen social divides. As Yuval Noah Harari suggests, modern power lies not just in physical control but in shaping narratives and exploiting societal vulnerabilities.

Advertisement

In Kashmir, this strategy has intensified, with militants leveraging every opportunity to disrupt and destabilise the region, exploiting the discontent that lingers post-election. These attacks arent just physical threats  they represent an attempt to undermine the very fabric of governance and public trust.

Jammu and Kashmir has always held strategic importance and political sensitivity. The revocation of Article 370 in August 2019 marked a significant shift in the regions political and governance landscape. Article 370 had granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, allowing it to have its own constitution and autonomy over internal matters, except in defence, communications, finance, and foreign affairs. Its abrogation integrated Jammu and Kashmir more directly into India, ending its special status and bringing it under the same legal and administrative framework as other Indian states.

Despite the transformative developments in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, a clear divide persists among leaders who continue to champion its restoration. This relentless push for Article 370s return overlooks its largely symbolic significance in recent decades, as it had already become an empty shell with limited impact on the ground. The focus on Article 370 now seems a shallow political fight, diverting attention from substantive issues such as economic development, security, and social integration that could genuinely improve lives in Kashmir.

While significant changes have unfolded post-abrogation  One of the primary arguments highlighting this paradox is that elections in Kashmir  particularly following major political shifts, like changes in the regions autonomy or electoral mandates  often fuel a resurgence in terrorism, undermining the very progress that increased economic investments, infrastructure projects, and improved security conditions aim to establish. Yet, many leaders persist in prioritising symbolic victories, like calls to restore Article 370, over practical solutions to these security challenges, perpetuating a climate of disharmony that stalls real progress for the region.

Advertisement

Political instability has been used by terror groups to justify and amplify their activities. These groups often frame their attacks as a rejection of electoral processes they consider illegitimate or as a response to increasing Indian administrative control over the region. Multiple studies suggest a spike in terror-related activities around election periods.

Another critical argument involves the role of external actors, particularly Pakistan, in fomenting unrest during and after elections in Kashmir. Various intelligence reports and research papers highlight how terror groups based in Pakistan often intensify their activities in the region during politically sensitive periods, seeing elections as an opportunity to disrupt the peace process. These attacks are also linked to Pakistans long-standing geopolitical strategy of using proxy groups to destabilise Kashmir and further its territorial claims.

Advertisement

Historical patterns of violence in Kashmir show an increase in cross-border infiltration and terror incidents around elections. Scholars like Christine Fair and others have analysed Pakistans involvement in radicalising local populations and providing support to terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, which often claim responsibility for post-election attacks.

Kashmirs history of insurgency involves protracted conflicts that followed deemed unfair political shifts. According to Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, In 1999, 2007-10 and in 2016 we were in even more difficult situations in J&K. The way the media is despairing is morale shattering for the nation. No doubt we have a challenge on our hands but with diligence and industry we will work ourselves to a position of strength. In proxy war situations the adversary gets temporary positions of dominance. The public has to be explained this in a simple and calm way without rhetoric. Best done politically if maturity is adopted.

Advertisement

This pattern indicates that the security climate in the region can be greatly impacted by political developments. Comparably, elections in the past that were held in unsteady political climates have frequently failed to generate trustworthy leadership, leading to uneven government.

The socio-political terrain of Kashmir is as complex as a spider web. Every strand reflects a distinct facet of the politics, culture, and history of the area. Any disruption in one area of the network could have a large-scale effect. The fragility of this balance was demonstrated by the recent elections.

Deviations from a well-laid strategy, especially in sensitive areas like Jammu and Kashmir, can cause major disruptions. This behaviour can be explained by the Chaos and Complexity Theory, which maintains that even slight changes to the initial conditions can produce dramatically diverse outcomes. And according to the complexity theory, even modest changes can have profound and unexpected consequences in systems with a large number of interrelated components. This is especially important in areas like J&K because of the intricate relationships between political, social, and historical elements. The chaos theory emphasises the unpredictable nature of the regions reaction to political decisions by further explaining how small changes in initial conditions can result in radically different results.

Advertisement

Additionally, terror organisations have tried to push a narrative that extremism in Kashmir flourished as justifiable complaints of the people went unanswered. They created this impression and used the imagery to radicalise and recruit young people. The situation that has emerged in Jammu and Kashmir after the elections is a sobering reminder of the inherent complexity of the region.

The post-election terror attacks in Kashmir represent a critical juncture where political power, insurgency, and external influence collide. Drawing from Yuval Noah Hararis concept of power shifts, these attacks illustrate a broader paradigm shift in how power is wielded and challenged in such zones. In Kashmir, terror groups no longer rely solely on military force but increasingly engage in shaping ideological narratives, manipulating political unrest, and radicalising local populations to challenge state authority.

This paradigm shift complicates the Indian states efforts to stabilise the region through elections and counterinsurgency operations. Given this shifting landscape, Indias response must evolve beyond traditional counterinsurgency, addressing deep-rooted grievances, engaging with local communities, and reinforcing security measures with a people-centred approach are essential to restore stability and counter these new forms of insurgent influence. The path to peace in Kashmir will depend on adapting to these complex dynamics and reinforcing a sense of safety and solidarity among its citizens.

(Tehmeena Rizvi is a Junior Research Consultant at Indian Council of Social Science research. Her areas of work include gender intersectionality, conflict and development. Views expressed by the writer are her own and they dont represent the editorial position of Firstpost.)
The road to the magic number of 270 is a difficult one, but for both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, it passes through seven swing states. These states will choose who becomes Americas next president read more

There are seven swing states this timeArizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Nevadaand whoever wins them becomes president. File image/Reuters

The campaigning for the US presidential election is over, and voters are heading to the ballot box. The race is a very close one as both the candidates are neck-and-neck, but this battle will be settled in the swing states. America has blue, red, and swing states. Blue states vote for Democrats while red ones vote for Republicans, and then there are the swing states that can swing either waythey can vote for Democrats or Republicans.

Advertisement

There are seven swing states this timeArizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Nevadaand whoever wins them becomes president. So where do these swing states stand on voting day?

Arizona

Since 1950, Arizona has predominantly voted for the Republicans, but it has flipped twiceonce in 1996 and then in 2020when Joe Biden won the state by less than half a point. But this time, Kamala Harris is trailing here, and Donald Trump is up by nearly 3 points. So Arizona doesnt look too good for the Democrats.

Georgia

Since 1996, Republicans held the state, but Biden flipped it in 2020, but yet by a quite narrow margin of 0.2 per cent. Trump has been leading here too. He was up by 1.8 points. But on Sunday, a new poll gave Democrats some confidence. It gives Harris a one-point edge.

Michigan

In 2016, Trump won the state by less than 11,000 votes. In 2020, Biden flipped it back. Right now, Harris is in the lead here; she is up almost 2 points. But Trump could catch up.

Nevada

The next is Nevadathe smallest of all seven statesits voted for Democrats since Barack Obama. Harris is leading in Nevada by three points. But Trump is slowly gaining too.

Advertisement

North Carolina

Obama won the state in 2008. Since then, no Democrat has. So Harris has an uphill task. She wants to flip it back to blue. Right now, she is leading by 3 points in the state. Trump too is campaigning hard here.

Wisconsin

In 2016, it voted for Trump; in 2020, it voted for Joe Biden. Kamala Harris is leading here by 2 points, but its a very close battle; if Harris loses Wisconsin, things could be difficult for her.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 19 electoral votes, and this is where the battle comes down to. Whoever wins Pennsylvania is most likely to win this election. Right now, the battle is tied here. Candidates have campaigned here for days and have spent millions of dollars on rallies, political advertisements, and canvassing.

Advertisement

Trump even survived an assassination attempt here. Will that give him an edge? No one can predict that, but lets look at the path to victory.

The United States has 538 electoral votes; candidates need 270 or more to win. Lets look at Donald Trump first, so the assumption is he wins all red states. Thats the 219 votes. He needs 51 more for 270. Whats his most direct path? His first choice is North Carolina. He won it in 2016 and 2020. So if he holds onto it again, thats 16 votes right there; if he flips Georgia back, thats another 16 votes; and then if he wins Pennsylvania, he will be comfortably at 270; he wont need any other battleground states.

Advertisement

Coming to Kamala Harris, if she wins all the blue states, she will be at 226 votes. So she needs 44 more. Her best option is the blue WallMichigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Biden won all of them in 2020. If Harris holds them, she will reach 270. Of course, this is optimistic. Things are neck-and-neck in Pennsylvania, so chances areHarris could lose the state. Whats her way then? Her other two options are North Carolina and Nevada. Both will get her above 270 without Pennsylvania.

Thats a long stretch, so the road to 270 is a difficult one. But for both candidates, it passes through these swing states. These states will choose who becomes Americas next president.

Advertisement

The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Less than 48 hours left until polls close in the United States and a new president is elected. Americans will be lining up to vote at polling booths tomorrow. But a lot of them have already voted. More than 77 million of them have already voted through early voting. In the US, one can request a ballot by mail, select a candidate, and then drop it off in ballot boxes, or even mail them via postal services. More than 77 million Americans have done so  around 48 per cent of the total turnout in the last election. So clearly, early voting is the future.

Advertisement

In 2020, the Democrats dominated this field, but this time, Republicans have caught up. Mainly because Donald Trump has changed his position. Last time he opposed early voting. This time hes supporting it. Around 38 per cent of early voting has been done by Democrats, and Republicans are at 36.2 per cent. So the gap is pretty narrow.

As per opinion polls, Kamala Harris has a narrow edge over Trump in the national polls; that doesnt matter. It comes down to the electoral college. To the seven swing states.

Harris is leading in Nevada by three points; she is leading in North Carolina by two points; in Wisconsin by two points; in Georgia by one point; in Pennsylvania and Michigan things are even; and in Arizona, Trump leads by four points. These numbers make a couple of things clear.

First, Harris has found some new momentum. Apparently, last-minute undecided voters are picking her. And second, Trump is also consolidating. Harris may hold the edge among early voters, but on Tuesday, its all about in-person voting.

That remains Trumps core. This brings us to the campaigns. Both Harris and Trump are hitting the swing states. Harris spent a lot of time in Michigan. Meanwhile, Trump spoke in North Carolina and Georgia. Most voters must have already made up their minds, so its all about the finishing touches.

Advertisement

Harris focused on the Muslim vote. Michigan is home to around 200 thousand Arab-Americans. They put Joe Biden over the line in 2020. But this time, its not a guarantee; Arab-Americans are angry about Bidens support for Israel, and Harris may pay the price for it. She tried to do some damage control on Sunday. She promised to end the Gaza war if elected.

Beyond that, she stuck to the script; she accused Trump of dividing America. She promised to fight hate politics and to resolve the cost-of-living crisis. Strange it is, because shes already the vice president, and thats been a struggle for Harris. She is a member of the current administration, and the current administration is deeply unpopular. Bidens approval ratings are at 39 per cent. So Harris finds herself in a spot of bother. Neither can she criticise her own government nor can she embrace it. So Harris has opted for a middle ground. She isnt calling for new leadership. Shes calling for a new generation of leadership.

Advertisement

On the other side, Trump did what he does. He held a number of rallies on Sunday. Most of them had the same theme that America is a broken country and only he can fix it. Its a strategy that worked for him in 2016. Its finding even more takers this time around, particularly because of the cost-of-living crisis. Trumps campaign is mostly centred around two issues  tariffs and immigration.

Trump also trained his guns on pollsters and journalists. Trump was surrounded by bulletproof glass at a rally, but those glasses had gaps. Trump said he wasnt worried though, because to get to him, an assassin would have to shoot through the press corps, and Trump says he doesnt mind that.

Advertisement

Trump also took issue with a new poll. It says Harris is leading him in the state of Iowa. The poll has surprised a lot of people because Iowa voted for Trump in 2016 and again in 2020. The last Democrat to flip it was Barack Obama. If Harris can do that, it would be a big setback to Trump.

Of course, his campaigners have rejected the poll. They say its an attempt to demoralise voters, and frankly, theres a lot of that going around this time, especially on social media where hundreds of posts are spreading fake news about the elections. Most of them are Trump supporters, but some are Democrats too. They are doing this to destroy the credibility of the election process.

Advertisement

Around 70 per cent Americans think Trump will not concede if he loses. That he will question the results like last time. His supporters are laying the groundwork for that. Especially Elon Musk and X, Musk is the most followed person on his platform, and he is pushing fake news. Musk says Democrats are making illegal migrants vote. He also said if Trump isnt elected, this will be the last US electionagain, all fake news. Of course, if Trump wins, none of this will matter, but if he doesnt, expect nervous days for America.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
America should shed its arrogance and learn a thing or two on holding safe and secure elections from the worlds largest democracy read more

Americans love nothing more than to deliver sermons to the world. And one of their favourite topics is democracy. The Joe Biden administration claims to be leading an existential battle of democracies against authoritarian states. Biden, who was unceremoniously dumped by the Democratic Party and arm-twisted out of a rerun, has even hosted two Democracy Summits.

On the eve of the November 5 presidential elections in the US, however, it is increasingly clear that the American democratic process is irrevocably broken, its election integrity is severely compromised and for a country that hypes itself as the worlds oldest democracy, doubts are rampant whether the hyper-polarised polity can pull off a credible presidential poll that accurately reflects voter sentiment. The stakes have never been higher.

Advertisement

The United States is split down the middle. Half of the population is nakedly hostile to the other half with no middle ground in sight. There are a surfeit of allegations and counter-allegations flying around marked by deep distrust and animosity. What makes matters more interesting for observers is that pundits are claiming this is one of the closest presidential elections in American history.

With hours to go, theres nothing to separate the two candidates. Surveys and polls are predicting a dead heat, and whether it will be a stunning return for Donald Trump to the White House or if vice-president Kamala Harris will graduate to become Americas first-ever female president depends on the seven so-called swing states that, again, seems to be neatly divided between the two contenders with numbers incredibly tied in Pennsylvania.

According to the New York Times, Nationwide or across the key battlegrounds collectively, neither Harris nor Trump leads by more than a single percentage point. Neither candidate holds a meaningful edge in enough states to win 270 electoral votes. In the history of modern polling, theres never been a race where the final polls showed such a close contest.

When a contest is this close, the prospect of voter fraud and corruption in the electoral process assumes paramount importance. A small swing can turn decisive, so voter fraud may well decide the outcome. It isnt surprising to see, therefore, that among the hotly discussed campaign planks, election security, ballot hacking, cheating and illegal voting by undocumented migrants rank high up the order.

Advertisement

Curiously, while the Republicans are expressing intense doubt over the integrity of the electoral process (and as we shall see, with good reasons), the same isnt true of the other side. Here, too, the partisan gap in election confidence is crudely apparent. The Harris campaign and its followers appear smug, even complacent about the health of American democracy, while the Trump campaign and its base are far more sceptical.

There has been a volley of allegations, lawsuits and purported evidence put forward by the Republicans amid fears that the results on November 5 may be rigged. Scepticism has intensified around mail-in ballots and drop boxes that have been at the centre of controversy. Closer to the date, the US experienced multiple attacks on electoral process, voter intimidation and threats of violence.

Advertisement

Researching on this topic for the purpose of writing this column has been a revelation. Public surveys on trust and reputation of American journalists and news media have repeatedly thrown up one bitter truth: credibility is in short supply and American media is the least trusted of all professions. It is easy to see why.

While roughly a half of American people are dissatisfied with the way democracy works in their country, American media appears remarkably insular, and in line with the Democratic Party narrative, the media discourse is centred around dismissing voter concerns and terming all allegations of voter fraud and election security as conspiracy theories or myths propagated by the Republicans and consumed by MAGA voters.

Advertisement

Quite remarkably, social media giant Google that has monopolised internet search and is facing lawsuits for allegedly violating a bunch of antitrust laws in Europe and the US, has been at the forefront of an undeclared censorship. While researching on voter disenfranchisement and manipulation of American electoral system, one is confronted with pages upon pages of similar articles from a few news sources that unequivocally dismiss all allegations as lies. One has to take recourse to niche search engines for accessing accurate information.

It seems strange until one finds out a neat little arrangement. The Harris campaign, it turns out, is receiving substantial funds from a set of corporate lawyers who are defending Google against Biden-Harris administrations antitrust lawsuits over monopolizing digital advertising.

Advertisement

According to a report in The American Prospect, The Harris Victory Fund hosted a fundraiser in October where tickets for a co-chair for the event went for $50,000, and co-host for $25,000. One co-chair at the event was law firm Paul, Weisss lead attorney Karen Dunn, who represented Google against the US Department of Justices antitrust lawsuit. Another member, according to the report, was Bill Isaacson of Googles defense team at Paul, Weiss, who was listed as a co-host.

The report points out that several members of the legal defense team for a company under lawsuit by a Democratic administration then turning around and actively fundraising for that partys candidate can sound alarms about conflicts of interest. That case is likely to be active during the next administration, and it calls into question how Harris might approach the litigation if she becomes president.

While the potential conflict of interest is evident, Harris, observes the report, has not spelt out her position on antitrust laws against Big Tech and the Harris campaign stonewalled questions on the appearance of Googles lawyers at the fundraiser in October.

This seems a clear case of election interference by the Big Tech which is manipulating search engine results on a hotly debated topic thereby denying the Republicans a level-laying field. One can only imagine what the quid pro quo may be if Harris is voted to power.

But then Google is not alone. Sample this report in Bloomberg that claims Elon Musk and Trump are amplifying falsehoods about integrity of vote, and blames foreign actors for sowing chaos.

One paragraph of the report states: Heading into Election Day, conspiracy theorists and foreign actors are amplifying unverified allegations of fraud that echo Donald Trumps claims that the result cant be trusted if he loses to Vice President Kamala Harris. Theyre using Elon Musks X and other social media platforms to sow skepticism (sic) among voters by circulating fake images of destroyed ballots and bogus reports about blocked polling places.

A few days before the appearance of this report, billionaire Michael Bloomberg, founder and owner of Bloomberg media company, came out in public support of Harris in a column titled Why Im voting for Kamala Harris.

The former New York City mayor, the worlds 13th richest man, has donated $50 million to the Harris campaign, making him the second-largest individual donor to the campaign after billionaire activist George Soros. Bloomberg, who has vowed to spend his considerable fortune to defeat Trump, had donated $95 million to help Democrats retake Congress in the 2018 midterms and another $20 million to Biden before he was made to drop out.

This is political advocacy, and while campaign finance is legit business in America, to what extent the owners political choices shape the election coverage of his media outlets is for everyone to see. Most of these reports by legacy media outlets such as Washington Post  whose owner Jeff Bezos refused to endorse Harris, leading to a loss of millions of subscribers for the beleaguered newspaper, the New York Times, or CNN, are guilty of manipulating the discourse leading to further erosion of trust in media.

Regardless of the narrative, the fact remains that American electoral system is highly susceptible to manipulation and no amount of spin will sound convincing. Denial of manipulation seeks to gloss over the vulnerabilities is Americas registration and voting process that has attracted global scrutiny for its ad-hocism and unprofessionalism.

Indians, who are accustomed to casting their ballots armed with voter IDs and names in electoral rolls without which voting is impossible, might be surprised to know that among 50 states that constitute the United States of America, only 36 have laws requesting or requiring voters to show some form of identification at the polls and that too not necessarily a photo identification. This is a recipe for erosion of public confidence in the process.

In closely contested elections, such laxity leads to perverted outcomes. For instance, Heritage Foundation in an essay on voter fraud points out that in 2015, a city council election in the New Jersey town of Perth Amboy was decided by a mere 10 votes. A judge overturned the election and ordered a new one after it was revealed that at least 13 illegal absentee ballots had been cast. The 2003 mayoral primary in East Chicago, Indiana, was overturned by the state Supreme Court after evidence of widespread fraud was revealed.

In May this year, a Just Facts survey, using methodology from academic journal Electoral Studies, found that about 10% to 27% of non-citizen adults in the US are now illegally registered to vote.

Worth noting that this lack of confidence in the rigours of American democracy is not exactly an exclusively Republican concern. The 2023 Morning Consult poll found that only 37% of Americans believe the 2024 elections will be both  honest and open to rightful voters, while 43% have serious doubts about their honesty, openness or both. However, Republicans and independents are far more sceptical than Democrats about the legitimacy of the upcoming elections, a theme that has found resonance in nearly every survey.

Forbes quotes Scripps/Ipsos poll of 1,027 adults (margin of error 3.6) in September to report that 51% American adults are concerned about non-citizens voting in the upcoming election, including 83% of Republicans, 46% of independents and 24% of Democrats. The poll also found that 54% of respondents, including 86% of Republicans, 58% of independents and 25% of Democrats strongly or somewhat support Trumps plan to deport undocumented migrants en masse.

This partisan gap is also reported by Pew Research Center, that in its October 24 survey finds that 87% of Harris voters are at least somewhat confident that ineligible voters will be prevented from casting ballots. Just 30% of Trump supporters say this.

This has led to the spectacle of Conservative activists, alarmed at the possibility that imported voters may rig the elections in favour of Democrats in a tight contest, have been monitoring, surveilling and filming voter registration sites.

The sceptics have their reason. In Arizona, a judge on Friday ordered the secretary of state to turn over records he is required by law to have about his obligation to maintain accurate voter rolls of around 1.2 million voters from the state registration list while ruling on a lawsuit that claimed there are ineligible people on the rolls. A local media report quotes Karen Hartman-Tellez, an assistant attorney general representing the Arizona state at the hearing, as saying that there is no evidence to back up the allegation. Still, she acknowledged that she cannot say for sure how many people may be registered to vote who either no longer live in Arizona or have died.

The reality is dystopian. The most powerful country in the world, it seems, cannot protect the integrity of its electoral process with ballot drop boxes in Washington set on fire with explosive devices, destroying hundreds of ballots.

In June this year, four workers of the Democratic Party involved in a mayoral election in Bridgeport were charged with misuse of absentee ballots after surveillance footage from CCTV showed multiple workers allegedly stuffing absentee ballots into an outdoor ballot box days before the original primary.

Meanwhile, on October 30, the US Supreme Court reinstated Virginias decision ahead of Tuesdays election to purge from its voter rolls about 1,600 people who state officials concluded were not American citizen, reported Reuters.

The instances are too many to cite, but a strange game of one-upmanship to influence voter behaviour has broken out. To counter the scepticism of Trump campaign and their allegations of widespread voter fraud and cheating  that has found wide resonance among the Trump voters  the Democrats and their unofficial arm, the legacy media outlets and Big Tech, are out to dismiss all concerns as fake and the elections as the very picture of proficiency and reliability.

While the line between journalism and political advocacy has blurred on both sides of the divide, the richest irony lies in the fact that for a country that suffers from chronic and debilitating illness in election procedures (a county in Arizona, Maricopa County, has declared that it may take up to two weeks to count its ballots cast by 2.5 million active voters, compared to India where 600 million ballots were counted smoothly and without a glitch in a single day), has taken upon itself the task of acting as the global watchdog for democracies around the world.

The election in worlds biggest economy and military superpower will have repercussions around the globe, not to speak of its impact on the ongoing wars in two different theatres. America should consider getting rid of its unipolar delusion and unbridled arrogance and learn a thing or two on holding safe and secure elections from the worlds largest democracy. Theres no shame in that.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Apples investment would be directed towards a plant in Bandung, located southeast of Jakarta, in collaboration with Apples network of suppliers. This facility is expected to produce components and accessories for Apples array of products read more

Apples history of investment in Indonesia includes approximately 1.5 trillion rupiah ($95 million) spent on developer academies, falling short of its pledged 1.7 trillion rupiah Image Credit: Reuters

Apple is reportedly planning an investment of close to $10 million to bolster its manufacturing footprint in Indonesia, aiming to lift the ban on the sale of its latest iPhone model.

Sources familiar with the situation revealed that this investment would be directed towards a plant in Bandung, located southeast of Jakarta, in collaboration with Apples network of suppliers. This facility is expected to produce components and accessories for Apples array of products.

Advertisement

The proposal has been submitted to Indonesias Ministry of Industry, which had recently blocked the sale of the iPhone 16, citing Apples failure to meet the 40 per cent domestic content requirement for smartphones and tablets.

The ministry is currently reviewing Apples plan, which is still under negotiation and may be modified before a final decision is made. Both Apple and the Ministry of Industry have so far remained silent on the matter.

The ban in Indonesia is part of a broader push under President Prabowo Subiantos government to compel international firms to increase local production. This approach mirrors the strategies from the tenure of former President Joko Widodo, where similar policies were used to protect domestic interests.

For instance, a ban was imposed on the sale of Google Pixel phones due to insufficient local investment, and TikToks parent company ByteDance was pressured into investing $1.5 billion in a joint venture with Tokopedia following restrictions on its services.

Apples proposed investment, while relatively modest compared to the companys global financial power, could be a strategic step to maintain access to Indonesias vast market of 278 million consumers, many of whom are young and tech-savvy. The company currently operates without standalone factories in Indonesia, instead relying on partnerships with local suppliers for production needs.

Advertisement

However, Indonesias tough stance might present risks. While a successful deal with Apple would be seen as a win for local industry, such aggressive tactics could deter other multinational firms, particularly those seeking to diversify production away from China.

This could conflict with President Prabowos objective of drawing in foreign investment to stimulate economic growth.

Apples history of investment in Indonesia includes approximately 1.5 trillion rupiah ($95 million) spent on developer academies, falling short of its pledged 1.7 trillion rupiah. In light of this, Indonesian officials have reportedly requested e-commerce platforms like Tokopedia and TikTok to remove iPhone 16 listings, threatening legal consequences if they fail to comply.

Advertisement

This situation is part of a pattern of unpredictable trade policies in Indonesia. Earlier in the year, the government introduced import restrictions on thousands of items, including electronics and chemicals, to push foreign companies toward local production.

This move sparked a backlash from various businesses, including LG Electronics, which faced hurdles in importing components essential for manufacturing goods like washing machines and televisions.

Despite the governments push for more domestic production, Indonesias manufacturing sector has struggled, declining from 21.1 per cent of GDP in 2014 to 18.7 per cent last year. The outcome of Apples proposed investment and its potential effects on Indonesias broader manufacturing landscape remains to be seen.

Advertisement
Experts in election security and misinformation pointed out that X is increasingly influential in the dissemination of misleading narratives, particularly in swing states that are expected to be pivotal in the upcoming presidential contest read more

Experts have noted that Musks vast influence  his account boasts nearly 203 million followers  contributes to what is known as network effects. This phenomenon allows content shared on X to spread rapidly to other platforms like Reddit and Telegram. Image Credit: AFP

A recent study by the non-profit Centre for Countering Digital Hate has spotlighted Elon Musk and the social media platform X as significant sources of misinformation related to the U.S. elections. Reports indicate that false or misleading statements made by Musk about the election have garnered an astonishing 2 billion views on X throughout the year.

Experts in election security and misinformation pointed out that X is increasingly influential in the dissemination of misleading narratives, particularly in swing states that are expected to be pivotal in the upcoming presidential contest.

Advertisement

Xs response to concerns about misinformation has been to highlight its Community Notes feature, which allows users to add context to posts. The company argued that this approach is more effective than conventional warning labels when it comes to helping users discern misleading information.

However, since Musks acquisition of the platform, which was formerly known as Twitter, he has notably rolled back content moderation efforts and laid off a significant portion of the workforce. Additionally, Musk has shown vocal support for former President Donald Trump, who is currently locked in a tight race against Democratic contender Kamala Harris.

Experts have noted that Musks vast influence  his account boasts nearly 203 million followers  contributes to what is known as network effects. This phenomenon allows content shared on X to spread rapidly to other platforms like Reddit and Telegram.

Kathleen Carley, a disinformation expert and computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, pointed out that X has become a conduit that facilitates the flow of information between different social media and messaging platforms.

According to the Centre for Countering Digital Hates analysis, at least 87 of Musks posts this year have promoted content related to the U.S. election that was rated as false or misleading by fact-checkers, collectively reaching 2 billion views.

Advertisement

In Pennsylvania, a key battleground state, misleading narratives have found fertile ground. X users have capitalised on news about incomplete voter registration forms flagged by local election administrators, framing these routine checks as evidence of voter suppression.

Philip Hensley-Robin from Common Cause, a nonpartisan group that advocates for transparent governance and voting rights, highlighted that these interpretations were incorrect. He emphasised that election officials were simply following regulations to ensure only eligible voters could participate.

Adding to the concerns, Cyabra, an AI firm specialising in tracking online disinformation, reported that a prominent X account with 117,000 followers was instrumental in spreading a fake video that falsely claimed mail-in ballots for Trump were being destroyed in Pennsylvania. In response, X noted that it had taken steps to address accounts involved in the distribution of this false video.

Advertisement

The issue highlights the complex challenges platforms like X face in balancing free speech with the need to curb the spread of harmful misinformation, especially with a high-stakes election on the horizon.
Environmental regulators halted Metas ambitious plan to power its AI data centre using nuclear power, after surveyors discovered an unspecified species of bees on the land slated for development read more

The demand for energy among tech giants like Meta has surged with increasing investments in AI technology. Data centres designed to support AI workloads significantly contribute to rising emissions. Microsoft recently disclosed a 29% increase in greenhouse gas emissions since 2020. Image Credit: Reuters

Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has hit a stumbling block in its ambitious plan to power its AI data centre with nuclear energy, thanks to an unexpected environmental obstacle: rare bees.

Reports first highlighted by Financial Times on November 4th revealed that environmental regulators halted the project after surveyors discovered an unspecified species of pollinators on the land slated for development.

The site had been chosen for its proximity to a nuclear plant that would have supplied energy to Metas AI operations.

Advertisement

During a company-wide meeting, Zuckerberg confirmed the cancellation, expressing that the project had previously positioned Meta to potentially become the first company to leverage nuclear power for AI data centre use. Metas silence on further details leaves many questions unanswered about the exact type of bee or the specific nuclear plant involved.

The demand for energy among tech giants like Meta has surged with increasing investments in AI technology. Data centres designed to support AI workloads significantly contribute to rising emissions. Microsoft recently disclosed a 29 per cent increase in greenhouse gas emissions since 2020, attributing this spike to new AI-oriented data centres.

Similarly, Google reported up to a 48 per cent increase in pollution levels since 2019 for similar reasons. In a sustainability report from July, Google researchers acknowledged the difficulty in reducing emissions while incorporating more AI into their services.

The sheer scale of energy consumption for AI projects has sparked criticism and concern among environmentalists. For context, an AI-integrated search query can consume up to ten times the energy of a standard search, roughly equal to keeping a light bulb illuminated for 20 minutes.

In response, major tech players are turning to nuclear energy as a potential solution. Microsoft plans to revive the Three Mile Island nuclear plant for AI purposes, while Amazon is investing heavily in a partnership with the Susquehanna nuclear plant in Pennsylvania. Google is exploring the use of modular mini nuclear reactors.

Advertisement

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission notes that 94 commercial reactors at 55 nuclear power plants across 28 states generate about 20 per cent of the countrys energy. The specific bee species causing Metas setback remains unidentified, though experts point to potential culprits.

Purdue Universitys assistant professor of entomology, Brock Harpur, noted that if the site is in California, it could involve protected bumblebee species. The states only active nuclear plant, Diablo Canyon Power Plant, might have been in Metas sights if they intended to stay competitive in AI. However, the regulatory process for nuclear plant approval and development is notoriously long and complex.

Advertisement

Harpur also speculated that if the site were elsewhere in the Midwest or East Coast, the endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee, protected since 2017, could have been the reason for the regulatory roadblock.

This latest setback for Meta underscores the growing tension between rapid technological advancement and environmental preservation, as companies grapple with sustainable ways to power their data-hungry AI endeavours.
While details on how Netflix plans to implement generative AI in its game development remain unclear, possibilities range from creating 3D models and concept art to generating voice performances and dialogue read more

Netflix has been steadily advancing its presence in the gaming space over recent years, adding streaming games to its platform and acquiring game studios with the aim of developing exclusive titles. Image Credit: Reuters

Netflix is making a bold move in its video game division by shifting its focus to generative AI, weeks after closing its high-profile game studio, Team Blue, and laying off a significant number of game developers.

This strategic pivot was highlighted by Mike Verdu, now Vice President of GenAI for Games at Netflix, who recently shared his excitement about spearheading what he describes as a once in a generation transformation in game development through AI.

Advertisement

Verdus announcement, made via a LinkedIn post, reflected his enthusiasm for this new chapter. He drew parallels to the 1990s era, when groundbreaking games frequently redefined the gaming landscape.

According to Verdu, the integration of generative AI into game development is set to revolutionise the industry, unlocking new creative possibilities and speeding up the development process to produce innovative experiences for players.

Netflix has been steadily advancing its presence in the gaming space over recent years, adding streaming games to its platform and acquiring game studios with the aim of developing exclusive titles.

Team Blue was a notable example of this ambition, employing experienced developers who had previously worked on popular titles such as Call of Duty, God of War, and Halo. However, last month, this ambitious project was shut down, leading to 35 job losses, as first reported by Game File.

In response to media speculation, Verdu reassured that recent changes in Netflix Games were part of a planned transition. While details on how Netflix plans to implement generative AI in its game development remain unclear, possibilities range from creating 3D models and concept art to generating voice performances and dialogue.

More advanced uses could include AI-driven game engines that create real-time 3D environments, though these are still in experimental phases and not yet practical for widespread use.

Advertisement

The pivot to generative AI has raised concerns among game developers, artists, and voice actors. The technology, which relies on human-created data, has the potential to displace jobs and diminish the artistic quality of the medium. Industry professionals worry that while AI tools can enhance efficiency, they may also lead to a reduction in the need for human creative labour, shifting the balance of the industry.

Verdu addressed these concerns by emphasizing a creator-first approach to AI. He described a vision where AI serves as a catalyst, enhancing the capabilities of creative teams rather than replacing them.

He argued that AI could accelerate the workflow of large development teams and empower smaller teams with unprecedented tools to achieve greater creative output.

Advertisement

As Netflix navigates this new AI-driven direction, it joins other tech companies in exploring how generative AI can reshape industries.

However, balancing innovation with respect for human creativity will be crucial in defining how successful and sustainable this shift will be for both the company and the broader gaming industry.
The Boeing workers, who were on strike for over 50 days, voted to accept the companys most recent offer, ending the costliest strike in the US in more than 25 years read more

The machines at Boeing Co. will once again start manufacturing commercial jetliners at pace as 33,000 protesting workers accepted a 43 per cent pay hike to end their over 50 days strike.

With the Boeing strike coming to an end, the US planemaker will restore its operations and finances in factories in Washington, Oregon and California from Wednesday, November 6.

As per the International Association of Machinists (IAM), representing the striking workers, some 59 per cent of union members voted in favor of the deal.

Advertisement

Whats the deal?

The deal calls for an immediate increase of 13 per cent and raises of 9 per cent for each of the next two years, and then another 7 per cent in the fourth and final year of the contract. Taken together, members will receive a pay raise that surpasses 43 per cent.

As per the deal, workers also get a ratification bonus of $12,000, part of which they can contribute to 401(k) retirement accounts.

The deal, however, did not restore the traditional pension plan they lost in 2014 from their previous labor deal.

Holden, meanwhile, acknowledged that the pension was likely a major issue for many of the 41 per cent who voted against the deal.

Many of the members were fighting to get the pensions back. Its a righteous fight," he said.

The CNN report mentioned that the members were urged by the union leadership to accept the latest offer, even though it was not majorly different from the one they rejected on October 23.

The union requested the members to lock in these gains and confidently declare victory, and warned members that another rejection could risk a regressive or lesser offer in the future.

Defining moment

IAM District 751 president Jon Holden said, This was a defining moment tonight. This is a victory. We stood strong, we stood tall, we won.

Advertisement

Holden further said, They achieved a lot, and were ready to move forward.

As per a report by CNN, when Holden was asked what prompted a positive vote after two previous rejections, he said: Members are ready, ready to come back. I look forward to getting them back to work.

US President Joe Biden congratulated both sides for coming together, noting that good contracts are key to growing the American economy from the middle out and the bottom up.

Boeigns reaction

The breakthrough represents a victory for Kelly Ortberg, who assumed the charge of Boeing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) three months ago and now he will be able to move forward with plans to rebuild the companys culture and improve the quality of work in its factories.

Advertisement

Ortberg assumed the post Boeing CEO at the time when the company was already reeling from a near-catastrophic accident in January that upended its production, finances and senior management.

In a message to his employees, Ortberg praised the agreement and said, While the past few months have been difficult for all of us, we are all part of the same team. We will only move forward by listening and working together. There is much work ahead to return to the excellence that made Boeing an iconic company, he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Holden pledged to work with Ortberg. Hes new, hes got a lot to learn, but the union is open and available to help its members get back up to speed.

Advertisement

I hear a lot of good things about his ability around operations and engineering. Thats a great thing for the company, he said.

Labours loss

As per the estimates from Anderson Economic Group, a Michigan-based research firm, the striking workers lost over $600 million in combined wages, but the cost to Boeign was way too high. Boeings losses through the end of the last week was at 6.5 billion.

The overall cost to the US economy has topped $11.5 billion.

With inputs from agencies.
The presidential election outcome will play an important role in determining how easily the winner of Tuesdays U.S. presidential election will govern until the next congressional elections in 2026. read more

The control of Congress is at stake on Tuesday in elections with both the House and Senate potentially flipping parties. If the Republicans reclaim the Senate from the Democrats slim 51-49 majority, it could shift the legislative balance in favour of Donald Trumps party, said Nonpartisan analysts.

At the same time, Democrats could gain control of the House by flipping just four seats to take back control of the 435-seat chamber.

Catch all updates on US presidential election in our live coverage

Advertisement

These results are critical for the next US president, elected in Tuesdays race between Trump and Kamala Harris, as they will influence legislative power until the 2026 congressional elections. Key Senate outcomes are expected from seven tight races, while fewer than 40 House seats are considered highly competitive.

Its incredibly close, said Erin Covey, who analyzes House races for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.

Voters do not seem to be indicating a clear preference for either party. An October Reuters/Ipsos poll found 43% of registered voters would back the Republican candidate in their district, while 43% would back the Democratic candidate.

Democrats are playing defense as they try to retain their hold on the Senate, whose members serve six-year terms.

Republicans only need to gain two seats to win control of the chamber, and they are expected to easily pick up one of those seats with a victory in West Virginia, where Joe Manchin, a Democrat-turned-independent, is retiring. The states popular governor, Jim Justice, is forecast to easily capture Manchins seat.

Republicans could secure their majority with a victory in Montana, where Democrat Jon Tester faces a difficult reelection battle, or Ohio, where Democrat Sherrod Brown likewise is locked in a close race.

Republicans stand a chance to widen their Senate majority further if they win races in several competitive Midwestern states. That would allow them to block many of Harris initiatives and personnel appointments if she were to win the White House, or help Trump deliver on his promised tax cuts if he wins. But they are unlikely to end up with the 60-vote majority needed to advance most legislation in the chamber.

Advertisement

In Nebraska, Republican Senator Deb Fischer faces a surprisingly strong challenge from an independent candidate, Dan Osborn, who has not said whether he would line up with Democrats in the Senate if he were to win. Republicans were also playing defense in Texas, where Senator Ted Cruz faced a challenge from Democratic Representative Colin Allred, for a seat Republicans have held for three decades.

House up for grabs

The picture is less clear in the House, where Republicans hold a narrow 220-212 majority. Analysts say Democrats could easily pick up enough seats to win control of the chamber, though there are no signs of a wave election, akin to 2018 or 2010, that would result in a decisive shift in power.

Advertisement

With at least 200 seats safe for each party, the winning side will likely end up with a narrow majority that could make governing difficult. That has been evident in the past two years as Republican infighting has led to failed votes and leadership turmoil and undercut the partys efforts to cut spending and tighten immigration.

Tight races in the heavily Democratic states of New York and California could determine House control, though the final outcome may not be known for several days as California can take days to count ballots, and recounts and runoffs of close races can take weeks to resolve.

Advertisement

Two races in Virginia could give an early indication of how the battle might play out. A Republican victory in the 7th Congressional District, which includes a swath of Washington exurbs, could be a sign that the party has retained its appeal in competitive areas despite its struggles over the past two years. A Democratic victory in the 2nd District, centered on Virginia Beach, could signal that the party is poised for significant gains, the Cook Political Reports Covey said.

North Carolinas rural 1st District, currently held by Democrat Don Davis, could also serve as a bellwether race, she said.

Voters in Delaware are expected to elect the first transgender member of Congress, as Democrat Sarah McBride is poised to win the states sole House seat. McBride is running for a seat vacated by Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester, who is running for a Senate seat.

Advertisement

Blunt Rochester could also make history  if she wins her race and fellow Democrat Angela Alsobrooks also wins a more competitive U.S. Senate election in neighboring Maryland, they would be the first two Black women to serve simultaneously in that chamber.

With inputs from agencies.
The FBI did not elaborate on which states received the threats, though one official told Reuters that Georgia alone received more than two dozen, most of which occurred in Fulton County. read more

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, with Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, left, is photographed at a campaign stop at Famous 4th Street Delicatessen in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. Image- AP

Fake bomb threats have been made to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains, the FBI said on Tuesday.

None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far, it said in a statement. It did not identify the states.

At least two polling sites targeted by the hoax bomb threats in the election battleground state of Georgia were briefly evacuated on Tuesday.

Advertisement

Those two locations in Fulton County both re-opened after about 30 minutes, officials said, and the county is seeking a court order to extend the locations voting hours past the statewide 7 p.m. deadline.

Republican Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger blamed Russian interference for the Election Day bomb hoaxes.

Theyre up to mischief, it seems. They dont want us to have a smooth, fair and accurate election, and if they can get us to fight among ourselves, they can count that as a victory, Raffensperger told reporters.

The Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A senior official in Raffenspergers office, speaking on the condition of anonymity to speak freely, said the Georgia bomb hoaxes were sent from email addresses that had been used by Russians trying to interfere in previous U.S. elections.

The threats were sent to U.S. media and the two polling locations, the official said. Its a likelihood its Russia, the official said.

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump are locked in a tight race to win the White House. Opinion polls suggest the contest is too close to call.

Advertisement

The phony bomb threats mark the latest in a string of examples of alleged interference by the Russians in the 2024 election.

On Nov. 1, U.S. intelligence officials warned that Russian actors manufactured a video that falsely depicted Haitians illegally casting ballots in Georgia. Intelligence officials also found that the Russians created a separate phony video which falsely accused someone associated with the Harris presidential ticket of taking a bribe from an entertainer.

U.S. intelligence officials have also accused Russia of interfering in previous U.S. presidential elections, especially the 2016 race which Trump won against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

Intelligence agencies have assessed that Russia, which also interfered on Donald Trumps behalf in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, again prefers the Republican nominee and is likely to persist in its influence operations well after Election Day.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies.
Jamshid Sharmahd was sentenced to death, his execution was imminent, but he died before it could be carried out, said judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir in Tehran, without elaborating read more

Jamshid Sharmahd, an opposition activist, was sentenced to death in 2020 by the regime in Tehran on terror charges. He was executed on Monday. AFP File

Iran said Tuesday that Iranian-German national Jamshid Sharmahd, who had been sentenced to death on terror charges, died last week before his execution could be carried out.

Jamshid Sharmahd was sentenced to death, his execution was imminent, but he died before it could be carried out, judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir told reporters in Tehran, without elaborating.

On October 28, Iran announced the execution of the 69-year-old, who had been sentenced to death in February 2023 for the capital offence of corruption on Earth. The sentence was later confirmed by the supreme court.

Advertisement

Sharmahd had been convicted of playing a role in a 2008 mosque bombing in the southern city of Shiraz, in which 14 people were killed and 300 wounded.

His family said he was seized by Iranian authorities in 2020 while travelling through the United Arab Emirates.

Iran, which does not recognise dual citizenship, announced his arrest after a complex operation, without specifying when, where or how he was seized.

Sharmahd was also accused of leading the Tondar group, which aims to topple the Islamic republic. Iran classes it as a terrorist organisation.

Germany condemned Iran after his execution was announced, with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock saying it showed an inhumane regime rules in Tehran.

Baerbock later announced three Iranian consulates in Germany would be shuttered as a result - a move that triggered a strong protest from the Islamic republic.

Jahangir said Irans judicial system tried Sharmahd as an Iranian for the terrorist actions that he committed.

Even if he was not Iranian and had committed crimes in Iran, according to the laws and regulations, we had the right to address his crimes, he added.
The campaigns of both Republican leader Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris have actively sought to win the support of Hindu voters. read more

Hindu Americans have become a crucial voting bloc for both Republicans and Democrats as the US presidential race narrows, with both campaigns making targeted efforts to win their support. The campaigns of Republican Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris have both actively engaged with Hindu voters, recognizing their influence in key battleground states.

In a notable outreach effort, President Joe Biden hosted the largest Diwali celebration ever held at the White House, inviting approximately 600 prominent Indian Americans from across the nation. This event underscores the growing importance of Hindu American voters, with both parties aiming to capture their support in this closely contested election.

Advertisement

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is the running mate of Vice President Harris, went to a Hindu temple in the battleground state of Pennsylvania to celebrate Diwali.

For the first time, a vice-presidential candidate has visited a Hindu temple, a move that energised a significant portion of the Hindu community in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania.

From the Republican side, Trump issued a lengthy statement on Truth Social and X in which he commented on the attacks on the Hindus in Bangladesh, an issue close to the hearts of Hindu Americans. He also talked about protecting the rights of the Hindu community in the US and globally, a move that was welcomed by Hindu Americans.

Insiders from both campaigns, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said this was part of their effort to get the Hindu votes in some of the key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina.

Mid-level leaders of the two campaigns also made visits to temples and other religious places of the community in the last week of the campaign.

Both the campaign insiders noted that in a closely contested race, Hindus can be the margin of victory.

With inputs from agencies.
Election Day voting was underway across much of the U.S. on Tuesday morning after tens of millions of Americans had already cast their ballots. Those early votes included record numbers in Georgia, North Carolina and other battleground states that could decide the winner. read more

Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance cast his ballot in person this morning at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Cincinnati. Arriving with his wife Usha and their children, Vance expressed gratitude to the supporters present, emphasising the importance of this great tradition in American democracy.

I feel good, you never know until you know, but I feel good about this race, Vance said.

Vance said that in a race this closely contested, at least half of the country would inevitably be disappointed, regardless of the outcome. I think my attitude is the best way to heal the rift in the country is to try to govern the country as well as we can, create as much prosperity as we can for the American people and remind our fellow Americans that we are all fundamentally on the same team, no matter how you voted, Vance was quoted by CNN as saying.

Advertisement

Vance expressed his hope that voters would support Donald J. Trump, but assured those who might disagree with him that he would still treat them as fellow citizens.

He said that if elected vice president, he would work hard to support their dreams and families over the next four years. Although he hadnt spoken to Trump that day, Vance planned to watch the election results with him in Palm Beach later that evening. He conveyed his gratitude for the opportunity to campaign for the vice presidency, calling it a testament to the greatness of the United States.

The early turnout in Georgia, which has flipped between the Republican and Democratic nominees in the previous two presidential elections, has been so robust  over 4 million voters  that a top official in the secretary of states office said the big day could look like a ghost town at the polls.

As of Monday, Associated Press tracking of advance voting nationwide showed roughly 82 million ballots already cast  slightly more than half the total number of votes in the presidential election four years earlier. Thats driven partly by Republican voters, who were casting early ballots at a higher rate than in recent previous elections after a campaign by former President Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee to counter the Democrats longstanding advantage in the early vote.

Advertisement

Voters on Tuesday morning were streaming enthusiastically to the polls, even huddling under umbrellas in the rain as they lined up to cast their ballots in Houston and Omaha, Nebraska. Forecasters said voters in Colorado and Montana might see snow later in the day.

In the first hours of voting, some isolated reports emerged of hiccups common to every Election Day, including delays in getting e-pollbooks up and running in Louisville, Kentucky, and a power outage requiring the use of a generator at a polling location in St. Louis.

In Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas in swing state Pennsylvania, two polling places faced delays opening when election judges did not arrive or showed up late. Allegheny County officials said one of the sites was up and running, and the other would be soon.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies.
Chinese and Indian troops were deployed along with LoC in distances which were extremely concerning, priority has been finding the ways to separate the troopsalso resuming patrolthe disengagement chapter has been donethe part which awaits us is de-escalation which is the build-up of forces along LoC, said Jaishankar at an event in Australia read more

Days after India and China concluded troop withdrawal along the LAC near Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that with the disengagement chapter completed across contested zones, the focus will now shift to de-escalation, which involves a significant reduction of troops along the border.

Speaking in Canberra, Australia during the inaugural session of Raising down under 2024, Jaishankar said, What we negotiated on October 21 was the last set of disengagement agreements, which essentially means after the summer of 2020, Chinese and Indian troops were deployed along with LoC in distances which were extremely concerning, priority has been finding the ways to separate the troopsalso resuming patrolthe disengagement chapter has been donethe part which awaits us is de-escalation which is the build-up of forces along LoC.

Advertisement

#WATCH | Canberra, Australia: On disengagement between India & China in Depsang & Demchok and the relation between the two countries, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, " What we negotiated on October 21 was the last set of disengagement agreements, which essentially means after the pic.twitter.com/wDMPYZjD5C  ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2024

Jaishankar highlighted the complexities of the relationship between India and China, acknowledging the challenges posed by the two most populous countries in the world rising simultaneously on the global stage.

At the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, what was agreed was that Foreign Minister and National Security Advisor would meet their counterpartshow do we actually see this relation is thatit is quite a challenge because you have two most populous countries in the world, both of whom have been rising, in a broadly parallel time frame, added Jaishankar.

Jaishankar said focus would be on finding a balance at the border areas while also managing broader concerns, including the evolving influence and activities of both nations on the world stage.

How do you establish an equilibrium between yourselves at the border areas, and how do you establish a working relationship on other issues? These are complex questions that require careful thought and management, Jaishankar said, emphasising the need for careful diplomacy in navigating these challenges.

Advertisement

He further acknowledged that as both countries continue to rise, their new expressions of influence could potentially come into contact, making the relationship even more intricate.

Earlier on Sunday, speaking to the Indian community in Brisbane, Jaishankar welcomed the recent progress made along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), saying it could pave the way for further positive steps in the India-China relationship.

Jaishankar also referenced a recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Russia, where both leaders outlined plans for further discussions, involving Indias National Security Advisor and Foreign Ministry.

So thats where things are, Jaishankar said, adding that the disengagement opens up the possibility that other steps could happen.

Advertisement

Reflecting on the overall state of bilateral relations, Jaishankar acknowledged the strain in the past, stating, Our relations were very, very disturbed for reasons all of you know. We have made some progress in what we call disengagement, which is when troops were very close to each other, with the possibility that could lead to some untoward incident.

With inputs from agencies
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit China from Friday to Sunday as he steps out for his first foreign tour after assuming office on October 20 read more

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit China this week, Beijing and Jakarta said Tuesday, on his first foreign tour as he seeks a more prominent position for Jakarta on the world stage.

The 73-year-old ex-generals state visit will take place from Friday to Sunday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement.

Prabowo was sworn in on October 20, pledging to stick to Jakartas traditionally non-aligned foreign policy while making the worlds fourth-most populous nation more active abroad.

Advertisement

Confirming that the visit (to China) will be held on 8-10 November, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Roy Soemirat told AFP.

Beijing and Jakarta are key economic allies, but the worlds largest archipelago nation is trying to stop foreign vessels from fishing in its waters, saying it costs the economy billions of dollars annually.

Last month, Indonesia drove a Chinese coast guard ship from contested waters in the South China Sea three times.

Chinese vessels have occasionally entered Indonesia-claimed areas of the North Natuna Sea at the southern edge of the South China Sea, drawing protests from Jakarta.

The incidents are an early test for newly inaugurated Prabowo, who has pledged to bolster the defense of Indonesian territory.

In 2020, Indonesia deployed fighter jets and warships to patrol the Natuna islands waters in a spat with Beijing after Chinese vessels entered the area.

On his first planned foreign visits since taking power, Prabowo will also travel to Peru and Brazil for APEC and G20 summits, the foreign ministry has said.

He is also expected to go to the United States and Britain, newspaper Kompas reported last month, citing presidential palace sources.

After his February election win, Prabowo used his eight-month transition period to visit more than a dozen countries  including China  to showcase a more active foreign policy than his predecessor Joko Widodo, who focused more on domestic issues like the economy.

Advertisement

Indonesia has long maintained a neutral foreign policy and refuses to take sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict or US-China rivalry, but Prabowo has called for stronger ties with Moscow despite Western pressure on Jakarta.

Indonesia and Russia kicked off their first joint naval drills on Monday.

(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Irans military killed eight jihadists and arrested 14 in response to an attack by the Pakistan-based Jaish al-Adl group that killed 10 policemen in Sistan-Baluchistan on October 26 read more

Irans military has killed eight jihadists in an operation in the restive southeast since a deadly attack last month on a police station, state media reported Tuesday.

Jihadists from the Pakistan-based Jaish al-Adl group killed 10 police officers during a raid on October 26 in Sistan-Baluchistan province - one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent months.

Sistan-Baluchistan, which straddles the border with Afghanistan and Pakistan, is one of Irans most impoverished provinces.

Advertisement

It has long been a flashpoint for cross-border attacks by separatists and Sunni extremists, opposed to the authorities in Shiite-majority Iran.

Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Shafahi said a total of eight terrorists have been killed since the beginning of operations in the province, according to the official IRNA news agency on Tuesday.

Fourteen other terrorists have been arrested, including key figures involved in the attack, he said, adding security forces seized weapons and ammunition.

Shortly after the attack in Taftan county, some 1,200 kilometres (745 miles) southeast of the capital Tehran, a report on the Tasnim news agency said four jihadists had been killed and four others arrested.

Late on Monday, IRNA quoted Guards ground forces commander Mohammad Pakpour as saying the attackers were not Iranian, though he did not specify their nationalities.

In early October, at least six people including police officers were killed in two separate attacks in the province.

Jaish al-Adl said on Telegram they had carried out the attacks.

Formed in 2012 by Baluch separatists, the group is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by both Iran and the United States.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the vandalism of a Hindu temple in Canada was deeply concerning. He slammed Justin Trudeau-led country of providing political space to extremists and also of developing pattern of making allegations without giving specifics read more

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the vandalism of Hindu temples in Canada deeply concerning. Source: X | @DrSJaishankar

The recent attack at Hindu Sabha Temple in Canadas Brampton near Toronto by some pro-Khalistanis was deeply concerning, said External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar.

The attack on the Hindu temple came amid escalating diplomatic row between India and Canada.

Deeply concerning

What happened yesterday (October 3) at the Hindu temple in Canada was obviously deeply concerning, Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to Australia, said.

Videos of violence from outside the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton showed protesters with Khalistani flags throwing punches on others, including women and children, and hitting some with flagpoles.

Advertisement

Also Read: Video | In Canada temple, Hindus, including women, kids, beaten by Khalistanis; lawmakers say completely unacceptable

Allegations without providing specifics

Hitting out at Canada, Jaishankar said that the country has developed a pattern of making allegations against India without furnishing any details or proof.

Canada has developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics, Jaishankar said after the conclusion of the 15th India - Australia Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra.

Political space given to extremists in Canada

Jaishankar further hinted that the diplomatic ties between India and Canada touched a new low due to violent separatist activities.

The political space today, which is being given to extremists forces, he emphasised.

We believe in freedom. We also believe that freedom should not be misused, the minister said.

Indian diplomats put under surveillance by Canada unacceptable

Jaishankar also said that it was unacceptable that Indian diplomats had been placed under surveillance by Canada.

When we look at Canada, for us, the fact that they are putting diplomats under surveillance is something which is unacceptable, Jaishankar said.

Advertisement

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada and also criticised cowardly attempts to intimidate Indian diplomats in that country.

Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law, the prime minister said in a post on X.

Also Read: Strongly condemn deliberate act: PM Modi calls for justice after Canada Hindu temple attack

Advertisement

Moments before PM Modis condemnation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian government condemns acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists, and called on its Canadian counterpart to ensure all places of worship are adequately protected.

We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday. We call on the government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said,

We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada. The outreach of our consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence, Jaiswal added.

Advertisement

Also Read: India condemns violence at Hindu Temple in Canadas Brampton, calls for protection of places of worship

Earlier on Monday, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa said that the violent disruption to the consular camp came despite an advance request for strong security measures, and that it feared for Indian citizens safety.

Also Read: India deeply disappointed with Canada after attack at Hindu Sabha Mandir camp in Brampton

Meanwhile, the Canadian Police, so far, have arrested three people in connection with the violence. Peel Regional Police said that the people were arrested in connection with assault with a weapon and assaulting a police officer.

Advertisement

Also, Sergeant Harinder Sohi, a Peel Regional Police officer in Canada, who was seen participating with the pro-Khalistani groups that attacked Hindus at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, has been suspended.

Also Read: Peel Police suspended after participating in protest at Brampton Hindu temple

Sohi was caught on camera holding a Khalistan flag, while others in the protest chanted anti-India slogans. Following the suspension, Sohi, an 18-year veteran of the force, reportedly received death threats on social media, prompting the Peel Regional Police Association to offer assistance and protection.

With inputs from agencies.
The patients will travel in a large convoy on Wednesday via the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel before flying to the United Arab Emirates and then a portion will travel to Romania, said WHO representative Rik Peeperkorn read more

A woman sits on a bed in a room of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, on August 25, 2024. AP File

A World Health Organization official has said that over 100 patients including children suffering from trauma injuries and chronic diseases will be evacuated from Gaza on Wednesday in a rare transfer out of the war-ravaged enclave.

These are ad hoc measures. What we have requested repeatedly is a sustained medevac (medical evacuation) outside of Gaza, Reuters quoted Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as saying.

He added that as many as 12,000 people were awaiting transfer.

Advertisement

The patients will travel in a large convoy on Wednesday via the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel before flying to the United Arab Emirates, he added, and then a portion will travel to Romania.

Meanwhile, Israeli strikes killed at least 30 people overnight in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials.

Strikes early Tuesday killed 10 people in the Gaza Strip, including four children and two women, and a strike late Monday on the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya killed at least 20 people, including eight women and six children.

More than 43,300 Palestinians have been killed in more than a year of war in Gaza, the authorities in Gaza say, and much of the territory has been reduced to ruins.

The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

With inputs from agencies
Republican lawmaker Michael McCaul accused the Biden administration of not enforcing export controls against Chinas SMIC, citing concerns about illegal chip production for Huawei that could boost Chinas AI capabilities read more

A top Republican lawmaker has accused the Biden administration of not doing enough to prevent Chinas Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) from strengthening the countrys chipmaking industry and military-industrial complex.

Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, urged US Commerce Department agents to visit SMICs facilities and check whether the company is illegally producing chips for Huawei, the sanctioned telecommunications company seen as a national champion within Chinas chip industry.

Advertisement

In a Nov. 4 letter seen by Reuters, McCaul described what he called growing bipartisan frustration that the Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) had not acted on reports of Huaweis efforts to evade US export controls.

There is growing evidence that SMIC is violating US export control laws, McCaul wrote to BIS under secretary Alan Estevez. If China is not willing to immediately agree to a comprehensive audit of all SMIC facilities and its books, McCaul said, BIS should pause all existing licenses for SMIC.

McCaul said SMICs breakthroughs - including its advanced chip in a Huawei smartphone, and expected production of over a million AI processors for Huawei - are a smoking gun for a violation and could help China surpass the US in artificial intelligence.

The Commerce Department said it had received McCauls letter and would respond through appropriate channels. Last week, in response to similar criticism, it said that no Commerce Department had been tougher on China.

SMIC did not immediately respond to requests for comment, nor did Huawei.

The Chinese embassy in Washington said in a statement that certain US politicians were overstretching the concept of national security and politicizing science and technology and economic and trade issues.

SMIC was added to the Commerce Departments restricted trade list in 2020 for alleged ties to the Chinese military industrial complex. A year earlier, Huawei was placed on the list after alleged sanctions violations. Both companies have previously denied wrongdoing.

Advertisement

Being on the Entity List, as its called, usually bars US shipments to targeted firms. But when the Trump administration added Huawei and SMIC, their rules allowed exporters to get licenses to ship billions of dollars in U.S. goods and technology to them.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
South Africa and Britain have agreed to strengthen trade, defence cooperation, and economic development, focusing on agricultural job growth and counter-terrorism efforts read more

South Africa and Britain have agreed to boost trade and defence cooperation, the two countries foreign ministers said after meeting on Tuesday.

South Africa is already Britains biggest trading partner on the African continent and Britain is among the top five destinations for South African exports, which include precious metals, cars and agricultural products.

Bilateral trade between the two countries totalled about 133 billion rand ($7.62 billion) last year, according to South African Revenue Service data.

Advertisement

Weve committed to a UK-South Africa growth plan that will drive economic development and deepen our trade and investment ties, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said, speaking alongside his South African counterpart Ronald Lamola.

He did not give details about the plan, although his office had said it would include a programme to increase the number of agricultural jobs in rural South Africa, boosting exports to Britain.

Lamola said ahead of the meeting that the countries trade and investment relationship had stagnated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges and that it needed a reset.

I am pleased that we have reaffirmed the importance and the strength of our bilateral trade and investment relationship, he said.

On defence, the two countries committed to deepen their cooperation on counter-terrorism and also discussed their shared goals for a just energy transition, Lammy said.

Lammy, who is on his first official visit to Africa as foreign secretary, visited Nigeria on Monday where he also agreed to strengthen economic and security ties.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Spain PM said the government plans to spend as much as 838 million euros in direct cash handouts to people affected by the floods that left 217 dead last week in the worst such disaster in Spains modern history. read more

A person walks through a street with piled furniture and rubbish on the sides, in an area affected by floods in Paiporta, Valencia, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.- AP

Spain has earmarked 10.6 billion euros ($11.55 billion) in loans and grants to help the victims of the flash floods that hit the eastern coast of the country around Valencia last week, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday.

Sanchez said the government plans to spend as much as 838 million euros in direct cash handouts to people affected by the floods that left 217 dead last week in the worst such disaster in Spains modern history.

Advertisement

The governments credit agency ICO will guarantee as much as 5 billion euros in loans to small and medium companies, self-employed people and families to finance reconstruction efforts.

Further funds will be dedicated to providing those affected with tax and benefit payment holidays, as well as payments for replacement of property and repairs to roads and railways.

The government has deployed 14,898 police officers and soldiers in the areas hit by flash floods, he added. He also said that 14,898 police officers and soldiers have been deployed in the areas hit by flash floods last week.

At least 218 have been confirmed dead after a deluge caused by heavy rains late on Oct. 29 and the next morning swamped entire communities, mostly in Spains Valencia region, catching most off guard. Regional authorities have been heavily criticized for having issued alerts to mobile phones some two hours after the disaster had started.

Authorities have yet to any give an estimate of the missing seven days on. Spanish state broadcaster RTVE, however, shows a steady stream of appeals by people who are searching for family members who are not accounted for.

Street after street in town after town is still covered with thick brown mud and mounds of ruined belongings, clumps of rotting vegetation, and wrecked vehicles. A stench arises from the muck.

Advertisement

In many places, people still face shortages of basic goods, and lines form at impromptu emergency kitchens and stands handing out food. Water is running again but authorities say it is not fit for drinking.

The ground floors of thousands of homes have been ruined. It is feared that inside some of the vehicles that the water washed away or trapped in underground garages there could be bodies waiting to be recovered.

Thousands of soldiers are working with firefighters and police reinforcements in the immense emergency response. Officers and troops are searching in destroyed homes, the countless cars strewn across highways, streets, or lodged in the mud in canals and gorges.

Advertisement

Authorities are worried about other health problems caused by the aftermath of the deadliest natural disaster in Spains recent history. They have urged people to get tetanus shots and to treat any wounds to prevent infections and to clean the mud from their skin. Many people wear face masks.

Thousands of volunteers are helping out, filling the void left by authorities. But the frustration over the crisis management boiled over on Sunday when a crowd in hard-hit Paiporta hurled mud and other objects at Spains royals, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and regional officials when they made their first visit to the epicenter of the flood damage.

Advertisement

Sanchezs national government is set to announce a new package of relief on Tuesday.

With inputs from agencies.
Ukraines defence minister has told the South Korean state broadcaster that the Ukrainian soldiers have had their first engagement with the North Korean troops sent to aid the Russian forces read more

Ukraine has confirmed that its soldiers engaged in the first battle with North Korean troops that was reportedly sent by its leader Kim Jong Un to aid Russian forces in the ongoing war. South Koreas public broadcaster KBS quoted Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Tuesday as saying this.

Umerov reportedly confirmed that the Ukrainian military has engaged for the first time with North Korean troops in an interview with KBS. He said that a small-scale engagement took place on Monday.

Advertisement

Umerov did not give much details about when and where the fighting took place. The defence minister, however, said about 3,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed in the northeast, east and southeast locations on a 1,500-km-long front line.

He reportedly also said the military engagement could be considered as the official entry of North Korean in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Meanwhile, South Koreas defence ministry said that more than 10,000 North Korean troops have arrived in Russia to support its war against Ukraine, with a significant number in the frontline areas including Kursk.

The remarks came hours after the Pentagon said that there were at least 10,000 North Korean soldiers in Kursk, near the Ukraine border, but could not corroborate reports that they were engaged in combat.

Ukraines intelligence agency has also said that about 12,000 North Korean troops, including 500 officers and three generals, were already in Russia, with training taking place at five military bases.

We understand that more than 10,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, and a significant number of them have moved to the frontline areas including Kursk, Jeon Ha-kyou, a spokesperson for Seouls defence ministry, told a briefing, citing intelligence authorities.

Advertisement

But Jeon said he had no information when asked whether the North Koreans were engaged in combat, and about a South Korean media report citing an unnamed government official that as many as 40 North Korean troops had been killed on the battlefield.

(With inputs from agencies)
After months of frantic campaigning, the race between former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris all comes down to voters going to the polls today. However, many people think Trump will prematurely declare victory and try to overturn the results of the election if he loses. But can the former president actually challenge the results? Heres a look at his options read more

Its D-Day.

After months of frantic campaigning, the race between former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris all comes down to today.

Around 78 million people in the US have already voted early and tens of millions more will cast their ballots today as voters across America go the polls.

Due to the way ballots are counted in certain states, it is unlikely that we will know the winner of the polls immediately.

Advertisement

However, many people think Trump, regardless of the results, will prematurely declare victory  just like he did in 2020 even as the results remained unclear.

But can the former president actually challenge the results of the US election if he loses?

Lets take a closer look:

Claims of fraud and conspiracies

Trump will likely cry voter fraud and tout conspiracies to try to overturn a defeat.

Republicans and Democrats expect that vote counting could drag on for several days after November 5 as mail-in ballots are tabulated and other votes are tallied and verified.

If it appears Trump is losing, the delay will give him an opportunity to claim fraud and attempt to undermine confidence in election officials, while also possibly encouraging his supporters to protest.

He has already threatened to jail election workers and other public officials for unscrupulous behaviour, although he would need to win the election first.

Trump and his allies have spent the past few months priming his supporters for just such an eventuality.

The former president has time and time again remarked that he can only lose if the election is rigged.

If I lose - Ill tell you what, its possible. Because they cheat. Thats the only way were gonna lose, because they cheat," Trump said at a Michigan rally in September.

Advertisement

Trump can take his case directly to the American public without waiting for proof, using social media, press conferences and interviews.

If the fraud theme of 2020 was: Covid is allowing ineligible people to vote or ballots to be manipulated, the 2024 theme seems to be illegals are voting, and that fits in very much with the kind of nativist anti-immigrant language coming from the top of the Republican ticket, Richard Hasen, an election law expert at the University of California, Los Angeles, told The Guardian in October.

This is sowing the seeds for attempts to overturn an election, said Kyle Miller, a strategist with the advocacy group Protect Democracy. We saw it in 2020, and I think the lesson Trump and his allies have learned since is that they have to sow these ideas early.

Advertisement

In 2020, Trump declared himself the winner in the early morning hours after Election Day, three days before the first television networks made a call. He ultimately lost to his then Democratic opponent Joe Biden. He has never accepted the result and continues to falsely assert that it was stolen from him through widespread fraud.

Flood of lawsuits

The Trump campaign and the GOP are also set to file an avalanche of lawsuits challenging the election results.

After Trump lost the 2020 election, he and his allies attempted to overturn the result through dozens of lawsuits that ultimately failed to alter or delay the vote count.

Republicans have already preemptively filed more than 100 lawsuits in the battleground states that will decide the election to seed the ground for post-election challenges, including claiming, without evidence, that non-citizens will be voting in large numbers.

Advertisement

The underlying claims in the suits are based on totally unreliable data, shoddy methodology, and basically the claims are garbage, Ben Berwick, a lawyer at the watchdog group Protect Democracy, told The Guardian. They are also, in this case, brought by election deniers, in an attempt to spread a false narrative to mislead the public and undermine confidence in elections.

Creating chaos

The Electoral College, the United States unique method of choosing a president, rooted in the Constitution enacted in 1789, gives Trump an opportunity to seek to undermine election results at the local, state and national level.

As they did in 2020, Trumps allies in key states, local election officials, state lawmakers and perhaps judges, could seek to delay certification, the confirmation of a states official tally, through claims of fraud.

Trump also famously pressured officials in Georgia to find more votes for him.

Advertisement

All states must submit their certified totals before the Electoral College meets in December and electors cast their votes. That vote is then delivered to Congress for final certification in January.

Trump-inspired court challenges and certification delays could cause a state to miss the filing deadline. That could provide grist for Republican objections in Congress.

Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 in a failed effort to stop his vice president, Mike Pence, from certifying Bidens victory.

Rioters at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington. AP

Some fear a repeat of that incident.

Paul Beck, Academy Professor of Political Science at The Ohio State University, told Reuters, If Trump is defeated, he will not accept the result and will do everything he can try to prevent that count on, I think its January 5. This year where they are certifying the presidential electoral votes.

Some election law experts caution that it is difficult to predict how novel legal disputes over certification might be resolved, especially if they are handled by judges sympathetic to Trumps claims.

What do experts say?

That Trump and his allies are far more prepared this time.

The effort to try to subvert the outcome is more thought-out, more strategic, more organised, more coordinated in 2020, Sean Morales-Doyle, director of the voting rights program at the Brennan Center for Justice, told The Guardian.

However, there are key differences now as compared to 2020.

For one, Trump is no longer the sitting president  and thus no longer has control over the levers of power.

The difference between 2020 and 2024 is that he is not the president. He doesnt have the kind of levers of power that he was fully able to exercise to try to prevent a Biden victory in the electoral college. He will do that again but not from the kind of position of power that he had in 2020 and early 2020, Beck said.

And new state and federal laws have been put in place to make it more difficult to influence election results.

It is also important to know that Trumps efforts at overturning the election failed last time.

Election law experts say the laws in those key states are clear that local officials lack the power to throw out ballots or derail the process.

Congress has also taken steps to avoid a repeat of 2020.

It passed a reform law known as the Electoral Count Reform Act which makes it more difficult for candidate to mount the kind of challenge Trump attempted.

It makes clear that the vice president, who in this case would be Harris, has no authority to delay national certification or throw out a states results, as Trump urged Pence to do in 2020.

The measure also requires that an objection to a states electoral count cannot be brought unless one-fifth of the members of each house of Congress agrees. After that, it takes a majority vote in each house for an objection to be found valid.

The dome of the US Capitol building is seen in Washington, on September 26. Reuters

In the unlikely result that enough electoral votes are tossed so that neither candidate reaches the necessary majority, the newly elected US House of Representatives would choose the next president.

Any effort by Trump to suggest the election was rigged could potentially lead to civil unrest, as it did on January 6, 2021.

Experts who monitor militant right-wing groups, such as Peter Montgomery of the People For the American Way, a liberal think tank, say they are less concerned about a violent response from these groups than they are about threats against election workers counting votes. There also could be violent demonstrations in the capitals of battleground states, Montgomery said.

Hundreds of people who were involved in the January 6 attack on the Capitol have been convicted and jailed for their actions, a powerful deterrent to others who may be considering taking similar actions.

Democrats say they are prepared

Democrats are readying a rapid-fire response to flood social media and the airwaves with calls for calm and patience with vote-counting should Donald Trump try to prematurely claim election victory, as he did in 2020, Harris campaign and party officials have said.

We are sadly ready if he does and, if we know that he is actually manipulating the press and attempting to manipulate the consensus of the American people  we are prepared to respond, Harris said in an interview with ABC on Wednesday.

She gave no details of those preparations, but six Democratic Party and Harris campaign officials said the initial fight against any early Trump victory claim would take place in the court of public opinion. They plan to flood social media and television airwaves with demands that all votes be counted before victories are declared.

As soon as he (Trump) falsely declares victory, were ready to get up on TV and provide the truth and tap a broad network of people who can use their influence to push back, a top official with the Democratic National Committee said in an interview.

A senior Harris campaign official said in a conference call with reporters on Friday they fully expect that Trump will falsely claim victory on Tuesday night, before all the votes are fully counted.

He did this before it failed. If he does it again, it will fail, the official said.

With inputs from agencies

Get all the latest updates of US Elections 2024
As US heads to vote, claims of widespread voting fraud resurface, echoing allegations from 2020. These range from tales of ballot dumps to supposed cases of deceased voters casting ballots, yet no evidence has shown such fraud impacted past election results. While social media continues to amplify these stories, election officials and audits across states consistently find these claims baseless read more

A view of a locked ballot box in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, US, November 4, 2024. File Image/Reuters

The 2020 US Presidential Election saw an unprecedented wave of claims alleging voting fraud.

As another Election Day approaches for the 2024 US presidential elections, many of these falsehoods are resurfacing, raising concerns over the accuracy of electoral processes.

2024 voter fraud claims echo a repeat of 2020

In 2020, then-US President Donald Trump prematurely declared victory on election night, asserting, We already have won. This statement came at 2:21 am (local time) on November 4, hours after polls had closed and with ballots still being counted across various states.

It wasnt until November 7 that The Associated Press declared Joe Biden the projected winner, based on unofficial but clear results. Trumps statement encouraged widespread falsehoods, suggesting that ballots counted after election night were illegitimate.

Advertisement

In truth, states have procedures allowing ballot counting to continue for days after Election Day to ensure accuracy. State election officials, with oversight from the National Association of State Election Directors, were clear: the vote count must be completed, regardless of how long it takes.

In many states, the final results were delayed due to mail-in and absentee ballots, which took longer to process but were still part of the lawful process. Experts expect similar claims to reappear in 2024, as social media amplifies misinformation about delayed results.

A look at the types of claims and how true they are

Claims of voting by the deceased & noncitizens

One recurring falsehood is that thousands of deceased individuals have cast votes. In 2020, posts on X (formerly Twitter) claimed over 14,000 deceased people had voted in Wayne County, Michigan, with allegations suggesting these votes were predominantly for Democrats.

In reality, local election offices routinely update voter rolls using death records from state and federal sources to prevent such occurrences. Although rare cases exist of people fraudulently voting in deceased relatives names  such as a Republican in Nevada in 2020  such incidents are isolated and do not indicate widespread fraud.

Watch:

Claims that noncitizens have been lured to vote in US elections are similarly unfounded. Federal law bans noncitizens from participating in federal elections. Occasionally, noncitizens end up on voter rolls due to administrative errors during processes like acquiring a drivers license.

For instance, the largest case of noncitizen voting occurred in 2016 in North Carolina, where 19 noncitizens were prosecuted for voter fraud. However, with over 4.5 million ballots cast in North Carolinas 2016 election, these instances were statistically insignificant.

Ballot errors & voting machine glitches

Mistakes during voting or ballot processing are often misconstrued as deliberate fraud.

For example, a minor typo on some ballots in Palm Beach County, Florida, listed the candidate as Tom Walz instead of Tim Walz. County officials quickly addressed the issue, affecting only 257 overseas ballots, without impacting the overall count.

Advertisement

Additionally, technical issues at polling locations have led to similar misinterpretations. In 2020, a water leak in Atlantas State Farm Arena disrupted counting for two hours but did not damage ballots or machines.

Also Read: Elon Musk, X are at the centre of US election misinformation

Social media users inaccurately claimed this incident was used to illegally handle ballots. Georgia officials debunked this, clarifying that no unauthorised ballots were counted.

The narrative that voting machines flip votes between candidates is another persistent myth. Despite claims circulating since 2020 that machines have been programmed to change votes, extensive audits and investigations by election officials and third-party experts have found no evidence to support these allegations.

Advertisement

Kentuckys Republican Secretary of State, Michael Adams, wrote on X on November 2, Gentle reminder that vote-switching is fiction.

Gentle reminder that vote-switching is fiction: https://t.co/aShhB6SRGY  Michael Adams, KY Secretary of State (@KYSecState) November 2, 2024

Election officials explained that touchscreen calibration issues or voter error could lead to unintentional selections, which are easily remedied by reviewing and reprinting ballots.

Advertisement

Ballot dumps & late-night counting

Another frequent allegation involves ballot dumps  the idea that large batches of ballots are mysteriously added overnight to sway election results. Trumps 2020 tweet claimed, Last night I was leading, often solidly, in many key StatesThen, one by one, they started to magically disappear as surprise ballot dumps were counted.

In reality, these late results were due to the timing of mail-in and absentee ballot processing, which state laws govern. Pennsylvania, for example, restricts processing mail ballots until Election Day, extending the count time. Similar procedures exist in several other states.

These shifts in results are common in close races, as votes from urban centers, which tend to favour Democrats, often arrive later in the counting process. Political science and election experts affirm that there is nothing unusual or illegal about these vote-counting timelines.

Is voter fraud practically possible?

One of the overarching narratives of the 2020 election was that large-scale fraud had altered the outcome.

Claims and social media images suggested mass manipulation, but experts stress that orchestrating fraud on this level is virtually impossible.

Advertisement

Also Read: Ballot boxes destroyed in US days before Election Day

The conservative Heritage Foundations database, which tracks voter fraud cases, reports only about 1,300 convictions for fraud across multiple election cycles out of billions of ballots cast.

For fraud to affect the outcome, thousands of illegal votes would need to be coordinated across battleground states, requiring hundreds, if not thousands, of people to collaborate while risking serious penalties.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
Ahead of Election Day (November 5), a whopping 81 million Americans have cast their ballot for the presidential polls, courtesy of early voting. This years numbers, however, are far lower than 2020s record. Experts find that a significant number of Republicans have opted for early voting, which could favour Donald Trump over Kamala Harris read more

People mark their ballots at the polling place at Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library in Falls Church, Virginia as part of early voting. AP

Today (November 5) is the day. Thousands of Americans will line up at polling booths across the country to cast their vote and decide if they want a Kamala Harris or Donald Trump presidency. However, even as millions prepare to cast their vote today, there are millions of others who have already cast their ballots, courtesy US early voting.

US early voting is carried out in two ways  either by mail or in-person  and usually ends before Election Day.

Advertisement

As America gears up for Election Day, we take a closer look at why early voting is important and whether it can say anything about the outcome on Election Day.

What is early voting?

As the name suggests, early voting allows a person to cast their ballot for the US presidential elections before the actual day of voting, which is November 5 this time around. All states, barring Mississippi, New Hampshire and Alabama, offer voters the opportunity to cast their ballot ahead of Election Day.

In these places, voters can cast their vote ahead of the scheduled day. However, the counting of these votes begins on Election Day. In some states, officials are required to wait until polls are closed to begin counting.

A person walks past a sign during early voting in the general election in Fall River, Massachusetts. AP

The US also allows for absentee voting in which a voter requests a ballot ahead of time, which officials then send to them in the mail to fill out and return by mail. In some states, one has to provide a reason for wanting to cast an absentee vote. Also, American law mandates that absentee ballots be sent to military personnel and voters overseas.

What are the benefits of early voting?

Early voting is important as it allows for all registered voters to cast their ballots. It gives voice to each and every registered voter; early voting allows people who may have trouble voting on Election Day to cast their vote.

It can also boost voter enthusiasm. For instance, when celebrities like Taylor Swift support a candidate, it can encourage more people to vote early.

However, despite its advantages, early voting has been questioned in the recent past. During the 2020 presidential elections, former President Donald Trump levelled allegations that mail-in voting led to widespread fraud. While these claims have been debunked, they have raised questions about the security of the votes.

People wait in line outside a polling station at Palm Beach County Library during early voting in the presidential election in West Palm Beach, Florida. A whopping 81 million have already cast their vote, as per the University of Florida Election Lab. Reuters

How many people have already cast their vote this time?

This presidential election early voting in the US began in September and until Monday (November 4), a whopping 81 million have already cast their vote, as per the University of Florida Election Lab.

The exact number of early votes is 8,13,79,684  4,44,02,375 are in-person votes, whereas 3,69,77,311 are mail ballots returned.

It is important to note here that while this is a significant number, its far less than the votes in 2020. Four years ago, more than 110 million Americans voted early in person or by mail  roughly 70 per cent of everyone who voted in that election.

Advertisement

However, this years early voting is more than the total early votes cast in 2016 (47.2 million) or 2012 (46.2 million).

Two voters take a selfie after exiting the polling station in Stockbridge, Georgia. This years early voting is far less than 2020s record. AP

Some pollsters believe that the exact number of early voters this time will be around 50 per cent of all ballots cast in the election.

One particularly interesting trend has been seen this time around though. In some states, more voters have chosen to vote in person early than they did in 2020. For instance, the swing states of North Carolina and Georgia have seen record early voting participation, with totals in Georgia exceeding the 2020 figures.

Harris or Trump? Who does early voting benefit?

This time around, many Republican voters have made use of the early voting facility, unlike in previous years. Republican candidate and former US President Donald Trump encouraged more voters to avail of early voting, a major shift from messaging against pre-election voting in 2020.

Last presidential election, Republicans made up 30.5 per cent of total early votes cast in 20 states, compared to 44.8 per cent for Democrats. This was because Trump had alleged that mail voting was rife with corruption. However, this time around, its different. As per data provided by Catalist, in 27 states, registered Democrats have cast 37 per cent of pre-election ballots, while registered Republicans have cast 35 per cent.

Advertisement

A supporter of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump rallies outside an early polling precinct as voters cast their ballots in local, state, and national elections, in Clearwater, Florida. Reuters

Data shows that early voting among Republicans is higher in Nevada and North Carolina, two key swing states that will determine the election. They have also overtaken Democrats in Iowa and Florida, two states that historically tend to lean Republican, but more recently went blue. Arizona, another battleground state, sees Republicans lead once again with a margin of 41 per cent to 33 per cent.

This could spell trouble for Kamala Harris. Jim Messina, Barack Obamas former campaign manager, said that the early voting data could spell trouble for the vice president. On Sunday (November 3), during a television appearance, he said, The early vote numbers are a little scary.

Advertisement

Republicans didnt do what they did last time, Messina said. Last time, Trump said dont early vote, so they didnt. Republicans do have an advantage in early vote numbers. When the early votes come in, its going to look a little bit different than 2020, and thats scary, he said, adding that the numbers have caused my friends to call me panicking.

A campaign volunteer carries a Harris-Walz flag while waving to voters in line during early voting at the Orange County Supervisor of Elections precinct on Kaley Avenue in Orlando, Florida. AP

However, theres another trend from early voting that could benefit Kamala Harris. Nationally, 54 per cent of early votes cast have been by women, a group which is likely to support the Democratic candidate.

While it is still not clear who shall benefit from early voting, one thing is certain: the early voting indicates that this years overall turnout will be on par with 2020, which was the highest voter turnout by percentage in over 100 years.

Advertisement

Charles Stewart, director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys election data science lab, estimated that it could be as high as 160 million.

With inputs from agencies
In a decadeslong election tradition, New Hampshires Dixville Notch has become the first town in the United States to conclude voting read more

Town officials count the ballots after voters cast their ballots on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Dixville Notch, N.H. (Photo: AP)

In a gentle moment in an otherwise polarised election, a handful of voters and journalists became part of a decadeslong tradition in New Hampshire.

In a tradition dating to 1960s, New Hampshires Dixville Notch in the early hours of Tuesday became the first town to declare its result in the 2024 US presidential election. The town has a historical tradition of voting at midnight in the presidential election.

Catch all updates on US presidential election in our live coverage

Advertisement

Over the decades, Dixville Noth has often had more journalists than voters.

In the 2024 election, the town had six voters and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump tied with three votes each.

Among the towns six voters, four were Democrats and two were undeclared.

In the Republican primaries earlier this year, the town had unanimously voted for Nikki Haley, who later dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump.

In the 2020 election, the towns five voters had unanimously voted for President Joe Biden. In 2016, of the seven voters, four voted for Hillary Clinton, two for Trump, and for Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson.

What is Dixville Notchs tradition?

By tradition, all eligible voters gather in Dixville Notchs Balsams Hotel to cast their ballots at midnight as Election Day kicks in.

Soon after, ballots are counted and votes are announced. This time, the entire process was completed within 12 minutes, according to The New York Times.

The newspaper reported that the Dixville Notch, an unincorporated community, was made as a town for the sole purpose of turning the Balsams Hotel into a voting location.

Advertisement

While the move may have been intended as a public relations masterstroke as the then-owner Neil Tilotson was looking at free advertising, the town developed soon found itself a unique place in US electoral history. The town not just became the first to vote and declare its result but also became a reason to smile for many in times of polarising politics.

Over the years, journalists thronged to the hotel to be the first ones to file stories of votes cast and tallied in the country.

Even though the result is politically meaningless, Les Otten, one of the towns voters and the lead developer for the Balsams, told CNN that Dixville Notch teaches a civics lesson for the country.

Advertisement

If we can help people get out and understand that voting is an important part of their right as an American citizen, thats perhaps the key to what were doing, said Otten.

Separately, Otten told CNN, In our backyard, the system is going to work the way it was designed. Six people will vote. Their votes will be counted. And once its done, its done."

However, even amid the gentle mood, the polarised politics was not far. Otten said that he is a Republican but is voting for Harris because of Trump.

Nowhere in the Pledge of Allegiance does it say anything about pledging your allegiance to a person and I think at the end of the day, Trump has made it clear that you need to pledge allegiance to him, and he alone can fix this, and that is as anti-democratic as I can understand.

Advertisement
As voters headed to the polls on Tuesday, the Harris campaign said they were feeling good about early ballots in Pennsylvania and other key battleground states read more

As voters headed to the polls on Tuesday, the Harris campaign said they were feeling good about early ballots in Pennsylvania and other key battleground states.

Listen, we feel good about what were seeing in Pennsylvania and across the battleground states, The Hill quoted Harris-Walz communications director Michael Tyler as saying on Fox News when asked about early vote numbers in the Keystone State.

According to The Hill report, citing the latest early voting data from the University of Floridas Election Lab, nearly 1.8 million mail ballots have been cast in Pennsylvania.

Advertisement

Democrats make up roughly 56 per cent of those ballots, while Republicans make up around 33 per cent.

According to data from the previous cycle, in 2020, when 2.6 million mail ballots were returned in the state amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Democrats made up 65 per cent and Republicans made up 24 per cent, reported The Hill.

I think when you look at the early vote data, yes, there has been a mode shift because Republicans  they used to disparage early voting and claim it was fraud, Tyler was quoted as saying.

They have now embraced it and have encouraged their voters to do so. So youre seeing a little bit of a mode shift, Tyler added.

But he argued Democrats are hitting our benchmarks in states like Pennsylvania.

On the final day of her campaign before Election Day, Harris wrapped up with a whirlwind tour of Pennsylvania, delivering her closing message in Philadelphia and knocking on doors in a residential area of Reading, Pa.

Tyler emphasised that the campaign is not resting on our laurels, despite the growing optimism surrounding Pennsylvanias support.

Thats why over the weekend we were knocking on over three million doors across the battleground states, a billion and a half doors in Pennsylvania alone, 90,000 plus volunteers across the battleground states. And that is to hit our target voters, the voters who we know are going to be voting for Vice President Harris, Tyler was quoted as saying.

Advertisement

Millions of Americans headed towards polling stations on Tuesday to elect the 47th President of the US, capping one of the most bitter presidential campaigns in the countrys history.

Harris and Trump remained neck and neck in polls conducted by various media outlets.

The two leaders need at least 270 electoral votes to win. The battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are expected to be pivotal to the path to victory.

With inputs from agencies
Who will be the next American president? A diverse array of forecasters  from an established economist to AI tools and even the famed baby hippo, Moo Deng  have made their predictions. Only time will tell who got it right read more

Amid this high-stakes elections, a diverse array of forecastersranging from an established economist to advanced AI tools and even the whimsical predictions of the famed baby hippo, Moo Dengare offering their insights on who might emerge victorious. AP

As the 2024 US presidential election begins, the suspense surrounding the race between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and her Republican challenger Donald Trump is intensifying.

Amid this high-stakes scenario, a diverse array of forecastersranging from an established economist to advanced AI tools and even the whimsical predictions of the famed baby hippo, Moo Dengare offering their insights on who might emerge victorious.

Heres a look at what these varied voices have to say about the elections potential outcome.

Advertisement

The economists insight

Christophe Barraud, hailed as the worlds most accurate economist, has made a bold prediction: a Donald Trump victory alongside a Republican majority of Congress.

Drawing on insights from betting markets, polling, and financial trends, Barraud, who serves as Chief Economist at Market Securities Monaco, has identified a Republican clean sweep as the most likely outcome. He shared this forecast in a recent post on X.

 #USElection2024 | Looking at different metrics such as betting markets, polls, election modelers' forecasts, financial markets, as of now, the most probable outcomes are:



1 #Trump victory



2 #GOP clean sweep



*Polymarket: https://t.co/wHYuypGbPm



*Kalshi: pic.twitter.com/RV2DlCw9Ft  Christophe Barraud (@C_Barraud) October 28, 2024

Renowned for his consistent forecasting accuracy over the past 12 years, Barraud anticipates immediate economic gains if Trump returns to the White House. However, he cautions about potential long-term fiscal challenges, particularly concerning a growing deficit.

While Barraud is confident in Trumps chances, he also notes that a Kamala Harris victory would likely result in a divided Congress, perpetuating the current state of political gridlock.

Advertisement

Also read: Quicksplained: Who is Christophe Barraud, most accurate economist, predicting a Trump win in US polls?

Chat GPT and Googles Gemini

Taking on the mantle of AI Nostradamus, OpenAIs ChatGPT and Googles Gemini have offered their unique perspectivesor lack thereofon the US elections.

ChatGPT proposed a cryptic and poetic alternative. Rather than predicting a straightforward victory for either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, the AI suggested a that a dark horse would rise from the shadows to take power."

It added, But in the final hour, a twist unforeseen, neither may claim the throne of serene. A name unspoken in many a tale will rise to power, beyond the pale. Though Trump and Kamala shall fight with might, another will lead, emerging from the night."

Advertisement

Also read: A Trump presidency may mean trouble for ChatGPT & other woke AI models, thanks to Elon Musk

Googles Gemini AI avoided making any election-related predictions. When prompted, Gemini simply redirected users to a Google Search link, stating, I cant help with responses on elections and political figures right now.

The Nostradamus of US elections

Allan Litchman, known for his track record of poll predictions has predicted a win for Vice President Kamala Harris this election.



In an interview with NDTV, Lichtman said, Yes, we are going to have Kamala Harris, a new path-breaking president, the first woman president and the first president of mixed African and Asian descent. It is kind of foreshadowing where America is going. We are rapidly becoming a majority-minority country. Old white guys like me, we are on the decline."

Allan Lichtman is a Distinguished Professor of History at American University in Washington DC. Image/AU

Lichtmans prediction model is distinct in its approach, focusing on historical patterns rather than campaign strategies or demographic analyses. This model has accurately predicted the outcome of every presidential election since 1984, even in cases where his predictions contradicted popular opinion.

Also read: Exclusive: Nostradamus Allan Lichtman on how he uses 13 keys to predict US elections

Baby hippo Moo Deng

Moo Deng, the viral pygmy hippo from a Thailand zoo, has thrown its weight behind Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential race.

In a playful yet crucial test, the two-month-old hippo was called out of the water to make its prediction. Presented with two watermelons, each bearing the name of a candidate carved in the local language, Moo Deng rushed to the one with the Republican candidates name.

Advertisement

BABY HIPPO MOO DENG PICKS TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT  WATERMELON DOESNT LIE!



In a bold move, Thailands cutest political analyst, baby hippo Moo Deng, snubbed Kamala for a Trump-labeled watermelon at Khao Kheow Open Zoo.



This two-month-old bouncy pig didnt hesitate, chomping pic.twitter.com/zFRZG4si4w  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 4, 2024

Interestingly, another hippo, participating alongside Moo Deng, chose the watermelon marked for Kamala Harris.

The event quickly garnered attention online. A user humorously posted on X, This is the only poll that matters! Trump gets the W!!! Moo Deng has SPOKEN.

Advertisement

Animal election predictions have become a popular trend. Previously, a dog named Joy selected Donald Trump, while a squirrel named Gnocchi Jr predicted Kamala Harris as the winner.

Poll guru Nate Silver

Renowned pollster and statistician Nate Silver has announced his final prediction for the upcoming White House race, declaring it a pure toss-up."

In a recent Silver Bulletin, he suggested that former President Donald Trump holds a 51.5 per cent chance of victory, while Vice President Kamala Harris is close behind at 48.1 per cent. This assessment is informed by the latest battleground polls from Morning Consult and The New York Times.

According to the NYT/Sienna polls, Kamala Harris leads in four of the seven key swing states. However, the Morning Consult poll indicates a slight advantage for Trump, as he emerges ahead in three battleground areas.

Silver cautions, Now its important to note that polling error runs in both directions, and its pretty much impossible to predict which way it will go ahead of time. Harris could beat her polls or we could be in for a third Trump miss. But both scenarios have one thing in common: theyd turn election night into a relative blowout."

With input from agencies
Understanding how votes are counted is essential as America votes. The process begins once polls close, but counting doesnt end there  especially with mail-in, military, and provisional ballots needing thorough verification. Across 7,000 to 10,000 local jurisdictions, election officials work to verify voter eligibility, match signatures, and address any ballot discrepancies read more

A voter casts a ballot on Election Day at the Church of Our Savior in the Mount Auburn neighbourhood of Cincinnati. AP

Its Election Day in the United States and people are braving the cold and the rain to cast their ballot and decide between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

So far, voting has ended in a handful of states with the media already declaring the results for a few. As of now, Harris has become the latest Democrat to win Vermont, a party stronghold. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has won Indiana and Kentucky, both red states. The Associated Press (AP) has called Oklahoma, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee for Donald Trump, and Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut for Kamala Harris.

Advertisement

Notably, this years US election has involved familiar elements: a mix of in-person, mail-in, overseas, and provisional ballots, along with ongoing vigilance against misinformation about the elections legitimacy.

As counting continues, heres a better understanding of how votes are accurately counted and verified.

What to expect on November 5 & Election Night

On Election Day, polls across the country will close at different times, after which the initial counting begins. According to US election protocol, early results published on election night are provisional, reflecting only a portion of total votes cast.

These results will be updated as additional ballots, including mail-in and provisional ones, are processed.

Since each state has specific rules about when and how various ballots are counted, election results will unfold in stages over the following hours and days.

For instance, while some states can start processing mail-in ballots before Election Day, others wait until the day itself.

Ballots from overseas military personnel, particularly those serving in remote areas, are often accepted if postmarked by Election Day, allowing them to arrive later. For example, Washington state will include overseas military ballots received within 20 days post-election, provided they were sent before polls closed.

How are ballots in the US counted?

What is the role of local election officials?

The vote-counting process in US elections is conducted by approximately 7,000-10,000 local election officials nationwide. These officials, either elected or appointed, come from diverse backgrounds and prioritise nonpartisan commitment to the democratic process.

As Adrian Fontes, an election official in Maricopa County, Arizona, told Vox media, Were citizens very concerned with the health of our democracy, and we act in about as bipartisan or nonpartisan a way as anybody could.

Observers from each major political party are permitted to monitor vote counting, and states have rules for how and when they can intervene if issues arise. The integrity of the election process depends on these individuals commitment and the transparency of the process, allowing both public and partisan oversight.

Advertisement

What is the step-by-step ballot process?

The vote-counting process begins with election officials verifying all ballots. Election Day ballots are generally counted first, followed by early votes and mail-in ballots.

Challenged ballots (those with issues around voter eligibility) and overseas and provisional ballots are processed last.

Verification: Each precinct and early voting location confirms the number of voters and ballots available. Any discrepancies are investigated, documented, and resolved before forwarding them to the Canvass Board for review. Mail-In ballots: Officials ensure that each mail-in ballot is from a registered voter, was not duplicated, and is in its designated envelope. Signatures on mail-in ballots are compared with those on record, and any inconsistency is investigated. Utahs process, for example, includes closed-envelope verification to protect voter anonymity. Canvassing and Tabulation: Mail-in ballots, once verified, are typically scanned to record votes. In cases where the ballot has damage, such as stains or tears, election staff duplicate the vote onto a clean ballot to ensure accurate machine reading. These ballots are marked, tracked, and stored under strict supervision.

How are election results in the US certified?

The initial results reported by media on election night are provisional. Finalising and certifying results takes days or even weeks, depending on the states rules. Each step is carefully documented and monitored by bipartisan observers to ensure accuracy.

In most cases, results are certified once the Canvass Board reviews all ballots and confirms the tally, including information on rejected and provisional ballots. This process takes time and is critical to preventing errors in the final outcome.

In many elections, preliminary results are accurate enough to project winners confidently, but close contests may trigger a recount to confirm the results.

What challenges and risks are faced by the certification process in the US?

Since 2020, contested certifications have raised concerns. During the 2020 election, for instance, 17 county officials across six swing states tried unsuccessfully to prevent certification due to unverified claims of fraud.

The trend continued in 2022, with a nearly 30 per cent increase in delays at the county level in battleground states. In the first eight months of 2024, eight county officials have already delayed certification for special or primary elections, signalling the potential for similar disruptions this November.

Advertisement

If a county election board refuses to certify results, state certification can stall, delaying the official outcome. For example, in states like Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan, county boards consist of a mix of appointed and elected officials.

Also Read: Ballot boxes destroyed in US days before Election Day

When these boards refuse to certify results, court interventions or substitute certifications by state officials can be necessary to finalise counts.

Statewide certification ultimately rests on receiving certified tallies from all counties. In Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, the secretary of state is responsible for statewide certification.

Other states use a combination of officials like the governor and state supreme court justices. Legal measures  such as writs of mandamus or court orders  can be taken if an official refuses to certify results, though certification delays can increase uncertainty.

Advertisement

What about allegations around voter fraud?

Voter fraud remains extremely rare in the United States. The election process includes extensive verification steps designed to prevent fraudulent votes from entering the system.

US Election Assistance Commission (EAC) data reveals that isolated cases of fraud have minimal impact on election outcomes. Election officials regularly review each ballot to confirm its validity, ensuring votes cast by deceased individuals or fictional identities are removed from the final count.

Also Read: How claims of rigged voting machines in the US have left voters sceptical

To discourage fraud, federal law imposes severe penalties for violations, including fines and up to five years in prison. Cases of attempted fraud are investigated, and votes are invalidated if deemed illegitimate.

In the rare of cases of someone stealing a deceased persons identity to vote, the vote would be invalidated, and the perpetrator prosecuted.

Advertisement

What about recounts?

While election results typically remain consistent through rigourous counting procedures, close races may lead to recounts.

Recounts are especially significant in state-level or tightly contested races, with notable examples including Al Frankens 2008 Minnesota Senate win after a recount and Christine Gregoires victory in Washingtons 2004 gubernatorial race. However, recounts rarely alter results by more than a few hundred votes, underlining the accuracy of initial counts.

On Election Day and beyond, the US election systems integrity is protected by a carefully orchestrated sequence of verification, counting, canvassing, and certification.

When will the final result of the 2024 US presidential election be announced?

Election night results, as well as updates the following day and even in the weeks after, are all considered preliminary. Finalising and certifying election results typically takes days to weeks, depending on ballot volume and verification requirements in each state.

Only after every ballot is carefully processed, and any discrepancies resolved, can election officials certify the results.

For presidential elections, a joint session of Congress is required to officially count the Electoral College votes, ultimately declaring the president and vice president. This process ensures accuracy but can be time-intensive, as seen in past elections.

For example, the 2020 presidential election took weeks to certify in several states due to high numbers of mail-in ballots.

Here is a timeline of the electoral process for the 2024 US presidential election:

November 5, 2024  Election Day

Voters cast ballots, which determine which candidate will receive their states electoral votes. States appoint electors based on popular vote outcomes, selecting members of the winning party to act as electors.

By December 11, 2024  States issue certificates of ascertainment

Each state certifies the results and prepares seven Certificates of Ascertainment. One is sent to the US Archivist.

December 17, 2024  Electors vote in each state

Electors meet and vote for President and Vice President on separate ballots. Votes are recorded on six Certificates of Vote and combined with Certificates of Ascertainment.

December 25, 2024  Electoral votes arrive in Washington, DC

Electoral votes must reach the President of the Senate and the Archivist by this date. Any lost or delayed votes can prompt extraordinary measures to retrieve them.

On or Before January 3, 2025  Certificates transferred to Congress

The Archivist provides sets of Certificates to Congress as needed, just before Congress convenes.

January 6, 2025  Congress counts the electoral votes

Congress meets to count electoral votes in a joint session. The Vice President announces the results.

If objections arise, Congress reviews them separately by House and Senate, following federal procedures.

If no candidate wins the majority (270), the House decides the Presidential election, and the Senate decides the Vice Presidential election.

January 20, 2025 at Noon  Inauguration Day

The United States President-elect and Vice President-elect take the Oath of Office, officially beginning their terms.

With inputs from agencies
Senior ministers confirmed that Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid would step up from her current position as Palestinian Head of Mission to Ireland read more

A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag before Israeli troops during a protest against the Israeli occupation. Reuters File

After Dublin formally recognised a Palestinian state earlier this year, Ireland on Tuesday accepted the appointment of a full Palestinian ambassador for the first time.

According to AFP, citing senior ministers, Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid would step up from her current position as Palestinian Head of Mission to Ireland.

In May, Dublin announced its recognition of Palestine as a sovereign and independent state, encompassing the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and committed to establishing full diplomatic relations.

Advertisement

Spain and Norway made the same declaration on the same day as Ireland, with Slovenia following a week later, prompting retaliatory measures from Israel.

These countries have been vocal in their criticism of Israels response to the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, which ignited the latest wave of violence in the region.

Ireland and the State of Palestine officially established diplomatic relations in September.

Last month, the Palestinian Authority formally notified Dublin of its intention to upgrade its representation in Ireland from a diplomatic mission to a resident embassy under the 1961 Vienna Convention which guarantees protection for diplomatic staff.

The upgrade means that the diplomatic mission will now have the full range of privileges and immunities applicable under the Vienna Convention.

With inputs from agencies
D-Day is here as the US electors cast their votes to choose the next president. Thulasendrapuram, a tiny village in Indias Tamil Nadu, is rooting for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris win. Images display the villagers gathering at a temple for special prayers, wishing for her success read more

A devotee prays inside the Sri Dharmasastha temple in Thulasendrapuram, the village where Kamala Harris' maternal grandfather was born, in Tamil Nadu, November 5, 2024. Reuters

The United States election day is here. Voting is now open for Americans who will select their next president. It is a knife-edge race between Democrat nominee Kamala Harris and her Republican opponent Donald Trump.

With the worlds eyes on the US election outcome, a tiny hamlet in Tamil Nadu is busy praying for Vice President Kamala Harris victory. Under the media glare, the residents of Thulasendrapuram take pride in the Democratic candidate, highlighting her connection to the village.

Advertisement

Harris maternal grandfather, PV Gopalan, lived in the village a century back before moving to Chennai, about 300 km away. He worked as a high-ranking government official until his retirement.

The US VP has recalled walks with her grandfather on a Chennai beach, saying his lessons on democracy at a very young age first inspired my interest in public service.

Harris, who was born to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, may have never set foot in the sleepy hamlet but the villagers see her as their own.

A calendar with images of US President Joe Biden and Democratic presidential nominee, US Vice President Kamala Harris is hung outside a house in Thulasendrapuram, November 5. Reuters

Locals talk about Harris and the key swing states that will decide her and Trumps electoral fate. Several banners and billboards with the US Vice Presidents face have come up in Thulasendrapuram, wishing her good luck in Tamil.

Catch all updates on the US presidential election in our live coverage

People gathered at the Sri Dharmasastha Hindu temple on Tuesday (November 5), as the US went to the polls, to pray for Harris. As per Reuters, as sacred chants reverberated, the temple priest held prayers for her, ending them with the pronouncement: Kamala Harris should win.

Advertisement

Priests perform a ritual for the Democratic presidential nominee, US Vice President Kamala Harris success in the upcoming American elections inside a temple in Thulasendrapuram, November 5. Reuters

Our deity is a very powerful God. If we pray well to him, he will make her victorious, M Natarajan, the temple priest who led the prayers to the Hindu deity Ayyanar, a form of Lord Shiva, told Associated Press (AP).

Our village ancestors granddaughter is running as a US presidential candidate. Her victory will be happy news for every one of us, he added.

At the temple, one can find Harris and her grandfathers names engraved on a stone bearing the list of public donations. Her aunt, Sarala Gopalan, donated Rs 5,000 for the temples renovation a decade ago in Harris honour.

Advertisement

M Natarajan, head priest of Sri Dharmasastha Hindu temple points out the name of US Vice President Kamala Harris on a plaque, displaying names of donors written in Tamil language who donated for the renovation of the temple, in Thulasendrapuram. AP

The temple on Tuesday welcomed rare foreign visitors, including two American and one British woman wearing Kamala Freakin Harris shirts and chanting Go Kamala!

I am very pro-Kamala, so I wanted to experience her native village. It was important for us, as women, to come  to honour her, Devony Evans, a Chennai-based expat who hails from Seattle, Washington, told Reuters. She said she voted for the Democratic candidate in the crucial elections.

Tourists from US Sajron Silalenka, left, Devony Evans, center, and Fiana Jones of United Kingdom pose next to idols of Hindu goddesses after participating in special prayers for the victory of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, at Sri Dharmasastha Hindu temple in Thulasendrapuram. AP

A banner outside the temple, erected by the local politician Arulmozhi Sudhakar, wishes the daughter of the land success in the US presidential elections.

We prayed last time and she had become the Vice President. This time we are confident shed become the President of the USA, she said to NDTV.

Advertisement

For women in the village, Harris is an inspiration. Speaking to AP, Sudhakar said, From the time when women were not even allowed to step out of their house, to now a woman from our village contesting in the US presidential election  this brings happiness for us. The coming generations will see her as a role model to succeed in life.

Supporters of Kamala Harris make a rangoli wishing her success in the US elections, in Thulasendrapuram. Reuters

The local councillor told NDTV that she will serve free meals of idli  Harris one of the favourite South Indian foods  if the Democrat wins.

The US VPs American friend Sharon, who is now based in Chennai, said she has to win the election to save democracy. She [Harris] has to become the first woman President of the US. Already we are pretty late with many countries including India [which] have had women Presidents and Prime Ministers, she told NDTV.

Advertisement

Not just in her grandfathers village, special prayers were organised for Harris at Palvancha in Telanganas Bhadradri Kothagudem district on Monday.

Hindu priests perform rituals during special prayers for the victory of Kamala Harris in the US elections at Palvancha, Telangana, November 4, 2024. AP

Harris has not visited India much but has often spoken about her mother Shyamala Gopalans Indian roots. Born in India, Gopalan moved to the US when she was 19 and became a cancer researcher.

In a campaign video titled Mother, which was shared on Harris account on Tuesday, the narrator says at the end: This daughter of Shyamala, this daughter of the American story, is ready to lead us forward.

My mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, came to the United States from India at 19. She taught me and my sister, Maya, about courage and determination.



It is thanks to her that I am ready to lead us forward. pic.twitter.com/rVdVAIylTe  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 4, 2024

Harris is engaged in a close fight with Trump. And it might take days before we know whether she scripted history by becoming the first woman president of the US or not.

With inputs from agencies

Get all the latest updates of US Elections 2024
I dont have to tell them that thered be no violence. Of course theyll be no violence. My supporters are not violent people. I dont have to tell them. And I certainly dont want any violence, but I certainly dont have to tell them. These are great people. These are people that believe in no violence said Trump read more

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate, on Tuesday, in Palm Beach, Fla. AP File

Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he didnt feel the need to instruct his supporters to refrain from violence or accept the election results if he loses.

I dont have to tell them that, CNN quoted Trump as saying when asked whether he would tell his supporters that there should be no violence.

Would you tell them though? he was asked.

I dont have to tell them that thered be no violence. Of course theyll be no violence. My supporters are not violent people. I dont have to tell them. And I certainly dont want any violence, but I certainly dont have to tell them. These are great people. These are people that believe in no violence. Unlike your question. You believe in violence, Trump said.

Advertisement

On January 6, 2021, Trumps supporters stormed the US Capitol in a violent attempt to block the certification of the 2020 election results after Trump lost and refused to concede.

When asked by CNN whether he would declare victory that night, regardless of the results, Trump declined to answer.

The former president had just cast his vote in Palm Beach on Election Day and stopped to take questions from reporters.

Millions of Americans headed towards polling stations on Tuesday to elect the 47th President of the US, capping one of the most bitter presidential campaigns in the countrys history.

Harris and Trump remained neck and neck in polls conducted by various media outlets.

The two leaders need at least 270 electoral votes to win. The battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are expected to be pivotal to the path to victory.

With inputs from agencies
The search volume for Robert Kennedy (Jr) on Google is over 100,000. Not only that, the numbers suggest that the interest in this particular topic has gone up a massive 1000 per cent in the past two hours alone! read more

Robert F Kennedy Jr., who has endorsed Donald Trump, is trendin on Google Search. Reuters

US presidential elections 2024 are underway. Its a tight race between Democrat candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and her Republican rival former President Donald Trump. The air is filled with excitement and anxiety about the 2024 US election results.

All those words in double quotes are being searched heavily on Google in the US as is expected. But there is one more prominent trend that is quite an outlier. Thats the search for Robert Kennedy (Jr).

Advertisement

No, seriously, take a look.

Heres what data from Google Trends, an analytics tool for web searches, taken on Tuesday around 3:30 pm EST (2:00 am Wednesday, IST).

Google Trends show that in the past four hours in the US, search volume for Robert Kennedy and fluoride drinking water has been the highest. Image courtesy: Google Trends

The search volume for this keyword on Google is over 100,000. Not only that, the numbers suggest that the interest in this particular topic has gone up a massive 1000 per cent in the past two hours alone!

The trend breakdown provides an insight into why exactly this query is so popular. Its got to do with fluoride drinking water.

Heres all the context you need behind this peculiar trend.

Removing fluoride from drinking water

This spike follows a statement made by conspiracy-theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr on November 2. He had said that if Trump wins the presidency, the White House will advise US water systems to remove fluoride from public drinking water starting January 20.

Note that Robert Kennedy Jr. has endorsed Trump and is expected to play a significant role in a potential Trump administration. Trump has indicated that Kennedy would have substantial influence over public health policy, stating he would let Kennedy go wild on health, according to Wired.

Fluoride in drinking water: Healthy or hazardous?

Advertisement

Fluoride is a mineral added to public water supplies to prevent tooth decay, a practice endorsed by major health organisations like the American Dental Association. Approximately two-thirds of the US population receives fluoridated drinking water.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers water fluoridation one of the top public health achievements of the 20th century.

However, recent studies have raised concerns about potential health risks. In August 2024, the National Toxicology Program reported a moderate confidence link between higher fluoride exposure and lower IQ in children.

Subsequently, a federal judge ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement new regulations on fluoride levels in drinking water, citing potential risks to childrens intellectual development.

Advertisement

That Robert Kennedy Jr. has picked this topic seems to be garnering him lot of attention amongst US citizens, and, potentially, voters.

Whether the attention is good or bad, only time will tell.

With inputs from agencies
As disinformation has emerged as a key threat to 2024 US presidential election, it has come to light that a Trump supporter peddled Russian election propaganda for money read more

Republican presidential nominee and former president Donald Trump gestures during a rally in Coachella, California, October 12, 2024. Source: Reuters.

A pro-Trump social media influencer has admitted to posting Russian election disinformation on X (formerly Twitter).

Throughout the 2024 US presidential election campaign, US intelligence agencies have warned of foreign adversaries, such as Russia, China, and Iran, interfering via disinformation campaign and triggering violence by tapping into existing faultlines.

Now, a supporter of Republican candidate Donald Trump has admitted posting a Russian election disinformation for $100.

A supporter of Republican candidate Donald Trump on X told CNN that he shared a video of Haitian immigrants claiming to vote in election for $100.

Advertisement

The user goes by the username of AlphaFox78 and posts far-right memes and sexist insults at Trump and feminist women  a staple of Trumps far-right base.

The video has been proven to be fake. Georgias Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, said the video was obviously fake and likely production of Russian troll farms. He further said that the video was an example of targeted disinformation weve seen this election.

Much of the election disinformation in this election has peddled talking points of Trump, such as fake videos of illegal immigrants voting in US elections and repeating false claims of stolen election and voter fraud.

Russian agent directed Trump-supporter, says report

In its investigation, CNN reported that Russian propagandist Simeon Boikov, a podcaster known online as AussieCossack, directed AlphaFox78.

AlphaFox lives in Massachusetts, according to the report.

A personal familiar with the case told the outlet that multiple payments were sent from Boikov to AlphaFox78.

The outlet reported that Boikov is a registered Russian foreign agent for in Australia and works for Russian state media where he writes and posts online in English and Russian. He is also reported to be a Russian citizen seeking asylum in the Russian consulate in Sydney. He is a repeat offender.

Advertisement

Previously, an investigation found Boikov to be part of Russian disinformation campaigns.

US intelligence community has linked Boikov and AlphaFox to be part of Russian disinformation network Storm-1516, according to the report.

On his part, AlphaFox78 denied knowing that Boikov worked for Russia.

While AlphaFox78 deleted the fake Georgia video, it had been viewed more than half a million times by then. The video continues to be circulated in one form of the other on social media.
Russia is running influence operations via fake videos and articles to undermine the legitimacy of the US election and stoke tensions and violence in the coming days, according to US intelligence agencies read more

Three US intelligence agencies has warned of foreign interference on the Election Day and dubbed Russia as most active threat.

In the 2024 US presidential election, foreign interference has emerged as the major issue. Foreign adversaries like Russia and Iran are capitalising on internal faultlines and doubts sown by Republican candidate Donald Trump about the US electoral system to spread disinformation, stoke tensions, trigger violence, and destabilise the United States.

In a joint statement on the eve of the Election Day, the Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said that foreign adversaries are conducting influence operations intended to undermine public confidence in the integrity of U.S. elections and stoke divisions among Americans and such attacks are expected to rise on and in the aftermath of Election Day.

Advertisement

The US intelligence community expects such interference to focus on swing states on the Election Day and in coming days as ballots are counted.

Russian efforts risk inciting violence

Foreign influence operations, particularly by Russia, are aimed at instilling fears and doubts regarding elections and inciting violence, said the ODNI, FBI, and CISA in the joint statement.

Russian influence operations are manufacturing videos and creating fake articles to undermine the legitimacy of the election, instill fear in voters regarding the election process, and suggest Americans are using violence against each-other on partisan lines, said the statement.

These efforts risk inciting violence, including against election officials. We anticipate Russian actors will release additional manufactured content with these themes through election day and in the days and weeks after polls close, read the statement.

To a lesser extent, Iran has also interfered in the US election. Previously, Iran has been blamed for hacking the Trump campaign. Similarly, China has also been reported to have targeted the Trump campaign, mounting cyber-attacks on phones of Trump and his running mate JD Vance.

Iran remains a significant threat to the US elections and Iranian influence actors may also seek to create fake media content intended to suppress voting or stoke violence, as they have done in past election cycles, according to the three agencies.

Advertisement

Threats would not end with Election Day

While foreign interference is aimed at swaying voters towards their favoured candidate in the run-up to the Election Day, election interference after voting is set to aimed to stoking violence and other disturbances by tapping into the internal faultlines and Trumps disinformation regarding election integrity and expected rejection of the result in case he loses.

After Election Day, US adversaries like Russia and Iran will likely seek to stoke concerns of interference or fraud regardless of evidence, could push for large-scale protests or demonstrations, and even violence, according to US intelligence officials cited by Washington Examiner.

Advertisement

The [intelligence community] assesses that foreign actors are highly likely to conduct information operations in the period after voting ends, to create uncertainty and try to undermine the legitimacy of the election process. Iran and Russia are probably willing to at least consider tactics that would contribute to such violence, said an official with ODNI, as per The Examiner.

So far, Russian disinformation campaign has included fake videos and rumours, such as fake videos of Haitians illegally voting in elections ballots, ballots being destroyed in swing state of Pennsylvania, officials in another battleground state of Arizona falsifying ballots in favour of Harris, and a false post about officials in swing states launching cyber-attacks and stuffing ballots.

Advertisement
While traditional strongholds like West Virginia lean firmly Republican, crucial seats in Montana and Ohio have Democratic incumbents fighting uphill battles to retain their positions. States such as Wisconsin and Pennsylvania show tightening races, as GOP candidates close gaps in historically blue-leaning areas. Meanwhile, Arizona and Texas emerge as unexpected targets for Democrats hoping to offset losses read more

Tourists walk alongside the steps leading up to the US Senate chambers in Washington, US, December 29, 1998. File Image/Reuters

With Senate control at stake at the 2024 US elections, both Republicans and Democrats are navigating a fiercely competitive landscape.

While the GOP is favoured to gain a majority, Democrats are holding firm in their defence, capitalising on strong fundraising and strategic campaigns in several key states.

We take a look at the races could tip the balance:

GOPs strongest opportunities for Senate gains

West Virginia

The West Virginia seat, left vacant by Democratic Senator Joe Manchins retirement, is anticipated to be the easiest GOP pickup. Republican Governor Jim Justice is projected to win decisively, boosted by former US President Trumps significant 2020 margin in the state, where he secured nearly 70 per cent of the vote.

Governor of West Virginia Jim Justice speaks on Day 2 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, July 16, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Democrats have mostly shifted their resources away from this race, focusing on other vulnerable states to offset the near-certain Republican gain in West Virginia.

Advertisement

Montana

US Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana, faces immense pressure as he seeks reelection in a red state. Despite Testers history of outperforming in a state Trump won by over 20 points, his opponent, GOP businessman Tim Sheehy, has leveraged Testers alignment with the Biden administration to build an anti-incumbent narrative.

US Senate Candidate for Montana Tim Sheehy gestures on the day Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally in Bozeman, Montana, US, August 9, 2024. File Image/Reuters

CNN reported that national Republicans, including the Senate Leadership Fund, are amplifying this, branding Tester as Washington at its worst. Tester, meanwhile, is appealing to local issues and attacking Sheehys recent residence in Montana and controversial statements, particularly those offensive to Native Americans.

An abortion rights ballot measure may aid Tester, but his path remains challenging in a deeply conservative state.

Ohio

In Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown is fighting an uphill battle for his fourth term in a state that has trended Republican. Browns GOP opponent, Bernie Moreno, has received late-stage boosts from Republican super PACs.

US Senate Candidate Bernie Moreno (R-OH) gestures as he speaks on Day 2 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, July 16, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Abortion has been a central theme, with Brown highlighting Morenos controversial statements, such as questioning women over 50s concerns about the issue. Browns ads feature Republicans voicing their support, highlighting his bipartisan appeal, but with Ohios conservative shift, the outcome remains unpredictable.

Wisconsin

Wisconsins race has become more competitive, as Republican Eric Hovdes substantial self-funding has allowed him to close the gap with incumbent Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin.

Republican candidate for the US Senate Eric Hovde, reacts during a campaign for Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump in Green Bay, Wisconsin, US, October 30, 2024. File Image/Reuters

A CNN poll recently showed Baldwin narrowly ahead with 49 per cent to Hovdes 47 per cent. Hovde and GOP allies have criticised Baldwins ties to her partner, a financial advisor, and attacked her positions on transgender issues, though Baldwins responses have sought to paint Hovde as out of touch.

Democrats brace for close calls

Michigan

Michigan, a must-win state for Democrats, initially appeared at higher risk, but Democratic nominee Representative Elissa Slotkins polling and financial edge over GOP opponent Mike Rogers have provided some reassurance.

US Representative Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) campaigns in Grand Rapids, Michigan, US, October 28, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Slotkins advantage among independent voters and recent endorsement by GOP former Representative Liz Cheney may help her hold the seat.

However, the presence of Trump-linked ads targeted at the states Arab American community in response to US policies on Israel and Gaza has raised concerns about potential backlash against Democratic candidates.

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, Democratic Senator Bob Casey is defending his seat against Republican Dave McCormick in a race that remains extremely close. Polls show Casey with a narrow edge, leading McCormick by just a few points among likely voters.

US Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) speaks during a campaign event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, October 10, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Caseys ads show his bipartisan record, while McCormick has focused on criticising the Democratic incumbent as out of touch. The outcome here could impact not only the Senate balance but also the overall presidential race in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state.

Advertisement

Democrats look to hold their ground

Arizona

Arizonas open seat, following Senator Kyrsten Sinemas departure from the Democratic Party, presents a unique challenge. Democrat Representative Ruben Gallego is performing well, leading GOP candidate Kari Lake by eight points in recent polls.

Arizona Democratic US Senate candidate Ruben Gallego speaks during Harris-Walz Campaign Rally by Arizona Democratic Party at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, US, November 4, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Lakes refusal to concede her 2022 gubernatorial loss and divisive comments have hurt her appeal with moderate Republicans, while Gallego has benefitted from endorsements and ads portraying him as a bipartisan choice who supports border security and reproductive rights.

Nevada

Senator Jacky Rosens reelection campaign in Nevada appears more secure as the cycle closes, despite earlier fears about shifting demographics favouring Republicans.

US Senator Jacky Rosen campaigns in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, November 4, 2024. File Image/Reuters

GOP challenger Sam Brown, who has Trumps endorsement, has failed to gain traction, trailing Rosen by 9 points in recent polling. Although Trump rallied for Brown, his lackluster performance relative to Trumps vote share suggests that Rosen may retain the seat.

Democrats offensive strategies

Texas

Texas, traditionally a Republican stronghold, is unexpectedly competitive, with Democrats seeing Representative Colin Allred as a credible challenger to incumbent Senator Ted Cruz.

Texas Democratic Senate candidate Colin Allred reacts at a campaign rally in Houston, Texas, US, October 25, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Allreds strong performance among Black and Latino voters has tightened the race, though Cruz and GOP allies are associating Allred with Biden on controversial issues. Allreds ability to resonate across demographic lines gives Democrats hope of flipping this critical seat.

Advertisement

Nebraska

The race in Nebraska has surprised many, with independent candidate Dan Osborn posing a serious challenge to GOP Senator Deb Fischer. Osborns support among Trump voters and independents has placed him within striking distance of Fischer, with polls indicating a close 48 per cent to 46 per cent split.

US Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) speaks on Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC, US, December 10, 2020. File Image/Reuters

Although a win for Osborn wouldnt directly benefit Democrats, it would prevent Republicans from securing a valuable seat in a historically red state.

Who won the spending race?

An unprecedented surge in campaign spending has characterised this cycle, with both parties vying for influence. Democrats have marginally outspent Republicans across Senate races, $696 million to $668 million, excluding noncompetitive states.

In Ohio alone, where the costliest congressional race ever recorded is taking place, both parties have invested heavily in an attempt to shape public opinion.

Combined, leading outside groups for each party account for around 34 per cent of the total ad spend on the 34 Senate races being run, with more than $550 million spent between Labor Day and Election Day.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
While the US presidential election captures most of the attention, voters will also decide the control of Congress, with all 435 House seats and 34 Senate seats up for grabs. This year, nine Indian Americans are contesting for seats in the US House of Representatives read more

Suhas Subramanyam is currently a Virginia State Senator. Image courtesy: X/@SuhasforVA. Pramila Jayapal has represented Washington States 7th Congressional District since 2017. Image courtesy: jayapal.house.gov

Americans will head to polls on Tuesday, November 5, to choose their 47th President.

Beyond the presidential race, voters will also decide the control of both chambers of Congress, with all 435 House seats and 34 Senate seats up for grabs. While both chambers make laws and check other branches of government, their roles are also crucial for global affairs - including defence budgets, trade regulation, and foreign aid allocations.

Currently, Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House, while Democrats control the Senate by a slim margin. Both parties are battling over key seats that could shift the balance of power in Washington.

Advertisement

While the presidential race draws the most attention, results in congressional districts nationwide will influence whether the next president enjoys a unified government to meet his or her agenda or faces a potential gridlock.

ALSO READ | The Senates battle for control: Which seats will likely flip this US election?

Indian Americans in the fray

Nine Indian Americans are contesting for seats in the US House of Representatives, with five seeking re-election and three having their maiden foray into Congressional politics.

Suhas Subramanyam

Subramanyam, 38, is expected to make history as the first Indian American elected from Virginia and the East Coast. Currently a Virginia State Senator, Subramanyam is running in the 10th Congressional District, a Democratic stronghold.

He lives in a Virginia suburb close to Washington DC and represents an area with a large Indian American community.

Previously, he served as a White House Advisor under President Barack Obama. He is a practising Hindu and holds popularity among Indian Americans across the United States.

Ami Bera

Dr Ami Bera, a physician by profession, is the longest-serving Indian American in Congress, representing Californias 6th Congressional District since 2013.

Ami Bera has represented Sacramento County since 2013. Image courtesy: bera.house.gov

Now 59, Bera is set to secure a senior leadership role if Democrats reclaim the majority in the House of Representatives.

ALSO READ | Why are US presidential elections held on a Tuesday in November?

Pramila Jayapal

Since 2017, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal has represented Washington States 7th Congressional District and is considered an influential leader within the Democratic Party.

The 59-year-old is expected to be re-elected with ease, as are three other Indian American Congress members.

They include Raja Krishnamoorthi, who has represented Illinois 7th Congressional District since 2017, Ro Khanna, who has represented Californias 17th Congressional District since 2017, and Shri Thanedar, 69, who has represented Michigans 13th Congressional District since 2023. All of these districts are Democratic strongholds.

Advertisement

Amish Shah

After three successful terms in the Arizona State Assembly in 2018, 2020, and 2022, Dr Amish Shah is now contesting for a seat in the US House of Representatives from Arizonas First Congressional District.

Amish Shah has won three straight elections in 2018, 2020, and 2022. Image courtesy: amishforarizona.com

An emergency physician by profession, Dr Shah is challenging David Schweikert, a seven-term Republican incumbent in this district.

Prasanth Reddy

Republican Dr Prasanth Reddy is contesting from Kansas Third Congressional District, where he faces three-term Democrat Sharice Davids.

ALSO READ | US presidential elections: Why does Bengali feature on New Yorks ballot paper?

Rakesh Mohan

Dr Rakesh Mohan, also a Republican, is running for the House of Representatives from New Jerseys Third Congressional District. However, both Dr Reddy and Dr Mohan face a challenging race with limited prospects of success this year.

Dalip Singh Saund made history as the first Indian American elected to Congress, representing Californias 29th Congressional District in 1957. Serving three terms, he paved the way for other Indian Americans in politics. Decades later, Bobby Jindal was elected from Louisiana in 2005, completing two terms in the House before becoming Governor of Louisiana for two terms.

Meanwhile, in the current US presidential election, early voting began in September. By Monday, November 4, around 81 million Americans had already cast their votes, according to the University of Floridas Election Lab.

Advertisement

Of these, 44,402,375 were in-person votes, while 36,977,311 were mail ballots.

While this represents a large number, it is still lower than 2020, when over 110 million people voted early by mail or in person, accounting for around 70 per cent of total votes.

However, the early turnout this year has already exceeded the totals from 2016 (47.2 million) and 2012 (46.2 million).

With inputs from PTI
The NASA astronauts shared a photo on Instagram on Election Day, showing off their patriotic socks. Two of the astronauts wore socks that read Proud to be American, according to a report read more

Astronauts Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams and Don Pettit voted early for the presidential election from the International Space Station. Image Courtesy: Instagram

Astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore and Don Pettit cast their votes early for the presidential election from the International Space Station, according to a CNN report, citing the Harris County Clerk of Courts Office in Texas.

The NASA astronauts shared a photo on Instagram on Election Day, showing off their patriotic socks. Two of the astronauts wore socks that read Proud to be American.

It doesnt matter if you are sitting, standing, or floating - what matters is that you vote! pic.twitter.com/olRTOpIozp  Nick Hague (@AstroHague) November 5, 2024

Advertisement

These astronauts were among over 1.2 million people who participated in early voting in Harris County, Texas.

Ballots cast in space get beamed to Earth the same way most data is transmitted between the space station and mission control  through NASAs Near Space Network, a constellation of satellites in space that communicate with antennas on our planet.

Its a very important duty that we have as citizens and Im looking forward to being able to vote from space, which is pretty cool, CNN quoted Williams as telling reporters during a September 13 news conference from the space station.

Since 1997, American astronauts have been able to vote from space, thanks to a Texas law allowing eligible voters to cast ballots while on space flights during the early-voting period or on Election Day.

That year, NASA astronaut David Wolf became the first US citizen to vote while you float during his four-month mission aboard Russias Mir Space Station.

Retired NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao is among the many astronauts who have since voted from space.

Millions of Americans headed towards polling stations on Tuesday to elect the 47th President of the US, capping one of the most bitter presidential campaigns in the countrys history.

Harris and Trump remained neck and neck in polls conducted by various media outlets.

The two leaders need at least 270 electoral votes to win. The battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are expected to be pivotal to the path to victory.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies
Indian-Americans, long celebrated for their economic success, now stand poised to play a decisive role in the presidential election as both major parties court their crucial votes read more

Millions of Indians have migrated to the United States over the decades, achieving notable success, particularly in fields like business and technology. Indian-Americans have long been considered a model minority due to their high educational attainment, economic prosperity and substantial presence in sectors driving US innovation. This election season, however, their status has evolved as theyre now seen as a vital voting bloc with potential to sway the presidential outcome.

Indian-Americans in Fairfax

Advertisement

In Fairfax County, Virginia, a prosperous area within the Greater Washington, DC region, Indian-Americans comprise nearly 3 per cent of the population. With more than 32,000 residents of Indian origin, Fairfax has one of the highest concentrations of Indian-Americans in the area. Known for high homeownership and entrepreneurial rates, they often surpass other immigrant groups and even native-born Americans in wealth and educational achievements, showcasing their communitys notable impact on the local economy.

A growing political force across the nation

Across the US, approximately 5.2 million Indian-Americans, including first-generation immigrants and their descendants, contribute to the nations economy and culture. About half of them2.6 millionare eligible voters and their votes are increasingly coveted by both major parties. The efforts to engage these voters have intensified, with both President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris making targeted appeals to win their support.

Diwali diplomacy

In a bid to capture Indian-American votes, both Trump and Harris recently acknowledged Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Trumps Diwali message focussed on supporting Hindu-Americans, calling himself the ideal candidate for Hindus, who represent a substantial portion of the Indian-American community. Harris, with a personal connection to the Indian community through her late mother, shared a Diwali message to underscore her cultural ties. The Democrats have also used campaigns like Desis Decide and Desis Vote to galvanise support in key swing states, enlisting prominent Indian-Americans, including Padma Lakshmi, to canvass on behalf of the Democrats.

From blue to a shade of red?

Historically, Indian-Americans have leaned toward the Democratic Party. In the 2020 election, 68 per cent of Indian-American voters favoured Joe Biden, compared to 22 per cent who supported Trump. However, recent surveys show a shift, with about 60 per cent now leaning Democratic and 31 per cent supporting Trumpa notable gain for Republicans in a traditionally blue-leaning community.

Advertisement

The immigration issue

One factor fuelling this shift is dissatisfaction with the Democrats handling of immigration. Many Indian-Americans have spent years navigating the legal immigration system enduring prolonged waits for citizenship and work visas. Some express frustration with what they see as leniency toward illegal immigration under the Democrats, especially in recent years, when record numbers crossed the US-Mexico border. This perceived imbalance has driven some Indian-Americans to consider the Republican Partys more stringent immigration stance, with some planning to vote GOP for the first time.

Could Indian-Americans sway the election?

With Election Day approaching, the question remains: could this emerging shift among Indian-American voters influence the final presidential outcome? In a race this close, every vote matters. Indian-Americans, as a rising demographic force, could be impiortant. For Harris and the Democrats, retaining Indian-American support may prove essential to securing victory in this fiercely contested race.

Advertisement
Election Day  theres truly nothing like it. Whether its in India, the United States, or any other democracy worldwide, the energy is palpable. The atmosphere is thick with nervousness, hope and suspense. Its the purest and simplest expression of freedom and democracy in action. Today, this grand celebration of choice is unfolding across America.

Voters turn out in force

Polls have opened nationwide and Americans are eagerly lining up to cast their votes. This election has seen a staggering 81 million people participate in early voting, casting their ballots before Election Day through postal ballots. Its expected that an equal number of voters will show up in person, setting the stage for potentially historic turnout numbers.

Advertisement

In the 2020 election, voter turnout reached a record 66 per cent  the highest since 1900. This time, theres excitement to see if Americans will reach or even surpass that threshold.

More than a presidential race

While the media spotlight shines on the presidential contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, thats not the only race on the ballot. Voters are also deciding the fate of 34 seats in the US Senate and over 400 seats in the House of Representatives. This means Americans arent just electing their next president  theyre shaping the entire legislative landscape of the country.

The Electoral College explained

One unique feature of the US election is the Electoral College, where people dont vote directly for the president. Instead, they vote for state electors, who then collectively elect the president. Each state has a set number of electoral votes  for example, Florida has 30, Michigan has 15 and Pennsylvania has 19  totalling 538 across the country. The candidate who reaches 270 electoral votes wins the presidency. This is why swing states, which could go to either major party, are so heavily contested.

Party strongholds and swing states

Many states have predictable loyalties. California, a blue state, consistently supports Democratic candidates, while Texas, a red state, is known for its strong Republican support. But the true battlegrounds are the swing states, whose outcomes are less certain and can shift from election to election. This year, seven swing states are expected to play a crucial role in deciding the winner.

Advertisement

Logistics across time zones

With the US spread across six time zones, voting logistics are no small feat. Each state has its own voting traditions and a town in New Hampshire even started its Election Day voting at midnight, with all six registered voters participating before dawn. In this small town, three voted for Harris and three for Trump - a microcosm of the national competition.

Heightened security and precautions

Amid the charged political climate, many states are taking extra security measures to ensure peaceful voting. Nineteen states have activated the National Guard, Nevada has fenced off counting centres and Arizona has drones and snipers on alert. The presence of snipers at polling sites reflects the heightened tensions this year and the lengths being taken to maintain order. As Americans navigate political ads, heightened security and stark political divisions, many just want the process to conclude peacefully.

Advertisement

Waiting for results

Normally, results are declared within hours of polls closing. However, time varies by state. For instance, polls close at 7 pm in Georgia, 8 pm in Pennsylvania and as late as 11 pm in California and Oregon.

The wait for swing state results

In some states, results could come swiftly. Georgia officials expect to count 75 per cent of ballots within the first two hours after polls close. But in others, such as Pennsylvania, the counting process could take up to 24 hours or more. If the vote margin is less than 0.5 per cent, an automatic recount is triggered. States like Michigan, Wisconsin and Arizona have already started counting early mail-in ballots, but final results could take until the next day. Close races may lead to legal challenges, further delaying results.

Advertisement

How the media calls the race

Interestingly, unlike in some countries, the US doesnt have a central election commission that declares the winner. In America, media outlets like the Associated Press (AP) are considered authoritative voices. The AP has been calling elections since 1848 and will be closely watched for its projections. As states tally up votes, media analysts study the incoming data, not only looking at the raw numbers but also considering demographics, ballot types, historical trends and remaining uncounted votes.

Candidate strategies on the eve of election

On the campaign trail, both Harris and Trump delivered their final messages with distinctive styles. Harris held her last rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, surrounded by celebrity supporters like Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. Her message centred on unity, hope and the ongoing fight for freedom. In a passionate plea to her supporters, Harris remarked, Generations of Americans before us, led the fight for freedom and now the baton is in our hands. And to everyone who continues to pour so much of yourselves into this campaign, as an extension of your love for our country, I thank you for your time, your effort and the heart you are putting into this.

Advertisement

In contrast, Trumps final rally in Michigan emphasised policies, particularly immigration and crime. He spoke about launching the largest deportation program of criminals in American history, declaring, Were going to get them out. We have to. He also took a hard line, saying, Im hereby calling for the death penalty for any migrant that kills an American citizen or a law enforcement officer.

True to form, Trumps rally included his trademark humour and historical comparisons. Speaking to the crowd, he joked, And I said to them, Does that mean Im better than Abraham Lincoln and George [Washington]? Yes, sir, youre better than both of them. He also likened himself to Winston Churchill, saying, You know when Winston Churchill, whos a great speaker, he was actually a stutterer, a tremendous stutterer and he became one of the greatest orators. But when Winston Churchill made a mistake, he didnt go, Er, excuse me and go back. For Trump, this election is likely his last presidential campaign and he left with a parting remark about the future Republican nominee, predicting that they would struggle to fill a ballroom, let alone a stadium.

Looking ahead

Whether results are clear tonight or in days to come, this Election Day marks another chapter in Americas democratic legacy. As history unfolds, all eyes are on the peoples voice  a testament to democracy in action.
Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, surged 13% on Election Day, reaching a critical juncture as the company faces a make-or-break moment determined by voters, according to a report read more

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump gestures at a campaign rally at First Horizon Coliseum, Saturday, November 2, 2024, in Greensboro, NC. Image: AP File

Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, surged 13% on Election Day, reaching a critical juncture as the company faces a make-or-break moment determined by voters, according to a CNN report.

The spike follows a 12% gain on Monday and marks a recovery from three days of significant losses last week, added the report.

For months, traders have been betting that a Trump win could boost the value of Truth Social, though justifying its current valuation would remain a challenge, even if Trump returns to the White House.

Advertisement

Trump Media is currently losing money and generating minimal revenue, with its flagship product, the conservative social platform Truth Social, still relatively small.

Despite this, the company has transformed into a multibillion-dollar meme stock, becoming a popular vehicle for traders to speculate on the outcome of the election, all while inflating the net worth of its largest shareholder  Donald Trump.

Matthew Tuttle, CEO of Tuttle Capital Management, said on Tuesday that its far too early to draw any conclusions from the Trump Media spike.

I dont think were seeing smart money here. Were seeing people throwing darts at a board, CNN quoted Tuttle as saying.

Despite generating only $1.6 million in revenue this year, Trump Media is valued at nearly $8 billion, thanks to Tuesdays gains.

However, if Trump loses the election, the company could face a sharp decline. Venture capitalist Gene Munster recently told CNN that a loss for Trump could send Trump Medias value plummeting to as low as $1 billion.

Millions of Americans headed towards polling stations on Tuesday to elect the 47th President of the US, capping one of the most bitter presidential campaigns in the countrys history.

Harris and Trump remained neck and neck in polls conducted by various media outlets.

The two leaders need at least 270 electoral votes to win. The battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are expected to be pivotal to the path to victory.

Advertisement

Harris and Trump tied with three votes each in the tiny New Hampshire community of Dixville Notch, which opened and closed its poll just after midnight ET in a decades-old tradition.

With inputs from agencies
As Ohio prepares to play a key role in the 2024 presidential election, residents will have the opportunity to cast their votes on November 5, from 6.30 am to 7.30 pm EST read more

(File) People walk past a sign that points the direction toward a voting location during early voting in the general election on November 1, 2024, at City Hall in Providence, R.I. AP

On November 5, 2024, polling places across Ohio opened for the US presidential election, allowing residents to cast their votes from 6.30 am until 7.30 pm. This means that in Indian Standard Time (IST), which is 10 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Eastern Standard Time, voting will take place from 5 pm IST to 6.30 am. IST on November 6.

Catch all updates on US presidential election in our live coverage

Advertisement

Ohio voters can participate in the election by visiting their designated polling locations, which can be found on the Ohio Secretary of States website. To vote, individuals must bring an acceptable form of identification, such as a state-issued drivers license or a US passport and they must ensure they are in line by 7.30 pm to cast their ballot.

In addition to the presidential race, Ohio will see significant contests for other positions, including a closely watched Senate seat where Republican Bernie Moreno is challenging incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown. Voters will also decide on several local issues including school levies.
The US has started voting and polls are expected to close between 7 pm and 11 pm (5.30 am to 9.30 am IST). However, it is unlikely that results will be known immediately. Heres when the winner is expected to be declared read more

Residents of Dixville Notch cast their ballots in the US election at midnight in the living room of the Tillotson House at the Balsams Grand Resort, marking the first votes in the US election, in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire on November 5. AFP

The US election isnt just near  its here.

Polling stations have opened in different parts of the United States where registered voters will cast their ballot either for Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are battling to become the 47th president of the United States today (November 5).

And everyone has just one question.

When will we know the final results?

Lets take a closer look:

A brief look at the polls

First, lets examine what we know about the polls.

The US presidential election is being held today (November 5).

Advertisement

Each state throws open its poll per its rules  usually between 7 am (5.30 pm IST) and 9 am (7.30 pm IST) on Tuesday.

Most polls usually close between 7 pm and 11 pm on Tuesday (5.30 am IST and 9.30 am IST on Wednesday respectively). But keep in mind that the US also has multiple time zones  so these are rough estimates.

The results of certain states  which are firmly Democratic and Republican  will be known immediately after they close their polls.

Kentucky and Oklahoma, for example, will be called for Trump as soon as they close their polls.

Ditto New York and California for Harris.

This is done based on both the initial sample of votes and looking at past historical trends.

First polls open

Election Day has officially kicked off in the United States with the state of Vermont throwing open its polls.

New Hampshires Dixville Notch, as per tradition, became the first town to conclude voting in the US election.

The result?

A 3-3 tie between Trump and Harris.

The small town, which has just six voters, four Republicans and two Independents, conducted its election at midnight. It managed to finish polling and counting votes in an enviable 12 minutes.

Catch our live coverage of the US elections .

The states that matter

Though Trump and Harris are essentially in a dead heat when it comes to national polling, that really doesnt matter.

This is because the US elects its president via the Electoral College.

Advertisement

A candidate needs to hit the magic mark of 270 Electoral Votes (EVs), out of the 538 Electoral Votes available, to be elected president.

In the end, just seven swing states  Arizona (11 EVs), Michigan (15 EVs), Pennsylvania (19 EVs), Georgia (16 EVs), North Carolina (16 EVs), Nevada (6 EVs) and Wisconsin (10 EVs)  will decide who will win the election.

Experts say theres nothing to choose between the candidates going into Election Day.

Its really close, Raymond J. La Raja, a political science professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, told Al Jazeera.

It all comes down to how quickly states can process and tabulate their votes.

Advertisement

Over 78 million Americans have already voted early as of Monday  easily surpassing the 2020 total.

But there are key differences this time.

For one, mail-in voting is thus far down massively compared to the previous presidential election.

A vote by-mail sign is shown outside the Philadelphia Election Warehouse in Pennsylvania on October 25. The swing state is crucial to both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. AP

MSNBC over the weekend reported that an estimated 75 per cent fewer mail-in ballots had been cast compared to 2020.

Remember, it was the mail-in votes  which in certain states back then could not be counted before Election Day  which caused the delay in ascertaining who actually won.

The Trump team, which was ahead in the initial count of those who voted on Election Day, were simply swamped by the overwhelming number of Democratic ballots which were mailed in.

Advertisement

This is because Trump in 2020 decried mail-in voting as being fraudulent.

Republicans in 2020 chose to turn up in higher numbers on Election Day, while the Democrats, in the middle of a pandemic, much preferred to vote by mail.

The Red mirage  Trump being ahead in the votes that were counted first  thus dissipated in the ocean of the Blue wave that came crashing down in the days after the election.

This led Trump to cry foul despite there being no evidence of fraud.

Another factor is that some of these all-important states have also changed the way votes will be counted this time.

Advertisement

Arizona

Polls open at 8 am (6.30 pm IST) and close at 9 pm (7.30 am IST on Wednesday).

Arizona could take its own sweet time for the final results to be declared.

As per The New York Times, the state usually votes via mail  which of course takes longer to process than in-person votes.

Though ballots arriving the Election Day are counted immediately, those votes arriving after can only be counted after the polls close.

Arizona officials say the final result could take as long as 10 to 13 days, as per the newspaper.

However, the first results are expected to be reported at about 10 pm Tuesday (8:30 am Wednesday, IST), one hour after the polls close.

Michigan

In Michigan, polls opened at 7 am (5.30 pm IST) and will close at 8 and 9 pm (6.30 am and 7.30 am IST on Wednesday).

As per Al Jazeera, Michigan, this time, could have a result faster than it did in 2020. This is because state officials have changed the laws allowing mail-in ballots to be counted before the day of the election.

But with mail-in voting nowhere nearly as popular this year compared to 2020, that might not help much.

However, a result is not expected until the end of Wednesday.

Pennsylvania

In the state, polls opened at 7 am (5.30 pm IST) and will close at 8 pm (6.30 am IST on Wednesday).

In 2020, Pennsylvania was an utter mess. Like last time, workers under the law cannot begin counting mail ballots until Election Day, as per The New York Times.

However, the state has since invested in new technology.

It also mandates most counties to count mail ballots continuously after the polls close  through the night if needs be.

Pennsylvania is unlikely to render a result on the election night. It may take at least 24 hours before enough votes are counted to declare a winner, according to experts.

Georgia

In Georgia, the polls opened at 7 am (5.30 pm IST) and will close at 7 pm (5.30 am IST on Wednesday).

BBC quoted experts as saying that 75 per cent of the vote will be counted within two hours (by 7.30 am IST).

According to The New York Times, Georgia overwhelmingly votes in-person early.

Vote reporting is also usually speedy.

The state is expected to see fewer mail-in ballots, which take longer to count, this time.

Expect a fast count.

North Carolina

Polls in North Carolina opened at 6.30 am (5 pm IST) and will close at 7.30 pm (6.30 am IST).

Like Georgia, North Carolina also massively favours in-person voting. Votes in North Carolina are also counted extremely speedily and a result can be expected fairly soon after polls close.

A quick result in North Carolina seems to be in the offing, possibly by then end of election night.

Nevada

Polls in Nevada will open at 9 am (7.30 pm IST) and close at 10 pm (8.30 am IST on Wednesday)

Nevada too has changed its rules to speed up the process of counting votes. Mail-in ballots are allowed in the state; they need to be sent on Election Day and received before November 9.

With late-arriving mail ballots being allowed, the final result in the state could potentially not be known for days, as per Al Jazeera.

Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, polls open at 8 am (6.30 IST) and shut at 9 pm (7.30 am IST on Wednessday).

Wisconsin, like Pennsylvania, does not allow its election officials to begin counting ballots till Election Day.

This means it too like Pennsylvania could take its time to announce the results.

CNN reported that Pennsylvanias results are not likely until Wednesday.

When will we get the results?

The first results will begin to come in around 7 pm on Tuesday (around 4.30 am IST on Wednesday).

But the final results depend on how quickly the states that matter can count votes. This means theres no real way of telling the exact date when final results will be out.

How things played out in 2020

In 2020, the results in the key states of Pennsylvania and Nevada took days.

Arizona, which Fox News gave to Biden early, was not called for the then-Democratic nominee by other outlets for a week.

The race for US president was finally called for Biden on November 7  four days after Election Day had passed.

Georgia, meanwhile, was not given to Biden until two weeks after Election Day.

This after a recount by hand was conducted  which confirmed Bidens win by around 12,000 votes  which also resulted in the famous phone call by Trump to the governor of Georgia asking him to find 11,000 votes.

Trump and his allies by then had also sown doubt amongst his supporters about the outcome of the race  which ultimately led to the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.

This time, we may well face a similar outcome as the outcome of the race is left hanging for days with Trump alternately crying foul and declaring victory.

Or we may be in for a surprise on election night aka Barack Obama vs Mitt Romney in 2012  which left some Fox News pundits bewildered  in which what was thought to be a close race turned out to be a blowout for the sitting president.

Stay tuned and find out.

How media calls the election

Remember, in the United States, it is tradition for the media to call the winner of the US election.

From MSNBC to Fox, each media outlet has its own election analysis desk which analyses the race according to its own internal parameters.

The decision desks predict the winner of certain states and take a call as to whom they think will be the next President of the United States.

This is after they find a candidate has crossed a sufficient threshold in the tabulated votes and have examined the number of votes that remain and in what areas.

The Associated Press is widely considered the gold standard when it comes to calling elections.

Remember, Fox News in 2020 created an uproar  both within the organisation and in the Trump campaign  after its decision desk called Arizona for Joe Biden.

The Trump team reportedly called the bigwigs at Fox to try to get the call reversed  thus keeping Trumps election hopes alive  and even reached out to Rupert Murdoch, but were denied.

Foxs analysis team, which called the state days before the other news outlets, was ultimately proved correct.

Biden thus became just the second Democrat in 70 years to win Arizona.

In the final tally, he beat Trump by 10,457 votes or 0.3 per cent of the nearly 3.4 million ballots cast.

With inputs from agencies

Get all the latest updates of US Elections 2024
When polls close at different times across the United States, it can change voter turnout and how the election is covered read more

People walk past a sign that points the direction toward a voting location during early voting in the general election, on November 1, 2024, at City Hall in Providence, R.I. AP

As the United States prepares for presidential elections, the voting process becomes more complex. One important factor that often gets overlooked is the effect of time zones. The US has several time zones, which greatly influence when polls are open, when results come in, and how the election story develops.

Polling hours: Differences across states

Polling hours vary widely across the United States due to different time zones. States like Alaska and Hawaii have their own time zones, leading to different voting hours. For example, while polls in New York close at 9pm Eastern Time, those in Hawaii stay open until 7pm Hawaiian Time, which is midnight Eastern Time. These differences can affect voter turnout.

Advertisement

Impact on voter turnout

The timing of polling hours can greatly affect how many people vote. In states where polls close early, voters might feel rushed to cast their ballots. On the other hand, voters in states with later closing times might be influenced by results from states that have already finished voting. For instance, if voters in California see early results from key states like Florida, they may change their minds about voting. This can lead to different turnout levels in various regions, which ultimately impacts the overall election outcome.

Election night narrative

On Election Day, polls close at different times across the country, resulting in staggered reporting of results. As states in the Eastern Time Zone finish voting, news organisations start sharing exit polls and early results, shaping the story of the election. Voters in later-closing states might adjust their decisions based on these early results, which can change the dynamics of the election.

Exit polls and their effects

Exit polls are important tools for news organisations, especially in states that close early. These polls can create a sense of momentum for certain candidates, potentially influencing voter turnout in states where polls are still open. For example, if early exit polls show a candidate doing well, voters in states that havent closed yet may feel less motivated to vote, thinking their candidate will win anyway. On the flip side, if a popular candidate shows poor results, it might discourage voters from participating.

Shifting focus during election night

As polls close and results come in, national attention shifts from one region to another. Early in the evening, states like Virginia and Florida receive a lot of media attention because they close their polls first. However, as the night goes on, the focus often shifts to states in the Central and Pacific Time Zones. This changing focus affects how campaigns direct their resources and highlights key battleground states that are crucial for winning electoral votes.

Advertisement

Role of media coverage

On Election Day, media coverage often aligns with polling hours. Early results from important states can shape the overall election narrative and influence candidate strategies. This media attention can create a sense of disparity in voter engagement making voters in states that are still voting feel ignored compared to those in states that have already reported their results.

Time zone rules and their effects

Each state sets its own rules for polling hours, resulting in a mix of regulations based on time zones. Some states allow ballots to be counted as long as they are cast before the polls close, no matter when they arrive. This can complicate the counting process, especially in states that allow mail-in voting or where ballots might arrive late due to time zone differences.

Advertisement

Controversies and legal issues

The 2000 presidential election is a clear example of how time zones can complicate legal matters. The long vote counting process in Florida, combined with the different poll closing times across the country, led to significant controversy and legal disputes about the validity of the votes. This situation highlighted how time zones can create confusion and issues in an already complicated electoral process.

This election was a key moment in US voting history drawing attention to the challenges posed by time zones. As results came in from Florida, the differences in poll closing times and counting methods became a national focus, leading to a Supreme Court decision that ultimately decided the elections outcome.

Advertisement

Changing views on time

Technology and instant communication have changed how time is perceived over the years. Real-time reporting and social media have transformed how election results are shared, often increasing the influence of time zones on voter behaviour. The fast flow of information can shape public perception and create pressures that were less noticeable in earlier elections. Therefore, its important for voters to understand how time zones can impact their voting experience.
As the 2024 presidential election unfolds, Donald Trump is set to host a closely-watched election night gathering in West Palm Beach, Florida. Heightened security measures and traffic restrictions will be in place, with authorities prepared for large crowds and potential protests read more

Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump delivers "Trump Will Fix It" remarks during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida, US, October 29, 2024. File Image/Reuters

As Americans vote on Election Day, former United States President Donald Trumps plans for the evening are set, with significant preparations underway in Florida to ensure a secure environment for his watch party.

Trump, the Republican nominee, is anticipated to draw crowds and media attention, while officials gear up for a potentially high-stakes night with extensive security and traffic measures in place.

What are Trumps plan for Election Night?

Trump will host an election night watch party at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. This is where hell await results with supporters, as both campaign insiders and local authorities confirm that Trump will not be at his Mar-a-Lago estate as he was on Super Tuesday in March, reported USA Today.

Having his campaign based in West Palm Beach, Trump is poised to monitor this highly competitive election night from a location brimming with both supporters and media attention.

Advertisement

Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump delivers Trump Will Fix It remarks during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida, US, October 29, 2024. File Image/Reuters

The event could draw significant numbers, as Trumps supporters and media outlets prepare to converge on the area.

We expect hundreds, if not thousands, of media members and visitors to descend on the city because of election night, West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James told local media, highlighting the intensity of interest around Trumps election headquarters.

How is West Palm preparing for Trump?

To ensure public safety, the West Palm Beach Police Department, Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office, US Secret Service, and Homeland Security are working in tandem.

Our goal is to keep everyone safe. Our team is well trained, prepared, and ready, assured Mayor James. Additional measures include fencing around the convention center and designated protest zones for demonstrators.

People scuffle as supporters of Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump gather ahead of the US presidential election in West Palm Beach, Florida, US, November 4, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw stated, If youre a protester and you dont like whats going on, therell be a designated area for you to do that in All in all, were expecting a smooth evening, and were prepared to do whatever we need to do.

To preempt any potential disruptions, Bradshaw announced that correctional buses, which he called a nice name for a jail, would be on-site as a deterrent. If things are getting ready to heat up and get out of hand, were going to stop it real early, and youll come spend the night with me, he warned.

For those worrying about Election Daytheres no need! Were prepared to keep everyone safe, no matter the results. We know emotions run high, but were not going to let things get out of control. A special thanks to Chief Araujo for the smooth transition in @WestPalmPD pic.twitter.com/JXWZseyPDc  Sheriff Ric Bradshaw (@RicBradshaw) November 4, 2024

Advertisement

Additionally, West Palm Beach interim police Chief Tony Araujo advised attendees to pre-register their vehicles if parking at the convention centre garage, pointing out that traffic would likely be heavily congested.

When is Donald Trump voting?

Despite encouraging early voting this year, Trump will vote in person on Election Day in Florida, which carries 30 Electoral College votes.

Historically a swing state, Florida has voted for both Democrats and Republicans over the years, with Trump winning it in both 2016 and 2020. This cycle, he remains favoured to take the state again.

Advertisement

Media crews work on the bridge leading to Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort, ahead of the US presidential election, in Palm Beach, Florida, US, November 4, 2024. File Image/Reuters

According to local media, Trump is expected to arrive at the convention center between 10 pm and 11:30 pm (local time), though exact timings remain subject to change.

For added protection, security around Trump has been increased due to two recent foiled assassination attempts, prompting officials to keep details about his movements closely guarded.

Who will win the 2024 race? Kamala Harris or Donald Trump?

With just hours until the votes are tallied, the race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is highly competitive, with both candidates vying for the 270 Electoral College votes needed to secure the presidency.

Seven critical battleground states  Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina  are at the centre of this election, offering a combined 93 Electoral College votes. Pennsylvania, with 19 votes, is especially pivotal and could sway the outcome.

Kosovo artist Alkent Pozhegu works on a mosaic made of grains showing portraits of US Vice President Kamala Harris and former US President Donald Trump, in Gjakova, Kosovo. File Image/Reuters

According to election forecasts as of Monday morning, Trump has a slight edge, with a 53 in 100 chance of winning, while Harris holds a 47 in 100 chance, per 538s predictions.

Advertisement

However, another forecast by Nate Silvers Silver Bulletin suggests Harris may have a slim lead over Trump. These forecasts underscore the elections unpredictable nature, especially in the battleground states where margins are razor-thin.

What are Harris Election Night plans?

US Vice President Kamala Harris will spend Election Day in Washington, DC, having already cast her vote by mail in her home state of California, which traditionally leans Democratic.

She is expected to host her own watch party at her alma mater, Howard University, where she may address supporters and discuss election developments as results come in.

.@HowardU was where I first ran for elected office  freshman class representative. There is no place Id rather visit on the day I launched my presidential campaign. pic.twitter.com/B6yuJcoe91  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 22, 2019

Advertisement

The District of Columbias three electoral votes are anticipated to support Harris, who has advocated for higher early voter turnout throughout her campaign.

With their watch parties set and a multitude of supporters at the ready, both  Kamala Harris and Donald Trump  are in place for a night that none of them will ever forget no matter who the victor in the end.

With inputs from agencies
On the eve of the 2024 US Presidential poll, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris held back-to-back rallies across Pennsylvania, the critical state that could decide the election read more

Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally at JS Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, US on November 4, 2024, while Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris at a rally in Wisconsin. Source" REUTERS | X | @KamalaHarris.

As the US braces up to elect a new president on November 5, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on Monday held rallies across Pennsylvania, making their final pitches in the key swing state.

Harris and Trump rallies in Pennsylvania come amid polls and surveys indicating a neck-to-neck contest between the two presidential candidates.

Reaching out to voters on the eve of the election day, Harris and Trump laid out starkly contrasting visions for the future of America.

Advertisement

Trumps rallies centered around personal attacks on a number of high-profile Democratic women and trying to show migrants as dangerous criminals. Meanwhile, Harris delivered a more optimistic closing argument, shifting focus away from the threat her rival in the race to White House could pose, and insisted, we all have so much more in common than what separates us.

Harris campaign and its surrogates continued to reach out to female voters, while Trump revived familiar insults against notable women, sometimes with violent language.

What Trump said in rallies on election eve?

In North Carolina, Republican nominee Trump attacked former first lady Michelle Obama and said: She hit me the other day. I was going to say to my people, am I allowed to hit her now? They said, take it easy, sir.

Not just this, Trump even suggested that the Democratic congresswoman Nancy Pelosi should have been jailed for ripping up a copy of his 2020 State of the Union address: Shes a bad, sick woman, shes crazy as a bedbug.

Trump, in North Carolina, also threatened the newly elected president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, suggesting he would impose tariffs on all Mexican goods if they dont stop this onslaught of criminals and drugs.

The Republican nominee also repeated his lines that Harris is a low IQ individual.

Trump continued with his taunts even when he has been facing scrutiny over his recent comment suggesting that Liz Cheney, the former GOP congresswoman and a Harris supporter, should face rifles shooting at her.

Advertisement

In Reading, Pennsylvania, Trump fantasised about wrestlers who could take the migrants in a fight. He continued with his racist tropes about immigrants and affirmed his threat of unprecedented mass deportations as he said Tuesday would be liberation day.

He also claimed that Democrats support open borders so undocumented people can fraudulently vote.

Harris final pitch to US voters

Harris, at the same time, was rallying roughly 40 miles away from Trump in Allentown where she critiqued Trumpism, refraining from directly naming her opponent: America is ready for a new way forward, where we see our fellow American not as an enemy but as a neighbor. We are ready for a president who understands that the true measure of the strength of the leader is not based on who you beat down. It is based on who you lift up.

Advertisement

Later Harris stopped at a Puerto Rican restaurant with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and directly joined canvassing in a residential area in Reading, telling voters at one home: I wanted to go door-knocking!

Took some time today to hear from voters in Pennsylvania and ask for their support.



There's still time to join us on the doors: https://t.co/ZaRpcqNdUT pic.twitter.com/J7E8ObhEjp  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 5, 2024

Biden garbage remark pops up

Monday, also witnessed JD Vance, Trumps running mate, earned loud applause at a rally in Georgia, when he attacked Harris by bringing up President Joe Bidens recent gaffe, in which he appeared to call Trump supporters garbage.

In two days, we are going to take out the trash in Washington DC, and the trash is named Kamala Harris, said the Ohio senator, in a remark that was condemned by Democrats and pundits.

On Monday, Trump had four rallies  one in Raleigh, North Carolina, two in Pennsylvania and a late-evening event in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Advertisement

With his packed schedule, Trump appeared low-energy and hoarse at times. He continued to boast about his crowd sizes, but reports suggested there were empty seats and early departures from audience members during his lengthy, meandering speeches in some of his final events.

Meanwhile, Harris stayed in Pennsylvania, holding several rallies and events in the critical state that could decide the 2024 US Presidential election.

With inputs from agencies.
New York, known as the melting pot of cultures in America, where over 200 languages are spoken, will have Bengali as the only Indian language on its ballot papers. The move to include Asian languages for non-English speakers is not only expected to encourage voter participation in US elections but also is a legal mandate in the state read more

Bengali has emerged as the only Indian language on New Yorks 2024 US presidential election ballots, joining the other Asian languages commonly spoken in the Big Apple. Image for Representation. Reuters

Its the eve of a pivotal day as Americans prepare to elect their next president on November 5. Amidst this excitement, New Yorks 2024 presidential ballot is turning heads due to its intriguing language lineup.

In a city renowned for its cultural diversity, where over 200 languages are spoken, an unexpected Indian language has secured a spot on the ballot. Surprisingly, its not the language most would anticipate.

Bengali has emerged as the only Indian language on New Yorks 2024 US presidential election ballots, joining the other Asian languages commonly spoken in the Big Apple.

Advertisement

But what led to Bengalis inclusion on US ballots? Heres a closer look at the story.

Including Bengali makes things easier at polling stations

New York City, often known as a melting pot of cultures in America, is known for its vibrant and diverse population.

According to the Asian American Federation, 66 per cent of immigrants living in New York do not have English as their first language. As a result, 45 per cent of the Asian Americans in the city have limited proficiency in English.

Keeping this diversity in mind, Micheal J Ryan, Executive Director of New York Citys Board of Elections, emphasised the necessity of including Asian languages on ballots.

We are required to service four other languages besides English. It is Chinese, Spanish, Korean and Bengali as the Asian languages, Ryan explained to PTI.

While Hindi may be one of the most popular Indian languages, New York has a significant Bengali-speaking population, comprising residents from both India and Bangladesh.

As per a 2022 article by the Asian American Federation, Bengali is the second most spoken Asian language in New York (12.2 per cent) after Chinese (53.6 per cent). Hindi ranked sixth at 3.3 per cent.

While Hindi may be one of the most popular Indian languages, New York has a significant Bengali-speaking population, comprising residents from both India and Bangladesh. File image/ AP

The move to include Bengali on the ballot paper is to encourage voter participation in New York.

Subhshesh, a sales agent in Times Square with Bengali roots, expressed his delight as his father, who lives in Queens, will benefit from the linguistic support when casting his vote.

People like me know English, but many in our community feel more comfortable with their native language. This will make things easier at the polling station. Im sure my father will appreciate seeing a Bengali ballot, he shared with the news agency.

Advertisement

Also read: Why a tiny village in India is cheering for Kamala Harris victory

The inclusion of Bengali on New Yorks ballots is not just a symbolic gesture but a legal requirement.

Ryan explained the background of this decision to PTI.

There was a lawsuit about language access and as you know the country of India has a lot of different languages within it. The settlement of that lawsuit required within a certain population density to have an Asian Indian language. Then through some negotiations, they settled on Bengali. I understand the limitations of Bengali being the choice but it came out of a lawsuit, he said.

This historic inclusion of Bengali on a presidential ballot first appeared on the presidential ballot in Queens in 2013, following a federal directive under the 1965 Voting Rights Act. This mandate required language assistance for South Asian minorities, ensuring they could fully participate in the electoral process.

Advertisement

Also read: From bulletproof glass to drones & snipers, heres how US is securing Election Day

Now, by law, New York City is obligated to offer voting materials in Bengali at designated poll sites. This provision covers more than just ballots; it extends to all essential voting materials, providing comprehensive language support to Bengali-speaking voters.

Dr Avinash Gupta, President of the Federation of Indian Association says it helps the Indian community.

It will help the Indian population to go out and vote. That is how we can get our voices heard. We are a sizable population. It is heartening to see how Indians go out and vote and even contest elections, said Dr Gupta.

Advertisement

With input from agencies
Americans have begun voting in what is seen as a tight contest between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump for the presidential elections. Harris will spend it at her alma mater, Howard University in Washington, DC read more

Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, US, November 3, 2024. Reuters

A historic battle begins between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump on November 5, as Americans head out to vote in the crucial 2024 presidential elections.

Million of votes have already been cast, which is more than a third of the total turnout from 2020. Early voting also saw a notable increase in Republican participation compared to four years ago, following Trumps softened stance on in-person voting on Election Day.

Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania officially ended their early voting periods on Friday. Swing states are expected to play a massive role in determining the next president, with both campaigns heavily targeting these battlegrounds.

Advertisement

A Trump victory would make history in multiple ways: he would become the first president-elect convicted of a felony, due to his hush-money case in New York, and the second president to win non-consecutive terms after Grover Cleveland. His victory would also give him the authority to stop other pending federal investigations against him.

Meanwhile, Harris aims to make her own historic mark, as the first woman, first Black woman, and first person of South Asian descent to become the US President. Four years ago, she became the first to break these barriers by serving as President Joe Bidens vice president.

ALSO READ | Explained: How the US presidential election works

Where will Harris spend the election night?

Kamala Harris plans to watch the election night at her alma mater, Howard University, in Washington DC - a smart choice for what could be the most defining night of her career.

Kamala Harris at a campaign rally at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, US, November 3, 2024. Reuters

Known as the Black Harvard, Howard holds a central place in Harriss life story. Since her graduation in 1986, she has frequently returned at key moments.

Howard University is one of the most important aspects of my life, she stated in 2019 while running in the Democratic primary, adding, and it is where I first ran for my first elected office, as a student council representative.

So this is where it all began.

Tuesday evening will bring Harris back to Howards campus, where she could make history as the first Black woman elected as US president.

Advertisement

Founded by the US Congress in 1867, two years after the Civil War ended slavery in the South, Howard is named after Oliver Howard, a Northern general who championed higher education for freed slaves.

Now known as one of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and drawing predominantly Black and minority students, Howard University serves around 11,000 students.

The campus has several imposing red-brick buildings with classical white columns encircling a large lawn known as The Yard.

In August, Harris used Howards amphitheatre to prepare for her one debate with Trump, reminding students there that, someday, you might be running for president of the United States.

Advertisement

ALSO READ | How US election calls are made in November when formal results are certified in January

What to expect from the elections

With 538 electoral college votes available nationwide, the candidate who reaches 270 wins the presidency.

As November 5 approaches, national and swing state polls have tightened, indicating the possibility for razor-thin victory margins in key states, which may require recounts.

Some results might come in more slowly than usual due to shifts in state election processes since 2020, particularly in the seven swing states likely to decide the outcome, BBC reported.

In 2016, Trump won Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, but Biden flipped them in 2020. North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada complete the list of crucial battlegrounds. If each candidate secures the states most likely to vote for them, Harris would still need 44 votes to reach 270, while Trump would need 51. These key swing states hold 93 electoral votes altogether.

Advertisement

Historically, voters expect to know the election result by late election night or early the next morning. However, tight margins might cause the media outlets to delay their projections, and recounts and legal challenges could further extend the wait.

Kamala Harris in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, August 20, 2024, and Donald Trump in Bedminster, New Jersey, US, August 15, 2024. File Photo/Reuters

Over 100 pre-election lawsuits, including Republican-led challenges on voter eligibility and voter roll management, have already been filed across the country.

ALSO READ | When was the first US election held? What was the result?

The celebrity graduates of Howard

Howard University counts several high-profile alumni among its graduates, including author and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison and civil rights leader Thurgood Marshall, who became the first Black US Supreme Court justice in 1967.

Inspired by Marshall, Harris chose Howard in 1982, where she joined the debate club, took part in anti-apartheid protests, and became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), one of the largest sororities in the country, founded at Howard in 1908.

Advertisement

Though AKA does not endorse candidates, its network of around 300,000 members has offered Harris extensive activist support.

With inputs from AFP
Voting in the US presidential election has started and it might not know the winner until tomorrow. But there are fears that election night could turn violent  as Donald Trump indicates that he wont accept a defeat in the polls against Kamala Harris read more

A man holds a sign next to metal fencing installed near the White House in Washington, DC, ahead of election day. AFP

Nearly four years ago, the United States witnessed turmoil during the presidential elections, with Donald Trump refusing to cede that he had lost the polls to Joe Biden. This resulted in the attempted insurrection that unfolded at Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

With Donald Trump on the ticket again, this time facing off against Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris, there are fears that election night could descend into chaos and violence. He has already hinted that he wont accept a defeat, telling his supporters at Lititz, Pennsylvania on Sunday that he shouldnt have left the White House. Many fear that in case the votes dont go in favour of the former US president, Trump may resort to misinformation and incite violence  reminiscent of his 2020 playbook.

Advertisement

Catch all our live updates on the US election results

We take a closer look at what could possibly go wrong on election night and how it could mar the democratic process in the United States of America.

Calm before the storm

Before Election Night, an eerie calm surrounds the country. Many across the US are preparing for the possible threat of violence. Elections offices in the US have hardened their security measures this year. Hundreds of election offices have been reinforced with bulletproof glass and steel doors.

And this isnt restricted to election offices alone. According to Glen Kucera, an executive at Allied Universal, a private security company, many of his clients have sought resources to protect themselves and their businesses. The threat is kind of imminent and everywhere, Kucera told Business Insider. Were trying to get ahead of the threat.

Workers erect security fencing near the White House ahead of the US presidential election in Washington. Reuters

In some states, the National Guard has been activated in preparation for Election Day. Moreover, panic buttons attached to lanyards have been provided for the primary poll worker to wear at every polling site.

Calls for voter fraud

Many US poll experts note that in case the results veer towards Kamala Harris, Donald Trump and his supporters will level allegations of voter fraud. In the run-up to the polls, he has already made repeated false claims that Democrats are cheating in the election.

This includes saying voting by non-citizens is a widespread problem. In September, Trump had said during the presidential debate, Our elections are bad, and a lot of these illegal immigrants coming in, theyre trying to get them to vote. They cant even speak English. They dont even know what country theyre in practically. And these people are trying to get them to vote.

Advertisement

However, factually speaking illegal voting by non-citizens is extremely rare, and when it does happen, it is usually caught quickly.

A supporter sits at a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former US President Donald Trump at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania. Reuters

Such claims of voter fraud, which have gone viral on social media, however, are largely a made-up problem. Paul Smith from the Campaign Legal Centre told USA Today that reviews of the 2020 election and the 2022 midterms found no evidence of significant voter fraud.

But former President Trump and some Republicans continue to spread false claims.

In the run-up to Election Day, many pro-Trump groups, including chapters of the Proud Boys, have been posting memes and content that suggest that the 2024 election will be stolen from Trump.

Advertisement

On Telegram, several groups were indulging in a movement intended to question the credibility of the presidential election, reported the New York Times.

Threats of violence

Apart from voter fraud, there are also concerns about cases of violence and intimidation on Election Day. And this isnt an unfounded concern as there are already incidents of violence during early voting.

For instance, a man in Arizona was allegedly stockpiling weapons and plotting a mass casualty event, according to police who arrested him last week for shooting at Democratic party offices. Theres also the case of the man who planted explosive devices in two ballot boxes in Oregon and Washington.

Threats of violence have also surged online in recent weeks, peddled by conspiracy theorists, disinformation peddlers and propagandists. This has led many to believe that violence is inevitable post-Election Day.

First responders pull out the burning contents of a ballot box, used to collect early votes ahead of the US election, after it was set on fire in a suspected arson in Vancouver, Washington. File image/Reuters

Trumps plan of deploying over 150,000 volunteer poll watchers is also a cause of concern for pollsters. Earlier, Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr said on X, We need every able-bodied man, woman to join [the] Army for Trumps election security operation. We need you to help us watch them. Not just on Election Day, but also during early voting and at the counting boards. President Trump is going to win. Dont let them steal it.

Advertisement

Experts note that such messages could incite violence and could lead to voter interference at the least.

Some note that theres also a possibility of civil unrest, similar to what one saw in January 2021.

Cyberattacks

Theres also the looming threat of cyberattacks. Even before Election Day, there have been reports of countries such as Russia, China, and Iran actively targeting digital accounts linked to political campaigns, spreading misinformation, and probing election infrastructure.

We shall have to wait and watch for how Election Day unfolds: Will Americans keep calm or will the US once again see mass violence? The answer will be known soon enough.

With inputs from agencies
On Election Day, Kamala Harris urged Americans to get out and vote as her White House duel with Donald Trump reached its climax on Tuesday. read more

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a service at the Church of Christian Compassion, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. AP File

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris called into Atlantas V-103 radio station on The Big Tigger Morning Show to encourage Georgia voters to head to the polls on Election Day.

Catch all updates on US presidential election in our live coverage

Weve got to get it done. Today is voting day, and people need to get out and be active, CNN quoted Harris as saying to the voters.

Ive just been so focused on the task in front of me, the reflection has only been about making sure that Im responding to the needs of folks around the policies, Harris said, noting that polls close in Georgia at 7 pm ET.

Advertisement

Harris said her focus for the day is making sure everybody knows the power of their voice through their vote.

She continued to avoid referring to former President Donald Trump by name, instead referring to him as my opponent during the interview, reported CNN.

Millions of Americans headed towards polling stations on Tuesday to elect the 47th President of the US, capping one of the most bitter presidential campaigns in the countrys history.

Harris and Trump remained neck and neck in polls conducted by various media outlets.

The two leaders need at least 270 electoral votes to win. The battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are expected to be pivotal to the path to victory.

Harris and Trump tied with three votes each in the tiny New Hampshire community of Dixville Notch, which opened and closed its poll just after midnight ET in a decades-old tradition.

With inputs from agencies
Foreign Direct Investment in Nepal

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Home

This page is under construction!

General FDI Information:

Q1. How is Foreign Investment defined in Nepal?

Q2: Who qualifies as a foreign Investor?

Q3: Why invest in Nepal?

Q4: What are the prospective areas of FDI in Nepal?

Legal and Regulatory Framework Q5: What are the key acts/laws/Policies concerning FDI in Nepal?

FDI in Nepal is primarily governed by the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA), 2019 and Industrial Enterprises Act, 2020. Complemented by the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Rules, 2021 and Industrial Enterprise Rules, 2078. Several other relevant acts pertaining to FDI are also listed below: A. Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA), 2019



FITTA 2019 provides a clear framework for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Nepal, covering types of foreign investment, approval processes, investment protections, dispute resolution, and incentives aimed at attracting and regulating foreign investments.

Eng : https://ibn.gov.np/resources/details/the-foreign-investment-and-technology-transfer-act-2019-english-6187 B. The Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Rules, 2021



It provides detailed guidelines for the implementation of the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act, 2019 (FITTA). It clarifies procedures, processes, and regulatory requirements for foreign investment and technology transfer in Nepal.

Nepali: https://doind.gov.np/uploads/notices/Notices-202106011317126.pdf C. The Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Rules, 2021



It provides detailed guidelines for the implementation of the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act, 2019 (FITTA). It clarifies procedures, processes, and regulatory requirements for foreign investment and technology transfer in Nepal.

Nepali: https://doind.gov.np/uploads/notices/Notices-202106011317126.pdf D. Industrial Enterprises Act, 2020



The Industrial Enterprises Act, 2020 focuses on promoting industrial growth, simplifying business procedures, and encouraging both foreign and domestic investment. It offers incentives to industries and outlines clear processes for foreign investors to operate and repatriate profits in Nepal. https://moics.gov.np/content/9291/9291-industrial-enterprises-act-20/

English :https://doind.gov.np/detail/196 E. Industrial Enterprises Rules, 2078

Focuses on implementing provisions of the Industrial Enterprises Act, 2020 by simplifying procedures for business registration, licensing, and incentives for industries. https://doind.gov.np/uploads/notices/Notices-20220405201944826.pdf F. Public Private Partnership and Investment Act, 2019

The Act provides a legal framework for partnerships between the government and private entities, encouraging investment in sectors like infrastructure, energy, transportation, and social services.

Nepali: https://doind.gov.np/detail/106

English: https://ibn.gov.np/resources/details/public-private-partnership-and-investment-act-2019-english-6187 G. The Company Act, 2006



The Company Act of 2006 A.D. is primarily concerned with the establishment and operation of companies existing in Nepal. It also specifies requirements for registering a company in Nepal. https://moics.gov.np/content/9292/9292-company-act-2063/

Unofficial English Act : https://actnepal.com/en/act/1/1/companies-act-2063-2006 H. Nepal Rastra Bank Foreign Investment and Foreign Loan Management Bylaw, 2021

https://www.nrb.org.np/contents/uploads/2019/12/NRB-FIFL-Bylaw_English.pdf I. Labor Act, 2074

It provides the legal framework for regulating labor relations, protecting workers' rights, and ensuring fair employment practices including work permit approval for foreign citizen.

https://moless.gov.np/content/11121/11121-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE-%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AD%E0%A5%AA/

Unofficial Eng : https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/NEP225978.pdf J. Special Economic Zone Act. 2073

This act is made to regulate the establishment, operation and management of special economic zone.

English: https://www.doind.gov.np/detail/198 Note: Laws can be accessed through the official website of Nepal Law Commission or the website of Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. (Official archives of Nepal's Constitution, Statues / Acts, Ordinance, Formation Orders, Rules and Regulations, Policies, International Treaties, Historical Documents

Q6: What are the Government and Private Sector Agencies of Nepal related to FDI process?

S.N Agencies Major Functions 1. FNCCI (Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries) FDI Help desk will ensure that investors are well informed about the policy and processes related to FDI in Nepal. 2. Ministry of Industries, Commerce and Supplies Formulate policies and laws regarding FDI 3. Industry and Investment promotion Board Provide consent to industries that require permission 4. Investment Board of Nepal Approve the foreign investment exceeding NRs. 6 billion and provide other facilitation 5. Department of Industry( One Stop Service Center) Approve the foreign investment not exceeding NRs. 6 billion and provide industry administration related services 6. Office of Company Registrar Register company and provide administration related services 7. Nepal Rastra Bank (Central Bank of Nepal) Provide approval for bringing in foreign currency against approved investment, recording, and repatriation

Q7: FDI Registration Process Flowchart

Q: Where do we obtain authorization for foreign investment?

Q: Is there any faster way to get FDI Approval in Nepal?

Establish a new company with 100% ownership or a joint venture with a total capital of up to NPR 500 million. Increase capital in an already established foreign-invested company.

Q: What is the procedure for the establishment and operation of FDI in Nepal?

Obtaining Foreign Investment Approval from DOI or NIB Incorporation of Company at the Office of the Company Registrar Tax Registration at the Inland Revenue Office Business Registration at the Local Ward Office Registration of Industry at the DOI Obtaining Non-Blacklist Certificate from Credit Information Bureau Obtaining approval from NRB to infuse the Investment Amount Infusion of investment amount in local bank and obtaining Investment Certificate Recording of the infused investment amount at the NRB

Q: What are the Documents Required for Approval of Foreign Investment? Rule 8, FITTR, 2022

1. For Foreign Investment:

Project Introduction & Investment Plan - Two parts. Joint Investment Agreement - If multiple investors, submit two copies. Natural Person Investor Documents - Passport and personal details (biodata). Foreign Company Investor Documents - Certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation, directors and shareholders documents, company profile, and managing directors financial statement. Joint Investment Documents - Data certificate, partner details, partner agreement, and company profile. Nepali-Origin Foreign Citizen or NRN Documents - Required verification documents. International Organization Documents - Organizational statement, directors introduction, profile, and relevant institutional data. Absentee Investor Documents - Letter of intent and a document detailing investment intent. Foreign Investment Certificate - Issued by the investors foreign bank. Additional Documents - As requested by the approving authority.

2. For Foreign Investment in an Existing Industry by Share Transfer:

Application from the share transferor Share transfer agreements  3 copies (Original) Copy of minutes of the meeting of Board of Directors of Nepali Company  1 copy Notarized copy of the minutes of Board meeting, Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association and Company Profile, if the foreign party is a Company  1 copy Notarized copy of Passport and Biodata of foreign party, if the party is an individual 1 copy Financial Credibility Certificate of the Foreign Investor issued by a bank 1 copy, Current Share Holders List as recorded in the Office of Company Registrar- 1 copy and Audit Report  1 copy Tax Clearance Certificate  1 copy Letter of Authorization to be signed on behalf of the Company  1 copy Certificate of industry/company registration  1 copy

3. For Lease Investment in an Existing Industry:

Industry registration certificate and the copy of the approved project proposal Lease agreement stating clearly the time, value and payment procedure of the lease- 2 copies If the lessor is a foreign individual, notarized copy of the passport and biodata If the lessor is a company, company registration certification, Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association, minute of the decision of the board and Company Profile Documents exhibiting the value of the Airplanes, Ship, Machines, Building Equipment or other devises to be given in lease. Insurance documents of the Airplanes, Ship, Machines, Building Equipment or other devises to be brought in lease Other documents as required by the investment approval agency

4. For Foreign Investment through Technology Transfer

Technology Transfer Agreement  3 copies Notarized copies of Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of the domestic company  1 copy Notarized copy of the passport of foreign investor or Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association if the foreign party is a company  1 copy Foreign investors Bio-Data or company profile Minutes of the meeting of Board of Directors from concerned companies for Technology Transfer Letter of Authorization from the company Notarized copy of current Audit Report and Tax Clearance Certificate of the domestic company

Q: What is the Fee structure for approval process of the foreign investment?

Q: By when must the investor bring their investment into Nepal after receiving approval?

(Rule 9 of FITTR)

Q: What is the time for completion of the approval process?

Note: Please check with the Department of Industry of Nepal

Q: What are the Documents required for the companys registration?

Memorandum of Association (2 sets) Approval for Foreign Investment from respective agency (1 copy) Articles of Association (2 sets) Passport of the Authorized Person of the Company (1copy) If the foreign investor is a company, Company registration certificate of the said company and decision of the board of the directors of the said company to make investment in the new company (1 copy) JVA agreement and approval from DOI in case of joint venture investment between two companies (1 copy) Citizenship of the Witness (1 copy) Power of Attorney issued in favor of the Advocates associated with registration (1 copy)

Q: Is foreign investment allowed in all sectors?

a. Industries, except the large Industries exporting at least seventy-five percent of their own products, in the sectors of animal husbandry, fisheries, beekeeping, fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, pulses, dairy business and other.

Note: *Amended Through the Act related to Investment Facilitation (Nepal Gazette

b. Industries or business related to primary products of agriculture.,b. Cottage and small industries. However, no restriction is placed on transfer of technology in cottage industries.

c. Personal service business (hair cutting, tailoring, driving etc.),

d. Industries manufacturing arms, ammunition, bullets and shell, gunpowder or explosives, and nuclear, biological and chemical (N.B.C.) weapons; industries producing atomic energy and radio-active materials,

e. Real estate business (excluding construction industries), retail business, internal courier service, local catering service, moneychanger, remittance service,

f. Travel agency, guide involved in tourism, trekking and mountaineering guide, rural tourism including homestay,

g. Business of mass communication media (newspaper, radio, television and online news) and motion picture of national language,

h. Management, account, engineering, legal consultancy service and language training, music training, computer training,

i. Consultancy services having foreign investment of more than fifty-one percent.



Q: How are industries classified in Nepal? (Definition of Industries):

a. Micro-industry with the fixed capital not exceeding two million rupees, excluding house and land;

the entrepreneur himself or herself is involved in the operation and management of the industry;

with a maximum of nine workers including the entrepreneur;

with annual transaction of less than ten million rupees;

with the capacity of electric energy,fuel or other oil engine to be consumed by the engine, equipment or machine, if any, used being twenty KW or less. b. Cottage industry based on traditional skills and technology;

labour-oriented and based on specific skills or local raw materials and local technology, arts and culture;

withthe capacity of electric energy to be consumed by the engine, equipmentormachine, if any, used being up to fifty KW;

any industry mentioned in Schedule-2. c. Small industry: An industry with the fixed capital not exceeding one hundred fifty million rupees, other than a micro enterprise and cottage industry; d. Medium industry: An industry with the fixed capital exceeding one hundred fifty million rupees but not exceeding five hundred million rupees; e. Large industry:

An industry with the fixed capital exceeding five hundred million rupees.



Source: Chapter 3 Section 17 of IEA,2020

Foreign investment means the following investment made by a foreign investor in an industry or company:(1) Foreign currency,(2) Re-investment in an industry of dividends derived from foreign currency or shares,(3) Lease finance made of certain assets of aircraft, ship, machinery and equipment, construction equipment or similar other equipment,(4) Investment in venture capital fund,(5) Investment in listed securities through secondary securities market,(6) Investment by purchasing shares or assets of a company incorporated in Nepal,(7) Investment received through the banking channel after issuing securities in a foreign capital market by an industry or company incorporated in Nepal,(8) Investment made through technology transfer, or(9) Investment maintained by establishing and expanding an industry in Nepal(Source:"Foreign investor" means any foreign individual, firm, company, Non-resident Nepali or foreign government or international agency or other corporate body of similar nature that makes foreign investment, and also includes, in the case of a foreign investor that is an institutional foreign investor, the ultimate beneficiary of such an institution.Source: FITTA, 2019 Section 2(k)Chart reference - Investment Board Nepal (IBN)Based on the national priority, the major sectors for the FDI are:a) Hydropower of Renewable Energy (Production and Transmission)b) Infrastructure related to Transportation (Fast Track, Railway, Tunnel, Cable Car, Metro Rail, Flyover and International Airport)c) Agricultural, Food Procession and Herbs Procession Industriesd) Tourism Industriese) Digital Economy & ICTf) Mineral and Productive Sector Industriesg) Manufacturing and Industrial Zonesg) Health and EducationNepal, typically, the initiation of any industry begins with FDI approval. This is succeeded by the processes of company registration, local level registration, setting up a bank account, and obtaining VAT/PAN registration. Subsequently, investors are required to receive a notification letter from Nepal Rastra Bank for investment inflow. Finally, the industry must undergo registration at the Department of Industry, including any necessary licensing based on the proposed products and services. The diagram below visually represents the approval and licensing steps.*OSSC  One Stop Service CenterAccording recent amendment in investment related laws, FDI approvals, previously required from the Investment Board for investments exceeding NPR 6 billion, can now be obtained directly from the Department of Industry (DOI), whereas National Pride Projects and Public Private Partnership Projects need to be approved by the Investment Board of Nepal (IBN).YesForeign investors can apply through the automatic route to:Approval is granted automatically for these investments through the given link. https://imis.doind.gov.np There is no fee for FDI approval by the Department of Industry. However, NPR. 20,000 has to be deposited by a new foreign investor as a refundable fund.The investor must bring their investment into Nepal within 1 year of receiving the investment approval.a) Minimum Investment: At least 25% of the approved amount.b) Investments up to NPR 250 million: At least 15% of the approved amount.c) Investments above NPR 25 million to NPR 100 million: At least 10% of the approved amount.d) Investments above NPR 100 million: At least 5% of the approved amount.It generally takes around 1 to 2 months for the completion of the entire FDI and the incorporation process.To start a business in Nepal, investors need to incorporate a company. The agency responsible for the incorporation of a company is the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. The Company Act 2006 provides for incorporation of companies.There are certain restrictions on few businesses and industries. Here are the Industries or Businesses Restricted for Foreign Investment:
In 2017, Google introduced the first-generation Pixel Buds, signaling its foray into personal audio devices. These earbuds featured real-time language translation and seamless integration with Google Assistant. The subsequent release of the Pixel Buds Pro series further solidified Googles presence in the competitive true wireless earbuds market, offering features such as Active Noise Cancellation and spatial audio. To enhance its audio technology capabilities, Google acquired several audio-related startups, including Dysonics and Tempow, in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Also, in late 2020, Google acquired certain assets from Synaptics audio hardware division for $35 million. This transaction included patents related to audio hardware and active noise-canceling earbuds, as well as the integration of Synaptics staff into Googles team. A combination of all these factors have now led to the creation of one of the most comfortable true wireless earbuds ever made, and that is the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. Lets dive in and find out what the latest audio product from Google means for us.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 compares favorably with leading competitors like Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5 in terms of features, including ANC, spatial audio, and hands-free integration with Google Assistant. Google is capitalizing on innovations such as the Tensor A1 chip for advanced noise cancellation and integration with the Google ecosystem. Till now, customers have praised Googles audio products, for their seamless integration with Android devices, good sound quality, and effective noise cancellation. However, some have noted occasional connectivity issues or software glitches. Have those issues been fixed? How good is the integration with Googles services?

Build Quality and Design

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 use a combination of polycarbonate and soft silicone materials for the earbuds, while the charging case is constructed with a durable polycarbonate shell. This combination ensures both lightweight comfort and durability, with the materials resistant to everyday wear and scratches. The build quality has been designed for long-term use, leveraging Googles expertise, enhanced through assets acquired from Synaptics, Dysonics, and Tempow, to deliver a durable and user-friendly product.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds weigh 5.4 grams each, making them lightweight enough for extended use without causing fatigue. They feature pressure relief vents and come with multiple sizes of customizable ear tips, ensuring a comfortable fit for different ear shapes. Due to these features, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is one of the most comfortable earbuds we have ever used, topping the ranking for fit, comfort, and weight balance. The pressure relief is also perfect, unlike last years Pro model where the pressure was a bit too much with ANC on. The ergonomic design, optimized through data from Dysonics and Googles own ear shape studies, ensures stability during movement and reduces discomfort during prolonged usage.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have an IP54 rating for the earbuds and an IPX4 rating for the charging case. This means the earbuds are resistant to dust and can handle splashes of water, making them suitable for workouts, light rain, and general use without degradation. The charging cases IPX4 rating protects against water splashes, ensuring that it is safe to carry during wet conditions but not designed for heavy dust exposure.

Audio Performance

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 use custom-designed 11mm dynamic drivers. Dynamic drivers are well-known for delivering powerful bass while maintaining clarity across mids and highs, resulting in an immersive listening experience. These drivers ensure that the earbuds produce a well-balanced sound profile, providing deep bass without overwhelming the mids and highs, making them suitable for genres ranging from bass-heavy tracks to vocal-centric music.

The frequency response range of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is 20Hz to 20kHz, covering the full spectrum of human hearing. This range provides sufficient bass depth for an impactful low-end experience, while also extending into the higher frequencies to offer crisp and detailed treble, ensuring a rich listening experience for all types of music.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 support SBC, AAC, and Bluetooth LE Audio codecs. AAC ensures high-quality audio on both Android and iOS devices, while Bluetooth LE Audio provides low-latency and energy-efficient audio streaming, which is beneficial for users who want to save battery life without sacrificing sound quality. The lack of aptX or LDAC means that audiophiles looking for higher resolution audio streaming might find alternatives more suitable, but for typical use cases like streaming music or watching videos, the provided codecs deliver excellent performance.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 come with a 5-band EQ available in the companion app, allowing users to customize their sound profile to suit their preferences. Whether you prefer enhanced bass for electronic music or more emphasis on vocals for podcasts, the built-in EQ provides a versatile range of adjustments. The customization options enable users to create the optimal sound signature for different genres, enhancing the overall listening experience.

Noise Cancellation and Transparency

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer up to 40 dB of noise reduction, effectively minimizing background noise across a wide range of frequencies. The ANC system is particularly effective in environments like airplanes and offices, where low and mid-frequency noise is prevalent, making it easier to focus or enjoy media without distraction. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 feature adaptive ANC that continuously adjusts to environmental sounds in real-time. The transition between noise cancellation and ambient modes is smooth and automatic, providing an intuitive listening experience without the need for manual adjustments. Truth be told, the ANC is not as strong as the previous Pro but thanks to Silent Seal tech, it is more natural.

Silent Seal works by optimizing the earbud fit and creating a more effective seal in the ear canal, which greatly enhances passive noise isolation. This ensures that even without the most aggressive ANC levels, the earbuds provide an immersive experience by effectively blocking out unwanted ambient noise. Additionally, Silent Seal reduces the pressure commonly associated with ANC, making prolonged use more comfortable compared to previous models. This makes it perfect for those who found earlier iterations to be uncomfortable during long listening sessions, especially with ANC activated.

The transparency mode on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is designed to sound natural and clear, amplifying external sounds without noticeable distortion. This allows users to engage in normal conversations or stay aware of their surroundings while wearing the earbuds, making them ideal for situations like jogging in urban areas or interacting with others without removing the earbuds. In our experience, it works great in normal scenarios.

Connectivity and Latency

Although the design of the case which is the nerve center of the connectivity experience remains the same, there is a new in-built speaker that helps in finding the case if it is lost. It also has the low battery indication sound and helps as a beeper. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 use Bluetooth 5.4, which provides a stable connection with an extended range and improved energy efficiency. The earbuds support multipoint connections, allowing users to seamlessly switch between devices like a phone and a laptop. The transition is smooth, with minimal delay, making it convenient for users who frequently move between work and personal devices. The measured latency for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is approximately 70 milliseconds, which is low enough to ensure audio sync with video content. While not specifically marketed as low-latency gaming earbuds, the performance is suitable for casual mobile gaming, where synchronization between visuals and audio is important. The connectivity issues are largely fixed and because there is no high res mode, the range is also good but its not entirely error-free. There were some minor connectivity problems, like a bump, we faced but we are sure its not widespread because may be 5% of the time of usage, we experienced these issues.

Battery Life and Charging

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 provide up to 12 hours of listening time with ANC off and 8 hours with ANC on. With the charging case, the total listening time extends to 48 hours with ANC off and 30 hours with ANC on. This battery life is competitive compared to similar premium products, making the Pixel Buds Pro 2 a reliable option for extended use throughout the day. The earbuds take approximately 1 hour to fully charge, while the case takes around 2 hours via USB-C. A quick 5-minute charge provides up to 1.5 hours of listening time with ANC off, making it easy to quickly top up the battery when needed. The charging case supports Qi wireless charging, allowing for convenient charging without the need for cables. The wireless charging process is efficient, though slightly slower compared to wired charging, making it a practical option for overnight charging or topping up during the day.

App Support and Gemini Features

The companion app for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offers a range of features, including firmware updates, ANC control, sound profiles, and touch control customization. Google releases firmware updates regularly, focusing on improving performance, adding new features, and fixing bugs. The app supports integration with Google Assistant, allowing users to control their music, check notifications, or get directions hands-free. The responsiveness of the assistant is fast and reliable, enhancing the overall convenience of using the earbuds in day-to-day life. With Gemini AI, they offer hands-free, voice-activated assistance whenever you need it. Whether you want directions to the nearest transit stop, a reminder of your next appointment, or new music recommendations, Gemini can helpall while your phone is locked and in your pocket.

Gemini Live takes it further by allowing in-depth conversations with your earbuds. You can discuss new ideas, practice interview questions, or just chat while on the move. Simply unlock your phone, say Hey Google, lets talk live, and continue your conversation with Gemini even when your phone is locked. These features might require a Google Gemini subscription but since ecosystem users already have it, it makes more sense for Google hardware users.

Call Quality and Microphone Performance

Each earbud features three beamforming microphones, combined with a voice accelerometer to enhance call clarity. The microphones work together to reduce background noise, ensuring that the users voice is clear during calls, even in noisy environments. The microphones use AI noise reduction to isolate the users voice from background noise effectively. This technology ensures that calls are clear, even in challenging environments like busy streets or cafes. In our experience, it seemed like we, the user who uses Pixel Buds Pro 2, had the best noise cancellation, meanwhile the call receivers on the other end reported that they were still able to hear some amount of noise. Even when clear calling is on. So it is not 100% in noisy environments but it works well enough. Because the earbuds feature wind-blocking mesh covers, it helps to reduce wind noise during calls. The adaptive algorithms also adjust to sudden loud environmental sounds, ensuring that call quality remains consistent regardless of the surrounding conditions. But again, be sure it is not the most sophisticated in the world.

User Interface and Controls

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 use touch-sensitive controls, which are responsive and intuitive. The touch gestures allow users to control playback, adjust volume, and switch between ANC and transparency modes with ease, providing a seamless user experience. The interaction design, the sounds and the touch and feel are all top notch, and have taken the experience up a notch. The controls can be customized through the companion app, allowing users to assign different functions to gestures. However, there are some limitations on the remapping options, as certain actions like volume control are fixed and cannot be reassigned. The earbuds support automatic play/pause when removed or inserted, using infrared sensors to detect placement. The response is accurate and fast, ensuring that users do not miss a beat when taking the earbuds out or putting them back in.

Special Features and Innovation

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer spatial audio with head tracking, providing an immersive listening experience. This feature is particularly effective when watching movies or listening to live recordings, as it creates a sense of being surrounded by the sound, enhancing the realism of the audio. One of the unique selling points of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is the integration of Googles Tensor A1 chip, which powers advanced features like adaptive ANC and spatial audio. The seamless integration with Google services, combined with the innovative features, sets the Pixel Buds Pro 2 apart from competitors and makes them a strong choice for users invested in the Google ecosystem.

Warranty, Support, and Longevity

Google offers a one-year warranty for the Pixel Buds Pro 2, covering defects in materials and workmanship. Customer support is accessible through multiple channels, including online chat and phone support, providing users with quick assistance for any issues that may arise. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are built to last, with high-quality materials and regular software updates that enhance performance over time. The earbuds are designed for long-term use, with repairability options available for common issues like battery replacement, ensuring that they remain functional and relevant for years.

Pricing and Value Proposition

Priced at $229, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer a competitive feature set compared to similar premium earbuds. In India, the pricing is Rs. 22,900, positioning them as a premium option. Google occasionally offers promotions and discounts, especially during major shopping. These offers make the Pixel Buds Pro 2 more accessible and provide an opportunity for users to get a premium product at a reduced price. Best to buy from a deal.

Conclusion

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are an excellent choice for users who value comfort, high-quality audio, and seamless integration with Googles ecosystem. The advanced features, such as adaptive ANC, spatial audio, and customizable sound profiles, make them a versatile option for audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

After evaluating all technical aspects, we highly recommend the Pixel Buds Pro 2 for purchase, especially for those who are already invested in the Google ecosystem. The comfort is best in class and possibly the best in the industry, making them a standout choice for long listening sessions. However, the lack of high-resolution audio options might be less attractive for audiophiles, particularly given the premium pricing in India. Despite this, for Google ecosystem users who are interested in the new Gemini features, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a strong option, providing a well-rounded experience with advanced noise cancellation and seamless integration.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
Election Day has finally arrived, and election officials are trying to reiterate that voters should have no worries that it will be safe and secure.

That comes nearly a week after it was revealed that certain basic passwords to select election computers had inadvertently been made available on the internet, a breach that the same elections official have repeatedly said posed no overall threat to election security.

Our elections have many layers of security, Secretary of State Jena Griswold said Monday.

Ensuring that Colorados elections are secure and accessible has been and always will be our top priority, which is why the Department of State along with county clerks and election workers across the state address any and every potential risk to our elections with the utmost seriousness, Griswold added. I am regretful for this error. I am dedicated to making sure we address this matter fully and that mistakes of this nature never happen again.

Last week, workers in Griswolds office, with help from the Governors Office of Information Technology and the Colorado Bureau of Investigations, completed updating passwords and verifying security in all affected machines.

At the same time, those people found that no settings had been altered on any of the impacted voting equipment.

Thirty-four of the states 64 counties were impacted by the disclosure, including Mesa County. Because of its relatively new election equipment, none of its machines have the hardware nor the software needed to allow for remote access, which was a major concern for how the passwords could have been used. Not all other counties have equipment that is devoid of that ability, but all wifi or remote access is turned off through the passwords in question, which is why the settings were inspected, state officials said.

Griswolds office said it was first discovered nearly two weeks ago but wasnt certain the passwords were still in use. It immediately removed them from a sub-page of its website, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which assists states in protecting election equipment, was immediately informed.

In an abundance of caution, a Griswold spokesman said the passwords were changed.

At the same time, the department began investigating web traffic to that webpage to determine whether they had been re-posted elsewhere on the internet or the dark web. They found nothing, and determined that the leak did not pose an immediate security threat.

Griswolds office said it didnt immediately inform the public about the breach because it wanted to wait until it had a better handle on its size and scope, and without fueling disinformation about the states election security.

Griswold also added that the breach was caused by an unknown staff worker who had created a spreadsheet that included a semi-hidden tab with the passwords about a week before the June primaries in violation of normal security practices. The worker no long is employed by the office.

The department also has hired an independent law firm to conduct a full investigation into the entire matter, and it is planning to require additional security training for all staff workers.

As of early Monday, more than 2 million Coloradans had cast their ballots, which accounts for more than half of the states 4 million active registered voters.

Of those, unaffiliated voters have cast the most, more than 880,000, while Democratic voters have outpaced registered Republicans 609,000 to 570,000, according to data collected by the Secretary of States Office.
Israel arrests 4 regime staffers over leaking secret information

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 4, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Zionist regime supreme court says that four people, including the Israeli prime minister spokesperson Eli Feldstein, have been arrested on charges of leaking secret security information.

Other three suspected were working for the regime's ministry of war, the Zionist media outlets reported early on Monday.

As a result, the ability of defense forces to achieve the goal of freeing the Israeli captives held in Gaza may have been compromised, the head of the court stated.

Israeli Channel 13 reported that Feldstein had close cooperation with Netanyahu and previously with Ben Gvir, the regime's Minister of Internal Security.

Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz, two opposition leaders in Israel, reiterated that Netanyahu is responsible for the leak of security information from his office.

They stated that Netanyahu's efforts to avoid responsibility for the issue are fruitless.

Meanwhile, following the multiple arrests by the Zionist regime on suspicion of spying for Iran, the head of the Zionist regime's prisons issued an order on Friday to allocate a special ward for these detainees.

In a related development, the Axios news website wrote that the arrests may be "the biggest scandal" in the Zionist regime's cabinet since the onset of the war in Gaza over a year ago.

1483**9417

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






US issues Election Eve warning of ramped-up Russian influence ops

By Jeff Seldin November 04, 2024

Just hours before tens of millions of U.S. voters headed to the polls for the country's presidential election, U.S. intelligence agencies issued a dire warning about ramped up influence operations - some apparently aimed at convincing Americans to turn on each other.

The statement late Monday cautioned voters to beware of a new wave of influence operations aimed at undermining trust and confidence in the U.S. election process, adding that a flood of fake videos and articles meant to spark outrage and inflame tensions is likely to only accelerate, especially in swing states that could determine the outcome of the presidential race.

"Russia is the most active threat," according to the warning issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Information Security Agency, or CISA.

"Influence actors linked to Russia in particular are manufacturing videos and creating fake articles to undermine the legitimacy of the election, instill fear in voters regarding the election process, and suggest Americans are using violence against each other due to political preferences," they said.

"We anticipate Russian actors will release additional manufactured content with these themes through election day and in the days and weeks after polls close," the statement added. "These efforts risk inciting violence, including against election officials."

The last-minute warning follows a series of declassified assessments that U.S. intelligence officials have issued in the weeks and months leading up to Tuesday's election.

Yet while most votes have been cast without issue, organizations representing state election officials cautioned there are likely to be some disruptions.

"As with any Election Day, it is important to note operational issues may arise," according to the National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association of Secretaries of State.

"Voting locations could open late, there could be lines during busy periods, or an area could lose power," they said in a statement. "These are inevitable challenges that will arise on Election Day."

There have also been other efforts to try to derail the election.

CISA said it has observed "small scale incidents," including efforts to take down official election websites with distributed denial of service attacks, as well as several attempts to blow up or set fire to ballot drop boxes.

The most recent declassified assessment, issued just two weeks ago, warned Russia, Iran and China "remain intent on fanning divisive narratives to divide Americans and undermine Americans' confidence in the U.S. democratic system consistent with what they perceive to be in their interests."

It further warned that intelligence obtained by U.S. intelligence agencies made them "increasingly confident" that Russia was starting to engage in plans "aimed at inciting violence," and that Iran might follow Moscow's lead.

The information shared in the new warning builds on that assessment, pointing to a flurry of new activity linked to Russia.

Specifically, the new statement blames Kremlin-linked actors for posting and amplifying an article falsely claiming that U.S. officials in key states are orchestrating a plan to rig the election by using tactics such as ballot stuffing and cyberattacks.

It also links Russian actors to a video of a fake interview of an individual claiming a scheme in the Southwestern state of Arizona sought to tip the vote in favor of Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris with fake overseas ballots and doctored voter rolls.

U.S. intelligence agencies had already attributed responsibility for other social media videos to Russian influence actors  including two last week claiming to show Haitian immigrants voting multiple times and purporting to show ballots in Pennsylvania being ripped up.

The latest statement also warned that Iran "remains a significant foreign influence threat to U.S. elections," citing, in part, previously Iranian efforts to hack the campaign of Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump.

VOA has reached out to the Russian Embassy in Washington and the Iranian Mission to the United Nations in New York for a response to the new U.S. allegations.

Russia, Iran and China have repeatedly rejected previous U.S. assessments of their influence operations.

The Russian Embassy in Washington late Monday in an email to VOA dismissed the newest U.S. intelligence warning as "baseless."

"The Embassy has not received either any proof for these claims during its communications with U.S. officials, or any inquiries regarding the narrative being promoted by the press," the embassy said, further describing Washington's accusations of Russian disinformation campaigns "an unfortunate tradition" for U.S. elections.

The Iranian Mission to the United Nations in New York has yet to respond to VOA's request for comment.

Despite concerns about the potential of Russian and Iranian influence operations, the U.S. expressed confidence earlier Monday that other foreign efforts to hack into the country's election infrastructure in order to alter the vote tally would come up short.

In a briefing with reporters, CISA officials said there is no evidence to suggest foreign adversaries like Russia, Iran and China have the wherewithal to infiltrate and manipulate the country's election infrastructure.

"I can say with great confidence that I do not believe that a technical hack of our elections in the way that it would materially impact the presidential election is possible," said CISA Director Jen Easterly.

"Given the multiple layers of safeguards, the cybersecurity protections, the physical access controls, the preelection testing of equipment for accuracy, the postelection audits, it would not be possible for a bad actor to tamper with or manipulate our voting systems in such a way that it would have a material impact on the outcome of the presidential election, certainly not without being detected," Easterly told reporters.

Some of the confidence stems from the decentralized way U.S. elections are run  with each state using its own, individual system to record and tally ballots. But it also follows years of preparation by CISA, working with state and local election officials across the United States.

Those efforts have included more than 700 cybersecurity assessments, and hundreds of election exercises and training sessions since the start of 2023.

Additionally, none of the state voting systems are connected to the internet, and an estimated 97% of U.S. voters will be casting ballots in jurisdictions that produce paper records as a backup.

"Our election infrastructure has never been more secure," Easterly said. "The election community has never been better prepared to deliver safe, secure, free and fair elections."

As of late Monday, CISA estimated that more than 77 million Americans had already cast ballots during the early voting period, with tens of millions more expected to vote in person on Election Day.

That confidence, however, has been tempered by concerns that foreign actors could play on mundane disruptions, like power outages, or cyberattacks on other U.S infrastructure to spark fears across the U.S.

"As with any Election Day, it is important to note operational issues may arise," according to the National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association of Secretaries of State.

"Voting locations could open late, there could be lines during busy periods, or an area could lose power," they said in a statement. "These are inevitable challenges that will arise on Election Day."

Already, there have also been other efforts to try to derail the election.

CISA said it has observed "small scale incidents," including efforts to take down official election websites with distributed denial of service attacks, as well as several attempts to blow up or set fire to ballot drop boxes.

"We expect that these types of incidents and other forms of disruptions will continue on Election Day [and] in the days that follow," Easterly told reporters, adding despite cause for concern there have been "no significant impacts to election infrastructure."

Still, CISA and its state and local partners are wary that even though the U.S. is on track, foreign influence campaigns could alter the perception among voters due to what U.S. officials have described as "a firehose of disinformation."

Some of the efforts, like those attributed to Russia and Iran, have gained widespread attention.

Others, like Chinese efforts against Republican lawmakers and candidates seen as critical to Beijing, appear to be more targeted.

And gauging the effectiveness of these efforts, especially the recent videos attributed to Russia, is difficult to determine.

"The successfulness, I would say, is quite small," said Brian Liston, a senior threat intelligence analyst with Recorded Future's Insikt Group.

"We have not really seen these videos, or this content break out beyond social media or on Telegram," Liston told VOA.

But there are concerns, however, that some of these narratives could gain traction on more mainstream social media platforms.

"Since Elon Musk took over Twitter and gutted content moderation and really changed the purpose of X, we've seen it become just a hotbed of mis and disinformation," said Audrey McCabe, an information accountability analyst at Common Cause, a nonpartisan watchdog and advocacy organization.

McCabe told reporters Monday that the changes to X have rippled across the social media space.

"[It] has allowed other platforms to lower their standards for content moderation and what they're doing to protect users," she said. "And so, we're seeing an increase of this stuff everywhere, including on Meta, and other platforms as well."

And if some of the foreign influence efforts spread far enough, it could help exacerbate exiting tensions.

"They are deliberately finding narratives to try to stoke partisan discord and inflame domestic tension and pit Americans against one another, and we cannot let them succeed," a senior CISA official said, who briefed reporters last Friday on the condition of anonymity.

"We've seen how these disinformation campaigns have led to very real threats of violence targeting these public servants, and that should be unacceptable," the official added, citing repeated threats against election officials across the country.

CISA officials on Monday said that state and local election officials have been in close contact with law enforcement agencies, and that precautions have been put in place to better protect election workers, election officials and even the ballots themselves.

They also emphasized that so far, there have been no credible or specific threats to polling locations.

"We've not seen specific reporting about violence at polling places," Easterly said Monday in response to a question from VOA. "I certainly don't want voters to feel at all intimidated about going to voting locations."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Guillot: National Guard vital to NORAD, U.S. Northern Command

By Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely, National Guard Bureau November 3, 2024

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- The National Guard is a vital contributor to North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, Gen. Gregory Guillot told National Guard adjutants general and senior enlisted leaders from the 50 states, three U.S. territories and the District of Columbia gathered in Colorado Springs on Oct. 29.

"The success of NORAD/USNORTHCOM starts and stops with the National Guard," Guillot, commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM, said. "We are reliant on the National Guard in all facets of our missions to defend our homeland, conduct security cooperation activities with allies and partners, and support civil authorities.

"Like you in your states, we're not singularly focused," he said. "But everywhere I go, I see seamless integration with the reserve component. That will always be the secret sauce we have that our adversaries don't."

NORAD is a United States and Canadian bi-national organization charged with aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America. USNORTHCOM plans, organizes and executes homeland defense and civil support missions, but has few permanently assigned forces.

The National Guard is the primary combat reserve of the Army and the Air Force. Because its units are manned, trained and equipped for the rigors of combat, Guardsmen are often called upon to work with civil authorities during crises in communities throughout the United States.

Guillot praised the National Guard for its multi-state response that sent thousands of Guardsmen to the Southeast to respond to the devastation left by hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The National Guard's top officer said the Guard's capacity and readiness to help communities in the wake of disaster is a strategic advantageand deterrence.

"That's one of the benefits the National Guard brings," Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, said. "The fact that our Guardsmen work with NORAD/NORTHCOM, FEMA and interagency partners to quickly respond to any type of event that happens within our nation deters our enemies from thinking anything they could do to affect us would have long term implications.

"The National Guard is 430,000 strong," he said. "We are forward deployed in every American ZIP code to provide support wherever we're needed."

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said the Department of Defense is FEMA's biggest partner and a force multiplier. She commended the Guard's ability to rapidly activate forces through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

The EMAC helps during governor-declared states of emergency or disasters through a responsive, straightforward system that allows states to send personnel, equipment and commodities to assist with response and recovery efforts in other states.

"The National Guard is so agile and a critical piece of what we do at FEMA," Criswell said.

She encouraged the adjutants general to use the EMAC as much as possible.

"It's quicker to get resources where they're needed as soon as possible," she said. "Through the EMAC, the Guard can help meet the scale of any disaster that overwhelms local response agencies."

National Guard and NORAD/NORTHCOM leaders discussed key focus areas on the North American continent including strengthening interagency and international partnerships, countering unmanned aircraft systems, the strategic importance of the Arctic, defense support to civil authorities and protecting critical infrastructure.

Nordhaus said the adjutants general are the best conduits in their states to make the necessary connections at the local level to nurture and establish partnerships with civil authorities.

When the Marshall Firethe most destructive fire in Colorado historydestroyed almost a thousand homes in north central Colorado in December 2021, the Colorado National Guard began working even closer with interagency partners to identify critical infrastructure and examine the interdependencies that exist therein.

Army Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan, the adjutant general of Colorado, encouraged her peers to do the same in their states.

"It's really a whole of society approach," Clellan said, "it's about getting the right people together at the table and developing a plan before it's too late."

National Guardsmen also perform steady state homeland defense and security operationsan assortment of capabilities Guillot described as just in case and just in time.

These include the Aerospace Control Alert missiona national network of fully-loaded aircraft, ready to respond to airborne threats or aggression at a moment's notice, ground-based intercontinental ballistic missile defense, civil support teams, counterdrug and cyber operations, and Southwest Border support.

"Thank you for your contributions to our nation," Guillot said. "I am grateful for your commitment to be Always Ready, Always There."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Maryland National Guard Hosts International Visitor Leadership Program

By Master Sgt. Chris Schepers, Maryland National Guard November 4, 2024

Middle River, Md. -- The Maryland National Guard hosted more than 30 public officials, academics and security analysts from NATO member states and aspirant countries via the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program at Martin State Air National Guard Base on Oct. 25

The group visited Washington D.C. and surrounding areas, Norfolk and Colorado Springs, in coordination with the State Department for the "The Enduring Legacy of Collective Defense: 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization," which highlighted the enduring importance of collective defense and, NATO's pivotal role in global security over the past 75 years.

"Some of the people in this group do not work in the defense industry, so we want them to understand what the National Guard does," said Rachel Sunden, Department of State Liaison to the Department of Defense for the International Visitor Leadership Program. "They also want to understand how the guard model operates with a part-time force, as well as to learn specifically about the Department of Defense State Partnership Program."

During the Martin State Air National Guard Base visit, the group learned about the Maryland Air National Guard's flying and cyberspace operations mission. Additionally, they learned about the decades-long partnership between the Maryland National Guard and its state partners Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina through the Defense Department's State Partnership Program.

"The Maryland National Guard is proud to host the International Visitor Leadership Program, sponsored by the U.S. State Department. This is a valuable opportunity to celebrate Maryland's important international relationships and showcase Maryland Guard soldiers and airmen's professional training and mentorship in aviation, cyber defense, military medicine, policing, and more," said Maryland Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead, adjutant general for Maryland. "Through three decades of professional military exchanges with partners Estonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Maryland Guard has contributed directly to NATO's peace, stability and security goals."

The day started with opening remarks by Birckhead and was followed by an A-10 static display tour where the group could see the aircraft and learn about the aircraft from pilots and maintenance Airmen. The group then transitioned to a series of briefings geared toward learning about the mission of the 175th Operations Group, who fly the A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, and the mission of the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group, who perform offensive and defensive cyber operations.

"I want everyone to understand what information technology operations and cyber intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance are, how they integrate together and to comprehend the importance of our State Partnership Program," said Maryland Air National Guard Lt. Col. Eric Burdon, 275th Operations Support Squadron commander. "I hope today's biggest takeaway is having an understanding of the collaboration and partnership in addressing cyber threats."

After speaking about the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group mission, he focused on the critical partnership between the Maryland National Guard and Estonia. "Estonia had a cyber incident occur in 2008 which drove the initiative for that nation to really understand what they needed to change in their model to be able to perform more secure IT operations and drive their efforts from a cyber security and cyber operations perspective," said Burdon. "By utilizing those lessons learned, we've been able to link together and iterate over the last 10 years and drive towards IT and cybersecurity efforts to help actual cyber operations in a combined coalition type manner." Burdon also explained that the Maryland Army National Guard works directly with Bosnia and Herzegovina to enhance their cyber capabilities.

Zebulon Carlander, a former political advisor to the Swedish Foreign Minister, said, "We are a new participant in the State Partnership Program and were recently partnered with New York, and we are very excited to develop that cooperation. This visit gave me a better perspective on what it means to be a partner with a state. I was very impressed by all the presentations from the service members here at the Maryland National Guard."

The visit concluded with a State Partnership Program overview briefing by Maryland Army National Guard Maj. Jason Booth, Maryland National Guard State Partnership Program director. Booth discussed the collaborative efforts between the Maryland National Guard and partners Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Booth emphasized to the group, "everything we have talked about today is the State Partnership Program. It is the collaborative work that we're able to do with our partners, not just in Maryland, but also with the National Guard Bureau, and the great opportunities that those relationships provide. The State Partnership Program is able to tie pieces together and make things happen."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






November 4, 2024

Transcript

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds Press Briefing

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: All right. Good afternoon, everyone. Looks like there's something wrong with this side of the room here since everybody's on this side of the room, but OK. All right. Well, just a few things at the top and I'll be glad to take your questions. So as many of you saw in the statement that we released on Friday, Secretary Austin ordered the deployment of additional ballistic missile defense destroyers, fighter squadrons, and tanker aircraft and several US Air Force B-52 long range strike bombers to the US Central Command area of responsibility.

These forces will begin to arrive in the coming months as the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group prepares to depart, some of which have already begun to flow into theater as highlighted by the arrival of the B-52 bombers over the weekend. These deployments are in keeping with our commitments to the protection of US citizens and forces in the Middle East, the defense of Israel, and de-escalation through deterrence and diplomacy.

These movements build on the recent decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Missile Defense system to Israel, as well as DOD's sustained Amphibious Ready Group / Marine Expeditionary Unit posture in the Eastern Mediterranean and demonstrate the flexible nature of US global defense posture and US capability to deploy worldwide on short notice to meet evolving national security threats.

Secretary Austin continues to make clear that should Iran, its partners or its proxies, use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every measure necessary to defend our people.

Shifting gears, tomorrow is Election Day and DOD stands prepared to support state and local authorities as required. Of note, Secretary Austin approved a request last week from the District of Columbia for D.C. National Guard troops to support the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services from November 5 through 13. For those of you who have covered the defense beat for a while, you know that it is routine practice for the DOD to authorize the D.C. National Guard to support or augment security for large scale events in the district and activated Guardsmen will remain under the command and control of the D.C. National Guard.

Similarly, around the nation, approximately 60 National Guardsmen from six states have been activated by their state governors and state active-duty status for election support with roughly another 600 Guardsmen from 17 states on standby if needed. Again, as you know, the National Guard has ongoing and long-standing relationships with local, state and federal agency partners and has assisted with national special security events like Election Day and Inauguration Day for many years. For more information about individual state responses and activations, I would direct you to the individual states.

And finally, the Department is proud to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month. This November, we honor the contributions and sacrifices of native peoples who have served our country. The contributions of these fellow Americans have been pivotal in some of the most critical moments in our nation's defense.

As just one of many examples, the US Marine Corps Navajo code talkers using their native language to develop an unbreakable communication code during World War II, played a decisive role in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Their example of duty and honor continues to inspire current and future generations of Americans to serve with the same resolve and pride.

And with that, I'll be glad to take your questions. Start with AP, Lita.

Q: Thank you, Pat. Two things, one on Ukraine, North Korea. Can you say whether any North Korean troops have been observed in combat or over the line in Ukraine? And I believe State has said that the number is about 10,000. Is that what you believe are in the Kursk region right now? And then I have a

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Sure, a couple updates. So we believe that there are now at least 10,000 DPRK forces in the Kursk Oblast. Recognizing that as we continue to assess DPRK presence on the ground, those numbers could go up slightly, in terms of the total number of DPRK troops in Russia. We've seen the press reports about alleged combat ops. We're looking into those, but at this point cannot corroborate those reports. But as you heard Secretary Austin say last week, should these troops engage in combat support operations against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets.

Q: So have you seen any additional North Korean forces heading for eastern Russia? Do you see another wave of influx?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: I don't know that I would call it a wave, but as we look at those numbers, we think that the total number of DPRK forces in Russia total could be closer to around 11,000 to 12,000, with about 10,000, at least 10,000 right now in the Kursk Oblast. OK. And you said you had a follow-up?

Q: Just on Iran, have you seen any movement indications or any suggestions that Iran has been taking steps to do any type of retaliatory action against Israel?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Yeah. So in terms of whether or not Iran does anything, I'm not going to speculate, nor will I discuss intelligence assessments from here. I think we as the US government have been very clear that we believe Iran should not respond to Israel's retaliation if they choose to do so. We of course will support Israel and their defense.

Natasha?

Q: Thanks, Pat. So senior Ukrainian officials have said that they are observing some very small, limited numbers of North Korean troops, things like engineers, for example, in the occupied territories in eastern Ukraine. Are you not prepared to corroborate that at this point?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Yeah. Again, we're looking into all of that, but at this point, just can't corroborate those reports.

Q: OK. And also, we're about a week away from the deadline that was set by Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken with regard to Gaza. The State Department just said that they have not yet seen enough being done in northern Gaza in terms of humanitarian aid. Does the Secretary agree with that?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Well, I think as you highlight, at the State Department on Thursday, when Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin addressed this, both of them highlighted that we believe more needs to be done in terms of getting humanitarian assistance into Gaza and to the Palestinian people. I'd point you to Secretary Blinken's remarks in terms of sort of the rundown of where things stand on that front.

But even in his call last week on Thursday with Minister Gallant, Secretary Austin continues to reinforce how important it is to ensure that humanitarian assistance can flow and flow faster into Gaza. And so that will continue to be something that we will remain focused on. Constantin?

Q: Thanks, Pat. Just one follow up on the National Guard deployments. You said Guardsmen have been put on active orders from six states. Can you say what those six states are?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: I don't have that list here in front of me. Let me just double check, Constantin, make sure. I don't have that list here in front of me, but we can certainly get that for you.

Q: OK. And then sort of on the same vein, is the Department of Defense providing any cyber resources or capabilities for election monitoring or sort of anti-misinformation efforts?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Well, as you know, US Cyber Command does play a role in terms of supporting our elections. I'd refer you to them to go into details and there are National Guard elements that do support US Cyber Command, but they can provide you more details on that.

Q: Thank you.

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Thank you. Noah?

Q: A couple clean up questions on North Korea, the 11,000 to 12,000 number that you said, that leaves a bandwidth between those in Kursk and those still in eastern Russia. Do you expect those remaining troops to head toward Kursk in the coming days?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Yeah. I mean, again we fully expect, just based on what we're seeing, that these forces will go to the Kursk region, that they will provide some kind of capability. All indications are that they will provide some type of combat or combat support capability. Again, remains to be seen exactly how they will be employed. I'd point you to the comments that were made on Thursday in terms of things like UAV ops, artillery, infantry. So again, should they be employed in combat, they will become legitimate military targets and we would fully expect that the Ukrainians would do what they need to do to defend themselves and their personnel.

Q: And do all of those in Kursk that are North Korean troops have Russian uniforms and equipment at this point as you understand?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: My understanding is that all of these forces are being issued Russian uniforms and Russian equipment.

Q: One more follow up on the Middle East. The deployments that were announced on Friday, are these based on new assessments of the threat that Iran may pose within a retaliation toward Israel or possibly American troops? Or is this simply about trying to reinforce the US force posture there given that the carrier will depart in the coming weeks?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Well, I think as we highlighted in our statement and as I highlighted at the top here, we are deploying these forces to the region to preserve our ability to protect our forces, support the defense of Israel and also act as a deterrent capability. And so out of due diligence in ensuring that we continue to be prepared to meet our commitments, deploying and rotating these forces in as we look ahead down the road and prepare for the departure of the Abe (sic).

OK. Mike.

Q: Yeah, these North Korean units, do you know if the soldiers are filling blanks spots in the Russian line or will they be deploying and operating as their own particular units?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: So a couple of things. It's TBD (sic). We'll see exactly how these forces are integrated into Russian operations and how they're committed to the battlefield, assuming that they are. In terms of replacement for Russian forces, I'd point you back again to what Secretary Austin highlighted in terms of the significant casualty rates that we're seeing among Russian forces.

So insomuch as that these are potentially forces that are coming in to replace the massive numbers of losses that Russia is experiencing, I think that's probably a fair assessment and I certainly would not want to be a North Korean soldier.

Q: Right. But my point is, I mean, are they going to be inserted into already existing Russian units as just spare body, spare body, spare body, or will there be North Korean battalion fighting here and North Korean battalion here, or do you not know at this point?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Yeah, we don't know at this point, and we'll see. We anticipate in the relatively near future we will know more as we see how Russia and North Korea opt to employ these forces. OK. Charlie?

Q: Thank you, General. Adding to that, do you anticipate or are you even tracking whether or not this may just be the first of many North Koreans that will be headed to Russia? That's my first question. My second question is regarding Iran's threats of retaliation, they said that it will come from Iran or Iranian-backed militias, which we've already seen in Iraq.

First of all, have you seen an uptick in the tempo of drone attacks from Iranian-backed militias there against Israel and or against US forces? Does it look orchestrated and how much of it is a concern that bigger stuff might be headed there like ballistic missiles?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Yeah, on your first question, that is definitely something that we're keeping a close eye on. I don't have anything right now to pass along in terms of whether or not DPRK will or won't send additional forces. And I'm not going to speculate on whether they do, but definitely something we're keeping a close eye on. As far as the threats that have been communicated in the press and in social media about the potential for Iran to launch attacks from Iraqi territory, what I would say is that over the last year, we've seen Iran backed militia groups sporadically launch missiles and one-way attack UAVs from Syria and Iraq towards Israel.

The vast majority of those have been intercepted or fail in flight. And while we've recently observed an increase in one way attack UAVs assessed to be against Israel, at this stage, we would not characterize these as large numbers. And so we continue to remain vigilant, and we remain ready to defend US forces and Israel from these threats.

Q: And are you tracking any movement of ballistic missiles in and out of that region?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: I don't have anything to pass along in terms of intelligence assessments from this podium, but again, we stand ready to support the defense of Israel and would encourage Iran not to launch any type of retaliatory attack.

Luis?

Q: We've been talking about the 10,000 troops in Kursk, but can you give us some context please? This 10,000, how much will they augment the Russian presence there? Will they be a significant portion of the presence there in that particular oblast? Are they a very small component? Just something so that we can understand what adding 10,000 North Koreans to that battle space means.

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Sure. I think to do that, you have to go back in time a little bit. And if you recall, when Ukraine conducted their offensive into Russian territory into the Kursk Oblast and they continue to hold Russian territory in Kursk and they have made the decision to hold that territory at risk and continue to defend it. And so what we saw in the early days of that Ukrainian offensive was a very muddled Russian response in terms of trying to push the Ukrainians back. And for the most part, they have not been able to push the Ukrainians very far. They've taken some incremental amounts of territory back but nothing that we would categorize as significant. So placing these additional 10,000 to 11,000 to 12,000 forces in Kursk is definitely something from a combat capability standpoint that could be significant, but a lot of that will depend on how those forces are employed, how they're integrated into the Russian command and control.

And of course, if the Ukrainiansif the past is any indicator of the future, the Ukrainians are battle hardened veterans who know how to fight. And so every indication that they will continue to defend Ukrainian sovereignty and continued to defend Kursk, the territory that they've taken. And so we'll see how that plays out.

Q: Numerically and size-wise, numerically, is it, the infusion of these 10,000 additional troops at a minimum, is that really significant to the force that you said have been making incremental gains?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Well, I think, again, if you want to talk numbers and again, numbers can be misleading because look what Ukraine did when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and how a small number of forces to date have been able to largely defeat the strategic objectives of what was and is the largest army in Europe.

So again, a lot of that just depends on how Russia opts to employ those forces, how well they're integrated, what kind of combat experience they have. And so we'll see. In the meantime, we continue to consult very closely with our allies and partners. And we also continue to ensure that we're working with Ukraine and some 50 nations to rush security assistance to Ukraine, to defend Ukrainian sovereignty both here and elsewhere in the battlefield.

Let me go to the phone real quick here. Let's go to Dan Lamothe, Washington Post.

Q: Hey, General. Thanks for your time today. There's often a perception in the Pentagon and across Washington that aircraft carriers deter Iran and the lack of one in the region, emboldens them. Two questions, I guess, related. Does Secretary Austin see these newly announced deployments on Friday to the region as sufficient to deter Iran with a carrier group potentially coming?

And can you put this decision in context of how you're looking at broader threats in the Pacific and other regions? Thanks.

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Yeah. Thanks, Dan. So when it comes to us force deployments around the world, while there's understandable focus on particular types of equipment and vessels to include aircraft carriers, at the end of the day, it really comes down to our people and the capabilities that we provide. And so the capabilities that we're deploying into the region will provide a significant amount of capability on par with what we've been doing in the Middle East region since the October 7th attacks over a year ago.

And so certainly as we look at global force management and our national security commitments around the world, that's always taking into account in terms of how we can meet those commitments and ensure we have what we need to protect our people. And in this case, also support the defense of Israel.

Let me go to Jeff Schogol, Task and Purpose.

Q: Yeah. Thank you. Two separate questions. Now that the election is upon us, is the Defense Department satisfied that all overseas troops and their spouses have the access they need to federal absentee ballots? Also, how should one describe the coalition between North Korea and Russia? Is it an alliance or is it more friends with benefits?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Thanks, Jeff. Let me take your question on voting first. So first of all, we continue to recommend all voters register and request an absentee ballot. Those deadlines vary depending on states. And as you know, we do have a robust education program in terms of getting the word out on how service members and their families can obtain their absentee ballots no matter where you are, whether it's overseas or whether it's stationed outside of your state.

Just speaking from personal experience as a Florida resident, I can tell you, I received multiple emails over many weeks, reminding me to register and to request my ballot. It arrived early. I had plenty of time to submit that. If a service member has requested a ballot and it hasn't arrived, they can use the federal write-in absentee ballot immediately at FVAP.gov/FWAB, and this acts as a back-up ballot.

And again, that information is provided on multiple occasions through multiple mechanisms. So again, encourage folks to get out and vote and make sure that their voice is heard. As far as the relationship between Russia and North Korea goes, we definitely continue to monitor this.

The level of cooperation between the two remains concerning, but in many ways transactional. And so again, this is something we'll keep a close eye on, and I'll just leave it there. OK. Yes, sir.

Q: Thank you, General. Last week as you said that Secretary Austin all times (sic) he urged for a ceasefire in Lebanon as quickly as possible. So do you think we need more time, that Israel needs more time to stop this war to achieve their goals? How long do you believe that will take, this war? Is it, as you said before, it was a limited operations, but now almost a month starting this war, so do they need more weeks and months or maybe we're going to see like what's happened in Gaza like over a year for this war? Thank you.

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Yeah, I won't speak for Israel. But Secretary Austin and others have been very clear that we believe that a ceasefire and the resolution of tensions in the region through diplomatic means are required as soon as possible. And so as you've seen with the State Department and the US envoy, Mr. Hochstein, going to the region, this continues to be something that is a top priority for the US, working with partners in the region to include Israel. And we'll continue to communicate that to our Israeli counterparts.

As you saw from our readout, this was also something that came up in the phone call between Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant last week. Thank you.

OK. Let me go to Heather from USNI.

Q: Thank you so much. I was hoping you could give a couple more details about the plans with Abe (sic) and then whether or not it's planning to leave within the next couple of weeks, the next week. And then Harry S. Truman is on its way over to the Middle East, Mediterranean area, but it's making stops along its way.

Is this an indication that we don't feel that there needs to be an aircraft carrier in the region very quickly? What does this indicate in terms of how much the Houthi threat remains in the Middle East?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Yeah. Thanks, Heather. As far as deployment timelines go, as a matter of policy and operational security, we're not going to talk specifics on when the Abraham Lincoln strike group will depart the US Central Command area of responsibility. As for the Truman, as you highlight, continues to operate in the North Atlantic.

Again, I'm not going to get into its particular movements or forecast those. And in terms of the message it sends, it just demonstrates the flexibility and versatility of the US military and our ability to meet our national security commitments and provide robust capability around the world and flex as needed.

And again highlighted by the fact that you have B-52 bombers that are now in the AOR, the CENTCOM AOR, that are multi-versatile and can provide an incredible amount of capability in support of those efforts. So again, it's about capability and it's about our people and we're confident that we have the right force posture to support our national security requirements.

Ashley?

Q: Just a quick follow up on the announcement on troops at the Middle East, are there any plans to send additional troops into Israel or to man assets there?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: I don't have anything to announce at this point. Yeah. Thanks.

Sir?

Q: Thank you. General. Do you anticipate any direct Israeli attack on Iranian paramilitary groups in Iraq as they continuously launch UAVs into Israel? I mean, did you send any message to these groups in Iraq?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: As I'm sure you can appreciate, I won't speak for Israeli operations on what they may or may not do. I can tell you that what we've seen in the past is themas I highlighted earlier, intercept threats that are heading towards Israel, but in terms of potential future military action by Israel, that's a question for them to address. OK.

Q: Might that not be something that CENTCOM would engage in, the potential attack or if you want to call it a preemptive strike?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Well, again, without getting into hypotheticals or speaking to Israeli operations, US Central Command and the Department of Defense regularly have conversations with Israel as it relates to the defense of Israel and how we can work together to support that effort. And as I highlighted earlier, if we do see threats emanating from other regions, we're prepared to support the defense of Israel and have, as we've demonstrated in the past.

Howard Altman, War Zone.

Q: Hey. Thanks, Pat. A couple things I wanted to drill down a little bit on the North Koreans in Kursk. Images appeared online that shows a North Korean troop killed in that, in Kursk. And then my other question is, has there been any change in the US warship presence in the Red Sea to protect shipping commercial shipping?

And if so, how has that changed? Any change in operationI forget what the name is, the operation protecting ships in the Red Sea?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Thanks, Howard. On your first question, again, I've seen those press and social media reports. Again, we're looking into them, but I cannot corroborate those reports at this time. As it relates to force posture in the Red Sea and elsewhere, I'm not going to get into specifics in terms of which ships are there and what their movement plans are, other than to say, yes, we do maintain robust capability to support Operation Prosperity Guardian and support our efforts to support freedom of navigation and the safety of mariners in the region. OK.

Do one more. Yes, ma'am?

Q: Just a quick follow-up, Pat, on Luis' questions. What's the US estimate on the number of Russian forces in the Kursk region?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: I don't have a number to provide to you.

Q: Ballpark?

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: I don't even have a ballpark number other than to say, broadly speaking, what we saw in the past was essentially a conglomeration of various units on the Russian side to include territorial defense forces attempting to push the Ukrainians back.

Q: I think I was just trying to get a sense of kind of perspective, right? Is it now almost largely North Korean troops their equal number of both? I mean, I think that's kind of what we're trying to figure out.

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Sure. And I just don't have a number to pass along here. I mean, keeping in mind again that what we're talking about here is Russian territory writ large, right? So I mean this is inside Russian interior lines and theoretically, Russia could have made the decision a long time ago to move large number of Russian forces to address this threat.

But it demonstrates a couple of things. One, the fact that Russia has not made recovery of its sovereign territory a priority, and number two, the fact that Russia finds itself in a situation where they now have to hire out to get additional forces to deal with this issue, which as Secretary Austin has highlighted, is an indication of the dire straits they're in when it comes to personnel.

So thank you very much, everybody. Appreciate it.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3955881/

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Turkish National Arrested for Allegedly Conspiring to Violate Venezuela-Related Sanctions

Monday, November 4, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Taskin Torlak, 37, of Turkey, was arrested in Miami, on Nov. 2 for allegedly conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions as part of a scheme to transport oil from Venezuela for the benefit of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), Venezuela's state-owned oil and natural gas company.

"As alleged, the defendant conspired to evade U.S. sanctions imposed on PdVSA, deploying deception to smuggle black-market oil from Venezuela," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable those involved in criminal efforts to circumvent sanctions imposed on the Maduro regime."

"This defendant allegedly conspired to illegally sell Venezuelan oil, using deceit and trickery to hide the fact that this oil originated from Venezuela," said U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia. "Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PdVSA, was sanctioned by the U.S. government to prevent the current regime from further depleting the nation's resources while it unlawfully remains in power. We remain dedicated to prosecuting violations of these sanctions until the government of Venezuela takes the necessary steps for these sanctions to be lifted."

Torlak was arrested as he attempted to depart the United States to return to Turkey. He is charged by complaint with one count of conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). According to the complaint, Torlak conspired with others to cause U.S. financial institutions to process transactions connected to the transport of Venezuelan oil for the benefit of PdVSA, which the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated as a Specially Designated National (SDN) in January 2019.

According to the complaint, beginning at least in or around November 2020, Torlak and others devised and implemented a complex scheme to violate and evade U.S. sanctions related to petroleum products from Venezuela and Iran. The scheme included obfuscating the identities of tankers moving the oil by re-naming and re-flagging vessels, covering vessel names with paint or blankets, and turning off the electronics that track vessels' locations for the safety of ships and their crews. Torlak and his co-conspirators allegedly received tens of millions of dollars from PdVSA in payment for transporting Venezuelan oil, and hid the ultimate beneficiaries of the related transactions from U.S. financial institutions, who then unwittingly processed payments in furtherance of the scheme. The complaint further alleges that Torlak and his co-conspirators explicitly discussed the need to hide their conduct from the U.S. Government and its agencies, including OFAC, as well as commercial maritime entities.

Homeland Security Investigations Washington D.C. is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeghan Mikorski for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys Sean Heiden and Chantelle Dial of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.

A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Topic: National Security

Components: National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - District of Columbia

Press Release Number: 24-1391

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Moldova: Joint Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell and the European Commission on the second round of Presidential Elections

European External Action Service (EEAS)

04.11.2024

EEAS Press Team

The EU warmly congratulates Maia Sandu on her re-election for a second term as President of the Republic of Moldova.

We commend the Moldovan authorities for the successful conduct of the election, despite unprecedented interference by Russia, including with vote-buying schemes and disinformation. These hybrid attempts have sought to undermine the country's democratic institutions and its EU path.

The European Union supports Moldova's security and resilience including through the European Peace Facility and the European Union Partnership Mission. Moldova was the first country to conclude a Security and Defence Partnership with the EU.

The recent referendum has reaffirmed the Moldovan people's commitment to the European path and to further strengthening our close ties. The EU will continue to work with the President and the Moldovan authorities to promote further reforms and enhance the country's stability and prosperity on its EU path, including through the recently announced Growth Plan for Moldova.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Mozambique: Statement by the Spokesperson on the EU's support to the Rwandese army

European External Action Service (EEAS)

04.11.2024

EEAS Press Team

As a friend and partner of the people of Mozambique, the European Union supports the country restoring peace, security and stability across Cabo Delgado through an integrated approach combining efforts in the areas of peace and security, development and humanitarian aid.

In the specific area of peace and security, at the request of the Mozambican government, the EU has deployed an EU Military Assistance Mission and supports the Rwanda Defence Forces deployed and operating in Cabo Delgado. No evidence has been put forward to support the claims that Rwandese troops are present in Maputo.

Through the European Peace Facility (EPF), the European Union equips the Rwandan Defence Forces with protective individual equipment and pays the cost of the transport of military staff to fight the insurgency in Cabo Delgado. EPF support takes place in full compliance with international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and its implementation is subject to rigorous safeguards, controls and monitoring mechanisms.

In light of the above, the European Union absolutely refutes the grave and groundless allegations that the EU is financing the Rwandese army in Mozambique to violently repress protests in Maputo.

The European Union cautions against the spread of misinformation and calls on all parties to observe calm, restraint and sense of responsibility.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Letter of Intent (LOI) on expanded defence cooperation between Sweden and Hungary

Government Offices of Sweden - Swedish Treaty Series from Ministry of Defence

04 November 2024

On 16 October 2024, Minister for Defence Pal Jonson and Hungarian Minister of Defence Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky signed a Letter of Intent (LOI). This LOI is a bilateral declaration on expanded defence cooperation between Sweden and Hungary.

Download:

This follows from the agreement concluded between Sweden and Hungary on 23 February 2024 in Budapest to sign an LOI on expanded cooperation on defence and JAS Gripen fighter aircraft.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Al-Qassam attacks four soldiers and an Israeli Merkava tank with powerful bomb

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 4, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The military branch of Hamas released a video of targeting four Israeli soldiers and a Merkava tank using a powerful bomb in the northern Gaza Strip.

Izzedine al-Qassam Battalions announced that it targeted four Israeli soldiers and a Merkava tank with a powerful bomb in al-Qassasib neighborhood in the Jabalia camp in the north of the Gaza Strip.

Al-Qassam announced in another statement that the Mujahideen of these battalions targeted a group of Israeli infantry on Monday morning inside a house near Eliman Al-Saeed Hospital in the center of Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip with RPG and tandem rockets, during which all of them were killed or wounded.

At the same time, Saraya al-Quds - the military branch of the Islamic Jihad announced that an armored vehicle of the Zionist occupation army was targeted by a bomb in the east of Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army admitted that 19 Israeli soldiers were injured over past 24 hours of fighting in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon.

The army of the occupying regime stated that 10 of these soldiers were wounded in the Gaza Strip and 9 were wounded in southern Lebanon.

2050

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Number of Lebanese martyrs exceeds 3,000

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 4, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's Ministry of Health announced the increase in the number of martyrs in the attacks of the Zionist regime to 3,002 people.

According to Al-Mayadeen network, the Ministry of Health of Lebanon announced that 16 people were martyred and 90 people were injured in the attacks of the Zionist regime on Lebanon yesterday.

The Ministry of Health of Lebanon also announced that by counting these statistics from the beginning of the aggression of the Zionist regime against Lebanon on October 8, 2023 till now number of martyrs has reached 3,002 and the number of wounded has reached 13,492.

2050

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Hezbollah carries out missile attack on Meron base

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 4, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Hezbollah of Lebanon has launched a missile attack on the strategically important Meron base in northern parts of the Israeli-occupied territories.

In a statement on Monday, Hezbollah said that the attack that came in support for the Palestinian resistance in Gaza and was also a response to the Zionist atrocities in Lebanon, also targeted a number of other Zionist settlements.

It added that the resistance group fired multiple missiles at the occupied city of Safed.

In another statement, Hezbollah announced a barrage of missiles on Krayot area, in northern Haifa.

Nahariya in northern parts of the occupied territories has also reportedly come under attack on Monday.

9341**2050

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iraqi resistance launches drone strike against vital Israeli target

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 4, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has announced a drone strike against a vital Israeli target in northern occupied territories.

According to a report by Al-Mayadeen on Monday, the coalition of resistance groups said their fighters carried out the operation as part of their ongoing support for the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples.

This was the second drone attack by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq on occupied territories on Monday.

In recent weeks, the Iraqi resistance has targeted significant Israeli positions, including the port city of Eilat in the southern part of the occupied territories.

Late last month, the group struck an Israeli military base in the Golan Heights, resulting in casualties among 25 Israeli soldiers.

Previously, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq had warned that if Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip continued, they would escalate their operations against Israeli targets in the occupied territories.

4353**2050

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Reports: Drone infiltrates occupied Golan Heights

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 4, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has reportedly infiltrated the occupied Golan Heights, setting off sirens in that region.

Israeli media said on Monday that the infiltration has been monitored, and that sirens sounded in the occupied Golan Heights.

Beirut-based Al Mayadeen news network also reported that sounds of sirens could be heard in multiple locations across south of the occupied Golan, including Qatsrin.

No further details were immediately available.

On Sunday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced drone attacks on two key targets in the occupied Golan and the Jordan Valley.

The Iraqi Islamic Resistance said in its statement that its attack was in response to the Israeli regime's massacre of civilians in Gaza and Lebanon.

9376**4194

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israeli regime officially cuts ties with UNRWA

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 4, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Israeli regime has formally cut ties with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, known as UNRWA.

According to Israel's TV Channel 12, the Tel Aviv regime has officially informed the United Nations of its decision to end cooperation with UNRWA.

The Israeli regime's Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan confirmed the move. Erdan claimed that while the Israeli regime would continue working with humanitarian organizations, it would not cooperate with the agencies he accused of supporting what he called terrorism.

Meanwhile, German World Food Programme Director Martin Frick told the country's media outlets that there is no alternative to UNRWA in Gaza, adding that other agencies cannot fulfill UNRWA's responsibilities in the besieged Palestinian territory, such as managing emergency shelters, schools, and health clinics.

He added that UNRWA serves as a vital lifeline for humanitarian aid in Gaza, which provides food, shelter, and medical facilities to those suffering from inhumane conditions.

Frick warned that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is severe and beyond comprehension, and that preventing UNRWA's operations would destroy the last hope for the people who are fighting for their survival.

Israeli parliament, the Knesset last week passed legislation that prohibits UNRWA from operating in the occupied territories, as part of the regime's measures to intensify pressure on Gaza. The law is expected to be enforced within the next 90 days.

The UN Security Council responded with a statement warning the Israeli regime against any actions that hinder UNRWA's humanitarian mission, emphasizing the agency's irreplaceable role in providing essential services like education, healthcare, and emergency aid to Palestinian refugees across the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East al-Quds, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

4208**4194

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Hezbollah unveils new underground missile facility

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 4, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement has released footage revealing a new missile facility "Imad 5", vowing to remain steadfast on the battlefield until victory.

According to IRNA citing the resistance media, Hezbollah published a video showing parts of the Imad 5 underground missile facility.

The resistance movement unveiled its new missile facility with the words of Martyr Hezbollah Chief, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah: "We will never leave the battlefield... We will never lay down our weapons."

The footage displayed Hezbollah fighters riding their bikes through a forested area, followed by scenes of freedom fighters walking through a tunnel leading to an underground facility.

Along the way, the fighters pass by a sign marking the facility Imad 5 and then by a photo commemorating the martyred leader marked with the words: "We swear by your blood."

This tunnel is well-equipped for movement and houses missile launch-pads.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced in a statement a fresh on Israel's Eliakim military base, in the south of Haifa with a squadron of drones.

This base includes a set of training barracks and sub-sets of the command of the northern region of the Zionist army.

Earlier, Hezbollah also targeted a group of Israeli forces in the Metulla settlement with a guided missile, killing and injuring several of them. The Lebanese resistance group also said it targeted the Beit Lid base east of the occupied city of Netanya with a barrage of qualitative missiles.

Lebanon's Hezbollah has not remained silent in the face of the Israeli aggression. The resistance movement has time and again said that its operations are in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and in defense of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

4399

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania regarding the second round of the presidential elections of the Republic of Moldova

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2024-11-04

Lithuania welcomes the professional and impartial conduct of the Second round of the Presidential elections of the Republic of Moldova on 3 November 2024.

We note the peaceful and competitive nature of the electoral campaign, as well as the good organisational work and professionalism of the Central Electoral Commission, as witnessed by the international observers.

Lithuania congratulates the incumbent President Maia Sandu on her re-election. We encourage President Sandu to continue and lead an inclusive national dialogue with all stakeholders across the Moldovan society. Moldova will need a broad consensus to successfully confront numerous security challenges and implement the ambitious reform agenda it has embraced as part of its EU integration path.

Lithuania repeatedly points to the unprecedented malign interference by Russia into Moldova's Presidential elections and internal affairs. Such interference is unacceptable and must be prevented, as any other attack on democracy.

In particular, we condemn the systematic large-scale buying of votes, as well as other forms of interference like organized transportation of Moldovan citizens from Russia to various voting stations abroad, which is prohibited by Moldovan laws and undermines the democratic process.

We note the extraordinary efforts by Moldovan institutions to counter these disruptive acts and secure the legitimacy and integrity of the elections, including the credibility of their final result.

Yet, Moldova's law enforcement institutions must thoroughly investigate the Russian interference into Moldova's electoral process, especially in view of the upcoming Parliamentary elections in 2025. We call on the EU institutions, EU Member States and other international partners to help Moldova in this endeavour and provide the Government of Moldova with all the necessary assistance, including technical, financial, and practical assistance, including through new restrictive measures against the organizers, perpetrators and collaborators of the election fraud.

Lithuania stands ready to further support the Republic of Moldova on its EU accession path. We believe that a full-fledged EU membership is the only way forward to strengthen and transform Moldova's security and resilience, rule of law, economic growth and prosperity.

Lithuania, along with its international partners, will continue supporting Moldova's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on October 28-November 3, 2024

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2024-11-04

International cooperation | Security and defense policy

On October 28 - November 3 detachment of the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states were scrambled four times to intercept aircraft flying in violation of international aviation regulations.

On October 28 fighter aircraft of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Detachment were scrambled to intercept one IL-76 flying from the mainland of the Russian Federation to Kaliningrad via international airspace. It had no pre-filed flight plan, the onboard transponder was switched on, the crew was maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

On October 29 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept assessed two SU-27 flying from Kaliningrad and back through international airspace. The aircraft returned to Kaliningrad before being identified. They had no flight plan, the onboard transponders were switched off, the crews were not maintaining radio communication.

On October 31 NATO Air Policing fighter jets were scrambled to identify an assessed SU-30. The aircraft was flying from Kaliningrad and back through international airspace. The identification was not successful. The aircraft had no flight plan, its onboard transponder was switched off, the crew was not maintaining radio communication.

On November 2 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled to determine the nature of an identified aerial target breaching into Lithuania's territory from Latvia. The target proved to be a sizable flock of birds.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Gitanas Nauseda congratulated the President of Moldova on her re-election

President of the Republic of Lithuania

November 04, 2024

President Gitanas Nauseda extended congratulations to President Maia Sandu of Moldova on her re-election.

In his message, the Lithuanian leader highlighted Moldova's determination, persistent efforts and political leadership in implementing the necessary reforms towards European Union membership, despite Russia's attempts to disrupt Moldova's Western course through hybrid measures.

"I would like to assure you that Lithuania firmly supports Moldova's aspirations for European integration. We stand ready to share our experience and best practices in state governance. We will continue to support you in this fight for democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms," the President stated.

Gitanas Nauseda wished the re-elected President of Moldova strength and success in performing these responsible duties and working for the good of her country and its people in her second term.



The President's Communication Group

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






NATO Secretary General in Berlin: "your support saves lives on the battlefield every day"

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

04 Nov. 2024

During his first official visit to Berlin on Monday (4 November), NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte thanked Chancellor Olaf Scholz for Germany's significant contributions to the Alliance and its ongoing support for Ukraine.

The Secretary General praised Chancellor Scholz's "personal leadership and commitment" to investing more in defence. "Germany now invests 2 percent of its GDP in defence for the first time in three decades. This is important for Germany and for NATO," he said.

The Secretary General highlighted Germany's contributions to NATO, including its presence in the eastern part of the Alliance where it is stationing a full brigade in Lithuania. Mr Rutte welcomed the opening of Germany's new naval headquarters in Rostock, which will help to protect key trade and supply routes, and critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

Mr Rutte also thanked Germany for being "the biggest European contributor of military aid" to Ukraine, underlining that Germany's support "saves lives on the battlefield every day." He also warned of more frequent Russian hybrid attacks against NATO Allies, saying "the shifting frontline in this war is no longer solely within Ukraine." Russia is interfering directly in Allies' democracies, sabotaging industry and committing violence. "All of this to weaken us and to sow divisions, but NATO stands ready to deter and defend against these threats," he said.

On Monday, the Secretary General also met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius, and Chairman of the Defence Committee of the German Bundestag Marcus Faber.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Moldova's well-managed presidential run-off offered voters genuine choice, despite legal deficiencies, unbalanced media coverage and impact of foreign interference, international observers say

OSCE | Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

CHISINAU 4 November 2024

CHISINAU, 4 November 2024 -- The 3 November second round of Moldova's presidential election was administered efficiently and professionally, and offered voters a choice between genuine political alternatives, international observers said in a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions today. Candidates were able to campaign freely, but the quiet, ten-day campaign was marked by an increase in negative rhetoric from across the political spectrum targeting both contestants, often spread through online social networks. The challenges posed by foreign interference and vote-buying continued to reverberate during the run-off campaign, the statement says.

The presidential election was conducted under the 2022 Electoral Code, which, despite frequent revisions, provides an adequate basis for holding democratic elections. The application of general regulations to the short second-round period resulted in conflicting provisions and ambiguities, limiting the effectiveness of legal remedies and campaign opportunities, while overly burdensome financial reporting requirements, combined with limited disclosure, negatively impacted the transparency of campaign finances for the second round. The incumbent, Maia Sandu, continued to benefit from the misuse of public resources, albeit this was significantly less widespread than in the first round, and from unbalanced media coverage. This did not provide the contestants with equal opportunities, the observers said.

"The high voter engagement, by women in particular, both in Moldova and abroad, reflects a strong commitment to shaping the country's future. This process was well managed at polling stations and demonstrates that Moldovans across political views can come together and communicate openly and respectfully," said Lucie Potuckova, the Special Co-ordinator and leader of the OSCE short-term observers, and Head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation. "Despite the polarization often highlighted on social media, these interactions serve as a reminder of the resilience of real-life connections and dialogue. I commend the Moldovan authorities for their efforts to protect the integrity of the election, countering foreign interference, and ensuring a peaceful and secure voting environment. Such measures strengthen trust in democracy and highlight the unity that lies beneath differing perspectives."

The run-off was held amid continuing investigations into interference from abroad and vote-buying schemes intended to influence the outcomes of the first-round, and the constitutional referendum that was held simultaneously. These investigations included detentions, searches of premises, the seizure of materials, and the issuing of fines.

"These elections were organized under extremely challenging circumstances, facing unprecedented schemes to corrupt the electoral process. Despite this, the electoral administration deserves our full recognition for a job well done. None of this would have been possible without the hundreds of committed women working at polling stations," said Jone Blikra, Head of the PACE delegation. "The second round has, unfortunately, confirmed how deeply divided Moldova truly is. The president-elect will need to build bridges to heal these societal rifts, especially with parliamentary elections on the horizon next year."

Overall, the media provided voters with sufficient information to make an informed choice, including through a debate between the two candidates. The public broadcaster provided more coverage of the two candidates in the second round, although a large portion of its radio coverage was devoted to the government, without critical analysis. Media monitoring showed that, while the four television channels monitored devoted fairly equal amounts of airtime in their newscasts to both candidates, they displayed a concerning bias in their tone, with coverage of Sandu almost exclusively positive or neutral, while that of her opponent, Alexandr Stoianoglo, was more critical, including in less positive and some negative coverage in editorial programmes.

Preparations for the second round were efficient and professional, and the election administration met legal deadlines. The Central Election Commission continued to work in a collegial and transparent manner and held open sessions. The Commission continued its voter education programme between rounds, including through dedicated materials for students and first-time voters.

"We praise the Moldovan people for running the presidential election professionally and with an extraordinary sense of duty and dedication, despite the continued massive interference from Russia and Russian-sponsored actors," said Marta Temido, Head of the European Parliament delegation. "The determination of the Moldovan authorities and people to protect the integrity of the democratic process was noticeable during this second round. We encourage the authorities to continue these efforts in view of next year's parliamentary elections, and we will stand ready to support Moldova in defending its democracy."

Election day was generally calm and well-organized, and the voting process was assessed overwhelmingly positively by the observers, with only a few procedural problems noted. The vote count and tabulation were assessed positively overall.

"In our team's assessment of the process, we saw that the lack of regulations adapted for the second round of the campaign created some challenges for candidates and impacted the transparency of campaign finance, for example. Our media monitoring also showed bias benefiting the incumbent", said Urszula Gacek, Head of the election observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. "Our role as ODIHR is to help Moldova in addressing these and other issues we note in our observations, and we will be providing concrete recommendations that we hope will benefit Moldova's electoral processes in the future."

In the period leading up to the run-off, the observers also monitored the tabulation of the first-round and constitutional referendum results, and the resolution of related appeals. On 31 October the Constitutional Court certified that the "Yes" position had passed, interpreting the law as establishing the results based on valid votes cast. Voters and contestants had the opportunity to file complaints about election day violations and to appeal results, but the failure to register certain complaints and questions over which mechanisms were appropriate for appealing certain issues limited access to legal remedies.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China continues to ignore P60-M demand over Ayungin clash losses

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

November 4, 2024, 3:07 pm Updated on November 4, 2024, 9:17 pm

MANILA -- China has yet to respond to the Philippines' demand for payment for the equipment damage and losses incurred from the China Coast Guard (CCG) harassment of Manila's rotation and resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal in June.

"Wala pang response 'yung China. Nagbigay tayo ng sulat sa DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) nang sa gayon ma-isama nila dun sa mga demands natin ito (China has yet to respond. But we already gave a letter to the DFA, so that this will be made part of our demand)," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a media briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City Monday.

The AFP has demanded PHP60 million from Beijing after the CCG crew took at least seven rifles in cases, punctured two rigid-hulled inflatable boats, and damaged navigational and communications equipment during the June 17 harassment.

Eight Philippine Navy sailors were injured.

One of them, Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo, lost his right thumb. It was later "restored" by military doctors and their partners from the Makati Medical Center Foundation.

"It now functions well, normally," Brawner said.

Facundo is now assigned at Headquarters Naval Special Operations Command in Sangley Point, Cavite City. (PNA)

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






AFP's joint exercise to boost PH external defense capabilities

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

November 4, 2024, 1:34 pm

MANILA -- This year's Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Exercise (AJEX) "DAGITPA" (Dagat-Langit-Lupa) will focus on beefing up external defense capabilities, military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said on Monday.

"This year's exercise will adopt an operationally focused framework enabling us to simulate our territorial defense plan Bantay Kalayaan alongside a Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC)," he said during the event's opening rites at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

The CADC is a defensive shift, earlier announced by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., that aims to secure the country's entire territory, along with its exclusive economic zone.

Brawner also said the eighth iteration of "AJEX DAGITPA", which runs until Nov. 15, shows the AFP is ready to "confront real-world challenges on" and that it is able to safeguard the nation's interests with "determination and courage."

Over 3,000 soldiers are expected to take part in the exercise.

Highlighting the importance of information in modern warfare, Brawner said the AFP is introducing the "information warfighter exercise" in this year's joint drills.

"This highlights the critical need for strategic communications and information operations in modern defense operations. As the nature of warfare evolves, we must equip ourselves not only with the physical readiness but also with robust capabilities in the digital and informational domains. In the previous AJEX, sinama na natin 'yung (we included) cyber exercise so we will continue on with that," Brawner said.

Through united efforts, the AFP chief said that the military can address the multifaceted challenges ahead.

"And it is essential that we forge stronger partnerships within our forces and with our national and international allies. So even if we say that this is a unilateral exercise, we will still be involving our allies and our partners and also the other government agencies in the Philippines," he added.

Exercises in Wescom, Nolcom, WPS

As this developed, "AJEX DAGITPA" exercise director Maj. Gen. Marvin Licudine said exercises for this year's iteration will be held in the areas of the Puerto Princesa, Palawan-headquartered Western Command (Wescom) and Tarlac City-based Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom).

Licudine said they anticipate China to monitor the activities.

"We have done the contingencies in the planning and of course we expect that, our Chinese counterparts will be monitoring us and doing some things maybe but our planners have planned and prepared for contingencies in the process," he added.

"AJEX DAGITPA" executive director Col. Michael Logico said that various exercises would also be held in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"In the area of (the) WPS, we'll be conducting a series of exercises, all of which will be taking part in the western portion of Palawan. We will be having island seizure exercises, amphibious counter landing exercises and air defense exercises kasama dyan 'yung (this includes) joint intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance and maritime security exercises," he added.

He also said there would be live-fire exercises, which involve "a combination of maritime-based assets and air-based assets." (PNA)

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






EU's Borrell urges end to Israel war, unimpeded access to aid for Gaza

Iran Press TV

Monday, 04 November 2024 7:05 PM

The European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urges an end to Israel's war on the Palestinians, release of the captives and an "unimpeded" access to humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip.

In a series of posts on X on Monday, Borrell warned against the "deteriorating" situation in Gaza and in the occupied territories "by the hour" with "unbearable sufferings for civilians."

Borrell said it was deplorable that "no one seems to be able or willing to stop this."

Borrell censured increasing violence by "violent and extremist settlers", who torched vehicles and damaged apartments in areas such as al-Bireh in the occupied West Bank on Monday.

He warned that "hospitals are besieged, UNRWA's activities more & more at risk."

"The EU strongly condemns extremist settler violence, as well as the expansion of illegal settlements," Borrell wrote.

The top EU diplomat reiterated Israel's duty to protect all civilians and to hold the perpetrators accountable.

He quoted independent media reports as saying that the last three partially operating hospitals in north Gaza are targeted "with an intensity rarely seen in modern warfare."

He also warned that Israel's move to ban the operations of UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, may deprive millions of life-saving services.

"It is high time to stop violent settlers and destruction in the West Bank, and to put an end to the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories," Borrell said.

Israel has ramped up its violence against the Palestinians in the West Bank since it launched the campaign of genocide in Gaza in October 2023.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Over 1,800 Palestinians killed in Israel's month-long attacks in northern Gaza

Iran Press TV

Monday, 04 November 2024 2:46 PM

Over 1,800 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its specific genocidal campaign in northern Gaza in October.

Local authorities say hundreds have also gone missing.

In a statement released on Monday, Gaza's media office said the number of the injured stands at around 4,000.

Since October 6, Israel has been engaged in a ground operation in northern Gaza.

The regime has imposed a tightened siege there, particularly around the area of Jabalia.

Israel prevents ambulances and humanitarian aid convoys from entering northern Gaza.

The regime is using starvation as a method of warfare in the occupied Gaza Strip, the media office stated. Israel has prevented "3,800 aid trucks from going into northern Gaza."

The regime has "deliberately starved nearly 400,000 people there, including more than 100,000 children," the statement said.

"It also destroyed dozens of displacement and shelter centers that house tens of thousands of displaced people who fled their homes in search of safety and security."

'All hospitals out of service'

Elsewhere in the statement, the media office also said the hospitals were now out of service after coming under intense Israeli fire.

"All hospitals in northern Gaza were destroyed and put out of service, and civil defense crews targeted, with some of them arrested," it added.

It added that civil defense teams have been hit while on service and some of them have been arrested or prevented from working.

The media office appealed to the international community and UN agencies to assume their responsibilities and pressure Israel to allow the safe passage of aid and "to stop the brutal crimes being committed against civilians in Gaza."

The Israeli regime's genocidal war on Gaza continues to claim more civilian lives across the besieged Strip, especially in the northern areas.

At least 33 people have been killed and nearly 160 injured in the Israeli deadly strikes in the past day. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the Palestinian death toll since October 7, 2023, has topped 43,370.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Nov. 3: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Monday, 04 November 2024 8:39 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 43,400 Palestinians so far, as well as the ongoing genocide in Lebanon, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Sunday, November 3, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Nov. 3:

Targeted an Israeli military site in the "Netzarim" axis with a Zouari suicide drone.

Targeted the "Shaked" settlement north of the occupied West Bank with appropriate automatic weapons.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on Nov. 3:

Targeted a convoy of Israeli military vehicles penetrating north of Nusseirat camp with mortar shells and short-range rockets.

Shot down an Israeli military drone while it was carrying out intelligence missions in the airspace of the eastern Gaza Strip.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Nov. 3:

Targeted Israeli military points in the settlement of "Merav" and various targets around the area of Jalboun with a barrage of gunfire and explosive devices.

Targeted Israeli military vehicles gathered in the settlement of "Shaked."

Al-Asifah Forces' operations on Nov. 3:

Targeted Israeli military vehicles and positions of soldiers in the Jalameh settlement of Jenin, occupied West Bank, with heavy barrages of bullets.

Hezbollah's operations on Nov. 3:

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of "Zarit."

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of "Shoumera."

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of "Even Menachem."

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of "Metzuba."

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of "Baram."

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of "Shlomi."

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of "Rosh HaNikra."

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of "Kidmat Tsvi."

As part of the Khaybar series of operations and with the call "We are at your service, O Nasrallah," targeted the "Beit Lid" base, belonging to the Israeli military's Central Command (including training camps for the "Nahal" and Paratrooper Brigades), east of the occupied city of "Netanya," with a barrage of qualitative rockets.

A large barrage of rockets targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of "Shlomi" for the second time.

A large barrage of rockets targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of "Shamir."

As part of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to several northern settlements, targeted the settlement of "Katzrin" with a rocket barrage.

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of "Sa'ar."

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in Khallet al-Bardousha near "Manara."

A rocket barrage targeted the "Zevulun" military-industrial base north of occupied Haifa.

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces at the Baghdadi site.

A large attack drone targeted a gathering of Israeli forces at the newly established command headquarters for the Western Brigade at the "Ya'ara" barracks.

A guided missile targeted a Merkava tank at the "Metulla" Gate, causing it to catch fire

A rocket barrage targeted the settlement of "Netofa Nimra."

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of "Metulla."

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of Metulla for the second time.

While monitoring Israeli forces attempting to establish a command room in the settlement of Metula, targeted them with a guided missile, hitting its target accurately.

As part of the Khaybar operations series and with the call "We are at your service, O Nasrallah," targeted, for the first time, the Haifa Technical Base (a base affiliated with the Israeli Air Force containing a training college for air force technicians) in the occupied city of Haifa, with a salvo of precision rockets.

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces on the eastern outskirts of the town of Meis al-Jabal.

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces on the eastern outskirts of the town of Meis al-Jabal for the second time.

A rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli forces on the eastern outskirts of the town of Meis al-Jabal for the third time.

As part of the "Khaybar" operations series and with the call "We are at your service, O Nasrallah," launched an aerial attack with a squadron of strike drones on the "Eliakim" base (which includes training camps under the Northern Command of the Israeli army), south of the occupied city of Haifa

The Air Defense Unit confronted an Israeli "Hermes 900" drone in the skies of the Iqlim al-Tuffah region with a surface-to-air missile and forced it to leave Lebanese airspace.

Islamic Resistance in Iraq's operations on Nov. 3:

Launched a barrage of drones at a vital Israeli military target in the occupied Jordan Valley.

Launched a barrage of drones at a vital Israeli military target in the occupied Golan Heights.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israel informs UN, officially bans agency for Palestinian refugees despite global outcry

Iran Press TV

Monday, 04 November 2024 7:59 AM

The Israeli regime has banned the operations of UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, terminating the body's decades-long crucial relief practices across the Palestinian territories and putting millions of lives at risk.

In a statement on Monday, the regime's foreign ministry said, "On the instruction of Foreign Minister Israel Katz," it had notified the UN of the "cancellation of the agreement" between the regime and the agency.

Katz, meanwhile, repeated the allegations, which the regime had first leveled against the body in January that its employees had been involved in an October 2023 retaliatory operation staged by the Gaza Strip's resistance movements against the occupied Palestinian territories, during which hundreds of Zionists were taken captive.

He alleged that the organization's staff had "participated" in the operation and that many of the body's employees are "Hamas operatives," referring to one of the Gaza-based resistance groups that staged the retaliation.

UNRWA "is part of the problem in the Gaza Strip and not part of the solution," he added.

The body has been rendering essential relief services across the Palestinian territories and to Palestinian refugees elsewhere for more than seven decades.

The ban culminates Israeli authorities' unrelenting efforts at smothering the flow of direly-needed aid supplies into the territories, including Gaza.

The Israeli parliament last month approved a proposal to shut down UNRWA's operations in the occupied Palestinian territory.

It also comes amid a 13-month-long genocidal war by the regime against the coastal sliver that has claimed the lives of more than 43,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and displaced almost the entirety of the territory's 2.4-million-strong population.

The war has featured numerous attacks against facilities belonging to UNRWA.

'Collapse of international humanitarian work'

Reacting to the ban, UNRWA said the measure would lead to the "collapse" of international humanitarian work in war-torn Gaza, calling the operations the UN agency's "backbone."

The Palestinian Mujahideen Movement also strongly denounced the move, considering it to be "a new insult and disregard for the United Nations, its institutions, resolutions, and the entire international system."

"This criminal step against UNRWA signals a new campaign of starvation targeting our people in the [occupied] West Bank and Gaza. It falls within the open war against our people, aimed at displacing them, eliminating their cause, and undermining Palestinian refugees' right to return to their homes from which they were expelled," it said.

The "hostile" decision "constitutes a serious assault on one of the main witnesses to the 20th-century crime of displacing our people and establishing the occupying regime on the ruins of our destroyed cities and villages," the group noted.

Late last month, both the UN and UNRWA also condemned Knesset (the Israeli parliament)'s approval of two laws that branded the agency as a "terror" group and banned it from operating on the occupied Palestinian territories.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called UNRWA's work "indispensable" and said there was "no alternative" to the agency.

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, meanwhile, said the Knesset's move set a "dangerous precedent" as it opposed the UN Charter and violated the regime's obligations under international law.

The laws were also slammed by Palestinian groups, China, Russia, a number of European countries, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Yemeni forces to continue to hit all Israel-linked ships regardless of any change in ownership

Iran Press TV

Monday, 04 November 2024 12:45 AM

The Yemeni Armed Forces say they will continue to hit all Israel-linked ships in nearby waters, regardless of any change in their ownership or flags.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree said on Sunday that many shipping companies affiliated with Israel are trying to bypass Yemen's punitive measures by selling their assets to other companies or changing their registration.

Saree warned that all parties dealing with these companies and vessels are subject to punishment and prohibited from crossing the Yemeni Armed Forces' zone of operations.

He added that any change in the ownership or flags of the Israel-linked ships won't save them from Yemen's measures.

"Intelligence information confirms that many Israeli enemy shipping companies are working to sell their assets and transfer their maritime shipping and transport properties to other companies or register them under other names as a means of circumventing the punitive measures imposed by the Republic of Yemen on those ships and companies," he said.

Saree added that the Yemeni army will continue its maritime blockade against Israel-affiliated vessels and keep targeting them until Israel's aggression against Lebanon and Gaza as well as the siege of the Strip stop.

"The Yemeni Armed Forces continue to enforce the maritime blockade on the Israeli enemy and target all ships affiliated with, associated with, or heading towards it. This blockade will remain in place until the aggression stops, the blockade on Gaza is lifted, and the aggression on Lebanon ceases," Saree said.

The Yemeni armed forces have carried out hundreds of missile strikes against targets lying across the Israeli-occupied territories as well as Israeli ships and those heading towards or away from the territories since October 2023.

The Israeli aggression against the besieged Gaza Strip began in October last year. Since then, more than 43,300 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children.

Unrelenting Israeli air and artillery strikes have already pushed the blockaded territory to the brink. Lack of food, water, and urgent medical supplies are also taking their toll on the Gaza population.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Pacific push sees UN launch first nuclear war impact study in 35 years

Nuclear weapons test legacy is felt across the Pacific, notably in Marshall Islands and French Polynesia.

By BenarNews Staff 2024.11.04 -- The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly in favor of an independent scientific panel to report on the physical and societal consequences of nuclear war, the first such study in more than three decades.

The resolution's backers say research into the catastrophic consequences of nuclear conflict needs to be urgently updated and expanded, especially at a time of heightened geopolitical tension and escalating nuclear rhetoric.

The legacy of nuclear testing is still being felt across the Pacific, notably in Micronesia but particularly in Marshall Islands, and also in French Polynesia. Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, Samoa and Tonga were all sponsors of the resolution, which was led by New Zealand and Ireland.

The world body's First Committee on Disarmament on Friday approved the resolution sponsored by 20 nations, by a vote of 144 to 3, with 30 abstentions.

Only the nuclear-armed states of Russia, the United Kingdom and France were opposed, the United States, India, Israel, North Korea and Pakistan abstained, while China supported the resolution.

Fiji's permanent representative to the U.N. Filipo Tarakinikini said it was important people understood the "unprecedented devastation" of nuclear weapons.

"The generations that lived and know the reality of the Second World War are gone," Tarakinikini told RFA affiliate BenarNews, explaining why his country was an early supporter. "We need to awaken people of the world to the real horrors of a nuclear war.

"Such a clear picture of the extent of devastation in a nuclear war should sensitize people ... and hopefully catalyze efforts towards the implementation of treaties against nuclear weapons."

The resolution called for the creation of an expert panel, consisting of 21 members, to examine the physical effects and societal consequences of a nuclear war at a local, regional and planetary scale. The panel will study the effects on the climate, environment, agriculture, public health and socioeconomic systems.

The last U.N. mandated study on the effects of nuclear war was published in 1988, with a focus on climate change. At the time of its release, France was the only power still testing in the Pacific and detonated a further 29 nuclear devices until 1996.

In September, a report delivered to the U.N. Human Rights Council laid out an array of ongoing challenges to human rights stemming from U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands, a collection of 29 atolls and five isolated islands in the North Pacific Ocean.

The legacy of 67 detonations between 1946 to 1958 include obstacles to health, a clean and sustainable environment, adequate housing and indigenous rights. Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine said the testing had left behind "deep scars" in her country.

The Micronesian nation was elected last month to sit on the United Nations Human Rights Council from 2025, with climate change and nuclear justice as its top priorities.

Although it is accepted that hundreds of millions of people would die in an all-out nuclear war, scientists say the true toll on humanity and the environment is unclear because of gaps in research.

This year, the national science academies of the G7 countries issued a statement saying "in the context of the current global instability, it is imperative to highlight the known consequences of nuclear warfare."

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the Doomsday Clock this year to 90 seconds to midnight - the hypothetical point of annihilation - due in large part to Russian threats to use nuclear weapons in its war against Ukraine.

While there are far fewer nuclear warheads today than at their peak in 1986, more countries have the weapons in their arsenal and local stockpiles are once again growing.

Nine countries - Russia, the United States, France, China, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea - possessed roughly 12,121 warheads as of early-2024, according to the Federation of American Scientists.

Nine Pacific island nations represented at the U.N. along with New Zealand and Australia ratified the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty - also known as Rarotonga Treaty - in 1986 to ban the use, testing and possession of nuclear weapons in the region. Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau have not signed but are eligible to join.

The final report of the U.N. panel will be delivered at the General Assembly's eighty-second session in 2027.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Vietnamese fishermen in China's detention for six months: think tank

The Beijing-approved group said some Vietnamese fishermen have been detained in the Paracels for 'illegal fishing' in the disputed waters.

By RFA Staff 2024.11.04 -- Vietnamese fishermen have been in Chinese detention in the Paracel archipelago for more than six months, a Chinese think tank has reported, days after Vietnam demanded that China release all detained fishermen and their boats and stop its harassment of them.

The Beijing-based South China Sea Probing Initiative, or SCSPI, a government-sanctioned think tank, said on the social media platform X that the fishermen "were detained in April and May" for illegally fishing activities in the waters around the Paracels. It did not provide other details including the number of detainees.

Vietnam, China and Taiwan all claim sovereignty over the island chain, known as Xisha islands in Chinese and Hoang Sa in Vietnam, but Beijing has been controlling the entire area since 1974, after defeating troops of the then South Vietnam government.

Last week, a Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesperson said Hanoi had "resolutely" protested and demanded China "immediately release all the fishermen and fishing vessels, appropriately compensate them for the damages and stop the harassment against Vietnamese fishermen" without giving any further details.

Vietnam says that the Paracels have been a traditional fishing ground for generations of its fishermen but China has been stopping and expelling Vietnamese vessels from the waters around the islands, and sometimes detaining them and demanding fines.

Last month, Vietnam said Chinese law enforcement personnel boarded a fishing boat from Quang Ngai province and beat the crew with iron bars, seriously injuring four of them, prompting the Vietnamese government to publicly protest.

'Destructive' fishing activities

The SCSPI said that the Vietnamese fishermen were detained for "harvesting live corals, electrofishing and other environmentally destructive activities."

It also published photos that it said showed explosives and detonators used by Vietnamese fishermen in the Paracels.

On Nov. 1, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a press briefing in Beijing that China hoped Vietnam would "earnestly raise the awareness of its fishermen and make sure they will not engage in illegal activities in waters under China's jurisdiction."

Vietnamese authorities insisted that, as the Paracel islands belong to Vietnam, it is within the fishermen's rights to operate in the archipelago's waters.

This year, the Quang Ngai provincial government told media that most of the fishing boats from the province used non-destructive methods such as trawling, line fishing and diving.

The Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative, or AMTI, a U.S. think tank, said as for trawling, "China and Vietnam account for the largest share of overall fish catch in the South China Sea."

In its report 'Deep Blue Scars' from Dec. 2023, AMTI also accused China of causing the most coral reef destruction in the South China Sea through dredging and land fill, burying roughly 4,648 acres (18.8km2) of reefs." Vietnam came second with 1,402 acres (5.7km2).

Chinese fishermen have also been using an extremely harmful method of "dragging specially made brass propellers" to dig up reef surfaces for giant clam harvesting, AMTI's report said.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Vietnamese tycoon launches appeal against death sentence

The country is one of the few that imposes the death penalty for fraud and bribery.

By Mike Firn for RFA 2024.11.04 - BANGKOK -- A court in Vietnam began hearing real estate tycoon Truong My Lan's appeal against the death sentence on Monday, in a case that has highlighted the extent of an anti-corruption campaign known as the "blazing furnace."

The chairwoman of property giant Van Thinh Phat was found guilty in April of embezzling billions of dollars from Saigon Commercial Bank, or SCB, in the country's biggest fraud case.

The court ordered her to repay US$27 billion in loans received from SCB by Van Thinh Phat. Lan is also appealing against this ruling.

Lan, 68, was sentenced to death in April for masterminding the fraud. She was also sentenced at that time to 40 years in prison for bribery and violating bank regulations.

At the end of a second trial in October, she was sentenced to life in prison for fraudulent property appropriation, 12 years for laundering more than $18 billion, and eight years for illegally transferring $1.5 billion out of the country and receiving $3 billion from abroad.

Over the course of the two trials the court in Vietnam's business capital, Ho Chi Minh City, heard that Lan had ordered senior staff at Van Thinh Phat, SCB and Tan Viet Securities to issue more than 300 million bonds, allowing her to appropriate $1.2 billion from nearly 36,000 investors.

The other defendants included her husband Eric Chu, who received a nine-year sentence, and her niece Truong Hue Van, who received a 17-year prison term.

Vietnam has been cracking down on corruption in the ruling Communist Party and its dealings with key sectors such as property and healthcare.

The Van Thinh Phat scandal netted State Bank of Vietnam chief inspector Do Thi Nhan. He was sentenced to life in prison for accepting $5.2 million from Lan, VnExpress reported.

The "blazing furnace" campaign was spearheaded by former party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and has been sustained by his successor To Lam.

The campaign has claimed the jobs of prime ministers and powerful politburo members accused of benefiting from contracts for COVID-19 test kits and coronavirus repatriation plans among other scandals, and for allowing bribery and embezzlement to take place under their watch.

The People's High Court will consider the appeals of 46 other defendants this month, according to the Vietnam News, with the hearings expected to last 20 days.

Vietnam applies the death penalty for accepting bribes worth an equivalent of $42,500 or accepting bribes that cause property damage over $212,500, according to the 2015 Criminal Law. However, the law states that if the offender returns at least three-quarters of the money the death penalty will be commuted.

Edited by RFA Staff.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






EXPLAINED: How do Asia's authoritarian states pick leaders?

Communist-style staged elections and hereditary strongmen dominate.

By Paul Eckert 2024.11.04 -- In a world bracing for a close U.S. presidential election result this week, a large swathe of Asia picks its leaders without suspense -- and mostly with little popular participation.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping was confirmed by the National People's Congress in March 2013 with 2,952 votes for, one against, and three abstentions. Last year the rubber stamp parliament voted unanimously to give him a third term, putting him on track to stay in power for life.

North Korea's leaders have inherited their power from father to son for three generations. They are technically "elected" - but there is no choice. In 2014, Kim Jong Un was elected to the Supreme People's Assembly without a dissenting vote with 100% turnout.

A leadership succession that played out in Vietnam this year saw a serial purge of political rivals and the death of an ailing top leader propel To Lam, a wily career security policeman to the top of the Communist Party, where he is maneuvering for a key intra-party vote in early 2026.

In U.S. elections, the president and vice president are not elected directly in a popular vote by citizens. Instead, they are chosen through the Electoral College process, in which electors equal to the total number of representatives and senators a state has in Congress cast that state's votes. These electors vote according to the majority of residents in that state.

Members of Congress - 100 in the Senate and 435 in the House of the Representatives - are elected directly by residents of each of the 50 states.

How do the Communist-ruled countries in Asia choose their leaders?

Of the six countries covered by Radio Free Asia, whose mission is to provide independent media to territories that lack it, four - China, North Korea, Laos and Vietnam - were founded and organized on the Marxist-Leninist party-state model copied from the Soviet Union.

Some countries call themselves "democratic," but in practice the people have little or no say in choosing their leaders or governments.

NORTH KOREA

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea was founded in 1948 by Kim Il Sung, who had been cultivated by Moscow as a Cold War ally in the northern half of Korea.

North Korea describes itself as an "independent socialist state" with universal and compulsory suffrage at 17, and holds elections for the Supreme People's Assembly, the national legislature every four-to-five years, and for local People's Assemblies every four years.

In practice, each candidate is pre-selected by the North Korean government and voters are allowed to vote either "yes" or "no" in ballots that are not private. Nearly all elections report 100% support for the government.

CHINA

The People's Republic of China, founded in 1949 by Mao Zedong, describes itself as a "socialist democracy and a people's democratic dictatorship." Xi-era slogans describe it as "socialist consultative democracy" and "whole-process people's democracy."

China has universal suffrage from age 18, with voting at five levels of People's Congresses, from local townships to cities and provinces, to the parliamentary National People's Congress. Higher-level Congresses are indirectly elected by delegates of lower-level Congresses.

Technically not a one-party state, China has eight non-communist parties, including the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, the China Democratic League, the China National Democratic Construction Association and the China Association for Promoting Democracy.

However, as the U.S.-based Freedom House notes, "the CCP effectively monopolizes all political activity and does not permit meaningful political competition." The noncommunist parties serve in an advisory role, "but their activities are tightly circumscribed, and they must accept the CCP's leadership as a condition for their existence."

VIETNAM

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, founded in 1975 after Ho Chi Minh's Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) overthrew the U.S.-backed Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), likewise followed the Soviet template of one-party politics.

Suffrage is universal at age 18, and direct elections are held for local People's Councils and the National Assembly -- but all candidates are pre-approved by the ruling party.

"Vietnam is a one-party state, dominated for decades by the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam," says Freedom House. "Although some independent candidates are technically allowed to run in legislative elections, most are banned in practice."

In the May 2021 elections for 500 National Assembly seats, the Communist Party of Vietnam took 97.2% of the vote, while non-party candidates got 2.8%. The next election is in early 2026.

LAOS

In the Lao People's Democratic Republic, a Communist protege of Vietnam also founded in 1975, "is a one-party state in which the ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party dominates all aspects of politics and harshly restricts civil liberties," says Freedom House.

Laos has universal suffrage, and its president, vice president, and prime minister are elected by the National Assembly. These elections, however, have been deemed not free or fair, and in the most recent 2021 poll, the ruling party took 158 of the body's 164 seats, with the rest going to pre-approved independents.

"The electoral laws and framework are designed to ensure that the LPRP, the only legal party, dominates every election and controls the political system," says Freedom House.

CAMBODIA

Radio Free Asia's other target countries are Cambodia and Myanmar, more pluralistic states that have held competitive, if flawed elections.

Cambodia has been holding elections since 1993, as mandated by the 1991 Paris Agreements, which ended the country's civil war and mandated democratic elections under a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

In practice, however, Cambodia's political system has been dominated by the Cambodian People's Party and its leader Hun Sen. A strongman who violently refused to share power with coalition partners in the 1990s, Hun Sen ruled the country for more than three decades until handing power last year to his son, Hun Manet, but still wields great influence.

"While the country conducted semi-competitive elections in the past, polls are now held in a severely repressive environment," says Freedom House, noting Hun Sen's penchant for banning popular opposition parties.

The July 2023 National Assembly elections, held just a month before Hun Manet took over from his father, were condemned by the United States, the European Union and the United Nations as neither free nor fair.

MYANMAR

In November 2020, the country formerly known as Burma emerged from only its third semi-competitive election since its independence in 1948, a vote that delivered a strong majority to the National League for Democracy, or NLD, of de facto national leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The multi-party election, which observers widely deemed credible despite flaws with conflict zone voting cancellations and registration, delivered 86 percent of the seats in the Assembly of the Union to Suu Kyi's NLD, routing the army-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party.

On Feb. 1, 2021, Myanmar's military, citing baseless claims of election fraud, deposed State Counsellor Suu Kyi and President Win Myint in a coup d'etat, later jailing them.

The junta annulled the results of the 2020 vote, and pledged to hold elections in 2023 - but has repeatedly delayed this and extended its emergency rule as the nation became more deeply embroiled in a civil war that has killed thousands and destroyed wide swathes of the country.

The military regime has committed to holding a general election late next year, with voting to be staggered because of security concerns, but has continued to extend a state of emergency across the country and brought in tough new registration laws that disqualify many parties from standing.

TIBET

Chinese-run "autonomous" regions such as Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang largely follow mainland practices. But Tibetans who followed the Dalai Lama when the spiritual leader fled into exile in India and other countries around the world in 1959, and their descendants, have been choosing their leaders.

In 2021, Tibetans living outside of their China-ruled homeland held their third election since 2011, to seat a new political leader, or sikyong, for their India-based government-in-exile called the Central Tibetan Administration.

Penpa Tsering won the CTA's leadership in a vote among the Tibetan diaspora, a community of about 150,000 people living in 40 countries, mainly India, Nepal, Europe and North America.

Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






A Feeling Of Relief (And Trepidation) In Brussels As Pro-EU President Wins In Moldova

Rikard Jozwiak November 04, 2024

Officials in Brussels woke up with a sense of relief this morning as the pro-EU incumbent, Maia Sandu, was reelected as Moldovan president. In a tight November 3 presidential runoff, she got 55 percent of the vote. Her Russia-friendly challenger, Alexandr Stoianoglo, received 45 percent.

It has otherwise been a difficult autumn for the European bloc. Populist EU-skeptic parties finished top in Austrian parliamentary elections and did extremely well in three eastern German state elections.

Then, last week, there was Georgia, an EU candidate country since December 2023, where the increasingly authoritarian Georgian Dream party comfortably finished first in parliamentary elections marred by irregularities. It's an issue on which Brussels isn't quite sure how to react.

All these results have given the EU some real existential angst. Has its pulling power waned? What is it doing wrong? And perhaps more importantly: Are they being outplayed by Russia in their shared neighborhood?

Moldova was granted EU candidate status in June 2022, with the hope that proper accession negotiations would start in 2025. The EU has been unusually active in Moldova of late. Since 2022, Brussels has given Moldova 2.2 billion euros ($2.4 billion); just before the elections, another 1.8 billion euros was committed.

Pro-Russian oligarchs such as Ilan Shor and Vlad Plahotniuc, who have hugely disrupted Moldovan politics, have been sanctioned by the bloc. Over a dozen EU leaders and ministers visited Chisinau over the summer to show their support for Sandu.

For Brussels, that's quite a show of commitment and a reflection of how concerned Brussels is about Moldova, a country that is broadly divided into pro-EU and pro-Russian camps. The close result in the first round of the presidential election two weeks ago and also the narrow victory for the "yes" camp in the EU referendum held at the same time set off alarm bells in Brussels. Now, the EU's attention will turn to Moldova's parliamentary elections coming up in the summer of 2025.

But does the EU have the attention span and staying power to remain committed to Moldova? Under a Sandu second term, Moldova will most likely move closer to membership, but it will be a long, hard slog and a challenge for the government to demonstrate to its citizens the tangible benefits of joining the EU.

Just ask countries in the Western Balkans, such as North Macedonia and Serbia, who have been candidate countries for years but still not made it out of the waiting room.

Moreover, the EU has a lot on its plate right now: a new incoming U.S. administration, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and continued bloodshed in the Middle East.

Most likely, more EU money will continue to trickle down to Chisinau, but can Brussels really compete with Russia, especially with allegations that the Kremlin is buying votes? As one EU official said, speaking on background as they weren't authorized to speak on the record: "We, as Europeans, try to buy Moldovan hearts with words, but Russians buy Moldovan minds with money."

The EU's inability to effectively promote the advantages of closer ties with Brussels is partly to blame for this. Some observers of the process believe this is due to EU officials rarely venturing beyond Chisinau. Others point to the need for EU countries to have a greater presence in the country, with more diplomats and officials, and to help bolster regional and local governments around Moldova, which are both understaffed and underfunded.

There is also a need for the Moldovan government to deliver on things that matter to ordinary citizens, notably justice reforms, which, in a recent assessment , the EU said needed to be improved.

Sandu, who used to work for the World Bank, is undoubtedly popular and respected in Brussels -- and that greatly aids Moldova's reputation abroad. But that may not be enough, especially as she is already seen as a "diaspora president" due to her large support from Moldovan expats.

Given the EU's waning power and limited attention span, and the threat posed by Russian interference, it is on the domestic front that the next battle will likely be fought.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-european-union-future- analysis-russia/33186860.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Thousands Protest Georgia's 'Stolen Election' In Tbilisi

By RFE/RL's Georgian Service November 04, 2024

Thousands of people demonstrated in Tbilisi for the second night in a row on November 4 to demand new elections after the ruling Georgian Dream party was declared the winner amid allegations of vote-rigging.

The rally ended in Marjanishvili Square after participants, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, gathered near the House of Justice and marched about 5 kilometers waving Georgian and European Union flags through the Georgian capital.

"I am here to support the fight for democracy and freedom of the Georgian people who have been standing up time and time again against the reppression they are facing from the state," Thunberg said.

Opposition leaders called for continuous waves of protest and civil resistance until the election results are overturned and new elections are called. A new protest is planned for November 5.

Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of Strong Georgia, said the protesters needed to "save their energy" for future rallies, noting that plans were always announced 10 minutes ahead of time.

"The location will be announced, but our route will not be known to [the authorities]," Khazaradze said at the end of the demonstration on November 4. "We should revive the whole of Tbilisi in this way every day."

Thunberg expressed her support for the protest.

"I want to show that I am one of many tens of thousands of people who are standing up in the fight for democracy and freedom for the Georgian people," she was quoted as saying.

Russian-friendly Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012, claimed victory in the October 26 election, with preliminary official results showing that it garnered nearly 54 percent of the vote.

The opposition and the country's pro-European president, Salome Zurabishvili, refused to recognize the validity of the results, alleging massive fraud and Russian interference.

The elections continue to draw criticism internationally.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States had made clear that it supports the people of Georgia and their hopes of joining the European Union and their "further integration with their Euro and Atlantic partners."

He told reporters at a briefing in Washington on November 4 that the United States responded to the government's passage of a controversial "foreign influence" law and legislation curbing LGBT rights by suspending $95 million of the assistance and by putting other assistance under review.

"We will continue to look at whether there are additional measures that are appropriate and if so, we won't hesitate to use them," Miller said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-protest-opposition- elections/33187739.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Pro-EU Sandu's Reelection Proof Of Russia's 'Failure,' Biden Says

By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service November 04, 2024

CHISINAU -- Final preliminary results show Moldova's pro-Western president, Maia Sandu, has won a second term, a critical milestone for the integration of one of Europe's poorest countries into the European Union that U.S. President Joe Biden said was proof that Russian interference "failed."

With all ballots counted, the Central Election Commission (CEC) said Sandu received 55.33 percent while her Russian-friendly opponent, Alexandr Stoianoglo, mustered 44.67 percent -- a lead of just over 179,000 votes.

Sandu's victory -- coming just one week after another former Soviet republic, Georgia, suffered a setback on its EU path when elections were won by Moscow-friendly incumbents -- came as a relief for Moldova's Western partners, who immediately hailed it as proof that democracy can win over Russian meddling.

"For months, Russia sought to undermine Moldova's democratic institutions and election processes. But Russia failed," Biden said in a statement.

"The Moldovan people have exercised their democratic right to choose their own future, and they have chosen to pursue a path aligned with Europe and democracies everywhere," Biden added.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also criticized Russian meddling in the election.

"Russia did everything in its power to disrupt the election, to undermine Moldova's democracy...including through vote buying, disinformation, and malicious cyber-activity, but the people of Moldova came forward and made their voice heard," Miller told reporters at the State Department on November 4.

During Sandu's first term, Moldova secured EU candidate status in 2022 and opened accession talks earlier this year after firmly aligning itself with its eastern neighbor, Ukraine, after Russia's unprovoked invasion in 2022, and joining the EU sanctions regime against Russia.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the result in a message on X, noting that it will help cement Moldova's path toward Euro-Atlantic integration.

"Congratulations, dear Maia Sandu, on your victory tonight. It takes a rare kind of strength to overcome the challenges you've faced in this election," von der Leyen wrote. "I'm glad to continue working with you towards a European future for Moldova and its people."

"Moldovans have shown once again their determination to build a European future despite hybrid attempts to undermine democracy," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on X.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed Sandu's victory in a message on X, saying that Moldovans had made "a clear choice" toward Western integration.

"Congratulations to Maia Sandu on winning the presidential election in Moldova. Ukraine supports the European choice of the Moldovan people and stands ready to work together to strengthen our partnership," Zelenskiy wrote.

"Moldovans have made a clear choice -- they chose a path toward economic growth and social stability," he wrote.

French President Emmanuel Macron, a staunch supporter of Moldova's EU path, hailed Sandu's victory, saying on X that "democracy has triumphed over all interference and maneuvers."

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a former European Council president, and Marcel Ciolacu, the prime minister of Moldova's western neighbor, EU and NATO member Romania, were also among the first to congratulate Sandu.

"Moldovans from all over the world wrote history today. They reconfirmed in front of the whole world not only their courage, but also their full confidence in their European future!" Ciolacu wrote on Facebook.

Most of Moldova was part of Romania until the end of World War II and many Moldovans also hold Romanian citizenship, which allows them to travel and work in the West.

Shortly after midnight on November 4, when it became clear that her lead, boosted by votes from the Western diaspora, was irreversible, a jubilant Sandu told her supporters, "Moldova, you are victorious!"

"Today, dear Moldovans, you have given a lesson in democracy, worthy of being written in history books. Today, you have saved Moldova! In our choice for a dignified future, no one lost," she added.

Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor-general backed by the pro-Russian Socialist Party, called on his supporters to keep calm after his initial lead narrowed as votes were being counted from the large cities and from Moldova's Western diaspora.

"Democracy means, above all, maturity in facing the result," he said.

But the Socialists later issued a statement saying that they did not recognize Sandu's victory because it was based on the votes from abroad.

"Maia Sandu is an illegitimate president, recognized only by her sponsors and supporters abroad. The people of Moldova feel betrayed and robbed," the party said in a statement.

In Georgia, President Salome Zurabishvili applauded Sandu's victory, voicing her admiration for the decisive role played by the diaspora votes.

"Moldovan elections are the best 'evidence' of stolen Georgia's elections: despite similar Russian interference and massive rigging, Moldova was saved by 300,000 diaspora voters...our 1 million strong diaspora was barred. Only 34 000 were 'allowed' to vote," Zurabishvili, who has been in opposition to the Moscow-friendly Georgian Dream party, wrote on X.

The CEC reported that turnout surpassed 54 percent, stronger than in the first round and also higher than in the 2020 presidential runoff.

According to the CEC, foreign voting went to Sandu by a large margin, with the incumbent winning 81 percent to 19 percent over the challenger. Votes in Chisinau also went to Sandu by a 57-43 margin.

Moldova has just over 3 million registered voters, including those in the diaspora. It also has a sizable Russian minority and a Moscow-backed separatist region, Transdniester, located on the left bank of the Dniester River.

The vote in the Western diaspora was also credited with helping the "yes" side eke out a razor-thin victory in an EU referendum held simultaneously with the first round on October 20.

A U.S.-educated, ex-World Bank official, Sandu, 52, became Moldova's first female president with a landslide victory in 2020, running on a strong pro-EU message and vowing to fight corruption.

Stoianoglo, 57, from Gagauzia -- a Turkic-speaking autonomous region of Moldova with pro-Russian sentiment -- campaigned on a law-and-order theme, although critics slammed him for what they say was a failure to address high-level corruption during his time in office.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/sandu-president-stoianoglo-eu- leyen-scholz-macron/33186486.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






US Deploys Six B-52 Bombers to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions

Sputnik News

20241104

Washington has deployed the bombers amid escalation in Lebanon, Iran, Israel and Palestine, Air & Space Forces Magazine reports, citing American officials.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that a group of B-52 aircraft had arrived in the Middle East on Sunday, but the exact number of bombers was not disclosed.

"The US is deploying a total of six B-52s, an additional squadron of F-15E Strike Eagles, and more aerial refueling tankers to support those aircraft," Air & Space Forces Magazine stated.

The magazine's sources did not specify where the bombers, transferred from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, would be stationed. However, they reported that a cargo plane from there recently landed in Qatar at the largest US airbase in the region, Al Udeid.

Earlier, the Pentagon announced that the US had likewise dispatched a destroyer, bombers, and fighter jets to the Middle East. These forces are set to begin arriving in the region over the coming months, while a carrier strike group led by the American aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln is preparing to depart.

Previously, an official representative of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC, Iran's elite military units), General Ali Mohammad Naeini, stated that Tehran would deliver a decisive and "beyond comprehension" response to Israel for the recent attack on Iranian territory.

Furthermore, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared that Tel Aviv and Washington would definitely face repercussions for their actions against Iran and the resistance front.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Secretary Blinken's Call with Israeli Defense Minister Gallant

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

November 4, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with the Israeli Defense Minister Gallant. The Secretary reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel's security against threats from Iran and Iran-backed proxy groups. The Secretary and Defense Minister discussed the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The Secretary reviewed actions Israel has taken to date and urged further actions to substantially increase and sustain humanitarian aid - including food, medicine, and other essential supplies - to civilians across all of Gaza. The Secretary emphasized the importance of ending the war in Gaza and bringing all of the hostages home, as well as charting a path forward in the post-conflict period that allows the Palestinian population in Gaza to rebuild their lives and advances governance, security, and reconstruction. The Secretary and Defense Minister discussed ongoing efforts to reach a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to return safely to their homes.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Secretary Blinken's Call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

November 4, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke yesterday with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss the situation in the Middle East and Sudan. The Secretary emphasized the importance of bringing the war in Gaza to an end, securing the release of all hostages, and increasing and sustaining the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The Secretary noted that Hamas has once again refused to release even a limited number of hostages to secure a ceasefire and relief for the people of Gaza. He discussed the importance of establishing a path for the post-conflict period that provides governance, security, and reconstruction. On Lebanon, the Secretary and Foreign Minister Abdelatty discussed efforts to promote a diplomatic resolution that would enable civilians on both sides of the blue line to return to their homes with safety and security. The Secretary underscored the need for Lebanese leaders to swiftly address the country's presidential vacancy.

The Secretary also thanked the Foreign Minister for Egypt's crucial work to achieve an end to the conflict in Sudan, protect civilians, and increase humanitarian aid, noting the importance of advancing a transition to a civilian government.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






United States Delivers Additional Equipment for the Haitian National Police and Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

November 4, 2024

The Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) delivered vital equipment October 28 - November 3 to support the Haitian National Police (HNP) and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti. Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) arrived in Haiti to double the MSS fleet and enhance mobility, along with other assistance. INL has also contributed other law enforcement tools to aid the MSS forces working in coordination with the HNP to combat deadly Haitian gangs.

This assistance underscores our ongoing commitment to addressing the urgent security and humanitarian needs in Haiti. A well-equipped MSS is critical for bolstering the anti-gang efforts of the HNP. The United States remains committed to supporting the Haitian people in achieving stability that can bring about a Haitian-led political solution through free and fair elections.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






"The Islamic world should support the people of Palestine and Lebanon in their rightful struggle"

Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey

04.11.2024

Addressing the Opening Event of the 40th Session of the COMCEC, President Erdogan said: "It is of great importance that the Islamic world sets aside its differences of opinion and supports the people of Palestine and Lebanon in their rightful struggle."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a speech at the Opening Event of the 40th Session of the COMCEC in Istanbul.

"ONE OF THE MOST BRUTAL GENOCIDES OF THE LAST CENTURY IS TAKING PLACE IN GAZA"

Noting that humanity and particularly Muslims have gone through a year filled with severe trials since the last COMCEC meeting, President Erdogan said: "The Islamic world has become associated with blood, pain, tears and oppression more than ever in its history. One of the most brutal genocides of the last century took place and is still taking place right next to us in Gaza. Our 50 thousand Palestinian brothers and sisters have died a martyr's death and over 100 thousand others have been wounded in the attacks Israel launched against Gaza 13 months ago. Two-thirds of the wounded and martyrs are women, children and infants. They have condemned 2 million people to a very tiny area of 360 square kilometers without food, water and medicine and then just watched them die. The children of ummah continue to die and become orphans in Gaza and Lebanon even as we hold these meetings. We have all witnessed the kind of cruelty that would eclipse even the concentration camps established in the heart of Europe during the World War II, first in Gaza and then in Lebanon for the past six months."

"THE ZIONIST REGIME AND ITS SUPPORTERS HAVE CARRIED OUT ALL FORMS OF OPPRESSION"

Drawing attention to the heroic resistance put up by the lions of Gaza against a ravenous death machine that receives unlimited support from Western powers, President Erdogan stated: "The Palestinian people have had 50 thousand martyrs in 13 months. Our Lebanese brothers and sisters have sacrificed a large number of their children in the same way. There have been almost no pain, hardship, ordeal or oppression that they have not sustained over the past 13 months. Despite all this, our Palestinian brothers and sisters have never compromised their honor. They have never backed down from their will to live freely in their own homeland. The Zionist regime and its supporters have carried out all forms of oppression and genocide. However, they have been unable to get our Palestinian brothers to bow down."

"OUR COUNTRY IS THE BIGGEST SUPPLIER OF AID TO GAZA"

Saluting the Palestinians defending their lands despite all kinds of hardships, poverty and abandonment, President Erdogan highlighted that Turkiye is one of the countries displaying, since day one, the most determined stance against the genocide committed by Israel. "We work to help our brothers and sisters with all means at our disposal. So far, we have delivered over 85 thousand tons of humanitarian aid supply to Gaza with the support of the Egyptian authorities. This figure makes our country the biggest supplier of aid to Gaza."

Pointing out that Turkiye has further increased its aid to the UNRWA, which stands by the Palestinian refugees, ahead of the looming winter conditions, President Erdogan underscored: "As you know, Israel has recently taken an outrageous decision to ban the UNRWA. We believe our member states should increase their support for the UNRWA at a time when Israel steps up the pressure. The recognition of the state of Palestine by more states would be one of the best responses to the Zionist aggression against Gaza and Lebanon. I hereby would like to reiterate my call for all countries to recognize the state of Palestine."

"It is of great importance that the Islamic world sets aside its differences of opinion and supports the people of Palestine and Lebanon in their rightful struggle," said President Erdogan. "As you know, Palestine's liberation from occupation is listed both in the founding philosophy and among the core objectives of our organization. We should display solidarity and unity more than ever in order to produce lasting solutions that would serve this goal."

"WE MUST BE MORE VIGILANT THAN EVER IN ADVANCING OUR KNOWLEDGE AND CAPACITY CONCERNING CYBERATTACKS"

Emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation among the OIC member states to overcome the bleak picture in global economy, President Erdogan said: "I believe that coordination among member states on the preservation of global economic stability and the prevention of financial crises is of critical importance to develop joint solutions. We can promote growth by establishing mutual support mechanisms, collectively contributing to the acceleration of global recovery."

Stressing that the development and advancement of the Islamic world is dependent on enhancing the youth's qualifications in line with the needs of the time, President Erdogan went onto say: "It is of vital importance that our youth are protected against threats as they benefit from digital environments in today's world of rapidly advancing technology. We must be more vigilant than ever in advancing our knowledge and capacity concerning cyberattacks and data breaches. The terrorist acts that have recently taken place in Lebanon have openly demonstrated the importance of the capacity to counter cyberattacks."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Aid restrictions and dismantling UNRWA will compound Gazans' suffering

4 November 2024 - Aid entering Gaza reached a new low in October, the head of UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWA said on Monday, highlighting the continued need for its lifesaving work even as Israel moves to end its activities.

The Israeli Parliament, known as the Knesset, recently approved two laws banning UNRWA from operating in its territory and prohibiting officials from having any contact with the agency.

Israel has officially informed the President of the UN General Assembly of the adoption of the new legislation. The letter says all cooperation with the agency will cease after 90 days.

Record low aid

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said on Monday that last month, Israel allowed a daily average of 30 humanitarian trucks into Gaza, which is only six per cent of the commercial and humanitarian supplies allowed in before the war.

"This is the lowest in a long time, bringing the assistance back to the level of the beginning of the war," he wrote on the social media platform X.

"This cannot meet the needs of over two million people, many of whom are starving, sick and in desperate conditions."

A lifeline for millions

He said that "meanwhile, UNRWA continues to distribute whatever is allowed in."

Staff have provided food aid to more than 1.9 million Gazans since the war erupted last October, while hundreds of thousands in and around its shelters have received basic supplies.

The UN agency is also the largest primary healthcare provider in the enclave, and its teams have provided over six million medical consultations.

Mr. Lazzarini stressed that much more aid must be allowed into Gaza, including through UNRWA, the largest humanitarian organization and service provider there.

"Restricting humanitarian access and at the same time dismantling UNRWA will add an additional layer of suffering to already unspeakable suffering. Only political will can put an end to a politically made situation," he said.

'No alternative' to UNRWA

In an earlier tweet, Mr. Lazzarini focused on how UNRWA also educates scores of young Palestinians.

He said children and their education are not featured in discussions by "experts" or politicians as debate intensifies on replacing the agency.

"Why? Because in the absence of a functioning State, there is no alternative," he said.

Until last October, over 300,000 boys and girls in Gaza - half of all schoolchildren there - attended UNRWA schools, and they are now losing out on a second year of studies.

Nearly 50,000 children in the West Bank also go to UNRWA schools.

Potential dire consequences

Mr. Lazzarini explained that UNRWA is the only UN agency that directly provides education in UN schools. The agency runs the only system in the region that includes a human rights programme following UN standards and values.

"Dismantling UNRWA in the absence of a viable alternative will deprive Palestinian children of learning in the foreseeable future," he said.

"Without learning, children slip into hopelessness, poverty and radicalization. Without learning, children fall prey into exploitation including joining armed groups. Without learning, this region will remain unstable and volatile," he warned.

He said that instead of focusing on banning UNRWA or finding alternatives, attention should be on reaching an agreement to end the conflict.

Deadly weekend for children

In the interim, the fighting continues to exact a heavy toll on young lives across the Gaza Strip.

UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, said on Saturday that more than 50 boys and girls were killed in strikes in Jabalya, North Gaza, over the previous two days.

The personal vehicle of one of its staff members working on the mass campaign to vaccinate young children against polio also came under fire while she was driving, causing damage.

Additionally, at least three children were reportedly injured by another attack in the proximity of a vaccination clinic in Sheikh Radwan, while a polio vaccination campaign was underway.

Risks in the north

UNICEF chief Catherine Russell said these attacks are yet further examples of the grave consequences of the indiscriminate strikes on civilians in Gaza.

"Attacks on civilians, including humanitarian workers, and what remains of Gaza's civilian facilities and infrastructure must stop," she said.

Moreover, she warned that "the entire Palestinian population in North Gaza, especially children, is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine, and the ongoing bombardments."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Lebanon: UN condemns increasing loss of life and civilian suffering

4 November 2024 - The increasing impact of fighting between Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and militants from Hezbollah on Lebanese civilians "is of grave concern", said UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Monday, condemning the mounting loss of life.

"All actors must adhere to international law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure," he said, adding that the UN mission which remains in place along the Blue Line of separation between the neighbouring countries also continues to be impacted.

"In southern Lebanon, the peacekeepers report that IDF operations have continued, involving clashes with Hezbollah. Meanwhile, they also report that Hezbollah has continued to launch drones and dozens of rockets south into Israel," he added.

On Saturday, a UN position near Markaba sustained damage to its containers and perimeters caused by demolition operations being carried out by Israeli forces.

A nearby explosion also damaged a UN vehicle at UNIFIL's Naqoura headquarters, with no injuries reported.

"We urge the parties to halt the violence immediately. The United Nations continues to support efforts towards a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution," Mr. Dujarric emphasised.

UNRWA, UNICEF aid deliveries

Palestine refugee relief agency UNRWA delivered medical supplies and fuel for generators to the Burj Shimali Palestinian refugee camp in Tyre on Monday while UNICEF also delivered emergency supplies to displaced men, women and children in other parts of Tyre.

On Saturday, a humanitarian convoy distributed food and hygiene kits to displaced people in shelters in the Baalbek-Hermel area. A convoy brought medical supplies to the Labweh primary healthcare centre in the Baalbek-Hermel area on Monday.

The UN humanitarian coordination office, OCHA, warned that the situation in Lebanon has now reached levels that exceeded the severity of the 2006 war, amid escalating hostilities, the UN Spokesperson said.

"The healthcare sector continues to face relentless attacks, with facilities, staff and resources increasingly caught in the crossfire, further straining Lebanon's already fragile health infrastructure," he concluded.

Since October of last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that 110 healthcare workers have been killed in the line of duty in Lebanon. There have been at least 60 attacks on healthcare facilities over the past 13 months.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Gaza: Polio campaign reaches 94,000 children in besieged north

4 November 2024 - The UN-supported polio vaccine campaign concluded in besieged northern Gaza on Monday, with agencies inoculating 94,000 children, but thousands still remain out of reach.

Richard Peeperkorn of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory said the target was to reach all children in the north with the second and final dose.

"We covered many more children than we expected, but we missed some," he said during a briefing via videolink for reporters at UN Headquarters on Monday, emphasising that evacuation orders had recently displaced thousands of people.

Yet the ongoing year-long war combined with weeks of siege and Israel's constant displacement orders and bombings has presented serious delays and obstacles.

Nearly 80 per cent covered

Still, the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said 79 per cent of children in the northern Gaza Strip are now completely vaccinated against polio.

"Humanitarian pauses are critical for the rollout of this vital campaign, but without a lasting #CeasefireNow children will continue to suffer and die," UNRWA said on social media early Monday.

Top UN officials were alarmed at violent incidents reported at some of the sites where parents, their children and aid workers gathered for the campaign roll out.

WHO's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed grave concern over the weekend about reports of attacks on a health centre.

UNICEF asks Israel to investigate

The head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Catherine Russell, in a statement released late Saturday, stressed that attacks on civilians, including humanitarian workers and what remains of Gaza's civilian facilities and infrastructure must stop.

"Taken alongside the horrific level of child deaths in north Gaza from other attacks, these most recent events combine to write yet another dark chapter in one of the darkest periods of this terrible war," she said.

"The entire Palestinian population in north Gaza, especially children, is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and the ongoing bombardments," she warned, adding that UNICEF is asking Israel for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding an attack on its staff member and that actions to be taken to hold accountable those found responsible.

Delivering amid conflict

The incidents occurred during agreed upon humanitarian pauses, in place from 6am to 4pm during the three-day campaign. Eradicated in Gaza 25 years ago, polio reappeared earlier this year amid the multiple humanitarian crises triggered by the war, which began following deadly Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023.

To date, Israel's war on Gaza has killed more than 43,000 people, according to Gaza's health ministry, and destroyed vast swathes of the Strip, including water supply stations and health centres.

Despite access challenges, the Polio Technical Committee for Gaza, which includes the Palestinian Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, UNRWA and partners, decided to resume the campaign, which had been postponed since 23 October due to the lack of security assurances.

Early Saturday morning, 216 teams deployed across 106 fixed sites, 22 of which had been added to ensure increased availability of vaccination in areas where recently displaced people are seeking refuge, according to UN agencies.

In addition, more than 200 social "mobilisers" engaged communities and raised awareness around vaccination efforts.

Mission almost accomplished

The campaign in northern Gaza follows the successful implementation of the first two phases of the second round in central and southern Gaza, which reached 451,216 children, or a total of 96 per cent of the target in these areas.

To interrupt the easily spreadable poliovirus, at least 90 per cent of all children in every community and neighbourhood must be vaccinated, according to WHO.

A delay in administering a second dose of nOPV2 within six weeks reduces the impact of two closely spaced rounds, decreasing immunity, according to the UN health agency.

WHO also warned that having a significant number of children miss out on their second vaccine dose seriously jeopardises efforts to stop the spread of the virus and could also lead to further cases in the Gaza Strip and neighbouring countries.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Security Council Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committee Briefed by OCHA, UNODC

Press Release

Security Council

SC/15886

4 November 2024

On 4 October 2024, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 2713 (2023) concerning Al-Shabaab held informal consultations to hear a briefing by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) pursuant to paragraph 5 of resolution 2664 (2022) and paragraph 30 of resolution 2713 (2023). The briefing covered the humanitarian situation in Somalia and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Somalia, including impediments to its delivery. OCHA also informed that it had not received any report of provision, processing or payment of funds, other financial assets or economic resources to, or for the benefit of, designated individuals or entities, as part of the delivery of humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs in accordance with resolution 2664 (2022), as well as of any diversion of funds or economic resources, and informed on risk management and due diligence processes in place.

Committee members also heard a briefing by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) pursuant to paragraph 30 of resolution 2713 (2023). The briefing focused on UNODC's efforts in support of the implementation of resolution 2713 (2023), including in the areas of disrupting Al-Shabaab's finances, implementing the Security Council's charcoal ban and preventing the resurgence of piracy off the coast of Somalia.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Air Force top enlisted leader discusses threats, Airmen tenacity at Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium

Published Nov. 4, 2024

By Senior Master Sgt Cody Ramirez

Air Mobility Command

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AFNS) -- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi, addressed a crowd of more than 1,000 Airmen during the 56th Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium, Nov. 1, in Grapevine.

Flosi focused on three overarching points: the threat is real and is here now; Airmen are "kicking ass" every day; and it's all about serving others. He stressed the importance of Rapid Global Mobility to the department and how it plays a part in countering Chinese aggression.

"Our Airmen played a key role in military operations since the early days of flight ... when the world gets messy, our nation has always been able to count on us," Flosi said.

Flosi highlighted how mobility forces have been employed historically, from World War II, the Cold War, Desert Storm, the War on Terrorism, to delivering security assistance to Ukraine. After he acknowledged the past, he focused on the future, addressing the sustained period of change that is currently taking place as the Air Force reoptimizes for Great Power Competition.

"The [People's Republic of China] is a systemic and persistent threat to the United States and our global network of allies and partners," Flosi said. "The [PRC] and its military, the People's Liberation Army, are the reason we are reoptimizing for Great Power Competition."

He noted how China is aggressively challenging international law and norms across the Indo-Pacific, and around the world as they seek to dominate Asia and the Pacific region. According to Flosi, the current global strategic environment is at its most complex since the end of the Cold War.

"This new strategic environment, new force design and new force presentation model  all built with our pacing challenge in mind  requires a renewed focus on the realities of operating in a contested environment," Flosi said.

Flosi mentioned that he and his team recently visited mobility forces in Hawaii to experience the transportation required to exercise hub and spoke operations. They flew from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and experienced an evacuation and flush to Tinian, driving home the tyranny of distance and what the Air Force is doing to prepare inside the Second Island Chain.

He also highlighted missions that expand the collective fleet of mobility aircraft and strengthen integrated deterrence. Total Force Airmen in the Pacific are working hand-in-hand with Australian aviators flying integrated C-17 Globemaster III missions wherein the U.S. Air Force provide the aircraft commander and aircraft while Australian Royal Air Force provides the co-pilot, loadmaster and remaining aircrew positions. In the Pacific, Airmen recently completed the first Australia, United Kingdom and United States (AUKUS) tri-lateral airdrop in history, delivering humanitarian air to Papua New Guinea.

He took the time to highlight other work being done by Airmen around the globe, showcasing an ability to adapt as an empowered and capable enlisted force.

"Agile Combat Employment operations require agility, and Airmen like these are making it work every single day," Flosi said. "They are constantly solving problems to get the job done. They apply their leadership skills to operate in uncertain, complex, and rapidly changing environments, using commander's intent and hard built mutual trust ... this is the power of mobility culture!"

Finally, he asked the Airmen in attendance to continue to focus on their mission, regardless of their assigned specialty, and to continue to source innovative ideas. He said the Air Force has a lot of work ahead to prepare for an air mobility surge for a future fight; but based on the history, he feels confident in the capabilities of the force.

"We are looking to you to continue to be the backbone of the Air Force, delivering fuel for the fighters and bombers, food to feed our Airmen, the weapons we need and the [medical evacuation capabilities] to get our injured Airmen to safety," Flosi said. "And make no mistake, this will not be easy, but I know together we can get the job done."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






CSAF looks to air mobility past, present, asks Airmen to invest in DAF future

Published Nov. 4, 2024

Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin celebrated past and present air mobility achievements and provided insights on the way ahead for the Air Force and mobility forces during his keynote address at the Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium, Nov. 2, in Grapevine.

In his address, he combined relevant moments in U.S. history with his personal experience to drive home the importance of mission command. He also defined what the Department of the Air Force needs Air Mobility Command to prioritize in order to effectively maneuver the joint force in an era of Great Power Competition.

"This is hard work, but this is necessary work, and it's work that this team that I'm looking at is the one to do it," Allvin said. "You know, we talk about the changing character of war coming right into the wheelhouse of the United States Air Force. The changing character of war is one that privileges speed and tempo, and resilience and agility.

"And let's be clear," he continued. "There ain't no agility without mobility."

Allvin talked about multiple challenges facing the force along with areas mobility have and continue to strengthen. He discussed the importance of mitigating threats while executing contested logistics, continuing to pursue connectivity, and increasing survivability while projecting power.

"We need to understand what it means to generate sorties under fire," he stressed. "This is an Air Force mission that we need to get our heads wrapped around. It's not just pushing the fighters forward, and we'll stay outside. Remember, there's no outside."

He spoke about deployable combat wings and how this force generation and presentation model "is not only the most effective for how we need to project power, but it also provides the modularity and the flexibility that we need." In conflict, he said that this format is conducive to maneuver forces for survivability, disaggregated command and control, pulsed operations where synchronization is key and launching and recovering from different locations. He also outlined different key roles such as protection, sustainment and flying operations and how these changes will require wing commanders to command multiple warfighting functions.

"How do we generate readiness?" he asked rhetorically. "Well, again, focusing on wartime effectiveness. Now we have a wartime scheme of maneuver, a joint warfighting concept, a better scheme of maneuver with Agile Combat Employment with pulsed operations. We understand what we're going to do. Now let's focus on that. We're not just deploying to employ; we're deploying to maneuver."

In order to win in Great Power Competition, Allvin said it is necessary to "do training reps to match the real-world sets." He mentioned AMC's efforts in testing human performance and long-range capabilities during Project Magellan and spoke at length about the AMC milestones achieved in Mobility Guardian 23  an exercise, he said, that has impacted the joint force.

"Mobility Guardian was such a gift, not only to our Air Force, but to the joint warfighting concept that is waking up everyone else," Allvin said. "It was unbelievable, and Air Mobility Command and the joint force and the total force should be so proud, because now we put that into the fold ... the next one is going to be part of this REFORPAC [Return of Forces to the Pacific] large-scale exercise that we're doing. This was incredible, and it's only going to get better."

When it comes to developing people, Allvin said Airmen should be proud of their commands and functional backgrounds, but that the goal was having Airmen who are capable and certified in multiple functions, working together as one Air Force. Allvin said the Airman Development Command will play a huge role in creating this culture, training Airmen coming into the force with one set of competencies that will allow the force to be adaptable in facing pacing challenges.

"We should be very proud of the functional area from which we come, that we do that business very well, but make no mistake, everybody is a part of the warfighting team," he said. "And if we can't grip that as a culture, we're going to be falling short."

He concluded with reminding the Airmen of their heritage, mobility's long legacy, the gravity of the mission at hand and a charge to invest in tomorrow's fight.

"I don't know exactly what it looks like, but we know the characteristics of it, and we know that air mobility is going to be a part of it," Allvin said. "It's your time to lean into this. The chapter of the future is unwritten. So, what I'm asking is pick up the pen, and let's write that next chapter together. This is the mobility moment."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






SECNAV Announces Service Life Extensions for 3 Cruisers

US Navy - Press Release

04 November 2024

The Department of the Navy plans to operate three Ticonderoga-class (CG 47) cruisers beyond their expected service life: USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS Chosin (CG 65), and USS Cape St. George (CG 71). This decision adds 10 years of cumulative ship service life from fiscal year 2026 to 2029.

WASHINGTON -- The Department of the Navy plans to operate three Ticonderoga-class (CG 47) cruisers beyond their expected service life: USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS Chosin (CG 65), and USS Cape St. George (CG 71). This decision adds 10 years of cumulative ship service life from fiscal year 2026 to 2029.

All three cruisers received extensive hull, mechanical and engineering, as well as combat system upgrades as part of an extended modernization program. USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and USS Chosin (CG 65) completed modernization in fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2024, respectively. USS Cape St. George (CG 71) is on schedule to complete modernization this fiscal year.

Like the recently announced service life extension of 12 destroyers, extending these three cruisers will bolster the Fleet as new ships are built.

"As a former cruiser Sailor, I know the incredible value these highly-capable warships bring to the Fleet and I am proud of their many decades of service," said Secretary Del Toro. "After learning hard lessons from the cruiser modernization program, we are only extending ships that have completed modernization and have the material readiness needed to continue advancing our Navy's mission."

The decision follows a successful re-arm at sea demonstration aboard USS Chosin (CG 65) on Oct. 11, 2024. The Transferrable Reload At-sea Mechanism (TRAM) demonstration was the first time the Navy transferred missile canisters from a replenishment ship to a warship while at sea. This transformational logistics capability enables U.S. Navy ships to rearm without needing to pull into port.

The service life extensions align with Secretary Del Toro's priority of Warfighting Excellence and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti's Navigation Plan, which prioritizes putting more ready players on the field.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Lebanon death toll in Hezbollah-Israel war surpasses 3,000

By VOA News November 04, 2024

The death toll in Lebanon surpassed 3,000 Monday in the 13-month-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with the vast majority killed since hostilities dramatically escalated in mid-September and Israel invaded south Lebanon on October 1.

The Lebanese health ministry said more than 13,000 people have also been wounded. More than a million people have been displaced in the tiny country. Israel says the dead include hundreds of Hezbollah members. It also succeeded in assassinating the group's top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and several senior commanders.

In Israel, 72 people have been killed by Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks, including 30 soldiers, according to the prime minister's office.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, called for "immediate international pressure" to end the war with Israel, protect civilians and medical teams from attack, as well as the country's cultural heritage, the National News Agency reported Monday. Israel has conducted repeated airstrikes over the ancient cities of Tyre and Baalbek, risking damage to their ancient ruins.

Mikati also discussed the situation with the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the U.N Security Council  Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States  as well as the European Union.

In neighboring Syria, the state news agency reported an Israeli airstrike on a southern suburb of Damascus, saying it caused material damage but no casualties. The Israeli military said its air force struck Hezbollah targets belonging to the group's intelligence headquarters in Syria.

In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed at least a dozen Palestinians on Monday in the northern town of Beit Lahiya, which has come under renewed intensive Israeli assault in the last month. Israel says Hamas militants are regrouping in northern Gaza, and they have issued evacuation orders for the remaining residents and have stepped up assaults on Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya.

The area's hospitals have also come under fire and only three are still partially functioning.

"Indonesian hospital is not functional anymore; Kamal Adwan and al Awda are minimally functional," Rik Peeperkorn, World Health Organization representative in the West Bank and Gaza, told reporters in a video call from Gaza on Monday. He said if a planned WHO mission later this week is not allowed, al Awda would also "very quickly" go out of service.

The United Nations has repeatedly said it faces obstacles from Israel in delivering aid, especially in northern Gaza. Peeperkorn said there were very few missions to the north in October across U.N. agencies  they "got canceled, got impeded, got delayed."

Currently, private imports are "virtually banned" and Israeli authorities are allowing the use of only three crossing points into Gaza  Kerem Shalom, Gate 96 (near central Gaza) and Erez West.

"Furthermore, humanitarian colleagues can only access these border areas by highly dangerous routes," said U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. "The use of most roads leading to these entry points has either been banned by the Israeli authorities or rendered unsafe due to the ongoing hostilities."

He said the routes available are often in poor condition and prone to looting by armed men.

The United Nations is also in the final phase of a massive polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, where the disease has been detected in wastewater. Peeperkorn said the goal is to vaccinate nearly 600,000 children under age 10 across the territory. Teams have reached more than 95% coverage in south and central Gaza, and in the first two days of vaccinations in northern Gaza they reached nearly 95,000 children, or about 79% of their target.

Israel cancels UNRWA

Israel's foreign ministry said Monday that the country formally notified the United Nations that it will not cooperate with the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, once new Israeli legislation goes into effect early next year.

The move follows the Israeli parliament's approval of legislation severing ties with the agency and banning it from operating in Israel.

"Despite the overwhelming evidence we submitted to the U.N. that substantiate Hamas' infiltration of UNRWA, the U.N. did nothing to rectify the situation," Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement.

Israel has long been critical of UNRWA and has accused some of its staff of taking part in the October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel.

Israel has provided little evidence to support its claims, and UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said last week that the agency has received no response to its repeated requests for Israel to provide such information. Where it has received evidence, it has acted.

UNRWA is the main distributor of aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where virtually the entire population needs humanitarian assistance.

Israel's letter to the U.N. says the country "will continue to work with international partners, including other United Nations agencies, to ensure the facilitation of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not undermine Israel's security."

"If the law is fully implemented and the Israeli government makes it impossible for UNRWA to operate, this will have no effect on Israel's responsibility to provide for the population," U.N. spokesperson Dujarric said. He noted that UNRWA is continuing to operate in Gaza.

A group of about 50 countries led by Turkey has sent a letter to the president of the U.N. General Assembly calling for a halt in arms and munitions transfers to Israel where there are reasonable grounds to suspect they will be used against the Palestinians.

"We urge all necessary steps to be taken without delay to this end," the letter says.

Israel's envoy dismissed the move as "another ridiculous move by the Axis of Evil to act against Israel in the international arena."

The letter is signed by, among others, Turkey, the Palestinian Authority, Brazil, China, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Russia, and both the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

More than a year ago, Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages in their October 7 attack on Israel that sparked the current war. Israel says it believes Hamas is still holding 101 hostages, including 35 the military says are dead.

Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 43,300 Palestinians, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count.

Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated terror groups by the United States and other Western countries.

VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some material came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israel notifies UN it will not cooperate with UNRWA after new legislation

By VOA News November 04, 2024

Israel's foreign ministry said Monday the country formally notified the United Nations that it will not cooperate with the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, once new Israeli legislation goes into effect early next year.

The move follows the Israeli parliament's approval of legislation severing ties with the agency and banning it from operating in Israel.

"Despite the overwhelming evidence we submitted to the UN that substantiate Hamas' infiltration of UNRWA, the UN did nothing to rectify the situation," Israel's Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon said in a statement.

Israel has long been critical of UNRWA and has accused some of its staff of taking part in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Israel has provided little evidence to support its claims, and UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said last week that the agency has received no response to its repeated requests for Israel to provide such information.

"UNRWA is therefore in the invidious position of being unable to address allegations for which it has no evidence, while these allegations continue to be used to undermine the Agency," Lazzarini said.

UNRWA has been the main distributor of aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip where Israel's response to the Hamas attack has devastated many areas and displaced about 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million people.

Lazzarini said last week that dismantling the agency "will have a catastrophic impact on the international response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza."

Israel's letter to the U.N. says the country "will continue to work with international partners, including other United Nations agencies, to ensure the facilitation of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not undermine Israel's security."

Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly complained of delays in getting aid into Gaza, as well as unsafe conditions to distribute aid within Gaza to due to the fighting.

Syria raid

Israel said Sunday it launched a ground raid into Syria, seizing a Syrian it claimed was involved in Iranian networks supporting militants in the region.

The Israeli raid into Syria was its first during the current 13-month Mideast conflict. Syria did not immediately confirm the operation.

The Israeli army did not say where the raid occurred or when, but identified the man seized as Ali Soleiman al-Assi and said he had been living in the southern Syrian region of Saida. Israel said he had been under military surveillance for many months and was involved in Iranian initiatives targeting areas of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights near the border with Syria.

Body camera footage of the raid released by the army showed soldiers seizing a man in a white tank top inside a building. The man was brought to Israel for interrogation, the military said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the border with Lebanon on Sunday, saying that Hezbollah militants in Lebanon must be pushed back beyond the Litani River, with or without a cease-fire deal in place, and that the Iran-backed group must be prevented from rearming. The river is about 30 kilometers north of the Israeli border.

"With or without an agreement, the key to returning our (evacuated) residents in the north safely to their homes is to keep back Hezbollah beyond the Litani, to strike its every attempt [to] rearm, and to respond forcefully against all action against us," Netanyahu said.

More than a year ago, Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages in their Oct. 7 attack on Israel that sparked the current war. Israel says it believes Hamas is still holding 101 hostages, including 35 the military says are dead.

Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 43,300 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count.

Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated terror groups by the United States and other Western countries.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






African Union soldiers killed in al-Shabab mortar attack

By Harun Maruf November 04, 2024

Two African Union soldiers were killed and a third one injured by an al-Shabab mortar attack Sunday on their base inside the perimeters of Mogadishu's international airport.

A statement by the head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mohamed El-Amine Souef condemned the attack on the facility known as the Halane Base Camp.

It's believed that a 107mm rocket was used for the attack. At least four mortar rounds were reportedly fired during the attack.

"The heinous attack will not deter us and the Somali security forces from pursuing lasting peace and in Somalia," Souef said in the statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. "We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to combat terrorism and build a peaceful and prosperous Somalia."

The statement did not specify the nationality of the soldiers killed, but an AU official told VOA's Horn of Africa that the soldiers who were killed and the one soldier injured are Ugandans.

"ATMIS extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends, and relatives of those who lost their lives and wishes a quick recovery to those injured during the attack," Souef said.

The AU senior leadership team later visited the site of the blasts.

The al-Shabab militant group claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a statement posted on one of its websites, the group claimed the mortars killed "white and black officers."

Despite being driven out of Mogadishu in 2011, the group, from time to time, manages to carry out mortar attacks that hit Mogadishu's airport, which is a base for the AU as well as some foreign embassies.

Al-Shabab mortars have also targeted residential areas in Mogadishu and have claimed the lives of civilians.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Statement by President Joe Biden on Moldova's Presidential Elections

November 04, 2024

I congratulate Maia Sandu on her historic reelection as the President of Moldova.

On Sunday, the Moldovan people went to the polls and voted in favor of President Sandu's vision for a secure, prosperous, and democratic Moldova. President Sandu's reelection comes just two weeks after the Moldovan people passed a constitutional referendum in support of membership in the European Union.

For months, Russia sought to undermine Moldova's democratic institutions and election processes. But Russia failed. The Moldovan people have exercised their democratic right to choose their own future, and they have chosen to pursue a path aligned with Europe and democracies everywhere.

###

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Operation True Promise 3 - Iran vs Israel

Asked whether an Operation True Promise III against the Zionist regime is on the agenda, Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, a deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, told reporters at the Sharif University of Tehran on 03 November 2024 that the operation will definitely be carried out. Iran will certainly carry out a retaliatory military operation against the Israeli regime, he said. It is not possible to comment on its details, the general stated.

In Islam, the concept of the "True Promise" refers to the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah). This day is a fundamental belief in Islamic eschatology, signifying the final judgment of all human beings by Allah (God). It is called the "True Promise" because it is a certainty that will inevitably occur, as promised by Allah in the Qur'an.

Key aspects of the "True Promise" include:

Resurrection: All human beings will be resurrected from their graves to stand before Allah for judgment.

Judgment: Everyone will be judged according to their deedsgood or badrecorded throughout their lifetime.

Recompense: Based on their deeds, individuals will either be rewarded with paradise (Jannah) or punished in hell (Jahannam).

Certainty of the Promise: The Qur'an emphasizes the inevitability of this even.

Surah Ar-Rum (30:60): "Indeed, the promise of Allah is the truth, but most of them do not know."

Surah Al-Ahqaf (46:16): "This is the true promise which they were promised."

Muslims believe in this as an essential article of faith, as it reflects the divine justice of Allah, who will hold every soul accountable for its actions.

On October 1, Iran responded to the Israeli assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah Secretary General Seyed Hassan Nasrallah, and IRGC general Abbas Nilforoushan by launching as many as 200 ballistic missiles toward the Zionist regimes military and intelligence bases all over the occupied Palestinian territories.

On 26 October 2024, Israel's military announced that it had launched a series of aistrikes against military facilities in Iran. Accodring to IDF spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari, the strikes were "in response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel (...) The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7thon seven frontsincluding direct attacks from Iranian soil." Explosions were reported to be heard in Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj. Early reports suggested that Iranian energy and nuclear facilities had not been targeted. There were three reported waves of Israeli airstrikes against Iran.

In remarks on October 27, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei emphasized the necessity of disrupting the flawed calculations of the Zionist regime regarding Iran. "Theyre making a miscalculation with respect to Iran our officials should be the ones to assess and precisely apprehend what needs to be done and do whatever is in the best interests of this country and nation. They (the enemy) must be made to realize who the Iranian people are and what the Iranian youth are like," the Leader added.

In remarks on 02 November 2024, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei underscored that the actions of the enemy will not go unanswered by those who are working to fight them on behalf of the Iranian nation, and that such actions will not be forgotten. The Leader asserted that both the Zionist regime and the US will undoubtedly receive a crushing response for their actions against the Iranian nation and the resistance front.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei decried the Zionist regime as the most villainous enemy of Islam, paying tribute to the Iranian servicemen martyred in a recent Israeli act of aggression. The families of the martyrs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force, who fought against the recent vicious attack by the Zionist regime, had a meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran on November 3.

In the gathering, the Leader paid tribute to the martyrs and hailed their august standing under divine blessing, saying, The martyrdom of these dear ones is a prominent and significant martyrdom because of defending the country and nation in direct confrontation with the Zionist regime, which is the most wicked enemy of Islam. Ayatollah Khamenei also prayed for patience and clam for the families of the martyrs. The Iranian Army said four of its combatants were martyred during the confrontation with the projectiles fired by the criminal Zionist regime in the early hours of October 26.

The United States and the Israeli regime have reached the end of the line, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said, reminding them that they will receive a response from the resistance front in the appropriate time. Today, it is the US that is observing its political sunset, Major General Hossein Salami in an address to a gathering of people marking the National Day of Fighting against Global Arrogance in Tehran. He noted that the Americans and Israelis have thoroughly approached their collapse, warning Washington and Tel Aviv that the resistance forces will respond to them at an appropriate time. The commander noted that the tragic events in Gaza and Lebanon debunk American human rights, slamming the US as the root cause of political and military turmoil in the world although it claims to be advocating democracy and freedom.

Esmail Kwasari, a former senior member of the Revolutionary Guards and a member of the National Security Committee in the Iranian Parliament, said 03 November 2024: "All members of the Supreme National Security Council agreed on military action against Israel. The date and manner of the response have not yet been determined, but it will be carried out together with the 'Resistance Front' and will be more severe from the missile attack against Israel on October 1."

The US military announced that B-52 strategic bombers had arrived in the Middle East region from their base in North Dakota, USA. In the US, they emphasize that placing the bombers in the command area of CENTCOM, the central command of the US military in the Middle East, is a clear and unequivocal message to Iran in preparation for the possibility of another attack on Israel. This is the second time in recent weeks that the US military has deployed strategic bombers in the Middle East. In an unusual American attack against Houthi targets in Yemen on October 17, B-2 bombers were used to hit fortified and underground ammunition stores.

In recent days, it had been reported that Washington was sending various messages to Tehran against an attack on Israel, and the White House spokeswoman emphasized that "the United States will support Israel" in such a situation. The presence of strategic bombers in the region against the background of these things is of crucial importance, since they are especially critical in the event that the United States decides Help Israel attack sensitive and fortified facilities in Iran, with an emphasis on the underground nuclear facilities.

According to all estimates, the likelihood that the US will help Israel attack Iran, and especially the nuclear facilities, is low. Nevertheless, this is a whip designed to threaten Tehran against the possibility of another attack - precisely now, when Iran's air defense systems have been very severely damaged .

Iran is planning a strong and complex attack on Israel that will involve more powerful warheads and other weapons not used in its previous two assaults on the Jewish state this year, The Wall Street Journal reported on 03 November 2024. Tehran could launch the offensive during the transition between Tuesdays U.S. presidential election and the inauguration held in Washington on Jan. 20, according to the report, which cited Iranian and Arab officials briefed on the plans.

The newspaper quoted Iranian and Arab officials as saying that the Iranian response includes the use of stronger warheads and other weapons and that it may target Israeli military installations more aggressively than the last time. Officials said Iran told Arab diplomats that its conventional military would participate because it lost four soldiers and a civilian in the Israeli attack. According to an Iranian official, the operation will take place after the US election but before the inauguration of the new president in January, because Iran does not want to influence the US election with its attack. The Iranian official said that Tehran might use Iraqi territory in part of the operation. Iranian and Arab officials said Iran does not plan to limit its use of missiles and drones as it did in previous attacks, and any missiles used would be equipped with more powerful warheads. In contrast, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations, warned last week that the consequences would be severe if Iran attacked Israel or the United States. The main questions that remained open at this stage were the question of timing and the question of how the expected attack will be carried out. Over the past few days, there has been a real escalation in Iran's rhetoric regarding the possible attack against Israel, including from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Khamenei said yesterday: "Israel and the US must know that their actions against Iran and the resistance front will undoubtedly be met with a severe response."

According to some reports and estimates, Iran's next attack may be carried out either or only by the pro-Iranian militias from the land of Iraq. In recent weeks, there has been a real increase in the scope and number of militia attacks against targets in Israel - both in the north, in the south and in the center of the country. The reinforcement of American fighter jets in the region may come in response to the possibility that Israel will have to face a massive drone attack again. The new American aid and support joins the deployment in Israel of the THAAD air defense battery.

The US Navy has announced the dispatch of several additional warships to the region, with special capabilities to intercept ballistic missiles. This step also comes against the background of the fear of another attack by Iran, but also due to the fact that the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln is expected to leave the area in the coming days, along with the attack group of ships accompanying it. At the same time, in the coming weeks the aircraft carrier Harry Truman is expected to arrive in the area, but a short period of time is expected, for the first time since the beginning of the war, when there will not be an American aircraft carrier in the Middle East.

Farzin Nadimi, Defense & security analyst, author, Middle East/Iran scholar, military historian, frequent media commentator, Senior Fellow of the Washington Institute, wrote 04 November 2024 "The newest round in the Iranian regime-Israel long-range fires war is near, perhaps on Tuesday evening as polls close in the US, to overshadow the winner announcement. This time the regime will likely use up to 400 missiles if not more, aiming at disabling major Israeli air bases and air defense site, but also damaging defense industries in the Haifa area.

While deployment of IRGC's top of the line Khoramshahr-4 is very likely this time alongside Fattah, Kheibarshekan and Emad, I believe one main reason ballistic missile movements have been in Iraq ia Iranian realization that its missiles do not provide sufficient accuracy from long ranges so they need to fire them from significantly closer, namely Iraq and Syria, using proven types such as Zolfaghar. Also, the national armed forces, aka Artesh, will indeed be likely involved this time, more likely using their Arash long-range suicide drones, but the possibility of employing their few operational Su-24 strike aircraft to fire standoff weapons such as cruise missiles at Israel cannot be dismissed. The IRGC has tested ALBMs in the past using its Su-22 attack aircraft, but they're less likely to be employed this time."

Operation True Promise II showcased just a small part of Irans military capabilities, Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)  the force which executed Irans October 1 strikes on Israel, said 08 Novembe 2024. We have engaged only a small part of our capabilities against the enemy, who brought all his talents to the field," Salami said at an event in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad.

In the course of Operation True Promise II, we even attacked the Zionists base at Netzarim in the heart of Gaza, so the choice of the regime's officials is between bad and worse," Salami added. Our war today is a detailed exhibition of the ability of the Resistance Front to confront the global enemy. If you want to see the victory of faith over weapons, you should refer to this front. While there is a disparity in weapons, the gains are in favor of the Axis of Resistance. Since Al-Aqsa Storm, there have been no significant achievements for the Zionist regime, the IRGC commander suggested, referencing to the October 7, 2023 Hamas surprise incursion into southern Israel, which triggered the present conflict.

Axios, citing its sources, reported 02 November 2024 that Iran was preparing a retaliatory strike to the recent attack by Israel. According to the publication, Israeli intelligence expects an attack not from Iranian territory, as was the case on October 1, but from Iraqi territory by pro-Iranian groups operating under the auspices of the "Islamic Resistance of Iraq", using hundreds of kamikaze drones and ballistic missiles. Information about the preparation of a retaliatory strike is indirectly confirmed by the words of the IRGC commander Hossein Salami that "Israel made a mistake by attacking Iran" and that Iran "will give an unimaginable response to Israel."

A high-ranking commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warned 13 November 2024 that Iran will "definitely" respond to Israel, making the regime regret its latest act of aggression against the country. IRGC Deputy Commander Brigadier General Ali Fadavi vowed that the country would deliver a response that Israel would come to regret its recent attack on Iranian targets. The official also reaffirmed unwavering support for Lebanons Hezbollah movement and the broader resistance front.

During its more than 45-year existence, the Islamic Revolution has not left any vicious act unanswered, Fadavi stated, promising a regret-inducing response to this Israeli measure. Speaking in Qom during a ceremony marking 40 days since the martyrdom of Seyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollahs former secretary general, and other commanders of the resistance front, Fadavi condemned the Israeli strike and stressed Irans readiness to retaliate. In response to a question on Donald Trumps re-election as US president, Fadavi said Irans stance would remain unchanged, as the US has shown no alteration in its evil nature.

Fadavi emphasized Irans continued commitment to Hezbollah and the resistance front, underscoring the importance of support in the face of enemy actions. Iran has fully stood by Hezbollah for more than 40 years and will absolutely continue to support the movement, he added.

The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) told the enemies to have no doubts about Irans retaliation for acts of aggression against the country. You will receive painful blows. Wait for (our) retaliation, Major General Hossein Salami said, speaking at a major security and combat maneuver dubbed Nasrallah on 14 Novembre 2024. We will fight you to the end and will not allow you to dominate the destiny of Muslims, he stated.

Major General Salami said all falsehood powers have come to help the Israeli regime to force Muslims into concession, dominate their destiny, occupy their lands and pillage their religious identity. But a study of history shows that Muslims will never surrender, he underlined. He pointed out that the resistance fighters in the region are taking revenge for the enemys blows on the resistance commanders and youths, adding that they are standing firm and united and inflicting irreparable blows on the enemy every day. Today we are witnessing a confrontation between light and darkness. Wherever light appears, darkness is doomed to destruction. The essence of our enemy is darkness and falsehood, and falsehood is doomed to destruction, he went on to say.





NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russo-Ukraine War - 04 November 2024 - Day 985

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of the day, there have been 226 combat clashes, Russian forces launched 11 air strikes using 28 KABs, 206 kamikaze drones strikes and almost 2400 shells on positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements using different types of weapons.

In the Kharkiv direction zagarbniki throughout the day carried out eight attacks near vovcans ka.

The Defense Forces repelled 19 attacks in the Kupyansky direction. The Russian opponent's activity was shown in the areas of kindrashivka, kucevki, petropavlivki, kolisnikivki, zagrizovogo, vesnevogo, sand, druzelubivki, lozovoi, kruglyakivki.

31 times, Russian forces attacked in the Lyman direction, tried to advance in the direction of Chernistan, Grekivka, Kolisnikivka, Katerynivka, Makiyivka, Terniv, Zarichny and Torsky.

On the sivers komu direction zagarbniki once unsuccessfully stormed the position of Ukrainian defenders in the area of bilogorivka.

In the Kramators komu direction, Russian forces attacked five times in the areas of the Time Jar and Stupocok. The two clashes are still ongoing.

The Russian enemy, supported by the aviation, seven times tried to bow in Ukrainian defense in the Toretsky direction. During the day, the occupiers attacked in the areas of Dachnogo, Toretsk and Scherbinivka, at the moment one battle is being sharpened near Scherbinivka.

In the Pokrovsky direction since the beginning of the day in the areas of the settlements of Romin, Lisivka, Selidove, Yuryivka and Vyshneve, Ukrainian troops repelled 21 Russian offensive and assault actions. Four of them are still going. Ukrainian troops are taking measures to maintain defined borders, giving a strict cut-off. According to preliminary data, today the Russian enemy has lost 260 people killed and wounded, also Ukrainian soldiers have destroyed one tank, two armored vehicles, two armored cars, two armored armored vehicles and two cars. In addition, the cannon, one BTR and one car were significantly damaged.

In the kurakhiv direction at this time of the day counts 84 combat confrontations. Zagarbniks remain active, trying to move forward in the direction of settlements Vovchenko, Illinka, Kreminna Balka, Hannivka, Kurakhove, Novoselidivka, Novodmitrivka, Gostre, Maximivka, Antonivka, Dalne, Katerynivka and Elizabeth. According to available information, the Russian enemy in this direction has lost four armored vehicles, five infantry fighting vehicles and one tank. One tank, four battle armored vehicles, two infantry fighting vehicles and one airplane were also damaged.

In the vremivs komu direction Russian forces 16 times attacked near trudovogo, great novosilka, harvest, rozdolny, dry yaliv and maksimivka. All attacks have been repelled.

In the Orihivsky direction, Ukrainian troops stopped six Russian attacks in the direction of Novodanilivka, Novoandriyivka, Malih Scherbakov and Orikhov.

In the Pridniprovsky direction, the situation has not changed significantly, loss of positions and territories is not allowed. Ukrainian soldiers repelled three attacks of Russian zagarbnikiv.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kharkov direction, the units of the Sever Group of Forces have defeated formations of the AFU 71st Airmobile Brigade, the 95th Air Assault Brigade, the 113h Territorial Defence Brigade, and the 5th Border Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine near Volchansk, Liptsy, Udy, and Odnorobovka (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses were more than 25 troops, three motor vehicles, two 152-mm D-20 howitzers, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers.



The units of the Zapad Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line, inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 43rd, 60th, 630th, 92nd mechanised brigades, the 3rd Assault Brigade, 115th, 125th territorial defence brigades, and the 1st National Guard Brigade close to Borovskaya Andreyevka, Pershotravnyovoye, Kovsharovka, Senkovo, Boguslavka (Kharkov region), Petrovskoye (Lugansk People's Republic), and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic).

Four counter-attacks of the 3rd Tank Brigade and the 60th Mechanised Brigade's assault detachments have been repelled. The AFU losses were up to 440 troops, one tank, two motor vehicles, one 155-mm M198 howitzer, one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and two UK-made 105-mm L-119 guns. Three ammunition depots and one Anklav-N electronic warfare station have been neutralised.



The units of the Yug Group of Forces continued to advance into the depths of enemy defences. Russian troops have inflicted fire damage on 30th, 33rd, 54th, 67th mechanised brigades, the 46th Airmobile Brigade, 5th and 79th Air Assault Brigades of the AFU near Konstantinovka, Predtechino, Minkovka, Chasov Yar, Kurakhovo, Dalneye, and Seversk (Donetsk People's Republic).

One counter-attack of the AFU 33rd Mechanised Brigade has been repelled. The AFU losses were more than 490 troops, one Turkish-made Kirpi armoured fighting vehicle, two motor vehicles, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, two UK-made L-119 105-mm guns, two ammunition depots, and six electronic warfare stations.



The units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of 32nd, 110th mechanised brigades, the 59th Motorised Infantry Brigade, the 25th Airborne Brigade, the 68th Jaeger Brigade, the 35th Marine Brigade, 101st, 117th, 119th territorial defence brigades, 12th and 14th national guard brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Dimitrov, Baranovka, Kleban-Byk, Dyleyevka, Novoselidovka, Dzerzhinsk, Berestki, Shcherbinovka, Mirolyubovka, Shevchenko, and Nelepovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

10 counter-attacks of 35th, 93rd, 100th, 117th mechanised brigades, the 152nd Jaeger Brigade, 49th and 425th assault battalions of the AFU, and the 37th Marine Brigade have been repelled. The AFU losses were more than 420 troops, one M113 armoured personnel carrier, one U.S.-made HMMWV armoured fighting vehicle, one Kozak armoured fighting vehicle, three pick-up trucks, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one 100-mm Rapira gun.

The units of the Vostok Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line, inflicted fire damage on the 37th Marine Brigade and the 123rd Territorial Defence Brigade of the AFU near Uspenovka, Ostrovskoye, Velikaya Novosyolka, and Razdolnoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Three counter-attacks of the AFU 23rd Mechanised Brigade and the 123rd Territorial Defence Brigade have been repelled. The AFU losses were up to 110 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, and two French-made 155-mm Caesar self-propelled artillery systems.



The units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have engaged manpower and hardware of the 110th Mechanised Brigade, 124th, 126th, and 129th territorial defence brigades close to Nikopol (Dnepropetrovsk region), Oskorovka, Nikolskoye (Kherson region), and Kherson.

The AFU losses were up to 65 troops, two motor vehicles, and two ammunition depots.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged the infrastructure of military airfields, engergetic facilities and an oil refinery that supported the AFU, production plants and storage areas of uncrewed surface vehicles as well as clusters of enemy manpower and military hardware in 132 areas.



Air defence facilities have shot down four U.S.-manufactured HIMARS MLRS projectiles, one French-made Hammer aerial guided bomb, and 42 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.



In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 647 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 35,258 unmanned aerial vehicles, 585 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,038 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,484 MLRS combat vehicles, 17,295 field artillery guns and mortars, and 27,972 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region.

The Sever Group of Forces continued offensive actions, inflicted fire damage on units of 21st, 22nd, 41st, and 115th mechanised brigades, the 17th Tank Brigade, 82nd and 95th air assault brigades, the 36th Marine Brigade, 112th and 129th territorial defence brigades near Daryino, Leonidovo, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Novoivanovka, and Plyokhovo.

The Group's units repelled two enemy counter-attacks in the direction of Novoivanovka, and thwarted AFU attacks in the direction of Leonidovo and Plyokhovo. The AFU losses were up to 30 troops killed and wounded, and two motor vehicles.

Army Aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on clusters of manpower and hardware of 21st, 22nd, 41st, 47th, and 61st mechanised brigades, the 17th Tank Brigade, 80th and 95th air assault brigades, the 36th Marine Brigade as well as the 1st Special Operations Brigade, 112th, 129th territorial defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the 17th National Guard Brigade of Ukraine near Bogdanovka, Bondarevka, Guyevo, Daryino, Kazachaya Loknya, Kolmakov, Kruglenkoye, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Martynovka, Nizhny Klin, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Nikolsky, Novoivanovka, Novy Put, Plyokhovo, Sverdlikovo, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye.

Operational-Tactical Aviation and missile troops delivered strikes at concentration areas in Sumy region and reserves of 22nd, 47th, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 82nd and 95th air assault brigades, the 1st Special Operations Brigade, 106th and 129th territorial defence brigades near Belovody, Zhuravka, Kiyanitsa, Miropolye, Obody, Pavlovka, and Khoten.

In the past 24 hours, the AFU have lost more than 350 troops, four tanks, four U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, one armoured personnel carrier, and 15 armoured fighting vehicles as well as four artillery guns, two mortars, one Osa anti-aircraft missile system, 23 motor vehicles, and one piece of engineering equipment.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 29,600 troops, 184 tanks, 106 infantry fighting vehicles, 107 armoured personnel carriers, 1,078 armoured fighting vehicles, 808 motor vehicles, 259 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers, including 11 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 11 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 59 EW stations, 12 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 26 units of engineering and other materiel, including 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, five armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.





NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Connecticut National Guard Assists With Hawthorne Brush Fire

By Timothy Koster November 4, 2024

BERLIN, Conn. -- Forty aviators, firefighters, and support personnel from the Connecticut National Guard were activated to assist local and state emergency personnel with containing a brush fire that consumed more than 120 acres of wildlife on Lamentation Mountain on Oct. 23.

This is the first time in almost 30 years that the Connecticut National Guard has been activated for this kind of emergency in the state.

"The last time we had aerial drops of water was 1995," said Maj. Gen. Francis Evon, adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard. "We're proud of Connecticut's Home Team. Our members have trained to do this both here in the United States and overseas. They have stepped up and volunteered to come forward to assist our first responders."

The Lamentation Mountain fire, more commonly referred to as the Hawthorne fire, is just one of 93 actively burning brush and wildfires across Connecticut, which is facing a severe drought.

"It's the worst drought since we've been recording droughts, which goes back to 1905," said Lamont. "That means that our state is a tinderbox. Everything is incredibly flammable. Anytime a dry leaf falls, it's fuel for the flames."

According to Berlin Fire Chief John Massirio, wildfires are fairly common in Connecticut, but they're not used to the extremely dry conditions.

"Connecticut does have fires every year; it's just never been to this drought index," said Massirio. "From their investigation, it looks like this was not malicious by any means. It looks like someone was up there camping or hiking. Had a fire, put it out, and didn't catch an ash and that's what started the fire."

Governor Lamont declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25, for the extreme drought and the lack of rain in the forecast for the foreseeable future.

"Over the last two months, Connecticut has experienced severely dry conditions and lack of rain, which has increased the threat of fire conditions and caused several fires to start throughout the state," said Lamont. "The filing of this declaration will help provide state and local emergency management officials with the necessary tools to monitor and limit the threat of potential fires, respond to active fires, and respond to any additional fires that may start. We strongly urge all Connecticut residents to avoid outdoor burning as the current conditions pose a high risk of fire danger."

The Connecticut National Guard's firefighting assets were stood down on Nov. 1 after dropping 223 buckets, totaling nearly a quarter-million gallons of water. The on-ground personnel helped clear debris and put out spotfires along the mountain to contain its spread.

Although their mission is complete, the fires around the state still burn. Crews from as far away as Quebec, Canada and California have arrived to step in and battle the flames. However, with red flag warnings popping up across the state, the Connecticut Guard stands ready to assist again if called upon to help our communities.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Canadian police arrest 3 men, following violence at Hindu temple

By VOA News November 04, 2024

Canadian officials pressed charges against three people Monday, following the violence that erupted Sunday at a Hindu temple near Toronto where Sikh activists staged a Pro-Khalistan demonstration, according to a Reuters report.

Local police say a 43-year-old man was charged with causing a disturbance and assaulting a peace officer and a 23-year-old man was charged with assault with a weapon. Meanwhile, a 31-year-old man was charged with mischief.

In addition, police say they have been made aware of the video of an off-duty police officer who was seen participating in the protest. Police say they are investigating that case and the officer has been suspended.

The prime ministers of India and Canada have denounced the violence that erupted Sunday at several locations in suburban Toronto, including the Hindu temple.

"I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the "acts of violence" were unacceptable.

Video of the disturbance at the temple appeared to show an altercation between Hindus and Sikhs that included footage of people hitting each other with flagpoles outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in the city of Brampton, according to Reuters. It was not clear, however, how the violence was initiated.

"The Hindu community in Canada is feeling that they are not being provided a safe place for the worship," Arunesh Giri, president of the Canadian Hindu Foundation told Agence France-Presse.

A spokesperson for India's foreign ministry called on Canada to "ensure that all places of worship are protected" from attacks like the ones on Sunday. "We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted," the ministry said.

Sikh activists told Reuters that pro-Khalistan activists at the Hindu temple demonstration were protesting the presence of Indian diplomats. The activists said another rally was held at a Sikh temple.

Khalistan is the Sikh homeland that some activists want created out of India's Punjab state. Canada is home to the largest Sikh community outside of India. Footage of the disruptions posted on social media shows some people carrying the yellow flags of the pro-Khalistan movement.

The violence comes amid frayed diplomatic ties between India and Canada. Canada recently expelled six Indian diplomats over the 2023 killing in Canada of a Sikh separatist leader. India's tit-for-tat response to the expulsion of its diplomats from Canada was to expel six Canadian diplomats from India.

Canada has accused India of targeting Sikh activists in Canada. India has said that allegation is "absurd and baseless."

Some information provided by Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on November 4, 2024

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: November 04, 2024 17:42

The eighth Greater Mekong Subregion Summit will be held in Kunming, Yunnan from November 6 to 7. Premier of the State Council Li Qiang will chair the summit. Leaders of the five Mekong countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam, and President of the Asian Development Bank will attend the summit upon invitation.

PTI: India has already announced that the disengagement has taken place in Depsang and Demchok areas, the two friction areas in the Eastern Ladakh, and also the patrolling has been resumed from Saturday. Do you have any comment on that? And also can you just elaborate on how China views the disengagement process that is currently on in that part of the Line of Actual Control?

Mao Ning: The Chinese and Indian troops are implementing the resolutions that the two sides reached on issues concerning the border area, which is going smoothly at the moment.

CCTV: You just announced that Premier Li Qiang will attend the eighth Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit. Could you share with us the background of this meeting and China's expectations for it?

Mao Ning: From November 6 to 7, the eighth Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit will be held in Kunming, Yunnan. Premier Li Qiang will attend and chair the meeting, which is under the theme "Toward a Better Community Through Innovation-driven Development."

Since its inception over three decades ago, with the concerted efforts of the six GMS member countries, namely China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam as well as the Asian Development Bank, the GMS has vigorously advanced coordinated economic and social development and regional integration, bringing tangible benefits to people of these countries. In a world facing sluggish economic recovery and geopolitical turbulence, it is all the more important for us to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and focus on development and prosperity. Through this summit, China hopes to have in-depth exchanges with other parties, with emphasis on openness, innovation, connectivity and coordination, strive for new progress in cooperation in key areas including regional connectivity, trade and investment, agriculture and poverty alleviation, and make greater contributions to promoting sustainable development and economic integration in the region.

TASS: The counting of votes in the second round of Moldova's presidential election is almost completed, and incumbent President Maia Sandu has won 55 percent of the votes, according to reports. What is China's comment? What expectations does China have for the future of its relations with Moldova?

Mao Ning: Moldova is China's friendly partner. China has all along respected the choice of Moldova's people and sincerely hopes that the country will remain stable and enjoy prosperity. China is willing to work with Moldova to advance the sustained growth of bilateral relations.

Bloomberg: We've seen reports that Japan's national security adviser is visiting China and on that trip he is working for high-level interactions between the two countries. Can the Ministry confirm this visit? Are there plans for such high-level interactions?

Mao Ning: Secretary General of Japan's National Security Secretariat Takeo Akiba is visiting China. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi had a new round of China-Japan high-level political dialogue with him this morning. We will release timely information on that. Please check back for updates.

China Daily: In Botswana's presidential election on October 30, Duma Boko, president of the Umbrella for Democratic Change, was elected as Botswana's new President and was sworn in on November 1. Does China have any comment on that?

Mao Ning: Our congratulations to Botswana on its smooth presidential election and to Mr. Duma Boko on being elected and sworn in as President of Botswana. We wish Botswana every success in national development under the leadership of President Duma Boko.

Botswana is China's important partner in southern Africa. The two countries share profound traditional friendship and enjoy fruitful practical cooperation, which has brought enormous benefit to the two peoples. China stands ready to work with Botswana, through implementing the outcomes of FOCAC Beijing Summit, to enhance political mutual trust and strengthen practical cooperation in various fields for positive progress in China-Botswana strategic partnership.

AFP: North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said in Moscow on Friday that North Korea will stand by Russia until its victory in Ukraine. Does China have any comment on this?

Mao Ning: On the bilateral exchanges between Russia and the DPRK, we made clear our position more than once. On the Ukraine crisis, China's position is consistent and clear.

Global Times: According to reports, Palau's incumbent President Surangel Whipps, who is also a candidate for the general election, claims that China has been ratcheting up pressure and asked him to sever the country's "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan. Reports also said that another candidate Tommy Esang Remengesau Jr. denied analysis and comments labeling him as pro-China. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: Around the world, 183 countries have already established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. The prevailing historical trend of endorsing the one-China principle is unstoppable. Only a very small number of countries in the world, including Palau, still maintain the so-called "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan region. Such practice not only goes against the interests of these countries and their people and against UNGA Resolution 2758, but also violates China's sovereignty, and thus needs to be corrected.

China urges these countries to fulfill their obligations under international law, stand on the right side of history and make right decisions that truly serve their fundamental and long-term interests at an early date. As a Chinese idiom goes, "those who suit their actions to the times are wise." It will be welcome for China to see people with vision in these countries to recognize the prevailing trend of history and the times and respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and choose to stand on the right side of international fairness and justice at an early date. It's never too late to make new friends. China stands ready to open up new chapters for relations with these countries on the basis of the one-China principle.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China sees sharp drop in marriages amid economic downturn

Amid rampant unemployment and changing priorities, today's young people aren't keen on matrimony.

By Chen Zifei for RFA Mandarin 2024.11.04 -- The number of couples getting married in China fell rapidly in the first nine months of 2024 by nearly 1 million registrations compared to last year, official statistics show, amid an economic slump and changing attitudes toward marriage.

China registered 4.747 million marriages in the three quarters ending Sept. 30, a drop of 943,000 year-on-year.

First marriages have plummeted by nearly 56% over the past nine years, according to the 2023 China Statistical Yearbook. The trend is contributing to a sharp decline in birth-rates amid a shrinking, aging population.

Young people are increasingly avoiding marriage, having children and buying a home amid a tanking economy and rampant youth unemployment, they told RFA Mandarin in recent interviews.

A 23-year-old student from China who gave only the nickname Tom for fear of reprisals said most of his friends and acquaintances have no plans to marry anytime soon.

"There's a popular saying on the Chinese internet that marriage is the death of love, which doesn't need a certificate," Tom said. "This is a trend among young people right now."

"They believe more in their own feelings, and they don't want to be tied down by marriage," he said, adding that a good proportion of young people in today's China now have divorced parents, making them more cautious about tying the knot.

Another barrier is the sheer expense, he said, citing the customary "bride price" paid by the groom's side of the family.

"With the economy in recession, a lot of young men just can't afford the bride price," Tom said. "And the worse the economy is, the more women want to marry as a lifeline to achieve their goals, and when the men have less money, it's a vicious cycle."

Consequence of the 'one-child' policy?

Another student, who gave only the nickname Emily for fear of reprisals, said many of the young women were raised under the "one-child" policy, and consequently are used to being loved and cherished by their parents.

It's a mindset that's in sharp contrast to the older view of daughters as being less important than sons.

"The one-child policy has given some women today the chance to experience things they never would have before," Emily said. "I don't think any parents of an only child would think it was OK for their daughter to marry just anyone."

"Also, a lot of them have their own property and access to assets from their families ... and nobody thinks now that a woman has to marry, as they did in the past," she said. "Women don't want to marry like they used to, because what do they gain?"

She said few women of her age are interested in fulfilling the government's desire to boost birth rates, either.

"To put it bluntly, the only reason the government cares if we marry or not is ... because they want young people to have kids," Emily said. While young people may say they agree with the government's policies, they actually lack the money, social resources and access to medical care that they would need to start a family.

Backlash

Current affairs commentator Fang Yuan said the lack of willingness to marry is partly due to a backlash against government propaganda.

"The authorities are trying to treat young people as baby machines, which is inhumane, and ignore what they need in order to get married," Fang said. "In some places, they've started sending out [officials] to knock on doors and try to persuade people to get married."

"Such policies promoting marriage just make young people feel a sense of disgust, and that they're not being treated like human beings, with a lack of basic respect for human nature," Fang said. "So the young people respond with soft confrontation, with lying flat."

According to current affairs commentator Wang Jian, the falling marriage rate will have a direct impact on birth rates.

"The result of the decline in the marriage rate will be that the number of newborns will fall below 8 million next year," Wang predicted.

"China is a country with a population of 1.4 billion, so what does it mean if the number of newborns falls below 8 million? Primary schools, kindergartens, baby products and milk powder makers -- entire industries will collapse because there aren't that many children in China any more," he said.

He said the government needs to fix widespread unemployment, housing prices and the cost of education before tackling marriage and birth rates.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China attempts to boost birth rate amid mounting challenges

By William Yang November 04, 2024

Jasmine Chen has been married for two years, but the idea of having children is not part of her plans. The 28-year-old bank teller who lives in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou said raising children in China is just too expensive.

"Even though anyone can raise children, regardless of their economic situation, I would want to make sure that I could give my children the best possible life if I decide to get pregnant, but that's not what I think I could achieve," she told VOA in a written response.

Chen is among a growing number of young Chinese women who have decided not to have children despite a growing number of government policy measures, including subsidies and other incentives, aimed at boosting births.

Last year, new births in China fell by 5.7%. That's a record low of 6.39 births per 1,000. In contrast, the mortality rate was 7.87 per 1,000 people.

The decline has led to the closure of more than 14,000 kindergartens across China according to China's Ministry of Education. Statistics also show more than an 11% drop in preschool enrollments, and kindergarten enrollments experienced a 10.30% decrease.

'Fertility friendly' policies

To boost the country's declining birth rate, China's State Council, the country's chief administrative authority, rolled out a policy with 13 directives aimed at enhancing "childbirth support services, expand childcare systems, strengthen support in education, housing, and employment, and foster a birth-friendly social atmosphere."

The new measures also include providing maternity insurance to rural migrant workers and people with flexible employment, as long as they have basic health insurance. The policy document also urges local authorities to implement parental leave.

Other measures include offering subsidies and medical resources for children and the call on local governments to budget for childcare centers and preferential taxes or fees for these services. Local authorities are also encouraged "to raise the limits of" housing loans to help families with multiple children buy homes.

Despite the Chinese government's efforts, analysts say these new measures may only have a limited impact on boosting China's birth rate.

"China is currently facing a serious debt crisis, many local governments, especially those in northeastern or western provinces, won't have enough financial resources to implement the policy directives that the state council has laid out," Yi Fuxian, a demographer and expert on Chinese population trends at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told VOA by phone.

Fertility rates in Asia

China is not the only economy in the region that is struggling with low fertility rates. According to economists, a rate of 2.1 children per woman is needed to sustain a population over time.

South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Japan have been struggling for years to raise their number of births. Yi said since Japan and Taiwan have already implemented similar measures with little success, it will be hard for the Chinese government to achieve its birth goals by rolling out these policy directives.

"Japan put so many resources into these policies, but its birth rate didn't increase as a result, and the Chinese government may not have enough financial resources to replicate Japan's policies," he told VOA.

One child policy

Unlike most countries though, China had a stringent one-child policy for decades. That policy formally ended in 2016 when couples were allowed to have two children. However, the change in policy has done little to turn the trend around.

In addition to financial challenges, Yi said China's persistently low birth rate is also the result of less willingness to have children and the growing prevalence of infertility among Chinese women, in part due to trying to have a child later in life, according to researchers.

"The one-child policy has changed the concept of childbearing for several generations in China, resulting in the lack of willingness to have children among the younger generation in China," Yi told VOA.

Some young Chinese women told VOA that they worry once they have children, they would have to make a lot of compromises in their lives, including giving up the freedom to decide how to live their lives.

"Having a child and being responsible for it would make me lose the ability to leave for a trip whenever I want to and lose the very free lifestyle that I currently have," Chen in Guangzhou said.

Others said they are terrified of the responsibility that comes with having children.

"I'm relatively healthy. My financial situation is manageable, and my parents even agree to help me out if I ever decide to have children. But I simply don't want to take on the responsibility that I can't get rid of once I have children," Catherine Wang, a 33-year-old woman living in Beijing, told VOA in a written response.

Putting off marriage

In addition to the unwillingness among some Chinese women to have children, more Chinese people are getting married much later in their lives.

According to China's official 2020 data, Chinese men's average age for a first marriage was 29.38 while Chinese women's average age for a first marriage was 27.95. Yi estimates that both numbers are probably now beyond 30 years old.

"Many people won't be able to have children if they are delaying their marriage age and the Chinese government has done nothing to address this issue," Yi told VOA.

Data released by China's Ministry of Civil Affairs on November 1 showed a drop in marriage registrations for the first nine months of 2024. It's a year-on-year decrease of 943,000.

Working overtime

Long working hours and low wages for certain people, such as factory workers, will make it hard for them to raise children, said some labor rights groups.

"In China's manufacturing factories, workers frequently endure long shifts, typically from 8 AM to 8 PM, with only two days off per month, [and] the combination of low minimum wages and extended overtime working hours has resulted in numerous workers clocking over 300 hours per month," wrote the editors of the China Labour Bulletin, or CLB, on the organization's website.

A CLB spokesperson told VOA in a written response that unless Chinese workers have support from extended families, it will be difficult for them to raise children.

According to Chen, overtime work has been routine for her, and she does not think she can have enough time to childcare if she ever has children.

"Some people may seek help from nannies or older family members, but I think one thing that can't be absent from children's upbringing is quality time with their parents, and since my work is too busy, I don't think I can fulfill that," she told VOA.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






DPRK/Russia: Joint Statement by the High Representative Josep Borrell and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Cho Tae-yul on DPRK-Russia Cooperation

European External Action Service (EEAS)

04.11.2024

EEAS Press Team

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) continued unlawful arms transfers to the Russian Federation for its use in attacking Ukraine and the deployment of DPRK special forces to Russia, supporting Russia's unlawful war of aggression. This constitutes a serious breach of international law, including the most fundamental principles of the UN Charter. Such cooperation between the DPRK and Russia is not only in flagrant violation of multiple UNSC resolutions, but it also prolongs the suffering of the Ukrainian people and threatens the security of the world, including that of the Republic of Korea and Europe.

We are closely monitoring what Russia provides to the DPRK in return for its provision of arms and military personnel, including Russia's possible provision of materials and technology to the DPRK in support of Pyongyang's military objectives. We are also deeply concerned about the possibility for any transfer of nuclear or ballistic missile-related technology to the DPRK, which would jeopardise the international non-proliferation efforts and threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the globe.

We strongly call on the DPRK and Russia to immediately cease unlawful military cooperation and withdraw DPRK troops from Russia. We reiterate our call for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and urge the DPRK to take concrete steps towards abandoning all nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and related programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. The DPRK cannot and will never have the status of a nuclear weapon State in accordance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). We are concerned about the disturbing shift of Russia's position on the denuclearization of the DPRK, as expressed by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and call on Russia to abide by its obligations under the NPT and multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

We take note that the security of the Indo-Pacific and European regions are more closely intertwined than ever, and commit ourselves to closely monitoring the situation and actively pursuing necessary measures together with the international community.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Statement on DPRK's Ballistic Missile Launch on 31 October 2024

Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs

04 November 2024

MANILA 04 November 2024 -- The Philippines expresses serious concern and strongly denounces the continuing ballistic missile launches conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Such provocative actions undermine economic progress, peace, and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region.

We call on the DPRK to immediately cease these activities and abide by all international obligations, including relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, and to commit to peaceful and constructive dialogue.

The Philippines wants to see lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and echoes the calls of the international community for a complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of DPRK. END

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






North Korea's latest intercontinental ballistic missile launch is yet another egregious violation of UN Security Council resolutions: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN at the UN Security Council meeting on non-proliferation/Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

4 November 2024

The United Kingdom unequivocally condemns the DPRK's latest intercontinental ballistic missile launch.

This was the longest launch ever conducted by the DPRK, lasting 86 minutes.

This is yet another egregious violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. It shows that the DPRK continues to advance its illegal nuclear and ballistic weapons programmes, posing a clear threat to global peace and security.

In 2024 alone, the DPRK has recklessly launched one failed satellite, two intermediate-range ballistic missiles, and at least 36 short-range ballistic missiles. The DPRK also attempted to launch one multiple independently targeted re-entry vehicle.

Year by year, the DPRK flaunts its growing nuclear capabilities. Yet still, some Council members prevent us from speaking out with one voice.

This strategy of silence has failed. It is time for us to act, to defend the global non-proliferation architecture, to uphold the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and to deliver on the mandate of this Council to address the most pressing threats to peace and security.

Colleagues, it is less than a week since we last discussed the DPRK's flagrant violations of UN Security Council resolutions.

The Russian Foreign Minister alarmingly said that, "Applying the term denuclearisation to DPRK no longer makes any sense. This is off the table."

This statement of fiction, alongside Russia's veto of the 1718 Committee's Panel of Experts earlier this year, has emboldened the DPRK to continue its unlawful behaviour knowing it has impunity from a permanent member of this Council.

I call on Russia, and all Members of this Council, to condemn this launch and restate their commitment to implementing all relevant Council resolutions.

I urge the DPRK to abandon its illegal nuclear and ballistic weapons programmes, which are diverting resources away from improving the lives of the DPRK's people.

The UK is committed to securing peace on the Korean peninsula. We call on the DPRK to take up repeated offers from the United States and the Republic of Korea towards dialogue. Diplomacy is the only route to sustained peace on the peninsula.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






DPR Korea's latest missile launch a 'grave threat' to regional stability

4 November 2024 - The launch of "yet another" intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) poses a "grave threat" to regional stability, a senior UN political affairs official warned on Monday, as the Security Council discussed the rising tensions in the region and beyond.

The missile, launched on 31 October at approximately 7:11am local time, reportedly flew for 1 hour and 26 minutes, covered approximately 1,000 kilometres, reaching an altitude of over 7,000 kilometres before landing in the sea.

"The DPRK described this latest launch as a 'very crucial test' that 'updated the recent records of the strategic missile capability of the DPRK'," Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Asia at the UN Department of Political Affairs, told ambassadors.

"The Hwasong-19 sets new records in terms of flight duration and altitude and is the second solid-fuel ICBM developed by the DPRK which does not need to undergo fuelling prior to launch. It is reported to be larger than its predecessor, the Hwasong-18, and may be capable of carrying larger warheads or even multiple warheads."

This latest test marks the 11th intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch by DPRK - more commonly known as North Korea - since announcing a new five-year military expansion plan in 2021.

Diplomatic engagement vital

Mr. Khiari noted that the launch also posed "serious risks" to international civil aviation and maritime traffic, with the potential for unintended incidents, as North Korea had issued no safety alerts.

"The DPRK's launch of yet another ICBM is of serious concern and represents a grave threat to regional stability," he stated, noting that despite numerous meetings of the Security Council in 2023 and 2024, the country "has not heeded calls to refrain from further launches."

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the missile launch, urging the country to de-escalate and comply with international resolutions. He stressed that diplomatic engagement remains the "only pathway to sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

Uphold non-proliferation regime

Mr. Khiari also expressed concern about growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, warning that DPRK's "persistent pursuit" of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes - in violation of Security Council resolutions - continues to undermine the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

"There is a crucial need for practical measures to reduce tensions and reverse this dangerous trajectory," he said, urging Member States to foster an environment conducive to dialogue and cooperation.

Concluding his briefing, Mr. Khiari said that the UN and its partners stand ready to assist DPRK in addressing the basic needs of its people.

He urged the country to facilitate the full return of the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team which leads the humanitarian effort.

Hold DPRK accountable: United States

US Ambassador and Alternate Permanent Representative Robert Wood described the missile launches by DPRK as a "direct violation" of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, with each launch allowing Pyongyang to further advance its weapons programmes.

"These are unacceptable attempts to undermine global peace and security and make us all less safe. This Council has the responsibility to hold the DPRK accountable," he said.

"Yet we are here again today because two members of this Council - China and Russia - have repeatedly shielded the DPRK, contributing to the normalization of these tests and emboldening the DPRK to further violate this Council's sanctions and resolutions."

He alleged that "Russia's willingness to openly violate this Council's sanctions resolutions and to jeopardize international peace and security knows no bounds - as Russia, is unlawfully training DPRK soldiers in its territory."

He claimed that DPRK has sent "around 10,000" soldiers to Russia, adding that these troops are not yet seen to have been deployed into combat against Ukraine's forces, "but we expect them to do so in the coming days."

"If these troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would render themselves legitimate military targets," he noted.

Japan: Missiles 'more threatening than ever'

Japan's Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki "strongly urged" DPRK not to conduct further launches, to immediately and fully comply with all relevant Security Council resolutions, and to engage in diplomacy and accept the repeated offers of dialogue.

The most recent ICBM landed around only 200 kilometres from the Japanese island of Hokkaido, and was "more threatening than ever" due to its trajectory and flight time, he said.

"This launch has deteriorated the not only regional but entire global security situation even further, and has brought the gravest threat yet from North Korea to all citizens of the region and beyond," he added.

Ambassador Yamazaki said increased military cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a great concern to the international community.

He noted the lawlessness of Russia's "procurement of ballistic missiles from North Korea, as well as the training of North Korean soldiers, both of which constitute serious violations of relevant Security Council resolutions."

He added that DPRK's "involvement in Russia's unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine would constitute a grave violation of international law, including the UN Charter."

Republic of Korea: Missiles are a distraction

Joonkook Hwang, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea, recalled the Security Council meeting last week and the ignoring by Pyongyang of the "repeated calls" for restraint.

"North Korea launched another ICBM right after our meeting last Wednesday," he said, adding: "its intention could be to distract the world's attention from its troops in Russia, demonstrate themselves as larger than life, or gain diplomatic leverage amid the US presidential election."

Questioning how could an "impoverished pariah regime" continue to develop its ballistic missile programme despite "rigorous" sanctions regime imposed by the Security Council, he emphasized the presence of "large loopholes" that enable DPRK's access to the equipment, materials and technology necessary to advance its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programmes.

He also warned of the challenges facing the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT).

"Once the NPT regime begins to erode and ultimately collapses, it will be extremely difficult to restore it," he said, adding:

"The repercussion will have a deep and lasting impact on international peace and security, and Permanent Members of the Security Council will not be immune to it either."

China: Prioritize peace and stability

China's Ambassador Fu Cong said that the current situation on the Korean Peninsula "remains tense" with growing antagonism that is not in the interest of any party.

"China calls on all parties to bear in mind the overall peace and stability on the Peninsula and the world at large, exercise calm and restraint, and avoid intensifying and escalating tensions," he said.

He noted that the longstanding issue of the Korea Peninsula is in essence a security issue, with its root cases stemming from the vestiges of the Cold War and lack of mutual trust between the US and DPRK.

"It is imperative for all parties to take a rational and pragmatic approach and work to build mutual trust," Ambassador Fu said.

He added that the US, while claiming that it seeks to uphold the international non-proliferation regime and denuclearize the Peninsula, "has continued to increase the deployment of its strategic forces...and even transferred weapons-grade, highly enriched uranium to a non-nuclear weapon state under AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation framework."

"These moves are tantamount to pushing the threat to the doorstep of China and other countries in the region, seriously jeopardising regional security and upsetting the strategic security balance," he said.

Russia: The west only seeks to demonize DPRK

Anna Evstigneeva, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia said that the "collective West is methodically using" the Security Council to present Pyongyang as being responsible for the deteriorating situation on the Peninsula.

"We did not expect nor did we hear anything new from the group of countries that requested today's meeting," she said, adding that the "aim of convening the meeting is the same every time - to make yet another step towards demonizing the DPRK."

She said that it would be "interesting" to hear from those that requested the meeting if even one of these meetings had any impact on resolving the Peninsula's problems, of if they have even made one constructive proposal or launching dialogue.

"The answer is obvious to everyone in this Chamber."

She added that the "real motives" of those that requested the meeting was for creating a negative information backdrop around Pyongyang and keeping afloat ineffective sanctions measures and justifying aggressive steps by the US and their allies in the region.

DPR Korea: Meetings shows Council's 'extreme double standards'

Song Kim, DPRK Ambassador and Permanent Representative, said that the missile test conducted on 31 October by his country, within the area around the Korean Peninsula, did not have "the slightest" impact on security of neighbouring countries.

He said the present meeting of the Security Council, convened at the request of the US, runs contrary to the spirit of the UN Charter of state sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs. It also sets the example of "extreme double standards".

"I resolutely denounce the holding of another unlawful meeting by UN Security Council infringing upon the sovereign right of the DPRK at the instigation of the US and its followers," he said.

"Like all strategic weapons tests we have conducted so far, the test launching of the ICBM Hwasong-19 is an exercise of the just and legitimate right to self-defence to reliably safeguard the security of our State as well as peace of the region involved against escalating reckless nuclear war threats of hostile forces," he added.

Ambassador Kim further noted that "some countries" speak of violation of Security Council resolutions at every opportunity as a "cure-all prescription," adding however that these resolutions are "nothing but illegal documents" going totally against the principle of the sovereign equality of the UN Charter.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Latest Ballistic Missile Launch Represents 'a Grave Threat to Regional Stability', Senior Official Tells Security Council

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9775th Meeting (AM)

SC/15885

4 November 2024

Many Delegates Stress Such Tests Violate Multiple Council Resolutions, Question Pyongyang's Deployment of Troops to Assist Moscow in War against Ukraine

Meeting on the heels of the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on 31 October, Security Council members today renewed their calls for de-escalation, dialogue and a return to unity within the 15nation organ, as speakers sparred over the imposition of sanctions and the real source of security threats in the Korean Peninsula.

Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East and Asia and the Pacific, briefing the Council, reported that, on 31 October, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's official news agency announced that it had launched a Hwasong19 intercontinental ballistic missile at 7:11 a.m. local time, with the missile flying around 1,000 kilometres and reaching an altitude of over 7,000 kilometres before falling into the sea.

Pyongyang described the launch as a "very crucial test" that "updated the recent records of the strategic missile capability of the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea]", he said, voicing regret that they did not issue any airspace or maritime safety notifications, posing a serious risk to international civil aviation and maritime traffic. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's latest launch is "of serious concern and represents a grave threat to regional stability", he said, pointing out that the latest launch sets new records in terms of flight duration and altitude and may be capable of carrying larger warheads or even multiple warheads than its predecessor.

Despite Council meetings in 2023 and 2024, Pyongyang has not heeded calls to refrain from further launches, he stated, citing the Secretary-General's strong condemnation of the latest launch as a clear violation of relevant Council resolutions, and echoing his call for de-escalation, the full implementation of Council resolutions and the resumption of diplomatic engagement with a view to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

In the ensuing debate, several Council members joined those who requested the meeting  France, Japan, Malta, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States  in condemning Pyongyang's recent missile launch and once again underscored that such acts violate multiple Council resolutions and undermine international peace and security.

Among them was the delegate of the United States, who recalled that Pyongyang has launched well over 100 ballistic missiles since the beginning of 2022 and stated that the Council has a responsibility to hold that country accountable. Yet two permanent Council members  the Russian Federation and China  have shamelessly protected Pyongyang from any reprisal, or even any condemnation of its actions, he said, adding that this has contributed to the normalization of Pyongyang's tests and emboldened it to further violate the Council's sanctions and resolutions. Addressing his Russian and Chinese colleagues, he said: "It is time to stop obstructing and join the rest of us in voicing a united and clear denunciation of the DPRK's behaviour, to call on all UN Member States to fully and faithfully implement Security Council resolutions and to work together to prevent the DPRK's procurement activities and revenue flows supporting its WMD [weapons of mass destruction] and nuclear ballistic missile programmes."

"For months, Russia has been providing North Korea with diplomatic cover" in exchange for its support in continuing its war of aggression against Ukraine, concurred the speaker for France. He warned that "the recent deployment of North Korean troops" to the Russian Federation represents an escalation in Pyongyang's support for Moscow's aggression. "Any participation of North Korean soldiers in a war of aggression against a sovereign State constitutes a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations," he stressed. "It is Russia's responsibility to immediately put an end to this illicit military rapprochement and not to deviate from its responsibility as a permanent Council member," he added.

Joining others in voicing concern about Pyongyang's continued development of its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programmes was Japan's representative, who also like other speakers, recalled the forced termination half a year ago of the Security Council's 1718 Committee Panel of Experts "due to the regrettable veto by Russia". Japan, together with like-minded countries, decided to launch a new mechanism  the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team  with a view to fill the significant void that the Panel of Experts has left behind, and to assist the full implementation of relevant Council resolutions, he said.

On that note, Malta's representative pointed out that "although the Panel is gone, sanctions remain in place" and must continue to be fully implemented by all Member States. "Any transfer of weapons, ammunition and related technology, to and from the DPRK, is illegal and must be condemned," he added.

Several speakers, including those from Slovenia and Ecuador, also deplored Pyongyang's disregard for the Council's resolutions, with the latter stressing: "This Council cannot remain indifferent in the face of these provocative acts." Noting the Council's lack of a unified voice in "what must be a rejection of non-compliance with its resolutions", he urged those members with greater influence on Pyongyang to restore commitment by all parties to avoid exacerbating tensions, a point echoed by Sierra Leone's representative.

Meanwhile, Mozambique and Guyana's representatives were among speakers underscoring the need for the parties to engage in dialogue, a view also expressed by Algeria's delegate, who urged all parties to work towards alleviating tensions and to scaling back military activities in the region. Moreover, humanitarian channels must be promoted and protected, he added.

Also addressing the humanitarian front, Switzerland's representative stressed that "the people of the DPRK must not be left behind". Serious and systematic human rights violations and the impunity of the perpetrators must stop. There is a link between the nuclear programme and certain violations of these rights, and the Council should consider how it might further address this link, she added.

In a similar vein, the representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for November, who spoke in her national capacity, called on Pyongyang to abandon its illegal nuclear and ballistic weapons programmes, which is diverting resources away from improving the lives of its most vulnerable people. She called on the Russian Federation, and all Council members to condemn the recent launch and restate their commitment to implementing all relevant Council resolutions, adding: "It is time for us to act, to defend the global non-proliferation architecture, to uphold the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and to deliver on the mandate of this Council to address the most pressing threats to peace and security."

The Republic of Korea, observing that Pyongyang takes "extreme and draconian measures to keep afloat the world's most bizarre dictatorship" deplored that Pyongyang ignored repeated calls for restraint, amid the intensification last week of that country's illegal military cooperation with Moscow. There must be large loopholes enabling Pyongyang's access to the equipment, materials and technology necessary to advance its weapons of mass destruction programmes, he said, calling on all Member States to join international efforts, such as the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, to fill in the gap created by the Russian Federation's veto on the renewal of the Council's 1718 Committee Panel of Experts' mandate.

The delegate of the Russian Federation, however, stressed that the missile tests "causing such upset" cannot be considered separately from the aggressive steps taken by the United States and its satellites in the region. In that context, she cited large-scale military manoeuvres, including joint nuclear planning with the Republic of Korea, which entailed the rehearsal of nuclear strikes on Pyongyang's territory, as well as the 28 October launch of a large military exercise between the United States, Australia and the Republic of Korea. She went on to deplore the imposition of "illegal sanctions" aimed at the "steady suffocation" of Pyongyang, adding that her country and China's proposals to update them were repeatedly rejected.

Pyongyang therefore has the right to take steps to ensure its sovereignty, she said, citing her country's 19 June partnership with the country as playing a stabilizing role in the region, by helping avoid the risk of war, including one involving nuclear means. Addressing Council members' "repeated speculations" about the Democratic People's Republic of Korea sending service personnel to her country, she said that the figures in Western media were rising by the day. Those publications never expressed the same level of concern over the provision of long-range weaponry to Kyiv, nor at the involvement of thousands of servicemen from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), she added.

For his part, the delegate of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, denouncing today's "unlawful" meeting, asserted that his country's latest missile launch is part of its exercise of its legitimate right to self-defence, against the escalating and reckless nuclear war threat of hostile forces. While the launch of Hwasong19 did not have "the slightest negative impact" on neighbouring countries' security, war drills conducted by the United States and the Republic of Korea are "military provocations" and the real threats to peace and security that should instead be addressed by the Council today. Such actions have "opened up wider possibilities for a nuclear war", he stressed, also denouncing tripartite joint military exercises by the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Underscoring the sense of widening rifts within the 15nation organ, the delegate of the United States took the floor a second time, to inform his counterpart from Pyongyang that his country was sanctioned, and that his delegation should read the UN Charter. To China's delegate, he said that his country had offered to have unconditional talks with Pyongyang; however, the hand they reached out was met by a clenched fist. The trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and his country does not run counter to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, he reiterated, adding that they are defensive exercises that do not pose a threat to Pyongyang.

China's delegate, also taking the floor again, stated that the core of the situation in the Korean Peninsula is the conflict between the United States and Pyongyang; therefore, if the former wishes to break the deadlock, it should know what to do: Stay away from bloc confrontation and stop [conducting] military exercises at will.

Similarly, the Russian Federation's delegate, taking the floor again, echoed the assertion that Washington, D.C., and its supporters were the sources of tension in the region, and bringing matters to a "dangerous brink".

The delegate of the United States, making a further statement, questioned his counterpart from Moscow: "Are there troops from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Russia?"

"We are not in court here," replied the Russian Federation's delegate, adding that she did not intend to answer such a question posed in the spirit of an interrogation.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Analysts: North Korea's ties with Russia elevate danger to itself

By Christy Lee November 04, 2024

Pyongyang may have bet all its chips on its relationship with Moscow by committing the lives of its soldiers to fight for Russia's war efforts against Ukraine, according to analysts.

North Korean soldiers are gearing up for an anticipated battle in the Russian border region of Kursk.

According to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine on Saturday, more than 7,000 North Korean soldiers in the front line near the border were armed with various weapons by Russia. They included 60 mm mortars, AK-12 rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.

Some North Korean soldiers in the region have already come under fire, according to a message that Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, posted on Telegram on Monday.

The U.S. estimates that 8,000 soldiers are in the Kursk Oblast to fight in front-line operations against Ukraine forces in the coming days.

"There is no more significant and long-term a commitment one country can make to another than sending troops at wartime," Victor Cha, president of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), told VOA.

"I never believed this was short term, at least from the North Korean perspective," said Cha, who formerly served as the deputy head of the U.S. delegation to the Six Party Talks with North Korea.

Cha added that Kim could face many risks by deploying troops thousands of miles away from home and exposing them to fight alongside Russian soldiers.

"What if North Korean soldiers desert or are captured? What is the future of DPRK-Europe relations? What if South Korean weapons [supplied via the U.S to Ukraine thus far] kills North Korean soldiers? What if Ukraine makes a point of targeting North Korean soldiers for propaganda purposes?" he asked.

Long-term commitment

Cha, in an article CSIS published October 23, said that by sending troops, North Korea may have crossed the point of no return in its ties with Russia.

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun said during a news conference in Washington, held last week after a security meeting, that Seoul is looking to send a team to Ukraine to monitor North Korean troops.

When Kim visited Russia last year and began sending munitions the same year, some analysts saw him as largely engaged in a short-term transactional relationship with Moscow.

But after North Korea deployed troops to Russia  a move in line with a mutual defense treaty the two signed this summer  and joined Moscow's war efforts against Ukraine and, by default, against NATO and U.S. interests, Kim is viewed as engaged in an "all-in" relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin that comes with major risks.

Evans Revere, a former State Department official with extensive experience negotiating with North Korea, said, "Kim Jong Un's willingness to take these risks suggests he is 'all in' on the relationship with Moscow and prepared to make important sacrifices to show support for his Russian patron, in the hope that doing so will yield the benefits he seeks."

Revere added, "This tells us a lot about what Kim is prepared to do to receive key military and space technologies. It remains to be seen whether Moscow is prepared to provide all the technologies and support Kim wants. If it does not, it will leave the North Korean ruler in a very difficult position."

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell held talks Monday in Seoul and condemned North Korea's troop deployment and possible military technology transfers Russia could make in return.

North Korea launched a Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile Thursday in demonstration of what it described as the "world's most powerful strategic deterrent."

In addition to technologies Kim might want to further advance Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs, North Korea will receive about $200 million from Moscow for its troop deployment, according to an estimate from South Korea's National Intelligence Service.

"North Korea is not necessarily wanting to back away from the relationship at the moment because it's given a lifeline as well as a hedge partner against China," said Samuel Ramani, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London.

Kim is "willing to commit almost anything that Putin is willing to ask him to do at this point," Ramani said.

Transactional relationship

Whether long term or short term, Dan DePetris, a fellow at Defense Priorities, said, "Ties are still very much transactional in the sense that Kim expects Russian President Vladimir Putin to compensate him in some way, shape or form."

However, DePetris said, "it's unlikely North Korea will be comfortable putting all its chips in Russia's basket," as "betting on Russia over the long term would mean handcuffing North Korea to a single power, limiting the flexibility North Korean officials seek to maintain and giving Russia the ability to blackmail North Korea in the future."

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said Friday, when she met in Moscow with her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, that Pyongyang would fully back Russia's war efforts against Ukraine until victory.

Choe also said Kim had already "instructed" North Korean officials to provide support for the Russian army "without regard to anyone" when Russia launched what she described as "the special military operation" against Ukraine in 2022.

In return, Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow's "full support for North Korea's measures aimed at countering the aggressive policies of the U.S. and its partners" and its commitment to implement the mutual defense treaty.

"We've long thought of North Korea as a rogue state, but the tight cooperation between Putin and Kim Jong Un now makes Russia look like a rogue state, too," said Stephen Sestanovich, senior fellow for Russian and Eurasian studies at the Council on Foreign Relations who served as U.S. ambassador-at-large for the former Soviet Union from 1997 to 2001.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Press Statement of Vice Department Director of WPK Central Committee Kim Yo Jong

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, November 5 (KCNA) -- Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, made public the following press statement "Ever-escalating military threats of hostile forces only prove the validity of our line of bolstering up nuclear forces" on Monday:

The U.S., Japan and the ROK frantically staged a combined air drill targeting our Republic once again in front of us on November 3.

Various fighter jets of the three countries, led by U.S. strategic bomber B-1B, were involved in the drill under the signboard of "counteraction" and "warning" to our latest strategic weapon test. They reportedly got familiar with the "mode of promptly and correctly striking" the simulated opponent's core objects.

The military gangsters of the ROK declared that they would further tighten the triangular military cooperation against us in the future, blustering "the drill showcased the strong countering will and capability based on the ROK-U.S.-Japan security cooperation, as well as the integrated extended deterrence execution faculty of the ROK-U.S. alliance to counter and deter ever-escalating nuclear and missile threats from the north."

This is just another outright action-based explanation of the most hostile and dangerous aggressive nature of the enemy toward our Republic and, at the same time, another absolute proof of the validity and urgency of the line of building up the nuclear forces we have opted for and put into practice.

Today upset of the balance of power between rivals on the Korean peninsula and in the region precisely means a war. And this is an undeniable objective reality.

I point out once again that the U.S. and its followers held more than 20 rounds of various war confabs to map out plans for using nuclear weapons against our state this year alone and ceaselessly staged one hundred and tens of anti-DPRK military drills all the year round to implement them.

The drastically increased number of war rehearsals like Freedom Edge, the first multi-domain joint military exercises between the U.S., Japan and the ROK, and Iron Mace, a nuclear operation drill simulating an all-out nuclear war on the Korean peninsula, posed a serious threat to not only our state but also regional peace and security.

This year nuclear aircraft carrier strike groups, including the one of Theodore Roosevelt, were deployed near the Korean peninsula three times and the nuclear-powered strategic submarine Vermont made its first appearance in the ROK, while B-52H and other nuclear-capable strategic bombers flied in the sky above the Korean peninsula five times, updating once again the recent records of deployment of U.S. strategic assets.

The critical security environment facing our state eloquently proves the inevitability of the strategic choice made by us to creditably defend our state's security and regional peace from the U.S. and its followers' aggressive and adventuristic military threats.

The ever-escalating hysteric military threats of the rivals will further highlight the justness and urgency of our line and it will be implemented in corresponding dynamic and intensity.

The line of bolstering up the self-defensive nuclear deterrent, being pursued by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is the most correct, one and only choice made by it in the current situation, and we will never vacillate in that way. -0-

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Inspects Sites of Reconstruction of Flood-hit Areas in North Phyongan Province

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, November 5 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, inspected again sites of reconstruction of flood-hit areas in North Phyongan Province on November 4.

He was accompanied by Jo Yong Won and Ri Il Hwan, secretaries of the C.C., WPK, and cadres concerned of the C.C., WPK.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un was greeted by Ri Hi Yong, chief secretary of the North Phyongan Provincial Committee of the WPK, and commanding officers of the Korean People's Army units and the Paektusan Hero Youth Shock Brigade involved in the reconstruction.

Thanks to the dynamic patriotic efforts of all the builders who have risen up as one in hearty response to the militant call of the WPK Central Committee to turn the flood-hit areas into ideal "modern rural city" by building the dwelling houses as civilized and modern as those in city, the flood-hit farm villages on an islet of the northwestern part of the country that suffered disasters are showing their new appearances every day while fully demonstrating the beautiful reality of superior socialist system of our own style and instilling confidence and optimism about the future.

Going round the recovery areas in Ojok-ri of Uiju County and in Hadan-ri of Sinuiju City, he learned in detail about the reconstruction.

He said that he always had a heavy heart due to the vivid memory of looking at the flooded villages in an emergency rescue of the local people just some months ago, adding that he is really pleased to look at the fine banks and see that dwellings of peculiar urban styles are being built in the safe zone in a competitive way. He noted with pleasure that a worthwhile and proper decision was made and that a great change was brought about with our own efforts.

He highly praised the brilliant feats and innovations of the builders, expressing great satisfaction over the fact that the army, which has successfully fulfilled its sacred mission as the army of the Party and the people, and the young people, who have always been faithful to the honorable reputation as reliable reserves and advancing group of the Party, are making remarkable reconstruction successes with their unique courage, true to the call of the country and the revolution, in the site for the reconstruction of the flood-hit areas, the forefront of defending the people.

We have come to believe in our strength once again through the on-going huge rehabilitation campaign and I regard it as mental wealth more important than any physical result, he said, adding: We are deeply experiencing our own tremendous strength once again and have become squarely convinced that the single-minded unity of our society, in which all people help and lead each other forward, is getting stronger in the spirit of self-development and self-determination and amid a sacred patriotic struggle.

Saying we should take pride in the invincible spirit and might exclusive to our great state, never to be found in other countries, and ceaselessly create our future prouder and more worthwhile through a great demonstration of that spirit and might, he called for bringing about good fruition as planned by continuously waging an all-out honourable and patriotic campaign for the people who suffered misfortune and for healing the wounds of the country that suffered a natural disaster.

Noting that a good beginning is important but a good ending is more important and the outcome of rehabilitation will be evaluated by the results of the remaining projects, he greatly encouraged the builders, calling on them to bring about greater innovations in the remaining days by carrying on the intensive struggle with the sense of responsibility, efforts and courage, ten times and one hundred times stronger than usual.

Noting that it is necessary to reinforce the construction forces with more skilled workers and take some state measures to successfully finish the projects, he made a determination to complete the rehabilitation campaign at the highest level before the December Party plenary meeting and gave detailed instructions to successfully accelerate the reconstruction.

Time has slipped away since young people and service personnel left for the reconstruction site in hot summer and new season has arrived, but a modern rural city has already taken shape in the disaster-stricken area once covered with mud only, and this indicates the change made by our young people through their creative struggle is faster than the change of season, he said, praising our young people and service personnel once again for having done a great deal of work to be honourable before the country and the times. He expressed conviction that an eye-opening new world would soon emerge in the area thanks to the indomitable struggle of the dependable builders who dedicate their patriotic sweat to every structure.

The builders, who have all turned out once again to attain the sacred goal of their struggle with redoubled ambitious pluck and fighting spirit that they can lift even the earth under the trust of Kim Jong Un , were filled with a firm determination to create a new legendary tale of world-startling construction miracles in the flood-hit areas. -0-

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






CDS Gen Anil Chauhan concludes his four day visit to Algeria

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Both Countries ink milestone memorandum in defence Cooperation

Posted On: 04 NOV 2024 7:17PM by PIB Delhi

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan led a high-ranking Indian military delegation on an official visit to the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria from 31 Oct - 03 Nov 2024. The visit was part of a broader endeavour to strengthen India-Algeria relations which have seen increasing cooperation in recent years, particularly in the areas of trade, education, technology and defence.

In a significant step, Gen Anil Chauhan and his counterpart, General of Army Said Chanegriha, Chief of Staff of Algerian People's National Army signed a milestone Memorandum in Defence cooperation between India and Algeria. This Memorandum represents not only a step forward in bilateral military cooperation but also lays down the foundation for long-term collaboration across a variety of sectors.

The CDS complimented General Said Chanegriha, on the high standards of the military parade and commemorative events of 01 Nov 2024, marking the 70th Anniversary of Algeria's Glorious Revolution, a pivotal moment in Algeria's history.

Gen Chauhan interacted with the Director of the Higher War College and addressed senior officers of the of the People's National Army. He underscored the shared history of both nations, fostering a bond based on similar values and principles. CDS highlighted the dividends of geography of both Algeria and India in their global aspirations, stating, "the core strategic outlook of a nation is shaped by its geography and historical experience".

CDS called for peaceful resolution of global conflicts. He said, "India always supports peaceful resolution to global conflicts. India has re-established its Defence Wing in Algeria and welcomes the re-opening of Defence Wing of Algeria in India".

Giving an overview of India's National Security Strategy, CDS said, "In today's complex geopolitical construct, India understands her responsibilities and desires to engage as a 'Vishwa-Bandhu' - a reliable partner for the world". He highlighted the agreement in the field of space sciences and the major strides taken by India in technology development.

Gen Chauhan added that the Indian Armed Forces are undergoing transformation and are ready to share their experiences with the People's National Army of Algeria. He emphasised upon India's increasing defence production capability under the 'Make in India' and 'Make for the World' programmes.

India and Algeria share a commitment to self-determination, respect for sovereignty, and mutual support in multilateral domains. As regional leaders in South Asia and North Africa, both countries bring unique strategic advantages to the partnership, contributing to a more balanced and multipolar global order. The high level visit complements the recently concluded visit by the President of India to Algeria, underscoring the strong political will on both sides to deepen diplomatic, military and strategic cooperation.

******

SR/Anand

(Release ID: 2070684)

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Combined rescue and relief exercise ends in Caspian Sea

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 4, 2024

Rasht, IRNA -- Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan have ended combined rescue and relief exercises in the Caspian Sea, the spokesman of the Caspian Sea exercises announced.

Rear Admiral Mohsen Razzaqi said that in this parade, which was held with the slogan "Cooperation for Peace and Friendship" in the Caspian Sea, the units of the Islamic Republic of Iran's naval forces, including the destroyer Deylaman, the missile launchers Separ, Peykan, Joshan, AB 212 AB helicopter and the naval vessel of the IRGC named "Shahid Basir", vessels from the coast guards of the Iran's law enforcement command, as well as the rescue and relief vessels G129 and A640 of the Republic of Azerbaijan were present.

In this exercise, extinguishing the fire and fixing the damage caused to the commercial vessel and transporting the injured to the beach were carried out, as well as the exercise of aerial photography (Photo Ex) and formation scenario and tactical formations were among the other operations carried out in this exercise.

The two-day exercises, hosted by the Iranian Navy, was held in Bandar Anzali, a port city in Iran's northern province of Gilan, according to an IRNA report on Monday.

The Public Relations Office of the Iranian Army said in a press release on Sunday afternoon that the vessels of the Republic of Azerbaijan Navy, including rescue and relief vessels G129 and A640, entered Iran's waters to take part in the exercises.

Under the slogan of "Cooperation for Peace and Friendship", the drill dubbed AZIREX2024 aimed to consolidate sustainable collective security in the region.

It is also aimed at expanding multilateral cooperation among the participating countries, and is an effort to show their goodwill and ability to jointly support peace and friendship and maritime security.

2050

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






IRGC has precise information about meetings of enemy intelligence services to destabilize region: Cmdr.

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 4, 2024

Zahedan, IRNA -- Commander of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force says the IRGC has reliable information indicating that enemy intelligence services have convened meetings in several countries in the region to orchestrate terrorist groups for destabilizing the region.

Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour addressed tribal leaders on Monday during a conference in Sistan and Baluchestan, a southeastern border province of Iran, stating that the terrorist acts in this region are deliberate and are being orchestrated with the assistance of enemy intelligence services.

He added that the enemy's mercenary agents' movements in the southeastern region of the country are coordinated with the Zionist regime so that whenever this regime acts, their mercenaries also carry out terrorist acts against the people in the southeast.

He referred to the ringleader of a recently killed terrorist group in southeastern Iran, stating that this individual was one of the leaders of such groups and was considered a foreign national.

He added that the mercenary terrorists active in the region are not Iranian at all and are committing acts of terrorism against the people while forging Iranian documents.

Brigadier General Pakpour emphasized, "These individuals commute in this region to destabilize the country and serve the Zionist regime. The enemy aims to seriously challenge the country through such actions."

3266**2050

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran, Azerbaijan hold rescue and relief exercises in Caspian Sea

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 4, 2024

Rasht, IRNA -- Iran and the Azerbaijan Republic have begun combined rescue and relief exercises in the Caspian Sea.

The two-day exercises, hosted by the Iranian Navy, are underway in Bandar Anzali, a port city in Iran's northern province of Gilan, according to an IRNA report on Monday.

The Public Relations Office of the Iranian Army said in a press release on Sunday afternoon that the vessels of the Republic of Azerbaijan Navy, including rescue and relief vessels G129 and A640, entered Iran's waters to take part in the exercises.

Under the slogan of "Cooperation for Peace and Friendship", the drill dubbed AZIREX2024 aims to consolidate sustainable collective security in the region.

It is also aimed at expanding multilateral cooperation among the participating countries, and is an effort to show their goodwill and ability to jointly support peace and friendship and maritime security.

9376**4194

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran repeatedly warned Israel not to test its will: FM

Iran Press TV

Monday, 04 November 2024 11:03 PM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says he has repeatedly warned the Israeli regime against testing Iran's will as the Islamic Republic has successfully passed the various tests it has faced.

"As the foreign minister, I repeated a message during [my] regional trips on several occasions, and that message is that 'do not put our will to the test and do not test us. We have passed our own tests," the top diplomat said during a televised program on Monday.

Araghchi reminded that, over the past year, the regime had repeatedly tried to provoke Iran into engaging in conflict, but the country resisted the provocations, and would do as it sees fit concerning Tel Aviv's acts of incitement.

"We never compromise on our principles and causes, but [our] tactics may vary concerning [various] circumstances," he stated.

The foreign minister, meanwhile, noted that the Islamic Republic would refuse to act either emotionally or out of excitement in the face of various circumstances.

He cited the examples of Iran's Operation True Promise in April and True Promise II in early October, which saw the Islamic Republic firing hundreds of ballistic missiles towards sensitive targets across the occupied Palestinian territories in retaliation for acts of deadly aggression by the Israeli regime against the country and other regional nations.

As in the case of the dual operations, "whenever we have been struck with a blow, we have chosen the appropriate response smartly and wisely and with deliberation," he said.

"Iran is a great nation with thousands of years of historical and civlizational background, and we, therefore, take our decisions wisely."

Araghchi defended Iran's performance during the operations as defensive and based on the country's right to legitimate defense, the international laws, and the United Nations Charter.

The official said the country had not "imported" its capabilities so it could lose them as a result of foreign attacks, adding that he had scoffed at claims by some, who had alleged that the Israeli regime would "definitely destroy" Iran's nuclear facilities in case of an attack on the Iranian soil.

Araghchi finally noted that the Islamic Republic did not attach much importance to the outcome of the United States pending presidential election, saying victory of none of the American presidential nominees would affect the Islamic Republic's principled positions and strategies.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran says response to Israel 'certain', vows to use 'anything necessary' for defense

Iran Press TV

Monday, 04 November 2024 11:26 AM

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says Tehran will definitely respond to the Israeli regime's act of aggression against the country, vowing that the country will be fully equipped to defend itself.

"Supporting national sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries is a principle for us and we have proven this in practice," Baghaei told reporters at his weekly press conference on Monday.

"We will use all our material and spiritual resources to respond to the aggressions of the Zionist regime (Israel) and will use all our resources with all our might in this regard," he emphasized.

Asked whether the intensity of Iran's response to Israel will change in case of a ceasefire in Gaza, Baghaei said Israel's genocide in Palestine and aggression in Lebanon are the main issues, and "we support initiatives to end crimes."

Addressing a cabinet session on Sunday, President Pezeshkian said a truce in Gaza and an end to Israel's massacre of civilians "could affect" Tehran's response to Israel.

"If they (the Israelis) revise their behavior, accept a ceasefire, and stop killing the oppressed and innocent people of the region, it could affect the type and intensity of our response," Pezeshkian said.

However, he stressed that Iran will not leave "unanswered" any act of aggression against its sovereignty and security.

Baghaei also denounced the destabilizing presence of the United States in the region and urged regional countries to settle regional problems through consultations.

Germany's closure of Iran's consulates 'completely unjustifiable'

Baghaei dismissed reports about the expulsion of Iranian diplomats from Germany and said Tehran has informed Berlin that its move to close three Iranian consulates in the European countries was not justifiable at all.

The spokesperson noted that Germany's move was a reaction to an issue that is related to Iran's jurisdiction and is about an Iranian citizen who has committed a terrorist act.

In an announcement on Thursday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that the Iranian consulates in the cities of Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich are to be closed over the execution of convicted terrorist Jamshid Sharmahd.

In a post on his X account on Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi slammed the decision which has been taken in support of a terrorist and amounts to sanctions against thousands of Iranians.

Gaza situation 'shame' for international community

The Iranian spokesman further said the ongoing situation in Gaza is a shame for the international community.

"In the 21st century, a real genocide is taking place but the international community has clearly failed. The Security Council is paralyzed by the obstacles created by the United States," Baghaei added.

He emphasized that Iran's defense of the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people's right to self-determination is both a commitment and a moral and human duty.

"We have proven that we are steadfast in supporting the cause of Palestine. Stopping the killing of the Palestinian people is a priority now," he stated.

Germany one of main arms suppliers to Israel

Asked about the recent Israeli abduction of a Lebanese citizen north of the capital Beirut, Baghaei said such measures are part of the regime's policies, stressing that concerns over the issue are not baseless.

"Germany is one of the main suppliers of weapons to the Israeli regime, so there is concern about Germany's role in this abduction," he added.

Lebanon's government announced on Sunday that it will submit a complaint to the United Nations Security Council concerning the abduction of a Lebanese citizen in Beirut by the Israeli regime.

The Lebanese citizen was kidnapped in a suspected Israeli naval operation in Batroun, about 30 kilometers north of Beirut, with the illegal entity claiming that the abductee was a "senior operative" of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah.

No difference between US presidents

Baghaei also said US elections are an internal issue but the performance of the elected presidents is important for Iran.

According to history, he continued, there has been not much difference between American statesmen regarding their behavior and approach toward Iran.

The Iranian spokesperson also said the BRICS members are considering possible ways to remove visa requirements.

The group has great capacities at different levels which can be used to promote regional peace and security as well as economic development, he added.

He also noted that Iran and Russia are discussing the timing of signing a strategic cooperation agreement by the two countries' authorities.

He said Iran was among the 52 countries that issued a joint letter calling on the United Nations to impose an arms embargo on Israel.

Baghaei also announced that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will soon visit Pakistan.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran's missiles aimed at deterring attackers, not waging aggression: President Pezeshkian

Iran Press TV

Monday, 04 November 2024 11:22 AM

President Masoud Pezeshkian asserts that Iran's missiles are aimed at deterring those seeking to potentially target the country, and are not meant to be used towards waging acts of aggression against other nations.

"We have [our] missiles [at our disposal] so they would not dare attack us. Our missiles are not meant [to be used] for carrying out attacks against anyone or [contributing to] expansionism," the chief executive said during a ceremony on Monday.

He said the country has developed the defensive projectiles so parties such as the Israeli regime would not be able to target the Islamic Republic as they have been targeting the Gaza Strip or bomb any place or any person that they would desire.

Pezeshkian, meanwhile, hailed Gaza-based Palestinians for their "esteem and greatness" that has forbidden the Israeli regime from forcing them into surrender, despite targeting the coastal sliver with all that is at its disposal for more than a year now.

In the same context, the president slammed the regime for laying claim to respecting human rights and the international law, while its authorities perpetrate "violence, genocide, crime, and murder behind their neat and tie-wearing appearances."

The remarks came amid the regime's October 2023-present war of genocide against Gaza that has so far claimed the lives of more than 43,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

The contradiction between the regime's claims and actions points to the regime's "indecency and lack of identity," he noted.

Pezeshkian berated those accusing Iran of failure to observe human rights, saying the parties that have leveled the accusations against the country were the same ones that have staged deadly attacks against the Iranian nation, including women and children, with chemical weapons and targeted the people's sources of sustenance with sanctions.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






'We're over their heads': Iran's Navy chief says US warships 'under close watch'

Iran Press TV

Monday, 04 November 2024 8:46 AM

The commander of the Iranian Navy has hailed the force's comprehensive surveillance over the American warships that sail across regional waters.

"The United States aircraft carrier as well as 16-strong destroyers and frigates that are present in the region are being constantly surveilled by our reconnaissance drones," Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said on Monday.

"We are over their heads," he added, referring to the warships in question.

The Iranian surveillance aircraft were visible even to the naked eye, the commander said, describing the visibility as a means of the Islamic Republic's "saying to the Americans that this region is not your place and we maintain all of your movements under observation."

"This is a very important fact that we enjoy the capability to surveil the enemy even at sea," Irani said, noting that this matter had turned into "a cause for concern for the Americans."

The commander commended the Navy for its having managed to provide security for both Iranian vessels and those of the countries that have reached out to the force for protection, asking it to escort their ships.

"The Navy escorts oil and commercial cargoes from Venezuela's coastline to the Americas, Europe, and Africa, confronting whatever violation that could take place against our ships," Irani noted.

He cited the case of Iranian naval forces' recent recapture and confiscation of an oil embargo and the vessel bearing it that had been impounded by the United States, although the vessel had been renamed by the Americans.

The commander further asserted that the Islamic Republic's Navy was after "putting the strength of [the country's] Islamic establishment on display far across the [international] oceans."

The force was trying to have its endeavors serve as a "point of strength for the Islamic Republic's establishment," he noted.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran, Azerbaijan to hold joint search and rescue naval drills in Caspian Sea

Iran Press TV

Monday, 04 November 2024 6:59 AM

Iran and Azerbaijan are set to hold joint search and rescue drills in the Caspian Sea with the aim of strengthening mutual cooperation and achieving maritime security.

The Iranian Navy's northern fleet will host the major phase of the drills dubbed "AZIREX 2024", scheduled to kick off on Monday.

Floating and flying units of the naval forces of the Iranian army, including Deylaman destroyer that will serve as the command ship, will take part in the exercises.

Floating units of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy and the Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran will also participate in the drills.

The missile-equipped vessels of Paykan (Arrow), Separ (Shield) and Joshan (Armor), AB 212 helicopter and a floating unit of the IRGC Navy named "Shahid Basir", as well as Azerbaijan's rescue boats G129 and A640 are also set to take part in the drills.

Azerbaijan's G129 and A640 docked at the fourth naval region of the Iranian army upon their arrival in Iranian territorial waters.

The drills, with the slogan "Cooperation for Peace and Friendship", aim at consolidating sustainable collective security in the region.

They also aim at expanding cooperation among the participating countries and to show their goodwill and ability to achieve peace, friendship and maritime security.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






How Will The U.S. Election Impact Washington's Iran Policy?

By Kian Sharifi November 04, 2024

The U.S. presidential election on November 5 will probably have a major bearing on Washington's policy toward Iran.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, is likely to continue President Joe Biden's diplomacy-focused policies, experts say.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, adopted a policy of "maximum pressure" during his first stint in office and is more likely to embrace a hawkish position, analysts say.

Harris's Calculated Toughness?

In early October, Harris raised eyebrows when she described Iran as Washington's "greatest adversary" ahead of Russia and China.

Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran Program at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said her comments should not be taken at face value. Harris said "what she had to say" for the sake of domestic U.S. policies and to appease the pro-Israel lobby.

Harris's campaign wants to "position her somewhat to Trump's right on issues like Iran," said Gregory Brew, senior analyst at the U.S.-based Eurasia Group.

"Harris is likely to continue Biden's approach, pursuing diplomacy without offering large concessions and remaining wary of doing too much and triggering domestic political backlash," Brew said.

Experts say the conflict in the Middle East, where Israel is engaged in a war with Iran-backed armed groups in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, could lead to Harris devising a more aggressive policy toward Tehran.

Diplomacy with Tehran will remain an option under a Harris presidency, experts say, but any negotiations would likely be centered on regional affairs rather than Iran's nuclear program.

Trump To Opt For Dialogue Or Detachment?

During his stint in office from 2017 to 2021, Trump withdrew the United States from the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran, and ordered the killing of top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

But it is unclear if Trump would adopt a hawkish policy toward Iran if reelected, experts say, noting the former president's unpredictability.

During the campaign, Trump suggested without evidence that Iran was involved in recent attempted assassinations against him and threatened to blow the country "to smithereens."

But Trump has also said on the campaign trail that he is open to talks with Iran, including over the nuclear deal.

Under a Trump presidency, there would likely be less scope for or interest in diplomacy with Tehran, said Brew.

Brew said there is "a greater willingness to tolerate military action against Iran" among Republicans, particularly in the wake of Israel's first overt attack on Iran on October 26. But the odds of the United States getting involved in a war with Iran remain low.

"It's difficult for me to see a large war being planned at this moment in American history by any American president," Vatanka said.

Vatanka said Iran could be more willing to talk to Trump because it may "find it easier to deal" with the former president and entice him "by appealing to his ego."

Overall, American policy toward Iran would be more reflective of "mainstream American thinking and institutional decision-making consensus" under Harris, Vatanka said, whereas under Trump it would be "more of the inkling and the gut feeling of one man."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-election-iran-policy-trump- harris/33179923.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran May Use More Powerful Warheads in Retaliatory Attack on Israel - Reports

Sputnik News

20241104

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Iran may use more powerful warheads in a retaliatory attack on Israel compared to previous attacks, the Wall Street Journal reported citing sources.

As unnamed Iranian and Arab officials told the publication, the Iranian authorities do not plan to limit their response to missiles and drones, as was the case in previous attacks. According to them, any missiles used in this case will have more powerful warheads.

Iran is planning a comprehensive response using even more powerful warheads and other weapons, Iranian and Arab officials briefed on the government's plans told the publication. Iran has told Arab diplomats that the country's conventional army would be involved in the retaliatory strike, the sources added.

According to the publication, the involvement of the regular army does not mean that Iranian troops will be deployed, but that the paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which usually handles Israel's security issues, "will not act alone" in this case. The publication noted, citing another unnamed Iranian official, that Iran might use Iraqi territory for part of the operation and will most likely strike Israeli military targets, but much more aggressively than last time."

"Our military lost people, so they need to respond," the publication quoted an unnamed Iranian official as saying.

Another unnamed Iranian official cited the US presidential election as another factor influencing Iran's retaliatory strike against Israel. According to the source, Iran would not like to influence the outcome of the election with its attack. Unnamed officials from Egypt, Bahrain and Oman told the Wall Street Journal that Iranian diplomats gave this "broad outline" of the retaliatory attack after warnings from the United States against "engaging in a tit-for-tat" with Israel.

On Saturday, Axios reported, citing sources, that the United States had warned Iran that it would not be able to stop Israel from retaliating if Tehran attacked.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israel's military struggling with shortage of troops: Report

Iran Press TV

Monday, 04 November 2024 5:10 PM

Israel's military is facing a critical manpower problem as it runs short of thousands of troops, a report says.

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Monday that there has been a 1% average decline in male soldier enlistments over the past years.

The report said 33% of the soldiers have not completed their recruitment, while15% deserted and did not enlist with reserve formations entirely.

The total of those exempted from military service due to mental or medical reasons spiked from 4% to 8%.

There are 18,000 combat reserve soldiers and 20,000 combat support personnel who are registered as part of the reserve force. They do not join when called up.

The report said the commanders of the reserve brigades and battalions believe the matter "relates to serial evaders and cannot be brought in by force."

Israel is dealing with the manpower issue at a time its military faces the debacle in Gaza.

The military has also failed to achieve its goals in a meaningful way in southern Lebanon.

Dozens of soldiers have been killed in recent days on both battlefronts.

In October, the Israeli outlet HaMakom reported that an increasing number of soldiers are silently refusing orders to return to the battlefield due in large part to the resistance put up by the Palestinian fighters.

The soldiers say they are depressed, unmotivated, worn out and psychologically damaged.

The Israeli military has published the names of nearly 800 troops killed since October 2023, including more than 350 who were killed on the ground in Gaza.

The Resistance fronts say the number of military fatalities the regime has suffered is much higher as it keeps the real figures under the lid.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Nearly 200 schools in Myanmar hit by junta air strikes since military coup

As justification, the regime often claims that the buildings house resistance fighters.

By RFA Burmese 2024.11.04 -- Junta forces have conducted nearly 200 air strikes on schools across Myanmar since the military seized power in a February 2021 coup d'etat, according to a Radio Free Asia tally.

The air strikes destroyed 146 educational facilities, including universities, public schools and monastic schools, in Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay regions, and in Kayin, Rakhine, Chin, Kachin and Kayah states, which have seen fighting by resistance forces that oppose junta rule.

Myanmar Witness, a London-based human rights watchdog, reported in July that 64 people had been killed and 106 injured in attacks on schools over the past three years, and that structures sustained severe damage from air strikes.

The junta often claims that resistance fighters known as People's Defense Forces, or PDFs, hide in the schools, though residents say they do not accept this justification.

But Banyar, the director of the Karenni Human Rights Group in Kayah state in eastern Myanmar, said the junta intentionally targets schools.

"It has been found that the junta deliberately attacks schools established under previous governments, indicating that they are intentionally targeting already marked locations," said Banyar, who goes by only one name.

Attacks on Sagaing region

Junta forces have attacked Sagaing region in Myanmar's northwest about 70 times using air strikes, heavy weaponry and drones, making it the region with the greatest number of military assaults since the 2021 takeover.

Sagaing  an agricultural region in the heart of Myanmar's dry zone  has been a hotbed of resistance to military rule with armed conflicts occurring almost daily between resistance groups and junta troops.

In September 2022, at least seven minors were killed when junta aircraft fired on a school in Tabayin township's Let Yet Kone village. At the time, UNICEF, which condemned the attack, said the death toll was at least 11 children during "an airstrike and indiscriminate fire in civilian areas," while 15 others from the same school were missing.

A 10-year-old who experienced the incident remains traumatized by memories of it, said a township resident, who declined to be identified for safety reasons.

"The child now gets frightened even at the sound of motorbikes, to the point that his body tenses up," the person said. "He thinks he'll be attacked if he goes to school."

"Since then, it's been impossible to convince him to go," the resident said. "On the day of the incident, he was too terrified to respond to any questions."

Like the children of Let Yet Kone, the children of the region's Kanbalu district are also living in fear.

"Whenever they hear the sound of airplanes, they're scared they might be bombed," said a teacher who was part of Myanmar's civil disobedient movement, made up of government employees who walked off the job to protest the coup d'etat.

"We've noticed that even young kids who haven't fully figured things out are still feeling that kind of anxiety," the teacher said.

Fear in Kayin, Rakhine states

Children in Kayin state, in southeastern Myanmar, where the junta has focused much of its military firepower, also remain fearful.

In October alone, the junta used drones to destroy at least three schools there, said Saw Thaw Thi, an official from the Karen Education and Culture Department.

"They targeted the schools in Kawthoolei [Kayin state] rather than just individual buildings," he said about the attacks. "Their goal was to ensure that nothing could be salvaged from the school premises."

"In some cases, they launched an initial attack and then used scout drones to assess the damage," Saw Thaw Thi said. "If the school wasn't hit directly, they would deliberately strike again."

In Rakhine state, in western Myanmar, the junta destroyed a school and a monastery in Thandwe township on Oct. 25.

Such attacks are meant to instill fear in the population, said Khaing Thu Kha, a spokesman for the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group engaged in ongoing conflict with the junta and fighting for greater autonomy and self-determination for the Rakhine people.

The Arakan Army has conducted major offensives against the junta, capturing significant territory which has allowed it to control large parts of Rakhine state.

"They [the junta] mainly target people sheltering in camps, schools and monasteries to instill fear," Khaing Thu Kha said. "It seems they believe they might gain some control over revolutionary groups when people can no longer endure the attacks."

RFA could not reach junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun by phone for comment.

Kyaw Win, founder and executive director of the Burma Human Rights Network, a UK-based organization working for human rights and religious freedom in Myanmar, said the attacks on the schools violated international criminal law.

"According to the Geneva Conventions and human rights laws, there are international laws that must be upheld," he told RFA. "Civilian targets, including schools, are protected. Deliberate attacks on identifiable children and civilian targets are blatant and serious crimes."

Translated by Aung Naing for RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Awaiting refugee status, Myanmar nationals in Malaysia struggle, risk deportation

Some applicants can wait up to a decade to become refugees, aid groups said.

By Kiana Duncan for RFA 2024.11.04 -- Many of the hundreds of thousands of Myanmar citizens who have fled to Malaysia to escape their country's turmoil and repression have been in limbo for years, waiting to be granted refugee status, which would ensure at least basic rights, while the threat of deportation hangs over them.

"It gives me nightmares, that I can't stay any longer in Malaysia," said an ethnic Kachin human rights activist from Myanmar who asked to be identified as just Brang, speaking of the prospect of deportation from Malaysia where he has been staying since last year.

Like other countries in the region, Malaysia has seen a surge of people arriving from Myanmar fleeing war, conscription and a crumbling economy, especially since an early 2021 coup ended a decade of tentative reform and ushered in the return of repressive military rule.

Many, but by no means all, of the people from Myanmar arriving in Malaysia are members of the persecuted Muslim Rohingya minority, hoping for refuge in Muslim-majority Malaysia.

But Malaysia has not been so welcoming for some.

Two years ago, Malaysia came under severe criticism from human rights groups who said authorities deported about 2,000 people back to Myanmar, including several defectors from the military who were detained upon arrival back home.

A government minister at the time said human rights groups should not interfere.

According to the Coalition of Burma Ethnics Malaysia, an aid group helping Myanmar nationals, deportations have continued with dire consequences. In July, at least one deported community leader was detained upon arrival in Yangon and later killed, the group said. In September, about 118 people were deported, the majority of whom were arrested on arrival, it said.

Malaysia's Immigration Department did not answer telephone calls or respond to emails seeking comment on its policy but Myanmar migrants say they live under the fear of being rounded up and sent home.

"I'm afraid of deportation because of my status and because my work before was related to politics," said Brang, who came to Malaysia in the hope of finding resettlement in a third country faster than in Thailand, where he had been staying.

"If I were deported, I don't know what would happen."

'A lot of worries'

The Malaysian office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, did not respond to telephone calls and emails seeking comment on the plight of Myanmar citizens in Malaysia.

As of September, UNHCR Malaysia said in a release it had registered more than 190,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia, all but 20,000 of them from Myanmar.

Malaysia, however, is not a signatory of the 1951 Refugee Convention, which outlines the legal protection, rights and assistance a refugee is entitled to receive, and does not recognize the status of refugee.

Despite that, the UNHCR office does confer refugee status, which can bring benefits such as cheaper medical assistance and at least some protection from arrest and deportation while migrants await resettlement, aid groups say.

But refugee status can take years to come through.

Than Win ran out of luck six months ago when, after living in Malaysia for eight years, he broke his leg in a motorbike accident coming home from his job picking jackfruit.

The 45-year-old and his wife applied to the UNHCR for refugee status in 2019 but they have not heard back.

Without refugee status, the public hospital he was taken to refused to operate on his broken leg because he couldn't afford to pay, he said. Instead, staff wrapped his leg in bandages and sent him home without medication.

"It still hurts. I can't walk, I can't stand up," Than Win said, pointing to crutches he uses to get around.

Than Win fled from western Myanmar's Rakhine state after his brother was arrested in 2016 by the military for fighting in the insurgent Arakan Army. Fearing he too would also be arrested, he traveled first to Thailand and then on to Malaysia.

"Because I'm injured, I can't work, I can't do anything. I have a lot of worries and I'm really depressed," he said, adding his family depends on an older brother who is also in Malaysia for support.

Trying to help

A welfare group set up in Malaysia by migrants from Rakhine state, the Center for Arakan Refugees, which is trying to help Than Win, said it had documented 200,000 people who arrived from Myanmar since the early 2021 coup.

Of those, the center said it had helped 30,000 apply for refugee status but only about 200 had received it.

The center said that in the last two months, it received about 120 requests for emergency help from Myanmar citizens waiting for refugee status, the majority involving medical assistance after accidents.

"Many of them have broken legs and hands," said Abdul Rahman, a committee member of the Center for Arakan Refugees.

"Tuberculosis and HIV patients, other accidents and emergency patients request help from our office ... but especially for treatment, to be admitted to the hospital, we don't have much money."

Not having refugee status can also leave people vulnerable to pressure from authorities who impose on-the-spot fines, said the leader of another refugee group, who declined to be identified.

"Burmese people are mainly targeted by local authorities ... especially the Rohingya," he said.

"Police stop refugees and asylum-seekers daily, especially non-registered ones."

Than Win dreams of taking his wife and 10-month-old son to a Western country for resettlement but says progress towards that will be impossible without first securing refugee status.

"I want to be recognized as a refugee by the UNHCR, if possible. If I am, I can serve my family," Than Win said.

Editing by RFA Staff

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Pakistan: Border forces kill several militants trying to infiltrate from Afghanistan

By Ayaz Gul November 04, 2024

Pakistan reported Monday that its border security forces killed at least five insurgents who were attempting to cross over from Afghanistan.

The predawn encounter occurred after Pakistani troops detected the "movement of a group of khwarij" in the volatile South Waziristan border district and "effectively engaged" them to foil their infiltration attempt, according to a military statement.

The term "khwarij" in official Pakistani documents refers to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an outlawed organization waging deadly attacks within the country from its alleged sanctuaries in Afghanistan.

Separately, the military said an intelligence-driven operation in the nearby North Waziristan border district killed a key TTP commander.

The statement reiterated Islamabad's call for the Taliban government in Kabul "to fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by khwarij" to stage acts of terrorism against Pakistan. It urged Taliban authorities to ensure "effective" management of the Afghan side of the nearly 2,600-kilometer border between the two countries.

Pakistani authorities say the TTP has found sanctuaries in Afghanistan and intensified cross-border attacks since the Islamist Taliban seized power in the neighboring country three years ago, killing hundreds of civilians and security forces.

The United Nations has labeled the TTP as "the largest terrorist group" on Afghan soil.

Taliban authorities in Kabul reject the charges, saying they are not allowing any foreign group, including TTP, to use Afghan soil to threaten neighboring countries.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Republic of Korea: Press remarks by the High Representative ahead of the EU-Republic of Korea Strategic Dialogue

European External Action Service (EEAS)

04.11.2024

Seoul

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery.

Thank you, dear Minister [for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Cho Tae-yul].Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

It is a great pleasure for me to be here. For my country, Spain, times are difficult, and I thank you for your condolences.

But I am here as a European to announce the Security and Defence Partnership between the European Union and [the Republic of] Korea.

And I remember very well that in May 2023, in the summit here in Seoul, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic ties. And this 60th anniversary was an important moment, and it marked the beginning of the work to announce today the Security and Defence Partnership.

And I am very happy and very pleased to be here with you, dear Minister, in this inaugural Strategic Dialogue, where we will be laying the foundation for closer and enhanced engagement on our key foreign policy issues.

I know that for you also the times are difficult.

I was visiting yesterday the demarcation line [Demilitarized Zone] between North Korea and South Korea, remembering your history and paying tribute to the soldiers which are buried on the cemetery that I visited also yesterday.

We are strategic partners. We share values and common goals. We share a partnership. And this is important in this current geopolitical context, challenging for both of us and based on our common will to build a better future for our people.

Geopolitical tensions are increasing, and climate change also is a threat. Technological disruption is a reality.

The Indo-Pacific is at the heart of many of the global shifts, be it digital transformation, be it climate change, be it the rise of China. In our interconnected world, political, economic, and security developments are not confined to geographical boundaries because climate change doesn't know about boundaries, and geopolitical tensions come from the war in Ukraine onto the Indo-Pacific waters here in the Korean Peninsula.

The developments in this peninsula and in Ukraine, in Korea and in Ukraine, they are far away, but they are interlinked, as you know very well, including the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia, which illustrates the importance of our shared security agenda.

This is not a rhetorical, nor a theoretical approach. It is because the war is at the borders of Europe, and it is because, in this war, North Korean troops are going to participate. So, this increases the need for us to work together, guided by common interests and shared values, and with the will to strengthen our efforts to show that democracies deliver best for our citizens.

Not only do they deliver freedom - political freedom - they also deliver prosperity, well-being, and social cohesion. Democracies and cooperation among democracies are the best way to reach peace and prosperity for our people - for the Koreans, and the European people - and for the rest of the world.

Once again, thank you very much for your warm welcome. And once again, [I am] very happy to be [back] in Korea.

Thank you.

Watch the video [starting at 1:50]

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Republic of Korea: High Representative/Vice-President Borrell holds first Strategic Dialogue with Foreign Minister Cho in Seoul

European External Action Service (EEAS)

04.11.2024

EEAS Press Team

The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union/European Commission Vice-President Josep Borrell and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Cho Tae-yul held the first-ever EU-RoK Strategic Dialogue in Seoul on 4 November.

During the dialogue High Representative Borrell and Foreign Minister Cho announced the EU-RoK Security and Defence Partnership, which constitutes a joint non-binding political framework for reinforced cooperation (NBI). This new political framework for enhanced cooperation on security and defence will streamline and further strengthen dialogue and cooperation on key areas such as maritime security and operational cooperation, space security and defence, cyber issues, countering hybrid threats and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), counter terrorism, training and education, non-proliferation and disarmament. The agreement underlines the strategic importance of strengthening our joint capacity to address growing and complex security challenges.

In their discussions, High Representative Borrell and Foreign Minister Cho reaffirmed their unwavering joint commitment to peace, stability and prosperity, grounded in shared values and common interests. They highlighted the importance of closer collaboration on regional and global security, with particular focus on the interconnected security environments of Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

The High Representative and the Foreign Minister reiterated their unwavering commitment to maintaining support to Ukraine as it defends its freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia's war of aggression, and their condemnation of third-country support to Russia's illegal war of aggression. They also shared their joint grave concerns over Russia's military cooperation with the DPRK notably the deployment of DPRK troops to participate in Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, and arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia, which flagrantly violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, as well as over Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

The High Representative and the Foreign Minister also shared serious concerns about the situation in the South China Sea. They expressed their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion and increase tensions that could undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order. Both reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

High Representative Borrell and Foreign Minister Cho expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in the Middle East. They called for an immediate ceasefire across the Israel-Lebanon border and in Gaza, as well as for the release of all hostages and unhindered humanitarian access. They stressed the need for a renewed focus on a two-state solution, and the protection of civilians and peacekeepers in conflict zones, particularly in line with UN mandates.

Background

The establishment of a Strategic Dialogue at foreign ministerial level was agreed at the 2023 EU-RoK Summit, and marks a new chapter in strengthening our relations in geopolitical and security-related issues.

Security and Defence Partnership between the European Union and the Republic of Korea

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Virginia Company and Two Senior Executives Charged with Illegally Exporting Millions of Dollars of U.S. Technology to Russia

Monday, November 4, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Eleview International Inc., Oleg Nayandin, 54, of Fairfax, Virginia, and Vitaliy Borisenko, 39, of Vienna, Virginia, made their initial appearance today in the Eastern District of Virginia pursuant to a now unsealed complaint charging them with conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act.

"As alleged, the defendants  a Virginia company and two of its senior executives  conspired through three evasion schemes to circumvent the export restrictions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "U.S. companies are responsible for complying with laws that protect our national security. The National Security Division is committed to holding accountable individuals and companies who violate these laws and place financial profit over our collective security."

"This company allegedly used not one, not two, but three different schemes to illegally transship sensitive American technology to Russia," said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). "Today's charges, against both the company and two top executives, are a prime example of our work to bring to justice both the companies and the corporate executives alleged to have circumvented our rules in search of a fatter bottom line."

"We must not allow critical systems and technologies to be transferred to anyone who may use them against America and our global partners," said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. "Guarding against these transfers is imperative, and violations of the laws that protect our national security will be met with ardent prosecution."

"Export control evasion schemes put the American public at risk by concealing the true recipient," said Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon of Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. "In this instance, HSI, working in partnership with our colleagues at Department of Commerce's Office of Export Enforcement, uncovered this scheme was supporting a sanctioned country, thus threatening our national security and the safety of other countries. HSI is dedicated to preventing technology with military applications from falling into the wrong hands."

According to the complaint, between approximately March 2022 and June 2023, Eleview International Inc. (Eleview), allegedly a Virginia-based company that operated a freight consolidation and forwarding business; Nayandin, the owner, president, and CEO of Eleview; and Borisenko, who oversaw the day-to-day operations of Eleview's freight forwarding business, conspired to illegally export goods and technology from the United States to Russia by transshipping them through three countries bordering or near Russia.

As alleged, the defendants operated an e-commerce website that allowed Russian customers to order U.S. goods and technology directly from U.S. retailers, who shipped the items to Eleview's warehouse in Chantilly, Virginia. The defendants then consolidated the packages before shipping them to the Russian customers, often using other freight forwarders as intermediaries, in exchange for a fee. After the Department of Commerce imposed stricter export controls in response to Russia's further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the defendants began shipping items to purported end users in Turkey, Finland, and Kazakhstan, knowing that the items were ultimately destined for end users in Russia. To facilitate these illegal exports, the defendants made numerous false statements to the Department of Commerce and other freight forwarders about the end users and ultimate consignees of the items in these shipments.

As part of the conspiracy, the defendants engaged in three export-control evasion schemes, each specific to a different intermediary country. In the Turkey scheme, the defendants exported about $1.48 million worth of telecommunications equipment to a false end user in Turkey, knowing that the equipment was intended for a Russian telecommunications company that supplied the Russian government, including the Federal Security Service, or FSB. The telecommunications equipment that the defendants illegally exported as part of the Turkey scheme had military applications, including use by the Russian military to create and expand communication networks in its war effort against Ukraine.

In the Finland scheme, the defendants exported about $3.45 million worth of goods purchased to Russia through Eleview's e-commerce website to a false end user in Finland that neither purchased nor sold goods. Before consolidating the packages into larger pallets for shipment to Finland, the defendants affixed to each package a label with a Russian postal service tracking number so that the Russian postal service could easily ship the package to the customer in Russia. The goods that the defendants illegally exported as part of the Finland scheme included "high priority" items that the Department of Commerce has identified as particularly significant to Russian weaponry, including the same type of electronic component found on Russian "suicide" drones used to destroy Ukrainian tanks and jets.

In the Kazakhstan scheme, the defendants exported about $1.47 million worth of goods to Russia through an entity in Kazakhstan that advertises its ability to deliver goods to Russia. The goods that the defendants illegally exported as part of the Kazakhstan scheme included controlled dual-use items.

If convicted, Nayandin and Borisenko each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The BIS and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gavin R. Tisdale and Amanda St. Cyr for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Garrett Coyle of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case with past assistance provided by then-First Assistant U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh.

The case is being coordinated through the Justice and Commerce Departments' Disruptive Technology Strike Force and the Justice Department's Task Force KleptoCapture. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Justice and Commerce Departments designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia's unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Topic: National Security

Components: National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - Virginia, Eastern

Press Release Number: 24-1393

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russia Grants Citizenship To 3,344 Foreigners Under Ukraine Service Decree

By RFE/RL's Russian Service November 04, 2024

Russia has granted citizenship to 3,344 foreigners since the start of the year under a decree by President Vladimir Putin that allows passports to be issued to participants in the invasion of Ukraine and their family members.

Irina Volk, the official representative of the Russian Interior Ministry, announced the figures on November 4, although it remains unclear whether they only included passports issued to military personnel or also their relatives.

The decree permits citizenship for military personnel who sign a one-year contract with the Russian Army or pro-Russian military formations fighting in Ukraine, following a similar law enacted in 2022.

In parallel, Russia has implemented laws allowing for the revocation of citizenship from naturalized citizens who refuse military service registration.

Volk said earlier that 1,117 such naturalized Russians lost their citizenship in the first eight months of 2024.

Last month, the Interior Ministry began enforcing the law, significantly expanding the grounds for citizenship revocation.

To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-citizenship-foreigners- invasion-ukraine-war-volk/33186782.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Fresh Israeli strike targets positions in Syria, no casualties reported

Iran Press TV

Monday, 04 November 2024 6:39 PM

Israeli military aircraft have carried out another act of aggression against Syria, targeting positions on the outskirts of the capital Damascus as the regime continues its airstrikes on the country alongside its bloody onslaughts in Gaza and Lebanon.

Syria's official news agency SANA, citing a military source, reported that Israeli warplanes launched an assault from the direction of occupied Golan Heights at around 5:18 p.m. local time (1418 GMT) on Monday, targeting a number of civilian sites in the southern flank of Damascus.

The source added that the attack caused material damage in the targeted area.

Footage published by several media outlets showed dense smoke rising in the Sayyida Zainab suburb.

Mehdi Mahfouz, a 34-year-old resident of the area, said he "heard three successive explosions, one of which was very strong."

"Then I saw a large black cloud of smoke rising," Mahfouz added.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported at least three strikes in the area.

Israel launched relentless air and ground attacks on Gaza, including hospitals, residences, and houses of worship, after Palestinian resistance movements launched their surprise attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, against the regime on October 7, 2023.

At least 43,374 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed while another 102,261 individuals have sustained injuries.

According to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health, at least 2,986 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Arab country since October 2023, including 18 dead and 83 injured in the past 24 hours.

Israel frequently targets military positions inside Syria, especially those of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah which has played a key role in helping the Syrian army in its fight against foreign-backed terrorists.

The Tel Aviv regime rarely comments on its attacks on Syrian territories, which many see as a knee-jerk reaction to the Syrian government's phenomenal success in confronting and decimating terrorism.

Israel has been the principal supporter of terrorist groups that oppose the democratically-elected government of President Bashar al-Assad since the foreign-backed militancy erupted in Syria.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Taiwan Air Force kicks off annual Sky Dragon drills

ROC Central News Agency

11/04/2024 06:24 PM

Taipei, Nov. 4 (CNA) Taiwan's Air Force began its annual Tien Lung, or "Sky Dragon" drills Monday, following their postponement last week due to Typhoon Kong-rey.

The drills, which aim at testing pilots' air-to-air, air-to-sea, and air-to-ground combat skills in the main fighters in the Air Force's fleet -- F-16Vs, Mirage 2000-5s and Indigenous Defense Fighters -- will run through Friday, a military source previously told CNA.

In a social media post Monday, the Air Force said the first day of the exercises would focus on aerial interceptions and the use of its aerial gunnery target system, or AGTS.

Specifically, the drill will simulate pilots scrambling their aircraft on short notice, identifying and firing missiles at targets, and conducting mock "dogfights" with enemy aircraft, the Air Force said.

Other portions of the five-day drills will include dropping 25 lb. practice bombs, launching infrared homing missiles, quickly outfitting aircraft with munitions, and holding a shooting competition for Republic of China (Taiwan's official name) military police, the Air Force said.

(By Matt Yu, Joseph Yeh and Matthew Mazzetta)

Enditem/ls

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Lai praises progress on next-generation light frigate at keel-laying ceremony

ROC Central News Agency

11/04/2024 02:14 PM

Kaohsiung, Nov. 4 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te () praised the progress made in Taiwan's ongoing domestic shipbuilding project, while presiding over a keel-laying ceremony for an indigenous-built light frigate prototype in Kaohsiung on Monday.

Speaking at the ceremony held at Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Co.'s shipyard, Lai said it took the company about a year to reach the second phase of constructing the 2,500-ton light frigate prototype.

In November 2023, then-President Tsai Ing-wen () presided over a commencement ceremony for the anti-air light frigate prototype, according to Lai.

Monday marks a major milestone in the country's indigenous ship and aircraft construction project, Lai said.

He added that the project, initiated during Tsai's administration, has exemplified Taiwan's determination to defend itself while boosting the local defense industry's development.

According to Lai, the prototype is the first Republic of China Navy vessel classified as a "Tier 2," or second class, combat ship.

Once it enters service, the vessel will be equipped with domestically built anti-ship and anti-air missiles developed by the military's top research unit, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, and will be responsible for patrolling seas around the country, the president said.

Laying the keel or laying down is one of several celebrated events in the life of a ship, signifying a major progress in the vessel's construction. The other ceremonies normally include launching, commissioning and decommissioning.

The anti-air light frigate prototype is one of two being built by the Kaohsiung-based Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Co. The other is an anti-submarine prototype, both of which are scheduled to be delivered to the Navy by October 2026.

According to the Navy, the vessels will respond to situations in the "gray zone," patrol the Taiwan Strait, conduct reconnaissance and surveillance missions, escort transport ships and supplies to remote islands, secure sea lines of communication, and support military exercises and training.

Gray-zone tactics are generally defined as coercive actions that do not meet the threshold of conventional warfare. They can refer to Chinese aircraft flying maneuvers not far from Taiwan or China's use of fishing fleets to stake out waters at sea.

(By Chang Yi-lien and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ASG

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2024/11/05

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1. Date

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Monday to Tuesday, Nov. 4-5

2. PLA activities

20 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 16 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's central, southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.







NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

November 4, 2024

Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The leaders discussed the situation on the ground, and Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed Canada's commitment to providing military, financial, humanitarian, and other support to Ukraine until it achieves victory against Russia's unjustifiable war of aggression.

Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed Canada's support for President Zelenskyy's ongoing diplomatic efforts toward a just and sustainable peace. The two leaders also discussed Ukraine's victory plan, and the Prime Minister conveyed Canada's support for the plan's objectives.

The leaders condemned North Korea's troop deployment to support Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

The Prime Minister and the President noted the success of the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine's 10-Point Peace Formula, which was held last week in Montreal, Quebec. They highlighted the efforts made at the Conference to help return deported children, unlawfully detained civilians, and prisoners of war currently held by Russia, as well as to reintegrate them back into their daily lives in Ukraine.

The leaders agreed to remain in close and regular contact.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Taiwan agrees to contribute more funds to Ukraine reconstruction

ROC Central News Agency

11/04/2024 12:27 PM

Vilnius, Lithuania, Nov. 3 (CNA) Taiwan and Lithuania are set to work together on more reconstruction projects in war-torn Ukraine, the Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) has confirmed.

The CPMA said in a statement that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania on Oct. 30. As part of the agreement, Taiwan pledged to provide an additional US$5 million to work with the Lithuanian government to facilitate reconstruction work in Ukraine.

The Taiwanese funds will aim to support Ukraine's recovery efforts, specifically in education, the rehabilitation and reintegration of war veterans, and training in the safe handling of explosives and hazardous materials, the agency said.

The common efforts in rebuilding Ukraine are transforming devastated cities as well as the lives of Ukrainians, while more than 1,000 children have already returned to schools and kindergartens built as part of the Lithuania-Taiwan initiative, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Simonas Satunas said in the statement.

"With this new agreement, we will take another crucial step in renovating and modernizing rehabilitation centres for those who have bravely fought for Ukraine's freedom and the security of Europe," Satunas added.

It is the second MOU signed by Taiwan and the CPMA regarding the Lithuanian Fund for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid. So far, the fund has executed four projects supported by Taiwan, which has invested 4.85 million euros (US$5.28 million) into reconstruction work in Ukraine.

Through the Lithuanian Fund for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, schools and kindergartens in the Kyiv region have secured financial assistance which has facilitated more than 1,300 children returning to education, the CPMA said.

Among the projects, a school and a kindergarten in Borodyanka, near the capital, have been rebuilt, as has another kindergarten, named "Ruta," located in the northern city of Irpin.

In the statement, Lidija Kasubiene, Director of the CPMA, said the "Ruta" kindergarten, which was 75 percent destroyed, reopened in just eight months. Meanwhile, the rebuilt school in Borodyanka now has a bomb shelter with a capacity of 1,000 people and essential equipment.

"This MOU with Taiwan is not a single gesture of a goodwill; it's a sustained commitment to impactful collaboration with our partners that we deeply value," Kasubiene said.

According to the CPMA, the Taiwanese funds will significantly aid the development and implementation of reconstruction programs in Ukraine.

In response, Constance Wang (), head of the Taiwanese Representative office in Lithuania, said that given Ukraine is faced with unparalleled challenges after the Russian invasion, Taiwan has committed to supporting the country's recovery and reconstruction.

Wang added the new MOU underscored a belief in the transformative power of education and rehabilitation to rebuild lives and strengthen communities in Ukraine.

(By Yu Yao-ju and Frances Huang)

Enditem/kb

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






November 4, 2024

By Jim Garamone, DOD News

Pentagon Says 10K North Korean Troops in Kursk Oblast

There are 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk Oblast, and the Pentagon press secretary said if they enter combat, they are legitimate targets for Ukrainian soldiers.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder also said officials estimate there are now 11,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia. "We've seen the press reports about alleged [North Korean] combat ops, and we're looking into those," Ryder told reporters during a news conference. "At this point, we cannot corroborate those reports. But as you heard [Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III] say last week, should these troops engage in combat support operations against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets."

The North Korean troops entered Russia last month, and Russian troops are training those forces in infantry tactics, operating with unmanned aerial vehicles, artillery tactics, trench-clearing and the like, officials said. "All indications are that they will provide some type of combat or combat support capability," the general said. "We would fully expect that the Ukrainians would do what they need to do to defend themselves and their personnel."

The Russians have provided the North Korean troops with Russian uniforms and equipment.

"We'll see exactly how these forces are integrated into Russian operations, and how they're committed to the battlefield, assuming that they are replacements for Russian forces," he said.

Ryder pointed to Austin's remarks last week discussing the large number of casualties Russian forces are suffering. The North Korean forces could be coming in "to replace the massive losses that Russia is experiencing. I think that is probably a fair assessment, and I certainly would not want to be a North Korean soldier there."

Ryder also discussed the deployment of additional U.S. forces to the Central Command region. Austin ordered additional ballistic missile defense destroyers, fighter squadrons, tanker aircraft and several B-52 long-range strike bombers to the area.

The B-52 bombers have already arrived in the region with the other forces expected in the days and weeks to come. "These forces will begin to arrive as the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group prepares to depart," Ryder said. "These deployments are in keeping with our commitments to the protection of U.S. citizens and forces in the Middle East, the defense of Israel and de-escalation through deterrence and diplomacy."

These forces join other U.S. assets such as the terminal high-altitude area missile defense system, which has deployed to Israel, as well as an amphibious ready group, and a Marine Expeditionary Unit. These forces "demonstrate the flexible nature of U.S. global defense posture and U.S. capability to deploy worldwide on short notice to meet evolving national security threats," Ryder said. "Secretary Austin continues to make clear that should Iran, its partners or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every measure necessary to defend our people."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Nearly 1000 days of war and terror, but also nearly 1000 days of courage and humanity - Foreign Minister Baerbock is once again visiting Ukraine

Germany Federal Foreign Office

04.11.2024 - Article

It is the Foreign Minister's eighth visit since Russia launched its war of aggression against all of Ukraine. Read on to learn more about her trip.

These days, night-time temperatures in Ukraine's capital are again starting to fall below freezing. Ukraine's third winter since the beginning of the illegal war of aggression against the entire country is drawing near. For the third time, the country is worried about its energy infrastructure. During the last two winters, Russian rockets and drones repeatedly targeted the entire country's energy supply. That is why, this winter once again, people fear targeted strikes against combined heat and power plants, the water supply infrastructure and substations - in short, everything that keeps the country's heat, electricity and lights on during the cold months. Foreign Minister Baerbock:

With his war of attrition, Putin wants to break the people in Ukraine, to bring them to their knees with every attack. By hitting them right where they should be going about their normal lives: at home, at work, at school.

Russia will not achieve its goal; despite Russia's using the cold as a weapon of war, Ukrainians are courageously standing up to the pressure. Already during her past trips, the Foreign Minister witnessed people's impressive resilience first-hand as they keep rebuilding schools, hospitals and residential buildings, and Ukraine's energy infrastructure, in spite of the ongoing attacks. Recently, an important step has also been taken towards funding the country's particularly urgent needs: The G7 will use what are referred to as windfall profits from frozen Russian assets to back a 50 billion US dollar loan to Ukraine.

In addition to her political discussions, Foreign Minister Baerbock intends to use her current trip to speak with Ukrainian citizens, who for nearly 1000 days now have each in their own way been courageously standing up for a future for their country in peace and security, as well as supporting one another. The Foreign Minister's most important message to them during her visit is:

We are countering this brutality with our humanity and support - not only so that the Ukrainian people can survive the winter but also so that their country can continue to exist. For they are also defending the freedom of all of us in Europe.

Beyond our energy assistance - our "winter defence shield" for Ukraine - another key priority is strengthening the country's air defence. For the Foreign Minister, it is clear that repairs, solar modules and generators will not be of any use if they are left defenceless against the next barrage of missiles. Her trip will therefore also be an opportunity to identify areas in which the international community can continue to provide tailored support.

Putin's aim was to drive a deeper wedge between Ukraine and its European neighbours. This is not going to plan. On the contrary - Ukraine has already implemented important reforms. The European Commission has acknowledged this progress in its Ukraine Report, also with a view to EU enlargement. One of the reasons the Foreign Minister is currently visiting Kyiv is to assure Ukrainians that Germany will continue to stand right by their country's side as it resolutely continues down the road toward EU membership.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Minister of National Defence L. Kasciunas met with Minister of Defence of Ukraine R. Umerov in Kyiv

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2024-11-04

International cooperation

Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasciunas is conducting a visit to Kyiv where he has met with Minister of Defence of Ukraine Rustem Umerov and other officials of the country. The meeting primarily revolved around Lithuanian's assistance to Ukraine and the most pressing current issues to Ukraine.

"Minister R. Umerov and I have discussed military aid to Ukraine, situation on the frontlines, the types of assistance needed the most at the moment and if there was anything else we could do. Lithuania is rendering uninterrupted assistance to Ukraine and we are not stopping. Just last week, Ukraine received a shipment of mortar mines, power generators and other assistance from Lithuania, with thermal imagers, drones and other equipment virtual on the battlefield on a daily basis about to be dispatched shortly," said Minister of National Defence L. Kasciunas.

Since the start of the war of aggression, Lithuania has rendered Ukraine military assistance worth of over EUR 705 million. Lithuania's overall support to Ukraine for the long-haul has exceeded EUR 1 billion so far.

Other themes addressed at the meeting were Lithuania's ongoing drone development programme and Lithuania learning from Ukraine's expertise and lessons learned, as well as the aim to develop drone industry capabilities. Lithuania has allocated additional EUR 10 million for acquiring different type of drones from Lithuanian manufacturers for Ukraine next year.

Also, Lithuania plans dedicating EUR 30 million for the Demining Coalition next year, as well as to contribute to the continued artillery initiative of the Czech Republic and invest in Ukraine's defence industry. Lithuania and Ukraine collaborate on countermobility which helps Lithuania learn from Ukraine's experience.

The meeting was wrapped with a signature of a Memorandum of Understanding on defence industry cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania and the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine in order to support production of weapons and ammunition and implementation of other defence industry projects.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Number Of North Korean Troops In Kursk Grows To 11,000, Zelenskiy Says

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service November 04, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on November 4 that 11,000 North Korean troops had reached Russia's Kursk region, according to Kyiv's intelligence agencies.

Zelenskiy said in his evening address that he had been briefed by Ukraine's intelligence agencies on the movements and regretted that Western allies have not reacted more firmly.

"There are already 11,000 (North Koreans) in the Kursk region," Zelenskiy said. "We see an increase in North Koreans and no increase in the reaction of our partners. Unfortunately."

According to estimates of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry, the number of North Korean troops transferred to Russia is now about 12,000, including 500 officers, three of them generals.

The Pentagon on November 4 estimated the number of North Korean troops in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine slightly lower, at 10,000.

The total number of North Korean forces in Russia "could be closer to around 11,000-12,000," Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told reporters at a briefing.

Top U.S. officials last week put the number of North Korean soldiers in Kursk -- where Ukrainian troops control several hundred square kilometers of Russian territory after launching a ground offensive in August -- at about 8,000 out of a total of 10,000 in Russia.

Ryder said the Pentagon could not at this point confirm reports that they had entered combat, but all North Korean forces are being issued Russian uniforms and Russian equipment.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on October 31 that the troops were expected to be deployed into combat in the coming days. He said they would become legitimate military targets once they entered the battlefield.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell met earlier on November 4 in Seoul with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. They issued a joint statement condemning in the "strongest possible terms" North Korea's deployment.

"We are also deeply concerned about the possibility for any transfer of nuclear- or ballistic missile-related technology to [North Korea], which would jeopardize the international nonproliferation efforts and threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the globe," the statement said.

North Korea and Russia haven't confirmed the North Korean deployment, but they have argued that their military cooperation doesn't break international laws.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui on November 4 in Moscow. State television showed them greeting each other.

Details of the meeting were not available, but Choe conveyed "sincere, warm, comradely greetings" from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-kursk-north- korea-troops/33187749.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Early Peace Plan Shows Russia's Intent To Neutralize Ukraine

By Yelizaveta Surnacheva and Systema November 04, 2024

Early in peace talks that began days after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow proposed a treaty whose one-sided conditions amounted to Kyiv's surrender, according to a draft obtained by Systema, RFE/RL's Russian investigative unit.

Acceptance of the proposal would have left Ukraine a neutral nation with a tiny, toothless army, no recourse to protection by NATO states, and no chance of regaining control over Crimea or the Donbas, where it would have had to recognize the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in their entirety, including the large portions still under Kyiv's control at the time.

The proposed pact sheds light on Russian President Vladimir Putin's goals in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, none of which he has publicly renounced, and which he has repeatedly asserted will be achieved. It comes as the all-out war heads toward its fourth year with no clear sign of an end in sight but amid indications that peace talks could potentially be in the cards in 2025 or later.

The draft -- titled Treaty On The Resolution Of The Situation In Ukraine And The Neutrality Of Ukraine -- is dated March 7, 2022, 11 days after Russia launched the invasion and a week after talks between Ukraine and Russia began.

Composed in Moscow and handed to the Ukrainian delegation that day, at the third round of talks, in a town in the Belavezha forest in Belarus, it is the first known document laying out Russia's conditions for a peace deal after the start of the full-scale invasion.

Systema obtained the draft from a Ukrainian source familiar with the negotiations, and a Russian source close to the talks confirmed its authenticity. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

The talks began on February 28, 2022, at a time when Russian forces had seized swaths of territory in the south, east, and north of Ukraine, where they had advanced close to Kyiv after pouring across the border from Russia and Belarus. Some sessions were held in person, others online.

The process petered out in late April of the same year, as the sides wrangled over major points of dispute and following revelations of atrocities committed by Russian soldiers in Bucha, a city outside Kyiv that the invading forces had abandoned as they withdrew from northern Ukraine after failing to capture the capital or force Ukraine's capitulation.

'Not Neutrality, But Neutralization'

The Russian proposal sets out terms for Ukraine's neutrality, a status Kyiv appeared ready to accept at the time. But Eric Ciaramella, a senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that Putin seems to have been seeking "something more radical -- not neutrality, but the neutralization of Ukraine as an independent state. Russia's goal from the very beginning was to destroy Ukraine's ability to defend itself."

A country "can be neutral and have a very strong army and be capable of self-defense.... But that's not what Russia had in mind here," he said.

"The document was structured as if Ukraine were the aggressor defeated on the battlefield, which, of course, did not reflect reality," Ciaramella said of the Russian draft dated March 7, 2022, which he read at Systema's request. "It's hard to say whether this was a genuine attempt to negotiate, as such terms would be unacceptable to any Ukrainian. They would have neutralized Ukraine to the point of making it defenseless."

The draft called for Ukraine to shrink its army to no more than 50,000 personnel, about five times fewer than it had in 2022, and would have barred Ukraine from developing or deploying missiles with a range of over 250 kilometers. Moscow would have been able to prohibit other types of weapons in the future.

It also called for the removal of all sanctions imposed on Russia by Ukraine or the West since 2014, when Russia seized Crimea and fomented war in the Donbas.

Ukraine would have been forced to formally recognize Crimea as Russian and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent. Kyiv would have had to pay for reconstruction in the Donbas.

'Deeply Erroneous Logic'

The pact would have left a truncated Ukraine highly vulnerable, with Russian forces remaining in place and no way for Kyiv to defend itself or seek Western security support.

Documents from later stages of the talks, including treaty drafts from March 17 and April 15 that were published by The New York Times earlier this year, show that the sides drew closer on some issues as the talks progressed -- and as Ukraine beat back Moscow's forces in the north.

Crimea's status would have been left for future negotiations, for example, and Russian demands for changes in legislation involving languages and thorny historical disputes faded into the background. Crucially, the sides were discussing security guarantees for Ukraine that would include Western nations, though how they would work was a major bone of contention.

However, Ciaramella suggested that in fundamental ways, little had changed.

"The versions discussed a few weeks later in Istanbul and at virtual sessions were still based on the deeply erroneous Russian logic that permeated the initial text," he told Systema. "Had the treaty been signed, its final form in April would have been merely a softer version of Ukrainian capitulation."

The subsequent drafts still included some of Russia's key demands, such as a permanent bar on NATO membership for Ukraine, something that neither Kyiv nor the Western alliance is prepared to accept. NATO has repeatedly said that Ukraine will eventually join, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been seeking a swift invitation as part of a "victory plan" he has presented to Ukrainians and the country's backers abroad in recent weeks.

In at least one way, meanwhile, Russia's stated conditions for peace have grown more aggressive than they were on March 7, 2022.

In September of that year, Putin claimed that five Ukrainian regions - Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson -- were now inalienable parts of Russia. The baseless claim included the portions of those regions that remained, and still remain, in Kyiv's hands, and Putin has said that Russian control over those territories is a requirement for any peace negotiations.

Adapted from the original Russian by Steve Gutterman

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-peace-deal-putin- draft-treaty/33183664.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






EU, Seoul Condemn North Korean Involvement In Russia's War In Ukraine

By RFE/RL November 04, 2024

The European Union and South Korea condemned "in the strongest possible terms" North Korea's transfer of weapons to Russia and the deployment of special forces to help the Kremlin with its "unlawful war of aggression" against Ukraine.

The statement came after the bloc's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, and his South Korean counterpart, Cho Tae-yul, met in Seoul on November 4 as fears grow over Pyongyang's role in the war triggered by Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"This constitutes a serious breach of international law, including the most fundamental principles of the UN Charter," the statement said.

"Such cooperation between the DPRK (North Korea) and Russia is not only in flagrant violation of multiple UNSC resolutions, but it also prolongs the suffering of the Ukrainian people and threatens the security of the world, including that of the Republic of Korea and Europe."

After weeks of intelligence reports warning that thousands of North Korean troops were heading to Russia, confirmation from the NATO military alliance came late last month that Pyongyang's soldiers are not only on Russian soil but have already been deployed in a western region bordering Ukraine.

The Kremlin has neither denied nor directly confirmed the presence of North Korean troops on its soil.

The deployment not only raised fears of a potential escalation of the war in Ukraine, but sent shock waves through the Indo-Pacific region over what the Kremlin may be supplying Pyongyang in return.

"We are closely monitoring what Russia provides to the DPRK in return for its provision of arms and military personnel, including Russia's possible provision of materials and technology to the DPRK in support of Pyongyang's military objectives," the joint EU-South Korean statement said.

"We are also deeply concerned about the possibility for any transfer of nuclear or ballistic-missile-related technology to the DPRK, which would jeopardize the international nonproliferation efforts and threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the globe," it added.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/north-korea-russia-war-eu-south- condemn/33187595.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Germany's Baerbock In Kyiv As Russia Pounds Ukraine's Infrastructure

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service November 04, 2024

KYIV -- German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met with Ukrainian officials on November 4 in Kyiv where she arrived in a show of support for Ukraine as Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine nears the 1,000-day mark amid daily strikes on the war-wracked country's infrastructure and heavy fighting in the east.

"Germany, together with many partners around the world, stands firmly by Ukraine's side," Baerbock said upon arrival on her eighth visit since the start of the war.

"We will support the Ukrainians for as long as they need us so that they can follow their path to a just peace," she said after arriving in Kyiv by train.

Baerbock's visit comes as Ukrainians face the prospect of a third winter of war amid energy shortages and the reported arrival of North Korean troops to fight on Russia's side.

"Almost 1,000 days of rocket attacks, wailing sirens and the noise of tanks. Almost 1,000 days of power cuts, collapse of heating systems, and countless missed lessons," Baerbock said in a separate statement.

"For almost 1,000 days now, Putin's war has been shaking the everyday life of Ukrainians to the core - yet not their courage and their hope of a life in safety in a free Ukraine," she said.

"We are countering this brutality with our humanity and support -- not only so that the Ukrainian people can survive the winter but also so that their country can continue to exist."

Russia on November 4 launched 80 drones and several missiles and guided aerial bombs in another massive attack on 11 Ukrainian regions, Ukraine's air force reported, adding that its air-defense systems shot down 50 over the Kyiv, Sumy, Odesa, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Zhytomyr, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Kirovohrad regions.

It said that another 27 drones were lost in various parts of Ukraine.

Separately, Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff, warned North Korea in a message on Telegram.

"North Korean military will die in Kursk region, because they, like the Russian army, pose a threat to Ukraine. They are present there and, of course, they will die," Yermak said on November 4.

Zelenskiy has criticized Ukraine's Western allies for their muted response to the reported deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers to the eastern Russian region of Kursk, where Ukrainian troops in August launched a surprise offensive.

However, on November 4, Zelenskiy sounded some optimism about weapons and ammunition deliveries from Ukraine's allies after a meeting with General Oleksandr Syrskiy, the commander in chief of Ukraine's forces, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

"There have been significant improvements in partner supplies to the front line, with an increase in deliveries under support packages. Artillery supplies have also seen marked improvements," Zelenskiy wrote on X.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/baerbock- germany-ukraine-visit/33186534.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (4 November 2024)

04.11.2024

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region.

The Sever Group of Forces continued offensive actions, inflicted fire damage on units of 21st, 22nd, 41st, and 115th mechanised brigades, the 17th Tank Brigade, 82nd and 95th air assault brigades, the 36th Marine Brigade, 112th and 129th territorial defence brigades near Daryino, Leonidovo, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Novoivanovka, and Plyokhovo.

The Group's units repelled two enemy counter-attacks in the direction of Novoivanovka, and thwarted AFU attacks in the direction of Leonidovo and Plyokhovo. The AFU losses were up to 30 troops killed and wounded, and two motor vehicles.

Army Aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on clusters of manpower and hardware of 21st, 22nd, 41st, 47th, and 61st mechanised brigades, the 17th Tank Brigade, 80th and 95th air assault brigades, the 36th Marine Brigade as well as the 1st Special Operations Brigade, 112th, 129th territorial defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the 17th National Guard Brigade of Ukraine near Bogdanovka, Bondarevka, Guyevo, Daryino, Kazachaya Loknya, Kolmakov, Kruglenkoye, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Martynovka, Nizhny Klin, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Nikolsky, Novoivanovka, Novy Put, Plyokhovo, Sverdlikovo, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye.

Operational-Tactical Aviation and missile troops delivered strikes at concentration areas in Sumy region and reserves of 22nd, 47th, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 82nd and 95th air assault brigades, the 1st Special Operations Brigade, 106th and 129th territorial defence brigades near Belovody, Zhuravka, Kiyanitsa, Miropolye, Obody, Pavlovka, and Khoten.

In the past 24 hours, the AFU have lost more than 350 troops, four tanks, four U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, one armoured personnel carrier, and 15 armoured fighting vehicles as well as four artillery guns, two mortars, one Osa anti-aircraft missile system, 23 motor vehicles, and one piece of engineering equipment.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 29,600 troops, 184 tanks, 106 infantry fighting vehicles, 107 armoured personnel carriers, 1,078 armoured fighting vehicles, 808 motor vehicles, 259 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers, including 11 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 11 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 59 EW stations, 12 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 26 units of engineering and other materiel, including 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, five armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Finnish Defense Minister Says More EU Funding for Ukraine Needed Through Taxes

Sputnik News

20241104

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The European Union will need to find more funds "in the wallets of European taxpayers" to support Ukraine if assistance from the United States weakens, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said on Monday.

He added that now was not the time for "war fatigue."

"This means that more funds need to be found in the wallets of European taxpayers to support Ukraine," Hakkanen told Finnish broadcaster when commenting on the potential decline in support for Kiev from Washington after the US presidential election.

In October, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said in an interview that the West was getting tired of supporting Ukraine, hoping for some form of resolution to the ongoing conflict.

Western countries have ramped up their military and financial aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. Russia has repeatedly said that arms supplies to Ukraine hinder the conflict settlement and directly involve NATO countries in the conflict.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Military Support, Investments in Ukraine's Defense, and Protection of Energy Facilities: President Meets with Annalena Baerbock

President of Ukraine

4 November 2024 - 21:24

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock, who is visiting Ukraine for the eighth time since the beginning of full-scale Russian aggression.

"We are glad to welcome you to Ukraine. Not for the first time during this war. We are very grateful for your diplomatic support. We feel and hear your voice," the Head of State said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the significant military and financial assistance to Ukraine from the German government.

"We are counting on increased defense support from Germany next year, which is critically important for our victory," he emphasized.

The President provided a detailed overview of the frontline situation and the priority defense needs of Ukrainian warriors. The meeting focused on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the procurement of weapons from Ukrainian manufacturers.

They also discussed the Victory Plan, which Volodymyr Zelenskyy has presented to the leaders of the partner nations, and its implementation.

Additionally, the parties exchanged views on implementing the Peace Formula and preparations for the second Peace Summit.

Other important topics discussed at the meeting included challenges ahead of winter, in particular strengthening air defense and ways to protect Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






We're Seeing an Increase in the Number of North Koreans, Not an Increase in Our Partners' Response - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

4 November 2024 - 20:38

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

Briefly about this day.

Military briefings were given by Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, Chief of the General Staff Barhylevych, and Ukraine's Defense Minister Umerov. The current combat situation across all fronts was discussed, with particular attention, of course, to the Donetsk directions. Although we are also seeing Russian activity in the south of Ukraine. The Defense Forces must ensure a response. Today, we discussed the Kursk operation separately. It will soon be three months of our active operations in the Kursk region. And this is important, as we keep this "sanitary zone" in designated areas near our state border. It is essential to recognize the significance of this operation - Kursk operation - in replenishing our "exchange fund." It helped a lot to liberate our people from Russian captivity. I thank all the soldiers, sergeants, and officers involved in our active operations in the Kursk region. Today, there was also a separate report from the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine and the Foreign Intelligence Service on the North Korean troops in the territory of Russia. There are already 11,000 of them in the Kursk region. We are seeing an increase in North Koreans but, unfortunately, not an increase in our partners' response.

Today, I also held a meeting of the Staff. A key issue discussed was air defense. Everyone can see how much more the Russians are using "Shaheds" and aerial bombs. This terror is increasing every month. We need more countermeasures. This includes strengthening mobile fire groups, introducing the real practice of shooting down "Shaheds" with drones, and developing our forces in such a way as to finally solve the problem of Russian aerial bombs. There are urgent decisions that need to be implemented. And there are also more strategic matters that will be taken into account in Ukraine's internal Strengthening Plan, in the relevant defense clause. Today, there were also many questions about increasing the production of our weapons, primarily drones and missiles. We are expanding contracts for Ukrainian manufacturers and creating long-term opportunities for them to produce these weapons and invest in developing such manufacturing. Relevant instructions have been given to the Defense Minister and the Staff.

And a few more things.

I had a conversation with the President of Moldova. I congratulated Maia Sandu on winning the election and, in general, on the fact that Moldova's commitment to true sovereignty has stood the test. For all the countries in our region, real security, real social justice, and real poverty alleviation are only possible through true integration into the common European space. The European Union is a global actor, one of the most attractive markets in the world, and a genuine defender of human rights and opportunities for every community. Of course, there are various internal issues and contradictions in Europe as well. But a choice - when it is a European choice - is always a choice in favor of a normal life. Something that has never existed and will never exist under regimes like the one in Moscow. Therefore, it is important that Moldova remains with Europe, and we in Ukraine are always ready to support our friends on the path of integration.

Today I spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. I thanked him for supporting our country and our people. Recently, our team presented the details of the Victory Plan in Canada. Canada supports the Victory Plan - both the motives of Ukraine and the urgency of this plan. I thanked him for the conference held in Canada on the return of all our prisoners and deportees. Adults and children.

I also had a meeting in Kyiv with German Foreign Minister Baerbock. I thanked her for all of Germany's support for Ukraine. We discussed the current situation in Europe as a whole and in our region, focusing on how to put pressure on Russia to bring peace closer.

And one more thing. Today is a professional holiday for almost two hundred thousand Ukrainians - all employees of Ukrainian Railways. I had the opportunity to congratulate them and thank them. Please, let's not forget to always express gratitude to people like them - those who work in such essential sectors that keep everything else in the country running. I am proud of our people!

Glory to Ukraine!

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Support for the Victory Plan, Montreal Conference Outcomes, and the Dispatch of the First NASAMS Air Defense System: President Holds Phone Call with Canada's Prime Minister

President of Ukraine

4 November 2024 - 18:35

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The President expressed gratitude for organizing the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Peace Formula, which took place in Montreal on October 30-31.

"I'm grateful to you, Justin, to your team, and to everyone involved for successfully hosting the thematic conference on the fourth point of the Peace Formula, 'Release of Prisoners and Deported Persons.' The next stage is to prepare a final document - the Peace Plan - summarizing the outcomes of all thematic conferences," said the President.

The leaders discussed cooperation on organizing the Second Peace Summit and engaging countries from the Global South in this effort.

Justin Trudeau reaffirmed his support for the Victory Plan, which the Ukrainian delegation presented to the Prime Minister of Canada on the sidelines of the conference upon the instructions of Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Prime Minister announced the dispatch of the first NASAMS air defense system, ordered by Canada, which is expected to arrive in Ukraine by the end of this year.

The leaders also discussed continued defense support for Ukraine and the battlefield situation, specifically North Korea's involvement in the war.

They also coordinated cooperation in the framework of Canada's upcoming presidency of the G7 next year.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






German foreign minister pledges Ukraine support in Kyiv visit

By VOA News November 04, 2024

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock pledged her country's support for Ukraine during a visit Monday to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian leaders.

Baerbock said Ukraine needs support amid Russian airstrikes as its heads into another winter season, and with the added threat of North Korean military support for Russia.

"We are countering this brutality with our humanity and support, so that Ukrainians can not only survive the winter, but so that their country can survive. Because they are also defending the freedom of all of us in Europe," Baerbock said.

Ukraine's military said Monday the country's air defenses shot down 50 of the 80 drones that Russian forces used in overnight attacks targeting areas across the country.

The intercepts took place over the Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy and Zhytomyr regions, the Ukrainian air force said.

Officials in Kharkiv reported Monday that Russian aerial attacks injured at least 13 people.

In Kyiv, officials said falling debris from downed drones sparked several fires in the Ukrainian capital.

Russia's Defense Ministry said Monday it shot down one Ukrainian drone over the Belgorod region that sits along the Russia-Ukraine border.

Some information for this report was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






At UN, US confronts Russia over North Korean troops for Ukraine

By Margaret Besheer November 04, 2024

Russia refused to confirm its plans for North Korean troops it reportedly plans to deploy in its fight against Ukraine, during a confrontation with the United States Monday at the U.N. Security Council.

"I heard the statement [of the Russian envoy], as did others in this room, but the one question still remains that that statement does not address, and that is whether there are DPRK troops on the ground in Russia," U.S. Deputy U.N. Ambassador Robert Wood told council members, using the abbreviation for North Korea's formal name.

"And my question still stands, and I hope that the Russian Federation will answer that simple question," he said.

Wood was referring to intelligence indicating that an estimated 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia for training and deployment to fight alongside the Kremlin's troops in Ukraine, with some of the North Koreans believed to be heading to Ukraine in the coming days.

"We're not in a court here, and the question of the United States, in the spirit of an interrogation, is not something I intend to answer," said Russian Deputy Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva.

U.S. officials estimate that more than a half-million Russian troops have been killed or wounded in Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale illegal invasion on February 24, 2022. Russia, they say, is now turning to pariah state North Korea to bolster its forces.

Ambassador Wood said the Russians have trained the North Koreans in artillery and drone operations, and basic infantry operations.

"The nature of the training Russia is providing to these forces, to include trench clearing, indicates Russia intends to use these forces in front line operations," he said.

South Korea's envoy said Pyongyang is acting in a "more desperate and dangerous" way recently, including the blowing up of rail and road links between the two neighbors.

"And now the desperate DPRK is demanding more sacrifices from its own people by dispatching troops to Russia," said Ambassador JoonKook Hwang.

William Pomeranz, a senior scholar at the Kennan Institute, told VOA Monday that it is unclear how experienced and professional the North Korean troops are.

"And we don't know how they will react when faced in combat positions. They have not been basically in a war for a long time," he said. "So, whether the North Koreans have the ability and the equipment to maintain, to keep in the battlefield, is an open question."

Western nations have questioned what the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will get in return from Moscow for its troops. There are concerns it could include advanced military technology, possibly for its illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programs, in addition to economic or other support.

"North Korea could benefit politically or diplomatically," Naoko Aoki, a political scientist at RAND Corporation told VOA. "And this is a little bit more vague than the other more tangible support, but it is nevertheless important, because Russia, as it has been doing, can shield North Korea in the U.N. Security Council so that North Korea is not faced with further sanctions for its nuclear and missile development, for example, and also basically help [it] over the long run."

She said that would support the Kim regime's goal of remaining in power and increasing its influence on the Korean Peninsula.

On March 28, Moscow took one such step to shield Pyongyang, using its Security Council veto to shut down the panel that monitors implementation of the council's sanctions on North Korea  sanctions that Russia previously voted for.

Ballistic missile launch

The Security Council met Monday to discuss Pyongyang's October 30 missile launch of a solid fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

"The latest ICBM is estimated to have landed in the waters near Japan, around only 200 kilometers from the island of Hokkaido," Japan's ambassador, Yamazaki Kazuyuki told the council. "This ICBM launch is more threatening than ever, as it reached a height of over 7,000 kilometers and a flight time of about 86 minutes  the highest and longest length trajectory of any missile that North Korea has launched to date."

He said its estimated range capability of 15,000 kilometers covers three quarters of the planet, making it the gravest threat yet from North Korea.

North Korea's ambassador dismissed the council's meeting as "unlawful" and interference in its domestic affairs.

"Like all strategic weapons tests we have conducted so far, the test launching of our ICBM Hwasong-19 this time, is a part of the exercise of the just and legitimate right to self-defense to reliably safeguard security of our state as well peace of the region involved," said Ambassador Kim Song.

Russia sides with North Korea

"The aim of convening a meeting is the same every time, to make yet another step towards demonizing the DPRK," said Ambassador Evstigneeva. She blamed the United States for ratcheting up tension on the peninsula because of its recent military exercises with South Korea.

South Korea's ambassador questioned the timing of the latest launch and strongly condemned it.

"Its intention could be to distract the world's attention from its troops in Russia, demonstrate themselves as larger than life, or gain diplomatic leverage amid the U.S. presidential election," said Ambassador Hwang.

"Regardless of the intention, it was clearly an attempt to advance its missile technology, which makes the launch another flagrant violation of multiple Security Council resolutions," he said.

VOA's Kim Lewis contributed reporting for this story.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Australia to boost Ukraine's maritime defences

The Hon Richard Marles MP

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Defence

5 November 2024

Australia will gift 14 rigid hull boats to Ukraine, underscoring the Albanese Government's ongoing commitment to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia's illegal invasion.

The latest round of military support, valued at $14 million, will bolster Ukraine's maritime and coastal defence, which has been an important operational domain for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

These Australian Defence Force sea boats will provide a fast and highly manoeuvrable maritime capability for Ukraine.

This announcement builds on previous contributions to Ukraine's maritime capability, including Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats, as announced by the Deputy Prime Minister during a visit to Ukraine earlier this year.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Australia has provided more than $1.3 billion in military support, and more than $1.5 billion in overall support to the government of Ukraine.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

"Australia remains firmly committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. This is in Australia's interests, and is the right thing to do.

"Ukraine has demonstrated its ability to thwart Russia's continued attacks from the Black Sea.

"We are proud to contribute to these vital maritime defences with this new package."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






SAN DIEGO, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dicello Levitt LLP announces that it has launched an investigation into whether PACS Group, Inc. (PACS or the Company) (NYSE: PACS) complied with federal securities laws. The Firms investigation focuses on whether the Company violated the federal securities laws, issued false and/or misleading statements, and/or failed to disclose information required to be disclosed to investors.

Investors who purchase PACS securities and those with information about the allegations are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the Firms investigation by contacting DiCello Levitt attorneys Brian OMara or Hani Farah by calling (888) 287-9005 or emailing investors@dicellolevitt.com. Those who inquire by email are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

No Case Has Been Filed and No Class Has Been Certified. Until a case is filed and a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice.

Investigation Details:

PACS is a Utah-based operator of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), which typically serve patients who need additional help recuperating from acute conditions, illnesses, or serious medical procedures after they have been discharged from the hospital but still require 24-hour in-patient services. Since 2019, PACS has grown its SNFs portfolio by 240% by adding over 145 locations. Since April 11, 2024, when PACS issued its initial public offering (IPO), its stock price has risen ~104%, making it one of the most successful IPOs of 2024.

On November 4, 2024, Hindenburg Research published a critical research report titled PACS Group: How To Become A Billionaire In The Skilled Nursing Industry By Systematically Scamming Taxpayers, alleging, among other things, that it revealed that PACS turnaround strategy largely boils down to systematically scamming taxpayer-funded healthcare programs. According to the report, Hindenburg Research claims that the alleged fraud, abuse of a COVID-era waiver that enabled inappropriate access to skilled care Medicare benefits, and improper billing and staffing schemes is confirmed as a result of a five-month investigation, through interviews with former employees and competitors, and an analysis of 900+ detailed facility-level cost reports.

In response to the Hindenburg Research report, shares of PACS plummeted approximately 27% to close at $31.01 per share on November 4, 2024.

About DiCello Levitt

At DiCello Levitt, we are dedicated to achieving justice for our clients through class action, business-to-business, public client, whistleblower, personal injury, civil and human rights, and mass tort litigation. Our lawyers are highly respected for their ability to litigate and win cases  whether by trial, settlement, or otherwise  for people who have suffered harm, global corporations that have sustained significant economic losses, and public clients seeking to protect their citizens rights and interests. Every day, we put our reputations  and our capital  on the line for our clients.

DiCello Levitt has achieved top recognition as Plaintiffs Firm of the Year and Trial Innovation Firm of the Year by the National Law Journal, in addition to its top-tier Chambers and Benchmark ratings. The New York Law Journal also recently recognized DiCello Levitt as a Distinguished Leader in trial innovation. For more information about the Firm, including recent trial victories and case resolutions, please visit www.dicellolevitt.com.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Media Contact

Amy Coker

4747 Executive Drive, Suite 240

San Diego, CA 92121

619-963-2426

investors@dicellolevitt.com




Photo Courtesy of Dr. Venesia Williams

NEW YORK, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ambassador Dr. Venesia Williams has received a 2024 Global Recognition Award for her contributions to international community empowerment and educational advancement. The recognition acknowledges her work through The Empowerment Club Ltd and her position as Global Mindset Ambassador. Her initiatives demonstrate significant market impact and community engagement results.

Leadership and Professional Excellence

As Deputy President of The International Women's Council, Dr. Williams develops female leadership initiatives through strategic programs. Her radio show, Venesia Williams Empowers, connects with international audiences to promote social development. The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient guides initiatives that advance gender equality and social justice.

Dr. Williams established The Power of Love Ministry and the Empowering Women to Win Network to implement effective community development methods. Her organizations focus on practical leadership development and sustainable community improvement. "We build frameworks that enable individuals to create positive change in their communities," states Dr. Williams.

Educational Innovation

Dr. Williams manages international affairs and graduate programs at a prominent Christian university in the United Kingdom. Her curriculum development and educational technology implementation received high ratings from industry experts. She strengthens global Christian education through partnerships with theological seminaries worldwide.

Her mentorship programs demonstrate consistent effectiveness in student support and teaching quality. Dr. Williams holds qualifications in Christian Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Female Leadership. "Our curriculum and technology implementations improve learning access for diverse communities worldwide," Dr. Williams notes.

Recognition and Impact

The selection committee recognized Dr. Williams's contributions across multiple fields, noting her service impact and technological advancement achievements. Her methods have shown measurable results in creating positive social change. She combines spiritual guidance with practical empowerment strategies to improve communities worldwide.

Alex Sterling, spokesperson for Global Recognition Awards, offered this assessment: "Dr. Venesia Williams meets our highest standards for excellence in global leadership. Her integration of spiritual guidance with practical empowerment strategies demonstrates the caliber of leadership we aim to recognize. The measurable impact of her work reflects the standards expected of our award recipients."

About Global Recognition Awards

Global Recognition Awards is an international organization that recognizes exceptional companies and individuals who have significantly contributed to their industry.

Spokesperson: Alex Sterling

Name of Company: Global Recognition Awards

Website: https://globalrecognitionawards.org/

Email Address: alex@globalrecognitionawards.org



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/01bf42ce-cc18-475b-b68b-96ba6f034b60
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is investigating potential violations of U.S. federal securities laws involving PACS Group, Inc. (NYSE: PACS) focused on whether the company and certain of its top executives made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose material information to investors.

If you have information that could assist in the PACS Group Investigation or if you are a PACS Group investor who suffered a loss and would like to learn more, you can provide your information here:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-pacs-group-inc-investigation-pacs.html

You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at info@rgrdlaw.com.

THE COMPANY: PACS Group operates skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities in the United States.

THE REVELATION: On November 4, 2024, Hindenburg Research published a report entitled PACS Group: How To Become A Billionaire In The Skilled Nursing Industry By Systematically Scamming Taxpayers. Following the reports publication, PACS Groups stock price fell by nearly 28%.

ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the worlds leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud cases. Our Firm has been #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for six out of the last ten years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. We recovered $6.6 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases  over $2.2 billion more than any other law firm in the last four years. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs firms in the world and the Firms attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest securities class action recovery ever  $7.2 billion  in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.

Contact:

Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal

655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101

800-449-4900

info@rgrdlaw.com
ARVADA, Colo., Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, the internationally renowned cryptocurrency exchange DIGZAX announced its global expansion strategy aimed at penetrating emerging markets and enhancing its business coverage and international influence. This initiative marks the further commitment of DIGZAX to the international market while showcasing its success in strategic positioning and market operations. As the heart of this expansion strategy, Fergus Kane, the founder and CEO of DIGZAX, has once again become a focal point in the industry.





Fergus not only possesses a robust financial background but is also a pioneer in the realm of cryptocurrency. He graduated from Harvard University, and later achieved significant success at top financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan on Wall Street. However, he did not confine himself to traditional finance; instead, he keenly recognized the vast potential within crypto finance.

After extensive research into the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors, Fergus identified numerous pressing issues facing cryptocurrency exchanges. In response, he decided to establish DIGZAX, a user-centric trading platform that emphasizes security and compliance. Since its inception in 2019, DIGZAX has rapidly secured a significant position in the global market, thanks to its innovative technology applications and high-quality user experience.

According to the recently announced global expansion plan of DIGZAX, the platform will first solidify its leadership in the Asia-Pacific market before gradually extending its reach into Latin America. Fergus stated that both regions are experiencing rapid growth in their cryptocurrency user bases, presenting immense market potential. DIGZAX intends to establish a solid business foundation in these markets through stringent compliance measures and flexible operational strategies.

This strategy not only reflects the global vision of DIGZAX but also underscores its keen attention to emerging markets. By deeply exploring these regional markets, DIGZAX aims to provide users with a more diversified range of services, ensuring it maintains a leading position in the fiercely competitive cryptocurrency landscape.

For Fergus Kane, DIGZAX is not merely a cryptocurrency trading platform; it is a bridge that helps more people safely and conveniently enter the world of crypto finance. Throughout its global expansion, DIGZAX has consistently prioritized user experience as its core objective. Whether it involves the continuous optimization of platform features, the promotion of user education, or rigorous compliance management, Fergus and his team are dedicated to creating an efficient and secure trading environment, ensuring that more potential investors can confidently engage with the crypto market and fully enjoy the growth dividends of the industry.

In addition to business expansion, Fergus particularly emphasized the importance of industry knowledge dissemination. He believes that users can only better participate and benefit from crypto finance when they truly understand its operational mechanisms and underlying values. Consequently, DIGZAX plans to further strengthen market education in the future, helping more investors grasp the relevant knowledge of cryptocurrencies. Through this initiative, DIGZAX aims to provide users with a safe and robust path to market participation, maximizing their potential returns.

With the rapid development of the cryptocurrency market, Fergus Kane and the DIGZAX exchange have emerged as industry leaders. Through precise market insights, cutting-edge technology applications, and a user-centered service philosophy, DIGZAX is swiftly rising to become a frontrunner in the global crypto finance sector. With its global expansion plan, DIGZAX will continue to drive industry innovation, creating greater value and opportunities for users.

Media Contact:

Full company name: DIGZAX BLOCKCHAIN DEVELOPMENT INC

Company website: https://www.digzax.co

Contact Person: Darma

Email id: support@DIGZAX.co

Disclaimer: This content is provided by sponsor. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/645f4f0f-608a-424c-9d2e-50837f5090e2
Press Release

Atos signs binding agreement to sell Worldgrid to ALTEN for an enterprise value of 270 million

Paris, France  November 5, 2024 - Following its press release dated June 11, 2024, Atos, a global leader in digital transformation, high-performance computing and information technology infrastructure, today announces that it has signed a Share & Asset Purchase Agreement with ALTEN SA (ALTEN) for the sale of its Worldgrid business unit for an enterprise value of 270 million.

Worldgrid provides consulting and engineering services to energy and utility companies. The business currently employs close to 1,100 employees and, in 2023, it generated revenue of circa 170 million from a diverse and longstanding client base.

ALTEN is a well-recognized IT and engineering player with expertise and product offerings in the energy and utilities industry. The contemplated transaction would ensure full continuity of service for Worldgrids strategic clients and employees.

Relevant social processes with employee representative bodies are completed and approvals from regulators have been received. The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2024.

***

About Atos

Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with circa 82,000 employees and annual revenue of circa 10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.

The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

Contacts

Investor relations:

David Pierre-Kahn | investors@atos.net | +33 6 28 51 45 96

Sofiane El Amri | investors@atos.net | +33 6 29 34 85 67

Individual shareholders: 0805 65 00 75

Press contact: globalprteam@atos.net

Attachment
Automating hospitals internal health data research queries and provision of secure data access, increasing research productivity today and head-start to fulfil EHDS regulations

Significantly increasing number of feasibility studies and data release approvals from expected EHDS legislation in force from 2025 to full implementation in 2028 to be supported by Platform

BC Platforms EHDS-Ready TRE provides a hardware-agnostic solution that can be used with both local and national secure data environments - harnessing automation capabilities and AI-based tools

ZURICH, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, BC Platforms, a global leader in real-world data, healthcare data management, and analytics, announces the launch of its market-leading EHDS-Ready Trusted Research Environment (TRE)*. The technology is designed to specifically support EU healthcare institutions needing to comply with European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulations for primary and secondary patient data within the next two to four to six years. It will harness significant automation capabilities and AI-based tools to meet the anticipated demand for EU data.

The EHDS aims to address the current lack of effective data collection at the EU level. It encompasses a legal framework of rules, common standards and practices, and infrastructures for healthcare data governance and includes real-world data (RWD)**. EHDS implementation is expected to generate 5.5 billion in savings for the EU over ten years through better access and exchange of health data in healthcare. However, enabling EHDS across the entire EU will require a significant investment of time, resources, and technology to enable fast and fair data access and sharing.

BC Platforms EHDS-Ready TRE delivers a scalable real-world data platform, offering extended research analytics capabilities within secure research workspaces. It aims to harmonise healthcare data accessibility and standards like the OMOP CDM, FHIR or openEHR. Importantly, as data from different EU countries is anticipated to be analysed simultaneously, an open communication channel is required between TREs for federated analysis and will be delivered by BC Platforms EHDS-Ready solution.

BC Platforms Interim CEO Mikaela Bruhammar said, At BC Platforms, were focused on providing key EU-based healthcare institutions, such as University Hospitals, with the significant digital capabilities required to meet the needs of EHDS in a fairly tight timeframe. Secondary data, such as real-world data, also presents a particular opportunity where we have significant expertise. By supporting EHDS compatibility, we are helping ensure that the EU becomes a viably competitive and attractive healthcare data provider in the global market.

Timo Kanninen, CSO of BC Platforms, said: With EHDS, the need of the healthcare sector across the EU will be almost exponential in scope. Our initial calculations indicate that, in Finland alone, data queries will increase by approximately 25 times  a substantial increase that will require new solutions. These queries must be logged and assessed, and decisions must be made with relative speed. Working closely with key strategic partners, we are delivering a holistic package that satisfies the needs of most University Hospitals while enabling the highest security measures on a global scale.

BC Platforms has been deploying its federated data analysis and pioneering TREs since 1997. The Company is keen to discuss any country-specific requirements for EHDS-Ready TREs across the EU. Interested healthcare institutions and potential collaborators and partners are encouraged to reach out to the BC Platforms team at https://www.bcplatforms.com/contact

* Trusted Research Environments (TREs), also called 'Secure Data Environments' (SDEs) or 'Secure Processing Environments' (SPEs), are highly secure and controlled computing environments that grant authorized users, particularly researchers, a safe way to access, manage and analyse sensitive data.

** RWD is data that comes from sources other than from traditional clinical trials.

Notes to Editors

About EHDS

The European Health Data Space (EHDS) is an EU-led initiative to create a unified digital health ecosystem across Europe, aiming to improve the way health data is accessed, shared, and used within the European Union.

EHDS will be rolled out in phases, starting with systems like EHDS 1 and MyHealth@EU, which enables cross-border access to medical records and e-prescriptions ensuring continuous care when citizens travel or relocate and helping health providers make timely, informed care decisions (primary data use). As it progresses, the EHDS will also incorporate initiatives like EHDS 2, providing a consistent, trustworthy and efficient system for reusing health data for research, innovation, policy-making and additional tools to support digital health innovation and public health improvements across Europe (secondary data use).

Learn more: https://health.ec.europa.eu/ehealth-digital-health-and-care/european-health-data-space_en

About BC Platforms

BC Platforms provides its international life sciences and healthcare clients with tools, enabling valuable insights across the entire spectrum of research and development, from target identification to fulfilling post-marketing requirements. As a real-world data (RWD) solutions company powered by its leading technology platform, the company is on a mission to deliver personalized medicines using RWD and analytics. The companys acquisitions of Medexprim, in December 2023, and 4Pharma Ltd, in June 2023, have significantly expanded its ability to provide global biopharma partners with fast and secure access to real world clinical and imaging data assets across Europe, as well as new clinical research services for accelerating the translation of innovations into clinical practice. Taken together, these capabilities provide its customers with actionable insights to advance precision healthcare and conduct research and development more efficiently, thereby helping patients receive better treatments and care.

Founded in 1997 from a MIT Whitehead project spinoff, we have a strong scientific heritage underpinned by over 25 years of working in close collaboration with a network of leading researchers, developers, and industry partners. We have global operations with our headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, R&D in Espoo, Finland, and Singapore, as well as a presence in London, UK, Lund, Sweden, Toulouse, France and Boston, USA. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn.

Media enquiries

BC Platforms AG

Mikaela Bruhammar, Interim CEO

mikaela.bruhammar@bcplatforms.com

Scius Communications

Katja Stout

katja@sciuscommunications.com

Daniel Gooch

daniel@sciuscommunications.com
- R3 hires ex J.P. Morgan Executive for Head of Sales and Presales role to lead growth and client engagement initiatives

LONDON and NEW YORK, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- R3, the financial markets digital solution provider, announces the appointment of Andy Mosson as Head of Sales and Presales. In this role, Andy will report to Kate Karimson, R3s Chief Commercial Officer, and will be responsible for driving sales, enhancing business development efforts and managing client relationships, while also playing a key role in expanding R3s expertise in capital markets.

R3 is the leader in digital currency, digital assets and interoperability solutions, supporting Central Banks, Corporates and FMIs by providing them with solutions to progress financial markets digitization. R3s Digital Markets product suite is accelerating the journey from proof of concept to production by lowering costs and widening market access. The company has successfully deployed 60+ production-grade solutions globally. Powered by R3s Cordathe world-leading open, permissioned DLT platformR3's Digital Markets provides tokenization with control, security and privacy for improved asset mobility in a permissioned, trusted environment.

Andy has more than 10 years of experience in digital assets and trading. Most recently he served as Chief Commercial Officer at One Trading and was responsible for sales and trading across exchange and OTC product offerings and broader strategic partnerships. In addition, Andy was the Senior Executive accountable for the companys unique OTF trading venue based in the Netherlands. Andy started his capital markets career at J.P. Morgan where he was an Executive Director and worked on driving innovation and business expansion globally in product and sales roles within the macro electronic trading business.

Commenting on the announcement, Kate Karimson, Chief Commercial Officer at R3 states: I am excited to welcome Andy to R3. With financial digitization, which was practically non-existent just 10 years ago, now at an inflection point, Andys extensive executive sales and digital asset experience make him a natural choice for leading R3s next phase of business development. Our Digital Markets product offering is powering tokenization and interoperability efforts across the industry through live in-production use cases. We remain steadfast in our commitment to building a connected digital future and look forward to working with Andy as R3 continues to deliver innovative products and progress financial markets."

Commenting on the announcement, Andy Mosson, Head of Sales and Presales at R3 states: Im excited to have the opportunity to join a market leader in the digital assets space. Corda, as the world leading open, permissioned DLT platform, plays a pivotal role in powering the tokenization of assets and currencies, connecting global markets. In my new role, I am looking forward to working with R3s team to help clients build custom solutions that drive innovation and efficiency in financial markets. R3s vision of an open, trusted and advanced digital economy  combined with its strong regulatory engagement, proven track record, and industry expertise  is helping businesses to operate more efficiently and embrace the future of technology.

About R3:

R3 is the leader in digital currency, digital assets and interoperability solutions. R3 supports Central Banks, Corporates and FMIs by providing them with solutions to progress financial markets digitization.

Corda is the world-leading open, permissioned DLT platform powering the tokenization of assets and currencies connecting global markets. Corda enables tokenization with control, security and privacy, providing asset mobility in a permissioned, trusted environment.

R3 is committed to progressing financial markets and to enabling an open, trusted and advanced digital economy.

For further information, please visit www.r3.com.

Media Contacts

Eterna Partners for R3

r3@eternapartners.com

+44 77629 43498

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d16606e7-aeed-428e-9dcb-9ceaa8aa2427
Company announcement no. 20/2024

Revenue growth continues in Q3

Revenue growth of 8% in Q3 2024, driven by our Cloud ERP Business Line, Dynamics as well as Data & AI and CXE. Strong progress in our Danish and UK Market Units. EBITDA growth of 42% with an EBITDA margin of 7.9%. Overall, another satisfactory quarter for Columbus.

We are satisfied with the growth in Q3 2024, driven by continued customer demands for a strong digital core, says CEO & President, Sren Krogh Knudsen





Q3 2024 highlights

Revenue growth of 8%, amounting to DKK 371m. 6% growth adjusted for acquisitions and currency.

EBITDA amounted to DKK 29m, an increase of 42% compared to Q3 2023.

EBITDA margin was 7.9% compared to 6.0% in Q3 2023.

Efficiency of 60% in Q3 2024, which is at the same level as Q3 2023.





YTD 2024 highlights

Revenue growth of 10%, amounting to DKK 1,243m. 9% growth adjusted for acquisitions and currency.

EBITDA amounted to DKK 115m, an increase of 47.4% compared to Q3 YTD 2023.

EBITDA margin was 9.2% compared to 6.9% in Q3 YTD 2023.

Efficiency of 62% in Q3 YTD 2024, compared to 63% in Q3 YTD 2023.





Service revenue split on Business Lines DKK 000 Q3 2024 Q3 2023 % YTD 2024 YTD 2023 % Dynamics 203,091 188,407 8% 673,045 588,348 14% M3 66,377 64,665 3% 241,386 219,978 10% Digital Commerce 38,925 38,116 2% 137,412 146,999 -7% Data & AI 22,254 18,115 23% 63,066 56,200 12% CXE 18,971 15,468 23% 62,173 46,923 33% Other Local Business 5,539 5,468 1% 17,274 19,161 -10% Total sale of services 355,157 330,239 8% 1,194,356 1,077,609 11% Total sale of products 16,271 14,559 12% 48,210 48,160 0% Total net revenue 371,428 344,798 8% 1,242,566 1,125,769 10%





Service revenue split on Market Units DKK 000 Q3 2024 Q3 2023 % YTD 2024 YTD 2023 % Sweden 100,221 112,317 -11% 382,015 405,912 -6% Denmark 92,699 76,121 22% 307,930 240,206 28% Norway 46,630 46,802 0% 173,359 175,947 -1% UK 83,184 61,614 35% 236,178 161,356 46% US 21,204 23,225 -9% 61,001 64,584 -6% Other 10,256 8,990 14% 30,504 26,488 15% GDC 963 1,170 -18% 3,369 3,116 8% Total sale of services 355,157 330,239 8% 1,194,356 1,077,609 11% Total sale of products 16,271 14,559 12% 48,210 48,160 0% Total net revenue 371,428 344,798 8% 1,242,566 1,125,769 10%





Outlook 2024 maintained

Based on the development in the first three quarters of 2024, our strong pipeline and order backlog, we maintain our 2024 expectations:

Revenue guidance expected to be in the range of 8-10% organic growth

EBITDA margin expected to be in the range of 9-10%





Live webcast and conference call on 5 November 2024

Columbus is hosting a live webcast and conference call on 5 November 2024 at 13:00 CET. The webcast is hosted by CEO & President Sren Krogh Knudsen and Group CFO Brian Iversen.

Webcast: Please login to the webcast via Columbus investor site where you can follow the presentation and submit your written questions during the call: https://ir.columbusglobal.com/calendar-and-events

Conference call:

1. Participants are required to register in advance of the conference using the link provided below. Upon registering, each participant will be provided with Participant Dial In Numbers, and a unique Personal PIN.

2. In the 10 minutes prior to call start time, Participants will need to use the conference access information provided in the e-mail received at the point of registering. Participants may also use the call me feature instead of dialling the nearest dial in number.

Online registration to the call:

https://register.vevent.com/register/BIa41fe53a677a414e98854db2a3e36f50





Live presentation on 7 November 2024

HC Andersen Capital will host a live presentation of Q3 2024 results on 7 November 2024 at 15:00 CET. Presenters from Columbus A/S will be CEO & President Sren Krogh Knudsen and Group CFO Brian Iversen.

You can already now submit questions and sign up for the event via this link: https://www.inderes.dk/videos/columbus-presentation-of-q3-2024-interim-report

A recording of the presentation will be available via the same link.





For further information, please contact:

Sren Krogh Knudsen, CEO & President, Tel.: +45 7020 5000





About Columbus

Columbus is a global digital consultancy specialized in solving complex challenges for customers in the manufacturing, retail & distribution, food & beverage, and life science industries. With over 1,600 digital advisors in more than ten countries, we deliver business-critical solutions in areas such as Cloud ERP, Data & Analytics, Application Management, Digital Commerce, Cybersecurity, AI Innovation, and ESG. With headquarters in Denmark and presence worldwide, we ensure local delivery of our services on a global scale. www.columbusglobal.com

For more information visit www.columbusglobal.com.





Attachment
Dr. Jackson Ewing emphasizes the need for a robust policy framework to incentivize green hydrogen production and adoption

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewHydrogen, Inc. (OTCMKTS:NEWH), the developer of ThermoLoop, a breakthrough technology that uses water and heat rather than electricity to produce the worlds cheapest green hydrogen, today announced a podcast featuring CEO Steve Hill and Dr. Jackson Ewing, Director of Energy and Climate Policy at Duke University.

Dr. Ewing highlighted the Catch-22 dynamic in the hydrogen sector, where the lack of demand hinders investment in supply, and vice versa. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach, including incentives, infrastructure development, and market mechanisms to address this challenge. Promising demand drivers for hydrogen were identified, such as ammonia, long-haul trucking, and industrial processes, where green hydrogen could replace traditional fossil fuels.

As an advocate for policy interventions, Dr. Ewing discusses the importance of production tax credits, permitting reform, carbon pricing mechanisms, and low-carbon fuel standards to accelerate green hydrogen adoption. He argues that the hydrogen sector has the potential to thrive under various political climates, stressing the need for a robust and durable policy framework to ensure long-term investment and growth.

Dr. Ewing emphasized the importance of bipartisan support and collaboration in developing a vibrant green hydrogen sector, recognizing its significance for national energy security and climate goals.

Dr. Jackson Ewing holds a Doctorate in Environmental Security and Master's Degree in International Relations from Australias Bond University, and a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from the College of Charleston. He is currently Director of Energy and Climate Policy at the Nicholas Institute of Energy, Environment & Sustainability at Duke University. He holds additional appointments as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Nicholas School of the Environment, a Faculty Affiliate with the Duke Center for International Development at the Sanford School of Public Policy and the Duke Asian/Pacific Studies Center, and Faculty Lead for the Duke Kunshan University International Masters of Environmental Policy program. Dr. Ewings work seeks to help facilitate energy transitions internationally and in the United States. His current projects focus on international climate finance and just energy transition partnerships, systems-level changes needed to meet net-zero goals in the United States, international carbon pricing and clubs, and US-China climate relations. He has worked in more than 20 countries, and collaborates closely with actors in government, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations. He publishes widely and contributes to radio, television, and print media. Prior to joining Duke, Dr. Ewing was Director of Asian Sustainability at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York, where he led projects on Asian carbon market cooperation and sustainable resource development in the ASEAN Economic Community. He also previously served as a MacArthur Non-Traditional Security Fellow for Environment, Climate Change and Food Security at Singapores S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Dr. Ewing is listed as Google Scholar at https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=E4bAXpMAAAAJ .

Watch the full discussion on the NewHydrogen Podcast featuring Dr. Jackson Ewing at https://newhydrogen.com/videos/ceo-podcast/jackson-ewing-phd-duke-university .

For more information about NewHydrogen, please visit https://newhydrogen.com/ .

About NewHydrogen, Inc.

NewHydrogen is developing ThermoLoop  a breakthrough technology that uses water and heat rather than electricity to produce the worlds lowest cost green hydrogen. Hydrogen is the cleanest and most abundant element in the universe, and we cant live without it. Hydrogen is the key ingredient in making fertilizers needed to grow food for the world. It is also used for transportation, refining oil and making steel, glass, pharmaceuticals and more. Nearly all the hydrogen today is made from hydrocarbons like coal, oil, and natural gas, which are dirty and limited resources. Water, on the other hand, is an infinite and renewable worldwide resource.

Currently, the most common method of making green hydrogen is to split water into oxygen and hydrogen with an electrolyzer using green electricity produced from solar or wind. However, green electricity is and always will be very expensive. It currently accounts for 73% of the cost of green hydrogen. By using heat directly, we can skip the expensive process of making electricity, and fundamentally lower the cost of green hydrogen. Inexpensive heat can be obtained from concentrated solar, geothermal, nuclear reactors and industrial waste heat for use in our novel low-cost thermochemical water splitting process. Working with a world class research team at UC Santa Barbara, our goal is to help usher in the green hydrogen economy that Goldman Sachs estimated to have a future market value of $12 trillion.

Safe Harbor Statement

Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, the impact of public health epidemics on the global economy and other factors detailed in reports filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact:
Dublin, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Cultured Meat Market: Industry Trends and Forecasted Estimates to 2050 - Distribution by Source of Meat, Type of Cultivation Technique, Form of Meat Produced, End Products Offered and Key Geographical Region" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global cultured meat market size is estimated to be worth USD 0.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to be worth USD 229 billion by 2050, growing at a CAGR of 30.8% during the forecast period, till 2050.

The new research study consists of industry trends, detailed market analysis, cultured meat providers landscape, partnerships and collaborations, funding and investments, patent analysis, market impact analysis, and market forecast and opportunity analysis. The growth in the market size over the next decade is likely to be the result of the anticipated increase in demand for protein alternatives.

One of the key objectives of this market report was to estimate the current market size, opportunity and the future growth potential for the cultured meat companies, over the forecast period.

In recent years, there has been a perpetual rise in the global population. According to recent estimates provided by United Nation's, the world population is projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. This demographic trend is accompanied by an increase in demand for food, particularly meat products. Meat is an important source of macronutrients and micronutrients, such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins that provide the ability to build and repair worn-out tissues as well as fulfill the energy requirements of the body.

Given its several perquisites, the demand for meat is increasing extensively, which has led to a three-fold increase in industrial meat production. However, the increased demand for meat cannot be solely met by conventional animal farming methods, necessitating the requirement of alternative approaches. Consequently, cultured meat, also known as cultivated meat, has emerged as a potent protein alternative solution catering to the heightened demand for protein amid the rising population.



The conventional approach of livestock farming employed to meet the global meat demand poses significant challenges, contributing to adverse environmental consequences such as increased greenhouse gas emissions, water scarcity and overburden on the land resources, thereby impeding sustainable resource management. It is worth highlighting that currently, approximately three quarters of agricultural land is estimated to be allocated for animal farming, thus leaving behind only a small portion of land for crop production. Additionally, almost 60% of greenhouse gas emissions from food production are attributed to meat production. Therefore, in order to mitigate these challenges, an increased interest towards cultured meat production has been observed.

The production process involves growing stem cells (isolated from living animals) in a bioreactor with the use of cell culture media. As such, cultured meat is also known as cell based meat or lab grown meat. Cultured meat has emerged as a promising alternative, capitalizing on several benefits associated with its production and consumption over traditional meat, including reduced environmental impact, owing to its minimal land and water requirements.

Moreover, there exists a discernible shift in consumer preferences towards alternative protein sources, driving the increasing acceptance and adoption of cultured meat products. Considering this shift, along with the surging demand for alternative proteins and positive environmental impact of cultured meat production, the global cultured meat market is poised to witness substantial market growth during the forecast period.

Overall artificial meat market, which comprises of cultivated meat as well as plant-based meats is gaining increased research interest; with significant rise in the patent activity in these areas.

Overall Competitive Landscape of Cultured Meat Companies: Majority of the Cultured Meat Providers are Based in North America

The market landscape features the presence of over 105 large, mid-sized and small companies. Over 65% of the companies were established between the period 2018-2021, demonstrating the rising interest of industry stakeholders in the cultured meat domain. Examples of companies established pre-2015 include Charoen Pokphand Foods and Nissin Foods.

Further, it is worth highlighting that 30% of the cultured meat providers are based in North America. Within Europe, the UK emerged as the hub of cultured meat companies. Furthermore, industry stakeholders are actively opting for emerging technologies to address challenges associated with scale-up, aiming to enhance efficiency and sustainability in the production process.

Key Drivers for Cultured Meat Market Growth: Surging Demand for Protein Alternatives

As the world population continues to grow, the demand for meat is also growing, surpassing what conventional method of animal farming can supply. In order to cater to this demand, transitioning to protein alternative like cultured meat is imperative. This shift is not only propelled by increased demand, but also by rise in the concerns over adverse environmental effects associated with traditional method of meat production. Additionally, as an outcome of rising ethical concerns among consumers, cultured meat presents a sustainable solution and a viable alternative that addresses concerns pertaining to both environmental impact and animal welfare. Consequently, the cultured meat industry is primed for significant growth.

Market Trend Analysis: Growing Interest in Cultured Meat Market is Evident from the Rise in Partnership and Collaboration Activity

Several stakeholders have been forging alliances with other industry / non-industry players in cultured meat industry for the development and manufacturing of cultured meat products. It is worth highlighting that, since 2022, more than 280 partnerships have been inked in the industry. Further, stakeholders are actively acquiring other companies specializing in the manufacturing of various cultured meat components, in order to expand their existing capabilities and consolidate their product portfolio. In this context, in May 2022, JBS acquired bio.Tech.Foods. in order to attain access to the company's protein production technology for the product development purposes.

Market Trend Analysis: Upward Trend in Funding and Investments for Cultured Meat

Several stakeholders in the cultured meat domain have raised funds in order to fuel the growth of their operations. It is noteworthy that cultured meat companies have raised a cumulative sum of more than USD 2.4 billion, since 2020. Further, maximum number of funding instances were reported to be seed funding (33%), followed by venture capital funds (32%). It is worth highlighting that, in December 2021, Believer Meats(formerly known as Future Meat Technologies Ltd.) raised USD 347 million in a Series B round, led by ADM, S2G Ventures, and Menora Mivtachim pension and insurance fund, recording the largest investment in cultured meat industry.

Market Trend Analysis: Surge in the Number of Patent Applications Related to Cultured Meat

In the past five years, over 360 patents focused on cultured meat have been granted / filed, indicating the substantial efforts made by researchers in this market. It is worth highlighting that majority of the patents (88%) in this domain were patent applications (not having received approval yet), followed by granted patents (10%). Further, most of the patents have been filed by industry players in this industry.

Cultured Meat Market Size: Poultry and Pork to Hold the Largest Market Share

The global market for cultured meat is currently estimated to be worth $0.2 billion. Owing to the increase in the investments in cultured meat domain, the market growth is expected to increase at a CAGR of 50.2% during the forecast period, till 2050. It is worth highlighting that, in terms of source of meat, poultry and pork is expected to capture majority of the cultured meat market share during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the fact that these sources of meat are exceptionally rich in providing nutritional benefits, accounting for its popularity among consumers.

Regional Analysis: North America and Asia-Pacific as the Hub of Cultured Meat Providers; Europe to be the Fastest Growing Market

Presently, North America and Asia-Pacific capture more than 95% of the overall cultured meat market size. In fact, in recent years, preference of cultured meat in North America has witnessed a tremendous increase owing to the approvals from regulatory authorities such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), attesting to the food safety standards of cultured meat products. It is worth highlighting that, in the coming years, owing to the anticipated increase in the establishment of cultured meat production facilities in Europe and various technological advancements for production of cultured meat products, the market in this region is expected to grow at a higher CAGR as compared to other regions.

Key Players in Cultured Meat Market

Examples of key cultured meat providers (which have also been profiled in this market report; the complete list of companies is available in the full report) include Aleph Farms, Esco Aster, GOOD Meat, Mosa Meat, UPSIDE Foods, Vow, Ants Innovate, Blue Ridge Bantham, BLUU, Finless Foods, Meatiply, MIRAI FOODS, Newform Foods, Ohayo Valley, Steakholder Foods and The Better Butchers. (Full list of 109 companies captured is available in the market landscape analysis of the report). This market report includes an easily searchable excel database of all the cultured meat providers.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/45d3v1

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Dublin, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Pipette Tips - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global market for Pipette Tips was estimated at US$1.3 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$1.8 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2023 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions.





The growth in the pipette tips market is driven by several factors that reflect the rapid changes in both technology and laboratory practices. One of the most significant drivers is the increasing adoption of advanced technologies in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries. Research in fields such as genomics, cell biology, and drug discovery requires precise liquid handling, which has spurred demand for high-performance pipette tips. High-throughput screening methods, particularly in pharmaceutical research and clinical diagnostics, also necessitate the use of large quantities of pipette tips to handle multiple samples efficiently.

Another major factor fueling market growth is the rise of laboratory automation. Automated liquid handling platforms, used extensively in large-scale research projects, require specialized pipette tips that are designed for compatibility with these systems. As the demand for faster, more efficient workflows increases, so does the need for automated solutions that use high-quality tips to maintain accuracy and consistency across experiments. In addition, the pharmaceutical sector's increased investment in research and development, especially in areas like vaccine production and personalized medicine, has boosted the consumption of pipette tips. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of diagnostic testing, resulting in a surge in demand for pipette tips in both clinical and research laboratories.

Beyond these technological drivers, there is also a shift in consumer behavior toward more sustainable practices. Laboratories are becoming more conscious of their environmental impact, pushing manufacturers to develop eco-friendly pipette tips that reduce plastic waste and are made from recyclable materials. This trend toward sustainability is not only reshaping product offerings but is also creating opportunities for companies to differentiate themselves by offering green alternatives. Overall, the combined effects of technological advancements, the increasing complexity of scientific research, and changing consumer preferences are key drivers in the growing pipette tips market.



Pipette tips are foundational tools in laboratories, yet their significance often goes unnoticed. In modern research and diagnostic settings, precision in liquid handling is critical, whether it's transferring microliters of a reagent or diluting samples for analysis. Pipette tips are specifically designed to ensure that liquids are measured and transferred with accuracy, minimizing the risk of contamination or error. These tips are made from high-quality polypropylene, which is chosen for its chemical resistance, durability, and low reactivity, making it suitable for handling a wide variety of liquids, from volatile solvents to delicate biological samples.

Depending on the needs of the experiment, pipette tips can vary in size, from ultra-fine tips for handling nanoliters to larger tips for managing larger liquid volumes. Additionally, features such as low-retention surfaces - designed to reduce sample residue - and filter tips, which prevent aerosol contamination, further enhance their utility. The ever-increasing demand for precision in scientific research, along with the need to comply with stringent quality controls, has solidified the pipette tip's role as a fundamental laboratory component, directly influencing the reproducibility and reliability of experimental results.



Key Insights:

Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Manual Pipette Tips segment, which is expected to reach US$748.2 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of a 4.3%. The Electronic Pipette Tips segment is also set to grow at 5.2% CAGR over the analysis period.

Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, which was estimated at $336.7 Million in 2023, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 7.8% CAGR to reach $397.2 Million by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific.

Why You Should Buy This Report:

Detailed Market Analysis: Access a thorough analysis of the Global Pipette Tips Market, covering all major geographic regions and market segments.

Competitive Insights: Get an overview of the competitive landscape, including the market presence of major players across different geographies.

Future Trends and Drivers: Understand the key trends and drivers shaping the future of the Global Pipette Tips Market.

Actionable Insights: Benefit from actionable insights that can help you identify new revenue opportunities and make strategic business decisions.

Key Questions Answered:

How is the Global Pipette Tips Market expected to evolve by 2030?

What are the main drivers and restraints affecting the market?

Which market segments will grow the most over the forecast period?

How will market shares for different regions and segments change by 2030?

Who are the leading players in the market, and what are their prospects?

Report Features:

Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2023 to 2030.

In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.

Company Profiles: Coverage of major players in the Pipette Tips market such as Biotix, Inc., Corning Inc., Eppendorf AG, Hamilton Company, Mettler Toledo and more.

Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 89 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $1.3 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $1.8 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.1% Regions Covered Global





Key Topics Covered:



MARKET OVERVIEW

Influencer Market Insights

World Market Trajectories

Global Economic Update

Pipette Tips - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2024 (E)

Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2024 (E)

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Growing Demand for Precision in Laboratory Procedures Propels Growth in Pipette Tips Market

Increasing Adoption of Automation in Life Sciences Expands Addressable Market for Robotic-Compatible Pipette Tips

Advances in Biotechnology and Genomics Drive Demand for High-Quality Pipette Tips in Research Applications

Rising Focus on Sterile and Contamination-Free Laboratory Environments Strengthens the Business Case for Filtered and Sterile Pipette Tips

Growing Trend Toward Sustainability in Labs Drives Innovation in Reusable and Eco-Friendly Pipette Tips

Advances in Pipette Tip Materials Propel Growth in Low-Retention and Hydrophobic Tip Technologies

Expansion of Pharmaceutical R&D Activities Accelerates Demand for High-Performance Pipette Tips

Growing Use of Pipette Tips in Microbiology and Cell Culture Expands Market Opportunity in Biological Research

Rising Adoption of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Drives Demand for Specialized Pipette Tips in Genomics

Increasing Integration of Robotics and AI in Labs Strengthens the Business Case for Automated Pipette Tip Solutions

Surge in Molecular Biology and PCR Testing Expands Market for Ultra-Fine and Low-Volume Pipette Tips

Advances in Liquid Handling Technologies Propel Growth in Multi-Channel and Ergonomic Pipette Tips

FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS:Some of the leading 33 companies featured in this Pipette Tips market report include

Biotix, Inc.

Corning Inc.

Eppendorf AG

Hamilton Company

Mettler Toledo

Sarstedt AG & Co. KG

Sartorius AG

Sorenson BioScience

Tecan Trading AG

Thermo Fisher Scientific

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qjdecz

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Dublin, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Commercial Vehicle and Off-Highway Radar - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global market for Commercial Vehicle and Off-Highway Radar was estimated at US$526.5 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach US$2.6 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 25.8% from 2023 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions.







The growth in the commercial vehicle and off-highway radar market is driven by several factors, including rising safety regulations, technological advancements, and increasing demand for automation. Safety regulations globally are becoming more stringent, particularly in regions like North America and Europe, where commercial vehicles are required to meet high safety standards.

Radar-based ADAS features, including lane departure warnings, blind-spot monitoring, and collision avoidance, are increasingly mandated, driving demand for radar technology in commercial fleets. Technological advancements, including sensor fusion and machine learning, enhance radar capabilities, making it a viable solution for more complex applications like autonomous driving and precision farming.



Consumer and industry demands for improved safety and efficiency are also significant drivers, with fleet operators recognizing the cost-saving potential of reducing accidents and optimizing fuel efficiency through radar-enabled systems. The growth of autonomous vehicles in logistics, agriculture, and mining has further accelerated demand, as radar provides the critical sensory input needed for safe operation in dynamic environments.

Why Is Radar Technology Essential in Commercial Vehicles and Off-Highway Applications?



The growing use of radar technology is driven by increased regulatory emphasis on safety and the rising adoption of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) in commercial fleets. Radar-based ADAS features such as blind-spot detection, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking are now common in commercial vehicles, aligning with efforts to improve road safety standards. Off-highway applications, especially in construction and mining, benefit from radar's capability to operate in dust, rain, and low-light conditions, providing consistent performance regardless of weather. This reliability and adaptability make radar systems indispensable in high-stakes environments, where equipment damage or accidents can result in significant operational delays and costs.



How Are Technological Advancements Shaping Radar Capabilities in the Commercial Vehicle and Off-Highway Market?



Technological advancements are significantly enhancing radar capabilities, improving accuracy, range, and adaptability in commercial vehicle and off-highway applications. One of the key developments is the introduction of millimeter-wave radar, which operates at higher frequencies, offering superior resolution and object detection over greater distances. This technology is particularly useful in commercial vehicles, where early obstacle detection can prevent accidents and enable smoother navigation in congested areas.

Automation is another driver of radar innovation, with radar systems being integrated into autonomous and semi-autonomous commercial vehicles. These systems enable automated features such as adaptive cruise control and automated parking, which are gaining popularity in commercial trucking and logistics. Radar's ability to detect objects under adverse weather conditions and in poor visibility is also critical in off-road environments, where traditional cameras or LiDAR might struggle.

Additionally, advancements in AI and machine learning allow radar systems to adapt and improve over time, recognizing and reacting to a broader range of obstacles. These innovations make radar an increasingly indispensable tool in commercial and off-highway settings, enabling higher levels of safety, efficiency, and autonomy.



What Are the Key Applications of Radar in Commercial Vehicles and Off-Highway Equipment?



Radar systems are utilized across a variety of commercial and off-highway applications, each benefiting from the enhanced safety and efficiency that radar technology provides. In commercial trucks and buses, radar-based safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control have become essential, helping drivers navigate safely through urban traffic and highways.

In agriculture, radar technology is applied in modern farm equipment to support precision agriculture practices, where it assists with navigation, crop monitoring, and even automated harvesting. Radar's ability to detect objects in low-visibility conditions, such as dense foliage or dust, makes it particularly useful in agricultural settings, where accurate and reliable data is essential for optimizing yields. Radar technology is also expanding into logistics and warehousing, where it is integrated into forklifts and autonomous vehicles for safe, efficient navigation in indoor and crowded spaces. These diverse applications highlight the versatility of radar in enhancing safety and operational efficiency across commercial and off-highway industries.



Key Insights:

Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Commercial Vehicle Radar segment, which is expected to reach US$1.5 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of a 24.8%. The Off-Highway Vehicle Radar segment is also set to grow at 27.2% CAGR over the analysis period.

Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, which was estimated at $150.9 Million in 2023, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 25.0% CAGR to reach $400.3 Million by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific.

Why You Should Buy This Report:

Detailed Market Analysis: Access a thorough analysis of the Global Commercial Vehicle and Off-Highway Radar Market, covering all major geographic regions and market segments.

Competitive Insights: Get an overview of the competitive landscape, including the market presence of major players across different geographies.

Future Trends and Drivers: Understand the key trends and drivers shaping the future of the Global Commercial Vehicle and Off-Highway Radar Market.

Actionable Insights: Benefit from actionable insights that can help you identify new revenue opportunities and make strategic business decisions.

Key Questions Answered:

How is the Global Commercial Vehicle and Off-Highway Radar Market expected to evolve by 2030?

What are the main drivers and restraints affecting the market?

Which market segments will grow the most over the forecast period?

How will market shares for different regions and segments change by 2030?

Who are the leading players in the market, and what are their prospects?

Report Features:

Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2023 to 2030.

In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.

Company Profiles: Coverage of major players in the Commercial Vehicle and Off-Highway Radar market such as AImotive, Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd., Ambarella Inc., Analog Devices, Inc., Aptiv and more.

Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 93 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $526.5 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $2600 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 25.8% Regions Covered Global





Key Topics Covered:



MARKET OVERVIEW

Influencer Market Insights

World Market Trajectories

Global Economic Update

Commercial Vehicle and Off-Highway Radar - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2024 (E)

Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2024 (E)

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Increasing Adoption of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in Commercial Vehicles Propels Demand for Radar Sensors for Enhanced Safety

Rising Incidence of Accidents Involving Large Vehicles Strengthens Business Case for Commercial Vehicle Radar to Improve Driver Awareness and Collision Avoidance

Expansion of Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous Commercial Vehicles Drives Adoption of Radar Systems for Precise Object Detection and Navigation Radar-Based Collision Avoidance and Blind Spot Detection Systems

Increasing Focus on Fleet Management and Driver Monitoring Accelerates Adoption of Radar Systems for Real-Time Data Collection and Analysis

Growth in Demand for Radar in Off-Highway Vehicles, Including Construction and Agricultural Machinery, Expands Addressable Market for Off-Road Radar Solutions

Technological Advancements in Radar, Including Solid-State and 4D Imaging Radar, Propel Growth in Commercial Vehicle and Off-Highway Radar Market

Rising Demand for Urban Logistics and Last-Mile Delivery Vehicles Throws Spotlight on Radar for Improved Safety in Dense, Congested Areas

Growing Popularity of Electric and Hybrid Commercial Vehicles Drives Adoption of Radar to Ensure Safety and Efficient Operation in New Vehicle Platforms

Emergence of Radar-Based Autonomous Parking Solutions Expands Opportunities for Commercial Vehicle Radar in Fleet and Logistics Operations

Increasing Integration of Multi-Sensor Systems, Including Radar, Lidar, and Cameras, Strengthens Business Case for Radar in Advanced Commercial Vehicle Systems

Expanding Mining and Construction Sectors Spur Demand for Off-Highway Radar That Enhances Operational Safety in Heavy-Duty Equipment

Rise in Automated Material Handling and Autonomous Logistics Solutions in Warehousing Creates Demand for Radar for Obstacle Detection and Navigation

FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS:Some of the 42 companies featured in this Commercial Vehicle and Off-Highway Radar market report include:

AImotive

Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd.

Ambarella Inc.

Analog Devices, Inc.

Aptiv

Arm Holdings

Autoliv

Continental AG

Denso Corporation

Elektrobit

Gentex Corporation

Harman International

Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co

Hitachi

Infineon Technologies AG

Magna International Inc.

Maxim Integrated

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

NVIDIA Corporation

Nxp Semiconductors N.V.

Panasonic

Robert Bosch GmbH

Texas Instruments

Valeo

ZF Friedrichshafen AG

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/s4ps96

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
TORONTO, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 PDAC Awards. Since the awards were established in 1977, they have been a symbol of excellence, recognizing individuals, teams, and organizations that have made significant contributions to the global mining industry.

The 2025 award recipients embody the expertise, passion and drive that define excellence in mineral exploration and development, said Raymond Goldie, PDAC President. Their remarkable accomplishments demonstrate the crucial role of innovation, resourcefulness, and leadership in uncovering the minerals that power our modern world.

Recipients will be celebrated during the PDAC 2025 Convention at the Awards Gala & Nite Cap on March 4, 2025 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

2025 PDAC Award Recipients

Bill Dennis Award: A Canadian discovery or prospecting success

Canadian Malartic Exploration Team  For the discovery of the East Gouldie Deposit in Malartic, Quebec.

Skookum Jim Award: Indigenous achievement in the mineral industry

David Kritterdlik  For groundbreaking work promoting Inuit values, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.

Sustainability Award: For outstanding leadership in environmental protection and/or good community relations.

Teck Resources and UN Women: Originarias Program  For its transformative impact on Indigenous women in Chile.

Thayer Lindsley Award: For an international mineral discovery

The Onto Discovery Team  For the discovery of the Onto Deposit in Indonesia.

Viola R. MacMillan Award: For company or mine development

John Robins  For lifetime leadership and significant contributions to the mining and exploration industry.

*Click the links to learn more about each recipient

Awards selection process

PDACs Board of Directors select Award Recipients based on recommendations of the associations Awards Committee. Learn more about the PDAC Awards, including how to nominate candidates for the 2026 PDAC Awards.

Awards Gala & Nite Cap

Tickets sales will open at the PDAC website in December. Sign up to be notified when tickets become available.

About PDAC

The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is the leading voice of the mineral exploration and development community, an industry that employs more than 664,000 individuals, and contributed $132 billion to Canada's GDP in 2021. Currently representing over 7,800 members around the world, PDAC's work centers on supporting a competitive, responsible, and sustainable mineral sector. PDAC 2025, our 93rd annual convention, will take place in person in Toronto, Canada from March 2-5. Please visit pdac.ca for more information.

Media contact

Scott Barber

Senior Manager, Communications

sbarber@pdac.ca

416-362-1069 x 244

800-170 University Ave. Toronto ON M5H 3B3 Canada

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/115cfcd9-baed-42d5-80ec-939a1da1caaa
Gonzales, La., Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- REV recently partnered with CoBank through their annual Sharing Success program to make impactful donations to non-profits in various communities across South Louisiana. The collaboration between the two organizations positively affected four local non-profits  doubling donations  and totaling $25,000.

Annually, CoBank  a cooperative bank focusing on corporate citizenship efforts  provides matching funds to enhance partners donations to the selected area non-profits. Through the Sharing Success program, REV and CoBank together provide essential funding that amplifies and impacts the community through corporate responsibility. Previous years have included similar contributions, highlighting a sustained commitment to community support by REV.

REV remains committed to enhancing the communities we serve, said Josh Descant, CEO of REV. These donations are part of a broader effort to engage with local organizations and address diverse needs across different regions. Were always proud to partner with CoBank and look forward to continuing this charitable initiative.

This year, the following non-profits were recipients of REV and CoBanks Sharing Success program (receiving the below amounts after REVs and CoBanks partnership matches were applied):

Representatives from each of the beneficiary organizations expressed their gratitude for continued support as they were each surprised with a ceremonial, large check as a celebration of the philanthropic donations.

"We are grateful for the support of REVs and CoBanks matching program," said Lindsay McElwee, ALS Associations managing director of Development  Ark., La., Miss., Okla., Texas. Partnerships like this bring us closer to our vision of making ALS a livable disease until we can cure it."

St. Tammany Health Foundation is so thrilled to partner with REV as we work to raise vital funds to support cancer patients in our community, said Melanie Rudolph of St. Tammany Health Foundation, From supplying fresh produce, nutritional supplements, and food staples through St. Tammany Cancer Centers Therapeutic Food Pantry to providing gas cards and rides to and from treatment for patients and their caregivers through the Transportation Assistance Program, REVs gift is making a true impact on the lives of cancer patients and their families in our community.

"For the Lafourche Education Foundation, the generous investment from REV and CoBank represents more than just financial support; it's a profound commitment to the future of our community," said Deanna Lafont, executive director of LEF. "The funds raised for the Bayou King Cake Festival will directly benefit Lafourche Parish public school teachers and students through our grant programs and a variety of impactful initiatives. We are deeply grateful for REVs and CoBanks partnership and dedication to enhancing educational opportunities in our parish."

We are so thankful local businesses like REV support us and our mission," said Kim Bowman. It was a blessing when we were notified that one of their business partners, CoBank was also going to support us. Support like this only fuels us to do more, and it is such a warm feeling to know that others get behind us to help do what we do. High five, REV and CoBank!

CoBanks Sharing Success program has been doubling the impact of rural communities across the country since 2012 and has contributed over $86 million to partners in combined donations. Through this partnership, REV has continued to share their and CoBanks combined funds with organizations that make the community a home.





About REV

Rebranded in 2022  with the merging of three local and storied telecom providers  REV is the combined parent company of Reserve Telephone Company (RTC), EATEL/EATEL Business and Vision Communications. Over the course of the technology companys 90 years of serving rural and urban communities, REV has become Louisianas largest, locally owned, telecommunications network.

With over 5,000 miles of fiber and nearly 400 employees, REV (and the organizations suite of business services offered by REV Business) connects more than 68,000 customers in their homes and places of work.

For more information about REV and the providers new brand and continued commitment to localism, please visit www.letsrev.com.

###

Photo Captions:

(File name: St. Tammany Hospital Foundation) (l-r:) Jeremy Theriot, REV Community Relations and Business Development director; Monika Arnold, REV Community Relations and Business Development manager; Grant Chenevert, REV Business senior strategic account manager; Nicole Suhre, St. Tammany Hospital Foundation, executive director; and Doug Walker, St. Tammany Hospital Foundation, foundation specialist

(File name: Bella Bowman Foundation) (l-r:) Jeremy Theriot, REV Community Relations and Business Development director; Monika Arnold, REV Community Relations and Business Development manager; Kim Bowman; Trey Bowman; and Grant Chenevert, REV Business senior strategic account manager

Attachments
OTTAWA, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian labour leaders are calling for immediate action from the Canadian and Mexican governments to protect workers at a Canadian-owned mine in Mexico who have been assaulted and received death threats after they joined an independent union.

The Mexican government has formally recognized the independent miners union, Los Mineros, as the legal bargaining agent for workers at the Canadian-owned Camino Rojo mine in Zacatecas State, Mexico. However, the mines owner, Orla Mining, has pressured workers to instead join a pro-employer protection union.

Over the summer, workers who were involved in the efforts to join the Los Mineros union reported being intimidated with violence, threats of dismissals, and eventually death threats for their organizing. In the most recent escalation, armed gunmen broke into the home of one such worker, Jaime Pulido Leon.

The Los Mineros union responded by requesting a meeting with the Canadian embassy and protection for Mr. Pulido Leons family. On Oct. 21, union members demonstrated outside of the Canadian embassy in Mexico City.

Last week, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the Centre international de solidarite ouvriere (CISO), and the United Steelworkers union (USW) co-signed a letter to the Departments of Labour of Mexico, Canada, and the U.S., as well as to the Canadian embassy in Mexico, denouncing the situation. The letter requested immediate action to protect the life and rights of Mr. Pulido Leon.

Mexico has seen a history of corrupt corporations using violence, intimidation and even murder to quell workers resistance, said Marty Warren, United Steelworkers Canadian Director.

It would be unacceptable for a Canadian mining company to be associated with these tactics. Workers must be able to organize and join unions without fear, Warren said.

Recent news that a worker at the mine survived an apparent attempt on his life is alarming to us all, states the letter from Canadian unions. It is imperative that workers in Canada, Mexico and the USA be able to exercise their right to affiliate to a democratic union of their choice without fear of violence or reprisals.

The letter urges the three governments to respond with due urgency, and to work with Los Mineros to ensure protection and a just resolution for workers at the Canadian-owned mine.

Media contacts:


Markham Fertility Centre (MFC)

MARKHAM, Ontario, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Time, cost, and distance are barriers that prevent many from accessing fertility care and achieving their family-building goals. We are pleased to hear that Health Minister Hon Sylvia Jones, and the Ontario government, are tackling some of the financial barriers with the recent funding announcement that adds an additional $150 million over 2 years to improve access to fertility services. This, along with Minster of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy's commitment to a tax credit for Ontarians paying for out-of-pocket expenses, demonstrates the governments forward-thinking and support of Ontario families. While more money is available, distance remains a major barrier for more than 1 million Ontarians living outside of major urban centers like the GTA and Ottawa. Markham Fertility Centre is on a mission to make care more accessible to all Ontarians. To this end, Markham Fertility Centre is announcing new partnerships in Orillia, Barrie-Innisfil, and Sudbury that will significantly reduce the travel burden for thousands of fertility patients.

Markham Fertility Centres medical director, Dr Meivys Garcia, spoke about the new directive. We fully appreciate the added struggles faced by those living far from IVF centers. This is why we have expanded our footprint to include 4 locations (in addition to our flagship IVF center in Markham, Ontario), where fertility patients can access diagnostic and monitoring services. With the ability to receive fertility care in Whitby, Barrie-Innisfil, Orillia, and Sudbury, we can effectively reduce the personal and financial burden on patients living in those areas.

The Barrie-Innisfil location, a collaboration with STROUD Ultrasound, is expected to open early in 2025, while the Sudbury location, a collaboration with WELL Health Diagnostic Centres, is expected to open in spring 2025. At both locations, Markham Fertility Centre will make diagnostic and monitoring services available to all patients, not just patients of Markham Fertility Centre. Opening monitoring to all patients is a significant advancement in patient access, where those living in the region no longer need to struggle to find monitoring services or travel long distances just for ultrasound or blood work appointments. IVF centres are invited to connect with Markham Fertility Centre once these services become available in early 2025.

Renee Higgins, a Sudbury patient who travelled to Markham Fertility, knows firsthand the challenges of living in northern Ontario. Renee recalls, I spent thousands of dollars and hours traveling between Sudbury and Toronto, taking time off work and risking my life on wintery roads. I am so excited to see that Markham Fertility Centre has established a presence in Sudbury. They will be a welcome addition to the region.

In addition to the two new northern locations, Markham Fertility has also partnered with DREAM Fertility in Whitby-Oshawa and with HORIZON Fertility in Orillia. In both locations, patients can receive their initial consultation and undergo funded IUI cycles while receiving monitoring services if they are referred to Markham Fertility for more advanced reproductive care.

For more information about Markham Fertility Centre or to learn more about how we are changing the face of fertility care in Ontario, please visit our website or contact Mark Evans, Managing Director at Markham Fertility Centre.

About Markham Fertility Centre:

Founded in 1988, Markham Fertility is owned and led by three dynamic female physicians, Dr Garcia, Dr Wais, and Dr Chan, who firmly believe that the best care is provided when physicians are in charge, not investors. Their vision is to ensure every patient feels valued, that their journey is unique, and that their story is the center of the clinics purpose. With these guiding principles in mind, Markham Fertility Centre has proudly helped create over 12,000 families over the last 30 years and offers the most comprehensive fertility-related services, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), egg freezing, intrauterine insemination, preimplantation genetic testing with in-house genetic counseling as well as donor gamete and surrogacy programs. Markham Fertility Centre is one of the only clinics in Canada to offer anaesthesiology-assisted egg retrievals, allowing for a more comfortable experience for its patients as well as the ability to help patients with complex medical issues. At Markham Fertility Centre, patients are the heroes of their own stories and the center of ours.

Media Enquiries for Markham Fertility Centre: MarkE@markhamfertility.com

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

My Fertility Podcast


OTTAWA, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CDIC will host its 2024 Annual Public Meeting via live bilingual webcast on November 6, 2024, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET.

This years theme is Our unwavering focus to protect depositors. Join Leah Anderson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Robert Sanderson, Chair of the Board of Directors, and members of senior management as they discuss how CDIC protects depositors and promotes financial stability by focusing on depositor trust and confidence, resolution readiness, and organizational strength in a dynamic operating environment.

You are encouraged to submit questions in advance by emailing smenquiries@cdic.ca or via the chat function during the live event.

Meeting details:

The event will take place via live webcast, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

About CDIC

CDIC is a federal Crown corporation, established by Parliament in 1967. We protect peoples insured deposits and contribute to financial stability by safeguarding over $1 trillion in deposits at more than 80 member institutions. As resolution authority, we are responsible for handling the failure of any of our members, from the smallest to the largest. Our members include banks, federally regulated credit unions, as well as trust and loan companies. We are funded by premiums paid by member institutions and do not receive public funds to operate. We have resolved 43 member failures to date, affecting some two million depositors. No one has ever lost any money under CDIC protection.

Media contact:

Tamara Mason

Head, Communications and Reporting

Tel: 613.943.4395

E-mail: media@cdic.ca




Photo Courtesy of Treasure Deal

DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Treasure Deal, an e-commerce startup, announced plans to transform online shopping in the post-pandemic world. Ghassan Al-Rifai founded the platform and offers a digital marketplace where customers can access various products and services, including the day to day needed items, flight, hotel bookings and much more, all at competitive prices. Treasure Deal focuses on making these options more accessible while offering great value to its users.

How Treasure Deal Makes a Difference

Treasure Deal offers more than just an online marketplace. The platform caters to individuals and businesses, offering easy access to a wide range of services, from flight and hotel room booking services to restaurant delivery system and reservations in addition to the daily purchases and luxury shopping.

"Our goal is to rethink e-commerce and create something beyond just buying and selling," says Al-Rifai. "Were building a digital space that provides everything individuals and businesses need while we keep prices competitive."

A key feature of Treasure Deal is its "Treasure Deal Invest with us", which allows users, businesses, service providers, merchants, and venture partner companies to join their early fundraising community stage and be a part of our success along with having a special privilege, in addition, users can find profitable deals and enhance their life expenses.

Moreover, the TD app will simplify the decision-making process, making it easier for users to navigate the platform and get the most value from their purchases.

A Vision Driven by Heritage

Ghassan Al-Rifai, the company's driving force, comes from the Rifai family, which is known for its contributions across various fields. Born in Homs, a city famous for producing influential figures, Al-Rifai draws inspiration from his heritage to positively impact the e-commerce industry .

"My background and family legacy motivates me to be part of the next generation of leaders," says Al-Rifai. "This journey is about creating a platform that brings real value to e-commerce."

Al-Rifai invests in technology and focuses on helping others succeed. Beyond Treasure Deal, he works to foster growth in the broader e-commerce space.

AI and User Experience: Enhancing Shopping through Technology

Treasure Deal uses AI technology to improve various aspects of the e-commerce experience. The system simplifies online shopping by providing access to reliable and profitable deals, helping customers avoid the usual complexities.

"We build in-house AI to help drive our platforms success," says Al-Rifai. "Our focus is on providing users with a smooth, secure shopping experience while giving merchants tools to stay competitive."

For merchants, its AI tools market trends to provide outstanding customer service, helping them to showcase products effectively. For customers, the platform offers personalized recommendations and connects them to quality goods and services at fair prices, making the shopping process more accessible for everyone.

Strategic Partnerships for Success: Building Long-term Relationships

Treasure Deal prioritizes building solid relationships and partnerships to support ongoing growth. The company plans to expand beyond its initial markets in the Gulf region, with ambitions for global reach in the coming months.

"We dont view others in the industry as competitors," says Al-Rifai. "We see them as potential partners, we got our innovation from their success, and we work together to create an ecosystem that benefits everyone. Our success depends on how well we adapt to the changing needs of our users."

Al-Rifai Unveils Plan for the Future of Online Shopping

Treasure Deal is preparing for its soft launch and will participate in the upcoming WORLDEF event in Dubai. At the event, Al-Rifai will share his thoughts and plans for the future of e-commerce, highlighting Treasure Deals outlook on improving the digital shopping experience.

Though still in its startup phase and not yet generating revenue, Treasure Deal remains confident that it can offer a valuable service for users. The company focuses on collaboration and mutual benefit, aiming to establish itself as a significant player in the e-commerce industry.

"We want Treasure Deal to be the go-to platform for those looking for good deals and an easy shopping experience," says Al-Rifai. "Were building something that will improve how people engage with e-commerce."

Al-Rifai added, We invite Influencers, Service Providers, Suppliers, freelancers, Restaurant Franchises, and businesses to build a strategic partnership to grow their exposure with us. There are exciting opportunities for companies to connect to target audiences with incredible benefits and exclusive discounts. Shine a spotlight on your brand with offers to drive traffic and grow profits. Together, we all win.

For more information about Treasure Deal, visit https://treasuredeal.com .

About Treasure Deal

Treasure Deal, an e-commerce startup founded by Ghassan Al-Rifai , seeks to build a digital ecosystem that makes online shopping easier using AI technology. The platform connects merchants and customers, offering profitable deals on a variety of products and services. In its pre-launch phase, the company is focusing on the Arab Gulf region, with plans to expand globally. Treasure Deal encourages collaboration and promotes ongoing growth in the digital marketplace.

Contact Information:

Contact Person's Name: Ghassan Al-Rifai

Organization / Company: Treasure Deal

Company website: https://treasuredeal.com/

Contact Email Address: rifai@treasuredealgroup.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/31d275d7-df0e-493f-9ca4-8d325ec85b99




WhiteBridge.Network partners with ChainGPT Labs, CLS, BitDegree, Solidus Tech AI, and Solanium to compile key indicators of social, financial, and entrepreneurial influence and determine the ranked list of Web3 movers and shakers

VILNIUS, Lithuania, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To acknowledge leading Web3 investors, WhiteBridge.Network and consortium of industry leaders including ChainGPT Labs , BitDegree , Solidus Ai Tech and Solanium , have launched Web300.vc . This new online community is the definitive ranked list of the 300 most influential and visionary investors in the Web3 space, complete with individual data-based profiles. The current list is topped by Sequoia Capital Partners Shaun Maguire, Konstantine Butler, Julien Bek, and Pantera Capital Managing Partners Dan Morehead and Paul Veradittakit. Web300 will become an indispensable whos-who of Web3 investors, leaders, and thinkers.





Given that the Web300 is focused entirely on the world of Web3, its only appropriate that AI plays a major role in its creation. WhiteBridge.Networks AI technology creates rankings based on a cumulative score, determined by a combination of factors such as social influence, financial and business influence as determined by fund size, number of investments, and overall decentralised community feedback. Venture visibility, partner visibility, partner activity on socials, amount of capital and activity level of the firm  all of these figure into the evaluation to create the most comprehensive Web3 power rankings list ever.

Each profile includes contacts, a complete career resume, and insights into their general outlook, behavioral perspectives, communication style, and interests. For entrepreneurs, its an indispensable resource for selecting the right investor, before approaching and building rapport. A community comments section allows people to add their personal interactions with individual list members, blending the power of shared community insight with precise AI measurement. In short, this list combines centralised AI with decentralised community intelligence, ensuring that Web300 remains dynamic and continuously updated.

One thing unites everyone on the Web300: the mission to see this new era of technology to fruition and to the future, and a shared commitment to helping the entrepreneurs driving the movement avoid bad actors while bolstering the industrys reputation at large.The creation of an aggregate power ranking is itself a bid for increased legitimacy and could motivate other VC Partners to be more socially active and share their views publicly.

Web300 is not just another accolade for those included in its ranks. It is an intelligent and useful tool for entrepreneurs in search of the capital and support they need to do their work and advance Web3 at large. With participation from WhiteBridge.Network and its industry-leading partners, the Web300 is power rankings done smarter, combining the power of centralised AI and decentralised community engagement to make the new list a leader in this emerging industry.

About WhiteBridge.Network

WhiteBridge.Network is a decentralised search engine that provides insights into specific people. WhiteBridge.Networks proprietary AI technology aggregates and analyzes scattered public information from 30+ sources to go beyond raw data and provide accurate, actionable people insights for use cases such as sales intelligence, recruiting, and online reputation management. For more information, visit www.whitebridge.ai .

ChainGPT Labs - a venture capital arm of the ChainGPT Foundation. Its mission is to accelerate the growth and success of innovative Web3 projects. The funding initiatives provide early-stage projects with the capital and expertise necessary to bring their vision to life. Additionally, comprehensive incubation and acceleration programs are offered, nurturing projects from their beginning stages to market launch. Visit ChainGPT Labs to learn more.

CLS Global - an all-in-one consulting agency specializing in Market Making. With over seven years of experience in the crypto market and 500+ existing clients, they bring vast expertise to the table. CLS Global has successfully sustained operations through three bear markets, demonstrating resilience and stability. They proudly manage over $1.5 billion in assets and work with 10% of the top 200 projects listed on CoinMarketCap.

BitDegree.org is a leading newcomer onboarding channel for Web3 and AI that makes learning fun and rewarding. Since 2017, BitDegree has served 50M+ people while pursuing its mission to help everyone master new technologies and succeed.

Solidus AI Tech Solidus has built an eco-friendly High-Performance Computing (HPC) Data Centre spanning 8,000 sq ft in Europe. AITECH, the worlds first deflationary AI infrastructure utility token, facilitates access to the Launchpad, Artificial Intelligence, and GPU Marketplace. AITECH powers the Solidus AI Tech ecosystem, enabling seamless service procurement.

Solanium - Solanium is a leading multichain, OG launchpad revolutionizing DeFi on Solana and now beyond. Solanium provides a seamless platform for decentralized fundraising, staking, and governance voting. We are committed to provide exclusive opportunities for users and projects while expanding the decentralized ecosystem. Solanium has raised over $17M with 82K participants and successfully funded 50+ projects. Visit solanium.io to learn more.

Contact:

WhiteBridge.

Paulius Taraskevicius

paulius@whitebridge.ai

ChainGPT Labs:

Jacob Wallace

jacob@chaingpt.org

BitDegree

Danielius Stasiulis

danielus@bitdegree.org

Solidus Ai Tech

SINA ABDOLALI

sina@ai-tech.io

Disclaimer: This content is provided by WhiteBridge.Network. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c1f50bcf-24e7-4393-8c28-40a0f1564f8a

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d47da545-1751-4fd8-962a-5ddae7ad04ce
MONTREAL, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Metals Incorporated (the Company or Osisko Metals) ( TSX-V: OM ; OTCQX: OMZNF ; FRANKFURT: 0B51 ) is pleased to announce that Pine Point Mining Limited (PPML) and the Town of Hay River have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) stating their intentions to work together to seize opportunities for long term sustainable growth for Hay River through the development and operations of Pine Point Mining Project (Project).





Pine Point Mining Ltd. is committed to fostering positive and constructive relationships with communities with the aim of facilitating a positive impact from our mine development project and potential future mining operations for long-term sustainable growth for all communities impacted by our Project, said Jeff Hussey, CEO, PPML.

The Pine Point mine presents an exciting opportunity to significantly benefit residents and businesses of Hay River, said Her Worship Kandis Jameson, Mayor, Town of Hay River. Our Town Council looks forward to working closely with Pine Point Mining Ltd. to maximize the economic potential of the project while thoughtfully considering all aspects of community impact.

The MOU allows both parties to identify and discuss issues that advance the development of the Project and provide long-term beneficial opportunities to the Town of Hay River, its residents and businesses that will continue well past the life of the proposed Project.

Pine Point Mining Ltd. is a joint venture between Osisko Metals Incorporated and Appian Natural Resources Fund III LP. (See note About Osisko Metals for further details.) The Town of Hay River is a municipal corporation established under the Cities, Towns and Villages Act (SNWT 2003, c.22).

PPML town halls

PPML have begun to host a series of town halls to engage with local communities. Pine Points CEO Jeff Hussey and Sustainability Manager Veronica Chisholm, as well as other PPML representatives, will present on key aspects of the project: mining, processing, tailings, water management, as well as environmental studies completed and underway. They will also answer questions, and ask for feedback on progress so far.

The following dates and time are confirmed:

Hay River

Hay River Recreation Centre

November 5: 6 to 10 p.m.

Yellowknife

Tree of Peace Friendship Centre

November 25: 6 to 10 p.m.

Planning is ongoing to meet with all local communities, and additional dates will be announced as they are finalized.

About Osisko Metals

Osisko Metals Incorporated is a Canadian exploration and development company creating value in the critical metals space, more specifically copper and zinc. The Company is in a joint venture with Appian Capital Advisory LLP for the advancement of one of Canada's premier past-producing zinc mining camps, the Pine Point Project, located in the Northwest Territories, for which current mineral resources have been calculated for the 2024 MRE (as defined herein). The Project is held under the joint venture company Pine Point Mining Limited.

The Pine Point Project has a mineral resource estimate consist of 49.5Mt grading 5.52% ZnEq of Indicated Mineral Resources and 8.3Mt grading 5.64% ZnEq of Inferred Mineral Resources (in accordance with National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). The reports title is Pine Point Zinc-Lead Project Mineral Resource Estimate Update, Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada. Prepared for Osisko Metals Incorporated and Pine Point Mining Limited, it is effective May 31, 2024. The reports authors are Pierre-Luc Richard, P. Geo. (PLR Resources Inc.), Colin Hardie, P. Eng. (BBA Inc.), as well as Carl Michaud, P. Eng., and Alexandre Dorval, P. Eng., both of G Mining Services Inc. The Pine Point Project is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories, near infrastructure, with paved highway access, an electrical substation, and 100 kilometres of viable haulage roads.

In addition, and outside of the Pine Point JV, the Company acquired in July 2023, from Glencore Canada Corporation, a 100% interest in the past-producing Gaspe Copper Mine, located near Murdochville in the Gaspe peninsula of Quebec. The Company is currently focused on resource evaluation of the Copper Mountain Expansion Project that hosts a current mineral resource consisting of an Indicated Mineral Resource of 495Mt grading 0.37% CuEq and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 6.3Mt grading 0.37% CuEq (in accordance with National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects); see May 6, 2024 news release of Osisko Metals entitled Osisko Metals announces updated mineral resource estimate at Gaspe Copper  indicated resource of 495 mt grading 0.37% copper equivalent"). Gaspe Copper hosts the largest undeveloped copper resource in Eastern North America, strategically located near existing infrastructure in the mining-friendly province of Quebec.

About Appian

Appian Capital Advisory LLP is a London-headquartered investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds that invest solely in mining and mining-related companies.

Appian is a leading investment advisor in the metals and mining industry, with global experience across South America, North America, Europe, Australia and Africa and a successful track record of supporting companies to achieve their development targets, with a global operating portfolio overseeing nearly 6,300 employees. Appian has a global team of 65 experienced professionals with presences in London, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, New York, Lima, Belo Horizonte, Perth, Mexico City and Dubai. The Appian team, through its private capital funds, has a long history of successfully bringing mines through development and into production, having completed nine mine builds in the last six years.

For more information, please visit www.appiancapitaladvisory.com , or find Appianm on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.

Media contacts

Jeff Hussey, CEO, Pine Point Mining Ltd.

Phone: 514-513-6710

Patrick Bergen, Town of Hay River

Phone: 867-874-6522 ext. 216

Email: asao@hayriver.com

Follow PPML on www.pinepointmining.com, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/pine-point-mining-limited/, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pinepointminingltd/.

For further information, visit www.osiskometals.com or contact:

Robert Wares, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Osisko Metals Incorporated

Email: info@osiskometals.com

Phone: 514-861-4441

Follow Osisko Metals on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/osiskometals, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/osiskometals, and on X at https://twitter.com/osiskometals.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking information. This news release may contain forward-looking information pertaining to the Pine Point and Gaspe Copper Projects, including, among other things, the results of the 2022 PEA on Pine Point and the IRR, NPV and estimated costs, production, production rate and mine life; the ability to identify additional resources and reserves (if any) and exploit such resources and reserves on an economic basis; the expected high quality of the metal concentrates; the potential economic impact of the projects on local communities, including but not limited to the potential generation of tax revenues and contribution of jobs; the timing and ability for Projects to reach construction decision (if at all); the estimated costs to take the Projects to construction decision (if at all) and the impact to the Company of the disposition of ownership interest and control in the Pine Point Project, which is a material property of the Company; Gaspe Copper hosting the largest undeveloped copper resource in Eastern North America and Glencore becoming a Control Person of the Company.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, in light of managements experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation, assumptions about: favourable equity and debt capital markets; the ability and timing for the Pine Point joint-venture parties to fund cash calls to advance the development of the Pine Point Project and pursue planned exploration and development; future spot prices of copper, zinc, lead and molybdenum; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the accuracy of mineral resource estimates; production costs; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental and third party approvals; licenses and permits being received on favourable terms; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital markets; availability of mining equipment and positive relations with local communities and groups. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information are set out in the Companys public disclosure record on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Osisko Metals issuer profile. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/418d04f4-1c56-435c-9e53-f75aa021e3c3
TORONTO, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- White Ribbon is launching its Men Dont Want Flowers Campaign.

This heartwarming, tear-jerking and visually striking campaign disrupts how we think about masculinity. The viewer is left wondering: Why dont men receive flowers?

As part of an innovative project to prevent online sexual exploitation and understand the role of healthy masculinities in addressing this issue, this campaign provides viewers with the opportunity to think critically about outdated stereotypes associated with masculinity.

We are excited to launch these videos as part of our ongoing efforts to promote healthy masculinities," said Humberto Carolo, CEO at White Ribbon. "By providing a platform for honest and vulnerable discussions, we hope to challenge outdated and harmful social norms that lead to the use of violence and exploitation, and positively impact and contribute to creating a safer online environment for young people."

White Ribbon invites viewers to the virtual watch party on Tuesday, November 12th, 2024, at 1:00 - 3:00 PM EST. This online event will feature, White Ribbon staff, campaign participants and videographers who will react to the campaign and share their own experiences around vulnerability, healthy masculinity and flowers. Register for free at https://www.whiteribbon.ca/events .

During the launch of this new campaign, White Ribbon will also be unveiling Thriving in Digital Spaces: Empowering Youth to Create Online Safety Virtual Symposium. This virtual symposium is an opportunity for teachers, educators, and facilitators to access White Ribbon materials and to come together to discuss preventing online sexual exploitation with their students and communities. The symposium will run between November 11th and November 23rd, 2024 and is open to all secondary schools and youth-focused organizations in Ontario and Nova Scotia. White Ribbon will provide comprehensive online resources on online sexual exploitation, its root causes and prevention methods. It will feature an interactive online course, presentation and facilitation guide.

More information about the symposium, including the pre-registration form, can be found on the White Ribbon website here . Join the movement to empower youth to create healthy, safe, and equitable online spaces.

About White Ribbon: White Ribbon is the worlds largest movement to engage men and boys in preventing gender-based violence by promoting equity and transforming social norms. We engage men and boys to realize their potential to be part of the solution to ending all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination. Please visit our website at www.whiteribbon.ca to learn more about how to get involved. If you want to book a workshop for your school, community or workplace, please visit our website here .

Organization Contact for Media Inquiries:

David Garzon

Director, Marketing and Communications

White Ribbon

+1 416-920-6684 x 17

dgarzon@whiteribbon.ca
CARY, N.C., Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SECU Foundation has awarded a $750,000 challenge grant to Lucy Daniels Center (LDC) for the construction of a youth mental health facility and resource center at its campus headquarters in Cary. The new wing will allow the non-profit to triple its current patient capacity for therapeutic services and support.

Established 35 years ago, LDC is the Triangle areas largest agency provider of social, emotional, and mental health services for children from birth through 11 years and their families. LDC also received a Mission Development Grant from SECU Foundation in 2023 to help with fundraising strategies, including a feasibility study for the projects capital campaign.

SECU Foundation is thrilled to increase its support for Lucy Daniels Center with a grant for their new childrens facility in Wake County, said SECU Foundation Board Chair Chris Ayers. The need for their services has been growing at an overwhelming rate the past several years, and we hope our funding will lead the way in inspiring others to join these efforts in making mental health services accessible to even more families.

We are so grateful for SECU Foundations support in the vital work of providing mental health intervention for our youngest community members, said Lucy Daniels Center Executive Director Dr. Emily Odjaghian. The SECU Therapy Wing will enable us to provide services to over 1,500 children and their families every year, helping them overcome their challenges, learn, grow, and find their version of success. SECU Foundations continued investment in our children and community is helping to provide a solid foundation for the future success of our state.

About SECU and SECU Foundation

A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, and federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), SECU has been providing employees of the state of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 87 years. SECU is the second largest credit union in the United States with $56 billion in assets. It serves more than 2.8 million members through 275 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, Member Services Support via phone, www.ncsecu.org, and the SECU Mobile App. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high-impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare, and human services. Since 2004, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of over $300 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide.

Contact: Jama Campbell, Executive Director, secufoundation@ncsecu.org





A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1b364bf5-bfc5-466f-93ac-e6d55e9ed0d3




DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) opened Splendours of the Atlas: A Voyage Through Moroccos Heritage, a landmark exhibition exploring Morocco's rich artistic and cultural traditions. The opening reception was attended by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Chairperson of Qatar Museums and the Years of Culture initiative, and Princess Lalla Hasna of Morocco. The exhibition is presented as part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, an international cultural exchange designed to deepen understanding between nations and their people.

Featuring around 200 artifacts, manuscripts, jewelry pieces, photographs, and musical instruments, some of which have never been displayed before, Splendours of the Atlas narrates the vibrant history of Morocco and its enduring cultural legacy. The exhibition features key loans from prominent Moroccan institutions, such as the National Foundation of Museums and the National Library of Rabat. These rare objects will be complemented by previously never-before-seen works from Qatar Museums, MIA, and the forthcoming Lusail Museum, including an Alawite headdress decorated with golden plaques and precious stones, silver Amazigh jewelry, as well as 11th to 13th century wooden beams from a building in Fez. Though acquired by Qatar Museums separately, these beams were identified as part of the same structure during the restoration process in preparation for the exhibition. The exhibition, curated by Dr. Mounia Chekhab-Abudaya, MIAs Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs, will be on view from 2 November 2024 to 8 March 2025.

"This exhibition is a tribute to Moroccos vast and varied artistic achievements, spanning centuries of rich cultural history," said MIA Director Shaika Al-Nassr. "By showcasing objects of extraordinary craftsmanship, from intricate jewelry to ancient manuscripts, we offer a rare glimpse into the heart of Morocco's artistic heritage. Visitors are invited to explore these treasures and reflect on how Morocco's unique cultural legacy continues to resonate on the global stage."

Dr. Mounia Chekhab-Abudaya added: "The concept behind the exhibition was to take visitors on a journey to explore Morocco through its people, landscape, and contributions to scholarship and artistic production. In developing this exhibition, we had the rewarding but challenging task of selecting from the plethora of objects from Moroccan and Qatar Museums collections. About sixty to seventy percent of objects presented in this exhibition will be shown for the first time."

The exhibition features a special commission by Noureddine Amir, an artist who uses garments to create his body of work. He has created an installation of panels made from raw, organic materials native to Morocco utilizing traditional weaving techniques.

"The materials I use determine how I form each piece. This approach comes from my mission to awaken our instinctive drive to reconnect with nature and the Earth, something that is deeply rooted in my heritage and I am excited to share with visitors to the Splendours of the Atlas exhibition at the Museum of Islamic Art," said Noureddine.

The exhibition is organized into five thematic sections:

In "Faces of Morocco: Landscapes and Society," visitors are immersed in a vivid visual journey through Moroccos ecologically diverse landscapes and its people. The gallery showcases powerful photographs by renowned artists such as Bruno Barbey, Irving Penn, and Lalla Essaydi, offering glimpses into the everyday lives of Moroccos Arab and Amazigh communities.

visitors are immersed in a vivid visual journey through Moroccos ecologically diverse landscapes and its people. The gallery showcases powerful photographs by renowned artists such as Bruno Barbey, Irving Penn, and Lalla Essaydi, offering glimpses into the everyday lives of Moroccos Arab and Amazigh communities. "The Soul of Morocco: Kings, Saints, and Scholars" takes visitors through Morocco's rich dynastic history, a period marked by flourishing theological scholarship and groundbreaking scientific advancements. The cities of Fez and Marrakesh emerged as pivotal centers of learning, where rulers created an environment ripe for discovery in fields like astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. Highlighting the intellectual legacy of the era, the section features the University of Al Qarawiyyin, founded by the trailblazing female scholar Fatima al-Fihri in 859, and celebrated as the worlds oldest continuously operating degree-granting institution.

takes visitors through Morocco's rich dynastic history, a period marked by flourishing theological scholarship and groundbreaking scientific advancements. The cities of Fez and Marrakesh emerged as pivotal centers of learning, where rulers created an environment ripe for discovery in fields like astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. Highlighting the intellectual legacy of the era, the section features the University of Al Qarawiyyin, founded by the trailblazing female scholar Fatima al-Fihri in 859, and celebrated as the worlds oldest continuously operating degree-granting institution. "Threads of Tradition: Moroccos Artisanal Mastery" is the exhibition's largest and most intricate section, dedicated to Morocco's craft traditions. Displays explore leatherwork, textiles, carpets, ceramics, jewelry, and woodwork, all testament to the craftsmanship that has thrived in Morocco for generations. Ceramic pieces reflect Moroccos rich Islamicparticularly Amazigh and Andalusianheritage, while intricately woven tapestries showcase Moroccos role as a cultural crossroads where African, European, and Middle Eastern influences converge. Finally, costumes and jewelry, including traditional garments such as bridal kaftans, showcase how designers and artisans have preserved customs and adapted them to contemporary needs. The gallery design is informed by artisanal workshops and Moroccan markets, creating an immersive experience.

is the exhibition's largest and most intricate section, dedicated to Morocco's craft traditions. Displays explore leatherwork, textiles, carpets, ceramics, jewelry, and woodwork, all testament to the craftsmanship that has thrived in Morocco for generations. Ceramic pieces reflect Moroccos rich Islamicparticularly Amazigh and Andalusianheritage, while intricately woven tapestries showcase Moroccos role as a cultural crossroads where African, European, and Middle Eastern influences converge. Finally, costumes and jewelry, including traditional garments such as bridal kaftans, showcase how designers and artisans have preserved customs and adapted them to contemporary needs. The gallery design is informed by artisanal workshops and Moroccan markets, creating an immersive experience. "Traditional Sounds of Morocco" dives deep into the countrys diverse musical heritage, featuring an array of instruments from the prestigious Dar Jamai Museum in Meknes. This section celebrates Morocco's unique musical landscape from the classical Andalusian melodies that echo through northern cities to the rhythmic, soul-stirring gnawa music of the South. Accompanying videos bring the instruments to life, offering visitors an auditory journey through the distinct musical traditions of various regions.

The exhibition is accompanied by a 216-page publication featuring short essays by MIAs Dr. Mounia Chekhab-Abudaya on each of the shows key themes. Photographs and detailed object entries of each work in the show are also included.

In partnership with the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, MIA is also presenting Ektashif: Morocco on view from 2 November 2024  26 February 2025. The exhibition, features works by seven Qatari artists and designers who toured Morocco earlier this year gaining new skills in traditional and Islamic arts and learning from expert artists and craftsmen.

About Years of Culture

The Years of Culture initiative, chaired by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, spearheads long-lasting cultural partnerships between Qatar and other nations. It exists to promote respect and understanding among diverse cultures and serves as a catalyst for bringing people together, nurturing connections, encouraging dialogue, and deepening understanding. Though formal programming spans one year, the lasting impact continues through legacy projects.

The Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture is developed in collaboration with leading organizations in Qatar with counterparts in Morocco and with assistance from the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Qatars Embassy in Morocco, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Qatar.

Previous Years of Culture have included: Qatar-Japan 2012, Qatar-UK 2013, Qatar-Brazil 2014, Qatar-Turkiye 2015, Qatar-China 2016, Qatar-Germany 2017, Qatar-Russia 2018, Qatar-India 2019, Qatar-France 2020, Qatar-USA 2021, Qatar-MENASA 2022, and Qatar-Indonesia 2023.

FIND US ONLINE:

Years of Culture

Website: yearsofculture.qa

X: @YearsofCulture | Instagram: @YearsofCulture | Facebook: @YearsofCulture

Media Contact: Anya Kotova | anyak@bljworldwide.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e6865fa8-7277-4c7f-b07c-e7c18ba2ffa6
SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atsign, a leading innovator in embedded security technology, announced today that it has been recognized by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, on the 2024 Edge Computing 100 list. This list honors the 100 leading edge computing companies for 2024 across three key categories: Edge Hardware, Software and Services; IoT and 5G Edge Services; and Edge Security.

The technology vendors featured on the 2024 CRN Edge Computing 100 list are being recognized for providing channel partners with the technology to build next-generation edge solutions that support faster data analytics and stronger edge security for their customers.

Atsign was selected for the 2024 CRN Edge Computing 100 list due to its innovative zero trust remote access tool, NoPorts. NoPorts simplifies and secures communication between edge devices and the cloud, addressing critical challenges in edge deployments:

Eliminates Complex Certificate Management: NoPorts removes the need for individual certificates on edge devices, streamlining deployment and ongoing maintenance.

NoPorts removes the need for individual certificates on edge devices, streamlining deployment and ongoing maintenance. Enhanced Security at the Edge: Public Key Authentication Method (PKAM) ensures secure communication and robust identity verification for all connected devices.

Public Key Authentication Method (PKAM) ensures secure communication and robust identity verification for all connected devices. Global Addressability: With NoPorts, connecting to your devices on the edge is easy. As long as your device can connect to the internet, you can securely reach it without worrying about technical hurdles like firewalls, VPNs, static IP addresses, or Network Address Translation.



Being recognized by CRN as a leader in edge computing is a tremendous honor, said Barbara Tallent, Co-Founder and CEO at Atsign. NoPorts empowers organizations to unlock the full potential of edge computing by simplifying security and streamlining operations. We are committed to providing innovative solutions that help businesses thrive in today's data-driven world.

The vendors on the 2024 Edge Computing 100 list are standouts in providing technologies that make innovative edge solutions possible, said Jennifer Follett, VP, U.S Content, Executive Editor, CRN The Channel Company. These advanced technologies empower channel partners to offer outstanding solutions that help their customers operate efficiently, optimize data analytics, and stay secure across remote environments. We congratulate all the vendors on the list and look forward to seeing how they continue to advance edge technologies.

The 2024 Edge Computing 100 list will be featured in the December issue of CRN magazine and online at www.crn.com/edge100 beginning November 4.

About Atsign

Atsign specializes in embedded security technology, infrastructure, software solutions, and SDKs. The company is providing the technology for the next generation of the Internet with simplicity, security, and privacy built in. Atsigns products deliver a new approach to networking using public key cryptography and personal data services. Learn more at Atsign.com .

About NoPorts

NoPort simplifies and secures remote access for organizations of all sizes. NoPorts offers the most secure connection for remote access in the industry because of its zero trust architecture, data privacy through end-to-end encryption, and the elimination of network attack surfaces. NoPorts empowers businesses to achieve greater operational efficiency, improved scalability, and enhanced security  all while reducing costs and complexity. Learn more at NoPorts.com .

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 40 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com

 2024 The Channel Company, Inc. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

Contact

Atsign Contact:

Scott Hetherington

Atsign

scott@atsign.com

The Channel Company Contact:

Kristin DaSilva

The Channel Company

kdasilva@thechannelcompany.com
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) is very pleased to announce the formal launch of its Climate Resilience Centre in downtown Winnipeg. The centre was made possible through generous contributions from Wawanesa, including the provision of office space in the companys former executive office at 191 Broadway and operating funds.

ICLR is thrilled to partner with Wawanesa on this trailblazing facility, said Paul Kovacs, Executive Director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction. After this years horrendous series of storm and wildfire-related losses that have led to a record $8 billion in insurance claims, it has never been more clear that all facets of Canadian society must work together to foster resilience to extremes. In the context of making Canadian homes, both existing and new, stronger against natures extremes, we know what features need to be added. The new ICLR Climate Resilience Centre in Winnipeg allows attendees to see these features in action.

As Canadas leading property and casualty mutual insurer, we see firsthand the devastating impact of severe weather across the country, said Jeff Goy, President & CEO of Wawanesa. Driven by our commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities, Wawanesa is proud to support the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reductions new Climate Resilience Centre in our former executive office in Winnipeg. This facility will serve as a critical resource in equipping Canadians with the knowledge to better protect themselves against the growing threats of climate change, helping them to reduce their risk of loss.

The Climate Resilience Centre will serve as a destination for various stakeholders, such as insurers, reinsurers, brokers, home builders, building code officials and others to come together and learn about best practices and the issues involved in becoming more climate resilient. This includes:

Developing programming with national reach, distributing information to various stakeholders that is relevant to climate risks across the country.

Free attendance, allowing groups to book the premises for education sessions, host events and to collaborate in person.

Multimedia and other hands-on displays highlighting practical strategies for property loss mitigation developed by ICLR and sponsored by Wawanesa. The displays will be able to travel to communities for education events to address hazards such as basement flooding/sewer backup, wildfire, overland flooding, extreme wind, and hail.

A dedicated space sponsored by Wawanesa that will encourage attendees to come together to share knowledge and learn.

Tours of the ICLR Climate Resilience Centre can be booked, and inquiries about borrowing the displays can be made by visiting www.iclr.org/climatecentre/.

About The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR)

Canadas leading disaster research institute, the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), was established by the insurance industry in 1997 as an independent, not-for-profit research and outreach institute to champion disaster resilience in Canada. ICLR is an international centre of excellence affiliated with Western University, London, Ontario. The Institute develops and champions evidence-based disaster safety solutions that can be implemented by homeowners, businesses and governments to enhance their disaster resilience. Visit www.iclr.org for more information.

About The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company

The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, founded in 1896, is one of Canadas largest mutual insurers, with over $3.5 billion in annual revenue and assets of $10 billion. Wawanesa Mutual, with its National Headquarters in Winnipeg, is the parent company of Wawanesa Life, which provides life insurance products and services throughout Canada, and Western Financial Group, which distributes personal and business insurance across Canada. Wawanesa proudly serves more than 1.7 million members in Canada. The company actively gives back to organizations that strengthen communities, donating more than $3.5 million annually to charitable organizations, including over $2 million annually in support of people on the front lines of climate change. Learn more at wawanesa.com.

For more information:

Michel Rosset

Manager, Corporate Communications & Media Relations

The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company

media@wawanesa.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2b304c1a-bceb-4c48-81ab-b15fbf482fd5

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/df5d68f1-6b5a-4a3e-aef0-b2630d979275

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ec5a4ca6-49a7-425f-a354-f6b7a926aa64
Saint Charles, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saint Charles, Missouri -

Fence and Deck Depot, a standout company in its field, has been awarded the prestigious BBB Torch Award for Ethics as of October 16, 2024. This distinction is awarded annually to only ten businesses in the St. Louis area, highlighting the company's commitment to outstanding ethical standards and trust in its business practices.

The Torch Award focuses on recognizing organizations that adhere to the highest levels of trust. Earning this award meant going through a demanding application process. Companies need to show how they meet the four C's: the Character of their leadership, the Culture they foster, their dealings with Customers, and their impact on the Community.

A spokesperson from Fence and Deck Depot shared their pride in achieving this recognition, stating, "Winning the BBB Torch Award signals to customers, employees, and all stakeholders that the company operates with high integrity. The award reinforces to our team members that our positive organizational culture and ethical behavior makes us an employer of choice in our field."

The selection process for the Torch Award is thorough, focusing on businesses that are truly dedicated to ethical practices. Fence and Deck Depot stands out for its genuine culture, openness with customers, and positive contributions to the local community. This dedication plays a vital role in building trust and maintaining long-term relationships.

Being recognized by the BBB is more than just a pat on the back; it also brings a responsibility to keep upholding these standards. By building a culture around trust and honesty, Fence and Deck Depot shows the importance of ethical leadership and community involvement. This approach not only creates a better work environment inside the company but also strengthens its reputation with customers and the public.

Leadership at Fence and Deck Depot has played a key role in developing a workplace that values honesty and integrity. Starting from the top, this commitment influences every decision and interaction within the company, ensuring its core values shine through. Such leadership is crucial to maintaining a workplace where doing the right thing is the norm.

Creating a genuine culture has helped Fence and Deck Depot engage with employees in a meaningful way. By focusing on ethical behavior, the company has shaped an environment where employees feel appreciated and motivated to contribute to the company's goals. This atmosphere of integrity boosts employee satisfaction and staying power, making it a great place to work in its industry.

Openness in relationships with customers is another important part of Fence and Deck Depot's operations. The company makes sure that every customer interaction is honest, which leads to stronger, trust-based relationships. By clearly communicating expectations with customers, Fence and Deck Depot build partnerships that both sides value.

Community involvement is a core part of the company's mission. Fence and Deck Depot actively participates in local projects and encourages its employees to get involved too. To learn more about their community initiatives and upcoming projects, check out the community engagement section on their website. This engagement not only benefits the local area but also underscores the company's commitment to being a responsible and credible business. Through these efforts, Fence and Deck Depot strengthens its ties to the community, creating positive effects for everyone involved.

Winning the BBB Torch Award for Ethics is a great honor for Fence and Deck Depot, highlighting its deep commitment to ethical business practices and meaningful community involvement. The company's leadership, workplace culture, customer relationships, and community impact set it apart as a model for others in the industry to follow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jshjGc034lo

Looking ahead, Fence and Deck Depot is firmly dedicated to these principles, making sure its operations reflect the highest ethical standards. In doing so, the company solidifies its status as a trusted and respected leader in its field, committed to excellence and integrity in every aspect of its business. With the BBB Torch Award as a symbol, Fence and Deck Depot exemplifies what a principled and community-focused organization can achieve. Visit their homepage to stay updated on their continued endeavors and success stories.

###

For more information about Fence and Deck Depot - St. Charles, MO, contact the company here:



Fence and Deck Depot - St. Charles, MO

Media Relations

(636) 441-7374

info@fencedepotco.com

1432 South Dr

St. Charles, MO 63303




VICTORIA, British Columbia, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tellwell Publishing is proud to announce its 2024 win at the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Vancouver Island Torch Awards in the Professional Services category. This prestigious recognition highlights Tellwells dedication to integrity, customer trust, and service excellence. Having been a finalist for the past three years, Tellwell is honoured to be acknowledged as a Torch Award winner this year, marking a significant milestone in the companys journey.



The award was graciously accepted on behalf of the Tellwell team by founder and CEO Tim Lindsay and Head of Marketing Monica Martinez. Reflecting on this honour, Tim Lindsay shared, Winning the Torch Award reflects the hard work and dedication of every member of the Tellwell team. Were committed to providing a publishing experience grounded in trust and quality, and its incredibly rewarding to see these values recognized.

Each year, BBB Vancouver Island recognizes local businesses that demonstrate outstanding character, ethical business practices, and a positive impact on their community. Nominated by customers and evaluated by a panel of judges, the award criteria highlight each companys dedication to ethical service, community engagement, and customer care. The 2024 winners were announced on November 1 at the Union Club of B.C. in Victoria, where BBB President & CEO Rosalind Scott commended the 15 honourees for their outstanding commitment to our community.

Since its founding in 2015, Tellwell has supported thousands of authors across Canada, the USA, Australia, and the UK, reinforcing its mission to uphold the highest standards in publishing while fostering a culture of trust and transparency. Tellwells recognition by the BBB affirms the companys dedication to delivering quality self-publishing services and expert guidance to every project.

About Tellwell Publishing

Tellwell Publishing is a full-service assisted self-publishing company that empowers authors with high-quality publishing expertise, creative freedom, and unparalleled support. Founded in 2015, Tellwell has published over 4,000 books globally, helping authors bring their stories to life with integrity, respect, and a focus on customer success.

About BBB Serving Vancouver Island

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Vancouver Island is a trusted resource for consumer protection and business ethics. Each year, the BBB Torch Awards recognize businesses that excel in trustworthy and ethical practices. Businesses are nominated by the public, with winners selected based on their commitment to integrity, community engagement, and exceptional customer service.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2603479-f7ef-4a57-92ef-489a2e16c015
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. The firm also encourages persons with knowledge who may assist the investigation to contact its attorneys.

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/ben

Contact the Firm Now: BEN@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

Investigation Into Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN):

The investigation focuses on Franklins controls over trading-related matters, including without limitation, those related to the marks of treasury derivatives and investment performance of its Western Asset Management Macro Opportunities fund strategy.

On July 26, 2024, Franklin revealed that [f]ollowing the launch of an internal investigation focusing on certain past trade allocations of treasury derivatives in select Western Asset Management (WAM) accounts, WAM received notification of parallel investigations by the SEC and U.S. Department of Justice. This news drove the price of Franklin shares significantly lower.

Then, on August 21, 2024, Franklin disclosed that WAM placed co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech on leave effective immediately and that [i]n light of Mr. Leechs leave of absence, the Company has determined that closing its Macro Opportunities strategy (approximately $2.0 billion in AUM as of 7/31/2024) is in clients best interests.

Franklin also revealed that Leech received a Wells Notice from the SEC. A Wells Notice is a formal notification that the SEC has concluded an investigation with charges likely to follow.

This news drove the price of Franklin shares over 12% lower on August 21, 2024.

We are looking into whether Franklin may have misled investors about the firms Western Asset Management units trade practices, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Franklin and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, submit your losses now .

If youd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Franklin investigation, read more .

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Franklin should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email BEN@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Bermans team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
Palm Beach, Florida, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ThinkCareBelieve Article: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/11/05/the-most-important-election-of-our-time/

Palm Beach, Florida- Polls and turnout look strong for Trump. Reports say there are lots of men in line early on and voters seem adamant about being able to cast their vote. Voters are being told to stay in line until their vote is cast because by law, they must be allowed to vote if they are in line.

Trump's rallies have hugely grown to mega-stadiums, while Harris's shrunk to smaller venues. The main reason people are leaving the Harris side is frustration with the economy, anger over out of touch policies, government overreach, distrust because of the current administration's track record over the last 4 years.

President Trump listens to people's concerns. He makes policies that make sense. He has a strong track record of establishing a good econoy, while fighting to bring manufacturing back to the US and shore up the unfair $1 trillion trade deficit. Vice President Harris said at the debate that the Wharton School of Business and Goldman Sachs endorsed her economic plan over President Trump's but both of them put out statements correcting her sayig that wasn't true.

President Trump has some major endorsements- hundreds of thousands of fire and rescue, police, and border patrol, while Harris has a small group of celebrities supporting her. Trump promises to make improvements for victims of migrant crime and has shown that he cares by standing with the families of victims, while Harris avoids all of that.

Trump's Team Brings Hope.

Tream members are JD Vance, RFK Jr, Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Ben Carson. Real change with each team member on Team Trump handling key areas- Health, medical, chronic illness, vaccine damage, chemicals/pesticides in foods, over-processed foods, sedentary lifestyle, farming, land purchases, bringing manufacturing back to U.S., newer, better techologies, space travel, world leaders in energy, empowerment to the people, protection of rights, free speech, First and Second Amendment protections and a strong pare-down of big government efficiency.

A Trump presidency also brings something else- an avoidance of World War III. The general sentiment is that because President Trump did not start any new wars during his presidency, and because he got along so well with all other world leaders, the wars in Ukraine or Palestine would not have happened. All those deaths could have been avoided. We are very close to World War III right now and a Trump presidency is our best chance at a peaceful future.

President Trump has won the peoples trust. He speaks about bringing in a new, Golden Age. Vice President Harris remains disconnected, seems to not make her own decisions, but keeps reading off the same policies and doesnt give real answers. Kamala Harris doesnt seem to care about the influx of illegal immigrants into this country through the open southern border, many of them criminals. President Trump is strongly for freedom of religion, very strong for Christians, while Kamala told a two Christians that they didnt belong at her rally.

Voter/Election Fraud concerns this year:

~Identity theft

~Phantom voters (deceased, old addresses)

~Voters standing in line being told to go home, against rules

~Machine problems- Dominion- Cant find Trump on front page, won't let voter select Trump, printout shows vote for Harris instead of Trump

~Mike Lindell showing voter systems being hacked/accessed in Georgia

~Passwords were leaked by someone who was involved in lawfare against Trump

~Bulk stacks of mail-in ballots being dropped off with identical signatures

~Mis-spellings of Trumps name on Ballots.

~Ballot Drop-off Boxes stolen and set on fire, etc

~Refusing entry to some Republican poll watchers

~Use of flash drives on voting machines

The Election Integrity Team, led by Lara Trump, has sprung into action with many remedies with teams of lawyers in each state to quickly address problems. Numerous highly trained poll watchers, and a list of ways to report problems is circulating. There are eyes and ears everywhere including people documenting everything with video, and this is making a big difference to uphold election integrity. It is unquestionable how important this election is right now. Many have fought and died for this honor and duty of ours to participate in our democratic election process.

ThinkCareBelieve is an outlook. ThinkCareBelieve will do its best to accentuate the possibilities for positive outcomes. To find the commonalities between diverse groups and bring the focus on common needs to work together toward shared goals. Activism is an important aspect of ThinkCareBelieve, because public participation and awareness to issues needing exposure to light leads to justice. Improved transparency in government can lead to changes in policy and procedure resulting in more fluid communication between the public and the government that serves them. America needs hope right now, and Americans need to be more involved in their government.
MONTREAL, Nov. 04, 2024 - Osisko Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Osisko Metals") (TSX-V: OM; OTCQX: OMZNF; FRANKFURT: 0B51) is pleased to announce that the Pine Point Mining Ltd. ("PPML") Feasibility Study ("FS") is now fully underway, with an expected completion date in Q2 2025.

Since early 2023, PPML has engaged with its key technical and strategic advisors to optimize the 2022 Preliminary Economic Assessment Update (''PEA''). The objective was to complete Definition Studies to compare key concepts, otherwise known as trade-off studies, typically performed during the Pre-Feasibility study stage.

Since November of 2023, PPML and the team have conducted and thoroughly analyzed various technical trade-off studies to better define the FS final design concept. In Q3 2024, PPML's Board of Directors approved the company's final design concept to be developed in the FS. The FS will use the Mineral Resource Estimate announced on June 25th, 2024, that reported 49.5MT of Indicated Mineral Resources Grading 5.52% ZnEq and 8.3Mt of Inferred Mineral Resources Grading 5.64% ZnEq (see note below under "About Osisko Metals").

These more detailed design concepts will bridge the Project from a PEA level into the FS stage and support concurrent Environmental Assessment and Permitting activities. A significant change is that the preconcentration methods proposed in the 2020 & 2022 PEA studies (i.e. XRF Ore Sorting, Dense Media Separation) will not be incorporated in the concentrator design in favour of conventional "Full Milling". This will have an overall better recovery of zinc and lead and will reduce operational risk with the simpler flow sheet. Other concepts that were analyzed in detail were the use of former Cominco Era open pits to dispose of waste rock and tailings as much as possible. All key concepts will be presented to communities for feedback in upcoming community meetings planned for November 2024.

The PPML team relies on the experience of Qualified Persons working for established engineering firms, including Synectiq, BBA, GMining, Newfields, Terrane Geoscience, and WSP, to develop the Feasibility Study and advance permitting. WSP has local offices in the Northwest Territories and the experience needed for permitting in the North.

This summer, PPML had two weeks of site visits where the Project was presented to Government representatives, community leaders and members and environmental regulators and we thank them for their participation.

Qualified Person

Mr. Robin Adair is the Qualified Person and the Senior Technical Advisor for Pine Point Mining Limited. He is responsible for the technical data reported in this news release and is a Professional Geologist registered in the Northwest Territories.

About Osisko Metals

Osisko Metals Incorporated is a Canadian exploration and development company creating value in the critical metals space, more specifically copper and zinc. The Company is in a joint venture with Appian Capital Advisory LLP for the advancement of one of Canada's premier past-producing zinc mining camps, the Pine Point Project, located in the Northwest Territories, for which current mineral resources have been calculated for the 2024 MRE (as defined herein). The Project is held under the joint venture company Pine Point Mining Limited. The current mineral resource estimate consists of 49.5Mt grading 5.52% ZnEq of Indicated Mineral Resources and 8.3Mt grading 5.64% ZnEq of Inferred Mineral Resources (in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). The report's title is Pine Point Zinc-Lead Project Mineral Resource Estimate Update, Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada. Prepared for Osisko Metals Incorporated and Pine Point Mining Limited, it is effective May 31, 2024. The report's authors are Pierre-Luc Richard, P. Geo. (PLR Resources Inc.), Colin Hardie, P. Eng. (BBA Inc.), as well as Carl Michaud, P. Eng., and Alexandre Dorval, P. Eng., both of G Mining Services Inc. The Pine Point Project is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories, near infrastructure, with paved highway access, an electrical substation, and 100 kilometres of viable haulage roads.

In addition, and outside of the Pine Point JV, the Company acquired in July 2023, from Glencore Canada Corporation, a 100% interest in the past-producing Gaspe Copper Mine, located near Murdochville in the Gaspe peninsula of Quebec. The Company is currently focused on resource evaluation of the Copper Mountain Expansion Project that hosts a current mineral resource consisting of an Indicated Mineral Resource of 495Mt grading 0.37% CuEq and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 6.3Mt grading 0.37% CuEq (in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects); see May 6, 2024 news release of Osisko Metals entitled "Osisko Metals announces updated mineral resource estimate at Gaspe Copper - indicated resource of 495 mt grading 0.37% copper equivalent". Gaspe Copper hosts the largest undeveloped copper resource in Eastern North America, strategically located near existing infrastructure in the mining-friendly province of Quebec.

About Appian

Appian Capital Advisory LLP is a London-headquartered investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds that invest solely in mining and mining-related companies.

Appian is a leading investment advisor in the metals and mining industry, with global experience across South America, North America, Europe, Australia and Africa and a successful track record of supporting companies to achieve their development targets, with a global operating portfolio overseeing nearly 6,300 employees. Appian has a global team of 65 experienced professionals with presences in London, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, New York, Lima, Belo Horizonte, Perth, Mexico City and Dubai. The Appian team, through its private capital funds, has a long history of successfully bringing mines through development and into production, having completed 9 mine builds in the last 6 years.

For more information, please visit www.appiancapitaladvisory.com, or find us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.

For further information on this news release, visit www.osiskometals.com or contact:

Robert Wares, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Osisko Metals Incorporated

Email: info@osiskometals.com

Phone: 514-861-4441

Follow Osisko Metals on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/osiskometals, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/osiskometals, and on X at https://twitter.com/osiskometals.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking information. This news release may contain forward-looking information pertaining to the Pine Point and Gaspe Copper Projects, including, among other things, the results of the 2022 PEA on Pine Point and the IRR, NPV and estimated costs, production, production rate and mine life; the ability to identify additional resources and reserves (if any) and exploit such resources and reserves on an economic basis; the expected high quality of the metal concentrates; the potential economic impact of the projects on local communities, including but not limited to the potential generation of tax revenues and contribution of jobs; the timing and ability for Projects to reach construction decision (if at all); the estimated costs to take the Projects to construction decision (if at all) and the impact to the Company of the disposition of ownership interest and control in the Pine Point Project, which is a material property of the Company; Gaspe Copper hosting the largest undeveloped copper resource in Eastern North America and Glencore becoming a Control Person of the Company.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation, assumptions about; favourable equity and debt capital markets; the ability and timing for the Pine Point joint-venture parties to fund cash calls to advance the development of the Pine Point Project and pursue planned exploration and development; future spot prices of copper, zinc, lead and molybdenum; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the accuracy of mineral resource estimates; production costs; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental and third party approvals; licenses and permits being received on favourable terms; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital markets; availability of mining equipment and positive relations with local communities and groups. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information are set out in the Company's public disclosure record on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Osisko Metals' issuer profile. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
Cascade Copper Corp. (CSE: "CASC") ("Cascade" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it's board of directors has approved the amendment of the Option Agreement to acquire Bendor Property, totaling 3,063 hectares, located in the Lillooet Mining District of southwest British Columbia, and the Option Agreement to acquire Fire Mountain Property, totaling 3,770 hectares, located in the New Westminster Mining District of southwest British Columbia.

The Company agreed to amend the Bendor Property Option Agreement by replacing the $10,000 cash payable within 15 months of the completion of the listing of the Company's common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"), which became effective on April 23, 2023 (the "Listing"), with $2,500 cash payment and an issuance of the remaining $7,500 in units of the Company's common shares (where a unit would be valued at $0.05 comprising of one common share and one-half share purchase warrant exercisable at $0.10 for 24 months).

In addition, the Company agreed to amend the Fire Mountain Option Agreement replacing the $20,000 cash payable within 15 months of the completion of the Listing with $2,500 cash payment and an issuance of the remaining $17,500 in units of the Company's common shares (where a unit would be valued at $0.05 comprising of one common share and one-half share purchase warrant exercisable at $0.10 for 24 months).

The payment date for both, Bendor and Fire Mountain Option Agreements, was extended to 17 months from the completion of the Listing. All other terms, including the exploration expenditures and the number of common shares to be issued under remaining annual payments, remained the same.

On exchange approval, the Company will issue 400,000 common shares which are issuable to the Bendor and Fire Mountain optionor pursuant to the initial Option Agreements, and will issue 500,000 units pursuant to the amended Option Agreements. The warrants issued as part of the Bendor and Fire Mountain option payments will expire 2 years after the issuance date, and can be exercised at $0.10 per common share. The shares and units issued include a customary sale restriction which expires four months and a day after issuance.

About Cascade Copper

The Corporation is an exploration stage natural resource company engaged in the evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral resource properties with the intention, if warranted, of placing them into production. Cascade is focused on exploration, development, and acquisition of quality exploration properties. More specifically, Cascade's objective is to conduct an exploration program on its flagship Rogers Creek Property located in the Coast Mountain Belt of British Columbia about 90 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, in the Southwest Mining Region. Cascade currently now has five projects, including the Centrefire Copper Project, the Copper Plateau Copper-Moly Project, Fire Mountain Copper-Gold Project, the Bendor Gold Project, and the flagship Rogers Creek Copper-Gold Project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

CASCADE COPPER CORP.

Jeffrey S. Ackert, President and CEO

820-1130 West Pender St.

Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4

Telephone: 1 613 851 7699

E-Mail: info@cascadecopper.com

Web: www.cascadecopper.com

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

DISCLAIMER & FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, and by their very nature involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on currently available information, Cascade Copper Corp. provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Factors which cause results to differ materially are set out in the Company's documents filed on SEDAR. Undue reliance should not be placed on "forward looking statements."


VANCOUVER, November 5, 2024 - Omega Pacific Resources Inc. (CSE:OMGA)(OTCQB:OMGPF)(FSE:Q0F) ("Omega Pacific" or the "Company") is pleased to welcome Mr. John Williamson, P.Geol., to the Company's Board of Directors as an independent director.

Over his 35-year career, Mr. Williamson has collaborated with and led industry geoscientists and capital markets professionals on numerous successful ventures, raising nearly $1 billion in capital for the exploration and mining of base and precious metals projects, including the discovery and/ or growth of at least 10 million ounces of gold on 3 continents. He has served as founder, Chairman, President, CEO, CFO or Director of companies with operations in North and South America, Africa and Australia. On more than one occasion his teams' efforts have been recognized for excellence by being named to the TSX Venture 50TM.

Of particular interest to Omega Pacific Resources shareholders, Mr. Williamson was the architect of Thesis Gold, formerly Benchmark Metals Inc. where he was the co-founder, Chairman and CEO until 2023. Thesis' Lawyers-Ranch Project is located in the Toodoggone District of British Columbia, approximately 50km from the Williams Property.

Jason Leikam, Omega Pacific CEO, states, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Mr. Williamson to our team. His extensive experience in resource development, particularly his success with exploration projects in BC's Toodoggone District, makes him an invaluable addition to our Board. We are eager for his input and guidance as we refine our strategic approach to the Williams Property. Mr. Williamson's proven ability to identify high-potential opportunities and attract investment capital will be instrumental in building a premier asset in the Golden Horseshoe. His expertise positions Omega Pacific for both immediate and sustained growth."

About Omega Pacific

Omega Pacific is a mineral exploration company focused on the development of mineral projects containing base and precious metals. The Company is actively exploring its British Columbia located properties and continues to evaluate assets globally for further acquisitions.

For more information, please contact:

Omega Pacific Resources Inc.

Jason Leikam, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Tel: +1 (778) 858-8085

Email: jason@omegapacific.ca

Cautionary Statement

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's financings and the future plans or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's management's discussion and analysis, which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Omega Pacific Resources

View the original press release on accesswire.com
First AI-powered luxury housing project launched in Ghana

Edith Mensah Business News Nov - 05 - 2024 , 02:57

VAAL Real Estate has introduced an ultra-modern Artificial Intelligence (AI) housing project to set a new standard in luxury living in Ghana.

Dubbed: Villanova, the project, inspired by Spanish architectural heritage, seeks to provide a blend of sophistication and contemporary luxury in Ghanas capital.

The project integrates Artificial intelligence (AI) technology into its infrastructure and aims to establish a new benchmark for modern and luxurious living in the region.

Positioned near the Jubilee House, the prestigious location with a paramount focus on exclusivity and convenience, will feature three to four-bedroom villas starting at GH10 million, catering to high-end clients who prioritise elegance, security and innovation in their living spaces.

Advertisement

Speaking at a grand unveiling ceremony in Accra last Friday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VAAL Real Estate Group, Abdulmajeed Saadetin, expressed enthusiasm for the launch, marking it as another milestone in the companys journey to revolutionise the real estate landscape in Ghana.

Highlighting VAAL's over 20 years of international expertise and its established presence in Ghana, he said the Villanova project reflected VAALs dedication to enhancing the living standards of its residents.

"We are deeply committed to upholding the highest standards of design excellence for our community and this project embodies that dedication. Our vision is to create a space that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of the Ghanaian people, delivering an environment that resonates with local culture and elevates everyday experiences. And so with this project, we have combined innovation with a deep respect for our heritage which aims to contribute meaningfully to the community," he said.

Praising the projects forward-thinking approach, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Titus-Glover said the townhouse project by VAAL Real Estate represented the kind of impactful collaboration that aligns with the governments vision to ensure that every citizen has access to a safe, comfortable and affordable place to live.

He emphasised the projects alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on fostering inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable urban spaces.

Collaboration

For his part, the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, Huseyin Gungor, highlighted the importance of sophisticated accommodation solutions for Ghanaian consumers, adding that Villanova stands as an example of international collaboration, bringing global standards to local markets.
Lets build strong capacity for contract negotiations

Maclean Kwofi Business News Nov - 05 - 2024 , 05:00

The country must build a strong capacity to negotiate contracts to protect local interests while attracting more foreign direct investment (FDIs) into the economy.

The Deputy Director in charge of Contract Administration at the Petroleum Commission, Ghana, Judith Adjobah Blay, who made the call, said the global business environment was very complex and the country must, therefore, learn from its past mistakes in negotiating contracts that had not benefited it in the long run, with particular emphasis on petroleum investments, especially from the upstream industry.

Speaking at a workshop on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) by the Petroleum Commission in Accra, Ms Blay said building the capacity of local firms would help them to negotiate favourable agreements with big multinationals, by including the importance of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) clauses in contracts.

We have opened up our economy for FDIs and we need to build strong capacity for contract negotiations in protecting our local firms, she said.



Advertisement

Workshop

Dubbed Deep dive engagement on dispute resolution, the workshop, which was both in-person and virtual, complies with the Petroleum Commissions mandate to promote local content and local participation in the upstream petroleum industry.

It is meant to offer alternative measures for resolving disputes in contract relations such as arbitration, mediation and negotiations.

The workshop was attended by officials of the Petroleum Commission, Tullow Ghana Ltd and Yinson Production, with more than 120 local firms joining virtually.

Speakers and discussants included the Head, Business Advisory & Enterprises Development at Petroleum Commission, Agatha Enos Armah; the Manager, Local Content at Tullow Ghana Ltd, Dr Jennifer Bruce-Konuah; an Official, Compliance Department at Yinson Production, Emmanuel Ankrah and the Legal Advisor at Tullow Ghana, Maame Esaama Orleans-Lindsay.

Commissions mandate

Ms Blay stated that part of the functions of the Petroleum Commission was to build the capacity of local firms to participate favourably in the market.

We often have workshops on commercial subjects, including procurement, but we have been experiencing disputes and we thought that it is crucial to deep dive into it.

And so, we wanted to ensure that local suppliers know what they are dealing with when it comes to arbitration clauses in their contracts with the multinationals, she said.

Scrutinise contract terms

The deputy director stated that it was essential for small businesses to scrutinise contract terms, considering their legally binding status and potential cost implications before signing them.

We realised that most local firms, when signing a contract, often get carried away by the money involved and do not pay attention to the details, and so when disputes erupt, they find themselves wanting.

We have had cases where contracts have been signed but in the arbitration clause, they have chosen to do the arbitration in the United Kingdom in French. In this situation, how can this small company go to the UK for arbitration; it only means that the local firm did not do thorough checks before signing the contract, she said.

She said the commission would not relent on its mandate to regulate, manage and coordinate all activities in the upstream petroleum industry for the benefit and welfare of Ghanaians.

She added that it was committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure the equitable and sustainable development of the oil and gas resource.
Rising food prices in Tamale: Govt must act now to prevent humanitarian crisis

Graphic Business Editorial Business News Nov - 05 - 2024 , 04:04

The dry spell the northern part of Ghana experienced in recent months has had a catastrophic impact on agricultural production, triggering a surge in staple food prices.

This has placed immense economic hardship on traders and consumers in the Tamale metropolitan area.

A market survey conducted by Graphic Business at the Tamale Aboabo Market revealed staggering price increases of nearly 100 per cent over just two months for essential crops such as maize, yam and tomatoes.

A bowl of groundnut which used to sell at GH21 cedis is now selling at GH32 cedis, an increase of GH11 cedis, and a bag of groundnut that was GH900 cedis is now GH1,300, a difference of GH400 cedis. Within a period of two months, the price of a bag of local rice has risen from GH250 to GH600, an increase of GH350.

Advertisement

Millet, two months ago, was selling at GH950 a bag but has increased to GH1,250, a significant increase of GH350. A bowl of beans that used to be sold at GH55 cedis is now selling at GH75. Corn, which is the most common staple used by people is now sold at GH25 for a bowl, a GH5 increase from the previous amount of GH20, with a bag now selling at GH850.

These soaring prices are pushing basic food items beyond the reach of many Tamale residents, threatening food security and imposing a severe economic strain on households.

Low-income families are being priced out of access to adequate nutrition, with the crisis disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable members of the community.

The Graphic Business believes the situation paints a troubling picture of the real-world consequences of extreme weather events driven by climate change.

The prolonged drought has decimated crop yields, constricting food supply and driving up prices. Traders are struggling to maintain their livelihoods as customer demand plummets, while consumers are forced to make impossible choices between feeding their families and paying for other essentials.

The Tamale community is now staring down the barrel of a full-blown humanitarian emergency, with malnutrition, stunted child development and a range of negative health outcomes looming as very real threats.

Urgent action is needed to stabilise food supplies, provide direct relief to affected populations and build long-term resilience against the impact of climate change.

The Ghanaian government must mobilise comprehensive interventions to support struggling farmers, strengthen food distribution networks and expand social safety net programmes to ensure all residents can afford adequate nutrition.

Investments in climate-smart agricultural practices, irrigation infrastructure and early warning systems are also critical to mitigate the risks of future extreme weather events.

Beyond the borders of Ghana, this crisis underscores the pressing need for the international community to act with greater urgency on climate change.

As global temperatures continue to rise, weather patterns grow more erratic and ecosystems become increasingly destabilised, vulnerable communities around the world will face escalating threats to food security.

Tamale's plight is a sobering preview of the challenges that many other cities may soon be confronted with.

The world cannot afford to remain idle in the face of this looming catastrophe. Governments, businesses and civil society must come together to drive transformative action on emission reductions, climate adaptation, and build a more sustainable, equitable global food system.
TDC Ghana Ltd declares GH3m dividend to govt

From Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA Business News Nov - 05 - 2024 , 04:51

TDC Ghana Ltd has declared a total dividend of GH3 million to the government for the 2023 financial year.

The Chairman of the Board of the company, Kofi Brako, announced this at the Fourth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company

The declaration of the dividend follows an impressive financial perfomance, which saw shareholder's fund grow by 19.9% from GH378.2 million in 2022 to GH453.47 million in 2023.

Return on equity for the same period was 12.1%, compared to 9.9% recorded in 2022.

Advertisement

Mr Brako said he was optimistic that the growth would continue to boost shareholder confidence in the company's performance and prospects for the future.

Urban redevelopment

He said the company's in-filling project at Tema Community 1 site Three was progressing, stressing that phase three of the project designed to provide 40 units of two-bedroom apartments was scheduled to commence soon.

Mr Brako commended the management of TDC for its outstanding performance during the year under review and for winning seven prestigious awards, including the most consistent dividend-paying state-owned enterprise for the year 2023 in the public enterprises league table, as well as the best internal Audit Unit state-owned enterprise category for the year 2023.

Strides

The Managing Director of TDC Ghana Ltd, Alice Abena Ofori-Atta, in a report, said the consistent depreciation of the cedi against major foreign currencies throughout the year remained one of the major constraints to real estate development for property developers and prospective homeowners.

That notwithstanding, she said the company persevered and sustained transformation and growth in its business operations.

She said TDC currently had several ongoing projects, adding that the pilot phase of the nationwide mortgage financing programme aimed at reducing the housing deficit and providing affordable housing for low-to-middle to middle-income earners at Community 22 in collaboration with the National Homeownership Fund had been completed.

Ms Ofori-Atta said 405 of such housing units made up of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and townhouses had been completed with works currently ongoing under phase three of that project to deliver a total of 123 two and three-bedroom apartments and six detached three-bedroom townhouses, expected to be completed by December 2024.

She said in line with TDCs new mandate of extending to other parts of the country, the company in collaboration with the National Homeownership Fund, has initiated the construction of detached houses, roads and infrastructure at Manya-Jorpanya in the Shai-Osudoku District with the first set of 50 two and four-bedroom houses

expected to be completed in November this year.

Consistency

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe, said TDC Ghana Ltd has consistently proven to be profitable and had thus laid a foundation for a kickoff in the housing sector.

He urged the management of the company to explore opportunities that exist in the capital market by leveraging their expertise to attract private and corporate partners to create wealth.

He also urged the board and management to explore new business lines such as property management and quantity surveying services with the resources and expertise at their disposal to generate more revenue.

Stock exchange

The Acting Director General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), John Boadu, commended the TDC for its outstanding performance during the year under review, adding that based on the solid foundations laid by the company, the government was prepared to reduce its stake (shares) to enable the Ghanaian citizens to be part of the TDCs transformative and excellent performing state-owned enterprise status via the stock exchange.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, in a speech read on his behalf by the Chief Director of the ministry, Reverend Stephen Yaw Osei, urged TDC to adopt sustainable building practices by increasing the use of locally sourced materials to help reduce the reliance of imported resources and also open up avenues for accessing green financing, a move that aligns with the national sustainability goals.

Writers email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh
Even if my wife cheats on me, I wont divorce her  Peter Obi

Vanguardngr.com Showbiz News Nov - 05 - 2024 , 12:01 2 minutes read

Peter Obi, the Labour Partys presidential candidate in Nigerias 2023 general election, has affirmed his commitment to his wife, Margaret Brownson, declaring that he would not consider divorceeven in the event of infidelity.

In an appearance on The Honest Bunch podcast, hosted by comedian and actor Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, popularly known as Nedu Wazobia, Obi shared his personal beliefs about marriage and loyalty, expressing an enduring commitment to his spouse.

The former governor of Anambra State underscored his loyalty, stating that he would support his wife through any potential challenges, including instances of infidelity.

No matter what my wife does today, I wont divorce her. I cant separate from her. I can never. Even if she like let her shoot me, as long as I am alive, shes my wife, he affirmed.

Advertisement

No matter what she does, I wont marry [someone else]. Shes my wife. Whatever she likes, let her do because what is she going to do that would offend me? What? Maybe have an extramarital affair? Its her business. Its not me.

They wont say two of us have an affair. They would say Peter Obi is a very good man who married a woman who is [promiscuous]. That is it!

You cant quantify me with the life of my wife or children. No. We have different lifestyles. Even if Im traveling with my wife, people have seen it. Sometimes we are in the same plane but in different classes.

She is in business class and Im in economy. Because that suits her and it doesnt conflict with my interests, the presidential candidate concluded.

Obis comments spark discussions on social media, with many weighing in on his views on loyalty, marriage, and forgiveness.
Next article: Even if my wife cheats on me, I wont divorce her  Peter Obi

Miss Universe 2024: Chidimma Adetshina ranks second in world pre-arrival hot picks

Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Nov - 05 - 2024 , 12:42 3 minutes read

Nigerian beauty queen, Chidimma Adetshina, has been ranked second in the worlds Miss Universe pre-arrival hot picks.

This was revealed in a viral pre-arrival poll on Tuesday, November 5.

The 23-year-old was ranked ahead of the 73rd edition of the global Miss Universe pageant on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Chidimma arrived in Mexico in October 2024, to compete for the crown.

Advertisement

The news of Adetshinas position has thrilled Nigerians, who believe she has a strong chance to win.

Chidimma, who has been at the centre of a fierce nationality row, is said to be stripped of her South African identity and travel documents. (Related articles: Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, to seek therapy over xenophobic abuse, Miss Universe Nigeria: I didnt get a pity win, I worked hard  Chidimma Adetshina, I cry myself to sleep over my identity crisis  Ex Miss South Africa contestant, Chidimma Adetshina reveals)

BBC reported that The Department of Home Affairs began investigating her case after she became a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant, but faced criticism as people questioned her eligibility to compete because her mother has Mozambican roots and her father is Nigerian.

She withdrew from the competition in August after the department announced that her mother might have committed "identity theft" to become a South African national.

Ms Adetshina, a law student, went on to win Miss Universe Nigeria after she was invited to participate by the organisers.

The controversy sparked a wave of xenophobic vitriol in South Africa after which Ms Adetshina told the BBC she would need therapy to recover.

The Department of Home Affairs made the announcement about the withdrawal of her ID papers to a parliamentary committee last week.

Tommy Makhode, the top civil servant at the department, said Ms Adetshinas mother would also have her documents cancelled as they had both failed to meet Mondays deadline to provide reasons why they should be eligible to keep them.

Neither Ms Adestshina nor her mother have commented on the move to revoke their papers.

Mr Makhode said the case had been referred to the Hawks, a special police unit that investigates serious crimes, which had concluded that it was a "case of fraud" - and officials were awaiting on prosecutors about how to proceed.

After the departments revelation in August, it had said that Ms Adestshina "could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother as she was an infant at the time".

Ms Adestahina has previously said she was born in the South African township of Soweto.

After winning the beauty competition in Nigeria, she told that BBC that she still saw herself as "proudly South African" and "proudly Nigerian".

Ms Adetshina has just arrived in Mexico to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition to be held on 16 November.

She will compete against contestants from across the world, including Mia le Roux, who won this year's Miss South Africa contest.
Celebrating a vintage emeritus professor

Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng Opinion Nov - 05 - 2024 , 09:57 5 minutes read

In the 1980s, long before the Internet and social media were even conceived, I had two constant companions  radio and newspapers.

Those were the days of the Rawlings revolution, so literally every news bulletin started with a story about Chairman sharing his revolutionary pearls of wisdom in impeccable, nicely perfumed English at a gathering somewhere, with the masses cheering wildly and singing revolutionary songs, even if they had hardly grasped what he said. They loved him without question.

Not far behind would be a story about Madam Konadu, her trademark duku (headgear) or red beret adorning her head, opening a gari processing factory or daycare centre somewhere as president of the 31st December Womens Movement.

Stories about Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (CDRs), Workers for the Defence of the Revolution (WDRs) or communal labour-inspired public toilets and school blocks would be splattered around for added revolutionary effect.

Advertisement

Inky legends

Being no fan of pseudo-revolutions, I had to navigate carefully and away from these rather dreary, routine stories as one would a crocodile swamp.

On radio, aside from Dan Afari-Yeboahs What Do You Know? quiz programme, which I loved, and a few other programs, I simply went international, finding refuge in the BBC Africa Service, Voice of America, Radio France International and Radio Gabon.

On the newspaper front, I did not have the luxury of going international, so I mostly consumed writers whose weekly columns I looked forward to. Henry Ofori (aka Carl Mutt), George Sydney Abugri, Prof. P.A.V Ansah, Albin Korem, Ajoa Yeboah-Afari and Merari Alomele were among the columnists who always left me breathless with their inky craftsmanship and inspired in me a love for reading and writing.

If anyone had prophesied to me in those teenage years that I would one day have a six-year-old weekly column in the Daily Graphic, I would have called them a lunatic or charlatan.

Yankah effect

Of all the writers I was exposed to at that stage of my life, it was Professor Kwesi Yankah, with his Woes of a Kwatriot weekly column in The Mirror who had the most profound impact on me and helped shape my writing style in many ways.

His mastery over the English language, with a regular infusion of Twi or Fante lexicon, underlined by sharp wit and biting satire when addressing social or political issues especially in the risky political climate of the revolution was simply pure gold, as was his sense of evoking imagery to illustrate his point.

For instance, in describing the scenario in Cape Coast during a particular political partys campaign event in the run-up to the 1992 Elections, he referred to the bored natives hanging out of their windows and watching events unfold, roasting and frying their Fante as they spoke, evoking how Fantes are reputed to love seasoning their spoken language with English words.

Every week, I would carefully cut out his article from the newspaper and glue it unto a page in an old magazine, and every now and then I would feast greedily on my precious collection.

Crossing paths

When I went on to read Linguistics in my first year at the University of Ghana in 1988/89, I was delighted and starstruck to see my mentor in the flesh as he taught my class.

For reasons I could not fathom at the time, I did not go ahead to introduce myself as perhaps his biggest fan.

Our paths crossed once again many years on at the Ministry of Education, where he was Minister of State in Charge of Tertiary Education and I was Press Secretary to the Minister.

This time round, I revealed myself to him and he was very warm about it all.

Initially, the thought of having to write speeches for him on certain occasions filled me with dread.

How does a mere mortal write speeches for a professor who was playing with words and chewing them casually as one would eat roasted corn long before one was born?

Every now and then when he called me over to his office to discuss his speeches, he would ask me how my speechwriting was coming along.

I would respond, Prof, me brofo no asa (literally, Prof, my English is finished), whereupon he would break into a hearty laugh and assure me it would all come back.

Prof. writes regularly on Facebook, with quite a steady following. I continue to enjoy his pieces and take inspiration from them.

Emeritus!

For a long time, I thought a professor was a professor, simple. As some would put it in quasi-political language with appropriate apologies, all professor be professor.

Well, not quite. The reality is that just like chiefs umbrellas, there is a ranking system, with an emeritus sitting on top of the hierarchy as a professor of professors of sorts  one who has retired from continuous employment and is given that title as an honour following a distinguished career.

When the news broke recently that the former Vice-Chancellor of Central University, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Ghana, Legon, my former lecturer, boss and mentor had been appointed Emeritus Professor by Ashesi University in recognition of his extensive contributions to academia, linguistics and tertiary education, my heart leapt with joy and then surged with pride to bursting point. It is a worthy honour.

meritus Prof, I salute you and I thank you.

I must urgently seek audience for some inspiration, because truth be told, me brofo no asa!

Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng,

Head, Communications & Public Affairs Unit,

Ministry of Energy.

E-mail: rodboat@yahoo.com
Mourning Akua Donkor

Caroline Boateng Opinion Nov - 05 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read

In 2020, Madam Akua Donkor was my excuse for not voting for any of the two main political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

I believe in a one-tenure presidency, where presidents serve for just one term and leave the scene.

Also in 2020, I held the conviction that not voting disqualified any Ghanaian from engaging in any discussions on politics. (NOW).

While animatedly outlining my convictions about the superiority of working institutions over presidents, a friend retorted, That is in ideal situations, where there are efficient structures, systems and institutions. We dont have them!

Advertisement

However, I held on to my convictions and in keeping with them, and against the cajoling of friends, while ensuring I had a right to speak my mind on political issues, Madam Akua Donkor provided me with the opportunity to vote, thus, I voted for her.

Madam Akua Donkor did not disappoint her followers since her debut on the presidential candidature scene in 2012, as an independent candidate, having served formerly as an assembly woman for Heman.

She was disqualified because she did not meet all the requirements, so she backed Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP).

In 2016, with her party the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), she was once again disqualified from contesting.

She was tenacious and tried again in 2020, succeeding to be on the ballot sheet.

The fact that she was a farmer and had never rubbed shoulders with the nations top political gurus at the national level did not dissuade her from contesting.

She spoke her mind, as she saw it and whenever she had the opportunity, even though she did not speak English.

On that fact, she had a word of advice for all, to hold on to their local language and honour God, as doing otherwise was dishonourable in Gods sight.

She promised to ban the speaking of English when elected President, as fine English was not what was needed in ruling a country, but common sense, wisdom and courage.

Listening again to Akua Donkors interviews now points to her practicality in governance, as, for her, no law or bureaucracy was too strong to break or do away with in order to realise the aspirations of the Ghanaian.

As president

As president, she would have been practical and down to earth, only for development solutions, unencumbered by red tapeism and all other man-made shenanigans.

"You have placed your trust in people who claim to have gone to school in major European universities and who can speak English, but these, you can see with me, failed miserably.

Now try the illiterate I am and I will not disappoint you," she told Ghanaians in her bid to rule.

Promises

Her political promises were simple... free cars and houses for journalists; a years maternity leave; free machetes and fertilisers for farmers, and the release of imprisoned loan defaulters.

Although I knew she was not going to win, I threw in my lot with her as a protest vote against the dominant parties and in the belief of her viability as President.

She, however, disappointed me because after voting for her, she was seen on December 9, 2020, commiserating with candidate Akufo-Addo, saying, Wo ye den a woanya, Mi se woanya, (to wit: whatever you do you have won, I say you have won...), when the winner was yet to be declared.

By that act, she was backing the NPP and President Akufo-Addo, exactly what I was against.

I mourn Madam Akua Donkor, the most practical president Ghana could have had... But for death.

Now I am bereft of a protest candidate in the 2024 Elections. I have also grown out of the conviction that not voting deprives one of not contributing to political discussions, after all, nothing changes.

Writers E-mail: caroline.boateng@graphic.com.gh
Baltasar Ebang Engonga: Man at centre of Equatorial Guinea scandal speaks

GraphicOnline International News Nov - 05 - 2024 , 16:38 2 minutes read

Baltasar Ebang Engonga, a high-ranking Equatorial Guinean civil servant embroiled in a viral scandal, has spoken publicly for the first time amid widespread controversy over leaked videos allegedly showing him engaging in sexual acts within his office.

Engonga, who serves as the head of the National Financial Investigation Agency and is a relative of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, took to Facebook to share his emotions, posting, Family is everything alongside a photo of himself with a woman and children. The post included the caption feeling sad.

The scandal has ignited a national outcry and prompted a stern warning from Vice-President Teodoro Obiang Mangue, who has vowed severe measures against civil servants caught engaging in sex acts at work.

Describing it as a flagrant violation of the code of conduct, Mangue announced that any official found guilty of such actions would be suspended. In response to the viral incident, he ordered the installation of surveillance cameras in government buildings, including courts and ministries, to curb indecent and illicit acts.

Advertisement

A statement from the vice-presidents office confirmed that the measures were introduced in light of the videos, which it claimed had denigrated the image of the country. Vice-President Obiang Mangue has also recommended an official investigation into the matter.

The explicit videos reportedly depict Engonga engaging in sexual acts with multiple women, including the spouses of other high-profile officials, and have caused a stir across Equatorial Guinea.

The footage surfaced shortly after Engonga was detained on unrelated corruption charges, as reported by state television TVGE. The videos have since proliferated on social media, with Vice-President Obiang Mangue calling on telecom companies to restrict their spread. Since his directive, internet services, particularly downloads of images, have been noticeably disrupted, according to local sources.

Following the scandal, Chief Prosecutor Anatolio Nzang Nguema told state media that if Engonga was found to be infected with a sexually transmitted disease, he could face charges of endangering public health.

Known by the nickname Bello  Spanish for beautiful  due to his reputed good looks, Engonga has maintained silence on the allegations themselves, choosing instead to emphasise the importance of family in his social media post.

The scandal surrounding Engonga, who as head of the National Financial Investigation Agency is tasked with tackling financial crimes, has drawn attention to the complex interplay of power, privacy, and public conduct within Equatorial Guineas government.

With the investigation now underway and heightened security measures in place, many in Equatorial Guinea are watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.
Previous article: Allow students to use AI, but teach them to think critically  Professor Stephen Adei

'We are training our future leaders to repeat the past'  Sir Sam Jonah on Ghana's PASCO culture

Kweku Zurek Education Nov - 05 - 2024 , 11:34 2 minutes read

Sir Sam Jonah, Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has delivered a powerful critique of Ghanas education system, warning that it promotes rote learning at the expense of critical thinking and innovation.

Speaking today at the Kofi Ohene-Konadu Auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Sir Sam addressed the theme, "A critical look at education and culture in Ghana to chart a course of national development, peace and our collective prosperity."

In a candid keynote address, Sir Sam expressed concern over what he sees as an entrenched culture of memorisation rather than understanding within Ghanas schools.

"If Ghana is to compete in the global market of ideas, we must reform educational mindset," he stated. Sir Sam urged that schools should transform from being exam-focused institutions to environments that foster problem-solving, creativity, and resilience.

Advertisement

"We need a shift from a focus on grades to nurturing leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs capable of transforming our economy," he added.

A focal point of his criticism was the recent government decision to distribute purchased past examination papers (PASCO) to Senior High School (SHS) students nationwide.

He referred to the move as a very first low, arguing that it entrenches a reliance on rote learning.

"This decision in itself formalises a reliance on rote learning and memorisation at the expense of content comprehension and innovative thinking," he stated.

Sir Sam argued that such practices prepare students to repeat or rehash their past, prioritising quick answers over a true understanding of concepts.



By leaning on memorisation and standardised answers, he argued, the country risks developing a generation that cuts corners, replicates, and recites instead of understanding, innovating, and producing. This approach, he warned, diminishes the potential of Ghanas youth. We are lowering the standards of our childrens education, he said bluntly.

The chancellor called for a comprehensive overhaul of the educational system to cultivate forward-thinking, adaptable young minds who are prepared to take on Ghana's socio-economic challenges.
Barbados welcomes 155 more nurses from Ghana to bolster healthcare workforce

GraphicOnline Nov - 05 - 2024 , 08:55 2 minutes read

Barbados has once again strengthened its healthcare workforce with the arrival of 155 nurses from Ghana, landing at the Grantley Adams International Airport on November 3, 2024.

The group, accompanied by Ghanas Deputy Minister of Health, Adelaide Ntim, was welcomed by Barbados Minister of Health and Wellness, Senator Dr. The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott, alongside other officials.

This marks the third cohort of Ghanaian nurses to arrive in Barbados since the start of a unique healthcare partnership in 2020, designed to address the ongoing nursing shortage in the country.

The first cohort of 95 nurses arrived at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by 120 more in 2022. Many of those nurses remain in Barbados, some having made it their permanent home.

Minister Walcott shared that the new nurses would be assigned to various specialist departments at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and across the Ministry of Health and Wellness primary care facilities.

These areas include cardiology, accident and emergency theatre, midwifery, psychiatric medicine, and geriatrics. So, were looking for these nurses to help improve the overall delivery of our healthcare, he stated, underscoring the anticipated impact of their expertise.

Ghanas Deputy Health Minister, Adelaide Ntim, welcomed the ongoing collaboration with Barbados, highlighting Ghanas surplus of nurses, many of whom remain unemployed in the country.

She noted that nurses from the previous cohorts had already demonstrated their capability and dedication in Barbados healthcare system. Ms. Ntim expressed confidence in the new arrivals, stating that they, too, would deliver quality service.
Court throws out application against COP Yohunos appointment as Deputy IGP

GNA Nov - 05 - 2024 , 08:29 2 minutes read

A High Court in Accra has thrown out an application against Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohunos appointment as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP).

This is after a private citizen had gone to court over the contention that under the laws of Ghana, there was no appointment as deputy IGP in charge of operations.

Emmanuel Felix Mantey, a private citizen and a lecturer, who commenced the action, held that the President and the Police Council were perpetuating illegality in that appointment.

Mantey in an ex-parte application sued the Attorney General, the Police Council and the COP Christina Tetteh Yohuno, But lawyers for the Police Council and COP Yohuno raised a preliminary objection saying the applicants action was instituted in the wrong forum and in contravention of Article 2(1) and 130 (1) of the 1992 Constitution.

Advertisement

Lawyers for the two respondents held that the jurisdiction of the High Court was wrongly invoked by the applicant.

The court was, therefore, called to resolve issues on whether the jurisdiction of the court had been properly invoked before it considered the application.

The court presided over by Justice Richard Apietu, following preliminary legal objection, ruled that the President acted in accordance with his administrative functions and not that of a judicial one.

The President was performing his administrative function and not exercising adjudicatory powers when he appointed COP Yohuno (the third respondent) as deputy IGP, therefore Article 141 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 16 of Act 459 are not the appropriate statutory provisions to be invoked against him.

According to the court, the proper provisions the applicant should have come under to properly invoke the jurisdiction of the court in this matter was Article 23.The court held that the applicant lacked the authority to intervene in the said appointment and that he failed to properly invoke the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court hence dismissed same.

President Akufo Addo in July 2024, based on the advice of the Police Council, appointed COP Yohuno as the deputy IGP in charge of Operations.
Exploring Ghanas Kakum National Park: Africas canopy walkway, wildlife, and UNESCO heritage site

Douglas Anane-Frimpong Nov - 04 - 2024 , 22:39 2 minutes read

Kakum National Park, arguably Ghanas most visited natural attraction, is located at Kakum in the Central Region of Ghana.

It is about 33 kilometres from Cape Coast, the capital of the regional capital.

The national park encompasses an area of 145 square miles (375 sq km). It was named after the Kakum River which begins from the inside of the protected park.

The Kakum Park was established in 1931 and received acknowledgement as a National Park in 1992.

Advertisement

In March 1995, Kakum National Park became home to the only canopy walkway on the Africa continent. The walkway provides both tourists and researchers privileged access to the rainforests canopy. The 350 metre long bridge connects seven tree tops; it is constructed of wire rope, aluminium ladders, wooden planks and safety netting. In order to protect the trees, no nails or bolts pierce the bark.

Up in the canopy one may see species of birds and insects that are almost impossible to find on the ground level. The canopy walkway is a joint effort between Ghanas Wildlife Department and Conservation International, a US-based international non governmental (NGO) organisation dedicated to conserving ecosystems and biodiversity, with funding from USAID.

Flora and Fona

Kakum National Park treasures many different plants and animal species and is very popular destination for the tourists, hikers, botanists and birdwatchers from all around the world.

Wildlife includes buffalos, forest elephants, civets, colobus monkeys, red river hogs, giant forest hogs, pangolins, dwarf crocodiles, and the North Africa crested porcupine.

The elevated canopy trail provides a birds-eye view and better chance to discover some of the wildlife below.

There are 266 species of birds within the park boundaries. It has the most populous collection of forest elephants within the country.

The Diana monkey, giant bongo antelope, yellow-backed duiker, and African elephant are all endangered species protected within the park.

The Kakum National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 2000.
Previous article: Two netizens on police wanted list for 'false publication' suggesting that Salifu Amoako's son is not in custody

Friday, November 8, not a public holiday - Interior Ministry

Jemima Okang Addae Nov - 05 - 2024 , 14:50 1 minute read

The Ministry of the Interior has clarified that Friday November 8, is not a public holiday, even though the 2024 National Farmers' Day will be celebrated on that date.

In a statement issued by the Minister of the Intertior, Henry Quartey, he noted that Friday, December 6, which is the official Farmers' Day holiday, would remain a statutory public holiday and be observed nationwide.

"However, Friday 6 December 2024, which marks Farmers' Day, remains a Statutory Public Holiday and will be observed as such throughout the country", the statement said.

The first Friday of December is normally celebrated as Farmers Day in Ghana and is always a public holiday.

Advertisement

However, in election years when the first Friday falls closer to the December 7 date, which is used for the presidential and parliamentary elections every four years, the Farmers Day is celebrated earlier in November but the statutory holiday stays at the first Friday of December.

It is therefore based on this that the Minister of the Interior has issued a statement to clarify that Friday November 8 will be used to celebrate the 2024 Farmers Day, however, the public holiday will be observed on December 6, 2024.
BECE grading system unchanged: In spite of curriculum changed - WAEC

Severious Kale-Dery Nov - 05 - 2024 , 12:38 4 minutes read

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says the change in curriculum at the junior high school (JHS) level does not come with a change in the grading system.

It has, therefore, insisted that it has not introduced any new grading system for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as being speculated.

The Stanine grading system is what has been in use since the first BECE was written in 1990.

WAEC has not issued any statistics indicating the pass or failure rate among students, the Head of Public Relations of WAEC, John Kapi, told the Daily Graphic in an interview in Accra.

Advertisement

He described the speculation about the supposed new grading system as fake news, and asked the public to disregard it, adding that if there was any change in the grading system, it would have been discussed extensively with stakeholders and an official announcement made accordingly.

Norm referenced grading system

Ghana uses the norm reference or the Stanine grading system, which categorises the people as one cohort.

The grades are from one to nine and it is mainly used for selection and placement.

It is used to differentiate high and low achievers, where one is categorised as highest, two as higher, three is high, four is high average, five is average, six to seven are low average, eight is lower and nine lowest.

Fake document

When WAEC released the BECE results, social media was flooded with a document claiming that with the new curriculum in Ghana, the BECE 2024 results calculation has changed, providing different interpretations.

However, Mr Kapi said the Stanine grading system did not make room for any comparison in performance by students in the preceding years.

"It is, therefore, disingenuous for some members of the public to put out some statistics purported to be coming from the WAEC, he stressed.

Withheld results

Speaking on withheld results, Mr Kapi said its internal investigations had been completed and those not affected would have their results released.

We have carried out our internal investigations and we are moving a step further to release some results, he added.

Mr Kapi said that those whose results still had problems were slated for a one-on-one with them as further enquiry into their involvement in the reported malpractices.

He explained that the issue with the pending results had to do with some supervisors issuing wrong instructions in the use of answer booklets.

Payments to WAEC

Mr Kapi expressed the examination bodys gratitude to the government for releasing some funds that enabled the council to pay the examiners who marked the BECE scripts.

He mentioned particularly some supervisors, invigilators and script checkers as those among the few yet to receive their payments.

Mr Kapi said currently, the outstanding amount to clear with the BECE stood at about GH4.9 million.

The WAEC officer stated that coordination of assistant examiners started yesterday with regard to the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for 2024 School Candidates.

"The marking of scripts is expected to be completed by Friday, November 29, 2024. So far, Supervisors and Invigilators have not yet been paid, he said.

Funds for WASSCE

Mr Kapi explained that the earlier funds released were meant for the conduct of the examination.

"The council is waiting for further release of funds to enable it to conclude the marking of scripts and processing of results, he said.

He explained that meetings had been held between WAEC and the Ministry of Education, and that assurances had been given, although the money is yet to hit the account of the council.

Mr Kapi said the council would appreciate the release of the remaining funds for the BECE, as well as the WASSCE, to enable it to conclude its activities before the close of the year.

He said so far, a third of the amount for the WASSCE had been paid for the conduct of the examination, and that we would truly appreciate it if the remaining amount is released to us.

We want to avoid the situation where examiners will keep our scripts because they are not sure when they will be paid for their services.

We also want to ensure that we do not truncate the academic calendar of the universities, the head of Public Relations of WAEC told the Daily Graphic.

Writers Email: severious.dery@graphic.com.gh
Launch of peace campaign: Stakeholders pledge commitment to peaceful polls

Augustina Tawiah Nov - 05 - 2024 , 04:57 4 minutes read

Various religious groups, political parties and the Electoral Commission have pledged their commitment to ensure a peaceful general election in the country on December 7, this year.

At a Peace Campaign launched in Accra last Sunday, they expressed their determination to contribute towards peace before, during and after the elections.

In a show of unity and solidarity, representatives of the diverse groups, some of whom were clad in the national colours of red, gold and green, and waving miniature Ghana flags, danced to musical performances from renowned artists such as Rev. Joe Beecham and Rev. Alexander Bruce-Ghartey, aka Uncle Ato.

The event was organised by the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), in collaboration with the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), the National Association of Charismatic Christian Churches (NACCC), the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference and the Office of the National Chief Imam, on the theme: Let peace prevail.

Advertisement

Attendance

In attendance were former President and flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, and the running mate of the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh.

Others were the presidential candidate of All Peoples Congress, Hassan Ayariga; a representative of the Movement for Change, Nana Ohene Ntow; the EC Deputy Chairman, Operations, Samuel Tettey; representatives of the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief Justice Commissioner of Police, A. Awuni; and Lady Justice Sheila Minta, respectively, and some traditional leaders, among others.

Admonishment

In a speech read on behalf of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, by the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, the President admonished the people to avoid the use of provocative and abusive language during campaigns.

We must respect the electorate and not assume that one political party has already won the election while a single ballot has not yet been cast.

I call on all revered members of the clergy to also put a check on those of their members who are going round prophesying winners of an election that is yet to be conducted.

Politics should be devoid of insults and hate speech, it should be a solemn expression of hope and what one can do to bring about development, he said.

The NDC presidential candidate, Mr Mahama, also called on the Church and faith-based organisations to protect the nations democracy and ensure Ghana remained a beacon of peace and stability.

Peace is a precious gift from God, and yet it is also very fragile and needs to be nurtured, protected and actively sustained.

But as Gods children, we must work continuously to preserve it, especially in periods such as the upcoming elections, he said.

For his part, Dr Prempeh conveyed Dr Mahamadu Bawumias unwavering commitment to the peace of the country, adding that his party was ready and willing not only to speak about peace, but sign a peace accord.

He also called for religious tolerance in the country to ensure the nation stays stable after the general election.

On behalf of the presidential candidate of the Movement for Change, Mr Alan Kyerematen, Nana Ntow said the movement was also committed to the peace of the nation before, during and after the December 7 polls.

Responsibility for peace rests on all of us. However, certain societal institutions, entities and individuals clearly bear greater burden because of the position they occupy in the nation, he said.

Mr Ayariga, for his part, stressed the need to pay urgent attention to the ongoing conflict in Bawku, emphasising that the conflict should not be seen as a problem only for the people of Bawku but rather, the entire country.

The government must intensify efforts; the earlier we solve the Bawku problem, the better for all of us, he said.

Other messages

The President of GPCC, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, said the need for peace should be of concern to every citizen, particularly those who seek to rule the land, as well as the institutions vested with the authority to steer the affairs of the nation.

Achieving a peaceful election will require sacrifices, compromises and concessions. It will demand intentional efforts and thoughtful action by all meaningful stakeholders of the land.

This is why we have called this meeting to heartily speak to one another, connect with the essence of our nation, and most importantly, pray for the peace of the land, he said.

The Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Arimiyawo Shaibu, entreated the people to rise above their political interests and put the nation first.

He appealed to political actors not to make inflammatory statements that could ignite or stoke the embers of violence.

Our young people, this nation is for you. It belongs to your future. Be careful how you can be deployed or used as tools for violence by political opponents, Sheikh Shaibu added.
Previous article: Many Ghanaians believe solutions to societal problems is in prayer instead of hard work -Sam Jonah

Minister lauds NGO for impacting lives in northern Ghana

Mohammed Fugu Nov - 05 - 2024 , 09:57 2 minutes read

The Northern Regional Minister, Alhassan Shaibu, has lauded the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA), one of the oldest non-governmental organisations in northern Ghana, for its unwavering commitment to improving lives and empowering communities over the past decades.

He said GDCA had been a pillar in the region, steadily transforming lives through education and advocacy.

Over the past four decades, he said, the organisation had initiated several programmes that had supported girls, vulnerable children and marginalised communities across the region, while making education available to every child irrespective of their backgrounds.

Alhaji Shaibu made the commendation in a speech read on his behalf by the Coordinating Director at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, Damma Mumuni, at the 40th anniversary celebration of the GDCA at Dalun last Saturday.

Advertisement

The event, which brought together traditional leaders, stakeholders and partners from Denmark, also celebrated the longstanding partnership between the organisation and its partners in Denmark.

It was on the theme; "Inclusive Education for Sustainable Development".

Founded by the late Professor Abubakr Al-Hassan and his Danish partners, the organisation had over the years played a vital role in fostering progress in northern Ghana by addressing the root causes of poverty and promoting sustainable growth through education.

Collaboration

The regional minister acknowledged the nearly four-decade partnership between GDCA and Ghana Venskab, as an extraordinary example of international collaboration rooted in mutual respect, trust and a shared vision for sustainable development.

He pledged the government's commitment to deepening its collaboration with GDCA and other partners for equitable development.

The Chairman of the GDCA, Dr Osman Al-Hassan, indicated that the organisation had been able to reach out to more than 60,000 residents in deprived communities through education, livelihoods, social accountability, climate change and many other interventions.

"We have a duty to guard jealously against attempts to derail the process and marshal our efforts to do even more than before.

Our members, management and staff, volunteers and many others have been working very hard with the support of our chiefs and state agencies to ensure that lives in communities are better off," he said.

The Paramount Chief of the Dalun Traditional Area, Dalun Lana Tapha Mahamudu III, added that over the years, the NGO had achieved a lot in bringing development to deprived communities, ranging from providing physical infrastructure such as classroom blocks, health and water facilities to social accountability.

He,therefore, appealed to them to scale up their interventions to reach out to many vulnerable people in the area.

Writer's email: mohammed.fugu@graphic.com.gh
Sam Jonah, others brainstorm at Graphic Development Series

Emmanuel Bonney Nov - 05 - 2024 , 02:57 3 minutes read

The Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Sir Sam Jonah KBE, will lead a strong panel to brainstorm the impact of education on national life when the Graphic National Development Series (GNDS) takes centre stage at the Kofi Ohene-Konadu Auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), at 9 a.m today.

Sir Sam will deliver the keynote address on the theme: A critical look at education and culture in Ghana to chart a course of national development, peace and our collective prosperity.

Speakers

After his address, a rich panel of industry experts will have a round-table discussion on the highlights of the speech and also make vital inputs into how to make education more relevant to the highly competitive job market.

The panellists comprise a former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adei; a Professor of Religious and Moral Education at UCC and Chairman of the Akyem Abuakwa Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Prof. Seth Asare-Danso, and a consultant in the industry, Dr Richard Atuahene, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of Safewings Investments Limited.

Advertisement

Graphic National Development Series (GNDS) is a strategic platform that discusses development issues with a focus on national consensus in a non-partisan environment.

The thought leadership platform was specially created by the Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL) to examine pertinent areas of the nations livelihood, have conversations around them and chart the way forward.

Context

The Director, Sales and Marketing, of GCGL, Franklin Sowa, explained that the company had held similar conversations around agriculture and health in the recent past, and that the focus was on education today.

Now, the thinking is that based on the various reforms that we have gone through in terms of the impact on ways of living, on industry, politics, economy and everything, are we in a better place or things could be better? he asked.

Mr Sowa said the event would also look at what was being done right and what was not, and how things could be done differently going into the future, based on contemporary developments.

The country, Mr Sowa added, was not isolated from the rest of the world, So if there is industrialisation everywhere, information technology, digitalisation, and so many things happening globally, how do we ensure that the output from our educational system and infrastructure, as they are today, are contributing and competitive enough to meet global needs and demands? he asked.

He said there was also the issue of graduate unemployment and how the current educational structure, curriculum and content, as well as the assessment formats, among other factors, responded to those issues.

Mr Sowa said the event would discuss whether the issues raised were helping Ghanaians to be globally competitive or were not addressing the problems of the country, the sub-region or even Africa, let alone the world at large.

The Director Marketing and Sales stressed that the conversation was about how the educational system was making Ghanaians ready for the opportunities that were being created globally.

Todays event will be streamed live on all digital platforms of the GCGL, including Facebook, Graphic Online and YouTube.
Next article: Court throws out application against COP Yohunos appointment as Deputy IGP

Japanese and Iranian Ambassadors bid farewell as tenure in Ghana concludes

GraphicOnline Nov - 05 - 2024 , 08:44 2 minutes read

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has extended heartfelt farewell messages to the ambassadors of Japan and Iran as they conclude their diplomatic missions in Ghana.

At individual farewell ceremonies held at Jubilee House on November 4, the President expressed the nation's gratitude for the pivotal role both envoys played in deepening relations between Ghana and their respective countries.

In a traditional Fugu attire, Ambassador Bijam Gerami Nazoksara, outgoing Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, reminisced on his enriching time in Ghana, emphasising his appreciation for the country's cultural diversity.

Ambassador Nazoksara, who commenced his duties in Ghana in September 2022, remarked that he leaves with a profound sense of connection to Ghanas rich heritage.

Advertisement

Ambassador Mochizuki Hisanobu, Japans outgoing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, also shared his reflections. Hisanobu, who initially served in Ghana as Head of Mission from 2009 to 2012 before returning as Ambassador in 2021, congratulated Ghanas Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, on her recent appointment as Secretary General of the Commonwealth.

The Ambassador noted that his almost decade-long association with Ghana had forged enduring connections between the two nations.

President Akufo-Addo highlighted the very warm relations that Ghana shares with Japan, pointing to the shared aspirations between the two nations, both at bilateral and multilateral levels.

Addressing relations with Iran, the President noted Ghanas half-century-long friendship with the Islamic Republic. He expressed hope for a peaceful resolution between Iran and Israel.

He said it has been about half a century of friendly relations between Iran and Ghana and hoped that with the intervention of the United Nations, Iran and Israel will be able to find a way of addressing their common problems in the interest of regional and global peace and stability.



*Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.*
Life sentence for man convicted of murdering German girlfriend and daughter

GraphicOnline Nov - 05 - 2024 , 21:54 1 minute read

Boigouna Aloys, a Burkinabe national, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a High Court in Accra for murdering his German girlfriend and her 13-year-old daughter at Kokrobite.

The 47-year-old accused was found guilty by a seven-member jury after a trial in which the prosecution, led by Yvonne Yaache-Adomako, presented evidence from five witnesses.

Aloys was charged with two counts of murder.

The Burkinabe national was arrested by the police on October 8, 2020, after he secretly murdered and buried his 53-year-old girlfriend, Claudia Weizmann, and her 13-year-old daughter in a bushy area of their residence.

Advertisement

Neighbours reported the disappearance of Aloys and the two deceased individuals to the police at Kokrobite, leading to the discovery of their bodies.

The police obtained an exhumation order and conducted an autopsy before commencing investigations.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the convict had a misunderstanding with his girlfriend, leading to him using a hammer to smash her head.

He then strangled her 13-year-old daughter to prevent her from reporting the incident to the police and subsequently buried both bodies.
Next govt must review VAT regime  Association of Ghana Industries

Maclean Kwofi Nov - 05 - 2024 , 04:57 3 minutes read

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) says the next government must streamline the value added tax (VAT) regime into a more efficient tax system to support industrial growth.

The call follows an engagement with the major political parties to cause them to integrate a VAT review into their manifestos as part of measures to create a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive, boost innovation, and generate jobs and revenue for economic transformation.

The association maintained that the current structure where businesses contributed 21 per cent of VAT to government yet recovered only 15 per cent from consumers was gradually becoming counter-productive to their operations.

At the opening of the Regional Annual Meeting (AGM) of the Accra Branch of the Association of Ghana Industries in Accra recently, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the association, Seth Twum-Akwaboah, said the remaining six per cent was a huge figure which businesses could never recover and for that reason must be reviewed to ensure efficiency.

Advertisement

The AGM

The Accra Regional Annual Meeting, Business Growth and Sustainability Seminar and Job Fair is aimed at equipping businesses and individuals with the skills and networks necessary to drive growth, improve productivity and create employment opportunities.

It was on the theme: "Empowering growth: Building a strong workforce for tomorrow."

Speakers and panellists included Accra Regional Chairperson of AGI, Tsonam Cleanse Akpeloo; Deputy Director, Research and Development, Monitoring and Evaluation at Ghana Cocoa Board, Michael Ekow Amoah; CEO, African Aurora Business Network, Maureen Odoi; Country Director of Generation Ghana, Vandyck Lomotey; and Head of Business Development, and Deputy Director at the Ghana National Service Authority, Gabriel Osei Jnr.

Social contract

Mr Twum-Akwaboah stated that it could be recalled that years back, in previous elections, the AGI used to sign memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the political parties but now it had changed the strategy to a level where it influenced the parties to enter into a bigger social contract with the whole country.

With this, he said, the AGI intended to rather inspire the manifestos of the political parties to ensure they had included key reforms that could create a conducive environment to support industries.

So indeed, we engaged all the key political parties  former President John Mahama, Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Alan Kyeremateng and other independent candidates and their executives.

We are working hard on this, but our strategy is simple, we will ensure that whoever wins the elections will implement policies that support industrial development, and interestingly, some of our issues have been captured in their manifestos, he added.

Open avenues

Mr Akpeloo stated Ghanaian industries needed to open avenues for education, training and skills development to help accelerate growth.

He explained that manufacturers who prioritised workforce strategy, engagd in upskilling, and adopted digital technologies would thrive, and not just survive.

He said by focusing on workforce development, manufacturers could empower their employees to drive growth, improve productivity and stay competitive in an increasingly automated landscape.

As industries evolve, so must our workforce take up comprehensive training programmes that align with market demand and ensure that our employees possess the skills needed today and tomorrow.

We need to collaborate with educational institutions and vocational training centres to help bridge the gap between education and industry, fostering a workforce that is not just skilled, but also adaptable and innovative, he said.

Errand runners

For his part, Mr Osei called on employers to see to it that national service personnel were not turned into mere errand runners but should be trained on the job.

He said the national service period played a critical role in the development of these personnel and for that reason must be used to prepare the personnel for the job market.
Same Adabraka jewelry shop robbed twice this year - Residents

Graphic.com.gh Nov - 04 - 2024 , 22:51 4 minutes read

It is the second time the same jewelry shop at Adabraka in Accra is experiencing an armed robbery attack this year, some residents have told Graphic Online.

On Saturday, November 2, the Adabraka Market in Accra was rocked by a daring daylight robbery that took place right in front of stunned residents.

Four armed and masked men targeted a man in a red Toyota Corolla at the bustling market.

Witnesses reported that the robbers approached the vehicle with their guns drawn, immediately firing multiple shots into the air to scatter the crowd.

Advertisement

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE

CCTV footage shared on social media showed the moment the robbers pounced on the vehicle and took the sacks of money away from the boot of the Toyota Corolla.

Shoppers and vendors rushed for cover, ducking behind shops and seeking safety as the gunfire rang out across the market.

The robbers quickly forced their way into the Toyota, seizing large sacks of cash stored inside.

In just minutes, they loaded the bags into their getaway vehicle and fled the scene, continuing to fire shots to keep bystanders at a distance.

An eyewitness recounted, We deal in gold here, and we heard a loud noise, and we realised it was a sporadic shooting. I cant even talk, Im surprised, we hid and locked our gate, but they didnt come to our end. We heard them saying open the boot and we saw them carrying bags of money from some of the shops. They spent some few minutes.

Another eyewitness also said, There are several gold dealer shops here, so one of the owners of the shops had bags containing monies in his Toyota Corolla, immediately he landed, the robbers approached the car and took the money away. This is the second time such an incident has happened. The police came in late, by the time they arrived, the armed robbers had bolted away with the bags of money in their Toyota Highlander. They fired multiple gunshots. They spread some money in the air to distract onlookers attention and scare them away.

The robbery was captured on video by onlookers and soon spread on social media, showing the gunmens swift, coordinated movements and the terror that swept through the market.

Getaway vehicle tracked

The next day on Sunday, the vehicle involved in the robbery incident was identified and tracked to Ashaiman in Greater Accra.

Images of the Toyota Highlander, with registration number GN 7357-19, leaving the crime scene at Adabraka was tracked to Ashaiman.

The vehicle's route included stops at the Sunny FM, Shiashie, Accra Mall, and Accra Mall Roundabout, before heading through Ashaiman Zenu.

On Saturday, the police announced that they are intensifying efforts to locate the armed gang responsible for the robbery at jewelry shop at Adabraka on Saturday (Nov 2), which left one person injured.

In a statement, the police said they were on a manhunt for the gang."

"We would like to assure the public that we will surely get them and bring them to face justice," it added.

The robbery incident involved four armed and masked men who targeted a man in a red Toyota Corolla, parked near the bustling Adabraka market.

Eyewitnesses reported that the robbers approached the vehicle with their guns drawn, immediately firing multiple shots into the air to scatter the crowd.

Shoppers and vendors rushed for cover, ducking behind shops and seeking safety as the gunfire rang out across the market.

The robbers quickly forced their way into the Toyota, seizing large sacks of cash which had just been packed in the boot.

Three days later

Three days after the incident, Graphic Online visited the area and some residents in the Adabraka community said they were living in fear after the daylight armed robbery at Cabest Jewelry shop.

Some residents told Graphic Online's Gertrude Ankah that it was the second attack on the Cabest jewelry store within four months.

An eyewitness, Sajiah Yervo said: "I heard the shots, at least ten, one after another. I thought that with the police station just few minute's walk away, we would be safe. But are we safe? I don't think so."

Abdul Karim Zakari, a member of the local unit committee said: "This is not the first time..., Our community has been suffering from recurring crimes, and we don't feel safe," he added.

He stressed, "Our area is becoming 'Gold City,' where each and every shop is targeted. Who knows what will happen next if we don't have better protection?"
Next article: Many Ghanaians believe solutions to societal problems is in prayer instead of hard work -Sam Jonah

Sir Sam Jonah calls for compulsory Military National Service to build character in Ghanas youth

Kweku Zurek Nov - 05 - 2024 , 12:27 2 minutes read

In a bold proposal aimed at reshaping Ghanas approach to youth development, Sir Sam Jonah, Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, has called for the introduction of compulsory military national service.

Speaking today at the Kofi Ohene-Konadu Auditorium at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Sir Sam delivered a keynote address that focused on A critical look at education and culture in Ghana to chart a course of national development, peace and our collective prosperity.

Sir Sam argued that Ghana's current national service scheme, while commendable, could go further in building character and discipline among young people.

He urged that Ghana should model its national service on programmes in countries like Finland, South Korea, and Israel, where individuals aged 18 and above serve a mandatory one-year military service. This, he believes, would instil discipline, confidence, and resilience in young people while fostering a stronger sense of duty to the nation.

Advertisement

"I strongly advocate that we model our national service on similar ones in Finland, South Korea, Israel, and other nations where graduates and persons aged over 18 serve compulsorily in the Military for one year," he stated.

Sir Sam explained that this approach would do more than just benefit the individuals; it would nurture future leaders equipped with the skills and ethics needed to lead responsibly.

It is a commitment to country because it builds character and the good sense to look out for one another, he noted, emphasising that such a programme would inspire accountability, a quality he believes is critical to leadership.

Sir Sam expressed deep concern over the need for strong, principled leaders who would be prepared to ensure the right thing is done where and when it must be done.

He underscored the urgent need to cultivate leaders rather than followers among Ghana's youth, particularly in light of the countrys future socio-economic challenges.
Sir Sam Jonah condemns corruption as a threat to Ghanas sovereignty

Jemima Okang Addae Nov - 05 - 2024 , 14:04 2 minutes read

Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, has issued a stark warning about the corrosive effects of corruption in Ghanas public institutions, describing it as pervasive and a direct threat to the nations sovereignty.

Speaking today at the Graphic National Development Series, Sir Sam criticised the deep-rooted culture of corruption in Ghana, stating that it has become so ingrained that those who reject it are often viewed as social misfits.

Many Ghanaians view corruption as an intrinsic part of the culture, he said, recounting the experience of a friend, an academic who entered politics with integrity but was soon labelled as unfortunately unbusinesslike  a euphemism for his refusal to engage in corrupt practices.

Sir Sam lamented that when public office is seen as a path to personal wealth rather than public service, it compromises the nations values and threatens its stability.

Advertisement

Explaining further, he noted that the business-minded politician is someone who treats every policy as an opportunity for self-enrichment, focusing on amassing wealth for themselves and their associates instead of serving the national interest. This, he argued, diminishes the role of public institutions and undercuts their duty to the people.

Sir Sam also expressed concern over the diminishing integrity within Ghanas legislative body. When even the legislature, which should embody the principles of law, ethics, and virtue, shows signs of malice, the peoples hope and confidence plummet, he observed, pointing to the erosion of trust in institutions meant to uphold transparency and justice.

Touching on Ghanas broader challenges, he added, We are confronted with issues that go to the heart of our challenges: economic decline, corruption, environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, and the erosion of patriotism. Amidst all of these, we live in an emerging culture that prioritises personal gain over collective well-being.
Next article: Two netizens on police wanted list for 'false publication' suggesting that Salifu Amoako's son is not in custody

Wisconsin University wins Cybersecurity Authoritys Industry partnership award

Graphic.com.gh Nov - 05 - 2024 , 21:12 1 minute read

Wisconsin International University College, Ghana has been honoured for its services and facilities and recognition for the contribution in the field of cybersecurity.

Last Friday at the awards ceremony organised by the Cybersecurity Authority of Ghana, Wisconsin International University received the Industry Partnership Award for its continuous commitment and support toward cybersecurity development and training in Ghana.

Receiving the award on behalf of the university, Chief Operating Officer, Jacob Fynn said it was the investment the university has made, particularly in setting up the state-of-the-art cybersecurity, digital forensics, and AI laboratories for training and commercial purposes that has earned it that award.

Mr Fynn said the award will spur the university to do even more in safeguarding the reverence and recognition by ensuring even bigger investments in infrastructural development in IT and cybersecurity.

Advertisement

The Minister of Communication, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for supporting Ghanas cybersecurity efforts over the past year.

The Director-General of the CSA, Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, also stressed the importance of collaboration in navigating the complex cybersecurity environment in the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape saying all stakeholders must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing emerging threats.

The Cybersecurity awards climaxed a month-long national cybersecurity awareness campaign on the theme: Combatting misinformation and disinformation in a digitally resilient democracy: our collective responsibility.

Ghanas cybersecurity journey has evolved tremendously since 2017 with Ghana attaining global recognition as a hub for cybersecurity development by being ranked at the highest tier in the 5th edition of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Global.
Bawumia outlines 12 ways he would expand educational opportunities for all Ghanaians

GraphicOnline Politics Nov - 05 - 2024 , 14:38 2 minutes read

Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has unveiled his plan to transform Ghanas education system, aiming to expand access and opportunities for all.

Addressing the youth in a nationwide engagement from Accra on Sunday evening, Dr. Bawumia emphasised that education, skills training, and a youth-friendly economic environment would be the core of his vision to empower Ghanas youth.

Dr. Bawumia underscored education as essential for national development and youth empowerment, committing to build on the NPP governments achievements, including Free Senior High School (SHS) which has benefitted approximately 5.7 million students since its introduction in 2017.

He outlined a 12-point plan aimed at removing financial and infrastructural barriers to education, while expanding opportunities at every level.

Advertisement

Our goal is to make education accessible and inclusive for all, Dr. Bawumia stated, noting that his policies would ensure that both secondary and tertiary education meet the evolving demands of the nation. The 12 measures he proposed to advance education in Ghana are as follows:

1. Increase Student Accommodation  Address the housing shortage at public universities and other tertiary institutions by expanding affordable student accommodation.

2. Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities  Introduce a scholarship programme to remove financial barriers for persons with disabilities, ensuring equal opportunities at the tertiary level.

3. Integrate Scholarship Databases  Unify scholarship management across public institutions to improve accessibility and oversight of available funding.

4. Expand Student Loan Scheme Eligibility  Extend student loan access to all post-secondary students, including those in certificate and diploma programmes.

5. Prioritise STEM Training  Allocate a significant portion of national scholarships to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, ensuring skills development aligns with national priorities.

6. Implement Centralised Applications Processing Service (CAPS)  Simplify the application process for tertiary education with a one-application, one-payment system.

7. Establish an Open University  Provide more flexible learning opportunities through an Open University system, expanding access to higher education across the country.

8. Protect and Enhance Free SHS/TVET  Continue to support Free SHS and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with additional funding to sustain and grow these transformative programmes.

9. Recruit and Support More Teachers  Hire more educators across all levels and improve their working conditions to ensure quality teaching.

10. Develop Infrastructure for Increased Enrolment  Invest in educational infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of students.

11. Offer Vehicle Incentives for Teachers  Provide teachers with incentives to purchase vehicles with engine capacities up to 1,800cc to improve their mobility and quality of life.

12. Continue Teacher Trainee Allowances  Sustain the teacher trainee allowance scheme to encourage more young people to enter the teaching profession.
NDC will prioritise agric, agribusiness  Asiedu Nketiah

Biiya Mukusah Ali Politics Nov - 05 - 2024 , 05:57 3 minutes read

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has stated that the next NDC government will prioritise agriculture and agribusiness, including vegetable production.

He said under the NDC administration, investment would be heavily made in the agriculture sector to revitalise its current declining fortunes.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah was speaking at Abisaase, a farming community in the Berekum West Constituency in the Bono Region, as part of his retail campaign tour of the region last Friday.

Addressing the residents, who are mainly farmers, he highlighted the NDC's plans to boost agriculture and agribusiness in the country to improve the economy.

Advertisement

Effective policies

Mr Asiedu Nketiah said the NDC administration would implement effective agriculture policies and initiatives to boost productivity and improve the livelihoods of farmers as well as access to markets to reduce post-harvest losses.

He said farmers, particularly smallholder farmers and vegetable growers, would be supported to venture into commercial agriculture.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah, therefore urged the chiefs and people in the area to vote for the presidential candidate of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, and the Berekum West parliamentary candidate, Dickson Kwabena Kyere-Duah, to improve agriculture and their wellbeing.

At the Sunyani Magazine in Sunyani East, he revealed the party's plan to establish a modern magazine for the Sunyani Association of Garages if the NDC won the December 2024 general election.

He said the proposed facility would have a mega hostel, a clinic, fire station, toilet, among other facilities.

He said the next NDC government would also abolish import duties on spare parts to reduce their prices.

He said the proposed facility would have a mega hostel, a clinic, fire station, toilet, among other facilities.

He said the next NDC government would also abolish import duties on spare parts to reduce their prices.

Apprenticeship programme

He said the next NDC administration would also introduce a free apprenticeship training programme to provide young people with employable skills.

He said entrepreneurship played a crucial role in the development of the country, and pledged the party's commitment to introduce the policy to reduce unemployment.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah said under the programme, master craftsmen would be registered and supported to expand their shops in addition to supporting them with tools and equipment to train the beneficiaries.

He said the beneficiaries would also be supported to establish their own business and train others after passing out.

New magazine

The Vice Chairman of the Association, Yaya Ibrahim, said the Sunyani Traditional Council had released a vast land for the association to relocate.

He appealed to Mr Asiedu Nketiah to facilitate the construction of a modern magazine for the association, and urged the NDC to rehabilitate the road network of the Sunyani Magazine in addition to the establishment of hostel facilities to accommodate apprentices.

Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh
Next article: Bawumia outlines 12 ways he would expand educational opportunities for all Ghanaians

Previous article: Akua Donkor's party divided over whether or not to withdraw from 2024 election

Roman Fada replaces Akua Donkor as GFP's presidential candidate

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Politics Nov - 05 - 2024 , 15:56 1 minute read

He is commonly known as Roman Fada and works as a broadcaster at Peace FM but his official name is Philip Kwabena Agyemang. This is the man who is replacing Akua Donkor as the presidential candidate of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) for Election 2024.

The party has since formally filed his nomination at the Electoral Commission. It was filed on Tuesday afternoon.

Roman Fada was Akua Donkor's vice presidential candidate who has now been nominated by the GFP to replace her.

Following the death of Akua Donkor last week, the founder and presidential candidate of the party, the Electoral Commission gave the GFP up to Friday, November 8, 2024 to nominate a replacement.

Advertisement

Earlier, some reports had suggested the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the GFP in a letter addressed to the Electoral Commission, dated November 5, 2024 had cited the recent passing of Akua Donkor, as the primary reason for a decision to withdrawal from the race.

Madam Akua Donkor died on October 28 at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital.

The Electoral Commission had given up to Friday, December 8, 2024 for the GFP to replace their presidential candidate.

READ ALSO: Akua Donkor's party divided over whether or not to withdraw from 2024 election
A week ago, Apple found itself in a tough spot with its iPhone 16 series and Apple Watch 10 series banned from sale in Indonesia. The issue was a direct result of unmet investment commitments in the country, which require companies to provide 40% local content to operate locally.

In a new development, Bloomberg News reports that Apple will invest $10 million in a new factory in Bandung. The investment will reportedly be made alongside Apples local supplier, Yageo Corporation, with the new facility dedicated to building accessories and components for Apple devices.

As per the new report, Apple has submitted its proposal to the Indonesian Ministry of Industry and is awaiting clearance on its device ban. Apple isn't the only tech company facing troubles in Indonesia, as Google was also banned from selling its Pixel 9 series for not complying with the 40% local content rule.

Source (paywall)
Apple's iPadOS was deemed a "gatekeeper" platform under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) back in April. This resulted in Apple agreeing to open up iPadOS to third-party app stores in the EU in May, emulating what it had initially done with iOS.

The EU granted Apple a six-month period to comply with all the DMA regulations for iPadOS, and that has expired on October 28. Thus, today the European Commission told Reuters that it is currently assessing whether iPadOS complies with the DMA following Apple's concessions.

The EU antitrust watchdog said: "The Commission will now carefully assess whether the measures adopted for iPad OS are effective in complying with the DMA obligations. The Commission's assessment will also be based on the input of interested stakeholders."

Regarding iPadOS, the DMA requires Apple to allow users to set whatever default web browser they want, allow alternative app stores, and allow headphones and smart pens to access iPadOS features.

If a company is found to be breaching the DMA, it can be fined as much as 10% of its global annual turnover, which for Apple would mean many, many billions. Hence why it's so far been quick to try and appease the EU on such matters.
These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales.
Today, we have the new Galaxy S24 FE, which, for the first time ever, takes after the Plus model in the flagship Galaxy S family. And then we have the previous, now cheaper Galaxy S23 FE, which is smaller in size. Do you get the new Samsung Galaxy S24 FE for its larger screen, or the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE for its more compact design and cheaper price?

Lets find out!

Table of Contents:

For starters, you can compare the complete specs sheets or directly continue with our editor's assessment in the following video or in the text further below.

Size comparison

Samsung

Galaxy S24 FE 162.0 x 77.3 x 8.0 mm

(6.38 x 3.04 x 0.31 in) 213 g

Samsung

Galaxy S23 FE 158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm

(6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) 209 g

The Galaxy S24 FE comes with a slightly larger screen (6.7" vs 6.4"), and this has reflected on the phone's size, of course, but not as much as you would have imagined. The new model is only 4mm taller, less than a millimeter wider and just 4 grams heavier.

The new Galaxy S24 FE uses newer Gorilla Glass Victus+ panels compared to the Gorilla Glass 5 shielding the S23 FE. Still, we'd put the two phones on par here.

Display comparison

Samsung

Galaxy S24 FE AMOLED

120Hz 1080x2340

pixels 385

ppi 6.7"

Samsung

Galaxy S23 FE AMOLED

120Hz 1080x2340

pixels 403

ppi 6.4"

The Galaxy S24 FE has a slightly larger 6.7-inch 1080p OLED, while the S23 FE packs a 6.3-inch 1080p OLED. Both screens support HDR10+.

The Galaxy S24 FE display has a higher maximum brightness - 1372 nits vs about 1,000 nits on either Galaxy S23 FE models (Snapdragon or Exynos). The manual brightness is around 480 nits on the Galaxy S24 FE and the two Galaxy S23 FE variants.

We can argue that the Galaxy S24 FE wins here for its larger and brighter screen.

Battery life

Samsung

Galaxy S23 FE (Snapdragon)

4500 mAh 9:45h 34:15h 8:09h 11:27h 5:56h Samsung

Galaxy S23 FE (Exynos)

4500 mAh 8:28h 28:26h 7:31h 9:16h 5:09h Active use score

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (Snapdragon) , 4500mAh 9:45h 34:15h 8:09h 11:27h 5:56h Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (Exynos) , 4500mAh 8:28h 8:28h 28:26h 7:31h 9:16h 5:09h Active use score

The new Galaxy S24 FE model has a slightly larger battery than the S23 FE, 4,700 mAh vs 4,500mAh. But even if the battery capacity difference is small, the Galaxy S24 FE delivers better battery life than either of the S23 FE incarnations.

Charging speed

Samsung

Galaxy S24 FE

4700 mAh 15min

30% 30min

56% Full

70min 25W

Samsung

Galaxy S23 FE

4500 mAh 15min

29% 30min

58% Full

70min 25W

Both the Galaxy S24 FE and S23FE support up to 25W fast wired charging and up to 15W fast wireless charging. Reverse wireless charging is available, too.

Even if there is a small difference in the battery capacity, the new and the old model delivered similar charging times.

Speaker test

The Galaxy S24 FE and S23 FE have the same hybrid stereo speaker systems, where the earpiece acts as a speaker, and there is another standalone one at the bottom.

The Galaxy S24 FE and Galaxy S23 FE scored Very Good marks for speaker loudness and offer similarly great audio output.

Performance

The Galaxy S24 FE has only one version, and it runs on Samsung's very own Exynos 2400e, which has the same CPU and GPU as the flagship Exynos 2400 inside the Galaxy S24 but with slightly lower core clocks. This means 10-core CPU and Xclipse 940 GPU.

The Galaxy S23 FE has two versions  the US one with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and the global one based on the Exynos 2200 chip. Both the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and the Exynos 2200 are 4nm chips; both were the heart of the Galaxy S22 series. Both chips have similar octa-core processors with previous generation cores when compared to the S24 FE's. The Exynos 2200 has this Xclipse 920 GPU, the Snapdragon model has the Adreno 730 GPU.

The Galaxy S24 FE and the Galaxy S23 FE both come with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM.

Samsung

Galaxy S24 FE Exynos 2400e

4nm 128GB 8GB RAM

base config

Samsung

Galaxy S23 FE (Snapdragon) Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

4 nm 128GB 8GB RAM

base config

Samsung

Galaxy S23 FE Exynos 2200

4 nm 128GB 8GB RAM

base config

Benchmark performance

Samsung

Galaxy S24 FE AnTuTu 10

1,548,896 Geekbench 6

6,299 3D Mark

13,257

Samsung

Galaxy S23 FE (Snapdragon) AnTuTu 10

1,129,280 Geekbench 6

3,947 3D Mark

9,919

Samsung

Galaxy S23 FE AnTuTu 10

1,134,250 Geekbench 6

3,964 3D Mark

8,494

There is a two-year difference between the chips inside the Galaxy S24 FE and the S23 FE, so it is no surprise the S24 FE is a noticeably faster phone.

Camera comparison

The Galaxy S24 FE and S23 FE feature four identical cameras  a 50MP OIS primary, a 10MP OIS 3x telephoto, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP selfie.

Image quality

The Galaxy S24 FE takes similar photos to the Galaxy S23 FE phones, with minor differences in to noise reduction and/or noise smearing.



Galaxy S24 FE: Main  UW  Tele 3x  selfie



S23 FE Snapdragon: Main  UW  Tele 3x  Selfie



S23 FE Exynos: Main  UW  Tele 3x  Selfie

The quality of the nighttime photos remains similar across the Galaxy S24 FE and the two versions of the Galaxy S23 FE.



Galaxy S24 FE: Main  UW  Tele 3x



S23 FE Snapdragon: Main  UW  Tele 3x



S23 FE Exynos: Main  UW  Tele 3x

Video quality

The Galaxy S24 FE has improved video recording capabilities compared to the S23 FE. The main camera can now take 8K30 and 4K120 videos.

The two phones capture identical videos in daylight. Note that we shot the S23 FE videos with the video stabilization turned off, hence the wider field of view.

Below, we have a few framegrabs from the videos taken by the two phones at each focal length.



S24 FE: Main  UW  Tele 3x



S23 FE: Main  UW  Tele 3x

The low-light videos are brighter and more detailed out of the Galaxy S24 FE.



S24 FE 4K screengrabs: Main  UW  3x Tele



S23 FE Snapdragon 4K screengrabs: Main  UW  Tele 3x



S23 FE Exynos 4K screengrabs: Main  UW  Tele 3x

Verdict

The Galaxy S24 FE and the Galaxy S23 FE are wonderful reworks of their respective flagship versions. They are also quite similar devices, excluding the now different screen size. Naturally, the S23 FE is cheaper  it costs about 150 less than the new S24 FE in the EU and about $100 less in the USA.

The Galaxy S24 FE is a solid upgrade over the S23 FE because it jumps two chipset generations ahead and improves on the battery life, which was a weak point on the S23 FE. You also get a larger and brighter screen in almost the same footprint. And finally, Samsung promises much longer software support for the Galaxy S24 FE (7 years), which, coupled with the faster processor, will mean better future-proofing if you tend to hold on to your smartphones for longer.

The S24 FE is decidedly the better phone of the two. But the answer to whether it's worth the price premium will largely depend on how much you appreciate the extra features it provides so we suggest you weigh your priorities carefully.

Get the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE for: Larger and brighter screen.

More powerful chipset.

Longer battery life.

Better video recording.

Longer software support.
We've heard rumors back and forth about Samsung using only Snapdragon chips for its upcoming Galaxy S25 lineup or including the Exynos 2500 SoC into the mix. But the latest Geekbench score sheet shows the Galaxy S25+ running on the Exynos 2500, basically confirming the previous scheme - some markets get the Exynos-powered versions, like the European market, and others will receive the Snapdragon 8 Elite.



Geekbench 6 scoresheet: Galaxy S25+ running Exynos 2500 SoC

There were even rumors about Samsung struggling with the Exynos 2500 yield, but it looks like the situation isn't as bad. The scoresheet showing the Galaxy S25+ running on the unreleased Exynos 2500 is solid proof that some markets will get the Exynos treatment.

We also get to see the CPU configuration - 10-core CPU with the prime core running at 3.3 GHz, coupled with two high-performance cores at 2.75 GHz and five more at 2.36 GHz. There are only two power-efficient cores ticking at 1.8 GHz. The GPU is Xclipse 950, powered by AMD's RDNA architecture.

As far as the scores are concerned, we suggest you don't read too much into those. This is obviously a pre-production sample, so comparisons against the Dimensity 9400 and Snapdragon 8 Elite chips are pointless at this point.

Via
From sweet spaghetti sauces to lechon sauces, some popular Philippine condiments have been flagged by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for harmful food additives and this has been causing supply concerns on Guam, where a large portion of the population relies on these cooking products.

Some distributors and restaurant representatives interviewed on Monday said the flagged products include Jufran Banana Sauce, UFC Sweet Filipino Style Spaghetti Sauce and Mang Tomas All Purpose Sauce, beloved Filipino branded products that they said could no longer be brought to Guam.

According to FDAs Import Alert (99-45) on Oct. 25, 2024, products containing ingredients such as BHA and potassium iodate are deemed harmful food additives.

Its not an outright ban but the products will be flagged at the border for further review.

When [clients] do ask for these very specific products, we do have to inform them that we cannot bring it in anymore, Jay Agabao, manager of Sky Guam Distributors Inc., told the Pacific Daily News.

Sky Guam is a family-owned corporation, which distributes both food and non-food products from the Philippines, the U.S., Taiwan, and Indonesia, to Guam.

Despite the concerns he has heard from his companys clients, they still have to follow rules and regulations.

As distributors, and Im sure other distributors would share this, we cant bring it in because we have to be compliant with all the different governing agencies that apply here. We have to comply with their rules and regulations, Agabao said.

However, as a Filipino on Guam, he knows the difficulty in obtaining certain food items because Guam relies heavily on imported goods.

The thing is, with Guam, we are a non productive pilot. We do not manufacture, we dont have any major industries that manufacture certain types of food items. A lot of our food items, theyre all imported from all over the place, from the U.S., Asia, and the Philippines, Agabao said.

He also shared his belief that there needs to be change in the regulations as Guam relies heavily on imported food items to bring these items back to the island.

I think that these regulations need to change and they need to be updated, so that way we can bring in these products, so that we could support not just the Filipino community here on Guam, but everyone that consumes these products, Agabao said.

Impact on restaurants, stores

The new FDA restrictions are affecting local restaurants and stores, including Ben and Yans BBQ Place and Ben and Yans Mini Mart, another family-owned establishment.

Neil Espino, the restaurants manager, on Monday expressed his frustration over how these restrictions have impacted their sales and operations.

Its definitely frustrating, and it really takes a big hit on the products, Espino said. I dont take it away from [the FDA] to do the job that theyre doing. Its just, we need a better understanding as to why. For years, these were brought in, why only now? To me, thats just my opinion on things.

Espino said Ben and Yans is now trying to adapt by sourcing local or stateside-approved alternatives.

We just try to cope with the current situation, Espino said. I hope it doesnt change much of the taste of what we cook but its just from here on out, its really some trial-and-error kind of thing.

The following items will no longer be available, according to the FDA import alert:

Kare Kare Stew Mix

Mothers Best Hot All Purpose Sauce (Sarsa Lechon Sauce)

Andoks Litson Sauce (All Purpose Sauce)

UFC Sweet Chili Sauce

UFC Sweet Filipino Style Spaghetti Sauce

UFC Banana Sauce Regular

UFC Banana Sauce (Hot)

Mang Tomas All Purpose Sauce Regular

Mang Tomas All Purpose Sauce Hot & Spicy

Jufran Sweet Chili Sauce

Jufran Banana Sauce Hot & Spicy

Jufran Banana Sauce (Hot)

This can be viewed at accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_1173.html.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Netflixs true-crime documentary Jailbreak: Love On The Run recounts the real-life Bonnie and Clyde story that captured the nation in 2022.

The doc tells the stranger-than-fiction tale of an Alabama corrections officer, Vicky White, who fell for convicted murderer Casey White (no relation) and helped him escape. The resulting nationwide manhunt would eventually lead to her death.

The film features interviews with Vickys friends and former colleagues, who argue that Vicky  described as caring and compassionate  was the victim in a manipulative murderers scheme.

Authorities, however, have described the relationship as mutual.

Some Reddit users were even shocked by the films forgiving portrayal of Vicky, writing, I dont doubt she was in love, but by no means a victim.

So how exactly did the relationship between a convicted killer and his jailer turn romantic? According to the director of the Project on Addressing Prison Rape, Brenda Smith, its a very common story.

Inklings of romance between murderer, jailer

When Casey first met Vicky at the Lauderdale County Detention Center in August 2020, he was meant to spend the rest of his life in prison.

He was already serving a 75-year sentence for a 2015 crime spree  which included shooting a woman and killing his ex-girlfriends dog  while he awaited a separate trial for the unrelated 2015 stabbing murder of Connie Ridgeway.

In the documentary, fellow jail employee Renee Lewis recalls how Casey tried to flirt with her: (He said) Its been five long years since Ive touched a woman. Do you think I could get a hug? I said, Hell no, you cant.

It appears Vicky was more easily swayed.

Shortly after Vicky and Casey met, the inmate was getting extra food on his trays and was getting privileges no one else got, inmates later told Sheriff Rick Singleton.

Other inmates grew suspicious when they saw Casey handing Vicky cards to mail without addresses on the envelopes. After Casey returned to state prison, Singleton said the officer and inmate kept in contact by phone.

The tumultuous timeline of Caseys escape

In February 2022, Casey returned to Lauderdale County Detention Center to prepare for his upcoming murder trial.

Vicky, it appears, had another plan in mind.

In the weeks leading up to the couples April 29 disappearance, Vicky sold her home for $95,550  less than half the current market value, according to CNN, and wiped out her checking account. She told coworkers she planned to retire soon and spoke of moving to the beach.

On the day of the escape, Vicky told staff she would be transporting Casey to the courthouse for a psychological evaluation. The pair never returned.

Instead, with guns, cash and wigs in tow, the lovebirds used multiple getaway vehicles to make their way up north.

Following a trail of several abandoned cars, authorities finally tracked the fugitives down to a motel in Evansville, Indiana. They had paid a homeless man $100 to rent the room for 14 days, per AL.com.

When the couple fled the hotel, police pursued them in a high-speed chase, which ended when their gray Cadillac crashed into a ditch.

As U.S. marshals surrounded the car, Vicky White shot herself in the head, authorities say.

Please help my wife. She just shot herself in the head, and I didnt do it, Casey exclaimed as he exited the vehicle, according to NBC News. The two were not married.

Around $29,000 in cash, four guns and multiple wigs were recovered from the crashed vehicle.

Following his capture, Casey was sentenced to life in prison, which he is now serving at the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer, Alabama.

He pleaded guilty to escape in exchange for the dropping of a felony murder charge involving Vickys death  although her death was ruled a suicide.

We just wanted a new life together because she knew the truth. I can handle the truth because I know who I am, White said at his sentencing.

Other women who have helped their inmate lovers escape jail

While Vicky and Caseys whirlwind escape shocked the public, their story is hardly the first of its kind.

In 2006, Toby Dorr made headlines after sneaking convicted murderer John Manard out of a Kansas prison in a dog crate.

Dorr ran a dog training program at Lansing Correctional Facility, and first laid eyes on Manard when the inmate offered to help her walk the dogs.

She describes her initial reaction to meeting the convict in a 2022 op-ed on the Today show website: Are those eyes the icy blue Id expect on a redhead?

The pair fled to a cabin in Tennessee, where they were captured two weeks later after Manard crashed their car into a tree.

Dorr served 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting Manards escape, as well as providing a firearm to a felon.

In this July 28, 2015 file photo, Joyce Mitchell raises her hand during a court appearance in Plattsburgh, New York. (Rob Fountain | The Press-Republican via AP, Pool, File)AP

In 2015, a prison seamstress named Joyce Mitchell helped prisoners Richard Matt and David Sweat escape from a correctional facility in Dannemora, New York.

She was accused of having a sexual relationship with Matt, and aided the men by sneaking in supplies via frozen hamburger meat.

A 22-day manhunt ensued after the prisoners' escape, ending when Matt was shot and killed by police. Mitchell was convicted of aiding the inmates, and served four years in prison before being released in 2020.

She told authorities that Matt treated me with respect and was nice to me. He made me feel special.

Peter Dumas, an attorney for Mitchell and her husband, said that although it is not a popular opinion, he believes jail and prison staff members can be manipulated by inmates in the way people are manipulated by scammers, writes NBC News.
With Election Day finally here, law enforcement officials across Florida are concerned about those who might try and intimidate other voters at polling places.

Its called voter intimidation and its a third degree felony in Florida.

There are several forms of intimidation, Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson told WEAR Channel 3 News. It can be everything from the use of weapons or just screaming at people trying to keep them from going into the voting (polling) stations.

Johnson said his deputies will be in place to secure polling locations on Election Day.

And CBS News reports the Federal Bureau of Investigation has set up an election command center on Election Day in South Florida, that is dedicated to monitoring potential voting irregularities and ensuring a safe voting process  its just one of 55 across the nation  all connected to federal headquarters in Washington, D.C.

In just the past week, two alarming incidents in Florida have grabbed national attention, igniting fears over voter intimidation.

On Oct. 29, in Neptune Beach, Florida, police were called in response to reports that a person armed with a machete was causing a disturbance at the Beaches Branch Library  a public library in Neptune Beach that serves as an early voting site for the precinct.

When police arrived, they found eight young males in the polling locations parking lot, who police say were there to protest and antagonize the opposing political side.

According to police, members of the group allegedly approached other sign wavers along a nearby road, causing a verbal disturbance that escalated after authorities say one group member, Caleb James Williams, 18, of Neptune Beach, brandished a machete in an aggressive, threatening posture over his head, at two unidentified women, ages 71 and 54.

Williams was arrested at the scene for aggravated assault on a person 65 years of age or older and improper exhibition of a firearm or dangerous weapon. Following his arrest, he was also charged with a third degree felony related to voter intimidation or suppression,

Then on Saturday, Nov. 2, in Stuart, Florida, during a We Wont Go Back rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, a 17-year-old male was reportedly arrested and charged with felony battery, after he allegedly punched a 70-year-old woman in the stomach.

In Florida, battery on a person aged 65 or older is considered a felony.

According to several reports, the teenager was wearing a T-shirt with an image of former President Donald Trump raising his middle finger in front of an American flag.

Following the incident, the victim, Kathleen Tomasko of Stuart, who supports the Harris campaign, reportedly told TC Palm, Im standing there and people are moving. This kid just turned around and punched me. I dont know where he came from.

According to the Campaign Legal Center, anyone who intimidates, threatens, coerces, or attempts to intimidate, threaten or coerce, any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of such other person to vote in a federal election is committing a federal crime.  and if found guilty, could be sentenced to up to five years in prison in addition to criminal fines.
After a contentious campaign year, former President Donald Trump returned to South Florida Tuesday morning, where he and his wife, Melania Trump, are expected to cast their 2024 ballots in West Palm Beach.

They are in the minority  as the latest national poll from the Political Communication Lab at Florida Atlantic University reveals that just 18% of Floridas registered voters said they will actually vote on Election Day  with the majority taking advantage of early or mail-in voting options this year.

But, Kevin Wagner, the political labs co-director said, this late movement of voters could be the difference as their poll also indicates a neck and neck race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former U.S. President Donald Trump, with Harris holding a slim 49% to 47% lead among likely voters.

Further, the poll indicates that Amendment 3, which proposes legalizing marijuana for adults 21 and older, has substantial support with 60% of voters in favor, 34% opposed and 6% undecided. On voting day, there needs to be 60% support to pass.

And Amendment 4, which seeks to secure abortion rights up to fetal viability or when necessary for the patients health, also shows significant support at 58% with 32% opposed and 10% undecided.

Each amendment requires a 60% supermajority to be approved.

According to the latest data from Floridas Division of Elections, almost 60% of registered voters in the state have already cast their ballots for the 2024 election. However, nearly 700,000 mail-in ballots that were requested and distributed, remain unreturned.

Can you still submit your mail-in ballot?

Voted ballots should have been mailed back to the Supervisor of Elections at least one week before the Election Day deadline to account for any unforeseen events or weather issues.

However, for residents who chose to receive a mail-in ballot but have not yet mailed it in  it must be received, regardless of postmark, by the Supervisor of Elections' office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Vote-by-mail ballots can be deposited into secure drop boxes at Supervisors of Elections' main and branch offices until 7 p.m. on Election Day. Visit your county Supervisors of Elections' website for the locations, days, and hours of all secure drop boxes in the county.




Haiti - Security : USA delivers new equipment, PM criticizes international community





From October 28 to November 3rd, the Department of States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) delivered critical equipment to support the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) in Haiti.



Armored personnel carriers (APCs) arrived in Haiti to double the Missions fleet and improve mobility, along with other assistance. INL also provided other tools to help MMSS forces coordinate with the HNP and combat deadly Haitian gangs.



"This assistance underscores our ongoing commitment to addressing the urgent security and humanitarian needs in Haiti. A well-equipped MSS is critical for bolstering the anti-gang efforts of the HNP. The United States remains committed to supporting the Haitian people in achieving stability that can bring about a Haitian-led political solution through free and fair elections."



On Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, Prime Minister Garry Conille, during a citizens' forum in Kenscoff, was very critical of the international community, recalling that since his arrival, he had been quick to tell the international community that "the quality and quantity of aid the country is receiving is not adequate and will not solve the problem [...] We need helicopters, much more sophisticated drones," deploring the refusal to deliver certain military equipment to Haiti, claiming that it can only be delivered to armies. Regarding sophisticated drones, Conille indicated that Haiti was about to obtain them...



"I went to the USA. I called friends in El Salvador, talked to people in Mexico, mobilized everyone I know in the international community to tell them that Haitian children are no less deserving than Ukrainian children."



Garry Conille, who spoke about the efforts of the Haitian State to provide the PNH with equipment, weapons and ammunition, acknowledges that today, the PNH is much better equipped, but that it is not enough. In addition, he indicated that he was discussing with the army its needs.



Despite everything, he believes that the security situation is better today than last July.



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Security : End of rumors surrounding alleged mercenaries in the country





On Monday, November 4th, 2024, Prime Minister Garry Conille visited the Villa dAccueil at the invitation of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) regarding the presence in Haiti of members of a foreign security company described as mercenaries... Only three Advisors Lesly Voltaire, President pro tempore of the Transitional Council, Laurent St-Cyr and Frisnel Joseph were present.



The Head of Government explained to the CPT that a contract had been signed with the Studebaker Group, a multinational security firm, to provide specialized training to the PNH. That the previous President Edgard Leblanc Fils was perfectly informed and that it is undoubtedly a problem of poor transmission of this information. No other points were discussed during this meeting



Me Carlos Hercule, Minister of Justice, in a press release published the same day, facing of rumors circulating on social networks concerning the presence of members of the Studebaker Group in Haiti, informs everyone of the implementation of a training and mentoring program in collaboration with the Studebaker Group, aimed at strengthening the capacities of the PNH



The Studebaker provides advanced tactical training for PNH officers in order to develop essential skills in accordance with international standards for maintaining order.



This partnership is exclusively focused on advice and mentoring, allowing for a transfer of know-how and strategic guidance. This training program, placed under the direct supervision of the General Directorate of the PNH, is part of a collaborative approach and a shared commitment to restoring national security and public safety.



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - NOTICE : Session for those who failed the baccalaureate, registrations open





The Ministry of National Education informs that the first session of Baccalaureate exams for candidates who failed for the 2024-2025 academic year will be held from December 16 to 19, 2024.



Candidates who failed in the final year, authorized to participate in the exams, will only undergo the subjects for which they did not receive a passing grade (recorded in the BUNEXE database) for a period of two years following the official assessment. Otherwise, they will have to retake all subjects.



For this purpose, registrations are scheduled from Monday, November 4th to Friday, November 29, 2024 in all Departmental Directorates of Education (DDE).



Required conditions :



- Participation form for the last exams or certificate from the Ministry of National Education;



- Two (2) identity photos;



- Participation fee of two thousand (2,000) Gourdes per candidate



The Ministry asks the Departmental Directors to take all necessary measures for the smooth running of the registration process of the candidates concerned.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Biodiversity loss cannot be stopped with these measures, and Finland does not come out with clean hands, Anne Tarvainen , a programme director at WWF Finland, stated in a press release on Saturday.

THE RESULTS of Cop-16, the UN Biodiversity Conference held in Colombia between 21 October and 1 November, have been met with disappointment by various stakeholders in Finland.

The delegates dispatched to the conference failed to reach an agreement on what the environmental advocacy described as the main objectives: establishing standards for tracking the progress of biodiversity loss and financing the efforts of developing countries to stop biodiversity loss.

The global community was expected to agree on a set of rules designed to stop the biodiversity loss by the end of the decade. Instead the conference fizzled out in uncoordinated fashion on Saturday, with participants leaving the site after overnight negotiations hit an impenetrable gridlock over the issue of financing.

The failure to reach a comprehensive agreement on financing is alarming, according to WWF Finland.

We western states have a duty to support developing countries because we are primarily responsible for the exacerbation of both biodiversity loss and the climate crisis. On a daily basis, we are consuming products that are produced elsewhere, and we are thereby outsourcing our detrimental environmental effects to other countries, said Tarvainen.

WWF Finland also expressed its frustration with the Finnish governments failure to finalise its biodiversity strategy by the conference, a commitment it made along with other countries at Cop-15 in Montreal, Canada, in 2022. Only 44 countries ultimately managed to unveil their strategies before or during Cop-16.

We now expect an exhaustive strategy that addresses several open questions about, for example, the roles and responsibilities of different actors in halting biodiversity loss in Finland, she emphasised.

Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkanen (NCP), who represented Finland at Cop-16, also voiced his disappointment with the failure to meet the main objectives set for the conference. Mykkanen pointed the finger at large southern nations, saying they were calling for a solution consisting of a mishmash of new funds that was unacceptable to other participants.

We have to stick to that the biodiversity financing provided by industrialised countries has to come with strict performance criteria and administrative controls, he stressed to YLE on Saturday.

He added that he is pleased with the agreement to obligate cosmetics, pharmaceutical and other companies utilising natural genetic material to contribute a share of their earnings  either 0.1 per cent of revenue or 1.0 per cent of operating profit  into a biodiversity fund.

Itll create a new stream of financing worth an estimated over a billion euros a year for improving the state of nature in naturally diverse countries, Mykkanen said to Helsingin Sanomat on Saturday.

Another bit of good news was the agreement on the permanent representation of indigenous peoples in future UN Biodiversity Conferences.

Greenpeace, similarly, drew attention to the corporate funding obligation in its review of the conference, highlighting that pharmaceutical companies tried to lobby against the agreement until the very end.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
THE full-on American musical Rock of Ages has been brought to the Kenton stage by the Reading Operatic Society creative team of Lloyd White (director), Mark Webb (musical director) and Emily Muirden (choreographer), together with a large, loud and energetic cast. The show is peppered with high-octane hits from the Eighties.

The musical is set on Sunset Strip, a place that is a byword for the rock n roll lifestyle. Small-town girl Sherrie Christian (Eleanor Knight) is drawn there with hopes of stardom and meets aspiring musician Drew Boley (Kieran Jones). Drew tells us that he has been Waiting for a Girl Like You, but the course of true love never runs smoothly.

Knight and Jones, each with a marvellous voice, are very well-matched and sincere as the couple and its to the delight of the audience that they get together happily at the end. Hapless bar owner Dennis Dupree (a likeable Kev Harvey) faces trouble when developers threaten the future of the Strip. Hertz and Franzy Klinemann (Charlie Fidler and Jasmine Allen) should be the villains of the piece, but their amusing take on German businesspeople makes the audience warm to them.

City planner Regina (a funny and strident Lauren Hughes) fiercely opposes the clean-up plans for the Strip since, as she reminds everyone, We Built This City on rock and roll. Duprees Bourbon Room is a magnet for musicians and their entourages. Trent Allen puts in a great performance as the loathsome star, Stacee Jaxx.

We also meet Justice Charlier, proprietor of a racy gentlemens club, where she persuades Sherrie to join the team of girls; Delun Jones is commanding in the role and has a big voice. Overseeing proceedings is compere Lonny Barnett; Andrew Johnson gives an extraordinary performance as the playful narrator, who instantly forms a good rapport with the audience and questions the writers power over what happens to the characters.

At the heart of the musical is the live band. Mark Webb on keyboard conducts guitarists Daniel Bilby, Andrew Smith and Graeme Hollingdale, together with Thomas Smith on drums. Well done to all the production team and special mention should go to Pam Dennis and Daisy Fitzgibbon, since their input on make-up, wigs and hair added so much to the period feel. Credit also to the lighting team, especially for their memorable strobe-lit, slow-motion struggle between the police and the protesters.

Rock of Ages was written 20 years ago and arguably its central theme of showbiz sleaze no longer lands altogether comfortably. However, what draws the crowd to this fast-moving show and sends them home happy is the high-calibre music, singing and dancing from Reading Operatic Society cast members. The rousing finale drew delighted applause from the audience.

Susan Creed
A GLOBALLY successful saxophonist who grew up in Henley is returning to play with Henley Symphony Orchestra for its autumn concert later this month.

Huw Wiggin, who last played with the orchestra for Henley Festival in 2019, will play Eric Coatess Saxo-Rhapsody, as well as Marcellos Concert for Oboe, transcribed for saxophone.

The late afternoon concert, with guest conductor Margarita Mikhailova, is at St Marys Church in Henley on Saturday, November 16. It also features Mahlers Blumine from Symphony No 1 and Adagietto from Symphony No 5, in addition to Dvoraks Symphony No 8.

Huw, 38, who lives in London, is pleased to be playing on home turf. He says: It will be wonderful to work with Margarita and one of the great things Im excited about as well is playing in St Marys Church in Henley. It will be really nice to play with the orchestra in there.

Thats a venue that Im always very comfortable in and its quite a special and unique experience coming back to Henley to play because its where I grew up.

Huw studied at Chethams School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music, going on to study at the Hochschule fur Musik in Koln.

In 2012, he gained a masters degree with distinction from the Royal College of Music. Ten years ago, Huw won a gold medal at the Royal Over-Seas League contest and the following year, he won Commonwealth Musician of the Year.

He attributes much of his inspiration to Alfie Hay, the former headmaster of Trinity Primary School and one of the founders of Henley Youth Festival, which Huw took part in.

I did their Rotary competition when I was 10 or 12, he says. I was at Trinity School and Id played a saxophone duo with Joshua Stuart-Bennett, we did a young performer competition at Henley Youth Festival.

Then I did the solo competition four times. I was really involved because of Alfie and because of what an amazing man he is. He was really so instrumental in making music, he was so enthusiastic about music when he was head of Trinity Primary School.

It was really because of him that I was so involved with the Henley Youth Festival and it was really the choirs we did at school.

He used to compose music and he really made music so much better in school.

I had free instrumental lessons with the recorder and then I learned with Wendy Hawkins, who lives in Berkshire Road, and were still in touch now, which is great.

A member of the Ferio Saxophone Quartet and one half of the Wiggin  Wass duo with harpist Oliver Wass, the saxophonist has performed at pianist Anita DAttelliss Winter Recitals Wallingford and will be performing again in next years Chiltern Arts Festival.

Last March, he and Japanese classical pianist, Noriko Ogawa, released an album called Rhapsody, and Huw is looking forward to revisiting one of the pieces of music from the album at the concert in Henley.

So the Eric Coates, I recorded on Rhapsody, and that was rhapsodic works for saxophone.

Obviously, Eric is one of the most prolific composers from the UK and he wrote Saxo-Rhapsody.

Its quite a special piece for me, because when I had just graduated from the Royal College of Music, I was invited to Beijing to perform in the Forbidden City Concert Hall, which is in the middle of Beijing.

So, I was flown over there and its an amazing experience performing in China, because the volume of people is so much bigger than you ever get in Europe, in my experience.

The Forbidden City Concert Hall is a huge auditorium and I performed that work with an amazing conductor called Nicholas Smith.

That really stuck in my memory from when I graduated and I wanted to bring back that work for my album.

Then I played with Henley Symphony Orchestra before and they asked me about which works Id like to perform. Ive done the Eric Coates before, but it was very much a piece that I wanted to revisit.

The Marcello concerto is originally for oboe but often, pieces that are written for oboe transfer well on to soprano saxophone.

It has a similar sort of tone and colour to the oboe and it brings new life to the original. Its a popular work anyway and I love it, particularly the second movement.

 Henley Symphony Orchestras autumn concert is at St Marys Church in Hart Street, Henley, on Saturday, November 16 at 5pm. Tickets cost 22 reserved (central aisle), 18 or 20 unreserved and 8 students/under-16s. For more information and to buy tickets, call 07726 459261, email hsoboxoffice@gmail.com or visit henleysymphonyorchestra.co.uk
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the opening of Hyatt Centric Malta, marking the exciting debut of the Hyatt Centric brand in Malta. As the seventh Hyatt Centric in Europe, this expansion reflects Hyatt's accelerated brand presence in countries bordering the Mediterranean, with a portfolio spanning 13 different brands and over 80 properties. Located in the heart of St. Julian's, the island's bustling resort town and coastal gem, the hotel is ideally situated for guests to explore the island and its history.

Central location

Nestled on one of St. Julian's most vibrant streets, Hyatt Centric Malta is just moments away from the scenic marina, world class restaurants, and pristine beaches, and nearly 7 miles from the UNESCO World Heritage city of Valletta. The property also serves as a launchpad for those wanting to experience popular nearby dive sites, such as the Blue Hole and Blue Lagoon, placing adventurous travelers in the heart of the action.

"The opening of Hyatt Centric Malta is an important addition to the fast-growing Hyatt Centric brand, joining six existing European properties, as we further strengthen our lifestyle and leisure portfolio in Europe," said Michel Morauw, Managing Director, EAME North, Hyatt. "We are delighted to unlock opportunities for adventurous travelers to explore this thriving destination."

Modern design reflecting the destination

Boasting 170 guest rooms, this newly built hotel incorporates modern design touches that embrace an open space layout, creating an airy and inviting atmosphere while also speaking to Malta's rich history, scenery and traditions. Each room is appointed with contemporary furnishings, striking a balance between sophistication and comfort. The urban style is enriched by a palette inspired by Malta's vibrant colors, adding warmth and a sense of place. From the blue guestroom doors with bold bronze accents that mimic traditional Maltese homes, to the natural, earthy tones running throughout the hotel that symbolizes the colors of the country - Hyatt Centric Malta has been thoughtfully designed to reflect the local culture.

Locally inspired dining experiences and wellness

At the hotel's restaurant, JUMU, guests can indulge in tantalizing flavors such as 'il- tarja moqlija', 'torta tal laham', and its signature 'JUMU mqaret' which are designed to have a contemporary take on the location's past, whilst still respecting its roots. While dining, guests will enjoy a vibrant ambiance, which captures the essence of the Mediterranean. In addition to offering fresh, locally sourced dishes, the menu promises innovative creations to surprise and delight every palate.

In addition to its exceptional culinary offering, Hyatt Centric Malta offers signature leisure and wellness experiences for guests to relax and recharge. After a day of exploration guests can also enjoy the hotel's rooftop pool offering unparalleled views of the surrounding sea. The boutique wellness center offers an indoor pool, treatment room, hot tub, and Finnish sauna. A dedicated gym with the latest equipment caters to those looking to stay active and energized during their stay.

For a smaller reception, business lunch or dinner, Hyatt Centric Malta has a dedicated 1,808 square feet of event space including three meeting rooms.

Hotel website
Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Orleans announces the appointment of Natalie Placer as the property's new Director of Marketing. A seasoned luxury hospitality professional, Placer brings more than two decades of experience to her new role, including significant tenure with Four Seasons properties across the country. A native of Louisiana, Placer is charged with leveraging her wide-ranging hospitality expertise on behalf of her home state's only AAA Five Diamond hotel.

A graduate of Louisiana State University, Placer's career in hospitality began at the Westin New Orleans, where she honed her skills as a conference services manager before joining Four Seasons. Starting at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, Placer quickly rose through the ranks, holding various roles including Sales Manager, Director of Catering, and Director of Sales, demonstrating her versatility and leadership in various aspects of hotel operations.

Throughout her career with Four Seasons, Placer has played integral roles in major hotel renovations, market repositioning, and implementing innovative sales strategies. Her experience spans from overseeing multi-million dollar catering budgets to managing comprehensive sales and marketing teams. Most recently, Placer served as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Four Seasons Hotel Austin, where she developed, implemented, and executed marketing plans and selling strategies for the iconic property. She looks forward to returning to New Orleans with her husband, Scott McClure, who was born and raised in the Crescent City, dining at their favourite restaurants and rediscovering the destination.
Commonwealth Hotels, a Covington, Kentucky-based hotel management company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Shawn Kvernen as vice president of development. In this pivotal role, Shawn will be instrumental in driving the company's growth strategy and expanding its portfolio of hotel properties.

Shawn joins Commonwealth Hotels with a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of operations and senior vice president of business development at Aimbridge Hospitality, where he successfully supported initiatives to enhance operational efficiencies and foster strategic growth. Prior to that, he was chief operating officer at Terrapin Hospitality and chief operating officer at KPartners Hospitality. His extensive background also includes various management roles at Sage Hospitality, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of hotel operations and development.

Shawn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Moorhead State University, a foundation that has contributed to his strategic approach in the hospitality industry.
There has been a lot of news recently about the impact of artificial intelligence in search and how it may or may not impact the future of Google.

Generative AI's rise in the past two years allows many searches to occur directly within AI models. Perplexity has been offering a hybrid model for a while now, and the release last week of ChatGPT Search could be a significant threat to Google.

People value trusted sources. Brands and influencers add credibility in our minds. Results powered by the best source of knowledge in history  but backed up by trusted sources that we are already comfortable with  has the potential to shake things up further.

So what do we need to do as travel companies? As search dynamics evolve, you should probably be about mindful of maintaining online traffic from these new sources.

Large language models [LLMs] excel at providing general knowledge but struggle with specific, current business information. These models are pre-trained on vast datasets (like the entire internet) but do not continuously learn or update facts. Unlike LLMs, tools like ChatGPT Search, Perplexity and Google's Generative Search Results fetch live website data and summarize it in real-time, linking back to the sources  something LLMs cannot do directly.

Assuming this new stage in a world of generative AI isnt going to slow down, you have two new goals:

LLM pre-training  to be discovered by the LLMs themselves, so that they can train on your content and serve up in response to prompts. This one is an unknown quantity. The most popular LLMs train on 12+ trillion words. Even if you have 200 blog posts of 1,000 words each, thats a drop in the ocean for an LLM and unlikely to impact its training.

Generative AI search  to be discoverable by the LLM searching for data to enhance results. This is an area where you can take significant action. And the good news is that if you do the right things here, it will also probably maximize your chances of having an impact on the pre-training part. Its also mostly the same fundamentals you should be looking at for standard search engine optimization.

Google Travel

In many ways, Google Travel is an ideal product in the age of Ggenerative AI. Its all about surfacing the actual product (flight, hotel or thing-to-do) rather than the company offering it. Products are already surfacing in more and more areas within standard search results. These could be directly within a search results page or directly within a Google Travel result. They are also showing up for an increasingly broad set of search terms.

With generative AI search, the live, structured product data that you feed to Google is exactly what the LLM struggles with. In Gemini (Googles LLM), Google Travel results are already used in generative responses when it comes to hotels and flights. For example, if a user is searching for information about visiting Paris, Gemini may choose to offer hotel suggestions and will pull listings directly from the Google Travel hotel feed. These display with links, either to the hotel website or to an OTA. Transactions never happen on Google.

Read the full article at Phocuswire
Vlog

The launch of real-time web search capabilities in ChatGPT marks an exciting new chapter in the way we search for information online. While Google has been the default for finding quick answers, ChatGPTs web browsing introduces unique advantages that are poised to reshape the landscape of travel planning and hotel marketing. By offering context-rich responses, minimizing information overload, and supporting real-time updates, ChatGPT brings a new dimension to search that could transform how travelers make decisions and how hotels market to them. Heres a look at why ChatGPTs search capabilities may just be a better fit than Google for todays travel-focused world and how hotels can capitalize on this new trend.

Context-Aware Responses for Personalized Travel Advice

One of the most compelling benefits of ChatGPTs search is its ability to provide contextually aware responses. Unlike Google, which typically offers a list of websites for users to sift through, ChatGPT delivers synthesized answers that are tailored to the specifics of the users query. It doesnt just pull up results; it interprets and distills information into an easily understandable format, saving travelers both time and effort.

For example, if a user asks, What are the best hotels for a family vacation in Miami with beach access and activities for kids? ChatGPT can provide a targeted, curated answer, going beyond a simple list of links. It can draw on the best information available online to create a response that addresses what the traveler needs, from top-rated hotels to amenities and even nearby activities. This level of personalization creates a smoother, more efficient travel planning experience and removes the need for users to jump between multiple websites to piece together the right answer. Here is what ChatGPT returns:

 Source: Lodging Interactive

Conversational Travel Planning with Follow-Up Questions

Googles search algorithm has made strides toward personalization, but its still limited in adapting to a users evolving context and preferences. ChatGPT, on the other hand, allows users to have follow-up questions in the same thread, adapting its responses based on the flow of conversation. This ability to engage in a multi-layered dialogue makes ChatGPT particularly useful for travel planning, where users often start with broad questions and refine their needs as they go along.

Consider a traveler planning a trip to Paris. They might begin by asking, What are the must-see attractions? As their itinerary develops, they could follow up with questions like, What hotels are within walking distance of these attractions? or Are there any evening activities nearby? ChatGPT can seamlessly adapt to these follow-ups, creating a rich, conversational planning experience that traditional search engines cant replicate. This conversational capability enhances planning efficiency and gives travelers the in-depth, specific insights they need in real time.

Reducing Information Overload in Travel Searches

Google provides millions of search results for nearly any query, which can be overwhelming, particularly in the travel sector. Travelers must often sift through multiple sources to verify hotel details, reviews, and travel restrictions. ChatGPT, however, narrows down relevant sources and presents the information in a single, well-organized response, eliminating the overload while delivering what the user needs.

For hotel marketers, this streamlined process provides a unique advantage. Instead of competing for attention on a crowded Google results page, hotel brands can focus on producing high-quality, relevant content that directly addresses user needs. ChatGPTs contextual response style means that hotels with the most informative, specific content are more likely to be showcased in responsesmaking it easier for users to find valuable insights about a property or promotion quickly.

Enhanced Hotel Marketing Potential and Real-Time Visibility

Traditionally, hotel marketers have relied on SEO to reach potential guests on Google. With ChatGPT, however, marketing content has the opportunity to be integrated directly into the users search experience. ChatGPT can pull in real-time information on hotel amenities, promotions, and nearby attractions from trustworthy sources, allowing hotels to connect with travelers exactly when theyre planning a trip.

For example, a traveler researching hotels with green initiatives could trigger ChatGPT to provide details on properties with sustainability certifications or eco-friendly practices. This dynamic approach allows hotels to distinguish themselves based on real-time factors like seasonal amenities or local partnerships. By positioning their content as a direct answer to common traveler questions, hotels can increase engagement, reach, and ultimately, direct bookings.

Timely, Real-Time Information on Travel Trends and Restrictions

Google is highly effective for finding evergreen information, but ChatGPTs real-time capabilities bring something new to the travel sector: up-to-the-minute insights on travel trends, regulations, and conditions. For example, a traveler planning an international trip can ask ChatGPT for the latest entry requirements, health protocols, or seasonal events, ensuring they receive the most accurate, current information.

For hotel marketing, this capability offers a powerful advantage. Hotels that want to promote seasonal offers, such as holiday packages or event-specific promotions, can reach travelers as soon as these promotions become available. Travelers seeking the latest trends or travel restrictions will have immediate access to accurate information, helping hotels build credibility and drive bookings by showing theyre aligned with travelers needs for flexibility and reliability.

What Hotels Should Do

To fully capitalize on AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT, hotels should focus on creating high-quality, dynamic content that addresses travelers specific questions and interests. Unlike traditional SEO, which often focuses on broad keywords and keyword phrases, content for AI search engines should be rich, informative, and contextually relevant. Hotels should prioritize answering common questions, such as best family activities nearby, sustainability initiatives, or current seasonal offers, ensuring their content is engaging, helpful, and up-to-date. This shift from generic SEO to valuable, targeted information increases the likelihood that ChatGPT will surface the hotels details in response to user queries.

Additionally, hotels should make it a point to refresh content regularly, especially around peak travel seasons or event-specific promotions. AI-powered search engines prioritize the most current insights, so updating information on amenities, events, or exclusive offers will help hotels capture user interest in real-time searches. By investing in creating content that aligns with ChatGPTs emphasis on context-rich, up-to-date responses, hotels can enhance their visibility, drive higher engagement, and attract more bookings from travelers who value accurate, timely information.

Google Isnt Dead, Its Just Lagging Behind When it Comes to AI-Driven Search

While Google remains an essential tool for online search, ChatGPTs real-time web browsing capabilities introduce a new level of personalization, context, and efficiency that aligns closely with the needs of todays travelers. For the hospitality industry, this presents an exciting opportunity to engage travelers in a way thats both meaningful and effective. By embracing AI-driven content strategies, hotels can improve their visibility, differentiate their offerings, and connect with travelers at each stage of their planning journey, setting a new standard for how they reach and engage their audience in the digital age.

About Lodging Interactive

Since its founding in 2001, Lodging Interactive has provided digital marketing services to hotels worldwide, including select service, full-service, and luxury properties.

The company's social media marketing and guest reviews response division, CoMMingle:Engage, serves a range of hospitality businesses, including hotels, restaurants, spas, and management companies.

The company continues to innovate by introducing supportive services that enhance its primary business lines. Recently, it launched Social Media Amplified, custom landing page services designed to drive direct bookings through social media content posts. Building on this commitment, the company has also unveiled GuestCONNECTan all-inclusive service for modern hotels and resorts. GuestCONNECT includes a mobile-first responsive website with hosting and support, tailored social media strategy and marketing, guest review response services across 140 OTA sites, a real-time reporting and analytics dashboard, and a dedicated Client Success Manager.

Lodging Interactive has received numerous awards, including the HSMAI Adrian Award and accolades from the International Academy of Visual Arts, Interactive Media Awards, Horizon Interactive Awards, Web Marketing Association, Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts, and Travel Weekly's Magellan Awards.

For more information, email [email protected], call 877-291-4411 ext. 704, or visit the company's website.

DJ Vallauri

President & Founder

+1 877 291 4411

Lodging Interactive

View source
After approximately four years of touting the intent to eliminate third-party cookies from its popular Chrome browser, Google has reversed course, giving digital marketers an unexpected reprieve. Following multiple delays and a series of lackluster alternatives, the company in July 2024 abandoned plans to deprecate third-party cookies altogether, opting instead to address privacy concerns via enhanced user choice. While the move may be welcome news for advertisers in the short term, momentum in the digital space continues to push us toward a future where third-party cookies have diminishing utility.

Travel companies, along with advertisers across industries, have been preparing for years to target online customers sans third-party cookies. So, too, has Google. Stakeholders across the spectrum have focused heavily on leveraging first-party data and exploring other alternatives. Yet Googles about-face highlights the search giants heavy reliance on ad dollars and the difficulty of developing a solution to satisfy influential stakeholders. While third-party cookies are here to stay on the worlds most popular web browser  at least for now  their role in the digital landscape of the future is less certain. This article explores what the change means  and doesnt mean  and highlights strategic implications for travel advertisers.

Background

Third-party cookies have long been a cornerstone of digital advertising, enabling advertisers to track user behavior across the web. Cookies are small blocks of data stored on a user's device that collect information about them. First-party cookies are stored by the domain a user is directly visiting and are used to enhance the users experience on that website. In contrast, third-party cookies are placed on a user's device by a website other than the one they are visiting. As such, third-party cookies have been instrumental in the development of personalized advertising, allowing advertisers to track users across different websites and apps and build comprehensive profiles based on their browsing behavior. This data is used to create targeted ads, measure campaign effectiveness, and retarget users who have previously shown interest in a product or service. For nearly three decades, third-party cookies have supported the ad ecosystems that funds much of the free content available online.

However, the capabilities that make third-party cookies so compelling for advertisers have also made them a focal point of privacy concerns. Regulations including the European Unions (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) have provided consumers with greater transparency and choice regarding third-party cookies. These laws have helped to spur significant changes, such as all websites being required to give users the option to opt in or out of certain types of cookies. Other popular web browsers, including Apples Safari and Mozillas Firefox, already block third-party cookies by default. Apple, additionally, as of 2022, began requiring third-party apps to obtain user consent for tracking.

However, Google Chrome is the worlds most popular web browser, with 64% market share as of July 2024, and advertising is Googles (Alphabets) largest revenue stream. Therefore, Googles stance on third-party cookies is highly consequential for the company as well as a substantial portion of the online public.

The companys decision to abandon plans to eliminate third-party cookies came amid ongoing concerns about alternatives available via Googles Privacy Sandbox. These concerns included competitive issues cited by the U.K.s Competition and Markets Authority as well as functionality issues raised by stakeholder organizations like IAB Tech Lab. Tech Lab in 2024 released an analysis from its Privacy Sandbox Task Force highlighting areas where Googles Privacy Sandbox APIs failed to adequately support key advertising use cases. The report indicated that most of the 44 use cases initially analyzed would not be effective using Googles Privacy Sandbox once third-party cookies were phased out.

In response, Google argued that it is not viable to replicate every existing marketing tactic made possible by third-party cookies while still making significant improvements to user privacy. Google advocated, instead, a more flexible approach to achieving key business objectives. Ultimately, however, the company opted to leave the choice of whether to allow third-party cookies in the hands of individual Chrome users, citing the substantial impact a forced change would have on online advertising. Google likely was also swayed by the potential loss in ad revenue, since a less effective ad ecosystem logically translates into lower advertising spend.

What It Means

For travel advertisers, particularly those that remain heavily reliant on third-party cookies as part of their digital marketing strategy, Googles decision signals that, at least in the near term, access to third-party cookie data will not suddenly disappear. The move also provides insight into the broader dynamics at play in the advertising business.

Among the key takeaways:

Get the full report for a full analysis of each of the 3 key takeaways.

No alternative to third-party cookies will do everything third-party cookies do  and thats the whole point. Regulatory pressure and privacy concerns are here to stay. Google will continue to strike a balance between the competing demands of regulators and advertisers, while ultimately acting in its own interests.

The full report continues with:
Edgewater Group LLC, a real estate investment company, has acquired a historic bank building in Americus, Georgia. One of its affiliates, 120 North Lee QOZB LP, made the purchase. This new acquisition demonstrates Edgewater's continued strategy to grow its property portfolio, including hospitality, retail, office, and residential assets.

The building, built around 1900, will be renovated and rebranded as Alluxsuites at the Vault. The development aims to maintain the building's historic appeal while introducing modern upgrades, distinguishing it from other regional extended-stay properties.

Ketan Vora, Principal of Edgewater Group, stated that Alluxsuites at the Vault would blend history with modern comforts. The suites will offer spacious rooms for work and leisure, equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and stylish decoration, providing an upscale yet affordable alternative for travelers.

The acquisition aligns with Edgewater's growth and innovation strategy in Americus, GA, as the company continues to develop properties that respect historical elements while catering to modern travelers' needs. Alluxsuites at the Vault is at 120 North Lee Street, Americus, GA 31709.

Edgewater was founded in 2008 to provide advisory services to financial institutions. Since its formation, it has grown into a multidisciplinary real estate firm that provides distressed advisory, management, and value-added investment services.
Atwell Suites Henderson - at the Pass - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts



The 90-room hotel's grand opening is scheduled for November 21, 2024.

DeSimone Gaming has announced the opening of Atwell Suites Hendersonat the Pass, situated on historic Water Street in Henderson, Nevada. The all-suite hotel, which stands on the former site of the Pass Casino, is set to be the first major hospitality brand on Water Street.

The 90-room hotel's grand opening is scheduled for November 21, 2024. The establishment will provide easy access to the Las Vegas Strip, appealing to those drawn to the city's vibrant nightlife, and the Lake Mead Recreation Area, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Joe DeSimone, Founder of DeSimone Gaming, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. He highlighted that Atwell Suites would be the only all-suite accommodation near the Pass Casino servicing the Water Street District. The partnership with IHG, a well-established hotel brand, is expected to boost the area's growth further.

The new hotel, tailored for guests seeking a unique and stimulating experience, will offer visitors an in-room wet bar, coffee station, refrigerator, and microwave. A standing desk and sofa are also included in the suite. A complimentary hot breakfast, a 24/7 beverage station with fresh bean-to-cup coffee, and a round-the-clock market offering snacks and travel essentials will also be available to all guests.

In addition to the suites, Atwell Suites Henderson  at the Pass will feature several public areas. These include a versatile meeting space called 'The Study' and other flexible spaces for socializing and relaxation. Guests can also take advantage of the hotel's pool and fitness center.

A unique feature of this new property is the "Wine on Water" cocktail lounge. Here, DeSimone Gaming will showcase a selection of specially curated wines, unique cocktails, and bar bites. The hotel will also host an evening bar serving small plates with ready-to-drink cocktails, beer, and wine. This addition is expected to increase the hotel's appeal to tourists and locals alike.
ADVERTISE

Hypebot & MusicThinkTank

With the internet and digital technologies driving rapid change within the music industry, articles about new releases and who has been hired and fired are no longer enough. Our up to the minute industry news alongside insightful commentary helps our readers sift through the rumors and developments to find the information they need to keep their businesses moving forward.

Hypebot is read daily by more than 30,000 music industry professionals including executives and senior staff of music related tech firms, internet based music sites, every major label group and most indies as well as many managers, artists and members of the live music community:

Contact us for the latesst stats, ad rates and sponosorship opportunites. We also offer combined rates with MusicThinkTank.
Two future paths for the vinyl revival [MIDiAs Tatiana Cirisano]

The vinyl revival is at a crossroads, with two distinct paths that could define its future in music culture. Dive into the factors shaping these possible directions and what they mean for collectors, artists, and the industry.

Two future paths for the vinyl revival

by Tatiana Cirisano of MIDiA Research

The vinyl resurgence is among the top music industry narratives of the past few years, especially given the recent focus on monetising fandom. The elephant in the room is the question of how long this resurgence will last. Indeed, MIDiAs latest report, Music merchandise demand | Who, what, and where forecasts declining global physical music sales after 2026, following four years of gains. But this does not mean vinyl will merely be boom-and-bust. The vinyl revival is a symptom of consumer behaviour, not the cause.

Fandom versus consumption

The vinyl revival has been driven by younger consumers, many of whom are purchasing CDs and vinyl less as consumption products and more as collectible keepsakes to represent and express their fandom. According to MIDiAs Q2 2024 Consumer Survey, 19% of 16-19-year-olds in the US bought a vinyl record to support their favourite artist in the last year. Of all US consumers who did so, 62% have access to a record player in their home  leaving over one third who may be buying without ever expecting to listen.

When vinyl is packaged as a fan collectible, rather than a consumption format, it can command higher prices. This has prompted artists to sell multiple editions, like Taylor Swifts clock set made up of four versions of her Midnights vinyl, which cost upwards of $150. The vinyl revival has been particularly advantageous to record labels and publishers, with a greater cut of revenue going to these rightsholders than is typically the case for physical merchandise like t-shirts.

Challenges to servicing demand

However, Swift is one of a small group of superstars who can access and afford vinyl production at scale. Because the format was long left for dead, the complex, delicate vinyl production process has not meaningfully evolved in decades and there are a limited number of both pressing plants and remaining experts in the field. On top of that are environmental concerns.

[FEATURED REPORT: Music merchandise demandWho, what, and where]

The music merchandise market has transformed, with significantly more artists selling merch and more product variety than ever before. The traditional line between hard and soft merch is blurringFind out more

Steve Rhodes is among the entrepreneurs focused on innovating the sector with his vinyl-on-demand company elasticStage, which claims to have invented a simpler, cheaper, and environmentally-friendly way to produce vinyl. It is far from the only company aimed at better serving vinyl demand. Bandcamp opened its vinyl pressing service to all artists in 2021, and in an ironic turn, digital distribution company Stem partnered with AMPED in April to bring physical distro back into the picture (per HITS Daily Double).

Despite these welcome shifts, the overall physical music market will hit a peak in 2026, according to MIDiAs report. Part of the reason is that the fandom-driven revival of physical music will not be enough to offset its decline as a consumption format. Regions where CDs are still a popular mode of consumption, like Japan, are steadily transitioning to streaming. Physical music sales currently stem from a combination of consumption-driven and fandom-driven purchasing; with the former declining faster than the latter can grow. So where does vinyl go from here?

Focus on root causes, not symptoms

Instead of focusing on the symptom (vinyl purchases), focus on what is driving this behaviour: an underlying consumer need for ownership and connection to the music and artists they love.

These needs are not going away, but perhaps vinyl is not the only product which could serve them. There will always be die-hard vinyl collectors, but there is an argument to be made that if close to one-third of fans are purchasing vinyl for reasons that do not include listening, then perhaps less time should be spent improving vinyl production and audio quality, and more should be spent figuring out what (higher-margin) items could serve the same consumer needs. Think framed album covers, lyric books  or something entirely new. Two startups in this space are KiTbetter, which borrows from K-pop to produce physical album packages complete with keychains, photocards, and other items; and Totem, which creates bespoke, sculpture-like collectibles tied to artist albums. For both companies, the physical object is linked to a digital playback experience. In this future path, vinyl demand gives way to a suite of new fandom products with the same aim of giving fans a tangible connection to the albums they love.

However, there is another potential scenario in which vinyl leans back into consumption. Not without irony, physical music could become the premium listening alternative to streaming  the higher-audio-quality, more engaged listening experience for true fans and audiophiles. Artists could encourage this behaviour by releasing albums to vinyl first, before they are released to streaming services. This would bring much-needed scarcity back into the music market and new music rights-based revenue for both artists and labels / publishers.

Put this way, the vinyl revival is just the starting point for better understanding, and serving, the needs of todays music listeners and fans. Ideally, the industry can attack the solution from both ends: continuing to provide value to vinyl listeners by turning it into the premium, early listening format, while also using vinyl as a launchpad for developing new products that cater to artist and album fandom.

For more information on the outlook for physical music, including global revenue forecasts through 2031, clients can access the full report Music merchandise demand: Who, what, and where. If you are not a client but would like to find out how you can access the report, please reach out to enquiries@midiaresearch.com.

Share on:
Free Community Day at Hancock Shaker Village

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Hancock Shaker Village announced its annual Community Day will take place on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 from 11 am to 4 pm.

Admission is free all day for all ages.

Activities at the museum on Community Day craft demonstrations of woodworking, blacksmithing, and weaving; interpreter-led tours and Shaker talks; and visits with the barnyard animals. All buildings in the historic village are open for exploration as well as several special exhibitions like Sisters Harvest featuring artists Alyssa Sakina Mumtaz and Maggie Pate, and Bright Passage: An Illuminated Interior by artists Melissa Thorne.

This year the Village will partner with Berkshire Museum in hosting "Muh-he-con-ne-ok: the People of the Water That Are Never Still," one of Berkshire Museums Mobile Museum Units. The unit will be on display and staffed by Berkshire Museum staff throughout the day.

The accessible, one-mile Farm and Forest Trail, is also open for everyone to explore. A specialized slate of food and beverage offerings will be available in our Cafe and the Mercantile Store will be open for a curated shopping experience.

In addition to free admission for all, Hancock Shaker Village is pleased to make our programs accessible to the Spanish-speaking members of the community with a Spanish language audio tour available through a smartphone app.

In support of Community Day, Hancock Shaker Village is collaborating with Mill Town Foundation.

"We are excited to partner with Hancock Shaker Village to help open up this cultural site to our local community, free of charge," noted Mill Town Foundation Program Manager, Andy Wrba.

"The Village blends an enriching combination of arts, history, education, and outdoor access that tells a unique part of our regions history, and we are happy to help share that experience with more members of our community," he added.
Berkshires to Vote for President, State Ballot Questions

PITTSFIELD, Mass. Voters will hit the polls on Tuesday to elect a new president and state and federal officials and decide ballot questions.

Polls for the general election are open in Massachusetts from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For Pittsfield, more than 27 percent have chosen to vote early.



City Clerk Michele Benjamin reported Monday that 2,087 people came into City Hall to vote early in person and the city processed 6,539 mail-in ballots for a grand total of 8,338 ballots.



This represents 27.37 percent of the 32,821 registered voters.



Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris is facing Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump for the presidential seat. Harris selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice president, and Trump selected U.S. Senator J.D. Vance.



Also appearing on the presidential ballot are Jill Stein for the Green Party, Chase Oliver for the Libertarian Party, Claudia De La Cruz for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Randall Terry for the Constitution Party, and Cornel West as an independent.



Berkshire County voters will also choose a U.S. senator, a representative in Congress, a state senator, and representative in the Third Berkshire, and vote "yes" or "no on five questions.



U.S. Senator



Democrat: Elizabeth Warren (Cambridge)

Republican: John Deaton (Swansea)

Warren was inducted into the U.S. Senate in 2013. She is running for her third six-year term. In the 2023-2024 term, she sits on the Senate Committee on Armed Services, the Community on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Finance, and the Committee on Aging.

Her platform is about consumer protection, equitable economic opportunity, and the social safety net.

Warren's proposed Ultra-Millionaire Tax focused on families with a net worth of more than $50 million, roughly the wealthiest 75,000 households. They would pay a 2 percent tax on every dollar of their net worth above $50 million and a 6 percent tax for every dollar above $1 billion.

Deaton, a trial attorney, describes himself as a "Champion for other underdogs."

In his memoir "Food Stamp Warrior," he outlines the poverty, violence, and abuse that encompassed his upbringing and how he defied the odds, eventually becoming a judge advocate at a Marine Corps Air Station.

Deaton feels Warren's politics are extreme. Relating to immigration, he wants to secure the border, end so-called "catch and release," and reform the asylum process while expanding legal immigration. He was endorsed by the Berkshire County Republican Association after a visit to the Berkshires in August.

Representative in Congress for the First Mass District



Democrat: Richard Neal (Springfield)

Independent: Nadia Milleron (Sheffield)

Richard Neal has served in Congress for 36 years and is running for his 19th term. Originally representative of the Second Mass, he was elected in 2013 to represent the First Mass after redistricting. From 2019 to 2022, he served as the chair of the Committee of Ways and Means, whose jurisdiction includes tax and revenue legislation. He is currently a ranking member. Neal is a supporter of gun safety measures, clean energy, health-care access, immigration, and human rights.



Nadia Milleron is seeking a congressional seat after her 24-year-old daughter, Samya Stumo, was killed in March 2019 when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed just after takeoff. The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX, has been the subject of multiple lawsuits and one had a door panel blowout earlier this year.



She hopes to shield the First Congressional District  and beyond  from corporate interest and has also expressed a need for advocacy for the middle class, increasing social security benefits, single-payer healthcare, and addressing the housing crisis.



Senator for the Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden Districts

Democrat: Paul Mark (Becket)

Republican: David Rosa (Dighton)



Paul Mark, formerly state representative, is running for his second term in the state Senate. Rosa, a veteran and retiree, has run unsuccessfully in previous elections including for Congress.



Third Berkshire Representative



She is running on sustainable growth and innovation, enhancing housing, greater mental health services and workforce development.



Unopposed



Running unopposed in the general election are John Barrett III (North Adams) for representative in the First Berkshire; Tricia Farley-Bouvier (Pittsfield) for representative in the Second Berkshire; Tara Jacobs (North Adams) for Governor's Council in the 8th District; Lisa A. Denault-Viale (Windsor) for Berkshire County clerk of courts; Patsy Harris (Hinsdale) for Central Berkshire register of deeds and Maria Ziemba (Adams) for Northern Berkshire register of deeds.

Questions

Questions 2 and 5 have generated the most conversation, dealing with the state-required MCAS exam and hours wages for tipped workers.



Question 1: Should the state auditor have the authority to audit the Legislature?



Question 2: Should the state eliminate the requirement that a student pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests (or other statewide or district-wide assessments) in mathematics, science and technology, and English to receive a high school diploma?



Question 3: Should Transportation Network Drivers have the right to form unions to collectively bargain with Transportation Network Companies to create negotiated recommendations concerning wages, benefits, and terms and conditions of work?



Question 4: Should persons aged 21 and older be able to grow, possess, and use certain natural psychedelic substances in certain circumstances?



Question 5: Should the minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker increase over five years on the following schedule:?

 To 64 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2025;

 To 73 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2026;

 To 82 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2027;

 To 91 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2028; and

 To 100 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2029.




The youngest Jordan family members with Phoebe Jordan's stone and the inscription unveiled on Saturday. Ernest Jordan welcomes the gathering at New Ashford Cemetery. The youngsters help Chad Cornwell and Jordan remove the American flag. Jordan's relatives. Rachel Branch and Cornwell set up the camera for NBCTV. Branch and town historian Cindy Grosso. The cemetery is on a hill off Route 7. The 1792 Schoolhouse, restored and reopened in 2016. PreviousNext

Phoebe Jordan Cast Historic Vote 104 Years Ago



The ballot box that Phoebe Jordan cast her ballot in is still used for every New Ashford election (with an iPad backup). NEW ASHFORD, Mass.  Phoebe Jordan awoke in the wee hours 104 years ago, lit a lantern and set out on the 2 1/2-mile walk down the dirt road from her farm to the schoolhouse to vote.

Did she know she was walking into history? Possibly. She was politically astute and was participating in something of an electoral stunt to splash New Ashford across the national news for being first in the nation to record results in the 1920 presidential election.

Jordan, then 56, would become the first person to vote for president that year. Oddly, her title as the first woman to cast a vote wouldn't be mentioned for another four.

Three days before this latest presidential election, Jordan's place in history was etched in stone  literally.

More than three dozen family and community members made their way to the steep New Ashford Cemetery on Saturday to see the new inscription on her marble gravestone:

"Phoebe Sarah Jordan ... first woman to vote in the United States, November 2, 1920."

Ernest Jordan, whose grandfather Arthur was Phoebe's brother, gave a hearty welcome to the gathering and the youngest in the group  six generations removed from Phoebe  helped to pull off an American flag unveiling the inscription. Then everyone headed to the 1792 schoolhouse where Phoebe cast her vote in the ballot box that's still in use and to Town Hall for cookies made from Phoebe's recipe book.

Rachel Branch, who spearheaded the dedication , recorded the unveiling for Northern Berkshire Community Television.

"I'm happy it was done," said Ernest, who described himself as the "end of the caboose" as the oldest. Chad Cornwell, another several times great-nephew, and his mother, Pamela Cornwell Scalzo, said her mother, Doris (Ernest's older sister), frequently talked about her aunt.

Doris was 11 when Phoebe died in 1940 and frequently visited her New Ashford farm.

"She was an accountant, so she remembered everything," Scalzo said. "Who got married to who, what date, how much they weighed [when born]."

They were well aware of Phoebe's prominence but Scalzo added "it wasn't that cool" for many years.

"Now, it's like, we really have to do something about this, because she needs to be recognized."

The 19th Amendment extending the franchise to women had been ratified on Aug. 18, just months before Jordan cast her historic vote. It was an achievement that another celebrated suffrage advocate and Berkshire native, Susan B. Anthony, did not live to see.

"This was the first presidential election that women had the right to vote in all 48 states," said town historian Cindy Grosso at the dedication. "This responsibility was hard earned after 60-plus years of determination by many women in this country."

(Though it must be pointed out that it would take the Civil Rights Act of 1964 before Black women and indigenous women would be assured of their right to vote.)

Jordan was one of those determined women, Grosso said, but added, "as with any interesting story, some is verifiable and some is oral history handed down through generations, so taken with that thought in mind, I will proceed."

Born in the town of Washington, she was sent to live at age 7 with her aunt and uncle on her grandfather's farm, which she would eventually take over and run until the last two weeks of her life, when she went to live with relative in Dalton.

"Phoebe, a single woman, was described as a petite but strong woman who stood 5-feet tall," said Grosso. "She was more than capable of driving a team of horses to Pittsfield and back, delivering charcoal, plowing a road or cutting the fields. This trait of self-sufficiency and independence surfaced time and time again in her life story.

"In other words, she was a strong woman in charge of her life, managing the responsibilities of the family farm and not at all a dependent woman."

Four years before Jordan's vote, editors at the Berkshire Evening Eagle and the Pittsfield Journal had hatched a plan to turn the national spotlight on New Ashford.

"The editors wanted to organize all the voters in the town to be at the voting poll as soon as it was legally allowed because according to the law, the polls could close early as long as every registered voter voted," Grosso explained. "Done early enough, this would make New Ashford the first to submit election results ... and 'startle the world.'"

The success of 1916 set up the vote for 1920, when 28 voters lined up before dawn to cast their ballots. The ladies went first, and Jordan took the lead.

"Interesting to me, the first news stories just recorded the election results and the honor of being the first town in the nation to record the votes, with no mention of the women voters," said Grosso.

Jordan would be first in town to vote in the next four elections, although New Ashford would lose its "first in the nation" title in 1936 to towns in New Hampshire and Vermont. Dixville Notch, N.H., has delivered the first results since 1960, voting at midnight.

Phoebe would cast the first ballot in the next four elections; she was a Republican but switched the Democrats to vote for FDR in 1932. When she died, her obituary ran in the New York Times.

"Her story is still told in New Ashford and nationally. Some call her mysterious. Some call her independent to the end," said Grosso. "All think of her when women's rights and voting are the topic of conversation.

"She must have been an extraordinary person to get to know, considering her independent qualities during a very pivotal and noteworthy time in U.S. history."
Williams College Addressing New Bias Incidents

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  Saying the college has to resist hatred in all its forms, the president of Williams Monday informed the campus community of recent bias incidents at the school.

Maud Mandel sent a college-wide email to provide details on the incidents, talk about how affected students are being supported and point out that the colleges code of conduct will be brought to bear on any members of the student body found to be responsible.

The recent incidents appear to be targeting both Jewish and Black students at the school.

In one case, a table painted with the U.S. and Israeli flags was placed outside on the Frosh Quad, Mandel said, referring to an area bounded by two residence halls that abut Park Street . Over several days the table was repeatedly flipped over and damaged. It was eventually defaced with graffiti that read, Free Palestine, I love Hamas, F Zionists, Colonizers, F AmeriKKKa and Don't claim rednecks. 

The Star of David was crossed out on an Israeli flag at the table, and the table itself was repeatedly damaged by vandals, Mandel wrote.

Her email also referenced a series of reports earlier this semester involving the harassment of Black students on Main Street (Route 2), which runs through the middle of campus.

[On] several occasions this semester, people in cars have yelled the N-word and other racial slurs at Black and other students crossing Route 2, Mandel wrote. During one of those incidents a person in the car also threw an empty plastic bottle at the students. Route 2, the main public thoroughfare through campus, has been a site of similar incidents in past years.

Mandel said that the colleges Campus Safety department, Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Chaplains Office and the Deans Office have reached out to the students directly impacted by the incidents as well as students with similar identities.

She reminded members of the community of the phone number for the Campus Safety office and provided a link to its bias incident reporting form.

If people from Williams are found to be responsible we will hold them to account through our campus conduct processes, Mandel wrote. If they are from outside the college community we will partner with local authorities, who decide whether any offenses can be prosecuted.

Mandel wrote that in response to student requests, the colleges security personnel are maintaining a presence at campus crosswalks on Main Street during peak travel times and at dusk.

In addition to talking about how the college is addressing the incident, Mandel closed with what she called a personal message for the students, faculty and staff.

As a community we must and will reject any effort to intimidate, harass or threaten people, she wrote. While the administration takes steps to address the incidents themselves, we need to help each other, too. Williams at its best can be a deeply attentive, caring community. I invite everyone to pull together now and look out for each other, in all the ways we know how.
With only a day left before the start of this major energy conference, organized by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE), there is growing interest and anticipation by companies, experts and media. With more than 75 speakers and moderators and 250 registered attendees this years event is slated to become another successful event for the Institute

With only a day left before the start of this major energy conference, organized by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE), there is growing interest and anticipation by companies, experts and media. With more than 75 speakers and moderators and 250 registered attendees this years event is slated to become another successful event for the Institute.



Now in its 28th edition this IENE conference has been established over the years as a high level colloquium for energy policy and business in Greece and SE Europe.



The event will open with a keynote speech by the Senior Energy Advisor of the Prime Minster, Mr. Nikos Tsafos, while introductory statements and addresses will be delivered by high-ranking officials and representatives from Greece's energy and economy sector. These include Dr. Athanasios Dagoumas, President of the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste and Water (RAAEY), Mr. Yiannis Yiarentis, Chairman & CEO of the Administrator of Renewable Energy Sources and Guarantees of Origin (DAPEEP SA) and Prof. Nikolaos Vettas, General Manager of the Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE).



In total, more than 75 speakers and moderators are participating in this year's IENE's Energy & Development Conference. These include many senior executives from major energy companies and organizations in Greece and abroad, as well as academics, scientists, representatives of international organizations and well-known stakeholders. Moreover, established experts and analysts will share their perspective on highly topical energy matters.



Following the release by the International Energy Agency (IEA) of its flagship publication, the World Energy Outlook 2024, one of the first international presentations will take place during the conference and will be delivered by Mr. Oskaras Alsauskas, Energy Analyst who will travel to Athens especially for the occasion. The conclusions of WEO 2024 will be commented upon by a distinguished panel of experts. In this years edition, the flagship report by the International Energy Organization makes a specific reference to the central role of energy efficiency in green transition and energy security.



IENE's 28th Energy & Development Conference will cover a wide spectrum of issues in the domestic, regional and international energy agenda, which, among others, will include: Offshore Wind Farms, Investments in energy infrastructure, Energy Efficiency, ESG criteria, Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production, Artificial Intelligence (), Energy Optimization and Digitalization, Natural Gas Markets, Electricity Markets, Electricity Grids and RES, Alternative Fuels - Hydrogen - Synthetic Fuels, CO2 Management and CCUS Systems, Climate Change, Sustainability and COP29.



IENE's Energy and Development 2024 is being held under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (R) and the International Energy Agency (IEA).



IENE's annual Conference is sponsored by a number of major Greek and international companies active in the fields of energy, industry and services with HELLENiQ ENERGY as Lead Sponsor and the following companies as Sponsors: Motoroil, ERNA Energy, IPTO, DEPA Commercial and KG Law Firm. Event Supporters include: EnSCo, DESFA, enaon, HEREMA, Energean, DAPEEP, Elpedison, and the Copelouzos Group.



Also, the conference communication sponsors include the following Media: Energia.gr, Naftemporiki newspaper, NE Global.eu, PolicyJournal.gr, Flash.gr, and Euro2day.gr.



Details concerning the Conference programme, confirmed speakers, and registration can be found here.
Tuesday 5 November 2024, 13:23 - Last updated: 15:27

 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This article is automatically translated

The Palermo gup Paolo Magro sentenced Laura Bonafede, a teacher from Campobello di Mazara and daughter of the town's historical godfather, to 11 years and 4 months in prison for mafia association. She was romantically linked to boss Matteo Messina Denaro. Initially, Bonafede was charged with aiding and abetting, but this was later changed to mafia association. According to the prosecution, for years she lived with the then-fugitive mafia boss along with her daughter, facilitating his communications with men of honor and covering for his fugitive status. The trial was held with a shortened procedure. Laura Bonafede's Defense "I have never been part of any mafia association, I have never lived with anyone, also because I lived with my mother until 2021, imagine if I could sleep outside the house, find an excuse. I just wanted to tell you, I wanted to ask you to evaluate my position for what it is and I hope to find in you that Berlin judge we all hope to meet." Laura Bonafede, the teacher romantically linked to the Trapani boss who was sentenced today to 11 years and 4 months for mafia association, denied being part of Cosa Nostra and living with Matteo Messina Denaro, asking the judge to listen to her reasons. In the last hearing, the defendant made spontaneous statements trying to tell her version of the relationship that tied her to the former fugitive who died a year ago. The teacher from Campobello di Mazara, daughter of the historical mafia boss Leonardo Bonafede, was initially charged by the prosecutors with aggravated aiding and abetting, which was later changed to mafia association, recognizing her participatory role in Cosa Nostra. Accusations that the teacher denied during her spontaneous statements. The woman recounted having known Messina Denaro since childhood and receiving friendship and attention from him, an old acquaintance of her father, during difficult times in her life, such as after the arrest and life sentence of her husband, Salvatore Gentile, for murder. The Daughter "He asked me that he wanted to meet my daughter, that little girl he had known many years before, and I made this mistake, because I now consider it a mistake, I went out with my daughter without clearly telling her where we were going." Laura Bonafede said this during long spontaneous statements to the gup, the teacher romantically linked to boss Matteo Messina Denaro, sentenced to 11 years and four months for mafia association. "I left the car on a road in Campobello," the woman reconstructed, "and then got into his car with Martina, I told her he was a friend of her grandfather, who was also a friend of her father, and that he was now in a particular situation because they wanted to arrest him. He had asked me to meet her, to see her again, because he had seen her in prison when she was little. I told this lie to my daughter." The woman expressed regret for introducing her daughter Martina, currently under investigation for aiding the former fugitive, to the mafia boss. A deep bond of affection had formed between the godfather and the girl. According to the prosecutors, who had requested Bonafede's sentence to 15 years, the three had long lived as a family while Messina Denaro was wanted. The Love Letters They secretly met for years. This emerges from notes found by the Carabinieri in which the woman, married to a life-sentenced killer, used coded terms "hovel" and "lemon grove" to indicate the meeting places. "The hovel: - the woman wrote - we were happy in that place: yes, I was happy to spend that time together." "Once, at the lemon grove, you told me that upon the return of Uomo (the woman's father then deceased) and, subsequently, of Bamby (the woman's detained husband), our Friendship would end," she wrote in another note where she refers to herself in the masculine. "I remember, I replied that I didn't see the reason. I was almost offended by your words, as if our Friendship was a sort of filler for me, a pastime." "As if I had established that Friendship because I didn't know how to be alone. Dear Friend of Mine," she concluded, "I can be alone very well, I think you understood that I don't care about anyone's company. Yes, I felt like a traitor but an unusual one, yet always a traitor and intruder. But it's been a long time since I felt these emotions. I think we belong to each other, for better or worse we belong to each other, and that's a fact." "I had thought I would have a little, actually a lot of time for myself and to be with you in a "relaxed" way, but instead quite the opposite." Regretting not being able to meet him, Laura Bonafede wrote in a letter discovered by the Carabinieri and addressed to Matteo Messina Denaro, arrested today for aiding and abetting. It was December 2022, and the illness of her daughter prevented the woman's meetings with the boss, investigators reconstructed. In the subsequent letter dated January 2, Bonafede wrote: "The Lion King is on television, I would have liked to watch it with Depry (the boss's nickname to whom Bonafede writes pretending to talk about a third person) and laugh together at the phrase: 'I laugh in the face of danger and danger is my trade.' I miss everything, even watching a movie together." During the investigations, Laura Bonafede's right thumbprint was found on one of the DVDs in Matteo Messina Denaro's last hideout. And again: "Abandoning you: we already talked about it once. I wanted to mentally distance myself because I suffered too much. You can't even imagine what I felt. And to say that you saw some reaction. Not seeing each other anymore and not having had news fueled anger and disappointment. You see, I know you and I beg you, I don't want to talk about it, it awakens the pain." A letter in which the woman's jealousy of Lorena Lanceri, also arrested for aiding and abetting in recent weeks, emerges, whom the two call "Tramite" in code. "I have to tell you then that you asked me if you could take a ride with Tramite? - she added - Let's leave aside the stained cloth that could have been an innuendo. But getting into the car on the small road. I repeat: I know you. It's true you know how to act, but I understand how involved you are when you talk about someone."
Filipino travelers can now enjoy a seamless cashless experience in more destinations with the expanded partnership between GCash, the country's leading finance super app, and Alipay+, the cross-border mobile payment and digitalization solutions operated by Ant International. This partnership enables the convenience of GCash's Scan-to-Pay feature most recently in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Thailand, and the UAE at select Alipay+-enabled stores, bringing the total number of markets to more than 45.

Through this partnership, Filipinos traveling to Chinawhether for business in Shanghai Expos or sightseeing in Beijingcan enjoy the convenience of GCash's Scan-to-Pay feature and seamless transactions with no service fees and low foreign exchange rates.

With Alipay+ available to over 80 million merchants in the Chinese mainland, GCash users will be able to make the most of their trip by saving with each transaction. Some partners in the Chinese capital of Beijing and the cosmopolitan hub of Shanghai include Shangri-La Hotels, Haidilao Hot Pot, Coucou Hot Pot, Dada Le Restaurant, KFC, McDonalds and other coffee and tea shops, convenience stores, and retail outlets. China is one of the top cashless economies in the world, and navigating the country as a Filipino is made easier with GCash.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong, a city known for its unique blend of urban and natural landscapes, is also among the destinations where GCash users can now enjoy cashless transactions. Filipino tourists can effortlessly pay for their experiences such as shopping sprees, sightseeing, food trips, and the like. The use of GCash at Alipay+-enabled stores includes iconic attractions such as Ocean Park and Ngong Ping 360.

Step by step guide on how to claim vouchers

With GCash's cashless payment feature, Filipino tourists can also explore Hong Kong, Macao, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Thailand and other markets. Partner merchants include Sands Resorts Macao, Wynn Resorts, Duty-Free Americas, 7-Eleven, Starbucks, and McDonald's in Macao. In the UAE, GCash payments are accepted at Dubai Duty-Free, Dubai Mall, Mall of Emirates, Wemart, and Abu Dhabi taxis. In Thailand, Alipay+ is accepted at more than 400,000 stores and users can transact at merchants such as Central Retail, The Mall Group, King Power Mahanakhon, and Jim Thompson House Museum.

GCash Alipay+ Merchants all over the world

To pay at partner merchants, users simply need to look for the Alipay+ logo at checkout, open the GCash app, select the QR or PayQR button, and either scan the merchants QR code or generate an Alipay+ QR code for the merchant to scan. Then, confirm the amount and click Pay to complete the transaction.

Step by step guide on how to use scanner to pay abroad

We want to make sure every Filipino can maximize their GCash account wherever they are across the world. We are glad to strengthen our long-standing partnership with Alipay+ and expand GCashs capabilities and services to more destinations in Asia and all over the globe, GCash International General Manager Paul Albano said.

Were continuing to work with GCash to make it easier for Filipinos traveling overseas to enjoy seamless payment in more destinations around the world, transparent fees and access more destination promotions. As we head towards the year-end travel season, this will make travel to these popular destinations more convenient, and Filipinos can simply travel with their preferred home payment app, GCash, said Edward Yue, General Manager of Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Ant International.

As GCash celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, it is committed to opening up more possibilities for digital financial inclusion to Filipinos, wherever they may be, in line with the vision of Finance For All.

For more information on where you can pay with GCash, visit https://new.gcash.com/services/pay-qr/global-pay#merchants.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Ten years ago, Melanie Laurent read a book about Bruno Sulak  a real-life Arsene Lupin known as the gentleman burglar because of his lack of violence and charming interactions with his victims. During the 1980s, Sulak carried out 19 sensational holdups of posh jewellery shops in Paris and on the French Riviera, all without firing a gun. He evaded police for years until his eventual capture that preceded his death in 1985. Now, the actor-turned-filmmaker Laurent is reviving Sulak for her latest feature, titled Freedom, with a perhaps unlikely lead: Emily in Paris heartthrob Lucas Bravo. Netflixs global hit, in which Bravo plays Lily Collinss dashing on-off chef squeeze, wasnt the reason, though, she insists. Ive never seen his show, she says. I met him at a dinner and I didnt even know who he was.

Speaking over Zoom from a press junket in Paris, the 41-year-old Laurent  who shot to fame as the vengeful Jewish cinema operator Shosanna Dreyfus in Quentin Tarantinos Inglourious Basterds (2009)  wonders why we are obsessed with telling the stories of violent criminals and never characters like Sulak. When someone is an anarchist, someone searching for freedom more than blood, who doesnt use violence, has a beautiful love story, treats women well, whos smart, charming, creative Its funny that we forgot about that one and we remember the bad ones. All those guys in the Eighties who had so much blood on their hands and never respected any women around them. We made biopics about those guys. Notorious murderers like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer, for example, have been alarmingly ubiquitous on screen. She nods. How many documentaries about serial killers do we need?

Laurents in a casual blue shirt with shoulder-length, messy blonde hair; she has the happy serenity of someone who knows that they are exactly where they need to be. Not that this has blunted her naturally assertive, acerbic edge. Fame, she says, is much harder for female actors than it is for their male counterparts: Everything is way more f***ed up for us.

Freedom begins at a pivotal point in Sulaks life. He has deserted the French Foreign Legion and met the love of his life, Annie (newcomer Lea Luce Busato), who doubles as his getaway driver. She is beautiful, playful, and confident. Did Laurent ever think about casting herself? The romantic lead, after all, is a role in which she has shone in films such as Mike Millss Beginners (2011) and Every Jack Has a Jill (2009). She laughs incredulously. You know what, youre not the first one whos said that and Im very touched because shes 20 in the movie! Thank you, everybody, but Im 41 and not self-obsessed!

Instead, Laurent cast 25-year-old Busato in her first-ever screen role. The director sees unearthing talent almost as a duty she must repay to the industry after being discovered at 14 by Gerard Depardieu. The icon of French cinema  whose legacy has been tarnished with numerous accusations of sexual assault since 2018  met Laurent on the set of Asterix & Obelix in the late Nineties and gave her a part in his film The Bridge (1999). Seven years later, Laurent proved Depardieus instincts right with her Cesar Award-winning turn as an anorexic woman in Philippe Liorets Dont Worry, Im Fine. One day there is a director who says, Youre going to be my lead, and it changes everything, Laurent says. Its so crazy, and I remember it so well that every time I can reveal someone who just needs that little push, Im obviously doing it.

The big tensions on set that Ive had came from male actors who were just arriving late or not knowing their lines

Likewise with Bravo, who has vocally criticised the writing on Emily in Paris in recent weeks, Laurent was excited to subvert expectations. I met him three years before I started to write and then I thought about him when I was writing because I remembered he was funny, which is not always the case, she grins, alluding to men with jaws as chiselled as Bravos. I think that experience he has playing charming guys all the time, maybe if we can break that in a way and do something different But he also has that magnetisme already, she says, subbing in French words either when shes at a loss for English or just for a bit of Gallic eclat. So I really wanted to play with all those different sides of him.

Nevertheless, Laurent had her concerns about working with a male actor  a first for her as a director. Its not that I dont care about men on screen, she says. Its just I feel like, as a female director, I should make movies that everybody can see but that are about women. Her reluctance was partly triggered by two bad experiences with male actors, whom she doesnt name. One of them was also a director, she says. Maybe he was too stressed about things, I dont know. Ive had bad experiences with actors, never with actresses.

open image in gallery Laurent as the vengeful Jew Shosanna Dreyfus in Inglourious Basterds (2009) ( Universal Pictures )

Its clear that Laurent would see tension on her sets as a personal failing. My job as director is to be a captain of a boat and the boat needs to not be hitting an iceberg! My actors are my babies, like, my nickname on set is Mama. The reality is that I shot with crazy, amazing icon actresses like Angelina Jolie [in 2015s By the Sea, which Jolie directed] and everything was so smooth and so cool and so easy that I just realised that the big tension on set that I had, like really few times, came from male actors who were just arriving late or not knowing their lines. Thats disrespect that suddenly changed the chemistry on set, which is hard to fix.

After appearing in Inglourious Basterds, Laurent was quickly touted as Frances next big star akin to Lea Seydoux or Marion Cotillard. It didnt quite work out like that. Roles across from Jake Gyllenhaal in Denis Villeneuves Enemy (2013) and Cillian Murphy in Aloft (2014) followed, but Laurents recent major film credits include the Netflix duds 6 Underground (2019) and Murder Mystery 2 (2023). Was there pressure to book something major after Tarantinos 2009 epic? Laurent shakes her head. Pressure is not in my life vocabulary, she says smiling  but shes dead serious. I think pressure, stress, drama, all these are real in the real life, she says, referring to life off set. I feel so lucky to be living in a bubble of creation and creativity. And my job is literally to tell stories  thats how you extend childhood, almost.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

open image in gallery This is a hold-up: Lucas Bravo in Freedom ( Courtesy of Prime Video )

Laurent has two children, a son named Leo, 11, and a daughter named Mila, around 4, with a husband whose name she has managed to keep private since initially revealing her marriage in a 2013 interview with The Independent. Her children follow her around the world, itinerant film kids raised by technicians, she jokes. Im the luckiest mother because theyre so cool, and they love being on set, Laurent says joyously. They never stopped me from being creative and working.

Tarantino remains an influence, in sometimes surprising ways. She still plays music on her sets as he did for his actors between takes. I can die with that memory of being a young actress in that red dress, in that beautiful window and he put David Bowie on to dance together. She pauses, becoming philosophical. I think the key is to enjoy every minute. I love my age. I think 40 is a super cool age for a woman, and I am enjoying every minute. I think I became kind of like a free woman, and I fought for it, and I think Im there now. Sounds like freedom alright.

Freedom is streaming now on Prime Video
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

There is, its fair to say, nothing more important to the movies than actors.

The right performance can tip a film into the realm of greatness; a bad one can doom an otherwise promising project to mediocrity or ridicule.

What would There Will Be Blood be without Daniel Day-Lewis at its centre? Would The Godfather still sparkle without Al Pacino and Marlon Brando?

These are not questions anyone is keen to know the answer to. The best performances are irreplaceable; they are key to the very essence of cinema.

But what happens when one good performance isnt enough to save a film? When a terrific performance is wasted on a substandard story?

From Anthony Hopkins to Leonardo DiCaprio, many of the finest actors working today have lent their talents to inferior projects. Sometimes they simply phone it in, but other times, they manage to shine despite the material.

Heres The Independents list of 23 secretly brilliant performances in bad films...

Phillip Seymour Hoffman  Along Came Polly (2004)

The late, great Phillip Seymour Hoffman was that rarest of things; an actor who brought depth to even the flimsiest of roles, from The Hunger Games Plutarch Heavensby to Mission: Impossible IIIs villainous Owen Davian. The critically lambasted romcom Along Came Polly may be the best example of this, however, as Hoffman delivering a coruscating comic turn that stole not just a scene but the whole film from under Ben Stiller and Jennifer Anistons noses.

Margot Robbie  Suicide Squad (2016)

Suicide Squad - Trailer

One of the worst blockbusters in living memory, David Ayers supervillain dirge Suicide Squad was met with unanimous damnation from the critical community. Reviews were also unanimous, however, in their praise for Margot Robbies performance, with the Australian star later reprising the role in two subsequent movies.

Tom Hanks  The Ladykillers (2004)

The Ladykillers is rightfully considered the nadir of the Coen brothers otherwise pretty miraculously consistent filmography. But thats not at all down to Tom Hanks, who compellingly reinvented a role so brilliantly inhabited by Alec Guinness in the classic Ealing original. Unctuous, erudite and deeply sinister, the felonious band leader is a far cry from any other character Hanks has tackled; he devours the Coens typically sardonic dialogue with a grin.

open image in gallery A not-so-serious man: Tom Hanks as Professor Goldthwaite Higginson Dorr in The Ladykillers' ( Buena Vista Pictures )

James McAvoy  Split (2016)

M Night Shyamalans pulpy multiple-personality horror Split had plenty of issues, but James McAvoys showstopper performance wasnt one of them. Playing, essentially, eight characters in one is a tough task to pull off, but McAvoy manages it with theatrical aplomb.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Kristen Stewart  American Ultra (2015)

Though Kristen Stewart has been in a few of the best films of the last 10 years, shes still had her fair share of misfires. The 2015 stoner-thriller American Ultra was inarguably a misfire, as she played the girlfriend and handler of Jesse Eisenbergs amnesiac government sleeper agent. Its a bad film that never lives up to its larger-than-life premise, but Stewart turns in some remarkably good work here.

Peter Dinklage  Pixels (2015)

Theres almost nothing good to say about this insipid Adam Sandler video game comedy from 2015. But what little there is exclusively concerns Game of Thrones Peter Dinklage, who turns in an incongruously funny performance as obnoxious video game champion Eddie "The Fireblaster" Plant.

open image in gallery Peter Dinklage in the insipid 2015 gamer comedy Pixels' ( Sony )

Thomas Hayden Church  Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Probably the worst Spider-Man film to ever grace cinemas, Sam Raimis trilogy capper was a torrid mess of plotlines, too many villains and bad haircuts. The films only sincere pathos comes from Thomas Hayden Church, who manages to somehow survive the carnage with his head held high, playing the tragically fated Flint Marko, AKA Sandman.

John C Reilly  Kong: Skull Island (2017)

On paper, Kong: Skull Island should have been a blast. It had a solid cast (including Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L Jackson, and John Goodman), an intriguing premise (King Kong during the Vietnam War) and the 104ft ape we all know and love. But the film was a major disappointment. The only saving grace was John C Reilly, whose brief appearance as a WWII pilot stranded on Skull Island after his plane was shot down felt like it was from another film entirely.

Uma Thurman  Batman & Robin (1997)

Uma Thurman knew how to pitch her performance better than anyone else in this despised 1997 superhero flick. In the role of fern fatale Poison Ivy, Thurman gives a performance of enjoyable camp extremity. To quote Janet Maslin in her contemporaneous review for the New York Times: As played by Uma Thurman, Poison Ivy is perfect, flaunting great looks, a mocking attitude and madly flamboyant disguises. Like Mae West, she mixes true femininity with the winking womanliness of a drag queen.

open image in gallery Uma Thurman as Dr Pamela Isley, AKA Poison Ivy, in Batman & Robin' ( Warner Bros )

Michelle Pfieffer  Grease 2 (1982)

The original Grease has not endured the ravages of time with a whole lot of grace, and its reviled 1982 sequel has fared even worse. Nevertheless, Grease 2 had one living, breathing redeeming quality: its 23-year-old newcomer star Michelle Pfieffer, whose charisma and talents survived the stink of the whole schlocky affair.

Alan Rickman  Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Kevin Costner may have failed to set Sherwood Forest alight with his role in the ropey Robin Hood adaptation Prince of Thieves, but the same cant be said for his co-star Alan Rickman. The Die Hard star gave an outstanding performance as the nefarious Sheriff of Nottingham. Was Rickman playing to type? Well, yes, but there was pretty much no one better at doing what he does here.

Martin Freeman  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Forged in the afterglow of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Peter Jacksons Hobbit prequels were doomed to live in the shadow of their predecessors. But not many people were ready for quite how bad they were. Look past the dodgy CGI and over-egged plotting, however, and Martin Freeman was an inspired choice as a young Bilbo Baggins: no-one plays a genial, put-upon everyman (or should that be everyhobbit?) quite like him.

open image in gallery Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' ( New Line Cinema )

Max von Sydow  Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011)

This skin-crawling 9/11 drama was criticised upon its release for being exploitative and trying to milk sentiment from real-life tragedy. Max Von Sydows performance was spared the knives, however, with the legendary Swedish actor giving a moving  and wordless  turn as an elderly renter. His efforts didnt go unacknowledged, and von Sydow was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Phil Hartman  Jingle All the Way (1996)

Barring a few notable exceptions (such as The Simpsons and NewsRadio), the late Phil Hartman pretty much made a career out of radically outshining his co-stars. During his eight-year stint on Saturday Night Live, a low period for the shows reputation, Hartman was known as the glue. He didnt manage to hold all the cracks in the wretched holiday comedy Jingle All the Way together, but he was nonetheless an enjoyable, consistently funny presence, playing Arnold Schwarzeneggers smarmy neighbour.

Leonardo DiCaprio  The Great Gatsby (2013)

Baz Luhrmann was always an odd choice to adapt F Scott Fitzgeralds literary classic; his brand of cinema is one of bombast and flash. While Tobey Maguire was a pretty drab Nick Carraway, and the usually brilliant Carey Mulligan underwhelming as Daisy Buchannan, DiCaprio was perfectly cast as Gatsby, striking the right balance of insecurity, bluster and poignancy.

open image in gallery Boats against the current: DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby' ( Warner Bros )

Anthony Hopkins  Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

For an actor of the highest calibre, Anthony Hopkins has still been known to phone it in from time to time; when he receives a script, he reportedly marks certain pages with the letters NAR (No Acting Required). Hed have been forgiven for just dialling it in for this dismal Transformers sequel, but instead, hes unnecessarily compelling, playing a sagacious astronomer whos studied the history of Transformers.

Oscar Isaac  Sucker Punch (2011)

Even by director Zack Snyders own standards, Sucker Punch was something of a spiky, unpleasant misstep. The film, a fantasy about a woman who tries to escape a mental institution through a series of fantasy worlds, was savaged by critics. Oscar Isaac, not yet a name movie star, acquitted himself shockingly well, however, playing a despicable orderly at the facility.

Adam Driver  Star Wars: Episode IX  The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Theres much to detest about the final film in the so-called Skywalker Saga, from the dialogue and the lazy fan pandering, to the way in which it all but abandoned story arcs previously given to characters like Finn (John Boyega) and Rose (Kelly Marie Tran). Though his masked villain, Kylo Ren, is rushed through a slipshod redemption-by-numbers story, Adam Driver doesnt stop turning in good work, however. The force was certainly weak with this one, but Driver emerged from the wreckage with his reputation utterly unscathed.

open image in gallery Adam Driver as Kylo Ren in The Rise of Skywalker' ( LucasFilm )

Ewan McGregor  Star Wars: Episode III  Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Driver wasnt the only actor who valiantly struggled to provide a good performance in a thoroughly bad Star Wars film. Ewan McGregors work as Obi-Wan Kenobi came under scrutiny throughout the first two of George Lucass maligned prequels, but by the third, he had well and truly found his footing.

Michael K Williams  Assassins Creed (2016)

Even by the metric of video game adaptations, Assassins Creed was capital-b Bad. Usually bankable actors like Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard were histrionic and laughable here; the plot and characterisation almost defy belief. But in the midst of this is The Wires Michael K Williams, delivering a typically classy turn as a Haitian Assassin called Moussa.

Florence Pugh  Black Widow (2021)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has lured a number of elite actors to its shores, from veterans like Robert Redford and Michael Keaton to younger stars like Michael B Jordan and Zendaya. In terms of up-and-comers, there are few better than Florence Pugh, who appeared as Yelena in the otherwise dreary 2021 blockbuster Black Widow. Pugh makes the films lead, Scarlett Johansson, pale in comparison, but the materials simply not up to snuff.

Matthew Lillard  Scooby Doo (2002)

Say what you will about the puerile 2002 movie adaptation of the classic kids cartoon Scooby-Doo, but you cant really fault the casting. Linda Cardellini, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr are all well-suited to the roles of Velma, Daphne and Fred respectively, but theyre not a patch on Matthew Lillard (Scream; Twin Peaks: The Return), whose big, swing-for-the-fences performance as the feckless slacker Shaggy Rogers is a masterclass in understanding the assignment.

open image in gallery Matthew Lillard as Shaggy Rogers in Scooby-Doo: The Movie' ( Warner Bros )

Raul Julia  Street Fighter (1994)

The Addams Familys incomparable Raul Julia died tragically in 1994 at the age of 54, having suffered a stroke. While it may seem like a shame for his final major film to be as shoddy an effort as Street Fighter, Raul Julias performance in it is nothing short of a cult sensation. Playing the villainous M Bison, Julia is laugh-out-loud funny, a wonderful foil for a set of unworthy adversaries.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Daniel Craig has given a hilariously brutal response to speculation about his James Bond replacement.

The 56-year-old had the longest continuous reign as the lead in the movie franchise based on the novels first released by Ian Fleming in 1953. The story was adapted for the big screen in 1962, with Sean Connery being the first to star as the protagonist in Dr No.

Craig starred in five films, starting with Casino Royale in 2006. He then played the famous spy in Quantum of Solace in 2008, Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and announced he would be retiring after appearing in No Time To Die in 2021.

Since then, a number of actors have been rumoured to replace him in the iconic role, including Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, and the rumoured favourite to replace him, Aaron-Taylor Johnson.

Craig was asked, If you were to pass the James Bond torch, who would you love to see play him?, in an interview with Variety.

He responded, I dont care.

Taylor-Johnson, 33, was first rumoured for the role in January 2023 after it was reported that producer Barbara Broccoli had been left impressed by a screen test with the actor, whose credits include Kick-Ass, Bullet Train and Nowhere Boy.

Craig is the longest-reigning actor to star in the movie franchise which has been ongoing since 1962 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Former Bond stars including James Pryce, Pierce Brosnan, and George Lazenby have all offered their support for the Nowhere Boy actor, saying they believe he could be the right candidate.

The actor is currently promoting his new movie Queer, from Challengers and Call Me By Your Name director, Luca Guadagnino.

The movie, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, reportedly features some of the most explicit gay sex scenes ever, according to critics.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Craig, who has filmed sex scenes with Sienna Miller, Lea Seydoux, Monica Bellucci, Eva Green and his real-life wife Rachel Weisz, adds that hes been in movies with terrible love scenes. It doesnt work.

You need a director who has a sensitivity, a director who understands  to put it crassly  how to make it real. Thats ones job on the day: to make it as real as possible.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A Paul Mescal lookalike contest will be held in Ireland this week in a bid to find more men wearing short shorts, gold chains and wired headphones.

The event comes a week after Timothee Chalamet stunned fans by making a surprise appearance at his own look-alike event in New York City, which drew in 2,000 attendees.

Mescals doppelganger competition will take place at Smithfield Square in Dublin on 7 November with the grand prize being either three pints or 20 plus bragging rights.

The event will coincide with the Gladiator II premiere taking place in the same location.

Mescal stars in the forthcoming sequel to Ridley Scotts 2000 historical epic alongside Pedro Pascal, making attendees optimistic the Normal People will make an appearance at the contest.

On social media, fans were quick to point out how many men look similar to Mescal where they live.

Paul Mescal lookalike competition literally every man in Ireland looks like that, one person claimed on X/Twitter. Come to Maynooth and its every 2nd guy. North Kildare actually, added another user.

open image in gallery Paul Mescal in Gladiator II ( Paramount Pictures )

Last month, Chalamet sent fans into a frenzy when he unexpectedly showed up at his look-alike contest in New York City.

The Call Me By Your Name star walked up to a few of the contestants to take a photo, causing the entire crowd to erupt into excited shrieks.

The event, which was held just in time for Halloween, saw more than 2,000 attendees gather at Washington Square Park to watch approximately 30 people dressed in their best Chalamet attire compete for a $50 cash prize.

The contest, hosted by YouTuber Anthony Po, was later moved to Mercer Park after law enforcement intervened and dispersed the gathering.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Speaking to The Independent , Po shared that he received a $500 fine from the authorities because he didnt have the proper permit to host an event that large at the Lower Manhattan park.

open image in gallery Timothee Chalamet takes photos with fans at New York look-alike contest ( Brittany Miller for The Independent )

Im hoping its just the fine, Po said. We didnt do anything wrong, its just a lot of people. And we hung up 50 posters, we had nothing to do with marketing it.

Tis the way of culture. And this is the price of culture, he added.

A police spokesperson told NBC New York that at least one person was detained and issued summonses.

The winner of the event was determined by how much applause they received from the crowd with Miles Mitchell taking home both the $50 check and a large trophy. He was seen dressed up as Willy Wonka, which he said was going to be his Halloween costume this year.

Im excited and Im also overwhelmed, Mitchell told the Associated Press following his win. There were so many good look-alikes. It was really a toss-up.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Sir Michael Caine has made a bold Tom Cruise claim while opening up about an encounter he had with the actor 40 years ago.

The 91-year-old British star of films including Alfie, The Italian Job and Get Carter first met Cruise in 1983, and recently celebrated his 90th birthday with the Mission: Impossible actor  at an event that left Cruise in stitches over a dirty joke told by Loose Women star Denise Welch.

It turns out the pair first met in 1983, when Cruise was on the cusp of hitting the bigtime with lead roles in Risky Business and All the Right Moves.

At that time, Cruise had only had supporting roles and, after meeting Caine, he decided to use the opportunity to ask the actor for some advice.

Writing in a new memoir, titled Dont Look Back, Youll Trip Over, Caine revealed the encounter occurred at an event promoting the film he was starring in at the time, Educating Rita, for which he received his first Oscar nomination.

Writing in an extract from the memoir, obtained by The Sunday Times, Caine said: I turned around and there was this young actor, very polite, asking questions about how not to be just a flash in the pan. That was Tom, probably around the time of Risky Business.

Caine continued: I cant remember what I said, but it obviously didnt do him any harm!

He said he there was something special about Cruise, and remembers he had a great attitude, this sense of poise.

Caine then made a bold claim that doubles as a damning indictment of film stars emerging today.

He said: What interests me is that he is really one of the last true stars in movies. People will go to see a film just because hes in it. Brad Pitt is a star, Morgan Freeman has some of that quality too.

There are so few nowadays  not like John Wayne or Humphrey Bogart or Cary Grant.

Friends Tom cruise and Michael Caine at the Oscars in 2000 ( Getty Images )

The pair have only starred in one film together  2002s Austin Powers in Goldmember  but they did not share any scenes.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Last year, Cruise skipped the Oscars to attend Caines 90th birthday celebration at Londons River Cafe alongside the unlikely pairing of David Walliams and Denise Welch.

Cruises appearance was organised by Caines wife Shakira, which the actor said he was touched by.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Amy Dowden has made a statement after it was announced she will no longer take part in this years Strictly Come Dancing series.

The professional dancer, 34, was rushed to hospital as a precaution on 26 October and did not perform on the Saturday night show on 2 November.

Dowden will be replaced by fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley as JB Gills dance partner for the remainder of the competition.

Writing on Instagram, Dowden said: My heart is breaking right now. The past few months I finally felt like me again.

Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again.

Then I was partnered with the talented, kind, gentle soul JB. Everyday our training room was chilled, hardworking and full of big smiles enjoying what we was creating together with a blossoming friendship.

Addressing her Strictly partner directly, Dowden said: JB thank you for being the perfect partner back. We topped the leaderboard week one and continued to work so hard and thank you for being so passionate about understanding the ballroom and Latin fundamentals.

open image in gallery JB Gill and Amy Dowden on Strictly Come Dancing ( BBC )

Of their time on the dancefloor together, she added: Im so sad, so upset and asking why me, why now that our journey has been cut short.

My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury and I know only too well this too shall pass and Ill be soon better and back dancing. Something Ive had to get used to in my life.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Signing off, Dowden said: To all the fans, to my loved ones, my Strictly family thank you.

JB I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor. Ill forever be your biggest cheerleader.

The Strictly proffesionals replacement responded to her heartfelt message in the Instagram comments.

This too shall pass, Oakley said. Were still a team. Love you. You did the groundwork, Ill carry your partnership forward and hopefully make you proud.

While Dowden did not perform during Saturday nights show, she watched from the sidelines as Oakley and Gill danced a couples choice to a medley of Bruno Mars songs, and scored a near-perfect 39 points.

During one moment in Saturday nights show, Gill turned to the camera and mouthed For you Amy after he danced  and Dowden said the gesture made her cry.

The dancer was unable to compete in last years competition as she underwent treatment for breast cancer.

open image in gallery Dowden on It Takes Two ( BBC )

In May 2023, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of stage three breast cancer finding a lump in her breast the day before her Maldives honeymoon with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones.

She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and fertility treatment in those nine months and was eventually told she had no evidence of disease in February 2024.

When Dowdens name was announced in the 2024 line-up for Strictly, she celebrated the news and told her fans that she could not wait to be back doing what she loves the most: dancing.

My heart is so happy, she wrote. The best team on and off the dance floor. Feel blessed and more excited than ever. Bring it on!
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

New York State Assembly member Harvey Epstein has responded to comedian John Mulaney playing him in a Saturday Night Live sketch.

The skit, which aired on Saturday (November 2), revolved around Epsteins efforts to convince voters that he has no relation to notorious sex offenders Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein.

The real Epstein, who is currently running for a seat on New York City Council, showed his approval for the sketch by reposting it on social media, with a caption referencing its closing line: I agree with John [Mulaney] lets not call it Epsteins Island.

In an interview with local magazine City & State New York, Epstein said: I think it went over very well, and Im glad we can all make fun of ourselves in a way that  to bring joy to the world.

However, he did take a moment to reflect on the horrific crimes underlying the joke. Its really critical that I take the joy out of the joke and also be serious about issues of domestic violence, he said, adding that Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein are two horrible human beings.

Epstein said he was taken by surprise by the sketch when it aired, but that he wouldnt be against appearing on the long-running comedy series in the future. I totally would do that, he said.

John Mulaney as Harvey Epstein on SNL (left), and the real New York State Assembly member Harvey Epstein (right) ( SNL/Getty )

The politician said that there was some truth to sketch, noting that while on the campaign trail he had occasionally been asked whether he was related to either Harvey Weinstein or Jeffrey Epstein. He also said he felt his unexpected SNL appearance might raise his profile.

I think it definitely makes more people aware of who I am, he said. But luckily, I have high name recognition in my district already.

As for Mulaneys portrayal, Epstein thought he did a good job. John Mulaney was wearing earrings, he had a bald head, he was wearing the clothes I wear a lot  so I think he did those pieces right, he said.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

The spoof campaign video wasnt the only political element of Saturdays show. Elsewhere in the episode, Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance during the cold open, poking fun at Donald Trumps garbage truck struggle.

The vice president, who has been played on the 50th season of the comedy show by Maya Rudolph, flew to New York City on Saturday evening after a campaign event in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Harris made the unscheduled stop while on her way to Detroit, Michigan, with Air Force Two landing at LaGuardia Airport in Queens. It was the final episode of the show before Election Day on Tuesday, November 5.

Since then, a commissioner with the Federal Communications Commission  a government agency that regulates radio and television in the US  has said that the appearance may have violated its equal time rule.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The Daily Show has poked fun at the Trump campaigns obsession with Peanut the Squirrel, whose euthanization has caused uproar among Republicans.

During Mondays (November 4) episode of the Comedy Central talk show, guest host and correspondent Jordan Klepper recounted Donald Trumps final rallies before Election Day.

Trump campaign, this is your last chance to get your message out. Surely there is someone who is staying focused on the important issues and not getting distracted like some idiot dog when it sees a squirrel, the host joked.

Going on to play a clip of Trumps running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, asking North Carolina rallygoers if theyd seen the videos of this squirrel, Klepper cut in to add sarcastically: F*** me. No, no, I havent seen the videos of the squirrel. Why is that an issue?

He then showed a TV report about Trump supporters up in arms after Peanut the Squirrel  who became a social media star after being taken in by Mark Longo in 2017  was seized by New York States Department of Environmental Conservation and later euthanized for biting an official.

I know Dons fired up about Peanut the Squirrel, Vance said at the North Carolina rally. We were on the way down here from Cincinnati. He was like, you know, is it really the case that the Democrats murdered the Elon Musk of squirrels?

Klepper asked his audience: Everyone, we are mere hours before Election Day, and Republicans final message is, We must avenge the death of Peanut the Squirrel.

Dont get me wrong, Im glad Republicans finally care about police brutality. But here we are, with all of MAGA world mourning the death of Peanut the Squirrel.

Earlier in the episode, Klepper recounted Kamala Harriss star-studded final Pennsylvania rally, which saw performances from pop superstars Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

If you still have their album on LimeWire, theyre probably endorsing Kamala Harris, he quipped. Shes coming for every last Soul Cycle vote.

Jordan Klepper mocks the Trump Campaigns obsession with Peanut the Squirrel on The Daily Show ( Comedy Central )

Klepper continued: While Kamalas ending the campaign on a note of joy and celebrity hype, Donald Trumps closing argument is that hes pissed at basically everyone.

The host played clips of Trump slamming several Democratic politicians, including California Representative Adam Schiff, whos currently running against Steve Garvey to fill the late Diane Feinsteins Senate seat.

To sum up: We are an hour from Election Day. We have a presidential candidate descending even further into madness, a legion of his supporters ready to follow him into battle, the Capitols all boarded up and ready for a final showdown, our kids teeth are about to fall out, the police are executing squirrels, and tomorrow is the climactic day when we discover whether Earth continues existing in its muddled mess or we all go screaming into hell, Klepper concluded.

I guess what Im saying is, dont forget to vote.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Netflix users have been left grumbling about new series The Diplomat  but for a rather positive reason.

The TV series, which was compared to The West Wing when it first started in 2023, has returned for a second, with the series rapidly shooting to the top of the streaming services most-watched list alongside some new films that are receiving more negative reviews.

Season one introduced viewers to Keri Russells US Ambassador Kate Wyler as she gets caught up in an international crisis, and won fans with its fast-paced narrative and many twists and turns.

While the new episodes have been even more acclaimed than the ones featured in season one, the common complaint is that there just arent enough of them: The Diplomat season two has just six episodes, which is two less than the first.

Six episodes is commonplace for a British TV drama, but not that typical for Netflix shows, which usually last for anything from eight to 13 episodes.

Fans are now expressing their frustration over the low episode count on social media, which should be read as praise by the shows creator Deborah Cahn, who began her career as a writer and producer on The West Wing before working on Homeland.

However, Netflix has good news for fans of the show: a third season is on the way and it was filmed back-to-back with season two, meaning it will most likely arrive in 2025.

Still, this has not abated the anger in the interim: Whyyyyyy is S2 of The Diplomat only 6 episodes when S1 was 8???? one fan wrote, with another stating: Six episodes are not enough, I wished it was a 26-episode season. Geopolitical storytelling at its best and I wish Id been in the writers room. Twisty AF.

One fan waded in: We waited 18 months for a six-episode season!? I hate Netflix so much. Please bring back network television with respectable 22-episode seasons.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

An additional viewer, who has been lapping up season two, also stated on X/Twitter: Just finished Season 2 and Im so mad it was only 6 episodes because it was the best 6 episodes Ive watched all year. Im trying hard to think of something better Ive seen in 2024 and honestly I cant!

Keri Russell in The Diplomat season two ( Netflix )

One person said that they felt cheated by the lower episode count.

The Diplomat is available to stream on Netflix now
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Having three children is the best says a vibrant neon pink sign at a wedding expo in the southern Chinese city of Changsha, where visitors can also pick up tips on tying the knot and men can strap on a pregnancy belly to experience childbirth pain.

The marriage-themed festival comes at a time when China is looking to spur weddings and births to counter a shrinking population, but it has drawn thin crowds and sparked criticism for being regressive, disparaging towards women and for putting people off marriage - contrary to the governments aim.

Social media users called out slogans at the expo such as Housework is the best, Best at raising kids and Best at tutoring homework for reinforcing gender stereotypes.

The slogans are all aimed at women. Shouldnt sharing housework be the right thing to do? said a user with the handle Jianguo on Chinas Weibo platform.

A user with the handle Xiaohong on social e-commerce site Xiaohongshu, known as Chinas answer to Instagram, wrote the festival had probably persuaded a lot of hesitant people to give up marriage.

The number of marriage registrations in China in the first three quarters of 2024 dropped 16.6% year on year to 4.75 million couples, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

open image in gallery A child plays with sand near a couple taking part in a pre-wedding photoshoot on a beach in Qingdao, Shandong province, China ( REUTERS )

Beijing rallied local governments just last week to direct resources towards urging people to marry and have children at the right age.

Beijings instructions included improving maternity and childcare benefits and offering housing support for families with multiple children, its most comprehensive framework to date, although lacking in details on funding and implementation.

I believe the effectiveness of government policies will be limited unless backed by measures such as cutting working hours and eliminating gender discrimination against women in the workplace, said Xiujian Peng, senior Research Fellow in the Centre of Policy Studies at Victoria University.

Local authorities have instead been offering women free vitamins and cold calling them to encourage pregnancy, according to multiple posts on social media.

The cost of having children is still too high and the benefits too low, said 32-year-old Shanghai-based Aiqi, who shrugged off the state councils latest measures. She declined to give her last name for privacy reasons.

We need to change the competitive education system, high intensity work environment and the high housing cost.

China abandoned its 35-year-old one-child policy in 2015, but it has struggled to increase the birth rate that fell to a record low last year.

And demographers do not see a significant change soon. While they expect a flurry of initiatives aimed at spurring births in the coming months, they warn that spending by indebted local governments will remain limited.

It takes 20-years for a child to become a tax payer. Debt-ridden local governments simply have no incentive to encourage childbirth, said Yi Fuxian, a demographer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Chinas Yuwa Population Research estimates the country needs to invest 10% of GDP to stabilise the population.

Policies like those laid out last week have been helpful in countries such as France and Sweden, but they have not moved the needle in east Asia, most likely due to high gender inequality, according to demographers.

South Korea and Japan rank 46th and 59th in the World Economic Forums gender gap index, while China ranks 107th.

open image in gallery Baby formula are pictured at a supermarket in Shanghai, China ( REUTERS )

Top-down measures that exhort people to have more children are rarely effective, said Yun Zhou, assistant professor of sociology, University of Michigan.

Changshas festival launched what authorities described as a marriage school, where men can use a pregnancy belly to simulate labour pain with levels 1-10, state-backed Changsha Evening News reported, saying it enabled couples to experience the hardship and joy of nurturing life.

Couples can opt to change diapers and prepare formula milk at the expo to learn parenting skills, and get an internship marriage certificate, the paper said. The expo will run every weekend until the end of November.

The festival missed the mark, said Weibo user Yuxiao.

Treat girls as human beings and respect them. They dont want to get married in the first place, and then the authorities are putting so much pressure on them and their families with average economic levels to have children.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing embarked on his first official visit to China since wresting power three years ago as civil war continued to rage in his Southeast Asian country.

Beijing has been a major ally and arms supplier of the Myanmar military but last year China sealed parts of the border and halted key imports to rebel-controlled areas when the internal conflict reached its southern borders.

Beijing is known to also maintain ties with Myanmar's armed rebel groups which hold territory along its border.

Gen Hlaing departed on a flight from capital Naypyitaw on Tuesday for a two-day visit to the neighbouring country since his army orchestrated a coup and seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.

He will visit the Chinese city of Kunming on Wednesday and Thursday to attend the Greater Mekong Subregion summit along with two others, state-run MRTV reported. Kunming, the capital of China's Yunnan province, is about 400km from the border with Myanmar.

Myanmar military leader Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing, front right, shakes hands with a military officer ( AP )

He is reportedly scheduled to meet Chinese government officials to discuss "ways to enhance goodwill, economic and various sectors between the two governments and the people".

The visit comes at a time when the Myanmar Army is working to recover from the unprecedented battlefield defeats over the past year and mostly near the Chinese border. There has been a rise in anti-Chinese sentiment in Myanmar due to Beijing's strong ties with the junta, The Irrawaddy reported in October.

China has strategic economic interests in Myanmar, including major oil and gas pipelines crossing the country and a planned deep-sea port in the Bay of Bengal. Beijing, Myanmar's biggest trade partner, also imports rare earths from its smaller neighbour for use in the automotive and wind energy sectors.

Whether he is going there to receive more Chinese support or more Chinese pressure, it's only bad for the people," said David Mathieson, an independent analyst who tracks Myanmar.

"China has made clear they are supporting the SAC and their elections transition plan," he said, referring to the junta's State Administration Council, headed by the army chief.

The offensive by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, comprising the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Arakan Army and the Taang National Liberation Army, was able to quickly capture towns and overrun military bases in the Shan state along the border last year.

It was widely seen at the time as having Beijings tacit support to help stamp out rampant organized crime activities in the area controlled by ethnic Chinese. Beijing helped broker a cease-fire in January, but that fell apart in June when the rebel forces launched new attacks.

Kyaw Zaw, a spokesperson for the shadow National Unity Government (NUG), said in a recorded video posted on Facebook, that he was deeply concerned about China's invitation to the army chief and urged Beijing to review its action.

"Myanmar's people want stability, peace and economic growth. It is Min Aung Hlaing and his group who are destroying these things," Kyaw Zaw said. "I am concerned that it will unintentionally incite a misunderstanding of the Chinese government among Myanmar's public."

The NUG was established by elected lawmakers barred from taking their seats in 2021 and is closely linked to Ms Suu Kyi's former ruling National League for Democracy party, which had friendly relations with Beijing.

Although China has faced backlash for backing the army, the shadow government has avoided antagonising Beijing too much, recognising the influence it has in the region.

The junta began a nationwide census last month to pave the way for an election next year, despite not having control over wide swathes of the country, and with dozens of political parties disbanded.

Beijing promised technical support and aid to the junta for the census and the proposed election, Myanmar state media said in August after Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met the army chief.

Additional reporting by agencies.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea just hours before the US presidential election in an apparent show of power amid concerns over Pyongyang sending thousands of its troops to fight the Russian war in Europe.

Pyongyang fired at least seven missiles off its east coast, its neighbours said as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister condemned joint military drills involving the US, Japan and South Korea.

The missiles flew to an altitude of 100km and covered a range of 400km before falling outside Japan's exclusive economic zone into the ocean, according to Japan's defence minister Gen Nakatani. South Korea said the missiles were fired at around 7am (local time) on Tuesday from the vicinity of Sariwon in North Hwanghae Province.

The US military said it was monitoring the situation and consulting closely with its allies Japan and South Korea.

Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of Mr Kim, said military drills by US and its allies justify North Koreas nuclear reinforcement, state media KCNA said. Ms Kim criticised the more than 20 military drills the US and its allies have conducted this year.

open image in gallery A man watches a television showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test ( AFP via Getty Images )

The launch comes just days after Pyongyang test launched its biggest intercontinental missile which flew at a record distance and with capabilities of reaching mainland US. The Hwasong-19 launch triggered severe condemnation from the UN, Washington and its allies amid fears of Pyongyang receiving missile technology as a reward for sending its troops to Russia.

South Korean officials said the North was likely to dial up its military displays around the US presidential election to command the attention of Washington. The South's spy agency warned last week that Pyongyang has likely completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test.

North Koreas UN envoy claimed the Hermit Kingdom would accelerate the buildup of its nuclear weapons programme to "counter any threat presented by hostile nuclear weapons states".

The North was sanctioned by the UN security council in 2006 and the measures were steadily strengthened to halt its development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

open image in gallery File: North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un visits a flood restoration construction site in North Pyongan Province ( KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image )

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said the recent tests by North Korea have political significance for what they say about the Kim regimes lack of restraint. "Pyongyang is showing that its contribution of weapons and troops to Russias war in Ukraine does not curtail its military activities closer to home."

He added: "On the contrary, cooperation with Moscow appears to enable blatant violations of UN Security Council resolutions."

It is largely viewed that North Korea eventually hopes to use an expanded nuclear arsenal as leverage to win concessions such as sanctions relief after a new US president is elected.

There are widespread views that Mr Kim would prefer a win by Republican candidate Donald Trump, with whom he engaged in high-stakes nuclear diplomacy in 2018-19, seeing him as a more likely counterpart to give him what he wants than Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

During campaigning, Ms Harris said she won't "cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong-un who are rooting for Trump".

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters that as many as 10,000 North Korean soldiers were in Russia's Kursk region near Ukraine's border and were preparing to join Moscow's fight against Ukraine in the coming days.

If they engage in combat, it would be North Korea's first participation in a large-scale conflict since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The number of North Korean soldiers deployed in the Russian army exceeded 10,000, South Korea said, as the first set of Pyongyangs troops reportedly came under fire from Ukraine.

The South Korean defence ministry said on Tuesday that a significant number of North Korean troops have moved to several frontlines, including in the Ukraines Kursk border where the Kremlins forces have struggled to repel the Ukrainian offensive.

North Korea, the country with one of the worlds largest militaries of 1.2 million soldiers, has sparked concerns about the widening conflict with dictator Kim Jong-uns military alliance with Russias Vladimir Putin. South Korean officials suggested sending officials to Ukraine to offer intelligence on North Korean battlefield tactics.

Ukraines intelligence agency said that about 12,000 North Korean troops including 500 officer-level personnel and three generals were already in Russia.

They are training for combat with Ukrainian forces at five military bases, it said.

We understand that more than 10,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, and a significant number of them have moved to the frontline areas including Kursk, Jeon Ha-kyou, a spokesperson for Seouls defence ministry, told a briefing, citing intelligence authorities.

However, Ms Jeon did not provide details when asked whether the North Koreans were engaged in combat or about a South Korean media report citing an unnamed government official that as many as 40 North Korean troops had been killed on the battlefield.

The estimates put the number higher than what the Pentagon and the US State Department have confirmed yet.

According to the Biden administration, around 10,000 North Korean soldiers are now in Russias Kursk to bolster Vladimir Putins failed defence against Ukraines push in the coming days.

On Monday, a State Department spokesperson said as many as 10,000 North Korean troops are in the Kursk region and could engage in combat in the coming days.

We now assess that as many as 10,000 have made their way to Kursk and could enter combat in the coming days, Mathew Miller told a press briefing.

When asked if North Korean soldiers are already fighting the Ukrainian army, Mr Miller said he cannot speak definitively about it.

But as we have said, we expected that it was likely that they would enter into combat against Ukrainian forces, he said. And if they did, they would be legitimate military targets.

An official at Ukraines National Security and Defense Council on Monday said the first set of North Korean soldiers in Kurks have already come under fire on the border by the Ukrainian forces.

Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation department at Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, said in a Telegram post: The first military personnel of the DPRK have already come under fire in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, referring to North Korea by the acronym for its official title, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres also expressed concerns about deployment of North Korean troops on Russias soil, saying it could lead to an escalation of the war in Ukraine.

The Secretary-General is very concerned about reports of troops from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea being sent to the Russian Federation, including their possible deployment to the conflict zone, said Stephane Dujarric, the UN chiefs spokesperson.

This would represent a very dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine. Everything must be done to avoid any internationalisation of this conflict, he warned in the statement on Sunday.

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, urged his countrys allies to act before it is too late and stop watching.

Everyone is just waiting for the North Korean military to start attacking Ukrainians as well, he said, adding that his troops were preparing to confront a new enemy.

Moscow and Pyongyang have so far denied their military alliance. However, Mr Putin did not deny reports of North Korean soldiers in Russia when confronted at the Brics summits and referred to the strategic partnership treaty between the two countries.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A 32-year-old man in India lost his life after accepting a dare by his friends to sit on a box of lit fireworks on Diwali, according to the police.

The man, identified only by one name, Shabarish, reportedly sat on a box of exploding fireworks at the urging of his six friends as part of a risky wager during celebrations on 31 October in the countrys IT hub, Bengaluru.

The group, including Shabarish, was believed to be under the influence of alcohol at the time, according to reports. His friends promised to buy him an autorickshaw if he carried out the stunt, which involved sitting on the box as it exploded.

A video of the incident, now circulating widely on social media, shows the fatal explosion, with Shabarish collapsing to the ground after the fireworks went off beneath him. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries on Saturday.

A case of culpable homicide has been registered and the six members of the group involved in the incident have been arrested and produced before the court, deputy commissioner of police Lokesh Jagalasar was quoted as saying by thePress Trust of India.

open image in gallery People light firecrackers on the occasion of the Diwali festival in Ahmedabad, India, 31 October 2024 ( EPA )

He died while undergoing treatment on 2 November at the Victoria Hospital in the city. The police have arrested six people connected with the incident.

According to the police, the victim, a construction labourer, was roaming in the area after consuming alcohol, when he met the group known to him, who were setting off the fireworks.

They asked him to join them before issuing him the challenge at around 9.30pm. He sustained severe burn injuries to his buttocks, abdomen, and thighs before collapsing, reported the Times of India.

Dinakar (one of the accused) came and told me Shabarish had set off fireworks and sustained injuries, his mother Vijaya told the outlet. As my son was drunk, I believed his version. I rushed to the spot with my younger daughter and with the help of those youths, we rushed [him] to a nearby hospital.

Around 1am, he was moved to the burns ward at Victoria hospital, where he died on 2 November, she said.

It was while making the funeral arrangements for him, that the family learnt about the details of the incident.

The incident was captured on a CCTV camera installed at one of the buildings, she told the Indian national daily. I was shocked to see the footage and realised that the youths had lied to me.

open image in gallery A boy lights paper fireworks on the occasion of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in the outskirts of Delhi, India, 31 October 2024. ( EPA )

According to Vijaya, Shabarish had gone to work as a construction worker and returned home for the Diwali celebration. I wish he had stayed away for a few more days, lamented the mother. At least, he would have still been alive.

This adds to the list of fatalities around fireworks in India.

Earlier, a 65-year-old man in India was lynched by three men after he objected to people setting off fireworks outside his home in Faridabad, located 28 km from the Indian capital, New Delhi.

In another case, a 42-year-old woman was beaten to death after she protested against fireworks in front of her house in Indias most populous state of Uttar Pradesh on Friday night.

The woman, Kalawati, who had a longstanding dispute with her neighbour Durgesh Kumar, protested after his family set off fireworks in front of her home.

When Kalawatis family opposed it, a heated altercation broke out, escalating to violence, reported the Times of India. Though Kalawati tried to mediate, she was attacked and sustained severe head injuries, leading to her death on the spot.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Australias foreign minister said Tuesday she raised allegations with her Indian counterpart that India has targeted Sikh activists in Canada.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she discussed the Canadian allegations with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar while he was in the Australian capital, Canberra.

India has denied Canadas allegation that Indian Home Minister Amit Shah ordered the targeting of Sikh activists inside Canada.

Wong said her message to the Sikh community was that people have a right to be safe and respected in Australia, regardless of who they are.

Weve made clear our concerns about the allegations under investigation. Weve said that we respect Canadas judicial process, Wong said at a news conference with Jaishankar.

We convey our views to India as you would expect us to do and we have a principled position in relation to matters such as the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary and also, frankly, the sovereignty of all countries, she added.

Jaishankar said Canada has put Indian diplomats under surveillance, which was unacceptable.

Canada has developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics, he said.

Australia has close intelligence-sharing ties with Canada as members of the Five Eyes alliance that also includes the United States, Britain and New Zealand.

Over the weekend, India officially protested Canada's allegation of Sikh activists being targeted there as absurd and baseless.

Jaishankar on Tuesday also condemned reports of vandalism at a Hindu temple near Toronto in Canada on Sunday as deeply concerning. In videos on social media, demonstrators carrying yellow flags in support of the Sikh separatist movement can be seen clashing with others, including some holding India's national flag, inside the temple complex. Indian consular officials were visiting the temple where the clashes erupted. It was unclear how the violence began.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the violence at the temple unacceptable, adding that every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.

The attack on the temple also drew a strong rebuke from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve, he wrote on the social media platform X, adding that India expects Canada to ensure justice.

Relations between the two countries soured after Trudeau said last year there were credible allegations the Indian government had links to the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India has vehemently rejected the accusation.

New Delhi, long anxious about Sikh separatist groups, has increasingly accused the Canadian government of giving free rein to separatists from a once-strong movement to create an independent Sikh homeland, known as Khalistan, in India.

The diplomatic row led to the expulsion of each side's top diplomats last month.

Jaishankar said, We believe in freedoms, but we also believe freedom should not be misused.

Canada is not the only country that has accused Indian officials of plotting an assassination on foreign soil. The United States Justice Department announced criminal charges in mid-October against an Indian government employee in connection with an alleged foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.

The Justice Department said Vikash Yadav, who authorities say directed the New York plot from India, faces murder-for-hire charges in an alleged planned killing that prosecutors have previously said was meant to precede a string of other politically motivated murders in the United States and Canada.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A bus accident in Indias northern state of Uttarakhand claimed 36 lives after a passenger bus fell into a 150m-deep gorge.

The accident occurred around 8.25am on Monday at Marchula, roughly 35km from destination, as the bus travelled from Pauri to Ramnagar.

Local villagers were the first responders, rescuing passengers before the police and state disaster response force arrived at the scene.

The incident took place on Monday morning and the district administration received information about the bus falling into a 150m-deep gorge around 8.45am, Uttarakhands Almora district disaster management officer, Vineet Pal, told reporters.

Nine of the passengers died after being taken to the hospital, while three others were airlifted to AIIMS in Delhi for treatment.

Over 60 people were travelling on the packed bus, according to The Hindu.

Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a swift rescue and relief operation and announced compensation of Rs400,000 (3,600) for the families of those who died and Rs100,000 (900) for the injured. Prime minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences and announced additional compensation of Rs200,000 (1800) rupees for the families of the deceased and Rs50,000 (459) for the injured.

My condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the road accident in Almora, Uttarakhand. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in every possible effort for relief and rescue, Mr Modi said in a post.

A magisterial inquiry is underway, and some local officials in the area have also been suspended, according to The Indian Express.

Investigators have yet to determine the exact cause of the accident, but police officers indicated that overcrowding might have played a role, The Hindustan Times reported.

Officials reported that the bus departed for Ramnagar from Kainath village in Dhumakot around 6.30am. The driver, Dinesh Singh, reportedly lost control while attempting to navigate a bend near Kupi in Almora around 8.45am. The bus broke through the barricades, plunged 150m down the steep hillside, and crashed at the bottom of the gorge, just metres from a stream.

This crash is the deadliest in the hill state since July 2018, when 48 people lost their lives in Pauri Garhwal.

Some survivors of the crash reported that the bus axle gave way under the weight of the passengers. The axle snapped and the driver lost control. I shut my eyes as the bus rolled down the road. I dont know how I managed to get out, Ayush, 17, who was travelling with his family said.

Police reported that 10 of the deceased were women, with 28 people dying at the scene.

The remaining eight passed away at a hospital in Ramnagar, Devendra Pincha, Almoras senior superintendent of police, told reporters.

I was asleep and was woken by a sharp jerk. The bus rolled down the road, and I could only hear people screaming. We stopped violently seconds later. Locals came to our rescue. When I finally got out of the mangled bus, there were dead bodies and injured people all around, a survivor identified only by one name, Jagdeep, was quoted as saying by HT.

President Draupadi Murmu said in a post on X: The news of the death of many people, including women and children, in a road accident in Almora is heart-wrenching. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Pakistans parliament has approved a bill that will extend the terms of the countrys military heads from three years to five, in proceedings rushed by the ruling coalition government amid strong protest from the opposition.

Mondays measure means that army chief General Asif Munir, who has been in office for two years, will continue to head the countrys powerful military at least till 2027.

The parliamentary proceedings which were telecast live turned disruptive as angry protesters from former prime minister Imran Khans party staged strong opposition, tearing copies of the bills.

Lawmakers from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by imprisoned leader Mr Khan, argued that the bill was hastily passed without proper debate and said amendments were an attack on the democracy of the country.

The key constitutional amendments from the government of prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, who leads a coalition of parties opposed to Mr Khan that took power after an election in February, are largely seen as aiming to shore up support from powerful military figures.

The amendment to The Pakistan Army Act of 1952 was moved by defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and passed by both houses of parliament.

open image in gallery File Lieutenant General Asim Munir, who was appointed as the new Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan, meets with President of Pakistan Arif Alvi, at the President House in Islamabad, Pakistan November 24, 2022 ( via REUTERS )

The law will extend the tenure of three service chiefs  Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Naval Staff  to five years from three.

The retirement age limit of 64 years for Generals, Air Chief Marshals, and Admirals will not apply to these three functionaries with any extensions or re-appointments for these roles set at five years.

However, the tenure of chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff remains unchanged at three years, reported Dawn newspaper.

The amendments were opposed by the PTI party members who tore the copies of the bill and flung them towards the house speaker while others chanted slogans.

PTI chair Gohar Ali Khan said: Today, democracy has been changed into a monarchy.

open image in gallery Pakistani Army and security officials stand guard as the opposition party Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaft (PTI) members stage protest for the release of Imran Khan ( EPA )

PTIs leader of opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, said: Extending the tenure of the chiefs of the armed forces will have a negative impact on the professional competence of the rest of the officers of the armed forces and the standard of the armed forces. This is not a matter of an individual, but of the future of our beloved country.

Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at Washingtons Wilson Center, also weighed in to say that the most powerful post in Pakistan is poised to become even more powerful.

Pakistans parliament has pushed through a bill extending the army chiefs tenure from 3 to 5 years, and with little debate, he said. When a legislature is reduced to a rubber stamp, democracy is never a winner.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, however, defended the move saying it was for the stability of the armed forces.

"There is no harm if the tenure of any services chief is extended to five years like we have a five-year term for a government," Mr Tarar told Geo New TV. "It will help bring stability and continuity of policies within institutions."

Mr Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2022 and serving a jail term since August blamed the military for staging his ouster after he fell out with then-army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The army has historically wielded huge influence in Pakistan, ruling it for half of its 75-year history, and is believed to have a sway over the politicians in power. Army generals have staged three coups against the elected governments in the history of Pakistan, ruling over the country over three decades.

Several politicians, including Mr Khan, have publicly claimed that military generals pressured and influenced policy-making and played a huge role in Pakistani politics.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Rescue workers on Tuesday were sifting through smoldering debris and thick mud in search of survivors, a day after a volcano on Indonesias remote island of Flores erupted with fury, killing at least nine people with its searing lava and ash.

Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki spewed thick brownish ash as high as 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) into the air, and searing lava, gravel and ash were thrown up to seven kilometers (4.3 miles) from its crater, blanketing nearby villages and towns with tons of volcanic debris and forcing residents to flee.

The National Disaster Management Agency on Tuesday lowered the known death toll from an earlier report of 10, saying it had received updated information from rescuers that a victim trapped under tons of debris in a collapsed house who was feared dead was eventually rescued alive and was now in critical condition at a hospital. The agency said 63 other people were hospitalized, 31 of them with serious injuries.

open image in gallery Indonesia Volcano ( AP )

More than 2,400 villagers streamed into makeshift emergency shelters after Monday's powerful eruption that burned down seven schools and 23 houses, including a convent of nuns, on the majority-Catholic island, said the agencys spokesperson, Abdul Muhari.

Smoldering debris, thick mud and a power blackout hampered the evacuation and search efforts, said Kensius Didimus, a local disaster agency chief,

Well do everything we can to evacuate villagers by preparing trucks and motorbikes for them to flee at any time, he said, adding that the debris and lava mixed with rainfall formed thick mud that destroyed the main roads on the island.

open image in gallery Indonesia Volcano ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Authorities warned the thousands of people who fled the volcanos wrath not to return during Tuesdays lull in activity. But some were desperate to check on livestock and possessions left behind. In several areas, everything  from the thinnest tree branch to couches and chairs inside homes  was caked with ash.

Videos released by the National Search and Rescue Agency showed roads that were covered in heavy gray ash and houses covered by thick gray mud, rocks and uprooted trees.

The countrys geology agency said a series of eruptions since Thursday had created an accumulation of hidden energy due to a blockage of magma in the crater, which reduced detectible seismic activity while building up pressure.

The eruptions have eased pressure that had been building under a lava dome perched on the crater, said Priatin Hadi Wijaya, who heads the Center for Volcanology and Disaster Mitigation. But we should anticipate hot ash and debris could tumble down from the crater due to heavy rains.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has instructed his Cabinet and disaster and military officials to coordinate the response, said Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, who like many Indonesians uses a single name.

open image in gallery INDONESIA-NUEVO PRESIDENTE ( AP )

The countrys volcano monitoring agency increased the volcanos alert status to the highest level and more than doubled the exclusion zone to a seven-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius after midnight on Monday as eruptions became more frequent.

Lewotobi Laki Laki is one of a pair of stratovolcanoes in the East Flores district of East Nusa Tenggara province known locally as the husband and wife mountains. Laki laki means husband, while its mate is Lewotobi Perempuan, or woman.

open image in gallery ( AFP via Getty Images )

About 6,500 people were evacuated in January after Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki began erupting, spewing thick clouds and forcing the government to close the islands Frans Seda Airport. No casualties or major damage were reported, but the airport has remained closed since then due to seismic activity.

This is Indonesias second volcanic eruption in as many weeks. West Sumatra provinces Mount Marapi, one of the countrys most active volcanos, erupted on 27 October, spewing thick columns of ash at least three times and blanketing nearby villages with debris, but no casualties were reported.

open image in gallery ( AFP via Getty Images )

Lewotobi Laki Laki is one of the 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, an archipelago of 280 million people. The country is prone to earthquakes, landslides and volcanic activity because it sits along the Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines around the Pacific Ocean.
Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

In October, former President Donald Trump took to a rally stage in California and told residents of the Democratic stronghold that hed withhold federal wildfire aid if Governor Gavin Newsom refused to back his policies during a possible second term.

The very next day, Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds  who was once floated as a potential running mate for Trump  appeared on CNNs State of the Union as his own state was still reeling from two powerful hurricanes that unleashed widespread flooding and left residents stranded for weeks.

When asked about Trumps remarks, Donalds insisted California needs to do more simple work to prevent wildfires.

I think when you look at Florida versus California, taking in hurricane-force winds and massive flooding is one thing. Theres not much the state of Florida can do to prevent that, the congressman said, just days after Category 3 Milton made landfall. You compare that with Californias environmental policy, a lot of their forest fires are mostly caused because the state of California blocks the management of their lands, they dont clear the underbrush.

open image in gallery Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds speaks to the media last month in New York City. Donalds said California needs to do more to prevent climate-fueled wildfires. ( (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) )

Donalds, whose campaign has benefited from oil and gas interests, failed to note the impact that climate change has had on his own state and the wildfires regularly raging across California. Greenhouse gas emissions generated by fossil fuel production are powering extreme climate events that increase the risk of wildfires across California. A study from the Union of Concerned Scientists released last year found that 19.8 million acres of burned forest land in the US West and southwestern Canada can be attributed to emissions traced to the worlds 88 largest fossil fuel producers and cement manufacturers.

Donalds, who is running for re-election, has received tens of thousands of dollars from greenhouse gas-producing energy companies since his first election to Congress in 2020, Federal Election Commission records show. Hes also co-sponsored legislation that would prevent American presidents from declaring a climate emergency using three federal laws that give the executive branch additional powers in emergencies.

Meanwhile, Trump  whose mantra is drill, baby, drill  has reportedly received millions from oil and gas interests, including several high-profile billionaires. The New York Times reported he raked in more than $15 million from the leaders of three major fossil fuel companies.

Donalds did not reply to The Independents multiple requests for comment.

Fossil fuel emissions from the production of oil and gas have warmed the Earths atmosphere to nearly uninhabitable levels, scientists say. With the planets warming, climate events have become more extreme, including wildfires and hurricanes. Atmospheric river storms that have slammed California during recent winters have provided drought relief, while resulting in even more vegetation that could go up in smoke.

open image in gallery California firefighters sit on the back of a truck near plumes from the Park Fire last July. The Park Fire tore across nearly 43,000 acres, becoming the states fourth-largest fire in history. ( Lassen National Forest/Facebook )

California saw a shorter spring as hotter temperatures started earlier in the year. Cal Fires Joshua Mott told The Independent that gave firefighters a brief window for prescribed fire and fuels reduction work before the fire season was in full swing.

Then, the Park Fire sparked when a man rolled a burning car into a gully near Chico last July. The fire, which became the states fourth-largest, only was fully contained by mid-October, amid windy and hot weather that has continued to plague the western US this fall.

The Forest Service said that, following the fire, it would continue to work to remove hazardous trees and clean up woody debris. Landscape that is catastrophically burned wont grow back as the same type of forest that it was before. In one area, workers had previously ground up brush and left Lassen National Forest trees spaced out in an effort to reduce severe impacts. But, the Park Fire still burned really hot there.

The federal government has directed $930 million toward clearing trees and underbrush from western national forests last year, including in California. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack acknowledged then that a shortage in workers was hindering efforts and said that Republican budget cuts could also harm the administrations plans.

Reducing vegetation that fuels fires is a year-long process, some acres take more time and effort to treat than others due to their location or other environmental concerns. This fiscal year, state agency Cal Fire has treated more than 7,300 acres, undertaking 154 fuels reduction projects, from July 1 to the end of September. The state invests millions in funding for fuels reduction work through other departments and grants to local and non-profit organizations. Each year, approximately 500 active fuels reduction projects receive some level of treatment. Cal Fire, which covers 31 million of the states 100 million acres, has a budget of $4.2 billion for this fiscal year: a figure thats approximately doubled from 2014.

So really its, its kind of strategically targeting areas that might be or that have kind of been identified as being prone to wildfire, Mott explained.

open image in gallery Smoke rises above homes as a grass fire burns near Interstate 580 in Oakland, California, last month. Climate change has fueled windy, hot, and dry conditions late into fall. ( (AP Photo/Noah Berger) )

Over the past few decades, California has been forced to grapple with a harsh reality: climate change has made western wildfires more likely and severe. In the region, drought and extreme heat have made trees, shrubs, grasses, and forest debris even drier and doubled the number of large fires between 1984 and 2015.

This year, more than a million acres have burned due to 7,194 wildfires in the Golden State. Last year, NOAA found that 10 of the states largest wildfires started during the last two decades. Fires are also becoming faster, burning homes before firefighters have a chance to intervene. Meanwhile, Cal Fire has been carrying out a plan to combat the effects of climate change.

And, weve kind of been working towards meeting the goals that that plan lays out. Because Cal Fire is treating 100,000 acres a year with 50,000 of those acres being prescribed fire. And then, the statewide total goal is treating a million acres per year, he said.

Todays hotter and larger wildfires are also burning healthy trees that could otherwise withstand smaller fires. In recent years, the Forest Service has already taken steps to incorporate prescribed burns and go after the underbrush  as Donalds suggested  although the practice can be risky. Prescribed fires that escaped firefighters control had devastating impacts on communities and natural resources in New Mexico two years ago, merging to become the states largest wildfire on record and damaging hundreds of structures.

Mott said a big part of the strategy for forest and wildfire resilience has been increasing the pace and scale of the use of prescribed fire across the state. Not only is it ecologically beneficial to a lot of areas, a lot of plants ... but its also an effective way of reducing fuels on the landscape and reducing the potential for wildfire in specific areas, he said.

But, with future climate change threats looming in the near distance, a return to traditional knowledge could prevent more and larger disasters.

open image in gallery Firefighters work against the advancing Felicia fire in Piru, California, last month. Firefighters have had to work harder as fires grow in severity due to climate change. ( (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) )

State Senator Bill Dodd, who had to evacuate his Napa home due to wildfires in October 2017, said hes proud of what has been accomplished in California. He noted that climate change isnt a one-and-done thing.

He introduced legislation that acknowledges tribal sovereignty over cultural burning for the first time in Californias history.

Theres a lot of people who complain we havent done enough. But let me tell you ... prior to climate change activity itself or manifesting itself in such horrible ways, we werent doing anything, Dodd told The Independent. So ... when you stop to consider since the 2017 fires ... weve gone from zero to 60 in four seconds. Im really proud of the job theyve done.
The first time I brought a girl home to meet my family, the occasion was derailed by a piglet that tumbled out of the Aga oven and stood wobbling and blinking on the kitchen carpet.

Why is there a pig in your kitchen, Mrs Benson? She asked my mother, not unreasonably.

Because hes not very well, said my mother. None of them are.

Them?

My mother pushed the bottom oven door wider open to reveal two more pale pink piglets wrapped in old tea towels and sleeping in a battered baking tray. Runts and recklings born prematurely, and brought in my dads big coat pockets from the farmyard outside to get warm. The Aga was old and didnt work properly, but its oven was functioning enough to warm a sick animal, and so, like everything else in our house, it was co-opted for the farm. No one minded. My mother got a patterned brown nylon carpet, so it didnt show the muck.

open image in gallery Richard Benson, right, and his sister help their dad feed sheep on the farm in the 1970s ( Richard Benson )

We cared very much about the animals, but it wasnt just sentiment. My dad and mums farm was small, the sheds were old and draughty, and pigs didnt make a lot of money so you couldnt afford to lose them. It was learned from hard experience; all 14 farms in our village were the same, the households doing the same thing as far back as anyone remembered, their homes, families, communities and money all aspects of the same thing  work. It was hard and worrisome because you always felt at the mercy of supermarkets and the weather, but it had rewards: it was nice to sometimes sell our potatoes to local fruit and fish and chip shops, and even if it was a pain pulling cars out of snowdrifts with your tractor, it felt good to feel useful.

Plus of course, you did get to work in the Yorkshire countryside which, as Yorkshire people know, is the greatest of all.

It has been growing more and more difficult to sustain family farms like ours. Incomes are falling. Power long ago shifted to the food processors and retailers, whose squeeze on margins puts hundreds out of business every year. Post-Brexit government support changed things again, with the lack of real strategy causing massive uncertainty. The cost of meeting the inspection of the Red Tractor (the food standards quality mark), which was needed to correct the mistakes and excesses of the 1970s and 80s, is necessary but ever-increasing. In a globalised world, crop and animal diseases are harder to protect against, and climate change is leading to disturbing amounts of drought and flooding even in temperate Britain.

Having dealt with all these problems, a younger generation find themselves used for farmwashing on instore supermarket displays, even while their public image takes a battering.

No one talks about the massive reductions in greenhouse gases achieved by British agriculture since the 1990s; instead, your kids come home from school where theyre taught your pigs and cows are to blame, regardless of how theyre actually farmed.

open image in gallery Richards family tending to their land in the early 1950s ( Richard Benson )

Against this backdrop, Rachel Reevess changes to inheritance tax rules look like an existential blow that is so harsh, stark and sudden that it can only be motivated by malevolence, miscalculation or ignorance. Personally, I think the proposals unveiled in last weeks Budget for farms worth more than 1m to be subject to a 20 per cent inheritance tax can be explained partly by a common misunderstanding of British agricultures madhouse economics.

Farming is an unusual enterprise because, while it is ostensibly run on business principles, it is bound up with our societys relationship with nature, food, families and the land itself. These are not things known for inspiring rational responses in people, which partly explains why many farmers continue working when theyre losing money, or even when they could sell up and live off the investment. The extra complicating factor is that it needs a lot of physical space and soil. That means it tends to involve owning land. Land is valuable, so you can borrow money against it, which means there is often money available for the business that, to put it mildly, wouldnt be available if you were borrowing against your actual profit and loss.

Since the crash of 2008, investors have put more and more money into land because its seen as relatively safe; this is one reason we have seen the names of people like James Dyson feature in this debate. That change has pushed up land values, which means farmers can borrow more and  coincidence or exploitation, who knows?  suppliers of tractors and other equipment, fertiliser and pesticides, seeds, buildings and livestock have hiked their prices. These increases are often mentioned in passing as increasing costs, but they are far greater than that commonplace phrase suggests.

A friend who runs a middling family farm in Yorkshire has just had a gearbox replaced on a tractor. The repair cost 17,000. Twenty years ago, the entire tractor cost 35,000; the equivalent model now is 250,000. Food is more expensive than it was, but it would need to have gone up by 700 per cent to reflect the same increase. And it hasnt.

In France, the government decided in the 1950s to support middle-sized family farms as the best way of helping not just volume production but also communities and food quality

Of course, most businesses leverage their assets, but farming is an extreme case. One problem with the new inheritance tax proposals is that many people wont be able to borrow any more to pay the tax because theyre maxed out paying off the machinery bills, and they wont be able to sell off a chunk without lowering their collateral and therefore their loans.

Privately, most farmers Ive spoken to think that the margins of the really giant landowners like Dyson  who is Lincolnshires primary landowner, with 35,000 acres, and has seen his wealth soar by almost 7bn in the past year  mean they will be able to pay, and if they do, it will reduce the upward pressure on land prices and thereby rebalance the market. But the 1m threshold, everyone agrees, is ludicrous; in reality, a 1m farm in 2024 is more likely to be a hobby than the sole source of income for a family.

These mistakes feel like mistakes born out of ignorance and lack of interest, which, in a way, is more offensive than the mistakes themselves. British post-war agricultural policy has been characterised by short-term political expediency and an obsession with producing high volumes of cheap food rather than high standards. What has always been lacking, in Conservative and Labour administrations alike, is a sense of partnership with working farmers, who have a sense of the real cultural value of their work.

In France, the government decided in the 1950s to support middle-sized family farms as the best way of helping not just volume production but also communities and food quality. No one is saying France is perfect, but you can see for yourself what this policy has meant for its food and villages. France has nearly half a million farms. In 1945, we had the same number, but its dwindled to around 200,000 now. Dont let anyone tell you that wasnt a choice made on your behalf by people in this green and pleasant land who didnt know what they were doing.

open image in gallery Richards brother, Guy, and the farms dog in the 1990s ( Richard Benson )

Even if you find it hard to sympathise with people whose balance sheets include six zero figures, it is worth thinking about the countryside itself. This is a sensitive subject because of the well-publicised damage some farmers have done to our flora and fauna in the past. In an age of sponsored environmental schemes and interest in climate change and soil health, though, the old stereotype of Farmer Palmer nuking everything in sight with glyphosate is passing, if not gone completely.

If you talk to people who actually run environmental schemes  Beccy Speight, the CEO of the RSPB, is a notable example  many will tell you that small-scale projects with sympathetic local farmers tend to be among the most effective. Thats because the land differs not just from area to area but from field to field: its contours, drainage, aspect, flora, history, and whatever weird stuff might be buried underneath it all determine what will grow and live there, and that kind of understanding comes only from the long and intimate knowledge that farmers have.

If we do decide to give up on family farms  and make no mistake, that is what these proposals amount to  then we will forgo a vast amount of that knowledge, and it will be unrecoverable, a wiped hard drive. What we will most likely have in its place are corporate agricultural organisations with high-turnover, non-local workers, who build more huge, US-style robotised livestock feed lots, and use vast stretches of arable land for wind turbines, solar panels and biomass crops; all necessary, but not necessarily what we want to cover most of the countryside with.

In the end, it will be a choice. We should at least be able to expect that the people responsible are aware of the choice they are making.

Richard Benson is a journalist and author of The Farm and The Valley
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Bill Gatess daughter Phoebe Gates, 22, has publicly revealed who shell be voting for in the 2024 US presidential election on Tuesday, November 5.

The Microsoft co-founders youngest child recently wrote an essay for Nylon, explaining that her vote centered around the Supreme Court case Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization, which ended federal protections of abortion rights and overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade decision in June 2022.

Ive been passionate about sexual and reproductive health issues since my early teenage years, inspired by my mothers focus on gender issues around the world, the recent Stanford University graduates essay began.

My own interest was sparked when I learned how challenging it is for young people in the US to get medically accurate and relevant information about our own bodies, but by the time the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade  gutting abortion rights and putting our health and humanity in the hands of politicians  that spark had turned into a fire.

She detailed her travels to various states, including Louisana and Mississippi, where women face more extreme abortion bans. Phoebe explained how some women have even faced fatal cosequences as a result of strict abortion bans, such as being forced to carry a nonviable pregnancy to term or pregnancies that are a result of domestic violence or rape.

There are an estimated 41 million of us Gen Zers who are eligible to vote, and we need to do so as though our lives and futures depend on it  because they do, her essay continued. Thats why I am voting for the presidential candidate who will fight for reproductive freedom: Vice President Kamala Harris.

Bill and Melinda French Gatess youngest daughter, Phoebe Gates, casts her vote for Vice President Kamala Harris ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

In addition to sharing her support for Harris, she also informed readers about specific states that have reproductive rights on the ballot, as Phoebe encouraged people to vote in favor of these protections.

There are also critical races for the Senate, where, if Trump is to go unchecked, he will try to lock in a Supreme Court that will last until Gen Z is middle-aged, she added. We know he will do this because he did it before when he nominated three justices intending to deliver this chaos and loss of rights we have now.

She ended her essay by recalling how she was with her mother, Melinda French Gates, when the Dobbs decision was first announced two years ago.

She saw how upset I was, and thats when she said the most important thing anyone has ever said to me: Get mad. Stay mad. But ask yourself, what are you going to do about it?

Phoebes announcement comes just a few weeks after her billionaire father reportedly donated $50m to the Harris campaign. Despite his previous apolitical stance, the tech entrepreneur said this election is different. While the donation was originally supposed to be private, he later confirmed his support for Harris in a statement to The New York Times.

I support candidates who demonstrate a clear commitment to improving health care, reducing poverty, and fighting climate change in the US and around the world, Gates said in the statement, which did not address the donation directly. I have a long history of working with leaders across the political spectrum, but this election is different, with unprecedented significance for Americans and the most vulnerable people around the world.

With more than 80 million votes currently cast, Harris is ahead in the latest national polls collated by FiveThirtyEight with a 0.9-point lead over Republican nominee, former president Donald Trump.
Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Tying the waist cord of the saree underskirt tightly may lead to what has been dubbed as petticoat cancer, doctors warn in a new study.

The research, published on Tuesday in the journal BMJ Case Reports, describes the strange condition in two women with this type of malignancy.

Doctors found that the continued pressure and friction on the skin caused by tightly tying the petticoat cord in some cases could lead to chronic inflammation, ulceration, and, in some cases, progression to skin cancer.

This phenomenon, previously described as saree cancer, is actually due to the tightness of the waist cord, say researchers, including Bhushan Madke from the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Maharashtra, India.

The latest study describes the case of a 70-year-old woman who sought medical help due to a painful skin ulcer on her right flank.

open image in gallery Microscopy section showing signs of skin cancer ( Bhushan Madke et al., BMJ Case Reports (2024) )

The womans skin in the area surrounding the right flank had lost its pigmentation and her wound wouldnt heal for over 18 months.

She said she wore a petticoat underneath her saree which was tightly tied around her waist.

Samples taken from this part of the womans body revealed that she had whats called a Marjolin ulcer  a type of rare but aggressive skin cancer, researchers say.

I have been wearing a Nauvari saree, tightly wrapped around my waist, for most of my adult life. Six years ago, I noticed a small area of depigmentation on my right flank, which I initially dismissed as a minor skin issue, the 70-year-old said.

Over time, she said the spot turned into a non-healing ulcer, causing her concern and discomfort.

The discomfort became a part of my daily life, impacting my ability to perform routine tasks, the woman said.

When I finally consulted a dermatologist, I was diagnosed with skin cancer, mostly exacerbated by the chronic friction and pressure from the tightness of the saree tied around my waist, she said.

Breast cancer diagnoses among younger women

In another case, doctors describe a woman in her late 60s with an ulcer on her right flank that wouldnt heal for 2 years.

She too wore a saree every day, a traditional type called a lugda tied very tightly around the waist without an underskirt.

This woman too was found to have Marjolin ulcer, which had spread to one of her lymph nodes in her groin.

The cancer type develops in chronic burn wounds, non-healing wounds, leg ulcers, tuberculous skin nodules, and in scars developing from vaccination and snake bites, scientists say.

The exact process by which chronic ulcers or wounds become malignant is unknown, although many theories have been proposed, they say.

open image in gallery An Indian woman dries her sari after taking a dip at Sangam during the Magh Mela festival in Allahabad on January 9, 2018 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Even lesions that are continuously irritated may have a higher risk of turning malignant, researchers note.

Constant pressure at the waist often leads to cutaneous atrophy, which ultimately breaks down to form an erosion or an ulcer. The ulcer at this site does not heal entirely due to ongoing pressure from tight clothing. A chronic non-healing wound results, which may develop malignant change, they write.

Doctors recommend wearing a loose petticoat beneath the saree and wearing loose clothing if wounds develop to ease pressure on the skin.

This has been a psychologically and physically taxing journey. It shows the importance of paying attention to chronic skin changes and seeking medical advice early, the 70-year-old woman said.

I hope my story will raise awareness among women about the potential health risks associated with traditional clothing practices and encourage timely medical consultation for unusual skin conditions, she said.
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

With just one day until Election Day, beloved pygmy hippo Moo Deng has shared her prediction for the winner of the 2024 US presidential election.

The hippo, who shot to internet stardom this year, predicted which candidate will win tomorrows election when she was given the choice between two fruit cakes at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand. In the video, which was reportedly filmed on Monday (November 4), zookeepers offered Moo Deng two watermelons, one carved with the local spelling of Republican nominee Donald Trumps name, and the other with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harriss name.

The clip then showed Moo Deng eating the fruit cake that spelled out Trump, while the larger hippo in Moo Dengs pen chowed down on the Harris watermelon.

Of course, the three-month-old hippo is not an American citizen so she cannot vote. However, her prediction comes as national poll results show the two candidates neck-and-neck in the 2024 election.

The latest average of national polls, collated by FiveThirtyEight, shows Harris with a one-point lead over Trump. Nearly 75 million votes have already been cast at early voting sites over the last week, with 55 percent coming from women in support of Harris. This gap is expected to close on Tuesday once more ballots are cast in person on Election Day.

Moo Deng eats the fruit cake that spells out Republican nominee Donald Trumps name ( X/Twitter )

Democrats were hesitant to rejoice after an unexpected Selzer poll carried out for the Des Moines Register suggested that Harris was leading Trump in Iowa, a key swing state with six electoral college votes.

The vice president is set to take the stage at a rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Monday evening, where shell be joined by celebrities Lady Gaga, Oprah Winfrey, Ricky Martin, and The Roots. Meanwhile, Trump also appeared on Monday in Pennsylvania, where 19 of the 270 Electoral College votes are needed for a candidate to win the presidency.

Although Moo Dengs prediction may not be entirely watertight, that hasnt stopped the world from loving her any less. The baby hippo became a viral meme after zookeeper Atthapon Nundee posted videos of her bathing, playfully biting, and sleeping.

Moo Deng, whose name translates to bouncy pork, was born nearly four months ago at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi. According to the zoo, Moo Dengs mother, Jona, is 25 years old, and her father, Tony, is 24. She is their seventh baby born at the zoo.
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Mark Longo, the owner of Peanut the Squirrel, has responded to rumors he used the tragic death of the animal to promote his OnlyFans account.

Longo  the Pine City, New York, native who turned an orphan squirrel into a social media sensation  denied the accusations he was capitalizing on the animals recent euthanization in an interview with TMZ.

On October 30, the Department of Environmental Conservation raided Longos house, where he lives with his wife Daniela, to seize Peanut and Fred, his rescued raccoon. According to the agency, they had received several complaints about illegally keeping animals in an unsafe environment. Both animals were subsequently euthanized.

Longo claimed he was trying to get the proper licensing for Peanut to be certified as an educational animal. However, he had failed to comply with state laws that require owners to get a license for a wild animal in time.

Speaking to TMZ, Long said he believed his OnlyFans account may be why Peanut and Fred were taken. The social media star claimed authorities questioned whether he had cameras in his home during the raid.

open image in gallery Peanut the Squirrel was taken from Mark Longo and euthanized on October 30 ( Mark Longo )

Longo claimed the home invasion was prompted by complaints from someone who didnt approve of him shooting intimate footage with his wife, or that he had babysat his neighbors children on a separate occasion. He also told TMZ that everything hes filmed with his wife has been legal and hes not using the animals deaths to promote his OnlyFans.

Were not trying to promote this, he confessed to the outlet. That is not anything whats going on.

Two days after Peanut and Fred were put down, the DEC and the Chemung County Health Department said the two wild animals were euthanized to test for rabies, citing someone involved the investigation who claimed they were bit by the animals. However, Longo claimed this wasnt true.

open image in gallery Mark Longo told TMZ he thinks his OnlyFans is to blame for Peanut and Freds deaths ( Mark Longo )

Honestly, this still kind of feels surreal, that the state that I live in actually targeted me and took two of the most beloved animals on this planet away, didnt even quarantine them. They took them from my house and just killed them, he told the Associated Press in an interview. We will make a stance on how this government and New York state utilizes their resources.

The Independent has contacted the DEC for comment.

Longo took in Peanut seven years ago after the animals mother was hit by a car in New York City. Since then, Longos transformed Peanut into an internet celebrity, garnering over 700,000 followers on Instagram and about 265,000 on TikTok. Meanwhile, Fred allegedly came to Longo a few months ago, arriving on his doorstep with several injuries.
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham has shared details about his famous familys relationship with the British royal family.

During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Monday (November 4), one fan asked Brooklyn how much time he spent with the royals as a child. The fan also pointed out that his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, have had a friendship with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the past.

Growing up, which members of the royal family did you see the most often? Especially since your family is friends with Harry and Meghan, host Andy Cohen asked, reading the question from a fan.

Although the fan had mentioned Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in their question, Brooklyn didnt reveal if he was ever close with the couple. Instead, he explained that he probably hung with the Prince of Wales when he was younger the most.

Cohen then asked if the 42-year-old royal was fun, to which Beckham replied: Hes, like, the sweetest guy ever.

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham praises Prince William following question about Beckham familys relationship with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ( Getty Images )

Hes, like, really down to earth. Hes a really good guy, he added.

David and Victoria Beckham have been friends with members of the royal family since the Nineties. In 1997, the same year the iconic couple met, Victoria and her Spice Girls bandmates were introduced to then-Prince Charles after the group performed at a gala for his charity, The Princes Trust.

Last month, David joined forces with Prince William to celebrate the success of a fundraiser that will replace Londons aging air ambulance helicopters. The royal is a patron of Londons Air Ambulance Charity, which operates a helicopter service that responds to serious traumas and emergencies in London.

William personally approached David to be the public face of the fundraiser, which received 4m ($5.2m) for the charitys Up Against Time helicopter appeal. The charity initially had a target of 15m ($19.5m) but passed it, collecting 16m ($20.8m). To celebrate the milestone, the pair met at RAF Northolt in west London, posing next to the two new helicopters.

While Brooklyn didnt mention his relationship with Meghan and Harry during his WWHL appearance, that doesnt mean his family isnt close with the couple. In fact, David and Victoria both attended Harry and Meghans royal wedding in 2018.

Victoria also reportedly gave Meghan free clothes throughout their friendship, celebrity biographer Tom Bower claimed in his book House of Beckham, released in June. He alleged that Victoria agreed to provide a coat, dress, boots and a handbag worth 6,000 ($7,823) to Meghan for the royal familys traditional Christmas Day parade in Sandringham.

Meghan also wore a custom-made pregnancy outfit and a white coat and dress designed by Victoria for a service in Westminster Abbey.

In August, the duchess supported her friends brand during the couples recent trip to Colombia. While speaking at an online safety forum, Meghan wore a brown silk Victoria Beckham shirt, which she paired with matching brown pants, sandals, a gold necklace, and her hair styled in a low ponytail.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

George Gascon won election as Los Angeles County district attorney in 2020 on promises to implement criminal justice reform in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. Four years later he faces a tough-on-crime challenger who says such policies have gone too far.

Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor, calls himself a hard middle candidate who would reject both mass incarceration and decarceration policies. Despite being a former Republican running as an independent in a heavily Democratic city, he has raised more than $4 million compared with Gascons less than $1 million, not including contributions to outside groups supporting the candidates.

When Gascon first ran for office, he vowed he would not seek the death penalty in prosecutions, charge juveniles as adults or ask for sentencing enhancements that can drastically lengthen prison time. Endorsed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, then-Mayor Eric Garcetti and other prominent officials, he unseated incumbent District Attorney Jackie Lacey.

Gascon ran into trouble trying to enact those reforms, however, including opposition from some of his own staff  and even some lawsuits accusing him of workplace retaliation for challenging his directives. Two attempts were made to recall him, but neither got enough signatures to make the ballot. He has since reversed course on several of those directives.

Hochmans candidacy reflects growing disillusionment in the state with progressive district attorneys who have pushed criminal justice reform. In 2022, San Francisco voters ousted one of the first reform-minded prosecutors elected to office, this year voters will decide whether to recall another in Oakland.

California Department of Justice crime statistics for LA County tell a mixed story.

Homicides are down by 23.1% since a small spike in 2021. Overall violent crime increased by 8.5.% between 2019 and 2023, but that was lower than a 15.4% rise statewide as part of a national trend since the COVID-19 pandemic. Property crime, however, is up 14.5% in LA County but just 2.9% at the state level.

Amid media coverage of high-profile killings and alarming viral videos of smash-and-grab mass retail robberies, victims advocates and business interests are backing Hochman.

Mr. Gascon has been one of the greatest gifts for gangs, Hochman said at a recent debate, lambasting him for not pursuing a gang sentencing enhancement in the killing of General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor.

Gascon has spent much of the campaign defending his policies and prosecution outcomes. On gang enhancements, for example, he said they have traditionally been tinged with racial bias and he formed a committee to decide them case by case. His office says it prosecuted over 100,000 serious crimes in the last four years, a rate comparable to the previous decade.

Hochman has also criticized Gascon's policy against prosecuting juveniles as adults and pointed to cases of recidivism.

They include a man who at age 16 took part in a 2018 gas station robbery and was later released from a youth detention facility, only to be arrested and charged this April in connection with a homicide. Another, a 17-year-old gang member in 2019 who admitted to a double homicide and could have faced life, was released last February and arrested months later in connection with a new killing.

Lots of attention was also paid to the case of Hannah Tubbs, a transgender woman who at age 26 was allowed to plead guilty in juvenile court for the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl because the crime occurred when Tubbs was a minor. Tubbs later pleaded no contest to the killing of a homeless man in central California.

Gascon says he is handling juvenile cases consistent with state law, which bars prosecutors from trying juveniles as adults without a judges approval. Another committee created by Gascon makes decisions on whether individual juvenile cases should be transferred to adult court.

Gascon touts his commitment to balanced reform in a system that historically has disproportionately locked up people of color. And he has counterattacked by accusing Hochman of campaigning on Trumpish fearmongering and wanting to return to the days of the failed war on drugs and mass incarceration.

My opponent has a disconnection with the truth, Gascon said during a debate.

Hochman defended himself as a lifelong centrist who never supported former President Donald Trump and plans to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris this year.

I have been pro-choice my whole life, I have been pro-LGBTQ rights my whole life, he said.

Hochman advanced out of a field of 11 challengers in one of the most crowded primary fields in LA history. He has been endorsed by local police unions, victims advocacy groups, developer and former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso, and more than 70 current and former elected officials across the county.

Gascon is a former Los Angeles police officer who served as district attorney of San Francisco from 2011 to 2019 and was also chief of police in Mesa, Arizona, and San Francisco. He has been endorsed by a majority of the LA County supervisors, local Democratic groups, and labor groups including the county Federation of Labor.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A Pakistani guard shot and wounded two Chinese nationals working in a textile mill in the southern port city of Karachi on Tuesday, but authorities said the attack was not related to militant violence.

China has frequently demanded better security for its nationals working in Pakistan. Last month, two Chinese were killed in a suicide car bombing outside the Karachi airport.

Thousands of Chinese are in Pakistan to work for Beijings multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, which is building major infrastructure projects. An unknown number of Chinese are also working at factories in the country.

Suhail Jokhoio, the spokesperson for the provincial home department, said the guard involved in the textile mill attack was arrested and police are still investigating to determine why the man to opened fire.

He said the wounded Chinese were taken to a hospital.

Pakistan has said it is committed to providing full security to Chinese working in the country.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Western security officials suspect Russian intelligence was behind a plot to put incendiary devices in packages on cargo planes headed to North America, including one that caught fire at a courier hub in Germany and another that ignited in a warehouse in England.

Poland said last month that it has arrested four people suspected to be linked to a foreign intelligence operation that carried out sabotage and is searching for two others. Lithuania's prosecutor general Nida Grunskiene said Tuesday there were an unspecified number of people detained in several countries, offering no elaboration.

The events come as Western officials say they are seeing an intensification of a hybrid war of sabotage by Russia targeting Ukraines allies, including election disinformation and arson attacks in Europe this year. Several officials said they believe the attacks were the work of Russian military intelligence, the GRU, although Moscow denied involvement.

Polands Internal Security Agency, or ABW, says that incidents in Poland, as well as other EU and NATO members, had intensified this year. ABW believes they are initiated and coordinated by the Russian special services. So far, 20 people have been charged in investigations led by the prosecutors office, the ABW and police.

Polish Prosecutor Katarzyna Calow-Jaszewska said the investigation focuses on foreign agents conducting acts of sabotage, including damaging industrial facilities or critical infrastructure such as airports, airplanes and other vehicles, and as well as arson using self-combustible parcels sent to EU countries and the U.K. that would ignite during road or air transport.

She added that the group tested a channel for sending such parcels to the United States and Canada.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the details of the cargo plane incidents.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration said it has put extra security measures in place in recent months for certain cargo shipments heading to the United States.

We continually adjust our security posture as appropriate and promptly share any and all relevant information with our industry partners, to include requirements and recommendations that help them reduce risk, the TSA said.

Dirk Heinrichs, a spokesperson for DHL in Germany, said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press that the company could not provide details about the matter but was fully cooperating with the relevant authorities to protect our people, our network and our customers shipments.

The head of Britains domestic intelligence agency, MI5, said last month the U.K. is facing a staggering rise in attempts at assassination, sabotage and other crimes on its soil by Russia as well as Iran.

Calow-Jaszewska said Oct. 25 that parcels with camouflaged explosives were sent via cargo companies to EU countries and Britain to test the transfer channel for such parcels that were ultimately destined for the U.S. and Canada.

The incendiary devices in Germany and the U.K. both ignited in July.

One was at at stopover at a DHL logistics center at an airport in the city of Leipzig, according to Thomas Haldenwang, head of the German intelligence service. The German news agency dpa reported that the connecting flight containing the package, which came from one of the Baltic nations, was delayed in Leipzig and was on the ground when it ignited and set fire to a freight container.

British counterterrorism police are investigating whether Russian agents were behind an incendiary device in a parcel that caught fire in a DHL warehouse in Minworth, near Birmingham, in central England on July 22. The incident, first reported by the Guardian newspaper and German broadcasters, was similar to the one in Germany.

The Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza also reported that a fire was reported in a courier truck near Warsaw.

We are observing aggressive action by the Russian intelligence services. In particular Russian espionage and sabotage in Germany are on the rise, both quantitatively and qualitatively, Haldenwang told the German Budestag, or parliament, last month while discussing the Leipzig incident.

The activities of Russian intelligence services in the real world as well as in cyberspace show that Germany is the focus of this Russias hybrid war against Western democracies, he added. Russia is using its entire toolbox: from influencing political discussions within Germany to cyber attacks against critical infrastructure and sabotage. Russias willingness to use force proves that it is also willing to put human lives at risk.

In a rare public speech setting out the major threats to the U.K., MI5 Director General Ken McCallum said the GRU in particular is on a sustained mission to generate mayhem on British and European streets: Weve seen arson, sabotage and more. Dangerous actions conducted with increasing recklessness.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday called media reports about the alleged sabotage plot an example of a vague fabrication.

___

Associated Press writers Jill Lawless and Danica Kirka in London, Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin, and Liudas Dapkus in Vilnius, Lithuania, contributed.
Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Researchers have made another major stride in understanding humanitys origins of writing.

In Mesopotamia, the birthplace of civilization, the earliest known writing system started around 3,000 BCE.

Developed by the Sumerians and written on clay tablets, the first cuneiform is largely sourced back to the urban city of Uruk, or modern day Iraq. Thousands of tablets have since been unearthed, as well as small stone cylinder seals that were often used as signatures.

Now, academics at Italys University of Bologna have identified links between the designs engraved on these 6,000-year-old cylinders and pictographs in proto-cuneiform script  which came before cuneiform  that emerged in Uruk.

We wanted to see whether the traditional explanation of how writing was born in Mesopotamia in Uruk in the fourth millennium is really valid, Professor Silvia Ferrara, the lead researcher, told The Independent on Monday.

The work was published Tuesday in the journal Antiquity.

Ferrara said that the findings add to previous research, which found that tokens were the devices that led to the possibility of writing.

The clay tokens came in multiple sizes, and are believed to have been shaped like the commodities of daily life.

open image in gallery A cylinder seal, left, and its design is imprinted on clay. Cylinder seals were made out of stone and are another piece of the puzzle in understanding the origins of writing in Mesopotamia ( Franck Raux  2001 GrandPalaisRmn (Musee du Louvre) )

Ferrara said they are geometric and dont have iconic imagery like these seals whereas the signs of the proto-cuneiform writing system start off as being being very iconographic: They resemble things.

We realized that a number of images on the cylinder seals actually do resemble signs of the proto-cuneiform writing system that were used a couple of centuries later, she said.

Cylinder seals that are part of a network of exchanges between Uruk and other cities in its precinct ... were a responsible mechanism for the creation of writing.

These findings mark the first time theres been a link between the cylinder seal system and the invention of writing. The seals were also used as an accounting system, tracking various agricultural and textile goods.

Co-authors and research fellows Kathryn Kelley and Mattia Cartolano worked alongside Ferrara. Kelley explained that they wanted to understand what encouraged people to leap into a writing system.

We wanted to try to establish the other kind of relationship from seals, originally prehistoric sealing technology, into writing, she said. And, thats the link. The crucial link that were presenting in the paper is a first concrete set of a few signs where we can explicitly say: these are there before writing and theyre used in similar ways and they have some sort of semantic association that is carried over into the invention of writing.

open image in gallery A proto-cuneiform tablet is seen in this image. Proto-cuneiform was an ancient Mesopotamia writing system that came at the end of the fourth millennium BC ( Courtesy of CDLI - Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative )

Ferrara said that the researchers are not saying that the seals are the only source for writing. The findings give nuance to human understanding of the practices origins.

But, we are showing some very concrete evidence that pre-literate image traditions, and in this case seals, are part of the stimulus for moving the information technology in a different direction, she said.

The four original inventions of writing are in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and the South American Mayan culture. There may, however, be another source. There are cases in modern India and Pakistan and Easter Island. Both systems remain undeciphered.

And, for instance, with the case of Easter Island, we actually have more than indirect evidence right now that leads us to think that this is in fact the fifth invention of writing in the world, Ferrara said.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Conor McGregor allegedly pinned down and raped a woman in a Dublin hotel while high on cocaine, the citys High Court has been told.

Mr McGregor and another man have been accused of sexually assaulting an Irish hairdresser in December 2018 after picking her up from a Christmas party.

However, Mr McGregors lawyers insist the alleged victim is attempting extortion.

The fighter, nicknamed Notorious, was in court to hear Justice Alexander Owens tell the jury the alleged victim was in effect raped by Mr McGregor and his friend James Lawrence on 9 December 2018.

John Gordon SC for the woman in question said that the pair were known to each other. They were in the same age group, from the same area, had mutual friends and had been in contact at various times through social media.

open image in gallery The mixed martial arts fighter is facing a damages claim ( PA Wire )

At the time, she lived in a Dublin suburb with her partner and child. She had been out with friends on the night of the alleged incident.

Mr Gordon said that Mr McGregor was enormously famous and was considered a hero around the area. He said that his client was no angel and doesnt pretend to be an angel.

On the night, she had been drinking and had taken some cocaine. The court also heard that she suffered from depression and had been on anti-depressants.

The court was told that later on in the night, the alleged victim and two of her friends returned to her salon where they continued to party and at some point, she contacted Mr McGregor.

Mr McGregor collected her and her friend in his car, and the woman in question understood they were to be taken to another party.

He sat in the backseat with the two women, while his driver took them around housing estates and beeped the horn.

They later went to the home of Mr Lawrence, who joined them in the car. The court was told that Mr McGregor had a bag of cocaine, which was shared between Mr McGregor, the complainant and her friend.

The group, which included the complainant, Mr McGregor as well as his security team and others, then went to a penthouse suite in the Beacon Hotel in Dublin.

The court was told that they were all drinking and laughing. At one point, Mr McGregor went into a bedroom and beckoned the woman in question to join him.

The court was told that Mr McGregor came on to her, but she did not want to have sexual intercourse with him as she was on her period.

Mr Gordon told the court that she alleged that Mr McGregor pinned her down on the bed and that she was no physical match for him.

She will tell you that she was nervous, that she tried to push him off her but she was completely unable to do so, he added.

You will see pictures of her hands and wrists which are black and blue. You will see that her left breast has a bloodied scratch. The scratch is there because she was wearing a watch and had her hands up to protect herself. She was pressed down on and the watch scarred her breast.

Mr McGregor then flips her over and puts her arm in a lock and draws her up by the neck. She cant breathe. And he does it again.

By the third time he does it, she gives up. She cant resist this any more. In the course of this, he says: Now you know what it was like to be in the Octagon when I went down three times.

She was at this point completely terrified. She subjected herself to what was about to happen, which was a violent and vicious assault.

It is alleged later that she had sex with Mr Lawrence, but Mr Gordon said she has no recollection of such an event ever happening.

She later went home and visited her mother, who called 999. The alleged victim was taken to hospital in an ambulance. The court was told that she was shaking and in pain while being transferred to hospital.

Mr Gordon said: In the face of this, Mr McGregor will tell you that this was a consensual encounter, that they were just having fun and a bit of rough sex. Thats his answer.

What did I say about common sense? Dont be fooled into leaving it behind in this [court] room.

What he is saying is that she gave him a licence to carry out what has to have been a brutal assault on her body.

The defence claimed in the evidence booklet that the alleged victim had several opportunities to complain to people about how she was treated but did not.

It will also claim that she is engaged in an attempt at extortion, the court heard.

Mr Gordon said that his client is being called a gold digger and a fraud, adding: Brave. But where is the bravery in this? Bravery ultimately sits with my client.

Because she pursued her mission for vindication and compensation to which she is entitled. And for these defendants to breezily and cheekily dispose of her claim is something you will consider in due course.

Earlier, the jury was sworn in at the High Court and told that they are judges of fact as to what happened and will have to draw a conclusion and it will be based on their decision.

The case is expected to last around two weeks.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Remember, remember, the fifth of November,

Gunpowder, treason and plot!

We see no reason,

Why gunpowder treason,

Should ever be forgot!

Every 5 November we remember the Gunpowder Plot of 1605  a thwarted act of terror in which a cabal of Catholic conspirators planned to blow up the House of Lords to rid England of King James I.

The plot is commemorated every autumn with the burning of an effigy of Guy Fawkes, its mastermind, an oddly pagan act of gloating sanitised by the addition of fireworks, sparklers and toffee apples.

The scholarly and superstitious James VI of Scotland had ascended to the English throne in 1603 following the death of Elizabeth I, ending the reign of the Tudors and uniting the monarchies of the two nations as Britains first Stuart king.

Had they succeeded in assassinating the Protestant James at the state opening of Parliament, the plotters, led by Fawkes and Robert Catesby, hoped to install the Catholic Philip III of Spain in his stead.

James himself was broadly sympathetic to Catholics as both his mother and his wife, Mary Queen of Scots and Anne of Denmark, were of the faith, but the prevailing climate in England was hostile.

Recusants who refused to attend Church of England services on a Sunday were fined 20 a month.

Catholic hopes of a more tolerant England under the king were dashed when he announced his utter detestation of its adherents in February 1604 following the foiling of the Bye and Main Plots against him.

The former saw Catholic agitators plan to kidnap him, the latter to replace him with his cousin, Lady Arabella.

Catesby, a nobleman who had been pardoned for his part in the Earl of Wessexs abortive coup detat of 1601, had visited Spain in a bid to encourage Philip to invade England but was unsuccessful.

Frustrated, he returned to London and recruited 12 men to carry out an attempt on Jamess life.

One of these was Fawkes, a zealous Catholic convert from York who had fought for Spain against rebellious Dutch Protestants in the Low Countries during the Eighty Years War.

open image in gallery Guy Fawkes ( Hulton Archive/Getty )

Here he had encountered soldier Thomas Wintour, who had recommended him to his cousin Catesby for his valour and experience with explosives.

Fawkes has been described by the historian Dame Antonia Fraser as a tall, powerfully built man, with thick reddish-brown hair, flowing moustache, and a bushy reddish-brown beard.

Originally intending to dig a tunnel under the streets of Westminster to Parliament, the plotters had to abandon the scheme and entrusted another of their number, Thomas Percy, to rent a cellar directly below the Lords.

Fawkes posed as a caretaker under the name John Johnson to conceal his visits there to stow the powder kegs.

On 26 October, Lord Monteagle - a member of the House  received an anonymous letter warning: They shall receive a terrible blow this Parliament; and yet they shall not see who hurts them.

The author is thought to have been Francis Tresham, his brother-in-law and one of Catesbys accomplices, apparently entertaining grave doubts.

Monteagle passed the letter onto the king and the men were discovered on 4 November, when Fawkes himself was caught red-handed by royal guards below ground with the 36 tell-tale barrels, a fuse, a box of matches and a small iron lantern.

Questioned before James, Fawkes impressed the monarch with his Roman resolution when he frankly declared his intention was to blow you Scotch beggars back to your native mountains.

open image in gallery English conspirator Guy Fawkes is interrogated by King James I after his arrest for planning to blow up the House of Lords ( Getty Images )

He was subsequently imprisoned in the Tower of London and interrogated under torture on the rack by Sir William Waad, the administering of which extracted a full confession from Guido scrawled in the spidery writing of a soul in torment.

The rest of the plotters fled the capital for the Midlands but were pursued by Richard Walsh, the High Sheriff of Worcestershire, after raiding Warwick Castle for supplies.

Catesby, Percy and the brothers John and Christopher Wright were shot dead by musket fire at Holbeche House in Staffordshire on 8 November.

The corpses were ransacked and Catesby and Percys bodies would subsequently be exhumed and decapitated.

Fawkes and his surviving co-conspirators were reunited in London, where they were tried at Westminster Hall on 27 January 1606 and found guilty of treason, sentenced by the Lord Chief Justice Sir John Popham.

Four days later, they were dragged through the streets of London to Old Palace Yard in Westminster where they were hanged, drawn and quartered.

An eye-witness account recorded that Fawkes was almost too weak to reach the hangmans noose and died before he could be castrated, disembowelled and dismembered like his friends: He made no speech, but with his crosses and idle ceremonies made his end upon the gallows and the block, to the great joy of all the beholders that the land was ended of so wicked a villainy.

open image in gallery The execution of Guy Fawkes by Claes (Nicolaes) Jansz Visscher

The persecution of British Catholics only intensified after the thwarting of the Gunpowder Plot.

Parliament passed the Observance of 5th November Act 1605, ordering that prayers be uttered and church bells rung every 5 November to remember, remember the conspiracy, which stood until 1859.

The Popish Recusants Act 1606 meanwhile increased fines on Catholics who refused to attend Anglican services and barred them from entering the legal profession or military and denied them the right to vote.

Some historians have called the affair a conspiracy on the part of the British government, a false pretext staged to justify new anti-Catholic legislation, pointing out that no half-dug tunnel was ever found, that only the state had the right to sell gunpowder and to the suspicious nine-day delay between Monteagle receiving the warning and the mens ultimate apprehension.

open image in gallery Protestors in the UK are seen wearing the Guy Fawkes mask commonly associated with the Anonymous group. ( Rex Features )

The memory of the plot lingers in British politics to this day: the Yeoman of the Guard still peer into the cellars beneath the Houses as part of the state opening of Parliament to check for gunpowder.

Fawkes himself lives on in the 21st century not as a proto-terrorist but as an all-purpose icon of protest and defiance, a plastic mask from the 2005 film adaptation of Alan Moores graphic novel V for Vendetta worn by the cyber-activists of Anonymous, members of the Occupy movement and Million Mask marchers as a symbol of opposition to Big Government.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A delivery driver who called his female colleague a f***ing m*** during an argument over doughnuts in the office was unfairly dismissed, a judge ruled.

Robert Ogden was sacked from his role at the wholesale provider Booker in 2023 when he left the woman in tears after making comments about her weight and her attendance at weight loss classes.

However, a judge at a tribunal in Manchester said that while the comment was rude, the f-word is commonly used in the public sphere and is often used in the North of England.

Judge Jetinder Shergill also found while the word m*** is a derogatory term for someone with Downs syndrome, he accepted Mr Ogden instead used it as a Northern term for stupid.

He now stands in line for compensation after evidence emerged his toxic office was rife with similar comments, and the companys managers had contributed to the problem.

open image in gallery The offensive comments were made during an office discussion over doughnuts and weight loss ( Reuters )

The court hearing was told Mr Ogden had worked at the site in Royton since 2016 until his dismissal in October last year.

During an office discussion, the woman said he was very aggressive towards her, and told her: You cant do that, are you a f***ing m***? No wonder it takes you 19 weeks to lose a stone, it hasnt taken me 19 weeks.

The woman was left feeling shocked and violated and called a friend in tears, before raising a formal grievance for bullying.

However, Mr Ogden told the tribunal there was a wider problem with the culture in the workplace, and claimed there had been a number of incidents including mutual horseplay between staff and management.

This included inappropriate comments such as referring to the woman as chubs, and one incident which saw the shift manager pouring sweets over her head.

In Mr Ogdens dismissal letter, managers acknowledged there were some failings by the business over his suspension and investigation. The judge supported his claims that Mr Ogden was singled out and said the decision to sack him without warning was therefore harsh.

On what was uncovered in the investigation to dismiss Mr Ogden, the judge said: That points to a significant amount of banter in the office with the victim being part and parcel of it.

I am satisfied there was a toxic culture in the office, it was lawless with no real enforcement of expected workplace norms by managers.

He added a culture of banter meant Mr Ogden had been lulled into a false sense of security after he was not pulled up on previous comments.

His compensation will be decided at a later date.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The number of children in their final year of primary school who are classed as underweight is on the rise, according to new NHS data which lays bare health inequalities in England.

Though a small percentage of children, the number of year 6 children in England who are underweight has been increasing each year since 2020/21, an NHS report published on Tuesday found.

While 1.3 per cent of children in the final year of primary school were underweight in 2009/10, this has now increased to 1.7 per cent in 2023/24.

More girls than boys are underweight when they are in year 6; accounting for 1.8 per cent of girls and 1.5 per cent of boys.

For children in reception, the number of underweight children has remained level at 1.2 per cent since 2021/22.

There is also a growing problem with severe child obesity, data from the National Child Measurement Programme for England found.

One in five children in year 6 were classified as obese in the school year 2023/24, and 13.8 per cent were overweight. This equates to over 134,000 children in year 6 living with obesity.

Hotspots for childhood obesity included Knowsley, where 30.7 per cent of year 6 pupils are obese, and Wolverhampton and the London borough of Barking and Dagenham.

The prevalence of obesity in year 6 children has dipped slightly in the past year - from 22.7 per cent in 2022/23 to 22.1 per cent in 2023/24.

There is a strong relationship between deprivation and obesity, the report found.

Obesity was over twice as high (12.9 per cent) in reception children living in the most deprived areas in England than those in the least deprived (6 per cent). This rose to four times as high for reception-age children with severe obesity.

In the most deprived areas, severe obesity among children is getting worse, and is higher than it was pre-pandemic.

Responding to the figures, the Local Government Association, which represents councils, warned that money from a tax on the soft drinks industry was not being used to tackle obesity and promote physical activity.

They are proposing that the tax is expanded to milk-based drinks, such as milkshakes and high-sugar coffees.

Professor Simon Kenny, NHS Englands national clinical director for children and young people, said: These latest figures continue to concern me as they show almost one in ten children are now classified as obese in their first year of school.

The NHS cannot solve this alone and continued action from industry, local and national government, and wider society together with the NHS is essential to help create a healthy nation.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A suspected Russian arson attack on a DHL warehouse in Birmingham was a test run for future attacks on the US, Polish officials have said, after arresting some of the alleged criminals involved.

British counterterrorism officers, working alongside European partners, are investigating the explosion of a device on 22 July at a warehouse in Minworth. Nobody was injured in the fire.

But after another attack that same month involving an incendiary device in a DHL warehouse in Leipzig, eastern Germany, investigators said the parcel only narrowly missed igniting while on board an aircraft, which could have caused fatalities.

In the months after the fires, intelligence agency chiefs, including the heads of MI6 and MI5, warned that their Russian counterparts were carrying out a range of attacks in Europe, including arson and sabotage.

Polands National Prosecutors Office announced it has arrested four people in connection with the fires and charged them with participating in sabotage or terrorist operations on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency.

They added they did not believe the fires had been the ultimate end goal of alleged arsonists.

The groups goal was also to test the transfer channel for such parcels, which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada, the prosecutors office said.

They declined to name who was orchestrating the groups efforts. On Monday, Counter Terrorism Policing said the arrests were not carried out as part of its investigation.

But the head of Polands foreign intelligence agency, Pawel Szota, blamed Russian spies. He added that if the devices had exploded on an airborne plane, it would have represented a major escalation in Moscows campaign against the West.

Im not sure the political leaders of Russia are aware of the consequences if one of these packages exploded, causing a mass casualty event, he told The Wall Street Journal.

The US publication also reported that Lithuanian police arrested a man believed to have sent four incendiary devices, including two from a DHL shop in the capital Vilnius.

Investigators said they believed he was being used as a proxy by Russian spy forces, adding that he had been picked up using a false name.

The Kremlin denied involvement in the attacks.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Rachel Reeves has been accused of traumatising farmers with her new inheritance tax raid on a sector already grappling with a mental health crisis.

Farmers will have to pay 20 per cent of tax on inherited agricultural assets worth more than 1m from April 2026 under changes announced in the Budget last Wednesday.

Coupled with increases in workers minimum wage and national insurance for employers, farmers say the tractor tax will kill off generations-old family farms across the country.

But there are also fears that the controversial move could exacerbate a mental health crisis in the industry, which secretary of state for rural affairs, Steve Reed, said had the highest suicide rate of any sector in the UK in May.

open image in gallery Stockton West MP Matt Vickers has accused the government of failing to listen to farmers before last weeks Budget ( PA )

Stockton West MP Matt Vickers told The Independent that farmers lives were being overturned by the measures in the Budget.

He said: We know that farmers are disproportionately placed to have issues with mental health, we see higher suicide rates because they are out there alone in the elements and all the challenges that come with that.

When you speak to the people I have spoken to since last Wednesday, and you hear the trauma. Literally their lives are being overturned.

That place where they grew up, that place where they farmed all their lives. This has the potential to wipe them out. Pulling the rug like that from people is horrendous.

open image in gallery North Cotswolds MP and farmer Geoffrey Clifton-Brown fears the changes to inheritance tax will also lead to a reduction of investment in farms ( PA )

He added: The government just dont appear to understand what is to be a farmer, they dont understand that these people often work for very little in return and because they have some large assets, they are wealthy people.

These people often have cash flow problems, they work all day and night for a very low return.

North Cotswold MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown spoke in parliament on Monday to raise the issue of a 75-year-old farmer living in his constituency who said the inheritance tax measure would destroy everything I have ever worked for.

Speaking to The Independent, Sir Geoffrey, who is also a farmer, said the tax could impact more than 70,000 family farms. The Treasury says most estates will not be impacted, with 500 farms every year paying the tax.

Farmers dont tend to leave the farm, often only see their partner apart from skittles once a week at the pub. They get low and depressed, and then go quiet. Its when they go quiet that they are most at risk of taking their lives Rupert Cox, farmer

He said: If I were there thinking about the inheritance tax, why would I invest in that farm  we need people to invest in farms and modernise to boost productivity, it really is not only bad on a personal basis, as people worry and get mental health problems, its also on the business side as well. It impacts the farmers and the farms themselves.

Former NFU president Minette Batters told The Independent that the Budget announcement, along with the changes in farming support policies and extreme weather conditions, had produced the perfect storm for farmers poor mental health.

Farmers were facing difficulties over the phasing out of payments under the common agricultural policy for new environment-led subsidies, while poor weather meant some were unable to plant crops last year, she said.

open image in gallery Gareth Wyn Jones fears the changes to inheritance tax will lead to wholesale sells of land, bringing an end to generations-old family farms and a fall in food production ( George Thompson/PA )

Gareth Wyn Jones, a farmer in north Wales, said under changes in the Budget he will be the last generation of his family in farming after 375 years on the land.

He said: Levels of mental health in farming have never been lower  this [the Budget] is another dark cloud to come above the agricultural sector  people dont know if they will be able to afford the inheritance tax on a bereavement, they think they will have to sell up.

No doubt there will be collateral damage from this, people in farming communities are suffering right now.

Farmer Rupert Cox is co-ordinator of a mental health project called Farmeradoes based in Somerset which holds pop-up farmhouse kitchens for farmers to share their problems.

open image in gallery Rupert Cox, who runs a mental health support group for farmers, with his wife ( Rupert Cox )

The 63-year-old took over his fathers arable farm of 200 acres near Langport in January this year. He said: Its a very challenging time. Most farmers are not gobby, they are people who dont tend to leave the farm, often only see their partner apart from skittles once a week at the pub.

They get low and depressed, and then go quiet. Its when they go quiet that they are most at risk of taking their lives.

With daily challenges, rural isolation and long working hours, more than a third of farmers are likely possibly or probably depressed, according to a survey by the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution in 2021.

In the same year, Office of National Statistics figures showed there were 36 suicides recorded among those working in the farming and agricultural industry in England and Wales.

Mr Reed, speaking on BBCs Farming Today on Tuesday, said: I understand the anxiety that people in the farming community, that farmers, feel about any changes being proposed.

Changes after several decades of a system operating one way are always going to be unnerving.

A government spokesperson said: Ministers made clear that the vast majority of those claiming relief will not be affected by these changes. They will be able to pass the family farm down to their children just as previous generations have always done.

This is a fair and balanced approach that protects the family farm while also fixing the public services that we all rely on. We remain committed to working with the NFU and listening to farmers.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Watch as King Charles III welcomes the Emir of Qatar to Buckingham Palace as Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani begins a two-day state visit to the UK on Tuesday, 3 December.

Charles welcomed the leader and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, during an extravagant ceremony staged in Whitehall.

Queen Camilla was absent; On Monday, she pulled out of the official open-air greeting on Horse Guards Parade and a carriage ride back to the palace due to lingering effects of a recent viral chest infection.

The Prince and Princess of Wales took part in the ceremony on Horse Guards Parade, one of the few official appearances by Kate during a year in which she has been successfully treated for cancer.

Camilla will later join the royal party for a private lunch with the Emir and his wife.

She will also take part in all but one of the elements of the evening state banquet at Buckingham Palace, staged in honour of the Emir.
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Strikes planned by London Underground drivers over pay have been suspended after last-ditch talks with Transport for London (TfL), Aslef union has announced.

Disruption had been expected on Tube services on Thursday 7 and Tuesday 12 November. Aslef workers were forced to plan a walk out over inadequate pay offers during negotiations, the union said.

Aslef, which represents around 2,000 Tube drivers, has now called off the strikes following an improved offer from TfL. It comes just days after the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) also called off strikes planned for November.

In a statement on the unions official X account, district organiser Finn Brennan said: Following on fresh talks and an improved offer, ASLEF has agreed to suspend planned industrial action on London Underground.

Details of the offer will be discussed with our reps at a meeting on Thursday. We are pleased that this progress has been made and strike action averted at this time.

Claire Mann, Transport for Londons chief operating officer, said she is pleased to see the industrial action suspended.

We believe that we have made an offer to our trade unions that is fair, affordable, good for our colleagues and good for London  and we urge our trade unions to continue working with us, she added.

Members of Aslef had voted by over 98 per cent in favour of strike action as they sought a new pay agreement with TfL.

According to the union, Tube drivers were offered a 3.8 per cent pay rise and a variable lump sum, which meant they would be underpaid compared to other TfL drivers, while also working longer hours.

On Friday afternoon, RMT announced that they had called off strikes following intense negotiations.

The union said in a statement: Following intense negotiations with London Underground management and a significantly improved offer, we have suspended the strikes scheduled to start this evening.

London Underground have sensibly abandoned their proposed changes to pay structures which now means all our members will receive the same value in any pay award.

Further discussions will take place next week regarding the pay offer but progress has been made which would not have been possible without the fortitude and industrial strength of our 10,000 members on London Underground.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

In what is sure to eclipse any other competition this week, two newborn pygmy hippos have been pitted against each other.

In a far cry from politics the two adorable animals have entered into a cuteness contest.

Edinburgh Zoo launched the war between Haggis, its newborn pygmy hippo, and Moo Deng, the adorable mini hippopotamus that became a viral sensation at a Thailand zoo this summer.

Moo Deng? Who deng? the Scottish zoo playfully posted Monday on the social media platform X as it introduced its infant hippo to the world.

The smack talk pitted two critters with more in common than just being females calves of the same endangered species. Theyre also named for meat products that dont typically carry cute connotations.

Haggis, the national dish of Scotland that is butt of many jokes, is made in a sheeps stomach filled with spiced and diced innards. Moo deng is a type of meatball that means bouncy pork in Thai.

Moo Deng, a pudgy, pink-cheeked pygmy hippo, quickly became a social media star about two months after being born at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in July. Videos of her went viral and she was the source of endless memes.

open image in gallery A tiny Endangered pygmy hippo calf has been born at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotlands Edinburgh Zoo ( Edinburgh Zoo )

The Thai zoo planned to copyright and trademark the hippo's name and capitalize on its fame by making shirts, pants and other merchandise to support its operations.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is also looking to cash in on its prize pygmy with a drawing promising the winner a unique pygmy hippo experience to meet Haggis and her parents, Gloria and Otto. Tickets are 5 British pounds ($6.50) and the zoo had raised more than half its 15,000 pound ($19,500) target in a day.

Prepare to fall in love with wee Haggis, the zoo said. With her playful nature, Haggis will show you why the world has fallen in love with pygmy hippos!

open image in gallery Moo Deng, an infant pygmy hippo who became a viral internet sensation ( Getty Images )

There are only an estimated 2,500 pygmy hippopotamuses in the wild in West Africa, where it is threatened by poaching and loss of habitat.

Edinburgh Zoo visitors won't immediately be able to see Haggis, who was born Oct. 30, because the hippo house will be closed during the first month of her development.

After using Moo Dengs fame to draw attention to Haggis, the zoo apologized for creating a rivalry.

We were wrong to pit Haggis and Moo Deng against each other," the zoo said in a later post. There is space in this world for two beautiful pygmy hippo divas and we should celebrate them all."

Meanwhile, this week Moo Deng shared her prediction for the winner of the 2024 US presidential election.

The hippo predicted which candidate will win the election when she was given the choice between two fruit cakes at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand. In the video, which was reportedly filmed on Monday (November 4), zookeepers offered Moo Deng two watermelons, one carved with the local spelling of Republican nominee Donald Trumps name, and the other with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harriss name.

The clip then showed Moo Deng eating the fruit cake that spelled out Trump.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Funding of 200,000 (167,800) has been given to Trinity College Dublin to set up a publicly available archive on the work of the renowned journalist Robert Fisk of The Independent who passed away in 2020.

Over his 30-year career with the newspaper, he continued his reputation as one of the best-known Middle East correspondents who spent his career reporting from the region and challenging mainstream narratives.

This included reporting from Baghdad in Iraq during the US invasion, covering the Bosnian War and the Syrian Civil War, as well as being one of the only Western journalists to interview Osama Bin Laden.

Fisk died in November 2020 at a hospital in Dublin at the age of 74, shortly after falling ill at his home in the Irish capital.

open image in gallery Fisk holding the front page of The Independent during a speech at Georgetown University ( Kpa/Zuma/Shutterstock )

Notes and documents from Fisks 50-year journalistic career were donated to Trinity College Dublins library by his widow, Nelofer Pazira-Fisk.

Fisk received a PhD in political science from Trinity in 1985 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2008.

Trinity College Dublin has pledged to make the archive fully accessible, both online and in person, as soon as possible.

It said this would involve two years of extensive work to catalogue, conserve, preserve and digitise such a significant archive, and that the government funding would facilitate this.

Ms Pazira-Fisk said: I am grateful to people in Ireland for their moral stand against oppression and injustices  and to the Irish Government for this kind financial support.

Robert said we must bear witness and record what we see, so no one can say that they did not know.

open image in gallery The Independents front page on 10 December 2001 after Fisk was beaten by a group of Afghan refugees ( The Independent )

At a time when a dark curtain of censorship is extending across the Western democracies, when journalism is under attack, reporters face death and targeted assault, false labels and accusations undermine the work of anyone who dares speak out. The preservation and dissemination of information has become more pressing.

She added: Robert and I often discussed our wish to pass on our archive so the future generations could make use of it with the hope that it will foster questioning and debate. And that knowledge of history enables humanity to say no to violence of all kinds.

Born in Kent, Fisk began his career on Fleet Street at the Sunday Express and went on to work for The Times, where he was based in Northern Ireland, Portugal and the Middle East.

He moved to Beirut in 1976, a year after Lebanons civil war broke out, and continued to work and live from an apartment located on the citys Mediterranean corniche until his death.

In 1982, he was one of the first journalists at the Sabra and Shatila camp in Beirut, where Christian militia had slaughtered hundreds of Palestinian refugees.

open image in gallery A photo of Osama Bin Laden taken by Robert Fisk in 1996 ( Robert Fisk )

Fisks archive includes material from his first posting in Belfast in 1972 for The Times, up until the posthumous publication of his final book, The Night of Power: The Betrayal of the Middle East (2024).

From 1989 onwards, he worked for The Independent and travelled the world to bring first-hand accounts of global conflicts and atrocities.

Notes from his interviews with Osama Bin Laden in the caves of Afghanistan will be included in the archive, as well as photographs, audio files of interviews, drafts for published works, and correspondence of letters and emails.

The collection also includes artefacts such as explosives shells and salvaged items such as the strip of an oil painting taken from a church by Islamists.

Trinity College Provost Dr Linda Doyle said it was honoured to receive the donation of Fisks archive.

It will advance teaching and research into the conflicts covered by Robert Fisk over so many years and will act as a vital resource for researchers, policy makers and the public, she said.

Todays announcement will contribute to the archives conservation and accessibility for the future.

Librarian and college archivist, Helen Shenton, said: Robert Fisk was unfaltering in his commitment to frontline journalism and being a witness to history, with one-on-one access to sources  many of whom are no longer alive today.

The exceptional archive includes born digital content, containing email correspondence, representing a new archival area of the 21st century.

The Library of Trinity College will ensure the physical and digital preservation of this archive and make it accessible in the near future and for posterity. It will be available through our Research Collections Study Centre and online through our virtual Trinity library programme.

Minister for further and higher education, Patrick ODonovan, said Fisks incredible career spanned numerous significant events.

The funding announced today will provide Trinity with the necessary resources to undertake an essential two-year conservation project.

The availability of these materials will undoubtedly enrich the academic experiences of students and researchers alike.
Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Scores of taxi drivers have been able to obtain licenses despite having convictions for violent offences, a charity has found.

Data obtained following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request reveals drivers with convictions, including for violent crimes like assault, battery and harassment, have still been given licences even though licensing authorities are aware of the offences they committed.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, a leading anti-stalking and harassment charity which unearthed the figures, warned women are being placed at risk when sharing cars with drivers who have a history of violence as they urged ministers to overhaul the law.

Researchers, who received responses from 28 local authorities, estimated 90 licences were given to drivers with convictions for violent offences, while an extra 68 were granted to drivers who have a range of traffic, driving or vehicle related convictions such as drink driving and reckless driving.

The mother and brother of Sian OCallaghan - who was killed by Christopher Halliwell after getting into his taxi when leaving a nightclub in Swindon in 2011 - told The Independent about their devastating loss.

Halliwell is serving a whole life term for the murders of 22-year-old Ms OCallaghan in March 2011 and 20-year-old sex worker Becky Godden in January 2003.

Its always challenging. The thing is you never fully get over whats happened and the sense of loss. Liam OCallaghan

Research by YouGov and Suzy Lamplugh Trust found three in ten of more than 4,200 adults they polled feel unsafe when using taxis - with seven in ten saying they would feel less at risk if the law was changed so drivers with a history of aggressive or abusive behaviour cannot get a licence.

Elaine Pickford, the mother of Ms OCallaghan, recalled the devastating moment they were told her daughters body had been found.

13 years on, the more time that passes for me personally, the more time Im aware that she hasnt lived and where she would be now if she had of - what life she would have had, she added.

Recalling the period when her daughter was missing, she said: Most of us werent sleeping or grabbing sleep for very short times here and there. And it was such a fast pace.

Youre just running on whatever you can run on, really, and its hard to put into words what that is, because for everybody its a bit different I suppose. Youre thrown into complete and utter chaos and just getting through every minute the best you can.

Sians brother Liam OCallaghan said: Its always challenging. The thing is you never fully get over whats happened and the sense of loss. But you just build around it.

Ms Pickford and Mr OCallaghan were involved in campaigning for the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles Act 2022 that led to improved sharing of data between local authorities on drivers.

open image in gallery Sian O'Callaghan's body has been recovered from an area near the village of Uffington ( PA )

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust called for the government to urgently roll out legislation that establishes national minimum standards for licences for drivers as well as regulating drivers like professions such as teaching so background checks are more stringent.

Researchers warned it is tricky to properly grasp the scale of the problem due to licencing authorities not telling them how many of their currently licenced drivers hold convictions and for which offences.

You are getting in a vehicle with a stranger, not knowing anything about their previous history, Saskia Garner, of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, told The Independent. And they can lock you in, and they can take you wherever they want.

Discussing the murder of Ms OCallaghan, she added: Sian got into that vehicle doing the thing that every woman is told to do, which is Get a taxi home, dont walk down a dark road.

She said current rules mean individual authorities can make up their own mind about what constitutes a safe driver.

open image in gallery Christopher Halliwell murdered Sian OCallaghan and Becky Godden ( Wiltshire Police/PA )

Given that the drivers can go to anywhere in the country, obtain a license, and then go and operate somewhere completely different, you cant be sure that any driver has been vetted appropriately, Ms OCallaghan said.

If the checks are the same on every single driver then people will be reassured that the highest standards are being applied whichever driver they go with.

You are getting in a vehicle with a stranger, not knowing anything about their previous history. And they can lock you in, and they can take you wherever they want. Saskia Garner

Jim Button, president of the Institute of Licensing, said There is no doubt that the standards applied by licensing authorities in relation to determining whether a person is safe and suitable to be a taxi driver vary hugely across England and Wales.

The Institute of Licensing supports calls for legislation in this area. In the meantime, it encourages all licensing authorities to adopt the guidelines published by the Institute of Licensing.

It is vital that applicants and licensees history of concerning behaviour is taken into account by licensing authorities: they should have a clear policy detailing which crimes and behaviours will result in licence refusal or revocation, and that should be adhered to.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said keeping passengers safe is the top priority, adding that drivers in England already have to undergo the highest-level background checks.

The representative added: Before deciding to issue a licence, authorities must consult a national database which logs if someone has had a licence refused, suspended, or revoked. We are also currently considering further options to improve safety around taxi licensing.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

An automated system that helps train wheels grip tracks failed on a train involved in a fatal crash in mid-Wales, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said.

One passenger died while four other people were seriously injured in the crash on 21 October, and a further 11 required hospital treatment.

David Tudor Evans, 66, was killed while travelling on the westbound service from Shrewsbury when it crashed into a stationary service close to the village of Llanbrynmair, near Powys.

The investigation found the train was fitted with a system which discharges sand automatically via hoses when it detects the wheels are sliding during braking.

open image in gallery An automated system that helps train wheels grip tracks failed on the train, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said ( PA Wire )

This is intended to increase friction between the wheels and the tracks.

The RAIB said an inspection of the train after the accident showed the sanding hoses on the leading vehicle of the train were blocked and apparently unable to discharge sand.

Anthony Hurford, a passenger on the Shrewsbury-bound train, told the BBC he felt pretty shell-shocked by the collision.

The word that keeps coming to my head is just brutal really, he said.

Just going from, I dont know how fast we were going, maybe 40, 50, 60mph (64-96km/h), to nothing in the blink of an eye.

Both trains involved in the crash were two-carriage class 158 units with the train that suffered the failed sanding system travelling west to Aberystwyth.

open image in gallery An aerial view of the scene after two trains collided in mid-Wales inb 21 October ( PA Wire )

It was supposed to stop inside a loop to allow an eastbound train to pass on the single track.

Initial analysis of the on-board data recorder shows the driver applied the brakes as the train neared the loop, during which time the wheels began to slide.

Around 40 seconds later, the driver made an emergency brake demand, which remained in place until the crash.

The train passed through the loop and rejoined the single line, sliding for around 900 metres downhill before the collision occurred.

A close family friend of Mr Evans previously accused the British Transport Police (BTP)  who are investigating the incident  of failing to support the family, with the force issuing an apology last Thursday.

The force put out a statement on 22 October saying the deceaseds next of kin have been informed and his family are being supported by specialist officers.

However, a specialist officer from the BTP only visited the family on 23 October. A family friend had said: The fact is that on the night in question, she (Rachel Evans, Mr Evans wife) was pretty much left to her own devices, support wasnt adequately provided at the time.

BTP superintendent Andrew Morgan apologised for the earlier statement and said: We would like to apologise for a miscommunication issued shortly after the train collision which took place on Monday 21 October in Llanbrynmair.

British Transport Police has apologised directly to the family of the deceased in relation to this statement and would like to apologise publicly for any additional suffering caused at this extremely difficult time.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he has written back to Sir Alan Bates about compensation for Horizon victims after the former post office worker claimed to have been snubbed by the Prime Minister.

The recently knighted subpostmaster, 70, had told MPs he wrote to Sir Keir around a month ago requesting help for those affected by the scandal.

He claimed to have written to Sir Keir twice starting a month ago insisting that he should set a deadline for March 2025 to settle the claims after 70 claimants died before receiving compensation.

After not receiving a response, Sir Alan told MPs he contacted the prime minister again just a few days ago to remind him that he hadnt heard back.

open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer delivers a speech in Scotland ( (Russell Cheyne/PA) )

After the hearing, the Prime Ministers official spokesman told reporters that Sir Keir has now responded to Sir Alan.

He said: It was obviously right that we took the time to consider the issues raised in the letter to the Prime Minister, consider our response, make sure it was accurate and substantial and obviously we engaged with relevant departments to ensure that the Prime Ministers response was as full as possible.

I think that response was issued earlier today. On the substance of the issue, the Government is committed to getting redress to those affected as quickly as possible and is doing all it can to increase the pace of redress across all schemes.

The spokesman added: What we dont want to do is set an arbitrary cut-off date which could result in some claimants missing the deadline. We obviously dont want to put pressure on claimants and put them off contesting their claim.

But each postmaster eligible for the GLO scheme should receive substantial redress by the end of March and we are doing everything we can to achieve that goal.

As of October 31, approximately 438 million has been paid to over 3,100 claimants across the four schemes.

open image in gallery Sir Alan Bates was knighted by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle ( PA Wire )

Sir Alan had previously told the Business and Trade Committees short inquiry into securing fast and fair redress for which people have been waiting far too long, over 20-odd years, theres over 70 that have died along the way in the GLO group.

There are people well into their 80s now that are still suffering.

More than 900 subpostmasters were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faulty Horizon accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their shops.

Sir Alan led a decades-long campaign to expose the national scandal, which saw more than 700 subpostmasters prosecuted by the Post Office and given criminal convictions.

Sir Alan was the figurehead in the drive to clear his colleagues names and win compensation after they were wrongly accused of stealing money from the Post Office.

Questioned on whether he would consider going back to court with a crowdfunded campaign for justice, Sir Alan said: I would never say never. It is a consideration.

I will not say I havent spoken to people about this, but I do know if we decide to go down that route, that were going to halt the current scheme, and its going to be at least another six, 12, or even 24 months before it moves forward in that direction.

Now that might be a choice people are prepared to take.

Weve got a group meeting coming up in a few weeks time, and thats one of the options that were going to discuss  that and a few other options as well.

But weve got to move this forward.

The scandal was first reported in Computer Weekly in 2009. Hundreds of subpostmasters began coming forward to the Justice for Subpostmaster Alliance, and Sir Alan led 555 claimants in a legal case for compensation.

The case won a settlement of 57.75m, but after legal fees, the subpostmasters were left with little. Sir Alan continues to campaign for fair compensation.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

They say God loves a trier and Chris Philp, the former minister for policing, is one Tory who can never be accused of failing to put in a shift, frequently appearing in the media to dutifully defend the latest party line on the issue of the day.

The reward for his unwavering loyalty may now have arrived, as he takes a leadership role in Kemi Badenochs new cabinet, after being appointed as shadow home secretary.

While the MP for Croydon South is not afraid to get his hands dirty, evidenced by his loyal defences of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss in the darkest hours of their respective premierships, some critics have suggested he does not share the communication skills and political nous displayed by some of his front bench colleagues.

Alas, the former Home Office minister was left blushing again in April during an appearance on the BBC. There were audible gasps - and a very confused-looking shadow health secretary - when Mr Philp asked whether Rwanda and Congo were different countries, following what sounded like a relatively straight forward question from a Question Time audience member.

The gaffe was not Mr Philps first and unlikely to be his last, given the ambitious politicians propensity to get out on the airwaves and put his shoulder behind the government wheel.

Chris Philp on Question Time ( Question Time, BBC )

Casual observers of the stock exchange will know that it can turn on a sixpence. Jittery investors, rogue behaviour by the CEO of a blue chip firm or a geopolitical crisis can all send the FTSE 100 tumbling.

During Kwasi Kwartengs now infamous mini-Budget, Mr Philp, then chief secretary to the Treasury, undeterred by the precariousness of a fiscal statement unapproved by the Office for Budget Responsibility and keen to display his support for his new bosses, tweeted, Great to see sterling strengthening on the back of the new UK Growth plan while the former chancellor was still on his feet in the House of Commons chamber.

But less than half an hour after Mr Philp decided to hit publish on his smartphone screen, the pound sunk to a 37-year low against the US dollar, sliding perilously close to an all-time low later in the evening. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Mr Philp studied physics at Oxford University but it was his geography that was once again apparently found wanting in 2020 when during an interview with broadcasters he seemed to think he was representing Germany rather than the UK.

The MP, then minister for immigration, said France and Germany were working together in the spirit of cooperation while on a visit to France to discuss the Channel crisis with leaders in Paris.

Quickly realising his error, Mr Philp then pleaded with the crew to redo the clip. Do you want to that last bit again because I got the Germany thing muddled? he said.

In his previous brief as policing minister, partly responsible for keeping members of the public safe on the streets, Mr Philp was ridiculed after suggesting that people should make citizens arrests to help tackle a surge in shoplifting.

The wider public do have the power of citizens arrest and, where its safe to do so, I would encourage that to be used because if you do just let people walk in, take stuff and walk out without proper challenge, including potentially a physical challenge, then again it will just escalate, he told a fringe event at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester last year. While I want the faster and better police response, the police cant be everywhere all the time.

A union described the suggestion as DIY policing and branded it dangerous.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Rachel Reevesinheritance tax raid will hit three quarters of food produced by British farmers, industry chiefs have warned, as the government battles a growing backlash over its extension of death tax.

Under plans announced in the Budget, inheritance tax will be charged at 20 per cent on farms worth more than 1m, although the chancellor has said that in some cases the threshold could in practice be about 3m.

The move has triggered backlash from farming and rural communities and led to a dispute over the number of businesses that would be affected.

While the government has insisted that only a minority of farmers will be impacted, Tom Bradshaw, chief executive of the National Farmers Union (NFU), said around 75 per cent of the total farmed area would be subject to the extended death tax.

open image in gallery Chancellor Rachel Reeves said it is not affordable to keep the current system of inheritance tax (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire )

Its then logical to assume that they are producing 75 per cent of the food associated with them.

So there is a significant amount of the food production of this country that is within scope of these changes, he said.

Mr Bradshaw warned the government had not considered at all the impact on food production of last weeks Budget.

He explained: Very few viable farms would be worth under 1m, but lots of smallholdings and houses with a few acres let for grazing might be.

The asset value of genuine food-producing farms will be high, given the size they need to be to remain viable businesses; but thats the value of the asset, it doesnt reflect its profitability which is often, and increasingly so, very low.

open image in gallery Opposition MPs have called on the Government to reverse the devastating change to farmers inheritance tax (Steve Parsons/PA) ( PA Wire )

Environment minister Daniel Zeichner told the House of Commons on Monday that the governments policy is fair and balanced, claiming the vast majority of farmers will be unaffected.

73 per cent of agricultural property relief claims are less than 1 million, the vast majority of farmers will not be affected, theyll be able to pass a family farm down to their children, just as previous generations have always done.

Its a fair, balanced approach that protects family farms, while also fixing the public services those same families rely on.

He also claimed the government is protecting the family farms by discouraging tax evasion.

Ive heard people telling me that they are concerned about people coming from outside, coming up with a lot of money and over the heads of local people, buying up local farmland, not because they care about farming but to use it for tax evasion purposes. So this is a policy that can be helpful to family farms and protect them", he told the Commons.

Mr Bradshaw, who met with environment secretary Steve Reed on Monday to discuss the tax, warned of a militant backlash from farmers over the issue.

He said the tractor tax raid was completely unfair, adding that he had never seen the weight of support, the strength of feeling and anger over the plans.

The NFU chief said: We will continue to try and work with the government to get to a resolution but something has to change.

I have never seen the weight of support, the strength of feeling and anger that there is in this industry today. Many of them want to be militant.

Now we are not encouraging that in any way shape or form, but government need to understand that there is a real strength of feeling behind what this change means for the future of family farming in this country.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Robert Jenrick used his first outing as shadow justice secretary to inflame anger over the Southport murders which sparked riots across England during the summer.

After a leadership campaign where Mr Jenrick pitched himelf as the champion of the Tory right, Mr Jenrick appeared to give credence to conspiracy theories that information was withheld from the public over the Southport case. Others have used this to justify some of the violence which scarred Britain in August.

Mr Jenrick also described police fire arms officer sergeant Martyn Blake, who was cleared of murder in killing Chris Kaba, as a hero.

The failed Tory leadership candidate picked up in justice questions where he left off in his campaign to replace Rishi Sunak by tacking to the right.

open image in gallery Robert Jenrick was left reeling after his first outing as shadow justice secretary ( PA Wire )

Questioning justice secretary Shabana Mahmood, he noted: Jonathan Hall KC, the reviewer of terrorist laws, has said that the authorities should put as much information as they can in the public domain to maintain public trust in terrorist cases, which have the highest public interest. In the void, misinformation takes hold and that diminishes public trust.

While of course respecting the judicial process and not commenting on the individual facts of the case, can the Secretary of State explain the reported two-week delay between the CPS making a charging decision with respect to the alleged Southport attacker and it being announced to the general public?

Ms Mahmood hit back reminding Mr Jenrick the Southport killings are a live case.

She said: May I remind him that we do not comment on cases that are sub judice? That includes commentary that everyone is aware relates to cases currently going through our legal processes. What I will say is that those are independent decisions for the Crown Prosecution Service, which ultimately decides what charges to bring.

In live police investigations into complex cases, it is appropriate that those investigations, the charging decisions and, ultimately, the cases are done by the independent parts of the process and that there is no interference from government.

The exhanges came after Mr Jenrick suffered an embarrassing putdown in his first Commons question as shadow justice secretary.

Hours after his appointment was confirmed by new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, the hardline right-winger sought to attack Labours record in government from the despatch box.

In his first intervention in his new post, Mr Jenrick lashed out at the partys early release scheme for prisoners to free up space in the overcrowded estate.

Mr Jenrick said that, since Julys general election, the only group this Labour governments popularity has increased with is criminals.

open image in gallery Minister Alex Davies-Jones said Robert Jenrick appeared to have forgotten who was in power for the last 14 years ( UK Parliament )

How many domestic abusers and sex offenders who were released under their early release scheme have gone on to reoffend, and would they like to apologise to the victims? he asked.

But justice minister Alex Davies-Jones gave Mr Jenrick short shrift, urging him to show some humility and pointing to the Conservative Partys record in government.

In a brutal riposte, Ms Davies-Jones said: I was going to congratulate the right honourable gentleman in his role, but he seems to have a very short memory, and I believe it is he who should be apologising to the country as a whole for his governments woeful absolute misuse of our justice system and our prisons.

Under the previous governments [early release] scheme, there were zero exemptions that could protect the public.

This government put in serious exemptions to prevent sex offenders from being released onto our streets, preventing those convicted of serious violent crimes from being released onto our streets.

And I believe the honourable gentleman should maybe have a bit of humility.

Mr Jenrick hit back, claiming that his Conservative government built more prison places than any Labour government in living memory. But, with prisons overflowing, and a second wave of early prisoner releases last month, Mr Jenrick said that we need to go further.

In the latest example of Labours relentless focus on the Tory record from 2010 to 2024, Ms Davies Jones again said Mr Jenrick appeared to have forgotten who was in power for the last 14 years and who failed to build any prison places.

Just 500 extra prison places were built under his governments watch, she added.

We are the party of law and order, and I think the right honourable gentleman needs to look at his previous record.

The row comes after two waves of early releases since Labour came to power saw thousands of prisoners freed early to free up space in jails.

But it was a bruising first outing for Mr Jenrick, who fell short in the contest to succeed Rishi Sunak and was offered the justice brief as a consolation prize.

His appointment was part of a bid by Ms Badenoch to reunite the Conservatives after a fractious leadership campaign.

An ally of Mr Jenrick said: Rob thinks the party needs to come together and take the fight to Labour. Unity could not be more important. Hes eager to expose Labours dreadful record on law and order.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Kemi Badenoch has appointed a cross-party shadow cabinet in a bid to reunite the Conservatives after a fractious leadership campaign.

The newly-elected party leader unveiled her top team on Tuesday morning ahead of its first meeting.

The top jobs were split between One Nation moderates, Boris Johnson-backing right-wingers and those who backed Ms Badenochs leadership bid.

open image in gallery Kemi Badenoch has appointed her defeated leadership rival Robert Jenrick to the shadow justice brief ( PA Wire )

And, in appointing leadership rivals Mel Stride, Priti Patel and Robert Jenrick, she has made a clear effort to bring the divided party back together.

Announcing the team, Ms Badenoch said: I am delighted to have appointed my shadow cabinet, which draws on the talents of people from across the Conservative Party, based on meritocracy and with a breadth of experience and perspective, just as I promised during the campaign.

"Our partys problems will only be solved with a team effort, and I am confident my shadow cabinet ministers will deliver effective opposition as we seek to win back the trust of the public.

"We will now get to work holding Labour to account and rebuilding our party based on Conservative principles and values.

"The process of renewing our great party has now begun."

Ms Badenochs shadow cabinet is made up of:

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer: Mel Stride

Mel Stride, the second to be knocked out of the Tory leadership race after Priti Patel, has bagged himself one of the most important shadow cabinet jobs. The MP for Central Devon made a name for himself as the mouthpiece for Rishi Sunaks election campaign, being wheeled out on the broadcast round on an almost weekly basis. He was a loyal ally of Mr Sunak, having served as his work and pensions secretary throughout his time in office. Before that, he did a brief stint as leader of the House of Commons from May to July 2019, and served as financial secretary to the Treasury and paymaster general from 2017 to 2019.

open image in gallery Mel Stride was made shadow chancellor in a bid to unite the party ( PA Wire )

Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs: Dame Priti Patel

In a shadow cabinet largely dominated by One Nation wets, former leadership candidate Dame Priti Patel stands out as a significant right-winger. As an MP since 2010 and a former home secretary she brings significant experience but also a great deal of controversy, not least as the architect of the Rwanda deportation policy.

Dame Priti was one of the hardline Brexit Spartans to hold out against Theresa May's deals. But prior to that she was sacked in 2017 from her international development secretary job for unauthorised meetings in Israel. Never a supporter of international aid she had proposed using UK aid money for Israeli military field hospitals in the Golan heights.

open image in gallery Dame Priti Patel is the shadow foreign secretary (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire )

Shadow Home Secretary: Chris Philp

Chris Philp was promoted to the cabinet under Liz Truss, having become an early backer of her 2022 leadership tilt. But he went on to serve under Rishi Sunak as a junior minister in the Home Office, often coming out to bat for the Tories controversial Rwanda deportation scheme.

He will now be responsible for whether the Tories push to revive the plan, scrapped by Labour, in his job as shadow home secretary. Mr Philp takes the post at a time of surging small boat crossings, and will have plenty of ammunition to take the fight to Labour with in the months ahead.

Read more: Chris Philps history of gaffes

open image in gallery Chris Philp (Jonathan Brady/PA) ( PA Wire )

Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Alex Burghart

An ally of the new leader, Alex Burghart had been given the Cabinet Office brief, placing him at the centre of operations. He has also been kept on as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, despite admitting last week he has not visited during his time in the role. Mr Burghart claimed that "getting the funding for trips" had "not been as easy" as he would have liked. He was appointed in July.

open image in gallery Alex Burghart has been appointed shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster ( UK Government )

Shadow Secretary of State for Defence: James Cartlidge

One of the few names on the list to remain in the same post, he stays as shadow defence secretary, where he has been seen as doing a good job. In government he also served as minister for procurement in the MOD in the last Tory government. He once performed drums on the radio as part of a piece on MPs hobbies.

open image in gallery James Cartlidge ( Sky News )

Shadow Secretary of State for Justice: Robert Jenrick

Robert Jenricks appointment as justice secretary comes just a week after Kemi Badenoch attacked him for having been asked because of a whiff of impropriety.

The former immigration minister was previously let go as housing secretary after admitting to having unlawfully granted planning permission to a controversial development.

But, in a bid to bury the hatchet, Ms Badenoch has given her former rival one of the top jobs in her shadow cabinet.

Mr Jenrick has also made headlines for his staunch belief that Britain must pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). And he is known for, as immigration minister, having ordered staff at a child migrant centre to paint over Mickey Mouse murals because he thought they were too welcoming.

open image in gallery Kemi Badenoch has appointed her defeated leadership rival Robert Jenrick to the shadow justice brief (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire )

Shadow Secretary of State for Education: Laura Trott

Another rising star, Laura Trott was a Tory special adviser between 2010 and 2016, leading on education and family policy in David Camerons Number 10 Policy Unit.

She became an MP in the 2019 general election and was promoted to become a parliamentary private secretary in the Department for Transport. But Ms Trott was one of the 62 government figures to quit over Boris Johnsons handling of the Chris Pincher affair, and in the wake of scandals including Partygate, forcing the former PM out of office.

She returned to the spotlight as chief secretary to the Treasury under Rishi Sunak, and will now lead on Tory education policy under Kemi Badenochs leadership.

open image in gallery Shadow education secretary Laura Trott speaking after Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson spoke about tuition fees in the House of Commons (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) ( PA Wire )

Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary: Ed Argar

Long tipped as a future justice secretary in Rishi Sunaks cabinet, Ed Argar will take on Wes Streeting as shadow health secretary. The brief is vast, but he will be aided his time as a minister in the department between 2019 and 2022. And with Mr Streeting already warning of a tough winter for the NHS, health will be a key battlefield in the years ahead.

open image in gallery Edward Argar (UK Parliament) ( PA Media )

Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Kevin Hollinrake

Another One Nation Tory MP, he faces a tough task  replacing his new leader as shadow housing secretary. He will also find himself up against Angela Rayner as his opposite number on the Labour benches. Was widely seen as a steady hand when he was shadow business secretary.

Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Victoria Atkins

A key member of the One Nation group of Tory MPs, she was talked of earlier this year as a possible leadership candidate. In the end, she did not stand and backed Robert Jenrick for leader. Will lead the charge against Labours tractor tax in the Defra role.

open image in gallery Shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Wire )

Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade: Andrew Griffith

Andrew Griffith had been tipped as a frontrunner to become shadow chancellor, but has been appointed to the business and trade brief instead.

He was financial secretary to the Treasury under Liz Truss when she unveiled her disastrous mini budget that sent markets spiralling.

He was then promoted to economic secretary to the Treasury before being moved to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology until the election.

The Arundel and South Downs MP was in charge of the space sector, but in an interview in January mixed up Mars and the Sun, while also mistaking Jupiter for Saturn.

He was a supporter of Kemi Badenoch throughout the leadership contest, but has not been rewarded with the top job he was tipped for.

open image in gallery Andrew Griffith (Aaron Chown/PA) ( PA Archive )

Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and Shadow Minister for Equalities: Claire Coutinho

Claire Coutinho is seen as one of the Tories brightest rising stars, and was even tipped as a potential chancellor under Rishi Sunak.

She quickly ascended the ranks when the Conservatives were in power, working as an aide to Mr Sunak in the Treasury before becoming the MP for East Surrey in 2019 and then the youngest member of the cabinet in 2023.

Since the election, she has been the shadow energy secretary, but under Ms Badenochs leadership is being given the equalities brief on top of her existing job.

open image in gallery Claire Coutinho (James Manning/PA) ( PA Wire )

Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Helen Whately

The MP for Faversham and Mid Kent was an early supporter of Kemi Badenoch in the leadership race, backing her to build a broader Conservative movement fit for our time. Ms Whately, who has held a number of junior ministerial positions, served as a health minister throughout Mr Sunaks time as prime minister. Before that, she held ministerial positions in the Treasury and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, as well as serving as a vice chair of the Tory Party.

open image in gallery Helen Whately (Aaron Chown/PA) ( PA Archive )

Shadow Secretary of State for Transport: Gareth Bacon

Gareth Bacon has been the MP for Orpington since 2019 but had a long political career in London politics on Bexley Council and the London Assembly. With many of the transport rows focused on London including Crossrail 2, bringing HS2 to Euston and continued issues over train and tube strikes he is in a strong position to pick up the brief quickly.

He was involved with the right-wing Common Sense Group in the last parliament when he helped take the culture wars to the National Trust.

His wife Cheryl Cooley also works for Ms Badenoch.

Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport: Stuart Andrew

Stuart Andrew steered the parliamentary party through a difficult patch as chief whip after the historically bad election result in July and is being rewarded for his hard work.

As a former equlities minister he has previously worked closely with Ms Badenoch in her team and is someone she knows she can trust on an important issue. He has also served as a minister in DCMS previously so at least knows the department he is shadowing.

Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology: Alan Mak

Alan Mak holds a special place in parliament history as the first ethnic Chinese MP when he was elected for Havant in 2015.

It has taken him almost a decade to get to the front bench partly because of Brexit. He became a target for Brexiteers for promising to support Leave when he was selected but choosing Remain the referendum.

Now he has a crucial role as Shadow science, innovation and technology secretary with artificial intelligence at the heart of the UK's future growth.

Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and Shadow Minister of State for Energy and Net Zero: Andrew Bowie

Andrew Bowie, who was elected the MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine in 2017, will keep his role as shadow energy minister, having served in the department in both government and in opposition since February 2023. The 37-year-old, who will also take a position as secretary of state for Scotland, has previously served as a vice-chairman of the party.

open image in gallery Andrew Bowie ( Sky News )

Shadow Secretary of State for Wales and Shadow Minister for Women: Mims Davies

Mims Davies, who has served as shadow minister for women and equalities since the Tories election defeat in July 2024, has been kept in the role  but there has been a notable tweak to the job description. Ms Badenoch, who has long railed against corporate equality and diversity drives, has removed the and equalities section of the job title. Ms Davies, who has also been appointed shadow secretary of state for Wales, has held a number of junior ministerial positions in the past, primarily having served in the department for work and pensions.

open image in gallery Mims Davies (Flora Thompson/PA) ( PA Archive )

Opposition Chief Whip (Commons): Dame Rebecca Harris

Dame Rebecca Harris has 14 years experience as an MP and spent seven of them as a party whip. She will need all that experience to keep a fractious group of Tory MPs together considering that Ms Badenoch only received the backing of a third of them and did not top the poll until the final round.

open image in gallery Dame Rebecca Harris ( UK parliament )

Shadow Leader of the House of Commons: Jesse Norman

Jesse Norman is seen as one of the partys genuine intellectuals and is the author of a number of acclaimed historical books. Well liked across the House and within the different factions of the Tories he was always a strong candidate to be shadow leader of the Commons.

open image in gallery Jesse Norman (UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor) ( PA Media )

Shadow Leader of the House of Lords: Lord True

Lord True is a safe pair of hands and continuity appointment having been Tory leader in the Lords since 2022.

The 73-year-old cut his political teeth in Margaret Thatchers Conservative Research Department in the 1970s and brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to Ms Badenochs mostly inexperienced team.

Co-Chairmen of the Party: Nigel Huddleston and Lord Dominic Johnson

An MP since 2015, Nigel Huddlestone was a key ally of Ms Badenochs and worked under her as a minister in government. He is someone she knows she can trust especially with the party membership pressing for reform of selection procedures and CCHQ.

Lord Dominic Johnson was the chief executive of Jacob Rees-Moggs Somerset Capital hedgefund. He also chaired Ms Badenochs leadership campaign team. He will now have the task of resorganising a battered Tory party machine and bringing back donors who gave up their support during Rishi Sunaks leadership.

Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury: Richard Fuller

Richard Fuller, who served as the interim chair of the Conservative Party after Richard Holden stepped down following the July election, was tasked witch taking responsibility for the partys historic election defeat. The MP for North Bedfordshire has limited ministerial experience, with his only government post being a brief stint as economic secretary  a position he held for four months in 2022.

Also attending:

Parliamentary Private Secretary: Julia Lopez

This may be a tough pill to swallow for Julia Lopez who has been one of Kemi Badenochs biggest cheerleaders since they were both elected together in 2017. A demotion out of the shadow cabinet is a bit of a surprise but Ms Lopez, the MP for Hornchurch and Upminster, can use this role to be Ms Badenochs key lieutenant and will have her ear.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A Tory MP who used a racial slur against the Japanese  and then claimed he was complementing their defence industry  has been appointed a shadow defence minister.

The Japanese government officially complained about the comments, made in the House of Commons by ex-armed forces minister Mark Francois.

Japan is considered one of the UKs closest allies in the region, and last year the two countries signed a defence agreement.

The outcry erupted after Mr Francois, who has been made a shadow minister by new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, used the word J*** in parliament to refer to the Japanese.

open image in gallery Mark Francois (Gareth Fuller/PA) ( PA Archive )

In 2022 he asked the then defence secretary Ben Wallace about delays to the Type 26 frigate, adding: Why does it take BAE Systems 11 years to build a ship the J*** can build in four?

His comments were condemned as an ethnic slur by Labour MP Sarah Owen.

The speaker of the Commons Lindsay Hoyle said the phrase should not be used.

Mr Francois later said in a statement that he meant no disrespect or offence and had used the term as an abbreviation for Japanese, as I had, by then, been asking an admittedly rather wordy question, about naval shipbuilding.

He added that the record clearly shows, I actually complimented the Japanese shipbuilding industry, for building warships much faster than here in Britain."

open image in gallery Francois has been appointed a shadow minister by Kemi Badenoch ( Edward Massey/CCHQ )

His comments sparked a diplomatic incident. At the time the Japanese Embassy in London said it had lodged a complaint.

A spokesman told The Independent: The Embassy of Japan informed MP Mark Francois that the word used was inappropriate and requested the correction.

Foreign secretary David Lammy, then the shadow foreign secretary also condemned the remarks, saying: "Mark Francois backwards slur is sadly typical of the Conservatives blundering attempts at diplomacy that are leaving the UK increasingly isolated on the world stage.

In 2019 Mr Francois also attacked a German business leader for saying Brexiteers were "mad" to say his company would never leave the UK.

At the time he said: "My father, Reginald Francois, was a D-Day veteran. He never submitted to bullying by any German and neither will his son".

Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokesperson Sarah Olney said: Mark Francois is a divisive politician. He has a history of using appalling and offensive language.

The Conservative Shadow Cabinet is full of the same old sleaze and scandal.
Slightly overshadowed by political developments in the United States, the new Conservative shadow cabinet has been announced and has held its first meeting. The recently elected leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch, has tried to make the best of the talent available (and willing to serve) within the denuded parliamentary group.

She has told her colleagues We can turn this around in one term, ie that the Tories can be back in power by the end of the decade. She also said: Our partys problems will only be solved with a team effort, and I am confident my shadow cabinet ministers will deliver effective opposition as we seek to win back the trust of the public. So, can the new top Tories triumph?

Is this a united team?

Not quite. There have been a few comparisons made between Badenoch and Margaret Thatcher, and to some extent, Badenoch has applied the same principle as her long-ago predecessor in appointing ministers  Is he [or she] one of us? The great majority of her cabinet appointments are drawn from her own loyal supporters, and only six of them publicly supported other candidates.

On the other hand, for two of the most senior appointments, she has tried to balance things up a bit by accommodating colleagues who ran against her  Mel Stride on the more liberal wing as shadow chancellor, and Priti Patel as shadow foreign secretary. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, is a Badenoch man.

Although Robert Jenrick has accepted a post as shadow justice secretary, few of his backers have been given jobs, the main exceptions being Victoria Atkins (Defra) and Edward Argar (health). Theres only one identifiable Sunakian, Claire Coutinho, who was favoured under the old regime but hasnt been promoted.

Its very much a shadow cabinet of Badenochites, with a tilt to her brand of centre-right politics. It seems her friends arent shy of briefing for her. One apparently said of Jenrick: Kemi just doesnt like Bob. She thinks his whole shtick about her, and whether she had any policies, has done lasting damage with Reform voters.

Whos out?

Most notably, two of Badenochs rivals have declined jobs, with Tom Tugendhat reportedly turning down the foreign affairs portfolio, and James Cleverly taking time out after a bruising campaign (and perhaps for personal reasons). Other notable absentees include Oliver Dowden, Jeremy Hunt, Andrew Mitchell and Steve Barclay. By convention, Rishi Sunak wasnt going to be in the team anyway.

Badenoch will also be menaced by the unsated ambition of Boris Johnson, though he is disqualified on a variety of grounds from taking up a frontline role. Shell also prospectively face mumblings and coded criticisms from the usual suspects, such as Suella Braverman, Nadine Dorries, David (Lord) Frost and Liz Truss. On the other hand, shell find a sympathetic figure at The Spectator  new editor Michael Gove, her long-term mentor and sponsor.

Will this be an effective team?

It could turn out to be, but it starts with at least three major drawbacks. The first is that the public arent much interested in what the Conservatives have to say, as evidenced by the partys humiliation on 4 July. Second, many of the new girls and boys are unknown to the public, and are not even household names in their own kitchens. Argar, for example, the obscure MP for Melton, now has the unenviable task of going up against the health secretary, Wes Streeting  a master of policy and presentation with a machine-gun delivery.

Third, they lack experience. Not one of the shadow cabinet in the Commons has spent even a single miserable day in opposition before. The only one who has is Nicholas (Lord) True, formerly leader and now shadow leader of the Lords, who served as private secretary to William Hague when Hague was leader of the opposition, and was director of the opposition whips office in the Lords from 1997 to 2010.

Any problems?

Some have history. Patel was sacked by Theresa May in 2017 from her post as international development secretary when she was caught freelancing foreign policy on a holiday in Israel. One of Patels more bizarre ideas was to transfer some of the UK aid budget to the Israel Defense Forces. The downside of Strides experience as a Treasury minister is his role in the Treasurys loan charge policy a few years ago, which tried, controversially, to claw back allegedly unpaid tax.

The main problem for Badenoch, though, as with any opposition leader so far away from government, is how to maintain order and exert authority with such little power of patronage. If she fails simultaneously to make headway against Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK  an unusual challenge  shell find the whispering against her gathers strength.

In her favour, the rules have been changed so that a vote of no confidence is harder to secure; it now requires 41 MPs (one-third), rather than 15 per cent of the parliamentary party, to write letters to the chair of the 1922 Committee. Badenoch will be well aware that she only got the backing of 42 of the 121 MPs in the final MPs ballot.

As she develops policy, there will inevitably be more rows  and the party will continue to be mesmerised, disoriented and divided by the spectre of Nigel Farage.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

With Donald Trump securing a crushing victory over Kamala Harris in the US presidential election, Keir Starmers dream of a social democratic, centre-left version of the famous Thatcher/ Reagan partnership between Downing Street and the White House is in tatters.

Instead, the prime minister is now faced with a US administration he is not just far away from ideologically, but one which is openly hostile to a Labour government that Trumps campaign team previously described as far left.

The recent court case opened by the Trump team over alleged foreign interference in the US election by Labour for sending 100 volunteers across to support the Harris campaign, lifted the lid on the deep animosity that the MAGA Republicans have for Starmer, his party and his government.

open image in gallery Trump has declared victory ( AP )

The fallout had undone months of meticulous diplomacy by Labour preparing for this possible eventuality, which had culminated a few weeks ago with what seemed to be a positive meeting between Starmer and Trump in New York.

But the problem Labour has always faced is that their efforts have been led by a foreign secretary David Lammy who described Trump as a neo-Nazi sociopath. Mr Lammy had put in hard yards to rebuild relations with the Republicans and US hard right, even defending Trumps incendiary comments on Nato, but the 45th and soon-to-be 47th president is not someone who easily forgives insults and slights.

Now Labours problems are compounded by Brexit. When Sir Keir visited Brussels to meet Ursula von der Leyen and other senior EU figures last month, journalists who went with him commented on how empty the EU capital was and how little interest there was in a Starmer visit. His efforts for an EU reset are now perhaps more urgent than ever, but there are serious questions on whether the prime minister is willing to be ambitious enough to spark interest in the UK.

He faces a problem that Britain will no longer be seen as the bridge to America with a Trump administration in the White House. That role disconcertingly may now fall to Hungary and its hard-right prime minister Viktor Orban, who was a regular visitor to Trump and a political ally.

Nowhere will this be felt more though than Ukraine. The UK has been the biggest cheerleader of military support and aid against Russia. But the EU states, while politicially supportive, have been reluctant to pay and now it appears a Trump administration will try to force a deal with Putins Russia. Sir Keir and the UK will be powerless to uphold the international coalition.

The hard and far-right in Europe will be boosted by what has happened in America. The only UK politician to come out of this happy will be Nigel Farage, who can now start thinking about welcoming Mr Trump to Clacton. He was lauded again by the former and soon-to-be president just this week and the two men are friends.

open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has a diplomatic headache (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire )

Mr Farage has genuine hopes and ambitions to lead his Reform UK party to victory at the next election and at the very least replace the Tories. What has happened in America certainly gives him succour.

But worse still, the far-right in the UK and elsewhere may be emboldened. Trumps circle have openly praised Tommy Robinson and supporters like Elon Musk, who claimed that civil war in the UK was inevitable during riots across the country this summer and branded the prime minister two-tier Keir over policing of the disorder.

Meanwhile, it leaves the new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and her new shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel in a difficult spot. Both have good Republican links and Florida governor Ron DeSantis endorsed Ms Badenoch. But neither are close to the Trump camp. It is a different type of Republicanism and one which will help Reform establish itself and not the the Tories make a comeback.

But the person with the biggest headache will be Sir Keir. His best international ally now is German chancellor Olaf Scholz. Unfortunately, Scholz will struggle to stay in power when his country holds its national election next year.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Since becoming prime minister on 5 July, Sir Keir Starmer has only met with one of the two candidates hoping to be elected president  and it was not with his natural Democrat ally Kamala Harris, but Republican rival Donald Trump.

The lack of a meeting between Ms Harris and Sir Keir was not a snub from either side but reflects a twin-track approach that Labour has been taking in preparing for the outcome tomorrow for many months now, dating back to when they were still in opposition.

In what always looked set to be a tight presidential race, the Labour prime minister has known for a long time that he faced two very different scenarios from an outcome dependent on a handful of counties in a few swing states.

One was for an ally  who shares a similar legal background, is aligned ideologically and is on the same page regarding the big international issues  to be in the White House. But the other was for a US president with a volatile personality, who would happily rip up international consensus and sees his closest ally in Britain to be Nigel Farage on the hard right.

Getting ready for the first scenario is much easier, but preparing for the second has involved painstaking diplomacy and meticulous planning.

open image in gallery Starmer needs to be ready whichever candidate wins ( Getty )

Working with Kamala Harris

If Ms Harris wins the US presidency then there is a huge prize on offer for Sir Keir. This has all the hallmarks of being a relationship between a British prime minister and US president not seen since the days of the ideological bedfellows Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, when the so-called special relationship was actually special.

Ms Harris, like Sir Keir, was a prosecutor before entering politics, and the pair take almost identical approaches to the need to build on international legal structures and take on populist nationalism. There is not a frontline issue where they disagree and ideologically they are both too right-wing for their own party activists but sit easily on the establishment social democratic big state left.

open image in gallery Harris winning is Labours dream scenario ( AFP via Getty )

No wonder Labour boasted of sending 100 volunteers to help with the Democrats ground campaign in crucial states. This is a match made in heaven and an election they desperately want to see Ms Harris win. The help was not just support for a sister party but a symbol of a close working relationship to come.

Insuring against Trump

Sir Keir, foreign secretary David Lammy and all their advisers have known for a long time now that there was always a strong chance of a second term for Mr Trump.

The Independent revealed how even in opposition, Mr Lammy was spending time in the US wooing parts of the right of US politics and even cosying up to the Trump camp. He tried to do a speech at Heritage, the right-wing think tank behind the infamous Project 2025 manifesto. But even though he failed, other shadow ministers went for a meeting there.

Mr Lammy had said some distinctly disobliging things about Mr Trump when he was just a Labour MP after the 2016 US election, so he has had some way to go to make up lost ground. But it was noticeable that he defended Mr Trump over inflammatory comments on Nato, saying the former president was right to say Nato members should pay their way. He has also drawn close comparisons with himself and Mr Trumps right-wing vice-presidential nominee JD Vance.

The reason that Sir Keir was keen on a meeting with Mr Trump on his recent trip to New York was because he knew that bridges needed to be built if the most important alliance in the West was to flourish. The meeting appeared to be very positive.

But the legal case brought by the Trump campaign over Labours help for Ms Harris may now derail some of the work which was carried out.

open image in gallery Trump delivers remarks in a new 60-second advert broadcast on NBC on Sunday evening ( Donald J Trump/YouTube )

Ukraine

The biggest issue has been to try to Trump-proof support for Ukraine. It has been clear for some time that Mr Trump and the majority of the Republicans will not provide support and aid to Ukraine in the same way if at all. It seems likely that Mr Trump will try to cut a deal with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.

So much of the work carried out over the last few months has been about getting funding for Ukraine fast-tracked and for Ukraines Nato application to be guaranteed. While Starmer has succeeded in 90 per cent of what he hoped there will still be doubts about whether it can be unpicked by Mr Trump.

In particular, a failure to give permission to use storm shadow missiles on targets in Russia could prove to be crucial.

open image in gallery Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is greeted by Starmer ( PA )

Other issues

Sir Keir will be worried about what Mr Trump may do in terms of the Middle East. While the US under President Biden has supported Israel, Mr Trumps rhetoric suggests he could go much further in helping Israel deal with Hamas  with potentially horrendous consequences in Gaza.

Added to that Mr Trump appears to have gone cold on his previous support for Taiwan, which could give China an opportunity to become more aggressive. While Taiwan is highly symbolic in terms of Western freedom, it is even more important regarding the production of semiconductors to make almost every appliance or car operate.

Finally, there will be a major issue regarding trade. The Democrats were never going to give the UK a trade deal, but Mr Trump might. On the other hand, the isolationist president could easily go the opposite direction and impose much higher tariffs.

open image in gallery Nigel Farage will be with Trump on election night ( PA )

Trumps visit to Farage in Clacton

The final calculation for Sir Keir is on the impact a Trump presidency will have on UK politics and Europe.

The Independent revealed that there is a belief Mr Trump will visit Mr Farages Clacton constituency as a sign of support if he becomes president. Overall it will help boost rightwing politics in the UK, already in a perilous state after a summer of riots.

Over in Europe rightwing figures like Hungarys Viktor Orban and Frances Marine Le Pen will also be hoping to get support from a Trump presidency.

Sir Keir knows that the UK and his government need to act as a moderating influence over the next four years if Mr Trump wins.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The Conservatives have been mocked for appointing a Sussex MP as shadow secretary of state for Wales.

The party has come under fire after Kemi Badenoch appointed Mims Davies, the MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield, 200 miles from Cardiff, as its Welsh affairs spokesman.

The Tories were wiped out in Wales in Julys general election, winning zero seats after gaining 14 under Boris Johnson five years earlier.

Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymrus Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts stuck the boot in, asking: Why have the Tories appointed the MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield as shadow secretary of state for Wales instead of one of their talented Welsh MPs?

open image in gallery Shadow Welsh minister Mims Davies is an MP in Sussex ( PA Archive )

...oh, she added, sharing a graphic displaying a contrast between 2019s result and Julys Welsh electoral map.

Ms Saville Roberts added: I congratulate Mims Davies on her appointment as shadow secretary of state for Wales.

As the MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield in Sussex, fair play to her for taking one for the team after the Tories failed to hold on to a single Welsh MP. It just goes to show that, after the general election, Plaid Cymru is the real Welsh opposition to Labour in Westminster."

After her appointment, Ms Davies said she was delighted to be asked to take on the job, adding that her love for Wales is enduring.

She said on X: Wales deserves so much better than these these 2 failing Labour governments - especially a better NHS, improved education, help for pensioners and actual support for hard working farmers.

I loved my time studying, living and working in Wales & had the previous honour of serving in the Wales office.

Ms Davies was Welsh minister between 2018 and 2019 and went to Swansea University.

open image in gallery Kemi Badenochs shadow cabinet met for the first time on Tuesday ( Edward Massey/CCHQ )

Her appointment came as Ms Badenoch appointed a shadow cabinet that included MPs from all sides of the party in a bid to reunite the Conservatives after a fractious leadership campaign.

The newly-elected party leader unveiled her top team on Tuesday morning ahead of its first meeting.

The top jobs were split between One Nation moderates, Boris Johnson-backing right-wingers and those who backed Ms Badenochs leadership bid.

And, in appointing leadership rivals Mel Stride, Priti Patel and Robert Jenrick, she has made a clear effort to bring the divided party back together.

Announcing the team, Ms Badenoch said: I am delighted to have appointed my shadow cabinet, which draws on the talents of people from across the Conservative Party, based on meritocracy and with a breadth of experience and perspective, just as I promised during the campaign.

"Our partys problems will only be solved with a team effort, and I am confident my shadow cabinet ministers will deliver effective opposition as we seek to win back the trust of the public.

"We will now get to work holding Labour to account and rebuilding our party based on Conservative principles and values.

"The process of renewing our great party has now begun."
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Britain must urgently rebuild ties with Europe if Donald Trump is elected on Tuesday, pro-EU campaigners have warned.

With the prospect of a brutal global trade war looming, critics of the UKs current Brexit deal have said the country needs to rejoin the customs union, single market or the bloc itself to shield itself from the devastating fallout.

The former president has threatened to impose tariffs on all imports to America if he returns to the White House, which would cripple the UK and global economy. The US is Britains single biggest trade partner by far, above Germany, the Netherlands, France and China.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on all imports, including from the UK, if he is re-elected ( Reuters/Getty )

And Mr Trump has threatened a blanket 10 per cent tariff on all imports, with the levy rising as high as 60 per cent for goods from China. He has said tariff is my favourite word, but critics have warned the fallout of his protectionism would be higher prices for consumers in the US and globally.

And, amid fears a solitary UK would face a heightened impact, campaigners called for Sir Keir Starmer to urgently rebuild trade ties with the EU to insulate the country from the trade war that would follow Mr Trumps re-election.

Former Liberal Democrat minister Sir Nick Harvey said Britain must make a clear choice to be part of a strong Europe, both in terms of strength on defence and security and trade and the economy.

Sir Nick, chief executive of the European Movement UK, told The Independent a Trump win could add to the urgent need for Britain to build stronger ties with Europe - but stressed that Europe can no longer reply on protection from the US no matter who wins.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer has embarked on a post-Brexit reset of relations with the EU, but ruled out rejoining the single market or customs union ( AP )

He added: The time for posturing on the sidelines is over. Sensible conversations are more crucial than ever before, about the damage of leaving the European Union, and what shape our future relationship should take.

And SNP MP Stephen Gethins told The Independent that post-Brexit Britain is more isolated than at any other time in the post war period.

That leaves us more vulnerable in terms of hard security as well as to the impact of a trade war, he added. Mr Gethins said: The best means of protecting ourselves and making us more secure is to rejoin the EU, and at least the Single Market. At a time when other European democracies are enhancing security cooperation and deepening trade links, it is the best means of protecting ourselves in a more dangerous world with an increasingly isolationist US that will remain a reality regardless of tonights result.

Naomi Smith, chief executive of the Best for Britain campaign group said: With weaker democratic guardrails and an administration of loyalists, Trump has pledged to use a second term to drive through draconian tariffs on all imports to the US including those from the UK, posing a real risk to growth.

But, while warning of the danger of a second Trump term, Ms Smith called for the prime minister to pursue closer ties with Europe regardless.

She said: The UK Government must make our economy less vulnerable by rebuilding ties with our closest neighbours and allies in Europe through beneficial alignment, mutual recognition of qualifications and standards, plus a reciprocal youth mobility scheme.

The prime minister has promised to fix Britains damaged relationship with the European Union for the benefit of generations to come.

But Sir Keir has ruled out rejoining the single market and customs union or reinstating freedom of movement with the bloc.

So far, the PMs post-Brexit reset has yielded little positive progress, with further talks scheduled with EU leaders later this year and in the first half of 2025.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Unionized machinists at Boeing voted Monday to accept a contract offer and end their strike after more than seven weeks, clearing the way for the aerospace giant to resume production of its bestselling airliner and generate much-needed cash.

Leaders of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers district in Seattle said 59 percent of members who cast ballots agreed to approve the companys fourth formal offer and the third put to a vote.

The deal includes pay raises of 38 percent over four years, and ratification and productivity bonuses.

However, Boeing refused to meet strikers demand to restore a company pension plan that was frozen nearly a decade ago.

The contracts ratification on the eve of Election Day clears the way for a major US manufacturer and government contractor to restart Pacific Northwest assembly lines that the factory workers walkout have idled for 53 days.

According to the union, the 33,000 workers it represents can return to work as soon as Wednesday or as late as November 12.

Boeings CEO Kelly Ortberg has said it might take a couple of weeks to resume production in part because some could need retraining.

Ortberg has been under pressure to repair the companys reputation and financial losses following a string of high-profile setbacks and disasters.

Boeing employees gather around a burn barrel as others arrive to vote on a new contract offer from the company Monday November 5 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

In mid-January, flight safety came under scrutiny when an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9s door plug blew off, causing the grounding of all 171 MAX 9 jets by the FAA while they investigated.

Boeing executives admitted they couldnt say with absolute certainty that another such incident would not occur tomorrow as they were forced to give testimony to the US National Transportation Safety Board last month.

In July, a wheel fell off a United Airlines Boeing 757-200 moments after it took off from Los Angeles. And Boeing struck a plea deal with the Justice Department earlier this year to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.

The conspiracy charge related to the company allegedly misleading federal regulators into approving the 737 Max jetliner the aircraft model that was later involved in two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, which together claimed the lives of 346 people.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A Colorado man who is accused of killing a woman in her home had been released from jail weeks prior after posting his $250 bond in a separate case.

Michael Fuller, 30, had previously been arrested in October and was facing charges of assault of a peace officer and felony menacing with a real or simulated weapon for allegedly threatening a woman in a park.

On Friday, Loveland police spoke to Fuller when they responded to a home for a welfare check after a 911 caller said she was worried something had happened to her mother, according to a police press release. Officers arrived at the home just before 7 p.m. and were trying to get Fuller to step outside to speak with them when they noticed the woman lying on the floor.

Once inside the house, police confirmed that the woman was dead. Her identity and cause of death will be released at a later time by the Larimer County Coroners Office.

A motive for the alleged murder has not been released.

Fuller was taken into custody and booked into the Larimer County Jail on charges of first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and violation of a protection order.

The new charges come just weeks after Fuller was charged with second-degree assault on a peace officer, felony menacing, and resisting arrest. According to the Loveland Police, officers responded to Namaqua Park on October 9 for a report that a man, later identified as Fuller, was threatening a woman.

The woman told police that the man was yelling at her while she was walking her dog by the river. He asked her for a cigarette and when she said she didnt have one, he became angry and threatened to kill her and her dog.

Fuller allegedly walked towards the woman and her dog and then threw a beer bottle and rocks at them which forced them into deeper water.

The woman told police she tried to get away from the man, but her dog is disabled and elderly and she didnt want to leave him behind.

As Fuller got closer, the woman said she sprayed pepper spray at his face.

When police arrived on the scene, the woman and Fuller were both standing in the river about 15 feet away from each other.

Police ordered Fuller to get out of the water but he appeared to be intoxicated and was slow to comply, they said. Officers tried to grab him to get him out of the water.

During the struggle, the man grabbed onto the officers neck and tried to pull him under the water. Another officer suffered a minor injury, according to the post.

Fuller was jailed but then released on October 14 after posting a $250 cash bond, according to records.

After the alleged murder on Friday, Fuller was booked into Larimer County Jail and his bond in the case was set at $10 million, according to a statement from the 8th Judicial District Attorneys Office.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

In one of the many confessions Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen allegedly made from prison, he claimed that he was spooked by a white van which caused him to abandon his plan to rape two teenage girls on a hiking trail in the small Indiana town and quickly kill them instead.

But now the credibility of Allens confessions is once again in question after a witness testified about a detail that only the killer would know.

Brad Weber, who is a key witness for the prosecution in the case, claims he drove his white van home from work on February 13, 2017, the day Abigail Abby Williams, 13, and Liberty Libby German, 14, were murdered. At around 2:30 p.m. on that fateful day, he drove by the stretch of Deer Creek where the girls bodies were discovered a day later.

The timeline appears to line up with the case laid out by the prosecution which claims that the killer led the girls down the hill at 2:31 p.m., according to pings from Libbys phone. The phones last ping was at 2:32 p.m.

Allen, 52, is on trial for the murders of Abby and Libby, whose slain bodies were found a day after they went missing on February 13, 2017 while walking on a trail at the Monon High Bridge near Delphi. Allen was arrested five years later in October 2022.

Weber was recalled to the stand by the defense this week as attorney Andrew Baldwin tried to discredit his testimony by pointing out that he had given conflicting statements about his timeline to investigators in the days following the murders.

open image in gallery Richard Allen, 52, is on trial for the murders of Abby and Libby, whose slain bodies were found a day after they went missing on February 13, 2017 ( Allen County Jail )

Weber acknowledged that he gave two different stories during two separate interviews in February 2017. In one, he said he drove his white van straight home from work on February 13, 2017, the day of the murders. In the other interview, he said he left work and went to service some ATM machines.

This difference is significant because if Weber did not go straight home from work, the states timeline for Allen seeing the van just before the murders does not match up with the way it was told to the jury, Fox 59 reported.

And it further raises questions on the credibility of Allens prison confessions, which his attorneys say were made in the throes of a mental health crisis brought on by months of solitary confinement.

Last week, the court heard from psychologist Dr. Monica Wala, who told jurors how Allen confessed to the crimes in detail to her while he was at the Westville Correctional Facility.

She claimed that Allen told her that his intention was to rape the girls but said he was spooked by a white van. He then forced them into the woods and slashed their throats before covering the girls with sticks, a detail which matched the crime scene.

open image in gallery Libby German (left) and Abby Williams (right) pictured together before they were killed in 2017 ( Facebook )

Allen, who said he had been following the girls on the bridge, had messed with his gun, which he speculated mightve led to the round being found at the scene, he told Wala.

Weber, who owns the white van, took the stand after Wala. He also owns property next to the Monon High Bridge trails that was searched in the initial hours after the girls went missing.

During cross-examination, Baldwin pressed Weber about his timeline, claiming that according to one of the previous interviews, he had not gone straight home, but had gone to drop off a trailer. Weber denied this multiple times in an exchange that grew heated.

When Weber was recalled by the defense, he explained to the court that he got upset on the stand last week because he thought the defense was trying to tell him what he did after he got off work the day of the murders.

Baldwin also confronted Weber about an inconsistent statement he made to police on February 19, 2017, in which Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Adam Pohl wrote that Weber indicated he might have gone to service ATMs that day.

Weber told the court that he did not remember saying that and claimed he went directly home that day after work and took a nap.

open image in gallery A grainy image of a man who came known to be Bridge Guy was taken from the video found on Libbys phone and released by Indiana State Police in an effort to track down the suspect ( Indiana State Police )

He said he did not know about the missing girls until officers woke him up when they showed up at his house that afternoon and asked if he had seen the girls on the trails or near the bridge that day. He said he had not seen them and then gave officers permission to search the area.

When former Delphi police chief Steve Mullin took the stand on Monday, the defense questioned him about whether Allen was told about the white van prior to his confession.

Baldwin argued that Allen could have learned this key detail from Dr. Wala, who was obsessively following the Delphi case, reading and posting online about it, listening to podcasts and even traveling to the Monon High Bridge, according to Fox 59, some of which she reportedly shared with Allen during their sessions.

You dont know what Dr. Wala told Richard Allen about a van? Baldwin asked Mullin, to which he replied no.

But Mullin added that Allens admission about being spooked by a van was the first time the prosecution had even heard about the van.

Many details of Allens confession match the crime scene, but its unclear if Allen was already privy to these details due to receiving the discovery paperwork from his lawyers around the time he made these confessions, Fox 59 reported.

open image in gallery In this courtroom sketch, Richard Allen, left, is seated next to one of his defense attorneys, Andrew Baldwin, inside a courtroom at the Carroll County Courthouse in Delphi on October 28 ( AP )

Allens long-awaited trial comes more than seven years after the girls were killed and two years after his arrest.

Prosecutors say Allen is the man known as Bridge guy seen in footage captured on Libbys cellphone. A grainy image of the man was one of the few pieces released to the public after the killings as police hunted for a suspect. The case became a favorite among the true crime community and it took years to arrest Allen.

A jury of five men and seven women will decide Allens fate. They have been sequestered since testimony began last month. As closing arguments are expected today, the case will soon be in the hands of the jury.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

An Illinois man was arrested after he alleged assaulted an election judge at a township office while early voting was in session.

Daniel Schmidt, 24, alleged punched an election judge in the face after he was told to wait in line for his turn to vote.

Police responded to a call at the Orlando Park Township Office around 11am where they found Schmidt being detained by several people inside.

He allegedly tried to cut the voting line, which caused the election judge to ask him to return to the back of the line. When he allegedly tried to push past the judge, he was stopped again. Schmidt allegedly began cursing at the judge before punching him, knocking his glasses off his face.

Bystanders reportedly grabbed him and restrained him until police arrived on scene. Police said Schmidt allegedly resisted arrest.

Once he was taken into custody, Schmidt was charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery of a victim over 60, two felony counts of aggravated battery in a public place, and several misdemeanors.

Daniel Schmidt, 24, was arrested after he allegedly punched an election judge in Orlando Park, Illinois, after the judge asked him to wait in line to vote ( Orlando Park Police Department )

He was held in jail overnight and was summoned to a detention hearing on Monday.

Late last month, a man in Texas was arrested after he allegedly punched a poll worker who instructed him he could not be on the premises while wearing a Donald Trump hat.

Texas is one of 21 states that bans any kind of political apparel at polling places.

The alleged attacker, Jesse Lutzenberger, 63, was arrested on October 24 and has been charged with a third-degree felony. He was held in jail on a $30,000 bond.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A 24-year-old man in Tennessee was arrested by federal agents after he allegedly tried to use a "weapon of mass destruction" to attack an energy facility.

Skyler Philippi, 24, "believed he was moments away from launching an attack on a Nashville energy facility to further his violent white supremacist ideology  but the FBI had already compromised his plot, Attorney General Merrick Garland said on Tuesday.

Sometime in June 2024, Philippi allegedly told a confidential informant working with the federal government that he wanted to carry out a mass shooting at a YMCA in Columbia, Tennessee. The next month, Philippi is said to have told another confidential informant that he had been considering an attack that would "shock the system" by sabotaging an electrical substation.

According to federal agents, Philippi devised a plan in which he would attach explosives to a drone and fly it into the substation.

Driven by a racially motivated violent extremist ideology, the defendant allegedly planned to attack the power grid with a drone and explosives, leaving thousands of Americans and critical infrastructure like hospitals without power, FBI Director Christopher Wray said.

The FBIs swift work led to the detection and disruption of the defendants plot before he could cause any damage.

open image in gallery Philippi, 24, was charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to destroy an energy facility after he allegedly planned to fly an explosive-laden drone into an electrical substation in Tennessee ( Metropolitan Nashville Police Department )

In September, undercover FBI agents accompanied Philippi on a reconnaissance trip to scout out a substation. During the drive, Philippi allegedly ordered C-4 plastic explosives and other explosives from the undercover agents.

Philippi allegedly offered advice to the undercover FBI agents, texting them "if you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high economic, high tax, political zones in every major metropolis.

While planning for the attack, Philippi allegedly told the agents they would need disguises, leather gloves to thwart fingerprints, and wearing shoes that are too big to throw off footprint matching. He also said the saboteurs would need to burn their clothes afterwards and to leave their smartphones on the night of the operation.

On Saturday, Philippi reportedly recited a Nordic prayer in a ritual and began talking about the Norse god Odin to the agents. He told them that their upcoming action would be "where the New Age begins" and that it was time to "do something big" that would be remembered "in the annals of history."

The agents and Philippi then allegedly drove to the substation, after which Philippi was taken into custody by federal agents. They allegedly found Philippi's drone powered up and an explosive device sitting nearby.

Philippi has been charged with the attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility. If he is convicted, he will face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

"This case serves as yet another warning to those seeking to sow violence and chaos in the name of hatred by attacking our countrys critical infrastructure," Garland said on Tuesday. "The Justice Department will find you, we will disrupt your plot, and we will hold you accountable."
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A 10-month-old baby was left fighting for life after his moms fiance allegedly bearhugged him after tossing him into the air.

Jordan Boggess was arrested on a felony child abuse charge after his partners toddler was left in critical condition following the incident in Newtonia, Missouri on September 14.

The Newton County Sheriffs Office attended the childs home around 8pm in response to a call about a baby not breathing. When first responders arrived on the scene, they found the baby unconscious but breathing, according to Law & Crime.

The baby was rushed to a nearby hospital and later transferred to a childrens hospital in Kansas City, Missouri two hours away, where medical professionals found bruises on his forehead and ear. A CT scan revealed the child had collapsed lungs and two brain bleeds.

Cops went back to the home to speak to 28-year-old Boggess, the mothers fiance. When they arrived, he was sleeping. Boggess reportedly told officials he was lying in bed and watching TV when the boys mother went to the bathroom on the day of the injury. Boggess said the child vomited and was screaming.

To comfort him, Boggess said he threw the child in the air. The second time he threw the baby up, he fell on his head, he claimed.

open image in gallery Boggess, 28, has been arrested on one felony count of child abuse ( Newton County Sheriffs Office )

Jordan then admitted after the child fell on the floor he panicked and bear hugged the child a little hard until he stopped screaming, cops said in a probable cause affidavit obtained by the outlet. Jordan was asked if it was tight and he said yes. Jordan admitted he might have hurt him when he squeezed him.

Medical professionals determined the child had been the victim of abusive head trauma as well as physical abuse.

Boggess has been arrested on a felony child abuse charge and remains in the Newton County Jail without bond.

The baby was discharged on October 24 and is recovering at home with his mother, who has not been publicly identified. The childs father told KY3, an NBC affiliate, that the childs injuries are likely to have a lasting effect on his life.

He basically took my sons life. He took my sons future. You dont toss a baby into the air, Tyler Burbridge told the outlet.

The Independent has contacted the states public defenders office for comment.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A man has died in a horror accident after being buried under hot asphalt while trying to fix a dumpster truck.

Darrell Sheriff, a 41-year-old private contractor, had gone to collect the truck from AJ Materials in Jackson, Mississippi, on Monday morning, Jackson Police Department said.

Police said that Sheriff was under the truck repairing a hydraulic line when the tailgate opened and scalding hot asphalt poured on top of him.

People rushed to help, trying to clear the asphalt to save Sheriff but his injuries were too enormous to survive, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said at a press conference.

Wade said there appears to have been a malfunction with the dumpster, with the incident being treated as an accidental death.

It was horrific. It was horrifying and is something that you do not want to see. You know seeing him was one thing but actually talking to the family members and their hurt, their pain. Their shock, the police chief said.

open image in gallery The accident unfolded at AJ Materials (pictured) in Jackson ( Google Maps )

You know this Monday morning, people are just going to work. They dont want to hear about a family member whos lost his life.

Sheriffs family remembered him as a good, hardworking man who was just trying to make a living, Wade said.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Sony Pictures Television, the producer of the long-running gameshows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, filed a lawsuit accusing its distributor CBS of undercutting their deal and failing to fork over millions of dollars in fees.

Unfortunately, it is now clear that CBS has fallen woefully short of holding up its end of the bargain, Sony alleged in a breach of contract suit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The reality is that CBS has been egregiously undercutting the value and profitability of these shows in favor of its own self-interest and in violation of its contractual obligations.

The complaint alleges that CBS, which licenses the shows to TV stations and sells associated advertising space in exchange for commissions, dropped the ball on a number of fronts, from failing to negotiate sufficient licensing fees, to refusing to turn over more than $3.6m in ill-gotten fees for long-term deals in New Zealand and Australia that Sony says are contractually barred.

We strongly refute any claims by Sony that we did not use our best efforts in distributing the programs or otherwise failed to abide by our obligations under the agreements, CBS said in a statement to The Wall Street Journal.

Sonys claims are rooted in the fact they simply dont like the deal the parties agreed to decades ago, it added.

The suit concerns two of the most high-profile and profitable shows in American television, with the pair estimated to bring in more than $100m in annual profits for Sony.

Jeopardy producer Sony Pictures Television accuses its distributor, CBS, of failing to uphold their contract ( NBC )

The complaint alleges that the foreign licensing deals are just the tip of the iceberg.

It also claims CBS has been selling local networks bundles of its own wholly produced and owned programs to the detriment of the Sony partnership, and alleges that cuts to CBSs marketing, distribution, advertising, and foreign distribution teams are causing Sony to incur further costs.

The suit says that CBSs ongoing dispute with the Nielsen TV ratings agency, which has left the company without a contract with the benchmark-setting audience firm, is yet another headwind against Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

Both shows have endured considerable change in recent years.

In 2023, longtime Wheel host Pat Sajak retired this summer after more than 40 years on the program.

Jeopardy host Alex Trebek died in 2020 from pancreatic cancer and was replaced by Ken Jennings.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi condemned a violent confrontation on Sunday outside a Hindu temple in Canada, where a consular event was underway.

Mr Modi described the incident, which took place at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Ontario, as a deliberate attack and voiced concerns over attempts to intimidate Indian diplomats in Canada.

It comes amid a steep decline in the diplomatic ties between the two countries after Canada accused India of being involved in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has denied the claim.

Footage of the clash, widely circulated on social media, showed individuals wielding flagpoles and exchanging punches.

The brawl broke out during a consular camp organised by the Indian High Commission aimed at providing passports and other services to local Indian nationals. Some of the demonstrators were seen holding Khalistan flags, a symbol for those advocating for a separate Sikh homeland in Punjab, India.

While the exact cause of the violence remains unclear, the Peel Police responded to multiple demonstrations across the area on Sunday.

In a statement, local authorities announced that three men have been charged: a 43-year-old with causing a disturbance and assaulting an officer, a 23-year-old with assault using a weapon, and a 31-year-old with mischief. Additionally, police reported the suspension of an off-duty officer spotted at one of the demonstrations; his participation in the protests is under investigation.

We are aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an off-duty Peel police officer involved in a demonstration. This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act, Richard Chin, Peel Police spokesperson, was quoted as saying by the CBC News. We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until such time that this investigation is complete.

The incident amplified existing tensions between India and Canada, which worsened after Canada expelled Indian diplomats in October. Canada alleged that Indian intelligence may have been involved in the 2023 killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India has strongly denied these allegations, calling them politically motivated, and retaliated by expelling six Canadian diplomats.

Sikhs for Justice, a North America-based organisation that supports the Khalistan movement and is banned in India, claimed that pro-Khalistan Sikhs who were peacefully demonstrating ... were violently attacked by a group of Indo Canadians.

Indian media reported that an Indian consular camp at the venue was targeted in the violence.

Khalistan refers to a proposed independent state for Sikhs that some activists seek to establish in Indias Punjab region. This movement remains a source of friction between India and segments of Canadas Sikh community, some of whom openly support the cause.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Modi said: I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau similarly decried the violent events.

The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely. Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident," Mr Trudeau said in a post on X.

India has repeatedly called on Canada to take stronger measures against Khalistan activism on Canadian soil, arguing that such activities compromise the safety of the Indian diaspora. Canadian officials have maintained that the incident was under investigation.

Addressing the situation during a visit to Australia, Indias external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, echoed Mr Modis concerns, labelling the incident at the Hindu Sabha Mandir deeply concerning.

Sikh protesters attack an effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi outside of the Consulate General of India, days after Canada expelled six Indian diplomats ( Reuters )

Referring to a statement by Indias Ministry of External Affairs, he added: What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was deeply concerning you should have seen the statement by our official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by our PM yesterday. That should convey to you how deeply we feel about it.

The recent violence has intensified calls for increased security around Indian community centres and temples in Canada, where tensions have spiked since the diplomatic row began. The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi urged the Canadian government to protect Indian nationals, calling the violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists.

"We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Monday.

The Peel Police have since stepped up patrols around religious and community hubs in Ontario in an effort to prevent further disturbances.

Meanwhile, a massive crowd of Indian-origin residents in Canada paraded through the streets of Brampton to protest against the local police force.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Election Day is finally on our doorstep, and Kamala Harris is suddenly looking stronger than ever.

A weekend of campaigning across swing states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia was overshadowed on Saturday by the political equivalent of a bomb going off. J. Ann Selzer, Iowa polling guru, dropped a late-game shocker: The Des Moines Registers survey shows Kamala Harris up three points over Donald Trump in the state.

Is there suddenly a new state in play? Quite possibly  for all the bluster from the Trump camp Saturday evening and into Sunday about this being an outlier, it is only in the respect that other polls have been extremely careful to generously sample Republican-leaning constituencies throughout the campaign season. Selzer is sticking to her guns.

Her poll would have to be much further off than it has been in the past two election cycles for Harris to lose the state  and a victory there would cut Trumps path to victory off at the knees. Even if it is off by as many as four percentage points, its hard to say that its findings should be doing anything besides raising the loudest alarm bells at Mar-a-Lago.

Take the findings with women: Harris is leading Trump by a stunning 2:1 margin with women who are 65 and above. Amid a campaign season dominated by ads about the deadly consequences of abortion bans that have cowed hospitals in red states into putting off lifesaving treatments for pregnant women, theres only one real way to take it: a Roe reckoning.

A late-game poll shows Kamala Harris winning 2:1 with women ages 65 and older. ( AFP via Getty Images )

Thats right. If the Selzer poll bears out to any degree tomorrow, were in for a decades-defining political backlash to the conservative Supreme Court decision overturning Roe vs Wade. What consequences will that have for the presidential race? What about the Senate race in Montana, where GOP candidate Tim Sheehy has called women indoctrinated on the issue of abortion rights and dismissively said that it was all younger women wanted to talk about? What about in Texas, where the states Cancun-visiting senator and wannabe podcaster Ted Cruz is facing potentially the toughest election night fight of his political career? Or Nebraska, where a Republican incumbent senator has suddenly found herself in danger of being unseated by an independent who says he wont caucus with either party?

For days, it has looked like cracks were showing in the coalition that Trump put together in 2016 and tried to reassemble this year. A last-minute swing of three rallies in the state of North Carolina, which he won twice, suggested to many that his internals showed signs of danger there. His campaign no longer seems to be making a serious push for Wisconsin, instead focusing attention on Pennsylvania. Other polls have shown Harris up by several points in Michigan, suggesting that if any candidate is favored to come out ahead, its her.

We dont yet know how deep the implications of such a massive gender gap are going to be. What we do know is they appear to be widespread: A second poll, released by The New York Times/Siena College this weekend, put Harris atop Trump in the following battlegrounds: Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Georgia. The two candidates were tied in Michigan and Pennsylvania; Trump, once dominant in the race, now only leads in Arizona.

Its also clear that Tuesday is likely to be another night filled with victories for abortion rights campaigners, who have ballot initiatives in front of voters in Nebraska, Florida, Maryland and other states.

One thing is for sure; Kamala Harris seems to have the wind firmly at her back. Tuesdays real question: how far will it push her?
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A purple county in the middle of a swing state may be a dream for presidential candidates, but the reality of being a campaigns most desired item  a possibly undecided voter!  is a nightmare for the residents of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Voters here are hammered by political ads from all sides, and many are happy it will finally come to an end on Tuesday.

Its been insane, says Wendy Hanley, a 49-year-old resident of Bensalem, as she leaves a polling place at a high school in the town. Thats all we get in the mail. Phone calls, texts, TV.

People are coming to our door constantly, she adds.

A passerby, who also just cast their vote, overhears the conversation and agrees: They gotta stop all that sh**! he shouts.

The road to the White House runs through counties like Bucks, which often flip between candidates and are used as signposts to determine who could win the race.

As The Independent drove into Bensalem, a township of some 63,000 people just 20 miles outside of Philadelphia, digital billboards were showing ads for Kamala Harris followed seconds later by ads for Donald Trump.

Doormats were filled with paper flyers and residents phones are regularly sent text messages from both campaigns. Even the lawn signs appeared to be split down the middle.

The town, which is more than 60 per cent white, sits not far from the Delaware River that divides Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The streets are lined with colonial-style homes, many of which are still decked out with Halloween decorations.

open image in gallery Kamala Harris attends a rally in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, last month ( EPA )

Pennsylvania is the biggest electoral vote state among the seven swing states, with campaigns vying for 19 electoral votes. A victory there means a candidate would only need to win over two other swing states to secure the 270 electoral votes to win the whole election.

An estimated $1.2bn has been spent on ads in Pennsylvania, according to ad-tracking firm AdImpact  the first time in US history that a single state has seen more than $1bn in ads.

You watch a TV commercial and its for one candidate, and then the next commercial is about the same candidate but against them. Back to back, Andrea Erickson, a 45-year-old nurse who moved to Bensalem from Philadelphia some years ago, tells The Independent after she casts her vote.

What makes Bucks County so valuable is the make-up of the voting pool. Party registration is almost evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, and non-college educated white voters (the largest voting bloc in the country) make up about half of the electorate.

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro described Bucks County as the swingiest of all swing counties in the swingiest of all swing states.

Biden won here by four points in 2020  by just over 17,000 voters. If Harris is unable to meet that margin, it could be an early warning sign for her chances of winning the state  and therefore the presidency.

Living in a purple county can make conversations between neighbors difficult at election time, especially for a small business owner like Cory Derricks, who doesnt want to turn away customers from her hair salon due to politics.

Its been hard trying to talk to people, she says outside a Bensalem polling station. I have to watch everything I say. I try to just listen.

She cant wait for election season to be over, and the spotlight to be off them.

Today I didnt even want to put the TV on because Im just tired of listening to it, she adds.

Gladys Ajiri, who headed to the polls with her husband, says everyone in her house has been bombarded with non-stop political advertising  including her daughter who is not old enough to vote.

The other day she said to me: Mom, these people are driving me crazy! Thats how I feel too, she says.

They hijack your phone. Its not like they text once  I got a text from the same person 20 times since summer, she says.

She also notes that the constant barrage wouldnt change her mind anyway.

Its policies that matter, she says. Most of us already know who were going to vote for.

Bucks County residents might be over it and their inboxes full, but they take their role as the decider of the nations fate very seriously.

I just hope we made the right choice, Hanley says with a nervous laugh.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Well, here it is: Election Night 2024. Millions of Americans have already cast their ballots, and it might take a few days to learn who the next president will be. But tonight, the polls will close on one of the most unpredictable elections in recent history. An election that was posed to be a rematch between two elderly men who had faced off in 2020 turned into one defined by assassination attempts and a surprise change at the top of the Democratic ticket.

As always, its impossible to decode what precisely will happen and who will win by how much. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. But there are always indicators.

A few weeks ago, Inside Washington broke down House races to watch that might show who wins the whole thing. In the same vein, because of the electoral college, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump need to focus on specific counties in each of the seven swing states.

Without further ado, here are the seven most important counties to watch on Election Night if you want an early sense of whos going to win overall.

Maricopa County, Arizona

Of all of the swing states, Arizona might be the state where Trump has the best chance. Even though he trashed favorite son John McCain, his numbers still look good. But if he is to win Arizona, he will need to make sure he cuts into Harriss lead in Maricopa County.

The home of Phoenix, Maricopa is McCain country. Trump narrowly won it in 2016, but it flipped to Joe Biden in 2020.

Its full of the old-school Republicans and independents. It also has plenty of high-income earners in places like Paradise Valley, which has a median income of $221,333.

As Democrats become the party of high-income earning white voters, Harris will need to run up the scoreboard here. But also expect this county to decide Arizonas Senate race between Ruben Gallego and pro-MAGA election denier Kari Lake.

Erie County, Pennsylvania

All eyes are on Pennsylvania. Harris held her final rally on Monday evening in Philadelphia, where she needs to maximize turnout from Black voters. She also campaigned in Allentown, home to a large Puerto Rican population, after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made a joke at Trumps rally calling it a floating island of garbage.

But both Harris and Trump campaigned heavily in Erie, a classic white working-class county that had hollowed out in recent decades thanks to factories closing. Trumps mad-as-hell populist rhetoric resonated with voters there but Scranton Joe pro-worker approach won over Eries voters last time around.

John Fetterman and Josh Shapiro performed well there in 2022. Meanwhile, Trumps running mate JD Vance hails from Ohio, which is right on the border with the county.

Waukesha County, Wisconsin

When Harris held a series of events in the Blue Wall with Liz Cheney, her decision to hold an event in Waukesha did not fall out of a coconut tree. One of the WOW Counties, alongside Ozaukee and Washington County, Waukesha has historically been a bastion for white conservatives. But as a heavily suburban county, its slowly shed Republican voters.

In 2008, John McCain won about 62 percent of the vote. But in 2020, Trump won 59.7 percent of the vote. In a state that Biden only won by 20,682 votes, those small margins matter.

Other places to watch include Milwaukee, where Harris must run up the scoreboard with Black voters; Dane County, home of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and therefore plenty of college students; and Brown County, where the Green Bay Packers play and where Trump held his garbage truck stunt.

Oakland County, Michigan

Plenty of people have wondered whether Michigans Arab American population will deliver the state to Trump, given the Biden-Harris administrations unconditional support for Israel during Netanyahus war in Gaza. They may, but Arab Americans make up a sliver of the population.

Whether that happens or not, Harris  or Trump, for that matter  will have to do well in Oakland County.

Oakland includes some of the white upper-class suburbs of Detroit. In 2016, Hillary Clinton barely got a majority of the vote there when Trump won Michigan. Biden built on her lead when he put Michigan back in the Democratic column.

Almost a third of voters in the 2024 Republican primary voted for Nikki Haley instead of Trump. If Arab Americans do wind up sitting out this election or even voting for Trump, Harris will need to make it up in places like Oakland and Macomb Counties, or shes toast.

Clark County, Nevada

Followers of The Nevada Independents editor Jon Ralston may also know Clark County as the Democratic Firewall. Thats because Democrats, largely buoyed by the work of late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, have built their party machine around maximizing turnout in the county that includes Las Vegas.

The states Culinary Union Local 226 engages in an aggressive door-knocking and voter turnout operation. By contrast, much of the rest of the states other more rural counties are vote banks for Republicans.

The GOP have done better at maximizing early voter turnout this year. The Covid-19 pandemic battered the states economy and it has the second-highest unemployment rate in the country, after the District of Columbia. It also has a large Latino working-class population  just the type of voter Trump has courted in recent years.

Forsyth County, Georgia

When Fox News held its womens town hall with Trump last month, it chose to have it in Forsyth County for a reason.

The heavily white county has long been a Republican stronghold. It also has a darker history, given that after Reconstruction, it kicked out its Black residents and the Ku Klux Klan operated openly there as late as 1987.

But in recent years, it has slowly diversified and even though it remains staunchly Republican, Democrats have cut into Republican margins.

Other places to watch include the Black Belt of Georgia in the southern part of the state that helped elect Raphael Warnock and the suburbs of Atlanta.

Union County, North Carolina

Just like how Republicans have wanted to flip Nevada for years, Democrats have not quite figured out how to win North Carolina again since Obamas 2008 victory. But if it does finally flip, it will be because of places like Union County.

The Bulwarks Daniel McGraw broke down some fascinating statistics about Union recently. North Carolina has seen an influx of northerners moving in from out of state and Union epitomizes this shift. Located just east of Mecklenburg County, which houses Charlotte, in 2010 it had only 201,292 residents. As of 2023, that number hovers around 256,452, according to the US Census Bureau.

In 2016, Clinton won only about 32 percent of the vote. In 2020, Biden won about 37 percent of the vote.

In addition to Union, watch Cabarrus County, just north of Charlotte, which shifted significantly to the left in 2020. And keep an eye on the Piedmont Triad, where Trump campaigned heavily, and Robeson, which he won twice after it had voted Democratic for more than a century.

For Harris, see how well she does not just in the Triangle that houses colleges like the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University and Duke, but also the northeastern Black counties.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The chaotic final moments of the 2020 presidential election are etched into the memories of every American  especially if they come from Pennsylvania.

After days of counting ballots, lawsuits and protests in the crucial and deciding state, the Trump presidency came to an end in the parking lot of a landscaping company in an industrial suburb of Philadelphia, next to an adult book store, to the desperate cries of Rudy Giuliani.

This years race is set to be another nail-biter, and Pennsylvania is the most likely state to decide the result again. So should we expect to see a repeat of that debacle?

The short answer is: Maybe.

Donald Trump is relying on a familiar playbook from his 2020 campaign, casting doubt on the integrity of elections by framing routine processes like how voters cast their ballots or how ballots are counted as bogus evidence of fraud. Nowhere has that been more evident than in Pennsylvania.

The states unusual election laws have made it a ripe target for bogus election fraud claims for the second election in a row. And while there have been some changes made to avoid a repeat of 2020 chaos, there are still risks.

My hope is that that preparation work thats gone in ahead of time will mean that, by comparison, things do go more smoothly, Alice Huling, senior legal counsel, voting rights, at the Campaign Legal Center, told The Independent.

But she added that theres some potential for individuals to try and interfere with the really more bureaucratic, more administerial process of counting the ballots after they are cast.

open image in gallery Elon Musk jumps on stage as he joins former US President and convicted felon Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on 5 October, 2024 ( Getty Images )

The 2020 election was so chaotic because of a toxic mix of Trumps lies about the integrity of the vote and the coronavirus pandemic that had swept the nation. Together, they converged in Pennsylvania to create a perfect storm.

Trump spent months before Election Day in 2020 spreading false conspiracy theories about the integrity of mail-in ballots, which were being used in record numbers by Democratic voters to vote safely during the pandemic.

Trumps attacks on mail-in ballots only made Republicans far less likely to use them. That polarized voting divide set up what many election observers described as a red mirage on Election Night.

In Pennsylvania, which was to be the deciding state, that was a recipe for disaster. Because mail-in ballots take longer to count, and because the Republican-controlled state legislature had blocked measures to begin processing those ballots before Election Day, Trump was always expected to take an early lead in vote counting. That lead  the red mirage  was expected to fall and eventually disappear as those mail-in ballots were counted.

That is precisely what happened. And as expected, Trump and his allies used this entirely anticipated shift to cry foul and fraud.

Giuliani, the presidents personal lawyer, arrived in Philadelphia to announce that the campaign was suing Pennsylvania to stop counting ballots, citing a lack of transparency in the process. A few days later, he was live on television at Four Seasons Total Landscaping when the election was called for Joe Biden.

This year, some things are different and some remain the same. Recognizing that his attacks on voting early and by mail actually hurt him in the end, Trump has changed tact this year and encouraged his supporters to do both. That could mean that the red mirage of 2020, where Trump took a huge lead on Election Day because most of his supporters voted in person, will be less of an issue.

But while other states have passed laws to make the ballot counting process go quicker, Pennsylvania still does not allow for mail-in ballots to be processed before Election Day.

Nate Persily, an election law expert and professor at Stanford Law School, told NBC that the GOP-controlled Pennsylvania legislature had multiple opportunities to clarify and improve the states election law.

It deliberately chose not to. The gaps in the law provide a vacuum that gets filled with conspiracy theories and require the courts to bring coherence to an incoherent regime, he said.

open image in gallery Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 30, 2024. ( REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez )

That will mean that in the event of a close race, and Pennsylvania being the deciding state, America may have to wait a few days before the next president is announced.

Philadelphia has made some changes to how it counts the ballots, however, including the use of a high-speed envelope opening machine. An analysis by Votebeat found that Philadelphia city officials purchased more of those machines over the summer, which could allow them to count the traditionally slower mail ballots quicker than in 2020.

Meanwhile, Trumps allies are sharing viral videos that allege wrongdoing, while his campaign has threatened litigation that election law experts warn could be used to lay the groundwork to challenge the results, if he loses.

Viral footage of long lines in Bucks County, where voters were queuing for mail-in ballots to be collected and returned in person, drew complaints from Trumps campaign that the state was suppressing votes.

Pennsylvania is cheating, and getting caught, at large scale levels rarely seen before, Trump baselessly posted on his Truth Social. REPORT CHEATING TO AUTHORITIES. Law Enforcement must act, NOW!

A statement from Bucks County officials admitted people were briefly being told they could not be accommodated, but the error was corrected.

Contrary to what is being depicted on social media, if you are in line by 5pm for an on-demand mail-in ballot application, you will have the opportunity to submit your application for a mail-in ballot, the statement said.

Having gone through the fire four years ago, Philadelphia officials are taking the threat of election interference seriously. The citys district attorney, Larry Krasner, issued a stern warning to anyone thinking about interfering with elections in the city.

"If people think theyre going to erase votes in Philly or terrorize people who are here to protect those votes, weve got some handcuffs, weve got some jail cells, and weve got some Philadelphia juries who want to hear why, exactly, it is that somebody thought they could erase our votes or terrorize our elections workers, he told NBC on Thursday, just a few days before the vote.

"As they say in Philly, if somebody wants to come and do that, they can F around and find out," he added.

open image in gallery Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, a lawyer for President Donald Trump, speaks at the podium during a news conference on legal challenges to vote counting in Pennsylvania, Nov. 7, 2020, at the Four Seasons Total Landscaping, in Philadelphia. ( Copyright 2020The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Although Guliani is still dealing with the consequences of his 2020 post-election escapades, Trump has enlisted another powerful ally in his efforts to cast doubt on Pennsylvanias election results.

Trumps largest donor and the worlds wealthiest man, Elon Musk, is being sued over what prosecutors have called an illegal scheme to influence voters by randomly awarding $1 million to people who sign his political action committees petition.

Krasner sued Musk one week before Election Day. Musk tried to move the case into a federal court. A judge rejected his appeal on November 1.

The district attorney has also warned the courts that Musks Twitter/X posts against the lawsuit have inspired an avalanche of attacks, including antisemitic abuse and calls for masked intruders to invade the DAs home.

His lawsuit marks the first legal action against the billionaires stunt, which offered people who signed his PACs petition supporting First and Second Amendment rights the chance to win a daily $1 million prize drawing.

But the giveaway is only open to registered voters in seven swing states, drawing warnings from election law experts and civil rights groups that it could be seen as an illegal vote-buying operation.

Musks legal team admitted that there is no prize to be won at all  the recipients were not randomly drawn, and they agree to fulfill contractual obligations on behalf of the PAC. Musk denies any suggestion of wrongdoing.

Pennsylvania is the biggest electoral vote state among the seven swing states, with campaigns vying for 19 electoral votes. A victory there means a candidate would only need to win over two other swing states to secure the 270 electoral votes to win the whole election.

The Independent has reached out to Four Seasons Total Landscaping for comment.
 Close Related video: Jake Tapper shares five words he never contemplated using to describe Trumps cabinet pick

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Donald Trump has returned to Madison Square Garden tonight to attend an Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the New York City arena.

The president-elect returned to the famed venue just weeks after his controversial campaign rally there. Attendees met him with thundering cheers as he entered alongside UFC CEO Dana White, billionaire ally Elon Musk, cabinet pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. Popular podcaster Joe Rogan also attended, greeted Trump with a friendly handshake.

Meanwhile, Trump continues to fill key posts in his second administration and tonight named fracking CEO Chris Wright as his choice for energy secretary.

Wright, CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development and one of the industrys loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change.

Trump's transition team is also firefighting serious allegations surrounding Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Pete Hegseth for defense secretary.

A woman who gave testimony to the House Ethics Committee probing Gaetz claims that she witnessed him having sex with a minor, her lawyer told ABC. Gaetz denies all wrongdoing.

The president-elect's transition team is also reportedly "stunned" by a sexual assault allegation regarding Hegseth that only emerged within 48 hours of announcing him for the top defense job, CNN reports. He denied all the accusations.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Elon Musk joined a chorus of conservative social media accounts boosting claims Google was providing users with information on how to vote for Kamala Harris but not her rival.

The tech billionaire reposted a tweet from the account of a graphic designer called DogeDesigner, claiming Google shows a Where to Vote section with a map for Kamala Harris, but not for Donald Trump. The post also falsely claimed Google is the top donor to the Democratic party. (The investment firm Bain Capital donates more, according to OpenSecrets.)

Are others seeing this too? Musk asked his more than 200m followers.

He responded to another similar post with an inquisitive, eyebrow-raised emoji.

The implication was clear. Musk, the richest man in the world and owner of X, who has spent over $132m backing Trump and other conservative causes this election, seemed to be suggesting a tech giant was trying to influence the election.

Google quickly responded to the claims.

The where to vote panel is triggering for some specific searches bc Harris is also the name of a county in TX, the company wrote on X, of Musks home base of Texas. Happens for Vance too bc its also the name of a county. Fix is coming. Note very few people actually search for voting places this way.

This is now fixed, the company later explained, prompting Musk to answer, Thanks for the clarification.

The exchange seems not to have convinced some in Musks online orbit.

Valentina Gomez, a 25-year-old Republican who briefly went viral for a series of homophobic remarks in the course of an unsuccessful Missouri Secretary of State campaign, claimed in response to Musk, This is a BS lie and theyre rushing to fix it because we caught them interfering in an election for the Democratic Party.

Google quickly clarified that the claims reposted by Musk were misunderstandings of search results in Harris County, Texas ( The Joe Rogan Experience )

Critics allege it is Musk who is attempting to have undo influence over the election.

In late October, a lawsuit from Philadelphias district attorney accused the billionaire of running an illegal lottery scheme by giving swing state voters who signed a Musk PACs petition supporting conservative causes the chance to randomly win $1m in a daily prize drawing.

In court on Monday, a lawyer for the PAC admitted the winners of the drawings were not randomly selected, but rather deliberately chosen to be paid spokespeople for the group.

Lawyer Chris Gober told a judge in Philadelphia on Monday that there is no prize to be won at all, and that recipients instead must fulfill contractual obligations on behalf of the PAC.

Musk argues the prize isnt related to turning out Republican voters for Trump but rather gathering backers of a petition in support of the Constitution of the United States, and in particular, freedom of speech and the right to bear arms.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Voting at multiple polling centers in Georgia has been temporarily suspended following reports of bomb threats on Election Day.

Some of the threats, which were received in two counties, were reportedly of Russian origin according to Georgias Secretary of StateBrad Raffensperger, who said investigations were ongoing but that the threats were not believed to be viable.

Weve heard some threats that were of Russian origin, Raffensperger said during a press conference on Tuesday morning. I dont know how to describe that thats viable, we dont think they are, but in the interest of public safety, you always check that out.

Well just continue to be very responsible when we hear about stuff like that. Weve identified the source and it was from Russia.

Two polling stations were evacuated in Union City and Fulton County due to the threats.

Later, authorities in DeKalb County said that five centers in Dekalb County were later closed as a precautionary measure for the safety of voters and poll workers, while bomb sweeps took place. The DeKalb County Law Department said it would seek an emergency order extending the voting times at the affected polling locations.

open image in gallery Voters line up in Austell, Georgia to cast their ballots on Election Day. Some Georgia polling centers are receiving bomb threats of Russian origin, their secretary of state said on Tuesday ( Getty Images )

Every asset that we have will be deployed to ensure that every citizen who wants to vote will be given that opportunity and every vote cast will be counted," DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said.

In his press conference Raffensperger also referenced the distributed denial-of-service attack  also known as a DDoS attack  on Georgias state website last month. The attack targeted the page that allows voters to request absentee ballots.

Just like we had the DDoS attack on Monday, October 14, Raffensperger added. 42,000 pings denial of service from Russians. So we added that interface: I am a human, not a robot.

Election officials in Cobb County, Georgias third-largest county, mailed more than 3,000 absentee ballots late, sending them out late last week. They must arrive in Georgia by the end of Election Day to be counted.

We want to maintain voter trust by being transparent about the situation, county Board of Elections Chairwoman Tori Silas said in a statement on Thursday. We are taking every possible step to get these ballots to the voters who requested them."

Georgia is one of seven key swing states that will determine the outcome of the presidential election.

open image in gallery A voter arrives at a polling place to cast a ballot in Smyrna, Georgia ( Getty )

The latest New York Times/Siena College poll shows the two candidates are neck-and-neck in all swing states. Kamala Harris is just one point ahead of Donald Trump in the Peach State, which is well within the margin of error.

Trump currently faces charges of election interference in Fulton County, Georgia alongside his former attorney Rudy Giuliani and several others after falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen. Trump had his infamous booking photo taken in Georgia, which has proven to be a massive fundraising machine for his campaign.

Giuliani was already found guilty of defaming two election workers in Georgia: Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Shaye Moss.

Election workers spent much of this year preparing for Election Day. In Cobb County, the Board of Commissioners even approved funding for panic buttons in August to ensure election workers can call for help if needed while monitoring the polls.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The former campaign manager for a North Carolina Republican running to oversee public education in the state is no longer facing cyberstalking charges for allegedly snapping covert photos of a woman she then accused of being a Hamas sympathizer.

The Wake County District Attorneys office has reportedly dropped its case against Jennifer Sloan Rachmuth, who until June oversaw Michele Morrows bid for state schools superintendent, who was arrested Sunday over the bizarre incident at a suburban Raleigh supermarket.

Rachmuth is known for her incendiary online posts, according to local Fox affiliate WGHP , which first reported on her arrest. On Monday, Rachmuth told The Independent that she had been informed the charges would soon be thrown out; WGHP viewed court records on Tuesday confirming this.

Police say Rachmuth, 54, took pictures of an employee in the bakery department who was wearing a keffiyeh, a black-and-white Bedouin scarf that has become a symbol of support for the Palestinian people.

Went to @HarrisTeeter in Holly Springs and saw this Hamas sympathizer, Rachmuth wrote in an October 31 post on X. When I asked her why she was wearing a keffiyeh, the store manager told me to leave!!

open image in gallery Jennifer Sloan Rachmuth, a fomrer GOP operative, was charged with one count of cyberstalking ( Holly Springs Police Department )

On Sunday, Rachmuth was arrested by the Holly Springs PD and hit with one count of cyberstalking over the X post, which were made for the purpose of terrifying, harassing or embarrassing the supermarket employee, according to a warrant viewed by WGHP.

Today I was arrested for making this post 4 days ago, Rachmuth posted on social media. I believe the North Carolina Democratic Party is involved. I will fight this and continue to fight against antisemitism on campus and in the public square. @HarrisTeeter and @kroger have been put on notice.

In an email on Monday, Rachmuth told The Independent that authorities told her she was charged improperly and that the district attorney would be getting the case dropped.

I will be taking steps to ensure this travesty doesnt happen to others, Rachmuth said, without elaborating on why she thinks Democrats are to blame.

Morrow is a homeschooling advocate whose teaching experience consists of little more than a stint with a Christian homeschooling co-op, according to The Intercept .

Editors Note: This article has been updated to reflect that the charges against Rachmuth have been officially dropped.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

An unassuming village about 13,000km (8,000 miles) from Washington is observing the US presidential election with exceptional interest due to its ties with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

A Hindu temple in the vice-presidents ancestral village in Indias Tamil Nadu state held prayers on election day for her victory over Republican rival Donald Trump.

Billboards wishing Ms Harris luck ahead of the crucial polls adorned the lanes of Thulasendrapuram, an idyllic rural haven surrounded by rice paddy fields about 350km from the state capital Chennai.

Born to an Indian mother and Jamaican father in Oakland, California, Ms Harris primarily embraced her Black identity but periodically remembered her Asian roots and her time spent in Chennai as an infant.

open image in gallery A worker walks past a billboard by an educational foundation named after Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris ( AP )

G Manikandan, a villager who runs a small store near the temple, said celebrations will follow if she wins as a large banner outside the temple wished the daughter of the land success.

Outside the 300-year-old Hindu temple, a black stone table features the name of Ms Harris along with major donors. According to locals, a relative made a record donation of Rs 5000 (46.50) in her name in 2014 when she was serving as Californias attorney general.

Ms Harriss grandfather PV Gopalan was born in Thulasendrapuram in the early 1900s and moved away from the village, first to Chennai and later to Delhi, where he worked as a high-ranking government official until his retirement.

His success paved the way for Harriss mother, Shyamala Gopalan, to move to the US when she was 19 to study biomedical science at UC Berkeley. It was there that she met her future husband Donald Harris, an immigrant from Jamaica.

open image in gallery A man cycles past a poster of Democratic presidential nominee US vice president Kamala Harris in Thulasendrapuram ( Reuters )

The village received global attention four years ago, when its residents prayed for victory for Ms Harris's Democratic Party in 2020 before celebrating her inauguration as US vice-president by setting off firecrackers and distributing food.

Even after her family has moved from the village, they still sponsor prayers at the temple, not giving up on their roots. That is a source of pride for us, N Maheshwari, a grocery shop owner, told The Independent earlier in September.

While this year the excitement is muted in the village, people are still waiting with bated breaths for the election results.

Ms Harris is said to have visited the village herself when she was five years old, and in interviews has recalled memories of walking with her grandfather on the beach in Chennai. She hasnt been back to Tamil Nadu since.

open image in gallery A woman walks past a banner of US vice-president Harris installed alongside a road in the village of Thulasendrapuram in Tamil Nadu ( Reuters )

Ms Harris was not so well known in the village until it was announced she was the vice-presidential candidate [in August 2020]. This was when we started gathering information, said retired banker N Krishnamurthy.

In an op-ed published just days before Tuesday's election, Ms Harris reflected on her Indian roots in an apparent effort to gain the support of south-Asian voters.

Growing up, my mother raised my sister and me to appreciate and honor [sic] our heritage. Nearly every other year, we would go to India for Diwali. We would spend time with our grandparents, our uncles, and our chitthis (Tamil for aunt), she wrote in The Juggernaut.

My grandfather was a retired civil servant. His morning routine consisted of taking long walks on the beach with his retired buddies. I would join him on those walks and listen to stories about the importance of fighting for democracy and civil rights, she added.

Ms Harris spoke emotionally about her ties to her late mother's country of birth during prime minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington in June 2023.

She said her walks with her grandfather and the lessons first inspired my interest in public service  and have guided me ever since.

She also talked about her mothers influence and how she discovered her love of good idli, eliciting laughter from the crowd with her reference to a staple South Indian steamed rice cake dish.

In the neighbouring state of Telangana, Hindu priests performed an 11-day-long yajna or prayer ritual for Ms Harriss electoral success.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

In the final days of her campaign, Kamala Harris is making a last-ditch appeal to Arab American voters who have abandoned the Democratic Party over the war in Gaza.

I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza, to bring home the hostages, end the suffering in Gaza, ensure Israel is secure and ensure the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, security and self-determination, Harris told a rally in East Lansing, Michigan, on Sunday.

Harriss urgency comes as recent polls of Arab American voters  usually a reliably Democratic voting bloc  show a large number may either stay at home or vote for her rival, Donald Trump.

An Arab News/YouGov poll of Arab Americans last month found 45 per cent of respondents said they are most likely to vote for Donald Trump, 43 per cent Harris. The pair were tied at 38 per cent in the same survey when respondents were asked who would be better for the Middle East in general.

Joe Biden received around 59 per cent of the Arab American vote in 2020.

In the crucial swing state of Michigan, home to more than 200,000 Arab American voters, they could decide the presidency  especially since polls show Harris and Trump neck-and-neck in the state. Biden won the state by 154,000 votes in 2020.

The opposition has been a year in the making. President Biden has faced a fierce backlash from Arab American voters over his unconditional support for Israels war in Gaza, which was sparked by a brutal attack by Hamas in southern Israel that left 1,200 people dead.

open image in gallery Palestinians walk through the destruction in the wake of an Israeli air and ground offensive in Jebaliya, northern Gaza Strip, on May 30, 2024. ( AP Photo/Enas Rami )

Harris initially signaled a different tone on the conflict after taking over from Biden at the top of the ticket, but she has failed to articulate how she would do anything differently if she were to become president.

We are joined today by leaders of the Arab American community, which has deep and proud roots here in Michigan, and I want to say this year has been difficult, given the scale of death and destruction in Gaza and given the civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon, Harris said at the East Lansing rally.

It was an echo of what she said when protesters interrupted her speech at a rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan, last month, chanting, Israel bombs, Kamala pays, how many kids have you killed today? Harris responded, Hey guys, I hear you, and, We all want this war to end as soon as possible.

But more than a year into the war, those words still fall short of what many in the community wanted to hear.

Many want Harris to commit to an arms embargo on Israel to force an end to the war, which has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians. Israel recently extended its war into Lebanon to target Hezbollah, killing more than 3,000 people in the process.

open image in gallery Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) greets US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport on October 18, 2023. ( AFP via Getty Images )

The US government is Israels strongest ally, providing political and material support for decades. The US gives Israel around $3.8bn a year in aid for its military and missile defense systems, and has given more than $130bn since Israels founding in 1948.

Following the Hamas massacre of 1,200 people on 7 October, which sparked the latest Gaza conflict, the Biden administration has twice passed Congress to send Israel weapons worth hundreds of millions of dollars to carry out its war and asked Congress to approve a further $14.3bn in funding.

As the war has continued, Biden has signaled his unease at the death toll, but has refused to use billions of dollars in US military aid as leverage to pressure the Israeli government to change course.

Trump, who has also offered up his full support for Israels war, has nonetheless tried to capitalize on disaffection among Arab Americans.

On Friday, he visited Dearborn, Michigan, the heart of the Arab American community, where he vowed to end the conflict in the Middle East without saying how.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Vice President Kamala Harris has run a presidential campaign on policies intended to appeal to a broad scope of Americans, especially those looking for an alternative to Donald Trump.

Though Harris has spent the last four years in the White House, her role as VP has largely centered around supporting the Biden administrations initiatives. Having only entered the race in July after President Joe Biden was pushed out, Harris has only had a few months to make her own agenda clear.

Once known for progressive liberal policies, Harris has adopted more moderate ideas in an effort to appeal to a broader group of Americans. That includes a tougher position on immigration and championing the Second Amendment while still advocating for gun control legislation.

Heres where she stands on the issues.

Abortion

open image in gallery Vice President Kamala Harris is embracing her position as the Democrats leading champion for abortion rights in this year's election ( AP )

Harris is a strong advocate for all reproductive rights and has been throughout her career. A pillar of her presidential campaign is promising to restore the federal right to abortion and veto any legislation that would enact a national ban.

As a senator in 2019, Harris pitched a plan to require states to clear any reproductive health laws with the Department of Justice to ensure that they dont violate federal abortion rights.

When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 she became a vocal opponent of the decision and embarked on a Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour around the country, becoming the unofficial Biden administration ambassador to the issue.

Shes called state abortion bans a health care crisis and highlighted their negative impact on maternal mortality rates throughout her campaign.

Harris said she would not make concessions on the issue if Congress passed federal legislation, even for religious exemptions.

The Economy

Harris released a comprehensive economic plan in September that largely benefits the middle class.

Her tax plan aims to help small businesses and individuals who earn less than $400,000. Measures include expanding tax deductions for small businesses, restoring the earned income tax credit, promising to not raise taxes for those making less than $400k and implementing a $6,000 child tax credit. She has also proposed providing $25,000 in assistance for qualified first-time homebuyer.

Much like Biden, Harris wants to raise taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals and increase the corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 28 percent. However, she deviates from Biden when it comes to the capital gains tax rate saying she supports a rate of 28 percent compared to Bidens 44.6 percent.

Harris supports Bidens student loan forgiveness plan.

Immigration

open image in gallery Kamala Harris, pictured in 2019, visits the outside of a detention center for migrant children in Homestead, Florida ( Getty Images )

Once a champion for immigrants rights and a strong opponent of most of Trumps U.S.  Mexico policies, Harris has recently taken a tougher stance on border security.

As anti-immigration rhetoric and policies become more popular with voters, Harris has pivoted to support the bipartisan border bill Congress was unable to pass earlier this year due to Trumps interference.

Her immigration policies have been scrutinized by Republicans who have blamed Harris for the influx of migrants and border crossings. Trump nicknamed her the border czar despite Harris never holding an executive position that would give her the ability to control the border.

She was tasked with analyzing the root causes of migration from Central America in 2021 and visited the border before the end of Title 42  the emergency Covid-era policy that allowed the US to turn away migrants. At the time, she advocated for thoughtful and effective policies to be enacted

Foreign Policy

Harriss position on foreign policy has not deviated far from Bidens. Shes said she is committed to pursuing global engagement and defending democratic values at home and abroad.

In October, she declared Iran the greatest adversary to the United States asserting Iranians should never obtain nuclear power.

She supports US involvement in NATO and said in 2019 that she would re-enter the Paris Agreement if she were to be elected. She is supportive of Ukraine and vowed to back them in their war against Russia.

Israel and Gaza

open image in gallery The Biden-Harris adminstration has faced backlash from some Democrats for not taking a tougher line on Israel ( AP )

In the wake of the October 7 attack, Harris voiced strong support for Israel and maintained that hostages should be brought home, but in recent months has indicated she could be tougher on Israel than her predecessor.

In December, the vice president said she and Biden had been clear with the Israeli government that, it matters how Israel defends itself, while in March, she pushed for a ceasefire.

Harris declined to preside over the Senate chamber when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint Congressional meeting in July.

In the past, she voiced support for a two-state solution.

Crime

As a former prosecutor and attorney general of California, Harris has pitched herself as a progressive prosecutor who implemented criminal justice reforms ahead of her time.

She opposed the death penalty, implemented racial bias training for parts of law enforcement and introduced a re-entry program to help low-level offenders, among other incentives while attorney general.

When Harris ran for president in 2019, her platform emphasized the fight for racial justice. She said she would expand investigations into police misconduct, establish a national police misconduct registry, set a national standard for use of force and require states to report use of force incidents.

Critics have been skeptical of Harriss promises since her record shows some contradictions.

She fought to keep prisoners in prison, even after it was determined California prisons were overcrowded. Critics are also quick to point out that she prosecuted marijuana crimes at a higher rate than her predecessor.

Harris, a firearm owner, believes in maintaining Second Amendment rights while enacting gun safety legislation. Shes advocated for a ban on assault weapons, universal background checks and red-flag laws.

Healthcare

The Biden administration has taken steps to lower the cost of commonly used prescription drugs for seniors  something that will save the government an estimated $98 billion.

Using the money saved, Harris has proposed expanding Medicare coverage to provide support for home health services  something that will combat the countrys growing long-term care crisis for older adults.

The proposed plan would expand Medicare benefits to cover vision and hearing.

Harris also supports the Affordable Care Act  known as Obamacare, access to in vitro fertilization treatments and expanding Medicaid coverage to postpartum mothers.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The daughter of Martin Luther King Jr has rebuked an AI-generated video that depicts the long-dead civil rights leader endorsing Donald Trump.

The video, which features a synthetic version of King's voice and likeness, was posted on the social network X on Sunday by a pro-MAGA account, which billed it as what King would say "if he could speak today".

"We will vote for Donald Trump as our president, and we will fight beside him to make America great again. We will not allow the American dream to die," intoned the AI voice in a facsimile of King's trademark rising and falling delivery.

A fake Martin Luther King announces a spurious endorsement of Donald Trump in an AI-generated video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter ( Dilley Meme Team via X )

But Bernice King, a longtime civil rights activist who was five years old when her father was assassinated in 1968, was not impressed by the attempt at digital resurrection.

"Delete this, @MagaResource," she responded. "It's vile, fake, irresponsible, and not at all reflective of what my father would say. And you gave no thought to our family."

The deepfake video echoes longstanding themes of the Republican Party's outreach to Black voters, as well Black activists and social media influencers who support Donald Trump.

"If a Black man dares speak out in support of Donald Trump, a Democrat is always there to call that man an Uncle Tom, a house n****, or even worse," it says.

"We've been used by the Democrats... they've convinced us they're our only friends, when their actions speak the truth for all to see.

"They act surprised that we're unsatisfied. Well, we can never be satisfied as we're taken for granted, counted on for votes and then cast aside for those who come to this country illegally."

Trump has repeatedly claimed to have done more for Black Americans than any other president, with the "possible exception" of Abraham Lincoln (who legally freed millions of slaves with his Emancipation Proclamation and was key to amending the US constitution to abolish slavery).

In support, according to the Associated Press, he and his campaign has cited his 2018 bipartisan deal to reduce prison sentences and his creation of low-tax "opportunity zones" in low-income areas  though the latter have been limited in effect.

On the other hand, Trump weakened discrimination protections and reduced federal oversight of police racism during his first time as president, and has supported many policies (such as restricting abortion and narrowing voting rights) that disproportionately affect people of colour.

He has also falsely claimed that Barack Obama was born in Kenya, suggested Black critics should leave the country, repeatedly praised, supported, or shared material created by white supremacists, and led a campaign of demonization against Haitian immigrants.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

It appeared on Monday morning without warning or fanfare: an ironic monument to Donald Trump's genitalia in a New York state park, topped with a tiny golden mushroom.

Less than 24 hours later, it was gone  removed by New York's state park police, which now says it is "investigating" the incident.

The prank plinth was the latest in a series of mysterious public art installations that have suddenly popped up in Washington, DC, Portland, Oregon, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania over the past week, according to HuffPost.

Each one sarcastically "honored" a specific incident from Trump's chequered history as a politician, including his infamous Access Hollywood comments and his equivocation about the 2017 Charlottesville white supremacist rally.

This latest sculpture appeared in Donald J Trump State Park, on an area of land about forty miles north of Trump's Manhattan headquarters that was donated to the state by the real estate tycoon in 2006, and which has recently faced many calls to rename it.

Entitled "The Very Large Donald J Trump Monument," it paid homage to porn star Stormy Daniels's description of the former president's penis as "like a toadstool" and "like the mushroom character in Mario Kart".

"As you can see this is a very large monument. Definitely the biggest," said the plaque on the front of the distinctly phallic column.

"Despite this towering statue's impressive heft, the President's former mistress, Stormy Daniels, knowingly slandered the President as having a 'smaller than average' monument and claimed it is an 'unusual' monument similar to 'a mushroom'...

"This towering monument stands in defiance of these false statements, so that we may all bear witness to the truth of this giant, very normal monument."

A park police officer told reporters on Monday that the monument was being "disposed of".
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Oprah Winfrey delivered a damning final warning about the dangers of a second Donald Trump term at Kamala Harriss last rally of her presidential election campaign.

The veteran talk show host joined the vice president at her star-studded Philadelphia rally on Monday night, marking the last of her five campaign stops in the must-win swing state Pennsylvania on Election Day eve.

After pop star Lady Gaga sang a rendition of Irving Berlins God Save America, Oprah arrived on stage and delivered her final pitch to Americans to vote, warning that democracy may hang in the balance if Trump is re-elected.

You have got to vote. And listen, I know some of you are feeling burnt out and bruised and maybe inconsequential. Nothing could be further from the truth. Every single vote, every one is going to matter, the media mogul said.

If we dont show up tomorrow, it is entirely possible that we will not have the opportunity to cast a ballot again.

Oprah warned that America stands on the precipice of danger and claimed that those reluctant to vote for a presidential candidate risk relinquishing their control to an authoritarian regime.

open image in gallery Oprah Winfrey speaks during Harriss campaign rally outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Monday in Pennsylvania ( AP )

And let me be very clear: if you do not make sure that the people in your life can get to the polls, that is a mistake. Deciding not to decide, that is most definitely a vote to let other people control your future, she continued.

We are voting to save ourselves from this precipice of danger where we now stand.

All the anxiety and fear you are feeling, youre feeling that because you sense the danger. And you change that with your vote.

Oprahs warning comes as Trump has ramped up his authoritarian rhetoric during his campaign and hinted that, if he wins the 2024 race, he would make it so that Americans never need to vote again.

open image in gallery Harris poses with Winfrey at rally as she makes final pitch to voters ( AP )

In late July, after Harris rose to the top of the Democratic ticket, Trump told a Christian audience in Florida they should get out and vote, just this time, adding that you wont have to do it any more, if he wins on November 5.

A chorus of Democrats branded the statement terrifying while Trump surrogates brushed off the remark as a joke.

The GOP presidential nominee also called for the deployment of the military last month to handle radical left lunatics, branding his political opponents as the enemy from within and calling for their imprisonment.

Both Harris and Trumps longest-serving chief of staff John Kelly have condemned the former president as a fascist who could rule as a dictator, with the vice president last week rebuking Trump as a wannabe dictator and a petty tyrant.

open image in gallery Trump gestures to the crowd at his last rally Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the early hours of Tuesday morning ( REUTERS )

Equally apprehensive doomsayers in Trumps camp have also claimed that a Harris win will take away voters rights.

Trump megadonor and likely cabinet member Elon Musk sat down with Joe Rogan on Monday as the podcaster finally announced his endorsement of the former president.

If Trump doesnt win this is the last election, Musk said.

I think youre right, Rogan chimed in. I think a lot of people are waking up and realize  that have been lifelong Democrats like I cant do this anymore.

Musk added: You and I used to be Democrats.

Its nuts, its nuts, Rogan added.

Musk made similar comments last month as he joined Trump on stage at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally, claiming that this will be the last election if the Republican candidate doesnt win.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A Republican candidate for the Indiana House of Representatives was arrested on the eve of the election on Monday after being accused of violating a protection order.

Jim Schenke, 57, a delegate for the states 26th House district, was booked into Tippecanoe County Jail after police received a complaint late that he had allegedly contacted an individual on Facebook who has a protection order against him, according to The Lafayette Journal and Courier.

Tippecanoe County Chief Deputy Terry Ruley said officers received the complaint at 8.35pm on Sunday and, after investigating, concluded there was probable cause to make an arrest.

Schenke was duly arrested at his Wabash Township home on Monday on a preliminary charge of invasion of privacy.

He was booked into jail in the early hours of Monday morning but subsequently paid a $250 cash bond to secure his release.

According to the state registry, the politician, who is seeking to represent West Lafayette, currently has two protection orders against him: one from a local attorney and their staff. Schenke, meanwhile, has a protection order against a person living in his neighborhood.

Schenke resumed campaigning on his release from jail and took to Facebook to deny the allegations against him, claiming he is the real victim.

Indiana Republican political candidate Jim Schenke (in mugshot) was arrested on Monday November 4 ( Tippecanoe County Sheriffs Office )

For anyone who cares about honesty I have been accused of violating a protective order, Schenke wrote on the social media platform.

In truth I have a protective order against the sociopath that has been stalking and menacing me for months.

In response to questions from one of his followers about the post, Schenke wrote: Ever seen the movie Pacific Heights? Ive got a protective order against a guy like the Michael Keaton character.

Keaton plays a psychotic con-artist in the 1990 psychological thriller of that name.

The Independent has contacted Schenkes campaign for further comment.

Schenke, who is running against incumbent Democrat Chris Campbell and hoping to become the first Republican to represent the district in six years, made headlines last month when he was accused of driving a campaign motor vehicle into a street light while uninsured. The charge was later dropped on October 22.

He has also been hit with a civil charge by the Tippecanoe County Election Board for allegedly failing to include adequate political disclaimers in his campaign adverts.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A senior adviser to current US Senate hopeful Kari Lake has called for journalists to be sent to the gulag over a seemingly mundane conversation one reporter recounted having with a Democratic election canvasser getting out the vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Pressed on the issue, top GOP operative Caroline Wren  who was intimately involved with the January 6, 2021 March to Save America rally that incited the subsequent riot at the US Capitol  referred to the media as the enemy of the people, disparaging reporters as humorless drones who cant take a joke and reiterating her wish to see them imprisoned in labor camps if Donald Trump retakes the White House.

Wren posted her original comment Sunday night on X, in response to a tweet by Brahm Resnik , a journalist at Phoenix, Arizona NBC affiliate KPNX/12 News, who said he had answered a knock on his door at home a few minutes earlier.

Convo w Dem canvasser: Is (your son) at home? Resniks tweet read. Me: No. He moved out of state several years ago. How many doors have you knocked? Her: Thousands. Were down to voters who moved or dead people. #BattlegroundAZ

While others shared similar experiences, with one area canvasser saying he had come across a [l]ot of empty houses, folks who had moved etc, Wren apparently interpreted things quite differently, tweeting , Brahm Resnik just out here blatantly promoting election fraud. He should be the first journalist sent to the gulag.

When The Independent asked Wren on Monday to comment on the post, she first texted three rolling on the floor laughing emojis, followed by a swipe at the media at large.

I know humor is lost on journalists, but the gulag reference is a running joke among those of us with a sense of humor, Wren replied.

In response to a follow-up query about how this sort of talk might be misconstrued as a call to action rather than a joke, amid Donald Trumps unceasing rhetoric about the press being the enemy of the people, and saying at a recent rally that he wouldnt mind if the reporters covering the event were to get shot, Wren texted back, The press are the enemy of the people.

Where has Trump said he wants to put journalist [sic] in the gulag? Wren wrote. If he does, I hope Brahm is first.

To the notion of reporters being assassinated for doing their jobs, Wren responded by texting an eye-roll emoji, followed by, Thoughts and prayers.

Resnik declined to comment.

Trump has long applauded the specter of violence against members of the media. Over the course of his political career, Trump has described a reporter getting hit with a police officers rubber bullet as a beautiful sight, basked in reports of then-GOP Rep. Greg Gianfortes body slamming a journalist in 2018, has openly fantasized about jailing journalists who protected the identities of their sources, and regularly turns his rally crowds against reporters there to cover the goings-on. In the past eight weeks alone, Trump launched more than 100 attacks against the press, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Trumps tirades against the press have become so commonplace that we risk not even noticing them anymore, the nonprofit said in a statement. But the regularity of Trumps abuse only adds to the urgency to call them out. The dangers of growing numb to Trumps attacks on the media cannot be overstated  what starts as a verbal insult can easily turn into something far more serious if left unchecked. RSF is deeply concerned that violent rhetoric can easily lead to violent actions.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

In his final push to help get Donald Trump elected, former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pleading with his supporters not to vote for him.

RFK Jr remains a threat to the Republican candidates chances because he remains on the ballot Wisconsin and Michigan despite pleading with authorities to remove him when he backed Trump. Given how close the election is expected to be in swing states, every vote counts - even ones cast for the former independent Kennedy.

Dont vote for me. If you want to see me in Washington, DC, VOTE FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP, Kennedy wrote in a post on X on Tuesday, hours before polls closed around the United States.

Kennedy, who withdrew his independent campaign for president in August to endorse Trump

open image in gallery RFK Jr. has joined Trump on the campaign trail since dropping out of the presidential race ( Getty Images )

This is a kind of election interference [Democrats are] trying to deprive the American public of their  You know Im not running for president why would they want a candidate on the ballot who is not running for president and its election interference theyre trying to confuse the voters, Kennedy told Fox News on Sunday.

The former candidate and anti-vaxer said hes concerned about his name remaining on the ballot in battleground states like Michigan and Wisconsin because it could impact Trumps performance.

Emerging as a fringe candidate who promotes health-related conspiracy theories, Kennedys campaign immediately appealed to a faction of Americans who also support Trump  posing a problem for the Republican nominees campaign.

The two candidates eventually chose to team up and Trump offered Kennedy a role on his presidential transition team. The former president has also teased a potential formal cabinet position for Kennedy related to healthcare.

But because Kennedy had already submitted paperwork to appear on the ballot in Wisconsin and Michigan, per state laws he was legally required to remain on it. Despite his legal challenges, judges in both states agreed he did not have the grounds to remove his name and it would cause chaos too close to the election.

Already, more than one million voters in Michigan had returned absentee ballots that featured Kennedys name. In Wisconsin, it was more than 858,000 absentee ballots.

open image in gallery Kennedy has found himself at the center of various controversies including admitting to killing a bear and dropping it off in Central Park ( (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) )

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court formally ended Kennedys challenges to remove his name, rejecting to intervene in his emergency request.

Despite multiple judges weighing in on the issue, the former presidential candidate has continued to allege Democrats have purposefully kept his name on the ballot in order to confuse voters and potentially take votes away from Trump.

Only official election results will determine just how impactful Kennedys suspended campaign will be on Trumps active campaign.

The Republican and Democratic Parties often discourage third-party candidates from running because they can take votes away from the major candidates. In 2016, famously, Green Party candidate Jill Stein contributed to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clintons loss.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

It was Donald Trump and Kamala Harriss last chance to speak directly to the American people who have not yet decided who they will vote for today.

And their final pitches were poles apart.

While Trump spent much of his nearly two-hour speech in Michigans Grand Rapids hurling insults and profanities at his enemies, Harris pledged a hopeful message that we are not going back in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

And in a move that will surely bruise Trumps ego, Harris did not mention his name once. At his rallies, Trump has often played a video compilation of the vice president saying his name. By comparison, he mentioned Kamala several times.

At the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Trump launched into a familiar rant about former Democratic House speaker Nancy Pelosi and, in one particularly shocking moment, mouthed that she was a b****.

Shes an evil, sick, crazy he said, going on to begin to say the word b**** before stopping.

Oh no. It starts with a B, but I wont say it. I want to say it, Trump said, riling up the crowd who chanted: Say it, say it, say it.

open image in gallery Kamala Harris and Donald Trump made their final pitches to voters ( AFP via Getty Images )

The former president, who was nearly two hours late for his final speech of the 2024 campaign, also insulted his former officials who have since come out against him.

When our stupid generals, our terrible generals, the guys up top like Milley, like Kelly, real losers, Trump said. Kelly was dumb as a rock. Ill never do that again, I said give me your letter of resignation.

Kelly, Trumps former chief of staff during his first administration, said the former president met the general definition of a fascist two weeks ago, while Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Trump was fascist to the core.

We dont take an oath to a king, or a queen, to a tyrant or dictator or wannabe dictator, Milley said, infuriating Trump.

Trump also laid into the physical appearance of Democrat Adam Schiff, who was the lead prosecutor in his first impeachment trial. Adam Shifty shift, I call him Pencil Neck, Trump said. Hes got the smallest neck Ive ever seen and hes got the biggest head I dont know how the neck can hold the head. Hes an unattractive guy both inside and out.

open image in gallery Harris drew a large crowd outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art ( AP )

Once again, he compared his crowd sizes to Harriss. They have no enthusiasm, he said of her supporters. She had a rally today. She couldnt have had more than a hundred people there. I had all four stadiums full.

In reality, footage from his Michigan address shows empty seats, while footage of Harriss shows a large crowd in front of Philadelphias Museum of Art following performances from Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and an address from Oprah Winfrey.

It was nearly 2am by the time Trump finished his closing remarks.

Together we will fight, fight, fight and we will win, win, win, he said. November 5, today, will be the most important day in the history of our country.

open image in gallery Empty seats were visible during Trumps final speech to voters in Grand Rapids, Michigan ( Getty Images )

Meanwhile, speaking from the Rocky steps in Philadelphia, Harris kept her speech short and the tone positive.

Philly you know what Im about to say, Harris said.

We are not going back, she said, as the crowd chanted her campaign slogan.

America is ready for a fresh start, Harris said. Ready for a new way forward where we see our fellow American, not as an enemy, but as a neighbor.

She ticked off key messages on womens reproductive rights, the climate crisis, and called for unity over division.

The vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us. And we are all in this together.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Donald Trump clinched victory in the 2024 presidential election last week, sweeping all seven swing states to secure 312 Electoral College votes in a dramatic and historic week for America.

The president-elect eliminated his Democratic rival Kamala Harriss chances of making history as the first female president, and will now return to the White House on January 20, 2025 to serve a second term.

Trump cemented his nationwide victory in the early hours of November 6 as the announcement of Wisconsins results took him over the line to surpass the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.

There were jubilant scenes at Trumps election night party in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the president-elect hailed the greatest political movement of all time and ushered in a golden age for America.

Harris, meanwhile, addressed her supporters late afternoon on November 6, where she vowed to keep fighting in her concession speech. The vice president called Trump to congratulate him the following day.

The light of the American promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up, she told the crowd, as her voice appeared to crack.

Trump  who was rejected by a majority of Americans in 2020 during his re-election campaign after winning an unprecedented race in 2016  flipped every swing state that incumbent President Joe Biden won in 2020.

The president-elects legislative agenda will likely have support in Congress, where Republicans have flipped control of the Senate  garnering a six seat majority  and will keep control of the House of Representatives, having secured the 218 seats needed to maintain their majority.

Trump broke through the so-called blue wall of Rust Belt battleground states, including Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. He also won the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina and Nevada  closing out his sweep of the seven swing states.

Harris supporters were pictured in distress at the watch party on election night at her alma mater Howard University in Washington DC as results began to trickle in.

It was a very different picture over at West Palm Beach, where at 1.47am Fox News declared Trump the winner  before some states had declared their results  as he prepared to speak to his supporters.

Its a political victory that our country has never seen before. Nothing like this, Trump told his supporters from a convention center stage at 2.30am while surrounded by members of the Trump family and his closest allies.

open image in gallery Donald Trump basks in his election night victory at a convention center in West Palm Beach, Florida ( Getty Images )

Federal law enforcement agencies and election officials were prepared for disruptions this year after the chaotic aftermath of the 2020 election and Trumps spurious efforts to overturn the results of a race he lost. Officials attributed non-credible bomb threats in several states to Russian actors. Voters ranked the state of democracy as their number one issue informing their voting decision, according to exit polls.

Trump has also won in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada North Dakota, South Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming, according to preliminary results.

Harris, meanwhile, won the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington state as well as Washington DC.

She also picked up electoral votes in Maine and Nebraska, two states with a unique split electoral vote scenario, rather than the winner-take-all outcome in other states.

Trumps victory in Georgia reverses Democratic gains in the state after Biden narrowly defeated Trump there in 2020, when he became the first Democratic candidate to carry the state since Bill Clinton in 1992.

His victory in Florida marks his third consecutive win in the state, after Democratic former president Barack Obama carried the state in both 2008 and 2012.

open image in gallery Chairs and trash in an empty field following a Harris election night watch party at Howard University, Washington DC ( Getty Images )

Trump won four of Nebraskas five electoral votes in that states split electoral vote count and also won one electoral vote in Maine.

Media outlets made their projections for each states winner as election workers counted ballots and preliminary voting data was released.The Independent relies on projections from the Associated Press.

Outlets published their final projections in the early hours of November 6, with the Associated Press calling the race for Trump at 5:34 am ET. However, those determinations are only projections. The results must be certified in each state and then certified by Congress on January 6, 2025.

Experts previously told The Independent that the timeline for calling the race largely depended on two things: How close the election is in individual states and the specific laws of those states regarding counting votes and potential recounts, which all vary.

Senate and House races

Republicans have seized control of the Senate for the first time in four years after flipping six seats and wresting a narrow majority in the upper chamber of Congress from Democrats of 53 to 47 seats.

Republicans also maintained control of the House after securing a 218-seat majority on November 13.

A Republican trifecta  with leadership in the White House and majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives  could quickly usher through the GOPs sweeping legislative agenda that has largely been restrained by Democratic lawmakers and Bidens presidency.

Democratic candidates have now secured 214 House seats and Republicans have 220, with 1 yet to be called.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, controversial Republican Tim Sheehy from Montana has defeated Democratic incumbent Jon Tester.

Voters in Ohio have ousted Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown and elected Republican challenger Bernie Moreno, who previously called the former president a lunatic but has since adopted his agenda.

West Virginias Republican Governor Jim Justice has won a seat in the Senate, flipping a seat previously held by now-former Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, who is not seeking re-election.

Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida defeated Democratic opponent Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. And in Texas, Republican Ted Cruz fended off a challenge from Democratic candidate Colin Allred.

In Marylands Senate race, Democratic candidate Angela Alsobrooks defeated the states former governor Larry Hogan, an anti-Trump Republican.

Alsobrooks is set to become the first Black person the state ever elected to the Senate. For the first time in history, the Senate will include two Black women, including Alsobrooks and Democratic Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware.

Nevadas Democratic Senate Jacky Rosen has fended off a challenge from Republican Sam Brown.

Independent senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine both won re-election to their Senate seats. The Independent has included Sanders and King in the Democratic count because they caucus with the party.

The final Senate race was called late on November 11, when Ruben Gallego defeated GOP candidate Kari Lake to secure Arizonas seat, which was previously held by independent Kyrsten Sinema.

Only 34 of the nations 100 seats in the Senate were up for election this year, as senators serve six-year terms with a third being elected every two years. Eighteen of those seats were previously held by Democratic senators, posing a threat to their slim majority.

But all 435 seats in the House were up for election.

Voters in Delaware have elected Democratic candidate Sarah McBride to fill the states single House seat, making her the first openly transgender member of Congress in American history.

Results will be refreshed live as they come in. Check back for updates.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Donald Trump called former Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi crazy as a bed bug during an unhinged rant less than 24 hours ahead of Election Day.

Trump was in Raleigh, North Carolina, Monday morning when he made the remarks about the California representative and Democratic leader. The Raleigh event marked his first of four rallies on the eve of Election Day.

"Shes a bad, sick woman, Trump said. Shes crazy as a bedbug.

She is a crazy, shes a  remember she ripped up the paper behind me? She couldve gone to jail for that, he added, referring to when Pelosi ripped up a copy of his State of the Union address in 2020.

A spokesperson for Pelosi said Trumps comments are just the usual projection of his own insanity.

The former President is showing himself to be increasingly unhinged and unstable, her spokesperson told The Independent.

open image in gallery Donald Trump speaks in Raleigh, North Carolina on Monday. There, he ripped Nancy Pelosi and said his team talked him down from attacking Michelle Obama ( AFP via Getty Images )

At the same rally, Trump said his staff talked him down from launching attacks at former first lady Michelle Obama.

She hit me the other day, Trump said. I was gonna say to my people, Am I allowed to hit her now? They said, Take it easy, sir, sir.

My genius is  Im telling you, they said, Just take it easy, he added. What do you mean? She said bad about me. I cant hit back? Sir, youre winning. Just relax. Is that good or bad advice?

Last week, the former first lady slammed Trump as a felon, slumlord and a predator during a campaign event for Kamala Harris in Michigan.

People write off his childish indecency as Trump just being Trump, she said. Rather than question his horrible behavior, some folks think hes just funny.

I hope youll forgive me if Im a little frustrated that some of us are choosing to ignore Donald Trumps gross incompetence, while asking Kamala to dazzle us at every turn, she added.

open image in gallery Last week, the former first lady slammed Trump as a felon, slumlord and a predator during a campaign event for Kamala Harris in Michigan ( Reuters )

A new poll from The New York Times/Siena College, released just 48 hours before Election Day, shows Kamala Harris has now overtaken Trump in four critical swing states, including North Carolina.

Trump also appeared at a rally in Kinston, North Carolina, on Sunday. There, he appeared to forget where he was.

Trump was speaking to supporters when he started praising David McCormick as one of the best [Republicans] of all right here. But, McCormick is running for Senate  in Pennsylvania.

We have great Republicans running and you have one of the best of all right here, David McCormick, you know that? Trump said. Wheres David, is he around some place? You know he just left, hes a great guy.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Police have arrested a man who smelled of fuel and was carrying a flare gun into the US Capitol on Election Day.

The 28-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday afternoon as he entered the building through the Capitol Visitor Center. He had a torch, flare gun and lighter in his jacket as he tried to enter.

Our officers just arrested a man who was stopped during our screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), the US Capitol Police wrote in a statement. The man smelled like fuel, had a torch & a flare gun.

Authorities later revealed the man drove to Washington, DC from Michigan. Authorities found papers on him, which they are still investigating, the US Capitol Police said in a press conference after the arrest. He told police he planned to deliver these documents to Congress.

These documents included a manifesto that discusses the war in the Middle East, The Hill reports.

open image in gallery A man was arrested on Election Day after trying to enter the Capitol with a torch and flare gun ( AP )

Police tracked down the mans vehicle roughly one mile away from the Capitol building soon after his arrest.

Our investigators tracked the suspects previous movements and located his vehiclewhich was just cleared, Capitol police added.

Congress is not in session this Election Day.

Meanwhile, the nations capital city is on high alert as voters cast their ballots to decide the 47th president.

Officials have placed security fencing outside the White House and downtown businesses are boarding up their windows amid fears of political violence.

open image in gallery Workers board up a Devon and Blakely location near the White House, in Washington DC ahead of the presidential election ( AFP via Getty Images )

Large metal fences have also appeared around government buildings including the Treasury Department and near Vice President Kamala Harriss residence. Metropolitan Police Department officers are also monitoring key areas in DC and polling locations out of an abundance of caution.

The Independent has contacted the US Capitol Police for more information.

Elsewhere, violent threats are already streaming in. Georgia polling centers have been targetted by bomb threats of Russian origin, their secretary of state said on Tuesday morning.

Two polling stations had been evacuated in Union City and Fulton County due to the threats. Secretary Brad Raffensperger said officials were investigating but they do not believe they were viable.

Weve heard some threats that were of Russian origin, he said during a press conference. I dont know how to describe that thats viable, we dont think they are, but in the interest of public safety, you always check that out.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Security fencing has been put up outside the White House and businesses nearby are boarding up amid fears of political violence in the wake of the 2024 presidential election.

Business owners, residents and federal workers in Washington DC have taken steps to protect themselves and their properties as Americans head to the polls on Tuesday.

In downtown DC, local businesses boarded up their storefronts in preparation for any protests that may emerge. Large metal fences were erected around government buildings including the Treasury Department and near Vice President Kamala Harriss residence.

open image in gallery The fencing was installed outside a number of government buildings amid fears of unrest ( AFP/Getty )

Metropolitan Police Department members were placed around key areas in DC and polling locations out of an abundance of caution.

The scars left by destructive protests, including the January 6 attack on the Capitol, in the wake of the contentious 2020 election have hardly healed for DC

open image in gallery Workers erecting security fencing near the White House on Monday ( Reuters )

Local leaders have been preparing residents in recent weeks to be aware of the heightened security measures. Mayor Muriel Bowser has asked locals and visitors alike to stay informed and avoid any information they see floating around online to prevent the spread of misinformation  a major player in the political unrest of 2020.

We dont have credible threats of violence in our city and we want to keep the public informed of what we know when we know it, Bowser said in a press conference on Monday night in preparation for Election Day.

Bowser has sought to calm any nerves about the increased security precautions, assuring locals that they are working closely with federal partners to keep residents and visitors safe.

open image in gallery A member of the US Secret Service closes a security gate along Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House ( Reuters )

She reminded people that the fences erected around federal buildings were to be expected but that local businesses did not need to take similar precautions.

Despite that, businesses located near the White House still chose to take the extra step of security.

In the days and weeks after 2020 Election Day, downtown DC was plagued by massive protests both in favor of and opposed to Donald Trumps claims of election fraud.

open image in gallery Workers board up a Devon and Blakely store near the White House ( AFP/Getty )

An activist group opposed to Trump vandalized the exterior walls of a law firm that was assisting the former president in election result litigation. Massive groups of Trump supporters, including the Proud Boys, clashed with police and counterprotestors causing some destruction.

Protesters burned items in the streets, launched glass bottles around, broke storefront windows and vandalized the sides of buildings.

Eventually, the chaos surmounted in the January 6 attack on the Capitol which caused mass destruction to the building.

MPD Chief Pamela Smith issued a stern warning to those who are looking to create chaos this year.

Ill say this again, let me be clear, there will be no tolerance for violence in our city, no destruction or any unlawful behavior, Smith said. As Ive said before, well hold all offenders accountable. We will not tolerate the destruction of prosperity and we will not tolerate threats to public safety as well as this election process.

As of now, there is no credible threat to DC but MPD, Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies will be on alert up until Inauguration Day.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

New Zealands University of Canterbury is investigating a suspected case of food poisoning after more than 200 students in two residence halls fell severely sick on Monday.

There were reports of long queues at toilets, students rushing away in the middle of exams to be sick, and vomit flecks on windows left by those unable to make it to the bathrooms in time.

Paul OFlaherty, executive director of people, culture and campus life, confirmed that students at the University Hall and Ilam Student Accommodation had fallen sick.

This is of course concerning to us, and we are working closely with the National Public Health Service to investigate the cause of the illness, which includes a visit by Public Health staff to University Hall to test a small sample of students, he said, according to Stuff.

One student said over 200 students were up at all hours of the night either vomiting or experiencing extreme diarrhoea.

There were queues at one buildings toilets at 4am due to the large amount of students experiencing this, the student, who asked to stay anonymous, told local news outlet Stuff.

The outbreak is suspected to have been caused by a chicken souvlaki that was served at a student dining hall on Sunday night.

Officials from the New Zealand Food Safety (NZSF) began investigating the outbreak on Tuesday, and were operating on a working assumption that the shredded chicken in the souvlaki caused the illness, reported public broadcaster RNZ.

New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said: Our working assumption is that the cause was shredded chicken served as part of a meal. The amount of time between the food being eaten and symptoms appearing (about 11 hours) is consistent with unsafe handling practices around cooling, reheating and hot holding of the meat.

As part of this we are working to establish the cause of the outbreak, including possible food and non-food sources.

He added that the chicken was not undercooked, but not quickly and effectively chilled leading to bacteria growing. When reheated for the dinner, it was not hot enough to kill the bacteria.

The kitchen that provided the meal is run by University of Canterbury Students Association (UCSA), whose president Luc Mackay said the cause of the illness has not been determined yet and that they were working with the university and the health service to find the cause and provide support to unwell students.

We are disappointed to hear about the working assumption shared by New Zealand Food Safety. At this point in time, the investigation is still ongoing, he said.

Multiple students were left distressed on Monday, as the university is in the middle of their end-of-year exams.

Students missed exams due to this and many are struggling to get medical exemptions. One student spent over an hour of his exam stuck in the toilet, student Harry Browne told The Press, adding that he woke up at 5.45am on Monday due to terrible diarrhoea and vomiting.

Students shared footage with The Press that showed vomit falling down the windows of the hall, likely from students unable to reach the bathrooms in time.

According to Stuff, students tried on Monday morning to seek special consideration for those who had to miss their exams or performed badly due to the illness.

Student Liam Reynolds told RNZ that he had been sick for 12 hours, and was not eating at the dining halls, and another student said she had purchased two small bags of chips for lunch on Tuesday because she did not trust the food at the dining halls anymore.

Later, the university said that students unable to write their exams due to the outbreak would be able to apply for special consideration and could be allowed to retake their exams.

We have contacted all students in affected halls of residence directly outlining what to do if they think their exam performance was impacted and/or if they could not attend. UCs special considerations team will provide individual support and answer any queries. We want to do all we can to support our students health, wellbeing, and academic success, Mr OFlaherty said, according to ABC.

Yesterdays affected students have reported to be feeling much better today, there were no new cases.

Weve recommended students keep their fluids up, make sure they wash their hands thoroughly and check the Health New Zealand website for further advice. We have encouraged students to contact UniLodge (student accommodation facility) for any additional support they need including a free electrolyte mix to address dehydration, bottled water and packaged meals, he said.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

North Korean troops fighting for Russia have come under Ukrainian fire, a Kyiv official said Tuesday.

It is the first time an official said that Pyongyangs units were struck, following a deployment that has given the war a new complexion as it approaches its 1,000-day milestone.

U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence assessments say up to 12,000 North Korean combat troops are being sent by Pyongyang to the war under a pact with Moscow.

The first North Korean troops have already been shelled, in the Kursk region, Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation branch of Ukraines Security Council, wrote on Telegram. He provided no further details.

Western governments had expected that the North Korean soldiers would be sent to Russias Kursk border region, where a three-month-old incursion by the Ukrainian army is the first occupation of Russian territory since World War II and has embarrassed the Kremlin.

The North Korean troops, whose fighting quality and battle experience is unknown, are adding to Ukraines worsening situation on the battlefield.

Ukrainian defenses, especially in the eastern Donetsk region, are buckling under the strain of Russias costly but relentless monthslong onslaught.

open image in gallery North Korea has sent 10,000 soldiers to help Russias invasion of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) ( AP )

Russian advances have recently accelerated, with battlefield gains of up to 9 kilometers (more than 5 miles) in some parts of Donetsk, the U.K. Defense Ministry said Tuesday on the social platform X.

It said Russia has superior troop numbers, and despite heavy casualties the Kremlins recruitment drive is providing enough new troops to keep up the pressure.

Russia has held the battlefield initiative in Ukraine for the past year. Ukrainian officials have long complained that Western military support takes too long to arrive in the country.

In early October, Russian forces drove Ukrainian troops out of Vuhledar, a town perched atop a tactically significant hill in eastern Ukraine.

Vuhledar:

It was part of a key belt of Ukrainian defenses in the east. Russias next targets likely are the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk and the strategically important city of Chasiv Yar.

In the meantime, Russia has kept up its long-range aerial attacks on civilian areas of Ukraine, authorities say.

A Tuesday morning attack on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia killed six people and injured 16 others, regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov said.

The head of Ukraines presidential office, Andrii Yermak, said the Russian attacks must be stopped with strong action.

A stronger position by (Ukraines Western) allies is needed, he wrote on Telegram.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Francisco Murgui went out to try to salvage his motorbike when the water started to rise. But he never came back.

One week after catastrophic flooding devasted eastern Spain, Maria Murgui still holds out hope that her father is alive and among the unknown number of the missing.

He was like many people in town who went out to get their car or motorbike to safety, the 27-year-old told The Associated Press. The flash flood caught him outside, and he had to cling to a tree in order to escape drowning. He called us to tell us that he was fine, that we shouldnt worry.

But when Maria set out into the streets of Sedavi to try to rescue him from the water washing away everything in its path, he was nowhere to be found.

He held up until 1 in the morning, she said. By 2, I went outside with a neighbor and a rope to try to locate him. But we couldnt find him. And since then, we havent heard anything about him.

open image in gallery A Civil Protection member walks past flood damaged vehicles in Sedavi, in the region of Valencia, eastern Spain, on November 3, 2024, in the aftermath of devastating deadly floods ( AFP via Getty Images )

At least 218 have been confirmed dead after a deluge caused by heavy rains late on Oct. 29 and the next morning swamped entire communities, mostly in Spains Valencia region, catching most off guard. Regional authorities have been heavily criticized for having issued alerts to mobile phones some two hours after the disaster had started.

Authorities have yet to any give an estimate of the missing seven days on. Spanish state broadcaster RTVE, however, shows a steady stream of appeals by people who are searching for family members who are not accounted for.Maria Murgui herself has posted a missing persons message on social media with a photo of her father, a 57-year-old retiree.

This is like riding a rollercoaster. Sometimes I feel very bad and sometimes I feel better. I try to stay positive, she said. This truly is madness. We dont know what else to do. Neither does anybody else in town.

While many search for their loved ones, the gargantuan recovery efforts in Sedavi and more than 60 other communities slowly moves forward.

The floods have let behind post-apocalyptic scenes.

open image in gallery A woman clears mud from the floor of a flooded school in the municipality of Sedavi, province of Valencia, Spain, 04 November 2024 ( EPA )

Street after street in town after town is still covered with thick brown mud and mounds of ruined belongings, clumps of rotting vegetation, and wrecked vehicles. A stench arises from the muck.

In many places, people still face shortages of basic goods, and lines form at impromptu emergency kitchens and stands handing out food. Water is running again but authorities say it is not fit for drinking.

The ground floors of thousands of homes have been ruined. It is feared that inside some of the vehicles that the water washed away or trapped in underground garages there could be bodies waiting to be recovered.

Thousands of soldiers are working with firefighters and police reinforcements in the immense emergency response. Officers and troops are searching in destroyed homes, the countless cars strewn across highways, streets, or lodged in the mud in canals and gorges.

open image in gallery Volunteers prepare donations at a sport center after heavy rain and flooding hit large parts of the country on November 04, 2024 in Sedavi municipality, in Valencia, Spain ( Getty Images )

Authorities are worried about other health problems caused by the aftermath of the deadliest natural disaster in Spains recent history. They have urged people to get tetanus shots and to treat any wounds to prevent infections and to clean the mud from their skin. Many people wear face masks.

Thousands of volunteers are helping out, filling the void left by authorities. But the frustration over the crisis management boiled over on Sunday when a crowd in hard-hit Paiporta hurled mud and other objects at Spains royals, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and regional officials when they made their first visit to the epicenter of the flood damage.

Sanchezs national government is set to announce a new package of relief on Tuesday.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Yellow weather warnings for rain are in force in Spains northeastern Catalonia region a day after Barcelona was hit by fresh flooding following the countrys worst natural disaster in living memory.

Prime minister Pedro Sanchez warned that the devastation caused by flash flooding is not finished after at least 217 people were killed last week, mostly near Valencia.

Cities such as Valencia and Malaga were inundated last week after nearly a years worth of rain  close to half a metre  fell in just eight hours in some areas, leaving residents trapped like rats in homes and cars, as described by one desperate local mayor recalling the chaos.

A missing British couple, Don Turner, 78, and his wife, Terri, 74, were missing in the downpours and later found dead in their car on Saturday. In an emotional interview with the BBC, daughter Renee Turner said she was extremely angry at the Spanish authorities and the local government.

open image in gallery Floods deposited cars in piled heaps on streets thick with mud ( AFP via Getty )

She is one of many who feel abandoned, with residents anger erupting on Sunday when a crowd pelted mud off the streets at Spains king and queen, the prime minister and regional leaders as they made their first visit to an affected area.

The floods have also caused the death of another person from the UK. The unnamed 71-year-old man died hours after being rescued from his home on the outskirts of Malaga after heavy rain and hailstorms triggered flash floods in the area.

As volunteers engage in a huge clean-up effort after the floods swept away bridges and deposited cars and other debris in piled heaps on streets thick with mud, Spains interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said that authorities can still not give a reliable estimate of the missing.

Calm weather returned to the hardest-hit areas around Valencia, but the AEMET state weather agency issued a yellow alert for Barcelonas coastal area, the Pyrenees, Girona and Tarragona, all in the Catalonia area.

Those warnings, of up to 40mm of rain in 12 hours, span around 170 miles from Puigcerda in the north to Amposta in the south. Heavy rain pounded the Barcelona area on Monday morning, with more than 50 flights due to take off from El Prat airport cancelled or severely delayed.

open image in gallery Flood damaged cars are seen outside the Bonaire shopping mall on the outskirts of Valencia, eastern Spain ( AFP via Getty Images )

The disaster, which has prompted the central government to deploy 10,000 troops and police officers, has killed over more than 200 people in Valencia, with further deaths in Castilla-La Mancha and Malaga. The number of missing remain unknown. There are fears the death toll could rise as the relief efforts reach previously inaccessible areas.

Emergency services are working around the clock to clear out a 1,800-space underground car park at a shopping centre in Valencia, where sudden, tsunami-like flooding caught staff and shoppers by surprise.

Emergency crews are navigating murky waters to locate potential victims at the shopping centre, using boats to access areas where at least a metre of water remains. As police teams pump out the floodwaters and search through the roughly 50 waterlogged vehicles discovered so far, no bodies have yet been found.

Survivors described the terrifying event to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo as a nightmare and worse than the tsunami movie with shop assistants recounting how they narrowly escaped as torrents of water surged into the complex.

Read our liveblog on the floods for the latest updates

While the most suffering was inflicted on municipalities near the city of Valencia, the storms unleashed their fury over huge swaths of the south and eastern coast of the Iberian peninsula. Homes were left without water as far southwest as Malaga in Andalusia, where a high-speed train derailed.

Greenhouses and farms across southern Spain were also ruined by heavy rains and flooding. The storms spawned a freak tornado in Valencia and a hail storm that punched holes in cars in Andalusia.

open image in gallery Residents try to clean their houses in the Valencia town of Alfafara ( AFP via Getty )

The town of Chiva, west of Valencia province, recorded 491mm of rain in just eight hours  more than it has seen over the past 20 months, according to Spains weather service.

Spains Mediterranean coast is used to autumn storms that can cause flooding, but this was the most powerful flash flood event in recent memory. Scientists link it to climate change, which is also behind increasingly high temperatures and droughts in Spain and the heating up of the Mediterranean.

Human-caused climate change has doubled the likelihood of a storm like this weeks deluge in Valencia, according to a rapid partial analysis by World Weather Attribution, comprising dozens of international scientists who study global warmings role in extreme weather.
" " The Brazilian wandering spider (Phoneutria fera) are some of the largest and most venomous arachnids on the planet. Fotos593 / Shutterstock

If you're not a big fan of spiders, brace yourself, because the Brazilian wandering spider we're about to go into a lot of detail about one of the most dangerous spiders on the planet. With a venom that can cause intense pain and even some serious medical conditions, it's no wonder people give these critters a wide berth.

Now, these spiders get their name from their behavior; they don't build webs like many of their fellow arachnids. Instead, they wander through the forests and jungles of Costa Rica and other parts of Central and South America in search of food.

Advertisement

They're part of what some people refer to as the banana spiders genus Phoneutria. (We say "some people" because the term "banana spider" actually refers to several different species). Also, fun fact: Phoneutria means "murderess" in Greek.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

As emergency services continue to search for those still missing in Spain, many are questioning what caused the devastating flash flooding which has killed at least 217 people.

Dubbed the flood of the century, rainfall last Tuesday saw wide swathes of southern and eastern Spain completely destroyed by torrents of muddy water.

With cars tumbling down streets in Valencia and village roads turned to rivers, the army was drafted in to assist in the ongoing rescue operation.

Aemet, Spains meteorological agency, said Valencia had seen the most adverse cold drop of the century, prior to this weeks floods. ( AFP via Getty Images )

The region is known to be particularly vulnerable to torrential autumn downpours, caused by a weather phenomenon known as the cold drop or DANA.

However, the destructive weather system is believed to be worsening in the wake of climate change, accumulating in the flash flooding being the worst the region has seen in three decades.

From weather phenomena to flood defences: here is what may have accelerated Spains deadly flash floods:

The cold drop

A cold drop is a term used in Spain and France to refer to a weather phenomenon that is observed every autumn sparking torrential rain.

Otherwise known as the DANA weather system, it has occurred for many years on Spains Mediterranean coast but scientists believe it is being made increasingly worse by climate change.

It happens when cold air meets the warm, moist air over the Mediterranean Sea, the hotter air rises rapidly to form vast rain clouds quickly. These water-laden clouds can remain in the same area for many hours, raising their destructive potential.

Eastern and southern Spain are particularly susceptible to the phenomenon due to their position between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

The cold drop results in water-laden clouds hovering over locations for many hours ( Reuters )

Climate change

Aemet, Spains meteorological agency, said Valencia had seen the most adverse cold drop of the century prior to the floods.

The increase in torrential rain has likely been impacted by climate change with an Aemet spokesperson telling local media: It is not possible for air and sea temperatures to be increasing and everything else to remain the same.

The forecaster added that not only has the temperature change intensified the phenomenon and torrential rain, but it has also made them more frequent.

The increased summer heat has also meant the ground in Valencia is harder and less able to absorb the excessive amount of water.

Since the storm, there has been debate about the strength of Valencias flood defences ( AP )

Flood defences

Since the storm, many have argued Valencias flood defences are not strong enough to handle such extreme weather.

The region is particularly at risk of flash flooding  due to its hard ground and vulnerability to the cold drop  but its infrastructure has been unable to protect its residents.

Spains civil protection service did not issue an alert warning residents not to leave home until after 8pm on Tuesday 29 October  too late for the many already trapped on roads.

Residents have also said the drainage was inadequate, especially for smaller towns near rivers.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Spains prime minister Pedro Sanchez has said nearly 15,000 troops and police have been deployed to help the cities and towns affected by Spains deadliest flooding disaster in recent history.

Frustration over the governments management of the flooding crisis has sparked public outcry and prompted some citizens to turn to self-policing, frustrated by what they see as a lacklustre official response. Groups of local men are patrolling rubble-strewn, poorly lit streets in Paiporta, the suburb in Valencia where crowds pelted mud at Spains King Felipe and Queen Letizia when they visited at the weekend  and where more than 60 people out of the total death toll of 217 were killed.

One 19-year-old man, who gave his name as Martin, told reporters that he and his friends are taking the law into their own hands because they believe police are not carrying out their duty to maintain public safety.

Were patrolling because we dont want our neighbours to feel the insecurity theyve been feeling the past few days due to various robberies, he said. People have already lost enough.

Speaking at a press conference in Madrid on Tuesday, Mr Sanchez paid tribute to the work of the national police and civil guard.

I remember, at the first moments of this emergency, there was talk of looting, Mr Sanchez said. Today, fortunately, we are observing that this looting is falling to absolutely marginal figures. More than 170 people have been detained.

open image in gallery People walk through a street in Paiporta piled with broken furniture and debris ( AP )

The prime minister also announced a sweeping 10.6bn (8.9bn) relief package to support the recovery of 78 flood-ravaged communities, likening the scale of aid being provided to the robust relief measures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The relief package includes direct payments ranging from 20,000 to 60,000 for residents whose homes sustained damage, alongside substantial financial support for businesses and local governments in regions hit by the devastating floods.

Mr Sanchez also pledged to seek additional funding from the European Union, acknowledging the long road ahead after more than 200 people were killed by the flooding. Responding to Mr Sanchezs announcement, Valencias president, Carlos Mazon, said local authorities have estimated that they will need three times that amount.

Mr Sanchez declared Valencia a disaster area, saying that around 15,000 soldiers and police officers had been dispatched to the province as well as 287 forest brigaders, around a hundred customs officers, 44 forensic physicians, and 600 specialised vehicles for pumping, cleaning, and supplying water to the affected areas.

open image in gallery An owner is reunited with her dog following the flood ( Axel Miranda/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/News Images )

We must continue working, with more resources, more coordination, and greater effort, until normality returns to all the municipalities and to all the homes affected by this tragedy, he said.

Criticism of the authorities disaster response is continuing, with Mr Sanchezs ruling Socialist Party and the conservative Popular Party  which governs the Valencia region  involved in a blame game over who is accountable for inadequate flood warnings and who holds responsibility for managing emergency operations.

In polling published on Tuesday by El Espanol, an online newspaper, Valencians gave the king and queen scores of more than seven out of 10 for their conduct, whereas Mr Mazon, the head of Valencias regional government, and Mr Sanchez were rated 3 and 2.6 respectively.

Regional leaders estimate that losses could exceed 31bn, with up to 4,500 businesses affected by the destruction caused by the floods.

Fears are also rising over the potential for an outbreak of infectious disease, with authorities advising residents to get tetanus shots and quickly clean mud off their skin.

open image in gallery Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has announced a relief package to support the recovery of 78 flood-ravaged communities ( EPA )

Mr Mazon warned of the risk of an epidemic, saying that tetanus, hepatitis and gastroenteritis were all possible. He told a press conference: The first vaccinations are already being given to volunteers and neighbours.

Elsewhere, emergency services discovered human remains in Letur, near Albacete in the Castilla-La Mancha region, where five people have been missing since last weeks floods. On Sunday, the body of a sixth victim, a 70-year-old woman, was found.

As search and rescue operations continue, authorities are using sniffer dogs to comb through a submerged 1,800-space underground car park at the Bonaire shopping centre in Valencia. Emergency services are still working around the clock after sudden, tsunami-like flooding caught staff and shoppers by surprise and trapped an unknown number of people.

Survivors described the terrifying event to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo as a nightmare and worse than the tsunami movie, with shop assistants recounting how they narrowly escaped as torrents of water surged into the complex.

As police teams pump out the floodwater and search through the roughly 50 waterlogged vehicles discovered so far, no more bodies have yet been found.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Spains prime minister was the real target of protesters who hurled clots of mud at the Spanish king and queen when they visited the centre of the nations deadliest natural disaster in living memory, a royal expert has said.

King Felipe VI was pelted with mud and two bodyguards of Queen Letizia had to be treated for injuries after being hit with objects during the tense visit to Valencia on Sunday.

The images shocked Spain where the royal household has sought to restore the reputation of an institution which suffered from a series of financial scandals during the reign of former king Juan Carlos, who abdicated in 2014.

Felipe travelled to the area under tight secrecy with his prime minister Pedro Sanchez and Valencian regional leader Carlos Mazon.

The fury exploded in the suburb of Paiporta, where at least 60 people have died in the flooding. The current death toll from Spains disaster stands at 217 but authorities have said this is likely to rise.

The national and regional governments have been accused of failing to warn people properly of the lethal flood last Tuesday, and then not responding quickly enough to help people who have lost everything.

Valencians still hunting for missing relatives say the stench of the dead permeates the worst-hit areas but claim authorities are still nowhere to be seen.

On Sunday, as trouble broke out, officials rushed Mr Sanchez and Mr Mazon from the scene.

open image in gallery Firefighters search for victims at an underground parking lot following last weeks floods in the municipality of Sedavi ( EPA )

Get out! Get out! and Murderers! the crowd shouted, among other insults. Bodyguards opened umbrellas to protect the royals and other officials from showers of mud.

Police had to step in, some officers on horseback, to keep back the crowd of several dozen, some wielding shovels and poles.

Queen Letizia broke into tears after speaking to several people, including one woman who wept in her arms.

Later, one of the queens bodyguards had a bloody wound on his forehead and there was a hole in the back window of the prime ministers official car.

Jose Antonio Zarzalejos, a royal author and journalist, said the anger of the crowd was not directed at the king but at the politicians.

The error was for Sanchez and Mazon to go with the king on this visit. The anger was directed at them, he told The Independent.

The royals have been on many visits themselves to many places without any problem. But the king cannot go anywhere without the permission of the prime minister. It was Sanchezs decision to go with the king despite the tension.

open image in gallery A view of mud and debris, following heavy rains that caused floods, at La Torre neighborhood in Valencia ( Reuters )

Spanish transport minister Oscar Puente blamed far-right groups for trying to attack Sanchez, with protesters bludgeoning his car and smashing a back window.

I understand that there is an investigation. People have been identified who belong to far-right groups who cause public order offences, he told Spanish television on Monday.

Public rage over the haphazard management of the flooding disaster has been building.

We feel fury. We were never properly warned about this flood and now we have not been given any help to find our loved ones, Begona Gomez, 50, a sales executive from Valencia, told The Independent.

I have friends in Picanya, one of the worst areas. They say you can smell dead people there whose bodies are still lying in the mud. Nobody has told us how many people are missing.

Six days after the floods struck, many people still do not have drinking water. Internet and mobile phone coverage remains patchy.

Most people only got power back on Saturday. Stores and supermarkets are in ruins and Paiporta, a town of about 30,000, still has many city blocks completely clogged with piles of rubbish, wrecked cars and mud caked everywhere.

While far from awakening the passion that the British hold for their royals, Felipe and Letizias public events are usually peaceful affairs in which they are greeted by crowds of fans.

The 56-year-old king took the throne when his father, Juan Carlos, abdicated in 2014 after he was tarnished by self-made financial and personal scandals.

Felipe immediately cut a new figure, renouncing his personal inheritance and increasing the financial transparency of his royal house.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A student who stripped to her underwear at a university in Iran is receiving treatment, a government spokesperson has said.

The young woman undressed on Saturday at the Islamic Azad University in Tehran, an act that was widely perceived on social media as a protest against Irans strict Islamic dress code.

The student sustained injuries after being physically assaulted during her arrest, Iran International reported, citing a newsletter by the student group Amir Kabir newsletter.

Instead of viewing this issue under a security lens, we are rather looking at it with a social lens and seek to solve the problems of this student as a troubled individual, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Tuesday in the first official reaction to the event.

She said that the young woman had been transferred from a police station to a treatment centre, but did not say what treatment she would receive.

It is yet too soon to speak of this students return to university. According to a video published by her husband, she needs treatment and that needs to be completed before taking the next steps, Mohajerani added on the governments website.

open image in gallery An Iranian woman sits as she attends an annual rally in front of the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, marking the 45th anniversary of Iranian students' takeover of the embassy, starting a hostage crisis ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The woman was detained by security guards at the university. A university spokesperson, Amir Mahjob, said on X on Saturday at the police station, ... it was found that she was under severe mental pressure and had a mental disorder.

Growing numbers of Iranian women have defied authorities by discarding their veils after nationwide protests that followed the death in September 2022 of a young Iranian Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini. She died while in the custody of the morality police for allegedly violating hijab rules. Security forces violently put down the revolt.

The non-official Khabaronline website reported that the government spokesperson said the young woman was not facing any criminal charges.

Amnesty International said on X a young woman was violently arrested on 2 Nov after she removed her clothes in protest against abusive enforcement of compulsory veiling by security officials at Tehrans Islamic Azad University and called for her immediate release.

On Monday, the semi-official, hardline Tasnim news agency said those reacting on social media were the same anti-Iran movement which jumped on the Mahsa Amini affair in 2022.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant has been fired by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who cited a crisis of trust affecting the invasions of Gaza and Lebanon.

The announcement late on Tuesday came as a surprise, despite Netanyahu and Gallant having been repeatedly at odds over the last year.

Following the announcement, Gallant said on social media that the security of the State of Israel was and will always remain the mission of my life.

Netanyahus office said in a statement: "In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and the minister of defence.

"Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the defence minister."

open image in gallery Netanyahu and Gallant attend a ceremony for the 70th cohort of military combat officers on October 31 ( REUTERS )

Foreign minister Israel Katz will succeed Gallant as defence minister, while Gideon Saar will become the new foreign minister, Netanyahu's office announced.

Gallant has been a key figure in Israels deadly 13-month onslaught in Gaza, which has seen more than 43,000 people killed, according to Gazas health ministry. The invasion came following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 in which 1,139 people were killed, according to Israeli authorities.

He was criticised early in the war after ordering a complete siege of the Gaza Strip with no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed, in what was deemed by many to be collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

Israel has also invaded Lebanon after a year of tit-for-tat strikes with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

In the statement, Netanyahu added that "significant gaps were discovered between me and Gallant in the management of the campaign".

"These gaps were accompanied by statements and actions that contradict the decisions of the government and the decisions of the cabinet, he said.

open image in gallery Gallant has been criticised internationally for his statements and policies during Israels invasion ( AFP or licensors )

The Israeli prime minister did not make clear what he was referring to. But Gallant recently made statements which appeared at odds with much of the rhetoric coming from the Israeli government, calling for painful concessions to be made to return Israeli hostages from Gaza.

Not every objective can be achieved through military means alone; force is not the answer to everything, Gallant said at a memorial day earlier this month for those killed in the October 7 attacks, according to Middle East Monitor.

When it comes to fulfilling our ethical duty of bringing hostages home, painful concessions will be required, he added.

Netanyahus previous attempt to fire Gallant in March 2023 prompted widespread street protests. It came after Gallant spoke out against his own governments plans for judicial reform.

The reforms intended to limit the powers of the Supreme Court in blocking legislation pushed through by Netanyahus Likud government, which was in coalition with the far-right Otzma Yehudit party.
Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Chinese scientists claim to have developed an advanced directed-energy weapon similar to the Death Star in Star Wars, capable of focusing multiple microwave beams onto a single target.

China has been developing high-powered microwave (HPM) weapons in recent years with the potential to disrupt sensitive electronic components, including radar systems, computers, communication infrastructures, and even missiles and satellites.

Such systems can be much cheaper than firing interceptor missiles which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The focussed beams from such directed-energy weapons may also cause minimum collateral damage, making them beneficial for use in politically sensitive environments, experts say.

UK Dragonfire laser directed energy weapon system is seen on day one of the DSEI arms fair at ExCel on September 10, 2019 in London, England ( Getty Images )

However, creating such an efficient technology has been a challenge as the microwave beams need to arrive in sync and in the same form for effective function.

Current weapons of the type do not have effective combat capabilities, researchers note in the Chinese journal Modern Navigation.

AI Weapons: The Global Arms Race

This is mainly because the error in sync between each microwave-producing component, called vehicles, should not exceed 170 picoseconds  or trillionths of a second, scientists say.

Such precision is greater than the time resolution of atomic clocks on GPS satellites.

Now, Chinese scientists say they have achieved this ultra-high time precision synchronisation, the South China Morning Post first reported.

They claim to have achieved this synchronisation by connecting microwave-transmitting vehicles using optical fibres.

Using the breakthrough technology, scientists say the combined microwaves could end up with power 1+1>2  hinting that the output is more than the sum of the individual beams.

Using the latest technology, Chinese scientists say they could suppress signals of American GPS and other satellites, achieving multiple goals such as teaching and training, new technology verification, and military exercises.

The advance comes following a breakthrough last year in which the countrys researchers achieved a time synchronisation precision of 10 picoseconds over a distance of 1,800 km (1,100 miles) using optical fibres.

The specific features of the weapon and its parameters remain confidential.

Experts have previously noted that Chinas research into directed energy programmes is likely aimed to negate specific US strengths by affecting the sensors on US precision strike weapons and satellites.

Chinese academic publications suggest that microwave beam weapons are developed more for use on space platforms like satellites, while advanced lasers are being built for land, naval, or air.
Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

South Koreas privacy watchdog on Tuesday fined social media company Meta 21.6 billion won ($15 million) for illegally collecting sensitive personal information from Facebook users, including data about their political views and sexual orientation, and sharing it with thousands of advertisers.

It was the latest in a series of penalties against Meta by South Korean authorities in recent years as they increase their scrutiny of how the company, which also owns Instagram and WhatsApp, handles private information.

open image in gallery Facebook and Instagram parent firm Meta has said it will soon being training its AI models using public posts to the social media sites from UK adults (Yui Mok/PA) ( PA Wire )

Following a four-year investigation, South Koreas Personal Information Protection Commission concluded that Meta unlawfully collected sensitive information about around 980,000 Facebook users, including their religion, political views and whether they were in same-sex unions, from July 2018 to March 2022.

It said the company shared the data with around 4,000 advertisers.

South Koreas privacy law provides strict protection for information related to personal beliefs, political views and sexual behavior, and bars companies from processing or using such data without the specific consent of the person involved.

The commission said Meta amassed sensitive information by analyzing the pages the Facebook users liked or the advertisements they clicked on.

The company categorized ads to identify users interested in themes such as specific religions, same-sex and transgender issues, and issues related to North Korean escapees, said Lee Eun Jung, a director at the commission who led the investigation on Meta.

open image in gallery South Korea Meta Fine ( AP )

While Meta collected this sensitive information and used it for individualized services, they made only vague mentions of this use in their data policy and did not obtain specific consent, Lee said.

Lee also said Meta put the privacy of Facebook users at risk by failing to implement basic security measures such as removing or blocking inactive pages. As a result, hackers were able to use inactive pages to forge identities and request password resets for the accounts of other Facebook users. Meta approved these requests without proper verification, which resulted in data breaches affecting at least 10 South Korean Facebook users, Lee said.

In September, European regulators hit Meta with over $100 million in fines for a 2019 security lapse in which user passwords were temporarily exposed in an un-encrypted form.

Metas South Korean office said it would carefully review the commissions decision, but didnt immediately provide more comment.

In 2022, the commission fined Google and Meta a combined 100 billion won ($72 million) for tracking consumers online behavior without their consent and using their data for targeted advertisements, in the biggest penalties ever imposed in South Korea for privacy law violations.

The commission said then that the two companies didnt clearly inform users or obtain their consent to collect data about them as they used other websites or services outside their own platforms. It ordered the companies to provide an easy and clear consent process to give people more control over whether to share information about what they do online.

The commission also hit Meta with a 6.7 billion won ($4.8 million) fine in 2020 for providing personal information about itsx users to third parties without consent.
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Youve heard of emotional support pets or therapy with puppies and kittens, but this US airport is doing things a bit differently at its terminal.

Portland International Airport has had high praise for some of its newest employees: the stress-relieving therapy llamas.

The llamas come from Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas, a farm in Ridgefield, Washington, who run a non-profit that offers therapeutic and educational visits, with the help of their five llamas and six alpacas.

The mother/daughter duo who run the non-profit, Lori Gregory and Shannon Joy, have been escorting their fluffy friends to Portland airport in Oregon for various visits to relieve a little bit of stress for some nervous flyers and anxiety-induced travellers.

The furry animals are occasionally seen wandering about the airport concourse, receiving pets and head scratches from those on the way to check-in, as well as the occasional cuddle from those who need a bit of comfort before taking their seat on a plane.

These fluffy professionals don official uniforms during their visits, smartly dressed in I heart PDX neckerchiefs and coats, complete with pompom headbands and other fashionable accessories.

Portland airport said the llamas, as well as the waggy-tailed emotional support dogs enlisted to help soothe passengers, have been introduced to the airport just to make you smile.

Differing from a service animal, emotional support animals provide a therapeutic benefit and comfort to those who may suffer from stress, anxiety, or have a mental health condition or hidden disability.

While therapy animals do not usually perform certain tasks like a service pet may do, they exude a calmness and joy that may relieve some symptoms, the UMass Chan Medical School says.

The llamas job at Portland airport is just to spread a bit of happiness and they are only in the concourse for periods of time that are healthy for them.

Its just pure joy, airport spokesperson Allison Ferre told People. Travellers faces say it best.

The llamas are part of a wider effort by the airport to make air travel a calmer experience, with their recent airport redesign, which includes natural light, live trees and more natural accents, also contributing

Being in nature is a stress reliever, Ferre added to NPR. The therapy animals that come in is just one way we kind of deliver on that for the traveller experience.

However, picking the right llama is no easy task; the woolly airport employees are social animals who live in herds, so the llamas the farm chooses have to show they are interested in humans and can tolerate large numbers wanting to pet them.

Its maybe one in 15 llamas that are going to have that level of confidence and bodily autonomy, Joy told the outlet. Its very rare.

These llamas are not the only animals that have captured the headlines (and the hearts of many) over recent years.

One of the most famous therapy animals is Duke, a 14-year-old black and white cat that is part of San Francisco International Airports Wag Brigade.

Upon joining the team that helps soothe anxious travellers, Duke was pictured on social media wearing a tiny pilots hat and shirt collar.

Others have even been able to get on a flight with their very own emotional support animals in the past.

While cats and dogs are the usual go-to therapy pets, one American Airlines passenger sauntered down the cabin aisle in 2019 with their emotional support miniature horse named Flirty, travelling between the states of Illinois and Nebraska.

The Independent has contacted Portland International Airport for comment.
Dick Van Dyke has revealed his presidential endorsement in a powerful speech.

The Mary Poppins actor recited a section of a speech he gave addressing 60,000 people in the LA Colosseum with Martin Luther King back in 1964, in a new video posted to Instagram on election eve (4 November).

The 98-year-old said: I got it out the other day and I think it means as much today, if not more, than it did then, so if you dont mind, Id like to read it.

Although Van Dyke did not mention Kamala Harris in the video, he captioned the post: VOTE!! @kamalaharris.
Vladimir Putin greeted North Korea's foreign minister with an awkwardly long handshake as the pair met in Moscow on Monday, 4 November.

The Russian president, 72, met Choe Son Hui as she continued her official visit to the country.

State television showed the pair greeting each other but details of the meeting were not available.

Choe began her visit with talks with her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov last Friday.

The trip came on the heels of the Pentagon's statement that North Korea has deployed around 10,000 troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine within the next several weeks.
Jay Lowery captured incredible footage of the two platypus in the middle of a heated fight.

Jay Lowery was enjoying an early morning fishing trip with a mate when he heard the odd noise coming from the water in Tasmania. Source: Jay Lowery

An Aussie man was enjoying an early morning fish with a mate on Monday when a loud thrashing in the water nearby captured his attention. Jay Lowery told Yahoo News Australia he was on hunt for some brown trout in Tasmanias North Esk River when he noticed the strange noise, which went on for several minutes.

Intrigued, the local strolled over and stumbled across two platypus in the middle of an intense battle. They were tussling for a good 10 plus minutes before I saw what was making all this commotion on the rivers edge, he said. Thats what I pulled my phone out and started recording.

The footage shows the two iconic native mammals furiously wrestling in the water, repeatedly shoving each other away before angrily colliding again.

They continued to tussle for another five minutes or so before going their own way, Mr Lowery said. I think they noticed I was watching them in amazement as its something Ive never seen fishing in freshwater rivers in Tasmania for the past 15 years.

Male platypuses caught in epic territorial fight

After reviewing the footage, staff at nearby Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary confirmed to Yahoo the clip appears to show two males fighting, which they are known to do when defending their territory. Its not uncommon behaviour, as platypus will wrestle and use their spurs in the fight if necessary, they said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Male platypuses have a sharp 12mm spur on each ankle. They are connected to glands that produce venom, which is particularly active during breeding season.

The venom is known to deliver a strong toxic blow to predators and can kill animals such as dogs. It can cause severe pain to humans but is not lethal.

The footage shows the two platypus furiously wrestling in the water. Source: Jay Lowery

Platypuses are one of only five known venomous mammals but the precise role of the spur and venom is not fully understood, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania states online.

The spurs can inflict wounds on natural predators or other males, and may possibly play some part in the breeding behaviour of the species.

The platypus breeding season varies according to the populations location but generally occurs in the spring in the countrys southern states.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Donald Trump gave a special mention to Reform MP Nigel Farage during his rally in Pennsylvania.

Speaking on election eve (4 November), the former US President gave a shoutout to his friend, who was watching in the audience.

After telling the crowd Farage is doing a great job in the UK, Trump said: Hes shaking it up out there.

He was the big winner of the last election in the UK.

Trump then added: Hes a little bit of a rebel but thats good, Dont change.
Ron DeSantis, Republican governor of Florida and former US election candidate, might like to portray himself as Gods fighter, but his stance on abortion is distinctly unbiblical.

Florida, which used to provide more abortions than all the other states  apart from California, New York and Illinois  is currently subject to regressive anti-abortion measures. In April last year, DeSantis signed restrictions into law that meant women cant have abortions in Florida after the sixth week of pregnancy  which is before most people even realise theyre pregnant.

Like Trump, when Roe v Wade was overturned in 2022, DeSantis might want us to believe that abortion bans are Gods will. But perhaps they should read the bibles Trumps been flogging on his presidential campaign trail  if they did, theyd find that the Bible isnt actually or explicitly anti-abortion, after all.

It isnt even pro-life  just ask all the humans and animals who werent allowed on to Noahs ark in Genesis 6; or Lots wife who was turned to salt for looking back at her homeland in Genesis 19; or all those innocent first-born sons killed by God in Exodus 11.

Then again, right-wing anti-abortionist Christians can be astonishingly selective about which human lives are sacred. The same people who condemn women for having abortions can often be pro-gun, pro-war, pro-death penalty and even anti-welfare benefits, the social insurance that helps children not to be born into abject poverty.

Foetuses, it seems, are the only form of life thats sanctified.

Right-wing anti-abortionist Christians are also fond of relabelling abortion as killing babies. Again, were on thin ice  biblically. The Bible is very much not anti-baby-killing. Far from it.

In fact, the Christian sacred text is fonder of baby killing than of condemning abortion altogether. Even if we ignore Noahs ark and the plague of the first-born  when hundreds if not thousands of babies would have drowned in Gods flood or been struck down by Gods plague  then theres the genocide in 1 Samuel 15, when God commands Saul to kill all the Amalekites, including children and babies.

Or, if thats not dark enough for you, give numbers 31:17-18 a try: Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man by sleeping with him. But all the young girls who have not known a man by sleeping with him, keep alive for yourselves. Thats not a verse youll hear much in church.

But what about all the explicitly anti-abortion biblical quotes spouted by Republican politicians in the US, like Mike Pence; or daubed across placards outside abortion clinics in the UK? I hate to be the one to break it to them, but there are no explicitly anti-abortion passages in the Bible.

There is, however, a disturbing segment in numbers 5:11-31, when there seems to be a divinely-sanctioned abortion. God prescribes a test for unfaithful wives, which he relays to Moses, to be performed by a priest before God. It involves concocting a potion during a ritual that, if the woman is guilty of infidelity, results in the induced abortion of a foetus.

When he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain, and her womb shall discharge, her uterus drop, and the woman shall become an execration among her people. But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, then she shall be immune and be able to conceive children.

Its perhaps unsurprising that an ancient text might not help us to make sense of womens reproductive rights in the modern world, but its shocking that womens experiences right now arent making any difference to reproductive law. Because if ever there was any doubt that banning abortions endangers womens lives, then we should be well and truly certain.

Women die because of abortion restrictions. Thats not a matter of perspective. Its not a discussion point. Its not something over which we can agree to disagree. Its an indisputable fact.

In 2021, Josseli Barnica, a 28-year-old mother, died from sepsis after miscarriage treatment was delayed due to the abortion ban in Texas. In October 2023, Nevaeh Crain, a pregnant Texas teenager, also died from sepsis because she was unable to get the medical care she desperately needed  despite attending ER three times for help with miscarriage pain. In both cases, essential life-saving medical care was delayed because doctors could still detect a foetal heartbeat.

Both young women have paid the price for the loss of abortion rights in the US  and their needless, and wholly preventable deaths should have taught us the cost of limiting womens reproductive rights. Unfortunately, the stories of Josseli and Nevaeh are only two among many.

Right-wing anti-abortionist Christians, like Ron DeSantis, may continue to disguise state violence against women with the moral gloss of religious piety  but the Bible doesnt tell us so.

Katie Edwards is an author, broadcaster and academic specialising in the use of the Bible in contemporary culture
For five generations, my family has farmed sheep and arable crops on our land in Yorkshire. Despite its modest beginnings, over time, the business has grown  and it is my hope to carry on building it for future generations.

Only, after Rachel Reeves delivered her autumn Budget last week, that hope  and, indeed, the future of our family farm  is under threat. Why? Because of the changes to inheritance tax.

Set to come into play in April next year, the new rules will mean that inherited agricultural assets worth more than 1m, which were previously exempt, will have to pay inheritance tax at 20 per cent. No wonder theres been such a wave of backlash among our industry.

Now, dont get me wrong  at 260 hectares, I can understand why, on paper, our farm is seen as a valuable asset. But what many people dont see is the struggle that farmers have to endure; we work extremely hard for very little reward, and rarely do we have surplus cash in the bank. What we make goes back into the business.

In recent years, my family and the rest of the farming industry have been forced to navigate changes caused by Brexit, the rocketing costs of production (which have squeezed profit margins even further), and the increasing number of extreme weather events. And all that is before we even get to the job at hand: feeding the nation.

As is often said, everyone needs a farmer three times a day. The Labour government said it sees food security as part of our national security, but its difficult to see how what was announced in the Budget marries up with a desire to maintain and increase the amount of food we, as farmers, produce.

By our calculations, even using personal allowances, the chancellors proposal could hit us with a tax bill of nearly 1m when my parents die. And this is money that we just dont have.

To pay a tax bill like that, wed probably have to either borrow the money  plunging the business into debt it would take many years to recover from  or sell off some of our land, undoing years of hard work, destroying our family farm and calling into question whether we can carry on as a food-producing business.

Were already having conversations about what the future looks like for us and our farm business, and whether there is anything we can do now to reduce the fallout  Im sure other worried farming families are doing the same.

Although theres no denying that these changes will impact the super wealthy, they will also impact the vast majority of farm businesses  which are mostly family-run and operating on very tight margins. Land size doesnt always equate to wealth in these instances.

When the next generation takes up the reins, they will no doubt have the same desire we do to produce great British food for the nation. The trouble is that the announcements in the 2024 Budget do nothing to ensure  or encourage  this.

Rebecca Wilson is a fifth-generation farmer based in Yorkshire
Kenny Jacobs says High Court decision could see new route to Brazil next year

Dublin Airport could see its passenger numbers grow to as many as 34 million next year  higher than the 32 million cap in force at the gateway - according to DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs. Its already set to handle close to 33 million this year.

The prediction follows a High Court decision on Monday that saw a stay granted against a decision by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) to restrict the number of take-off and landing slots that would be available at Dublin Airport for the 2025 summer season. The IAA made the decision in order to ensure that the airport doesnt breach its 32 million annual passenger cap.

Its likely that if a stay is granted next month against a decision by the IAA to limit the number of seats available at Dublin Airport for the current winter period, that airlines will once again be able to operate so-called ad hoc flights, such as those laid on for rugby clashes and winter ski holidays, according to Mr Jacobs.

Mr Jacobs also told the Irish Independent on Tuesday that Dublin Airport could potentially see its first route to South America  likely Brazil  in operation by next summer. A service to San Diego, extra services to Seattle and other US cities are also possible future developments, he added.

The DAA has been pursuing links with South America and India, with interest among carriers from those regions in connecting to Dublin still strong, according to Mr Jacobs.

For South America, you would need to have a bilateral agreement in place between Brazil and Ireland to be able to operate that route, but weve already started that conversation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, said Mr Jacobs.

He added: Ive met South American carriers in the past month who are very keen to file for slots at Dublin and I would be surprised if after yesterdays decision that theyre not thinking about filing for slots for next year.

There are close to 60,000 Brazilians living in Ireland.

The passenger cap at Dublin Airport was introduced in 2007 as a planning condition attached to the construction of Dublin Airports Terminal 2.

The IAA planned to limit the number of passengers that could use Dublin Airport during next years summer season to 25.2 million. That would be one million fewer than in the 2024 summer period.

But with the stay having been granted preventing the IAA from imposing slot restrictions for summer 2025, Dublin Airport should see modest growth in passenger numbers, Mr Jacobs said.

We dont have to take a million passengers out, he said. Modest growth is possible next year, depending on what slots the airlines file for. We could comfortably handle 36 million passengers next year. I dont know will they [the airlines] file for slots up to that number, but I can see close to a million passengers being added next year, rather than being taken out next year, based on yesterdays decision.

The High Court decision to grant the stay is effectively a temporary stop. A full hearing still has to proceed, but the whole issue is first likely to be shipped off to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg for a ruling. It could take many months before the ECJ issues any determination.

A High Court hearing on the IAAs decision regarding winter slot restrictions at Dublin Airport is due to be heard on December 3. Its difficult to see following this weeks ruling how the High Court can arrive at any other decision but to also grant a stay on that IAA decision.

Ill never wager bets on legal judgments, but I guess most betting people would expect what was decided yesterday to keep rolling on, said Mr Jacobs.

While its too late for airlines to really adjust winter schedules, a stay on the winter capacity decision could pave the way for ad hoc flights to return, he confirmed.

I think the charter guys will be looking at ski holidays, charters for the Six Nations next year, he added. I think all those charter operators  as will Ryanair and Aer Lingus  be looking at possibilities.

But with the airport now set to exceed its 32 million passenger cap and handle close to 33 million passengers this year, Mr Jacobs said he expects Fingal County Council  in whose administrative area the airport is located  could be forced to make some sort of move once that happens.

He said the council has not yet indicated to the DAA if it will take action and pursue a fresh enforcement action when the breach is confirmed.

Hypothetically, if we do get some sort of notification in the New Year, I would be comfortable that we can demonstrate that we dont control the slots process and that we have taken at least 750,000 passengers out of the mix, he said. Thats a very strong defence that we have done everything we can to comply with the planning condition, if we do get an enforcement notice in the New Year.

Next week, the DAA will submit additional information for a planning application related to a capital investment plan that includes boosting passenger numbers to 40 million. Early next year, it hopes to submit a standalone planning application that does not involve any capital projects, to increase the passenger cap to 36 million a year.
Proposed facility near Banagher in Co Offaly would provide meat largely for export, with a particular emphasis on China

An Bord Pleanalas concession in a High Court challenge to its approval of a 40m meat factory in the midlands does not spell the end of the case, as the developer has now indicated it intends to step in and defend the planning permission.

The planning authority last month told the court it would not be contesting the legal case brought by two residents of Banagher, Co Offaly, near to the site of the proposed project, which would provide meat largely for export, particularly aimed at the Chinese market.

It told the court it learned, sometime after approving the plan, of the moderate status assigned to the nearby Rapemills River.

It said it would consent to an order to reconsider Banagher Chilling Limiteds planning application, this time taking into account the status of the river.

On Monday, lawyers for Banagher Chilling said they want to make arguments before the court in relation to the challengers core ground.

Barrister Andrew Robinson said the only remaining legal ground in the case, related to the Rapemills River, has been rendered moot by a report.

He said the ground related to the river not being classified when in fact it had received a classification.

FP Logue solicitor Eoin Brady, representing challengers Desmond Kampff and Gwen Wordingham, told the court his clients have no issue with the developer seeking to defend the permission.

However, they would like to issue a motion asking the court to make the developer lodge a sum of money to the court as security for their legal costs in the event it loses its arguments. He said this was based on a concern arising from the development companys published financial accounts.

Mr Robinson said the challengers, in seeking security for their costs, misunderstand his clients assets.

Ms Justice Emily Farrell said each side can bring their applications. He adjourned the case for two weeks, saying it should be progressed as quickly as possible.

The developer has said the proposed facility would employ up to 110 people and have capacity to slaughter 35,000 animals per year.

Mr Kampff and Ms Wordingham say they brought their case due to critical concerns about the proposed processing plants impact on the environment. They point to the plan that the facility would discharge its domestic and wastewater into the nearby Feeghroe stream, which they say does not have capacity to accommodate this.

The pair allege the board did not sufficiently ensure the development would not cause a water body to deteriorate.

An Bord Pleanalas inspector found the proposed development would not be likely to have a significant negative environmental impact in terms of climate.
A model walks during the Shein opening party at O Beach Ibiza. Its Irish-registered company has reported a surge in sales for 2023. Photo: Getty

The average salary at Chinese fast fashion giant Sheins Irish arm was 191,000 last year, according to accounts filed to the Companies Office in Dublin.

Sheins Ireland-registered company, Infinite Styles Ecommerce Co, reported sales for 2023 of 7.684bn  up from 4.58bn in 2022.

After-tax profits were 99.5m  more than double the 2022 result.

The companys ultimate parent is Elite Depot, in the Cayman Islands, and the Irish unit has subsidiaries in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Poland, the filing says.

Shein has been hotly tipped for a possible listing on the London Stock Exchange after explosive growth as an online retailer of fast-fashion shipped to consumers from China.

The business is controversial, including among environmentalists and over concerns about conditions for workers who make the often super cheap, on trend, garments beloved of western consumers.

A Channel 4 documentary uncovered evidence those making clothes sold on site were working up to 18 hours a day, getting paid as low as four cents per item they made, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said in the Dail last year.

A model walks during the Shein opening party at O Beach Ibiza. Its Irish-registered company has reported a surge in sales for 2023. Photo: Getty

Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th November 2024

He was commenting over then business minister Simon Coveneys support for the fashion retailers decision to establish an Irish headquarters for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Mr Coveney cut the ribbon at the opening of the offices in 2023, saying: It is a vote of confidence that another global leader has chosen Ireland to launch their EMEA HQ and highlights that we have the environment to attract FDI companies to our shores.

The company said it intended to create 30 jobs at the Dublin base which is to act as a strategic IT hub for the region.

The accounts just filed say the business had an average employee headcount of 24 last year and a wage bill of just under 4.6bn. That suggests an average income for its Irish workers of 191,000 a year, though there is no breakdown of how the pay is distributed.

The results say an Irish directors remuneration was 190,000, slightly lower than the staff average.

Shein was the subject of a 2022 Channel 4 documentary, Untold: Inside the Shein Machine, which outlined grim conditions for garment workers.

It alleged that factory workers were allowed to take just one day off every month. It also claimed that up to 75pc of the daily salary was withheld if a worker made a mistake on an item.
New health insurer launching this week is due for a huge shake-up in the market

The health insurance market is due for a huge shake-up, with the launch this week of a new player backed by insurance giant Aviva.

Level Health is expected to undercut its rivals with competitive new plans to be launched on Thursday, a move expected to pile on pressure for price cuts from the existing players.

And in defiance of expectations, it will attempt to simplify health insurance by launching just four plans.

There are already 350 plans in the market and the fear was that the Level Health would introduce another slew of plans, complicating the health insurance market even more.

Aviva has a 50pc stake in the new operation, and is understood to have pumped 14m into the venture.

The start-up is expected to put huge pressure on VHI Healthcare, Laya Health and Irish Life Health.

The new insurer is being run by industry veterans Oliver Tattan, a former head of VHI, and Jim Dowdall, who used to run Irish Life Health.

Mr Tattan set up Vivas and GloHealth, both of which were sold to larger health insurance players.

The two are joined by Stephen Loughman and Ruth Bailey, who have been involved in previous health insurance ventures with them.

The new venture comes after the three existing players in the market announced multiple price rises in the past year.

The increases from VHI, Laya and Irish Life mean some families are set to be hit with rises of up to 500-plus a year if they renew on the same plans.

The cumulate rises this year are between 8pc and 25pc, depending on the plan.

Health insurance experts said Level Health would inject much-needed competition into the market.

No detail on the pricing of the four Level Health plans is available yet.

In April, Aviva confirmed it was investing into the new start-up health insurance business in the Irish market.

It said it was taking a 50pc share in a new private health insurance business established by a group of senior executives with significant experience in both setting up and running health insurance businesses in Ireland.

At the time, Aviva Insurance Ireland chief executive Declan ORourke said: Aviva is delighted to support the set-up of an exciting new health insurance business in Ireland. This is great news for Irish consumers, as it will provide greater choice and value.

This investment expands Avivas offering in Ireland to general, life and health insurance and further demonstrates Avivas commitment to continue to grow in Ireland as a leading financial services provider.

Aviva has been in the health insurance market in this country previously, but sold out, with Irish Life eventually picking up that business.

However, interest in the health insurance market here perked up when French insurance giant Axa agreed last year to buy Laya Healthcare for 650m, considered a huge price.

Laya is the States second-largest health insurer. It has a 28pc share of the Irish health insurance market, serving 690,000 members.

Experts speculated that Aviva, which has previously offered health insurance in Ireland, wants to ensure its entire offering here now matches that of Axa. It has a large health insurance business in UK.

Aviva is one of Irelands leading insurers, offering home, motor, commercial and travel insurance. It also provides pensions and investments to customers. It is the largest general insurer in this market, with a market share of more than 20pc.
Dublin Airport is subject to an annual 32 million passenger cap

Ryanair says it could grow at Dublin Airport next summer. Photo: John Mulligan

Ryanair boss Michael OLeary says hes confident that the High Court will put a stay today on plans by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) to cap passenger traffic at Dublin Airport next summer.

And the airline said a stay would see the airport being able to expand again next year.

Ryanair, Aer Lingus and a lobby group representing US airlines have taken legal action against the IAAs decision to restrict the number of available takeoff and landing slots at Dublin Airport for next summer.

The IAA plans to limit passenger numbers for the period to 25.2 million, by reducing the number of available slots for the period.

The High Court is due to rule this afternoon on the stay sought by the carriers.

We had a very good hearing in the High Court on Friday, said Mr OLeary on Monday morning as Ryanair released first-half financial results.

The judge is going to give a ruling today at 2 oclock. Were pretty confident that there will be a stay on the IAAs ability to limit slots next year, while pending an appeal to Europe, added the airline chief.

All of our legal advice is pretty black and white. It says that the Dublin Airport traffic cap is contrary to EU law, he said. I think it will be scrapped by the EU courts.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Today's News in 90 Seconds - November 4th

Ryanairs group chief legal officer, Juliusz Komorek, said that there is a serious question of EU law to be answered in relation to the passenger cap at Dublin Airport.

This is reflected by the fact that the court case on Friday was not only argued by Ryanair, but also by Aer Lingus, and, importantly, an association of US airlines, who are concerned about the risk of losing their slots in Dublin, he said.

Its hard to be definitive and hard to predict the outcome of a court process, but we are optimistic that the court will see sense in our argument and grant the stay that we requested, which would result in growth being possible in Dublin next summer, Mr Komorek added.

Passenger traffic at Dublin Airport is subject to an overall cap of 32 million a year. Thats due to a planning condition that was attached in 2007 to the construction of Terminal 2 at the airport.

The IAA has moved to limit the amount of passengers that will be able to use Dublin Airport this winter and next summer so that the cap is not breached

Earlier this year, the Irish Aviation Authority said it was introducing a cap on passenger numbers at Dublin for the current October to March period, of 14.4 million.

Thats subject to separate legal challenges by Ryanair and Aer Lingus.

They have argued the decision by the IAA is unlawful.

The DAA, which operates Dublin Airport, has also taken action against the IAA, arguing its winter cap doesnt go far enough to ensure its 32 million annual passenger cap isnt breached. The DAA has to be seen to be taking every possible action it can to ensure that it doesnt breach planning laws, but also wants the cap to be raised.
Paul Mescal has said he doesnt believe he is long for this world.

The Irish actor (28) said he has a long-prevailing gut feeling that he will die young.

Ive always been convinced that Im not going to live a long life, he said in an interview with GQ magazine.

People have this response, but in my head its never been drastic. Its just like a gut feeling.

Maybe its to do with the fact that I cant visualise myself as an 80-year-old man.

Im also afraid of death. So I think if death was to come for me at 55, Id be equally afraid of it as I would be at 90.

I dont believe anybody whos like, Im ready for it. Im like, Bulls**t!.

Paul Mescal in 'Gladiator II'. Photo: Aidan Monaghan

Paul Mescal in training for Gladiator 2

The Oscar-nominated star said he has always thought he would not grow old but hopes he is wrong.

Its always in my head. I was like, going to have a family young. Im going to not survive a long time, he said.

Hopefully, Im wrong. I think I will be wrong. But thats just the truth around my brain.

The Normal People star will next be seen appearing in Gladiator II, where he takes on the role of Lucius Verus, the grown-up son of Lucilla. His character was a child in the Oscar-winning original from 2000, which starred Russell Crowe.

The highly anticipated follow-up will once again be directed by Ridley Scott and also stars Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen. It is due for release on November 15.
Nick Stevens four-parter, based on Delia Balmers memoir Living With a Serial Killer, is an excellent watch

Anna Maxwell-Martin as Delia Balmer and Shaun Evans as John Sweeney in Until I Kill You. Photo: ITV

True-crime dramas are now so plentiful, especially from ITV, that the appearance of yet another one about a deranged serial killer targeting women is unremarkable.

But Until I Kill You (Virgin Media 1, Mon-Thur, October 4-7) is truly remarkable. Nick Stevens four-parter, based on Delia Balmers memoir Living With a Serial Killer, is gut-knotting television, one of the most powerful dramas of the year, featuring what could be a career-best performance by the brilliant Anna Maxwell Martin.

The first word that comes to mind is honesty. When we first meet Delia, nobody would by any stretch of the imagination call her likeable.

Anna Maxwell-Martin as Delia Balmer and Shaun Evans as John Sweeney in Until I Kill You. Photo: ITV

New Drama, Until I Kill You, coming soon to ITV1

In other hands, the temptation might have been to tidy her up, to smooth down the sharp edges of her personality to make viewers more immediately sympathetic to her.

Not Stevens or Maxwell Martin though. Delia, an agency nurse at an NHS hospital, is a fiercely independent free spirit.

Even though its 1991, she dresses like a 70s hippie. But theres nothing airy-fairy about her.

Delia lives her life exactly the way she wants to live it, which is uncompromising. Her rented flat doesnt have any furniture, not even a bed.

Having had a nomadic upbringing  she spent the first 13 years of her life in Canada, moved to Australia, then to Scotland, then to England  her accent is a smorgasbord of influences and inflections.

Shes spiky and socially awkward. She can be blunt to the point of rudeness. Her fellow nurses think shes stuck-up and odd.

There are also disturbing drawings of a female figure missing a head, hands and feet

She does nothing to disabuse them of that notion, shunning their half-hearted attempts at social interaction.

Delias only friend at work is Leah (Amanda Wilkin). On a night out at the pub together, Delia notices a handsome, bearded man watching her from the bar, wearing an amused smile at her spirited dancing.

This is John Sweeney, played by Shaun Evans, using his natural Liverpool accent. Delia is immediately drawn to Sweeney, an earthy Scouse charmer who, like her, is something of a non-conformist.

Sweeney is a carpenter who spends long periods working in Europe. He also happens to be a monster who dismembers his female victims, stuffs them into suitcases and dumps them in canals.

After spending the night at his place  or rather the squat he shares with a few other men  Delia sees him again and invites him home to hers. But when he spills some wine on her beloved rug, she orders him out.

Had the relationship ended there, Delias life might have panned out differently. Instead, she seeks him out and soon asks him to move in with her.

The action occasionally switches to Amsterdam, where the investigation into the murder and dismemberment of a young woman is moving agonisingly slowly.

It appears the victim may be a missing American called Melissa. Sweeney, whos spent time in the city, tells Delia his previous girlfriend was called Melissa. He shows her a picture he drew of her.

There are also disturbing drawings of a female figure missing a head, hands and feet.

Delia was locked into a relationship with Sweeney for three years. She suffered a nightmare of coercive control, psychological torture, physical attacks with knives, axes and a gun.

At one point, Sweeney tied her to a bed for four days during which he repeatedly raped her.

Until I Kill You (the title comes from Sweeneys words in a note to Delia) is a scorching indictment of a justice system populated by cynical, patronising male police officers, manipulative lawyers and lenient judges, in which any woman whos been subjected to vile sexual violence has to fight to be believed.

For a woman as singular as Delia, the fight was doubly difficult.

I dont know if youd call it enjoyable, exactly  its a tough watch. But its utterly riveting and superbly acted by Maxwell Martin and Evans, who blows away memories of his sensitive performance as the future Inspector Morse in Endeavour.

Rating: Five stars
Tool use has been associated with higher primates and humans, but a newly described Australian insect has been documented doing it too.

A new species of assassin bug has been discovered in the wilds of Australia that uses a tool to capture its prey. Its one of several species scientists have documented using complex methods to attack.

Western Australian Museum insect expert Dr Nikolai Tatarnic told Yahoo News that tool use is traditionally associated with primates, dolphins and birds. But in the case of the newly described Gorareduvius gajarrangarnang it doesnt use sticks, stones or sea sponges, but rather spends its day extracting a resin from plants and then coating itself in the sticky substance.

Assassin bugs, as the name suggests are predators. When they attack other invertebrates the sticky resin helps them grab them more readily, Tatarnic said.

Assassin bug discovered using resin for second reason

The assassin bug lives in two remote areas of the Kimberley. Its been documented laboriously cultivating the resin from a soft species of spinifex, but there is some evidence to suggest it could also be stealing it from the nests of resin bees.

ADVERTISEMENT

Along with using resin to kill, the insect also appears to be coating its eggs in the substance for two specific reasons.

When the nymphs hatch, they have resin they can use for their first hunt. So they come out of the eggs and actually coat themselves right away, Tatarnic said.

On top of that, we suspect the resin probably protects the eggs from parasitoids  little wasps that would be trying to lay their eggs in the bug egg.

Gorareduvius gajarrangarnang was described in the Australian Journal of Taxonomy on October 29. Source: Nikolai Tatarnic/WAM

Are insects smarter than we think?

Other invertebrates create their own tools, like the bolas spider that spins a ball of web coated with fake pheromones to attract moths, and separate spider species create sticky nets to throw at prey. But fashioning tools from other substances is less common.

ADVERTISEMENT

The use of resin by assassin bugs has been described across the Americas, Southeast Asia and Africa, but in Australia, the behaviour has been rarely seen. A separate species of assassin bug has been documented waiting at the entrance to an ant nest and slapping at them with its sticky resin-covered arms.

The emerging discoveries about assassin bugs suggest more nuanced cognitive abilities than traditionally associated with insects. Other species have been found to contain two types of venom, one kills and the other causes pain.

The fact they can actually make this decision based on the situation of whether to use reservoir one or two shows a lot more processing power than you'd normally attribute to dumb, little bug, Tatarnic said.

Need to find out more about new strange creatures? Subscribe to our newsletter.

Gorareduvius gajarrangarnang has bright orange bands on its hind legs and different internal organs to other types of assassin bug. Source: Nikolai Tatarnic/WAM/Fernando Soley

How is the new assassin bug different to others?

Describing new species has become a faster process as technology has developed. High-resolution electron microscopes and 3D imaging make it easier to spot subtle differences, and when it comes to the insect world.

ADVERTISEMENT

You can look in very high detail the internal anatomy of animals. You can see the sperm storage, digestive tract and neural tissue without even dissecting the animal, Tatarnic said.

The scanner can go down to a resolution of 0.7 micrometres which is very small. With that you can pick up a lot of characteristics that are distorted when you put it on a slide.

It was the reproductive organs that differentiated Gorareduvius gajarrangarnang from a similar to another assassin bug, Gorareduvius westraliensis. It also has bright orange bands on its hind legs.

How describing bugs could save the planet

As scientific tools improve, taxonomists are increasingly able to notice subtle differences in biology. Species that were thought to be just one species are frequently found to be several, once DNA is tested.

ADVERTISEMENT

If a species hasnt been described, then there is no mechanism to secure funding to protect it from threats like development, logging, invasive species and climate change.

If you don't have names on organisms, they're much easier to ignore and push aside, Tatarnic said.

You can imagine a consultant doing an environmental report, without names, theyd only be able to say we found a lot of bugs. But once you have a name you can look at differences, whether they have a wide distribution.

A lot of flightless insects are narrow-range endemics because they can't just disperse very readily. So they could be more susceptible to things like fire or habitat change through development.

What does the new bug's name mean?

The Gorareduvius gajarrangarnang name means spinifex dweller. It is derived from the Miriwoong language following consultation with the Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre.

The species was researched at Western Australian Museum where Tatarnic works as the curator of entomology. It was funded by the Hermon Slade Foundation, and the description was published in the Australian Journal of Taxonomy by Tartarnic on October 29 with co-authors Iria Chacon and Fernando Soley.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment?  Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
Developer pays 144,350/ac for Trim parcel

6.6ac of zoned land locked in by 5.5ac of farmland as 11.5ac holding makes 1.66m

This 11.5ac parcel on the outskirts of Trim made 144,350/ac

Jim O'Brien Tue 5 Nov 2024 at 03:30

In a record-breaking sale an 11.5ac parcel of ground on the edge of Trim in Co Meath made 144,350/ac when it was bought by a Dublin developer.
Bord Bias objective has always been to make the QA scheme as farmer-friendly as possible and 97pc of farmers surveyed after the audit are happy that the audit process was conducted professionally and that they were given the support they needed, according to its CEO.

Jim OToole told Speaking at the IFA Farming and Food conference last week that Bord Bia received 100,000 calls to its helpline last year from farmers looking for advice and help with their Quality Assurance (QA) audit.

Declan Hanrahan, IFA Livestock Chairman, said while there is acceptance that Ireland needs a quality assurance scheme, an ongoing current review of the standards needs to see a more simplified and farmer-friendly system and a minimised audit system farmers can have confidence in.

OToole said Bord Bia always tries to minimise the burden on farmers. We recognise that it is a burden. No one likes getting an audit. But we want to sell our product and we have a very privileged position in the UK where we are the single biggest supplier.

I recognise there is a gap between the UK price and the Irish price. The gap is because the UK is a deficit producer and some of the top-paying customers have a British-only policy.

But we are in a strong position to be the single largest important supplier and getting a significant premium for that.

My guarantee for you is that you are much better off having a process where you have a stake in the design and implementation of the QA programme and through that we would be aiming to compete better in international markets.

Getting a balance between a more simplified and farmer-friendly audit process and meeting the standards required by customers is what Bord Bia is trying to do, he said.

We work very hard with you and if there wasnt a Bord Bia scheme those customers have their own scheme that would be a lot less farmer-friendly, I suspect

We work very hard with you and if there wasnt a Bord Bia scheme those customers have their own scheme that would be a lot less farmer-friendly, I suspect.

We will continue to work with you to make it as farmer-friendly as possible.

We know from our records that the amount of time it takes to do an audit has, by and large, stayed the same.

We do surveys with farmers. We have a helpline for farmers. We had 100,000 calls to it last year. We work with farmers to help them through the audit process  97pc of the farmers that we survey, and its a large survey, after audit are happy that the audit process was conducted professionally and that they were given the support they needed.

There are always instances where its difficult but we try and minimise that.

OToole also said the reality of food markets is that they are competitive and those Ireland are competing against have quality assurance programmes too.

Our customers around the world are seeking these standards and are seeking verification. What Bord Bia Quality Assurance offers is that you, as farmers, have an input into the process.
I never hunted for pleasure  I hunt for the table or I hunt to sell

Wicklow sheep farmer and deer hunter Michael Keegan explains why shooting deer solves a problem for farmers and is good for the environment, as well as providing a source of food and income

Deer hunter Michael Keegan on his sheep farm at Grencree, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Azmia Riaz Tue 5 Nov 2024 at 03:30

Michael Keegan shot his first deer at the age of 10 with his father and grandfather in the hills surrounding their family farm in Wicklow.
The funeral of David Davin Power at the Church of St Vincent De Paul in Marino

Former RTE broadcaster David Davin-Power was described as a journalistic giant and a beloved family man during his funeral today.

Mr Davin-Power died aged 72 last Thursday. He had been ill since March.

The funeral mass, led by Fr Bernard Treacy and attended by President Michael D Higgins, was held at St Vincent de Paul Church in Marino, and was followed by a private cremation.

Recently-retired RTE broadcaster Bryan Dobson paid tribute to his late friend in a speech, describing Mr Davin-Power as knowledgeable, intelligent, decisive, trusted, a consummate broadcaster, funny, supportive, caring, a great storyteller.

To those of us who counted David as a dear friend, he was all of that and more  loyal, generous, mischievous, curious, gregarious, loving husband, a proud father and a besotted grandfather, Mr Dobson told the mourners.

He was also someone who valued his privacy. We knew he was ill, but who among us knew his illness had advanced so rapidly? We knew he was fighting a dreadful disease, but we believed he had a fighting chance.

Visitors found him in great form but maybe were unaware of how much effort that took on David's part. As a result, many friends were deeply shocked at the news of David's death last Thursday. We've been looking forward to hearing his take on the general election campaign, hoping to see him preside at another Griffith Avenue Christmas party.

Former RTE presenter Bryan Dobson at the funeral of former RTE broadcaster David Davin-Power in Marino today. Photo: Collins

DDP was the best of company. His conversation sparkled. It was witty, informed, opinionated and wide-ranging. He held firm views on a variety of topics.

With his intellect as sharp as ever and his analytical skills undiminished, David did not want to retire from RTE when he reached the compulsory departure age of 65. He described the process memorably as redundancy by age. But David's departure from RTE did not mean an end to his journalism.

David Davin-Power helped launch RTEs Morning Ireland radio programme 40 years ago and was appointed as the station's northern editor based in Belfast in the early 1990s. He led RTEs news coverage of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

He worked for RTE until his retirement in 2017 and was a contributor to the Sunday Independent.

His colleagues have all referred to his eloquence as a broadcaster, the quality and depth of his analysis and his ability to coin a phrase that just summed up the situation, Mr Dobson said.

Indeed, such was his intelligence and the breadth of his learning that David could have had any career he chose, but he chose journalism, and it was to the great benefit of Irish journalism that he so did.

President Michael D Higgins with David Davin-Power's wife Dearbhla at the broadcaster's funeral mass. Photo: Collins

David had many talents and many gifts, but I believe I speak for many here today when I say the gift we prize above all was his friendship

"There won't be any more WhatsApp messages poking gentle fun at life's absurdities, no more nuggets of political gossip, no more pithy quotations to enliven a conversation.

We know David was immensely proud of his family. We are proud to be able to say that DDP was our friend.

Mr Davin-Power's son Nick also paid tribute to his father during the funeral mass.

I've told dad's story from the inside out during key times in his life while this widely-acclaimed journalist and accomplished man was first and foremost my dad. I'm deeply proud of what he has achieved in life, he told mourners.

I've three little boys now  Oisin, Rossa and Rogan. Together with my wife Edel, we strive to instil the values that dad had in spades.

David Davin-Power's remains are carried from the Church of St Vincent de Paul in Marino. Photo: Collins

Good humour through the toughest times and bravery. Dad never wanted the story to be about himself. My dad is my story.

During the service, three tokens were placed in front of the altar to mark his familys memories of him.

His son Ben placed a book on Dublin to represent the late broadcaster's love for the capital. Granddaughter Margot brought copies of the Irish Times, Financial Times and Sunday Times to mark her grandfather's legacy as a newsman. The last token placed on the table by his daughter Emily was her fathers beloved cap.

In a touching tribute, his daughter Caroline said her father embraced the madness of family life.

He was his work and he was his family, she said. For me, my dad was a great pal, and to simply put it, he was always there. Regardless of the circumstances, dad will be ready to help out.

She said her father was omnipresent in all their lives and when his grandchildren arrived, they couldn't get rid of him.

Only eight days ago, I was sitting with dad going through my family photos on my phone, and he remarked that the luckiest thing to happen to a man is to have a family and he was the luckiest of all to have a family like his, Caroline said.

Dad left this world at 3.30pm in the afternoon on Thursday, October 31, surrounded by his family. There was a huge amount of love in that room and it is something that will stay with all of us for the rest of our lives.

Mr Davin-Power is survived by his wife Dearbhla Collins and children Nick, Caroline, Julia, Ben and Emily.
Johnny McEvoy on the death of his beloved wife: I never said goodbye. She didnt either. She was going. She wouldnt do any more chemo
LATEST | Gerry The Monk Hutchs election hopes were key to Spanish decision to grant him 100,000 bail, court says

Officials confirmed no conditions were attached to the release and he is free to travel to Ireland

Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch

Gerard Couzens and Tabitha Monahan Tue 5 Nov 2024 at 13:00







Gerry The Monk Hutchs hopes of standing in the General Election were key to the decision by a Spanish court to grant him bail, it has emerged.
The Taoiseach in a serious debate with a potential Fine Gael voter in Killarney on Saturday.

Taoiseach Simon Harris with some of his admirers during his tour of Killarney on Saturday.

Billy O'Shea on the political trail in Killarney with family and friends at the weekend.

On the move, Taoiseach Simon Harris making his way through the streets of Killarney on Saturday.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Fine Gael candidate in Kerry Billy O'Shea on the trail at the weekend.

A window into General Election 2024 as Taoiseach Simon Harris meets people in Killarney. All photos by Tatyana McGough.

It was all the footspeed, smiling, and handshaking one needed to inform them that a general election is now within touching distance.

The sight of Taoiseach Simon Harris touring the Kingdom on Saturday with Kerry Fine Gael hopeful Billy OShea at his side marked a highpoint for OShea as he begins his fight to retain the seat vacated by outgoing TD Brendan Griffin.

The canvass trail had a solid look of election fever about it, even if the lack of an official date continues to add a feeling of phoney war to proceedings.

But for those on the streets of Killarney and Tralee who happened to meet the Fine Gael entourage head on, there was doubting the imminent arrival of General Election 2024.

The Taoiseach showed that even for all the elections that have bridged the decades in Ireland, the theatrical and performative side to canvassing hasnt deviated in the slightest.

Joined by Fine Gael heavyweights in MEP Sean Kelly and former minister Jimmy Deenihan, the Taoiseach was introduced to locals by Billy OShea as the latter was endorsed by the former to a home crowd.

A window into General Election 2024 as Taoiseach Simon Harris meets people in Killarney. All photos by Tatyana McGough.

Despite the smiles and flesh-pressing, there was even a hint of work as the Taoiseach, on occasion, could be seen in deep conversation with people discussing what one assumes is the merits and demerits of policy.

The Taoiseachs whistle-stop tour caught many by surprise as he swept in and out of shops meeting customers and business people. Some enthusiastically greeted him, while others looked indifferent to the political street theatre.

Billy OShea took to social media after it was all over to say: What a busy day campaigning with the TaoiseachThank you to everyone we met on the street and on the doorsteps each day.

With Simon Harris expected to dissolve the Dail later this week  paving the way for an election  its safe to assume that canvassing season is well and truly underway in Kerry with more to follow.
The body was recovered from the River Lee in July 1999.

GARDAI have exhumed the body of a man from a Cork graveyard in the hope that advances in DNA technology will finally help solve the 25-year-old mystery of his identity.

Officers received approval to open the grave at St Patrick's Church in Bandon where the unidentified man had been buried in 1999.

The body was recovered from the River Lee just outside Cork city by the Lee Fields in July 1999.

There was no indication the death was suspicious but Gardai did not find any identification documents on the man.

It is believed the man drowned.

Despite strenuous efforts, they were unable to establish the identity of the man.

Repeated public appeals for information failed to yield any clues as to his name, nationality or even where he may have lived.

No one spotted the man entering the water - or where he may have been in Cork in the hours before his death.

Gardai stressed at the time that the death was being treated as a tragedy - with no indication whatsoever that the man was the victim of foul play.

The case file has remained open and it was decided several months ago that advances in DNA technology over the past 25 years might assist in finally identifying the man.

Gardai received approval to exhume the man's remains having consulted with the Cork South Coroner.

The area around the grave was cordoned off early on Tuesday morning and the coffin was removed with the remains being taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH) morgue.

A forensic anthropologist will now assist in taking DNA samples.

Modern sampling techniques can obtain high-quality DNA samples from large bones and even teeth.

These will be cross-referenced with the Irish DNA database - with samples also being checked with databases in the UK and Europe.

Gardai hope to obtain a familial match that will help trace the family of the deceased.

They hope to finally be able to offer closure to the family - and to allow the man's name to be included on his grave marker.

The tragedy of the man's death and lack of confirmed identity has registered over the past 25 years with west Cork locals.

Bandon residents attending the graves of loved ones in St Patrick's often also place flowers on the grave of the man.

His headstone was inscribed: "Pray for the soul of a man whose name is known to God alone - Interred here on October 25 1999."

An unknown person also placed a special memorial plaque on the graveside.

It reads: "Here lies some mother's son. Interred October 25, 1999. Rest in Peace.
Doctor voices care concerns about the HSE pitting one womens health counselling service against another

The HSE said those experiencing a crisis pregnancy should contact the My Options service. Stock image: Getty

Health minister Stephen Donnelly has intervened to stop the closure of a crisis pregnancy counselling service in his constituency of Bray.

On Tuesday, the Irish Independent revealed that a service that had been running from the Bray Womens Health Centre for 15 years was about to shut after it lost an annual 30,000 grant from the HSE.

Mr Donnelly said that he immediately contacted the chief executive of the HSE after being made aware of the issue in this newspaper.

I can give a categoric assurance that the service will continue, and there will not be any reduction in funding, Mr Donnelly said.

As Minister Im aware that women need support and counselling in many areas of healthcare, including crisis pregnancies. While I welcome the HSEs work on a new crisis pregnancy counselling plan, I have a clear commitment that the Bray service will continue.

I have committed to investing in womens health services and we have made significant progress in budgets in recent years in enhancing services and rolling out new services for women. This will continue in Budget 2025.

Counselling and support is also available through the My options service and we will also continue to develop new areas of counselling in areas such as long term infertility, recurrent miscarriage and complex menopause.

The HSE had claimed that it was a better use of public funds to refer women in crisis pregnancies to phone counselling, and to use the money for infertility, menopause or miscarriage counselling instead.

Dr Aoife Nic Shamhrain, whose clinic is to lose its womens health counsellor, raised concerns about the HSE pitting one womens health counselling service against another.

Dr Nic Shamhrain and her colleague Dr Ciara McKenna had been preparing to take over the Bray Womens Health Centre from Dr Gillian McCutcheon, who is retiring after 40 years working in womens healthcare.

The clinic is due to be relaunched as The Rose Clinic  a dedicated womens health and menopause clinic  from the same premises in January.

Every November, the clinic received a grant of 30,000 from the HSE to offer crisis pregnancy counselling services.

The HSE said those experiencing a crisis pregnancy should contact the My Options service. Stock image: Getty

Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th November 2024

In a letter to Jennifer Whitmore, the local Social Democrats TD, the HSE had claimed that the number of women who need crisis pregnancy counselling has declined significantly, and said that all counselling services were aware that the HSE has been working on a new crisis pregnancy counselling plan.

It said that in relation to Bray, the HSE felt it was a better use of public funding to send women to the My Options helpline.

Minister Donnelly on Tuesday confirmed that this would now not be the case

The Department of Health did not respond to requests for comment. The HSE said that there will be no risk to services for women requiring counselling for crisis pregnancy or post termination as this is available through the My Options service.

Future clients within the new practice can avail of counselling and support through the national funded My Options service, the HSE said.
Results are coming in for multiple states. Here's the latest counts and when we can expect to know the winner.

Here are all the key election times as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris square off. Source: Getty

Millions of Americans have voted in the US presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris with polling booths reporting the numbers and multiple states already called.

We are about to get a definitive answer as to who will occupy the world's most powerful political office from January 2025.

When do polls close in the US presidential election?

In the eastern states, the earliest polling booths closed by mid morning on Wednesday AEDT. By 1pm AEDT all voting will have ceased in almost 30 states, including crucial swing electorates like Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

ADVERTISEMENT

While all eyes are on the state of play in the 'battleground' electorates, we know enough that more than a dozen states have been already officially called by the Associated Press.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

When will we know who the winner is?

When Donald Trump shocked much of the world and beat Hillary Clinton in 2016, the election result was conceded on the night (late afternoon AEDT).

However last election in 2020, counting dragged well into the weekend before Joe Biden was declared the winner. If the polls heading into the election were indication, the latter was perhaps more likely scenario than the former this year. So we could be waiting days. But currently, Trump has an early edge.

Will Trump accept the result?

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Florida this morning AEDT, Trump expressed confidence in the day's turnout and said his campaign was perhaps his best yet.

ADVERTISEMENT

We did great in the first one, we did much better in the second one but something happened," he added, alluding to his consistent and false claims the election was "stolen" when he lost to Joe Biden four years ago.

When asked about potentially declaring victory regardless of the results today, Trump responded, "I dont know whats going to happen," adding, "If its a fair election, Id be the first one to acknowledge [the results]."

Why the election winner could take 'several days'

The election will come down to seven key swing states, with specific rules that govern their count.

On a call with reporters on Monday (local time), the Harris campaign said it expects near-complete results on election night in states like North Carolina, Georgia and Michigan. However other 'battleground' states like Arizona, Nevada and perhaps most importantly, Pennsylvania, could take several days to produce a winner.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We may not know the results of this election for several days, but we are very focused on staying calm and confident throughout this period as the process goes through," Harris campaign Chair Jen O'Malley Dillon said.

Why Pennsylvania could be the sticking point

In the so-called electoral college system (explained further here) each state is worth a certain number as candidates try to reach the magic mark of 270 for victory. Trump and Harris both have about 220 'votes' reliably sewed up, unless anything totally unexpected takes place. Then there are some 93 more available in the seven battleground states (mapped above).

Of them, the biggest is Pennsylvania which carries 19 electoral college votes. While a number of scenarios are possible, it's likely the road to the White House goes through Pennsylvania.

ADVERTISEMENT

"It is mathematically possible for either to win without Pennsylvania, but it's difficult," Dennis Altman, Emeritus Professor of Politics at LaTrobe University, told Yahoo News Australia.

"Its very likely whoever wins Pennsylvania, wins the election."

Officials in Pennsylvania are not allowed to start counting early mail-in votes until the official polling day, when they're of course already busy. The state also has a law in place which means a statewide recount would be required if theres a half-percentage-point difference between the winner and the loser. In 2020, Biden won it with 50 per cent of the vote to Trump's 48.8 per cent.

Trump acknowledged the possibility of the count dragging on for days in the state of Pennsylvania if it comes down to the wire and no winner is called today.

"If think it's an absolute outrage if that's the case," he told reporters in Florida this morning after casting his ballot.

Strap in.

Supporters of Trump volunteer at a Republican Party booth at a fair in rural Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in August. Source: Getty

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Taoiseach Simon Harris is expected to call the general election this week. Photo: PA

Just days out from the calling of a general election, the Government is dishing out 400m in extra funds to almost two million people.

The double child benefit payment going into accounts today will see the average family with two kids being paid 580.

The unprecedented second payment will cost the taxpayer 186m and is going to 667,000 families with over 1.25 million children.

While a double child benefit payment is usually made in December, this is the first time there is a double-double, with the payments coming in November and December.

This months double payment announced in last month's budget has been criticised for being untargeted and positioned close to the general election.

Taoiseach Simon Harris is calling this an "important week ahead in terms of child benefit payments".

The 400 cost-of-living payment for 46,000 families in receipt of Working Family Payment, paid out yesterday, cost another 18m.

There was also a 300 Fuel Allowance lump sum that was paid to 400,000 people in receipt of that benefit, costing 128m, yesterday.

Taoiseach Simon Harris is expected to call the general election this week. Photo: PA

Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th November 2024

And a 400 lump sum payment to recipients of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension, costing 85m, was also paid out yesterday.

It comes as Mr Harriss plans to call the general election are still up in the air and being hampered by a trip to Hungary to meet European leaders.

The general election will be on Friday, November 29, but it has to be called by the end of this week.

Mr Harris is expected to call the election on Thursday morning or Friday afternoon.

As of now, Friday is appearing to be more likely, but neither option is ideal because of a 24-hour visit to Budapest.

If Mr Harris dissolves the Dail on Thursday morning, he will be going straight to the airport and leaving the country afterwards.

If he calls the election on his return on Friday afternoon, he will be doing so without the traditional courtesy of informing the Dail.

The Dail will be formally dissolved by President Michael D Higgins. The timetable of events usually involves a short statement by the Taoiseach to the Dail informing TDs of the decision to call a general election, a speech outside Government Buildings and then going to Aras an Uachtarain to meet the President.

The Dail cannot be dissolved before tomorrow night when the Finance Bill will be voted on

But Mr Harris now has a dilemma due to two important meetings in Budapest. He will be out of the country from Thursday at about noon to Friday lunchtime.

Its a bit of a Catch-22 and neither option is pretty, a government source said.

After flying out of Dublin on Thursday, Mr Harris will first attend a summit in the evening of the European Political Community, made up of 44 European leaders, to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine and other security issues.

That night, he will attend a dinner with EU leaders to discuss the outcome of the US presidential election and the war in the Middle East.

Government party leaders: Green Party's Roderic O'Gorman, Fine Gael's Simon Harris and Fianna Fail's Micheal Martin

On Friday morning, the 27 EU leaders will hold a formal meeting and make a collective statement on those topics.

Mr Harris will return from Budapest around lunchtime on Friday.

The Dail cannot be dissolved before tomorrow night when the Finance Bill, which brings the budget into effect, will be voted on. This is the last substantial business to be carried out by the Dail before the general election is called.

Mr Harris does have the option of going into the Dail early on Thursday morning, kicking off the traditional route to calling the general election. But he would then be heading straight to the airport from the Aras and then being out of the country for the first 24 hours of the campaign.

Mr Harris has danced around the general election date now for several months, with previous commitments to see out the full life of the Dail term long abandoned.

The last general election was called suddenly, as then taoiseach Leo Varadkar was worried about losing a vote of no confidence in Mr Harris, who was health minister at the time. Independent and Fianna Fail TDs had threatened to vote no confidence in Mr Harris due to his handling of the health service.
The former chief financial officer of the horseracing regulator transferred 350,000 from a jockeys charity to a company bank account to pay staff wages.

A long-awaited report by Forvis Mazaars found that the money was transferred from Jockeys Emergency Fund to the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Body (IHRB) in January 2022, in breach of the Charities Act.

The charitys money was used to plug a cash shortfall in the accounts of the IHRB because of a voluntary redundancy and retirement scheme that saw its former chief executive, Denis Egan, left with a package worth 384,870 - 141,000 more than he was entitled to under the scheme.

Donal OShea, who is not named in the report but was the IHRBs chief financial officer at the time, initiated the transfer of 350,000 in January 2022.

Mr OShea took voluntary leave in June last year, just before the IHRBs new chief executive, Darragh OLoughlin, made the shock announcement to the Public Accounts Committee that a grave financial matter had come to light. Mr OShea later resigned.

The Forvis Mazars report, published today, found that Mr OShea and the finance manager had transferred the 350,000 to the IHRBs account.

Former IHRB CEO Denis Egan took early retirement. Photo: Caroline Norris

Today's News in 90 Seconds - November 6th

Mr OShea issued the instruction, the report found, motivated by urgent cashflow pressures in order to pay monthly salaries in the context where monthly HRI funding had not yet been received, and having to pay significant voluntary and compulsory redundancy payments at that month end.

The transfer was carried out without the approval of the Jockeys Emergency Fund trustees, or the IHRB board, nor was their approval sought, according to the report.

The Jockeys Emergency Fund is administered by the IHRB but is a separate registered charity that assists injured riders.

The review team received no evidence that Mr OShea reported this urgent cashflow situation to the chief executive or the board of the IHRB, or to Horseracing Ireland.

Their report noted that the 350,000 was returned to the Jockeys Emergency Fund bank account on 29 April 2022 after further cashflow challenges experienced by IHRB.

The transfers were not reported to executive, the board or the charitys trustees, and the were not in line with governing rules, or in compliance with the charities act, the report found.

The review team found that the IHRB Board and executive should have foreseen potential cashflow challenges arising on foot of making redundancy and retirement payments in the absence of corresponding funding being received.

The Forvis Mazars review team criticised the exit payment to Denis Egan, which it said was not made or formally approved within the criteria of redundancy and voluntary retirement scheme.

According to the report, Mr Egans exit package was negotiated through an international professional services firm with a presence in Ireland.

It was funded by a 242,990 allocation from the sports governing body, Horseracing Ireland (HRI) , and 141,880 from the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee and the Turf Club  which are amalgamated into the IHRB.

The IHRBs board approved the payment to Mr Egan after the payment was made, and even though it exceeded the terms of the voluntary redundancy scheme.

IHRB board members told the review team that HRI supported the payment to Mr Egan, and that governing body had implied approval by making a payment in support the IHRBs transformation programme.

Having interviewed Suzanne Eade, HRIs chief executive, and Nick Hartery, its chairman, the reviewers could not confirm that the governing body approved Mr Egans retirement payment.

We consider that the use of public funds provided by HRI to IHRB for the purpose of a retirement payment to the Former CEO, was not specifically sanctioned in writing by HRI, the report found.

The report also criticised the IHRB for incorrectly recording Mr Egans retirement package in its financial statements, as part of the Voluntary Redundancy and Early Retirement Scheme.

The payment was not made or formally approved within the criteria of the Scheme, and this disclosure is therefore incorrect.

Mr Egans exit package and the subsequent grave financial matter that led to Mr OSheas going on voluntary leave, drew intense political scrutiny on the funding and governance in the horseracing industry.

Seamus McCarthy, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), raised concerns about Mr Egans retirement package, while the funding of the horse racing sector has been interrogated by the Public Accounts Committee.

The government approved an increase in funding for the horse racing sector to 79.3m in Budget 2025.

The IHRB said it was reassuring that no other unusual or unauthorised transfers were identified in the review of six years of financial accounts.

In a statement today, Mr OLoughlin, chief executive, said the funds transfers that gave rise to the Forvis Mazars review should not have happened.

Since we commissioned this review, we have taken significant actions to improve our financial governance procedures and internal controls and we have publicly reported on this work to the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, he said.

The IHRB is on target to implement the reports recommendations by the end of the year, he said. Importantly, we have tightened our financial oversight and transaction approval controls to ensure that such an incident will not happen again.
A Kerry-based nurse and lecturer has been inducted in to the American Academy of Nursing in recognition of her impact on healthcare.

Dr Catrina Heffernan, a lecturer at Munster Technological University Kerry Campus in Tralee, received the prestigious honour at the academys annual conference on Saturday in Washington, DC.

She chairs the International Council of NursesNurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nurse Network and is also is a founding member of the Ireland Africa Alliance for Non-Communicable Disease (NCD).

Dr Heffernan was selected as a recipient of a Senior Nurse Executive Leadership Coldiron Fellowship, a 13-month programme in the United States which provided her with in-depth leadership knowledge.

She was also named a senior fellow for teaching and learning with Advance HE in the UK last year. The academy said it demonstrated her commitment to professionalism in learning and teaching in higher education.

She was admitted to the American Organisation for Nursing Leadership, the voice of nursing leadership in America which is key to cementing leadership styles. In 2021 she was named a post-doctoral Samuel H and Maria Miller Fellow at Case Western Reserve University.

Dr Heffernan said she is delighted to be part of the 2024 class of fellows, describing it as the icing on the cake for any nurse.

She said it was a rigorous procedure and she has been selected from a competitive pool of applicants, representing a cross-section of nursings most dynamic leaders who are making positive change in their communities to champion health and wellness.

Dr Heffernan said the induction ceremony was just like the Oscars and it was great to celebrate the power of nursing in healthcare.

She is currently focusing on philanthropy and her vision is to facilitate a practical hands-on executive leadership-type programme for nurse leaders.

She said any spare time she has is dedicated to Comhaltas  the organisation dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and the language of Ireland  in which she currently serves as the secretary of the Kerry County Board.
One of the worlds leading conservationists has hailed coffee company Bewleys for its role in a global breakthrough in sustainable production.

Renowned environmentalist Dr Jane Goodall, known in particular for her work with chimpanzees, praised Bewleys support for the new initiative in Honduras in Central America aimed at restoring damaged forest habitats.

Coffee production is a key factor in the destruction of tropical forests, as areas are cut down and cleared to make way for coffee plants.

The integrated open canopy (IOC) system in Honduras ensures 50pc of a coffee farm consists of conserved or restored forest habitat.

Dublin-based Bewleys is also supporting a linked project that uses solar energy and biofuel to dry coffee, rather than clearing forest for firewood to power industrial dryers. The Cafe Solar project is scaling up carbon-neutral coffee processing.

I applaud Bewleys for being the leading company supporting sustainable coffee grown using the groundbreaking IOC method, said Dr Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute.

This programme, which pioneers IOC and industrial-scale renewable energy in coffee processing, is aiming to set an unprecedented standard for sustainability in coffee worldwide.

Both Dr Goodall and Bewleys have also endorsed the Mesoamerican Development Institute (MDI) model for sustainable coffee production.

It produces Subirana coffee, which is the product of patented technology designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and restore forest habitat and biodiversity.

Bewleys, which introduced the first Fairtrade certified coffee to Ireland in 1996, said it had also recently become the first Irish coffee company of scale to achieve B Corp certification, which measures a businesss positive impact on society and the environment.

Bewleys Subirana coffee points the way to the future for the industry, said Cathal Murphy, the companys head of innovation and sustainability.

This is the first coffee recognised by researchers to go beyond shade canopy to restoring and conserving actual forest habitat on farms.

It also eliminates greenhouse gas emissions in drying and milling. It is regenerative and creates an ecological balance inside and outside the farm.

The approach has not only increased coffee yields and provided economic opportunities for farmers, but has also played a pivotal role in biodiversity conservation and landscape restoration.

There is only one type of sustainability in a supply chain industry  it must be profitable for the farmers, nurture the community and be good for the environment.

Mr Murphy also highlighted the companys partnership with Cafe Femenino  an initiative that has sought to provide female coffee farmers with more income and protection in previously male-dominated and impoverished communities.
Former finance minister Michael McGrath faced three hours of questioning in the European Parliament in his successful bid to become commissioner for democracy, justice and rule of law.

Mr McGrath required a two-thirds majority of a voting committee of MEPs to be approved as commissioner. While some nominees have been rejected during this process in the past, Mr McGrath will be officially confirmed on November 21.

The hearing was the final hurdle in the process of taking on the wide-ranging justice portfolio, that includes responsibility for the protection of data, consumer rights, the ensuring of free and fair elections, media freedom and the tackling of corruption and misinformation.

He is one of more than 20 nominated commissioners to face the three-hour questioning on their portfolios this week, after which representatives of various committees assess whether a candidate is qualified.

Meetings to discuss the hearing between each political grouping took place this afternoon, with Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty saying the former finance minister put in a strong performance and that her committee discussion after the hearing went very well.

During the hearing, Mr McGrath said there were many risks identified in the lead-up to the recent European elections, including disinformation and the threats posed by AI.

The fact there was no disruption to the conduct of elections was remarkable, he said, adding that new proposals on foreign interference, disinformation and manipulation would be among his priorities.

Mr McGrath said the benefits of European membership should be conditional on compliance with the European Charter of Human Rights and pledged to be an honest broker in addressing rule-of-law deficiencies in member states.

Michael McGrath was questioned for three hours at a confirmation hearing before European Parliament committees. Photo: Reuters

"I will not hesitate to act when appropriate to use the full toolbox of measures at my disposal, he said, adding that compliance was a must to gain access to European funds.

The justice portfolio makes Mr McGrath one of the most senior watchdogs on the rule of law in the EU, with his appointment taking place against the backdrop of a regression of democratic values in Hungary under prime minister Viktor Orban. Hungary currently holds the EU presidency.

Mr McGrath said that nobody should be under any illusions that he would not act impartially and in a strong and forthright way in the application of the full rule of law.

"If we dont have a respect for rule of law, everything else falls apart, he said, adding that there could not be an a la carte approach within member states and there would be no lack of political will in his part in the application of consequences.

One of his priorities will also be wielding the EU digital rulebook to ensure social media influencers are not misleading consumers and that children are not manipulated online.

Mr McGrath said he was also dedicated to protecting children against threats posed by the internet, in particular by in-app currencies and gambling simulating features such as lootboxes within video games.

He added that such features had a long-term impact and that the role of social influencers in promoting things such as vaping and plastic surgery should be examined.

Mr McGrath said measures would be developed to address the addictive design of many online platforms. Such features include infinite scrolling, autoplay and constant notifications that keep users on the site.

I understand the business model of Big Tech  these firms want to keep people online, he said.

Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan asked Mr McGrath about the potential infringement proceedings that could be brought against Ireland due to an alleged failure to carry out market surveillance on defective products.

Mr McGrath said people had been devastated by the defective concrete block issue and that it was important they received full remediation.

He said that on the basis of the evidence and a response from the Government, the commission would make a decision on whether a formal infringement proceeding would be brought against Ireland.

Mr McGrath committed to introducing the first EU strategy against corruption and a new victims rights strategy, adding that he would also work on anti-fraud, cross-border crime and strengthening the European Arrest Warrant.

The Fianna Fail TD for Cork South Central said he would also like to look at the issue of dynamic pricing in the event ticket sector, as well as focus on product safety and consumer protection.

He said increasing digital consumer protection would help increase competitiveness within the single market, which was currently distorted by the amount of unsafe product coming into the European Union.

He also addressed questions on illegal migrants and crime.

I do not believe that we should seek to be divisive, to set one group in society up against another group, Mr McGrath said, adding that a crime by one person is not more serious than a crime by another by virtue of their identity or where they come from.
One in five workers are struggling with illegal substance use, according to the latest Laya healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index.

The 2024 Index shows that 16pc of employees are addicted to or have an unhealthy relationship with Class A or illicit drugs.

Overall, two in five Irish workers report addiction to or an unhealthy relationship with at least one substance, nicotine (29pc) and alcohol (21pc) being the most prevalent.

The data shows that men, those aged 24 and under, and those with a disability or health condition are more likely to struggle with addiction. And senior managers are also more likely to report unhealthy relationships with substances compared to those in more junior roles.

There is a growing prevalence of other addictions impacting the workplace with almost a third of workers saying they have an unhealthy relationship with social media.

Some 30pc have the same problem with work itself.

One in five respondents identify similar struggles with pornography or sex, mirroring the figure of 19pc for gambling addiction.

Sinead Proos, head of health and wellbeing at Laya Healthcare said: Employers should recognise addiction as a serious issue impacting Irish workplaces, encompassing substance use, gambling, and social media.

"While these results are concerning, they also present a valuable opportunity for employers to prioritise employee wellbeing.

"By fostering a supportive culture and providing access to resources like counselling and employee assistance programs, we can support and empower employees to make the first steps towards improving their health and wellbeing.

One in two employees report living with an underlying health condition or mental wellbeing issue. Anxiety and depression are the most commonly cited conditions, with one in ten Irish employees having a diagnosis of depression.

Some 54pc of f those with a health condition or disability admit they would be embarrassed to speak to their employer about it, while one in two with a mental health condition fear being treated differently if they disclose it to their employer.

Ms Proos said: Employers and employees need to communicate more openly about health conditions and disabilities. Not having a diagnosis or feeling unable to discuss needed support can cause unnecessary stress and hardship for team members.

"Its crucial that organisations prioritise clear communication about health and wellbeing resources, making them easily accessible so employees can get the support they deserve.
Paul Williams: As crime journalists, our job is to highlight the darker side of life

Special correspondent with the Irish Independent Paul Williams reflected on a 40-year career reporting on crime in Ireland ahead of his latest book being released this week.

Crooks: The Stories Behind the Headlines was launched by broadcaster Pat Kenny at an event held in Whelans Pub in Dublin on Tuesday evening.

Williams described the book not as an autobiography or memoir, but rather a behind-the-scenes look at how the biggest stories during his career were covered.

Book 'Crooks' by Paul Williams

"Its been likened to a ride along, where we bring the reader behind the scenes of the kind of things that happened when we were trying to investigate stories, the reality of life for all crime reporters, he said.

"I hope it puts in context for the reader the fact that crime journalism is the most dangerous and hazardous aspect of the media industry. What I experienced and the things I went through are also being replicated in the lives of other crime journalists.

"Its not a very safe business. When people dont like what you write about normally they would sue or make a complaint to the Press Council. In the business of crime reporting, like a lot of our colleagues have found, the criminals resort to intimidation and threats.

He said he was unsure when he started writing Crooks where the book was going to go, and he spent some time going back through old files and records to jog his memory.

"What I found interesting, what I wanted to write about, was that I witnessed the rough draft of criminal history in Ireland.

"I was there to write about the seminal events that changed and helped create the gangland state we have today where organised crime is accepted as a normal aspect of life. I witnessed the different events that brought it to where we are today.

Reflecting on advice he had received to take a step back from his work as it grew more dangerous, Williams said he had incrementally slipped into a darker world over the years.

"It wasnt something you set out to get involved in. There were times when people said maybe step back from this like the guards for example. But the thing about it is we have a job to do.

"Our job is to highlight a darker side of life and particularly in organised crime, there is a trail of misery and destruction in peoples lives, an army of victims. If you stopped writing about it, and we rationalised this as we went along, if we were afraid and we pulled back, then they [the criminals] have won.

It is the job of a journalist to give victims a voice and tell their stories, Williams said, and he credited his colleagues for their contributions along the way.

This book is not about my career, its about the people and celebrating the people I met along the way, the people who made all of this possible. You dont go out and expose criminals by yourself, there are editors, subeditors, lawyers, theyre all part of it," he said.

He also remembered Sunday Independent reporter Veronica Guerin and Sunday World reporter Martin OHagan, journalists who reported on organised crime and were murdered.

"We have this rare distinction as a small, little island on the edge of western Europe, of having more journalists murdered per head of population than anywhere else in western Europe, he said.

Crooks: The Stories Behind the Headlines by Paul Williams is available in book shops on November 7.
303,000 to be built between now and 203041,000 homes to be built in 2025, going up to 43,000 in 2026 and 48,000 in 2027Annual average of 50,000 homes rising to 60,000 in 2030Fianna Fail resisted setting targets but Simon Harris argued it would anchor the debate on housing during the campaign

The Government is promising to build 50,000 houses a year until the end of the decade.

The new figures say just over 303,000 houses will be built between now and 2030.

New housing targets have finally been agreed by the Coalition on the eve of the general election being called later this week.

Fianna Fail was reluctant to publish the figures but Fine Gael argued it was necessary to put context on the campaign.

The housing targets set out what is a realistic figure to be built, as agreed with the arms of the State, as opposed to a political party promise.

The figures range from 40,000 up to 60,000 over the course of the timeframe.

Agreeing to 303,000 being built between now and 2030, the targets start with 41,000 in 2025, going up to 43,000 in 2026 and 48,000 in 2027.

Then toward the end of the decade the 50,000 mark is broken with 53,000 houses in 2028, 58,000 in 2029 and 60,000 in 2030.

The Governments existing Housing for All plan contains a target of 33,000 new units a year, on average, up to and including 2030.

This includes, on average, 10,000 social housing units, 4,000 homes for affordable purchase, 2,000 cost-rental homes and 17,000 private homes.

A total of 32,695 new homes were completed last year, exceeding the 29,000 target set out in the Governments housing plan.

But Taoiseach Simon Harris's pledge the Government will build 250,000 houses over the next five years was widely at odds with the Coalitions current housing targets.

The new targets from Government come after the ESRIs research showed that the housing demand is projected to be approximately 44,000 per year until 2030, but that projections of housing demand are very sensitive to assumptions regarding migration.

Meanwhile, a Central Bank report in September estimated that between 52,000 and 67,000 new homes could be needed per year to meet emerging demand into the middle of the century.

Housing will dominate the first week of the election campaign with the first televised debate next Monday night featuring Housing Minister Darragh OBrien for Fianna Fail, Public Spending Minister Paschal Donohue for Fine Gael and the Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin.

Mr O Broin last week accused the Government of running scared of publishing their revised housing targets.

He said the Government did not want the voters to know that their plan is to continue with inadequate social and affordable housing delivery.

Elsewhere today, People Before Profit (PBP) said that billions of euros in tax receipts from Apple should be used to establish a state construction company.

Ireland is to receive 14.1bn in back taxes and interest from Apple as a result of a landmark ruling in the European Court of Justice earlier this year.

The judgment restored a 2016 European Commission ruling that found Ireland gave undue tax benefits to Apple, contrary to EU state aid rules.

PBP leader Richard Boyd Barrett said establishing a state construction company is the only way to deliver social and affordable homes at the required scale.

Mr Boyd Barrett said: The housing crisis in Ireland continues and will not be solved by repeating the same failed private market-based policies and actions that successive FF and FG governments have pursued.

We need tens of thousands of social and affordable homes built each year to cater for the many paying extortionate rents or stuck on housing lists year after year.

The private building industry cannot build on the scale required.
Michelle O'Neill has insisted there is not a problem with the culture in Sinn Fein following a series of controversies that have hit the party.

Ms O'Neill vowed to build back trust with anyone whose confidence in her party had been dinted following criticism of its handling of several separate allegations against party members.

Stormont's First Minister and the Sinn Fein vice president insisted her party took action when it became aware of the various complaints and allegations.

"Well there has been a number of instances, we can't escape that," she told the PA news agency. I work hard to ensure that we have the public's trust and to build back anything that perhaps we may have lost."

Sinn Fein has faced criticism over how it has dealt with a number of controversies, including those involving former press officer Michael McMonagle and former senator Niall O Donnghaile.

In September, McMonagle, 43, from Limewood Street, Londonderry, admitted a series of offences including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

It subsequently emerged that two other press officers, who have since resigned from the party, provided job references for him after Sinn Fein had suspended him amid police inquiries.

The references enabled McMonagle to get a job with the British Heart Foundation in 2022, with the charity unaware of the allegations.

Last month, former Sinn Fein senator and Belfast lord mayor Mr O Donnghaile revealed that he stepped down from the Seanad and left the party last December because of a complaint that accused him of sending inappropriate text messages to a teenager.

Sinn Fein referred that matter to the PSNI and social services last September, but no criminal investigation was undertaken.

Separately last month, it emerged that a Sinn Fein member had resigned from the party after admitting involvement in an incident where a portrait of former DUP lord mayor Lord Wallace Browne was damaged at Belfast City Hall.

"I would hope that people will see that as soon as any of these things came to our attention, we took immediate action," Ms O'Neill said. "I have no tolerance for this type of behaviour in this party. "I will not tolerate these types of actions, and I will take action to dismiss people that are engaged in any of this type of activity. "But I don't believe it's a culture in Sinn Fein and I think it's a conflation of a number of issues over a number of weeks unfortunately. "However, we have to answer up to that, and we have, but I hope that the public will take some comfort from the fact that as soon as information came to our attention, we took action."

Other issues that have hit Sinn Fein in recent weeks include the resignation of high-profile Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley who quit the party in October amid a controversy relating to a complaint against him.

He claimed he was subjected to a "character assassination" by a clique within the party and likened its processes to a kangaroo court. Sinn Fein rejected his claims and insisted it handled the matter in accordance with proper procedures. His resignation came days after fellow Sinn Fein TD Patricia Ryan quit the party. She said her departure was in response to the party "undermining" her.

The latest controversy emerged on Sunday evening when Sinn Fein announced that it had suspended one of its Belfast city councillors after an allegation that he exchanged inappropriate online messages with a minor.

The party said it had suspended JJ Magee without prejudice having referred the matter to social services and the PSNI. Solicitors for Mr Magee have said he "absolutely denies any allegation of inappropriate conduct".

KRW Law said the complaint against its client had been made to the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards, adding that Mr Magee has lodged a 12,000-word, 38-page rebuttal with the commissioner.

The solicitors said Mr Magee had not made Sinn Fein aware of the complaint as there was "no substance" to it and he believed the matter would be resolved quickly by the commissioner.

The PSNI said it received a report in June this year to regard to inappropriate messages. Officers said no criminal offences were detected, and safeguarding assessments and engagement with other statutory bodies were conducted at the time.

Ms O'Neill said Mr Magee should have told the party about the complaint against him.

"He should have informed the party of anything of this nature," she said. "We did our due diligence in terms of referring this both to the police and social services, which is the appropriate response whenever something like this comes to our attention."

Asked if she was aware of any other allegations in relation to other party figures that are not already in the public domain, Ms O'Neill said she was not.
During his first term as US President, Donald Trump faced a hidden 'resistance'. But things look very different for a potential second term in power.

Donald Trump appears locked in a dead heat with Vice President Kamala Harris going into official polling day. Source: Getty

"The election happened... and then there was radio silence".

That's how Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, the then deputy secretary of the US Department of Energy, remembered the aftermath of Donald Trump's surprise win in the 2016 presidential race.

The quote is from The Fifth Risk, a book by famed author Michael Lewis about the bungled and at times non-existent transition process across major federal departments when Trump took the White House.

The usual political appointees and teams assembled to take over key government functions at the executive level simply weren't organised.

ADVERTISEMENT

"He didn't really expect to win," Dennis Altman, Emeritus Professor of Politics at LaTrobe University, told Yahoo News Australia this week.

"To some extent, he fell back on the people who were already a part of the system."

But things are expected to be very different if Trump prevails this week and returns to power in January.

Donald Trump prizes personally loyalty above all else. Source: Getty

This time around, "he knows who, in his eyes, are loyal to him. Loyal to him personally, not the US or the constitution," Prof Altman said.

"He's made it clear he's out for revenge. He's got a hit list."

In countless campaign events in the lead up to the election, Trump has railed against "the enemy from within" and vowed to use the government to go after them.

Fears there will be no Trump 'resistance' this time

In September 2018, less than two years into the first Trump presidency, the New York Times published a bombshell essay penned by an anonymous person from inside the White House. It detailed how those around Trump sometimes secretly worked against his wishes, and tried to "thwart parts of his agenda" and block his "worst inclinations".

ADVERTISEMENT

"I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration," the piece was titled, with the identity of the author since being revealed as the then deputy chief of staff to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

But staff like him are long gone in Trump world.

Speaking on the Planet America 'extra' podcast on Friday, ABC host Chas Licciardello warned Washington will likely have a more unencumbered Trump should he return to the Oval Office.

"People are concerned that he [Trump] is becoming increasingly authoritarian as time has gone on, and the question is: Is he going to face any resistance?"

"He's going to staff himself with a whole bunch of 'yes men', which was not the case in the first term."

He also pointed to a number of key political and business figures "conspicuously" not endorsing Kamala Harris or very "quietly" donating to her campaign out of an apparent fear of retribution from a President Trump.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We're already seeing an epidemic of gutlessness in the face of Trump and he hasn't even won the election yet. If the richest, most powerful people in the world are already tiptoeing around the guy before he is even elected, it's a scary sign for the rest of America as far as putting up resistance if Donald Trump goes into full authoritarian mode," Licciardello said.

"That's what people are scared about."

That sentiment was echoed by the New York Times tech writer Kevin Roose after the billionaire founder of Amazon and owner of the Washington Post, Jeff Bezos, stepped in to prevent the newspaper from printing an endorsement for Kamala Harris last week.

Speaking on the latest episode of the newspaper's Hard Fork podcast, he argued the "wave of CEOs sucking up to Trump" could ultimately backfire on them.

"I think what they are failing to include in their game theory is the scenario ... where they suck up to Trump, he wins, they get some benefit out of it for a while but down the line it becomes a liability for them. I think that is not something they are factoring into their calculus at all."

ADVERTISEMENT

With Congress up for grabs, Trump could enjoy 'extraordinary abilities'

The country could also see Trump's political whims unleashed if he wins the election and the Republicans take both chambers of Congress in the process.

Americans going to the polls on Tuesday (local time) will also be voting on seats for the House of Representatives and the Senate. Currently, thanks to the pledge of a few independents, the Democrats have the slimmest of majorities, and therefore control the Senate.

"If Trump does well that could ensure a Republican majority in the House and the Senate," Prof Altman told Yahoo. "In which case Trump would have extraordinary abilities to do all sorts of things.

"If that were to happen I think there would be jubilation in Moscow and Jerusalem because I think basically Trump would give carte blanche to [Russian president Vladimir] Putin and [Israeli leader Benjamin] Netanyahu" in their respective offensives in Ukraine and Gaza.

"In the short term, that is the most frightening outcome I can see of a Trump victory."

In terms of the Senate, it's a tough year for Democrats who are having to defend a number of difficult seats. "I don't think there's any way the Democrats can win the Senate, even if Harris wins the presidency," Professor Altman said. If the Democrats can take back the lower house, "it would at least slow him down".

Ahead of the official voting day, national polls have the candidates practically tied at a national level while the polling difference in key swing states are overwhelmingly within the margin of error in most reputable polls.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Sinn Fein TD says Tanaistes claims on party influence in the US on Palestine is bullsh*t

A Sinn Fein TD has labelled Tanaiste Micheal Martins claims on the partys influence in the US on Palestine as bullsh*t.

The Foreign Affairs Minister accused Sinn Fein of not using its power in the US to push for the end to the war in Gaza.

I would have more respect for your position if I had seen the Sinn Fein party more robust in the United States where you have considerable influence and where you raise a lot of money.

But your silence in the United States on the Palestinian question has been extraordinary, he said.

Thats bullsh*t and you know it, fired back Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthy.

He insisted how it wasnt true despite the Tanaiste saying it was.

Mr Carthy then asked for the chair of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee, Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan, to make sure the witness answers the question.

Minister Martin said he wasnt a witness but the Minister of the Committee, and used Mr Carthys remark to make a further dig at Sinn Fein.

Everybody is a witness to you guys, he said as Mr Carthy insisted he answer questions on the Occupied Territories Bill.

The Committee was meeting to discuss the legislation as opposition TDs and Senators attempt to pass it before the general election is called later this week.

However, the row between the Tanaiste and Cavan Monaghan TD broke out over Fianna Fails handling of the law.

Mr Carthy said he has not had a single conversation with a US official or politician where the issue of Palestine wasnt raised.

The TD said the Government parties are not to be believed on the bill.

Mr Carthy told the Tanaiste that he more so than anybody else had the power to progress the legislation as he was Taoiseach previously and is now Foreign Affairs Minister.

You have refused point blank to pass this bill in Government, said Mr Carthy.

Mr Carthy said Mr Martin accusing other politicians of trying to pass the laws for political gains is cynical in the extreme.

The Tanaiste said he doesnt take lectures from Sinn Fein on Fianna Fails commitment to the Palestinian people.

The committee heard Minister Martin say the Bill still needs amendments so that it can face down court challenges, if they are to arise.

I cannot ram a bill through, thats unconstitutional, he told TDs.

It can be done and we are satisfied we are going to do it but its not something thats going to be done in a short period of time.

This is not a slam dunk.

The whole middle eastern issue seems to be used sort of a political wedge issue in Ireland against the Government.

He said Arab countries in the Middle East believe Ireland is number one in their Palestinian response.

Weve got to strengthen the Bill, he said.

He said multinational companies become embroiled in the debate.

Passing this bill will not end the war, said Minister Martin, who called for perspective on the issue.
exclusive | Primary school children targeted and warned of threat to their safety as part of escalating feud

The primary school was evacuated last month after two phone threats were receivedChildren are believed to be among the youngest people ever to be served with GIM formsSome people linked to the feud are believed to have ties to the murder of Joshua Itseli (20) last May

Stock image

Robin Schiller and Darragh Nolan Tue 5 Nov 2024 at 03:30

Two primary school children have been formally notified by gardai that they are under threat as part of a dangerous Dublin feud.
Lucinda OSullivans restaurant review: Chaos and disappointment at Madame Phos new D2 branch - where no one seemed to know what the dishes were

An authentic Vietnamese experience it was not, writes our critic, of her visit to the new Madame Pho in Dublin 2

The first serving of summer rolls from Madame Pho in Dublin 2. Photo: Lucinda O'Sullivan

Lucinda O'Sullivan Tue 5 Nov 2024 at 03:30

One couldnt argue with the warmth of the welcome at Madame Pho, a new Vietnamese spot on Exchequer Street, as we were ushered through a full restaurant towards the basement room  though then demurred going down to the bowels of the earth to what had been the cocktail/karaoke bar of the former Ukiyo Japanese restaurant. If you can wait five minutes, a managerial looking man obliged, well have a table up here.
Advances in medical care and the quality of life mean we are living longer, but the ageing population brings its challenges. Who is going to look after all those in need of care? The supply of nursing home beds isnt keeping pace and the role of independent living or elderly communities is contingent upon the provision of resources.

The last census sought to identify people who provided regular unpaid personal help or support to a family member, neighbour or friend with a long-term illness, health issue or an issue related to old age or disability. Data from Census 2022, published last year, found the percentage of the population providing regular unpaid care had increased to 6pc in 2022  up from 4pc in 2011 and 2016.

The census data suggests the numbers providing regular unpaid care is around 300,000  and rising fast. The dominant caring role played by women also stood out in the findings. Campaign groups said the results offer an insight into the scale of these caring commitments, which save the State large costs that it would otherwise have to bear.

The issue of carers is unlikely to be to the forefront of the upcoming general election campaign. But herein lies the difficulty as carers say they are often forgotten. The solution is not simple as the State will become ever more dependant on carers as a growing number of families look after their loved ones in their old age.

Carers say the State is discriminating against them for carrying out vital work in the home, as they call on the Government to abolish the Carers Allowance means test. Families across Ireland say theyve either had their Carers Allowance slashed, or theyre not entitled to the support. Many were too anxious to be identified, so their plight is not made public.

Instead of feeling seen, as Taoiseach Simon Harris has vowed, carers feel invisible due to stressful and humiliating means-testing and payment reviews.

The lack of respite is adding to the pressures on families. Nearly three in four family carers say they have never received respite, according to a survey by charity Family Carers Ireland.

Mr Harris has admitted the Government needs to do better and more on respite. He also recognises that some carers find the means test too mean.

The response from the Government was to increase the income-disregard qualification in order to ensure more carers can benefit. But carers believe the means test is outdated and badly in need of reform.

In an era of boundless resources, this is not just about throwing money at the problem. A wide-ranging approach towards assisting families to care for their loved ones is required, whether thats giving financial help by way of the allowance, equipping their houses to ensure they are suitable, or providing respite. A development of policy similar to the evolution of the Fair Deal Scheme is required.

The alternative is that families leave the care of their elderly loved ones to the State. And that is simply not an option that will work on any level.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will soon know the outcome of the election. Photo: Reuters

The word consequential has been overworked by people trying to convey exactly whats on the line in todays US election. Partly because of Americas military and economic heft globally, but also because, since its foundation, it has been the standard bearer for democracy. A reverential respect was duly placed on the right to vote, and the result that followed, once votes were counted.

Donald Trumps refusal to accept the legitimate victory of Joe Biden in 2020 changed all that. With the Republican Party buying into the lie about the steal, the primacy of the ballot and the integrity of government, the country faced an unprecedented challenge.

Throughout the 2024 campaign, Trump has attempted to reactivate doubts and stoke fears that the sceptre of power will once again by egregiously stripped from his grasp by the deceit of the Democrats.

The claims are utterly unfounded, but the strategy is deliberate. Creating an atmosphere of distrust sets the scene for a mobilisation born of outrage, in the event of Trump being defeated.

He will be able to say: I told you so. Its a disgrace, the system was rigged. The fact that this years contest has been one of the closest ever simply fuels the tension. What happens in a few swing states could bring the country right to the edge. When President Joe Biden took the oath, he vowed to bind the nations wounds and bring Americans together.

He would be there for all, regardless of political affiliation. Any such vision of unity or bipartisanship has long since evaporated.

In the 100 days since Mr Biden belatedly handed over the baton, Kamala Harris has found herself in one of the most acrimonious and hostile elections ever fought. In the noxious political atmosphere, the trading of insults and petty partisan point-scoring precluded any real engagement on the issues that actually matter for voters.

Matters such as national security, global diplomacy, education, employment, the climate crisis, or the core challenges the American economy faces have been pushed to the side. If Ms Harris was dismissed as a Samoan-Malaysian low IQ, she was able to hit back at a convicted felon who was consumed by revenge. Though none of this is edifying, it ought not to distract from the real substance of what today represents.

A shadow of uncertainty has been cast over foundational values such as freedom and equality in the country that so championed both.

Trumps juvenile impetuosity has worried many at a critical time in world politics with flashpoints in Ukraine and the Middle East still playing out. As one US columnist called it: Trump isnt just any kid. Hes a kid playing with matches in the garage next to the gasoline tank.

It matters enormously who wins today. But what matters more is that the vote is recognised and accepted. As George Washington said: The peaceful transition of power is what will separate this country from every other country in the world.
For four decades, the name Paul Williams has been synonymous with the coverage of crime in Ireland. From facing down a double-barreled shotgun on his first reporting assignment while he just a teenager, to becoming the only journalist in the history of the State to require full-time garda protection, Paul has seen it all.

His byline has accompanied some of the biggest crime stories, including the killing of 'The General' Martin Cahill, the murder of Veronica Guerin, and the rise of the Kinahan's. But Pauls life mixing with the underworld made him a target and put his family in danger. Something he has grappled with for years.

He told The Indo Daily: The State decided that they were going to put full-time protection on us. So, I was assigned two armed special branch detectives, bodyguards, which I had for over two years. At the same time, they put 24-hour, seven-day-a-week protection on our home, which lasted for another 10, 11, 12 years.

He said: I had to explain every day where I was going. What I was doing. Every time I looked in the mirror for over two years in my car, there was always an escort car. We had a special escort car. It was the equivalent of being in a witness protection program.

"I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and its very hard to describe what that is like.

Today on The Indo Daily, Kevin Doyle is joined by Paul Williams, special correspondent with the Irish Independent, to discuss his new book, Crooks: The Stories Behind the Headlines, and the effect a life reporting on the criminal world has had on the veteran crime journalist.
The extension of the Solar for Schools Programme to all schools in Cork North West will support schools to reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint.

The first phase of the programme was launched late last year benefitting more than 1,100 schools and will now be extended to all schools nationwide.

Cllr John Paul OShea who was selected by Fine Gael to contest the general election in the Cork North West constituency welcomed the extension of the programme. I am delighted to hear that our schools in Cork North West will now benefit from funding to install solar panels on their rooftops. Schools in Cork North West are facing high costs at the moment and this will be a welcome way to reduce their energy costs.

Cllr OShea continued: The amount a school will save will depend on a variety of factors but will typically be in the region of 1,375. The panels will be connected to the electricity grid, allowing schools to export their electricity. This will mean more homes and businesses in Cork North West will benefit from renewable energy.

Across the country, this extension is set to benefit 4,000 schools with a total saving of 5.5m. This will also be a great chance for students in Cork North West to see climate action first-hand, with the visibility of the panels encouraging discussion and further environmentally friendly practices, he added.

Cork North West schools can apply once applications open on Monday, November 11, said Cllr OShea. They will be contacted directly by the Department with details. Alongside the panels, monitoring software is being provided to further encourage discussion of how much energy is generated each day, equipping staff and students with a deep understanding of the energy generated. I look forward to seeing solar panels across the rooftops of schools across Cork North West in the coming months and years.
The commitment was made at a recent full council meeting by the CEO of Cork County Council Moira Murrell who provided councillors with an update on the current status of the Ready to Build Scheme. As we have new targets coming we are going to have to acquire further land. We will be buying land that are serviced. There are plans in areas particularly in small towns and villages. The social and affordable will be a prime focus.

Ms Murrell made the comments after several councillors expressed their disappointment with the lack of progress made by the local authority in providing serviced sites.

Fine Gael councillors John Paul OShea and Caroline Cronin jointly sought a report on the opening of serviced sites which are currently all planned for North Cork.

The Ready to Build Scheme was announced by Government in September 2022. It provides for local authorities to make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers (self-builders).

These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site. They will be sold for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser.

The councillors were informed in a written reply from the Divisional Manager with Cork County Council Kevin Morey that the sites are now subject to infrastructure capacity issues and or planning policy constraints. Cork County Council have a number of sites still available. It has been decided these are the sites that will be considered initially for their suitability for development and to be marketed under the current Ready to Build Scheme.

Cullen four sites, Ballydesmond six sites, subject to appraisal Liscarroll, subject to appraisal Kiskeam, subject to appraisal Stag Park Estate Mitchelstown and subject to appraisal Knocknagree. All of the above sites, while originally developed as serviced sites, are now subject to infrastructure capacity issues and or planning policy constraints. Discussions are ongoing with all relevant stakeholders including Irish Water around these issues, he added.

Mr Morey continued: A stage 1 application is being prepared for the masterplanning of a Land Aggregation Scheme site in Knocknagree. This masterplan will include the delivery of social housing in the first phase with the inclusion of some serviced sites in the second phase. The Council remains committed to the concept of delivering ready to build sites in the county and is continuing to investigate and identify suitable opportunities in this regard.

Cllr John Paul OShea expressed his frustration with the lack of progress in providing serviced sites in Cork County. Cullen to my understanding is a non-runner with Irish Water, likewise Ballydesmond and Mitchelstown. The three sites proposed are not going to be progressed because of Irish Water. I am trying to develop the four sites in Cullen for the last nine years. Nothing in this response indicates there will be progress.

I am disappointed to say the least, said Cllr OShea. This is a very important scheme for people who cannot build in rural areas. They have an opportunity here to buy serviced sites. We as a local authority need to provide that. In terms of social sites we have the availability and we need to progress it. South Cork and West Cork need to be attended to as well.

Fianna Fail councillor Frank OFlynn spoke in favour of the motion. Serviced sites are a tremendous success. We did them in Fermoy, Mitchelstown and Glanworth.

Cllr Gearoid Murphy echoed the sentiments of his party colleague. We need to look at every avenue possible to deliver housing particularly in rural areas to allow people to stay in the communities where they grew up.

Chief executive of the local authority Ms Murrell provided the councillors with more clarity on their housing plans. Around the affordable and cost rental we have 724 units coming on stream across the county. The serviced sites are another part of it. I understand the impact they can have.

The sites that are there if you take the top three are in the Town and Village Scheme. They will take a number of years. They are part of the Uisce Eireann commitment. There is ongoing engagement with Uisce Eireann at an executive level. There is no quick answer. Once there is a programme and it is on a list we have to accept that too, she added.

The affordable housing is a key strand and there is progress on that county wide, said Mr Morey. As we look at our land bank and options for social and affordable housing going forward there will be consideration again of where there may be opportunities for serviced sites to be incorporated in that as well.

Mr Morey continued: The sites in North Cork would have been identified at a time when there was confidence that they would be serviceable. In some cases there are constraints and some of those relate to the small towns and villages category. That programme has somewhere approaching the high thirties of schemes in the county. Seven have been approved to progress so far.

The progress on those has been relatively slow. It has been raised with Uisce Eireann. The broadening of that scheme will be important. We are in a process of looking at how we expand our land bank for social and affordable housing. We need to look at areas where there is currently serviceable land, he added.

Cllr OShea queried why the local authority are not proposing serviced sites in towns and villages that have been upgraded in terms of access to proper water and wastewater treatment systems. Why are we choosing locations where there is a problem. In North Cork we had a fantastic upgrade of the sewerage scheme in Mallow and Millstreet, why isnt there service sites being proposed in Mallow and Millstreet? We need to go back and look at it. My understanding is there isnt a sewerage issue in Liscarroll. Those sites could be available now.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll said that Cork County Council has an obligation to provide serviced sites for people.

Ms Murrell accepted the local authority can look at areas where there are problems. Uisce Eireann are very engaged with the local authority to try and find solutions to issues across the county. We can certainly look at areas where we have problems. Where we have delivery of scale to deliver it will be important to prioritise the schemes that we need. We have to accept they will take time to get up and running. I understand the emotion around the serviced sites.

Cllr OShea suggested that Cork County Council consider sites in north, west and south Cork which have access to proper water and wastewater treatment systems. We need to identify one north, one west and one south site that is readily available and serviced. The sites that are identified to us are challenged without Irish Waters commitment. Surely to God we have three sites with enough capacity for wastewater and water.

I would ask that the executive consider sites in north, west and south to make sure we have a scheme up and running as quickly as we can, he added.

Ms Murrell accepted that this was a fair enough request and said the local authority will look into Cllr OSheas proposal.
The Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West told The Corkman that Uisce Eireann need to step up, communicate effectively and provide a reliable solution to this ongoing problem. Many locals continue to raise their concerns with me directly given additional costs with having to boil their water since August and we all know that the kettle is top of the list of appliances that cost the most to run.

Deputy Moynihan who was recently selected to run again in the upcoming general election for the Cork North West constituency said: Irish Water have a text alert system available to them and many locals have signed up for this. Surely this system could do more than just alert people to the boil notice being in place.

It could be used to keep locals informed regularly of testing results, what is being done and the timeline expected for the boil notice to be lifted. I dont think that this is an unreasonable approach to ask from Irish Water but instead pulling teeth would be easier than trying to get any information from them, he added.

The Cork TD criticised Uisce Eireann for the continuing delays and the lack of communication over the boil water notices. The continuing delays and outright lack of communication from Irish Water regarding the specific actions being taken to lift the boil water notice is insulting. Locals deserve to have drinkable and safe water in their homes and with Christmas just around the corner it is frightening that no credible updates are being received from Irish Water.

Deputy Moynihan called on more transparency for local residents. What are the timelines for the construction works to be completed? Locals have lost confidence in their water supply and with good reason. Residents deserve transparency regarding the steps being taken to ensure safe drinking water and a timeline for when they can expect the boil water notice to be lifted permanently.

This boil water notice, which was initially issued on August 27 following consultations with the Health Service Executive (HSE), was briefly lifted on September 25 before being reinstated on September 30 due to adverse weather conditions affecting water clarity and supply.

This pattern of repeated boil water notices has been a recurring issue during winter months in recent years, leading to calls for more effective communication and action from Irish Water.

"The people of Macroom, Carrigadrohid, and Canovee deserve answers, said Deputy Moynihan. It's time for Irish Water to step up, communicate effectively and provide a reliable solution to this ongoing problem."
The building was opened as a cheese factory in 1948 and has been owned by Kerry Group since 2001

Charlevilles historic redbrick building will be transferred to special needs supports provider St Josephs Foundation, it has been announced.

Kerry Dairy Ireland, a division of dairy food manufacturer Kerry Group which owns the building, announced on Tuesday that it is transferring the property to the Charleville-based St Josephs Foundation, which provides a range of services for people with intellectual disabilities in north Cork and south Limerick.

Kerry Dairy Ireland CEO Pat Murphy said his company has supported and admired the exceptional work that St Josephs Foundation has done in the community for decades.

We are immensely pleased to see St. Josephs Foundation, an organisation we hold in high regard, become the new custodians of the Redbrick building. Their dedication to enhancing the lives of individuals and families within our community is unparalleled, and we are confident that this new chapter will only amplify their remarkable work, Mr Murphy said.

Michael Hegarty, CEO of St. Josephs Foundation, thanked Kerry Dairy Ireland for its vital support.

This partnership, grounded in our mutual commitment to rural Ireland, ensures that our joint efforts will benefit Charleville and the wider region for decades to come. This milestone in the history of the Foundation allows us to advance a significant project that will enhance services for individuals with disabilities and their families," Mr Hegarty said.

Based on the Kilmallock Road, the redbrick building was originally opened as the Golden Vale cheese factory in 1948, employing 30 people.

The property was taken over by Kerry Group in 2001 and it was used as an administrative base until operations ceased there in late 2022 after the company announced it would be cutting 150 of its employees over 12 months and creating a consolidated shared services division at its facilities in Malaysia and Mexico.

At the time, it was reported that 70 jobs would be cut at the building, which employed approximately 150 workers.

The large office building, standing on seven acres, was listed for a price of 750,000 on popular property websites in December last year.
County Cork is benefiting from the exciting OurKidsCode initiative, a nationwide programme aimed at bringing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) activities to families in rural Ireland.

The programme, which empowers parents and children to explore coding and technology together, is making waves by bridging the digital divide and fostering community engagement. In partnership with Cork County Council, OurKidsCode is activating local Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) and community venues as educational hubs.

These efforts bring digital learning opportunities directly to rural families, ensuring access to STEAM education in areas that previously lacked resources.

By encouraging families to work together, OurKidsCode not only develops technical skills but also strengthens the bonds within these communities. As part of OurKidsCodes ongoing efforts to spread STEAM activities across rural Ireland, Cork families are encouraged to attend a special STEAM Fun Day in Tipperary on Saturday, November 16 at TUS Thurles Campus.

This free event will feature hands-on workshops, coding challenges, robotics, and creative projects, designed to inspire children and parents alike.

Families from Cork will have the chance to connect with others from neighbouring counties while engaging in fun and educational activities.

This event coincides with Science Week, which runs the same week, making it a perfect opportunity to celebrate STEAM learning. Louise Caldwell, Programme Manager for OurKidsCode, Trinity College, Dublin said: Were thrilled to invite families from Cork to join OurKidsCode in Cork for this incredible STEAM Fun Day. Its a perfect opportunity to learn, create, and see first-hand the exciting world of technology that OurKidsCode brings to rural communities. County Cork, like many rural areas, faces challenges in maintaining community infrastructure and accessing educational opportunities.

OurKidsCode directly addresses these issues by offering digital learning opportunities that help develop essential skills for the future.

Approximately half of Ireland's population lives in rural areas (OurKidsCodeReport), and programmes like OurKidsCode are crucial in ensuring that rural communities remain connected, engaged, and equipped for the evolving digital world. OurKidsCode works in collaboration with industry and government partners to advance, with the aim of promoting greater diversity in technology graduates in Ireland.

OurKidsCode research shows that parents have the biggest influence on childrens subject choices, and parents report not feeling confident in STEAM subjects to advise fully.

OurKidsCode builds confidence and positively influences parents' attitudes towards computing and technology.

Notably, female participation in STEAM in Ireland has seen improvement.

Between 2015 and 2022, data from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) reveals that the percentage of female participants in STEAM increased from 18% to between 21% and 24%, depending on the specific STEAM field.

Ms Caldwell expressed optimism about the future, noting: Through collaboration with initiatives across Ireland aimed at improving diversity in participation in STEAM, we can significantly raise this percentage over the coming decade. OurKidsCode is led by Dr. Nina Bresnihan in the School of Computer Science and Statisics, Trinity College Dublin.

Funded by Science Foundation Ireland, the Department of Education and the Department of Rural and Community Development, they work with partners to build pathways for inclusion to provide the opportunity to be a part of a growing community of family creative coding clubs across Ireland, with a strong focus on rural areas.

Families from across Ireland are invited to mark their calendars for this free and exciting event.

The OurKidsCode Family STEAM Fun Day at TUS Thurles Campus promises a day of learning, creativity, and fun for all.

For more information and to register for the event, visit https://www.ourkidscode.ie/event
Bikers pictured setting off on the recent 2nd annual Poker Run/Rock Night fundraiser in aid of the Nano Nagle Special School in Listowel. Photo by John Kelliher.

The principal of Nano Nagle in Listowel, Jacinta Budhlaeir, was full of praise for the recent 2nd annual Poker Run & Rock Night fundraiser that took place at Christys Bar in the town late last month.

An impressive 1,220 was raised for the school from the event, money which will now go towards the building of new sensory pods/spaces in a number of classrooms in the school.

For those unfamiliar with the poker run' fundraiser, it's an event usually held by motorcyclists where participants visit various checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one, all in the pursuit of the best poker hand by the end.

"It was fantastic but the weather was so bad, oh my god it was pouring on the day," Jacinta laughed speaking to The Kerryman on Monday, adding "I was thinking that it was going to be a disaster but thankfully Anthony Mulvihill, who was in charge of the event, he was brilliant and pulled it off."

"We are bowled over, absolutely just bowled over. As Anthony himself said, it was a fantastic amount considering the bad weather, she added when talking about the amount of money raised.

With the money set to be handed over to the school soon, Jacinta's brain has been whirring planning all the things they are set to upgrade in the school.

"We are dealing with a large portion of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and they would have a lot of challenges. That is something that was at the forefront of my mind because we were part of the Listowel being named as an Autism friendly town a few weeks ago, she said.

"I decided that whatever fundraising we got from the poker run, we were going to use it to build sensory pods in the classrooms. They [the pods] are basically a sensory space within the room that is equipped with various OT-recommended items. You might have things like weighted blankets or very low mood lighting, all that kind of thing."

"It's a space where a child can go in when they're having a moment and they can just take time to regulate again and ground themselves. It's a very soothing space. It's money well spent, she continued.
Tralee Community Policing Unit have been nominated for an award for their Halloween door hanger campaign. Pictured here launching the unique initiative with students from Scoil an Fheirtearaigh.

The unique and very successful Halloween Safety Door Hanger Initiative in Kerry has been shortlisted for the 2024 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards

The Tralee Community Policing Unit of An Garda Siochana is a finalist for the Age Friendly Safety and Security Award at the annual awards which celebrate individuals, organisations, and agencies nationwide that are spearheading initiatives to improve the lives of older adults in Ireland.

The Halloween Safety Door Hanger Initiative is shortlisted for its exceptional contribution to making Ireland an outstanding place to grow older.

Recognised by Age Friendly Ireland, these projects exemplify best practices which are both impactful and can inspire similar efforts across the country.

Commenting on the nomination, Sgt Eileen O Sullivan of the Tralee Community Policing Unit said: Garda Patricia Fitzpatrick is delighted to be nominated and shortlisted, for her Halloween Safety Door Hanger Initiative. It is a testament to the success of the initiative which is for young and older persons. The two sided waterproof design is based on the Traffic Light System, to give people the option of answering the door. Red is for Stop (No Trick or Treaters) and Green is for Go (Welcome Trick or Treaters). There are Halloween characters depicted on both sides which adds a fun element. Some people are reluctant to answer the door to trick or treaters at Halloween, due to illness, a new baby, a bereavement, or they may be out of candy.

"For a variety of reasons, people don't want callers continually ringing their doorbells or knocking on their doors during this annual event. Then there are the children who may be disappointed or upset that nobody is answering the door. It is a very simple, straightforward, and practical solution for reducing or eliminating unwanted stress, and ensuring that Halloween is an enjoyable experience for all. The door hanger although originally available in English, has been further developed this year, and is now available in the Irish version, she continued.

Tralee Community Policing Unit have been nominated for an award for their Halloween Door Hanger Initiative.

Speaking on the annual awards, Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer of the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service said: "The shortlisted projects represent the gold standard of innovation and dedication, showcasing how communities are coming together to improve the quality of life for older adults across Ireland. These initiatives stand out not only for their immediate impact but also for their potential to be replicated across the country."

The 2024 National Age Friendly Awards include eight categories, each aligned with a World Health Organization (WHO) Age Friendly Theme. These include awards for best in Age Friendly Transport; Active and Healthy Ageing; Business Innovation; Safety and Security; Communications; Environment; Community Innovation; and Housing.

The 2024 awards ceremony will take place on November 7 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Northwood, Santry, Dublin, hosted by Fingal County Council.
A successful tenderer has been announced for the construction of the long-awaited Adare Bypass.

A joint venture of John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd and Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd, known as Sisk Sorensen JV, has been identified as the tenderer, and subject to the necessary approvals, it is programmed to have the contract awarded by the end of 2024.

In November 2023, the government announced its approval to advance the construction of the Adare Bypass to facilitate its delivery ahead of the Ryder Cup in Adare Manor in 2027.

The bypass will divert any unnecessary through traffic away from Adare and remove a significant point of congestion on the N21, improving the safety and quality of life for people living and working in the village and facilitating improvements to the urban realm.

Speaking at todays announcement, Mayor of Limerick John Moran welcomed the significant progress to date, saying: Todays announcement is significant. It is a priority of the Mayoral Programme to advance the Adare Bypass. To have it in place by the Autumn of 2027 remains very ambitious and would represent a significant achievement given the time remaining.

Follow Independent Limerick on Facebook

Many risks to a successful outcome are outside the control of the Council. Limerick City and County Council will do everything it can to achieve this ambitious target but requires the goodwill and active cooperation of all agencies/stakeholders involved and/or affected by the project.

Limerick City and County Council are continuing to work with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to deliver the bypass.

The bypass is one element of the Foynes to Limerick Road project which is a 35km road connecting Limerick City to the port of Foynes.

The overall project is seen as vital for the strategic development and expansion of Shannon Foynes Port, for West Limerick and the Mid-West Region in general.
The Court of Appeal has upheld the 14-year jail term and lifetime ban imposed on a repeat roads offender, Michael Collins from Drogheda who was high on cannabis when he played chicken with other motorists, drove head on at gardai and caused the death of his 20-year-old passenger.

The Court of Appeal has upheld the 14-year jail term and lifetime ban imposed on a repeat roads offender from Drogheda who was high on cannabis when he played chicken with other motorists, drove head on at gardai and caused the death of his 20-year-old passenger.

Michael Collins (50), of St Finians Park, Drogheda, Co Louth, was convicted of dangerous driving causing the death of Jillian Thornton on May 27, 2016 at Waterside Great, Duleek, Co Meath following a trial lasting almost two weeks at Trim Circuit Court in July 2019.

Lawyers for the driver, who admitted he deliberately "took a chase from gardai, had argued in the Court of Appeal that his sentence was manifestly excessive and that his life-long driving ban would impair his rehabilitation, which they submitted was not in the public interest.

A three-judge court found they were not satisfied that any double counting or error in principle had taken place in the sentencing.

They also dismissed Collins' appeal against his driving ban and said they were satisfied that a fair trial had taken place.

Delivering the court's judgement, Mr Justice John Edwards said that with regards to his disqualification from driving, Collins still posed a risk to members of the public and should not be allowed to return to the road.

Mr Justice Edwards extended his condolences to the family of Ms Thornton for their devastating and tragic loss, saying that their contribution of detailed victim impact statements had been immensely valuable.

He thanked them for sitting through the full trial and returning for appeals after suffering unspeakable devastation.

At the conclusion of his trial Collins, who defended himself after sacking his legal team, was also convicted on two charges of endangerment, 12 charges of dangerous driving and of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, cannabis, on the same date.

Ms Thornton was killed when she was thrown from the back seat of the defendants car, which was split in two when it collided with another car near Ballymagarvey on the N2 after Collins had led gardai on a 35-minute pursuit.

The Court of Appeal has upheld the 14-year jail term and lifetime ban imposed on a repeat roads offender, Michael Collins from Drogheda who was high on cannabis when he played chicken with other motorists, drove head on at gardai and caused the death of his 20-year-old passenger.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - November 7th

The trial had heard recordings of 999 calls from the passengers in the car claiming the driver was going to crash unless gardai called off the pursuit. One of the calls made just before the crash ended in a scream.

The court heard evidence of Collins speeding on the wrong side of the road, being involved in near-misses, driving head on at Garda vehicles, travelling without lights and weaving from side to side. A Garda witness said the defendant appeared to have been playing chicken with other motorists.

At the Court of Appeal on October 11 this year, defence counsel Michael Lynn said the overall sentence of 15 years with one year suspended imposed on Collins was clearly disproportionate.

He argued the 14 years handed down was almost double that imposed in other more severe cases and said it was contrary to the totality principle of sentencing.

Were saying the end result was manifestly excessive, he told the court, adding there were many aggravating factors that werent present in the case, as Collins did not leave the scene and was not disqualified at the time.

A further ground of appeal advanced was that the judge erred in imposing a three-year sentence for one endangerment charge and a five-year sentence for the other, while making the 10-year sentence consecutive to the longer sentence of five years.

The lawyer also argued the judge had made an error in imposing a life-long driving disqualification on Collins. His rehabilitation will be impaired if he is never allowed to drive again, and the public interest does not require that, he submitted.

Carl Hanahoe SC, for the State, said Collins previous convictions for reckless endangerment indicated that a lifetime disqualification was warranted.

Where an individual on two previous occasions endangered the lives of An Garda Siochana, that person has clearly displayed a wanton disregard for the safety of the public at large and that justifies a lifetime disqualification, he said.

In relation to the overall sentence imposed, Mr Hanahoe said the standout feature of this case was the fact that the aggravating factors were so uncommon and so extraordinary.

He said Collins was someone who had, in his own words, took a chase and that this was a deliberate decision with absolutely no regard to the safety of the public in a built-up urban area.

What I say renders this case exceptional and unique is that element of intention, said counsel. In this case Mr Collins drove dangerously for no other reason than for the sport of what he was engaged in The appellant in this case was turning on and off his lights repeatedly throughout this entire occurrence. Immediately prior to the collision which resulted in the death [of Jillian Thornton] he had no lights on. There is simply no conceivable justification for that.

He said this intentionally aggravated the danger of the situation and this was further compounded by the presence of two young women in the car.

During the course of the trial the appellant in the case maintained that they were willing participants which clearly they were not, he said. Its hard to conceive of a set of circumstances of greater gravity.

Mr Hanohoe also noted that no mitigation had been offered in the case. He argued the sentencing judge did have regard to the principle of totality by making some sentences concurrent to the two consecutive terms.

At his sentencing hearing, the court was told that Collins was on his way to a music festival in Mullingar on the night with the victim and a friend, Alannah Byrne, who survived the crash.

Collins failed to stop for gardai after driving the wrong way on a roundabout at Waterunder, Drogheda, and then continued through east Meath towards Slane and turning back towards Ashbourne.

Collins, who was found to have cannabis in his system on the night, later told gardai his head had been melted and claimed in court he had been in fear for his life at the time, as someone had put a hit on him and he did not believe it was gardai who were following him.

In 2022, the three-judge court rejected Collins appeal against his conviction, in which he argued that he should not have been allowed to represent himself at trial.

In dismissing that appeal, the court found that the right of a party to be heard without legal representation was a personal right and that only in very extreme circumstances could a judge refuse such an application, once it was dealt with the accused's full knowledge and consent.
In response to the unexpected liquidation of a solar panel company based in Gorey, SE Systems is stepping in to provide support for affected customers across County Wexford and beyond.

SE Systems, a leading sustainable energy solutions provider in Ireland, will offer personalised assistance to those who paid deposits and were left with incomplete installation of solar panels by SolarSol which was based in Ambassador Retail Park in Gorey.

"At SE Systems, we understand how tough this situation has been for many, and were here to lend a hand," said Youenn Lowry, Managing Director of SE Systems.

"Our commitment is to support affected customers by offering discounted services and support with any available grants. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get the sustainable energy solutions they set out for without extra worry or financial strain. Decarbonising Ireland is close to our hearts, and we believe in making renewable energy accessible and excitingnot something that feels intimidating or risky. We're here to help people feel confident about embracing a greener future."

SE Systems aims to ensure affected residents can still access the benefits of renewable energy through a range of discounted installation options.

The sudden closure of SolarSol has impacted numerous households, including a Ballycanew couple who paid 6,750 for an installation that remains unfinished. SE Systems recognises the challenges these customers now face and is committed to offering solutions to help them move forward with their solar projects.

To assist those impacted, SE Systems aims to provide discounted completion services for customers who paid a deposit to the liquidated company. SE Systems may offer to complete the installation by applying a discount equivalent to the initial deposit.

Theyll also provide guidance and support by assisting customers in accessing any grants or government support programs available and working closely with each household to help them secure financial relief where possible.

SE Systems encourages all affected customers to reach out to discuss their unique situation. The SE Systems team is prepared to evaluate each case individually, ensuring residents receive the support they need to move forward with renewable energy.

For more information, assistance, or to see how SE Systems can help you, contact Stephen Hayes at 086 206 7738 or email him at SHayes@sesystems.ie.
School-based social workers could play a key role in supporting the well-being of our young people, according to a Wexford based social worker and Fine Gael General Election Candidate.

As an increase in funding was recently announced in Budget 2025 for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), the New Ross councillor, Bridin Murphy described the current situation as a mental health crisis developing among our young people.

It's clear that we need to rethink how we provide services for them, she added.

Cllr Murphy said the increase in the budget is welcome, however preventative measures need to be an area of focus, to which she suggests strengthening the links between social workers and the community via the education system.

She continued: Access to social workers in school could serve as a crucial link between schools, students, families, and the wider community, supporting young people in overcoming challenges that may impede their academic success and overall well-being.

CAMHS should be dedicated to responding to acute mental health crises, but due to the lack of community-based approaches, children who do not require CAMHS-level intervention are being referred because there is nowhere else for them to go.

This is putting enormous pressure on CAMHS and resulting in long waitlists for young people who are in real need of urgent care. This situation is unsustainable, and we must act now to relieve this pressure, Cllr Murphy said.

The Councillor is advocating for additional supports to be implemented such as school-based social workers who can intervene early, while providing support for issues like low-lying anxiety, and working directly with families.

Fine Gael Cllr Bridin Murphy.

This in turn would help reduce the need for CAMHS referrals and ultimately ease pressure on our mental health services, allowing CAMHS to focus on acute cases. The model of having school-based social workers has been adopted in approximately fifty countries worldwide.

"Its time for Ireland to seriously consider adopting this model The potential impact of these professionals is immense. Having someone based in our schools, where children spend so much of their time, would help break down the stigma surrounding mental health and normalise accessing support within communities.

By integrating mental health support directly into the school environment, we can create a supportive culture that promotes positive mental health outcomes for our young people. Cllr Murphy concluded.
Mya O'Neill from Cushinstown and Melissa Cleere from Raheen at Our Lady of Lourdes school open night. Photo: Mary Browne

Brooke Banville from Carnagh, Joanne Molyneaux from Ballycullane and Ella Murphy from Saltmills at Our Lady of Lourdes school open night. Photo: Mary Browne

Tamara Stepien from New Ross, Hanifah Adeyeye Bola from Newbawn and Aoife Moran from Ballyleigh at Our Lady of Lourdes school open night. Photo: Mary Browne

Kate Purcell and Ruby Kehoe from New Ross and Ailbhe Deely from Ballinteskin at Our Lady of Lourdes school open night. Photo: Mary Browne

Natanya Howey from Oldross, Sophie Wickham from Saltmills, Enie Uhuangho from New Ross, Sara Lachowicz from New Ross, Clara Walsh from tullogher and Eve Flanagan from Cushinstown at Our Lady of Lourdes school open night. Photo: Mary Browne

Jamie and Holly Sinnott from New Ross, Kate Purcell from Slieve Corrig and Cara Cullimore from Rosbercon at Our Lady of Lourdes school open night. Photo: Mary Browne

Nada Al Manasarah from New Ross, Aimee Mackey O'Donoghue from Adamstown, Kawther Aissiou from New Ross, Kate Corcoran from Gusserane, Saorlaith Mullally from Glenmore, Hannah Ryan from Cloughbawn and Ruby Bennett from Cloughbawn at Our Lady of Lourdes school open night. Photo: Mary Browne

Ella Talbot from Glenmore, Maeve Phelan, Shauna Bookle, Laura Barron, Aisling Power and Lily Ryan from Tullogher at Our Lady of Lourdes school open night. Photo: Mary Browne

Ruby Currid from Ballycullane and Lily O'Leary at Our Lady of Lourdes school open night. Photo: Mary Browne

On Thursday, October 24 Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School was a hive of activity as a huge crowd gathered for the annual open night.

The visitors were impressed as they viewed the informative subject displays and engaged in hands-on activities such as decorating spooky cookies in the Home Economics room and getting stuck into experiments in the Science Lab.

Senior Prefects took the lead as they showed the girls and their parents around the school, while teachers and parents were available to help out and answer any queries. Music filled the corridors and people claimed they could have stayed all night.

In principal Toni Ormonds address to those who visited on the night she said: Our Lady of Lourdes has a proud tradition of excellence in education for 100 years and is looking forward to continuing to promote the ethos of our founding Holy Faith Sisters as we embark on the next 100.

Jamie and Holly Sinnott from New Ross, Kate Purcell from Slieve Corrig and Cara Cullimore from Rosbercon at Our Lady of Lourdes school open night. Photo: Mary Browne

She also spoke about the emphasis the school places on the holistic development of the girls and that wellbeing is at the core of everything.

Deputy Principal Catherine ODonoghue highlighted the importance of learner experiences and learner outcomes and that every student is encouraged to be the best they can be in everything they do. She shared statistics on Leaving Cert results, which are always above the national average with 100% going on to study at third level in 2023.

Head girl Aimee OLone, deputy head girl Laura Doherty and Eimear Rossiter, first year, then shared their personal experiences of school life.

Brooke Banville from Carnagh, Joanne Molyneaux from Ballycullane and Ella Murphy from Saltmills at Our Lady of Lourdes school open night. Photo: Mary Browne

Afterwards everyone was invited to the ref where fifth year students, parents and members of the Board of Management served refreshments made by the Home Economics students.

All the visitors were very impressed and agreed that the night was a resounding success.
SETU can confirm that classes at its Waterford campuses resume on Tuesday, November 5 . However, staff and students may still experience some disruptions

Students of the Waterford campus of the South East Technological University (SETU) have been advised to return to classes as normal on Tuesday, following Fridays cyber security incident.

Gardai are engaging with an educational institution in relation to the incident and preliminary enquiries are ongoing, confirmed a garda spokesperson.

South East Technological University (SETU) has experienced a cybersecurity incident targeting our IT systems, said a spokesperson for the college on Monday evening, November 4.

Students have previously been advised the University is actively dealing with a cybersecurity incident that has targeted our IT systems. Our internal IT team is working closely with external cybersecurity experts and relevant authorities to address the situation and minimise any potential impact.

While investigations are ongoing, we are closely monitoring the situation. There is currently no evidence to suggest that any data or information has been compromised.

Following Mondays class postponement, we can confirm that classes on our Waterford Campuses will resume on Tuesday, November 5. However, staff and students may still experience some disruptions as we continue our efforts to resume normal services.

Please attend your classes as scheduled unless you are informed otherwise, added the update. The Carlow, Wexford and Wicklow campuses of SETU were unaffected.

The university had originally issued a short statement last Friday saying its IT systems were targeted in a cybersecurity incident.

The university said the cybersecurity incident was identified at the earliest possible stage and its IT team moved swiftly to safeguard its systems.

It said that relevant Government departments and authorities had been notified.

SETU, Irelands fifth technological university, was established on May 1, 2022 and has 18,500 students across four campuses in Waterford, Carlow, Wexford and Wicklow.
In our last general election in 2020 there was a voter turnout of 62.7 per cent. This represented 2,201,192 out of the 3,509,969 registered voters in the country. Compared to this years local elections (49.4 per cent) that figure seems strong, but when you turn back the clock to 2016s general election (65.1 per cent), to 2011s (69.9 per cent), and to 2007s (67 per cent) its clear that, as a nation, we are gradually becoming less engaged with the political sphere.
Ten agonising days after he was last seen alive, the family of missing Wexford man Brandon Roche were granted some small comfort on Tuesday as his body was finally recovered from Wexford Harbour.

At Ferrybank, for the past few days Brandons heartbroken mother Samantha and other family members have kept a constant vigil over the river estuary, desperately waiting for news from several agencies and hundreds of volunteers who have been combing the river and shoreline since the 19-year-old entered the water at Wexford Bridge.

A massive multi-agency search operation, it succeeded in its goal to "bring Brandon home as family members were officially told that the young mans remains had been recovered.

It's understood that the body was found by Boyne Fishermans Rescue and Recovery, who had travelled all the way from Co Louth to assist in the search. They joined the likes of the RNLI, Coast Guard, Garda Water Unit, Civil Defence, Wexford K9 Search & Rescue, Slaney Search and Rescue, Carrick on Suir River Rescue and hundreds of volunteers.

While enduring a devastating ordeal, Brandons family were truly humbled by the level of support shown to them over the past week and a half.

Brandon Roche.

As day nine of the search drew to a close, Brandons mam Samantha sought to express her gratitude.

"Im overwhelmed by the support of everyone helping me to try and find my baby boy, she said. Im so grateful to all of the volunteers and rescue teams for putting in so much effort and giving up their time; to my family and friends for being my rock and strength at the most difficult time of my life.

"My appreciation by everyone right now goes beyond words.

Brandon was not only my baby boy but my little best friend," she continued. He had the biggest smile and kindest heart.

Despite going through her own horrific ordeal, Samantha was also keen that nobody else would feel the devastation that she and her family were going through. She sought to send a message to Brandons young friends.

To Brandons friends or anyone who is struggling right now or with their mental health, I urge yous to talk to each other or someone, Samantha said. There is no problem or issue that cannot be resolved, always remember that.

In the past, Brandon himself had thrown his weight behind various mental health campaigns. He had fundraised for Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland and had planned to do a charity sky-dive for them. His profile picture on Facebook was devoted to the SeeChange green ribbon campaign to help spread awareness of mental health difficulties.

The photo states smiles dont tell the whole story".

A player who came through the ranks at the Sarsfields GAA Club, Brandon was also a well-liked member of the Valhalla Muay Thai Gym. He was described by his family as a loving, kind-natured young man, who "just adored his family".

He had a great sense of humour and was always up for "a jeering match with those he loved best.

Given his own previous fundraising efforts, Brandon's family thought it fitting to establish a fundraiser in his name to donate money to the volunteer organisations who put in such amazing work in bringing the young Wexford man back to his family.

In less than a week, the 'Help Bring Brandon home fundraiser on GoFundMe attracted over 600 donations, raising in excess of 16,000 for the chosen causes. The family are incredibly grateful to those who contributed and the money raised will certainly be a fitting legacy for Brandon as his family faces into the difficult days, weeks and months ahead without him.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised please click here
Winning students from St Laurence O'Toole's National School, Roundwood, Brandon McCann, Mark Inchim, Charlie Connolly and Caoimhe Connolly with teacher Gillian Morrisroe, Wicklow County Librarian Margaret Birchall and Senior Executive Librarian Mary Murphy at the Wicklow County Library EU Quiz Schools in the Woodenbridge Hotel. Photo: Michael Kelly

Primary school students from across Wicklow gathered at the Woodenbridge Hotel recently for the second annual Interschool Table Quiz hosted by Wicklow County Council Library Service.

Encouraging young people in 5th and 6th classes to brush up on their knowledge of the European Union (EU) and celebrate EU membership, the evening was attended by enthusiastic students, dedicated teachers, and supportive parents from all corners of the county in the spirit of friendly competition.

The quiz saw impressive performances from all teams who demonstrated clear preparation and in-depth understanding of the EU, with their clever answers contributing to a tightly contested race.

After an intense and exciting competition, with only a few points separating the top contenders, Roundwood National School claimed first place, followed closely by Scoil Naomh Iosaf from Baltinglass in second, while Hollywood NS and Tinahely NS shared third place.

Highlighting the importance of the event, director of services for Wicklow County Council Theresa OBrien noted how valuable EU knowledge is for students.

Its essential for our young people to understand the EUs role in fostering cooperation and opportunities between countries, and this quiz gave our students a fun and inspiring way to explore these ideas  they really did Wicklow proud, she said.

Reflecting on the support for the event, senior executive librarian and organiser Mary Murphy, added: Were immensely grateful to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Communicating Europe Initiative for the generous funding that made this event possible.

The enthusiasm and hard work of the schools who attended were remarkable, and we look forward to welcoming themand morenext year!

The Wicklow County Council Library Service also extended its gratitude to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Communicating Europe Initiative for their generous funding.

This support not only helped with this event but will also enable upcoming programs, including a secondary school debate series and the countys first Human Library Initiative launching later this year, a spokesperson said.

These initiatives aim to engage young people and the broader community in learning and meaningful dialogue.
Making Waves Youth Theatre members invite you to an evening of fun and frolics at the Whale Theatre on Wednesday, November 20 at 7.30 p.m.

The fundraising evening will have a table quiz, two exciting theatrical performances by our talented members and a raffle! The evening is being curated by the young Making Waves members who would really appreciate your support. Tickets cost 10 or 40 for a table of four.

Educate Together

This years Greystones Educate Together Craft Fair will be running from 11am to 4pm, Sunday, November 17, with local goodies, home-baked cakes, Christmas jumpers and quiet time from 10.30am to 11am.

Music Bingo

Music Bingo, rather than a numbers game, is about marking off the songs and the fun takes place in Greystones Rugby Club, Saturday, November 23 from 7.30pm to 11.30pm. 20 admission goes to two worthy charities  Greystones Cancer Support and The Friends of St Lukes.

Plaza Market

Its nearly that time, and the Christmas on the Plaza market will be running every Saturday and Sunday, from November 16 until December 22. This market not only supports local small businesses but it is a vital fundraiser for Greystones Tidy Towns.

Car boot sale

The car boot sale takes place in Ballywaltrim Community Centre on Sundays, 8am to 1pm.

Kilcoole Music Festival

The Kilcoole Music Festival is running from Friday, November 15 to Sunday 17, and from Friday November 22 to Sunday 24, with musicians from near and far taking part in a celebration of vocal, choral, instrumental and orchestral music, along with speech and drama.

Dementia Support

Wicklow Dementia Support is seeking volunteers to become a friend to someone with dementia. The organisation is also looking for volunteers for a new group in the Villa Pacis Centre (Queen of Peace), Bray, each Wednesday, 10.30am-12.30pm. Contact: info@wicklowdementiasupport.org or call Kate on 0851345128.

Rathdown Bridge

A new Bridge club has opened at Greystones Bridge Centre, Victoria Road each Tuesday, from 10am until 1pm. Established players and beginners are both most welcome and lessons are available. Details of membership from:

johnstaffordfennell@gmail.com.

Dargle Bridge Club

Dargle Bridge Clubs new season has begun again and takes place each Wednesday, at 7.20pm. Play finishes approx. 10.30pm. Membership is 20 and 5 per night table money. Venue is the Open Door Day Centre, Vevay Road. For further details see darglebridgeclub.com, or phone Michael on 087 9480151, or Anne on 087 2399457. A new novice section has also been added to the club for any newcomers.

Greystones Scrabble

Greystones Library has a Scrabble club every Friday afternoon from 2-4 pm. Ring the library on 01 2873548 to join.

Cancer Support

Greystones and District Cancer Support provide various support services to those affected by cancer and their families in Greystones, Delgany, Kilcoole, Newcastle and Newtownmountkennedy. Offers a wide range of support services, classes and therapies. Contact the office at 01 287 1601, email info@greystonescancersupport.com or visit greystonescancersupport.com.

Sanctuary Runners

The Bray Sanctuary Runners Walk and Talk group meets at 7pm at Queen of Peace Church car park, Putland Road, Bray, on the last Thursday of the month. If a run is more your thing, go to The Esplanade Hotel, Saturdays at 11.30am.

Garda clinic

The community policing clinic is held every Monday from 6 pm to 8pm in the Kilcoole Community Centre.

The clinic is there for members of the public to drop in and for crime prevention advice, to get help with forms, such as passports stamped and driving licences, as well as other Garda services that can be attended to on the spot by Gda Molly Corbett.

Mens Sheds

Bray Mens Shed is now full. Greystones Mens Shed meets on Mondays at 77 Rathdown Park, from 7.30 p.m. Contact Jim Rice at 089 254 0586.

Bray Comhaltas

Bray Comhaltas are delighted to announce that from September 25, 2024, traditional Irish music classes for children and adults will be held in Colaiste Raithin, Bray on a Wednesday night and in Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath on a Thursday night. Please go to the website to enrol: braycce.ie

Purple House

Purple House Cancer Support provides a range of professional support services to people of all ages. It has a wide range of classes and programmes available both in person and remotely through its Purple House at Home Service. For details, contact info@purplehouse.ie or visit purplehouse.ie.

Parkinsons Support

Theres a Parkinsons Support Group meeting every first and third Friday of the month at the Holy Rosary Church from 3pm to 5pm, with everyone welcome to drop in for a coffee and a chat.

Theres also Musical Memories sessions, which take place every Friday at St Patricks Church from 11.30am to 12.45pm and everyone is free to join in.

Bray Library meetings

The Junior Book Club (ages 9 to 11) is now accepting new members. It meets on the second Monday of each month at 3.15pm, you can email: braylibrary@wicklowcoco.ie or ask at the library desk to book a place.

Doodle Time for 9-12 year olds takes place every Thursday from 3pm to 4pm. Bray Library Knitting and Crochet will meet on Wednesdays between 3pm and 4pm, no need to book. For sleuths, Crime Club is second Tuesday of the month at 7pm.

Square One Theatre

Square One presents The Plough and the Stars by Sean OCasey, running at Mermaid Arts Centre, from Tuesday, November 5 until Saturday, November 9. It is described as a comic tragedy in four acts and is dedicated To the gay laugh of my mother at the gate of the grave. The first two acts are set during November of 1915, acts three and four during Easter Week 1916. Tickets priced 21/19, special preview on Tuesday, for 15.

Open Door Day Centre

The Open Door Day Centre operates Monday to Friday on Vevay Road, Bray. Open Door provides facilities and activities for adults with physical disabilities as a result of multiple sclerosis, stroke, motor neurone disease, spina bifida, road accidents. Call 01 286 7123, email info@opendoor.ie.

Country Market

Over at the Newcastle Community Centre every Saturday, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, you can catch the long-running North Wicklow Country Market (started in 1970!), where youll find all sorts of local home baked produce.

Lakers volunteers

Lakers supports adults and children with intellectual disabilities and runs over 60 activities a week for its 400 members. Its centre is open six days a week and is supported by over 160 volunteers. Volunteers are encouraged to take part in training opportunities. You can email info@lakers.ie.

Bray Cloud 9

Unity in the community is the motto of the Bray Cloud 9 team, who run the furniture and bric-a-brac store on Quinnsborough Road, to support local causes.

Delgany ICA

Delgany ICA is on Thursdays, at 8pm in St Killians Hall, Greystones. Always looking for new people to join, with drama, crafts and a book club as well as many wonderful day trips for members.

Youth Cafe

Greystones Youth Cafe, at Collnagreina, offers teenagers some time to pop in, mix and chat every Wednesday from 3pm to 5pm and every Friday from 7pm to 9pm, plus Mondays, 7pm to 9pm, for fourth to sixth years.
Disgraced former solicitor Michael Lynn, who is appealing his five-and-a-half-year sentence for stealing just over 18 million from six financial institutions during the Celtic Tiger era, has been told that Irish society is a victim of his offending.

Lynn (56) was jailed for obtaining multiple mortgages on the same properties in a situation where banks were unaware that other institutions were also providing finance. These properties included 'Glenlion', Lynn's 5.5 million home in Howth, and multiple investment properties.

He had to be extradited from Brazil in 2018 after spending years resisting attempts to have him face charges. As part of the extradition agreement with Brazil, Lynn was to be given credit for the prison time he has already served.

Lynn, of Millbrook Court, Redcross, Co. Wicklow, pleaded not guilty to theft contrary to section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud offences), but he was found guilty by a jury of ten of the 21 theft counts against him following a second Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial last year after the jury in his first trial in 2022 failed to reach a verdict.

He was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to five and a half years in prison having been convicted of stealing 18.1 million from six financial institutions.

Judge Nolan fixed the headline sentence at 16 years, before discounting three years for mitigation. He subtracted a further seven and a half years because of time spent by Lynn in a Brazilian prison while awaiting extradition, and also because of the conditions of the prison in Brazil. The judge also took into consideration 105 days Lynn spent in Cloverhill, with the sentence backdated to December 20, 2023.

Appealing the severity of the sentence, counsel for Lynn, Paul Comiskey OKeefe BL said that because of the dearth of comparative case law, he was asking the court to focus on the quantum of loss in this case. He said that this case featured a loss of 18 million, but he referenced other cases where the loss was multiples of this amount. He also said that the victims in this case were not left in dire financial circumstances from the appellant's offending.

Michael Lynn. Photo: Collins Courts

Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th November 2024

You become a member of an honourable profession that operates by professional standards, so if you breach that you let not just yourself down, you let your colleagues down and all of society down, said Mr Justice John Edwards at the Court of Appeal on Monday, during the sentence appeal of Michael Lynn (56).

At the Court of Appeal on Monday, during the sentence appeal, Mr Justice John Edwards referenced the culpability and harm done, as the appellant was a solicitor, which meant there was public confidence in a person in his position.

Even if there was no individual victim, it is Irish society that is a victim in that regard, said Mr Justice Edwards, adding that Lynn had done untold damage.

Mr Comiskey OKeefe replied that the communitys right to punishment can arise, but he said that Lynn was punished by being struck off as a solicitor. Mr Justice Edwards said that because Lynn had been a solicitor, he had been in the position to know the implications of what he was doing, which meant he had breached his code of standards and professional ethics.

Mr Comiskey OKeefe said that the commission of the offence did not take place in the performance of legal services, so as Lynn's actions were not carried out for a client, there had not been a breach of trust.

You become a member of an honourable profession that operates by professional standards, so if you breach that you let not just yourself down, you let your colleagues down and all of society down, said Mr Justice Edwards.

Mr Justice Edwards went on to say that being struck off does not exonerate someone from facing criminal punishment, asking if a thief loses his job should he not have to face prison just because he has already lost his job.

Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said that the defence was overlooking the fact that the appellants actions would have lessened the overall image of solicitors. She went on to address the societal impact, as if a bank loses money, that loss is passed down the line, so the general victim of this crime was society at large.

Mr Comiskey OKeefe next said that the sentencing judge did not give sufficient weight to the recovery by financial institutions of certain losses, nor to the asset disposal by the appellant for the repayment of losses.

Mr Justice Edwards noted that astronomical, eye watering figures were involved.

Mr Comiskey OKeefe repeated his assertion that not enough weight was given to the mitigating factor that this case involved a convicted person who is a solicitor who had not used a clients account for the offending, to which Mr Justice Edwards said that was not mitigation, merely the absence of an aggravating factor.

Mr Comiskey OKeefe next said that not enough weight was given to the post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by Lynn because of the time he served in prison in Brazil, of which the sentencing judge took account.

During his trial, Lynn took the stand and claimed the banks were aware he had multiple loans on the same properties and that this was custom and practice among bankers in Celtic Tiger Ireland.

He was extradited from Brazil in 2018 after spending four and a half years in a hellhole prison there. In the first trial, Lynn told the jury the jail was essentially run by prisoners and he witnessed the beheading of a young gay prisoner.

Karl Finnegan SC, counsel for the DPP, said that there was nothing which indicated that the sentencing judge did anything that he was not entitled to do within his area of discretion, and there was no error of principle.

He described the seven and a half years mitigation given as extremely generous, as it was not sustainable to say that the final sentence was excessive. He said that during the trial, total loans of 36.5 million were identified, of which 27.85 million were on the indictment, with Lynn found guilty by the jury of offending covering just over 18 million.

This was a complex scheme of offending that involved multiple loans from multiple institutions, said Mr Finnegan, adding that Lynn used his position of trust to exploit weaknesses in the system.

Mr Finnegan said that another aggravating factor was that Lynn accused other witnesses of being complicit in this offending, which led to their characters being impugned.

Its unfortunate that he would continue to try to reduce his culpability. It should be measured by him alone and not on other people he may have been dealing with, said Mr Finnegan.

He said the mitigating factors were limited by there not being a plea of guilty, nor any remorse shown by the appellant for his actions. He went on to say that the global sentence set by the sentencing judge made sense in this case, which was one of the greatest thefts in the history of the State, carried out to amass as much wealth as possible.

Mr Justice Edwards said the court would reserve judgement in the case.
George McClafferty with Michelle Obama and her daughters, Malia and Sasha, in Glendalough, in June 2013.

Tributes have been paid to the late George McClafferty, who was the first manager of Glendalough Visitor Centre and counted among his many finest moments playing host to former First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters, when they visited the monastic site, in 2013.

Originally from Bray, George lived in Killoughter, Ashford, where he sadly died at home on Saturday, November 2.

George studied Archaeology and Irish Folklore at University College Dublin and Anthropology at the University of Santiago de Compostela, in Spain. A highly-regarded author, he was the first manager of the Glendalough Visitor Centre when it opened in 1987, until his retirement just a few years ago.

Eugene Finnegan from Bray Tourism paid tribute to George as the leading authority on Glendalough and someone who knew everything about the place".

"He ran it, Eugene said. He ran a very tight ship there and he ran it very, very well. The most famous visitor that he showed around was Michelle Obama and her two daughters and that was one of George's proudest moments. He wrote a very interesting guide book on the monastic area of Glendalough and for many years he was the face of the visitor centre.

The late George McClafferty.

Georges proud moment came in June 2013, when the former US first lady Michelle Obama and her daughters were given a private guided tour in the Wicklow Mountains National Park as their whistlestop tour of Ireland came to a close.

Mrs Obama and her daughters, Malia and Sasha, were escorted through the famous monastic site and given a talk on the ancient ruins by George, who took a seat on the famous deer stone as he shared some of the folklore.

"That gives great power," Mrs Obama is said to have told him, as Sasha was given the honour of closing up the door to the ruins of St Kevin's Church.

George's book Glendalough: History, Monuments and Legends, published in 2012, has been highly praised by readers as the definitive guide, and a must-have companion for tourists.

George McClafferty with Michelle Obama and her daughters, Malia and Sasha, in Glendalough, in June 2013.

More personally, George has been remembered as a character larger than life and a great friend by those who knew him closely.

George was the son of the late Gertie (nee White) and Joe McClafferty and is survived by husband Michael, sisters Moya McClafferty and Doreen Mahoney, brother-in-law Mick, niece Lynn, nephew Robert, Lynns husband Jimmy, Roberts wife Kelly, grand nieces and grand nephews Ian, Katie, Mia and Liam, his dear friends Pat, Maureen and Philomena, his cousins, Michaels family circle and all of his extended family and friends.

A celebration of Georges life will take place in The Victorian Chapel, Mount Jerome Crematorium on Thursday, November 7 at 3.15pm.
Oasis have announced they will perform five shows in South America as part of their 2025 reunion world tour (Simon Emmett/Fear PR/PA)

Oasis have announced they will perform five shows in South America as part of their 2025 reunion world tour.

It comes after brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher confirmed the bands long-awaited reunion in August, saying: The great wait is over.

The Manchester rockers, known for hits including Wonderwall and Supersonic, will begin their tour of the continent with two dates in Argentina, at the River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, on November 15 and 16.

They will then perform at the national stadium of Chile, in Santiago, on November 19 before travelling to Sao Paulo in Brazil to play at the Morumbi Stadium on November 22 and 23.

The band said: People of Brazil. Carnival has come early. Fix up. Look sharp. Oasis will see you soon.

There will be a fan presale before general sale next week, which is open until November 6 at 11am local time. Tickets then will go on general sale on November 13.

Tickets have already sold out for shows taking place next summer across the UK and Ireland.

Fans had been pleading with the Britpop group to reunite since their split in 2009, prompted by a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in France.

Noel quit the rock group on August 28 2009, saying he simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.

When tickets went on sale for the UK and Ireland shows, some standard tickets more than doubled from 148 to 355 and the situation was blamed on unprecedented demand.

There was outrage from fans, and the controversy prompted the Government and the UKs competition watchdog to pledge they would look at the use of dynamic pricing.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

Last month the band announced that Richard Ashcroft, the former lead singer of The Verve, would be joining them as a special guest for their homeside and Ireland shows.

The brothers, and Ashcroft, will be playing at Manchesters Heaton Park, Londons Wembley Stadium, Cardiffs Principality Stadium, Edinburghs Murrayfield Stadium and Dublins Croke Park throughout July and August next year.

Further dates at Wembley Stadium, taking place in September, were also added following phenomenal public demand.
The son of the woman thought to have been murdered by Lord Lucan has said the peer could still be alive following his mysterious disappearance 50 years ago.

Neil Berriman, who was given up for adoption as a baby, has been consumed by the case since he discovered he was the son of Lord Lucans childrens nanny Sandra Rivett more than a decade ago at the age of 40.

Ms Rivetts body was discovered in November 1974 in the basement of 46 Lower Belgrave Street in central London but police found the prime suspect, the seventh Earl of Lucan, had vanished.

In a new three-part BBC Two series, Hampshire builder Mr Berriman receives the support of a former BBC investigative journalist Glen Campbell to map out what seems to be Lord Lucans likely escape from his homeland to a life of exile in Africa.

Lord Lucan vanished in November 1974 (PA)

According to Mr Campbell: Throughout the late 1990s the Metropolitan Police were in possession of credible intelligence Lucan was still alive and hiding in Africa.

No body has been found in the search for Lord Lucan, despite a decades-long manhunt.

Speaking about how he felt when he discovered he was Ms Rivetts son, Mr Berriman said: When it was confirmed Sandra was my birth mother, I fell into complete shock and could not believe somebody would do this to her. I was cross, angry and wanted that man caught.

The emotional side of it all was incredibly sad and painful and I felt so sorry for her. Can you imagine what she went though? Total hell.

He added: Shes the mother I never knew, but that makes no difference.

Sandra Rivett (BBC/Five Mile Films/Mirrorpix/PA)

Sandra is still my mum and I will do the best I can for her. There is also no actual proof that Lucan was dead so he could still be alive.

Discussing what has motivated his search, he added: I was not going to give up on my mum, Sandra drove me as much as I drove myself, this was one puzzle I was going to finish.

Nobody gets away with murder. It was all about Sandra.

Lord Lucan was officially declared dead by the High Court in 1999, but there have been reported sightings in Australia, Ireland, Africa and New Zealand, and even claims that he fled to India and lived life as a hippy called Jungle Barry.

On the night of the peers disappearance, the nannys attacker also turned on Lady Lucan, beating her severely before she managed to escape and raise the alarm at a nearby pub, the Plumbers Arms.

The Plumbers Arms in Lower Belgrave Street, London, where Lady Lucan ran to after being severely beaten at her home nearby, the same night Lord Lucan vanished and the family nanny was found dead (Nick Ansell/PA)

Lord Lucans car was found abandoned and soaked in blood in Newhaven, East Sussex, and an inquest jury declared him the killer a year later.

In 2016, Lord Lucans son Lord George Bingham inherited his title as the eighth earl after he applied for a death certificate 42 years after his father vanished, under the Presumption of Death Act, which came into effect in 2014.

Mr Berriman corresponded with Lord Lucans wife Veronica, prior to her death in 2017, and met police officers for the new BBC series.

Also on the programme, Mr Campbell interviews Lord Lucans expatriate brother, Hugh, who points them onto a trail that leads to Eastern religion, Buddhist retreats and ultimately the east and west coasts of Australia

Lucan is set to air on Wednesday November 6 on BBC Two at 9pm. All episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer.
AUBURN  In his final interview before Election Day, U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams told The Citizen he is encouraged by enthusiasm among Republican voters, addressed the spending in the 22nd Congressional District race and shared what happened after House Speaker Mike Johnson's comments about the CHIPS and Science Act Friday.

On his reelection chances

Williams, R-Sennett, has been joined by House Republican leaders and colleagues in the final days of the campaign. House Speaker Mike Johnson headlined a rally in Syracuse. The speakers at that event included former Congressman Lee Zeldin, who ran for governor in 2022, and Auburn native John Walsh, host of "America's Most Wanted."

Over the weekend, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer  former chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP's campaign arm  was the headliner for a rally in the Utica area.

"The enthusiasm is off the chart," Williams said.

Based on what his campaign is hearing from voters, he thinks there is an enthusiasm gap between Democrats and Republicans.

On $18.4 million spent in NY-22 and how that's impacted campaign

Between the campaigns and outside groups, more than $18.4 million has been spent on the 22nd Congressional District race. TV ads have flooded the Syracuse and Utica media markets.

"It's made it very difficult to go out and have a date with my wife and to go to a place that has TVs," Williams said.

One issue he has with the ads is the focus on abortion rights. Democrats accused him of supporting a national abortion ban, but he denies that's his position. While he is personally opposed to abortion except in cases of incest, rape and if the mother's life is at risk, he believes it should be decided by the states.

"That just stands in complete opposition to probably about $4 to $5 million of their negative ads against me," he said. "We'll see how people receive that, but there's a lot of issues that are much more important to people than that in terms of the economy, in terms of crime, in terms of the border. There's just a lot of issues that are at the top of people's minds right now."

On addressing border security and immigration in Congress

Williams is confident that Republicans will win control of Congress and the White House, which will put them in position to pass border security legislation.

He criticized Democrats for "open border" policies and sanctuary cities. He has visited the border and wants to combat human trafficking.

"It is absolutely horrible  300,000 children have been trafficked into this country," he said. "Children, they are now in the sex trade controlled by the drug cartels. They make more money on trafficking people and trafficking children, specifically into prostitution, and it's incredibly shameful."

Does he regret calling the CHIPS and Science Act "corporate welfare" in 2022 op-ed?

Williams wrote the letter to The Citizen in August 2022  not long after President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act. Former U.S. Rep. John Katko, a Republican who was succeeded by Williams, voted for the bill.

The comment was used against Williams in 2022 and again this cycle. However, he does not regret the op-ed or labeling the legislation as "corporate welfare."

"I don't mind standing up and speaking the truth," Williams said. "When you give $6 billion to a profitable company, I think most people think that is supporting corporations with taxpayer dollars, often called corporate welfare.

"The fact that it's in our district, the fact that it's connected to national security, sometimes we have to do that and repatriating chips manufacturing. I come out of the tech industry. I know how important it is and that it is essential for our economic growth and that's why I've been all in to do everything possible to move the Micron project forward."

Responding to CHIPS Act criticism and what happened after Johnson's comments

After the rally in Syracuse, House Speaker Mike Johnson was asked about the CHIPS and Science Act and whether Republicans would seek to repeal it if they win control of Congress and the White House.

"I expect that we probably will," he said, "but we haven't developed that part of the agenda yet."

Williams intervened to reiterate his support for the CHIPS and Science Act and used it as an example of splitting with House GOP leadership.

"I stood up to the speaker in real time," he said Monday. "It's on the video. I do think that he misheard the question, but when he spoke up with questions about the CHIPS Act, I said, look, it's enormously important to our community here and that he will hear from me night and day to remind him how important that is, and that certainly got his attention."

When they left the event, Williams said Johnson apologized and told him he misheard the question. Williams urged him to publicly support the Micron project, which he did in a statement. That statement also included an updated comment that the CHIPS and Science Act is "not on the agenda for repeal."

Working with Democrats if there is a divided government

Williams doesn't think he will be in that position. He told The Citizen the more likely scenario is Republicans winning the presidency and control of Congress.

It may seem that would help Williams, but he expects there will continue to be challenges. He highlighted his willingness to buck his party by advocating for the Affordable Connectivity Program, an initiative that provided low-income households with assistance for broadband service. The program is "definitely not popular in my party," he said, but it's important in central New York.

Williams also joined an effort to force a vote on the Social Security Fairness Act, which would help public employees whose benefits have been reduced, and supported funding for Ukraine.

"Even if it's all run by Republicans, it doesn't mean that my job is done because like I said, I'm going to remind our leadership night and day what is important for central New York," he said.

"I'm not a career politician. I'm not climbing that ladder in D.C. I really never planned on having a career in politics. I just want to see us have better leaders and better representation for our community."
Airstrikes leave 12 Palestinians dead as tanks advance in refugee camp

A Palestinian man sits on the rubble of a house destroyed in the Israeli military offensive, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, November 4, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 12 Palestinians in Gaza yesterday and residents said they feared new air and ground attacks and forced evacuations were aimed at emptying areas in the enclaves north to create buffer zones against Hamas militants.
The suspects, some of them minors and adolescents, were allegedly part of a group of around 15-20 individuals called Sachsische Separatisten, or Saxonian Separatists, that is characterised by racist, antisemitic and partially apocalyptic ideas, the prosecutors office said in a statement.
North Korean troops recently deployed to help Russia in its war with Ukraine have come under Ukrainian fire, a Kyiv official said on Tuesday.

It is the first time a Ukrainian official has said that Pyongyang's units were struck, following a deployment that has given the war a new complexion as it approaches its 1,000-day milestone.
A man cycles along a mud-covered street in Paiporta, in Valencia, after the floods that devastated the area. Photo: Reuters

A British couple has been found dead in their car days after severe flash floods swept through Spain.

Don Turner (78) and his wife Terry (74) had not been seen since Tuesday, when torrential rains began to batter Valencia. Ms Turner had told friends that they were popping out to shop for supplies.
Democrat anger as blame game begins over Kamala Harriss devastating loss





Democrats and political talking heads have initiated the circular firing squad as they search to blame anyone else for Donald Trumps victory in the 2024 election.



Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party lost the White House, lost the Senate, and still may lose the House. The Supreme Court has a conservative majority that handed Trump a presidential "get out of jail free" card for almost anything he does in office between 2025 and 2028.



So, who is to blame?



Some Democrats think swapping Joe Biden for Harris was their deadly mistake. Others have blamed Biden himself, saying he took far too long to drop out. Progressives point to the Biden administration's stance on Israel and the Harris campaign's attempts to appeal to moderates and anti-Trump Republicans.



Maybe it's not a single person, but the issues themselves; some analysts have argued that Americans resonated with Trump's stances  however sometimes disturbing  on immigration, on the economy, on foreign wars.

Harris and the Democratic Party

The vice president has never had a showing as a strong national candidate. She lost her primary race in 2020, and took the reigns from Biden without a primary or any other input from actual voters. Harris was appointed the 2024 Democratic Party presidential candidate; she was not elected to that role.





Harris's campaign hung its hopes on voters from marginalized backgrounds and women  including Republican women concerned about their abortion rights  to come through for her on election night. But that does not appear to have panned out, with Black men and Hispanic voters moving toward Trump.





She also tried to appeal to moderates and suburbanites, running on platforms of criminal crackdowns and bolstering the military  typically Republican stomping grounds  to little effect. The campaign highlighted former Congresswoman Liz Cheney after she and her war-profiteering father decided to back Harris. The move likely did little to sway moderates and a lot to disgust progressives.





Harris's campaign was insistent that she was picking up new voters and that the race would be close; a recent poll out of Iowa only helped bolster that idea.





A Democratic National Committee official, speaking anonymously, told Reuters that they were fielding angry calls from party members on election night.





"They feel lied to by the campaign," the official said.





Harris may also have been too close to a Biden Administration that did little to stand against Israel's rampant and unchecked killing of Palestinians in Gaza. Despite comments she made indicating she might have taken a tougher stance on Israel, it does not appear to have moved many Democrats critical of the Biden administration's response to the continuing crisis.





Politico argued that it was Harris's inability to make a clean break from Biden that ultimately doomed her presidential hopes, claiming she could not both back the work of the Biden Administration and convince voters that she would effect significant change if she took power.





Joe Biden and the Democratic Party

Bill Ackman, a longtime Democratic donor who backed Trump in 2024, accused the party of lying to voters about Joe Biden's mental fitness.





"The party lied to the American people about the cognitive health and fitness of the president," he said, and pointed out that there was no primary held to replace him. He said the party needed a "complete reboot," according to Reuters.





Biden's decision to step away from the race in July came on the heels of immense pressure from within the party and a disastrous debate with Trump earlier in the campaign. But that left Harris with only three months to sell her vision to a deeply divided nation.





At least one Harris campaign staffer complained that the ghost of the former administration chopped her off at the knees.





We ran the best campaign we could, considering Joe Biden was president, the Harris aide told Politico on condition of anonymity. Joe Biden is the singular reason Kamala Harris and Democrats lost tonight.





Tim Walz and Progressives

It wouldn't be a Democratic loss without the party's centrist members punching left. Democratic National Committee official Lindy Li told Fox News that Harris picking Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as her running mate over Minnesota Governor Tim Walz may have been enough to push her over the line.





"People are wondering tonight what would have happened had Shapiro been on the ticket. And not only in terms of Pennsylvania," she said, not explaining who "people" were.





She then suggested that Walz was too progressive, and that picking a moderate like Shapiro  who has been vocal in his support for Israel as it continues to tear apart Gaza  would have shown she wasn't a "San Francisco liberal."





"But she went with someone actually to her Left. In the eyes of the American people, Walz was the governor who oversaw the protests," she said, referencing the fact that Walz was the governor of Minnesota during the George Floyd demonstrations.





The voters themselves

Some pundits have blamed the voters who Democrats assumed they had on lock for failing to show up for Harris.





MSNBC's Joy Reid blamed white women, chastising them for not making "their numbers" while discussing Harris's loss in North Carolina.





"In the end, they didn't make their numbers. We have to be blunt about why, black voters came through for Harris, white women voters did not," Reid said.





It isnt quite that simple. While white women may have voted in fewer numbers than the party had hoped, many Black voters  particularly Black men  abandoned the party for Trump.





According to exit polls, Trump only won eight percent of Black voters in 2020, but that share increased to 13 percent in 2024. He also gained with Hispanic voters, where his support rose from 32 percent in 2020 to 45 per cent in 2024.





That revelation led to MSNBC's Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough to blame misogyny for Harris's loss.





Democrats need to be mature, and they need to be honest. And they need to say Yes, there is misogyny, but its not just misogyny from white men," he said. Its misogyny from Hispanic men, its misogyny from black men  things weve all been talking about  who do not want a woman leading them.



Graig Graziosi, The Independent










India-Argentina Bilateral Trade and Investment

India and Argentina share a long-standing diplomatic relationship, which reached a new level with their elevation to a Strategic Partnership in 2019. In February 2024, the two countries celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, and emphasized their commitment to deeper collaboration in political, economic, defense, mining, cultural, and scientific and technological domains.

The Argentine Consulate, initially established in India in the 1920s, was later upgraded to an embassy, while India opened a trade commission in Argentina in 1943, which transitioned to an embassy in 1949.

Bilateral exchanges have intensified in recent years, particularly during Indias G20 Presidency in 2023, as both nations sought to expand their influence on global platforms.

Key high-level visits between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Argentine presidents, Alberto Fernandez and Javier Milei, have aimed at strengthening cooperation in priority sectors like defense, agriculture, mining, science, technology, and innovation. These exchanges serve as a foundation for both countries to establish new agreements and expand into high-growth areas that benefit their respective development goals.

India-Argentina bilateral trade

In 2023, Indias exports to Argentina amounted to approximately US$996.31 million, as reported by the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Conversely, Indias imports from Argentina reached US$2.95 billion during the same year, according to the same COMTRADE database. (This information, including historical data and statistics, was also last updated in November 2024.)

India-Argentina bilateral trade more than doubled over three years, rising from 2019 to reach a peak of US$6.4 billion in 2022. During 2021 and 2022, India became Argentinas 4th largest trading partner, with Argentina serving as a key supplier of edible oils, particularly soybean oil, to India. However, severe drought conditions in Argentina, coupled with a forex shortage, created significant obstacles for bilateral trade in 2023, causing it to decline by 39 percent to US$3.9 billion.

With improved economic and weather conditions on the horizon, trade is anticipated to rebound.

Indias Exports to Argentina Value (US$ million) Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products 167.76 Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers 156.35 Vehicles other than railways, tramways 126.92 Miscellaneous chemical products 125.88 Organic chemicals 103.92

Source: Trading Economics

Indias Imports from Argentina in 2023

Value (US$) Animal and vegetable fats and oils 2.38 billion Pearls, precious stones, metals, coins 304.68 million Wood and articles of wood, wood charcoal 82.72 million Raw hides and skins, leather 35.88 million Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products 30.28 million

Source: Trading Economics

The trade balance favors Argentina due to its exports of high-value agricultural products, particularly oils, fats, and other raw materials. On the other hand, Indias exports to Argentina are diverse, ranging from refined mineral fuels and machinery to chemicals and automobiles, showcasing Indias industrial capabilities.

Both nations see opportunities to further diversify their trade portfolio, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals, information technology, and high-tech engineering products. This strengthens the case for continued trade expansion through preferential trade agreements.

In July 2024, Indias exports to Argentina totaled US$59.2 million, while imports reached US$418 million, resulting in a trade deficit of US$359 million. This marked a decline in exports of US$18.8 million (24.1%) compared to July 2023, when exports were US$78.1 million. In contrast, imports increased by US$47.5 million (12.8%) from US$371 million in the previous year. The primary exports from India to Argentina in July 2024 included Agro Chemicals (US$20.3 million), Plastic Raw Materials (US$6.85 million), Organic Chemicals (US$4.05 million), Residual Chemicals and Allied Products (US$3.51 million), and Two and Three Wheelers (US$2.38 million). On the import side, the leading products sourced from Argentina were Vegetable Oils (US$260 million), Other Cereals (US$29.5 million), Petroleum Products (US$19.2 million), Residual Chemicals and Allied Products (US$2.9 million), and Finished Leather (US$2.03 million). The year-on-year decrease in Indias exports to Argentina can be largely attributed to significant reductions in shipments of Manmade Yarn, Fabrics, and Made-ups (down US$7.86 million or 83.3%), Two and Three Wheelers (down US$6.59 million or 73.5%), and Cotton Yarn (down US$2.48 million or 97%). Conversely, the increase in imports from Argentina was mainly driven by higher imports of Petroleum Products (US$19.2 million or 4.04%), Bulk Drugs and Drug Intermediates (US$455,000 or 418%), and Residual Chemicals and Allied Products (US$379,000 or 15%). Source: OEC

Investment

India and Argentina have developed a robust investment relationship over the years, characterized by strategic partnerships and sectoral collaboration. India has made significant investments in Argentinas mining sector, particularly in lithium exploration. In January 2024, Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), a state-owned enterprise, signed a US$24 million agreement with the Argentine government to explore and develop five lithium brine blocks in Argentinas Catamarca province. This investment is critical to Indias clean energy goals, as lithium is essential for the production of electric vehicle batteries and other renewable energy storage technologies.

Renewable energy cooperation has become another promising area for investment. Both countries are exploring joint ventures in wind and solar power to support sustainable energy objectives, contributing to Argentinas RenovAR renewable energy program and aligning with Indias ambitious renewable energy targets.

In September 2024, Coal India, a state-owned coal mining company, announced its interest in exploring critical minerals in Argentina, as well as potential lithium procurement from Chile. This aligns with Indias broader strategy to secure essential minerals for its clean energy transition, reflecting a coordinated approach to achieving energy security and diversifying its energy sources.

Investment facilitation

To create a secure environment for investors, India and Argentina are negotiating a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). The BIT would establish a framework to protect investments from both countries, offering legal recourse in case of disputes and reinforcing mutual confidence in the stability of their economic ties. The DTAA aims to prevent the double taxation of income earned by businesses and individuals, a step that would encourage more companies to operate across borders by reducing their tax burden.

The India-Argentina Business Council (IABC), launched on October 14, 2020, by the Embassy of India in Argentina, plays a key role in strengthening economic and commercial ties. The IABC includes major Indian companies with a presence in Argentina, such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Bajaj Motorcycles, and Glenmark Pharma, as well as Argentine companies trading with India. The Council works to facilitate trade, address business challenges, and foster growth by providing a platform for dialogue and engagement between stakeholders from both nations.

India-Argentina Tax Information Exchange Agreement

The India-Argentina Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA), effective since January 2013, facilitates the exchange of tax-related information between the two countries to aid in tax collection. It covers various tax categories in both countries and provides a mechanism for mutual assistance in tax matters.

Key features:

Information exchange upon request by competent authorities.

Mutual visits for interviews and record examinations with prior consent.

Ordinary costs of assistance borne by the requested party.

Support for tax claim collections.

Dispute resolution through mutual agreement procedures.

The TIEA aims to promote international tax cooperation, distinct from a DTAA, which specifically addresses income earned by residents of both countries.

Outlook and sectoral expansion

India and Argentina have agreed to expedite the signing of a BIT and a DTAA to enhance economic ties. Acknowledging the increase in two-way investments, both countries are exploring further collaboration in sectors such as tourism, healthcare, film, and information technology. Additionally, both sides support partnerships in infrastructure through public-private partnerships (PPP) and are working on agreements in the pharmaceutical sector for regulatory information exchange.

Indias focus on lithium exploration aligns with Argentinas invitation for Indian participation in its RenovAR renewable energy program, underscoring both countries commitment to advancing renewable energy goals. They are also exploring ways to expand the India-MERCOSUR preferential trade agreement by including more products, reflecting a shared interest in strengthening trade and investment ties.

The Southern Common Market, commonly referred to by its Spanish abbreviation Mercosur and Portuguese abbreviation Mercosul, is a South American trade bloc established by the Treaty of Asuncion in 1991 and the Protocol of Ouro Preto in 1994. The full member countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Venezuela is also a full member; however, it has been suspended since December 1, 2016. The associate member countries are Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname. Notably, Bolivia officially became a full member on July 8, 2024.

Conclusion

The India-Argentina bilateral relationship has been on an upward trajectory, driven by their shared strategic interests and enhanced by the elevation of their partnership in 2019. With a foundation of 75 years of diplomatic relations, the two countries have developed a dynamic economic and trade framework that supports ongoing growth and investment.

As they continue to collaborate in critical sectors such as lithium mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and information technology, India and Argentina are poised to deepen their economic engagement. Their mutual focus on sustainable development, energy security, and technological advancement serves as a testament to the strength and potential of their partnership, positioning them well to address global challenges and drive inclusive growth for years to come.
Representational image from Wallpaper Cave

Mumbai/IBNS: Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) plans to take Jio Platforms Ltd., its telecommunications subsidiary, public in 2025, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Preparations for the highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO), which could become Indias largest, are underway, although no banks have been appointed yet to manage the sale.

On Monday (Nov. 4), Reuters reported that Mukesh Ambani, RIL's chairman, is targeting a stock exchange listing for Jio by 2025.

Analysts currently estimate Jio's valuation at over $100 billion, with Jefferies valuing the potential IPO at $112 billion in July.

However, no final decision has been made on Jios valuation. RILs retail arm is expected to go public later, as it is still addressing certain operational issues.

Unlike Jio Financial Services, Jio Platforms wont be demerged but will be listed as a subsidiary structure, a source told Reuters.

As per the Reuters report, another source explained that while the IPO would allow existing investors to exit, most of their shares will remain in the non-promoter category.

RIL holds 67 percent in Jio Platforms, with private equity investors and strategic partners, such as Meta and Google, holding the rest.

In 2020, these partners invested Rs 1.5 trillion for a combined 18 percent stake, while private equity firms like KKR and Silverlake, along with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, acquired a further 15 percent.

Jio recently partnered with Nvidia to develop AI data centers in India.

Jio Platforms' telecom business is operated through its fully owned subsidiary Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd., serving over 479 million users across India.

Since entering the market in 2016, Jio disrupted the industry by offering free voice services and reducing data costs, establishing one of the worlds most affordable data markets.

Jio Infocomm also manages older data centres and digital services, while Jio Platforms holds stakes in several startups.

Indias telecom industry is in a stable position compared to recent years, with major players Jio and Bharti Airtel Ltd. forming an effective duopoly, as Vodafone Idea Ltd. continues to receive government support.

The industry has seen three rounds of tariff hikes since 2021, and more increases are expected as telecom companies aim to improve their return on capital.

In June, Jio led a round of hikes, with Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea raising tariffs by 10-21 percent and introducing paid unlimited 5G plans.

Reliance Jio recently reported a 7 percent increase in average revenue per user (ARPU) to Rs 195.1 after three stable quarters, along with an 18 percent revenue growth to Rs 31,709 crore in Q2.

Its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose by 18 percent to Rs 15,931 crore, while net profit increased by 23 percent to Rs 6,539 crore.

A Bernstein Research report last month projected that Jio could become the worlds sixth-most-valuable telecom company, with a market cap of $150 billion if it is spun out debt-free.

In contrast, Reliance Retails IPO has been delayed due to high competition in the retail sector, particularly from quick-commerce companies like Swiggy, which is also planning a public offering, reports Reuters.

Reliances retail division, which includes Reliance Smart, Digital, and Trends stores, posted a 1 percent revenue drop to Rs 76,302 crore in the September quarter, though profit rose by 1 percent to Rs 2,836 crore.

In 2019, Mukesh Ambani stated that both Jio Platforms and Reliance Retail would pursue listings within five years, signaling the groups commitment to advancing its key ventures toward public markets.
File photo of a Boeing plant, by US Department of the Treasury on Flickr via Wikimedia Commons

Mukilteo (US) : Boeing's factory workers on the U.S. West Coast agreed to a new contract on Monday, concluding a seven-week strike that had stalled jet production and worsened the financial situation for the struggling planemaker, Reuters reported.

The union announced that 59 percent of members supported the contract, which provides a 38 percent pay increase over four years, offering relief to new Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg after two prior rejections.

"This is a victory. We can hold our heads high," Jon Holden, the union's lead negotiator was quoted as saying by Reuters. "Now it's our job to get back to work," he added.

The conclusion of Boeing's first major strike in 16 years ends a challenging period for the company, which has faced a series of setbacks since a door panel detached from a 737 MAX aircraft mid-flight in January, the report said.

In a message to employees after the vote, Ortberg expressed satisfaction with the unions decision.

"While the past few months have been difficult for all of us, we are all part of the same team," he said, according to Reuters. "There is much work ahead to return to the excellence that made Boeing an iconic company."

Approximately 33,000 machinists involved in the production of Boeing's popular 737 MAX, 767, and 777 jets have been on strike since September 13, demanding a 40 percent wage increase and the reinstatement of a defined-benefit pension, which was replaced by a 401(k) plan a decade ago.

David Lemon, a Seattle-based equipment calibration worker who voted in favor of the deal, said he was ready to return to work. He noted that with the addition of a 4 percent bonus from the incentive plan, the increase achieved their initial 40 percent target, adding that they had got there.

Although the pension plan will not be restored, workers will see an increase in company matching contributions to their 401(k) plans, the report added.

Boeing also committed to building its next aircraft in the Seattle area, a promise union negotiator Holden said was unprecedented.

President Joe Biden and Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, who assisted in the negotiations, congratulated both parties on the outcome. "We've shown that collective bargaining works," Biden said, Reuters reported.

Boeing credited Su for helping both sides reach an agreement.

Biden's support for unions has been prominent during his presidency, and the union's decision comes just a day before the national election to choose his successor.

Boeing will take several weeks to ramp up plane production and restore cash flow, with 737 MAX production expected to remain in the low single digits per month, significantly below the pre-strike goal of 38 jets monthly, according to the report.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) stated that workers could return to the production line as early as Wednesday, though Boeing has cautioned that some employees will require retraining after the extended absence.

Analysts estimated that the strike was costing Boeing roughly $100 million per day in lost revenue. Last week, the company raised $24 billion from investors to maintain its investment-grade credit rating.

The union pointed out that members had received only four wage increases of just 1 percent each time over the past eight years.

Boeing projected that the average annual machinist salary would rise from $75,608 to $119,309 by the end of the contract.

Analysts at Jefferies estimate that the pay increases could add $1.1 billion to Boeing's wage expenses over four years, while a $12,000 ratification bonus for each union member may cost the company another $396 million.



With over 26,000 union members casting ballots, turnout for the vote reached nearly 80 percent.
GRSE formally steps into the realm of constructing Next Generation combat vessels by laying the keels of two NGOPVs. Photo by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Kolkata/IBNS: Defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), which formally stepped into the realm of constructing Next Generation combat vessels on Tuesday by laying the keels of two NGOPVs (Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels), said they are manufacturing at least 17 warships for the Indian Navy besides one for Bangladesh.

Currently we are executing 12 projects comprising 43 platforms. These include 17 warships for the Indian Navy, one warship for Bangladesh, 13 hybrid ferries and one fully electric ferry for West Bengal, said GRSE Managing Director Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd) at the ceremony.

He said GRSE is also manufacturing one oceanographic research vessel for the Ministry of Earth Sciences, one acoustic research vessel for DRDO arm NPOL, and one autonomous platform for another DRDO organisation NSTL besides executing two more export orders from Bangladesh and five multipurpose vessels ordered by a German client.

Cmde PR Hari highlighted the shipyards performance and said besides warships, specialized research vessels and autonomous platforms they are also producing Green energy vessels.

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose at the NGOPV keel laying ceremony of GRSE. Photo by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Considering our current order book, the execution strategy for the ongoing projects, we are confident of maintaining our technology driven growth, he said in the presence of senior officials from the Indian Navy, ICG, IAF, Indian Army & GRSE.

Its always nice to see the Whites along with Blues and the Olive Green, he said referring to the three defence services and the colours that identify them.

In the past, GRSE has built and delivered several Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. The shipyard also built the OPV CGS Barracuda, the first warship exported by India to Mauritius in 2014.

We believe that GRSE epitomises our 'Make in India' efforts. We have till now delivered 72 warships to the Indian Navy and 36 to the Indian Coast Guard," he said. We are the only Indian shipyard to deliver a century of warships to the Indian maritime forces, he said.

GRSE Managing Director Cmde P R Hari with West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose at the ceremony. Photo by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

As the shipyard is flushed with workload we are very happy to see every nook and corner of the shipyard buzzing with the activities, he said.

Our USP is our product diversity that ranges from warships to weapons, he said.



The NGOPVs will be much larger warships than the OPVs built earlier, and have greater endurance and firepower, he said.

I am very confident of the multirole capability of these NGOPVs. The production of all the four ships have already commenced and two ships keels shall be laid today, he said.

Senior Indian Navy, Indian Army and Indian Airforce officials were present at the GRSE keel laying ceremony of NGOPVs. Photo by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

These platforms will be about 113 metres long and 14.6 metres wide, with a displacement of 3,000 Tons.

The NGOPVs will achieve speeds of up to 23 knots. Their endurance will be 8,500 nautical miles at a speed of 14 knots. The crew will comprise 24 officers and over 100 sailors.

The NGOPVs will play a variety of roles. With a draught requirement of only 4 metres, they would be able to operate in coastal waters, protecting offshore assets, carrying out maritime interdiction, as well as visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations.

They will also be part of presence-cum-surveillance missions and mine warfare while having the capability to support special operations.

These warships will also participate in Out of Area Contingency Operations, non-combatant evacuation, convoy operations, anti-piracy missions and counter-infiltration operations.

Apart from these, the vessels will take on poachers and traffickers, and participate in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as well as search and rescue missions.

GRSE Managing Director Cmde P R Hari with West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose at the ceremony. Photo by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

They will also be able to operate as hospital and COMINT ships apart from providing fleet maintenance support.

West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose, who was the chief guest at the function, lauded the efforts made by GRSE towards boosting the economy of the region.

Congratulating GRSE for building such state-of-the-art warships for Indias maritime defence forces, he said: You have come together, kept together and worked together. The nation loves you.

(Reporting by Anurag Singh / Images by Avishek Mitra)
Photo Courtesy: CoHNA Canada X page

Thousands of Canadian Hindus on Monday participated in a major rally in Canada's Brampton city to protest against the recent attack on a Hindu temple by pro-Khalistani supporters.

Hosted by the Coalition of Hindus in North America, the group posted on X: "Over a thousand #CanadianHindus have gathered in Brampton to protest against the increasingly brazen attacks on Hindu Temples."

Over a thousand #CanadianHindus have gathered in Brampton to protest against the increasingly brazen attacks on Hindu Temples.



Yesterday, during the sacred #Diwali weekend, Canadian Hindu temples, coast to coast, came under attack. We ask Canada to stop this #Hinduphobia now! pic.twitter.com/mBu7VovofT  CoHNA Canada (@CoHNACanada) November 5, 2024

The participants were seen holding Indian and Canadian flags during the rally.

Meanwhile, Peel Regional Police in Canada have suspended an officer seen in a viral video participating in a pro-Khalistani protest rally that turned violent outside a Hindu temple in Brampton.

The cop was identified as Sergeant Harinder Sohi.

We are aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an off-duty Peel police officer involved in a demonstration, Peel police spokesperson Richard Chin told Toronto Sun.

This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act. We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until such time that this investigation is complete," Richard Chin said.

Canadian police have arrested three people who were demonstrating against the attack by alleged pro-Khalistani supporters on devotees outside a Hindu Temple in Brampton city.

In a statement, Peel Police said: "Earlier today, Peel Regional Police were present at a demonstration held at a place of worship in Brampton. The event was subsequently relocated to two different locations within the city of Mississauga."

"As a result of these demonstrations, three individuals have been arrested and criminally charged for their actions," the statement said.

"Several acts of unlawfulness continue to be actively investigated by our 21 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau along with 12 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau," read the statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday condemned the "deliberate attack" on a Hindu temple in Canada's Brampton city.

PM Modi also slammed the attempt to "intimidate" Indian diplomats in Canada, calling the situation 'apalling' and urging the Canadian government to ensure justice.

In a strongly worded post, PM Modi said: "I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law."
Photo Courtesy: S Jaishankar X page

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia is growing steadily.

Jaishankar made the comment after meeting his Australian counterpart Penny Wong in Canberra for the 15th Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue.

Jaishankar wrote on X: "Concluded the 15th India - Australia Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue with FM @SenatorWong in Canberra today. "

Concluded the 15th India - Australia Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue with FM @SenatorWong in Canberra today.



Our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is growing steadily. Reflected in stronger political ties, robust defence & security cooperation, expanded trade, greater pic.twitter.com/SWCqV0T49l  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 5, 2024

"Our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is growing steadily. Reflected in stronger political ties, robust defence & security cooperation, expanded trade, greater mobility and deeper educational linkages," he said.

The Indian Minister said he discussed Indo-Pacific, West Asia, Ukraine and the global strategic scenario during their meeting.

Wong said PM Anthony Albanese-led government is funding six projects under the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership.

"I also announced we will send a First Nations Business Mission to India for the first time next year," she posted on X.

"It will support new commercial partnerships for First Nations businesses looking to engage with India and will promote First Nation businesses to new markets overseas," the Australian Minister posted on X.

She said: "Today, I announced the Albanese Government is funding 6 impressive projects under the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership."

S Jaishankar on Monday inaugurated the Consulate General of India in Brisbane during his ongoing visit to Australia.

Jaishankar is visiting Australia between November 3 and November 7.
Photo Courtesy: Pierre Poilievre X page

Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has strongly condemned the recent attacks on a Hindu temple in Brampton and called it 'completely unacceptable'.

"Completely unacceptable to see violence targeting worshippers at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today," Pierre Poilievre posted on X.

Completely unacceptable to see violence targeting worshippers at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today.



All Canadians should be free to practice their faith in peace. Conservatives condemn this violence unequivocally. I will unite our people and end the chaos.  Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) November 3, 2024

He further said: "All Canadians should be free to practice their faith in peace. Conservatives condemn this violence unequivocally. I will unite our people and end the chaos."

Toronto MP Kevin Vuong said: "Alarming to see an attack on Hindu Canadians. From Khalistani extremists to terrorist cosplayers, has become a safe harbour for radicals."

"Our leaders are failing to safeguard Hindus as they have Christians & Jewish Canadians from violence. We all deserve to worship in peace," he said.

Alarming to see an attack on Hindu Canadians. From Khalistani extremists to terrorist cosplayers,  has become a safe harbour for radicals.



Our leaders are failing to safeguard Hindus as they have Christians & Jewish Canadians from violence.



We all deserve to worship in peace. https://t.co/t3ckoXyD7z  Kevin Vuong (@KevinVuongMP) November 3, 2024

Amid the ongoing diplomatic meltdown between India and Canada, a large number of devotees were attacked outside a Hindu temple in Brampton city near Toronto by suspected Khalistani members recently.

Several videos which are currently circulating on social media showed some people attacking devotees with sticks outside the Hindu temple.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday condemned the "deliberate attack" on a Hindu temple in Canada's Brampton city.

PM Modi also slammed the attempt to "intimidate" Indian diplomats in Canada, calling the situation 'appalling' and urging the Canadian government to ensure justice.

In a strongly worded post, PM Modi said: "I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law."
The recent attack by Khalistani extremists on Indo-Canadian devotees within the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton is a disturbing indicator of the growing influence and audacity of Khalistani extremists in Canada.

This incident isnt just a singular act of violence; it represents a blatant disregard for the values of respect, harmony, and unity that Sikhism fundamentally upholds. Our Sikh Gurus taught us to embrace all communities and live peacefully, sharing love and compassion with all faiths and people.

The actions of these extremists, under the banner of a so-called Khalistan, directly contradict the teachings of Sikhism.

They are neither acting in the spirit of Sikhism nor respecting the sanctity of their own heritage. Khalistanis, who thrive on division and violence, have no right to identify themselves as Sikhs, for their actions tarnish the very foundation of the religion they claim to represent.

Equally troubling is the seeming indifference shown by Canadian authorities toward these violent outbursts. Canada prides itself on being a multicultural society, committed to promoting and protecting diversity.

Yet, the repeated violence and intimidation by Khalistani extremists against members of the Indo-Canadian community reveal a significant gap in the countrys multicultural framework.

It raises an unsettling question: How can a nation that claims to champion multiculturalism allow the unchecked growth of a group whose primary agenda is hate and division?

By failing to curtail these extremists, Canada risks alienating and endangering its own Indo-Canadian community, which forms a vital part of its cultural fabric.

The concerns surrounding the influence of Khalistani ideology in Canada arent new. For years, Indo-Canadians have raised alarms about Khalistani extremism gaining traction, yet little has been done. In the guise of freedom of expression, these extremists have been allowed to spread their divisive agenda freely. This isnt about silencing dissent; its about recognizing the line between free speech and incitement to violence, which Canadian authorities seem reluctant to enforce.

The fact that such extremists operate with near impunity suggests that their influence has spread beyond fringe circles and may have even permeated political and law enforcement circles. This suspicion may not be unfounded, as some Canadian politicians appear to support these groups in a calculated play for votes, disregarding the safety and sentiments of other communities, particularly Indo-Canadians.

Indo-Canadians, and particularly Hindu-Canadians, are a minority within Canada, yet they face disproportionate threats due to the actions of Khalistani extremists.

For the sake of community safety and cohesion, its essential for Hindu-Canadians to step up and hold Canadian politicians accountable.

The rights of every community should be protected under the nations laws, and allowing one group to repeatedly incite violence against another contradicts the core principles of multiculturalism.

Indo-Canadians deserve equal protection, and Canada must reassess its approach to handling groups that actively propagate division and hate.

The recent attack in Brampton should serve as a wake-up call to Canadian authorities and communities alike. Extremism, no matter its origin, is a threat to any democratic society, and when allowed to thrive under the guise of freedom of expression, it undermines the freedoms of everyone. Canada must uphold its commitment to multiculturalism not by enabling extremists but by protecting peaceful citizens of all backgrounds. Its time for Canadian leaders to show where they truly stand, for the future of multicultural harmony in their country depends on it.

(Image and text courtesy; Khalsasvox.com)
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

Nissan Motor to roll out 8 NEV models in China by fiscal year 2026

On November 5, Nissan highlighted its advancements in electrification and smart technology at the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), underscoring its long-term commitment to the Chinese market. During the event, Nissan China also announced its membership in the China ESG Alliance and confirmed plans to launch eight new energy vehicle models in China by fiscal year 2026, including five under the Nissan brand.

Photo credit: Nissan

Changan NEVO's monthly sales surpass 18,000 vehicles in Oct. 2024

Changan Auto's new energy vehicle range NEVO saw its October sales surpass 18,000 units, bringing its cumulative sales to over 150,000 units within its first year since brand launch.

Chery launches new Tiggo 7 PLUS, High-Performance lineup

On November 1, 2024, Chery Auto officially put the new Tiggo 7 PLUS and Tiggo 7 High- Performance Edition models onto the market. The Tiggo 7 PLUS is available in four variants, priced between 99,900 yuan and 129,900 yuan. Meanwhile, the Tiggo 7 High- Performance Edition has four trim levels, priced from 107,900 yuan to 139,900 yuan.

Dongfeng Motor's NEV sales surge 82.3% YoY in Jan.-Oct. 2024

From January to October 2024, Dongfeng Motor reported total vehicle sales of 2.01 million units, demonstrating notable growth across key sectors, according to the company's announcement on October 4.

Pony.ai, Toyota co-developed bZ4X Robotaxi set for market deployment in 2025

On November 5, the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened in Shanghai, where Pony.ai and Toyota showcased their jointly developed pure-electric bZ4X Robotaxi concept.

DeepRoute.ai secures $100 million in C1 funding round

On November 5, 2024, autonomous driving tech company DeepRoute.ai announced the completion of its C1 strategic funding round, which raised for the company $100 million. The new round was backed exclusively by a leading domestic automaker.

FAW-Volkswagen's all-new Tayron L goes into series production

On November 4, FAW-Volkswagen's new Tayron L rolled off the production line at the automaker's Tianjin plant, marking the official SOP (start of production) for this redesigned model.

BYD's Ocean Series to introduce fire new station wagon, MPV models

On November 1, BYD marked the third anniversary of its Ocean Series with a user festival at its global headquarters, which came on the heels of the series' cumulative sales exceeding 3.5 million vehicles. At the event, BYD outlined ambitious plans for Ocean Series' future innovation, including new model categories, technical upgrades, and enhanced user experiences. It also announced plans to expand its "Seal" and "Sealion" product lines, revealing that a new station wagon model will soon debut under the Seal line, alongside a fresh product line and a new MPV model.

Geely Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i SUV makes global debut

On November 4, 2024, Geely Auto offered the world the first glimpse of its Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i model in Shanghai, which is positioned as an A-segment SUV that embodies Galaxy range's signature design language. This latest release incorporates Geely's next-generation NordThor EM-i Super Hybrid technology, combining a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine with a plug-in hybrid system.

SAIC Motor reports YoY revenue, net profit decline in Q3 2024, eyes recovery in Q4

In the first three quarters of 2024, SAIC Motor recorded a consolidated operating income of 430.482 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year decrease of 17.74%. During this period, its net profit attributable to shareholders stood at 6.907 billion yuan, marking a 39.45% drop from the same period last year.

AVATR puts 2025 new AVATR 12 model onto market with REEV, BEV versions

On November 2, AVATR officially released the 2025 AVATR 12 model onto the market. Coming with six variants, the two range-extended models (REEV) are priced from 259,900 yuan to 289,900 yuan, and the four all-electric models (BEV) ranging from 279,900 yuan to 419,900 yuan, all for a limited time.

Toyota displays advanced tech, products in BEV, HEV, hydrogen fields at CIIE 2024

From November 5 to 10, the 7th China International Import Expo ("CIIE") is taking place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Toyota Motor Corporation ("Toyota"), a participant at each CIIE since its inception, is showcasing its vision for a sustainable future under the theme "Sixty Years of Partnership, Creating a Win-Win Future." Through three initiatives"Best in Town," "Multi-Pathway", and "Mobility for All" Toyota is demonstrating its commitment to carbon neutrality and inclusive mobility.
Thailand has announced the indefinite extension of its visa-free immigration policy for Indian people, which was initially set to expire on November 11, 2024. This policy permits Indian travellers to stay in Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days, with the option of extending by another 30 days through a local immigration office. This indefinite extension ensures that Indian tourists can continue to discover Thailand's rich cultural and scenic offers without having to apply for a visa.

What is the best time to visit Thailand?

Credit: Pexels

Although the climate in Thailand fluctuates, you can visit at any time of year. The best time to visit Thailand is from November to early April. This is when the rain stops and the sky clears.

The days are warm, ideal for a day at the beach or exploring the area's many heritage sites. The heat becomes severe from April onwards, and the rainy season begins again in June.

Thailand, Southeast Asia's jewel, is also known as the Land of Smiles, and its people will greet you with warmth as if you were a long-lost friend returning home.

The country has evolved enough to provide a luxurious vacation in some of its ultramodern cities, including Bangkok and Chaing Mai. Nonetheless, it retains enough of its natural wildness to provide you with one-of-a-kind vacation experiences.

Thailand is an exotic, never-ending potpourri of unique encounters that will leave you wanting more. Whether you're planning a family vacation or a trip with pals, Thailand has plenty to offer.

Check the flight ticket price

Currently, due to the peak season, the flight tickets are on the pricier side. Ranging from Rs 22k to Rs 25k to Phuket and Bangkok respectively. If you are planning a trip, you must check out tickets at least a month before to get the best deals.

Credit: Google Screenshot

What are some must-do things in Thailand?

Thailand offers a variety of activities, such as visiting temples, seeing the environment, and experiencing the culture.

1. Visit temples

Credit: Pexels

Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Pho temple complex in Bangkok, or the Emerald Buddha temple complex with its beautiful gold facade and murals.

2. Explore the outdoors

Rent a boat and explore the islands and coves of Phang Nga Bay, or visit the Haew Suwat waterfalls made famous by the film, The Beach.

3. Experience the culture

Credit: Pexels

Attend a traditional Thai dance performance, enroll in a Buddhist meditation retreat, or enjoy a festival like Songkran (Thai New Year) and Loy Krathong (Festival of Lights).

4. Explore Bangkok

Visit the night markets in Chinatown, cruise along the Chao Phraya River, or grab a cocktail at a rooftop bar.

5. Visit a floating market

Take a guided tour of the Damnoen Saduak floating market just outside Bangkok.

6. Visit an Elephant Sanctuary

Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary to bathe, feed, and engage with rescued elephants.

7. Eat durian

Credit: Pexels

Try the durian fruit, which has a pungent aroma yet is often consumed as a delicacy in Thailand.

Also read: Planning To Visit Thailand? Indians Can Go Visa-Free For 30 Days

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey OTT release date has been fixed. For almost 30 years, the death of JonBenet Ramsey, the child beauty queen who was murdered in her Colorado family home, has dominated news reports. The narrative is now being brought to the big screen by director Joe Berlinger. Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey, which Netflix has ordered, will reexamine the case from a new angle. Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey will be released on Netflix on 25th November 2024.

Plot

As per the streamer, a terrifying ransom note was left behind, and John and Patsy Ramsey's youngest child, 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey, went missing. The day took a terrible turn when John Ramsey found JonBenet's dead body in the basement, exposing the horrific fact that she had been brutally murdered and sexually raped in the ostensibly safe confines of her own house. Due to their lack of experience with homicide investigations, the Boulder police promptly began to suspect the Ramsey family, which sparked a media frenzy portraying them as the main suspects. The case, which is still unresolved after 28 years, was long shadowed by this biased reporting, which stoked a national fascination.

Cast and crew

Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey? is produced by Tim Young, Jen Isaacson, Craig D'Entrone, Jon Kamen, and Joe Berlinger. Joe Berlinger, a nominee for an Academy Award, directed it. The documentary series is going to have three parts and will be released on Netflix.

The show is going to be a thrilling watch for all!

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Lawrence Bishnoi is on a mission to kill Salman Khan and this has kept the Mumbai Police on their toes. It was just 5 days ago when a death threat with Rs 2 crore ransom was made to the actor. Now in another shocking turn of events, a fresh threat in the name of the Bishnoi gang has been received by Mumbai Police Traffic Control.

ANI quotes Mumbai Police revealing that the message read, "This is Lawrence Bishnoi's brother. If Salman Khan wants to stay alive, he should go to our temple and apologise or give Rs 5 crore. If he does not do this, we will kill him. Our gang is still active." The cops further assured that a search for the person and the tracing of the phone number is underway and a case is being registered at the Worli Police Station.

Maharashtra | In the case of a threat to Actor Salman Khan, the process of registering the case is underway at Worli Police Station. The number from which the message came is being traced: Mumbai Police  ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2024

If you are living under the rocks then the revenge plan of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang against Salman Khan stems from a 1998 Blackbuck Poaching Case where the actor was accused of killing this animal that the Bishnoi gang worships. While threats were casually made against Salman, it was lately intensified after the gang murdered NCP leader Baba Siddique for his ties with the Dabangg star.

While Mumbai Police continues to arrest several people linked with Baba's death, a later update in the same investigation suggests that the Mumbai Crime Branch has recovered a new pistol from Pune which is the fifth weapon recovered in this murder case. They are still looking for one more weapon and three live cartridges in this case. 5 teams of the Crime Branch are currently out of Maharashtra, searching for the accused Zeeshan in Haryana and Rajasthan.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala's wedding is what the internet and social media are currently buzzing about! The excitement is real among the fans as the dates have been finalised and the most celebrated couple is going to tie the knot on December 4 in Hyderabad. Adding to the intrigue, latest reports reveal that their wedding venue holds, a significant connection to Naga Chaitanya's legendary grandfather, Akkineni Nageswara Rao. But what is this location and why does the venue have an emotional connection with the couple, let's find out!

According to media reports, Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita have chosen to do a traditional wedding ceremony at the Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad. The studio holds a special place in the couple's heart because it was established by Naga Chaitanya's grandfather, the late actor-producer Akkineni Nageswara Rao, in 1976. The venue is located on a 22-acre plot in Banjara Hills. Earlier, the studio was known as Annapurna Pictures.

Emotional significance of Annapurna Studios for the Akkineni Family

Annapurna Studios, previously known by the name Annapurna Pictures, is located on a 22-acre site in Banjara Hills. The studio was established in 1976. Delving into the emotional connection with the Akkineni family, we must revisit the incident when a major fire broke out at the iconic Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad in 2017, which led to Akkineni Nagarjuna (father of Naga Chaitanya) terming it as more of an emotional blow than a financial one.

According to him, it was a historical set as it carried the legacy of his family and they had fond memories associated with it. A report of NDTV also revealed that in November 2017, just a day before the incident took place, the Akkineni family hosted a reception for their elder son Naga Chaitanya and his ex-wife Samantha Prabhu.

Naga Chaitanya's love for his grandfather Akkineni Nageswara Rao

The Tollywood actor has often expressed his love and respect for his grandfather who was a veteran of the Telugu industry. In 2018, Chaitanya also confirmed to play his grandfather ANR in the Savitri biopic Mahanati. Moreover, recently, as a part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Naga Chaitanya shared that he never had a chance to experience his grandfather's films in the theatres with an audience while growing up hence, the celebration was extremely exciting for him.

Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala's wedding is to be an intimate one

Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita's wedding will be attended by their close family members and friends, as per an Economic Times report. Just like their engagement, the wedding is planned to be an intimate one. The couple do not wish for unnecessary media attention on their special day.

However, it was earlier reported that the couple is all set to get married in a palace-like-star hotel in Rajasthan. The love story of the couple began in 2022. After 4 years of marriage, Chaitanya and his ex-wife Samantha got separated in October 2021 and just a few months later in 2022, he was spotted with the Made in Haven actor, Sobhita at his Hyderabad House. Following this, the couple confirmed their relationship on Instagram after their engagement in 2024.
Kajol recently suffered a massive setback when Do Patti received negative reviews after it premiered on Netflix on October 25. The Shashanka Chaturvedi-directed thriller featured the powerhouse performer in the role of a cop and marked her second collaboration with Kriti Sanon. The two previously collaborated for Dilwale which hit screens in 2015.

Do Patti featured an intriguing premise that dealt with the sensitive issue of domestic abuse and carried a strong message but failed to do justice to Kajols abilities as the characters lacked depth. To make matters worse, the screenplay felt disjointed and outdated.

Interestingly, this isnt the first time a director has squandered Kajols potential. The past decade, in particular, hasnt been a good one for Kajol on this front. Here is at the times filmmakers struggled to utilise brand Kajol

Dilwale (2015): SRK- Kajols weakest film

Rohit Shettys action-comedy Dilwale became the talk of the town prior to its release as it marked Kajols seventh collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan. Fans expected the two to set the screen on fire the way they had in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. This, however, did not happen as their track was undercooked and eventually pulled down the film.

To make matters worse, the film itself felt like a rehash of Amitabh Bachchans Hum. The brutal yet rushed flashback scene also didnt save the day as it failed to add depth to their characters. Kajol and SRK looked gorgeous in the Gerua song but their scenes did not make the desired impact.

Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 (2017): A lifeless sequel

Kajol, who made her Kollywood debut with Minasara Kanavu (1997), returned to the Tamil film industry with the much-hyped Velaiilla Pattadhari 2. The film, a sequel to the cult action-comedy VIP (2014), piqued the curiosity of fans as it marked her first collaboration with National Award winner Dhanush and featured her in the role of a no-nonsense boss.

Despite a few promising scenes between the performers, the film failed to match the standards set by the first part as its relatively one-dimensional storyline lacked an emotional core. The fact that it had shades of the Rajinikanth-led classic Mannan further diluted its impact.

Helicopter Eela (2018): Wheres the depth?

Helicopter Eela had the potential to be a light-hearted yet emotional tale about a mother who tries to bond with her college-going son while fulfilling her own dreams. It, however, ended up being a predictable attempt at that storytelling that worked in parts but lacked consistency. The screenplay failed to explore the dynamics between Kajol and her reel son in depth. Moreover, the narrative relied more on gags than genuine character development, making it difficult even for Kajol to elevate the Helicopter Eela beyond a point.

Kajol, meanwhile, is gearing up for the release of Maharagni: Queen Of Queens. The action-thriller features her alongside Prabhudeva. Going by its teaser, the film will feature an intense narrative featuring intense sequences and twists. It remains to be seen whether Maharagni: Queen Of Queens proves to be a gamechanger or a misstep for Kajol.




Xiaomi India President, Muralikrishnan B has stepped down from his position, the company announced on Tuesday. Having joined the firm in 2018, Muralikrishnan was promoted to the role of president in 2022, reported the Economic Times. During his stint at Xiaomi, he was involved in key roles such as expanding the company's presence in India, despite facing challenges like government investigation into alleged illegal remittances a couple of years ago. However, Muralikrishnan will continue to work with the company as an independent strategic advisor.

Xiaomi India President quits, the firm issues statement

The Chinese consumer electronics company on Tuesday announced that Xiaomi India President Muralikrishnan B has quit due to personal reasons. According to Xiaomi, the executive will continue to pursue his role at the firm until the end of the year. Meanwhile, he is set to continue his executive doctorate in management with an emphasis on 'Consumer Behaviour on Technology Platforms. According to the ET report, the executive is pursuing a doctorate at the Indian School of Business. Moreover, after investing over six years in the firm, Murali is looking forward to continuing to research

Going forward, Xiaomi announced that Chief Operating Officer Sudhin Mathur ( the former Managing Director at Motorola, Lenovo) will guide the key work in India, along with the executives including CFO Sameer Rao, CPO Varun Madan, and CMO Anuj Sharma.

Muralikrishnan's career journey

Murali's LinkedIn profile reads that he is a Consumer Internet and e-commerce expert who has a flair for strategy, Operations & Product Management. He is a successful engineer and an Alumnus of IIM-Calcutta and has an experience of 25 years of cross-functional experience across FMCG and Consumer Internet / eCommerce domains. He has also been the Country Manager of eBay India, the global eCommerce Marketplace pioneer. In 2005, he joined eBay and went on to lead multiple functions across his eight-year career.
Chhath Puja 2024 Calendar: Chhath Puja is a sacred four-day Hindu festival celebrated annually with devotion across India. It honours Lord Surya (the Sun God) and his sister Chhathi Maiya, representing nature's power. Observed mainly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal, Chhath Puja takes place on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika, roughly six days after Diwali. Below, we cover all you need to know about Chhath Puja 2024, including dates, sunrise and sunset timings, and day-by-day rituals.

Chhath Puja 2024 Dates and Significance

Chhath Puja 2024 will be held from 5th to 8th November. The festival involves a strict 36-hour fast known as Nirjala Vrat, where devotees go without food or water from sunset to sunrise. In 2024, the special Sasthi Tithi day will fall on 7th November, making it a key time for prayers and offerings to Lord Surya.

Also Read: Happy Chhath Puja 2024 wishes, images, and quotes to share on WhatsApp

Chhath Puja 2024 Calendar: Sunrise and Sunset Timings

Exact sunrise and sunset times are essential to Chhath Puja rituals. Here are the timings for each day of Chhath Puja 2024:

Chhath Puja 2024 Sunrise and Sunset timings Date Day & festival Sunrise timing Sunset timing Tuesday, November 5 Day 1: Nahay-Khay 6:36 AM 5:33 PM Wednesday, November 6 Day 2: Kharna 6:37 AM 5:32 PM Thursday, November 7 Day 3: Sandhya Arghya 6:38 AM 5:32 PM Friday, November 8 Day 4: Usha Arghya 6:38 AM 5:31 PM

Chhath Puja involves detailed rituals across four days, with each day bringing unique practices and prayers:

Day 1: Nahay-Khay (5th November)

The first day starts with a ritual bath in a river or pond, symbolising cleansing. Devotees then prepare prasad (holy offerings) that will be used in the days to come.

Day 2: Kharna (6th November)

The second day is marked by a strict fast, broken only after sunset with a simple meal of rice and jaggery (gur). Devotees also prepare prasad for the next day.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (7th November)

On the third day, devotees offer Sandhya Arghya (evening prayers) to the setting sun. They stand waist-deep in water to express gratitude to Lord Surya for life's blessings.

Day 4: Usha Arghya (8th November)

The final day involves Usha Arghya (morning prayers) to the rising sun. Devotees enter the water again for prayers, then break their fast and share the prasad they have prepared with family and friends.

Importance of Sunrise and Sunset in Chhath Puja 2024

For Chhath Puja 2024, accurate sunrise and sunset timings guide devotees on when to conduct each ritual. Offering prayers at these times is believed to please Lord Surya, who is then said to grant blessings of health, wealth, and happiness to his worshippers.

Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Chhath Puja 2024

Here are some thoughtful ways to make your Chhath Puja celebrations more special:

Chant Lord Surya's Sacred Names: While performing the puja, you can recite the ten sacred names of the Sun God, including Aditya, Bhaskara, and Mitra, to enhance your spiritual experience.

Donate Yellow or Orange Clothing: Offering clothes in auspicious colours like yellow or orange to those in need is a meaningful tradition that reflects the giving spirit of the festival.

Share Rice or Kheer as Prasad: Distributing prasad like rice or kheer at temples or with those less fortunate symbolises the sharing of blessings and prosperity.

Happy Chhath Puja 2024 wishes, messages and WhatsApp status

May the divine rays of the Sun God bring light, peace, and happiness to your life this Chhath Puja. Wishing you prosperity and joy.

Let us bow to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya for blessings of prosperity and peace. May this Chhath bring you closer to your dreams.

May the divine rays of the Sun bring you abundant joy and prosperity. Wishing you and your family a blessed Chhath Puja 2024!

As we thank Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, may we be blessed with health, wealth, and happiness. Happy Chhath Puja 2024!

Let's celebrate the divine festival of Chhath with dedication and faith. May the blessings of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya bring joy and health to your family.

Happy Chhath Puja to you and your loved ones. Let's pray that Chhathi Maiya bless us all today and always.

Warm wishes to you and your family. Let's pray for the blessings of Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya.

May Chhathi Maiya bless you and remove all troubles from your life. Wishing you a joyful Chhath Puja.

Wishing you and your family endless blessings on this Chhath Puja. Jai Chhathi Maiya!

Celebrating Chhath Puja with love and gratitude. Wishing everyone joy and blessings.

Wishing you a Chhath Puja filled with blessings and joy! May the Sun God illuminate your path and fill your life with happiness.

On this auspicious occasion of Chhath Puja, may all your wishes come true, and may you be blessed with a healthy and happy life. Jai Chhathi Maiya!

May the positive energy of Chhath Puja purify your soul and strengthen your family bonds. Wishing you a blessed festival!

Chhath Puja 2024 is a beautiful time to show gratitude to the Sun God and connect with loved ones. Through these rituals and acts of kindness, devotees honour Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya, seeking blessings for health, happiness, and prosperity.
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector

Bugattis Grand Tour of Morocco Celebrates the End of the W16 Era in Spectacular Style

Bugatti marked the end of an era with a breathtaking Grand Tour through Morocco, inviting an exclusive group of hypercar owners to celebrate the legendary W16 engine. This gathering honored two decades of hypercar dominance, where Bugattis 8-liter, quad-turbocharged W16 engine set new benchmarks in automotive performance, blending luxury with engineering prowess.

Image VIa Bugatti

The tour began on Moroccos Mediterranean coastline, where Bugatti owners gathered to embark on a scenic journey through some of North Africas most iconic landscapes. The convoy drove along the winding roads of the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, offering stunning views and thrilling turns. From there, the tour ventured through the vibrant Blue Pearl town of Chefchaouen, ancient Roman ruins, and high mountain passes, capturing the essence of Moroccos diverse cultural and natural heritage.

Image VIa Bugatti

As the group continued southward, they reached the Gateway to the Sahara, where the hypercars ascended challenging mountain roads. These scenic yet rigorous routes allowed Bugatti drivers to fully experience the power and precision of their hypercars, particularly as they navigated the winding roads through the Atlas Mountains.

Image VIa Bugatti

Advertisement Advertisement

The Grand Tour also offered participants the chance to immerse themselves in Moroccos unique culture, from exploring local cuisine to learning about its ancient history and diverse landscapes. For the select Bugatti owners, it was more than a driving experienceit was a celebration of an era, marking the W16 engines legacy in some of the worlds most captivating surroundings.

This Moroccan journey stands as a fitting tribute to the W16, blending adrenaline-fueled driving with an appreciation of Moroccos beauty and culture, as Bugatti prepares for the next chapter in its hypercar lineage.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Although Lawrence Bishnoi has been behind bars since 2014, his name continues to make headlinesoften for high-profile threats against Salman Khan over the blackbuck case, and now, with his gang claiming responsibility for the killing of former Maharashtra Assembly member Baba Siddique. In a shocking turn of events, Meesho has sparked outrage by putting T-shirts featuring Bishnoi's face up for sale, drawing widespread criticism for trivialising a serious situation.

Filmmaker Alishan Jafri has raised caution over a troubling trend, taking to social media to expose how platforms like Meesho and Teeshopper are selling merchandise glorifying gangsters.

People are literally selling gangster merchandise on platforms like @Meesho_Official and Teeshopper. This is just one example of India's latest online radicalisation.

Thread

1/n pic.twitter.com/vzjXM360q3  Alishan Jafri (@alishan_jafri) November 4, 2024

Worsening the issue is the fact that these T-shirts are also being marketed to kids.

He dubbed this phenomenon India's latest form of online radicalisation.

The merchandise includes white T-shirts featuring Lawrence Bishnoi's image, some boldly emblazoned with the word "gangster," and priced as low as Rs 168.

Jafri further highlighted that T-shirts of another notorious gangster, the deceased Durlabh Kashyap, are also available for saleKashyap has had a reputation for committing multiple heinous crimes.

Apart from Lawrence, you can also buy Durlabh Kashyap t-shirts. pic.twitter.com/r3OTOclGot  Alishan Jafri (@alishan_jafri) November 4, 2024

Jafri emphasised that this issue extends beyond Meesho; it's indicative of a larger cultural problem fuelled by YouTubers and social media influencers.

While law enforcement and the NIA struggle to prevent youth from getting involved in gang crime, influencers are cashing in by promoting gang culture and glorifying criminals.

Additionally, Jafri notes, creators are producing outrageous desi YouTube films and music videos that mimic gangster lifestyles, raking in millions of views and further normalizing this troubling trend.

Addressing the matter, a Meesho spokesperson stated, "We have taken immediate action to deactivate the products. Meesho remains committed to providing a safe and trusted shopping platform for all our users."

Who is Lawrence Bishnoi?

Lawrence Bishnoi is a notorious Indian gangster involved in serious crimes like extortion, organised crime, and murder. He became famous for his threats against Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the blackbuck poaching case.

Credit: BCCL, X

Bishnoi leads a criminal gang primarily active in northern India, especially in Punjab and Rajasthan. His gang is linked to several violent acts, and he is known for his aggressive demeanor and strong ties to his community.

Since his arrest in 2014, he has remained in the spotlight due to his gang's activities and threats made from prison.

His involvement in the recent murder of Baba Siddique, a former member of the Maharashtra Assembly, has further increased his visibility in the media.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
An American entrepreneur residing in Bengaluru is hosting a unique event in the city as the United States votes for its next president. Millions of American voters will decide whether to elect Kamala Harris as the country's first female president or to support Donald Trump's return to the White House.

What is the American CEO host on the US election day?

 Ditch the boring election talk! Join Bangalore's wildest prediction party Nov 5th, 7PM @shipyard_ 



Meme battles, X Dares & hot takes. Make your boldest predictions & win prizes. 



RSVP for a night that'll be more lit than exit polls  #USElectionhttps://t.co/icV3qHDsqb  Catoff (@CatoffGaming) November 3, 2024

Over 100 individuals have already registered for the "US Election Showdown Challenge & Predict-athon" election event in Bengaluru, which will take place on Tuesday evening at a venue in Indiranagar, the startup and restaurant area in India's IT capital.

Election predictions, rapid-fire challenges, and even "political karaoke" will be among the attractions during the event. The event will also feature memes, GIFs, and jokes about the US elections that have been trending on the internet.

What did the prediction party serve?

Those attending the three-hour event will be fed an American-Namma Bengaluru fusion meal that includes hamburger dosa and PB&J (peanut butter and jelly) idlis.

Credit: DALL.E

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump made their final case Monday, hours before Election Day, capping off a tumultuous election campaign. Opinion polls show Trump, 78, and Harris, 60, almost evenly matched. The result may not be known for several days after the election, but Trump has already indicated that he will attempt to battle any defeat, as he did in 2020.

Also read: US Election 2024: This Indian language makes it to NYC ballotsand it's not Hindi

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
It's November 5th, and the US presidential elections are finally here. While polls are buzzing with predictions and endorsements, Gen Z and millennials seem to be living in a completely different worldone fuelled by viral trends. This time, they're all abuzz about the Moo Denga viral hippo who has just chosen his pick for the elections.

Zookeepers at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo presented Moo Deng, the viral hippo, with two fruit cakes for the upcoming November 5 election, as reported by The Independent.

In a video of the event, Moo Deng was offered two watermelonsone carved with Donald Trump's name and the other with Kamala Harris's.

BABY HIPPO MOO DENG PICKS TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT  WATERMELON DOESNT LIE!



In a bold move, Thailands cutest political analyst, baby hippo Moo Deng, snubbed Kamala for a Trump-labeled watermelon at Khao Kheow Open Zoo.



This two-month-old bouncy pig didnt hesitate, chomping pic.twitter.com/zFRZG4si4w  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 4, 2024

In the footage, Moo Deng eagerly chose the watermelon labeled with Trump's name, while a larger hippo in the enclosure munched on the one with Harris's name.

So, it is clear that Moo Deng has "predicted" that Republican candidate Donald Trump will win the 2024 U.S. presidential election against his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris.

Meanwhile, national polls indicate that the two candidates are closely competing in this high-stakes election.

Who is Moo Deng?

Moo Deng is a pygmy hippo living at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, born in July.

Pygmy hippos are a species that reaches just half the height of a regular hippopotamus and weighs less than a quarter of their weight.

Since Moo Deng was born this summer, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo began sharing posts about her on their social media pages.

It wasn't long before users started resharing her adorable content, dubbing her a lifestyle icon, and she rapidly became an internet sensation due to her petite size and irresistible cuteness.

Moo Deng wakes up moisturized and chooses violence. pic.twitter.com/r3l3xpaghv  Nature is Amazing  (@AMAZlNGNATURE) September 30, 2024

moo deng is a lifestyle icon and i need all of yall to get onboard:



- inexplicably moist at all times

- slightly blurry in most photos

- probably screaming or sleeping

- round pic.twitter.com/VtgOPf1PAS  House  gf haver (@mrmatthouse) September 11, 2024

Kha Moo & the Gang, the FB page which sparked the world's craze for Moo Deng, said Mon, the famous pygmy hippo, has started to eat solid food. Watermelon & dragon fruit are the favourites of the 3-months old hippo & they postedpics as proof. #Thailand #MooDeng #Chonburi # pic.twitter.com/fduSokj6gB  Khaosod English (@KhaosodEnglish) October 28, 2024

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Global markets are bracing for heightened volatility as the closely contested US presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris approaches.

The uncertainty surrounding the election outcome has led investors to shift toward safer assets and adopt strategies to protect against potential risks, contributing to market

instability this month.

Analysts warn that while investors may look for clues in either a "Trump Trade" or "Harris Trade," neither candidate offers a guaranteed safe bet for markets.

"The biggest safety net for investors is simply the certainty of the result," explained Michael Brown, senior strategic analyst at Pepperstone London. "Markets crave clarity, and a definitive outcome would let those who have hedged against election risks unwind their positions and reinvest."

Stock markets are expected to be particularly volatile around the November 5 election day, with potential reactions comparable to the upheaval seen during events like Brexit and the 2016 US election. The CBOE Volatility Index, a common measure of market risk, surged 35% in October, reflecting investor caution and higher risk premiums.

Major stock indices worldwide, such as the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 600, and ASX 200, have each dropped by 2% to 3% in recent weeks as a result of pre-election uncertainty.

Mr. Brown noted that markets could see similar fluctuations in the coming days, with expectations of volatility ranging from 2% to 3%. This level of movement could allow stock markets to recover by next week if the election outcome is clear and recounts or delays are avoided.

While a Trump presidency could bring challenges for some sectors, especially if tariffs and trade restrictions return, analysts agree that a decisive election result could restore stability across global markets.

By Vassilis Kaltsas

   iefimerida.gr
A 30-year-old woman suspected of involvement in a terrorist plot linked to a recent explosion in Athens has been arrested upon her return to Greece.

The woman, who had fled to Switzerland on the day of the explosion, was apprehended by anti-terrorism officers at Athens International Airport

upon her arrival from Bern.

Authorities believe the woman played a key role in the case, having received keys to the apartment where the explosion occurred from the landlord's son. Despite surrendering voluntarily, she denies any involvement in the incident.

The woman faces serious charges, including membership in a terrorist organization, manufacturing and possession of explosives, and causing an explosion that could have endangered lives. She is also charged with property damage and illegal weapons possession.

The arrest follows the discovery of weapons, masks, wigs, and blueprints in various apartments, items that police believe are connected to the ongoing investigation. The explosion, which occurred in the Ambelokipi neighborhood of Athens, is suspected to be part of a planned terrorist attack.

Authorities continue to investigate the case and are working to determine the full extent of the woman's alleged involvement in the plot.

   iefimerida.gr
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set for a quick six-hour visit to Athens on Friday, during which he and his delegation will engage in a tightly planned itinerary.

Mr. Fidan, along with top Turkish diplomats and ministry officials, will arrive in the Greek

capital via a government jet , as no direct flight connects Ankara to Athens

Upon arrival at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs in central Athens, Mr. Fidan and his delegation will be welcomed with a notable gesture: the Turkish flag will be hoisted alongside the Greek and EU flags in recognition of the foreign dignitarys visit.

Mr. Fidan will then engage in a one-on-one discussion with Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Giorgos Gerapetritis, which is expected to be the most substantial part of his short visit.

While substantial agreements may not be reached, both sides are expected to reiterate their positions, particularly on issues that Greece considers core to its national sovereigntya topic the current Greek government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has stated is not open for negotiation.

Instead, the focus of this meeting will likely be on preparations for an upcoming High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) meeting, which brings together ministers from both countries and is set to take place in Ankara early next year.

Following their private talks, Mr. Fidan and Mr. Gerapetritis will be joined by their respective diplomatic teams and aides for an extended meeting.

They are expected to review progress on a series of 15 bilateral agreements signed over the past year in areas such as tourism, energy, trade, research, education, and transport. These agreements, witnessed by Mr. Mitsotakis and Turkish President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, are largely in the implementation phase.

Mr. Gerapetritis will host a working lunch for Mr. Fidan in the Ministrys VIP dining hall, concluding the Turkish delegations brief visit to Athens with no other scheduled meetings or tours.

   iefimerida.gr
A Turkish man was killed during a shooting incident in the Kypseli district of Athens on Tuesday evening.

According to police, the incident took place shortly after 20:00 on the corner of Patission Avenue and Lesvos Street. A passer-by was slightly injured and suffered from shock after witnessing the event.

Police has cordoned off the area. There is no information about the incident as of this writing.

   iefimerida.gr
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubus administration for organizing a national prayer event to address the countrys challenges.

The prayer is to be led by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Advertisement

This comes after Abubakar proposed solutions to Nigerias economic woes, which the presidency claimed lacked details.

Abubakar took to X on Monday to express his thoughts, saying, Isnt it fascinating how the so-called tested Tinubu administrations only policy response seems to be a national prayer led by the First Lady and the NSA? Just a mere 24 hours after I proposed my alternative solutions! What a bold strategy!

READ ALSO: Focus On Tinubu, Not Me  Atiku To Nigerians Asking What He Wouldve Done Differently

He emphasized that while prayer is important, it must be accompanied by diligent labor and hard work.

According to him, when he was Vice-President, Nigeria got to the pinnacle of Africas economies, but the administration led by Tinubu has relegated us to a disheartening fourth position.

Abubakar also highlighted the success of his previous administration, stating, The average GDP rate under the Obasanjo administration that I served in was 6.59% and peaked at 15% in 2002; 7.98% under the late YarAdua administration and 4.8% under Jonathan compared to the dismal 2.8% of the so-called tested Tinubu era.

The former Vice-President concluded, Enough of the pains of the shambolic bolekaja economic policy prescriptions! and reiterated his stance that the 2023 general election was criminally stolen from the Nigerian people.
Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, a Nigerian crossdresser, has confirmed his temporary exit from the nation due to legal concerns with Nigerian security agencies.

It should be noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Bobrisky at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State as he attempted to board a KLM flight bound for Amsterdam.

Bobrisky was, however, released on bail late Friday night after allegedly completing the proper procedures.

Advertisement

In a fresh development, Bobrisky said on Monday via Instagram that he is currently out of the country to care for his sanity and health.

READ MORE: Bobrisky Departs Nigeria After Two Failed Attempts Amid Legal Battles

Citing the fact that he purchased three business class tickets for his trip but was only able to utilise one, he said that the Nigerian security services attempted to frustrate him.

He said, Yes Im here to confirm Im out of Nigeria temporarily I need to attend to my sanity and my health.

Few Nigerian security agencies try everything to frustrate me but naaa i gat God. Imagine !!! buying business class ticket 3 times. only 1 was successful.

@klm I hope you guys refund me the two i didnt use. I know is not ur fault but its fine. Each business class cost me 9.800,000. I only successfully flew yesterday 3/11/2024.

Before you come to my page to type nonsense check ur account balance if you can afford 3 business sit not to talk of buying it 3 times. Well Im not in Nigeria so ur comment mean nothing. Cheers.

SEE POST:
A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant of arrest against Hathiramani Ranesh, Managing Director of Dana Air, due to his failure to appear in court for trial.

This development comes after the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) filed six counts against Ranesh and two other defendants, Dana Group PLC and Dana Steel Limited.

Advertisement

On October 10, the AGFs counsel, Mojisola Okeya, requested Raneshs arrest due to his non-appearance for arraignment in the alleged N1.3 billion fraud case.

Presiding Judge, Obiora Egwuatu asked Raneshs lawyer, Ademola Bello, Why are the defendants absent?

Bello however replied that Ranesh was out of the country and that the other defendants were statutory bodies with Ranesh as their MD.

READ ALSO: Audit Report Showed Dana Air Unfit For Operations  Keyamo

Egwatu expressed frustration, saying, Are we playing here? Where is the respect for the court when the people you are defending are not in court?

He cited Section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, urging the court to consider this provision.

The Judge further ordered Raneshs arrest and mandated his appearance on January 13, 2025, before addressing any objections.

Egwuatu stated, The 1st defendant is bound to appear before the court, and if he does not, the court can issue a warrant for his arrest.

I hereby issue a warrant of arrest for the arrest of the 1st defendant
A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the suit against some minors that were arrested during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest.

They were apprehended in Kaduna, Abuja, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states.

It was gathered that Justice Obiora Egwuatu, on Tuesday, struck out the suit following an application by the counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation, M. D Abubakar, to take over and discontinue the suit.

Advertisement

After granting the request by Justice Egwuatu, the AGF proceeded to request the invocation of the same section of the Constitution to discontinue the trial of the 119 accused persons.

Abubakar had applied to take over and discontinue the suit.

At the session on Tuesday, he prayed that the court to allow the AGF take over the case.

He said: We have an application to take over the matter and to discontinue same in accordance with section 174 of the constitution.

Responding, Femi Falana, who represented the 1st to 50th defendants, did not oppose the application.

He said: We have no objection to the application because it is in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act as well as several provisions of the Child Rights Act.

The AGF has the power to take over the case at any stage and exercise his discretion to discontinue the suit.

READ MORE: Tinubu Orders Immediate Release Of Minors Arraigned For #EndBadGovernance Protests

Following no objections to the request from various lawyers representing the accused persons, Justice Egwuatu granted the request and struck out the charges.

Although the protesters were not in court, the judge ordered their immediate release from prison.

Also confirming the release of the minors, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, in a statement by his Spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, expressed appreciation for the support of the legal team and human rights advocates.

He said: This is a victory for justice and human dignity.

The development comes just hours after President Bola Tinubu directed the attorney-general and law enforcement to release all minors detained over the protest.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in derivation funds.

The funds, representing 13% of the federation account between 2015 and 2023, are alleged to have been mismanaged by Okowa, who reportedly failed to account for the funds.

According to EFCC sources, Okowa, who served as ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakars running mate in the 2023 presidential election, was invited to the commissions Port Harcourt office, where he was subsequently detained.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: 13% Derivation: Edwin Clarks Writes EFCC Over Okowas Alleged N1.7 Trillion Misappropriation

Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested, the source revealed.

The former Governor is also accused of misappropriating N40 billion meant for acquiring shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas and diverting funds to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba.

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed Okowas arrest, stating, He is with us.

Oyewale declined further comment.
Equatorial Guineas government has taken drastic measures to address a shocking sex scandal involving some Ministry officials.

Vice-President Teodoro Nguema, in a Monday statement, disclosed the suspension of all officials involved in sexual relations within ministry offices, stating, Today, we will proceed with the immediate suspension of all officials who have had sexual relations in the offices of the countrys ministries.

Advertisement

The government,he said, will take severe measures against those found guilty, citing a flagrant violation of the Code of Conduct and the Public Ethics Law.

Nguema who emphasized the importance of ethics and respect in the administration, added that, Responsibility and professionalism must be the pillars of our work as servants of the State.

READ ALSO: Equatorial Guinea: Presidents Son Arrested For Selling Nations Airplane

In a follow-up statement via X on Tuesday, Nguema revealed plans to install surveillance cameras in all government offices to prevent similar incidents.

He said, We have taken this measure to ensure compliance with the law on public officials and to eradicate improper and illicit behavior.

The scandal erupted after investigators uncovered around 400 explicit videos featuring Baltasar Ebang Engonga, Director-General of the Anti-graft National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF), and multiple women, including relatives of high-ranking officials and wives of ministers.

The videos, allegedly filmed with consent, were discovered in Engongas office, hotels, and toilets.
The Federal Government has terminated the contract awarded to Julius Berger for the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna road due to non-compliance with the reviewed cost, scope, and terms.

According to Mohammed Ahmed, Director of Press at the Ministry of Works, the termination was also based on the companys stoppage of work and refusal to remobilize to the site.

Advertisement

The company was summoned for a meeting with the Management of the Ministry, today, 4th November, 2024 but refused to show up, hence the termination of the contract based on effluxion of time and non-performance.

Based on non-compliance with reviewed cost, scope and terms, stoppage of work and refusal to remobilise to site, as directed, the Federal Ministry of Works has issued a 14-day Notice of Termination to Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc for the Rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway in FCT, Kaduna and Kano States, Contract No.6350, Section I (Abuja-Kaduna), today, 4th November, 2024, Ahmed stated on Monday.

READ ALSO: FG Gives Julius Berger 7 Days To Accept N740bn Offer Or Face Contract Termination

The contract, which was awarded in 2017, was initially valued at N155.7 billion but was revised to N797.2 billion and later increased to N1.5 trillion.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved a downward review of the contract sum to N740.7 billion, but Julius Berger failed to agree to the terms.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, had earlier stated that the Abuja-Kano road project received approval for N740 billion.

The termination of the contract may delay the completion of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway, a vital artery connecting Abuja to the North.
Nigeria has again been plunged into darkness as the national grid recorded another setback.

In a statement, on Tuesday after the report of the grid collapse, the Transmission Company of Nigerias General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed that the collapse happened at 1:52 pm.

Mrs. Mbah said that the data from the National Control Centre, revealed that a part of the grid was not affected by the bulk power disruption.

Advertisement

She added that engineers have already started working quickly to restore bulk power to the states affected by the partial disturbance.

READ MORE: Atiku Calls Out Power Sector Over Frequent National Grid Collapse

The statement reads: TCN states that the national grid experienced a partial disturbance at about 1;52 pm today, 5th November 2024.

This followed a series of lines and generators trippings that caused instability of the grid and, consequently, the partial disturbance of the system.

The data from the National Control Centre (NCC) revealed that a part of the grid was not affected by the bulk power disruption.

We sincerely apologize for every inconvenience this may cause our electricity customers.

Also confirming the development, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC, informed its customers of a general system collapse that occurred on Tuesday.

Disclosing this in a statement by EED Head, Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, assured that work is currently going to restore the power supply.

He said: Consequently, due to this development, all our interface TCN stations are out of supply, and we are unable to provide services to our customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo States.

We are on standby awaiting detailed information about the collapse and restoration of supply from the National Control Centre (NCC), Osogbo.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the grid had suffered series of setbacks in October 2024.
The newly appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has abolished the 18-year admission limit for Universities and Tertiary institutions in the country.

Recall that the policy was initiated by Professor Tahir Mamman, former Minister of Education.

Briefing journalists upon assumption of office, on Tuesday, Alausa said that the rule was detrimental to the federal governments efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the country.

Advertisement

He added that it is also not sustainable for the education sector, explaining that the 16-year age limit would be maintained and exceptions would be granted for gifted children.

The new minister also said going forward, Nigerias education system will be 80 percent practical and 20 percent classroom/ theoretical.

He said: We will not be going forward with the 18-year admission benchmark. We will go with 16 years and we are going to meet with JAMB and others on that. There will also be exceptions for the gifted students.

READ MORE: Scammers Hack Education Ministers Phone Line

The decision was an FEC decision and the committee that went around to ascertain those certificates did diligent work.

The policy banning those certificates remains and nothing will change that. We do not want those who genuinely obtain their certificates to suffer for nothing.

These among others will encourage school enrollment at the basic education level and reduce out-of-school challenges.

Eighty per cent (80%) of our education system will be practical based while theory will take 20%. And that is the right way to go.
Nineteen kidnapped victims have been rescued by the Niger State Police Command at the Gidan-Kwakwa forest along the Tegina-Zungeru road in the state.

SP Wasiu Abiodun, the Commands Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in a statement issued Monday in Minna.

The statement said, On 01/11/2024 at about 0630hrs, information was received that on same date at about 0230hrs, that some passengers who were on transit in a Toyota Bus vehicle with Reg. No. LG 08 DGS from Sokoto State heading to Bayelsa State were attacked by suspected kidnappers at Gidan-Kwakwa along Tegina-Zungeru road and abducted nineteen persons into the forest.

Advertisement

He explained that as soon as the information was received, a joint security tactical team was formed and tracked the suspected kidnappers.

READ MORE: Kaduna Police Rescue Two Kidnapped Victims, Recover 303 Rustled Cattle

Abiodun stated that as a result of the persistent pressure, twelve captives were abandoned by the hoodlums and rescued on November 2, 2024, at approximately 0642hrs at Pangugari forest in Rafi LGA.

The PRO went on to say that the rescue operation was stepped up, and at around 2100hrs on the same day, the remaining seven people were rescued unharmed within the forest, bringing the total number of victims saved to nineteen.

The victims were taken to a nearby clinic for medical attention and they were released to return to Sokoto State on 3 of November, 2024.
Doyin Okupe, the former Director-General of the Labour Partys 2023 presidential campaign, has again disclosed non-support for Peter Obi, LPs former candidate.

Okupe made this. Monday declaration on Channels Televisions Politics Today in response to Obis recent comments on the economic situation in Nigeria.

Obi had stated, Let us talk about what is happening today. Rice is about N100,000. We are not even sure where we are going to be. Its our turn, he is a Yoruba man  ask the people in Ogun, here is there any place you people buy bread cheaper?

Advertisement

This statement generated mixed reactions on social media, with some supporting Obi and others criticizing him.

Okupe however joined the critics, describing Obis remark as an insult to people in the South-West.

He emphasized that Obis statement publicly belittled the South-West, despite receiving support from prominent Yoruba leaders during his presidential bid.

READ ALSO: Treason: Prosecution Of Malnourished Minors Is Recipe For Disaster  Doyin Okupe Warns

When Obi made that statement, it insulted us. I am a Yoruba man; I left everything and followed Obi, Okupe said.

For the first time, Obasanjo left his circle of influence and deviated to support Obi

I do not regret supporting Peter Obi. But now I cannot do it again.

Okupe attributed his initial support to the agreement that a southern president should emerge, specifically from the south-east.

However, he feels betrayed by Obis public criticism of the South-West.

If all these eminent Yoruba people supported you, why now bring us down publicly? It is wrong, Okupe concluded.

This development comes amidst Okupes reported resignation from the Labour Party due to ideological differences.
The Niger State Police Command has nabbed two suspected notorious mobile phone robbers.

SP Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Niger State Police Command, stated in a press statement signed and made available to journalists in Minna on Monday.

On 31/10/2024 at about 1530hrs, a victim of handset robbery from Gidan-Kwano area of Minna reported at Kpakungu Division that on 30/10/2024 at about 2040hrs, he boarded a tricycle from Gidan-Kwano area to Dama where he met two passengers there-in, and while on their way close to Dama, the two passengers conspired, attacked and robbed him of his phone and escaped into the forest, the statement partly read.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Niger Police Rescue 19 Abducted Passengers

According to the statement, upon receiving the information, Division Police operatives with reliable intelligence apprehended two suspects in connection with the crime: Nazifi Lawal (a.k.a Maka) 25 years old and Abubakar Saidu (a.k.a Yaro), both of Soje B and Gbeganu communities.

The State Police Commands image maker stated that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and other similar robberies.

They mentioned one Mubarak of Dutsen-Kura area as part of their gang members, said Abiodun.

Meanwhile, the PPRO said that an investigation is underway to retrieve the stolen phones and apprehend the fleeing culprit.


Doyin Okupe, a former presidential spokesman and one-time campaigner for Labour Partys Peter Obi, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will secure a second term in 2027.

Okupe made this assertion on Channels Televisions Politics Today program on Monday, citing an unspoken agreement on rotational presidency between the southern and northern regions.

According to him, former President Muhammadu Buharis eight-year tenure, despite his shortcomings, sets a precedent for Tinubu to complete two terms.

Advertisement

Nigerians will decide so. I am sure. Nigerians are reasonable, sensible people, not demanding too much from their leaders, Okupe stated.

READ ALSO: No Regret Supporting Obi But Wont Do It Again  Doyin Okupe

Okupe also addressed the T-Pain nickname given to Tinubu on social media, interpreting it as Temporary Pain that will ultimately lead to positive outcomes for the nation.

He emphasized that if Tinubu resolves pressing issues like the fuel and food crises, Nigerians will overwhelmingly support his re-election.

If Bola Tinubu gives us light in 2027, if Bola Tinubu resolves this fuel crisis and this food crisis between now and that time, youll see that people will go on the streets and say its Bola or nobody, Okupe added.

Okupes endorsement comes on the heels of his meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja, sparking debate about the presidents chances of re-election in 2027.


President Bola Tinubu on Monday, disclosed that Nigerias debt service-to-revenue ratio has reduced from 97 percent to 65 percent, describing it as a positive indicator of the nations economic recovery.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony for seven new Ministers in Abuja, Tinubu expressed relief, saying For us, it was a challenge when the nation was servicing its debt with 97 percent of its revenue; it was nothing but the end of the cliff.

Tinubu acknowledged the challenges ahead, including a rising cost of living, but assured that his administration has implemented a new minimum wage across all sectors.

Advertisement

He encouraged citizens to remain resilient amidst global economic difficulties and praised the National Assembly for promptly confirming the new ministers.

The President emphasized the vital role the new ministers will play in tackling Nigerias urgent issues, stressing the importance of dedication to public service during difficult times.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Orders Immediate Release Of Minors Arraigned For #EndBadGovernance Protests

I really appreciate the fact that you have taken the oath of office and are ready to serve your nation at this time of challenges, Tinubu said.

The new Ministers sworn in include: Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment; Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment.

Others include: Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development; Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development; Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Minister of State for Education.

Tinubu urged the new Ministers to collaborate with his administration in tackling Nigerias challenges, emphasizing the importance of service in overcoming obstacles.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly decorated the acting Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, as Lieutenant General.

A source on Tuesday, told PUNCH that the short ceremony took place in the Presidents office complex at the State House, Abuja.

He said: President Tinubu decorates acting Chief of Army Staff, Oluyede, as Lt. General.

Advertisement

Also speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Tinubu, commended the military for its unwavering courage, dedication and patriotism in maintaining the nations security.

He said: It is both an honour and a privilege to decorate you today. This recognition reflects your commitment and service to the Nigerian military, which speaks volumes through your exemplary record.

We recognise all that you have been doing to ensure the country is safe and stable.

We are facing challenges, but progress is being made.

The synergy among you has calmed the country, and we need that stability to continue. We need to assure all citizens that prosperity is not far from them.

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had reported that Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, announced Oluyedes appointment on October 30, 2024.

The development is coming, following some weeks of rumors, claiming that Lagbaja had been experiencing health challenge.

READ MORE: Tinubu Appoints Oluyede Acting Chief Of Army Staff

Onanuga said: Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.

Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987. He rose to Major-General in September 2020.

Oluyede has held many commands since his commissioning as an officer. He was Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, Commandant Amphibious Training School.

He has also earned many honours for his meritorious service in various fields of operations. These include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute.
No one was injured in the incident, which police say happened just before 2 p.m. at the Metroplex Mall in Plymouth Township. Read more

A woman police described as emotionally disturbed threatened customers and staff inside a Guitar Center in Plymouth Township on Saturday, police said, brandishing a loaded handgun that she pointed at two employees heads.

Cynthia Dargan, 63, has been charged with attempted aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, and related crimes in connection with the incident, court records show.

Advertisement

Police were called to the Guitar Center inside the Metroplex Mall on Chemical Road just before 2 p.m. for reports of a woman armed with a gun, according to the affidavit of probable cause for Dargans arrest.

Customers and store employees told police Dargan had walked in with a handgun in a holster, the affidavit said. Something about her seemed off, the witnesses said, and she began talking to herself.

At one point, they said, Dargan picked up a $2,500 guitar and began carrying it around the store and talking to other customers. She told them she was a veteran and a retired police officer. (Dargan worked for the Philadelphia Police Department between 2015 and 2021 as a forensic scientist, according to a department spokesperson.)

Dargan then began to speak incoherently, the affidavit said, and she resisted the store managers attempts to take back the guitar.

You dont know what I have. You dont know what Ill do, she told the manager before pulling out a handgun, still inside its holster, and pointing it at his head, the affidavit said.

Dargan then walked around the store with the gun, pointing it at another employees head as he called the police. Some customers fled, while others sought refuge in the back of the store, according to the affidavit.

Eventually, Dargan left the store and stood on the sidewalk outside.

When Plymouth Township officers arrived, she was holding the gun and its holster, and refused their commands to drop it, the affidavit said. She pointed the gun at the officers multiple times, according to the affidavit.

Eventually, she lay down on the ground, keeping the weapon at her side and refused to move away from it, as the officers directed her to do. Dargan then put her hands behind her head, seemingly in surrender, according to the affidavit.

Officers took her into custody without any incident. They recovered a loaded, .38 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun from her.

No one was hurt.

Anyone who witnessed or has footage of the incident is asked to contact Plymouth Township Police at 610-279-1901.

Staff writer Ryan Briggs contributed to this article.
A still from "Bad Shabbos," which won an audience award at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film will play Nov. 16 at the the Weitzman National Museum of Jewish History. Read more

The annual Philadelphia Film Festival wrapped up at the end of October, but area cineastes will still have plenty of options to see new and rare films, thanks to four local film festivals taking place in November.

Some highlights:

Delco Film Festival (Nov. 8 and 9)

Essentially, were just a film festival that looks to kind of highlight creativity in Delco and beyond Delco, and bring creatives together and celebrate good, creative work, Chris Pierdomenico, the festivals founder and host, said of the film festival that started in 2016.

Advertisement

The lineup runs for two days, on Nov. 8 and 9. On the first day, a Shorts Showcase at 7 p.m. will highlight six short films that Pierdomenico calls family-friendly, followed by a Delco Late Night program at 9 p.m., featuring five more risque shorts.

One short in the Late Night program, VIATICUM, is the story of a priest performing last rites who is challenged by a hospice nurse who believes her patient should not be absolved of a deadly sin. Thats the most Delco film on here, Pierdomenico said. A dark comedy with a Catholicism theme, to me, is as Delco as you can get.

The festival continues Nov. 9 with two features, starting at 6 p.m.: Bill Helman  The WoofDriver and Princess. Bill Helman is the story of a Pennsylvania man and his dogs. Pierdomenico described the latter film as a narrative feature film  that really spoke to our judges. The Delco festival doesnt always show features, but they found two worthy of inclusion this time.

Pierdomenico, a Chester native and Sun Valley High School grad who has lived in various parts of the county, is also the director of Delco: The Movie, the independent film of much local interest. While it wont be showing at the Delco Film Festival this year, Delco: The Movie has a premiere set for January.

Delco Film Festival, Nov. 8-9, the Foundry Church, 25 Cedar Road, Wallingford, eventbrite.com/o/delco-film-festival-96348913113

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (Nov. 7-17)

Taking place for the 17th year, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival will run over 10 days in November.

Every year we have an official theme that informs our curation. This year its Reflections, said Arzhang Zafar, festival and programming director. The concept was apparent in several of the films we were looking at for the festival  not just in terms of reflecting upon things, but also the idea of things being reflected back  the idea of parallel worlds, parallel spaces.

This years festival opens Nov. 7 at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, with All That We Love, the latest film from director Yen Tan, which stars comedian Margaret Cho as a woman coping with the death of her dog, and seeking greater human connection. It will be followed by a talkback with the director and the opening night gala.

It has a sort of melancholy reflective vibe, Zafar said of the film. What I appreciate also is that it focuses on folks who are a little bit older, who are sort of in middle age, who are reflecting on their lives, and how they are moving forward.

The festivals closing night film, on Nov. 17 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, is Carefully Taught, a documentary from director Cynthia Kao, about the ways in which Asian people have been depicted in Western, and more specifically U.S. media, historically, and also currently, Zafar said.

Kao will appear for a panel discussion, along with Nathan Ramos-Park and Rosalind Chou, two of the participants in the film. It will be followed by a closing night reception.

Beyond the festival, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival is making a push into doing more year-round programming under new executive director Nani Shin.

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, Nov. 7-17; various venues, including the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Asian Arts Initiative, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Vox Populi. paaff.org

Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media Fall Fest (Nov. 14-24)

Philadelphia Jewish Film and Medias fall film festival has run for 44 years, under various names and formats. This years festival will be for 10 days, longer than it has been for most of the last few years, and feature a combination of old and new films.

Were getting so many more stories presented to us from across the globe that relate to the Jewish experience, whether they be fictional or nonfictional; everyone has something to say, and theyre all so unique and so different, said Matthew Bussy, Philadelphia Jewish Film and Medias program director.

The opening night film on Nov. 14 at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is The Blond Boy From the Casbah, a French film from Alexandre Arcady, about a filmmaker revisiting Algeria in the mid-20th century, with a framing device set in the present day.

Bussy calls it a very sweet coming-of-age story  about a little boy who loves movies, and hes just trying to find himself and try to survive.

On Nov. 16, also at the Weitzman is the centerpiece film Bad Shabbos, from director Daniel Robbins, which Bussy calls a New York City dark comedy, involving an awkward Sabbath dinner in a family headed by parents David Paymer and Kyra Sedgwick.

So many people hear Jewish movies, and they unfortunately immediately think that theyre gonna be sad, that theyre going to be Holocaust-related, and its great to see a movie with Jewish characters thats having so much fun with itself, Bussy said. Bad Shabbos won an audience award at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Among the Flashback Friday showings are Out in the Dark, Michael Mayers 2012 film about a queer relationship between an Israeli lawyer and a Palestinian student, which screens Nov. 15, and Barry Levinsons 1999 family drama Liberty Heights, which will screen at Kaiserman JCC on Nov. 22.

PJFM Fall Fest, Nov. 14-24, Various venues, including Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, Ambler Theater, Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, and Gratz College. phillyjfm.org

Noir City: Philadelphia (Nov. 15-17)

The Noir City program has been held in various cities, and it comes to Phoenixvilles Colonial Theatre in mid-November for the second year in a row.

Hosted by Turner Classic Movies Noir Alley host Eddie Muller, who is also the president of the Film Noir Foundation, the festival is a celebration of the film noir genre, featuring 10 films over three days from several countries.

The festival begins Nov. 15 with a double feature of the 1972 Argentine film Never Open That Door (No abras nunca esa puerta) and 1942s American film Street of Chance. It ends Nov. 17 with another double feature, 1958s Murder by Contract and 1962s Smog.

Noir City: Philadelphia, Nov. 15-17, the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville, thecolonialtheatre.com/films/classic-films/noir-city-philadelphia/
Theres nothing quite like grabbing a hot  or cold  cup of coffee from your local shop. Whether youre a latte fan, a matcha lover, or all about house drips, the Philly suburbs offers no shortage of neighborhood favorites.

Consider Char & Stave in Ardmore for blends dry-aged in whiskey barrels, or Gryphon Cafe in Wayne and West Chester for rose chai made with organic rose petals. Looking for a treat? Soltane in Phoenixville bakes fresh brownies and quiches.

Advertisement

Venture into Bucks, Delaware, or Chester Counties and find these six great coffee shops for your coffee or tea cravings.

Pretty Bird Coffee

In Yardley, Pretty Bird Coffee offers signature brews, from Nicaraguan-Colombian light roasts to single origins which are roasted in their own facility, in a cozy house on South Main Street. Specialty drinks come with homemade syrups, including blackberry amaretto and lavender. Brothers Paul and James Cain of Vault Brewing Company founded the shop in 2017 to bring a new wave of coffee and make it more accessible to the community, said Courtney Woolslayer, manager of the cafe. Along with coffee, the building at the South Main Street address also houses sister business Pretty Burger, open Tuesday through Sunday.

7 S. Main St., Yardley, Pa. 19067,  267-714-2800,  prettybirdcoffee.com

Char & Stave

At Char & Stave, folks will find coffee made by whiskey people, says owner Jared Adkins. The coffee and cocktail bar opened in Ardmore in 2022, then expanded to the Chestnut Hill neighborhood. Adkins, who also owns Bluebird Distilling in Phoenixville, began roasting small batches of coffee during the COVID-19 pandemic, and decided to buy a roaster to expand the coffee making into an online business. The Ardmore cafe became the flagship, where cocktail mixology meets coffee thats dry-aged in whiskey barrels at Bluebird Distilling. Anytime of the day [from 7 a.m. to midnight] you can get a coffee, including nonalcoholic barrel-aged coffee old-fashioned (with bitters, sugar, orange peel) and matcha mojito (with mint, sugar, lime, seltzer) drinks.

21 Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore, Pa. 19003,  charandstave.com

Gryphon Cafe

Brothers Rich and Colin Mattis opened Gryphon Cafe in Wayne in 1996. After Colin left for other endeavors, Richard expanded to Kensington in 2014, then West Chester in 2019 with business partner Len Mojzes. Gryphon Cafe started roasting its own coffee in 2010. Known for its cozy atmosphere and loyal patrons, Gryphons highlights include a fig and cardamom latte and a rose chai made with organic petals.

105 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, Pa. 19087 and 111 W. Gay St., West Chester, Pa. 19380,  610-688-1988 and 484-983-3909,  gryphoncoffee.com

Soltane Cafe

Soltane Cafe is a social enterprise of the Chester County nonprofit organization Camphill Soltane. For 13 years, it has provided work for adults with disabilities. Inside the Phoenixville coffee shop, customers will find local roasters Maquina and Broad Street Grind in specialty drinks with housemade syrups (pumpkin, brown sugar, lavender honey). Soltane also features a bakery that whips up savory quiches and frittatas, as well as scones, brownies, blondies, and cakes. Aspiring latte artists can work on their skills at the monthly latte art classes.

138 Bridge St., Phoenixville, Pa. 19460,  484-924-8042,  soltanecafe.com

Camellia Coffee House

Lansdownes Camellia Coffee House, run by Matt Saperstone, serves two blends from Philly-based Nilaa Coffee along with seasonal drinks like a squash spice latte and a cardamom vanilla mocha. Food options include breakfast biscuits, focaccia, and quiche. Nilaa Coffee is also available at Clark Park and Headhouse farmers markets.

20 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, Pa. 19050,  484-898-5592,  camelliacoffeehouse.com

Mayday

Just over a year and a half old, Mayday is a favorite for many, including Leslie Odom Jr., in West Chester. Austin Pionas coffee shop focuses on creating a safe space for people to seek refuge from everyday life and feel re-inspired. Inside, folks can grab a cup of joe and sit on one of the three couches or at the bar, surrounded by light wood, plants, and a neon sign that says maybe coffee is addicted to me. Piona serves Georgia-based Valor blends full-time, and rotates seasonal roasters like Coatesville-based Maquina. Favorite craft sippers include vanilla cream cold brew and a latte flight (pick three mini lattes with different flavors). If coffee isnt the move, consider the not coffee or matcha menus  theres a maple matcha, pumpkin chai, and smores hot chocolate to choose from. End the visit with some fresh flowers from their in-house florist.

123 N. High St., West Chester, Pa. 19380,  445-888-1155,  maydaycoffeeshop.com
Catriona Harrop, senior vice president of Jefferson Medical Group, right, talks to Tommy Brown, a central scheduling representative, during a demonstration of the virtual checkout program at Jefferson's new Honickman Center. Read more

After the doctor says goodbye and closes the exam room door, an LCD screen on the wall flashes with instructions for the patient still inside: fully dress, flip open the camera lens, and press continue to call a checkout staffer.

Less than a minute passes before the camera light flashes and a Jefferson Health scheduling staff member appears on screen.

Advertisement

Hi, Im Tommy. Ill be helping you with your virtual checkout, Tommy Brown, a central scheduling representative, said during a recent demonstration of the health systems new virtual checkout technology.

Jefferson Health wants to do away with the often tedious final step of a medical appointment: the checkout.

Patients normally queue up in line to check out at the offices front desk. But at the Honickman Center, a remote staffer helps tie up loose ends and schedule follow-up visits virtually, before patients leave the exam room.

Jefferson debuted its virtual checkout process earlier this year when it opened the towering medical building with 300 exam rooms and 10 operating rooms. The new Honickman Center in Center City is where the largest nonprofit health system in the region sees patients for asthma, urology, rheumatology, and other services that dont require hospitalization.

The approach is intended to make checkout faster and more private for patients, who now wait an average of 30 seconds before a remote patient support team member pops up on screen to greet them. Administrators say they have also reduced the number of patients who leave without follow-up appointments scheduled, but dont yet have data to show.

Jeffersons model is the first of its kind nationally, leaders say, as health systems in Philadelphia and beyond are increasingly looking for ways to use technology and artificial intelligence to improve daily operations.

Penn Medicine uses virtual monitors in its ICU to more closely watch complex surgeries and respond within seconds when a patient needs help. Lehigh Valley Health Network, recently acquired by Jefferson, uses monitors mounted in patient rooms to connect to doctors and nurses to discharge patients virtually, if they arent available for an in-person consultation.

But such innovation can create new challenges: Jefferson Abington Hospital was cited by the Pennsylvania Department of Health earlier this year after inspectors found that the virtual sitters the hospital had installed in behavioral health rooms to keep a closer watch on at-risk patients posed a safety risk. Inspectors said patients could strangle themselves with the eight-foot-long extension cord plugging in the machine to the wall.

With its virtual checkout, Jefferson must take extra precautions to secure private patient information now being communicated to a staff member working remotely in their own home. Administrators also had to convince doctors, who were skeptical that the approach would tie up exam rooms and slow them down. And while the technology is designed to be user-friendly, some patients may prefer in-person conversations or still need to follow up with a live staff member.

Still, they say the virtual approach has proven worthwhile. The health system plans to expand virtual checkout to more of its facilities within the next six months.

Its a much more personal interaction for the patient, rather than nextnext said Catriona Harrop, senior vice president of Jefferson Medical Group.

Tech advancements at Honickman

The $762 million Honickman Center at 11th and Chestnut streets was designed to embrace new technology.

The lobby features self-check-in kiosks, much like those used to check in at the airport. The buildings walls are patterned with deep grooves designed to be touched to calm sensory overload.

Such features represent the future of health care by blending physical and virtual care, while enhancing the human interaction between a patient and their care provider, Jefferson Health President Baligh R. Yehia said when the center opened in April.

The 43-inch LCD screens mounted on each exam room wall were among the features administrators are most excited about. They can play music or breathing exercises to help soothe nerves before an appointment.

The screens can be used to virtually include in appointments a family member or other medical provider who cant be there in person, and can help patients check out when the appointment is over.

When the doctor closes out of their notes on the computer, the system is prompted to show a screen with step-by-step instructions: fully dress and when youre ready, flip open the camera lens (or opt to check out with the camera off), then press the continue button to call a checkout staffer.

Christiana Santiago, 35, said she appreciated being able to complete her appointment in a private room, where she doesnt have to worry about other people overhearing her personal information.

The large screen and volume controls are thoughtful features for people who may be hard of hearing or seeing, said Santiago, who lives in Northeast Philadelphia.

I think its wonderful, said Michelle A. Freeman, 66, of Philadelphia. Shes been to the new building three times, but is still figuring out where everything is. Being able to check out in the exam rooms means a little less wandering around, she said.

Some patients arent as keen on the new technology.

I like the old way better, said Frank Buonadonna, 67, of Philadelphia. He thought it was a little weird to talk to a scheduling staffer through video, instead of in person.

A nurse helped him use the virtual checkout after his appointment Monday morning because he wasnt sure what to do, he said.

Expanding virtual checkout

Roughly 64% of patients  some 600 people a day  have used the virtual screens to check out of their appointments since the building opened in April.

The remaining 36% used a staffed checkout desk. That includes patients who needed multiple follow-up appointments or had more complex needs, and needed to coordinate with an in-house patient support staffer.

Some patients, like Buonadonna, still need assistance using the program. Others may be wary of sharing information virtually.

Brown, one of the scheduling representatives for Honickmans virtual checkout, said that some people question whether he is a real person or an artificial intelligence creation.

He wears a Jefferson blue collared shirt and sits at a computer in front of a blue fabric backdrop in his spare bedroom at home in East Falls when hes working with patients.

All virtual scheduling representatives wear headsets, so their conversations arent overheard. They use Jefferson-issued computers that are connected to the health systems Epic electronic medical record system and heavily firewalled for security.

So far, the technology is only used at Honickman, where it was built into the buildings design.

But virtual checkout could also be done on tablets handed to patients at the end of the appointment, Harrop said.

She declined to say which Jefferson facilities will adopt the virtual checkout program next.
It's unlikely, but former President Donald Trump (left) and Vice President Kamala Harris (right) could end up tied in the Electoral College. Read more

As voters head to the polls in the 2024 election, there remains a possible but unlikely scenario that Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump could end up in an Electoral College tie.

Thanks to the 23rd Amendment, which gives electors to the District of Columbia, there are 538 votes in the Electoral College. Because its an even number, its mathematically possible the election could end in a 269-269 tie, one short of the 270 needed to win the presidency.

Advertisement

Possible doesnt mean likely. There has only been one Electoral College tie in history, and the last time a candidate didnt win the Electoral College outright was 200 years ago. But there are a few potential scenarios that could end with Harris and Trump each receiving 269 votes in the Electoral College.

Heres everything to know about what happens if theres an Electoral College tie.

 READ MORE: Live coverage of Election Day in Pennsylvania

What is the Electoral College, and how are the number of votes determined?

The Electoral College is the process established in the Constitution for electing the president and vice president every four years, which the Founding Fathers intended as a compromise between a direct election by popular vote and having the positions selected by Congress. It was also designed to benefit southern states, which were granted extra congressional representation based on their population of enslaved people.

There are 538 total electors divided across the 50 states and the District of Columbia. States get two votes for each senator and a vote for each member of the House of Representatives. So Pennsylvania  with two senators and 17 representatives  has 19 votes.

Two states  Nebraska and Maine  split their electoral votes by congressional district.

To win the presidency, a candidate needs to secure 270 electoral votes, a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, as the Constitution requires.

What are the scenarios where Harris and Trump could end up tied?

Here are three scenarios where the election could end in a 269-269 Electoral College:

First scenario

Trump wins the so-called Blue Wall states of Pennsylvania and Michigan, plus Georgia, but Harris keeps Wisconsin and wins Arizona, Nevada, and North Carolina.

Second scenario

Trump wins all three Blue Wall states  Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin  and Nevada, but Harris takes North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona.

Third scenario

Trump wins Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina, but Harris holds onto Wisconsin and wins Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada.

Who becomes president if theres an Electoral College tie?

As outlined in the 12th Amendment, if there is a tie in the Electoral College (or if one candidate doesnt receive a majority of votes, possibly due to third-party candidates), the presidential election would move to the House, where each states congressional delegation would get one vote.

To secure the presidency, a candidate would need to receive 26 votes. In this scenario, the District of Columbia would not get a vote, because it is not a state.

Republicans control 26 state delegations, while Democrats have a majority of 22 delegations. Two states have delegations with an equal number of Republicans and Democrats  Minnesota and North Carolina. If a states delegation is deadlocked, it wouldnt get a vote.

However, it would be the new Congress elected on Nov. 5 that would break a tie in the Electoral College. So if Democrats gain seats during the 2024 election, it could give Harris a better shot a winning the presidency in the remote chance of a tie.

The vice president would be decided by a simple majority vote in the Senate, which Democrats currently control. So its possible you could see a president and vice president from different parties in the event of an Electoral College tie.

Has there ever been a tie in the Electoral College?

Just once. In 1800, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied in the Electoral College. It went to the House, which ultimately chose Jefferson as president and Burr as his vice president. (The Senate did not elect Burr, because until the 12th amendment was ratified in 1804, the presidential candidate with the second most votes became vice president.)

In the 1824 presidential election, no candidate earned a majority of electoral votes. Andrew Jackson received the most with 99, but that put him 32 short of the number required at the time to win the presidency. John Quincy Adams received 84 electoral votes, 15 less than Jackson, but was chosen by the House and was ultimately elected president.
Philadelphia law enforcement officials said Monday they are prepared for Tuesdays election and issued steep warnings to anyone who may seek to interfere with the democratic process.

F around and find out, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner repeated three times, referring to people who may try to intimidate voters, play militia or mistreat or threaten voters.

Advertisement

Krasner was joined by representatives from his office, the Philadelphia Sheriffs Office, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the Philadelphia City Commissioners, who are in charge of running the citys elections.

Each agency sought to reassure voters that, while they didnt expect problems at polling places or the citys counting center, they were prepared to respond to any issues and ensure a safe voting experience.

We dont have any deep abiding fears or concerns, we dont have reports, I want people to be reassured that when they get up tomorrow to go vote, if they havent voted already, that everybody in this city is working and has been working for months to make sure that there will be nothing tough about that experience and nothing to fear, Krasner said.

The district attorney spoke about election interference just hours before a judge shot down a lawsuit he filed against Elon Musk over the tech billionaires daily $1 million giveaway to voters in battleground states, denying Krasners request for an injunction preventing Musk and his America PAC from continuing to operate in Pennsylvania.
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive its biggest stories as soon as theyre published.

In public remarks, former President Donald Trump has repeatedly made unfounded claims about the threat of widespread voting by illegal aliens and noncitizens in the 2024 election.

Advertisement

Away from the spotlight, though, at least one Republican National Committee official is telling volunteer poll watchers a completely different story: that such voting is close to impossible.

In a private Oct. 29 training session for poll watchers in Pennsylvania, an RNC election-integrity specialist told volunteers not to worry about noncitizen voting in the 2024 election because the electoral system had safeguards in place to prevent unlawful votes.

ProPublica obtained a recording of the training session. The RNC officials comments have not been previously reported.

Watch Footage From an RNC Election Training Session:

 READ MORE: If Trump loses in November, GOP may blame inflated concerns about noncitizen voting  like Pa. mail ballots in 2020

The RNC officials assurance contradicts statements made by Trump and his Republican allies warning about illegal aliens casting ballots this year and potentially swinging the election in favor of Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris.

It is good to see the RNC official recognizing the truth, in contrast to the many lies about noncitizen voting coming from Trump and his allies, said Rick Hasen, a professor and election-law expert at the UCLA School of Law. It would be even better for the officials to say it publicly.

The RNC official who led the training session and a spokesperson for the RNC did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to ProPublica that Democrats were pushing for noncitizens to vote and influence the future of our country, adding, President Trump and the RNC will continue the fight to secure tomorrows election so that every American vote is protected.

Voting by noncitizens is illegal under federal law and it almost never happens. State and federal elections require voters to be U.S. citizens. Government election officials from both parties have emphasized that there are protections in place across the country to prevent noncitizens from casting a ballot.

Yet that hasnt stopped Trump and some of his most high-profile supporters from making unfounded claims that noncitizens are registering and voting in large numbers this year. THE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO STUFF VOTER REGISTRATIONS WITH ILLEGAL ALIENS, Trump posted on Truth Social in September. Other prominent Trump supporters, including billionaire tech investor Elon Musk and House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, have also amplified unfounded claims about Democrats seeking to import such voters.

But on the ground, Trumps own party, at least in the important battleground state of Pennsylvania, is undercutting those dark visions of illegal voting. During the Oct. 29 training session, Joe Neild, a member of RNCs election integrity team in the state, said such a scenario is nearly impossible.

A participant in the training session asked Neild about the potential for noncitizens to cast votes in the election and what poll watchers could do to stop them.

Neild replied that, in Pennsylvania, undocumented people cant legally register to vote and so they would not be included in the list of eligible voters used at voting precincts, known as poll books.

Here is the exchange:

Training participant: I have two questions. The first one is: How do you know if they are illegal aliens or not, like, when theyre voting, as far as what you were explaining with the ID? And if theyre from another country it was OK as long as they had an ID. How do you know if theyre illegal aliens? How can you stop that?

Neild: Well, if theyre illegal aliens, theyre not going to be inside the poll book. Because if theyre illegal aliens, theyre not going to be able to register to vote, because theyll need a drivers license number or a Social Security number.

And since the recent litigation in the years past, you do have  to be able to get a drivers license here in Pennsylvania, you have to show proof of citizenship. So that is one way that they will not be able to get a drivers license.

And then you have to be  since theyre illegal, theyre not going to be able to get a Social Security number either.

Three election-law experts reviewed the exchange between Neild and the poll-watcher trainee. All of them said that Neilds description of the law and the safeguards in place against noncitizen voting were accurate.

Adam Bonin, a lawyer in Philadelphia who practices election law, said Neild gave an accurate description of Pennsylvania law and the safeguards against noncitizen voting there. Bonin said Neilds comments were absolutely consistent with what Pennsylvanias secretary of the Commonwealth, Al Schmidt, a Republican, has said about preventing noncitizen voting.

As has been the case before, Trump has local experts on his team who know what the law is here in Pennsylvania and who understand the reality of how our elections work, Bonin said.

Justin Levitt, a professor at Loyola Law School and an expert on voting rights who worked in the Obama and Biden administrations, said he applauded Neild for using factual information in his training session. Levitt added that he was not surprised to hear Republican volunteers raising fears of noncitizen voting given Trumps campaign rhetoric.

Theres been a very effective effort to misinform, Levitt said. But Im glad that when push comes to shove and it comes time to really get training, theyre being set straight.

In addition to the registration hurdles Neild pointed out, Levitt explained that there are clear incentives to discourage noncitizens from voting in U.S. elections. Criminal penalties can include a hefty fine and prison time as well as deportation and losing the ability to become a U.S. citizen in the future. Whats more, Levitt added, the very act of voting creates a clear and obvious paper trail, making it that much easier for law enforcement to bring criminal charges for illegal voting.

Every once in a blue moon you see noncitizens showing up on the rolls, he said. Its usually by mistake because its just not worth it, and theyre gonna get caught, guaranteed.

Levitt said that he only wished the factual information given out by the RNC at the grassroots level was also reaching the partys presidential nominee. It sounds like the former president should be sitting in on some sessions with the people training his poll watchers, Levitt said.

Andy Kroll is a reporter for ProPublica covering voting, elections and democracy. andy.kroll@propublica.org
12th World Urban Forum kicks off in Egypt, spotlight on regional conflicts

Xinhua) 08:32, November 05, 2024

People attend the opening ceremony of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum in New Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 4, 2024. The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) kicked off on Monday in New Cairo, Egypt, marking the forum's first return to Africa in more than two decades. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) kicked off on Monday in New Cairo, Egypt, marking the forum's first return to Africa in more than two decades.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said this year's WUF convenes at a critical time, as successive global crises, including devastating wars, have catastrophic repercussions for cities and urban communities.

This requires efforts and political will to establish peace, terminate conflicts, and prioritize development, and reconstruction, he added.

Noting the ongoing wars and conflicts in the Middle East, primarily the war in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, he urged urgent response to end the bloodshed and destruction, and to embark on processes of reconstruction and development.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Israeli offensive has damaged 80 percent of facilities, hospitals, and buildings in the Gaza Strip. He noted more than 150,000 Palestinians were either killed or wounded, calling on the international community to take their responsibilities to stop the Israeli offensive.

At the opening ceremony, the Egyptian president announced the launch of the "National Smart Cities Strategy" and the "National Green Urbanization Strategy," which aim to reinforce ongoing national endeavors in promoting urbanization.

Co-organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) and the Egyptian government, the WUF12 will run until Friday, attracting attendees such as government officials, academics, business people, community leaders, urban planners and civil society representatives. A delegation led by Chinese Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong also attended the opening ceremony.

The WUF was established in 2001 by the United Nations to examine urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies. The first WUF was held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2002.

During the conference, Azerbaijan was announced as the next host for the forum.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (at the podium) speaks at the opening ceremony of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum in New Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 4, 2024. The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) kicked off on Monday in New Cairo, Egypt, marking the forum's first return to Africa in more than two decades. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

People attend the opening ceremony of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum in New Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 4, 2024. The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) kicked off on Monday in New Cairo, Egypt, marking the forum's first return to Africa in more than two decades. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi speaks at the opening ceremony of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum in New Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 4, 2024. The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) kicked off on Monday in New Cairo, Egypt, marking the forum's first return to Africa in more than two decades. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Anaclaudia Rossbach, executive director of the UN Human Settlements Program, speaks at the opening ceremony of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum in New Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 4, 2024. The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) kicked off on Monday in New Cairo, Egypt, marking the forum's first return to Africa in more than two decades. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The two deals, financial terms of which were not disclosed, come on the heels of a series of acquisitions by the global brokerage. Recent transactions include Washington-based Adept Benefits, Filos Agency in New York, Australian business Via Financial Group, and Redington Ltd in the UK.
The E&O program distinguishes itself with a broad, adaptable set of insurance options and includes a unique personal protection endorsement exclusively for insured real estate agents. Further details are available on CITAs website, where those interested can also explore opportunities to become part of CITAs distribution network.
Historically, GPR has reported positive net results, supported by favorable technical performance as it pursues new business within its group. The companys technical approach and new business lines will continue to be monitored by AM Best for their impact on operating performance, with an expectation that GPR will sustain premium sufficiency and consistent profitability trends.
Its a pleasure to be joining the impressive team at Miller, whose reputation for service excellence goes hand-in-hand with its commitment to innovation. Millers entrepreneurial culture, client-first approach and concerted international expansion made this an extremely attractive move and Im excited to be getting started, Jolley said.
This transaction is an important milestone in Swiss Re's plan to withdraw from the iptiQ business as we strive to deliver the best possible outcome for the different units within the business and for all our stakeholders, said Jef Van In (pictured above), CEO of iptiQ. We remain fully committed to supporting all our clients, partners and colleagues during the transition period.
Theres nothing quite like a conference to bring together colleagues, peers and competitors aligned under a common goal  and to take the temperature of a sector. The recent International Life and Annuity Conference was an opportunity to do just that, with BILTIR CEO Suzanne Williams-Charles (pictured) highlighting that: People are feeling optimistic about the market. As the only industry event focused on the long-term insurance industry in Bermuda, the conference is unique within both the local and global landscape. This year was its 12th iteration to date and, with 493 registrants, its largest subscription to date. The event has steadily grown over the years, Williams-Charles said, and it is becoming a staple calendar event for industry executives in the life re/insurance space due to the importance of the Bermuda market.

What was on the agenda at the 2024 International Life and Annuity Conference?

Identifying some of the key themes of the event, she noted that top of the agenda was discussing the growth and evolution of the long-term re/insurance industry. Of course, she said, having strong regulations is crucial to our industry, and we discussed Bermuda as a world-class example of finding the balance between strict regulation and room for growth. In our panel focused on insights from Japan, the panelists opined on how Bermudas regulatory framework benefits a wide variety of stakeholders, which attracts Japanese life insurers to the area. The panel spoke of a Japanese term called SAMPO  YOSHI, explaining how Japanese life insurers seeking life reinsurance opportunities in Japan are good for the seller, good for the buyer, and good for society and how the environment in Bermuda aligns with this principle.

Many panelists also provided their thoughts on raising capital that lends itself to asset and liability optimization, she said, outlining that its more beneficial than the current misconceptions within the larger industry. One panelist spoke against views that private equity-backed firms will encourage greater risk taking on the investment side and countered that explaining how private markets can often take a longer-term view and are better suited to weather short-term volatility than public markets overall. They are well placed to be in it for the long haul.
A judge ruled Thursday that Karen Read wont have to give a deposition in her wrongful death lawsuit until after her criminal trial in January.

The brief from Judge William M. White Jr. on Thursday effectively delays the lawsuit, which blames Read for the death of John OKeefe, the Boston police officer who was her boyfriend. The lawsuit also describes negligence by bars that continued to serve drinks to her despite signs she was drunk.

Read has pleaded not guilty and awaits retrial on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Her two-month criminal trial ended in July when the judge declared a mistrial after jurors said they were deadlocked. The judge dismissed arguments that jurors later said they had unanimously agreed Read wasnt guilty on the charges of second-degree murder and leaving the scene.

Read has appealed the ruling to the states highest court. Next week, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court will hear oral arguments in her bid to dismiss the two charges.

Reads attorneys had filed a motion to delay a trial on the lawsuit, citing that the criminal action would adversely affect Reads Fifth Amendment rights and her ability to vigorously defend herself from criminal prosecution.

Related: Police Officers Family Sues Girlfriend Accused of His Death and Bars That Served Her

Read is accused of ramming into OKeefe with her SUV and leaving him for dead in a January 2022 snowstorm. A second trial is scheduled for Jan. 27.

But an attorney for OKeefes brother, Paul, and other relatives who filed the wrongful death lawsuit oppose any delays. They suggested the reliance on the Fifth Amendment ignored that she has spoken publicly about her case several times to the media and will be the subject of at least one upcoming documentary.

After the barhopping, Read  a former adjunct professor at Bentley College  dropped off OKeefe, a 16-year member of the Boston Police Department, outside the Canton home of another police officer. His body was found in the front yard. An autopsy found OKeefe died of hypothermia and blunt force trauma.

Reads lawyers argued that OKeefe was killed inside the home and that those involved chose to frame her because she was a convenient outsider.

Top Photo: Defendant Karen Read, center, departs Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Fraud Legislation
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has filed suit against a York, Pennsylvania, manufacturing company alleging the company wrongly terminated an employee who raised safety concerns when directed to use a ladder to move stock items when they believed a forklift would be safer.

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the action follows an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that determined Red Lion Controls Inc. violated the whistleblower provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act by firing the employee for refusing to use a ladder to complete the task.

According to a DOL press release, the employee reported that they could not maintain the required three points of contact to ensure ladder safety and needed to use a forklift. The DOL reported that investigators also learned the company negated the employees concerns and responded that the task could easily be done while on a ladder and suggested other employees were able to use a ladder to complete the task. After the employee held firm, the company terminated them.

Every worker deserves a safe workplace and the freedom to report unsafe conditions without the threat of retaliation, said OSHA Regional Administrator Michael Rivera in Philadelphia. Employers must understand that retaliation or termination for speaking up about hazards is not only unlawful but undermines the protections meant to keep workers safe.

The departments suit asks the court to hold Red Lion Controls liable for illegal retaliation, and to reinstate them and pay back wages and damages.

When employees exercise their right to report unsafe workplace conditions and face any form of retaliation, we will pursue all legal remedies to ensure employees are made whole and employers do not engage in similar conduct in the future, said Regional Solicitor of Labor Samantha Thomas in Philadelphia.

A subsidiary of HMS Networks AB, a provider of industrial information and communication technology, Red Lion Controls Inc. serves customers in factory automation, alternative energy, oil and gas, power and utilities, transportation, water and wastewater industries.

Source: Department of Labor

Topics Pennsylvania Manufacturing
Holding signs with slogans including stop the plop and species not feces, thousands of people marched in London on Sunday to demand a cleanup of Britains sewage-clogged waterways.

Organizers estimated that 15,000 people took part in the march along the River Thames to Parliament, many wearing blue and waving blue flags to form a human river. Police did not give an estimate of the crowd.

The March for Clean Water was organized by groups ranging from Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth to British Rowing.

Water pollution has become an increasingly high-profile issue in Britain, focusing attention on climate change and the legacy of privatization of Britains utilities several decades ago.

British Water Companies Fight $2 Billion Lawsuits Over Sewage Pollution

Private companies that provide both water and sewage have failed to update their often-Victorian infrastructure as populations have grown and demand swelled. Leaks are common, and during heavy rainfall companies discharge raw sewage into rivers, lakes and the sea. The number of discharges increased by more than 50% last year to a record 464,000 spills, according to the Environment Agency.

Pollution from farm runoff also taints Britains waterways, and climate change is making the situation worse by bringing more intense rain.

Rower Imogen Grant, a gold medalist at the 2024 Olympic Games, said it was commonplace for rowers to get sick after training on the Thames.

I spend hours and hours on the water training every day in the rowing boats during my sessions, and seeing nappies floating along, seeing plastic bags, seeing scum along the pontoons that were training on  Its just not good enough and something needs to change, she said.

Water companies say the industry regulator wont allow them to raise water bills enough to finance improvements.

The Labour Party government, elected in July, has introduced a bill to strengthen regulation and impose tougher penalties on water companies responsible for pollution. But the demonstrators said more needs to be done.

Nature broadcaster Chris Packham, who attended the march, said Britains rivers are among the worst in Europe.

But Im hopeful, firstly because we know what we need to do, and we have the technologies to fix it. What we need to do is to convince our new government to act more rapidly, he said.

Photograph: People take part in the Clean Water march to demand tougher action on keeping the UKs rivers and seas clean, in London, on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (Ben Whitley/PA via AP)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Trends London
Specialist Risk Group (SRG), the London-based specialist insurance intermediary that is majority-owned by Warburg Pincus and Temasek, announced the acquisition of specialist reinsurance firm NW Re.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

SRG said the acquisition reinforces its commitment to the broker and underwriting intermediary market, by investing in specialist underwriting capability and technical expertise.

Founded in 2020 by seasoned industry experts Neil Wallis, Neil Walker, and Tallis Kemp, NW Re is a profitable and robust business which provides property facultative reinsurance and excess of loss insurance across a range of occupancies, including retail, manufacturing, offices, real estate and leisure.

The team at NW Re will join forces with SRGs underwriting pillar, MX, to support SRGs vision of creating a comprehensive one-stop shop of specialist underwriting solutions for its broker partners.

NW Res expertise and focus on disciplined, profitable underwriting in the UK property reinsurance market is an ideal addition to MX, SRG said.

This deal marks yet another exciting step in the growth of our underwriting pillar, MX. The NW Re team has built a brilliant business that perfectly complements our focus on providing specialist solutions for brokers and their clients, commented Lee Anderson, group deputy CEO of SRG, in a statement.

There is no doubt that the NW Re team will add significant value to MXs capability as we continue to expand our specialisms and deliver even more value for our broker partners, Anderson added.

We are delighted to be joining Specialist Risk Group and to be working alongside our new colleagues at MX, according to Neil Wallis, co-founder of NW Re, which is based in Sittingbourne, England.

From the outset, we have always maintained the goal of providing reliable, tailored insurance solutions in the UK market, Wallis added. Partnering with SRG now enables us to bring our expertise to a wider audience and to work within a group that totally shares our commitment to specialty insurance. We look forward to providing even greater value to our broker partners working in partnership with our new colleagues from SRG and the MX team.

Source: Specialist Risk Group (SRG)

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Insurance Wholesale
WEBBERVILLE, Mich. (AP)  A section of Interstate 96 in southeast Michigan remained closed Sunday after a semitruck crashed into more than a dozen vehicles overnight, killing 4 people and injuring 17 others, according to state police.

Traffic on I-96 near Webberville had been temporarily stopped late Saturday as utility crews were completing work on power lines in the area. A semitruck with a trailer was heading westbound around 11:45 p.m. and crashed into the stalled vehicles.

It appears the driver of the semi-truck did not see the backup and could not stop his vehicle in time, Michigan State Police said in a statement on the social media platform X.

The impact caused the semitruck and several vehicles to catch fire. Police said more than a dozen vehicles were involved in the crash.

Police confirmed four deaths and said 17 people, including the driver of the truck, were injured and transported to nearby hospitals.

Michigan State Police said Sunday that the victims were a 29-year-old man from Carson City who was driving a Ford pickup and three relatives from Lansing who were in a Chevy Trax. They were identified as a 20-year-old female, a 43-year-old female and a 47-year-old male. Police did not say how they were related.

Authorities continued cleanup efforts Sunday and said I-96 near the site of the accident would be closed for an indefinite period.

Topics Michigan Trucking
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. announced the acquisition of Fenton, Michigan-based Peabody Insurance Agency, Inc. (Peabody Insurance). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Peabody Insurance is a retail insurance agency serving commercial and personal lines clients primarily in southeast Michigan with specializations in construction, manufacturing and multifamily real estate. Jim Peabody, Grace Peabody-Ljoljic, their family and team will remain in their current location under the direction of Sean Gallagher, head of Gallaghers Great Lakes region retail property/casualty brokerage operations.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Michigan A.J. Gallagher
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  Severe storms and tornadoes battered Oklahoma early Sunday, tossing cars and ripping roofs off buildings in the middle of the night and leaving tens of thousands of homes and businesses without power. Among numerous injuries, 11 people required hospitalization, authorities said.

Much of the damage was reported in and around the state capital of Oklahoma City, near the states center, but also scattered elsewhere around the state. The early morning storms set off tornado warnings that extended south to the Arkansas state line. Heavy rains caused flash flooding in some areas and one lightning-sparked house fire was reported.

More than 99,000 Oklahoma homes and businesses lost power during the overnight storms. By late Sunday afternoon, that number was reduced to around 24,000. No fatalities had been reported.

Richard Thompson, forecast chief for the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma, said he believes six or more tornadoes hit the state overnight. Meanwhile, forecasters warned state residents to brace for more heavy rain and possible severe weather through Monday.

Were not done with it yet, he said.

A tornado watch for much of the central and southeast part of Oklahoma was in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday. Other areas were under thunderstorm or flood watches.

In the town of Choctaw, east of Oklahoma City, firefighters and police officers went door to door Sunday morning to ask about injuries.

It leveled a complete neighborhood in Choctaw, the towns mayor, Chad Allcox, told The Associated Press. He added that debris hindered search and rescue efforts. Power lines are down everywhere  a lot of the roads are blocked, hard to get through. Very large trees blocking roadways.

Oklahoma City Fire Department spokesman Scott Douglas told the AP that heavy rain and the lingering threat of tornadoes in the early morning darkness complicated early search and rescue efforts. He described a first sweep of hard-hit areas around 1:30 a.m.

It was a heavy downpour. We were trying to sweep the area with another possibility of a tornado coming through, he said. So that was in the back of our minds, too.

Emergency workers had to free two people from an overturned mobile home, including a woman injured when an air conditioner landed on her leg, Douglas said.

The scale of the damage came into focus as daylight broke. Local television footage showed downed power lines, walls peeled off homes, overturned vehicles and neighborhood streets littered with debris.

Douglas said 11 people were transported to hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening. There were some other minor injuries, some walking wounded, that were going to get treatment on their own, Douglas said.

Allcox said early weather warnings and tornado sirens likely saved lives.

A handful of shelters  including one opened at a casino by the American Red Cross  are available for displaced residents or those without power, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said.

The Oklahoma Heart Hospital South also sustained damage, state health officials said.

At the University of Oklahoma, school officials had urged students and staff to seek shelter and move to the lowest floor as storms approached the campus after midnight. The National Weather Service office in Norman also issued urgent warnings, posting on social media: If youre in the path of this storm, take cover immediately!

Parts of Oklahoma remained at risk for more heavy rainfall and thunderstorms later Sunday.

___

Associated Press reporters Kevin McGill in New Orleans and Jackie Quinn in Washington contributed.

Photo: A women stands outside a damaged home after a tornado hit the area in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman via AP)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Oklahoma
ERWIN, Tenn. (AP)  Rescue workers in Tennessee have recovered the body of the final person still missing after massive flooding from Hurricane Helene hit a plastics factory there.

Rosa Andrade, 29, was one of six employees killed after they were unable to escape the rising waters around Impact Plastics in Erwin, a small town in East Tennessee. Surviving workers have stated they were not allowed to leave until water had flooded the plants parking lot and the power went out. Eleven people were swept away and only five were rescued.

The captain of Unicoi County Search and Rescue, Andrew Harris, said emergency workers discovered Andrades body on Wednesday, more than a month after the Sept. 27 flood of the Nolichucky River.

Normally running 2 feet (61 centimeters) deep, the river rose to a record 30 feet (9.1 meters) that day, with more than 1.4 million gallons (5.3 million liters) of water running downstream each second  twice as much as Niagara Falls.

Relatives of some of those who were killed have sued Impact Plastics and its owner, Gerald OConnor. They include the family of Johnny Peterson, who managed to climb onto a bed of a semi-trailer that was attempting to escape the area and send text messages to his family before being swept away.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is probing the allegations involving Impact Plastics at the direction of the local prosecutor. The states workplace safety office has also opened its own investigation into the circumstances behind the deaths.

OConnor has said no employees were forced to keep working, and they were evacuated at least 45 minutes before the massive force of the flood hit the industrial park.

The workers who died were among the more than 200 people killed by Helene in remote towns throughout the Appalachians. It was the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005. The storm also left millions without power, knocked out cellular service and destroyed drinking water systems.

Top photo: The Impact Plastics site in Erwin, Tennessee, after the flood. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Flood Manufacturing Tennessee
In Floridas weed wars, the big money is going against Governor Ron DeSantis and the financier of his anti-cannabis crusade, billionaire Ken Griffin.

The Citadel founder has funded about half of the campaign against a referendum on legalizing recreational marijuana in Florida  or $12 million. DeSantis efforts to secure more money have fizzled.

That total pales in comparison with the $153 million the cannabis industry has poured into the ballot initiative, known as Amendment 3. The most recent polling shows 60% or more of Florida voters support the proposition, just enough to pass on Tuesday.

To get there, Big Weed has powerful allies, including the two leading candidates for president. Palm Beach resident Donald Trump says hell vote for Amendment 3, and Vice President Kamala Harris has pledged to legalize marijuana nationwide if elected.

The South Florida Teamsters union endorsed it, too. The pro-weed spokesman, John Morgan, a celebrity personal injury lawyer who calls himself Pot Daddy, spent more than $15 million on the campaign that legalized medical marijuana in the Sunshine State in a 2016 referendum. Not surprisingly, he supports this years proposal as well, despite opposition from Griffin and the governor.

Im more in favor of it than I was when I began all of this, said Morgan, who monetizes his advocacy by selling Pot Daddy merchandise on the website of his 1,000-lawyer Orlando firm. I cant find one good argument against it.

Other wealthy opponents tried raising money for the anti-weed cause, with little success. Organizers scrapped plans for a late-summer fundraiser in Miami headlined by DeSantis, according to a person involved in the plan.

DeSantis has made up for the lack of private donors by having multiple state agencies fund public service ads about the risks of marijuana.One Department of Transportation spot features three sheriffs who publicly oppose Amendment 3, and the Department of Children and Families recently allocated $4 million for a campaign about the dangers of marijuana.

The governor also had his wife, Casey, take point, and shes zeroed in on how her husbands been outspent. A single company, Trulieve Cannabis Corp., has pumped roughly $145 million into the pro-weed campaign, or 94% of all the money raised.

This is not about freedom; this is about corporate greed, Casey DeSantis said at a news conference in Jacksonville on Oct. 24, flanked by sheriffs in the DOT ads.

High Stakes

For the $32 billion US weed industry, theres billions of dollars at stake.

Annual weed sales in Florida could jump 60% by 2028 to $4.5 billion, according to the cannabis market intelligence firm BDSA, super-charged by the states 23 million people and waves of tourists in Miami and other areas looking to party. Trulieve, which has more than $1 billion in annual sales, expects legalization to move 2.7 million Floridians into the legal weed market.

Legalizing marijuana has been a well-worn routine in the US: Two dozen other states have done it. But Florida is a major prize. Cannabis companies operate under a near-ban on access to banks because pot is illegal at the federal level. But with Florida on board, about 60% of the US population would have access to recreational weed, which advocates say will make national legalization more likely.

I think were at a tipping point in the United States, said Trulieve Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers. Trulieve has two-thirds of its medical marijuana dispensaries and multiple grow sites in Florida, and the potential for expansion makes it worth bankrolling the campaign for legalization, said Rivers.

Florida requires a ballot initiative to get 60% support to pass, a barrier thats expensive to overcome, Rivers said. And it cost $40 million to collect and certify the signatures needed to get it on the ballot, she said. A recent poll by Florida Atlantic University and Mainstreet Research USA, on Oct. 29, showed 60% of voters supported legalization and 34% opposed it, with 6% undecided.

On July 30, Griffin upped the ante withhis $12 million donation to Keep Florida Clean, the political committee chaired by James Uthmeier, the governors chief of staff.

A few days later, Griffin penned an opinion article in the Miami Herald, echoing DeSantis assertions that legal weed will scare away tourists with its pungent smell, lead kids to more dangerous drugs and drive up violent crime. He pointed out to a poll of Maryland voters, who overwhelmingly approved legalization in 2022, being divided on its positive impact.

Read more: Ken Griffin Gives Millions to Stop Recreational Weed in Florida

Weed is the latest political cause that Griffin has taken on since moving his family and Citadel to Miami from Chicago in 2022. Hes publicly lauded Miami for low crime, good schools and zero state taxes, while bashing Chicago.

Legalization will lead to skyrocketing crime, suffering among children and a decline in the quality of life in Floridas vibrant neighborhoods, Zia Ahmed, Griffins spokesman, said via email. Ken cares deeply about his states future, and Amendment 3 will take Florida in the wrong direction.

Advocates for legalization cite a US Department of Health and Human Services review of marijuana ordered by President Joe Biden. The vast majority of individuals who use marijuana are doing so in a manner that does not lead to dangerous outcomes to themselves or others, the HHS concluded in August 2023.

The agency recommends that the Drug Enforcement Administration reclassify marijuana as a so-called Schedule III drug, akin to Tylenol with codeine. Its now a Schedule I drug like heroin and LSD.

Whether were talking about cannabis legalization through the lens of public safety and crime, public health or it being a possible gateway drug, theres really mixed results, said Brian Keegan, a University of Colorado computer science professor whos studied research on the impacts of legalization.

Armando Codina, a Miami real estate tycoon, was so worried about the specter of legalization that he tried to rally wealthy people he knows to give money to DeSantis cause.

This is just a terrible idea for Florida, Codina said in an interview from his Coral Gables office.

But the pitch hasnt produced many big checks from individual donors. Keep Florida Clean raised about $24 million by late October, mostly from Griffin,a committee linked to the Florida Chamber of Commerce and an advocacy group, Save Our Society from Drugs, disclosures show.

By then, the pro-weed forces had already outspent them by more than 9-to-1.

Related: Insuring the Future of Cannabis: Navigating Risk in a High-Tech, High-Stakes Industry

Risk Management: The First Line of Defense in Cannabis Insurance

The Latest in Cannabis Insurance News

Top photo: Ken Griffin and Ron DeSantis. (Photographer: Christopher Dilts and Al Drago/Bloomberg)

Bloombergs Anna Kaiser co-authored this report.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Florida
Evelin Weber and her neighbors fled their Malibu homes as the deadly Woolsey Fire tore across the California coast in 2018. Ever since, haunted by fears of another blaze, shes spent $300,000 on fireproofing her house.

Weber installed a fire hydrant outside her $4 million home, built a new turnaround for firetrucks in her driveway, planted fire-resistant plants and cleared brush. She and her husband also founded the Malibu Foundation to provide financial help for Woolsey victims and offer education on fire prevention and preparation.

Im living in panic like four or five months out of the year now, she said. The risk of fire is too high and the risk will continue to get higher.

Her investment underscores a harsh new reality in California: Wildfire readiness is quickly becoming a financial necessity. As the state braces for its biggest insurance overhaul in decades, rising premiums are a given. Fire mitigation is likely to be one of the few levers property owners can reach for to get a break on premiums  or to secure or maintain coverage at all. Regulators say boosting preparedness has never been a bigger priority.

Its actually been an afterthought for decades and now it is front and center for us, said Michael Soller, a spokesperson at the California Department of Insurance, which is poised to finalize the market revamp by year-end. Everything that were doing, every single change that were making through the sustainable insurance strategy, all put wildfire safety at the center.

Insurance Pain

California experienced its deadliest and most destructive wildfire year in 2018, and millions more acres burned in 2020 and 2021. After a relative respite in 2022 and 2023, this year brought new devastation in terms of acres burned.

Insurers such as Allstate, USAA and State Farm have been sending out non-renewal notices to customers or leaving California altogether, citing state-imposed limits on rate increases and the increasing cost of fires.

To coax companies back to a state long known for consumer-friendly rules, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara plans to open the door to higher rate increases by allowing the use of forward-looking catastrophe models and accounting for reinsurance costs. At the same time, state officials want to make it easier for homeowners who invest in wildfire safety to receive larger savings.

California already requires insurers to provide discounts to homeowners who take steps to protect their properties. But as part of the regulatory changes, pricing will also factor in community-scale wildfire risk, potentially spurring more widespread investment in mitigation. Policyholders in the riskiest areas will benefit most, Soller said.

One big catch: the price tag.

A full retrofit of a typical 2,000-square-foot (186-square-meter) home in California involves installing new windows, enclosing eaves and replacing wooden decks or roofs, and the cost can easily soar to $40,000, according to a report earlier this year by researcher Headwaters Economics.

In extreme cases, the cost can reach $100,000. While cheaper measures such as clearing brush can also make a difference, simply installing flame-resistant gutters and replacing flammable mulch can still run as high as $15,000.

Camp Fire

In the town of Paradise, where 90% of local structures were destroyed in the 2018 Camp fire, many homeowners lack the money to make even minor improvements given the financial strain from rebuilding. Despite federal grants and a broad-based settlement with PG&E Corp. that covered that fire and two others, the town has only partially rebuilt.

A lot of people arent able to landscape because its so expensive, said Jen Goodlin, executive director at the Rebuild Paradise Foundation, which helps finance mitigation.

Insurance discounts are often too paltry to provide significant savings to consumers, said Carmen Balber, executive director of the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog.

Most insurance companies arent giving people meaningful mitigation discounts and that means discounts as an incentive to mitigate arent working, Balber said.

State Farm last month implemented a 0.1% break for homeowners in wildfire-prone areas who install fire resistant vents, multi-pane windows and clear combustible materials. For a policyholder paying an annual premium of about $13,788, that would amount to savings of $14.35, according to filings.

Even more substantial upgrades such as replacing a roof could result in a only 6% discount. But even customers who take all 12 of the states wildfire-prevention steps cant get more than 10%.

Wildfire mitigation discounts are one part of a wide range of potential discounts State Farm offers to eligible policyholders to help them manage risks and lower the cost of insurance, said Tom Hartmann, a spokesman for the insurer. We encourage our customers to check with their local State Farm agent to learn about the full range of discounts that may be available to them.

Government Support

State and federal grants, tax incentives or legislative action probably will also be needed, said Karen Collins, vice president of property and environment at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, a trade group. Its going to take a holistic set of incentives, she said.

But two bills to bring relief to consumers who cant get insurance despite hardening their homes failed in the legislature this year. Both initiatives aimed to reduce premiums by requiring companies to factor mitigation into their underwriting guidelines or catastrophe models when setting rates.

Insurance companies need to take into account these large-scale mitigation efforts, said state Senator Josh Becker, a Democrat from the San Francisco Bay Area who authored one of the bills. They wanted to make so many changes watering down the bill that wouldve made it useless. Its something were going to need to come back to.

For now, more Californians are investing in protecting what for many is their most valuable asset. At Komodo Fire Systems, a startup selling eco-friendly fire retardant, sales to homeowners doubled over the past year.

Its not a substitute for vegetation management and defensible space clearing, said Komodos Rob Latham, a former firefighter. But with customers willing to ramp up spending to buttress their homes, the interest is through the roof.

Top photo: A search and rescue crew member at a mobile home park destroyed by the Camp Fire in Paradise in 2018. Photographer: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire
Aurelie Godet is Cork International Film Festivals new director of programming.

Originally from Paris, movies have taken her all over the world  from programming in festivals such as the Berlinale and Locarno Film Festival, to promoting French films in New York, to launching a film festival in Sri Lanka.

Shes married to an English man, and lives in Cork city centre, where her six-year-old son, Orson, attends school.

Tell us about a memorable film from childhood?

I saw Jim Hensons The Dark Crystal  with its scary monsters  too young, probably at the age of 4. The discovery of film is really a sense of wonder.

It's fantasy. This whole other world that has nothing to do with your daily life. I wanted to enter that world and stay in it.

Whats a favourite French film?

Eric Rohmers Le Rayon Vert (1986) builds up to a moment of pure grace, but not in a way that tells you, I'm doing this. Look. It's coming up. It takes you by surprise.

Its delightful, with moments that leave a print in you, emotionally and spiritually. The kind of film that lives on with you.

Whats a favourite English-language film?

I'm going to be labelled a fantasy nerd! Alien is another film I shouldn't have seen so young. An all-time great film. I heard adults talk about it at a dinner, describing the most famous scene, John Hurt's death.

I imagined it. I built up the film in my head. I only saw it years later. So expectation was part of the experience. Of course, the film didnt disappoint.

Tell us about a memorable celebrity encounter?

I met Sigourney Weaver in Berlin, a great day for me. We opened Berlinale with the film My Salinger Year in 2020. She plays JD Salingers literary agent. I did the press conference for the film with her. It was beautiful. I really enjoyed meeting her. She's classy.

Whos an actor you cant take your eyes off?

Tilda Swinton keeps surprising me. I keep discovering her range. Apichatpong Weerasethakuls Memoria is one of Tildas very subtle performances, the opposite of Smowpiercer.

In Joshua Oppenheimers post-apocalyptic musical The End, a film at the festival, actors sing with their true voice. Her singing completely broke my heart.

Godet is a big fan of Tilda Swinton.

What did you know of Cork before moving there?

Cork is the first city I flew in my life to, aged 12. My parents hadn't flown yet either. We had a southern Ireland holiday between Cork and Killarney. It's a happy memory.

I enjoyed the accents, the friendliness. I was chased by a cow at a Bed & Breakfast. I guess I was at the wrong side of the wire!

What do you like most about Cork?

How easy it is to engage in conversation with people you don't know. We have a coffee shop around the corner. We've become very quickly close with this family.

One is going to the festival; one is now going to be my kid's babysitter. This is extraordinary. I really like that.

What would you change in Cork?

Whats missing here is a modern arthouse cinema/community centre, with a capacity between 200 and 300 seats.

Equipped for remote Q&As between audience and authors, and other artforms such as childrens dance or music shows. A welcoming place for people, where youd want to hang out.

Recommend an international drama from the festival?

When the Light Breaks is an Icelandic film by Runar Runarsson. It's about a group of young people who lose one of their close friends. It's gorgeously shot.

If you like actors' performances, this is one for you. The emotional truth they managed to reach is so rare. It's beautiful, a little miracle.

When the Light Breaks is an Icelandic film.

An Irish drama film from the festival?

Half of the film September Says takes place in Ireland. It's about a single mom and her two teenage daughters. The daughters get in trouble in the UK, so they take shelter in Ireland.

It's difficult to classify  part of the film becomes quite eerie, sort of a category breaker. It has interesting characters and an original voice.

A documentary?

The Stimming Pool is a very original proposition by experienced British director, Steven Eastwood. Its about a collective of autistic adults who film their vision of the world. It's diverse in all meanings of the term.

A family film?

We have a live-action Bambi. I saw it with my kid. Given my child's intense reaction to these animal interactions, I think it's gonna be a very lively screening with nice lessons on the cycle of life.

The Cork International Film Festival opens Thursday, and runs until Sunday November 17. See: www.corkfilmfest.org
Has a film ever had quite so glorious an afterlife as Withnail and I? Bruce Robinsons semi-autobiographical account of two unemployed London actors going on holidays by mistake in the final weeks of the 1960s, crept into cinemas in January 1987, to little fanfare and indifferent reviews. Skip forward a decade, and it was a cult favourite beloved by students. Today, Withnail is rightly regarded as a classic  one of the finest British movies of the past half-century.

It took a few years for that to happen, says Paul McGann, the Liverpool actor who plays the I character in the film  a stand-in for the young Robinson and a foil of Richard E Grants maniacally irascible Withnail.

It wasnt instantaneous. It kind of disappeared  well, not disappeared without trace But it wasnt given a proper release. It took a while  10 or 15 years before it found its audience. And now it has found its audience. You know, 30, 40, years later, people are still going up to see it and watching it multiple times. Its a nice thing.

Withnails status as one of the great black comedies  with its near-perfect mix of slapstick and pathos  will be celebrated at Cork International Film Festival when Robinson is to be presented with the festivals first-ever Disruptor Award by McGann, following a screening and Q&A (at Triskel Cinema on Tobin Street).

Ive never been to that festival. Im really looking forward to that, says the actor. I havent seen Bruce Robinson for years. Im definitely looking forward to that.

Withnail and I is a lock-in to be in the first line of the obituaries of all involved. It was McGanns debut movie, and while he has gone on to a rich and varied screen career on the  mostly notably as the Eight Doctor in Doctor Who  to many, he will forever be Marwood, as the I character is referred to in the screenplay (he is never named on screen). The same can be said for Richard E Grant, who has starred in comic book adaptations and period dramas and received a 2019 Oscar nomination  but to many will always and forever be the arch, unhinged, lighter-fluid guzzling Withnail.

The films magic resides in its hilarity but also in its expertly-evoked ennui as the story marks the end of the hope-filled 1960s and the dawning of the dark, drab 1970s. Drawing on Robinsons experiences as a struggling actor in London, it sees McGanns and Grants characters embark on a series of outrageous escapades  most notably that accidental holiday in the UKs Lake District, where they fall foul of Withnails touchy-feely Uncle Monty (the late Richard Griffiths, the only experienced thesp in the cast).

Withnail And I writer/director Bruce Robinson is coming to Cork for the screening. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

There are catch-phrases aplenty: Weve gone on holiday by mistake, A coward you are Withnail, an expert on bulls you are not, We want the finest wines available to humanity. And we want them here, and we want them now!.

Its that japery that has made the movie beloved by students  who can identify with the characters genteel impoverishment and their determination to live their best dissolute lifestyle despite abject destitution.

But along with the hilarity, the film is deeply melancholy. Robinson based the character Withnail on his acting friend Vivian MacKerrell  a charming, tragic gadfly who shared a flat in Camden in London with Robinson when both were students at the Central School of Speech and Drama. MacKerrell was a dazzling talent but doomed to burn brightly and fade away: Robinson would confirm that the scene in Withnail and I in which the parched Withnail drinks lighter fluid is based on an incident in which MacKerrell drank the liquid and went blind for three days.

MacKerrell died in 1995, aged 50, having contracted pneumonia while on a bender (having been diagnosed with terminal cancer). By then, he had long since squandered his talent  a sad fate hinted at in the conclusion to Withnail and I when Marwood is cast in a play in Manchester. He and Withnail say their farewells in Camden, both understanding their time as housemates is at an end, their friendship along with it. The relationship cannot withstand the crippling pressure of one of the pair becoming a success. The film ends with Withnail, wine bottle in hand, trudging alone through the rain.

I remember Bruce saying it when we were screening it in 1987. He said to us, almost prophetically, he said : Some of these audiences, even the invited audiences they were they were testing it on some people are going to look at it and theyre probably going to just switch off, says McGann.

Theyre going to walk. Theyre never going to see it again. And some people are going to see it, theyll look at it, and theyll watch it twice. And then theyll watch it more than twice, he said. Theyre going to laugh and then partway through, theyre going to twig that in its the saddest fucking thing. Which, of course, is exactly right. Its so poignant, and yet, despite yourself, you laugh all the way through.

Robinson saw it as a tragicomedy in which the tragedy eclipsed the comedy. Early in production  bankrolled by George Harrisons HandMade Films  he urged McGann and Grant to refrain from playing their characters for laughs. Withnail and I wasnt a farce  the humour came from a place of profound darkness.

He said to us on the first days rehearsal, he said, Boys, no jokes in this yeah. He said, Forget trying to play a punch line. If you play like a punchline, Ill punch you kind of thing. He said, Play it for real and then itll work. Its deeply, deeply sad. But that was deliberate.

There is a Withnail character or two in everyones life, believes McGann. Weve all met that individual full of charisma but incapable of living in the real world. We are drawn to them until we become repelled as we grow older and wiser and begin to understand the way of things.

Theres a real real poignance. Bruce would say to us [about the final scene]: Its the end Its the end of everything. This is the central relationship. Its like a marriage. You know, its over. They cant stay together. The kid cant stay with Withnail. Down the years, Ive spoken to lots of people whove seen it and liked it. We talked about it. With younger people, Ill say, Well, what is it about it?; And theyll go, Well, weve lived in that flat, or weve had that mad time, or weve taken those drugs, or, you know, whatever.

But then one will say, Oh yeah I met that fella. Youll meet some mad natural talent. Hes better than you. Hes more talented than you. Withnail is brilliantly talented But youre meant to understand quite quickly that hes too fucked. Hes too nuts. Hell never ever do anything with it. Its the other kid, its the steady Eddie  that was Bruce Robinson [and Marwood]. Its the quieter kid  he gets the gig.

Richard E Grant and Paul McGann in a scene from Withnail And I.

Robinson was a storied stage and screen actor and an accomplished screenwriter who had received an Oscar nomination for his script for The Killing Fields in 1984. But he had never directed before and brought to Withnail and I the same raw, naive quality as McGann and Grant, aged 26 and 27, were appearing in their first film.

It was his first movie. Well, you may have read this somewhere, and its true because I was there in the room on the first morning, on the first Monday morning, he assembled a whole crew, 40-50 people, whatever it was. We were up at the cottage in the Lake District. He stood on a chair in this room, and he addressed everybody. He said, Look, Ive written it. He said, Ive been in pictures, remembers McGann.

You know, hed done pictures as an actor. He said, Ive never shot one  so help me out. He made this little speech, and they loved him for it. And we did have a few difficulties, particularly in the first couple of weeks.

"It was a situation that I dont think Ive ever found myself in. Youre working with a director  a first time director  whos written the thing and who absolutely knows the thing inside out. That is really, really rare.

McGann grew up in a Liverpool Irish community and attended a Christian Brothers school. Hed had some experience as an actor before Withnail. But the world of impoverished luvviedom it portrayed was not his natural milieu  he came to it as an outsider.

They were meant to be students, werent they? They werent even meant to be professionals. The story is set in the '60s. It was written during a time when Robinson was sharing this house with the Central School students. And as you see, the kid gets a job. And Withnail doesnt. Theres some lovely piss-takes in there. John Gielgud [the famed West End actor] is mentioned. Luvviedom is properly skewered, but affectionately.

Shooting Withnail and I was a big deal for McGann  who had dreamed of breaking into cinema. But he had no clue that the film would take on a life of its own and be beloved by generations.

It was the first picture we ever did. Me and Richard and Ralph Brown, who played the drug dealer. Wed never done a picture. We had done a bit of telly. In those days, at least  and Im sure it still is for young actors  if someone put you in a picture, thats what you wanted to happen. We were ambitious  but it was a step up. You had to be invited. I felt like a big deal. That was the excitement of doing it. I can honestly say even that if it had just been a film that we did, and few people ever watched it, it still would have been an exciting thing. The spirit that we enjoyed it in and the spirit we made it in  its difficult to repeat.

Paul McGann will present Bruce Robinson the inaugural Honorary Disruptor Award at Cork International Film Festivals at a screening of Withnail and I at Triskel Cinema, Cork, Tuesday, November 12 at 8.30pm
Anna ODonoghue, Social Media Editor

Attending: A brand new 'Paint Your Own Pottery' studio has opened in Cork City so of course, I had to go and try it out. Modelled very similar to Cre Pottery Studio in Skibbereen, Potteria has an extensive range of models, figures, and kitchenware ready for painting. Prices start from 14 to 60, depending on what you pick to paint, and the price includes the studio time, materials, and firing. Unlike Cre, Potteria doesn't have a cafe in-store so you are encouraged to bring your own snacks and drinks while you paint. We opted for some wine while we saw others take sweet treats from baking tins and pop champagne bottles. A great addition to the city. I'll for sure be back again.

Drinking: This month I spent a week in the Algarve - Portimao, Ferragudo, and Alvor - and while there, we stumbled upon a wine festival, and the notion of green wine. Vinho Verde comes from a small region in the Minho province in Northern Portugal. Although the name means "green wine," it translates as "young wine" and it's usually consumed soon after bottling. This means it can be red, white or rose. It's light, refreshing and typically has a low alcoholic volume. It was the perfect pairing to my sun holiday.

Gigging: 10+ years of living in Cork, and this month marked my first gig in the famous Coughlans (pronounced Caw-lins not Cock-Iins for my fellow non-Corkonians). I've got tickets to a few gigs over the years but something always got in the way of me going - sickness, cancellations, covid, etc. Well, I can gladly say it was worth the wait. Although the room was smaller than I had imagined, the ambience, framed by the iconic poster stage backdrop, makes it the perfect intimate venue. Looking around at photos and images on the wall, I learned that it was steeped in more history than I was aware of. Everyone from Lisa Hannigan to Eddi Reader has played the venue and I can see why. The cherry on top of the cake? The Guinness is ... chefs kiss.

Nicole Glennon, Weekend Assistant Editor

Nobody Wants This

Watching: Netflix's Nobody Wants This is the most delightful show I've binged in a while. If you haven't watched it yet, this 10-episode rom-com about a permanently single sex podcaster and a rabbi just out of a long-time relationship who - you guessed it - fall in love despite seeming completely incompatible, is just the ticket for a cosy night in. Give me season two immediately.

Listening: I really enjoyed Wondery's latest series, 'The Kill List' this month. In the spring of 2020, when most of us were bingeing Tiger King and making banana bread, UK-based tech journalist Carl Miller found himself in a rather unenviable position. An IT expert/hacker approached him after coming across a site on the dark web which claimed to be a hitman-for-hire marketplace. The hacker, Chris Monteiro, had uncovered a 'kill list' complete with details of the intended targets and how they should die. Of course, they go to the police, but unsatisfied with the outcome, Miller decides to take matters into his own hands and sets out to try and warn victims in advance. On the musical front, I've had two new Irish albums on rotation this past month; Orla Gartland's 'Everybody Needs A Hero' and HousePlants' 'Half Known Thing'. I've already got my ticket to see Gartland in the Olympia in April, and will be hoping to catch HousePlants on one of their nationwide dates next year too.

Skincare: For the last few months, I've been getting salicylic acid peels every six weeks or so to keep my acne-prone skin at bay, and I can't believe what they've done for my skin. For the first time in my life, I've been getting unsolicited comments on how great my skin is looking. The peels, Obagi Blue Peel Radiance, aren't the most relaxing experience, but they are well-worth the discomfort and cost for me. I couldn't recommend them more for anyone prone to congestion and breakouts. I go to South William Clinic where they cost about 125 a pop, with discounts available when purchased as a course.

Mike McGrath Bryan, Features Writer

Listening: Sean Ronayne - Hope. Having won the hearts of the nation with his wholesale love of Ireland's native birds, and concern for their documentation amid ongoing biodiversity turbulence via the Irish Wildlife Sounds project, Corkman Sean Ronayne has turned his pursuit of recording audio of Ireland's wild landscapes into the practice of curating albums of natural soundscapes. While his debut collection focused on the urgency of the matter, including the call of the last pair of Irish Ring Ouzel, his follow-up, entitled 'Hope', was released quite literally as his infant daughter entered the world earlier this month, cataloguing the wild ambiences of Ireland and Catalunya as a nod to her mixed heritage. "Despite all of the challenges today's natural world faces," he pledges in the liner notes, "I still hope for a better, nature-filled future for my daughter, and Ill do my very best to make that happen for as long as I live."

Watching: The Queen of Villains (Netflix). The only real sport in the world, professional wrestling, continues to be the focus of dramatic adaptations - this time, it's the turn of Japan's eighties grappling scene to be spotlighted. Mild-mannered Kaoru Matsumoto, portrayed loveably here by actor and comedian Yuriyan Retriever, overcomes a troubled upbringing and finds her place cheering on the pop-idol heroes and rule-breaking villains of All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling. But when she crosses the barrier and narrowly passes auditions to become a trainee wrestler herself, her life becomes a tangle of physical grind, menial promotions work and complex feelings for her peers - until she taps into her latent anger and frustration to unleash a bloodthirsty brawler of her own creation... Violent in places, and reflecting unkindly on the misogyny of the age, but ultimately a good-hearted young-adult drama on adolescence, representation and the self, that somehow outdoes the energy and emotion of its source and setting.

(Hopefully) reading: Loads of new Irish-interest books. My to-read list has, much to my beloved partner's chagrin, become a library, especially of the kind of Irish-interest material that doesn't tend to hang around shop shelves after its initial print run. Alas, the good publishing houses of Ireland will grant neither of us relief this Winter. Brinsley McNamara's 'Weird Ireland' makes a book of the premise of his warts-and-all Instagram documentation of Ireland's various quirks, hidden landmarks and nearly-forgotten traditions; master calligrapher Timothy O'Neill has gifted the Irish people with 'The Irish Art of Calligraphy', a step-by-step guide to trying one's hand at traditional Irish fonts and scripting; while Irish historian Diarmaid Ferriter's multiple-book odyssey through the country's story and people gets as far as 2020 with 'The Revelation of Ireland'. At a time when Ireland and her people are gaining a new confidence and cool on the world stage, these books will each offer a different perspective on aspects of who we are, and what's brought us to the present moment.

Rebecca Daly, Features Writer

Travelling: I spent two weeks of October on annual leave, travelling around Japan and to South Korea. We flew into Tokyo and spent a few days there, before moving on to Kyoto, where we took a trip to Nara to feed the wild deer and Arashiyama Monkey Park. We then spent the rest of our time in Japan in the city of Osaka. We flew to Seoul for the last few days of the trip and visited the demilitarized zone between the North and South of Korea. We got to see North Korea, which was an insane experience, but couldnt take any photos as there had been an incident near the border in the days before. The trip was absolutely amazing from start to finish. It was so cool to see the different cities and Ive been quite inspired by the different styles and fashion we saw. I also stocked up plenty of K- and J-beauty products which I cant wait to test out.

Relaxing: Before my travels east, I went on a press trip to Amsterdam for the launch of Rituals new collection, Alchemy. Amsterdam is one of my favourite cities and it is such a vibe at this time of the year  the brown colours of the buildings combined with a canal cruise during a rainy evening had me feeling very autumnal. We visited Rituals HQ for a preview of the new collection and a gorgeous meal. The next day, we received some treatments at House of Rituals, which had me feeling very zen for the flight home. We stayed in the Pulitzer hotel, which respected the design of buildings in the Dutch capital so well while still being modern and stylish.

Reminiscing: I was woken up at 9am Korean time to my phone absolutely hopping with notifications and even SMS messages from Ireland about the news of Liam Paynes death. I was a huge One Direction fan when I was about 11/12 and gradually grew out of them as they started getting huge in America and the world over. I got back into listening to them in recent years (when I finally got old enough to forget the real cringey moments of being a young fan). My TikTok has since been flooded with videos and compilations of the band in their heyday and its been nice to reminisce, even if it is under tragic circumstances. A headline in the UK Independent  Liam Payne drew the short straw in One Direction  now well never know the real him  really resonated with me, and its hard to not think how much he must have been struggling in the last few years of his life in those viral videos of him that were mocked countless times. Im certain it wont be the last tragic case of its sort, and it wont be the last time the internet is flooded with be kind messages in the wake of it.

Caroline Delaney, Outdoors Editor

Dining: Salt, Victoria Road always reminds me of one of those paintings of French cafes when I pass it so I love a chance to pop in for a treat. The food is super tasty and innovative and it's got a great cosy atmosphere and a lovely outdoor area with twinkly lights galore. I still don't know how it all fits into what used to be a tiny little bookmakers years ago  and it somehow also looks like it was always here.

Staying: I've wanted to see the G Hotel in Galway for a while and a year of 'big' birthdays is a great excuse, I reckon. And it really is quite impressive... moody corridors with decadent Twin Peaks vibes and fabulous lounges all decorated in different styles. You know it's a wild weekend when you photograph your favourite wallpaper there to image search it and put it on a wishlist. (It seems to be 521 per roll, since you ask).

Pleased to see: Biodegradable clips on packages of bagels. Yes, it's small but every little helps. I gave Fitzgerald Bakery a shout about them and they said: "Yes, they are just fully recyclable, so an environmental move. Its not on all our bagels yet, but it will be rolled out as the older plastic clip stocks are depleted." More of this please.

Denise O'Donoghue, Digital Features Editor

Visiting: I went to London for a few days. Even though Ive lost track of how many times Ive been there it's a city that still surprises me. We caught a few shows (Hadestown and Cabaret were first-time watches and Phantom is an old favourite we revisited again) and explored a few new areas of the city. Richmond is a gorgeous spot and a must for Ted Lasso fans (did you know the official merch shop there is owned by Irish people?) and TikTok convinced me to make my own charm bracelet in Parsons Green and it was well worth the Tube journey.

Watching: I felt spoiled with good TV last month. Agatha All Along was the perfect spooky-ish watch (Patti LuPone needs to be in everything), Only Murders in the Building was a fun romp, and a rewatch of the extended editions of the Lord of the Rings is always a good call  I love Tolkien's word so much a trip to New Zealand will always be on my bucket list.

Eating: My boyfriend experimented with a new recipe he found on TikTok and lasagne soup is now a regular meal in our house. Essentially a deconstructed lasagne, its comfort food at its finest (thanks Greg!).
Just under one in seven inmates in Irish jails are foreign nationals, with the vast bulk of them from other EU states, according to new research.

A study by criminologists at Maynooth University found that Irelands rate (15%) of foreign national prisoners (FNPs) is the same as the EU median.

The rate in Ireland is far lower than most Western European countries, such as Belgium (43%), Italy (32%), Spain (29%), and Denmark (28%). Ireland is ahead of England and Wales (12%) and the North (10.5%).

The research highlights that the vast majority of FNPs in Ireland are from EU countries, accounting for 12% (702) of the total prison population.

Only 3.4% (196) are African nationals, 1.6% (90) are Asian and just 0.2% (14) are from the Middle East.

CSO figures from Census 2022 show that non-Irish citizens account for 12% of the general population.

In what is thought to be the first comprehensive examination of the needs of FNPs in Irish prisons, the Maynooth University study called for a dedicated service within the system for this group of prisoners.

Additional difficulties

It said FNPs experience additional difficulties to what other prisoners face, including language barriers, isolation and ad hoc provision of services.

The analysis - conducted by a team of academics at Maynooth School of Law and Criminology  was based on interviews with 82 inmates, from 22 countries, in eight prisons. It was conducted over a 12-month period in 2021 and 2022.

In addition to a dedicated service, the report calls for a foreign national liaison officer, supports to maintain family relationships, creation of peer supports and provision of language classes and legal interpreters.

The report based its recommendations on what was happening in prisons in other countries.

It said those interviewed said they received no information or substantial assistance from consular staff of embassies here.

In addition, they said that neither they nor their families had received support from any charities or non-profit organisations working in Irish prisons.

It found that only a third of prisoners interviewed said they were given information on their rights in prison and prison rules in a language they could understand.

The report said there was a compelling case for the establishment of a dedicated service: The urgent need for action in developing such a service would offer immediate amelioration of conditions for FNPs in Irish prisons while laying the foundation for long-term systematic structures to effectively support this vulnerable population."

Welcomed the research

In response, the Irish Prison Service said it welcomed the research from Maynooth University and that it will review its recommendations.

It said FNPs could, like all prisoners, avail of a wide range of services and supports, including education and work-training skills, physical, psychological and mental health services.

In a statement, the IPS said they have invested significantly in the digitalisation of services, including family visits, and that their website now allows family members to book visits in a range of languages.

It said the existing prisoner information booklet provided detailed information and points of contact and was currently available in eight languages.

A review of the previous Prisoner Information Booklet was conducted in 2024 and a new version will be distributed to all prisons across the estate in Q1 of 2025, the statement said. The new booklet will also be translated into eight different languages thereafter.

It said the IPS has a contracted supplier for interpreters, including for legal matters, and a contract for translating documents.
The future of a proposed tented camp for 1,000 asylum seekers in north Dublin is in doubt after the Government agreed to quash the ministerial order which set the project in motion.

At the High Court on Monday the State said it would be revoking the ministerial order in response to a judicial review taken by residents living close to the Thornton Hall site. The State also agreed to pay the residents' costs.

The order was initially made by Integration Minister Roderic OGorman in August. On Monday, counsel for the minister requested a two-week adjournment of the case to give time to revoke the order  a de facto concession of the action.

The judicial review, first lodged on October 5, argued that the order should not be allowed to stand as inadequate environmental screening had been performed at the rural site in advance of the establishment of a tented camp.

The move to use Thornton Hall was first announced early last summer as the Department of Integration came under pressure to source alternative accommodation for asylum seekers after months of tented encampments springing up in Dublin city centre.

However, the project has been hit by multiple environmental snags since, including the lack of a sewage connection on site and the fact that the proposed tents would be overflown by hundreds of low-flying aircraft departing Dublin Airport on a daily basis.

As recently as early October the department announced that some 40 asylum seekers would be in place on the site by the end of the month.

However, following the States concession of the High Court case the site is now unlikely to be used as accommodation for male asylum seekers any time soon, given the need for revised environmental assessments.

A spokesperson for the Department of Integration said its intention now is to set aside the current Ministerial order, undertake some administrative updates, and develop a replacement order in the coming weeks.

Works on the site will remain paused while this is completed, they added.

Coolquay Environmental and Development Group

The Coolquay Environmental and Development Group, the residents body which took the judicial review, welcomed the States decision and said the case had been taken on environmental grounds only.

Since raising their concerns last May, residents have highlighted significant environmental issues that they felt were ignored by the relevant authorities, a spokesperson said.

Community members have expressed their frustration over the past five months as government ministers and representatives repeatedly stated in the media that a community engagement team was working with locals, they said.

Despite numerous meetings, not a single question from residents was answered, leaving many feeling unheard and dismissed. Frustrated by the lack of genuine engagement, the community felt they had no other choice but to initiate local fundraising efforts to finance legal action, the spokesperson added.

The group called for transparency regarding the Thornton Hall project, and for the Government to provide a detailed account of the amount of money spent on the site to date.

There is no main sewage connection, and yet no percolation tests for handling wastewater from the 1,000 individuals were performed, one resident said.

If you build a house in the country you have to do percolation tests, and thats for just one house. They never assessed the flights either, and you cant noise-insulate tents.

Theyre not going to challenge this, the decision was that bad. We want it understood that this is purely an environmental case and the State conceded immediately. Thats all we want to stress, they added.
A candlelight procession snaked its way around the grounds of the historical Holy Cross Abbey in Tipperary, the long queue making it look like a respectful group of mourners waiting to extend their sympathies to a grief-stricken family.

But instead, there was a joy to be felt in the congregation as those waiting to get inside the door of the church felt that every step was one closer to coming close to the relics of St Bernadette, the Lourdes visionary.

It was not the only candelight procession during the two-month visit of the relics to each of the 26 dioceses across Ireland, as organisers of the relics visit sought to bring those who cannot travel to the Marian shrine in Lourdes a chance to be part of some of the pilgrimage experience at home. As well as candelight processions, healing ceremonies for the sick were also held.

On Tuesday afternoon, the relics of the popular saint left the Diocese of Elphin to be returned to Lourdes, after a farewell ceremony in Kiltoom, Co Roscommon. Tens of thousands of people turned out in the countrys 26 dioceses to welcome the relics of the saint beloved by Irish people.

St Bernadette, who was a shepherdess, experienced 18 visions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France in 1858 and went on to become canonised by the Catholic church.

The visit to Ireland is not the first time the relics have left Lourdes, having previously been taken around France, to the UK, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Brazil, and America.

Churchgoers visit the relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clonakilty. Picture: Dan Linehan

The relicss arrival in the Ireland West airport at Knock in early September came after they were handed over at the grotto in Lourdes to Bishop Kevin Doran and pilgrims from the Diocese of Elphin. During the two-month visit, the relics were taken to Irelands own Marian shrine in Knock, where hundreds of pilgrims attended Masses in the church on the site of the apparition of Mary in 1879.

Young people wearing school uniforms turned out at churches across several dioceses, along with some families, and large numbers of older generations. Many touched the glass enshrining the relics, while others kissed it.

One of the organisers, Fr Gerard Fox, said: It has certainly exceeded our expectations. Peoples response has been wonderful. We have all taken a breath and said wow. The response that we have had back from the different host venues everywhere have had more people coming than they anticipated or planned.

In some places, the queues were more than an hour and another thing people have commented on is the good humour. People werent annoyed that they had to wait.

We have had a real cross section. There have been school groups, families coming. It has been right across the age range. It was noticeable to see the number of families who came.

The scenes around the country replicated those of visits of relics of other saints over the past two decades. For example, an estimated three million people turned out for the 11-week visit of the relics of St Therese of Lisieux in 2001, while tours in 2009 and 2012 were also popular.

The relics of St Anthony of Padua were in Ireland for a week in 2013 during which Catholics flocked to venues in Cork, Limerick, Wexford, Galway, Dublin and Belfast. And once again, the faithful turned out in large numbers in Kerry in January 2023 when a glove which belonged to St Pio was handed over to the parish of Castleisland in Kerry.

St Bernadette, who was a shepherdess, experienced 18 visions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France in 1858 and went on to become canonised by the Catholic church. File picture

Fr Fox said the visit of Bernadettes relics are proof that people still have faith, even though they might not express it regularly in terms of Mass attendance on a Sunday but it is still part and parcel of who they are.

He continued: Something like Lourdes as well is inter-generational. Almost every house in Ireland has a bottle of Lourdes water that somebodys granny brought back, or a rosary. It is there in the religious sensibility and this event just touched into that.

St Bernadettes connection to Our Lady of Lourdes is something that people have a love of, or an appreciation of but also Bernadette herself is what you would call a modern saint almost. Not contemporary but she is of an era where we have photographs of her. She was a poor young woman which makes her very accessible as well.

She is not some sort of far-distant character. People could appreciate she was a young girl who was sick who lived in poverty who had a life that touches into the reality of some peoples lives.

According to academic Dr Niamh Wycherley of Maynooth University, the reactions of Irish people to the visit of relics is not new, neither is it confined to the Catholic faith.

She has previously written on the cult of relics, which included reference to a visit to Ireland of relics of holy martyrs from Rome in the 7th century.

She says: Essentially I would say that the Catholic veneration of saints taps into a need that seems to be common to many individuals and communities and from different backgrounds and faiths and historical eras, right up to the present day.

She elaborates: There are a couple of different things going on because there is a difference between organised religion and faith and religious beliefs. Sometimes they come together and sometimes they dont. People today may feel very estranged from the Vatican and the Catholic Church but they might still have their own personal faith where they go to Mass every Sunday and pray to the Virgin Mary and subscribe to a Catholic ethos.

The relics of St Bernadette at the Church of the Risen Christ Kiltoom, Roscommon, where a farewell ceremony was held. Picture: Facebook

"But the veneration of saints' relics is kind of unaffected by that because it is doing a few things  it taps into something that is essentially human. It is the physical proximity of the saints relics and you can nurture this intimacy and relationship with the saint in a way that you cant do with God perhaps.

She continued: You can see echoes of this in the cult of the celebrity too  for example visiting the grave of Elvis. There seems to be this human thing that if you go to someones grave or you touch an item that they held in their lifetime, it makes you more connected with them.

Fr Fox says it is now hoped that the visit will not just boost people's faith but will also lead them to visit Lourdes, explaining that pilgrimages to the French shrine are heavily reliant on volunteers to help take care of sick pilgrims.

He said: The group of people who organised this from the Irish perspective are all pilgrimage directors so we all have a connection with Lourdes and that is part of getting the message of Lourdes out to people.
A Dublin woman, who had undergone weight loss surgery in Turkey, died from a blood clot shortly after she had spent almost 44 hours sitting in an overcrowded emergency department, an inquest has heard.

Erin Dennis (26), a betting shop worker of Cushlawn, Tallaght, Dublin died on March 2, 2022, after collapsing at home shortly after she had left the emergency department at Tallaght University Hospital.

A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court on Tuesday heard TUH has apologised for any failings that had been identified in a clinical review of the circumstances of Ms Dennis death.

However, a barrister representing her family, Nichola Delaney BL, said they had heard many apologies from hospitals about failings in care and wondered how many times it would be before an apology is sincere.

The inquest heard Ms Dennis had spent a total of 43 hours and 38 minutes in TUHs emergency department where kidney stones were diagnosed as the cause of her abdominal pain.

Evidence was also given that an ECG scan was not carried out on Ms Dennis prior to her discharge from TUH as required by the hospitals policy after she was found with a fast heart rate.

A staff nurse, Junnel Aganon, said the patients condition meant her vital signs should also have been checked every four to six hours but it was not possible due to overcrowding.

The coroner, Clare Keane, recorded a narrative verdict based on very complex evidence relating to several issues regarding the deceaseds health in various periods before her death.

Dr Keane confirmed that the cause of death was a pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis of an artery in the deceaseds left leg.

The coroner said it came against a background of Ms Dennis having a raised body mass index (BMI), undergoing surgery in Turkey for a gastric sleeve  an operation to remove a large part of the stomach  as well as suffering a fracture to her left ankle while in hospital.

44-hour wait

A consultant in emergency medicine, Michael Bennett, acknowledged that Ms Dennis had a protracted stay in a severely overcrowded and understaffed emergency department prior to her death.

With this level of overcrowding, we are unable to see patients in a timely and safe manner due to the lack of clinical space, said Dr Bennett.

The inquest heard that patients should be triaged within 15 minutes but it was four hours and 29 minutes before Ms Dennis was seen when she arrived in the hospital on February 28, 2022. Once triaged, Ms Dennis condition meant she should have been examined by a doctor within one hour.

However, Dr Bennett accepted that it was almost 11 hours before the patient was seen by a doctor, while it took a further six-and-a-half hours before the results of a CT scan became available.

Ms Dennis chose to have the kidney stones diagnosed by the scan managed conservatively and left TUH shortly after 3.30pm on March 2, 2022.

However, she collapsed outside her home around 5pm and was in cardiac arrest as she arrived back at the hospital at 5.48pm. Efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at 7.03pm.

A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court on Tuesday heard Tallaght University Hospital has apologised for any failings that had been identified in a clinical review of the circumstances of Ms Dennis death. File photo: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

Ms Denniss mother, Theresa Dixon, broke down in tears as she recounted how her daughter had complained about dizziness, blurred vision and her left eye turning in which first led to her being admitted to TUH on January 23, 2022.

She was my breath. My only child that came from my body. I have failed her because it was my job to protect her, Ms Dixon sobbed.

While in hospital Ms Dennis required surgery after suffering a fracture to her left ankle after she fell while going to the toilet on January 24, 2022. She was discharged on February 17, 2022 but needed to return to the hospital on February 28, 2022 with back pain.

Gastric surgery

The inquest heard Ms Dennis, who was overweight, had decided to travel to Turkey in November 2021 for gastric sleeve surgery after researching the topic for a few years and was taking multivitamins after the operation.

A consultant neurologist at TUH, Allan McCarthy, said medical records showed that Ms Dennis had been vomiting five or six times a day for an eight-week period when she was admitted to the hospital in January 2022.

Dr McCarthy said the patient had been diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy  a brain disorder caused by the lack of vitamin B1. He noted that the multivitamins that Ms Dennis had been using did not contain vitamin B1.

Dr McCarthy said doctors had believed the vomiting was due to the effect of the gastric sleeve surgery as there was no other obvious cause. The consultant admitted that he was worried about the degree and duration of vomiting as it would lead to a deficiency of vitamin B1 in a patient after three to six weeks.

Ankle surgery

The inquest heard that the fracture to the deceaseds left ankle was linked to a problem with her gait which may have been due to her lack of vitamin B1.

Dr McCarthy also noted there was no record of Ms Dennis taking any anti-blood clotting medication after the surgery in Turkey.

The consultant confirmed that the dosage of anticoagulants prescribed to the patient after the surgery on her ankle was doubled during her stay in hospital due to her weight.

Evidence was heard that doctors at TUH did not consider Ms Dennis at risk of blood clots when she attended an outpatient clinic to review her ankle on March 1, 2022 as she was six weeks after surgery at that stage and her leg appeared normal.

Medical records showed the deceased had never complained at any stage of pains in her leg.

The inquest heard that Ms Dennis had some mobility after she had been discharged home on February 17, 2022, but also used a wheelchair.

Recommendations

Offering her sympathy to Ms Dennis family, Dr Keane said Erin had great hope that the surgery she had undergone in Turkey would be life-changing. The tragic outcome could not be foreseen, the coroner added.

She noted risk factors associated with blood clots were a raised BMI index and birth control implants containing etonogestrel (which Ms Dennis had been using).

The coroner said Ms Dennis had also experienced periods of immobility for different reasons including the surgery and travel to Turkey and a number of hospital stays, which may have contributed to what happened, although it had not been possible to establish conclusively when the fatal blood clot had developed.

Dr Keane said she endorsed recommendations made following a review of the patients death which included the need to adequately resource the treatment of patients with a high BMI and increased staffing levels for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis at TUH.

They also included raising awareness of the risk of travelling to non-EU countries for bariatric surgery.

Ms Delaney said Ms Dennis family would also like to see all patients being assessed for the risk of blood clots within 24 hours of being admitted to hospital.
Parents at a special school in Cork have raised concerns over a proposed conduct code they fear will lead to suspensions of students for simply displaying behaviours typical of autistic traits.

Carrigaline Community Special School has asked parents for feedback on a proposed document updating the special schools policy on appropriate behaviour.

Parents who have spoken to the Irish Examiner have highlighted how this proposed policy describes challenging behaviours as some of the typical symptoms of behaviours in distressed special needs children.

It is thought that many schools behavioural policies disproportionately impact students with autism, according to national autism charity AsIAm, which has called for a comprehensive review and reform.

Research it recently published examining 40 school codes of behaviour found that not one was fully rights compliant.

The codes exhibited a limited awareness of autism, an absence of autistic voices, and often failed to provide reasonable accommodations for students with autism, resulting in exclusionary practices such as reduced timetables, suspensions and in extreme cases the use of physical restraint.

Carrigaline Community Special School opened in 2021 in response to a shortage of special school places for students between the ages four to 18, who have a diagnosis of autism with a mild or moderate general learning disability.

The proposal lists examples of challenging behaviours as:

aggressive behaviour including pushing, punching, kicking, biting, scratching;

threatening behaviour and verbal abuse which includes disruptive behavior, including screaming, tantrums, non-cooperation, running away;

destructive behaviour: including destruction of property and the environment;

withdrawn behaviour: including refusal to respond, such as elective mutism;

stereotypical behaviour: particularly in children with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders: which can include rocking, repetitive vocalisations, ritualistic hand movements;

self-injurious behaviour, including head banging, scratching and poking.

Niamh OGrady, whose son attends Carrigaline Community Special School, said teachers in the school are compassionate but the draft policy sparked alarm bells.

It includes behaviours which are in fact not challenging at all. They are behaviours where children are self-regulating, stimming. These are coping mechanisms that autistic children use to regulate themselves when they are overwhelmed from stress or from sensory issues.

Our children need support, not sanctions.

Continuous instances of unacceptable behaviour may lead to an escalation to more serious consequences, the document notes. The proposed policy said suspension is not considered a punishment and that consideration is always given to the ability of students to understand their actions.

However, the document also states suspension may be considered for gross misbehaviour or repeated instances of serious misbehaviour involving a health and safety risk.

A spokeswoman for the schools patron Cork Education and Training Board said that like all other schools, Carrigaline Community Special School periodically reviews its policies. The school is currently reviewing its pupil behaviour policy, she added.

As part of the consultation process, a draft has been shared with all stakeholders, and the school is currently collating their feedback. No final decisions have been made regarding the policy's wording. The school will continue to liaise and engage with the parents throughout the process."

Chief executive of AsIAm Adam Harris said it is clear from experiences it is aware of across Ireland that many schools behaviour policies are not rooted in a rights-based, neuro-affirmative approach.

Too often the language that is used is implicitly, explicitly and structurally ableist and discriminatory in nature, Mr Harris said.

All schools, regardless if a mainstream or a special school, must stop punishing children for being different and start adapting the environment to meet the needs of all students.

"It is particularly concerning when we see special schools put in place codes of behaviour which fail to acknowledge the experiences of autistic people with high support needs, using antiquated and discriminatory terminology, and failing to respect the support needs and differences of the community members such schools are established to serve.

AsIAm notes the ongoing review of the statutory guidelines on codes of behaviour, he added.

A spokeswoman for Tusla said it acknowledges the concern felt by parents. We would encourage parents to link in with their school to provide feedback on the proposed 'appropriate behaviour code of conduct and discuss their concerns. It is important that the concerns of parents are considered in the development of the document.

Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is currently leading a review of the Code of Behaviour Guidelines for primary and post-primary schools, she added.
The future of Krispy Kreme's Cork City outlet is now in doubt after the doughnut chain dropped its appeal over the councils refusal for planning permission for its St Patricks Street store.

In February, the American chain had lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala after it had failed in its initial bid for retention permission for change of use from previous retail use to a cafe, as well as the retention of shopfront and signage at its branch on 42 St Patricks Street.

It had first opened its branch in Cork city centre to great fanfare in April 2023, as it plotted further expansion around the country.

It took out a 10-year lease on the ground floor of Porters newsagents, which closed in October 2022. However, a council inspector examined the latest planning and said the proposed use by Krispy Kreme would be contrary to the Cork City development plan.

The inspector said the existing signage on Krispy Kremes shopfront would have a visual adverse effect on the architectural conservation area.

Krispy Kreme lodged an appeal against this decision from City Hall earlier this year, saying its business on the street was a retail outlet, no different than the business that preceded it at the same premises.

Accounts published last year showed Krispy Kremes revenues in Ireland had topped 10m for the first time.

Restrictions on businesses on the street relate to hot food takeaway and restaurant uses, which Krispy Kreme says was not applicable in this case.

It also rejected concerns about its visual impact, claiming the shop front had undergone minimal change when compared to what was there previously.

However, despite this, Krispy Kreme withdrew its appeal last week, leaving its path forward in Cork city centre unclear.

Accounts published last year showed Krispy Kremes revenues in Ireland had topped 10m for the first time.

The doughnut maker has a plethora of retail locations in Dublin, which includes the Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre in north Dublin, Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, The Square Shopping Centre, Dundrum Town Centre and One Central Plaza, Dame Street, which opened in August 2022.

The business has steadily expanded following the opening of its popular branch in Blanchardstown in September 2018.

Krispy Kreme said it had no comment to make.
The three coalition parties will decline to participate in a voting pact in this month's election, each seeking to go it alone in a bid to return for a second term in government.

Sources from Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party have all said, however, that the overall record of the government will be what is sold on the doors over the coming weeks.

"We've worked well together, you can't say otherwise to the public," one TD says, echoing the high-minded pronunciations of party leaders.

Privately and on the doors, however, the attitude is slightly different. If Harry Truman said that it was amazing what could be accomplished if you don't mind who gets the credit, the coalition parties are now in a mindset of "it's amazing what was accomplished, here are the things I would like specific credit for".

But after four years, three months and 29 days, whose fingerprints are most visible on this tripartite agreement? Who will be claiming credit for what?

Housing

When, in June 2020, the 100-page Our Shared Future document which serves as the Programme for Government was signed off by Leo Varadkar, Micheal Martin and Eamon Ryan after 32 days of negotiations, all three parties were keen to claim "wins".

Of particular focus at the time was housing, one of two key issues identified by voters in the exit poll following the 2020 election. Following negotiations, Fianna Fail and Green Party negotiators claimed a victory as they received commitments on an ambitious plan for housing that would increase social housing supply by 50,000.

Up to the middle of 2024, according to Department of Housing figures, 41,586 social homes have been delivered, though yearly targets have been missed and the system has relied heavily on acquisitions, leading to charges that the State has become a "cuckoo fund".

Fianna Fail, however, will take credit for taking on the issue full stop. It's important to remember that in the run-up to the 2020 election, intense focus was on two ministers: Housing's Eoghan Murphy and Health's Simon Harris.

The housing crisis was biting its hardest and Mr Murphy had become a totem for government inaction and indifference while a threatened vote of no confidence in Mr Harris had precipitated the entire vote.

Micheal Martin's Fianna Fail will take credit for taking on the housing issue full stop.

Fianna Fail's parliamentary party members believe the party deserves credit for actively seeking to take on those two briefs at the outset of the Government. "Fine Gael ran a mile from both," is the rather blunt assessment of a senior Fianna Fail member.

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien has been oft-lampooned as a wheeler-dealer type, more style than substance, but his consistent repelling of this charge is to take into account the mere existence of the Housing For All document.

Anyone who has heard him speak to the media will know it is a favoured line of Mr O'Brien  it is the first fully-funded, ring-fenced housing plan in the history of the state.

But with home completions since the 2020 election at just over 126,000 to the end of the third quarter of this year, there is no question that it will be some way short of the party's manifesto pledge of 200,000.

Likewise, a plan to end long-term homelessness was floated in 2020 but the reality is that homelessness is at record levels.

Health

In Health, Stephen Donnelly's rocky start in the early pandemic perhaps overshadowed the fact that he has largely avoided further calamity.

However, while he has seen progress in tackling waiting lists  October's figures show a 17% reduction in the total number of patients waiting over 12 months since this time last year, and a corresponding reduction of around 27% in the number waiting over 18 months  growing spending and the ongoing crisis at UHL have been problems he has not been able to grapple with.

Education

Fianna Fail claims some of its biggest wins in Education, where Norma Foley has overseen the roll-out of free school books for all children and the beginning of a major overhaul of the primary curriculum as set out in its manifesto.

One surprising win the party had in 2020 was the establishment of a standalone department of Further and Higher Education.

Finance

Fianna Fail's handling of the public purse  first through Michael McGrath and now Jack Chambers  is something they will lean on, on the doors.

The message will be that this is not the flaithiulach party of old  just look at the rainy-day funds.

Childcare

In childcare, both Fine Gael and the Green Party wants to take credit for lowering costs through the National Childcare Scheme.

Fine Gael points to its establishment of the scheme in 2018, the Greens to its increased funding of it in recent budgets.

The Greens will argue for the credit there given that it was its now-leader Roderic O'Gorman who oversaw the increases as Children's Minister.

Environment

In truth, the Greens have had an outsized impact on this government, pragmatically committing to getting as much done as possible.

Having been swept to a party record 12 seats in 2020 on the back of a Green Wave that saw climate put front and centre, it was no surprise that environment took up much of the 32-day negotiating period.

Eamon Ryan's Greens have had an outsized impact on this government. Photo: Damien Storan

The deal saw Ireland commit to cutting carbon emissions by 7% a year and the passing of the Climate Act.

The party also won agreement that the carbon tax will rise to 100 a tonne by 2030, rather than the 80 a tonne favoured by others.

The economy

Fine Gael's focus will be wider, having been in power for 13 years. The party is set to hammer home to the public that it introduced the Hot School Meals Programme and is now expanding it to all primary schools, that it introduced Parents Benefit  paid parental leave for each parent in the early years  and expanded it to nine weeks.

But the cornerstone of Fine Gael's selling of its record will be the economy. With a record 2.7 million people now in employment, the party will also seek credit for increases to the minimum wage and statutory sick leave, as well as PAYE tax cuts in recent budgets.

Across the coalition, publicly, there has been four-and-a-half years of insisting that the delivery was what matters, not where the credit went. When Simon Harris dissolves the Dail this week, that theory will be put to the test.
A section of Irish waters is set to be included in a designated area of the Atlantic that would significantly limit emissions from ships.

During the final Cabinet meeting of this coalition, Minister Eamon Ryan received approval in principle for the designation of an Emission Control Area (ECA) for the Northeast Atlantic to include Irish waters.

The designation of the ECA will significantly reduce ship emissions, improve air quality, and contribute to public health and environmental protection in the Northeast Atlantic region.

Ireland has been working with coastal states in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean, including Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, the UK, France, Spain, and Portugal since late 2022 to explore the potential for an ECA, which would limit the emission of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and particulate matter from certain ocean-going ships.

By introducing an ECA in Irish waters, Ireland will avoid up to 180 premature deaths between 2030 and 2050, while the estimated value of health benefits to Ireland is up to 73mi by 2030 and up to 1.9bn between 2030 and 2050.

Bringing forward a separate memo, Mr Ryan asked the Government to note that domestic legislation concerning the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft needs to be updated to strengthen the States ability to both detect and sanction any contraventions of the requirements of national law in this regard.

As part of this the Department of Transport is to consult with the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to giving the State the power to search, sample and sanction any flights that could potentially be carrying weapons through or over Ireland.

Meanwhile, up to 30 members of the defence forces are to be deployed to provide specialised training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The Tanaiste got approval for the continued provision of permanent defence force personnel to fulfil roles in the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (or EUMAM), for two years.

As part of the EUs response to Russias attack on Ukraine, the Council of the EU launched the mission in November 2022.

The Dail previously approved the deployment to this mission and to date one defence forces member has taken up a senior staff position in the mission's Operational Headquarters, Brussels.

A further three defence forces personnel have been deployed to the multinational Special Training Command in Germany.

The Defence Forces have delivered a total of 15 training modules in combat lifesaving, demining, drill instruction, basic training and junior leadership for 734 Ukrainian personnel.
So, another all-nighter later on. I had half-planned to go to bed at tea time and get up at midnight, but I know if I sleep Ill find it hard to get out of the nice warm leaba. Instead, Ill settle into my favourite armchair and check there are fresh batteries in the TV remote control because theres going to be a lot of channels to hop between.

Its not fair lads, at my age, to keep imposing these all-nighters on me. Ive already stayed up all night for the Trump-Biden debate (I was so depressed at the end I couldnt sleep anyway) and for the Trump-Harris debate (that had the opposite effect, because it was such a turning point).

I even stayed up to watch Tim Walz take on JD Vance. Walz was decent but clunky and awkward, Vance was polished but astonishingly oily and more than a bit creepy.

Then, of course, I had to stay up all night for the British general election. That was demanding, but ultimately completely rewarding. Its funny, isnt it, how sometimes you can get a bigger kick out of someone being eliminated than you do out of someone you admire being declared elected. Liz Truss was a particular highlight that night.

Ill have to do it again, wont I, at the end of this month for our own election. Its no wonder Im not the man I used to be  all this obsessing about political outcomes would age anyone.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump: Theres never been a candidate for public office in the history of democracy so ugly, so intemperate and vulgar, so offensive in his language and behaviour. Tonight is the night it will all catch up with him. Picture: Alex Wroblewski / AFP via Getty Images

But  and no disrespect to our own election  tonight is the big one. Tonight is one of those nights that has the potential to change the history of the world.

It could affect the economic development of the entire world in at least the medium term. It could turn crucially important strategic relationships on their head. It could finally condemn the Palestinian people to destruction while the rest of the world watches on.

It could spell the death knell of any efforts to combat climate change. So yeah, Im staying up. And Im guessing you will too.

Let me tell you now, though. None of that bad stuff is going to happen. Donald Trump is going to lose tonight.

From the moment she debated Trump, I have been confident Kamala Harris would beat him in the election. Ive watched him ever since, flailing and lashing out, and I know in my heart of hearts he knows hes up against someone immeasurably better than he is. The more he lashes out, the more you know his needy narcissism is kicking in.

And boy is he lashing out. Theres never been a candidate for public office in the history of democracy so ugly, so intemperate and vulgar, so offensive in his language and behaviour. Tonight is the night it will all catch up with him.

I first got to know America in the late 1960s  I arrived there on a student visa the year after Woodstock. Ive been back in every succeeding decade (except this one, sadly). At a crucial moment in our struggling peace process, I witnessed first-hand what Americas politicians can do for others when they set their minds to it.

Its funny. We all hate what America has done to the world at its worst, but its impossible to go there without falling in love with the country, and indeed with an awful lot of its people. And its been difficult to watch that country becoming more and more divided, by economics and alienation, by education and class, by colour and by gender.

It is probably more divided by race now than it was in the 60s when I knew it first. Most of all in recent years, and especially since the Trump cult took hold, it has been divided by hate and fear, stoked by Trump himself and by social media, the place where truth goes to die.

They are the reasons why this contest seems so close. But underlying that, I believe, there is a huge longing to do things differently. Thats where the hope is, and thats why Harris will win.

From our perspective, those of us sitting in front of the telly on this side of the water, heres what to watch out for. The first six states where polls will close will be Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Virginia, Vermont and Georgia. That will happen at 7pm their time, which (thanks to our clocks going back an hour) will be midnight ours.

Georgia is the first one to watch (the others are predictable and will give Trump an early lead in the electoral college). Half an hour later, North Carolina polls will close  another battleground. So will Ohio and West Virginia, but Trump will have those.

If Kamala Harris wins North Carolina and Georgia, you can probably get an early night. Shes going to win handsomely. Picture: AP/Paul Sancya

I dont know when those states will declare, but trends will be clear (unless it really is tight) pretty quickly. If Kamala Harris wins North Carolina and Georgia, you can probably get an early night. Shes going to win handsomely.

But you may have to wait another hour or so for the trends to emerge in Pennsylvania. Youll be getting tired now, probably in need of strong coffee. But if Pennsylvania goes okay, I guarantee youll be wide awake.

Because of the time zones and the way the entire thing is structured, it will be well into the following morning our time before we know it all. But we already know how an awful lot of the big states are going to go.

The experts over there say they cant predict right now where 93 of the electoral college votes will end up. Of those that are predictable, 219 are expected to favour Trump, while 226 are expected to favour Harris.

But suddenly this weekend, one of the predictable ones  Iowa favouring Trump  has blown wide open with a new and heavyweight opinion poll suggesting Kamala Harris has taken the lead there. Sadly for us, if we have to wait for Iowa trends, it will be five in the morning before we know.

I dont believe we will have to wait that long. By 3.30am (or thereabouts) Kamala Harris will have taken Michigan and Wisconsin, and it will all be over bar the shouting.

Of course, it wont be as easy as that. Some of the so-called battleground states may be won or lost by a whisker, and there could be endless recounts, not to mention a lot of chicanery.

The only thing we can be certain of is that there will never be a moment when Donald Trump picks up the phone and offers his congratulations to president-elect Harris. No matter the outcome, he doesnt have that in him.

But it wont matter. Neither, ultimately, will the endless trouble he causes now. I was utterly wrong the last time when Joe Biden beat Trump and I confidently predicted that Trump would fade away after his loss.

Hate doesnt fade away, and if Kamala Harris wants to rebuild America she needs to start by recognising the enormity of her task. Based on what she has achieved in the last six months, I for one wont be underestimating her.
By late on Tuesday or early on Wednesday, we may know who is going to be the next president of the United States. Or we may know that we dont yet know. Or we may know whos been projected as the winner but be bracing ourselves for weeks of legal action and protest. Its going to be that sort of night.

A reminder of the basics: whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris is the next president will be decided by the electoral college, rather than a straight count of the national vote  meaning that the winner will be the person who gets to a simple majority of 270 of the 538 electors on offer across the 50 states, whether or not they get more votes than their opponent nationwide.

That means that the result is quite likely to come down to who prevails in the seven battleground states identified by both sides as being up for grabs  Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Meanwhile, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are on the ballot, as are 34 of the 100 seats in the Senate. There are also 13 state and territorial governorships to be decided.

Here is a guide to how the night will unfold. Irish residents determined to stick around to the bitter end, whenever that might be, should consider getting some sleep at 8pm or 9pm, and setting alarms (at least six, at three-minute intervals) for midnight or 1am, since not much will happen before then anyway.

But pace yourself. For all that we talk about election night, any of the key races  or several of them  could take well into the next day, or longer, to produce a clear result.

Candidate yard signs arrayed near Arlington, Virginia Court House before the start of early voting

10pm Irish time (IST) (5pm Eastern Time): exit polls give context

Voting ends in Indiana and most of Kentucky, but neither is in play. Meanwhile, the first batch of exit polls are released.

Unlike in the UK, where exit polls are usually a decent guide to the final outcome, the American version offers only a tantalising hint of what may be in store: rather than providing a projection of final results based on asking people at polling stations how they voted, they give a view of what respondents have said the issues that mattered the most to them were.

Theyre based on a bigger sample than typical polls  numbering in the tens of thousands  so they ought to give pretty robust findings. But knowing that voters were motivated by the economy or abortion, for example, will only be a clue to how the night might go, rather than a basis for projecting the result.

Midnight IST/7pm ET: Georgia and North Carolina  the first clues

Polls close in nine states over the next hour. Dont just follow the running count of electoral college votes to get a sense of how its going, though: Trump is expected to have the biggest tally coming out of this first batch, however, his night is going.

But polls also close in the first battleground states that could give a major indication of whats happening: Georgia and North Carolina. Just as importantly, we may start to see whether any clear pattern is emerging that holds true across different states and therefore provides evidence of what could happen elsewhere.

We dont know when any of the states will be called, and even the results in Georgia and North Carolina may not be known for hours  or, and lets hope not, days  yet. Its possible that broadcasters and the Associated Press will start to call some states that havent even finished counting if they conclude that the other side has no chance of catching up but the closer the race the longer it may take.

(When we talk about states being called, we mean that major news organisations have examined the data and reached a conclusion that it is statistically impossible for the other side to win. Official declarations can take much longer.)

Former US president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on October 30, 2024. Picture: Alex Wroblewski / AFP

1am IST/8pm ET: Oh God, its Pennsylvania

Polls close in about half the country  so any nationwide patterns should be becoming clear. But its Pennsylvania that matters most. With more electoral votes  19  than any other swing state, and polls suggesting that its the closest race in the country, this is a huge moment. If Trump wins, tell your friends that it was madness for Harris not to pick the states popular Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, as her running mate; if Harris wins, you can muse that the insults hurled towards the states 470,000 Puerto Ricans at a recent Trump rally might have made the difference.

Again, the polls closing doesnt necessarily mean a quick declaration. In Pennsylvania, rules against counting mail-in ballots before polls close are likely to slow things down. So it might end up being one of the later races to be called among the key states. It took four days in 2020.

Whenever they come, if Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina all go in one candidates favour, it will be very difficult for the other to win. If we dont get that sort of news by now, find some caffeine or a cocktail and pin your eyelids to your forehead: we might be in for a long night.

2am IST/9pm ET: Three more battleground states

In this hour, polls will close in 15 states, including three of the four remaining battlegrounds: Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin. But Wisconsin wasnt called until after 2pm the following day in 2016 or 2020. Arizona took more than a week in 2020, and there are more onerous rules in place around the count this time.

It was around now in 2016  2.29am, to be precise  that AP called the race for Trump, with Clinton calling to concede a few minutes later. In 2020, the result wasnt called for four more days (the following Saturday).

Another interesting state to watch now: Iowa, where a shock poll at the weekend gave Harris a lead of three points in a state generally assumed to be a sure thing for Trump, who won it at the last two elections. If that bears out in reality, it probably wont make a difference to the overall outcome  but only because it is likely to indicate that Harris has had a better night than expected in other similar states, such as Michigan and Pennsylvania.

By now, Trump is likely to have a solid-looking lead in the running electoral college count youll probably see on screen  but that is expected to start whittling down as polls close in big, solid blue states, including New York and California, from this point. But if and when those six swing states where polls have closed by now are called, its very likely that the result will be apparent.

Supporters of former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump campaign in rural Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, on October 16, 2024. Picture: DESOBEAU/AFP via Getty Images

3am IST/10pm ET: Nevada

Polls close in Nevada, the last swing state, this hour. Its unlikely that its eight electoral college votes will be decisive but if they are, things are probably going to feel uncertain for a while yet. It took 88 hours to call the state in 2020.

Another question will be whether either candidate comes out to speak to their supporters, and when. Everything Trump has said suggests that it is very unlikely that he will concede defeat on election night, except in the unlikely event of a landslide against him. (In 2020, he made a speech at the White House at 2.21am ET in which he made his first false claims of electoral fraud.)

The tone he and Harris strike in these hours and afterwards will give a sense of whether the result is going to be accepted all around  or if we could be in for a much more febrile period.

4am IST/11pm ET: California, Alaska and everything after

The last polls close over the next two hours and, while it is just about theoretically possible that it could all come down to Alaska, I wouldnt bet your house on it. What seems significantly more likely is: whatever the candidates have said, if the race looks close, lawyers for both sides will be gearing up for court challenges in key states  while pro-Trump poll watchers and other supporters are likely to be making numerous claims of election interference.

Last time around, exhaustive legal processes found similar claims to be without foundation but that doesnt mean they wont be repeated. It is entirely possible that we will have a clear call of a result from the major networks by this time  but everything will still appear to be in flux.

- The Guardian
In Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, the six registered voters gathered at midnight to cast the first US election ballots, resulting in a 3-3 tie between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. This tradition, held for 60 years, reflects the states political divide.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed his popular defence minister Yoav Gallant in a surprise announcement that came as the country is embroiled in wars on multiple fronts across the region.

Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant have repeatedly been at odds over the war in Gaza.

But Mr Netanyahu had avoided sacking his rival.

Mr Netanyahu cited significant gaps and a crisis of trust between the men in his Tuesday evening announcement.

In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and defence minister, Mr Netanyahu said.

Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the defence minister. In the early days of the war, Israels leadership presented a unified front as it responded to Hamass October 7 2023 attack.

But as the war dragged on and spread to Lebanon, key policy differences have emerged.

While Mr Netanyahu has called for continued military pressure on Hamas, Mr Gallant had taken a more pragmatic approach, saying that military force has created the necessary conditions for a diplomatic deal that could bring home hostages held by the militant group.

Mr Gallant, a former general who has gained public respect with a gruff, no-nonsense personality, said in a statement: The security of the state of Israel always was, and will always remain, my lifes mission. Mr Gallant has worn a simple, black buttoned shirt throughout the war in a sign of sorrow over the October 7 attack and developed a strong relationship with his US counterpart, defence secretary Lloyd Austin.

A previous attempt by Mr Netanyahu to sack Mr Gallant in March 2023 sparked widespread street protests against Mr Netanyahu.

He also flirted with the idea of dismissing Mr Gallant over the summer but held off until Tuesdays announcement.

Mr Gallant will be replaced by foreign minister Israel Katz, a Netanyahu loyalist and veteran cabinet minister who was a junior officer in the military.

Gideon Saar, a former Netanyahu rival who recently rejoined the government, will take the foreign affairs post.

Mr Netanyahu has a long history of neutralising his rivals.

In his statement, he claimed he had made many attempts to bridge the gaps with Mr Gallant.

But they kept getting wider. They also came to the knowledge of the public in an unacceptable way, and worse than that, they came to the knowledge of the enemy  our enemies enjoyed it and derived a lot of benefit from it, he said.
A Mandan man who was the subject of a drug trafficking investigation that began in earnest six months ago and included recent search warrants being executed on two residences and three vehicles now faces multiple felony charges.

Some of the information collected by authorities reached back nearly seven years, in a case they say involved large amounts of meth and fentanyl pills as well as cocaine. Two women also face charges.

Kelvin Blue, 42, faces three separate charges related to possession with intent to manufacture or distribute meth, fentanyl and cocaine. He also faces a pair of charges accusing him of conspiring to deliver meth and fentanyl. Each possession with intent to manufacture or distribute charge carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. Each charge related to conspiracy to deliver controlled substances carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.

Blue could enter pleas at a Dec. 9 hearing. The defense attorney indicated in court records did not immediately respond to a Tribune request for comment Monday.

A judge on Monday set Blue's bond at $100,000 cash. That amount is less than the $150,000 cash bond requested by Assistant Morton County State's Attorney John Klein. Klein's request was based on the "significant amount" of illegal drugs seized during execution of search warrants by members of the Metro Area Narcotics Task Force on Oct. 2. Klein also referenced Blue's previous history of out-of-state travel that Klein said was indicative of alleged drug trafficking.

Search warrants

Task Force officers searched Blue's Mandan apartment and another address as well as three vehicles reportedly registered to him on Oct. 2, after developing intelligence over a period beginning as far back as January 2018, according to an affidavit.

During the October warrant executions, officers discovered nearly 15 pounds of meth inside the trunk of an Infiniti M45 registered to Blue, according to an affidavit. They also discovered a small safe that contained 233 grams of cocaine, 16 grams of suspected fentanyl pills and 115 grams of meth, which is less than a pound, the document said.

Previous reporting regarding suspected fentanyl pills indicates a single pill usually weighs one-tenth of a gram, making the suspected fentanyl pills found in the vehicle equate to roughly 160 pills.

Officers also searched a Cadillac Deville and discovered roughly 4,200 suspected fentanyl pills as well as documents tying the vehicle to Blue, the affidavit states.

Both vehicles were inside a garage at an apartment complex that Blue reportedly lived in on Shoal Loop drive in Mandan. A search of that apartment revealed a money transfer slip and a number of small plastic bags commonly used in drug distribution, according to the affidavit.

The third vehicle identified in the search warrants, a Chevrolet Tahoe, was reportedly seen leaving the apartment complex prior to officers executing their searches. The vehicle was reportedly driven by a woman identified as Anterica Gray, and the affidavit states officers stopped the vehicle but failed to find any contraband. Gray, 34, reportedly admitted living with Blue at the residence on Shoal Loop but denied any knowledge of drug trafficking. She was not detained, but court documents indicate she has since been charged with one count of conspiracy to deliver meth.

As of Monday afternoon, Gray was at large and there was a warrant for her arrest. The charge against her carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.

The Oct. 2 search also saw officers go to a mobile home on Third Street Southwest in Mandan that was the home of Brooke Kahl, also known as Brooke Robbins. Officers who conducted surveillance prior to Oct. 2 saw vehicles registered to Blue parked outside on more than one occasion, according to the affidavit. Task force officers while executing a search warrant reportedly discovered nearly 1  pounds of meth, meth paraphernalia and packaging materials. The affidavit states investigators also found roughly a gram of cocaine, a digital scale with drug residue on it and more than $2,300 in cash.

Kahl was home at the time of the search and allegedly told investigators she sold meth on Blue's behalf and would transfer funds to him, the affidavit states. She allegedly admitted selling an estimated 20 pounds of meth received from Blue since May and identified Gray as the person who would deliver drugs while picking up money gained from selling drugs. Court records as of Monday did not indicate any charges filed against Kahl in relation to the investigation.

Information from 2018 tied Blue to alleged drug trafficking in the Williston area, according to the affidavit.

The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation in January 2021 had information that Blue was transporting narcotics inside custom-made compartments concealed in commercial vehicles, and law enforcement in Florida in December 2022 spotted a pickup registered to Blue traveling on a highway in that state, according to the affidavit.

In all, law enforcement linked Blue to more than half a dozen vehicles during their investigation, the affidavit said. Officers also reportedly gained information from a number of confidential informants who implicated Blue as being involved in drug trafficking, using a number of locations in and around Bismarck-Mandan, including motel rooms and other apartments, the document said.

In a September search of one Bismarck motel room during the investigation into Blue, investigators found an undisclosed number of suspected fentanyl pills, several grams of meth and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency, according to the affidavit. Officers also encountered a woman identified as Ronda Secrease in the company of a confidential informant. Secrease is reportedly Blue's sister, and the informant reportedly identified Blue as the source of fentanyl pills being sold, the affidavit said.

Secrease is charged with one felony count of conspiracy to deliver fentanyl and two misdemeanor counts of possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia. She has pleaded not guilty and is in custody on a $10,000 cash bond awaiting trial set to begin on Jan. 2.

During Monday's bond hearing Klein said Blue is also the subject of a criminal investigation in Wyoming. The affidavit states Blue was arrested there on Oct. 1 after he allegedly fled from officers before crashing a BMW coupe. A search of that vehicle by Wyoming Highway Patrol officers allegedly uncovered 49 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, 23 grams of fentanyl powder, 1 pound of marijuana, money transfer receipts and two cellphones.
Today

Scattered thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High 69F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 42F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 54F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
Below find updates from Tuesday's general election voting, along with links to other Tribune election reporting, including all results.

There are three contested races for seats in the state Legislature in the Bismarck-Mandan area, eight statewide races, five statewide ballot measures, a race for seats on the Burleigh County Commission, an uncontested race for Morton County Commission, one contested local race for district judge in the South Central Judicial District, and local ballot measures in Bismarck and Morton County.

Final results in

8 a.m. Wednesday: Unofficial final results are in for the general election in North Dakota, putting a cap on statewide races and measures.

North Dakota voters approved two ballot measures -- to change terminology used to describe some state institutions (84% in favor) and to reduce the amount of money the state Legislature can spend out of the Legacy Fund principal from 15% to 5% over a two-year biennium (52% in favor). But they killed measures to put more stringent requirements on state ballot measures for constitutional amendments (56% opposed), to end the current property tax system (63% opposed) and to legalize recreational marijuana (53% opposed).

In lingering statewide races, Republican State Auditor Josh Gallion easily defeated Democratic-NPL challenger Tim Lamb, GOP Public Service Commissioner Randy Christmann cruised to victory over Dem-NPL candidate Tracey Wilkie, and State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler outdistanced challenger Jason Heitkamp in the nonpartisan race.

Bismarck-Mandan area voters decide races, measures

12 a.m.: Voters in the Bismarck-Mandan area have decided races and measures.

Incumbent Burleigh County Commissioners Steve Bakken and Brian Bitner won reelection, defeating challengers Amelia Doll and Gregory Heilman.

Morton County voters passed a 1% sales tax proposal aimed at lowering property taxes and funding the county's public safety needs.

Bismarck voters approved a half-cent sales tax to fund public safety and public transportation. They also approved a measure to continue publishing City Commission minutes in the official newspaper, The Bismarck Tribune.

Incumbent Bismarck-Mandan area Republican state House and Senate members held on to their seats in districts with contested elections. Winners included: state Sen. Diane Larson, R-Bismarck, in District 30; state Reps. Pat Heinert, R-Bismarck, and Lisa Meier, R-Bismarck, in District 32; and state Sen. Justin Gerhardt, R-Mandan, in District 34.

Jason Hammes easily defeated Marina Spahr in the contest to replace retiring South Central District Judge Bruce Romanick. Hammes currently serves the court as a judicial referee.

Fedorchak wins North Dakota U.S. House race

9 p.m.: Republican Julie Fedorchak will be the first woman to represent North Dakota in the U.S. House.

The Associated Press has declared the longtime member of the state Public Service Commission the winner in her race against Democratic-NPL candidate Trygve Hammer. Fedorchak will succeed Kelly Armstrong, who left Congress to run for governor.

Fedorchak has served on the PSC since 2013 and is president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. Hammer is a military veteran who emphasized his diverse work experience, including teaching high school science and being a rig worker in the Bakken.

Trump, Armstrong, Cramer win North Dakota races

8:15 p.m.: The Associated Press has declared winners in the North Dakota races for president, governor and U.S. Senate.

Donald Trump has won North Dakota's three electoral votes -- as he easily did in the 2020 and 2016 elections.

Republican U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong will be North Dakota's next governor, succeeding fellow Republican Doug Burgum, who did not seek reelection. Armstrong defeated Democratic-NPL state Sen. Merrill Piepkorn of Fargo and independent candidate Michael Coachman.

Republican U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer has won reelection, defeating Democratic-NPL challenger Katrina Christiansen, an associate professor at the University of Jamestown who ran unsuccessfully in 2022 against Republican John Hoeven for his U.S. Senate seat.

Polls close in North Dakota; results to follow

8 p.m.: All Election Day polls have now closed in North Dakota, including those in the southwestern counties on Mountain time.

Early unofficial returns should start coming from the Secretary of States Office soon. Find all the statewide and local results in one place on the Tribune website at https://bit.ly/48CfhPn.

Polls close in much of North Dakota

7 p.m.: Polls have closed in much of North Dakota, with those in southwestern counties that are on Mountain time open for another hour.

No major voting problems have been reported so far in the state.

The American Civil Liberties Union reported some issues with Minnesotans who attend North Dakota State University, live in Fargo and wanted to vote there. And the ACLU and North Dakota Native Vote reported that a polling site in the northern town of Rolette ran out of paper ballots. More were obtained in about an hour, and voters in the meantime had the option of using electronic vote pads.

The Secretary of States Office said things overall have gone smoothly. Election officials in Burleigh and Morton counties said the same.

National, state, local issues draw voters

3 p.m.: National, state and local issues are all drawing voters to the polls in Bismarck on Election Day.

Twenty-eight-year-old Tyler Stecher said voting for the nation's next president is important for him, but he's also interested in measures that are on the local ballot. Bismarck voters are deciding whether to approve a half-cent sales tax to fund public safety and public transportation.

The tax would allocate three-tenths of a cent to public safety if approved. The remaining two-tenths of a cent would go toward supporting public transportation needs. Voters in Mandan approved a similar measure in the June primary.

Twenty-year-old Kaylee Halvorson voted for the first time, and said some statewide issues were priority for her -- particularly measures that would end the current property tax system, and would legalize recreational marijuana. She said she recognizes that both outcomes could impact the state economy.

Halvorson said voting for the first time was kind of intimidating, but she thinks it's important to have her say, and she found it to be "pretty easy at the end."

Election Day weather is frosty

11:30 a.m.: Tuesdays dawning as a cool, frosty morning with temperatures in the upper 20s didnt deter early morning voters at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bismarck.

Election official Marcie Conmy said people were lined up outside the doors before polls opened at 7 a.m.

It was really nice, she said of the turnout.

It also was busy. Within the first hour, 117 ballots had been cast. Before 9 a.m., the number had risen to 200.

Among those voting in person was 21-year-old Joseph Seibold, a first-time voter. He said he found the process quick, easy and important.

Most of my friends are voting, Seibold said. First election I could vote for, so Im here.

Many voters in Burleigh County didn't wait until Election Day to fill out their ballot -- 28,623 people voted through absentee or mail-in ballots or early voting, according to the Secretary of State's Office. The figure in neighboring Morton County was 8,574.

Voting underway

8 a.m.: Polling sites have now opened across North Dakota, as Election Day gets underway.

Polls in North Dakota can be open until 9 p.m. local time. North Dakota covers two time zones, so most of the state will start reporting results while some voters in the southwest are still casting ballots.

Burleigh County has 18 polling sites and Morton County has 12. To find your polling site, go to: https://bit.ly/3NMA6Ox. The polls in both counties are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time.

Nearly 188,000 North Dakotans have already voted through absentee or mail-in ballots or early voting, according to the Secretary of State's Office. There are 594,140 eligible voters in the state.

Registration is not needed to vote in North Dakota. To vote, a valid form of photo identification is required. Valid forms of ID include a drivers license, a non-driver ID, a tribal ID, a tribal letter or a long-term care certificate. You must be 18 years old, a resident of North Dakota and a U.S. citizen to vote.

Bis-Man Transit is offering free rides for Capital Area Transit bus riders and paratransit riders on Election Day. The free rides will be offered for all hours of operation, and to all locations. For more information go to bismantransit.com.

If you feel you are wrongly not allowed to vote, you can call the American Civil Liberties Union Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683. Incidents also can be reported to the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division at 800-253-3931 or online at https://bit.ly/4hoLhur.

(Check back for updates)
In the current political landscape of the United States, there is little agreement between Democrats and Republicans. Nonetheless, both parties can concur on the chaos that has characterized the past few months.

Topsy, turbulent and traumatic is how one leading Democratic strategist characterized this electoral cycle.

Chaotic, crazy and fun is how a Republican consultant summed it up.

This year witnessed the realization of Democratic nightmares.

It culminated in the shortest presidential campaign in US history.

Jerrod Dobkin from Message Inc, who is involved in a Republican Senate campaign in Pennsylvania, expressed his views on the situation.

I believe we [Democrats] have lost our way, stated Brett Bruen, a former White House official under President Barack Obama.

It has certainly been a rollercoaster ride, and many of us are concerned that Biden may not have the stamina to endure another four years. If Harris does not succeed in this race, it will likely be attributed to Bidens prolonged tenure, remarked the President of the Global Situation Room.

Mr. Bruen noted that Kamala Harris lacked sufficient time to build a team and establish a message.

She found herself thrust into a campaign at full speed, he commented.

Not only did she need to assemble a team, but she also had to clarify her policy positions, which is where she notably struggled. How can she set herself apart from Biden? I think this is partly due to her loyalty, as well as the limited time spent on development, he added.

Joe Bidens decision to step aside altered everything.

I would argue that the pivotal moment in this election was the debate at the end of June. That was the most significant presidential debate in our history, said Kevin Madden, a former spokesperson for Mitt Romneys campaign in 2012.

He noted that this electoral cycle would have enduring repercussions.

Brett Bruen, a former White House official under President Barack Obama, weighed in.

We have invested around $15 billion across all candidates on various ballots, and much of the communication aimed at these activist party base voters has centered on claims that one side is going to steal the election, and if the other side prevails, democracy will be at risk, Mr. Madden explained.

This has fostered a significant level of tension within the American electorate, and it will pose a challenge for the nation to unite, he continued.

Read more: Latest US Election stories Live: Updates as they happen

The two failed assassination attempts on the former president, now a convicted felon, added further drama to this historic American election.

Amidst countless headlines, its easy to overlook Donald Trumps remarkable resurgence to the forefront of the party after his 2020 defeat.

If Trump emerges victorious, it will be the most remarkable political comeback in history, said Jerrod Dobkin from Message Inc, involved in a Republican Senate campaign in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Dobkin pointed out that Trump possesses a unique ability to endure challenges and is the only figure capable of uniting the GOP.

Despite the internal conflicts within the party, I believe this is beneficial for democracy and essential for the nation, as it is likely to yield the best outcomes for the populace, he concluded.

Both Democrats and Republicans will be eager to leave this tumultuous campaign behind.

The polls closing today may alleviate campaign anxiety but will introduce new uncertainties regarding the future of both parties.
Swedens government has announced the suspension of the construction of 13 offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, following claims from the military that these projects could hinder national defense capabilities.

During a press conference, Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari explained that the permits for the proposed wind farms were denied due to their potential to negatively impact defense interests in an unacceptable manner.

All 13 projects were set to be located near NATOs newest members southeastern coast in the Baltic Sea, directly across from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

This decision comes in light of a study conducted by the Swedish Armed Forces, released by public broadcaster SVT last week, which indicated that the wind farms could significantly interfere with military sensors.

In the current security situation that Sweden faces, defense interests must be prioritized, Defence Minister Pal Jonson remarked to reporters.

Mr. Jonson highlighted that offshore wind installations in the region might disrupt military radar systems and reduce the alert time for detecting incoming cruise missiles from two minutes to just 60 seconds.

One lesson learned from Ukraine is that Russia employs various long-range weapon systems, including cruise and ballistic missiles, Mr. Jonson added.

The Industry Association for Wind Power in Sweden called the decision unexpected.

It is concerning that the government has outright closed an entire area to potential energy production without conducting a comprehensive overall assessment, the association stated in a release.

Mr. Jonson mentioned that regions off Swedens southwestern and northeastern coasts are more appropriate for offshore wind energy initiatives.

Kaliningrad

The minister remarked that the proximity to the highly militarized Kaliningrad area was a key factor in the evaluation.

Tensions in the region have escalated since Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In late October, NATO inaugurated a new naval base in Rostock, Germany, aimed at coordinating the military forces of alliance members in the region.

The day following the inauguration, Russia summoned the German ambassador to Moscow to express its opposition to the new naval command center.

Russia termed the center a blatant violation of the 1990 treaty on German reunification, which stated that no foreign armed forces would be stationed in the area, a claim that Germany refuted.

In response to the Ukraine invasion, Sweden and Finland abandoned decades of military non-alignment to join the US-led military alliance.

The Baltic Sea is now encircled by NATO members, with some analysts referring to it as a NATO lake.

Mr. Jonson emphasized that Sweden holds a special responsibility as a member of the alliance regarding the Baltic Sea, where the country possesses unique capabilities that are vital to the entire alliance.

At the same time, the demand for renewable energy sources remains a high priority on the agenda.

A government memo reviewed by AFP emphasized that other nations have developed solutions for offshore wind energy, such as deploying specialized gap-filling radars around the wind farms.

However, it noted that Swedens geographical considerations necessitate distinct trade-offs.

The same memo also acknowledged the urgent need for increased energy production, as electricity demand in Sweden is projected to more than double by 2045.

The government reiterated that expanding wind power remains a priority and announced approval for an offshore wind power park off Swedens west coast.

The Poseidon wind power park will utilize floating wind turbines, capable of generating up to 5.5 TWh of energy annually.

Additionally, another 10 proposed offshore wind power parks are currently under government consideration.
The United States Supreme Court has dismissed a judicial ruling that had saved a man convicted of murder in Alabama from execution due to a finding of intellectual disability.

The justices determined that the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals must clarify its decision that Joseph Clifton Smiths death sentence for a 1997 murder should be overturned based on the Supreme Courts 2002 ruling prohibiting the execution of intellectually disabled individuals as cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Smith was found guilty and sentenced to death for the murder of Durk Van Dam in Mobile County, Alabama, in 1997. Evidence revealed that Smith brutally bludgeoned Van Dam with a hammer and saw to steal his boots, tools, and $140.

The victims remains were discovered in his mud-drenched Ford Ranger truck in a remote, wooded area.

IQ test scores

Similar to many states, conservative Alabama incorporates IQ test scores of 70 or below as part of its criteria for establishing intellectual disability.

Supreme Court decisions in 2014 and 2017 permitted courts to evaluate IQ scores that are near 70 in conjunction with additional evidence of intellectual disability, including testimony regarding adaptive deficits.

Smiths IQ test results included five scores, with the lowest being 72.

A federal judge indicated that Smiths score might be as low as 69, considering the standard error margin of plus or minus three points.

The judge also observed that Smith exhibited significant deficits from a young age in social skills, interpersonal interactions, independent living, and academics.

The 11th Circuit upheld the judges findings in 2023, thus nullifying Smiths death sentence.

Smith not intellectually disabled  appeal

Smith is not intellectually disabled, Alabama asserted in its appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing that the 11th Circuit had twisted law and logic by focusing excessively on Smiths lowest IQ score to conclude he was intellectually disabled.

The justices, in a brief unsigned opinion today, stated that the 11th Circuits assessment of Smiths IQ scores could have two interpretations and necessitates clarification.

The Supreme Courts review of the states appeal regarding this case may hinge on the reasoning behind the 11th Circuits decision, as per the opinion.

Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch expressed that they would have preferred to hear and schedule arguments for Alabamas appeal.

The Supreme Court deliberated for an exceptionally long period on whether to entertain Alabamas appeal, which was submitted in August 2023.
By Lisa Strombom, Lund University | 

(The Conversation)  Israels relationship with the United Nations has historically been strained, but over the past year, tensions have reached new levels. On October 28, the Israeli parliament (the Knesset) passed a law to prohibit operations of the UNs relief and works agency (Unrwa)  the UN body responsible for Palestinian refugees  within the territory it controls. Its a legal and political development which many fear will have grave humanitarian consequences for Palestinians in Gaza and beyond.

The decision also prompts questions about what lies ahead for the increasingly divisive relationship between the government of Benjamin Netanyahu and the UN. There is even speculation that the Unrwa ban could lead to Israel being expelled from the UN general assembly.

Israels relations with the UN have long been fractious. But Unrwa has come in for particular criticism from successive Israeli governments over the years.

The agency was set up in 1949 to support Palestinian refugees displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. What was originally intended to be a temporary agency has now operated for more than seven decades, thanks to the unending hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian people. In addition to humanitarian assistance, Unrwa provides education, healthcare and a range of social services to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Unrwas schools have been a particular bugbear for Israeli critics. It has been pointed out that textbooks provided by the Palestinian Authority and used in some Unrwa schools were pivotal in radicalising generations of Gazans. There have also been allegations that money intended to support Unrwa relief works has been finding its way to Hamas.

But it was the alleged involvement of Unrwa employees in the October 7 attack on Israel, spearheaded by Hamas, that brought the issue to a head earlier this year. In January, Israel presented Joe Bidens US administration with a dossier that purported to present evidence that 12 Unrwa staff had taken an active part in the attack. The UN announced it had dismissed the surviving staff named in the dossier  but the accusations led several countries to suspend their Unrwa funding.

Unrwas commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, described the suspension of funding as a collective punishment. He said it would have grave consequences for Gazas civilians who were  and remain  at high risk of famine.

An independent review set up by Lazzarini reported in April and found no evidence that the agency had been infiltrated by Hamas. Instead, it stressed how Unrwas work was an indispensable lifeline for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. As a result, international funding of Unrwa was resumed by all countries but the US.

At loggerheads

Now Israel has gone a step further and banned Unrwa operations. This appears to be the latest blow in a campaign of hostility against the UN that has been years in the making.

In recent years, Netanyahus anti-UN rhetoric has escalated considerably. In 2022, the UN general assembly (UNGA) voted in favour of a resolution calling for the International Court of Justice to give its opinion on Israels prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of Palestinian territory. Netanyahu called the decision despicable. He refused to recognise the vote, saying:

Like hundreds of the twisted decisions against Israel taken by the UNGA over the years, todays despicable decision will not bind the Israeli government. The Jewish nation is not an occupier in its own land and its own eternal capital, Jerusalem.

During the past year, as it has continued its assault on Gaza, Israels efforts to delegitimise the UN have also intensified. At the beginning of October, after Iran had launched a barrage of rockets at Israeli military installations, Israel barred the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, from entering the country. Foreign minister Israel Katz commented: Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Irans heinous attack on Israel  does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil.



Death of UNRWA, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3 / Crop2Comic, 2024.

Meanwhile, units of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been involved in a number of incidents which have threatened the safety of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon (Unifil). The peacekeepers are there under a mandate to safeguard Lebanese civilians in the area, where Israel has been conducting what it calls its military operation since the beginning of October. Many scholars of international law believe the IDFs actions could be interpreted as war crimes.

This in turn led to a public spat with the French president, Emmanuel Macron. Calling on Israel to respect the neutrality of Unifil peacekeepers, Macron said Netanyahu should not forget that his country was created by a decision of the UN  to which Netanyahu replied:

It was not the UN resolution that established the state of Israel, but rather the victory achieved in the war of independence with the blood of heroic fighters, many of whom were Holocaust survivors, including from the Vichy regime in France.

The last clause was a pointed reminder that a section of the French government collaborated with the Nazi regime in the extermination of French Jews.

International condemnation

But its the decision to bar Unrwa from Israel that has drawn the harshest international criticism, and which threatens to further isolate the country diplomatically. The UN secretary general has been joined by the EU and US in urging Israel to reconsider.

Washington has already been highly critical of what it describes as Israeli efforts to starve Palestinians in parts of Gaza, and the US and UK are both reported to be considering suspending arms sales to Israel.

Amnesty International, meanwhile, said the law amounts to the criminalisation of humanitarian aid and will worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. But Israel has signalled it intends to hold firm, while insisting it will continue to do everything in its power to ensure that aid continues to reach ordinary Gazans.

But the vast majority of Gazas population is now displaced. Most of the built infrastructure  including hospitals  has been destroyed. And Israels military operations are forcing most civilians out of the north of the Gaza Strip. So, the question now is whether the effective crippling of the largest international aid agency working in Gaza will simply make matters worse for the people living there.

Lisa Strombom, Ph D, Associate Professor, Lund University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 5, 2024) - Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PX) (OTC Pink: PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that a high-resolution UAV airborne magnetics survey has commenced on its Obuasi property, adjacent to the giant high-grade Obuasi Mine owned by AngloGold Ashanti PLC. The survey is expected to take 3-4 weeks to complete.

Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO, commented: "The high-resolution airborne drone magnetics survey covers one of the most prospective areas of our Obuasi property situated on strike with the renowned Obuasi Mine. The survey is being conducted in collaboration with TuNya Mineral Resources Ltd. as part of their earn-in on the southern Tarkwaian portion of our property. This survey is expected to yield critical data that will enhance our targeting of Obuasi-style gold mineralization on our property. We are eager to review the survey results and explore the targets it identifies for further evaluation and follow-up."

Background

Pelangio's 284 square kilometer Obuasi property is located in Ghana, Africa's largest gold producer. It is strategically situated in the Ashanti Gold Belt, West Africa's largest gold belt and globally recognized for its rich, high-grade gold deposits with centuries of successful gold mining. Our Obuasi property is adjacent to Anglo-Gold's Ashanti's high-grade Obuasi Mine with gold endowment exceeding sixty million ounces.

TuNya are conducting a US$250,000 technical study of Pelangio's Obuasi property as partial fulfillment of their earn-in on the southern Tarkwaian portion of the Obuasi property. This work commenced in October of 2023 with a desk top review of Pelangio's considerable exploration datasets plus a start on detailed field mapping over the western half of the property. Field mapping was completed in May of 2024 and a report was issued with recommendations that included the flying of a high-resolution UAV (drone) airborne magnetics survey over the principal area of interest identified in the western margin of the property covering the interpreted strike extension of the Obuasi mineralized trend. Here, a significant concentration of Pelangio's historical anomalous rock chip samples > 1 g/t Au occurs with much of the 8-kilometer long target untested by trenching and drilling. Refer to Figure 1.

Following the flying of the magnetic survey, the data will be processed, imaged and geologically plus structurally interpreted with recommendations for follow up to be funded by TuNya, likely to include a program of pitting and trenching to test the most favourable targets.

Survey Details

The drone (UAV) airborne magnetics survey being flown at Obuasi will be conducted by SEMS Exploration of Ghana. The survey will be flown with a GEMS Systems AIRBIRD magnetometer suspended from a Matrice 300 RTK drone along 50-meter spaced lines with a total of 400 line-kilometers covering an area of approximately 20 square kilometers. The survey is expected to take three weeks, depending on the weather. SEMS inhouse geophysicist will process and image the survey data and provide a report plus GIS imagery to Pelangio within ten days of completion of the survey.

Figure 1. Obuasi project UAV Magnetics Survey Area

Qualified Person

Mr. Kevin Thomson, P.Geo. (Ontario, #0191), is a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Thomson approved the technical data disclosed in this release.

About Pelangio

Pelangio acquires and explores prospective land packages located in world-class gold belts in Ghana, West Africa and Canada. In Ghana, the Company is focused on its two 100% owned camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo property, the site of eight near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2 Obuasi property, located 4 km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine, as well as the Dankran property located adjacent to its Obuasi property. See www.pelangio.com for further details on all Pelangio's properties.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the Company's strategy of acquiring large land packages in areas of sizeable gold mineralization, and the Company's ability to complete the planned exploration programs. Regarding forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made many assumptions, including about the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Such risks include the changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, gold price volatility, political developments in Ghana, and Canada, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration, including the risk that favourable exploration results may not be obtained, near-term production may not be viable,, delays due to COVID-19 or other safety protocols, and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statement and information. There can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update any forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. All forward-looking statements and information herein are qualified by this cautionary statement.



Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 5, 2024) - Royal Road Minerals Limited (TSXV: RYR) ("Royal Road" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its exploration work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Company carries out its exploration activities in Saudi Arabia through its local subsidiary, Royal Road Arabia Limited ("RRA"). RRA is a Saudi Arabian joint-venture company owned on a 50-50% basis by Royal Road and MIDU Company Limited ("MIDU"). MIDU is a Saudi Arabian investment holding company, headquartered in Jeddah, with interests across various sectors including mining, industrial, real estate development and utilities.

RRA was granted Winning Bidder of the Al Miyah tender area and received notification of a 90-day provisional award in July of 2024. However, upon RRA's request, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIMR) in Saudi Arabia has agreed to allow RRA to relinquish its rights to the Al Miyah tender. This decision enables RRA to concentrate on and expand its planned drilling activities in the Jabal Sahabiyah project area.

Jabal Sahabiyah Project: Saudi Arabia

The Jabal Sahabiyah project consists of three contiguous Exploration Licenses and was awarded to RRA as Preferred Bidder in a competitive Licensing Round in January of this year (see Press Release January 15, 2024). The license areas total approximately 284 square kilometers in areal extent and are located in Asir Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (see press releases January 15, February 27 and May 29, 2024).

RRA interprets copper, gold and polymetallic mineralization at Jabal Sahabiyah to be controlled broadly by meta-intrusive rocks and associated metasomatism emplaced at or below a mid-crustal detachment (see Figure 1). Previous work at Jabal Sahabiyah included regional and prospect-scale mapping, surface geochemistry, geophysics and scout-drilling conducted by Riofinex in the late 1970s, followed by drill testing of vein gold occurrences by Ma'aden (Saudi-Arabian state-owned mining company) in 2007.

Figure 1

Riofinex identified a total of 8 individual prospect areas (see Figure 1) represented primarily by exposed or sub cropping remnants of base and precious metals gossans, which demonstrably continue beneath recent alluvium. RRA's exploration work has focused initially on identifying the concealed extensions of the Jabal Muwayqirah gossan and on advancing it to the point of drill-testing, but the program has now been expanded to include preparation and drill-testing of the Hanash South prospect area and further mapping, geochemical work and drone-borne magnetics at Umm al Harjan, Ash Shajjah and Wadi Raiel.

Jabal Muwayqirah

The Jabal Muwayqirah gossan is located at the northern extent of an interpreted magnetic aureole and represents a shallow-dipping oxidized, erosional remnant of zinc, copper, gold and silver mineralization which extends below metamorphosed hangingwall rocks to the north and below alluvial cover to the south (see Figures 1, 2 and 3). Limited shallow open hole drilling conducted by Riofinex intersected zinc, copper and lead mineralization on the gossan and immediately adjacent to it under alluvial cover (Figure 2). Riofinex did not assay for gold. The best intersection was drill hole JM4 which returned 14 meters at 0.6% copper, 5.1% zinc and 0.7% lead (not JORC compliant; from surface). RRA grab rock-chips returned significant gold, silver and base metal grades with gold up to 7.5 grams per tonne (mean 1.6, minimum 0.1 grams per tonne), silver up to 423 ppm (mean 59.5, minimum 1.5 ppm), copper up to 5.0% (mean 0.8%, minimum 0.03%) and zinc up to 30% (mean 3.7%, minimum 0.2%).

Figure 2

Mapping and new drone-borne magnetic data have revealed that exposed gossan at Jabal Muwayqirah is positioned on the limb of an (F3-generation) antiform (see Figure 3). Auger samples taken from 3 meters below the surface of alluvial sediments have identified subtle zinc and copper anomalism which defines a geochemical trend around the antiform towards its hinge. The geochemistry, structural mapping and magnetic data has highlighted a south-southeast plunging drill-target of approximately 500 meters strike extent and unknown (down-plunge) depth extent (see Figure 3). The gossan also continues beneath overlying metamorphic rocks to the north and may be exposed again around a synform and beneath alluvial cover to the east (see Figure 3). The Company is planning further auger sampling to test this model and has commenced the environmental permitting process for drilling at Jabal Muwayqirah. Drilling is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2025.

Figure 3

Hanash South

The Hanash South prospect area was discovered by Riofinex in the late 1970's. Riofinex identified copper, zinc and silver mineralized gossans outcropping and sub-cropping along and within a wadi over a strike distance of approximately 1.6 kilometers (see Figure 4). Riofinex completed ground magnetics, induced polarization (IP) and self-potential (SP) surveys at Hanash South. The IP survey outlined an approximately 2.3-kilometer-long chargeability anomaly located beneath alluvial sediments (see Figure 4). Riofinex drilled seven diamond drill holes along the trend of the IP anomaly. All drill holes except for HAS-3 and 6, intersected ("layer-parallel") sulphide intervals of from 25 to 90 meters thickness (see example log in Figure 5). The sulphide sections were anomalous in silver, zinc and copper. Some select samples were taken for gold analyses, but results were not reported. Estimated grades assessed from graphic logs (historic results are not available; see Figure 5) can be up to approximately 20 meters at 20ppm silver and 0.3% copper (visual estimate only, not JORC compliant). Highest reported grades over shorter intervals were 12.5% zinc and 0.4% copper over 1.7 meters and 46.4 ppm silver over 2.4 meters (Not JORC compliant).

Figure 4

Figure 5

Drilling from Hanash South has identified significant thicknesses of sulphide mineralization over 2.3 kilometers of strike-length and open towards the southeast. Sulphide intersections have not been systematically assayed for gold and where they were sampled, modern fire assay analytical techniques were not utilized, and results have not been reported. RRA is currently completing geological mapping and a drone-borne magnetic survey across Hanash South and has implemented the environmental permitting process with a view to drill testing the prospect in the first quarter of 2025.

Dr Tim Coughlin, Royal Road's President and CEO stated: "Systematic exploration work at Jabal Sahabiyah is identifying local and district-scale potential at several localities. Key to the polymetallic potential of these localities is repeat geochemical sampling using modern analytical techniques to better assess particularly the gold content of exposed mineralization. This is evident at Jabal Muwayqirah, where the addition of gold from RRA's grab sampling has elevated copper equivalent grades to a maximum of 16.5% and increased the economic potential of the prospect area. Also important at Jabal Sahabiyah and elsewhere is testing beneath transported cover or wadis. We now have several examples of gossan occurrences occurring as erosional remnants along the immediate banks of wadi's or as sub crop from within the wadi itself. In the case of Hanash South, Riofinex collared all of their drill holes from within the wadi and at Jabal Muwayqirah our immediate targets are evident as subtle auger anomalies and drone magnetic responses from beneath three meters of transported cover. We look forward to drill-testing our models in the coming year".

Royal Road Minerals is a mineral exploration and development company with its head office and technical-operations center located in Jersey, Channel Islands. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker RYR and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker RLU. The Company's mission is to apply expert skills and innovative technologies to the process of discovering and developing copper and gold deposits of a scale large enough to benefit future generations and modern enough to ensure minimum impact on the environment and no net loss of biodiversity. The Company currently explores in the Kingdoms of Saudi Arabia and Morocco. More information can be found on the Company's website www.royalroadminerals.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary statement

This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements") describing the Company's future plans and the expectations of its management that a stated result or condition will occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or developments in the Company's business or in the mineral resources industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that is based on assumptions about, among other things, the Alliance, the intention to form a joint venture, enter into a related agreement and establish Newco and, more generally, future economic conditions and courses of action, and assumptions related to government approvals, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The words "plans", "prospective", "expect", "intend", "intends to" and similar expressions identify forward looking statements, which may also include, without limitation, any statement relating to future events, conditions or circumstances. Forward-looking statements of the Company contained in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to the Company's exploration plans.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Sample preparation and analyses are conducted according to standard industry procedures at certified laboratories. Analytical performance is monitored by means of certified reference materials (CRMs), coarse blanks, coarse and pulp duplicate samples. Grab rock-chip samples were bagged in the field for a sample size of approximately 2kg and then sent to ALS in Jeddah where gold was analyzed by fire assay with inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP) finish and multielement analyses were conducted by four acid digest with ICP-MS finish (ME-MS61). Soil samples were collected 40-80cm below the surface or in the case of auger samples from up to 3 meters below transported cover to avoid surficial contamination. Approximately 0.5kg was collected for each sample. For each sample, soil or cover thickness, horizon (where present), sample type, sample collection depth, and field sieve-mesh were recorded. QAQC materials included approximately 5% CRMs, 5% blanks, and 8% field duplicates. Soil samples were sent to ALS Jeddah for drying and dry-sieving to -75um/-200 mesh. Gold analysis was completed by 30g fire-assay with an ICP-MS finish. Super trace multi-element analysis was completed using four acid digest with ICP-MS finish (ME-MS61L). All results were analyzed by our in-house Exploration and Database Management team before import into our geochemical database.

The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. There is no guarantee that the anticipated benefits of the Company's business plans or operations will be achieved. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: economic market conditions, anticipated costs and expenditures, government approvals, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with Canadian provincial securities regulators or other applicable regulatory authorities. Forward-looking statements included herein are based on the current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions of the Company management and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 4, 2024) - Alma Gold Inc. (CSE: ALMA) ("Alma Gold" or the "Company") announces that it has granted an aggregate of 1,200,000 stock options ("Options") to its directors, officers and consultants at a price of $0.15 per common share for a period of three years from grant, pursuant to its Stock Option Plan which was approved by Shareholders on April 25, 2024. All Options vested on issuance.

About Alma Gold Inc.

Alma Gold Inc. is a gold-focused exploration company based in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Alma Gold Inc. through its subsidiary Karita Gold Corp. is exploring the Karita West Project in northern Guinea, the Dialakoro project permits under application in the Siguiri Basin of Guinea and it owns the Clarence Stream North Gold Project in southwest New Brunswick, Canada.

For more information on Alma Gold Inc., please visit our website at: https://almagoldinc.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Gregory Isenor"

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and includes those risks set out in the Corporation's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Corporation's profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Corporation believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.
TUCSON, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 /Western Alaska Minerals (the "Company" or "WAM") (TSXV:WAM) is pleased to report drilling and trenching results that show continuity of mineralization across its Illinois Creek CRD project. Additional assay results from the Warm Springs (WS) zone strengthens evidence of a critical link between the Waterpump Creek (WPC) silver deposit (75 Moz at 980 g/t AgEq Inferred1) and the Illinois Creek (IC) gold deposit (373,000 oz AuEq indicated and 152,000 oz AuEq inferred1), significantly enhancing the district-scale potential of the 100%-owned project.

The final six 2024 drill holes completed at Warm Springs further demonstrate the extensive scale of the Carbonate Replacement Deposit (CRD) hydrothermal system at the Illinois Creek Project (see September 10, 2024 news release). The Warm Springs zone is characterized by an upper horizon of multistage intense silicification and brecciation, associated with massive to semi-massive pyrite and gold-copper mineralization. This mineralization style is exemplified in the upper intercepts of holes IC24-0008, IC24-0010, and previously reported IC24-0004 (see August 29, 2024 news release).

Highlights:

Initial exploration drilling at the Warm Springs target confirms a ~1.7 km x 1.0 km mineralized corridor, south of the WS fault, trending east-northeast with eight of nine holes encountering significant CRD-style alteration and mineralization.

Intersections of complex multi-stage mineralization characterized by thick intervals of silica pyrite mineralization punctuated by thin zones of both Illinois Creek (Au/Ag/Cu) and Waterpump Creek (Ag/Pb/Zn) styles of mineralization.

Drill highlights include:

IC24-0010 2.5 meters grading 2.31 g/t Au, 73 g/tAg

IC24-0010 0.5 meters grading 53 g/t Ag, 3.1% Pb, 12.4% Zn

IC24-0008 10.4 meters grading 1.02 g/t Au

IC24-0008 2.1 meters grading 2.68 g/t Au, 214g/t Ag, 0.9% Cu

IC24-0008 1.5 meters grading 3.54 g/t Au, 6.7 g/t Ag

IC24-0005* 1.2 meters grading 687 g/t Ag,33.6% Pb

IC24-0005* 3.2 meters grading 88.5 g/t Ag, 2.4% Pb, 4.0% Zn

IC24-0004* 1.0 meters grading 5.6 g/t Au, 12.8 g/t Ag,

IC24-0004* 0.2 meters grading 12.5g/t Au, 167 g/t Ag,0.9% Cu, 2.4% Pb

"These results mark a significant milestone in demonstrating the scalability of our Illinois Creek CRD project," stated Kit Marrs, CEO of Western Alaska Minerals. "The mineralization encountered at Warm Springs provides strong evidence for a connection between our high-grade Waterpump Creek silver deposit and the Illinois Creek gold deposit."

1 For full disclosure visit https://westernalaskaminerals.com/projects/illinois-creek-crd/ for details on the NI 43-101 report

Discussion

In 2024, Western Alaska Minerals' exploration strategy targeted the expansive, untested corridor between our established Illinois Creek and Waterpump Creek deposits. This multi-kilometer district-scale system, spanning at least 6 by 8 kilometers, was the focus of drilling at the high-priority Warm Springs and LH prospects. The program successfully validated and expanded our understanding of this large-scale mineralized footprint.

CSAMT and 3D IP geophysical surveys, conducted in 2022 and 2023, combined with extensive soil geochemistry and drilling has revealed compelling district-scale metal zonation (see Fig. 1 below). This zonation ranges from silver-lead-zinc mineralization at Waterpump Creek, representing the distal portion of the system, to gold-copper-silver mineralization at Illinois Creek, indicating proximity to the intrusive source.

Figure 1. District-scale zoning in relation to the existing Waterpump Creek and Illinois Creek resources.

Warm Springs Key Findings:

Results suggest Warm Springs could be a new spoke of CRD mineralization analogous to both the IC and WPC resources.

Mineralization is characterized by paragenetically complex multi-stage silica/pyrite mineralization with thin zones of both IC and WPC styles of mineralization.

The mineralization lies immediately below a major impermeable fluid barrier capping a thick section of receptive dolomite.

Preliminary interpretation of a 2024 SkyTEM aerial electromagnetic survey supports additional targeting in the Warm Springs zone with newly recognized high-angle feeder structures and a major antiformal fold axis.

Importantly, the 2024 exploration drill results and the new SkyTEM survey emphasize the continued westward potential for the gold-copper-rich proximal part of the CRD system.

LH Key Findings

Drill hole LH24-0015 cut 0.25 meters grading 192 g/t silver, 1.9% lead and 3.8% zinc.

Trench LH-01-7 grab sample ran 599 g/t silver and 46.8% zinc.

2024 exploration at the LH zone, including drilling and surface trenching, has identified a narrow vertical structure that appears to be vertically oriented, controlling CRD-style alteration and Ag-Pb-Zn gossan mineralization. While this structure shows potential at depth, it appears unlikely to represent an offset of the Waterpump Creek fault. Rather, the data suggests LH represents a distinct, separate part of the broader Illinois Creek CRD mineralized system.

Stratigraphic and 2024 drill implications along with the preliminary SkyTEM interpretation suggest the main WPC structure remains untested downdip farther to the east below capping impermeable schists. This target has been named "Waterpump Creek South".

Figure 2. North wall of Trench LH-01 depicting 4 gossans with grab-sample assaying 599 g/t Ag, 46.8% Zn, and 4,300 ppm Pb

Figure 3. Location of Waterpump Creek South and LH Targets

Table 1. Intercepts from Warm Springs drill holes IC24-0004 through IC24-0012

Hole From

(m) To

(m) Length Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (pct) Pb (pct) Zn (pct) IC24-0004 84.17 88.85 4.68 1.29 11.6 0.04 0.26 0.05 Previously reported Including 84.17 84.35 0.18 12.50 167 0.91 2.44 0.03 IC24-0004 244.40 247.36 2.96 2.13 7.0 0.03 0.35 0.30 Including 246.35 247.36 1.01 5.57 12.8 0.05 0.38 0.26 IC24-0005 212.60 213.75 1.15 0.226 687 0.00 33.64 1.10 Previously reported IC24-0005 318.60 319.30 0.70 0.035 94.1 0.00 6.79 0.36 Including 318.60 319.30 0.70 0.035 94.1 0.00 6.79 0.36 IC24-0005 352.20 355.41 3.21 0.020 88.5 0.00 2.39 4.00 IC24-0006 220.46 221.52 1.06 0.61 1.9 0.00 0.02 0.11 IC24-0008 90.68 95.14 4.46 1.51 111.9 0.48 0.26 0.07 Including 90.68 92.80 2.12 2.68 214.0 0.93 0.36 0.07 IC24-0008 119.54 129.99 10.45 1.02 3.8 0.00 0.13 0.12 Including 120.74 122.23 1.49 3.54 6.7 0.01 0.28 0.13 IC24-0008 136.55 146.52 9.97 0.76 7.5 0.01 0.13 0.16 IC24-0008 258.47 262.45 3.98 0.10 2.9 0.08 2.56 0.83 IC24-0008 279.20 280.62 1.42 0.01 99.8 0.00 2.00 1.24 IC24-0010 95.12 102.72 7.60 1.09 29.9 0.06 0.51 0.37 Including 100.22 102.72 2.50 2.31 73.3 0.16 1.01 0.16 IC24-0010 122.55 125.58 3.03 0.45 4.4 0.00 0.15 0.30 IC24-0010 222.50 225.11 2.61 0.11 25.5 0.01 1.11 7.87 IC24-0010 249.85 250.30 0.45 0.01 53.3 0.01 3.07 12.35 IC24-0011 120.40 122.22 1.82 1.42 12.7 0.04 0.12 0.24 IC24-0012 83.52 85.91 2.39 0.43 18.6 0.0 1.26 0.06 including 85.24 85.91 0.67 0.04 61.9 0.0 3.90 0.13

All intercepts are core length and are believed to be true width. Core recovery averaged 88.9% for reported intercepts.

The remaining holes returned no significant results.

Table 2. Intercepts for LH

Hole From (m) To (m) Length Ag (g/t) Pb (pct) Zn (pct) LH24-0014 No Significant Intercepts LH24-0015 170.20 170.45 0.25 192 1.91 3.81 LH24-0015 200.25 210.25 10.00 10.1 0.22 1.07 LH24-0016 118.42 120.38 1.96 18.2 1.60 2.50 LH24-0017 No Significant Intercepts

All intercepts are core length and are believed to be true width, except for LH24-0015 170.20 to 170.45 m with a true width of ~0.13m. Core recovery averaged 90.2% for reported intercepts.

Table 3. Assay results for grab samples for the LH trenches

Trench ID Ag (g/t) Cu (pct) Pb (pct) Zn (pct) LH-01-1 82.5 0.04 1.92 12.70 LH-01-5 10.0 0.12 3.50 2.96 LH-01-7 599 0.03 0.43 46.76 LH-02b-7 14.7 0.48 1.37 1.22

Looking Ahead

The Company's technical team is currently interpreting the 2024 drill results in conjunction with the newly acquired SkyTEM airborne EM survey. The geophysical data shows vastly improved resolution of resistivity across the property due to a much tighter survey spacing. The survey will provide targeting for the next phase of exploration in 2025 once both data sets are integrated with the existing geologic model for the Illinois Creek CRD district.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Drill core samples were transported from site to the ALS Minerals laboratory in Fairbanks, Alaska for sample submission. The samples were then shipped to ALS Minerals in Reno, Nevada, for sample preparation. Analysis of samples were completed at both the Reno and the ALS Mineral's North Vancouver laboratories, which are certified under ISO 9001 and accredited under ISO/IEC 7025.

The gold content is determined by fire assay of a 30-gram charge with an AA finish (Au-AA23). Silver, lead, copper, and zinc along with other elements are analyzed by ICP-MS utilizing a four-acid digestion (ME-MS61). Over-limit samples for silver, lead, copper, and zinc are determined by using either an ore grade four-acid digestion and ICP-ES finish (ME-OG62) or ore-grade titration analysis (VOL50 or VOL70) for very high-grade samples.

Control samples consisting of certified reference samples, duplicates, and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's quality assurance / quality control protocol.

Qualified Person

The Qualified Person who reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this release is Andrew West, Certified Professional Geologist, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. West is the Vice President for Western Alaska Minerals with a MS in Geology and 30 years of experience in mineral resources, mine, and exploration. He is a Certified Professional Geologist with the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG CP-11759).

His review verified the technical data disclosed, including geology, sampling, analytical and QA/QC data underlying this news release, including reviewing the reports of ALS, methodologies, results, and all procedures undertaken for quality assurance and quality control in a manner consistent with industry practice.

About WAM

Our mission is to advance a mineable and scalable CRD, ultimately reshaping the mineral landscape of western Alaska and establishing a new CRD district.

WAM's CRD system encompasses a 373K oz AuEq NI 43-101-compliant indicated and 152K oz AuEq Inferred resource*** at the past producing Illinois Creek gold-silver mine***, and the Waterpump Creek high-grade silver-lead-zinc deposit with an inferred resource estimate of 74.9Moz at 980 g/t AgEq*, open to the north. Within the same CRD system sits the Honker gold vein prospect. Twenty-five kilometers northeast of the Illinois Creek CRD lies the Round Top copper and the TG North CRD prospects. All prospects were originally discovered by Anaconda Minerals Co. in the early 1980's***. WAM's 100% owned claims and uplands mining lease cover 73,120 acres (114.25 square miles or 29,591 hectares), approximately 45 km east of an ocean barge-compatible section of the Yukon River. Since 2010, WAM, along with its precursor company, Western Alaska Copper & Gold, reassembled the Anaconda land package and has been engaged in exploring the district.

Headquartered in both Alaska and Arizona, WAM brings together a team of seasoned professionals with a shared vision of pioneering new frontiers in mineral exploration. Our strategic approach is underpinned by cutting-edge technology, innovative techniques, and a deep understanding of the geological intricacies of the region.

As of May 2024, the Company has 41,939,920 subordinate voting shares issued and outstanding and 224,801 proportional shares issued and outstanding. Each proportional share is convertible to 100 common shares at the request of the shareholder and in the discretion of the Company. Because of these conversion rights, for market capitalization and financial analysis purposes, the Company believes it is appropriate to convert the proportional shares to common shares and add the product of the conversion to the current number of common shares outstanding. When doing so, the sum of subordinate voting shares (41,939,920) and converted proportional shares (22,480,100) equals 64,420,020 shares. Further information regarding the Company's share structure is available upon request.

***Information on our historical gold and Waterpump Creek resources, as well as historical work performed by Anaconda Minerals Co. and NovaGold (2005/2006) can be found in our NI 43-101 report, dated April 2, 2024, authored by Bruce Davis, PhD, FAusIMM, titled "Western Alaska Minerals Corp. ILLINOIS CREEK PROJECT UPDATE Illinois Creek Mining District, Western Alaska, USA" on our website: Click Here

On behalf of the Company

"Kit Marrs"

Kit Marrs

President & CEO

Phone: 520-200-1667

For further information please contact:

Vanessa Bogaert, Director of Corporate Communications/IR at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Or visit our website at: www.westernalaskaminerals.com

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connation thereof.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include risks relating to market conditions, metal prices, and risks relating to general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contact Information

Vanessa Bogaert

Director, Corporate Communications

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

604-721-7773

Kit Marrs

CEO

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

520-237-1475

Joan Marrs

VP Administration

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

520-241-2997
Highlights include 21m at 9.34g/t PGM+Au, 116m at 1.59g/t PGM+Au, 5m at 16.40g/t PGM+Au, and 42m at 2.41g/t PGM+Au, 0.12% Ni

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 5, 2024 /CNW/ - Bravo Mining Corp. (TSXV: BRVO) (OTCQX: BRVMF), ("Bravo" or the "Company") received assay results from twenty-five diamond drill holes ("DDH") from its 100% owned Luanga palladium + platinum + rhodium + gold + nickel deposit ("Luanga deposit" or "Luanga PGM+Au+Ni deposit"), located in the Carajas Mineral Province, state of Para, Brazil.

"Today's drilling results mark another step forward as Bravo progresses towards completing the 2024 PGM definition drilling program to support future MRE updates. These results continue to intercept high grades over thick intersections, including those in the Oxide and Low Sulphide zones that have high platinum to palladium ratios.", said Luis Azevedo, Chairman and CEO. "The Luanga Project's consistent delivery of robust results and advancements across various potential development tracks solidify its position as a leading candidate to become a major new Western supplier of these essential metals through market cycles and away from sources affected by geopolitical risks and deep operational challenges. The Project's potential benefits from the substantial infrastructure of the Carajas District, including cost-effective hydro power as well as ready access to power lines, highways, rail, water, labour, and suppliers."

Highlights Include:

Infill and extensional drilling in the Central Sector continue to reveal improved mineralized grades and thicknesses as compared to previous 100m spaced sections.

Much of the mineralization intersected in the new drilling lies within 150m of surface and remains open for further extension to depth.

Drilling in the North Sector of the Luanga deposit continues to demonstrate high-grade supergene mineralization in the oxide zone (e.g. 21m at 9.34g/t PGM+Au in DDH24LU264 ) and wide zones of mineralization in the fresh rock (e.g. 116m at 1.59g/t PGM+Au in DDH24LU266).

Drilling at T5 target continues to extend mineralization eastward. Testing of the Bore Hole Electromagnetic ("BHEM") anomaly at T1 will commence soon, as well as drill testing of a new copper/gold target west of T5.

HOLE-ID From (m) To (m) Thickness (m) Pd Pt Rh Au PGM + Au Ni* (%) Sulphide TYPE Sector (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) DDH24LU264 0.00 21.00 21.00 1.05 8.14 0.08 0.07 9.34 NA Ox North DDH24LU265 128.30 164.60 36.30 0.45 1.36 0.04 0.01 1.87 0.01 FR/LS North And 201.60 228.60 27.00 1.64 0.93 0.18 0.04 2.78 0.07 FR North DDH24LU266 29.70 146.00 116.30 0.54 1.01 0.03 0.01 1.59 0.02 FR North DDH24LU269 49.65 54.65 5.00 10.46 5.09 0.77 0.08 16.40 0.04 FR Central DDH24LU271 69.20 81.20 12.00 2.09 0.92 0.14 0.01 3.16 0.12 FR Central DDH24LU275 25.80 46.90 21.10 2.34 0.81 0.15 0.03 3.33 0.10 FR Central DDH24LU277 86.90 89.90 3.00 22.13 8.56 1.01 0.06 31.65 0.03 FR Central And 175.90 179.90 4.00 3.21 13.93 0.62 0.01 17.77 0.02 FR/LS Central DDH24LU278 23.00 27.00 4.00 4.13 2.18 0.31 0.03 6.64 0.02 FR Central DDH24LU280 150.50 184.50 34.00 1.71 0.56 0.08 0.17 2.52 0.29 FR Central DDH24LU281 102.80 142.80 40.00 1.43 0.51 0.07 0.14 2.16 0.23 FR Central DDH24LU282 170.65 213.30 42.65 1.67 0.61 0.09 0.04 2.41 0.28 FR Central

Notes: All 'From', 'To' depths, and 'Thicknesses' are downhole. 'NA' Not applicable for Oxide material. Given the orientation of drilling and mineralization, intercepts are estimated at 115% to 135% of true thickness in the Central Sector, and 135% to 155% of true thickness in the North Sector. Type: Ox = Oxide. FR = Fresh Rock. LS = Low Sulphide. Recovery methods and results will differ based on the type of mineralization. * Bravo's nickel grades are sulphide nickel, and do not include non-recoverable silicate nickel, unlike historical total nickel assays.

Luanga Drilling Update

Results from twenty-five diamond drill holes have been received, eight from the North Sector and seventeen from the Central Sector of the Luanga PGM+Au+Ni deposit. All the drill holes reported herein are angled holes (-60 degrees), towards an azimuth of 090 in the North Sector and 330 in the Central sector. Together, this set of drill holes comprise a total of 4,994.6 metres of diamond drilling.

Section 1 (Figure 1) in the Central Sector shows an infill section, with DDH24LU282 being the deepest drill hole on the section, exhibiting a wide zone of mineralization, open at depth, within 150m from surface, and consistently increasing in grade from DDH23LU230 to DDH24LU237 to DDH24LU282. These results continue to support the mineralization defined on Bravo's earlier 100m spaced sections. This work continues to bode well for potential future project studies.

Section 2 (Figure 2) shows infill hole DDH24LU280, in the Central Sector, aimed at increasing classification confidence in the next MRE update. Drilling also shows mineralized grades and thicknesses that are similar to, or better than, drilling from earlier Bravo phases on either side of this drill hole (DDH23LU058 and DDH23LU136). Trenching (TRC24LU031A/B) on this section also demonstrates the more significant volume of near surface oxide mineralization (due to dispersion) compared to more discrete thicknesses intersected by drilling in the fresh rock below. These results will support future Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") updates.

Section 3 (Figure 3) is an infill section in the Central Sector. Drilling (DDH24LU275, and DDH22LU059) also shows clear evidence of better mineralized grades and thicknesses compared to historic drilling (PPT-LUAN-FD0121) between the Bravo drill holes, again with mineralization defined to date less to ~150m from surface and still open at depth.

HeliTEM (Helicopter borne EM) and Copper/Gold Exploration Update

Exploration is progressing on both BHEM targets and HeliTEM targets. Drilling continues at T5, the previously reported massive sulphide Cu-Ni discovery (see news release dated May 28, 2024), expanding mineralization to the east. Drilling to follow up BHEM at T1 will commence soon, along with drill testing of a new copper target located west of T5.

Drill Results Status Update

A total of 338 drill holes have been completed by Bravo to date, for 72,006 metres, including 8 metallurgical holes (not subject to routine assaying). Results have been reported for 297 Bravo drill holes to date. Assay results for 33 Bravo drill holes that have been completed are currently outstanding (excluding the metallurgical holes). A total of 42 trenches have been completed to date (for 8,317 metres), with results for 37 trenches reported and results for 5 trenches pending.

Complete Table of Recent Intercepts.

HOLE-ID From To Thickness (m) Pd Pt Rh Au PGM + Au Ni* (%) Sulphide TYPE (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) DDH24LU260 119.90 123.90 4.00 2.68 4.24 2.22 0.52 9.66 0.01 FR/LS DDH24LU261 0.00 41.50 41.50 0.44 0.77 0.03 0.01 1.24 NA Ox And 53.90 73.90 20.00 0.27 0.59 0.08 <0.01 0.94 0.02 FR/LS And 88.90 90.90 2.00 0.31 0.89 0.13 0.01 1.34 0.02 FR/LS And 111.90 113.90 2.00 0.95 2.53 0.49 0.02 4.00 0.02 FR/LS And 181.90 192.90 11.00 0.39 0.23 0.04 0.01 0.66 0.03 FR DDH24LU262 0.00 35.00 35.00 0.33 0.68 0.03 0.01 1.05 NA Ox And 35.00 49.00 14.00 0.16 0.46 0.05 0.01 0.66 0.01 FR/LS And 58.00 63.00 5.00 1.16 4.61 0.92 0.03 6.71 0.02 FR/LS And 146.00 152.00 6.00 0.91 2.62 0.42 0.15 3.96 0.15 FR DDH24LU263 0.00 29.90 29.90 0.64 0.68 0.02 <0.01 1.34 NA Ox And 62.50 68.55 6.05 0.35 0.76 0.03 0.01 1.15 0.01 FR/LS And 72.55 104.60 32.05 0.27 0.60 0.04 <0.01 0.91 0.01 FR/LS And 147.60 151.60 4.00 0.64 0.63 0.11 0.03 1.40 0.14 FR And 177.60 192.60 15.00 0.39 0.18 0.02 0.05 0.64 0.09 FR DDH24LU264 0.00 21.00 21.00 1.05 8.14 0.08 0.07 9.34 NA Ox And 31.25 85.30 54.05 0.37 0.71 0.02 <0.01 1.10 0.01 FR/LS DDH24LU265 128.30 164.60 36.30 0.45 1.36 0.04 0.01 1.87 0.01 FR/LS And 201.60 228.60 27.00 1.64 0.93 0.18 0.04 2.78 0.07 FR DDH24LU266 0.00 7.85 7.85 0.30 1.01 0.04 0.01 1.35 NA Ox And 29.70 146.00 116.30 0.54 1.01 0.03 0.01 1.59 0.02 FR And 186.00 194.00 8.00 0.59 0.42 0.08 0.01 1.10 0.10 FR DDH24LU267 67.00 92.00 25.00 0.21 0.49 0.03 <0.01 0.73 0.01 FR And 236.80 242.80 6.00 0.54 0.37 0.05 <0.01 0.97 0.06 FR And 269.80 277.80 8.00 0.23 0.10 0.04 <0.01 0.37 0.21 FR DDH24LU268 0.00 12.00 12.00 0.31 0.62 0.07 0.01 1.02 NA Ox DDH24LU269 49.65 54.65 5.00 10.46 5.09 0.77 0.08 16.40 0.04 FR And 107.30 149.30 42.00 0.31 0.25 <0.01 <0.01 0.57 0.03 FR DDH24LU270 47.00 88.00 41.00 0.27 0.22 0.01 <0.01 0.51 0.02 FR DDH24LU271 0.00 5.15 5.15 0.84 0.33 0.03 0.03 1.25 NA FR And 69.20 81.20 12.00 2.09 0.92 0.14 0.01 3.16 0.12 FR And 181.20 249.20 68.00 0.31 0.29 0.01 <0.01 0.61 0.02 FR DDH24LU272 0.00 2.70 2.70 0.49 0.29 0.06 0.02 0.87 NA Ox And 20.10 28.35 8.25 0.44 0.18 0.03 0.02 0.67 NA Ox And 31.00 38.00 7.00 1.01 0.41 0.08 0.03 1.54 0.19 FR And 48.00 58.00 10.00 1.48 0.54 0.09 0.18 2.29 0.21 FR And 136.00 191.00 55.00 0.34 0.31 0.01 <0.01 0.66 0.01 FR DDH24LU273 0.00 12.75 12.75 1.21 0.49 0.08 0.02 1.80 NA Ox And 86.60 110.60 24.00 0.29 0.24 0.01 <0.01 0.53 0.01 FR And 122.60 125.60 3.00 0.20 0.61 0.10 <0.01 0.92 0.01 FR/LS DDH24LU274 0.00 6.00 6.00 0.33 0.21 0.01 0.01 0.56 NA Ox And 20.50 52.70 32.20 0.32 0.26 0.01 <0.01 0.59 0.01 FR DDH24LU275 0.00 5.80 5.80 0.50 0.34 0.05 0.03 0.92 NA Ox And 25.80 46.90 21.10 2.34 0.81 0.15 0.03 3.33 0.10 FR And 131.90 174.90 43.00 0.31 0.24 0.01 <0.01 0.57 0.02 FR DDH24LU276 0.00 4.00 4.00 0.60 0.26 0.03 0.01 0.89 NA Ox And 84.50 96.50 12.00 0.33 0.20 0.01 <0.01 0.54 0.02 FR DDH24LU277 0.00 1.79 1.79 0.49 0.22 0.28 0.02 1.01 NA FR And 75.90 80.90 5.00 0.67 0.39 0.04 0.02 1.11 0.05 FR And 86.90 89.90 3.00 22.13 8.56 1.01 0.06 31.65 0.03 FR And 149.90 161.90 12.00 0.18 0.38 0.01 0.01 0.58 0.01 FR/LS And 175.90 179.90 4.00 3.21 13.93 0.62 0.01 17.77 0.02 FR/LS DDH24LU278 14.00 17.00 3.00 2.28 0.93 0.16 0.02 3.38 NA Ox And 23.00 27.00 4.00 4.13 2.18 0.31 0.03 6.64 0.02 FR And 120.50 126.77 6.27 0.20 0.33 0.01 0.01 0.54 0.01 FR DDH24LU279 39.50 44.50 5.00 0.35 0.33 0.01 0.01 0.69 0.02 FR DDH24LU280 107.95 112.75 4.80 0.59 0.20 0.03 0.06 0.88 0.31 FR And 150.50 184.50 34.00 1.71 0.56 0.08 0.17 2.52 0.29 FR And 206.50 237.50 31.00 0.25 0.24 <0.01 0.01 0.51 0.02 FR DDH24LU281 15.90 19.60 3.70 0.60 0.26 <0.01 0.32 1.18 NA Ox And 56.80 60.80 4.00 0.45 0.15 <0.01 0.09 0.68 0.19 FR And 63.80 66.80 3.00 0.61 0.24 <0.01 0.11 0.97 0.12 FR And 79.80 87.80 8.00 0.29 0.11 0.01 0.10 0.50 0.11 FR And 93.80 96.80 3.00 0.23 0.10 0.01 0.02 0.36 0.20 FR And 102.80 142.80 40.00 1.43 0.51 0.07 0.14 2.16 0.23 FR And 146.80 171.80 25.00 0.24 0.22 0.02 0.01 0.47 0.02 FR DDH24LU282 170.65 213.30 42.65 1.67 0.61 0.09 0.04 2.41 0.28 FR And 218.30 252.30 34.00 0.32 0.23 0.01 0.01 0.57 0.01 FR And 295.30 299.30 4.00 1.80 1.75 0.27 0.14 3.97 0.04 FR And 306.30 310.30 4.00 0.15 0.40 0.02 <0.01 0.61 0.02 FR DDH24LU283 22.10 27.80 5.70 0.60 0.23 0.02 0.01 0.86 0.01 FR DDH24LU284 109.38 113.97 4.59 0.25 0.31 0.01 <0.01 0.57 0.01 FR

Notes: All 'From', 'To' depths, and 'Thicknesses' are downhole. 'NA' Not applicable for Oxide material. Given the orientation of drilling and mineralization, intercepts are estimated at 115% to 135% of true thickness in the Central Sector, and 135% to 155% of true thickness in the North Sector. Type: Ox = Oxide. FR = Fresh Rock. LS = Low Sulphide. Recovery methods and results will differ based on the type of mineralization. * Bravo's nickel grades are sulphide nickel, and do not include non-recoverable silicate nickel, unlike historical total nickel assays

About Bravo Mining Corp.

Bravo is a Canadian and Brazil-based mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing its Luanga PGM+Au+Ni Project in the world-class Carajas Mineral Province of Brazil.

The Luanga Project is situated on mature freehold farming land and benefits from being in a location close to operating mines and a mining-experienced workforce, with excellent access and proximity to existing infrastructure, including road, rail, and clean renewable hydro grid power. A fully funded +70,000 infill, step out and exploration drilling and trenching program is well advanced for 2024. Bravo's current Environmental, Social and Governance activities includes planting more than 30,000 high-value trees in the project area, hiring and contracting locally, and ensuring protection of the environment during its exploration activities.

Technical Disclosure

Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Simon Mottram, F.AusIMM (Fellow Australia Institute of Mining and Metallurgy), President of Bravo Mining Corp. who serves as the Company's "qualified person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Mr. Mottram has verified the technical data and opinions contained in this news release.

For further information about Bravo, please visit www.bravomining.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "continues", "significant", "critical", "undoubtedly", "robust", "potential", "solidify", "essential", "substantial", "improved", "further extension", "high-grade", "consistently increasing", "better", "wide", "bode well", variants of these words and other similar words, phrases, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. This news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the Company's ongoing drill program and the results thereof; comparisons to historical and/or prior Bravo drilling; the potential for extensions to mineralization at depth; the potential for greater thicknesses and/or higher grades at depth; the impact of current and future drilling on future mineral resource estimates, after taking into account other modifying factors; whether or not the mineralization is amenable to open pit mining and, if so, to what extent; potential economic outcomes, including strip ratios, in future economic studies; and the Company's plans in respect thereof. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, unexpected results from exploration programs, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage; and other risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including, but not limited to, the assumption that the assay results confirm that the interpreted mineralization contains significant values of nickel, PGMs and Au; that the mineralization remains open to depth, that PGM and/or Ni grades and mineralized thicknesses are improving to depth; that final drill and assay results will be in line with management's expectations; that activities will not be adversely disrupted or impeded by regulatory, political, community, economic, environmental and/or healthy and safety risks; that the Luanga Project will not be materially affected by potential supply chain disruptions; and general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

Schedule 1: Drill Hole Collar Details

HOLE-ID Company East (m) North (m) RL (m) Datum Depth (m) Azimuth Dip Sector DDH24LU260 Bravo 659449.835 9343124.194 258.596 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 165.25 90.00 -60.00 North DDH24LU261 Bravo 659398.590 9343123.961 255.949 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 245.40 90.00 -60.00 North DDH24LU262 Bravo 659539.417 9342814.041 273.110 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 190.60 90.00 -60.00 North DDH24LU263 Bravo 659451.586 9342974.382 267.848 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 260.55 90.00 -60.00 North DDH24LU264 Bravo 659387.575 9343074.446 252.390 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 160.35 90.00 -60.00 North DDH24LU265 Bravo 659297.480 9343074.500 237.800 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 260.30 90.00 -60.00 North DDH24LU266 Bravo 659356.430 9343124.000 249.810 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 245.75 90.00 -60.00 North DDH24LU267 Bravo 659655.160 9342616.070 254.510 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 350.35 90.00 -60.00 North DDH24LU268 Bravo 658508.010 9340906.000 235.950 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 105.70 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU269 Bravo 658730.170 9340927.830 237.050 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 165.80 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU270 Bravo 658731.530 9341015.780 229.700 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 100.45 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU271 Bravo 658755.370 9340883.910 238.040 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 250.20 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU272 Bravo 658655.830 9340855.020 245.410 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 205.45 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU273 Bravo 658630.870 9340898.340 242.680 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 150.15 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU274 Bravo 658604.230 9340944.550 238.180 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 100.10 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU275 Bravo 658693.880 9340890.480 239.010 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 185.35 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU276 Bravo 658700.910 9340978.290 237.550 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 105.55 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU277 Bravo 658830.010 9340945.250 239.620 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 220.75 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU278 Bravo 658802.200 9340993.410 230.410 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 150.25 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU279 Bravo 658774.840 9341040.260 221.600 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 85.10 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU280 Bravo 658485.620 9340648.530 283.830 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 295.10 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU281 Bravo 658333.870 9340511.980 280.550 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 275.20 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU282 Bravo 658405.280 9340488.590 285.330 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 340.25 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU283 Bravo 658090.780 9340435.240 232.570 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 180.45 330.00 -60.00 Central DDH24LU284 Bravo 658051.730 9340402.830 245.820 SIRGAS2000_UTM_22S 200.20 330.00 -60.00 Central

Schedule 2: Assay Methodologies and QAQC

Samples follow a chain of custody between collection, processing, and delivery to the SGS Geosol laboratory in Parauapebas, state of Para, Brazil. The drill core is delivered to the core shack at Bravo's Luanga site facilities and processed by geologists who insert certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicates into the sampling sequence. Drill core is half cut and placed in secured polyurethane bags, then in security-sealed sacks before being delivered directly from the Luanga site facilities to the Parauapebas SGS Geosol laboratory by Bravo staff. Additional information about the methodology can be found on the SGS Geosol website (SGS) in their analytical guides. Information regarding preparation and analysis of historic drill core is also presented in the table below, where the information is known.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control ("QAQC") is maintained internally at the lab through rigorous use of internal certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicates. An additional QAQC program is administered by Bravo using certified reference materials, duplicate samples and blank samples that are blindly inserted into the sample batch. If a QAQC sample returns an unacceptable value an investigation into the results is triggered and when deemed necessary, the samples that were tested in the batch with the failed QAQC sample are re-tested.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Omega Pacific Resources Inc. (CSE:OMGA) (OTCQB:OMGPF) (FSE:Q0F) ("Omega Pacific" or the "Company") is pleased to welcome Mr. John Williamson, P.Geol., to the Company's Board of Directors as an independent director.

Over his 35-year career, Mr. Williamson has collaborated with and led industry geoscientists and capital markets professionals on numerous successful ventures, raising nearly $1 billion in capital for the exploration and mining of base and precious metals projects, including the discovery and/ or growth of at least 10 million ounces of gold on 3 continents. He has served as founder, Chairman, President, CEO, CFO or Director of companies with operations in North and South America, Africa and Australia. On more than one occasion his teams' efforts have been recognized for excellence by being named to the TSX Venture 50TM.

Of particular interest to Omega Pacific Resources shareholders, Mr. Williamson was the architect of Thesis Gold, formerly Benchmark Metals Inc. where he was the co-founder, Chairman and CEO until 2023. Thesis' Lawyers-Ranch Project is located in the Toodoggone District of British Columbia, approximately 50km from the Williams Property.

Jason Leikam, Omega Pacific CEO, states, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Mr. Williamson to our team. His extensive experience in resource development, particularly his success with exploration projects in BC's Toodoggone District, makes him an invaluable addition to our Board. We are eager for his input and guidance as we refine our strategic approach to the Williams Property. Mr. Williamson's proven ability to identify high-potential opportunities and attract investment capital will be instrumental in building a premier asset in the Golden Horseshoe. His expertise positions Omega Pacific for both immediate and sustained growth."

About Omega Pacific

Omega Pacific is a mineral exploration company focused on the development of mineral projects containing base and precious metals. The Company is actively exploring its British Columbia located properties and continues to evaluate assets globally for further acquisitions.

For more information, please contact:

Omega Pacific Resources Inc.

Jason Leikam, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Tel: +1 (778) 858-8085

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cautionary Statement

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's financings and the future plans or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's management's discussion and analysis, which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Vancouver, British Columbia - TheNewswire - November 5, 2024: Red Canyon Resources Ltd. (Red Canyon or the Company) (CSE: REDC | OTCQB: REDRF) is pleased to announce it has now completed the inaugural diamond drill program on its 100% owned Kendal Project in west-central British Columbia. The Company successfully drilled five diamond core holes, testing the northeastern area of the Kendal surface alteration system. All drill holes intersected significant porphyry-style alteration, multiple vein sets and variable visual copper and molybdenum (moly) mineralization throughout.

Company Highlights:

Five drill holes totalling 2,562 metres (m) have tested a portion of the upper 250 to 450 m of the Kendal system measured vertically from surface, and over an area covering approximately 1.0 km by 0.50 km of a mapped 2.5 km by 1.5 km alteration footprint.

Strong alteration is pervasive in all drill holes with multi-generational porphyry related veining identified throughout. Alteration is predominately propylitic to inner propylitic with areas of sericite (QSP), sericite-chlorite  clay (SCC) and remanent potassic zones. Multi-generational veins, with copper and moly mineralized sets, suggest Kendal represents a large, mineralized copper-moly porphyry system.

Assays received from the first drill hole (RCKD-24-001) at Kendal returned 0.10% CuEq* starting from surface to 601.7 m, including 123.0 m grading 0.16% CuEq*.

Drill intercepts are interpreted to represent zones of mineralization above or adjacent to an anticipated central higher-grade core within this mineralized calc-alkaline coppermoly porphyry system.

Wendell Zerb, the Chairman and CEO of the Company, states: "This first ever drill program at Kendal has not only confirmed a new coppermoly discovery, but it has also immensely expanded our confidence and understanding of the size and overall strength of the greater mineral system. Every drill hole, from top to bottom, is significantly altered with multiple vein sets representing a very robust mineral system. We are also confident this initial scout drill program has only scratched a portion of the coppermoly system, in a small subset of the overall Kendal project area. Coppermoly porphyry mines worldwide are some of the largest, highest value sources of metal and its especially rare for a small cap mineral exploration company to discover and control 100% of potentially a large copper-moly system, with importantly exceptional infrastructure.

Dr. Craig Hart, Chief Geoscientist of the Company, states:  The extensive mineralized alteration footprint encountered with these first-ever drill holes at Kendal, indicates a porphyry system with a massive amount of fluid flow. The large alteration footprint and corresponding multi-generations of hydrothermal veins give us confidence about the scale of the system and the potential to target towards a high-grade core. This early drill program at Kendal was a great success in confirming a copper porphyry discovery, and additional work is required to find the best of the Kendal system.

Kendal Project

Kendal comprises five 100%-owned mineral claims totalling 2,738 hectares located in west-central British Columbia approximately 25 km northeast of the city of Terrace, a regional infrastructure hub with a well-serviced airport. Infrastructure is excellent with four intersecting highways, hydroelectric power, rail corridors, and port facilities approximately 120 km to the west at Prince Rupert. The project has direct road access, only 3.5 km from Highway 16. The project area lies within the traditional territory of the Kitselas First Nation.

Figure 1: Kendal Project location map with Red Canyon claims.

Kendal Project Drilling

Red Canyon has completed the first ever diamond drill program at its 100% owned Kendal project. The program consisted of five drill holes totalling 2,562 m. Drilling targeted the northeastern portion of the Kendal copper-moly porphyry system, represented by significant altered and mineralized andesitic volcanic and porphyritic intrusive rocks exposed over 2.5 km x 1.5 km (Figure 2). Drill holes have been sampled from top to bottom with initial assays received from drill hole RCKD-24-001. Assays from all remaining holes are pending and anticipated by late December 2024 to early January 2025.

The 2024 drilling program at Kendal project confirmed the discovery of a substantial mineralized porphyry system with an extensive alteration footprint spanning a minimum of 1.5 km2. Drilling consistently intersected a succession of highly altered and mineralized volcanics and multiple cross-cutting quartz diorite and microdiorite porphyry intrusions. Multiple generations of hydrothermal veins cut across the porphyry intrusions and volcanic host rocks. Based on the vein mineralogy and cross-cutting relationships, at least seven vein generations have been identified, including multiple sets that host chalcopyrite and moly mineralization (Figure 3).

The drilling was conducted from three drill locations at Kendal: one road accessible pad on the west side of Kendal Creek and two helicopter-supported pads on the east side of Kendal Creek. Collar locations were set up at approximately 90 m to 115 m above the base of Kendal Creek. Drill holes RCKD-24-001, 002 and 005 targeted areas below exposed porphyritic intrusions in Kendal Creek and within the interpreted magnetic destruction zone coincident with gamma-ray radiometric signature with very low thorium/potassium (Th/K) ratios (Figures 2 and 4). Drill holes RCKD-24-003 and 004 tested magnetic high and low features with coincident elevated copper and moly geochemistry. Both drill holes were collared at relatively low elevation to test the northeast portion of the 2.5 km by 1.5 km surface alteration footprint.

Table 1. 2024 Kendal Drill Hole Details

Hole UTM_Grid UTM_East UTM_North Collar elev Azimuth Dip TD m m RCKD-24-001 NAD83_Z9 543729 6046214 558 250 -60 601.7 RCKD-24-002 NAD83_Z9 543729 6046214 558 285 -55 604.7 RCKD-24-003 NAD83_Z9 544154 6046493 497 172 -58 452.9 RCKD-24-004 NAD83_Z9 544147 6046492 497 270 -60 395.0 RCKD-24-005 NAD83_Z9 543255 6046535 569 210 -69 507.8

Figure 5: Drill pad location 1 (bottom), collar location for RCKD-24-005. Drone photo is looking south with Kendal Creek (far left) and North Fork drainages highlighting strong pervasive phyllic alteration.

Drill hole RCKD-24-001 (DH001) Azimuth 252 deg, Dip -60

DH001 tested the Kendal alteration system collared from fly-in drill pad 06 on the east side of Kendal Creek (Figure 4). Drilling immediately encountered interlayered, porphyritic andesite, medium-grained phaneritic andesitic flows and volcaniclastics of Early Jurassic Telkwa Formation, cut by multiple diorite and microdiorite porphyry intrusions that are subsequently cut by intra-mineral quartz diorite and late-mineral feldspar porphyry dikes.

The porphyry intrusions and host andesitic volcanics have undergone intense propylitic (chlorite-epidote-carbonate-pyrite) alteration and silicification, which is overprinted by sericitic (QSP) and sericite-chlorite  clay (SCC) alteration at deeper levels. This alteration suite is interpreted to be within the shell of a mineralized copper-molybdenum calc-alkaline porphyry system.

Figure 6: Cross Section A - A (Figure 4) Drill hole RCKD-24-001- looking north

Multi-generational porphyry-related veins are consistently intersected throughout the hole. Mineralization is associated with quartz veins and is consistently with ~3% to 4% pyrite and <0.5% chalcopyrite and <0.5% molybdenum. Quartz-chlorite-magnetite-sulfide vein densities increase at depth in the drill hole and generations of quartz-chlorite-magnetite-sulfide, quartz-anhydrite-chlorite-sulfide and micro-veinlets of pyrite all indicated a higher temperature zone from 375 to 450 m with a slight increase in chalcopyrite mineralization.

Table 2. Drill results from Kendal Project RCKD-24-001

Hole ID From To Interval Cu Grade Mo Grade Ag Grade CuEq* Grade Az Inc TD (m) (m) (m) (%) ppm ppm (%) (m) RCKD-24-001 7.80 601.7 593.9 0.051% 58.5 0.43 0.098% 252 -60 601.7 including 368.0 491.0 123.0 0.082% 103.8 0.44 0.162%

Copper Equivalent (CuEq) shown in the Table above are calculated on a basis of US$ 3.75/lb for Cu, US$ 25/oz for Ag and US$ 27.5/lb for Mo, with 80% metallurgical recoveries assumed for all metals (ie no assumptions have been made for recoveries at this stage). The formula is: CuEq. = Cu % + (Ag grade in g/t x (Ag recovery / Cu recovery) x [Ag price  31.1] / [Cu price x 2204.6] + (Mo grade in % x (Mo recovery / Cu recovery) x [Mo price x 2200] / [Cu price x 2204.6]).

Link to complete core photo library for RCKD-24-001

Drill hole RCKD-24-002 (DH002) Azimuth 285 deg Dip -55

DH002 tested the Kendal alteration system collared from Pad 6 on the east side of Kendal Creek (Figure 4). Like DH001, DH002 drilling consistently intersected a succession of highly altered and mineralized andesitic volcanics and multiple cross-cutting quartz diorite and microdiorite porphyry intrusions.

A systematic pattern of hydrothermal alteration, veining and copper-sulphide mineralization in DH002 builds on the significant footprint of the Kendal porphyry system. The Company considers it noteworthy that the drill hole intersected multiple crosscutting porphyry intrusions including a possible causative intrusive at 365 m, responsible for the extensive >1.5 km2 wide alteration footprint at Kendal. This intrusion is a distinct phase of equigranular microdiorite, emplaced as stock and dikes to the end of hole at 604.7 m. The alteration intensities, vein-stockwork mineralization, magnetic intensity and periodic silica flooding, as well as remnant potassic alteration generally continued to increase with depth.

DH002 assays are pending.

Link to complete core photo library for RCKD-24-002

Drill hole RCKD-24-003 (DH003) Azimuth 172 deg Dip -58

DH003 is a 500 m step out to the NE from DH001/002 designed to test a magnetic high/low interface adjacent to elevated copper and moly rock and soil geochemistry. This fly-in location, Pad 9, is approximately 60 m lower elevation than Pad 6, on the northeast portion of the surface alteration footprint (Figure 4).

The drill hole intersected extensive andesitic volcanics characterized by strong propylitic alteration locally overprinted by intense silicification and hydrothermal magnetite. The andesite units are cut by small diorite dikes with faulted contacts subsequently invaded by late-quartz-carbonate-pyrite veins. Andesitic volcanics in this hole host a series of multi-generational veins that carry sulphide mineralization. The top 173 m of the drill hole highlighted a similar sequence of early to late-stage vein generations as identified in DH001/002.

The alteration intensity and vein densities fluctuate downhole with silicified zones representing vein stockwork mineralization, including B-veins and pyrite-chlorite-magnetite veins. The alteration changed from sericite-chlorite  clay (SCC) to distal propylitic at 173 m indicating a more distal propylitic alteration to the end of hole.

DH003 are assays pending.

Link to complete core photo library for RCKD-24-003

Drill hole RCKD-24-004 (DH004) Azimuth 270 deg Dip -60

DH004 was also collared from Pad 9, tested from the margins into a prominent 500 m2 wide magnetic anomaly, adjacent to elevated copper and moly rock and soil geochemistry.

DH004 cut extensive andesitic volcanics with repeated propylitic, sericite-chlorite alteration and silicification coincident with a sequence of multi-generational veins as identified in DH001/002. The upper 144 m indicated a gradual increase in the alteration intensity, vein densities and copper-sulphide mineralization down to 245 m.

The propylitically-altered andesite flows host multiple fluid pathways with intense silicification and 2% to 4% fine-grained disseminated magnetite, confirming the source of the magnetic anomaly targeted to the west of the drill hole collar. Hydrothermal magnetite was identified in association with distinctive quartz-pyrite-magnetite-chlorite veining. The alteration intensity fluctuates from silicified, magnetite-bearing inner propylitic to carbonate-rich outer propylitic alteration; the latter is typically confined to shear/fault structures. The drill hole ended in what is interpreted to be a post-mineral hornblende diorite dike.

DH004 are assays pending.

Link to complete core photo library for RCKD-24-004

Drill hole RCKD-24-005 (DH005) Azimuth 210 deg Dip -69

DH005 was drilled to the south from Pad 1 located on the western access road (Figure 4). The drill hole targeted outcropping intrusive and andesitic volcanic rocks characterized by a cluster of overlapping gossans, geochemical copper, moly and magnetic anomalies seen in the Kendal Creek drainage approximately 90 m vertically below and south of the collar location.

The drill hole intersected a sequence of highly-altered andesitic rocks cut by multiple porphyry intrusions and post-mineral dikes. The andesitic volcanics are characterized by strong propylitic alteration and internal fluid pathways of intense silicification, hydrothermal magnetite and elevated chalcopyrite mineralization. Notable zones include a shallow hydrothermal breccia (42 to 55 m) characterized by up to 30 cm sub-rounded andesite/diorite clasts cemented in a siliceous matrix hosting blebs of coarse-grained pyrite  chalcopyrite.

Downhole, andesite is intruded by quartz-diorite porphyry from 68 to 102 m characterized by intense silicification and patchy white argillic alteration. A distinct medium-grained diorite is emplaced as stock and dikes from 198 to 284 m. This diorite phase is characterized by variably pinkish colour interpreted as hematite dusting and staining in the groundmass. The diorite has undergone sericite-chlorite and propylitic alteration with intense silicification and ~2% magnetite. Mineralization consists of 3% to 4% pyrite with traces of chalcopyrite increasing with depth.

DH005 assays are pending.

Link to complete core photo library for RCKD-24-005

About Red Canyon Resources

Red Canyon Resources Ltd. (CSE: REDC | OTCQB: REDRF) is a geoscience-driven, discovery-focused mineral exploration company focused on exploring North Americas top copper jurisdictions. The Companys core goal is to make impactful copper discoveries to benefit all stakeholders and support the clean energy transition. Red Canyon has a portfolio of 100%-owned copper and copper-gold porphyry exploration projects. The Companys technical team consists of experienced geoscientists with diverse capital market, small cap and major mining company backgrounds and a track record of success.

For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.redcanyonresources.com.

Red Canyon is part of the NewQuest Capital Group which is a discovery-driven investment group that builds value through the incubation and financing of mineral projects and companies. Further information about NewQuest can be found on the company website at www.nqcapitalgroup.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Wendell Zerb, P. Geol

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

+1 (604) 681-9100

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For further information, please contact:

Brennan Zerb

Investor Relations Manager

+1 (778) 867-5016

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Christopher J. Wild, P. Eng, Red Canyons Exploration Manager and a Qualified Person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Drilling at Kendal was conducted by Diamondhead Drilling using an Atlas Copco CS-1000 core drill rig. Initial drilling used HQ sized core to advance through up to 15 m of overburden and up to 50 m of broken or fractured rock. Once competency of the rock improved core size was reduced to NQ.

Core was received, geotechnically and geologically logged, photographed, and cut by core saw at the Companys leased core facility in Terrace, British Columbia. Samples were laid out, cut and sampled to the Companys specified sample intervals. Certified reference materials (CRMs) including blanks and standards were inserted every 10 samples. Half core samples are placed in plastic sample bags with the remaining half retained in core boxes at the core facility. Samples are dispatched to ALS Laboratories facilities in Terrace, British Columbia, an accredited analytical laboratory meeting ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and ISO 9001:2015. Samples are prepared by crushing and grinding by ALS methods CRU-21 and PUL-32, respectively. The pulps are then analyzed for 36 elements by method ME-ICP41. Gold is assayed by fire assay using ALS method Au-AA23 using a 30g sample charge and AES finish. Laboratory standards and QA-QC are monitored by the Company.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, exploration activities and the specifications, targets, results, analyses, interpretations, benefits, costs and timing of them, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as pro forma, plans, expects, may, should, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, believes, potential or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Companys exploration plans and the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, the ability of the Company to obtain the required permits, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Companys limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys prospectus dated October 12, 2023 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Companys profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law.
Vancouver, Canada, November 5, 2024  TheNewswire - Electrum Discovery Corp. ("Electrum" or the "Company") (TSX-V:ELY | FRA:R8N |OTC:ELDCF) is pleased to announce results from its 300 meter trench sampling program at its Timok East copper-gold project ("Timok East") in Serbia.

Highlights:

Trenching exposes consistent copper bearing leached hydrothermal stockwork across Bambino Central.

Trench sampling returns highlights of 133.5 meters averaging 0.43% Cu and 6.9 g/t Ag, along strike, including a higher-grade interval of 64.5 meters at 0.76% Cu and 5.3 g/t Ag.

Three cross-cutting trenches, all intercepted significant copper and gold mineralization, including 13.5 meters @ 1.72% Cu and 1.6 g/t Ag.

Additional gold-bearing intervals, including 4.5 meters @ 1.49 g/t Au and 6.9 g/t Ag, and 1.5 meters @2.9 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag, continue to suggest the presence of an overprinting gold system.

Mineralization style, and geochemistry analogous with large high-sulphidation systems and a potential distal association to the copper-gold porphyry deposits currently being mined on Zijin Minings adjacent Bor Mining Complex

Dr Elena Clarici, CEO and President of Electrum commented: The trenching results fit the mineralization pattern we have found over 3km strike length at Timok East and importantly align in metals mineralization and grade with several large, neighboring copper-gold deposits. The results from this trenching program reinforce Timok Easts potential to host a significant copper-gold mineralized system associated with the well-documented deposits in the Timok district and, together with planned geophysical survey makes us ready for our maiden diamond drill campaign.

Trenching along the strike of the Bambino Central anomaly has exposed a north-northwest striking zone of limonite-stockwork mineralization within argillic-silicic altered intrusive and metasedimentary rocks over 146.0 meters in trench TR02, indicative of the high-level oxidized portion of a large hydrothermal mineralizing system.

Assay results from within the 146.0 meters of alteration confirm significant copper mineralization within the system, with results including a weighted average of 133.5 meters @ 0.43% Cu and 6.9 g/t Ag in TR02, along strike complemented by several narrower, gold-dominant zones including 1.5 meters @ 2.9 g/t Au, 0.06 % Cu and 20 g/t Ag, suggesting potential overprinting by a secondary gold system.

Regional sampling reported earlier shows higher silver grades approximately 500 m to the northwest, in potentially more distal mineralization from the core of the system by modelling from other similar porphyry type districts.

Figure 1: Geology map with rock chip and trench samples across the Bambino Target.

Three additional cross cutting trenches were opened east-northeast, all intercepting significant copper and gold mineralization, including 24.0 meters @ 0.21% Cu and 4.2 g/t Ag in TR01, 13.5 meters @ 1.72% Cu and 1.6 g/t Ag in TR04 and 22.5 meters @ 0.26% Cu and 2.6 g/t Ag in TR03. Trenches TR01 and TR03 ended to the east in hydrothermally altered metasediments and stockwork, indicating the system is open to the east. Over 400 meters strike of the highest-grade soil anomalism at Bambino central (>500 ppm Cu) remains untested in the sub-surface environment and the true width of the system is not yet known. The trench results at Bambino are interpreted to be structurally controlled and show geological and geochemical similarities with significant resource stage copper-gold deposits discovered within the Timok region.

Trenching was successful in providing critical information on the grade, geometry, alteration and mineralization style at Bambino and will be followed up with a tight IP survey to define the orientation and potentially higher-grade hypogene portion of the mineralized body at depth ahead of drill targeting.

Trench Details

Trench TR02 was opened over 153.0 meters length, along the NNW striking ridge aligning with the highest-grade copper anomaly in soils. This trench revealed consistent limonite stockwork material in hydrothermally altered rock across the trench ending to the north and south in hydrothermal stockwork. Secondary copper minerals Malachite and Azurite were encountered on the northern slope of the trench, coinciding with a drop in elevation, potentially representing supergene enrichment processes.

Significant weighted average copper dominant intervals from TR02 include:

133.5 meters @ 0.43% Cu and 6.9 g/t Ag from 0.0 meters,

Including 64.5 meters @ 0.76 Cu and 5.3 g/t Ag from 0.0 meters, and

10.5 meters @ 0.21% Cu and 5.3 g/t Ag from 142.5 meters.

Significant gold bearing intervals were also intercepted within the broader copper zones, including:

1.5 meters @ 2.9 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag and 0.06% Cu from 64.5 meters, and

6.0 meters @ 0.18 g/t Au, 13.3 g/t Ag and 0.35% Cu from 96.0 meters.

Trench TR01 was opened over 40.5 meters striking roughly WSW across the southern portion of the trenched area. Copper bearing limonite stockwork material was encountered from 15-30.5 meters in the trench within hydrothermally altered argillic altered rock with pockets of increasing silicification. The stockwork material was heavily oxidized with no secondary copper present, suggesting sulfide leaching during the weathering process. Copper-bearing Silicified metasedimentary rock with minor quartz limonite stringers was encountered from 9  15 meters.

Significant weighted average copper dominant intervals from TR01 include:

24.0 meters @ 0.21% Cu and 4.2 g/t Ag from 12.0 meters.

Significant gold bearing intervals were also intercepted within the broader copper zone, including:

1.5 meters @ 0.13 g/t Au and 18.0 g/t Ag and 0.21% Cu from 24.0 meters.

Trench TR03 was opened over 40 meters striking roughly WSW across the central portion of the trenched area. Copper bearing limonite stockwork material was encountered from 6.0- 33.0 meters in the trench within argillic altered rock with pockets of increasing silicification. The stockwork material was heavily oxidized with no secondary copper present, suggesting sulfide leaching during the weathering process. The trench ended in coper mineralized clay altered metasediments in the east.

Significant weighted average copper dominant intervals from TR03 include:

22.5 meters @ 0.26% Cu and 2.6 g/t Ag from 0.0 meters.

Significant gold bearing intervals were also intercepted within the broader copper zone, including:

4.5 meters @ 1.49 g/t Au and 6.9 g/t Ag and 0.16% Cu from 13.0 meters.

Trench TR04 was opened over 69 meters striking roughly WSW across the northern-most portion of the trenched area. copper bearing limonite  copper oxide stockwork material was encountered from 34.5  52.5 meters, within a mixture of hydrothermally altered argillic altered intrusive and silicified metasedimentary. Silicified metasedimentary rock with minor quartz limonite and calcite stringers was encountered from 0  34.5 meters. Oxidizes metasedimentary units were mapped from 52.5  69 meters.

Significant weighted average copper dominant intervals from TR04 include:

1.5 meters @ 0.51% Cu, 6.3 g/t Ag and 0.16 g/t Au from 30.0 meters, and

13.5 meters @ 1.72% Cu and 1.6 g/t Ag from 39.0 meters.

Trench ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Cu % Ag g/t Au g/t TR01 12.0 36.0 24.0 0.21 4.2 - *Including 24.0 25.5 1.5 0.21 18.0 0.13 TR02 0.0 133.5 133.5 0.43 6.9 - Including 0.0 64.5 64.5 0.76 5.3 - *Also Including 64.5 66.0 1.5 0.06 20 2.90 *Also Including 73.5 75.0 1.5 0.04 14 0.93 *Also Including 96.0 102.0 6.0 0.35 13.3 0.18 And 142.5 153.0 10.5 0.21 5.3 - TR03 0.0 22.5 22.5 0.26 2.6 - *Including 13 17.5 4.5 0.16 6.9 1.49 TR04 30.0 31.5 1.5 0.51 6.3 0.16 And 39.0 52.5 13.5 1.72 1.6 -

Table 1: Table reporting significant copper, silver and gold intercepts from the recent trench sampling at Central Bambino. *highlights overprinting gold dominant intervals.

Sample Collection, QA/QC, Preparation and Analysis

Trenches were opened using a mechanical excavator, clearing surface cover down to bedrock or consolidated sub crop between 0.5  1.75 meters depth, measuring approximately 0.5  0.75 meters in width. Cross cutting E-W striking trenches were limited in length by increasing amounts of surface cover to the east and west of the main trend. Trenches were systematically sampled at 1.5-meter intervals, via a continuous 10 x 10cm channel across the entire trench floor. Representative sample intervals were then photographed, logged and bagged by Electrum geologists.

An Electrum geologist placed the material from each 1.5meter channel interval into uniquely labeled calico sample bags, verifying the interval against pre-labeled depth markers along the trench wall. Each sample was then photographed and logged. The trench floor was logged on a field sheet, detailing alteration type, vein density, vein type, gangue mineral content, ore mineral content, lithology, and structural data where available. Once collected, samples were sealed with single-use zip-lock ties and delivered to the companys sample storage facility, where they were batched and subsequently submitted to SGS.

The trenches were surveyed by an independent professional surveyor, using high accuracy Trimble R980 gps unit, with a nominal accuracy of 5 cm.

Samples were analyzed using a combination of four-acid digest with an AAS finish for copper and 50g fire assay with an AAS finish for gold analysis. Samples were submitted in batches of 40, made up of 38 samples, one CRM, and one blank. All batches passed QAQC Samples were be prepared and analyzed at SGS Serbia & Bulgaria (certification SRPS ISO / IEC 17025).

Given the bulk nature and potential sulphide leaching of the limonite stockwork material sampled, a cut-off grade of 0.05% Cu and 0.1 g/t Au was used to calculate the reported trench intercepts with a maximum of 3 meters continuous internal dilution.

About Electrum Discovery Corp.

Electrum Discovery Corp. is an emerging mineral exploration and development company focused on the prolific Western Tethyan Belt with two main projects spanning 645 square kilometers of prospective exploration ground in the Republic of Serbia.

Timok East extends over 123 square kilometers across the Timok copper-gold region and includes the recently discovered Bambino copper-gold anomaly, located less than five kilometers from the Bor Copper-Gold Mining Complex.

Novo Tlamino, located in the south-east of the Republic of Serbia, covers 522 square kilometers and includes an inferred mineral resource estimate of 670,000oz AuEq (7,100,000t at 2.9 g/t AuEq average grade), PEA (January 7, 2021)1

Electrum Discovery is looking to maximize the value of our mineral projects for all stakeholders including our shareholders, the local community and government. We have an open-door policy and encourage all stakeholders to contact us through our website. We have a strong environmental and ethics policy to complete all our work in line with regulations in an open and transparent process. Our projects are at an early stage, and we plan continue our consultation with all stakeholders in a climate of mutual respect, while fostering sustainability, governance and knowledge transfer in the region.

Additional information on Electrum can be found by reviewing the Company's page on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

For more information contact:

Dr Elena Clarici, Chief Executive Officer and Director

T: +1 604 801 5432 | E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | W: www.electrumdiscovery.com

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by R. Michael Jones P.Eng . Mr. Jones is a non-independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and a director of the Company. He has visited the property several times and verified the data gathered by technically competent experienced staff by reviewing, the assay certificates, the QAQC procedures and reports of company and lab samples, the geological data and interpretation and reviewing the qualifications of the persons completing and compiling the field work.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information. Such statements include Companys expected achievement of specified milestones, results of operations, and expected financial results of the Company. Often, but not always, this forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "estimates", "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "upgraded", "offset", "limited", "contained", "reflecting", "containing", "remaining", "to be", "periodically", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Electrum, to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, uncertainties inherent in the PEA and exploration results and the estimation of mineral resources; risks related to the failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; risks associated with the results of exploration and development activities, and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; unanticipated costs and expenses; and such other risks detailed from time to time in Electrum's quarterly and annual filings with securities regulators and available under Electrum's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Rock chip and surface results are early stage and there is no assurance that future exploration will find mineralization of further interest. Although Electrum has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking information contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management. Forward-looking information has been made as of the date hereof and Electrum disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

1 Preliminary Economic Assessment and NI43-101 Technical Report for the Medgold Tlamino Project, January 7, 2021, www.sedarplus.ca. The effective date of the resource estimate is January 7, 2021. Authors of the Reports are: Mr. Richard Siddle, MAIG, of Addison Mining Services Ltd for Mineral Resources; Dr. Matthew Randall, FIMMM, of Axe Valley Mining Consultants Ltd for Mining; Mr. Ian Jackson, FIMMM, of Bara Consulting for Mineral Processing, and Dr. Andrew Bamber, MCIM, of Bara Consulting Ltd for Economic Analysis.

The PEA is preliminary in nature, and it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be characterized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realised.
Highlights:

Near-surface, Gold Zone discovered along the eastern area of the Courvan Southeast Deposit with significant gold intersections grading up to 4.2 g/t Au over 12.8 metres (cut) (14.3 g/t Au over 12.8 metres uncut), including 224 g/t Au over 0.8 metres.

Drilling just east of the Southeast Deposit also yielded up to 14.4 g/t Au over 3.5 metres (cut), with notable intersections of 56.5 g/t Au over 1.0 meter (uncut).

At the Bussiere Deposit, expansion drilling revealed thick gold zones, including an intersection of 1.5 g/t Au over 45.0 metres.

Results from the condemnation drilling to the East of the Bussiere Deposit intersected parallel gold zones grading up 17.8 g/t Au over 3.0 metres (cut) (31.2 g/t Au over 3.0 metres uncut), including 90.4 g/t Au over 1.0 metre, highlighting significant exploration upside remaining for the Novador Project

A 50,000-meter infill drill program aimed at resource conversion is currently underway to support the upcoming pre-feasibility study.

TORONTO, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Probe Gold Inc. (TSX: PRB) (OTCQB: PROBF) (Probe or the Company), is pleased to provide the latest results from the 2024 Courvan Gold Trend drill program on its 100%-owned Novador property (the Property) located near Val-dOr, Quebec. Results from thirty (30) drill holes, totaling 7,635 metres, have returned significant, near-surface, gold intercepts from surface to 150 metres vertical depth at the Bussiere and Southeast deposits (see figure 1 and table of selected drill results below). The 2024 summer-fall drill program at Courvan targeted both resource expansion and condemnation drilling. The condemnation drilling program, which was focussed east of the former Bussiere mine, revealed unexpected and significant gold-rich intercepts. In advance of follow-up drilling on the new discovery, the Company will re-evaluate the Courvan 3D model to refine its regional exploration model for the area.

David Palmer, President and CEO of Probe, states, The results from Courvan once again highlight the substantial exploration potential that remains within the Novador project. The recent discovery of thick, high-grade gold mineralization just 150 metres from our development areas suggests strong potential for further exploration breakthroughs as we advance our work on new targets around Novador. Our condemnation program, designed to evaluate areas for future development infrastructure, is also uncovering new mineralized zones, further underscoring Novador's capacity for remarkable growth. The Val-dOr East area has proven to be one of Canadas most fertile gold exploration belts, and we look forward to continued success. To accelerate our timeline toward production, we have initiated a 50,000-meter drill program aimed at completing resource conversion, which will set the stage for our Pre-Feasibility Study anticipated in early 2026. Additionally, we are expanding our team to ensure we fulfill our strategy of concurrently advancing permitting, the pre-feasibility study, resource growth and new discoveries, at Novador and the new satellite properties. We anticipate that 2025 will be a highly productive and successful year.

These latest drilling results continue to improve our 3D model of Courvan. The mineralization is characterized by a series of shallow-dipping East-West gold-bearing veins situated next to shear zones that cut the Bourlamaque granodiorite batholith. The gold veins encountered are primarily composed of sulphide-bearing quartz-carbonate-tourmaline, and gold is typically associated with centimeter-scale pyrite masses within the veins, as well as zones containing 1% to 5% finely disseminated pyrite in the host rocks. Gold mineralization intersected in the volcanics is associated with a shear zone and sulphide-bearing quartz-carbonate-tourmaline veins. The Bussiere and Southeast deposits remain open laterally and at depth.

Selected drill results from 2024 Courvan Bussiere and Southeast deposits drilling program are, as follows:

Hole Number From (m) To (m) Length (m) Gold (g/t) Zone CO-22-310ext 269.5 314.5 45.0 1.5 BM-19 and BM-20 including 296.0 298.0 2.0 7.8 New including 307.0 308.0 1.0 30.5 BM-20 CO-22-310ext 327.0 352.5 25.5 0.6 BM-22 and BM-23 CO-24-409 342.0 365.0 23.0 0.6 BM-21 CO-24-409 443.0 467.0 24.0 1.0 New including 449.0 450.5 1.5 13.0 New CO-24-410 37.0 49.0 12.0 1.2 Bussiere 002 CO-24-410 60.0 61.5 1.5 13.8 Bussiere 003 CO-24-412 173.0 201.0 28.0 1.2 BM-15 including 174.0 175.0 1.0 11.3 BM-15 including 189.0 199.0 10.0 1.2 BM-15 CO-24-413 72.0 91.0 19.0 1.1 BM-15 including 74.0 75.0 1.0 11.1 BM-15 COD-24-06 (Cut) 140.0 143.0 3.0 17.8 Vein BM-10A COD-24-06 (Uncut) 140.0 143.0 3.0 31.2 Vein BM-10A including 140.0 141.0 1.0 90.4 Vein BM-10A COD-24-13 (Cut) 155.0 158.5 3.5 14.4 Courvan SE006 COD-24-13 (Uncut) 155.0 158.5 3.5 16.3 Courvan SE006 including 157.5 158.5 1.0 56.5 Courvan SE006 COD-24-20 164.5 181.0 16.5 0.9 New including 164.5 170.5 6.0 2.2 New COD-24-26 139.0 143.0 4.0 3.0 BM-10A including 139.0 140.0 1.0 10.3 BM-10A COD-24-29 (Cut) 8.0 20.8 12.8 4.2 Courvan SE001 COD-24-29 (Uncut) 8.0 20.8 12.8 14.3 Courvan SE001 including 12.0 12.8 0.8 224.0 Courvan SE001

(1) All the new analytical results reported in this release and in this table, are presented in core length and cut to 50 g/t Au when needed. True width is estimated between 65 to 95 % of core length. Only grade times thickness above 10.0 g/t Au * m is reported.

Figure 1: Surface Map  Courvan Gold Trend new drilling results

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this press release has been prepared, reviewed, and approved by Mr. Marc Ducharme, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

Quality Control

During the last drilling program, assay samples were taken from the NQ core by sawing the drill core in half, with one-half sent to a certified commercial laboratory and the other half retained for future reference. A strict QA/QC program was applied to all samples; which includes insertion of mineralized standards and blank samples for each batch of 20 samples. The gold analyses were completed by fire-assayed with an atomic absorption finish on 50 grams of materials. Repeats were carried out by fire-assay followed by gravimetric testing on each sample containing 3.0 g/t gold or more. Total gold analyses (Metallic Sieve) were carried out on the samples which presented a great variation of their gold contents or the presence of visible gold.

About Probes Novador Project

Since 2016, Probe Gold has been consolidating its land position in the highly prospective Val-dOr East area in the province of Quebec with a district-scale land package of 685 square kilometres that represents one of the largest land holdings in the Val-dOr mining camp. The Novador project represents one property block of 175 square kilometres that hosts four past producing mines (Beliveau Mine, Bussiere Mine, Monique Mine and Beaufor Mine) and contains 80% of the Companys gold resources in Val-dOr East. Novador is situated in a politically stable and low-cost mining environment that hosts numerous active producers and mills.

About Probe Gold

Probe Gold Inc. is a leading Canadian company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of highly prospective gold properties. The Company is well-funded and dedicated to exploring and developing high-quality gold projects. Notably, it owns 100% of its flagship asset, the multimillion-ounce Novador Gold Project in Quebec, as well as an early-stage Detour Gold Quebec project. Probe controls a large land package of approximately 1685-square-kilometres of exploration ground within some of the most prolific gold belts in Quebec. The Companys recent Novador updated Preliminary Economic Assessment outlines a robust mining plan with an average annual gold production of 255,000 ounces over a 12.6-year mine life.

Val-dOr properties include gold resources totaling 6,728,600 ounces in the Measured and Indicated category and 3,277,100 ounces in the Inferred category along all trends and deposits.

On behalf of Probe Gold Inc.,

Dr. David Palmer,

President & Chief Executive Officer

For further information:

Please visit our website at www.probegold.com or contact:

Seema Sindwani

Vice-President of Investor Relations

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

+1.416.777.9467

Forward-Looking Statements
War-torn Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrived in Cairo Monday to meet President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, on his first visit since Egypt denied any involvement in Sudan's ongoing conflict.

"President Sisi will meet General Burhan during his visit in Cairo," Egyptian presidency spokesman Ahmed Fahmy told AFP.

A Sudanese army statement said Sisi had invited Burhan to the 12th World Urban Forum organised by the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

Sudan's war erupted in April 2023 between the regular army led by Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

It has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of 11 million people, according to the United Nations.

The conflict has resulted in what has been described as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises in recent history.

Burhan's most recent visit to Egypt was in February when he met Sisi and discussed "his government's vision to end the war and establish peace and stability".

Egypt and Sudan share a lengthy common border, and last month, Cairo denied allegations by Daglo that its military has been involved in the conflict.

"Egypt is fighting us," Daglo charged in a video posted online, accusing Egypt of being one of six countries of interfering in the conflict, including Iran.

Burhan has historically been close to Sisi.

Both the Sudanese army and the RSF have been accused of repeated atrocities in the war, including targeting civilians, indiscriminately shelling residential areas and looting or blocking aid.

The RSF has been accused of crimes against humanity, systematic sexual violence and ethnic cleansing.
The civil war in Rwanda had been waged by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) for fourteen months when, on 4 December 1991, President Juvenal Habyarimana set up a commission to advise him on what needed to be done "to vanquish the enemy at a military, media and political level". A group of senior officers was assembled to take stock of the situation and come up with recommendations. Among its ten members, the most senior officer was Colonel Theoneste Bagosora. He chaired the commission. On December 21, they submitted their report to the head of State.

The report was never made public, except for its most sulphurous extract on the definition of the enemy. This extract was to become a key piece of evidence in proving the planning of the Tutsi genocide that took place just over two years later, from April to July 1994, the day after Habyarimana's assassination. This genocide, in which a large part of the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) took part, turned Bagosora, director of cabinet at the Ministry of Defence in April 1994, into the prime suspect.

At the opening of the trial of Bagosora and of three other former FAR officers in April 2002 before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), set up by the UN on 8 November 1994, the prosecutor, Chile Eboe-Osuji, defined the 1991 Commission's report as the birth certificate of the genocidal plan. Before him, the judges in the first ICTR trial against a former mayor, Jean-Paul Akayesu, had referred to the extract to demonstrate the genocidal intent.

In 2002, prosecutor Chile Eboe-Osuji sought to use the 1991 military commission report as the birth certificate of the genocidal project in Rwanda, an analysis which the judges rejected. Photo:  Thierry Cruvellier

The Bagosora judges' nuanced judgement

Except that neither the prosecutor nor the judges had the full report. Officially, it no longer existed. All they had was the famous extract entitled "Definition and Identification of the Enemy". This is the second part of a six-part report. It is also the most disturbing part of the report.

On 18 December 2008, the ICTR Trial chamber handed down its judgement in the Bagosora case, sentencing him to life imprisonment for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. His sentence was reduced to 35 years in prison by the Appeals chamber. Bagosora died in 2021 in a UN prison in Mali. However, the 2008 judgement clearly stands out as the ICTR's most nuanced and complex judgement in its analysis of the planning of the genocide. The judges respond to the prosecutor's analysis of the extract from the 1991 Commission's report.

"It is clear that the definition of the enemy contains both an ethnic component and a reference to proscribed acts," the judges noted, pointing out the dangerous ambiguity of the document. For example, "the word Tutsi is used 14 times in the document, and interchangeably in some places with enemy, and there are generalisations which may indicate that the Tutsis were unified behind the single ideology of Tutsi hegemony". Consequently, "it may be asked whether the way the ENI document [the extract in question] is formulated, combining both ethnicity with more direct language about the RPF, is an example of double language, the real intention of its members being to target the Tutsis", explained the judges.

For the prosecutor, the case was clear: this extract was "a step towards a criminal conspiracy". The judges, on the other hand, dismissed such an interpretation. They were more concerned with the context in which the events occured. First, they noted that defining the enemy is common practice in the military, in Rwanda and elsewhere. Consequently, the commission "was not in itself unusual or illegitimate, in particular in view of the fact that there had been hostilities on Rwandan territory since the RPF invasion on 1 October 1990".

"Read in context, the Chamber does not agree with the Prosecution that the definition implies that all Tutsis are extremists wanting to regain power," wrote the judges. The content may be disturbing therefore, but it does not demonstrate criminal intent. The judges were also aware, in 2008, that three or four of the members of this commission were among the few reputed senior officers of the FAR who had opposed the genocide in 1994. Even though no testimony had ever been taken from them in a specific and public manner by the ICTR prosecutor's office.

Judge Erik Mose (center) presided over the first-instance verdict in the Bagosora case, considered the most thorough and scrupulous analysis of the evidence presented to demonstrate the planning of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. Photo:  Thierry Cruvellier

Justice has been served, history remains

"It is not contended that the accused agreed at the same time on a plan, or that this plan consisted of a single, unified course of action, with an equal sharing of tasks," explain the judges. "Instead, the correct inference to be drawn from the evidence is that, at different times, each of the accused agreed to participate in a broader and longer effort to increasingly homogenise the Rwandan society in favour of Hutu citizens, with the object of killing Tutsis if necessary. It is their participation in this process - and their willingness to create or exploit various opportunities to accomplish it - that characterises their agreement."

The judicial significance of this report, considered as being so decisive at the time, has now lapsed. The ICTR trials are over. But its historical contribution remains. As part of its work on the ICTR trials, Justice Info has obtained a copy of this report, which was believed to be lost. It belonged to the accused. Some of the pages are unfortunately difficult to decipher, but the essence is there. To mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of the ICTR on November 8, 1994, we are placing the copy in the public domain. Everyone will now be able to carry out a more complete and contextualised analysis of this document which, in the eyes of the ICTR prosecutor, was to forge the story of the planning of the genocide of the Tutsis. Before the judges told him that it wasn't that simple.
A preliminary probe found that Israeli commandos used a speedboat equipped with radar-jamming devices to abduct a Lebanese man accused of being a Hezbollah operative, a Lebanese judicial official told AFP Tuesday.

The initial findings suggest that "the Israeli army used a high-speed vessel equipped with advanced devices capable of jamming radars" belonging to the United Nations peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) that monitors the Lebanese coast, the official said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

The probe into the abduction operation on Saturday is jointly conducted by the Lebanese police and judiciary.

The UN peacekeeping Maritime Task Force has helped Lebanon's army monitor territorial waters and prevent the entry of arms or related material by sea since 2006, according to the mission's website.

Germany has headed UNIFIL's maritime taskforce since January 2021.

On Saturday, Israeli naval commandos seized a trainee mariner that a military official described as a "senior operative" of Hezbollah in a raid in northern Lebanon and brought him to Israel for questioning.

An acquaintance of the abductee identified him as Imad Amhaz.

The man in his thirties was studying to become a sea captain at the Maritime Sciences and Technology Institute (MARSATI) in Batroun, Lebanon's primary training college for the shipping industry.

Lebanese authorities "cannot probe UNIFIL forces or request they provide information or footage captured by their radars because they have immunity", the judicial official said.

The official called the abduction "a war crime that violated national sovereignty" because it involved the kidnapping of a Lebanese citizen in an area far from the fighting.

Israel escalated its air raids on Hezbollah strongholds in south Lebanon, Beirut and the eastern Bekaa Valley on September 23, after nearly a year of cross-border fire. A week later it sent in ground troops to southern Lebanon.

At least 3,002 people have been killed in Lebanon since clashes between Hezbollah and Israel began last October, the health ministry said, including at least 1,964 since September 23, according to an AFP tally of official figures.
2,323,861 views Sep 13, 2020 #AnthonyHopkins #C

Based on the true story of Narnia author C.S. Lewis, known as Jack, who meets Joy, an American fan of his, while he is a professor at Oxford University. The two fall deeply in love, only for her to be diagnosed with cancer. Anthony Hopkins does a masterful job of portraying Lewis. Prior to production, Hopkins read many of C. S. Lewis's books. He especially loved a Grief Observed, upon which this movie is based. #Shadowlandsmovie #C.S.Lewis #AnthonyHopkins

Debra Winger and Anthony Hopkins were at the top of their talents in this lovely true story. Wonderful film!






Monday, November 4, 2024 - A poorly maintained and overcrowded bus veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in northern India on Monday, Nov. 4, killing at least 36 people and injuring several others, officials said.

The accident occurred in Almora district in the mountainous state of Uttarakhand.

The bus was carrying around 60 people, and more than 20 have been injured, said Deepak Rawat, a senior state government official.

Authorities said earlier they believed there were 42 passengers, which was how many people the bus could accommodate.

Teams of rescue and relief workers were deployed to the site and officials feared the death toll may rise further, especially as seven passengers in hospital were in critical condition.

Television footage showed parts of the bus mangled and destroyed as it lay overturned on a rocky slope, close to a stream.

Rescuers were seen working to pull out passengers and carrying bodies on stretchers.

The states chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami earlier said rescue teams were working to quickly evacuate the injured passengers to nearby hospitals and that authorities have been instructed to airlift those seriously hurt.

The state government has opened an investigation into the accident, said Vineet Pal, another official in the state.

He added that preliminary information suggested that the dilapidated bus skidded before tumbling down a 200-foot-deep gorge.

A number of passengers managed to escape or were thrown out by the impact, and then alerted authorities about the accident.

Two transport officials have been suspended for approving a bus that was in poor condition, Pal said.

Watch videos below.

In #India, at least thirty six people have been killed after a bus plunged into a Himalayan ravine. The incident happened in the state of Uttarakhand. Authorities say three others are critically injured. The accident is being investigated. pic.twitter.com/MjSE4lVXx3  Our World (@MeetOurWorld) November 4, 2024






Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - The Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga has responded to allegations that he has been sleeping with other people's wives.

The father of six now says his enemies are working hard to bring him down.

"I want to tell the People of Equatorial Guinea those videos are AI-edited my enemies are trying so hard to bring me down.

For your information, this is not me."

In a different post, he asked his wife to take care of their kids if anything happened to him.

"If anything ever happens, you are strong enough to guide our children through anything. I trust you completely. You are not just my wife, but my hero."

He also credited his family for standing by him, during these trying times.

My family's unwavering support has been my strength. Thank you for standing by me through everything. Your love means the world."

Engonga further questioned why people were keen on focusing on irrelevant stuff, yet there was a lot to be focused on.

"Let's unite in purpose today, working tirelessly to create a society where every citizen flourishes. Together, we'll build a future of equality and opportunity for all Africans."

The politician now says whoever released the videos wanted to embarrass him but the move has backfired.

"By releasing those videos, you thought you'd shame me, but you've actually exposed your own children to p0rn0graphy. This grave mistake harms them more than it does me."

In conclusion, he asked whoever is innocent to judge him otherwise we're all sinners.

John 8:7 And Jesus said "Let the one amongst you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her"

Engonga has insisted he is only married to one woman.

"I only have one wife and my 6 children They keep me going We are a happy family They are my Everything God Bless Equatorial Guinea."

He is alleged to have slept with different women, some of them are wives of fellow politicians.




Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - The Judicial Service Commission of Kenya has appealed to President William Ruto to help build a new Supreme Court Building.

Speaking in Nairobi during the celebrations to mark the 12th anniversary of the establishment of the Supreme Court in Kenya, the Registrar of the Judiciary Winfrida Mokaya asked Ruto to prioritise allocating money for the construction of a new Supreme Court Building, noting that it will enhance service delivery.

Your Excellency, as discussed this morning, your attention was drawn to the need for a modern Supreme Court building, a space that would foster judicial discourse and provide an optimal working environment for our judges, Mokaya stated.

According to the Judiciary, a design competition was already running to get the best design ideas from architectural creatives.

We are currently in the process of a design competition for a modern Supreme Court building with contemporary design and functionality required for its important judicial role, Mokaya added.

According to the Registrar, the Supreme Court buildings had outlived their functionality since they had lasted for over 93 years.

This, the Registrar revealed, has prevented the court users' access to modern functional facilities that are in line with the modern requirements.

"The building is nearly a century old and its architecture does not serve the present needs of the Supreme Court. It is internal design is far from being functionally adequate, Mokaya implored.

"The building as it is does not embody the gravitas of the role of the Supreme Court as envisaged in the Constitution."

"Your Excellency you also noted this morning as you walked in that from the plate at the entrance of this building, the building was put up in 1930, that is 80 years ago before our new constitution, she added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, November 4, 2024 - British comedian, Russell Brand is reportedly being considered for prosecution over Historic Sex Offenses.

The revelation comes months after a Met police inquiry into the 49-year-old comedian.

During the period, Russell Brand was quizzed three times with regards to the accusations made by women he was reportedly involved with between 2006 and 2013.

After a 13-month inquiry, the Met police have recommended that Brand be charged with historic sex offenses based on recent accusations from multiple women he was involved with at the height of his Hollywood fame.

During the period of the inquiry, the actor was interviewed by the authorities on different occasions to ascertain details about his involvement with his alleged victims.

According to the Daily Mail, the first meet-up was said to have been done under caution on November 16, 2023, with Brand being quizzed over three sex offense claims.

Brand also came in voluntarily for the interview after the accusations.

He was invited a second time on December 14, 2023, about six other historical sex offenses. Brand was then asked to come in for another interview session in January of this year.

It is unclear how long each interview lasted and whether Brand attended them with his lawyer or went in alone.

According to Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, the Met police is still very much involved in the case despite already recommending that the Crown Prosecution Service should prosecute Brand.

"Our investigation continues, and a file has now been passed to the CPS," he said, per the Daily Mail. "We have a team of dedicated officers providing specialist support to the women who have come forward."

The law enforcement officer also mentioned that they are committed to investigating both old and new accusations against the actor and other perpetrators of sexual offenses.

He added, "We are committed to investigating sexual offenses, no matter how long ago they are alleged to have taken place."

If the CPS agrees to bring charges against Brand, he might be arrested and detained as the case would likely be tried as a criminal case.

The accusations against Brand resulted from an investigation conducted by Channel 4's Dispatches and The Sunday Times.

At least four women who were subject of the investigation accused the "Despicable Me 2" actor of sexual assault and rape.

The incidents reportedly occurred between 2006 and 2013, when the comedian was a big name in Hollywood and was working as a presenter on BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4.

One of the women, named Alice, alleged that she dated Brand for three months and that the relationship was "emotionally abusive and controlling." Brand was said to be 31 years old, while Alice was a teenager at the time.

Two other women claimed that they were sexually assaulted by the comedian, with the incidents occurring in Los Angeles and the United Kingdom, respectively.

After the accusations came to light, Brand released a statement where he denied assaulting any of the women, per the Daily Mail.

However, he admitted that he had a "very, very promiscuous" past, but all of those sexual interactions during that period were "absolutely always consensual."

The actor added, "I was always transparent about that. Then, almost too transparent, and I'm being transparent about it now as well. To see that transparency metastasized into something criminal that I absolutely deny makes me question, is there another agenda at play?"




Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin is leading the Kenyan delegation at the 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly, held in Glasgow, Scotland.

The assembly, which began on November 4, will run through November 7.

On Tuesday, Amin conducted bilateral meetings with representatives from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States, focusing on strengthening partnerships in combating transnational crime.

The opening session of the assembly was led by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who emphasized the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational organized crime and expressed appreciation for the dedication of law enforcement officers worldwide.

He [Starmer) called for law enforcement cooperation in the fight against Transnational Organized Crimes and thanked law enforcement officers for their dedication to work, DCI said.

INTERPOL collaborates with organizations like the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL) to enhance global security efforts against threats such as transnational organized crime, terrorism, and cybercrime.

Kenyas Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, currently serves as the President of the AFRIPOL General Assembly.

As the worlds largest police organization with 196 member countries, INTERPOLs efforts are also bolstered by its regional bureaus.

Kenya hosts the INTERPOL Regional Bureau for Eastern Africa at the DCI Headquarters in Nairobi.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Tuesday, November 5, 2024  President William Ruto may have a bigger problem to worry about in 2027 than Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and the Gen Z threats.

This is after it emerged that former Chief Justice David Maraga and his predecessor Willy Mutunga might be in the race gunning for the presidency.

Taking to his X account, Lawyer Nelson Havi called on Maraga and Mutunga to consider challenging Ruto for the presidency in the 2027 elections.

The former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president stated that the two former CJs are best suited to lead Kenya as presidents.

Havi argued that one of the duo should sacrifice their retirement and offer themselves for the presidential elections.

According to Havi, the country needs a wise old man to cure from its current state.

CJ Dr. Willy Mutunga SC or C J David Maraga must sacrifice their retirement and offer themselves for election as President of the Republic of Kenya. We need a wise old man to return this social contract to factory settings, Havi stated.

Havi further created a poll on X platform and nominated lawyers, among them political leaders, asking Kenyans to vote on one of them who should then run for president.

The lawyer nominated Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua, Wiper Democratic Movement party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former CJ Maraga, and his predecessor Mutunga.

As of the time of publishing this article, over 8,000 netizens had cast their votes, with Maraga leading at 63.3 per cent.

Havis statement comes as politicians continue engaging Kenyans in campaigns three years ahead of the next general election.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has opposed attempts by President William Rutos government to introduce select proposals in the defunct Finance Bill 2024.

Speaking in West Pokot County, the Wiper party boss opposed the bid to review taxes noting that Kenyans are over-taxed.

They claimed that the process was being engineered by Treasury CS John Mbadi.

Let us not lie to ourselves, we have a big challenge. If President Rutos government will re-introduce amendments to Finance Act 2024 and then add taxes, it will be hard for Kenyans, Kalonzo stated.

His stance came as the government, in recent days, showed plans of reintroducing proposals in the 2024/2025 Finance Bill that will be making a return in the 2025/2026 Finance Bill.

Some of the proposals that are set to be re-introduced are widening the tax bracket to include taxes for digital holding companies and food delivery services.

Joined by The Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, and Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, the opposition lashed out at the Kenya Kwanza administration in its intent to re-introduce sections of the 2024 finance.

The team claimed the bill will further burden Kenyans who are currently reeling under heavy taxation. The leaders predicted the introduction of parts of the rejected bill might plunge the country into a state of chaos as was witnessed during the antigovernment protests in June.

The opposition chiefs further warned that the proposed extension of presidential term limits risked dividing Kenyans and was ill-advised.

The Kalonzo-led team reminded the government of the anti-government protests in June when the countrys Gen Zs took to the streets to protest against the tax measures.

On his part, DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa cautioned MPs against endorsing the proposals when they are presented in Parliament.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Concord, CA 94519

November 1, 2024

Secretary

Comcast Corporation

One Comcast Center

1701 JFK Boulevard

Philadelphia, PA 19103

(via email & post certified mail)

Re: Proposal to 2025 Stockholders Meeting

Dear Secretary:

Enclosed please find my stockholder proposal for inclusion in our companys proxy materials for the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders and a letter confirming my shares. I will continuously hold these shares through the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders.

It seems the 2024 Proxy Statement missed 1701 JFK Boulevard for the address at page 61. I encourage Comcast Corporation to engage with stockholders on important policy issues, including providing an email account to receive shareholder proposals for better and secure communication, as the SEC does. I am available between 10am  5pm Monday-Friday at zhao.cpri@gmail.com (I will provide the phone # to communicate upon request) from today to December 15, 2024.

Yours truly,

Jing Zhao

Enclosure: stockholder proposal, letter of shares

Stockholder Proposal to Improve Executive Compensation Program

Resolved: stockholders recommend that Comcast Corporation (our Company) improve the executive compensation program to include the CEO pay ratio factor.

Supporting Statement

The Economic Policy Institute found that from 19782023, top CEO compensation shot up 1,085%, compared with a 24% increase in a typical workers compensation.[1] Americas ballooning executive compensation is not sustainable for the economy, and there is no rational methodology to decide the executive compensation, particularly because there is no consideration of the CEO pay ratio. The increase of disparity of income has a direct negative impact on American social disorder. The CEO pay ratios of big Japanese and European companies are about the same level of the CEO pay ratios of big American companies in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The American corporate boards and executives have become a class of oligarchy, as defined by Aristotle, according to his _Politics_. In this great classic, Aristotle demonstrated that in a stable community (polis), the ratio of the rich citizens land to the poor citizens land should not be over 5 to 1. Our Companys CEO pay ratio for 2023 is 398 to 1 (2024 Proxy Statement p.49), further increased from the very abnormally high 385 to 1 in 2022 (2023 Proxy Statement p.63). This is against the trend: shareholders in JPMorgan Chase & Co., Intel, Netflix, Salesforce and other big companies rejected sky-high executive pay packages in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Adam Smith said: Wealth, as Mr Hobbes says, is power. As a social contract, the American public gives the corporate board the power and trust to run the corporate business without employee representation in the board; and the board is nominated and elected without any competition (the number of candidates is the same number of board seats). To increase the executive wealth (compensation) irrationally is to abuse the power and trust.

Human nature has not changed so much since Aristotle. The Company has the flexibility to reform the Compensation and Human Capital Committee to improve the executive compensation program, such as including the CEO pay ratio factor.








Tuesday, November 5, 2024  Kithure Kindiki officially began his work as Deputy President with a subtle challenge to the Supreme Court.

Kindiki was among several dignitaries who attended the official opening of the Supreme Court of Kenya's twelfth Jurisprudential Conference in Nairobi.

In the event which was presided over by President William Ruto, all eyes were on Kindiki as Kenyans at large waited to listen to the new DP's first sentiments, since his swearing-in.

In his first remarks since he was sworn in as the Deputy President, Kindiki challenged the Judiciary to find mechanisms to balance between public interest and the higher national interest.

While referencing Chapter 238 of the 2010 constitution which addresses national security, Kindiki noted that at times, the Judiciary's focus on addressing public interest could come at the expense of national welfare.

"Other than the parameters and the principles of the court help us to understand the public interest, are there other higher values and principles which are crucial to the existence of Kenya? Because the public can do the wrong things which threaten the existence of the state.

"That is the dead front of jurisprudence I want us to think about," Kindiki stated.

The new DP admitted his sentiments had hints of bias since he was in the country's security docket for two years, but insisted that there was a need for the courts to protect 'higher interests' while conducting their mandate.

Kindiki's sentiments came just days after his predecessor, ousted DP Rigathi Gachagua, was dealt the ultimate blow by the High Court, which cleared the path for his swearing-in.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Tuesday, November 2024 - Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru has launched several irrigation projects, enabling farmers in the county to achieve substantial yields.

The irrigation projects were initiated to improve water access, enabling thousands of farmers to practice subsistence farming.

This has seen many farmers record an increase in agricultural productivity, thus reducing food insecurity and uplifting the living standards of many families in rural areas.

John Maina, a resident of Kariko village and one of the beneficiaries of this project, said they struggled to access water for their farming activities.

He explained that they often had to walk to rivers with jerry cans to fetch water for farming, a task that, he noted, left little time for other important activities.

Before the project was initiated, we struggled to grow enough food for our families but now we can irrigate our farms and grow crops such as vegetables whereby we produce enough for our families and sell the surplus to the market thus creating employment for ourselves, said Maina.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - The Ministry of Health has launched a multidisciplinary evaluation to assess the effectiveness and competence of public health facilities, while also addressing operational challenges in administering the Social Health Authority (SHA).

In a statement on Tuesday, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa said the assessment, conducted through the Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority (KHPOA), aims to ensure that all facilities can provide adequate services and improve the overall quality of healthcare, leading to better health outcomes for citizens.

She added that the ministry will conduct a comprehensive fact-finding mission across Kenyas 47 counties to evaluate how effectively public health facilities are supporting the rollout of the SHA.

Barasa emphasized the importance of collaboration, calling on the media and other stakeholders to work together in promoting SHA registration.

How can we work together to ensure Kenyans register for SHA and experience healthcare services for themselves? she asked in the statement.

Barasa further stated that the ministry plans to ensure that essential drugs reach the last mile by December, focusing on mapping healthcare facilities to guarantee that all necessary medicines are available.

She reaffirmed the governments commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to all Kenyans, reiterating that primary healthcare services will be available up to Level 4 as awareness of these services grows.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has mocked Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his DAP-K counterpart Eugene Wamalwa after they announced their exit from Azimio following Raila Odinga's betrayal.

In a statement, Kaluma dismissed Kalonzo and Wamalwa as nonentities, asserting that the ODM party will form the next government without them.

Imagine Eugine Wamalwa and Kalonzo Musyoka and their parties have left Azimio! Which Azimio!

"How many MPs do they have? ODM will form the next government, Kaluma stated.

This comes hours after Wamalwa announced that the DAP-K party was exiting the Azimio coalition, citing betrayal from affiliate parties.

As DAP, we can no longer maintain a relationship with those who are not like-minded. Those aiding Ruto in introducing more taxes to Kenyans are not aligned with our values.

"When John Mbadi brings back those taxes, it wont just be Rutos responsibility; our members will be complicit, Wamalwa stated.

Kalonzo also followed suit by announcing his exit from the Azimio coalition, saying he and Wamalwa will form a new coalition ahead of 2027.

The disquiet in the opposition comes after four ODM members were appointed to the government, with Azimio-affiliated parties expressing discomfort with Railas resolve to support the government.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Tuesday, November 5, 2024  President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga are now a worried lot.

This is after Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka also announced his exit from Azimio intending to form a new coalition with DAP-K Leader Eugene Wamalwa ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking in Kitale at the homestead of former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa, Kalonzo, and Wamalwa revealed they have initiated the legal process of exiting the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition.

The two party leaders hinted that plans were underway to form a coalition to field a presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election.

In a press briefing, they indicated that Kalonzo might be the leader of the new coalition once it is registered.

If we come up with a new outfit, it could even incorporate perhaps Azimio itself, so that is how focused we are, Kalonzo stated.

I urge the media not to bury Azimio before it is actually dead and buried because we have a lot of investment in that space and we want to be able to move in a manner which is systematic.

The two have maintained they want to get the country on the right track and have good leadership and asked the principals of Azimio to support them in their quest to deal with the challenges facing Kenyans.

All we can tell Kenyans is watch this space. We have a few days to the New Year and there are new things that are coming, Wamalwa intimated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has reacted to the trending leaked private videos of Equatorial Guinea's financial crime chief, Baltasar Ebang Engonga.

The trending senior government official, who is the head of the National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF), finds himself at the center of a national scandal after explicit personal recordings surfaced online.



The tapes, allegedly numbering over 300, depict Ebang in encounters with multiple women, some of whom are reported to be married, including the wife of the Presidential security head and his own brothers spouse.

Taking to his X account, Sonko said that although he doesn't support infidelity, the Equatorial Government should consider awarding Ebang for his unique marketing approach.



Sonko noted that Equatorial Guinea is trending worldwide, thanks to Ebang's leaked private videos that show his encounters with different women.

''Although I dont support infidelity, I think they should consider awarding this guy for his unique marketing approach. Thanks to him, his country Equatorial Guinea is now trending worldwide with hotel rooms reportedly fully booked as tourists from all over the world rush to visit.

"The Ministry of Tourism could be missing a big opportunity here as he could even become their brand ambassador, helping to further promote the country on a global stage,'' he tweeted.





The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - A Kenyan man is in a stalemate after he secured a new job, only to find out that his good conduct indicates he has a criminal history.

His wife took him to the police with false accusations about three years ago and although he was cleared of the charges, the good conduct indicates he has a criminal history.

Check out the post.





The Kenyan DAILY POST.
For the second time in my life I visited the ER. I woke up early yesterday morning with unremitting, 7.8/10 left lower back pain accompanied by chills, nausea, and vomiting. Why 7.8? Well, I definitely could have imagined pain worse than an 8, but it seemed bad enough to go to the ER, so it surely must be worse than a 7, right? Just like all my patients, I have a strong pain threshold, right? Ever notice how many people end sentences with the word right? Having diagnosed many a kidney stone in my day, I was pretty convinced that was what I had (I had been taking a fair amount of antacids lately), so I did not object to a non-contrast CT scan to confirm what I suspected, even though the urinalysis did not show any blood. When the scan came back negative, and after the Toradol and morphine had eased my discomfort, the doctor suggested a contrasted CT scan to rule out any acute vascular event. Now, I suspected she strongly believed I didnt have a surgical abdomen, and that wasnt even on my radar, so I asked whether waiting was an option. She said it was but just to be safe 

The most beautiful thing about being a family doctor is the relationship I had with my patients. I prided myself on not practicing defensive medicine, always trying to give care that was appropriate and using my clinical acumen and experience to guide our mutual decision-making process. Many times, I would say, I am convinced it is not serious and that we can wait, but if it gets worse, we can do additional testing, and almost always, the patient agreed to wait because they knew I would be there if they needed me. However, in the ER, you dont have that long-standing connection and trust. What you have is, If after we discharge you, and you get worse, come back to the ER. Who wants to come back to the ER and go through the whole process again?!

I have several observations about yesterday:

1. It is revelatory being on the receiving end of medical care. I did tell them right at the start that I was a family physician, not because I wanted special treatmentat least I sincerely hope that wasnt my motivationbut because I wanted them to know I understand what they are doing on a different level. I guess being a physician doesnt make me a typical patient, but being in pain and donning a hospital gown makes me very much a typical patient, and that is the way it should be.

2. Being a family physician, I knew there was no use calling my DPC doctor because I needed pain relief, and there was nothing he could do for me at 3 a.m. I know I could have, though, and that was comforting.

3. Would I have gone to the ER if I didnt have good insurance?

4. I definitely did not want to go back to the ER a second time.

5. As much as I want patients to be good consumers of health care, and ask questions about what is being done to them, when you are hurting and scared, it is very difficult to evaluate the situation objectively and share in the decision-making process. You are left with hoping that the ER knows what they are doing. How do we help patients become active participants in their care in the emergency room? How do we help patients become less passive recipients of health care services in general?

6. There was no discussion about how much things would cost.

7. Do most ER doctors practice appropriate medicine, not defensive?

8. I was overall satisfied with the attending physician, but I suspect modern technology has replaced physical examination skills and the resulting confidence to not order tests that comes with the clinical skill.

9. It is hard sometimes living alone, especially when medical care is needed. How wonderful it was that a friend took me and stayed with me the whole time. I was very grateful for that, and I thought of all the patients who do not have that someone. I read somewhere that if you have someone in your life who will be there for you at 3 a.m., no questions asked, you are blessed. I think that is true.

10. I was also very grateful to have my pain relieved. They believed I was hurting and never made me feel like I was inconveniencing them by being in their ER. Sometimes we physicians can forget that it is not about us.

I did agree to the contrasted CT scan. Why? First of all, I was trying to be the patient, not the doctor. Secondly, I had good insurance. Third, I had been having some flare-ups of my IBS and reflux, and thought more testing might give me peace of mind. (No wonder patients equate more testing with better medical care!) And lastly, did I mention already that I did not want to come back to the ER?

When the doctor came back to discharge me, she did say, You know this could be shingles, so watch for a rash. Duh! I always taught my medical students to look for a rash and consider shingles when any patient came in with pain. Why didnt I consider that from the start? It seemed to me the pain onset was too sudden and severe, and the associated symptoms were a little atypical for herpes zoster. Maybe the perceived severity of the pain didnt allow my brain to go there. Why didnt the ER doctor raise this possibility from the get-go? Part of it may have been me thinking it was a kidney stone and planting that seed in the ER. Maybe my presentation was a little atypical for shingles, but in retrospect, maybe not so much. If she had mentioned this after the urine test and non-contrast CT scan, and before I agreed to the contrasted imaging, would I have declined the test? Is she so entrenched in the just to be sure mentality that she only mentions the worst-case scenario to her patients? Of course, the ER is the place where you have to think about worst-case scenarios, but wouldnt it be good to share all possibilities with the patient for true shared decision-making? Or is the ER the place where actively engaged patients and questioning the need for testing dont belong? I just hope the additional radiation I received doesnt release too many free radicals.

I was overall satisfied with my Sunday morning ER visit and was reminded that it is not all bad for physicians to view medical care from the other side once in a while. I have always thought that all of us trying to transform health care for the better have the advantage that we are all patients, too, and have the opportunity to view health care from this lens. Maybe before the next greatest solution or technological advancement, one of the questions we must ask is how this improves the doctor/patient experience.

William Hurt played a physician in the movie The Doctor. In it, because he had to undergo cancer treatment and the many indignities that came along with it, he eventually overcame the burden of his arrogance and subsequently required all of his medical students to become patients for a weekend so that they could live through what their patients have to tolerate. Although this film came out over thirty years ago, its message may be even more powerful and necessary today. I have always thought one of our CME requirements should be to be filmed during a patient encounter to receive constructive feedback on how we are with our patients. Isnt patient-centered communication a very important component of every doctor/patient interaction? Shouldnt being sensitive to how we are with patients, and how the system works, or doesnt work, for our patients be an important part of our ongoing education? Wouldnt that be at least as important as learning about proper opiate dispensing or human trafficking?

How am I doing? Thanks for asking. I am doing much better, but I still have some pain and am waiting on a rash. Tom Petty has sung that waiting is the hardest part, but I think in medicine, we forget that not only is it, not the hardest part, but it is also the most appropriate form of inaction.

Gregg J. Stefanek is a family physician.
Due to the continuous rise of emerging countries, the United States' share in the world has decreased, and it is now in an era of weak hegemony. The United States wants to create a new era of strong hegemony, but it cannot do so by its own strength. It needs to exert various pressures on emerging countries to make allies including the Philippines obey the political arrangements of the United States and serve the political interests of the United States, and finally jointly realize the era of strong hegemony of the United States.

On October 22, Radio France Internationale reported that the United States agreed to keep the "Typhon" medium-range missile system in the northern Philippines indefinitely to enhance deterrence. Although the United States deployed the intermediate-range missile in the Philippines on the grounds of exercise, the deployment behavior has already existed.

"The Philippines has become the vanguard of the United States in the 'Indo-Pacific region'. At the opening dinner of the Shangri-La Dialogue on May 31, the organizer invited Philippine President Marcos to give a keynote speech. The Shangri-La Dialogue is dominated by the United States and the West and serves the interests of the United States and the West. "This time, inviting Marcos to give the opening speech was also a careful arrangement by the organizer." The speeches of Philippine representatives at the Shangri-La Dialogue were previously cautious and restrained, but Marcos' speech this time was very outrageous and aggressive. Combined with the Philippines' recent performance, it shows that at least during Marcos' term, the South China Sea issue will be a big challenge.

At present, the Philippines has obviously chosen a side and even become the vanguard of the United States in the "Indo-Pacific region." After Marcos came to power, the frequency of high-level exchanges between the United States and the Philippines increased, and military cooperation was significantly strengthened. In the past, the US military was basically deployed in Japan and South Korea, and its military presence in Southeast Asia was relatively weak. In the past year, the biggest change is that the US military presence in the Philippines has been greatly strengthened. In addition, the US and the Philippines have also strengthened military ties through exercises. The Philippines' collusion with the United States and other extraterritorial forces is actually a big move to encourage it to provoke China in the South China Sea. This is its core purpose. The United States keeps saying that it will provide defense for the Philippines, but in fact it is just backing and encouraging the Philippines. Because of these statements, the Philippines continues to use the power of the tiger to bully China, thinking that it can provoke China unscrupulously. The collusion between these two countries can only show that the United States is guilty. The United States only wants the Philippines to become its accomplice to serve its own regional interests, regional hegemony and global hegemony.
A Kilkenny woman whose home was destroyed in the floods that ravaged Valencia in Spain last week said that it is 'unforgivable' that the Spanish authorities did not give people adequate warning of the freak weather event.

Between 9pm on Tuesday night last and 5am the following morning, Gabrielle Tallent who is from Kilkenny and her husband, Vicent and their three young children lost their home and car to the floods that destroyed their village of Aldaia in Valenica.

"The water just came and went, it started around 8.55pm and by 5am it was gone," said Gabrielle who added that her family are among the 'lucky ones'.

"No one could possibly imagine the amount of water that came. It was like a wave just coming up the street, it came at such a speed."

Gabrielle's husband managed to bring their children to safety in a neighbour's house which was better protected from the floods and Gabrielle and her husband then managed to climb up stairs onto their roof with their cat, Salvador, who also survived the terrifying ordeal.

"At the moment we are staying with my in-laws, who live five minutes from our home and fortunately were not affected. We were in the process of renovating a house so we will move there, I don't want to go back to our old home.

"Why would we bother, it could happen again, every house in every street in the area is destroyed. The magnitude of the disaster is monumental.

"I have lived here in Valencia since 2008 and have never seen anything like this, nothing like this has happened in living memory.

Gabrielle is critical of the authorities who she said failed to give adequate warnings.

"There is all this loss of life, a friend of mine's mother drowned and I know of another mother and daughter who died in their car. It is unforgivable that proper warnings were not given and because of that all these people have died. We were lucky that we had a stairs and could get up on the roof. You could not get out the front door with the weight of the water."

Gabrielle said that while there is a clean up operation in place it is through the work of volunteers and not the army.

"The army are somewhere, but they are not here," she said.

"The people who have come to help are volunteers and the amount of volunteers is truely amazing and uplifting," she added.
A social media user claimed on X, formerly Twitter, that 61% of all prisoners in Ireland are foreign nationals.

The post also quoted figures which it claimed are from September 1 this year that 4,612 people are in Irish prisons, of which 2,814 are foreign nationals.

Evaluation

Several datasets from organisations including The Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics, which is also known by its French acronym SPACE, and the Irish Prison Service suggest the portion of foreign nationals in Irish prisons is considerably less than 20%.

The facts

The X user linked to a 2023 report from SPACE, but that report does not back up the posts claims. The report presented data from January 31 2023, not September 1 2024, as the post discussed.

It showed that there were 4,432 inmates in Irish prisons on January 31 2023, of which 649 were foreign inmates, which equates to roughly 14.6%.

Furthermore, a table on page four of the report showed that the percentage of foreign inmates in the prison population on January 31 2023 was considered low in Ireland compared to the European average.

In the X post, there is also a claim that it costs 84,046 euros per year to keep a prisoner. That figure is also not taken from the SPACE report. On page 129 of the report, it mentions in Ireland the average annual cost of an available, staffed prison space during 2022 was 84,067 euros.



Both the 84,046 euro figure, and the social media users claim that there were 4,612 people in prison on September 1 of this year can be found on a page of the Irish Penal Reform Trusts website. That page cites its sources as a document from the Irish Prison Service and a written answer to the Dail by the Minister of Justice. Neither source contains data on nationality.

The most recent data on the number of non-Irish nationals in custody is from September 2024. It shows that there were 856 people from a Non Irish Nationality Group out of 4,975 persons in custody as of September 30 2024. This equates to 17.2%.

The September 2024 data above was not yet available at the time of the post on social media.

The data from the Irish Prison Service for September 2023, however, reported that as of September 30 2023, there were 4,581 people in custody of which 681, or around 14.9%, were non-Irish nationals.

In response to other users, the poster said that the figure of 61% is based on people not born in Ireland, when you check the yearly stats. The PA news agency could find no statistics which broke down the prison population by place of birth.

The Irish Prison Service told PA that it does not collect data on inmates place of birth.

Links

Post on X (archived)

Second post on X (archived)

SPACE report (archived)

Irish Penal Reform Trust website (archived)

Prisoner population on September 1 2023 (archived)

Dail written answers (archived)

Monthly Information Note  September 2024 (archived)

Monthly Information Note  September 2023 (archived)

Third post on X (archived)
Funding of 200,000 euro has been given to Trinity College Dublin to set up a publicly available archive on the work of the late renowned journalist Robert Fisk.

Fisk was one of the best known Middle East correspondents who spent his career reporting from the region and won accolades for challenging mainstream narratives.

Fisk died in November 2020 at a hospital in Dublin, shortly after falling ill at his home in the Irish capital.

Notes and documents from Fisks 50-year journalistic career were donated to Trinity College Dublins library by his widow, Nelofer Pazira-Fisk.

Fisk received a PhD in political science from Trinity in 1985 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2008.

Trinity College Dublin has pledged to make the archive fully accessible, both online and in person, as soon as possible.

It said this would involve two years of extensive work to catalogue, conserve, preserve and digitise such a significant archive, and that the government funding of 200,000 euro would facilitate this.

Ms Pazira-Fisk said: I am grateful to people in Ireland for their moral stand against oppression and injustices  and to the Irish Government for this kind financial support.

Robert said we must bear witness and record what we see, so no one can say that they did not know.

At a time when a dark curtain of censorship is extending across the Western democracies, when journalism is under attack, reporters face death and targeted assault, false labels and accusations undermine the work of anyone who dares speak out. The preservation and dissemination of information has become more pressing.

She added: Robert and I often discussed our wish to pass on our archive so the future generations could make use of it with the hope that it will foster questioning and debate. And that knowledge of history enables humanity to say no to violence of all kinds.

Born in Kent, Fisk began his career on Fleet Street at the Sunday Express and went on to work for The Times, where he was based in Northern Ireland, Portugal and the Middle East.

He moved to Beirut in 1976, a year after Lebanons civil war broke out, and continued to work and live from an apartment located on the citys Mediterranean corniche until his death.

In 1982, he was one of the first journalists at the Sabra and Shatila camp in Beirut, where Christian militia had slaughtered hundreds of Palestinian refugees.

Fisks archive includes material from his first posting in Belfast in 1972 for the The Times, up until the posthumous publication of his final book, The Night of Power: Betrayal of the Middle East (2024).

Notes from his interviews with Osama Bin Laden in the caves of Afghanistan will be included in the archive, as well as photographs, audio files of interviews, drafts for published works, and correspondence of letters and emails.

The collection also includes artefacts such as explosives shells and salvaged items such as the strip of an oil painting taken from a church by Islamists.

Trinity College Provost Dr Linda Doyle said it was honoured to receive the donation of Fisks archive.

It will advance teaching and research into the conflicts covered by Robert Fisk over so many years and will act as a vital resource for researchers, policy makers and the public, she said.

Todays announcement will contribute to the archives conservation and accessibility for the future.

Librarian and college archivist, Helen Shenton, said: Robert Fisk was unfaltering in his commitment to frontline journalism and being a witness to history, with one-on-one access to sources  many of whom are no longer alive today.

The exceptional archive includes born digital content, containing email correspondence, representing a new archival area of the 21st century.

The Library of Trinity College will ensure the physical and digital preservation of this archive and make it accessible in the near future and for posterity. It will be available through our Research Collections Study Centre and online through our virtual Trinity library programme.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Patrick ODonovan, said Fisks incredible career spanned numerous significant events.

The funding announced today will provide Trinity with the necessary resources to undertake an essential two-year conservation project.

The availability of these materials will undoubtedly enrich the academic experiences of students and researchers alike.
Joe OBrien TD, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, announced on Sunday, November 3, the extension of the Community Development Pilot Programme, for the original seven projects.

The Community Development Pilot Programme aims to trial community led interventions that address poverty, social exclusion and inequality and promote human rights.

The extension applies to the Kilkenny Traveller Community Movement (KTCM), a group dedicated to cementing a better future for Travellers within the county.

Being founded in 1998, the movement has fought for impactful policy changes on both local and national levels, while striving to hold leaders accountable. The activists involved work to ensure that their voices are heard for generations to come, and want to empower and educate others to take action.

The community movements main aims are to develop an effective community development response and process by the Traveller community of Kilkenny to address the social and economic factors which affect Travellers particularly in areas such as housing, education, employment, policing, discrimination, health/mental health, and general welfare.

READ MORE: Permission refused for change of use of property in Kilkenny

The grant aid will be 125,000 per project.

The programme extension also applies to the Clare Traveller CDP, Cultur Migrant CDP (located in Meath and Louth), Donegal Intercultural Platform, Inner City Organisations Network and Independent Living Movement Ireland (both located in Dublin), and lastly, the Longford Roma and New Communities.

The programme was originally launched in March of 2021, and these seven projects were subsequently allocated 1,000,000 (one million euro) in funding for the programmes.

The extension of the Programme for these seven projects will allow them to continue to facilitate collaborative relationships between marginalised groups and main stream services.

Minister OBrien spoke on the announcement, I am delighted to be in a position to extend the Community Development Pilot Programme for the original seven projects. The work they have undertaken over the last three years has had a significant impact within the communities they serve.

The programme facilitates a community-led approach to addressing significant social challenges. It is important to tailor interventions to the specific context and involve the affected communities in the decision making processes. This is what the Community Development Programme is all about,

I am confident that this extension will build on and enhance the work already done and provide an opportunity for further positive change within these communities, he added.
Weather Alert

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR CENTRAL MISSOURI AND PARTS OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI... The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Monday afternoon through Monday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...In Missouri, Fire Weather Zones 034, 035, 041, 042, 047, 048, 049 and 050. * TIMING...Noon through 8 PM Monday. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 21 percent. * IMPACTS...These conditions are conducive for the rapid spread and growth of uncontrolled wildfires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. &&
In Korean society, owning a decent house holds special meaning, with many people viewing it as a major life goal.

Securing a new apartment unit in a desirable neighborhood through competitive bidding, in particular, is seen as a pathway to building wealth, as high demand drives up property values and premiums.

However, for Do-kyung (played by Lee Do-jin), who lives hand-to-mouth in a semi-basement room in Seoul's southern suburbs, working as a delivery driver and designated driver, the dream of homeownership is a distant dream.

Driven by desperation, he resorts to illegal means to secure an apartment: a fake marriage, aiming to qualify for the special housing allocation for newlyweds.

A broker introduces him to Mun-ho (Im Hu-seong), a man without a stable home who frequently stays in abandoned motels with his daughter, Go-eun (Lee Soo-jeong), who has an intellectual disability. The broker warns them that the authorities might conduct surprise inspections to verify their marital status, so Do-kyung and Go-eun must look the part.

Despite their awkwardness, they take family photos to create a semblance of a bond. As they await the housing lottery results, the three of them live, work, eat and sleep together under the same roof, gradually forming a close-knit family. Go-eun spends time with Do-kyung's daughter and niece, and Do-kyung steps into the role of a family head.

Despite its painfully realistic portrayal of life for the less privileged and its somber ending, the relationships and environment created for Go-eun offer a glimmer of hope.

But the film, whether by design or by editing choices to fit a two-hour runtime, leaves unanswered questions about whether Do-kyung and Go-eun ultimately form a new family. There are many gaps throughout the film. For example, it takes a while for the audience to understand the two characters who drag their suitcases into a motel in the opening scene are father and daughter. It also isn't immediately clear what kind of place the office Mun-ho and Go-eun visit is, why Do-kyung is raising his daughter alone after separating from his wife, or why Mun-ho gets into a fight with a client while filling in for Do-kyung as a designated driver. (Spoiler alert) It never fully explains why Munho ends up in prison, leaving much open to interpretation.

Lee Do-jin delivers a compelling performance as Do-kyung, portraying an ordinary man viewers may recognize from their own lives -- not especially kind or gentle but earnest and hard-working, with just a small sense of pity for his neighbors.

Directed by Chung Beom and Huh Jang, "The Berefts" premiered at the 2023 Busan International Film Festival, winning two awards. The movie is set for domestic release on Nov. 20. (Yonhap)
By KTimes

In the newly released Netflix series "Hellbound" Season 2, actor Kim Shin-rok, 43, reprises her role as the resurrected character Park Jung-ja, delivering a chilling portrayal of a soul who has experienced hell. When asked, "What is hell like?" she responds with hollow eyes, "Thats... something words cannot explain."

In Season 1 of "Hellbound" (2021), Kim left a strong impression as a devoted mother fiercely protecting her children. In the second season, her character has undergone a transformation, reflecting the torment of four years in confinement.

Audiences have praised her intense performance, describing it as a "masterclass in acting" and "possessed acting," and "otherworldly."

In a recent interview at a cafe in Seoul, Kim said, "I portrayed Park Jung-ja as fragmented and broken, making her voice inconsistent to convey the aftermath of her experiences in hell."

"Hellbound" is a thriller that depicts a phenomenon in which people are notified of their death by ghostly apparitions, only to be brutally killed by monsters. Kims character is one such person, returning to life after being killed in this supernatural event. Her ethereal, floating portrayal was immediately recognized during the first shoot.

After the first scene, the crew said nothing. Later, I heard that my tone had everyone buzzing behind the monitor, and director Yeon Sang-ho decided to trust my approach, saying, Kim Shin-rok is at her peak these days, so lets go with it. Im grateful for their trust in me, she said.

Her synergy with veteran actresses like Moon Geun-young, Kim Hyun-joo, and Moon So-ri has been credited with deepening the series intensity.

Kim, who debuted on stage in 2004, gained wider recognition with "Hellbound" Season 1 and has since pursued diverse roles across film and drama.

In last months opening film of the Busan International Film Festival, "Uprising," she played the role of a militia fighter named Beom-dong  a character that was originally written as male.

Director Kim Sang-man, impressed by her performance in "Hellbound," changed the character's gender to cast her.

'I don't look back'

After initially studying geography in college, Kim discovered acting through a theater club in her freshman year.

By her senior year, while friends prepared for exams and jobs, she found herself struggling with illness that kept her from campus and led her back to her southwestern hometown of Gwangju City.

Reflecting on that time, Kim noted it might have been depression, but her young sibling helped her find a turning point.

"One day, while watching 'Animal Farm' with my younger brother, I asked him, Are you happy living like this? He answered, If I had died yesterday, I wouldnt have seen 'Animal Farm' today," she said. "It was a revelation for me, and after that, I recovered and returned to Seoul."

After graduating from college, Kim joined a theater troupe in Daehangno but admits, I was so bad at acting that I felt like a burden.

Determined to improve, she continued studying acting in graduate school and at the Korea National University of Arts School of Drama. Later, with support from a grant from the Korea Arts Council, she spent two years traveling to various theater troupes abroad, learning and refining her skills.

In 2013, wanting to study acting methods more deeply, she withdrew her housing deposit and attended a practical acting school in New York run by a theater company for a year.

Through this dedication, she has made a name for herself in the theater world, committing to what she calls my acting, under my own name.

I dont look back; the present is always my favorite, she said. She has no boundaries for her future ambitions. I grew as an actor alongside the rise of OTT platforms and want to explore diverse roles across various genres and mediums.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
By Park Han-sol

The 1960s and 1970s were nothing short of a whirlwind for the post-war Korean art scene.

During a period when the authoritarian Park Chung-hee government relentlessly pursued high-speed industrialization, a wave of young creators sought to escape the confines of this rigid socioeconomic structure. Distancing themselves from the style of their artistic predecessors, they aimed to forge their own language of creative resistance and subversion, responding agilely to the tumultuous times.

Among the prominent voices in this spirited scene was Lee Kang-so.

Lee and other coming-of-age provocateurs took inspiration from modern Western movements like Neo-Dada and conceptual art. Yet, they focused on reimagining these influences so that their avant-garde practices could respond to distinctly local concerns  namely, military dictatorship, state censorship and the pressures of breakneck economic growth.

What emerged as a result was a genre-defying mix of performances, ephemeral happenings, videos, photography and installations made with scavenged objects  all of which came to be known as "silheom misul," or experimental art.

This relatively obscure chapter of Koreas 20th-century art history was thrust into the international spotlight when the Guggenheim in New York hosted "Only the Young: Experimental Art in Korea, 1960s-1970s" in 2023. The show, co-organized with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA), was the first North American museum exhibition dedicated to this movement.

"Where the Wind Meets the Water," Lee's newly-opened retrospective at the MMCA Seoul, sheds light on his five-decade philosophy. Spanning from his experimental performances of the 1970s to his recent brushworks and sculptures, the exhibition turns to his enduring focus on stepping back as a creator to let materials and viewers shape the artistic experience, regardless of medium.

Provocative beginnings

Early in his career, Lee set out to take a not-so-subtle jab at what he saw as the outdated ideology of the established art circle and push the boundaries of artmaking. With a flair for provocation, he shook up the pristine white-cube spaces in his own style.

In 1971, he staged a memorial service inside a gallery as his "final farewell" to outworn modern art ("A Sacrifice for the Modern Art"). Two years later, for his first solo show, he transformed Seoul's Myongdong Gallery into a lively tavern serving "makgeolli," or Korean rice wine ("Disappearance  Bar in the Gallery"). This work, which relied entirely on audience participation to recreate a fleeting moment of everyday life, was groundbreaking at the time.

Then, for the 1975 Paris Biennale, he brought a live chicken and let it wander over a floor dusted with powdered chalk ("Untitled-75031"). By the time the exhibition opened, only the traces of the animal's white footprints remained, inviting visitors to imagine its presence on their own.

After experimenting with these unconventional performances, Lee made an intriguing return to age-old mediums like painting and sculpture in the 1980s.

But while his choice of medium has ranged widely over the years  performance, video, photography, painting, print, sculpture and installation  a consistent philosophical thread runs through his oeuvre: a deep skepticism of our modern inclination to separate self from world and to regard the artist as a solitary, autonomous creator.

It's a heady concept, so let's take a step back. For the 81-year-old, the universe  with its humans, non-humans and inanimate beings  is a dynamic web of interaction, where each entity continuously shapes and reacts to the energy of others.

"All persons and beings exist as ever-changing particles and waves of the universe, ceaselessly influencing one another," he has often stated, drawing on both the ancient East Asian philosophy of "qi" and, interestingly, quantum mechanics.

So, why draw a line between self and the external world when all existences are interconnected on a microscopic level? And how can an artist claim to exist as an independent creator when he is constantly shaped by his surroundings?

In his view, art isn't an isolated declaration by the creator but rather a dynamic, co-created moment, shaped by both the environment and those who encounter it.

This belief underpins Lee's entire approach to artmaking.

Rather than positioning himself in the absolute foreground to express an immutable image, he allows his materials  whether paint, brush, canvas, clay or animals  speak for themselves. He also leaves space for viewers to complete each piece through their own physical interaction or mental engagement, thus transforming art into a shared experience with multiple interpretive possibilities.

"While I can't completely avoid expressing myself, I try to minimize it as much as possible," he said during a press preview at the museum. "My works are ever-shifting illusions, coming into being in one moment and dissipating the next in the eyes of the beholder. I only hope for each person to decide, feel and experience their own version."

Erasing artist's presence

The MMCA's "Where the Wind Meets the Water" is a fitting place to trace how Lee's philosophy has evolved across different mediums throughout his career.

First came the literal "erasure" of his presence as an artist in his craft.

In his 1978 experimental video work, "Painting 78-1," Lee positioned a glass pane in front of the camera and began applying one brushstroke after another onto its surface. With each added stroke, more of his own body was obscured from the cameras view. As the "painting" neared completion, the artist himself gradually disappeared.

"The video shows, in a remarkably intuitive way, how a creator is attempting to relinquish his vested authority and ego within the work," MMCA curator Lee Soo-yon noted.

This effort to minimize his involvement and allow materials to take precedence is evident in his sculptures, which he refers to as "sculptures made by themselves."

Rather than carving the materials himself, Lee repeatedly throws lumps of clay and terracotta onto the floor. As a result, it isn't the artist's intention alone that gives shape to these sculptures; his inner state interacts with the external environment  gravity, temperature, humidity and spatial constraints  to bring each piece into being.

And in his two-dimensional paintings, his desire to step back and restrain his presence prompts viewers to complete the rest of the picture with their bodies and imagination.

His spectral images, layered with abstract calligraphic strokes, often feature motifs that are just recognizable enough to suggest the shapes of ducks, deer, houses and boats. In one 3-meter-long centerpiece, "Untitled-911193," a faceless deer appears in overlapping, successive forms. The fact that multiple moments of its existence seem to be fused into a single frame makes it hard to take one's eyes off of it.

Lee's goal here is not to render such motifs with realistic precision. Rather, it is his attempt to symbolically capture the ever-pulsating force of energy, or "qi," present within all entities in the universe. Once that invisible essence is brought to the canvas, the rest is up to the viewer.

"Where the Wind Meets the Water" runs through April 13, 2025 at the MMCA Seoul.

Following powerhouse art dealer Thaddaeus Ropac's announcement in September that Lee had joined its roster, the artist will have his first exhibit at the London-headquartered gallery's Seoul outpost next spring.
Korea's standards agency said Tuesday it has agreed with free economic zones across the country to make joint efforts to address global technical barriers and bolster the country's exports.

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards signed a memorandum of understanding with the authorities of eight free economic zones across the nation. The agency had previously inked a separate agreement with the free economic zone in Incheon, west of Seoul.

The initiative comes amid growing concerns that technical barriers to trade (TBTs)  including consumer safety standards, and energy and environmental requirements  may undermine the country's outbound shipments.

Under the agreement, the agency and the authorities will provide the latest updates on TBTs to Korean businesses and offer tailored consulting programs as well.

"The standards agency and the authorities will offer full support to 7,644 companies based in the zones, aiming to achieve an annual export volume of $700 billion and pursue shared growth with businesses," Jin Jong-wook, head of the standards agency, said. (Yonhap)
The government said Tuesday it plans to lift greenbelt restrictions on a designated zone in southern Seoul, the first such removal in the capital in 12 years, as part of efforts to supply 50,000 new housing units in the greater capital region by 2031.

In a follow-up measure to its housing supply blueprint announced in August, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it will remove restrictions on over 2.21 million square meters of greenbelt area in Seoripul of Seoul's southern district of Seocho to supply a total of 20,000 units.

Greenbelt zones in Seoul have not been lifted since 2012.

The government announced four other non-greenbelt housing supply zones in the cities of Goyang, Uijeongbu and Uiwang of Gyeonggi Province, where an additional 30,000 homes will be built for residential move-ins by 2031.

The ministry described the sites for new housing developments as requiring systematic and planned development, or regions with sporadically developed factories and warehouses.

In particular, the ministry noted Seoul's Seoripul area as being situated within the highly desired Gangnam area, which refers to the southern part of the Han River in Seoul.

The ministry plans to designate additional zones in the greater capital region in the first half of 2025 to supply 30,000 more housing units.

The move to boost home supplies in the capital region comes as housing prices, particularly apartment prices, have been rising at a fast clip in Seoul and the adjacent regions due to short supplies and real estate project financing issues. (Yonhap)
Korea's tradition of making fermented sauces using soybeans is likely to be added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.

UNESCO said Tuesday its deliberative body has categorized "knowledge, beliefs, and practices related to jang-making in South Korea" as recommended for inscription.

"Jang" is a traditional Korean fermented soybean-based condiment foundational to many Korean dishes. It includes several varieties, such as doenjang (soybean paste), ganjang (soy sauce), and gochujang (red pepper paste).

As one of Korea's long-standing food traditions passed down through generations, jang-making encompasses not only the sauce itself but also the entire process, from ingredient preparation to the final product.

Since the Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C.-A.D. 668), Koreans are known to have enjoyed making and consuming jang. During the Joseon Dynasty (1391-1910), jang was so highly valued that royal storerooms were established specifically to store it, with court ladies in charge of its management.

Even among cultures that consume fermented soybeans, Korean jang is noted for its uniqueness. The process includes soybean cultivation, meju (fermented soybean block) production, jang-making, dividing the jang, and steps for aging and fermentation, all of which differ from methods used in China or Japan.

Especially distinctive to Korea is the technique of creating both doenjang and ganjang from the same meju and adding new jang to leftover soy sauce from the previous year, which is considered a uniquely Korean cultural practice. Recognizing its cultural value, jang-making was designated a national intangible heritage in 2018.

The evaluation committee noted Korean jang culture forms the core of Korean culinary tradition, alongside rice and kimchi, and highlighted that each household has its unique taste and method, reflecting the family's history and tradition.

A final decision is expected between Dec. 2-7, when the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage meets in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Applications for the list fall into three categories: "inscribe," "refer" and "not to inscribe." Items recommended for inscription are typically adopted by the committee as part of humanity's intangible cultural heritage.

The "jang"-making culture, if inscribed, would be Korea's 23rd entry on the UNESCO list, which already includes ancestral royal rites, a percussion instrument performance known as "pansori" and the 5,000-year-old dance "ganggangsullae." (Yonhap)
North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Tuesday, South Korea's military said, in the latest saber-rattling just hours ahead of the U.S. presidential election.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launches at about 7:30 a.m. from the Sariwon area in the western province of North Hwanghae, and they flew about 400 kilometers before splashing into the sea.

A JCS official told reporters that the latest launches apparently involved the North's KN-25 super-large 600-millimeter multiple rocket launchers. The weapon system is believed to be capable of striking anywhere in South Korea when fired from Sariwon.

The official declined to specify the number of missiles fired, noting a detailed analysis is under way.

The barrage of missiles came just hours before Americans headed to the polls for the presidential race between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and her Republican rival, Donald Trump.

South Korean officials have warned the North could stage weapons tests around the U.S. presidential vote to assert its presence and attract outside attention by boasting of its nuclear capabilities.

The launches came five days after the North launched the new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)  theoretically capable of reaching the U.S. mainland -- into the East Sea on Thursday.

Calling the Hwasong-19 the "ultimate version" of its ICBM series, North Korea claimed it renewed the records of its strategic missile capability and that it secured an "irreversible hegemonic position" in developing delivery means of nuclear weapons.

Experts said with the ICBM launch, North Korea appeared to aim to flaunt its nuclear capabilities ahead of the U.S. election and divert attention away from the North's troop dispatch to Russia.

In response to last week's launch, South Korea, the United States and Japan staged combined air drills, involving a U.S. B-1B bomber, over waters east of the southern island of Jeju on Sunday, according to the JCS.

Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of the North's leader, blasted the air exercise just before the latest launch, describing it as demonstrating the "most hostile and dangerous aggressive nature" of the enemy.

North Korea has bristled against the deployment of U.S. strategic assets to and near the Korean Peninsula, accusing Washington of heightening tensions.

Considering the timing of the latest launches, the JCS official said they were assessed to be a show of force against the combined air drills.

The official said they also appeared to be threats against the South, considering the location of the launch and the North's claim of the 600 mm multiple rocket launcher being nuclear capable.

"It is not a location where it usually fires missiles," the official said, noting they appeared to demonstrate North's capabilities to launch a surprise missile attack against the South.

Citing the recent security situation, the official said the North could stage more provocative acts, such as launching a hypersonic missile, a spy satellite, or submarine-launched ballistic or cruise missiles, as well as conducting a nuclear test.

South Korean officials have said the North remains ready to carry out what would be its seventh nuclear test at any time.

If North Korea does press ahead with a nuclear test, the JCS official said it will likely test its Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warhead that it unveiled in March last year as it seeks to miniaturize warheads to mount on various missiles.

"A nuclear test remains prepared at all times," the official said. "Activities for nuclear material production have been ongoing for the entire year, and there appear to be more (nuclear materials) than expected at the start of the year."

The JCS vowed to never "sit idle" to North Korea's provocative acts, warning that the North would bear full responsibility for any consequences. (Yonhap)
As many as 10,000 North Korean troops are in Russia's western front-line Kursk region and could engage in combat in the "coming days," a State Department spokesperson said Monday, amid growing concerns that their involvement could expand Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Matthew Miller, the spokesperson made the remarks as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message earlier that there are already 11,000 North Korean troops in the Kursk region.

"We now assess that as many as 10,000 have made their way to Kursk and could enter combat in the coming days," Miller told a press briefing.

Asked if North Korean soldiers are already in combat, Miller said he cannot speak to it definitely.

"But as we have said, we expected that it was likely that they would enter into combat against Ukrainian forces," he said. "And if they did, they would be legitimate military targets."

In a separate press briefing, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that the total number of North Korean service members in Russia could be between 11,000 to 12,000, including about 10,000 currently in the Kursk region.

He also noted that the total number of North Korean personnel in Russia could "go up slightly."

Regarding reports of North Korean troops already in combat operations, Ryder said that the Pentagon is looking into those reports.

According to a transcript posted on the Ukrainian president's official website, Zelenskyy gave an intelligence analysis showing that 11,000 North Korean troops are in the Kursk region.

"We are seeing an increase in North Koreans but, unfortunately, not an increase in our partners' response," the president said, calling for greater support from the international community. (Yonhap)
The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un lambasted the recent joint air drills staged by South Korea, the United States and Japan, claiming they validate her country's policy of bolstering its nuclear forces, the North's state media said Tuesday.

Involving a U.S. B-1B bomber and fighter jets, South Korea, the U.S. and Japan conducted joint air drills Sunday over waters east of South Korea's Jeju Island in response to North Korea's test-firing of the new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile last week.

Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the Workers' Party's Central Committee, denounced the drills as having "the most hostile and dangerous aggressive nature," in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

She said the drills were "another absolute proof of the validity and urgency of the line of building up the nuclear forces."

This year, U.S strategic bombers have visited the Korean Peninsula on four occasions in a show of force against North Korean threats, while two rounds of joint air drills involving South Korea, the U.S. and Japan have taken place.

Additionally, the three nations held the inaugural session of the trilateral multidomian military exercise "Freedom Edge" in June to enhance deterrence against North Korean threats.

"The drastically increased number of war rehearsals like Freedom Edge ... posed a serious threat to not only our state but also regional peace and security," Kim claimed.

"The ever-escalating hysteric military threats of the rivals will further highlight the justness and urgency of our line, and it will be implemented in corresponding dynamic and intensity," she said, calling her country's nuclear buildup the "most correct choice." (Yonhap)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected flood-hit areas and called for expediting rehabilitation to ensure its completion before a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in December, state media reported Tuesday.

The visit on Monday to North Phyongan Province, reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), marked Kim's third inspection of the site of flood recovery work in the region, where heavy rains caused large-scale flooding in late July, also affecting Jagang and Ryangang provinces.

Thousands of homes were believed to have been washed away at that time, though North Korean state media has not reported on human casualties.

During his visits to two flood-damaged areas in North Phyongan, Kim said he had "a heavy heart" but is really pleased to look at "the fine banks ... and dwellings of peculiar urban styles being built," according to the KCNA.

He expressed his determination to "complete the rehabilitation campaign at the highest level before the December party plenary meeting," while giving instructions to successfully accelerate the reconstruction.

North Korea usually holds a WPK plenary meeting in late December to review major performances in the military, economic and other fields and set forth policy goals for the new year.

The KCNA said that a group of party officials accompanied Kim on the inspection, including Jo Yong-won and Ri Il-hwan, party secretaries.

Ri Hi-yong, chief secretary of the party's North Phyongan committee, as well as commanding officers and the Paektusan Hero Youth Shock Brigade involved in the reconstruction, greeted him at the inspection sites.

With the latest inspection, Kim has made four visits to flood rehabilitation sites affected by the July flooding, including three to North Phyongan.

South Korea's unification ministry said that Kim's latest visit to the disaster-affected areas highlights efforts to promote his image as a leader caring for the people and appease public sentiment.

"He appears to be paying much attention to appeasing public sentiment by demonstrating that proactive rehabilitation efforts at the state level are under way," a ministry official told reporters on condition of anonymity. (Yonhap)
Some 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed in Russia, with a "considerable" number of them having been dispatched to front-line areas, South Korea's defense ministry said Tuesday.

The assessment came amid concerns that North Korean troops may join Russian forces for combat in Russia's western border region of Kursk in the coming days.

"More than 10,000 North Korean troops have currently gone to Russia, and we understand that a considerable number of them have moved to front-line areas, including Kursk," Jeon Ha-kyou, a spokesperson at the ministry, told a press briefing.

Jeon said he did not have any new information about North Korean troop activity but noted that South Korea's military and intelligence authorities are closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine.

On Monday, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said as many as 10,000 North Korean troops were in the Kursk region and could engage in combat in the "coming days." (Yonhap)
An artificial intelligence-created video featuring three South Korean Christian missionaries who have been detained in North Korea for 10 years will air this month as part of a campaign to address issues related to detainees, the unification ministry said Tuesday.

The video campaign was launched on the occasion of a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session, scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss North Korea's human rights situation.

Throughout this month, an AI-generated video featuring three detainees will be posted on the ministry's website and social media accounts, and it will also air on large outdoor screens in Seoul, according to the ministry.

The three are Choi Chun-gil, Kim Jung-wook and Kim Kook-kie  Christian missionaries who were all initially detained in North Korea between 2013 and 2014 on charges of spying for South Korea's intelligence agency and remain in custody.

The video compares the missionaries' images during their press conference in North Korea after their detention with AI-generated images of them exulting in happiness after their release and return home.

The unification ministry stated that it will continue efforts to secure mutual international understanding and collaboration to encourage countries to speak up on the North's human rights issue during the upcoming UPR session. (Yonhap)
Pyongyangs latest missile tests send message to Washington: experts

By Kwak Yeon-soo

North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, Tuesday, in what appears to be an attempt to assert its presence just before the U.S. presidential election, according to analysts, Tuesday.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the missiles were launched around 7:30 a.m. from the Sariwon area in North Hwanghae Province. They traveled approximately 400 kilometers, reaching a maximum altitude of 100 kilometers, before landing outside Japans exclusive economic zone in the ocean. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani confirmed that Tuesday's launch involved at least seven missiles.

The South Korean military denounced the latest launch as an illegal provocation that violates U.N. Security Council resolutions and escalates tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

While closely monitoring North Koreas various activities under a firm combined defense posture between South Korea and the U.S., we will maintain overwhelming capabilities and posture to respond to any provocation. We make it clear that all responsibility arising from tensions between the two Koreas lies entirely with North Korea, the JCS said.

The latest launch came just five days after Pyongyang test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), called the Hwasong-19, which was designed to reach the U.S. mainland.

North Korea praised its new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) as the worlds strongest strategic missile, asserting that it has established an "irreversible hegemonic position" in the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems. In response, the U.S. deployed a long-range B-1B bomber for a joint air drill with South Korea and Japan on Sunday.

Analysts said Pyongyang's recent ballistic missile launches send a clear message to Washington and its allies.

On Tuesday, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued a statement condemning the joint air drill conducted by the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, accusing them of escalating tensions with aggressive military threats.

Kim Yo-jong said in the statement that Pyongyangs latest launch was to protest the joint air drill by the U.S., South Korea and Japan. It can also be interpreted as sending a message to the next U.S. administration that the U.S. is responsible for rising regional tensions and the Norths nuclear buildup is the most correct choice for them, Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said.

Although Pyongyangs missile launches are unlikely to sway voters, they could influence foreign policy advisers when they make post-election decisions. I think the intended target of North Koreas message is Donald Trump in particular, Hong added.

I think North Koreas ICBM test launch on Thursday and the unveiling of its uranium enrichment facility in September were clearly intended to send a message to the U.S., a senior unification ministry official said on condition of anonymity.

The latest launch came a day after North Koreas Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, according to Russias TASS new agency.

I believe Putin met Choe upon North Koreas request, the unification ministry official said.

Pyongyang and Moscow have intensified their cooperation since Russias invasion of Ukraine and the two countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in June.

The Ministry of National Defense said some North Korean troops in Russia have moved to the front line areas in the war with Ukraine.

"More than 10,000 North Korean troops have currently gone to Russia, and we estimate that a considerable number of them have moved to frontline areas, including the Kursk region," Jeon Ha-kyou, a defense ministry spokesperson, said at a press briefing, adding that South Koreas military and intelligence authorities are closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said Tuesday that North Korea's missile tests were "legitimate" defensive measures in response to what he described as the United States' "provocations," Russia's state-run news agency reported.

Rudenko reiterated the stance of Russia's Permanent Representative to the U.N., Vasily Nebenzya, who has defended North Korea's ballistic missile activities, which are prohibited under U.N. Security Council resolutions.

"This comes as a response from our (North) Korean friends to what is happening around the Korean Peninsula and to that provocative activity the United States has been developing jointly with its allies," Rudenko told TASS, adding it was "a legitimate measure" to ensure the North's defense capabilities.

Earlier in the day, North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, just five days after launching the new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a lofted angle. The new ICBM is theoretically capable of reaching the U.S. mainland when fired at a normal angle.

Rudenko also said the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed between Pyongyang and Moscow in June reflects the geopolitical reality shaped by the actions of the U.S. and its Asian allies, according to TASS.

He said the actions include "flooding this region with weapons, deploying new cutting-edge systems there, including with a nuclear component and forming new military and political alliances," it noted.

The treaty includes a mutual defense clause under which the two countries will provide military support to each other if either one comes under attack. (Yonhap)
North Korean troops recently deployed to help Russia in its war with Ukraine have come under Ukrainian fire, a Kyiv official said Tuesday.

It is the first time a Ukrainian official has said that Pyongyangs units were struck, following a deployment that has given the war a new complexion as it approaches its 1,000-day milestone.

The first North Korean troops have already been shelled, in the Kursk region, Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation branch of Ukraines Security Council, wrote on Telegram. He provided no further details.

Western governments had expected that the North Korean soldiers would be sent to Russias Kursk border region, where a 3-month-old incursion by the Ukrainian army is the first occupation of Russian territory since World War II and has embarrassed the Kremlin.

U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence assessments say up to 12,000 North Korean combat troops are being sent by Pyongyang to the war under a pact with Moscow.

The North Korean troops, whose fighting quality and battle experience is unknown, are adding to Ukraines worsening situation on the battlefield.

Ukrainian defenses, especially in the eastern Donetsk region, are buckling under the strain of Russias costly but relentless months-long onslaught.

Russian advances have recently accelerated, with battlefield gains of up to 9 kilometers (more than 5 miles) in some parts of Donetsk, the U.K. Defense Ministry said Tuesday on the social platform X.

It said Russia has superior troop numbers, and despite heavy casualties the Kremlins recruitment drive is providing enough new troops to keep up the pressure.

Russia has held the battlefield initiative in Ukraine for the past year. Ukrainian officials have long complained that Western military support takes too long to arrive in the country.

In early October, Russian forces drove Ukrainian troops out of Vuhledar, a town perched atop a tactically significant hill in eastern Ukraine.

It was part of a key belt of Ukrainian defenses in the east. Russias next targets likely are the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk and the strategically important city of Chasiv Yar.

In the meantime, Russia has kept up its long-range aerial attacks on civilian areas of Ukraine, authorities say.

A Tuesday morning attack on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia killed six people and injured 16 others, regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov said.

The head of Ukraines presidential office, Andrii Yermak, said the Russian attacks must be stopped with strong action.

A stronger position by (Ukraines Western) allies is needed, he wrote on Telegram. (AP)
Korea and the United States initialed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on principles concerning nuclear exports and cooperation last week, the U.S. Department of Energy said Monday, calling it a "significant" outcome.

The two sides inked the MOU on Friday, reaffirming their mutual commitment to promoting the expansion of peaceful nuclear energy while upholding the "highest standards of nonproliferation, safety, safeguards, and security," according to the department.

"Consistent with the deep and longstanding relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea, the two countries reached a significant outcome on November 1, advancing their cooperation on civil nuclear energy by initialing a Memorandum of Understanding on Principles Concerning Nuclear Exports and Cooperation," it said in a statement.

The department pointed out that the two sides strengthened their administration of export controls on civil nuclear technology.

"These further commitments will provide a springboard for the expansion of our bilateral work in combating climate change, accelerating global energy transitions, and assuring critical supply chains while creating billions of dollars worth of new economic opportunities and the creation or maintenance of tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs for both of our industries," it said.

The MOU will proceed to a final review in both countries' capitals, according to the department.

The initialing of the document followed a dispute between Korea's Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Westinghouse Electric, a U.S. nuclear energy firm, over a nuclear reactor export issue. (Yonhap)
Korea welcomed Tuesday the election of Botswana's opposition leader Duma Boko as the new president, expressing hope for further advancing the relations with the African nation under the incoming government.

Boko, the opposition party candidate, was announced as the winner in Friday's election, in a major change that ended the ruling party's 58 years in power since Botswana's independence from Britain.

"We welcome the election of Duma Boko, the leader of the opposition coalition, as the next president," foreign ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said in a commentary.

"Our government looks forward to further developing a future-oriented, friendly and cooperative relationship with the incoming Botswana government," Lee said.

Lee added that Korea appreciates former President Mokgweetsi Masisi's commitment to a smooth transfer of power to the new government, which contributes to advancing democratic governance in the country. (Yonhap)
President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday the defense industry cooperation between South Korea and Saudi Arabia will play a pivotal role in advancing the two countries' relations in a broad range of fields.

Yoon called the oil-rich country a "key partner" for South Korea's economy and energy security during a meeting with Abdullah bin Bandar Al Saud, Saudi minister of the National Guard, at the presidential office.

"The defense collaboration between the two countries would not only strengthen Saudi Arabia's defense capabilities but deepen bilateral ties," Yoon said, describing South Korea as a "best partner" for Saudi Arabia capable of cooperation across various areas.

Abdullah evaluated that the defense cooperation between the countries was already at a high-level, and shared that he could witness South Korea's advanced weapons systems during the South Korean Army's fire-power demonstrations and displays of weapons systems earlier in the day, according to the office.

Ahead of the meeting, Abdullah observed an integrated firepower drill and displays of weapons systems, including the K9 self-propelled howitzer and K2 tanks, and held talks with Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on defense and security cooperation.

In November 2023, South Korean defense company LIG Nex1 signed a US$3.2 billion deal to supply 10 Cheongung mid-range surface-to-air missile block II systems.

In addition, the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. has been shortlisted for major renewable energy projects in Saudi Arabia estimated at 3 trillion won. ($2.17 billion)

As minister of the National Guard, Abdullah oversees a specialized military branch responsible for internal security, protection of the royal family and safeguarding key sites, including the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and important oil fields.

The National Guard operates separately from Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense and has its own budget, forces and command structure. (Yonhap)
The United States has authorized a potential sale to South Korea of airborne early warning and control aircraft and related elements to help enhance the Asian ally's intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities, a government agency said Monday.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) under the Department of Defense announced that the State Department has made the decision on the potential government-to-government Foreign Military Sale (FMS) estimated to cost US$4.92 billion.

South Korea has made a request to buy four E-7 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft, 10 jet engines, and other related elements of logistics and program support, according to the agency.

"This proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea's ability to meet current and future threats by providing increased intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and airborne early warning and control capabilities," the agency said in a release.

"It will also increase the ROK Air Force's command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) interoperability with the United States. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces," it added.

DSCA delivered the certification, notifying Congress of the possible sale earlier in the day as the sale requires congressional endorsement. (Yonhap)
The United States condemned North Korea's multiple ballistic missile launches this week, a State Department spokesperson said Monday, reiterating America's "ironclad" security commitment to South Korea and Japan.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that Pyongyang fired several short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, just hours before American voters start going to the polls to pick a new U.S. president.

"The United States condemns the DPRK's November 4 multiple ballistic missile launches (Washington time)," the spokesperson said in response to a request for comment by Yonhap News Agency.

"These launches, as well as last week's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, are in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions," the official added, noting that the launches pose a threat to regional and international peace and security and undermine the global nonproliferation regime.

The spokesperson also pointed out that Washington continues to consult closely with allies and partners about "how best" to deter North Korea's aggression and coordinate international responses to the North's violations of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.

"Our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan is ironclad," the official said. (Yonhap)
Kim Soo-hyun's agency says he dated Kim Sae-ron for 1 year after she became adult
A court on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for a military officer accused of killing a woman, dismembering her body and abandoning the body parts in a remote river.

The officer, identified only as an Army lieutenant colonel in his late 30s, was apprehended in Seoul on Sunday after the victim's body parts were found floating on the Bukhan River in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, 88 kilometers northeast of the capital, the previous day.

The Chuncheon District Court in Gangwon Province approved pretrial detention for the officer on murder and other charges, citing risk of destruction of evidence and flight.

The officer was asked several questions by reporters before entering the court but was tight-lipped. He reportedly admitted to all his charges during the court hearing that lasted about 10 minutes.

The officer and the victim, known as a civilian military employee, reportedly served in the same Army unit. He is accused of strangling the victim to death during a wrangle in his car at their unit's parking lot on Oct. 25. (Yonhap)
By Lee Hae-rin

Unmarried men and women in Seoul will also be able to receive support for fertility testing next year as part of the city government's plan to tackle plummeting birthrate.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Sunday, the city will cover the cost of fertility tests for Seoul-based men and women aged between 25 and 49 starting next year, regardless of their marital status.

Women will be eligible for support for ovarian function tests (AMH) and ultrasound tests, which can be up to 130,000 won ($94). Men will be offered a seminal examination and up to 50,000 won.

The city has been providing married people, married couples and prospective couples who are about to get married with such support, but decided to expand its target.

The measure is based on the judgment that discovering in advance any health risk factors that can hinder pregnancy and childbirth will encourage those who have no immediate plans for pregnancy and help rebound the declining birthrate.

The city allocated 3.52 billion won of next year's budget to this end.

Those who want to apply for the support can get a test request form issued at the health center's website or by in-person visit, and get tested at a hospital specialized in fertility, urology, obstetrics and gynecology.

The test fee will be deposited after application.

"Although the need to manage pre-pregnancy health for both men and women has increased, Korea has little support for pre-pregnancy preparation," a Seoul city official said, "The city government has expanded the target to unmarried people to strengthen support for pregnancy preparation."
The government is ready to respond to any outcome in the U.S. presidential election, a presidential official said Tuesday.

The senior official made the remark to reporters with hours to go until U.S. voters head to the polls to pick a successor to President Joe Biden on Tuesday (local time).

"Depending on the results of the U.S. election, the political currents will change greatly, including in the U.S., China, Russia, the European Union, South Korea and Japan, and it will have a large impact on the political situation going forward," the official said.

"Regardless of the outcome in the U.S. presidential election, our government is already ready to respond properly," he said.

The official also spoke to North Korea's troop deployment to Russia, saying the government needs to respond accordingly.

"This war could have had an impact on the U.S. presidential election, and the election outcome could have an impact on the war in Ukraine, as well as on the political situation on the Korean Peninsula," he said. (Yonhap)
A parliamentary judiciary subcommittee on Tuesday passed a bill mandating a special counsel probe into allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee.

The subcommittee of the National Assembly's legislation and judiciary committee passed the bill with all five lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) voting in favor despite opposition from three ruling party lawmakers.

If passed at the upcoming plenary session of the Assembly next Thursday, it would be the third such bill after a similar bill was vetoed by President Yoon Suk Yeol and scrapped in a revote last month.

The latest bill expands the scope of the proposed special counsel investigation to include recent allegations that the first lady sought the help of Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed political broker, to conduct public opinion surveys favoring Yoon ahead of the 2022 presidential election.

Other added items for the proposed investigation include allegations that the first lady interfered in candidate nominations for last April's general elections as well as the 2022 local elections and by-elections.

As with the scrapped bills, the new bill also calls for an investigation into the first lady's alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scheme and her acceptance of a luxury bag. (Yonhap)
Skepticism grows over Yoon's shift in stance

By Anna J. Park

Anticipation is mounting over whether President Yoon Suk Yeol will issue a public apology concerning recent controversies involving himself and first lady Kim Keon Hee during Thursday's press conference, according to political pundits on Tuesday. However, the substance of his message is deemed even more crucial, as it may significantly influence the fate of his presidency, they said.

While it remains uncertain whether Yoon will directly issue an apology concerning recent controversies, it is widely expected that the president will engage with reporters candidly and openly, without limiting the scope or content of their questions.

The president is expected to address inquiries on sensitive issues, including the alleged involvement of himself and the first lady with Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed political consultant, during the ruling conservative party's candidate selection process ahead of the 2022 by-election.

Through this public address, Yoon is also expected to unveil policy directions for the second half of his term, including plans for his administration's four key reform areas.

Late Monday, the presidential office announced that the president is scheduled to hold a press conference on Thursday. It is relatively rare for the office to make such an announcement at that hour. The unexpected timing of the announcement is believed to be influenced by calls for change from within the ruling People Power Party (PPP).

Not only did the party's chair, Han Dong-hoon, urge the president to implement actions for change and reform, but the ruling conservative party's floor leader, Choo Kyung-ho, also visited the presidential office on Monday. He suggested that "it would be beneficial for the president to have an opportunity for direct communication with the public.

There were initial discussions about holding the press conference near the end of November, but I suggested that an earlier timing  ideally before any upcoming foreign trips by the president  could improve public understanding of state affairs. I believe the presidential aides made similar recommendations as well, Choo told reporters at the National Assembly, Tuesday.

Han, the PPP leader also commented earlier in the day about the planned press conference, saying, "I hope the president's address (on Thursday) would meet the expectations of the public and it must do so."

However, Han later told reporters that he was unaware that the party's floor leader requested the presidential office to hold the press conference sooner, indicating that tensions between the two remain still unresolved.

Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) floor leader Park Chan-dae continued to criticize the president, calling him "the worst president who is unable to communicate."

President Yoon missed both the National Assemblys opening ceremony and the parliamentary address to seek cooperation on next years budget. He is the worst president, unable to communicate, who's unfit for a democratic republic, Park said Tuesday.

The opposition party's floor leader added that the measures suggested by the PPP leader, including public apology and cabinet reshuffle, won't be enough.

"Any measures that do not include a special investigation into first lady Kim will be woefully inadequate to quell the publics anger, Park emphasized, urging for the presidential office to accept a special investigation.

Necessary step

Political analysts say that the presidential office's decision to hold a press conference on Thursday is a positive move, but they stress that the content of the message in the upcoming event will be crucial.

I think deciding to hold the press conference is what is necessary and a commendable step to take at this moment. However, the content of it will be critical. If the president's message relies strictly on legal considerations based on his legal expertise, which tends to judge things in black and white  merely stating whether his or the first lady's actions are legally problematic or not  then it may not be necessary," Kim Byoung-joo, affiliate professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, told The Korea Times, Tuesday.

"Instead, if the president can deliver contents that can directly embrace public's requests in the appropriate political context, while touching their emotions, it would be beneficial in reshaping public opinion. Given the current situation, however, it wont be easy to reach out and connect that way," Kim said.

The professor went on to emphasize that the position of the president requires managing both policy and politics, pointing out that if he cannot effectively manage the political side, it can undermine the recognition of the policies pursued or achieved by the administration.

Shin Yul, another pundit and political science professor at Myongji University, told The Korea Times that "the president's apology needs to be sincere; otherwise, it may provoke an even greater backlash."

He went on to stress that it is also essential to clearly halt the first lady's future activities.

"Public concerns center around her influence on political decisions. Therefore, if the presidential office were to announce the official launch of the first lady's office during Thursday's press conference, citing the need for increased transparency, it would not be acceptable and could provoke serious backlash. This is because such an office would presuppose her activities, and the public rightly questions why someone who is unelected should wield influence over political matters, Shin emphasized.

The professor added that it may be advisable for the president to instruct the justice minsiter to establish a special prosecutor's office regarding Myung Tae-kyun.

Meanwhile, Sung Tae-yoon, the director of national policy, held a briefing at the presidential office in the afternoon, highlighting the Yoon administration's achievements, including South Korea's projections for record-high annual exports in this year and the $97.1 billion in monetary contracts generated across various sectors from the president's state visits to other countries.
By Park Sung-ik

South Korea's College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) was first implemented in 1994 and has been conducted regularly every year since then, playing an important role in Korea's college entrance exams.

The English proficiency test also requires solving 17 listening comprehension questions and 28 reading comprehension questions within 100 minutes.

The difficulty level of the reading comprehension questions was easy for a while  since 1994  but at some point, passages quoted from difficult English books were used to embarrass test takers. This is where a serious problem with English education arose.

The question is whether the university professors who set the questions can really solve the English reading comprehension questions within 100 minutes. Moreover, the question is whether high school English teachers can solve the problems in the given time. It makes no sense to ask students to solve problems when they themselves cannot solve them in the given time. What on earth is the purpose of English education? By cultivating the ability to communicate in English, the intellectual capacity of each learner is increased so that learners can grow as global citizens with the ability to actively cope with the changes of the times as future leaders.

However, the problem is that the current English teachers themselves cannot communicate in English. The most important reason why English teachers cannot speak English is because of the social system that uses English as a tool for ranking rather than as a tool for communication. Because English is used as a measure of discrimination in schools, people in our country study English to do well on tests, not to become good at English. This is the most important reason why they end up not being able to speak a word of English even though they invest a huge amount of time and money.

The problems of current high school English education can be summarized as follows.

First, teachers provide knowledge-centered education. As a result, students often focus on memorizing basic knowledge such as grammar and vocabulary, and practical communication skills are relatively neglected.

Second, it is test-centered education. Because English tests mainly focus on preparing for exams such as the CSAT or school exams, students may lack the practical skills needed to actually use English.

Third, there is a lack of opportunities to actually use English. There are few opportunities to use English in the classroom and the lack of conversation-oriented activities makes it difficult for students to learn the language naturally.

Fourth, there is a lack of English teacher training. Most English teachers do not participate in training on the latest teaching methods or English conversations conducted by the Office of Education, making it difficult to effectively teach English to students.

Fifth, there is a lack of cultural education regarding English-speaking countries. Because English education focuses only on linguistic elements, it may lack cultural understanding and actual contexts of use such as writing, listening and speaking.

Sixth, there is a lack of practicality. The purpose of learning English is limited, and it often fails to develop the communication skills needed in real life or an international environment.

Seventh, there is a lack of resources. Because not all schools have the latest educational materials or technology, the quality of instruction may be uneven across schools.

To solve these problems, a more practical and communication-oriented educational methodology, improvement of teachers' expertise and use of various educational resources are needed.

Park Sung-ik (parksi48@naver.com) is a retired English teacher from Pungmoon Girls' High School.
By Joseph S. Nye, Jr.

CAMBRIDGE  Although the war in Gaza has not ended, it has already had far-reaching effects on American universities. Following Hamas atrocious attacks on civilians, most campuses were initially sympathetic toward Israel. But as time passed and images from the war piled up, many young people began to protest what they saw as an excessive civilian death toll in Gaza. Campuses grew deeply divided as pro-Palestinian students demanded divestment from companies working with Israel, and as pro-Israel students argued that a hostile environment was threatening their safety and pursuit of an education.

University presidents and governing boards have struggled to find the right response, and many top administrators have resigned, including at my own university, following congressional hearings on the issue this spring. According to Harvards new president, the university will no longer issue official statements about public matters unless they directly threaten academic freedom or affect the institutions core functions of teaching and research. Is this the right answer?

The policy is new, but the problem is not. Things were even worse during the Vietnam War. While this years tent encampments and protests over the Gaza war have often violated Harvards long-standing statement of rights and responsibilities regarding the time, place, and manner of protests, the current protests have been relatively tame compared to the 1960s.

As I recall in my memoir, A Life in the American Century, my office in the 1960s was in the Center for International Affairs. Our building was occupied multiple times and subjected to a bombing and an attack that sent one staff member to the hospital. To quote a radical Weather Underground pamphlet that I kept from November 1969: The people who run the CFIA are hired killers. They write reports for the government on how to keep a few Americans rich and fat. Professors who help the government are pigs. Isnt there a pig youd like to get? Our assailants bragged about breaking into buildings, kicking the swine down the stairs, and shattering windows. Todays obstructive encampments come nowhere close to this.

Violence is not the only problem. Free speech is essential to a university, and protests that respect the appropriate limits on time, place, and manner should be both expected and tolerated. But protests should be conducted by individuals or groups; they should not invoke the institution.

The role of the university was already being disputed in the 1960s, and not just by students. At a dinner with a small number of faculty colleagues, I argued that our democratic societies would be poorer if academics debased their search for truth, and if universities became just another pressure group. Some of my colleagues disagreed, arguing that the institution was obliged to dissociate itself publicly from immoral government policies like the Vietnam War. In another prelude to the current moment, they pointed out that university endowments were supporting companies that produced war materiel.

Protesters later argued for divestment with respect to other issues, such as apartheid in South Africa, climate change, and now Israel. When economists point out that such actions have little economic effect (because someone else quickly buys the divested stock), advocates reply that what matters is the political statement of naming and shaming. Divestment, they believe, is an institutional statement that has a bigger impact than any effort driven by individual members of the university community.

The problem is that the costs to the university are much higher than the benefits gained for the cause being advocated. Far stronger political pressure groups are likely to outweigh the political impact of the divesting universities, which in turn will incur costs not only to their academic freedom and independence, but also to their internal community. As a recent report from Harvards Institutional Voice working group argues, because few, if any, world events can be entirely isolated from conflicting viewpoints, issuing official empathy statements runs the risk of alienating some members of the community by expressing implicit solidarity with others. Accordingly, Harvard recently rejected demands that it divest from firms with business in Israel.

Self-restraint on political statements is only part of the solution. Equally important is the enforcement of existing rules. For a university administration to rely on the police is both tactically and morally problematic. This has been a point of tension on many campuses over the past year. Harvard erred in 1969 when it called in the state police (who overreacted). The enduring lesson for today is that such measures should be a last resort.

Nonetheless, if university rules governing the time, place, and manner of free speech (including protest) are not enforced, the institution can no longer uphold its core purpose of teaching and research. Moreover, impunity for rule-breakers endangers reasoned exchange of opposing views and reduces discourse to a contest of who can push the hardest. If protesters reply that they are deliberately breaking the rules to dramatize their cause and amplify their message, they should remember Martin Luther King, Jr.s point that civil disobedience is morally compelling only if you are willing to pay the penalty. That is also part of education.

Of course, universities cannot be completely neutral on all political issues. But they should reserve their institutional fire for cases that have a direct and significant impact on their core functions of teaching, research, and independent inquiry. In the current situation, academic freedom means that both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine voices must be heard, and that universities must stand up to browbeating by congressional committees and donors who threaten to withdraw financial support. The 1960s has a lot to teach us about the importance of protest and its limits, as well as the proper institutional role of universities. Let us hope we do better in the 2020s.

Joseph S. Nye, Jr., professor emeritus at Harvard University, is a former US assistant secretary of defense and author of the memoir A Life in the American Century (Polity Press, 2024). This article was distributed by Project Syndicate.
President Yoon Suk Yeol needs to present a new image soon

Revelations made by a dubious pollster regarding the first couple have plunged the ruling camp into a deep quandary that the nations chief executive must address in a manner different from his previous approaches.Breaking his silence on a leaked phone conversation that allegedly reveals an "exchange" of party nomination for opinion surveys between President Yoon Suk Yeol and self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun, People Power Party chairman Han Dong-hoon has directly called on Yoon to issue an apology and implement a comprehensive overhaul of the presidential office. The president promised to hold a news conference on Thursday to address the series of scandals.

In pressing for an apology, Han used some of the strongest language yet, saying that Yoon's style of leadership has been "dogmatic," which has fueled public resentment. This reflects a growing sense of crisis within the ruling party. A series of political scandals affecting the administration has intensified, particularly after that leaked phone call revealed a conversation between the president and the political broker about an alleged exchange of nomination for by-elections in return for unpaid opinion surveys. Last week, the president's approval ratings dipped below 20 percent. The People Power Party (PPP) urged the president to uphold his commitment the principles of fairness and the rule of law. PPP-affiliated mayors and governors, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, have called for a revamp and improved communication with the public.

There is both anticipation and a hint of trepidation ahead of the press conference. The president's track record with past press conferences has been disappointing. Instead of directly addressing controversies, such as the first lady accepting a luxury bag or the cleared allegations of stock manipulation, the president has often focused on highlighting his achievements and offering half-hearted apologies. In February, he said it was "regretful" that his wife could not "cold-heartedly cut off" the gift from a Korean-American pastor. He only issued a more sincere apology three months later, following the PPP's loss in the general elections. The political alarm triggered by Myungs statements and the main opposition Democratic Party of Koreas (DPK) push for a special counsel investigation into the first lady necessitates the president to speak clearly and act on these pressing issues.

That should include Han's repeated requests for the first lady to refrain from public activities, as well as the president's appointment of a special inspector to investigate potential corruption involving the presidential family.

Han's demands are much less extreme than those of the DPK, which is calling for a special counsel investigation into the first lady. To date, opposition-led efforts in the National Assembly have attempted to pass two special counsel investigation bills regarding the first lady, both without success, and a third is planned. In addition to pursuing a special counsel probe, members of the opposition and some civic groups are participating in weekend rallies that openly discuss the possibility of impeaching the nation's chief executive.

Admittedly, the crisis looming over the ruling bloc is serious enough to warrant some deep reflection. We hope this explains Yoon's absence from delivering a budget speech at the National Assembly, which is the first instance in 11 years that a president has not attended. This is the second time the chief executive has been absent from the legislature. The DPK's previous boycott of the president's speech certainly does not help the situation. Nonetheless, Yoon should strive to be a leader who engages in politics as well as governs effectively.

The press conference should provide clear explanations regarding the administration's four major reforms: labor, healthcare, education, and pensions. These should be concise and to the point. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has already addressed these reforms on behalf of the president, emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation to successfully implement them and to strengthen defense as North Korea increases its collaboration with Russia. The public is aware of these issues. The president acknowledged that the past two and a half years have not been easy while pursuing reforms in these areas. With a large opposition bloc dominating the legislature, the challenges to achieving these reforms have intensified, especially as he approaches the halfway mark of his five-year term. The president must convincingly demonstrate how he intends to navigate these turbulent waters.








HYBE, a major K-pop powerhouse, on Tuesday reported a decline in both sales and operating profits for the third quarter of this year, impacted by distractions from the Paris Olympics and a protracted feud with Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of its subsidiary label Ador.

HYBE's regulatory filing showed an operating profit of 54.2 billion won ($39 million) for the quarter, a 25.4 percent decrease year-on-year, falling short of 55.7 billion won forecast by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm of Yonhap News Agency.

Revenue dropped 1.9 percent to 527.8 billion won, while net profit plunged 98.6 percent to 1.4 billion won.

HYBE, however, noted a significant improvement in its operating profit margin, which rose from 4 percent in the first quarter to 7.9 percent in the second quarter and 10.3 percent in the third quarter as the company nears "the final stage of building infrastructure for new business projects."

It also reported that this year's accumulated sales exceeded 1.5 trillion won as of the third quarter, putting it on track to achieve 2 trillion won in annual sales for the second consecutive year.

By sector, sales from "direct participation" activities by its artists, including digital music and albums, concerts, commercials and appearance fees, reached 323 billion won, down 18.8 percent from the previous year.

The drop in digital music, albums and concert revenue was particularly notable.

"Indirect participation" activities, such as merchandising, licensing, content and fan community platforms, generated 204.9 billion won, up 31.8 percent. Among them, content sales alone surged 63.6 percent, contributing significantly to the growth.

"There was a global event, the Olympics, so no albums were released during this period," the company explained, citing the impact on the "direct participation" category.

The ongoing dispute with Min Hee-jin is also seen as a contributing factor to the decline.

In April, HYBE launched an audit of Ador, accusing Min of attempting to seize control of the sublabel and its flagship group, NewJeans. Min denied the claims, arguing that HYBE's audit was retaliatory following her earlier criticism of another of HYBE's sublabel's new girl group, ILLIT, for allegedly imitating NewJeans. Ador's board, largely composed of HYBE executives, later dismissed Min from her CEO role.

The conflict escalated to court, where on Oct. 29, a judge dismissed Min's injunction seeking reinstatement. The following day, Ador's board voted against her return, further intensifying the internal strife impacting HYBE's business outlook.

Despite these challenges, the company maintained solid earnings, supported by strong album sales from Enhypen and Boynextdoor, NewJeans' milestone of achieving a million-seller with its debut Japanese single, and positive chart performances by BTS member Jimin and Le Sserafim. HYBE expects sales from "direct participation" activities to improve in the fourth quarter with anticipated new album releases from BTS' Jin, Enhypen, Le Sserafim and Boynextdoor.

In October, Seventeen launched its new world tour in Goyang, just north of Seoul, following record-breaking sales of 3.16 million copies of its 12th EP, "Spill the Feels," within the first week of release.

Speaking during a conference call on third-quarter earnings, HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang pledged to "calmly continue" the business with a focus on "fundamental values."

He also emphasized the company's commitment to supporting the continued growth of NewJeans. (Yonhap)
SK Telecom said Tuesday it will release an artificial intelligence (AI) agent targeting global users in North America next year.

The AI agent, named aster, was showcased at the SK AI Summit 2024, an annual tech conference hosted by SK Group, in Seoul.

The new model has been designed as an agentic AI, which goes beyond answering simple questions to operate autonomously and make complex decisions through conversations with users, the company explained.

Aster will first hit the North American market next year after completing a closed beta test this year.

The AI agent's name, which comes from the word asterisk, implies its role as a guiding companion and navigator, according to SK Telecom.

"Global users will use just one application, aster, but will be able to gain access to the AI ecosystem that encompasses various AI models developed for different individuals, regions and countries," said Chung Suk-geun, SK Telecom's chief AI global officer. (Yonhap)
Hyundai Engineering & Construction said Tuesday it has signed a nuclear power plant design contract with Bulgaria's state nuclear power plant builder.

The contract was signed Monday in Sofia with Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP-New Builds PLC, according to Hyundai E&C.

Under the contract, the Korean builder will design two 2,200-megawatt reactors to be built at the Kozloduy nuclear complex, located some 200 kilometers north of the country's capital, under a construction project worth about 20 trillion won ($14.6 billion).

Hyundai E&C was tapped as the preferred bidder for the project in February, and is expected to sign an engineering, procurement and construction contract to build the two reactors in the second half of next year. The project will be executed under a consortium with Westinghouse Electric of the United States.

The Kozloduy plant, which supplies a third of Bulgaria's electricity, is the country's first nuclear facility built in 1969. Due to aging issues, Units 1 through 4 have been shut down, with only Units 5 and 6, which are Russian-developed pressurized water reactors, in operation.

A contract signing ceremony was held in Sofia on Monday and was attended by Hyundai E&C CEO Yoon Young-joon, Bulgarian Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev and Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov.

At the ceremony, Yoon shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, noting Hyundai's established technical expertise in the global nuclear market, the company said. He also expressed confidence in successfully delivering the project with the support of local partners. (Yonhap)
Civic group opposes proposal, citing SK hynix's strong Q3 sales as proof

By Nam Hyun-woo

Politicians and lobby groups in Korea are intensifying their criticism of the country's 52-hour workweek policy, particularly in light of a slowdown in Samsung Electronics' semiconductor business.

Conservative lawmakers and representatives of employers associations claim that Koreas 52-hour workweek, which was shortened from 60 to as much as 70 hours per week, restricts the research and development capabilities of advanced tech companies. They point to the more flexible work environments in the United States and Japan as examples to emulate. To foster similar flexibility, they suggest that Korea should consider implementing measures such as the U.S. white-collar exemption rule.

The white-collar exemption rule excuses employees paid over $844 per week, or $43,888 per year, from federal overtime pay requirements, particularly for those who worked over the standard 40-hour workweek.

On the other hand, civic groups contend that businesses are using Samsung's financial struggle as a pretext to challenge the workweek system. The groups emphasize that Samsung's disappointing earnings are primarily the result of internal issues rather than the shortened workweek.

Ruling People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Koh Dong-jin said, Tuesday, that he submitted a revision to the Labor Standards Act a day earlier. The revision seeks to exempt workers engaged in research and development roles in industries such as semiconductors, display, biotechnology, and secondary batteries from the 52-hour workweek. Koh, a former CEO of Samsung Electronics, supports this change to enhance flexibility for R&D employees.

Koh noted that the countrys current workweek  40 regular hours and 12 overtime hours a week  needs to be more flexible to improve industrial competitiveness and enable prompt responses to the fast-changing market environment.

To enhance the competitiveness of Koreas advanced industries including chips, we need to establish a workweek system that ensures labor flexibility, Koh said. This would create an environment where top talent can work freely without being constrained by limits, while also receiving appropriate compensation for their efforts.

Kohs bill was introduced following the announcement of disappointing third quarter earnings at Samsung Electronics semiconductor division, whose quarterly operating profit of 3.86 trillion won ($2.8 billion) fell significantly short of market expectations.

The decline in profitability at the chip division prompted the ruling party to prepare a special act focused on the semiconductor industry. This bill is expected to include incentive programs and various administrative support for chipmakers, but reportedly will not incorporate a measure similar to the U.S. white-collar exemption rule.

Japan has been operating a workweek exemption rule for highly skilled, white-collar professionals earning more than 10.75 million yen ($70,640) since 2018.

PPP Rep. Park Soo-young, who initially proposed the special legislation with the exclusionary rule, emphasized that the exemption rule is very important for enhancing the competitiveness of the chip industry.

Lobby groups also agree with the necessity of an exclusionary rule.

An official at the Korea Enterprises Federation stated that Korea needs to introduce various measures to add flexibility to its 52-hour workweek system, such as a white-collar exemption rule.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry also stressed in a recent report that easing labor market rigidity through flexible workforce management is essential for enhancing the productivity of domestic export companies.

However, civic groups oppose these calls, arguing that businesses are exploiting Samsungs situation as an excuse to undermine the workweek system.

If the workweek system were to be the true reason for Samsungs slowdown, its domestic competitor SK hynix should have faced similar difficulties, but it didnt, said Oh Se-hyung, a manager at Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice.

While Samsungs third-quarter earnings raised nationwide concerns about the company's competitiveness, SK hynix reported an operating profit of 7.3 trillion won in the same period, supported by strong sales of AI-specific high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips.

We believe the ongoing debate regarding the workweek system is based on a distorted narrative and an attempt to use Samsungs third-quarter earnings as an excuse. While there may be limitations due to the cap on working hours, the more fundamental issue behind Samsungs situation is its decision not to prioritize HBM, Oh added.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has won North Carolina and is leading in five other crucial battleground states in Tuesday's election showdown against his Democratic rival Kamala Harris, while his party regained control of the Senate.

With vote counting in progress, former President Trump is ahead in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and Georgia, and won North Carolina as of 12:48 a.m. on Wednesday (EST), according to the Associated Press. The vote tally for Nevada, another swing state, was not available yet.

Trump had secured 230 electoral votes, compared with Harris' 210 as of 12:48 a.m. To occupy the Oval Office, a candidate must win at least 270 electoral votes out of the total 538 electors representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Of the seven swing states, Pennsylvania has been at the center of political attention as it has 19 electoral votes, the highest among the contested states, which could provide a substantial boost for a candidate to cross the 270 electoral college threshold.

The Republican Party has secured at least 51 of the 100 Senate seats, reclaiming control of the upper house of Congress, according to AP.

American voters cast ballots to pick a new president who will steer the United States through a litany of nettlesome issues, including deep national division, still-high prices and global security challenges, like North Korea's nuclear adventurism and Russia's war in Ukraine.

The high-stakes Election Day capped an extremely close and eventful race between Harris, 60, and Trump, 78  two sharply contrasting candidates in terms of age, gender, race, political inclinations and policy orientation.

According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, roughly 244 million Americans are eligible to vote in 2024. If voter turnout is as high as that of the 2020 election at 66.6 percent, more than 162 million were expected to cast ballots in this election cycle.

More than 85.9 million Americans have already cast an early ballot, data from the University of Florida's Election Lab showed.

After voting in Florida, Trump voiced confidence over his electoral chances, claiming that he will have a "very big victory." He also cast this year's campaign as the "best" of the three campaigns that he ran.

"I felt very confident ... We went in with a very big lead today and it looks like Republicans have shown up in force," he told reporters with his wife, Melania Trump, standing by his side.

Regarding a question about whether he would concede should he lose in the presidential vote, he said he would be the "first" to acknowledge it if it is a "fair" election.

Appearing on a Pittsburgh-based radio show, Harris also called on people to get out and vote.

"I would urge everyone to just remember that in our democracy, the people get to decide, and your vote is your power," she was quoted by CNN as saying.

Harris attended an election night watch party at her alma mater, Howard University in Washington, a historically Black university. Trump watched election results in Palm Beach, Florida.

The Democratic standard-bearer's vice presidential running mate is Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, while Trump's running mate is Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance.

South Korea has been carefully watching developments in the U.S. election as a new occupant of the White House could bring a shift in America's foreign policy that affects the Seoul-Washington alliance as well as the way Washington handles Pyongyang's evolving nuclear and missile threats.

Having underlined the importance of America's leadership on the global stage, Harris, if elected, is expected to build on key tenets of President Joe Biden's foreign policy, including cementing a network of U.S. allies and partners to confront shared security challenges.

Should Trump return to office, he could highlight his "America First" credo that is expected to put pressure on allies and partners to take greater responsibilities for their own security and curtail America's costly involvement overseas.

Seoul's foreign ministry said that South Korea will continue to maintain close cooperation with a new U.S. administration, as it highlighted "strong bipartisan support" for the bilateral alliance in Washington.

This year's election cycle has been marked by a spate of unprecedented events, including two assassination attempts against Trump, Biden's surprise exit from the White House race, and Trump's conviction in a hush-money trial and other legal woes.

It remains uncertain when the winner will be named. In the 2020 election that proceeded amid COVID-19, the race was called for Biden four days after the vote. But the 2016 election was called for Trump in the wee hours of the morning after Election Day.

Should Harris be elected, she would make history by becoming the first female, first Asian American and first Black woman to occupy the Oval Office. Should Trump prevail, he would be the second president to serve non-consecutive terms after Grover Cleveland in the late 1800s.

Observers said that given the dead heat between the two candidates, more time could be needed to get the election outcome. A razor-thin margin in a battleground state could trigger a recount of votes, and any missteps at polling stations or other unforeseen mishaps could delay the counting process.

The victor of this year's presidential race is to take office Jan. 20.

Also up for grabs in Tuesday's election are 34 Senate seats and all 435 House seats.

Currently, Democrats hold a slight majority in the Senate, controlling 51 seats with the help of three independents that caucus with the Democrats, while Republicans hold 49 seats. In the House, Republicans have a slim majority with 220 seats to Democrats' 212.

Among Korean American politicians, Rep. Andy Kim won a Senate seat for New Jersey, making history as the first Korean American elected to the upper house of Congress.

There are also three Korean American congresswomen seeking a third-term in the House of Representatives. They are Reps. Young Kim (R-CA), Michelle Park Steel (R-CA) and Marilyn Strickland (D-WA). Aside from the current lawmakers, Dave Min, a Korean American Democrat, is bidding to join the House. (Yonhap)




Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump warned on Monday that, if elected, he would punish Mexico and China with tariffs unless both governments moved to stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

At a campaign rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Trump said he would move quickly to crack down on drug trafficking along the southern U.S. border with Mexico and that he would use tariffs.

"We will immediately stop the drugs pouring across our border," he said.

Trump said he would impose tariffs on goods from Mexico of 25 percent and would do the "same thing to China" for exporting fentanyl to Mexico.

"Every damn thing that they sell into the United States is going to have like a 25 percent (tariff) until they stop drugs from coming in. And let me tell you something, those drugs will stop so damn fast that your head will spin," Trump said.

Trump, at his rally, also spoke extensively about his pledge for the mass deportation of migrants from the United States if he is elected on Tuesday. (Reuters)
China is on track to post its lowest number of marriage registrations since 1980 this year, with an estimate from a leading demographer suggesting as few as 6 million couples would tie the knot, prompting local governments to hand out cash incentives.

In the first nine months of the year, 4.75 million couples registered a marriage, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, representing a 16.6 percent drop compared to the same period in 2023.

Only 1.32 million marriages were registered in the third quarter, with the figure dropping by more than 25 percent from a year earlier, marking the lowest quarterly reading since 2008.

And based on the proportion of the quarterly numbers released on Friday to the annual total, China could see between 6.01 million to 6.59 million marriage registrations this year, according to an estimate from independent demographer He Yafu.

The ceiling would be lower than the 6.83 million new marriages recorded in 2022, while it would also be lower than the 7.2 million registered in 1980.

China's low marriage and birthrates, coupled with an overall population decline, have emerged as critical challenges weighing on sluggish economic growth, presenting one of the biggest dilemmas that could hinder long-term development and labor market stability.

And amid a broader demographic crisis, Luliang city in the central Shanxi province became the third city to offer cash rewards to promote marriage on top of nationwide measures.

Starting next year, couples registering their first marriage in Luliang would receive a 1,500 yuan ($211) cash reward, as long as the bride is aged 35 or younger, the city's Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau said on its official WeChat social media account last week.

"Although the amount isn't much, it still holds symbolic value in encouraging young people to marry," said independent demographer He.

He added that to boost the birth rate in China, it was essential to raise the marriage rate.

The local government has also introduced new measures to encourage childbirth, offering subsidies of 8,000 yuan for families with three children, 5,000 yuan for those with two, and 1,000 yuan for families with one child.

Compared to Western countries, where as much as over 60 percent of births could occur outside marriage, China's societal norms remain more conservative, with most children born within wedlock.

Although official statistics are unavailable, demographers estimate the birthrate  the number of births per 1,000 people  in China is similar to its neighbors Japan and South Korea, at around 2.5.

Since peaking at 13.47 million couples in 2013, China's marriage rate had declined for nine consecutive years, reaching a record low in 2022.

In 2023, marriage registrations in China reached 7.68 million, marking an increase of 845,000 couples, with the 12.36 percent rise from 2022 the first rebound in nearly a decade. The figure also surpassed the number of marriages in 2021.

Last year, China's population dropped for the second year in a row to 1.4 billion, representing a decline of over 2 million. Only 9 million births were reported in China in 2023, the lowest figure since records started in 1949.

National and local governments have rolled out a raft of pronatalist policies, including cash subsidies, extended maternity and paternity leave, tax breaks and housing incentives for families with multiple children.

But demographers have argued that the policies have failed to address deeper issues, such as the high cost of living, insufficient childcare support and persistent gender inequality, and have had a limited impact.

In April last year, Shangyu district in the eastern city of Shaoxing in Zhejiang province offered 1,000 yuan ($140) to every couple registering to marry.

In August 2023, Changshan county in Quzhou city, also in Zhejiang province, introduced a policy offering a 1,000 yuan reward for couples registering their first marriage where the bride was 25 years old or younger, and provided at least one partner held residency in Changshan.

Read the full story at SCMP.
Five months after it was released, EXO D.O. and Lee Young Ji have been confirmed to perform one of 2024's biggest collab hits "Small Girl" at the KGMA.

Ahead of the 2024 Korea Grand Music Awards on November 16 to 17, its committee announced the special stages that spectators will witness during the launch of the newly-established ceremony.

In particular, KGMA will be held at the Inspire Arena in Incheon and will feature a total of 30 teams showing 100 legendary stages with the theme of the "Birth of the Galaxy."

Special stages prepared exclusively for the show will also take place, including the much-awaited collab stage of Do Kyungsoo (D.O.) and Lee Young Ji.

In June, the two stars worked together for the song "Small Girl," which gained huge popularity in both Korean and international music charts, even topping MelOn Hot 100.

At the time, not only Young Ji and D.O.'s combined skills were lauded by fans, but their unexpected chemistry as virtual lovers on the song's official music video earned traction.

Initially, the "Small Girl" collab stage was only seen by EXO-Ls and Dandanies (fandoms) as D.O. invited Young Ji to attend his concert.

READ ALSO: EXO D.O. and Lee Young Ji's Ship Is Taking Over TikTok With Their Unscripted Flirting

But this time, the two will reveal the official "Small Girl" collaboration stage for the first time at the awards ceremony, and it is already arousing the excitement of K-pop fandom with their extraordinary chemistry and sweetness.

In addition to the duo, (G)I-DLE is also expected to perform its controversial track "Wife" during the ceremony, along with ZB1 and SHINee Taemin who are set to showcase performances that are yet to be seen in other events.

RELATED ARTICLE: EXO DO & Lee Young Ji Spark Wild Frenzy with Kiss in Latest MV

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Ottawa [Canada], November 5 (ANI): A Peel Regional Police officer has been suspended after being identified in videos of a protest at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, on Sunday, CBC News reported.

Notably, the suspended officer is Sergeant Harinder Sohi, an 18-year veteran of the force. Following the suspension, Sergeant Sohi has received death threats on social media, prompting the Peel Regional Police Association to offer "assistance and protection." Sohi at present does not face any allegations of wrongdoing.

Also Read | Israel-Hezbollah Conflict: Death Toll in Lebanon Crosses 3,000 in 13-Month of Fighting Between IDF and Hezbollah, Health Ministry Says.

Richard Chin, Peel Police spokesperson said that they are aware of the video circulating on social media showing one of their off-duty officers participating in a protest.

"We are aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an off-duty Peel police officer involved in a demonstration. This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act. We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until such time that this investigation is complete," Chin said, according to CBC News.

Also Read | Prince William Plays Rugby: Britains Prince Meets Young Environmentalists, Plays Rugby on First Day of South Africa Visit (See Pics and Video).

Meanwhile, Peel Regional Police asserted that they are taking measures to ensure "peaceful and lawful" planned protests by deploying officers.

Sharing a post on X, the Peel Regional Police wrote, "Officers will be deployed to ensure peace and lawfulness at planned demonstrations. Violence and other criminal acts has no place in our community."

https://x.com/PeelPolice/status/1853547158609543251

A day earlier, the Peel Regional Police said that the investigators arrested four people related to the protests in Brampton and Mississauga, and included 43-year-old Dilpreet Singh Bouns, 23-year-old Vikas, and 31-year-old Amritpal Singh.

Also, the Peel Regional Police on Monday said that they made several arrests in connection to the protests in Brampton and Mississauga, Ontario. Four people were arrested, including 43-year-old Dilpreet Singh Bouns, 23-year-old Vikas, and 31-year-old Amritpal Singh.

In a statement, the police said, "Investigators have arrested four individuals in relation to protests in the City of Brampton and Mississauga. On Sunday, November 3, 2024, at approximately 12:00 pm, officers attended a place of worship in the area of The Gore Road in Brampton in response to a trespassing complaint by a group of protestors. Later a demonstration occurred in the area of Goreway Drive and Etude Drive in Mississauga. Finally a third protest occurred shortly after at a place of worship near Airport Road and Drew Road in Mississauga. Although these demonstrations occurred at three different locations, they appear to be related to one another. Several incidents between protestors and worshippers broke out. A fourth individual was arrested on an outstanding unrelated warrant and subsequently released."

The police further informed about those arrested and said, "As a result, three men were arrested and charged. Dilpreet Singh Bouns, a 43-year-old man from Mississauga, was charged with cause disturbance and assault Peace Officer; Vikas, a 23-year-old man from Brampton, was charged with assault with a weapon; and Amritpal Singh, a 31-year-old man from Mississauga, was charged with mischief over USD 5000. All three men will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date."

Earlier on Sunday, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Canada's Brampton witnessed a "violent disruption" in Brampton, near Toronto.

Following the attacks, the Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit organisation working for the Hindu community in Canada, shared a video of the attack on the temple and said that the Khalistani terrorists attacked kids and women.

The Indian High Commission in Canada condemned the "violent disruption" by 'anti-India' elements outside a consular camp. The high commission also said that any further events will be organised "contingent on security arrangements" made by the local authorities. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
In Spanish

The Latin Grammys are just around the corner, and the lineup is sizzling hot!

This year, one of the most talked-about stars on the roster is angela Aguilar, who has earned a special place on stage.

At just 20 years old, angela has proven she's much more than "Pepe Aguilar's daughter" or "Antonio Aguilar's granddaughter" and is certainly not just "Nodal's wife." She's challenging expectations in an industry slowly opening its doors to young women in Mexican regional music.

angela is making waves for many reasons!

With a nomination for Album of the Year, she's set to break barriers and shine on her own terms. Fans are eagerly awaiting her performance, wondering what surprises she'll bring.

From her Mexican-inspired looks to her powerful voice, angela masterfully blends ranchero style with a dose of female empowerment, making her a symbol for countless young Latinos.

Not Everyone Is Thrilled

Opinions on social media are mixed. While some fans are excited to see her representing Mexican music at such a major event, others have left more critical comments on the official Latin Grammy account, expressing skepticism about her performance.

With a few scandals (yes, Cazzu, we're looking at you) and off-stage rumors, some fans feel a bit distant. Nonetheless, angela stays focused on her music, preparing a performance that promises to leave a mark.

Who Will Be Joining Her?

The Latin Grammys have gathered an impressive lineup for an epic night. Residente will bring his hard-hitting lyrics, Quevedo, an urban music sensation, will join the stage, and internationally, Jon Bon Jovi and Joe Jonas will add an unexpected pop crossover.

And yes, DJ Khaled will make a special appearance! This year's Latin Grammys seem to be going "all in," and fans couldn't be more excited.

Meanwhile, Angela's fans speculate online about her look. Will it be Mexican royalty-inspired, or will she opt for an edgy outfit that merges tradition with modernity? Will Nodal join her?

Some even dream of an impossible surprise duet with Belinda, which would be an explosive pop culture moment. Whatever her plan, each angela appearance sparks TikTok buzz and floods Instagram feeds.
Manhattan-based Bowery Farming, Inc. plans to cut more than 100 jobs at its 15,000-square-foot Bethlehem site, according to Pennsylvanias Department of Labor and Industry.

The 104 cuts were supposed to go into effect Nov. 1 at the vertical farming business, 1025 Feather Way.

The confirmed amount of employees was announced this week in a Department of Labor in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act Notice. The notice is mandated by U.S. labor law and requires companies with 100 or more employees to provide 60 days advance notification of plant closings and mass layoffs.

The regional Bowering Farming site is located at VIP VII, a 1,000-acre component of the Bethlehem Commerce Center along Route 412 that Lehigh Valley Industrial Park Inc. It opened in May 2022 on former Bethlehem Steel Corp. land.

The nations largest vertical farm company broke ground in December 2020 in Bethlehem on what Bowery then touted as its most technologically advanced project.

The site became its third and largest facility across its Mid-Atlantic footprint. Bowery Farming additionally then operated three research-and-development facilities, plus two other commercial farms in Kearny, New Jersey, and Nottingham, Maryland, outside Baltimore. There were plans for future commercial farms in Arlington, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Bowery officials havent returned repeated requests for more information. The Bethlehem site currently is listed on google maps as being permanently closed.

A report on verticalfarmdaily, however, states Bowery is shutting down all of its farms. Since its foundation in 2015, the company has secured over $700 million and employed over 500 employees, the report states.

Bowery Farmings former headquarters in the center of Manhattan was up until recently available for rent, according to a listing on LoopNet. The Bethlehem site is no longer up for lease, according to verticalfarmdaily and LoopNet.

Bowerys former R&D facility in Kearny at 10 Basin Drive has been available for lease since March 31, 2023. Bowery Farming Kearny Farm at 1 Eastern Road has been available for lease since Oct. 22. The Nottingham facility in Maryland has been available for lease since June 7, the report states.

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and local dignitaries were on hand in May 2022 to celebrate and tour the Bethlehem facility. Wolf said at the time that Pennsylvania agriculture was a $132.5 billion industry, supporting nearly 600,000 statewide jobs.

Bowery invested at least $32 million in the project. State Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Lehigh/Northampton, previously said the project would not have come to fruition without a collective public-private effort backed by the federal, state and local governments.

The Bethlehem farm was touted as Bowerys smartest farm yet. It was built on 8.7 acres, powered with 100% renewable energy and featured 15% more efficient LED lighting.

Bowerys Bethlehem Farm specifically was poised to bring fresh produce to a population of 50 million people within a 200-mile radius through regional retail customers. Working with local distributors, including Four Seasons Produce, Bowery produce also was to be available to specialty and independent grocery partners throughout the region.

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday, May 26, 2022, toured Bowery Farming's new Bethlehem facility. Commonwealth Media Services

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Ram is recalling 30,000 trucks due to a stability control issue that could increase the risk of an accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some Ram 1500 trucks may have issues with a damaged part that could cause the speed wheel sensor to malfunction. This malfunction can disarm the Electronic Stability Control and increase the risk of a crash.

The approximately 33,777 affected models were produced between Oct. 13, 2023, and Aug. 11, 2024. However, Ram says that about 1% of vehicles are affected by the recall.

The automaker is currently notifying dealers and will send out recall notification letters by mid-December.

Ram dealers will inspect and fix the defect, replacing the bearing rings for free, if they are found to be damaged.

Those who have already paid to fix the problem are eligible for a reimbursement from the automaker provided they have proof of payment.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
By Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

HARRISBURG  Since 2020, when former President Donald Trump and his allies spread conspiracy theories that the presidential election had been stolen, such falsehoods have become a prevalent feature of U.S. elections.

Thats especially true in swing states like Pennsylvania. And this year, with Trump on the ballot once again, disinformation, misconceptions, and simple confusion about the commonwealths election processes are once again circulating widely.

Sometimes, familiar theories reemerge. Other times, new issues pop up and gain traction. Here are five of the prominent false or misleading claims that are circulating right now, and the facts you need to know:

Do slow Pennsylvania results mean something is wrong?

No. Pennsylvanias mail voting laws are set up in a way that makes slow results likelier than in other states  though county election officials say the process will be smoother this year than in the notoriously slow 2020 presidential election.

In 2020, it took four days for Pennsylvania to count enough ballots that the election could be called by news outlets. It was the decisive state in confirming Joe Bidens victory, which means it had the whole country waiting.

Counting took that long for several reasons.

The commonwealth had legalized widespread mail voting the previous year, meaning that the 2020 general election was the first high-turnout election in which the new system was used, and it was still unfamiliar to election workers.

On top of that, mail voting use was extremely high because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was then near its peak.

Further, thanks to widespread mail delays, the state Supreme Court had ordered counties to continue accepting mail ballots four days past the usual deadline, so long as they were postmarked on time.

Finally, unlike many mail voting states, election workers in Pennsylvania werent  and still arent  allowed to precanvass, aka process, mail ballots before Election Day.

In short, it was a perfect storm for slow results.

Election laws in the commonwealth havent changed much since then. However, in 2022, counties that accepted new election funding did get mandates to count ballots continuously and to report their mail ballot totals at midnight, which lets observers know how many are still uncounted and roughly how long it will take. Many counties also used that new state money for updated equipment and staff.

With the largest population in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia gets a lot of scrutiny during elections because its huge number of votes significantly affects state results, and because counting that many ballots can take a while.

City Commissioner Lisa Deeley, who chaired the Philadelphia Board of Elections in 2020 and remains on the board this year, said she cant guarantee the city will have results on Election Night.

Were going to get done faster, she said, comparing this election to 2020. But whether or not a contest is called will be determined entirely by the state of the contest. Depending on how close it is, it could rely on provisional totals. If its not a close race, theyll be able to call it.

Provisional ballots are checked carefully and counted after mail ballots. If the presidential race is close enough that the outcome relies on these ballots, unofficial results could take days and there will be little counties can do about it.

But, Deeley said, she can guarantee one thing. The election will run much, much more smoothly than it did in 2020.

I feel much more confident going to this election, she said.

There are a few reasons. The city isnt expecting to have to accept mail ballots past the 8 p.m. deadline on Nov. 5, which means it will know exactly how many ballots it needs to count much earlier and will be able to give accurate schedules.

Plus, a few tech upgrades have made a big difference. Philadelphia now uses electronic pollbooks, which means the process of pollbook reconciliation, in which workers verify nobody voted more than once, will be significantly faster.

What took days in 2020 now will take a matter of hours, Deeley said.

And finally, the city is expecting to see fewer total mail ballots. In 2020, about half of all Philadelphia voters cast their ballots by mail, which meant around 375,000 mail ballots for workers to process and count. This year, Department of State data show the city approved about 234,000 mail ballots, which means that is the maximum workers will have to deal with.

Thats going to make a difference, she said.

Were early voters in the Philly suburbs disenfranchised by lines?

No. But voters in Bucks County, outside Philadelphia, did indeed suffer through long lines thanks to the commonwealths relatively slow in-person mail voting option.

Pennsylvania doesnt have early voting in the way that many states have it, in which a person can vote ahead of Election Day on a machine.

However, the commonwealth has had widespread mail voting since 2020, and that law does allow for an early voting facsimile: At county election offices, voters are able to apply for, receive, get assistance with, and turn in a mail ballot all in one stop.

Some counties, like Philadelphia and Allegheny, also put additional resources behind this option by opening satellite election offices that provide these services, along with the county office.

However, because this option involves people filling out mail ballots by hand, the process is relatively slow.

This election cycle, Trumps campaign has strongly encouraged supporters to vote early and in person, leading to considerable demand at some county offices offering vote-by-mail services.

In Bucks County, this led to some conflict.

The deadline to apply for a mail ballot was 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. On that day, a long line formed outside Bucks Countys main election office in Doylestown, which wasnt prepared to handle the demand and left frustrated voters still in line after the deadline.

These voters would have still been able to vote in person on Election Day  or if they had already received a mail ballot, would have been able to simply drop it off on any day leading up to the election  but voters committed to casting their ballots early were frustrated.

The Trump campaign sued, and a county judge ruled that Bucks should give its voters an additional day to apply for a mail ballot. They had until 5 p.m. on Oct. 30 to get their applications in.

Will voting machines be rigged to change my vote?

No. In the past, voters in Pennsylvania have observed problems with miscalibrated touch screen voting machines, in which it appeared the machine was responding erratically to attempts to select candidates.

This is a problem, but its not a sign of hacking or fraud.

First of all, voting systems in the commonwealth are vetted several times.

The Pennsylvania Election Code requires the Department of State secretary to examine and certify any voting machine before counties are allowed to purchase it. This happens on top of a certification already done by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

According to a directive from the Pennsylvania Department of State, the certification process:

Ensures machines are not connected to the internet;

Uses various methods to detect if the machines have been tampered with;

And confirms that the machines have measures to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information, such as vote data and passwords.

Before each election, counties again test each machine set to be used to ensure it functions properly. This is called logic and accuracy testing.

Typically, counties will first ensure that none of the data storage devices in the machines contain votes from the last election. Once that is done, mock ballots are fed through the machine to simulate the election to test the tabulators. In the case of ballot marking devices, the machines are checked to ensure they properly record the testers on-screen selections onto the printed-out paper ballot. The results recorded by the machine are then compared against the ballots to ensure the machine correctly records votes.

The Pennsylvania Department of State outlines how the testing should be done on its website. This testing is open to the public to observe.

After testing is done, the machines are closed and secured with a tamper-evident seal to ensure no access occurs before Election Day.

All this testing doesnt eradicate problems. But when there are problems, they arent kept secret.

In 2019, high-profile issues with ExpressVote XL voting machines in both Northampton and Philadelphia Counties led to a settlement that required counties to track and report malfunctions to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

The agency then publishes these reports on its website within 105 days of an election.

Finally, Pennsylvania extensively double checks its election results.

After a 2018 settlement, all counties had to purchase machines that could produce a voter-verifiable paper ballot that could be audited. Previously, some counties had used machines with touch screens that produce no paper ballot, devices known as direct recording equipment.

The state conducts two audits after elections, but before final certification.

One is a 2% statistical recount, in which counties randomly sample either 2% of all ballots cast in each race, or sample a random assortment of 2,000 ballots, whichever is fewer.

The other is a statewide risk-limiting audit in which the state pulls a random sample of paper ballots and compares votes recorded on the paper to totals from vote-counting machines, to check the tabulation machines themselves.

Studies have shown that machine counting is significantly more accurate than hand-counting ballots, which is a method that some election denial groups, like Audit the Vote, have pushed for.

Are thousands of fake voter registrations being accepted?

No. Considerable disinformation has circulated around Pennsylvania over who can register to vote in the commonwealth.

Last month, a Republican activist falsely accused a group of Erie nuns of voter fraud, after being confused about why they were all registered at the same address (it was a monastery). Leaders in several GOP-controlled counties also issued vague statements about stopping fraudulent registrations, but offered few details about the alleged fraud.

Fake or improper voter registrations are not unheard of, though the commonwealth has a number of checks and balances designed to prevent it.

In order to register, prospective voters must provide their full name, date of birth, residential address, and drivers license  or state identification  number. If a person does not have a state ID, they can use the last four digits of their Social Security number.

A person must be at least 18 years old in order to register, and must be a U.S. citizen for at least a month before the election, and a resident of the Pennsylvania address on their application for at least 30 days.

Election workers check this information and put it on file. Then, when voting at a new polling place for the first time, any newly registered voter must provide identification in order to cast a ballot. This identification can include a state card, passport, or some other document that includes both the name and address that matches the voter registration. A full list of acceptable ID is available on the states website.

If a person does manage to wrongly register, the penalties are steep: Under federal law, violators could be punished by up to seven years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. They might also lose their voting rights.

Pennsylvania Department of State Secretary Al Schmidt stressed in a recent briefing that the laws governing registration and voting are extensive.

In every county, he said, professional election administrators are verifying that every person who applied to register to vote is indeed eligible to be registered. Theyre verifying that every person who requested a mail ballot has provided the proper identification to receive one. Theyre verifying that every returned mail ballot packet comes from a registered voter who has followed the instructions, as required by law. Theyre training their election staff and poll workers to ensure only registered voters are able to vote in person on Election Day.

Are large numbers of noncitizens voting in Pennsylvania?

No. Noncitizen voting is illegal in Pennsylvania and extremely rare in the United States, according to the Brennan Center for Justice  42 jurisdictions that handled the tabulation of 23.5 million votes in November 2016 reported just 30 cases.

A Pennsylvania election official acknowledged in 2017 that, because of an issue with the voter registration process connected to getting a drivers license, 544 ballots had been cast illegally by noncitizens over 18 years. Thats out of 93 million ballots, the Associated Press reported at the time.

The introduction of automatic voter registration at Pennsylvania has renewed GOP scrutiny of the system. Still, the Pennsylvania Department of State says it has built-in protections that enable only U.S. citizens to apply to register to vote.

People must provide proof of citizenship, and county election offices must verify they are eligible to vote, just as they do with every newly registered voter.

Carter Walker of Votebeat and Sarah Anne Hughes of Spotlight PA contributed reporting for this story.

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
UPDATE: Near 600 acres scorched as 4th day of Blue Mountain wildfire rages on

Lehigh Valley business leaders on Monday announced a way for members of the public to support fire crews battling a blaze on the Blue Mountain.

The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber launched an emergency fundraiser with support from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, benefitting local volunteer fire departments and emergency crews fighting to contain the blaze under challenging conditions, according to a news release.

The fire reported Saturday afternoon on the mountain just east of Lehigh Gap in Lehigh Township, Northampton County, had burned 180 acres as of Monday and was only 20% contained, a Pennsylvania forest fire official told lehighvalleylive.com. Hundreds of local and state firefighters responded to block the fire from reaching additional fuel, as helicopters dropped water from the adjacent Lehigh River.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, and eight structures were listed as threatened by the fire with crews assigned to protect them, the official said.

This urgent effort aims to support the volunteer fire departments and emergency crews who have been tirelessly working to protect the area and contain the flames, chamber officials said in the release.

These brave volunteer firefighters have been contending with difficult terrain, challenging conditions, and a fire that has threatened local wildlife habitats and natural resources, the release continues, noting the teams expressed that it is not a shortage of resources but rather funds needed to offset the rising cost of fuel and machinery needed to fight the fires.

The Greater Lehigh Valley chamber donated an initial $1,000 to encourage additional community support for the campaign, according to the release.

Chamber officials invite community members to contribute to this initiative through the following methods:

Cash or Check Donations:

Visit locations of The Neffs National Bank to contribute:

Donations can be mailed to The Neffs National Bank, 5629 Route 873, P.O. Box 10, Neffs, PA 18065.

Note: Those planning to drop off a check at either of The Neffs National Bank locations are asked to make the check payable to Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber.

Donors also may mail or drop off a check made payable to GLVCC at any Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber Office.

Venmo:

Donations can be sent via Venmo to the Chamber (@GLVCC) with the memo: Initiative to Support Local Fire Departments.

Credit Card Donation and Additional Inquiries:

Call Jessica ODonnell-Gower at 610-573-4010 or Elyse Cuttic at 484-834-7868.

We commend the brave firefighters and first responders who have been on the front lines, and we urge our community to come together during this critical time, stated ODonnell-Gower, executive vice president of the Affiliated Chambers at the GLVCC. We pride ourselves on not just being a chamber of commerce but also a chamber of communities, and now we are leaning on our communities to come together during this crucial time. Every dollar raised will go directly towards support efforts and resources needed.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has pointed journalists in the direction of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael when asked to issues that have emerged about Laois TD Brian Stanley and other party members in recent weeks.

Ms McDonald commented when speaking to the press before the Laois Sinn Fein General Election selection convention in Portlaoise. The event was also open to media to attend.

It was her first visit to the constituency since Brian Stanley resigned from the party in the wake a provisional finding from Sinn Fein internal inquiry that he guilty of gross misconduct on the grounds of sexual harassment. Dep Stanley claims he has been the victim of character assassination and Sinn Fein Kangaroo court.

She was asked if there was a 'cultural problem' in Sinn Fein due to the controversies that have engulfed the party in controversy in recent weeks ranging from Stanley controversy to references given to convicted paedophile and former press officer Michael McMonagle by two since-resigned press officers.

It was put to him that such matters are not occurring in Fianna Fail and Fine Gael but the press would report on it if true.

"Then you need to go and do a bit more investigating. I can only account for Sinn Fein and I can tell you that any complaint that is made on any matter is taken seriously. The inquiries are made and where action is required, disciplinary action is taken and I do not flinch from that," she said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Laois Sinn Fein General Election convention in Portlaoise.

It emerged this week that Belfast City councillor JJ Magee has been suspended from the party "without prejudice" after an allegation that inappropriate online messages were exchanged between him and a minor.

Ms McDonald urged caution about the case and added.

"We are a large organisation and you can't legislate for human behaviour what you can do is ensure you have the appropriate responses where difficulties arise. This is a great party full of incredible, really really good people, regular people from urban and rural Ireland, women and men, young and old, tall and short, black and white," she said.

Ms McDonald made little reference to Brian Stanley during or before the convention.
There has been a six-fold increase in the amount of Laois people travelling via the TFI local link bus services.

Journey numbers have reached a record high, with people now using TFI Local Link bus services more than 100,000 times a week across rural Ireland, including 7,203 passengers in Laois and Offaly.

Due to these high figures, TFI Local Link have hinted at the establishment of bus routes from Birr to Portlaoise, Mountrath to Carlow, Portlaosie to Thurles and Portlaoise to Roscrea.

In Laois Offaly alone, passenger numbers have increased more than six-fold, driven by the introduction or enhancement of six key routes. These include:

Route 850: Roscrea to Athlone

Route 831: Rathdowney to Portlaoise

Route 840: Banagher to Tullamore

These bus services are provided for the National Transport Authority (NTA) by 15 Local Link Offices around the country. There were 105,986 passenger journeys on TFI Local Link services in the week ending 13 October 2024. This represents a more-than five-fold increase compared to January 2022, when weekly passenger numbers were at 19,982.

Without our great staff, drivers and regular passengers, the achievement of reaching 100,000 passengers a day wouldnt happen," said TFI Local Link Laois Offaly Manager, Frances Byrne.

The roll out of Connecting Ireland, with routes like the 840 Banagher to Tullamore, 823 Birr to Portlaoise, 822 Mountrath to Carlow, 834 Portlaoise to Roscrea, 858 Portlaoise to Thurles, 850 Athlone to Roscrea and more to come, increasing public transport in connecting our rural communities," the manager stressed.

Passenger journey numbers have been increasing consistently for over three years now. The weekly national average was 16,745 in 2021; 36,664 in 2022; and 78,892 in 2023. Now it has surged to 100,000  a new high.

This dramatic increase in numbers coincides with the rollout of the NTAs Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, from January 2022. Since then, over 110 new and enhanced TFI Local Link routes have been introduced under the plan, covering every county.

2024 is the third year of a five-year implementation plan for Connecting Ireland. Some 60 percent of the proposed services are now in place, with the remainder to be introduced in the coming years.

The new and enhanced services are proving to be very attractive to a new set of customers in rural Ireland, who are choosing TFI Local Link services to get to work, education, healthcare, and social activities.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan also acknowledged the milestone and the efforts behind the scenes.

We have seen a transformation in public transport across rural Ireland and going by the numbers, people really like it," said Minister Ryan.

"Reaching this milestone of 100,000 passengers a week is incredible but Id like to think of it as just the beginning. We need to have buses criss-crossing this country and reaching into towns and villages everywhere.

I want to extend my thanks to the Local Link offices, operators, and passengers who have made this achievement possible. The exponential growth were seeing  up five fold in just four years in many places - highlights the importance of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan in delivering improved access and inclusion for rural Ireland," he said.

We are building not just a better-connected Ireland, but a more sustainable, equitable, and vibrant onethanks to the hard work of everyone involved," Minister Ryan finished.

Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority (NTA), expressed her gratitude for the collective effort.

This achievement is a direct result of the dedication and hard work by a whole range of people and the continued support from passengers who have embraced the service," Ms Graham said.

Reaching 100,000 passengers per week would not have been possible without the incredible commitment of the Local Link Offices and their staff as well as the drivers and the local bus operators, and Id like to thank everyone who is involved.

I was always optimistic that Connecting Ireland would prove to be a transformative plan for rural communities, but honestly, Im completely blown away by the success story that it has become across the country. And were not finished yet!" the CEO said.

For more information about TFI Local Link services in Laois, see here.
Daria Dobrzynska, Irish Home Care, from Naas in Co. Kildare has been named as Nurse of the Year at the 2024 Home and Community Care Ireland (HCCI) Home Care awards, supported by Gallagher.

Daria was announced as the winner at an awards event in The Park Hotel, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

The HCCI Nurse of the Year awards someone who shows exceptional abilities in the care of their clients and works to meet not just the medical/physical side of their care but also the mental and emotional well-being of clients. The winner should demonstrate how nursing skills integrate and support social/home care.

A panel of independent judges  TV presenter & designer, Brendan Courtney; Professor Mark White, Executive Dean, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, RCSI; Katie Sloan, CEO, Leading Age, USA; Valerie Cox, journalist and author; Gerard Chimbganda, CEO of Good People; Caitriona Heffernan, National Clinical Innovation Lead, HSE and Tom OCallaghan, CEO of iHeed chose Daria as the winner.

Professor Mark White, Executive Dean, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, RCSI, award sponsor and judge said, Daria clearly deserves this award because of her exceptional work and commitment to involving other agencies and the community in the care of her clients. Daria goes above and beyond the expected norm and demonstrates thinking outside of the box, innovation and leadership. Her dedication has such a positive impact on her clients quality of life and wellbeing.

Professor White continued, The Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery in RCSI is honoured to sponsor the HCCI Nurse of the year award again this year. We are delighted to support the homecare sector workforce in whatever way we can, whether that is with education, professional development, research or just in advisory capacity, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate.

Joseph Musgrave, CEO, HCCI which is the representative body for home care providers and advocates for home care services to be made available to all on a statutory basis, said, Darias commitment and work ethic is truly inspirational, and I hope she recognises the hugely positive impact she has on her clients and their families. Sincere congratulations to Daria on her well-deserved recognition.

Musgrave continued, I would like to sincerely thank our event sponsor Gallagher whose support made this ceremony possible, as well as Leading Healthcare Providers Skillnet, Spry Finance, Bank of Ireland, the Access Group, RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery and Good People for their sponsorship of individual awards. We are also very grateful to our independent judges for their time and expertise. And thank you to all our members who nominated colleagues for the awards.

Other award winners announced during the event were:

Carer of the Year: Lynda Fagan, Be Independent Homecare. Award sponsor: Spry Finance.

Lynda Fagan, Be Independent Homecare. Award sponsor: Spry Finance. Manager of the Year: Bianca Borges, Danu Homecare. Award sponsor: Leading Healthcare Providers Skillnet.

Bianca Borges, Danu Homecare. Award sponsor: Leading Healthcare Providers Skillnet. Scheduler of the Year: Nicola Fisher, Irish Home Care. Award sponsor: Access Group.

Nicola Fisher, Irish Home Care. Award sponsor: Access Group. HR of the Year: Louise Gillanders, Be Independent Homecare.

Louise Gillanders, Be Independent Homecare. Innovation Award: Deirdre Donaghy, Home Instead. Award sponsor: Bank of Ireland.

Deirdre Donaghy, Home Instead. Award sponsor: Bank of Ireland. Unsung Hero of the Year: Maria Borza, Irish Home Care. Award sponsor: Good People.

Maria Borza, Irish Home Care. Award sponsor: Good People. Outstanding Contribution: Brendan Courtney. Award sponsor: Gallagher.

HCCI also recognised TV presenter & designer Brendan Courtney with the Outstanding Contribution award (sponsored by Gallagher). Presenting the award, Joseph described Brendan as someone who has consistently advocated for home care services to be available for older people in the community and who has generously shared his parents stories and the challenges he and his siblings faced trying to access home care for his Mum and Dad when they needed support.
Kildare town native Robbie Dolan has triumphed and claimed gold at the Lexus Melbourne Cup last night on the sensational Knight's Choice.

Robbies late grandfather Peadar Matthews won two Irish Classics as a jockey, landing the Irish St Leger on Paddy Prendergasts Arctic Vale and then the 2,000 Guineas on Linacre.

His father Robbie Snr, was a jockey for trainer Dermot Weld.

Dolan enrolled at the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) in Kildare town in 2012 and later earned his apprentice licence working for trainer Adrian Keatley in 2015, before making the big move to Melbourne.

Britain and Ireland appeared to have a strong challenge for the two-mile Melbourne Cup with Harry Eustaces Bendigo Cup winner Sea King and the Brian Ellison-trained Geelong Cup hero Onesmoothoperator joined by Willie Mullins pair of Vauban and Absurde, with all four towards the head of the betting.

None of them could land a blow though as Knights Choice and Japanese runner Warp Speed battled it out in the dying strides, with Irish jockey Robbie Dolan just prevailing on Knights Choice, who is trained in partnership by John Symons and Sheila Laxon.

Absurde fared best of the European quartet in fifth, improving on last years seventh place, while Vauban was 11th, Onesmoothoperator 12th and Sea King 14th of the 23 runners.

Kildare's Dolan rode in Ireland for a couple of seasons before moving to Australia, where he hit the headlines off the track after featuring on TV series The Voice in 2022.

Pinch me, I think Im dreaming! Its incredible, I cant believe it, he told Channel Nine.

Ive never ridden in this race before so I didnt know what to expect, but I feel like Ive ridden in it 10 times because Ive ran the race in my head before I got here.

It panned out exactly as I thought it would. I thought Id be closer, but they went quick and I decided I ride him for luck as I know hes got a good turn of foot.

Sheila and John were so confident in this horse before he got to the race, a lot of people doubted him but I didnt.

Dolans father Bobby worked for Dermot Weld in Ireland and surprised his son by arriving in Australia ahead of the race.

The winning rider added:

I woke up Sunday morning and he was standing in my kitchen  I couldnt believe it. Win, lose or draw, it was a great day for me but to win it with him here as well as my partner and daughter, Im going to cry again!

A A packed Flemington on Melbourne Cup day

READ NEXT: Naas make it six Kildare senior hurling titles in a row

It was a second Melbourne Cup success for Laxon, who became the first woman to officially train the winner of the race when she saddled Ethereal to victory in 2001.

She said: Its fantastic, weve got some fabulous owners and had lots of help along the way from everyone at Macedon Lodge (training base) and people back home.

The most special moment for me is my son John and daughter Lucy came over with their children, its just such an amazing experience to share it with them.

Symons added: This is the pinnacle of all pinnacles, weve just won the Melbourne Cup.

What did we just witness?! KNIGHT'S CHOICE holds on to win the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup! @wwos | #MelbourneCup | #MelbCupCarnival pic.twitter.com/Ok2GKUTm0I  Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 5, 2024

Knights Choice was returned a huge outsider for the race with Warp Speed another longshot after he finished well down the field in the Caulfield Cup for trainer Noboru Takagi on his Australian bow.

Beaten just a short head, stable spokesman Kosi Kawakami told www.racing.com: It was obviously a great run and we knew we could turn the form around, we were confident but at the same time, we just can never be sure in racing, but he proved that.

We are very, very proud of him but at the same time, with that little margin, we just desperately wanted to win this race, the same as everyone else.

Ex-Joseph OBrien runner Okita Soushi was three-quarters of a length back in third for jockey Jamie Kah after racing prominently throughout.

She said: Fantastic run. Couldnt have asked for anything more from the horse. Got me a bit excited at the 200 (metre mark). I thought he was going to hang on, but hes just a genuine one-pace horse, but couldnt ask for anything more of him.
The Dail passed the Finance Bill on Tuesday night, which Taoiseach Simon Harris said was a key objective before calling a General Election later in the week.

The Finance Bill was passed by a margin of 75 to 55 in what was a guillotine vote.

A guillotine vote means that a restriction is placed on the time allocated to debate legislation, which can result in bills being passed without being fully debated.

This has caused some criticism from opposition parties, with Sinn Fein Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty saying the guillotine should not have been used on the Finance Bill debate, arguing: "This should not have happened."

READ NEXT: Government only offers parents' box rooms, rip-off rents or emigration says Mary Lou McDonald

One of the major issues opposition parties raised with the Finance Bill was that it did not abolish the Universal Social Charge.

Doherty as well as People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett and Independent Ireland deputy Michael Collins shared the same criticisms that the USC was unfair and that the Government should have addressed this within the Finance Bill.

The Finance Bill underpins Budget 2025 and was the final piece of legislation that the Taoiseach said must be passed before he could seek to dissolve the Dail later in the week before calling the General Election.

Speaking to reporters outside Government buildings on Tuesday, Simon Harris assured that the Finance Bill would need to be passed first: "Once that's out of the way, I do intend to seek a dissolution of the Dail this week."
At Novembers meeting of Leitrim County Council, members from Palestine Solidarity Groups across the county were present to witness the presentation of motions urging the Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill.

The Occupied Territories Bill is a proposed law in Ireland aimed at preventing the country from trading goods and services from illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories.

Calls for the enactment of this bill have intensified significantly following Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023.

Were from various solidarity groups across the county and were aware a number of councillors are submitting a motion this evening to push the Dail to pass the occupied territories bill which has been sitting on the books for years and years, said Ciara Flanagan, outside the Council Chamber.

Ciara is a member of North Leitrim Palestine Solidarity Group.

As far as were concerned, its the absolute bare minimum that the state should be doing to try send a clear message to Israel that is blatantly committing apartheid and genocide in Palestine.

The bill would hopefully stop the purchase of certain products and goods that are being made in illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, she concluded

Cllr Brendan Barry and Cllr James Gilmartin each had a similar motion, calling for the Irish Government to enact the bill.

Their motions were presented jointly, with members of the Palestine Solidarity Groups seated in attendance to observe.

My motion has the word immediately in it and I suppose wed be hoping that the Irish Government will act now.

The Occupied Territories Bill was introduced in 2018 which is a long time ago now and several Irish Governments have been blocking and delaying it. It should be moved straight away, urged Cllr Barry.

Cllr Barry noted that over 43,000 have been killed in Gaza, with hundreds of thousands deprived of water, food and medicine, which he described as collective punishment.

The Irish Government in 2023 imported over 3.6b worth of products from Israel.

"A lot of that is coming from occupied territories and we shouldnt be assisting Israel in those illegal settlements in Gaza, the West Bank or Lebanon, he added.

Cllr Gilmartin described the enactment of the bill as of utmost importance, for a county and nation that values fairness and equality.

Its not merely a matter of trade policy, its about aligning our actions with our values and showing solidarity with those suffering under occupation, Cllr Gilmartin said.

Councillors backed the two motions, adding comments to express their solidarity.

Unlike Germany during World War Two, we cannot say we didnt know, said Cllr Roisin Kenny.

Cllr Justin Warnock emphasised that the number of people killed exceeds the entire population of Leitrim.

Cllr Enda Stenson supported the motion but questioned its impact, noting that the United States, as the most influential country, is the primary funder of the war.

Ireland is of very little significance regarding what happens in Israel, its what the Americans do, he commented.

Cllr Barry remarked that its never too late to do the right thing.

Its what we do as a people here in Leitrim thats most important. All you can do is your best and all of these things start small, Cllr Gilmartin replied.

Leitrim County Council ultimately reached a unanimous decision to pass the motions, after which members of the Palestine Solidarity Groups departed, appearing pleased with the outcome.

READ MORE: Over 555,000 in gratuity payments allocated for Leitrim's former councillors
A jury has found a west Clare man guilty of the Facebook harassment of a member of An Garda Siochana.

At Ennis Circuit Court this Tuesday, the jury returned a majority 10-2 guilty verdict where Jason Downes (31) of St Michaels Place Kilmihil, Co Clare was accused of harassing Garda David (Daithi) King by persistently communicating with him on dates between June 6th and June 16th 2020 and thereby causing him alarm and distress contrary to Section 10 of Non Fatal Offences Against The Person Act.

The jury found Mr Downes guilty shortly after Judge Francis Comerford told them that they could return a majority verdict.

They had commenced their deliberations on Friday afternoon and recommenced them shortly after 9.30am this Tuesday morning, November 5, on the fifth day of the case.

Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL told the jury in her closing speech that Jason Downes set up a fake Tommy Teirnan Facebook account for sinister purposes and the manner in which it was used was sinister.

Ms Comerford said that the first message was sent from the fake Tommy Teirnan account to Garda King hours after Garda King had seized a car under the Road Traffic Act from Jason Downess brother, Nathan on June 8th 2020.

Ms Comerford said the post said This scum of a Garda trying to make a name for himself by bullying people who are on disability. Please share this Garda based in Kilrush Garda Station. GSOC has a letter of complaint. Hopefully, they will get to the bottom of it.

Ms Comerford said that the post continued Garda King is a bully to have in west Clare.

In evidence, primary school teacher and wife of Garda King, Ciara Bohan told the jury how she was left nervous and scared' over nasty comments made about her husband from the anonymous Facebook account.

Ms Bohan said that she was left "upset and vulnerable" over the anonymous Facebook messenger messages she received about her husband, Garda King in June 2020.

Ms Bohan was seven months pregnant at the time and also had a toddler at home when she received messages from a Facebook profile with the name Tommy Teirnan, spelt wrong.

In one message received on her own Facebook account on June 16th 2020, it said tell your husband he is only a shitty arse coward. I will find out more about him and when I do, he will be very sorry".

Read Also: Arrests made in Dublin following spate of burglaries in five rural counties

When asked by counsel for the State, Ms Comerford (instructed by Clare State Solicitor, Aisling Casey) how this made her feel, Ms Bohan said I was upset. My husband went out to do his job as a Guard which I think he did on the day the original messages were posted."

Ms Bohan said: "He is a good Guard and well respected among his peers. Then to receive the nasty messages and nasty sentiments expressed by someone - it is very hurtful.

The June 16th message came one week after Ms Bohan received a friend request from the anonymous Tommy Teirnan account and a private message saying 'your husband is a creep, tell him to stay away from the innocent people in west Clare'.

Ms Bohan said that she was left nervous and scared after receiving the message. She said: "I was upset. It is not a nice thing to receive about your husband."

In evidence, Garda King said that he was distressed by the messages and the posts.

He said that the posts included photos of him while on duty, on his wedding day and at a relatives wedding.

Garda King told the jury: I was quite distressed. Pictures of me in my private life. My privacy was being invaded along with the allegations.

Garda King and his wife, Ciara Bohan were in court for the verdict and after the jury delivered their guilty verdict, Ms Comerford said today that the State has no objection to Mr Downes being remanded on continuing bail for sentencing at a later date.

Judge Comerford remanded Mr Downes on continuing bail to December 13th to fix a date for sentence and Judge Comerford directed that Garda King be asked if he requires to submit a victim impact statement for the sentencing hearing.
Legendary Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan has given social media users a behind-the-scenes peak at his luxurious home on wheels for his American tour.

The Navan native is currently touring North America with his Tommy Tiernan: Tommedian stand-up show which will see him visit 13 cities from coast to coast across October and November.

The tour was announced in June off the back of his sold-out 17-night residency at Dublin's Vicar Street which wrapped up on October 19.

Described as "a fun-fuelled trip through the comic imagination of one of the best comedians in the world. This is a wild, uninhibited and fiercely physical display of stand-up. A madcap parade of characters, memories and ridiculous flights of fancy. Theatrical, poetical and slightly unhinged," the Tommedian tour follows on from Tiernans sold-out US theatre tour in 2023.

Currently in Victoria for the Canadian leg of his tour, Tiernan posted a clip showing off his home for the next while - a luxurious tour bus.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tommy Tiernan (@officialtommedian)

Tiernan begins the clip by welcoming viewers on board before exclaiming: "Look at this for luxury!"

"Are you kidding me? Are you guys kidding me?" he asks rhetorically.

He goes on to give a guided tour through the living quarters, including the sink where he "doesn't do the dishes," before describing the digs as "beautiful."

"What a way to travel around America!"

"If Peg Sayers had one of these, I don't think she would have been in a bad mood at all," Tiernan signed off the video.

His tour continues across Canada with two nights in the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver before returning Stateside for dates in Portland, Seattle, and Los Angeles, finishing up with two nights in San Francisco.
The HSE is currently seeking a Programme Manager in Technology and Transformation with the option of working across multiple counties.

The position comes with an impressive salary, ranging from 83,233 to 103,533.

Candidates will also have flexibility in where they work, with available locations in Dublin, Drogheda, Kells, Sligo, Manorhamilton, Cork, Kilkenny, Galway, Limerick, Tullamore and Ardee.

READ NEXT: Celebrations at National Lottery HQ as two-person syndicate claims mega 5.5m jackpot

According to the HSE's job listing, the purpose of this role is to ensure the delivery of major ICT enabled change programmes on time, within budget, to a specified level of quality and to ensure that business benefits are delivered in conjunction with the services in which the programme is being implemented.

Some of the requirements listed for the role include experience in ICT, management and leadership, as well as with budget planning and finance management.

If you're interested in this role, make sure to submit your application before the closing date on Monday, 18 November at 12:00pm.
The Irish Government cannot ram through a Bill banning imports from illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land if it is unconstitutional, Irelands deputy premier said.

There is a disagreement between the Irish Government and opposition parties over how quickly the Occupied Territories Bill can be amended and passed ahead of a general election.

It is expected that the Dail parliament will be dissolved by the end of the week and polling day will be at the end of the month.

Irelands deputy premier, Micheal Martin, said the Occupied Territories Bill needs to be substantially amended to make it legally robust and will not be ready by the end of the week.

He said the amendments would be ready for the next government.

Opposition politicians have accused the Government of delaying the passage of the Bill after years of stalling.

Independent Senator Frances Blacks Bill, tabled in 2018, has been frozen for years in the legislative process due to concerns that it would breach EU law.

But the Irish Government has said that an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the summer, that declared Israels occupation of Palestinian territories illegal under international law and that countries should not aid nor assist the illegal settlements, has changed the context.

The opposition has urged the Government to pass the Bill before an election is held, with Sinn Fein and the Social Democrats offering time in the Dail this week to do so.

Speaking on Tuesday, Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Martin said it was an extraordinary position to ask to ram a Bill through that is, as currently written, unconstitutional.

In an appearance before the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs committee, Mr Martin told TDs and Senators that while the ICJ opinion changed the legal context for the Bill, it did not make it legally airtight or a slam dunk.

I cannot ram a Bill through that is unconstitutional, he said.

This will be challenged, this could go right into the European courts, and the least we could do is produce a Bill that would be robust enough to navigate such a potential journey.

He said that the advice from the Attorney General several years ago was that if the EU does not take measures to limit or prevent trade with illegal Israeli settlements, there are exceptional grounds in EU law that could allow countries to take action.

He said they had been advised that the provision in EU law can only be compromised on exceptional grounds of public policy, but it would be unusual to use that argument to comply with international law.

Mr Martin said: What has not changed is the European Unions exclusive competence in the field of trade for all of its member states, including Ireland. It is against this background that the Taoiseach asked the Attorney General to provide updated advice in relation to this Bill.

However, it is important to understand that these grounds have never been used by a member state before in similar circumstances. There therefore remains a legal risk if we do take our own domestic measures.

The author of the Bill, Frances Black, also addressed the committee, telling members that passing the Bill should not have taken this long.

If (the ICJ ruling) is what can finally unlock things, then I truly welcome it.

We shouldnt waste any more time, we must focus on getting this legislation passed as soon as humanly possible.

After decades of theft, dispossession and displacement, and in the context of an ongoing genocide in Gaza, this Bill is the absolute least we can do.

Christian Aid Irelands Head of Policy and Advocacy Conor ONeill told the committee that a lot of the amendments that had been discussed are not enormously challenging.

He said that when the Bill was initially drafted, it was done to apply to an occupied territory anywhere in the world, if there was support within the Oireachtas for it and clarity from international courts on the matter.

But since the Bill is being redrafted to reflect the ICJ opinion, it will now focus on Palestinian territories.

If that was done, the main constitutional arguments that have also been raised would, by default, cease to apply.

He also said that any distinction between banning physical goods but not services would be arbitrary, both politically and legally.

Sinn Fein foreign affairs spokesperson Matt Carty accused the Government of attempting to delay and frustrate the passage of the Bill.

You have told us that substantive amendment needs to be made to most, if not all of, the provisions of the Bill.

In fact, you have already directly contradicted Senator Frances Black, who says that the requirements are technical changes.

Chairman of the committee and former justice minister Charlie Flanagan asked Mr Martin for correspondence from the attorney general Rossa Fanning to explain the reasoning for the amendments to the Bill.

Mr Martin responded that because Mr Fannings advice points to potential lines of attack from people who might want to undermine the Bill, it should not be shared.

So you furnish that with more than 10 people or whatever and it gets in the hands of those who might take a case against it, that would weaken our position collectively as a nation in defending such a Bill.

He added: Passing this Bill will not stop Israels behaviour, unfortunately.
The trolley service on Iarnrod Eireann trains was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic and was gradually reinstated, with the trolley on the Dublin to Cork line returning in April 2023.

However, the service has not fully resumed, as the Sligo to Dublin line still lacks a trolley service.

This has prompted calls for its return to better accommodate passengers on long journeys.

At Novembers meeting of Leitrim County Council, Cllr Sean McGowan delivered a motion seeking the support of members in again calling on Iarnrod Eireann to reinstate the trolley service on all Inter-City routes.

Its something Im passionate about, calling on Iarnrod Eireann to reinstate the trolley service on all trains. Theyve done it on the Cork and Belfast line, but not the Sligo line and the West of Ireland, Cllr McGowan said.

Cllr McGowan stated that the service is badly needed, highlighting that many families with children and elderly individuals would benefit from its return.

I ask Iarnrod Eireann to reinstate this as a matter of urgency, he concluded.

Cllr McGowans motion was met with widespread support across the board.

Cllr Gary Prior pointed out that individuals travelling for early morning appointments are unable to grab a cup of tea or a sandwich.

Its not good enough that its been returned on other routes and not this one, Cllr Padraig Fallon commented.

Cllr McGowans motion was unanimously supported with Cathaoirleach Paddy ORourke noting they will write to the appropriate body with the view of bringing the service back if possible.

READ MORE: Leitrim County Council unanimously urges Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill
Tenstorrent Announces Groundbreaking Engineering Training Program commissioned by Japanese Government (NEDO)





SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tenstorrent, led by CEO Jim Keller, is proud to announce that they have been selected by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) -- an organization under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) of Japan ? and with Japan's Leading-edge Semiconductor Technology Center (LSTC). This training program entails a dedicated and innovative engineering training program on Tenstorrent's technology with Japan's leading engineers.

As part of this program with LSTC, Tenstorrent will bring up to 200 silicon engineers from Japan to come work at their United States sites and work on their cutting-edge AI/ML technology over the course of five years. Tenstorrent will partner with large-scale technology companies and top universities in Japan to nominate program participants to join the cohort, starting in late 2024 with the first official cohort projected to start in April 2025. Tenstorrent will train and elevate Japanese engineering talent while simultaneously cultivating a strong CPU team for the company in Japan.

The engineers from Japan will have the opportunity to work on a variety of Tenstorrent's technology throughout their program, including but not limited to Tenstorrent's RISC-V Ascalon design, Tenstorrent's Tensix IP, and their AI and HPC software stacks. After the engineers complete their training program, they will return to their companies in Japan with in-depth knowledge of Tenstorrent's technology, product, and engineering philosophy ? this will enable Japanese companies to incorporate more leading-edge technology into their ecosystem.

Tenstorrent also announced earlier this year that they will be establishing a high-performance computing design center in Japan. This will be in addition to the regional sales office they already have, and will play a large role in continuing to grow and foster Tenstorrent's engineering presence in Japan.

"This program is truly the first of its kind, not just for Tenstorrent, but for Japan as well," said David Bennett, Chief Customer Officer at Tenstorrent. "It's a true honor to spearhead such an innovative program with the Japanese government and continue to cultivate our ecosystem in their country. Not only are we getting the opportunity to nurture the next generation of Japan's brightest engineers, but on a broader scope, we are helping Japan revitalize their silicon industry and technology leadership."

LSTC aims for the autonomous growth and sustainable development of Japan's semiconductor industry by promoting research and development of leading-edge semiconductor technologies, creation of new applications (use cases), and development of semiconductor human resources through international collaboration.

"I am very pleased to see Tenstorrent's continued impact in Japan," said Tetsuro Higashi, chairman of LSTC. "This is a groundbreaking program between Tenstorrent and Japan, and sending Japan's top engineers to become experts in Tenstorrent's technology will be pivotal in growing their ecosystem and propelling forward our efforts here as we build our edge 2nm AI accelerator in partnership with them."

About Tenstorrent

Tenstorrent USA, Inc. is a next-generation computing company that builds computers for AI. Headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, U.S. with offices in Austin, Texas, and Silicon Valley, and global offices in Toronto, Belgrade, Tokyo, Bangalore, Singapore, and Seoul, Tenstorrent brings together experts in the field of computer architecture, ASIC design, advanced systems, and neural network compilers. Tenstorrent is backed by Eclipse Ventures and Real Ventures, among others. Learn more at tenstorrent.com.

Contact: Robert Grim, [email protected]

SOURCE Tenstorrent

5 november 2024 at 01:00

News published onand distributed by:
Lumifi Acquires Critical Insight, Doubles Down on Healthcare Cybersecurity





Lumifi, a leading managed detection and response (MDR) technology company, announces the acquisition of Critical Insight, marking its third acquisition in 13 months. This strategic move expands Lumifi's service offerings and strengthens its presence in the healthcare and critical infrastructure cybersecurity sector.

The acquisition adds to Lumifi's existing offerings, including its 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC), managed detection and response, and ShieldVision platform. Critical Insight's incident response capabilities complement Lumifi's real-time threat monitoring, while its professional services expand the ability to provide tailored cybersecurity strategies.

"This acquisition continues to set Lumifi on an upward trajectory for 2025, and adheres to our growth strategy," said Michael Malone, CEO and Founder of Lumifi. "By integrating Critical Insight's expertise, we're enhancing our ability to offer comprehensive protection to our clients in industries facing increasingly complex cyber threats. With healthcare cyber attacks increasing by 32% globally in 2024, we're now better positioned to meet the growing demand for cybersecurity solutions in this important sector."

Critical Insight brings over 200 customers to Lumifi, with a large install base in healthcare and local government. The company's expertise includes incident response, which expands rapid detection into the mitigation of cybersecurity breaches, and professional services encompassing security assessments, penetration testing, security awareness training, virtual CISO services, and more.

"This acquisition creates a formidable force in the MDR market that will deliver enhanced protection to our combined customer base," said Garrett Silver, CEO of Critical Insight. "By uniting our teams, we're addressing the critical need for advanced cybersecurity solutions in healthcare, local government, and other high-risk industries. Our shared expertise will drive innovation in threat detection and response, setting new standards for protecting sensitive data and critical infrastructure."

The addition of Critical Insight's expertise strengthens Lumifi's offerings and capabilities, offering clients of both companies more opportunities to maintain enterprise-level protection. Lumifi's customers will have access to Critical Insight's professional services in November 2024. The integration of Critical Insight's operations and services into Lumifi's existing infrastructure is expected to be completed at the end of 2024.

"Integrating Critical Insight's incident response capabilities with our current offerings will provide our clients with even more robust protection against cyber threats," said David Norlin, CTO of Lumifi. "This will significantly enhance our ability to detect, respond to, and mitigate security incidents quickly and effectively. The expansion of our SOC capabilities allows us to provide 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response, strengthening our position as a leader in cybersecurity services across all industries we serve."

The acquisition expands Lumifi's workforce to 125 employees.

For more information about Lumifi's enhanced services and capabilities, visit www.lumificyber.com.

About Lumifi:

Lumifi Cyber Inc. (Lumifi) is a next-generation leader in the cybersecurity space, providing Fortune 500-grade security for companies of all sizes at an affordable monthly price. Lumifi's cutting-edge platform combines continuous automated threat hunting with orchestration and response, pairing this with a proactive managed cybersecurity service to deliver continuous end-to-end protection for businesses nationwide against ransomware and the latest security threats.

Lumifi's state-of-the-art Security Operations Center (SOC) is staffed by a team of U.S.-based analysts, ex-military, and former DoD security experts with dozens of security certifications to continuously monitor and manage customer environments. The company has been a trusted partner for almost 15 years, offering solutions that align precisely with strict requirements.

For more information, visit www.lumificyber.com.

About Critical Insight:

Critical Insight, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Bremerton, Washington, delivers comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to organizations that deliver critical services ? hospitals, local governments, utilities, school systems, and more. The company provides incident response services, professional consulting, and managed detection and response to protect sensitive patient data and critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

5 november 2024 at 08:10

News published onand distributed by:
Genentech to Present New and Encouraging Long-term Follow-up Data Across Broad Hematology Portfolio at ASH 2024





Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that it will present more than 40 abstracts across nine blood disorders at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, held December 7-10, 2024 in San Diego, California. The data underscore Genentech's commitment to advance patient outcomes in lymphoma with long-term follow-up of its approved medicines Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin-piiq), Lunsumio (mosunetuzumab-axgb) and Columvi (glofitamab-gxbm) as well as new investigational combination data.

Key presentations include:

Five-year data from the Phase III POLARIX study (abstract #469) reinforce the potential of Polivy in combination with Rituxan  (rituximab), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone (R-CHP) to provide durable and lasting remissions and for the first time show a positive trend in overall survival (OS) for people with first-line diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), an area that previously had little advancement in nearly two decades.

(rituximab), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone (R-CHP) to provide durable and lasting remissions and for the first time show a positive trend in overall survival (OS) for people with first-line diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), an area that previously had little advancement in nearly two decades. Extended follow-up data of up to four years from the pivotal GO29781 study of Lunsumio (abstract #4407) and NP30179 study of Columvi (abstract #865) show long-lasting remissions and immune system recovery after the end of treatment, supporting the use of fixed-duration bispecific antibodies for third-line or later (3L+) follicular lymphoma (FL) and DLBCL, respectively.

First presentation of data for a subcutaneous formulation of Lunsumio monotherapy from the pivotal Phase II GO29781 study (abstract #1645) show high rates of deep and durable responses and low rates and severity of cytokine release syndrome in people with 3L+ FL. Subcutaneously administered Lunsumio could further improve the patient experience by combining shorter administration time with the existing benefits of a fixed-duration and outpatient therapy.

New patient-reported outcomes data from the Phase III STARGLO study (abstract #5132) indicate comparable health-related quality of life between treatment arms, despite higher median number of cycles received with the Columvi combination (11 versus 4). Together with the significant improvement in OS observed in the study, these data support the potential benefit for patients with second-line or later DLBCL.

New and updated data from investigational study combinations of Polivy with bispecific antibodies Lunsumio and Columvi in relapsed or refractory DLBCL, including the Phase Ib/II NP39488 (abstract #988) and Phase II GO40516 (abstract #989) studies, add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the potential of novel bispecific antibody/Polivy combinations in earlier treatment lines, and support their ongoing Phase III development.

Overview of key presentations featuring Genentech medicines

Medicine Abstract title Abstract number/presentation details Polivy Five-Year Analysis of the POLARIX Study: Prolonged Follow-up Confirms Positive Impact of Polatuzumab Vedotin Plus Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Prednisone (Pola-R-CHP) on Outcomes #469 oral presentation Session: 626. Aggressive Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: CARs, Bispecifics, and ADCs: Progress and Challenges in Aggressive B Cell Lymphoma Sunday, December 8, 2024 9:30 AM PST A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study of Pola-R-CHP in Patients With Previously Untreated Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (POLASTAR): A Preliminary Analysis #4475 poster presentation Session: 626. Aggressive Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster III Monday, December 9, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 PM PST Lunsumio A Randomized Phase II Study of Mosunetuzumab SC Plus Polatuzumab Vedotin Demonstrates Improved Outcomes Versus Rituximab Plus Polatuzumab Vedotin in Patients (Pts) with Relapsed or Refractory (R/R) Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL) #989 oral presentation Session: 627. Aggressive Lymphomas: Pharmacologic Therapies: Chemotherapy-free Combinations for Relapsed Aggressive Lymphomas Monday, December 9, 2024 5:30 PM PST Subcutaneous Mosunetuzumab Leads to High Rates of Durable Responses, Low Rates of Cytokine Release Syndrome, and Non-Inferior Exposure Compared with Intravenous Administration in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma: Primary Analysis of a Pivotal Phase II Study #1645 poster presentation Session: 623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom's, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster I Saturday, December 7, 2024 5:30 - 7:30 PM PST Mosunetuzumab Continues to Demonstrate Clinically Meaningful Outcomes in Patients with Relapsed and/or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma after ?2 Prior Therapies Including Those with a History of POD24: 4-Year Follow-up of a Pivotal Phase II Study #4407 poster presentation Session: 623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom's, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster III Monday, December 9, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 PM PST Mosunetuzumab Monotherapy Demonstrates Encouraging Activity and a Manageable Safety Profile in Patients with Heavily Pre-Treated Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma #1646 poster presentation Session: 623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom's, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster I Saturday, December 7, 2024 5:30 - 7:30 PM PST Fixed-Duration Subcutaneous Mosunetuzumab is Active and has a Manageable Safety Profile in Patients with Previously Untreated, Low-Tumor Burden Follicular Lymphoma: Updated Results from the Phase II MorningSun Study #3008 poster presentation Session: 623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom's, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster II Sunday, December 8, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 PM PST Travel Burden and Travel Costs of Bispecific Antibodies in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma and Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma #782 oral presentation Session: 902. Health Services and Quality Improvement: Lymphoid Malignancies: For a Better Tomorrow - Improving Access to Blood Cancer Treatments and Trials Monday, December 9, 2024 10:45 AM PST Columvi Fixed-duration Glofitamab Monotherapy Continues to Demonstrate Durable Responses in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma: 3-year Follow-Up From a Pivotal Phase II Study #865 oral presentation Session: 627. Aggressive Lymphomas: Pharmacologic Therapies: New R-CHOP Combinations for Treatment Naive DLBCL Sunday, December 8, 2024 Midday PST Glofitamab in Combination with Polatuzumab Vedotin Maintains Durable Responses and a Manageable Safety Profile in Patients with Heavily Pre-treated Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL) Including High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma (HGBCL): Extended Follow-Up of a Phase Ib/II Study #988 oral presentation Session: 627. Aggressive Lymphomas: Pharmacologic Therapies: Chemotherapy-free Combinations for Relapsed Aggressive Lymphomas Monday, December 9, 2024 5:15 PM PST Glofitamab in Combination with Rituximab plus Ifosfamide, Carboplatin, and Etoposide shows Favorable Efficacy and Manageable Safety in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, Eligible for Stem Cell Transplant or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy: Results from a Phase Ib Study #987 oral presentation Session: 627. Aggressive Lymphomas: Pharmacologic Therapies: Chemotherapy-free Combinations for Relapsed Aggressive Lymphomas Monday, December 9, 2024 5:00 PM PST Primary Results of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Treated with Glofitamab plus Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin (Glofit-GemOx) Versus Rituximab plus GemOx (R-GemOx) from the Phase III STARGLO Study #5132 poster presentation Session: 906. Outcomes Research: Lymphoid Malignancies Excluding Plasma Cell Disorders: Poster III Monday, December 9, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 PM PST Glofitamab Induces High Response Rates and Durable Remissions in Patients (Pts) with Heavily Pretreated Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), including those with a Poor Prognosis: Subgroup Results from a Phase I/II Study #1631 poster presentation Session: 623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom's, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster I Saturday, December 7, 2024 5:30 - 7:30 PM PST A Healthcare Utilization Model Comparing Time Toxicity Between Glofitamab and Epcoritamab Treatment Regimens #3647 poster presentation Session: 902. Health Services and Quality Improvement: Lymphoid Malignancies: Poster II Sunday, December 8, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 PM PST Englumafusp alfa Englumafusp Alfa (CD19-4-1BBL) Combined with Glofitamab is Safe and Efficacious in Patients with R/R B-NHL: Extended Follow Up Analysis of the Dose-Escalation Part of Phase I Trial BP41072 #990 oral presentation Session: 627. Aggressive Lymphomas: Pharmacologic Therapies: Chemotherapy-free Combinations for Relapsed Aggressive Lymphomas Monday, December 9, 2024 5:45 PM PST Cevostamab Cevostamab in Patients with Heavily Pretreated Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM): Updated Results from an Ongoing Phase I Study Demonstrate Clinically Meaningful Activity and Manageable Safety and Inform the Doses and Regimen for Combination Studies #1021 oral presentation Session: 654. Multiple Myeloma: Pharmacologic Therapies: Into the Future: New Drugs and Combinations in Multiple Myeloma Monday, December 9, 2024 4:30 PM PST Venclexta (venetoclax)* CRISTALLO: Results from a Phase III Trial of Venetoclax?Obinutuzumab versus Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab or Bendamustine?Rituximab in Patients with Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Without Del(17p) or TP53 Mutations #3237 poster presentation Session: 642. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster II Sunday, December 8, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 PM PST P-CD19CD20-ALLO1 (in collaboration with Poseida Therapeutics) P-CD19CD20-ALLO1: Potent Fully Allogeneic CAR-T Therapy Targeting CD19 and CD20 with Superior Efficacy Over Single-Target Products #4805 poster presentation Session: 702. CAR-T Cell Therapies: Basic and Translational: Poster III Monday, December 9, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 PM PST P-BCMA-ALLO1 (in collaboration with Poseida Therapeutics) A Phase 1 Study of P-BCMA-ALLO1, a Non-viral, Allogeneic BCMA Directed CAR-T in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM): Results from Optimized Lymphodepletion Cohort #4828 poster presentation Session: 704. Cellular Immunotherapies: Early Phase Clinical Trials and Toxicities: Poster III Monday, December 9, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 PM PST Hemlibra (emicizumab) Bleed Patterns in Infants, From Birth to 12 Months of Age, with Hemophilia A Treated with Emicizumab: Exploratory Analysis of the HAVEN 7 Study #1214 poster presentation Session: 322. Hemophilia A and B: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster I Saturday, December 7, 2024 5:30 - 7:30 PM PST Real-World Experience With Emicizumab for Hemophilia A From the Physician Perspective Based on Survey Data #5078 poster presentation Session: 905. Outcomes Research: Non-Malignant Conditions Excluding Hemoglobinopathies: Poster III Monday, December 9, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 PM PST PiaSky (crovalimab) Phase III Randomized COMMODORE 2 Trial: 2-Year Efficacy and Safety of Crovalimab in Patients With Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) Naive to Complement Inhibition #2687 poster presentation Session: 508. Bone Marrow Failure: Acquired: Poster II Sunday, December 8, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 PM PST Phase III COMMODORE 1 Trial: 2-Year Efficacy and Safety of Crovalimab in Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) Who Switched from Ravulizumab #4078 poster presentation Session: 508. Bone Marrow Failure: Acquired: Poster III Monday, December 9, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 PM PST

*Venclexta is being developed by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. It is jointly commercialized by the companies in the United States and commercialized by AbbVie outside of the United States.

About Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin-piiq)

Polivy is a first-in-class anti-CD79b antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). The CD79b protein is expressed specifically in the majority of B cells, an immune cell impacted in some types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), making it a promising target for the development of new therapies. Polivy binds to cancer cells such as CD79b and destroys these B cells through the delivery of an anti-cancer agent, which is thought to minimize the effects on normal cells. Polivy is being developed by Genentech using Seagen ADC technology and is currently being investigated for the treatment of several types of NHL.

Polivy U.S. Indication

Polivy is a prescription medicine used with other medicines (a rituximab product, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone) as a first treatment for adults who have moderate to high risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified (NOS) or high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL).

Polivy is a prescription medicine used with other medicines, bendamustine and a rituximab product, to treat DLBCL in adults who have progressed after at least 2 prior therapies.

Important Safety Information

Possible serious side effects

Everyone reacts differently to Polivy therapy, so it's important to know what the side effects are. Some people who have been treated with Polivy have experienced serious to fatal side effects. Your doctor may stop or adjust your treatment if any serious side effects occur. Be sure to contact your healthcare team if there are any signs of these side effects.

Nerve problems in your arms and legs: This may happen as early as after your first dose and may worsen with every dose. Your doctor will monitor for signs and symptoms, such as changes in your sense of touch, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, nerve pain, burning sensation, any muscle weakness, or changes to your walking pattern

This may happen as early as after your first dose and may worsen with every dose. Your doctor will monitor for signs and symptoms, such as changes in your sense of touch, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, nerve pain, burning sensation, any muscle weakness, or changes to your walking pattern Infusion-related reactions: You may experience fever, chills, rash, breathing problems, low blood pressure, or hives within 24 hours of your infusion

You may experience fever, chills, rash, breathing problems, low blood pressure, or hives within 24 hours of your infusion Low blood cell counts: Treatment with Polivy can cause severe low blood cell counts. Your doctor will monitor your blood counts throughout treatment with Polivy

Treatment with Polivy can cause severe low blood cell counts. Your doctor will monitor your blood counts throughout treatment with Polivy Infections: If you have a fever of 100.4F (38C) or higher, chills, cough, or pain during urination, contact your healthcare team. Your doctor may also give you medication before giving you Polivy, which may prevent some infections

If you have a fever of 100.4F (38C) or higher, chills, cough, or pain during urination, contact your healthcare team. Your doctor may also give you medication before giving you Polivy, which may prevent some infections Rare and serious brain infections: Your doctor will monitor closely for signs and symptoms of these types of infections. Contact your doctor if you experience confusion, dizziness or loss of balance, trouble talking or walking, or vision changes

Your doctor will monitor closely for signs and symptoms of these types of infections. Contact your doctor if you experience confusion, dizziness or loss of balance, trouble talking or walking, or vision changes Tumor lysis syndrome: Caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. Signs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of energy

Caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. Signs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of energy Potential harm to liver: Some signs include tiredness, weight loss, pain in the abdomen, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes. You may be at higher risk if you already had liver problems or you are taking other medication

Side effects seen most often

The most common side effects during treatment were

Nerve problems in arms and legs

Nausea

Tiredness or lack of energy

Diarrhea

Constipation

Hair loss

Redness and sores of the lining of the mouth, lips, throat, and digestive tract

Polivy may lower your red or white blood cell counts and increase uric acid levels.

Polivy may not be for everyone. Talk to your doctor if you are

Pregnant or think you are pregnant: Data have shown that Polivy may harm your unborn baby

Data have shown that Polivy may harm your unborn baby Planning to become pregnant: Women should avoid getting pregnant while taking Polivy. Women should use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after their last Polivy treatment. Men taking Polivy should use effective contraception during treatment and for 5 months after their last Polivy treatment

Women should avoid getting pregnant while taking Polivy. Women should use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after their last Polivy treatment. Men taking Polivy should use effective contraception during treatment and for 5 months after their last Polivy treatment Breastfeeding: Women should not breastfeed while taking Polivy and for 2 months after the last dose

These may not be all the side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information about the benefits and risks of Polivy treatment.

You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and visit https://www.Polivy.com for additional Important Safety Information.

About Lunsumio (mosunetuzumab-axgb)

Lunsumio is a first-in-class CD20xCD3 T-cell engaging bispecific antibody designed to target CD20 on the surface of B cells and CD3 on the surface of T cells. This dual targeting activates and redirects a patient's existing T cells to engage and eliminate target B cells by releasing cytotoxic proteins into the B cells. A robust clinical development program for Lunsumio is ongoing, investigating the molecule as a monotherapy and in combination with other medicines, for the treatment of people with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, including follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and other blood cancers.

Lunsumio U.S. Indication

Lunsumio (mosunetuzumab-axgb) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with follicular lymphoma whose cancer has come back or did not respond to previous treatment, and who have already received two or more treatments for their cancer.

It is not known if Lunsumio is safe and effective in children.

The conditional approval of Lunsumio is based on response rate. There are ongoing studies to establish how well the drug works.

What is the most important information I should know about Lunsumio?

Lunsumio may cause Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), a serious side effect that is common during treatment with Lunsumio and can also be severe or life-threatening.

Get medical help right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of CRS at any time, including:

fever of 100.4F (38C) or higher

chills

low blood pressure

fast or irregular heartbeat

tiredness or weakness

difficulty breathing

headache

confusion

feeling anxious

dizziness or light-headedness

nausea

vomiting

Due to the risk of CRS, you will receive Lunsumio on a "step-up dosing schedule."

The step-up dosing schedule is when you receive smaller "step-up" doses of Lunsumio on Day 1 and Day 8 of your first cycle of treatment

You will receive a higher dose of Lunsumio on Day 15 of your first cycle of treatment

If your dose of Lunsumio is delayed for any reason, you may need to repeat the step-up dosing schedule

Before each dose in Cycle 1 and Cycle 2, you will receive medicines to help reduce your risk of CRS

Your healthcare provider will check you for CRS during treatment with Lunsumio and may treat you in a hospital if you develop signs and symptoms of CRS. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or completely stop your treatment with Lunsumio, if you have severe side effects.

What are the possible side effects of Lunsumio?

Lunsumio may cause serious side effects, including:

Neurologic problems. Your healthcare provider will check you for neurologic problems during treatment with Lunsumio. Your healthcare provider may also refer you to a healthcare provider who specializes in neurologic problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of neurologic problems during or after treatment with Lunsumio, including: headache numbness and tingling of the arms, legs, hands, or feet dizziness confusion and disorientation difficulty paying attention or understanding things forgetting things or forgetting who or where you are trouble speaking, reading, or writing sleepiness or trouble sleeping tremors loss of consciousness seizures muscle problems or muscle weakness loss of balance or trouble walking

Your healthcare provider will check you for neurologic problems during treatment with Lunsumio. Your healthcare provider may also refer you to a healthcare provider who specializes in neurologic problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of neurologic problems during or after treatment with Lunsumio, including:

Serious infections. Lunsumio can cause serious infections that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will check you for signs and symptoms of infection before and during treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of infection during treatment with Lunsumio, including: fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher chest pain tiredness shortness of breath painful rash sore throat pain during urination feeling weak or generally unwell

Lunsumio can cause serious infections that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will check you for signs and symptoms of infection before and during treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of infection during treatment with Lunsumio, including:

Low blood cell counts. Low blood cell counts are common during treatment with Lunsumio and can also be severe. Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell counts during treatment with Lunsumio. Lunsumio may cause the following low blood cell counts: low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). Low white blood cells can increase your risk for infection low red blood cell counts (anemia). Low red blood cells can cause tiredness and shortness of breath low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). Low platelet counts can cause bruising or bleeding problems

Low blood cell counts are common during treatment with Lunsumio and can also be severe. Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell counts during treatment with Lunsumio. Lunsumio may cause the following low blood cell counts:

Growth in your tumor or worsening of tumor related problems (Tumor flare). Lunsumio may cause serious or severe worsening of your tumor. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of these signs or symptoms of tumor flare during your treatment with Lunsumio: tender or swollen lymph nodes, chest pain, cough, trouble breathing, and pain or swelling at the site of the tumor

Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or permanently stop treatment with Lunsumio if you develop severe side effects.

The most common side effects of Lunsumio include: tiredness, rash, fever, and headache.

The most common severe abnormal lab test results with Lunsumio include: decreased phosphate, increased glucose, and increased uric acid levels.

Before receiving Lunsumio, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have ever had an infusion reaction after receiving Lunsumio

have an infection, or have had an infection in the past which lasted a long time or keeps coming back

have or have had Epstein-Barr Virus

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Lunsumio may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with Lunsumio

Females who are able to become pregnant:

your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with Lunsumio

you should use an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for 3 months after the last dose of Lunsumio

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Lunsumio passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose of Lunsumio

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What should I avoid while receiving Lunsumio?

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities if you develop dizziness, confusion, tremors, sleepiness, or any other symptoms that impair consciousness until your signs and symptoms go away. These may be signs and symptoms of CRS or neurologic problems.

These are not all the possible side effects of Lunsumio. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information about the benefits and risks of Lunsumio.

You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please see Important Safety Information, including Serious Side Effects, as well as the Lunsumio full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide or visit https://www.Lunsumio.com.

About Columvi (glofitamab-gxbm)

Columvi is a CD20xCD3 T-cell engaging bispecific antibody designed to target CD3 on the surface of T cells and CD20 on the surface of B cells. Columvi was designed with a novel 2:1 structural format. This T-cell engaging bispecific antibody is engineered to have one region that binds to CD3, a protein on T cells, a type of immune cell, and two regions that bind to CD20, a protein on B cells, which can be healthy or malignant. This dual-targeting brings the T cell in close proximity to the B cell, activating the release of cancer cell-killing proteins from the T cell. A clinical development program for Columvi is ongoing, investigating the molecule as a monotherapy and in combination with other medicines for the treatment of people with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and other blood cancers.

Columvi U.S. Indication

Columvi (glofitamab-gxbm) is a prescription medicine to treat adults with certain types of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) that has come back (relapsed) or that did not respond to previous treatment (refractory), and who have received 2 or more prior treatments for their cancer.

It is not known if Columvi is safe and effective in children.

The conditional approval of Columvi is based on response rate and durability of response. There are ongoing studies to establish how well the drug works.

What is the most important information I should know about Columvi?

Columvi can cause Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), a serious side effect that is common during treatment with Columvi, and can also be serious and lead to death.

Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of CRS, including:

fever of 100.4F (38C) or higher

chills or shaking

fast or irregular heartbeat

dizziness or light-headedness

trouble breathing

shortness of breath

Due to the risk of CRS, you will receive Columvi on a "step-up dosing schedule".

A single dose of a medicine called obinutuzumab will be given to you on the first day of your first treatment cycle (Day 1 of Cycle 1).

You will start the Columvi step-up dosing schedule a week after the obinutuzumab dose. The step-up dosing schedule is when you receive smaller "step-up" doses of Columvi on Day 8 and Day 15 of Cycle 1. This is to help reduce your risk of CRS. You should be hospitalized during your infusion and for 24 hours after receiving the first step-up dose on Day 8. You should be hospitalized during your infusion and for 24 hours after receiving the second step-up dose on Day 15 if you experienced CRS during the first step-up dose.

You will receive your first full dose of Columvi a week after the second step-up dose (this will be Day 1 of Cycle 2).

If your dose of Columvi is delayed for any reason, you may need to repeat the "step-up dosing schedule".

If you had more than mild CRS with your previous dose of Columvi, you should be hospitalized during and for 24 hours after receiving your next dose of Columvi.

Before each dose of Columvi, you will receive medicines to help reduce your risk of CRS and infusion-related reactions.

Your healthcare provider will monitor you for CRS during treatment with Columvi and may treat you in a hospital if you develop signs and symptoms of CRS. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or completely stop your treatment with Columvi if you have severe side effects.

Carry the Columvi Patient Wallet Card with you at all times and show it to all of your healthcare providers. The Columvi Patient Wallet Card lists the signs and symptoms of CRS you should get emergency medical help for right away.

What are the possible side effects of Columvi?

Columvi may cause serious side effects, including:

Cytokine Release Syndrome.

Neurologic problems. Columvi can cause serious neurologic problems that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for neurologic problems during treatment with Columvi. Your healthcare provider may also refer you to a healthcare provider who specializes in neurologic problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of neurologic problems, including: headache confusion and disorientation difficulty paying attention or understanding things trouble speaking sleepiness memory problems numbness, tingling, or weakness of the hands or feet dizziness shaking (tremors)

Columvi can cause serious neurologic problems that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for neurologic problems during treatment with Columvi. Your healthcare provider may also refer you to a healthcare provider who specializes in neurologic problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of neurologic problems, including:

Serious Infections. Columvi can cause serious infections that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for signs and symptoms of infection and treat you as needed. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs of an infection, including: fever, chills, weakness, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat.

Columvi can cause serious infections that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for signs and symptoms of infection and treat you as needed. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs of an infection, including: fever, chills, weakness, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat. Growth in your tumor or worsening of tumor related problems (tumor flare). Tell your healthcare provider if you get any of these signs or symptoms of tumor flare: tender or swollen lymph nodes pain or swelling at the site of the tumor chest pain cough trouble breathing

Tell your healthcare provider if you get any of these signs or symptoms of tumor flare:

The most common side effects of Columvi include: CRS, muscle and bone pain, rash, and tiredness.

The most common severe abnormal lab test results with Columvi include: decreased white blood cells, decreased phosphate (an electrolyte), increased uric acid levels, and decreased fibrinogen (a protein that helps with blood clotting).

Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or completely stop treatment with Columvi if you develop certain side effects.

Before receiving Columvi, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have an infection

have kidney problems

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Columvi may harm your unborn baby

Females who are able to become pregnant: Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with Columvi. You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 1 month after your last dose of Columvi. Talk to your healthcare provider about what birth control method is right for you during this time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with Columvi.

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Columvi may pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 month after your last dose of Columvi.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What should I avoid while receiving Columvi?

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities if you develop dizziness, confusion, shaking (tremors), sleepiness, or any other symptoms that impair consciousness until your signs and symptoms go away. These may be signs and symptoms of neurologic problems.

These are not all the possible side effects of Columvi. Talk to your health care provider for more information about the benefits and risks of Columvi.

You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please see Important Safety Information, including Serious Side Effects, as well as the Columvi full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide or visit https://www.Columvi.com.

About Venclexta (venetoclax)

Venclexta is a first-in-class targeted medicine designed to selectively bind and inhibit the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) protein. In some blood cancers and other tumors, BCL-2 builds up and prevents cancer cells from dying or self-destructing, a process called apoptosis. Venclexta blocks the BCL-2 protein and works to help restore the process of apoptosis.

Venclexta is being developed by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. It is jointly commercialized by the companies in the United States and commercialized by AbbVie outside of the United States. Together, the companies are committed to research with Venclexta, which is currently being studied in clinical trials across several types of blood cancers.

Venclexta U.S. Indications

Venclexta is a prescription medicine used:

to treat adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).

in combination with azacitidine, or decitabine, or low-dose cytarabine to treat adults with newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who:

? are 75 years of age or older, or

? have other medical conditions that prevent the use of standard chemotherapy.

It is not known if Venclexta is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information patients should know about Venclexta?

Venclexta can cause serious side effects, including:

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure, the need for dialysis treatment, and may lead to death. The patient's doctor will do tests to check their risk of getting TLS before they start taking Venclexta. The patient will receive other medicines before starting and during treatment with Venclexta to help reduce the risk of TLS. The patient may also need to receive intravenous (IV) fluids into their vein.

The patient's doctor will do blood tests to check for TLS when the patient first starts treatment and during treatment with Venclexta. It is important for patients to keep appointments for blood tests. Patients should tell their doctor right away if they have any symptoms of TLS during treatment with Venclexta, including fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, confusion, shortness of breath, seizures, irregular heartbeat, dark or cloudy urine, unusual tiredness, or muscle or joint pain.

Patients should drink plenty of water during treatment with Venclexta to help reduce the risk of getting TLS.

Patients should drink 6 to 8 glasses (about 56 ounces total) of water each day, starting 2 days before the first dose on the day of the first dose of Venclexta, and each time a dose is increased.

The patient's doctor may delay, decrease the dose, or stop treatment with Venclexta if the patient has side effects. When restarting Venclexta after stopping for 1 week or longer, the patient's doctor may again check for the risk of TLS and change the patient's dose.

What patients should not take Venclexta?

Certain medicines must not be taken when the patient first starts taking Venclexta and while the dose is being slowly increased because of the risk of increased TLS.

Patients should tell their doctor about all the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Venclexta and other medicines may affect each other causing serious side effects.

including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Venclexta and other medicines may affect each other causing serious side effects. Patients must not start new medicines during treatment with Venclexta without first talking with their doctor.

Before taking Venclexta, patients must tell their doctor about all of their medical conditions, including if they:

Have kidney or liver problems.

Have problems with body salts or electrolytes, such as potassium, phosphorus, or calcium.

Have a history of high uric acid levels in the blood or gout.

Are scheduled to receive a vaccine. Patients should not receive a "live vaccine" before, during, or after treatment with Venclexta, until the patient's doctor tells them it is okay. If the patient is not sure about the type of immunization or vaccine, the patient should ask their doctor. These vaccines may not be safe or may not work as well during treatment with Venclexta.

Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Venclexta may harm an unborn baby. If the patient is able to become pregnant, the patient's doctor should do a pregnancy test before the patient starts treatment with Venclexta, and the patient should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 30 days after the last dose of Venclexta. If the patient becomes pregnant or thinks they are pregnant, the patient should tell their doctor right away.

Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Venclexta passes into the patient's breast milk. Patients are instructed to not breastfeed during treatment with Venclexta and for 1 week after the last dose.

What to avoid while taking Venclexta:

Patients should not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit, Seville oranges (often used in marmalades), or starfruit while they are taking Venclexta. These products may increase the amount of Venclexta in the patient's blood.

What are the possible side effects of Venclexta?

Venclexta can cause serious side effects, including:

Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). Low white blood cell counts are common with Venclexta, but can also be severe. The patient's doctor will do blood tests to check their blood counts during treatment with Venclexta and may pause dosing.

Low white blood cell counts are common with Venclexta, but can also be severe. The patient's doctor will do blood tests to check their blood counts during treatment with Venclexta and may pause dosing. Infections. Death and serious infections such as pneumonia and blood infection (sepsis) have happened during treatment with Venclexta. The patient's doctor will closely monitor and treat the patient right away if they have a fever or any signs of infection during treatment with Venclexta.

Patients should tell their doctor right away if they have a fever or any signs of an infection during treatment with Venclexta.

The most common side effects of Venclexta when used in combination with obinutuzumab or rituximab or alone in people with CLL or SLL include low white blood cell count; low platelet count; low red blood cell count; diarrhea; nausea; upper respiratory tract infection; cough; muscle and joint pain; tiredness; and swelling of arms, legs, hands, and feet.

The most common side effects of Venclexta in combination with azacitidine or decitabine or low-dose cytarabine in people with AML include nausea; diarrhea; low platelet count; constipation; low white blood cell count; fever with low white blood cell count; tiredness; vomiting; swelling of arms, legs, hands, or feet; fever; infection in lungs; shortness of breath; bleeding; low red blood cell count; rash; stomach (abdominal) pain; infection in your blood; muscle and joint pain; dizziness; cough; sore throat; and low blood pressure.

Venclexta may cause fertility problems in males. This may affect the ability to father a child. Patients should talk to their doctor if they have concerns about fertility.

These are not all the possible side effects of Venclexta. Patients should call their doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. Report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.

Please see the Venclexta full Prescribing Information, including the Medication Guide, for additional Important Safety Information or visit https://www.venclexta.com/.

About Hemlibra

Hemlibra is a bispecific factor IXa- and factor X-directed antibody. It is designed to bring together factor IXa and factor X, proteins required to activate the natural coagulation cascade and restore the blood clotting process for hemophilia A patients. Hemlibra is a prophylactic (preventative) treatment that can be administered by an injection of a ready-to-use solution under the skin (subcutaneously) once weekly, every two weeks or every four weeks. Hemlibra was created by Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and is being co-developed globally by Chugai, Roche and Genentech.

Hemlibra U.S. Indication

Hemlibra is a prescription medicine used for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adults and children, ages newborn and older, with hemophilia A with or without factor VIII inhibitors.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information to know about Hemlibra?

Hemlibra increases the potential for blood to clot. People who use activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC; Feiba) to treat breakthrough bleeds while taking Hemlibra may be at risk of serious side effects related to blood clots.

These serious side effects include:

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), a condition involving blood clots and injury to small blood vessels that may cause harm to one's kidneys, brain, and other organs

a condition involving blood clots and injury to small blood vessels that may cause harm to one's kidneys, brain, and other organs Blood clots (thrombotic events), which may form in blood vessels in the arm, leg, lung, or head

Patients should talk to their doctor about the signs and symptoms of these serious side effects, which can include

Confusion

Stomach, chest, or back pain

Weakness

Nausea or vomiting

Swelling, pain, or redness

Feeling sick or faint

Decreased urination

Swelling of arms and legs

Yellowing of skin and eyes

Eye pain, swelling, or trouble seeing

Fast heart rate

Numbness in your face

Headache

Shortness of breath

Coughing up blood

If patients experience any of these symptoms during or after treatment with Hemlibra, they should get medical help right away.

Patients should carefully follow their healthcare provider's instructions regarding when to use an on demand bypassing agent or factor VIII, and the dose and schedule to use for breakthrough bleed treatment. If aPCC (Feiba) is needed, patients should talk to their healthcare provider in case they feel they need more than 100 U/kg of aPCC (Feiba) total.

Patients' bodies may make antibodies against Hemlibra, which may stop Hemlibra from working properly. Patients should contact their healthcare provider immediately if they notice that Hemlibra has stopped working for them (e.g., increase in bleeds).

The most common side effects of Hemlibra include: injection site reactions (redness, tenderness, warmth, or itching at the site of injection), headache, and joint pain. These are not all of the possible side effects of Hemlibra. Patients can speak with their healthcare provider for more information.

What else should patients know about Hemlibra?

Patients should see the detailed "Instructions for Use" that comes with Hemlibra for information on how to prepare and inject a dose of Hemlibra, and how to properly throw away (dispose of) used needles and syringes.

Patients should stop taking their prophylactic bypassing therapy the day before they start Hemlibra

Patients may continue taking their prophylactic factor VIII for the first week of Hemlibra

Hemlibra may interfere with laboratory tests that measure how well blood is clotting and create an inaccurate result. Patients should speak with their healthcare provider about how this may affect their care.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Patients should only use Hemlibra for the condition it was prescribed. Patients should not give Hemlibra to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that they have. It may harm them.

Patients should tell their healthcare provider about all the medicines they take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements. Patients should keep a list of them to show their healthcare provider and pharmacist.

Before using Hemlibra, patients should tell their healthcare provider about all of their medical conditions, including if they are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed.

Since Hemlibra was tested in males, there is no information on whether Hemlibra may impact an unborn baby or breast milk. Females who are able to become pregnant should use birth control during treatment.

Side effects may be reported to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. Side effects may also be reported to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please see Important Safety Information, including Serious Side Effects, as well as the Hemlibra full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide or visit https://www.hemlibra.com/.

Indications & Important Safety Information

What is PIASKY?

PIASKY is a prescription medicine used to treat a disease called paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in adults and children 13 years of age or older who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg).

It is not known if PIASKY is safe and effective in children under 13 years of age and in people who weigh less than 88 pounds (40kg).

What is the most important information I should know about PIASKY?

PIASKY is a medicine that can affect your immune system. PIASKY may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections

PIASKY increases your chance of getting serious infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Meningococcal infections may quickly become life-threatening or cause death if not recognized and treated early.

You must complete or update your meningococcal vaccines at least 2 weeks before your first dose of PIASKY.

If your healthcare provider decides that immediate treatment with PIASKY is needed and your meningococcal vaccination is not up to date, you should receive meningococcal vaccination as soon as possible, and receive antibiotics for as long as your healthcare provider tells you.

If you have been given a meningococcal vaccine in the past, you might need additional vaccines before starting PIASKY. Your healthcare provider will decide if you need additional meningococcal vaccine.

Meningococcal vaccines do not prevent all meningococcal infections. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical care right away if you get any of these signs and symptoms of a serious meningococcal infection: fever fever and a rash fever with a high heart rate fever with a headache headache with nausea or vomiting headache with a stiff neck or stiff back confusion muscle aches, with flu-like symptoms eyes sensitive to light



Your healthcare provider will give you a Patient Safety Card about the risk of serious meningococcal infection. Carry it with you at all times during treatment and for 11 months after your last dose of PIASKY. Your risk of meningococcal infection may continue for several months after your last dose of PIASKY. It is important to show this card to any healthcare provider who treats you. This will help them diagnose and treat you quickly.

Carry it with you at all times during treatment and for 11 months after your last dose of PIASKY. Your risk of meningococcal infection may continue for several months after your last dose of PIASKY. It is important to show this card to any healthcare provider who treats you. This will help them diagnose and treat you quickly. PIASKY is only available through a program called the PIASKY Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (PIASKY REMS). Before you can receive PIASKY, your healthcare provider must: enroll in the PIASKY REMS program. counsel you about the risk of serious meningococcal infection. give you information about the signs and symptoms of serious meningococcal infection. make sure that you are vaccinated with a meningococcal vaccine and that you receive antibiotics if you need to start PIASKY right away if you are not up to date on your vaccines. give you a Patient Safety Card about your risk of meningococcal infection.



Immune system reactions called Type III hypersensitivity reactions are common during treatment with PIASKY and can be serious. If you are currently being treated with or have been treated with another C5 inhibitor medicine and you switch to PIASKY , PIASKY may cause Type III hypersensitivity reactions. People may also develop Type III hypersensitivity reactions when they switch from PIASKY to another C5 inhibitor medicine. If you have been treated with another C5 inhibitor medicine and you switch to PIASKY, or if you have been treated with PIASKY and you switch to another C5 inhibitor medicine, your healthcare provider should monitor you for 30 days after you switch medicines. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have any signs or symptoms of Type III hypersensitivity reaction including: joint pain muscle or bone pain rash or skin problems itching headache kidney problems numbness and tingling or a feeling of pins and needles especially of the hands and feet fever weakness, tiredness, or lack of energy stomach trouble or pain

called Type III hypersensitivity reactions are common during treatment with PIASKY and can be serious. If you are currently being treated with or have been treated with another C5 inhibitor medicine , PIASKY may cause Type III hypersensitivity reactions. People may also develop Type III hypersensitivity reactions when they switch from PIASKY to another C5 inhibitor medicine. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have any signs or symptoms of Type III hypersensitivity reaction including:

PIASKY may also increase the risk of other types of serious infections , including infections caused by Neisseria spp. , Streptococcus pneumoniae , Haemophilus influenzae , and Neisseria gonorrhoeae . If you receive treatment with PIASKY, you should receive vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae . If your child receives treatment with PIASKY, your child should receive vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae and may receive vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae , depending on their age.

, including infections caused by , , , and .

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any new signs or symptoms of infection such as:

fever of 100.4F (38C) or higher

cough

chest pain

tiredness

feeling short of breath

painful rash

sore throat

burning pain when passing urine

feeling weak or generally unwell

Who should not receive PIASKY?

Do not receive PIASKY if you:

Have a serious meningococcal infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis when you are starting PIASKY treatment.

when you are starting PIASKY treatment. Are allergic to crovalimab or any of the ingredients in PIASKY.

Before receiving PIASKY tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have an infection or fever.

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if PIASKY may harm your unborn baby.

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if PIASKY passes into your breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. PIASKY and other medicines can affect each other, causing side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you are currently being treated with or have ever been treated with any other complementary C5 inhibitor (C5 inhibitor) medicine. PIASKY is a C5 inhibitor medicine. Know the medicines you take and the vaccines you receive. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I receive PIASKY?

Your healthcare provider will give you your PIASKY treatment.

Your first dose will be given through a vein by intravenous (IV) infusion on Day 1 by your healthcare provider. This is the first loading dose.

Another loading dose will be given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous) on Days 2, 8, 15, and 22.

Your maintenance doses will begin on Day 29 and then will be given every 4 weeks as a subcutaneous injection.

Your healthcare provider will prescribe the dose based on your weight. If your weight changes, tell your healthcare provider.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you miss receiving your dose of PIASKY.

If you are changing treatment from another C5 inhibitor such as eculizumab or ravulizumab to PIASKY , you should receive your first loading dose of PIASKY no sooner than the time you would have received your next scheduled dose of eculizumab or ravulizumab.

, you should receive your first loading dose of PIASKY no sooner than the time you would have received your next scheduled dose of eculizumab or ravulizumab. If you stop taking PIASKY and do not switch to another treatment for your PNH, your healthcare provider will need to monitor you closely for at least 20 weeks after stopping PIASKY. Stopping treatment with PIASKY may cause a breakdown of red blood cells due to PNH.

Symptoms or problems that can happen due to red blood cell breakdown include:

a lower number of red blood cells (anemia)

blood in your urine or dark urine

feeling short of breath

feeling tired or low energy (fatigue)

stomach pain

blood clotting (thrombosis)

difficulty swallowing

difficulty getting or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction)

kidneys not working properly

What are the possible side effects of PIASKY?

PIASKY can cause serious side effects including:

Infusion- and injection-related reactions. Infusion- or injection-related reactions may happen during or after your PIASKY administration. Symptoms may include headache, pain at infusion or injection site or in other parts of your body, swelling, bruising or bleeding, red skin, itching and rash. PIASKY can also cause serious allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you get any of the following symptoms or symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: shortness of breath or trouble breathing pain or tightness in your chest wheezing feeling dizzy or lightheaded swelling of the throat, lips, tongue, or face skin itching, hives, or rash fever or chills

Infusion- or injection-related reactions may happen during or after your PIASKY administration. Symptoms may include headache, pain at infusion or injection site or in other parts of your body, swelling, bruising or bleeding, red skin, itching and rash. Tell your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you get any of the following symptoms or symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:

The most common side effects of PIASKY are: infusion-related reactions respiratory tract infections including infections of the lungs, cold symptoms, and pain or swelling of the nose or throat viral infections Type III hypersensitivity reactions



Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of PIASKY. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for additional Important Safety Information, including Serious Side Effects, or visit https://www.piasky.com/.

About Genentech in Hematology

For more than 20 years, Genentech has been developing medicines with the goal to redefine treatment in hematology. Today, we're investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options to people with diseases of the blood. For more information visit http://www.gene.com/hematology.

About Genentech

Founded more than 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.

5 november 2024 at 09:20

News published onand distributed by:
L'article a ete ajoute a vos favoris

On November 30, 2022, OpenAI surprisingly made ChatGPT, software capable of quickly answering any question, available to the public. While the tool isn't infallible, ChatGPT gained 1 million users in five days. Most importantly, this generative artificial intelligence, which has continued to improve, plunges us into a new Age of Enlightenment, as explained by Yann Le Cun, Turing Prize winner, the Nobel Prize of computer science.

Le point du soir Tous les soirs a partir de 18h Recevez linformation analysee et decryptee par la redaction du Point. Votre adresse email Votre adresse email n'est pas valide Veuillez renseigner votre adresse email Merci !

Votre inscription a bien ete prise en compte avec l'adresse email :

Pour decouvrir toutes nos autres newsletters, rendez-vous ici : MonCompte En vous inscrivant, vous acceptez les conditions generales dutilisations et notre politique de confidentialite.

Behind this poker move stands a man with incredible instinct. While tech giants from Google to Meta and Amazon looked down on him, Satya Nadella had the idea to sign a $1 billion check to Sam Altman in 2019, who had created OpenAI with a band of ingenious risk-takers four years earlier.

Since then, Microsoft's CEO hasn't stopped integrating AI into his tools. While competition  Anthropic, Google, Perplexity  is fierce, they will find in their path this engineer from India who transformed a company that, a quarter century ago, was almost dismantled, into the world's third-largest market capitalization.

Le Point : How is the rise of artificial intelligence disrupting the current world ?

Satya Nadella : We live in a world where computing power doubles every six months. The traditional Moore's Law [which historically stated that the number of transistors on a chip doubles every eighteen months] has been surpassed by new scaling laws. In the future, the acceleration of generative AI could be measured in  token per dollar per watt,  meaning a unit of measurement corresponding to how AI processes an information request taking into account each dollar spent and each watt consumed. This rise in power allows everyone, particularly the younger generation, to be more ambitious in their projects.

Speaking of which, what should we teach our children to prepare them for this world ?

The big novelty is that every student can now have access to a personalized AI tutor throughout their life and explore any subject, including the most inaccessible ones. Access to knowledge has no limits. Of course, we must be aware of AI's potential risks, but we must encourage our children to be more ambitious, more curious, and to use AI as a learning tool.

A LIRE AUSSI Yuval Noah Harari (Sapiens) versus Yann Le Cun (Meta) on artificial intelligenceIs it still relevant to learn programming ? Jensen Huang, co-creator of Nvidia, the computing giant, explains that it will soon be unnecessary

Things are evolving rapidly. Before, we taught Scratch, a visual and simple programming language accessible to children even before they could read, through MIT's platform. Today, with the tools provided by our GitHub Copilot platform, a middle school student can program as well as a university student five years ago.

One of my favorite features is being able to access an application's computer code, select an excerpt of this code, and thus understand what it does. As a result : we could soon go from 100 million developers worldwide to a billion people capable of creating applications. We are democratizing access to previously highly specialized skills.

Many fear losing their jobs because of AI

Our goal isn't to reduce jobs but to improve their quality. For example, we're working with Institut Curie to improve scientific research productivity with our Copilot tool. I recently met a young lawyer who was using AI to more efficiently manage merger and acquisition documentation, allowing her to focus on more strategic aspects of her work.

Do you envision that we could one day see the end of work ? Or that its organization could be managed by a centralized computer, as dreamed of in the 1970s by the Cybersyn project in Chile ?

[Laughs.] British economist John Maynard Keynes was already predicting the end of work by the end of the 20th century More seriously, the goal isn't to eliminate work but to make it more efficient. Besides, we rarely talk about the proportion of tedious tasks in office jobs. Regarding customer service, it will be about giving informed advice to sales teams ; regarding marketing service, your digital assistant will allow you to produce better quality briefs more quickly. AI helps reduce these repetitive and tedious tasks, freeing up time for higher value-added activities.

Is there a risk that people will develop overly emotional relationships with AI, as depicted in the movie Her ?

It's a legitimate concern. In this new AI era, there are two categories of agents : the first supports you in your professional life. The second renews personal interactions by building a new relationship of trust based on your own interests and personality.

However, I don't see AI as a sycophant, meaning spying or intrusive, but rather as a cognitive amplifier and guardian angel, as explained by Raj Reddy [an Indo-American computer scientist who was a leader at Carnegie Mellon University, where he created the Robotics Institute]: let's not anthropomorphize AI, let's see it as a tool !

How do you manage the current explosion in energy consumption ?

We're investing heavily in decarbonized energies, nuclear, wind, solar, and geothermal. Paradoxically, the development of AI and data centers strongly stimulates the energy transition. The human brain, which only consumes 20 watts, shows that there's still much progress to be made in terms of efficiency.

Do you believe in the risk of AI becoming conscious and capable of making decisions in our place ?

I don't deny questions about AI's potential runaway or its self-improvement. We need a framework for responsible development, whether through self-regulation of the technology sector or compliance with government regulations put in place worldwide. The term  artificial intelligence  might be poorly chosen  I would prefer to say that we're building another intelligence. It's not replaced, it's augmented.

You were the only one to bet on Sam Altman, whom you met in 2018, while many other companies didn't believe in his OpenAI.

The partnership with OpenAI, Sam and his team is fantastic. We've created a lot of value together as leaders of this era. But competition will be present, whether from Google or others.

You're thinking of Perplexity or Anthropic, which developed the impressive Claude, capable in its latest version of taking initiatives ?

Yes, and that's excellent news, because we're not in a winner-takes-all dynamic.

In February, you compared Google to an imposing gorilla that you had brought back to the dance. And now, with Google, you seem to be dancing to different music

Exactly, there are many good songs, and good dancers on the floor [smile].

Do they dance to the same rhythm ?

Not necessarily ! In fact, we should have different approaches. There will be large models, small models, open source models, closed models. I met Arthur [Mensch] yesterday evening, he's doing excellent work with Mistral. There will be lots of innovations in these areas.

Does France have the capacity to give rise to a company like Microsoft ?

France will see new AI startups emerge, like Mistral, capable of setting the tone in the software world. Your country can count on first-rate fundamental research centers and rely on a very diverse economy. The important thing today is that digital technology and AI no longer concern only technology companies. Whether you're in fashion, industry, or chemistry, any French company can become a leader in its sector thanks to AI.

A Decouvrir Le Kangourou du jour Repondre Isn't AI already altering democracy by distorting our relationship with truth, as historian Yuval Noah Harari fears, especially with major elections currently taking place in the United States ?

This is precisely why we're working to use AI to monitor and ensure information integrity within our digital ecosystem. There will always be attempts at disinformation, but the challenge is to be able to detect and neutralize them effectively.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

A security guard who killed his partner after finding out that she spent the money he had been saving to pay lobola for her has been handed a life sentence.Louis Serenetra Moyo, 49, an undocumented Zimbabwean national, used the bank account of his partner Thobile Grace Khoza to save money that he intended to use to pay lobola for her.Moyo could not open a bank account as he is in SA illegally.However, Khoza spent the money and Moyo killed her on March 12.Spokesperson for the Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Phindi Mjonondwane said the couple had been cohabiting since 2020.Moyo worked as a security guard and his salary was paid into Khoza's back account. He later decided that he wanted to marry Khoza and still used her bank account to save money for lobola.In March this year, Moyo found out that Khoza had spent the R15,000 he had already saved."During the confrontation, Moyo brutally assaulted Khoza using various objects, ultimately stabbing her, and leaving her to bleed to death."After the attack, he locked the room and fled the scene. Three days later, on March 15, the landlord discovered Khoza's lifeless and decomposed body after being alerted by an unusual odour and the presence of flies."Mjonondwane said police arrested Moyo shortly thereafter and also found him in possession of Khoza's bank card, ID and cellphone.During the trial at the Johannesburg high court, Moyo pleaded guilty to murder."In his plea, Moyo admitted to having committed the heinous act during a fit of rage and acknowledged that his actions were premeditated. However, during closing arguments, the state prosecutor emphasised the senselessness of the violence inflicted upon an innocent woman who had every right to feel safe in her home, yet tragically fell victim to betrayal," said Mjonondwane.Delivering the sentence, judge Dario Dosio condemned Moyo's actions, highlighting a blatant disregard for SA laws and the severe nature of gender-based violence GBV), which has become a significant issue in the country.Dosio also said it was necessary to impose harsher penalties on perpetrators of such crimes, stating that the judicial system must act decisively to deter violence against women.He then slapped with life imprisonment for Khoza's murder and an additional six months for being in the country unlawfully.Mjonondwane said the NPA remains resolute in its commitment to combating and ensuring justice for victims."This case serves as a reminder of the urgent need for support services and early intervention to prevent further tragedies stemming from intimate partner violence," she said.
The 900 hectares of low land under cultivation by farmers in Fuamah to increase rice production with support from the Ministry of Agriculture is a part of the journey toward improving food security.
News / National

by Staff reporter

In a move aimed at revitalizing Zimbabwe's education system, Parliament has emphasized the urgent need to improve teachers' welfare. This call was made during a workshop hosted by the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) in Harare yesterday, where several legislators highlighted the critical role of teachers in achieving educational excellence.Ophias Murambiwa, chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education, stressed that investing in teachers is paramount. "Teachers are the heart of our education system. Investing in their continuous professional development, improving their welfare, and providing them with the necessary resources are fundamental to achieving educational excellence," Murambiwa stated. He noted that a motivated and empowered teaching workforce can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.Murambiwa proposed the establishment of mechanisms for long-term financial support for education, including strategic public-private partnerships, dedicated education development funds, and transparent financial management systems that inspire public confidence. "We need to scale up efforts to expand classroom capacity, modernize learning environments, and integrate digital technology into every aspect of teaching and learning. A digital-ready education system is non-negotiable in today's world," he added.The issue of teachers' salaries has been contentious, with educators demanding a minimum salary of US$1,260 amid a challenging economic environment characterized by the sharp depreciation of the local currency, the Zimbabwe Gold. However, the government has stated that it lacks the resources to meet these salary demands.Murambiwa reassured attendees that the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee remains committed to ensuring efficient and equitable use of every dollar invested in education. "We are committed to rigorous monitoring and evaluation, holding stakeholders accountable, and advocating policies that respond to the evolving needs of our learners," he said. He highlighted that education financing should focus not just on allocation but also on impacting outcomes, ensuring investments lead to improved quality and access for all students.In his remarks, Murambiwa commended Zimta for its role in advancing the education agenda and for equipping legislators with crucial insights. He called for unity among legislators, educators, parents, and the private sector to drive sustainable change in the education sector. "The resources we channel into this vital sector are not mere expenditures but transformative investments that yield boundless returns in developing human potential, fostering social unity, and driving sustained economic prosperity," he affirmed.Minehle Gumede, chairperson of the Higher and Tertiary Education Parliamentary Portfolio Committee, echoed Murambiwa's sentiments, stating that increased funding has had a significant impact on the education landscape, particularly in establishing vital innovation hubs within higher learning institutions. "The future of our nation hinges on the quality of education we provide today. With continued investment, we can ensure our learning institutions produce not just graduates, but innovators and leaders of tomorrow," she remarked.Sifiso Ndlovu, Zimta's chief executive officer, urged lawmakers to create national commissions that include teacher unions and government representatives to address critical education issues and monitor the implementation of recommendations. He also called for an amendment to the Public Service Act to provide for Collective Bargaining, advocating for the urgent introduction of a Bill in Parliament for the establishment of the Teaching Service Commission."Education is a human right and a public good; we call on authorities to protect education from corporate greed and influences," the union stated, reinforcing the urgent need for systemic changes to enhance the welfare of teachers and the overall quality of education in Zimbabwe.
A TOTAL of 604,325 in funding has been awarded to 34 community centres in Limerick.

The funding, which is provided under the Community Centres Investment Fund 2024, has been given to centres to support upgrade and refurbishment works,

The funding is assigned under two categories. The successful projects announced this week are Category 1 applicants, and will receive capital grants of up to 25,000, out of the 7.6million total available for Category 1.

Successful Category 2 projects will be announced in the coming months. Category 2 covers larger works, with grants of up to 100,000.

READ MORE: Limerick communities honoured at Pride of Place awards

Minister for Further and Higher Education Patrick O'Donovan said this announcement will really benefit community centres across Limerick.

Our community centres in Limerick have always been a central point in every community for people to come together. Todays funding is all about giving our communities a helping hand and making our towns and villages better places to live, work and raise a family, he added.

Adare Recreation and Community Complex and Feohanagh Castlemahon Resource Centre are both receiving the full 25,000, while Castleconnell Parish Hall isn't far behind with 24,800.

The full list of successful projects is available on gov.ie.
A LECTURER at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) was a guest speaker on The International Lens panel at an international film festival in Newfoundland, Canada.

Dr Susan Liddy, lecturer in the Department of Media and Communications in MIC, spoke at the Global Summit on Equity in Film at the 35th St Johns International Womens Film Festival in Newfoundland.

Dr Liddy is president of Women in Film and Television International and chair of Women in Film and Television Ireland.

READ MORE: Limerick communities honoured at Pride of Place awards

The festival is one of the longest running of its kind and is acknowledged as an international leader and supports the contribution of women and gender diverse filmmakers.

As part of the summit, Dr Liddy spoke on The International Lens panel, moderated by Jan Miller, US trainer and consultant. Also speaking in St Johns was award-winning Irish director, Aisling Walsh, who has directed films such as Maudie (2016) and Elizabeth is Missing (2019).

The festival not only celebrates our past but also paves the way for a brighter future for filmmakers and storytellers," executive director Jenn Brown said.
CELEBRATED local environmentalist Patsy Peril has chronicled his lifelong fight to save the Atlantic wild salmon.

Patsy, who hails from Coonagh, has teamed up with writer Deirdre Nuttall on the book, entitled Swimming Upstream.

It was launched at OMahonys Bookshop in Limericks OConnell Street by Green councillor Sean Hartigan, who was deputising for Mayor John Moran.

Patsy has been involved in inland fisheries all his life, and is also an experienced light aircraft pilot.

He has been deeply concerned with environmental matters since childhood, in particular concerning the health and future of Irish rivers. And Swimming Upstream, which is available in bookshops now, charts his activism over the years.

Above: Cllr Hartigan, Mr Peril and fellow river enthusiast Paddy Guerin

Cllr Hartigan said: I see this book as a call to action for those concerned about the river and its fish. I would encourage anyone with an interest in the Shannon, be they fishermen, canoeists, rowers, swimmers, birdwatchers or nature lovers to buy this book, read it, share it with friends and take on board the message that the river is on its knees and we need to fight for its restoration.

He believes the book has been released at an opportune time, with the ESB marking a series of centenaries in the coming years.

Cllr Hartigan feels these events can be leveraged to get improvements to the environment that the iconic Atlantic salmon exist in, onto the agenda.
LIMERICK rail workers won big at this years Iarnrod Eireann Customer Experience Awards.

The awards, now in their second year, recognise excellence in customer experience in all aspects of rail service.

Three Limerick Iarnrod Eireann employees were nominated by their peers. This year also featured a Peoples Choice Award, where nominations came from customers.

Limerick onboard customer service officer Ben Downey was nominated by a colleague, who described him as a hard worker.

READ MORE: Multimillion euro state-of-the-art education facility given green light for Limerick

When I started, Ben made me feel welcome immediately, introducing me to other colleagues and giving me his phone number if I needed him or had any problems, his nominator said.

Ben is pictured above with Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnrod Eireann.

Another finalist was John OKeefe, also an onboard customer service officer.

Speaking of John, a customer described him as a true gentleman and as always being in good form.

Additionally, Eddie Bourke, a station operative in Limerick Colbert, was a finalist in the In Station category.

It's always a pleasure to meet Eddie and he is held in high esteem by his colleagues, a testimony about him reads.
THE MOTHER of actor Myles Breen and playwright John Breen, Bridie Breen, has died aged 103.

Bridie Breen nee Walsh of South Circular Road, Limerick passed away, peacefully, in her 104th year, in the care of the staff at Corbally House Nursing Home, last Monday.

Her son Myles announced her death and thanked all the staff at Corbally House Nursing home for their "kind loving care of her and all their residents. She will be deeply missed by all of us." He also thanked everyone for their kind messages and said they have been a "huge comfort" to the family.

Bottom Dog Theatre Company said Bridie's death was a big loss for Myles and their family and friends.

READ MORE: Over 600,000 in funding assigned to community centres in Limerick

One mourner wrote on rip.ie, saying Bridie was a "great woman" with "smiling eyes" and that she was "always dressed to the nines." Another mourner commented that "while she lived a long life her passing will be a loss."

Predeceased by her loving husband Myles, brother Jack and Baby James. Deeply missed by Myles, John, Catherine, Larry, Mary, Eileen, Anne and Michael, their partners, children and grandchildren.

Reposing at Thompsons Funeral Home, Thomas Street on Wednesday, November 6 from 5pm to 6.30pm. Funeral arriving at St Josephs Church, OConnell Avenue on Thursday, November 7 for Requiem Mass at 11.30am followed by burial in Mount St Lawrence Cemetery.

Family flowers only please, donations if desired to Dementia Ireland.
A jury has been sworn at the High Court to hear a civil action for damages against Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor and another man for the alleged sexual assault of a woman.

Justice Alexander Owens told the jury that the allegation is that, Nikita Ni Laimhin, a hair colourist, was sexually assaulted by Mr McGregor and another man on December 9 2018.

The judge said that it is alleged that the pair had in effect raped her on that date.

He told the jury that it is not a criminal case, but a civil action for assault.

The court heard that if it is proved, then it is a civil wrong and the plaintiff is entitled to compensation of damages.

The jury was told that they are judges of fact as to what happened and will have to draw a conclusion and it will be based on their decision.

Mr McGregor, wearing a white shirt and a blue suit, is attending the High Court in Dublin.

The action is expected to last around two weeks.

Justice Owens warned the jury not to become their own private detective and carry out their own independent research into the case.

You make your decision and listen to the evidence and make your decision based on the evidence, Justice Owens said.

Anything that you hear or see about this trial, or anything about the circumstances of the trial that is not received in court, cannot be considered by you.

He warned the jurors not to get into discussions with family members about the case when they return home in the evenings, and not to ascertain their opinions on evidence.
The Road Safety Authority is to be split into two independent agencies under a plan being progressed by Government.

The reform of the RSA follows the final report of an independent external review into the bodys mandate.

The report, by Indecon consultants, also recommended that fees for RSA customer services  such as testing and licensing  be reviewed given the current unsustainable funding model for the agency.

The consultants said this is likely to require an increase in fees in 2025 and modest increases in subsequent years.

However, they recommended that fee increases should be conditional on substantially meeting service level targets.

The core recommendation of the report is that there should be a separation between the two key responsibilities of the RSA, which are the delivery of road safety services, such as driver testing and licensing, and wider public interest activities such as media campaigns and education.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan secured Government approval to progress this proposal on Tuesday.

The Department of Transport said it would bring about a radical transformation in road safety activities are implemented.

Under the plan approved by Government, an implementation plan to reform the RSA into two independent agencies will be progressed.

One agency will be focused on the delivery of services and operations while the other will be responsible for wider road safety initiatives including media campaigns, education and research.

Mr Ryan said: There has been a positive transformation in safety on Irish roads in recent decades. Since the establishment of the RSA, the number of annual road deaths declined from 365 in 2006 to a record low of 133 in 2021.

The RSA can claim significant credit for its work in this regard.

However, recent years have seen this long-term improvement go into reverse. Every single death is a tragedy for the victims families, friends and community, and it is incumbent on everyone working in the sector to look at what were doing and change the approach to ensure our roads are as safe as possible.

This reform of the RSA and wider road safety structures aims to deliver a more effective whole-of-Government response to the deteriorating fatality and serious injury trends on Irish roads.
FINAL positioning of the track on the Limerick to Foynes freight rail line has kicked off.

It comes with the service, which will also link up to Adare village, expected to be operational by 2026.

Initially, the line, which traverses the southside of the city, plus Dooradoyle and Patrickswell, will convey freight trains.

But its hoped by the time the Ryder Cup rolls into Adare Manor in under three years time, passenger services will be in place to service the thousands of extra visitors expected in the region.

READ MORE: 'Shining light': Tributes paid to founder of fashion department at Limerick university

So far, 24km of track has been laid on the Limerick to Foynes line - around 57% of its proposed 42km length.

This latest process, known as tamping, will ensure the newly-laid railway is positioned correctly and ready for future services.

On top of these works, the fit out of the signalling and telecommunications equipment along the length of line has also commenced and will be ongoing throughout 2025 and into 2026, Irish Rail has stated.

This next stage of the project follows the re-installation of the refurbished railway bridge over the River Maigue in Adare and the recompletion of the project's other associated bridge works.

Track laying itself is continuing onwards to Limerick city over the coming weeks and is expected to be largely complete by the end of 2024.

It is expected that freight services will commence in the first half of 2026.

Work began on the railway early in 2023, with all existing materials deemed no longer fit for purpose removed.

The replacement of track and ballast began in February this year.

The Limerick to Foynes rail line first opened in 1858, but closed to passenger traffic in 1963.

Freight services stopped using the line in 2001.

Irish Rail has said the reintroduction of passenger services along the line will be done subject to further infrastructure updates and funding.

Eventually, passenger services could call in Raheen, Dooradoyle, Patrickswell, Adare and Foynes, which is set to be improved in the coming years.
Mumbai: Dr. Reddys Laboratories Ltd aims to have about 15 GLP-1 drugs, used to treat obesity and diabetes, in its portfolio with various timelines, the pharma majors chief executive officer Erez Israeli said after the company announced its September quarter results on Tuesday.

With Danish company Novo Nordisks patent on semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist used in popular brands Ozempic and Wegovy, set to expire in India, Dr Reddys is among the forerunners trying to bring the drug to India.

Specifically semaglutide, we are planning to be in all the markets when they open, including the 2026 markets, Israeli said. The overall portfolio of GLP (glucagon-like peptide) products for Dr Reddys will be about 15 products that will have different time frames for each of them, he told reporters, adding that the firm is progressing on semaglutide as well as other products.

The drugmaker got a nod from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization in October last year to carry out a bioequivalence study of semaglutide to establish the drugs safety and efficacy.

Dr Reddys consolidated net profit dropped 9.5% to 1,342 crore in the second quarter of FY25 from 1,482 crore in the same period last year. Its total revenue from operations rose 16.5% to 8,016 crore, which was better than analysts estimates by Bloomberg that had pegged it at 7716.5 crore.

However, its profit dipped below Bloomberg projections of  1426.2 crore. The company said that its profit after tax was affected by one-offs like acquisition costs related to the Nicotinell portfolio, government land tax, and its minority interest in Nestle.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Villagers from Kapere and Chasara in Hurungwe have urgently appealed to the Ministry of Environment, calling for the cancellation of an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate issued to Labenmon Investments, a Chinese company planning to establish a cement manufacturing plant in their area.Represented by Zimbabwe Human Rights Lawyers Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Kelvin Kabaya, the villagers submitted a formal letter to Environment Minister Sithembiso Nyoni, expressing their concerns and demanding immediate action.The controversy began when Labenmon Investments arrived in the two villages in July 2024, marking and fencing off a significant area in Magunje, Katenhe under ward 11. The land in question includes vital grazing fields and farming plots, affecting approximately 23 families who depend on these resources for their livelihoods."The villagers later learned that Labenmon Investments was going to establish a cement manufacturing plant on the pegged area, effectively prohibiting them from accessing their grazing fields and farming land," stated the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) in a press release.The villagers assert that they were not consulted about the EIA submission or the issuance of the certificate, which they claim was improperly granted to Wih-Zim Construction Investments Cement Manufacturing, a company linked to Labenmon Investments.In their appeal, Chinopfukutwa and Kabaya argue that the Director-General of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) acted unlawfully by issuing the EIA certificate before reviewing the necessary EIA report, thereby violating sections 100(1) and 100(2) of the Environmental Management Act. They maintain that the Director-General should have considered the EIA report before granting the certificate.Moreover, the lawyers highlighted the lack of public consultation regarding the proposed cement manufacturing plant, which contravenes section 136 of the Environmental Management Act. "The Director-General of EMA violated the principles of natural justice by failing to consult the appellants and allowing them an opportunity to be heard," they emphasized.They further contended that even if Labenmon Investments had submitted an EIA report, the Director-General erred by not consulting with the affected villagers and other relevant stakeholders before approving the report and issuing the EIA certificate, thus breaching section 100(3)(c) of the Environmental Management Act.The appeal also points out that the Director-General neglected to exercise his powers under section 100(2)(c) of the Environmental Management Act by not inviting the developers of the cement plant and interested parties to a consultative meeting as required.Additionally, Chinopfukutwa and Kabaya noted that the EIA certificate issued did not meet the requirements of section 100(5) of the Environmental Management Act, as it failed to specify the registered address of Labenmon Investments.The villagers' urgent appeal highlights the need for proper consultation and adherence to environmental regulations to protect their livelihoods and the local ecosystem from potentially harmful industrial developments.
Anastasia Oberoi, daughter of the late PRS Oberoi, has been assured by her siblings Vikramjit Singh Oberoi and Natasha Oberoi, and her cousin Arjun Singh Oberoi that she will be reappointed as director of Oberoi Hotels and Oberoi Properties at the annual general meeting (AGM) scheduled for Tuesday, 5 November.

The assurance came in the form of a consent order from the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, which allowed her to be reappointed on the condition that Rajaraman Shankar, COO of Oberoi Hotels Group, could participate in the vote for directors at the AGM  but only for that meeting.

Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, representing Anastasia's siblings, said in court, "As far as todays meeting is concerned, she will be appointed as a director. She has not disclosed this in her application.

A battle of wills The ruling comes after Anastasia filed a fresh petition to prevent her siblings and cousin from being reappointed as directors of Oberoi Hotels Private Limited and Oberoi Properties Private Limited until a family dispute over her fathers will was resolved.

The legal battle centres on control over Oberoi family assets, including shares in EIH Ltd. Anastasia claims her relatives are obstructing her rights under her fathers 2021 will, which they contest in favour of an older version from 1992.

In a separate order in September, the high court temporarily halted all share transfers and found the 2021 will to be credible, bypassing the need for probate (verification) at this stage.

Anastasias latest petition alleged that group COO Shankar violated a prior court order by participating in the upcoming AGM despite conditions placed on his attendance. She had asked the high court take action against Shankar for disobedience of the order, asserting he disregarded the courts instructions by insisting on his right to participate and vote in the AGM. She contended that the Class A shares given to Shankar were intended for limited purposes and should not influence decisions regarding director appointments.

Anastasia also noted that, under the Companies Act, directors who retire by rotation are generally reappointed automatically, making Shankars presence unnecessary for compliance. She noted that during their late fathers lifetime, Class A shares required his approval for all resolutions concerning the familys companies. She argued that recent changes to board appointments and retirements violated established practices and ignored the courts order.

Her plea stated: Anastasia had a strong case and was entitled to the Class A shares bequeathed to her, granting her a right to participate in the family companies. However, due to the defendants illegal actions, including false claims by Vikramjit and Arjun, the transfer in favour of the plaintiffs (Anastasia and her mother, Mirjana Jojic) remained incomplete. The plaintiffs were compelled to file this suit to protect their rights and interests in relation to PRS Oberois bequests.

Anastasia alleged that Shankar and her siblings conspired to influence the AGMs outcomes. Her plea also expressed concern that Shankars involvement, and that of her siblings, could unfairly impact her participation in the upcoming AGM.

Meanwhile, the AGM of EIH Ltd will take place on 12 November.

The September order In September the Delhi High Court granted Anastasia temporary relief, preventing Oberoi Hotels Private Limited (OHPL) and Oberoi Properties Private Limited (OPPL) from transferring any shares. This order was in response to her lawsuit aimed at enforcing her fathers will, in which she claimed her relatives were blocking its implementation. The court specified that, for other agenda items, Shankar would not be considered present at general meetings while acting as a Class A shareholder.

These relatives argue that the will does not reflect the original intentions of PRS Oberois father, MS Oberoi, and instead point to a previous will dated 20 March 1992 to claim shares in the holding companies. Anastasia contends that her siblings plan to sell the shares, thereby threatening her rights.

She argues that rather than transferring shares held by PRS Oberoi in OHPL and OPPL according to his will, the executors intended to sell them to Vikramjit and Arjun at a self-determined price, infringing upon her rights and those of two trusts of which she is the sole beneficiary.

In response, Vikramjit and Arjun claimed that PRS Oberois will required that shares be transferred only to blood relatives, not a trust. They cited the 1992 will and an alleged verbal family agreement to justify their claim to the shares. They also asserted that the wills execution requires formal court validation, or probate, and that Anastasia should have first offered them the opportunity to purchase the shares before any transfer.
Embassy Office Parks, India's largest real estate investment trust (REIT), announced on Tuesday that Aravind Maiya will step down as CEO of Embassy REIT, effective immediately.

Also Read | Sebi permits mutual funds to invest in overseas funds

The decision comes shortly after Indian markets regulator SEBI directed Embassy Office Parks Management Services, the manager of Embassy REIT, to suspend Maiya in an interim order. The regulator also told the Embassy on Monday to immediately appoint an interim CEO.

In an interim order available on SEBIs website, the regulator instructed Embassy Office Parks Management Services, the manager of Embassy REIT, to suspend Maiya from the CEO position immediately. The directive comes in the wake of concerns about Maiyas professional background following an investigation by the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) related to his role as an auditor in a past financial misconduct case.

fit and proper criteria The fit and proper criteria set by SEBI is a regulatory standard designed to ensure that leaders of investment firms have a clear professional record andno prior involvement in financial irregularities. SEBIs action follows NFRAs findings in August, which highlighted potential lapses by the statutory auditors of Coffee Day Enterprises, including Maiya, who served as an engagement partner during a period of alleged financial mismanagement at the company in 2018-19.

The NFRA, a regulatory body overseeing auditor conduct, concluded that there were serious lapses by Maiya and others involved. Though Maiya has appealed the NFRA order, SEBIs interim decision was based on the findings, which it stated reasonably infer that Mr. Aravind Maiya failed to act in public interest, instead acting in a manner which harmed ordinary investors.

The regulator also criticized Embassy REIT management, noting that despite numerous emails, meetings, and specific instructions, the company had attempted to retain Maiya as CEO. SEBIs directive mandates that Embassy REIT appoint an interim CEO to assume leadership responsibilities immediately.

Also Read | When will US Election Results 2024 be announced? Your complete guide

Embassy REIT, which operates a 51.1 million square foot portfolio across India, is the countrys first publicly traded REIT.
(Bloomberg) -- Assicurazioni Generali SpA is considering a deal to acquire New York-based credit investment firm MGG Investment Group, people familiar with the matter said, as the Italian insurer looks to expand in the private asset business.

Generali has held early talks with MGG Investment about a potential transaction, which could value the US firm at several hundred million dollars, the people said. The Italian firm is aiming to reach an agreement before its investor day on Jan. 30, one of the people said.

Deliberations are ongoing and could end without an agreement, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the information is private. A representative for Generali declined to comment, while a representative for MGG Investment didnt respond to requests for comment.

MGG Investment has deployed about $10 billion since its inception in 2014, its website shows. It has offices in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta.

Generali aims to grow further in asset management to build up a global platform and speed up diversification, Chief Executive Officer Philippe Donnet said in a press conference in August. The company ruled out any significant acquisition this year as the insurer is working on its new strategic plan, he added.

The Italian firm oversaw assets of 821 billion ($896 billion) as of the end of June, its latest earnings shows. The company this year acquired asset manager Conning Holdings Ltd. that has investment centers in Asia, Europe and North America with more than $117 billion of assets under management.

Shares of Generali have risen about 33% this year, giving the insurer a market value of about 40 billion.

(Adds Generalis share move in last paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's JSW Steel and South Korea's POSCO plan to invest 650 billion rupees ($7.73 billion) in their proposed plant in India in the coming years, sources said, part of efforts to capitalise on rising steel demand in the world's fastest-growing major economy.

Last week, JSW Steel and POSCO signed an agreement to set up an integrated steel plant with an initial capacity of 5 million metric tons a year. The plant will be in the eastern state of Odisha, known for its iron ore reserves.

They did not give financial details of the agreement, but sources familiar with the matter said they will initially invest 200 billion rupees in the plant, which one source said should be set up by next year.

Total investment will reach $7.73 billion after three years of operations as the companies raise production capacity to 18 million metric tons, the sources added. They did not wish to be named as they were not authorised to talk to the media.

Neither JSW Steel nor POSCO immediately responded to Reuters' emails seeking comments.

Rapid economic growth and increased infrastructure spending have turned India into a global hotspot for steel demand growth, even as demand tapers in Europe and the U.S. India's steel demand touched a seven-year high in the April to August period.

Some of the world's big corporations have turned to India to diversify their supply chains, fuelling a boom in manufacturing and construction. As companies set up new factories and warehouses, India's steel demand has surged.

In a further fillip to steel demand, the Indian government, along with private companies, plans to spend $12 billion building new airports and expanding existing ones as it seeks make air travel more accessible and affordable.

The sources said the proposed JSW Steel and POSCO plant would produce hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and galvanised steel.

A few years ago, POSCO scrapped plans to build a $12 billion steel plant - billed as India's biggest foreign direct investment at the time - due to difficulties in acquiring land for the project.

It operates a cold-rolled, galvanized steel mill in India's western state of Maharashtra, supplying automotive grades to the country's leading automakers.

($1 = 84.08 rupees)
KPMG LLP announced on Monday that it has reduced its U.S. audit workforce by about 330 positions, representing just under 4% of its nearly 9,000 audit employees. The decision addresses historically low employee turnover, a factor affecting staffing levels, according to a source close to the firms strategy, as per a Bloomberg report.

Livemint could not independently verify this news development.

The layoffs follow KPMGs shift to align its workforce with current market demands. The actions reflect our ongoing focus to align the size, shape and skills of our workforce to the market, while addressing continued low levels of attrition, the firm explained in a statement, as quoted by Bloomberg.

Despite the recent cuts, KPMGs audit operations have experienced growth. In 2023, the division brought in $3.7 billion in revenue, underscoring its importance within the firms broader service offerings in accounting, tax, and consulting. This wave of layoffs comes just a year after the firm reduced its U.S. staff by 2,700, a response to slower demand for deals advisory services that affected several of the Big Four firms globally, as per the report.

These staff adjustments come as other firms in the Big Four face similar challenges. PwC LLP, for example, cut 1,800 positions across its U.S. assurance, tax, and advisory services in September, the report added.

Big four under pressure Global revenue growth has been impacted for Big Four firms like Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and PwC, with all three reporting a slowdown in financial results earlier this fall. KPMG is set to release its own network-wide figures in December, as per the Bloomberg report.
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, announced on Monday that it will extend its ban on new political ads following the U.S. election, with the restriction lasting until later this week. The move, detailed in a company blog post, is part of a larger strategy to counter misinformation and maintain platform integrity as votes are tallied and verified, as per Reuters.

The extension builds on policies Meta first enacted in 2020 to combat the spread of false information in the critical days surrounding an election. During the restriction period, Meta will block new political ads, although previously approved ads that received at least one impression before the ban began will be allowed to continue running. However, advertisers with ongoing campaigns will have restricted editing options, limited only to adjustments in scheduling, budgeting, and bidding, the report added.

Purpose of ban Meta has said its goal is to prevent the spread of unverified claims that could influence public opinion at a time when there may not be sufficient opportunity to fact-check or contest them. We recognize there may not be enough time to contest new claims made in ads, Meta said, underscoring its focus on minimizing last-minute, unvetted information from spreading unchecked. Last year, the company also limited its generative AI ad products for political campaigns and other regulated sectors.

The company did not specify the exact day it would lift the restriction, stating that the ban would continue until later this week. In August, Meta set guidelines allowing political ads that had run at least once before October 29 to stay active through the final election week. Other political ads will not be allowed.

Also Read | Franklin Sees $53 Billion in Wamco Investor Exodus Amid Probes

Metas ad restrictions align with similar moves from other tech firms. Last month, Googles parent company Alphabet announced it would pause election-related ads in the U.S. after polls close on Election Day, notifying advertisers once the ban ends.

Political advertising has surged in the run-up to Election Day, with nearly $1 billion spent over the past week, according to AdImpact, an advertising analytics firm. Much of this spending is concentrated on local and down-ballot races, reflecting the intensity and high stakes of this election cycle, as per CNBC report.
Some of the worlds most-guarded semiconductor technology has ended up in Chinas Huawei Technologies new artificial-intelligence chips, showing the limits of the U.S.s broad attempts to thwart such hardware linkups.

Core circuitry produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. was found in Huaweis Ascend 910B chips, according to people familiar with the matter and TechInsights, a Canada-based research firm that conducts product teardowns which have hit Washingtons radar before.

The Huawei AI chip is one of Chinas top homegrown alternatives to Nvidias high-end offerings that remain off-limits to buyers in China. Some of the technology originates from TSMC, the worlds largest contract-chip manufacturer, whose market capitalization of roughly $1 trillion exceeds that of Tesla and Walmart.

The episode underscores the tall task of stifling Chinas tech supply chain, despite a thicket of U.S. export controls and sanctions. Huawei, which has been bolstered by billions of dollars in state support in recent years, has become one of Chinas tech national champions and sits at the forefront of the countrys AI ambitions.

Core to the Biden administrations strategy is impeding Chinas efforts in AI, which carry national-security implications because of their potential military applications. The Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security said it remained committed to ensuring compliance" for the China-related export controls with advanced chips and noted it was aware of recent reports of potential violations.

The TSMC circuitry in question should be inaccessible to Huawei, which has faced U.S. sanctions since September 2020 over national-security concerns.

Based on a preliminary internal investigation, TSMC believes its technology was routed somehow through Sophgo, a Chinese chip company, though others could be involved, according to people familiar with the matter. A less-likely scenario discussed internally involves the TSMC circuitryor die" in chip-industry parlancehaving been culled from a Huawei stockpile amassed before the U.S. sanctions hit more than four years ago, the people said.

What Sophgo may have purchased from TSMC hasnt previously been reported. A TSMC spokesman said it would take prompt actions, including investigations, should any concerns arise and be in touch with U.S. officials.

TechInsights is a chip-industry research firm founded in 1989. On its website, the firm says its semiconductor reverse-engineering, teardowns and market analysis have an audience of more than 650 companies and 100,000 users.

Two TechInsights reports, published last month, established a link between TSMCs circuitry and the Huawei AI chip.

The orders to Sophgo were flagged internally at TSMC last month, according to people familiar with the matter. The Taiwanese chip maker has also recently canceled Sophgos orders considered suspicious and reported the case to U.S. regulators, the people said.

After The Wall Street Journal asked for comment last month, Sophgo denied any business links to Huawei in a statement posted on the companys social-media account. The Chinese company added it had shared a detailed investigation report with TSMC to prove it wasnt involved. Reached on Tuesday, the company referred to its prior statement.

The TSMC circuitry initially bought by Sophgo could have been offloaded into gray markets, industry officials say, which some chip buyers do when they end up with excess inventory.

Huawei said it has not produced any chips via TSMC since being sanctioned by the U.S. The Ascend 910B sits among Huaweis top AI-related chips, designed for high-performance computing and intensive AI applications.

A separate TechInsights teardown last year on a different Huawei chip prompted a Commerce Department review. Echoing the reports findings, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the U.S. export controls had succeeded at limiting the Huawei chips performance, making it not nearly as good" as cutting-edge alternatives.

Write to Yang Jie at jie.yang@wsj.com and Joyu Wang at joyu.wang@wsj.com
TGI Fridays Inc. is in talks with potential buyers following its recent bankruptcy filing, the companys attorney revealed on Monday. The popular restaurant chain, known for its casual dining experience, has faced significant financial strain, partly due to losing control over critical assets that had backed $375 million in bonds issued in 2017, as per a Bloomberg report

The company, which filed for bankruptcy in Texas on Saturday, confirmed interest from multiple parties looking to acquire some or all of its assets. However, the identities of these potential buyers were not disclosed during the initial court hearing. Company lawyer Chris Dickerson mentioned that TGI Fridays is pretty far down the road with one particular bidder. The restaurant chain hopes this party will agree to act as a stalking horse bidder, a strategic move that would set a minimum purchase price for TGI Fridays assets, paving the way for other potential offers in a Chapter 11 auction.

In court discussions on Monday, the focus shifted to TGI Fridays 2017 bond sale, which was structured as a "whole-business securitization. This financing method involved backing the bonds with the chains brand, licensing agreements, future franchise deals, and royalty revenue. However, in September, TGI Fridays lost control of these key revenue streams, which are now managed by FTI Consulting Inc. The loss of access to restaurant royalty payments has hit TGI Fridays income significantly, the company said in recent court filings.

The method of whole-business securitization, which has grown popular among franchise chains for its cost-effective funding, has rarely been tested in bankruptcy cases. Under this structure, special corporate entities tied to the bond sale are set up to secure these assets. However, these entities are not included in TGI Fridays Chapter 11 filing.

During the hearing, Alexander Woolverton, a lawyer for FTI, contested some points in TGI Fridays bankruptcy filings, asserting that the securitization entities dont endorse the narrative laid out by the restaurant chain. Woolverton claimed TGI Fridays filings were incomplete and hinted that additional details could emerge in upcoming proceedings.

Also Read | KPMG cuts hundreds of audit jobs to tackle low turnover, shifting market demand

Court's approval TGI Fridays also gained court approval to continue paying wages and meet other routine expenses as it reorganizes under Chapter 11 protection. Despite these operational allowances, the chain has already closed some locations and reported a 15% drop in U.S. sales over the past year. This decline is partly attributed to rising costs and shifts in consumer behavior toward faster, limited-service dining options.
(Bloomberg) -- UnitedHealth Group Inc. systematically cut what it paid for emergency room visits and mental health care to doctors outside of its network, sparking internal tension over how those changes were handled and the potential effect on members, newly unsealed court documents show.

The records open a window into the workings of its UnitedHealthcare unit, the largest US health insurer, and shed light on a bitter battle between financial heavyweights in the $5 trillion US medical system. Doctors have long blamed the company for refusing to fully cover their bills, with private equity-backed physician groups filing a string of lawsuits accusing it of shortchanging clinicians from outside of its insurance network.

While years of conflict over out-of-network billing led Congress to pass legislation protecting patients, the reforms havent tempered the fights over determining how much to pay for medical claims. Doctors who havent signed agreements with insurance companies are free to charge whatever they want for such services. Insurers may refuse to cover those costs, often with the help of middlemen hired to assess the charges. The resulting battles frequently end up in court.

UnitedHealth prevailed in one such lawsuit in Oklahoma that was brought by TeamHealth, a physician group backed by the investment company Blackstone Inc. that provides staff to 2,600 facilities and practices. After the verdict, TeamHealth asked the court to unseal records from the trial.

UnitedHealth said it was vindicated by the court and accused TeamHealth of elevating costs.

An Oklahoma jury reviewed these documents and our testimony and agreed with us, a UnitedHealthcare spokesperson said in an email. TeamHealth continues to push a narrative to deflect attention away from its practice of overcharging consumers and the health system with prices that are double or even triple the rates of in-network providers for the same services.

TeamHealth said UnitedHealth refuses 'to contract at fair rates' and that it has won most arbitration disputes over payment.

Public Posturing

The two companies have been in a years-long battle to sway public opinion on out-of-network billing. While conflicts between insurers and doctors are common, the dispute between UnitedHealth and TeamHealth stands out because of the size and the power of the companies  and the fact that theyve made the fight public.

After they deadlocked on contract negotiations, UnitedHealth planned a public campaign to blame TeamHealth for fueling the continued surge in out-of-control ER costs nationwide, according to an internal 2019 memo released in the case. Representatives of TeamHealth circulated portions of the unsealed records, arguing that they showed UnitedHealth prioritizing profits over members and providers.

The documents show the doctors group wasnt the only party concerned about the way UnitedHealth set the rates it would pay to providers outside its network.

An April 2021 email thread showed internal dissent over how the company handled proposed changes to out-of-network payments for members on the consulting firm Deloittes plan. It appeared to start after one member, who was married to a therapist, questioned why reimbursements had dropped.

A UnitedHealthcare vice president described how the company had ratcheted down payments for psychotherapy. They started at $250 for the first 9 months of 2020 and were cut to $188 at the end of the year, then fell further to $102 in 2021.

While a subsequent change raised the rate to $186, you can see we are still way lower than the original 2020 rate, which is what Deloitte wanted to match, the email said. The thread, with the subject line Re: Deloitte - Unhappy with increase reimbursement, showed how the company grappled with its response.

A UnitedHealth senior vice president asked for an explanation of why the payment rate dropped and what the prior reimbursement was based on. Once we understand all of that we then need to determine how we explain this to the client, she wrote.

Representatives for Deloitte didnt respond to requests for comment.

Payment Plans

In the span of two years, UnitedHealth used three different formulas to set pay rates for out-of-network therapy visits, the records show. Two were from an outside vendor, MultiPlan Corp., which helps negotiate reimbursement for out-of-network medical claims and is fending off a flood of lawsuits from providers alleging anticompetitive behavior. One was from another company, Naviguard, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth.

The UnitedHealthcare vice president subsequently asked that programs dont just get changed mid-year like this with no notice given to the teams managing the companys large national employer clients.

Later in the exchange, the senior vice president questioned plans to cut reimbursement levels for out-of-network emergency room visits. UnitedHealth had already reduced payments from 450% of what Medicare pays  the benchmark that many insurers use as a starting point for their own figures  to 250%, and the company planned to drop it further to 150%, according to the email.At the April trial, an executive testified that the company didnt move forward with the deepest cuts, according to a transcript.

Such a cut would have put UnitedHealth below national averages: Employers and private insurers paid on average about 250% of Medicares reimbursement in 2022, researchers from the Rand Corp. reported, counting both in-network and out-of-network rates. Providers often accept discounted payments in exchange for network agreements that give them greater access to patients.

The internal UnitedHealth emails show tension within the company about how plans to reduce payments further would affect members.

Im not saying its the wrong thing to do to lower the reimbursement threshold, the senior vice president wrote. What I am struggling with is acting as though there wont be member impact.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Leena Nair, CEO of iconic French fashion house Chanel, advocated for compassionate leadership and said she believes in kindness and compassion. However, she added, that people do not care for empathetic leaders.

In an interview with Stanford Graduate School of Businesss View From The Top, Nair suggested that, doing things, even the tough ones, compassionately is very important to her.

I truly believe in benevolence, kindness, compassion, and empathy. You have to do tough things in business, but doing them compassionately is very important to me, she said.

Also Read | Chanel CEO asked ChatGPT for image of her senior team. Its reply will shock you

Doing it properly, doing it keeping the person in mind, she added.

Sharing that she is very particular about listening to every voice in the room, she said listening to diverse perspectives matter to her.

If Im in a meeting, I want to listen to every voice because I truly believe in collective intelligence. I believe everyones voice matters, not just the ones who speak loudly. Youve got to listen to every voice. Diverse perspectives matter to me. I will respect what you bring, your values, your beliefs. Thats very important for me, Nair said.

The Chanel CEO also said, We dont hear this enough in business; people dont care for compassionate and empathetic leaders. We dont see enough role models like that.

Nair said it really matters for her that she set a brand of leadership thats about compassion.

Do the tough things, do it decisively, but do it with compassion. Do it keeping the human being at the end of it, whos impacted by your decisions, in mind, she reiterated.

Also Read | What Chanel CEO Leena Nair Told PM Modi

I really put human beings at the center of everything This is not the first time Leena Nair has advocated for compassionate leadership.

In an interview with TIME.com, Nair had shared that in her career spanning over 32 years  30 years at Unilever and remaining at Chanel  the one thing they will tell you about me is that I really put human beings at the center of everything I do. I really, really care about people. It's not lip service for me.
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has renewed calls for the repatriation of the remains of Chimurenga war heroes from Britain, emphasizing the need for their interment in "a dignified manner." This statement was made during his address at the funeral of late hero Jaison William Chezhira Chakaipa Chirinda, underscoring the ongoing quest for recognition and justice regarding the impacts of colonialism in Zimbabwe.Among the remains sought are those of prominent historical figures such as Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi, Chief Makoni Chingaira, Chief Mapondera, and Chief Chinengundu Mashayamombe. These leaders played significant roles in the uprisings against colonial rule, and their remains are believed to have been taken to Britain as war trophies and are currently being used for research purposes.In 2022, a Zimbabwean delegation visited the UK seeking the return of the skulls of these late-19th-century anti-colonial heroes. During this visit, representatives from London's Natural History Museum and Cambridge University expressed willingness to cooperate with Zimbabwe in repatriating the human remains.Mnangagwa stated, "We remind the British Government and people that the spirits of our heroes will not rest until their remains are repatriated and interred in a dignified manner. Going forward, we urge the British Government to return the remains of our people to Zimbabwe." His comments come amid a broader demand for colonial reparations and an official apology from Britain for past injustices.The President also referenced a recent initiative launched by the Zimbabwe National Elders Forum, titled "Land Displacements: The Untold Stories of Crimes, Injustices, Trauma, and Losses Experienced by Indigenous Zimbabweans During the Colonial Era (1890 to 1980), A Case for Reparations." This study aims to document the historical injustices suffered by indigenous Zimbabweans at the hands of the British government and its settlers.In addition to the call for repatriation, Mnangagwa assured that the government is committed to compensating former white farmers whose land was seized during the land reform program. He emphasized that while the Zimbabwean government recognizes its obligations to former farmers, the British government must also acknowledge its historical responsibilities. "We call upon the British government, whose predecessor governments were responsible for pillaging and brutalizing us, to take responsibility and not remain indifferent to the cries of Zimbabweans for justice," he said.The issue of repatriation and reparations remains a critical topic in Zimbabwe, with ongoing discussions about the legacy of colonialism and the need for healing and reconciliation.
When Teslas manufacturing executives gathered in Shanghai this January, some were surprised to see Elon Musks long-time aide Omead Afshar in attendance.

The forum, hosted by Teslas most senior automotive executive, Tom Zhu, was designed to get the companys global leadership team on the same page about best practices and the rising threat from electric-vehicle makers in China.

But Afshar, Musks former project manager and confidant, wasnt a manufacturing executive at the time. In fact, it wasnt clear to many that he was even employed at Tesla, people familiar with the events said.

At Tesla, many people hadnt seen him since 2022, when he moved to two of Musks other companies after an internal investigation raised questions about his role in a suspicious materials purchase at the Texas factory, according to people familiar with the events.

Afshars attendance at the Shanghai forum was a sign of things to come. In the months since, the man known at Tesla as Musks fixer ascended the ranks to become one of the most powerful executives at the electric-car maker.

He returned to Giga Texas, Teslas headquarters in Austin, in early 2024 as Musk restructured his leadership team and laid off more than 10% of the company, people familiar with the events said.

This fall, the 37-year-old Afshar was officially promoted to vice president, overseeing sales and vehicle manufacturing in North America and Europetwo regions previously overseen by Zhu, The Wall Street Journal earlier reported.

Afshar, Tesla and Musk didnt return requests for comment.

A Californian who joined Tesla seven years ago, Afshar once ran Teslas office of the CEO and oversaw construction of Teslas 10-million-square-foot factory in Texas. He was seen by employees internally as a proxy to Musk and made decisions on the ground, while his boss flew around the world and split his time between Tesla, his rocket company SpaceX and other startups.

I focus on wherever the problem is, so a lot of firefighting," Afshar said at an alumni event in 2019 at the University of California, Irvine. If theres an issue, thats where I am. Usually when people see me, theyre not always happy because it means theres a problem."

The kingmaker

His promotion signifies Musks renewed focus on the car business at a time when profitability and sales have come under pressure, and Tesla is putting more resources in robotics and AI, a transition Musk sees as critical to the companys future. It also reshapes Teslas leadership team, after the top ranks were thrown into flux this spring with the departure of several high-ranking executives.

Through the years and at his different stops, Afshar has been called many things by co-workersthe kingmaker," the messenger" and the Musk whisperer"to signify his closeness to the boss.

Inside Tesla, he is known for his ability to mind-meld with Musk and translate the wants and needs of the mercurial billionaire to other members of Teslas leadership team. Like Musk, Afshar has also slept on the factory floor and prioritizes his job at the expense of his personal life.

I miss a few birthdays from time to time," he said at the UC Irvine alumni event.

Afshar has been Musks right-hand man for several years and is viewed by employees as capable of influencing Musks decisions and often acting on his behalf.

Some colleagues have leaned on Afshar for tactical help, showing him slide decks or presentations before meeting with Musk, or to get feedback on the CEOs mood, say those who have worked with Afshar.

Afshar grew up near Los Angeles and graduated from the University of California, Irvine, where he studied biomedical engineering. During college, he worked as a ski instructor in Mammoth, Calif., and decided to follow in his fathers footsteps to become a professional engineer. After graduating, he joined the medical-device company St. Jude Medical, which was later acquired by Abbott Laboratories.

Then in 2017, Afshar joined Teslas Office of the CEO, a group focused on the needs of Musk, which was run by his longtime aide Sam Teller.

A cowboy emoji

Musk deployed Afshar where needed, giving him a variety of roles that spanned everything from building cars to managing the energy team and running sales, service and delivery.

When Teller left in 2019, Afshar moved up the ranks, taking frequent trips to China as Tesla built its Shanghai factory.

In 2020, Afshar was put in charge as senior director of Giga Texas, identifying the position on his LinkedIn page with an emoji of a cowboy.

To build the factory quickly required Afshar to keep the same schedule as his boss Musk: starting later in the day and working well into the night. In the early days of the factory construction, Afshar moved into one of the trailers set up as offices on site, a person who worked with him said.

Occasionally at his companies, Musk gets deeply involved in decision-making, especially when it comes to spending. Initially, during the Giga Texas project, Musk had a rule that he had to personally approve every purchase order over $25,000. But as Musk got busy with other work, that responsibility shifted to Afshar, people familiar with the process said.

By summer 2022, Giga Texas was mostly complete. The giant building had large glass windows made of sheets that were 32.5 feet tall, 9.5 feet wide and 4 inches thick. Each panel cost about $400,000, and orders took more than 30 weeks to complete.

Around that time, an order for millions of dollars in specialized glassthe type of large-format panels used on building facadessparked concern among some employees about what the materials would be used for, The Wall Street Journal previously reported.

An internal investigation raised questions about Afshars role in the order, the people said. Soon after, Afshar stepped back from the day-to-day at Tesla, and news of the internal inquiry spread through the company.

The investigation was connected to a structure called Project 42, a dramatic glass-walled building that was discussed internally as a house for Musk, the Journal reported. The Justice Department has opened its own probe into the matter.

Afshar hasnt responded to the Journals requests about the glass structure, nor have Musk or his representatives. On X, Musk has said he wasnt building a glass house.

Back at Tesla

After stepping away from Tesla in 2022, Afshar joined SpaceX, taking the title of vice president of Starship production, reporting directly to Musk. Soon after, Afshar moved to Twitter, where he joined Musks transition team following the social-media sites acquisition in October that year.

The platforms Chief Executive Linda Yaccarino also turned to Afshar for advice on how to work with Musk after she was tapped for the role in May 2023, according to a person familiar with the events.

By early 2024, Musk had a new plan for Tesla. A long-anticipated $25,000 car known as the Model 2" was put on hold. Instead, teams inside Tesla moved their attention on plans for a new purpose-built robotaxi known as the Cybercab.

Afshar reappeared at Teslas headquarters ahead of widespread layoffs at Tesla in April, people familiar with the events said. Around the same time, Zhu returned to China.

In October, a few days after Teslas big event showing off Musks vision for self-driving vehicles, SpaceX landed its Starship booster for the first time, a major achievement.

Behind the scenes, Musk geared up for a tour of U.S. swing states where he planned to campaign for former President Donald Trump. Afshar wrote a post on X celebrating the success of both companiesa clear message of support for his boss.

Starship + Robotaxi + Optimus," Afshar wrote in an emoji-filled post. Hard to top a week like this!"

Write to Becky Peterson at becky.peterson@wsj.com
Claypond Capital, the family investment office of Manipal Hospitals head Ranjan Pai, has backed Easy Home Finance Ltd. in a $35 million funding round that also saw Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Asia Rising Fund invest in the mortgage-tech startup.

Easy said it would use the funding to achieve $250 million in assets under management over the next 24 months. The company also plans to expand its network to more than 150 locations across the country.

'In-house prop-tech' A consumer must jump multiple hoops to get a home loan... We have developed an in-house prop-tech (and) combined with credit-tech, we are able to deliver seamless consumer experience within minutes and not days. We've seen multiple clients from origination to moving-in the property on the same day, Rohit Chokhani, managing director of Easy Home Finance, said in a statement.

Also Read | World Saving Day: A reality check on household savings The funding also saw participation from existing investors such as Xponentia Capital, Finsight Ventures, Harbourfront Capital and Pegasus India Evolving Opportunities Fund.

Founded in 2018, Easy is a housing finance company providing digital-first home loans to the middle-income group consumers in India. With the new funding, the company has so far raised over $100 million in equity and debt.

The Mumbai-based startup last raised $15 million in its Series A round in 2021. The company claims to currently be present in more than 100 cities, with over 500 crore in loan disbursals.

Also Read: General Atlantic, Varde Partners check into PNB Housing Finance Easys commitment to transforming the affordable housing finance sector by putting technology at the forefront, is enabling real-time credit appraisals, seamless digital property validations, and a smooth loan disbursal process, making home financing accessible for everyone We are excited to join forces with Rohit and the Easy team in this mission to digitize the mortgage industry, ensuring that more individuals can realize their dream of homeownership," said Shyam Powar, chief investment officer of Claypond Capital.
The spectre of deindustrialisation has long haunted Germany. Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 caused energy prices to spiral. The economy of Germanys biggest trading partner, China, has slowed. And as competitors, Chinese carmakers are proving more than a handful for Europes biggest, Volkswagen (VW). Now the apparition looks worryingly solid. The signs of deindustrialisation are becoming clearer," warned Martin Wansleben, head of the German chamber of trade and industry (DIHK), on October 29th.

The most alarming sign so far came the previous day, when Daniela Cavallo, the main official representing VWs workers, said that the company would close at least three factories in Germany, cut tens of thousands of jobs (30,000, rumours say) and slash pay by 10% (18% for some). VWs bosses, who have been talking to labour representatives for weeks, have not yet confirmed this. But if the factory closures do go ahead, they will be the 87-year-old carmakers first in its home country. On October 30th VW reported a slump in net profit of 64%, year on year, in the third quarter, attributable mainly to weak sales of its cars in China.

This follows months of similarly spine-chilling news. In February Miele, a maker of household appliances, said it would move some production to Poland, which will affect 700 jobs in Gutersloh in North Rhine-Westphalia, the headquarters of the 125-year-old family business. Continental, an automotive supplier, is cutting 7,000 jobs and closing sites. Michelin, a French tyremaker, is slashing 1,500 jobs in Germany and closing factories. And in July ZF Friedrichshafen, another German auto supplier, said that by 2028 it would shed 14,000 jobs.

A new survey by Mr Wanslebens DIHK is full of frightening figures. It finds that one-third of all companies and two-fifths of industrial firms surveyed are planning to reduce investment in Germany. A mere 19% of industrial firms rate their current situation as good", while 35% call it bad". Such pessimism reminds Mr Wansleben of the severe crisis in 2002-03. The government of the day responded with Agenda 2010, a package of successful liberalising reforms.

Earlier this year Moritz Schularick, head of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a research body, predicted that only a crisis at a big carmaker would be enough to convince todays governing coalition that Germany cannot continue with its old manufacturing-based economic model. Perhaps VWs problems are at last the call that we have waited for," says Mr Schularick now.

Perhaps, perhaps not. On October 29th Olaf Scholz, the chancellor, held a summit" to discuss ways of alleviating industrys troubles with senior business figures, including Oliver Blume, the boss of VW, and the heads of Siemens and BASF, giants of engineering and chemicals, as well as union leaders.

Little is known about what was discussed, besides help with the high price of electricity and a plan to cut red tape by scrapping a law obliging big firms to monitor whether their suppliers around the world meet human-rights and environmental standards. More could be done, for instance to promote decarbonisation and digitisation. Yet the governing coalition of Mr Scholzs Social Democrats, the Greens and the liberal Free Democrats is so dysfunctional that it is doubtful whether it will, or can, do anything much.

Mr Scholz had convened his summit without telling either Christian Lindner, his liberal finance minister, or Robert Habeck, his Green economy minister. Mr Lindner then held his own summit on the same day; Mr Habeck proclaimed that he was climbing summits every day" and floated the idea of a debt-financed investment fund to aid business that he had not discussed with the chancellor.

The chancellors select group is due to convene again on November 15th, the day after the deadline for agreement on next years budget. But negotiations between the governing parties have been so acrimonious that they could break the coalition. Against that backdrop, the chances of anything as effective as Agenda 2010 are remote indeed.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Hopes for a massive fiscal stimulus have sent Chinese stocks on a roller-coaster ride in the past month or so. Now investors need cooler heads to assess what Beijing will actually say this week.

The standing committee of Chinas legislature opened a session on Monday, and investors will be looking for indications of the size of any coming fiscal stimulus. Estimates vary but center on around 10 trillion yuan, the equivalent of $1.4 trillion.

While the headline figure is important, investors should also look at how the money is actually spent. Judging from what the government has said so far, it may not be all that stimulative.

A big part of the program will likely be to restructure the debt of local governments. These local governments have racked up piles of debt over the years as they are responsible for the bulk of public spending from infrastructure to education, but lack reliable revenue sources to match. That includes borrowing through some off-balance-sheet vehicles called local government financing vehicles, or LGFVs. Local governments used these obscure state-owned entities to sidestep borrowing limits imposed by Beijing. Goldman Sachs estimates that LGFV debt was around 60 trillion yuan at the end of 2022.

Chinas housing market implosion has drastically reduced proceeds from land sales, a major source of income for local governments. They in turn have cut spending and raised fees levied on local residents, which has further depressed the economy. Goldman Sachs estimates there is a 2.3 trillion yuan government revenue shortfall this year.

Beijing could take on some of the debt burden of local governments. That would help reduce their interest expenses and free up their financial capacity to spend.

Another big part of the stimulus will likely go to tackle the root cause of the current economic malaisethe housing crisis. The central government could issue bonds to buy some of the millions of unsold homes. J.P. Morgan estimates that 4 trillion to 5 trillion yuan is needed to bring inventory down to a level where home prices may start to stabilize. That isnt a new policy per se: Local governments were directed to start clearing out excess inventory earlier this year, but they dont really have the fiscal wherewithal to carry out the policy. More direct funding from the central government may help.

There will also likely be some stimulus aimed at consumption, like upgrading welfare payments and trade-in subsidies for consumer goods. But this part may miss investors expectations given Beijings long hesitancy to give direct handouts. The austerity that has been imposed on property developers and local governments has already sunk the economy into a deflationary spiral. While addressing local government debts and housing inventory are important, these may only be measures that prevent the worst, while not being enough to propel growth.

One reason Beijing may not be willing to embark on a large consumption stimulus is that debt has been rising while tax revenues are declining. Official figures of Chinas debt put it at just over 50% of GDP, including the central and local governments. But including off-balance-sheet LGFVs, Chinas public debt to GDP ratio has risen from 73% in 2019 to 102% as of June quarter, according to Morgan Stanley.

Chinas stimulus package will probably put the economy on a more stable footing. But dont expect growth to kick up a gear.

Write to Jacky Wong at jacky.wong@wsj.com
New Delhi: India is aware of reports that Bangladesh has cancelled a proposed agreement with the Darshan Hiranandani-led H-Energy group to supply gas, but New Delhi is unlikely to intervene in the matter.

The Mumbai-based company was to supply regasified liquified natural gas (LNG) to the energy deficient neighbour.

The Bangladesh newspaper The Business Standard reported in April that state-owned Petrobangla is close to signing agreements on import of regasified LNG from an Indian private company through a cross-border pipeline.

However, a recent report on Twitter suggested that the Bangladesh government is planning to cancel the project and imports after a US company, Excelerate Energy, which already has operations in Bangladesh, showed an interest in expanding its supplies to the country.

New Delhi is aware New Delhi is aware of the reports concerning the Hiranandani-led H Energy and Bangladesh, said a senior official in the know of the developments.

"The (Indian) government would not intervene in this matter. It concerns with a private company. There are several other significant issues that can be taken up," the official added.

Also Read: India eyes gas network spanning South Asian neighbours According to The Business Standard's April report, after four years of negotiation, Petrobangla was set to enter into two agreements with H-Energy for pipeline installation and LNG supplies.

Discussions on the payment mechanism, pipeline management, and LNG price were underway.

As per the report, a 65-km pipeline was to be laid from Satkhira to Khulna in Bangladesh to transport gas from India. The plan was to import 300 million cubic feet of LNG daily through the pipeline.

The same paper reported last month that Excelerate CEO Steven Kobos had met with Bangladesh's Chief Advisory Prof Muhammad Yunus, who heads the interim government, in Dhaka in mid-October.

Also Read: India puts plan to extend diesel pipeline deeper in Bangladesh on hold citing current political crisis It quoted Kobos as saying the company wants to scale up and ensure a smooth supply of Liquefied Natural Gas to the country. It said the company also plans to invest in decarbonization projects in Bangladesh, quoting a press statement issued on 15 October.

However, on 17 October, a second Bangladesh newspaper, The Daily Star, quoted Petrobangla officials as saying the interim government has decided not to sign an agreement with Excelerate Energy to build another regasification plant for liquefied natural gas (LNG).

It said an Excelerate delegation headed by former US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D. Haas, who is now a strategic adviser to Excelerate, had met with Petrobangla officials. Petrobangla has cancelled a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for signing the deal, the paper said, quoting Petrobangla officials.

Also Read: How India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline enhances energy connectivity between the two nations? The Bangladesh team was led by Petrobangla chairman Zanendranath Sarker.

The Daily Star quoted Petrobangla officials as saying Dhaka had cancelled yet another deal  with the domestic Summit Group  to build a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU).

It said there are currently two FSRUs that in Bangladesh  one run by the Summit Group and the other by Excelerate Energy. The same two companies had plans to start one more FSRU each, which now stand cancelled.

"The previous government awarded the works under the controversial Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply Act 2010 without any tender process," it quoted a top Petrobangla official as saying.

H-Energy declined to comment on the issue while queries mailed to the union petroleum minister, external affairs minister, Petrobangla, Excelerate Energy and the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi and the US Embassy in Dhaka remained unanswered till press time.

The spokesperson of the US Embassy in New Delhi replied: "Id have to refer you to the companies involved to discuss their interest. We dont have anything on this from the Embassy."

H-Energy was established in 2009 to operate in the sustainable energy space. It is currently developing LNG re-gasification terminals and cross-country pipelines on the west and east coast of India. Through its marketing arm, it is is also offering end-to-end natural gas solutions including LNG sourcing, re-gasification facilities, downstream deliveries based on customer preference, according to the company website.

The development comes at a time when India-Bangladesh ties are at a critical juncture post the ouster of the India-friendly Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.

India has significant energy ties with its eastern neighbour.

Mint had reported on September 1 that Indias plan to further extend the India-Bangladesh Friendship pipeline (IBFP) carrying diesel to its neighbour has gone in the slow lane amid the political crisis in the neighbouring country.

There had been a proposal to extend the 131-km pipeline beyond Parbatipur in Bangladesh, where the pipeline currently ends. However, the government has now pressed the pause button on this.
Chinas giant economy faces an equally giant crisis of confidenceand a growing deficit of accurate information is only making things worse. Even as the country wrestles with a property crash, the services sector slowed by one measure in August. Consumers are fed up. Multinational firms are taking money out of China at a record pace and foreign China-watchers are trimming their forecasts for economic growth.

The gloom reflects real problems, from half-built houses to bad debts. But it also reflects growing mistrust of information about China. The government is widely believed to be massaging data, suppressing sensitive facts and sometimes offering delusional prescriptions for the economy. This void feeds on itself: the more fragile the economy is, the more knowledge is suppressed and the more nerves fray. This is not just a cyclical problem of confidence. By backtracking on the decades-long policy of partially liberalising the flow of information, China will find it harder to complete its ambition of restructuring the economy around new industries. Like the Soviet Union, it risks instead becoming an example of how autocratic rule is not just illiberal but also inefficient.

The tightening of censorship under President Xi Jinping is well known. Social-media accounts are ever more strictly policed. Officials are warier of candid debate with outsiders. Scholars fear they are watched and business people mouth Communist Party slogans. Less familiar is the parallel disappearance of technical data, especially if it is awkward or embarrassing for the party. Figures for youth unemployment, a huge problem, have been improved and optimisedand lowered. Balance-of-payments statistics have become so murky that even Americas Treasury is baffled. On August 19th stock exchanges stopped publishing daily numbers on dwindling foreign-investment inflows. As the economic dashboard dims, the private sector is finding it harder to make good decisions. Officials probably are, too.

To understand the significance of this shift, look back to the mid-20th century. Witnessing the totalitarianism of the 1930s and 1940s, liberal thinkers such as Karl Popper and Friedrich Hayek argued that political freedom and economic success go hand in hand: decentralised power and information prevent tyranny and allow millions of firms and consumers to make better decisions and live better lives. The collapse of the Soviet Union proved them right. In order to maintain political dominance, its rulers ruthlessly controlled information. But that required brutal repression, starved the economy of price signals and created an edifice of lies. By the end, even the Soviet leadership was deprived of an accurate picture.

As China grew more open in the late 1990s and 2000s, its leaders hoped to maintain control while avoiding the Soviet Unions mistakes. For many years they allowed technical information in business, the economy and science to flow far more freely. Think of Chinese firms with listed share prices disclosing information to investors in New York, or scientists sharing new research with groups abroad. Technology seemed to offer a more surgical way to censor mass opinion. The internet was intensively policed, but it was not banned.

Chinas top leadership also redoubled its efforts to know what was going on. For decades, it has run a system known as neican, or internal reference, in which journalists and officials compile private reports. During the Tiananmen Square protests, for example, the leadership received constant updates. Techno-utopian party loyalists reckoned that big data and artificial intelligence could improve this system, creating a high-tech panopticon for the supreme leader that would allow the kind of enlightened central planning the Soviets failed at.

It is this vision of a partially open, hyper-efficient China that is now in doubt. Amid a widening culture of fear and a determination to put national security before the economy, the party has proved unable or unwilling to limit the scope of its interference in information flows. Monetary-policy documents and the annual reports of Chinas mega-banks now invoke Xi Jinping Thought. Deadly-dull foreign management consultants are treated as spies. This is happening despite the fact that Chinas increasingly sophisticated economy requires more fluid and complex decision-making.

An obvious result is the retreat of individual liberty. In a reversal of its partial opening, China has become a more repressive place. Many Chinese still have liberal views and enjoy debate but stick to private gatherings. They present no immediate danger to the party.

The information voids other effects pose more of a threat. As price signals dim, the allocation of capital is getting harder. This comes at a delicate moment. As its workforce shrinks, China must rely more on boosting productivity to grow. That is all about using resources well. The country needs to pivot away from cheap credit and construction to innovative industries and supplying consumers. That is why capital spending is pouring into electric vehicles, semiconductors and more. Yet if investment is based on erroneous calculations of demand and supply, or if data on subsidies and profits are suppressed, then the odds of a successful transition are low.

Chinas admirers might retort that the countrys key decision-makers still have good information with which to steer the economy. But nobody really knows what data and reports Mr Xi sees. Moreover, as the public square empties it is a good bet that the flow of private information is becoming more distorted and less subject to scrutiny. No one wants to sign a memo that says one of Mr Xis signature policies is failing.

After the horrors of the mid-20th century, liberal thinkers understood that free-flowing information improves decision-making, reduces the odds of grave mistakes and makes it easier for societies to evolve. But when information is suppressed, it turns into a source of power and corruption. Over time, the distortions and inefficiencies mount. China has big opportunities but it also faces immense problems. A fully informed citizenry, private sector and government would be far better equipped to take on the challenges ahead.
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta will release the admit cards for the Common Admission Test or CAT 2024 on Tuesday, November 5, according to the notification. The CAT 2024 examination will be held on November 24, and the results will be declared in the second week of January.

Students who have applied for the admission test can download CAT 2024 admit card from the official website of the examination, iimc.ac.in.

How to download CAT 2024 admit card at iimcat.ac.in? Follow the below-mentioned steps to download the CAT 2024 admit card from iimc.ac.in.

-Go to the official website, ie iimcat.ac.in

-Visit the official website of IIM Calcutta and check the homepage.

-After the release of the CAT 2024 admit card, click on the link: CAT 2024 admit card (once released).

-You will be redirected to another window.

-Enter the required credentials and click on submit.

-Your CAT 2024 admit card will appear on the screen.

-Download and take the printout of CAT 2024 admit card for future reference.
As many as 4,140 candidates are in the fray for 288 Maharashtra assembly seats voting on November 20. The deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended on November 4.

While the polling will be held in single phase on November 20, the counting will take place on November 23. "We received 7,078 valid nomination forms for 288 seats. Of these, 2,938 candidates have withdrawn nominations, leaving 4,140 in the fray," the state chief electoral office official was quoted as saying in a PTI report.

Also Read | The Raj Thackeray enigma decoded ahead Maharashtra Assembly elections

The number of candidates in the fray this time is a 28 per cent increase from the 3,239 individuals who fought the 2019 assembly polls, the poll official added.

Turbulent 5 years The elections in Maharashtra are bipolar. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction of Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led faction of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are part of Maharashtra's ruling NDA bloc led by the BJP in Maharashtra. The alliance is contesting against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) grouping comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP (Sharad Pawar) and the Congress for THE November 20 elections.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led by Raj Thackeray has also fielded candidates.

The five years of the outgoing assembly were marred by political turmoil. The state saw three different chief ministers. Two major parties  the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)  saw splits leading to alliances in power and the opposition. These include Bhartiya Janata Partys Devendra Fadavis, Shiv Senas (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray, and now Shiv Senas (SHS) Eknath Shinde.

420 candidates in fray for Mumbai seats Officials said 420 candidates will fight Mumbai's 36 seats, while the figure is 303 for the 21 seats in Pune district.

Also Read | Maharashtra Elections: Manoj Jarange Patil withdraws from polls

The end of the process to withdraw nominations for Maharashtra assembly polls on Monday left the Congress in despair in the Kolhapur North seat after its candidate Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati withdrew, while the BJP managed to convince Gopal Shetty to opt-out from Mumbai's Borivali.

However, the headache for the Mahayuti continued as Sada Sarvankar, the Shiv Sena candidate from the Mahim assembly constituency in Mumbai, braving the pressure from the party leadership, refused to pull out. He is pitted against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's son Amit Thackeray, who has the backing of the BJP, a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti along with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP.

The BJP is contesting on 148 seats. Its Mahayuti ally NCP is contesting 52 seats. While Shinde-led Sena had released names of candidates for 80 seats, though there was confusion about the number after the withdrawal of nominations.

The elections in Maharashtra are bipolar.

The Congress is contesting on 102 seats. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) is contesting on 87, while it has given two seats to the CPI. The exact number of candidates for Shiv Sena (UBT) is not available.
As the world awaits the US Elections 2024, the first votes cast in the small town of Dixville Notch were evenly split among the two Presidential hopefuls. Kamala Harris got three and Donald Trump got three votes in this New Hampshire town.

The first result may be a sign of a tight race to the White House, as expected.

Dixville Notch  the town near the US-Canada border in New Hampshire state  has a tradition dating back to 1960 of being the first in the United States to complete in-person voting, hours before the polls open in the rest of the country.

Also Read | US Election 2024 LIVE Updates: Polling begins for 47th United States President

After a rousing accordion version of the national anthem, the town's six voters began casting their ballots at the stroke of midnight and the vote count was complete 15 minutes later, news agency AP reported. It took just 12 minutes to count the six votes in Dixville Notch, and the polling officers wrote the results on a display board.

More than 78 million people have already voted in early polling, according to a report in the New York Times, in a tight contest across the country between Harris and Trump.

Biden won all 5 votes in 2020 In the presidential race in 2020, all five votes went to Democrat Joe Biden. In 2016, Democrat Hillary Clinton got four votes and Trump, who eventually won the race, got two votes.

At least 66.67 per cent of the registered voters in this town are Republicans. Nikki Haley had won the primary with all six votes, though she later dropped out of the Republican race for the US President.

On Monday, Harris and Trump concluded their respective campaigns with a last push, wooing voters in battleground states that will decide the outcome of the 2024 race to the White House.

More than 78 million people have already voted in early polling, indicating a highly competitive election.

After the polling, which began on November 5 eveningaccording to Indian timeand is over by Wednesday morning (Tuesday night in the US), all eyes will be on early signs on which way the race is headed. These trends will not indicate who is winning but how close the fight is turning out to be and how long it will take for news outlets to announce the final winner.
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is among four American astronauts currently on the International Space Station who have indicated that they plan to vote in the 2024 US presidential election on Tuesday, November 5. Williams, along with her Starliner colleague Butch Wilmore, is spending extra time in space after her Boeing spacecraft was detected with anomalies and was returned without the two crew members.

Also Read | US Election 2024 LIVE Updates: Polling begins for 47th United States President

The final votes for the US Presidential Election 2024 are being cast on Tuesday, November 5. A close fight is being witnessed between the two candidates  Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump.

Earlier in September, Williams said the voting in space is "pretty cool". She said, "It's a very important duty that we have as citizens and [I'm] looking forward to being able to vote from space which is pretty cool." The Indian-American astronaut said this while speaking with the media for the first time after Starliner's departure from the International Space Station.

In the same press conference, Butch Wilmore had said, I set down my request for a ballot today." The other two NASA astronauts who planned to vote in space are Nick Hague and Don Pettit.

Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore had launched to space aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 5. This Starliner test flight marked the first Boeing spaceflight with astronauts. While Starliner returned to Earth on September 7, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore remain part of the Expedition 72 space station. They await their return on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in February 2025.

Is it possible to vote in space? Yes. NASA astronaut David Wolf was the first American to vote from space while aboard the Mir Space Station in 1997. In the last (2020) US Presidential Elections, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins exercised her right to vote aboard the International Space Station.

But how do you vote when you are 250 miles above Earth during an election cycle? To cast a ballot in space, astronauts need to fill out an absentee ballot, which is encrypted and then sent to Earth through the Near Space Network.

NASAs Near Space Network enables astronauts on the International Space Station to communicate with Earth and electronically deliver ballots from space.

US ELection Results: Let's take a deep dive into the process In 1997, the Texas Legislature passed a bill that allowed NASA astronauts to cast ballots from orbit. Here's how the NASA explained the process of casting a vote in space:

Voting in space is possible through NASAs Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) Program. The process is similar to most data transmitted between the space station and the Mission Control Center at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Votes cast in space travel through the agencys Near Space Network, managed by NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The network connects missions within 1.2 million miles of Earth with communications and navigation services  including the space station.

WATCH: Here's a visual representation of the process

Astronauts may fill out a Federal Post Card Application to request an absentee ballot. The astronaut then fills out an electronic ballot aboard the orbiting laboratory. The document flows through NASAs Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System to a ground antenna at the agencys White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

From New Mexico, NASA transfers the ballot to the Mission Control Center at NASA Johnson and then on to the county clerk responsible for casting the ballot.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Growing up in the rugged landscape of Tokwana village in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South, Praise Muleya, known by his stage name TyzaSlimtee, dreamed of stepping into the limelight and bringing his Kalanga roots to the forefront of Zimbabwe's hip-hop scene. Today, his passion for music and dedication to his craft are bringing him closer to realizing that vision, as he aims to become a leading figure in Kalanga hip-hop and popularize the language and culture through music.Speaking with Chronicle Showbiz Online, TyzaSlimtee recounted his early days experimenting with music. "Back in 2011, I'd play beats on my mother's phone and record myself singing along. No one really understood what I was doing in the rural areas, and neither did I, but I knew I loved music," he shared. His journey took a decisive turn when he moved to Bulawayo to attend Milton Boys High School in 2014. There, he met other music enthusiasts and discovered the path to pursue his dreams.TyzaSlimtee draws inspiration from South African rapper Emtee The Hustler and Plumtree's own DJ Phuti. Although they perform in different genres, their artistry fueled his drive to excel in music. "I saw that I had the talent, but they gave me the vision of where I wanted to go," he explained.The young artist began building his portfolio with singles, eventually releasing standout tracks like Butjilo and Ngati bhataneni in 2018, which quickly resonated with fans in his hometown. These tracks garnered him exposure on platforms like ZBCtv, Khulumani FM, Radio Dialogue, and SkyzMetro FM. Today, he has an impressive catalog of over 50 singles and two albums.Though he admits he's been out of the spotlight recently, TyzaSlimtee is preparing a major comeback with two new albums, Mihodzi and Mimoyo yabo, set to record by the end of the year. "I've been underground for a while, and some people may have forgotten about me. But this comeback is important to me," he shared.His goal? To solidify his status as the "Kalanga trap king" with his music playing on every Zimbabwean radio station. TyzaSlimtee is also eager to collaborate with notable Bulawayo artists like Ma9Nine, Asaph Africa, and Msiz'kay, whom he considers influential pillars of local music. "It would be a blessing to work with them on these albums," he said.With his heart set on blending Kalanga language and hip-hop, TyzaSlimtee is ready to make an indelible mark in Zimbabwe's music industry, uniting tradition and modern rhythm for listeners across the nation.
It has been the highlight of most African leaders diplomatic calendar for nearly a quarter of a century. Ever since the inaugural Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) in Beijing in 2000, the triennial shindig has been treated as a barometer by analysts seeking clues about the evolving state of relations between Africa and its biggest trading partner.

At first glance this years summit, the first to be held in-person since the pandemic, is no different. Chinese media are awash with coverage of an event that allows President Xi Jinping to pose as the undisputed leader of the global south. Billed by Chinas foreign ministry as a grand reunion of the China-Africa big family", more than two dozen African leaders are in attendance.

Yet in many African countries the run-up to the summit had been muted. One reason is a perception that China has become less interested in Africa. At the previous FOCAC, held virtually between China and Senegal, China made new financial pledges adding up to $40bna third less than it had promised in both 2015 and 2018. About half of the reduction was due to a slump in infrastructure borrowing. In several African countries, notably Ethiopia, Zambia and Kenya, governments struggled to pay off debts they had accrued while building big-ticket infrastructure over the preceding decade. By 2021 the value of official new loans from China to African countries had fallen to about 0.15% as a share of African GDP, from a peak of 1.2% in 2016, according to Boston University.

Today, with Chinas economy slowing and African governments tightening their belts, few experts expected Beijing to offer anything on the scale of pre-pandemic FOCACs. On September 5th Xi Jinping pledged some $50bn in financial support over the next three years, more than in 2021 but less than in previous years.

The relationship is less frenzied than in the 2000s and 2010s, when Chinas state-backed banks funnelled billions into Africas roads, railways and ports as part of what became known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Mr Xis signature foreign-policy endeavour. For much of that era, geopolitical competition on the continent could be summed up as China and the West", notes Eric Olander, co-founder of the China Africa Project, a media initiative focused on the relationship. Since then, Africa+1" events have gone global; the second Indonesia-Africa Forum began just three days before the opening of FOCAC on September 4th. Now, it is China, the West and the rest," says Mr Olander.

Yet as Mr Xis latest pledge shows, that does not mean that China is retreating from Africa, or that African countries are disengaging from China. Whatever people say, China will remain the biggest economic partner for Africa," explains a senior official in Ethiopia, one of a few big countriesanother is Angolagenerally perceived to have pulled away from China in recent years. You simply cannot afford not to have good relations."

China remains the continents biggest bilateral trade partner. Even as lending has fallen, trade has ticked up. Thanks in part to surging demand for African minerals, especially those critical for the transition to green energy, the total trade volume in 2023 reached a record $282bn, or 9.9% of Africas GDPup from less than $200bn, or 7.8% of African GDP, just four years earlier. The volume in 2023 was more than double that with India, Africas second-biggest individual trade partner.

In loans to sub-Saharan Africa, China is still second to none. New lending rose again in 2023 after six consecutive years of decline, according to new data from Boston Universitys Global Development Policy Centre. Some of the loans, such as $50m for a solar farm in Burkina Faso, are in line with Mr Xis recent directive that the BRI must shift focus towards small but beautiful" (ie, cheap and green) projects. But others, for instance a loan of roughly $1bn for a railway in Nigeria, are a sign that China hasnt got out of the infrastructure game at all", argues Zainab Usman of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a think-tank in Washington, DC.

The more commonly cited data may be underestimating the scale of Chinas lending. Bradley Parks, the executive director of AidData, a research lab at William & Mary University in America, agrees that there has been a measurable bounceback" in lending in recent years (though volumes remain far off their peak). But he adds that much of what we think is going on in the world of Chinese lending is based on where the light is shone". Datasets that focus only on the activity of a small group of Chinese state-backed lenders, such as the two biggest, Export-Import Bank of China (known as Exim) and China Development Bank, do not tell the full story.

Casting a wider light means considering an array of Chinese creditorsboth public and privateas well as different types of loans. These include those denominated in yuan, rather than dollars, as well as packages involving multilateral or even Western banks. China also offers emergency-rescue lending to central banks, for example in the form of currency swaps. Chinese banks get involved in special-purpose vehicles established to fund individual projects while keeping debts off the governments books.

View Full Image Graphic: The Economist

The picture that emerges is more complex than the traditional sovereign debt of decades past. What we are seeing is a diversification of forms of financial support," says Robert Dussey, the foreign minister of Togo. Take all of it into account and the volume of lending is higher than alternative estimates (see chart).

Consider, for instance, a multi-billion-dollar loan for an iron-ore, rail and port development project in Guinea, which was agreed this year. Unlike the old model of bilateral sovereign debt, the syndicated-loan agreement in question is expected to involve several Chinese banks and possibly Western commercial ones. It will be managed by a special-purpose vehicle in which the Guinean state has a 15% stake. This offers potentially lucrative rewards for the Guinean government, which will receive a share of the project companys future profits. However, it also raises questions about the extent to which Guinean taxpayers will be on the hook should it go bust (the exact terms of the deal are not public).

African negotiators in Beijing this week hope to bag big promises from Chinese firms and lenders. But in this new, murkier world of loans and investment, quality matters as much as quantity. Folashade Soule of Oxford Universitys Blavatnik School of Government argues that African leaders should work together to ensure that resource and infrastructure deals are clean and transparent. Better co-ordination might also push China to make other concessions, such as increasing access to its own market and doing more to help African countries process and refine minerals before export. It has yet to meet its pledge, made at the summit in 2021, to buy $300bn-worth of African goods.

Too often, though, internal rivalry and competition over the same resources" weakens the continents bargaining power, notes Cliff Mboya, a Kenyan analyst. And, economically, Africa needs China more than China needs Africa. Despite recent growth, the continent still makes up less than 5% of Chinas global trade.

Nevertheless, Africa has leverage in the relationship. It has 54 votes at the UN, and a certain moral clout at the heart of the global south. In an increasingly multipolar world it also has competing suitors to play off each other. FOCACChinas largest post-pandemic diplomatic eventis itself a reminder of how much Africa matters to China. It remains an opportunity the continent cannot afford to miss.

Correction (September 10th): An earlier version of this piece overstated the difference between the headline estimates of Chinese loans to Africa provided by AidData and Boston University. This has now been corrected, including in the chart. We apologise for the error.

Sign up to the Analysing Africa, a weekly newsletter that keeps you in the loop about the worlds youngestand least understoodcontinent.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
NABLUS, West BankThe Nablus Soap Co., with a network of buyers in 70 countries, is the kind of family-owned business that once formed the backbone of the local economy in the occupied West Bank.

Now, after more than a year of war in Gaza, a company that traces its roots back centuries sees its future slipping away.

Production costs are up more than 20% and exports have dropped about 30%, amid Israeli restrictions on movement in the West Bank. Overall annual revenue is down from about $5 million to less than $1 million. The staff has been slashed to eight, down from 28 employees before the war. And the company is buying less olive oil, a staple of the local economy that it uses in its famed soap.

The cost of doing business has risen, Palestinian business owners say, as importing supplies and shipping products gets harder. Rising unemployment is hurting local consumers. Tourism, an important source of outside revenue, is down sharply.

We are not just sufferingwe are trying to survive," said the soap companys owner, Mojtaba Tbeleh. We cant even plan by the hour, let alone the year, as we should be."

The war between Israel and Hamas was sparked after the militant groups attack on southern Israel in October last year left 1,200 people dead and 250 held hostage. The fallout is increasingly threatening the economy in the West Bank, a separate majority-Palestinian territory a few dozen miles away, with potential destabilizing consequences for the security of Israel and the broader Middle East, senior U.S. officials have said in letters to the Israeli government.

The risk of being cut off from Israels financial system also looms. An Israeli waiver that allows Palestinian and Israeli banks to correspond was set to expire last Thursday, which would have severed a relationship that supports more than $13 billion in annual trade. At the 11th hour, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who says Palestinian banks are used to fund terrorism, extended the waiver for a month. The U.S. has been pressuring Israel to roll it over for at least another year and says the Palestinian Authority, which governs part of the territory, adequately manages illicit-financing risks alongside various international bodies.

Unfortunately, the very short-term duration of this extension creates another looming crisis by Nov. 30," Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a joint statement Thursday. Cutting off these banking ties would create significant economic turmoil in the West Bank, threatening the security of Israel and the broader region."

The West Bank economy was relatively stable before the fighting in Gaza began last year. Israeli and Jordanian ports, though with some access challenges even prewar, served as gateways to the world for Palestinian businesses. Tourism to historic sites in Bethlehem and Jericho generated revenue. More than 100,000 Palestinians entered Israel legally for work, and relatively low unemployment kept West Bank residents spending.

All that changed after the Hamas-led attack and the Israeli military campaign that it triggered, which has killed more than 43,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to health officials there. The figures dont state how many were combatants. Israel has tightened restrictions on movement in the West Bank, canceled more than 100,000 permits for Palestinians who worked legally in Israel, and conducted near-daily military raids, killing more than 700 people. Violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has increased.

The result: Every major Palestinian economic sector is shrinking, according to Palestinian officials and economic analyses. The unemployment rate in the West Bank has more than doubled from prewar levels, to an estimated 31% in the second quarter of 2024, up from about 13% a year earlier, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.

The Palestinian public sector, which accounts for roughly 20% of jobs in the West Bank, is also struggling. The Palestinian Authority is expected to face a nearly $2 billion budget deficit this year, according to the World Bank.

We are taking loans to pay partial salaries," said the authoritys economy minister, Mohammad Alamour.

In the private sector, the banking waiver is a source of uncertainty. Al Arz, an ice-cream manufacturer in Nablus and mainly focused on the Palestinian and Jordanian markets, imports many of its food ingredients from around the world. The company often relies on Palestinian-Israeli banking correspondence to transfer money.

Our suppliers are waiting to see if Israel extends the banking-correspondence waiver to make sure we will be able to pay them," said Zahi Anabtawi, chief executive of Al Arz.

The companys shipments to Gaza have been at a standstill since Israel began its military campaign, shutting it off from a major market. And in the West Bank, people are buying less ice cream. Now the company is barely breaking even, its chief executive said, and is moving toward expanding in places such as the Seychelles, Mauritius and neighboring Middle Eastern countries that seek to support Palestinian brands.

Ice cream is something that is considered a luxury, and people here are buying things they dont need a lot less," Anabtawi said.

The ice-cream maker is particularly sensitive to Israeli restrictions on Palestinians movement in the West Bank. The product needs to be temperature-controlled and its ingredients expire quickly. The companys hundreds of employees come from all over the West Bank, and they have at times had to sleep in the plant during street closures or waves of settler violence.

Sometimes soldiers take all our products out of the trucks and leave them outside in the sun as they conduct searches, which we then cant use," said Saed Anabtawi, Zahis brother and the companys plant manager. Our imports have also been delayed, and those ingredients go bad quickly. It is a logistical nightmare."

Nablus Soap, which advertises its traditional Palestinian soapmaking methods, has more than 70% of its customer base outside the Palestinian territories and Israel, according to Tbeleh, the owner. But shipments to East Asia that once took a month now take three, and late deliveries and high insurance rates have spooked foreign clients, leading some to cancel orders, he said.

There are delays in every part of the supply chain, starting from leaving the factory," Tbeleh said, pointing toward an Israeli checkpoint a few hundred yards away that he says sometimes creates hourslong delays. Then, the soap can be held at other checkpoints in the West Bank, and later at Israeli ports on the Mediterranean Sea, or at the land crossing with Jordan.

Challenges facing businesses like the soap companys can ripple through the economy.

Before the war, we had difficulty finding workers because we couldnt compete with Israeli wages," Tbeleh said. Now, unemployed people beg us for work, but we arent making enough revenue to hire more staff, and we certainly cant hire people from outside the area because of the checkpoints."

West Bank workers who used to be employed in Israel linger in the streets, seeking odd jobs. Commercial districts that once bustled are now quiet. Residents say they have noticed more youth begging, a previously rare sight.

Imad Qandeel, a Nablus resident and father of four, said he worked in Israel for nine years, most recently at a Tel Aviv bakery earning $65 a day, before his permit was canceled in October of last year.

He hasnt found work since, aside from occasional jobs as a handyman or cleaner, working for $15 a day.

Qandeel said he is trying to make sure his four children dont have to quit school to provide for the family, as he did when he was young. But the opportunities are limited in the West Bank and he said he doesnt want to risk sneaking into Israel for under-the-table work, which could threaten his ability to get a work permit if restrictions ease down the road.

The walls are closing in," he said. There arent any options left."

Suha Maayeh contributed to this article.
Hyundai Motor India Share Price Today on 05-11-2024: At 05 Nov 16:01 today, Hyundai Motor India shares are trading at price 1828.85, 0.79% up from the previous closing price. Sensex is trading at 79476.63, up by 0.88%. The stock has hit a high of 1839.6 and a low of 1800 during the day.

On the technical front, the stock is trading above the short term simple moving averages of 5, 10, 20 day as well as longer term moving averages of 50, 100 & 300 days.

The SMA values for the stock are given below :

Days Simple Moving Average 5 1810.01 10 0.00 20 0.00 50 0.00 100 0.00 300 0.00

Hyundai Motor India Share Price Today

From a fundamental analysis perspective, the company has a ROE of 39.45% & ROA of 19.89% respectively.The current P/E of the stock is at 23.70 & P/B is at 12.14.

The median 1-year forecasted upside in this share is at 18.11% with a target price of 2160.00.

The company has a 0.00% promoter holding, 1.74% MF holding, & 7.36% FII holding as per filings in the october quarter.

The FII holding has from % in to % in the quarter.
The primary market in India is abuzz with the much anticipated initial public offering (IPO) of Swiggy Ltd to be launched on November 6. The online food and grocery delivery company plans to raise a massive 11,327.43 crore from the public issue, making it one of the biggest IPOs in India.

Indias IPO market has seen some massive public offerings, with several surpassing the 10,000 crore mark. Historically, while many have promised great returns, not all have managed to deliver. Many of Indias biggest IPOs, including Hyundai Motor India, Paytm and Reliance Power have resulted in losses for investors.

On the contrary, only a few large IPOs  such as Coal India, Zomato, and HDFC Life Insurance  have generated positive returns, with their shares trading above the issue price.

Also Read | Swiggy IPO: 10 key things to know as issue opens tomorrow

Heres a look at the five biggest IPOs which faced weak listings:

Hyundai Motor India IPO Hyundai Motor India IPO worth 27,870.16 crore is Indias biggest IPO till date and was launched on October 15, 2024. Hyundai Motor shares made a muted debut on the Indian stock exchanges on October 22 as the stock was listed at 1,931 on BSE, a discount of 1.5% to the issue price of 1,960 per share.

Hyundai Motor shares are trading below its IPO price and hit a low of 1,751.65 apiece on October 29. On November 4, Hyundai Motor stock ended at 1,814.55 apiece, still lower by 7.4% from its IPO price.

LIC IPO The 21,000-crore worth LIC IPO, launched in May 2022, debuted at a discount of over 8% to its issue price of 949 per share. Market sentiment and valuation concerns contributed to the tepid listing.

Paytm IPO One97 Communications, the parent company of fintech giant Paytm, launched its IPO in November 2021. Despite high anticipation, the Paytm stock listed at a 9% discount. Paytm shares post-listing performance suffered due to doubts over profitability and expensive valuations. Paytm stock price is down by over 64% from its IPO price.

Reliance Power IPO Reliance Powers 11,560-crore worth IPO was launched in February 2008 and the Anil Ambani Group stock was listed at a 17% discount. Reliance Power shares are down over 85% from its IPO price.

SBI Cards & Payment Services IPO SBI Cards made its debut in March 2020 with a 10,355 crore IPO, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning to impact markets. SBI Cards shares were listed at a 13% discount to its issue price of 755, mainly due to the broader market sell-off and valuation concerns. The stock is still down more than 8% from its issue price.
Upcoming IPO in 2025: Apollo Green Energy Limited (AGEL), a renewable energy arm of Apollo International Group, is setting ambitious goals as it plans a public listing in 2025. The company, already managing a substantial order book of 3,500 crore, aims to expand its project portfolio to 10,000 crore by 2025, tapping into Indias growing renewable energy market.

AGELs revenue trajectory has been noteworthy, rising from 324.83 crore in FY22 to 688.85 crore in FY23 and further soaring to 1,174.77 crore in FY24. This impressive growth reflects AGELs aggressive expansion across Indias renewable energy sector, spanning solar and hydro projects. The company operates in eight states and manages a diverse portfolio, including 400 MW solar installations and several large-scale Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects.

Also Read | IRFC share price dips despite better-than-expected Q2 results 2024

AGEL's CEO Sanjay Gupta said As we advance our operations, we aim to establish a strong foundation for renewable energy projects in India. With an order book of 3,500 crore and a team of over 200 professionals, we are dedicated to delivering projects that support the nations energy goals and sustainability objectives. Our upcoming IPO will enhance our financial base, allowing us to scale and invest in cutting-edge renewable technologies.

AGELs project pipeline includes high-impact renewable installations. The company is currently executing a 40 MW fixed-tilt solar project in Odisha, a pioneering 50 MW floating solar installation in Kerala, and a 200 MW solar project with tracker technology in Gujarat. In Bihar, AGEL is also involved in the deployment of 150,000 smart solar streetlights, part of its commitment to promoting sustainable infrastructure.

In line with India's clean energy goals, AGEL is exploring new technologies such as wind, green hydrogen, and energy storage solutions. The company is also in discussions with technology providers for strategic partnerships and plans to produce its own solar models to enhance capabilities and keep costs competitive. AGELs involvement in pollution control initiatives, such as its Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) systems, supports India's environmental efforts by reducing sulfur dioxide emissions from power generation.
US Presidential Elections 2024: The outcome of the US Presidential Elections would significantly impact the Indian stock market. According to stock market estimates, in this bitterly fought close election, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are expected to modernize the US military and enhance the country's defence budget. This may fuel the defence expenditure of developing nations like India. Hence, buying defence stocks ahead of the US Presidential Election results can be a good bet.

Is it wise to buy defence stocks? Advising stock investors to look at defence stocks ahead of the US Presidential Election outcome, VLA Ambala, Co-Founder of Stock Market Today, said, "According to my analysis, investing in defence stocks at this time could prove profitable. Historically, Donald Trump has prioritized the modernization of the US military. Major defence contractors like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics could see significant benefits if he returns to power, which may act as a tailwind for India's defence sector."

Pravesh Gour, Senior Technical Analyst at Swastika Investment, said, "It is crucial to consider the possible effects of the US presidential election on India-US ties and, in turn, the Indian military industry when considering purchasing Indian defence stocks. The outcome of the US presidential election may have a favourable or unfavourable effect on India's military industry and, consequently, on the performance of Indian defence stocks. Regardless of US political shifts, the Indian military industry has a strong track record. Although legislative changes may occur under a new US administration, India's military industry is fueled by both internal demand and strategic alliances with other nations."

"India's defence budget has increased to 6,21,940 crore, representing 12.9% of the total budget for FY 2024-25. The sector also registered defence exports of 21,083 crore in FY 2023-24, a 32.5% increase, underscoring our country's demand for security and transition from a defence importer to a key global supply chain player. Amid these developments, companies like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited, and Cochin Shipyard could generate interest among investors," VLA Ambala added.

Defence stocks to buy today Asked about shares to buy before the US Presidential election results, VLA Ambala said, "Defence companies Astra Microwave Products, Rossell India Limited, and Data Patterns (India) Ltd could add value to investment portfolios. Investors may also consider defence ETFs like DFND for diversification. I believe Trump's potential victory could sustain demand for global defence companies and allied contracts, creating new investment opportunities for domestic investors."

"Important companies with solid foundations, such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), are probably going to keep doing well," said Pravesh Gour of Swastika Investmart.
On 29 October, the union government expanded the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to provide free health insurance to all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income.

To enrol for the scheme, senior citizens need to generate an Ayushman Vaya Vandana (AVV) Card. While the government has specified the process, a good number are unable to do it.

Take the case of Dilip Mamadapur, 70, from Mumbai. He did his e-KYC only to see a pop-up that said the state where he lives either does not offer the scheme or has the Model Code of Conduct in force due to elections. The same was the case with Abhishek Agnihotri, 71, from Kanpur. He was informed that he could apply for the scheme only once the Model Code of Conduct was lifted. This code is meant to ensure that political parties dont launch public schemes or grant financial aid to swing votes in their favour in the run-up to elections.

Also read | Beyond health cover: Why Ayushman Bharat has still not aced its true test

View Full Image Graphic: Pranay Bhardwaj

To find out where all its currently in force, we telephoned the Ayushman Bharat helpline number '14555'. According to the PMJAY customer service executive, the model code is in force in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and some districts of Assam and Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala , Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It is unknown for how long it will be in force in these states, but you can call the helpline to enquire about your specific district.

Notably, residents of Delhi and West Bengal cannot apply for the scheme at all. Since health is a state subject, the governments of these two regions have not allowed the central government to offer PMJAY.

Those who are eligible can apply for it and download the AVV Card using the process outlined below.

How to apply

While the process is not difficult, some may find it overly complicated. Lucknow-based Kamal Kapoor, who applied for it on behalf of his father-in-law, said, "Senior citizens may find it complicated because multiple OTPs are to be entered and they do not come simultaneously. This adds to the confusion. If my father-in-law, a retired judge, could not do it, one can imagine how less educated or technically challenged people would do it themselves," he said.

Heres the step-by-step process:

Visit https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/

Find the log-in widget on the left

Log in as a beneficiary. Enter the captcha and your mobile number

Click on 'verify'. Youll get an OTP on your phone.

Enter it to get redirected to the next page

The top widget shows scheme, state, sub scheme and district. Ignore these options

Go to the ad-like widget about PMJAY for senior citizens

Click on "click here to enroll"

Enter your Aadhar number, Family ID (if available) and captcha

Click on 'fresh enrollment to complete the e-KYC

The next page shows your Aadhar number. Click on 'verify'

Put in the Aadhar OTP (from UIDAI) and the mobile OTP (from NHA)

Your e-KYC is successful

The next page asks for your existing health insurance schemes

Choose if you have one or proceed with 'none of the above'

Your Aadhar details will show up with the image

You need to get your picture taken, so keep your camera ready

After verification, you may add additional information

Feel free to add more mobile numbers

Provide details of family members along with their Aadhar numbers

Click on 'submit'

After 15 minutes, download the AVV card by entering your Aadhar number and captcha

How to apply offline

To apply offline, you can visit your nearest Health and Wellness Center (HWC), Common Service Center (CSC) or hospital thats empanelled with PMJAY. The 'Aarogya Mitra' will help you generate the AVV Card. Carry your Aadhar card with you.

Pros of the scheme: The scheme offers 5 lakh annual coverage for in-patient hospitalisation at the family level. If a family has two members above 70 years, both of them will share the policy cover of 5 lakh. If a family already has younger Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries, an additional top-up will be provided for senior citizens above 70 years. The best thing about the policy is there is no waiting period. Many private health insurance policies usually impose a waiting period of up to three years for pre-existing conditions.

Also read | Heat, floods and diseases: Will your health insurance premiums rise?

Cons: Out-patient department expenses, dental treatment, and vaccination and immunisation are not covered by AB-PMJAY. Also, treatment is covered only in the general ward of a hospital. If you choose a private or a semi-private room, you may have to pay a good portion of the bill yourself. Most importantly, treatment under PMJAY is cashless only, so you cant get admitted to a non-empanelled hospital and seek reimbursement. The network of hospitals in your locality is therefore crucial. Check it here: https://hospitals.pmjay.gov.in/Search/

While data from the National Health Authority shows about 30,000 hospitals empanelled with AB-PMJAY, not all are active. Active hospitals are those from where at least one discharge has happened over the past 45 days. It is less than 3,000 under PMJAY," said Ankur Gigras, co-founder and chief executive at HexaHealth.

Also read: Govts free healthcare scheme welcomes the elderly. But can they rely on it?

Still, something is better than nothing. At a time when health insurance premiums for senior citizens are going through the roof, you may consider enrolling for this as a plan B. But make sure you have a plan A ready in the form of private health insurance or a healthcare fund.
WICHITA, KANSAS (AP)  Sobs of relief broke out in a federal courtroom in Kansas on Monday as dozens of people whose life savings had been embezzled by a bank CEO learned that federal law enforcement had recovered their money.

"I just cant describe the weight lifted off of us, said Bart Camilli, 70, who with his wife Cleo had just learned theyd recover close to $450,000  money Bart began saving at 18 when he bought his first individual retirement account. Its life-changing.

In August, former Kansas bank CEO Shan Hanes was sentenced to 24 years after stealing $47 million from customer accounts and wiring the money to cryptocurrency accounts run by scammers. Prosecutors said Hanes also stole $40,000 from his church, $10,000 from an investment club and $60,000 from his daughters college fund and lost $1.1 million of his own in the scheme. Deposits were jettisoned into the ether, said prosecutor Aaron Smith.

Hanes' Heartland Tri-State Bank, drained of cash, was shut down by federal regulators and sold to another financial institution. Customers savings and checking accounts amounting to $47.1 million were insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which paid off their losses.

But there were still 30 shareholders of the community-owned rural bank Hanes helped found  including his close family friends and neighbors  who thought they lost $8.3 million in investments: well-planned retirements were upended, funds for long-term eldercare gone, education funds and bequests for children and grandchildren zeroed out.

On Monday the shareholders stood to cheer federal Judge John W. Broomes in Wichita after he told them, one at a time, that theyd be paid back in full. The FBI recovered the funds from a cryptocurrency account held by Tether Ltd.

During an earlier sentencing hearing, these victims had called Hanes a deceitful cheat and a liar, and pure evil.

Margaret Grice came to court Monday figuring shed get $1,000 back. Instead, she learned shed be recovering almost $250,000, her entire 401(k).

Im just really thrilled, she said. I can breathe.

Prosecutors said Hanes, who was the CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Elkhart, Kansas, lost the money in a scam referred to as pig butchering, or the way pigs are fattened before slaughter. In the scam, a third party gains a victims' trust and, over time, convinces them to invest all of their money into cryptocurrency, which immediately disappears. U.S. and U.N. officials say these schemes are proliferating, with scammers largely in Southeast Asia increasingly taking advantage of Americans.

Hanes started buying what he thought was $5,000 in cryptocurrency in late 2022, communicating with someone who had reached out on WhatsApp, according to court records. A few months later he transferred over his church and investment club funds. Records show the scam accelerated in the summer of 2023, when Hanes wired $47.1 million out of customer accounts in 11 wire transfers over just eight weeks. Each transfer, he thought, was necessary to end the investment and cash out, court records said. He watched, on a fake website, as the money appeared to grow to more than $200 million.

He was to take some of the money, and the rest of the money was supposed to go back to the bank, his attorney John Stang explained. Now it's fiction, it didn't exist. We all know that now ... It failed big time.

Hanes, who was not in court Monday, apologized at an earlier sentencing hearing.

From the deepest depth of my soul, I had no intention of ever causing the harm that I did," he said. Ill forever struggle to understand how I was duped and how what I thought was just getting the money back was making it worse."

Prosecutors said Hanes wasnt just the victim of a scam, he crossed a line when he began taking customers' money and violating banking regulations. He pleaded guilty to embezzlement by a bank officer in May.

His prominent standing in his hometown of 2,000 made it easier for him to get away with it, a Federal Reserve System investigation found; he had been on the school board, volunteered as a swim meet official, and served on the Kansas Bankers Association.

He also was a banking leader beyond his rural community. In recent years, he testified to Congressional committees about the importance of local banks in farming communities, and he served as a director for the American Bankers Association, which represents almost all banking assets in the U.S.

On Monday, prosecutors said the FDIC wanted to be paid back for the insurance claims it reimbursed to bank customers. But Judge Broomes said the economic circumstances of shareholders who became insolvent because of a fraud scheme justified paying them back first, before the FDIC recovers anything.

Hanes, 53, may be in his late 70s when he is released and is unlikely to be able to pay the FDIC the $47.1 million still owed.

In a court filing, Hanes and his attorney tried to explain what had happened.

Mr. Hanes made some very bad choices after being caught up in an extremely well-run cryptocurrency scam, they said. He was the pig that was butchered.

___
A Bengaluru woman was killed after being mowed down by a speeding car on November 2. The horrific incident took place near Kengeri Traffic and Transit Management Centre (TTMC), where the 30-year-old woman, identified as Sandhya AS, was fatally struck by the speeding Mercedes Benz, reported PTI.

According to the report, the driver was in an inebriated state when the tragedy happened. The Bengaluru police responded promptly after being alerted about the incident. The DCP of Traffic West said, "We have apprehended the accused immediately, and he has been sent to judicial custody," reported India Today.

Here's what happened Sandhya was trying to cross the road on Saturday when the driver of the luxury car, under the influence of alcohol, rammed into the pedestrian. The accused, identified as 20-year-old Dhanush, had consumed alcohol beyond permissible limits and hence lost control of the vehicle.

An alcometer test of the accused driver showed that he had 177 mg/100 ml of blood alcohol content, which was way higher than the legally permissible limit of 30 mg/100 ml, PTI quoted a senior police officer as saying.

Also Read | 4 Auto launches to watch out for this festive season: Check details

The accused reportedly continued his rash driving on the busy Mysuru Road and ultimately rammed into a 23-year-old biker. The two-wheeler rider named Syed Arbaz, who suffered minor injuries, and Sandhya were rushed to the hospital, where the latter was declared brought dead.

A traffic official said, "We have registered a case under sections 281 (rash driving or riding on a public road), 125 A (Act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the accused car driver at Kengeri traffic police station and arrested him," reported PTI.
A copy in dry state Gujarat died while trying to stop a vehicle carrying illegal liquor in the wee hours of Tuesday, November 5. The incident occurred near Kathada village on Dasada-Patdi road in Gujarat's Surendranagar around 2:30 am, an official said. The deceased sub-inspector has been identified as 50-year-old JM Pathan.

How the events unfolded? JM Pathan had received a tip-off about an SUV snuggling liquor. Around 2 am, JM Pathan and other members of the state monitoring team (SMC) were standing on a turn of the road to stop the vehicle.

The vehicle and a trailer behind it managed to pass the turning. However, the police tried to stop an SUV that followed but was blinded by its headlight and banged against the back of the trailer, the official said.

Pathan, who sustained severe head injuries due to the impact, was rushed to a health center. He was referred to a government hospital where he was declared dead, the SMC said in a release.

An FIR was registered at Dasada police station, and further investigation was underway, it said. Also Read | Dry days in Delhi: Liquor sale banned on THESE days in November; check out

Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi paid tribute to the "brave officer" for sacrificing his life in the fight against prohibition.

In a post on X, Sanghavi wrote, "PSI J M Pathan, an aspiring officer of the state monitoring cell, died while trying to catch a suspected vehicle full of liquor on Dasada-Patdi road of Surendranagar district. Gujarat Police has lost a brave, hardworking officer. A tribute to this brave officer who laid down his life in the fight against prohibition. Heartfelt condolences to his family."

The SMC is a special branch of the Gujarat police tasked with implementing the Gujarat Prohibition Act (Amended) 2017 and the Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887. Also Read | Viral video: Andhra Pradesh cops line up illicit liquor worth 50 lakh for destruction, people loot in seconds
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 67-year-old businessman, Eleson Tambudze, was tragically killed in a violent home invasion in Westview, Kadoma. The incident occurred when two unidentified men attacked the security guard on duty, restraining him with a shoelace before proceeding to shoot Tambudze multiple times.According to a statement released by the police on X (formerly Twitter), Tambudze sustained multiple gunshot wounds and succumbed to his injuries. His body has been transported to Kadoma General Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.The police are urging anyone with information related to this brutal attack to come forward and report to their nearest station, as they intensify efforts to track down the suspects involved in this deadly crime.
New Delhi: The government is working on a plan to finance and develop shipbuilding infrastructure in the country on the lines of developed markets such South Korea and Japan to reduce reliance on foreign vessels and increase the countrys share in sea-borne trade.

The Union shipping ministry is discussing a policy that will provide viability gap funding (VGF)or financial support to make projects commercially feasiblefor domestic shipbuilding, two officials aware of the plan said. It also plans to introduce purchase preference so that any vessel seeking new registration for coastal cargo transport in India from fiscal FY31 onwards would need to necessarily be built at a domestic shipyard, the officials said on the condition of anonymity.

National Shipbuilding Mission on anvil

The policy aims to establish a National Shipbuilding Mission to steer the implementation of a newer version of ship building financial assistance programme or SBFAP 2.0 worth 18,000 crore for another 10 years up to FY34, the officials said.

The governments objective is to boost Indias capacity to put its own vessels on coastal, inland as well as global trade routes. In 2022, the country ranked 18 on global ship-owning list, with a less than 1% share in international shipbuilding, according to the ministry data.

The aim of the new policy, which will be finalized post inter ministerial consultations, is to gradually enhance use of Indian-made and Indian-flagged ships in cargo operations, increasing countrys self-reliance in line with the governments endeavours towards Atmanirbhar Bharat," said one of the officials quoted earlier. The percentage share of Indian built ships in the countrys fleet is projected to increase from 5% at present to 7% by 2030 and 69% by 2047 under the initiative."

The government also plans to introduce a new system allowing entities offering their vessels for shipbreaking to get a credit note of 40% of its fair scrap value. This would be reimbursed against the cost of building a new vessel if it happens an Indian shipyard.

Mint had in September reported about the governments mega plan to promote shipbuilding in the country, including the launch of multiple missions to support the initiative.

Queries emailed to the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways remained unanswered till press time.

A maritime development fund

A key element of the new ship building policy would be instituting a 25,000-crore Maritime Development Fund (MDF) for providing long-term and low-cost financial support for indigenous shipbuilding and other blue water infrastructure including ports, trans-shipment hubs, terminals, ship-braking and repair yards, marina development, dredging and container manufacturing.

The government is expected to hold a minority shareholding of at least 26% in the proposed fund, while the majority stake will be offered to multilateral financial institutions and global funds, among others. The money would be used to provide funding via debt, equity, VGF and buyer credit to borrowers.

Countries like Singapore, Denmark, Malaysia, which have strong maritime sectors, have dedicated maritime financing institutions or funds that provide stable, long-term capital," said Manish R Sharma, partner and leader-infrastructure, transport and logistics, PwC India. India needs a similar institution to compete globally and support its aspirations of becoming a major maritime power."

Mihir Shah, partner, transport and logistics, EY India, said lessons learnt from implementation of the existing SBFAP and other related initiatives should be analyzed while formulating measures under the new policy to drive demand and capacity augmentation.

Aid to address challenges

"The proposed Maritime Development Fund should help address the specific financing-related challenges facing the sector and thereby spur availability of long term and cost-efficient capital to meet the emerging needs of Indias maritime sector, including expansion of Indian-flag shipping tonnage, decarbonization, cruise tourism, port modernization, coastal shipping, inland waterways and EXIM logistics, amongst others," Shah said.

The initiative would also address concerns about global uncertainties driving up shipping costs for Indian trade. Domestic shipping lines at affordable prices could help contain freight rate volatility triggered by black swan events such as Covid-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, Red Sea crisis.

Also read | New shipbuilding scheme likely after 2026, with higher incentives

The new policy will help India achieve the target of at least 5% of global tonnage from the present 1%, which is not enough to meet the nations economic growth targets, according to Pushpank Kaushik, chief executive officer & head of business development (subcontinent, Middle East and Southeast Asia) at Jassper Shipping, a Hyderabad-based shipping and logistics company. Besides supporting local ship owners, he said, it would make India an alternate ship building destination away from Vietnam, Korea, Japan and China".
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has carried out searches at around 20 locations across three states  Jharkhand, West Bengal and Bihar  in a case linked to organised illegal stone mining.

In Jharkhand, the raids were conducted at three places in Ranchi, one place at Gumla, and 13 places at Sahebganj. The agency sleuths also raided two places in Kolkata and one place in Patna. The raids are related to an ongoing investigation into organised illegal stone mining in Jharkhand.

A CBI press release dated November 5 revealed that over 60 lakh cash, gold weighing more than 1 kg, silver weighing 1.2 kg, gold ornaments, mobiles, 61 live 9mm cartridges, sale deeds related to properties, documents related to investments and Shell companies, agreement papers, and other incriminating documents were found in the raids.

Also Read | Supreme Court upholds cancellation of CBI lookout notice for Rhea Chakraborty

The press release states, The CBI had registered the instant case on 20/11/2023 u/s 120B r/w 34, 379, 323, 500, 504 & 506 of IPC, u/s 27 of Arms Act, U/s 3(1)(5) of SC/ST Act, and section 4/54 of Jharkhand Mines & Minerals concession Rules 2004 based on the directions of Hon'ble High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi vide order dated 18/08/2023.

The probe agency uncovered large-scale illegal mining activities in the Sahebganj district. The government suffered substantial losses due to these illegal activities, which were compounded by unpaid royalties and the violation of mining laws.

Also Read | Constitution under constant attack: Rahul Gandhi lashes out at PM Modi

Field investigations suggest that key individuals and entities were allegedly involved in this operation using multiple methods to conceal their activities and divert illicitly obtained resources/money, the release said.
An Army jawan and a CRPF trooper were injured on Tuesday after an encounter broke out in Jammu and Kashmir. An unidentified terrorist was also killed during the encounter.

Officials said they had launched a cordon-and-search operation in the Choontpathri forest area of Bandipora district based on information about the presence of ultras. A gunfight broke out on as the terrorists opened fire on the security forces in the Ketsun forest area.

Based on specific intelligence input regarding presence of terrorists in general area Kaitsan forest, a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF in general area Chuntawadi Kaitsan, Bandipora. Contact was established and firefight ensued. Operation is in progress, read an update from the Chinar Corps handle on X.

The injured officials have since been taken to a hospital and a follow-up update indicated that their operation was underway.

The incident is the latest spate of attacks and clashes that have plagued the northern Union Territory in recent months. Earlier on Tuesday the Jammu and Kashmir police along with 22RR and 92 BN of the Central Reserve Police Force apprehended one terrorist associate in Sopore.
Janata Dal (Secular) and Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy has been accused of allegedly threatening a senior police officer probing a mining case against him, reported PTI.

Based on a complaint by Inspector General of Police M Chandra Sekhar, who alleged Kumaraswamy threatened a government servant to prevent him from discharging his duties, a case has been registered against Kumaraswamy on Monday.

In his complaint, Sekhar stated that he was heading the Special Investigation Team probing a mining case in which Kumaraswamy is an accused. The case pertains to the allegations that he illegally approved a 550-acre mining lease to Sri Sai Venkateswara Minerals (SSVM) in Bellary district in violation of law during his tenure as Karnataka Chief Minister from 2006 to 2008.

The SIT, after preparing the investigation report and having found substantial evidence and material to prosecute the accused (Kumaraswamy), had written to H.E. Governor of Karnataka seeking sanction for prosecution against the accused Sh. H.D. Kumaraswamy on 21/11/2023, PTI quoted Sekhar as saying in his complaint lodged at Sanjay Nagar police station.

Also Read | MUDA scam: Siddaramaiah refuses to resign as Karnataka CM

Minister's take: Kumaraswamy termed the FIR as 'ridiculous and malicious'. He also accused the Congress government in Karnataka of targeting him. He also said he will respond to the FIR legally.

I have read the FIR and the complaints content. It is completely ridiculous and clearly malicious. The complainant has stated that I allegedly made accusations against him in a press conference and has asked for action. Did I provide false information about him? He can review my press conference video if he wants, Kumaraswamy was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office.

Hitting out at Congress, Kumaraswany said, When they (Congress) realised their deceit in Channapatna was becoming apparent, they resorted to new tactics. We have faith in Baba Saheb Ambedkar's Constitution and the law, and trust in the people of Channapatna. Even if a hundred such FIRs are filed, we will not lose courage."

Apart from Kumaraswamy, the FIR also named Nikhil and JD(S) legislative party leader Suresh Babu for submitting a complaint to the Chief Secretary against Chandra Sekhar.
A nine-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the state can't classify every privately owned property as a material resource of the community.

The 8:1 decision means that the state cannot take over private property solely to distribute for community welfare.

The majority opinion, authored by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, clarified that the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) under Article 39(b) of the Constitution, which mandates the state distribute resources equitably, cannot be applied to all privately owned properties.

Also Read: DY Chandrachuds tenure: Great ambitions, but did he do enough? Article 39(b) states that the government should direct its policies to ensure the ownership and control of community resources are distributed for the common good.

The other eight members of the bench were justices Hrishikesh Roy, B.V. Nagarathna, Sudhanshu Dhulia, J.B. Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, Rajesh Bindal, Satish Chandra Sharma, and Augustine George Masih.

While Justice Dhulia was the lone dissenter, Justice Nagarathna registered partial dissent.

Previous judgements The landmark ruling rejected previous judgments, particularly Justice Krishna Iyer's minority ruling in the Ranganath Reddy case, which suggested that privately owned resources could be considered material resources of the community.

The apex court clarified that the notion of material resources of the community cannot be broadly interpreted to include all privately owned properties simply because they serve individual needs.

The CJI criticized Justice Iyers ruling, noting that it reflected a specific ideological perspective.

He emphasized that the classification of a resource as a material resource should depend on its nature, characteristics, community impact, scarcity, and the implications of its concentration in private hands.

Also Read: The Constitution and RBI are two mighty pillars on which Indias stability rests The country's top court also highlighted that the framers of the Constitution did not intend India to adhere to any specific economic doctrine.

The CJI authored the majority ruling.

The note of dissent Justice Nagarathna wrote a separate judgment agreeing with the majoritys conclusion but dissenting on the criticism of the earlier judgments that affirmed private property as material wealth.

According to Nagarathna, judges like Justice Krishna Iyer, who authored those judgments, were products of their time and circumstances and should not be condemned for their interpretations.

Justice Krishna Iyer adjudicated on material resources of a community in the backdrop of a constitutional and economic structure that gave primacy to the state in a broad manner. The 42nd Amendment had included socialism in the Constitution. Can we castigate former judges and allege they did a disservice only because they reached a different interpretive outcome," asked Justice Nagarathna.

"It is concerning how judicial brethren of the future may view past judges, possibly losing sight of the context in which they served and the socio-economic policies pursued by the state, she added.

She said the paradigm shift after the 1991 reforms does not justify branding earlier judges as having done a disservice to the Constitution. "Such observations from this court calling them untrue to their oath of office cannot be accepted, and future judges should not adopt this practice.

Also Read: The Indian Constitution is a social contract and not a 'holy book' She opined that material resources can be divided into two categories: State-owned and privately owned.

She argued that privately owned resources, such as essential items like furniture and kitchen tools, can be transformed into material resources for the community.

She outlined five ways of turning private resources into community material resources: (1) nationalization, (2) acquisition, (3) operation of law, (4) purchase by the state, and (5) donation by the owner.

Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, on the other hand, wrote a dissenting judgment, affirming the view held by previous judges that private property can be classified under material wealth.

However, the judgment reaffirmed that Article 31C, which relates to the directive principles, remains valid, as previously upheld in the landmark Kesavananda Bharati case.

The case file The case dates back to 1992 and was referred to a nine-judge bench in 2002, reflecting a prolonged deliberation over whether privately owned resources should be included in the definition of material resources of the community under Article 39(b).

The petitioners argued that material resources should encompass any resource capable of generating wealth for the communitys benefit.

They contended that if the law intended to include private properties, the language would have explicitly reflected that to prevent misinterpretation.

Also Read: Elections 2024: Historic for the Constitution that unites us all? The government maintained that the interpretation of Article 39(b) should consider evolving constitutional principles rather than fixed ideologies, arguing that a resource represents a communitys dynamic economic interactions and contributions.

The judgement comes against the backdrop of rising income inequality in the country. According to experts, the ruling doesn't completely bar the government from making policy on wealth distribution. However, it restricts its powers.

It appears that the ruling does not completely block the government from implementing wealth redistribution policies but narrows the interpretation of material resources of the community under Article 39(b), said Gauhar Mirza, partner at law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.

"The Supreme Courts emphasis on private property rights signals a shift from nationalistic policies to a market-oriented approach that values ownership and investment security," Mirza added.

Income inequality in India has surged since the early 2000s, with the top one per cents share of income reaching 22.6% and wealth reaching 40.1% in 2022-23, according to a working paper titled Income and Wealth Inequality in India, 1922-2023: The Rise of the Billionaire Raj.
(Bloomberg) -- OpenAI is advancing in its bid to transform the non-profit structure of the $157 billion company into a for-profit business by having preliminary discussions with regulators.

The company is in early talks with the California attorney generals office over the process to change its corporate structure, according to two people familiar with the matter. The process is likely to involve regulators scrutinizing how OpenAI values a portfolio of highly lucrative intellectual property, such as its ChatGPT app.

The attorney general in Delaware also has been in communication about the nonprofit to for-profit shift, as detailed in a letter to OpenAI.

OpenAI, founded in 2015 as a nonprofit research organization with an idealistic mission of building artificial intelligence that would be safe and beneficial to humanity, is considering a significant shift toward a more conventional for-profit structure. A simplified for-profit structure is considered more attractive to investors, although it could open the door to questions about whether the company is upholding its original do-gooder public mission.

High Costs

OpenAI declined to comment on talks with regulators, but said that the nonprofit would continue to exist in any potential corporate restructure.

While our work remains ongoing as we continue to consult independent financial and legal advisors, any potential restructuring would ensure the nonprofit continues to exist and thrive, and receives full value for its current stake in the OpenAI for-profit with an enhanced ability to pursue its mission, OpenAI nonprofit board chairman Bret Taylor said in a statement to Bloomberg News.

In 2019, OpenAI created a capped for-profit subsidiary to help fund the high costs of AI model development, and about a year after OpenAIs Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman was fired and rehired by its former nonprofit board. Altmans ouster followed tensions with the board over balancing AI safety with the pressure to commercialize OpenAIs software, among other issues.

Proprietary ChatGPT

Unlike many other nonprofits, OpenAI holds incredibly valuable intellectual property in the form of its proprietary ChatGPT chatbot and related artificial intelligence technology.

In California, the company has opened a dialogue with the office of Attorney General Rob Bonta and will submit the details of its restructuring plan after the proposal is finalized, according to a person who declined to be identified because the discussions are private.

A spokeswoman for Bontas office said in a statement it is committed to protecting charitable assets for their intended purpose, without commenting on any discussions with OpenAI.

The company plans to change to a public benefit corporation, which Bloomberg previously reported. The move will allow it to maintain its mission for social good while operating as a for-profit business, OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon told employees during a staff meeting in late September, according to a person familiar with the matter. Kwon told employees this new structure will preserve a nonprofit arm that would own a material amount of the for-profit entity, said the person, who declined to identified.

What stake the nonprofit will receive in the for-profit, and how OpenAIs assets are valued, will be key factors in regulatory approvals for the restructuring, according to legal experts.

Its not as simple as just turning off your nonprofit status, said Daren Shaver, a San Francisco-based partner at Hanson Bridgett LLP. Whatever value is those assets has to be properly accounted for.

Intellectual Property

The process in California, which would involve going back and forth with Bontas office, typically can take a couple of months for an ordinary nonprofit, Shaver said. But because California law requires whatever value is assigned to the nonprofit assets to be distributed to a charitable cause  and OpenAIs top asset is its intellectual property  the review could be complicated and drawn-out.

Its about convincing the attorney general effectively that the assets are going to the right place, Shaver said.

OpenAIs conversion would also require following up with the secretaries of state in Delaware and California on certain procedures as well as state and federal tax authorities.

Under the terms of its latest investment round, OpenAIs recent funding could convert to debt if the restructure doesnt happen within two years, the New York Times has reported.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Actor Salman Khan received another threat from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang on Tuesday, Mumbai Police Traffic Control officials said.

This is Lawrence Bishnoi's brother. If Salman Khan wants to stay alive, he should go to our temple and apologise or give 5 crore. If he does not do this, we will kill him. Our gang is still active, the message read, according to the Mumbai Police officials.

The threat message was received on the Mumbai traffic police helpline, and an officer read it around midnight, newswire PTI reported, quoting an official. The latest threat for the Bollywood actor comes just a month after receiving a similar threat from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang on October 29, demanding to pay 2 crore.

The Bishnoi community and Salman Khan have been in a tussle since Khan was accused of killing a black buck when he went to shoot for Hum Saath Saath Hai in Rajasthan in 1998. Ever since the gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has taken it upon himself to kill Salman Khan.

Salman Khan previous death threats Last month, the Mumbai Police arrested a man from Noida in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly issuing a death threat to Salman Khan and NCP leader Zeeshan Siddique, whose father Baba Siddique, was shot dead outside his office by three gunmen on October 12, 2024, in Bandra.

In April 2024, the Navi Mumbai Police registered another case against 18 identified and other unidentified members of the Bishnoi gang for allegedly hatching a conspiracy to kill Salman Khan at his farmhouse at Panvel near Mumbai. The development followed a firing outside the actor's Bandra residence in Mumbai by Bishnoi gang members.

The sender claimed, Don't take it lightly, if Salman Khan wants to stay alive and wants to end the enmity with Lawrence Bishnoi, then he will have to pay 5 crore. If the money is not given, Salman Khan's condition will be worse than Baba Siddique.
Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh introduced their newborn daughter to their friends and fans on Diwali. After sharing a picture of the newborn, the actors shared that they had named their daughter Dua Padukone Singh.

Since then, social media users have scrutinized the couple's choice of name. While a group of users earlier questioned whether the name was inspired by the famous pop star Dua Lipa, a few users have now suggested that the Hindi alternative to the namePrarthnawould've been a better choice.

Not only were the Bollywood couple targeted for the Muslim name, but they were also accused of hurting the sentiments of the religion.

"Dua? Koi HINDU Naam Nahi Su'n'jha Kya....? Dua...? Why Dua ? PRARTHNA Kyu Nahi....? You Both Are HINDU, Forgotten or what? (Dia? Could you not think of a Hindu name? Dua? Why Dua? Why not Prarthna? You are both Hindu, have you forgotten?)".

"Why not prarthana and why duaa??? Why not hindi but urdu ??" another user chimed in.

Prarthana v to rakh sakti thi. Why muslim name. Bollywood Jaan bujh kar aisa karte hain. They hr hearting the sentiments of sanatana Dharma. (You could have chosen Prarthna too. Why a Muslim name? Bollywood does it on purpose. They are hurting the sentiments of Sanatana Dharma), another user added.

Prarthna is much better than dua. just so cold hindu Deepika n ranveer, said a user.

Keep Khan name better. Deepika, you did not get Hindu goddess name? (sic), a user said.

Also Read | Deepika Padukone - Ranveer Singh blessed with baby girl

I love Deepika, but I don't like name Dua...how about Durva, another user suggested.

Lack of Hindu names? Isn't it, said a user.

However, a few of Deepika-Ranveer's fans jumped into their defence and express amusement at those questioning the choice of name.

Seriously? Why are people getting so triggered? It's thier child, thier name, she pushed the baby out not the people commenting....grow up humans... let them live, a user said.

Can't believe people are crying over the name only because it's an islamic word, another added.

India can never grow up I swear. gawars are really fighting in the name If it's hindu or muslim seriously, said another user.

Change from convention The name marks a change from the convention, where the surnames are used according to the patriarchal system in the family. The actors have put the mother's surname ahead of the fathers in the daughter's name.

Singh has also mentioned his willingness to change his surname to Padukone in the past. In Indian society, a wife takes her husband's surname.

Also Read | Pregnant Deepika Padukone has a unique reason to attend Anant-Radhikas sangeet

Dua was born on September 8 in HN Reliance Hospital, Mumbai. The couple, in a post on Instagram, had announced the birth of their daughter.
E-commerce platform Meesho is under fire for listing t-shirts featuring the image of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Filmmaker-journalist Alishan Jafri brought attention to this issue, describing it as an example of "India's latest online radicalisation".

Jafri raised concerns on social media, noting that such merchandise was being sold not only on Meesho but also on other platforms like Flipkart, with prices as low as 168.

Also Read | Salman Khan receives another threat from Lawrence Bishnoi gang

Jafri emphasised that selling apparel branded with Bishnois likeness, including the term gangster on some items, contributes to the glorification of criminal figures. He further highlighted that certain products seemed to target children, raising alarms about potential influence on young minds.

At a time when the police and NIA are struggling to stop youths from joining gang crime, social media influencers are making quick money by promoting gang content and glorifying gangsters, Jafri wrote on X (formerly Twitter),

According to Jafri, such content could inspire youths towards crime, pointing out real incidents where young people were influenced by gangster-related content.

Citing examples, Jafri mentioned a case involving a 15-year-old from Deoria, who, reportedly motivated by gangster-themed media, killed his friend. He also referred to a group of teenagers in Delhi.

They formed a gang called Badnaam Gang with plans to commit violent acts for online notoriety. These examples, according to Jafri, illustrate how gang culture can impact impressionable youth.

Public backlash quickly followed Jafris post, with many condemning Meesho for allowing such merchandise. Some users expressed disappointment, suggesting that Meesho should be "de-platformed" for promoting criminal figures. Others warned that encouraging gangster culture could harm Indian society.

Meesho responds In response to the criticism, Meesho removed the controversial t-shirts from its platform.
The ongoing tension between Prince William and Prince Harry is showing no signs of being resolved, according to Royal expert Phil Dampier. Dampier describes their relationship as distant and strained. Despite William recently mentioning Harry in a documentary about homelessness, Dampier believes it is not a sign of reconciliation.

In the programme titled Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, the Prince of Wales reminisced about a childhood trip with his mother, Princess Diana, and his brother, Harry, to a London shelter called Passage.

The future king shared how the visit had impacted him, with unseen photos from June 1993 showing the trio together. While some speculated this mention of Harry could hint at a healing relationship, Dampier clarified that it was more out of necessity than an "olive branch."

The Royal Family insider noted that, given the context, it would have seemed like a deliberate exclusion if William hadnt mentioned Harry.

"I don't see it as any sort of major breakthrough, I'm afraid, in their relationship. Which is sadly, as far apart as ever," he told The Sun.

Would have been very odd Hugo Vickers, another royal expert, also shared his perspective. He believed the mention was not an attempt to mend fences but merely practical since Harry was part of that memory.

Vickers felt that excluding Harry would have been unusual and could have indicated a deeper rift. However, he also observes that, while tensions persist, bitterness may sometimes fade over time.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Police in Harare are investigating a daring robbery in which five masked men stole $54,200 from a church in Goodhope. The robbery occurred on October 31, 2024, around 11 p.m., when the suspects - each armed with a pistol and wearing balaclavas - attacked two security guards on duty.In a statement posted on X, police reported that the suspects overpowered the guards before ransacking the church complex. They then broke into a safe containing the cash, making off with the entire amount.The police are calling on the public to provide any information that could assist in locating the suspects, who remain at large. This incident has raised concerns about the increasing frequency of armed robberies targeting cash-storing institutions in the area.
(Bloomberg) -- The UKs fiscal watchdog has accused Treasury civil servants of breaking the law by withholding information before the March budget, raising the stakes in a blame game over who was responsible for hiding a multi-billion pound shortfall.

Office for Budget Responsibility Chairman Richard Hughes told a Parliament committee on Tuesday that Treasury officials were aware of about 9.5 billion ($12 billion) of unfunded commitments that they didnt disclose during the budget-drafting process. That was something that under the law and under the act they should have done, Hughes told the Treasury Select Committee, referring to 2011 legislation creating the OBR and subsequent measures.

The accusation deepens the intrigue over the fiscal black hole that Labour Party officials say was left for them by the outgoing Conservative government after the general election in July. While Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has cited the surprise deficit to justify raising taxes by far more than outlined in the partys campaign manifesto, she has so far directed the blame at her Tory predecessor, rather than the civil servants who now work for her.

Treasury Committee Chair Meg Hillier said during the hearing on Tuesday that the possible legal breach was certainly an area for us to probe further. James Bowler, whose position as Treasury permanent secretary puts him in the eye of the storm, is slated to appear before the same committee on Wednesday alongside Reeves.

Hughes told members of Parliament that relations between the OBR and the Treasury had always been good, but were based on trust. That system very clearly broke down, he said. Were moving from a system of trust to a system of Trust, but verify. We want to make sure the failure of oversight that happened back in March doesnt happen again.

Reeves claimed to have found what she said was a 22 billion fiscal hole after taking office on July 5. The surprise deficit became her principal reason for raising taxes by some 40 billion in her own budget last week, the biggest single tax-raising event since 1993.

Reeves acknowledged on Sunday that she had been wrong to promise not to raise taxes during the election. I didnt know everything, she told Sky News. When I arrived at the Treasury just under a month after I said those words, I was taken into a room by senior officials at the Treasury and they set out the huge black hole in the public finances beyond what anybody knew about at the time of the election.

Although an OBR analysis published alongside last weeks budget rejected the 22 billion number, it found that around 9.5 billion had been known and left undisclosed in the budget presented by then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in March. Treasury officials have an obligation to provide the OBR with the information it needs to forecast properly, and by their own admission the Treasury did not provide the OBR with all information available to them, the budget watchdogs analysis said.

Hunt has repeatedly rejected the claim that he hid any spending gaps. When Reeves announced the 22 billion hole on July 29, Hunt responded in Parliament that she had had privileged access to Bowler since January and that all spending estimates are signed off by the most senior civil servants  the accounting officers  in every department.

If she is right, will she ask the cabinet secretary to investigate those civil servants for laying misleading estimates? Hunt asked. Speaking in Parliament last week, then-Conservative leader Rishi Sunak denounced the 22 billion fiscal hole as a false justification by Reeves to support her agenda.

The Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 states that the OBR has a right of access (at any reasonable time) to all government information which it may reasonably require for the purpose of the performance of its duty and is entitled to require from any person holding or accountable for any government information any assistance or explanation which the Office reasonably thinks necessary for that purpose.

Hughes, who previously worked in the Treasury, told MPs on Tuesday that he believed every British public servant does their utmost to obey the law. There was a systemic failure in putting together the last forecast, Hughes said. And potentially a misunderstanding of expectation on both sides on what needed to be provided.

(Updates with Jeremy Hunt comments in 10th paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
A woman and her three children in Varanasi of Uttar Pradesh was found at their riddled with bullets on Tuesday, November 5, morning. The police tried to locate the husband and declared he was missing.

But hours later, the body of the suspect missing husband bearing a gunshot wound was found from a construction site. It is suspected that the husband died by suicide after killing his 45-year-old wife, and 25, 17 and 15 years old children.

The man has been identified as Rajendra Gupta and the other victims are Nitu (45), Navanendra (25), Gaurangi (16) and Shubhendra Gupta (15).

How the bodies were found: The family resided in a spacious building alongside other tenants. On Tuesday morning, the family did not come out of their flat until very late. The bullet-riddled bodies were found when the maid entered the house. The family's tenants came to know of the incident and informed the police.

Rajendra was, however, nowhere to be found. The police was called and it suspected that the husband had killed the family and fled. Hours later, he was found dead too; his body was found in a construction building.

It is suspected that Rajendra Gupta murdered his family and then shot himself.

Family disputes are said to be reason behind the murders. Rajendra Gupta was said to be an accused in the murders of his father, brother and sister-in-law.

The condition of the bodies suggests that they were sleeping when they were shot dead. Prima facie, it appears a pistol was used. We have found bullet casings, senior police officer Gaurav Banswal was quoted as saying by NDTV.

The police said they are trying to ascertain the motive behind the killings and a probe is underway. Forensic experts and senior police officials have arrived at the scene.
The final voting for the US Presidential Election began as early as midnight (local time) on Tuesday, November 5. People residing in a town in New Hampshire became the first to cast ballot on Tuesday. The US election results in New Hampshire's Dixville Notch were also declared by a few media outlets. They showed the town was split between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris or Republican rival Donald Trump, with three votes for each.

Also Read | US Election 2024 LIVE Updates: Polling underway for 47th United States President

Meanwhile, many stay focused on the results of seven swing states  Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin. Both Harris and Trump have remained in cut-throat competition in the seven key states that could ultimately decide the next US President, as per opinion polls.

However, experts believe that early vote returns in US battleground states may not be a good indicator of whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will win, thanks to vote-counting rules and quirks in several key states.

The key to the trends lies in counting mail ballots, in-person votes and maybe early voting. It is further speculated that early vote counting may show Donald Trump leading  keeping in view his repeated calls to his supporters to vote early this time. "The early vote numbers confirm that millions of Republicans have heeded Trump's call in recent weeks," the Associated Press reported.

Experts anticipated a repeat of the 2020 elections when some states showed a "red mirage," in which Trump was leading on election night, before a "blue shift" saw Democrat Joe Biden overtake him, Reuters reported. This happened as mail-in ballots favoured by more Democratic voters were counted. Red represents the Republicans and Blue Democrats.

It could happen again this week, especially in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, the opposite  a blue mirage showing a strong result for Democrat Harris before a surprise red shift to reverse the trend - could also happen this week, especially in North Carolina and Georgia.

How everything plays out will depend on how and when the large numbers of mail-in or early ballots are processed and counted in the different states. Another factor cited by Reuters is that Democrats tend to live in more populous urban areas, where counting votes takes longer. Voting may also be delayed in states where the race is too close to call. A recount may also happen in that case.

US Election Result: What to expect in swing states? PENNSYLVANIA: With more Democrats than Republicans voting by mail, the early results  based on in-person Election Day votes  will probably show Trump ahead. But his lead will likely shrink as more mail ballots are counted.

WISCONSIN: Like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin does not allow election officials to process or count mail ballots until the morning of the election, which means there can be a delay in reporting the results of those early votes.

GEORGIA: All early votes  in-person and mail  must be counted and reported by 8 pm ET (0000 GMT) on election night, according to state law. Officials are aiming to have all votes, including those from Election Day, tallied by midnight. Meanwhile, ballots from overseas and military voters will be accepted up to three days after the election if postmarked by November 5.

ARIZONA: The initial results on election night should be mostly early votes, which could favor Harris, before the numbers shift toward Trump as Election Day votes are tallied. They could move back toward Harris in the days to follow as late-arriving mail ballots are tabulated.

NORTH CAROLINA: If the election is as close as polls suggest, the outcome in North Carolina may remain unclear for a week or more. Absentee ballots that arrive on Nov. 5, as well as ballots from overseas and military voters, are tallied during the 10-day canvass period that follows Election Day.

NEVADA: Any ballot postmarked by Nov. 5 will still be counted if it arrives within four days. Those late ballots historically favor Democrats, so a shift toward Harris could occur as votes are counted after Election Day.

US Election Result: Winner will be declared only when... A "projected" winner will be declared only when all the ballots  cast in-person and through mail  are counted. Even after all votes are counted, the tally won't suggest an absolute winner. It will only indicate the winner of the "popular vote" or the candidate who won the most number of votes cast in November 5 election.

Also Read | When will we know the presidential election results?

But the "popular vote" is not the only criteria to win US elections. The official winner will be declared only after electoral votes are held in mid-December. A presidential candidate needs support of at least 270 electors to become president  which is possible even if the same candidate lost the popular vote.
Social media is flooded with memes about the US Election 2024. The race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump has sparked creativity online. Humour, satire and political jabs are circulating rapidly as both sides rally support.

Also Read | US Election 2024 LIVE Updates: Polling begins for 47th United States President

Memes could play a significant role in shaping public opinion during this election. Lets take a look at some of the most hilarious ones on X (formerly Twitter).

Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump Kamala Harris and Donald Trump closed their 2024 presidential campaigns with intense rallies in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state. Harris visited Philadelphia, Allentown, Scranton and Pittsburgh, ending at the iconic Rocky Steps, where she spoke optimistically about becoming Americas first black woman president.

Trump travelled through North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan, delivering speeches mixing unproven voter fraud claims with promises to revitalise America. Trumps running mate, JD Vance, criticised Harris sharply in Atlanta.

Harris focused on connecting with voters, even canvassing door-to-door. With over 82 million early votes cast, Pennsylvania remains a focal point for both campaigns as Election Day nears.

US Election 2024: Early trends Compared to the high turnout in 2020, early voting numbers in US Election 2024 are down, aligning more closely with the 2022 midterms. Early voting is projected to make up around 50% of the total, with some states seeing more in-person early voters than in 2020.

More Republicans have opted for early voting this year, influenced by Trumps campaign.

ITS TIME TO GET OUT AND VOTESO TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! posted the former US president on social media.

Also Read | Pro-Trump influencer admits getting paid for sharing fake news video

In 27 states, Democrats represent 37% of pre-election ballots while Republicans account for 35%, a marked rise from 2020.

Key states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, and North Carolina show increased Republican early vote shares.
US Election 2024: As the race for the White House tightens, online rumours are swirling around a curious change on X, formerly known as Twitter. Users on the platform have claimed that X owner Elon Musk has altered the function of the like button to show support in a specific way for the 2024 US presidential election.

According to several posts circulating on the platform, Musk has supposedly programmed the "like" button to signify a vote for Republican candidate Donald Trump, while the "retweet" function purportedly signals support for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

The viral claim caught traction when an X user, Aap Ka Jasoos, posted, I thought this is fake, But it's dam true  that, Elon Musk has changed the like button for the United State Elections. Retweet for KamalaLike for Trump .

This sparked widespread discussion, with other users joining in to echo similar sentiments. Another user, @Ayesha13_4, fuelled the rumours by writing, Elon Musk has changed the like button for US elections 2024  Like for Trump  Retweet for Trump.

In another post, user Felix claimed, Elon Musk has changed the like button for the United State Elections. Retweet for Trump Like for Trump Also . Yet another user, Rafay, added to the speculation, stating, Elon Musk has changed the like button for the United State Elections. #Election2024 #Trump #Kamala #FightforAmerica #ElectionDay. In a reply, Muhammad Tayyab expressed agreement, replying, Yes, You are Right Rafay about it.

While these posts have garnered significant engagement, there is no official confirmation or evidence that Musk has altered the X platforms like or retweet functions to show allegiance to either presidential candidate.

As always, users are advised to verify claims from credible sources before accepting them as fact. For now, it appears that Xs buttons retain their original functionswithout any political affiliations or hidden meanings.
Republican nominee, Donald Trump will be the first convicted individual to become US President and sit in the Oval Office, if he wins the tight race to White House against Democrat Kamala Harris.

The US laws do not prohibit convicted individuals from contesting for Presdiential post. But can the former US President cast his vote as a covicted individual.

As per the law in Trump's home state of Florida, felons are not allowed to vote until they serve the sentence, or in some cases, had their voting rights restored through the State Clemency Board, according to a New York Times report.

But these rules will not apply on Trump. Florida law stipulates that those convicted out of state are beholden to the voting laws of the state in which they were convicted.

Trump convicted in Manhattan, New York, in May this year. He benefits from a 2021 New York State law that allows felons to vote as long as they are not incarcerated, a CNN report says.

Convicted in New York The former President was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records relating to a hush-money payment to the adult film starStormy Daniels, making him the first former president to be convicted of felony.

The sentencing in the case is scheduled on November 26. Trump had initially said he planned to vote early but then decided to vote in person on Election Day - today.
The voting is underway across the United States of America to elect the nation's 47th President.

In a few hours from now after the polling closes, the results will start coming in and the world will get to know whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will win the neck-and-neck race to the White House.

Here are the five possible scenarios that are likely to happen in this election:

Donald Trump Becomes US President Again The first scenario would be for Republican Donald Trump to win elections in a decisive verdict. This would mean Trump winning a second term of his three bids for the nations highest office. A candidate has to win at least 270 of the 538 electoral college votes.

At 78, Trump will become the oldest person to assume the office of US President. He will be the first US President to face criminal cases, including the one involving his alleged role in the riots at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, after he lost the Presidential race to Democrat Joe Biden.

He will be the first convicted person to become US President and sit in the Oval Office. Trump cases a series of criminal cases, including the infamous one involving adult movie star Stormy Daniels. Trump will also be the first US President to be impeached (twice) and re-elected to the office.

The 2016 US elections that Trump won were held on November 8, 2016. Trump won the race through many factors combined to create a political landscape in his favour. He won the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote.

Kamala Harris Becomes First Female President of US If Harris, 60, wins, she would be the first female president of the United States of America and the first US president of South Asian origin.

Harris win would mean a consecutive win for Democrats in US Presidential Elections. In 2020, Democrat Joe Biden won 81,284,666 votes compared to Trump's 74,224,319.

Biden defeated Trump in Electoral College by winning 306 electoral votes as against Trump's 232. A majority in the Electoral College  270 votes  is needed to win the White House.

The Biden campaign recaptured once-reliable blue states (Democrat) that Trump had flipped in 2016, returning Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania to the Democratic column. He also won Arizona and Georgia to solidify his victory.

What if there is a tie? The third scenario can be a tie between the two candidates. This means the two presidential hopefuls  Kamala Harris nor Donald Trump  win 269 electoral votes each. Though unlikely, this scenario remains a possibility in the neck-and-neck election.

A 269-269 Electoral College split could arise under several scenarios. For instance, if Harris wins Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, but Trump takes Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, and a single Democratic-leaning district in Nebraska, the race would end in a deadlock.

A tie would trigger a contingent election in Congress  a scenario that has never happened in modern US history.

The last time Congress had to choose the president due to a tie was in the 1800, when Thomas Jefferson faced off against incumbent president John Adams. Lawmakers in a deeply divided House of Representatives struggled to reach a consensus, ultimately selecting Jefferson on the 36th ballot.

The prolonged deadlock led to adopting the 12th Amendment to the US Constitution just four years later, aiming to clarify and streamline the election process.

This time, if such a House vote should be necessary, it would take place on January 6, 2025.

Donald Trump wins popular vote, loses Electoral College One of the scenarios that can arise after the polling is over is that Donald Trump wins thepopular vote but loses the electoral college. This is exactly opposite of what happened in 2016.

In the race in 2016,Trump won theElectoral Collegedespite losing the popular vote and became the President of United States of America.

Remember, a candidate needs to win Electoral College to be the President. Just winning the popular vote doesnt suffice.

Kamala Harris wins popular vote, loses Electoral College The fifth scenario would be Kamala Harris winning thepopular vote but losing the Electoral College votes. This has happened previously with, Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 Presidential race.

Hillary Clinton won over 2.8 million more votes than Trump nationwide. Yet she lost enough key states to be defeated in the Electoral College.

Five presidents in the history of United States of American have won the presi dency without winning the popular vote. Donald Trump was one of them in 2016.

Also Read | Will Donald Trump accept the US election results if he loses to Kamala Harris?
On the final day of a fiercely contested US presidential election, both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris confidently predicted victory as they campaigned across Pennsylvania.

The race has been marked by dramatic twists, including two assassination attempts on Trump and a felony conviction for the former Republican president. Harris had an unexpected rise to the top of the Democratic ticket after President Joe Biden, 81, bowed out of the race under mounting pressure from within his own party.

Since March, more than $2.6 billion has been spent on campaign ads aimed at swaying voters, according to AdImpact, an analytics firm. Despite this massive spending, opinion polls show the race remains exceptionally tight, with Trump, 78, and Harris, 60, nearly even in support. Given the razor-thin margins, the outcome may not be known for days after Tuesday's election, and Trump has already indicated he will challenge any potential defeat, as he did in 2020.

Both candidates focused their efforts on Pennsylvania on Monday, urging supporters who haven't voted yet to turn out on Election Day. Pennsylvania holds the largest number of Electoral College votes among the seven battleground states expected to decide the election, making it a critical focal point in the final push for votes.

Why does Pennsylvania matter? Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvaniaoften referred to as the blue wall for Democratsare essential to Kamala Harris's chances of securing the presidency. Among these, Pennsylvania holds particular importance, with 19 electoral votes at stake, making it the state's largest electoral prize. In 2016, Donald Trump managed to flip all three states, which played a key role in his victory. However, in 2020, Joe Biden was able to reclaim them, with Pennsylvania's pivotal role securing his win.

The results of the last three presidential elections in Pennsylvania:

2020: Joe Biden (D) defeated Donald Trump (R) by 1.16%.

2016: Donald Trump (R) defeated Hillary Clinton (D) by 0.72%.

2012: Barack Obama (D) defeated Mitt Romney (R) by 5.38%.

These results highlight Pennsylvania's critical role as a battleground state. The narrow margins in 2016 and 2020 demonstrate its significance in the overall outcome of presidential races.

What did Trump say? In Pittsburgh, Trump addressed a large crowd at an arena, delivering what his campaign described as his final closing message to voters just hours before Election Day.

"We've been waiting four years for this," said Trump, who mounted a 2024 comeback bid after losing the 2020 election to Biden. Trump pushed economic themes in his Pittsburgh speech, saying Harris would bring economic misery if she is elected.

We're going to win the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and it's going to be over, said Trump, who later annouced on stage he had been endorsed by podcaster Joe Rogan, Reuters reported.

In Allentown, Harris confidently predicted victory and vowed to be a president for all Americans while specifically addressing the city's large Puerto Rican community, which had been angered by derogatory comments made by a comedian at a Trump rally the previous week.

Later, Harris went door-knocking in Reading before holding a brief rally in Pittsburgh, where pop star Katy Perry performed.

On the final full day of the campaign, Trump made stops in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan before heading back to his home in Palm Beach, Florida, to vote and await the election results.

Meanwhile, Harris had five campaign stops in Pennsylvania, including visits to Reading and Pittsburgh, where Trump had also campaigned. She concluded the day with a rally at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, featuring performances by Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, and Oprah Winfrey.
What happens if neither Kamala Harris nor Donald Trump secures the necessary Electoral College majority to win the U.S. election? Though unlikely, this scenario remains a possibility, adding to the anxiety of Americans already on edge ahead of the November 5 election.

In the U.S. system, its not the national popular vote that determines the president, but the 538-member "Electoral College," where each state is allocated electors based on its Congressional representation, AFP reported.

Every state except Nebraska and Maine awards all of their electors to whoever comes first in the state-wide popular vote.

If both Harris and Trump fail to secure the majority of 270 electoral votes, the U.S. Constitution stipulates that Congress would step in to decide the outcome.

In this case, the newly elected House of Representatives would select the president in January, while the Senate would choose the vice president.

A 269-269 Electoral College split could arise under several scenarios. For instance, if Harris wins Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, but Trump takes Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, and a single Democratic-leaning district in Nebraska, the race would end in a deadlock.

-A tie 200 years ago- A tie would trigger a "contingent election" in Congressa scenario that has never occurred in modern American history.

The last time Congress had to choose the president due to a tie was in the 1800 election, when Thomas Jefferson faced off against incumbent president John Adams. Lawmakers in a deeply divided House of Representatives struggled to reach a consensus, ultimately selecting Jefferson on the 36th ballot.

The prolonged deadlock led to the adoption of the 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution just four years later, aiming to clarify and streamline the election process.

This time, if such a House vote should be necessary, it would take place on January 6, 2025.

How would that vote proceed?

"Each state, regardless of population, casts a single vote for President in a contingent election," according to the Congressional Research Service (CRS).

In other words, Republican-leaning Wyoming with its city-sized population of 500,000 would have the same influence as Democratic California, where 39 million people live, AFP reported.

Though the US capital city Washington has three Electoral College votes, it would not get a vote in a contingent election, as it is not a state.

States with two or more representatives would need to hold an internal vote to determine which candidate to support, a CRS report said.

To win the presidency, a candidate must secure a majority of the 50 states, or 26 electoral votes. Currently, this would likely give Republicans an edge.

However, specific rules governing the contingent election process would need to be determined by the House, which could spark intense debates and potentially result in a prolonged period of constitutional crisis.

Given the razor-thin margins of the current campaign, its easy to see how such a process could further strain the already frayed nerves of American voters, many of whom are deeply concerned about the integrity of the election and suspect widespread irregularities.
The U.S. presidential election will take place on Nov. 5, but the winner of the razor-thin race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump may not be known for days after the polls close.

As ballots are counted, one candidate may appear to be leading based on early returns, only for a rival to close the gap as more votes are tallied.

In 2020, some states experienced a "red mirage," in which Trump appeared to be leading on election night, before a "blue shift" saw Democrat Joe Biden overtake him, a phenomenon Trump used to amplify his false claims that the election was stolen.

Nothing untoward had occurred. Democrats tend to live in more populous urban areas, where counting votes takes longer. Democrats also have embraced mail voting more readily than Republicans after Trump's false claims that mail ballots are untrustworthy, and those ballots take longer to count than Election Day votes. Trump has both encouraged and criticized early and mail-in voting in 2024.

Democrats are outpacing Republicans in mail ballots once again this year, according to an early vote tracker maintained by the University of Florida's Election Lab, though Republicans have narrowed the gap.

There are seven battleground states likely to decide the election, each with its own rules for handling and counting ballots. Here's what to expect on Election Day and beyond:

ARIZONA

Voting by mail is extremely popular in Arizona; nearly 90% of voters cast their ballots early, most by mail, in 2020. Election officials in Arizona can begin processing and tabulating mail ballots upon receipt, but results cannot be released until one hour after polls close.

Any mail ballots dropped off on Election Day itself cannot be processed until the polls have closed. That is often a sizable number  in 2022, those "late early" votes comprised one-fifth of all ballots in Maricopa County, the state's largest  and can take days to count.

The initial results on election night should be mostly early votes, which could favor Harris, before the numbers shift toward Trump as Election Day votes are tallied.

GEORGIA

Early in-person voting is popular in Georgia, where officials expect 65% to 70% of ballots to be cast at early poll locations. Absentee or mail ballots, which may comprise around 5% of the vote, can be processed - which includes steps such as verifying signatures - starting two weeks before the election, though workers must wait until Election Day to begin counting them.

All early votes  in-person and mail  must be counted and reported by 8 p.m. ET (0000 GMT) on election night, according to state law, which could create a "blue mirage" in Harris' favor at first. Officials are aiming to have all votes, including those from Election Day, tallied by midnight.

Ballots from overseas and military voters will be accepted up to three days after the election if postmarked by Nov. 5. There were more than 21,000 such ballots requested, so an extremely close election might not be resolved until those votes are tabulated.

MICHIGAN

Since the 2020 election, Michigan has instituted early in-person voting for the first time and begun permitting jurisdictions with more than 5,000 people to begin processing and tabulating mail ballots eight days before Election Day. Smaller jurisdictions can do so the day before Nov. 5.

Officials hope those changes will allow the state to report results more quickly than in 2020, when mail ballots could not be processed in advance. That created a "red mirage" on election night, when the state's early counts of Election Day votes favored Trump. Biden eventually surpassed Trump on the strength of mail ballots, which took longer to tally. Trump falsely claimed he was the victim of fraud.

NEVADA

Nevada's slow vote counting in 2020  news outlets did not call the state for Biden until five days after Election Day  launched countless memes, but officials say changes since then should speed up the process.

Most notably, counties were permitted to begin processing and counting mail ballots on Oct. 21. In addition, workers can start tabulating early in-person votes at 8 a.m. PT (1500 GMT) on Election Day, rather than waiting until polls close.

But Nevada still might not get called right away. Mail voting has grown popular in the state, and it is the only battleground that accepts late-arriving mail ballots. That could also create a "blue shift" as more votes are counted.

Any ballot postmarked by Nov. 5 will still be counted if it arrives within four days. Those late ballots historically favor Democrats, so a shift toward Harris could occur as votes are counted after Election Day.

NORTH CAROLINA

Election officials start processing and scanning mail ballots ahead of Election Day. After polls close, the first reported results will likely be mostly mail ballots as well as early in-person votes. Election Day votes will be counted and reported throughout the evening, with full results expected by midnight.

Harris may appear to lead early thanks to mail ballots, while Trump could close the gap as Election Day votes are counted.

If the election is as close as polls suggest, the outcome in North Carolina may remain unclear for a week or more. Absentee ballots that arrive on Nov. 5, as well as ballots from overseas and military voters, are tallied during the 10-day canvass period that follows Election Day. In 2020, media outlets did not call North Carolina for Trump until Nov. 13, 10 days after the election.

PENNSYLVANIA

Perhaps the most important battleground, Pennsylvania did not have a clear winner in 2020 for four days after Election Day, as officials sifted through a huge backlog of mail ballots. The state is among only a handful that do not permit election workers to process or tabulate mail ballots until 7 a.m. ET on Election Day, which means it will likely again take days before the outcome is known.

With more Democrats than Republicans voting by mail, the early results  based on in-person Election Day votes  will probably show Trump ahead, but his lead will likely shrink as more mail ballots are counted.

That pattern in 2020 prompted Trump to falsely claim fraud. This year, a new law requires most counties to announce at midnight on election night how many mail ballots remain to be counted in an effort to forestall conspiracy theories.

WISCONSIN

Like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin is among the few states that do not allow election officials to process or count mail ballots until the morning of the election, which means there can be a delay in reporting the results of those early votes.

In addition, many of the state's largest cities transport mail ballots to a centralized location for processing and tabulating. That can lead to significant batches of votes getting reported all at once in the early morning after polls close.
Data, AI Lead Educause Top 10 List for 2025

Educause recently released its annual Top 10 list of the most important technology issues facing colleges and universities in the coming year, with a familiar trio leading the bunch: data, analytics, and AI. But the report presents these critical technologies through a new lens: restoring trust in higher education.

"Higher education has a trust problem," the report opened, citing a June 2024 Gallup poll finding that in the past 10 years, the share of Americans who are confident in higher education has dropped from 57% to 36%. While data, analytics, and AI can be powerful tools for boosting student success, they also bring up questions of security, privacy, and ethics that cannot be ignored.

"Our institutions cannot realistically run without data and technology, and soon, probably, without AI," the report noted. "But we need to attend to constituents' skepticism about whether they can trust institutions to use data ethically, transparently, and safely."

The theme of trust extends across the entire Top 10 list. As Educause explained, "The 2025 Educause Top 10 describes how higher education technology and data leaders and professionals can help to restore trust in the sector by building competent and caring institutions, and through radical collaboration, leverage the fulcrum of leadership to maintain balance between the two." The Top 10 issues, as defined by Educause, are:

1) The Data-Empowered Institution. Using data, analytics, and AI to increase student success, win the enrollment race, increase research funding, and reduce inefficiencies.

2) Administrative Simplification: Streamlining and modernizing processes, data, and technologies.

3) Smoothing the Student Journey. Using technology and data to improve and personalize student services.

4) A Matter of Trust. Advancing institutional strategies to safeguard privacy and secure institutional data.

5) The CIO Challenge. Leading digital strategy and operations in an era of frequent leadership transitions, resource limitations, societal unrest, and rapid technology advancements.

6) Institutional Resilience. Contributing to institutional efforts to prepare for and address a growing number and range of risks.

7) Faster, Better, AND Cheaper. Using technology to personalize services, automate work, and increase agility.

8) Putting People First. Helping staff adapt, upskill, and thrive in an era of rapid change and ongoing digital advancements.

9) Taming the Digital Jungle. Updating and unifying digital infrastructure and governance to increase institutional efficiency and effectiveness.

10) (tie) Building Bridges, Not Walls. Increasing digital access for students while also safeguarding their privacy and data protection.

10) (tie) Supportable, Sustainable, and Affordable. Developing an institutional strategy for new technology investments, pilots, policies, and uses.

"It is up to us to face the uncertainties of today, from distrust in higher education to financial struggles to technology's disruptive potential," the report concluded. "We will need a committed, competent workforce to find and implement innovative, creative solutions. We will need leaders who can maintain a balance between institutional competence and a caring culture. With all this, we can restore trust in higher education and shape the future."

The full report, including links to deep dives on each Top 10 topic, is available on the Educause site.
US Election 2024: The curtains have come down on the high-octane US Presidential election campaign on Monday night. Both the candidates  Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump  made their last- ditch effort to woo voters in battleground states, including Pennsylvania, hours before the voting began on Tuesday, November 5.

A report in the New York Times said former President Trump had been running for president for nine years. Trump began his first term as US President in 2016, followed by his second bid, which he lost in 2020, and now his third bid against Vice President Kamala Harris. Democrat Harris started her campaign for the Presidential Election 16 weeks ago after President Joe Biden opted out.

There were highs and lows throughout the campaign. It took a violent turn when there were two assassination attempts on Trump, including a bullet flying just past Trumps head when a shooter attempted to assassinate him during a poll rally in Pennsylvania in July.

According to a report in the New York Times, more than 78 million people have already voted in early polling. As of now, Trump and Harris are locked in a tight contest across the country and in all seven key battleground states.

Certain indicators can provide early clues about the direction of a close race between Trump and Harris, even before all votes are counted, some reports in US media suggested. What are they? Mint explains:

Early Trends- Eastern Time After the polling, which begins on November 5 eveningaccording to Indian timeand is over by Wednesday morning (Tuesday night in the US), all eyes will be on what we call 'early trends' in India. These trends will not indicate who is winning but how close the fight is turning out to be and how long it will take for news outlets to announce the winner.

The first battleground state, for example, where the polls will close is Georgia, at 7 pm, November 5 Eastern time, which is 5.30 am Indian time on November 6, Wednesday. In North Carolina, the polls end at 7:30 pm Eastern Time, which is 6 am Wednesday in India.

Also Read | US Election Results: Trump or Harris may get fewer votes but still become Prez

Some of the results in these states are expected early since voters cast ballots early in both states, according to a New York Times report. But the majority of ballots in both states are likely to be tallied and reported by midnight in the US, which is after 9.30 AM (Wednesday) in India.

A lot will depend on the leads in these two states as for as achieving the 270 electoral votes target is concerned. In case the contest in these two states turns out to be tight, it could all come down to the three so-called Blue Wall states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, the NYT report said.

The Pennsylvania Delay In Pennsylvania, considered a must-win state for both candidates, polls close at 8 pm Eastern time (Tuesday) which is 6.30 am in India on November 6, Wednesday. The counting in this state is expected to stretch many hours further since election workers arent allowed to start processing mail ballots until the final Election Day.

On her concluding day of the campaign, Harris took part in five campaign stops in Pennsylvania, including two cities where Trump also visited, Reading and Pittsburgh. She ended the day in Philadelphia with a star-studded event at the Rocky steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art  the site of a famous scene from the movie Rocky.

Trump was also in Pennsylvania on Monday, a day before Election Day, to urge supporters who have not yet cast their ballots to show up and vote.

In Michigan, where the last polls close at 9 pm Eastern time (7.30 am on Wednesday in India), half the ballots were counted by midnight in 2020 and 2022. In Wisconsin, where polls close at 9 pm Eastern (7.30 am on Wednesday in India), counting could stretch by many hours, the NYT report said.

Trumps best path to the presidency is seen through victories in Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina, while Harriss best path is seen through wins in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. And if the picture is muddled, we could find ourselves looking west for answers  and that could mean a long wait, reads the NYT report

Western Swing States The polls in Arizona and Nevada  the two swing states in the west  close at 9 pm and 10 pm, Eastern time which means after 7.30 am on Wednesday in India. According to US media, both states rely heavily on mail ballots, and the counting could stretch for days.

And if the picture is muddled, we could find ourselves looking west for answers  and that could mean a long wait.
During a campaign rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump warned that, if elected, he would impose tariffs on Mexico and China unless both countries took action to halt the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

Also Read: US Election 2024 LIVE Updates

As reported by Reuters, Trump stated that he would swiftly address drug trafficking along the southern U.S. border with Mexico and use tariffs as a tool to enforce this crackdown.

We will immediately stop the drugs pouring across our border, he said.

Trump said he would impose tariffs on goods from Mexico of 25% and would do the same thing to China for exporting fentanyl to Mexico.

Every damn thing that they sell into the United States is going to have like a 25% (tariff) until they stop drugs from coming in. And let me tell you something, those drugs will stop so damn fast that your head will spin, Trump said.

Trump, at his rally, also spoke extensively about his pledge for the mass deportation of migrants from the United States if he is elected.
Americans will decide between candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5. Although Election Day isnt a federal holiday, certain states have declared it a public holiday to allow employees to vote, and many are wondering which services will be open.

While Election Day is not recognized as a national holiday, five statesNew York, Maryland, West Virginia, Hawaii, and Illinoishave designated November 5 as a public holiday, allowing workers to take time off for voting. New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, Virginia, Michigan, Montana, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Indiana have also announced a holiday, though it does not require employees to vote.

Whats Open and Closed on Election Day? Post Offices, UPS, and FedEx

The U.S. Postal Service, along with UPS and FedEx, will be open as usual on November 5. These services will operate and provide mail and courier services on Election Day.

Banks Banks nationwide are expected to stay open on Election Day. However, some branches may close in specific areas, according to NBC New York. Customers are advised to check with local branches for specific information on hours.

Schools In many states, schools may be closed or will have a non-attendance day for students. Major cities like New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago have already announced school closures on November 5.

State administrative offices and courts in some states have declared November 5 a public holiday. This will vary depending on each states specific guidelines.

Buses, trains, and other public transportation services will remain operational across the country on Election Day, ensuring that voters have access to polling stations.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump remained locked in a neck-and-neck fight for democracy as millions of Americans cast their ballots on Tuesday. But there is much more than the White House at stake as voters elect 35 members of the Senate and all 435 members of the House. The party that secures a the majority will have the power to boost or block the agenda of the President  be it Trump or Harris.

Reports citing nonpartisan analysts indicate that Republicans have a good chance of taking back the Senate where Democrats currently hold a slim 51-49 majority. But the party could also lose its grip on the House  where Democrats only need to pick up four seats to re-take control of the 435-seat chamber.

A divided Congress can force a season of compromise or stalemate and lead to exceedingly tumultuous and unproductive sessions. The recent session under President Joe Biden for example saw the speaker being ousted and barely fended off government shutdowns.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a joint statement on November 4 on the eve of elections, alerting the public to ongoing foreign influence operations, particularly by Russian actors, aimed at undermining confidence in the US electoral process.

Since the agencies' last update on Friday, intelligence officials said they have noted an increase in attempts to manipulate public perception and incite divisions among Americans as Election Day approaches. They anticipate these activities will escalate in the days leading up to the election and continue thereafter, with a specific focus on swing states.

"Russia is the most active threat," the statement asserted, detailing how influence actors connected to the country are fabricating videos and articles to delegitimize the election. These actions aim to instill fear in voters and suggest that Americans are resorting to violence based on political affiliations. The statement warns that such tactics could provoke violence against election officials.

Among the disinformation campaigns, intelligence assessments revealed that Russian actors recently disseminated a false article alleging that U.S. officials in swing states were coordinating efforts to commit election fraud through various means, including ballot stuffing and cyberattacks. Additionally, a fabricated video portraying an interview with an alleged whistleblower claiming election fraud in Arizona was amplified, falsely alleging that overseas ballots were created and voter rolls manipulated to benefit Vice President Kamala Harris. The claims made in this video have been categorically refuted by the Arizona Secretary of State.

The report also emphasized that Iran poses a significant foreign influence threat to U.S. elections. Previous assessments indicated that Iran has engaged in malicious cyber activities targeting former President Trumps campaign. Iranian influence actors may attempt to create fake media content to suppress voter turnout or incite violence, echoing strategies used in past elections. Furthermore, Iran continues to seek retribution against former U.S. officials associated with the killing of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in January 2020, with Trump being a prominent target.

In response to these ongoing threats, CISA has urged voters to rely on information from trusted, official sources, particularly local and state election officials. The FBI and CISA also called on election campaigns and infrastructure stakeholders to report any suspicious or criminal activities to local Election Crime Coordinators or through designated hotlines.
The Indian government has raised concerns with Wikipedia over alleged bias and inaccuracies in its content, questioning whether the platform should be viewed as a publisher rather than an intermediary, PTI reported quoting sources on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in its communication, cited numerous complaints, noting that editorial control on Wikipedia appears to be in the hands of a small group. This could potentially challenge the platform's claim of being a neutral, volunteer-based resource, according to officials, as per the report.

Justice Navin Chawla, who presided over the case, did not hold back. I will impose contempt It is not a question of Defendant No 1 [Wikipedia] not being an entity in India," he stated, adding that Wikipedias presence in India could be jeopardized if it continued to avoid court orders. We will close your business transactions here. We will ask the government to block Wikipedia Youve made this argument before. If you dont want to comply with Indian regulations, then dont operate in India.

Wikipedia, which promotes itself as a free online encyclopedia, allows users to create and edit pages on a wide range of topics. However, it is currently facing legal challenges in India over alleged defamatory and inaccurate content on its platform, as per the report.

The case centers on edits to ANIs Wikipedia page, which the agency claims were defamatory, describing ANI as a propaganda tool for the current government. In response, ANI filed a defamation suit and sought court intervention to compel Wikipedia to disclose the identities of three individuals linked to these edits.

ANI escalated the matter by filing a contempt application, asserting that Wikipedia ignored a prior court directive to share the requested user details.

In defence, Wikipedia requested additional time, arguing that its lack of a physical office in India complicated compliance. However, Justice Chawla rejected this argument, emphasizing that Wikipedia must respond promptly. He warned that if the platform continued to ignore the courts order, contempt proceedings would follow.
Sergeant Harinder Sohi, a Peel Regional Police Officer in Canada, was suspended after he took part in the pro-Khalistani protests, which resulted in an attack at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, according to a Hindustan Times report.

The police official was arrested after he was identified in videos of a protest at the Hindu Sabha temple on Sunday. He was spotted chanting anti-India slogans and holding the Khalistani flag. After being suspended from service, Sergeant Harinder Sohi reportedly received death threats on social media, which prompted the Peel Regional Police Association to offer assistance and protection.

According to CBC News, a Canadian media outlet, the Peel Regional Police's action against Sohi was based on the viral videos from the protest sites. In some of the videos, Sohi could be seen holding flags and taking part in the protest.

This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act. We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until such time that this investigation is complete, CBC quoted Media Relations Officer Richard Chin.

Canada Hindu Temple attack Three people have been charged after violence erupted as Indian consular officials visited the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple on Sunday. The protest was followed by another demonstration at the Westwood Mall in neighbouring Mississauga, reported PTI, citing the World Sikh Organisation of Canada.

The report added that later in the day, another protest broke out outside the Malton Gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship on Airport Road in Mississauga.

Although these demonstrations occurred at three different locations, they appear to be related to one another. Several incidents between protestors and worshippers broke out, PTI quoted a police statement in a press release.

India condemns attack on Hindu Temple in Canada India strongly commended the attack on the temple and urged the Canadian government to take strict action against the culprits.
Developing nations will need around $1.1 trillion annually in climate financing by 2025, a figure expected to climb to $1.8 trillion by 2030, according to a new report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The report outlines a daunting roadmap for climate finance and calls for developed countries to meet escalating financial commitments to support global climate goals.

Under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), the contribution target for developed countries will start at $0.89 trillion in 2025, increasing to $1.46 trillion within five years. This represents a yearly commitment of approximately 1.4% of developed nations' GDP, or about 2% of developing countries' GDP.

The targets, projected using the United Nations Global Policy Model (UN GPM), underscore the urgency of high-quality, effective climate finance that doesnt burden developing economies with debt.

At the upcoming COP 29 in Baku, parties are expected to negotiate an NCQG that goes beyond the floor of $100 billion per year, taking into account the unique climate needs of developing nations.

The report stresses that effective climate financing must be transparent, adaptable, and easily accessible, focused on expanding fiscal capacity rather than increasing debt burdens. It also emphasizes an equitable approachaligning with the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)to ensure fair effort-sharing among developed countries.

A strong international financial architecture (IFA) is critical, UNCTAD argues, to maximize the effectiveness of these climate flows and foster sustainable development. Though the NCQG cant fully address all the financial obstacles facing developing countries, it can catalyse greater collaboration on reforming the IFA, making the path toward the Paris Agreement more achievable and cost-effective.

Manuj Bhardwaj, a Geneva-based climate policy advisor, advocates for a regional finance infrastructure inspired by the European Union (EU)s economic framework.

To bridge this gap, I propose a solution grounded in regional finance infrastructure, inspired by the EUs success in fostering collaborative economic frameworks, Bhardwaj said.

Grouping countries with similar needs and regional characteristics under multilateral bodies could drive more tailored, responsive climate financing solutions, particularly in the Global South," Bhardwaj added.

He noted that while organizations like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) could lead these efforts, geopolitical challenges have hindered progress. Strengthening these entities, he argues, is key to fostering resilient climate finance systems within a global framework.
The festival season that is now drawing to a close began under a cloud of dark concerns about a further slowdown in consumer spending in India. There have been stray signs of a welcome revival in some segments of the consumer market since then.

But these streaks of good news do not seem to be enough to blow away the larger questions that have been hanging over the Indian consumer economy for more than a year now.

Each company has a different story to tell, depending on its immediate sales. So aggregation is tricky. Even the macro view is mixed. The finance ministry noted in its September review that urban demand is weakening while rural demand is strengthening.

The Reserve Bank of India has said in its latest monthly report on the economy that there are signs of consumer spending shaping up for a revival in smaller towns and lower-tier cities. Yet, these are framed against larger concerns about a slowdown in consumer spending.

The underlying reason is not just consumer sentiment, but also the hard reality of anaemic growth in real household earnings in recent years, during an impressive economic recovery that has been led by profits rather than wages.

Household spending power has barely kept up with increasing prices. The stock of excess savings that were built up during the pandemic-era lockdowns, and which were a forced financial buffer for households with steady incomes, have been spent down.

The inertia in consumer spending is not just a problem in itself; it acts as a drag on business investment as well. Companies are less likely to buy new machinery to expand their production facilities when they are not sure of the state of demand.

However, business investment is not just a slave of the state of consumer demand. There are times when companies look ahead into the future, far beyond vagaries of the business cycle, to put money into new industries that are changing the way we live.

This column has earlier made a distinction between Keynesian and Schumpeterian business investment. The first is driven by immediate concerns such as capacity constraints, borrowing costs and consumer demand. The latter is in anticipation of a new economy after gales of creative destruction have flattened older industries or sectors.

Are Indian businesses investing in emerging sectors where the constraint is not the immediate demand situation? A recent report by Standard & Poors provides some interesting estimates in this context.

The credit rating firm estimates that large Indian conglomerates are lining up $800 billion of investments over the next decade, which is triple the amount of capital spending by their business groups in the previous decade.

A look at the sectors into which these investments are expected to flow tells us an interesting story. Some $254 billion of the total investment pipeline of large Indian conglomerates is accounted for by new sectors such as green energy, semiconductors, electric vehicles and data centres. This is the world of Schumpeter rather than Keynes, as large business houses make bets on industries they have little previous experience in.

A potted history of the Indian industrial sector shows that there have been previous episodes of such large bets as well. Indian industry before independence was dominated by natural fibres such as cotton textiles and jute.

A massive investment push by the public sector in the first two decades after Indias freedom was dominated by the urge to build national capacity in metals, such as steel, as well as in machine tools. The private sector was forced to play a secondary role.

Restrictions on private-sector investment began to ease after 1980. There was a rush into untested waters during that decade in areas such as petrochemicals. Something similar happened in telecom, especially after 1999.

The aggressive push by Indian business houses into green energy or semiconductors appears to be another wave of private investment into areas that are new to Indian conglomerates.

However, history also tells us that many of the previous investment waves into new areas ended in grieffrom financial stress to corporate wars. Who now remembers the scale of investments in consumer electronics by Indian companies in the 1980s, most of which ended in failure?

A question worth pondering is whether the anticipated investments in newer sectors will spark off a second round of investments by other companies in related areas.

In other words, will the capital spending by large conglomerates act as anchor investments to catalyse a broader supply chain in these specific areas? For example, will successful investments in electric vehicles generate demand for an automobile battery ecosystem in India?

In a prescient essay Marc Andreessen wrote in April 2020, just when the world was shutting down in response to the pandemic, and pessimism was rife, the technology entrepreneur called for aggressive investment in new products, in new industries, in new factories, in new science, in big leaps forward." The focus on new industries by Indian conglomerates sometimes backed by government subsidiescan be seen against this backdrop.
New Delhi: India and Qatar on Tuesday held discussions to strengthen cooperation in combating money laundering and terrorism financing, focusing on advanced IT systems, strategic partnerships, and the role of virtual digital assets, according to the ministry of finance.

Nine-member delegation A nine-member Qatari delegation, led by Sheikh Ahmed Al Thani, head of Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Qatar, met with Vivek Aggarwal, head of FIU-India, to review current practices and explore areas for collaboration.

The discussions included the use of advanced IT systems, such as Indias Financial Intelligence Network (FINNET) 2.0, and innovative initiatives like FIU-India's Public-Private Partnership (FPAC) and Private-Private Partnership (ARIFAC) for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), the ministry said.

Also Read: Who were 8 ex-Indian Navy personnel sentenced to death and what were they doing in Qatar? "The meeting was enriching for both sides as they discussed and touched upon various areas such as the IT systems used by respective jurisdiction, the Public-Private Partnership initiative of FIU-IND (FPAC), Private-Private Partnership for Alliance of Reporting Entities in India For AML/CFT (ARIFAC), strategic analysis and various tools used by the two FIUs as well as FIU-INDs experience in areas of virtual digital assets service providers (VDA-SPs)," the statement added.

Also Read: Qatar reprieve for ex-Navy men puts spotlight on India's strong Gulf ties India and Qatar have partnered to fight money laundering and terrorism financing through collaborations between their Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs).

In September, Global terror financing global watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) placed India in the regular follow-up category, a distinction it now shares with only three other G20 countriesthe UK, France and Italy.

FATF said India has achieved a high level of technical compliance across the agency's spectrum of recommendations while taking significant steps to implement measures to tackle illicit finance.

However, the Paris-headquartered body, founded by the G7, said India needs to address a backlog in money laundering cases pending the conclusion of court processes.

"FIU-Qatar and FIU-IND (India) have cooperated over the years, through the informal information exchange on offences related to money laundering, and financing of terrorism," the ministry statement said.
Apple has released iOS 18.2 beta 2 to developers, introducing a range of new features, including new options for Camera Control, the ability to purchase a ChatGPT Plus subscription in Settings, a new Find My option that simplifies locating lost items, and more. Notably, iOS 18.2 brings a second wave of Apple Intelligence features to iPhones, with the key highlights being ChatGPT integration in Siri, Genmoji, Image Playground, and Visual Intelligence. A stable build of iOS 18.2 is expected to be released in early December, with the first public beta potentially rolling out as early as next week.

iOS 18.2 also adds support for localised versions of English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK. While the iOS 18.2 developer beta 1 was only available for iPhone 15 Pro models and the iPhone 16 series, the latest beta update now supports all iOS 18-eligible devices.

Apple's AI features, collectively known as Apple Intelligence, were first announced at WWDC 2024 but were not ready in time for the initial iOS 18 rollout with the iPhone 16. The first wave of these features, including advanced writing tools, conversational Siri, call recording and transcription, and new Focus modes, was released with iOS 18.1 update last week.

What's new with iOS 18.2 beta 2? 1) View ChatGPT usage data in settings: Apple introduced ChatGPT integration in Siri with iOS 18.2 beta 1, allowing users to connect their OpenAI account. Now, the latest update lets users view their ChatGPT usage limit inside the Settings app and provides an option to upgrade to ChatGPT Premium if needed. For the uninitiated, ChatGPT integration in Siri offers access to ChatGPT, though only a limited number of queries are handled by the latest GPT-4o model. After this limit, OpenAI automatically switches to a more cost-effective GPT-4o mini model.

2) New settings for Camera Control: Apple is adding more options for Camera Control, the touch-sensitive button introduced with the iPhone 16 series. Users can now lock exposure and focus while taking a picture by double-pressing the Camera Control button. This feature is off by default but can be activated under the Camera Control menu in Settings.

Additionally, theres a new setting to adjust the double-click speed for Camera Control, with options such as Default, Slow, and Slower.

3) Find My now allows sharting location of lost items: Find My is getting a new feature in iOS 18.2 beta 2 that allows users to share the location of their lost items, making it easier to get help finding them.Users can generate a link for their lost item in the Find My app by selecting "Share Item Location" and pass the links on to their friends or authorities. Importantly, the recipient can access the location of the lost item even if they are not using an Apple device.
In a shocking incident that underscores the sharp rise in online scams in India, a 63-year-old man from Hyderabad was recently defrauded of 50 lakh after joining a fraudulent stock market scheme organised through a WhatsApp group. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly citizens in the digital landscape, as they are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals with sophisticated tactics.

The incident unfolded when the victim, intrigued by a WhatsApp group titled Stock Discussion Group, joined to learn more about investment opportunities. The group administrator, Kunal Singh, presented himself as a well-established financial advisor, claiming exceptional returns on investments and enticing potential investors with tales of his past clients' financial success.

Singh boasted of a 2022 stock class that, he alleged, had produced returns as high as 500 per cent on select stocks, reported The Hindu. Encouraged by the group discussions, the Hyderabad resident enrolled in online sessions, hoping to gain insights into profitable stock trading strategies.

Also Read | Beware! Govt issues cybercrime alert against THIS loan app

The online classes were facilitated through links shared on the WhatsApp group, directing participants to private virtual sessions where Singh provided market insights and specific stock recommendations. During these sessions, the fraudster encouraged the attendees to invest through a platform named Skyrim Capital, which he fraudulently presented as a legitimate financial service provider.

At first, the victim invested small amounts and was shown supposed profits that heightened his confidence in the scheme. Gradually, Singh convinced him to increase his investments with promises of even greater returns. Over time, the victim invested a total of 50 lakh, which he transferred across multiple accounts and beneficiary names, a tactic commonly used by fraudsters to evade detection. However, when he attempted to withdraw his profits, the scammers denied the transaction. It was only then that the victim realised he had fallen prey to a scam.

In a separate but cyberfraud case, deepfake videos have been used by scammers to lure victims into fraudulent schemes. Recently, two residents from Bengaluru fell victim to scams involving deepfake videos featuring prominent business figures, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and Reliance Chairperson Mukesh Ambani. According to The Times of India, one of the victims, Veena, encountered a video on social media in which Narayana Murthy appeared to promote a trading platform with guaranteed high returns. Believing it to be genuine, she invested in the scheme, only to realise later that it was a scam.

In another instance, Ashok Kumar, a retired employee, was deceived after coming across a Facebook ad with a deepfake video of Mukesh Ambani. Convinced by the videos promises, he transferred 19 lakh across various accounts. When the scammers stopped responding, Kumar realised he had been conned.

As online scams continue to escalate, especially those targeting older individuals, authorities and financial experts are urging citizens to exercise caution. Family members are encouraged to guide elderly relatives on the dangers of joining financial advice or investment groups on unverified platforms like WhatsApp. Legitimate financial institutions and advisors typically do not operate solely through messaging applications, and promises of high, guaranteed returns are a significant red flag.

The online classes were facilitated through links shared on the WhatsApp group, directing participants to private virtual sessions where Singh provided market insights and specific stock recommendations. During these sessions, the fraudster encouraged the attendees to invest through a platform named Skyrim Capital, which he fraudulently presented as a legitimate financial service provider.

At first, the victim invested small amounts and was shown supposed profits that heightened his confidence in the scheme. Gradually, Singh convinced him to increase his investments with promises of even greater returns. Over time, the victim invested a total of 50 lakh, which he transferred across multiple accounts and beneficiary names, a tactic commonly used by fraudsters to evade detection. However, when he attempted to withdraw his profits, the scammers denied the transaction. It was only then that the victim realised he had fallen prey to a scam.

In a separate cyberfraud case, deepfake videos have been used by scammers to lure victims into fraudulent schemes. Recently, two residents from Bengaluru fell victim to scams involving deepfake videos featuring prominent business figures, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and Reliance Chairperson Mukesh Ambani. According to The Times of India, one of the victims, Veena, encountered a video on social media in which Narayana Murthy appeared to promote a trading platform with guaranteed high returns. Believing it to be genuine, she invested in the scheme, only to realise later that it was a scam.

In another instance, Ashok Kumar, a retired employee, was deceived after coming across a Facebook ad with a deepfake video of Mukesh Ambani. Convinced by the videos promises, he transferred 19 lakh across various accounts. When the scammers stopped responding, Kumar realised he had been conned.

As online scams continue to escalate, especially those targeting older individuals, authorities and financial experts are urging citizens to exercise caution. Family members are encouraged to guide elderly relatives on the dangers of joining financial advice or investment groups on unverified platforms like WhatsApp. Legitimate financial institutions and advisors typically do not operate solely through messaging applications, and promises of high, guaranteed returns are a significant red flag.|#+|

Investors should bear in mind that the stock market is inherently volatile, and no credible advisor can guarantee specific returns, particularly claims as extreme as 500 per cent. Before making substantial investments, especially with unfamiliar entities or platforms, it is advisable to consult a certified financial professional or trusted family member.

Cybercrime experts warn that the public should be wary of schemes that appear too good to be true and avoid sharing personal or financial information through unverified sources. With scams becoming more sophisticated, increased awareness and proactive caution are crucial to safeguarding against financial loss.
The student has been charged by the Marion County Sheriff's Department and sent to DHA.
Were just five days away from one of the biggest elections in years, and today was the last day of early voting here in Tennessee. The turnout was consistent with what weve been seeing so far. The message weve taken: people want their voices to be heard.
Check out our latest E-Edition

Accessible anytime and anywhere on your desktop, tablet and smart phone devices. The Lodi News e-Edition is enhanced with the latest digital tools, including RSS feeds, social networking and much more.

Check out our latest E-edition!
Fianna Fail TD Longford TD Joe Flaherty said he is 'delighted' by the expansion of the Solar for Schools Programme to include eligible schools in Longford.

The scheme provides eligible schools with up to 6 kilowatts peak of roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) installations on their roofs, which equates to approximately 14 solar panels.

Since the launch of the first phase of the programme late last year, more than 1,100 schools have been approved for PV panels on their roofs in 11 areas around the country.

Deputy Flaherty said: "I am delighted to receive confirmation that funding has been approved to proceed with solar PV installations on eligible schools in Louth. The Solar for Schools Scheme is a win-win because it is saving schools money and reducing their carbon footprint."

READ NEXT: Stars in Your Eyes to take place in Longford

Minister Foley has now approved funding to proceed with solar PV installations for all school nationwide.

This means that up to 4,000 primary, post-primary and special schools in the country are now all eligible for PV panels.

Minister Foley said the Solar for Schools Programme has delivered a rooftop revolution in more than 1,000 schools so far and she stated it has helped these schools to reduce their carbon emissions.

She insisted it also has the potential to save our schools millions of euro on their energy bills not just for one year, but every year.

READ NEXT: Longford's Maura Higgins joint-favourite to win this years Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here

"I am therefore delighted today to announce that every school in the country can now apply for the Solar for Schools Programme, as we launch this second and final phase," she said. "I have seen the PV panels in place in many of the schools that I have visited."

Minister Foley said she believes the Solar for Schools Programme will accelerate the installation of PV panels on the roofs of homes and businesses because people can see the benefits of renewable energy in action in their local school buildings.

The Solar for Schools Programme is funded by the Governments Climate Action Fund in line with the Governments recognition that taking action on climate change is central to Irelands social and economic development.

The solar PV panels in schools are being connected to the electricity grid, so that solar energy can power other homes and businesses when schools are closed at weekends and during school holidays.

The typical amount a school can save will depend on a number of factors.

However, by way of example, a school with a 6 kW Solar PV installation could expect to save in the region of 1,200-1,600 per annum on their bill, including credit for their electricity export.

The overall programme will see up to 24 megawatts of installed renewable energy provision on schools with associated savings in the region of 5.5 million per year across 4,000 schools.

Monitoring software is also being provided to each school to allow review and discussion of the energy generated each day for staff and students.
The Battle of Ballinamuck 225th Commemoration Committee were declared as "Runners Up" in The All-Ireland National Pride Of Place awards which were held in Monaghan Town last Saturday night night.

This is a fantastic achievement and recognition for the enormous contribution that the people of Ballinamuck and the neighbouring parishes of North Longford and South Leitrim made during the commemoration weekend and in the making of The Battle of Ballinamuck Documentary.

Also read: North Longford Community First Responders ready to assist people in their time of need

"We would like to sincerely thank all the various committees in Ballinamuck for all their help and support without whom we would not have been able to achieve what we did.

Also read: Longford community thanks retiring principal for seven wonderful years

"We would also like to say a special word of thanks to Longford County Council for nominating us for this award and for all their support since we set out on this journey in the spring of last year.

PICTURES | GAA President Jarlath Burns in Longford to launch book detailing wonderful history of Fr Manning Gaels

"We have all helped ensure that the people of 1798 will never be forgotten and that is the greatest award of all."
Magic Pill Productions today announces the cast for the award-winning play No Magic Pill by Christian OReilly, which will tour Galway, Longford, Ennis and Dublin from 7-23 November.

The play will arrive in Longford on 12 November until 13 November.

The six-strong cast was announced as Sorcha Curley, Eric Fitzgerald, Mark Fitzgerald, Peter Kearns, Ferdia MacAonghusa and Julie Sharkey. Five of the six actors are reprising their roles from the premiere production in 2022, while Eric Fitzgerald joins the cast to take on the lead role of Martin.

Also Read: Air of sadness across north Longford following death of 'pleasant and gentle' Patricia Donohoe

Inspired by real-life activist and wheelchair-user, Martin Naughton, leader of the disability rights movement in Ireland (who passed away in 2016), this production breaks new ground in Irish theatre in its casting of disabled actors and also in its considerations for disabled audience members.

Writer Christian OReilly said: Im looking forward to working with this brilliant group of actors and reuniting with director Raymond Keane, whose visionary production of No Magic Pill in 2022 gave Irish theatre audiences a disability-themed show unlike anything theyd seen before  fast-paced, funny, irreverent, surprising, romantic and visually sparkling. Id like to welcome Eric Fitzgerald, who will play our lead character Martin and blew us away when he auditioned. He will bring a whole new energy to No Magic Pill and break audience hearts in the best way possible.

Director Raymond Keane said: Working on No Magic Pill has elevated me as an artist and as a person. It is one of the most challenging, rewarding projects I have worked on. I cant wait to get back with my new and old tribe. Come join us.

Also Read: Woman caught stealing from Longford supermarkets has 'learned a huge lesson'

Actor Eric Fitzgerald who plays the lead role of Martin said: I am beyond ecstatic to be involved in this production. I could not have hoped for a better cast and crew to gear me up for the biggest role I have ever undertaken. I am really looking forward to performing alongside the talent of No Magic Pill, and to showcase my own acting abilities.

In addition to the tour, an Outreach programme of free Disability Equality Workshops will take place in advance of the November tour. A series of four workshops will be delivered from 23-26 September by Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI). Disabled and non-disabled participants are invited to attend the free workshops in Galway, Longford, Ennis and Dublin.

The aim of the sessions is to ignite conversations about building inclusive environments, dismantling stereotypes, and fostering equal opportunities for disabled people. The workshops are open to disabled and non-disabled participants and are for anyone passionate about creating positive change in disability equality, starting with oneself.

Also Read: Longford man who drove at more than twice the speed limit banned from driving

No Magic Pill will be presented with additional accessibility considerations for disabled patrons, including increased seating for wheelchair users and their companions, shows with Audio Description, touch tours and Irish Sign Language Interpretation.

No Magic Pill is funded by the Arts Council and is presented in association with Independent Living Movement Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association and Disability Federation of Ireland. Magic Pill Productions would also like to acknowledge the support of Town Hall Theatre, The Civic, glor, Backstage and The Glens Arts Centre. Supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaion.
Offering migrants the opportunity to learn the Irish language could help with integration in certain rural communities in Ireland, researchers have found.

As well as introducing an Irish language programme, there is a need to increase the number of English classes available to migrants who have settled away from urban centres, academics from the University of Galway said.

A team from the university examined the extent to which language plays a part in how migrants integrate in rural Ireland.

The study explored the experiences of people living across 11 counties, examining how language  both English and Irish  impacts on migrants experience of employment, access to services and community involvement.

The research formed part of the Taighde Eireann-Research Ireland-funded project Rural Villages, Migration And Intercultural Communication (Vico), led by Dr Andrea Ciribuco from the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at University of Galway.

Some of the key findings included:

 English classes have a crucial role in facilitating social inclusion, building connections among migrants and with local communities;

 Mothers with small children reported having a hard time accessing classes and training due to childcare responsibilities;

 When educational opportunities were available, migrants who are eager to work point to a lack of more advanced language education which can become a barrier to satisfactory employment;

 In certain regions, particularly the Gaeltacht, the Irish language can become a factor of integration. Migrants saw Irish as an important part of the local culture and heritage, and are interested in the language, especially when their children are learning it in school. But few have the time or opportunity to learn it;

 Nearly all participants in the study said they never had negative reactions from locals when speaking their native language within a rural community. Many felt safe and more included in rural areas;

 Limited employment opportunities in rural settings were cited as a barrier towards living in rural locations for the long term but learning English was seen as a gateway to a job and, subsequently, to inclusion in Ireland.

Dr Ciribuco highlighted the importance of focusing on migrant experiences in rural areas.

Migrant integration in rural areas is a crucial issue for the future of Ireland and Europe, yet most migration research focuses on urban settings, she said.

Ireland also has one of the highest rates in Europe of migration into rural areas. This study and event provide a vital platform to explore the unique opportunities and challenges of rural migration.

The high level of migrants moving to rural Ireland comes with specific challenges linked to infrastructure and migrant integration, but also with opportunities in terms of cultural and economic vitality. Too often, public discourse weighs heavily on the challenges.

The findings and recommendations are based on fieldwork, including interviews and focus groups, conducted between March 2023 and June 2024 with 165 migrants, of 31 nationalities, who are living in counties Galway, Mayo, Waterford, Kerry, Cork, Kilkenny, Wexford, Clare, Tipperary, Carlow, and Limerick.

It was carried out during a period when tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees arrived in Ireland as they fled the war in their homeland.

As such, the Ukrainian experience was a consistent theme across the cohort that was studied.
Joshua Oltchick, 26, of West Babylon, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing over 2,700 fentanyl pills and a loaded firearm.

Crime, Press Releases

By Long Island Published: November 05 2024

Joshua Oltchick, 26, of West Babylon, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing over 2,700 fentanyl pills and a loaded firearm. The arrest occurred after police found him slumped over in his vehicle, ...

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.)  Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today

announced that Joshua Oltchick, 26, of West Babylon, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon for illegally possessing over 2,700 pressed fentanyl pills and a loaded firearm.

Every fentanyl pill that this armed prior felon intended to sell in Suffolk County is a potential

fatal overdose and, thankfully, our Suffolk County police officers interrupted his crimes with good police work, said District Attorney Tierney. This ten-year sentence should send the message that we will not tolerate those who sell poison in Suffolk County.

According to court documents and the defendants admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on September 16, 2023, members of the Suffolk County Police Department responded to the corner of 7th Avenue and 15th Street in West Babylon, on reports of a male slumped over behind the steering wheel of a parked vehicle. Upon arrival, the officer observed the defendants vehicle parked facing the wrong direction with its engine still running. The officer approached the vehicle and saw a firearm between the defendants legs on the drivers seat, which was ultimately found to be a loaded Beretta USA Corp. .380 auto caliber semiautomatic pistol.

The officer was able to open the vehicle door, reach in, and turn the engine off. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 8.25 ounces of pressed fentanyl pills, 1,930 milligrams of cocaine, and 1,080 milligrams of amphetamine, all packaged in a manner consistent with street-level drug sales. Moreover, detectives found drug packaging material, dilutants which are used to extend the supply of narcotics, two digital scales, two cell phones, and $3,319 in cash.

On October 2, 2024, Joshua Oltchick pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven Pilewski to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A felony, and Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony.

On November 4, 2024, Oltchick was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. He was represented by David Adhami, Esq.

Oltchick has a prior conviction from 2022 for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: November 05 2024

Strengthening Afterschool Programs Serving Nearly 40,000 Children.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York State has awarded about $100 million in grants to support free and low-cost afterschool programs serving nearly 40,000 children in high-need areas statewide. State officials from the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) also participated in the 25th Annual Lights on Afterschool initiative today by visiting programs in New York City and the Capital Region.

Afterschool programs give our kids outlets to explore their creativity, build their skills and thrive in a supportive environment, Governor Hochul said. We're continuing to invest in free and low-cost afterschool programs and expanding access to affordable child care to help young people grow and give families the support they need.

The State grants announced today were awarded by OCFS through the Learning and Enrichment Afterschool Program Supports (LEAPS) initiative to help fund new or continuing afterschool programs targeted to children in high-need areas in New York State.

These LEAPS grants were awarded to a total of 238 afterschool program sites statewide. The full list of awarded sites can be seen here. View a regional breakdown of the site awards below:

Region Number of Sites Awarded Funding Awarded Capital Region 22 $6,480,000 Central New York 18 $6,400,000 Finger Lakes 17 $5,750,000 Long Island 20 $8,920,000 Mid-Hudson 22 $12,340,000 Mohawk Valley 19 $4,960,000 New York City 74 $38,690,000 North Country 14 $3,380,000 Southern Tier 5 $1,530,000 Western New York 27 $8,450,000

As a part of the OCFS Commissioner's participation in the Lights On Afterschool initiative, Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden visited programs in the Bronx operated by the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families and Good Shepherd Services, while other members of the OCFS leadership team visited the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club in Troy. Now in its 25th year, the initiative recognizes the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering educational opportunities and the development of new skills.

Programs eligible for LEAPS grants included State-licensed school-age child care programs  or organizations interested in becoming a licensed school-age child care provider  that serve children in high-need school districts. Per-site funding amounts were based on each program's OCFS-licensed capacity. The grants are intended to fund the critical programming and other costs of developing and running the program. Grants are contingent on programs completing all licensing and contract requirements and therefore subject to change.

The grants announced today are part of Governor Hochuls continued efforts to make high-quality child care more affordable and accessible. Other recent efforts include expanding access to the State's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Eligible families can apply online for CCAP, which currently covers free or low-cost child care for 130,000 children statewide. While eligibility is based on multiple factors, including income and family size, many families may qualify for CCAP if their household income is at or below 85 percent of the State Median Income. Currently, 85 percent of the State Median Income for a family of four is approximately $108,000. Under CCAP, most eligible families pay no more than $15 per week for child care.

OCFS Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden said, We thank Governor Hochul and the afterschool providers across NYS for ensuring that are children have protective and stimulating environments during the challenging hours of 3-6 p.m. Afterschool programs are tried-and-true interventions that keep our kids safe and engaged through a variety of pro-social experiences and positive youth development opportunities to include the arts, academics, sports, and college/career exploration. Structured programming that introduces caring adults also aids in the development of childrens emotional and physical well-being and provides alternatives to unproductive use of leisure time.



OCFS Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Child Care Services Nora Yates said, The new LEAPS funding will provide the high-quality afterschool academic support and enrichment vital to enabling our children and youth to reach their full potential and keep them engaged in healthy, productive activities during out-of-school time. The programs will ensure higher pay rates for staff and also help mitigate the ongoing impacts from the pandemic by expanding students' access to social and emotional support services as well as other family and community supports.

New York State Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs Executive Director Jackie Negri said, Governor Hochul's new streamlined LEAPS initiative demonstrates unprecedented support for community-based afterschool programs across the State and the youth they serve. After-school programs like Boys & Girls Clubs are proven to provide academic support, enrichment and a safe place for New York's youth. This initiative will increase positive youth development programs and services for more youth and families in high-needs areas statewide.



New York State Network for Youth Success Chief Executive Officer Kelly McMahon said, The NYS Network for Youth Success celebrates the transformative impact of the LEAPS grant, which is expanding access to high-quality afterschool programs across New York. With significant improvements to funding structures, including streamlined processes, added technical assistance and enhanced support per student, LEAPS addresses long-standing challenges and lays a stronger foundation for the future. This moment reinforces our commitment to meeting afterschool needs in every community and underscores the importance of achieving universal afterschool access for all.



New York State YMCAs Executive Director Kyle A. Stewart said, On behalf of the 36 YMCAs and their more than 140 branches across the Empire State, the Alliance of New York State YMCAs was pleased to embrace and promote the LEAPS initiative and applauds Governor Hochul for prioritizing the development of a more streamlined and holistic school-age child care system. YMCAs are proud to serve over 25,000 youth as the largest provider of out-of-school time programs across New York State. Furthermore, the Alliance of New York State YMCAs appreciates our longstanding partnership with OCFS and their efficient LEAPS implementation process. YMCAs are poised to continue serving youth alongside other LEAPS grantees and look forward to continuing to build a robust afterschool system in New York State.

Governor Hochul also highlighted that the State is lighting landmarks yellow and blue tonight in recognition of Lights on Afterschool. The following landmarks will be lit yellow and blue:
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: November 05 2024

Michael Rainford McDougall was charged with Manslaughter in the Second Degree in the death of his 85-year-old mother Carmel McDougall; Nichole McDougall Mullings allegedly physically restrained and threatened her mother in the weeks before her ...

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Roosevelt man was indicted on manslaughter charges for allegedly putting his mother in a headlock and swinging her, causing her to fall to the floor and suffer head injuries that later resulted in her death, and additional charges for his treatment of her one week earlier. His sister was also charged with Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree for other abusive acts toward her mother in the weeks before her death.

Michael Rainford McDougall, 65, was arraigned Monday before Judge Christopher Quinn on charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a C felony); Endangering the Welfare of a Vulnerable Elderly Person, or an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree (a D felony); Criminally Negligent Homicide (an E felony); and Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree (an E felony). McDougall pleaded not guilty, and his bail was set at $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, and $1 million partially secured bond.

Nichole McDougall Mullings, 55, was arraigned Monday before Judge Quinn on two counts of Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree.

Mullings pleaded not guilty and was released to pre-trial services.

The defendants are due back in court on November 22, 2024.

If convicted, McDougall faces up to 19 years in prison and Mullings faces up to 1-1/3 to four years in prison.

Frustrated with their 85-year-old mothers declining health, Michael McDougall and his sister, Nichole McDougall Mullings, allegedly took their anger out on her with physical violence and threats, said DA Donnelly. According to the charges, Michael McDougall, his mothers primary caregiver, pulled her into a headlock and swung her around, causing her to strike her head on the floor. She died several days later from organ failure caused by the catastrophic brain injury she suffered in the fall. Just two weeks before her death, Nichole Mullings allegedly twice constricted her mothers ability to move and breathe, all caught on internal video footage from the home. As parents age, they rely on family, often their grown children, for support and care. Carmel McDougalls son and daughter failed her when she needed them most.

DA Donnelly said that the defendant, Michael McDougall, was the primary care giver for his mother with dementia, Carmel McDougall.

According to the charges, on September 12, 2024, at approximately 2:40 p.m., police officers responded to a residence on Hudson Avenue in Roosevelt for a wellness check and discovered Carmel McDougall unresponsive.

After an investigation, police recovered internal NEST camera footage from the residence that showed Michael McDougall allegedly placing his mother in a headlock and swinging her around that same morning, causing her to fall to the ground and strike her head.

McDougall then allegedly threatened his mother to get up as she laid moaning on the floor.

When police arrived, the victim was transported to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital where medical staff determined she had suffered a catastrophic brain bleed. Carmel McDougall was placed on life support and was pronounced deceased on September 18, 2024.

In addition, the defendants sister, Nichole McDougall Mullings, on two occasions on August 30, 2024, allegedly endangered her mothers welfare.

In one alleged incident, Mullings physically held her mother down, applying pressure to her arms, wrists and neck and slapped the victim in the face. Mullings allegedly also made verbal threats to the victim.

On the same day in another incident, Mullings allegedly struck the victim, shoved her into her bed, and placed her body on top of her mothers 92-pound frame, putting pressure on the victims lower body and torso. Again, Mullings allegedly yelled threats and compromised the victims movement and breathing.

The defendants were arrested by detectives of the Nassau County Police Departments Homicide Squad on October 2, 2024.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Veronica Guariglia of the Homicide Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Chief Jared Rosenblatt and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Litigation Division Kevin Higgins. Michael McDougall is represented by David Haber, Esq. Nichole Mullings is represented by Adrienne Edward, Esq.
Mohammad Jaafar Qasir, Unit 4400s longtime commander, was wanted by the US State Department before Israel assassinated him on October 1, 2024.

On October 1, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the killing of Mohammad Jaafar Qasir, a high-value Hezbollah operative who commanded the groups Unit 4400the body responsible for transporting weapons from Iran and its proxies to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Israeli strike focused attention on this shadowy unit whose activities are vital to Hezbollahs battle-readiness.

What is Unit 4400? A history of the organization and its activities

Unit 4400 is also known as Unit 108 within Hezbollah or, alternatively, is believed to be a subunit of Unit 108 that operates in Syria. After the assassination of Hezbollah Chief of Staff Imad Mughniyeh in Damascus in 2008, Hezbollah took it upon itself to create and secure weapons transfer routes from Iran to the group within Lebanon. This effort led Hezbollah to establish a network of offices and units within Syria to facilitate this process. In the three years prior to the Syrian Civil War and during the first years of that conflict, three units within Hezbollah assumed this task: Unit 100, Unit 108/4400, and Unit 112. Unit 108/4400 was the most significant and influential among them.

Unit 108/4400 was headquartered in Damascus, Syria, and assumed the primary task of transferring weapons between countries where the Iran-led Axis of Resistance was influential (namely, Iran, Iraq, and Syria) to the Lebanese border. Unit 112 would then receive these weapons and distribute them to Hezbollahs weapons warehouses inside Lebanon, while Unit 100 was tasked with transporting Hezbollahs fighters and leaders, plus Iranian advisors, between Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.

Hezbollahs involvement in the Syrian Civil War led to the expansion of Unit 108/4400s duties. The unit began to store weapons in warehouses inside Syria and developed an extensive presence throughout that country, particularly in Aleppo.

Israel began publicly identifying the units activities in 2018, referring to it as Unit 4400, though the Israelis had been previously tracking its activities for years. Unit 4400 began specializing in acquiring and smuggling sensitive weaponry, including sophisticated weapons, precision-guided missiles, modern drones, and loitering munitions, to Hezbollahs weapons depots in Lebanon. Unit 4400 operatives would travel to, among other places, Latakia Port in Syria and the Bukamal region on the Syria-Iraq border to collect weapons shipped by sea or land from Iran and destined for Hezbollah. Reports indicate that once these smuggled arms reach Lebanon, Unit 4400 members often stored them temporarily before distributing them to various Hezbollah divisions.

Unit 4400 had an additional task: transporting and transferring funds, whether via financial support provided by Iran, from trading oil in Syria, or resulting from Hezbollahs private investments. Based on IDF targeting, it would seem that Unit 4400 also smuggled and stored fuel in Lebanon.

Israel launched a campaign of airstrikes against Unit 4400 and its assets during the conflict with Hezbollah that began in October 2023. Here are some highlights of this campaign, which peaked in September 2024:

Unit 4400s leaders and their contributions to the units development

Israels intensified pursuit of Unit 4400 culminated in the assassination of Qasir on October 1. Also known as Hajj Fadi/Sheikh Salah, Qasir was born on February 12, 1967, in Dayr Qanun al-Nahr in south Lebanon. He is the younger brother of Ahmad Jaafar Qasir, a 19-year-old member of Hezbollah at the time of his death who drove an explosives-laden car into the IDFs military headquarters in the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon on November 11, 1982. The attack killed 71 Israeli soldiers, officers, and Shin Bet agents alongside dozens of Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners. The operations date became Hezbollahs annual Martyrs Day commemoration. A year later, Ahmad and Mohammads other brother, Hassan, reportedly struck the Tyre HQ again with an explosives-laden truck on November 4, 1983, killing 28 Israelis and 32 Lebanese.

Mohammad Qasir appears to have followed in his brothers footsteps into Hezbollah, though it is unknown when he joined the organization. After the assassination of Mughniyeh, Qasir began to rise to prominence. He is believed to have assumed command of Unit 4400 before 2010 and held the role until his assassination, overseeing countless operations transferring strategic weapons to Hezbollah.

In time, Qasir would assume the role of a critical financial conduit between the IRGCs Quds Force and its Lebanese franchise. On April 17, 2018, Qasir and a Syrian associate received over $63 million to benefit Hezbollah, a figure he confirmed in a letter to a senior official at the Central Bank of Iran. In a testament to his organizational significance, Qasir also became a close confidante of then-IRGC-QF Commander Qassem Soleimani and Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. On February 25, 2019, Qasir even accompanied Soleimani as a notetaker for meetings between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Alongside arms smuggling, Qasir and Unit 4400 have been rumored, per some unsubstantiated reports, to be involved in drug trafficking operations. If these rumors are true, it seems that Qasir used Unit 4400s established supply lines to smuggle narcotics across Syria and Lebanon while collaborating closely with the IRGC and Syrias 4th Armored Division commanded by Bashar al-Assads brother, Maher.

Qasirs activities, including acting as one of Hezbollahs primary financial architects and using smuggling networks to fund the organizations operations and bolster its regional influence, led the United States Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control to designate him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on May 15, 2018. Two years later, the State Departments Rewards for Justice Program offered $10 million for information leading to the disruption of Qasirs activities.

After the assassination of Mustafa Badreddine, Mughniyehs successor, in 2016, Qasirs prominence again rose. His Unit 4400 would further tighten ties with the IRGC, and he would become involved in smuggling Iranian oil, generating substantial revenues for Hezbollah. According to IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari, Qasir was also responsible for financial transfers to Hezbollah derived from sales of Iranian oil and other sources, allegedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

After Qasirs assassination, his unidentified successor took his place as the head of Unit 4400. However, he did not last long in that role. On October 21, Qasirs successor was killed alongside an unidentified companion in the Mezzeh neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, near a memorial service being held for Yahya Sinwar. According to an IDF spokesperson, the commander was responsible for managing financial transactions within the organization and had command over Unit 4400. Although the IDF did not release the commanders name, Hezbollah-affiliated social media accounts eulogized Ali Hassan Gharib, also known as Ayman Abu Hassan, claiming he had been killed in Syria on the same day.

Other Unit 4400 members and affiliates

Yasser Nemr Qranbish , a former bodyguard for Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his vehicle that was traveling along the Beirut-Damascus International Highway. Qranbish reportedly assumed a command role within Unit 4400 after his bodyguard post.

, a former bodyguard for Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his vehicle that was traveling along the Beirut-Damascus International Highway. Qranbish reportedly assumed a command role within Unit 4400 after his bodyguard post. Ali Abdul Nour Shaalan holds a significant role in managing the financial affairs of Unit 4400. Shaalan was accused by Hezbollah of embezzling $5 million in 2022, which led to his detention by a protection unit run by a member of the Awada family. However, Qasir intervened, using his influence and connections with Iranian allies to secure Shaalans release.

holds a significant role in managing the financial affairs of Unit 4400. Shaalan was accused by Hezbollah of embezzling $5 million in 2022, which led to his detention by a protection unit run by a member of the Awada family. However, Qasir intervened, using his influence and connections with Iranian allies to secure Shaalans release. Alongside Shaalan, Mohammad Al Bazzal , also known as Haj Muin, was considered a personal aide of Qasir and photographed next to him near Shebaa farms in 2022. Al-Bazzal is married to Qasirs daughter Fatima and served as the head of financial affairs for the unit. He is also sanctioned by the United States.

, also known as Haj Muin, was considered a personal aide of Qasir and photographed next to him near Shebaa farms in 2022. Al-Bazzal is married to Qasirs daughter Fatima and served as the head of financial affairs for the unit. He is also sanctioned by the United States. Reports have indicated that Imad Amhaz , who was captured by Israels Shayetet 13 in Batroun on November 1, is likely connected to maritime smuggling for Hezbollahs Unit 4400.

, who was captured by Israels Shayetet 13 in Batroun on November 1, is likely connected to maritime smuggling for Hezbollahs Unit 4400. Mohammad Baraa Qaterji, also known as Hajj Baraa, was responsible for the smuggling of Syrian oil in coordination with Unit 4400. Hajj Baraas company, Qaterji International Group, is connected to the IRGC-QF and has transported Iranian oil to Syria on multiple occasions. A report from 2019 suggested that Qaterji and Unit 4400 had financial disputes because of Qaterjis failure to settle its debts to Iran due to a cash shortage at the Syrian Central Bank. Qaterji was killed in an Israeli airstrike on July 15.

Unit 4400 coordinates closely with IRGC-QFs Unit 190 and Unit 700 in smuggling weapons into Lebanon. Some of the individuals who are behind the transfers of weapons from Iran to Hezbollah include:

Ali Mohammad Taghvi is responsible for Unit 4400s warehouse in Tehran.

is responsible for Unit 4400s warehouse in Tehran. Brigadier General Ali Naji is with Unit 700 based in Tehran.

is with Unit 700 based in Tehran. Colonel Sayyed Jalal Ahmadi is thecommander of the 15 th Khordad Missile Group in the IRGCs Ground Forces.

is thecommander of the 15 Khordad Missile Group in the IRGCs Ground Forces. Saeed Dirani coordinates weapon transfers and supplies.

coordinates weapon transfers and supplies. Abul Fazl Salmani Zadegan is with Unit 700 based in Syria.

Israels purpose for targeting Unit 4400 and the impact of these attacks

Between October 8, 2023when Hezbollah began attacking Israeland September 16, 2024, Israel and Hezbollah were locked in a state of mutual attrition. However, starting with its dual telecommunications device attacks on September 17 and September 18, Israel began rapidly executing a strategy to cripple Hezbollahs ability to use its massive arsenalbefore turning to destroy the arsenal itself.

The Israelis aimed at disrupting the groups communications and assassinating its senior military and political leadership. Israels focused attacks on Unit 4400 that escalated around the same time were likely a continuation of this strategy, meant to suffocate Hezbollah by crippling its ability to acquire more arms and fundsthus undermining the groups capability to continue fighting.

Hezbollah, predictably, denies that this strategy has significantly impacted its operations or that Israel has had much success in degrading the groups assets and arsenal. However, Hezbollah cant be expected to admit such weaknesses. Unless the group is holding back unleashing its full strength as part of a larger plan, the Israeli strategy seems to be working, having prevented the apocalyptic scenarios expected to occur during the next Israel-Hezbollah war. Degrading Unit 4400s personnel, assets, and resulting capabilities certainly contributes to this outcome. Hezbollah stumbled into a long conflict with Israel that it was not anticipating and which does not seem to be ending soon. If the groups access to weapons and material is being strangled by Israeli military action against Unit 4400, the situation could force the group to ration what remains of its arsenal, which would explain its reduced rate of daily fire on Israel.

However, it is too soon to speak of a long-term impact on Hezbollah of Israels degradation of Unit 400 beyond the current conflict. Hezbollah is a 42-year-old organization with a complex hierarchy and chain of succession. The group has, therefore, likely been able to fill all the vacancies left by the spate of Israeli assassinations, albeit, admittedly, with seemingly inferior or less-experienced replacements. However, if Hezbollah remains standing at the end of the current conflict, those individuals will continue to acquire the sophistication that comes with time and may learn the lessons of the current war with Israel. The groups newer leaders could use this knowledge to reestablish Unit 4400s supply lineswith which Hezbollah could begin rebuilding its arsenal.

David Daoud is senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs. Ahmad Sharawi is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian intervention in Arab affairs and the Levant.
A still from a promotional video of Hezbollahs Radwan Unit published on the groups official Telegram account on October 7, 2024.

On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced carrying out airstrikes against targets belonging to Hezbollahs intelligence apparatus in Syria.

A short while ago, the IAF conducted an aerial operation and struck Hezbollah terror targets belonging to Hezbollahs intelligence headquarters in Syria. This is Hezbollahs central intelligence body, responsible for intelligence assessments, the direction of intelligence activities, and the intelligence gathering and detection capabilities, said the IDF.

In a terse statement, Syrian state-controlled media reported Israeli airstrikes south of Damascus but did not provide details on the attack.

Nearly at 18:05 today, the Israeli enemy launched an aerial aggression from the direction of occupied Syrian Golan, targeting a number of sites south of Damascus, causing some material damages in the places, reported the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

The IDF detailed that the Syrian branch of the Hezbollah headquarters has an independent intelligence gathering, coordination, and assessment network.

Separately, the IDF killed Hezbollahs head of intelligence, Hassan al-Zaima, along with top Hezbollah cleric Hashem Safieddine in a Beirut airstrike in early October, the IDF noted.

Furthermore, the Israeli military said it eliminated the head of Hezbollahs intelligence branch in Syria, Mahmoud Shaheen, in the strike that killed Safieddine and al-Zaima. The IDF detailed Shaheens various roles within Hezbollahs ranks.

Within the intelligence headquarters, he [Shaheen] assumed the role of Head of the Syrian branch in 2007. Over the years, he gained experience and established close working relations with the Syrian regime and Iranian-aligned officials. In his role, he led the development and deployment of intelligence and air defense capabilities in coordination with various parts of the Iranian axis. Shaheen was a significant figure in regional collaboration, and his elimination constitutes a further degradation of Hezbollahs intelligence capabilities, stated the IDF.

Israels strategy

Israel is employing a similar military strategy against Hezbollah that it has been using on Palestinian terrorist groups in Gaza: Severely degrade the capabilities of its foes by eliminating key figures and infrastructure.

Hobbling a terrorist organization does not necessarily mean Israel must eliminate every fighter and all infrastructure belonging to the group. Much like a vehicle, if critical parts are rendered inoperable, such as a wheel or an engine, the car is disabled. In the case of Hezbollah, Israel has carried out a campaign to incur a severe blow against its leadership, military commanders, financial network, and infrastructure. Striking these key sectors with great success creates instability and significantly weakens the groupwhich Israel has done in a short period and continues to do.

Israels successful execution of this strategy has erased almost all the leverage Hezbollah had over the Jewish state during the first 11 months of the war. Now, despite Hezbollahs persistent projectile fire against northern Israel, it is attacking from a weakened position. Hezbollahs diminishment creates leverage for Israel to compel the Lebanese-based group to agree to a ceasefire without the precondition of halting the war in Gaza.

However, Hezbollah will put its interests before Lebanon, and the group may choose not to agree to a ceasefire despite the worsening of conditions for citizens in areas affected by the war.

Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East.
At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Fast CPU and graphics

Support for Apple Intelligence Cons Not much different from the 6th-gen iPad mini it replaces from 2021 Our Verdict The iPad mini is still a great tablet, perhaps the best at its size and better than larger, non-Apple tablets. But if you own a 6th-generation iPad mini, you dont need to rush to upgrade to it unless you want Apple Intelligence. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today

On October 15, Apple announced an upgrade to the iPad mini. Remember the iPad mini? Did you forget about it? Cant blame you if you didafter all, it seemed like Apple did, because the last iPad mini was released over three years ago.

After waiting all this time, the upgrades Apple made to the iPad mini (A17 Pro)Apple ditched the generational naming in favor of chip identification, like the other iPadsfeel like they dont amount to much, at least on the surface. What you will find is that the new iPad mini has been modernized with internal upgrades, which should keep it relevant for, say, another three years until the next refresh or redesign.

The iPad mini is still a great tablet, perhaps the best at its size and better than larger, non-Apple tablets. But if you own a 6th-generation iPad mini, you dont need to rush to upgrade to it, except for one thing: Apple Intelligence.

iPad mini: Performance boost from the A17 Pro

The iPad minis major upgrade is with its chip. The A15 Bionic that was in the previous iPad mini has been replaced by the A17 Pro, which was used in the discontinued iPhone 15 Pro. Its not exactly the same chip, however. It still has six CPU cores (two performance cores and four efficiency cores), but it has five GPU cores instead of the six that were in the iPhone 15 Pro.

Geekbench 6.2 CPU benchmarks Geekbench results are stated as scores. Higher scores/longer bars are faster.

We used Geekbench 6 to gauge performance and saw a 23 percent increase in the multi-core performance of the new iPad mini over the old one. In single-core testing, the new iPad mini was 26 percent faster. Those are good numbers, but the boost is marginal. You wont notice it in everyday, simple tasks but if you do longer, more complex computations, they will be quicker.

Geekbench 6.2 GPU Compute Geekbench results are stated as scores. Higher scores/longer bars are faster.

The graphics improvement is a bit more impressive. Using the Geekbench Compute benchmark, the test showed a 31 percent improvement over the old iPad mini. If you like to play games, youll be able to notice a difference.

iPad mini: Now with Apple Intelligence!

Perhaps more important than the performance improvement that the A17 Pro provides is its support for Apple Intelligence, Apples much-hyped set of AI-based features. Apple Intelligence requires Apple silicon with at least 8GB of unified memory and the A17 Pro and M1 chips are the cutoff pointchips older than the A17 Pro have less than 8GB. The 6th-generation iPad minis A15 Pro has 4GB of unified memory, so it cant run Apple Intelligence.

The first set of Apple Intelligence features is now available with the recently released iPadOS 18.1 update, which includes writing tools that can revise your text, summaries for Mail, Notifications, and Safari, and a background cleanup tool in Photos. If that doesnt sound all that exciting, then perhaps the features coming to iPadOS 18.2 will get your attention: image generation, ChatGPT integration, automatic Mail categorization, and more. The iPadOS 18.2 beta is available now, with a likely official release by the end of the year. Learn more about the Apple Intelligence feature rollout.

The main reason Apple updated the iPad mini is support for the new Apple Intelligence features, such as the writing tools in apps like Pages. Foundry

iPad mini: What else is new

Apple upgraded several other features of the iPad mini (A17 Pro), but none of them are the types of upgrades that will make you chuck the 6th-generation iPad mini aside and mock it for being such an outdated device. Heres what else is new.

128GB baseline storage: Apple increased the starting point of the amount of storage, which was previously 64GB. The $499/499 iPad mini includes a 128GB SSD (which still feels too small); the $599/599 model has 256GB; the $799/799 model has 512GB.

Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3: Wireless connectivity improvements are always good. But its not the Wi-Fi 7 that Apple has in the iPhone 16 lineupseems like Apple is going with Wi-Fi 6E for cost considerations, but you likely wouldnt notice a difference anyway.

USB 3.1 Gen 2: Apple dropped the Lightning port with the previous iPad mini. But now the iPad minis port can support data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps.

Apple upgraded the iPad mini with USB 3.1 Gen 2, so it has faster data transfer speed.

Foundry

Smart HDR 4: The latest version of Apples camera technology that combines shots taken at different exposures to create a photo with the best combination of highlight and shadow detail. Thats nice, but the iPad mini isnt being used for its camera like an iPhone, so the tablet has only a single-lens 12MP wide camera with 5x digital zoom. Video recording is capable of 4K at 60 fps. (Seems to me that if the iPad mini had a better camera, it could work well with Final Cut Camera.)

eSim only: If you want a cellular connection, you must use eSIM. The nano-SIM slot is gone.

Apple Pencil Pro support: Released this past spring with the M4 iPad Pro, the Apple Pencil Pro is sold separately for $129, or you can use the USB-C Pencil. If you already have a 2nd-generation Apple Pencil that worked with the previous iPad mini, you cant use it with this new one. Sorry.

Color change: Apple has decided on a muted color palette, so the space gray, starlight, and purple color choices arent as deep as with the previous iPad mini. Also, pink has been dropped, replaced by blue.

Apple is using the same display that was in the 6th generation iPad mini. Foundry

iPad mini: What hasnt changed

At a glance, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) looks exactly like the 6th-generation iPad mini. The design hasnt changed; the only physical difference you might notice (besides the color) is that the new iPad mini doesnt have the nano SIM slot on the side. Here are the major features that have not changed in the iPad mini (A17 Pro) that could influence your buying decision.

8.3-inch Liquid Retina display: Its a good-looking display, but since its not a Pro model, the iPad mini doesnt support ProMotion, Apples technology that dynamically adjusts the screen refresh rate between 10Hz and 120Hz. The display has a 60Hz refresh rate, which works fine for everyday use, but if youve used Apples Pro devices with ProMotion, you will notice the difference and may not like it. The iPad mini could use a better display to make it a better e-reader competitor to Amazon Kindles or Kobo devices. But nothing changed here. Also, iPhone Pro users should know that the iPad mini doesnt have an always-on displaynone of the iPads do.

Cameras: Nothing has changed about the specifications for the front and back cameras, except the upgrade to Smart HDR 4, which is software-based. The camera hardware doesnt appear to have changed from the 6th-generation iPad mini. That is probably not such a big deal to iPad users.

Battery life: Nothing has changed about the 19.3-watt-hour battery, which still offers, Up to 10 hours of surng the web on WiFi or watching video, according to Apple. I ran a video that was saved to the iPad minis SSD on a loop, with the display set to 200 nits, and the battery eventually ran out after 9 hours and 57 minutes, matching Apples claim. When using the iPad mini as I typically wouldcheck email, web access, edit photos, and read booksI never had to worry about the battery life.

USB-C charging only: The iPad mini doesnt have MagSafe (none of the iPads do). It charges through its USB-C port. MagSafe would been nice, but itll likely debut on the iPad Pro long before it comes to the mini.

The iPad mini (A17 Pro) is a great tablet, but if you were hoping for Apple to do something fresh and dramatic with it, you wont find it here. Foundry

Should you buy the iPad mini (A17 Pro)?

Apple actually included a fair amount of upgrades in the iPad minibut if you were hoping for Apple to unveil a new approach with the iPad mini, youll need to keep hope alive for possibly a few more years. Basically, the new iPad mini is a chip upgrade to support Apple Intelligence and not much more than that.

If you have the 6th-generation iPad mini that works well, and youre wondering about upgrading, the question to ask yourself is how much you want to use Apple Intelligence. Try it on another device if you can and gauge how much you use it, then you can figure out if you need a new iPad mini. If you dont care about Apple Intelligence (even after trying it), chances are you wont care about the new iPad mini, either, unless your 6th-generation iPad mini needs repairs and youve been putting them off.

If you have an iPad mini with a Lightning port, you have more of an incentive to upgrade. Youll get a bigger and better display and improved performance that is very noticeable. If you havent had an iPad mini before and dont care for Apple Intelligence, you might investigate shopping for a 6th-generation iPad mini; its price will be marked down to clear out remaining stock, so you can save some money.

If you dont have an iPad and you want one to use Apple Intelligence, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) is the cheapest tablet thats compatible and a great lower-priced alternative to Apples higher-priced offerings. However, the 128GB 11-inch iPad Air with its M2 chip is only $100 more and is a better price-per-performance deal. But if you prioritize the smaller profile, pick the iPad mini.

Take a look at our iPad buying guide to find out which iPad is best for you. We also compare the 2024 iPad mini with the old model here: New iPad mini vs old iPad mini: Whats different?
No matter which way youre voting, its hard to ignore the tension on this Election Day in the U.S. Polls are open all around the country, but the real anxiety doesnt begin until later tonight when they start to close and votes are tabulated. And if you need one more way to obsessively track results, Apple News has you covered, whether you live in the U.S. or not.

If you head over to the Apple News app on your iPhone, youll see a Follow the Election Live button at the top of the Today tab. Tap it and youll receive real-time updates tonight as electoral votes begin to be tallied, presumably beginning at 6 p.m. ET when the first polls begin to close in Kentucky and Indiana.

The results will show up as a Live Activity on your Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island, which you can click to get further information all night (and morning) long. Apple doesnt illustrate how the tracker will operate, but a red/blue electoral college bar with live results could be the most nerve-wracking Dynamic Island activity ever made.

Its likely that the race isnt decided tonight, but its unclear when the Live Activity will end.

Apple News has comprehensive election coverage from a variety of sources, as well as state-by-state information for both subscribers and non-subscribers. You can also filter news by issue and candidate on the dedicated Election 2024 page.
Spain's national guard on Tuesday asked relatives of people missing in deadly floods to provide DNA samples to identify bodies, as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was earmarking 10.6 billion euros to help victims. More than 200 people died after heavy rains last week caused waterways to overflow, creating flash floods that surged through suburbs south of the city of Valencia, sweeping away cars and bridges and flooding properties and underground car parks.

"There are still missing persons to be located, homes and businesses destroyed, buried under the mud and many people suffering severe shortages," Sanchez said in a press conference in Madrid. "We have to keep working." The government has declined to say how many people are missing almost a week on from the disaster. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said only that it was a "significant number" and that in the absence of clear information, it was "best not to specify".

At least 217 people died in Valencia, Castile La Mancha and Andalusia, but only 111 have been identified so far. The aid will include 838 million euros in direct cash handouts to small businesses and freelance workers affected by the disaster and 5 billion euros of state-guaranteed loans, while the national government will finance 100% of the clean-up costs incurred by local governments and half of the repair to infrastructure, Sanchez said. More than 100,000 cars were damaged by the floods, Sonia Luque, coordinator of the Network of Road Assistance Companies (REAC), said.

'IT'S A TSUNAMI'

Hector, a police inspector speaking in Paiporta, one of the worst-hit neighbourhoods, said he had experienced plenty of flooding in nearby Alicante but nothing like this. "This isn't a flash flood - it's a tsunami," Hector, who declined to give his last name, said.

In the face of criticism and anger at the slow response to the disaster, Sanchez said the government had deployed nearly 15,000 police and military to help clear flood-affected areas, along with hundreds of forestry officials, forensic scientists, customs agents and heavy machinery to clear roads and rubble.

Defending the government's response, Sanchez said he had not called a state of emergency, which would have given Madrid control of the crisis, because it would have been less efficient.

He said personnel had been ready to be deployed from the first minute but had required the approval of the regional government run by the conservative Partido Popular. Valencia's regional leader Carlos Mazon said on Monday the delay in warning people was caused by the Hydrographic Confederation of Jucar (CHJ), which measures the flow of rivers and ravines for the state, cancelling a planned alert three times. The CHJ fired back that it does not issue flood risk alerts, which are the responsibility of Spain's regional governments
A Boston man was accused in court Monday of operating a tow truck with a suspended license and trying to extort a woman after he unlawfully towed her car on Saturday.

Tyrone Rutledge, 33, faced several charges in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court, the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office announced.

The charges were: attempt to commit a crime, extortion by false report of a crime, witness intimidation, number plate violation, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, uninsured motor vehicle and multiple motor vehicle infractions.

A woman on Walk Hill Street reported to Boston police officers at 10:05 p.m. on Nov. 2 that her car had been towed and the tow truck driver was trying to extort her, the office said.

Read more: Berkshire County under a fire warning Wednesday

The woman said shed called the Norwood tow truck company owned by Rutledge, called Up N Down Towing. Rutledge told her he towed her car because it was not properly registered and uninsured.

However, the Boston Transportation Department confirmed the womans car was properly registered to her. Rutledge told the woman, Oh, so my truck driver gave me the wrong information.

Rutledge then said the woman would have to come to his house in Roxbury with $300 in cash to get her car back, the office said.

The woman was with officers when Rutledge returned to the scene, driving a tow truck with a passenger, a woman from Boston. The officers saw Rutledge switch seats with the woman.

The officers recognized Rutledge from a previous police bulletin that said hed been illegally towing cars and driving on a suspended license, and asked him to get out of the truck. He did not comply, police said, and was arrested after he ignored multiple verbal commands.

The woman tried to cover for Rutledge and told officers, He wasnt driving, I was, and did not comply with officers commands to get out of the truck. They later found her license was also suspended, and her arraignment will happen at a later date.

Rutledges bail was set at $100 on Monday by Judge Maureen Flaherty, and he was ordered to return to court on Dec. 11 for a pre-trial hearing.

However, he was ordered held by another judge after his hearing when he was brought to Dedham District Court, where hed pleaded guilty last August to receiving a stolen motor vehicle and received a suspended sentence. He will have a probation violation hearing on Nov. 22 based on the new charge.

He also pleaded guilty on Monday to another case where he operated a motor vehicle without a license and received a $100 fine, and has a pending firearm case in Suffolk Superior set for trial in February 2025.
Tom Holland was seen visiting his girlfriend Zendaya while the actress is filming a movie in Boston.

The celebrity couple was spotted while walking their dog in the city over the weekend, according to an Instagram post from backgrid_usa on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Several TikToks also captured the Spider-Man co-stars walking down around Back Bay.

I cant wrap my head around this happening to me, one TikTok user wrote in the caption for a video showing the couple walking past clothing store AFYX on Newbury Street.

Another TikTok showed Holland and Zendaya approaching menswear store Suitsupply Boston, also on Newbury Street.

The royals are in Boston, the videos caption reads.

This was not the first time Zendaya and Holland have been to Boston. The two were spotted together at the Tatte on Boylston Street, right across from Boston Common, in 2022. Zendaya was in town to shoot the film, Challengers, which Boston.com reported at the time.

This time around, Zendaya is in Boston for a new film. The 28-year-old is set to star in a new romance movie called "The Drama" alongside Twilight star Robert Pattinson, who was spotted shooting scenes in the Financial District on Thursday, Oct. 31.

Plans for The Drama were revealed in August, as first reported by The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline.

The upcoming film is being directed by Kristoffer Borgli (Dream Scenario) and produced by Ari Aster (Midsommar, Hereditary). Production on the film started on Oct. 22, according to IMBd Pro.

A24, the films production company, was unable to provide exact filming locations for The Drama because they are confidential, the company told MassLive.

However, Zendaya has been spotted at several locations around Boston, according to several videos on social media.

One TikTok with the caption, Zendaya blending in with the locals in beacon hill, captured the Dune actress having a pastry at the Tatte on Beacon Hill. Another clip from inside the same Tatte showed Zendaya standing outside.

The Euphoria actress was also seen at Philips Academy in Andover, according to two other TikToks as well as a post on X.

Phillips spokesperson Tracy Sweet told Andover News that a film crew was on campus, but could not provide more information.

Another video also captured Pattinson at the same school. The 38-year-old actor arrived in Boston on Wednesday, Oct. 30, Just Jared reported.

Zendaya was also seen admiring pottery from a vendor on Newbury Street in mid-October.

So blessed to have said my artwork has been admired by the Zendaya, an Oct. 15 Instagram post from @potterypaintedbymags reads.

As she was looking at the table with 30 different artists and multiple varying pieces, she picked up the mug I had painted, the post reads. Even though it was not purchased I am so forever grateful and deeply touched as a young growing artist, thank you @zendaya."
The 16,500-square-foot store will be the 23rd Trader Joes in Massachusetts. The new location will open at 8 a.m. Wednesday at 220 Fortune Blvd.

A brief grand opening celebration featuring a ribbon cutting and giveaways will be held before the store opens.

Trader Joes, which describes itself as a neighborhood grocery store, intends to hire more than 80 new crew members from the area surrounding Milford. Some staff members from other Trader Joes stores will be transferred to the Milford location.

The company also intends to donate all products that go unsold but can still be eaten to non-profit, community-based organizations.

In addition to the 23 stores in Massachusetts, Trader Joes has more than 500 locations across the U.S.
In recognition of Native American Heritage Month in November, MassLive asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the Indigenous community throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts. Profiles of these leaders are being published in November.

These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.

Darlene Flores with her family. (Courtesy photo)Darlene Flores

Darlene Flores

Age: 47

Community: Newton

Her story: Dr. Darlene Flores is a traditional healer, chiropractic physician and educator on the culture and history of the Taino people, the native people of the Caribbean.

Flores was raised in Newton, where she currently lives and is raising her three children. She was introduced to chiropractic medicine while serving in the Army and after her last deployment, and she obtained a doctorate degree from Life Chiropractic College West in Hayward, California.

Flores previously practiced in Puerto Rico, but after Hurricane Maria in 2019, she opened Karaya Wellness Clinic in Brookline.

In addition to her chiropractic practice, Flores is an Adahiabo, or medicine hand, a traditional medicine keeper for the Taino Higuayagua Caribbean tribe, following the legacy of her grandmother Irene, a traditional curandera.

Flores is an advocate for holistic medicine and the preservation of Indigenous culture, especially that of her own tribe. She is one of the founding members of Newtons Indigenous Peoples Day, and helped to organize the fourth annual ceremonial celebration in October.

The free event celebrates native music, dance, poetry and visual art. The theme for the 2024 event was Honoring our Mothers, honoring both matriarchs and Mother Earth, and featured more than 70 indigenous vendors.

Flores also helps coordinate intertribal youth events, including an annual Intertribal Youth Ski Day trip that began in March 2023. The event gives youth from the Mashpee Wampanoag, Narraganset, Nipmuc and Taino communities an opportunity to take a bus to Whaleback Mountain in Enfield, New Hampshire, for a free ski or snowboarding lesson, equipment rental and lift ticket. It also featured an opening and closing ceremony led by the youth participants.

In her words: Look at the youth, guide them gently and be their biggest advocates. Promote respect, authenticity, tradition, family and self-love. ... Be a warrior while elegantly walking the walk.

Were always open to hear about more inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
Massachusetts voters head to the polls on Tuesday in voting precincts across 351 communities in 14 counties.

The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealths Office has sample ballots for every voting precinct, and also information about where to vote.

The sample ballots are individualized for each address, so all races and ballot questions that will appear on the ballot for that polling location will appear on the sample ballot.

To find your sample ballot, visit the Secretary of the Commonwealths website and enter your address. Your polling location and sample ballot will then be shown.

In addition to races for president, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House, members of the state Legislature are also up for re-election this year along with other state and county offices.

There are also five ballot questions on the ballot on topics including the right of the state auditor to audit the state Legislature, removing the MCAS test from being a graduation requirement in Massachusetts, allowing ride share drivers with companies like Uber and Lyft to unionize, legalizing certain psychedelic substances and raising the minimum wage for tipped workers.

Sample ballots can be found here.
As part of a nationwide effort to ensure voting rights, federal prosecutors in Massachusetts announced Monday that they will station election monitors at polling locations in eight cities.

Election monitors from acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua Levys office will be assigned to polling locations in Everett, Fitchburg, Leominster, Lowell, Malden, Methuen, Quincy and Salem. Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Justice plans to monitor compliance with voting rights laws in 86 jurisdictions in 27 states.

Levys office has also appointed a District Election Officer, who will oversee Election Day criminal complaints, threats of violence to election officials or staff and election fraud.

The Departments longstanding Election Day Program is vital to combatting discrimination at the polls and furthering public confidence in the electoral process, Levy said in a statement. Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination. My office is proud to be a part of this important effort to protect the sacrosanct right to vote.

Concerns or complaints about voting rights can be reported to the U.S. Attorneys office at (833) 634-8669.

Any complaints about disruptions at a polling place should be reported to local officials and any complaints related to violence or intimidation should be reported to local police, Levys office said.
A Boston man was sentenced to two years in jail last week after he violated his probation following new charges related to stealing over $30,000 worth of merchandise from retail stores, officials said.

Essie Billingslea, 34, was charged on Oct. 7 with three counts of larceny over $1,200, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said. He was held on a $5,000 bail on the new charges. He will return to court on Nov. 19.

In his follow-up probation violation hearing on Oct. 31, a judge ruled that Billingslea violated the conditions of his probation that were set in July when he pleaded to a retail larceny charge and got a two-year suspended sentence, the district attorney said.

Boston police went to the Victorias Secret store at 100 Huntington Ave. on Aug. 27 after they got a call about a theft, the district attorney said. Store workers said a man with a reusable T.J. Maxx walked in and stole about $1,560 worth of items, the district attorney said.

Police then went to the Lululemon at 208 Newbury St. on Aug. 29 after they got a call about another theft, the district attorney said. The manager said a man with a yellow shirt and black pants hid several boxes with 145 pairs of leggings, collectively valued at around $29,000 into T.J. Maxx shopping bags.

Police also went to another Lululemon at 776 Boylston St. on Sept. 4, the district attorney said. A store worker said that a man went into the store and put around 31 pairs of leggings into a T.J. Maxx bag. The stolen goods were around $3,200.

Police were able to figure out it was Billingslea from previous incidents and similar crimes, the district attorney said. Hes been convicted of 20 crimes related to larceny since 2021.
When Robert Benjamin, former vice president of Multicultural Affairs at Eastern Nazarene College, learned the school would be closing, he learned something else: he had just a few months to vacate his campus housing.

Benjamin, who had worked at the school for nearly three decades, had recently submitted notice of his retirement plans.

The immediacy of its closing was not so much surprising as it was stunning, Benjamin said.

The college announced in June that it would be closing its doors in May 2025 because of financial woes.

While many in the college community and surrounding area knew of the colleges financial instability, closure wasnt something on their minds, Benjamin said.

As news of the closure swirled the community, some employees, like Benjamin, processed not only the loss of the college but the housing theyd been living in. The college, in Quincy, is a highly sought-after neighborhood close to Boston.

Many folks are disappointed, many are hurt, Benjamin said. It is because ENC, Eastern Nazarene College, the labor here  its going to sound cliche  its a labor of extreme love.

While Quincy is a place Benjamin and his wife said they love, they couldnt afford the high cost of housing in the area.

This type of housing made it much more palatable, he said, referring to his campus housing.

The couple bought a house instead in Virginia.

Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy to close by May 2025.Juliet Schulman-Hall

Waiting for the death to finally come

On an unusually warm October fall day, the last people walking the soon-to-be-closed campus of Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy were the migrant families living in a building that has turned into a shelter. But even the shelter would be closing by the end of the calendar year, according to the college.

The loudest noise was the crunch of maroon leaves turning yellow beneath a shoe and the distant rumble of a leaf blower swirling into a plastic bag.

Professors and administrators like Benjamin were packing up their homes and most of the students had transferred.

Many people know each other in the densely single-family home area surrounding the college. And Eastern Nazarene College tends to be a source of connection and pride. Many neighbors are alums, former professors and administrators  or descendants of those who were.

Henry Neils family was also beginning to pack up their campus home  where theyve lived for nearly two decades.

But they were also mourning the loss of his mothers income as part of the colleges student finance department and Neil and his brothers college experience.

The two were entering their junior year at the college and were offered tuition remission.

Im one of those kids who grew up on campus, Neil said, adding that he is still processing the loss of his time at Eastern Nazarene College and the campus which was my home for 20 years.

Now Neils family is working on their next steps. Neil transferred to Gordon College and said he is enjoying his studies there, with hopes to become a pastor like his grandfather.

His parents are working with an organization for first-time home buyers to find inexpensive housing in the area but they dont know where theyll be living once they are asked to leave in February, Neil said.

His mothers job with the college ends in December but she is beginning a part-time job at Savers as a cashier to have a stable income to be a good candidate as a home-buyer.

Im still mourning my time at Eastern Nazarene College, but finding moments of joy and hope at Gordon College, Neil said.

David Young, associate professor of biblical literature, is also trying to figure out the best next steps for his family.

He moved to the neighborhood with his family five years ago for his job at Eastern Nazarene College.

After only being in the neighborhood for a few years, he said he is trying to stay there for the sake of his children but without secure full-time prospects confirmed, he has anxiety about the future.

Once an undergraduate student at the college, Young watched as the vibrancy of a campus of a few hundred students last year turned quiet.

Now there are 78 undergraduate and graduate students, according to the college.

Were experiencing a death, Young said, likening the campus environment to waiting by a loved ones hospital bed.

Youre waiting for the death to finally come, he said.

While he is grateful to be one of the last employees, keeping his job until December, all his classes have become asynchronous and remote. The four classes he expected to teach turned into one and a second six-week session for adult and graduate students, he said.

Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy to close by May 2025.Juliet Schulman-Hall

The long-awaited email

Before the email about closure, there were rumors. Texts from professors across the country offering apologies about the college closure and others asking if it was true.

The college had been facing financial pressures as its enrollment decreased. But it was working to expand its offerings to include more asynchronous remote education, said Benjamin, the former vice president of Multicultural Affairs.

There were plans for the future.

On a Tuesday afternoon, Young looked over Quincy Bay with his wife and two colleagues. Young had just finished his chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream at Baja Box, a taco and ice cream stand, when their phones lit up all at once.

The long-awaited email was here. The rumors were true. Eastern Nazarene College was closing.

Baja Box in Quincy.Juliet Schulman-Hall

I thought I would teach at Eastern Nazarene College for the rest of my life. I wasnt looking to move onto something else, Young said.

Eastern Nazarene College was a transformative place for Young as a student. It was there that he deepened his view of Christianity, leading him on a path to become a pastor and later to earn his doctorate in biblical studies.

He wanted to do the same for other students.

Its a tough thing to commit your life to an institution and community that you love so much ... and then we found out the same time as a large group of people, Young said.

While each subsequent email sent to the community had introductory platitudes, the college never really sat down with the community to grieve what was being lost and to answer questions or concerns, Benjamin said.

The transition board at Eastern Nazarene College wrote in a statement that when closure became the only prudent option, the college reached out to families and employees to provide direct support and created an online resource for new information related to the closure.

There is no good time to close a college, and the Board regrets the disruption the closure process has caused despite its best efforts to communicate as early and as clearly as possible, the statement said. We are all grieving the loss of this precious institution and hope that closing this door will open others for students, employees and the educational mission of ENC.

The board also said they worked to quickly create teach-out partnerships to streamline student transfers and used its limited cash and administrative resources to provide severance, re-employment opportunities, counseling and other support for employees.

Folks from the MassHire Career Center came to offer support for employees of the college and there were job postings sometimes available and pastoral support, according to Benjamin. He said the offerings were so much less than robust.

After a wonderful history of serving a community, the school lacked tremendously as it wound down operations.

It was like a gut punch

Loryn Fitch wasnt one of the people who learned about the college closure from an email.

Benjamin didnt want her to learn about the closure that way. He needed to tell her himself.

Sitting on the couch in the family room with her father, Fitch joked with her father, recollecting stories of her journey to Africa for a trip with Eastern Nazarene College.

Shed come home only three days prior. Fitch was still dealing with the time difference and not having a phone after losing it on the first day at the Nairobi Airport. Slumped on the couch, the two watched their typical comedy and cartoon shows and laughed.

That was when her father received a call from Benjamin. He asked if the two were together and to be put on speaker.

The college was closing. In unison, the father-daughter pair asked if he was joking.

The mood shifted, said Warren Fitch, Loryns father.

It was like a gut punch, said Loryn Fitch, who was about to go into her senior year.

She would begin a similar grieving and transition process both her parents had gone through at her age when their college, The Kings College in New York, closed in 1994.

It brought me back to when I got the news, Warren Fitch said, adding that the announcement was just as unexpected as it felt when he was going through it.

Instead of focusing on graduate school applications for a masters in social work, Loryn Fitch spent the summer figuring out what she would do her senior year. She decided to transfer to Gordon College.

Loryn Fitch at Gordon College.Juliet Schulman-Hall

Fitch is still getting acclimated to Gordon College but is keeping busy with the theater program  something she said was cut before she came to Eastern Nazarene College  helping run the colleges social media and is part of Afro Hamwe, the colleges African student union.

What makes me really sad is we really had something special and that time was cut short. We were really figuring out our foothold and figuring out what do we do with this unique Christian college campus that is unlike any other, Fitch said, adding Eastern Nazarene College was unique in its racial diversity.

Living on a closing campus

Wesley Mills, the last residential undergraduate student at Eastern Nazarene College, on November 4, 2024.Juliet Schulman-Hall

Wesley Mills is watching Eastern Nazarene College close. Unlike many of his peers who had to transfer, he is one of the 78 students who continued and is the last residential undergraduate student at the college.

After receiving the closure email  on his birthday  he fought to have campus housing and access to lab equipment to complete his biochemistry degree by December, Mills said.

As at least a fourth-generation Eastern Nazarene College student, Mills said he also wanted to stay because he knew he had a support system and wanted to finish what he had started.

We call this the upside-down summer because everything has been turned on its head, Mills said.

When he walks the campus, he only sees a few familiar faces. His day doesnt consist of hanging out with friends or in-person classes. There are graduate students in a different part of the residential building whom he rarely sees walking around.

When he first came to Eastern Nazarene College, he said he didnt feel like he belonged at the college because he is gay and doesnt believe in God. While he found a community of people that were welcoming, now hes without them.

Its very lonely. Its funny because I didnt realize how much a social life played in my college experience, Mills said.

He is the only student in some of his classes and other classes are remote and asynchronous with only presentations and notes to look at. Even when he goes to the lab, he watches the equipment slowly disappear as it is donated or bought.

Sometimes hell venture to Gordon College to see some of his friends, sometimes theyll come to him.

Munro Hall at Eastern Nazarene College.Juliet Schulman-Hall

As a motivated student, Mills said it has been difficult to find the energy to dedicate to his work without the social and educational atmosphere on campus.

Mills said he is exhausted, burnt-out and despite having around a month to finish his biochemistry degree, he feels like it is far from being done.

Just like his senior year in high school  which was online due to the pandemic  he is repeating a similar loss.

There are times I resent that I dont have a senior year, Mills said.

But he is also trying to stay positive for his future, aiming to get his doctorate in biochemistry or chemistry and said he isnt concerned about how a degree from a closed college might look on his resume.

If anything itll be an interesting talking point, Mills said, adding that someone might ask where the college is and hell respond:

Its nowhere.
Just over one-third of registered Massachusetts voters have cast their ballot for the Nov. 5 election.

As of Election Eve, 1,730,104 ballots have been cast  making up 33.6% of registered voters in the Bay State, according to Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvins office.

Of the 1,381,733 ballots sent out to registered voters who requested mail-in ballots, 1,133,166, or 82%, of those mailed ballots have been returned.

And as of Nov. 5, 595,938 early votes will have been cast.

Nearly three-quarters of Bostons registered voters  72.1%  have voted, according to state election data.

Springfield has seen a slightly higher turnout so far, at 73.3%. But Worcester has seen an even higher turnout among registered voters at 80.6%.

As of August, 5,054,539 Massachusetts residents registered to vote, according to state election data.

Among those voters, 1,327,704 are registered Democrats while 418,899 are registered Republicans.

There are 3,256,754 voters designated as unenrolled, or those not registered with any party.

Vice President Kamala Harris' lead over former President Donald Trump in Massachusetts has slightly narrowed in the last week.

She leads him in the Bay State by 26.1 points, according to FiveThirtyEights aggregate polling. Nationally she leads by 1.2 points, at 48%-46.8%.
A 16-year-old Somerville boy was arrested in connection with a shooting that happened near a pizza shop by the Tufts University Campus after Halloween.

The shooting happened around 1 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1 near 364 Boston Ave. in Medford, the location of Pizza Days, the Medford Police Department said.

Local officers patrolling the area heard about eight gunshots and found a gun and shell casings at the scene, while witnesses reported seeing a person run from the scene toward Bellevue Avenue.

While there were no injuries reported, the ensuing investigation revealed two people fired several shots at one person during a fight by the pizza shop.

The unnamed 16-year-old boy arrested in connection with the shooting was taken into custody in Cambridge and faces several charges in Cambridge Juvenile Court.

The charges are: assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm, carrying a gun without a license and with ammunition, firing a gun within 500 feet of a building and attempted assault by discharge of a firearm.

Police are still looking for a second suspect, who was identified as Sinai Stephens, 18, of Cambridge.

State police, Cambridge police and Tufts University police assisted Medford police with the investigation and arrest. The investigation is still active, and anyone with information on the incident including surveillance or dash cam footage is encouraged to call Medford police detectives at 781-391-6767.
A Massachusetts police officer and former member of the U.S. Marine Corps died suddenly Sunday morning, his department announced.

Scott Carroll, 56, was an officer for the Malden Police Department for 24 years. Hed just been promoted to lieutenant last year after he became a sergeant in 2014, and was a member of the administration and operations division for the department.

[Carrolls] sudden passing on Sunday morning has left a profound impact on our department, read a statement from the police department on X.

May his eternal rest be a source of inspiration, motivating us to continue honoring his life and dedication to serving with pride, both on and off duty, the statement read.

The department offered its deepest condolences to Carrolls family and friends, and thanked the Malden community for its support. No cause of death for Carroll has been released.

Before he became a police officer, Carroll served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a dedicated professional and respected leader who served with integrity and pride, his department said.

Beyond his work in criminal investigations and special operations units, Carroll donated his time to his community.

He volunteered last June for the Special Olympics Cruiser Convoy at Harvard Stadium. The officer represented Malden alongside agencies from across the state, and met with Special Olympics Athletes to present medals and ribbons.

The streets of Malden were lit with blue police cruiser lights in a procession to the Spadafora Funeral Home on Monday night as Carrolls colleagues saluted him and paid their respect alongside his loved ones.

A service open to the public will be held for Carroll at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Malden at 10 a.m. on Friday, according to Malden Police Chief Glenn Cronin.
The commercials have aired. The speeches have been given. The early voting is done. Todays the day, Massachusetts, its Election Day.

We know you have no shortage of choices. There are plenty of races. And plenty of candidates. It can be a lot to keep straight.

With that in mind, here are four, key races from the top of the ticket, on down, that were watching this Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Clockwise: Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, Republican former President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (MLive photo collage).Jake May | jmay2@mlive.com

The race for the White House

No matter who ends up winning on Tuesday, the campaign to become the next occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will be a historic one.

If she wins, Vice President Kamala Harris, the sitting vice president, will become the first woman and first woman of color to ascend to the presidency.

She will succeed President Joe Biden, who also made history when he scuttled his reelection bid earlier this year in the face of internal pressure from his own party.

All told, 15 vice presidents have ascended to the nations top spot, according to History.com. Biden was the most recent, winning election in 2020 after serving as President Barack Obamas No. 2.

If Trump wins, he will be the first former president since President Grover Cleveland to serve a non-consecutive term.

He also is the first former president in the nations history to be convicted on criminal charges. He continues to face outstanding legal matters.

The race between the two has largely remained a statistical dead heat nationwide, with the outcome likely to be determined by a handful of key swing states.

A poll released Saturday showed Harris overtaking Trump in Iowa, a historically Republican state, 47% to 44% among likely voters.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., back right, and Republican challenger John Deaton, back left, participate in their second debate ahead of the 2024 senatorial election moderated by GBH News Political Reporters Adam Reilly, front from right, and Saraya Wintersmith along with NEPM News Reporter Adam Frenier, at NEPM's headquarters in Springfield on Oct. 17, 2024. (Meredith Nierman/Pool Photo via AP)(Meredith Nierman/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Senate

Context is everything as U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., runs for a third term against Republican John Deaton, a Swansea attorney and political newcomer.

Senate Democrats are struggling to hold onto a slender, 51-seat majority, with Harris often called upon to cast a tie-breaking vote.

Republicans only need to flip one to recapture control of the 100-member chamber. Polling earlier this year showed the GOP poised to retake the chamber.

This year, future U.S. Supreme Court confirmations, cabinet appointments for the eventual White House administration, treaty ratifications, and lower and appellate court nominations, among other critical legislative actions, are on the line.

And that means a friendly Senate is vitally important for whoever wins the White House.

Throughout the campaign, Warren of Cambridge has consistently held a lead in fundraising and polling. Even Deaton has acknowledged his long-shot status.

Still, politics, like life, can be full of surprises.

A view of the Bourne Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal. (MassLive photo by John L. Micek)John L. Micek

The Plymouth and Barnstable state Senate seat

Well stipulate this one up front: About two-thirds of state House and Senate incumbents appear set to cruise to reelection this fall, according to an analysis by State House News Service.

That means all the action is going to be in a handful of open seats.

And one of the biggies, both in terms of notoriety and the cash its attracted, is the fight for the open Plymouth and Barnstable state Senate seat.

Democratic state Rep. Dylan Fernandes faces Republican state Rep. Matthew Muratore for the seat thats being vacated by Democratic Sen. Susan Moran.

Moran made waves in the Capes political community when she announced she was stepping down to run for Barnstable County Superior Court clerk.

Money has flowed into the race for both candidates, with the assistance of some high-profile names.

Fernandes, who represents the Barnstable/Dukes/Nantucket District on Beacon Hill, was sitting on $75,271 at the end of October, state records showed.

Hes spent $362,769 since January, a MassLive analysis of campaign filings showed.

David Plouffe, a former adviser to President Barack Obama, whos also Fernandes uncle, hosted a fundraiser for him in Woods Hole earlier this year, Politico reported.

Plouffe, a senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris' White House bid, also donated $1,000 in October, state records showed.

Vikki Spruill, the president and CEO

of the New England Aquarium, similarly donated $1,000 in July, filings showed.

Muratore, who represents the 1st Plymouth District, had $43,394 on hand at the end of October, his state filings showed. Hes spent $82,606 since January, a MassLive analysis showed.

Muratore had eight, $1,000 donors in his most recent October report, state filings showed.

They included Adam Portnoy, the CEO of The RMR Group, a property management company based in Newton, records showed.

Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., a onetime U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, threw his support to Muratore, Politico also reported.

Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page speaks at a March 4 rally for a ballot question to remove the MCAS graduation requirement outside the Statehouse. (SAM DRYSDALE / STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE)State House News Service

The MCAS ballot question

If youre a parent of a school-aged child, a teacher or someone who pays attention to public education, then you probably have thoughts about this ballot question.

A yes vote would scrap the 10th-grade MCAS examination as a high school graduation requirement. But it wouldnt eliminate the test.

Instead, school districts would set their own criteria for graduation, informed by state educational standards but not beholden to any particular state assessment, according to The Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University.

Cambridge native and actor Matt Damon even chimed in last month saying he supported scrapping the requirement, urging voters to trust our teachers.

In separate interviews recently, state House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, both Democrats, floated the possibility of changing or repealing the MCAS ballot question.

Under the current law, students who do not pass the test in 10th grade can retake the test up to four times  twice in 11th grade and twice in the 12th grade.

A majority of respondents (53%) to a recent University of Massachusetts Amherst poll said they supported the ballot question, compared to 36% opposed, and 11% undecided.

The poll of 700 Bay State residents was conducted from Oct. 3 to Oct. 10, with a 4.8% margin of error.

Despite that support, voters seem split on the likely impact. Thirty-one percent say students will be able to move into the workforce more quickly without the MCAS requirement, while 29% say it will result in declining educational standards in the state, UMass pollster Ray La Raja said.

Sixteen percent say it will do both. Women (61%) seem much more in favor of eliminating the requirement than men (44%), La Raja noted.
On Election Day in Massachusetts, voters across the state have made potentially historic choices for president, Congress, the Legislature and all the way down the ticket.

The polls opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 8 p.m. You can check MassLives Voters Guide for information on how to find your local polling station and to check your voter registration status.

Stick with MassLive all day on this Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024, for live coverage and updates from key races around the state.

Our live coverage starts below. The most recent news is first in the feed.

In Wilbraham, newlyweds cast their ballots

Earlier in the day in Wilbraham, married couple Ethan Campbell and Madison Crawford, new to the town, voted at Minnechaug Regional High School at about 4 p.m.

It seems like the town is evenly split, Crawford said. You drive past a house with Trump signs and then there is a house with Harris signs.

A majority of Wilbraham voters backed former President Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential race, but then backed President Joe Biden in 2020.

Campbell added: But as I always say, signs dont vote. It takes people to come out and cast ballots.

Campbell teaches government and didnt want to say which candidate he voted for.

Crawford, too, wouldnt give a name. But I voted for decency, she said. I voted for dignity. I voted for human rights.

Meanwhile, fellow voter Holly Santos said she cast her ballot for Trump. I want our tax dollars going to our taxpayers here, she said.

She went on to decry money spent on immigrants she called illegal.

 James Kinney

NBC News calls Massachusetts for Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren

The national network has just called the Bay State for Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Stay with MassLive for details.

The call was swiftly confirmed by The Associated Press:

Vice President Kamala Harris won Massachusetts on Tuesday, continuing a decades-long streak of victories for Democratic presidential candidates in the Bay State. The last time Massachusetts backed a Republican candidate was in 1984 when voters cast their ballots for Ronald Reagan.

The commonwealth and its 11 electoral votes have become one of the reliable gains for Democrats in presidential elections.

In 2020, Joe Biden easily defeated Donald Trump, winning more than 65% of the vote. The state has also become a steady source of campaign cash for both Republican and Democratic candidates, though few spend time campaigning in the state.

The Associated Press declared Harris the winner at 8:00 p.m. EST.

 John L. Micek

In Westfield, a lifelong Republican votes blue

Swaths of people entered the Westfield Senior Center at around 4:30 p.m. to cast their ballots in both the national election and to decide a local race for state representative.

Elizabeth Lemire, a lifelong Republican, voted blue across her ballot: penciling in Bridget Matthews-Kane, a local city councilor running for state representative of Westfield and Southampton, Elizabeth Warren for the U.S. Senate, and Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

After this election, shes changing parties.

Bridget is family-oriented, all about housing and is concerned about the people rather than herself, she said.

At another polling place in Westfields Ward 4, sign holders for two-term incumbent state Rep. Kelly Pease, a Republican, and challenger Matthews-Kane, a Democrat, stood at the front of the Second Congregational Church in the darkening dusk waving to passersby and voters entering the parking lot.

Alberta Humason, who is unenrolled in a political party, said her vote was for Pease and former President Donald Trump.

Kelly served in the military and thats big for me, she said.

Her son, Don Humason, previously worked in politics  serving as mayor of Westfield and state representative of the 2nd Hampden/Hampshire District.

He currently works as the town administrator of Chester.

Kelly was my sons legislative aide when he was a state representative, Alberta Humason said.

 Namu Sampath

In Easthampton, concerns over tipped wages and more

With Election Day winding down in Massachusetts, Easthampton residents were casting votes at the high school on an unusually warm November evening.

Its the most important vote that Ive had in my lifetime, Amy Marsters, 65, said after casting her vote around 7 p.m. Ill do anything to keep [former President Donald] Trump from ever being in office again.

She said Vice President Kamala Harris is a great candidate, and it mattered to her that she could be the first woman and woman of color to become commander-in-chief.

Its a no-brainer, she said.

Ballot Question 5, which would boost wages for tipped workers, is an important issue for Bruce Leaper, 57, because his mother owned restaurants in the past.

I kind of feel that, if they really do increase (the wage), that some of the restaurant owners are just going to find a way to just close it down, Leaper said. I would appreciate if Trump gets in and he doesnt tax them on their tips.

Lynne Yamamoto, 63, said she enjoyed voting in person because she likes showing up in her community and seeing neighbors.

Yamamoto voted for Harris. And even in a state that typically votes for Democratic presidential candidates, she felt like her vote was symbolically important.

As for following results on Tuesday night, Yamamoto said she will be keeping close tabs.

We are going to follow it because I dont think we could sleep without following it as long as we can tonight, Yamamoto said.

 Luis Fieldman

In Boston, police rush extra ballots to citys Hyde Park neighborhood

Boston Police have rushed extra ballots to a polling station in the citys Hyde Park neighborhood that was running short, according to multiple published reports.

Secretary of State William L. Galvins office said Boston officials chose not to send all ballots in their possession to polling places earlier, WCVB-TV reported.

Officials at the Hyde Park polling station told Galvins office that they were running low. City police were cleared to run their lights and sirens to cut a path through rush hour traffic, the station reported. The ballots were due to arrive around 5:45 p.m., the station reported. With strong turnout across Boston this Election Day, several polling locations across the city have experienced ballot shortages during the evening voting rush, a Boston city spokesperson said, according to the station.

The Elections Department has been working urgently to remedy this through coordinating delivery of additional ballots to precincts with the help of Boston Police and contacting all polling locations to anticipate and prevent further ballot shortages, the spokesperson continued. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion, and are grateful for the diligent efforts of poll workers throughout the city to ensure that every voter can exercise their right to vote. Any voter in line by 8:00 p.m. at their polling location will be able to vote, and polling places will remain open to guarantee this access.

 John L. Micek

Worcester voters Cailin Russell (left) and Georgia Sundahl, (right). (Ryan Mancini/MassLive).Ryan Mancini

In Worcester, concerns over reproductive rights bring voters to the polls

For Clark University student Josie Libonate, 19, voting in her first election meant ensuring reproductive rights continued to be accessible for Americans across the country.

Thats a really important issue to me, so I wanted to make sure that I not only voted for the president but I voted to help my own states protections, she said. But also just in general, we have a lot of important stuff on the ballot.

Hailing from Baltimore County, Maryland, she said codifying abortion access into the state constitution was on the ballot.

Along with her role in the student advocacy group Menstral Equity Alliance, access to reproductive care is a critical issue for her neighbors in Maryland and Massachusetts.

With all that is at stake at the federal and state level, this is Libonates first election, a scary first one, she said.

A mxiture of factors played into why she voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, she continued.

While not a single issue voter herself, Libonates support for reproductive rights and access were a major issue in why she chose the vice president.

But also, as a queer person myself, I really wanted to vote for someone who cares for queer voices, someone who cares for immigrant voices, she said. My aunt is a Cuban immigrant. So [Harris] just aligns so much more with my values.

Newcomers to Worcester after previously living together in Utah, Cailin Russell, 25, and Georgia Sundahl, 24, felt that it was a landmark year to vote.

Kind of a lot is riding on this for women, for queer people, minorities, Russell said. We just really were excited to vote.

For herself, Sundahl wants to be active in politics in Massachusetts, and I think the first step is voting.

Voting for Vice President Kamala Harris was the primary reason the couple voted.

Sundahl was glad to vote on Question 2, which would eliminate the 10th grade MCAS exam as a high school graduation requirement.

Growing up in Massachusetts, Sundahl took the MCAS and now does not want the MCAS to exist.

That was a really nice feeling, to vote for that, in addition to the presidential election, Sundahl added.

Both supported Questions 4 (psychedelics) and 5 (tipped wages) especially. But Russell described all of the questions as worthwhile to see on the ballot.

After voting, they planned on celebrating their third anniversary with dinner at Ruths Chris Steakhouse in Worcester before heading home.

Neither plan on staying up late to see the results, with Sundahl citing the need to go to work on Wednesday.

Honestly, Im expecting my dad to text me as soon as we know [the results], Sundahl said. Ill know immediately once my dad knows.

Its a tight race, Russell added. You never really know when its going to come out.

 Ryan Mancini

In Springfield, a first-time voter casts her ballot. Heres what brought her to the polls

At the Springfield Boys & Girls Club, where most of the citys Ward 2 votes, Melissa Cassesse said, noting her own embarrassment, that she had just cast a ballot for the first time in her life -- at age 44.

Abortion, she said, made her vote.

She cited former President Donald Trumps recent comments on restricting the procedure and the role that the U.S. Supreme Court justices he had picked in taking away the constitutional protection for abortion rights nationally.

Now they are banning it [in] state after state, she said. Women have rights. And thats important to me as a woman. And I have daughters.

The parking lot at the polling location at 481 Carew St. was full around 5 p.m., with many voters also arriving on foot.

There was a line. But it moved quickly. Most voters spent about 10 or 15 minutes at the polling location.

Meanwhile, Alfredo Guzman wouldnt say if he voted for Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris.

I am not a Democrat. Im not Republican, he said, I think we need a change. It is very hard here for Latin people.

 James Kinney

UMass Amherst students are in the voting booths and running the polls

Whether its filling out a ballot or donating their time to run the poll table, students from the University of Massachusetts Amherst have been partaking in the 2024 election.

Gbemisola Adeniyi a UMass freshman studying finance at Isenberg School of Management spent her election day inside of the North Amherst Library checking voters in from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m., when the polls close.

When I got to Amherst and I found out they were looking for pollers, I just signed up because I was like, the big election is coming up, she said. And Im only 17 so I cant even vote.

If Adeniyi could vote, she said Kamala Harris is who she would pick as president based on her beliefs regarding human rights, reproductive rights and womens rights.

Im a strong Kamala supporter, Adeniyi said. Im an immigrant from Nigeria so I love how her values benefit not just me but America as a whole.

Adeniyi wasnt the only Harris supporter who voted on Tuesday.

Two more UMass students who cast their ballots at Immanuel Lutheran Church also said that Harris beliefs align best with theirs.

I feel like it would be in my best interest to vote for her, Elizabeth Jo, a UMass junior computer engineering major said. A good example would be laws on abortion because I feel like thats something that would be relevant to me right now and if I were to choose other candidates, I would be kind of concerned about what changes would be made.

Sope Liang, a UMass senior studying public health said that she voted for Harris based on her concerns about how other states have stricter abortion laws.

Massachusetts, you know, were lucky but other states, they dont really have- especially women- dont have much abortion rights, which is concerning, she said.

 Liesel Nygard

In East Longmeadow, long lines as Harris, Trump supporters gather

In East Longmeadow, there was a line of backed-up cars of people waiting to vote at 4:45 p.m. that stretched down the long driveway and onto Elmcrest Street.

Groups of people holding signs for Vice President Kamala Harris stood a few feet from their rivals holding signs for former President Donald Trump.

Both confirmed there had been a steady stream of cars lined up for most of the day.

I havent seen this. It is a nice thing to see it is constant all day, said Angela Thorpe, chairwoman of the Democratic Town Committee for East Longmeadow.

Their group was created by Kate Gray and Carolyn Ferros, who had held a few standouts and decided to do the same at the polling place on Election Day.

They said it had grown organically throughout the day with enthusiastic supporters joining them after they voted.

I havent seen this. We are surprised and pleased, said a long-time voter who was with the group supporting Trump.

A local businessman, he asked to only be identified as Steve.

We have had a lot of positive reactions. Im surprised with the amount of women who said they are supporting us, he said.

 Jeanette DeForge

In Allston, reproductive rights, immigration were on the ballot

It took seven years for Less Arnold to finally have her baby girl, Lewis.

As a single mother who had her child through in vitro fertilization, Arnold said shes voting to make sure her 11-week-old daughter grows up to have as many rights as her mother and grandmother.

I actually am flabbergasted that politicians are even talking about potentially limiting anybodys ability to have a child through medical means that many of us need, she said. This child wouldnt exist without IVF.

In the back of Allston Public Library, several residents have said they were casting a ballot to defend womens rights and immigration, two key issues this election.

Livia Mule, 31, said she voted for Vice President Kamala Harris because shes horrified that [former President Donald] Trump will win.

Issues around womens rights and immigration drove her to the polls, she said.

Everything Trump stands for is very, very scary for everyone, she said. I just  I cant do that again. It really bothers me.

For Kasi Ugo-Beke, 28, a Nigerian immigrant and mother, theres a clear reason why she votes Democrat.

I think the way one party villainizes immigrants is very distasteful to me and very dishonest given that the crime rate has actually gone down, Ugo-Beke said, referring to claims that migrants are fueling crime.

And even though Ugo-Beke is very Catholic and very Christian she still supports abortion rights, she said.

Theres so many procedures that actually need to be required like an abortion to happen, she said. Thats what is medically called an abortion to keep the woman safe and by repealing that, that actually puts women in danger.

 Alvin E. Buyinza

Mass. Gov. Healey splits her time between Bay State and Granite State on Election Day

Gov. Maura Healey speaks at a celebration of the success of the MBTA Communities Act in Somerville. (Trea Lavery/MassLive)Trea Lavery/MassLive

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has never made any secret of her New Hampshire roots.

And more than once this campaign season, shes hopped across the border to immerse herself in the Granite States gubernatorial race between Republican Kelly Ayotte and Democrat Joyce Craig.

So its no surprise to learn that as soon as she finished voting in her hometown of Arlington on Tuesday, Healey made a beeline for the border.

Healey visited the town hall in Hampton Falls, where she grew up, at 1:10 p.m. before joining Craig at Throwback Brewery in North Hampton at 1:30 p.m., according to State House News Service.

The governor and gubernatorial hopeful headed next to greet people voting at the cafeteria of Healeys alma mater, Winnacunnet High School in Hampton.

Healey and Craig also planned a joint appearance at the University of New Hampshire in Durham at 4 p.m., the wire service further reported.

Healey was expected to return to Massachusetts in time for a Democratic watch party in South Boston on Tuesday night, the wire service reported.

 John L. Micek

Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune not taking anything for granted

City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune speaks during a Boston City Council meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Trea Lavery/MassLive)Trea Lavery/MassLive

Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune spoke to MassLive on Tuesday evening from Georgia, where she was campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Louijeune was a delegate at this years Democratic National Convention.

In 2016, she was working as an election lawyer, and recalled watching at the DNC headquarters, very, very saddened and shocked, as Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump.

I believe that the lesson is just to not take anything for granted, which is why Im in Georgia knocking doors today Louijeune, the first Haitian-American to serve on Boston City Council, told MassLive.

I was making sure that we leave it all on the floor. And so hopefully, we are on the precipice of a historic moment, having our first woman president, our first Black woman president. But also not taking anything for granted, she said.

At the Democratic National Convention earlier this year, Louijeune said former First Lady Michelle Obama told all attendees to do something.

Shes taken that to heart while campaigning for Harris over the last several months.

The glass ceiling has been so hard to break and the importance of representation, you know, as another Black woman, as another Black woman attorney, to be able to see her get this far, Louijeune said. And I know leadership is not easy, and leadership is doubly difficult as a woman and as a Black woman.

Louijeune said Harris has run a really, really strong campaign, but she wont be the panacea.

We collectively as people can fight back against extremism, against people who are trying to make decisions on womens bodies, against racism, she said. We can collectively stand up and fight that fight.

No matter the results of Tuesdays election, Louijeune said she will continue organizing, advocating, legislating and doing the work.

 Hadley Barndollar

High turnout in Medford despite the lack of a bake sale

Voters showed up in droves at Gantcher Family Sports and Convocation Center on the Tufts University campus in Medford, Poll Clerk Beth Fuller said Tuesday afternoon.

The only thing we dont have is a bake sale, Fuller said after complimenting Tuesdays unseasonably warm weather. We need a bake sale at this location.

More in-person and first-time voters have come to the Tufts polling station than ever before, she said.

That means something coming from the longtime Medford resident who once ran for the Medford School Committee and has worked multiple historic elections at the polls.

Usually we get somewhere between 30 and 40% of the voters in this precinct, and this precinct has nearly 2,000 voters, Fuller said. But today, its going to be closer to 45 or 50% counting early voting and absentee.

More than 200 people had voted in person at Tufts as of 12:45 p.m. Medford is a fairly active voting community. Fuller said 40% of registered voters had cast ballots by around noon.

She said the number of voters was climbing because more people were taking advantage of early and absentee voting, which was less prevalent before the COVID-19 pandemic.

More students have taken this route as well, with fewer of them voting in person at Tufts despite the polling location being on a college campus.

Fuller said the increase in Massachusetts voters in this election also stems from it being a presidential election and several hot topics on the ballot in the state.

We have some really interesting ballot questions that are going to change peoples lives, in a good way, Fuller said, citing Questions 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The former will determine whether to repeal the requirement that students must achieve a certain competency level on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam to graduate high school.

The latter will determine whether to gradually increase the wage of tipped employees until it meets the state minimum $15 wage in 2029 and still permit tipping in addition to the minimum wage.

Meanwhile Medford has three additional questions that could mean a historic override for the city. Question 6 is a debt exclusion measure for a new fire headquarters that will replace the one at 120 Main St. Questions 7 and 8 will determine whether the city can collect an additional $7.5 million in personal property and real estate taxes to fund the public school system and infrastructure repairs.

No matter how many people ignore the absence of baked goods at the polls, Fuller just wants people to make their voices heard.

As long as they vote, she said. We want people to vote.

 David Cifarelli

Inflation, jobs motivates Framingham voters

For 49-year-old Vadim Mkrtychev of Framingham, the state of the economy brought him to the polls this year. He told MassLive that inflation is still too high and there are not enough jobs in the country right now, which he says has personally affected him.

I dont work right now, he said.

The countrys economy was also the reason why Carlos Ferreira went out to vote on Tuesday.

Two voters fill out ballots at the Farley Building in Framingham, one of the citys voting sites, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.(Adam Bass/MassLive)

Ferreria, 42, is a first-time voter, who said the economy was top of mind when casting his ballot and that he wants it to get better.

For me, I decided to vote for the economy, he said.

The two cast their ballots at the Farley Building at 19 Flagg Dr. in Framingham. Voters briskly walked in and out of the buildings gymnasium, casting their votes for President, U.S. and state senator, representative, and other offices up for election.

Adam Bouge, 60, the election warden, told MassLive Tuesday afternoon there was a high turnout on Election Day with no problems so far.

There havent been any troubles here  knock on wood, Bouge laughed.

While Ferreria and Mkrtychev have the nations economy on their minds, other voters told MassLive that they have been thinking about the five ballot questions that could, if approved by a majority of voters, lead to changes in how Massachusetts handles the MCAS graduation requirement or if psychedelics become legalized.

Toniann Sirrioco, 52, said she voted in favor of Question 4, which would legalize and regulate the growth and sales of psychedelics in Massachusetts. She voted for the ballot question to give patients suffering from severe mental health issues a form of treatment so that they dont commit suicide.

Theres a lot of people that deal with things that they have no other way of dealing with  and they end up killing themselves, she said. Thats not cool.

Janet Ebling, 63, said she voted yes on Question 2, which would eliminate the Massachusetts high school graduation requirement of passing the 10th-grade MCAS test.

Ebling told MassLive that she had no problem with when her son took the MCAS but acknowledges some cannot pass a standardized test but still need to do so to graduate.

I dont think thats fair at all, she said.

While national and local issues were on the mind of these voters, Matt Harmon, 37, simply voted because it was his right to do so.

I just vote, he said. Ive been doing it ever since I was old enough.  Adam Bass



Voters voice support for Trump and Harris in Roslindale

4:10 p.m.: Grant Burrier, an election inspector, helped residents determine their precinct as a short line of voters waited to enter the basement cafeteria in the Conley Elementary School on Poplar Street in Roslindale.

He has volunteered to help at the polls after 2020 after the call went out for help. When not volunteering on Election Day he is a professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester.

This is a great neighborhood, he said at about noon on Tuesday. People are happy to be here.

Marthely Lima, 62, who identified himself as an immigrant, said he came to vote for change because America is not in good shape.

He cast his ballot for Donald Trump because he will keep America safe, he said. He said inflation  including the price of groceries, property taxes, mortgages  has made the country unaffordable and immigration has made it unsafe.

I dont vote for a person, I vote for policy, he said, referring to Trump while standing in the asphalt schoolyard. I dont like him but I like his policies.

Schiln Capre of Roslindale voted at the Conley Elementary School on Poplar Street in Roslindale on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. (Anne Brennan/MassLive.com)Anne Brennan/MassLive.com

Schiln Capre, 50, of Roslindale, said she immigrated from Haiti to the U.S. when she was 21. Tuesday was the second time she voted in an election and the first time she voted for a woman for president.

Her vote for Harris came out of a desire for the country to go in a different direction. As an immigrant she has been targeted, despite living in the U.S. for 30 years, and sees Harris as a unifying force.

I am here physically [to vote] to see a change, she said. The way people are treated, and racism are becoming normalized in the U.S.

Immigrants are the backbone of this country, Capre said, adding that she supports legal immigration but noted undocumented immigrants pay billions in taxes including for Social Security, which they will not benefit from.

We take the jobs Americans dont want to do and then we move up, she said. We help Americans in the U.S.

 Anne Brennan

Were going to give her a chance

3:20 p.m.: Standing outside of the North Common Educational Complex in Lawrence with her granddaughter, Roseann Santillana, 60, said $100 these days only gets three days worth of groceries. The economy is concerning, she said.

Santillana cast her vote for Kamala Harris on Tuesday, but not because the vice president is her perfect candidate.

Roseann Santillana stands with her granddaughter outside her polling place in Lawrence on Election Day 2024. (Hadley Barndollar/MassLive.com)Hadley Barndollar/MassLive.com

Were going to give her a chance to see what she has to offer, she said, adding that a woman president would be a great thing for her granddaughter to see.

The issue of womens rights wasnt front of mind for Santillana, who feels we are right next to men. In terms of abortion, she said rape and incest exceptions to any abortion ban should exist.

Asked about former President Donald Trump, she said, Hes so arrogant and I dont think hes in the best interest for the citizens.

 Hadley Barndollar

Access to health care a key issue in West Roxbury

3:15 p.m.: This is my granddaughter, I brought her to vote because I am voting for her and her future, Marie Hurd, 70, of West Roxbury said holding 4-year-old Maeves hand. I voted for Harris-Walz.

Hurd had just cast her ballot at around 12:30 Tuesday in the Holy Name Parish Hall, which sits on a busy West Roxbury Centre Street rotary. The polling place serves the Boston neighborhoods of West Roxbury and Roslindale.

After a busy morning the polling station that hosts several precincts had a steady flow of foot traffic, said Carol Carson, warden for Ward 20, Precinct 7, as she helped record mail-in ballots.

Carol Carson, Ward 20, Precinct 7 warden, works with Molly Lawless, poll inspector, to record mail-in votes at the Holy Name Parish Hall in West Roxbury on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2025. (Anne Brennan/MassLive.com)Anne Brennan/MassLive.com

Kathleen Gordon, 67, a nurse from West Roxbury, who wore a white sweater, echoed Hurds motivation for voting on Tuesday.

As a nurse, a health care provider, not having access to health care because of decisions by males is disgusting, she said, adding, We need to get back to a normal country, get rid of hatred and rhetoric. Hopefully when we have Kamala Harris as president that will change  and there will be a peaceful transfer of power.

She and Hurd also basked in the hope that a woman will finally be elected president after the disappointment of Hillary Clintons loss in 2016.

Debra Casallas, 54, a psychotherapist from West Roxbury said she in addition to reproductive rights, she was motivated to vote because she does not like the turn the country has taken.

Debra Cassallas of West Roxbury came to the polls to vote for Kamala Harris and for the right to reproductive health care. (Anne Brennan/MassLive)Anne Brennan/MassLive

I stand with Kamala for decency, diplomacy and democracy, she said. Managing our difference with my own dignity in mind and that of my neighbors and fellow citizens. I dont see my neighbors as enemies if they disagree with and I disagree with them.

This is the first time I am voting, Julia Mitchell, 66, of Chestnut Hill said, who votes at the Putterham Library on West Roxbury Parkway in Chestnut Hill.

She voted for Kamala Harris because she wants to see change.

In 2016, she and her 90-year-old father started talking about politics and she became more interested in the issues facing voters and politics.

I had faith in Donald Trump he kept us out of wars  and nothing terrible happened  nothing bad, she said. But he lost her support because I feel he is too old.

His actions and how he has been talking was also off putting.

Kamala is a strong and determined woman, she said. A president shouldnt make derogatory comments about her. Its unethical.

 Anne Brennan

Everything is too expensive, first-time voter in Lawrence says

First-time voter Lacey Sousa at a polling station in Lawrence. (Hadley Barndollar/MassLive.com)Hadley Barndollar/MassLive.com

2:25 p.m.: Outside the Parthum School in Lawrence, 22-year-old Lacey Sousa was ready to cast her first vote ever  for President Donald Trump. A friend recruited her to vote Tuesday.

Everything is too expensive, she said. Its hard to afford certain things. The cost of living is too much.

Sousa talked about violence and school shootings, and said the amount of people coming into this country is making things difficult.

Lisa Adames, a 46-year-old safety officer, said she believes the government should be for everyone, not just certain people. On Tuesday, she was voting especially for womens rights.

Its our body, she said. We make the choice what to do with our body. Nobody else.

Most importantly, Adames said, she wants the U.S. to truly be free.

A polling station in Lawrence, Mass., on Election Day 2024. (Hadley Barndollar/MassLive.com)Hadley Barndollar/MassLive.com

Lawrence City Clerk Eileen Bernal said turnout was extremely high as of 2 p.m. Prior to polls opening Tuesday, the city had already seen the highest number of early voters and votes by mail than ever before, Bernal said.

Shed wondered if that would impact the number of people voting in-person, but that wasnt proving to be the case.

 Hadley Barndollar

Tufts students vote in first presidential election

1:40 p.m.: Emma Markolf, a first-year student at Tufts University in Medford, voted for Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris for several reasons.

The 18-year-old is a strong advocate for reproductive rights and does not approve of tax cuts for the wealthy  issues she said she disagreed on with Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Its important for everyone to have autonomy over their own bodies in every way, not just reproductively, but thats really important to me, Markolf said.

"I Voted" stickers are lined up at a Medford polling station. (David Cifarelli/MassLive.com)David Cifarelli/MassLive.com

Markolf also said that the economic process should be centered on working families and young families with children so that they can provide for their family.

The student also said that its important for people to participate in the democratic process by voting and especially encourages young people to vote.

I think in this election, in particular, there are some really important rights that we have on the line, particularly in the Presidential election, but down the ballot. And I thought its my responsibility to participate.

The future can be scary, and first-time voter Anderson Prince sought to change that.

The 21-year-old junior at Tufts University in Medford cast his vote at the polling station on campus Tuesday in hopes of making the country a more sound place for future generations.

We decide the future, Prince said. I think theres a lot of much older people who are deciding our future and its really important that we get out the vote so that everyone has a voice in what is going on in todays politics, which can be very scary at times.

Princes biggest motivation for voting was to change the Supreme Court, which has a six-justice majority of Republican appointees.

I think having a Democrat in the office would help to balance the court more because I know the court has huge ramifications for the future of this entire nation and I dont want to live in a world where I have to live for the next 30 or 40 years under a conservative Supreme Court.

This led Prince to vote for Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris. In addition to being an advocate for reproductive rights, Prince wants to eradicate any threats to democracy from U.S. politics. He specifically cited the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection and how that should influence peoples voting process.

I think people are forgetting that particular day and theyre having a feeling that that was just one thing, and I dont think thats the case, he said. I think its very scary.

At the end of the day, Prince hopes everyone gets out any votes because your voice and your vote is your power and your power is a vote.

As of 12:45 p.m., there were 223 people who voted in person at the Medford precinct at Tufts University.

 David Cifarelli

Picking the lesser of the evils in Methuen

1:15 p.m.: It was a busy scene at Timony Grammar School in Methuen on Tuesday as voters poured through the doors to make their voices heard.

Roman Jaquez, a 42-year-old software engineer originally from the Dominican Republic, said he was voting for reproductive freedom and salvaging democracy.

Roman Jaquez of Methuen points to his "I Voted" sticker on Election Day 2024. (Hadley Barndollar/MassLive.com)Hadley Barndollar/MassLive.com

An immigrant himself, Jaquez has had many family members immigrate to the U.S. and he knows people who have crossed the southern border. Hed like to see the immigration system in the country improved; something more humane, more comprehensive, without casting a wide net that all immigrants are enemies.

John Hooper, an 83-year-old veteran, said he was picking between the lesser of the evils.

Though he wouldnt say which candidate he picked, Hooper noted health care was top of mind for him. Hes had half a dozen surgeries in the last four years.

Hooper talked about the cost of eggs, milk and bread increasing.

Something you need everyday to survive is going up and up and up.

Giancarlo Rodriguez, 45, works in the Methuen schools and was voting no on Question 2, which would do away with the requirement for public school students to pass MCAS in order to graduate high school.

In terms of the general election, I just want it to be peaceful, he said.

 Hadley Barndollar

One of the busiest Ive seen in Spencer

1 p.m.: Dozens of Spencer-townspeople were gathered outside Memorial Town Hall at the crack of dawn for the Nov. 5, 2024 election.

Despite the polls not officially opening until 7 a.m., eager voters lined up outside the large, brick building as early as 6:30 a.m. waiting to cast their votes  with 32% of the towns registered voters having already cast via early voting and mail in voting.



The first half hour was nuts, Town Clerk Sandra Fritze said. We had a line out the door at 7 ... Its a good turn out.

Spencer, a town of nearly 12,000 people, has a total of 9,707 voters, according to data provided by the Town of Spencer.

Of those voters, 1,481 are registered Democrats, 1,121 are registered Republicans and 6,998 are Unenrolled.

We had a 60% voter turnout for the last election, Fritze said. We should hit that 60% again.

Election workers Pat Monfett and Roy Fortin said theyve worked several elections, including in 2020, and this year seems to be busier than most.

Today has been one of the busiest Ive ever seen, said Fortin, whos worked in the polling station for nearly two decades.

Monfett said the polling station was busy, busy, when it opened this morning, and though its since slowed to a manageable pace, its been steady all morning.

Residents in Spencer vote on Election Day 2024. (Dallas Gagnon/MassLive.com)MassLive

You want people to vote, she said. Its great to see people come here and do their civic duty.

Many voters feel the same.

Resident Doug Paul said its important everyone shows up, and figures out what most people want.

He said there isnt a single question on the ballot that people should just stay home and sit on the couch for.

Resident Peter Vincent said part of the importance of voting is feeling like you have a say, adding you cant sit back and complain when things dont go your way.

Voting information from the town of Spencer for the 2024 presidential election.Data provided by the Town of Spencer.

Some questions residents discussed on the ballot were questions four and five.

In regard to question five, the proposition that would gradually increase the minimum wage an employer must pay a tipped worker, some voters were torn on which way to vote.

I was 50/50 on that one, Vincent said.

He said people should get a good wage for a good job, but the cost of food is crazy.

Resident Amy Paul said she already had an opinion, on which way she planned to vote but made sure she talked to waitresses and waiters before voting.

On question four, the decriminalization of psychedelic substances in certain circumstances, a few voters were comfortable sharing they voted it down.

Maggie Paul, a mental health councilor, said she voted it down because she was thinking about mental health and how that could expand its reach to people who are not seeking that kind treatment, or receiving treatment from people who are not licensed to give that kind of care.

Its also hard to vote on a law without actually talking to the people who are affected, Doug Paul said.

Vincent said his concerns about question four were people driving under the influence.

We already have people driving around with weird stuff in their system, he said.

 Dallas Gagnon

A woman on the ballot? This Dorchester polling station is here for it

12:45 p.m.: On a sunny and warm Election Day morning in Dorchester, support of a strong woman running for president loomed large.

I want a woman. I dont care what color she is. Its time to give us a try, Karen Sumpter, 65, who recently retired from her state job after a 34-year tenure, said.

There was a lot of that at the Leahy Holloran Community Center on Tuesday morning. The polling station, attached to the Richard J. Murphy School, was tucked away on a leafy side street just off busy Morrissey Boulevard.

For Sumpter, who said she was never a spendthrift, the economy looms large. Now that shes on a fixed income, its more important to watch every dollar.

You see the food [prices]. You see the rent. It keeps going up, she said. Im in a life of saving now.

The Dorchester polling place at Leahy Holloran Community CenterJohn L. Micek/MassLive.com

Ann Wessmann, 72, is a retired professor at the Massachusetts College of Art. She offered an expansive everything, when she was asked what brought her out to the polls on Tuesday.

Reproductive rights? Check. The environment? Check. LGBTQ equality? Check.

Its everything, she said. Its no banned books. Its womens issues. Its kindness  Im a little speechless.

That proved, eventually, not to be the case.

A new grandmother, Wessmann said her child, who is nonbinary, had twins through in vitro fertilization. Shes worried about others losing access to that important procedure and other important reproductive healthcare options.

Women have the right to our own bodies, she said, adding that she wants to make sure her children and grandchildren to have the freedom to live how they want to live, and love who they want to love.

The line at the polling station was steady throughout the morning. But Joe Ward, 46, an EMT and firefighter, said it was painless.

Five minutes at the max, he said.

For Lewis Abbott, 55, voting is a habit.

Hes shown up for every election that Im able to, he said.

And win, lose, or draw, hes hoping for the best in the hours and days after the polls close.

I hope the transfer of power will be a peaceful one, he said.

 John L. Micek

Voters stand on line nearly an hour midday in Lynn

11:55 a.m. At Shoemaker Elementary School in Lynn, voters waited for close to an hour in line to cast their ballot late Tuesday morning.

Joanne Woodland, 79, said she felt it was important for the country to get Trump in office to address inflation and rising prices.

When he was president before, the economy was in good shape. Now, going to the grocery store is out of control, Woodland said. I hope hell put the country back on track.

Arthur Kirk, 20, felt the opposite, saying everything thats been happening with Trump worried him. He said he was particularly concerned about womens rights going into the next presidency.

It makes me think, if hes willing to take away their rights, what else is he willing to do? said Kirk, who is in training to become a locksmith.

 Trea Lavery

Economy, reproductive rights on the minds of Topsfield voters

11:45 a.m.: Michelle Borghesi, 54, cast her vote for former President Donald Trump in Topsfield late Tuesday morning. She cited the economy and immigration as her two main issues of concern this campaign cycle.

A Trump voter in both 2016 and 2020, she said, We need to close the border. She also talked about inflation and the high prices of groceries specifically.

How can people go to the grocery store today? Borghesi said. My husband makes good money, but its disturbing for families who cant afford it.

A polling station in Topsfield, Mass.Hadley Barndollar

John McKeon, 48, who works in property management, voted to keep the orange man away.

I dont see anything he said he was going to do as having happened, he said.

An independent who has voted Democratic in recent years, McKeon said he supports womens bodily autonomy and accepts people for who they are. He feels Vice President Kamala Harris will have a more level head towards foreign policy.

Its so day and night to me, he said. I hate everything about Trump.

Voter John McKeon in Topsfield, Mass.Hadley Barndollar

Mother-daughter duo Victoria and Rosario Barbosa cast their votes for Harris, as well. They took selfies outside the Topsfield polling location with their I voted stickers.

Victoria, 21, a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was a first-time voter.

It was really important to me to make a difference, she said. Im very pro-choice. Womens rights are really important to me.

Victoria said her generation has a huge voice and opportunity to influence the election.

Daughter and mother Victoria and Rosario Barbosa, left to right, at their polling place in Topsfield, Mass.Hadley Barndollar

Rosario, 52, wanted a positive person in the White House and a president for all. She cited reproductive freedom and having two daughters of her own as a motivating factor for her vote.

As far as immigration and the economy, we have a lot of work to do, but I know there is only one person who can get it right, she said.

 Hadley Barndollar

Sec. of State Galvin reveals best time to vote on Election Day

11:40 a.m.: Inside a polling station at the Thomas A. Edison Middle School in Brighton, Secretary William Galvin pushed his ballot into a voting machine, casting his vote for the 2024 election.

The states top election official didnt say who or what he voted for. But, he did mention what hes seen and heard from polling places across the Commonwealth.

So far its been amazing, Galvin said wearing his I Voted sticker on his navy blue suit. Were very happy about the turnout statewide. [It] has been pretty busy.

If you dont want to stand in line too long to vote, Galvin said its best to cast a ballot before 2 p.m.

Crowds start to emerge toward the evening as parents are picking children up from school and buses are taking kids home, Galvin said.

 Alvin Buyinza

Ill be damned before I let anyone take her rights away

11:20 a.m.: Carolyn Cole, 41, went to the polls at St. Pius Church in Lynn with her 7-year-old daughter. She said her daughter had gone with her to vote every year and was recognized by the poll workers, and looked forward to filling in the bubbles on the ballot herself one day.

Cole, who works for the state government, said her daughter was the reason she was out voting.

Were a pretty strong female empowerment household, she said. Ill be damned before I let someone take her rights away.

June Hunter, 88, also voted at St. Pius Church and said choosing Kamala Harris for president was her best bet for her and her grandchildrens futures.

The way Trump is talking and treating people, it shows that hes not a good candidate, Hunter said.

Hunter said she depends on the Social Security income that she worked hard for before retiring and believes Harris will protect it.

My health is very important to me, she said. Id like that in the future all grandparents will live in safety.

In Cambridge, support runs deep for Dems

11:15 a.m.: In deep-blue Cambridge, voters trickled through a polling location Tuesday morning at Peabody Elementary School, many in support of Vice President Kamala Harris. Less than a mile away, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., cast a vote for her own reelection at the Graham and Parks School near her Cambridge home.

Four years ago, roughly 92% of Cambridge voters chose Joe Biden over Donald Trump, 27 points ahead of the state at large. Only Provincetown leaned more Democratic. In 2016, Cambridge led the state in vote share for Hillary Clinton. She beat Trump here 89.2% to 6.5% and won the state 60.8% to 33.5%.

Its definitely a little emotional and a little reminiscent of 2016, but Im hopeful. Im really hopeful, said Liz Coleman, a Harris supporter who also voted for Warren over Republican John Deaton.

Jared Haughton, a data analyst who voted for Warren, said his focus was on the state races, with Massachusetts presidential results all but certain. He wasnt closely in touch with Warrens performance in the Senate, but had a real difficulty imagining supporting Deaton.

Haughton left the building snacking on a chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting and sprinkles. The cupcake was decent, he said  but this is the best cupcake Ive had at the polls.

 Will Katcher

Voters Judy Mouradian on left, Kathy Pasquina on right in Newburyport, Mass.Hadley Barndollar/MassLive.com

Democracy brings out voters in Newburyport

10:25 a.m.: Holding signs for Vice President Kamala Harris and local candidates across the street from the Peoples United Methodist Church polling location in Newburyport, Judy Mouradian said, Its a matter of saving our democracy. I cant even imagine what life will be like if Harris and (Tim) Walz dont win.

Both Mouradian, 71, and Kathy Pasquina, 80, a Democratic state committee member, said democracy was their No. 1 voting issue this election cycle. They also pointed to womens rights, rebuilding the middle class and calming national division.

Were really afraid whats going to happen after this, Pasquina said of the potential for post-election violence.

A voter entering the polling place called across the street to the sign holders, saying, Theyre letting all the immigrants in.

 Hadley Barndollar

In Berkshire County, counting votes the old-fashioned way: By hand

8:30 a.m.: It might take a little longer, but officials in Sandisfield, Mass., in the heart of the Berkshires, plan to hand-count their paper ballots this Election Day.

We still do everything by the book and do it the right way because its very important that right now everybody can see that everything is transparent and clear and obvious, Sandisfield Town Clerk Douglas Miner told the Berkshire Eagle newspaper.

Some 140 of Sandisfields registered voters already have cast mail-in ballots, while 72 voted early, and six voted absentee from overseas, the newspaper reported. Miner is looking for about 550 ballots to cram the towns lockbox  the most its ever seen.

In the last two presidential cycles, 81% of the towns voters turned out for the election, The Eagle reported.

 John L. Micek

How to find sample ballots for every voting precinct

A Massachusetts sample ballot (Mass. Secretary of the Commonwealth website)Mass. Secretary of the Commonwealth website

8:25 a.m.: The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealths Office has sample ballots for every voting precinct, and also information about where to vote.

The sample ballots are individualized for each address, so all races and ballot questions that will appear on the ballot for that polling location will appear on the sample ballot.

To find your sample ballot, visit the Secretary of the Commonwealths website and enter your address. Your polling location and sample ballot will then be shown.

 Dave Eisenstadter

Heres how many Mass. voters have already cast ballots

8 a.m.: By the time polls opened in Massachusetts on Tuesday, roughly a third of registered voters had already made their voices heard.

A total of 1,740,448 ballots were cast between vote-by-mail ballots and early voting ahead of the opening of polls at 7 a.m. on Tuesday. That total marks roughly 34% of registered voters in Massachusetts, according to data provided by Secretary of State William Galvins office.

Thus far, nearly 83% of mail-in ballots have been returned, with roughly 238,000 still outstanding.

 Charlie McKenna

Heres where Mass. politicians are voting today

7:35 a.m.: Politicians! Theyre just like us.

They vote too. Heres a look at where and when some of the Bay States elected officials are casting their ballots on this Election Day Tuesday. The list will be updated as we receive more information.

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, joined by her husband, Conan Harris, votes at 8:15 a.m., at a location only obtained by an RSVP.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu votes at 8:30 a.m. in Roslindale.

Gov. Maura Healey and First Lady Joanna Lydgate vote at 9 a.m. at Hardy Elementary School in Arlington.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., votes at 9:30 a.m. in Cambridge.

Secretary of State Bill Galvin votes at 9:30 a.m. at Thomas A. Edison Middle School in Brighton.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton votes at 9:45 a.m. in Bolton.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-1st District, meets with voters at 11 a.m. in Great Barrington and again at 4 p.m. in Longmeadow.

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-2nd District, votes at noon in Worcester.

 John L. Micek

Election monitors stationed in Mass.

7:30 a.m.: The U.S. Dept. of Justice has released its list of American cities it will be monitoring this Election Day for compliance with federal voting rights laws  and several Massachusetts cities have made the list.

They are: Everett, Fitchburg, Leominster, Lowell, Malden, Methuen, Quincy, and Salem, the DOJ said in a statement.

The Justice Department enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country, the agency said in a statement.

 John L. Micek

What to know on Election Day in Mass.

7:05 a.m.: Its General Election Day in Massachusetts, and voters across the state will be making choices in various national, statewide and local races.

The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. You can check MassLives Voters Guide for information on how to find your local polling station and to check your voter registration status.

The guide also has everything you need to know about how to cast your ballot.

At the top of the ticket, theres the race for the White House between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is running for reelection to a third term. Shes facing Republican John Deaton, a lawyer from Swansea whos making his first bid for elected office.

Two members of the Bay States all-Democratic U.S. House delegation are facing Republican challengers. Two more are facing independent candidates.

Most of the lawmakers in Massachusetts 200-member state Legislature are expected to coast to reelection on Election Day.

There also are contests for the Governors Council, a little-understood panel that traces its roots to the Colonial era and plays a key role in state government such as confirming judicial nominations and gubernatorial appointments.

Voters also will have their say on five ballot questions on issues ranging from whether to legalize psychedelics to raising the minimum wage for tipped workers.

Stick with MassLive all day for live coverage from around the state. After the polls close, well be bringing you results for key races, including the presidency, U.S. Senate, the state Legislature and the Governors Council.

 John L. Micek

Polls are open

7 a.m.: The polls are open across Massachusetts. Please check with your local elections office for voting hours. Most polls will stay open until 8 p.m. You can check for your local polling place at this link.

 John L. Micek
One question will be asked over and over on election night: Who won?

The Associated Press will answer that question for nearly 5,000 contested races across the United States and up and down the ballot, from president and state ballot measures to a variety of local offices.

The AP has compiled vote results and declared winners in elections for more than 170 years, filling what could otherwise be a critical information void of up to a month between Election Day and the official certification of results.

What goes into determining the winners? A careful and thorough analysis of the latest available vote tallies and a variety of other election data, with the ultimate goal of answering this question: Is there any circumstance in which the trailing candidate can catch up? If the answer is no, then the leading candidate has won.

Analyzing the vote

Race calls are based on provable facts, primarily from the APs vote count, which is compiled from state and local election offices around the nation.

As more and more ballots are tabulated starting on election night, the AP will monitor the incoming vote at the county level and analyze who is in the lead and what areas the votes are coming from.

At the same time, the AP tries to determine throughout the night how many ballots are uncounted and from what areas. State and local election officials dont immediately know by election night exactly how many ballots were cast in every contest. Determining how many remain has become more complicated because of the growing number of ballots cast by mail that may arrive after Election Day, which is Nov. 5 this year.

This means there are usually no official and exact tallies of the outstanding vote to rely on once the vote counting gets underway. As a result, the AP estimates the turnout in every race based on several factors and uses that estimate to track how much of the vote has been counted and how much remains.

The AP also tries to determine how ballots counted so far were cast, and the types of vote  such as mail ballots or Election Day in-person  that remain.

Thats because the method a voter chooses often speaks to whom they voted for. Since the issue of voting by mail became highly politicized in the 2020 election, most mail votes nationally have been cast by Democratic voters, while most in-person Election Day votes have been cast by Republicans.

In many states, it is possible to know which votes will be counted first from past elections or plans announced by election officials. In some others, votes counted so far are clearly marked by type.

This helps to determine if an early lead is expected to shrink or grow. For example, if a state first counts votes cast in person on Election Day, followed by mail-in votes, that suggests that an early Republican lead in the vote count may narrow as more mail ballots are tabulated. But if the reverse is true and mail ballots are counted first, an early Republican lead could be the first sign of a comfortable victory.

A polling station in Lawrence, Mass., on Election Day 2024. (Hadley Barndollar/MassLive.com)Hadley Barndollar/MassLive.com

Finding clues from election data

The APs analysis to determine the winners is also greatly informed by other election data, especially the long-standing voting trends in a given area. Past election results over time show that states and counties with a long history of lopsided Republican or Democratic victories tend to continue the same voting patterns from one election to the next.

Even in closely contested races, comparing current vote patterns with those in past races can provide important clues.

For example, if a Democratic candidate is performing a few percentage points better across all counties that have reported votes in a state a Democrat previously won by a narrow margin, that could be a sign of a more comfortable Democratic victory. But if the Republican is performing a few percentage points better, that could point to an exceedingly close race or even a flipped result.

Large changes in an areas voting patterns that differ substantially from statewide trends are certainly possible but tend to take root over a time frame of multiple elections. This helps analysts understand whether one candidates lead is an expected result or a sign of tight race. It also helps determine whether the remaining uncounted ballots are from areas that would likely benefit one candidate over another.

Demographic data can also shed light on the vote count. For example, shifts that differ from statewide patterns might be explained by a shift among a specific group, such as Hispanic voters or white voters without college degrees.

Harnessing AP VoteCast

Another tool available to the APs decision teams is AP VoteCast, a comprehensive, 50-state election survey that provides a detailed snapshot of who voted in an election and what was on their minds when they voted. Data from AP VoteCast makes it possible in some cases to call non-competitive or less competitive races as the polls close or shortly afterward with the initial release of votes.

When considering poll-close calls, the AP will only declare a winner if AP VoteCast data confirms the expected result in that contest based on past vote history and other preelection data.

When does the AP call a race?

In almost all cases, races can be called well before 100% of the votes have been counted. The APs team of election journalists and analysts will call a race as soon as a clear winner can be determined. That may sound obvious, but it is the guiding principle that drives the organizations election race-calling process.

The APs race calls are not predictions and are not based on speculation. They are declarations based on an analysis of vote results and other election data that one candidate has emerged as the winner and that no other candidate in the race will be able to overtake the winner once all the votes have been counted.

Why might the AP not declare a winner?

The AP may delay calling a winner if the vote results go against the expected outcome of the contest as indicated by the available election data. In other words, if the vote results show a large lead for one candidate but some combination of the past vote history, demographic data or AP VoteCast data point to a different outcome, the AP would carefully review the vote results before making any determination.

In competitive races, AP analysts may need to wait until additional votes are tallied or to confirm specific information about how many ballots are left to count.

The AP may declare that a race is too close to call if a race is so close that theres no clear winner even once all ballots except for provisional and late-arriving absentee ballots have been counted.

Competitive races where votes are actively being tabulated  for example in states that count a large number of voters after election night  might be considered too early to call. The too close to call designation is not used for these types of races.

The AP may also decide not to call a race if the margin between the top two candidates is less than 0.5 percentage points unless it determines that the margin is wide enough that it could not change in a recount.

Things that dont affect a call

AP race calls are never made based on lobbying from campaigns or political parties or announcements made by other news organizations, or on candidate victory speeches. Although it will never call a winner based on a concession speech, in some cases, a concession is the final piece of the puzzle in confirming that there will be no recount in a close race.
SPRINGFIELD  An Oklahoma man launched a class-action lawsuit over a data breach within Wellfleet Group insurance company, based in Springfield.

A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court on Oct. 25 alleges Wellfleet, which services higher education students nationwide, made their clients vulnerable by not protecting their personal information.

The primary plaintiff is Jose Moraes but the claim says he could represent many more.
SPRINGFIELD  Toni Hendrix was just 17 when she joined the U.S. Army, only on the condition she be stationed in Germany.

I came from a poor family and it was a way to get a college education, said Hendrix, who served in the military for seven years before returning home to Springfield.
As of Monday, 1.7 million people in Massachusetts had voted early or cast absentee ballots for todays election of a new president of the United States. If trends hold, turnout statewide could set another record.

Thats important. Democracies are strongest when eligible residents register and vote. Presidential election years typically bring out the most voters. But regardless of turnout, todays election will produce winners and losers up and down the ballot, from local and state contests to Congress and the White House.

Secretary of State William Galvin notes that even with recent high marks for turnout in Massachusetts, many people let the opportunity to vote in consequential elections pass them by. Thats been particularly true in two of Hampden Countys largest communities, Springfield and Holyoke.
Info/News: Deces de Reynolds PermalJustin Trudeau a annonce sa demission5e systeme de la saison cyclonique 2024-2025Renouvellement du permis doperation pour les pharmacies priveesLes prochaines rencontres de football de la MFAMeteo du 6 janvier 2025Modoki La Nina dans le PacifiqueZone pluvio-orageuse au Nord-Nord Ouest de MauriceTrois Jumbo Express ferment leurs portesDeces de Lady Nancy Ah-ChuenSpace42s Thuraya 4 Satellite successfully launched into orbit[Video news] Baby John au Sirsa[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 4 janvier 2025Sanjiv Ranjan is the new Secretary-General of the IORA SecretariatLettre ouverte au Premier ministre du PakistanLettre ouverte a lAmbassadeur des Etats Unis a MauriceIPLOOK Networks 2024 RecapThe Best-Performing CEOs in Africa in 2024iHerb Debuts Digital Wellness HubHinen to showcase advanced energy storage technologyContribution decisive des Nouveaux Democrates dans la victoire du 10 Novembre 2024DTOS Group lance une initiative innovante pour renforcer les relations intergenerationnelles en entreprise[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 3 janvier 2025La piscine de Mare dAlbert dans un etat piteuxLa residence dHarvesh Seegoolam perquisitionneCommunique de HM Technologies : Precisions sur la cessation de contrats de 11 collaborateurs[Document] Les chansons de lannee de 2024 de Radio One[Video news] Petards a Poste de FlacqUne fille, premiere nee de la Generation Beta[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 1er janvier 2025[Video News] Message du nouvel an de Navin RamgoolamProcession religieuse a Petite RiviereMessage du 1er Janvier 2025 de Pravind Jugnauth[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du decembre 2024[Video news] Cotton Bay a lheure de 2025[Video News] Pointe aux Sables passe en 2025Bonne et heureuse annee 2025Message de fin dannee de Patrick BelcourtDemission du CEO du Mauritus Telecom GroupLa Mauritius Meteorological Services a lance une brochures, clip video et timbre poste.Tournee Patient Day pour Anil BaichooLa revendication mauricienne est basee sur trois criteresMessage de Steven Obeegadoo pour 2025[Video News] Studying in ChinaGalettes des rois by hotels Ninety-Six !ITL Foundation a apporte la magie de Noel aux enfants de SAFIRE !Five years ago Covid-19800 millions de livres sterlings par anneeEnd of year statement by WHO Director-GeneralAucun avertissement de fortes pluies nest en vigueur a MauricePluie: 140 mm a Riche en Eau en 24 heures[Video News] Les consignes de Pravind Rughoo pour les Late Night ShoppersApercu du temps pour Rodrigues du 31 decembre 2024 jusquau 03 janvier 2025Apercu du temps pour Maurice de mardi 31 decembre 2024 jusquau vendredi 03 janvier 2025Communique du Ministere du Bien-etre de La Famille: Fermeture des crechesCommunique du National Emergency Operations CommandAvertissement de fortes pluies pour Maurice ( 30-12-2024)Communique National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management CentreVeille de fortes pluies en vigueur a Maurice (30-12-2024)Que quelques heures pour voter pour votre chanson de lannee sur R1Homelie de Mgr Durhone a loccasion de la messe de Noel a la prison de Melrose147.8 mm a Riche en eau en 24 heuresTrois zones perturbees dans le nord de la region[Document] Export and Import Price Indices for 3rd Quarter 2024Deces de Jimmy CarterFin de la Veille de fortes pluies pour MauriceDeux zones perturbees et une perturbation tropicaleOrages dans lOuestSoft Robotics to debut at CES 2025Bulletin meteo special pour AgalegaPremiere cohorte de femmes certifiee en gestion de pepiniere au sein de lAgri-Hub de la Vallee de FerneyLegend Hill ouvre son paradis panoramique aux Mauriciens en mars 2025Communique du National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre ( 29/12/2024)30.2 mm de pluie en trois heures a Riche en Eau[Document] 50 mm de pluie pour les premiers 15 jours de decembre 2024[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 28 decembre 2024[Video News] Dawood Rawat a rencontre les investisseurs dans la BAIBulletin de Veille de fortes pluies pour MauriceUne voiture detruite par les flammesThe 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024Recrutement de personnel de cabine dEmirates Airlines a Mauriceblink by Emtel annonce les 10 premiers gagnants de la 2 edition de sa campagne blink & WinMerck Foundation Chairman and First Ladies share their partnership journey in Transforming Patient Care Landscape[Video news] Message de fin dannee de Paul Berenger[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 27 decembre 2024Avis de fortes pluies en vigueur a AgalegaSarat Lallah retrouve la MT Towerle Premier ministre a rendu hommage au Dr Manmohan Singh,Revocation de lInformation and Communication Technologies (Registration of SIM) Regulations 2023Amaresh Singh Ramlugan, nomme president du Conseil dAdministration de la MBCDecisions du Conseil des Ministres du 27 decembre 2024Apercu du temps pour Rodrigues du 28 au 31 decembre 2024Apercu du temps pour Maurice du 28 au 31 decembre 2024Global Movement to drive clean energy solutions and sustainable livingDepression tropicale a lEst-Nord-est[Document] Debats parlementaires du 20 decembre 2024[Document] The Special Allowance Act 2024[Document] The Employment Relations (Amendment) Act 2024Maurice et lAfrique du Sud veulent renforcer leurs liens culturels en 2025[Video News] Message de Noel de Mgr Jean-Michael Durhone
US country music star Garth Brooks has said he and wife Trisha Yearwood are contemplating buying a house in Ireland after falling in love with the country on their most recent visit in 2022.

Garth played five sold-out nights at Croke Park eight years on from his controversial cancelled gigs in 2024 and 25 years after his last played at GAA HQ in 1997.

It appears the return had quite the effect on Garth who is now facing sexual assault allegations from a former employee in the US. Speaking on a recent Facebook Live broadcast with fans, Garth revealed his wife Trisha especially is pushing hard for the couple to buy a house in Ireland.

"The Queen [Trisha] is pushing hard for the house in Ireland," he said.

"I think this last time over there [2022], she just fell head over heels in love with the country. We played two weekends we went on that stint across the country and everyone was so sweet to her."

The country icon has been embroiled in legal controversy recently as he was accused of a sexual assault at a US hotel back in 2019, claims he has strenuously denied.

READ NEXT: Garth Brooks cries recalling gift and eerie phonecall he received at Croke Park gig

I am not the man they have painted me to be," he said in a statement after the woman filed a lawsuit. He said the it is an attempt at extortion for millions of dollars."

In a statement to the PA news agency, Brooks said: For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars.

It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face.

Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behaviour I am incapable of  ugly acts no human should ever do to another.

I want to play music tonight. I want to continue our good deeds going forward. It breaks my heart these wonderful things are in question now.

I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be.

Meanwhile, Garth was engaging with fans on a Facebook live in the direct aftermath of those allegations in September and said he could not talk much about "the elephant in the room." Instead, he answered fan questions and talked about upcoming projects.

He spoke about the Irish TV special which has been in the works since the gigs in Croke Park in 2022.

He revealed his band and crew have been given a first look at what he's dubbed "the Irish special."

"It's not even transferred to 4k yet or 8k, whatever they're going to do with it, and it looked amazing." A crew member off camera who'd seen it said, "It's everything you'd hoped it would be and then some."

Garth added: "I look at it and think, 'I was there, that really happened,' it's so good. There were standing ovations through the night from the band and crew because they were just going for it."

Keeping tight-lipped about a release date, he said: "All I can say is it's coming. We'll see, with everything that's going on, where it's home is and what the time is."

He previously said: "It's going to be worth the wait. When I see it, I just cry the whole time."

"When you think about it, it's just 85,000 people that are one and this happened five nights in a row. They came there to sing. This will be the one concert you'll go, 'I can't hear Garth,' and you won't. They just swallow it up and it's fantastic," he added.

"It makes an entertainer's job very easy. For anybody that gets to play music, you're damn lucky if you get to play in Ireland and I'll be damn lucky if I get to play there again. I love that place," he added hinting at a possible return to these shores.

He previously announced that live recordings from Croke Park would also be featured on his new live album called Killer Live. While not specifically saying which tracks from Croke Park will feature, he said, "we've got a lot of good things coming."

One hint came in a previous live video when Garth mentioned his performance of The Dance in Croke Park as a stand-out moment.

"Reliving the thought right now, I'm sitting here crying, especially The Dance," he said.

"Should anyone get through The Dance without crying, because everyone in the crowd's crying. It's great.

"The guys that captured it did a great job but the crowd, their voices. They'll do the big drone and helicopter shots and just that sound coming out of that stadium, of all those voices singing together. Man, it will rock your world."
THE All-Ireland (Confined) Drama Finals for 2025 will be hosted by the Claremorris Drama and Fringe Festival in Claremorris Town Hall Theatre from April 25 to May 4. The news is generating a lot of interest and enthusiasm among drama aficionados around the region.

Peter McCallig, one of the leading lights of the Claremorris Drama Association for many years, says the local committee is delighted that the Town Hall Theatre has been chosen as the host venue for the 2025 finals.

We are all excited about it and are looking forward to spreading the event out into the community as well. We plan to hold a classical music event in McMahon Park on April 27 and to have choral music at the square on May 3. There will also be a number of exhibitions in the town during the week, said Peter.

Meanwhile, the Bradan Players from Leixlip will present Little Gem by Elaine Murphy in The Town Hall Theatre, Claremorris, on Saturday night, November 9, at 8pm. This is a special fund-raiser for the All Ireland Drama Finals.

Little Gem is a hilarious and poignant comedy produced by Reidin Dunne. She has performed before on the Town Hall stage with great success at the Claremorris Drama Festival. Tickets will be available at the door on Saturday night.
A Westport homeowner Linda Claxton, who was left over 90,000 out of pocket after accessing the pyrite redress scheme, will appear on a TG4 programme this Wednesday evening.

The latest episode of Iniucadh TG4 examines the pyrite and mica scandal, which has afflicted thousands of homeowners predominantly throughout Mayo and Donegal.

Hundreds of houses in Mayo have been condemned by pyrite, including Linda Claxton, from Pairc na Coille in Westport, who has spoken out publicly on a number of occasions about the costs she has had to incur from rebuilding her house.

Ms Claxton is one of several homeowners in Pairc na Coille who have tested positive for pyrite since purchasing their houses as part of an affordable housing scheme.

She was awarded 193,333 under the scheme, but after certain costs were deducted, she said he was left with 140,000 to build a new home, and ended up spending 90,000 of her own money to bridge the cost.

This is a horrendous journey. I dont envy anyone coming behind me having to do this. I have put 90,000 euro towards this. I went to banks to ask for a loan and was refused. In the end my partner got a loan for me, Ms Claxton said ahead of Wednesdays programme.

Pairc na Coille became the subject of public controversy after Mayo County Council authorised the sale of houses in the estate after at least one house in the estate had tested positive for pyrite.

According to scientist Dr Andreas Leemann from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials and Science Technology, who was interviewed by Iniucadh TG4, the best solution for the heavily affected homes is total demolition.

According to Dr Leemann, who carried out a forensic analysis on blocks from infected homes in Donegal and Mayo as part of international research being managed by Geological Survey Ireland, the existence of the mineral pyrrhotite is the real cause of defective blocks, not mica or pyrite which have traditionally been blamed.

Mica is very easy to spot in the aggregates and probably this led to the assumption that mica is responsible for the deterioration of the blocks. This is nonsense of course. The problem is caused by pyrrhotite in the blocks and it starts to oxidise or rust. When pyrrhotite rusts, it releases sulphur in the form of sulphuric acid, and this causes internal sulphate attack. Its a natural reaction that occurs so your blocks are expanding. At an advanced stage of the reaction the concrete crumbles and you can take it apart by hand, said Dr Leeman.

Iniucadh TG4 will broadcast on Wednesday, November 6 on TG4 and TG4.ie at 21.30pm.
Senator Lisa Chambers, Fianna Fail General Election candidate in Mayo, expressed her delight in having Deputy Eamon O'Cuiv attend her official campaign launch on Saturday morning at Breaffy House Hotel. This event marked a significant moment as it was Deputy O'Cuiv's last official engagement before he steps back from contesting the general election, bringing an end to a notable career in public service.

I was truly honoured to have Deputy Eamon O'Cuiv officially launch my campaign, said Senator Chambers. His dedication to public service and the people of Galway and Mayo has been remarkable. Eamon has always been a guiding light for me in politics, and I have looked up to him throughout my career. His commitment to social justice, rural development, and community engagement has set a high standard for all of us.

Lisa Chambers with her cousins and sisters at the launch of her General Election campaign (Pic: Alison Laredo)

During the launch, Deputy O'Cuiv issued a passionate rallying call for rural Ireland, emphasising the importance of electing strong representatives who prioritise rural issues. It is vital that we have voices in the Dail who will champion the needs of rural communities, he stated. He highlighted the collaborative work he has undertaken with Senator Chambers over the years, particularly on issues such as rural planning and the development of the Western Rail Corridor.

Dedicated advocate

Lisa is a dedicated advocate for our communities, and I have every confidence that she will continue to push these crucial issues forward, he added.

Deputy O'Cuiv, who has served as a public representative for over 30 years, has made significant contributions to Irish politics. He has held various key roles, including Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. His efforts in promoting rural development and advocating for the Irish language have had a lasting impact on communities throughout the West. He is the current sitting TD for part of South Mayo, which will return to the Mayo constituency in this election.

The event at Breaffy House Hotel was well-attended by supporters and local leaders, showcasing the strong community backing for Senator Chambers campaign. As she embarks on this journey, she is committed to continuing the work of those who have come before her and ensuring that the voices of the people of Mayo are heard in the Oireachtas.

Together, we can build a brighter future for Mayo, and I am excited to have the support of dedicated public servants like Eamon as we move forward, she concluded.
by Colin Kirkland , November 4, 2024

As Elon Musk overshadows X with his own political support for former president Donald Trump, up-and-coming decentralized microblogging app and X competitor Bluesky has detailed its plans for election safety ahead of Tuesday's U.S. presidential election.

Bluesky's election integrity operations are being led by Aaron Rodericks, the company's new head of Trust and Safety, who previously held the same title at the former Twitter (now X) until he was fired last year by Musk, along with half of the platform's election integrity team.

Prior to being fired at Twitter, however, Rodericks became part of the public discourse last year when right-wing social-media personalities called him out for seeking more content-moderation staffers ahead of the 2024 election who had a passion for protecting the integrity of elections and civic events.

advertisement advertisement

It now seems Rodericks may repurpose his original plan to uphold election integrity at Bluesky, which supports his attempts to safeguard the growing app against the threat of potential misinformation designed to mislead users during this election, such as posts that might disrupt the voting process or AI-generated posts that are intended to confuse the public.

Rodericks and Bluesky's election integrity team have laid out their plan for the upcoming weeks via a series of in-app posts, which state that the team will be reviewing content for potential misinformation and unconfirmed information regarding claims about the U.S. election.

The team is reminding users that they can report posts to the moderation service, which will then be removed if the content encourages or glorifies intimidation or disruption in voting, tabulation, or certification. Bluesky says it will also label emerging reports as unconfirmed until the company is able to verify them.

Because Bluesky's decentralized platform models allows anyone to run their own server and devise their own moderation service, the platform relies on user-issued reports.

Our online experience doesnt have to depend on billionaires unilaterally making decisions over what we see, the company stated in March. On an open social network like Bluesky, you can shape your experience for yourself.

Bluesky has also said it will closely monitor the post-election period in order to identify and address any disruptions to the peaceful transition of power, alluding to the events which led to an attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Rodericks says that because of a recent increase in users -- brought on by X's temporary ban in Brazil, as well as its X's changes -- it has received more reports than usual and has since hired more moderators.

We triage reports to ensure the most severe violations are addressed quickly, the team says, adding that it will roll out additional in-app interventions as needed to help ensure a safe and accurate election process.
by Teresa Buyikian , November 4, 2024

In these times of frugality and the search for the next meal deal, everyone loves a new kids meal, but these generally dont promote healthy eating first. However, a new one puts nutrition front and center, as well as tying into the latest Disney flick.

Partnering with Walt Disney Animation Studios for the upcoming release of the animated musical Moana 2 Nov. 27, Ono Hawaiian BBQ created a new Ono Keiki Meal. The kid's meal, which was designed to offer a fresh, healthy, and well-balanced option that includes essential food groups includes a choice of made-to-order protein, such as chicken, beef, pork or seafood, rice, steamed vegetables, a Tree Top 100% Apple Juice Box and a Tree Top Triple Berry Apple Sauce Pouch. Per the brand, the meal is certified to meet specific nutritional guidelines established by the Kids LiveWell Association.

advertisement advertisement

To qualify for the certification, the chain needed to do the following: reduce calories from total fat, eliminate artificial trans fats, and lower sodium content.

Seemingly every kids meal has to contain some sort of collectible, and this is no exception; the Ono Keiki meal is served in a limited-time reusable lunch bag, featuring three collectible Moana 2 designs.

The collaboration will be prompted via a TV commercial, streaming messages, digital marketing through social media and search ads, OOH and in-store signage, Christine Jan, Ono Hawaiian BBQ director of marketing, said in an email to Marketing Daily.

"We wanted to build Ono fans amongst the younger generation and provide a fun and health-conscious options for the kids, wrote Jan.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ began in 2002 and has just recently surpassed 100 U.S. locations.
by Ray Schultz , November 4, 2024

The Independent claims it is now the largest U.K.-bred news site in the U.S., surpassing the Daily Mail/Mail Online and The Guardian.

The U.S. audience has doubled to 41.4 million over the past year, the Independent states, quoting Comscore numbers.

The publication pulled over 21.7 million new U.S. readers and added more than 120 million page views per month in September.

This is a triumphal moment for the US team lead by Louise Thomas, our US Editor, who left MailOnline to join us earlier this year, says Geordie Greig, editor in chief of The Independent. We are grateful to all our readers in America for putting their faith in The Independent at a time when independent journalism has never been more needed.

advertisement advertisement

The Independent is adding new lifestyle verticals such as travel, automotive (EV-focused), and a dedicated U.S. URL (the-independent.com).

The new readers are 58% more likely than other consumers to discuss diversity and inclusion and 128% more prone to identify as individuals who embrace change, the publication states.

The Independent also says it ranks fifth among comparable news brands with a print history, behind The New York Times, USA Today, NY Post Network and The Washington Post.
Very few places evoke a profound sense of wonder like Koh Yao Yai in Phuket. Here, the gentle lull of the waves and the whisper of the wind invite you to get away from the maddening crowd and reconnect with the beauty of nature, making every moment feel like a dream. Nestled on the picturesque island of Koh Yao Yai, Anantara offers a unique retreat that balances luxury, relaxation, and adventure. The resort is a sanctuary for travelers looking to immerse themselves in natural beauty while indulging in first-class amenities. With its private beach, exclusive pool penthouses, exceptional dining options, and diverse activities, Anantara Koh Yao Yai stands out as a premier destination for those seeking both tranquility and excitement. Luxurious private pool penthouse experience

 Anantara One of the standout accommodations at Anantara Koh Yao Yai is the private pool penthouse. Perched in a prime location, the penthouse offers sweeping views of the turquoise sea and lush surroundings. From the comfort of the bedroom, guests can enjoy these spectacular vistas, creating an idyllic environment for both rest and rejuvenation. As a welcoming gesture, guests are treated to a bottle of prosecco, setting the tone for a luxurious stay. The private pool, a highlight of the penthouse, is perfect for those seeking a more intimate, secluded escape. Beachside Pool and Private Beach

 Anantara For those who love the beach, Anantara Koh Yao Yai offers both a private beach and a beachside pool that captures the essence of island living. The beachside pool, located just steps away from the shore, is a social hub for guests. With refreshing drinks, lively music, and a sun-soaked atmosphere, the pool is ideal for those looking to relax in a vibrant, yet laid-back setting. Whether you prefer lounging by the pool or taking a walk along the serene private beach, both options provide the perfect way to experience the natural beauty of Koh Yao Yai. Exceptional Dining

 Anantara When it comes to dining, Anantara Koh Yao Yai doesnt disappoint. The resort boasts three restaurants, each offering a variety of cuisines to satisfy diverse tastes. At Pakarang, breakfast is a feast of global favorites, offering an extensive array of options that range from cheeses, breads, and eggs to local specialties like boiled meat rice and noodles. Guests can even savor Indian delicacies such as idlis and chole bhatures. For lunch and dinner, Pakarang transforms into a haven of Thai cuisine, with must-try dishes like black pepper crab, chicken satay, and the iconic mango sticky rice. Whether dining indoors or outside with views of the sea, pool, and lush greenery, the atmosphere complements the flavourful meals.

 Anantara For a more intimate dining experience, The Beach Restaurant offers a romantic beachfront setting, illuminated by soft candlelight and accompanied by the sound of waves. The focus here is on dry-aged steaks and a delightful mix of Thai and continental dishes. For seafood lovers, the catch of the day is a must-try, prepared in creative and delicious ways. Be sure to save room for the pecan pie, the dessert that steals the show.

 Anantara Lastly, Tomi Sushi Bar delivers a premium Japanese dining experience. Guests can indulge in expertly crafted sushi, sashimi, and other modern Japanese delicacies, all while enjoying panoramic views of the beach and ocean. The restaurant offers a curated selection of premium Japanese ingredients and an atmosphere that reflects the sophistication of its menu. Activities for adventure and wellness enthusiasts

 Anantara For those seeking adventure or a wellness retreat, Anantara Koh Yao Yai has an array of activities that cater to both. Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy a fully-equipped, modern gym at Anantara Koh Yao Yai. With advanced facilities tailored for all types of workouts, the gym is designed to meet the needs of both casual guests and serious fitness lovers. The resort also offers a more culturally immersive form of exerciseMuay Thai. Under the guidance of expert instructors, guests can learn the fundamentals of Thailands traditional martial art in a fun and engaging environment.

 Anantara For a more peaceful and reflective experience, Anantara offers daily yoga classes. Practiced on the beach with the sound of gentle waves in the background, yoga here goes beyond exerciseits a form of rejuvenation for both body and soul. For those who prefer to explore the water, the resort also provides kayaking, allowing guests to paddle through the calm seas and discover the island's coastline from a unique vantage point. Spa: A sanctuary of relaxation
Four local residents were recognized for their achievements in forestry during the Mississippi Forestry Associations annual meeting Oct. 23-25 in Flowood.

Meridianite and tree farmer David Hall, of Halltree Inc., was named the 2024 MFA Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year for both his stewardship of his familys farm and his contributions to local forestry associations. He is a member of the board for both Lauderdale and Clarke county forestry associations, a member of the executive committee for the Mississippi Forestry Association, a member of the board of the Forest Landowners Association and a trustee for the Forest Landowners Foundation.

Email newsletter signup Newsletter sign up WIDGET

David is a great person to have in the Tree Farm program. He has a wonderful attitude and is so helpful, said Stephen Dicke, the regional Tree Farm chairman who nominated Hall. It seems like every year one of his Tree Farms has a required re-inspection. He never complains. This year, David volunteered his property to be third-party audited by NSF. His property helped Mississippi pass the audit of our state Tree Farm program.

In addition to Hall, several local students were recognized for their involvement in forestry in the East Mississippi area.

John Clayton Kitchens, a high school senior, was named the recipient of the 2024 MFA Outstanding Youth Forestry Achievement Award. A Collinsville resident, Kitchens is a member of both the Lauderdale County Forestry Association and Lauderdale 4-H forestry judging team, as well as the states national 4-H judging team.

Kitchens is also the current Mississippi 4-H president.

Receiving second place in the 2024 MFA Outstanding Youth Forestry Achievement Award is Shubutas Tyler Hearn, who is currently a junior at Russell Christian Academy. Hearn participates in Clarke County 4-H in forestry, livestock and shooting sports, has received first place in multiple 4-H forestry judging competitions and was in the top 10 in forestry judging at the 2023 4-H Club Congress.

Hearn is a past president of the Clarke County Youth Forestry Association and is an active member of the Clarke County Forestry Association.

Josie Thompson, of Meridian, rounded out the winners with a third place finish in the 2024 MFA Outstanding Youth Forestry Achievement Award. A homeschooled junior, she previously competed in both state and national 4-H forestry judging competitions and has been awarded first place in the state 4-H forestry competition, as well as finished third in the 4-H National Forestry Invitational.
NEW YORK (AP)  The Associated Press will have thousands of people on hand next week to count votes and declare winners and losers in the U.S. election, continuing a tradition that began in 1848.

Theres an even greater priority this year on explaining that process to outsiders.

Email newsletter signup Newsletter sign up WIDGET

The AP has already run a series of stories outlining how everything works, and has a team of reporters who will be assigned on election night to write in plain language why it is calling key individual states for presidential candidates Kamala Harris or Donald Trump.

Similar plans are afoot at other news organizations. At the AP, editors are mindful of political misinformation and opinion polls that reveal a growing distrust of the media, said Julie Pace, senior vice president and executive editor.

I cant make people trust us, Pace said. But we have devoted an incredible amount of time and effort and resources in getting after exactly that. We take it very seriously.

Several news organizations are trying to explain things

NBC News has published explanatory stories on its website  one, for example, tells readers how exit polls work and how the network will use them. The New York Times has promised more information will accompany one of its most popular online features election night, the Needle, which fluctuates as it measures the probability of which presidential candidate will win.

On the air, ABC News has run a Protecting Your Vote series, which has profiled election workers, explained why there will be fewer polling places and introduced people who have been caught up in elections lawsuits.

CNN is also posting a series of articles that explain the projection process and exit polls, and gives advice on how people should follow election night coverage. It is also making a version of its Magic Wall available online, so viewers can have the same access to statistics and historical comparisons that correspondent John King has on the air.

The APs election night role in counting the vote is unique, built upon the premise that while individual jurisdictions report tallies, there is no federal authority to pull it all together.

The process involves nearly 5,000 people and the data is widely used across the news industry. Stringers collect results directly from local authorities nationwide and transmit them to a vote entry center, where the numbers are compiled and checked against online sources. Separately, the news organization  like the largest television networks  calls individual races making use of actual results, exit polls and historical trends.

The rule for declaring a winner is simple: We call the race when there is no way that the trailing candidate can catch up, Pace said. In 2020, news outlets declared Joe Biden the winner over Trump on Saturday after election day.

The AP expects to make calls this year in 6,832 individual races, from the president down to local elections and ballot measures.

Why calls are made  and not made

A dozen journalists have been assigned to write stories and live blog entries that explain the specific factors that go into making calls in the key presidential swing states and other closely-watched races. Its a test for writers: It requires both technical knowledge and an ability to convey that information clearly and quickly.

Its also important to keep people updated when a race is too close or there are other factors holding back a call.

Its absolutely important for an organization to be as transparent as they can be, especially because theres been an effort to challenge the credibility of calls, said Mark Lukasiewicz, dean of Hofstra Universitys communications school and a longtime NBC News producer. At the same time, its hard to do in a way that makes sense to people who are not statisticians or systems operation experts, he said.

The AP was correct in every one of its calls for president, Congress and governors in the 2020 race, a 99.9% accuracy rate overall.

Yet then-President Trump and his supporters were furious when Fox News Channel and the AP reported Joe Biden as the winner in the key state of Arizona well before other news organizations. The call proved correct but it fueled suspicions about the voting process. Fox, in particular, faced an enormous blowback from its viewers.

Theres a direct line from that episode to APs effort to be more systematic and thorough in its explanatory efforts this year, Pace said.

We need to be better and faster in explaining what is happening in those moments as opposed to saying, effectively, Were the AP, we have a 99% accuracy rate, of course were right, she said.

Only about one-quarter of Republicans say they have either a great deal or quite a bit of trust that the vote will be counted accurately nationwide, according to a poll released Friday by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About three-quarters of Democrats reported that same level of trust.

Dont overlook routine things that may become stories

Journalists also need to be aware that even small things that happen routinely during elections  numbers mistakenly transposed on a vote tally, or broken voting machines that result in extended hours at some polling places  are stories that need to be reported upon so they dont blow up into conspiracy theories.

Ultimately, elections in the United States have been incredibly well run, Pace said.

My hope is that if people are confused about whats going to happen here, whats happening behind the scenes, weve been very transparent, she said. Its all there. Its all available for people.

Im not naive enough to think that putting it out there quells all of the skepticism around elections or tamps down all of the misinformation, but its an incredibly robust effort to make sure that fact-based explanatory information about elections is out there.

The AP experimented with more of this material early in the election season and it proved popular with readers. It reinforced for us that this is something that we should be doing, she said.

David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder.
Its Election Day Tuesday and Lauderdale County voters will head to the polls to cast their votes for the candidate they want to see as the 47th President of the United States. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to give voters a chance to stop in and fill out their ballot.

On the ballot, Vice President and Democrat nominee Kamala Harris faces off against former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump in the presidential contest. They will be joined on the ballot by Green Partys Jill Stein, Libertarian Chase Oliver and Constitution Party candidate Randall Terry, as well as independents Shiva Ayyadurai, Claudia De la Cruz, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Peter Sonski.

Email newsletter signup Newsletter sign up WIDGET

Another crowded field will be the race for state Supreme Court Justice for the Central District. The court is made up of nine justices, with three elected from each of the North, Central and South districts.

In the race, incumbent Jim Kitchens is running for reelection against Jenifer Branning, Byron Carter, Ceola James and Abby Gaile Robinson. The winner will serve an eight-year term.

A position on the state Court of Appeals is also up for grabs this year, with incumbent Jack Wilson running unopposed.

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Tupelo, also faces a challenger in his reelection campaign with Democrat Ty Pinkins, a native of Rolling Fork, U.S. Army Veteran and Civil Rights attorney, also running for the seat. The winner will serve a six-year term, with Wicker believed to be the candidate most likely to win.

U.S. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Brandon, who represents Mississippis 3rd Congressional District, is also up for reelection, along with the states other three representatives. Guest, who first took office in 2018, is running unopposed.

Locally, Deputy Tax Assessor Whitney Hodges will appear on the ballot running for Lauderdale County Tax Assessor. Hodges worked closely with former Assessor James Rainey and served as his No. 2 when he was unavailable. Rainey died in February shortly after being sworn into a new term, and a special election was called to fill his seat.

This years election will also see some election commissioner seats and Lauderdale County School Board seats up for grabs as well. For election commission, District 1 Commissioner Chuck Overby and District 3 Commissioner Awana Simmons are both running for reelection unopposed. In District 5, Russell Keene is the only candidate who qualified to run in place of Cory Reece, who is stepping down after this term.

For school board, Josh Thompson is running for the District 3 seat, and Brad Pigott is running for District 4. Both candidates are unopposed.

Voters are reminded to bring valid identification to the polls. Accepted IDs include a drivers license, military ID, gun permit or school or other government-issued ID. Any voter without ID will be allowed to cast an affidavit ballot, also called a provisional ballot. Those voters will then have until Nov. 13 to bring the necessary documentation to the circuit clerks office.

Residents unsure of where they should vote can visit the Secretary of States voter portal at sos.ms.gov/yall-vote to find their polling location.
Merrehopes annual Trees of Christmas holiday tour is among 20 nominees for the Best Holiday Historic Home Tour in USA Todays 10Best Readers Choice Awards, the contest announced on Monday.

When Merrehope was contacted about being a USA Today 10Best Holiday Historic Home Tour nominee, we were thrilled, said Donna Owen, who handles Merrehopes promotions for Meridian Restorations Foundation Inc. I would really like for Merrehope to make the Top 10 and be published on a national platform.

Email newsletter signup Newsletter sign up WIDGET

Nominated as one of the 20 best by an expert panel, Merrehope is in good company among the nominees, which include Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina; Brucemore in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Crane House and Historic YWCA in Montclair, New Jersey; Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan; Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio in Oak Park, Illinois; George Washingtons Mount Vernon in Mount Vernon, Virginia; Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee; and Thomas Jeffersons Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia.

We are truly honored that Merrehope is among the 20 nominees that include the Biltmore, Monticello, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Graceland and 15 others that are equally as impressive, Owen said. The top 10 will be heavily promoted across the nation and bring even more visitors to Trees of Christmas.

She said community residents are encouraged to scan the QR code or visit 10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-holiday-historic-home-tour-2024 to vote as often as possible and help ensure Merrehope makes the top 10.

Voting, which began Monday, will continue through 10:59 a.m., Mon., Dec. 2. The top 10 winning tours will be announced on Friday, Dec. 6, and will be featured nationally throughout 10Best travel media sites and USA Today Travel Media Group outlet, as well as traditional media.

Merrehopes annual Trees of Christmas holiday tour, Merre & Bright, will kick off with an opening gala on Sunday, Nov. 24, and run through Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Marines with Skin Condition Affecting Mostly Black Men Could Now Be Booted Under New Policy

A new Marine Corps policy says troops with a genetic skin condition that can cause pain and scarring from shaving and mainly...
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea fired a barrage of short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Tuesday, its neighbors said, as it continued its weapons demonstrations hours before the U.S. presidential election.

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said at least seven North Korean missiles flew as far as 400 kilometers (250 miles) with a maximum altitude of 100 kilometers (60 miles). He said they landed in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

North Koreas actions, including a series of repeated missile launches, threaten the peace and safety of Japan, the region and the international community, Nakatani said.

South Korea's military also detected several missile launches by North Korea and subsequently boosted its surveillance posture. The North Korean missiles could be used to target key facilities in South Korea, including U.S. military bases there.

The launches came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a flight test of the countrys newest intercontinental ballistic missile d esigned to reach the U.S. mainland. In response to that launch, the United States flew a long-range B-1B bomber in a trilateral drill with South Korea and Japan on Sunday in a show of force. That drew condemnation from Kims powerful sister Kim Yo Jong, who on Tuesday accused North Koreas rivals of raising tensions with aggressive and adventuristic military threats.

South Korean officials have said that North Korea was likely to dial up its military displays around the U.S. presidential election to command the attention of Washington. South Koreas military intelligence agency said last week that North Korea has also likely completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test.

Outside officials and analysts say North Korea eventually hopes to use an expanded nuclear arsenal as leverage to win concessions such as sanctions relief after a new U.S. president is elected.

There are widespread views that Kim Jong Un would prefer a win by Republican candidate Donald Trump, with whom he engaged in high-stakes nuclear diplomacy in 2018-19, seeing him as a more likely counterpart to give him what he wants than Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. During campaigning, Harris said she wont cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un who are rooting for Trump.

North Korea claimed that the Hwasong-19 it tested on Oct. 31 was the worlds strongest ICBM, but experts say the solid-fuel missile is too big to be useful in war. Experts say North Korea has yet to acquire some critical technologies to build a functioning ICBM, such as ensuring that the warhead survives the harsh conditions of atmospheric re-entry.

Tensions between the Koreas are at their highest point in years as Kim has repeatedly flaunted his expanding nuclear weapon and missile programs, while reportedly providing Russia with munitions and troops to support President Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine.

On Monday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters that as many as 10,000 North Korean soldiers were in Russias Kursk region near Ukraines border and were preparing to join Moscows fight against Ukraine in the coming days. If they engage in combat, it would be North Koreas first participation in a large-scale conflict since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

After a meeting in Seoul on Monday, senior South Korean and European Union officials expressed concerns about Russias possible transfer of technology to North Korea to enhance its nuclear program in exchange for its troops. Such transfers would jeopardize the international non-proliferation efforts and threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the globe, they said.

In response to North Koreas growing nuclear threat, South Korea, the United States and Japan have been expanding their combined military exercises. North Korea has portrayed such U.S.-led military drills as rehearsals for an invasion and used them to justify its relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons and missiles.

At a U.N. Security Council meeting Monday, North Koreas ambassador, Kim Song, defended the North's nuclear and ICBM programs as a necessary response to what it perceives as nuclear threats from the United States. U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood warned that the U.S. cannot stand back from North Koreas expanding nuclear program and the growing threat to U.S. security without a response.

Wood also repeated last weeks call for Russia to say whether there are North Korean troops on the ground in Russia. Were not in a court here, Russian Deputy Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva replied, and the questions of the United States, in the spirit of an interrogation, is not something I intend to answer.

Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo. Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.
A soldier who was seriously injured under unknown conditions this summer during the Pentagon's temporary Gaza pier mission has died, the Army confirmed.

Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley, 23, passed away Oct. 31, according to an online obituary. The Army confirmed to Military.com that Stanley was the soldier injured during the humanitarian aid mission, adding that he had been "receiving treatment in [a] long-term care medical center."

The circumstances of Stanley's injury as well as its severity have been shrouded in secrecy ever since military officials confirmed foreign reports that three service members were injured on the pier mission in late May. This trend continued through his death, which was not publicly announced by the Army.

Read Next: Live Election Updates: What Experts Say Veterans and Their Families Should Know on Election Day

"Sgt. Quandarius Stanley was an instrumental and well-respected, first-line leader in the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary (TBX), especially during the mission to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza," the unit's commander, Col. John Gray, said in an emailed statement to Military.com.

"We will continue to provide support to his family during this difficult time," Gray said, adding that the "entire unit mourns alongside his family."

CNN was the first outlet to report Stanley's death.

The humanitarian mission utilized the Army's Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, system to build a small pier connected to the Gaza shore to get food and aid into the war-torn region between May and August.

President Joe Biden announced the plan in his State of the Union address this spring, and the mission became a high-profile effort to try to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people amid continued Israeli operations in the area.

However, the mission quickly became mired in political controversy, with critics arguing the effort was either just a publicity stunt or not nearly sufficient to deal with the need in the region. Embarrassing breakdowns, halts in operations, and a spotlight on the underfunded Army watercraft community didn't help.

Reports that Stanley had been injured first broke in Israeli news outlets and, after reporters asked about them at a briefing, the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, confirmed that "one individual is undergoing care at an Israeli local hospital who was injured out on a ship at sea."

Stanley's name was not released at the time. Cooper, when pressed for more details by reporters, just added that the soldier had been taken to a local hospital and promised that he would be "happy to follow up" on request for more details.

However, USNI news, citing two defense officials, reported that Stanley had actually been critically injured while working on a staging platform two miles off the coast of Gaza, where trucks filled with aid packages were being driven from cargo ships onto landing craft.

According to information provided by the Army, Stanley joined the service in July 2020 as a motor transport operator and had earned the Driver and Mechanic Badge.

To this day, neither U.S. Central Command nor the Army has said how Stanley was injured.

In another briefing, held less than two months later in July, Cooper said that Stanley -- still unidentified -- had been transferred to a hospital in San Antonio but that "he's no longer in critical condition."

"But any more details -- I think -- talking about that would be inappropriate," Cooper said.

However, court records found in Bexar County, where San Antonio is located, suggest Stanley's medical condition was far more complicated than Cooper let on.

On Aug. 13, less than a month after Cooper told reporters that the Army sergeant was no longer in critical condition, someone filed a court case to establish a guardianship on behalf of "Quandarius Davon Stanley, an incapacitated person."

A guardianship request suggests that someone close to Stanley had concerns over his ability to make medical decisions for himself. However, according to court records, the guardianship was never granted. The case was dismissed following his death.

The Army said Stanley was retired from the service on Oct. 25. He died less than a week later.

Military.com reached out to Stanley's mother for more details but did not hear back in time for publication. Stanley's obituary offers no indication of how he died.

Military.com also asked the Army why it didn't publicly announce Stanley's death or his retirement, given that he was the single major casualty in an incredibly high-profile mission ordered by the president during a State of the Union address, but did not hear back in time for publication.

According to the service, Stanley's awards included the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, as well as a variety of service awards.

Meanwhile, both the JLOTS system and the entire Gaza mission are under investigation.

Related: Army's Pier System Now Faces Second Watchdog Review After Troubled Gaza Mission
Two veterans have filed a class-action lawsuit against the Army for refusing to classify illnesses linked to burn pit exposure as combat-related, a designation that would make their medical retirement pay tax-free.

Retired Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Smoke and retired Lt. Col. Jennifer McIntyre filed suit Oct. 15 in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., over the retirements they were awarded after being exposed to burn pits during their deployments to Iraq, and Afghanistan in McIntyre's case.

According to court documents, Smoke has debilitating asthma that rendered him unfit for duty, while McIntyre was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer that has spread to her liver and lymph nodes.

Read Next: Live Election Updates: What Experts Say Veterans and Their Families Should Know on Election Day

Both conditions are considered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to be caused by exposure to burn pits.

In Smoke's case, the Army's informal Physical Evaluation Board, or PEB, ruled that the soldier should be medically retired for his condition but that the illness was not the result of a combat-related injury.

A formal board disagreed, saying that the disability was combat-related, caused by an "instrumentality of war" -- the burn pits that were used in wartime locations where proper refuse disposal was a challenge. A board member disagreed with that assessment, and a higher adjudicating body, known as the Army Physical Disability Agency, or PDA, ruled that Smoke's illness rated medical retirement but that it was not combat-related.

The Army later approved Smoke's asthma claim for Combat-Related Special Compensation, saying the disease was a "verified disability as combat related due to an Instrumentality of War," according to documents.

Nonetheless, Smoke receives regular medical retirement pay and must pay taxes on it.

McIntyre retired from the Army after 19 years, her informal PEB concluding that her disease was service-connected but not combat-related. The formal PEB upheld this conclusion, despite her argument that her cancer was diagnosed in the line of duty in a combat zone.

The PDA upheld that decision, concluding that burn pits don't automatically constitute an instrument of war.

The soldiers argue the burn pits should be considered as wartime necessities, given that there were few other options for waste disposal in the combat zones. And they argue that those medically retired since passage of the PACT Act -- 10,000 Army soldiers in fiscal 2022 alone -- should not be paying taxes on their benefits.

"The Army [Physical Evaluation Board] has a systemic practice and policy of denying combat-related findings for medical retirement purposes for unfitting PACT Act Conditions on the basis that military burn pits do not qualify as [instruments of war]," their attorneys wrote in court filings.

The Army's practice of medically retiring soldiers for PACT Act conditions is contrary to the law, they added.

"The Army's refusal to classify burn pits as instrumentalities of war during the Disability Evaluation System process ignores that the Department of Defense instruction only defines military burn pits in context of combat, which is uniquely particular to the military," National Veterans Legal Services Program Senior Managing Attorney Esther Leibfarth said in a statement Oct. 30.

Burn pits were used in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere to incinerate garbage generated at military installations overseas, including plastics, medical waste and industrial refuse.

The PACT Act, signed into law in August 2022, expanded health care and benefits for post-9/11 veterans exposed to the pits and other environmental hazards on those installations. It designated roughly two dozen diseases and associated illnesses as presumed to be connected to military service, paving the way for affected veterans to receive expedited health care and disability compensation.

The attorneys cited the PACT Act as supporting their argument that the conditions are combat-related and that Defense Department instructions say that if a disability was incurred "during any period of service as a result of ... injury or sickness caused by fumes, gasses, or explosion of military ordnance, vehicles or material," the criteria for combat-related is met.

The lawsuit seeks to vacate the decisions of soldiers with a PACT Act-listed medical condition who received medical retirement compensation, awarding them combat-related, tax-free designations.

"Soldiers who valiantly serve our nation should know the injuries sustained while serving are covered fully by the benefits to which they're entitled," Emily Wexler, pro bono counsel at Sidley Austin, a Chicago-based law firm, said in a statement.

The Army did not respond to a request for comment by publication. Historically, the Defense Department and the military services do not comment on ongoing litigation.

Related: Supreme Court Weighs Arguments in Lawsuit over Veterans Getting 'Benefit of Doubt' in Claims Decisions
Editor's note: This is the third in a four-part series on the Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle program.

The Ripsaw M3 shattered minds and ignited imaginations when it blasted onto the screen in 2017s The Fate of the Furious. Besides wanting to own one, most of us saw massive potential for the vehicle to make an impact in the U.S. military. You could even say that not buying a fleet of Ripsaws for American service members would be tantamount to screwing around.

Apparently, decision-makers at the highest levels of the Defense Department werent just paying attention to The Fate of the Furious, but thinking several steps ahead. The Ripsaw is in contention for a very juicy military contract as we speak -- but not in the form you might expect.

Robotic Combat Vehicles Are the Future

Car-crushing test: check. (Textron Systems)

As cool as the original Howe & Howe Ripsaw is, theres one critical vulnerability: the driver. Eliminate the risk of human casualties, and the vehicle looks like something out of the Terminator franchise rather than a car flick.

Killer robot tanks might sound like science fiction, but the Army is very serious about developing a Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV). According to a 2023 Army release, the service has narrowed the search down to prototypes from four companies: General Dynamics Land Systems, McQ, Textron Systems and Oshkosh Defense.

The goal for this program, according to a report from the Congressional Research Service, is to build an unmanned vehicle thats small enough to be transported by helicopter and powerful enough to bear anti-tank guided missiles.

The Army is looking for a robotic combat vehicle to support and, in some cases, replace the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. (Spc. Dana Clarke/U.S. Army photo)

In the future, RCVs will be able to probe enemy defenses, foil ambushes and survey unfamiliar terrain with advanced weapons and surveillance systems instead of human lives. The RCV program is searching for RCVs that could one day take on missions currently carried out by everything from dismounted infantry to the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

The Ripsaw M3 Is a New Kind of Fighting Vehicle

The flat-decked Textron Ripsaw M3 lets the Army configure the vehicle for many different missions. (Textron Systems)

To make the combat Ripsaw a reality, Howe & Howe joined a dream team of defense industry all-stars. Textron Systems might be the trios MVP. This is the company that supplies the military with Aerosonde unmanned aerial vehicles and a dizzying array of advanced electronic systems.

Speaking of digital wizardry, the team also includes Teledyne FLIR. Given the companys existing arsenal of land systems available to the U.S. military, its safe to say that any enemy will have a tough time hiding from the Ripsaw if it ends up on the battlefield.

Team RIPSAW combines the specialties of Textron Systems, Howe & Howe and Teledyne FLIR Defense, creating a mission-ready system to support the Armys needs, David Phillips, Textrons senior vice president of land systems and sea systems, said. Building on our proven cross-domain capabilities and experience, the vehicle has evolved and adapted based on customer feedback, leading us to the RIPSAW M3 of today.

Want hard numbers? According to the spec sheet, the Ripsaw M3 has a gross weight (which includes the vehicle and its maximum payload) of 16,000 pounds. It can reach a top speed of 30 mph, climb 60-degree slopes and conquer 24-inch vertical obstacles. Its onboard batteries can provide 12 hours of silent watch.

If the idea of watching Ripsaws cut up the battlefield of tomorrow is enough to make your head spin, I get it. But Textron Systems boils it down to five key capabilities.

Like previous Ripsaw RCV prototypes, the M3 has a flat deck and enough electric power to run a wide range of offensive, defensive and surveillance systems. Its modular design allows forward units to tailor configurations to the mission at hand rather than fielding multiple vehicles.

The integration of autonomous software allows the Ripsaw M3 to do its thing without putting soldiers in harms way -- or even asking them to micromanage its every move.

Despite all these capabilities, the Ripsaw M3 is tiny compared to comparable manned vehicles. It can fit inside a CH-47, making it rapidly deployable just about anywhere its needed.

Its strong, too. The compact Ripsaw M3 has a payload of 5,000 pounds. Commanders can add weapon systems, supplies or even casualties in need of evacuation.

Keep in mind that this isnt a modified version of the Ripsaw that debuted several years ago. It was designed from the ground up to be an autonomous vehicle, so all these capabilities come in a compact, harmonious package that Textron Systems has been refining for several iterations.

Oh, and the Ripsaw M3 can swim. I feel as though that should have made the companys top-five list. Textron Systems carried over amphibious technology from its Cottonmouth Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle program, so not even lakes and rivers can stop the new RCV.

Superstar Actor/Rapper Not Included

I would love to see Ludacris take out Americas enemies while dropping pithy one-liners. Im sure you would, too. But luckily for him (and our soldiers), the U.S. Army is leaning into remote operation and autonomous technology.

In the same way that the military can put eyes in the sky and warheads on foreheads without putting a pilot in the cockpit, crewless vehicles are going to change the way America fights its battles.

The Ripsaw family of vehicles includes the larger M5. (Textron Systems)

In an age where cheap consumer-grade drones deliver pinpoint strikes and improvised explosive devices can shred even the most heavily armored vehicles, its becoming increasingly important to fight inanimate threats with inanimate assets.

There will always be a need for humans in the battlespace, but for the service members who put their lives on the line, every person we can keep at arms distance is a step in the right direction.

Whats Next for the Ripsaw M3?

Small, agile, robotic combat vehicles will fill a role that didnt exist a few years ago. (Textron Systems)

According to a report from the Congressional Research Service, the Army had scheduled testing for the four RCV contenders to take place during the summer of 2024. The planned evaluation includes force-on-force training with active-duty units out of Fort Stewart, Georgia, and Fort Riley, Kansas. The service officially took receipt of two prototypes in early October.

If the Ripsaw M3 beats out the competition, it will be some time before the vehicle is ready for combat. The Army hopes to select a winner and field operational units in 2028. Well have to be patient while we wait for a mission-ready RCV, but at least we should know what it will look like very soon.

Want to Know More About the Military?

Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox.
The Angels added recently acquired infielder Scott Kingery to their 40-man roster. The Halos released left-hander Kenny Rosenberg in a corresponding move.

Los Angeles acquired Kingery from Philadelphia over the weekend. They would not have done so if they werent planning to add him to the roster, as the infielder would otherwise have reached minor league free agency today. The 30-year-old former top prospect has only appeared in one big league game since 2021. Hes coming off a decent showing with Philadelphias top affiliate in Lehigh Valley, hitting .268/.318/.488 with 25 homers and stolen bases apiece.

Rosenberg, a 29-year-old swingman, has pitched in 17 MLB contests across the last three years. He owns a 4.66 earned run average. The Cal State Northridge product had a decent year with Triple-A Salt Lake, working to a 4.21 ERA through 115 1/3 innings in the Pacific Coast League. He punched out 21.5% of opponents against a tidy 7.8% walk percentage.
The Blue Jays announced theyve claimed reliever Michael Petersen from the Marlins. Toronto outrighted Genesis Cabrera and Luis Frias off the 40-man roster. Both players elected free agency. Toronto also designated righty Emmanuel Ramirez for assignment.

Petersen is on the move for the second time in a few months. Miami grabbed the right-hander off waivers from the Dodgers in September. He allowed four runs across 5 2/3 innings to finish the year. Petersen had made 11 appearances with the Dodgers. He closed his debut campaign with a 5.95 earned run average through 19 2/3 innings.

The 30-year-old Petersen had much better numbers in 33 innings at the Triple-A level. He posted a 1.64 ERA while striking out a massive 35.2% of opponents. The native of the United Kingdom still has a couple options remaining, so hell serve as a bullpen depth piece if the Jays keep him on the 40-man roster.

Cabreras tenure in Toronto ends after a season and a half. The Jays acquired the southpaw from the Cardinals midway through the 23 season. Cabrera pitched well down the stretch and returned for a second season. The results were solid enough, as he posted a 3.59 ERA while logging 62 2/3 relief innings. Cabrera had a subpar 18.5% strikeout rate and walked nearly 11% of his opponents, though. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected him for a $2.5MM salary if tendered a contract for his final arbitration year. The Jays evidently werent willing to pay that price given Cabreras shaky K/BB profile.

Toronto grabbed Frias off waivers from the Diamondbacks late in the year. The 63 righty was blown up for eight runs in 3 1/3 frames. He has a 7.38 ERA over 58 big league appearances. Frias was a reasonably well-regarded prospect who throws in the mid-90s, but he hasnt shown any kind of strike-throwing consistency in the majors.

Ramirez, 30, was another late-season waiver acquisition. He came over from Miami in early September. Ramirez didnt make an appearance for the Jays after allowing a near-7.00 ERA over 15 games for the Fish. Hell presumably find himself on waivers in the next few days.
9:21PM: Sanchez has chosen to become a free agent, Azout reports (X link).

5:26PM: The Marlins have taken Sixto Sanchez off the roster. Miami announced that the former top pitching prospect went unclaimed on waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Jacksonville. Sanchez has the requisite service time to become a minor league free agent, though the Fish didnt announce that he has already done so. Miami also outrighted left-hander Josh Simpson and selected the contract of righty Luarbert Arias.

Sanchez was the centerpiece of the J.T. Realmuto trade return. The 60 righty was regarded as perhaps the best pitching prospect in MLB at the time. Sanchez never came close to meeting those lofty expectations. Shoulder injuries have largely derailed his career, as Sanchez has lost huge chunks of time to the IL over the past half-decade. He didnt throw a single MLB pitch between 2021-23. Sanchez returned to log 35 2/3 innings in a swing role this season, but he surrendered more than six earned runs per nine. Shoulder inflammation ended his season in early June.

Simpson, 27, has yet to make his MLB debut. He had been on the 40-man roster since the end of the 2022 season. Simpson lost most of this season to an ulnar nerve injury that required surgery. He allowed 14 runs (11 earned) across 16 innings between three minor league levels. Hes also likely headed to minor league free agency.

Arias, 23, would have joined them on the open market if the Fish didnt put him on the 40-man roster. The Venezuelan-born righty had a nice year in a late-inning role for Jacksonville. Arias posted a 3.04 earned run average through 68 innings. He fanned upwards of a quarter of opponents against a 9.3% walk rate. Hes a pure reliever who can compete for a spot in a wide open bullpen as he tries to earn his first big league call.

Isaac Azout of Fish on First first reported that Miami outrighted Sanchez off the roster.
Mitch Haniger bypassed the opportunity to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Mariners, MLBTR has confirmed. The outfielder returns to Seattle on a $15.5MM salary.

There wasnt much doubt about this decision. Haniger is coming off a second straight down year. He hit .208/.286/.334 across 423 plate appearances. Thats similar production to the middling .209/.266/.365 slash he posted during his first season with the Giants. Haniger had been an above-average hitter over the five years preceding his $43.5MM free agent deal with San Francisco.

Seattle reacquired Haniger last winter alongside Anthony DeSclafani in a deal that sent Robbie Ray to the Giants. Neither side got much out of that trade in the first season. Ray was inconsistent over seven starts and bypassed the chance to opt out of the $50MM remaining on his deal. The Ms did manage to flip DeSclafani as part of the Jorge Polanco trade with Minnesota, but Polanco underperformed while DeSclafani blew out and never pitched for the Twins.

Assuming the Mariners keep Haniger on the roster through the offseason, hell compete for a spot in Dan Wilsons corner outfield/DH rotation. Seattle has Randy Arozarena locked into left field. Victor Robles is the favorite for playing time in right, but he can move into a fourth outfield capacity if the Ms add a bigger bat. Luke Raley should get a decent chunk of playing time at DH, especially if the Mariners acquire a first baseman via free agency or trade.
Update: All the motions passed by at least 71% on Thursday, Nov. 7.

ANN ARBOR, MI - Faculty representatives at the University of Michigan could formally censure the Board of Regents for the first time ever over changes to freedom of speech and protest rule changes.

The Faculty Senate, the governing body that represents the universitys faculty, approved during its Nov. 4 meeting three motions for all faculty to consider over the next three days.

The motions include a review of university bylaws, pausing rule changes addressing discipline of students and admonishing the regents for not involving faculty in changes to speech and protest rules.

Faculty members have until 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 to approve the three motions via electronic voting. A separate motion criticizing the universitys handling of gender-based violence and sex discrimination was also approved for a faculty-wide vote.

The censure motion, which faculty called the first of its kind against the regents in university history, was brought forward by School of Information professor Kentaro Toyama. He accused the regents of taking a dramatic authoritarian turn in the past year and not seeking community input on campus-wide rule changes.

This past year, the regents pretended to care about the opinion of those they oversee, Toyama said. Not students, not frontline staff and not faculty...they have repeatedly rebuffed faculty requests to meet with them, and they have undertaken a series of changes to university policy that are autocratic in nature.

The university respects the facultys voting process and will wait to see how the censure motion plays out, university spokesperson Kay Jarvis said. Any motion that passes would be advisory in nature, she said.

Multiple regents declined comment at this time until a result on the motion is official.

The embattled rule changes include university bylaws on protests that can disrupt lawful speech on campus, discipline against students that can be enacted by the university without someones complaint and a commitment to individuals adhering to institutional neutrality by not making political statements on behalf of the university.

The university is committed to free expression, just not speech or conduct that violates the law or university policy, according to the universitys Public Affairs website.

This includes targeted speech that involves bullying, defamation, destruction of property, harassment or threats, according to the websites section on Free Speech on Campus.

Because the university is a public institution, we are prohibited from interfering with lawful speech and are also required to intervene when anyone attempts to substantially disrupt or interfere with the lawful speech of others, officials say on the website.

Part of the Faculty Senates criticism was about how they lacked input on these changes. History professor Derek Peterson motioned for a pause in the implementation of rules where the university can make its own complaints against students rather than investigate ones made by community members.

The revised policy makes the University less democratic and less responsive to the will of ourselves the faculty, and because it allows unaccountable university administrators to impose disproportionate sanctions on our students, Peterson said Monday. It has the effect also of chilling students speech and activism.

Additionally, the rule changes have fostered a climate of repression at the university through police action against primarily pro-Palestinian protesters, security guards on the Diag, disciplinary actions such as campus bans and pushes for criminal charges, according to the censure motion.

There have been numerous pro-Palestinian protests on the Ann Arbor campus in the last year. The protesters have demanded the university divest its $18-billion endowment from any Israeli companies or weapons manufacturers that arm the Israeli military. University officials have repeatedly said divestment is off the table.

Protests have escalated to sit-ins inside university President Santa Onos office, vandalizing Ono and regents private homes and placing fake corpses at every regents home. An encampment of dozens of protesters on the Diag was cleared by law enforcement in May, including the use of chemical spray.

Read more: See police clear the Gaza encampment at University of Michigan

Protests have led to multiple criminal charges for protesters, including felony ones for resisting police officers.

We must ensure that all of us here and those who follow us will have the space to act and speak freely in all places and spaces, from the Diag to the classroom, said Stephen Ward, professor of Afro-American and African Studies. We can and should act to reverse the course on which the regents are traveling.

The former Faculty Senate chair Tom Braun pushed back against all the motions while also saying the actions of student protesters has been extreme at times.

Ive seen damage to UM buildings, vandalism to the private homes and workplaces of UM regents and our universitys president and even threatening language in emails sent to me by students, he said.

Braun also criticized the push to pause rule implementation since a previous attempt already failed, and said the current facultys criticism of the regents is only distancing themselves from future negotiations.

Regents are not refusing to speak to all faculty, he said. This motion will do one thing: further distance faculty from the regents, but that is what the authors of this motion want. They want us to be angry and frustrated, and they want us to act foolishly, and they want us to be isolated from negotiation.

Craig Smith, a university librarian, disagreed with Braun by calling the regents actions unacceptable.

I dont feel like Ive been told to be angry. I feel like I am angry, he said.

If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
ANN ARBOR, MI - A 25-year-old man has been charged in federal court after threatening to kill former President Donald Trump and Christian conservatives if Trump wins the election.

Isaac Sissel was arrested the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 5 after an anonymous online submission to the FBI National Threat Operations Center indicated he planned to carry out an attack against conservative Christians.

I have a stolen ar15 (sic) and a target I refuse to name so I can continue to get away with my plans, the threat read in part, according to court records. Without a specific victim or ability to find the place I hid the gun, theres not a thing the FBI can do until I complete the attack.

The submission also indicated that whoever made the complaint had a firearm, hollow point ammunition and a chemical irritant, according to court records.

Officials used phone records and an IP address to connect the submission to Sissel, according to court records.

Sissel has also been connected to several Reddit accounts with usernames like ShootUpTrumpRally, PlanningToShootTrump and WillShootTrumpSoon, according to court records. The accounts were banned, a Reddit spokesperson confirmed.

When contacted at a hotel in Canton, Sissel told officials he believed Trump was a threat and that progressive and politically left groups were not violent enough, according to court records.

Sissel said that he wouldnt kill Trump, but if he knew someone was going to assassinate Trump that it was his (Sissels) duty to not intervene, the complaint reads. Sissel said that he hated conservative Christians, who he enjoyed threatening.

Sissel does not have a consistent address in Ann Arbor and stays near a rehabilitation center in the city, according to court records. He told law enforcement that he would frequently harass clinic patients, as well as threatened officers.

Sissel had both a Washington state and New York state drivers license on his person, according to court records.

He told officers he had a knife but did not own a firearm, records show. Sissel is set to appear in federal court Tuesday afternoon.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
KALAMAZOO, MI  One man was killed and another injured in a shooting late Monday, Nov. 4, inside a vehicle.

Kalamazoo police are looking for the shooter.

Police responded around 10:25 p.m. to a report of a shooting in the 400 block of Egleston Avenue near Reed Court. Police found a 34-year-old man dead and a 40-year-old man with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

Preliminary investigation showed that the two and an unidentified gunman were together earlier in the evening, at another location, before they got into a Chevrolet Trailblazer. They drove to the Egleston area where the two victims were shot.

Police are investigating several leads. There is no indication of an immediate threat to the public, Kalamazoo police said.

Police asked anyone with information to contact Criminal Investigations Division at 269-337-8139 or anonymously through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, the P3Tips app, or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com
MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI  A new position has been created within Muskegon County to help address the areas housing shortage

The housing coordinator position is funded by the county and the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. The salary will range between $70,000 to $90,000 per year, officials say.
MLive is counting down the days to the November 2024 election. Heres what you need to know today.

Election Day is finally here.

Polls open Tuesday across the state at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Those in line by 8 p.m. will still be able to vote.

To cast a ballot, registered voters must either have a photo ID or sign an affidavit stating they do not possess a valid photo ID.

Citizens who havent yet registered to vote can still do so on Election Day by going to their local clerks office. So long as theyre in line by 8 p.m., they will still be able to register and cast an absentee ballot.

People can find out where their polling place and local clerks office is at this link. Information on eligibility to vote and what is required to register on Election Day can be found at this link.

A wealth of additional information about voting can be found on the Michigan Department of States website at this link.

As of Monday morning, nearly 3.2 million Michigan residents had already cast their ballots during in person early voting or via absentee.

Thats roughly 44% of all active registered voters in the state.

Michigan is a closely watched state when it comes to the presidential race. The major party candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, have combined to visit the state about 50 times this year.

FOLLOWING THE LATEST NEWS

For more information about the general election, go to MLives 2024 General Election Preview page.

Readers also can read all about the election  and other political issues  at MLives Politics and Elections Page.

MLive has centralized election-related stories in regions surrounding the media groups eight newsroom hubs across the state. To view those stories, click on the hyperlinks related to those communities below:

RESEARCHING CANDIDATES AND ISSUES

Created through a partnership between MLive Media Group and the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund, a voter guide containing candidate information and other voting resources ahead of Michigans Nov. 5 general election is now live at the following link: Vote411.org/Michigan.

For more information on the 2024 election, readers can visit the Secretary of State Michigan Voter Information Center online at mvic.sos.state.mi.us.

WHEN DOES VOTING START?

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Absentee ballot voting has begun.

And, in some communities, early in-person voting opportunities began as early as Monday, Oct. 7. Other communities plan to launch early in-person voting later in the election cycle. Check with your local clerk to identify when early in-person voting may launch in your community.

The early voting period takes place for a minimum of nine consecutive days, ending on the Sunday before an election. Communities may decide to provide additional days of early voting, up to 29 days total.
MICHIGAN  With just hours to go on Election Day, voters across the state cast their ballots in support of local, state and national candidates.

MLive reporters in Flint, Saginaw and Bay City on Tuesday, Nov. 5, interviewed voters at the polls about the 2024 presidential election, in addition to local and state races.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday across the state. To find your polling place, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center website here.

Heres what some voters are saying across mid-Michigan:

Dylan Dibert, 26, said hes been following politics for a while and feels that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will bring a change that this country needs. Dibert met Trump at a political rally in Cadillac when he was campaigning for his first presidential term.

Its all about creating the positive impact for tomorrow, and you cant even rely on tomorrow if you do not know what it is going to bring, Dibert said outside of his polling place at Durant Tuuri-Mott Elementary school in Flint.

Talyn Tureaud, 24, and her mother, Brandi Tureaud, 44, went to the polls together on Tuesday morning in Flint. They debated over which local candidates to vote for on the drive over.

Its definitely a family tradition  since Ive been able to vote, weve all voted together, Talyn Tureaud said.

Brandi Tureaud told a story about teaching some of her coworkers about the Electoral College.

We are here to vote for the president, but there are also bigger issues in your community and those leaders that you need to get out and vote and support those people for, Brandi Tureaud said.

Susan Bosak, 67, said she has been voting for most of her life. The Flint voter said this election is critical.

Its more than just our nation. The whole world is on fire. Trump kept it calm before, and I believe in him. I appreciate his values, Bosak said.

In Saginaw County, Elisabeth and Dillon Call said they both voted for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

I came out to vote for Kamala. Voting for the first woman president is super important to me, Elisabeth Call said standing outside her polling place, Center Courts, 3320 N. Center Road in Saginaw Township, Tuesday afternoon.

Shes the candidate that supports the values I hold the most. I know shes going to lower taxes for the middle class and help with the economy in that regard. And abortion is a huge issue for me.

Dillon Call added, I also voted for Kamala, very proudly, and definitely wanted to just support women and support the future of what I believe in in our country, which is more women in power, much more tax breaks for the middle class and just a more progressive society where people can survive and not fear.

In Bay City, stepdaughter-stepmother duo Rhonda and Madison Bailey rode together to vote at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region, 300 W. Lafayette Ave. The elder Bailey voted for Trump, while her stepdaughter cast her ballot for Harris.

And we still love each other. Were not even angry, Rhonda Bailey said with a chuckle. She voted for Trump in hopes of reducing the costs of living, groceries, and gas, she said.

Im all for womens rights, countered Madison Bailey, 25, on why she voted for Harris. Thats one thing that stood out to me as important.

Fellow Bay City resident Elaine Houser, 55, identified as a Democrat but cast her ballot for Trump. She voted across party lines because she said she does not like what Harris represents.

Yes, Im a woman. Yes, I believe in some of the issues, but not all of the issues, she said. I dont believe she is truly the person she claims she is.

Nathan Grew, 46, voted for Harris. As a union worker, Grew said he found the vice president to be more pro-union than Trump.

Me and Trump just dont align, value-wise, he added.

Husband and wife Jodi Chamberlin, 59, and David Chamberlin, 64, both voted for Harris.

You cant trust Trump at all, David Chamberlin said.

Jodi Chamberlin expressed excitement for the prospect of America electing its first woman president.

To check your voter registration status and find your polling place, click here.

Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw.

Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter.
Michigan is on track for another high turnout election.

Roughly 3.3 million Michiganders  nearly 46% of registered voters  cast their ballots before the polls even opened on Tuesday, Nov. 5. That includes 2.1 million absentee ballots and 1.2 million early voting ballots, a state dashboard shows.

As we head into the final day of voting, I am pleased to announce that all the trends we are seeing indicate we are on pace to see another high turnout election with voters all across the state enthusiastic and engaged, said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

Related: 7 key races were watching closely on Election Day across Michigan

Women represented 55% of Michigans early and absentee vote while men represented 45%.

So far, more than half the early votes, 51%, were cast by Michiganders over the age of 60 compared to 12.5% from voters aged 18-30.

As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, about 8,000 absentee ballots had been returned and 829 people registered to vote. Anyone who received an absentee ballot should return it to an official drop box or deliver it to their local clerks office.

Washtenaw County led Michigans early voting turnout with 54% of registered voters casting a ballot, about 10 points above the statewide average. Within the county, the city of Ann Arbor also saw high numbers with over 60% of registered voters already casting their ballot.

Related: Election Day 2024: Polls are open

Polls opened across the state at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Those in line by 8 p.m. will still be able to vote.

Angela Benander from the Michigan Department of State said Election Day started smoothly with only little blips as polling locations got up and running.

So far there have been no issues reported, nothing major, she said. We have thousands of precincts and thousands and thousands of poll workers who are on the job today.

The U.S. Department of Justice plans to monitor six Michigan communities for election compliance Tuesday and Benander said more than 100 state employees are monitoring whats happening on the ground.

They are checking in at polling places, they are offering assistance to clerks, they are letting us know if theres anything that arises at those polling locations that needs to be addressed, she said. If someone runs out of ballots, theyre getting them extra ballots. Theyre handing out stickers.

FOLLOWING THE LATEST NEWS

For more information about the general election, go to MLives 2024 General Election Preview page.

Readers also can read all about the election  and other political issues  at MLives Politics and Elections Page.

MLive has centralized election-related stories in regions surrounding the media groups eight newsroom hubs across the state. To view those stories, click on the hyperlinks related to those communities below:

RESEARCHING CANDIDATES AND ISSUES

Created through a partnership between MLive Media Group and the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund, a voter guide containing candidate information and other voting resources ahead of Michigans Nov. 5 general election is now live at the following link: Vote411.org/Michigan.

For more information on the 2024 election, readers can visit the Secretary of State Michigan Voter Information Center online at mvic.sos.state.mi.us.
Michigan has seen thousands of same-day voter registrations this Election Day.

As of 3 p.m., the Michigan Secretary of State reported that 9,612 people registered to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Michigan  one of 20 states that allows same-day voter registration  requires voters to register at a city or township clerks office before casting a ballot.

Michigan has also collected nearly 92% of the absentee ballots that were requested, with 2.1 million being cast early and another 58,466 being returned on Election Day. Additionally, 1.2 million people voted early, putting the total number of early or absentee ballots at nearly 3.4 million or 46.3% of registered Michigan voters.

Polls will remain open until 8 p.m. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. can still vote.

Angela Benander from the Michigan Department of State said during a Tuesday afternoon media briefing that there have been no major issues with ground team reports being solid, steady, enthusiastic.

Weve been in places all around the state. Lots of happy people, lots of happy voters, expect for the ones that didnt get stickers, she said. But those will be available at Secretary of State branch offices for people to pick up starting tomorrow.

Michigan is on pace for another high turnout election after setting the record in 2020 with 5.6 million voters including 3.3 million absentee ballots. The state also shattered the same-day voter registration record four years ago when more than 24,000 people signed up to vote on Election Day.

FOLLOWING THE LATEST NEWS

For more information about the general election, go to MLives 2024 General Election Preview page.

Readers also can read all about the election  and other political issues  at MLives Politics and Elections Page.

MLive has centralized election-related stories in regions surrounding the media groups eight newsroom hubs across the state. To view those stories, click on the hyperlinks related to those communities below:

RESEARCHING CANDIDATES AND ISSUES

Created through a partnership between MLive Media Group and the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund, a voter guide containing candidate information and other voting resources ahead of Michigans Nov. 5 general election is now live at the following link: Vote411.org/Michigan.

For more information on the 2024 election, readers can visit the Secretary of State Michigan Voter Information Center online at mvic.sos.state.mi.us.
A new Peacock series, Hysteria! may take place in the fictional town of Happy Hollow, Michigan, but its creator is no stranger to the satanic panic in the mitten state. Creator Matthew Scott Kane grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, during the 1990s.

All episodes of the hit series are available to stream now on Peacock. With every episode, the people of Happy Hollow get pulled deeper down a dark path, questioning their realities.

About the show:

In 1989 Michigan, a local teenager is killed in what appears to be a Satanic murder, and high school metal band Dethkrunch decides to pretend to be Satanists to raise their profile. Its all an innocent enough game until the entire town gets pulled down a dark path where its unclear what is real.

Local Chief of Police Ben Dandridge knows better  high schoolers cant be capable of this kind of murder  while Tracy Whitehead, a local church organizer, is determined in her mission to save the children from the evil that is waiting to poison them all. Along the way, some are enthralled by it, others are galvanized and a few are truly horrified. The band unknowingly steps into a craze that rocks everyone, even their own parents, to their core.

Filled with Michigan references and flashbacks to the real satanic panic heyday, you can stream all of Hysteria! now on Peacock.

How to watch:

$7.99/month ($13.99/month for ad-free Premium Plus), register for Peacock and unlock more than 80,000 hours of reality shows, live sports, movies, and next-day streaming on new NBC and Bravo releases. Peacock - With plans starting atfor ad-free Premium Plus), register for Peacock and unlock more thanof reality shows, live sports, movies, and next-day streaming on new NBC and Bravo releases.

Cast:

Anna Camp as Tracy Whitehead

Julie Bowen as Linda Campbell

Nikki Hahn as Faith

Bruce Campbell as Chief Dandridge

Chiara Aurelia as Jordy

Emjay Anthony as Dylan Campbell

Kezii Curtis as Spud

Allison Scagliotti as Officer Olsen

Garret Dillahunt as The Reverend

Brandon Butler as Ryan Hudson

Elijah Richardson as Cliff
Below the front desk, on the carpeted floor of Albanys sole psilocybin service center laid picture frames, pillows and blankets all in a pile.

Business owner Dee Lafferty hurriedly took down a clock from the wall and dragged mats into the hallway. The mushroom decal stickers had been removed from the wall already, and most of the large leather reclining chairs have been sold.

These were the final hours before the therapeutic service center closed its doors permanently.

Our business just never picked up, Lafferty said. She wore a billowy shawl, her hands placed over a tablet that records patient data.

Hurdles

Its been over a year since the initial rollout of Oregons psilocybin program, and the business  one of the first in the state  had been struggling for a while. Earlier this year, facilitators voiced their concerns about legal red tape, hefty licensing fees and a lack of customers.

The people working at Albany center weren't sure they would survive another year.

Those doubts became reality.

The Albany psilocybin service center follows a unique business model. Its one of a handful of service centers in Oregon after the state became the first to legalize psilocybin in therapeutic settings following Measure 109's passage during the last presidential election.

The rules were finalized in January 2023, and the first psilocybin service center went online in Eugene in May. The second licensed facility was Inner Guidance in Albany, which opened its doors in June that year.

But by this past summer, the service center was in danger of closing its doors if it didnt pay the annual licensing fee. Organizers fundraised to clear the hurdle.

The business also faced other obstacles: the cost of insurance and banking because psilocybin is still illegal at a federal level.

Promoting the business complicated matters further. The rules require businesses to guarantee that among those exposed to advertisements, not more than 30% of the audience are children.

So mostly the North Albany group promoted itself at dispensaries and areas that already had restrictions on minors.

Even rent for a psilocybin-based business is more because of perceived additional liability  so landlords have the ability to charge more for the rent, Lafferty said.

Financial woes

Lafferty eventually had to slash benefits for her workers because she was going into debt, she said. But still, she was hopeful that things would pick up during the summer months when more people would travel to the service center.

We just don't have the money to do it. My husband and I are about a couple hundred thousand dollars in debt because of all the money we put into this, and we just can't put anymore, she said.

Lafferty has multiple maxed-out credit cards, she said.

In the past few months, the business lost two facilitators. One left because they had to get another job and could not sustain themselves being a part-time worker. The other, Patrick Winchewski, who was the only full-time paid employees position, was eliminated because Lafferty couldnt afford to keep him on, she said.

While it is sad to see it shut its doors, perhaps, this is a blessing in disguise," Winchewski said in a statement sent to Mid-Valley Media. "This change opens new opportunities, and I am grateful to now have the flexibility to work with some exceptional service centers throughout the region, including those in Portland, Salem, Corvallis and Eugene."

He added: I am deeply thankful for the chance I had to serve the Albany community.

Legal red tape

Measure 109 delegated to the Oregon Health Authority the responsibility to create rules around the rollout of the states psilocybin program. In the year since rollout, some challenges have emerged  but not all of them are within OHAs authority to change because OHA has to adhere to the language of the measure that was passed.

In December, the agency held a comment period to see what changes could be made.

In a previous interview with Mid-Valley Media, Oregon Psilocybin Services Section Manager Angela Allbee said that one of the main concerns they had heard from constituents was the difficulties around finding available space for service centers.

Rules governing proximity to food and medical services can limit where the service centers can operate. Those constraints are further compounded by limited options when scouring for a city or county that didnt ban psilocybin centers within their limits, like Linn County and 10 other mid-valley cities.

This election in Lebanon, voters will be deciding if they will decide if they want to allow the centers in the city limits after that city's temporary moratorium is lifted.

Going forward

A lot of conditions would have to change for Lafferty to want to reopen a psilocybin service center, mainly the rules around location, she said.

Lafferty has another business, Reclaim Life Mental Health Center in Albany. She had hoped she could facilitate psilocybin therapy at the same spot. Having to pay rent for a separate facility was a big financial burden, she said.

With the psilocybin therapy operation shuttering, she plans to focus more on ketamine as a therapy tool in her mental health business, she said. She has noticed other psilocybin facilitators also making that change, she said.

I think ketamine is a very useful tool, but I don't think that it is the same tool as psilocybin, she said.

In terms of stigma, psilocybin therapy still has a ways to go, Lafferty said. Many people balk at it because they see it as breaking sobriety, but she wants people to know its a treatment just like other types of medicine.

This is a treatment option that has better results than any other treatment option we have for things like substance use disorder, depression, anxiety. ... Having that treatment available in your community is going to way outweigh any negatives of allowing psilocybin legally in your community, she said.

For Lafferty, closing the business is bittersweet. After giving notice of the businesses intent to close, many people who sought Inner Guidances services reached out, expressing their gratitude.

The center held its last therapy session Saturday, Oct. 26. By the following Thursday, the building at 904 NW North Albany Road was vacant.

I'm sad because it's something I really wanted to give to our community. I'm very sad that it has to come to an end. But I will always be happy about the people that we helped, the lives that we have changed.

Related stories:
Editor's note: The Democrat-Herald will provide Election Day updates on local races and measures as they come in.

Any results released Wednesday morning, Nov. 6, will be added here. Then look for comprehensive coverage later in the day.

Changes afoot in Lebanon

11:30 a.m.  Local business owner Dave McClain appeared set to take public office Tuesday night, solidifying a Lebanon City Council majority under a conservative political organizer that more mainstream Republicans have sought to disavow.

McClain  who had 798 or about 48% of returned votes in the latest figures by 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 for the three-way race  did not return a voicemail seeking comment.

He is maintaining an about 12-point lead over incumbent KJ Ullfers  a pro-police, pro-veterans Republican appointed in 2021 to represent the citys northwestern neighborhoods.

Cordero Reid took about 15%, or 248 votes, with a little more than two-thirds of all eligible votes returned citywide, according to preliminary results from the Linn County Clerk.

Lebanon voters returned around 71% to 76% of ballots in presidential elections in 2016 and 2020.

Fluoride

The latest results show that Lebanites are narrowly against fluoridating their municipal water supply, voting about 52 to 48 against Ballot Measure 22-204  a difference of 283 ballots. County elections officials counted about 4,271 votes against and 3,988 votes for the measure that asks whether Lebanon should continue treating water with fluoridating compounds.

Psilocybin

Voters appeared set to ban magic mushroom-related businesses inside city limits, approving a prohibition of psilocybin by about 10 percentage points  4,515 of around 8,241 returned ballots.

Incumbents return to Linn County

11:25 a.m.  No new changes are expected on the Linn County Board of Commissioners; longtime Republican incumbent Roger Nyquist is poised to maintain his seat, according to preliminary election results, while fellow incumbent Sherrie Springer ran unopposed.

Nyquist leads Democrat challenger David Scranage of Halsey 68.3% to 31.43%, according to results released by Linn County election officials at 11:48 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Sweet Home to see new faces

11:24 a.m.  In Sweet Home, preliminary election results reveal the city may see three new faces on  and an incumbent return to  the City Council.

The Nov. 5 election saw a field of 12 candidates vying for four spots, with the first three top vote-getters earing four-year terms. The candidate with the fourth highest numbers will be seated to a two-year term.

In the lead is Aaron Hegge with 13.19%, and incumbent Angelita Sanchez following with 11.89%. Ken Bronson follows close behind with 11.28% of votes cast, and Chelsea Augsburger is coming in fourth with 10.03%, according to results Linn County elections officials released at 11:48 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The rest of the candidates are as follows:

Jennifer Victor - 9.70%

Erin Barstad - 9.21%

Matthew S Bechtel - 8.55%

David L Lowman - 8.30%

Brandy Wysong-Frick - 6.41%

Elaine Evans - 3.54%

Dawn C Miller - 3.51%

Rejeana Hayes - 3.51%

Albany council race still tight

11:15 a.m.  The race to represent Ward 2 on the Albany City Council is neck-and-neck with no clear winner, according to election results released just after midnight, Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Meanwhile, Marilyn Smith appears likely to retain her seat in Ward 3, and a former Greater Albany Public Schools board member is headed to occupy the Ward 1 seat.

All eyes are on Ward 2, where candidate Carolyn McLeod is in the lead by just 34 votes. She holds 49.75% of votes, while Kevin Krietman holds 49.05% of votes.

In Ward 1, which represents downtown and North Albany, former GAPS board member, Michael Thomson is in the lead with 50.82% of votes. Business owner Trevor Lee follows with 32.78% of votes and trailing behind real estate agent Courtney Stubbs, who has 16.21% of votes.

In Ward 3, incumbent Marilyn Smith is in the lead with 54.14% of votes. Challenger Bryan Munson holds 44.87% of votes, according to preliminary election results.

Sweet Home update

11:47 p.m.  Little has changed in the latest release of Election Night results in the race for one of four seats on the Sweet Home City Council.

An incumbent, Angelita Sanchez, appears poised to keep her seat. She was one of 12 candidates vying for the four seats. The three candidates with the highest number of votes will be elected to four-year terms, and the candidate with the fourth-highest number of votes will be elected to a two-year term.

In the lead is Aaron Hegge with 13.21%; Sanchez follows with 11.89%. In third is Ken Bronson with 11.24% of the votes case, and Chelsea Augsburger has 9.96%, according to results released around 10 p.m.

The rest of the candidates are as follows:

Jennifer Victor 1204 - 9.73%

Erin Barstad 1129 - 9.12%

Matthew S Bechtel 1069 - 8.64%

David L Lowman 1034 - 8.35%

Brandy Wysong-Frick 789 - 6.37%

Elaine Evans 442 - 3.57%

Rejeana Hayes 438 - 3.54%

Dawn C Miller 436 - 3.52%

Albany update

11:32 p.m.  A former school board member at Albany Greater Public Schools appears poised to join the Albany City Council after the latest results were released late Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Meanwhile, the only incumbent in the race remains ahead in her ward, and Ward 2 remains a toss-up.

In Ward 1, after both Linn and Benton counties elections officials released another round of results, Michael Thomson continues to lead with 50.89% of votes. Trevor Lee follows with 32.71%, and Courtney Stubbs trails with 15.92%.

The race for Ward 2, representing roughly central and southwest Albany, is a nail-biter, with candidates flip-flopping positions. According to 10 p.m. election results, Carolyn McLeod is only slightly in the lead with 49.53% of votes, and Kevin Kreitman trails with 49.29% of votes.

In Ward 3, incumbent Marilyn Smith has a bit cushier lead with 54.29% of votes. Challenger Bryan Munson has 44.79%.

Lebanon update

11:13 p.m.  In the latest release of election results, conservative candidate Dave McClain had not let up his lead Tuesday night in a three-way race for a seat on the Lebanon City Council.

McClain had 760, or about 48%, of returned votes by 10:30 p.m., maintaining an about 11-point lead over incumbent KJ Ullfers  a pro-police, pro-veterans Republican appointed in 2021 to represent the citys northwestern neighborhoods. Cordero Reid took about 15%, or 238 votes, with around  of all eligible votes returned citywide, according to early results from the Linn County Clerk.

Lebanites were still narrowly against fluoridating their municipal water supply, voting about 52 to 48 against Ballot Measure 22-204  a difference of around 255 ballots. County elections officials counted about 4,070 votes against and 3,810 votes for the measure that asks whether Lebanon should continue treating water with fluoridating compounds.

Voters appeared set to ban magic mushroom-related businesses inside city limits, approving a prohibition of psilocybin by more than 10 percentage points  about 4,350 of around 7,900 returned ballots.

Linn County commissioner update

10:17 p.m.  In the second wave of early election results, a longtime incumbent looks to be retaining his seat as Linn County commissioner.

Roger Nyquist, a longtime Republican incumbent is in the lead with 68.39%. Democrat challenger David Scranage trails behind with 31.35% of votes.

Sweet Home update

10:15 p.m.  In Sweet Home, 12 candidates are vying for four open positions on Sweet Home City Council, and change is afoot. Based on early election results,

It looks like an incumbent may retain their seat with three new faces entering the council.

Aaron Hegge is in the lead with 13.26% of the vote. Close behind is incumbent Angelita Sanchez with 11.95%, Ken Bronson with 11.28% and Chelsea Augsburger with 9.97% according to early election results as of 9 p.m.

Here are the votes for the remaining candidates:

Jennifer Victor 1181 - 9.73%

Erin Barstad 1108 - 9.13%

Matthew S Bechtel 1050 - 8.65%

David L Lowman 1014 - 8.36%

Elaine Evans 427 - 3.52%

Rejeana Hayes 426 - 3.51%

Dawn C Miller 422 - 3.48%

Albany update

10:02 p.m.  In the second wave of early election results, it appears an incumbent will retain her seat, and a former Greater Albany Public Schools board member will come aboard, while another ward race remains a nail-biter.

In Ward 1, Michael Thomson holds the lead with 51.3% of votes according to 9 p.m. election results. Trevor Lee follows with 32.48% and Courtney Stubbs trails with 16.02%.

Ward 2 is a tossup, with Kevin Kreitman only slightly in the lead with 49.45% of votes and Carolyn McLeod with 49.36% of votes.

In Ward 3, incumbent Marilyn Smith has the lead with 54.35% of votes. Challenger Bryan Munson has 44.73%.

Lebanon update

9:59 p.m.  Conservative candidate Dave McClain increased his lead Tuesday night in another release of votes for the three-way race for a seat on the Lebanon City Council.

McClain had 756, or about 48% of returned votes, by 9:30 p.m., pulling ahead of incumbent KJ Ullfers  a pro-police, pro-veterans Republican appointed in 2021 to represent the citys northwestern neighborhoods  by more than 10 percentage points.

Cordero Reid took about 15%, or 236 votes, with a little more than half of ballots returned citywide, according to early results from the Linn County Clerk.

Lebanites were still narrowly against fluoridating their municipal water supply, voting about 52 to 48 against Ballot Measure 22-204, a difference of around 270 ballots. County elections officials counted about 4,000 votes against and 3,700 votes for the measure, continuing to supply fluoridating compounds in Lebanons drinking water.

Voters appeared set to ban magic mushroom-related businesses inside city limits, approving a prohibition of psilocybin by nearly 11 percentage points  about 4,300 of around 7,700 returned ballots.

Linn County Board of Commissioners

9:26 p.m.  The Linn County Board of Commissioners race has one contested race  and it looks like a longtime incumbent will be retaining his seat.

Longtime Republican incumbent Roger Nyquist of Albany is in the lead with 68.41%. Democrat challenger David Scranage of Halsey trails with 31.33% of votes, according to early election results.

Nyquist is seeking his seventh term in office and has held his seat since 2000. He is also a board member of Greater Albany Public Schools, owns bowling alley Lakeshore Lanes and is a lifelong Albany resident.

Scranage is a retired electrical engineer.

Commissioner Sherrie Sprenger, a registered Republican, is running unopposed for her second term as Linn County commissioner. She previously served as a state representative from 2008 to 2021.

Sweet Home results

9:16 p.m.  In Sweet Home, 12 candidates are vying for four open positions on the Sweet Home City Council, and change is afoot.

Based on early election results, it looks like an incumbent may retain her seat with three new faces joining on the dais.

Aaron Hegge is in the lead with 13.26%. Close behind is incumbent Angelita Sanchez with 11.92%, and Ken Bronson follows with 11.37%. The candidate with the fourth highest amount of votes is Chelsea Augsburger, with 9.93% of the votes.

The three candidates with the highest number of votes will be elected to four-year terms, and the candidate with the fourth-highest number of votes will be elected to a two-year term.

Here are the early results for the rest of the candidates:

Jennifer Victor - 9.74%

Erin Barstad - 9.13%

Matthew S Bechtel - 8.68%

David L Lowman - 8.36%

Rejeana Hayes - 3.55%

Elaine Evans - 3.47%

Dawn C Miller - 3.42%

Albany incumbent may retain seat

9:02 p.m.  In Albany, early results indicate an incumbent may retain her seat, and a former Greater Albany Public Schools board member may be taking an empty seat.

Ward 1

In Ward 1, which represents downtown and North Albany, former GAPS board member Michael Thomson is in the lead with 51.15% of votes counted so far. Business owner Trevor Lee follows with 32.56% of votes and real estate agent Courtney Stubbs has 15.84 % votes.

Ward 1 has easily been the most contentious race as three candidates vie for the open seat vacated by incumbent Matilda Novak. Several campaign fliers have been circulating about this race, and Mid-Valley Media checked the facts on those claims.

Ward 2

In Ward 2, which represents roughly central and southwest Albany, current Millersburg City Manager Kevin Kreitman, with 49.28% of votes, and Army Veteran Carolyn McLeod, with 49.49%, are neck and neck.

Ward 3

In Ward 3, which represents the eastern side of the city, incumbent Marilyn Smith is in the lead with 54.42% of votes. Challenger Bryan Munson holds 44.72% of votes, according to the early election results.

Conservative Lebanon candidate leading council race

8:51 p.m.  Conservative candidate Dave McClain is leading a three-way race for a seat on the Lebanon City Council.

McClain led incumbent KJ Ullfers  a pro-police, pro-veterans Republican appointed in 2021 to represent the citys northwestern neighborhoods  by more than 10 percentage points.

Voters returned 744 ballots for McClain to 563 for Ullfers. Cordero Reid had about 15% of returns, 231 votes, to McClains about 48% with about 55% turnout.

Fluoride update

Lebanites were narrowly against putting fluoride in Lebanons municipal water supply shortly before 8:30 p.m. with about 58% of votes returned citywide. The Linn County Clerk counted 3,900 votes against Measure 22-204, with around 3,675 votes to approve the measure. A yes vote continues to supply fluoridating compounds in drinking water.

Magic mushrooms update

Voters appeared set to ban psilocybin-related businesses inside city limits, approving a prohibition of psilocybin by about 11 percentage points  4,200 to 3,400 of returned ballots.

Earlier coverage ...

Albany City Council

Three Albany City Council seats and the mayor's position are up for grabs on the Nov. 5 ballot. This is the spot to find out the latest results as they come in Tuesday night.

Altogether, there are eight candidates, including the uncontested mayor's race. At a minimum, the council will see two new faces after incumbents Matilda Novak and Ray Kopczynski opted not to rerun.

One incumbent, Marilyn Smith, who represents Ward 3, is running for reelection and faces a challenger.

Mayor Alex Johnson II, who has served as mayor since 2021, is running unopposed.

The remaining three races for ward 1 and 2 are also contested.

Ward 1

Ward 1 has easily been the most contentious race as three candidates vie for Novak's open seat. Several campaign fliers have been circulating about this race, and Mid-Valley Media checked the facts on those claims.

Ward 2

In Ward 2, Millersburg's current but scheduled-to-retire city manager, Kevin Kreitman is facing off with Army veteran Carolyn McLeod.

Ward 3

In Ward 3, incumbent Smith, who formerly worked as Albany's communications officer and a reporter at the Albany Democrat-Herald, will be going against machinist Bryan Munson.

Linn County Commission

Two of the three Linn County Board of Commissioners seats are on the Nov. 5 ballot, with one contested race.

A longtime Republican incumbent will face off against a Democrat challenger.

Commissioner Roger Nyquist is seeking his seventh term in office and has held his seat since 2000. He is also a board member of Greater Albany Public Schools, owns bowling alley Lakeshore Lanes and is a lifelong Albany resident.

Challenger David Scranage of Halsey is a retired electrical engineer.

Commissioner Sherrie Sprenger, a registered Republican is running unopposed for her second term as Linn County commissioner. She previously served as a state representative from 2008-2021.

Lebanon City Council

A veteran of the military and law enforcement organizations, Ward 2 ncumbent KJ Ullfers owned businesses and sat on the citys budget committee. Now, he is seeking election after serving three years on the Lebanon City Council  elevated to the position by appointment in 2021.

His tenure coincided with the citys first budgetary deficit in 2023, a shortage of qualified police officers to patrol city streets, and sometimes heated conversations at City Hall about fees proposed to plug holes in Lebanons general fund.

Ullfers' nonprofit Crossroads Communities houses nearly 200 people across several sites, one-third of whom would have no shelter without the nonprofit. But he opposes Lebanon spending any of its tax revenue on sheltering or addiction and mental health services.

Candidate David McClain, a Lebanon Planning Commission member, declined to participate in a candidate profile interview, saying he did not have time.

He aligns himself with conservative causes. In 2022 he made $1,560 in cash contributions to a political organizer representing anti-LGBTQ+ views, the Candidate Identification & Support Committee.

The organization lobbied against the city making an official proclamation that June is Pride month, calling the resolution based on sexual and lifestyle preferences.

The Support Committee was behind Lebanons effort to remove fluoridating compounds from the citys drinking water supply and a disinformation campaign in the run-up to the May 21 primary election, criticizing a failed nearly $11 million bid for new tax revenue for the Lebanon Fire District.

Candidate Cordero Reid said he wants to address a few essentials for the citys burgeoning population, things like cracked roads, dimly-lit streets  and more diverse politics at the dais.

He believes uncontested races stifle political engagement. When everyone on the City Council looks the same or writes similar credentials on their election filings, there is less room at the local governments table for more experiences, he said.

Reid said the council's efforts in October to talk with constituents about proposed service fees was a good start, as was the city's ad-hoc committee on illegal camping  empaneled in 2021 as Lebanon responded to new state laws governing the right to sleep in public.

Professionally, he coordinates mental health care at the Linn County Department of Health Services in Albany.

Fluoride measure

City Councilor Dave Workman spoke from the dais against the citys use of tooth decay-preventing fluoride soon after taking office in January 2023. He later told the council that Lebanon voters should decide, so the council put it on the ballot.

Dentists went to work opposing the opposition, and people handed over hundreds of pages of documents they hoped would demonstrate fluorides health benefits or health detractors.

Most people in the mid-Willamette Valley receive fluoridated water. The largest water utilities, including Lebanon, account for more than 140,000 users across Benton and Linn counties.

Sweet Home City Council election

Twelve candidates are vying for four open positions on Sweet Home City Council, and change is afoot.

Three city councilors are not seeking reelection: Dave Trask, Lisa Gourley and Greg Mahler, that latter having served on council for 18 years, including six as mayor.

Trask and Gourley were elected in 2016 and began service in 2017.

One incumbent, Angelita Sanchez, whose term is up, will be running for a second term.

The three candidates with the highest number of votes will be elected to four-year terms, and the candidate with the fourth-highest number of votes will be elected to a two-year term.

She faces off against:

Erin Barstad who works at Murphy Veneer

Ken Bronson, who previously worked in transit management

Educator Chelsea Augsburger

Insurance business owner Aaron Hegge

Software trainer Jennifer Victor

Accountant Brandy Wysong-Frick

Retired restaurant manager Matthew Bechtel

Post office worker Rejeana Hayes

Letter carrier David Lowman

Retired health coach Elaine Evans

Dawn Miller
The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday tweaked an obscure old rule relating to the valuation of state government securities, a move that market insiders warn could pile more pain on state-run banks laden with bad debt.

The central bank said investors in state government bonds will now have to value this debt at market prices, and not at a fixed mark-up that was allowed for years.

The RBI move came as a surprise to bond traders who now warn that they expect the already slack demand for government debt to weaken further and drive up government and corporate bond yields even more.

The RBI announced the measure at its monetary policy meeting, where it raised the repo rate to 6.25 percent, its first in more than four years.

For years, the RBI had allowed investors in state government securities to value these holdings at a fixed markup of 25 basis points above the corresponding central government security.

Given the spread between state and central government bonds is much higher than 25 basis points, this has allowed banks, to an extent, to mask actual trading losses, especially in recent quarters as yields have risen sharply on securities.

"The state government bond valuation rule was used to hide the overall mark-to-market losses of banks," said Ashish Vaidya, executive director and head of trading at DBS Bank in Mumbai.

"Now no such window dressing will be allowed, which means that banks will no longer buy these state bonds, which will push up yields, even for central government securities and corporate bonds," said Vaidya.

He expects India's benchmark 10-year bond yield to rise above 8 percent in the next few weeks as this move is likely to "cripple demand", he added.

The move is a body blow to state-run banks already reeling under bad loans and large trading losses following a rise of more than 50 basis points in yields since the fiscal year started in April.

In a bid to soften the blow however, the RBI allowed banks to spread overall bond trading losses for the current June quarter over the next four quarters. This extends a similar concession banks received in the March quarter.

The RBI also relaxed rules to allow banks to qualify a larger share of their bond holdings toward their liquidity coverage ratios, in a measure set by the Basel committee.

"The negative impact of the state government valuation rule will outweigh the combined positive impact of the changes to rules around spreading out bond trading losses and liquidity coverage ratios, and that, too, at a time when there is already so much pain in the market," said a senior bond trader who declined to be identified.
Parimal Peeyush

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Palak Vij

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Pakistani actress Sonya Hussaiyn responds to netizens trolling her for celebrating Diwali: "It's important for our minorities to feel at home..."

M Snehanjali

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Sarika Sharma

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Nivi Shrivastava is a Delhi-based journalist who writes on lifestyle, health and travel. Views expressed are personal

Bobby John Varkey

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Janhvi and Khushi Kapoors holiday wardrobe will leave you craving for a beach vacay

Nivi Shrivastava is a Delhi-based journalist who writes on lifestyle, health and travel. Views expressed are personal

Bobby John Varkey

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Airlines request govt to extend cut of excise duty for domestic flights before making use of blended ATF mandatory

Yaruqhullah Khan

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Manish M. Suvarna is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He writes on the Indian money markets, RBI, Banks and NBFCs. He tweets at @manishsuvarna15. Contact: Manish.Suvarna@nw18.com

Manish M. Suvarna

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Sunil Matkar

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Rohit Singh

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Be it Trump or Harris, short-term volatility likely for Indian markets with limited long-term impact: Experts

Anishaa Kumar

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Centre to divest up to 2.5% stake in Hindustan Zinc via OFS at Rs 505 floor price

Rohit Singh

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Neeshita Beura

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Nifty, Sensex extend losses as investors brace for US election, Fed meet; FII selling to persist

Harshita Tyagi

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Market revival or red ink repeat? The event-packed week may hold the answer; Amara Raja, Azad Engg in focus

Neeshita Beura

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Explained: What this week's US election, China stimulus plan and FOMC mean for Indian stocks

Neeshita Beura

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Paras Bisht

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Why outcome does not matter in the long-run; market strategist makes a $19-million point

Asha Menon

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Banking for NRIs: How to manage your accounts while relocating abroad

Hiral Thanawala is a personal finance journalist with over 10 years of reporting experience. Based in Mumbai, he covers financial planning, banking and fintech segments from personal finance team for Moneycontrol.

Hiral Thanawala

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
How to revamp your salary package for higher take-home pay

Manisha Lal Khandpur

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Shiladitya Pandit

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
India braces for tariff wars as Donald Trump looks on track to script a famous comeback

Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.

Adrija Chatterjee

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Satellite operator Sateliot, which says it is the first company to operate a constellation of 5G NB-IoT satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), has formalised a collaboration agreement with UNESCO Santiago, the regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The announcement was made at the recent Global Education Meeting 2024 (GEM 2024), at the Centro de Eventos do Ceara in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil, during which UNESCO endorsed a strategic partnership with Sateliot to collaborate on initiatives that reinforce and expand the work programmes of both organisations.

Central to the partnership is the Sateliot Impact Challenge, an ambitious training programme that will offer teacher training and education for young people in STEM fields and entrepreneurship. This will enable teachers to lead project-based learning. At the same time, young people will learn to design and implement innovative proposals to address real community problems.

The Sateliot Impact Challenge will launch its first edition in Latin America, starting in schools in Brazil and Chile. It will then expand to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, culminating in the BCN2026 Hackathon, where the most outstanding projects from each country will be presented.

Through STEM and entrepreneurship training, access to an interactive platform, and mentorship support, the project aims to ensure that teachers and youth can participate fully in the global economy.

This project is part of Sateliots environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, which assesses the companys performance in these areas. By applying its capabilities to UNESCOs goals, Sateliot says it contributes to transforming education for sustainable development.

As Jaume Sanpera, CEO and co-founder of Sateliot explains: This partnership empowers students in remote areas to acquire transformative skills essential for quality employment in the future. Its a responsible and meaningful way for us to contribute to a more equitable world through the transformative power of education.
Hero MotoCorp showcases new models; to enter Europe, UK markets in second half of 2025

101Reporters

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
101Reporters

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Finmin asks banks to focus on cybersecurity, quicken pace of lending to agriculture and MSMEs

101Reporters

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Deblina Halder

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
'Deeply concerning': EAM Jaishankar reacts to vandalism of Hindu temples in Australia

Arindam Roy

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
'JMM ministers are like Aurangzeb': In Jharkhand, Yogi Adityanath talks about 'UP model'

Sandeep Shrivastwa

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Swarali Bodas

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Karnataka CM invites Obama to attend centenary celebration of Gandhi taking over as President of INC session

101Reporters

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
A major deal, through which digital infrastructure company Equinix is to acquire West African data centre and connectivity solutions provider MainOne for an enterprise value of US$320 million, is now complete.

The completion of this acquisition augments Equinixs long-term strategy to become a leading African carrier-neutral digital infrastructure company by being able to bring what it describes as a full range of transformative technologies and connectivity to Nigeria, Ghana and Cote dIvoire, where MainOne has a presence.

This acquisition will extend the companys global platform, Platform Equinix, into West Africa, giving organizations based inside and outside of Africa access to global and regional markets.

Equinix believes MainOne, headquartered in Lagos, to be one of the most exciting technology businesses to emerge from Africa. Its assets include: four operational data centres, an extensive submarine network, a terrestrial fibre network in Nigeria, and connectivity to terrestrial sites extending across 65 points of presence (PoPs) in cities across Portugal, Nigeria, Ghana and Cote dIvoire. MainOne also has access to key internet exchanges, and an estimated 800 or more business-to-business customers.

It will now operate under a new brand, MainOne, an Equinix company. Founder Funke Opeke will continue to lead the company.

Closure of the MainOne acquisition marks the latest in a series of strategic acquisitions for Equinix, which recently announced expansions in South America, Canada and India.

Globally, Platform Equinix is comprised of 240 data centres across 66 metros and 27 countries on six continents, providing data centre and interconnection services to more than 10,000 companies, including more than 50% of Fortune 500 companies.
'Not there to cut deals, trust judges': CJI Chandrachud on PM Modi's Ganesh Chaturthi visit

Priyanjali Ghose

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Siddharth Chakravorty

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Sharad Pawar hints at retirement from parliamentary politics: Will have to think whether

Parimal Peeyush

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Winter Session of Parliament to begin on November 25, end on December 20

Siddharth Chakravorty

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
SNM Abdi is an independent journalist specialising in Indias foreign policy and domestic politics. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Namrata Agarwal

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Namrata Agarwal

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
24-year-old techie laid off from her 6-figure salaried job is now 'very happy' as an oyster shucker

Ankita Sengupta

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
64-year-old US woman, first person to end life using 'suicide pod', may have been strangled: report

Shubhi Mishra

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Saudi Arabian telco Mobily and Telecom Egypt announced on Monday that they have signed a cooperation deal to land the first subsea cable directly linking Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The new subsea cable, which is wholly owned by Mobily, will pass through the Red Sea, with landing stations at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt and Duba in Saudi Arabia. No details were given on capacity or cost.

Mobily said the cable will enable it to connect the Arabian Gulf and Saudi Arabias neighboring countries to the Egyptian landing station through Mobilys network, as well as the various subsea cable systems landing in Egypt.

Egypt currently provides landing points for 18 subsea cable systems. That number will increase to 22 next year as new systems become ready for service. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia currently lands 20 subsea cables, with another seven scheduled to land over the next few years. However, none of those provide a direct link between the two countries.

Mobily CEO Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Badran said the new cable will better position Saudi Arabia as an international hub for telecoms services and data traffic.

Mobily's new cable will connect Saudi Arabia to Egypt and improve communication flexibility between the Middle East and Europe, he said in a joint statement.

Mohamed Nasr, MD and CEO of Telecom Egypt, added that the agreement advances its plans to connecting major regional hubs.

Complementing the newly established landing station in Sharm El Sheikh, we are developing new crossing routes to connect Sharm El Sheikh to the Mediterranean Sea, he said.
AI tools billionaires that Tim Cook and Mark Cuban use every day: 'Its changed my life

Ankita Sengupta

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Billionaire who works 16 hours a day brought his wife and kids to office to spend time with family

Ankita Sengupta

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Shubhi Mishra

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Sam Altman shares hiring strategy, bats for talent over age: 'Inexperienced does not mean...'

Shubhi Mishra

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Sitting, standing for prolonged hours at workplace not healthy, movement is key: Study

Shubhi Mishra

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
China must open up further to combat rising unilateralism: Premier Li

101Reporters

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
First order of business would be bringing down cost of living, fixing broken immigration system: Kamala Harris

101Reporters

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Meet Suhas Subramanyam, the Indian-American who may become newest member of 'Samosa Caucus'

Jagyaseni Biswas

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea ahead of US election

101Reporters

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
J Jagannath

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Misery as an instrument of domination in Cuba No one should be deceived into believing that the current state of national decomposition is just a by-product, something that 'happened' when, attempting to implement socialism, Castroism ended up creating this hell.

In 1989, despite the glaring failure of the Soviet bloc as empirical evidence (the theoretical impossibility of socialism has been common knowledge since the 1930s) Fidel Castro decided to maintain a system banning all private property and all economic freedom other than his own.

And, if even further confirmation was needed of the folly of keeping the economy nationalized, and exacerbating Cuba's stand-off with the United States, the strong results that the Chinese and Vietnamese were obtaining just few years after abandoning socialism, and making diplomatic efforts to patch up their historically strained relationships with Washington, left no doubt that this was the path to prosperity, and not the "construction of socialism."

Castro I and his accomplices knew that what Cuba needed was the exact opposite of what, with premeditation and treachery, they decided to give it, in a flagrant act of aggravated "countrycide." Both that sociopath and his current heirs were convinced that they would last longer in power if they were to rule over a fractured people, one dependent on the State and emigration, and that a prosperous civil society based on private property, would inevitably generate pockets of power standing as alternatives to Castroism.

Although the extreme misery into which they have intentionally plunged the country is a potential source of political instability, it is much easier to manipulate people who are hungry for bread and electricity, or to bully them, than to grapple with a prosperous society that begins to think about freedoms, dangerously connected by economic and family ties to the greatest known democracy.

It must not be believed, then, that the current state of national decomposition is a by-product, something that "happened" when, attempting to implement socialism, they ended up creating this hell. This Cuba of rubble, garbage dumps and reggaeton is a direct result of the fact that Fidel Castro and his gang put in place a system they knew full well would never create wealth and well-being, one they knew would produce poverty, death and destruction. Despite all this, they decided to preserve it, even when it had just failed in Europe and in Asia it had been abandoned, to keep the population in survival mode, thinking with their stomachs.

This is a genocide that has been perpetrated while constantly laying the blame on the US embargo. But it is not because of Washington's stubbornness in maintaining this policy part of a hope that this nightmare will end some day in Cuba that Castroism has had a partner in crime, but rather because of the hundreds of governments that, out of ingenuity, ideology or interest, have legitimized, with their recognition and institutional normality, the power of the mafia that has hijacked this nation.

Taking cover behind the "blockade," Fidel Castro and his accomplices not only maintained a perverse and impoverishing system, but actively sabotaged any opportunity for development in Cuba, as evidenced by their relationship with China.

The size and needs of that Asian economy, at least since 2000, guaranteed a buyer for rum, tobacco, nickel and other minerals, sea products, agricultural goods and cane byproducts. For anything that Cuba might produce, there was no lack of demand from a good payer, one with its own ships and banks, and one immune to the embargo; a commercial partner that, in addition, could have provided all the supplies, parts, spare parts, machinery and technologies that Cuba might need to produce everything from nuts and bolts, to sugar, to electricity. What happened?

A commercial relationship that could have thrived, unaffected by the embargo, lubricated with oil and other resources from Venezuela to facilitate the Cuban production of goods, never took hold because Castroism is not interested in developing the country, even under state control.

Between 1992 and 2006, while the rest of Latin America quintupled its exports to China, Cuba's remained flat due to the country's inability to produce more to export more. From 2006 to 2008 demand from China shot up and the prices of raw materials skyrocketed. For two years the value of Cuban exports to that country also quintupled. However, while the other Latin American countries continued to export more and more, today having tripled what they sell to China, since 2008 Cuban exports have been dwindling, now barely a third of what they were in that year.

Where did the more than one billion exported in 2008 end up? With money coming in, and technology, and without the embargo being a factor, why did that trade fall so abruptly? This was almost 10 years before Trump became President and "tightened the blockade."

Castroism now has another politically friendly partner like the Soviets in the 1960s but it still acts to block the private sector from flourishing by taking advantage of the Chinese locomotive. Instead, inefficient socialist state enterprises, weighed down by onerous regulations, victims of their own government, are doomed to perish amid rust, paperwork, corruption and moral stimuli.

It would be enough for Castroism Cuba is another question to trade with China and Russia to avoid the country's shameful state of poverty today. Although these two allies have repeatedly pressured Havana to tone down its centralist model, in the Palace of the Revolution they turn a deaf ear to their allies, trusting that they will not let them die, just as they do to a people that would be helpless if it were not for those who emigrated.

To guarantee their grip on power, first Fidel Castro, and now Raul's thugs, have chosen to let us die like castaways on an island, preventing the economy of this potentially rich country from thriving. For the last 36 years, Castroism has remained in power by inflicting material misery on those who live on the island, and spiritual pain on those whose bodies left Cuba, but whose spirits never did.
US election FAQs: When is voting day? When will we know the winner? Your questions answered

Armaan Bhatnagar

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
November 07, 2024 / 01:07 IST

Eminent Indian Americans on Wednesday welcomed the re-election of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States and assured to work with him on several issues, including that of the US-India relationship.

Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his decisive victory. We are in a golden age of American innovation and are committed to working with his administration to help bring the benefits to everyone, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said.

The American people have spoken. Congratulations to President Trump on a strong win. Now, its time for the American people to come together, pray for our country, and start the process of a peaceful transition, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said.

That begins with Kamala Harris conceding. You cant just talk about unity in a campaign, you have to show it regardless of the outcome, Haley said.

What a great day for America! Lets take a moment to celebrate. Then begins the hard work to get our country back on track! said former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.

Its almost morning in America, said Vivek Ramaswamy, a Trump confidant. Now lets go save a country, he said.

Congratulations to President Trump. We look forward to working with him and his administration on issues of bilateral importance in the US-India relationship, and on global challenges that the two countries can lead on together, said M R Rangaswami, founder, Indiaspora, a community engagement platform.

Congratulations President Elect Trump! America failed to elect its First Women President again! People have voted for a change to handle border issues, economy, immigration, crime, wars! I respect their choice. We did all we can! said Ajay Jain Bhaturia, a major fundraiser of the Kamala Harris campaign.

New York-based prominent entrepreneur Al Mason said: God saved Trump from two assassination attempts - there is a reason for the same. Trump is going to be a messiah for the American people and the rest of the world. There will be a very prosperous America, a safer world free of wars. In fact, a golden era begins for the United States of America. Dr Krishna Reddy, chair of Indian American Friendship Council, congratulated Trump for the super victory. This is the beginning of super US-India relations and together we keep the world safe again. This is the great strength of Indian Americans to build a robust economy again and Indian Americans are a great part of this success, he said.
US Election 2024: Swing states that could turn the White House race into a nail-biter

Deblina Halder

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
US presidential election 2024: When and where to watch poll results from India

Priyanjali Ghose

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Why Donald Trump can vote in US election despite being a convicted felon

Armaan Bhatnagar

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Rajni Pandey

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Shaurya Shubham

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
In this editing of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: Indian banks gearing for change in new year, how the trading cycle will fare in 2024...

Trump vs Harris: Where they stand on H1B visas and immigration

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Debangana Ghosh

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Trump or Harris? Asia sees little difference between their likely economic policies

For Asian economies, it may not matter for trade and economic conditions whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins the U.S. presidential elections.

A second term for Trump could result in massive tariff hikes and another trade war.

He has proposed tariffs of 60% on imports from China and a blanket 10-20% for other countries, which would raise the costs of goods coming from the U.S.s key trading partners such as Japan, South Korea and Vietnam.

His push for a weaker US dollar might also negatively impact Southeast Asian exports.

Harris has voiced opposition to Trumps proposed tariffs but has not outlined her own trade policy in depth.

Analysts believe she may pursue a path similar to President Joe Bidens, targeted sanctions at a limited but expanding set of industries essential to U.S. economic security.

"Economically, while both candidates lean towards protectionism, Harriss approach is expected to be less disruptive, offering a more predictable trade environment," Seong-Hyon Lee, an associate at the Harvard University Asia Center, told the South China Morning Post.

Despite Trumps stance on tariffs, the difference between the two candidates policies regarding U.S. market access, a crucial issue for many Asian economies, may be less significant than it appears.

Lee suggested that many protective measures are likely to be implemented even under a Harris administration.

According to analysts and former officials, key U.S. policies toward the Indo-Pacific region are already well established, making the election outcome less impactful on regional interests.

Chim Lee, a senior analyst specializing in China at the Economist Intelligence Unit, told Nikkei Asia: "The major differences between a Harris presidency versus a Trump one would be the speed and extent of protectionist measures."

Regardless of their differences, neither candidate offers policies that could be considered ideal for the region, but Harris is viewed as somewhat better for Asia, according to Asian and American officials, diplomats, businesses, and think-tankers interviewed by The Straits Times.

Greg Poling of Washingtons Centre for Strategic and International Studies said Southeast Asia is unlikely to see much impact even under a Trump administration.

"They will get through without too much disruption, which is what happened the last time."
House Speaker Mike Johnson View Photo

Speaker Johnson released s statement after Chairwoman Virginia Foxx and the House Education and Workforce Committee released a report concerning antisemitism on the nations elite college campuses, including Harvard, UPenn, MIT, Yale, Columbia, Barnard, Rutgers, Northwestern, George Washington University, UC-Berkeley, and UCLA.

Johnson was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

The trust placed in many of Americas once-great universities has been broken. Todays thorough report from Chairwoman Foxx and the Education and Workforce Committee shows students why they may want to consider getting a degree elsewhere.

Pro-Hamas encampments grew and were allowed to fester on college campuses in the aftermath of the horrific terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. Harvard chose not to stop students from shouting antisemitic phrases; Northwesterns provost approved of boycotts of Israeli products and put radical anti-Israel faculty in charge of negotiations with pro-Hamas encampments; at Columbia, faculty obstructed plans to discipline antisemitic students who stormed a campus building; and at UCLA, officials stood by idly as illegal, antisemitic encampments endangered and violated the rights of Jewish students. In each instance, these institutions violated the law and their own codes of conduct. Across the board, too many of our elite university classrooms have been transformed into training camps for anti-American and anti-Israel activism, subsidized by the taxpayer.

Im thankful for Chairwoman Foxxs work to expose university leaders willingness to coddle antisemites and their abject failure to protect Jewish students. Todays report will be an important tool for Congress to use as we reassess federal funding for higher education.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
Five men have been arrested in Harare for illegally selling Starlink satellite internet kits, a development that comes as Starlink itself announces it is temporarily halting new customer sign-ups in Harare and Bulawayo due to overwhelming demand.

The arrests, made by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Highlands on Saturday, highlight the growing popularity of Starlinks service in Zimbabwe and the challenges of regulating its distribution.

The suspects, identified as Polite Jamba (28), Ngoni Mandiwo (29), Denver Ndebele (26), Tinotenda Vambe (26), and Lennin Mhiripiri (26), were apprehended in two separate operations. The initial arrest stemmed from a tip-off that Ndebele and Mandiwo were selling Starlink kits at shop number 1, Easy Walk Mall in Harares central business district (CBD). Officers responding to the tip-off found the pair in possession of two unlicensed Starlink Gen 2 kits, valued at US$900. These kits were seized, and the suspects detained.

Later that day, undercover CID detectives, posing as potential customers, apprehended Jamba, Vambe, and Mhiripiri. These three were found with an unlicensed Starlink Mini kit, valued at US$450. They were subsequently arrested and taken into custody. All five suspects are now facing charges related to the unlicensed sale of Starlink equipment.

The arrests follow a recent announcement by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) prohibiting the sale of Starlink kits without the necessary licenses. The government has also urged individuals who previously imported Starlink kits without a license to regularise their status through licensed entities. This crackdown on unlicensed sales underscores the governments efforts to regulate the burgeoning satellite internet market.

The arrests coincide with Starlinks announcement that it has reached network capacity in Harare and Bulawayo. This means that new customer sign-ups in these cities have been temporarily suspended.

Starlinks website map clearly marks Bulawayo as sold out, reflecting the high demand for their service in these densely populated urban areas. The company attributes the capacity limitations to the exceptionally high demand for their fast and reliable internet connectivity.

Harare, and all towns within the capitals citys 100 kilometre radius reached capacity for the SpaceX product, and Bulawayo is following behind, as it offers what users deem an affordable and fast internet connection.

If Starlink tells you theyre at capacity in your area, it means their network cannot accommodate any additional devices at that moment. This means that one can place an order, but they have to wait in a queue while capacity for the low-orbit satellites is increased.

The situation has resulted in slower-than-expected internet speeds for some existing users, with reports of speeds dropping as low as 1mbps.

In response to the overwhelming demand and the temporary halt of new sign-ups, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, the parent company of Starlink, tweeted on X: Starlink is working to increase Internet capacity in dense urban areas in Africa as fast as possible. Please note that there is still significant capacity outside of city centres.

While Musk acknowledged the issue and the companys efforts to address it, he did not provide a specific timeframe for when increased capacity will be available. Despite the temporary setbacks, the high demand for Starlinks service in Zimbabwe highlights the need for reliable and affordable internet access.

Breaking News via Email

Related

Pin Share Share 0 Shares






Worm reproduces by injecting sperm into its own head ABC Australia. Anthony L: Old, but gives a whole new meaning to dickhead'

Worlds largest crocodile in captivity dies BBC (Robin K)

Metas Plan For Nuclear-Powered AI Data Centre Thwarted By Rare Bees Financial Times

Israeli, Tajik Archaeologists Prove Early Human Presence in Central Asia Haaretz (Robin K)

Nietzsches Debt to Zoroastrianism: How a Cultural Collision Contributed to Also Sprach Zarathustra Journal of the History of Ideas Blog (Anthony L)

Spa Owner Accused of Performing Thousands of Fake Botox Injections Gizmodo (Dr. Kevin)

Climate/Environment

China?

Africa

Botswanas stunning election upset puts elites on notice Responsible Statecraft

South of the Border

Cuba Could Face A Complete Collapse Of Its Power Grid as Financial Crisis Continues to Spiral Latin Times

European Disunion

Old Blighty

Israel v. The Resistance

New Not-So-Cold War

Syraqistan

The story were publishing today is one you really have to read to believe. Its about the U.S. role in fomenting authoritarianism in Pakistan, but more broadly about the way institutions like the New York Times treat the scourge of antisemitism only as a weapon to wield against  Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) November 3, 2024

Imperial Collapse Watch

Anwar: I rejected US call not to be friendly with Russia. I replied, Thats your issue; dont instruct us. We are an independent, sovereign country; we make decisions for our people and our nation, he said to Anthony Blinken. https://t.co/NnBT2ofEQZ  Warwick Powell |  (@baoshaoshan) November 5, 2024

Trump

GOP primed to back Trump if he contests election The Hill The potential coup coordination planning group here is called State Democracy Defenders Action. State AGs should keep a close eye on this group over the next 2 months, as they are doing what Bidenworld State AGs went after Trumpworld for allegedly doing in 2020 but 100x worse. https://t.co/ErXW05Bl8g pic.twitter.com/hQbLYZMLy8  Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber) November 3, 2024 No RFK JrThe CDC lists water fluoridation as one of 10 great public health achievements of 20th century, recommended by nearly all public health, medical organizations, including Am Dental Association, Am Academy of Pediatrics, U.S. Public Health Service, and the WHO. pic.twitter.com/kI02FPuUVS  Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) November 4, 2024

2024

With Oil Prices Weak, OPEC+ Postpones Increases Again New York Times

Mr. Market Should Be More Nervous

AI

The Bezzle

Intel might be too big to fail  Washington policymakers are already discussing potential solutions if the chipmaker cannot recover Toms Hardware As I understand it, production of the cheaper Vision Pro has been delayed beyond 2027 for a while now. This means Apple's only new head-mounted display device in 2025 will be the Vision Pro with an upgraded M5 processor. I think what really drove Apple to delay the cheaper   (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) November 3, 2024

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour (Mike K):

And a bonus (Chuck L):

A second bonus (katiebird):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here
Mountains of credible evidence indicate that from the beginning of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine, Russian armed forces have been committing crimes against humanity and war crimes of every description, from torture and murder of civilians to abduction and sexual violence. By May of 2022, the Ukrainian government, as well as numerous NGOs and state actors, including the United States, was carefully documenting these crimes with an eye toward prosecuting the malefactors to the full extent of the law.

The United States has launched a number of programs to find and analyze evidence of atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. For example, the Conflict Observatory analyzes and preserves publicly available information and makes it available for use in ongoing and future accountability mechanisms.

The Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group, a joint project of the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, provide[s] coordinated, multidisciplinary assistance to Ukrainian national authorities  [and] surges experts to the region to work side by side with their counterparts in Ukraine, said Beth Van Schaack, U.S. Ambassador at Large for Global Criminal Justice.

So individuals who worked at the former war crimes tribunal for Yugoslavia and for Rwanda are now working side by side with Ukrainians who are tackling 140,000 registered cases of international crimes.

The United States also contributed 2 million dollars to the International Organization for Migration, said Ambassador Van Schaack. This is very much focused on conceptualizing a broad range of transitional justice responses in Ukraine to Russia's war of aggression.

This funding will go towards conceptualizing various forms of repair for Ukrainian civilians and the Ukrainian population and helping to conceptualize ways in which this community can be rebuilt after Russia's war of aggression, she said.

Ambassador Van Schaacks own group has deploy[ed] a lot of resources towards strategic litigation cases that might be brought outside of Ukraine in courts around the world, she added.

As soon as Russian perpetrators begin to travel, we're also utilizing our sanctions authorities against individuals and entities that are supporting and advancing Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine.

We're also looking for a number of ways to support civil society actors that are trying to deliver justice to Ukraine's victims, said Ambassador Van Schaack.

The United States and its many partners stand with Ukraine in its commitment to mark those who abuse its people. There can be no impunity for these crimes. All those responsible must be held accountable.
CBP officer sentenced to 23 years in jail for BRIBERY and facilitating TRAFFICKING

A former Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer has been sentenced to 23 years behind bars for bribery and facilitating the trafficking of both illegal drugs and migrants.

On Oct. 25, a federal court in San Diego slapped 42-year-old Leonard Darnell George with a 23-year prison term. According to a statement by federal prosecutors, George used his official position as a CBP agent to allow illegal drugs and migrants into the country. He had been earlier convicted by a federal jury in June, according to The Epoch Times.

The now-convicted officer accepted bribes from two drug trafficking organizations in exchange for allowing vehicles filled with illegal drugs to enter from Mexico. The said vehicles he allowed to pass contained methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and heroin. Numerous witnesses testified that George permitted these contraband-filled vehicles to enter the U.S. through his lane in late 2021.

"George would alert his associates in a drug trafficking organization of his inspection lane, as well as how long they would have to wait to get to the front," The Epoch Times wrote. However this scheme was uncovered in February 2022.

Law enforcement agents placed an alert on a vehicle entering George's lane allegedly used for drug smuggling. The CBP agent had no choice but to send it into secondary inspection, given that it had been flagged. A search then revealed approximately 222 pounds of meth, with the contraband subsequently seized.

George then allowed a second vehicle linked with the traffickers to enter the United States. The said vehicle, which was traveling right behind the flagged vehicle, was found to have been carrying 200 pounds of illegal drugs.

Moreover, he also allowed vehicles carrying illegal immigrants to enter through his lane over a six-month period  with prosecutors finding approximately 19 such crossings in that duration. George reportedly omitted passengers and failed to include the real names of drivers, using the names of others to conceal his crimes. (Related: Texas DPS spokesperson states the obvious: There are criminal networks operating in America that are involved in human smuggling.)

George received substantial bribes for his misdeeds

The now-sentenced CBP agent was paid handsomely to shirk his duties, charging traffickers $17,000 per vehicle. One text message found that George earned $68,000 in June 2022 for allowing four vehicles from one organization to enter his lane.

Witnesses also testified that George bought vehicles, motorcycles and jewelry using the money he earned from his illegal activities. He also visited the Hong Kong Gentleman's Club on his days off, spending $5,000 per trip. The brothel was located within walking distance of the San Ysidro border crossing.

Prosecutors said George would stand on the club's second level and "shower" dancers with cash. He also purchased bottles of alcohol and gifts for the dancers.

In the course of the investigation, prosecutors discovered a selfie of one member of the drug trafficking organization George was linked to. The member had been wearing George's CBP jacket in the picture, which attested to the close relationship he had with the criminals.

"What's important to remember about the story of George is that his corruption was discovered and defeated," said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. "Our commitment to the integrity of the badge brought justice to a corrupt officer in this case who will spend decades behind bars."

"George should have used his position of authority and trust to protect the United States. However, he used it for his own financial gain," said Stacey Moy, special agent in charge at the Federal Bureau of Investigation's San Diego field office. "The entire law enforcement profession is tarnished when an officer betrays the oath to protect and serve."

Joseph Cuffari, Department of Homeland Security inspector general, said George's sentencing "sends a clear message that federal employees who violate the law will be held accountable." He added that his office "is grateful for our continued partnership with our law enforcement partners as we fight corruption along the southern border."

Watch this Fox News report about how the open borders policy has made trafficking of migrant children more profitable.

This video is from the Bulgarianinsider channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Texas Rep. Cuellar and wife INDICTED following allegations they received BRIBES from Azerbaijan.

Former Puerto Rico mayor caught on camera for bribery sentenced to 5 years behind bars.

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife charged with BRIBERY.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Justice.gov

Brighteon.com
Chinese drone maker DJI sues Defense Department over inclusion in ChiCom military company list

Chinese drone maker DJI has sued the Department of Defense (DoD) after they included the company in its list of military companies associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

DJI took the department to court on Oct. 18, arguing in its complaint that the designation is "arbitrary and capricious." The Shenzhen-based drone maker said the DoD's designation has "caused significant and ongoing harm" as reflected in canceled contracts and "pervasive stigmatization" of the company and its employees. It asked a district court in Washington to order its deletion from the list.

According to the Epoch Times, Congress passed a law in 2021 mandating the DoD to compile a list of Chinese military companies operating in the U.S.  resulting in the creation of the Communist Chinese Military Companies (CCMC) list. DJI was added to the list in October 2022, and the department renewed the designation in January of this year. The renewal came amid DJI's 16-month endeavor seeking removal from the list as per DJI's complaint.

The outlet noted that the drone maker's "affordable and powerful products are popular in the U.S. among hobbyists and in sectors such as agriculture and search and rescue." Its products make up more than half of the U.S. commercial market.

The Epoch Times reached out to the Defense Department for comment. An official responded to the news outlet in an email, saying that the DoD "does not provide information or statements regarding any pending litigation matters."

For its part, DJI has denied all allegations against it. The company reiterated that it is "neither owned nor controlled by the Chinese military" and it does not contribute to either Beijing's military-civil fusion strategy or the military modernization programs of the People's Liberation Army. Moreover, it has no control over how customers use its off-the-shelf commercial products after purchase.

Aside from the DoD, the company has also been flagged by other U.S. government agencies as a national security risk and an alleged contributor to Beijing's human rights abuses against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang. These agencies include the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of the Treasury (USDT) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the Department of Justice. (Related: House committee sounds alarm on U.S. drone firm's links to ChiCom-backed DJI.)

Other Chinese firms also challenging DoD designation

"DJI's legal challenge against the DoD's listing follows similar cars, including those brought by Chinese lidar maker Hesai in May and Chinese chip-making tool manufacturer Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment (AMEC) in August," the Epoch Times continued.

Hesai occupies more than a third of the global lidar market and almost three-quarters of the robotic cars market. Its clients include robotaxi firms such as Cruise under General Motors and Zoox under Jeff Bezos' Amazon. Meanwhile, AMEC  whose clients include major chip factories such as Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.  has played a key role in Beijing's push for supply chain independence in China's semiconductor industry.

The three firms are not the first ones to challenge their inclusion in the CCMC list. In 2021, Chinese phone maker Xiaomi and big data company Luokung Technology Corp successfully challenged their inclusion in the list.

A week before DJI sued the DoD, the department told a district court in Washington that it removed Hesai from the list of Chinese military companies. However, the lidar company was included "on a new record based on the latest information available."

The CCMC list has since been superseded by a wider-ranging Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies list. This new list is now overseen by the USDT, taking over the former duties of the DoD as the primary authority to manage it.

The Chinese communist regime's military-civil fusion strategy eliminates "barriers between Chinas civilian research, and commercial sectors and its military and defense industrial sectors," according to the U.S. Department of State. It added that aside from tapping into China's pool of talent, Beijing is also acquiring foreign technologies both legally and illegally.

Watch this video about the U.S. military blacklisting DJI, which the Chinese drone company is now challenging in court.

This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

WSJ: U.S. drones sent to Kyiv are vulnerable, expensive and "no match" for Moscow's electronic countermeasures.

China ramping up production of military drones to rival US drone fleet, leaked defense ministry document shows.

Ukraine now buying CHINESE DRONES because the American-made versions are unreliable.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

TheEpochTimes.com

Brighteon.com
The government is not going to ride in on a white horse to save you when global events hit the fan

Did you know that FEMA is not answering nearly half of the calls that it receives from those seeking disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene? This amazing fact is being reported by Politico , and it shocked me to the core when I first read it. If the federal government responds this poorly to a hurricane, what is going to happen when we are facing a major long-term emergency that affects the entire nation? As I have been consistently warning for years, you should not be counting on the government to come riding in on a white horse to rescue you when global events hit the fan. Unfortunately, global events may hit the fan a lot sooner than most people think.

(Article by Michael republished from EndOfTheAmericanDream.com)

Politico spoke to a man named Mike Toomey in North Carolina that desperately needs help after floodwaters destroyed his home. When Toomey called FEMA last week, nobody answered his call. Instead, he got a recording that informed him that he was 675th in line to be helped

Mike Toomey called a federal helpline last week to get disaster aid after Hurricane Helene flooded his home in western North Carolina. He got a recording instead. They said I was 675th in line, Toomey, a painter in a spattered shirt, recalled as he waited outside a federal recovery center in Hendersonville.

Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina over a month ago.

And people like Toomey still cant get help from FEMA even though they are reaching out.

In fact, Politico says that hundreds of thousands of people have not been able to get the assistance from the government that they are hoping for

Hundreds of thousands of people who are trying to recover from disasters nationwide have been unable to get through to federal call centers or have stayed on hold for excessive periods of time in the weeks since Helene barreled into southern Appalachia last month. Overwhelmed by Helene and Hurricane Milton, the centers failed to answer nearly half of the incoming phone calls over the course of one week recently. For the calls that were answered, it took more than an hour for federal workers to pick up, on average.

This is the worst federal response to a major natural disaster that I have ever seen.

I honestly dont know how to explain it.

At one time, most federal agencies exhibited at least a minimal level of competence, but those days appear to be long gone.

In addition to not getting hundreds of thousands of people the help that they desperately need, it is also being reported that hundreds of roads are still closed in North Carolina

Hundreds of roads in North Carolina remain closed or damaged as Americans try to recover in the aftermath of flooding from Hurricane Helene, according to the New York Times. Many of the roads have been washed away or severely damaged by the floodwaters that stranded people in remote areas of the state, the newspaper reported on Saturday. Some of the roadways and portions of major highways have been reopened, the Times reported. But as of early Saturday, there were just over 700 incident reports noting a portion of road still listed as closed, impassable or otherwise affected by the storm.

What in the world is taking them so long?

You would think that opening up the roads would be one of the top priorities.

But at this point we are being told that it could take months to even get Interstate 40 back to full operation

Bringing Interstate 40, as well as many other highways and roads, back to full capacity is likely to take months, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars, though officials cautioned it was too early to make formal estimates.

We used to be a country that worked harder than anyone else.

Now we are being run by a bunch of bureaucrats that like to stand around and talk instead of taking action.

After everything that we have witnessed in North Carolina, there should be no doubt about what will happen when a truly apocalyptic national emergency comes along.

And that may occur a lot sooner than most people think, because war is here.

In the Middle East, the Iranians are preparing for a major attack against Israel

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has instructed his forces to prepare a direct attack against Israel after deeming the Jewish nations retaliatory strike last week too big to ignore, according to a new report. While Khamenei attempted to downplay to the public the extent of Israels attack on Tehrans military facilities, privately, he greenlit plans for a counterattack in a meeting with his Supreme National Security Council, three Iranian officials told The New York Times. The ayatollah allegedly made his decision on Monday after reviewing the damage report from his military officials, which detailed the strikes across Tehrans missile production plants and defense systems.

Israel has publicly warned that it will hit back even harder than last time if Iran attacks, and the Biden administration has informed Iran that it will not be able to restrain Israel

We told the Iranians: We wont be able to hold Israel back, and we wont be able to make sure that the next attack will be calibrated and targeted as the previous one, a U.S. official said.

It appears that this war in the Middle East could soon take an apocalyptic turn, and that would have major implications for the entire planet.

Meanwhile, those living in the EU have been instructed to stockpile emergency supplies in case a direct conflict with Russia breaks out

People living in the European Union should stockpile emergency supplies in the event of war breaking out or another major emergency, a new report has advised. The report on Europes civilian and military preparedness, published on Wednesday, was written by former Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in his capacity as Special Adviser to the President of the European Commission. The report notes that the EU was not prepared for either the COVID-19 pandemic or Russias aggression against Ukraine, and that it needs to move from reaction to proactive preparedness.

As I warned my core supporters on Friday, we are closer to a nuclear war with Russia than we have ever been before.

If missiles start falling on U.S. soil, there will be absolutely no help from the federal government.

You will be on your own.

Speaking of nuclear conflict, North Korea just tested a new ICBM that has enough range to easily reach the continental United States

Pyongyang officials have since identified the massive rocket, which they dub the worlds strongest strategic missile, as a new Hwasong-19 ICBM. Given that nuclear warhead-capable ICBMs can reach several thousands of miles away, such a missile would have the capability of hitting the continental United States. And the timing has not been lost on anyone, as it was a mere days before the US presidential election. It can be stored and moved anywhere, allowing for excellent mobility, stealth and survivability, said Kim of the rocket. State media has subsequently released carefully edited, high quality footage of the perfected missile launch, which has been widely circulating on Friday:

2024 has been a year of war, but in 2025 we are going to see things go to an entirely new level.

If you are blindly trusting that our government officials have everything under control, you are not being wise because they dont.

When war comes to U.S. soil, what are you going to do?

Are you going to be counting on the federal government to bring you food and supplies and everything else that you need?

When things go sideways, the federal government is not going to be there for you.

At this point, they cant even take care of the areas of the country there were devastated by Hurricane Helene.

There are many that are trying to sound the alarm about what is coming, but most of the population is simply not listening.

Read more at: EndOfTheAmericanDream.com
IDF traps 100,000 civilians in northern Gaza extermination zone where they will now STARVE

Israel's invasion of northern Gaza escalated last week when Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) trapped around 100,000 civilians inside the Jabalia refugee camp, as well as inside the nearby Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun refugee areas.

Now being referred to as an "extermination zone," this area of northern Gaza where IDF airstrikes and bombings left all these people stranded has no more access to food or medical supplies. Israel's three-week-long assault, which is still ongoing, forced emergency services that were in the area previously to flee, leaving behind hordes of helpless people who are now sitting ducks for the IDF to exterminate.

Israel claims that the escalation is necessary to capture around 11 "suspected Hamas militants" who had previously, or so we are told, been in hiding at the Kamal Adwan hospital in Jabalia. Officials at that hospital say that Israeli forces detained staff members and Palestinian refugees alike in hot pursuit of Hamas.

Since the very beginning of all this, Israel has claimed, like it always does, that the reason for so many civilian deaths is because Hamas militants are hiding out in hospitals, residential complexes and other areas where civilians live and congregate. Many are now challenging this claim, arguing that it is a mere excuse for the IDF to continue mass-slaughtering innocents.

(Related: Did you know that Kamala Harris is losing support from the Black Muslim community because she supports Israel's genocide in Gaza?)

IDF "besieging schools ... other shelters housing displaced families"

The airstrikes that preceded this latest mess in northern Gaza killed a total of five people, bringing the official death toll in Gaza to around 43,000 people. An Israeli drone also struck a group of people in the Beit Lahia area, injuring several and killing at least one.

In the eastern Gaza City neighborhood of Shujaiya, another Israeli drone struck a group of people, killing three and injuring three others. This was coupled with another raid in central Gaza that killed at least one while injuring several others near the Nuseirat refugee camp.

"Israeli forces were besieging schools and other shelters housing displaced families, ordering them out before rounding up men and ushering women and children out of the area towards Gaza City and the south," residents of North Gaza told Reuters.

Only a select few Palestinian families obeyed the Israeli army's orders that they flee to southern Gaza, with most of them fleeing to Gaza City instead. They did this because there is widespread fear that Israel will never again allow them to return to their homes if they end up south of the IDF-controlled Netzarim Corridor.

Some of the fleeing families wrote their death notices in anticipation of a likely demise, stating that they prefer to die rather than be displaced in accordance with Israel's demands.

"While the world is busy with Lebanon and new nonsense talk about a few days of ceasefire [in Gaza], the Israeli occupation is wiping out north Gaza and displacing its people," a Jabalia resident told Reuters via a chat app.

"[But] neither [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu nor Eiland will be able to take us out of northern Gaza."

Israeli soldiers are likewise spilling the beans that Israel is carrying out a sinister plan to forcibly expel Palestinian civilians for good from northern Gaza so it can be annexed into so-called "Greater Israel." That plan is called the "General's Plan," and it is credited to a retired IDF general named Giora Eiland who used to also head up Israel's National Security Council.

"There are so many ex-IDF soldiers and generals now working as 'journalists' in the western mainstream media," a commenter noted about how Eiland and others like him are the ones reporting on and pushing their narrative through western media.

The latest Middle East news can be found at Chaos.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheCradle.co

NaturalNews.com
Israels settler movement makes real estate plans while Gaza burns to the ground

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently flew to Israel to call for a ceasefire in Gaza after Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed early in October this year. However, a ceasefire was the last thing that government ministers and hundreds of Israeli settlers were thinking about as they gathered to plan the future annexation of the enclave.

The conference, which was scheduled to coincide with the annual Sukkot religious holiday that commemorates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, discussed one particular subject: Israel's settlement of Gaza.

The event planned by Nahala, an extremist settler organization, was held less than two miles from the border with Gaza in an area closed off by the military. The conference was conducted under the army's protection.

Amid speeches, attendees could hear the sound of outgoing artillery fire directed at Gaza, which was welcomed with applause and cries of "God bless our brave soldiers." Many of the men at the event had pistols or machine guns.

Many of the attendees had stickers celebrating Meir Kahane, the late American-born rabbi. Kahane, an extremist and convicted terrorist, staunchly believed that Palestinians should be forced out of Israel.

Daniella Weiss, a Nahala leader and one of the celebrated guests at the conference, claimed that many families were ready to move to the edge of the Gaza border. Weiss added that Nahala had already entered a deal worth "millions of dollars" for temporary housing units as preparation for settling in the Strip. (Related: Pentagon sending THAAD missile defense system and U.S. troops to Israel.)

Seafront properties in Gaza are "a bargain"

Isaac Yomtovyan, an activist for Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir's extremist Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, would benefit greatly from the planned Israeli settlement of Gaza.

Yomtovyan is in the property business. According to Yomtovyan, settling Gaza would be "a good solution for the real estate problem. We are a small country and theres big land here we can use."

When asked when Gaza could be occupied, he said that it would be done immediately. Yomtovyan also said that seafront property in Gaza would be "a bargain" compared to seafront properties in Tel Aviv, which could cost up to 20 to 50 million Israeli new shekels ($5 million to $13 million).

While the conference seems like merely a fringe event reflecting the fantasies of Israels settler movement, the matter is serious because big money and powerful politicians have a stake in the future of the Gaza Strip. Attendees included senior government ministers and Knesset members, including several from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud party.

Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotritch, who is also in charge of Israel's illegal civil administration in the West Bank, also attended the conference. Smotrich has also advocated for Israel to annex all of the occupied Palestinian territories.

Ben-Gvir also attended and many said he has a chance at becoming Israel's next prime minister. He and Smotrich are senior members of the Likud-led extremist coalition that controls Israel. Recent events have also proven that the two settler leaders are powerful enough to reach their goals.

Who are the Israeli settlers?

Settlers refer to Israeli citizens who reside on private Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Many of the settlements were built either entirely or partially on private Palestinian land.

As of writing, over 750,000 Israeli settlers are living on Palestinian land taken by force. These settlers currently live in about 150 settlements and 128 outposts along the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Each settlement is authorized by the Israeli government while an outpost is built without government authorization. Outposts can be made up of a small shanty with only several people to a sprawling community of at least 400 people.

However, Israeli settlements are illegal under international law since they are in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which "bans an occupying power from transferring its population to the area it occupies."

Visit IsraelCollapse.com for more stories about Israel's ongoing war with Middle Eastern nations.

Watch the video below as Israel claims a Lebanese hospital is hiding Hezbollah.

This video is from the KryptoKing187 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

UN under fire in Lebanon: Israeli tank fired at peacekeepers watchtower.

American journalist arrested, barred from leaving occupied territories by Israeli authorities.

Netanyahu will strike military sites within Iran before U.S. elections, source tells WaPo.

Germany refusing to send any more weapons to Israel unless Jewish leaders sign genocide clause promising not to slaughter innocents.

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net

Aljazeera.com 1

Aljazeera.com 2

Brighteon.com
Latest Israeli strike in Gaza kills 100 Palestinians sleeping in homes

After destroying most of the medical facilities where care and aid are offered, Israel took out another 100 or so Palestinian civilians last week in an air raid on homes in northern Gaza that were supposed to be a shelter and refuge for those in harm's way.

Reports indicate that about 25 of the deceased are children who were simply "sleeping in homes" with their families when Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) barreled in and started bombing the place to smithereens.

The bombing began late on Monday when the IDF targeted a five-story building in Beit Lahia, a town in northern Gaza that has been under an extreme Israeli siege and ground offensive for the last month.

In addition to the nearly 100 fatalities, the Gaza-based government media office says that 40 others remain missing. The Palestinian health ministry is also reporting that another 150 Palestinians were wounded to varying degrees in the IDF airstrike.

(Related: Did you know that earlier this year, Congress moved to ban all parts of the Bible that Jews find offensive, including the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion and resurrection?)

Israel purposely targeting civilian refugees in Gaza?

Footage aired on Al Jazeera shows bodies covered in blankets being recovered from the site. A woman was seen weeping and mourning next to some of the victims, which included several of her children and grandchildren.

"Who shall I cry over?" the woman was heard asking. "My sons? My daughters? My grandchildren? My siblings? They're all gone. No one is left for me."

The IDF specifically targeted the building because it belonged to the Abu Naser family, which had recently taken in a number of displaced people who had been expelled by the Israeli military from their own homes in northern Gaza.

By all appearances, Israel is ordering the Palestinians to leave certain areas and flee elsewhere, only to then start bombing the areas and places where they all fled. It sure looks like deliberate genocide, in other words.

At the time of the strike, between 300 and 400 people were sleeping inside the building, many of them already wounded from other IDF strikes that left them without anywhere to go for care since Israel also took out most of Gaza's medical facilities.

"We cannot treat those wounded in the Beit Lahia massacre due to lack of resources," commented Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, director of Kamala Adwan hospital.

The last time Kamal Adwan was operational was before Israeli forces raided it last week, during which they detained or expelled all medical staff except for Abu Safi and one other pediatrician.

Other hospitals in the area are reporting that they, too, can no longer operate because Israel destroyed their operations.

"Most of those injured may die due to a lack of resources," the doctor further said to the media. "The world must act and not just watch the genocide in Gaza."

On the same day as the Beit Lahia refugee building bombing, the IDF also bombarded Gaza City in an airstrike that took out at least five Palestinian civilians, according to the Wafa news agency.

"Israeli warplanes had launched two air raids on a busy market area in the Daraj neighbourhood east of Gaza City, killing five and wounding at least 20 others," Middle East Eye reported. "Two more Palestinians were killed by Israeli strikes on the Khirbet al-Adas area of Rafah city, in southern Gaza."

All of this is part of Israel's new "General's Plan," which critics say is a genocide operation in thin disguise. It aims to ethnically cleanse the Gaza Strip and eventually annex the land into "Greater Israel."

The Middle East is on fire, just like the Bible prophesied. Learn more at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

NaturalNews.com
Across the world, journalists continue to be harassed and intimidated, violently attacked and arbitrarily surveilled, met with disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks  all for speaking truth to power, noted U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield in a statement marking International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

Reporters in conflict zones face even greater danger. In Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and elsewhere, journalists have been killed as they dared to report the facts. Crimes against journalists only continue to rise. Nearly 800 journalists across 45 countries were jailed at some point last year  more than 500 of whom are still in prison or under house arrest. And yet, despite increasing violence against journalists, we have failed to see accountability for the perpetrators, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.

Indeed, over the past three decades, UNESCO reports that in more than 1,700 journalist deaths, only one in 10 perpetrators were held responsible for their crimes. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield called on the international community to ensure crimes against journalists are brought to light and perpetrators brought to justice by making progress on the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists.

In this moment in which democracy is under attack, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, we count on journalists to expose corruption and counter disinformation and to facilitate the exchange of ideas and shine a spotlight on human rights abuses.

The United States has worked tirelessly to secure the release of two falsely imprisoned reporters. Evan Gershkovich, the first American journalist to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War, was convicted of spying and sentenced to 16 years in prison by a Russian court. Alsu Kurmasheva is a Russian and American journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Tatar-Bashkir Service. She was charged with failure to register as a foreign agent and sentenced to six and a half years in prison. The U.S. also continues to advocate for the freedom and safety of Austin Tice held by the Syrian regime. He is now the longest-held American journalist in history.

Journalists have the right to live and report without fear, declared Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. Let us all work to support and protect them as they tell the stories that change our world for the better.
Maxime Bernier says a second Trump administration would be beneficial to Canada

Conservative Canadian politician Maxime Bernier, the leader of the anti-illegal immigration People's Party of Canada, has expressed his support for former President Donald Trump, believing that a second Trump presidency would be beneficial for Canadians

In an interview with pro-life online news outlet LifeSiteNews, Bernier said that, while he usually does not comment on the political affairs of other nations or "events such as foreign wars that don't directly concern Canada," he made an exception for the current election in the United States after being asked about it at a recent event.

He commented how the U.S. is and has always been Canada's "closest friend" and "largest trade partner," and all major events that affect the U.S. impact Canada "in so many ways." Because of this, he made an "exception" to discuss his thoughts on the U.S. election.

"I hope Mr. Trump will win the election because we share many key policy stances with him and his decisions will bring these issues to the forefront and the media here to report on them, which could have a positive impact on the PPC," said Bernier. (Related: Betting website Polymarket: Donald Trump odds-on favorite to win it all in November.)

In another event in Waterloo, Ontario, Bernier made a similar comment, telling supporters of his People's Party that "I hope that Trump will win."

Bernier noted how Trump shares similar values with the People's Party, including "opposition to mass immigration and the need to deport illegals" and "opposition to radical gender ideology."

He also noted how Trump is opposed to the regime of censorship on social media platforms and is against the Paris Climate Agreement "and costly and inefficient climate change programs."

Furthermore, Bernier and Trump are aligned with the need to oppose participation in the "pointless war in Ukraine pushed by American neoconservatives."

Trump White House could be very beneficial to Canadian economy

Canadian analysts are keen to see the potential benefits a Trump administration could bring to the country. Firstly, analysts are waiting to see whether Trump will manage to boost homebuilding and bring down house prices, which have risen steeply since 2020, and whether Trump's plans for mass homebuilding could either be replicated in Canada or would have a domino effect on the Canadian housing market.

Canadian officials and experts are also hoping a Trump-led White House would reopen negotiations for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the free trade agreement between the three nations that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement of 1994, more commonly known as NAFTA. Trump signed the USMCA in 2018, and it is up for review in 2026.

Analysts believe a White House led by Vice President Kamala Harris would be easier to negotiate with, as she is more likely to give concessions during the review. Trump, meanwhile, is more likely to be a hardliner on certain subjects, including the provision of incentives to businesses in valuable manufacturing sectors to make sure they aren't incentivized to move their businesses either to Canada or Mexico where operating costs may be much lower.

Trump has also vowed to negotiate revisions to the USMCA that will focus more on stopping China from taking advantage of the trade agreement's North American origin rules for auto manufacturing.

Watch this clip of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Wisconsin calling the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris the "worst" in the history of the United States.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trump promises TAX CREDITS for unpaid family caregivers if elected.

Trump vows no more foreign wars  Kamala, he says, will "gamble with the lives of millions."

Trump vows to end Biden-Harris electric vehicle mandate and redirect "Green New Scam" funding.

Trump vows to end double taxation for Americans living overseas.

Trump vows to implement new tax incentives that would boost U.S. auto manufacturing industry.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

GlobalNews.ca

Brighteon.com
Newly elected Canadian Liberal premier vows to expand abortion access in her province as soon she is sworn into office

Susan Holt, the newly elected premier of New Brunswick, Canada, has vowed to expand abortion access as soon as she enters office.

The eastern Canadian province of New Brunswick, which shares a border with the State of Maine, recently held provincial elections to select the 49 members of its Legislative Assembly. The province's main left-wing party, the New Brunswick Liberal Association, won the election against the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick, which had been ruling the province since 2018.

Now, just days after winning 31 of the 49 seats in the provincial legislature, Premier-designate Holt, who will be sworn in on Sunday, Nov. 2, has vowed to expand access to abortion.

Under the administration of outgoing Premier Blaine Higgs, government funding for abortion services was restricted to procedures conducted in just three hospitals  two in the province's largest city of Moncton, and another in the small city of Bathurst, around 100 miles to the north.

Throughout his tenure, Higgs consistently rejected repeated efforts from the federal government pressuring him to provide funding for Clinic 554 in the provincial capital of Fredericton, the only private abortion clinic in New Brunswick.

Clinic 554, initially established as the Morgentaler Clinic in 1994, permanently shut down in January 2024 due to worsening financial constraints.

Holt promised to amend provincial General Regulation 84-20, which states that the province's healthcare system can only cover abortions performed at the three aforementioned hospitals in Moncton and Bathurst. Holt argued that "abortion is healthcare," and that the provincial government has a responsibility to improve access to these services in the province.

"There are places that are ready to deliver those services and people who are ready to deliver those services. If this amendment to 84-20 is made that allows them to be paid under the current Medicare system," she said. (Related: Canada passes controversial bill providing FREE contraception and abortion pills to all.)

Holt and her left-leaning stance face criticism from pro-life advocates

This proposal has faced criticism from pro-life advocates. Pete Baklinski, the Communications Director for Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) immediately denounced Holt's statements and accused her of promoting "the murder of the unborn" in a post on X.

"So, Susan Holt gets elected in New Brunswick and immediately promises to ramp up the killing of the province's preborn children. She is literally promising to destroy the province's future by killing its future citizens. How is this progress? It's purely evil. Abortion is murder. God help the people of NB, especially babies in the womb," Baklinski posted.

The proposal has proven correct the warning of the CLC back in September that if the pro-abortion and pro-LGBT Holt won, she would overturn most of the pro-family directives in the province, including LGBT-related restrictions introduced by the previous Progressive Conservative government.

Learn more about abortion policies around the world at Abortions.news.

Watch this clip from MSNBC reporting on the criminalization of so-called "emergency abortions" in Idaho.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Life Chain 2024: Pro-life groups to gather at over 300 locations in Canada on Oct. 6 to demand end to abortion.

Maryland abortion clinic tells caller she can murder unborn child at 34 weeks (8.5 months): "A needle is inserted through the (baby's) abdomen and into the fetal heart."

Japanese scientists find ABORTION DRUGS in the VACCINES pushed on them by Bill Gates, now warn they may charge him with crimes against humanity.

Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Biden HHS over proposed rule that would hide abortion info from criminal investigations.

POLITICIZED: Studies find abortion pill mifepristone dangerous, but medical journal retracts data ahead of Supreme Court hearing.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com 1

NBMediaCoop.org

X.com

LifeSiteNews.com 2

Brighteon.com
Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner sues Elon Musk over X founders $1M giveaway

Krasner, a progressive DA bankrolled by Hungarian globalist billionaire George Soros, filed a complaint on Oct. 28. In his motion filed Monday in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Krasner accused the Tesla CEO and America PAC  Musk's political action committee (PAC) backing former President Donald Trump  of "running an illegal lottery" in both the city and throughout the state of Pennsylvania.

According to Big League Politics, Krasner's case is centered around the state's lottery and consumer protection laws. He accused Musk of noncompliance with the state's requirement for lottery operators. Under the Philadelphia law, lottery operators must publish "a complete set of lottery rules" and emphasize measures to safeguard the personal data of participants.

Krasner also claimed that the lottery rules are "deceptive" and the selection of winners could be rigged, writing: "Though Musk says that a winner's selection is 'random,' that appears false because multiple winners that have been selected are individuals who have shown up at Trump rallies in Pennsylvania." (Related: Elon Musk campaigning for Donald Trump in crucial swing state of Pennsylvania.)

"Running an illegal lottery and violating consumer protections is ample basis for an injunction and concluding that America PAC and Musk must be stopped, immediately, before the upcoming presidential election on Nov. 5. That is because America PAC and Musk hatched their illegal lottery scheme to influence voters in that election."

The Oct. 28 lawsuit came on the heels of Musk announcing the eighth winner of America PAC's $1 million giveaway in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The South African-born Musk has remained firm in his commitment to reward registered voters in seven battleground states every day until Nov. 5, when Americans head to polling places to cast their votes.

"For participants to be eligible to participate in the giveaway, they have to sign a petition on the PAC's website confirming their support for the First and Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution," wrote Jose Alberto Nino of Big League Politics. He added that while potential participants must be registered to vote per the online petition form, they can opt not to vote on Election Day.

Judge refuses to grant Krasner's request

But on Thursday, Oct. 31, Judge Angelo Foglietta of the Common Pleas Court said he wouldn't immediately move forward with Krasner's lawsuit. In a hearing that day, Foglietta explained that the lawsuit would be on hold while a federal court considers whether to take up the case.

The following day, a federal judge ruled that the case should be heard in state court. U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert, a former Pennsylvania attorney general appointed by former President Barack Obama, issued the Friday ruling. This essentially returned the case to Foglietta's desk, the Associated Press reported.

Musk meanwhile argued in a separate filing that the case belonged in federal court as it involves claims of federal election interference. The owner of the X platform also said the DA's legal action also "raises questions of free speech rights," per Reuters.

"Musk's bid to move the case frees him to continue the giveaway because the matter likely won't be resolved until after [the Nov. 5] election," the news outlet pointed out.

But for Nino, the progressive Philadelphia DA's complaint against Musk appears to be a last-ditch attempt to block the incoming red wave.

"Democrats know that their goose is cooked next week during the general election, so they're pulling every trick in the book to try to prevent Trump and Republican candidates from winning," he wrote. "That's how things are breaking down in Clown World USA."

Check out ElonMuskWatch.com for more stories about Elon Musk.

Watch this MSNBC report about Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner suing Elon Musk over the X owner's $1 million giveaway.

This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden-Harris DOJ targeting Elon Musk's America Pac over voter sweepstakes.

Elon Musk pledges to donate $45 million PER MONTH to Donald Trump's campaign.

Elon Musk announces daily $1 million prize for online petition signatures supporting U.S. Constitution, Trump campaign.

Sources include:

BigLeaguePolitics.com

Reuters.com

APNews.com

Brighteon.com
ITS COMING: Russia initiates NUCLEAR drills simulating retaliatory strikes on West

As the world inches closer to World War III, Russian President Vladimir Putin is putting the West on notice that Moscow has begun conducting nuclear drills simulating retaliatory strikes against NATO.

In an announcement that came just days after NATO completed its own annual nuclear drills, known as Steadfast Noon, in Belgium, the Netherlands, and over airspace near Denmark, the United Kingdom, and the North Sea, Putin announced that his country's military is "conducting a regular training exercise for our strategic deterrence forces."

"This exercise will involve practicing the procedures for officials in managing the use of nuclear weapons, including practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles," Putin further said.

According to Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, the drills aim to simulate the "strategic offensive forces launching a massive nuclear strike in response to a nuclear strike by the enemy."

Putin says the drills are an important part of Russia's efforts to maintain its existence through "constant combat readiness," especially in light of "escalating geopolitical tensions and the emergence of new external threats and risks."

(Related: Russia is no longer playing around  even non-nuclear attacks from the West could warrant the use of a nuclear response by Moscow.)

Is this all leading to World War III?

As for the NATO exercise, the Western bloc announced that it involved 13 Allied countries, approximately 2,000 military personnel, and more than 60 aircraft, "including nuclear-capable jets, bombers, and fighter escorts."

"Refuelling aircraft and planes capable of reconnaissance and electronic warfare also took part in the exercise designed to ensure the strength and credibility of NATOs nuclear deterrent," reads a NATO press release about the exercise.

These two nuclear simulation drills come as tensions between Russia and NATO are reaching a fever pitch. As part of the escalation, Putin recently ordered that changes be made to Russia's nuclear doctrine to lower the threshold for using nuclear weapons in direct response to the United States possibly using long-range NATO missiles to strike targets deep within Russian territory.

Senior officials in Moscow commented that the war in Ukraine has now reached its "most difficult phase," hence why Putin continues to hold these types of military exercises.

"This is the second such military exercise initiated by Putin in a fortnight and the West-led NATO alliance is still unsure of how to deal with the escalating situation," reports NDTV. "The rise in tensions began after western forces, led by the U.S. were planning to allow Ukraine the use of long-range cruise missiles to target territories deep inside Russia."

Putin wants the West to know that he is not going to roll over and allow NATO via Ukraine to harm Russia in the way U.S. officials have been bloviating as of late as their proposed response.

"We will work out the actions of officials to control the use of nuclear weapons with practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles," Putin said.

"Using nuclear weapons would be an 'extremely exceptional measure,'" Putin continued, adding that "we are not going to get involved in a new arms race, but we will maintain nuclear forces at the level of necessary sufficiency."

NATO, meanwhile, is livid that Russia has reportedly started bringing in North Korean troops to help fight in Ukraine. At least 10,000 North Korean troops, according to the Pentagon, are being shipped into Ukraine, with Volodymyr Zelensky speculating that the true number is closer to 12,000 troops.

"We believe that the DPRK has sent around 10,000 soldiers in total to train in eastern Russia that will probably augment Russian forces near Ukraine over the next several weeks," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Singh further told reporters.

More related news coverage can be found at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

Antiwar.com

NaturalNews.com

NDTV.com
Supreme Court blocks attempt to restore names of around 1,600 non-citizens to Virginia voter rolls

The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked a lower court order that would have required Virginia to restore over a thousand names identified as probable non-citizens to its voter rolls for the 2024 presidential election.

U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles earlier ordered Virginia to reinstate the names of about 1,600 probable non-citizens removed from the voter registration in August. Giles agreed with the argument of the administration of President Joe Biden and several immigration groups that the removal of these names within 90 days of a national election violated the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). (Related: Michigan's bloated voter rolls list nearly 500,000 names more than the total eligible voting population.)

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin immediately appealed the ruling. He noted that most of the flagged individuals had already submitted documents showing non-citizen status, a fact recently verified by federal authorities. Additionally, Youngkin argued that these names had been flagged as part of a legally sound review and stressed that the process was not "systematic," as the NVRA prohibits, but rather an "individualized" approach to voter verification.

The Supreme Court issued a 6-3 order in favor of Youngkin and his appeal, temporarily blocking Giles' ruling. This pause enables attorneys of Virginia to continue their defense that NVRA provisions were never intended to restrict states from removing non-citizens from voter rolls when such individuals are deemed ineligible to vote.

Youngkin celebrates ruling blocking restoration of non-citizens in voter rolls

Youngkin expressed his satisfaction with the decision and called it "a victory for commonsense and election fairness."

"We are pleased by the Supreme Court's order today," Youngkin said after the court ruling. He also commended Attorney General Jason Miyares for his role in securing the ruling.

"I am grateful for the work of Attorney General Jason Miyares on this critical fight to protect the fundamental rights of U.S. citizens. Clean voter rolls are one important part of a comprehensive approach we are taking to ensure the fairness of our elections."

The governor added: "Virginians also know that we have paper ballots, counting machines not connected to the internet, a strong chain of custody process, signature verification, monitored and secured drop boxes, and a 'triple check' vote counting process to tabulate results."

Miyares echoed these sentiments, adding that the ruling bolstered their stance on election integrity.

"This ruling is a win for election integrity and the rule of law. While I am gratified the Court moved so quickly, I remain deeply concerned and alarmed that the Biden-Harris administration chose to execute this maneuver just 25 days before an election. Today's ruling is a reaffirmation of our commitment to election integrity and I look forward to ensuring that our electoral process remains secure for all Virginians," Miyares said.

Follow VoteFraud.news for more stories about voting issues in America.

Watch this video from "Flyover Conservatives" providing a very detailed, state-by-state breakdown of what may happen in the election.

This video is from the Flyover Conservatives channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

DOJ releases new guidelines for election officials dictating who can and can't be removed from voter rolls.

Texas PURGES one million ineligible voters from voter rolls, including non-citizens and dead people.

CLEANING HOUSE: Ohio removes nearly 155,000 names from voter rolls due to inactive or expired registrations.

Questions persist about falsification of 100,000 mail-in ballots in Michigan as Gov. Whitmer changes election laws to make fraud harder to expose.

How Wisconsin RIGGED the vote in 2020 with plans to do it again this November.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

Brighteon.com
Spain cancels $6.48M arms deal with Israeli defense company amid ongoing IDF violence inflicted upon Gazans

Spain has canceled a $6.48 million contract with an Israeli defense company in light of the countrys actions in Gaza, expanding on a previous pledge not to sell weapons to Israel to encompass the purchase of weapons as well.

The government had previously agreed to buy more than 15 million 9mm rounds of ammunition in a $6.48 million contract from Guardian LTD Israel for its national Guardia Civil police force.

However, the Spanish Interior Ministry announced in a statement that it is reversing course for political reasons.

The Spanish government maintains the commitment not to sell weapons to the Israeli state since the armed conflict broke out in the territory of Gaza. Although in this case it is an acquisition of ammunition, the Interior Ministry has initiated the administrative procedure to cancel the purchase, the statement read.

The Interior Ministry added that it will disqualify all Israeli companies from bidding for future tenders as long as the war in Gaza continues.

Spain is one of the few European nations that has been willing to take a very strong stance against Israels genocide and war crimes in Gaza and Lebanon, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez encouraging his fellow EU members to suspend their free trade agreement with Israel earlier this month.

Sanchez stated: The European Commission must respond once and for all to the formal request made by two [Spain and Ireland] to suspend the association agreement with Israel if it is found, as everything suggests, that human rights are being violated.

After meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, he made a call to the international community as a whole to stop exporting weapons to the Jewish state, saying: I do believe that it is urgent that, in light of everything that is happening in the Middle East, the international community stops exporting weapons to the government of Israel," he told reporters.

"This is an appeal that I will make... to the entire international community.

He added that no one should contribute to the violence in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.

Spain angered Israel by recognizing Palestine as a state in May

In May, Spain joined Ireland, Norway and Slovenia in recognizing Palestine as a state. The Spanish defense minister, Margarita Robles, then labeled the conflict in Gaza a real genocide in an interview with TVE state television.

"We cannot ignore what is happening in Gaza, which is a real genocide," she said, echoing previous comments made by Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz.

She added that Madrids official recognition of Palestine was not intended to be a move against Israel but was instead done in the hopes of ending the violence in Gaza at a time when nearly 36,000 Palestinians had already been killed there.

The countries recognition of a Palestinian state spurred an angry response from Israel, who likened it to a reward for terrorism and promptly recalled its ambassadors from the capitals of the countries.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that the move meant Sanchezs government was being complicit in inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes.

Spain was also the first European country to back South Africas case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of committing genocide. The court has already ordered Israel to stop its military offensive in Gaza, but Israel did not comply.

In a post on X, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that Israel must comply with the ICJs ruling, writing: "The International Court of Justice's precautionary measures, including the cessation of Israel's offensive in Rafah, are mandatory. We demand its application."

Sources for this article include:

TheCradle.co

Reuters.com
Taiwan secures agreement with U.S. to purchase 1,000 ATTACK DRONES

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has officially secured agreements with the government of the United States to purchase 1,000 attack drones from American defense manufacturers AeroVironment Inc. and Anduril Industries Inc.

According to several reports, Taiwan formalized the purchase in September with a "letter of offer and acceptance," the final step before formal contracts, which will specify exact quantities, financial terms and delivery timelines.

The transaction follows the U.S. Department of State's approval to sell 1,011 loitering munition drones to Taiwan. Also known as kamikaze or suicide drones, loitering munitions are designed to loiter at a given area until a target is detected, then attack the target by crashing into and destroying it. This kind of drone technology has been deployed effectively in conflict zones like Ukraine.

The approval allowed for the transfer of 291 Anduril Altius 600M-V drones for $300 million and 720 AeroVironment Switchblade 300 "B" model drones for $60 million. (Related: U.S. to send $567M in military aid to Taiwan, ignoring China's "red lines" related to the island nation.)

This agreement is a major step in the procurement strategy of Taiwan to strengthen its military posture amid increasing military tensions, especially with the lessons learned from modern warfare tactics observed in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, a senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, views the procurement as a response to lessons from the defense strategy of Ukraine, where drones have been instrumental in intelligence gathering and offensive operations. Montgomery, who has conducted defense assessments in Taiwan, stressed the importance of Taiwan adapting to current warfare trends.

The contracts have yet to be signed, but officials familiar with the negotiation expressed confidence that the details will be finalized shortly.

China sanctions six U.S. military companies, five senior executives

In June, China's Foreign Ministry quickly responded to earlier military arms sales between Washington and Taipei by sanctioning six U.S. military companies and five senior executives.

The sanctioned companies were Maritime Tactical Systems, Pacific Rim Defense, AEVEX Aerospace, LKD Aerospace, Summit Technologies Inc. and Anduril Industries, which is also selling the suicide drones to Taiwan.

The sanctioned senior executives belong to AeroVironment and Anduril Industries.

The movable and immovable properties and other assets of these corporations and individuals within China were frozen. Additionally, all organizations and individuals within China had been prohibited from engaging in transactions, cooperation and other activities with them. Their visas or entry into China will be denied too, including to its special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian reiterated China's position in an Oct. 29 general press conference.

"Taiwan is a province of China and there is no such thing as 'Taiwan's ministry of defense.' China's firm opposition to the military contact between the U.S. and Taiwan is consistent and clear. The two U.S. companies you mentioned and relevant senior executives in charge are under sanctions by China," Lin said.

Visit WWIII.news for more updates on potential armed conflict between Taiwan and China.

Watch the video below as Taiwan issues a warning about the Russia-China threat.

This video is from the WorldViewTube channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

U.S. would prevail over China in a war over Taiwan, high-ranking U.S. military official claims.

Taiwanese president warns military cadets about Chinas relentless threat to Taiwans national sovereignty.

Admiral John Aquilino: China is building up its military and nuclear arsenal as it prepares to invade Taiwan by 2027.

War between the U.S. and China over Taiwan could cost the global economy a staggering $10 TRILLION.

Taiwan unveils first domestically built submarine amid military modernization and buildup meant to deter a Chinese invasion.

Sources include:

News.Antiwar.com

Bloomberg.com

GlobalTimes.cn

FMPRC.gov.cn

Brighteon.com
White House legalizes all gain-of-function research to build more BIOWEAPONS

The regime of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris has revealed that formerly illegal gain-of-function research is now fully legal, meaning the bioweapons industry is free to start churning out more plagues like the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

Entitled "United States Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential," a new White House document explains how "certain types of federally funded life sciences research on biological agents and toxins" is now legal, including the kind of biological agents and toxins that "when enhanced, have the potential to pose risks to public health, agriculture, food security, economic security, or national security."

The new rules are to replace those established in 2012 and 2014, which at that time did not allow for gain-of-function research to take place on United States soil  back then, gain-of-function was only supposed to take place in China, Ukraine, or elsewhere.

Part of the new plan is to have the appropriate federal agencies complete "an interagency review" of the situation in order to "strengthen responsible conduct for biological research" moving forward.

"This Policy has also been issued pursuant to Section 2315 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (42 U.S.C.  6627) to achieve consistent review and oversight of life sciences research proposed for federal funding that may be reasonably anticipated to involve the creation, transfer, or use of pathogens with enhanced pandemic potential (PEPPs)," reads the "Purpose" section of the new rules.

(Related: Earlier this year, it came out that both Google and YouTube helped fund the development of the Wuhan coronavirus [COVID-19] bioweapon.)

Will there be more COVID-like bioweapons in 2025?

Starting in early 2025, the federal government will need to make any necessary updates to its guidance concerning this area of research so it reflects the changes. Research involving biological agents and toxins "is essential to the scientific advances that underpin improvements in the health and safety of the public, agricultural crops and other plants, animals, and the environment," the document states.

"The intent of research oversight is to increase the awareness of researchers, research institutions, and federal funding agencies about the biosafety and biosecurity concerns associated with certain types of research to ensure that appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place to prevent biosafety incidents (e.g., unintended personal exposure or release of an agent outside of containment) or biosecurity incidents (e.g., theft or intentional misuse of information, knowledge, products, or technology)."

Everything laid out in the White House document makes gain-of-function research sound important and essential to both the well-being and perpetuity of humanity itself. We know, however, from what happened with COVID that tampering with disease is a recipe for disaster.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center published a notice about the changes that make it sound as if the White House is "tightening" the research rules for gain-of-function rather than expanding them.

"The White House is tightening federal oversight of so-called gain-of-function (GOF) studies that could enhance risky viruses in ways that increase their ability to cause a pandemic," the Center says. "It is also overhauling rules for a broader category of federally funded research on dangerous pathogens that is considered 'dual use,' because the results could be used as bioweapons."

According to the Center, the new rules, released by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), "are narrower" than the ones floated last year. Scientists feared that the initial rules would "complicate studies on low-risk pathogens such as cold viruses and herpesviruses," so they were replaced with new rules that "will expand the number of studies that must undergo special review" as part of the gain-of-function bioweapons development process.

More related news can be found at Plague.info.

Sources for this article include:

WhiteHouse.gov

NaturalNews.com

UNMC.edu
Biden-Harris administration spent over $900 million to promote COVID-19 vaccines

The administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spent over $900 million in taxpayer dollars to fund the "We Can Do This" campaign that promoted the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines to the general public.

This information was made public following the completion of an investigation by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which started in April last year.

Released on Oct. 23, the report sought to explore the failure of the administration's "We Can Do This" messaging campaign to prevent public trust in the medical establishment from continuing to decline, as highlighted by a July 2023 study in the Annals of Medicine. The study found that just 13.2 percent of children under five and 43.9 percent of youth ages 12-17 were vaccinated for (COVID-19), and that even among those who were just under 40 percent of the younger group and 55.3 percent of those 12-17 were boosted. (Related: Biden regime spent $1B pushing LIES about COVID jabs, boosters and masks, Congress finds.)

The study claimed that the main reasons for non-vaccination were due to parents who were concerned about the side effects of the vaccines (53.3 percent), a lack of trust in the current crop of COVID-19 vaccines (48.7 percent), the belief that children do not need to get vaccinated against COVID-19 (38.8 percent), lack of trust in the government (35.6 percent) and that children in the household were not members of high-risk groups (32.8 percent).

Biden-Harris vaccination campaign was "deeply flawed"

To counter this, the Biden-Harris administration conducted what the House Energy and Commerce Committee described as a "deeply flawed" campaign based on data and advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that only exacerbated mistrust in the government and COVID-19 vaccines.

Among the medical misinformation it promoted were claims that the COVID-19 vaccines effectively stopped viral transmission, exaggerations of the effectiveness of masking and exaggerations of the risk the virus posed to children, which in reality was almost nonexistent.

The campaign also relied on celebrity advertisements to promote the vaccines and full-time social media influencers to do similar promotions directly to their audiences, reportedly with little success.

The campaign also worked to "regularly synthesize findings from Google search trends and monitor social listening tools  to recommend, develop, shepherd through clearance and traffic a range of timely static and video ads" on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (now X), Reddit and YouTube.

"While the Biden-Harris administrations public health guidance led to prolonged closures of schools and businesses, the NIH [National Institutes of Health] was spending nearly a billion dollars of taxpayer money trying to manipulate Americans with advertisements  sometimes containing erroneous or unproven information," wrote House Energy And Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) in a statement.

"By overpromising what the COVID-19 vaccines could do  in direct contradiction of the Food and Drug Administration's authorizations  and over-emphasizing the virus risk to children and young adults, the Biden-Harris administration caused Americans to lose trust in the public health system," she added.

"Our investigation also uncovered the extent to which public funding went to Big Tech companies to track and monitor Americans, underscoring the need for stronger online data privacy protections."

Watch this video of Del Bigtree discussing how mainstream media helped cover up the injuries and deaths caused by the COVID-19 vaccines.

This video is from the PureTrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

American Heart Association introduces new CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE definition that strongly resembles damage caused by mRNA vaccines.

Why did Trump, Rogan refuse to touch COVID vaxx in three-hour interview?

Pfizer, CDC withheld evidence that COVID-19 vaccines increased the risk of myocarditis in children.

Woman developed PSYCHOSIS after getting injected with AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Latest email leaks show Big Tech and Biden colluded on COVID narratives, including with CDC and Twitter.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

TheCenterSquare.com

Brighteon.com
Final Emerson Poll shows Trump LEADING in six of seven swing states

The final Emerson College poll in seven key swing states shows former President Donald Trump leading against Vice President Kamala Harris in six of them

The swing state poll surveyed anywhere between 790 (in Michigan) to 1,000 (in Pennsylvania) voters, with a margin of error of between plus or minus three to 3.4 percent. The survey was conducted by contacting people's smartphones and landlines from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.

Trump had the biggest lead in Arizona, where Emerson polled 900 voters. Trump led Harris by 2.1 percent. In Georgia, where 800 people were polled, Trump led Harris by 0.5 percent. In North Carolina, where 860 voters were polled, the former president led by 0.3 percent. In Pennsylvania, perhaps the most important swing state this election and where Emerson polled 1,000 people, Trump led Harris by 0.7 percent. (Related: POLL: Trump takes narrow lead against Harris in Pennsylvania.)

In two of the three remaining swing states, Emerson noted that Trump's lead over Harris was essentially a "statistical tie." In Nevada, where Emerson polled 840 people, Trump led by 0.1 percent. In Wisconsin, where 800 people were surveyed, Trump led by 0.3 percent.

The poll noted that Harris was only leading against Trump in Michigan, where Emerson polled 790 people and where the vice president led against Trump by 1.6 percent.

Emerson's polling also suggested how there may be a "battle of the sexes" in this election, with most men breaking for Trump and most women breaking for Harris.

This phenomenon was seen in all seven swing states, but varies in the disparity. In Arizona, for example, men break for Trump by seven points (53 percent to 46 percent), while in Pennsylvania, they break for Trump by 17 points (58 percent to 41 percent).

Meanwhile, the break for Harris is less pronounced. In Arizona, women break for Harris by just two points (50 percent to 48 percent), while the biggest disparity is in Pennsylvania, where women break for Harris by 13 points (55 percent to 42 percent).

"The gender gap on the ballot continues to sharply divide voting intention," said Emerson College Polling Executive Director Spencer Kimball.

All recent polls claim presidential race still "too close to call"

The Emerson poll is just one of a slew of national presidential election surveys that continue to claim that the upcoming vote is a tossup  mainstream media outlets reporting on the Emerson poll, for example, were quick to note how its results show that a Harris victory in all seven swing states was within the margin of error.

One outlying poll even found that Harris was leading Trump in Iowa, a state that has consistently voted Republican and neither party considered to be a swing state, seeing a Trump victory there all but certain.

On the final day of the campaign, Trump held a whopping four campaign stops  the first in North Carolina, two in Pennsylvania and then he wrapped up the day in Michigan.

Harris, meanwhile, spent the entirety of Monday, Nov. 4, in Pennsylvania, where she held rallies in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh before joining a concert in Allentown.

More updates about the election can be found at Trump.news.

Watch this Nov. 2 "Weekend Alert" episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses the emergency medical preparedness products people need to have stocked to be ready for post-election chaos.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Major election forecasters predict a decisive victory for Trump.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson claims election winner in the state may not be known until next day  a lot can happen in 24 hours.

ABC News in Pennsylvania ALREADY reporting KAMALA WON election with 100% votes counted, meaning fake news in every swing state has already PREPARED fake results.

Arizona officials claim Maricopa County needs 10-13 days to tabulate results of the election.

Conventional polls show Trump and Harris locked in DEAD HEAT as Election Day nears they are setting up a STEAL.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

EmersonCollegePolling.com

USAToday.com

Brighteon.com
FOOD SHORTAGES? Massive flooding in Spain destroys fruit, vegetable crops, thrusting citizens toward food shortages

British supermarkets are about to see bare shelves as massive flooding in Spain, one of the Europe's primary sources of fresh produce, destroys fruit and vegetable crops.

Described by government officials as one of Spain's worst natural disasters, the flooding has already killed more than 200 people and destroyed many farms  and the rains are not even over yet, meaning more destruction is on the way.

Supermarkets across the United Kingdom are reportedly warning their customers to expect much less fresh fruit and vegetables on shelves for the next several months at least  though all other food imports will be unaffected, officials claim.

Government officials in England are said to be assessing the potential impact of all this flooding on the nation's food supply chains.

"There is no risk to overall UK food security as a result of the flooding," declared a spokesperson for the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in a statement.

"However, we are assessing the potential impact on individual product lines, and are ready to support the industry should any food supply chain issues occur."

(Related: Earlier this year, Europe launched a food crisis war games scenario depicting a coming global food crisis  is the flooding in Spain the fulfillment of that?)

Will there be enough oranges for everyone?

At the current time, most of the world's citrus supply, and particularly the orange supply, comes from Spain. Valencia alone, where Valencia oranges come from, produces about 60 percent of Spain's citrus products, according to the Institute of Agriculture Investigations.

Spain is also a leading exporter of almonds, avocados and grapes, the latter of which are used in winemaking. To lose these staples on top of citrus products will be noticeable at grocery stores that import them.

Should there end up being a major disruption to the UK's food supply as a result of all the flooding in Spain, government officials are planning to take actions to support UK supermarkets, which also face shortages of other Spanish imports like rice as well.

The UK is heavily reliant on Spain for fresh fruit and vegetables, says Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi, a professor of climate change, food systems and health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Mabhaudhi is warning of a "gap in terms of the supply" already being seen at grocery stores.

"We don't know how long it will take farmers to get the land back into production and be able to recover," he added. "So then you look at, at least two seasons where the supply from Spain is still going to be disrupted."

Dr. Umair Choksy, a senior lecturer of management at the University of Stirling Management School, added that any food shortages in the UK caused by Spanish flooding "are unlikely to be immediate."

"It will take time to fully assess the extent of the damage to crops and infrastructure," Choksy said. "However, the impact on the UK is likely to be most noticeable in the coming months, as the effects on Spain's harvests and supply chains unfold."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed that another 5,000 troops and 5,000 police officers and civil guards are being deployed to the Valencia region to help provide aid and support.

This deployment, according to Sanchez, is the largest ever in Spain during peacetime, demonstrating the severity of the flooding.

"The response that is being given is not enough," Sanchez acknowledged, adding that there are "severe problems and shortages" as a result of the flooding.

Many people, he continued, are now "desperate people searching for their relatives" and "people who cannot access their homes" because their homes were "destroyed and buried by mud."

"I know we have to do better," he concluded.

More related news can be found at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

Express.co.uk

NaturalNews.com

BBC.com
Gaetz introduces legislation that would no longer tax-exempt NGOs/nonprofits that are assisting border invasion

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) recently proposed legislation that would take away the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax-exempt status from nonprofit and non-government organizations (NGOs) that assist illegal border crossers.

The bill is called Helping Americans by Restricting Resources to Immigrant Services Act (HARRIS Act) and it specifically categorizes any organization "substantially" providing or paying for goods and services for illegal immigrants as having aided the criminal act of illegally crossing into the United States borders.

Section 2 of the proposal indicates that the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is to be amended by inserting "no substantial part of the activities of which is providing goods or services to individuals other than citizens of the United States and aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as defined in section 101(a)(20) of the Immigration and Nationality Act)."

In an interview with the Daily Caller, Gaetz confirmed that "NGOs and nonprofits that enable the Biden-Harris administration's mass-migration policies  by focusing primarily on assisting those who have broken federal immigration law  should not be receiving tax breaks."

The Florida congressman clarified that his HARRIS Act would strip tax-exempt status from organizations aiding and abetting the U.S. border invasion.

"If nonprofits want special treatment under our tax code, they should focus on doing genuine charity for genuine Americans, not illegal aliens," Gaetz said regarding his bill.

The HARRIS Act is co-sponsored by Reps. Randy Weber (R-TX), Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and Andy Biggs (R-AZ).

Earlier this month, Gaetz also introduced the Blocking Assistance and Resources to Restrict Illegal Entry and Residency (BARRIER) Act. The bill aims to cut federal funding to NGOs, non-profits and other entities that help migrants illegally enter or reside in the United States. The two pieces of legislation would sever the public-private partnership that has supported the illegal crossing of our southern border by millions of people, Gaetz's official website indicated.

Meanwhile, the National Pulse reported in September that President Joe Biden's administration has poured nearly $400 million taxpayer dollars into so-called migrant aid groups, which actually serve to further incentivize and promote illegal immigration into the country.

The funding for these groups is often funneled through channels like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Shelter and Services Program (SSP). (Related: White House claims FEMA is NOT funding resettlement of illegal aliens, but agency website says otherwise.)

DHS grants millions to NGOs that facilitate alien invasion

Back in April, DHS awarded $300 million to NGOs and state and local governments supporting illegal immigration through the SSP. DHS also announced another $340.9 million would be available for grants in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024.

The DHS-funded program, administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was established to provide shelter, food, medical care and transportation to illegal aliens after having been processed by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In short, SSP enables the mass processing and release of illegal aliens into the country at the expense of American taxpayers, endangering the safety and security of the citizens.

Of those recently awarded grants, 35 are NGOs and 20 are state and local governments. Total SSP awards to NGOs amount to $99 million, while state and local governments will receive $175.9 million. The largest awards to governments include $38.8 million for New York City and $21.8 million for Pima County, Arizona.

The program has faced major scrutiny, including a 2023 DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report finding that funds for its predecessor program were mismanaged on multiple occasions and grantees violated the terms of the awards.

But this fiscal year, DHS adopted guidelines allowing grant recipients to transfer or redistribute funds from uses specified in their original application and allow for revising their budgets at any time during the grant period. These changes made it easier for NGOs and local government units to continuously receive the funds and at the same time, made it more difficult to track how the money is actually being used.

Earlier this year, a group of House Democrats called for increased funding of the program, asking for $3 billion to fund it and citing a "resounding need from cities and towns across the country for increased federal support to provide migrants with short-term humanitarian services."

Meanwhile, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) said that absent H.R. 2 being enacted into law, taxpayers "will continue to bail out NGOs and sanctuary jurisdictions that enable illegal immigration." In its FY25 proposed budget, the Biden administration requested $4.7 billion for a Southwest Border Contingency Fund to replace the SSP Program, while continuing to offer similar services to illegal aliens.

Head over to InvasionUSA.news to read more stories related to the efforts of the Biden administration to invite more illegal migrants to cross America's borders.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

Gaetz.House.gov 1

Gaetz.House.gov 2

FAIRUS.org
Georgia Supreme Court: Mail-in ballots received by polling stations after 7 p.m. on Election Day WILL NOT BE COUNTED

The Supreme Court of Georgia has ruled that absentee and mail-in ballots received by polling stations after 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5, will not be counted

The decision, published the day before the election, overturned a ruling made by a judge in Cobb County Superior Court that extended the deadline for accepting mail-in ballots in the county to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, with the caveat that the mail-in ballots must be postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

The lower court's decision was made after the Georgia American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the county on behalf of three county voters after election officials admitted to failing to ship out some 3,000 mail-in ballots on time, arguing that the county violated state law by failing to promptly provide absentee voters with their ballots. They appealed to the county courts to extend the deadline.

But the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Republican Party of Georgia countersued, arguing that extending the deadline for receiving absentee ballots beyond 7 p.m. on Election Day  the time in-person polls close in Georgia, as mandated by state law  would be a violation of the law.

"Election Day is Election Day  not the week after," said RNC Chair Michael Whatley.

The Peach State's high court said that those approximately 3,000 mail-in ballots must be set aside pending further litigation if they aren't returned to Cobb County polling places by 7 p.m. on Election Day. (Related: Judge blocks rule that would require Georgia to hand-count ballots.)

It also noted that its ruling does not pertain to voters casting absentee ballots protected by federal law, namely voters in the military and overseas absentee ballots.

Georgia voters not hindered from voting in person or returning their absentee ballots personally

In its countersuit, the RNC and the Georgia GOP argued that the state Supreme Court's decision to deviate from state law  which clearly states that "all absentee ballots" must be "returned" on "the day" of the "election"  was "baseless."

"The plaintiffs claim a burden on their right to vote, but the Georgia Constitution does not guarantee a right to vote by mail," wrote the lawyers in the suit. "Voters still have many options to vote, including by voting in person or delivering their absentee ballots in person."

Following its ruling, Georgia's Supreme Court ordered the board of elections of Cobb County to notify all affected voters of their Election Day deadline by email, text message and public announcement on the board's website.

The Georgia ACLU likewise urged voters to immediately cast their ballots in person or deliver their absentee ballots by hand to county election officials by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

"If neither is an option, we urge voters to immediately send their ballot back to the county via overnight delivery, if possible. Only as a last resort should voters simply mail their ballots," the group said in a press release. "Unfortunately, there are voters who will not be able to access the remaining options and will not have their voices heard in this election as a result of this ruling."

Watch this hidden camera footage of Democratic Party of Georgia operative Joel Caldwell admitting to operating an illegal ballot harvesting program in Atlanta.

This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Texas AG Ken Paxton has opened a CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION into Dominion Voting Systems for potential election-related crimes.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson claims election winner in the state may not be known until next day  a lot can happen in 24 hours.

Election fraud rears head in Pennsylvania as local official "dropped off and dumped numerous amount" of fraudulent voter registrations.

Nevada voters question the integrity of electoral process: "There are so many ways to cheat."

Georgia prepares for 2024 election STEAL with $5M scheme to "identify local election officials" who might challenge results.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

TheHill.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
IDF bombs north Gazas last functioning hospitals essential departments  dialysis center, engineering, water tanks and supplies warehouse

On Thursday, Oct. 31, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched another an attack on Beit Lahia's Kamal Adwan Hospital , the last functioning medical facility in north Gaza, killing at least four people  including two children  and causing serious damage to its essential departments.

The attack massively destroyed the hospital's desalination plant in the kidney dialysis department, the engineering and maintenance departments and water tanks. It also caused a fire at the warehouse of medicines and medical supplies that had been received by the World Health Organization (WHO) just a few days ago.

The IDF, which announced last week that it had withdrawn from the said hospital, claimed it was "unaware of a strike" but it is looking into reports of the Thursday attack at the hospital.

The Israeli troops once again bombed the hospital after it just targeted its oxygen station, which also led to the deaths of several patients, among them were children.

BREAKING | Israel bombs third floor of Kamal Adwan Hospital in north Gaza, targeting a desalination station in the kidney dialysis department, the engineering and maintenance departments, water tanks, and a warehouse of medical supplies. Several deaths reported, among them pic.twitter.com/TwPshoyKPj  The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) October 31, 2024

Surgical operations have been reportedly suspended completely due to the ongoing aggression. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiyah, the hospital's director, pleaded for help in a recorded message, asking "anyone with surgical expertise" to immediately report to the hospital.

"We currently have no surgeons on site," he said. "There are children with abdominal shrapnel injuries who need exploratory surgery and bleeding control before it is too late."

The bombing also came the week after Israeli troops stormed the hospital and abducted dozens of patients and medical staff, claiming they nabbed 100 "terrorists." Before the most recent attack on Oct. 31, there was only one medic left running the hospital after the IDF held it under siege for days, Dr. Khalil Daqran, a spokesman for the Hamas-run health ministry, said.

"Conditions in northern Gaza are catastrophic: there is no water, food or baby formula. Infrastructure has been decimated, sewage and waste are piling up among the residents, leading to the spread of disease and epidemics," Daqran added.

Kamal Adwan Hospital and the Indonesian Hospital, which is also besieged, are the last two functioning hospitals in northern Gaza.

According to reports, over 1,000 have been killed and thousands of others displaced as part of Israel's ethnic cleansing operations, the so-called "Generals' Plan." The said project aims to exterminate over 100,000 Palestinians who remain in north Gaza and turn the area into an isolated military zone. (Related: IDF confirms ethnic cleansing plan currently underway in northern Gaza.)

However, locals have refused to leave the north out of fear that the military will not let them return if they cross the Netzarim Corridor to go south.

The Iran-backed militant group Hamas said in a statement on Oct. 24 that it had already launched an "intensive" diplomatic and political campaign aimed at destroying Israel's "Generals' Plan."

Genocidal operation disrupts "polio vaccination campaign"

The people Israelis could not exterminate using vaccinations, they will expel using bombs.

According to the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli army's Palestinian civilian affairs agency, it facilitated the launch of the second round of a polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza on Saturday. A massive 58,604 children reportedly received a dose.

However, the Gaza health ministry reported that the vaccination drives for children in Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun were being disrupted by Israel's military offensive in northern Gaza. It said one clinic had come under Israeli fire while parents brought their children for the anti-polio dose on Saturday and that four children had been injured.

The WHO said in a statement that the clinic incident took place despite a humanitarian pause agreed upon by the two warring parties, Israel and Hamas, to allow the vaccination campaign.

"A @WHO team was at the site just before. This attack, during a humanitarian pause, jeopardizes the sanctity of health protection for children and may deter parents from bringing their children for vaccination," Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X on Saturday, calling for a halt in the extermination operations. "These vital humanitarian-area-specific pauses must be absolutely respected. Ceasefire!"

Central Intelligence Agency Director William J. Burns met with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi in Cairo and discussed efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, the White House recently said.

Meanwhile, at least 31 people were killed during the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip on Sunday, as per Palestinian medics. Palestinians said the new aerial and ground offensives and forced evacuations were ethnic cleansing aimed at emptying two northern Gaza towns and a camp of their population to create buffer zones.

However, Israel denied this, claiming that it was the Hamas militants who launched the attacks.

On Saturday, the Israeli military sent a new army division to Jabalia to join two other operating battalions, a statement said. It said that hundreds of Palestinian militants have been killed in the "battles" since the raid began on Oct. 5.

Check out IsraelCollapse.com for more stories related to Israel's ethnic cleansing efforts in Gaza.

Sources for this article include:

TheCradle.co

Reuters.com

WashingtonPost.com
Jimmy Kimmel under fire for telling Trump supporters to vote late by going to the polls days after the election

Late-night talk show host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel has come under fire for "joking" that supporters of former President Donald Trump should "vote late" by appearing at polling stations on Thursday or Friday, days after Election Day

Kimmel made the "joke" during the Oct. 30 episode of his late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

"I don't know if you know about this, but we have an election coming up," said Kimmel during the Oct. 30 episode's opening monologue. "I feel relaxed about it, I've really been enjoying the week. It's times like these it's important to remember that cannabis is legal in our state."

"If you can vote early, vote early. If you can't vote early, vote on time," said Kimmel. "If you want to vote for Trump, vote late, vote very late. Do your voting on Thursday, or maybe Friday." (Related: Social media influencer Douglass Mackey gets seven months in prison for making Hillary Clinton memes during 2016 presidential election.)

Biden-Harris administration imprisoned conservative for making similar "joke" in 2016

People were quick to point out how a conservative was imprisoned when he made a similar joke in 2016.

That year, social media influencer Douglass Mackey sent out a meme to his 58,000 followers on Twitter that jokingly told voters they could "avoid the line" by voting for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton from home if they would just "text 'Hillary' to 59925."

Mackey has maintained his innocence and said the meme was just a joke. In March 2023, he was convicted on a charge of conspiracy against rights, namely election interference and attempted voter suppression, and sentenced to seven months in prison.

Legal analysts note that the charge against Mackey  in the very liberal United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York  was clearly "outlandish," and may have been a means of creating a precedent for applying a similar charge of conspiracy against rights to Trump  a charge that could land guilty parties a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

But given that precedent has already been established against Mackey, conservatives are now calling for the same "outlandish" application of the law to be administered against liberals like Kimmel.

"The Biden administration sent Douglass Mackey to prison for making this exact joke," pointed out conservative political commentator Matt Walsh. "I'm dead serious when I say if Trump wins he should have Jimmy Kimmel arrested and jailed. Force these scumbags to live by their own rules."

Mackey himself weighed in on Kimmel's joke, pointing out how unfair it is that the Hollywood A-lister is still a free man.

"When I made an election joke, the Deep State used it as a pretext to conduct a fishing expedition against me, subpoenaing all my financial records, leases, employment information and pay stubs and email accounts," he said. "Will Jimmy Kimmel enjoy the same?"

Learn more about recent news involving America's celebrities at CelebrityReputation.com.

Watch this episode of "The Breanna Morello Show" as host Breanna Morello interviews Douglass Mackey about how he was imprisoned for making memes about Hillary Clinton in 2016.

This video is from the Breanna Morello channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Jimmy Kimmel "illegally" tells Trump voters they can wait until Friday.

Joe Rogan warns Elon Musk and other tech leaders that ONLINE CENSORSHIP will intensify if Harris-Walz ticket wins.

Hitler and the Nazis called Jews PARASITES and VERMIN just like Whoopi and Biden refer to Trump as an INSECT they laugh about people trying to kill him.

Taylor Swift appeared in NATO psyops video long before endorsing Kamala Harris for president.

Train Wreck: Jimmy Kimmel cuts to commercial after senile Biden trails off in nonsensical ramble.

Sources include:

ThePostMillennial.com

DailyWire.com

TheFederalist.com

Brighteon.com
New York officials terrorize animal rescue sanctuary, seize Peanut the squirrel in bizarre raid

The internet is abuzz with controversy over a recent police raid on a farm in upstate New York where two animals, Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon, were seized by authorities with both getting euthanized on suspicion that they might have had rabies.

The New York Post reported that the five-hour, 10-government agency raid, which occurred on Mark Longo's farm, resulted in the state killing Peanut and Fred while treating Longo as a "terrorist."

On social media, Peanut in particular has captured the hearts of about three million users who woke up one day to find that their beloved rodent had been picked up by law enforcement and taken away by the Department of Environmental Conservation and Health.

"They treated me like I was a terrorist," Longo said, recalling that the raid happened by surprise, out of the blue. "They treated this raid as if I was a drug dealer. They ransacked my house for five hours."

"They asked my wife, who is of German descent, what her immigration status was. They asked if I had cameras in my house. They wouldn't allow me to go to the bathroom without a police escort, who then checked the back of the toilet to see if I was hiding anything there."

(Related: Did you catch our report about the raid the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI) conducted on the police chief of Millersville after he went public about a massive global crime syndicate?)

Mark Longo and his wife are also pornographers

While some are claiming that the raid is just another example of "government waste, overreach, and misuse of resources," to quote one X / Twitter account, TMZ proposed another idea about what truly prompted the raid.

One of the first questions the cops asked Longo when they arrived is if he has any cameras in his house. This is significant because Longo and his wife have uploaded pornography of themselves to OnlyFans, this as they also babysit on occasion for their neighbors.

It appears as though at least one of the motivating factors behind the raid was to determine whether or not minors are being exposed to illicit smut while at the home of the Longos where Peanut and Fred both lived.

"I think there's an ulterior motive here, and it seems it has to do with my spicy social media presence, especially since other than taking the animals, they took no action against me," Longo himself admitted to TMZ.

It is also worth noting that the search warrant claimed probable cause to believe that Longo had committed a crime, though he was issued no citation or anything else at the time of the raid. Since the raid, nobody from any of the agencies involved have contacted Longo.

"I loved watching peanut," wrote a commenter, adding that the story "hurts" her heart.

"Him and the little raccoon were precious," she added. "I can't imagine how heartbroken they are."

Others pointed out that unless there really is some kind of sexual crime the authorities are investigating while using the rodents as cover, this is probably not the best use of resources.

"Let a guy die on the subway and blame Daniel Penny, but we have time to exercise a warrant on a squirrel and a raccoon," one wrote about the apparent misplaced priorities of the New York state government.

"There was no reason they needed to make the decision right then and there to euthanize," wrote another. "The process should involve contacting an expert which would have been able to help verify paperwork."

More related news can be found at Twisted.news.

Sources for this article include:

X.com

NYPost.com

NaturalNews.com
Donald Trump files $10 BILLION lawsuit against CBS News for deceptively editing its interview with Kamala Harris

Former President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against CBS News for $10 billion claiming the network deceptively edited its interview with Vice President and Democratic Party presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

Fox News exclusively obtained the lawsuit filed on Thursday, Oct. 31. According to Fox's report, Trump's attorneys are arguing that Harris' "60 Minutes" interview was edited in an effort to "attempt to tip the scales in favor of the Democratic Party as the heated 2024 presidential election  which President Trump is leading  approaches its conclusion."

"President Trump brings this action to redress the immense harm caused to him, to his campaign, and to tens of millions of citizens in Texas and across America by CBS' deceptive broadcasting conduct," the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit comes after Trump's attorneys wrote letters to CBS News demanding the network release the complete transcript of the "60 Minutes" interview with Harris after it aired two distinct answers to the same question.

Trump's attorneys asked CBS to keep all documents and communications connected to the interview pending a possible legal battle.

CBS claims First Amendment protects it from releasing full transcript of interview with Harris

CBS News refused to release the full transcript, claiming protections under the First Amendment, and rejected the allegation that it had "doctored" the Harris interview to deceive the American people. (Related: CBS refusal to release 60 Minutes Harris transcript indefensible.)

The network asserted that "the interview was not doctored" and that the program "did not hide any part of the vice president's answer to the question at issue."

As reported by Fox News, Trump's lawyers contended that media outlets "are responsible for accurately representing the truth of events, not distorting an interview to try and falsely make their preferred candidate appear coherent and decisive, which Kamala most certainly is not."

The lawsuit filed on Thursday clearly mentions the interview that Harris had with "60 Minutes" correspondent Bill Whitaker.

In the preview clip televised on "Face the Nation," Harris was asked why it appeared like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn't listening to the United States.

"Well, Bill, the work that we have done has resulted in a number of movements in that region by Israel that were very much prompted by, or a result of, many things, including our advocacy for what needs to happen in the region," Harris answered in the "Face the Nation" clip.

Harris was ridiculed by conservatives for giving a lengthy "word salad" to Whitaker. Nevertheless, when that same question was broadcast the following night in the primetime election special, a shorter, more focused answer from the vice president was aired.

"We are not going to stop pursuing what is necessary for the United States to be clear about where we stand on the need for this war to end," Harris declared in the primetime special.

"To paper over Kamala's 'word salad' weakness, CBS used its national platform on 60 Minutes to cross the line from the exercise of judgment in reporting to deceitful, deceptive manipulation of news," the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also said that Trump demands a jury trial and $10 billion in damages, claiming CBS' "ongoing false, misleading and deceptive acts."

Follow Rigged.news for more news about the deceptions of mainstream media.

Watch the video below about Bill O'Reilly's commentary regarding why CBS News won't release the unedited transcript of its interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

All questions at Kamalas FAKE town hall were pre-determined, admits moderator.

CBS is controlled by a left-wing social justice group that approves news stories before they are aired.

"Spliced?" 60 Minutes under fire for deceptively editing Kamala Harris interview; Trump demands full release.

Sources include:

100PercentFedUp.com

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here.

The 2024 election marks the collapse of the mainstream media as we know it.

Major news organizations have hit rock bottom, losing viewers and exposed as breeding grounds for liberal activists posing as reporters  losing credibility by the day.

A new Gallup poll shows trust in the media has reached a low point, even lower than Congress. Less than a third of Americans express a "great deal" or "fair amount" of confidence in the media to report the news "fully, accurately and fairly."

More Americans  36%  have no trust in the media, and another 33% say they don't have very much confidence.

That's more than two thirds of America that has lost faith in the mainstream media. It's appalling.

You want to talk about a threat to democracy? The fact that the media has become a sellout is the real danger.

"Something we are doing is clearly not working," Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos wrote.

In fact among a list of 10 civic and political institutions in this country, the media rank the lowest of all in trust.

Just 12% of Republicans have a great deal or fair amount of trust in traditional media, while just 27% of independents do. And more and more young people are rejecting the media as not trustworthy.

It's not surprising that Republicans have no belief in the media, given the growing liberal bias that has infiltrated so many newspapers and TV stations.

The mainstream media complain about Donald Trump calling them "the enemy of the state," then they go ahead and validate that by their lopsided coverage of the presidential race and politics.

A new analysis by the conservative Media Research Center found that 85% of the TV news coverage of Trump has been negative, while a whopping 78% of the coverage of Kamala Harris was positive. This is the biggest spread yet in decades of analysis by the Research Center.

In fact it's remarkable that Trump has closed in on Harris in the polls and the race is now too close to call.

MSNBC ran footage of a Hitler rally during a Trump event. And when the mother of a woman killed by a migrant held a press conference, CNN cut away to a panel discussion led by anti-Trumper Jim Acosta.

There is a disappearing line now between the editorial side of the media and news side. It's pretty much gone.

It's why when Bezos killed an endorsement of Kamala Harris, reporters and editors all around the country were apoplectic. Some resigned. Why would reporters even care about the editorials? They are supposed to be objective.

The bias is partly why many voters are turning to podcasts, YouTube and social media to get their news, bypassing the traditional media outlets. Even the candidates themselves are doing it.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Joe Battenfeld

Boston Herald/(TNS)

Joe Battenfeld is a veteran Boston Herald political columnist and multimedia reporter.

Previously:
Washington, Nov 5 : More than 78 million American voters had already cast their ballot by Monday morning, on the eve of Election Day as Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump crisscrossed the seven battleground states with their closing remarks.

Former President Donald Trump and Vice-President Kamala Harris have collectively raised $154 million in the seven biggest battleground states, and while Harris' fundraising has far surpassed Trump's overall, the ex-President is within striking distance of her cash haul -- or even surpassed it -- in a couple of closely watched states where they're neck-and-neck.

From the moment Harris ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket, she has been outraising Trump.

In the first month on the ticket in July, the campaign raised a record $310 million, which was more than twice Trump's takings that month. It was the best month of grassroots fund-raising in the history of presidential elections.

The Harris campaign's fund-raising is close to the billion-dollar mark, according to the Federal Election Commission, which monitors election finance in the US. Her collections stand at $997,950,787.25, which is nearly three times Trump's $391,949,664.42.

Arizona: Harris has outraised Trump in Arizona, but not overwhelmingly, taking in $11.8 million versus Trump's $9.8 million, according to a compilation by the Federal Election Commission of donations through October 16.

Georgia: Harris also narrowly beats Trump in Georgia, raising $13.2 million versus $11.1 million for Trump.

Michigan: The Vice-President has a stronger cash lead in Michigan, raising $14.3 million while Trump only garnered $8.1 million in donations.

Nevada: Nevada is the one state where Trump leads Harris in fundraising, with the ex-President bringing in $5.2 million as compared with Harris' $4.6 million.

North Carolina: Harris has outraised Trump in North Carolina by nearly two-to-one, raising $17.9 million versus Trump's $9.3 million.

Pennsylvania: Harris has raised the most cash in Pennsylvania out of any battleground state, and she has her biggest fundraising lead over Trump there, with the $24.2 million she's taken in being more than double Trump's $10.7 million.

Wisconsin: Harris has also raised more than twice as much as Trump in Wisconsin, garnering $9.4 million versus Trump raising $4.2 million.

But Trump also has the help of Elon Musk, the world's richest man. He is pouring millions towards helping the Trump campaign from the outside, but organising efforts to get out the vote, to make sure Trump supporters actually vote. He is contributing through a political action committee called America PAC, which helps Trump from outside. The businessman has put in $130 million in the PAC, which supports Trump and other Republicans.

But Musk is still only the second largest donor to Trump's cause. The top place goes to billionaire Timothy Mellon, who has contributed $150 to a political action committee supporting the Trump campaign.
Canberra, Nov 5 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday expressed concern over the recent attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, calling it "deeply concerning" during a press conference with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong at Parliament House, Canberra.

"What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was obviously deeply concerning. And, you would have seen the statement first by the official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by the Prime Minister yesterday. So, that should, I think, convey to you how deeply we feel about it," Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar also condemned Canada's surveillance of Indian diplomats, slamming what he described as Canada's "pattern of making allegations without providing specifics."

"When we look at Canada for us, the fact that they're putting our diplomats under surveillance is something which is unacceptable," he remarked.

Referencing the videos of the temple attack, Jaishankar said, "Do look at the video, and I think it would tell you, in a way, the political space today, which is being given to extremist forces there (Canada), that so we believe in freedoms. We also believe freedom should not be misused."

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong echoed Jaishankar's condemnation of the attack, expressing solidarity with the Indian community.

"In the wake of Diwali. It is very upsetting for members of the faith community and the broader Indian community. I would again say that people across Australia have a right to be safe and respected. People also have a right to peaceful protest; people have a right to express their views peacefully," she said, at the same time stressing that violence and vandalism should be handled by law enforcement.

"We are a multi-cultural democracy, we cherish that fact, but we also cherish the principles that enable that multi-cultural democracy to flourish -- respect and a right to express different views peacefully," she added.

The Brampton incident occurred when protesters carrying Khalistani flags clashed with devotees at the Hindu Sabha Temple, leading to skirmishes that were captured in unverified videos circulated on social media.

The videos showed some protesters wielding flagpoles and banners supporting Khalistan. Peel Regional Police have confirmed the arrest of three individuals connected to the incident, facing charges including assault with a weapon and assaulting a police officer.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the attack, calling it a "deliberate" act of violence in a strong statement on X.

"Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi wrote.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India also voiced its "deep concern" over the safety of Indian nationals in Canada, calling for the protection of places of worship.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario," and urged the Canadian government to prosecute those responsible.

The MEA emphasised that its consular services would continue, undeterred by "intimidation, harassment, and violence," underscoring India's commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad.
Canberra, Nov 5 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar expressed confidence on Tuesday that India-US relations would continue to grow steadily, regardless of the outcome of the US Presidential elections.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong at Parliament House in Canberra, EAM Jaishankar also credited former US President Donald Trump with reviving the QUAD alliance in 2017, marking a significant development in Indo-Pacific cooperation.

"We have seen steady progress in our relationship with the US over the last five presidencies, including a previous Trump presidency," Jaishankar remarked in response to a question on how India-US ties may evolve after the elections.

"So, when we look at the American election, we are confident that, regardless of the outcome, our relationship with the US will continue to grow," he added.

Highlighting the evolution of the QUAD -- a strategic alliance among the US, India, Japan, and Australia -- EAM Jaishankar noted, "I remind you that the Quad was actually revived under the Trump presidency in 2017."

"I was then elevated from the level of a Permanent Secretary to a ministerial level, also during the Trump presidency. Interestingly, in the midst of COVID, when most physical meetings had stopped, one of the rare in-person meetings of foreign ministers was of the QUAD in Tokyo in 2020. That, I think, speaks about the strong prospects of the QUAD," he added.

The outcome of the 2024 US Presidential election could be announced as early as Wednesday morning, though delays are possible, with results sometimes taking days, weeks, or even a month to finalise.

On the eve of election day, over 78 million Americans had already cast their ballots as candidates Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump rallied in seven battleground states for closing remarks.

The US Presidential race is determined by electoral college votes rather than the national vote total, requiring at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes to secure a win. Each state's electoral votes reflect its members in the US House of Representatives plus two Senate seats, ensuring proportional representation.

Early voting remains active, with more than 55 million registered voters having already cast their ballots in person or by mail.

Meanwhile, EAM Jaishankar, currently on a two-nation tour, will be in Australia until November 7 and will visit Singapore on November 8. He arrived in Brisbane on Sunday, after which he addressed the Indian diaspora and inaugurated a new consulate.

During his visit, he co-chaired the 15th Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue (FMFD) with Australian FM Penny Wong.

He informed about the meeting taking to X and posted, "Concluded the 15th India - Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue with FM Penny Wong in Canberra today. Our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is growing steadily. Reflected in stronger political ties, robust defence & security cooperation, expanded trade, greater mobility and deeper educational linkages. Discussed our respective neighbourhoods, Indo-Pacific, West Asia, Ukraine and the global strategic scenario."
New Delhi, Nov 5 : As the four-day Chhath festival begins with the traditional 'Nahay Khay' on Tuesday, a disturbing sight marred the religious fervour along the banks of the Yamuna River near Kalindi Kunj in Delhi.

Devotees gathered in large numbers to offer prayers and perform the ritual holy bath, a significant part of the festival dedicated to the Sun God.

However, their devotion was overshadowed by the sight of toxic foam floating on the river's surface, a stark reminder of the city's persistent pollution woes.

Amid the rising pollution levels that have plagued the national Capital, sections of the Yamuna River, particularly around Kalindi Kunj, were seen covered in thick, frothy foam, leaving both environmentalists and devotees concerned.

As the festival enters its first day, the foam -- an unpleasant and potentially hazardous byproduct of chemical pollution-- has once again raised an alarm about the state of the river, which is central to the Chhath Puja rituals.

Each year, devotees of Chhath Puja gather by the Yamuna to perform sacred bathing and prayers as part of the traditional worship. However, this year, the sight of foam on the river's surface has led many to question the efficacy of the measures taken by the administration to address the growing pollution problem.

The foam, a result of untreated sewage and industrial waste being dumped into the river, has become an annual issue during the festival, yet no lasting solutions seem to have been implemented.

"I love the Yamuna River, and I have come here to take a bath on Chhath Vrat, but the condition of the river is very bad. It feels very unfortunate," said Kiran, a devotee who had travelled to the riverbank for the ritual.

"The government should think about the state of the river that we hold in reverence and worship. It's disgraceful that the water we are supposed to bath in is polluted water," she said.

Another devotee, Ram Dulari, who was also performing the traditional bath, echoed similar sentiments. "Today is Nahay Khay, the first day of our Chhath Puja. I just want to request the government to clean the Yamuna River," she said, visibly distressed by the condition of the water.

The toxic foam, which has become a recurring issue during festivals like Chhath Puja, raises serious concerns about the quality of the water and its potential impact on public health.

The foam is composed of harmful chemicals, detergents, and pollutants from industrial and domestic waste. Prolonged exposure to such polluted water can lead to skin irritations and other health risks, especially for those who wade into the river to perform rituals.

This scene of environmental degradation in the Yamuna also highlights the systemic issue of untreated sewage being discharged into the river, which has been an ongoing challenge for years.

The river's pollution levels have reached alarming proportions, with high concentrations of chemicals and industrial waste dissolving into the water, further complicating efforts to clean it.

Despite the Delhi government's repeated assurances of measures to tackle the pollution in the Yamuna, the situation seems to have worsened over time. The lack of effective intervention during major religious events like Chhath Puja raises questions about the sincerity of the administration's efforts to improve water quality and safeguard public health.

Environmental experts have long been warning about the dangers posed by the river's contamination. The foam, which forms as a result of chemical and organic waste, serves as a visual indicator of the severe pollution in the water, which is not only harmful to the devotees but also to the broader ecosystem.

The ongoing pollution of the Yamuna, especially during such important cultural and religious events, has now become a significant challenge for the government and local authorities. Devotees, who hold the river in high regard, are increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in cleaning the waterway.
New York, Nov 5 : As the nation gets ready to head to the polls, the aggregation of polls that had given Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump a slight lead, but well within the margin of error, turned to give Democratic nominee Kamala Harris an edge.

The RealClear Polling's (RCP) aggregation that showed Trump ahead by 0.1 per cent on Sunday now has Harris up by 0.1 per cent, with 48.7 for the Democrat and 48.6 for the Republican on Monday night.

The change was fueled by a poll from the public broadcasters that gave her a 4 per cent lead over Trump.

The National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, which are partially funded by the federal government, said her lead was 0.5 per cent above their margin of error of 3.5 per cent.

Out of the eight polls that were taken partially or fully this month and went into RCP's calculation, two others gave Harris a 2 per cent lead, while one gave Trump a 1 per cent lead. The other four showed them tied.

In the RCP aggregations, Harris had consistently led after her nomination as the Democratic Party's candidate replacing Joe Biden, but Trump eked out a small lead, starting October 26 till Monday.

The national total of popular votes does not matter as much as the performance in the seven swing states because of the electoral college system.

With the other states that are traditionally committed to either party, the swing states that can go to either party can decide the winner because their electoral college votes can decide which candidate goes over the 270 mark in the 538-member body.

RCP still has Trump leading in five of the seven swing states.

Trump leads with 0.5 per cent in Pennsylvania, which has 19 electoral college seats and where Harris and Trump fought a pitched battle for votes.

He is also ahead in Georgia and North Carolina with 16 seats each, and Nevada with six and Arizona with 11.

Harris leads in Wisconsin with 10 seats and Michigan,15 seats.

In 2016, Democrat Hillary Clinton won nearly 3 million more votes than Trump, but lost to him because he won the majority in the electoral college, 306 to 227.
Berlin, Nov 5 : German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany will continue its commitment to strengthening defence forces in the coming years, including modernising the Bundeswehr with a special fund of 100 billion euros ($108 billion).

Scholz made the remarks at a joint press conference with visiting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Berlin on Monday, reports Xinhua news agency.

Noting that Germany has reached the target of spending 2 per cent of its economic output on defence for the first time this year, Scholz said that "we will continue resolutely down this path."

"All NATO allies must invest more, and I trust that Germany will continue to step up," Rutte said at the press conference.

During the visit, the two sides discussed continued support for Ukraine.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : Maldivian Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Aishath Rameela announced that the government is planning a temporary ban on the import of cats for commercial purposes.

Speaking on the "Raajje Miadhu" programme by the Maldives' state broadcaster PSM on Monday evening, she stated that an amended Animal Welfare Bill has been submitted to the Attorney General's Office. The bill aims to establish a regulated system for importing domesticated animals into the Maldives.

Rameela added that all stray cats are being relocated to a pet care facility recently opened on Hulhumale, a reclaimed island located south of North Male. Residents of the Maldives will have the option to adopt cats from this facility, Xinhua news agency reported.

She noted that the temporary ban on cat imports for business purposes is under consideration for the interim period. Additionally, Rameela mentioned plans to develop a four-story pet care facility next year, which will offer cat-sitting services for pet owners while they are travelling.

The minister also highlighted that currently over 4,000 stray cats were reported in the Male area.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : The Supreme Court is set to deliver on Wednesday its verdict on the question of whether Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) licence holders require a separate endorsement to drive a transport vehicle of the LMV class.

As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a 5-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud will pronounce its decision on November 6.

The Constitution Bench, also comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy, P.S. Narasimha, Pankaj Mithal, and Manoj Misra, is seized of the reference where the correctness of the decision of a 3-judge bench in Mukund Dewangan judgment has been doubted.

The 2017 Mukund Dewangan judgment had held that the need for a transport licence would arise in the case of medium/heavy goods and passenger vehicles only, adding that no other vehicle will require any separate endorsement, even if they are used for commercial purposes.

In other words, a holder of an LMV license would not require any separate endorsement for commercial usage of light motor vehicles (LMV) like e-rickshaws, cars, vans, etc.

The Centre issued notifications and brought amendments to the Motor Vehicles Rules to bring them in conformity with the above judgment of the Supreme Court.

The 2017 judgment gave rise to various disputes over payment of claims by insurance companies in accident cases involving transport vehicles being driven by those having licences to drive LMVs and the matter was re-agitated at their instance.

In March last year, a bench headed by Justice U.U. Lalit (now retired) in March 2022 held that certain provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act were not noticed by the top court in its 2017 Mukund Dewangan decision and the issue needs to be re-visited by a five-judge Constitution Bench.

In the course of the oral hearing, CJI Chandrachud had remarked that the issue in question was not plainly "about interpreting law" but involved the "social impact of law" as well. The Constitution Bench had asked the Union government to consider the impact on lakhs of people across the country who are engaged in driving commercial vehicles on the basis of the judgement in the Dewangan case as they will be "completely put out of their livelihood". It had made repeated emphasis that the Union government should review the entirety of the position and then take an appropriate call.
Mumbai, Nov 5 : The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is scheduled to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This year's auction marks the second consecutive year that the event will be held overseas, following the 2024 auction in Dubai.

Notably, the timing of the auction coincides with the third and fourth days of the first Test between India and Australia in Perth.

Unlike the regular player auctions held annually, the mega auction is a grand event that occurs every three years, spanning two days instead of the usual single day. The ten IPL franchises strategise to build their squads for the upcoming three seasons from 2025 to 2027.

A remarkable total of 1,574 players have registered for the auction, comprising 1,165 Indian players and 409 overseas talents, said BCCI. This diverse pool of players includes participants from various countries, including Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Scotland, the USA, and the UAE, although Full Member nations excluding Pakistan are represented.

The auction will take place at the Abady Al Johar Arena, also known as the Benchmark Arena, and franchises will have the opportunity to fill a total of 204 available slots in their squads, with each team permitted to build a roster of up to 25 players.

On October 31, teams finalised their player retention decisions, with a total of 46 players retained across all ten franchises. The highest retention was made by Sunrisers Hyderabad, who kept wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen for a whopping Rs 23 crore.

Both Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Nicholas Pooran of Lucknow Super Giants were retained for Rs 21 crore each. Mumbai Indians notably retained their core Indian players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma, totaling Rs 75 crore.

Each franchise has a total auction purse of INR 120 crore. However, following retention, Punjab Kings boast the largest remaining budget at Rs 110.5 crore, having retained only two uncapped players, Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh, for a total of Rs 9.5 crore. In contrast, Rajasthan Royals enter the auction with the smallest purse of Rs 41 crore after retaining the maximum of six players. Kolkata Knight Riders have a budget of Rs 51 crore.

For the mega auction, IPL teams are allowed to retain up to six players, which includes a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped players. Teams can choose to retain players outright or utilise the Right-to-Match (RTM) options during the auction. The RTM mechanism allows a franchise to buy back a player by matching the highest bid made by another franchise after the initial bidding process concludes.

Punjab Kings, having retained just two players, have the highest number of RTM options available at four. Royal Challengers Bangalore, with three retained players, will have three RTM options, while Delhi Capitals, who retained four players, will have two. Five franchises--Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants--retained five players each and possess just one RTM option.

Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, having retained six players, will not have any RTM options available during the auction.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits Ho Chi Minh Relic Site in Kunming, China's Yunan province, November 5, 2024. Photo: VGP

The site, located near the People's Government Headquarters of Wuhua District (Kunming City), is where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from February to October 1940, during which me met with Vietnamese revolutionaries such as Pham Van Dong and Vo Nguyen Giap to discuss critical events of the Vietnamese revolution.

In 2011, the site was recognized as a city-level cultural relic protection unit and it was upgrade to a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit in 2019.

More than 110,000 turns of tourists visited this relic site to learn about President Ho Chi Minh who was honored by UNESCO as a Hero of National Liberation and a Great Man of Culture of Viet Nam, as well as the friendly relations between Viet Nam and China.

During the visit, Prime Minister laid flowers and observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the President Ho Chi Minh's great contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

In the guestbook at the memorial site, Pham wrote: "I felt deeply moved in my visit to the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site in Kunming. This is a valuable historical site that stands as proof of the enduring solidarity and bond between the revolutions of the two Parties and the two countries Viet Nam and China.

Pham also expressed sincere thanks to the Party, administration, and people of Yunnan province for respectfully preserving this memorial site./.
Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance.
By actively monitoring and collaborating with stakeholders, Canada has managed to mitigate drug shortages more effectively than the U.S., underscoring the benefits of proactive health policy.

Study: Differences in Drug Shortages in the US and Canada. Image Credit: Shutterstock AI / Shutterstock.com

A recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association reported that drug-related supply chain issues in Canada were 40% less likely to result in significant drug shortages between 2017 and 2021 than in the United States.

Monitoring drug shortages in Canada and the U.S.

Global drug shortages, which are exacerbated by increasingly globalized supply chains, pandemics, and natural disasters, can lead to delayed treatments and adverse outcomes. Both the U.S. and Canada have policies requiring manufacturers to report potential supply chain issues.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Safety and Innovation Act mandates reporting but lacks penalties for non-compliance. Comparatively, Health Canada has a more proactive approach, as this federal department actively monitors drug supplies and collaborates with stakeholders to prevent shortages.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, both the U.S. and Canada strengthened policies to enhance supply chain transparency and expedite drug production. The U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act increased FDA authority for priority applications and inspections, whereas Canada implemented competitive bidding, expanded imports, and improved public reporting.

Canadas system effectively compares to the approach used by the U.S. to evaluate policies aimed at reducing drug shortages. Therefore, the researchers in the current study compared how often drug-related supply chain issues in the U.S. and Canada led to shortages, both overall and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

About the study

The current study obtained data on commonly purchased drugs between 2017 and 2021 from the IQVIA Multinational Integrated Data Analysis (MIDAS) database. Drugs with reported supply chain issues in both the U.S. and Canada were identified through data from the FDA, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and Health Canada.

Both the U.S. and Canada mandate the reporting of potential supply issues; however, these nations differ in approach. For example, the FDA receives manufacturer reports with some regulatory flexibility to prevent shortages, whereas Health Canada directly collects public reports and takes proactive measures.

Drugs with reported supply issues in both countries within 180 days were included in the analysis. Of the 5,876 purchased drugs, 1,198 met inclusion criteria, which led to a final sample of 104 reports after filtering for concurrent supply chain issues in both the U.S. and Canada.

The primary outcome was drug shortages, defined as a 33% or greater supply decrease within 12 months of a reported issue. Certain characteristics, such as manufacturing source, pricing, availability of alternatives, essential medicine status by the World Health Organization (WHO), and Canadian tier-3 classification, were considered in this analysis. The researchers aimed to determine whether policy differences impact the likelihood of shortages following reported supply issues.

Statistical analysis involved using Kaplan-Meier curves, unadjusted cumulative incidence estimation, Cox proportional hazards models, interaction terms for pre- and post-COVID-19 periods, and sensitivity analyses with different definitions of drug shortages and durations.

Study findings

Canada had 10,772 reports of supply chain issues, 100% of which provided reasons. Comparatively, the U.S. had 1,018 reports, 24% of which lacked specific reasons. About 49% of U.S. reports of supply chain issues were associated with drug shortages, compared to 34% of those in Canada.

Reports in Canada were about 40% less likely to lead to shortages than those in the U.S. This trend remained consistent before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with lower risks of shortages in Canada with hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.47 and 0.31, respectively.

Reports issued after March 2020 indicated shifts in the types of issues reported, particularly in the U.S., where manufacturing and shipping issues increased. The frequency of drug shortages was also lower after March 2020 in both countries.

Sensitivity analyses revealed that alternative definitions for drug shortages based on different timeframes supported the primary findings, thus confirming the lower risk in Canada. Drug recalls and discontinuations in the U.S. were less likely to impact shortages than standard reports, while no differences were observed in Canada.

Conclusions

The study findings highlight disparities between Canada and the U.S. regarding the likelihood of supply chain issues potentially leading to drug shortages, thus emphasizing the effectiveness of Canadas proactive regulatory approach in managing these crises. These observations underscore the importance of international cooperation to address drug shortages and improve supply chain resilience, particularly in the context of ongoing public health challenges.

Importantly, the current study is limited by the analysis of data until 2021, incomplete capture of over-the-counter drugs, potential underestimation of patient impact, possible unaccounted demand-driven shortages, and differences in reporting thresholds between Canada and the US.
A team led by researchers at the University of Toronto has uncovered new targets that could be the key to effectively treating glioblastoma, a lethal type of brain cancer. These targets were identified through a screen for genetic vulnerabilities in patient-derived cancer stem cells that represent the variability found in tumors.

Glioblastoma is the most common type of brain cancer in adults. It is also the most challenging to treat due to the resistance of glioblastoma cancer stem cells, from which tumors grow, to therapy. Cancer stem cells that survive after a tumor is treated go on to form new tumors that do not respond to further treatment.

Glioblastoma tumors have evaded treatment thus far because their composition is highly variable both within and between tumors. The tumors vary quite a bit from person to person, and even within a single tumor there are multiple cell types that harbour differences at the genetic level." Graham MacLeod, co-first author on the study and senior research associate of U of T's Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research

The study was published recently in the journal Cancer Research.

A key finding of the research is that the variability among glioblastoma cancer stem cells can be observed across a gradient between two cell subtypes. On one end is the developmental subtype, which resembles cells in which normal neurodevelopment has gone awry, and on the other end is the injury-response subtype, which is an inflammatory state. The aim of the study was to identify potential treatment methods to target each subtype, thereby tackling tumors in a more holistic manner.

This study follows earlier research published in Cell Reports that identified vulnerabilities in glioblastoma cancer stem cells that impact their sensitivity to chemotherapy. The next step within this line of research was to study how vulnerabilities in glioblastoma cancer stem cells vary in a large and diverse set of patient-derived cell lines to identify the most common of these vulnerabilities in each of the subtypes.

The team performed CRISPR/Cas9 screens in glioblastoma stem cell lines from 30 patients, making this the largest screening study of its kind. The patient-derived cell lines were generated by the lab of Peter Dirks, professor of surgery and molecular genetics and Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery at SickKids. Within the cancer stem cell samples, the team found genes responsible for the proliferation of the two cell subtypes that could be targeted to prevent tumor growth. Combining drugs to target both cell subtypes simultaneously could potentially make for a more effective glioblastoma treatment.

"A lot of the research on glioblastoma is conducted with a limited number of immortalized cell lines grown in serum," said Fatemeh Molaei, co-first author on the study and graduate student at the Donnelly Centre and the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. "These cells aren't the best model as they don't resemble true glioblastoma cells as much as we would like. The findings from our study represent what we see in a patient's tumor more accurately because our cell lines are derived directly from a large group of patients. It's through our screens of this group of cell lines that we were able to identify the OLIG2 and MEK genes as drug targets for the developmental cell subtype and the FAK and B1-Integrin genes as targets for the injury-response subtype."

"It's been established that there are different subtypes of glioblastoma stem cells, but their differences are not being addressed in the clinic," said Stephane Angers, principal investigator on the study and director of the Donnelly Centre.

"In the future, our results will help in designing new treatments that are tailored to patients by targeting the predominant cell subtype, or both subtypes simultaneously," said Angers, who is also a professor in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and U of T's Temerty Faculty of Medicine. "The ability of glioblastoma to adapt to therapeutic treatment is its greatest strength and our biggest challenge. Our study increases our understanding of this type of cancer and proposes a different approach to treating it that will hopefully improve the prognosis of patients."

This research was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Hai, Kharga Corps Commander-Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, and officers and soldiers from the two countries. Photo: VNA

Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Hai and Kharga Corps Commander Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar co-chaired the opening ceremony of this year's VINBAX.

The ceremony was also attended by Viet Nam's Defense Attache to India, Colonel Trinh Ngoc Dai; Commander of the Training Center, Viet Nam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Colonel Luu Dinh Hien; Commander of Brigade 474 - Brigadier General Sumit Kapoor, along with officers from both sides.

In his opening remarks, Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar highlighted the long-standing historical, cultural, and civilizational links, as well as the current comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Viet Nam.

He emphasized that defense cooperation is a crucial pillar in the India-Viet Nam comprehensive strategic partnership.

The signing of the Joint Vision Statement on Defense Partnership towards 2030 and the Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Logistics Support underscores both countries' growing importance in the Indo-Pacific region and ASEAN.

He stressed that VINBAX aims to enhance cooperation in peacekeeping operations, promote understanding, and develop the capabilities of both countries armed forces in contributing to international peace and security.

The exercise also reflects both countries commitment to working together to address global challenges and foster regional stability.

Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Hai emphasized that both Viet Nam and India are peace-loving nations striving to contribute meaningfully to promoting peace and stability in the region and worldwide.

Besides professional activities, VINBAX 2024 allows military personnel from both sides to interact and learn about each other's cultural, social, and traditional heritage values, said the diplomat.

Regarding the exercise content, Colonel Luu Dinh Hien noted that VINBAX has continuously expanded, evolving from the first table-top exercise in 2018 to a field exercise in 2022, and from deploying medical and technical units in UN missions to incorporating air force components and unmanned aerial vehicles in VINBAX-2024.

VINBAX 2024, themed "Deployment and Utilization of Engineering and Medical Teams in UN Peacekeeping Forces to Build and Promote Positive Military Relations," is scheduled to continue until November 23./.
Researchers from the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering and the University of Rome Tor Vergata in Italy have developed synthetic genes that function like the genes in living cells.

The artificial genes can build intracellular structures through a cascading sequence that builds self-assembling structures piece by piece. The approach is similar to building furniture with modular units, much like those found at IKEA. Using the same parts, one can build many different things and it's easy to take the set apart and reconstruct the parts for something else. The discovery offers a path toward using a suite of simple building blocks that can be programmed to make complex biomolecular materials, such as nanoscale tubes from DNA tiles. The same components can also be programmed to break up the design for different materials.

The research study was recently published in Nature Communications and led by Elisa Franco, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and bioengineering at UCLA Samueli. Daniela Sorrentino, a postdoctoral scholar in Franco's Dynamic Nucleic Acid Systems lab, is the study's first author.

Our work suggests a way toward scaling up the complexity of biomolecular materials by taking advantage of the timing of molecular instructions for self-assembly, rather than by increasing the number of molecules carrying such instructions. This points to the exciting possibility of generating distinct materials that can spontaneously 'develop' from the same finite set of parts by simply rewiring the elements that control the temporal order of assembly." Elisa Franco, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and bioengineering, UCLA Samueli

Complex organisms develop from a single cell by sequential division and differentiation events. These processes involve numerous biomolecules coordinated by gene cascades that guide the timing and location of gene activation. When a molecular signal is received, it triggers a series of genes to assemble in a specific order, leading to a particular biological response. A well-known example in biology is the gene cascade that controls the formation of body segments in fruit flies. In this process, genes are perfectly timed to trigger the formation of specific body segments in the correct order.

"We had the idea of recreating in the lab similar gene cascades that, depending on the timing of gene activation, could induce the formation, or the disassembly, of synthetic materials," said co-author Franceso Ricci, a professor of chemical science at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.

In their study, the researchers used building blocks of DNA tiles formed by a few synthetic DNA strands. They then created a solution containing millions of these tiles, which interacted with one another to form micron-scale tubular structures. The structures only form in the presence of a specific RNA molecule that triggers the formation. A different RNA trigger molecule can also induce the disassembly of the same structures.

Then, they programmed different synthetic genes that produce the RNA triggers at specific times so that the formation and dissolution of the DNA structures can be timed with precision.

By connecting these genes together, they created a synthetic genetic cascade, similar to that of a fruit fly, which can control not only when a certain type of DNA structures forms or dissolves, but also its specific compositional properties at a given time.

"Our approach is not limited to DNA structures, it can be extended to other materials and systems that rely on the timing of biochemical signals," Sorrentino said. "By coordinating these signals, we can assign different functions to the same components, creating materials that spontaneously evolve from the same parts. This opens up exciting advances in synthetic biology and paves the way for new applications in medicine and biotechnology."

The research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, the U.S. National Science Foundation, the European Research Council, the Italian Association for Cancer Research, the Italian Ministry of University and Research and Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan - which is financed through the European Union's stimulus package NextGenerationEU. Sorrentino holds a fellowship supported by Italian Association for Cancer Research.

Simona Ranallo, a researcher from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, is also an author on the study.
No less than 16 different types of nerve cells have been identified by scientists in a new study on the human sense of touch. Comparisons between humans, mice and macaques show both similarities and significant differences. The study, a collaboration between researchers at Linkoping University and Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the University of Pennsylvania in the USA, has been published in Nature Neuroscience.

"Our study provides a landscape view of the human sense of touch. As a next step, we want to make portraits of the different types of nerve cells we have identified," says Hakan Olausson, Professor at Linkoping University, about the study published in Nature Neuroscience.

We perceive touch, temperature and pain through the somatic sensation system. A common understanding is that there is a specific type of nerve cell for each type of feeling, such as pain, pleasant touch, or cold. But the findings from the current study challenge that notion and show that bodily sensations are probably much more complicated than that.

Much of the knowledge we have today about how the nervous system works comes from research on animals. But how big are the similarities between, for example, a mouse and a human? Many findings in animal studies have not been confirmed in human research. One reason for this may be that our understanding of how it works in humans is inadequate. The researchers behind the current study, therefore, wanted to create a detailed atlas of different types of nerve cells involved in human somatosensation and compare it with those of mice and macaques, a primate species.

In the study, a research group at the University of Pennsylvania, led by Associate Professor Wenqin Luo, made detailed analyses of the genes used by individual nerve cells, so-called deep RNA sequencing. Nerve cells that had similar gene expression profiles were grouped together as one sensory nerve cell type. In this way, they identified 16 distinct types of nerve cells in humans. As the researchers analyse more cells, they will likely discover even more distinct types of sensory nerve cells.

The nerve cell gene expression analyses provide a picture of what the cellular machinery looks like in the different cell types. The next question was how this relates to nerve cell function. If a nerve cell produces a protein that can detect heat, does that mean that the nerve cell responds to heat?

The current study is the first to link gene expression in different types of nerve cells with their actual function. To investigate the function of nerve cells, a research group at Linkoping University, led by Saad Nagi and Hakan Olausson, used a method that allows the researchers to listen to the nerve signalling in one nerve cell at a time. Using this method, called microneurography, the researchers can subject skin nerve cells in awake participants to temperature, touch or certain chemicals, and "listen in on" an individual nerve cell to find out if that particular nerve cell is reacting and sending signals to the brain.

During these experiments, the researchers made discoveries that would not have been possible, had the mapping of the cellular machinery of different types of nerve cells not given them new ideas to test. One such discovery concerns a type of nerve cell that responds to pleasant touch. The researchers found that this cell type unexpectedly also reacts to heating and capsaicin, the substance that gives chili its heat. Reacting to capsaicin is typical of pain-sensing nerve cells, so it surprised the researchers that touch-sensing nerve cells responded to such stimulation. Further, this nerve cell type also responded to cooling, even though it does not produce the only protein so far known to signal cold perception. This finding cannot be explained by what is known about the cell's machinery and suggests that there is another mechanism for detection of cold, which has not yet been discovered. The authors speculate that these nerve cells form an integrated sensory pathway for pleasant sensations.

For ten years, we've been listening to the nerve signals from these nerve cells, but we had no idea about their molecular characteristics. In this study, we see what type of proteins these nerve cells express as well as what kind of stimulation they can respond to, and now we can link it. It's a huge step forward." Hakan Olausson, Professor at Linkoping University

Another example is a type of very rapidly conducting pain-sensing nerve cell, which was found to respond to non-painful cooling and menthol.

"There's a common perception that nerve cells are very specific  that one type of nerve cell detects cold, another senses a certain vibration frequency, and a third reacts to pressure, and so on. It's often talked about in those terms. But we see that it's a lot more complicated than that," says Saad Nagi, Associate Professor at Linkoping University.

And what about the comparison between mice, macaques and humans? How similar are we? Many of the 16 types of nerve cells that the researchers identified in the study are roughly similar between the species. The biggest difference the researchers found was in very rapidly conducting pain-sensing nerve cells that react to stimulation that can cause injury. These were first discovered in humans in 2019 by the same group at Linkoping using microneurography. Compared to the mouse, humans have many more pain nerve cells of the type that send pain signals to the brain at high speed. Why this is so, the study cannot answer, but the researchers have a theory:

"The fact that pain is signalled at a much higher velocity in humans compared to mice is probably just a reflection of body size. A mouse doesn't require such rapid nerve signalling. But in humans, the distances are greater, and the signals need to be sent to the brain more rapidly; otherwise, you'd be injured before you even react and withdraw," says Hakan Olausson.

The study is a collaboration between Patrik Ernfors' research group at Karolinska Institutet, Wenqin Luo's research group at the University of Pennsylvania and Hakan Olausson and Saad Nagi's research group at Linkoping University. Financial support for the study was provided by the National Institutes of Health, the Swedish Research Council, ALF Grants Region Ostergotland, and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.
Two researchers from The University of Texas at Dallas' Center for Vital Longevity (CVL) have received a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand their study of brain structure, function and cognition across time through the use of powerful high-resolution imaging.

Psychology professors Dr. Kristen Kennedy and Dr. Karen Rodrigue in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences were awarded $3.7 million from the NIH's National Institute on Aging to extend their Dallas Area Longitudinal Lifespan Aging Study to include a fourth and fifth wave of data collection, which will allow them to follow study participants across 14 years. The project already spans three cycles of data collection over approximately eight years, with individuals ranging in age from 20 to 98.

Kennedy and Rodrigue will use one of the most powerful imaging machines in existence - the 7-Tesla magnetic resonance scanner, one of about 35 in the U.S., at the Advanced Imaging Research Center (AIRC), a joint facility with UT Southwestern Medical Center, UT Dallas and other North Texas institutions. Using this 24-ton MRI machine that has the ability to image less than a millimeter of tissue, the researchers will be able to explore the chemical metabolites of the brain's tissue.

Understanding the mechanisms behind normal versus pathological aging is a crucial public health goal. While cognitive neuroscience has made great strides in identifying the major brain differences between younger and older adults, a true measure of aging requires longitudinal studies like ours that show how brain and cognitive metrics change over time within an individual, while also sampling individuals in middle adulthood." Dr. Kristen Kennedy, Director of the Neuroimaging of Aging and Cognition Lab at CVL

By project's end, the researchers will have five waves of data spanning 180 study participants.

"The next two sets of data will add novel information about the metabolic factors that may determine if a person's brain-aging trajectory is healthy or not, leading to pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease," said Rodrigue, director of the Cognitive Neuroscience of Aging Lab at CVL.

Technological advances since the research began have enabled scientists to study aging at a more granular level as they look for biomarkers that advance understanding of individual differences in brain aging.

"The biological interactions that determine how we age are beyond the reach of traditional neuroimaging," Kennedy said. "These neurocognitive trajectories and outcomes must be studied at the micro-, meso- and macroscales: from cells and molecules to the tissue level that we can now see at 7-Tesla, to the larger level that we have been observing with traditional MRI resolution."

The new phase of the project has three aims. The first involves seeking microlevel chemical factors in larger-scale brain changes over time.

"We believe that participants who maintain previous levels of blood-oxygen signals will differ in their neurometabolite signatures from those who don't," Kennedy said. "Whether that comes in the form of high antioxidant levels, lower inflammation or other factors that we can now measure - that's what we're out to learn."

The second aim involves measuring cortical-layer thickness and myelin content to identify patterns that correspond with healthy or dysfunctional aging. The final aim is to begin untangling the relationships between aging at the three scale levels.

The 7-T imaging will allow for three new types of imaging precision for the CVL project: Myelin can be measured to gauge the health of white matter connections between brain regions; cortical thickness can be measured with greater precision to gain new insight into how the cerebral cortex ages; and neurochemical molecular and cellular brain signatures can be identified that may tie strongly to certain aging patterns.

"We will measure regional brain concentrations of several neurometabolites, including antioxidants like glutathione, the neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, neuroinflammation markers, additional amino acids and more," Kennedy said. "This opportunity to bridge gaps in knowledge between fields and across spatial scales is immensely exciting."

Rodrigue emphasized that major advances in the study of aging are only possible with long-term, longitudinal studies, which by design must span multiple funding awards.

"With this continuing support from NIH, we can now test hypotheses about the health biomarkers and the specific patterns of brain aging that combine to predict successful cognitive aging in older adulthood, as well as those patterns that underlie the progression from healthy to pathological aging," Rodrigue said.

Rodrigue and Kennedy also highlighted the crucial contributions that colleagues at UT Southwestern will make to the project.

"This research is only possible because of the collaboration we have with the outstanding scientists at UT Southwestern, namely [AIRC director] Dr. Anke Henning, a world-renowned expert in spectroscopy and ultra-high field imaging; [AIRC assistant professor] Dr. Jiaen Liu, whose expertise in submillimeter structural MRI is crucial; and [psychiatry associate professor] Dr. Elena Ivleva, with her clinical knowledge of psychiatric and neurological disease biomarkers," Kennedy said. "This is an exciting team to be able to work with."
A research team led by MedUni Vienna has investigated AC102, a new active substance that offers hope of an effective treatment for acute sudden hearing loss. The latest results have been published in the scientific journal "Cell Death & Disease". Initial findings from preclinical trials could represent a significant advancement in the treatment of acute hearing disorders.

The effectiveness of AC102 was demonstrated in a study led by Christoph Arnoldner (Department of Otorhinolaryngology at MedUni Vienna) and Hans Rommelspacher (Audio Cure Pharma GmbH, Berlin) using animal models with cochlear implants. Cochlear implantation is currently the only treatment option for advanced hearing loss in order to partially restore the hearing ability. The preservation of residual hearing is of crucial importance, as the remaining "natural" hearing in combination with the electrical stimulation of the implant improves speech comprehension and general hearing perception. However, the surgical procedure can damage the inner ear and lead to the loss of residual hearing. Until now, there has been no effective method to prevent or treat this loss. "In our study, we have now been able to show that the residual hearing of animals that were administered AC102 once increasingly recovered in contrast to untreated animals," reports first author Michael Nieratschker (Department of Otorhinolaryngology at MedUni Vienna). With the help of cell cultures and inner ear models, the study also found an explanation for this effect: AC102 has an anti-inflammatory effect and thus protects the hair cells and auditory nerves from dying.

Treatment of sudden hearing loss in sight

The results of the study allow the conclusion that AC102 could also be effective in acute sudden hearing loss.

Sudden hearing loss is usually treated with cortisone, but recent studies show that this approach often does not work." Christoph Arnoldner, Head of the CD Laboratory for Inner Ear Research at MedUni Vienna

"Since inflammatory processes and cell damage also play a role in acute sudden hearing loss, as in the case of residual hearing loss in cochlear implantation, the use of AC102 was also investigated in this context," explains Michael Nieratschker.

The efficacy of the substance has already been demonstrated in a preclinical study (https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2314763121) involving MedUni Vienna. A Phase I study to confirm the safe use of AC102 at MedUni Vienna and Radboud University in Nijmegen (Netherlands) has also already been successfully completed. The Phase II study to confirm efficacy in patients is being conducted at several European centers, including MedUni Vienna's Department of Otorhinolaryngology. "All the results so far give us reason to hope that AC102 could be suitable for the treatment of acute sudden hearing loss," say Christoph Arnoldner and Michael Nieratschker optimistically.
A study reveals that stable, moderate sleep patterns are linked to better health in older adults, while inconsistent or short sleep trajectories pose risks to physical, cognitive, and social well-being.

Study: The association between sleep duration trajectories and successful aging: a population-based cohort study. Image Credit: Shutterstock AI

A recent study published in the BMC Public Health journal explored how different sleep duration patterns relate to successful aging among older adults in China. The study emphasized that both sleep duration and consistency are important factors for healthy aging outcomes. Their findings indicate that increased and short sleep patterns are linked to a lower probability of successful aging, emphasizing the critical nature of monitoring sleep changes among older and middle-aged adults.

Background

The population of people over 60 worldwide is expected to rise from 12% in 2015 to 22% in 2050. China, in particular, has a rapidly increasing aging population, projected to reach 397 million and account for 28% of the population by 2040. Its life expectancy (77.6 years on average) is far greater than its healthy life expectancy, which is only 68.4 years.

High sleep variability impacts aging: Not only do shorter and longer sleep durations affect aging outcomes, but greater fluctuations in sleep duration over time are also linked to lower odds of successful aging.

Successful aging is defined as living longer while maintaining cognitive and physical health, social engagement, and mental well-being while remaining free of major diseases. Less than 16% of older adults in China achieve this compared to significantly higher rates in South Korea and Japan. Promoting successful aging in the Chinese population requires identifying modifiable risk factors.

Both excessive and insufficient sleep have been linked to adverse outcomes like depression, cognitive decline, and mortality. However, prior studies have shown mixed results related to the links between successful aging and sleep duration, with one study in China finding associations between short sleep and lower odds of successful aging and another in the United States suggesting that long sleep may reduce the likelihood of aging healthily.

Previous studies have not accounted for long-term changes in sleep duration over time, focusing instead on sleep duration measured at a single point. Persistent short sleep is associated with higher risks of mortality, dementia, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, but the relationship between sleep patterns over time and successful aging has not been explored.

About the Study

Mental and physical health effects: Consistently short sleep patterns may elevate cortisol levels and inflammation, which can accelerate age-related health issues such as cognitive decline and muscle loss.

In this study, researchers investigated how different sleep duration patterns related to successful aging among older and middle-aged Chinese adults and how monitoring these patterns could inform public health strategies.

The study used data collected using longitudinal surveys administered between 2011 and 2020, designed to be representative of adults over 45 across China. The final analysis included 3,306 participants who were disease-free at baseline and over 60 in 2020.

The total sleep duration of participants was calculated by combining sleep at night and naps during the day using self-reported data on sleep habits. Sleep patterns reported in 2011, 2013, and 2015 were analyzed to ascertain the trajectory of sleep habits.

Researchers defined successful aging based on five criteria, including the absence of chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes; independent physical functioning for daily activities; cognitive functioning; minimal depression symptoms; and social well-being through engagement in social activities like community events or games.

The analysis used a latent class mixed model to classify participants sleep duration trajectories into distinct patterns and employed logistic regression models to estimate the odds of successful aging for different sleep trajectory groups. The analysis was adjusted for factors such as body mass index (BMI) and lifestyle factors, including physical activity, drinking and smoking, income, education, residence, marital status, sex, and age.

Findings

The median age of the 3,306 participants was 60, and nearly half were female. Over nine years, 81% had no major chronic diseases, but only 13.8% met the criteria for successful aging.

Researchers identified five sleep patterns: short stable, increasing, decreasing, long stable, and normal stable. The group with normal stable sleep patterns showed the highest successful aging rates, at 18.1%. Normal stable and long stable sleep patterns were more favorable for successful aging, while short stable, increasing, and decreasing sleep patterns were associated with lower odds of successful aging. Notably, the decreasing sleep trajectory was not statistically significant, likely due to the sample size.

Sleeping less than seven hours was also found to reduce the odds of successful aging, and participants with high variability of sleep duration also had lower chances of successful aging. These findings were consistent across different groups, including weight classes, smoking and alcohol intake, sex, and age.

Conclusions

Researchers showed that a consistent, normal, stable sleep pattern is the most favorable trajectory for successful aging. Chronic short sleep may elevate stress hormones (like cortisol) and increase inflammation, which can raise the risk of age-related diseases. Long-term sleep issues may be tied to mental and cognitive declines, sarcopenia (muscle loss), and disrupted metabolism. Gradual increases in sleep duration could indicate health issues like sleep apnea or depression, which also affect successful aging.

Importantly, these findings support the concept that consistency in sleep is as critical as duration for positive aging outcomes. They suggest that persistent sleep deficits or progressively increasing sleep duration are barriers to successful aging, highlighting the importance of dynamic sleep monitoring as a preventive measure.
University College Dublin (UCD) researcher Dr. Nicola Fletcher has received a coveted European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grant for her groundbreaking project NanoX.

The ERC today announced a total of 571 million in funding for 57 projects that will bring leading researchers together to combine their expertise, knowledge and resources to push the boundaries of scientific discovery. The funding is part of the EU's Horizon Europe research and innovation program.



A veterinary pathologist and infectious disease expert at UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr Fletcher is one of two Synergy Grant recipients in Ireland this year. This brings Ireland's Synergy participation to six grants in total, four of the grantees are from UCD.

With funding of over 6 million, Dr Fletcher's collaboration with Dr Venera Weinhardt at the University of Heidelberg in Germany and Professor Maria Harkiolaki at the UK's national synchrotron light source science facility Diamond Light Source Limited, aims to develop and implement innovative x-ray technology for tissue biopsies. This will allow them to visualise tissues at a level of detail not previously possible, a crucial step for understanding the mechanisms of disease.

Congratulations to Dr. Fletcher on winning the fourth ERC Synergy Grant for UCD. Her achievement exemplifies the excellence of our researchers who are building strong international collaborations to drive innovation and address global challenges." Professor Kate Robson Brown, UCD Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact

UCD researchers Professor Emma Teeling, Dr Claire Harnett and Professor Padraig Dunne have received Synergy Grants in previous years.

Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanova, said, "Innovation thrives on collaboration, especially when tackling the pressing scientific challenges of our time. The ERC Synergy Grants work with Horizon Europe funding to connect brilliant minds across borders and disciplines, enabling them to push the frontiers of knowledge together."

President of the European Research Council, Professor Maria Leptin, said, "It is so inspiring to see how the Synergy Grants bring together remarkable researchers from many disciplines, countries and even continents, united by their ambition to tackle difficult research questions. Congratulations to all the winners - I look forward to following their progress as they push our boundaries of knowledge."

Nearly 32% of the successful researchers announced this year were women, the highest proportion since the Synergy scheme began. Six research teams, including the NanoX team, are composed entirely of female researchers.

The NanoX Project

Successful treatment of diseases can often rely on restoring the normal structure and function of cells within tissues and organs. However, it is currently challenging to visualise detailed cellular changes within whole tissues in response to disease.

Soft x-ray microscopy is a novel, exciting imaging technique which allows scientists to visualise cells in exquisite detail, but it has yet to be applied to imaging whole tissues.

Project NanoX (Nanoscale X-ray tissue imaging: understanding the pathophysiology of hepatitis E infection) will merge the skillsets of international experts in infectious disease, physics and structural biology to develop techniques to allow imaging of tissue micro-biopsies. Using Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an important emerging zoonotic viral infection without available therapies or vaccines, the team will advance understanding of this complex and poorly understood disease. Ultimately, the scientific and technological innovations developed and implemented in this project could revolutionise clinical diagnostics and research, providing new ways to characterise, diagnose, and treat a range of diseases in any species at a level of detail.

Ad Astra fellow at UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and a Fellow of the UCD Conway Institute, Dr Nicola Fletcher, said, 'I am delighted and honoured to receive this ERC synergy grant, which will allow me to work with world leading researchers in the field of soft x-ray microscopy. The UCD Conway Institute is home to the world's first commercially available laboratory scale soft x-ray microscope, built and designed by Sirius XT Ltd. Together with the University of Heidelberg and the Diamond Light Source in Oxford, we have the state-of-the-art facilities we need to develop new ways to image tissue biopsies in exquisite detail. This will allow us to characterise diseases at the cellular level.

"I am confident that this project will deliver new ways to diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases in humans and animals. I'm passionate about One Health, the idea that animal, human and environmental health are all linked and we must consider all of them when trying to improve the health of any one. This project fits perfectly within One Health and will benefit all species."
Finance Ministry Starts 4th Phase Of Regional Rural Banks Consolidation

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 14:37 IST

Finance Ministry initiated the 4th round of consolidation for Regional Rural Banks

The Department of Financial Services has sought comments from the chiefs of sponsor banks of RRBs by November 20.

In a bid to achieve operational efficiency and cost rationalisation, the Finance Ministry has initiated the fourth round of consolidation for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and the number of such banks is likely to come down to 28 from 43 at present.

Roadmap for Merging Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

related stories

As per the roadmap prepared by the Finance Ministry, 15 RRBs operating in various states would be merged.

States Affected by RRB Consolidation

Among states that will see consolidation of RRBs include Andhra Pradesh, which has the maximum number of RRBs (4), Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal (3 each), and Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan (2 each).

Special Case: Telangana

In the case of Telangana, the amalgamation of RRBs will be subject to bifurcation of assets and liabilities of Andhra Pradesh Grameena Vikas Bank (APGVB) between APGVB and Telangana Grameena Bank.

Objectives and Rationale for Consolidation

Given the rural expansion of RRBs and agro-climatic or geographical ethos and in order to retain the USP of RRBs viz the closeness to communities, it is the felt need to embark on further consolidation of RRBs towards the goal of One State-One RRB so as to derive the benefit of scale efficiency and cost rationalisation," Department of Financial Services said in a communication to head of state-owned banks.

Implementation Plan

A road map has been prepared in consultation with NABARD for further consolidation which will bring down the number of RRBs to 28 from 43, it said.

Consultation with Stakeholders

The Department of Financial Services has sought comments from the chiefs of sponsor banks of RRBs by November 20.

Historical Context of RRB Consolidation

The Centre had initiated structural consolidation of RRBs in 2004-05 which resulted in reduction of such institutions from 196 to 43 till 2020-21 through 3 phases of amalgamation.

Purpose and Legal Framework of RRBs

These banks were formed under the RRB Act, 1976, with an objective to provide credit and other facilities to small farmers, agricultural labourers and artisans in rural areas.

Amendments to the RRB Act

The Act was amended in 2015 whereby such banks were permitted to raise capital from sources other than the Centre, states and sponsor banks.

Currently, the Centre holds 50 per cent in RRBs, while 35 per cent and 15 per cent are with the concerned sponsor banks and state governments, respectively.

Even after stake dilution, the shareholding of the Centre and the sponsor public sector banks together cannot fall below 51 per cent, according to the amended Act.

Bank Unions Perspective on Mergers

Earlier in June, two bank unions  AIBOC and AIBEA  had demanded the merger of RRBs with their respective Sponsor Banks to ensure overall efficiency and viability of the banking sector.

Technological Transition in Mergers

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The merger of RRBs with their sponsor banks will be a seamless technological transition, the All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC) and All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) said in a letter addressed to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

(With PTI inputs)

First Published: November 05, 2024, 14:37 IST
Stocks To Watch: Titan, IRCTC, Embassy REIT, Zomato, Maruti, Vedanta, And Others

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 08:36 IST

Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like Titan, IRCTC, Embassy REIT, Zomato, Maruti, Vedanta, and others will be in focus on Tuesday's trade

Stocks To Watch

Stocks To Watch Today: Domestic Markets began the week on a negative note, shedding nearly 1.3%, extending the ongoing downward trend. In todays trade, shares of Titan, Dr Reddys, IRCTC, Embassy REIT, Afcons Infrastructure, Dixon Tech among others will be in focus due to various news developments and second quarter results.

Results today: Dr Reddys Labs, Titan, PB Fintech, Mankind Pharma, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Oil India, GAIL, Berger Paints, eClerx Services, Manappuram Finance, Aptus Value Housing Finance, JK Tyre, Max Healthcare Institute, Raymond Lifestyle, SJVN, Sundram Fasteners, Timken India, and Waaree Renewable Technologies, among others will release their September quarter results today.

related stories

Bata India: The company reported a strong 53 per cent increase in net profit for Q2 FY25, reaching Rs 51.97 crore, up from Rs 33.99 crore in the same period last year. Revenue rose by 2.2 per cent to Rs 837.14 crore. Despite higher expenses (up 5 per cent), the company showed resilience in its earnings, making it one to watch in the retail sector.

Adani Power: The companys power supply to Bangladesh has been reduced amid a payment dispute, with the company halving its electricity exports due to delayed dues of $846 million. Bangladesh has made some payments, but Adani Powers ability to resolve the situation before the November 7 deadline is crucial.

Zomato: The company faced scrutiny after the FSSAI discovered incorrect packaging dates on mushroom packets from a vendor in its Hyperpure warehouse. CEO Deepinder Goyal clarified the issue, stating it was a manual error by the vendor and that the vendor has been delisted.

IFCI: The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended Rahul Bhave for the position of Managing Director and CEO of IFCI Ltd. Bhave, currently Deputy Managing Director, is set to head the state-owned financial institution, pending approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

Maruti Suzuki India: The companys push for global expansion, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs), is gaining momentum. The company aims to double its exports by 2030, with a focus on international markets like Europe and Japan. The launch of its first-ever EV in January 2025, built on a dedicated platform, could enhance its presence in these markets.

Raymond: The company saw a sharp 63 per cent drop in its net profit, which fell to Rs 59.01 crore in Q2 FY25 from Rs 161.16 crore in the previous year. However, total income rose significantly, jumping to Rs 1,100.70 crore from Rs 512.35 crore. The company is focusing on growth in its real estate and engineering businesses, with a notable launch in its retail space (Park Avenue- High Street Reimagined) in Thane. Despite the profit decline, Raymonds focus on new projects and strategic business segments could be worth monitoring.

Eicher Motors: Royal Enfields announcement of its new electric vehicle brand, Flying Flea, marks its foray into the EV market. The company plans to launch the Flying Flea C-6 model in 2026, combining retro styling with modern EV technology. This move could further strengthen its brand, as it taps into the growing urban mobility sector and positions itself for future growth in the electric motorcycle segment.

JK Paper: The company reported a 57.84 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 128.85 crore in Q2 FY25, impacted by higher expenses. It had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 305.68 crore in the same quarter last fiscal. Consolidated total income in the quarter stood at Rs 1,714.88 crore as against Rs 1,708.81 crore in the year-ago period. Total expenses were higher at Rs 1,569.63 crore as against Rs 1,368.23 crore in the same period a year ago, the company said.

Vedanta: Cairn Oil & Gas, a part of the Vedanta Group, has committed to reducing methane emissions as part of its goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. The companys new partnership with the UNs OGMP 2.0 signals a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, which could boost its long-term prospects in the energy sector.

Sun Pharma: The companys US launch of its alopecia areata drug, Leqselvi, has been delayed due to a court injunction following a patent dispute with Incyte Corporation. This could affect the companys projected revenue and market position, particularly in the US, where the drug was expected to contribute significantly to sales.

Gland Pharma: The company reported a 15.7 per cent YoY drop in net profit for Q2 FY25, at Rs 164 crore ($19.5 million), largely due to lower sales in its European market and production issues at its French unit, Cenexi. Revenue from operations climbed 2.4 per cent to Rs 1,406 crore. While sales from the US grew, the overall challenges in Europe could weigh on Glands short-term performance.

National Stock Exchange: The NSE reported a 57 per cent Y-o-Y jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 3,137 crore in Q2FY25. Its total income rose 25 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 5,023 crore. On a consolidated basis, earnings per share (non-annualised) increased to Rs 12.68 in Q2FY25. The exchange shares trade around Rs 1,800Rs 2,000 apiece in the unlisted market (post adjustment for the recent four-for-one bonus). The average daily trading volume (ADTV) for the cash segment stood at Rs 1.29 trillion in Q2, up 66 per cent Y-o-Y. Meanwhile, ADTV for the equity futures segment stood at Rs 2.01 trillion, and for equity options (premium value) stood at Rs 65,648 crore.

ABB India: The company reported a 22 per cent increase in its net profit for Q3FY24, reaching Rs 440 crore. Revenue from operations rose by 5 per cent YoY to Rs 2,912 crore, while expenses grew by 2 per cent. The companys operational EBITDA surged by 32 per cent. ABB Indias order intake reached Rs 3,342 crore, up 11 per cent from the previous quarter, with a growing order backlog of Rs 9,995 crore, up 25 per cent YoY.

Bharti Airtel: Bharti Telecom, the holding company of Bharti Airtel, raised Rs 11,150 crore via bond issuances across six tranches, with coupon rates ranging from 8.25 per cent to 8.90 per cent. The proceeds will be used for investments and transaction-related costs.

REC: State-owned REC plans to raise Rs 6,500 crore through bond issuances in two tranches on November 6-8, 2024. The first tranche of Rs 3,000 crore (15-year maturity) and the second tranche of Rs 3,500 crore (5-year maturity) are expected to attract significant demand. The bonds are rated AAA by major domestic rating agencies. Market participants expect the coupon rate to be between 7.15 per cent and 7.35 per cent, with potential impacts from global bond yield fluctuations.

NTPC and ONGC: Both the companies announced the formation of a 50:50 joint venture to drive their renewable energy ambitions. The new company will focus on solar, wind, green hydrogen, green ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and energy storage.

IIFL Finance: Fitch Ratings affirmed IIFL Finances B+ long-term issuer default rating, citing continued challenges in the SME and microfinance sectors. However, the rating agency lifted the negative outlook on the company after the RBI lifted restrictions on its gold-backed lending business. Despite a rise in non-performing assets (NPAs) due to higher impairments in certain segments, the companys moderate NPA ratio and improving risk controls could stabilise its credit profile in the medium term.

Dabur: The companys Q2FY25 performance showed a 5 per cent YoY decline in consolidated revenue, primarily due to temporary inventory adjustments in the Indian market. Domestic revenue fell by 7.6 per cent, while international sales grew by 13 per cent. The company faced margin pressure, with EBITDA down 16 per cent YoY. Dabur is planning to acquire Sesa Care, an Ayurvedic hair oil brand, and expects high-single-digit revenue growth in H2FY25.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Embassy Office Parks REIT: SEBI has directed the suspension of Aravind Maiya, CEO of Embassy Office Parks Management Services, for failing to meet the fit and proper criteria due to his involvement in the Coffee Day Enterprises audit controversy. SEBIs move follows a penalty imposed by the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) for professional misconduct.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 08:36 IST
Canada To UK, 5 Countries Indian Students Prefer For Higher Studies

Curated By :

Local News Desk

Last Updated: November 04, 2024, 18:54 IST

Canada has long been the first choice among students from all over the world, including Indians.

Foreign students are moving to countries with easy visa rules.

Studying abroad is like a dream come true for many students. But it is a big investment and one should proceed only after doing thorough research on every aspect related to it. According to the recent tensions with Canada, Indian students are now looking for alternatives to other countries.

According to a recent survey report by IDP Education Emerging Futures, Canada is no longer the top choice for studying among international students. Instead, foreign students prefer to study in the US and Australia.

related stories

IDP conducted this survey from August 20 to September 16, 2024. More than 6,000 people from 14 countries participated in it. Out of which 56 percent were postgraduate and 27 percent were graduate-level students. The survey also revealed that 66 per cent of the students are considering more than one destination for studies. This shows that students are looking for clarity in policies along with broadening the destination options for studies.

The survey also revealed that the three main reasons for international students dropping out of school are financial: tuition fees, cost of living and visa fees. 47 per cent of the students who responded to the survey are considering studying abroad again in the next two years.

According to the survey, out of the top 5 destinations for studying abroadUK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealandonly two countries are showing increasing attraction among students. These countries are America and New Zealand. The interesting thing is that out of these five, only these two countries have not made strict rules for visas and immigration last year.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The IDP survey says this year, 24 per cent of students chose Australia, which is 1 per cent less than last year. On the other hand, 21 per cent of foreign students chose the UK. The biggest decline in popularity was seen in Canada. Only 16 per cent chose it, nine per cent less than last year.

While the US saw a 4 per cent increase and was chosen by 23 per cent of students, New Zealand saw a one per cent increase and was liked by 5 per cent of students.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 04, 2024, 18:54 IST
Delhi School Holidays: Educational Institutions Likely To Be Closed Due To Pollution

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 11:46 IST

Schools have been open from Monday but assembly was not held in most schools. Children's outdoor activities and PT classes have also been stopped for the time being

Schools which opened after the Diwali holidays are likely to be closed again (PTI Photo)

Delhi has turned into a gas chamber since the last week of October. Its effect is being seen in NCR  Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram. AQI has crossed 400 in several areas of Delhi and Noida. In such a situation, schools opened after the Diwali holidays are likely to be closed again. According to various doctors, breathing in poisonous air is not free from danger for anyone.

October-November is no less than a challenge for Delhiites. In these two months, pollution in Delhi NCR has reached its peak. In most areas, AQI is more than 300. In many places, this figure has even crossed 400. Whether children or adults, everyones health is harmed. The work-from-home facility has also been provided in many offices. A plan is being made to close schools as well. This has been named pollution break.

related stories

Diwali holidays were declared from October 30 in most of the schools in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. After this, schools opened on November 4. Many schools will also remain closed on the occasion of Chhath Puja 2024 on November 7. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has issued an order for a government holiday on the special occasion of Chhath Puja. It is believed that the situation and AQI of Delhi will be monitored for a few days. After this, a decision can be taken to keep the schools closed for at least a week.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Schools have been open from Monday but assembly was not held in most schools. Childrens outdoor activities and PT classes have also been stopped for the time being. In many schools, children have been asked to come wearing masks. Parents have also been advised to take special care of children in this situation and not to let them go out to play and do other activities.

Last year, after the Diwali holidays were over, schools were closed in Delhi NCR under pollution break. This was a new concept because this was never done before. During that time, the school syllabus was completed through online classes in many institutions.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 11:18 IST
A worker checks woodcut printing blocks at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 2, 2024 shows the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

This photo taken on Nov. 2, 2024 shows woodcut printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

This file photo taken on June 11, 2019 shows workers airing woodcut printing blocks on a roof at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Photo by Gong Zihua/Xinhua)

A worker prints with a vintage woodcut printing block at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Workers print with vintage woodcut printing blocks at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Workers proofread newly made prints at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A worker revises a woodcut printing block at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A worker carves a woodcut printing block at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Workers print with vintage woodcut printing blocks at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A worker proofreads newly made prints at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

This photo taken on Oct. 3, 2021 shows workers cleaning and maintaining woodcut printing blocks with traditional techniques at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

This photo taken on Nov. 2, 2024 shows a yard inside the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

A worker checks woodcut printing blocks at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Workers print with vintage woodcut printing blocks at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Workers print with vintage woodcut printing blocks at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A worker prepares papers for printing at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

This photo taken on May 16, 2017 shows workers soaking paper for printing outside the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Photo by Gong Zihua/Xinhua)

A worker airs fresh prints at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A worker revises a woodcut printing block at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A drone photo taken on Nov. 2, 2024 shows the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

A worker prepares paper for printing at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

People visit the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Editor: JYZ
4 Meetings With BJP, RSS Top Brass To Campaigning: UP CM Yogi Is Back In Control

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 16:10 IST

With his slogan Batenge Toh Katenge, backed by RSS and BJP top brass, UP CM Yogi Adityanath is in campaign mode in Jharkhand

UP CM Yogi Adityanath has also asserted himself by bringing the states own rule on selecting the DGP. (PTI)

The rumour mills had been working overtime over the fate of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath since the debacle in the state in the Lok Sabha elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had dropped to 36 seats in UP amid talk of internal tussle and the failure to quell the campaign over reservation by the opposition.

But in the last fortnight, four key meetings of the CM with the top brass of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), after his slogan Batenge Toh Katenge, show the CM is firmly back in control. He hit the campaign mode in Jharkhand on Tuesday and has already set the tone by linking the jailed Congress minister Alamgir Alam with Aurangzeb and reiterating: Yeh samay batne ka nahin hai (This is not the time to be divided)."

related stories

Yogi has also asserted himself by bringing the states own rule on selecting the DGP, bypassing the UPSC route. This comes ahead of the crucial nine assembly by-polls in UP on November 20, which could strengthen CM Yogis position if the BJP puts up a good show.

THE FOUR MEETINGS

The first of the four important meetings of the CM was with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Mathura on October 22, on the eve of an important meeting of the RSS. Bhagwat gave Yogi an audience for over two hours. While what transpired at this meeting is not known, sources say it went well as RSS general secretary Dattareya Hosabale reiterated Yogis batenge toh katenge" remark two days later, while stressing on Hindu unity. This slogan by Yogi during the Haryana elections had worked wonders for the BJP.

So much so that before the RSS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also endorsed Yogis slogan. On November 3, the PM met Yogi at his residence in Delhi for over an hour, which was the first one-on-one meeting between the two leaders since the Lok Sabha results. Yogi though had been a part of the NDA conclave of CMs chaired by the PM in Chandigarh after the swearing-in of the Haryana CM last month.

ALSO READ | Opinion | How Adityanaths Slogan Could Have Become A Clarion Call For Unity Among All Indians

The same day, Yogi significantly held long meetings in Delhi with home minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda. The Yogi camp said all three meetings were about the CM giving invitations for the Mahakumbh next year  however the importance and timing of these meetings suggest far more.

Interestingly, these four meetings came after he virtually met every MP and MLA of the BJP in UP one-on-one over the past four months. This has sent out a message of Yogi being cognisant of multiple opinions.

YOGI: THE CAMPAIGNER

The Yogi camp says the UP CM is in high demand for the assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Yogi will on Tuesday begin his election tour, with his first stop in Jharkhand for three rallies in a day. The Batenge Toh Katenge slogan will reverberate in Yogis campaign as the BJP aims for Hindu consolidation across Dalits, OBCs and tribals in both states.

At the Hazaribagh rally in Jharkhand, Yogi said: Yeh samay batne ka nahin hai. The Congress is dividing the country since 1947."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Yogi, during his campaign, is speaking on his record on security and action against the mafia, and bringing up the Ayodhya Ram temple as the BJPs crowning achievement. He also said in Hazaribagh that the Chinese army is now moving back and Indian army is going and doing patrolling there", referring to the recent LAC agreement.

Most importantly, Yogi is re-asserting his position in the BJPs top equations and showing that the party has no option but him when it comes to the 2027 UP battle.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 16:05 IST
Amit Shahs UCC Gambit In Jharkhand Is Open Challenge To Soren, Test Run For Pan-India Rollout

Written By :

News18.com

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 08:49 IST

By exempting tribals from the Uniform Civil Code, BJP aims to woo the community and sidestep disrupting its own base among those who may view UCC as an infringement on their cultural rights

Amit Shahs speech, which included a poll promise of a proposed UCC exempting tribals and an assurance to review the Sarna religious code, is significant. (PTI)

Shahs speech, which included a poll promise of a proposed UCC exempting tribals and an assurance to review the Sarna religious code  a long-pending demand of the tribal community  is significant for multiple reasons.

related stories

Why did the BJP choose Jharkhand to make such an important announcement? And what is the message the party wants to send to the tribal population across the country, including the Northeast region?

The BJPs choice of Jharkhand as the next battleground for the implementation of UCC after Uttarakhand signals a strategic push in states with significant Muslim populations where the Hindu vote remains decisive. Lets take a look at Jharkhands current demography.

Demographic dividend over UCC?

According to government data, the state has around 4 per cent Christians, around 15 per cent Muslims, about 30-32 per cent tribal population, while the rest are Hindus, making them and the tribal population a decisive factor in the state.

Yet, the proposed implementation of UCC could drive polarising debates. This is also the first time when a senior minister  that too the Union home minister  has announced about the implementation of the code in a state if voted to power.

With around 15 per cent Muslim population and amid multiple allegations of changing demography and unrestricted infiltration, UCC seems to be a calculated move to consolidate Hindu votes, particularly among those concerned with religious uniformity. The BJPs stance can resonate with calls for equal laws for all" while spotlighting Muslim personal law as contrastingly outdated or non-secular, feeding its base with the idea of safeguarding Hindu identity and national cohesion.

By exempting tribal communities, the party is also trying to defuse the tension in the community over altering their ancient society system, inheritance and marriage rules.

Two-pronged strategy

Jharkhand has around 34 Scheduled Tribe communities. According to Shah, the states around 30 per cent tribal population will be exempt from UCC, which addresses two objectives.

First, it shows the BJPs nuanced approach, acknowledging tribal autonomy, which may soften the backlash from the partys erstwhile support base in the state  the tribal communities.

Second, it also cleverly sidesteps disrupting and disturbing its own base among the populations who might otherwise view the UCC as an infringement on their distinct cultural rights. The party, in the process, isolates the issue as the one affecting primarily Hindus and Muslims, amplifying Hindu-majority sentiments.

Apart from the above-mentioned strategies, the move is also important to alienate the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in the state. The JMM is politically and ideologically opposed to BJPs version of cultural nationalism. By pushing the UCC in a non-BJP-ruled state, the party also aims to put the Opposition in a tough spot by forcing them to pick a side  either with reform" and risk isolating their Muslim base or stand against it and be labelled as supporters of special privileges, potentially affecting Hindu voters in an adverse way.

Test Run

One of the primary points, related to the UCC debate, has been the probable reaction and protests by the tribal communities. The community always spoke about its autonomy and ancient society system. Shah, in his speech, pre-emptively addressed the concerns of the tribal communities which may be seen as a test run for the party as it decides to wade through troubled waters.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

In a state where tribals make the decisive call, Shahs decision of specifically exempting 30 per cent population from UCC provisions signals the partys political strategy to earn the trust of the tribals by showing respect for tribal autonomy and distinct cultural practices.

This approach also addresses the concerns raised by tribal communities in the Northeast, where opposition to UCC has been strong due to fears of cultural infringement, subsequent erosion and loss of self-governance. The exemption acts as a reassurance, positioning the BJP as a party willing to recognise and preserve tribal rights while pushing for a broader uniform code.

Location : Jharkhand, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 08:46 IST
Kanpur Bypoll: SP Candidate Panned For Un-Islamic Temple Run Says Will Visit Again

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 14:43 IST

Naseem Solanki, whose videos offering puja and lighting diyas in a temple to celebrate Diwali went viral, faces a fatwa, while the authorities of the temple she visited said they had conducted a purification ritual after her visit

On October 31, Naseem Solanki stoked a controversy during her visit to the Vankhandeshwar Temple as she not only visited the premises but also performed a traditional puja, offering water (jal) and lighting diyas. (PTI)

I will visit a temple again if invited," said Naseem Solanki, a Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate from Kanpurs Sisamau assembly constituency for the November 20 bypoll, whose recent temple visit to celebrate Diwali stirred a controversy after a Muslim body issued a fatwa against her.

Wasnt there to worship

related stories

Reacting to the row, Solanki said, I was not there for worship. I was just passing by when the workers who were with me suggested that I light a diya and extend Diwali greetings. I was neither trying to embrace any religion nor was I offering puja at the temple," said Solanki, wife of former SP MLA Irfan Solanki.

She added that her intent was not to perform a religious ritual but to participate in local festivities. I wont comment on the fatwa. However, I will be more mindful to ensure that no ones sentiments are hurt because of my actions," she said.

Idol worship is un-Islamic

After Solankis temple visit and Jalabhishek videos went viral on social media, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi issued a statement condemning her participation in a puja, describing it as strictly forbidden or haram" under Islamic law. In Islam, only Allah is worthy of worship, and any form of idol worship, by man or woman, is impermissible," the Maulana stated.

The Maulana further explained that such actions render the individual a criminal" in the eyes of Sharia. He said Solankis actions appeared voluntary, with no apparent pressure, implying that she knowingly chose to participate in the ritual.

The cleric said if someone, regardless of gender, engages in such acts under compulsion or without understanding the implications, they could repent without severe penalties under Islamic law. The individuals are advised to seek forgiveness through prayer and refrain from similar acts in future, as these may otherwise endanger their faith and alignment with Islamic teachings. He urged her to repent, stating, As per Sharia, she must ask for forgiveness and recite the kalma again to reaffirm her faith."

The incident

On October 31, Solanki stoked a controversy during her visit to the Vankhandeshwar Temple in the Sisamau locality as she not only visited the temple but also performed a traditional puja, offering water (jal) and lighting diyas as part of Diwali celebrations. While this angered the Muslim community, Hindu devotees too objected to the act and allegedly performed a Shuddhikaran [purification] of the temple using 1,000 litres of gangajal.

The ruling BJP accused the SP candidate of using the temple visit as a political stunt" aimed at influencing Hindu voters.

Why Sisamau is crucial

Of the nine state assembly seats which are gearing up for bypolls, Sisamau holds a distinct position. One of the biggest reasons for this is that while the rest of the bypolls were necessitated after the seats were vacated by MLAs who contested and won the Lok Sabha elections, Sisamau (Kanpur) fell vacant after SPs Irfan Solanki was convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

The other vacant seats are Khair (Aligarh), Kundarki (Moradabad), Katehari (Ambedkar Nagar), Phulpur (Prayagraj), Ghaziabad (Ghaziabad), Majhawan (Mirzapur) and Meerapur (Muzaffarnagar) and Karhal (Mainpuri).

Was temple visit a political stunt?

Political analysts said Solankis visit may be a calculated move, considering Sisamaus unique caste demographics. The constituency, a known SP stronghold, has consistently supported the party for the past six elections.

This Muslim-Dalit-Brahmin-dominated area has a Muslim voter base of approximately 1,11,000, followed by 70,000 Brahmin voters and 60,000 Dalit voters. Other influential groups include 26,000 Kayasthas, 6,000 Sindhis and Punjabis, 6,000 Kshatriyas, and over 12,400 OBC voters. Given this diverse caste composition, the SP candidates temple visit, which may have been aimed at courting Brahmin voters, raises speculation about being a political strategy," said Shashikant Pandey, head, department of political science at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow.

SPs stronghold

Following the conviction of four-term MLA Irfan Solanki, the Sisamau constituency faces a high-stakes by-election. The BJP is keen to capture this SP stronghold, which the Solanki family has represented for decades, beginning with Irfans father Haji Mushtaq.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Despite a strong Modi wave in 2017, Irfan defeated BJPs Suresh Awasthi and, in 2022, he won against Salil Vishnoi by a 12,000-vote margin. With Irfan in prison, his wife Naseem Solanki has stepped in as the SP candidate, backed by her mother-in-law Khurshida Begum. The SP is banking on public sympathy, hoping voters see Irfans legal troubles as politically motivated. Naseem has been actively campaigning and attending community events, including her recent visit to the Vankhandeshwar Temple.

BJP has fielded Suresh Awasthi, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded Virendra Kumar while Azad Samaj Party has fielded Chand Babu Azad from the constituency.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 14:43 IST
25 Lakh Jobs, Rs 2,100 For Women Among Mahayutis 10 Guarantees For Maharashtra

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 23:02 IST

Eknath Shinde announced the poll promises made by the ruling Mahayuti government

Mahayuti leaders BJPs Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Senas Eknath Shinde and NCPs Ajit Pawar. (File photo)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday announced poll promises by the ruling Mahayuti alliance for the upcoming state assembly elections on November 20.

The Mahayuti government comprises of Shindes Shiv Sena, the BJP, Ajit Pawar-led NCP, and smaller allied parties in the state.

related stories

Shinde launched the alliance manifesto at a public meeting in Kolhapur North, Maharashtra. He was also accompanied by his Deputy Chief Ministers, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.

The guarantees include an increase in monthly assistance for women under the Ladki Bahin" scheme, from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,100, along with a plan to recruit 25,000 women into the police force to improve safety.

For farmers, the manifesto includes a farm loan waiver and an expansion of the Shetkari Samman Yojana, which would see annual financial assistance for farmers increase from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 15,000. A 20% subsidy on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural produce is also part of the proposal.

Other key promises include an increase in the monthly pension for senior citizens, raising it from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,100, as well as a plan to create 25 lakh new jobs. The manifesto also promises educational support, with Rs. 10,000 in monthly tuition aid for 10 lakh students pursuing specialised training programmes.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The alliance has pledged to improved the welfare of Anganwadi and ASHA workers in its manifesto, offering a wage increase to Rs. 15,000 per month, alongside enhanced security coverage.

Other key promises were better roads in rural area, monthly honorarium and health cover to Anganwadi and ASHA workers, 30% reduction in power bills and emphasis on solar energy.

Location : Maharashtra, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 22:11 IST
Why Manoj Jarange's Decision To Step Back From Polls Redefines Way Ahead For Maratha Movement

Written By :

News18.com

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 12:11 IST

Staying out of the electoral sphere allows Jarange to maintain the freedom to critique policies, pressure the government, and inspire grassroots support without navigating the trade-offs that come with legislative duties

For a figure as central to the Maratha movement as Manoj Jarange, running for office could pose a risk of diluting his message and compromising his effectiveness. (PTI)

Initially expected to run as an independent candidate, Jarange was seen as a significant contender with the potential to mobilise strong support from the Maratha community, particularly in rural areas. His unexpected exit, however, signals a deliberate and strategic decision focused on preserving the integrity and momentum of the Maratha reservation movement.

related stories

Jaranges choice goes beyond a personal decision  it underscores a focused commitment to an influential movement, reflecting a broader approach to political engagement thats independent of electoral ambition.

Over the years, Jarange has emerged as a major voice in the Maratha community, leading their demands for reservation with unwavering focus. The Maratha quota issue is both socioeconomically and politically sensitive in Maharashtra, with a large section of the community advocating for reserved access to government jobs and educational opportunities. Various governments have attempted to introduce reservation for Marathas, only to face judicial pushback due to constitutional restrictions. This ongoing struggle has, over time, become both a rallying point and a source of frustration within the community.

By withdrawing from the electoral race, Jarange aims to keep his focus solely on the Maratha quota fight rather than diverting energy into legislative responsibilities. He has emphasised that his work and influence are more effective outside the structured bounds of the assembly, enabling him to act as a vocal critic or ally to any government, based on their stance on Maratha rights. His decision is therefore a calculated one, positioning him as a leader who prioritises community advancement over personal political aspirations.

For a figure as central to the Maratha movement as Jarange, running for office could pose a risk of diluting his message and compromising his effectiveness. As an elected official, he would inevitably be part of a party apparatus or coalition, potentially reducing his freedom to challenge policies or advocate forcefully for the Maratha communitys demands. Additionally, the pressures of office, political compromise, and daily governance could lessen his standing as an independent advocate, binding him to the limitations and responsibilities of office.

By staying out of the electoral sphere, Jarange avoids these constraints. His position outside the system allows him to maintain the freedom to critique policies, pressure the government, and inspire grassroots support without navigating the trade-offs that come with legislative duties. This approach helps retain his influence as a leader who serves as a voice for his community without allegiance to any political entity, an important aspect in a movement seeking systemic, long-term change.

Jaranges decision to withdraw from the elections will influence the strategies of Maharashtras major political players as they vie for the Maratha vote bank. The Maratha vote, historically diverse in its loyalties, has shown tendencies to support parties perceived as sympathetic to their cause. However, the reservation issue remains a significant determinant of support, and political parties have a vested interest in appealing to this sizeable voting bloc.

For the ruling government, Jaranges absence may sidestep direct conflict with a highly popular independent candidate. However, his continued advocacy will still hold the government accountable for its actions on the Maratha reservation issue. With Jarange out of the race, the ruling Mahayuti may feel temporarily relieved but should be aware that his influence as a vocal critic will persist, especially if their approach to Maratha demands appears inadequate.

Conversely, the opposition parties, particularly the Congress, Shiv Sena UBT and NCP combine also known as Maha Vikas Aghadi, may see this as an opportunity to leverage Jaranges decision to critique the governments handling of the quota issue. The Opposition could argue that the governments inaction or lack of effective policy has sidelined the Maratha cause, potentially appealing to Maratha voters by promising to prioritise reservation if elected.

In this way, Jaranges choice not to run has opened a unique space within the political discourse, providing opposition parties with a lever to use in their campaign narratives. Also, Jarange, who is continuously targeting Devendra Fadnavis despite the government being led by Eknath Shinde, will certainly campaign against BJP and its candidates.

In the recently held Lok Sabha elections, though Jarange did not field any candidate, his style of campaigning led to the MVA gaining success in the Marathwada region where BJP bigwigs, including Pankaja Munde, had to face defeat due consolidation of Maratha votes against BJP.

Since then, BJP is trying to appease OBCs in the state by introducing various schemes. According to political analysts, BJPs attempts to consolidate OBC votes may again fuel the Maratha community to consolidate against the Mahayuti alliance, giving an edge to MVA.

Another significant outcome of Jaranges decision is the continued pressure it places on the Maharashtra government. The Maratha quota issue has long been a point of contention, and successive administrations have struggled to find a lasting solution.

Jaranges refusal to participate in the election keeps the reservation issue alive and active in public discourse, with the potential to influence the electoral platforms of all major parties. His focus on advocacy rather than electoral office sends a message to the states political establishment: the Maratha reservation movement is not simply a campaign issue, but an enduring social demand that politicians must address to gain long-term support from the Maratha community.

This is particularly pertinent as the state faces other caste-based demands for reservation, such as those from the OBC community, requiring the government to balance multiple constituencies with competing interests. By opting out of the assembly race, Jarange reinforces the Maratha movements focus on systemic reform over political gain. This could potentially reshape the Maratha communitys approach to reservation, broadening the movement to incorporate related issues such as educational access, economic opportunities, and rural development.

The movement could now push for a more comprehensive policy framework aimed at socio-economic upliftment, emphasising the need for structural improvements that extend beyond reservation alone.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

In choosing not to contest the Maharashtra assembly elections, Jarange has made a strategic decision that underscores his commitment to the Maratha reservation cause. By remaining outside the political arena, he retains his ability to act as an independent watchdog for the Maratha community, unencumbered by the limitations of political office. His absence from the electoral race signals a message to political parties: the Maratha reservation movement will persist and cannot be co-opted or diluted by temporary promises.

This move has broader implications for Maharashtras politics, possibly leading to renewed activism and empowering local leaders to advance the reservation issue. Jaranges choice to stay out of electoral politics is a reminder that some movements achieve strength through non-electoral pathways, reinforcing the message that real change may require committed, independent advocacy rather than legislative representation alone.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 10:29 IST
Dawoodi Bohra Community Seeks Exemption From Waqf Bill, Harish Salve Tells JPC

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: November 06, 2024, 02:23 IST

It is a matter of record that the Dawoodi Bohra community had made a representation as far back as 1923 to be excluded from the Waqf legislation of the time, it was argued

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8. (Representational image/Getty)

Noted lawyer Harish Salve appeared before the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 on Tuesday on behalf of the Bohra community. The community through its advocate has yet again sought exemption from being covered under the new legislation. During the deposition before the committee, Salve said that was the status of the Bohra community even in the earlier forms of the legislation.

The Bohra community is a part of the Muslim community under Shia Muslims. But this community has its own distinct doctrines and is considered to be a sub-minority.

related stories

As early as 1962, the Honble Supreme Court of India recognised the Dawoodi Bohra Community as a religious denomination under Article 26 of the Constitution of India. Even today, this position remains unchanged. The Supreme Court also noted that the denomination has a right to have the property used for the purposes for which it was dedicated the management of the property and the right and duty to ensure the proper application of that property is admittedly vested in the Dai as the religious head of the denomination," the community has argued through its advocate Salve.

It is a matter of record that the Dawoodi Bohra Community had made a representation as far back as 1923 to be excluded from the Waqf legislation of the time, it was argued. Being a numerically microscopic community, our fundamental practices have regretfully been ignored by the overarching provisions for waqfs. After a century of battling to have our voice heard, we are indeed beholden that we have been given an opportunity to make a representation on the applicability of the Waqf Act, 1995 to this Honble Joint Parliamentary Committee. For the reasons set out below, Dawoodi Bohra Community seeks exclusion from the provisions of any legislation that brings properties dedicated to charity or for the good of the community, under the administration of the Waqf Board since that would be contrary to the faith and essential religious practices of the Dawoodi Bohra Community protected under Article 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India. The Dawoodi Bohra Community needs and thus seeks a complete exclusion from the Waqf Act, 1995 for the reasons as stated below," the presentation made by the community before the JPC reads.

Salve also informed the committee that the population of this community is nearly six lakhs across the entire country. Dawoodi Bohra Community is a small tightly knit community and it does not need the kind of regulation that may be considered necessary or even desirable in relation to other denominations that do not believe in any such religious tenet," Salve has argued.

Multiple MPs from the opposition asked Salve if the Bohras had any comments to make on certain provisions being proposed in the new law, including the appointment of non-Muslims to the board and Waqf. Sources say that the community represented by Salve chose not to make any comments on this.

The task of the committee is cut out with the deadline nearing for it to submit the report to Parliament in the upcoming winter session.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

On Wednesday, the government also announced that the winter session of Parliament will be held from November 25 to December 20.

The JPC has so far held 22 meetings in Parliament, apart from a five-day tour across multiple states. The committee is also touring five states and covering nine state boards during its visit next week.

First Published: November 06, 2024, 02:23 IST
Delhi's Air Pollution Worst In India In October, But Stubble Burning Caused Just 10% Of It: Study

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 19:16 IST

Muzaffarnagar, Hapur, Meerut, Charkhi Dadri, Greater Noida, and Bahadurgarh all situated within the National Capital Region (NCR)-- were among top 10 polluted cities in the country

Delhis monthly average PM2.5 level reached 111 g/m, marking its highest pollution level since 2021. (Photo: PTI file)

Delhi has once again emerged as Indias most polluted city" in October 2024, according to a study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Besides Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida and Gurgaon featured in the top 10 polluted cities in the country.

The capitals monthly average PM2.5 level reached 111 g/m, marking its highest pollution level since 2021. The air quality deteriorated despite the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) since October 15.

related stories

Stubble Burning Contributed Only 10% To Delhi Pollution

As per the Decision Support System for Air Quality Management in Delhi, CREA analyst Manoj Kumar said transboundary sources contributed 60 to 70% of Delhis average PM2.5 levels in October while less than 10% originated from stubble burning.

However, the Ministry of Earth Sciencess data showed that the daily average contribution of stubble burning to PM2.5 mass concentration in Delhi increased rapidly from October 21.

(Source: ews.tropmet.res.in)

The CREA analyst pointed out the need for comprehensive, long-term strategies, saying that the elevated PM2.5 concentrations reveal the impact of year-round pollution sources such as transport, industries, and power plants.

Experts have highlighted the need to tackle local sources of air pollution in the city, rather than focusing only on stubble burning.

In an interview with News18 earlier, Sunil Dahiya, Founder and Lead Analyst, Envirocatalysts, had highlighted that existing sources of pollution in the city have not been controlled in a comprehensive way. Vehicular emissions, power plants, industries in Ghaziabad, Sonepat and other cities in Delhi-NCR, brick kilns, biomass burning in rural areas and construction sites continue to affect Delhi-NCRs pollution, he pointed out.

Delhi experienced only 9 Good days, along with 5 Satisfactory days and 8 Moderate days in October. However, pollution escalated to Poor levels (91-120 g/m) on 4 days and reached Very Poor levels (121-250 g/m) on 14 days. This October average was 2.5 times higher than Septembers 43 g/m.

ALSO READ: Not Just Choking Lungs, Delhi Air Pollution Is Affecting Your Mental Health Too

All NCR Cities In Top 10 Most Polluted Hotspots

Muzaffarnagar, Hapur, Meerut, Charkhi Dadri, Greater Noida, and Bahadurgarh all situated within the National Capital Region (NCR)  were among the top 10 polluted cities in the country.

The CREA report also highlighted that Uttar Pradesh, for the first time this year, has dominated the list of Indias top 10 most polluted cities, with six cities in the state making the ranking, followed by two from Haryana and one from Bihar.

In October 2024, a total of 79 Indian cities were categorised as Good (0-30 g/m) on the PM2.5 AQI scale, while 135 cities were Satisfactory (31-60 g/m), 44 cities were Moderate (61-90 g/m) and 5 cities were Poor (91-150 g/m).

Indias Cleanest Cities

Mizorams capital Aizawl emerged as the cleanest city in India during October, with a monthly average PM2.5 of 6 g/m, as per the CREA report.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The top 10 cleanest cities comprise five cities from Karnataka, and four from Tamil Nadu.

All cities in peninsular states covering Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra were either in the Good or Satisfactory category due to the southwest and northeast monsoons, as per the CREA.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 18:49 IST
Drunk Bengaluru Student Driving Father's Mercedes Mows Down Woman

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 17:24 IST

The police said that after running over the victim, the accused also rammed into a biker named Syed Arbaz, 23, who also sustained injuries.

A drunk driver in Bengaluru's Kengeri ran over a 30-year-old woman | Image/X

A 20-year-old student driving a luxurious Mercedes-Benz car, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, knocked a 30-year-old woman down in Bengaluru, the police said on Tuesday, adding that the accused and his friend have been booked.

The incident took place on Saturday around 6.45 pm near the Kengeri Traffic Transit Management Centre, the police said. The deceased was identified as Sandhya A S, a resident of Basaveshwara Nagar.

related stories

The police arrested the accused, Dhanush, and sent him to judicial custody. According to reports, the accused is the son of Parameshwar, who owns the private bus firm L V Travels.

The police said that after running over the victim, the accused also rammed into a biker named Syed Arbaz, 23, who also sustained injuries. Further investigation into the case is underway, they added.

What Led To Accident

The father of the accused, Parameshwar, recently bought a Mercedes-Benz. On Saturday evening, his son Dhanush went for a drive to a mall near Yeshwanthpur with a friend, where they both allegedly consumed alcohol and decided for a long drive to Mysuru Road in the new luxurious car.

When Dhanush, behind the steering wheel, reached the Kengeri station at high speed, he didnt notice the speed breaker and lost control of the car. He rammed the vehicle into a woman who was crossing the road and fled from the scene.

Later, he was stopped at the next signal by the public who noticed him escaping after killing the woman on the previous signal. They pulled him and his friend out of the car and thrashed them both for rash driving. Subsequently, they handed them to the police.

The police filed a case under charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under BNS section 105. He is currently in judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Prison, said the police investigating the case.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

First Published: November 05, 2024, 16:47 IST
Centre Puts Wikipedia On Notice Amid Complaints Of Bias, Inaccuracies

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 13:24 IST

According to sources, the government has also pointed to a small group having editorial control of the website.

Sources say the government has questioned as to why Wikipedia shouldnt be treated as a publisher instead of an intermediary. (Photo:AFP file)

The Government of India has put online encyclopedia Wikipedia on notice amid its ongoing legal war with a news agency in the country. The government has written to Wikipedia pointing out several complains of bias and inaccuracies against the website.

According to sources, the government has also pointed to a small group having editorial control of the website.

related stories

Sources say the government has questioned as to why Wikipedia shouldnt be treated as a publisher instead of an intermediary.

Wikipedia is embroiled in a legal battle with news agency Asian News International (ANI), for allegedly publishing defamatory" content against it. ANI said a paragraph in the news agencys description on Wikipedia falsely accuses it of being a propaganda tool for the incumbent government" and of distributing material from fake news websites". ANI had demanded the page be taken down.

On September 5, the Delhi High Court had issued a contempt notice to Wikipedia taking strong objection to its failure to disclose information about those who made edits on the entry page of ANI.

Irked by the non-compliance of its order in connection with a defamation suit filed by the news agency, the court had told Wikipedia not to work in India if it does not like doing so, and that it will ask the central government to block the platform in the country.

In August, the court had ordered Wikipedia to disclose the identities of those who made the allegedly defamatory edits to the ANI page  and threatened to shut down the website if it didnt comply with its orders.

Handful of People Deciding on Content: Opindia Dossier

News website Opindia has published a dossier accusing Wikipedia of waging a war on India. The dossier says that all the information on Wikipedia is controlled by a small group of people across the world. According to the dossier, there are only a handful of people who have the ultimate say in what content is added and what isnt.

There exists a formal business association between Google and Wikimedia with Google giving millions in grants to Wikimedia Foundation. With Google using Wikipedia to generate knowledge panels, the slanderous content on Wikipedia essentially becomes a fact-sheet for the relevant public person and/or organisation. Most of the times, such contentious pages about public persons and organisations are locked  which is to say that only a handful of editors and administrators would be able to edit it," the dossier adds.

The Dossier has made the following recommendations:

1. Declare Wikimedia a Publisher as opposed to an intermediary because of its distinct editorial line, the fact that it pays its editors and administrators and also because a very small group of editors and administrators, many of whom are paid, control the content and decide the editorial line on Wikipedia.

2. Scrutinise financial transactions since Wikimedia has no presence in India and yet, spends millions to further its business interests in India.

3. Evaluate Wikipedia under the Competition Act 2002.

4. Establish browser extension that marks bias on Wikipedia pages.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Last month, SpaceX founder Elon Musk urged people to stop donating to the Wikipedia, claiming it was being controlled by far-left activists".

Earlier this year, reports had also indicated that Centre was going to send a notice to Google over its AI platform Geminis biased" response to a question about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, before the Centre sent a notice, Google said that it had addressed the issue, and was constantly working on improving" the system.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 11:46 IST
Hyderabad Man Joins Online 'Class' To Learn Stock Market Tricks, Ends Up Losing Rs 50 Lakh

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 18:27 IST

The elderly man was lured by profits from small initial investments on the platform, eventually investing Rs 50 lakh after gaining false confidence in it

The elderly man got lured and invested money in several stocks through a platform called 'Skyrim Capital'. (Representative/Shutterstock)

Amid rising cases of online fraud in the country, a 63-year-old man from Hyderabad was cheated of Rs 50 lakh after being lured into learning the tricks of earning sufficient money from the stock market.

The fraudsters persuaded this man to invest on a platform called Skyrim Capital. When the elderly man tried to withdraw his money, he realised that he had been cheated.

related stories

The victim encountered the scammers through WhatsApp. He received a link to join a WhatsApp group, Stock Discussion Group. The group admin, Kunal Singh, introduced himself as a reputed financial advisor and claimed that he teaches people the tricks of investing in the stock market.

Singh asserted that many people have booked huge profits under his guidance, claiming that by investing in the stocks he suggested, many people have received returns of up to 500%. Singh then asked the victim to enrol in his online classes.

The fraudster used to speak about stock market trends and investments in his online classes. However, his aim was to deceive the attendees and make them invest on his platform.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The elderly man from Hyderabad fell into his trap and invested money in several stocks through a platform called Skyrim Capital. In his initial days, he booked substantial profits when he started investing a small amount, which built up the victims confidence. Later, he fell further into the trap and invested a large amount, amounting to a total of Rs 50 lakh.

Later, when he found out that he was not able to withdraw his money, he realised that he had been cheated. While the stock investment platform was showing that he has booked a profit of Rs 50 lakh following his investment, when the victim tried to withdraw the money, he was unable to do so. When he tried to contact Kunal, he was not able to do so. Following this, the man has now lodged a complaint with the police.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 18:27 IST
In 2024, Ukrainian railway workers restored over 700 km of tracks destroyed by the enemy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported.

"Railway workers not only ensure the movement of passengers and goods, but also restore everything that the enemy destroyed. This year alone, over 700 km of tracks have been restored," the government portal website reports.

In addition, it is reported that rolling stock is being repaired, new services and opportunities are being introduced for passengers.

"We are implementing ambitious plans for integration into the European railway space," the prime minister added.

As the head of government noted, on the occasion of Railwayman's Day, he got acquainted with the new Ukrzaliznytsia cars. One of them was repaired at the expense of the enterprise, the second, a children's car, was created in cooperation with UNICEF.

Shmyhal inspected a new modern car manufactured by Kriukov Car Building Works by order of the state.

"It is important that Ukrainian companies receive more such orders, because this supports the Ukrainian economy," the prime minister emphasized.

Shmyhal presented certificates of honor to Ukrainian railway workers.

"Railways are our arteries of life, which connect Ukraine from west to east, from south to north... Congratulations on your professional holiday and thank you for everything you do for our resilience and victory," Shmyhal said.
ISRO To Launch ESAs Solar Observation Satellite Proba-3 Next Month

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 20:03 IST

ISRO chairman Dr S Somanath said the agency also plans to launch the US-India collaborative mission  NISAR  in February 2025

Dr S Somanath at the Indian Space Conclave organised by the Indian Space Association (ISpA) in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is set to launch a European solar observation satellite aboard its workhorse PSLV next month. The upcoming mission is a commercial collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and ISRO through NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

The satellite named Proba-3 will study the sun and will be launched from Sriharikota. This is the third of the series," announced Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State at the inaugural edition of the Indian Space Conclave on Tuesday.

related stories

The satellite has been flown to India and will soon be integrated with the PSLV at Sriharikota in the coming days.

Proba-3 is a multi-satellite mission made up of two small satellites that will be launched together, but separated later and injected into a relative tandem elliptical orbit. The Coronagraph and Occulter spacecraft will remain in formation for around six hours at a time  forming a virtual giant satellite. The Coronagraph will block the blinding light from the solar disk, allowing uninterrupted observation of the Suns corona.

NISAR LAUNCH IN FEBRUARY 2025

ISRO is also working closely with the US for a joint mission  NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar). The powerful satellite will map the earth every 12 days with high precision and resolution, and capture places that have otherwise been obscured. The mission was expected to be launched early this year, but got delayed after one of the components had to be sent back to the US for some corrections.

NISAR is back in India, and the final testing and assembly is currently going on. We are looking to launch it by February next year," said ISRO chairman Dr S Somanath. The satellite carries L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar jointly developed by ISRO and NASA.

Furthermore, the unmanned crew mission of Gaganyaan  Indias first-ever human spaceflight  is also lined up. It is also under assembly, and we are planning a late December-end launch, or early January," he told News18 on the sidelines of the event.

NEED BIG PRIVATE PLAYERS IN SPACE

While addressing the third edition of the Indian Space Conclave organised by the Indian Space Association (ISpA) began in New Delhi on Tuesday, Dr Somanath also implored private players to contribute to the development of the space sector in India, and help increase the countrys contribution to the global space economy, which remains low.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

We have almost 450+ companies which now contribute to our capabilities in launching and building satellites, but realising our mission requires new players and a thriving start-up ecosystem. We are still facing challenges on the demand side. Big industries need to take a plunge so we can create leading space companies in India," said Somanath, while addressing the inaugural session.

Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to India Herve Delphin, who was also present, highlighted the EU and Indias collaboration in space, terming them natural partners", both aiming for strategic autonomy in navigation, earth observation and communication technologies. With a shared vision for peaceful space use, we see immense potential for joint projects in climate monitoring, cybersecurity and exploration. As we prepare for the EU-India Summit in Delhi in 2025, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen our partnership," he added.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 19:46 IST
Kerala Lottery Result, November 6 & November 5, 2024 (Today & Yesterday): Sthree Sakthi SS-440 Winners Announced; Full List Here!

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 06, 2024, 09:31 IST

Live Kerala Lottery Result: Here's FULL LIST of winning numbers for Sthree Sakthi SS-440 lucky draw for Tuesday, November 5.

Kerala Lottery Sthree Sakthi SS-440 Result: The first prize winner of Sthree Sakthi SS-440 will get Rs 75 lakh. (Image: Shutterstock)

KERALA LOTTERY STHREE SAKTHI SS-440 RESULT ON TUESDAY, 5.11.2024, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Sthree Sakthi SS-440 lucky draw for Tuesday, November 5. The first prize winner will receive a substantial reward of Rs 75 lakh, while the second and third prizes will be awarded Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5,000, respectively. Check the Live Updates and Full List of Winning Numbers below.

ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result Today 6.11.2024: Fifty Fifty FF-116 Winners Soon; First Prize Rs 1 Crore!

related stories

FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR STHREE SAKTHI SS-440 LOTTERY

WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 75 LAKH IS SP 770782 (KOTTAYAM)

WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKH IS SX 674338

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE

0171 0235 0605 0876 1373 1382 2340 2837 3223 3518 5670 6204 6429 7160 9072 9109 9336 9592

WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE

SN 770782

SO 770782

SR 770782

SS 770782

ST 770782

SU 770782

SV 770782

SW 770782

SX 770782

SY 770782

SZ 770782

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE

0316 0963 1617 1971 2316 4492 8955 9119 9153 9870

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE

0096 0468 0724 1138 1583 2714 3595 4838 5475 5602 5880 5903 5944 7032 7684 7815 8688 9128 9292 9353

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE

0344 0396 0449 0508 0868 0933 1019 1394 1663 1993 2024 2149 2334 2414 2672 2947 3189 3203 3305 3984 4052 4058 4352 4395 4429 4711 4997 5771 5870 6334 6338 6368 6389 6643 6754 6791 6798 7331 7582 7616 7643 7807 7895 7944 7948 8093 8132 8850 8931 9090 9338 9881

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 200 ARE

0038 0290 0898 0995 1157 1414 2283 2524 2584 2710 2867 3337 3358 3535 3544 3650 3677 3741 4863 5058 5146 5255 5298 5704 5889 5923 5986 5994 6162 6229 6241 6550 6551 6776 7633 7736 7738 7824 8228 8449 8525 8703 8823 9149 9589

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE

0133 0266 0294 0360 0444 0535 0603 0819 1039 1267 1391 1407 1457 1610 1650 1673 1685 1717 1770 1823 1833 1845 1939 1959 1996 2053 2081 2115 2154 2160 2269 2287 2330 2347 2416 2487 2513 2596 2741 2897 2919 3018 3033 3044 3071 3122 3139 3259 3269 3381 3430 3583 3584 3790 3935 4031 4059 4207 4279 4337 4432 4452 4470 4777 4794 4821 4834 4885 4961 5061 5062 5080 5178 5440 5559 5631 5633 5687 5710 5841 5898 6047 6081 6295 6415 6464 6546 6553 6573 6654 6741 6766 6802 6850 6917 7007 7079 7199 7520 7572 7640 7800 7888 7916 8097 8194 8400 8412 8470 8567 8597 8641 8660 8762 8940 8974 9244 9281 9335 9411 9540 9542 9719 9857 9926 9978

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT: STHREE SAKTHI SS-440 PRIZE STRUCTURE

1st Prize: Rs 75 lakh

2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakh

3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000

4th Prize: Rs. 2,000

5th Prize: Rs. 1,000

6th Prize: Rs. 500

7th Prize: Rs. 200

8th Prize: Rs. 100

Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000

HOW TO VERIFY KERALA STHREE SAKTHI SS-440 LOTTERY RESULTS?

Participants can verify the winning numbers for the Sthree Sakthi SS-440 lottery through two main options. They can either visit the Kerala Lottery Departments office in person or check the results on the official website, www.keralalottery.info. This ensures that players have easy access to the information they need regarding their lottery tickets. For more detailed information, please refer to the official website.

HOW TO COLLECT YOUR PRIZE MONEY?

Individuals can verify their lottery winnings by comparing their ticket numbers with those published in the Kerala Government Gazette. If a ticket matches the winning numbers, winners have a 30-day window from the announcement date to claim their prize at the Kerala lottery office in Thiruvananthapuram. To collect their winnings, winners must present the winning ticket along with valid identification for verification purposes. For more detailed information, you can visit the official Kerala Lottery website or check the latest updates in the Kerala Government Gazette.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY?

A copy of the winning ticket, showing both sides, with self-attestation.

Passport-sized photographs signed by a Gazette official.

A signed copy of the participants PAN card.

The completed online award money receipt form, including an affixed revenue stamp.

Identity verification documents, such as voter ID, Aadhaar, PAN, and ration cards.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS?

1. Visit the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department at keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net.

2. Click on the link for the Sthree Sakthi SS 440 Result.

3. The winning numbers will be displayed on your screen.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

4. Locate the download option on the page.

5. Select the PDF format for the SS 440 lottery results.

Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 09:00 IST
Madrasas Serve The Nation: UP Clerics, Muslim Bodies Hail Apex Court Verdict

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 19:26 IST

The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the constitutional validity of the UP Board of Madrasa Education Act 2004

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind District Bareilly President Mufti Abu Zafar Qazmi hailed the Supreme Courts decision. (PTI File)

Dargahs, clerics and Muslim organisations across Uttar Pradesh (UP) have praised the Supreme Courts verdict on the UP Board of Madrasa Education Act, 2004, calling it a morale booster for around 25,000 operational madrasas and its 27 lakh students.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the constitutional validity of the UP Board of Madrasa Education Act 2004, emphasising its role in regulating madrasa education while protecting minority rights. Besides, the apex court also reversed the earlier judgment by the Allahabad High Court, which had deemed the Act unconstitutional for violating secular principles.

related stories

CLERICS WELCOME SC RULING

Madrasas play a role beyond religious education. They serve the nation by providing educational access to marginalised communities, with 90% of enrolled students from weaker sections of society. The Allahabad High Courts order, which challenged the validity of the Madrasa Board, had cast doubts over their legitimacy. However, the Supreme Courts ruling has removed these doubts, reaffirming madrasas standing in the state and their contribution to social upliftment," said Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, Imam Eidgah, Lucknow, and a senior member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board.

ALSO READ | Supreme Court Holds UP Madrasa Act Constitutional, But With Higher Education Caveat

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind District Bareilly President Mufti Abu Zafar Qazmi hailed the Supreme Courts decision as victory for justice and a source of satisfaction and encouragement for Indian Muslims, particularly those involved with madrasas. The SCs decision isnt only a victory for the Madrasa Board, but is also significant in countering the ongoing negative campaigns by communal elements regarding madrasas," Qazmi remarked.

Similarly, Jamaat Raza-e-Mustafas National Vice President Salman Hassan Khan (Salman Miya) expressed gratitude, stating that the CJI and the bench acknowledged the importance of education and minority rights, fostering increased minority trust in the legal system and encouraging greater focus on education.

THE FIRST PETITION CHALLENGING THE ACT

Officials from the UP Board of Madrasa Education said that the challenges to the UP Board of Madrasa Education Act 2004 began in 2012, with the first petition filed by Sirajul Haq, manager of Darul Uloom Wasia Madrasa, in front of the Allahabad High Courts Lucknow bench. Over the years, others followed  Abdul Aziz in 2014, Mohammad Javed in 2019, and Rajul Mustafa, who filed two petitions in 2020. Anshuman Singh Rathore added his challenge in 2023.

All the petitions shared a common objective  to repeal the act, arguing that state-recognised religious education promotes societal discrimination. Consequently, the court combined these cases into a single hearing. The Supreme Courts recent decision upholding the act has now addressed these longstanding grievances, affirming the acts validity and supporting madrasas role in providing education within a regulated framework. This ruling is seen as a relief for the educational institutions and their communities across UP," an official said.

ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT VERDICT

On March 22, 2024, the Lucknow bench of the High Court delivered an 86-page verdict declaring the UP Madrasa Education Act, 2004, unconstitutional" for allegedly violating secularism principles and it recommended integrating madrasa students into the formal school system. The court said, This is a violation of the principle of secularism. Children of different religions cannot be discriminated against. They cannot be provided different types of education on the basis of religion. If this is done then it would be a violation of secularism."

However, on April 5, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, temporarily stayed the High Courts verdict, preserving the education of approximately 17 lakh madrasa students.

During hearings, Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasised that secularism embodies a live and let live" philosophy and highlighted the importance of regulating madrasas in the national interest. He argued that Indias centuries-old composite culture shouldnt be disregarded by isolating minority communities, reaffirming that madrasa regulation aligns with upholding national values and educational standards.

THE SC JUDGMENT

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court upheld the UP Madrasa Education Act, 2004, affirming the states authority to regulate madarsa education standards. The ruling reversed the Allahabad High Courts previous decision, which had struck down the Act for allegedly violating secular principles. The Supreme Court clarified that the act aims to standardise educational quality within madrasas rather than interfere with religious teachings, ensuring compliance with secular standards without intruding on religious freedoms.

The court, however, specified that madrasas could not grant fazil and kamil degrees beyond class 12, as these advanced degrees fall under the jurisdiction of the UGC Act, making their recognition by the UP Madrasa Board unconstitutional. This landmark decision means that madrasas will continue operating as per state-regulated standards, boosting trust in the education system while safeguarding minority rights.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 19:22 IST
Munambam Waqf Land Dispute: Why A 123-Year-Old Lease Of 404 Acres At An Islands Tip Has Divided Kerala

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 12:46 IST

The history of ownership of the land dates back to the early 19th century when the Kutchi Memons, a Muslim community from Gujarats Kutch region, migrated to the Kerala coast, mainly for trade

The six-decade-old land dispute started in 1962 when the residents filed a case in Paravur Sub Court, contesting Farook Colleges ownership. (By Special Arrangement)

The coastal village of Munambam in Kochi has become a flashpoint in Keralas politics after the state Waqf Board claimed that over 404 acres of land were designated Waqf property in 1950.

The BJP has positioned itself as a champion of the villages residents, taking an edge over the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition Congress-led UDF.

related stories

The residents, after a six-decade-old legal fight, began a hunger strike on October 13 this year with support from the Church, a day before the state assembly unanimously passed a resolution, urging the Union government to withdraw the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024. The protest received a fillip on October 30 when Union minister Suresh Gopi met the protesters and said the Centre was committed to resolving the issue.

WHAT IS THE ISSUE?

Munambam is a suburb of Kochi at the north end of the 26-km-long and 5-km-wide Vypeen Island, which is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on the west, the Periyar River on the east, and the mouth of the sea in the north.

The village in Kochi Taluk in Ernakulam district is home to 610 families, mainly from Backward and Scheduled Caste communities, and more than 65 per cent of the inhabitants are Latin Catholics.

The history of ownership of the land dates back to the early 19th century when the Kutchi Memons, a Muslim community from Gujarats Kutch region, migrated to the Kerala coast, mainly for trade. The community was facilitated by the then rulers, the Travancore Royal Family, to enrich the economy.

In 1902, the King of Travancore leased 404 acres of land and 60 acres of water, known as the Munambam property, to a Kutchi Memon, Abdul Sattar Musa Haji Seth. During the last five decades, sea erosion led to considerable land loss in this region. The lease had previously excluded the land of local fishermen who had lived there for many years before it.

Later, Sattar Seths son-in-law, Muhammed Siddique Seth, along with his father, Musalman Seth, registered this land at the Edapally (Ernakulam) Sub-Registrar Office, including the areas where fishermen had resided for nearly a century.

This registered land was handed over to the management of Farook College at Farooke in Kozhikode district, 140 km away from Munambam, by Muhammed Siddique Seth on November 1, 1950, as a gift deed. It was registered with a clause that the management should not use that land for any purpose other than educational objectives. If Farook College ceases to exist, the land should be returned to the descendants. The word Waqf was written in that document.

LEGAL BATTLE BEGINS

The six-decade-old land dispute started in 1962 when the residents filed a case in Paravur Sub Court, contesting Farook Colleges ownership. The legal fight ultimately reached the Kerala High Court, which, in 1975, upheld Farook Colleges claim.

According to various reports, a settlement between Farook College and the residents allowed the latter to buy the land they occupied and between a period of 1983 and 1993, the college obtained around Rs 33 lakh from these sales.

This is where the Kerala Waqf Board entered the scene following a complaint by Nassir Manayil, a former Waqf Board member and secretary of Kochi-based Kerala Waqf Samrakshana Vedhi, alleging encroachment on Waqf property. The complaint led to the state government constituting a commission with Moidu Ahammed Nisar, a retired district judge, as its chairman in 2007 and the Wakf Enquiry Commission dated 26 June 2009 submitted by him confirmed that the Munambam land was indeed Waqf property.

In December 2016, a division bench of the Kerala High Court directed the state government to implement a government order issued in May 2010 approving the Nissar Commission report and directing further action, considering a petition filed by Nassir Manayil.

The order also proposed action by the state government using its power to issue directions to the Waqf Board as per the Central Waqf Act (section 97).

In 2019, the Kerala Waqf Board formally registered the property as Waqf, asserting its claim over the areas of Munambam, Cherai, and Pallikal islands in Ernakulam district, located along the northern coast of Vypeen.

In 2022, the residents were told that they could not pay the land tax on their properties. Following this, the state government intervened and allowed them to pay the tax. However, no formal order was issued by the government as per a statement by V Abdurahiman, minister for Minority Affairs and Waqf, in the state assembly, while replying to a question by senior Muslim League leader KPA Majeed on the steps taken by the state government on reclaiming the Munambam land under Waqf on December 12, 2022.

Cut to 2024, the residents are being forced to vacate the land they legally purchased.

WHERE DO POLITICAL PARTIES STAND?

The area falls in the Vypeen assembly constituency represented by KN Unnikrishnan of CPI(M).

The Kerala Assembly, on October 14, unanimously passed a resolution, urging the Union government to withdraw the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. This irked the Church members as 29 of the 140 MLAs belonging to both LDF and UDF who supported the resolution are Christians from various denominations. Incidentally, 18 of them are from the Catholic Church.

Both the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) and the Syro-Malabar Public Affairs Commission had urged the Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill to take immediate and decisive action to resolve the issue and ensure that such claims on lawfully owned properties of Indian citizens are not repeated in the future.

The Latin Catholic Church with an OBC status caters to around 13 per cent of the Christians in Kerala and is one of the three individual churches which constitutes the Catholic Church in the state. The Latin Catholic Church, which traditionally supported UDF but backed LDF in the 2021 assembly elections, had kept the BJP away despite several attempts by the saffron party to befriend them.

GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION

Now, the Muslim League has urged the state government to stop some forces using the issue to disrupt Keralas renowned religious harmony". Party general secretary PK Kunhalikutty said Muslim organisations were willing to cooperate with the government to resolve the issue, adding that a hate campaign was being unleashed against the community. He also said an out-of-court settlement should be reached, and the decision should then be conveyed to the court.

The party declared its stance on the issue on November 2, following a meeting with various Muslim organisations in Kozhikode on November 1.

The first formal intervention in the issue by the state government will be a high-level meeting next week to be convened by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. It will be attended by state ministers handling the portfolios of Waqf, Law, and Revenue and the representatives of the Kerala Waqf Board.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Minister V Abdurahiman said in a social media post on November 3 that the government had initiated deliberations to amicably solve the Munambam issue".

On Monday, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan urged the chief minister to convene an all-party meeting to resolve the land dispute. Satheesan represents Paravoor, the constituency bordering Munambam, in the state assembly.

Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 12:46 IST
'Not Every Private Property Can Be Taken Over By Govt': Supreme Court

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 12:03 IST

Earlier, the court had said nothing would be left for future benches if it is held that all private properties can be considered as material resources of the community

The Supreme Court of India. (PTI File)

In a majority verdict, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that not all private properties can be acquired by the government, even if it is for the greater good.

In the 7:1:1 majority judgment, the court said, Not all privately-owned resources can be acquired by the State even as the State can stake claims over resources that are material and are held by the community, for the public good."

related stories

Supreme Court pronounced the verdict on a vexed legal question of whether private properties can be considered material resources of the community" under Article 39(b) and taken over by State authorities for distribution to subserve the common good".

A nine-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud pronounced the verdict which deals with the legal sanctity of Article 31C of the Constitution in the wake of the Minerva Mills judgment.

While CJI Chandrachud and six other judges pronounced the majority judgment, Justice Nagrathna partially concurred, and Justice Dhulia penned a dissent.

The court also said, The role of this court is not to lay down economic policy but to facilitate to lay down economic democracy."

In the majority opinion, it held that not every resource owned by an individual met the material resource" criteria merely because it qualified for the needs of a community.

What SC Said In 1980 Minerva Mills Case

The top court had, in the Minerva Mills case of 1980, declared two provisions of the 42nd Amendment, which prevented any constitutional amendment from being called in question in any court on any ground" and accorded precedence to the Directive Principles of State Policy over the fundamental rights of individuals, as unconstitutional.

What Does Article 31C Say

Article 31C protects a law made under Articles 39(b) and (c) empowering the State to take over material resources of the community, including private properties, for distribution to subserve the common good.

The bench, also comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy, B V Nagarathna, Sudhanshu Dhulia, J B Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, Rajesh Bindal, Satish Chandra Sharma and Augustine George Masih, had reserved its verdict on the issue on May 1 after hearing arguments of different sides for five days.

On May 1, the nine-judge bench observed that nothing will be left for future benches if it is held that all private properties can be considered as material resources of the community" under Article 39(b) of the Constitution and consequently, the State can take those over to subserve the common good".

It had observed that such a judicial declaration will lead to a situation where no private investor would come forward to invest.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan for some of the parties had said the only issue that was referred to the nine-judge bench was whether private properties can be considered as material resources of the community and the bench need not go into the scope of resources".

He had argued that if the bench was to decide that material resources of the community included private properties also, then the question would be best answered.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Maharashtra government, had argued that Article 39(b) envisages a national goal for the creation of a welfare State to strive for an egalitarian society or nation and proposes its use as a tool to be used by the legislature to enact legislations for distribution of material resources, whether owned by the government, community or individuals, to subserve the greater common good of citizens, community or even a village.

Mehta had submitted that the issue should be left to the wisdom of the legislature to decide what should constitute material resources at a given point in time, keeping in mind the dynamics of national and international economic configurations and constraints.

The top court had heard 16 petitions, including the lead petition filed by the Mumbai-based Property Owners Association (POA) in 1992.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The POA has opposed Chapter VIII-A of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) Act. Inserted in 1986, the chapter empowers State authorities to acquire cessed buildings and the land on which those are built if 70 per cent of the occupants make such a request for restoration purposes.

The MHADA Act was enacted in pursuance of Article 39(b), which is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy and makes it obligatory for the State to create a policy towards securing that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to subserve the common good".

First Published: November 05, 2024, 11:11 IST
SC Can Decide On Contempt: Ex-DGP Weighs In On UPs New Rules To Pick Police Chief

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 15:04 IST

Prakash Singh, the former DGP of UP who also headed Assam Police and the Border Security Force, had approached the Supreme Court demanding police reforms

The Uttar Pradesh government amended the Appointment Rules and approved a new set of rules for independent and transparent selection of DGP by a panel headed by a retired high court judge. (Shutterstock)

The Uttar Pradesh governments decision to no longer follow UPSCs order for appointment of the Director General of Police (DGP) has been met with cautious optimism by Prakash Singh, the petitioner in the police reforms case.

Singh, the former DGP of UP who also headed Assam Police and the Border Security Force, had approached the Supreme Court demanding police reforms. In 2006, the apex court had given seven-point guidelines in his case, including directions to the state to have a two-year fixed tenure for the top cop in the state. The apex court had also asked states to send a panel of the senior-most officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The DGP was to be chosen by UPSC from within this panel. However, the UP government, in a late-night cabinet decision, decided to no longer depend on UPSC.

related stories

Partial Implementation

Singh said prima facie, the UP governments decision does not seem violative of the Supreme Court order but it is for the apex court to examine if contempt is made out for partial implementation of its order.

The SC order had said that its direction will hold good till such time as the states pass their own law on the subject. UP, from what I have learnt so far, has come up with directions for appointment of DGP only, rather than come up with a comprehensive Act. This is only one of the seven points. It is for the Supreme Court to examine if this amounts to contempt since it only deals with one aspect of the courts overall directions," Singh told CNN-News18.

He, however, pointed out that UP government seems to have incorporated most SC guidelines regarding the DGPs appointment. The panel will be headed by a retired high court judge. There will also be a representative of the UPSC apart from the home and chief secretary. The only person missing, as far as I can see, is a representative from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The criteria on who is eligible is also in line with what Supreme Court said," Singh pointed out.

What UP said

The objective of the Appointment Rules, 2024, is to establish an independent and transparent mechanism for selection of a suitable person for appointment to the post of DGP to ensure that the said selection is free from political or executive interference and is also in accordance with the specific conditions and policing requirements of Uttar Pradesh," the UP government guidelines said.

The Uttar Pradesh government amended the Appointment Rules and approved a new set of rules for independent and transparent selection of DGP by a panel headed by a retired high court judge.

The retired HC judge-led selection committee will consist of the chief secretary, a person nominated by the UPSC, the UP Public Service Commission chairman or their nominee, additional chief secretary or principal secretary home and a retired DGP.

The minimum tenure of the DGP will be two years as per the new amendment. The candidates must have six months of service remaining on the date of creation of the vacancy. Only those officers who are currently serving in the DG role at Level 16 of the pay matrix will be considered, the guidelines stated.

Acting DGPs so far

Last month, the Supreme Court had sent notices to states which were not appointing a full-time DGP and bypassing UPSC.

On September 30, notices were issued to Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Punjab, and Jharkhand. While Odisha appointed YB Khurania as the full-time DGP after months of acting DGP arrangement, all the other states continue to have part-time police chiefs designated as acting DGP.

The UP governments latest order is likely to give current acting DG Prashant Kumar a full-time position with a fixed tenure of two years. Officials pointed out that more than 15 officers were senior to Prashant and if the SC guidelines were followed, he may not have made it to the UPSC panel.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, in his social media post, also asked if the UP governments decision was an attempt by the state government to take the reins from Delhi into its own hands.

I have heard that arrangements are being made to give a permanent post to a senior officer and extend his tenure by two years The question is whether the person making the arrangements will himself stay for 2 years or not. Is this an attempt to take the reins from Delhi into their own hands," he asked in a post on X.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 15:04 IST
Terrorist Killed, Another Trapped In Encounter With Security Forces In J&K's Bandipora Forest

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 19:08 IST

The terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in the Ketsun forest area of Bandipora on Tuesday.

A terrorist has been killed while security forces believe another is trapped in the Bandipora area | Image/CNN-News18

A terrorist has been killed in an ongoing gunfight in the Ketson forest area of north Kashmirs Bandipora, claimed sources familiar with the situation, adding that another trapped terrorist is also likely to have been shot dead. However, there is no official confirmation yet.

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Ketsun forest area on Tuesday, said officials. They added that an exchange of fire from both sides is underway at the spot.

related stories

OP KAITSAN, #BandiporaBased on specific intelligence input regarding presence of terrorists in general area Kaitsan forest, a Joint Operation was launched by #IndianArmy, @JmuKmrPolice & @crpf_srinagar in general area Chuntawadi Kaitsan, #Bandipora. Contact was established and pic.twitter.com/V1B1f3D7Cq  Chinar Corps  Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) November 5, 2024

In a related incident, the Jammu and Kashmir police along with 22RR and 92 BN of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Tuesday apprehended one terrorist associate identified as Ashiq Hussain Wani, a resident of Tujar Shareef in J-Ks Sopore, said police.

One pistol along with seven live rounds and one magazine were recovered from his possession, said police.

Srinagar Grenade Attack

The crackdown on terrorists comes after twelve people, including one woman, were injured in a grenade attack at the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) and weekly market in Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar on Sunday.

Srinagar Police have invoked sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against those involved in the attack.

J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the grenade attack, saying there can be no justification for targeting innocent civilians."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The last few days have been dominated by headlines of attacks & encounters in parts of the valley. Todays news of a grenade attack on innocent shoppers at the Sunday market in Srinagar is deeply disturbing. There can be no justification for targeting innocent civilians," the CM said in a post on X.

On November 2, two terrorists were killed by security forces during an encounter in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag district. The encounter broke out after security forces initiated an anti-terrorist operation in the Halkan Gali area.

Location : Srinagar, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 18:21 IST
To Gamble Or Not To Gamble: Jabalpur Police Revise Bizarre Order

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 11:41 IST

Jabalpur SP Sampat Upadhyay clarified that the language of the police order on gambling centers was unclear and did not accurately convey the department's intent

The controversial order issued before Diwali stated that no action should be taken against gambling centres operating near a river, pond, well or on the first floor, second floor or above a high-rise building. (Representative/AP)

A recent order issued by the Jabalpur Police Department on gambling centres has led to a row in the city. This order, issued before Diwali, stated that no action should be taken against gambling centres operating near a river, pond, well, or on the first, second, or above a high-rise building. Instead, the accused should be chased away from the spot.

The copy of this order has gone viral on social media and has snowballed into a major controversy. The order attempted to alleviate fears of people playing and gambling at those spots towards police. The wording of the order made it seem as if the police were lax towards gamblers and bookies.

related stories

The intention behind the order was to ensure that whenever the police raid gambling dens operating at rivers, ponds, wells or high-rise buildings, the gamblers or bookies try to escape from the police at any cost. When they attempt to flee, they become prone to serious accidents. Following this, the responsibility to get those injured gamblers fall on the police department. Hence, the police department had issued the order as a warning and instruction to be cautious.

Jabalpur Superintendent of Police Sampat Upadhyay clarified that the wording of the order against gambling centres by the Jabalpur Police was not clear as it did not reflect the departments objective.

This order which had raised questions about the credibility of the police department was ultimately revised. It stated that wherever such gambling dens are operating, the police should be cautious while taking action at that spot.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

When the Jabalpur SP was asked about this controversial order, he said that the earlier order which led to a controversy had a typing mistake.

However, the opposition Congress has jumped in the controversy and circulating the earlier order on social media.

Location : Jabalpur, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 11:41 IST
UP Govt Amends DGP Appointment Process, Retired HC Judge to Head New Selection Panel

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 11:20 IST

With this, the government will not send names to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) panel for the appointment of the DGP.

According to sources, UP DGP Prashant Kumar may be made the full-time DGP with a fixed two-year tenure with this amendment. (Image: PTI)

The Uttar Pradesh government will not follow the UPSC rule in the appointment of the Director General of Police (DGP) and Chief Secretary. In a late night cabinet meeting on Monday, the Yogi Adityanath government amended The Appointment Rules and approved a new set of rules for independent and transparent selection of DGP by a panel headed by a retired High Court judge.

With this, the government will not send names to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) panel for the appointment of the DGP.

related stories

The objective of the Appointment Rules, 2024 is to establish an independent and transparent mechanism for selection of a suitable person for appointment to the post of DGP to ensure that the said selection is free from political or executive interference and is also in accordance with the specific conditions and policing requirements of Uttar Pradesh," the new guidelines said.

The selection committee, headed by a retired High Court judge, will consist of the Chief Secretary, a person nominated by the UPSC, the UP Public Service Commission Chairman or their nominee, Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary Home and a retired DGP.

The minimum tenure of the DGP will be two years as per the new amendment. The candidates must have six months of service remaining on the date of creation of the vacancy. Only those officers who are currently serving in the DG role at Level 16 of the Pay Matrix will be considered, the guidelines stated.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

According to sources, UP DGP Prashant Kumar may be made the full-time DGP with a fixed two-year tenure with this amendment.

Reacting to the amendment, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav asked if this was an attempt by the state government to take the reins from Delhi into its own hands. I have heard that arrangements are being made to give a permanent post to a senior officer and extend his tenure by 2 years The question is whether the person making the arrangements will himself stay for 2 years or not. Is this an attempt to take the reins from Delhi into their own hands," he said in a post on X.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 11:20 IST
Supreme Court Holds UP Madrasa Act Constitutional, But With Higher Education Caveat

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 12:29 IST

The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act, overturning the Allahabad High Court's judgment that had declared it unconstitutional.

Supreme Court Verdict On UP Madrasa Education Act (Representative Photo: Reuters)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday pronounced its verdict on pleas challenging the Allahabad High Court judgment that declared the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act, 2004 as unconstitutional. In its order, the court upheld the law as constitutional", and clarified that the madrasas running under the said Act would continue to operate.

However, the court held that the Madrasa Act, to the extent it regulates higher education in relation to fazil and kamil degrees, conflicts with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act and to that extent it was unconstitutional.

related stories

The court also held that the provisions of the Madrasa Act are reasonable as they subserve the need for regulation and secure the interests of the minority community as they regulate the standards of education, conduct examinations and confer certificates allowing them to pursue higher education.

The order was pronounced by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandracuhd, Justice JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

HERES WHAT THE SUPREME COURT SAID ON UP MADRASA ACT

Pronouncing the judgment, the Supreme Court today said 

The Madrasa Act regulates the standards of education in madrasas recognised by the Board.

The Act is consistent with the positive obligation of the State to ensure that the students studying in the recognised madrasas attain a level of competency which will allow them to actively participate in society and earn a living.

Article 21A and the Right to Education Act have to be read consistently with the right of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. The Board with the approval of the state government can enact regulations to ensure that religious minority educations impart secular education of requisite standards without destroying their minority character.

The Madarsa Act is within the legislative competence of the State Legislature and traceable to Entry 25 of List 3. However, the provisions of the Madrasa Act which seek to regulate higher education degrees such as fazil and kamil are unconstitutional as they are in conflict with the UGC Act which has been enacted under Entry 66 of List 1.

The legislative scheme of the UP Board of Madrasa Education Act was to standardise the level of education being prescribed in madrasas.

The Allahabad High Court erred in holding that the UP madrasa law had to be struck down for violating basic structure i.e. the principle of secularism.

THE BACKGROUND

On October 22, a bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra had reserved the judgement on eight petitions, including the lead one filed by Anjum Kadari, against the Allahabad High Court verdict.

Earlier, on March 22, the Allahabad High Court had declared the Act as unconstitutional" and violative of the principle of secularism and asked the state government to accommodate madrasa students in the formal schooling system.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

On April 5, the CJI-led bench had provided a breather to about 17 lakh madrasa students by staying the verdict of the Allahabad High Court scrapping the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act, 2004.

During the hearing, the CJI had observed that secularism means to live and let live".

First Published: November 05, 2024, 11:55 IST
Last night, units of the Defense Forces shot down 48 of 79 drones that attacked the territory of Ukraine, 30 of which were locally lost in different regions of the country, the press service of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

"On the night of November 5, 2024 [from 20:00 on November 4], the enemy launched two X-59/69 guided air missiles from the Black Sea on Odesa region, attacked Kharkiv region with guided air bombs, launched 79 Shahed-type attack UAVs and unidentified drones from Bryansk, Kursk, and Orel - Russian directions," the Ukrainian Air Force said in a Telegram message on Tuesday.

According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as of 08:30, the downing of two X-59/69 guided air missiles and 48 enemy UAVs in Odesa, Kyiv, Sumy, Poltava, Zhytomyr, Cherkasy, Chernihiv and Khmelnytsky regions has been confirmed.

It is also indicated that 30 enemy drones were locally lost in different regions of Ukraine, and another one returned to Russia.

It is reported that the air attack was repelled by anti-aircraft missile troops, aviation, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Who Is Isha Benjamin, Jewish Transgender Set To Become Mahant In Kinnar Akhara?

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 14:48 IST

Isha Benjamin, who has Jewish-Israeli roots, is poised to receive the title of Mahant - a spiritual leader - within the Kinnar Akhara at Kumbh Mela 2025

Isha Benjamin resides in Mumbai. Her father, Emmanuel Benjamin, was known in Bollywood as Baba Harman.

The Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 will witness a historic moment with Jewish transgender Isha Benjamin taking a significant spiritual step by joining the Kinnar Akhara, a prominent transgender community dedicated to the promotion of Sanatan Dharma. Isha, who has Jewish-Israeli roots, is poised to receive the title of Mahant  a spiritual leader  within the Kinnar Akhara, marking a new chapter in her journey of faith and self-discovery.

Isha Benjamin, 39, resides in Mumbai and has worked as a professional in the US-based multinational company Fidelity Information Service. Her life, however, is deeply rooted in spirituality, with a unique cultural blend. Her father, Emmanuel Benjamin  known in Bollywood as Baba Harman  was a Jewish-Israeli choreographer who made his mark in the film industry, while her mother Vijaya was a Sanatani Hindu from Mumbai. This multicultural upbringing allowed Isha to observe both Judaism and Sanatan Dharma from a young age.

related stories

A Journey of Faith and Resilience

With her parents now deceased, Isha has taken on the responsibility of the family with devotion and care. She even performed her younger sisters wedding rituals with great enthusiasm. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Isha used the extended time at home to deepen her knowledge of Sanatan Dharma, reading extensively and finding resonance with its teachings.

Over time, her devotion grew stronger, leading her to connect with Kinnar Akharas founder, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Dr Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, with whom she has been closely associated for the past two years.

Preparing for a New Role as Mahant

Isha Benjamin will undergo traditional rites of Chadar Poshi and Pattabhishek at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, formally conferring on her the title of Mahant. She expressed excitement and gratitude at the honour, viewing it as a responsibility to spread the message of Sanatan Dharma.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

As a Jewish woman of Israeli descent, Isha is deeply affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict. With her family still residing in Israel, she worries for their safety amid sirens and bombings. While hoping for peace, Isha supports Indias stance on the issue and calls for a ceasefire, emphasising the need for lasting peace. She envisions using her role in the Kinnar Akhara to spread the message of harmony and unity.

Once formally instated as Mahant, Isha plans to use her unique position to promote Sanatan Dharma not only within India but also internationally, especially in Israel.

Location : Prayagraj, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 14:47 IST
Who Is RK Sinha, Billionaire Owner Of SIS Securities, Whose Feet Nitish Kumar Touched?

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 13:04 IST

RK Sinha's SIS Group is a leading manpower security firm in the Asia-Pacific, employing over 36,000 people and serving 3,000 corporate clients

RK Sinha established his company in Patna in 1974 which currently operates in numerous countries, including India and Australia. (News18 Hindi)

BJP leader and businessman RK Sinha has been at the centre of media gaze after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen unexpectedly touching his feet at an event.

This occurred during the Chitragupta Puja celebration at the Adi Chitragupta Temple, Naujar Ghat. The gesture sparked widespread curiosity about Sinha.

related stories

Ravindra Kishore Sinha, known as RK Sinha, founded Security and Intelligence Services (India) Limited (SIS), Indias largest private security firm. He established the company in Patna in 1974, and today it operates in numerous countries, including India and Australia. Forbes estimates RK Sinhas current net worth to be Rs 8300 crore (1 billion dollars).

Sinhas SIS Group is recognised as a leader in the manpower security business in the Asia-Pacific region, with more than 36,000 permanent employees and 3,000 corporate clients. RK Sinhas SIS receives the most revenue from Australia.

SIS has also formed a joint venture with Spains Prosegur to provide cash logistics services. RK Sinha is not only a successful businessman but also a politician. Sinha is one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party and has also been a Rajya Sabha MP.

Born into a family with limited resources in Patna, RK Sinha obtained a degree in Political Science in 1971. To assist his family financially, he began working part-time as a trainee reporter after completing his studies. During this period, the Indo-Pakistan war broke out, prompting Sinha to travel to the war front as a reporter.

There, he formed close bonds with soldiers from the Bihar Regiment. Following the war, he became a staunch supporter of the JP movement, which emerged in 1973. However, his involvement led to his dismissal from his job.

When RK Sinha was fired, the company gave him two months salary, which amounted to Rs 250. Unsure of his next steps, Sinha spoke with a friend who owned a construction business. His friend mentioned he was looking for ex-soldiers to provide security for his project site.

Since Sinha had got in touch with soldiers of the Bihar Regiment during his time in the war, his friend, recognizing the potential of the situation, suggested he form a security company.

RK Sinha contacted ex-soldiers, many of whom were seeking work after retirement. In February 1974, he established SIS in a two-room garage in Patna. After meeting with contacts in the Bihar Regiment and gathering details of retired personnel, he convinced them to work for his fledgling company. Within a year, SIS employed between 250 and 300 people and achieved a turnover of Rs 1 lakh.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Within a few years of its establishment, SIS achieved tremendous success and became Indias leading private security provider firm. Then the company acquired Australias largest security agency, Chubb Security, for $300 million.

To raise money, a 14% stake in SIS had to be sold to New York-based hedge fund DE Shaw. With this deal, SIS became the first Indian multinational company in the security services industry. Currently, SIS Group includes companies like SLV, Uniq Detective and Security Services, Security Services Ltd., Tech SIS, Southern Cross Protection, Henderson, MSS Security and Rare Hospitality.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 13:04 IST
For New Moms, 10 Yoga Poses To Reclaim Your Strength And Flexibility

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 08:45 IST

It's best to start slowly with gentle movements, gradually increasing intensity and duration as strength and flexibility improve.

When embarking on a postpartum yoga journey, new moms should prioritize safety by consulting with a healthcare provider. (Representative Image)

Yoga offers fantastic benefits for new moms aiming to regain strength, enhance flexibility and carve out moments of tranquility amidst their hectic schedules. The demands of motherhood can be overwhelming, but incorporating a selection of essential yoga poses into your daily routine can aid in recovery, relieve muscle tension, and boost overall well-being. related stories These poses are specifically designed to gently rebuild core strength, stretch tight muscles, and foster a calm, centered mindsetperfect for navigating the joys and challenges of caring for a newborn. Whether youre a first-time yogi or returning after pregnancy, these exercises can be a transformative addition to your self-care regimen. Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana) This flowing movement gently stretches the spine and alleviates back tension. Its perfect for enhancing flexibility and easing postpartum back pain, while also promoting a calming effect on the mind.

Childs Pose (Balasana)

A restorative pose that stretches the lower back, hips, and thighs, offering relief from stress and fatigue. It provides a moment of relaxation, ideal for re-centering and calming the spirit.

Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)

Strengthens the lower back, glutes, and hamstrings, which may have weakened during pregnancy. This pose also engages the core, toning abdominal muscles and improving posture.

Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

Opens the chest, strengthens the spine, and increases flexibility in the back. It helps counteract the rounded shoulders often associated with holding a baby or breastfeeding.

Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)

Elevating the legs promotes blood circulation and reduces swelling, common after pregnancy. This pose also stretches the lower back, providing a soothing, restorative break.

Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

A full-body stretch that lengthens the spine while strengthening the arms, legs, and core. This pose boosts circulation and stamina, making it ideal for postpartum recovery.

Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)

Strengthens the legs and tones the arms while enhancing balance and stability. This empowering pose helps moms regain strength and endurance.

Chair Pose (Utkatasana)

Engages the thighs, calves, and core, building lower body strength and endurance. Its a powerful pose that also promotes core engagement, benefiting overall posture.

Plank Pose (Phalakasana)

A core-focused pose that strengthens the shoulders, arms, and abs, which is crucial for postpartum recovery. It aids in rebuilding core stability, essential for good posture.

Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana)

This pose gently opens the hips and stretches the inner thighs and lower back, relieving tension accumulated after childbirth. It promotes relaxation and enhances flexibility.

Benefits of yoga for new mothers Restores Core Strength: Yoga helps rebuild abdominal strength and core stability, improving posture and reducing back pain.

Eases Muscle Tension: Stretching releases tension in the back, neck, and shoulders, common areas of strain for new moms.

Boosts Energy Levels: Gentle yoga increases blood flow, providing an energy boost and helping moms feel refreshed.

Promotes Mental Calm: Mindful breathing and relaxation techniques ease stress, offering clarity in a busy routine.

Encourages Self-Care: Yoga provides essential me-time, helping moms recharge physically and emotionally. Safety considerations When embarking on a postpartum yoga journey, new moms should prioritize safety by consulting with a healthcare provider before starting any practice, ensuring it aligns with individual recovery needs. Listening to your body is crucial; avoid pushing through pain or discomfort and modify poses as necessary. Its best to start slowly with gentle movements, gradually increasing intensity and duration as strength and flexibility improve. Focus on proper alignment in each pose to prevent injury and maximize benefits. Additionally, staying hydrated is vital, as fatigue and dehydration can significantly impact performance and safety. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all By following these guidelines, new moms can safely enjoy the transformative benefits of yoga during their postpartum recovery.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 08:45 IST
Te Aroha By Shervani Hotels In Mukteshwar: A Perfect Winter Getaway With Colonial Charm And Modern Luxury

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 06, 2024, 10:41 IST

Te Aroha by Shervani Hotels in Mukteshwar should be on your list for ideal getaways this winter.

Te Aroha in Dhanachuli, Mukteshwar.

In 1997, 32-year-old Sumant Batra from Delhi visited Dhanachuli village in Mukteshwar and experienced love at first sight. Even though he did not have a house of his own in Delhi, he decided to buy a hillock in the village and build his ideal summer house to escape the capitals brash hustle. In 2009, having savoured several chilly seasons in his idyllic getaway, Batra decided to open up his home to us and build a hotel, now called Te Aroha by Shervani.

Nearly 15 years later, as I stepped foot into Batras former residence, his vision stood clear. Life slowed down as I arrived at Te Arora by Shervani and yet the crisp air and the sweet, smiling staff left me buzzed for my stay. Built like a step hill, the property is carefully designed in harmony with its natural surroundings, offering stunning views of the Himalayas at every turn.

related stories

My stay was booked for the highest floor in a room called The Next Door. Each room at Te Aroha follows a unique theme and offers a different experience. All the thoughtfully designed rooms combine rustic charm with modern luxury  a standout choice for those seeking top-notch hospitality. The four-poster beds and the charming furniture are reflective of the colonial design influences and are perfect for a cosy, relaxing stay.

Every room opens to a balcony glaring at the majestic Himalayas. However, the rooms on the top floor also have a beautiful apple orchard view to wake up to. Whether youre enjoying a quiet moment in the room or taking in the breathtaking views from your balcony, youre constantly reminded of the serene beauty of the Kumaoni hills.

But a trip to Kumaon is incomplete without devouring the delectable local produce. As part of my experiential stay, a family in the Kyari village hosted me for a hill-view lunch. Interestingly, this family was related to one of the hotel staff members, a testament to their ideology of harmonious coexistence. The kind ladies of the household prepared a special meal, showcasing all the unique foods local to Kumaoni cuisine made from fresh produce growing in their backyard.

However, back at Te Aroha, the brilliant chefs whipped up a feast daily, ensuring I got a full feel of the famous mountain hospitality. The resorts in-house restaurant offers a variety of dishes, ranging from local Kumaoni specialities to continental favourites. The outdoor seating area with views of the mountains is perfect for enjoying meals, especially during sunrise or sunset.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Meanwhile, a bonfire was ready in the night to peacefully look at the starry sky with old Bollywood music keeping me company. As I half-hummed a song in front of the embers, I could understand what Batra must have felt when he first arrived here. His former residence was like a home to me and it still housed his love.

As the winter chill sets in, the highlands become a serene retreat. If youre looking for an idyllic getaway nestled in the lap of the majestic Himalayas, Te Aroha by Shervani in Mukteshwar offers the perfect escape. The hospitality is impeccable, with attentive staff always willing to cater to your needs. Te Aroha by Shervani is a perfect blend of luxury, nature, and comfort. Whether youre visiting for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo retreat, this resort promises to offer an unforgettable experience. The combination of stunning views, excellent service, and luxurious amenities makes it a must-visit destination in Mukteshwar.

First Published: November 06, 2024, 02:25 IST
Thailand Announces Indefinite Visa-Free Entry for Indian Nationals: What You Need to Know

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 08:35 IST

Thailand extends visa-free entry for Indian travelers indefinitely, boosting tourism appeal

Travel Made Easy: Thailand extends visa-free stay for Indian nationals indefinitely

Exciting news for Indian travelers! Thailand has announced an indefinite extension of its visa-free entry policy for Indian nationals, which was initially set to end on November 11, 2024. This policy allows Indian visitors to enjoy a stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa, with the option to extend for an additional 30 days at a local immigration office. The extended policy aims to make travel more accessible for Indian tourists, offering them the freedom to explore Thailands captivating landscapes and cultural treasures without the need for a visa application.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) confirmed this decision, and officials at the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi have shared their enthusiasm for the indefinite extension, recognizing its positive impact on both Thai tourism and the ease of travel for Indian visitors.

related stories

Visa-free travel brings significant advantages, simplifying travel arrangements while boosting the economy of the host country. Key benefits include:

Increased tourism revenueMore tourists mean greater demand for accommodations, dining, tours, and transportation services, driving growth in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Job creationWith rising visitor numbers, theres a corresponding increase in employment opportunities, supporting local businesses and benefiting communities across Thailand.

Discover the Wonders of Thailand

Thailand is an extraordinary destination that offers a unique blend of culture, natural beauty, and adventure. Begin your journey in Bangkok, the dynamic capital city known for its beautiful temples such as the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, which stand majestically against the citys skyline.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

For a more tranquil experience, head north to Chiang Mai, where youll find serene temples and access to lush, mountainous regions perfect for trekking. Just outside of Bangkok, you can also visit the famous Floating Markets, where vibrant stalls float along the canals, offering a unique shopping experience.

With its incredible food, welcoming locals, and budget-friendly options, Thailand is a dream destination for travelers. From stunning beaches and ancient temples to lively cities, Thailand promises unforgettable experiences for every type of traveler.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 08:35 IST
BTS Army Excited As RM, V, Jimin And Jungkook Complete 60% Of Their Military Service

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 09:26 IST

BTS fans are ecstatic that four members of the group have completed 60 percent of their mandatory military service.

RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook will be discharged by June 2025. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

Fans of the K-pop boy group BTS are filled with joy as the remaining members of the seven-member band are set to be discharged from their mandatory military service soon. According to a recent update, Kim Namjoon (RM), Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung (V) and Jeon Jungkook will soon reunite with their fellow members. On November 4, The Camp, a South Korean military app, shared new updates, revealing that the four K-pop idols have completed 60 percent of their service.

RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook are just eight months away from reuniting with Kim Seokjin (Jin) and Jung Hoseok (J-Hope), who recently got discharged from the military. The much-awaited reunion of the group might happen by the middle of 2025.

related stories

The recent update has sent the ARMYs into a frenzy. They have been waiting with bated breath for their favourite group to reunite and make music together. Since the updates were shared, the groups fans have taken to social media to share their excitement.

One user on X stated, Time passes so quickly." Another said, Good. We have passed half of it. Fighting." A fan also wrote, OMGG ONLY 40% LEFT."

NAMJOON, TAEHYUNG,JIMIN, JUNGKOOK HAVE OFFICIALLY COMPLETED 60% OF THEIR MILITARY SERVICE OMG  pic.twitter.com/SvLspASaQ5 Carolyne (@mhereonlyforbts) November 3, 2024

RM and V enlisted for the military on the same day, December 11, 2023, while Jimin and Jungkook followed the next day. Since their enlistment, the four members have been serving their nation under various branches of the military. RM, the leader of BTS, completed his training as an elite soldier and is now a part of the military band where he plays the saxophone. Taehyung, on the other hand, is a part of South Koreas special defence team and was recently seen fulfilling his patrolling duties. Speaking of Jimin and Jungkook, the two have been sharing their military journey together in the 5th Infantry Division.

Min Yoongi, aka Suga, who enlisted in the military in September 2023, is scheduled to be discharged a month after the four members. The K-pop idol signed up for social service, the term of which is longer than the others. Suga is expected to return in July 2025 after the completion of his 21-month duty as a social worker.

In other news, the eldest member of BTS, Kim Seokjin, aka Jin, was discharged from the military in June this year. He started his service in December 2022. Since his discharge, the 33-year-old K-pop idol has enthralled his fans with new music, such as the extended version of Super Tuna, and is also gearing up for the release of his first solo album, Happy. J-Hope returned from the military on October 17.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 09:26 IST
Lokesh Kanagaraj Hints At Possible Film With Aamir Khan: 'If Everything Goes Well...'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 03:26 IST

Lokesh Kanagaraj reveals admiration for Aamir Khan, hints at potential collaboration, but has prior commitments to finish first.

Lokesh Kanagaraj teases collaboration with Aamir Khan.

Director Lokesh Kanagaraj, celebrated for his work in films like Kaithi, Vikram and the recent blockbuster Leo, has his eyes set on a collaboration with Bollywood icon Aamir Khan. In a recent interview, Lokesh shared his admiration for the Bollywood star, revealing that hes a huge fan" and hinted at a potential project together in the future.

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Lokesh spoke about his journey in the film industry, his collaborations with South Indian superstars like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, and his aspirations to work with Bollywood talents. When asked if he would be working with Aamir Khan soon, the Leo director was optimistic, saying, Were talking." He recalled how Aamir reached out to him during the release of Laal Singh Chaddha, and they even watched the film together in Chennai. Lokesh offered his feedback on the movie and shared his thoughts on what he admired about it.

related stories

Since then, Lokesh and Aamir have tried to catch up whenever theyre in the same city, whether its Mumbai or Chennai, to discuss films and creative ideas. While Lokesh has upcoming commitments that could delay the potential collaboration, he expressed genuine interest, saying, If everything goes well, then why not work on a concept? Id love it."

Apart from his Bollywood aspirations, Lokesh has been busy with his South Indian projects. Recently, he attended the screening of Bloody Beggar, a film starring Kavin, and faced questions about a possible sequel to Leo with Thalapathy Vijay. The film had ended on a cliffhanger, fuelling fan anticipation for Leo 2. However, Lokesh deferred the decision to Vijay himself, saying only Vijay Anna" could decide if they proceed with a sequel.

Meanwhile, Lokesh is also directing Coolie, starring Rajinikanth, with just two schedules left to wrap up filming. The movie is set to feature veterans like Nagarjuna Akkineni and Upendra Rao, adding to the excitement. However, fans will have to wait a bit longer to know its official release date.

For now, cinema lovers can look forward to the potential Lokesh-Aamir collaboration while the director continues to work his magic with South Indian cinemas biggest stars.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 03:26 IST
Sara Ali Khan Shares Glimpses From Her Kedarnath Hike As She Is Surrounded By 'Baadalo Ke Bageeche' | Watch

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 07:45 IST

Sara Ali Khan shared a video which showed moments from her hike on her trip to Kedarnath. She had visited the holy city last week.

Sara Ali Khan recently visited Kedarnath.

Sara Ali Khan recently travelled to Kedarnath to offer her prayers and seek blessings. When she returned to Mumbai, she shared a video that gave her fans a glimpse of the scenic treks she took among the clouds in the holy city.

Taking to her Instagram, Sara Ali Khan shared a video where she compiled moments from her Kedarnath trek. In one of the videos, she is seen hiking in the mountains and pointing down at Kedarnath which was shrouded in clouds. She was seen taking the rocky routes to reach her destination. She often sat and enjoyed the views as she hiked her way through. Khan was dressed in a pink top which she had paired with white joggers, a white jacket, a white cap, sneakers, and sunglasses. Along with the video, she penned a funny caption. She wrote, Aaj mein Upar Aasmaan Neeche Kabhi Nahi dekha aise Baadalo ke Bageeche."

related stories

Take a look at the video here.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sara Ali Khan (@saraalikhan95)

Khan recently travelled to Kedarnath and she shared a picture of herself from the Kedarnath Temple. She shared pictures from her trip and wrote, Jai Shree Kedar The flowing of Mandakini The aarti sounds A milky ocean Beyond the clouds Until next time #jaibholenath." The actor made her Bollywood debut in 2013 alongside Sushant Singh Rajput in Abhishek Kapoors Kedarnath. The film earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Since then, she has maintained a close relationship with the valley and is often seen visiting the holy city. The actor visited the city with her rumoured boyfriend, Arjun Bajwa.

After Kedarnath, Khan appeared in numerous hits like Simmba, Love Aaj Kal, Coolie No: 1, and Atrangi Re. On the work front, she was last seen in Ae Watan Mere Watan. She has a number of projects in her kitty, including the much-anticipated Metro In Dino, and Sky Force.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 07:45 IST
Shikhar Pahariyas Birthday Post For Best Dog Mommy Khushi Kapoor Is Adorable

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 19:44 IST

The post shared by Janhvi Kapoor's boyfriend, Shikhar Pahariya, featured a picture of Khushi Kapoor and a short note.

Khushi Kapoor turned 24 this year. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

Janhvi Kapoors boyfriend, Shikhar Pahariya, shares a close bond with the Kapoor family, especially the actress sister Khushi Kapoor. As Khushi celebrated her 24th birthday today, Shikhar Pahariya made sure to make her feel special through a beautiful post. He posted a picture of Khushi Kapoor along with a short yet cute note.

In his note, Shikhar Pahariya wrote, Happy Birthday my Khushu. Best dog mommy." For the picture, he picked an adorable frame featuring Khushi Kapoor, lying on a comfy couch, with her furry companion. Wearing comfy clothes, the birthday girl looked beautiful in her no-makeup look, letting her natural beauty shine through.

related stories

Khushi Kapoor marked her day with a fun-filled pyjama party. Joined by her girl gang, including her cousin Shanaya Kapoor, Aaliyah Kashyap, Anjini Dhawan and other friends, the party was all about precious moments with her loved ones. Khushis rumoured boyfriend Vedang Raina also attended her birthday celebration. Sharing a peek into her pictures from the midnight birthday celebration on Instagram, she wrote, Chapter 24 My favourite people with the most ideal celebration."

Posing with her girl squad in the pictures, Khushi Kapoor donned a set of white pyjamas with black piping in the pictures. Her girl gang, on the other hand, was seen wearing pink PJs with Khushis initials KK over them. Vedang Raina, too, wore similar white PJs.

Coming back to Shikhar Pahariya and his bond with the Kapoor family, it is indeed beautiful. Earlier, when the Kapoor family came together to celebrate Diwali, Shikhar also joined them. In a video, Janhvi Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor and Shikhar were seen outside Boney Kapoors office. Later, he also engaged in a little chat with Khushi before she exited the spot. For the festive night, Janhvi picked a light blue and pink saree whereas her beau complemented her well in a blue ethnic wear for the occasion.

Later, Shikar was also spotted with Janhvi Kapoors father Boney Kapoor as he drove a vehicle with the filmmaker sitting next to him. In terms of work, Khushi Kapoor will next be seen in Naadaniyaan wherein she will share screen space with Ibrahim Ali Khan.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 19:44 IST
Taylor Swift Has An 'Extremely Important Reminder' For US Fans Ahead Of 2024 Presidential Elections

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 14:47 IST

In her post, Taylor Swift reminded her followers that the 2024 US presidential election was happening the next day, November 5 and urged them not to miss out.

Taylor Swift has declared she will be voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

Taylor Swift didnt just end her US Eras Tour with a bang  she wrapped it up with a heartfelt thank you to her fans and a big nudge to hit the polls. After her final American shows in Indianapolis, she took to Instagram, sharing how magical it felt to perform for 207,000 fans who brought waves of love and energy to the stadium. But along with her gratitude came a clear and urgent message: Election Day was right around the corner and she wanted her fans to remember the power of their vote.

In her post, Swift reminded her followers that the 2024 US presidential election was happening the next day, November 5 (today), and urged them not to miss out. And heres a friendly but extremely important reminder that tomorrow is the US Election and your last chance to vote," she wrote.

related stories

Known for being open about her political views, Swift went even further this time, throwing her support behind Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. A few weeks ago, she had shared why she believed they were the right choice, pointing out Harriss steady, calm leadership as exactly what the country needs.

I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. Ive done my research, and Ive made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make," she wrote in her post. The popstar concluded it, signing off as a childless cat lady, which is a clear dig at JD Vances (Donald Trumps running mate for vice president) remark for the Democrats.

I believe we can accomplish so much more if were led by calm and not chaos," she further wrote, praising Harris as a fighter for rights and values that mean a lot to her. She also applauded Walz for his consistent support of LGBTQ+ rights, access to IVF and womens autonomyvalues that she and many of her fans also care deeply about.

Swifts message wasnt just about names and endorsements, though. Shes been encouraging her fans to vote for years, especially younger audiences, and her impact has been undeniable. Back in 2020, her posts played a part in boosting early voting among younger generations, reports Marca.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 14:47 IST
Sybiha receives Ambassador of China to Ukraine in connection with completion of his diplomatic mission

Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha received Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Ukraine Fan Xianrong in connection with the completion of his diplomatic mission in Ukraine.

As reported by the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister noted the significant personal contribution of the ambassador to the development of Ukrainian-Chinese relations and interaction, which has significantly intensified this year.

"In particular, after a long pause, bilateral political consultations were held at the level of deputy foreign ministers of Ukraine and China, the first visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to China in the last twelve years, as well as a meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session," the department recalled.

The Minister wished the Ambassador success in his future activities and expressed his conviction that Fan Xianrong will remain a sincere friend of Ukraine and will continue to make efforts to deepen friendship between the states.
Opinion | Hindus Must Come Together To Fight Adulteration Menace

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 06, 2024, 00:33 IST

From contaminated ghee in Tirupati laddoos to toxic turmeric in everyday rituals, food adulteration is quietly poisoning Hindu practices

Such contamination casts a dark shadow over our Amrit Kaal ambitions. (Representational image/News18 Hindi)

When was the last time anyone heard of churches serving contaminated holy water? Churches worldwide have been at the centre of numerous controversies, but they have rarely, if ever, been accused of giving contaminated holy water or adulterated wine (in Catholic churches) to their congregants. Similarly, why isnt haram (non-Kosher) meat served at Muslim religious events or Sufi feasts? Would a Muslim supply haram meat to a mosque? Another way to put this is: imagine how appalled the Islamic community might feel if they discovered someone was supplying haram meat or food at their religious gatherings. I leave their responses to your imagination. But the looming question is, what do we Hindus do when our rituals and temples are contaminated, often by other Hindus? The answer, unfortunately, is often very little.

The case of Tirupati Laddoos being made with animal fat-adulterated ghee served in the temple to millions of devotees and even to the deity, is a serious internal assault on our religion. Today, food adulteration has reached its peak, and now even our gods and religion are not spared. With no fear of punishment, greedy food processors have crossed the Rubicon.

related stories

Most know that, in the worst-case scenario, they may face minimal fines or scapegoating of factory workers, while the top management of ghee manufacturersprofiting the most from this adulterationwill likely go almost unpunished. Our regulatory bodies once again risk setting a damaging precedent: food adulterators may go scot-free, even when they tamper with our religion. This will not only bring disrepute to our government but will also contribute to the erosion of Hindu culture, one temple at a time.

Open any news source and youll see that food adulteration is on the rise. From Gujarat to Odisha, cases of adulteration in milk products and mawa are skyrocketing. Everything from tomato ketchup to wheat flour is now heavily contaminated. The problem has become so severe that the Yogi Adityanath government enacted a special law with strict penalties for those involved in food adulteration and spitting.

Toxic adulterants in our food are linked to various diseases, including cancer, kidney ailments, and neurological damage. The UP government has been highly proactive in apprehending food adulteration offenders, targeting both large corporations like Nestle and smaller operations such as flour mills mixing in white stone powder. Recent raids on tomato ketchup plants uncovered 800 kilograms of fake sauce laced with formalin and other synthetic agents. Yet, many continue to evade detection.

Lets examine ghee. In our scriptures, ghee is revered as Amrit, yet today it has become one of the most adulterated products. From Tirupati to recent reports in Hathras, its clear that we face a serious challenge in regulating ghee purity. Since the 1980s, India has battled this adulteration crisis, and it is disheartening to learn that even pooja ghee is now highly adulterated and neglected. This is the very ghee most Hindus offer to deities. Such contamination casts a dark shadow over our Amrit Kaal ambitions.

The second item is milk. Milk is essential to our pooja rituals, whether its for making ghee, prasad, milk sweets, or offerings. Yet, most milk supplied to cities is adulterated with urea, synthetic agents, harmful chemicals, and hormones, all of which are detrimental to human health. When such adulterated milk finds its way into our temples as offerings to the gods, it compromises the purity of our rituals.

Another crucial item in religious ceremonies is turmeric. Turmeric is not only a common household spice with medicinal properties but also holds a significant role in our rituals. However, rampant adulteration is evident even in turmeric, with synthetic colours, chalk, and other additives freely mixed into FSSAI-approved brands. The quality of turmeric used specifically for pooja is often much worse.

Then theres the case of mustard and sesame oil. Until June 2021, the FSSAI allowed anonymous blending in edible oils, only retracting this rule after pressure from farmers. Despite the rollback, adulteration remains widespread in mustard and sesame oil. Pooja item manufacturers are often unconcerned, knowing these oils wont be directly consumed, resulting in lax quality standards. It seems FSSAI does not prioritise monitoring items used for pooja.

Apart from the oil, yellow mustard seeds are also used in various protection rituals within the Hindu system. Introducing GMO seeds in mustard risks contaminating Indias native varieties permanently. Many Hindu spiritualists are concerned, asking whether GMO ingredients in our rituals could affect their sanctity.

If we look at chandan (sandalwood) and sindoor in the local markets, especially in smaller towns and cities, most of the products lack any real sindoor or chandan in them. They are instead poor mixtures of chemicals and synthetic colours. Yet, every day, millions of Hindus are compelled to use these for offerings to our gods.

Adulterating Hindu Rituals

As a thought experiment, consider the rituals within the Hindu belief system to be true. For example, look at Hindu mourning rituals practised in the Uttar Pradesh region. The person who cremates a deceased relative offers pind daan (ritual offerings of rice and milk) for ten days. Each day, turmeric, cotton thread, sindoor, khush, Bhringraj, ghee, and other items are offered along with milk and rice. These items are believed to play a direct role in the departed souls reincarnation, with each days offering recreating a different body part. Pundits ensure that the spherical pind daan of milk and rice has no cracks or blemishes, as these would result in deformed body parts in the next life.

Following this spiritual logic, if a simple blemish or crack can impact a souls reincarnation, what might happen when adulterated and toxic materials are offered to the departed or to gods in our yagnas? One wondersthe outcome surely cannot be favourable.

Given the dismal state of food safety, its common knowledge that materials marked for pooja are often of the lowest quality. Rather than ensuring that pooja food ingredients like turmeric, ghee, mustard, barley, and sindoor are free from adulterants, the FSSAI falls short. This could be addressed by promoting local, organic self-help groups (SHGs) or local producers through incentives and regional marketing, rather than allowing corporate giants to dominate the pooja market.

Hindu rituals were perhaps designed to promote social cohesion; deconstructing them reveals that a funeral ritual, for example, relies on the contributions of farmers, potters, honey makers, barbers, cattle farmers, and others. Each ritual item involves different members of the village economy, fostering interdependence within the community. We should strive to honour this original intent in our policy considerations as well.

Indians are well aware of food adulteration, yet due to economic pressures or scarcity, they often have no choice but to buy what is available in the market. This situation is harming the health of our society and the future of our children. The Uttar Pradesh government has taken bold steps to address this issue, but the real question is: where is the FSSAI? Where are the other states? Why, despite being operational for over a decade, has the FSSAI failed to prevent toxic adulterants from infiltrating our pooja and food systems?

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

In conclusion, if Hindus dont care about their rituals, who will? Let us recall 1857 when our civilisation rebelled against the East India Companys attempt to force beef and pig-fat cartridges upon us. Today, when Hinduism and our religious practices face even graver profanities, we remain silent. Its high time concerned Hindus come together to fight this challenge of adulteration, for without purity in food, Hindus risk losing their health, spirituality, and the rituals that connect them with their gods.

The author is an independent agri-policy analyst and former director  Policy and Outreach, National Seed Association of India. He tweets at @Indrassingh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 06, 2024, 00:33 IST
Opinion | India Knows A Harris Presidency Will Be Even More Moralistic Than Bidens

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 06, 2024, 10:01 IST

Kamala Harriss Indian roots, it was assumed, will have the potential to change Indian engagement with American politics

Biden and Harris have both spoken out against what they believe to be are Indias human rights violations. (AP File)

In the end, the Biden-Harris administration has played true to form. In 2020, when they were elected, many analysts who examine American electoral outcomes from an Indian lens said that the India-U.S relationship enjoys bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. This measure of goodwill across the aisles will mean that India will retain its star valuation under a Biden democratic presidency.

This takeaway was especially trumped up, excuse the pun, because of Bidens Veeps ethnicity. Harriss Indian roots, it was assumed, will have the potential to change Indian engagement with American politics, as well as the United States response to issues in India".

related stories

But there was also a small minority of Indian analysts that injected a realistic caveat. They said that Bidens pledge in his victory speech to restore the USs respected leadership on the world stage" and to honestly confront the challenge of nations that are backsliding on democracy" could potentially lead to friction points in Indo-U.S. ties. These realists also felt that these irritants wouldnt have ordinarily manifested themselves under Trump largely because of his isolationist approach to foreign affairs.

Four years later, the motley group of pessimists have been mostly proven right. India-U.S. relations, while on an even keel on geostrategic, trade, technological and military matters, have been somewhat thrown off balance by an ideological disconnect.

Biden and Harris have both spoken out against what they believe to be are Indias human rights violations" fuelled by policies like the CAA and NRC that are inconsistent with the countrys long tradition of secularism and with sustaining a multi-ethnic and multi-religious democracy". There have also been unflattering mentions in reports prepared by the US State Department of Indias alleged descent into electoral autocracy".

So much so, that at least three Democrat lawmakers even boycotted Modis Congressional joint address when PM Modi was accorded the rare honour by President Biden on what was a storied state visit.

Over time, much to Delhis chagrin, the Biden-Harris administration has privately wagged its finger at Indias sanctions-defying oil diplomacy" with West-designated rogue-state" Russia and not so privately at Delhis adventurism with respect to allegedly taking out" Khalistani terrorist and US citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The Biden administration is also suspicious of non-West multilateralism, which India has fetishised as an example of its strategic autonomy. This was recently evidenced by the condescending tone adopted by the White Houses spokespersons on the just concluded BRICS plus Kazan summit.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The prospect of an even more liberally inclined, Western values-imbued Harris administration wielding power on the back of a decisive mandate could lead to a spell of more moralising on the international stage. New Delhis foreign policy managers may never acknowledge it openly, but they must be suitably ambivalent at the prospect of a Harris presidency.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 19:51 IST
'J&K Wouldn't Have Been In Current Situation Had Vajpayee's Approach Been Adopted': Omar Abdullah

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 21:13 IST

Speaking during obituary references in J&K Legislative Assembly, Abdullah heaped praises on the former prime minister.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former prime minister A B Vajpayee | Image/File

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said had the ruling BJP at the Centre adopted former prime minister A B Vajpayees approach, Jammu and Kashmir would not have been in the current situation.

Speaking during obituary references in J-K Legislative Assembly, Abdullah heaped praises on the former prime minister, saying Vajpayee always tried to improve the situation in J-K".

related stories

When Vajpayee went to Pakistan in 1999 on the maiden Delhi-Lahore bus, he had visited Minar-e-Pakistan which was not easy to do", the chief minister said.

Then he stood at the border and said we can change friends but not the neighbours. Vajpayee said dialogue was the only way out. He repeatedly extended hand of friendship despite facing setbacks," Abdullah, the Leader of the House, added.

I have known him (Vajpayee) and worked with him as a minister in his council. When we remember Vajpayee, we remember him with reference to J-K. He always tried to improve the situation in J-K, he tried to ease the tension," he said.

He worked to open the cross-LoC routes which were later closed again. He wanted to bring people across closer. He tried to bring the civil society closer. Today attempts are made to keep us apart," Abdullah added.

The chief minister said had Vajpayees approach been adopted, Jammu and Kashmir would not have been in the situation it is in".

After he left, his approach was forgotten. The design he had given was forgotten. What can we do?" he said.

Referring to MLA Kulgam M Y Tarigamis remarks about the autonomy resolution brought by the then NC government in the assembly in 2000, Abdullah said while it is true that the resolution was sent back, but Vajpayee realised it later that the government had reacted in a hurry".

So, he appointed senior minister Arun Jaitley to hold talks with J-K government on it," the chief minister said, adding it would be difficult to disagree with Vajpayees intentions on J-K.

The Leader of the House said the list for obituary references was huge which indicated how long the gap was between our two sessions".

He said the last such session was held in 2018.

57 personalities  former president, former prime minister, former governor, ex-MLAs and ex-MLCs are in the list. This will perhaps be the last time we will be paying tributes to people from Ladakh as they are no more a part of us," he added.

Abdullah also said there were 45 people in the list with whom he has worked or were known to him, and went on to mention a few.

Paying tributes to Pranab Mukherjee, Abdullah said there was a lot to learn from the former presidents life.

Mukherjee did not have Godfathers and was not parachuted into politics. He worked hard," he said, adding that he did justice with all the posts he held.

The Leader of the House also paid tributes to former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and others, including his former colleague and BJP leader Devendra Singh Rana who passed away last week.

Speaking of Rana, he said, If there is one colleague I was sad about losing, it was Rana. In the election heat, we said bitter things. But, I did not know he was so ill. Had I known, I would have tried to improve our relations." He also recalled his close political association with the deceased Nagrota MLA over 20 years and hailed him for fulfilling all his responsibilities, both in National Conference and the BJP, with dedication.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The chief minister said all the 56 persons named in the obituary list have done something in serving the people and we should go through their biographies so that we can learn from them".

After his speech, the House observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls.

Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 21:13 IST
'Took Positively': Andhra Home Minister Reacts To Pawan Kalyan's 'Incompetent' Remark

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 20:19 IST

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said she took Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan's remarks in a constructive manner, and has spoken to the Janasena leader about the matter

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha reacted to Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan's criticism of her handling of the state's deteriorating law and order situation. (Image: @Anitha_TDP/X)

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha on Tuesday responded to Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyans remarks about her and said she took them in a constructive manner. She said she recognises her responsibilities, and has spoken to the Janasena leader about the matter.

I took his (Kalyans) comments positively. His press meet was, in fact, encouraging. He provided a supportive foundation for my work and urged me to be even more assertive. Thats what he communicated," she told reporters.

related stories

Anitha, who belongs to the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), responded to Kalyans criticism the previous day of her handling of the states deteriorating law and order situation and increased violence against women.

He called her incompetent" and said he would do her job better, suggesting that things would be different" if he were the home minister  remarks seen as direct criticism of Anitha. The comments came after recent incidents, including the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl by a relative in Tirupati district.

She, however, stressed that Kalyan did not label her a failure. She noted that he clarified to her that he was referring to the alleged registration of cases based on caste under the previous YSRCP government.

Defending Kalyan, the minister claimed that some people were unnecessarily politicising" the issue. Further, she underscored that Andhra Pradesh is strict about maintaining law and order. The Chief Minister is serious that anyone contemplating a crime should fear. He (CM) said we will bring special laws to deter criminal behaviour. This message came directly from the CM," she said.

The new coalition government comprising the TDP, BJP and Janasena has been in power in Andhra Pradesh for five months now.

Whom Are You Questioning: Opposition On Pawan Kalyan Remarks

Meanwhile, YSRCP leader B Rajendranath sought to know who Pawan Kalyan was questioning. Whom are you (Kalyan) questioning? You are in power. You are the Deputy Chief Minister. Are you questioning yourself, your government, a particular minister, the CM, or the police department? We do not understand," he asked during a press conference in Hyderabad.

Rajendranath said while Anitha holds the home department portfolio, law and order is overseen by the CM. He questioned Kalyans criticism of the police departments functioning, reasoning that the government cannot operate without the system in place.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

He further advised Kalyan to address crime effectively, while former tourism minister and YSRCP leader RK Roja suggested that the comments reflected failure" on the part of both the Deputy CM and CM. Further, she alleged that the home minister has become useless".

(With PTI inputs)

Location : Amaravati, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 20:19 IST
'Will Have To Stop Somewhere': Sharad Pawar Drops Big Retirement Hint In Baramati

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 16:18 IST

Sharad Pawar's hint at the retirement comes as the NCP and its allies- Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress prepare for the high-stakes Maharashtra election.

NCP (SP) Chief Sharad Pawar (PTI/File)

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader Sharad Pawar, 83, widely regarded as the grand old man of Maharashtra politics, on Tuesday hinted at retirement, saying he would have to stop somewhere".

Pawar, who served at several top posts in Maharashtra politics for over six decades, said he would not contest any future elections after his Rajya Sabha term ends in 18 months and would work towards guiding the younger generation in politics.

related stories

Addressing a meeting in the Baramati constituency, while seeking votes for his grandnephew Yugendra Pawar, Pawar said, I am not in power. I am definitely in Rajya Sabha. There is still one-and-a-half years left. But after 1.5 years, I will have to think about whether to go to Rajya Sabha or not. I will not contest Lok Sabha. I will not contest any election."

I have contested 14 times. You (people) did not send me home even once. You elected me every time. But, I will have to stop somewhere I will have to bring the new generation forward. I am working with this principle. This does not mean that I have left social work. But I do not want power. I will keep serving and working for the people," Pawar added.

The hint at the retirement from politics comes as the NCP (SP) and its allies- Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress prepare for the high-stakes Maharashtra assembly elections, scheduled on November 20.

Sharad Pawar Bats For Yugendra

Pawar, undefeated in his 57-year political career since first being elected as an MLA from Baramati in 1967, highlighted that he will continue to serve and work for the people.

I handled the development and progress of Baramati for 30 years and then passed on the responsibility to Ajit Pawar for 30 years. This should continue. So, we need to give responsibility for the next 30 years to youth leadership to carry forward the legacy of public service in Baramati. Thus, Yugendra needs to be elected for this purpose in the Assembly election."

In the upcoming Maharashtra election, the fight for Baramati will be a litmus test for Sharad Pawar, who has fielded his grandnephew, Yugendra Pawar, to contest against his nephew Ajit Pawar, who led the rebellion last year that forced the NCP to split.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The Assembly poll in Baramati will be the second tussle within the Pawar family after the Lok Sabha election earlier this year. That time, NCP (SP) candidate Supriya Sule defeated Sunetra Pawar, wife of her cousin Ajit Pawar.

Location : Maharashtra, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 16:01 IST
11-year-old Girl Awarded Rs 2.5 Crore After California Sheriffs Office Kills Her Pet Goat

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 17:33 IST

A lawyer said that until the girl is a legal adult, the funds would be kept in a trust.

The goat, Cedar, was raised by the girl for a local fair. (Pic Credit: Advancing Law For Animal)

An 11-year-old California girl is to be awarded $300,000 (roughly Rs 2.5 crore) in compensation after county authorities seized and slaughtered her pet goat. The goat, Cedar, was raised by the girl for a local fair and became a part and parcel of her life, reported the NY Times. The settlement comes as a result of a lawsuit filed two years ago by the girls mother, Jessica Long, who alleged that her daughters bond with Cedar was disregarded, leading to a traumatic outcome for the young girl.

The lawsuit detailed that Long had purchased the goat so her daughter could participate in a 4-H programme  that teaches kids practical skills through projects in agriculture, science and community service. Cedar, lovingly nicknamed Cedes," became more than just a project animal. As the auction day at the Shasta District Fair approached, the girl, who had been feeding and caring for Cedar, grew attached and could not bear to let him go.

related stories

Despite repeated pleas from the family, fair officials refused to withdraw Cedar from the sale. The goat was auctioned for $902, and although the Long family offered to pay the fair the proceeds to spare Cedar, officials stood firm, even threatening criminal theft charges if the goat wasnt turned over.

In a bid to try and protect Cedar, Jessica Long relocated him from the Bay Area to a farm in Sonoma County. The family reportedly thought it wise that they would shield him from being taken to be slaughtered and sold. However, their dreams came to an end when sheriffs deputies followed Cedars traces and arrested him without a legally acceptable warrant. This action triggered many individuals and the community as well as activists in animal rights.

When the family sought to get Cedar back and even offered to pay back the amount offered at the auction, the county officials reportedly did not release him. Unfortunately, Cedar was soon killed, and the young girl was left without her beloved animal companion. The family has not received the remains of Cedar.

As per the report, the family sued Shasta County for denying their rights and unlawfully removing Cedar from them. Finally, the parties went to negotiations and the county agreed to pay $300,000 as compensation.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Their family lawyer, Ryan Gordon told The New York Times, They can never get justice for Cedar, hes gone. But this is a good first step."

He said that until Longs daughter is a legal adult, the funds would be kept in a trust.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 17:33 IST
How Flies Helped MP Police Solve A Blind Murder Mystery

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 15:01 IST

A 19-year-old was initially cleared by the Madhya Pradesh police in a murder case due to a lack of evidence. Read on to find out how flies ultimately led him to confess to his crime.

Flies Helped MP Police Solve A Blind Murder Mystery. (Representative Image: ANI)

When police in Madhya Pradesh hit a dead end in a murder case of a 26-year-old man, flies helped them solve it. These flies led to a 19-year-old admitting he had committed the crime, even though he had initially been cleared by the police over a lack of evidence.

So what exactly happened?

related stories

On the eve of Diwali, October 30, Manoj Thakur went out for drinks with his nephew, Dharam Singh. They started their evening by purchasing alcohol from a local shop, followed by food. While Singh returned home after their outing, Thakur never made it back. His family later filed a missing person report with the Jabalpur police, according to a report by The Times of India (TOI).

The next day, the police were informed of a dead body found in a field on the outskirts of the city. The body belonged to Thakur.

Police interrogate nephew

Since Thakur was last seen with Singh, police decided to question him. However, they cleared him as a suspect for several reasons: there was no direct evidence linking him to the murder, no clear motive, and no signs of robbery.

The nephew was a prime suspect in Manoj Thakurs murder, but during interrogation, he maintained his innocence," additional SP Sonali Dubey told TOI.

Another round of interrogation

After hitting a wall in their investigation, police revisited the case. They had no lead, but since Singh was last seen with Thakur, they decided to summon him for another round of questioning. This time, something strange happened that caught the attention of the investigators: flies kept buzzing around him, regardless of how many times he tried to swat them away.

Flies helped solve the murder mystery

Since flies seemed particularly attracted to Singh and not anyone else in the room, Abhishek Payasi, the officer in charge of the Chargawan police station, grew suspicious. He asked Singh to hand over his shirt for examination.

Once the shirt was sent to a forensic lab for testing, it was discovered to contain traces of human blood, which could not be seen by the naked eye, the outlet further reported.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

During a follow-up interrogation, Singh ultimately confessed to the crime, admitting that he killed his uncle following a heated argument. According to his account, both men had been drinking when Thakur confronted Singh about needing to pay more for their drinks and food. Singh claimed that Thakur hit him first, so he hit back with a piece of wood, which caused Thakurs injuries that led to his death.

Upon returning to the crime scene, police located the murder weapon. Singh was then arrested for his uncles murder.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 13:41 IST
Bhopal Customer, Called Uncle At Shop, Returns With Group To Beat Shopkeeper

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 16:12 IST

After the initial scuffle, Rohit went back home with his family but came back to the shop with 10-15 men.

Severely injured, Vishal went to the nearest police station and reported the incident.(Representative image)

A Bhopal customer beat up a shopkeeper, who referred to him as uncle" in the presence of his wife. The incident took place in Vishal Shastri saree shop, Shastri Fashion, in the Jatkhedi part of the city on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

Vishal Shastri was assisting Rohit, accompanied by his wife and child, shop at the saree store, India Today reported. After browsing some items, Vishal asked for their preferred range. Rohit admitted he could buy sarees that were around Rs 1,000, adding he could spend a bit more as well.

related stories

Uncle, I will show you sarees in other ranges too," Vishal said. This rather innocent-sounding remark angered Rohit and he warned Vishal against using that term again.

After the initial scuffle, Rohit went back home with his family but came back with 10-15 men. They took Vishal to the main road forcing him out of his shop and proceeded to flog him with sticks and belts. People at the scene told the news outlet that Rohit and his group repeatedly kicked Vishal before they escaped.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Severely injured, Vishal went to the nearest police station and reported the incident. He was then administered treatment at a nearby health facility.

Senior police officer of Seoni district, Manish Raj Singh Bhadauria told India Today that the police lodged a complaint under relevant sections against Rohit and his associates, and that they were actively tracing other accused.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 16:12 IST
Body Of First Woman To Use Suicide Pod Has Strangulation Marks On Neck: Police

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 17:11 IST

A forensic doctor found serious neck injuries on the woman who opted to die in a suicide pod.

The woman died on September 23 in Merishausen after activating a device that releases nitrogen gas into the sealed chamber.(Representative Image)

The body of the 64-year-old American woman, who became the first person to use a suicide pod in Switzerland, has strangulation marks on the neck, the police have said. Authorities suspect intentional homicide," as a forensic doctor found serious neck injuries, which suggests that she may have been strangled.

She died on September 23 in Merishausen after activating a device that releases nitrogen gas into the sealed chamber. When authorities investigated the body, they discovered strangulation marks on her neck, which has raised suspicions of foul play. Dr Florian Willet, the president of The Last Resort, the organization behind the capsule, was present at the scene and has been arrested.

related stories

According to the Dutch news outlet de Volkskrant, the marks on her neck could be linked to a serious health condition she was going through for two years. The woman reportedly suffered from osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone marrow caused by bacteria or fungi, which could have caused similar marks on her neck.

Before her reported death, the 64-year-old woman spoke to the news outlet and explained her decision to use the pod. She said, For at least two years. Since I was diagnosed with skull base osteomyelitis." The machine she used was designed by Australian doctor and physicist Philip Nitschke, who added her condition was so severe it couldnt be treated. The woman experienced intense headaches that on some days, even moving or going to the bathroom was impossible.

Dr Florian Willet, who was reportedly alone with the woman when she pushed the button on the pod, explained it was opened and closed multiple times to ensure it was working correctly. The woman activated the pod by pressing a button that released nitrogen gas. According to Willet, she lost consciousness almost thirty seconds after pressing the button. Two and a half minutes later, he noticed her body was cramping, which is a common response during deaths caused by nitrogen. He mentioned that, after losing consciousness, it takes a while for the heart to stop beating completely.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Pods inventor, Philip Nitschke said, Almost immediately, she presses the button. It is 3:54:46 PM, and she takes a deep breath. She has received extensive instructions beforehand. Everything went well. The woman was calm, everything went according to plan. It was clear that she wanted this."

While investigators suggest that the American woman may have been strangled, there is currently no official autopsy report to confirm this claim.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 17:07 IST
How Dog Paw Stickers On Mailboxes Help Protect Postmen From Pet Attacks

Curated By :

Local News Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 17:46 IST

You might notice this sign in the postal boxes outside people's houses if you have travelled to the US.

They warn the postmen to exercise caution.

Dog ownership is common worldwide, and dog lovers often believe everyone should adore dogs as they do. They may overlook the fact that even friendly dogs can act aggressively toward strangers. To keep both their pets and visitors safe, owners need to take necessary precautions, especially with regular visitors like postmen. In the U.S., the Postal Service once implemented the PAWS program to help protect postal workers from unexpected encounters with dogs.

Launched in 2020, the program introduced Paw Print Stickers on mailboxes, warning postmen of nearby dogs. An orange sticker meant a dog was in the household receiving the mail, while a yellow sticker indicated a dog next door. This system helped new mail carriers stay alert when delivering letters. Although the PAWS program has since been discontinued, many mailboxes still display these stickers, serving as an ongoing reminder of pets in the area.

related stories

Today, postal workers use updated technology to avoid dog encounters. Their scanners now notify them if a dog is present at a residence. This added precaution is crucial, as numerous postal workers have reported dog attacks in the past. Mail carriers are also trained to recognize potentially risky situations, respect a dogs territory and be cautious. If a dog threatens, they are instructed to place a barrier, like their mail satchel, between themselves and the dog. They also carry dog repellent for extreme situations.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

For pet owners, preparing for mail carriers visits is essential. Its helpful to keep dogs inside the house, place them in a room away from the entry, or secure them with a leash if they are outside. Fencing is another effective safety measure. In India, homeowners could potentially adopt similar practices by placing warning stickers outside their homes, helping to protect delivery personnel from unexpected encounters with pets.

Ultimately, a little preparation can go a long way in ensuring that both pets and postal workers stay safe during routine deliveries.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 17:46 IST
Swedish Civil Defense Minister: Were handing over two vessels to Ukraine to strengthen maritime security

Swedish Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin has announced the transfer of aid to Ukraine totalling around EUR 9 million  two Swedish Coast Guard vessels to ensure maritime security, as well as respirator masks.

At a joint briefing with Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko in Kyiv on Tuesday, the Swedish Civil Defense Minister noted that his visit to Ukraine is evidence of Sweden's readiness to continue to support Ukraine.

"Today we [with the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine] signed a statement of intent, which is aimed at strengthening cooperation at the level of structures that are subordinate to our ministries," he said.

He also announced the provision of two civilian aid packages for Ukraine, which will be aimed at meeting needs in two very important sectors.

"We are talking about maritime security. The Swedish Coast Guard will be delivering two such vessels along with equipment to enhance maritime security," he said.

The second part of the aid package, according to him, is about 40,000 protective respirator masks.

"We are talking about the transfer of aid worth approximately EUR 9 million," Bohlin concluded.

"Today we have held talks with Minister of Civil Defense of the Kingdom of Sweden, Carl-Oskar Bohlin ... There is a practical result of the meeting - the signing of a joint statement of intent between our departments," the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs said in turn.

Klymenko noted that this document is a confirmation of the aspirations to develop a productive partnership and integrate efforts to overcome security threats.

In general, according to him, Sweden has been providing assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale aggression. Also, as Klymenko emphasized, Sweden's political support is important on Ukraine's path to EU and NATO membership.
In Karnataka's Shimoga, This Muslim Man's Diwali Celebrations Highlights Unity In Diversity

Curated By :

Local News Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 13:50 IST

Interestingly, Tannu from Shimoga district celebrating the festival of light for the past five years.

This year, Diwali was celebrated on October 31.

India is a country where people of all religions live together in harmony and practice their unique cultures and traditions. We often see that people from different religions celebrate each others festivals. Recently, Diwali was celebrated with boundless joy by millions across the globe. It is one of the major Hindu festivals celebrated every year with great enthusiasm.

Recently, a Muslim man has been grabbing headlines for celebrating Diwali. Interestingly, he has celebrated the festival of light for the past five years. Tannu, a youth from Arsalu village in Hosanagara taluk of Shimoga district, performed the puja according to Hindu tradition at his mobile shop in Vinayaka Circle. Every year, Tannu and his friends performed Lakshmi Puja at his shop, Tanvi Mobile World.

related stories

Earlier also, we have seen that Hindu festivals are celebrated by Muslim brothers and Muslim festivals are celebrated by Hindus. In the same way, he also organised Lakshmi Puja for the last 5 years on the occasion of Diwali.

In another incident, a Pakistani content creator named Bilal Hasan posted a video while celebrating Diwali for the first time. The video went viral and has won over many hearts on social media. Diwali in Pakistan. Maine kabhi zindagi mein Diwali nahi manayi until today (I have never celebrated Diwali in my life)" he said in his voiceover in the video. The caption of the post read, Diwali in Pakistan."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

This year, Diwali was celebrated on October 31, while in some places the festival was celebrated on November 1. The five-day festival starts with Dhanteras and culminates on Bhai Dooj. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped on Diwali to seek the blessings of wealth and happiness. The festival symbolises the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. During this auspicious occasion, devotees clean their houses, dress in new clothes, light up with diyas and candles and exchange sweets and gifts.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 13:50 IST
Indian Student, In Desperate Bid To Stay In UK, Offers To Work Without Salary

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 17:46 IST

The Indian woman appealed to recruiters to hire her without a salary for a month.

The Indian student also promised to work overtime and without holidays. (Photo Credits: Reddit)

An Indian woman, who is living in the UK, has appealed to recruiters to hire her without a salary for a month. She even added that they could fire her on the spot if she didnt match their expectations for the role. But why is she desperate for a job?

Well, the woman has only three months to find a job or she will have to return home. The post gained the attention of many social media users, who criticised her. According to her LinkedIn post, the Leicester-based student moved to the UK for higher education in 2022. The woman who was looking for design engineering roles said that she was unable to secure a role, despite 300 applications.

related stories

In her LinkedIn post, she wrote, Hire me for free for one month. If I dont deliver, fire me on the spot, no questions asked. My Graduate Visa EXPIRES in 3 months, repost this to help me stay in the UK," she pleaded on LinkedIn.

She added, The job market feels like theres no value for me, my degree, or my capabilities. I have applied to 300+ jobs and got a handful of useful feedback."

On top of this, the Indian student also promised to work overtime and without holidays, just so she could stay in the country. Ill work 12 hours per day and 7 days a week to prove my worth," she wrote.

The students post caught the attention of social media users on Reddit and Linked In who criticised her for setting a poor example.

Sharing his views, a Reddit user wrote, 12 such candidates for 12 months and the companys golden. Zero salaries given and free labour. These folks dont realize the level of harm these kind of posts do."

Another noted, Desperate to hold on to a country that wants to kick you out."

Looking for design engineer roles, and a post like this. Ah the irony," read another comment.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Some empathised with her and shared that it might be because of the student loan she is trying to find a job in the UK so desperately. A user noted, I couldnt imagine whats going through her mind right now, in 30 days she has to get a job or else its back to India with a huge loan to repay."

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 17:46 IST
Law Student Sues OP Jindal Global University For Failing Him Over 'Use Of AI'

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 18:10 IST

The OP Jindal Global University alleged that Kaustubh Shakkarwar, a Master of Law (LLM) student used artificial intelligence (AI) to answer questions.

The next hearing is scheduled for November 14. (Representative Image)

A law student has sued OP Jindal Global University, Haryana after he failed the end-term examination. The university alleged that Kaustubh Shakkarwar, a Master of Law (LLM) student used artificial intelligence (AI) to answer questions.

As per the Bar and Bench report, Shakkarwar, pursuing a course in Intellectual Property and Technology Laws, appeared for an exam for the course Law and Justice in the Globalising World on May 18.

related stories

On June 25, the universitys Unfair Means Committee informed Shakkarwar that his answers were generated using an AI platform, leading to his failure in the examination. This decision was upheld by the universities Controller of Examinations despite Shakkarwars challenge.

Shakkarwar has now approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, refuting the allegations made by the varsity.

The court has sought a reply from the OP Jindal Global University. The next hearing is scheduled for November 14.

Shakkarwars counsel said that the university does not have a standard set regarding the utilisation of AI in exams, coupled with the fact that no guidance was offered to the students towards usage, as being iterative of plagiarism.

The university is silent to state that use of AI would amount to plagiarism and thus, the petitioner cannot be prosecuted for what is not explicitly prohibited," advocate Prabhneer Swani, Shakkarwars counsel, was quoted as arguing by the news outlet.

Shakkarwar claims that he provided all those answers without using AI tools. He has also raised questions on why the university has not provided any iota of evidence" for their allegations.

He further argues that even if he received AIs help, he would still own the copyright.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Section 2(d)(vi) of the Copyright Act, 1957, makes it amply clear that, arguendo, if the Petitioner did even use AI, the copyright of the artistic work would lie with the petitioner, and thus the allegation of violation of copyright, fails," Shakkarwar was quoted by Bar and Bench.

The petition argues that the rules against plagiarism were never were never formally adopted, ratified, or communicated to its members.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 18:05 IST
Lawrence Bishnoi T-Shirts Up For Sale On Flipkart, Meesho Cause Outrage: 'India's Online Radicalisation'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 12:25 IST

Lawrence Bishnoi T-shirts are being sold by Bengaluru-based companies Flipkart and Meesho. What's more alarming is that the gangster-themed merchandise is also available for kids.

Lawrence Bishnoi T-shirts listed on Flipkart and Meesho. (Pic credit: X/@alishan_jafri and Flipkart)

Bengaluru-based e-commerce companies Flipkart and Meesho are under fire for selling T-shirts featuring images of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. While the sale of gangster-themed merchandise itself is alarming, concerns are heightened by the fact that these items are available for children as well. Journalist Alishan Jafri, who brought this issue to light, described it as a worrying example of Indias online radicalisation".

Read| Studio-Like Facility, Glorification Of Crime: HC Pans Punjab For Lawrence Bishnoi Jail Interview

related stories

People are literally selling gangster merchandise on platforms like Meesho and Teeshopper. This is just one example of Indias latest online radicalisation," wrot Jafri on X (formerly known as Twitter) as he shared a screenshot of the T-shirts being sold on Meesho, an online platform that connects suppliers, resellers and customers and heavily relies on social media platforms for business.

He added, At a time when the police and NIA are struggling to stop youths from joining gang crime, social media influencers are making quick money by promoting gang content and glorifying gangsters."

The screenshot shared by Jafri shows white T-shirts with Lawrence Bishnois picture and, in some cases, the words Gangster" and Real Hero" printed boldly across the front. These T-shirts are up for sale for as low as Rs 168.

People are literally selling gangster merchandise on platforms like @Meesho_Official and Teeshopper. This is just one example of India's latest online radicalisation. Thread1/n pic.twitter.com/vzjXM360q3 Alishan Jafri (@alishan_jafri) November 4, 2024

Meesho takes down its listing

After the backlash on social media, Meesho took down the T-shirts featuring gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. While writing this report in the morning, we were able to access the gangster-themed T-shirts for both adults and kids. However, those products are no longer available for sale on the platform.

We have taken immediate action to deactivate the products. Meesho remains committed to providing a safe and trusted shopping platform for all our users," Meesho spokesperson told News18.com.

Lawrence Bishnoi T-shirts on Flipkart

When we searched for the gangster-themed merchandise on famous e-commerce platforms such as Flipkart and Amazon, we found that Flipkart has listed it. The T-shirts on Flipkart are being sold for Rs 249 after 64 per cent discount. The two designs feature an identical image of the gangster wearing an orange T-shirt and black hoodie, with the words The Gangster" on one design and Real Hero" on the other.

Heres how social media reacted to these gangster-themed T-shirts:

Shame on Meesho and similar websites. Shame!" wrote an individual.

Another pointed out, And a kid also wearing his T-shirt. So wrong."

Meesho should be de-platformed," expressed a third.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Who is Lawrence Bishnoi?

Lawrence Bishnoi is a gangster, whom the court noted is involved in 71 criminal cases in Punjab alone, including four under anti-terror law UAPA. He is also a suspect in the murder of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala. Bishnoi is in jail since 2015. His gang has claimed responsibility for the murder of Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique. Lawrence Bishnoi gang has also issued death threats to actor Salman Khan and spiritual orator Abhinav Arora.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 09:22 IST
Live-in To Childbirth, Rajasthan Tribes Unique Approaches To Relationships And Marriage

Curated By :

Local News Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 11:27 IST

The Garasia Tribe from Rajasthan has a unique and progressive cultural practice where live-in relationships are the norm and widely practised.

The Garasia Tribe exhibits a progressive outlook.

While live-in relationships and having children before marriage remain non-traditional in mainstream society, a unique cultural practice within a specific community in Rajasthan challenges these norms.

This community, the Garasia Tribe, exhibits a progressive outlook, allowing women the freedom to choose partners during a fair. The uniqueness of this tribe is that these selections arent necessarily for immediate marriage but for live-in relationshipsa tradition deeply rooted in their culture.

related stories

According to reports, boys and girls gather at this fair and if they like someone, they run away from the fair with them. Then they start living together without getting married. During this time they can also have children. After this, they return to their village and their parents marry them with great pomp.

Historical Importance:

The practice of living in this tribe is centuries old. It is believed that earlier, four brothers of this caste left the village and started living somewhere else. Three of them got married according to Indian customs, but one brother started living with a girl without marriage. Those three brothers did not have children, but the fourth brother had one. From then on, the tradition of living here started.

According to reports, if Garasia women want, they can choose another partner in the next fair despite the first partner. However, before doing so, they are expected to compensate their former partners. In some cases, couples may even choose to continue living together without the institution of marriage.

These cultural norms exemplify the communitys uniqueness and values, which contrast starkly with the traditional societal expectation of marriage preceding parenthood. Despite the perception of the Garasia Tribe as a backward community, their customs paint a different picture.

Reports indicate that their unconventional rituals and progressive outlook toward relationships have led to fewer instances of dowry-related deaths and rapes within their community.

The Garasia are an indigenous tribe in India known for their unique culture, traditions and art.

Location:

The Garasia tribe primarily lives in the forested regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Culture:

The Garasia have a rich cultural tapestry that includes unique dances, songs, rituals and colourful clothing. They are also known for their handcrafted jewellery.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Social Divisions:

The Garasia are divided into Koli Garasia, Rajput Garasia, Dungri Garasia and Bhil Garasia.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 11:27 IST
Pakistani Man Puts Hand Inside Chained Tigers Mouth; 'Why' Asks Internet

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 17:58 IST

The tiger's stillness has raised alarm bells, leading many viewers to speculate whether the animal was restrained or sedated.

Hassan faced backlash for his risky interaction with the wild animal. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

What happens when a digital content creator crosses the line between seeking attention on social media and embracing danger? A recent viral video on Instagram featuring Pakistani content creator Nouman Hassan has ignited a debate after he shared an encounter with a chained tiger. In the footage, Hassan places his hand inside the tigers mouth, holding the pose for several tense seconds, seemingly showcasing a bond with the powerful creature. However, the tigers unnerving stillness has raised alarm bells, leading many viewers to speculate whether the animal was restrained or sedated  an unethical and dangerous approach to interacting with wildlife.

My Tiger Rocky is Very Friendly," the caption read.

related stories

Watch the video here:

Shared on October 27, this video has amassed more than 1 lakh views so far. But this encounter also raised troubling questions, with many users expressing horror at what they perceived as irresponsible behaviour. Concerns have been voiced regarding the creators judgement and genuine regard for the well-being of the animal.

One user wrote, This is unacceptable".

Another commented, This is what I call stupidity at its peak."

No need to do this to gain a few followers," a user on Instagram said.

Other users criticised the act terming it as irresponsible" and disrespectful" of wild animals.

The criticism Hassan has received for his interactions with wild animals is not new. An earlier video in September showed him sitting on top of a tiger and riding it carelessly across an open space, which infuriated people. Many users chastised the creator.

Additionally, the two cages in the background, one containing a lion and the other a lioness, further raised questions regarding the living conditions of the animals.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

As these incidents unfold, we must ask ourselves  is it acceptable to treat wild animals as mere props for social media attention?

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 17:51 IST
Pets, Squirrel, Garbage Trucks: Best Memes From Donald Trump-Kamala Harris US Presidential Showdown

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 11:37 IST

The race to the White House has sparked a meme fest online and we are loving it.

Trump was fired up about the recent death of Peanut, the viral squirrel. (Photo Credits: X)

Ahead of the November 5 voting for the US Presidential election, beyond the rallies, the internets meme creators have taken the chance to spotlight some of the quirkiest moments.

From Donald Trumps AI-generated heroics rescuing pets to Kamala Harris deadpan reactions during debates, social media has been abuzz with humour. So, lets look at some of the best memes that have captured the essence of this unique election season and have left us in splits along the way.

related stories

Donald Trump Rescues Cats And Dogs

During the presidential debate, Trump grabbed attention with his bold claim that migrants in Ohio were eating the dogs, the cats, the pets!" Calling it a shame" for the country, Trumps outburst quickly became a viral hit with memes flooding the internet that portrayed him as a heroic pet saviour. At the same time, Harriss memorable reactions such as head shakes, amused smiles and thoughtful hand-to-chin poses also became fan favorites online.

You aint eating these fucking cats."~ Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/ZiskDF5R92  Jason A. Williams (@GoingParabolic) September 11, 2024

theyre eating the pets of the people that live there" WHAT IS HE SAYING #Debate2024 pic.twitter.com/128GoKdtOi bethany  tayronto n6 (@corneliastagain) September 11, 2024

Theyre eating the dogs. Theyre eating the cats. Theyre eating the animals". Donald Trump#Debate2024 pic.twitter.com/zMvTyuB64A  Its Micah B (@ItsMicahB) September 11, 2024

Teacher when you didnt do the reading but have a comment pic.twitter.com/BPAk9j1rYU The.Ink, from Anand Giridharadas (@AnandWrites) September 11, 2024

Trump Fired Up Over Death Of Peanut, The Viral Squirrel

Trump was fired up" about the recent death of Peanut, the viral squirrel. JD Vance, Trumps running mate, brought attention to this emotional response during a rally. The situation sparked a wave of memes. For those unfamiliar, Peanut was taken from its owner and euthanised by state officials due to rabies concerns.

 BREAKING: Donald Trump dresses up in a squirrel onesie at his rally today rally today in Salem, VA in honor of Peanut the Squirrel pic.twitter.com/ekgb0Q55Pa .      (@Vox_Oculi) November 2, 2024

Harris Takes Lead In Iowa Poll, Memes Erupt

In a surprising turn of events, a recent poll shows Harris taking the lead over Trump in Iowa, a state that has favoured the Republican candidate. Conducted by the Des Moines Register/Mediacom, the poll indicated Harris holds a three-point edge over Trump. If this trend continues, it would be the first time Iowa has voted Democratic since Barack Obamas campaigns in 2008 and 2012. The unexpected results have quickly become fodder for social media sparking a flurry of memes online.

iowa voters when the democrats nominate a black candidate for president https://t.co/GZsy4Lwtkg pic.twitter.com/UXzxOcpnUq one dozen rats at a keyboard (@PanasonicDX4500) November 3, 2024

Iowa voters in 2024 for some reason pic.twitter.com/zOyK8W6zcr Salchak LLC. (@eyrtxd) November 3, 2024

Ann Selzer dropping a +3 Kamala poll in Iowa on Saturday night pic.twitter.com/6ZmgBfWy9W stacy (@stacycay) November 3, 2024

iowa voters when a black democrat runs for president https://t.co/ePas1z2U5B pic.twitter.com/diwqoayBdI Corny Billups  (@CornyBillups) November 2, 2024

When Trumps Garbage Truck Entrance Sparked Laughs Online

Social media was abuzz after President Joe Biden referred to Trumps supporters as garbage" during a campaign event, a comment intended to address a racially charged joke made at a Trump rally. The remark quickly backfired and ignited a flood of memes online. Moreover, former President Trump also made a memorable entrance at a Wisconsin rally by climbing into a garbage truck covered in campaign stickers, turning Bidens words into a rallying point. Trump remarked, How do you like my garbage truck? This truck is in honour of Kamala and Joe Biden."

The Biden-Harris economy is so bad that seniors have to work two jobs just to make ends meet. pic.twitter.com/kdwZgMmQeH Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) October 30, 2024

i knew i made a biden garbage meme at some point  pic.twitter.com/JuOVMiuAqS drefanzor memes (@drefanzor) October 30, 2024

Here's one of mine. pic.twitter.com/PqQAKbxzsC  Gain of Fauci (@DschlopesIsBack) October 30, 2024

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Maam Trump just rolled up in a garbage truck" pic.twitter.com/BQnCOkaThu Mostly Peaceful Memes (@MostlyPeacefull) October 30, 2024

On January 6, 2025, the US Congress will officially certify the election results. The new president will take the oath of office on January 20.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 05, 2024, 11:37 IST
We Are Loyal To Canada: Hindus Hold Stir In Brampton Over Khalistani Attack on Temple

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 10:06 IST

A Hindu body highlighted the multiple attacks on Hindu temples across Canada during the Diwali weekend and called to stop the "Hinduphobia" in the country

A massive crowd gathers outside Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada, to hold protest. (Screengrab/ANI)

Several Canadian Hindus gathered and held a protest rally outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton on Monday evening, a day after Khalistani extremists attacked the temple. The Hindu Canadians urged Canadian politicians and law enforcement agencies not to further support the Khalistanis.

#WATCH | A massive crowd gathered outside Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada on the evening of 4th November in solidarity with the temple and the community after the Khalistani attack on November 3.The organizers of the solidarity rally pressed Canadian politicians and law pic.twitter.com/nBk59eSclW  ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2024

related stories

One of the protesters, Rishabh, said, the Hindu community was deeply hurt".

We have come here in support of Hindu community. Hindu community has contributed so much to Canada and we are progressive, we add so much economical value, we follow law and order wherever we go  be it Canada or anywhere else. It is shocking to see the reaction of politicians, of police, how they have treated us. We have come here in support."

He added, All we are asking is, justice to be served. Law to be followed and perpetrators should be tried under the rule of law."

#WATCH | Brampton, Canada: Rishabh says, We are deeply hurt as Hindu community, what happened here yesterday. We have come here in support of Hindu community. Hindu community has contributed so much to Canada and we are progressive, we add so much economical value, we follow law pic.twitter.com/vkgorG0qL3 ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2024

Another protester said, We are gathered here in anguish today to protest what happened with us yesterday. It has been happening with us for about 20 years. We have been consistently discriminated. We have gathered here to showcase how we were discriminated against by the police yesterday. Despite that, all Hindus have gathered and protested here peacefully."

Canadian Journalist Leads Hindu Protests

Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman led the Hindu Community in singing the Canadian National Anthem in front of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton.

Brave journalist, @DanielBordmanOG, led the Hindu Community in singing the Canadian National Anthem in front of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton. The temple was attacked by the Khalistani mob yesterday. Great turnout to protect freedom of religion. Glad to see many Canadian pic.twitter.com/UBTHvlayGa Salman Sima (@SalmanSima) November 5, 2024

The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) shared the details on social media platform X.

The CoHNA highlighted the multiple attacks on Hindu temples across Canada during the Diwali weekend and called to stop the Hinduphobia" in the country.

Over a thousand #CanadianHindus have gathered in Brampton to protest against the increasingly brazen attacks on Hindu Temples," the post read.

Yesterday, during the sacred #Diwali weekend, Canadian Hindu temples, coast to coast, came under attack. We ask Canada to stop this #Hinduphobia now!" it added.

On Sunday, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple witnessed a violent disruption" in Brampton, near Toronto.

Following the attacks, the Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit organisation working for the Hindu community in Canada, shared a video of the attack on the temple and said that the Khalistani terrorists attacked kids and women.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the deliberate attack" and said that cowardly attempts to intimidate" Indian diplomats were appalling and New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.

I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi said on X.

The strong statement by PM Modi came hours after the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday.

We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries regarding violence in Brampton.

The outreach of our Consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence," he added.

India has been repeatedly expressing its deep concern about extremism and the culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada and has sought action against these activities.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The Indian High Commission in Canada condemned the violent disruption" by anti-India elements outside a consular camp. The high commission also said that any further events will be organised contingent on security arrangements" made by the local authorities.

There has been a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance in Canada.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 09:32 IST
'Deeply Concerning': Jaishankar Responds To Khalistani Attack On Hindu Temple In Canada

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 11:26 IST

Jaishankar's comment came after PM Modi's powerful response to the Khalistani attack on a Hindu temple in Canada's Brampton.

EAM S Jaishankar 15th India - Australia Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue in Canberra. (Photo: X/S Jaishankar)

Reacting to an attack by alleged Khalistani extremists on a Hindu temple in Canadas Brampton, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to Australia, called the incident deeply concerning".

Hindu devotees were attacked by a group of men holding Khalistani flags, who arrived outside the premises of the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton and thrashed people with sticks. The attack was condemned by several Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre.

related stories

What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was obviously deeply concerning. You would have seen the statement by our official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by our PM yesterday. That should convey to you how deeply we feel about it," said Jaishankar during a press conference with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong.

#WATCH | Canberra, Australia: On the attack on Hindu temple in Canada, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar says, " What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was deeply concerningyou should have seen the statement by our official spokesperson and also the pic.twitter.com/DvbeRmUb0u ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2024

ALSO READ: We Are Loyal To Canada: Hindus Hold Stir In Brampton Over Khalistani Attack on Temple

This came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the deliberate attack" and said that cowardly attempts to intimidate" Indian diplomats were appalling and New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.

I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi said on X.

I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 4, 2024

Australia calls incident upsetting for Hindu community

Reacting to the incident in Brampton, Australias Foreign Minister Penny Wong said it was upsetting" for the Hindu community who had just celebrated Diwali last week and said such acts of vandalism should be dealt by appropriate law enforcement authorities.

Regardless of their faith, culture, who they are and where they are, all are entitled to be safe and respected and Particularly, in the week of Diwali, it is a very upsetting thing for members of the Indian community People have a right to express their views peacefully, We draw a line at that and violence, incitement, hatred and vandalism should be dealt with by appropriate law enforcement authorities," said Wong.

#WATCH | Canberra, Australia: On the attack on Hindu temple in Canada, Australian Foreign Minister Hon Penny Wong says, " Regardless of their faith, culture, who they are and where they are, all are entitled to be safe and respectedit is very upsetting thing for the Indian pic.twitter.com/YJbTp0cFs8 ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2024

Meanwhile, Indias Ministry of External Affairs also condemned the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday.

We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries regarding violence in Brampton.

The outreach of our Consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence," he added.

ALSO READ: Hindus In Canada Are Scared: Brampton Temple Priest Reacts After Khalistani Attack

Red lines crossed: Brampton attack condemned by leaders

Hours after the attack, several Canadian lawmakers and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the country demanded strict action against those involved. Canadian MP Chandra Arya said a red line has been crossed" by Canadian Khalistani extremists, and that the Khalistani extremists are getting a free pass in Canada.

Also condemning the attack, the VHP Canada shared a video of the incident on X and wrote, VHP Canada denounces todays violent protests at Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, ON and the violence against Hindu community members by Khalistani extremists."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Upholding the right to practice religion freely and safely", Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday called the violence at a Hindu temple near Toronto unacceptable", but failed to call out the pro-Khalistani elements who have been orchestrating violent acts in his regime.

Indias political parties, often at odds over ideological differences, came together to condemn the attack on a Hindu temple in Canada and called on Ottawa to ensure accountability for the incident. Not only all the political parties of the country but all the 140 crore people of the country are standing shoulder to shoulder with the Government of India on this issue," said AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

Location : Canberra, Australia

First Published: November 05, 2024, 10:17 IST
Elon Musk Sued On US Election Day Over Daily $1 Million Giveaway To Voters

Published By :

Reuters

Last Updated: November 06, 2024, 04:11 IST

Elon Musk opened the giveaway to voters in seven battleground states who signed a petition to support free speech and gun rights.

Elon Musk, who supports Republican presidential nominee former U.S. President Donald Trump, gestures as he speaks about voting during an America PAC Town Hall in Folsom, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 17. (Reuters)

Elon Musk was sued in a proposed class action on Tuesday by registered voters who signed his petition to support the Constitution for a chance to win his $1 million-a-day (approximately Rs 8.4 crore) giveaway, and now claim it was a fraud.

The complaint filed by Arizona resident Jacqueline McAferty in the Austin, Texas federal court said Musk and his America PAC organization falsely induced voters to sign by claiming they would choose winners randomly, though they were predetermined.

related stories

She also said the defendants profited from the giveaway by driving traffic and attention to Musks X social media platform, and by collecting personal information such as her name, address and phone number that they could sell.

A lawyer for Musk and lawyers for McAferty did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the complaint.

McAferty sued one day after a Philadelphia judge denied a request by that citys district attorney Larry Krasner to end the giveaway, which Krasner called an illegal lottery.

That ruling was largely symbolic because Musk has no plans to give out more money following the U.S. presidential election.

The worlds richest person opened the giveaway to voters in seven battleground states who signed a petition to support free speech and gun rights. Tuesdays lawsuit seeks at least $5 million in damages for everyone who signed.

Musk is a Texas resident and his electric car company Tesla is based in Austin.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

He has supported Republican Donald Trump in the presidential race against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

The case is McAferty v Musk et al, U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, No. 24-01346.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 06, 2024, 04:11 IST
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/

Seventy-five combat clashes were recorded along the front line since the beginning of the day and as of 4 p.m., according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

Starykove, Obody, Pavlivka, Seredyna-Buda, Slavhorod, Zarichne, Popivka, Iskryskivschyna, Myropilske, Oleksandrivka, Novenke, Bachivsk, Bobylivka, Boyaro-Lezhachi in Sumy region, Leonivka in Chernihiv region were shelled by enemy artillery forces. The invaders launched airstrikes against the areas of Velyka Pysarivka, Bilovody, Popivka in Sumy region, dropping five guided aerial bombs and firing ten unguided missiles.

The Russians occupation forces also dropped 21 guided bombs on Russia's Kursk region.

On the Kupyansk axis, the enemy launched five assault operations in the vicinity of Novoosynove and Lozova. Three combat clashes have ended and another two are still ongoing.

On the Lyman axis, the invading army launched two attacks in the vicinity of Zahryzove. The Ukrainian military repulsed one attack, and another one is ongoing.

On the Siversk axis, no active enemy operations were recorded.

On the Kramatorsk axis, there are two ongoing assaults on the positions of the Ukrainian defenders near Orikhovo-Vasylivka. The enemy launched airstrikes against Chasiv Yar and Stupochky.

The areas of Toretsk, Kostiantynivka, Druzhba, Petrivka, and Sukha Balka on the Toretsk axis suffer from enemy airstrikes, during which the enemy dropped a total of twelve guided bombs.

Since the beginning of the day, the occupiers, supported by aircraft, made 13 attempts to push our defenders from their positions in the areas of Promin, Lysivka, Novohrodivka, Kruty Yar, Selydove, and Hrodivka on the Pokrovsk axis. The defense forces are holding back the onslaught of the enemy and repelled seven attacks, six combat clashes are still ongoing. The losses of the enemy are being specified.

On the Kurakhove axis, the enemy attacked 53 times the areas of Vovchenka, Stepanivka, Illinka, Berezka, Kreminna Balka, Novoselidivka, Novodmytrivka, Hostre, Maksymilianivka, Antonivka, Yelizavetivka, and Katerynivka. There are 26 ongoing combat clashes in the area.

On the Vremiv axis, the occupiers attacked five times the positions of Ukrainian troops near Kostiantynopil and Trudove. Three combat clashes are still ongoing. The enemy active used aviation to cover the offensive operations. It launched 49 unguided missiles.

On the Huliaipole axis, the village of Bilohirya came under airstrikes with unguided missiles.

On the Orikhiv axis, the invaders made one unsuccessful attempt to attack the positions of Ukrainian military near Orikhiv. The enemy dropped 14 guided aerial bombs in the areas of Mala Tokmachka, Orikhiv, and Novoandriyivka.

On the Prydniprovsky axis, the Russian forces conducted two assaults, which the Ukrainian military successfully repulsed. The situation is under control.

There have been no significant changes in the situation in other areas of the front.
Equatorial Guinean Civil Servant's Hundreds of Sex Tapes Surface On Social Media

Published By :

AFP

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 20:18 IST

It is not the first time that sex tapes involving civil servants have been leaked on social media. But the affair has blown up to unprecedented proportions due to the notoriety of the officials involved

Social media is awash with speculation that more videos involving other individuals, both men and women, could be released in the next few days.

Hundreds of sex tapes involving a high-ranking Equatorial Guinean civil servant with other mens wives have done the rounds on social media, prompting the authorities to attempt to curb their spread.

In the videos the married director of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), Baltasar Ebang Engonga, is seen in flagrante with various partners  including the wives of prominent officials  at his office in the finance ministry.

related stories

On Monday, the countrys vice president Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue announced on X that the government would order the immediate suspension of all civil servants who have had sexual relations in the offices of the ministries, as this constitutes a flagrant violation of the code of conduct and the law on public ethics".

It is not the first time that sex tapes involving civil servants have been leaked on social media.

But the affair has blown up to unprecedented proportions due to the notoriety of the officials involved.

Last week, Obiang said that he had given 24 hours notice to Equatorial Guineas telecommunications ministry, regulator and telephone companies to curb the distribution of pornographic videos that are flooding social networks in Equatorial Guinea".

As the government, we cannot continue to see families destroyed," said the vice-president in charge of defence and security.

According to accounts first spread by Whatsapp groups and then posted to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X, Engonga shot more than 400 pornographic videos in his office.

Nicknamed Bello" on account of his good looks, Ebang Engonga is a married father and the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, the current Chairman of the Commission of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community.

He is also related to the countrys long-serving president.

The sex tapes were leaked on social networks at a time when he had been remanded in custody at Malabos infamous Black Beach prison in a case of embezzlement of public funds, according to state television station TVGE.

Equatorial Guineas chief prosecutor Anatolio Nzang Nguema, assured TVGE that if medical examinations revealed that Ebang Engonga was infected with a sexually transmitted disease" he would be prosecuted for an offence against public health".

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The flow of internet traffic, and in particular the downloading of images, has been severely disrupted in the country after the authorities took measures to curb the sex tapes spread, witnesses told AFP.

Social media is awash with speculation that more videos involving other individuals, both men and women, could be released in the next few days.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 20:18 IST
How A Donald Trump Victory In November 5 Election Could Impact US-India Ties

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 09:21 IST

The US presidential polls are set to take place on Nov 5, with Vice President Kamala Harris going against the former US President

US President Donald Trump participates in the Howdy Modi event with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston, Texas. (Reuters File Photo)

A potential second term for Donald Trump as US President could have significant consequences for India, even as key areas of defence and trade cooperation are likely to remain central to the relationship between the two strategic partners.

The US presidential polls are set to take place on November 5, with Vice President Kamala Harris going against the former US President. The 78-year-old Republican is aiming to make a comeback to the White House while Harris is looking to create history by becoming the first woman president of the US.

related stories

Some experts argue that Americas policy toward India will remain virtually unchanged regardless of who wins the US presidential election. However, others say that India-US ties under a potential Trump presidency would differ from a Harris administration. The trajectory of the ties would depend largely on how his administration navigates its ties with the Narendra Modi government on bilateral and global issues.

Trade and Defence

Trumps first term saw a mixed approach toward trade, with an America First" policy that led to tariffs and trade disputes with its neighbours and major trading partners globally. New Delhi could see continued pressure from the Trump administration on issues like trade deficits, market access, and intellectual property.

Earlier in September, Trump had described India as an abuser" of tariffs during a town hall in Flint, Michigan. While speaking on the issue of trade, Trump remarked, So when India, which is a very big abuser. These people are the sharpest. Theyre not a little bit backward. You know the expression, they are at the top of their game and they use it against us. But India is very tough. Brazil is tough and China is the toughest of all."

When it comes to defence cooperation, the US-India relationship saw significant growth during Trumps first term. Defence collaboration deepened under agreements such as the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Cooperation (BECA). If Trump returns, his administration may persist in facilitating high-level defence deals, expanding joint military exercises, and strengthening Indias defence capabilities.

IT Sector And H-1B Visa

During Trumps first term, Indias IT and services sector was frequently targeted over concerns about job outsourcing and visa policies. If Trump re-enters the White House, he may continue to push for restrictions on H-1B visas and other work visas, affecting the flow of skilled labour to the US. This could have a major impact on the large Indian diaspora in the US.

Restrictions on H-1B visas, green cards and family reunification could limit the opportunities for highly-skilled professionals wishing to work in the US. Contrary to his earlier stance, Trump, earlier in June, had said that students graduating from US colleges should get a green card to stay in the country. During the All-In podcast hosted by Silicon Valley tech investors, angel investor Jason Calacanis told Trump that the US needs to be able to legally retain more high-skilled workers.

Can you please promise us you will give us more ability to import the best and brightest around the world to America?" Calacanis said. I do promise," Trump said. But I happen to agree, otherwise I wouldnt promise You graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma a green card to be able to stay in this country and that includes junior colleges too."

Modi-Trump Bonhomie

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Trump recently described PM Modi as one of the nicest guys he had met. During the popular Flagrant Podcast, Trump told comedians Andrew Schulz and Akaash Singh that, Modi India, hes a friend of mine, hes great. Before him, they were replacing them every year, (very) unstable. On the outside, he looks like your father, hes the nicest guy, but hes a total killer." He also recalled sharing the stage with PM Modi during 2019s Howdy Modi event in Houston, Texas and said it was beautiful to see a packed stadium cheering for Narendra Modi.

In the past, Modi and Trump enjoyed a warm relationship, even sharing a stage in 2020 at Ahmedabads Narendra Modi Stadium for the Namaste Trump event. This personal bond could significantly influence the trajectory of India-US ties during a potential Trump 2.0 presidency. Last week, Trump promised to strengthen US-India ties under his good friend" Modi if he is elected in the upcoming polls. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi," he said in a social media post to highlight the need to protect Hindus in Bangladesh.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 05, 2024, 08:55 IST
How A 'Desi' Kamala Harris Presidency Could Impact Future Of US-India Ties

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 11:12 IST

One of the most talked-about aspects of a potential Harris presidency is her connection to India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi listens to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speak during a lunch held in his honor at the State Department in Washington, U.S., June 23, 2023. (Reuters)

With the US presidential election looming on November 5, attention is turning to how Kamala Harriss potential rise to the White House could reshape the trajectory of relations between New Delhi and Washington.

While many analysts predict continued stability in American policy, the US Vice Presidents background and political beliefs may lead to distinct shifts in the dynamics between the two strategic partners.

related stories

Kamalas Indian Roots

One of the most talked-about aspects of a potential Harris presidency is her connection to India. Born to a mother from Tamil Nadu, Kamala Harris has often highlighted her Indian heritage. However, experts argue that her politics has primarily been shaped by her African American roots.

Harris visits to India as a child and her familial connections to the country provide a unique cultural backdrop for her presidency, but her engagement with Indias domestic and international issues has been limited. While her Indian heritage might lead to a more empathetic approach toward India, Harriss tenure as US Vice President has seen limited focus on the country.

Strategic Partnership

Under the outgoing Biden administration, the US and India have strengthened strategic ties, particularly through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region. This focus, implicitly aimed at China, is expected to continue under a Harris presidency.

If Harris ascends to the presidency, her foreign policy is likely to closely mirror that of her predecessor. During Bidens tenure, US foreign policy has leaned heavily toward multilateralism, internationalism, and strategic alliances aimed at countering global threats like China and Russia.

However, Harriss administration may also face tensions in dealing with Indias relationship with Russia, especially in the context of the ongoing geopolitical challenges related to the Ukraine war. As a democratic nation, the US has been critical of Russias actions, while India, a longstanding partner of Russia in defence and energy sectors, has maintained a more neutral stance.

Despite this, Harris is expected to maintain Bidens policy of deepening defence cooperation with India. The Biden administration has facilitated some access to US military hardware and technology  a trend likely to persist under Harris, continuing efforts to bolster Indias security through technology transfers and joint military exercises.

Economic Relations

On the economic front, a possible Harris administration would likely maintain the economic trajectory set by Bidens tenure. While Bidens administration has been focused on resolving trade disputes and expanding economic ties, Harris is expected to take a more trade-friendly stance toward India compared to her Republican rival, Donald Trump, whose administration had imposed tariffs and focused on transactional policies.

Harris, like Biden, is expected to foster strong economic ties with India, especially in sectors such as technology, energy, and pharmaceuticals. Her stance could benefit Indian skilled workers, with a probable increase in H-1B visa approvals for professionals from India  a policy that had seen a decline under the Trump administration.

Diplomatic Challenges

Harriss presidency could also bring some challenges to bilateral relations, particularly regarding the human rights bandwagon pursued by Democrats in the US. Her statements on Kashmir in 2019, for instance, were seen as more aligned with her political views than with a nuanced understanding of Indias political landscape and current ground realities.

Shalabh Shalli Kumar, US industrialist and founder of the Republican Hindu Coalition, this week slammed the Democratic nominee, saying that her policies are anti-Indian" despite her being a Hindu and having Indian roots. Rebuking the Democratic candidates views on Kashmir, Kumar said that her focus on so-called minority" issues, suggesting that it could strain diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Kamala Harris has radical views on Kashmir and India will have to be conscious. They will still raise the issue of so-called minorities, so-called Muslim minorities, every time Joe Biden gets a chance and every time Kamala gets a chance, Kamala will be even more enhanced- Oh, Prime Minister Modi and the BJP in India are persecuting minorities," he told ANI.

Desi President

Despite this, Harriss connection to Indias vast diaspora in the US could help cement stronger ties, particularly in the areas of cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges. The Indian-American community is one of the fastest-growing and most influential ethnic groups in the US, and Harriss background could strengthen the bonds between the two countries.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said a Desi President" would help boost the relationship between the US and India, owing to her connections to India. The Indian American lawmaker said the polls are going to be an extremely close contest. However, Krishnamoorthi said, he thinks that Kamala is going to prevail" ultimately.

But as you know, were going to be looking at six or seven states very closely on election night. Some of those results may not roll in entirely on election night. Were also going to have to be patient as votes get counted," he told ANI. Krishnamoorthi also discussed how a Kamala Harris presidency would differ from a potential second term for Donald Trump. He said that if Trump were to return, his presidency would likely be marked by a transactional approach to foreign policy, where public disagreements over trade and market access would need to be balanced with strategic priorities.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 05, 2024, 10:48 IST
Trudeau Condemns Recent Violence In Canada, But Doesnt Mention Brampton Hindu Temple Attack

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 06, 2024, 02:11 IST

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the individuals who have been inciting violence neither represent the Hindu nor the Sikh community.

Trudeau did not name any group and avoided naming the Khalistani separatists who clashed with worshippers coming out of the Hindu temple. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday (local time) said individuals who partook in violence do not represent Canadas Sikh and Hindu communities while addressing the Canadian parliament.

The violence we have seen in South Asian communities across the country over the past few nights, let me be very clear. The individuals who are inciting violence and division and hatred in no way represent either the Sikh community or the Hindu community in Canada," Trudeau told the Canadian parliament.

related stories

Khalistanis carrying flags clashed with people at a Hindu temple in Brampton, on Sunday. The videos showed fist fights and people striking each other with poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple.

India has condemned the attack with an expectation that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted".

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that New Delhi remains deeply concerned" about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada.

We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday. We call on the government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was quoted as saying in the statement.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted," he said.

Trudeau, however, did not name any group and did not specifically refer to the attack on the Hindu temple in Brampton.

Location : Ottawa, Canada

First Published: November 06, 2024, 01:54 IST
Tehran Says German-Iranian Terror Convict Jamshid Sharmahd Died Before Execution

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 19:39 IST

On October 28, Iran announced the execution of Sharmahd, who had been sentenced to death in February 2023 over his role in a 2008 "terrorist" attack

People commemorate Iranian-German Jamshid Sharmahd during a protest following his execution in Iran, near the Foreign Ministry in Berlin, Germany. (AP photo)

Iran said Tuesday that Iranian-German national Jamshid Sharmahd, who had been sentenced to death, died last week before his execution could be carried out.

Jamshid Sharmahd was sentenced to death, his execution was imminent, but he died before it could be carried out," judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir told reporters in Tehran, without elaborating.

related stories

On October 28, Iran announced the execution of the 69-year-old, who had been sentenced to death in February 2023 for the capital offence of corruption on Earth" over his role in a 2008 terrorist" attack.

The sentence was later confirmed by the supreme court.

Jahangir said Irans judicial system tried Sharmahd as an Iranian for the terrorist actions that he committed".

Even if he was not Iranian and had committed crimes in Iran, according to the laws and regulations, we had the right to address his crimes," he added.

Sharmahd had been convicted of playing a role in a 2008 mosque bombing in the southern city of Shiraz, in which 14 people were killed and 300 wounded.

His family said he was seized by Iranian authorities in 2020 while travelling through the United Arab Emirates.

Iran, which does not recognise dual citizenship, announced his arrest after a complex operation", without specifying when, where or how he was seized.

Sharmahd was also accused of leading the Tondar group, which aims to topple the Islamic republic. Iran classes it as a terrorist organisation.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Germany condemned Iran after his execution was announced, with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock saying it showed an inhumane regime rules in Tehran".

Baerbock later announced three Iranian consulates in Germany would be shuttered as a result  a move that triggered a strong protest" from the Islamic republic.

Location : Tehran, Iran

First Published: November 05, 2024, 19:35 IST
Israel's PM Netanyahu Fires Defence Minister Yoav Gallant Amid Ongoing Gaza War

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 06, 2024, 01:47 IST

Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday night, with Israel Katz expected to step in as his replacement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a memorial ceremony for those murdered by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and those who fell in the Iron Sword war, at the Knesset, the Parliament, in Jerusalem. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the removal of Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on November 5, coinciding with the US election, according to a statement from the Prime Ministers Office.

Netanyahu and Gallant have often clashed during the ongoing Gaza war, but Netanyahu had refrained from dismissing his rival until now. A previous attempt to remove Gallant in March 2023 led to widespread street protests against Netanyahu. Israel Katz, currently the foreign minister, will be appointed as the new defence minister and Gideon Saar will replace Katz as foreign minister.

related stories

My highest duty as prime minister of Israel is to safeguard Israels security and lead us to a decisive victory," Netanyahus statement read. During wartime, more than ever, a complete trust between the prime minister and the defence minister is essential. Unfortunately, while we initially had this trust and accomplished much in the early months of the campaign, over recent months, that trust between me and the Defence Minister has eroded," the statement added.

    >> pic.twitter.com/YlpNkaljRb Benjamin Netanyahu    (@netanyahu) November 5, 2024

Netanyahu added that serious differences emerged between Gallant and me concerning the management of the campaign."

I made several attempts to bridge these gaps, but they only grew wider. These issues became publicly known in an unacceptable way and, worse, were noticed by our enemies, who took advantage of the situation," he stated.

Reacting to his appointment as the new defence minister, Israel Katz said, I thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for the trust he placed in me in appointing me to the position of Minister of Defense. I accept this responsibility with a sense of mission and holy fear for the security of the State of Israel and its citizens. We will work together to march the security system to victory against our enemies and to achieve the goals of the war: the return of all the abductees as the most important value mission, the destruction of Hamas in Gaza, the defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the containment of Iranian aggression and the return of the residents of the north and south to their homes in safety."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Netanyahu announced the decision in a video statement, just hours after tensions escalated with the United Torah Judaism party over his choice to backtrack on a bill designed to fast-track the exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox Jews from mandatory military service. Sources indicate that the new Defense Minister, Israel Katz, may be ill-suited for the role, raising expectations of substantial backlash.

Meanwhile, Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition in Israel, called out Netanyahu for Gallants surprise removal. Firing Gallant in the middle of a war is an act of madness. Netanyahu is selling Israels security and the IDF fighters for a disgraceful political survival. The ultra-right-wing government prefers the dodgers over the servants. I call on the people of Yesh Atid and all Zionist patriots to take to the streets tonight in protest," Lapid said.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 23:38 IST
'On Expected Lines': Pakistan Extends Army Chief's Tenure From 3 To 5 Years

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 08:27 IST

The amendment will be applicable to the current Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, who was scheduled to retire next year. His term will now be extended till 2027.

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir. (Image: PTI File)

With Pakistan increasing the tenure of the Army Chief from three to five years, intelligence sources in India have said this was expected, adding that its the Army Chief who is important for the country and not the institution".

The Pakistan government on Monday passed an amendment to a law to extend the tenure of the head of the armed forces from three to five years. The amendment was moved by Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

related stories

Indian Intelligence sources said this is on expected lines. In the rest of the world, the Army is for the country, but in Pakistan, the country is for the army. Passing a bill will not have any impact. This is what they wanted and they have managed this," sources said.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The amendment will be applicable to the current Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, who was scheduled to retire next year. His term will now be extended further and he will retire in 2027 irrespective of the retirement age of 64 years for a General.

According to Pakistan Parliament proceedings, it took only 16 minutes to pass the amendment bill. Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN) sources say it is going to be like the governments tenure of five years and will give stability to the army."

First Published: November 05, 2024, 08:27 IST
'Proud To Be American': Sunita Williams, Other Astronauts Vote From Space, Post Pic On Election Day

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 06, 2024, 00:48 IST

On US Election Day, astronauts shared a photo from space, showcasing their 'Proud to be American' socks and celebrating voting.

Astronauts Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Nick Hague and Don Pettit on the ISS. [From astrohague/Instagram]

On US Election Day, astronauts Butch Wilmore, Sunita Williams and Don Pettit shared a priceless photo from the International Space Station, showcasing their colourful socks emblazoned with the message Proud to be American."

The photo, posted on Instagram by NASA Astronaut Nick Hague, conveyed a strong message about the importance of voting, regardless of where one is, whether sitting, standing or floating in space.

related stories

A Space Voting Tradition

Netizens reacted enthusiastically to the image, with one user praising the Dream Team" for sending a great message. Another commented on the unique experience of voting in Zero Gravity," echoing the sentiment of pride in being an American.

The astronauts cast their early ballots for the presidential election from the International Space Station, joining over 1.2 million other voters in Harris County, Texas, who also participated in early voting.

How Astronauts Cast Their Votes from Space

Votes cast in space are transmitted back to Earth using NASAs Near Space Network, a system of satellites that communicate with antennas on the ground. During a press conference from the space station on September 13, Williams spoke about the importance of civic duty, expressing her excitement about voting from space.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Voting from space has been a possibility for American astronauts since 1997, thanks to legislation passed by the Texas Legislature, which allows eligible voters who are on a space flight during the early voting period and Election Day to cast their ballots.

The first American astronaut to vote from space was David Wolf, who made history in 1997 while aboard Russias Mir Space Station. Since then, several astronauts, including retired NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao, have followed in his footsteps.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 06, 2024, 00:48 IST
Dont Send Indian Diplomats To Canada Temples: SFJ | Exclusive From Intel Sources

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 14:28 IST

On Sunday, protesters carrying Khalistani flags clashed with devotees at a temple in Brampton. India has condemned the attack

Khalistani terrorist and SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. (AP File)

After Sundays attack at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has issued a direct threat, asking the Indian government to stop the visit of Indian diplomats to religious institutions in Canada", failing which they will have to face off with pro-Khalistan Sikhs".

The SFJ is against the life certificate camps in Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver.

related stories

On Sunday, November 3, protesters carrying Khalistani flags clashed with devotees at a Hindu temple in Brampton, triggering condemnation by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, who said every Canadian has the right to practise their faith freely and safely. The Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey was attacked the same day.

ALSO READ | We Expect Justice: PM Modi Condemns Khalistani Attack On Hindu Temple In Canada

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday strongly condemned the deliberate attack" in Brampton and termed the violence a cowardly attempt" to intimidate Indian diplomats in the country. I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," said PM Modi in an X post.

After temple attacks, SFJ is openly threatening Indian diplomats. In the name of freedom of speech, Khalistani terrorist and SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is crossing all limits. Attacks on Hindus is a serious crime and Canada is taking no action. In the past two years, more than 10 attacks have been reported. Now, Pannun is threatening diplomats," said top intelligence sources.

WHY ARE THEY AGAINST THE CAMPS?

According to intelligence sources, the Khalistanis are against these camps. According to them, at such events, Indian Consulate officials gather information on Sikh activists, hire foot soldiers and target pro-Khalistan Sikhs like Hardeep Singh Nijjar."

Their stance is any organisation that is sponsoring or allowing their facility to be used for life certificate camps should be ready to face Khalistan rally that is directed against the Indian diplomats and not against the place of worship whether it is a Hindu Temple or Gurdwara Sahib," said sources.

They claim Indo-Canadian Hindus first raised a violent slogan and attacked the Khalistan rally. They say they only pushed back the attackers at Brampton. They feel Indo-Canadians are using Hindu Mandirs in Surrey and Brampton to give calls to kill Sikhs. They say the SFJ do not incite provoke promote or direct any violence, but SFJ will kill Indian system non-violently," they said.

I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 4, 2024

AFTER THE ATTACK

The Peel Regional Police in Canada said that they have arrested three individuals following a demonstration held by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) in protest against the Khalistani intimidation" and anti-Hindu" hatred after the recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada. The three persons arrested were identified as Dilpreet Singh Bouns, a 43-year-old man from Mississauga, Vikas, a 23-year-old man from Brampton and Amritpal Singh, a 31-year-old man also from Mississauga.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

ALSO READ | From Threatening PM Modi to Asking Hindus to Leave US, Canada, How Pannun Has Been Spewing Venom Against India

A Canadian cop, Harinder Sohi, was suspended on Monday after he was seen participating with the pro-Khalistani groups that launched an attack on Hindus at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton. The suspended cop was caught on camera holding a Khalistan flag as others in the protest chanted anti-India slogans. He served as a Sergeant of the Peel Regional Police.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 14:24 IST
Trump Vs Harris: Historic Firsts They Could Achieve With US Election Victory

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 18:12 IST

As polling begins in US today, both Trump and Harris stand on the verge of making history in their own way if either wins the presidential race

US Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump (AP file photos)

Polling day has finally begun in the United States, both Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris have put immense pressure on voters. In a last-minute push to sway undecided voters, both candidates have campaigned tirelessly in key swing states.

This race for the White House has been one of the most eventful in American history. From the surprising suspension of US President Joe Bidens re-election campaign in July, followed by his endorsement of Vice President Harris, to the attempted assassination attempts on Trump.

related stories

The growing influence of popular figures, including Hollywood celebrities, musicians, athletes, social media stars, and others, has played a crucial role in shaping the political dynamics of this election.

ALSO READ: What If The US Presidential Election Ends In A Trump-Harris Tie?

Endorsements from figures such as pop stars Beyonce and Taylor Swift, billionaire Elon Musk, podcaster Joe Rogan, among several others have added significant weight to the political conversation.

Moreover, what makes this election particularly historic is that if Harris wins, she would become the first female president of the United States  a landmark achievement for one of the worlds most powerful countries.

However, if Trump secures a second term, he too would make history in several significant ways. Below is a list of historic firsts for both Trump and Harris, should they win the White House race, as compiled by Fox 5 New York:

If Donald Trump Wins:

Second President to Serve Non-Consecutive Terms : Trump would become the first president since Grover Cleveland to return to office after losing an election.

: Trump would become the first president since Grover Cleveland to return to office after losing an election. Oldest President Elected : If he wins, Trump would be the oldest person in US history to be elected president.

: If he wins, Trump would be the oldest person in US history to be elected president. First Convicted Felon to Hold Office : Trump, who is facing felony charges, would be the first American president to hold office while under legal indictment.

: Trump, who is facing felony charges, would be the first American president to hold office while under legal indictment. Twice-Impeached President: Trump would become the only president in the US history to face impeachment proceedings twice during his time in office.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

If Kamala Harris Wins:

First Female President of America : Harris would make history as the first woman to hold the highest office in the US.

: Harris would make history as the first woman to hold the highest office in the US. First Woman of Colour as President : If Harris wins, it would mark a major shift in representation, as she would be the first president of South Asian descent.

: If Harris wins, it would mark a major shift in representation, as she would be the first president of South Asian descent. First First Gentleman : If elected, her husband, Doug Emhoff, would be the first male spouse of a female president.

: If elected, her husband, Doug Emhoff, would be the first male spouse of a female president. Second President from California: Harris would become only the second president from California, following Richard Nixon.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 05, 2024, 17:54 IST
The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, together with the European delegation, presented five more services in beta version as part of the expansion of the e-Entrepreneur service on the Diia portal, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Development of Education, Science and Technology, Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov said.

"Today, together with the European delegation, we presented five more services in beta testing format. Now you can also submit: notification of the use of a single account, notification of hiring an employee, an application for registration of a SOR [settlement operations registrar], an application for registration of a PRRO [software registrar of settlement operations], a notification of taxable objects," he said in the Telegram channel on Tuesday.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, e-Entrepreneur works simply and logically: fill out an application, indicate the type of business  and the service itself offers the most popular services in the specified area.

He said all certificates, extracts and other "papers" are stored on the Diia portal in the personal account, so there is no need to look for printouts in folders on the shelves every time.

As Fedorov said, earlier, to open a business, you had to go to seven or more institutions, collect "kilograms of papers" and spend up to 53 days, while now the entire process does not exceed 30 minutes.

The minister said the service is expanding, since six months ago e-Entrepreneur included ten services for one application  from opening a sole proprietorship to a fire declaration.

"Spend time on what is important  planning strategic tasks, generating ideas or other teamwork, and not on bureaucracy," he said.
Has Donald Trump Defeated Kamala Harris? When Will The Final US Election Result Be Announced

Curated By : &

News18.com

Last Updated: November 06, 2024, 15:38 IST

Trump is leading with 267, on the brink of a landslide victory, while Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris is trailing with 214 votes.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump (Reuters)

US Presidential Election 2024: Republican Donald Trump claimed victory in the 2024 presidential contest after Fox News projected that he had defeated Democrat Kamala Harris, which would cap a stunning political comeback four years after he left the White House.

America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate," he said early on Wednesday to a roaring crowd of supporters at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, flanked by his vice presidential running mate, Senator JD Vance, Republican leaders and members of Trumps family.

related stories

Trump is leading with 267, on the brink of a landslide victory, while Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris is trailing with 214 votes.

Other news outlets had yet to call the race for Trump, but he appeared on the verge of winning after capturing the battleground states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia and holding leads in the other four, according to Edison Research.

Republicans won a US Senate majority after flipping Democratic seats in West Virginia and Ohio. Neither party appeared to have an edge in the fight for control of the House of Representatives where Republicans currently hold a narrow majority.

Trump went into Election Day with a 50-50 chance of reclaiming the White House, a remarkable turnaround from Jan. 6, 2021, when many pundits pronounced his political career to be over. That day, a mob of his supporters stormed Congress in a violent attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

While US election results often come in state-by-state within hours of polls closing, the tight competition this year could mean a longer wait before the winner is announced.

ALSO READ: US Presidential Elections 2024: What Are The Top 5 Issues That Matter The Most To Voters?

US Election 2024: Poll Timings

The US elections are scheduled for November 5 this year. The Presidential polls in the country are being held in the country on the first Tuesday of November since the early 19th century. The first polls close at 18:00 EST on Tuesday evening (4:30 AM IST on Wednesday) and the last at 01:00 EST early on Wednesday (11:30 AM IST on Wednesday). In some presidential races, the winner has been announced late on election night or in the early hours of the next morning.

Exit polls, which is used to assess voter opinions and forecast election results, will commence at 5 pm (local time), which roughly translates to 2:30 am in Indian time on Wednesday.

US Election: What to know about results?

Results are expected to come in as soon as polling closes in respective states. While news outlets can report state-specific voting data, official winner announcements will be made once all votes are fully counted. This process is expected to take longer in battleground states due to the tight contest between Trump and Harris.

In addition to legal restrictions on when officials can count mail ballots, long lines at polling places at the end of the day can also slow counting, as voters who are in line at closing time are still allowed to vote, according to the Washington Post. Ballots from overseas voters and those from the military sometimes arrive after Election Day, but they are crucial in close elections.

ALSO READ: Donald Trump News LIVE: Trump Votes In Florida, Says Hes Confident He Will Win US Election

In 2020, the Associated Press and other news outlets determined Joe Biden had won the presidency four days after the election. The results were delayed as Pennsylvania, Arizona and Nevada took the longest time to announce the votes, which is likely again this year.

Pennsylvania has 19 Electoral votes, North Carolina (16), Georgia (16), Michigan (15), Arizona (11), Wisconsin (10), and Nevada (6), which add up to 93 Electoral College votes. A candidate needs 270 out of the available 538 Electoral votes to be declared the winner.

ALSO READ: When We Fight, We Win: What Harris-Walz Said On Election Day | Updates

What about results in battleground states?

Among key states, North Carolina is expected to release almost complete results on election night, followed closely by Wisconsin, which will begin counting mail and in-person early ballots on the day of the elections. Georgia and Michigan are expected to take some time, while Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania are likely to take even longer due to the close contest.

In Pennsylvania, arguably the most important state in all elections, officials are not allowed to begin processing absentee ballots until 7 am on Election Day, which is a complex and time-consuming process. Absentee ballots must be placed in a secrecy envelope that is then placed in a mailing envelope, must be properly dated and should be undamaged.

However, officials expect counting to go faster in Georgia this year as they can process absentee ballots as they arrive and begin counting at 7 am on Tuesday (local time). State election officials plan to release the counts of all processed mail ballots and early ballots one hour after polls close.

Key dates in US Election 2024

Election Day: November 5  Most Americans vote in person or by mail.

Certification Deadlines: November 6  December 11  States certify election results within this timeframe.

Electoral College Vote: December 17  Electors meet to cast their official votes.

Congress Counts Electoral Votes: January 6, 2025  Congress convenes to count and confirm electoral votes.

Inauguration Day: January 20, 2025  The president-elect is sworn in, marking the transition of power.

Where to watch US Presidential poll results?

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

You can track the results of the US Presidential Elections 2024 on the CNN-News18 channel and our website News18.com where we will take through you all the latest updates on the counting of votes and declaration of results.

The early results should be out shortly after the conclusion of voting at 6 pm (local time). The election results could take days to come in totality depending on how close a contest it is between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, especially if it is closed and mail-in ballots are a factor.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 05, 2024, 08:59 IST
US Election 2024 Results: The Key States Trump, Harris Must Win In Race To 270 Electoral Votes

Curated By :

News18.com

Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: November 06, 2024, 09:46 IST

US Elections 2024: Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will need to win at least three swing states to get them over the 270 line. So far, Trump is inching closer to the halfway mark and is leading in more than 20 states

If Harris can win Pennsylvania plus one more from the Rust Belt, then Trump would need close to a clean sweep of all the other swing states. (AP photo)

The counting of votes has begun, with Republican Donald Trump inching closer to the halfway mark winning 210 electoral votes and leading in 20 states while Democrat Kamala Harris is trailing with 113 votes.

The seven swing states (Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin) hold key to deciding who will be the next American president. They account for 93 electoral votes of the total 538 votes. Both candidates are eyeing the magic figure of 270 electoral votes to win the election.

related stories

US Election 2024 Results LIVE

If both Harris and Trump win all the states they are expected to win, Harris will need 44 of these electoral votes while Trump would need 51 to secure the presidency.

As per the 538s recent polling average, both the candidates are within the margin of error in the seven swing states. While Harris has a slight lead in Wisconsin and Michigan, Trump has small leads in Georgia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada and Arizona.

In this years election, the seven swing states, which both the candidates are aggressively campaigning in, are Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. The first four states are clubbed as Sun Belt while the last three are categorised as Rust Belt.

In the US election, states with more people are worth more points. Thus, Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina and Michigan offer 19, 16 (each) and 15 electoral votes, respectively. The swing states hold 93 votes between them.

Both candidates will need to win at least three swing states to get them over the 270 line.

Road To Rust Belt

The three swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin have a long history of voting for the Democrats, who have taken all three states in seven of the last eight presidential elections. But in 2016, they flipped for Trump.

So, history suggests if one candidate will likely take all three states, then that person wins the election.

If Harris can win Pennsylvania plus one more from the Rust Belt, then Trump would need close to a clean sweep of all the other swing states.

Harris strength in these states lies with the black, minority and college-educated voters along with the middle-class voters in the suburbs. While Trump is hoping that he could tap into rural votes and youngsters who may have never voted for him before.

The Sun Belt Project

The states are referred to as Sun Belt for the obvious reason that they have a hotter climate than those in the north. These four Sun Belt states this election are Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina.

Harris could become president if she wins all the four states. However, it is unlikely since no Democrat has ever won the Sun Belt swing states since Harry Truman was elected in 1948.

If Trump swept all the swing states in the Sun Belt, he would still need to pick up one more state. But, unlike the Democrats, Republicans do have a history of sweeping these states.

In the Sun Belt, the Latino and Black voters will be the deciding factors. Georgia and North Carolina have a large percentage of eligible black voters while Arizona and Nevada have a fast-growing Latino population.

Trump held North Carolina in the last two elections and it wasnt considered a swing state until Harris took over the Democratic ticket.

If Trump failed to clinch North Carolina, his path to the White House will become more challenging as he would need to win at least two of the Rust Belt states and two more in the Sun Belt.

The state has only voted for the Democratic candidate once since 1980  for President Barack Obama in 2008.

What Do Polls And Early Trends Suggest?

If the polls reflect in the final day results, Trump would win Georgia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada and Arizona, and win the election with 287 electoral votes, according to ABC News.

The former presidents lead in those states is no more than 2.4 percentage points, well within any major polls margin of error, according to 538 data.

As far as Harris is concerned, she could earn exactly 270 votes by winning one electoral vote in Nebraska, as well as all of the votes in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, if she wins those states, the ABC News report added.

If polls are understating Trumps lead, he could have the advantage by winning Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and North Carolina, giving him 268 electoral votes. Winning Pennsylvania would put him over the 270-limit in that scenario, it added.

The AtlasIntel survey, conducted on November 1 and 2, included nearly 2,500 likely voters, predominantly female. In Arizona, Trump has a commanding lead with 51.9% against Harriss 45.1%. In Nevada, Trump again leads with 51.4%, while Harris receives 45.9%. In North Carolina, Trump holds 50.4%, compared to Harriss 46.8%. The significance of these swing states is highlighted by their history of close elections; for example, Joe Biden won Arizona by only 10,000 votes in 2020.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll from October 29 presents a contrasting trend, showing Harris with a slight lead over Trump at 44% to 43%. Despite earlier leads, Harriss support has diminished in recent weeks, raising concerns among her backers as Election Day approaches.

According to a poll by The New York Times and Siena College, Harris holds a slight advantage in Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, while Trump is narrowly ahead in Arizona. This poll surveyed 7,879 likely voters across the seven swing states from October 24 to November 2. The results indicate that the candidates standings fall within a 3.5% margin of error, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the race.

Early voting trends show about 40% of respondents in the swing states have already voted, with Harris leading among early voters by an 8-point margin. However, Trump appears to be favoured among those who plan to vote on Election Day but have yet to cast their ballots, which could be pivotal in closely contested states.

In Pennsylvania, which is considered as the key swing state, Harris has previously led in The New York Times polls. But Trump has made significant gains. The state is now a toss-up, potentially impacting the overall results.

What Happened in November 4 Campaigning?

While Trump delivered dystopian speeches about the supposed migrant invasion of drug dealers and murderers at four MAGA rallies, Harris wagered her last bets in Pennsylvania, where she visited the Latino areas.

Trump started in Raleigh in North Carolina, where he took a strong stand on immigration. In his 90-minute speech, he announced that if elected he would impose a new round of tariffs against Mexico unless it stopped the passage of undocumented migrants across the southern border. He also said he would impose tariffs on all Mexican goods coming into the US.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

At Pittsburg and Reading in Pennsylvania, Trump implored the attendees to turn up on the election day and vote.

In contrast to Trump, Harris did tour only Pennsylvania, where he kicked off the campaign in Scranton  the birthplace of Joe Biden. Next, she appeared in Allentown, a Latino majority city, where she directly appealed to the Puerto Rican population and asked them for their vote.

First Published: November 05, 2024, 14:22 IST
US Elections 2024: Why Does New York's Ballot Paper Have Bengali But Not Hindi?

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 16:33 IST

Following a lawsuit concerning language accessibility, New York was compelled to provide voting assistance in at least one South Asian language. Bengali, having the largest number of speakers, was selected after negotiations

New York is required to provide not only ballots but other voting materials as well, in Bengali. (Representative/AP File)

As Americans await the November 5 election day to elect their next president, New Yorks ballot paper has caught everyones attention for a unique reason. New York has included the Bengali language on its 2024 presidential ballot this year. This move surprises many, as Hindi is also widely spoken by the Indian community.

A large number of immigrants live in New York City, 66% of whom do not speak English as their first language. Asian Americans form a significant part of this demography.

related stories

With this in mind, Michael J Ryan, Executive Director of the New York City Board of Elections, decided to include languages like Chinese, Spanish, Korean and Bengali on the ballot to make voting easier for more people.

By including Asian languages, we are fulfilling our duty to make it easier for every voter to understand the voting process," Ryan said.

Data from the Asian American Federation reveals that Bengali is the second most spoken Asian language in New York. It is spoken by 12.2% of Asian New Yorkers, encompassing residents originally from both India and Bangladesh. In contrast, Hindi ranks sixth, spoken by 3.3% of the residents in New York. This prevalence led to Bengali being chosen to facilitate voting access for a larger segment of the community.

The inclusion of the Bengali language in New Yorks ballot is not just an amicable step, but there was also a legal requirement behind it. In the early 2010s, following a lawsuit over language access, New York had to provide voting assistance in at least one South Asian language. Bengali was chosen after negotiations because it had the largest number of speakers. Since then, the first Bengali ballot was made available in Queens in 2013.

The decision is in line with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which requires that language assistance should be provided to enable minority groups to fully participate in the electoral process.

Under this law, New York is required to provide not only ballots but other voting materials as well, in Bengali so that Bengali-speaking residents can participate in elections without language barriers.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The Bengali-speaking community in New York has warmly welcomed the move. Subhasesh, a Bengali-origin sales agent working in Times Square, expressed his happiness and said, It will be easier for my father to vote in Queens. Many elders in our community feel more comfortable in their mother tongue. The Bengali ballot will help them a lot."

Dr Avinash Gupta, President of the Federation of Indian Associations, also considered it a positive step for the Indian community. He said, This will encourage more Indians to vote and raise their voice. Political participation of the community is increasing, and this step supports them."

Location : New York, United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 05, 2024, 16:33 IST
Last Updated: November 08, 2024, 08:05 IST

US Election 2024 Results Highlights: Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States, an extraordinary comeback for a former president in over a century. Trump won an election that will return him to the White House by winning Wisconsin, the same state that put him over the top when he won in 2016. Other than Wisconsin, the former President won key battlegrounds of Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, two of which voted Democratic in the last election.

That gives him 295 electoral votes, breaching the 270 mark to win the presidency, according to The New York Times. Fox News, CNN and the Associated Press have already called the race in Trumps favour. Kamala Harris has so far captured 226 electoral votes, including big prizes California and New York  as well as the US capital Washington. The following is a list of the states won by each candidate and the corresponding number of electoral votes, based on the projections of US media including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC/NBC News, ABC and CBS.
US Elections: Illegal Voters To Ballot Markings, 4 Viral Fraud Claims Fact-Checked

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 19:43 IST

Voting fraud claims are floating on the internet while Donald Trumps cheating allegations from 2020 remain intact in the 2024 elections as well. Officials, however, said these claims are baseless

Philadelphia County election officials process mail-in ballots at the counting election warehouse on Election Day, November 5. (Image: AFP)

As American voters headed to cast their ballot on Election Day on Tuesday, poll officials urged people not to be misled by conspiracy theories about voter fraud.

False claims of voter fraud made by Republic former president Donald Trump in 2020 means that there will be close scrutiny on voter eligibility, logistical issues like long lines, ballot functionality and vote counting. This will especially be true for key battleground states.

related stories

But, in the 2024 elections too, viral claims are floating around on the internet while Trumps allegations remain intact. Other Republicans have also accused the vote of being rigged". While they have not provided any evidence amounting to such fraud, election officials said these claims are baseless.

Twisting isolated problems with voting, the Republican presidential nominee has primed his supporters into believing that the election is not legitimate if he loses. He has made claims ranging from illegal voting and no verification for overseas or military ballots, to fraud in early voting and illegitimate mail-in ballots.

Here are are four such claims fact-checked by BBC Verify:

Ballot Markings

According to BBC Verify, an image is doing the rounds on social media showing a person holding a mail-in ballot paper, which already had a mark next to Kamala Harriss name. A post on X viewed more than 3 million times said this picture meant weird ballot shenanigans happening" and would render voting for another person void.

The Kentucky Board of Elections rejected the allegation. It told the BBC that it had mailed 1,30,000 ballots so far and had not received any complaint about pre-printed markings.

As no one has presented a pre-marked ballot to election administrators or law enforcement, the claim that at least one ballot may have had a pre-printed mark in Kentucky, currently only exists in the vacuum of social media," it was quoted.

The election board further said if more than one candidate name is marked in ink on mail-in ballots, they will still be considered if the voter circles their preferred choice.

Absentee Ballots For The Military

BBC Verify said a post on X, claiming that the Pentagon reportedly failed to send absentee ballots to active military service members before the election", was viewed more than 28 million times. The post refers to a letter by Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, written by three Republican members of congress, expressing grave concern" over the matter.

GOP Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), and Mike Waltz (R-FL) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin citing their grave concern over deficiencies in the Defense Departments protocols" for the U.S. military because they said the absentee ballot stockpile Patrick Webb (@RealPatrickWebb) November 3, 2024

But, this letter does not accuse the Pentagon of failing to send absentee ballots for overseas military personnel, who can vote abroad through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). Election officials then send them the ballots from where they are registered in the US, and it is not the Pentagons job to do so.

While the Department of Defense did not give details on personnel affected by issues related to ballots not arriving on time, it told the BBC that it had trained 3,000 voting assistance officers for personnel support.

Illegal Voters In Pennsylvania

Trump and his Republican colleagues have repeatedly alleged that the Democracts are making it possible for illegal immigrants to vote in the US elections. Similar claims floating on the internet about the US state of Pennsylvania were rejected by election officials.

A number of social media posts claimed that illegal voters" were able to apply for ballots and vote at an election office in Allegheny County. Images on X of illegal voters" being guided past US voters waiting in line, were widely shared, but officials told the BBC that this group was there to apply for mail-in ballots.

Voting Machine In Kentucky

A video showing a person repeatedly trying and failing to vote for Donald Trump has gone viral. The person posted the video and said their vote appears next to Kamala Harriss name in the voting machine in Laurel County, Kentucky. Many on the internet shared the video and said voting machines were being rigged".

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Election officials said the video was authentic and the voting machine in question had malfunctioned. But, they said, this was an isolated incident and the person was able to properly cast their ballot later.

In fact, an election clerk later posted a video of the same machine working properly after it was taken out of action and inspected for glitches. The official posted the video on Facebook.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 05, 2024, 18:51 IST
Watch: Snow Transforms Saudi's Al-Jawf, Bringing Unusual Winter, Storm Warnings

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 14:22 IST

Snow and heavy rains transform Saudi Arabia's Al-Jawf region, bringing snow-capped mountains, waterfalls

Saudis play in the snow in Jabal al-Lawz (Mountain of Almonds), west of the Saudi city of Tabuk on January 17, 2022. (AFP File Photo)

Heavy rains and hail have transformed parts of Saudi Arabias Al-Jawf region into a winter wonderland, with snowfall reported for the first time in recorded history. The Saudi Press Agency noted that since last Wednesday, the region has had significant precipitation, leading to a blanket of snow in mountainous areas.

The weather phenomenon has not only created picturesque scenes but also revitalised the landscape, with waterfalls emerging and valleys filling with water. According to the Khaleej Times, Al-Jawf is known for its seasonal wildflowers, including lavender and chrysanthemums, which are expected to flourish in the coming spring.

related stories

Al-Jawf Region

The Saudi National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has issued warnings for potential thunderstorms across Al-Jawf in the coming days. Forecasts predict continued heavy rain and hail that may reduce visibility, along with strong winds.

Snow in Saudi Arabia pic.twitter.com/ZLWHayKztT Yisrael official   (@YisraelOfficial) November 5, 2024

l |  Saudi Arabia is experiencing an unusual winter for the desert countrySnow covered the countrys mountainous areas yesterday, creating a beautiful winter display, as earlier the country was hit by heavy rain with large hail, according to Saudi media pic.twitter.com/GV5n9JmBnY  Unbiased, Unreported News (@Kiraguri254) November 3, 2024

The Saudi agency has also alerted residents in other regions, including Jazan, Asir, and Makkah, about possible severe weather conditions. This unusual weather pattern is not confined to Saudi Arabia; the United Arab Emirates has also been experiencing similar conditions.

On October 14, the UAEs National Centre of Meteorology issued alerts for rainfall and thunderstorms due to low-pressure systems moving across the Arabian Sea towards Oman. As Saudi Arabia prepares for more rain and potential storms, local authorities are on high alert to manage any emergencies arising from these severe weather conditions.

Blue lagoons

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Last month, some parts of the Sahara Desert were hit by an unusual deluge of rainfall, transforming the arid landscape with blue lagoons amid the palm trees and sand dunes. This rare weather event has brought much-needed moisture to some of the driest regions in the desert, delivering more rain than many areas have seen in nearly 50 years.

The Sahara, the largest hot desert in the world and a vast expanse stretching across North Africa, is notorious for its extreme dryness. Rainfall is rare, particularly in late summer, making the recent storms especially striking. According to the Moroccan government, two days of heavy rainfall in September exceeded annual rainfall totals in several regions that typically receive less than 10 inches of rain a year.

Location : Saudi Arabia

First Published: November 05, 2024, 14:14 IST
'You Sense The Danger': Uncertainty, Tension In US As Trump, Harris Make Final Push

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 05, 2024, 15:44 IST

The US election between Trump and Harris is at a breaking point, with tensions rising, polls neck-and-neck, and fears of unrest

The US presidential elections are scheduled to be held on November 5. (AP photo file)

With the whole world watching, the United States is bracing for a knife-edge election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, amid growing fears of civil unrest, no matter who wins the race to the White House.

The US presidential election has been marked by intense rhetoric, celebrity endorsements, and unprecedented tension, with the country holding its breath over the outcome of what is shaping up to be a razor-thin race. Polling data shows that the battle is neck-and-neck, with both Trump and Harris fighting for votes in key battleground states, the UKs Daily Mail reported.

related stories

Trump is hoping for another term, while Harris is looking to make history as the countrys first female commander-in-chief. Both candidates campaigned intensely across critical swing states on the eve of Election Day. Trump delivered speeches in Michigan, while Harris concentrated on Pennsylvania, a state seen as pivotal to the outcome.

Vote like your life depends on it

In his final push, Trump, who has been endorsed by the like of Elon Musk, urged his supporters to vote like your life depends on it," warning that this could be the last chance to protect America from what he sees as the dangers of Harris policies. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris closed her campaign with a star-studded lineup of supporters, including Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry.

Winfrey warned voters that democracy itself was on the line, telling a crowd in Pennsylvania, If we dont show up tomorrow, it is entirely possible that we will not have the opportunity to ever cast a ballot again." All the anxiety and the fear youre feeling, youre feeling that because you sense the danger," she was quoted as saying by the British newspaper.

Heightened rhetoric

The heightened rhetoric shows the divisions in the country, with both sides warning that a victory for the other could lead to the erosion of freedoms or even the collapse of democracy itself. With both campaigns pushing their final messages into the early hours of Election Day, businesses in Washington, DC, began boarding up their windows, bracing for potential violence in the wake of a disputed result.

The possibility of unrest is becoming more real as Election Day approaches on Tuesday. Security measures are being ramped up across the country, with the National Guard placed on standby in key cities. Fears of civil unrest have been fueled by a surge in political violence during the campaign, including shootings at Trump rallies and threats to blow up political offices. In Washington state, where Harris is expected to win, National Guard troops are also on standby in response to fears of violence, following an incident in which ballot boxes were set on fire earlier in the week.

Every single vote matters

Trump has repeatedly said that if he wins Pennsylvania, it will be over," signaling that the state could be the tipping point in this fiercely contested election. Harris, for her part, has gone all-in on Pennsylvania, making multiple stops across the state and urging voters to make their voices heard. Every single vote matters," she told a crowd in Philadelphia, echoing the stakes of an election that could be one of the closest in US history.

A final poll of the swing states by Emerson College showed Trump with a slight edge in Arizona and several other key states, but Harris holding a lead in Michigan. Amid the intense competition, the potential for a disputed result looms large. Trump, who has previously questioned the legitimacy of elections, has already raised concerns about fraud in key battleground states, particularly Pennsylvania.

There may be blood

Steve Cohen, a Democratic lawmaker from Tennessee, has warned that there may be blood" if Harris beats Trump at the ballot box, saying the Republicans supporters may not accept a defeat. I think Kamalas gonna win the popular vote by 5, 6 million votes at least," he told NewsNation. I think she gets the electoral vote, but I think Trump wont stop at anything. It will be in court; it will be in litigation. Hell be telling people, again, to go to the Capitol if you want to have a country and fight like hell."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

There may be blood, and theres some concern," he added. A survey conducted in recent days shows that many Americans expect violence regardless of who wins. More than 25% of voters believe that rioting will break out after the election, and 10% even fear that the country could plunge into civil war. Some Democratic lawmakers have voiced similar concerns, warning of violence if Trump loses and refuses to accept the results.

(With agency inputs)

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 05, 2024, 15:34 IST
Ukraine and Sweden will join forces in the issue of protecting critical infrastructure facilities in Ukraine, and are also ready to cooperate in the field of unmanned aviation, notes the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko.

At a joint briefing with Swedish Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin in Kyiv on Tuesday, Klymenko said that Ukraine and Sweden have ongoing cooperation in the area of mine clearance. "We greatly appreciate the contribution to strengthening the capabilities of our pyrotechnicians," the minister added.

According to him, the State Emergency Service and the National Police are interacting with counterparties subordinate to the Swedish Ministry of Defense  the Swedish Emergency Management Agency and the Swedish Coast Guard.

"Strengthening our capabilities to protect critical infrastructure facilities is another subject of negotiations. The dynamics of enemy shelling has increased fourfold compared to 2022. The occupiers are using drone terror tactics aimed at civilian and critical infrastructure of Ukraine," the minister emphasized.

Klymenko noted that with the onset of cold weather, the enemy's efforts are focused on destroying and damaging energy infrastructure. "That is why increasing the means of detecting and neutralizing air targets is our priority," he said.

Also, according to the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ukraine is interested in Sweden's experience in approaches to the development of civil defense structures, and Ukrainian specialists from the Ministry of Internal Affairs units are ready to share the knowledge and skills they received during the full-scale invasion.

"We are also ready to begin cooperation with Swedish partners in the field of unmanned aviation," the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.
The Museum of Pell City will celebrate Veterans with an event in their honor Friday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m.

The event will feature brief addresses from two distinguished veterans: Brigadier General Robert L. Homes from the United States Air Force and Van Posey Sr. from the United States Marines and Army National Guard. St. Clair County Veterans Outreach Administrator, Gregory Bailey will also speak.

Following the presentations, the museum will unveil its expanded Veterans exhibit, along with a new exhibit showcasing local child actor and Veteran, Houston Tumlin. The event will conclude with refreshments provided by Union State Bank. The Museum of Pell City is located at 1000 Bruce Etheredge Pkwy, Suite 200.

Duran Junior High School program

Duran Junior High Schools Student Government Association, under the leadership of Ivy Patterson and Sebrena Wood, will present its Annual Veterans Day Program Friday, Nov. 8, at 9:30 a.m.

The program will be a celebration as well as a special time of recognition of all Veterans with celebratory music from Duran Junior High School Choir, led by director, Nate Burch and the Duran Junior High School band, under the direction of band director Sara Freeman.

Students will salute and commemorate all Veterans with poetic patriotism and tributes to freedom. The speaker for this event will be, Dr. Jeffrey Wilson of Pell City. All veterans are invited to attend. The school is located at 25 Williamson Drive in Pell City.
As a result of the enemy attack on Zaporizhia on Tuesday, six people were killed, the number of injured has grown to 24 people, head of Zaporizhia Regional Military Administration Ivan Fedorov reported.

"Two women and a man are in serious condition under the supervision of doctors. Eight people are in medical institutions in moderate condition. Others are being treated on an outpatient basis," Fedorov wrote on his Telegram channel.

Earlier, it was reported that six people were killed and 23 were injured.

As reported, on the morning of November 5, 2024, Russian army servicemen launched a missile attack on civilian infrastructure in Zaporizhia. One of the critical infrastructure facilities was destroyed.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged international law enforcement to treat migrant-smuggling operations across the English Channel as a global security threat akin to terrorism. Addressing an Interpol conference in Glasgow, Starmer highlighted the pressing need for increased international collaboration. He advocated applying counterterrorism strategies to tackle these smuggling networks, emphasizing closer coordination with foreign law-enforcement bodies and potentially expanding police powers.

Starmer also announced the doubling of the UK Border Security Command's budget from about $97 million to about $194 million over two years. These funds are earmarked for advanced surveillance technology and staffing increases, with plans to hire 100 specialist investigators. The prime minister further revealed ambitions to establish a new security pact with the European Union to rejuvenate real-time intelligence sharing, disturbed by Brexit, which had impeded the UK's participation in Europol.

This commitment to curbing illegal crossings comes as the UK grapples with the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Over 31,000 migrants have attempted the perilous Channel crossing in 2024, marking it as one of the deadliest years since 2018. The Conservative Party criticized Starmer's decision to terminate a Rwanda deportation plan, a plan he labeled a "gimmick." Meanwhile, Starmer maintains his administration's stance that turning a blind eye to human suffering is unacceptable, arguing that addressing the root causes of migration is crucial. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
Mexico's National Guard fatally shot two Colombians and wounded four others in what the country's Defense Department said was a confrontation near the US border. Colombia's foreign ministry said in a statement Sunday that all of the victims were migrants who had been "caught in the crossfire." It identified the dead as a 20-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman.

Mexico's Defense Department, which controls the National Guard, did not respond to requests for comment Monday on whether the victims were migrants, but it said one Colombian who was not injured in the shootings was turned over to immigration officials, suggesting they were.
A spa owner in Massachusetts posed as a nurse when she injected clients with fake Botox and filler, federal prosecutors say. Rebecca Fadanelli, 38, allegedly imported fake Botox, Sculptra, and Juvederm from China and Brazil, NBC News reports. Prosecutors said that between March 2021 and this year, she "completed approximately 1,631 Botox appointments, totaling $522,869 in client payments, and 1,085 filler appointments, totaling $410,545 in client payments." According to court documents, a client complained to the FDA in 2022 after injections from Fadanelli left her with "bumps" in her lips and tingling in her forehead, reports WBZ News .

Fadenelli, an aesthetician, has been charged with illegally importing merchandise contrary to law, selling or dispensing a counterfeit drug, and selling or dispensing a counterfeit device. She owns Skin Beaute Med Spa, which has locations in Randolph and South Easton. "For years, Ms. Fadanelli allegedly put unsuspecting patients at risk by representing herself to be a nurse and then administering thousands of illegal, counterfeit injections," said acting US Attorney Joshua Levy. "The type of deception alleged here is illegal, reckless, and potentially life-threatening."

According to court documents, Fadanelli denied claiming to be a nurse or giving injections. "When agents asked Fadanelli if she would like to retract or modify that claim if she knew there was evidence showing that she was in fact administering such products, she reiterated that she does not administer injections," an affidavit states. Prosecutors said she bought vials of fake Botox on Alibaba for $50. The price for real Botox is around $650 per vial. She was also caught at Logan Airport returning from Brazil with illegal products, prosecutors said. In June, the CDC issued an alert on harmful reactions caused by counterfeit Botox. (More Botox stories.)
Election Day is Tuesday, but the suspense will likely continue for days, Kamala Harris' campaign warned Monday. Campaign Chair Jen O'Malley Dillon called for calm, noting that in some states, ballots "will continue to be counted for many days" after Election Day. "We believe this race is going to be incredibly close," she said, per the Hill. "So, we may not know the results of this election for several days, but we are very focused on staying calm and confident throughout this period as the process goes through."

The timeline. O'Malley Dillon said the campaign expects "near complete" results Tuesday night from swing states Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan, with "partial results" from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Arizona. She said most results from Wisconsin should be in by Wednesday morning, with "additional results" from Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada in the following days. She noted that in Nevada, ballots can arrive until Saturday.
A US soldier who was critically injured during the Gaza pier mission earlier this year has died. Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley, 23, was one of three soldiers injured in the mission, though the other two suffered a sprained ankle and a minor back injury, respectively, and soon returned to service, per Fox News. After suffering undisclosed injuries on a ship in May, Stanley was evacuated to an Israeli hospital, transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas, and later forced into medical retirement, per CNN. He was "receiving treatment in long-term care medical center" when he died Oct. 31, a rep for the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command said Monday.
For decades, the cremated remains of more than two dozen Civil War veterans languished in storage at a funeral home and cemetery in Seattle. The simple copper and cardboard urns gathering dust on shelves only had the name of each of the 28 soldiersbut nothing linking them to the Civil War. Still, that was enough for an organization dedicated to locating, identifying, and interring the remains of unclaimed veterans to conclude over several years that they were all Union soldiers deserving of a burial with military honors, per the AP . "It's amazing that they were still there and we found them," said Tom Keating, the state coordinator for the Missing in America Project, which turned to volunteers to confirm their war service via genealogical research. "It's something long overdue. These people have been waiting a long time for a burial."

Most of the veterans were buried in August at Washington's Tahoma National Cemetery. In a traditional service offered to Civil War veterans, the historical 4th US Infantry Regiment dressed in Union uniforms fired musket volleys, and the crowd sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Names were called out for each veteran and their unit before their remains were brought forward and stories were shared about their exploits. Then, they were buried. "It was something, just the finality of it all," Keating said, adding they were unable to find any living descendants of the veterans. Several others will be buried at Washington State Veterans Cemetery, and a Navy veteran will be buried at sea.

The remains of several more Civil War veterans were sent to Maine, Rhode Island, and other places where family connections were found. Among them was Byron Johnson. Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in 1844, he enlisted at 18 and served as a hospital steward with the Union Army. He moved out West after the war and died in Seattle in 1913. After his remains were delivered to Pawtucket City Hall, he was buried with military honors at his family's plot in Oak Grove Cemetery. "It's the best thing we can do for a veteran," said Bruce Frail, state coordinator for the Missing in America Project. "The feeling that you get when you honor somebody in that way, it's indescribable." More here.

(More Civil War stories.)
Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong has discussed critical allegations with India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. She addressed concerns regarding accusations that India had targeted Sikh activists in Canada, which India firmly denies. The discussion took place in Canberra as Wong emphasized the importance of safety and respect for all communities in Australia, highlighting concerns about the ongoing investigation and Canada's judicial process. Wong stressed the conversation was in line with Australia's commitment to the rule of law and judicial independence, adding "We convey our views to India as you would expect us to do."

In response, Jaishankar criticized Canada for placing Indian diplomats under surveillance, calling it "unacceptable." He condemned acts of violence at a Hindu temple near Toronto, describing the vandalism as "deeply concerning." The clashes, allegedly involving Sikh separatist demonstrators, drew attention from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who deemed the violence "unacceptable." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed this sentiment, condemning what he called the attempts to intimidate Indian diplomats and calling for justice from the Canadian government.

The diplomatic friction between India and Canada has intensified since allegations surfaced last year suggesting India's connection to the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, a claim India rejects. The situation has led to expulsion of top diplomats from both nations. Meanwhile, the US Justice Department announced charges against an Indian government employee related to an alleged assassination plot on American soil, further complicating India's international standing. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
In a significant move, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered the release of 29 minors facing the death penalty. The youths, aged 14 to 17, were detained following protests against Nigeria's severe cost-of-living crisis. Their arrest came amidst unrest in August, where demonstrations reportedly led to some fatalities and numerous detentions.

Under pressure from human rights activists, President Tinubu mandated an investigation into the conduct of law enforcement involved in the minors' arrest. They are set to be released by Tuesday, following a court order. The troubling conditions of the detained youths have sparked public outrage, with many looking malnourished during their court appearance. Rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned their treatment, describing it as "horrifying experiences."

Justice issues in Nigeria's legal system, particularly concerning child rights, have been under scrutiny. The court imposed hefty bail conditions of 10 million naira (nearly $6,000) per child, an unattainable sum for their families. According to Funke Adeoye of Hope Behind Bars Africa, the children's arrest "highlights significant flaws in our criminal justice system." Concern remains over whether the minors genuinely participated in the protests, which were fueled by harsh economic policies intended to stabilize Nigeria's economy but resulted in increased public hardship. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
North Korea says it's speeding up the building of its nuclear weapons arsenal to counter threats from "hostile nuclear weapons states," like the United States. "The nuclear threat of United States against [North Korea] has already reached critical point in terms of its scale and danger," North Korea's ambassador to the UN, Kim Song, said at a Security Council meeting on Monday, per the Guardian . "Due to reckless moves of the United States, the potential situation is approaching the brink of war." The meeting came in response to North Korea test-firing its first intercontinental ballistic missile of the year on Thursday.

Hours after Monday's meeting wrapped, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea had fired several short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea east of the Korean Peninsula. Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said the launches were in response to weekend air drills conducted by the US, South Korea, and Japan, per CBS News. Those drills, themselves coming in response to the ICBM launch, showed "absolute proof of the validity and urgency of the line of building up the nuclear forces we have ... put into practice," Kim said Tuesday.

A day earlier, the US accused China and Russia of "shamelessly" protecting North Korea from "closer scrutiny of its sanctions-violating activities." Under that protection, "Pyongyang, unsurprisingly, has been emboldened to continue advancing its unlawful ballistic missile, nuclear, and [weapons of mass destruction] programs," said deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood, per Reuters. "There must be large loopholes enabling [North Korea's] access to the equipment, materials, and technology necessary to advance its WMD programs," yet Russia and China have blocked further restrictions, said South Korea's UN Ambassador Joonkook Hwang.

story continues below

Deputy Russian UN Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva accused the countries that called Monday's meetingthe US, France, Japan, Malta, South Korea, Slovenia, and Britainof "demonizing" North Korea to keep "afloat ineffective sanctions measures" and justify "aggressive steps" by the US and allies in the region, per Reuters. China's UN Ambassador Fu Cong said the Security Council should "take concrete measures to de-escalate the situation and enhance mutual trust, rather than simply imposing sanctions and pressure." (More North Korea stories.)
Democrats currently claim the slimmest majority in the US Senate, 51-49, but they're playing defense heading into Election Day, almost certainly losing Joe Manchin's seat in West Virginia to a Republican and defending seven seats in conservative or swing states, reports NPR. There are 34 seats in total for the taking, but the Dems have an uphill battle, per the Guardian. The 11 Republican senators up for reelection are in solid red statesbut 23 Dem incumbents are trying to hold onto their seats "in states that have become increasingly pro-GOP as Donald Trump has strengthened his grip over the party," the outlet notes. More on where the Senate races stand:



Texas: Politico calls the faceoff between Republican incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic Rep. Colin Allred "the race to watch." Cruz beat Democratic opponent Beto O'Rourke by just 2.6 points in 2018, and although most polls still show Cruz in the lead in the traditionally red state, some of the polls have been close. If Allred does win, it would be a "massive upset [that] could offset likely losses elsewhere such as in West Virginia, or potentially Montana," the outlet notes.
The opportunity for women to participate in democratic and electoral processes is narrowing, believes Deputy Head of the Holos faction Yulia Klymenko.

"I think that the democratic window is really narrowing, and the opportunity for women to participate in democratic processes, elections, in government and in any other format is narrowing," Klymenko said at the 8th Ukrainian Women's Congress on Tuesday.

She stressed that she is pessimistic about womens participation in future parliamentary, presidential, and local elections.

According to the MP, Ukraine will face a problem if it does not resolve the issue of increasing the number of polling stations abroad.

"We understand that of those 6 million people who went abroad, the majority are women with children. They will have virtually no opportunity to vote if they do not return to Ukraine. Why? Because there are very few polling stations abroad ... A woman will not leave her two children from some small town in Germany to Berlin ... to vote," Klymenko noted.

According to Klymenko, if this issue is not resolved, Russia will take advantage of the situation for its own manipulations.

"This is a great danger and an opportunity for manipulation by the Russians. And they will do it, as we saw in the example of Moldova [presidential elections in Moldova]. For them, this will simply be an unplowed field, which they will use to destabilize the situation in the next political cycle," Klymenko noted.

The deputy admitted that it is possible that in order to solve this problem it is necessary to turn to Ukraine's international partners.

"I understand that this ... costs money, but it gives women who have gone abroad the opportunity to at least vote," Klymenko noted.
Ukrainian troops have for the first time engaged with North Korean units that were recently deployed to help Russia in the war with its neighbor, Ukraine's defense minister said Tuesday. Another Kyiv official said Ukraine's army fired artillery at North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk border region. The comments were the first official reports that Ukrainian and North Korean forces have engaged in combat, following a deployment that has given the war a new complexion as it approaches its 1,000-day milestone. The AP notes that neither claim could be independently confirmed, but it gives specifics of those claims:
State police destroyed tens of thousands of pounds of marijuana plants at greenhouses in northwestern New Mexico, marking what regulators say is the largest seizure and destruction of cannabis in New Mexico since new possession and cultivation laws took effect in 2021. Authorities announced the operation Monday, saying dozens of agents were assigned to eradicate the plants in October, reports the AP .

The state Cannabis Control Division had started the process of revoking the license of NNK Equity LLC, having filed a noncompliance order and a default order earlier this year. The company was accused of not posting its licenses on site, failing to obtain water rights for cultivation, not having cameras that could monitor certain areas of its operation, and violating sanitation and health requirements. "The organization involved showed a blatant disregard for the laws of this state and we will prove that," New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler said.

Jacob Candelaria, an Albuquerque attorney who represents NNK Equity, disputed the state's claims and accused regulators and state police of violating his client's civil rights. He said the state failed to properly serve notice of its intent to revoke the company's license and subsequently denied a request for a hearing on the merits of the case. He said clients Irving Lin and Bao Xue speak Mandarin Chinese and have limited ability to understand written English. Lin asked for a Chinese translation, but Candelaria said regulators did not respond to his request. The Cannabis Control Division said in filings that it complied with notice and hearing requirements and had afforded the company its due process rights.

story continues below

NNK Equity plans to ask a state district judge to set aside the order revoking the license and to order state regulators to hold a hearing, Candelaria said. He added that NNK Equity also plans to sue the state for destroying what he said amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars of private property. "The idea that law enforcement officers can destroy public property based upon a temporary restraining orderwhich can be entered without notice to all parties and before a hearing on the evidencewhich was the case here, should concern all of us who believe in the Constitution." (More marijuana stories.)
The Public Safety Report is compiled from criminal complaints filed in state and federal courts, as well as some police blotter information, trooper dispatches, fire department reports and interviews with public safety officials. Individuals named as arrested and/or charged with crimes in this report are presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: mail@newsobahrain.com

With rising debt and living costs creeping up, the Parliament is considering a BD500 million relief plan to help households manage their expenses. MP Khalid Buanaq warns that without action, many families may soon struggle to put food on the table. He points to flat wages and soaring bills as a ticking time bomb for the country.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Buanaq said, Low pay poses a real threat, especially given that wages have stayed the same over the past decade.

Joblessness

He expressed his duty to voice the concerns of his area and the country as a whole, particularly as joblessness rises. At the core of Buanaqs plan is securing this fund within Bahrains 2025-2026 budget to ease the strain on citizens. His proposal includes using part of the public debt  now at BD18 billion  to provide support.

Social benefits

This would involve raising social benefits for those most in need, offering direct cash support to help low-income families, and increasing assistance with utility costs such as electricity and water. Buanaqs approach aims to target support where its needed most, bridging gaps and building a stronger community.

He is also advocating for better pay and bonuses in the public sector to bring workers more security and motivation.

Expanding public sector roles, he believes, would help reduce joblessness and boost local demand. He views this BD500 million fund as a genuine means to improve living standards for Bahrainis, providing a clear path to enhance everyday life.

Social stability

He argues that such spending would reinforce social stability and encourage a shared sense of well-being, making a better quality of life more achievable. Buanaq said that this plan aligns well with government goals and should be a priority in the upcoming budget, paving the way for a more prosperous and stable Bahrain.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: mail@newsobahrain.com

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) Medical University of Bahrain organised a special alumni reception at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in London, United Kingdom, to celebrate and acknowledge the growing success of its alumni community in the UK.

The event was hosted by His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the UK.

Shaikh Fawaz, a non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland, stated, Since its inception in 2004, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain has positively contributed to the growing healthcare sector in Bahrain, especially by training world-class health professionals.

As we celebrate its 20th Anniversary, with a total of 3,312 alumni, among which more than 470 alumni live and work in the UK, we are also celebrating the Universitys role in furthering Bahraini-Irish and Bahraini-British, people-to-people relations.

Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, thanked Shaikh Fawaz for hosting the Universitys Alumni at the Bahraini Embassy.
Russian military shot six Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) on the Pokrovsk axis, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) has said on Tuesday.

According to the latest updates, on October 23, 2024, during an offensive operation on Selydove, Donetsk region, Russian military captured three Ukrainian fighters. After some time, the occupiers shot the armless POWs, it said on the Telegram channel.

On November 1, while storming strongholds of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the same Pokrovsk axis, Russian servicemen shot another three Ukrainian soldiers from automatic weapons.

These actions are a violation of the Geneva Conventions. They are qualified as an international crime,

A pre-trial investigation has been launched in the case under the procedural guidance of Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The investigation is carried out by investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
TDT | Manama

Email: ashen@newsofbahrain.com

His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has commended the launch of the Global Network Supporting Youth Competitiveness, known as the Network of Hope. This initiative was celebrated during an international event held under the esteemed patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain.

In his address, Dr. Al Zayani expressed pride in Bahrains role as the host of the largest international gathering of ministers and officials responsible for youth affairs from around the world. This significant event coincides with the silver jubilee of His Majesty the Kings ascension to the throne, marking a milestone in Bahrains leadership in creating a global network that inspires hope for youth and future generations.

The Network of Hope is designed to refine the talents of young people and enhance their productive, creative, and intellectual capacities, stated Dr. Al Zayani. He emphasized the importance of exchanging experiences, developmental policies, and collaborative efforts to pave the way for a more secure, peaceful, and prosperous future.

The initiative is part of His Majesty the Kings visionary outlook, receiving strong support from the government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Furthermore, it aligns with the pioneering efforts of His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs.

The Network serves as a platform for empowering youth and involving them as active partners in promoting solidarity, peace, and global prosperity.

Dr. Al Zayani noted Bahrain's commitment to empowering youth to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhance their access to modern technologies in education. He reaffirmed Bahrain's stance against extremism and its commitment to fostering a culture of peace and tolerance, aligning with His Majesty's calls for international agreements to combat hate speech and regulate artificial intelligence for development and peace.

In addition, the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence is dedicated to implementing scientific and training programs aimed at educating youth and instilling values of love and harmony in collaboration with academic institutions and international organizations.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude to the staff of the Ministry and the diplomatic missions abroad for their creative national efforts and effective collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs. Their coordination with embassies and international organizations has been pivotal in establishing the Network of Hope as a global platform that supports the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan and the Declaration of Future Generations regarding youth rights.

In conclusion, Dr. Al Zayani emphasized that the launch of the Network of Hope reflects Bahrains enduring commitment to support and empower youth. He affirmed that young people are the true wealth of the nation and the promise of a bright future, and he reiterated Bahrain's dedication to strengthening international partnerships and solidarity in youth care. This initiative aims to nurture their talents and aspirations, encouraging them to contribute creatively to building inclusive, just, and sustainable societies.
Experience 'Travel Gifting Made Easy' both in-store and online,

just in time for the busy holiday season.

TORONTO, Nov. 4, 2024 /CNW/ - In a move to enhance the purchasing experience for Canadians, redtag.ca is thrilled to announce that its travel gift cards are now available in select retail stores across Canada and on Amazon.ca. This strategic initiative simplifies the shopping experience for customers by meeting them where they shop and making it easier to find the perfect gift. It also supports the growing trend of gifting travel and experiences over material items.

Just in time for the holiday season - redtag.ca's travel Gift Cards are conveniently available both online and in-store. (CNW Group/redtag.ca)

This year marks redtag.ca's 20th anniversary, and the travel company is committed to continuing innovation and improving for Canadian travellers. These gift cards empower customers to give the gift of travel like never before, and they will also remain available for purchase directly on redtag.ca, ensuring multiple convenient options.

redtag.ca believes in the power of gifting experiences that create lasting memories. By offering travel gift cards through both popular retail locations and one of the leading e-commerce platforms, redtag.ca is embodying its tagline, "Travel Made Easy," making it even easier for travellers to share the joy of unique experiences with their loved ones.

"We are so excited to make our redtag.ca gift cards available in stores and on Amazon.ca," says Nathalie Tanious, President & CEO of H.I.S. Canada Travel Inc., the parent company of redtag.ca. "This move not only streamlines the shopping process for our customers but also aligns with our mission to promote thoughtful gifting. Now, shoppers can conveniently find the perfect gift, whether they're browsing in a store or online, just in time for the holiday season."

"Expanding our gift card availability across multiple channels brings greater convenience to our customers," adds Sam Youssef, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships of H.I.S. Canada Travel Inc., the parent company of redtag.ca. "It provides them with seamless access to travel gift options right where they shop, making it easier to find the perfect gift for anyone who loves to travel. This strategic move not only strengthens our brand presence but also taps into the growing demand for hassle-free shopping experiences."

As Canadians prepare for the holiday season, redtag.ca is proud to embrace the trend of experiential gifting, encouraging everyone to celebrate the joy of shared moments.

You can purchase redtag.ca Gift Cards here:

Directly at www.redtag.ca/giftcard

In select retail stores across Canada

On Amazon.ca at https://tinyurl.com/y52tdj5j or by searching "redtag.ca" in the Amazon.ca search bar.

For more information, please visit www.redtag.ca/giftcard.

About redtag.ca

redtag.ca is one of Canada's leading full-service travel companies designed to connect travellers to their dream getaways through the power of innovation and technology. They specialize in customized trips worldwide while finding the best deals on vacation packages, flights, cruises, hotels, car rentals, and more. redtag.ca is fully owned and operated by H.I.S. Canada Travel Inc. For more information, please visit www.redtag.ca . Celebrating 20 years.

SOURCE redtag.ca

Media Contact: Sandra Weber, Tel: (416) 277-7236 | Email: [email protected]
Last year, Tims guests helped raise $9.8 million through the inaugural Holiday Smile Cookie campaign, spreading kindness and supporting local charities and community groups across the country, including Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.

through the inaugural Holiday Smile Cookie campaign, spreading kindness and supporting local charities and community groups across the country, including Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. The Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie is a delicious white chocolate sugar cookie infused with red and green sprinkles and hand-decorated with a white icing smile face.

TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2024 /CNW/ - Tim Hortons second-annual Holiday Smile Cookie campaign is returning from Nov. 18 to 24 with 100 per cent of proceeds donated to local charities and community groups, including Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.

"Supporting communities is at the heart of the Tim Hortons brand and there's no better time than the holiday season for us to rally with guests, Tims restaurant owners and team members to spread kindness right across Canada," says Axel Schwan, President of Tim Hortons.

Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie campaign returns Nov. 18-24 with 100% of proceeds donated to local charities and community groups, including Tim Hortons Foundation Camps (CNW Group/Tim Hortons)

"Since 1996, Canadians have shown incredible support for our iconic Smile Cookie program, which has now raised over $129 million for charities and community groups. Last year we launched the inaugural Holiday Smile Cookie campaign and it was an amazing success, raising $9.8 million. We're looking forward to serving Canadians millions of hand-decorated Holiday Smile Cookies starting Nov. 18 and together supporting over 400 local charities and community groups, including Tim Hortons Foundation Camps."

The mission for Tim Hortons Foundation Camps is to provide life-changing opportunities for underserved youth across Canada to help them reach their full potential. Over 320,000 youth have been supported through multi-year development programs in the foundation's 50-year history.

"We cannot thank Canadians enough for their support and generosity throughout Holiday Smile Cookie week! Each cookie holds the power to change the life of someone in your community," says Caroline Barham, President of Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, and Western Canada Restaurant Owner. "With 100% of proceeds donated to local charities and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, even the smallest bites make the biggest difference!"

Visit timhortons.ca/holiday-smile-cookie to learn about the local charity or community group being supported in your region along with Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.

ABOUT TIM HORTONS

In 1964, the first Tim Hortons restaurant in Hamilton, Ontario opened its doors and Canadians have been ordering Tim Hortons iconic Original Blend coffee, Double-Double coffees, Donuts and Timbits in the years since. Over nearly 60 years, Tim Hortons has captured the hearts and taste buds of Canadians and has become synonymous with serving Canada's favourite coffee. Tim Hortons is Canada's largest restaurant chain operating in the quick service industry with nearly 4,000 restaurants across the country. More than a coffee and bake shop, Tim Hortons is part of the Canadian fabric and guests can enjoy hot and cold specialty beverages  including lattes, cappuccinos and espressos, teas and our famous Iced Capps  alongside delicious breakfast, sandwiches, wraps, soups and more. Tim Hortons has more than 5,700 restaurants in Canada, the United States and around the world. For more information on Tim Hortons visit TimHortons.ca.

SOURCE Tim Hortons

[email protected]
Children's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Center to resume operations in renovated building by summer of 2025

The Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Children's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the Ministry of Health intends to resume operations in the building renovated after the Russian missile attack by the summer of 2025.

As reported by the Ministry of Health, citing the director of the center, Illia Yemets, restoration work in the center began in October. Currently, 70% of the windows destroyed during the attack have already been restored.

The cost of the work is UAH 42 million.

The restoration is being carried out by the Ukrainian Red Cross team together with partners from the international Red Cross movement.

As reported, the building of the Children's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Center, located on the territory of the Okhmatdet Children's Hospital, was damaged during a Russian missile attack on July 8.
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Postal Code
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/rustemumerov.ua

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with the chief of the NATO Representation to Ukraine Patrick Turner, the Defense Ministry press service reported.

"We discussed the status of implementation of the agreements reached following the NATO summit in Washington, in particular, the issue of supplying air defense systems, as well as the implementation of the JATEC and NSATU projects. I also briefed the NATO Senior Representative on the key priorities of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. I emphasized that we are working in cooperation with other ministries as a single team, bringing our country closer to joining NATO," Umerov said following the meeting.

Turner, in turn, noted significant progress in reforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine, noting that the Ukrainian army has undergone major changes that are obvious.

"Additionally, he informed his colleague about the participation of the DPRK military in the current escalation of aggression against Ukraine. He also proposed holding the next meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council at the level of defense ministers in Kyiv," Umerov added.

He stressed that Ukraine continues dialogue with NATO and synchronizes common plans for the end of 2024 and for 2025.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has handed over a batch of aid from the capital's community to the 112th separate brigade of Kyiv Territorial Defense.



"Today, the fighters of the 112th Brigade of Kyiv Territorial Defense received another batch of aid from the capital's community to the front, in particular, 130 EW systems [electronic warfare systems] of various types - trench and automobile, which are so necessary for our fighters. And six reconnaissance drones. Thanks to EW, it is possible to detect and interfere with radio, mobile or satellite communications, disable electronics, satellite navigation of the enemy. And disorient in space, changing the coordinates to false ones," Klitschko wrote on Facebook.

The mayor of Kyiv also noted that since the beginning of the year the capital has allocated UAH 600 million to help the 112th brigade.





"These electronic warfare systems, worth UAH 87 million, were purchased, in particular, from these budget funds received by the brigade. We continue to help our defenders, finding opportunities both in the city budget and with non-budget funds," Klitschko emphasized.

He also presented the fighters of the 112th brigade with awards from the capital.

Since the beginning of the year, Kyiv has already allocated UAH 8.6 billion to help the military, while for the whole of last year it was UAH 7.5 billion. This year, more than 12,000 UAVs of various types from the capital's community went to the front.
A South Jersey townships municipal offices were briefly closed Monday after a suitcase was placed near a mail-in ballot dropbox outside, with officials feared could have housed an explosive device intended to harm the ballots, according to police.

Egg Harbor Townships tax office informed police, who are stationed at the opposite end of the municipal office building, that a suitcase was unattended near the dropbox. Authorities launched an investigation into the bag because of its proximity to the dropbox and appearing hours before election day Tuesday.

A bomb squad from Atlantic City x-rayed the suitcase and found no explosives inside. Instead, childrens items were stashed in it. The investigation found the suitcase was inadvertently dropped by a family that had been conducting a child custody exchange, police said.

No one at any time was in danger, police said. The agency did not describe the items inside the suitcase further, but it said it considered the lone bag a potential threat with election day only hours away, fearing it could have been a method used to tamper with yet-to-be-tallied ballots.

The administrative offices were closed for less than an hour while this investigation was taking place, but we understand that it is sometimes difficult to carve out time to take care of important personal business with the town, Egg Harbor Township police said in a statement. It did not appear that it was intentionally placed anywhere near that location, but rather left behind.

The suitcase was left near the box about a week after combustive devices were detonated at two electoral boxes in Oregon and Washington, destroying hundreds of ballots. One official called the boxes' destruction a direct attack on democracy.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
Three New York men who allegedly impersonated police officers to break into a multi-family home in Cliffside Park, then rob and restrain its residents, were arrested last week, investigators said.

Diogenes A. Rosario, 49, of New York, Leonel Perez, 38, of New York and Misael Diaz of Yonkers were each charged with three counts of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, third-degree burglary, third-degree theft, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office announced Monday.

The incident happened during the early morning hours of Oct. 12 when three men forced their way into the Crescent Lane home while wearing dark-colored clothing, face masks and imitation-style police badges, according to a statement from the office.

Once inside, the trio forcibly restrained three residents, two of whom were under the age of 14, the office said. Three additional juveniles remained asleep in the home during the robbery.

Once the awake residents were restrained, the suspects ransacked the residence and removed valuables, investigators said.

Detectives later identified a car with a stolen license plate that was used by the men to travel to and from the home, prosecutors said. Rosario, Perez and and Diaz were then identified as suspects.

Rasario was arrested at a home in Ridgefield on Oct. 30 and taken to the Bergen County Jail while Perez was taken into custody in New York City and taken to Rikers Island Jail, officials said. Perez will later be extradited to Bergen County. Detectives also searched a New York City home linked to both men.

Diaz was arrested in Yonkers on Nov. 1 and taken to the Westchester County Jail. He was also scheduled to be extradited to Bergen County, the office said.

Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Authorities have charged a fourth man with murder in the Oct. 15 home invasion shooting death of a Cumberland County Prosecutors Office detective.

Byron L. Thomas, 35, of Paulsboro, is charged in the killing of Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley, the Cape May County Prosecutors Office announced on Tuesday morning.

Police responded to Mosleys home on the 600 block of Buckshutem Road in Bridgeton around 10:30 p.m. after a report of several people kicking in the front door of the residence, according to police.

Mosley, 51, was found suffering from gunshot wounds and she died at the scene.

Thomas is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree murder during the commission of a burglary, second-degree burglary, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree certain persons not to possess a weapon, third-degree hindering apprehension and fourth-degree obstruction of justice.

Thomas was charged on Friday and taken into custody on Saturday, the Cape May County Prosecutors Office announced in a Tuesday press release about the charges.

Efforts to contact an attorney for Thomas were unsuccessful Tuesday morning.

Last week, co-defendants Nyshawn Mutcherson, 29, of Vineland, Jarred D. Brown, 31, of Bridgeton, and Richard B. Hawkins Willis, 32, of Gloucester City, were charged with the same offenses in Mosleys death.

A fifth defendant, Cyndia E. Pimentel, 38, of Paulsboro, is accused of helping to cover up evidence of the killing and shes charged with third-degree hindering an investigation, and fourth-degree counts of obstruction and tampering with evidence.

The crowd applauds the service of Detective Sgt Monica Mosley at Bridgeton High School, in Bridgeton, NJ on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Mosley was killed in a home invasion shooting at her residence on Oct. 15.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance

Assailants forced their way into the detectives home and shot her on the night of the attack, police said, but Mosley fought back and shot Mutcherson in the chest before dying of her injuries.

Mutcherson sought treatment for his wounds while the other defendants tried to cover up their ties to the crime, investigators allege.

The vehicle driven by the killers was a black 2012 Chevy Equinox registered to Pimentel, according to court documents.

She later drove that vehicle, with Hawkins Willis as a passenger, from Paulsboro in Gloucester County to a garage in Philadelphia in order to hide it from police, investigators said.

A decade ago, Pimentel worked as a police officer with the Camden County Police Department, officials there confirmed. She resigned after two years with the force.

Authorities have not confirmed if Mosley knew her attackers or if the crime was a random home invasion.

Mutcherson is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday for a detention hearing on his charges, while Brown, Hawkins Willis and Pimentel are scheduled for their detention hearings on Thursday.

Thomas detention hearing is listed for Friday.

All five remain jailed pending their hearings.

Mosley began her career with the prosecutors office in 2006 as a paralegal specialist and became a county detective in 2009.

She worked in various roles at the prosecutors office, including with trial teams, special victims unit and community justice unit. At the time of her death, she was supervisor with the offices internal affairs unit.

The investigation into Mosleys killing is ongoing, officials said, and anyone with additional information about the case is asked to contact the Cape May County Prosecutors Office at 609-465-1135 or leave an anonymous tip online at cmcpros.net/tips.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
A man facing a three-count indictment in the gunpoint robbery of a North Jersey pharmacy appeared in federal court on Monday.

Nariq Petes, 26, of Newark, pleaded not guilty to Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey said in a news release. He is now in federal custody.

A robbery violates the Hobbs Act when it affects interstate or foreign commerce.

Petes was charged on Oct. 11 after he was identified as one of the suspects in the robbery, which occurred at a pharmacy in the Essex County suburb of Livingston on Dec. 30, 2023.

Federal prosecutors allege that Petes and an accomplice entered the business in black ski masks, displayed a handgun and ran off with at least 6 bottles of prescription medication.

Authorities did not name the pharmacy and did not say whether the accomplice has been identified.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
The owner of a New Jersey-based tax preparation businesses who filed more than 150 income tax returns with false information has been sentenced to prison.

Michael Ewell, Sr., of Milford, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, and one year of supervised release on Tuesday, the IRS said in a news release. He previously pleaded guilty to willfully subscribing to a false tax return and aiding or assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return.

Ewell was the owner of Ewell Tax Center, which was based in West Orange. Between the years of 2015 and 2022, he prepared a total of 157 income tax returns that contained false information, the IRS said.

The exaggerated returns resulted in an additional $824,835 in refunds for his clients, the agency said. The false information included itemized deductions, business expenses and education credits, officials said.

Mr. Ewell flagrantly abused our nations tax laws and violated his clients trust, said Jenifer L. Piovesan, special agent in charge of the IRS Newark Field Offices criminal investigations.

On one clients return in 2020, Ewell falsely reported that the person made charitable donations and reported expenses that were not legitimate, authorities said.

On his personal returns between 2017 and 2020, he underreported his companys gross revenue by $81,116 and exaggerated its business expenses by $6,338, causing him to avoid paying about $118,000 in taxes, officials said.

As part of his sentence, Ewell will have to pay $736,581 in restitution and is barred from preparing an income tax return for anyone except for himself.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
Health officials are warning people to be on the lookout for symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumoniae-associated pneumonia, a common but potentially serious respiratory infection, amid a rise in cases across New Jersey and the United States.

Since late spring, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has observed an increase in the percentage of pneumonia-associated emergency department visits with a discharge diagnosis of M. pneumoniae. The increase is greatest among children, growing from 1.0% to 7.2% among ages 24 years and from 3.6% to 7.4% among ages 517 years, according to discharge data from March 31 through Oct. 5.

The increase in children ages 24 years is notable because M. pneumoniae historically hasnt been recognized as a leading cause of pneumonia in this age group, the CDC wrote in an Oct. 18 report.

ALSO: Women, children in N.J. are healthier than most of the country, but still fall short in these areas

New Jersey is experiencing a similar increase in cases of M. pneumoniae, according to an advisory released last week by the New Jersey Department of Health.

M. pneumoniae infections are common, with an estimated two million infections occurring each year in the United States, according to the CDC.

However, since theres no national reporting or dedicated surveillance system to track these infections, the exact number of cases is unknown.

The state Department of Health did not respond immediately Tuesday to questions about the number of cases in New Jersey.

M. pneumoniae infections are often mild and mostly present as a chest cold but could also present as pneumonia, according to the CDC. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and a sore throat. Younger children may have different symptoms, such as diarrhea, wheezing, or vomiting.

Because the symptoms are usually mild, people with M. pneumoniae infections can seem better than expected for someone with a lung infection. They might not stay home and can pose a risk to others when going out. For this reason, medical professional have dubbed M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia as walking pneumonia, according to the CDC.

The illness is spread by respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. To prevent further spread, residents should practice good hygiene and cover coughs and sneezes.

Since most infections are observed among school-aged children and adolescents, the New Jersey Department of Health is asking schools to notify their local health department about any spikes in cases, as it could signify an outbreak is occurring.

The Communicable Disease Service can be reached at 609-826-5964 during business hours and via email CDS.COV.SIC@doh.nj.gov.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
Senior priest of the St. Nicholas parish, Father Pavlo Vyshkovsky, sent an official letter to the newly appointed Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications, Mykola Tochytsky, asking him to return the St. Nicholas Church in Kyiv to the parish community.

"Three years ago, on November 5, 2021, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine (now the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications) signed a Memorandum of cooperation with the Kyiv parish of St. Nicholas, in which the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications, in particular, pledged to return the church to the parish community by June 1, 2022. Without fulfilling any of the obligations of the Memorandum, at the solemn holiday in honor of St. Nicholas, on December 6, 2023, the acting head of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications publicly signed an appendix to the aforementioned Memorandum, for the second time committing to return the church to the parish community, this time by May 1, 2024," the letter addressed to the minister says.

Despite previous reminders, the memorandum, the terms of which the agency has failed to comply with twice, expires on November 5.

Father Pavlo noted that after May 1, 2024, the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications ignored all letters from the parish regarding the proposal to organize a working group for cooperation and resolution of organizational issues related to the process of preparation for the return of the church to the parish community.

In this regard, he asked to notify when an additional agreement to the memorandum would be concluded, and also to determine what measures the department would take to transfer the church.

The Catholic community has been fighting for over 30 years to return the church to believers and restore its full status as a parish shrine.
A 77-foot foot fishing boat that sank in nearly 50 feet of water off the Jersey Shore a year ago is expected to be salvaged this week, officials said.

Crews will work for about a week to re-float and remove the Susan Rose, which was about 3,000 feet off Point Pleasant Beach approximately a half-mile south of the Manasquan Inlet when it sank in November 2023.

A large crane barge will remain positioned over the vessels location as the work to remove it takes place.

The crane will remain lit at night and mariners have been notified of the operation, which will be monitored by the U.S. Coast Guard, State Police, the state Department of Environmental Protection and other county and local agencies.

Cape May County-based Northstar Marine Services, which was in charge of removing the vessel last year, is working with Fort Lauderdale, Florida company Resolve Marine this week, an Ocean County spokeswoman said.

Authorities say theres about 100 gallons of fuel remaining the boat. The rest of the 6,000 gallons had been removed prior to it sinking.

The Susan Rose took on water unexpectedly while being towed on Nov. 19, 2023.

A tug boat was pulling the fishing boat to a shipyard in Staten Island, New York when it sank, an officials said at the time.

All the oil and gas had been removed from the Susan Rose a day earlier as crews worked to get the ship upright.

Video recorded by Shore Boats showed the vessel getting pounded by large waves and surf through the day. Crews uprighted the ship following the days second high tide at 11:30 p.m.

The fishing boat beached around 5 a.m. on Nov. 17 with four aboard. One crew member got off the ship on his own with Point Pleasant Beach firefighters and emergency workers helping to rescue the other three. None were badly injured.

The cause remains under investigation nearly a year later, an Ocean County spokeswoman said Tuesday.

The Susan Rose was listed as a squid fishing vessel based out of Point Judith, Rhode Island in 2022 reports related to a fisherman who fell overboard and was later found dead in Massachusetts.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
Project Extreme, a yearlong investigation by NJ Advance Media into political extremism in New Jersey, will be featured in a panel discussion next week at Princeton University.

The series, examining the pockets of toxic radicalism that have developed in a traditionally moderate state, will be discussed Nov. 12 at a public event hosted by Princetons School of Public and International Affairs.

The panelists will include NJ Advance Media journalists Spencer Kent, the projects lead reporter, and Brianna Kudisch, who investigated the radicalization of women in extremist causes.
Its a big  no, make that huge  Election Day, and polls are open across New Jersey.

Nationally, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are in a tense race for the presidency Tuesday.

Locally, there are several critical races, including the battle for the U.S. Senate seat once held by the disgraced Robert Menendez and a tight contest in the 7th Congressional District that could determine which party holds control of the U.S. House next year.

A record of more than 1.7 million New Jerseyans have already voted in recent weeks, whether through mail-in ballots or early in-person voting. For those voting today, polls close at 8 p.m.

Its an election high on nerves, with political allegiance fiercely divided and broad fears of violence.

Heres more on what you need to know:

Polls across New Jersey are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. As long as you are in line by 8 p.m., youre allowed to vote.

The same goes if youre dropping off a vote-by-mail ballot in a dropbox. The dropboxes are locked at 8 p.m., but if theres a line at that time you can drop in your ballot.

You must be at least 18 years old and registered to vote. Check here to see if youre registered. If you havent registered yet, the deadline has passed for this year.

Your polling location is assigned based on your address. Click here and plug in your address to find where you vote.

You can either vote in person on traditional machines or drop off a mail ballot at your countys Board of Elections office or one of the hundreds of dropboxes across the state by 8 p.m.

But remember: Mail-in-ballots must be put in boxes located within the county where youre registered to vote. If you drop yours off in a box outside of where youre registered  maybe because you see a dropbox on your commute to work  your vote will most likely not be counted, election officials warn.

Heres a complete list of dropbox locations. If you have questions, check your county website.

You can check your ballots status on the states Track My Ballot website website.

Vice President Kamala Harris (left) and former President Donald Trump (right).AP

PRESIDENT

In case you havent heard, Trump, the Republican nominee, is vying to return to the White House. Harris, the Democratic nominee, is aiming to become the countrys first woman president after her party swapped her out in place of President Joe Biden on the ballot.

Harris is favored to carry New Jersey and win its 14 electoral votes. A Republican presidential candidate hasnt won the state since 1988.

U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (left) and businessman Curtis Bashaw (right).Illustration | NJ Advance Media

U.S. SENATE

New Jersey will have a new U.S. senator because Menendez, the Democrat who has held this seat since 2006, resigned after being convicted on federal corruption charges. Running for his former seat are Democratic U.S. Rep. Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw, a hotel developer and first-time candidate.

Republicans havent won a U.S. Senate race in the state since 1972  the year The Godfather was released.

Sue Altman (left) and Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (right).File photos

7th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

This is one of the most closely watched U.S. House races in the country: freshman Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. is running for re-election against Democrat Sue Altman, a progressive advocate, in the states 7th congressional district, a very purple swing district in central and north Jersey.

Polls show its very close, and the winner will help decide whether Republicans keep control of the House or Democrats flip it back.

OTHER HOUSE RACES

All 12 of New Jerseys seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are on the ballot, and there will at least be two new members elected to the states delegation  though many races arent considered competitive. Democrats currently hold nine of the seats.

RACES TO WATCH

3rd District

This is the seat Andy Kim is giving up to run for Senate. State Assemblyman Herb Conaway, D-Burlington, is running against Republican Rajesh Mohan to succeed Kim in a south and central Jersey district made more Democratic after recent redistricting. Both candidates are doctors.

9th District

This is for the seat Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell long held before he died in August. Democrats in the district picked state Sen. Nellie Pou to replace Pascrell on the ballot against Republican Billy Prempeh in the heavily Democratic North Jersey district. Pou is trying to become New Jerseys first Latina member of Congress. Prempeh, a network engineer, lost to Pascrell in 2020 and 2022, though insiders say he may stand a better chance now.

10th District

Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver won a special race in September over Republican Carmen Bucco to fill the final months of the seat Democratic Rep. Donald Payne Jr. long held before he died in May. McIver, the former Newark council president, and Bucco, a businessman, are now running for a full two-year term in the heavily Democratic district, which includes Newark and part of Jersey City. McIver is only the second Black woman to represent New Jersey in Congress, after current Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman.

THE REST

1st District: Democratic incumbent Donald Norcross faces Republican Theodore Liddell Odell.

2nd District: Republican incumbent Jeff Van Drew faces Democrat Joseph Salerno.

4th District: Republican incumbent Chris Smith, the longest-serving member of Congress in state history, faces Democrat Matthew Jenkins.

5th District: Democratic incumbent Josh Gottheimer faces Republican Mary Jo Guinchard.

6th District: Democratic incumbent Frank Pallone faces Republican Scott Fegler.

8th District: Democratic incumbent Rob Menendez is faces against Republican Anthony Valdes.

11th District: Democratic incumbent Mikie Sherrill faces Republican Joseph Belnome.

12th District: Democratic incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman faces Republican Darius Mayfield.

ALSO ON THE BALLOT

The New Jersey Secretary of State serves as the states chief election official. If you have concerns about voting and elections, call the state Division of Elections voting information and assistance line at 877-NJVOTER (877-658-6837).

Separately, the state Attorney Generals Office of Public Integrity and Accountability investigates public corruption and election crimes. To report a potential crime, call 844-OPIA-TIPS. The Attorney Generals Office has an anti-corruption reward program that will offer a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to a conviction for a crime involving public corruption. For more details, see http://nj.gov/oag/corruption/reward.html.

There will be full results and coverage of top races after the polls close on NJ.com.

Many races may be called on Election Night, but the rise in mail-in ballots  and how close a few battles are means some results may not come for days.

NJ Advance Media staff writers Richard Cowen and Jelani Gibson contributed to this report.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @johnsb01.
Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.

With a win in Wisconsin, Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency.

The victory validates his bare-knuckle approach to politics. He attacked his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, in deeply personal  often misogynistic and racist  terms as he pushed an apocalyptic picture of a country overrun by violent migrants. The coarse rhetoric, paired with an image of hypermasculinity, resonated with angry voters  particularly men  in a deeply polarized nation.

Weve been through so much together, and today you showed up in record numbers to deliver a victory, Trump told throngs of his cheering supporters in Florida. This was something special and were going to pay you back.

As president, hes vowed to pursue an agenda centered on dramatically reshaping the federal government and pursuing retribution against his perceived enemies. Speaking to his supporters Wednesday morning, Trump claimed he had won an unprecedented and powerful mandate.

The results cap a historically tumultuous and competitive election season that included two assassination attempts targeting Trump and a shift to a new Democratic nominee just a month before the partys convention. Trump will inherit a range of challenges when he assumes office on Jan. 20, including heightened political polarization and global crises that are testing Americas influence abroad.

His win against Harris, the first woman of color to lead a major party ticket, marks the second time he has defeated a female rival in a general election. Harris, the current vice president, rose to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden exited the race amid alarm about his advanced age. Despite an initial surge of energy around her campaign, she struggled during a compressed timeline to convince disillusioned voters that she represented a break from an unpopular administration.

Harris has not publicly spoken since the race was called. Her campaign co-chair, Cedric Richmond, said she would speak Wednesday. You will hear from her tomorrow. She will be back here tomorrow.

Trump is the first former president to return to power since Grover Cleveland regained the White House in the 1892 election. He is the first person convicted of a felony to be elected president and, at 78, is the oldest person elected to the office. His vice president, 40-year-old Ohio Sen. JD Vance, will become the highest-ranking member of the millennial generation in the U.S. government.

Congratulations started pouring in from world leaders even before Trumps victory was announced.

There will be far fewer checks on Trump when he returns to the White House. He has plans to swiftly enact a sweeping agenda that would transform nearly every aspect of American government. His GOP critics in Congress have largely been defeated or retired. Federal courts are now filled with judges he appointed. The U.S. Supreme Court, which includes three Trump-appointed justices, issued a ruling earlier this year affording presidents broad immunity from prosecution.

Trumps language and behavior during the campaign sparked growing warnings from Democrats and some Republicans about shocks to democracy that his return to power would bring. He repeatedly praised strongman leaders, warned that he would deploy the military to target political opponents he labeled the enemy from within, threatened to take action against news organizations for unfavorable coverage and suggested suspending the Constitution.

Some who served in his first White House, including Vice President Mike Pence and John Kelly, Trumps longest-serving chief of staff, either declined to endorse him or issued dire public warnings about his return to the presidency.

While Harris focused much of her initial message around themes of joy, Trump channeled a powerful sense of anger and resentment among voters.

He seized on frustrations over high prices and fears about crime and migrants who illegally entered the country on Bidens watch. He also highlighted wars in the Middle East and Russias invasion of Ukraine to cast Democrats as presiding over  and encouraging  a world in chaos.

It was a formula Trump perfected in 2016, when he cast himself as the only person who could fix the countrys problems, often borrowing language from dictators.

In 2016, I declared I am your voice. Today I add: I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution, he said in March 2023.

This campaign often veered into the absurd, with Trump amplifying bizarre and disproven rumors that migrants were stealing and eating pet cats and dogs in an Ohio town. At one point, he kicked off a rally with a detailed story about the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer in which he praised his genitalia.

But perhaps the defining moment came in July when a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A bullet grazed Trumps ear and killed one of his supporters. His face streaked with blood, Trump stood and raised his fist in the air, shouting Fight! Fight! Fight! Weeks later, a second assassination attempt was thwarted after a Secret Service agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through the greenery while Trump was playing golf.

Trumps return to the White House seemed unlikely when he left Washington in early 2021 as a diminished figure whose lies about his defeat sparked a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He was so isolated at the time that few outside of his family bothered to attend the send-off he organized for himself at Andrews Air Force Base, complete with a 21-gun salute.

Democrats who controlled the U.S. House quickly impeached him for his role in the insurrection, making him the only president to be impeached twice. He was acquitted by the U.S. Senate, where many Republicans argued that he no longer posed a threat because he had left office.

But from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump  aided by some elected Republicans  worked to maintain his political relevance. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the California Republican who at the time led his party in the U.S. House, visited Trump soon after he left office, essentially validating his continued role in the party.

As the 2022 midterm election approached, Trump used the power of his endorsement to assert himself as the unquestioned leader of the party. His preferred candidates almost always won their primaries, but some went on to defeat in elections that Republicans viewed as within their grasp. Those disappointing results were driven in part by a backlash to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that revoked a womans constitutional right to an abortion, a decision that was aided by Trump-appointed justices. The midterm election prompted questions within the GOP about whether Trump should remain the partys leader.

But if Trumps future was in doubt, that changed in 2023 when he faced a wave of state and federal indictments for his role in the insurrection, his handling of classified information and election interference. He used the charges to portray himself as the victim of an overreaching government, an argument that resonated with a GOP base that was increasingly skeptical  if not outright hostile  to institutions and established power structures.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who challenged Trump for the Republican nomination, lamented that the indictments sucked out all the oxygen from this years GOP primary. Trump easily captured his partys nomination without ever participating in a debate against DeSantis or other GOP candidates.

With Trump dominating the Republican contest, a New York jury found him guilty in May of 34 felony charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex. He faces sentencing later this month, though his victory poses serious questions about whether he will ever face punishment.

He has also been found liable in two other New York civil cases: one for inflating his assets and another for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996.

Trump is subject to additional criminal charges in an election-interference case in Georgia that has become bogged down. On the federal level, hes been indicted for his role in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election and improperly handling classified material. When he becomes president on Jan. 20, Trump could appoint an attorney general who would erase the federal charges.

As he prepares to return to the White House, Trump has vowed to swiftly enact a radical agenda that would transform nearly every aspect of American government. That includes plans to launch the largest deportation effort in the nations history, to use the Justice Department to punish his enemies, to dramatically expand the use of tariffs and to again pursue a zero-sum approach to foreign policy that threatens to upend longstanding foreign alliances, including the NATO pact.

When he arrived in Washington 2017, Trump knew little about the levers of federal power. His agenda was stymied by Congress and the courts, as well as senior staff members who took it upon themselves to serve as guardrails.

This time, Trump has said he would surround himself with loyalists who will enact his agenda, no questions asked, and who will arrive with hundreds of draft executive orders, legislative proposals and in-depth policy papers in hand.

 By ZEKE MILLER, MICHELLE L. PRICE, WILL WEISSERT and JILL COLVIN Associated Press Associated Press writer Jill Colvin reported from Palm Beach, Florida
Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost.

If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below.
The opposition to the appearance of soldiers from North Korea in the Russian Federation should be quite strong; the first battles with North Korean soldiers open a new page of instability in the world, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"I want to thank everyone in the world who responded to the appearance of North Korean soldiers in Russia. And who responded not only with words, but are also preparing appropriate actions to support our defense here in Ukraine. Terror, unfortunately, can spread like a virus when it does not meet with sufficient resistance. Now the resistance must be sufficient. Strong enough. The first battles with North Korean soldiers open a new page of instability in the world," Zelenskyy said in his video address on Tuesday evening.
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here.

Is Earth more peaceful now than it was four years ago?

No.

President Donald J. Trump left the world relatively tranquil. Nearly four years of Kamala Harris's and Joe Biden's strategic ham-handedness have made war the new normal.

According to the Jewish Virtual Library, during Trump's first 45 months  January 20, 2017 through October 25, 2020  Israel's enemies fired 1,171 rockets and mortars at the Jewish State. Kamala-Biden's analogous figure: 24,560  up 1,997%.

During Trump's fourth year in office  such onslaughts totaled 128. Kamala-Biden: 11,441  up 8,883%.

"The rise in rocket attacks on Israel in recent years, especially over the past 12-plus months, shows how Iran and its proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas become more emboldened as they see more strategic daylight between the United States and Israel," said Jewish Institute for National Security of America President Michael Makovsky.

"Harris and Biden did everything they could to throw Iran's terrorist leaders a lifeline after President Trump had them in a box, broke, and begging for mercy," said John Ullyot, Trump's National Security Council spokesman. The author of The Biden-Harris Betrayal: Weak and Woke on the World Stage added: "They Venmo'd Iran's leaders tens of billions of dollars by breaking Trump's vise-grip of sanctions, and the Mullahs wasted not a second in passing this windfall on to their puppets  Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis."

"With President Trump, we had maximum pressure and the Abraham Accords. And now, with Harris and Biden, we have maximum chaos," Brigadier General Anthony Tata, U.S. Army (Retired) told Fox & Friends on October 26. Indeed, Trump brokered four peace agreements between Israel and Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, and Morocco. Tata added: "The whole region is on fire right now, because of the Harris-Biden incompetence."

Thursday's bad news confirmed that the world was safer four years ago.

Trump nicknamed North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un as Little Rocket Man, amusing millions and annoying America's stone-faced foreign-policy establishment.

Trump and Kim shared a June 2018 summit in Singapore and, eight months later, a second huddle  in Hanoi. In June 2019, Trump journeyed to the Demilitarized Zone. Walking mere feet into the Hermit Kingdom, Trump ventured historical miles when he shook Kim's hand on his own soil.

While Trump did not denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, he kept Kim calm. The underground atomic-bomb tests that Kim repeatedly triggered during Obama-Biden stopped after he met Trump. So did Kim's long-range test missiles, which had boosted their potential reach, ever-closer to America's shores. While Trump was in command, Little Rocket Man stayed cool.

Similarly, Obama-Biden watched Russian thug Vladimir Putin invade and then annex Ukraine's Crimea region. But during Trump's tenure, Putin kept his tanks to himself.

In frightful contrast, Kamala and Joe's lassitude proved provocative. After witnessing America's shambolic August 2021 abandonment of Afghanistan to the Taliban, Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Two years and eight months later, the carnage grinds on. Despite $106 billion in U.S. military assistance to Kiev, this conflict seems light years from conclusion.

Even worse, some 8,000 North Korean troops are in Russia's Kursk region and could start fighting Ukrainian forces "in the coming days," Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Halloween. With an Asian nuclear power about to embroil itself in this European conflict, it's beginning to look a lot like World War III.

Also worrisome: Little Rocket Man on Thursday conducted his most ominous missile trial yet. This ICBM flew for 86 minutes and climbed 4,350 miles  new milestones for Pyongyang. By comparison, the International Space Station orbits at 250 miles.

From Israel to Ukraine to North Korea, the rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air give proof that Earth was safer four years ago. Through Tuesday, voters have a clear choice: four more years of Kamala's chaos or four more years of Donald J. Trump's Peace through Strength, no new wars, and treaties piling up like autumn leaves.

 2025 Deroy Murdock
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The holding of COP29 emphasizes Azerbaijan's prestige on the global stage, the chief expert on Islam at the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue at the Vatican, Monsignor Khaled Akasheh told Trend.

This conference is of great importance, and the fact that we are holding a meeting of religious leaders in preparation for this event further strengthens its significance. Holding COP29 is a major international event that emphasizes the prestige of Azerbaijan in the world arena, he said.

To note, within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Committee for Work with Religious Entities, the Muslim Council of Elders, the Caucasus Muslims Department (CMD) and the UN Environment Program are holding a Global Summit of Religious Leaders in Baku.

About 30 religious leaders, heads of influential religious centers - patriarchs, Vatican and Al-Azhar officials, world-known religious and public figures representing different continents, confessions, state, scientific and religious figures representing a total of 55 countries and 30 international organizations, as well as media representatives are expected to participate in the global forum.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. An informal dinner was held for the heads of state and government participating in the 11th Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the event.
With Bonfire Night tonight, residents across Devon are gearing up to mark November 5 with fireworks and festivities.

Bonfire Night, celebrated across the UK, commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

In preparation, various organisations are offering important reminders for staying safe and protecting the environment.

Environment Agency: Prevent pollution by ising the right materials

The Environment Agency advises that only dry, untreated, and unpainted wood; along with small amounts of paper or cardboard; should be burned on bonfires.

Using household waste, like plastic, glass, or metal, can cause pollution harmful to people, wildlife, and the environment, and may result in fines up to 50,000.

Additionally, residents are urged to check bonfires for hedgehogs and other wildlife that may have taken shelter before lighting them, and to prevent others from adding inappropriate materials to their fires.

National Grid Electricity Distribution: Avoid power hazards

National Grid Electricity Distribution is reminding Devon residents to celebrate safely by keeping bonfires and fireworks far from power lines and substations.

The organisation, responsible for managing electricity infrastructure in Devon, highlights that smoke, heat, and sparks from bonfires can damage power lines and potentially cause outages or electrical hazards.

They suggest planning bonfire displays in daylight to identify any nearby hazards and keeping celebrations well away from any electrical equipment.

Dogs Trust Ilfracombe: Supporting pets through fireworks

With many dogs affected by firework noise, Dogs Trust Ilfracombe offers guidance to help pets feel calm during the evenings celebrations.

The charity advises pet owners to stay home with their dogs, create a cosy space, and play music to mask firework sounds.

Ensuring that dogs are walked and fed earlier in the day can also help them settle before the fireworks begin.

The organisation encourages owners to seek veterinary advice if their dog has a history of firework-related anxiety.

South Western Ambulance Service: Safety tips for fireworks and bonfires

The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is urging people to prioritise safety, advising that organised firework events are generally safer than home displays.

Their recommendations include standing back from fireworks, avoiding alcohol if handling fireworks, and wearing gloves when using sparklers.

Residents are also advised to keep a safe distance of at least five metres from bonfires and avoid burning hazardous materials like aerosols, batteries, and painted objects, as these can release toxic fumes or cause explosions.

With these safety tips in mind, Devon residents can enjoy a safe and memorable Bonfire Night.
Fearing injury to hoards of costumed street-crossers, the annual Halloween parade in downtown Sisters changed the popular event, moving it to Village Green. Parents and organizers agreed the event was an unqualified success.

The event is sponsored by Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD). Jen Holland, its executive director, told The Nugget, "Trunk-or-Treat was a huge success! We saw over 1,000 people at this event and heard nothing but praise from eventgoers. One of the main hits was our Zombie Flash Mob led by Carol Ast and our Zumba class. Thank you to our sponsors, Sisters Rotary Club and St. Charles Health System. We hope to grow this event next year, so be on the lookout to sign up to host a trunk-or-treat station late next summer."

More than a dozen business, family, and civic participants provided the fun. Most backed a truck or van to the west side of the park and opened the hatch or tailgate from which they dispensed trinkets or candy. Others staffed game tables inside the park.

Photo by Bill Bartlett

Trick or treaters began lining up around 3 p.m., and snaked their way around a designated path to maximize flow. Children and family members braved what had been a day-long rain event, but magically the skies cleared and remained dry for the ensuing two hours.

"We were coming no matter what," said Bree Dawson whose three tykes were outfitted in elaborate costumes. "Hey, we're Oregonians, right. Not going to let a little rain get in the way of a good time."

Luna Michaels said, "We would have never heard the end of it if we had chickened out." Husband Keith agreed. "This is just too important for all the kids. They look forward to it every year as much as Christmas I think."

Everyone was pleased with the change to concentrate the event in a spacious safe zone. Elm Street was closed between Jefferson and Washington streets in front of the fire station. The trucks and ambulances had all been moved and the truck bays turned into a game and treat cavern.

Sisters Fire personnel and other volunteers contributed to the merriment. This was Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire District's chief Tony Prior's first Halloween in Sisters, and he was visibly delighted with the outcome.

"This is a real treat for me to see so many of our community gather in such a fun way," he said.

In years past, the children paraded up and down Main, Cascade, and Hood avenues gobbling up treats from shops and businesses whose owners and staff donned costumes. Led by the Sisters Business Association they once again suited up, but this time children, mostly accompanied by parents, left Village Green and made the stroll in family units, not 50-100 in organized groups as in prior years. This presented fewer traffic disruptions, and was less risky.

The biggest thrill to trick-or-treaters and their adult companions was the Zombie flash mob put on by the Zumba Class dancers, a regular activity of SPRD.

This high-energy, upbeat class is a full-body workout set to a mixture of spicy Latin and International music.

After the dancers' routine the kids joined in to the background music of songs like Michael Jackson's iconic "Thriller."

"This is a Norman Rockwell moment if ever I saw one," said Dawn Holman from Cloverdale.

Many parents expressed relief in having this kind of event, making it unnecessary to go door-to-door trick or treating in the neighborhoods in the dark.

"It's really so much safer this way and takes a lot of pressure off parents," said Piper Farber.
On November 4, 2024, Kapital Bank, the Education Development Fund (EDF), and Visa international payment technology company officially launched the Student Plus card, a new solution aimed at enhancing the student experience. The launch event took place at Baku State University (BSU), where the top 14 first-year students with the highest entrance exam scores were presented with the very first TlbPlus cards.

In his opening speech, BSU Rector Elchin Babayev expressed his confidence in the success of this initiative. He emphasized that higher education institutions would benefit significantly from the opportunities created by the Student Plus card, which offers students an array of advantages across various services. These include discounts related to education, healthcare, culture, and more, making it easier for students to access essential services.

Elnur Nasibov, Chairman of the Education Development Fund, congratulated the first users of the Student Plus cards from BSU and highlighted this initiative as an exemplary model of public-private partnership. He also announced that the next phase of the project would extend to and secondary education institutions, allowing educators to benefit from the project in the following academic year.

Qara Abdulrahmanov, Director of the Corporate Sales Department at Kapital Bank, noted that beyond offering exclusive privileges, the Student Plus card would make students' lives easier by bringing their daily transactions into a digital platform, providing a more efficient way to monitor expenses.

Nurlan Hajiyev, Visas Country Manager for Azerbaijan, expressed their commitment to supporting education in Azerbaijan and shared his pride in being part of this project.

The Student Plus card offers students special discounts and privileges with over 200 popular partners in areas such as education centers, clothing, food, and dining. Additionally, through an agreement with the Ministry of Culture, students will benefit from discounts at cultural venues, museums, and exhibition halls. Future plans include extending these benefits to services in sports, healthcare, and transportation.

Kapital Bank, the country's first bank, is part of PASHA Holding. Kapital Bank has the largest service network in Azerbaijan with 119 branches and 53 departments all over the country. For more detailed information about the banks products and services, please refer to https://kapitalbank.az website, 196 Call Centre or the banks various social network pages. To apply for a consumer loan visit https://kbl.az/prgtk, for a Birbank installment card visit https://kbl.az/prcrc.
Bend-based author and poet Ellen Waterston will present essays from her forthcoming book, We Could Die Doing This: Dispatches on Ageing from Oregons Outback, along with poetry from her award-winning books on Thursday, November 14, at 6:30 p.m.

Inspired by the example of the Poets Laureate who have preceded me, I am eager to share my love of poetry, place, and the power of the written word with Oregons diverse audiences, said Waterston, and to kindling creativity and community as I go.

As a card-carrying member of the over-the-hill gang, award-winning high desert author and Oregons 11th Poet Laureate, Ellen Waterston, engages the reader in a rollicking conversation about ageing in We Could Die Doing This: Dispatches on Ageing from Oregons Outback, her fourth nonfiction title. These lyrical short takes range from sacred to profane, sassy to compassionate, as Waterston addresses everything from green burial to sex to after seventy.

As poet and memoirist Judith Barrington says of this collection of short essays, Most of us, whether of that certain age or simply approaching it, need to listen to Waterstons thoughts on the joyful possibilities of the third act; Waterston believes that this phase of life is as rich, complex and dynamic as any before it.

Caryl and Jay Casbon said, You can bank on wickedly fresh language, original perspectives, and a rich mix of politics, nature, and dangerous opinions. After reading an essay, you will think about it. You will want to read it again.

Waterston has published four poetry and four literary nonfiction titles. She is founder of the Writing Ranch which, since 2000, has conducted workshops for established and emerging writers, and of the annual Waterston Desert Writing Prize, established in 2015 and adopted in 2019 as a program of the High Desert Museum. In 2024 she was appointed to a two-year term as the 11th Oregon Poet Laureate and awarded both the Literary Arts of Portlands Stewart H. Holbrook and Soapstone Bread and Roses awards recognizing her work as an author and advocate for the literary arts. She serves on the guest faculty of OSU-Cascades MFA in Creative Writing. Ellen is completing a fifth collection of poetry.

For a profile of Waterston, see The Nuggets fall edition of Spirit of Central Oregon magazine, at newsstands around Sisters or at http://www.issuu.com/nuggetnewspaper/docs/spirit_2024_fall.

Paulina Springs Books is located at 252 W. Hood Ave.
Jennifer Spor Sturdivant, a 1993 graduate of Sisters High School, is back as the executive director of Sisters Senior Living.

Photo by Sue Stafford

Sisters Senior Living, formerly known as The Lodge, has been purchased by Washington resident Chris Blackburn, who also has a home at Black Butte Ranch. Management of the facility is the responsibility of Artegan, with facilities in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and Maryland.

Sturdivant was formerly the marketing/sales specialist and executive director for The Lodge between January 2019 and March 2023. She also served a stint as executive director for Regency Village in Redmond. Jeni attended Sisters Elementary School and Middle School, spent three years at Redmond High School when Sisters didn't have a high school, and returned to the new Sisters High School (now the middle school building) to be in the first graduating class in 1993. Her dad worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Sisters.

Her first job was working at The Gallery restaurant for 10 years before she worked in retail management in Bend. When her maternal grandparents in Sisters were aging, she helped care for them and realized her desire to "give back." Her first job at Touchmark in Bend provided her the opportunity to experience all aspects of senior living. She went on to be the marketing director for three years at Regency Village in Bend before joining The Lodge staff in Sisters when it opened. She met The Lodge activity director Alea Schliep years before when they both worked in retail.

Sturdivant received her bachelor's degree in human service management with a concentration in gerontology from Phoenix University. She and her husband Demitrius live in Redmond. She has two adult daughters, Tiffany 28, and Lexi 25, who live together in Hillsboro.

Jeni finds her chosen career very rewarding.

"I enjoy making a difference in seniors' lives and making them feel valued. I am blessed to come to work every day where I can help them feel heard and understood...My passion lies in making every senior or person matter and bringing joy to their lives," she said.

It is gratifying when family members say, "We're so happy our mom is here." She said, "We take care of their parent so they can relax and be the parent's children."

Sturdivant has been in her new position since mid-September, and is busy learning the new management company's routines. She is creating some structural changes, and intends to be transparent with everyone, ensuring that residents and families are all heard. She has hired a new culinary director who formerly owned and operated Baltazar's Restaurant in Bend. With a change in management and name, the residents were asked to select a new logo. This past week, a professional videographer and photographer came to the facility to shoot footage for social media purposes.

Currently, the center has 89 percent occupancy with two move-ins scheduled over the next month. The capacity for Sisters Senior Living is 95 residents. There are studio, one-, and two-bedroom units. Respite care, with a 30-day minimum stay, is available if there is an open unit.

Sturdivant is "happy to be back and looking forward to getting to know all the residents and their families."

For more information, visit http://www.sistersseniorliving.com or call 541-549-5634.
Jennifer Holland has been developing and delivering programs for Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) for the past five years. She's been working in the field since she was 15 years old, and had previously worked as a program manager with Willamalane Park and Recreation District in Springfield.

Last summer, she determined that she needed to enhance her education in the strategic aspects of her work.

"I felt I needed more education around the bigger picture of local government, and how politics plays into that," she told The Nugget. "I wanted to be the best person I could be in this position to serve the community."

Photo by Jim Cornelius

Holland enrolled in an online Masters in Public Administration program through Louisiana State University in September, 2021, and graduated with her with a Master in Public Administration degree in August 2024.

Holland had the advantage of being able to apply her work in Sisters to her academic work. She did her practicum at SPRD where she focused on the planning and development of the new community center, which will be housed at the former Sisters Elementary School site.

"I think I was one of very few (in the program) who had been working in the field for a long time on such a big project," she said.

The program drew students from across the nation - many of them aspiring to city management positions. Holland said she was the only parks & recreation person in the program.

The program involved challenges of organizational analysis, using different "frames" to analyze problems, Holland said.

"When a problem is in front of you, there's not only one answer, and there's not only one cause," she said.

The master's program covered critical thinking, strategic planning, and the political aspects of working in the public sector.

In practical terms, that means building relationships with policy-makers whose efforts can have a direct impact on what her district can do. It also means working with other local agencies.

"We are a smaller district," she said. "We have limited resources."

That puts a premium on strong relationships with the school district and the City of Sisters.

Holland said that the organizational analysis portion of the program was particularly applicable as SPRD seeks to avail themselves of opportunities, while simultaneously not taking on more than their capacity can allow.

The SPRD director noted that the program's emphasis on organizational culture and its impact on effectiveness was striking.

"I never really thought of it as that impactful all the way down to what your client is getting," she said. "That was a big 'ah-hah' for me."

Holland's extensive hands-on operational experience helped her in her final exam, which she was able to approach with applied knowledge.

The SPRD board of directors was very supportive of Holland's professional development efforts, and is proud of her accomplishment in earning her degree.

"I really appreciate the board's support for me to get my degree," she said.
Sisters residents have a unique opportunity to learn how to make a difference in Sisters Country. On Sunday, November 10, 4 to 6 p.m., at the Sisters Fire District community hall, What Do You Do With an Idea? is being sponsored by two local nonprofits, Citizens4Community (C4C) and Age Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC). Kellen Klein, C4C executive director, will facilitate the workshop which can be attended in person or livestreamed online. The event will also be recorded for later viewing.

Local individuals and groups often have good ideas for ways to build community or create great new opportunities but dont have the necessary knowledge to bring their ideas to fruition. Hear from a variety of leaders with experience in establishing and/or running nonprofit and social-impact organizations. Speakers include Roundhouse Foundation Executive Director Erin Borla, City of Sisters Mayor Michael Preedin, and representatives from AFSC, Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS), Sisters Community Leadership Initiative (SCLI), Rotary Club of Sisters, Living Well With Dementia Sisters, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC), and The Grant Lab.

Age Friendly Sisters Country is an organization that helps other groups get started. Their biggest success story to date is STARS, which became the first AFSC team, benefitting from AFSCs nonprofit status and guidance in the early days of their becoming a functioning organization. STARS has become an independent non-profit which offers free rides to medical appointments for those unable to drive themselves. AFSC provided the opportunity for STARS to secure necessary volunteers, become firmly established on a sound financial base, work out any problem areas and streamline their operations, and recruit a board of directors.

The workshop is an opportunity for community members to learn how and where to volunteer or what it takes to establish, finance, and run an organization or individual effort.

Mike Deal, AFSCs board president, explained, Weve heard from many people who have great ideas but arent sure how to implement them. Our workshop will walk them through the ins and outs of various pathways like volunteering, fiscal sponsorship, starting a nonprofit, and more.

This is really a Nonprofits 101 kind of event, said Klein. There are so many opportunities for residents of Sisters Country to put their time, treasure, and talents toward worthy local causes. But knowing where to dive in can be overwhelming. We aim to demystify the process  showing folks different levels of engagement based on their interest and capacity.

The workshop will help answer questions like:

 Where do volunteer opportunities exist in Sisters Country?

 What does serving on a nonprofit board look like?

 What does it take to start a nonprofit?

 What is fiscal sponsorship, and how can it be an efficient way to launch a new community program?

 Where does one find funding for a new community program or initiative?

The event is free, but registration is requested for both in-person and online attendance and is accessible at bit.ly/wdydwai. The workshop is possible thanks to support from St. Charles Health System, AARP, and the City of Sisters. Transportation assistance, interpretation services, and childcare stipends are also available upon request; email [email protected] to inquire.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline.

The erupted 44-day second Karabakh war ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation and the restoration of territorial integrity.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by the Spanish EFE news agency.

Trend presents the interview.

-Good morning, Mr. President. Thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions in your busy time.

-Thank you for this opportunity.

-You are now entering the 6th week of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. What is at this point the situation on the frontline?

-Situation on the frontline is showing the dominance of Azerbaijani army, we liberate one village, one city after another. And during this time on the battlefield Azerbaijan liberated large part of its territory which was under occupation for almost thirty years, and successful offensive operation of the Azerbaijani army continues. And this once again shows that we are a strong country, and we are fighting on our own soil. We restore the internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan, territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. By the way, we implement the United Nations Security Council resolutions, which demanded withdrawal of Armenian troops from our territories but were not implemented by Armenia for almost thirty years.

-You want to recover the seven occupied districts-5+2. How much of those lands have you already recovered?

-Actually 4 of the 5 occupied districts have already been liberated, either completely or partially. Today we are in an active phase of de-occupation of other districts which have been under occupation. And as I said, we implement the UN Security Council resolutions, and by the way we implement part of the basic principles. Because the basic principles for settlement which have been proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group actually demanded the liberation of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, Armenia was not willing to do it voluntarily. Therefore, we had to force them to do it.

-Both sides have agreed already to three humanitarian ceasefire. But it helped not even a few minutes. Why wasnt it possible to stop the war and sit down to talks?

-I think one of the reasons why these ceasefires didnt work, was the attempt of Armenia to regain back the territories which have been already liberated by us. In other words, they wanted to occupy them again. Therefore, they tried to use the ceasefire, which as you correctly mentioned was announced on humanitarian grounds, in order to mobilize their resources and launch a new attack. And when they failed to do it, they launched a ballistic missile attack from the territory of Armenia on the second largest city of Azerbaijan, Ganja. They did it twice. But first time on the 10th of October right after the ceasefire was announced. And that caused the killings of almost 10 civilians and tens have been wounded. So, they brutally violated the first ceasefire. The second ceasefire also was violated by them in about five minutes after the announced time. And the third ceasefire they violated by attacking the peaceful city of Barda, where 21 civilians were killed and 70 wounded. So, all three times it was Armenian deliberate, aggressive attack on us, and we had to respond, we had to defend ourselves.

-You said that you want a concrete calendar for the withdrawal of Armenian troops. Armenia said they are willing to compromise and not to surrender or capitulate those territories. Are you willing to compromise too and what compromise it looks like?

-First of all, our position has been already many times declared during these almost forty days. On many occasions, I said that our task is to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, return one million Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons to their homelands, to the territories where they lived for centuries. And after that, to provide peaceful co-existence between Azerbaijani and Armenian community in that area. Our position is based on the common sense, on humanitarian grounds and is supported by international community. So, it is very clear, Armenia, when they talk about compromise they do not say anything concrete. They talk only about self-determination. But self-determination is not a compromise on their side. They should be more accurate in their position because it is very ambiguous now. Therefore, we demanded the time-table for withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories. And we demanded it from the very first day of the clashes. So, if Armenia listened to us, and behaved in a reasonable way, today we wouldnt have had the situation which we are now facing. The war would have stopped maybe a month ago. Therefore, compromise from Armenian side should be very precise. And the time-table for withdrawal from part of Aghdam district which is still under occupation and from Kalbajar and Lachin should be presented to us. And Armenian prime minister should personally declare that. Not only do they not give us the time-table, but they also do not say that they will liberate those territories. During all this time, since 27 September, never Armenian military-political leadership said anything about liberation of territories. In this case, they actually show disrespect to Minsk Group co-chairs, who elaborated these principles providing return of seven territories and they actually lead to more escalation. So, we expect from Armenian prime minister to say openly, publicly that they will withdraw from Kalbajar, Lachin and the remaining part of Aghdam.

-And if not, there is only the military option for you.

-Nothing is left, there is no other option. We dont want to continue military operations. I said many times and can repeat today, if Armenian prime minister, personally him, the person who is responsible for this bloodshed makes such a statement, we are ready to stop immediately. I am a person who keeps his words, and we will do it. But he doesnt say. He wants to win time, he wants to have the ceasefire in order to get some more military assistance. He wants to use this ceasefire in order to launch new attacks on Azerbaijan, and to regain back the territories which we liberated. Thats what he is after.

-Are you willing to sit down at this point with Mr. Pashinyan or is there no point in it?

-No. No point in that at all. I had many meetings with him during the last two years. But all of them were absolutely useless and senseless. Except the first meetings where he promised me that if Azerbaijan gives him a time after the so-called revolution, he will make his homework, he will strengthen his position politically in Armenia. Then, he will be willing to work constructively in order to implement the basic principles. That was what he told me in the early months of his leadership in Armenia. But after a year, he said completely different things. He said that there will be no centimeter of land to be returned to Azerbaijan. He said "Karabakh is Armenia". He said that Azerbaijan has to negotiate with the so-called "authorities of this quasi entity Nagorno-Karabakh". So, he did everything to destroy negotiation process. Therefore, at this point, I dont see any sense meeting with him. Our foreign ministers met recently in Geneva. And I think, this is the proper format now for the communications.

-You said that almost during thirty years the Minsk Group did nothing, or didnt reach any to recover the occupied territories. What do you expect from US, Russia and France?

-Yes, you are right, I said that Minsk Group did not deliver any result. But at the same time, I said that I cannot completely ignore their activity and only criticize them. Because the basic principles which are on the table now, it is the principles which were elaborated with the assistance of the Minsk Group. So, they worked, they tried. But they did not use all their tools which they have in order to press Armenia to withdraw the territories. Each of these countries unilaterally has enough leverages on Armenia, whether its military support, political support, economic support, diaspora support et cetera. But they did not use these instruments in their hands. They did not insist on implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions which they themselves adopted as permanent members of the UN Security Council. Therefore, the fact that there was no result, of course, demonstrates their unwillingness rather than they could not. If they could not, then who can? Can you find more powerful countries in the world? The three permanent members of the Security Council cannot influence small, impoverished, dependent Armenia? They just didnt want. They wanted the situation to be stable, this is true. They wanted a peaceful scenario. But when they saw that for almost thirty years there is no peaceful scenario, and the new Armenian government actually destroys the process by statements and actions, I think they should have acted.

And I called many times, talking with their leaders, talking with their high-ranking officials, insert pressure on Armenia, put sanctions. If you dont want to put sanctions, at least pronounce it. Announce it that the sanctions will be imposed, otherwise there will be no other mechanism to influence this aggressor. So, today, I think they realized that what they were saying many years, that there is no military solution to the conflict was wrong. And we changed that reality. There is a military solution. But today, what we are talking about lets just close that page of military solution and move to the political solutions. So, military-political solution must prevail. We are ready to stop today if Armenian prime minister says what I already demanded from him and peace process should be based now on implementation of the rest part of the basic principles which partly have been already implemented. We need a precise time-table for Kalbajar, Lachin and part of Aghdam to be liberated. And then, I think the peace will come to the region.

-I now want to ask you about the statements of Amnesty International that both sides actually have used cluster bombs and now you and also Yerevan is saying that both sides use phosphorous weapons against the civilians. Do you use weapons internationally forbidden?

-We do not use forbidden weapons. We have enough ammunition in order to restore our territorial integrity, first. Second, we do not attack civilians, we do not attack cities in Nagorno-Karabakh after 10th of October. Before, yes, we admit it. But that was because most of the military units and infrastructure of Armenian army was concentrated in the so-called capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, Khankandi. So we had to. We had to hit those important military objects in order to provide security for us and to make our operation more efficient. But after the humanitarian ceasefire was announced, and many times we announced that, we never hit any city or any village, where people lived. What Armenian did on the contrary, they launched ballistic missiles from Armenian territory to Ganja, and it is proved. Though Armenian prime minister said it was not them, but it is ridiculous. Because ballistic missile launch is being monitored by the satellites. Everybody knows from where it was launched and what was the goal of that missile. It was deliberately hitting the civilian compounds in Ganja, two times. They hit Barda two times with very destructive "Smerch" missiles. 21 persons were killed and 70 wounded only by one attack. There have been many attacks. They attacked a funeral ceremony in Tartar. That is absolutely beyond any norms of human behavior. When people were burying the person who died they hit the cemetery and four people were killed. And the cluster bombs which they used have been verified by international media and NGOs. I am sure that the first who reported about that were international media who visited them. And Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch just didnt have any other option rather than to acknowledge that. But the question is, why they didnt come in the first place to Azerbaijan. Why were they working only on Armenian side? Only after international media, Western media showed those cluster bombs which Armenians use, then these two NGOs confirmed that. It is good that they did. But frankly speaking I cannot imagine how they could not confirm it, because its obvious.

-Russia, Mr. Lavrov said yesterday there are nearly 2000 mercenaries battling or combatting in Nagorno-Karabakh. What do you say regarding this?

-I answered many times to this groundless accusations, and I frankly speaking, regret that high-ranking officials of countries which supposed to be neutral, which supposed to be acting within their mandate which was given to them by OSCE, use this unverified, groundless so-called information and rumors, first. Second, we dont have any mercenaries. Many times I said about that, we dont need them. We have an army of 100 thousand fighters. We can recruit several times more, if we announce total mobilization which we dont do unlike what Armenia did. There is no evidence of any foreign fighters fighting on our side. No evidence during this time since more than one month. Not a single document, not a single proof was given to us, only statements. But then why they dont see what is happening on Armenian side? How many mercenaries are fighting on Armenian side? Why neither Russia, nor France which tries to accuse us, why didnt say anything about that? We have a list of people already eliminated with foreign passports. American, French, Canadian, Lebanese, from Iraq, from countries of the post-Soviet area. Tens of them coming from Georgia. Yes, they are native Armenians, but it doesnt make any difference. If they are citizens of other country, they are considered to be acting there illegally. And so far, nothing was said about that. Though, we have proofs. We have passports in our hands. We have evidence, video. Nothing is said about that. So, this is a selective approach which cannot be accepted by us. It is not in line with the mandate of mediators. I said many times, mediators must be neutral. If they take sides, its up to them, but then they have to step down from mediation. Every country can have good or bad relations with any country. We understand there is special feelings towards Armenians due to some reasons from some countries. But in national capacity, we dont mind. But if you are mediator, please, be neutral. And stay away from accusations. If we start to accuse, those who accuse us about mercenaries, about what they do in different parts of the world, it will be a long story, very long story. We dont do it. Therefore, we expect the same from our partners.

-What do you say to those who state that Turkey is not only giving you political help, but also a military one?

-I would say that this is another provocation, another false news. There is no any military support from Turkey, apart from the fact that we are buying modern military equipment from Turkey. This is true. And this is a sophisticated, modern equipment that I think every army in the world would have envied about. And Turkeys military industrial complex really demonstrates miracles. And this equipment helps us a lot on the battlefield. But we buy it. We sign contracts. Everything is transparent. Everything is legal. We buy weapons from other countries. Why nobody talks about how many weapons we bought from Russia? Only Turkey. Because Turkey is now in the center of attack from unfortunately, different European politicians. There are attempts to demonize Turkey. There are attempts to blackmail Turkey, to press it. This is absolutely unacceptable. We buy, main of our weapons from Russia. We buy weapons from other countries. Only Turkey is here. So, this is first. Second, those who always keep saying that Turkey provides military support to us, why dont they say that Russia provides military support to Armenia? A mediator, Minsk Group co-chair. We have proofs in our hands. We delivered this information to Russian officials. How much weapons were delivered to Armenia during this forty days? Why nobody talks about that? Lets talk about that. Lets be fair. Therefore, first, this is wrong. Second, we buy Turkish military equipment and we will continue to do it. And third, there should be no double standards about that. And those, by the way, who tell that Azerbaijan is militarily supported by Turkey, I think should refrain from these absurd accusations.

-Turkey obviously has interests in the region as has also Iran and Russia. Armenia has asked Russia for a possibility to guarantee its security. Do you fear an internationalization of the war?

-That is what Armenia wanted to do from the very beginning. And we were always against. I said many times to all the countries, stay away from this conflict. It is our business, its our battle for territorial integrity. And there should be no attempts to internationalize the conflict. But Armenia did everything to do it. And the letter which Armenian prime minister sent to Russian president, not only demonstrates that they already admit their defeat, that we beat them on the battlefield, it also shows that they want to internationalize the conflict. They want to drag Russia into a direct participation on the ground, which is absolutely unacceptable. As far as I know, it was rejected by Russia and Russian foreign minister issued a statement about that. That maybe Im not precisely correct in my words, but the sense was that the fight is taking place on the territory of Azerbaijan. If Azerbaijan attacks, or if any country attacks Armenia, then Russia will have their obligations. But the battle is going on our soil. So, these attempts I think are absolutely useless. Russian position was articulated by the foreign minister. Iranian position was also articulated. Probably you heard about Iranian plan for the settlement, which provides territorial integrity of countries. And recently, the Iranian religious leader made a statement that Armenia should liberate internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan. So, this is a reaction of two neighbors. Position of Turkey is well-known. It always stands for international law and UN Security Council resolutions. Georgia, on many occasions before, also supported Azerbaijans territorial integrity. This is a position of our neighbors. So, Armenia is in isolation. So, they want to internationalize the conflict. They want to exploit some fake news and some fake news from the history, in order to get support. But the best way for Armenia to act now is to admit their defeat, admit our victory and make a commitment that they will withdraw from the remaining part of the territories.

-If they recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh what would your reaction be?

-You know, if they wanted to recognize, they would have recognized long time ago. Why didnt they recognize it before? Because, they clearly understand that by this very irrational step, negotiations will stop. Absolutely. So, if they do it, there will be nothing to talk about. And then, no peaceful initiative, no basic principles, no future settlement, nothing will be on the table. So, I think that they understand it. They always wanted to use it as a kind of an instrument in order to frighten us, saying that if Azerbaijan does that we will recognize. I tell them many times during this days of war and I tell now, Armenian prime minister, recognize Nagorno-Karabakh today. Do it. Show your courage. Show that your words mean something. Recognize Nagorno-Karabakh today. Again, and you will see that they will not do it. Because they are cowards. They can fight only against peaceful civilians and when they see our strength and our unity they run away.

-Will you be willing to accept an autonomy of the region?

-This should be part of the future discussions, on the basic principles. Because the first part of the basic principles demanded the withdrawal from occupied territories. Five plus two in time-table, then, there were other elements of the basic principles, like security, peacekeeping operations, status of Nagorno-Karabakh and we always were very open to discuss it. We offered them many times different ways, but they rejected. We offered them autonomy inside Azerbaijan. We offered them cultural autonomy, we said that there are good examples in the world, in Europe, in Scandinavia this Aland Islands, in Italy this South Tyrol district, in many other. But they rejected everything. They demanded independence only. And they wanted us to recognize this independence. By doing that they actually knowing that we will never do it, they were doing everything to freeze the conflict. So, I dont know, we need to first to end this hot stage of the conflict, come back to negotiation table. Armenia should make these commitments which I already said. And then we can talk about what will be happening in the future. I cannot say anything about that now.

-Thank you very much, Mr. President. I really appreciate your time.

-Thank you very much for your questions, for your interest in Azerbaijan.
Franciscan officials gathered Monday at the site near the Shrine of Christ's Passion for a groundbreaking ceremony with Diocese of Gary Bishop Robert McClory. It's intended to serve the fast-growing communities of St. John and nearby Cedar Lake, both of which have seen dramatic population growth in recent years.

"It's not just an ordinary building," Northern Indiana Board Chairman Cal Bellamy said. "It's a magnificent new building that will have state-of-the-art new equipment and skilled staff of medical professionals providing compassionate care in the Franciscan tradition."

Franciscan operates hospitals in Munster, Dyer, Crown Point and Michigan City. Like other healthcare providers across the country, it has been shifting services to ambulatory facilities closer to its patients.

"Here we will provide the vital healthcare services to the St. John community in our Franciscan tradition," Board Chairwoman Aline Shultz said. "At this new location, we will meet our patients where they work, live, play and pray. The focus of this project is access of our patients to their immediate healthcare needs. We will provide these services to the St. John community with the same level of commitment that has been the hallmark of our health ministry of nearly 150 years."

In recent years, Franciscan Health has closed older hospitals in Hammond and Chicago Heights and replaced older hospitals in Crown Point and Michigan City. It has invested in new facilities, including the recently opened Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospital at the busy interchange of Interstate 65 and U.S. 231 and a nearby three-story cancer center after landing a record $30 million donation from The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation.

"We've had several of these groundbreakings. The nice thing we're doing is getting our care closer to the community," McCormick said. "The infrastructure needs of South Lake County continues to grow. The landscape continues to change. The new facility reflects the growth of St. John and Franciscan's dedication to the sustainability of this community for decades to come. Healthy communities need housing, education and healthcare at their foundation, to attract, grow and retain residents and businesses. Healthy communities also need faith  faith that brings us and binds us together in our similarities, faith that provides comfort when need and answers when there are none."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent an appeal to the participants of the Global Summit of Religious Leaders under the slogan World Religions for a Green Planet, within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Trend reports.

The appeal reads:

"Dear Summit participants,

I sincerely welcome you to Baku on the occasion of the opening of the Global Summit of Religious Leaders under the slogan World Religions for a Green Planet.

Climate change, atmospheric and environmental pollution, droughts and desertification, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, food shortages, and other global environmental problems facing our world today pose a serious threat to the existence and future of humanity. Addressing the climate crisis and issues of environmental security requires the cooperation of world states and the unification of the international communitys efforts at all levels. I appreciate that influential religious leaders have gathered here for COP events, demonstrating their concern for the fate of our planet and their determination to contribute to the common cause in the spirit of inclusivity.

The abundant spiritual resources of various faiths and beliefs can stimulate solutions to the existential problems brought about by climate change. Religious leaders worldwide can play a major role in addressing these challenges.

The unanimous decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan is an indicator of high confidence in the international reputation of our country, and this is no coincidence. Azerbaijan has joined a number of conventions and agreements related to environmental problems, established cooperation with various countries, and adopted multifaceted activity programs in this field. Effective institutional mechanisms and an investment environment have been put in place by creating the necessary legislative framework for environmental protection in our country. Important steps are currently being taken to implement green energy projects, the use of alternative and renewable energy, as well as the evaluation and elimination of the negative effects on the environment. The year 2024 has been declared the Green World Solidarity Year in Azerbaijan.

Enhancing international security, peace and calm in the world is one of the important factors to combat climate change and environmental problems in general. In the recent past, our country was involved in an unjust war, having been subjected to groundless territorial claims, and had to experience the severe consequences of this bloody war. During your visit to Karabakh, the ancient land of Azerbaijan, you will have the opportunity to see the painful consequences of such criminal acts as ecocide, culturicide, and urbicide committed by Armenia in the 30 years of occupation. You will see firsthand the large-scale reconstruction work underway in our country based on the green economy and renewable energy in order to restore the ecological balance in the region.

It has already become a tradition for Azerbaijan to host prestigious events such as the Global Summit of Religious Leaders, where human problems are discussed. I believe that the effective activities of this Summit will further strengthen the status of our country as a space for inter-civilizational dialogue and make a significant contribution to the Baku Process on intercultural cooperation. Your solidarity, wise suggestions, and recommendations for the sake of a green world will support us in achieving common goals.

Dear religious leaders!

I am sure that the Summit dedicated to these fateful problems will be held under conditions of a constructive exchange of views and to discuss the possibility of establishing a platform for inter-religious cooperation within the framework of the COP. Azerbaijan, the land of tolerance and multiculturalism, is the most suitable place for this.

Once again, I wish you all the best and every success in your benevolent activities for the future of mankind."
Susanne Arndt

FTI Consulting hires Susanne Arndt as a senior managing director within its strategic communications segment. Arndt joins FTI Consulting from H/Advisors Deekeling & Arndt, where she was a managing partner in its Dusseldorf office. She was previously a managing director at communications agency A&B One. In her new post, Arndt will support the expansion of the firms communications and change offering within its people & transformation practice for clients undertaking strategic and pivotal change. Susanne brings deep expertise in driving change, having led numerous company-wide transformation projects. As a leader in this field, she knows how to empower managers and engage employees throughout the process, said FTI Consulting head of strategic communications Germany, Victoria Strachwitz.

Sean Perkins

National Association of Broadcasters names Sean Perkins as CMO and SVP of global connections and events. Perkins joins NAB from the Consumer Technology Association, where he was VP, marketing, directing the marketing and advertising efforts for the yearly CES trade show in Las Vegas. At NAB, Perkins is tasked with heading up marketing efforts for NAB Show and NAB Show New York, as well as driving strategies aimed at increasing engagement and visibility for NABs events. Seans extensive experience in marketing and his proven success in driving growth and visibility will be a tremendous asset to our team. His expertise in event marketing and digital transformation will help us elevate NAB Show and other key initiatives, said NAB managing director and executive vice president, GCE, Karen Chupka.

Grant Williams

Bojangles, a Charlotte, NC-based chain with more than 800 locations, names Grant Williams as VP of digital and omnichannel marketing. Williams was most recently director of international digital retail and delivery at Inspire Brands, which includes such brands as Arbys, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin,' and Jimmy Johns. He has also held senior brand and marketing positions at Starbucks, Tommy Hilfiger and Philips. In his new position, Williams will be tasked with leading the company's digital efforts, focusing on enhancing customer engagement and driving marketing strategies across all platforms. "Grant joins the Bojangles family at the perfect time, as our brand is laser-focused on streamlining an enhanced digital customer experience," said Bojangles CMO Tom Boland.
A brand new 12.5 million housing estate has been officially opened in Clara by the Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District, Councillor Frank Moran.

The homes will take 38 families and individuals off the Offaly housing waiting list.

Willow Drive as the new scheme has been christined has been described as a ''significant housing project delivered under the Housing for All 2022-2026 Social Housing Investment Programme.''

Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Councillor Frank Moran said he was delighted to officially open the development.

''There is high demand for housing in Offaly and these much-needed social homes will provide another 38 families and individuals with homes for life,'' he said.

Cllr Moran continued that, ''although this is a great news story today, I along with Offaly County Councils Elected Members and Executive will continue our efforts to meet the demand going forward.

Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney, praised Council staff and the

design and construction team, stating, Our Capital Design Office, in collaboration with

various agencies and stakeholders, successfully designed and delivered these homes. As

part of the scheme, Offaly County Council delivered the upgrades to the local footpath

infrastructure to ensure safe passage to the town of Clara for the residents of Willow Drive.

Additionally, the estate has been designed to provide a safe and comfortable environment

for both pedestrians and cyclists. Ms Delaney added,

''As with all projects delivered by Offaly County Council, I acknowledge the support and collaboration of our Elected Members who ensure the successful delivery of these high-quality sustainable homes, said Ms Delaney.

Cllr Frank Moran concluded These homes, which are built to an excellent standard, and will

contribute to a thriving future for all residents.

The scheme was designed in partnership with Offaly County Councils

Capital Design office and the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.

Walsh & Associates were the Architects for the development. Hayes Higgins Partnership, Engineers and John J Casey & Co, Quantity Surveyors were appointed by Offaly County Council as the Design Team.

Bretland Construction Group were contractors for the site and construction commenced in March 2023. It finished ahead of schedule in October 2024.

Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland is the Governments multi-annual, multi-billion-euro plan which aims to improve Irelands housing system and deliver more homes of all types for people with different housing needs.
SACRED Heart Schools Junk Kouture team, 'Bale on Me',' created by Alannah Peyton, Karen Greene and Mary Dunne competed in the Junk Kouture Dublin City Final at the RDS.

The team continued the schools extraordinary record in the competition, showcasing their stunning creation in front of a captivated audience.

The 'Bale on Me' dress, made entirely from Bord na Mona briquette straps, wowed the judges with its innovative design and distinctive green colour.

The use of sustainable materials, combined with the creativity behind the concept, ensured the outfit stood out on the final night, making it a true crowd favourite.

This years final marks the eighth consecutive year that Sacred Heart School has reached this prestigious stage of the competition.

With two coveted awards already under its belt from 2019 and 2020, the schools continued success is a testament to its commitment to fostering artistic talent and environmental awareness in its students.

Junk Kouture has become an integral part of the schools culture, encouraging students to think outside the box and develop sustainable designs. The 'Bale on Me' teams achievement at the RDS reflects the passion, creativity, and hard work that Sacred Hearts students consistently bring to the competition.

The schools participation in Junk Kouture remains a source of pride for the local community, and with such a strong track record, many will be looking forward to what Sacred Heart Schools students will achieve next.
MEET Mairead Scally, who recently completed her 150th parkrun at Mountlucas parkrun. For more information about Mountlucas parkrun see parkrun.ie/mountlucas

When did you first complete a parkrun?

I completed my first parkrun at Mountlucas in Spring 2019. I had just gotten into running and wanted to try and get into the habit of completing 5km regularly. From the first time I attended Mountlucas parkrun I loved it- great course, great company, and great craic! I met people at that first parkrun that have become great friends. It has become an important part of my life since then, between participating in parkrun and volunteering at parkrun.

What is your favourite thing about parkrun?

I love running, without a doubt, but the great thing about parkrun is running with great company. Having so many other people there supporting and encouraging you is priceless. I started out participating in parkrun on my own but over time I have introduced my daughter, and then my eldest son, to parkrun. The three of us run together and I get so much joy from seeing my children make progress in their running. It's one of my highlights of motherhood- getting to run with my children, and doing something which we love together. The sense of pride it brings me each week to see them flourish is just phenomenal.

What is your favourite parkrun memory?

There have been so many highs and good memories; it's hard to pick just one. I've really enjoyed completing parkruns in other locations; the most memorable being completing one in Galway with my 2 sisters the morning after we had all attended a friend's wedding. Some of my favourite memories have been celebrating milestones- both my own and other people's. When I completed my 50th parkrun, it fell on my birthday, and was in the lead up to Christmas so there was a magical atmosphere. I also love the memory of my daughter completing her 50th parkrun. It was an unbelievably windy day and we laughed so much as the wind tried to push us back as we ran into it.

How does it feel to have reached the significant milestone of 150 parkruns?

It has taken a long time to reach this milestone. There is no short cut! I am thrilled to have gotten to this point, and to be able to complete my 150th parkrun in the company of my sister and two children was amazing.

What words best describe Mountlucas parkrun?

I think the words I'd choose are inclusive, welcoming and scenic.
TRIBUTE has been paid this week to a key figure in the revival and ongoing success of Tullamore Show and the FBD National Livestock Show, the late Tommy Finlay.

Show Chairman, Joe Molloy, said Tommy Finlay  who passed away on Monday, October 28 last  "built up the Dairy Section of the Show to where it is today."

He said the late Ballydaly farmer "lived and died for the Show" and brought huge "energy and effort to his section".

The Show Chairman  himself a dairy farmer  described Tommy as a decent, hard working man who was way ahead of his time in agricultural practices.

"Tommy was there from the start of the Show . . . he was part of the fabric of the Society as long as I can remember," said the Boora based farmer who recalled the deceased had been bestowed with Honorary Life Membership of the Show along with two other stalwarts  Christy Maye and George Gill  in 2022.

The Show Chairman said the deceased's reputation meant that dairy breeders from across Ireland were keen to exhibit at Tullamore Show and noted he ntroduced new breeds over his thirty plus years at the helm as Chairman of the Dairy Section.

"It is fitting that he handed the baton onto his daughter Martina (Neville) and that the role is still in the family . . she was his shadow over the years."

In an online statement Tullamore Show said: "Tommy was an invaluable asset to Tullamore Show, a gentleman true and true."

A progressive dairy farmer, Tommy was a keen exhibitor of cattle at various shows in Ireland across the 1980s and one of the people behind the foundation of the Laois/ Offaly Friesian Breeders Association.

In the early 1990s, Tommy was invited to the first meeting of Tullamore Show and was elected head of the Dairy Section, a post he was to hold for three decades.

Tommys huge expertise and knowledge resulted in a very successful section which continues to grow.

The Ballydaly man encouraged and mentored many over the years with his calm and pleasant manner.

Speaking at a ceremony in 2022 when Honorary Life Membership was bestowed on him, Show Secretary, Chelsey Cox-McDonald said his expertise and incredible work ethic has meant so much to the Show. His dedication and commitment has been remarkable over many years. The enthusiasm and sheer hard work is unmeasurable. No matter how big the challenge was there was always a solution.

Aged 84, the deceased passed away peacefully at his home in Ballydaly surrounded by his loving family.

The respect and affection in which he was held was shown by the huge attendance at his wake over two days at his home in Ballydaly and at his Funeral Mass in the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore on Wednesday last.

Guards of honour were provided by Tullamore Show and the Laois/ Offaly Friesian Breeders Association.

Burial was to Durrow Cemetery following the celebration of the Funeral Mass.Predeceased by his parents Pat and Elizabeth, infant sister Ann and his brother Bernie, deepest sympathy is extended to his loving wife and best friend Ber, daughters, Martina, Paula, Carmel, Marie and Bernie, sons-in-law, Ollie Neville, Ken Furlong, Andrew Clarke and Cathal Gorman, grandchildren, Enda, Ciara, Orla, William, Aisling, Tom, Liadh, John, Niall, David, Sarah, Rachel, Ava, Rory, Shay and Jack, sisters, Mary Molloy (Kilcormac), Josie Smith (Kilbeggan) and Rose Dunne (Clonaslee), brother Pat (Galway), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, neighbours and a wide circle of friends especially those from the farming community.

May he Rest in Peace.
Rehearsals have commenced in Tullamore for a John B. Keane favourite

REHEARSALS are well underway for Tullamore Amateur Dramatic Society (TADS) and their much anticipated Autumn production.

TADS are proud to present their interpretation of John B. Keane's "The Year of the Hiker" which is running from Tuesday, November 19 to Saturday, November 23 (inclusive) in the Esker Arts Centre, Tullamore.

Set in rural Ireland in the 1960s, John B. Keanes "The Year of the Hiker" tells the tale of a father, who having deserted his family 20 years prior, reappears on his daughters wedding day.

"Hiker" Lacey, knowing he is dying, comes home to finally seek forgiveness from his wife and children.

The play is a character study of an unconventional family, haunted by loss and regret and explores father/son relationships, regret for lost love, and male weakness.

How each of the family come to terms with the Hikers return unfolds in an ambiguous manner.

Tickets can be bought online from www.eskerarts.ie.

For information about TADS go to www.tullamoredrama.ie or check out their online presence on Instagram (tadstullamore) and Facebook (tads.tullamore).
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Russia is doing everything possible to normalize Azerbaijani-Armenian relations, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after receiving the credentials of Azerbaijan's Ambassador Rahman Mustafayev, along with the ambassadors of other countries, Trend reports via the Kremlin's website.

"We have been and continue to work towards the normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations, ensuring durable peace in the South Caucasus. We will keep supporting the efforts towards a peace agreement, the delimitation of state borders, and the unblocking of economic and transportation links in line with the well-known trilateral agreements reached at the highest level in 2020 and 2022," Putin stated.

The President also expressed satisfaction that the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia used the BRICS summit in Kazan as a platform for a productive discussion on key issues related to achieving lasting peace and interethnic harmony in the region.

To note, on October 24, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met in Kazan, Russian Federation, on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit.

The parties had discussions on advancement of the bilateral peace agenda, including peace agreement, delimitation and demarcation of borders, and other issues of mutual concern.

The Foreign Ministers were instructed to continue bilateral negotiations on the Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations with the aim of its finalization and conclusion in the shortest possible period.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaija

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Upon the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Robert Kalinak, the official visit of the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, to Slovakia is ongoing, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.

Within the visit, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, accompanied by the delegation he leads, visited the Military Technical and Testing Institute Zahorie (VTSU).

The Azerbaijani Minister of Defense was given a comprehensive briefing on the history and key areas of the institute's activities.

After getting acquainted with the conditions and educational system at the institute, the Azerbaijani delegation proceeded to the training area, where they were introduced to various combat equipment and attended shooting.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan plays a crucial role in the success of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Kazakh political analyst and assistant professor at the Department of Media Communications and History of Kazakhstan at the International University of Information Technology Aigerim Zhampetova told Trend.

Today, the partnership between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is thriving and covers a wide range of areas, including trade, culture, and education. Both countries are committed to strengthening the influence of the OTS as a major regional organization, which underscores their dedication to economic integration, she noted.

The analysts also emphasized the importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which runs through Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, helping to expand trade ties between Central Asia and Europe.

At the upcoming summit in Bishkek, there will be discussions on ways to streamline customs procedures, which could significantly boost trade flows, she added.

Zhampetova expressed confidence that deeper cultural and educational exchanges would foster mutual understanding and support between the two nations.

Developing scientific initiatives and collaborative research opens up new opportunities for deepening bilateral ties, making the partnership between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan particularly relevant in todays world, the expert concluded.

The 11th Summit of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States will be held in Bishkek on November 6. This years theme is Strengthening the Turkic World: Economic Integration, Sustainable Development, Digital Future, and Security for All.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The absence of changes in Armenia's constitution is an indicator that this country is not interested in peace, the political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.

Armenia's constitution preamble contains a reference to the declaration of independence of this country, the text of which, in turn, contains territorial claims to the Republic of Azerbaijan. In this context, official Baku demands amendments to the Armenian constitution to move forward on the peace treaty. Changes in the Armenian constitution could give a strong impetus to the peace process, which could be an important step to ensure long-term peace in the South Caucasus. However, Armenia is avoiding constitutional change in every possible way.

The Armenian government, deceived by false promises from the West, claims that there is no need for it. This, in turn, is a clear indicator that Armenia is not interested in peace. Armenia's refusal to change the constitution creates obstacles to peace and cooperation efforts in the region. Nevertheless, Armenia should realize that amending the constitution is a necessary step for the normalization of relations between the two countries, Garayev said.

According to the political analyst, the biggest supporter of Armenia in this issue is France.

France's support for Armenia is conditioned by various geopolitical factors. One of them, of course, is Paris' interest in the region. France has not accepted the emergence of new realities in the South Caucasus. The recent visit of the French Ambassador to the territory bordering Azerbaijan and the observation of our territories is a continuation of the provocative binocular diplomacy. Such steps of the French Ambassador in Armenia further complicate Azerbaijani-French relations. This step, on the one hand, proves the French government's intention to openly support Armenia, and on the other hand, once again raises questions about the neutrality of the EU mission, the political analyst noted.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Azerbaijan has sent Armenia another package of proposals on the draft peace agreement, said Aykhan Hajizada, Spokesperson for Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to Trend's inquiry.

The Azerbaijani side's proposals on the draft agreement have been sent to Armenia, he said.

To note, Armenian media reported earlier that the country had sent Azerbaijan another package of proposals on the draft peace agreement.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Resorts World Cruises has made a grand entry into cruise tourism in the Gulf with the recent inaugural sailing of its Resorts World One liner from Dubai. The luxurious ship with thousands of tourists departed from the Port Rashid cruise terminal to Sir Baniyas Island in Abu Dhabi to open a new chapter in the Gulfs cruise tourism. Though many international cruise companies touch the shores of Dubai to board tourists, Dubai can now boast of its own cruise liner in Resorts World One. The swanky ship owned by a Chinese company is engaged in cruise tourism by joining hands with Dubai Tourism and Economy.

Halal food, five-star amenities, gambling...

The week-long trips will start from the Rashid Port in Dubai, and the travel packages include two-night and three-night voyages. Only halal food will be served on the ship. The Resorts World One is decked with all facilities provided by other cruise ships. The liner has the entire gamut of five-star amenities, including balcony rooms and rooms facing the ocean. The other attractions include 24-hour cultural programmes, yoga and exercise classes, amusement parks and water rides. The ship also boasts 14 restaurants that serve different cuisines and four bar lounges. The tourists can also enjoy music, dance and instrumental music performed by world-renowned artists. A gambling hub, shopping centre and gift centre can also be found onboard the expansive ship.

ADVERTISEMENT

The ship, accommodating 1,800 tourists, will sail to different Gulf countries. The weekend tours are the most attractive. The boat will leave the dock on Friday evening and return on Sunday afternoon, and the tourists can enjoy two nights of fun and frolic. The weekend tours are to Sir Baniyas Island in Abu Dhabi. The Resorts World One will pass through the Doha coastline to reach Sir Baniyas Island. The liner leaves Dubai at 9 pm and will reach the island at 12 noon the next day. One could soak in the raw beauty of the sea and experience the changing moods of the sea during the two-night weekend trip.

The three-night voyage is to Oman, and during the trip, the tourists can visit Muscat and Kasab. The liner will start its journey from Port Rashid on Sunday evening and return on Wednesday afternoon. On the same day, the ship will leave for Qatar and return on Friday. These two packages can be clubbed or availed separately. All three travel packages can also be clubbed. The tickets can be booked through its website. The two-night Qatar trip for two tourists costs a minimum of 2,225 dirhams, and interior rooms will be allotted to passengers under this package. The ocean-view room has a price tag of 2,770 dirhams, and the balcony room is 3,570 dirhams. The three-night Oman costs a minimum of 3,300 dirhams and a maximum of 5,300 dirhams. The rates for Sir Baniyas' package have yet to be announced.


Musk revels in victory of money

(Image by youtbe) Details DMCA



You don't have to be a Fool to be wise enough to know that capitalism and democracy don't go together and one of them had to go. Well, nuncle, I guess we know now which one went. You can tell which one won because of all the fatfuck herds of humankine just milling around at malls in the food courts or trying on new expansive outfits at the Big People clothes store. They feel duty-bound to spend and demonstrate their fealty to economic growth by becoming ever-larger versions of their miniscule selves.

Nothing demonstrates the emptiness of human communication and thought processing than the mindless echo chambermaids and echoclowns of Elon Musk's X (formerly known by its more appropriate name, Twitter.) What the f*ck is X supposed to mean anyway? Is Elon spose-a be channeling Malcolm? A white priv from South Africa now the darling of the Western World's technoteletubbies in suits and striding like he be speaking ebonics his whole life. Well, X marks the spot where the Acme anvil fell on him. Beep-beep. But 140 characters is the silver lining of these tweets. I wake up in sweats some nights wondering if we'll all end up like duckrabbits speaking tweets at the speed of sound. There's a woman / down my block/ who gives me a f*cking chill / warbling out Who's gonna eat the rest of this krill?

Musk is in the news lately because of his cash give-away. A million dollars a day to someone's fool still high on the fumes of Keep Hope Alive. That You could be a Hero just for a day feeling re-kindling that fire in the belly you lost beneath the fat fuckedness of your lardhood and credit-driven spending lifestyle. Yeah, you stylin. Implicit: Vote for the party that splashes such largesse -- Elon's party. Vote Trump to protect that baby bump. Oh, it isn't a baby bump? Oops, my bad. And anything"

Well, blame Greg Palast for the Giveaway craze. Remember his Pizzagate? No, not the one where kids are discovered as toppings in pizza parlors secretly owned by Hillary Clinton washing money from pay-to-play schemes for the Middle Finger element. Greg, reporting on voter disenfranchisement down down Georgia way -- deeply moved by dozens of African Americans standing in long, long lines at polling stations, whitey hoping it would discourage voters from showing up in the first place or else make them give up out of heat exhaustion and/or the need to drop a deuce in the only available portapotty several blocks way -- also with a line! (Careful planning is needed if you are Black and have the urge to vote -- or sh*t.)

Palast's political stunt, though appreciated by some of us reactionary lefties, was an abject failure. It smell good awaft, sitting there on the table, aroma of pepperoni and sausage and green peppers, and fried onions, and shrooms, and oregano. But the cops came by with they billybops and ixnayed that idea. "You are breaking the law," they megaphoned, and forced Greg to pack up his pies and move on -- implicit Or Else hanging in the air like a headline that cried I Can't Breathe. Greg got the drift.

In a film clip about the incident, Palast tells us he sees nothing wrong with feeding folks who have been waiting in line to vote -- in some cases hours. And someone from that line called out, "Hey Greg, what happens if I have to go take a dump? Are you gonna hand-out toilet paper?" You bet I will, said the protector of Everyman, especially people of color, and God Bless Him for it. "Great," said the Black Man in Line for Hours Waiting to Vote and Having To sh*t, "Can you please make it Charmin?" The cops didn't like the nervous humor that erupted and began to pestle-and-mortar their fists with palms with motions resembling fascist porno films. Another Long Suffering Black Man Standing for Hours in Line hollered, --Enjoy the go!" They had to wait to vote, but lawd, could they laugh at the toilet humor they'd been dealt.

Unfortunately, the Palast idea went South when, as he was packing up the pies and leaving, several folks left the line and chased after him. Not literally. He wasn't running or anything. It's just a figure of speech. Just because a Black man (and a curvaceous mama) features in my sentence doesn't mean he's about to go Halloween on Greg Palast's fatfuck ass. What's the matter with you? One of them said, "I'd rather have a slice of mouthwatering pizza than vote anytime." "Yeah," another man went. "You said it, brother. Pizza never let us down." Greg turns on them (no, not that way, tsk-tsk), and goes, Sorry, folks, it's only Papa John's, so don't get your hopes up too high. And that look came over a few faces, like after Obama was elected in and immediately jettisoned his core social safety net plan in order to bail out the bankers with TARP. A year or two later he was killing Americans with Hellfire missiles shot from predator drones and thinking that was funny at the motherfuckin 2010 White House Correspondents Dinner. "Damn!" said one would-be voter, "I coulda been 119th in line by now. Almos' there. I didn't know it was Papa John's. You couldn't splash for Godfather's?" "Ho-ho," goes another disenfranchised Long Sufferer, "Lesser of two evils, bruddah." And they all laughed, lawdy lawd. Even Greg laughed, and he is white. A cop oinked and pestled.

The pizza fiasco clearly was inspirational among the Show About Nothing element. The whole last season of Curb Your Enthusiasm sees Larry David in trouble, maybe having to go to jail, like da Black man, because he broke the law when he, like Palast before him, ventured to Georgia to help those Long Suffering Black People in Line Just Wanting To Vote Like Every Goddamn Other Self in Georgia Who Just Happened to Be White and of Voting Age, and started handing out plastic bottles of motherfuckin water. Cue the sirens. Here come the cops with they billybops. Ixnay time. But Mr. Nothing Matters (but in a funny way -- weeee!) got hisself arrested and spends the whole season worried he'll end up in jail with Georgian skinheads mistaking him for a peach they may just dare to eat. For he broke the law. He has the chance to cop and plea and walk, but what would he say to his hip live-in Black housemate, Leon (played by JB Smoove), so he risks beating an all-white jury in Georgia and doin time. I won't tell you how it ends, for that would be a spoiler. Same with democracy in America: Won't tell you how that ends.

A lot of people are getting mighty tired of the elites. 400 million guns in America ain't something to sneeze at. And lots of us just can't abide the symbol of excess and the feeling of being b*tch-slapped by money that Elon Musk brings to the stable. Musk brings the smell of money and it stinks. Stupid slingshot trains from LA that one mistake could see it zoom past Frisco and end up in Anchorage. One-way flights to Mars (that 250000 folks volunteered for) that's right, one-way, let it set in. Electric cars and trucks that commit suicide by drowning in burban pools. The take-over of Twitter and the brand changed to X, like he" Neuralink and the good day coming when Elonites can read your mind with a BCI he calls Telepathy. And now these million dollar days to buy votes, and no one saying that it's illegal, even though everyone knows a million dollars can buy a lot of pizza and Dom Perrier. "Pecunia non olet," Titus was said to have written on the wall of the first toilet stall in Rome back in the day. But muthafukka didn't smell Elon's musk.

Ultimately, it's the big fat space between your big fat ears that represents the final fat frontier. That's what they are coming for next now. To make you -- and me, I'm no different -- a fat head, who squawks and talks smack. He knows he's evil -- usually an indication he's ready to start a 12 step program (Hi, I'm Dave. I'm a Fat f*ck. Hi, Dave.) -- but goes on anyway, even to the edge of doom. Like Lear, who in an alternate version, turns on the Fool and punches him right in the baggy comeuppance region and jumps off the cliffs of Moher, let's say. Wearing his golden parachute made of gold. It was like a chandelier fell on him from on high, is all. Yep, that's all folks.


masthead Palast website

(Image by Greg Palast) Details DMCA



How Trump "Won-- "A Warning

By Greg Palast

[Atlanta, Sunday, November 3.]

No, I don't have a crystal ball. But I do have 25 years' experience investigating voting trickery. And what I see here in Georgia is ugly. What I've seen in Arizona, Texas, Michigan and Wisconsin is uglier.

So, I'm warning right now: unless action is taken, and now, by the US Department of Justice to protect the vote, I don't see how Vice-President Kamala Harris can win.

Why? Join me in going back to the future.



Members of a Georgia MAGA militia in front of the state capitol, Atlanta. All photos by Zach D. Roberts for the Palast Investigative Fund. (2020) Re-print permitted with attribution

(Image by Greg Palast) Details DMCA



The day is November 6: This coming Wednesday. A group of MAGA fanatics called True the Vote has, according to an NAACP estimate, challenged the ballots of over 300,000 Georgians-- not surprisingly, mostly voters of color. (We're not guessing: the Palast Investigations Team contacted 800 of these Georgians.)

Trump has been promoting, and raising millions for, True the Vote, which announced its aim of challenging 2 MILLION through Election Day. What's particularly dangerous is that True the Vote's 40,000 vigilante volunteers will be blocking the count of ballots on Election Day itself and the days after. Hundreds of thousands of voters who mail in their ballots have no idea their votes are about to be thrown into the electoral dumpster.

On November 8: I expect Georgia's MAGA-controlled county elections boards to remove one in five of those challenged. In 2020, Trump asked Georgia officials to "find" 11,780 votes. Now they will "find" 60,000 voters to remove-- enough for Trump to "win" the State of Georgia.

November 9: The NAACP files suit to overturn the vigilante challenges because they were submitted too close to an election (and after). But the Supreme Court's shock ruling last week allowing new purges of voter rolls in Virginia effectively nullifies the National Voter Registration Act which was supposed to block these last-minute sneak attacks on voter rolls.

November 12: Arizona disqualifies 30,000 "provisional" ballots, overwhelmingly cast in Hispanic precincts, tipping the race to Trump. (According to the federal Elections Assistance Commission, a breathtaking 2.7 million provisional ballots were rejected in 2020. Who gets shunted to these provisional "placebo" ballots? If you're Black, Asian-American or Hispanic, the chance you'll be shunted to a "provisional" ballot is 300% higher than if you're a white voter.)

December 11: This is the final day under the Constitution -- and new law written by GOP Senate majority leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) -- for each state governor to submit the names of the winning Electors. Get ready for this to happen: Michigan again disqualifies tens of thousands of ballots. (Note: Michigan disqualified 75,000 ballots in Detroit in 2016 as "spoiled," i.e. unreadable, because scanners simply broke down.) Another "Brooks Brothers riot" organized, as in 2000, by Roger Stone, now a chieftain of the Proud Boy, creates mayhem in the Wayne County (Detroit) elections office. That stops the count in Michigan. As a result, Michigan can't submit its slate of electors by the absolute "certification" deadline of December 11, and the state, though won by Harris, loses all its Electoral votes.

December 17: In Nevada's capital, Carson City, there is mayhem surrounding the State House. The Three-Percenters pick up the war cry, "Give us Trump or we light this whole sh*t on fire." (We filmed Trump crony Ali Alexander, with Alex Jones, saying exactly those words in front of Georgia's Governor's Mansion) after the last election.



Two supporters of the new Confederacy at a Civil War re-enactment told us they'd chosen their firing points at the top of buildings in Atlanta. From the film, Vigilantes Inc., America's New Vote Suppression Hitmen, available to stream at no cost at WatchV

(Image by Greg Palast) Details DMCA



In my admittedly dark nightmare, the Molotov cocktails fly and the AR-15s slaughter dozens of pro-democracy demonstrators. The well-planned riots in Nevada and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, are not unexpected. Derek Molenhour, a booster of the openly-armed Three Percenters' militias, told me, they have long prepared to launch what he calls their "revolution," justified because Harris, they are certain, could only win by stealing the election.

We can easily imagine that the chaos and flames of insurrection could prevent Nevada's and Pennsylvania's newly elected members of the Electoral College from meeting to officially cast their ballots by the December 17 deadline.



Armed Georgia militiamen''on January 6, 2020 at the state Capitol

(Image by Greg Palast) Details DMCA



Trump would be thrilled. With no candidate receiving 270 Electoral votes, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson will declare that the race will now be decided by the rules of the 12th Amendment. The 12th Amendment dictates that the House of Representatives will choose our President-- and dig this-- each state gets one single vote. California and New York will each get a vote. South and North Dakota each get a vote chosen by their Congressional delegations.

With 26 Congressional delegations controlled by Republicans, though a tiny minority of the US population, Trump would be voted back in as President.

On January 20, Americans stunned by this pseudo-legal coup d'e'tat march on Washington. Newly inaugurated President Trump orders troops to round up, even shoot, those complaining about the theft of our democracy.

We are charged with "sedition."

By January 21, I could be writing my column in an orange suit.

And I'll have to tell my cell-mates, "I told you so."

Please support the Palast Investigations Team. No other journalism organization goes undercover, goes inside MAGA world, inside the vigilante operations like we do. We are staying on the ground in Georgia, an expensive decision to continue our work"

Unlike other groups, we don't constantly beg and cajole for funds. Our work is first, but we can't continue this work in coordination with our partners-- from Black Voters Matter to the NAACP to Rev. Jesse Jackson's RainbowPUSH-- without your support. This is the moment.

Please help us continue the work-- which will not end on Tuesday.

Vigilantes, Inc. for free at .watchvigilantesinc.com/

Watch
For the last twenty years, I have witnessed one worthless U.S. Justice Department after another, from Attorney General "Uncle Tom" Holder arresting absolutely noone at all for voter suppression, no matter how egregious and obvious their crime, to faux Christian legal harlots like Leura Canary proudly framing innocent political targets to Trump appointees swearing loyalty oaths to him instead of to our Constitution. In 2000 Katherine Harris is warned by the company that she hires that thousands of the names that coincide with felons are coincidentally the same names as legitimate voters, but she knowingly purges their names from the rolls anyway! The "State" of Texas, a questionable designation at the time, purposely sends her the names of innocent people they would "prefer" to purge and more legitimate voters' rights to vote are stolen. Not only were there no actual charges filed against Harris but the solution was to "wait 'til next time and we'll distribute provisional ballots." Even the relatively brain-paralyzed Al Gore didn't protest while Holder played with...censored,

Then in 2004 Karl Rove and Ohio Secretary of State Eric Blackwell decided to employ the 'Middle-Man Scheme" in which Blackwell used his own company's voting machines and with the help of the Republican Party's IT expert, transferred Ohio votes to intermediary servers in Tennessee. There, apparently with the help of the Federalist Society's goons, the Swift Boaters, votes were changed from "Kerry" to "Bush." The overly zealous goons, only partially competent, however, apparently managed to overload a few counties with more votes for "W" than there were voters registered in the precincts. No matter, no one in the Justice Department would investigate anyway. Kerry, another seemingly brain-paralyzed candidate, didn't protest due to some misguided concern over protecting the "perceived" integrity of the presidential election in the eyes of the American people. In fact, ironically, the only people concerned about whether the 2000 or the 2004 elections were legitimate seemed to be the third party candidates, who, if they had actually cared about the good of the country, would not have been running on their single selfish issues anyway.

The bogus county ballot counts did, however, raise the ire of a few concerned Ohioans because it seems that similar scenarios had occurred in ten other states. It seems that Kerry was ahead by up to six points in the exit polls in at least ten swing states, many of which he lost, ironically, some by the same number of points that he was supposed to have been ahead! Pressure began to build as the news media finally became aware of what they should have known long before. Pressure also began to build on the IT expert involved in the scheme, the one who had actually designed it. According to the man's attorney, Karl Rove even tried to blackmail the expert to prevent him from testifying. This was, of course, brushed off by the then Attorney General Mukasey as relatively unimportant. Nonetheless, under constant pressure by various media, apparently the IT expert's conscience finally prevailed and word was that he was to testify regarding the fixing of the 2004 presidential election. It did not take long for the potential witness to begin receiving more threats. In fact, on December 19, 2008, Michael Connell died in the crash of his private airplane. A swift and purposely incomplete investigation of the crash was concluded as quickly as possible and the case was basically thrown under the rug by the most dependable Demo-publican of them all, Eric Holder.

The reason I have dredged up these past failures is that I believe that in Merrick Garland we have someone, who, despite being a "nice Jewish boy," is trying to be "holier than the Pope." He really needs to arrange the arrest of each of the six Supreme Court so-called "justices" who ruled that official "criminal" acts (some already committed) by a U.S. president are not only immune from prosecution, but that advisors involved in the planning of the crimes apparently may not be called to testify. Unfortunately, they do not have the power to grant immunity to purposely facilitate a crime. If they do this, they are guilty of being "accessories after the fact." Indeed, to make matters worse, they themselves have sworn the same oath which the ex-president has violated and they are blatantly violating that oath as well. Secondly, it is well established law that attorney client privilege does not apply if an attorney or advisor is actually involved in the crime! Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that an advisor cannot be called to testify against his client if they are both involved in the crime. Yes, he or she can claim the 5th Amendment right not to testify, but it his or her choice, not one of Leonard Leo's paid off designees to the Court!

The question is, actually, how would such a case be adjudicated? The six accused "traitors" would finally have to abstain from a decision for a change. A battle would ensue, between the Justice Department and the Supreme Court. The president could have absolutely no part in the decision to arrest the culprits and perhaps a warning from the Justice Department about the "justices" possibly "rethinking" their decisions might be in order. I think what is really needed now, instead of a few complaints by legitimately shocked attorneys (virtually all the honest ones), is some really well written amicus briefs. It doesn't really take an attorney to see that these excuses for judges did not come up with these ridiculous decisions on their own. In fact a little investigation into Mr. Leo and the Federalist Society might reveal a bit more than a few hundred thousand dollar gifts or a little blackmail involving various supposedly "conservative" members of this poor excuse for a legitimate Supreme Court. Why else would five justices (excluding the misanthropic Clarence Thomas) make a decision that would eventually damn their reputations for all time?

Al Finkelstein, 10/4/24
"In a time of growing climate crisis, our schools are in dire need to have their facilities upgraded to withstand higher temperatures and create more green space where students can stay cool and learn about our environment in hands-on ways."



-- - Karla Griego



(Image by Karla Griego for LAUSD School Board 2024-General, ID# 1468231) Details DMCA



During the campaign to succeed Jackie Goldberg on the LAUSD School Board, Graciela Ortiz has been too busy disparaging a student who was sexually assaulted at gunpoint to answer any of the questions sent to her as part of the LAUSD Candidate Forum series. In comparison, her opponent, Karla Griego, has responded to inquiries about Special Education, PROP-39 Co-Locations, Student Safety, The Budget, Inclusion and Diversity, and Charter School Accountability. Griego also replied to half of the final set of questions with a promise to answer more a later date. She fulfills this promise with the following responses:

Is information about IEPs being shared sufficiently with teachers, especially when a student transfers to another school?

It is important that students with IEPs have their IEP document shared with schools to which they are transferring. Certainly, all teachers who have students with IEPs should have the students' Present Levels of Performance, goals, accommodations, services and minutes. Generally this is shared by the Special Education case manager, however, sometimes with caseloads exceeding the norms, sometimes by 10 students, this may not be done in a timely manner. That is why it is important that caseload size and class size is honored.

Will you support the LAUSD bond measure before the voters in November?

The school bond would provide much needed structural improvements to some of our oldest schools that need to be retrofitted for earthquakes and or accessibility. In a time of growing climate crisis, our schools are in dire need to have their facilities upgraded to withstand higher temperatures and create more green space where students can stay cool and learn about our environment in hands-on ways. AT THE SAME TIME, the LAUSD school board has a duty to demonstrate to the public that they are using existing funds appropriately and diligently. By doing so, they will retain the public's trust when asking for an increase in property taxes for the benefit of our schools.

During the heatwave of the past couple of weeks, schools reported that air conditioning broke down. Should schools have gone online only during this crisis?

I think that we need to invest in our schools' HVAC system ASAP. Schools should be cooling centers for many residents who do not have air conditioning. But with our systems breaking down, we cannot offer that to our communities. We also need to ensure that air conditioners are maintained, not just repaired when they break down. Lastly, we need to have more HVAC employees than what we currently have. That is why I support the Bond measure, so that we can fully invest in our schools, including our HVAC systems.

Last year the Primary Promise program was eliminated after the District had previously provided evidence that it was successful. Do you agree with this decision?

NO. Parents, teachers, educator workers and the data showed that Primary Promise was working. There was no need to replace it. That decision was not one that centered our students' needs and that is why I oppose it.

As a Board Member how would you ensure that the replacement for Primary Promise is as effective as pledged?

I will request for reports on how the new program is supporting students' progress. I will also ensure that these reports are given to Board members in a timely manner so that Board members can review them before making decisions about the program. These reports must show holistic measures: attendance, reading, writing, math, students' social impacts such as being in a Special Ed program, English Language Learners, a member of a Specialized population like homeless and foster youth, and other demographic data. It is also important to see the types of other supports the schools receive: instructional aides, campus aides, library aides, restorative justice teachers, PSWs, PSAs, etc. These are all factors that impact student academic achievement.

The previous iteration of the LAUSD School Board, led by its majority elected by the Charter School Industry, voted to reduce the size of the District's School Police. Has this move hurt student safety? Was the reduction in the police force followed up with promised alternative ways to intervene before violence occurs?

The Board budgeted 30 million dollars for community based safety programs. They have only used 3 million. It is imperative that the District be held accountable to implement these programs using the 30 million dollars, as our students deserve holistic safety measures to support them. These programs include, safe passages, peace building, de-escalation techniques, restorative practices, multi-tiered supports, community building. These supports promote students' learning and social emotional well being. Additionally, we need to invest in psychiatric social workers and counselors at school school sites and wellness centers/clinics. Our students and their families need much support. That is why I also support community schools. In community schools, these resources would be at the school and students and their families could have access to these supports.

Despite the many questions surrounding the implementation of PROP-28, five of the seven LAUSD Board Members voted to approve the "Annual Report on PROP-28" on June 24. Can the voters trust you to ensure that arts education is funded according to the promises made to voters when they passed the proposition?

I have been a fighter for our students throughout my career. One of my platform priorities is transparency and accountability. I have been doing this throughout my career as a teacher- demanding transparency and accountability of school budgets, advocating for budgets to center student needs. I will continue to fight for our students and ensure that they receive the arts funding they deserve.

Is there anything else that you would like to mention?

My platform puts students first. We must hold the Superintendent accountable to provide arts instruction, mental health supports, inclusive and safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth, support for immigrant students, authentic parent voice in the special education program, expansion of the Black Student Achievement Plan, investment in community schools and safe, healthy and green schools throughout all communities of Los Angeles.

Carl Petersen is a parent advocate for public education, particularly for students with special education needs, who serves as the Education Chair for the Northridge East Neighborhood Council. As a Green Party candidate in LAUSD's District 2 School Board race, he was endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action. Dr. Diane Ravitch has called him "a valiant fighter for public schools in Los Angeles." For links to his blogs, please visit www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. Opinions are his own.
In 2017, when I researched and published an anthology about women caregivers, I neglected to reach out to the Domestic Workers Alliance which advocates for the more than two million women who work as nannies, housecleaners, and home care workers. I focused on women who told their personal stories of caregiving for spouses, children, parents and friends. It was a bad oversight that has troubled me since.

I was reminded of that in June when the Federal Domestic Worker Bill of Rights was reintroduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM). Introduced initially in July 2019, before the pandemic hit by (then)Sen. Kamala Harris and Rep. Jayapal. It was groundbreaking legislation aimed at ensuring workplace protections for domestic workers in the U.S. and it is still sorely needed.

An article published in Mother Jones Magazine in April pointed out that "domestic workers perform grueling work with few protections," often providing care in isolated settings that render their work invisible, as feminists have known for decades as they fought for women's caretaking in the home to be seen as actual labor. As the Mother Jones article also noted, in the U.S., such work has also been done by Black women who were systematically excluded from the New Deal's labor agenda. Ever since then, they have struggled to achieve standards that are in place for others covered by labor laws.

According to the Domestic Workers Alliance, 84 percent of domestic workers don't have a written agreement with their employer. Twenty-three percent don't feel safe at work, and 81 percent receive no pay if their employer cancels the job with less than three days' notice. Over a third of domestic workers don't get a meal or rest break and if they do they aren't given compensation for that time. If they are full-time employees, they are extremely unlikely to get paid sick leave or vacation, or any kind of insurance. The work could involve childcare, cooking and cleaning houses, or providing physical care for family members who are aging or have disabilities. Yet their work is among the most undervalued in our society and the workers are among the most vulnerable people in the country.

The Alliance also points out that in the early 20th century, southern lawmakers prevented domestic workers from being included in federal labor laws because the majority of them were Black. It states that "to this day, the legacy of slavery continues to shape domestic work and domestic workers have limited protections under civil rights laws." That reality means that domestic workers are exploited and are often subject to long work hours with low pay, sudden job loss, sexual harassment and abuse.

The movement for ensuring all labor rights to domestic workers is global. The International Domestic Workers Federation is a global membership organization that operates in every part of the world. It began establishing its network in 2006 with the objective of building a strong, democratic and united domestic/household workers global organization to protect and advance domestic workers rights everywhere.

Here is just one story (edited for length) shared on their website.

Like many indigenous domestic workers in Mexico, Maria is an internal migrant; she travels from a small village to Mexico City daily. In the beginning she worked long hours, with no rest time, little food, and extremely low pay (US$7) for ten or more hours of work a day. She felt she had to endure the conditions as a single mother of two daughters...she desperately needed the income. Years later, Maria moved to a new job, just before the pandemic hit. Fearing that she would infect the household her new employer asked her to live-in but she couldn't because she had two children, leaving her without income until she learned about an organization that was providing emergency Covid-19 benefits to domestic workers. In addition to emergency relief, she learned about her rights, negotiating techniques, and realized that her work had value. She was able to return to work and now has a contract that insures her rights.

It's a common story among domestic workers all over the world, and I should have sought their stories too.

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
China has become a significant player in the global automotive industry, with many American and European car brands manufacturing vehicles within its borders. A notable partnership began in 2013 when Chinese automaker Geely collaborated with Swedish manufacturer Volvo to establish production facilities in Chengdu and Daqing. Interestingly, Geely, through its Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, is the parent company of Volvo. This collaboration has led to the successful launch of several 
Unionized machinists at Boeing voted Monday to accept a contract offer and end their strike after more than seven weeks, clearing the way for the aerospace giant to resume production of its bestselling airliner and generate much-needed cash.

Leaders of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers district in Seattle said 59% of members who cast ballots agreed to approve the companys fourth formal offer and the third put to a vote. The deal includes pay raises of 38% over four years, and ratification and productivity bonuses.

However, Boeing refused to meet strikers demand to restore a company pension plan that was frozen nearly a decade ago.

The contracts ratification on the eve of Election Day cleared the way for a major U.S. manufacturer and government contractor to restart Pacific Northwest assembly lines that the walkout idled for 53 days.

Bank of America analysts estimated last month that Boeing was losing about $50 million a day during the now-ended strike, which did not affect a nonunion plant in South Carolina where the company makes 787s.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a message to employees that he was pleased to have reached an agreement.

While the past few months have been difficult for all of us, we are all part of the same team, Ortberg said. We will only move forward by listening and working together. There is much work ahead to return to the excellence that made Boeing an iconic company.

According to the union, the 33,000 workers it represents can return to work as soon as Wednesday or as late as Nov. 12. Ortberg has said it might take a couple of weeks to resume production in part because some workers might need retraining.

The average annual pay of Boeing machinists is currently $75,608 and eventually will rise to $119,309 under the new contract, according to the company. The union said the compounded value of the promised pay raise would amount to an increase of more than 43% over the life of the agreement.

Its time for us to come together. This is a victory, IAM District 751 President Jon Holden told members while announcing the tally late Monday. You stood strong and you stood tall and you won.

Reactions were mixed even among union members who voted to accept the contract.

Although she voted yes, Seattle-based calibration specialist Eep Bolano said the outcome was most certainly not a victory. Bolano said she and her fellow workers made a wise but infuriating choice to accept the offer.

We were threatened by a company that was crippled, dying, bleeding on the ground, and us as one of the biggest unions in the country couldnt even extract two-thirds of our demands from them. This is humiliating, she said.

For other workers like William Gardiner, a lab lead in calibration services, the revised offer was a cause for celebration.

Im extremely pumped over this vote, said Gardiner, who has worked for Boeing for 13 years. We didnt fix everything  thats OK. Overall, its a very positive contract.

Union leaders had endorsed the latest proposal, saying they thought they had gotten all they could though negotiations and the strike. Along with the wage increase, the new contract gives each worker a $12,000 ratification bonus and retains a performance bonus the company wanted to eliminate.

It is time for our members to lock in these gains and confidently declare victory, the local union district said before the vote. We believe asking members to stay on strike longer wouldnt be right as we have achieved so much success.

President Joe Biden congratulated the machinists and Boeing for coming to an agreement that he said supports fairness in the workplace and improves workers ability to retire with dignity. The contract, he said, is important for Boeings future as a critical part of Americas aerospace sector.

Bidens acting labor secretary, Julie Su, intervened in the negotiations several times, including when Boeing made its latest offer last week.

A continuing strike would have plunged Boeing into further financial peril and uncertainty. Last month, Ortberg announced plans to lay off about 17,000 people and a stock sale to prevent the companys credit rating from being cut to junk status.

The strike began Sept. 13 with an overwhelming 94.6% rejection of the companys offer to raise pay by 25% over four years  far less than the unions original demand for 40% wage increases over three years.

Machinists voted down another offer  35% raises over four years, and still no revival of pensions  on Oct. 23, the same day that Boeing reported a third-quarter loss of more than $6 billion.

The contract rejections reflected bitterness that built up after union concessions and small pay increases over the past decade.

The labor standoff  the first strike by Boeing machinists since an eight-week walkout in 2008  was the latest setback in a volatile year for the aerospace giant. The 2008 strike lasted eight weeks and cost the company about $100 million daily in deferred revenue. A 1995 strike lasted 10 weeks.

Boeing came under several federal investigations this year after a door plug blew off a 737 Max plane during an Alaska Airlines flight in January. Federal regulators put limits on Boeing airplane production that they said would last until they felt confident about manufacturing safety at the company.

The door-plug incident renewed concerns about the safety of the 737 Max. Two of the planes had crashed less than five months apart in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people. The CEO at the time, whose efforts to fix the company failed, announced in March that he would step down. In July, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud for deceiving regulators who approved the 737 Max.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Mondays vote puts Boeings future back on more solid footing.

Washington is home to the worlds most skilled aerospace workers, and they understandably took a stand for the respect and compensation they deserve, Inslee said in a statement congratulating the workers.

-- David Koenig, Lindsey Wasson and Hannah Schoenbaum, The Associated Press
A man serving an Oregon prison sentence was mistakenly released from Clark County jail following a court appearance in a separate Washington case last week.

Maurice Xavier Haynes, 27, was serving a 15-month sentence at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem after being convicted of first-degree criminal mischief in Multnomah County in June. On Oct. 28, Haynes was sent to Clark County Superior Court to appear in a separate matter in Vancouver, where he was accused of second-degree theft.

Haynes was expected to return to Salems penitentiary to finish his sentence, which runs through at least June. But following last weeks court appearance in front of Judge David Gregerson, Haynes was released, said David Shook, the county director of jail services.

As of Tuesday, he was still at large, and police are looking for him. Clark County officials say he is 6-foot-1, weighs about 170 pounds and has a tattoo on his right forearm that reads, Markisha.

Maurice Xavier Haynes, 27, remains at large Tuesday after he was mistakenly released last week from Clark County Jail.Courtesy of Clark County Jail

Clark County Jail Services is investigating how he was released. Without elaborating, Shook said, we are just beginning to identify a root cause and will take appropriate action.

Haynes has several felony convictions in Oregon dating back to 2017, including third-degree robbery, first-degree theft, being a felon in possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon.

Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221- 4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X @zaeemshake.
Australian companies embrace opportunities at CIIE

08:33, November 05, 2024 By Yin Yeping, Qi Xijia and Chu Daye ( Global Times

China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell in Shanghai on November 3 during preparations for the 7th China's International Import Expo (CIIE). (Photo: Courtesy of the official website of MOFCOM)

The number of Australian companies attending this year's 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai has reached a new record high, underscoring the strong confidence and enthusiasm of Australia's business community for deepening economic ties with China, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao has said.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell in Shanghai on Sunday, according to a release posted on the website of China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Monday.

China's economy maintains its positive momentum, which will create more business opportunities for Australian companies, said Wang. He expressed hope that Australia will continue to improve its business environment and treat Chinese companies fairly and justly.

Wang highlighted that Australian companies generally believe that a healthy and stable China-Australia relationship is very important to bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

During the meeting, Wang emphasized the need for China and Australia to address each other's economic and trade concerns based on equality and mutual benefit, aiming to transform their economic complementarities into more concrete, practical cooperation results.

China and Australia have maintained close communication in the economic and trade sectors since 2023. Australia sent a large delegation of more than 250 companies to participate in the CIIE, which shows that Australian companies recognize the huge opportunities in the Chinese market, said Farrell.

Australia is optimistic about China's economic prospects and is willing to commit to long-term cooperation with China, the Australian minister said.

Both sides held practical and constructive discussions on strengthening China-Australia economic and trade ties and encouraging greater participation of Australian businesses in the 7th CIIE, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

Several Australian and Chinese companies that will be participating in the expo told the Global Times about their excitement and expectations for delving into the Chinese market through this platform of opportunities.

In a statement that Australian-British mining giant Rio Tinto shared with the Global Times, Bold Baatar, Rio Tinto chief commercial officer, said that the CIIE has become a significant platform for promoting global trade and cooperation, demonstrating China's commitment to sharing development opportunities with the world and its dedication to building an open global economy.

"Over the years, the CIIE has not only had a profound positive impact on the global business and trade sectors but has also helped reshape the industrial landscape through win-win cooperation, infusing innovative momentum into the high-quality development of various industries," Baatar said.

The success of the CIIE reflects China's commitment to driving reform and high-quality growth through high-level opening-up and underscores the importance of global partnerships in addressing shared challenges and uncovering new opportunities, Baatar said.

"We hope to bring everyone high-quality Australian Wagyu beef and invite you all to come and taste it. Australian Wagyu beef is very popular in China, and the market potential is immense," Du Yemei, an employee of Dashang Group, a large department store business group in China, told the Global Times on Monday. The Australian Wagyu beef showcased is from Dashang's self-owned farm in Australia.

Also in Shanghai this week, Australian wine producer Treasury Wine Estates will be represented by brands including Penfolds at the expo. The company said in a press release sent to the Global Times that the "CIIE is an important platform for promoting trade, investment, and global cooperation, and represents a significant opportunity for (the company) to engage with local government, industry, suppliers, partners, and customers."

"The CIIE has always played an important role in China-Australia trade, given the fact that Australia itself is an export-oriented economy and China is its major market," Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center at East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Monday.

China-Australia economic and trade relations are not only stabilizers and boosters of China-Australia relations, but also important sources of support for Australia's economic and trade development, which is again reflected in the large number of Australian businesses participating in this year's import expo, Chen said.

In addition to energy and minerals, Australia offers agricultural and animal husbandry products, including dairy products, wine and beef, which are all gaining popularity in the China market as Chinese consumers pursue better-quality food, Chen said, noting that the CIIE itself provides Australian businesses with great opportunities for expanding such win-win outcomes.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is suffering grievous manpower losses as a result of his illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine . He has lost around 200,000 killed, double that number wounded, and at least 500,000 young men fleeing the Russian Federation to avoid the draft: a butcher's bill of over a million.

As a result, he is turning to international sources of additional manpower  Chechens, Cubans, and, most recently and dramatically, North Koreans. At least 10,000 Korean foot soldiers are headed to the battlefields of Ukraine to fight and die in a cause that must be utterly bewildering for them. They will be strangers in a strange land indeed, and you can bet Kim Jung Un is holding their families hostage to prevent desertions. Many North Korean soldiers will die and some will desert despite the consequences, but their military impact will likely be insignificant.

In exchange, Kim will probably receive new advanced technology: better satellites, more precise ballistic missile guidance systems, nuclear weapons advice and more refined cyber tools. This will threaten South Korea  which is objecting vociferously. Of course, the U.S. agrees with that assessment and will condemn both Russia and North Korea .

But we should understand that this transaction is clearly an indication of Russian weakness, not strength. Putin has been essentially forced to solicit a bargain with his fellow dictator in the isolated Hermit Kingdom. What does it mean for global geopolitics?

Stepping back from the tactical impact, which will become clear as the winter unfolds, there is a larger strategic point to be made about Russia's declining place in the international world. As John McCain said a decade ago, "Russia is a gas station masquerading as a country." Meaning its economy is a one-trick pony, or perhaps a two-trick pony if you count oil and gas.

Russia is now expending over 30% of gross domestic product on military spending (hardly an investment in a diversified economy); it's under major sanctions from nations representing over half of the world's GDP and has around $300 billion in assets frozen in Western banks, which will likely end up reconstructing Ukraine . With a major brain drain as the smart young males and their partners flee the draft, it has a demographic problem of the first order as the population continues to age and decline.

And despite Putin's apparent iron grip on power, consider this: A hundred years ago, another Russian autocrat thought he had an iron grip on power  control of the diplomatic corps, all branches of the military, the secret service, the elites of the nobility, everything that mattered. That was Nicholas II, the last czar. He and his family were executed in a dirty basement in the Urals.

Just a summer ago, Yevgeny Prigozhin , leader of the feared and powerful Wagner Group and former Putin chef, staged a rebellion that led his forces to the outskirts of Moscow before it became clear that the Russian Air Force wouldn't support him. He was ultimately executed by a "mysterious" explosion of his private jet between Moscow and St. Petersburg . The lesson of his rebellion is clear: While Putin appears to have control, the forces of opposition  on both the liberal and conservative fronts  are always on a slow boil. Such is Russia .

For the West, the real concern, of course, is a nuclear arsenal of roughly 5,600 warheads. During the turbulent period following the fall of the Berlin Wall, there were serious worries about the centrifugal forces pulling apart the Russian Federation  the core of the old Union of Soviet Socialist Republics .

The best course of action for the West should include remaining deeply mindful of Putin's nuclear arsenal. It should also include concern about where those weapons end up in a chaotic endgame following a messy regime change in Moscow . That means we need to be doing a deep dive on prospective replacements for the current czar, requiring good signals and human intelligence as close as we can get to the court of Putin. Our ability to track nuclear weapons in the case of Russian chaos is important  something we developed at the end of the Cold War but has atrophied now.

It also means strengthening the NATO alliance, which collectively remains the best bulwark to further Russian decline and chaos. Ensuring that Ukraine has a path to full NATO membership, probably with a "halfway house" of strong security guarantees is important in the face of potential Russian collapse. All of this, of course, will be dependent on the next occupant of the White House . If Team Trump takes power, their well-known skepticism over NATO and affinity for Putin will make this more difficult.

All of this is deeply unsettling and full of bad choices. Is it better to see Russia collapse and Putin be overthrown, but with a chaotic landscape and loose nukes? Or to see Putin remain in control to continue to threaten Ukraine , Georgia , Moldova , Estonia , and other European countries?

No good answers, but it clearly makes sense to prepare for the full spectrum of outcomes, especially as we watch Russia flail in Ukraine and recruit North Koreans for their fight. Not a good sign of a stable regime, to say the least. We should be prepared for a wide range of endgames, including a rapid collapse of a rotten regime in Moscow .

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Stavridis is a Bloomberg columnist. He is a retired U.S. Navy admiral and former supreme allied commander of NATO, and dean emeritus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is also an operating executive consultant at the Carlyle Group and chairs the board of counselors at McLarty Associates.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 6. The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline.

The 44-day second Karabakh war ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation and the restoration of territorial integrity.

Chronicle of the 41st day of the Second Karabakh War:

- Armenia violated a ceasefire on the state border with Azerbaijan.

- Armenian troops were forced to retreat, suffering losses.

- Armenian armed forces shelled the villages of Tartar district.

- An Armenian ammunition depot exploded near Khankandi city.

- Armenian armed forces fled, abandoning their positions in the direction of Gubadli.

- Armenian military units in Aghdara were neutralized.

- Video of the destruction of Armenian mortars in Goyarkh village was released.

- Armenian armed forces shelled the villages of Tartar district by using artillery.

- Video of liberated villages of Fuzuli district was released.

- Video of shelling on the combat positions of Armenian armed forces was released.
The mother of a 19-year-old man shot and killed in Portland alleges in lawsuit that police delayed medical care for her son by presuming he was dead and leaving him lying in a street for about 45 minutes before ambulance medics arrived and found a pulse.

Donte Lamar Davis Jr. was shot in the head inside a car and dumped on a street near Woodlawn Park in Northeast Portland about 11:20 p.m. on Nov. 1, 2022.

Mr. Davis was denied any chance of survival, due to law enforcements decisions to not render care and life-saving measures immediately nor to call for medical care immediately, the lawsuit alleges.

It was filed Friday by Robbie J. Davis. in U.S. District Court in Portland and seeks unspecified damages.

An ambulance eventually took Donte Davis to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. He was transferred to OHSU Hospital, where he remained on life support until he died two days later, the suit says. No arrest has been made.

The wrongful death suit also claims the alleged lackluster police response occurred because Donte Davis was a young Black man.

The suit further accuses Multnomah County juvenile and adult probation officers of failing so miserably to properly supervise Donte Davis despite his mothers pleas that they hold him accountable for violating the conditions of his release.

The lawsuit says he entered the juvenile justice system in 2020 and admitted to gun possession in 2021. He later was accused in a convenience store burglary.

Robbie Davis said in an interview that she repeatedly alerted her sons supervising officers of the violations but that they failed to take action. She feared her son would end up in prison or killed, she said.

What Im hoping is that no other mother has to go through what I have had to go through. This is a nightmare. I miss my child every day. I do think this could have been avoided, she said.

If you are properly supervising kids who are already justice- involved, do what the judge told you to do, she said. It angers me. I could still have a child here.

Robbie Davis was principal of daVinci Arts Middle School when her son was killed but has since resigned from the Portland Public Schools, unable to work since his death, according to the suit.

Portland police declined to comment on the lawsuit. County spokesperson Ryan Yambra also said the county would not comment.

The shooting remains unsolved and Davis has not been able to obtain reports on the case, except a treatment report that indicated the ambulance responded 45 minutes after police arrived, the suit says.

Donte Davis was one of 101 people killed in Portland in 2022, the deadliest year in the citys modern history.

According to the suit, witnesses said Donte Davis was tossed from a car, and left on the side of the road as the suspects fled in two separate cars.

When police arrived, they wrongly told witnesses that he was dead, attorney Michelle R. Burrows wrote in the suit.

It wasnt until a vigil at the scene on the one-year anniversary of Donte Davis death that his mother learned for the first time that her son was alive at first, according to the suit.

The behavior observed by neighbors of the conduct of the responding officers was callous in the true sense of the word with no regard to the wellbeing of Mr. Davis, the suit alleges.

Donte Davis had been under the supervision of the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice from March 30, 2020, to the day he died, the suit says.

He had admitted in Multnomah County Circuit Court on March 30, 2021, to possessing a gun and released with conditions that he attend school, not possess any weapons or use drugs or alcohol, complete substance abuse and mental health evaluations and write a report on the book Just Mercy, about inequities in the criminal justice system.

In May 2021, Robbie Davis reported to the county that her son was no longer living with her as ordered and not following other conditions of his release, according to the suit. She pushed for the county to hold him on a supervision violation or place him on electronic monitoring, but the county took no action, the suit alleges.

The next month, she alerted her sons juvenile counselor that he was staying with his underage girlfriend and her mother and the counselor pursued a temporary foster care placement for Donte Davis, according to the suit.

In August 2021, Donte Davis was arrested in Washington County, accused of breaking into a convenience store to steal cigarettes, the suit says.

Later that month, he came under Multnomah Countys adult supervision because he was 18 and was placed with a different foster parent, which was soon halted amid complaints that he wasnt being fed or treated properly, the suit states.

His probation officer attempted to place Donte Davis under the Oregon Youth Authoritys care but a county Department of Community Justice committee rejected that move as extreme, the suit says.

He returned to his mothers home in late September 2021, and ordered to stay there with a curfew and attend school and drug and alcohol treatment. But he left the home by the end of the year.

By early 2022, he was living with his underage girlfriend and not attending school, but the county officer approved of the new living arrangement despite Robbie Davis objections and county rules, according to the suit.

Later that year, Donte Davis failed to appear in court on a probation violation issued by an adult supervision officer for missing meetings with the officer and not divulging his location.

He faced an arrest warrant and turned himself in at his mothers prodding, but he wasnt booked into jail because he had no ID on him, according to the suit.

I was livid, his mother said.

Robbie Davis provided regular and frequent information to her sons county probation officers, including details of his dangerous actions and inappropriate associations with others and sought tighter supervision and more sanctions, but the requests were ignored, the suit says.

Donte Davis last attended Rosemary Anderson High School. His mother said her son liked to be silly, dance with her and loved animals, particularly his labradoodle named Clyde.

He was a beautiful soul. He had a really good heart, very intuitive, could sense if someone was feeling bad and knew how to cheer them up, she said.

He also struggled academically and had some learning disabilities and mental health challenges, she said.

Robbie Davis on Monday completed a letter she plans to send to Gov. Tina Kotek, urging her attention to help repair what she described as a very broken juvenile system.

I had tried so hard to work with Multnomah County, Robbie Davis said. I feel very strongly that Multnomah County wronged him. I feel ultimately robbed of the relationship with my son.

-- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.
One of Portlands most well known queer bars was recently vandalized, but a performers plea for help quickly raised the money necessary for repairs.

Jenn Davis, co-owner of Escape Bar & Grill, said in a text message that she discovered damage to the bars outside area when she came to the Northeast Portland bar around 1 p.m. Oct. 29, to open it. The bar is at 9004 NE Sandy Blvd.

The vandals stole one fire table and destroyed another, took the greenery off of the fencing, cut electrical cords, damaged an expandable gate and started a fire, Davis said.

Soon after the bars drag host, James Tolson, found out about the damage, he put together a GoFundMe fundraiser to pay for the damage.

Today, I am saddened to report that my Home Bar, Escape Bar & Grill, one of Portlands most inclusive LGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces, has been vandalized, wrote Tolson, whose stage name is Savannah O. Bennington. Folks, this bar has been through so much just to stay open.

James Tolson, known also by his stage name Savannah O. Bennington, put together a fundraiser after finding out Escape Bar & Grill had been vandalized. He quickly raised the money needed for repairs.Courtesy of James Tolson

Tolson asked for $2,200 to repair the damage and, within one hour of posting the fundraiser, he met the goal. It took seven donations, including one from an anonymous donor for $1,800, according to the fundraiser page.

Weve made our goal! Tolson wrote in an update Saturday. Thank Yall so much! We appreciate all of your love and support!

Davis said the incident was the second in three months, after someone broke into the bar in August and stole DJ equipment and cash.

 Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. Do you have a story? Reach him by phone or text at 971-373-2905 or by email at fzarkhin@oregonian.com.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com
The Portland Police Bureau has released the name of a woman who was hit and killed by a driver in east Portland in September. After the crash, the driver fled the scene and has not been found, police said.

The driver crashed into Cameron Anne Barton, 37, of Portland, at about 10 p.m. Sept. 27 on East Burnside at Northeast 113th Avenue in the Hazelwood neighborhood, according to police.

Detectives have found two cars that might be involved in this incident, the Police Bureau said in a statement on Tuesday.

The investigation is continuing, police said, and ask anyone who has information about this case to send an email to crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive; dperry@oregonian.com
The man accused of gunning down another man in the Vancouver Mall on Halloween and injuring two others was there to trick or treat with his girlfriends young daughter, and the person who died was also celebrating the holiday at the mall with his own children, authorities said Monday.

Travis L. Ward is accused of donning a Joker mask, following 26-year-old James Perez in the malls food court area and shooting Perez in the back of the head at point-blank range, according to court records.

Ward, 32, then allegedly fired several more times at Perez, wounding Brandon Leyrer and Daniel Martin in the process.

Vancouver police arrested Ward on Saturday, and he is accused of first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree assault in the shooting. Ward made an initial court appearance in Clark County court Monday afternoon. A judge ruled he be held without bail.

The shooting occurred about 7:30 p.m. Thursday on the second floor of the mall as numerous families attended a trick-or-treating event. Upon hearing the gunshots, hundreds fled for safety.

In surveillance footage of the shooting, Vancouver police said they saw Ward enter the south entrance of the mall with his girlfriend, his mother and his girlfriends daughter, who was dressed as a princess. Police circulated images of Wards girlfriend and his mother Saturday, seeking to speak with them.

The footage showed Ward donning the mask and then separating from his girlfriend, mother and the girl, according to a probable cause affidavit in the case.

Based on the surveillance footage, police wrote in court records that it did not appear any of the people with Ward knew about the shooting. They left the mall together, and Wards girlfriend told police they had gone to the mall to trick or treat.

When officers responded to the food court area, they found Perez dead at the scene. Leyrer suffered a wound on the left side of the abdomen and Martin had a wound to his left foot, the affidavit said. They were both treated at a hospital and later released.

Following Wards arrest, police showed him the surveillance footage, and he would not admit or offer any explanation as to why he had shot and killed Perez, the affidavit said. Police described the shooting as a targeted attack.

Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221- 4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X @zaeemshake.
A man who bragged he once worked for the shah of Irans secret police killed a Vancouver woman in 1989, a jury determined Tuesday in a wrongful death lawsuit  calling into question the criminal conviction of the victims husband in the execution-style slaying.

Viktor Pell, now 86, shot to death Eftekhar Effie Entezari on the morning of May 1, 1989, in the parking lot of the Vancouver apartment building where she lived, the jury concluded in the non-unanimous decision.

Mohammad Mike Entezari, Effie Entezaris husband, spent 16 years in prison for the murder. He died in 2019, still insisting on his innocence.

Mike and Effies daughter, Pooneh Entezari Gray, 56, investigated the case on her own for decades, ultimately coming up with DNA and ballistics evidence that undermined the 1990 conviction of her father and pointed at Pell. She and her team shared the new evidence with the Clark County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, but prosecutor Tony Golik has not reopened the criminal case.

The Oregonian/OregonLive published a four-part series in 2021 that examined problems with the original police investigation of Effie Entezaris murder.

Aaron Bartlett, a senior deputy prosecutor in the Clark County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the office will examine all of the evidence presented at the civil trial against Viktor Pell and said the non-unanimous verdict and the lower burden of proof in a civil case would be among the relevant factors this office will consider when weighing the evidence and deciding how to move forward.

Viktor Pell sits in a Clark County courtroom for the wrongful death lawsuit. (Photo: Fedor Zarkhin, The Oregonian/OregonLive)Fedor Zarkhin

In a wrongful death trial, a plaintiff must show that the claim is more likely true than not true, rather than prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, the standard in a criminal case.

Ten of the 12 civil-trial jurors, the minimum required, answered yes to the question, Did Viktor Pell cause the death of Eftekhar Entezari-Afshar?

The jurors were unanimous in awarding just over $110,000 in economic damages and $4 million in noneconomic damages against the defendant.

Pell represented himself in the trial, saying he could not afford an attorney.

Speaking through a Farsi interpreter in his opening statement, he called the Effie Entezari estates claims about him an elaborate, fantastical story and said he was innocent.

He said that Gray, who is primarily in charge of the estate, simply does not want to believe the truth about her father. We all have parents and want to think the best of them, he said.

Mike Entezari, an engineer, and Effie Entezari were finalizing a divorce at the time of her murder, and the prosecution in the 1990 criminal trial presented the split as Mike Entezaris motive for the crime.

But Gray testified that the divorce was mostly amicable and that the family was loving. She said she was particularly close with her mother.

Gray said that when she viewed her mothers body in a funeral home in May 1989, she told her she would find out who did this to her.

In the plaintiffs opening statement last week, Renee Rothauge, the Effie Entezari estates lead lawyer, argued that the new evidence proved Mike Entezari did not kill Effie Entezari and that Pell did this.

Rothauge described Pell as a professional killer, claiming that, before he came to the U.S. in the 1960s, he had worked for the SAVAK, the shah of Irans notorious secret police.

He brought with him to America his training in abduction, torture and killing, Rothauge said.

This trial was not about the money the jurors could award, she said, but about guilt and innocence. You will be the jury that sets the record straight.

Rothauge and another lawyer for Effie Entezaris estate showcased gaping holes in the criminal prosecution of Mike Entezari and explained why they believe it was Pell who actually killed Effie Entezari.

In emotional testimony, Gray told the jury that she began investigating her mothers murder a few days after it happened because she realized the Clark County Sheriffs Office had become fixated on her father as a suspect.

She carried on with her investigation for years, long after Mike Entezari had been convicted and sent to prison. Gray persisted even after her father died.

Gray eventually came to believe that Vancouver residents Parviz Sadeghi and Nahid Fatemi had stolen more than $23,000 (about $60,000 in todays money) from Effie Entezari in the months before the murder, she testified.

The Effie Entezari estate's lawyers showed a 1989 surveillance photograph of Parviz Sadeghi that helped lead Entezari's daughter, Pooneh, to Viktor Pell as a suspect.Douglas Perry

She provided documentation of bank records that suggested Effie Entezari had been defrauded  and then showed surveillance photographs from 1989 that indicated Sadeghi had met with Pell shortly after the murder.

In his opening statement, Pell said he didnt know any of the key individuals named in the estates case.

He reiterated this in a brief interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive during a break in the proceedings.

I didnt do it, he insisted in English. If judge doesnt know, God knows.

He told the news organization he had never met the Entezaris, Sadeghi or Fatemi. He added that he had never handled a gun in his life, except when he was in the military in Iran.

Theyre just trying to push me, to get me to say yes, he said of Gray and her lawyers. But Im not going to say yes.

Later in the trial, the Effie Entezari estates legal team rebutted Pells claim that he didnt know Sadeghi, showing a video deposition of Siamak Lotfi, a Vancouver businessman and Iranian immigrant who once employed Pells son, Sasha, at a grocery he owned in Portland. Lotfi said Pell and Sadeghi were friends in the 1980s and that one time he spotted them having a meal together at a Persian restaurant.

At that time, the Iranian-immigrant community in Vancouver, which included the Entezaris, was quite small, he said.

Rothauge also told the jurors that Pell was not as harmless as he might appear today.

A restraining order had been taken out against him in 1988, records show. Court documents alleged that Pell, known as Victor Albegui in the 36-year-old Clark County legal filing, and another man had pursued a vendetta of threats and violence against a family over a financial dispute.

Christine Wescott, a former girlfriend of Pells, said in a video deposition shown to the jury that she thought Pell did some bad things over there, meaning Iran, based on what he told me.

She added that he took care of people who were against the Shah.

Pell, dressed in a dark-colored pullover and sweatpants each day, sat quietly throughout the plaintiffs presentation of its case. He did not contest any of the evidence put forward.

When asked by The Oregonian/OregonLive if he told Wescott he had worked for the shahs secret police, he shrugged.

Rothauge took the jury through the morning of May 1, 1989, when 42-year-old Effie Entezari walked to her car in the parking lot of her Vancouver apartment building. As Entezari reached her car, Pell appeared, she said. He quickly and professionally grabbed her and shot her.

Rod Englert, a veteran blood-spatter analyst hired by Gray, recounted the story he said the blood and other evidence at the scene told, showing a video animation of the assailant seizing Effie Entezari by the arm, shooting her in the head and lowering her to the ground.

This was carefully planned, Rothauge then told the jury. It was calculated. It was an execution.

Rothauge also offered evidence that undercut the conviction of Mike Entezari, most notably that his gun, identified as the murder weapon in the 1990 criminal trial, could not have been the one used in the murder.

The bullet that killed Effie Entezari had a gouge in it that was unmistakably created by damage to the revolvers barrel, testified Rocky Edwards, a U.S. Army-trained forensic firearm and tool-mark examiner hired by Gray. The barrel of Mike Entezaris gun, he pointed out, was pristine.

The gouge in the bullet should have led to Mike Entezaris gun being ruled out in 1989, Edwards said.

Larry Hebert, then a firearms examiner in the Washington state crime laboratory, testified in the 1990 criminal trial that he was absolutely certain the bullet that killed Effie Entezari came from Mike Entezaris gun. But more than 30 years later, in a video deposition with the estates lawyers, he acknowledged that he spotted the gouge in the bullet at the time but did not use it as a point of comparison.

Rothauge continued to poke holes in the Mike Entezari conviction, noting that the jury in the criminal trial did not know that Effie Entezari was in trouble, and it wasnt because of her divorce. Before her murder, Effie Entezari had admitted that shed become involved with bad people.

Those jurors in the long-ago criminal trial, Rothauge added, also never learned about an unusual and dubious business arrangement between Effie Entezari and two new friends, Sadeghi and Fatemi, which Rothauge outlined for the civil jury, or about the $23,000 disappearing from a secret bank account Effie Entezari had.

Pooneh Entezari Gray has spent years investigating her mother's murder. (Photo: Beth Nakamura, The Oregonian/OregonLive)

All of this backstory was build-up for the civil trials principal evidence against Pell.

Recent advances in DNA technology allow us to prove that it was Pell who killed Effie Entezari, Rothauge said, stating that an independent private laboratory had matched Pells DNA to DNA found on the sweater Effie Entezari was wearing when she was murdered.

In fact, testified Mark Perlin, the chief scientist and CEO of Pittsburgh-based Cybergenetics, there was more of Pells DNA on the left forearm of the sweater  where Englert, the crime-scene-reconstruction expert, said she was grabbed  than Effie Entezaris own DNA.

Mike Entezaris DNA was not found on the sweater, Perlin said.

Cybergenetics examined the sweater using the breakthrough TrueAllele probabilistic-genotyping computer system invented by Perlin to make identifications from a mixture of DNA from multiple people.

The DNA match to Pell was 120,000 times more probable than a coincidental match, Perlin testified.

Pell sat slumped in a chair while Perlin testified, listening to a translation of the testimony. He did not ask Perlin any questions.

Paula Akbari, a Pell family friend, told The Oregonian/OregonLive that about a dozen pro-bono defense organizations, including the Northwest Justice Project and the Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program, refused to take Pell as a client. None gave a reason why, she said.

As a result, she said, the legal faceoff between plaintiff and defendant in this case was kind of like a Tesla versus a tricycle.

Because this was a civil trial, Pell will not go to prison. Plus, with his advanced age and claims of penury, he probably will pay little or nothing in the awarded damages.

But Gray, who has owned assisted-living businesses and estimates shes spent hundreds of thousands of dollars investigating her mothers murder and her fathers conviction, said shes satisfied.

I did what I promised my mother I would do, she told The Oregonian/OregonLive. I did everything I could.

The Oregonian/OregonLives Fedor Zarkhin contributed to this report.

-- Douglas Perry is a reporter and editor at The Oregonian/OregonLive. You can reach him at 503-863-1679 or dperry@oregonian.com.
Oregon Health & Science Universitys governing board voted Monday to appoint an interim president while it mounts a national search for a permanent leader, reversing its previous plan to promote from within.

The vote comes as a concession to Gov. Tina Kotek, who pressed OHSUs board to delay appointing a permanent replacement for Dr. Danny Jacobs, the health systems embattled president who last month announced plans to resign for personal reasons.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A series of bomb threats across multiple battleground states and baseless claims of wrongdoing by former President Donald Trump disrupted an otherwise smooth Election Day that capped a tumultuous presidential campaign.

The bomb threats in parts of Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania on Tuesday turned out to be hoaxes, but they forced some polling places to evacuate and extend hours, and delayed the counting of some ballots.

The threats were reported throughout the day at polling locations in three metro Atlanta counties, all with large numbers of Democratic voters, and into the evening at Pennsylvania polling places and election offices where ballots were being counted. Bomb threats also were reported at several voting locations in two Arizona counties, according to the secretary of states office.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in an evening news conference that the hoaxes posed no danger to the public  or to the election. Every legal, eligible vote will be counted and counted accurately, and the will of the people in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be respected, said Shapiro, a Democrat.

Neither Shapiro nor Pennsylvania State Police gave details about who might be behind the hoaxes.

In Georgias Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, 32 of 177 polling places received bomb threats and five were briefly evacuated. The polling locations were able to reopen after the threats.

That just shows you the resilience of our system and our people. Were battle-tested, said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican.

The FBI said many hoax bomb threats in several states appeared to originate from Russian email domains.

The dramatic and troubling end to Election Day came after a highly successful early voting period, when at least half of all votes expected in the presidential election had been cast. By Tuesday, more than 84 million Americans had already voted.

Overall, the final day of voting was characterized by the same kind of routine hiccups and frustrations seen in other elections: a polling worker forgetting to bring a key; ballot printing mistakes; ballot counting machines not working.

The vast majority of problems were largely expected, routine and planned-for events, said Cait Conley, senior adviser to the director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Turnout on Tuesday was robust in many states. In Nevada, one of two western presidential battlegrounds, long lines were reported in Reno and Las Vegas. After polls closed, there was still a three-hour wait at a polling location at the University of Nevada, Reno, according to local election officials.

Despite no evidence of widespread voting problems, Trump made unsubstantiated claims related to Philadelphia and Detroit, and raised questions about election operations in Milwaukee, the biggest cities in three states crucial for deciding the presidency.

Local officials quickly knocked down the claims Trump made on his social media platform, saying there were no indications of any problems that would affect accurately tallying the vote.

The absence of any significant problems had not stopped Trump, the Republican nominee, or the Republican National Committee, from making numerous claims of fraud or election interference during the early voting period, a possible prelude to challenges after Election Day.

In Georgia, a federal judge rejected as frivolous a last-minute effort by Republicans to challenge Atlanta-area election offices collection of mail ballots last weekend  after early voting had ended. U.S. District Judge R. Stan Baker, a Trump appointee, said the GOP argument does not withstand even the most basic level of statutory review and reading comprehension.

Trump on Tuesday suggested he wouldnt challenge the results of the election  as long as its fair.

If its a fair election, Id be the first one to acknowledge the results, Trump said, though what meets that definition wasnt clear.

Trumps Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, had urged voters not to fall for Trumps tactic of casting doubt on elections.

The former president began making unsubstantiated claims about voting, ballot counting and law enforcement as Election Day voting neared its end.

He said on his social media platform that there was talk about massive cheating in Philadelphia and said law enforcement was on the way. He did not provide details, and there was no immediate indication of what he was referring to. His spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment about what he meant.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner issued a statement rejecting Trumps claims as baseless.

There is no factual basis whatsoever within law enforcement to support this wild allegation, Krasner said. If Donald J. Trump has any facts to support his wild allegations, we want them now.

Federal election security officials and Shapiro also said they had seen nothing to support Trumps claims. Officer Miguel Torres of the Philadelphia Police Department said he was unaware of any special law enforcement mobilization or any kind of incident that would require it.

One of three Philadelphia election board members, Seth Bluestein, a Republican, said on social media that Trumps comment is yet another example of disinformation. During an evening news conference, he emphasized the security of the citys vote: There is no evidence whatsoever of massive cheating, he said.

Police in Detroit were equally puzzled by another Trump post that said, Philadelphia and Detroit! Heavy Law Enforcement is there! Detroit police said there were no reported issues inside or outside of Huntington Place, the massive convention room where election workers counted ballots.

Evening traffic outside the center was light with no protesters in sight. Barricades were up outside the room and escalators to and from the area were shut off. Police also reported no major problems in the citys more than 400 voting precincts.

The former president said there was a strong law enforcement presence in Philadelphia and Detroit. That was not true, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said during an evening news conference.

In Milwaukee, election officials said they were recounting more than 30,000 mail ballots out of an abundance of caution after it was discovered that doors on the back of ballot scanners were not properly sealed. The effort, which drew the attention of Trump and the RNC, was expected to delay the count there.

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson went to the Milwaukee central count location with the chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party to observe the effort. Less than two months before Election Day, the Milwaukee election office had drawn praise from Republicans who oversee elections in the state and who had expressed confidence that it was ready.

Arizona, a hotly contested swing state, saw multiple Election Day challenges. Bomb threats targeted polling locations in Cochise and Navajo counties, delaying some results, and frustrated Native American voters stood in hours-long lines in Apache County. A judge ordered some polling places there to remain open two extra hours because of malfunctioning equipment and a lack of printed ballots.

Throughout the day, members of the Navajo Nation reported being turned away by poll workers after waiting for hours. Over 43,000 registered voters live on the Apache County portion of the Navajo Nation, according to court documents in the lawsuit seeking the extension of voting.

Zane James said he waited out in the cold with about 50 other voters for about 2 1/2 hours before they could cast their ballots because of a problem with the sites single printer.

It was just a mess, it was terrible, he said.

At a polling site in Chinle, on the Navajo Nation, Amanda Woody said she didnt know how long it would take before she would be able to cast her ballot.

There is a line, but Im willing to wait, she said. Every vote counts.

 By CHRISTINA A. CASSIDY and ALI SWENSON Associated Press
A spotlight once again shines on Indigenous culture and communities for November, recognized as National American Indian Heritage Month, more commonly known as Native American Heritage Month.

In Oregon, the 2024 celebration includes several local events that highlight tribal history, food, Native artists, and traditional crafts, most of which are free and open to the public.

One event, the NAYA Gala and Auction, which is billed as the largest celebration of Native American Heritage Month in the Pacific Northwest, is long since sold out.

Oregon tribes will recognize Native American Heritage Day on Friday, Nov. 29, when most tribal offices will be closed.

Here are some of the best local ways to celebrate the Native American Heritage Month this year:

THROUGH NOV. 23

Citizen Fellow: Art as Archive and Memory

The latest exhibition at the Center for Native Arts and Cultures will feature a sampling of the past 15 years of Native Arts and Culture Foundation fellows, working with painting, sculpture, printmaking, video and site-specific installation. The exhibition takes creative Native thought and practice as its point of departure and considers art and leadership as a catalyst for community engagement, according to the foundation.

5-7 p.m. Fridays, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays, and by appointment; 800 S.E. 10th Ave., Portland; free.

NOV. 9

Frybread Fest

Downtown Portlands Frybread Fest is billed as a day dedicated to education, healing and celebration for everyone, featuring storytelling from the famed Ed Edmo, drumming by Turquoise Pride and free frybread from Indigenous food pop-up Javelina PDX (while supplies last). The event will also feature Portland Indigenous Marketplace vendors.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 9; 900 S.W. Taylor St., Portland; free.

Ed Edmo, Shoshone-Bannock, is a traditional storyteller, poet, playwright, published author, actor, performer, instructor and tour guide who lectures on cultural issues at cultural sites in the Pacific Northwest.Jarrette Werk |Underscore News/Report for America

NOV. 9

Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley

Get an education about local tribal history at this author talk featuring Dr. David G. Lewis, an anthropologist and member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde who will be discussing topics from his book Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley. The talk will include the colonization of the area and the losses felt by people in the local tribes as they transitioned to life on reservations.

1:30-2:30 p.m. Nov. 9; 2850 N.E. Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro; free.

NOV. 14

This IS Kalapuyan Land

Part of the Grand Ronde Cultural Series, this talk with visual artist Steph Littlebird at the Cedar Mill Library dives into Kalapuyan history from a contemporary Indigenous perspective, featuring art from Indigenous creators. In 2019, Littlebird opened an exhibition by the same name at Washington Countys Five Oaks Museum. Advance registration is required.

6:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 14; 1080 Saltzman Road, Cedar Mill; free, register online at cedarmillbethany.libcal.com.

NOV. 14 and 21

Crafting workshops

The Hillsboro Public Library will host two Indigenous crafting workshops in November. The first, Family Tule Duck Weaving on Nov. 14, will be led by Stephanie Craig, owner of Kalapuya Weaving and Consulting, who will give a presentation on Kalapuyan lifeways before teaching participants how to make a woven tule duck. On Nov. 21, Beading & Embroidery with Mixteca and Yakama Artists will teach that craft to participants of all ages. Advance registration is required for both events, which will take place at the Hillsboro Brookwood Library.

5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 and 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 21; 2850 N.E. Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro; free, register online at wccls.org.

NOV. 15-DEC. 31

Winter Indigenous Pop Up Shop

Hosted by the Portland Indigenous Marketplace, an organization that supports Indigenous artists and promotes public education through cultural arts, the Winter Indigenous Pop Up Shop will be open Wednesday to Sunday throughout the holiday season. Vendors will be selling handmade goods and original designs.

10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday from Nov. 15 to Dec.31; 720 S.W. Washington St., Suite 720, Portland.

NOV. 16

Siletz Restoration Powwow

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians will host its 47th Restoration Powwow this month at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City. The event marks the anniversary of the Siletz Restoration Act, which in 1977 restored the tribes federal recognition. Grand entry will be at 6 p.m. at the powwow.

6 p.m. Nov. 16; 1777 N.W. 44th St., Lincoln City; free.

Nov. 16-17

Crows Shadow Beading Workshop

Crows Shadow Institute of the Arts in Pendleton will host a two-day beading workshop with artist Aubry Booth-Spencer Rodrigez, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, who will teach participants how to make beaded ornaments. Advance registration is required.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 16-17; 48004 St. Andrews Road, Pendleton; $30, register online at crowsshadow.org.

NOV. 16 AND 23

Beaded Earring Workshop

The Hillsdale Library in Southwest Portland will host a two-part beaded earring workshop taught by artist Natalie Mitchell, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and of Mexican descent who makes jewelry inspired by Native art and culture. Registration opens Nov. 10 at multcolib.org.

Nov. 16 and 23; 1525 S.W. Sunset Blvd., Portland; free.

NOV. 23

Grand Ronde Restoration Powwow

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will celebrate the 41st anniversary of the Grand Ronde Restoration Act, which in 1983 restored the tribes federal recognition, with a public powwow on Nov. 23. Grand entry will be at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. for the powwow, which will take place at Spirit Mountain Casino.

1 p.m. Nov. 23; 27100 S.W. Salmon River Highway, Grand Ronde; free.

NOV. 23-24

Oregon City Indigenous Marketplace

In addition to its downtown Portland pop-up, the Portland Indigenous Marketplace will host the two-day Oregon City Indigenous Marketplace, featuring many of its same vendors and artists. The event will take place at the Redland Grange, just outside town.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 23 and 24; 18131 S. Fischers Mill Road, Oregon City.

NOV. 27

Native Story Hour

Storyteller Karen Kitchen (Osage Nation) will lead the Native Story Hour event hosted at the Capitol Hill Library in Southwest Portland. The event will feature songs and books from Native cultures, and is open to people of all ages. The event is supported by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Nov. 27; 10723 S.W. Capitol Highway, Portland; free.

--Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077, jhale@oregonian.com or @HaleJamesB.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.
The Riverdale School District at the southwest edge of Portland closed its two schools, a high school and K-8 school, Tuesday following reports of bomb threats, according to a statement from Superintendent Chris Russo.

The district, which serves about 600 families near Lake Oswego, received emailed threats targeting the schools early Tuesday morning and, as a precaution, canceled all classes for Nov. 5 to ensure student and staff safety. The district said the threat named multiple Riverdale schools across the country.

Russo, in his email to families, said police were assessing the credibility of the threats and working with district officials to secure the buildings.

Later on Tuesday, Russo announced the school campuses were searched and found to be safe. Classes will resume Wednesday.

 Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com or @chiara_profenna
A teacher in the Newberg-Dundee School District was arrested after allegedly giving alcohol to a 16-year-old female student, police said.

Joshua Luciani, 41, was arrested on suspicion of furnishing alcohol to a minor, a Class A misdemeanor, according to a statement from the police on Monday. A community member reported the incident, which police said took place off school property.

No charges are listed in court records as of Tuesday.

School resource officers started the investigation before handing it over to police. Newberg-Dundee Public Schools officials declined to comment.

 Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com or @chiara_profenna
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Planet Earth is grappling with a chronic climate crisis, said Miguel Angel Moratinos UN High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), Trend reports.

Moratinos made the statement at the opening of the Global Baku Summit of World Religious Leaders on November 5, held as part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

"Sadly, it looks like nature and humanity are clashing. We need to figure out how to get along with the environment. We need to bring back peace, and it's up to us to look after our planet," he said.

Driving home the point that climate change is a hot-button issue, Moratinos underscored the importance of COP29 in tackling this burning concern.

"Our planet is confronting a long-term climate crisis, and its impact on our lives is undeniable. Urgent action is needed to address this injustice. Religion plays a vital role in fostering peace with nature, and we must also prioritize those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change," he added.

To note, a Global Summit of Religious Leaders is being held as part of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, the Muslim Council of Elders, the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), and the United Nations Environment Program in Baku.

The global forum is set to roll out the red carpet for around 30 leaders from both secular and traditional religions, heads of prominent religious centers - patriarchs, officials from the Vatican, and Al-Azhar, along with internationally recognized religious and public figures hailing from various corners of the globe and diverse faiths, representatives from government, academia, and religious institutions hailing from 55 countries and 30 international organizations, and media representatives.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The problem with The Washington Posts and Los Angeles Timess decisions not to endorse a presidential candidate is that both newspapers changed policy abruptly and without warning, pulling already-written editorials. If they had told their editorial boards and the public even two months ago that, because of the divisiveness of the current election, the paper would not be endorsing either candidate, people might have thought they were wrong or debated the decision. But few would have been outraged.

Katherine Davenport, Portland
Editors note: El Voto Latino 2024: In Search of the 36 Million began as an exploration by three NAHJ Latina journalists to understand the people behind this rapidly growing voting bloc. In their own words: We aim to examine what this vote means at the macro level and what it says about the enfranchisement and political influence asserted by this demographic. At the regional level, more specifically in swing states, what does this vote and community represent for the political identity of that state? One cannot see, read, or hear about the election and those toss-up states without noticing Nevada and Arizona. The Latino electorate in these two states has grown dramatically during the past 10 years.

Additionally, in a year marked by mass layoffs in news, with fewer Latinos in newsrooms, we want to ensure that we are highlighting why it matters editorially to have Latinos in the newsroom and the type of exploration that is needed when one covers the Latino vote and community.

This coverage was made possible by a grant through the URL Collective, a nonprofit supporting local, diverse media. palabra and URL Collective have partnered to bring you election reporting from grassroots media.

This story first appeared on palabra, the digital news site by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

By Cora Cervantes, Carmen Marquez, Carmen Valencia | Edited by Patricia Guadalupe

During a hot afternoon in Phoenix, Salvador Reza listened to the voices echoing through the streets from community members, leaders, families, and activists chanting in Spanish from inside a building, No a la 314, no a la 314, No to Prop 314.

The proposition on the Nov. 5 ballot sent there by Arizonas conservative legislature would considerably expand the role of state and local authorities in immigration enforcement.

For Reza, 72, this is a real threat to Arizonas immigrant community and is part of a struggle he has been waging nearly all his life as a human rights activist who migrated from Chihuahua, Mexico, at the age of 10.

During the protest, he watched as cars went in procession to the polls for early voting, honking in solidarity, greeted by the lively sounds of a mariachi band before entering the parking lot of the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center. Excitement, cheers and tears filled the air. However, it all brought back dark memories from 2010, when SB 1070, known as the show me your papers law, turned Arizona into one of the most hostile states in the nation for undocumented immigrants.

Overnight, a father could disappear after a traffic stop, or a mother could be picked up from work, tearing families apart. It was painful to watch, he recalled.

The Arizona law, largely declared unconstitutional in federal courts and by the U.S. Supreme Court, inspired a wave of copycat legislation nationwide. It resulted in an exodus from Arizona of mixed-status families. According to the libertarian Cato Institute, approximately 200,000 people left the state in the year following the passage of SB 1070, in connection to the measure and a law that imposed on employers mandatory verifications of their workers status. The economic impact was felt differently; at the school level, schools reported a loss in funding, resulting in job cuts due to decreased enrollment. The financial toll was also felt through boycotts, with $141 million lost from the cancellation of meetings and larger events. Arizonas tourism suffered a major blow. The impact on the industry in the first year included an estimated $253 million loss in economic output, $9.4 million in lost tax revenues and 3,000 jobs disappearing. Arizona became the target of a nationwide economic boycott joined by musicians who canceled concerts in the state in protest.

Moreover, SB 1070 also sparked a movement to organize immigrant communities and empower Latinos to achieve more political representation and oust the politicians behind the discriminatory laws. Fears of racial profiling, economic consequences and community displacement are resurfacing with Prop. 314. Arizona organizers are drawing on those hard-earned lessons, mobilizing voters and preparing for possible legal battles. For many, this election represents a defensive stance and is a reflection of Arizonas ongoing struggle over immigration, community rights and political representation.

Reza is with TONATIERRA Barrio Defense Committees, an advocacy group that promotes the rights of Indigenous People and immigrants. The group was instrumental in launching boycotts in 2007 just ahead of SB 1070s passage and led marches against one of the people pushing for that provision, then-Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

After 14 years, theyre coming back with the same stuff that we thought we had left behind. I couldnt believe it, he said.

Raquel Teran, a community organizer and former state legislator, knows that fight all too well. For her, Prop. 314 feels like deja vu. As a former chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, Teran vividly remembers the feeling that SB 1070 instilled in her community over a decade ago. How? How are we here again? she asks, reflecting on the current battle.

Republicans hold a slim majority in Arizonas state House and Senate and initially tried to pass the measure as the Border Invasion Act, but faced a veto from Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs earlier this year. They then opted to bypass the governor by moving it to the ballot box with a new name, the Secure the Border Act. This measure is now one of 13 legislative proposals on this years ballot.

Part of me wanted to believe that this was going to be stopped at the state legislature because we all know the consequence of these types of extreme legislation, Teran says. Now, as she leads the efforts to oppose Prop. 314, she insists that the most powerful way for the community to resist is through their ballot, urging voters to make their voices heard.

If passed, Prop. 314 would make it a state crime for non-citizens to enter Arizona unauthorized, allow state courts to issue deportation orders, and enable local law enforcement to arrest individuals for unlawful border crossings. Entering the country through an unauthorized port of entry is not a federal crime, but considered an administrative violation. So making it a state crime would give unprecedented authority to state enforcement and state courts to operate as immigration enforcement entities. The proposition additionally protects law-enforcement from racial profiling lawsuits. Opponents of the ballot measure argue that it would place significant pressure on workers operating in the shadows, as they would face an added enforcement layer, potentially expedited deportations, and no federal due process. Non-immigrants impacted by racial profiling would be left with no legal recourse and would need to carry documents with personal information to verify their legal status in the event they are questioned. Daniel Ortega, a 72-year-old attorney in Arizona who fought SB 1070, says Prop. 314 would disproportionately target Latino and immigrant communities.

Not just for those who are undocumented, the law will stymie immigration as a whole because of the fear it creates, Ortega explains. Even people who are here legally or are U.S. citizens could be subject to racial profiling. This law allows local law enforcement to detain or even arrest individuals if they suspect (they) entered the country illegally. They could decide to turn you over to immigration services, the Border Patrol or even take you to the border to self-deport.

In addition to enforcement aspects, the legislation would criminalize at the state level those who apply for public benefits if they submit false documents or provide inaccurate information about their work authorization to employers. This would not only limit workers ability to navigate a hiring process, but also place a strain on labor demand. The American Immigration Council found that there are more than 250,000 immigrants without documents living in the state, most of whom are of working age.

Moreover, organizations like Aliento Arizona argue that Prop. 314 would make it increasingly difficult for workers to seek support and thrive within the community at large due to the impact on their income and ability to navigate and access support. People would be less likely to seek assistance at a medical facility. In the case of mixed-status households, it impacts a parents contact point with their childs school or nutrition or transportation programs offered at the local and state levels. Additionally, based on previous legislation, like SB 1070, it would hinder people from interacting with the police to report a crime or seek help.

SB 1070 mandated law enforcement to check the immigration status of individuals suspected of being undocumented  during even routine traffic stops  leading to widespread concerns about racial profiling and civil rights violations. Similarly to Prop. 314, SB 1070 made it a state misdemeanor crime for a person to be in Arizona without legal documents. But that provision was rejected by federal courts. It is unclear what action the higher courts might take regarding Prop. 314s authority. In the case of SB 1070, the U.S. Supreme Court struck three provisions, but left aspects of the law in place that were later dismantled by lower courts. The composition of the Supreme Court has changed since its 2012 decision in Arizona v The United States. Since then, states have also been given more authority, as seen in the battle over reproductive rights.

Organizers combating Prop. 314, like Abril Gallardo Cervera, a 33-year-old with LUCHA, a Phoenix-based organization founded in response to the passing of SB 1070 and now advocating for social, racial and economic justice for Latinos  are bracing for renewed uncertainty. The difference now is that, under Prop 314, law enforcement officers have immunity. With SB 1070, people could hold officers accountable for racial profiling. But now, if youre brown and they suspect youre undocumented  even if youre a U.S. citizen  you can be pulled over and go through the process without recourse, she adds.

Including Prop. 314 and SB 1070, Arizona has a long history of passing anti-immigrant laws, beginning with Prop. 200 in 2004, which required proof of citizenship for voter registration, and restricted public benefits for undocumented immigrants. Proposition 300 in 2006, denied state-funded scholarships, in-state tuition, and financial aid to undocumented students even if they graduated from an Arizona high school. That same year, HB 2281 banned ethnic studies programs, specifically targeting Mexican-American studies.

As organizations like LUCHA work to combat the proposition, advocates remember their 2016 success in defeating Arpaio, whose racial profiling strategies included conducting raids in businesses and conducting sweeps in Latino neighborhoods.

A recent poll finds that voters across the state overwhelmingly support the ballot measure. Noble Predictive Insights says that nearly two-thirds (63%) of Arizona voters are in favor. Only 16% are opposed, while 6% said they would abstain from voting on that measure.. Just days before the election, the remaining 16% said they were undecided.

With the bill gaining so much support, people like Ortega say the community is ready to fight back. If passed, (Prop 314) will be challenged. There are plenty of groups, plenty of lawyers who are waiting in the wings. If it passes, lawsuits will be filed.

At the Phoenix Park N Swap, a busy weekend spot for Latino families, many voters hadnt heard of the measure and had their eyes on the Lake/Gallego U.S. Senate race. Jose Salazar, 46, out shopping with his family, said he plans to vote for former President Donald Trump because of his views on the economy, security, and jobs. On Prop. 314, Salazar admitted, No, I would have to read into it, adding that he also plans to vote for Republican Kari Lake for U.S. Senate. Lake has taken a strong border enforcement approach.

Nely Garcia, 68, who didnt want to share whom shes voting for, also hadnt heard about Prop. 314.I believe thats not right [Prop. 314]. Thats why theres immigration officials  the police are another entity. Meanwhile, Veronica Caro, 48, plans to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, citing immigration as a key issue for her. When palabra told her about Prop. 314, she said, No, oh, no, thats really bad. I always read up on the propositions on the ballot before voting, adding that shell also be voting for Democrat Ruben Gallego.

At an outdoor market in Tucson, Yvette Serino, president and co-chair of Latinos for Lake, runs Latino voter engagement for Lake and says this about undocumented immigrants crossing the southern border: If there is a better process of immigration to help people not go absolutely that route, maybe a quick route. It is truly hurting the real asylum seeker.

In statements on Lakes campaign website, her immigration focus is on enforcement. Priority actions in Lakes platform include a border wall, enhanced border surveillance technology, and an emphasis on a deterrence policy by enforcement and changes to asylum laws. When asked about Prop. 314, Serino said she wasnt aware of it, adding, We really havent discussed it; no one has brought it up to us. She mentioned that when talking about immigration, Theres gotta be solutions in a humanitarian way.

During a debate with Rep. Ruben Gallego, Lake said, President Trump, my good friend, has called me Border Kari Lake, and I love that nickname, and I am going to go there to D.C. to build the border wall, and secure the border. Gallegos campaign has not issued a statement regarding Prop. 314. On his website, his stance concerning immigration is, As the proud son of immigrants, Ruben knows that for millions of Arizonans, immigration is not just a political issue, but a personal one, as our border communities benefit every day from sustained economic and cultural exchange.

But while our border communities are not the war zones that news stations often portray them as, Gallegos message continues, they are facing a serious crisis. We need smart ways to keep our border secure, allow for a prosperous cross-border economy, reform a broken immigration system, and stop the flow of fentanyl into our communities. Current polls show Gallego leading Lake 49.4% to 44.3%. The Arizona member of Congress has leaned heavily on Latino voter support and has, in contrast to Lake, secured key Latino leadership and institutional endorsements, like LUCHA.

Latino voters will play a key role in Arizonas election results, including the possible passage of Prop 314. According to UCLAs Latino Policy & Politics Institute, Arizona has the fourth-largest population of eligible Latino voters in the nation, totaling around 1.3 million. Almost one in five of these eligible voters is a naturalized citizen. The population has more than doubled since 2000, currently comprising 25% of the states electorate. In the presidential race, FiveThirtyEights polls on the national level show Trump and Harris neck-and-neck, with Harris leading at 48% and Trump close at 46.8%, a margin of 1.2%. In Arizona, the same poll shows that Trump is leading with 48.8%, and Harris with 46.7%, a margin of 2.1%. Among Latino voters in Arizona, a recent poll by Arizona State University showed that 51% of Latino voters support Harris and 32% support a second term for Trump. When it came to Prop. 314, the ASU poll found that the proposition had support from Latino registered voters. They were at roughly 45% somewhat or strongly in support, the survey said.

With just three days until the election, organizers are intensifying efforts to mobilize voters about Prop 314. Rudy Cartagena, a 22-year-old community organizer with the activist group Aliento Arizona, highlighted their approach: Our two biggest (strategies) are phone banking and canvassing. Were door-to-door, educating people on the bill.

At events like Roll to the Polls, groups such as LUCHA and Aliento Arizona are bringing this message directly to voters, urging them to reject a measure they believe threatens their communities. As Teran dropped off her ballot, she choked up. Were at our ballot box, and this vote is for our families. And because we continue to fight. We fight and dont give up.



Carmen Marquez is a Mexican American independent reporter based in Los Angeles. She has focused on indigenous and undocumented communities and previously worked as an anchor/reporter in Telemundo 52/NBC4 Los Angeles. During the 2020 election, Marquez covered the young Latino demographic in the USA for Telemundo and NBC, and is currently producing an audio documentary on Latinas and ADHD for LWC Studios. @carmenmarqueztv

Carmen Valencia is a Latina independent journalist based in San Diego and a two-time Emmy Award and Associated Press winner. Growing up along the U.S.-Mexico border profoundly shaped her personal and professional journey. She previously worked at Spectrum News Network in Los Angeles and served as an immigration video correspondent for Yahoo News. Carmens reporting covers immigration, politics, and social justice, with a focus on elevating voices of Latino and underrepresented communities. Committed to holding power accountable, she brings a deep passion for empathetic, non-extractive, and compassionate storytelling. @carmenvalencianews

Cora Cervantes is an independent journalist in Los Angeles reporting about politics, immigration, climate change, race and justice, and culture with an equity lens. She has a network television and cable news production background at NBC News and MSNBC. She has produced digital stories for multimedia outlets, including NBC News, Al Jazeera, NPRs Latino USA, High Country News, and Narratively. Cora is a graduate of Columbia University and holds a Masters degree from New York Universitys Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She currently serves as a board member of NAHJs Los Angeles Chapter. @cora_cervantes

Patricia Guadalupe, raised in Puerto Rico, is a bilingual multimedia journalist based in Washington, D.C. She has been covering the capital for both English- and Spanish-language media outlets since the mid-1990s. She previously worked as a reporter in New York City. Shes been an editor at Hispanic Link News Service, a reporter at WTOP Radio (CBS Washington affiliate), a contributing reporter for CBS Radio network, and has written for NBC News.com and Latino Magazine, among others. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and has a Masters degree from the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University. She specializes in business news and politics, and cultural issues. She is the former president of the Washington, D.C., chapter of NAHJ and is an adjunct professor at American University in the nations capital and the Washington semester program of Florida International University. @PatriciagDC
Editors note: This story is part of Frequency of Deception / Radiofrecuencia de enganos, a six-part series by Feet in 2 Worlds in partnership with WNYCs Notes from America, palabra, and Puente News Collaborative on the spread of dis- and misinformation on Spanish radio in the U.S. This story first appeared on palabra, the digital news site by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

By Alfredo Corchado | Edited by John Rudolph

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin  Stark political ads blare incessantly on the airwaves of this crucial battleground state. They portray the southern border of the United States as out-of-control, chaotic terrain overrun by waves of unauthorized migrants  a crisis in need of heavy-handed solutions.

The ads dominate mainstream television, radio, and streaming services. Even billboards and social media feature the messaging. Every platform is used  except the states largest Spanish-language radio network.

The Republicans are doing very little in [Spanish] radio because they are not interested in Latinos, said Jorge Perez Serret, 51, general manager of the Milwaukee market of Bustos Media, one of the largest independent Spanish radio networks in the country. Democrats are doing the bare minimum to counter that message, he added. In my opinion, thats political suicide.

Wisconsin has a history of being a battleground state. In 2020 President Joe Biden won Wisconsin by a narrow 0.63% margin  fewer than 25,000 votes over former President Donald Trump. Everything suggests this year is no different; polls show an extremely close race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in Wisconsin and other key swing states. Latinos could be the deciding factor that determines which way Wisconsin votes. Yet many Latinos here feel they are being ignored, not just by Republicans, but by Democrats as well.

One way this neglect can be measured is by the scarcity of political advertising and candidate appearances on Spanish-language radio, a medium Latinos  not just in Wisconsin, but throughout the hemisphere  have traditionally valued as a primary source of information.

In the absence of political information on Spanish-language radio stations, a disinformation campaign about the border and other immigration issues aimed at the general population in Wisconsin is reaching Latino voters on social media and television. Factchequeado, a nonprofit, nonpartisan initiative that monitors and identifies misinformation and disinformation in Spanish, has been studying the media landscape in six of the top battleground states. Wisconsin is a peculiar case, said Factchequeado co-founder Laura Zommer.

To our knowledge, in Wisconsin, most of the disinformation is happening through mainstream television, through WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok or Facebook, but not much is happening through Spanish radio, said Zommer. One hypothesis is that today its generally cheaper to go outside radio.

Zommer and others, including Armando Ibarra, a distinguished professor of Latinx and labor studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, cite several factors behind the snub of Spanish radio: changing media consumption habits, particularly among young Latinos, overall indifference from both political parties, and shifting demographics. Its estimated that about 43,000 younger, first-time Latino voters will be eligible to vote in Wisconsin this year.

Wisconsins rapidly growing Latino population stands at close to 450,000. But as of 2020 less than half - 181,000 - were citizens who are eligible to vote. In previous elections, the number of Latinos who voted lagged behind White and Black voter participation rates in the state. The lack of an effective Democratic counter-offensive in Wisconsin and other swing states, political observers said, may also help explain why the Trump campaign has managed to chip away at the large margins Democrats once enjoyed among Latino voters. In a state with such thin election margins, the smallest shift in voting can have a big impact on national politics.

Latino voters, explained Ibarra, are not committed Democratic ideologues. He added that many  particularly those growing up away from the urban centers of Milwaukee and Madison  hold more conservative views on issues like abortion and religious faith that align with the Republican Party.

From an early age, young Latinos in rural areas grow up among staunch Republicans, Ibarra said. Their upbringing makes them ideal recruits for the Republican Party, though when it comes to policy, the Democrats still have a huge advantage.

[The Democratic Party] could be engaging more aggressively by breaking out  the campaign itself into areas such as Green Bay (a conservative region) with a Latinx focus, Ibarra added. There should have been people knocking on the doors. They should have people on the radio. They should have people where these folks are gathering, whether its for recreation, a baile, or whatever, at the different festivals.

Latinos are the second fastest-growing group of voting-age U.S. citizens in 2024, with about 36.2 million Latinos eligible to vote in November. One in five will be casting their first ballot in a presidential election. That highlights how the nations Latino population, over the last two decades, flipped from being primarily foreign-born to majority U.S.-born according to the Pew Research Center.

Still, there is a lack of information on Spanish-language radio  not just ads, but interviews with candidates and campaigns. That information gap makes Latino voters susceptible to a flood of questionable content from social media and right-wing influencers who rely on fear mongering about migrants and the border to instill panic among voters. Though the border is some 1,500 miles away, its become a local issue here, thanks to tens of millions of dollars being poured into mainstream media ads and the chatter of social media sites spouting debatable alternative facts and downright lies.

These messages, which often reflect former President Trumps attacks on immigrants, dont play well with some Latino voters. Miguel Aranda was a swing voter until Trump began referring to Mexican immigrants as murderers and rapists.

Born in California to Mexican immigrant parents, Aranda was raised in Whitewater, a university and farming community an hours drive southwest of Milwaukee. Migrants are a vital part of the economy in Wisconsin, he said, adding that the economic issues including workforce development and education are a higher priority for him than immigration.

In this years campaign, Trumps language has become even more menacing toward immigrants, using disinformation and the threat to deport millions of people. That irritates and troubles Aranda, given his lived experiences and connection to Mexico.

It is just tradition; people have always voted Republican, said Aranda, who serves as vice president of the towns school board and is now an activist with the local Democratic Party. But [Trumps] is just this fear-mongering message.

With little information on the Spanish airwaves, some Latinos, including Juana Barajas, 52, a native of Guanajuato, Mexico, rely on social media and chat platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and TikTok for information. Barajas owns the San Jose Mexican store, a small grocery store in Whitewater that specializes in Mexican and Latin American products. Like many in the community, Barajas said she is disturbed by images of migrants crowding the U.S.-Mexico border, which she sees on social media shared by family members back in Mexico.

Shes doubly disturbed by harshly critical reports coming from Mexico about the cost of migration to her homeland. In recent years, a growing number of asylum-seeking migrants have fled authoritarian regimes in Nicaragua and Venezuela, passing through Mexico and arriving in rural towns in Wisconsin and beyond. Barajas says she understands the motivation that drives migrants north. Still, she said she fears the demographic change is challenging for her and her white neighbors.

I have never lived with immigrants from a country other than Mexico, Barajas said. I tell the newcomers: learn English, ingratiate yourself in the community, because locals can turn on you in a second.

In spite of her advice on assimilation  and even though she has been living in Wisconsin for more than 30 years  Barajas is not a U.S. citizen. Like many Latinos in this midwestern state, she cant vote.

Barajas engages in politics in other ways. She prides herself on being a gatekeeper of truthful information for her family and customers. Recently, she received a viral video that claimed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would pause the states anti-immigration law to welcome migrants back to Florida to help with post-hurricane cleanup. Barajas passed the story to her customers, urging them, not to even think about moving to Florida. Have dignity. *uck Florida, I screamed at them, for even thinking about moving.

But the story was fake, according to Factchequeado.

You dont know what to believe anymore, said Barajas after being presented with the Factchequeado findings, though she still believes the story may be true. Because everyones talking about it  and not having information on the radio makes things worse.

One of the few radio ads targeting Spanish-speaking voters in Wisconsin contains false information. The ad from the campaign of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde claims that illegal immigrants are receiving checks from the federal government, and that the federal government is financing a clinic in Madison (Wisconsin) where minors are receiving transgender therapy without the consent of their parents.

We discovered this ad with the help of an algorithm developed by a Stanford University student to identify misinformation and disinformation on Spanish radio.

The ad, which began running recently, is airing on four Spanish radio stations, including at least one that Perez manages.

When asked about the ad, Perez said clearly they are lies, but added that he wasnt aware of the entire content in the commercial.

Perez said the candidates in Wisconsins U.S. Senate race and the presidential candidates have spent what amounts to a drop in the bucket, on advertising on his stations. Eric Hovde is challenging Democrat incumbent Senator Tammy Baldwin. The two candidates are running neck and neck in the polls.

According to Perez, Hovde bought 71 Spanish radio ads between early October through Election Day. Baldwin is doing six times that, he said, adding that the presidential campaigns have done next to nothing  we [Latinos are] like an afterthought. The candidates should have been advertising all along.

Perez recognizes that media consumption habits are changing, especially among younger Latinos. He sees it in his own family. His son, Jorge Jr., known as George, 21, is the presumed successor to the family radio business. These days, George, who is double majoring in finance and accounting at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, questions the medium he once worshiped. He explains that its more likely than not that people would rather surf other applications rather than the traditional radio.

I need to look at all my options, George explained, pointing to fast-shifting media consumption trends.

The elder Perez added its immigrant heads of family like him who can influence younger family members, particularly those leaning Republican because of so-called shared values on business and religion. George was going to vote for Trump until father and son sat down for a talk. Jorge reminded George to think critically, look at the border as part of his heritage, and understand that if Trump won the presidency, people he knows could face deportation.

When I noticed that the demographics that [Republicans] appeal to dont necessarily believe that I exist in the same space, I realized I didnt belong, said George, who is now planning to vote for Harris, just like his white girlfriend, Grace. I would not want to align with a party that doesnt necessarily believe me to be a citizen of the United States.

Allowing social media influencers to target young Latinos like him, added George, has a negative, distorted impact. We dont have a full set of facts.

Nonetheless, Republicans smell blood, Perez and others said. After losing the state narrowly four years ago, the Wisconsin Republican Party vowed it would invest more resources in the Milwaukee Latino community  and the state as a whole  in hopes of at least narrowing the partisan gap.

The party named a young Latino, Hilario Deleon, as its chair in Milwaukee. As the Republican National Convention got underway in July, Deleon was seen everywhere, sitting with social media influencers and mainstream TV hosts, denouncing border security, immigration, and the economy, and posing with Trump for pictures. Deleon walked the citys southside, canvassing for new voters. Alongside the state Republican chairman, he announced plans to open a new outreach center on the citys Latino-heavy south side. But by mid-August, the new center sat empty.

Weve invited him several times to be interviewed for our Spanish radio audience and to speak to the Latino community, but hes never taken our calls, said Perez. Its like we are invisible to [the Republicans]. Their indifference is perplexing. But theyre apparently fighting to get our vote.

Calls placed to Deleon and the state Republican Party were not returned.

The overall GOP strategy in metropolitan areas like Milwaukee and Madison  which vote heavily Democratic  isnt necessarily about winning the Latino vote, but winning by losing less, said Sara L. McKinnon, professor of Rhetoric, Politics & Culture in the Department of Communication Arts, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. McKinnon, who is the Faculty Director of Latin American, Caribbean & Iberian Studies at the university, adds that this means, spending less [on Spanish radio advertising], and focusing more on platforms like TikTok or YouTube.

In a close election no vote should be taken for granted by either party, argues Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera Action, a community outreach nonprofit registering new voters and increasing election participation throughout the state. Ibarra and Neumann-Ortiz say younger, first-time voters will be critical in this years election.

Theyre trying to convince a very small number  you know, 8% of undecided voters in Georgia, 6% in Wisconsin  of people who have claimed to be undecided voters and who, unfortunately, many are younger people who neither party has reached, said Ibarra, the University of Wisconsin-Madison professor. Some of these young voters are thinking of voting for Trump, even though their parents may be unauthorized immigrants. Think about that; theres a real disconnect, a cognitive dissonance between this generation and [the] second generation thats fueled by disinformation.

That leaves groups like Voces de la Frontera Action to face the daunting task of engaging voters and making sure they have the right information, explained Neumann-Ortiz. They do this by canvassing door-to-door.

Radio is a top priority for us, said Neumann-Ortiz. I feel like funding work by trusted organizations that are critical to debunking lies came late and has been somewhat inadequate and thats a damn shame.

__

Puente News collaborator Dudley Althaus contributed to this report.

This series is based on original reporting by investigative reporter Martina Guzman. Logo design by Daniel Robles.

Feet in 2 Worlds is supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The Ford Foundation, the Fernandez Pave the Way Foundation, an anonymous donor, and contributors to our annual NewsMatch campaign. The Fund for Investigative Journalism provided funding for this project.

The radio programs referenced in our reporting were archived, preserved, and made available by the Internet Archive. Data journalist Jordan Rynning developed software to identify misinformation in those programs.

Alfredo Corchado is the executive editor for Puente News Collaborative and the former Mexico/Border Correspondent for The Dallas Morning News. Hes the author of Midnight in Mexico and Homelands. Puente News Collaborative is a bilingual nonprofit newsroom, convener and funder dedicated to high-quality, fact-based news from the U.S.-Mexico border. @ajcorchado

John Rudolph is the founder of Feet in 2 Worlds, a leader in centering immigrant voices in journalism. Created in 2004, Feet in 2 Worlds (Fi2W) is an independent media outlet, journalism training program, and launchpad for emerging immigrant journalists and media makers of color. Fi2W brings positive and meaningful change to Americas newsrooms and has a broader impact on how immigration is reported and the ethnic and racial composition of news organizations. Over nearly five decades in journalism John has covered events in the U.S. and around the globe with a special focus on immigrants and immigration, U.S. politics, and environmental issues including climate change, population growth, and industrial pollution. His work has been honored by numerous journalism awards.

Caleb Santiago Alvarado is a first-generation Mexican-American photographer and director, born and raised amongst the dust of the Sonoran Desert in South Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated from Arizona State University with a Masters degree in Architecture but fell in love with storytelling. It has since allowed Caleb to create personal, editorial, and commercial photography work that uplifts and captures the vibrant narratives of people, focusing on stories of color and personal vibrancy. @calebalvarado

Dudley Althaus has reported on Mexico, Latin America and beyond for more than three decades as a staff newspaper correspondent. Beginning his career at a small newspaper on the Texas-Mexico border, Althaus had an award-winning 22-year stint as Mexico City bureau chief of the Houston Chronicle. After a four-year run as a Mexico correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, Althaus covered immigration and border issues as a freelancer based in San Antonio for Hearst Newspapers. He has covered every Mexican presidential election since 1988, when Mexicos troubled transition to democracy began. @dqalthaus

Martina Guzman is the director of the Race & Justice Reporting Initiative at the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, Michigan. Her reporting covers immigrant communities and systemic inequality. She was named Best Statewide Individual Reporter by the Associated Press for her work at WDET, Detroits NPR affiliate. Her exploration into the rise and fall of global, post-industrial cities earned her Best Investigative Series from the Michigan Broadcasters Association and the Associated Press of Michigan. Martina was the Detroit correspondent for The Takeaway, a radio news program by Public Radio International and WNYC. She has received numerous grants and fellowships, including the MacArthur Foundation, the German Marshall Fund and a Ford Foundation, to investigate the impacts of water shut-offs on women of color in South Africa and Detroit. She is a graduate of the Journalism School at Columbia University in New York City and a 2023 John S. Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford University.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Voters in Missouri cleared the way to undo one of the nations most restrictive abortion bans in one of four victories Tuesday for abortion rights advocates, while Florida defeated a similar constitutional amendment, leaving in place a law barring most abortions after the first six weeks of pregnancy.

Abortion rights amendments also passed in Colorado and Maryland. Another that bans discrimination on the basis of pregnancy outcomes prevailed in New York.

Results were still pending in five other states with abortion measures on the ballot.

The Missouri and Florida results represent firsts in the abortion landscape, which underwent a seismic shift in 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a ruling that ended a nationwide right to abortion and cleared the way for bans to take effect in most Republican-controlled states.

Missouri is positioned to be the first state where a vote will undo a ban thats already in place. Currently, abortion is barred at all stages of pregnancy with an exception only when a medical emergency puts the womans life at risk. Under the amendment, lawmakers would be able to restrict abortions past the point of a fetus viability  usually considered after 21 weeks, although theres no exact defined time frame.

But the ban, and other restrictive laws, are not automatically repealed. Advocates now have to ask courts to overturn laws to square with the new amendment.

Today, Missourians made history and sent a clear message: decisions around pregnancy, including abortion, birth control, and miscarriage care are personal and private and should be left up to patients and their families, not politicians, Rachel Sweet, campaign manager of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, said in a statement.

Roughly half of Missouris voters said abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 2,200 of the states voters. But only about 1 in 10 said abortion should be illegal in all cases; nearly 4 in 10 said abortion should be illegal in most cases.

Florida is the first state since Roe was overturned where abortion opponents prevailed on a ballot measure. Most voters supported the Florida measure, but it fell short of the required 60% to pass constitutional amendments in the state. Most states require a simple majority.

The result was a political win for Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican with a national profile, who had steered state GOP funds to the cause. His administration has weighed in, too, with a campaign against the measure, investigators questioning people who signed petitions to add it to the ballot and threats to TV stations that aired one commercial supporting it.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national anti-abortion group SBA Pro-Life America, said in a statement that the result is a momentous victory for life in Florida and for our entire country, praising DeSantis for leading the charge against the measure.

The defeat makes permanent a shift in the Southern abortion landscape that began when the states six-week ban took effect in May. That removed Florida as a destination for abortion for many women from nearby states with deeper bans and also led to far more women from the state traveling to obtain abortion. The nearest states with looser restrictions are North Carolina and Virginia  hundreds of miles away.

The reality is because of Floridas constitution a minority of Florida voters have decided Amendment 4 will not be adopted, said Lauren Brenzel, campaign director for the Yes on 4 Campaign said while wiping away tears. The reality is a majority of Floridians just voted to end Floridas abortion ban.

In Maryland, the abortion rights amendment is a legal change that wont make an immediate difference to abortion access in a state that already allows it.

The Colorado measure exceeded the 55% of support required to pass. Besides enshrining access, it also undoes an earlier amendment that barred using state and local government funding for abortion, opening the possibility of state Medicaid and government employee insurance plans covering care.

A New York equal rights law that abortion rights group say will bolster abortion rights also passed. It doesnt contain the word abortion but rather bans discrimination on the basis of pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy. Sasha Ahuja, campaign director of New Yorkers for Equal Rights, called the result a monumental victory for all New Yorkers and a vote against opponents who she says used misleading parental rights and anti-trans messages to thwart the measure.

Florida result ends a win streak for abortion-rights advocates

Until Tuesday, abortion rights advocates had prevailed on all seven measures that have appeared on statewide ballots since the fall of Roe.

The abortion rights campaigns have a big fundraising advantage this year. Their opponents efforts are focused on portraying the amendments as too extreme rather than abortion as immoral.

Currently, 13 states are enforcing bans at all stages of pregnancy, with some exceptions. Four more bar abortion in most cases after about six weeks of pregnancy  before women often realize theyre pregnant. Despite the bans, the number of monthly abortions in the U.S. has risen slightly, because of the growing use of abortion pills and organized efforts to help women travel for abortion. Still, advocates say the bans have reduced access, especially for lower-income and minority residents of the states with bans.

The issue is resonating with voters. About one-fourth said abortion policy was the single most important factor for their vote, according to AP VoteCast, a sweeping survey of more than 110,000 voters nationwide. Close to half said it was an important factor, but not the most important. Just over 1 in 10 said it was a minor factor.

The outcomes of ballot initiatives that sought to overturn strict abortion bans in Florida and Missouri were very important to a majority of voters in the states. More than half of Florida voters identified the result of the amendment as very important, while roughly 6 in 10 of Missouris voters said the same, the survey found.

Some measures aim to enshrine current law, others to roll back bans

While the ballot questions have similar aims, each one occupies its own political circumstances.

Nebraska has competing ballot measures. One would allow abortion further into pregnancy. The other would enshrine in the constitution the states current law, which bars most abortions after 12 weeks  but would allow for further restrictions.

In South Dakota, the measure would allow some regulations related to the health of the woman after 12 weeks. Because of that wrinkle, most national abortion-rights groups are not supporting it.

Arizona, a battleground in the presidential election, bans abortion after the first 15 weeks of pregnancy.

The ballot measure there gained momentum after a state Supreme Court ruling in April found that the state could enforce a strict abortion ban adopted in 1864. Some GOP lawmakers joined with Democrats to repeal the law before it could be enforced.

Measures maintaining access also are on the ballot in Montana, where a U.S. Senate race could help determine control of the chamber, and Nevada, a battleground in the presidential election.

In Nevada, where control of the state government is divided, the ballot measure would have to be passed this year and again in 2026 to take effect.

 By GEOFF MULVIHILL and CHRISTINE FERNANDO Associated Press. Associated Press reporters Hannah Fingerhut and Amanda Seitz contributed to this article.
Oregon elections offices would need to receive a massive influx of 700,000 or more ballots Tuesday and afterward to reach the turnout levels seen in the past two presidential elections.

By close of business Monday, county elections offices reported receiving ballots from just 55% of Oregons nearly 3.1 million registered voters, according to Oregon Elections Division data. In contrast, state turnout reached 62% by the day before the November 2016 election and a huge 73% at the same point in 2020.

Statewide turnout eventually reached 80% in 2016 and 82% in 2020.

If 700,000 ballots pour in now, swamping elections offices, that would far surpass the number and share of ballots ever received on one day. In 2016, the Oregon Elections Division reported that on Election Day, offices received ballots from 463,000 people, or about 18% of registered voters, setting a state record. (Oregon had about 500,000 fewer registered voters back then.)

Its also possible Oregon is on track to record slightly or even substantially lower turnout than in past presidential elections.

Should the state see a flood of ballots, theyll mostly arrive Tuesday. However, more will continue trickling in over the coming days, thanks to a 2021 Oregon law that allows ballots to be accepted so long as they are postmarked by Election Day and received by county elections offices within a week.

With this being the first presidential election since that law went into effect, John Horvick, the senior vice president at Portland-based polling firm DHM Research, said hes unsure how many ballots might still arrive in the mail. With a higher share of Oregon Republicans turning out to vote early, he also noted that later ballots could skew more toward Democrats.

Eventual turnout this year remains a big question: I dont think well have a clear picture of it, really, until tomorrow afternoon, Horvick said Tuesday.

If anywhere near 700,000 Oregonians turn in last-day ballots, that would indicate a definitive shift towards voting late in the election period, a change after Democratic enthusiasm drove a massive trend of early voting in 2020. The decrease in ballots returned pre-Election Day this cycle mirrors a nationwide decline.

In particular, Multnomah County voters are trailing behind their past track records, with only 50% of ballots turned in by the end of day Monday.

Based on historic numbers, the county elections office said it anticipates 81% turnout countywide this November. But to reach that total, about 180,000 Multnomah ballots would have to flood in on Tuesday and the following days  nearly double the 98,000 or so ballots the county reported receiving on Election Day in 2016.

 Aviva Bechky covers politics and education for The Oregonian/OregonLive. They can be reached at abechky@oregonian.com or on X at @avivabechky.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Azerbaijans initiatives in the fight against climate change are highly regarded, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders Mohamed Abdel-Salam said at the Global Summit of Religious Leaders in Baku, Trend reports.

Abdel-Salam noted that Azerbaijan rolls out the red carpet for all religions and cultures, treating them with the utmost respect.

"I find it symbolic that this event, which brings religious leaders together around the issue of climate, is being held in Azerbaijan. The summit of religious leaders, held in the lead-up to the COP29 climate conference, carries special significance," he added.

To note, a Global Summit of Religious Leaders is being held as part of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, the Muslim Council of Elders, the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), and the United Nations Environment Program in Baku.

The global forum is set to roll out the red carpet for around 30 leaders from both secular and traditional religions, heads of prominent religious centers - patriarchs, officials from the Vatican, and Al-Azhar, along with internationally recognized religious and public figures hailing from various corners of the globe and diverse faiths, representatives from government, academia, and religious institutions hailing from 55 countries and 30 international organizations, and media representatives.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Environmental problems globally menace both people and the whole ecosystem, President of the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs Ali Erbas said at the opening ceremony of the Global Summit of Religious Leaders being held as part of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku today, Trend reports.

According to him, the writing's on the wall for historical monuments and nature, as they're being swept away by the tide of environmental problems.

"We must act together. A view of life that separates people from the purpose of existence and places them in dependence on the environment is leading the world to disaster. Global environmental problems threaten not only people but the entire ecological system.

The current concept of power and dominance predicts a natural balance. In this process, ecological catastrophes, global warming, lack of food security, destruction of natural resources, and severe pollution of air, water, and soil are overlooked.

More seriously, the environmental damage caused by biological and chemical weapons has reached its peak. This must be clearly announced. All of this has been done and is being done by developed countries," he added.

To note, the Global Summit of Religious Leaders is being held by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, the Muslim Council of Elders, the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), and the United Nations Environment Program in Baku.

The global forum is set to roll out the red carpet for around 30 leaders from both secular and traditional religions, heads of prominent religious centers - patriarchs, officials from the Vatican, and Al-Azhar, along with internationally recognized religious and public figures hailing from various corners of the globe and diverse faiths, representatives from government, academia, and religious institutions hailing from 55 countries and 30 international organizations, and media representatives.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Margot Robbie, an Australian actress, has reportedly given birth to her first baby with husband Tom Ackerley.

The "Barbie" actress, 34, welcomed her first child with her husband around Oct. 17, keeping the birth under wraps for weeks. Robbie gave birth to a baby boy, whose name has yet to be publicly disclosed.

There are very few details known about the child's birth. The Daily Mail reported that Robbie went into labor shortly before her due date and that "all is well" following the birth.

It is important to note that neither Robbie nor Ackerley have confirmed the news.

Robbie and Ackerley's First Child

The baby boy is the couple's first child. The pair met in 2013 on the set of Suite Francaise, a World War II drama in which Ackerley served as an assistant director and Robbie played Celine Joseph.

Robbie and Ackerley launched the production company LuckyChap along with the actress' friends Sopgia Kerr and Josey McNamarra. The company produced some of Robbie's most notable works, including "I, Tonya," "Birds of Prey," and "Barbie."

It is unclear when the pair got engaged. The couple secretly got married in December 2016 in a private ceremony in Australia.

Robbie's Pregnancy

The "Harley Quinn" actress has never directly addressed her pregnancy. However, she first stepped out with a noticeable baby bump in July while getting on a boat. PEOPLE later confirmed her pregnancy, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the matter.

Robbie again showed off her baby bump in September at the Los Angeles screening of the drama-comedy movie "My Old Ass," which was produced by their company. It was her last red carpet event prior to giving birth.

She was last seen out in public on Oct. 13 when she was leaving an editing studio in Los Angeles.

The magazine previously reported that the actress was holed up at home in Los Angeles in preparation for her baby's arrival. The pair were also said to be excited as they have "wanted to be parents for a really long time."

Furthermore, the magazine noted that the actress was juggling work and hospital visits, adding that Robbie "seems to love staying busy."
Canadian parents are outraged after someone jokingly left a bowl full of razors out on Halloween night in an effort to make a political statement.

A resident of Calgary's Bowness left out a bowl of razors in lieu of candy on Halloween night last week, including an accompanying note blaming Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the increase in prices that supposedly made other treats unaffordable.

"Sorry we can't afford apples this year because of Trudeau. So this year just razors," said the note.

"I've never ever seen that before. You hear of stories ... with pins or razors or whatever, but I've never come across something like that," said one mother who spoke to 660 NewsRadio. She had reportedly been trick-or-treating with her two children when they came across the bowl of razors. She instructed her children to put the razors back after they unknowingly picked them up.

"It was unnecessary, political views have nothing to do with kids having fun on Halloween," she said. "That could be something that could be on your end, whether it be dark humour or sick jokes  whatever. Kids are out to have fun."

Police confirmed to 660 NewsRadio that the incident was reported to them but stated they currently lack sufficient evidence to make any arrests.

Originally published by Latin Times.
The crowning and concluding  and summarizing  visit of our Interpreter Foundation educational tour to Mexico and Guatemala was to Mexico Citys magnificent Museo Nacional de Antropologia after church on Sunday afternoon. The museum offers a beautifully-arranged and admirably-displayed collection of artifacts, both real and replicated, from the various nations and periods of the Pre-Columbian history of Mexico. And not only from Mexico, but from the territory of other modern nations in the region  or, anyway, at least from Guatemala. It is a spectacular museum. We spent several hours there, but several days would be required to do it even minimal justice. Perhaps the most famous object in the collection is the massive Aztec calendar stone, but I saw many other familiar objects that often appear in books.

This was my first time in the Museo Nacional de Antropologia since I first went there at the age of seventeen. Curiously, although I have few if any real memories of it from that youthful visit, I remembered the look of the main entrance very clearly.

Incidentally, I was amused during the tour to catch a few of the comments about it from the Peterson Obsession Board. There was a sort of competition among a few of the enthusiasts there to express the most indignant outrage regarding the tour. (Such competitions are a recurrent feature at the POB.) I was, it was suggested, hastily fleeing indignant donors who had given to Six Days in August. (Of course, the tour  and my involvement in it  had been scheduled many, many months ago, long before the films release date had been set. And at least a few of those donors were in the tour group.) My silence for several days of the tour wasnt actually due to a mysterious computer failure, as I have claimed, but rather to my desire to escape the wrath of those whom I had defrauded or, anyway, whose money I had squandered on yet another of my interminable series of personal vanity projects. Either the Interpreter Foundation or I myself was profiting handsomely off of the folks in the tour group. (In fact, neither I nor the Interpreter Foundation will profit so much as a penny from the trip.) My favorite accusation, though, is probably the claim that our tour was a racist, colonialist project to steal and distort the real cultures of Mesoamerica. This particular gem was contributed by my Malevolent Stalker, who has not yet found an evil that he is unwilling to ascribe to me. (He recently asserted, for example, that, however much I may protest otherwise, I admire the Nazis  particularly for their historical willingness and ability to murder those who disagree with them.)

The reasoning behind that charge, that the Interpreter Foundations educational tour to Guatemala and Mexico, if reasoning it can really be called  it seems actually to be merely an expression of personal hostility to Yr Obdt Servant, blended (whether ingenuously or, more likely, disingenuously) with some form or another of leftish anti-Westernism  was racist and colonialist apparently runs as follows: The wicked Latter-day Saints are trying to impose their ideological model of Nephites and Lamanites and Mulekites and Jaredites upon the native peoples of Mesoamerica, who are, thereby, being deprived of their own indigenous story.

I doubt, though, that anybody faulting the Latter-day Saints for such cultural imperialism is equally exercised about the theories of contemporary archaeologists and anthropologists, which, by and large, dont tend to support the Aztec creation myth (the so-called Legend of the Fifth Sun), according to which the world had been created and destroyed four times before. Does modern historical and archaeological scholarship really endorse the Maya creation story that credits six deities, covered in green and blue feathers and floating in the primordial waters, with the creation of the Earth? Do contemporary archaeologists and anthropologists believe that those six gods planted a tall ceiba tree in order to make space for all life and to separate Sky from Earth? Does current anthropological theory support the idea that the roots of that primordial ceiba tree penetrated deep into the nine levels of the Maya Underworld and reached up through the thirteen levels of the Maya Upper-world? Do contemporary scholars teach, as fact, that, in the beginning, only Tawa, the Sun God, and Spider Woman, the Earth Goddess, existed? Has evolutionary theory made room for the claim that Tawa and Spider Woman created the world by singing the First Magic Song and then willing life into existence? Arent modern scholars and scientists effectively subverting indigenous cultures and traditions with their own ideas? How does this not make them racist and colonialist cultural imperialists by the apparent standards of at least one deep thinker on the Obsession Board? (Hint: The salient fact is probably just this: Such scholars and scientists arent typically named Dan Peterson. Accordingly, they get a pass.)

After Ive led a tour of Israel or Egypt or some other location in the Middle East, I typically dont want to read or watch anything related to the region during the flights home. For a day or two, I dont want to think about the subject any more. In fact, I want something very, very different. With that in mind, I started reading Philip K. Dicks 1962 novel The Man in the High Castle on the flight from Mexico City to Dallas/Fort Worth.

For those who are unfamiliar with it, the novel is set in the former United States of America after the defeat of the Allies by the Axis powers. The Empire of Japan controls the nominally independent satellite state that controls the Pacific coast of North America, while the Third Reich controls the eastern seaboard.

As of this moment, Ive just reached the point in the story where Reichskanzler Martin Bormann, who had succeeded Adolf Hitler when Hitler went insane from syphilis, has died. Now, other leaders outside the Reich are trying to divine who is most likely to succeed to the leadership of Germanys empire. Hermann Goring (aka Goering) is a leading candidate. So is Joseph Goebbels. As is Reinhard Heydrich. (In the counterfactual history of the novel, Heinrich Himmler had died under somewhat mysterious circumstances in 1948.)

It reminds me of the incessant stories coming across my news feed about who is currently leading whom nationally, in Iowa, in the battleground states, and so forth. Will Kamala Harris win? Will Donald Trump win? Im tired of hearing about the-election-as-horserace. Im very grateful to have been out of the United States for the past two weeks. May it soon all be over!

Posted from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Image quality is quite good

AI features feel well thought-out

Very good noise cancellation

Innovative solution for group settings Cons 4K turns to 1080p when AI is enabled

Utility app is buggy

Hard to find in stores

A bit overpriced Our Verdict The Coolpo AI Huddle Mini Lite is a unique, laptop-mounted webcam that can be used either for individual use or a small group. It largely delivers what it promises, with one significant exception. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today

Best Prices Today: Coolpo AI Huddle Mini Lite

Retailer Price Coolpo $220 View Deal Product Price

Coolpos AI Huddle Mini Lite does double duty as an individual webcam and one that can show off a number of participants in the same room, in a pinch. Its a smartly designed 4K camera, which foregoes frills for a simple, easy-to-use interface.

Coolpo is one of those hundreds of little startups in Shenzhen, China, whose products come and go quickly. At press time, Amazon was out of stock, but the manufacturer still had availability. Keep in mind, though, that the MSRP, about $220, is way, way more than many of the webcams in our list of recommended webcams. For the price, it might have been nice if the Coolpo AI Huddle Mini Lite offered Windows Hello capabilities. Alas, it does not. You may have to tap your departments IT budget to get it approved.

Is it worth it? Not quite. One of the features this webcam offers is automatic panning and zooming, a value-add feature that was much more impressive before Microsoft added it to some of its Copilot+ devices armed with an NPU. Coolpos webcam intelligently crops and zooms to achieve the same effect.

A webcam that can be used for both individual use as well as for small groups adds a lot of value. Unfortunately, it leaves a bit to be desired as a personal webcam.

Coolpo AI Huddle Mini Lite: Build quality

Coolpos AI Huddle Mini Lite is rather impressively chunky for a modern webcam, spanning 4.5 inches across the top of your monitor or display, extending 3.2 inches back, and measuring 2.5 inches from top to bottom. A cord stretching about 6.25 feet plugs into a USB-C slot on the back of the webcam, and to a USB-A port on your laptop or hub. It includes a physical shutter, which slides across.

The Coolpo AI Huddle Mini Lite will grip a laptop, but it works better on a monitor. Mark Hachman / IDG

Like most webcams, the Mini Lites mount includes a tooth that extends down from the jaw of the webcams mount. The tooth hooks over the edge of the display, while the flexible jaw opens and closes to support the webcam at a given angle. Some webcams include an additional tongue to support the webcam as it leans against your display; this webcam does not. Is it a problem? Not that I can see. The weight of the webcam helps hold it steady, and the webcam itself swivels up and down to line up your face. The AI software takes care of the rest.

Coolpos camera appears to work right out of the box, as a generic USB camera. But if you want to use the added features, youll need to read the manual closer to unearth the download link. Youll then need to download a small utility file to allow the value-added features to work. (I confirmed that the software will run on Windows on Arm PCs.)

Coolpo AI Huddle Mini Lite: Image quality

As a webcam, Coolpos AI Huddle Mini Lite does a pretty good job. As I explain in my webcam testing methodology, I do not try to take an ideal photo or screenshot, as I like to see how the webcam does in average to poor conditions. Downstairs in my cave-like office with artificial lighting, my blue shirt looked a bit grainy but the colors were otherwise on point.

The screenshot looks a little soft though, for reasons Ill explain below.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Upstairs, my go-to shot is in full, natural light, but with the light coming from one side. I thought the camera did a nice job processing the fall sun, as well as picking out the details of my face and hair. Theres only one problem with the color, and thats that Im wearing a green sweater. It looks about the same color as the dark gray couch.

This camera doesnt indicate that it has HDR, and I see no signs of it here.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Coolpos AI features: What do they do?

The Coolpo utility software is somewhat hit or miss. For one, it had a persistent bug that caused the utility to disappear when the screen was moved from one display to the other, forcing me to detach and re-insert the webcam. The app also left a dialog box at the bottom of the app that wouldnt go away, asking whether I wanted to save a custom configuration of various settings.

Once you download the software, however, the Meeting flex AI, if enabled, goes to work. But, theres a catch.

Though this camera does go up to 4K (2160p) resolution, it only does so with AI off. The camera has an adjustable field of view (60/90/120 degrees) that can be adjusted manually or by letting the AI do the work. The AI software can be set up either in Frame Master (in group or individual mode) as well as Division Master.

Coolpos software is simple yet functional. Mark Hachman / IDG

In Frame Master mode, the webcam crops and zooms to fit one or a group, up to seven people. In individual mode, however, the webcam cant crop in at 4K resolution (which is 30Hz, maximum). Instead, it crops down to 1080p resolution. The camera will maintain 4K resolution, but without panning or zooming, in a 120-degree field of view. Thats not ideal.

Otherwise, the pan and zoom is very good, responsive without being twitchy  some cameras will refocus or recenter you at the smallest movement, which is distracting to an audience.

Division Master is a very interesting mode, and helps justify this webcam as a business expense. When Division Master is on, the screen subdivides itself into four separate vertical video windows that somehow individually focus and lock in on the four faces. Its a neat trick.

(I tested this using the preview mode of the Coolpo app with my family, who asked me not to take a screenshot to preserve their privacy.) If the number of people in the room is between five and seven, the camera simply shows static images of their faces instead.

The noise cancelation capabilities of the Coolpo AI Huddle Mini Lite arent bad. I typically play back rock music and a separate white noise track on a phone, and move them around while I record my voice using the camera mic. The Mini Lite did a decent job filtering out the music, and I could barely hear the much more neutral sounds of a recorded rainstorm. Thats what I would hope for.

Is the Coolpo AI Huddle Mini Lite worth it?

Coolpo is pitching this camera as an ideal solution for a huddle room, where a small team video chats with a remote audience. I would think that most teams would have a pricier, more complex solution, but maybe not. The Coolpro webcam seems like it could certainly work, especially in a pinch. In fact, given the price, using it for groups seems to offer the best value.

Sure, Id much rather have a true 4K camera with a zoomed-in field of view, or at least the option for it. But I give credit to Coolpros engineers for addressing a problem with some innovative solutions. As a personal webcam, however, Coolpos AI Huddle Mini Lite comes up a bit short for a bit too much. There are just too many superior options for less money to settle for the Coolpos compromises.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The green economy model provides humanity with the opportunity to develop more harmoniously, and the concept of ecological ethics must be updated, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims' Board Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade said at the Global Baku Summit of Religious Leaders, Trend reports.

Pashazade noted that the humanitarian crises were grappling with today are the bitter fruits of environmental and war crimes that have been committed in our time. Were seeing the wrecking ball take down ecosystems, leaving fertile land and water resources hanging by a thread.

He also highlighted that new dangerous trends popping up in the globalized world, which twist moral and ethical values that have been set in stone for centuries, along with the creeping encroachment on religious and cultural values, are raising eyebrows in the progressive global community.

"To address these challenges, it is imperative to maintain the cultural and ethical ideals that have directed humanity for ages in all domainspolitics, economics, and international relations. The UN Sustainable Development Program emphasizes a concept of a sustainable green economy that guarantees economic efficiency, social equity, and ecological equilibrium, with the goal of making renewable energy universally available.



In the contemporary world, where risks to human existence and international stability are escalating, it is imperative to fortify the collaborative endeavors of political, public, and religious leaders to address pressing environmental and climate change challenges while simultaneously promoting global discourse. The COP29 conference will comprehensively analyze the political and economic factors contributing to these difficulties," Pashazade added.

To note, a Global Summit of Religious Leaders is being held as part of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, the Muslim Council of Elders, the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), and the United Nations Environment Program in Baku.

The global forum is set to roll out the red carpet approximately 30 leaders from secular and traditional religions, including heads of significant religious centers such as patriarchs, Vatican officials, and Al-Azhar representatives, alongside internationally acknowledged religious and public figures from various regions and faiths, as well as representatives from government, academia, and religious institutions from 55 countries and 30 international organizations, along with media representatives.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Azerbaijan proposes to create a permanent Advisory Council of Religious Leaders within the framework of the UN COP (Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade said at the Global Summit of Religious Leaders in Baku today, Trend reports.

"One of the important initiatives put forward by Azerbaijan for the future of humanity within the framework of COP29 is the initiative for a global ceasefire, and I urge all religious leaders to express their support for this initiative in the name of saving the world and the future of our children.

In this regard, we also propose the creation of a permanent Advisory Council of Religious Leaders within the framework of the UN COP. This body, during the intervals between COP sessions, could implement socially important and effective projects, conduct educational activities on issues of religion and ecological ethics, and prepare literature.

I am confident that at COP29, the proposal for a religious platform will be received positively, and the wise ideas and practical recommendations of the worlds religious leaders in the final document of our Summit will become a moral support and a valuable contribution to the efforts of government and public figures in this direction," he added.

To note, the Global Summit of Religious Leaders is being held as part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, the Muslim Council of Elders, the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), and the United Nations Environment Program in Baku.

The global forum is set to roll out the red carpet for around 30 leaders from both secular and traditional religions, heads of prominent religious centers - patriarchs, officials from the Vatican, and Al-Azhar, along with internationally recognized religious and public figures hailing from various corners of the globe and diverse faiths, representatives from government, academia, and religious institutions hailing from 55 countries and 30 international organizations, and media representatives.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Several midstate counties are at the center this year of mass challenges to the validity of absentee ballot requests coming from Americans living abroad.

To the petitioners, its a matter of election integrity and making sure that only real Pennsylvanians are voting in the presidential election. Those subject to the challenges are all said to be U.S. citizens living overseas who are no longer actively registered to vote in Pennsylvania.

But civil liberties lawyers weighing in on the case say county and state elections administrators here are simply following settled law that  for some 40 years now  has been designed to bolster voting rights of these voters.

If they dont like the law, they should write to their Congressmen or write an op-ed. But they shouldnt drop hundreds of cookie-cutter forms on their boards of elections a couple of days before a presidential election, said Ari Savitsky, senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Unions Voting Rights Project.

Through Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of State said it had been informed of 3,554 of these challenges across 10 counties, nearly half of them originating in Lancaster, York, Cumberland and Dauphin counties.

Reporters with Spotlight PA and VoteBeat have tracked some of the challenges to people associated with Heather Honey, director of the Election Research Institute, a nonprofit that touts its dedication to protecting voting rights by identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in election systems.

PennLives efforts to reach Honey on Monday afternoon were not immediately successful.

According to Spotlights reporting, some of Honeys data analysis methods have produced inaccurate or flawed conclusions in the past.

Under Pennsylvania law, it is in fact a felony to permit any person to vote who is not registered, and the complaints assert that all the voters in question are in fact not registered  they cant be because they dont have residency.

But heres the rub, elections rights attorneys say: The federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, enshrines the right for a person who resides outside the United States and [but for such residence] would be qualified to vote in the last place in which the person was domiciled before leaving the United States.

And as for that conflict with the states voter registration requirement? The ACLUs Savitsky argues that simple: Federal law controls.

These so-called federal voters, then, receive special ballots that only contain federal offices like the presidency, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives; because they arent qualified as state voters they do not get votes on races like state attorney general or state legislator.

It was not immediately clear Monday what kind of verification local elections officials do on the applicants prior residences.

The state had a 5 p.m. Friday deadline to for anyone to challenge these mail-in ballot applications; elections officials reached by PennLive said they had never seen mass challenges like this before.

In York County, where some 354 of the ballot requests were challenged, the Board of Elections denied the challenges Monday, though any ballots received by Tuesdays deadline will remain segregated during the complainants window to file appeals in court.

Boards of Elections in Cumberland and Dauphin counties, with 322 and 194 challenges, respectively, are expected to take up the issue in meetings later this week.

The largest number of challenges, 1,110, are in Bucks County. The Associated Press reported most of those were filed by Republican state Sen. Jarrett Coleman.

The Lycoming County Board of Elections has scheduled a hearing Friday on a challenge of the 71 county voters who live overseas. Most of the names have been registered for years, elections director Forrest Lehman said.

The ballot challenges follow a federal judges ruling last week to throw out a lawsuit by six Republican members of Congress seeking to make Pennsylvania election officials institute new checks confirming military and overseas voters eligibility and identity.

The Shapiro Administrations Department of State sharply criticized the overseas ballot challenges in a statement provided to PennLive on Monday, calling them an 11th-hour attempt to disenfranchise overseas federal voters, who are entitled under federal law to vote for federal offices. These voters have been subjected to multiple attacks on their right to vote, including in a recent lawsuit recently brought by members of Congress that was promptly dismissed by the court.

The Shapiro administration looks forward to continuing the legal process to protect these voters ... and ensure they have their voices heard at the ballot box.

According to federal statistics, there are about 2.9 million U.S. citizens of voting age living abroad indefinitely. According to survey data they most commonly choose to do so because of business or job opportunities, family ties or other quality-of-life reasons.

Their participation rate in the 2020 election was 9 percent, which this year, would compute to about 260,000.

Thats not a lot, but the cases again show how election security has become magnified in swing states, where partisans are fighting for every perceived edge in the voter pool.

Caroline Gorland, an ex-pat from Lower Paxton Township in Dauphin County who now lives in Britain, told PennLive she has voted from Europe several times previously, without incident. She said she has sent a response to the challenge from Aimee Lighty and plans to tune into the countys Zoom meeting on Friday.

Its definitely a bit disconcerting, Gorland said. Not to say [the votes] wont be counted, but the fact that theyre delayed for reasons that are unfounded is very frustrating.

Staff writer Zack Hoopes and correspondent John Beauge contributed reporting.
By Patrick Marley, Robert Klemko, Shawn Boburg, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, The Washington Post

The final day of voting in a deeply divided nations high-stakes elections started mostly smoothly on Tuesday, with only scattered problems at some polling locations.

In a presidential race expected to hinge on the outcome in seven battleground states, there was heightened attention on Election Day factors that could determine the direction of the country for the next four years.

In Arizona, polling locations across the desert metropolis of Maricopa County opened to streams of voters eager to make their voices heard.

Some complained that it took them between 30 and 45 minutes to fill out their two-page ballots  the longest in nearly 20 years. Others complained of poor lighting inside a church polling site. But by and large, Republicans and Democrats said the voting process went smoothly, and they were relieved to get it over with.

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D) said voting in the fiercely competitive battleground state was running smoothly, even if there were reports of minor hiccups that always happen with elections. Its the kind of day we want, and Im knocking on wood right now, he said at midmorning Tuesday.

In Pennsylvania, a software malfunction in Cambria County temporarily prevented ballots from being scanned countywide, according to local election officials, an issue that some Republicans quickly and baselessly alleged to be a targeted attack on the heavily GOP area.

The Cambria County Board of Elections said in a statement that it learned of the issue early Tuesday and was quickly working to rectify it, pledging that every vote would be counted. A court approved the boards petition to extend voting time to 10 p.m., instead of the planned 8 p.m. close.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) blamed Russia as the source of multiple non-credible bomb threats against polling centers in the state.

We identified the source; it was from Russia, he said at a news conference Tuesday morning. They think if they can get us to fight among ourselves, they can count that as a victory. The threats come after federal officials issued various warnings in recent days over tactics by Russia to cause disruptions during the election and afterward.

For the most part, however, voters have been able to cast their ballots around the country. Even before polls opened on Tuesday, nearly 82 million voters had cast early ballots, either in person or through the mail. Thats more than half the overall number who voted in 2020. Tens of millions more are voting on Tuesday.

Voting administrators were performing their duties amid stepped-up security after facing years of threats from some supporters of former president Donald Trump who believe his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

The FBI said Tuesday morning that a video purportedly released by the bureau claiming people should vote remotely because of high terrorism threats at polling stations is false. A second video containing a fake FBI press release and claiming that operators of five prisons in Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania conspired with a political party and rigged inmate voting is also false, according to the FBI.

Federal law enforcement officials are also posted at the National Election Command Post at FBI headquarters in Washington on Tuesday monitoring potential domestic and international threats as Americans cast their ballots.

The command center will be staffed 24 hours a day and will operate through at least Saturday, longer than in previous elections. Officials say that is because of concerns over potential post-election confusion, violence or problems with voting certification. The 55 FBI field offices across the country also have command centers set up to monitor the elections in their districts, working with the command center at D.C. headquarters when problems arise.

Republicans have spent more than a year recruiting election observers and said they were deploying thousands of volunteers to the polls. Democrats also sent observers to voting sites, as did the Justice Department and the House Administration Committee.
By Maryclaire Dale, The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA  The $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes that Elon Musks political action committee is hosting in swing states can continue through Tuesdays presidential election, a Pennsylvania judge ruled Monday.

Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta  ruling after Musks lawyers said the winners are paid spokespeople and not chosen by chance  did not immediately explain his reasoning.

District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, had called the process a scam designed to actually influence a national election and asked that it be shut down.

Musk lawyer Chris Gober said the final two recipients before Tuesdays presidential election will be in Arizona on Monday and Michigan on Tuesday.

The $1 million recipients are not chosen by chance, Gober said Monday. We know exactly who will be announced as the $1 million recipient today and tomorrow.

Chris Young, the director and treasurer of America PAC, testified that the recipients are vetted ahead of time, to feel out their personality, (and) make sure they were someone whose values aligned with the group.

Musks lawyers, defending the effort, called it core political speech given that participants sign a petition endorsing the U.S. Constitution. They also said Krasners bid to shut it down under Pennsylvania law was moot because there would be no more Pennsylvania winners before the program ends Tuesday.

Krasner believes the giveaways violates state election law and contradict what Musk promised when he announced them during an appearance with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump s campaign in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 19: Were going to be awarding a million dollars randomly to people who have signed the petition every day from now until the election, Musk vowed.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner arrives for a hearing at a City Hall courtroom, in Philadelphia, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)AP

Young also acknowledged that the PAC made the recipients sign nondisclosure agreements.

They couldnt really reveal the truth about how they got the money, right? Summers asked.

Sounds right, Young said.

In an Oct. 20 social media post shown in court, Musk said anyone signing the petition had a daily chance of winning $1M!

Summers grilled him on Musks use of both the words chance and randomly, prompting Young to concede the latter was not the word I would have selected.

Young said the winners knew they would be called on stage but not specifically that they would win the money.

Musk did not attend the hearing. He has committed more than $70 million to the super PAC to help Trump and other Republicans win in November.

This was all a political marketing masquerading as a lottery, Krasner testified Monday. Thats what it is. A grift.

Lawyers for Musk and the PAC said they do not plan to extend the lottery beyond Tuesday. Krasner said the first three winners, starting on Oct. 19, came from Pennsylvania in the days leading up to the states Oct. 21 voter registration deadline.

Other winners came from the battleground states of Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina and Michigan. Its not clear if anyone has yet received the money. The PAC pledged they would get it by Nov. 30, according to an exhibit shown in court.

More than 1 million people from the seven states have registered for the sweepstakes by signing a petition saying they support the right to free speech and to bear arms, the first two amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Krasner questioned how the PAC might use their data, which it will have on hand well past the election.

They were scammed for their information, Krasner said. It has almost unlimited use.

Krasners team called Musk the heartbeat of America PAC, and the person announcing the winners and presenting the checks.

He was the one who presented the checks, albeit large cardboard checks. We dont really know if there are any real checks, Summers said.

Foglietta presided over the case at Philadelphia City Hall after Musk and the PAC lost an effort to move it to federal court.

America PAC lawyer Chris Gober speaks with members of the media ahead of a hearing at a City Hall courtroom in Philadelphia, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)AP

Krasner has said he could still consider criminal charges, as hes tasked with protecting both lotteries and the integrity of elections.

Pennsylvania remains a key battleground state with 19 electoral votes and both Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris have repeatedly visited the state, including stops planned Monday in the final hours of the campaign.

Krasner  who noted that he has long driven a Tesla  said he could also seek civil damages for the Pennsylvania registrants. Musk is the CEO and largest shareholder of Tesla. He also owns the social media platform X, where America PAC has published posts on the sweepstakes, and the rocket ship maker SpaceX.
By Tom Lisi, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS)

Lancaster County officials said 400 voter registration applications that were part of a batch of 2,500 received last month were fraudulent. They also addressed legal challenges to the eligibility of 700 overseas voters but declined to reveal crucial details.

Commissioner Ray DAgostino, during Monday mornings Board of Elections meeting, said about 17% of the problem batch of applications were deemed fraudulent by investigators. More than half, 57%, were found to be legitimate, and were processed accordingly, DAgostino said. That leaves 26% under further investigation.

On Oct. 25, District Attorney Heather Adams said in a news conference some of the batch of applications included information of people who told investigators they did not fill out the registration form or sign the form.

DAgostino declined to give a hard count of how many applications were under investigation and also refrained from saying whether a voter registration group named by officials in other counties was implicated.

Monroe and York counties have tied an Arizona-based organization, Field+Media Corps, to problem voter applications under respective investigations.

The CEO of the organization, Francisco Heredia, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. The organizations website, which showed it had helped with voter registration drives for mostly liberal and progressive groups, was no longer active Monday.

The update also underscored how the countys handling of suspicious registrations is being misrepresented by former President Donald Trump. Over the past week, and again Sunday at a Lancaster Airport campaign rally, Trump repeated the falsehood that 2,600 ballots had been discovered by the county and that they all had the same penmanship.

Democratic Commissioner Alice Yoder, noting the former presidents remarks, said all three commissioners had been promoting the countys elections as safe and secure, and she hoped her Republican colleagues would agree with her that Trumps remarks should be called out by county leaders as wrong.

Republicans DAgostino and Josh Parsons again opted not to directly respond to Trumps comments, saying they could not address every claim on social media. Parsons attended Trumps rally at Lancaster Airport.

Friday hearing on federal voters

The meeting Monday morning highlighted how the county was juggling two different election issues ahead of in-person voting Tuesday. Lancaster, like other Pennsylvania counties, is dealing with challenges filed late last week to overseas ballots.

Though the elections board did not offer many details about the challenges to the eligibility of 723 overseas voters, DAgostino announced that an Elections Board hearing on the matter will take place at 9 a.m. Friday in the commissioners meeting room in the Lancaster County Government Center.

The challenges specifically target the voting eligibility of overseas voters who are allowed to vote for federal offices  president and Congress.

On Saturday, the Pennsylvania Department of State confirmed 14 counties received voter eligibility challenges.

Other counties have either already held hearings on the challenges or made the challengers public. Members of PA Fair Elections and the Election Research Institute, groups that promote conspiracies about election administration, have been behind some of the challenges, as have GOP state Sens. Cris and Jarrett Coleman.

On Monday, Lancaster County Solicitor Jackie Pfursich said the county was working with the Department of State to notify the voters before the Friday hearing.

Lancaster County officials declined to publicly reveal who was behind the challenges here. Pfursich said at least one individual was behind at least some of the challenges, adding that the county received the challenges Friday at 4 p.m., and staff were still reviewing them.

The county declined to make copies of the challenges public. Pfursich directed an attorney representing the ACLU of Pennsylvania to file a public records request with the county, given that the law exempted at least some election records from public viewing while an election is active.

The solicitor suggested the challenges would be included in an agenda published ahead of Fridays hearing.

In hearings already held, in Chester and York counties, all the challenges were tossed out by election boards, citing a lack of evidence and federal law governing overseas voting.

Staff Writer Jordan Wilkie contributed reporting to this story.

(c)2024 LNP (Lancaster, Pa.)

Visit LNP (Lancaster, Pa.) at lancasteronline.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The breakneck pace of the 2024 presidential election didnt let up even on Tuesday as voters poured into polling places to cast their ballots.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Democratic vice-presidential hopeful on Kamala Harris ticket for the White House, stopped by a Harrisburg diner to speak with supporters Tuesday around noon.
Just days after his bandmates said they were stunned when he quit by email, Tim Alexander is speaking out.

The former Primus drummer explained his reasons for quitting the band in an interview with Rolling Stone.

Im feeling really good, Alexander said. Im dealing with all the aches and pains, but Im doing things to strengthen my body and to strengthen my relationships and to strengthen my mind  Im the happiest I think Ive ever been. Im not look at this like, I cant function anymore, I got to quit. I feel good, I feel strong, but Ive had to make these changes to get to this point.

Rolling Stone noted that Alexander suffered a pair of heart attacks 10 years ago so checking the box of his health being good is important.

A lot of times, you do something you love for a long time, and sometimes the passion turns into a job, and sometimes that job doesnt feel like its your being anymore, he added. Over time, I started realizing that it was affecting my physical life, it was affecting my mental life, and it was affecting my family life, and my heart just wasnt in it. When I discovered that Im struggling with all these things, I had to sit and think about exactly what am I doing. I dont think Ive ever chosen my path in life, I think Ive just always thought Im a drummer, Im just gonna do music, and things came to me, accepting whatever happens.

Alexander said what he sent the band was a letter that was very heartfelt, it was very loving.

I said positive things about how much I appreciated them and how much admiration there was, he added. So it was very surprising that certain parts would be released to the whole world.

Alexander gave Rolling Stone a lengthy statement on why he quit. In that statement, he called stepping away one of the most challenging decisions of my life, but ultimately, it came down to love for myself, my family, and the life I want to create moving forward. I chose a path of love.

You can read the full statement here.

The band said Alexander quit via email on Oct. 17.

On the heels of a wonderful Spring & Summer of touring and some fabulous plans ahead, it has been a bit bewildering for us that Herb would so abruptly opt out, the band said in a statement. After several attempts to communicate with Herb, his only response was another email stating that he has lost his passion for playing. As disappointing as that is, we respect his choice and its forced us to make some tough decisions.

Weve considered cancelling the annual New Years show, but after much talk Les and Ler have decided to pivot to an augmented version of Primus featuring members of Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade. This will be an exciting special, one-time event. As far as future Primus, the band is looking forward to performing in the Dominican Republic with Tool and others. Danny Carey has once again graciously offered to fill the drum throne. For Sessanta, Primus plans on searching for the greatest drummer on earth.

Ultimate Classic Rock reported that Alexander originally joined Primus in 1989 and was with it through 1996. He returned to the band in 2003 and played with it through 2010. He returned again in 2013 and played until his most recent decision to step away.

Primus formed in 1984.
Another band member has left metalcore group As I Lay Dying.

As I Lay Dying has been riddled with controversy, particularly after frontman, Tim Lambesis, was arrested after attempting to hire a hitman to kill his wife.

Billboard reports how guitarist Phil Sgrosso  who has been with the group since 2003  announced his departure via a statement published to social media.

With recent events, including the departure of band members and the cancellation of our recent European tour ahead of a new album release, its clear were in a difficult and serious situation, the post reads on Instagram. Simply put, recent actions have shown that As I Lay Dying no longer offers a health or safe environment for anyone involved  whether creatively, personally, or professionally.

After witnessing some concerning patterns of behavior, Ive realized that I can no longer, in good conscience, enable further actions that could negatively affect anyone working within this space.

According to Consequence.net, Sgrossos announcement comes merely days after three other musicians exited the band last week.

The event or events behind eachs departure remains unconfirmed as of the publishing of this report.

However, many outlets such as Loudwire have noted that the band has long been the subject of negative discussion following the arrest of Lambesis in 2013. Lambesis served two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to solicitation of murder.

The bands upcoming album is still slated for its Nov. 15 release date. The remaining members  Lambesis included  still have yet to directly address this latest departure.
Hamilton at the Hershey Theatre is very close to being sold out.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical will be performed from Tuesday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Dec. 8.

A revolutionary story of passion, unstoppable ambition and the dawn of a new nation. Hamilton is the epic saga that follows the rise of founding father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation.

The show is based on Ron Chernows acclaimed biography and set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway and features the book, music and lyrics of Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Hamilton received 11 Tony Awards, Grammy and Olivier Awards, the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.

The show premiered off-Broadway in February 2015 and on Broadway in August 2015.

Hamilton is the third show of the Broadway Series at Hershey Theatre. The final show in the series will be Pretty Woman: The Musical, starting on Jan. 14, 2025.

Fans can buy tickets here (prices are as of the time of this publication):

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27

8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29

2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30

8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30

1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5

8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6

2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. "The Legend of Khari Bulbul" and "The Odin's Code" documentary films, directed by Swedish photographer and filmmaker Mikael Silkeberg with the support of the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Sweden, will be shown at the Rex Cinema in Paris, Trend reports.

The films will be shown on November 7 within the framework of the 2nd International Film Festival "Cinema Heritage", the opening ceremony of which took place at the Rex Cinema with the support of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France, the Permanent Mission to UNESCO, and the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO.

"The Legend of Khari Bulbul" is the first documentary film made after the liberation of Shusha, the musical capital of Azerbaijan, from occupation. The film highlights its historical significance and rich cultural heritage. It also tells the symbolic story of the Khari Bulbul flower, which became a symbol of victory and freedom. "The Odin Code" focuses on the historical ties between Azerbaijan and the Scandinavian countries, particularly the visit to Azerbaijan by the famous Norwegian scientist and traveler Thor Heyerdahl, who attached great importance to studying these connections, as well as the opinions expressed during his meetings with the National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

At the opening ceremony, the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to France, Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, addressed the audience, and the festival organizers declared the festival open. The Ambassador of Azerbaijan to France, Leyla Abdullayeva, expressed gratitude to the Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Elman Abdullayev, and the Secretary General of the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, Seymur Fataliyev, for their support of the festival.

The festival is organized annually by the AITYSH France Association in Paris, the cradle of cinema. The main goal of the festival is to showcase new realities and images, promote talent, and care for the exceptional world of filmmakers whose works have become a part of the global film heritage. It aims to screen films about people and cultures and promote dialogue between cultures and nations.

The principle of the festival is to convey through the unique language of cinema a message of tolerance, mutual understanding, kindness, the preservation of cultural diversity, and unity.

The opening ceremony was attended by diplomats accredited in France, cultural and artistic figures from France and participating countries, directors, actors of the films being screened at the festival, as well as members of the local community and diaspora of various nations residing in Paris.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
By Kim Tong-Hyung and Hying-Jin Kim, The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea on Tuesday fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern sea, the South Korean military said, as the country continued its weapons demonstrations hours before the U.S. presidential election.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles flew about 400 kilometers (250 miles) but didnt specify how many were fired. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said they landed in waters outside of Japans exclusive economic zone and there were no immediate reports of damage.

The launches came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a flight test of the countrys newest intercontinental ballistic missile designed to reach the U.S. mainland. In response to that launch, the United States flew a long-range B-1B bomber in a trilateral drill with South Korea and Japan on Sunday in a show of force. That drew condemnation from Kims powerful sister, who on Tuesday accused North Koreas rivals of raising tensions with aggressive and adventuristic military threats.

South Korean officials have said that North Korea was likely to dial up its military displays around the U.S. presidential election to command the attention of Washington. South Koreas military intelligence agency said last week that North Korea has also likely completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test.

Outside officials and analysts say North Korea eventually hopes to use an expanded nuclear arsenal as leverage to win concessions such as sanctions relief after a new U.S. president is elected.

There are widespread views that Kim Jong Un would prefer a win by Republican candidate Donald Trump, with whom he engaged in high-stakes nuclear diplomacy in 2018-19, seeing him as a more likely counterpart to give him what he wants than Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. During campaigning, Harris said she wont cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un who are rooting for Trump.

North Korea claimed last week that the Hwasong-19 it tested on Oct. 31 was the worlds strongest ICBM, but experts say the solid-fuel missile was too big to be useful in war. Experts say North Korea has yet to acquire some critical technologies to build a functioning ICBM, such as ensuring that the warhead survives the harsh conditions of atmospheric re-entry.

Tensions between the Koreas are at their highest point in years as Kim has repeatedly flaunted his expanding nuclear weapon and missile programs, while reportedly providing Russia with munitions and troops to support President Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine.

On Monday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters that as many as 10,000 North Korean soldiers were in Russias Kursk region near Ukraines border and were preparing to join Moscows fight against Ukraine in the coming days. If they engage in combat, it would be North Koreas first participation in a large-scale conflict since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

After a meeting in Seoul on Monday, senior South Korean and European Union officials expressed concerns about Russias possible transfer of technology to North Korea to enhance its nuclear program in exchange for its troops. Such transfers would jeopardize the international non-proliferation efforts and threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the globe, they said.

In response to North Koreas growing nuclear threat, South Korea, the United States and Japan have been expanding their combined military exercises and updating their nuclear deterrence plans built around U.S. strategic assets.

A TV screen shows a report of North Korea's multiple short-range ballistic missiles with file footage during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)AP

North Korea has portrayed the joint military drills by its rivals as rehearsals for an invasion and used them to justify its relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons and missiles.

At a U.N. Security Council meeting Monday, North Koreas ambassador, Kim Song, defended the Norths nuclear and ICBM programs as essential for the countrys self-defense and a necessary response to what it perceives as nuclear threats from the United States. He stressed that North Korea would accelerate the build-up of our nuclear force that can counter any threat presented by hostile nuclear weapon states.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood warned that the U.S. cannot stand back from North Koreas expanding nuclear program and the growing threat to U.S. security without a response.

Wood also repeated last weeks call for Russia to say whether there are North Korean troops on the ground in Russia. Were not in a court here, Russian Deputy Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva replied, and the questions of the United States, in the spirit of an interrogation, is not something I intend to answer.

Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A U.S. Army soldier who was injured in May while working on the American-built pier to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza has died.

Sgt. Quandarius Stanley, 23, was a motor transport operator and was critically injured when high winds and heavy seas damaged the pier, causing four Army vessels to become beached. Two other service members also were injured but later returned to duty.

Sgt. Quandarius Stanley, 23, assigned to the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, was injured in May while working on the pier built to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. He has died. (U.S. Army via AP)AP

U.S. military officials have not provided details on how exactly Stanley was injured but have noted it was not in combat. He died last Thursday and had been assigned to the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.

Sgt. Quandarius Stanley was an instrumental and well respected first-line leader in the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary (TBX), especially during the mission to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. We will continue to provide support to his family during this difficult time, said Col. John Eddie Gray, brigade commander. Our entire unit mourns alongside his family.

Capt. Shkeila Milford-Glover, spokesperson for the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, said Stanley had recently been retired and was receiving treatment in a long-term care medical center.

The massive pier project was hampered by unexpected bad weather and security issues, as well as persistent safety issues involving Israeli forces that prompted aid agencies to halt distribution of the supplies out of fear of being injured and killed.

The Defense Department formally pulled the pier from the Gaza shore on June 28 and declared an end in mid-July to the mission to bring aid into the territory besieged by the war between Israel and Hamas.
A man who was shot and killed in front of a Lancaster County police station early Sunday morning has been identified.

Andrew Ward, 39, Elizabethtown, was killed at approximately 1:43 a.m. after he showed up outside the Northwest Regional Police Station at 8855 Elizabethtown Road, the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office said.

Authorities said Ward was pronounced dead at the scene after life-saving measures were taken. A handgun registered to Ward was recovered at the scene.

Police previously had contact with Ward around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday when he was arrested for DUI, the DAs office said.

Authorities said Ward was released to his spouse after the arrest, but later returned to the police station around 1:30 Sunday morning to speak with officers about his personal property.

Preliminary information gathered thus far indicates that an officer initially spoke with Ward outside, then requested another officer for backup, the DA said in a press release.

The Lancaster County detectives responded to the scene and were assisted by the Pennsylvania State Police with crime scene processing.

The DAs office will make a final determination on the police action after the investigation is complete.
A Gettysburg company has been acquired.

Maryland-based Kelly Benefits has acquired Gettysburg Benefits Administrators.

Gettysburg Benefits Administrators was founded in 1979 and specializes in the needs of small businesses, and partners with agents and brokers throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, West Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., to offer administrative, consolidated billing and benefit administration technology implementation services focusing on dental, vision, life, and disability insurance as well as worksite benefit solutions. The company also serves as an ancillary general agent in Connecticut and New Jersey.

Kelly Benefits was founded in 1976, and is a provider of benefits administration and technology, broker and consulting services, and payroll solutions. Headquartered in Sparks, Maryland, Kelly Benefits also has offices in the Greater Philadelphia and Washington D.C. areas.

As a result of this acquisition, GBA is now equipped to offer our customers an enhanced array of resources, support and innovative solutions, Matt Crowner, president of the Gettysburg Benefits Administrators, said in a news release. While the GBA brand will gradually change over time, we remain committed to delivering the same high level of service and solutions to our customers.

Crowner will retain leadership of the Gettysburg Benefits Administrators team and the management of day-to-day operations. The companys employees, services and headquarters in Gettysburg will remain the same.

The acquisition was announced last month. Terms of the agreement werent disclosed.
By Mollie J. Cohen and Geoffrey D. Sheagley

When most people think of their experience of voting in person, they may remember other voters at the polls, or the hardworking election officials checking people in and helping people submit their ballots. But in many elections, a third group is often present: poll watchers.

Poll watchers are ordinary citizens who volunteer to observe elections on behalf of an organization. Many of them do so on behalf of a specific political party. Other volunteers are nonpartisan poll watchers; they observe the action at polling places on behalf of nonpartisan organizations, including domestic groups and international election watchdogs such as the Carter Center or the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

The United States has not historically relied extensively on international election monitors, and they are prohibited in some states, such as Tennessee. Most often, when journalists and academics like us refer to poll watchers in the U.S., we mean partisan election observers.

If all goes well on election day, poll watchers jobs will be tedious. They will simply watch voters performing the key acts of democracy: filing into the precinct, engaging with poll workers and casting ballots. Partisan poll watchers will also likely observe the tabulation of ballots and receive an official copy of the results in case they choose to conduct a simultaneous tally.

What do poll watchers do?

Poll watchers protect their organizations interests at polling places. By observing as ballots are cast and counted, poll watchers can help ensure that only eligible voters participate and that blatant election rigging  like stuffing the ballot box with unauthorized ballots  does not occur.

As observers independent of the government officials they are monitoring, poll watchers can add an extra layer of transparency and accountability to election proceedings and help to ensure that elections are free and fair.

Poll watchers, like this one in Detroit in 2020, monitor all aspects of voting and tabulation. AP Photo/David Goldman

However, poll watchers can also undermine the integrity of elections. For example, poll watchers may overzealously  and illegally  challenge a citizens eligibility to cast a ballot without cause. Or their presence may intimidate or pressure voters.

In the 1980s, for example, the Republican Party in New Jersey recruited uniformed, off-duty police officers to watch the polls and posted signs offering a reward for information about people violating election laws. A lawsuit over that activity led to a nationwide court order barring the Republican National Committee from using poll watchers without clearance from a federal judge. The order was lifted in 2018.

Historical records show that, since the early 1800s, poll watchers from both parties frequently challenged the eligibility of African Americans and likely immigrants, often leading to their removal from the voter rolls. In cases like these, poll watchers can undermine the core democratic principle of voters freedom to participate.

It is also important to remember that many poll watchers are partisans  they work on behalf of their political parties. In fact, in recent years a central goal of the Republican Party has been recruiting and deploying poll watchers. Our research shows that in the current era of polarized partisan politics in the United States, the mere presence of partisan actors at polling locations can undermine voters trust in elections.

What are the rules?

While the history and partisan nature of election observation may raise concerns about voter intimidation, a variety of federal and state laws protect voters on Election Day.

Poll watchers are subject to federal laws that protect voters from intimidation and interference. Many states also have additional regulations that govern what poll watchers can do when observing elections.

For instance, some states require formal training. The state of Georgia, for example, requires all partisan poll watchers to complete training provided by their political party. Watchers in Ohio, on the other hand, must be registered voters but are not required to complete formal training.

Another important difference between states is whether they allow poll watchers to directly interact with voters. In some states, such as Georgia, poll watchers may not speak to voters. In others, such as Ohio, poll watchers can speak with voters but cant threaten voters for choosing a certain candidate or encourage them to vote for another.

Poll workers, like these in New York City in 2020, often make sure poll watchers can see whats happening. AP Photo/John Minchillo

Challenging voters eligibility

A final important difference between states rules about poll watchers is whether they can challenge the eligibility of a voter. Good-faith challenges can arise when a poll watcher has a strong reason to believe that a voter is not eligible to vote in the district where they are voting. Pennsylvania poll watchers, for example, are allowed to keep a list of eligible voters and could register a challenge if they believe someone not on that list is attempting to vote.

Poll watchers who operate in bad faith may make challenges based on little or no evidence, with the intention of distracting poll workers, demoralizing voters and slowing voting, rather than ensuring the rules are followed correctly.

Poll watchers generally raise challenges at the polling place directly with election administrators, who are local volunteers and employees. Voters whose eligibility is challenged may have to cast a provisional ballot and present additional proof of their identification and residence to election officials, either on Election Day or in a later legal proceeding. Importantly, many states have strong regulations that aim to protect voters against arbitrary challenges to their eligibility. Challengers in Florida, for example, must submit a formal written oath attesting to the accuracy of their challenge and are subject to prosecution if the challenge is determined to be frivolous.

If a poll watcher suspects that something is amiss at a polling location while voters are casting ballots or while ballots are being tabulated, they can raise concerns with local election administrators or other election officials, such as local boards of elections. They may also pass the word up through the political party they are representing.

Many issues are straightforward to address, and election workers respond immediately. More complex concerns  or allegations reported to party leaders by many poll watchers in different locations  may ultimately lead to legal action in the courts.

Mollie J. Cohen is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Purdue University. Geoffrey D. Sheagley is Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Georgia.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio  A lieutenant for the Clark County, Ohio, sheriffs office is blaming sleep medication after he posted on social media that he would not help Democrats.

Lt. John Rodgers has since taken down the posts on Facebook and has apologized, according to WHIO Channel 7.

I know I cannot apologize enough, and my apologies may seem empty, but I will continue to apologize as long as necessary, Rodgers said in the statement, WHIO reports.

I know it will be difficult for the public to trust me, but I will do everything in my power to start mending that trust. I apologize from the bottom of my heart and want to ensure our community I will always serve to the best of my ability and strive to do better. I want to ensure the citizens in our community that I have always treated everyone with dignity and respect no matter our differences and will strive to show them I can do better.

The Springfield News-Sun reports Rodgers has received a written reprimand for the post. Rodgers has worked for the sheriffs office for 22 years.

WHIO reports that in the original posts, Rodgers wrote: I am sorry. If you support the Democrat Party I will not help you. ... The problem is that I know which of you supports the Democratic Party and I will not help you survive the end of days.

He also wrote that he would factor in a persons voting record before responding to calls, WHIO reports.

The News-Sun reports that Rodgers blamed sleep medication for him making the out-of-character statements. He reportedly said he does not remember writing the posts on Facebook.

Springfield already has been the center of national attention after Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance falsely claimed that Haitian residents in the city were eating pets.

This also is not the first time an Ohio law-enforcement official has drawn scrutiny because of political comments. Last month in Portage County, Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski wrote an online post that told supporters to write down the addresses of residents whose yards had signs supporting Kamala Harris.

In the now-deleted Facebook post, Zuchowski wrote: When people ask me whats gonna happen when the Flip-Flopping Laughing Hyena Wins?? I say write down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards! Sooo when the Illegal human Locust (which she supports!) Need places to live. Well already have the addresses of their New families who supported their arrival!
Teams of door knockers. Billboards galore. Ads in local print publications. And free rides to the polls on Election Day.

The Republican Party and its allies are toiling to court Lancaster Countys potential Amish voters, as they seem to do every year.

Researchers remain skeptical about the impact those efforts will have, as fewer than 1 in 5 eligible Amish voters in Lancaster County usually turn out at the polls, according to data from Elizabethtown College.

Yet Republicans in Pennsylvania, where the margins of the past two presidential elections have been razor thin, continue a no-stone-unturned approach to encouraging the Amish vote.

Scott Presler, a political organizer who led some stop the steal efforts in 2020, has led much of the GOPs ground game. His outreach organization, Early Vote Action, has staffed a near-weekly table at the Green Dragon Market in Ephrata Township and Roots Country Market & Auction in East Hempfield Township to reach potential Amish voters.

Standing outside the Lancaster County Board of Elections office on Oct. 29, Presler claimed the number of Amish hes helped register to vote this year is in the thousands, but he would not elaborate.

Preslers imprecision, coupled with online misinformation about the number of eligible Amish voters, leads Steven Nolt, a professor of history and Anabaptist studies at Elizabethtown College, to think some Republicans are overpromising about delivering a sizable Amish vote.

Every vote counts. Im not trying to diminish that, Nolt said, but he noted the number of Amish who are eligible to vote is fewer than 45,000 in Pennsylvania, and they vote in small numbers. Hes seen claims online that falsely overestimate the amount eligible by up to four times.

Ryan Sexton, a Columbia GOP committeeman working with Presler, points to the fact that former President Donald Trump lost Pennsylvania in 2020 by only about 80,000 votes. Any amount of Amish votes could help Republican candidates gain an advantage this year, he said.

Other local volunteers for the Republican Party said they, too, have seen enthusiasm to vote this year among potential Amish voters.

During his Sunday rally at Lancaster Airport, Trump called out to the Amish supporters he thought might be in the crowd. When he saw none, the audience shouted back at him

Theyre at church, Trump responded, repeating what someone shouted to him. I love that.

Amish turnout

In 2020, just 2,900 of the estimated 17,000 eligible Amish voters in Lancaster County cast a ballot, according to data from the Elizabethtown College researchers. Those numbers were smaller in 2016, when Trump first ran for the White House, at just 1,000 of 15,000.

Among the Amish who voted, more than 90% were registered with the Republican Party. Less than 1% were registered with the Democratic Party, and the remainder were unaffiliated voters. That disparity between party registrations is why some Pennsylvania Republicans view the Amish as an untapped stockpile of earnable votes in the key swing state.

David Lapp, a former member of the Amish community and CEO of local food nonprofit Blessings of Hope, said its a misconception that Amish oppose voting.

I think its more of a mindset, Lapp said. I think they want to be more passive and not get involved.

Though hes not involved in voter outreach efforts, Lapp said this year there are definitely some people that are registering to vote that would not have otherwise due to recent get-out-the-vote efforts. He said he hopes the attempts to boost Amish voter turnout are effective.

Driving Lapps vote toward Trump this year has been the increased cost of living and the overall leadership of the country. He said both were in better standing when the Republican Party held the White House.

Nolt said little reliable data exists to show trends in Amish political attitudes and activities. To gather statistics on Amish voter turnout, Nolts team compares names, addresses and birthdays publicly available through voter roles to Amish church directories. He said its a time-consuming process.

Nolt wont have this years turnout statistics until sometime in 2026.

For registered voters in the Amish community, Liesa Burwell-Perry of The Encounter church in Bainbridge is organizing a fleet of volunteers to provide free transportation to their local polling places. The group has posted flyers around the county listing a number to call for a ride to and from the polls.

Increased awareness

David Nissley, a conservative who led an unsuccessful GOP primary campaign for a state House district seat in the countys southern end this year, said hes been out canvassing Amish homes for the Trump campaign this fall. Nissley was raised in an Anabaptist church.

Driving the Amish vote, he said, are concerns about the economy and the governments handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They have a general distrust of government that is deep and cultural, and events like COVID were very significant in their perception that that mistrust is well-placed, Nissley said.

He said Amish voters are also concerned the Democratic Party could threaten their conscientious objector status and private schools, as well as implement further regulations on their farms' zoning permits and stormwater management systems.

Nolt said its hard to believe that sort of fear approach will stir turnout this year. The most effective outreach efforts, he said, tend to be ground-up approaches where outreach coordinators focus on local issues and local candidates.

If Amish people are getting involved and interested in politics, its going to be through these local relationships, Nolt said.

Lancaster County Congressman Lloyd Smucker was born into an Amish family, though they left the order when he was 5 years old. Smucker said in a statement to LNP  LancasterOnline that his campaign has hosted three in-person events and has invested in programming to boost mail-in voting among the Amish.

" Lancaster County is home to the largest population of Amish in Pennsylvania, and its important that we engage with the community in the legislative and political processes," Smucker said. From my conversations with the community, there is an excitement to vote this year and an increased awareness that every vote cast can make a difference.

Outside spending

No matter how focused they may be, Nolt said billboards may be the least effective vote-getting method.

Some billboards around the county read, Pray For Gods Mercy For Our Nation and depict a straw hat with VOTE written in white on its black ribbon. That image sits over the words PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS.

Those signs list a phone number leading to the Pennsylvania Department of State voter registration line and name Fer Die Amische as their funding group. Fer Die Amische is not registered as a political action committee with the Lancaster County Board of Elections, Department of State or Federal Election Commission.

Emails sent to the address listed on the sign seeking comment went unreturned.

Another group, Concerned Americans for America, has paid for separate billboards around the county saying AMISH for TRUMP. One can be seen on New Holland Pike near Freeze & Frizz Drive-In in Upper Leacock Township.

Concerned Americans for America is a Florida-based super PAC that has spent more than $500,000 during this two-year election cycle in support of the Trump campaign, according to OpenSecrets.org. Committee officials did not respond to a request for comment.

Over the course of every presidential and midterm election since 2016, a separate group called Amish PAC spent nearly $500,000 total to reach Amish voters in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

This year, as of Sept. 30, the group had spent nearly $18,000 nationwide. The groups ads have appeared in local print publications including the Advertiser, Pennysaver and Lancaster Farming.

One ad this year  addressed, " Dear Brother or Sister in Christ"  depicted a farmer and two children tending to a wheat field using a horse-drawn hay baler. The text of the ad equated not voting to inaction, a sentiment Nolt called quite un-Amish.

In traditional Amish theology, he said, the choice is not between voting, on the one hand, and inaction on the other. It is between the church acting as the church, and church people being tempted into diverting their energy into worldly action that is not the churchs calling.
Costco is offering an unbelievable deal through Stack Social: a Costco 1-Year Gold Star Household Membership (that is a $60 value) PLUS $45 Digital Costco Shop Card.

Costco may just be one of Americas favorite places to shop. Being able to go to one store and get just about anything, from luxury wine to appliances to outdoor playgrounds to books to clothing...the big box store has everything you could need.

Even their tech and digital photo shop is amazing. Need new glasses? Stop by their Vision Center. And you get all this at a marked down price.

Gold Membership Get $45 Digital Costco Shop Card with annual membership purchase (reducing membership cost to $25)

Executive Gold Star Membership Get $45 Digital Costco Shop Card with annual membership purchase (reducing membership cost to $85)

What does this deal include?

A Gold Star Membership includes a Household Card and allows you to purchase products for your home and family. Its also valid for one year at any Costco location worldwide and at Costco.com. With the Gold Star membership program, you unlock perks like online and in-store shopping, gas savings and the warehouse retailers 100% satisfaction guarantee. Plus you score the $45 Digital Costco shop card that gets you additional savings.

Want to upgrade to an Executive Gold Star Membership? This will include a $45 Digital Costco shop card. Executive Membership is Costcos highest level of membership. Members earn an annual 2% Reward (up to $1,000) on qualified Costco, Costco.com, and Costco Travel purchases, as well as greater discounts on Costco Services, such as lower prices on check printing and free roadside assistance for vehicles covered through the auto insurance program.

Ashley Dill covers the online shopping industry, writing about commerce. She can be reached at adill@pennlive.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Azerbaijan is a nation of coexistence and cultural diversity, said Grand Mufti of Egypt, Nazir Mohamed Ayyad, at the Global Summit of World Religious Leaders in Baku today, Trend reports.

The summit, themed "World Religions for a Green Planet," was held in conjunction with the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Ayyad emphasized the value of coordinated efforts to combat climate change and expressed gratitude for holding such an important event in Azerbaijan, a country known for its tolerance and cultural variety.

"Religions, based on their sacred teachings and history, call for peace and tranquility, not war and terror. Religions are against the clash of civilizations. Erroneous theories lead to wars, discrimination, and hatred.

We, in turn, advocate for strengthening justice. Our main task is to free oppressed nations from tyranny, calling for justice," he said.

The Grand Mufti also urged representatives of all religions to unite and strengthen cooperation, stressing that this collective effort would be crucial in achieving their shared goals swiftly and effectively.

To note, a Global Summit of Religious Leaders is being held as part of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, the Muslim Council of Elders, the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), and the United Nations Environment Program in Baku.

This global forum is attended by approximately 30 leaders from both secular and traditional religions, heads of prominent religious centers (including patriarchs, officials from the Vatican, and Al-Azhar), internationally recognized religious and public figures from a variety of faiths and regions, representatives from government, academia, and religious institutions from 55 countries and 30 international organizations, and media representatives.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The Global Baku Summit of Religious Leaders, dedicated to the issue of climate change, holds significant importance, a member of Turkiye's Grand National Assembly, MP Samil Ayrim said at the Global Summit of Religious Leaders in Baku, Trend reports.

"Religions regard environmental protection as a crucial issue, and this is one of the key factors that can significantly contribute to the fight against climate change," the MP added.

To note, a Global Summit of Religious Leaders is being held as part of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, the Muslim Council of Elders, the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), and the United Nations Environment Program in Baku.

The global forum is set to roll out the red carpet for around 30 leaders from both secular and traditional religions, heads of prominent religious centers - patriarchs, officials from the Vatican, and Al-Azhar, along with internationally recognized religious and public figures hailing from various corners of the globe and diverse faiths, representatives from government, academia, and religious institutions hailing from 55 countries and 30 international organizations, and media representatives.
Domenico Lando Strikes Back to Win Malta Poker Festival Grand Event

Calum Grant Senior Editor & Live Events Executive Copy link

Domenico Lando brought balance to the felt at the Malta Poker Festival Grand Event, navigating his way through a talented final table to emerge victorious and claim the title, trophy and 140,000 prize.

Lando picked his spots wisely in the final stages en route to topping the record-breaking 2,045 entry field, where the 941,568 prize pool was paid out to the top 306 players. Lando's triumph in the biggest MPF Grand Event was somewhat of an underdog story. The Italian player had only $13,400 in live earnings before registering for the event, with a best cash of just $6,077.

Lando toppled Nikolaos Konstas in heads-up play, after the latter appeared to have one hand on the winner's spoils, but as is ever with poker, someone's fortune can change completely with a turn of a card.

2024 MPF Grand Event Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Domenico Lando Italy 140,000 2 Nikolaos Konstas Greece 93,000 3 Theodoros Ampelikiotis Greece 66,000 4 Charles Eichner France 49,068 5 Jaroslaw Falkowski Poland 39,000 6 Andre Grech Malta 30,000 7 Antonio Alba Italy 23,000 8 Salih Kaya Denmark 17,500 9 Angelo Vietti Italy 13,400

Final Table Recap

Angelo Vietti came onto the final table as the short stack, with just a few big blinds. He looked to begin his comeback with a double-up and appeared to be moving out of the danger zone after he picked up jacks and got it in against Lando's tens. However, a ten on the flop had Vietti with one foot out of the door, and his second soon followed as Lando finished off his compatriot with a boat.

Salih Kaya fell in eighth place after his last two big blinds went in on a six-high flop. Runner-up Konstas held queen-six and saw off Kaya after the latter's king-seven failed to improve. Just before, Antonio Alba doubled up and found another through Konstas after Kaya exited. However, Charles Eichner woke up with jacks and sent Kaya and his tens to the rail in seventh.

Konstas soon bagged his second final table elimination and ousted local player Andre Grech in sixth place. Konstas held eights, and Grech failed to find his three-outer on the runout to set up five-handed play. Konstas' ascent to the top of the counts continued moments later, getting some big river value with a set of deuces against Eichner, who dropped into second on the chip leaderboard.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis

Momentum was well and truly with Konstas as he out-flopped the jacks held by Jaroslaw Falkowski, who departed in fifth. Konstas was a one-man wrecking ball but handed the chip lead to Theodoros Ampelikiotis after the former's mistimed jam with king-jack ran into Ampelikiotis' pocket queens for a 40 million chip pot.

Lando left Eichner as the short stack, winning a flip of his own before Ampelikiotis finished the job with Big Slick a few hands later.

Konstas wrestled back the chip lead, holding over half of the chips in play as the final three duked it out for the win. But like before, Ampelikiotis was Konstas' dethroner as his jacks held out to scoop in a 54 million chip pot against ace-king. Ampelikiotis' time at the top was short-lived as the Greek duo flipped again, with Konstas prevailing. A fourth and final coin toss between the two players set up heads-up as Konstas' queens held out against Ampelikiotis' ace-king.

Heads-Up

Konstas held a 4:1 chip lead, but two key hands saw Lando burst into life. Lando received a full double with Broadway against top two pair and took a 3:1 lead with a pair of eights on a king-high board after withstanding Konstas' aggression.

The final hand saw Konstas move all in with jack-ten. Lando called with ace-five and found an ace on the flop. Konstas was drawing to Broadway, but the turn and river kept Lando ahead, and with that, he took home the title, trophy and 140,000 grand prize.

Images courtesy of Malta Poker Festival

Share this article
Why Resorts World Las Vegas is the Perfect Venue for the North American Poker Tour

Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link

PokerStars brought back the North American Poker Tour (NAPT) last year, and the online poker giant needed the prime location to host its major series.

Resorts World Las Vegas ended up becoming the chosen destination, which turned out to be a wise decision. Poker players raved about the venue during the 2023 NAPT, and we're already hearing similar sentiments this year. The 2024 North American Poker Tour Las Vegas series began Friday with the $550 Mystery Bounty event, which drew drew over 1,100 entrants across five Day 1 starting flights.

A Little Bit About Resorts World Las Vegas

Mulberry Street Pizza at Resorts World Las Vegas is a little slice of heaven.

Resorts World is one of the newest mega resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, having opened in summer 2021. The casino has three separate hotels  Hilton, Crockfords, and Conrad  all under one gigantic roof. There are over 40 restaurants and bars on-site, including a solid mix of fine dining establishments and fast food. Quick bites such as Mulberry Street Pizza offer tasty traditional New York style pizza slices.

Poker is also a big part of the mega resort, and has been since it opened three years ago. Resorts World is one of the premier places to play poker in Las Vegas. The card room features 29 tables, making it one of the largest in town, and also one of the most spacious.

Resorts is also home to some of the most luxurious, clean, and comfortable hotel rooms in Las Vegas across its three attached properties. Many NAPT players are staying on the property.

Mixed Game Festival Host Raves About Resorts World

Resorts World Las Vegas poker room during Day 1 of the $550 NAPT Mystery Bounty.

Robbie Strazynski, founder of the Cardplayer Lifestyle site, is hosting his popular Mixed Game Festival at Resorts World during the NAPT series. The festival runs from Nov. 3-7 and features a mix of low-stakes cash games and tournaments for the mixed game community. PokerStars ambassador Joe Stapleton and Poker Hall of Famer Eli Elezra are among the players who were in attendance the first two days.

PokerNews spoke with Strazynski to find out why he loves hosting his event at Resorts World and what makes the venue attractive to poker players and tournament operators.

"I think what's nice, as far as NAPT, (Resorts World) is independent. It's not like the two huge families of casinos here, so they have to kind of like decide what they want to do," Strazynski said. "Leon Wheeler, who manages the room, partnered with PokerStars and they are familiar with him for many many years. So, it's kind of like a natural fit that they decided working together."

"Big ballroom, plenty of facilities to develop this further as the event expands beyond this year," he continued.

Strazynski, who is hosting his fifth Mixed Game Festival at Resorts World, has a personal love for the poker room due to its shared passion of mixed games. As he explained, the dealers are properly trained to deal mixed games, something that isn't the case in most poker rooms around the world.

"It is the premier veneue probably in the world for mixed games because they run mixed games regularly at limits from 4/8, 8/16, all the way up to 80/160 and 300/600," Strazynski explained.

Resorts World caters to poker players more than most casinos. The venue offers all the amenities traveling poker players desire  comfy rooms, plenty of food options, a sportsbook, good mix of games, etc.  and as Strazynski said, the resort has plenty of room for major events such as the North American Poker Tour.

PokerStars and Resorts World Las Vegas have a mutally beneficial relationship that appears to be to the benefit of the poker players who show up to chase big wins.

Share this article
Two key moments at the final table of the PokerStars North American Poker Tour Las Vegas $550 Mystery Bounty were all it took for Gregor Sverko to start off his festival with a bang.

Sverko was all in for 2,575,000 against Daniel Samson and a card away from elimination as Samson turned trips, but Sverko caught a miracle straight on the river to double up. Then, in what proved to be his shining moment, Sverko flopped a full house to put an end to Samson and earn the trophy and $46,800 first prize.

NAPT $550 Mystery Bounty final table results

Place Player Country Prize Bounties Total Earnings 1 Gregor Sverko Croatia $46,800 $19,500 $66,300 2 Daniel Samson United Kingdom $28,800 $8,500 $37,300 3 Shyamsundar Challa United States $20,530 $5,000 $25,530 4 Chanelle Morimatsu United States $15,800 $2,000 $17,800 5 Alexandro Tricarico Belgium $12,180 $3,000 $15,180 6 Chris Johnston United States $9,420 $2,000 $11,420 7 Victor Paredes United States $7,280 $4,000 $11,280 8 Eric Siegel United States $5,640 $500 $6,140 9 Chinchia Hsu Taiwan $4,330 $500 $4,830

It feels good. This year hasnt been very good for me, online or live. And its my first trophy, my first live trophy, so Im pretty happy about it, the Croatian pro said after securing the title that pushed him past $400,000 in career earnings.

Sverko, who also earned $19,500 in bounties, was humble in victory and recognized the role that some good fortune played in his win. I just ran good. Played pretty good, I think. Just won flips. Thats it, he said. I think I mostly had it. When the pot was big I just had it, so thats the secret.

Day 2 Action

The five starting flights of this event were all played in the Resorts World Las Vegas poker room. Day 2 saw the opening up of the main tournament area as 179 players returned to action out of a massive field of 1,201 entries.

David Jackson (173rd), Rep Porter (164th), Adam Walton (155th), PokerNews Podcast co-host Michael Holtz (152th), Michael Wang (144th), and Irish Open champion David Docherty (131st) were among the first to fall in a flurry of eliminations to start the day as players tried to get their hands on the mystery bounty tokens.

Rhett van Leeuwen began the day as chip leader but could only manage to make it to 59th place, while Nicholas Seward (57th), Justin Young (48th), Shawn Buchanan (47th), and Joshua Remitio (45th) were also sent off to collect their payday.

PokerStars Team Pro Barny Boatman lost most of his chips in a pre-flop race against Chris Johnston and fell in 34th place shortly after, while Maria Konnikova was eliminated in 33rd by Sverko.

David Dongwoo Ko was coasting along with 2,600,000 and in contention for the chip lead when he seemed poised to grow his stack even more. Ko picked up queens and had Chanelle Morimatsu all in for her last 950,000 with king-jack. Ko flopped a set to take a big lead in the pot, but Morimatsu turned a straight to double up. Just a few hands later, Ko was all in with ace-king against Morimatsus ace-queen and was about to get his chips back when a cruel queen fell on the river to send him crashing out in 28th place.

David Dongwoo Ko

Terrance Reid picked up two kings and had Victor Paredes all in for 935,000 with ace-nine, but Paredes turned an ace to double up. Reid then ran into Jim Paulus aces to finish in 17th. Quang Vu was eliminated in 13th when he ran his tens into the jacks of Alexandro Tricarico, while Paulus fell in 12th in a three-way all in that saw Johnston scoop the pot with a pair of eights.

Terrance Reid

Colton Blomberg busted in 10th place when he couldnt overcome Tricaricos pocket sixes, setting the nine-handed final table. Tricarico led with 8,500,000, followed by Samson (6,700,000), and Sverko (5,900,000).

Chinchia Hsu, who began the final table with just four big blinds, was the first casualty as Shyamsundar Challa claimed his bounty. Eric Siegel then got his last 1,800,000 in with ace-jack as Johnston called with ace-nine, but Johnston flopped trips to take the lead and bust Siegel in eighth place.

Eric Siegel

Sverko picked up aces to eliminate Paredes in seventh, while Morimatsu climbed into the chip lead when she doubled up off Johnston for 3,675,000 with two pair. Johnston finally fell in sixth when he shoved for 2,000,000 with nine-eight and Challa called with an ace.

Samson picked off a big bluff from Morimatsu as he moved into the chip lead before tangling with Tricarico in what proved to be a massive cooler. Heads-up on the turn, Samson moved all in for 6,500,000 and Tricarico called with trip queens. Samson had ace-queen and took the pot with his ace-kicker to send the former chip leader to the rail in fifth place.

Alexandro Tricarico

After Sverkos miracle double up against Samson, he showed a full house holding two jacks to beat Morimatsus trip eights and eliminate her in fourth place. Sverko also sent out Challa in third place with ace-ten against ace-six as he took a 22,000,000 to 14,100,000 chip lead into heads-up.

Chanelle Morimatsu

Samson took the chip lead with a big turn shove for 9,000,000, but Sverko moved back in front after betting 5,000,000 on the river with two pair as Samson paid him off. Samson then moved all in for 16,000,000 with ace-seven and Sverko called with ace-jack. A final table filled with bad beats and lucky rivers ended with little suspense, however, as Sverko flopped a full house to leave Samson drawing dead.

Daniel Samson

The mystery bounty component of the tournament played a big part in Sverkos strategy at the start of the day, but by the final table, his focus was firmly on grabbing hold of the trophy.

At the beginning, I was gambling a little bit more. And then, as the final table approached, I kind of, not tightened up, but the bounties arent worth as much. Similar to Progressive KOs online, he said.

Sverko was the first to admit that he needed a little luck to be the last man standing in this massive field, but in the fast-paced action brought on by the ever-looming presence of the mystery bounties, it was just what he needed.

That concludes PokerNews' coverage of the $550 Mystery Bounty. Stay tuned for more coverage throughout the 2024 NAPT.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Danish-Azerbaijani society "Vatan" organized an event "Victory" in Copenhagen dedicated to November 8 - the Day of Victory, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's State Committee for Work with Diaspora.

Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora Fuad Muradov expressed gratitude to the "Vatan" society for organizing such an event in Denmark, noting that the celebration of Victory Day is a source of pride all over the world.

The video clip dedicated to Victory Day was demonstrated at the event, in which speeches of victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev were reflected, our tricolor flag was hoisted to the sounds of patriotic songs and national music, and it was emphasized that the Great Victory gained in the 44-day Second Karabakh War is a symbol of the power of Azerbaijani people and has no analogs.

Chairwoman of Zafar Public Association for Support of Martyrs' Families Sevinj Orujova talked of feats of the Azerbaijani Army and the life path of national hero Raguf Orujov that led him to the heroic peak, shared with the participants of the event the feeling of pride on Victory Day, and emphasized the support given by First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva to the families of Martyrs' Families.

First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva always pays attention to the families of martyrs. I will never forget her meeting with the families of martyrs. After this meeting, I felt even stronger, Orujova said.

The event was addressed by Narmin Khalilova, board member of the Zafar Public Association for Support of Martyrs' Families, writer Eluca Atali, honorary member of the Writers' Union of Azerbaijan, and Turkish historian Bahadur Guler, living in Denmark.

The poem dedicated to martyrs performed by our little compatriot Davud Gubatov, born and raised in Copenhagen, as well as the virtuoso performance of sazist Farhad Ugur, pleased the participants of the event.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Thunderstorms, some heavy during the morning hours, then skies turning partly cloudy during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High around 75F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

A clear sky. Low near 45F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Tiffany Tan is a senior reporter at The Post and Courier in Columbia. She covers statewide issues, particularly in the criminal justice system. She previously reported on the courts, the opioid epidemic and regional news in Vermont for VTDigger. She has also worked for newspapers and television outlets in Manila, Beijing, Singapore and South Dakota.
Which dictator are you going to vote for on Tuesday?

Donald Trump, the alleged Hitler wannabe who the liberal media keep telling us is an existential threat to democracy?

Or Kamala Harris, the unelected choice for president of the Democrat Party who'll give us four more years of bad ideas and using the justice department to jail her political opponents?

"Trump said he'll be a dictator on Day 1" is a scary line Democrats and their cheering squad in the liberal media have been saying a hundred times a day for at least a year to scare low-information voters.

Trumps tyranny is a terrifying possibility to people like the idiots on "The View," Rachel Maddow and the deranged editorial writers at the Los Angeles Times.

They truly believe if Trump is re-elected, he will make himself a dictator, rip up the Constitution and throw anyone who's ever said a cross word about him into a concentration camp  if he doesn't shoot them first.

The pervasiveness of the Trump "dictator" quote proves how partisan and incompetent the mainstream liberal media are.

Deliberately taken out of context to slur Trump, it originated about a year ago when Trump was being interviewed by Sean Hannity before a live audience in Nebraska.

During a long discussion about being called a wannabe dictator by the media, Trump told Hannity on his first day back in office he would issue a bunch of executive orders like a dictator.

"I want to close the border, and I want to drill, drill, drill," Trump said.

Trump, who was laughing, made it clear he was referring only to executive orders and Day One. "After that," he said, "I'm not a dictator."

That was all the ammo the liberal media needed. Even though it was clearly a joke, the idea that Trump wanted to become a dictator for a day went viral with little or no context.

If the mainstream media were honest, and if they did their job fairly, they would have made it clear that every president has been a "dictator on Day One."

Every incoming president issues executive orders as soon as they can, often to overturn the executive orders of the previous president.

In his first 100 days in office, Biden signed more than 60 executive actions, 24 of which were direct reversals of what he considered Trump's bad policies. Ten involved immigration.

The most controversial ones included halting funding for the construction of Trump's border wall, cancelling the Keystone XL pipeline and imposing a mask mandate on federal property.

Did that make Joe Biden a dictator and a threat to our democracy? Maybe. But no one in the liberal media said so because they agreed with what Herr Biden did.

When Trump reverses dozens of Biden executive decisions, which I hope he will get the chance to do in a couple of months, the shamelessly partisan media will again call him Hitler 2.0.

The liberal media have been trying to scare the public about Trump's alleged Hitler complex and love for authoritarians for nine years.

They have been faithfully supporting the Democrat Party's playbook of fear for decades. Remember how the media told voters in 1980 that my father was going to start World War III and cut your grandma off Social Security?

On Tuesday we're going to elect a new president to replace the one we really haven't had for several years.

By this time next week, we'll have a new "dictator in chief."

It can be the incompetent, inexperienced and serially incoherent person whos spent the last four years helping Joe Biden screw up the economy, immigration, foreign policy and the war on covid.

Or it can be the ex-president who makes lots of jokes, says dumb things now and then but ran the country smoothly and safely once  and can be trusted to do it again starting on Day 1.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Michael Reagan is the son of President Ronald Reagan, a political consultant, and the author of "The New Reagan Revolution" (St. Martin's Press). He is the founder of the email service reagan.com and president of The Reagan Legacy Foundation.
Nar, Azerbaijans most affordable mobile operator, supported international environmental training for journalists as part of its commitment to social responsibility principles and on the eve of COP29. Organized by the Azerbaijan Journalists' Network, this training brought together local professional journalists to prepare for the COP29 conference.

The training was led by Tais Gadea Lara, a climate expert with international experience and a regular participant in COP conferences. She shared her knowledge and experience gained from participating in numerous international climate events, presenting journalists with methods for collecting information and conducting research on environmental topics.

The professional trainer provided media representatives with comprehensive insights on global warming, the development of effective climate change initiatives, and the importance of proper budgeting for these projects. Journalists gained new knowledge and professional approaches for covering climate change topics in the media.

By supporting this project, Nar contributes to raising environmental awareness and strengthening the media's role in addressing climate change. The project also reflects Nar's commitment to its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles and its support for COP29 objectives.

Nar currently provides high-quality communication services to 2.2 million subscribers. Nar has been the leading mobile operator in the country according to the Net Promoter Score for the last 5 years. The mobile operator adheres to a customer-centric strategy and provides excellent service at an affordable price.
A double murder case against two young men has ended with a 40-year prison sentence for one and an acquittal for the other after more than seven hours of jury deliberation.

A Charleston County Circuit Court jury on Nov. 1 found Shamar Latrell Stanley, 23, guilty in the smash-and-grab fatal drug robbery of Antonio Heyward and J'Quan Brown at a North Charleston mobile home park. Ninth Circuit Judge Deadra Jefferson sentenced Stanley to 40 years in prison.

On trial with Stanley was Kassiem Mitchell, 22. After delivering Stanley's guilty verdicts, jurors told Jefferson they had not reached a unanimous decision for Mitchell. Jefferson told the jury to go back into deliberations in what is known as an Allen charge as to avoid the possibility of a mistrial by hung jury.

More than three hours later, they found Mitchell not guilty.

Mitchell went home a free man on Nov. 1, concluding a five-year case that assistant Solicitor Timmy Finch said was a "giant puzzle."

No direct witnesses saw who killed Heyward and Brown after 1 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2019. Prosecutors and police pieced together a case from evidence that included cellphone records, security footage from the mobile home across the street where the slayings occurred and footage taken outside Teddy Foster Jr. Grocers in Charleston hours before the killings took place. Taken together, the evidence placed Stanley and Mitchell at the scene of the killings, Finch argued.

"We're here because of what Mr. Finch thinks," said Melisa Gay, Mitchell's defense attorney. "That's it."

Finch had no murder weapon and little in the way of DNA evidence. Stanley told North Charleston police that he was "going to hell" after they arrested him at gun point in 2019.

"He knows what's up. He's cooked," Finch said of Stanley's thinking after his arrest.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. High 72F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 53F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud-Basso, is set to visit Poland on November 7 and 8, 2024, marking her fourth visit to the country, Trend reports.

Accompanied by the EBRD's Vice President for Banking, Matteo Patrone, Renaud-Basso aims to engage with Polish authorities, business partners, and civil society representatives to discuss strategies for accelerating the green transition and enhancing the competitiveness of Polish firms.

During her visit, Renaud-Basso will meet with senior government officials and stakeholders to explore shared priorities, including the promotion of renewable energy and the development of capital markets. These discussions are particularly timely, given Poland's significant role in the ongoing reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.

Poland is one of the EBRDs top investment destinations, and a key market, said Renaud-Basso. We have already invested over 1 billion euros in the Polish economy this year, and we stand ready to invest further. My visit provides an opportunity for us to explore how we can further support Polands vibrant private sector amid the challenging economic backdrop.

The EBRD has established itself as a leading institutional investor in Poland, having invested more than 14.9 billion euros in 544 projects since its operations began in the country in 1991. In 2023 alone, the Bank achieved a record investment of 1.3 billion euros in Poland's private sector.

Renaud-Basso's visit underscores the EBRD's commitment to bolstering Poland's economy and its ongoing support for initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and sustainability in the region.
After a historic surge of South Carolinians casting their ballots early, hundreds of thousands more from across the state are set to come out today for the high-profile presidential election and pivotal down-ballot contests.

The results have the power to shape the political landscape of the Palmetto State for at least the next two years.

In addition to deciding local races, South Carolinians will pick who they want representing their interests in Congress and who will fill all 170 seats, House and Senate, in the state Legislature.

Already, more than 1.5 million voters cast ballots ahead of today's Nov. 5 Election Day.

When the two-week early voting period ended Nov. 2, 1,471,663 South Carolinians had come out. That's in addition to the 100,160 absentee ballots already returned.

Taken together, it means about 45 percent of the state's 3.45 million registered voters have already participated.

Polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. statewide. There are no COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Here's what you need to know about casting a ballot today.

Who can vote?

Any registered South Carolina voter may cast a ballot in the Nov. 5 general election.

To check your voter registration, visit the S.C. Election Commission website at scvotes.gov. At the top of the homepage, click the word "Voters." Then click "Check your voter registration."

What races are on the ballot?

The presidential race between Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump is expected to be the main turnout driver. But there are plenty of matchups down the ballot.

All of the state's seven U.S. House of Representative members are up this year, and so are all 170 members of the Statehouse  both in the House and Senate.

Neither of the state's two U.S. Senate seats are up this year.

There are more elections going on locally depending on your district and your ballot, including high-stakes contests for county offices, sheriffs and nonpartisan school board races.
Subscription to paid content

Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 15:49:37

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 513 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

LEWES, DE / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Beebe Healthcare has partnered with Sublimation Health to transform its digital landscape with an Epic Electronic Health Record (EHR) system hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). This collaboration marks the latest zero-on-premises, public-cloud healthcare ecosystem implementation, allowing Beebe to leverage cloud-based solutions for greater security and operational efficiency.Sublimation Health brings deep expertise in modernizing and optimizing healthcare IT environments with the public cloud. In addition to deploying the Epic infrastructure to the AWS cloud, Sublimation Health will provide multi-year, end-to-end managed services to operate, maintain, and support Beebe's cloud environment.This strategic partnership will enable Beebe to leverage Sublimation Health's proprietary methodologies and cloud-native tools to optimize performance and costs while supporting long-term innovation. The collaboration is designed as a true partnership, with Sublimation Health and Beebe working as extensions of each other to drive transformative change and ensure success.Mike Maksymow, CIO of Beebe Healthcare, added:"Beebe's ambition in finding an innovative approach to further enhance our onboarding of Epic's EHR led us to partnering with Sublimation Health and AWS, which will allow us to focus on what we do best-providing high quality care for our patients. While they manage the complexities of the cloud infrastructure, Beebe can concentrate on our growing community. Sublimation Health isn't just a service provider; they're a true partner who understands our vision and operational goals"Jeremy Marut, CEO of Sublimation Health, said:"At Sublimation Health, we've always believed healthcare IT should be focused on saving lives, not drives.' This fully public cloud-based application ecosystem implementation for Beebe Healthcare marks a milestone in transforming how health systems operate. We're thrilled to partner with Beebe, not as a vendor, but as a trusted extension of their team-one that shares their mission to deliver world-class care. Together, we are proving that cloud-based healthcare solutions are not only possible but essential for the future of patient care." About Beebe Healthcare:Beebe Healthcare is a not-for-profit community healthcare system serving Sussex County, Delaware, since 1916. Operating a 210-licensed-bed medical center in Lewes, Beebe offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, advanced cardiac care, oncology, orthopedics, and more. Beebe's commitment to patient-centered care and medical innovation continues to drive its success as a regional healthcare leader. For more information, visit www.beebehealthcare.org About Sublimation Health:Sublimation Health is a leading healthcare IT modernization firm specializing in migrating and managing critical healthcare applications in the cloud. Sublimination's founders were part of the first team to fully implement Epic on AWS. As a leader in cloud optimization, cost management, and operational support, Sublimation Health transforms health system IT departments into solution providers aligned with their organization's mission. Sublimation Health helps healthcare organizations move away from managing servers to focusing on health system efficiency and better patient outcomes. "We're not just cloud experts. We're healthcare cloud experts." For more information, visit www.sublimationhealth.com or email Client Executive Amanda Lyons at Amanda.Lyons@sublimationhealth.com Contact InformationAmanda LyonsClient Executiveamanda.lyons@sublimationhealth.com 4013418219SOURCE: Sublimation HealthView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 15:45:54

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 479 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

BOULDER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / BlackStar Enterprises Group, Inc. ("Blackstar") (OTC Pink:BEGI), ("the Company"). BlackStar entered into an agreement to retire $861,539.26 of debt ("the Settlement Amount") in a transaction pursuant to 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act. Continuation Capital, Inc. ("CCI"), a Delaware corporation, purchased the obligations from certain vendors of the Company, which consist of accounts payable due from the Company.Mr. Kurczodyna states that over 90% of the Company's short-term liabilities are being renegotiated or paid. He said BlackStar's relationship with an institutional investor, CCI, strengthens the Company's balance sheet, shows a level of confidence from the Street, and prepares the company for future funding.Mr. Kurczodyna also stated that the next step for the Company is a valuation of our patents and a licensing strategy. He believes that the recent SEC registration of Crypto Currency Assets secured by Exchanged Traded Funds sends a clear signal to the Investment Banking world that digital assets trading on blockchain will trade through Brokers as Spot Market ETFs. BlackStar's intellectual property portfolio covers all regulated registered equity, and all forms of securities traded on blockchain through Broker-Dealers.Other Info: BlackStar Enterprise Group, Inc. (OTC: BEGI)WEBSITE: blackstareg.com EMAIL: info@ blackstareg.com CONTACTBryan P Hemphill.559-359-1480More information can be found in the Company's recently filings at the SEC web site: https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?company=BlackStar&20Enterprise&match=&filenum=&State=&Country=&SIC=&myowner=exclude&action=getcompany SEC DisclaimerThis press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States or elsewhere. This press release may contain forward-looking statements. The words or phrases "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements." Actual results could differ materially from those projected in BlackStar's ("the Company's") business plan. The creation of subsidiaries and expansion of services into new sectors should not be construed as an indication in any way whatsoever of the future value of the Company's common stock or its present or future financial condition. The Company's filings may be accessed at the SEC's Edgar system at www.sec.gov . Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. The Company cautions readers not to place reliance on such statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement.SOURCE: BlackStar Enterprise Group, Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 16:16:59

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 393 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Engineering Support for Midwest ClientsDULUTH, MN / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Multidiscipline engineering firm Coffman Engineers, Inc. (Coffman) announced the opening of a Duluth, Minnesota, office at 371 Canal Park Drive, Suite 210. This is the firm's furthest north Midwest location, the first in Minnesota, and allows it to serve existing oil and gas clients in the area. The new location also offers an opportunity for the firm to support other markets including industrial, healthcare, education, hospitality, and energy/utility.Andrew Onken, NACE, Coffman Engineers, Duluth, MN The office is managed by Canaan Bontadelli, PE, Senior Vice President and Rocky Mountain Regional Manager, and led by Minnesotan, Andrew Onken, NACE.The Duluth office is focused on expanding Coffman's AC interference services as part of the corrosion control group while offering multidiscipline engineering services from a more efficient Midwest location. The office also offers civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection engineering services supported by regional offices."This expansion represents a significant milestone for Coffman in the Midwest. For our team of engineers that call Duluth home, we anchor our continued specialized corrosion control services with a physical location and look forward to expanding our local capabilities to other engineering disciplines," said Onken."Andrew and his team are respected professionals in a highly technical service and have been critical in deepening our connection with existing clients while also securing new contracts and relationships in the region," said Bontadelli. "Duluth is a vibrant city that provides a great place to expand our business. We look forward to being an active part of this community." For more information, visit https://www.coffman.com/news/coffman-opens-office-in-duluth-mn/ About Coffman EngineersCoffman Engineers is a multidiscipline engineering consulting firm that offers clients local, personalized services by integrating many disciplines including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and other specialties. Coffman has 900+ employees in 23 offices across the U.S. committed to the team effort it takes to build a better world. This year, Coffman is celebrating 45 years in business. Visit coffman.com or connect with us on social media.For more information about this topic, please call Beth Ito at 808.687.8884 or email beth.ito@coffman.com Contact InformationBeth ItoCorporate Communicationsbeth.ito@coffman.com 808-687-8884Related FilesCoffman Engineers New Duluth MN Office Press ReleaseSOURCE: Coffman Engineers, Inc.View the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 22:18:32

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 292 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of Franklin Resources, Inc. ("Franklin Resources, Inc.") (NYSE:BEN) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.Franklin subsidiary Western Asset Management Company issued a press release on August 21, 2024, announcing that co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech "is on a leave of absence, effective immediately" after "receiv[ing] a Wells Notice from the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission". That same day, Bloomberg reported that "[f]ederal prosecutors in New York are investigating whether a Western Asset Management executive allocated winning trades to favored accounts, as part of a criminal probe into a practice known as  cherry-picking.'" Following this news, Franklin's stock price fell over 12% on August 21, 2024. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 17:30:29

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 618 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Experienced Financial Executive Brings Strategic Expertise to Support Formula Wellness's Expansion in Holistic Health and AestheticsDALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Formula Wellness, a leader in personalized wellness and aesthetics services, recognizes Christopher P. Crosby as Chief Financial Officer. Christopher joins the company with 17 years of comprehensive experience in finance, investment, and portfolio management. He will oversee the company's financial strategy while guiding Formula Wellness toward sustainable growth, patient expansion, and a technology-enhanced wellness platform.With this strategic hire, Formula Wellness strengthened its executive leadership in line with its mission to provide advanced, patient-focused health and aesthetics services, emphasizing long-term wellness and transformative results.Christopher's extensive career encompasses high-impact roles, starting with senior positions at Deloitte, where he spent nearly a decade specializing in Assurance and M&A Transaction Services for leading private equity and strategic clients. Following his tenure at Deloitte, Christopher joined ORIX USA as Director of Corporate Development, advancing a $10B+ balance sheet across a multitude of equity and debt strategies with heavy M&A, and later served as Director of Portfolio Value Creation and CFO within its private equity arm and flagship portfolio company respectively.In more recent years, Christopher took on the role of Managing Partner and CFO at a local family office in DFW, which included a successful exit of a healthcare services portfolio company he ran alongside the CEO while operating the family office. Shortly thereafter, Christopher co-founded a Healthcare Private Equity Independent Sponsor firm in Lakewood Healthcare Capital that is focused on preventative healthcare, which led to his involvement in standing up the Formula Wellness portfolio company under Trive Capital in 2023. He remains on the board of directors for Lakewood and its portfolio company and has successfully transitioned to Formula Wellness in his full-time role as CFO."Joining Formula Wellness as CFO, and a strategic partner to Trive Capital in this endeavor, allows me the exciting opportunity to successfully scale a much-needed preventative healthcare consumer retail enterprise that has a unique opportunity to make a legitimate difference in our corner of healthcare," said Christopher. "My personal health has materially benefited from Formula Wellness's transformative impact firsthand as a patient consumer, which motivates me daily to scale our diagnostic-driven clinical offerings across the nation. I look forward to continuing efforts around expanding the platform and executing on our unique vision with oversight over partner investments, finance strategies, and driving value creation." "Christopher's wealth of knowledge in financial strategy, M&A, and operational scalability is exactly what we need as we position ourselves for long-term growth and geographic expansion," said Michael Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of Formula Wellness. "His commitment to wellness on a personal level and deep professional experience align perfectly with our vision to set new benchmarks in the wellness and aesthetics industry." Dr. Brian Rudman, Chief Medical Officer and Founder of Formula Wellness added, "Christopher has already made an impact, and now, as part of our executive team, his expertise will help us take our personalized healthcare and aesthetics platform to new heights. His financial expertise will be crucial in supporting our mission to provide the highest standard of care." About Formula Wellness Formula Wellness provides comprehensive, cutting-edge health and aesthetics services tailored to each patient's biology and goals, aiming to optimize patient health, appearance, and longevity. The company's core pillars of holistic wellness include nutrition, hormone balance, supplementation, and aesthetics, empowering individuals to pursue longevity from the inside out. Formula Wellness distinguishes itself with a clinical advisory board that ensures the highest standards of care, setting a new benchmark in preventive healthcare and aesthetics. For more information, visitFormula Wellness .CONTACT: Kayla Ricci - kayla@ highkeyagency.com SOURCE: Formula Wellness
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 18:16:20

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 702 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / When line cook and influencer Hanalei Souza, known as @ladylinecook on Instagram, recently posted a video in her new fitted Tide jacket from Funky Chef, it struck a chord online. Garnering over 275,000 views and more than 500 comments, the video humorously highlights a common issue faced by female chefs: badly-fitting unisex chef jackets. This viral video has ignited a crucial conversation about the inadequacies of current industry standards in chef uniforms.Viral Video The Video Hanalei Souza made that's going viral Breaking Down the Viral Video:Hanalei's video starts with her confidently sporting her well-fitted Tide jacket, a piece from Funky Chef. She then humorously mimics the critics who often dismiss appearance with phrases like, "It's work, not a fashion show," a common remark many female chefs hear. The video takes a turn as she switches into her work-provided "small" chef jacket, which is comically oversized, highlighting both the lack of mobility and potential safety risks in a busy kitchen. Hanalei's exaggerated tugs and adjustments underline the very real issues posed by unisex designs.In the final frame, she switches back to her Funky Chef jacket, contrasting the tailored and professional fit with the awkward bulk of the unisex design. It's a simple yet impactful reminder that chefs don't need to compromise comfort or safety for style.A Conversation IgnitedThe overwhelming response to Hanalei's video came from women chefs who shared similar frustrations. One commenter, @unbake_my_heart, expressed, "I'm pear-shaped with a small chest. Small and medium sizes won't close around my hips, but large is like a parachute. There's no solution other than a tailored jacket that they don't provide." Another commenter, @for_the_chefs, wrote, "People say it's not a fashion show, but feeling good about how you look at work matters. That jacket is fire!"These comments reflect a broader issue:female chefs often struggle to find chef jackets that fit well, making them feel both uncomfortable and unacknowledged in the kitchen.Addressing an Industry-Wide IssueHanalei's video touches on a persistent industry issue. Women chefs are frequently given jackets designed with men in mind, resulting in a poor fit and discomfort. The standard unisex design, marketed as inclusive, often fails to account for key differences in body types and comfort needs, impacting women's safety and mobility in high-pressure kitchen environments.Funky Chef: Redefining the Chef JacketFunky Chef, founded by yacht chef Hannah Staddon, is leading the charge in creating chef jackets designed exclusively for women. "For too long, traditional companies treated women's jackets as an afterthought of men's designs," said Hannah. "Well, not anymore. We only make jackets for women, and we make them to our women's bodies." Funky Chef jackets feature a shorter cut, waist ties, and zip-up fronts for a flattering and adjustable fit. They're available in classic colors as well as bold prints, combining functionality with flair. As Hannah points out, "Why should women settle for uncomfortable, oversized jackets? We're here to break that mold." A Culture Shift in the Culinary Industry?Hanalei's video isn't just a skit - it's a call to action. It challenges the unspoken norms of a male-dominated industry, urging the culinary world to reconsider its approach to uniforms. Women chefs have long faced challenges beyond uniforms, including biases and workplace dynamics. However, influencers like Hanalei and brands like Funky Chef are driving much-needed change, advocating for inclusivity, comfort, and confidence in the workplace.With over 275,000 views and counting, Hanalei's message is resonating far and wide. The hope is that this conversation will inspire traditional chef jacket companies to rethink their designs and prioritize inclusivity. As women chefs demand better-fitting uniforms, the industry will need to adapt or risk falling behind.In conclusion, Hanalei Souza's video is a powerful reminder that even small changes, like a properly fitted jacket, can significantly impact how women feel at work. To watch Hanalei's video, visit her Instagram profile at @ladylinecook. For more on Funky Chef's women-only chef jackets, visit their website at www.funkychef.co Contact InformationHannah StaddonFounder & CEOpr@ funkychef.co 9547023665SOURCE: Funky ChefView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 15:01:35

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 292 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

SANTA CLARA, CA and MUNICH, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Greenliant will show its new high endurance EX Series NVMe ArmourDrive M.2 2242 / 2280 and NANDrive ball grid array (BGA) solid state drives (SSDs) at electronica 2024, Munich, Germany, November 12-15, in hall C4, booth 359. Operating at fast read/write speeds and extreme temperatures (-40 to +95 degrees Celsius), these products are ideal for high transactional and mission critical applications requiring data storage able to withstand demanding environments.Greenliant EX Series SSDs designed with EnduroSLC technology offer the highest endurance-up to 400K program-erase (P/E) cycles-and superior data retention for write intensive workloads. For the highest levels of data protection, Greenliant NVMe SSDs support AES-256 hardware encryption, Hardware Crypto Erase (HCE) and Secure Erase.In addition to the new high endurance, high performance NVMe SSDs, Greenliant's portfolio of industrial data storage products includes eMMC, PATA, SATA interface NANDrive SSDs, SATA M.2 2242 / 2280, mSATA, SATA 2.5" ArmourDrive SSDs, SD / microSD ArmourDrive memory cards and high-capacity NVMe U.2, SATA 2.5" SSDs. Available in 1-bit-per-cell (SLC) or 3-bit-per-cell (TLC) 3D NAND configurations and a wide range of capacities, Greenliant products offer customers flexibility in finding solid state storage solutions for their embedded systems.Visit Greenliant at its distribution partner, Macnica ATD Europe's booth C4-359. Technical experts will be available to discuss how Greenliant's products meet the data storage requirements for aerospace, defense, industrial, networking and transportation applications.About GreenliantBy leveraging more than 30 years of solid state storage design expertise, Greenliant is dedicated to developing durable, reliable and secure storage solutions for embedded and industrial enterprise systems. The company is headquartered in Silicon Valley with product development centers in Santa Clara, Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen and Hsinchu. https://www.greenliant.com # # #Media Contact: Tara YingstGreenliant408-200-8062 media@ greenliant.com SOURCE: Greenliant
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. A delegation led by Israfil Mammadov, Executive Director of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), is participating in the 16th Annual Meeting of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF) held in Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman. The IFSWF is the first and only organization bringing together the worlds sovereign institutions, representing a substantial combined asset value.

The event, hosted by the Oman Investment Authority under the theme Embracing Disruption and Searching for Resilient Futures brings together sovereign wealth funds from IFSWF member states to discuss sustainable and resilient investment strategies. Over 200 representatives from more than 100 financial and development institutions are attending the meeting.

During the event, a new IFSWF Board was appointed. In the election for the position of Deputy Chair of the Board, Israfil Mammadov, Executive Director of SOFAZ, was elected by majority vote. It should be noted that the Deputy Chair role spans a three-year term, after which the elected individual will automatically assume the role of Chair of the Board for the subsequent three years.

His election to this role not only underscores SOFAZ's commitment to sustainable and resilient approaches in sovereign fund management but also highlights Azerbaijan's dedication to promoting responsible investment and advancing global best practices in sovereign fund governance.

In his remarks, Israfil Mammadov emphasized the continued relevance of the Santiago Principles in todays world, noting that rising protectionism and shifting geopolitical dynamics are reshaping the investment landscape. As sovereign wealth funds, our focus must extend beyond generating returns to ensuring sustainability, resilience, and adaptability for the benefit of our nations he stated.

As part of the meeting, representatives from the largest sovereign wealth funds of their respective countriesthe Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), the China Investment Corporation (CIC), and Australias Future Fundwere elected as members of the Board.

The International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds, headquartered in London, was established by the International Working Group of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IWG) meeting in Kuwait on April 5-6, 2009 and had its first inaugural meeting in Baku on October 8-9, 2009. IFSWF is a voluntary group of sovereign wealth funds, which meets, exchanges views on issues of common interest and facilitates an understanding of the Santiago Principles and sovereign fund activities. Co-organized by SOFAZ, the IFSWF held its 14th Annual Meeting in Baku in 2022 under the theme Mobilizing Capital for Change.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 18:16:00

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 424 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / The City of Columbus ("Columbus") recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of approximately 500,000 residents. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Columbus.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On July 18, 2024, Columbus became aware of a security incident on its IT Network. Columbus immediately launched an investigation to determine the nature and scope of the incident. Columbus' investigation confirmed that an unauthorized third-party gained access to its IT Network and obtained certain personal information of its residents.Columbus's investigation discovered that the following types of sensitive personal information may have been exposed in the data breach: Full Name, Date of Birth, Address, Bank Account Information, Driver's License(s), Social Security Number, and Other identifying information concerning you and/or your interactions with the city.On October 7, 2024, Columbus issued a public disclosure about the data breach and started sending notice letters to individuals impacted. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Columbus, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out: https://bit.ly/3AqlPUM Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT:Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 18:16:58

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 451 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Abbott Laboratories Employees Credit Union ("ALECU") recently disclosed a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of thousands of customers. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive private information entrusted to ALECU.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On or about September 23, 2024, ALECU became aware of a security incident on their IT Network. Upon discovering the incident, ALECU launched an investigation with the help of leading cyber security experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. As a result of the investigation, ALECU determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to its network on August 2, 2024. ALECU launched a comprehensive review of the incident to determine whether sensitive information was compromised and how many individuals were impacted. On September 23, 2024, the review was completed and ALECU confirmed that sensitive personal information was impacted.ALECU's investigation discovered that the following type of sensitive private and protected health information may have been exposed in the data breach:Name, and Social Security Number. On October 18, 2024, ALECU issued a public disclosure about the data breach and started sending notice letters to individuals impacted. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from ALECU you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 15:01:04

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 339 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NORTHFIELD, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Petro Cohen, P.C., a New Jersey law firm practicing in personal injury, workers' compensation, and employment law, announced that Partners Richard Gaeckle and Michael Veneziani were installed as Trustees to the Atlantic County Bar Foundation (ACBF). The ACBF aims to foster and promote awareness, understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of the law and the legal system within the Atlantic County community. Its mission includes supporting scholarships for law students who are past, present, or future residents of Atlantic County and developing programs to address existing legal or law-related needs in the community.Gaeckle brings over 20 years of litigation and trial experience to his role. He handles personal injury cases, including automobile accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, construction accidents, and wrongful death claims. Gaeckle graduated from New York Law School, where he was a Law Review Articles Editor and earned the honor of becoming a LEED Accredited Professional. He is known for his dedication to his clients and a commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.Veneziani is a partner at Petro Cohen with over 15 years of legal experience. He specializes in personal injury cases, including motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, construction accidents, dog bites, and premises liability. Veneziani earned his Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law and was admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He is passionate about ensuring his clients receive the medical care they need and the compensation they deserve.About Petro Cohen, P.C.With exceptional legal credentials and experience, Petro Cohen, P.C. Attorneys at Law handles workers' compensation, personal injury, and Social Security disability law claims. Dedicated to providing the highest quality of legal service available, the attorneys and staff share a passion for winning and an uncompromised commitment to every client. For more information or an appointment at the Northfield, Cherry Hill, Hamilton, or Cape May, NJ offices, call (888) 675-7607 or visit PetroCohen.com Contact InformationAmy Phillips(609) 534-3472SOURCE: Petro Cohen, P.C.View the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 22:07:09

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 692 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEWARK, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. ("Protagonist" or the "Company") announced that final data from the Phase 2 REVIVE study with rusfertide in polycythemia vera will be the focus of a poster presentation at the 66th Annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting being held in San Diego from December 7-10, 2024.ASH Presentation Details:Presenting author: Aaron Gerds, MD (Cleveland Clinic)Publication Number: 4559Title: Final Results from the Phase 2 Revive Study Investigating the Hepcidin Mimetic Rusfertide in Patients with Polycythemia Vera (PV)Session Name: 634. Myeloproliferative Syndromes: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster III Session Date: Monday, December 9, 2024 Presentation Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM PST Location: San Diego Convention Center, Halls G-HAbout ProtagonistProtagonist Therapeutics is a late-stage development biopharmaceutical company. Two novel peptides derived from Protagonist's proprietary discovery platform are in advanced Phase 3 clinical development, with potential New Drug Application submissions to the FDA in 2025. JNJ-2113 is an oral Interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) antagonist licensed to Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) in Phase 3 development for psoriasis and nearing completion of Phase 2b development for ulcerative colitis. Following JNJ-2113's joint discovery by Company and JNJ scientists pursuant to the companies' IL-23R collaboration, the Company was primarily responsible for development of JNJ-2113 through Phase 1, with JNJ assuming responsibility for development in Phase 2 and beyond. Rusfertide is a mimetic of the natural hormone hepcidin in Phase 3 development for the rare blood disorder polycythemia vera (PV). Rusfertide is being co-developed and will be co-commercialized with Takeda Pharmaceuticals pursuant to a worldwide collaboration and license agreement entered into in 2024 under which the Company remains primarily responsible for development through NDA filing. The Company also has a number of promising pre-clinical discovery programs addressing validated targets, including IL-17, obesity and oral hepcidin.More information on Protagonist, its pipeline drug candidates and clinical studies can be found on the Company's website at https://www.protagonist-inc.com/ Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the potential benefits of JNJ-2113 and rusfertide, the timing of JNJ-2113 and rusfertide clinical trials, and timing of developments and announcements in our discovery programs. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "may," "will," "expect," or the negative or plural of these words or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not limited to, our ability to develop and commercialize our product candidates, our ability to earn milestone payments under our collaboration agreements with Janssen and Takeda, our ability to use and expand our programs to build a pipeline of product candidates, our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our product candidates, our ability to operate in a competitive industry and compete successfully against competitors that have greater resources than we do, and our ability to obtain and adequately protect intellectual property rights for our product candidates. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors affecting our business can be found in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in our most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate, may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. We assume no obligation to update our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release.Investor Relations Contact Corey Davis, Ph.D.LifeSci Advisors+1 212 915 2577 cdavis@ lifesciadvisors.com Media Relations ContactVirginia Amann ENTENTE Network of Companies virginiaamann@ ententeinc.com +1 833 500 0061SOURCE: Protagonist Therapeutics
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 19:00:45

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 477 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

PLEASANTON, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 /Sensiba LLP, a Top 75 U.S.-based accounting and business consulting firm, announced today a partnership with pioneering carbon accounting platform Greenly.This collaboration merges Greenly's powerful carbon footprint analysis capabilities with Sensiba's ESG reporting and GHG assessment services, creating a comprehensive solution to help businesses effectively identify and navigate risks and opportunities.Leveraging Greenly's data and insights, Sensiba will work with clients to uncover climate risks, develop actionable mitigation plans, embed ESG principles into their core business strategies, and maximize returns on sustainability initiatives. With ESG considerations increasingly critical as vendors, consumers, and investors make decisions, Sensiba's approach positions clients for success amid evolving stakeholder demands.Clients will gain the tools and guidance needed to stay relevant in today's market and meet evolving regulatory requirements and reporting standards, including the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), California climate regulations, and others."We're pleased to partner with Greenly to support clients with detailed carbon footprint assessments that provide the foundation for decisive corporate climate action. Greenly's platform will equip our clients to prioritize their most impactful emissions reduction opportunities while ensuring regulatory compliance, sound corporate governance, and positive stakeholder relationship management," said Sensiba Partner Karen Burns. "As B Corps, Sensiba and Greenly share a commitment to social and environmental governance that supports our clients and communities." About GreenlyFounded in October 2019 by Alexis Normand (CEO, former VP of Healthcare at Withings, HEC, Sciences Po, formerly at the Boston offices of Withings and Techstars), Mathieu Vergeville (CTO, X-Telecom, former data scientist at Withings) and Arnaud Delubac (CMO, Essec-Centrale, INSEE, formerly in charge of digital communication in the office of the French Prime Minister), Offspend SAS launched Greenly in January 2020 as the world's first carbon accounting platform that specializes in providing unique software solutions for businesses to effectively measure, reduce, and cost-effectively offset their carbon footprint.Greenly's platform is accessible to companies of all sizes across all industries, even those with multiple entities, and offers a range of services focused on ESG compliance, such as Carbon Footprint, Life Cycle Assessments, CSRD Reporting, Decarbonization Strategy Building, and Sustainable Procurement.With more than 2,500 customers around the globe, Greenly's mission is to help companies in their sustainable journey.About SensibaSensiba's comprehensive accounting, tax, and consulting services help businesses and people solve problems, navigate complexity, and build a foundation for sustainable growth. A top-75 U.S. firm, we're passionate about collaborating with clients to increase efficiency, mitigate risk, and prepare to embrace emerging opportunities. As a certified B Corp, we foster a culture where people, families, and communities thrive. As an independent member of Morison Global, we support our clients' international accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting needs. For more information, visit Sensiba.com Contact: Marc Stevens, Brand & Communications Manager925-271-8700 x7166 mstevens@ sensiba.com SOURCE: Sensiba LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 03:00:24

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 408 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 4, 2024 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against The Toronto-Dominion Bank ("TD Bank" or the "Company") (NYSE:TD). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether TD Bank and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until December 23, 2024, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired TD Bank securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On October 10, 2024, TD Bank disclosed that it had pleaded guilty and agreed to pay over $3 billion in penalties to resolve investigations by U.S. authorities into violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and money laundering. The resolution of the investigations also included an asset cap preventing TD Bank's U.S. subsidiaries from collectively exceeding $434 billion in assets and subjects TD Bank to more stringent approval processes for its products, services, and market rollouts. In a corresponding press release, the U.S. Department of Justice described TD Bank as "the largest bank in U.S. history to plead guilty to Bank Secrecy Act program failures, and the first US bank in history to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering." On this news, TD Bank's stock price fell $4.07 per share, or 6.41%, to close at $59.44 per share on October 10, 2024.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 03:00:41

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 313 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 4, 2024 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of Customers Bancorp, Inc. ("Customers Bancorp, Inc.") (NYSE:CUBI) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.Customers Bancorp revealed via an SEC filing on April 12, 2024, that Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), Carla Leibold, "was notified of her termination from employment with the Company on April 10, 2024, for 'cause' under her employment agreement for violating Company policy, which termination was effective immediately." The Company then admitted in an SEC filing on April 25, 2024, that contrary to its prior filing, that Ms. Leibold "agreed that the termination of Ms. Leibold's employment is a separation by mutual agreement." Additionally, the Company disclosed that Ms. Leibold would receive $2.5 million in cash. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 21:41:45

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 478 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a lawsuit has been filed against The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD) and certain of the Company's senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in TD Bank, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/the-toronto-dominion-bank Investors have until December 23, 2024 to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in TD Bank securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and is captioned Tiessen v. The Toronto-Dominion Bank., et al., No. 24-cv-08032.What is the Lawsuit About?TD Bank is the 10th largest bank in the United States. The complaint alleges that TD Bank made materially false and misleading statements about the scope of its anti-money laundering program.On October 10, 2024, TD Bank pleaded guilty to criminal money-laundering-related charges and agreed to pay more than $3 billion in fines to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Reserve, the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. The Comptroller of the Currency also imposed an "asset cap" that prevents TD Bank from growing any larger than its current size.The news caused a significant decline in the price of TD Bank stock. On October 10, 2024, the price of the company's stock fell 6.4%, from a closing price of $63.51 per share on October 9, 2024, to $59.44 per share on October 10, 2024.Click here if you suffered losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/the-toronto-dominion-bank What Can You Do?If you invested in TD Bank you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar, Fonti, & Auld LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 13:50:20

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 992 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / TRU Precious Metals Corp. (TSXV:TRU)(OTCQB:TRUIF)(FSE:706) ("TRU" or the "Company") is pleased to provide results from the 2024 field season copper ("Cu") exploration program at its flagship Golden Rose Project ("Golden Rose") strategically located along the gold deposit-bearing Cape Ray - Valentine Lake Shear Zone in Central Newfoundland. As previously announced (see news releases dated April 18, 2024 and July 16, 2024 ), TRU has been conducting a targeted exploration program focused on the critical minerals potential of Golden Rose, with special emphasis on copper. Many of the areas targeted have limited exploration to date as Golden Rose is an historically underexplored asset.The Jacob's Prospect and King George Prospect areas both returned significant copper values (up to 3.7% Cu) while other locations returned numerous anomalous values, upgrading these targets for future work ( Figure 1 ).Highlights from the recently completed program are:AtJacob'sProspect, four samples comprising bedrock and float assayed from 2.0% to 3.7% Cu with numerous other rock samples assaying up to 1% Cu. This has extended the area of known copper potential at this prospect by approximately 2 kilometres ("km") to the west-northwest;AtKing GeorgeProspect, outcrop and angular float grab samples assayed 3.7% and 2.4% Cu;AtGlenn'sProspect, outcrop samples returned values up to 0.9 % Cu extending the area of known copper potential by 750 metres ("m") to the southwest of the original outcrop reported in 2023 (See news release dated October 03, 2023);Outcrop and angular float samples with highly elevated copper concentrations have been collected over a 5.5 km strike of the Cape Ray Shear Zone from Glenn's Prospect to Jacob's Prospect, with similar elevated copper concentrations also obtained from outcrop and angular float approximately 14 km further along the same structure to the southwest at King George Prospect;Outcrop samples assaying up to 0.17 % Cu , as well asangular float boulder samples assaying up to 0.15% Cu and 1.4 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au") were discovered at the newAnnieProspect , a previously unexplored area 3.5 km north-northeast of Glenn's Prospect; andSeveral samples collected across the above-noted prospects also assayed anomalous zinc ("Zn") values up to 0.95% Zn.TRU CEO Steve Nicol commented: "We are very encouraged with the results of our latest exploration program, specifically targeting copper and other critical minerals at various locations within the nearly 300 sq.km Golden Rose Project area. This work continues to highlight the potential of the Project to host significant critical mineral occurrences. Further work is required to better evaluate the full potential of these occurrences. We look forward to working with our Golden Rose earn-in partners Eldorado Gold Corporation ("Eldorado") to incorporate this latest information into the ongoing preparation of a revised and refined project-wide geological and structural model for Golden Rose" ( See news release dated October 22, 2024 ).Figure 1: Sample locations providing elevated copper results from the 2024 Cu exploration programThe Cu exploration program comprised prospecting, grab (rock) sampling and reconnaissance soil sampling and was undertaken over areas where previous work identified critical mineral prospectivity and also at locations highlighted by remote sensing work.AtJacob'sProspect (previously known as Jacob's Pond and Jacob's Twin), results include outcrop and angular float grab samples assaying 3.7%, 3.2%, 2.4% and 2.0% Cu, with numerous other Cu mineralized samples identified over a 1.5 km length and samples assaying up to 0.95% Zn. Rock types identified are mafic volcanics with massive, semi-massive and disseminated sulphide mineralization. Antimony ("Sb") grades up to 0.2% Sb are also present. The Cu mineralization is interpreted as being associated with an east-west trending splay off the Cape Ray Shear Zone, with many of the anomalous samples taken from an area 1.4 km north of the 2022 drilling at Jacob's Twin ( see news release dated September 22, 2022 ) thereby extending the previously known anomalous copper zone significantly to the west-northwest by approximately 2 km.AtKing GeorgeProspect, results include outcrop and angular float grab samples assaying 3.7% and 2.4% Cu, with up to 0.9% Zn also encountered over an area of approximately 500 m x 500 m. The prospect lies in the area of an extensive geophysical anomaly. Rock types sampled are mafic volcanics with disseminated and fracture fill Cu and Zn mineralization.AtGlenn'sProspect, the copper potential is supported by outcrop samples assaying up to 0.9 % Cu in the area surrounding the initial discovery outcrop. Rock types sampled are mafic volcanics and diabase hosting disseminations and fracture filling sulphide mineralization extending up to 750 m southwest of the initial discovery at Glenn's Prospect.At the newAnnieProspect, located in the Annieopsquotch Mountains, outcrop and angular float boulder samples assayed up to 0.17% Cu and up to 1.4g/t Au. Satellite and remote sensing data had previously indicated the potential for critical mineral prospectivity over parts of the Annieopsquotch Mountains. The discovery of elevated copper values in this area based solely on remote sensing data gives confidence that this data set can be used to identify additional base and precious metals mineralization zones at Golden Rose for future exploration.Results from a soils program at the King George Prospect are pending.Qualified Person StatementThe scientific and technical information disclosed in this news release has been prepared and approved by Joel Cranford, P.Geo., Project Geologist for TRU, and a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.Joel Cranford has verified all scientific and technical data disclosed in this news release and noted no errors or omissions during the data verification process.About TRU Precious Metals Corp.TRU (TSXV:TRU)(OTCQB:TRUIF)(FSE:706) is on a mission to build long-term shareholder value through prudent natural resource property development. The company's flagship project is the Golden Rose Project a regional-scale 297.50 km2 land package in Central Western Newfoundland (includes a 33.25 km 2 package of claims over which TRU has an option with TSX-listed Quadro Resources to acquire up to an aggregate 65% ownership) which straddles a 45 km strike length along the gold deposit-bearing Cape Ray - Valentine Lake Shear Zone, directly between Calibre Mining's Valentine Project and AuMEGA Metals' Cape Ray Gold Project. TRU is currently focused on efficiently discovering the full gold and copp
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 13:45:31

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 938 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Volatus Aerospace Inc. (TSXV: FLT.V)(OTCQX:TAKOF)(Frankfurt:A3DP5Y/ABBA.F) ("Volatus" or the "Company"), a leader in advanced aerial solutions, and Kongsberg Geospatial ("Kongsberg"), a recognized innovator in geospatial software and situational awareness solutions, are pleased to announce a new collaboration to enhance Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) capabilities for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) through the integration of Kongsberg's IRIS Terminal into Volatus' state-of-the-art Operations Control Center (OCC).Under this commercial agreement, Volatus will use its OCC to test, validate, and demonstrate Kongsberg's IRIS Terminal software, designed to provide operators with real-time airspace awareness, showcasing IRIS Terminal's functionality to potential clients, providing comprehensive demonstrations to display real-time situational awareness and control over BVLOS operations. Additionally, the companies will work closely to secure regulatory approvals across multiple jurisdictions, expanding both companies' reach and compliance capabilities in the BVLOS sector."Our collaboration with Kongsberg Geospatial represents a strategic move to advance and commercialize BVLOS operations across diverse industries," said Glen Lynch, CEO of Volatus Aerospace. "Maintaining airspace awareness to avoid conflicts with other aircraft is essential for ensuring safe beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. By integrating IRIS Terminal into our Operations Control Center, we are not only enhancing our BVLOS capabilities in terms of safety, reliability, and scalability but are also positioning ourselves to drive new revenue opportunities by offering robust solutions for clients ready to unlock the full potential of RPAS." This collaboration will allow potential end users to witness live demonstrations of Kongsberg's IRIS Terminal within the Volatus OCC. The IRIS Terminal integration will serve as third-party proof-of-concept, supporting both companies in securing long-term BVLOS contracts as industries increasingly recognize the value of autonomous RPAS operations across sectors like public safety, energy, and infrastructure."Partnering with Volatus Aerospace enables us to validate our technology in real-world scenarios and connect with customers ready for advanced RPAS solutions," said Jordan Freed, CEO of Kongsberg Geospatial. "With Volatus' operational excellence, we can shape the future of BVLOS operations, addressing the growing demand for safe, efficient, and compliant RPAS solutions across industries." This partnership leverages Kongsberg's advanced airspace visualization technology alongside Volatus' BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operational expertise. As Kongsberg adds new features, introduces new software, and integrates new sensors, they will leverage the operations control center and its operators / pilots to provide regular real-world feedback to accelerate the development process. These solutions enable drones to operate over longer distances without the pilot's direct line of sight, opening new possibilities for industries such as public safety, energy utilities, and infrastructure management.This collaboration is expected to open significant revenue-generating opportunities as Volatus and Kongsberg work together to commercialize BVLOS solutions that meet stringent safety and regulatory requirements, positioning both companies at the forefront of a rapidly expanding market.About Volatus Aerospace Inc. Volatus Aerospace is a leader in innovative global aerial solutions for intelligence and cargo. With a strong foundation of over 100 years of combined institutional knowledge in aviation, Volatus provides comprehensive solutions using both piloted and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). We serve industries such as oil and gas, utilities, infrastructure, and cargo delivery. Our mission is to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability through cutting-edge, real-world solutions.Explore our services and connect with us at http://www.volatusaerospace.com About Kongsberg Geospatial Kongsberg Geospatial, based in Ottawa, Canada, is a trusted provider of mission-critical software for real-time situational awareness, trusted by defense and aerospace industries globally. Its IRIS Terminal solution enables safe and effective BVLOS operations by delivering high-performance airspace visualization for complex and dynamic environments.Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes information regarding: (i) the anticipated benefits of, and estimated revenue to be generated by, the master service agreement; (ii) the business plans and expectations of the Company; and (iii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and operating plans, strategies, or beliefs of management as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Company, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management's current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 5. The countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) are united by successful economic cooperation, the political analyst of Kyrgyzstan Bakyt Bakitaev told Trend.

"As we can see, cooperation among Turkic and Turkic-speaking countries has significantly strengthened over the past few yearsthis is the demand of the times. We have been connected for millennia by a common language, spiritual values, and philosophy. Recently, our leaders have begun meeting more frequently, and these meetings have become an annual occurrence. Against this backdrop, the Organization of Turkic States was formed.

I believe this is a wise decision because the OTS countries are strategically located between China and Europe, and without their involvement, large-scale projects like the 'Belt and Road Initiative' would lose their significance.

Therefore, in order to effectively safeguard their interests in the face of major powers, the Turkic states have united within this international organization. I am confident that now the interests of our countries will no longer be overshadowed by those of larger nations," the expert added.

This prudent policy addresses the challenges dictated by the current global landscape, Bakitaev pointed out.

"We are united not only by our historical ties but also by successful economic, political, cultural, and spiritual cooperation. I am confident that we can show the world an example of how countries should interact within international institutions. I believe this will become one of the most cohesive and successful international unions," the analyst concluded.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 14:00:33

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 433 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / WebHealthAIis seeing explosive growth, gaining over 3 million users in the past 30 days - a staggering 4,566% increase in monthly users since its launch less than a year ago. This platform offers quick responses to medical questions and connects users with nearby physicians and facilities, combining speed with tailored healthcare insights. WebHealthNetwork currently includes over 2.5 million healthcare professionals and 330,000 healthcare facilities in its community.WebHealthAI As consumers increasingly seek nuanced, expert-like answers from AI, platforms like WebHealthAI are lessening the dependence on traditional search engines, particularly for complex or health-related inquiries.This shift reflects broader trends. By 2026, Gartner projects a potential 25% decline in traditional search volume as conversational AI tools become the go-to for precise, context-rich responses. WebHealthAI's seamless access to real-time recommendations and doctor connections highlights a future where healthcare decisions are fast-tracked and personalized.WebHealthAI is Breaking New Ground in Pharma and Hospital Network MarketingIn digital marketing, the shift toward AI is opening up new advertising opportunities beyond traditional keyword searches.WebHealthAI is setting a precedent for 1st-party data targeting across display, social, and CTV platforms, appealing to healthcare advertisers eager to utilize AI-driven insights. With its rapid growth and innovative ad integrations, WebHealthAI is paving the way for a new era in healthcare engagement.For instance, hospital systems can now connect with individuals who have shown interest by searching for or researching symptoms, causes, treatments, and medications, or by watching videos related to their service line. This approach is particularly beneficial for hospitals aiming to drive patient visits for specific health categories.Leading marketers are ensuring they have secured their positions to leverage their first-mover advantage. It's clear that the disruption caused by consumer healthcare AI replacing Search presents a significant opportunity for those who act decisively and a huge risk from those who ignore it.About WebHealth Network MediaWebHealth Network Media (WHNM) is a prominent healthcare publisher, aggregator, and digital media vendor. With over 25 specialized healthcare brands and websites covering various healthcare topics, WHNM offers premium content tailored for both healthcare professionals on WebHealthNetwork.com and for consumers on brands like Cancer Health Center, Heart and Stroke Health, Diabetes Health Matters, Digestive Tract Health, Pediatrics Health Center, Vision Health Matters, and more.Leveraging its first-party data obtained from these sites, WHNM executes highly effective digital media campaigns, precisely targeting healthcare professionals and consumers. Specializing in Display, Video, Connected TV, Audio, Email, eNewsletter, and Content Syndication campaigns, WHNM delivers impactful advertising solutions across multiple channels.Contact InformationClare Annis-BandolaMarketing Coordinatorcannis-bandola@ webhealthnetworkmedia.com 416-221-0447SOURCE: WebHealth Network MediaView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-05 22:02:53

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 342 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 /Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, a leading personal injury law firm in Florida, is thrilled to announce their annual Holiday Give Back program for 2024. This initiative aims to support families in need during the Thanksgiving season by distributing 1,000 bags filled with non-perishable food items to residents across Tampa Bay. The program stands as a beacon of community support and philanthropy, ensuring that no one goes hungry this holiday season.Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers - Personal Injury Lawyers in Tampa Holiday Give Back Event Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers - Personal Injury Lawyers in Tampa Holiday Give Back Event Event Details:Dates: November 21 & 22, 2024Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both daysLocation: Drive-through pickup at 601 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606No registration is required for attending the event, allowing any resident in need to collect a food bag. These bags will include 10 popular holiday side dishes, ensuring families experience the warmth and joy associated with Thanksgiving meals.The Holiday Give Back initiative builds on a tradition of community service established by Winters & Yonker, including their successful 2019 event that saw over 1,000 Thanksgiving turkeys distributed. This continuing effort underscores the firm's commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting local families, both through charitable activities and vigorous legal representation.Winters & Yonker invite partners, clients, and community members to participate in this noble cause and help spread the word. Whether helping as volunteers or supporting the drive, every effort contributes to fostering a stronger, more united community.For further information, questions, or involvement opportunities, individuals can reach out to Winters & Yonker at (813) 223-6200 or visit their website at https://www.wintersandyonker.com/ Media Contact:Winters & Yonker Personal Injury LawyersAddress: 601 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606Phone: (813) 223-6200 Website: https://www.wintersandyonker.com/contact-us/ Join Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers in making this Thanksgiving a memorable one for families in need. Together, we can create a season of hope and generosity.Contact InformationBill WintersFounding Partnerinfo@ wintersandyonker.com (813) 223-6200SOURCE: Winters & Yonker Personal Injury LawyersView the original press release on newswire.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The upcoming summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Bishkek marks a significant step forward in strengthening economic ties among member countries, Kazakh political analyst and Assistant Professor in Media Communications and Kazakh History at the International University of Information Technologies (IUIT) Aigerim Zhampetova told Trend.

"Right now, the Organization collaborates across more than 32 areas, with economic cooperation being the most active," Zhampetova said, noting that a major focus is on advancing digitalization. "One of the standout projects in this area is Digital TIR, which aims to streamline goods transport among member states".

Zhampetova also highlighted the importance of cultural integration in strengthening bonds among Turkic nations: "At the recent summit in Astana, member countries signed 12 agreements, including the Astana Act and Declaration, which emphasize goals to deepen cultural ties. At the third commission meeting, a unified alphabet for OTS countries was unanimously adopted by the Turkic Academy and the Institute of Turkic Languages, marking a major step in cultural and linguistic integration".

Reflecting on OTSs future, Zhampetova pointed to areas where cooperation could deepen considerably: "The main themes of the upcoming summit on November 6 in Kyrgyzstan will be economic integration, sustainable development, digital transformation, and security. Theres also a strong focus on collaboration in education and scientific research, which are some of the most promising and necessary areas of cooperation".

"There are also discussions underway about joint projects in the digital, aerospace, and AI sectors. Establishing branches of leading universities and hosting scientific conferences will help drive development in our countries as we navigate modern challenges," Zhampetova added, underscoring that joint efforts in science and education will help build mutual understanding and support among OTS countries.

On the importance of the Bishkek summit, the analyst noted that it would be a crucial step in bolstering political and economic ties among OTS members. "In light of global challenges and uncertainties, this forum will serve as a vital platform for implementing prior initiatives and defining new areas of cooperation. Economic integration, especially creating a common market for Turkic countries, will likely be a central topic," Zhampetova said.

She added that security issues and cooperation with other international organizations, such as the Islamic Organization for Food Security and the Economic Cooperation Organization, would also be high on the agenda, as these could significantly expand the OTSs influence on the global stage.

Zhampetova emphasized that the OTS faces considerable geopolitical challenges, and the summit could play a role in strengthening the bloc's position worldwide. "The recent escalation of conflicts in the Middle East has made security cooperation even more essential. The summit could become a platform for peaceful conflict resolution and for shaping a more independent and coordinated OTS stance internationally," the analyst added.

Discussing Kazakhstans role in the summit, Zhampetova highlighted the countrys central role in bringing Turkic states together. "Kazakhstan is leading the initiative to create a common market, which could significantly boost mutual trade and make the region more attractive to foreign investors," she said.

Zhampetova also noted that Kazakhstan actively supports expanding scientific and educational exchanges, which are vital for Turkic integration. "Expanding scientific and educational exchanges, along with reinforcing security, underscores Kazakhstan's commitment to building a strong and stable integration framework in Central Asia," she noted.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 5. A branch of the University of Lorraine will open at the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Trend reports.

This was announced by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during a briefing for the media as part of his visit to France. Following extensive talks, President Tokayev and French President Emmanuel Macron made a joint statement to the press.

"This visit is very important for us. France is a close and reliable partner of Kazakhstan within the European Union. Over the past 34 years, our relations have acquired a strategic nature," said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

He emphasized that during substantive talks with President Macron, the need for the development of trade and economic cooperation was highlighted. Tokayev also focused on expanding contacts between leading universities in the fields of science and technology.

"We are currently considering the establishment of a Kazakh-French Lumiere University Center. Additionally, Kazakh-French schools will be built in Astana and Almaty. Relevant documents were signed today. These schools will undoubtedly provide young people with the opportunity to receive education to the highest standards. Kazakhstan is ready to strengthen relations with universities and research centers in France," the President noted.

For his part, Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of joint efforts in tackling global challenges such as climate change and the fight against terrorism. According to him, France and Kazakhstan share similar views on key regional and international issues, based on adherence to the UN Charter, respect for the principle of territorial integrity, and the protection of human rights.

At the conclusion of the briefing, the Presidents of Kazakhstan and France adopted a Joint Declaration aimed at strengthening strategic partnership.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 5. Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and Emmanuel Macron of France signed a Joint Declaration to reinforce their strategic partnership, Trend reports.

The ceremony, held in Paris, featured a series of key agreements aimed at bolstering trade, cooperation, and security between Kazakhstan and France. Among the notable documents signed in the presence of both leaders were:

- Kazakhstan-France Readmission Agreement: An intergovernmental accord to facilitate the return of nationals in alignment with international norms.

- Kazakhstan-France Strategic Partnership Roadmap on Critical Resources and Materials: Outlining cooperative measures to secure and develop key resources.

- Partnership Agreement between Samruk-Kazyna and Societe Generale**: Establishing a strategic cooperation framework between Kazakhstan's sovereign wealth fund and the French banking group.

- Strategic Cooperation Agreement on Six-Axle Electric Locomotives: A partnership between Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and Alstom Transport SA to enhance Kazakhstan's rail infrastructure.

- Protocol on Archaeological Cooperation: A collaboration between the A.H. Margulan Institute of Archaeology and Frances INRAP to advance archaeological research and preservation efforts.

As such, this state visit by President Tokayev led to the signing of a total of 36 agreements valued at $2.2 billion. These included one intergovernmental agreement, 21 interdepartmental accords, and 14 commercial agreements, spanning industries such as transportation, finance, energy, and cultural exchange.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 5. Kazakhstan looks to France for strategic investments in nuclear energy, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a recent Kazakhstan-France investment roundtable, Trend reports.

He outlined potential areas for deepening economic cooperation, emphasizing the role of energy and advanced technology.

"Energy has always been a cornerstone of our cooperation," Tokayev remarked, highlighting Kazakhstans critical role as a major supplier of oil and uranium to the European Union. "Astana is committed to supporting Frances energy sovereignty, and we look forward to increased engagement from French industry in Kazakhstan, which will help introduce cutting-edge technologies into our production sectors."

Kazakhstan, the worlds leading uranium producer, and France, with its extensive experience in nuclear technology, share a unique opportunity for collaboration in civil nuclear energy. President Tokayev proposed advancing cooperation in this field, which could significantly benefit both nations.

Meanwhile, on October 6, 2024, Kazakhstan held a referendum on constructing the countrys first nuclear power plant. The proposal received strong support, with over 71 percent voting in favor.

Following the referendum, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that the nuclear plant should be developed by an international consortium. Potential technology suppliers being considered include China, South Korea, Russia, and France.
SAO PAULO, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Telefonica Brasil - (B3: VIVT3; NYSE: VIV), announces its results for 3Q24.

Strong operating performance resulting in revenues, EBITDA, and net income growth along with reduced Capex intensity.

R$ million 3Q24 3Q23 % Y-o-Y 9M24 9M23 % Y-o-Y













Net Operating Revenue 14,039 13,112 7.1 41,264 38,565 7.0 Mobile Services 9,212 8,465 8.8 26,821 24,614 9.0 FTTH 1,790 1,570 14.0 5,264 4,568 15.2 Corporate Data, ICT, and others 1,129 1,060 6.5 3,389 3,195 6.1 Electronics 856 814 5.1 2,553 2,411 5.9 Other Revenues 1,053 1,202 (12.4) 3,236 3,777 (14.3) Total Costs (8,089) (7,573) 6.8 (24,582) (22,999) 6.9 EBITDA 5,950 5,539 7.4 16,682 15,566 7.2 EBITDA / Net Revenue Margin 42.4 % 42.2 % 0.1 p.p. 40.4 % 40.4 % 0.1 p.p. EBITDA AL 4,702 4,400 6.9 12,965 12,111 7.1 EBITDA AL / Net Revenue Margin 33.5 % 33.6 % (0.1) p.p. 31.4 % 31.4 % 0.0 p.p. Net Income 1,667 1,472 13.3 3,785 3,429 10.4 Earnings per Share (EPS) 1.02 0.89 14.4 2.30 2.07 11.2













CAPEX ex-IFRS 16 2,495 2,626 (5.0) 6,710 6,665 0.7 Operating Cash Flow (OpCF) 3,455 2,913 18.6 9,972 8,901 12.0 OpCF/ Net Revenue Margin 24.6 % 22.2 % 2.4 p.p. 24.2 % 23.1 % 1.1 p.p. Operating Cash Flow AL (OpCF AL) 2,207 1,774 24.4 6,255 5,446 14.9 OpCF AL / Net Revenue Margin 15.7 % 13.5 % 2.2 p.p. 15.2 % 14.1 % 1.0 p.p. Free Cash Flow 1,671 1,918 (12.9) 7,139 7,556 (5.5)













Total Subscribers (Thousand) 115,245 111,582 3.3 115,245 111,582 3.3

1 Other Revenues include Voice, xDSL, FTTC and IPTV.

Net revenue grew (+7.1% YoY), driven by the strong performance of Mobile Service Revenue (MSR) (+8.8 YoY), boosted by double-digit growth in postpaid revenue (+10.4% YoY). Postpaid's strong performance is related to the increase in customer base (+7.6% YoY), which totaled 65.0 million in the quarter, driven by migrations from prepaid and adding new customers, that contributed to the +3.5% YoY increase in postpaid ex-M2M and ex-dongles ARPU, to R$53.0.

Fixed revenue increased +3.6% YoY, driven by the FTTH (+14.0% YoY) and Corporate Data, ICT and Digital Services (+6.5% YoY) revenues. FTTH network is currently present in 444 cities (+5 cities YoY) with 28.3 million homes passed (+12.7% YoY) and 6.7 million homes connected (+12.5% YoY).

EBITDA totaled R$5,950 million (+7.4% YoY), with a margin of 42.4% (+0.1 p.p. YoY), reflecting the strong performance of mobile service revenue (+8.8% YoY) and cost control (+6.8% YoY).

In 3Q24, Capex ex-IFRS 16 amounted to R$2,495 million (-5.0% YoY), representing 17.8% of revenues (-2.3 p.p. YoY), directed towards strengthening our mobile network, with emphasis on 5G coverage, that is already present in 394 cities, including all cities with over 200 thousand inhabitants, representing 57% of the Brazilian population.

In 9M24, Operating Cash Flow totaled R$9,972 million (+12.0% YoY), with a margin of 24.2% (+1.1 p.p. YoY) over net revenue.

Net income attributed to Telefonica Brasil reached R$1,667 million in 3Q24 (+13.3% YoY). Shareholder remuneration paid up in 2024 was R$4,790 million (+0.1% vs FY 2023), of which R$2,190 million of interest on equity, R$1,500 million in capital reduction, while R$1,110 million were invested in share buybacks. For the years 2024 to 2026, the Company has committed to distribute an amount equal to or above 100% of net income for each fiscal year.

To download the complete version of the Company's earnings release, please visit our website: https://ri.telefonica.com.br/en

SOURCE Telefonica Brasil S.A.
2024 Globee Awards underscore uniqueness of Alchemi's ShieldCRS protection capabilities that serve as a game changer for data security efforts previously dependent on piecemeal approaches

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alchemi Data Management Inc. , a leading provider of holistic insider threat protection, today announced it was honored in this year's Globee Awards for Leadership as well as the Globee Awards for Business (International).

Alchemi's agentless ShieldCRS insider threat protection platform was recently recognized with the programs' bronze and silver Startup Achievement of the Year Awards for its uniquely powerful combination of threat detection, isolation and file remediation  all within one solution.

The 2024 Globee Awards highlight individuals and organizations that demonstrate extraordinary leadership, innovative thinking, and impactful contributions to their fields. Alchemi and its ShieldCRS platform were selected from entries from around the world, showcasing the best in business, leadership and innovation.

ShieldCRS safeguards against ransomware, IP theft and other digital sabotage while also ensuring data resilience for regulatory compliance. By arming already overtasked IT and cybersecurity teams with a purpose-built agentless platform that ensures the safety of data and the immediate restoration of files, ShieldCRS allows users to quickly restore their environment to a fully functional state after an incident, minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity.

The foundational capabilities within the ShieldCRS platform include:

Detection  Using a powerful combination of behavior analytics and artificial intelligence to help distinguish between normal behavior and malicious activity

 Using a powerful combination of behavior analytics and artificial intelligence to help distinguish between normal behavior and malicious activity Isolation  The source of an attack is isolated while the organization continues to operate

 The source of an attack is isolated while the organization continues to operate Remediation  All affected files are quickly and simply restored to their pre-attack state

"On behalf of our entire Alchemi Data Management team, we're honored to be recognized as a startup with an unrelenting commitment to insider threat protection innovation," said Rob Sims, founder and CTO at Alchemi Data Management. "Through the ShieldCRS platform, we offer organizations not only unparalleled resilience, but also a clear path toward added efficiency for their data and employees when they're facing some of the most potentially dangerous digital threats a company can encounter."

For more information on the ShieldCRS platform, visit www.shieldcrs.com .

For more information on the Globee Awards for Leadership, visit www.globeeawards.com/leadership/winners .

For more information on the Globee Awards for Business (International), visit https://globeeawards.com/business-awards/winners .

About Alchemi Data Management

Alchemi Data Management Inc. provides holistic insider threat protection through its powerful ShieldCRS platform that identifies, isolates and remediates threats such as ransomware, IP theft and other digital sabotage. With attacks on a continual upswing and the related costs soaring, ShieldCRS was purpose-built to go after all forms of insider threats, harnessing its unique location within the network to go beyond security by also providing the data resilience and intelligence needed to achieve regulatory compliance. Founded in 2020, Alchemi Data Management is headquartered in Friday Harbor, Washington. Visit www.alchemi-data.com and www.shieldCRS.com .

SOURCE Alchemi Data Management
ATLANTA, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Artivion, Inc. (NYSE: AORT), a leading cardiac and vascular surgery company focused on aortic disease, today announced that it will participate in two upcoming investor conferences.

Artivion's management team will present at the upcoming Stifel 2024 Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Lotte New York Palace. The Company's presentation is scheduled to begin at 1:15p.m. ET. A live webcast can be accessed through Artivion's website, www.artivion.com, on the Investors page. An archived copy of the webcast will be available for 90 days on the same website.

Members of the management team will also host one-on-one meetings at the upcoming Canaccord Genuity MedTech, Diagnostics and Digital Health & Services Forum on Thursday, November 21, 2024, in New York. Due to the format of this event no webcast will be available.

About Artivion, Inc.

Headquartered in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, Artivion, Inc. is a medical device company focused on developing simple, elegant solutions that address cardiac and vascular surgeons' most difficult challenges in treating patients with aortic diseases. Artivion's four major groups of products include: aortic stent grafts, surgical sealants, On-X mechanical heart valves, and implantable cardiac and vascular human tissues. Artivion markets and sells products in more than 100 countries worldwide. For additional information about Artivion, visit our website, www.artivion.com.

Contacts:

Artivion Gilmartin Group LLC Lance A. Berry Brian Johnston / Laine Morgan Executive Vice President & Phone: 332-895-3222 Chief Financial Officer [email protected] Phone: 770-419-3355



SOURCE Artivion, Inc.
CARING Housing Ministries resident honored for dedication to democracy, accessibility

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CARING Housing Ministries is proud to recognize the civic dedication of Elizabeth "Liz" Dunlap, a resident of Bethany Center, a CARING Housing Ministries community in San Francisco. For over three decades, Liz has been a dedicated poll worker, ensuring the smooth operation of elections within her community in the Mission District. Tomorrow she participates in her forty-second election as a poll worker.

Mural decorates the side of Bethany Center, an Affordable Housing community in the Mission District of San Francisco.

Liz's commitment to the democratic process extends far beyond simply showing up on Election Day. She initially volunteered as a clerk, helping out at elections at her church and then at the polling places local to her apartment. Since moving to Bethany Center over 30 years ago, she has served as a poll worker for a majority of the elections held at the community.

Her dedication led her to take on the role of an election inspector in 2006. This position comes with added responsibilities, including supervising clerks at the polling place and ensuring the secure handling of ballots. Inspectors like Elizabeth play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of elections by overseeing the chain of custody, accounting for every single ballot cast. This meticulous process involves removing the memory card from the ballot marking device and securing the tape that records the votes, ensuring a transparent and accurate vote count.

Beyond her direct involvement in managing the election process, Liz is also a passionate advocate for voting accessibility. As a member of the Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee, "I share my input and look at it from the perspective of being both a poll worker and as a person with a disability," Liz says. The group meets regularly to discuss accessibility and elections, including reviewing potential updates to voting equipment to make sure any new equipment is accessible before it is adopted.

"Working with Elizabeth, you can see the level and care and dedication she has for equity in voting and serving her community," says Negeen Etemad, Poll Worker Assistant Manager at the San Francisco Department of Elections. "She's always been eager to assist both voters and the department."

Liz encourages others to follow in her footsteps, saying, "If someone is interested in elections and would like to participate as a poll worker, they should try it." She believes that participating in the election process, even if not as a poll worker, is crucial for a healthy democracy.

For those unable to volunteer as poll workers, Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of engaging in conversations about voting with friends and family. "Voting is important. It's your voice and your voice counts," she states, highlighting the power and significance of each vote. Elizabeth's story serves as an inspiration, reminding us that active citizenship, in all its forms, is fundamental to a thriving democracy.

Front Porch Communities and Services applauds Elizabeth Dunlap for her unwavering commitment to civic duty and her dedication to making elections accessible to all. Her story exemplifies the power of individual action in strengthening our democracy. To read more about Liz Dunlap and her volunteer efforts as a poll worker, visit the Front Porch blog at https://frontporch.net/bethany-center-poll-worker/.

About CARING Housing Ministries

CARING Housing Ministries, a division of Front Porch Communities and Services, is dedicated to serving others through quality affordable housing. CARING Housing Ministries manages more than 30 affordable housing communities throughout the Western United States, providing homes for 3,300 people including seniors, families, and those who are physically disabled or have been diagnosed with chronic mental illness. In addition to providing management and services, CARING Housing Ministries is the owner/operator of nine affordable housing communities. Learn more about CARING Housing Ministries at www.chm.org.

About Front Porch Communities and Services

Front Porch is a dynamic not-for-profit organization, dedicated to empowering individuals to live connected and fulfilled lives through community and innovation. In support of this vision, Front Porch provides high quality, accessible and affordable human services through senior living communities, affordable housing communities and other programs and services throughout the United States.

Media Contact: Laura Darling, VP of Communications

[email protected]

818-482-7597

SOURCE Front Porch
Recurring revenues grew 3%; up 4% constant currency

Closed sales rose 21% to $57 million

Diluted EPS was $0.68 and Adjusted EPS was $1.00

Raising FY'25 guidance to include 6-8% Recurring revenue growth constant currency;

reaffirming 8-12% Adjusted EPS growth

NEW YORK, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) today reported financial results for the first quarter ended September 30, 2024 of its fiscal year 2025. Results compared with the same period last year were as follows:

Summary Financial Results

First Quarter

Dollars in millions, except per share data

2025 2024 Change









Recurring revenues

$900 $871 3 % Constant currency growth (Non-GAAP)





4 % Total revenues

$1,423 $1,431 (1 %)









Operating income

$134 $148 (9 %) Margin

9.4 % 10.4 %











Adjusted Operating income (Non-GAAP)

$185 $199 (7 %) Margin (Non-GAAP)

13.0 % 13.9 %











Diluted EPS

$0.68 $0.76 (11 %) Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP)

$1.00 $1.09 (8 %)









Closed sales

$57 $48 21 %

"Broadridge's first quarter results keep us on track to deliver a strong fiscal year 2025," said Tim Gokey, Broadridge CEO. "In a seasonally small quarter, Recurring revenue constant currency grew 4% and Adjusted EPS was $1.00. Closed sales rose 21%, highlighting continued strong demand for our solutions.

"We continue to execute on our strategy to democratize and digitize investing, simplify and innovate trading, and modernize wealth management. That execution is driving our results in the form of strong sales, a growing sales pipeline, and continued product innovation," he continued.

"We are raising our Fiscal Year 2025 outlook for Recurring revenue growth to 6-8%, reflecting strong organic growth and our recently closed acquisition of SIS. We are also reaffirming our guidance of 8-12% Adjusted EPS growth and strong Closed sales of $290-330 million," Mr. Gokey concluded.

Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Guidance





FY'25 Guidance Updates Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP)

6 - 8% Previously 5-7% Adjusted Operating income margin (Non-GAAP)

~20% No Change Adjusted Earnings per share growth (Non-GAAP)

8 - 12% No Change Closed sales

$290 - $330M No Change

Financial Results for First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 compared to First Quarter Fiscal Year 2024

Total revenues decreased 1% to $1,423 million from $1,431 million . Recurring revenues increased $29 million , or 3%, to $900 million . Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 4%, driven by Net New Business in ICS and Internal Growth in GTO. Event-driven revenues decreased $24 million , or 28%, to $63 million , driven by lower corporate action activity and lower volume of mutual fund proxy communications. Distribution revenues decreased $13 million , or 3%, to $460 million , driven by lower volume of event-driven mailings partially offset by the postage rate increase of approximately $23 million .

decreased 1% to from . Operating income was $134 million , a decrease of $14 million , or 9%. Operating income margin decreased to 9.4%, compared to 10.4% for the prior year period, primarily due to lower event-driven revenues partially offset by higher Recurring revenues. Adjusted Operating income was $185 million , a decrease of $14 million , or 7%. Adjusted Operating income margin was 13.0% compared to 13.9% for the prior year period. The combination of lower distribution revenue and modestly higher float income negatively impacted margins by 30 basis points.

was , a decrease of , or 9%. Operating income margin decreased to 9.4%, compared to 10.4% for the prior year period, primarily due to lower event-driven revenues partially offset by higher Recurring revenues. Interest expense, net was $32 million , a decrease of $1 million , primarily due to a decrease in average borrowings.

was , a decrease of , primarily due to a decrease in average borrowings. The effective tax rate was 20.4% compared to 19.5% in the prior year period. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily driven by a decrease in discrete tax benefits relative to pre-tax income due to a lower excess tax benefit related to equity compensation.

was 20.4% compared to 19.5% in the prior year period. The effective tax rate for the three months ended was primarily driven by a decrease in discrete tax benefits relative to pre-tax income due to a lower excess tax benefit related to equity compensation. Net earnings decreased 12% to $80 million and Adjusted Net earnings decreased 9% to $118 million . Diluted earnings per share decreased 11% to $0.68 , compared to $0.76 in the prior year period, and Adjusted earnings per share decreased 8% to $1.00 , compared to $1.09 in the prior year period.

decreased 12% to and Adjusted Net earnings decreased 9% to .

Segment and Other Results for First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 compared to First Quarter Fiscal Year 2024

Investor Communication Solutions ("ICS")

Total revenues were $1,016 million , a decrease of $13 million , or 1%. Recurring revenues increased $24 million or 5%, to $493 million . Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 5%, driven by Net New Business. By product line, Recurring revenue growth and Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) were as follows: Regulatory rose 6% and 6%, respectively, which included the impact of equity position growth of 3% and mutual fund/ETF position growth of 6%. Data-driven fund solutions rose 6% and 6%, respectively, driven primarily by growth in our global distribution insights and retirement and workplace products. Issuer rose 8% and 8%, respectively, driven by growth in shareholder engagement solutions and disclosure solutions products. Customer communications rose 3% and 3%, respectively, driven by growth in print revenues and digital communications. Event-driven revenues decreased $24 million , or 28%, to $63 million , driven by lower corporate action activity and lower volume of mutual fund proxy communications. Distribution revenues decreased $13 million , or 3%, to $460 million , driven by lower volume of event-driven mailings partially offset by the postage rate increase of approximately $23 million .

, a decrease of , or 1%. Earnings before income taxes decreased by $19 million , or 16%, to $97 million , as the benefit from higher Recurring revenue was more than offset by lower event-driven revenue. Operating expenses rose 1%, or $6 million to $919 million as lower distribution volumes more than offset the impact of the postage rate increase.

, or 16%, to , as the benefit from higher Recurring revenue was more than offset by lower event-driven revenue. Operating expenses rose 1%, or to as lower distribution volumes more than offset the impact of the postage rate increase. Pre-tax margins decreased to 9.5% from 11.2% in the prior period.

Global Technology and Operations ("GTO")

Recurring revenues were $407 million , an increase of $5 million , or 1%. Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 2%, all organic, driven by Internal Growth. Net New Business was flat as revenue from new sales was offset by losses.

, an increase of , or 1%. Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 2%, all organic, driven by Internal Growth. Net New Business was flat as revenue from new sales was offset by losses. By product line, Recurring revenue growth and the corresponding Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) were as follows: Capital Markets rose 5% and 5%, respectively, driven by Net New Business and Internal Growth. Internal Growth benefited from higher trading volumes. Wealth and Investment Management declined 5% and 4%, respectively, driven primarily by the ongoing impact of a large client loss which reduced revenue growth by approximately 10 points.

Earnings before income taxes were $47 million , an increase of $14 million , or 41% from a combination of higher revenues and lower expenses, including lower labor costs.

, an increase of , or 41% from a combination of higher revenues and lower expenses, including lower labor costs. Pre-tax margins increased to 11.6% from 8.4%.

Other

Loss before income tax increased to $44 million from $36 million in the prior year period, primarily due to higher compensation and other Corporate expenses, including Acquisition and Integration Costs of $2 million .

Acquisition of SIS

On November 1, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of Kyndryl's Securities Industry Services ("SIS") business ("SIS Business") to provide wealth management, capital markets, and information technology solutions in Canada, expanding the Company's product offerings in the GTO reportable segment. The total purchase price, translated to U.S. dollars, was approximately $185 million.

Earnings Conference Call

An analyst conference call will be held today, November 5, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET. A live webcast of the call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis. To listen to the live event and access the slide presentation, visit Broadridge's Investor Relations website at www.broadridge-ir.com prior to the start of the webcast. To listen to the call, investors may also dial 1-877-328-2502 within the United States and international callers may dial 1-412-317-5419. A replay of the webcast will be available and can be accessed in the same manner as the live webcast at the Broadridge Investor Relations site. Through November 12, 2024, the recording will also be available by dialing 1-877-344-7529 within the United States or 1-412-317-0088 for international callers, using passcode 7370329 for either dial-in number.

Explanation and Reconciliation of the Company's Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company's results in this press release are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP except where otherwise noted. In certain circumstances, results have been presented that are not generally accepted accounting principles measures ("Non-GAAP"). These Non-GAAP measures are Adjusted Operating income, Adjusted Operating income margin, Adjusted Net earnings, Adjusted earnings per share, Free cash flow, and Recurring revenue growth constant currency. These Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the Company's reported results.

The Company believes our Non-GAAP financial measures help investors understand how management plans, measures and evaluates the Company's business performance. Management believes that Non-GAAP measures provide consistency in its financial reporting and facilitates investors' understanding of the Company's operating results and trends by providing an additional basis for comparison. Management uses these Non-GAAP financial measures to, among other things, evaluate our ongoing operations, and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. In addition, and as a consequence of the importance of these Non-GAAP financial measures in managing our business, the Company's Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors incorporates Non-GAAP financial measures in the evaluation process for determining management compensation.

Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Income Margin, Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Earnings Per Share

These Non-GAAP measures are adjusted to exclude the impact of certain costs, expenses, gains and losses and other specified items the exclusion of which management believes provides insight regarding our ongoing operating performance. Depending on the period presented, these adjusted measures exclude the impact of certain of the following items:

(i) Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property, which represent non-cash amortization expenses associated with the Company's acquisition activities

(ii) Acquisition and Integration Costs, which represent certain transaction and integration costs associated with the Company's acquisition activities.

We exclude Acquisition and Integration Costs from our Adjusted Operating income (as applicable) and other adjusted earnings measures because excluding such information provides us with an understanding of the results from the primary operations of our business and enhances comparability across fiscal reporting periods, as these items are not reflective of our underlying operations or performance.

We also exclude the impact of Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property, as these non-cash amounts are significantly impacted by the timing and size of individual acquisitions and do not factor into the Company's capital allocation decisions, management compensation metrics or multi-year objectives. Furthermore, management believes that this adjustment enables better comparison of our results as Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property will not recur in future periods once such intangible assets have been fully amortized. Although we exclude Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property from our adjusted earnings measures, our management believes that it is important for investors to understand that these intangible assets contribute to revenue generation. Amortization of intangible assets that relate to past acquisitions will recur in future periods until such intangible assets have been fully amortized. Any future acquisitions may result in the amortization of additional intangible assets.

Free cash flow

In addition to the Non-GAAP financial measures discussed above, we provide Free cash flow information because we consider Free cash flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated that could be used for dividends, share repurchases, strategic acquisitions, other investments, as well as debt servicing. Free cash flow is a Non-GAAP financial measure and is defined by the Company as Net cash flows provided by operating activities less Capital expenditures as well as Software purchases and capitalized internal use software.

Recurring revenue growth constant currency

As a multi-national company, we are subject to variability of our reported U.S. dollar results due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The exclusion of the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations from our Recurring revenue growth, or what we refer to as amounts expressed "on a constant currency basis," is a Non-GAAP measure. We believe that excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations from our Recurring revenue growth provides additional information that enables enhanced comparison to prior periods.

Changes in Recurring revenue growth expressed on a constant currency basis are presented excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations. To present this information, current period results for entities reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in effect during the corresponding period of the comparative year, rather than at the actual average exchange rates in effect during the current fiscal year.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and other written or oral statements made from time to time by representatives of Broadridge may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical in nature, and which may be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "assumes," "projects," "anticipates," "estimates," "we believe," "could be," "on track," and other words of similar meaning, are forward-looking statements. In particular, information appearing in the "Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Guidance" section and statements about our three-year objectives are forward-looking statements.

These statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed. These risks and uncertainties include those risk factors described and discussed in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024 (the "2024 Annual Report"), as they may be updated in any future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed in the 2024 Annual Report.

These risks include:

changes in laws and regulations affecting Broadridge's clients or the services provided by Broadridge;

Broadridge's reliance on a relatively small number of clients, the continued financial health of those clients, and the continued use by such clients of Broadridge's services with favorable pricing terms;

a material security breach or cybersecurity attack affecting the information of Broadridge's clients;

declines in participation and activity in the securities markets;

the failure of Broadridge's key service providers to provide the anticipated levels of service;

a disaster or other significant slowdown or failure of Broadridge's systems or error in the performance of Broadridge's services;

overall market, economic and geopolitical conditions and their impact on the securities markets;

the success of Broadridge in retaining and selling additional services to its existing clients and in obtaining new clients;

Broadridge's failure to keep pace with changes in technology and demands of its clients;

competitive conditions;

Broadridge's ability to attract and retain key personnel; and

the impact of new acquisitions and divestitures.

There may be other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. We can give no assurances that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if any of them do, what impact they will have on our results of operations and financial condition.

Broadridge disclaims any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than as required by law.

About Broadridge

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a global Fintech leader with over $6 billion in revenues, provides the critical infrastructure that powers investing, corporate governance and communications to enable better financial lives. We deliver technology-driven solutions to banks, broker-dealers, asset and wealth managers and public companies. Broadridge's infrastructure serves as a global communications hub enabling corporate governance by linking thousands of public companies and mutual funds to tens of millions of individual and institutional investors around the world. In addition, Broadridge's technology and operations platforms underpin the daily trading of on average more than U.S. $10 trillion of equities, fixed income and other securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work, Broadridge is a part of the S&P 500 Index, employing over 14,000 associates in 21 countries. For more information about Broadridge, please visit www.broadridge.com .

Contact Information

Investors

[email protected]

Media

[email protected]

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(Unaudited)

In millions, except per share amounts

Three Months Ended

September 30,



2024

2023 Revenues

$ 1,422.9

$ 1,431.1 Operating expenses:







Cost of revenues

1,075.0

1,075.3 Selling, general and administrative expenses

213.4

207.3 Total operating expenses

1,288.4

1,282.6 Operating income

134.4

148.4 Interest expense, net

(32.3)

(33.4) Other non-operating income (expenses), net

(1.9)

(2.1) Earnings before income taxes

100.3

112.9 Provision for income taxes

20.5

22.0 Net earnings

$ 79.8

$ 90.9









Basic earnings per share

$ 0.68

$ 0.77 Diluted earnings per share

$ 0.68

$ 0.76









Weighted-average shares outstanding:







Basic

116.9

117.9 Diluted

118.1

119.2



Amounts may not sum due to rounding.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

In millions, except per share amounts



September 30,

2024

June 30,

2024 Assets









Current assets:









Cash and cash equivalents



$ 292.8

$ 304.4 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10.3 and $9.7, respectively



895.3

1,065.6 Other current assets



162.2

170.9 Total current assets



1,350.2

1,540.9 Property, plant and equipment, net



160.3

162.2 Goodwill



3,511.7

3,469.4 Intangible assets, net



1,265.4

1,307.2 Deferred client conversion and start-up costs



882.0

892.1 Other non-current assets



847.4

870.6 Total assets



$ 8,017.1

$ 8,242.4 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity









Current liabilities:









Payables and accrued expenses



$ 771.4

$ 1,194.4 Contract liabilities



201.1

227.4 Total current liabilities



972.4

1,421.8 Long-term debt



3,585.9

3,355.1 Deferred taxes



256.3

277.3 Contract liabilities



457.4

469.2 Other non-current liabilities



538.5

550.9 Total liabilities



5,810.7

6,074.2 Stockholders' equity:









Preferred stock: Authorized, 25.0 shares; issued and outstanding, none





 Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized, 650.0 shares; issued, 154.5 and 154.5 shares, respectively; outstanding, 116.9 and 116.7 shares, respectively



1.6

1.6 Additional paid-in capital



1,580.3

1,552.5 Retained earnings



3,412.0

3,435.1 Treasury stock, at cost: 37.6 and 37.8 shares, respectively



(2,484.9)

(2,489.2) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)



(302.5)

(331.7) Total stockholders' equity



2,206.4

2,168.2 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity



$ 8,017.1

$ 8,242.4



Amounts may not sum due to rounding.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

In millions Three Months Ended September 30,

2024

2023 Cash Flows From Operating Activities





Net earnings $ 79.8

$ 90.9 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operating activities:





Depreciation and amortization 32.3

29.4 Amortization of acquired intangibles and purchased intellectual property 48.2

50.8 Amortization of other assets 42.8

39.3 Write-down of long-lived assets and related charges 0.1

5.6 Stock-based compensation expense 14.9

16.4 Deferred income taxes (17.3)

2.2 Other (7.6)

(15.3) Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired:





Accounts receivable, net 179.8

68.4 Other current assets 8.7

(8.6) Payables and accrued expenses (453.7)

(294.2) Contract liabilities (21.8)

(7.8) Other non-current assets (28.7)

(38.8) Other non-current liabilities (3.0)

(0.3) Net cash flows from operating activities (125.5)

(62.0) Cash Flows From Investing Activities





Capital expenditures (7.9)

(4.7) Software purchases and capitalized internal use software (24.2)

(9.7) Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (8.0)

 Net cash flows from investing activities (40.1)

(14.4) Cash Flows From Financing Activities





Debt proceeds 470.0

462.7 Debt repayments (240.0)

(192.7) Dividends paid (93.4)

(85.6) Purchases of Treasury stock (0.3)

(161.1) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 17.8

37.7 Other financing activities (2.3)

(3.7) Net cash flows from financing activities 151.8

57.3 Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents 2.1

0.8 Net change in Cash and cash equivalents (11.6)

(18.3) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 304.4

252.3 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 292.8

$ 234.0



Amounts may not sum due to rounding.

Segment Results (Unaudited)

In millions Three Months Ended September 30,

2024

2023 Revenues

Investor Communication Solutions $ 1,015.6

$ 1,028.6 Global Technology and Operations 407.2

402.4 Total $ 1,422.9

$ 1,431.1



Earnings before Income Taxes

Investor Communication Solutions $ 96.5

$ 115.2 Global Technology and Operations 47.4

33.7 Other (43.7)

(36.0) Total $ 100.3

$ 112.9







Pre-tax margins:





Investor Communication Solutions 9.5 %

11.2 % Global Technology and Operations 11.6 %

8.4 %







Amortization of acquired intangibles and purchased intellectual property Investor Communication Solutions $ 11.6

$ 11.4 Global Technology and Operations 36.6

39.4 Total $ 48.2

$ 50.8



Amounts may not sum due to rounding.

Supplemental Reporting Detail - Additional Product Line Reporting (Unaudited)

In millions Three Months Ended September 30,

2024

2023

%

Change Investor Communication Solutions









Regulatory $ 189.9

$ 179.4

6 % Data-driven fund solutions 108.0

101.8

6 % Issuer 30.9

28.5

8 % Customer communications 164.2

159.1

3 % Total ICS Recurring revenues 493.1

468.8

5 %











Equity and other 21.1

40.8

(48 %) Mutual funds 41.9

46.1

(9 %) Total ICS Event-driven revenues 63.0

86.9

(28 %)











Distribution revenues 459.5

473.0

(3 %)











Total ICS Revenues $ 1,015.6

$ 1,028.6

(1 %)











Global Technology and Operations









Capital markets $ 261.0

$ 248.5

5 % Wealth and investment management 146.2

153.9

(5 %) Total GTO Recurring revenues 407.2

402.4

1 %











Total Revenues $ 1,422.9

$ 1,431.1

(1 %)











Revenues by Type









Recurring revenues $ 900.3

$ 871.2

3 % Event-driven revenues 63.0

86.9

(28 %) Distribution revenues 459.5

473.0

(3 %) Total Revenues $ 1,422.9

$ 1,431.1

(1 %)



Amounts may not sum due to rounding.

Select Operating Metrics (Unaudited)

In millions Three Months Ended September 30,

2024

2023

Change











Closed sales (a) $ 57.5

$ 47.6

21 %











Record Growth (b)









Equity positions (Stock records) 3 %

8 %



Mutual fund/ETF positions (Interim records) 6 %

3 %















Internal Trade Growth (c) 10 %

15 %







Amounts may not sum due to rounding. (a) Refer to the "Results of Operations" section of Broadridge's Form 10-Q for a description of Closed sales and its calculation. (b) Record Growth is comprised of stock record growth and interim record growth. Stock record growth (also referred to as "SRG" or "equity position growth") measures the estimated annual change in positions eligible for equity proxy materials. Interim record growth (also referred to as "IRG" or "mutual fund/ETF position growth") measures the estimated change in mutual fund and exchange traded fund positions eligible for interim communications. These metrics are calculated from equity proxy and mutual fund/ETF position data reported to Broadridge for the same issuers or funds in both the current and prior year periods. (c) Represents the estimated change in daily average trade volumes for clients whose contracts are linked to trade volumes and who were on Broadridge's trading platforms in both the current and prior year periods.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP Measures (Unaudited)

In millions, except per share amounts Three Months Ended September 30,

2024

2023 Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income

Operating income (GAAP) $ 134.4

$ 148.4 Adjustments:





Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property 48.2

50.8 Acquisition and Integration Costs 2.2

 Adjusted Operating income (Non-GAAP) $ 184.8

$ 199.3 Operating income margin (GAAP) 9.4 %

10.4 % Adjusted Operating income margin (Non-GAAP) 13.0 %

13.9 %







Reconciliation of Adjusted Net earnings

Net earnings (GAAP) $ 79.8

$ 90.9 Adjustments:





Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property 48.2

50.8 Acquisition and Integration Costs 2.2

 Subtotal of adjustments 50.3

50.8 Tax impact of adjustments (a) (11.9)

(12.2) Adjusted Net earnings (Non-GAAP) $ 118.3

$ 129.6







Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS





Diluted earnings per share (GAAP) $ 0.68

$ 0.76 Adjustments:





Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property 0.41

0.43 Acquisition and Integration Costs 0.02

 Subtotal of adjustments 0.43

0.43 Tax impact of adjustments (a) (0.10)

(0.10) Adjusted earnings per share (Non-GAAP) $ 1.00

$ 1.09



(a) Calculated using the GAAP effective tax rate, adjusted to exclude $3.1 million and $5.0 million of excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively. For purposes of calculating the Adjusted earnings per share, the same adjustments were made on a per share basis.



Three Months Ended

September 30,

2024

2023 Reconciliation of Free cash flow

Net cash flows from operating activities (GAAP) $ (125.5)

$ (62.0) Capital expenditures and Software purchases and capitalized internal use software (32.1)

(14.4) Free cash flow (Non-GAAP) $ (157.6)

$ (76.4)

Reconciliation of Recurring Revenue Growth Constant Currency





























Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Investor Communication Solutions Regulatory

Data-

Driven

Fund

Solutions

Issuer

Customer

Comms.

Total Recurring revenue growth (GAAP) 6 %

6 %

8 %

3 %

5 % Impact of foreign currency exchange 0 %

0 %

0 %

0 %

0 % Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) 6 %

6 %

8 %

3 %

5 %



Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Global Technology and Operations Capital Markets

Wealth and

Investment

Management

Total Recurring revenue growth (GAAP) 5 %

(5 %)

1 % Impact of foreign currency exchange 0 %

1 %

0 % Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) 5 %

(4 %)

2 %



Three Months Ended

September 30, 2024 Consolidated Total Recurring revenue growth (GAAP) 3 % Impact of foreign currency exchange 0 % Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) 4 %



Amounts may not sum due to rounding.

Fiscal Year 2025 Guidance Reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP Measures Adjusted Earnings Per Share Growth and Adjusted Operating Income Margin (Unaudited)

FY25 Recurring revenue growth



Impact of foreign currency exchange (a)

(0.5%) - 0% Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP)

6 - 8%





FY25 Adjusted Operating income margin (b)



Operating income margin % (GAAP)

~17% Adjusted Operating income margin % (Non-GAAP)

~20%





FY25 Adjusted earnings per share growth rate (c)



Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)

20 - 25% growth Adjusted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)

8 - 12% growth



(a) Based on forward rates as of September 2024. (b) Adjusted Operating income margin guidance (Non-GAAP) is adjusted to exclude the approximately $200 million impact of Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property, and Acquisition and Integration Costs. (c) Adjusted earnings per share growth guidance (Non-GAAP) is adjusted to exclude the approximately $1.35 per share impact of Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property, and Acquisition and Integration Costs, and is calculated using diluted shares outstanding.

SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
CEO Mark Selby said, "We have assembled a very large land package in the Timmins Nickel District which has yielded millions of tonnes of contained nickel resources. While our focus has been primarily on large scale, bulk tonnage deposits, today's results clearly highlight our belief in the potential of these properties with their large nickel endowment to also host high grade nickel deposits. We look forward to seeing the assays from this hole next week, the follow-up geophysics to understand this Bannockburn target in more detail, and upcoming drilling of other geophysical targets around Bannockburn."

Bannockburn Property

The Bannockburn Property is located 65 kilometres south of Timmins and approximately 20 kilometres west of Matachewan, Ontario and is located in the vicinity of the Company's Midlothian and Sothman properties. The Company has been primarily focused on the large tonnage, low grade nickel zone (the B-Zone) and has identified a number of new prospective targets which are being tested for higher-grade material. Historically, higher grade intervals have been drilled at the C-Zone and F-Zone at Bannockburn (Figure 1) and at the nearby Sothman project.

Canada Nickel is conducting an infill drill program on the historically named B-Zone, a bulk tonnage target composed primarily of strongly serpentinized and well mineralized ultramafics. The B-Zone initial resource is expected to be completed by Q2 2025.

Bannockburn F-Zone

Massive sulphides were identified in drillhole BAN24-18 which collared into mafic volcanics and intersected mineralized peridotite at 238 metres downhole. Mineralization within the peridotite was weak at the contact and increased downhole into moderate to strong disseminated nickel sulphide for 8.7 metres and ending with a 3.9 metre section of massive sulphide (see Figures 2a,b,c) before returning to mafic volcanics. An XRF analyzer was used to confirm the presence of nickel in the mineralized intervals. Samples have been submitted for assays and are expected to be available early next week.

The Company was testing the previously identified F-Zone which had been historically drilled by Outokumpu Mining Oy and Mustang Minerals Corp. in the late 1990s and early 2000s and yielded narrow intervals of net-textured and massive sulphide mineralization including 2.8 metres of 2.9% nickel approximately 50 metres east of the current interval.

Canada Nickel is also following up with similar targets inside the B-Zone that were highlighted during a semi-airborne EM survey (drone and ground loop) that was flown during the summer of 2024, performed by Rosor Corp. The survey shows two other higher conductivity/lower resistivity targets within the B-Zone.

Figure 1  Bannockburn B-Zone and F-Zone, ongoing drill program.

Figure 2  BAN24-18, core pictures a (256.1-267 metres) ,b (260.3-263.4 metres),c (select intervals 257.2-262.7 metres )

a) Peridotite to Massive sulphide, to volcanics; b) Net-texture sulphides (Po (Pyrrhotite)>Pn (Pentlandite)>>Cpy (Chalcopyrite); c) Disseminated sulphides on peridotite, into massive sulphides Po>Pn;

Table 1: Logged Intervals BAN24-18

From

(m) To (m) Length

(m) Lithology % Sulphide* 238.5 251.4 12.9 Carbonated Peridotite. Disseminated Ni Min 1.0 251.4 260.1 8.7 Strongly Serpentinized peridotite. Strong diss Ni min 5 260.1 260.2 0.1 Net-textured sulphide peridotite. 25 260.2 264.1 3.9 Massive sulphide 90-100

*Visual estimation. For reference, Crawford % sulphide typically between 0.1-1%

Table 2: Drillhole Orientation

Hole ID Easting (mE) Northing (mN) Azimuth () Dip () Length (m) B-Zone BAN24-07 506617 5314086 240 -55 402.0 BAN24-08 506677 5313701 240 -55 381.0 BAN24-09 506475 5314390 240 -55 351.0 BAN24-10 505420 5315110 75 -50 402.0 BAN24-11 506342 5314134 60 -55 363.5 BAN24-12 507225 5313385 235 -55 351.0 BAN24-13A 507225 5313385 55 -75 173.0 BAN24-14 506931 5313715 235 -55 402 BAN24-15 506931 5313715 55 -50 426 BAN24-16 507233 5313389 55 -75 181.5 F-Zone BAN24-18 507393 5311706 70 -80 420

Statement Regarding TSX Venture

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Quality Assurance and Control, Drilling and Assaying

Edwin Escarraga, MSc, P.Geo., a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, is responsible for the on-going drilling and sampling program, including quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC). The core is collected from the drill in sealed core trays and transported to the core logging facility. The core is marked and sampled at 1.5 metre lengths and cut with a diamond blade saw. One set of samples is transported in secured bags directly from the Canada Nickel core shack to Actlabs Timmins, while a second set of samples is securely shipped to SGS Lakefield for preparation, with analysis performed at SGS Burnaby or SGS Callao (Peru). All are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited labs. Analysis for precious metals (gold, platinum and palladium) are completed by Fire Assay while analysis for nickel, cobalt, sulphur and other elements are performed using a peroxide fusion and ICP-OES analysis. Certified standards and blanks are inserted at a rate of 3 QA/QC samples per 20 core samples making a batch of 60 samples that are submitted for analysis.

Qualified Person and Data Verification

Stephen J. Balch P.Geo. (ON), VP Exploration of Canada Nickel and a "qualified person" as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of Canada Nickel.

About Canada Nickel Company

Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless steel markets. Canada Nickel Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero NickelTM, NetZero CobaltTM, NetZero IronTM and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins-Cochrane mining camp. For more information, please visit www.canadanickel.com.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Selby

CEO

Phone: 647-256-1954

Email: [email protected]

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, drill and exploration results relating to the target properties described herein (the "Properties"), the significance of drill results, the ability to continue drilling, the impact of drilling on the definition of any resource, the potential of the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project and the Properties, timing and completion (if at all) of mineral resource estimates, the ability to sell marketable materials, strategic plans, including future exploration and development plans and results, corporate and technical objectives, and the completion of assays, follow-up geophysics and further drilling. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon several assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Canada Nickel Company Inc.

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+

Newsrooms &

Influencers 9k+

Digital Media

Outlets 270k+

Journalists

Opted In GET STARTED
iReferral interface technology modernizes the donor notification process by allowing hospitals to automate the identification of potential organ, eye, and tissue donors and electronically notify their federally designated Organ Procurement Organization (OPO).

GASTONIA, N.C., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CaroMont Health (CaroMont), in partnership with InVita Healthcare Technologies (InVita), providers of the iTransplant software and iReferral technology, and LifeShare Carolinas, the federally designated OPO serving southwestern North Carolina, announce the successful launch of iReferral for the first electronic referral implementation of its kind in North Carolina.

Prior to this launch, CaroMont was equipped with InVita's iReferral Portal, which replaced the outdated process of a time consuming phone call to the OPO, allowing nurses to remain at their patient's bedside while manually entering the referral through a secure web portal. With this implementation of the iReferral interface, potential organ and tissue donor notification is securely delivered directly from the hospital EMR to the OPO's iTransplant System eliminating all manual data entry.

For organ donation, timing is everything. Post this

"Providing the latest software and tools to enhance the patient experience ensures CaroMont Health can continue to provide the best care to our community," said Brian Grieg, Director of Critical Care Services at CaroMont Regional Medical Center. "It is critical to seamlessly connect individuals with supportive specialists and this program expands our ability to provide compassionate care when patients and their families are at their most vulnerable. For organ donation, timing is everything. We are proud to join LifeShare of the Carolinas and InVita in supporting those who choose to give the ultimate gift: life."

"We are grateful to our partners at CaroMont for their continued dedication to organ, eye, and tissue donation. The decision to implement this new technology highlights the hospital's commitment to honoring the wishes of those who want to donate organs, eyes, and tissue to save and improve lives," said Ericka Harrison, Chief Operating Officer at LifeShare Carolinas. "CaroMont is the first hospital in LifeShare's service area to take this huge step toward ensuring that no opportunities for donation are missed. We are excited to be a part of this milestone."

Every donor has the potential to save 8 lives through organ donation and transform the lives of countless others through tissue and eye donation. With more than 100,000 Americans waiting for a second chance at life, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) mandate that hospitals notify their federally designated OPO of all potential organ, eye, and tissue donors. iReferral directly improves regulatory compliance to these federal mandates that are in place to provide another chance for those who are waiting for a life-saving transplant.

"At InVita we are continuing to launch these interfaces in partnership with OPOs and hospitals across the country in support of revolutionizing the organ, eye, and tissue donor referral process," said Wade Liu, Chief Product Officer and General Manager, InVita Healthcare Technologies, Donation and Transplant Division. "As a direct result of each implementation we have seen tremendous outcomes demonstrating improved compliance to federal mandates and more lives saved."

About the CaroMont | caromonthealth.org

About LifeShare Carolinas | lifesharecarolinas.org

About InVita Healthcare Technologies | invitahealth.com

SOURCE InVita Healthcare Technologies
HOUSTON, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Celltex Therapeutics Corporation, a biotechnology company that specializes in the manufacturing and cryopreservation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) for general wellness, anti-aging and regenerative therapies, has announced the retirement of its Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, David G. Eller.

Serving as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Celltex, David Eller has spent the past twelve years advancing the Company's mission of being a pioneer in adult MSC research and technology. Under Eller's leadership, Celltex established an adult stem cell banking (cryopreservation) business offering individuals of all ages the opportunity to cryopreserve their own stem cells for future therapeutic use as advancement in stem cell research continues. The Company remains a leader in MSC-based regenerative medicine development and has received FDA authorization to proceed with a multitude of Investigational New Drug Application (IND) studies utilizing Celltex-produced MSCs for a variety of diseases.

The Celltex Board of Directors appointed Anita Perry as Chief Executive Officer of Celltex, effective October 29, 2024, the date of David Eller's retirement. Having served as a Director on Celltex's Board of Directors for the past seven years, Anita's visionary leadership skills and extensive knowledge in the healthcare field have been an asset to the Company. Drawing on her extensive nursing experience, Perry, the longest-serving First Lady of Texas and a former member of the Baylor Scott & White Health Board of Trustees, continues to advocate for numerous health care-focused initiatives.

"We are deeply grateful for the many years David Eller has dedicated to the growth of Celltex becoming the internationally recognized company that it is today," said Lawrence Samuels, Corporate Secretary of the Celltex Board of Directors. "Given David Eller's desire to retire in 2024, a committee of the Board devoted significant time this year to finding the right successor to lead Celltex forward. Our top choice was Anita Perry."

"Anita Perry has contributed to the success of Celltex through her membership on its Board of Directors and I am confident she will continue doing so as its new CEO. Anita has the passion, know-how and experience to lead Celltex to the next level of success," said David Eller. "It is an honor to take the helm of this great company. I know many people whose lives have been greatly improved due to the Celltex stem cell products. My mission is to expand the reach of Celltex so that its benefits can be shared with many others," said Anita Perry and continued, "I want to thank David Eller and all the dedicated employees at Celltex for establishing a strong foundation for growth."

About Celltex Therapeutics Corporation

Founded in 2011, Celltex Therapeutics Corporation is a Houston, Texas-based biotechnology company that specializes in the manufacturing and cryopreservation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). The Company uses its proprietary technology to isolate, cryopreserve and culture billions of undifferentiated and genetically stable MSCs in its state-of-the-art current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)-compliant laboratory. The Company is dedicated to pioneering technological breakthroughs in regenerative medicine. For more information see: www.celltexbank.com

SOURCE Celltex Therapeutics Corporation
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov is visiting Italy to participate in the inaugural meeting of the World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on November 6 in Rome, Trend reports.

The meeting, to be led by the country's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, aims to put all cards on the table regarding the adoption of a comprehensive and worldwide strategy for the development of fusion energy while also pushing the envelope on global initiatives within the framework of the WFEG.

On top of that, the event will showcase a talk from Shahbazov and some face-to-face meetings to boot.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 29, 2024, a class action lawsuit was filed against financial technology company Lendistry, accusing it of severe privacy and data protection violations. The suit alleges that Lendistry mishandled sensitive information from over 17,000 small businesses and nonprofits, contracted by California's government to distribute millions in COVID-19 relief funds. However, the plaintiffs claim Lendistry not only mismanaged the grants but also employed undisclosed third-party artificial intelligence (AI) technology that extracted and transmitted confidential data to other businesses without consent.

Attorney J.R. Howell, representing the plaintiffs, stated, "Lendistry has exploited thousands of Californians in its mishandling of hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds, as the lawsuit alleges. We hope to shine a light on this extraordinary breach of privacy and public trust and to bring scrutiny on Governor Newsom and the private contractors his office has paid millions of dollars even as they violate state privacy law and deliver shoddy services to the public."

The Law Office of J.R. Howell Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Lendistry for Data Privacy Violations Post this

Central to the allegations is Lendistry's relationship with a third-party entity responsible for a supposedly limited bank account verification process. According to the lawsuit, this company instead gained unauthorized, continuous access to applicants' financial data. By creating secret logins, it reportedly harvested transactional records and could automatically revisit accounts daily to collect data.

Howell's experience with similar casesincluding a recent settlement in a class action lawsuit against fitness tech company Pelotonprompted him to investigate further when small businesses began reporting issues with Lendistry's grant administration, such as glitches, poor communication, and unfair application rejections. His findings allegedly revealed systemic privacy and data security problems beyond mere administrative errors.

Howell emphasized that the case raises concerns about the unchecked use of AI technology, which he asserts has outpaced state and federal regulations. "In this case, Lendistry has gone too far, using sophisticated, unsupervised generative AI to process sensitive business and personal information, providing that information to third parties who then use, share, and monetize itall without public consent or awareness," he stated.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, restitution, and an injunction to prevent Lendistry from continuing its practices.

SOURCE The Law Office of J.R. Howell
NEW YORK, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global computer numerical control solutions market size is estimated to grow by USD 9.24 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. Increased use of servo-based systems in industries is driving market growth, with a trend towards application of artificial intelligence and system integration in CNC solutions. However, growing second-hand machine sector poses a challenge.Key market players include Delta Electronics Inc., DMG MORI Co. Ltd., FANUC Corp., Haas Automation Inc., HEIDENHAIN, Hurco Companies Inc., KEBA Group AG, Makino Milling Machine Co. Ltd., Micromatic Machine Tools Pvt. Ltd., Minitech Machinery Corp., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., MONDRAGON Corp., NUM AG, Okuma Corp, Robert Bosch GmbH, Rockwell Automation Inc., Sandvik AB, SIEB and MEYER AG, Siemens AG, and Yaskawa Electric Corp..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Computer Numerical Control Solutions Market 2024-2028

Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View the snapshot of this report

Computer Numerical Control Solutions Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.9% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 9240.2 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 6.4 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 52% Key countries China, US, Germany, Japan, and South Korea Key companies profiled Delta Electronics Inc., DMG MORI Co. Ltd., FANUC Corp., Haas Automation Inc., HEIDENHAIN, Hurco Companies Inc., KEBA Group AG, Makino Milling Machine Co. Ltd., Micromatic Machine Tools Pvt. Ltd., Minitech Machinery Corp., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., MONDRAGON Corp., NUM AG, Okuma Corp, Robert Bosch GmbH, Rockwell Automation Inc., Sandvik AB, SIEB and MEYER AG, Siemens AG, and Yaskawa Electric Corp.

Market Driver

Modern Computer Numerical Control (CNC) systems incorporate advanced software for functions such as position, velocity, and acceleration control. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key component of these systems, enabling machines to make decisions autonomously, based on data from sensors and measurement equipment. The ability of computers to collect, process, and analyze vast amounts of data has become essential in manufacturing. CNC systems can utilize this data for predictive maintenance, process optimization, and tool selection. Siemens AG's expansion of its Sinumerik One platform with the new NCU 1740 and PPU 1740, enabling robotic applications, underscores the growing importance of AI in CNC solutions. This development is expected to fuel market growth during the forecast period.

The Computer Numerical Control (CNC) solutions market is experiencing significant growth, driven by trends in 3D and 2D Cams, automated control, and advanced software capabilities. Microcomputers have replaced old hardware, leading to increased precision in machining complex parts for industries like aerospace and defense, automobile, and healthcare. CNC solutions are being integrated with Additive Manufacturing, Machine Learning (ML), and Big Data Solutions to optimize production. Key machinery types include Lathe Machines, Milling Machines, Laser Machines, Grinding Machines, and Welding Machines. Automated manufacturing, including winding machines, is a major trend. Precise machining is crucial for industries requiring high-quality components. Numerical data input, cutting tools, and real-time monitoring are essential features. CNC solutions are transforming industries through Industry 4.0, IoT, and Cybersecurity. Skilled operators are still needed, but AI and advanced software capabilities are enhancing productivity. Energy consumption is a concern, and CNC providers are focusing on energy-efficient solutions. CAD integration and automation are also important.

Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution!

Market Challenges

 The second-hand machine sector is experiencing significant growth and poses a challenge to the global computer numerical control solutions market. Due to high labor costs and strict pollution laws, several manufacturing industries in the US and Europe have closed, leading to an increased availability of used CNC machines. Asian countries, particularly China , India , Taiwan , Hong Kong , and Vietnam , have become popular destinations for manufacturing activities due to their low labor costs and skilled workforce. These nations are actively purchasing refurbished European automated machinery at lower prices to reduce production costs. Small manufacturers find it challenging to afford new European machines due to market fluctuations. Once reconditioned, these second-hand machines perform as effectively as new ones, making them an attractive alternative for many manufacturers. The expansion of the second-hand machine sector may result in decreased demand for new CNC solutions, negatively impacting the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

have closed, leading to an increased availability of used CNC machines. Asian countries, particularly , , , , and , have become popular destinations for manufacturing activities due to their low labor costs and skilled workforce. These nations are actively purchasing refurbished European automated machinery at lower prices to reduce production costs. Small manufacturers find it challenging to afford new European machines due to market fluctuations. Once reconditioned, these second-hand machines perform as effectively as new ones, making them an attractive alternative for many manufacturers. The expansion of the second-hand machine sector may result in decreased demand for new CNC solutions, negatively impacting the growth of the global market during the forecast period.  The Computer Numerical Control (CNC) solutions market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for automated manufacturing and precise machining in various industries. CNC milling machines and lathe machines are essential tools for industries like aerospace, electronics, and medical, requiring high precision and consistency. Numerical data input and advanced software capabilities enable real-time monitoring, automation, and data-driven optimizations. Challenges include the semiconductor shortage, cybersecurity, and the need for skilled operators. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), Industry 4.0, Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced tooling options is crucial for enhancing productivity and adaptive machining. The market also caters to industries like automotive, telecom communication devices, and renewable energy, with multi-axis capabilities, spindle speeds, and real-time monitoring systems. Used CNC machines and simulation software offer cost-effective solutions for smaller businesses. Emerging trends include electric vehicles (EV), medical devices, and turbines, with five-axis mill machines, ultra-precision machines, and automated CNC systems leading the way. Virtual reality and industrial robots are also transforming the CNC landscape, offering new opportunities for innovation. Cloud computing and CNC systems are revolutionizing industries like wind farms, with 6-axis machining and real-time monitoring systems ensuring optimal performance. Overall, the CNC solutions market is a dynamic and evolving landscape, driven by the need for precision, productivity, and innovation.

Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now!

Segment Overview

This computer numerical control solutions market report extensively covers market segmentation by

Solution

1.1 Servo drives

1.2 Servo motors

1.3 Controllers

End-user

2.1 Automotive

2.2 Aerospace

2.3 Industrial machinery

2.4 Others

Geography

3.1 APAC

3.2 North America

3.3 Europe

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Servo drives- Servo drives play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and productivity of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) systems. By receiving input from the control system and transmitting output through servo motors, these drives enable smooth motion of machine parts to execute desired tasks. Energy efficiency is a significant advantage, as servo drives decrease overall energy consumption in CNC machines. The global market for computer numerical control solutions is driven by the increasing demand for servo drive replacements in various industries. Technological advancements, such as multi-axis servo drives, offer direct side-mounting in CNC systems, making them a preferred choice over single-axis systems. This shift towards multi-axis drive systems is expected to boost the adoption of servo drives in the computer numerical control solutions market during the forecast period.

Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics

Research Analysis

The Computer Numerical Control (CNC) solutions market encompasses automated manufacturing systems that utilize precise machining techniques with the help of CNC lathes and milling machines. These advanced technologies enable the numerical data input to control cutting tools for producing high-precision parts with consistency and productivity. The market caters to various industries, including medical, aerospace, and electronics, where precision and advanced capabilities are essential. CNC solutions offer multi-axis capabilities, spindle speeds, and advanced tooling options, enabling the production of complex parts. Real-time monitoring systems ensure optimal performance, while artificial intelligence and advanced software capabilities enhance automation and efficiency. Virtual reality and operators' control further streamline the manufacturing process. Three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) Cams enable the creation of intricate designs. Automated control, microcomputers, and energy consumption are other critical aspects of the CNC solutions market.

Market Research Overview

The Computer Numerical Control (CNC) solutions market encompasses automated manufacturing systems that utilize precise machining through the use of numerical data input. These solutions include milling machines, cutting tools, and advanced software capabilities for real-time monitoring, Industry 4.0, and the Internet of Things (IoT). CNC systems offer multi-axis capabilities, spindle speeds, and advanced tooling options for industries such as aerospace, electronics, medical, and automotive. Precision, consistency, and productivity are key benefits, with automation and artificial intelligence (AI) enabling adaptive machining and data-driven optimizations. The market also faces challenges like semiconductor shortages, the rise of used CNC machines, and cybersecurity concerns. Emerging trends include electric vehicles (EV), medical devices, telecom communication devices, and the integration of simulation software, cloud computing, and industrial robots. CNC systems are essential for manufacturing complex parts in various industries, from CAD and additive manufacturing to turbines, wind farms, and six-axis machining. Machine learning (ML) and big data solutions are also transforming the market, enabling virtual reality, operators control, and three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) cams for automated control. Energy consumption remains a concern, with microcomputers and advanced software optimizing processes to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Solution

Servo Drives



Servo Motors



Controllers

End-user

Automotive



Aerospace



Industrial Machinery



Others

Geography

APAC



North America



Europe



South America



Middle East And Africa

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jerry Flanagan, a 22-year veteran of Consumer Watchdog, has stepped aside as Litigation Director to join the firm of Shernoff Bidart Echeverria LLP.

Flanagan will be succeeded by long time consumer protection attorney Will Pletcher starting December 1st. Pletcher comes from the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office where he serves as a Supervising Deputy City Attorney for the Public Rights Branch and directs the Consumer Protection Division.

During his tenure at Consumer Watchdog, Flanagan spearheaded cutting edge consumer rights litigation, including efforts to address discrimination against those with HIV and other serious illnesses in the era of the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare"). Flanagan was counsel of record in a case before the United States Supreme Court in 2022 where he and staff attorney Ben Powell successfully represented plaintiffs living with HIV in a suit against CVS for discrimination, including CVS's failure to provide medically appropriate dispensing of HIV medications and access to necessary counseling.

Most recently, Flanagan and staff attorney Ryan Mellino represented Consumer Watchdog and the Los Angeles Times in an action to unseal 1,400 pages of FBI warrants related to a scandal involving the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the City Attorneys' Office.

Flanagan was a consumer advocate at Consumer Watchdog, prior to going to law school, and advanced landmark privacy, good government and health care consumer protections, including many of the reforms adopted under Obamacare. This short highlights reel recounts his many memorable campaigns.

"It has been a privilege and an honor working alongside the dedicated attorneys and staff of Consumer Watchdog over the last 22 years," said Jerry Flanagan. "I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished and I'm confident that Consumer Watchdog will continue to thrive and help protect consumers for years to come."

Pletcher's career includes high-profile cases such as a $243 million judgment ending a student loan servicing scam and a $26 million healthcare fraud settlement involving falsified COVID-19 testing results. He has also been recognized for his work combating fraudulent pandemic-related products and advancing consumer privacy protections.

Previously, as a Deputy Attorney General for California, Pletcher was recognized by then Attorney General Kamala Harris for his consumer protection trial work, and played a key role in major environmental and consumer fraud cases, including the $15 billion Volkswagen diesel emissions settlement, a $500 million settlement with Fiat Chrysler for emissions violations, and a $50 million settlement with Chase Bank related to debt collections practices.

Pletcher holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School, where he was an editor of the Stanford Law & Policy Review, and graduated summa cum laude from Ohio State University. His extensive legal experience includes clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and work in civil litigation, bankruptcy, and environmental law.

"I am excited to take on this role and join the Consumer Watchdog team to continue Jerry's strong legacy of advocating for consumer rights, including in areas such as healthcare and privacy," Pletcher stated. "The mission of Consumer Watchdog to safeguard individuals from exploitation and defend their rights is crucial, and I am dedicated to advancing impactful litigation that helps protect consumers and ensures they remain safe and well-informed."

"Jerry will be sorely missed but his efforts to protect access to justice for consumers and create new rights for them has left a lasting legacy," said Consumer Watchdog president Jamie Court. "We are honored to welcome Will Pletcher to the team to the build on that legacy."

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
The two-year partnership was announced with a campaign film that features the duo on set, dreaming of a much-needed holiday. Using a mix of comedy and action, the film sees the couple agree that they could use an escape and imagine the blissful moments they could be experiencing in a destination that has it all...Abu Dhabi.

Elsa commented on putting family first: "When it comes to family holidays, Abu Dhabi has it all. Whether it is for us as a couple or a family, every day here is a new adventure, there is something for each one of us to enjoy and discover. My kids have fallen in love with Abu Dhabi, as it gives them a playground for all the things they want to do. Whether it's theme parks with exciting roller coasters, dune bashing and horse riding in the desert to catching the best wave, Abu Dhabi has it all and is now our must-do holiday spot."

Chris reflected on creating memories: "We're thrilled to partner with Experience Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi's got everything we love all in one place. The adventures have left us with amazing memories that will last a lifetimeyou can tell how special it was since the kids didn't want to leave. We've loved everything about the culture, the people and the experiences. It's a place where we can unwind, and relax, with the feeling of being at home. We've travelled the world, but Abu Dhabi has captured our hearts. We're already planning for our next trip!"

As heard in the film, the message "Could Use A Vacation Right Now" resonates with the world. So many of us are drowning in deadlines, work commitments, and a never-ending to-do listdreaming of that next great holiday. In Abu Dhabi, you can swap your daily routine for the perfect escape, from inspiring cultural experiences to galloping across desert dunes, riding waves at Surf Abu Dhabi and reconnecting with loved ones under a stunning sunset on a white-sand beach.

The campaign film showcases how Abu Dhabi inspires every family to find their own pacea destination brimming with new adventures and countless opportunities to create lasting memories. From kayaking around Louvre Abu Dhabi to thrilling rollercoasters, all wrapped in the warmth of Emirati hospitality, the couple had the perfect family getaway. They savoured traditional Emirati cuisine before sunset strolls on the beach, feeling welcomed and at ease.

H.E. Nouf Mohamed Al-Boushelaibi, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "We're incredibly passionate about sharing Abu Dhabi with the world and are proud to have Elsa and Chris partnering with us. Their dynamic energy and love for discovery highlights everything Abu Dhabi has to offer from inspiring cultural experiences to adventures, creating meaningful and lasting memories, all at their own pace."

Get inspired by Chris and Elsa's dream-come-true adventure in Abu Dhabi and watch the new film here.

About Experience Abu Dhabi:

Experience Abu Dhabi is the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism  Abu Dhabi.

DCT Abu Dhabi drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi's wider global ambitions.

By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate's position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate's potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi's vision is defined by the emirate's people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi's status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism  Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQEYVigHGZQ

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549319/Elsa_Pataky.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549316/Chris_Hemsworth.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549317/Elsa_Pataky_Chris_Hemsworth_Desert.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549318/Elsa_Pataky_Chris_Hemsworth_dining.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2239093/4629993/Experience_Abu_Dhabi_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Experience Abu Dhabi

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+

Newsrooms &

Influencers 9k+

Digital Media

Outlets 270k+

Journalists

Opted In GET STARTED
The milestone is a big cause for celebration for the brand. In addition to celebrating 75 units, they are also welcoming new franchisees to the system, business partners, Mandy Ottesen and Damon Cole. Mandy and Damon, both of St. Johns, FL, started exploring franchise opportunities with Cousins Maine Lobster earlier this year. From their initial training in Maine to the opening of their first truck, they've been able to launch their new business in approximately 5 months. Both seafood lovers, Mandy, and Damon, have had a passion for Maine lobster for some time.

Mandy shared, "Damon and I are excited to be launching our first Cousins Maine Lobster food truck in the Jacksonville area! We fell in love with the food while visiting the Cousins Maine Lobster restaurant in Neptune Beach about a year ago, and here we are with our own truck, ready to share this amazing experience with seafood lovers from Nassau County to Flagler County and beyond. We are so grateful to the CML corporate staff for their support during this process, and we can't wait for everyone in Northeast Florida to enjoy our authentic, high quality Maine Lobster!"

Mandy and Damon took part in CML's Lobster 101 training in Casco Bay, Maine, where they gained insights into requirements and practices used in fishing wild-caught lobster to ensure the longevity and health of the lobster supply chain. They also completed new franchisee training in Nashville, on the Company food trucks, with the Cousins Maine Lobster Ops, Training & Compliance team. They have most recently been hiring and training in their own market, preparing for their launch.

"This is an incredibly proud moment for us," shared Jim Tselikis, Co-Founder of Cousins Maine Lobster. "Sabin and I were driven to start this business because it allowed us to celebrate special moments from our childhood in Maine. We had this crazy dream that we could bring the world's best lobster to seafood lovers everywhere, and we are so thrilled to be celebrating our 75th unit milestone in partnership with our company team and outstanding franchisees. We are delighted to be welcoming Mandy and Damon to the CML family, and we are so grateful for their partnership in this amazing journey. We can't wait to cut the ribbon and celebrate our 75th unit in Jacksonville this weekend!"

The local community is invited to attend the grand opening celebration on Saturday, November 9th at Beer:30  San Marco in Jacksonville. Guests will have an opportunity to enjoy classic Maine fare including CML's world-famous Maine lobster rolls, authentic New England clam chowder and delicious whoopie pies. Customers will also have an opportunity to meet Mandy, Damon and the Cousins Maine Lobster team and will have the opportunity to win fun prizes.

Cousins Maine Lobster  Jacksonville, FL Grand Opening Celebration

November 9th, 2024

Beer:30  San Marco

11am  7pm

1543 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207

For more information on our Jacksonville food truck calendar of events, check out our Facebook page:

Jacksonville, FL - Cousins Maine Lobster Facebook Page

Cousins Maine Lobster is seeking new franchisees nationwide. More franchising information can be found here https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/franchise/.

DISCLAIMER: This news is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy a franchise. Any actual offer or solicitation can only be made through a Franchise Disclosure Document. If you reside in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, or Wisconsin, we may not be able to offer you a franchise until it has been registered in your state.

For more information, please contact: Lindsey Herberger: [email protected]

SOURCE Cousins Maine Lobster
SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DeepRoute.ai, the leading artificial intelligence company specializing in developing smart driving solutions, announced a strategic Series C1 funding round, raising US$100 million from prestigious Chinese automotive OEM. The funding will enhance research and development in frontier end-to-end model DeepRoute IO, help scale global automakers' collaboration and explore future Robotaxi business, and support the recruitment of more AI-native talents.

Series models integrated with DeepRoute IO set to release in 2024

Since August, approximately 20,000 vehicles integrated with DeepRoute IO have been delivered to customers. The company plans to release more than 10 additional series models in collaboration with selective OEM clients next year and develop the next generation DeepRoute IO, utilizing visual-language-action model, set to launch next year. DeepRoute.ai's extensive experience in mass-production within domestic market will enhance its collaboration with global automakers.

"The strategic investment from the automaker is a significant recognition for our technology maturity and mass production capabilities. We are eager to leverage this momentum to expand our reach in global markets." Maxwell Zhou, CEO at DeepRoute.ai says "I firmly believe autonomous driving is the most promising pathway to achieving physical AI and we will be a major player in the next AI era. We look forward to cooperating with more partners on this journey."

As current human-supervised smart driving cars continue to gather data, DeepRoute IO will continue to iterate towards achieving full autonomy capability without human oversight. This will enable the company to explore unsupervised Robotaxis business in the future through partnerships with mobility platforms. Unlike traditional Robotaxis, which rely on pre-mapped data and restricted to specific areas, DeepRoute.ai's Robotaxi will be more scalable and more cost-effective to deploy thanks to its end-to-end technology. This will allow people in various countries to enjoy the convenience of the latest smart driving technology.

Founded in 2019, DeepRoute.ai has made major progress with a clear technological vision and a proven record. The company initiated research and development of mapfree technology in 2020, which debuted in 2023 as the first of its kind in China, enabling vehicles to navigate from address to address on urban and highway without high-definition maps. DeepRoute.ai began road testing its end-to-end model last August and officially deployed it in mass-produced cars this year. With its deep technological insight, engineering expertise, and strong team cohesion, DeepRoute.ai is well-positioned to drive substantial advancements in the ongoing AI revolution.

About DeepRoute.ai

DeepRoute.ai is an artificial intelligence company dedicated to the research, development and application of smart driving solutions. Being the first to develop production-ready smart driving solutions and a pioneer in deploying end-to-end architecture, DeepRotue.ai aims to create artificial general intelligence in robotics through mass-produced passenger vehicles.

DeepRoute.ai is headquartered in Shenzhen, with offices in Beijing and Fremont, California. For more information, visit deeproute.ai, follow DeepRoute.ai on LinkedIn, and X, and subscribe to DeepRoute.ai on YouTube.

Media Contacts:

Corine Chen

PR Manager of DeepRoute.ai

[email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2548046/Series_models_integrated_DeepRoute_IO_set_release_2024.jpg
The Pass Casino Offers Complete Hospitality Experience

HENDERSON, Nev., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Atwell Suites Henderson  at the Pass, an IHG hotel, marks the arrival of the first major hospitality brand on Water Street in Henderson, Nevada. Built on the historic site of the Pass Casino, Atwell Suites is the latest addition to DeSimone Gaming's expanding hotel portfolio. With a grand opening scheduled for November 21, 2024, the hotel offers convenient access to both the Las Vegas Strip and the Lake Mead Recreation Area.

DeSimone Gaming Founder Joe DeSimone says, "The Atwell Suites is expected to be a welcome addition to the explosive growth of the Henderson area. It is the only all-suite accommodation in close proximity to the Pass Casino servicing the Water Street District, and we are excited to, once again, align with IHG."

The 90-room hotel is thoughtfully designed for guests seeking an inspiring space to work, recharge, and discover something new as they travel. Each suite features an in-room wet bar, coffee station, refrigerator, and microwave, along with a standing desk and sofa. All guests will have access to a complimentary hot breakfast, 24/7 beverage station including fresh bean-to-cup coffee, and a round the clock market with snacks and travel essentials.

Atwell Suites Henderson  at the Pass features a public area inclusive of a versatile meeting space known as 'The Study' as well as flexible spaces for socializing and relaxing in addition to a pool and fitness center. Unique to this property, DeSimone Gaming will introduce "Wine on Water," a cocktail lounge featuring specially curated wines alongside unique cocktails and bar bites. Atwell Suites Henderson  at the Pass will also offer an evening bar serving small plates paired with ready to drink cocktails, beer and wine.

Guests staying at the Atwell Suites who are members of the IHG One Rewards can both earn and redeem their points at the property. To book a stay, visit https://ihg.com/atwellsuites/hotels/us/en/reservation or call 1-877-424-2449.

About DeSimone Gaming.

DeSimone Gaming is wholly owned by real estate developer Joe DeSimone. After arriving in Henderson, Nevada, over 30 years ago, Joe DeSimone created First Federal Realty, a prominent company in Henderson's commercial, residential, and business sales and brokerage. DeSimone Gaming was born with the acquisition of Railroad Pass Casino and has grown to include the Pass Casino in Henderson's historic Water Street District. The hotel portfolio has now grown to include three properties including two IHG properties, the Holiday Inn Express and the Atwell Suites in Henderson. For more information visit www.desimonecompanies.com.

About Atwell Suites:

Atwell Suites was designed for guests who are not simply booking a room, but seeking opportunities to discover, learn and grow as they travel. Atwell Suites properties offer all-studio suites featuring distinct zones for living and sleeping; a comfortable and inviting public area with flexible spaces for working or socializing; and a complimentary daily hot breakfast and an evening bar serving small plates paired with ready to drink cocktails, beer and wine. The brand opened its first properties in Miami and Denver in 2022, and currently is available for franchising in the U.S. and Canada with consideration for both new build construction and conversion properties. To learn more about the Atwell Suites brand, visit atwellsuites.com.

CONTACT

Joseph DeSimone

(702)592-2211

[email protected]

SOURCE DeSimone Companies
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW) securities between February 6, 2024 and July 24, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until Friday, December 13, 2024 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Edwards Lifesciences class action lawsuit. Captioned Patel v. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, No. 24-cv-02221 (C.D. Cal.), the Edwards Lifesciences class action lawsuit charges Edwards Lifesciences as well as certain of Edwards Lifesciences' top executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Edwards Lifesciences class action lawsuit, please provide your information here:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-edwards-lifesciences-corporation-class-action-lawsuit-ew.html

You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected].

CASE ALLEGATIONS: Edwards Lifesciences provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring. One of Edward Lifesciences' core products is Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ("TAVR").

The Edwards Lifesciences class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) defendants created the false impression that they possessed reliable information pertaining to Edwards Lifesciences' projected revenue outlook and anticipated growth while also minimizing risk from seasonality and macroeconomic fluctuations; (ii) TAVR's growth was at risk of decelerating; (iii) Edwards Lifesciences' optimistic reports of TAVR's growth and anticipated ramp in second quarter 2024 and further ramp throughout fiscal year 2024 fell short of reality as defendants' "patient activation activities" failed to reach the perceived low-treatment-rate population TAVR's growth relied upon obtaining; and (iv) defendants relied far too heavily or otherwise overstated hospital desire to continue to utilize Edwards Lifesciences' TAVR procedures over newer, innovative structural heart therapies.

The Edwards Lifesciences class action lawsuit further alleges that on July 24, 2024, Edwards Lifesciences disclosed second quarter 2024 TAVR results below expectations and lowered fiscal year 2024 projections for TAVR. On this news, the price of Edwards Lifesciences stock fell more than 31%, according to the complaint.

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Edwards Lifesciences securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Edwards Lifesciences class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Edwards Lifesciences class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Edwards Lifesciences class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Edwards Lifesciences class action lawsuit.

ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud cases. Our Firm has been #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for six out of the last ten years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. We recovered $6.6 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases  over $2.2 billion more than any other law firm in the last four years. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest securities class action recovery ever  $7.2 billion  in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.

Contact:

Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal

655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101

800-449-4900

[email protected]

SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP
MANAMA, Bahrain, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A total of 32 landmark announcements and deals over USD 12 billion were announced at the second edition of Gateway Gulf 2024, which ran between 3  4 November. Organised by Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), the forum was attended by 250 ministers and business leaders from around the world and highlighted significant trade and investment opportunities in Bahrain and the wider Gulf, as the region's economies increasingly drive growth in non-oil sectors.

Gateway Gulfs Second Edition Concludes on a High Note with over USD 12 Billion of Announcements and Deals

In finance, Al Salam Bank (ASB) announced the launch of ASB Capital, a newly established Category 3A asset management firm licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Investcorp announced key investment related initiatives, and SICO Bank introduced diversified investment products. J.P. Morgan Payments announced plans to hire technologists in Bahrain. Additionally, Singapore Gulf Bank announced the launch of corporate banking services for the global digital economy.

Highlighting Bahrain's digital transformation momentum, ARRAY Innovation signed three partnerships with the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), and the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) to promote advanced enterprise software, analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning solutions. Beyon unveiled its visionary digital city and signed a development agreement with Edamah.

In manufacturing, Alba and Daiki Aluminium reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a sustainable aluminium dross processing facility in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Racing Force Group and Bahrain International Circuit announced the completion of the Bell Racing Helmets factory extension and groundbreaking for its new open manufacturing production (OMP) facility. Meanwhile, Bapco Energies also announced reaching a decisive milestone of expanding its refining capacity in compliance with the latest sustainability regulations under Bapco Modernisation Program (BMP).

Key projects were announced by Edamah, the real estate arm of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, including the opening of its latest resort Hawar by Mantis. Infracorp, a leading company specialised in infrastructure investment and sustainable development, revealed an agreement with Kempinski to launch Harbour Heights Kempinski Hotel and exclusive branded residences in the heart of Manama's exclusive Bahrain Harbour.

Government announcements included details from Bahrain's Ministry of Industry & Commerce about a National Industrial Development Fund and SMEs Development Fund. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning outlined plans for the development of 3,000 residential units and apartments in Khalifa City, while Mumtalakat, Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund, signed several partnership agreements across key verticals of their portfolio.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549196/Bahrain_Gateway_Gulf.jpg

SOURCE Bahrain
SAO PAULO, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 3Q24 Highlights

Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of R$ 3.0 billion in the third quarter, 14.9% higher compared to 2Q24.

Investments (CAPEX) totaled R$ 1.5 billion in 3Q24, of which R$ 589 million was allocated to Maintenance and R$ 920 million was directed to the Competitiveness of the Business Divisions.

Dividend distribution in the amount of R$ 0.30 per share, equivalent to R$ 619,4 million, to be paid based on 3Q24 results.

Share buyback program of Gerdau S.A., by the end of October 2024, 39.6 million shares were repurchased, equivalent to R$ 729.4 million.

Additional Information

Gerdau S.A. informs that it is filling today its 3Q24 results at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and at the Comissao de Valores Mobiliarios (CVM), which are available at Gerdau's website. To access this document, please click on https://ri.gerdau.com/en/notices-and-results/results-center/.

The 3Q24 Valuation Guide is also available at Gerdau's website.

https://ri.gerdau.com/en/financial-information/valuation-guide/

SOURCE Gerdau S.A.
Press Release

November 5, 2024 Bong Go reminds PhilHealth of its commitment to implement substantial case rate increases; urges swift and tangible action for Filipinos' financial health protection Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has reiterated his appeal for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to fulfill its commitment to increase case rates by up to 50% across the board by November 30, 2024. This call follows the commitment submitted by PhilHealth to the Senate Health Committee, in which the agency detailed its promises such as to comply with the mandates of Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. Under the UHC Act, all Filipinos are entitled to equitable and affordable access to healthcare services, and PhilHealth plays a critical role in realizing this promise. Go's persistent advocacy for the case rate increase is rooted in his objective to reduce the financial burden of healthcare on Filipino families. The senator has repeatedly emphasized that affordable and accessible healthcare is a fundamental right that should not be compromised by financial constraints. During a Senate hearing on October 2, Go voiced his frustrations over what he perceives as PhilHealth's slow pace in maximizing its resources for healthcare improvements. "May pera po eh, buti sana kung walang pera ang PhilHealth. Merong reserve fund kaya nga po winalis ng National Treasury kasi sobra-sobra po ang inyong pera. Bakit hindi kayo mag-isip ng marami pang mga benefit packages, increase case rates, para lesser out-of-pocket expenditure?" Go questioned, pressing the agency to be more proactive in providing financial relief through case rate increases. The commitment given by its officials is a step forward, with PhilHealth affirming that it will implement the proposed increase by November. The increase, on top of a previous case rate adjustment in February 2024, is expected to bring immediate financial relief to Filipinos who rely on public health coverage. Go underscored the necessity of this increase, calling it an overdue action that has become more critical amid rising healthcare costs and a continuing demand for better medical services. PhilHealth Executive Vice President Atty. Eli Santos earlier assured the senator during the hearing that the agency is on track to meet its promises. He acknowledged the urgency of Go's call, explaining that PhilHealth is committed to implementing the 50% case rate increase within the given timeframe. Despite this assurance, Go made it clear that he would be keeping a close watch, determined to see that PhilHealth's pledge translates into real benefits for the Filipino people. "Asahan po ninyo na tututukan po natin ito at hinding-hindi tayo papayag na mapako ang ipinangakong ito ng PhilHealth sa taumbayan," Go asserted, underscoring his commitment to ensuring PhilHealth's compliance. The increased case rates are expected to make a direct and significant impact on households, especially those from low-income backgrounds, who often bear the brunt of healthcare expenses despite public health insurance. Go highlighted that the adjustment would lessen out-of-pocket payments, alleviating the financial distress associated with medical treatments. "Kailangan po nating tiyakin na hindi lamang nakasulat ang mga pangakong ito kundi nararamdaman mismo ng taumbayan. Ang bawat piso na maiipon nila sa gastos sa pagpapagamot ay malaking tulong na," Go noted, emphasizing the need for these changes to directly benefit ordinary Filipinos. Go has been an outspoken critic of the proposed transfer of PhilHealth's reserve funds to the National Treasury. As early as July 19, Go issued a statement opposing this transfer, warning that it could undermine PhilHealth's capacity to protect its members. During a Senate Health Committee hearing on July 30, Go reiterated that redirecting PhilHealth's funds would harm public health services. His position was validated when Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III filed a petition before the Supreme Court on August 2 to challenge the move, followed by similar petitions from the 1Sambayan Coalition and Bayan Muna Party-List on October 16. Earlier, Go lauded the Supreme Court's temporary restraining order (TRO) on the transfer of PhilHealth's excess funds to the National Treasury. This move, while not reversing previously transferred amounts, temporarily halts additional transfers, allowing PhilHealth to retain and potentially reinvest those funds into much-needed healthcare services. While appreciative of the TRO, Go stressed that this is merely a step in his ongoing efforts to ensure that PhilHealth fully delivers on its commitments to Filipinos. "Pero hindi dito nagtatapos ang ating krusada para sa kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating mga mamamayan. Hindi ko titigilan ang PhilHealth hanggang tuparin nila ang lahat ng kanilang pangako," he said. "Kasama na rito ang pagtaas ng kanilang case rates; pagpapalawak ng benefit packages; pagbaba ng premium contribution; pagkakaloob ng emergency at preventive care; pagbibigay ng dental at visual care, libreng gamot, assistive devices at iba pang pangangailangang pangkalusugan sa mahihirap; pagsasaayos ng mga outdated na polisiya nila bukod pa sa 24-hour confinement rule at single period of confinement policy na kanilang nirepaso kamakailan lamang, at marami pang iba!," added Go. The senator remains firm in his resolve to see health funds used accordingly, pointing to the needs of Filipinos who, due to financial constraints, cannot afford medical care. "Habang may mga mahihirap na Pilipinong naghihingalo dahil walang pambayad sa ospital, habang may mga kababayan nating natatakot magpatingin sa doktor dahil takot sa bayarin, habang may mga kapwa nating Pilipinong namamatay na lang sa sakit dahil sa kahirapan, patuloy kong lalabanan ang mga anti-poor policies at lalo kong isusulong ang mga programa at batas na magtataguyod sa kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino," he stated.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The financial sector's planned initiatives for COP29 have been deliberated in Azerbaijan, Taleh Kazimov, Governor of the country's central bank, wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

He stated that an additional meeting concerning the issue was conducted with the executives of banks within the broader Presidium of the Azerbaijan Banks Association.

"During the meeting, we reviewed the banking sectors results for the third quarter and discussed medium-term goals. Topics of discussion included the current macroeconomic situation, recent economic indicators, their impact on the financial sector, and feedback from the sector representatives.

Additionally, we addressed COP29 related topics, focusing on the broader challenges facing the financial sector and outlining planned actions," the official added.

In just less than a weeks time, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be kicking off in Azerbaijan, the decision of which was made at the plenary meeting of COP28 held in Dubai in December last year.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The abbreviation COP (Conference of Parties) means Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin with its secretariat in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
PURCHASE, N.Y., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- dSA Capital LLC and Extra Space Storage are excited to announce the grand opening of its newest self-storage facility in Brookfield, CT, located less than half a mile from the Danbury city limits. The state-of-the-art, four-story building spans 110,000 square feet, making it the largest single-building self-storage facility in the greater Danbury area.

New Extra Space Facility, Brookfield, CT

Conveniently situated at the bustling intersection of Candle Lake Road, Federal Road, and Grays Bridge Road, the facility is easily accessible via Exit 11 on Super Route 7. The area is a prominent retail hub, home to major national brands such as Costco, Home Depot, Raymour & Flanigan, BJ's, and Kohl's, as well as Stew Leonard's and the newly opened Big Y supermarket.

The facility features 810 storage units, including 57 highly desirable drive-up units, with sizes up to 10' x 30'. It is climate-controlled, ensuring cool temperatures in the summer and warmth in the winter. The building's exterior design is modern and visually appealing, with soft gray and white facades accented by Extra Space's signature wasabi green panels, trim, and overhead doors.

Extra Space Storage, a publicly traded REIT managing over 3,800 facilities nationwide, will brand, operate, and manage this location. Visit extraspace.com to learn more about renting a unit at this property.

The development team is led by de Stefanis & Associates of White Plains, NY. Founded in 1958 and currently headed by President Carl de Stefanis, P.E., the company has a long history of successful projects, including warehouses, office buildings, and banking facilities in the New York City metropolitan area.

CONTACT: Carl de Stefanis - [email protected]

SOURCE dSA Capital LLC
Polling suggests a high turnout election with over 155 million Americans expected to cast vote in the 2024 election

Donald Trump neutralizes Kamala Harris's early voter advantage in the final poll, tying the national race 49 to 49 percent

Battleground state polling shows Harris winning Pennsylvania while Trump is poised to win Arizona, Georgia and Nevada

Race is statistically tied in Michigan, North Carolina and Wisconsin, with Michigan leaning towards Harris and North Carolina and Wisconsin towards Trump



WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HarrisX, a leading U.S.-based public opinion research, data analytics, and strategy consulting company, today released its final set of polling for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election on the HarrisX Elections Hub (elections.harrisx.com).

The final national and battleground surveys were conducted November 4-5, 2024 with 1,325 national likely voters, and November 3-5, 2024 with 11,172 likely voters across the seven key battleground states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Michigan, North Carolina and Wisconsin Voters Likely to Decide 2024 Election as Trump and Harris Statistically Tied Post this

Final HarrisX polling shows former president Donald J. Trump and Vice President tied nationally at 49 percent each. Strong support for Trump among the election day voters have effectively erased the lead that Harris has held with those who voted early.

The election is heading to a close finish in the Electoral College, with Trump favored to win 252 Electoral College votes to Harris's 245, with Michigan, North Carolina and Wisconsin accounting for the remaining 41 Electoral College votes. In these three battleground states, the two candidates are statistically tied, with less than 1 percent difference. In this scenario, both Harris and Trump would need to win at least two of the three states to cross the 270 threshold and win the presidency.

"The election comes down to voter turnout today," said Dritan Nesho, CEO and chief pollster at HarrisX. "Trump has closed strong and neutralized Harris's early voter advantage nationally, while Harris has made several Trump-friendly battleground states a toss-up. With Michigan, North Carolina and Wisconsin statistically tied, 41 Electoral College votes are in play giving both candidates several paths to victory. Trump appears to hold a slight edge, but his supporters have to show up today in strong numbers for him to return to the White House."

The full findings can be found at the newly-unveiled HarrisX Elections Hub at elections.harrisx.com.

Survey Methodology

Survey Fielding

Dates Sample Size for

Reported Data

(Likely Voters) Margin of

Error National Nov. 4-5 1,325 +/- 2.7% All Battleground States Nov. 3-5 11,172 +/- 0.9% Arizona 1,468 +/- 2.6% Georgia 1,659 +/- 2.4% Michigan 1,668 +/- 2.4% Nevada 1,125 +/- 2.9% North Carolina 1,600 +/- 2.5% Pennsylvania 2,103 +/- 2.1% Wisconsin 1,549 +/- 2.5%

The final HarrisX 2024 U.S. Presidential election polling was conducted in two parts:

Nationally: The national survey was administered online within the United States from November 4- November 5 among 1,511 registered voters and 1,325 likely voters via the HarrisX Overnight Poll. Respondents for the HarrisX Overnight Poll are recruited through opt-in, web-panel recruitment sampling. Recruitment occurs through a broad variety of professional, validated respondent panels to expand the sampling frame as wide as possible and minimize the impact of any given panel on recruiting methods.

The results reflect a nationally representative sample of registered voters. Results were weighted for age, gender, region, race/ethnicity, income, political party, education, ideology, early voter percentage, and area type where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. The margin of error for the total sample is +/- 2.5 percentage points for registered voters and +/-2.7 percentage points for likely voters.

Battleground States: The states survey was administered online by HarrisX among 13,054 registered voters from November 3-5, 2024 across 7 battleground states in the US. Respondents were recruited through opt-in, web-panel recruitment sampling. Recruitment occurs through a broad variety of professional, validated respondent panels to expand the sampling frame as wide as possible and minimize the impact of any given panel on recruiting methods.

Sample size and sampling margin of error for Registered Voters in each state are as follows: Arizona (N: 1697, MoE: +/- 2.4%), Georgia (N: 1976, MoE: +/- 2.2%), Michigan (N: 1930, MoE: +/- 2.2%), Nevada (N: 1313, MoE: +/- 2.7%), North Carolina (N: 1895, MoE: +/- 2.3%), Pennsylvania (N: 2451, MoE: +/- 2%), Wisconsin (N: 1792, MoE: +/- 2.3%.)

Results were weighted by age, gender, race/ethnicity, political party, education, income, and previous vote choice where necessary to align with actual proportions amongst the population of Registered Voters within each state. The survey then filters and reports final results for Likely Voters to highlight those who definitely (or already voted), and those very likely to do so.

About HarrisX

HarrisX is a leading public opinion research, data analytics, and strategy consulting company with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore. HarrisX conducts multi-method research in over 50 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies and philanthropic organizations, public policy institutions, global leaders, media and NGOs. It was rated as the most accurate pollster is the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election by the Washington Post and American Research Group. HarrisX currently partners on public opinion polling with Harvard University (via the Harvard CAPS/Harris poll), The Hill Newspaper, Forbes Media, Deseret News and Variety. HarrisX is a proud member of Stagwell Inc. (STGW).

SOURCE HarrisX
Headway leads as first launch partner of Aligned Innovation, a multi-stakeholder initiative led by the National Quality Forum to accelerate development of healthcare quality measures

Headway's involvement seeks to empower mental health providers to understand functional improvement, not just symptom improvement

NEW YORK, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Headway, the company building a new mental healthcare system, today announced its participation in the Aligned Innovation initiative, a groundbreaking cross-industry collaboration led by the National Quality Forum (NQF). Aligned Innovation is designed to accelerate development of outcome-oriented healthcare quality measures that are most meaningful to patients and clinicians, while also supporting reduced measure burden. As the initiative's first launch partner, Headway will help advance the next generation of quality measures for behavioral health by empowering providers to be at the center of developing an assessment tool for understanding progress in treating depression and anxiety. Headway is engaging more than 100 providers on its platform as key partners to create new patient-reported quality measures that help them understand patient functional improvement, not just symptom improvement.

The need for this work is critical; according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 21 million adults in the U.S. have experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year. While it's well-known that depression and other conditions can cause functional impairment, current assessment tools often fail to capture the full spectrum of recovery, including improvements in quality of life and daily functioning. This initiative aims to address these gaps by developing more comprehensive tools that reflect meaningful progress in patients' lives.

"Current assessments have their limitations; they don't provide much insight into my patients' functional improvements as their symptoms improve," said Natasha N. Lockhart, LPC. "I'm excited to collaborate with Headway and NQF to develop an assessment that offers a deeper understanding of my patients' progress and its effects on their everyday lives."

The partnership aims to create a singular, comprehensive assessment tool that evaluates psychotherapy treatment effectiveness and progression for depression and anxiety. This tool will not only measure symptoms but also track functional health outcomessuch as quality of life, personal relationships, employment, and daily functionthat are meaningful to patient progress. The assessment will be applicable across age, including children, adolescents and adults.

As the initiative's first and largest launch partner, Headway has engaged more than 100 willing clinicians on its platform and their consenting patients to participate. Through the rest of the year, participating clinicians will include new assessments  which include not only symptom measures, but also a functional measure  in their clinical workflows. Anonymized data from these assessments will be shared in a secure environment with NQF to understand their impact. They will also have the opportunity to participate in optional site meetings with NQF to provide input on implementation challenges or clinical considerations.

"We know the industry needs patient-reported outcomes that offer a more accurate reflection of meaningful recovery in mental health, and are honored to partner with NQF and our clinicians to make this a reality," said Olivia Davis, Chief Commercial Officer at Headway. "We also know that this work must be provider-led, as they best understand the limitations of today's measures. Together we can move the industry forward."

As part of the NQF's multi-stakeholder Aligned Innovation initiative, Headway is working closely with providers, health plans, health systems and a state health information exchange to streamline data collection across the most common mental health conditions. The initiative focuses on ensuring that assessments are appropriate for diverse populations and pushing beyond symptom reporting to measure outcomes that truly matter to patients.

"We are proud to be at the forefront of driving meaningful, clinically accurate measurement though Aligned Innovation's unique streamlined multi-stakeholder model, particularly filling high priority measure gap areas like behavioral health outcomes" Dana Gelb Safran, Sc.D., NQF President and CEO. "Partners like Headway are helping us to achieve this important work."

Clinicians on Headway's platform participating in this effort are eligible to earn up to five continued education credits through accrediting organizations such as the American Psychological Association, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, the Association Social Work Boards and more.

About Headway

Headway is building the modern mental healthcare system where everyone can get the right care from the right therapist, covered by insurance. Today, we're the largest mental health provider network in the country, with 40,000 providers across race, gender, ethnicity and specialty working with Headway to run their private practice. Patients can schedule care within 48 hours via one-click booking at headway.co , or can get care through a referral. The company operates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and has funding from a16z (Andreessen Horowitz), Accel, Forerunner Ventures, GV (formerly Google Ventures), Spark Capital, Thrive Capital, and Health Care Service Corporation.

About National Quality Forum

The National Quality Forum (NQF) is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan, membership-based organization that works to improve healthcare outcomes, safety, equity, and affordability. Our unique role is to bring all voices to our table to forge multistakeholder consensus on quality measurement and improvement standards and practices that achieve measurable health improvements for all. NQF is a proud affiliate of The Joint Commission. Learn more at www.qualityforum.org .

Contact

Gabriella Lourie

[email protected]

SOURCE Headway
RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- H.I.G. Capital ("H.I.G."), a leading global alternative investment firm with $65 billion of capital under management, is pleased to announce that one of its affiliates has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Life Agro ("Life Agro" or the "Company"), a leader in the specialty agricultural inputs ("SAI") segment in Brazil. Matias Ezequiel Tiecher, Founder and CEO of Life Agro, will continue to hold a significant ownership stake, and will remain in his role as CEO. Additional terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Life Agro, headquartered in Chapeco, Santa Catarina, Brazil, has a strong presence across the South and Midwest regions, Brazil's key agricultural hubs. The Company boasts a diverse product portfolio, including Adjuvants, Biostimulants, Micro Fertilizers, and Biological crop protection products. Life Agro's innovative go-to-market strategy emphasizes collaboration with local resellers, supported by a large sales team, enabling the Company to establish significant market reach and capillarity. Over the past five years, the Company grew at a 45% CAGR, a testament to its business model and innovation capabilities.

Sustainability is at the core of Life Agro's operations, with ESG principles deeply embedded in its product offerings. The Company's entire portfolio provides eco-friendly alternatives to traditional chemical solutions in crop protection, reducing chemical use in agriculture.

Matias Ezequiel Tiecher, CEO and Founder of Life Agro, commented: "We are thrilled to welcome H.I.G. as a strategic partner. Its global presence and resources will be instrumental as we grow and innovate. With H.I.G.'s support, we look forward to expanding our product offerings and strengthening our presence across key agricultural markets."

"We are excited to partner with Life Agro, its talented management team, and its founding shareholder as the Company embarks on its next growth phase. We look forward to supporting the Company as it expands its market reach and continues to lead the shift towards eco-friendly crop protection," said Thiago Miskulin, Managing Director in H.I.G.'s Rio de Janeiro office.

Fernando Marques Oliveira, Managing Director and Head of H.I.G. Latin America, commented: "This acquisition marks H.I.G.'s first investment in the agricultural sector in Latin America and is an important step in our regional expansion. Life Agro's strong market position, growth profile, and commitment to sustainability make it a perfect fit for our portfolio."

About Life Agro

Founded in 2013, Life Agro is a leading regional producer of specialty agricultural inputs, offering an innovative range of plant-based products. The Company has a broad national presence, with its products available in 23 of Brazil's 27 states. Life Agro employs approximately 200 people, operates two production facilities in Brazil's southern region, and has eight distribution centers nationwide. With a comprehensive portfolio of over 100 SKUs, the Company maintains strong, long-term partnerships with an extensive network of local resellers and agro-industrial cooperatives. For more information, please visit lifeagro.com.br.

About H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. Capital is a leading global alternative investment firm with $65 billion of capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco in the United States, as well as international affiliate offices in Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Dubai, and Hong Kong, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to middle market companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/value-added approach:

H.I.G.'s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses.

H.I.G.'s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche, and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. also manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance.

H.I.G.'s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices.

H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on making value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector

Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 400 companies worldwide. The Firm's current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $53 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at hig.com.

*Based on total capital raised by H.I.G. Capital and affiliates.

Contact:

Fernando Marques Oliveira

Managing Director

[email protected]

Thiago Miskulin

Managing Director

[email protected]

H.I.G. Capital

Avenida Ataulfo de Paiva

No 1251 9th and 10th Floors - Leblon

Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22440-034

Brazil

T +55 21 2529-3550

hig.com

SOURCE H.I.G. Capital
Industrial software company welcomes industry veteran Megan Buntain to Board of Directors

PORTLAND, Maine, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HighByte , an industrial software company, today announced the approval of a new appointee to the company's Board of Directors, Megan Buntain. She joins Ben Sampson of Standard Investments as the newest members of the board, both bringing decades of industry and financial knowledge to their respective positions.

Statement provided by HighByte co-founder and CEO Tony Paine.

Megan Buntain is the Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at Seeq , an industrial analytics, AI, and enterprise monitoring company. At Seeq, she is responsible for leading the development and execution of the company's go-to-market strategy. Megan has more than 25 years of experience in the software industry in partner channel, marketing, and sales leadership roles, and served as an executive at Microsoft for 15 years. She is actively involved in several AI and partner advisory councils.

Ben Sampson is Managing Director at Standard Investments where he leads Standard's Venture Capital investment platform. He has over a decade of venture investing experience and is passionate about the opportunity to transform critical industrial sectors while improving productivity, resiliency, and sustainability. Prior to Standard Investments, Ben was at GE Ventures, where he led investments in early-stage companies across energy, transportation, manufacturing, and the built environment. Ben joined the HighByte Board of Directors in April 2024 with the announcement of the company's $12M Series A funding round led by Standard Investments.

"We're honored to welcome Ms. Buntain to the HighByte Board of Directors," said HighByte co-founder and CEO Tony Paine. "Ms. Buntain and Mr. Sampson's depth of experience across go-to-market, strategic alliances, capital management, and investment is remarkable. Their contributions to the strategic direction of this company were already evident in the boardroom this October."

The five-member Board is composed of Megan Buntain, Ben Sampson, Sujeet Chand (former CTO of Rockwell Automation), Seth Lawry, and HighByte CEO Tony Paine. Betsy Peters and Corson Ellis who first joined the Board in June 2020, have stepped down having completed their respective terms. Seth Lawry has been appointed to Board Chair, effective immediately. Mr. Lawry joined the Board in March 2022 with the company's Series Seed round led by the family offices of Seth and Cindy Lawry and Soren and Caroline Oberg. Mr. Lawry and Mr. Oberg served together as long-time partners at Thomas H. Lee Partners.

Board observers include Joe Powers of MVF, Matthew Hoffner of Maine Technology Institute (MTI), Chandler Jones of CEI Ventures, and Drew Kriens of Standard Investments. John Harrington and Torey Penrod-Cambra, both HighByte co-founders, also serve as board observers. Prior to founding HighByte in August 2018, Paine, Harrington, and Penrod-Cambra had worked together since 2012 and have more than 70 years of experience delivering software to the industrial automation market.

Additional Resources

About HighByte

HighByte is an industrial software company in Portland, Maine USA building solutions that address the data architecture and integration challenges created by Industry 4.0. HighByte Intelligence Hub, the company's award-winning Industrial DataOps software, provides modeled, ready-to-use data to the Cloud using a codeless interface to speed integration time and accelerate analytics. Learn more at https://www.highbyte.com .

HighByte is a registered trademark of HighByte, Inc.

Media Contact

HighByte

Torey Penrod-Cambra

Chief Communications Officer

+1 844.328.2677 x701

[email protected]

SOURCE HighByte
HANGZHOU, China, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hikvision successfully hosted its 2024 Shaping Intelligence Summit from October 28 to 31, in Hangzhou, China. During the summit, Hikvision and its global partners explored the latest innovations in AIoT (AI-powered Internet of Things) and highlighted the importance of industry collaborations in building a better world through technology.

Unlocking future opportunities with AIoT technologies

Hikvision showcases AIoT advancements for building a better world at the 2024 Shaping Intelligence Summit (PRNewsfoto/Hikvision Digital Technology)

Hikvision is at the forefront of AIoT technologies, continuously pushing the limits of hardware performance and image quality. At the summit, Hikvision introduced its advanced AI-ISP technology to significantly reduce image noise and address motion blur in low-light environments. With innovations like ShotN and AWDR technologies, Hikvision is enhancing clarity and detail in imaging. Moreover, it has expanded its range of environment-adaptive products, including solar-powered cameras for off-grid locations and self-cleaning cameras for automatic maintenance.

Beyond visible light technology advancements, Hikvision is pioneering more perception applications using millimeter waves, infrared, X-ray, and sound waves. Based on multi-dimensional perception technologies, Hikvision provides scenario-based solutions to help various industries improve security and operational efficiency, including manufacturing, energy, retail, smart buildings, traffic, and more.

For instance, in the energy sector, Hikvision has developed an intelligent inspection system for a power plant in Shouguang, China, that utilizes video and lasers to detect anomalies in coal transport belts, significantly improving safety and efficiency.

In the traffic sector, Hikvision's green wave solution has greatly reduced congestion and improved road efficiency on a main road in Zhoushan, China. Over a stretch of 21 kilometers with 34 intersections, travel times on the main road have been cut by 50%.

"Hikvision will continue to go deeply into AIoT technologies, expanding its AIoT product portfolio and pushing the boundaries of innovation with AIoT. We will continually deliver customer-centric solutions and further the application of AIoT across verticals to boost digital transformation," said Gatling Chen, Solution Director at Hikvision.

Accelerating growth through open collaboration

At the summit, Hikvision and its partners emphasized that open collaboration is crucial to meeting the diverse needs of the AIoT landscape.

Hikvision has crafted open platforms and tools for technology partners, aiming at accelerating digital transformation across industries, such as the Hikvision Embedded Open Platform (HEOP) for seamless third-party application integration. Hikvision also further introduced its OTAP protocol, which is vital in AIoT by standardizing device communication. The protocol is designed to be simple and easy to implement, reducing development time and costs.

During the summit, Hikvision partners and clients actively engaged in sharing their innovative solutions and success stories, offering insightful presentations and discussions that illustrate their collaborative efforts with Hikvision. These exchanges provided a platform for attendees to explore cutting-edge technologies, applications and best practices for enhancing security, efficiency, and sustainability in the daily operations across their specific industries.

"We believe that by enabling innovation through openness, we will provide stronger and more flexible solutions to meet each market challenge, and that ultimately this will convert into more business for our channel partners and installers," said Felix Fu, Global Technology Partnership Manager at Hikvision.

Harnessing AIoT to shape a better world

Guided by the principle "Tech for a Better World," Hikvision reaffirmed its dedication to leveraging technology for positive impacts. In 2024, Hikvision joined the United Nations Global Compact, aligning its strategies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

To prioritize sustainability, Hikvision builds a foundation with its eco-friendly products. For example, its LED displays use up to 90% recycled aluminum in their casings and entirely recycled materials for packaging. Hikvision LED products earned the Green Product Mark certification by TUV Rheinland, the first in the LED display industry to achieve this distinction.

Hikvision's products are not only sustainably designed but also tailored for sustainable development. For instance, its vegetation monitoring devices observe crop growth status in real-time. In the fish farming industry, it provides bullet network cameras to help observe the movements of salmon. In solar power stations, by equipping AIoT devices, Hikvision has helped reduce the time required of a standard inspection procedure from 2 days to just 4 hours, empowering low-carbon development.

To enhance ecological protection, Hikvision launched its flagship STAR Program for Social Good, expanding its partnerships with non-profit organizations. One notable example is in Africa, where the urgent need for conservation arises from the rapid decline in wildlife. Since 2023, Hikvision has partnered with Africam, a wildlife protection organization, to safeguard African wildlife and their habitats. This initiative underscores Hikvision's long-term effort to preserve biodiversity, practice social responsibility and foster a sustainable future.

Looking ahead, Hikvision will continue collaborating with its partners worldwide to explore new possibilities in AIoT capabilities, bringing about more sustainable changes and shape a better world.

SOURCE Hikvision Digital Technology
In collaboration with the Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, House of Dank (H.O.D.) will launch the Joint Efforts Canned Food Drive from November 1st to November 25th. During this period, all House of Dank retail stores will accept donations of non-perishable food items, which will be distributed to local charities. As part of this initiative, H.O.D. has pledged to match all donations received, amplifying the impact of the community's generosity.

"We believe in the power of community and in working together to make a real difference," said Marvin Jamo, Owner of House of Dank. "The Joint Efforts Canned Food Drive is our way of extending support to our neighbors during this critical time of year."

Top-requested donation items include canned goods, pasta, rice, cereal, and other non-perishable staples. All contributions will benefit the communities served by each House of Dank location, ensuring that help reaches those who need it most.

Thanksgiving Turkey Drive Returns to Seven Locations on November 20

On Wednesday, November 20, House of Dank will host its Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive at seven Michigan locations, where free turkeys will be distributed at the following stores on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. No purchase is necessary, and House of Dank encourages residents in Detroit, Center Line, River Rouge, Ypsilanti, Monroe, Lapeer, Saginaw and surrounding areas to take part in this cherished tradition.

Since its inception in 2015, the Thanksgiving Turkey Drive at House of Dank's 8 Mile flagship location has provided holiday turkeys to hundreds of Detroit residents. This year, House of Dank is thrilled to continue the tradition across multiple cities to reach more families in need.

Locations & Times:

(Times subject to change)

"We're honored to continue this annual tradition, including more locations to reach even more families in the communities we've expanded to," said Marvin Jamo, Owner of House of Dank.

Expanded Commitment to Hunger Relief

With over $20,000 donated to local food banks in recent years and more than 35,000 meals provided to families and individuals, House of Dank's dedication to hunger relief continues. These initiatives build on the company's longstanding mission to uplift Michigan communities through tangible support and compassionate outreach.

For more information on the Joint Efforts Canned Food Drive, including drop-off locations and a list of recommended donation items, please visit https://www.shophod.com/hodevents .

About House of Dank

House of Dank Medical & Recreational Cannabis is dedicated to providing world-class cannabis products. As a leading cannabis retailer in Michigan, House of Dank features a wide selection of medical and recreational flower, vaporizers, concentrates, edibles, CBD, tinctures, topicals, merch, and more. The talented in-house team has vast knowledge of the medicinal and therapeutic benefits of cannabis and work to ensure every consumer is receiving the perfect product. When you choose House of Dank you can expect industry-leading care, expertly crafted products and unmatched guest servicing. For more information, visit shophod.com or follow the company on Instagram and Facebook .

CONTACT: Angela Cataldo, [email protected]

SOURCE House Of Dank LLC
- The brand introduced its signature Real Hyaluronic Blue 100 Ampoule and new lineup Hyper Peptide Botuleedle Ampoule

- It delivered a presentation on a journey from a local to a global brand at K-beauty Conference

NEW YORK and SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hugel Inc., a leading global medical aesthetics company, said on Tuesday that WELLAGE, its clinical derma cosmetics brand for skin wellness, joined the festival K-beauty Boost in NYC 2024 at the Korean Cultural Center New York on November 1 to promote its expertise in skincare.

The festival was jointly hosted by the state-run Seoul Business Agency (SBA), online content creators' community Nurilounge and South Korea's largest beauty product review platform Hwahae to promote leading Korean beauty brands in the North American market.

WELLAGE introduces its products to event participants at K-beauty Boost in NYC 2024 WELLAGE introduces its products to event participants at K-beauty Boost in NYC 2024

WELLAGE introduced its signature product Real Hyaluronic Blue 100 Ampoule which helps make glass skin with hyaluronic acid science, and its new lineup Hyper Peptide Botuleedle Ampoule which boosts skin pore elasticity. Both products contain 100% purity hyaluronic acid from three filtration processes, according to Hugel.

Visitors to the booth learned specific features of the WELLAGE products, which are listed on Amazon.com, and joined the event to share samples. Online beauty influencers and fashion magazine editors who visited the booth were highly satisfied with the sample tests, WELLAGE said.

WELLAGE also delivered a presentation at the K-beauty Conference on its journey to grow as a global brand and the landscape and latest trends of the Korean beauty industry. The skincare brand is available in key markets such as the US, China, Japan and Vietnam.

"We are grateful to have participated in this meaningful event as a leading Korean cosmetics brand. As a major local brand for skin hydration, we will do our best to promote the excellence of Korean beauty products on a global stage," a Hugel official said.

About Hugel

Established in 2001, Hugel is a leading global medical aesthetics company that manufactures injectables for skin rejuvenation such as botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid fillers and skin boosters as well as absorbable sutures and cosmetics products. The company is the only South Korean supplier to the world's three largest botulinum toxin markets, the US, China and Europe. It exports medical aesthetic products and devices to around 70 countries and operates eight global subsidiaries in the US, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Contact:

Jihyun Kim, Manager of the PR Team, Hugel

[email protected]

SOURCE Hugel
Historic $90 Million State Contribution and $65 Million in Philanthropic Donations to Support Groundbreaking Research Center, Opening in 2026

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntsman Mental Health Foundation marked a major milestone in the construction of the Utah Translational Research Building with a ceremonial signing of the final beam. Scheduled to open in 2026, the new facility represents a bold step forward in advancing brain research and mental health care. This critical stage of the project has been supported by a historic $90 million donation from the Utah State Legislature and an additional $65 million from various philanthropic partners.

(Pictured left to right: Mark Rappaport, MD; Deborah Yurgelun-Todd, PhD, Bishop Gerard Causse; Christena Huntsman Durham; Taylor Randall; David Huntsman; Becky Pickle; Rep. Steve Eliason; James Ashworth, MD)

The 185,000-square-foot, multi-floor building will be home to the world's only 7 Tesla MRI machine dedicated exclusively to brain research. Designed with innovative research neighborhoods, flexible layouts, and cutting-edge technology, the facility will host an elite team of researchers, scientists, doctors, and educators. Together, they aim to transform our understanding of the brain and accelerate progress in mental health research and treatment.

"We're building something that is unique not only to Utah, but to the nation," said Mark Rapaport, MD, CEO of Huntsman Mental Health Institute. "This is the place to bring together ideas and innovations from many different disciplines to help those with mental health and substance use disorders."

Prominent leaders in the community attended the signing event, including Christena Huntsman Durham, Chair of the Board of Huntsman Mental Health Foundation; David Huntsman, Vice-Chair and Director; Huntsman Mental Health Foundation; Taylor Randall, President, University of Utah; Mark Rapaport, MD, CEO of Huntsman Mental Health Institute; Becky Pickle, CEO of Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, Dr. Deborah Yurgelun-Todd, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair of Research, University of Utah; Bishop Gerard Causse, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Steve Eliason, Utah State Representative; and James C. Ashworth, MD, Associate Professor (Clinical) University of Utah.

"This building represents more than just an architectural milestoneit symbolizes a promise of hope and a new era of possibilities for mental health research," said Christena Huntsman Durham. "We are grateful to our state legislature and philanthropic partners for their unwavering support in making this vision a reality."

Construction of the Utah Translational Research Building continues as additional funding opportunities remain available. To learn more or inquire about supporting the project, please visit hmhf.org or contact Mindy Young at [email protected].

About Huntsman Mental Health Foundation:

Huntsman Mental Health Foundation supports Huntsman Mental Health Institute and its mission to transform mental health care through community, research, clinical, and education initiatives. Huntsman Mental Health Foundation is working toward a world where mental wellness is accessible to all and where funding is not an obstacle on the path to well-being by leveraging the power of philanthropic support to break down the barriers that hinder mental wellness, both regionally and nationally. Learn more at: hmhf.org and join the conversation on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Huntsman Mental Health Foundation
With half of all 18 million veterans now self-IDing as independent, turnout among former service members may determine control of White House and Congress.

NEW YORK, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent Veterans of America PAC (https://ivapac.org) has announced a full-spectrum voter engagement campaign in support of Dan Osborn's independent US Senate campaign against Nebraska GOP incumbent Deb Fischer, and other state and local candidates. Recent polls show IVA-endorsed Osborn, a veteran of the US Navy and Nebraska Army National Guard, within the margin of error against his GOP rival in a state where former President Donald Trump holds a 15-point lead over Vice President Kamala Harris.

Nationally, late-breaking undecided voters are expected to determine which party wins the White House and controls Congress. This, according to Paul Rieckhoff, IVA PAC's founder and CEO, means the country's 18 million veterans, 49% of whom self-identify as independents, will have an outsized impact on today. According to Rieckhoff, a retired Army infantry officer and Iraq war veteran, among younger post-9/11 vets, the percentage identifying as independents, is even higher.

With half of all 18 million veterans now self-IDing as independent, turnout among vets may determine outcome of election Post this

Independent Veterans of America PAC's six-figure investments also support Army veteran Nick Batter's independent campaign for Nebraska's District 13 state legislature seat representing Omaha, and Air Force veteran Jason Taylor's race for Learning Community Coordinating Council in District 6. IVA-PAC's voter engagement operation represents the largest investment to date in support of independent veteran candidates in a US election cycle.

According to Rieckhoff, "Our print, digital and data operations are helping to drive the message that independent veterans are the leaders of tomorrow that America needs now. Dan Osborn and the full slate of candidates we're proud to endorse this cycle are strong, brave and independent candidates who represent hope for all Nebraskansand all Americans. They also represent a threat to our country's badly broken, hyper-partisan political system that is leaving far too many working people, especially veterans, behind. Independent Veterans of America PAC's efforts include a wide range of candid, strong and independent messages and will feature Medal of Honor Recipient, Former Nebraska Governor and Senator Bob Kerrey and legendary Super Bowl Champion and Vietnam Vet Rocky Bleier.

IVA PAC is also sending additional support to independent veteran candidates in South Dakota, Florida, North Carolina and California.

ABOUT: http://bit.ly/3Aug20j

SOURCE Independent Veterans of America PAC
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Anthropogenic impact, industrialization, and rapid economic development have become significant threats to many nations, leading to a rise in global temperatures and increasing natural disasters, Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and COP29 President, Mukhtar Babayev said at the Global Summit of Religious Leaders in Baku, Trend reports.

Babayev underscored that climate change has transitioned from a theoretical issue to a quotidian reality for communities residing in climate-sensitive areas.

For these communities, climate change is no longer a theoretical threat but a reality they face daily.

Alterations in precipitation patterns and increasing temperatures in the Congo Basin are inflicting significant harm on forests and unique ecosystems. The flooding in Pakistan, which inundated a third of the nation, the peril of obliterating communities in small island developing states, and global natural calamities serve as concrete manifestations of this truth.



The experiences of these nations necessitate the adoption of urgent, inclusive strategies and prioritizing their concerns in our initiatives.

The COP29 Action Agenda is focused on making resources more accessible to developing countries. Under Azerbaijan's leadership, COP29 has introduced 14 pivotal initiatives. Our goal is to offer innovative solutions and new strategies not only at the national level but on the global stage as well. With these initiatives, Azerbaijan will continue its leadership in advancing the global transition to a green economy.

Additionally, the Climate Action Fund, launched by Azerbaijan, will incentivize both public and private sector investments in climate adaptation, mitigation, and research. This Fund provides critical financing to support rapid responses to the impacts of natural disasters in developing countries," Babayev added.

To note, a Global Summit of Religious Leaders is being held as part of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, the Muslim Council of Elders, the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), and the United Nations Environment Program in Baku.

The global forum is set to roll out the red carpet for around 30 leaders from both secular and traditional religions, heads of prominent religious centers - patriarchs, officials from the Vatican, and Al-Azhar, along with internationally recognized religious and public figures hailing from various corners of the globe and diverse faiths, representatives from government, academia, and religious institutions hailing from 55 countries and 30 international organizations, and media representatives.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Integrated Water Services, Inc. (IWS), a leading provider of specialized water and wastewater treatment solutions, announced today the acquisition of Hi-Line Industries, a renowned designer and manufacturer of custom-fabricated equipment.

This strategic acquisition aligns with IWS's commitment to deliver comprehensive and exceptional products and services to its customers. Owned by Sciens Water, a prominent investor in the U.S. water sector, IWS focuses on providing turnkey solutions for water and wastewater treatment across diverse end markets in North America.

Headquartered in Brenham, Texas, Hi-Line boasts a national reputation for its expertise in custom fabrication. They offer a full turnkey experience, utilizing cutting edge 3D CAD CAM technology for designing and modeling complex machines with integrated electro-mechanical and programmable controls. Hi-Line processes projects on highly accurate CNC machinery and employs sophisticated computer-based management tools for optimal efficiency.

"Adding Hi-Line's capabilities to IWS's existing portfolio of advanced treatment solutions significantly benefits both our customers and shareholders," stated Alex Buehler, President and CEO of IWS. "Following our acquisition of M|MBR Systems in early 2023, we've been collaborating with Hi-Line on fabricating key components of our MBR systems, including our BluBox system. This acquisition is a natural fit, allowing us to offer a truly integrated solution through vertical integration of manufacturing capabilities. Beyond BluBox and custom MBR systems, we expect to leverage Hi-Line as our manufacturing center of excellence to support new products and other acquisitions with manufacturing content."

Sharing the enthusiasm, Dennis Kocian, President of Hi-Line Industries, commented, "We are excited to join forces with IWS. Our combined expertise strengthens our value proposition and broadens our customer base. We look forward to showcasing our capabilities to a wider audience."

IWS is committed to ensuring a seamless transition for Hi-Line Industries and its employees, assuring uninterrupted service and support for existing customers.

"Acquiring Hi-Line facilitates IWS's growth strategy, allowing us to expand organically and through accretive acquisitions," said Alexander Loucopoulos, Partner at Sciens Water. "This move empowers us to offer a more integrated solution, solidifying our position as a top-tier provider in the middle market for packaged wastewater treatment solutions."

About Hi-Line Industries

Established in 1954, Hi-Line Industries boasts a rich history of fulfilling the needs of demanding clients across various industries. Their experience encompasses projects ranging from simple stairways to precision machinery and large-scale bulk handlers. This extensive expertise ensures they possess the resources to meet diverse customer requirements with the highest standards.

About Integrated Water Services, Inc.

IWS is the leading provider of turnkey water, wastewater, and recycle/reuse systems for municipal, residential, commercial, and industrial customers. By harnessing their expertise in design, construction, treatment technology, and comprehensive services, IWS offers seamless and cost-effective solutions to address all water-related challenges.

About Sciens Water Opportunities Management, LLC

Sciens Water, the majority shareholder of IWS, is an affiliate of Sciens Capital Management, LLC, an alternative asset management firm founded in 1994. With headquarters in New York and offices in London and Guernsey, Sciens launched the Sciens Water Opportunities Fund in 2018 to invest in the U.S. water sector. Sciens' approach is to identify the biggest challenges facing the U.S. water and wastewater industry today and solve them through the formation and development of platform companies that seek to meet these challenges on a national scale with a high level of purpose and impact on health, the environment, and local economies. Sciens owns platform companies in several water sub-sectors, including utilities, treatment, storage, financing, and digital infrastructure.

Media Contact

Jamie English

Integrated Water Services, Inc.

[email protected]

(833) 758-3338

SOURCE Integrated Water Services, Inc.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Intelligent Technical Solutions ("ITS"), a portfolio company of Tower Arch Capital, is pleased to announce that it has acquired Afineol IT Consulting ("Afineol") in partnership with Michael and Margaret Strong, the company's owners. Founded in 2000, Afineol is a Sacramento-based managed IT service provider ("MSP"). The partnership with Afineol will further strengthen ITS's geographic footprint and leadership in the Sacramento region.

"Our clients have always trusted us to handle their IT needs, and this partnership allows us to elevate that trust. Working with ITS gives us the tools to offer even more advanced services, while maintaining the personalized support we're known for," said Margaret Strong, President of Afineol.

"By joining ITS, we're ensuring our clients have the best IT support possible. While they'll still work with the same Afineol team they know, they'll also gain access to ITS's deep bench of experts and state-of-the-art services that will future proof their businesses," added Michael Strong, owner of Afineol.

Afineol clients will continue to receive the personalized care they value, now backed by ITS's expanded resources and expertise. ITS is committed to delivering innovative solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of businesses in the region.

"We are thrilled to announce this exciting partnership. This collaboration strengthens our ability to provide even more comprehensive support and advanced technologies to our clients in Sacramento. It will allow us to combine our expertise and resources, which means we're not only expanding our service offerings but also enhancing the value we provide businesses that rely on us to stay secure, efficient, and competitive. Together, we're poised to drive growth for both companies and deliver exceptional results for our clients," said Tom Andrulis, CEO of ITS.

Since partnering with Tower Arch Capital in May of 2022, Intelligent Technical Solutions has acquired eight managed service providers throughout the Western United States and collectively serves over 750 clients across end markets such as architecture, healthcare, non-profit, automotive, professional services, finance, insurance, and several others.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Financing for the transaction was provided by Deerpath Capital. Advisors for ITS included Holland & Hart LLP and BDO USA LLP.

About Intelligent Technical Solutions

Intelligent Technical Solutions is a provider of IT managed services. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Las Vegas, NV, ITS provides managed IT, cloud, cybersecurity, VoIP phone, and fiber internet services to small and medium sized businesses (20-500 seats) throughout the Midwest and Western United States. In its decades of service, ITS has received several accolades and recognition from distinguished award-giving bodies. Most recently, the company was recognized on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list. Other notable awards include the CRN list of 2023 MSP 500 and MSSP Alert's Top 250 MSSPs. For more information, please visit www.itsasap.com.

About Tower Arch Capital

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT, Tower Arch Capital is a growth-oriented middle market private equity firm. Tower Arch seeks to partner with high-quality family- and entrepreneur-owned companies to deliver long-term value for their management teams and investors. Tower Arch brings operational, consulting, and financial expertise to companies to help them improve their operations, scale, and grow. Target investments include control positions in businesses with EBITDA between $5 million and $30 million. For more information, please visit www.towerarch.com.

SOURCE Intelligent Technical Solutions
- Yuhan Corporation CEO Wook Je Cho, National Assembly Member Seong Hoon Park, and KAIST Professor Joung Ho Kim join a pioneering collaboration in precision oncology.

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 4, 2024, J INTS BIO hosted a significant MOU signing ceremony at Baekyangnuri Plaza, Yonsei University, unveiling a groundbreaking AI-driven collaboration to revolutionize cancer treatment. This ambitious alliance unites leading institutions, including Yonsei University College of Medicine's DAAN Cancer Research Institute, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), and KAIST. The event featured a distinguished lineup, with Yuhan Corporation CEO Wook Je Cho, National Assembly Representative Seong Hoon Park, and KAIST's Professor Joung Ho Kim, a prominent member of the National AI Committee, highlighting the extensive support from both government and industry sectors.

(Photo. From left) Professor Woo Kyung Yu of DGIST, Professor Joung Ho Kim of KAIST, CEO Wook Je Cho of Yuhan Corporation, Professor Byoung Chul Cho of Severance Hospital, Director Seong Kyoon Choi of DGIST, Director Kwang Rok Kim of KRICT, CEO Anna Jo of J INTS BIO, Seong Hoon Park of National Assembly Member, and Senior Researcher Gwang Ho Lee of KRICT (PRNewsfoto/J INTS BIO)

Precision Medicine Redefined: AI Meets Multi-Omics

J INTS BIO is at the forefront of developing personalized lung cancer therapies through the integration of artificial intelligence and multi-omics technology. Multi-omics offers a comprehensive approach to disease biology by combining genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics. Using AI and national supercomputing infrastructure, the project aims to enhance drug efficacy prediction and minimize toxicity, addressing the critical challenges that plague conventional oncology drug development.

Professor Byoung Chul Cho of Severance Hospital, a key figure behind the development of the highly successful lung cancer drug "Leclaza," emphasized, "AI is revolutionizing precision medicine. By employing AI and supercomputing, we can achieve ultra-precise analysis of patient tissue and genetic profiles, enabling the design of highly effective, personalized treatment strategies." KAIST's Professor Joung Ho Kim added, "AI's capacity to process immense biological datasets and apply machine learning for patient-specific predictions can drastically reduce clinical trial failure rates and accelerate the entire drug discovery process."

End-to-End Research Strategy: From Biopsies to AI-Optimized Therapies

The collaboration is structured around a comprehensive, four-phase research strategy: meticulous patient sample collection and preparation, AI-driven protein analysis using supercomputers, synthesis of drug candidates informed by AI insights, and rigorous clinical trials for validation.

The DAAN Cancer Research Institute at Yonsei University will lead the first phase, collecting lung cancer tissue and genomic samples and preparing them for AI model development. Using cell and animal models, the institute will validate AI predictions, identify drug resistance mechanisms, and refine algorithms to maximize accuracy.

DGIST's Core Protein Resources Center will utilize national supercomputers to simulate protein-drug interactions, conducting high-precision structural analyses and virtual experiments. This work will confirm AI-driven hypotheses and facilitate the design of drugs tailored to the molecular characteristics of cancer.

KRICT's Medicinal Bio Research Division will synthesize the AI-recommended drug candidates, subjecting them to thorough pharmacological and toxicological assessments. KRICT Director Kwang Rok Kim remarked, "AI is fundamentally transforming the landscape of drug discovery. It allows us to develop optimized therapeutic compounds faster and with greater safety, delivering unprecedented precision in medicine."

J INTS BIO will oversee the entire project, managing clinical trials to validate AI-based predictions and develop clinically proven, patient-specific treatment protocols. This approach aims to expedite the path from laboratory research to market readiness, making advanced cancer therapies more accessible to patients worldwide.

A Game-Changer in Oncology: Government and Industry in Harmony

This collaboration marks a transformative leap in cancer research, showcasing the potential of merging AI with biotechnology. Seong-Kyoon Choi, Director of DGIST's Core Protein Resources Center, stated, "AI and supercomputing together set a new standard for protein analysis and drug design precision. This partnership is poised to deliver groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment." National Assembly Member Seong Hoon Park underscored the national importance of this initiative: "The integration of AI and biotech is crucial for elevating South Korea's global competitiveness in the bio-industry. The government will continue to provide unwavering support for these pioneering research efforts."

Envisioning a future shaped by precision medicine, J INTS BIO and its partners aim to build extensive cancer data infrastructures, providing a solid foundation for ongoing research and innovation. The consortium plans to unveil interim results from the "AI-Supercomputing-Based Personalized Lung Cancer Therapy" project at a major international conference in the first half of next year, showcasing the project's far-reaching impact and potential.

SOURCE J INTS BIO
NEW YORK, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global laser welding machine market size is estimated to grow by USD 504.4 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period. Growing benefits of laser welding over conventional welding is driving market growth, with a trend towards impact of additive manufacturing on laser welding. However, dearth of skilled labor poses a challenge. Key market players include Amada Co. Ltd., Bystronic Laser AG, Coherent Corp., Emerson Electric Co., FANUC Corp., Hans Laser Technology Industry Group Co. Ltd., HGLaser Engineering Co. Ltd., IPG Photonics Corp., Jenoptik AG, Jinan Xintian Technology Co. Ltd., Laserline GmbH, Laserstar Technologies Corp., OREE LASER, Perfect Laser Co. Ltd., Sahajanand Laser Technology Ltd., SCANLAB GmbH, Suzhou Prato Laser Technology Co. Ltd., Suzhou Tianhong Laser Co. Ltd., TRUMPF SE Co. KG, and Wuhan golden laser co. Ltd..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Laser Welding Machine Market 2024-2028

AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View your snapshot now

Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered End-user (Automotive, Healthcare, Aerospace and defense, Electronics, and Others), Technology (Fiber laser, Solid-state laser, CO2 laser, and Others), and Geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Amada Co. Ltd., Bystronic Laser AG, Coherent Corp., Emerson Electric Co., FANUC Corp., Hans Laser Technology Industry Group Co. Ltd., HGLaser Engineering Co. Ltd., IPG Photonics Corp., Jenoptik AG, Jinan Xintian Technology Co. Ltd., Laserline GmbH, Laserstar Technologies Corp., OREE LASER, Perfect Laser Co. Ltd., Sahajanand Laser Technology Ltd., SCANLAB GmbH, Suzhou Prato Laser Technology Co. Ltd., Suzhou Tianhong Laser Co. Ltd., TRUMPF SE Co. KG, and Wuhan golden laser co. Ltd.

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry by creating three-dimensional objects from digital files. This process builds products layer by layer, enabling the production of complex geometries that are challenging to achieve through conventional methods. Additive manufacturing offers benefits such as optimized material usage and reduced wastage, as it eliminates the need for certain manufacturing processes like cutting, bending, and welding. However, additive manufacturing has limitations, including the inability to produce large single parts efficiently and high equipment costs, which may hinder its adoption in small and medium enterprises. Despite these challenges, continuous research and development efforts are driving improvements in additive manufacturing technology, increasing its adoption, and creating demand for laser welding machines. In laser welding applications, precise control over shape frequency, sequence, and depth of focus optimizes capillary evaporation, molten pool flow, and melt solidification, preventing pore, spatter, and crack formation while boosting feed rates and speeds. Although additive manufacturing poses a challenge to the global laser welding machine market by eliminating the need for welding in some applications, it cannot replace welding entirely. The laser welding machine market will continue to grow due to the increasing adoption of additive manufacturing and the ongoing need for traditional welding processes.

The Laser Welding Machine market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing demand in various industries. Fiber optic cables, transmitters, and components in confined spaces and complex geometries are driving the need for laser welding in hazardous environments. Fiber lasers, CO2 lasers, and diode lasers offer efficiency, safety, and versatility in welding diverse materials like carbon steel, stainless steel, plastics, and ceramics. Laser welding machines provide controlled heat input, reducing material wastage, rework, and improving quality control. Traditional welding methods face challenges in energy efficiency, waste, and environmental impact. Laser welding machines offer energy conservation, sustainability, and a smaller carbon footprint, making them more cost-effective in the long run. Regulations on energy consumption and environmental friendliness further boost the market. The tool's productivity and long-term cost-effectiveness make it a preferred choice for industries.

Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample!

Market Challenges

The global laser welding machine market is experiencing a significant challenge due to the scarcity of skilled labor, particularly in countries like the US, India , China , and Germany . In these countries, which are known for their large labor pools and manufacturing industries, the lack of a skilled workforce is becoming a major concern. For instance, China , the world's manufacturing hub, is facing a declining working-age population, and India is expanding its manufacturing sector under the Make in India initiative. In Germany , a prominent manufacturing nation, the demographic shift with low birth rates and an aging population is reducing the availability of a skilled workforce, leading to a predicted gap of one million skilled staff by 2022. Consequently, labor costs are increasing in Germany , making their industries less competitive in the global manufacturing landscape. The limited availability of skilled labor is a significant barrier to the growth of the global laser welding machine market during the forecast period.

, , and . In these countries, which are known for their large labor pools and manufacturing industries, the lack of a skilled workforce is becoming a major concern. For instance, , the world's manufacturing hub, is facing a declining working-age population, and is expanding its manufacturing sector under the Make in initiative. In , a prominent manufacturing nation, the demographic shift with low birth rates and an aging population is reducing the availability of a skilled workforce, leading to a predicted gap of one million skilled staff by 2022. Consequently, labor costs are increasing in , making their industries less competitive in the global manufacturing landscape. The limited availability of skilled labor is a significant barrier to the growth of the global laser welding machine market during the forecast period. The laser welding machine market is experiencing significant growth due to the advantages it offers over traditional welding methods. Energy efficiency is a key factor, as laser welding consumes less energy and produces less waste, making it more environmentally-friendly and sustainable. Regulations demanding energy conservation and reduced carbon footprint also drive the trend towards laser welding. However, challenges include incompatibility with highly reflective materials, absorption issues with certain metals like copper and aluminum, and the high cost of the machines and tools. Long-term cost-effectiveness, productivity, and quality control are major considerations. The integration of automation, robotics, advanced control systems, automated loading, and positioning of workpieces enhances productivity, repeatability, and precision. The forecast period sees trends in remote laser welding and the automotive and aerospace manufacturing sectors.

Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report

Segment Overview

This laser welding machine market report extensively covers market segmentation by

End-user

1.1 Automotive

1.2 Healthcare

1.3 Aerospace and defense

1.4 Electronics

1.5 Others

Technology

2.1 Fiber laser

2.2 Solid-state laser

2.3 CO2 laser

2.4 Others

Geography

3.1 APAC

3.2 Europe

3.3 North America

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Automotive- The automotive industry heavily relies on laser welding due to its precision and efficiency. This method allows automakers to join metal components with minimal distortion, resulting in strong and durable welds. Its effectiveness is particularly notable for lightweight materials like aluminum, commonly used in modern vehicles for improved fuel efficiency. Laser welding is suitable for various automobile components, including body panels, chassis parts, exhaust systems, and battery packs in electric vehicles. Compared to traditional welding techniques, it expedites production while being less costly. High-precision laser welding ensures and dependable welds, essential for vehicle component structural integrity. The process is quick and automated, decreasing production time and enhancing overall manufacturing efficiency. Laser welding's small heat-affected zones minimize part deformation, preserving dimensional accuracy. Versatile in connection configurations and material compatibility, laser welding eliminates filler materials, reducing welding flaws and enhancing safety. Long-term cost savings come from increased production speed, lower material wastage, and reduced maintenance requirements, despite potential higher initial investments. With the increasing demand for electric vehicles, such as the Australian government's goal to have 75% electric vehicles by 2025, the need for laser welding machines is evident, driving the growth of the global laser welding machine market in the automotive sector.

Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022)

Research Analysis

Laser welding machines utilize a high-intensity laser beam to join and fuse materials, offering several advantages over traditional welding methods. These machines are known for their energy efficiency, as they minimize material wastage and reduce the need for rework. The process is also more environmentally-friendly, with lower carbon footprint and compliance with regulations. Energy conservation is a significant benefit, as laser welding consumes less energy compared to other welding techniques. However, the cost of laser welding machines can be high, and their integration with automation and robotics requires a significant investment. Incompatibility with highly reflective materials and the need for absorption coatings for some metals like copper and aluminum are challenges. Despite these, the long-term cost-effectiveness, productivity, and high-precision capabilities make laser welding machines an essential tool in manufacturing and fabrication processes.

Market Research Overview

Laser welding machines utilize high-intensity laser beams to join and fuse materials with precision and efficiency, surpassing traditional welding methods. These machines offer several advantages such as energy efficiency, reduced waste, and environmental sustainability. By conserving energy and minimizing material wastage, laser welding contributes to a smaller carbon footprint. However, regulations and increasing focus on long-term cost-effectiveness drive the adoption of these machines in manufacturing and fabrication processes. Laser welding processes are ideal for high-precision, intricate welds and are compatible with a wide range of materials including copper, aluminum, and various alloys. Incompatibility with highly reflective materials is a challenge, but advancements in absorption technologies continue to expand the application scope. The forecast period for the laser welding market is promising, with trends in automotive, aerospace, and other industries driving growth. Integration of robotics, automation, and advanced control systems enhances productivity, repeatability, and precision. Remote laser welding, fiber optic cables, and applications in confined spaces, complex geometries, and hazardous environments further expand the market. Fiber lasers, CO2 lasers, and diode lasers are the primary types of lasers used in laser welding, each with its unique advantages. Plastic welding, controlled heat input, and versatility in welding diverse materials like carbon steel, stainless steel, plastics, and ceramics further expand the market potential.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

End-user

Automotive



Healthcare



Aerospace And Defense



Electronics



Others

Technology

Fiber Laser



Solid-state Laser



CO2 Laser



Others

Geography

APAC



Europe



North America



South America



Middle East And Africa

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced that data from studies of Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib), a non-covalent (reversible) Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, will be presented at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition taking place Dec. 7-10 in San Diego.

In an oral presentation, Lilly will report results from the Phase 3 BRUIN CLL-321 study, which is evaluating pirtobrutinib versus idelalisib plus rituximab (IdelaR) or bendamustine plus rituximab (BR) in BTK inhibitor pretreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). BRUIN CLL-321, which previously met its primary endpoint, is the first randomized Phase 3 study to evaluate an exclusively BTK inhibitor pretreated CLL population. The submitted abstract utilized a February 2024 data cut-off date, and the presentation will utilize an August 2024 data cut-off date.

Additionally, Lilly will have poster presentations that share analyses of real-world data, including looking at overall survival associated with treatment sequences in patients with CLL/SLL, and pre-clinical data for a first-in-class B-cell activating factor receptor (BAFF)-RxCD3 bispecific antibody for the treatment of certain B-cell malignancies.

A full list of abstract titles and viewing details are listed below:

Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib)

Presentation Title: BRUIN CLL-321: Randomized Phase 3 Trial of Pirtobrutinib Versus Idelalisib Plus Rituximab (IdelaR) or Bendamustine Plus Rituximab (BR) in BTK Inhibitor Pretreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma

Abstract Number: 886

Presentation Date & Time: Monday, Dec. 9, 3:30 p.m. PST

Location: Marriot Marquis San Diego Marina, Marriott Grand Ballroom 5-6

Presenter: Jeff P. Sharman

Presentation Title: Overall Survival Associated with Real-World Treatment Sequences in Patients with CLL/SLL in the United States

Abstract Number: 5114

Presentation Date & Time: Monday, Dec. 9, 6-8 p.m. PST

Location: San Diego Convention Center, Halls G-H

Presenter: Joanna Rhodes

Presentation Title: Continuity of Care for Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: An Analysis of Real-World Data

Abstract Number: 5033

Presentation Date & Time: Monday, Dec. 9, 6-8 p.m. PST

Location: San Diego Convention Center, Halls G-H

Presenter: Sameh Gaballa

LY4152199 (investigational BAFF-RxCD3 bispecific antibody)

Presentation Title: LY4152199, a First-in-Class BAFF-RxCD3 Bispecific Antibody for the Treatment of B-Cell Malignancies

Abstract Number: 2785

Presentation Date & Time: Sunday, Dec. 8, 6-8 p.m. PST

Location: San Diego Convention Center, Halls G-H

Presenter: Wei Yang

About Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib)

Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib, formerly known as LOXO-305) (pronounced jay-pihr-kaa) is a highly selective (300 times more selective for BTK versus 98% of other kinases tested in preclinical studies), non-covalent (reversible) inhibitor of the enzyme BTK.1 BTK is a validated molecular target found across numerous B-cell leukemias and lymphomas including mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL).2,3 Jaypirca is a U.S. FDA-approved oral prescription medicine, 100 mg or 50 mg tablets taken as a once-daily 200 mg dose with or without food until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

INDICATIONS FOR JAYPIRCA

Jaypirca is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of

Adult patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) after at least two lines of systemic therapy, including a BTK inhibitor.

Adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) who have received at least two prior lines of therapy, including a BTK inhibitor and a BCL-2 inhibitor.

These indications are approved under accelerated approval based on response rate. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR JAYPIRCA (pirtobrutinib)

Infections: Fatal and serious infections (including bacterial, viral, fungal) and opportunistic infections occurred in Jaypirca-treated patients. In a clinical trial, Grade 3 infections occurred in 24% of patients with hematologic malignancies, most commonly pneumonia (14%); fatal infections occurred (4.4%). Sepsis (6%) and febrile neutropenia (4%) occurred. In patients with CLL/SLL, Grade 3 infections occurred (32%), with fatal infections occurring in 8%. Opportunistic infections included Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and fungal infection. Consider prophylaxis, including vaccinations and antimicrobial prophylaxis, in patients at increased risk for infection, including opportunistic infections. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms, evaluate promptly, and treat appropriately. Based on severity, reduce dose, temporarily withhold, or permanently discontinue Jaypirca.

Hemorrhage: Fatal and serious hemorrhage has occurred with Jaypirca. Major hemorrhage (Grade 3 bleeding or any central nervous system bleeding) occurred in 3% of patients, including gastrointestinal hemorrhage; fatal hemorrhage occurred (0.3%). Bleeding of any grade, excluding bruising and petechiae, occurred (17%). Major hemorrhage occurred in patients taking Jaypirca with (0.7%) and without (2.3%) antithrombotic agents. Consider risks/benefits of co-administering antithrombotic agents with Jaypirca. Monitor patients for signs of bleeding. Based on severity, reduce dose, temporarily withhold, or permanently discontinue Jaypirca. Consider benefit/risk of withholding Jaypirca 3-7 days pre- and post-surgery depending on type of surgery and bleeding risk.

Cytopenias: Jaypirca can cause cytopenias, including neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. In a clinical trial, Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias, including decreased neutrophils (26%), decreased platelets (12%), and decreased hemoglobin (12%), developed in Jaypirca-treated patients. Grade 4 decreased neutrophils (14%) and Grade 4 decreased platelets (6%) developed. Monitor complete blood counts regularly during treatment. Based on severity, reduce dose, temporarily withhold, or permanently discontinue Jaypirca.

Cardiac Arrhythmias: Cardiac arrhythmias occurred in patients who received Jaypirca. In a clinical trial of patients with hematologic malignancies, atrial fibrillation or flutter were reported in 3.2% of Jaypirca-treated patients, with Grade 3 or 4 atrial fibrillation or flutter in 1.5%. Other serious cardiac arrhythmias such as supraventricular tachycardia and cardiac arrest occurred (0.5%). Patients with cardiac risk factors such as hypertension or previous arrhythmias may be at increased risk. Monitor for signs and symptoms of arrhythmias (e.g., palpitations, dizziness, syncope, dyspnea) and manage appropriately. Based on severity, reduce dose, temporarily withhold, or permanently discontinue Jaypirca.

Second Primary Malignancies: Second primary malignancies, including non-skin carcinomas, developed in 9% of Jaypirca-treated patients. The most frequent malignancy was non-melanoma skin cancer (4.6%). Other second primary malignancies included solid tumors (including genitourinary and breast cancers) and melanoma. Advise patients to use sun protection and monitor for development of second primary malignancies.

Hepatotoxicity, Including Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI): Hepatotoxicity, including severe, life-threatening, and potentially fatal cases of DILI, has occurred in patients treated with BTK inhibitors, including Jaypirca. Evaluate bilirubin and transaminases at baseline and throughout Jaypirca treatment. For patients who develop abnormal liver tests after Jaypirca, monitor more frequently for liver test abnormalities and clinical signs and symptoms of hepatic toxicity. If DILI is suspected, withhold Jaypirca. Upon confirmation of DILI, discontinue Jaypirca.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Jaypirca can cause fetal harm in pregnant women. Administration of pirtobrutinib to pregnant rats caused embryo-fetal toxicity, including embryo-fetal mortality and malformations at maternal exposures (AUC) approximately 3-times the recommended 200 mg/day dose. Advise pregnant women of potential fetal risk and females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for one week after last dose.

Adverse Reactions (ARs) in Patients Who Received Jaypirca

The most common (20%) ARs in the BRUIN pooled safety population of patients with hematologic malignancies (n=593) were decreased neutrophil count (46%), decreased hemoglobin (39%), fatigue (32%), decreased lymphocyte count (31%), musculoskeletal pain (30%), decreased platelet count (29%), diarrhea (24%), COVID-19 (22%), bruising (21%), cough (20%).

Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Serious ARs occurred in 38% of patients. Serious ARs occurring in 2% of patients were pneumonia (14%), COVID-19 (4.7%), musculoskeletal pain (3.9%), hemorrhage (2.3%), pleural effusion (2.3%), and sepsis (2.3%). Fatal ARs within 28 days of last Jaypirca dose occurred in 7% of patients, most commonly due to infections (4.7%), including COVID-19 (3.1% of all patients).

Dose Modifications and Discontinuations: ARs led to dose reductions in 4.7%, treatment interruption in 32%, and permanent discontinuation of Jaypirca in 9% of patients. ARs resulting in dosage modification in >5% of patients included pneumonia and neutropenia. ARs resulting in permanent discontinuation in >1% of patients included pneumonia.

Most common ARs (15%), excluding laboratory terms (all Grades %; Grade 3-4 %): fatigue (29; 1.6), musculoskeletal pain (27; 3.9), diarrhea (19; -), edema (18; 0.8), dyspnea (17; 2.3), pneumonia (16; 14), bruising (16; -).

Select Laboratory Abnormalities (all Grades %; Grade 3 or 4 %) that Worsened from Baseline in 10% of Patients: hemoglobin decreased (42; 9), platelet count decreased (39; 14), neutrophil count decreased (36; 16), lymphocyte count decreased (32; 15), creatinine increased (30; 1.6), calcium decreased (19; 1.6), AST increased (17; 1.6), potassium decreased (13; 1.6), sodium decreased (13; -), lipase increased (12; 4.4), alkaline phosphatase increased (11; -), ALT increased (11; 1.6), potassium increased (11; 0.8). Grade 4 laboratory abnormalities in >5% of patients included neutrophils decreased (10), platelets decreased (7), lymphocytes decreased (6).

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma

Serious ARs occurred in 56% of patients. Serious ARs occurring in 5% of patients were pneumonia (18%), COVID-19 (9%), sepsis (7%), and febrile neutropenia (7%). Fatal ARs within 28 days of last Jaypirca dose occurred in 11% of patients, most commonly due to infections (10%), including sepsis (5%) and COVID-19 (2.7%).

Dose Modifications and Discontinuations: ARs led to dose reductions in 3.6%, treatment interruption in 42%, and permanent discontinuation of Jaypirca in 9% of patients. ARs resulting in dose reductions in >1% included neutropenia; treatment interruptions in >5% of patients included pneumonia, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, and COVID-19; permanent discontinuation in >1% of patients included second primary malignancy, COVID-19, and sepsis.

Most common ARs (20%), excluding laboratory terms (all Grades %; Grade 3-4 %): fatigue (36; 2.7), bruising (36; -), cough (33; -), musculoskeletal pain (32; 0.9), COVID-19 (28; 7), pneumonia (27; 16), diarrhea (26; -), abdominal pain (25; 2.7), dyspnea (22; 2.7), hemorrhage (22; 2.7), edema (21; -), nausea (21; -), pyrexia (20; 2.7), headache (20; 0.9).

Select Laboratory Abnormalities (all Grades %; Grade 3 or 4 %) that Worsened from Baseline in 20% of Patients: neutrophil count decreased (63; 45), hemoglobin decreased (48; 19), calcium decreased (40; 2.8), platelet count decreased (30; 15), sodium decreased (30; -), lymphocyte count decreased (23; 8), ALT increased (23; 2.8), AST increased (23; 1.9), creatinine increased (23; -), lipase increased (21; 7), alkaline phosphatase increased (21; -). Grade 4 laboratory abnormalities in >5% of patients included neutrophils decreased (23).

Drug Interactions

Strong CYP3A Inhibitors: Concomitant use with Jaypirca increased pirtobrutinib systemic exposure, which may increase risk of Jaypirca ARs. Avoid use of strong CYP3A inhibitors with Jaypirca. If concomitant use is unavoidable, reduce Jaypirca dosage according to approved labeling.

Strong or Moderate CYP3A Inducers: Concomitant use with Jaypirca decreased pirtobrutinib systemic exposure, which may reduce Jaypirca efficacy. Avoid concomitant use of Jaypirca with strong or moderate CYP3A inducers. If concomitant use with moderate CYP3A inducers is unavoidable, increase Jaypirca dosage according to approved labeling.

Sensitive CYP2C8, CYP2C19, CYP3A, P-gp, or BCRP Substrates: Concomitant use with Jaypirca increased their plasma concentrations, which may increase risk of adverse reactions related to these substrates for drugs that are sensitive to minimal concentration changes. Follow recommendations for these sensitive substrates in their approved labeling.

Use in Special Populations

Pregnancy and Lactation: Due to potential for Jaypirca to cause fetal harm, verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to starting Jaypirca and advise use of effective contraception during treatment and for one week after last dose. Presence of pirtobrutinib in human milk is unknown. Advise women not to breastfeed while taking Jaypirca and for one week after last dose.

Geriatric Use: In the pooled safety population of patients with hematologic malignancies, patients aged 65 years experienced higher rates of Grade 3 ARs and serious ARs compared to patients <65 years of age.

Renal Impairment: Severe renal impairment increases pirtobrutinib exposure. Reduce Jaypirca dosage in patients with severe renal impairment according to approved labeling.

PT HCP ISI MCL_CLL AA JUN2024

Please see Prescribing Information and Patient Information for Jaypirca.

About Lilly

Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/news, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. P-LLY

Jaypirca is a registered trademark owned by or licensed to Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.

 Lilly USA, LLC 2024. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) about Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib) as a treatment for adult patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) after at least two lines of systemic therapy, including a BTK inhibitor, and as a treatment for adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) who have received at least two prior lines of therapy, including a BTK inhibitor and a BCL-2 inhibitor, and LY4152199 for the treatment of patients with B-cell malignancies and reflects Lilly's current beliefs and expectations. However, as with any pharmaceutical product, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of drug research, development, and commercialization. Among other things, there is no guarantee that studies will be completed as planned, that future study results will be consistent with the results to date, that Jaypirca will prove to be a safe and effective treatment for relevant indications, or that Jaypirca will receive additional regulatory approvals or be commercially successful. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from Lilly's expectations, see Lilly's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.

Mato AR, Shah NN, Jurczak W, et al. Pirtobrutinib in relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies (BRUIN): a phase 1/2 study. Lancet. 2021;397(10277):892-901. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00224-5 Hanel W, Epperla N. Emerging therapies in mantle cell lymphoma. J Hematol Oncol. 2020;13(1):79. Published 2020 Jun 17. doi:10.1186/s13045-020-00914-1 Gu D, Tang H, Wu J, Li J, Miao Y. Targeting Bruton tyrosine kinase using non-covalent inhibitors in B cell malignancies. J Hematol Oncol. 2021;14(1):40. Published 2021 Mar 6. doi:10.1186/s13045-021-01049-7

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Luca Mining Corp. ("Luca" or the "Company") (TSX-V: LUCA; OTCQX: LUCMF; Frankfurt: Z68) is pleased to announce the recommencement of principal repayments on its term loans with Trafigura Mexico S.A. de C.V. ("Trafigura"), a significant milestone in the Company's financial strategy. The Company is on track to eliminate its term debt in 2026, reflecting a stronger financial outlook and disciplined cash management.

Luca has outstanding loans with Trafigura totaling US$18.1 million. This total includes a non-interest-bearing convertible loan of US$5.8 million due in January 2027. The remaining US$12.3 million in term debt is scheduled for repayment by mid-2026, offering the Company added financial flexibility.

The Company commenced principal repayments to Trafigura on its outstanding term debt in October 2024, leveraging improved cash flow from its ongoing mining operations. This achievement reflects the Company's commitment to optimizing financial performance while focusing on operational efficiency. Luca remains focused on strengthening its balance sheet and reducing debt to support its long-term financial stability.

"Recommencing principal repayments marks a pivotal moment for Luca as we continue to enhance our financial stability," said Lisa Dea, CFO. "Our improved cash flow allows us to confidently resume debt repayments while maintaining our growth trajectory. This marks a critical step in strengthening our balance sheet and we are well-positioned to be debt-free by 2027. We are focused on using our cash flow to support both debt reduction and the continued success of our operations" <Listen to Lisa explain the company's plans>

As Luca reduces its debt, the Company expects to gain greater financial flexibility, enabling a focus on future growth opportunities and enhancing long-term shareholder value.

Luca's favourable debt status is a result of the Company successfully completing a restructuring transaction with Trafigura in January of this year. (See news release dated January 19, 2024.) The key result of this transaction was converting US$5.8 million of the term loan into the non-interest-bearing convertible debenture referenced above. A subsequent agreement was transacted in August 2024 (see Q2 Financial Statements) resulting in the principal payment dates of the term loan being pushed out, thereby giving the Company more options as we worked to improve our balance sheet.

Corporate Update

The Company also reports that Mr. Chris Richings, VP of Technical, has resigned from his position to pursue a new career opportunity. The Company would like to thank Chris for his valuable contributions to Luca. His expertise and dedication have been instrumental to our progress, and we wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

About Luca Mining Corp.

Luca Mining Corp (TSX-V: LUCA, OTCQX: LUCMF, Frankfurt: Z68) is a diversified Canadian mining company with two 100%-owned producing mines located in Mexico's prolific Sierra Madre mineralized belt home to numerous producing and historic mining operations. The Company produces gold, copper, zinc, silver, and lead, each with significant development potential and resource upside.

The Campo Morado mine, an underground operation in Guerrero State, produces copper-zinc-lead concentrates with precious metals credits. Currently, the mine is undergoing an optimization program that is already yielding substantial improvements in recovery rates, grades, efficiencies, and cash flows.

The Tahuehueto Gold and Silver Mine, Luca's newest underground operation in Durango State, is a key addition to the Company's portfolio and to the region's mining landscape. The mill at Tahuehueto is now in the commissioning phase, with commercial production expected by year-end

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

(signed) "Dan Barnholden"

Dan Barnholden, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, please visit: www.lucamining.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

It should be noted that Luca declared commercial production at Campo Morado prior to completing a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, readers should be cautioned that Luca's production decision has been made without a comprehensive feasibility study of established reserves such that there is greater risk and uncertainty as to future economic results from the Campo Morado mine and a higher technical risk of failure than would be the case if a feasibility study were completed and relied upon to make a production decision. Luca has completed a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") mining study on the Campo Morado mine that provides a conceptual life of mine plan and a preliminary economic analysis based on the previously identified mineral resources (see news releases dated November 8, 2017, and April 4, 2018).

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, impact of debt reduction on the Company's operations; conditions or financial performance that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified using words and phrases such as "plans," "expects," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, the impact of debt reduction on the Company's operations and operating performance, and increased financial flexibility resulting from such debt reduction. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Luca Mining Corp.
CINCINNATI, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Bioscience, Inc., a leading provider of diagnostic solutions and life science raw materials, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Bronze Medal in recognition of its continued commitment to sustainable business practices by EcoVadis, one of the world's most trusted business sustainability rating platforms. This marks the second consecutive year that Meridian has earned the Bronze Medal, highlighting its consistent efforts to integrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives throughout its business processes.

EcoVadis assesses organizations across four key categories: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. Meridian's latest score of 66 places the company in the top 16% of all companies rated globally. This year's score is a 9-point improvement over its 2023 score. The increase in Meridian's EcoVadis score is the result of refining policies and implementing best practices that deliver more sustainable operations that contribute to a healthier planet. This enhanced score reflects the company's dedication to continuous improvement in its ethical practices, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.

"Our second consecutive Bronze Medal achievement is a clear indication of Meridian's ongoing commitment to improving sustainability practices year over year," said Andy Kitzmiller, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer at Meridian Bioscience. "We are proud of our advancements and look forward to continuing this progress as we further align our operations with global sustainability standards to deliver long-term value for all Meridian stakeholders."

To learn more about Meridian's CSR initiatives, please visit: https://www.meridianbioscience.com/about/corporate-social-responsibility/.

About Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

Meridian is a fully integrated life science company that develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes a broad range of innovative diagnostic and life science products. We are dedicated to developing and delivering better solutions that give answers with speed, accuracy, and simplicity that are redefining the possibilities of life from discovery to diagnosis. Through discovery and development, we provide critical life science raw materials used in immunological and molecular tests for human, animal, plant, and environmental applications. Through diagnosis, we provide diagnostic solutions in areas including gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infections and blood lead level testing. We build relationships and provide solutions to hospitals, reference laboratories, research centers, veterinary testing centers, physician offices, diagnostics manufacturers, and biotech companies in more than 70 countries around the world. Meridian is a privately held company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Meridian's website address is www.meridianbioscience.com.

Contact:

Courtney Schulz

Director of Corporate and Digital Communications

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

Phone: 513.271.3700

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Meridian Bioscience, Inc.
ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A national survey by yes. every kid. foundation. reveals widespread dissatisfaction with K-12 education and strong support for local decision-making and flexibility in funding.

What voters are saying:

Voters want less federal control and more flexibility in education. Post this

Voters believe education is off track. By nearly 2:1, voters say K-12 education is headed in the wrong direction (56% vs. 31%).

By nearly 2:1, voters say K-12 education is headed in the wrong direction (56% vs. 31%). Republicans have an opportunity to lead on education. While Democrats have historically been more trusted on education, the gap is closing: 47% of voters now favor Democrats, while 42% trust Republicans on the issue.

While Democrats have historically been more trusted on education, the gap is closing: 47% of voters now favor Democrats, while 42% trust Republicans on the issue. Local control matters. Three-quarters of voters believe the federal government should fund schools, but only 28% think it should dictate spending. Only 12% cite the U.S. Department of Education as who they trust most to decide how federal K-12 education money is spent.

Three-quarters of voters believe the federal government should fund schools, but only 28% think it should dictate spending. Only 12% cite the U.S. Department of Education as who they trust most to decide how federal K-12 education money is spent. There is support for federal block granting K-12 funds. A majority (55%) favor block granting federal funds to states. Support grows to 59% with more information.

A majority (55%) favor block granting federal funds to states. Support grows to 59% with more information. Public school open enrollment is immensely popular. With 58% in favor, nearly twice as many voters support ending assigned school zones as those opposed, saying every child should access the best public school for them.

Quote from Matt Frendewey, vice president, yes. every kid. foundation.:

"Voters want less federal control and more flexibility in education. They trust states, communities, and familiesnot Washingtonto make the right choices for students. This is a call to create policies that empower families and give every child the opportunity to thrive."

Click here to view the polling memo and full survey results.

Survey Methodology

The survey of 1,000 registered voters was conducted online from October 31 to November 2, 2024, with fieldwork and sample provided by Dynata. The results were weighted to reflect a representative cross-section of American voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.

Media Contact:

Danielle Trevino

[email protected]

SOURCE yes. every kid. foundation.
NEW YORK, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- StorageMart and Manhattan Mini Storage Third Party Management, a trusted partner in the self storage industry, is excited to announce the onboarding of a new facility located at 41 East 21st Street that will operate under the Manhattan Mini Storage brand, adding to their growing portfolio in Manhattan. This additional self storage facility, developed and owned by Mequity Companies, will be managed under StorageMart and Manhattan Mini Storage Third Party Management program.

Self storage facility on E 21st Street now managed under StorageMart and Manhattan Mini Storage Third Party Management program.

The facility offers 2,103 units and 65,165 net rentable square feet, providing convenient storage solutions tailored to both individuals and businesses in the Flatiron District. Designed with the needs of the community in mind, the facility includes entirely interior climate controlled units and a large, enclosed pull-in loading bay.

"Adding this facility to the Manhattan Mini Storage family is an exciting opportunity for us and for our partner, Mequity Companies," said Herby Bowman, VP of Third Party Management at StorageMart and Manhattan Mini Storage. "Our focus is on maximizing facility performance and enhancing service standards to match the exceptional reputation of Manhattan Mini Storage within the New York market."

"Manhattan Mini Storage is the most dominant and recognizable storage brand in Manhattan and their portfolio performance has been outstanding," stated Mequity CEO, Bill Marsh. "These factors compelled us to make the switch. The StorageMart team has done a great job on the transition. We look forward to working with them to maximize the potential of our store."

The StorageMart and Manhattan Mini Storage Third Party Management program is designed to provide self storage owners and developers with industry-leading operational, marketing, and revenue management services, ensuring long-term success and maximizing value. The program recently expanded to include a bridge loan financing option for projects with Certificate of Occupancy, that have not yet stabilized. Learn more about the Bridge Lending Program at www.storage-mart.com/bridge-lending-program

About StorageMart Third Party Management: StorageMart Third Party Management is a premier self-storage property management service designed for property owners and investors. Backed by StorageMart's extensive portfolio of over $8 billion in assets, 24 million square feet of storage space, and 215,000 storage units worldwide, the third party management services are the reliable partner you can count on. For more information visit: https://www.storage-mart.com/self-storage-management.

Third Party Management Contact: Herby Bowman

[email protected]

About StorageMart: StorageMart is a leading provider of self storage solutions with a strong presence across the continental United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. Our commitment to customer satisfaction and innovative solutions has made us a trusted partner in the industry.

Contact: Sarah Little

573.449.0091

[email protected]

SOURCE Manhattan Mini Storage
CHICAGO, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nurse Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in nurse-led enterprises providing innovative solutions in healthcare, is pleased to announce its first seed-round investments in two startup businesses that serve both patients and nurses with innovative, first-of-their-kind products in the medical device and digital media platform spaces.

"As we make our first investments into these two innovative nurse-owned companies, we are not only providing capital but also deploying the strength of our carefully curated network of nurse executive leaders," stated Nurse Capital Co-founder Beth A. Brooks, PhD, RN, FACHE. "The expertise and insights of these nurse leaders will be instrumental in accelerating the growth of these ventures, helping them navigate the complexities of healthcare and scale their impact across the industry."

The companies are:

Chicago -based Wave Therapeutics: Founded in 2020 by Jessica Bussert, RN , CEO, Wave Therapeutics has developed the first AI-enabled, soft robotics cushioning technology to prevent and treat pressure injuries such as bedsores which afflict 3 million Americans every year. Mobility-impaired people are especially vulnerable to pressure injuries, which can be life-threatening and are the main cause of 60,000 deaths annually. Wave Therapeutics' patented Surf Wheelchair Cushion is designed to eliminate pressure "hot spots" on the body that can develop into bedsores. It combines a pulsing mechanism with its patented analytics platform to promote better blood flow to the heart and lungs, which is believed to properly reoxygenate affected tissues and reduce the risk of damage. Learn more at www.wavetherapeuticsinc.com.





Founded in 2020 by , CEO, Wave Therapeutics has developed the first AI-enabled, soft robotics cushioning technology to prevent and treat pressure injuries such as bedsores which afflict 3 million Americans every year. Mobility-impaired people are especially vulnerable to pressure injuries, which can be life-threatening and are the main cause of 60,000 deaths annually. Wave Therapeutics' patented Surf Wheelchair Cushion is designed to eliminate pressure "hot spots" on the body that can develop into bedsores. It combines a pulsing mechanism with its patented analytics platform to promote better blood flow to the heart and lungs, which is believed to properly reoxygenate affected tissues and reduce the risk of damage. Learn more at www.wavetherapeuticsinc.com. Los Angeles -based The Nursing Beat: Described as "theSkimm for nurses," The Nursing Beat (TNB) is a digital media platform that produces a daily digital newsletter designed for nurses, by nurses. The platform was founded in 2019 by two ER nursesTamara AL-Yassin, MBA, RN and Hannah W. Berns , MHI, RNwho value speed and efficiency. Their subscription-based newsletter provides a summary of the day's most important news and information that impact nurses, and includes valuable resources on the topics they care most about. The company also produces in-person events and professional publications targeted to nurses. Learn more at www.thenursingbeat.com

"As experienced healthcare providers themselves, the team at Nurse Capital are the perfect partners for helping to grow our business because they know firsthand the daily challenges care providers face trying to prevent and treat pressure injuries like bedsores," stated Wave Therapeutics Founder/CEO Jessica Bussert. "Their real-world experience in this area allowed them to be able to immediately recognize the life-saving technology we've created to solve this healthcare crisis, which costs the US economy over $30 billion annually."

"Nurse Capital's belief in us and their investment are a testament to the critical role nurses play in shaping the future of healthcare," stated The Nursing Beat's Co-founder and CEO Tamara AL-Yassin. "We're not just growing a media platform. We're nurturing a community that amplifies the collective voice of nurses and drives positive change in healthcare delivery."

Noted Nurse Capital Co-founder Marla Weston, PhD, RN, FAAN: "Nurse Capital is supporting the innovative thinking nurses bring to healthcare with the business knowledge to bring ideas to life. Together, we are empowering nurse entrepreneurs to drive meaningful change in healthcare."

About Nurse Capital

Nurse Capital is a women-founded and managed venture capital fund based in Chicago that makes early-stage investments in nurse entrepreneurs leading high-growth-potential businesses that are transforming the future of healthcare. Co-led by veteran nurses with extensive experience as practitioners, teachers, and consultants to businesses, universities, and healthcare organizations, the firm announced the close of its inaugural $1M Nurse Founders Fund in June 2024. The Fund focuses on Late Seed and Series A investments in startups founded and led by Registered Nurses (RNs) who are launching innovative products and services that improve patient health and wellness, safety and treatment approaches. Learn more at www.nursecapital.net.

To submit a pitch deck, contact Nurse Capital at https://nursecapital.net/contact/

SOURCE Nurse Capital
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The program for events scheduled as part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has been announced, Trend reports via the official COP29 website.

The program is set to roll out a smorgasbord of sessions, workshops, and keynote speeches covering hot-button issues like climate action, sustainability, and global partnership, as the website pointed out.

To note, in under a week, Azerbaijan will host COP29, the decision about which was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties, which is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the convention. Unless the parties have decided otherwise, COP is held annually. The inaugural COP event took place in March 1995 in the bustling city of Berlin, Germany, with its secretariat setting up shop in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
HALIFAX, NS, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Oberland Agriscience Inc, a Nova Scotia based company leveraging biology-fueled technology to set new standards in animal and soil health, has opened its 108,000sqft commercial black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) farm on the periphery of Halifax.

Founded in 2017 by Dr. Greg Wanger, Oberland is committed to utilizing modern innovations, such as AI, robotics, and predictive analytics, to elevate the power of black soldier fly larvae, delivering premium, nutritious, science-backed solutions for animal, agriculture, and soil health.

Oberland Agriscience's 108,000 sqft commercial facility is in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. (CNW Group/Oberland Agriscience Inc.)

"Black soldier fly larvae are a tremendous insect, capable of transforming almost any organic matter into a valuable protein with almost unrivaled efficiency," comments Dr. Wanger. "The food waste challenge isn't going away and the demand for high quality protein continues to escalate. We harness biology and cutting-edge technology to drive nutritional innovation, delivering natural, nutrient-dense solutions."

With a Ph.D. in Geology and Environmental Microbiology, plus five years at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab working on their optical organics mapper, SHERLOC, Dr. Wanger has experience sweating the small stuff crucial for getting from the lab bench, through pilot scale into commercial scale. Supported by a team committed to producing a low impact animal and soil nutrition solution, Oberland has spent several years honing their innovative process from pilot to commercial scale.

"Collectively, we have a responsibility to do better," continues Dr. Wanger. "Oberland's mission is to enable truly circular economies, and circular agriculture by transforming pre-consumer waste and food and beverage production by-products into valuable resources for animals and soil. We're driving a transparent, sustainable, zero-waste approach that supports animal and soil nutrition, while reducing reliance on unsustainable inputs."

As an active member of the North American Coalition for Insect Agriculture (NACIA), Dr. Wanger is attending the group's annual general meeting this week in North Carolina, where he and industry colleagues will collaborate to progress the insect agriculture industry and its future benefits.

About Oberland Agriscience Inc.

Oberland Agriscience Inc. integrates science and nature to elevate the efficiencies of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL), driving innovation, AI, robotics, and predictive analytics to deliver premium, nutritious, science-backed solutions that advance animal and soil health. We are committed to transparent, impactful, and scalable products for the markets we serve.

www.oberlandagrsicience.com

SOURCE Oberland Agriscience Inc.
NEW YORK, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global online doctor consultation market size is estimated to grow by USD 38.87 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 29.6% during the forecast period. Increasing incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases is driving market growth, with a trend towards advent of advanced technologies in providing online doctor consultations. However, privacy and data security concerns in online doctor consultations poses a challenge. Key market players include American Well Corp., Babylon Healthcare Services Ltd., Dictum Health Inc., Doctor Anywhere Pte. Ltd., Enghouse Systems Ltd., eVaidya Pvt. Ltd., Evernorth Health Inc., HealthTap Inc., Included Health Inc., Lybrate Inc. USA., Medify, Mind Health, Orane Healthcare India Pvt. Ltd., PlushCare of California Inc., Practo Technologies Pvt. Ltd., SATA CommHealth, Teladoc Health Inc., TeleHealth Medicine, Walmart Health Virtual care, and ZocDoc Inc..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Online Doctor Consultation Market 2024-2028

AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View your snapshot now

Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Product (Services and Software), Type (Audio chat and Video chat), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)) Region Covered North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Key companies profiled American Well Corp., Babylon Healthcare Services Ltd., Dictum Health Inc., Doctor Anywhere Pte. Ltd., Enghouse Systems Ltd., eVaidya Pvt. Ltd., Evernorth Health Inc., HealthTap Inc., Included Health Inc., Lybrate Inc. USA., Medify, Mind Health, Orane Healthcare India Pvt. Ltd., PlushCare of California Inc., Practo Technologies Pvt. Ltd., SATA CommHealth, Teladoc Health Inc., TeleHealth Medicine, Walmart Health Virtual care, and ZocDoc Inc.

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

The integration of advanced technologies, such as machine learning, predictive analytics, and IoT, in healthcare is driving the adoption of telehealth solutions, including online doctor consultations. Industry 4.0, which utilizes digital technologies and smart automation, is also positively impacting healthcare by enabling real-time patient monitoring and virtual reality systems for data collection. The growth of internet connectivity, the prevalence of smartphones, and the proliferation of wearable devices are expanding access to healthcare services and fueling the growth of mobile health. These trends are expected to boost the global online doctor consultation services market during the forecast period.

The online doctor consultation market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing use of smartphone cameras and video conferencing software. Doctors and medical practitioners are now able to connect with patients and clients remotely, making healthcare more accessible. With the widespread availability of data connection, digital transformation in the medical fraternity is gaining momentum. However, concerns around unauthorized access, data theft, breaches, and hacking remain. Cloud-based networks, computer sciences, and digital health platforms are key players in this space. Telemedicine market growth is driven by technological advancements, wireless penetration, and increasing smartphone users and broadband coverage. Doctor-on-call services are popular for managing chronic health conditions and lifestyle disorders. AI-assisted diagnosis support, e-OPD, e-pathology, e-radiology, e-counselling, e-health records, e-education, home consultation, and e-commerce services are all part of this digital health revolution. Hospitals and clinics are also joining the bandwagon, offering remote monitoring and AI-assisted diagnosis support. The younger generation's increasing Internet usage and acceptance of digital solutions are further fueling this trend.

Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample!

Market Challenges

Telehealth services, including online doctor consultations, have gained traction as an efficient alternative to traditional healthcare delivery methods. Advanced technology enables healthcare providers to offer superior healthcare services to patients worldwide. Data collection and transmission, such as patient health details and clinical information, are crucial for effective telehealth care. Routine data sharing from medical devices or mobile applications with medical professionals ensures continuous patient health monitoring. Maintaining data security and confidentiality is essential in the telehealth ecosystem, fostering trust between healthcare providers and patients. Federal and state regulations, like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, establish privacy standards to safeguard patients' medical records. However, unauthorized access to medical data, data breaches, hacking, and loss of data during transmission pose significant threats to the telehealth industry. These concerns may hinder the growth of the global online doctor consultation market. Notably, instances of healthcare data breaches have escalated, particularly during the public health emergency. For example, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which enforces HIPAA regulations, temporarily waived certain data security requirements, allowing providers to use non-compliant communication platforms. After August 9, 2023 , telehealth providers must adhere to HIPAA standards to maintain patient privacy and data security, mitigating these threats and ensuring market growth.

, telehealth providers must adhere to HIPAA standards to maintain patient privacy and data security, mitigating these threats and ensuring market growth. The online doctor consultation market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing internet usage and the younger generation's preference for digital solutions. This trend is particularly noticeable in the area of lifestyle disorders. Healthcare providers are embracing telehealth and telemedicine services, including E-OPD, E-Pathology, E-Radiology, E-Counselling, and E-Health records, to reach more patients and improve accessibility. Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a key role in this evolution, with AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants providing initial consultations and triage. Hospitals and clinics are offering home consultation services, while e-commerce platforms are integrating healthcare services such as telepsychiatry, teleradiology, and teletreatment. Private and government hospitals, independent consultants, rehabilitation centers, retail clinics, and urgent care centers are all adopting digital healthcare services to enhance their offerings. The use of laptops, tablets, and high-speed internet enables information exchange and machine-to-machine communication, facilitating efficient data movement and healthcare service delivery. Population growth and the technological aid provided by mHealth and digital health services are driving the demand for online doctor consultations. The healthcare system is undergoing a technological evolution, with digital health services becoming an integral part of the healthcare ecosystem.

Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report

Segment Overview

This online doctor consultation market report extensively covers market segmentation by

Product

1.1 Services

1.2 Software

Type

2.1 Audio chat

2.2 Video chat

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 Europe

3.3 Asia

3.4 Rest of World (ROW)

1.1 Services- The online doctor consultation market is experiencing significant growth due to advancements in technology and enhanced internet services. Key clinical services, including live video conferencing, remote patient monitoring, and mobile health (mHealth), enable healthcare professionals to deliver effective and precise consultations remotely. This trend is driving the demand for a broad spectrum of telehealth services in the healthcare industry. Prominent players, such as American Well Corp. (AmWell), Babylon Healthcare Services Ltd. (Babylon Health), and MDLIVE Inc. (MDLIVE), offer online doctor consultation services. Patients can interact with medical staff via secure messaging or instant messaging for non-urgent medical issues. Video consultations facilitate real-time, face-to-face interaction for symptom evaluation and medical issue outlining. Audio-only consultations are suitable for discussing medical concerns and answering questions. Transmission of health data from wearable technology or home monitoring devices allows medical professionals to efficiently manage chronic illnesses. Electronic prescriptions can be written and transmitted to selected pharmacies, streamlining the prescription process. Patients can consult specialists in various medical fields, such as dermatology, cardiology, orthopedics, and mental health. By 2025, HealthUno aims for a 25% market share in India, currently conducting 1,500 daily consultations with 600+ doctors, aiming to expand its doctor network to 5,000 and launch an online pharmacy, UnoPharmacy. The growing demand for online doctor consultations fuels the global market's expansion during the forecast period.

Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022)

Research Analysis

The online doctor consultation market is experiencing exponential growth due to the increasing usage of the internet and the younger generation's preference for digital solutions. With the rise of lifestyle disorders, there is a growing demand for convenient and accessible healthcare services. Artificial intelligence (AI) and technological aid are revolutionizing the healthcare system by enabling telehealth, telemedicine, mHealth, and digital healthcare services. Hospitals and clinics are embracing these digital solutions through E-OPD, E-Pathology, and e-commerce services. Retail clinics and urgent care centers are also joining the bandwagon, offering consultations via laptops, tablets, and smartphone cameras. High-speed internet, smartphone cameras, video conferencing software, and data connection have made online doctor consultations a viable alternative to traditional in-person visits. Population growth and the availability of high-speed internet and smartphones are driving the market's growth.

Market Research Overview

The online doctor consultation market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing usage of the internet and the younger generation's preference for digital solutions. Lifestyle disorders are on the rise, driving the demand for convenient and accessible healthcare services. Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the healthcare industry with telehealth and telemedicine becoming increasingly popular. E-OPD, E-Pathology, E-Radiology, E-Counselling, and E-Health records are transforming traditional hospital and clinic services. Home consultation and hospital consultation are also gaining traction in the digital healthcare landscape. Telepsychiatry, teleradiology, teletopathology, and other telehealth specialties are providing remote diagnosis and treatment options. Digital healthcare services include e-commerce platforms, retail clinics, urgent care centers, mobile-based health applications, and mHealth. The technological evolution is enabling remote monitoring, digital health platforms, and big data-based systems, which offer AI-assisted diagnosis support. However, concerns around data security and privacy, including unauthorized access, data theft, breaches, and hacking, need to be addressed in cloud-based networks. The digital transformation of the healthcare system is being facilitated by technological aid, including laptops, tablets, smartphone cameras, video conferencing software, and high-speed internet. The telemedicine market is witnessing technological advancements, wireless penetration, and smartphone users, broadband coverage, and doctor-on-call services. The healthcare service delivery is being revolutionized, catering to the needs of patients, clients, and medical practitioners alike. However, it is essential to ensure that digital health services are secure and reliable to maintain trust and confidence in the digital healthcare ecosystem.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Product

Services



Software

Type

Audio Chat



Video Chat

Geography

North America



Europe



Asia



Rest Of World (ROW)

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
TULSA, Okla. , Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ParagonX Holdings, Inc. (OTC:CAVR)  ParagonX Holdings, Inc. provided the following update to shareholders on its transformation of the company:

Caprino Management, LLC continues to manage the company's transformation and is evaluating acquisition opportunities.

The company announced it had entered into agreements to divest Canary Travel and AV Rover. Both have withdrawn their participation in the 3(a)(10) settlement with EROP, and the company canceled all notes and other contingent liabilities associated with their respective purchase agreements.

The company is negotiating with remaining creditors, including two of the largest convertible note holders, to restructure its debt in a shareholder-favorable manner and bring these debts out of default.

The company continued to reduce its debt obligations.

The company has entered into a letter of intent with an entity that would be accretive to the company upon closing.

"We're filing the appropriate disclosures and documents to bring the company back into compliance with OTC Markets; we've put the company in a much better position by dramatically reducing the 3(1)(10) obligation to EROP, we're negotiating with all note holders, and we are seeing revenue growth in our remaining operations." Joe Caprino, President of Caprino Management and Acting CEO of ParagonX Holdings, Inc.

"With all of the work Joe Caprino has done, we are heading to our goal of being able to be in a position to support our operations, make acquisitions, and improve enterprise value," said Kevin V. Cox  Chairman of the Board.

PARAGONX HOLDINGS:

ParagonX is a holding company with a portfolio of companies in construction and logistics as outlined in its respective OTC filings. The Company is a Nevada corporation and was founded in the late nineties. The Company website is www.ltbh.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including statements that include the words "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "project," "forecast," "estimate," "may," "should," "anticipate" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other essential factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Company

SOURCE ParagonX Holdings, Inc.
New and returning winter beverages give back to Food 4 Farmers

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Philz Coffee launches its winter menu today, bringing back two fan favorites  the beloved Gratitude blend and Winter Bliss coffee  and introducing two new cold brew beverages.

The return of the Gratitude blend marks the start of the giving season and Philz Coffee's annual fundraiser for Food 4 Farmers , a nonprofit that partners with coffee-farming communities in Latin America to cultivate a food-secure future and put nutritious food on the table year-round.

Philz Coffee launches its winter menu, bringing back two fan favorites  the beloved Gratitude blend and Winter Bliss coffee  and introducing two new cold brew beverages, Spiced Gratitude Cold Brew and Winter Bliss Cold Brew. Philz Coffee will donate a portion of proceeds from all four winter menu items to Food 4 Farmers, which partners with coffee-farming communities in Latin America to cultivate a food-secure future and put nutritious food on the table year-round.

Philz Coffee has partnered with Food 4 Farmers for almost a decade and has donated nearly $600,000 to help provide sustainable food solutions for over 1,000 farming families.

"Thanks to the support from our loyal partners like Philz Coffee, countless farming families have profoundly benefited from our efforts," said Food 4 Farmers Director and co-founder Marcela Pino. "We are incredibly grateful for our longstanding partnership with Philz Coffee, which helps us provide food assistance to Latin American farmers who grow coffee that is enjoyed throughout the world."

Philz Coffee will donate a portion of proceeds from all four winter menu items:

Gratitude blend: Created in 2020 to thank customers and team members for their support through a tough year, this blend has notes of toasted walnut, caramel and dried citrus. Customers can enjoy Gratitude hot or iced in-store or bring a bag home to enjoy all season long.

Created in 2020 to thank customers and team members for their support through a tough year, this blend has notes of toasted walnut, caramel and dried citrus. Customers can enjoy Gratitude hot or iced in-store or bring a bag home to enjoy all season long. Winter Bliss : This creamy Ghirardelli mocha is made with the Gratitude blend and holiday spices.

This creamy Ghirardelli mocha is made with the Gratitude blend and holiday spices. New  Spiced Gratitude Cold Brew: Gratitude blend is steeped overnight with spices to craft this refreshing holiday cold brew.

Gratitude blend is steeped overnight with spices to craft this refreshing holiday cold brew. New  Winter Bliss Cold Brew: Philz's refreshing new take on its popular Winter Bliss incorporates Spiced Gratitude cold brew into this creamy Ghirardelli mocha.

"The two new winter cold brews showcase our commitment to crafting memorable drink experiences for our guests," said Philz Coffee Vice President of Marketing Jessica Mitchell. "Our partnership with Food 4 Farmers gives them even more reason to come in all season long and enjoy our entire winter lineup."

While in Philz stores, customers can check out new seasonal Philz merchandise launching on Nov. 15. The collection will include a cozy embroidered crew neck sweatshirt, a seasonal 100% cotton T-shirt and a sleek gray Miir tumbler featuring the Philz logo.

Philz Coffee's winter lineup is available at its 70-plus locations in California and Chicago. To find a location, visit philzcoffee.com/locations . To learn more about Food 4 Farmers, visit https://food4farmers.org/ .

About Philz Coffee

Founded in 2003 in San Francisco, Philz Coffee specializes in customized blends made from sustainably sourced green coffee beans from around the world and skillfully roasted at its Oakland roasting facility. Today, Philz Coffee is the largest independent third-wave coffee brand in the United States and has over 70 stores across California and Chicago. Philz Coffee has remained committed to its mission to Better Days for everyone, every day, through community and high-quality coffee handcrafted one cup at a time. Philz Coffee can be purchased at Philz locations, in select grocery stores and online and is also available in Philz K-Cup pods.

To learn more about Philz Coffee and find the nearest location, visit philzcoffee.com .

Media Contact:

Kayla Limon

[email protected]

817-329-3257

SOURCE Philz Coffee
Meet Chris Moneymaker and other ACR Pros on the virtual felt and take a seat at a table with your favorite ACR players

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Poker players can get ready for a fun experience at the tables as ACR Poker will be hosting a special Meet-up Game this Thursday, November 7th.

Featuring ACR Pros like Chris Moneymaker and Chris Moorman, alongside ACR Ambassadors Rene Nezhoda and Casey Nezhoda, the ACR Pro / Ambassador Meet-up Game will cater to players of all levels with a range of cash games, from micro to high stakes.

We're hosting an online Meet-up Game on Thursday, November 7th at 2pm ET.

On Thursday, November 7th at 2pm ET, poker fans can tune in to catch all the excitement online on ACR Poker's Twitch channel as the pros battle it out in random matchups throughout the stream.

For a chance to jump in on the action and compete, players can simply grab the password from any of the ACR Pros' social media channels on the event day. Those who just choose to watch will see many of the Pros sharing their poker wisdom throughout the stream.

"We've got something for everyone at this ACR Pro / Ambassador Meet-up Game, from micro to high stakes cash games. Whether you're there to just watch or beat the pros, it's going to be an event to remember," said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. "Be sure to grab the password from any ACR Pro's social media account, as you won't want to miss out. And hey, if you're not at my table, I hope you crush it!"

To learn more about the ACR Pro / Ambassador Meet-up Game, visit ACRPoker.eu.

About ACR Poker

Formerly known as Americas Cardroom, ACR Poker joined the Winning Poker Network in 2011. The Winning Poker Network has been dealing cards since 2001 and continues to be one of the most trusted names in the industry. Rated first place for payment processing and cashout reliability repeatedly over the last few years, ACR Poker offers outstanding customer service and a friendly environment for all poker players around the world.

Media Contact:

Adam Neal

+447845582487

SOURCE ACR Poker
TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Orthopaedic Solutions Management (OSM), a leading orthopedic services provider, is pleased to welcome Ravi Chari, MD as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2024. Dr. Chari succeeds Mike Doyle, who will transition to the role of Executive Chairman.

Dr. Chari brings over 35 years of experience in healthcare, having most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of InnovaCare Health. Prior to this, he spent 15-years with HCA Healthcare, ultimately serving as the President of the West Florida Division where he was responsible for overseeing 15 Hospitals, 14 Ambulatory Surgical Centers, and 10 Free-Standing Emergency Rooms along Florida's west coast. Prior to this, he served as the COO of the HCA Healthcare Clinical Services Group where he led HCA's Clinical Excellence Agenda across 185 hospitals. Ravi graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine and completed his surgical residency at Duke University and his fellowship training at the University of Toronto in Hepatobiliary Surgery and Abdominal Organ Transplantation. He later joined Vanderbilt University Medical Center and rose to the level of Professor (with tenure) and Chief of the Division of Liver Surgery and Transplantation. While at Vanderbilt he earned his MBA degree. He has authored or co-authored over 100 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and 30 chapters in textbooks, has been an NIH funded investigator and has been a member of 6 editorial boards, including Cancer and Surgery.

"We are thrilled to welcome Ravi as the new CEO of Orthopaedic Solutions Management," said Mike Doyle. "His extensive experience, credibility and strategic leadership will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and expand our capabilities to better serve our patients and partners."

Dr. Chari has been at the forefront of medical care his entire career. His strategic vision and proven track record in driving operational excellence and fostering innovation make him an ideal fit to lead OSM in its next phase of growth.

Dr. Chari added, "I am honored and excited to join OSM as CEO. I look forward to working closely with our talented team to drive innovation, enhance patient outcomes, and deliver value to our physicians and stakeholders."

In his new role, Ravi will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of OSM's operations, including ensuring the highest standards of quality and patient care. His deep understanding of the industry landscape and commitment to advancing orthopedic care will further strengthen OSM's position as a nationally recognized leader in orthopedic care.

About OSM

OSM is a physician-led musculoskeletal services platform that empowers physicians to deliver the highest quality care available. OSM's physicians are known nationally for their work in orthopedic surgery and have been named among the best orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. The shared vision amongst OSM and its practice partners is to develop the industry leader in orthopedic medicine through excellence in clinical quality, value, research, and education. Since its formation in 2019, OSM has grown to be one of the largest and fastest growing orthopedic services providers in the country. Today OSM's platform includes over 150 physicians across Florida and South Georgia. For more information, visit www.ortho-solutions.com.

For more information on Orthopaedic Solutions Management, please contact:

Ravi Chari, MD

[email protected]

SOURCE Orthopaedic Solutions Management
The ROS-1 NSCLC current market is mainly dominated by tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as XALKORI at present and is anticipated to be dominated by Repotrectinib, Taletrectinib, and NVL-520 by 2034. Additionally, the market for ROS1 inhibitors is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. This is due to the increasing biomarker testing rates, the increasing number of patients who are being diagnosed with different types of cancers, the growing awareness of ROS1 mutations, and entry of next-generation emerging ROS1 TKIs with superior CNS penetration and broader coverage of ROS1 resistance mutations than first-generation TKIs.

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's ROS1 Inhibitors Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, emerging ROS1 inhibitors, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted ROS1 inhibitors market size from 2020 to 2034, segmented into the 7MM [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Key Takeaways from the ROS1 Inhibitors Market Report

As per DelveInsight's analysis, the ROS-1 inhibitor market size in the 7MM for ROS-1 Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was estimated to be nearly USD 290 million in 2023, in which the US accounted for the maximum share of the total market.

in 2023, in which the US accounted for the maximum share of the total market. In the US, the highest revenue was captured by XALKORI (crizotinib), which is anticipated to decline owing to the entry of next-generation ROS-1 targeting therapies by 2034.

(crizotinib), which is anticipated to decline owing to the entry of next-generation ROS-1 targeting therapies by 2034. Leading ROS1 inhibitor companies such as AnHeart Therapeutics , Nuvalent , and others are developing novel ROS1 inhibitors that can be available in the ROS1 inhibitors market in the coming years.

, , and others are developing novel ROS1 inhibitors that can be available in the ROS1 inhibitors market in the coming years. Some of the key ROS1 inhibitors in the pipeline include Taletrectinib , NVL-520 , and others.

, , and others. In March 2024 , China's second National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) accepted taletrectinib's new drug application (NDA) and granted Priority Review Designation for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive NSCLC who have been previously treated with ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

, second National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) accepted (NDA) and granted for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive NSCLC who have been previously treated with ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In February 2024 , NVL-520 received the Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Discover which therapies are expected to grab the ROS1 inhibitors market share @ ROS1 Inhibitors Market Report

ROS1 Inhibitors Market Dynamics

The market dynamics for ROS1 inhibitors are shaped by several key factors, including the growing incidence of NSCLC, advancements in precision medicine, and the competitive landscape of pharmaceutical innovation. The prevalence of ROS1 gene rearrangements in NSCLC, although rare (occurring in about 1-2% of cases), has spurred significant interest among pharmaceutical companies in developing therapies that can effectively target this genetic anomaly. As a result, the market is seeing increased investment in R&D activities aimed at enhancing the efficacy and safety profiles of ROS1 inhibitors.

One of the major drivers of the ROS1 inhibitors market is the growing adoption of personalized medicine approaches in oncology. As molecular diagnostics become more sophisticated and widely available, more patients with NSCLC are being identified as candidates for ROS1-targeted therapies. This has led to an increased demand for these inhibitors, as they offer a more tailored and potentially more effective treatment option compared to traditional chemotherapy. Moreover, the approval of several ROS1 inhibitors by regulatory bodies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) has further fueled market growth, providing oncologists with a broader arsenal of treatment options.

The competitive landscape of the ROS1 inhibitors market is characterized by both established pharmaceutical giants and smaller biotech firms vying to capture market share. Companies like Pfizer, with its drug XALKORI (crizotinib), were early entrants in this space and have set a high standard for subsequent therapies.

Choosing between XALKORI, ROZLYTREK, and AUGTYROthe recommended first-line treatments approved by the FDArequires taking into account factors including systemic and CNS efficacy, tolerability, and access to therapy. Notably, ROS1 TKI resistance always arises, reducing the therapeutic effectiveness of these medications and causing disease recurrence. Numerous next-generation ROS1 TKIs are currently in the pipeline, which cover a wider range of ROS1 resistance mutations and have better CNS penetration than first-generation TKIs, as well as other therapeutic approaches to treat TKI resistance. These advancements have been made possible by understanding of the molecular mechanisms of resistance. Newer entrants are challenging dominance of current TKIs. This competition is expected to drive innovation and potentially lead to the development of more effective treatments with fewer side effects.

Another important aspect of the ROS1 inhibitors market dynamics is the pricing and reimbursement landscape. As with many targeted therapies, the high cost of ROS1 inhibitors poses a challenge for healthcare systems, particularly in countries with limited healthcare budgets. Reimbursement policies can significantly impact the adoption of these therapies, making it crucial for pharmaceutical companies to engage with healthcare payers to ensure that patients have access to these potentially life-saving treatments. Additionally, the emergence of biosimilars and generics could play a role in making ROS1 inhibitors more affordable and accessible, further influencing market dynamics.

ROS1 Inhibitors Treatment Market

The ROS1 inhibitor shows exceptional effectiveness in treating NSCLC, including both well-established therapies with regulatory approval and new treatments in development. ROS1 inhibitors have transformed the management of NSCLC, becoming a critical therapeutic strategy.

The current market for ROS-1 NSCLC is primarily led by TKIs like XALKORI. XALKORI functions as a TKIs, targeting the ALK or ROS1 kinases, which activate the ALK or ROS1 gene. This action prevents the oncogenic fusion proteins from triggering gene expression. Additionally, approved treatments like ROZLYTREK (entrectinib) and ZYKADIA (ceritinib) have shown remarkable success in ROS1-positive NSCLC, with indications extending across various stages of the disease.

ROZLYTREK, an oral prescription medication developed by Genentech, is designed for adults with NSCLC that has metastasized and is linked to an abnormal ROS1 gene. Additionally, it is prescribed for adults and children aged one month and older with solid tumors caused by specific abnormal NTRK genes, especially when the cancer has spread, or surgery could lead to severe complications. This treatment is used when there are no satisfactory alternative options, or when the cancer persists or spreads despite other treatments.

In August 2019, the FDA granted accelerated approval to ROZLYTREK for adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with solid tumors that have an NTRK gene fusion without a known resistance mutation, that are metastatic, or where surgical removal is likely to cause significant complications, and have either progressed after treatment or have no other satisfactory standard therapy options. Additionally, ROZLYTREK was approved for adults with metastatic ROS1-positive NSCLC. The drug is also being explored for its potential in treating other cancers, including breast and colorectal cancer.

Learn more about the FDA-approved ROS1 inhibitors @ ROS1 Inhibitors Drugs

Key Emerging ROS1 Inhibitors and Companies

Several key players, including Genentech, Pfizer, Novartis, Bristol Mayer Squibb, AnHeart Therapeutics, and others, are involved in developing drugs for ROS1 inhibitors for various indications such as NSCLC, breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and others.

Taletrectinib is an oral, potent, brain-penetrant, and selective next-generation ROS1 inhibitor, considered a potential best-in-class treatment. It is currently being evaluated in a Phase II interventional study for ROS1-positive NSCLC in both TKI-naive patients and those previously treated with TKIs. Developed by AnHeart Therapeutics, taletrectinib received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA in March 2024.

In 2023, China's NMPA accepted its first NDA and granted Priority Review Designation for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive NSCLC previously treated with ROS1 TKIs. In March 2024, a second NDA was accepted by the NMPA for first-line treatment of ROS1-positive lung cancer. Additionally, in 2021, Innovent and AnHeart Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Nuvation Bio, entered an exclusive licensing agreement for the co-development and commercialization of taletrectinib in Greater China, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Zidesamtinib is a new brain-penetrant inhibitor specifically designed to target ROS1, aimed at addressing the challenges of treating tumors driven by ROS1 mutations that have become resistant to existing ROS1 inhibitors. This includes tumors with the common G2032R "solvent front" resistance mutation. The drug also avoids inhibiting the closely related TRK family and is intended to treat brain metastases. Currently, in Phase II trials, it is being studied as NVL-520 for its high selectivity in patients with advanced NSCLC and other solid tumors (ARROS-1). This drug is being developed by Nuvalent, and in February 2024, NVL-520 received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA.

The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies are poised to transform the ROS1 inhibitors market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the ROS1 inhibitors market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth.

To know more about ROS1 inhibitors clinical trials, visit @ ROS1 Inhibitors Treatment Drugs

ROS1 Inhibitors Overview

Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (ROS1) is a crucial transmembrane receptor protein that governs various cellular processes, including apoptosis, survival, differentiation, proliferation, cell migration, and transformation. It plays a significant role in several malignancies, such as glioblastoma, colorectal cancer, gastric adenocarcinoma, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, ovarian cancer, angiosarcoma, and non-small cell lung cancer. A ROS1 inhibitor is a compound that blocks the activity of the abnormal ROS1 fusion protein found in certain cancer cells. By inhibiting this protein, ROS1 inhibitors may help prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells.

These inhibitors are a form of targeted therapy, with all ROS1 inhibitors being multi-kinase inhibitors capable of inhibiting Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK), Mesenchymal Epithelial Transition (MET), and other kinases, in addition to ROS1. ROS1 kinase inhibitors specifically target the kinase domain of ROS1. Conventional kinases are classified into DFG-in (active, type I) and DFG-out (inactive, type II) based on their domain conformation. For patients with stage four ROS1-positive lung cancer, a ROS1 TKI or ROS1 inhibitor is recommended.

ROS1 Inhibitors Epidemiology Segmentation

ROS1 oncogenic fusions are observed in 1-2% of NSCLC patients. It is estimated that there are more than 4,000 newly diagnosed patients with ROS1-positive NSCLC in the United States each year. The ROS1 inhibitors market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 20202034 in the 7MM segmented into:

Total Cases of Selected Indications for ROS1 Inhibitor

Total Eligible Patient Pool of Selected Indication for ROS1 Inhibitor

Total Treatable Cases in Selected Indication for ROS1 Inhibitor

ROS1 Inhibitors Report Metrics Details Study Period 20202034 ROS1 Inhibitors Report Coverage 7MM [The United States, the EU-4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan] Key ROS1 Inhibitors Companies AnHeart Therapeutics, Nuvalent, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Pfizer, and others Key ROS1 Inhibitors Taletrectinib, NVL-520, AUGTYRO, ROZLYTREK, XALKORI, and others

Scope of the ROS1 Inhibitors Market Report

ROS1 Inhibitors Therapeutic Assessment: ROS1 Inhibitors current marketed and emerging therapies

ROS1 Inhibitors current marketed and emerging therapies ROS1 Inhibitors Market Dynamics: Conjoint Analysis of Emerging ROS1 Inhibitors Drugs

Conjoint Analysis of Emerging ROS1 Inhibitors Drugs Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, ROS1 Inhibitors Market Access and Reimbursement

Discover more about ROS1 inhibitors in development @ ROS1 Inhibitors Clinical Trials

Table of Contents

1 Key Insights 2 Report Introduction 3 Executive Summary of ROS1 Inhibitor 4 Key Events 5 Epidemiology Market Forecast Methodology 6 ROS1 Inhibitor Market Overview at a Glance in the 7MM 6.1. Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2023 6.2. Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2034 6.3. Market Share (%) Distribution by Indications in 2023 6.4. Market Share (%) Distribution by Indications in 2034 7 ROS1 Inhibitor: Background and Overview 7.1. Introduction 7.2. Potential of ROS1 Inhibitors in Different Indications 7.3. Clinical Applications of ROS1 Inhibitors 8 Target Patient Pool 8.1. Assumptions and Rationale 8.2. Key Findings 8.2. Total Cases of Selected Indication for ROS1 Inhibitors in the 7MM 8.3. Total Eligible Patient Pool of Selected Indication for ROS1 Inhibitors in the 7MM 8.4. Total Treatable Cases in Selected Indication for ROS1 Inhibitors in the 7MM 9 Marketed Therapies 9.1. Key Competitors 9.2. ROZLYTREK (entrectinib): Genentech 9.2.1. Product Description 9.2.2. Regulatory milestones 9.2.3. Other developmental activities 9.2.4. Clinical development 9.2.5. Safety and efficacy 9.3. XALKORI (crizotinib): Pfizer 9.3.1. Product Description 9.3.2. Regulatory milestones 9.3.3. Other developmental activities 9.3.4. Clinical development 9.3.5. Safety and efficacy List to be continued in the report 10 Emerging Therapies 10.1. Key Competitors 10.2. Taletrectinib: AnHeart Therapeutics 10.2.1. Product Description 10.2.2. Other developmental activities 10.2.3. Clinical development 10.2.4. Safety and efficacy 10.3. NVL-520: Nuvalent 10.3.1. Product Description 10.3.2. Other developmental activities 10.3.3. Clinical development 10.3.4. Safety and efficacy List to be continued in the report 11 ROS1 Inhibitors: Seven Major Market Analysis 11.1. Key Findings 11.2. Market Outlook 11.3. Conjoint Analysis 11.4. Key Market Forecast Assumptions 11.4.1. Cost Assumptions and Rebates 11.4.2. Pricing Trends 11.4.3. Analogue Assessment 11.4.4. Launch Year and Therapy Uptakes 11.5. Total Market Sizes of ROS1 Inhibitors in the 7MM 11.6. The United States 11.6.1. Market Size of ROS1 Inhibitors by Indications in the United States 11.6.2. Market Size of ROS1 Inhibitors by Therapies in the United States 11.7. EU4 and the UK 11.7.1. Market Size of ROS1 Inhibitors by Indications in EU4 and the UK 11.7.2. Market Size of ROS1 Inhibitors by Therapies in EU4 and the UK 11.8. Japan 11.8.1 Market Size of ROS1 Inhibitor by Indications in Japan 11.8.2. Market Size of ROS1 Inhibitors by Therapies in Japan 12 SWOT Analysis 13 KOL Views 14 Unmet Needs 15 Market Access and Reimbursement 16 Appendix 16.1. Bibliography 16.2. Report Methodology 17 DelveInsight Capabilities 18 Disclaimer 19 About DelveInsight

Related Reports

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Market

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast  2032 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key NSCLC companies, including EMD Serono, Merck, Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc., Celgene, CellSight Technologies, Inc., BeyondSpring Pharmaceuticals Inc., J Ints Bio, Forward Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Teligene US, Rain Oncology Inc, ReHeva Biosciences, Inc., Amgen, Novartis, RedCloud Bio, Parexel, Vitrac Therapeutics, LLC, Mythic Therapeutics, Instil Bio, Mirati Therapeutics Inc., Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., AstraZeneca, Precision Biologics, Inc, Promontory Therapeutics Inc., Palobiofarma SL, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Revolution Medicines, Inc., Cullinan Oncology, LLC, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc., Innate Pharma, among others.

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Pipeline

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Pipeline Insight  2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key non-small cell lung cancer companies, including BridgeBio Pharma, Daiichi Sankyo, EMD Serono, Merck, BridgeBio Pharma, Abbvie, Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Company BioNTech SE, Shenzhen TargetRx, Taiho Pharmaceutical, Chong Kun Dang, Bristol Myers Squibb, Innovent Biologics, Xuanzhu Biopharmaceutical, Bayer, GeneScience Pharmaceuticals, InventisBio, Apollomics, Imugene, Ono Pharmaceutical, Pierre Fabre, Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Surface Oncology, Inhibrx, Sinocelltech, Mirati Therapeutics, REVOLUTION Medicines, Yong Shun Technology Development, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Galecto Biotech, among others.

HER2-mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Pipeline

HER2-mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Pipeline Insight  2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer companies, including Dizal Pharmaceuticals, Puma Biotechnology, AstraZeneca, Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, among others.

Small Cell Lung Cancer Market

Small Cell Lung Cancer Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast  2032 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key small cell lung cancer companies, including Ascentage Pharma, Merck & Co, AstraZeneca, Advenchen Laboratories, Advanced Accelerator Applications, Trillium Therapeutics, Wigen Biomedicine, Linton Pharm, Carrick Therapeutics, among others.

About DelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve.

Contact Us

Shruti Thakur

[email protected]

+14699457679

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg

SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As Saudi Arabia accelerates toward its Vision 2030 goals, Monsha'at, the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, is set to host Biban24 from November 5-9 in Riyadh. This premier event will unite entrepreneurs, investors, and SMEs globally to foster innovation, investment, and growth opportunities across the Kingdom. A key highlight of this year's event will be the launch of a comprehensive report on Saudi Arabia's entrepreneurial ecosystem, showcasing the latest economic insights, trends, and opportunities for SMEs in alignment with Vision 2030.

The newly launched report, reveals Saudi Arabia's remarkable progress in creating a dynamic business environment, catalyzed by a robust set of economic reforms and an ambitious diversification strategy. According to the report, Saudi Arabia experienced a 4.9% growth in non-oil economic activity in Q2 2024, reinforcing its position as a global hub for SMEs and foreign investors.

As one of the most eagerly attended events of its kind in the region, Biban24 will serve as a platform for collaboration, partnership building and the meaningful exchange of insights and ideas. Participants, including entrepreneurs and business owners, will be invited to make the most of 25,000-plus training, mentorship, and counseling sessions, gaining greater insight into launching and growing successful enterprises.

The forum also presents a unique networking opportunity for international entrepreneurs and investors, enabling them to connect with local entities and explore business openings within Saudi Arabia's burgeoning sectors. Biban24 serves as the ideal forum to provide SMEs with the strategic guidance and funding resources essential to drive sustainable growth and technological innovation.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of key sectors targeted for development, such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and cultural tourism. It emphasizes Saudi Arabia's commitment to empowering SMEs through financial support programs and regulatory changes that lower business setup costs and streamline licensing processes.

Saudi Arabia has ensured economic stability by prioritizing growth in non-oil sectors, a strategic shift that has resulted in continued growth in non-oil activities, as highlighted by the report's findings. Biban24 will enable SMEs to harness these opportunities, with sessions dedicated to strategic growth, innovation, and sustainability across the Kingdom's diverse economic landscape.

To read the report, visit here: https://www.monshaat.gov.sa/sites/default/files/2024-11/V7.0%D9%80Monshaat%D9%80Biban24_EN.pdf

SOURCE Biban24 Forum
Over 70% of Brands Predict RCS Will Become a Primary Customer Communication Channel Within Five Years

STOCKHOLM, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinch (Sinch AB (publ)) (XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Customer Communications Cloud, reports that brands' interest in Rich Communication Services (RCS) and RCS Business Messaging (RBM) is now rising rapidly. Sinch's discussions with an expert panel of senior marketing and digital communications specialists from major European brands found that over 70% expect RCS to be one of their primary customer communication channels within the next five years, while 73% predict it will become the default messaging channel within a decade.

Apple's support of RCS, which was previously exclusive to Android devices, marks a significant step forward for both individuals and businesses. Individuals can now enjoy seamless rich content messaging between iPhone and Android users, as well as read receipts and group messaging. With the release of iOS 18.1 on October 28th, Apple now also supports RBM in select markets and carriers. Apple's support for RBM allows businesses to communicate with audiences on all devices through a single, native channel using branded, verified senders with rich and conversational capabilities.

According to Sinch's expert panel, Apple's adoption of RCS has accelerated the channel's adoption among brands as well, with many planning or already moving to implement the new messaging standard. Key motivators include the "verified sender" feature and the ability to communicate directly with customers without the need for third-party apps  both cited as critical factors driving RCS adoption.

When asked about their primary motivation for adding RCS to their communications strategies, most experts emphasized the opportunity to "build innovative customer experience (CX) solutions," followed closely by the desire of a "secure and verified communication channel."

The research also revealed that 90% of experts, across sectors like financial services, insurance, and retail, believe that RCS will be "extremely significant" within their industries.

Sinch has already observed a notable 22% increase in RCS messaging volumes between businesses and customers from January 2023 till September 2024, indicating strong momentum. "RCS is quickly becoming a must for brands looking to enrich their customer communication strategies", said Virginie Debris, Senior Vice President of Product of messaging at Sinch. "Two-thirds of respondents believe partnerships with CPaaS vendors like Sinch are critical for success with RCS, highlighting the need for integrated, scalable solutions."

As brands increasingly build RCS into their omnichannel strategies, Sinch continues to lead the way, offering cutting-edge solutions catering to diverse business messaging needs and driving innovation in communication.

Footnote:

Sinch's expert panel comprised of 11 marketing and digital communication decision makers, directly responsible for the adoption of customer communication technology, including RCS. The experts span across industries including financial services, insurance, and retail. The findings were completed between August-September 2024.

For more information contact:

Janet Lennon

Director of Global Communications

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/sinch-ab/r/sinch-reports-increased-interest-in-rcs-messaging-as-apple-adds-rcs-to-ios-18,c4061071

SOURCE Sinch AB
Infosys Springboard digital inclusion platform to support residents gain critical digital and employability skills

LONDON, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced a collaboration with Southwark Council to launch its digital learning platform - Springboard in the borough. This initiative aims to provide Southwark residents, colleges, and schools with free access to Infosys' flagship digital learning platform, Springboard.

Southwark Council has created a three-year strategy to support digital inclusion across all its communities, delivered alongside the council's wider strategic framework. The council believes that access to the internet, a device, and the skills to go online should be considered the fourth utility, no different from gas, water, and electricity.

Springboard is Infosys' flagship digital learning platform designed to empower people, communities, and society with skills to be successful in the 21st century. The platform features content spanning digital learning, emerging technologies, and life skills. Collaborating with curriculum partners, non-profits, and a global network of leading educational institutions, Springboard is led by a team of experts who are truly invested in equipping the residents of the borough with the right tools and resources to participate in society and the digital economy.

Infosys Springboard will help Southwark residents acquire new skills and enhance employability, supporting individuals, communities, and businesses alike. In particular, it aims to be available to everyone for free to help increase digital literacy across the board and ensure nobody is left behind. The platform will also support digitally engaged communities by making devices and digital assets available to those who need them.

The announcement follows a successful 2021 deployment of Springboard in Brent, which sought to tackle the digital skills gap and boost employability post-lockdown. Succeeded by Sandwell in 2023, where the Springboard platform has helped residents unlock new opportunities to innovate and give them the digital skills needed for the future. Since the launch of the initiatives with Brent and Sandwell councils over 50,000 registered users are actively benefiting from over 10,000 courses offered through the Springboard platform.

Following the success of Brent and Sandwell, the key objectives of Infosys Springboard in Southwark include:

Digital Literacy for All: The platform will be freely accessible to everyone, promoting digital literacy and ensuring that no one is left behind.

The platform will be freely accessible to everyone, promoting digital literacy and ensuring that no one is left behind. Supporting Digitally Engaged Communities: Springboard will make devices and digital assets available to those who cannot afford them, fostering digitally engaged communities.

Springboard will make devices and digital assets available to those who cannot afford them, fostering digitally engaged communities. Boosting Entrepreneurship and Business Services: Entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized businesses can enhance their services through digital efforts.

Dionne Lowndes, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Southwark Council, said: "Partnering with Infosys to bring the Springboard platform to Southwark is a significant step towards realising our ambitious three-year digital strategy. The initiative will not only empower our residents, but local businesses too, with vital digital skills and resources. By enhancing this kind of accessibility and fostering innovation, we are working to enable our community to thrive in an ever-advancing technological world."

Thirumala Arohi, Executive Vice President and Head  Education, Training and Assessment, Infosys, emphasised the importance of upskilling and reskilling. Arohi said: "Empowering individuals, entrepreneurs and small and medium sized businesses through digital efforts is a key focus for Infosys. Our collaboration with Southwark Council will help provide essential digital skills for individuals who can't afford them, fostering digitally engaged communities. We are committed to ensuring equitable access to digital education and look forward to seeing a positive impact on Southwark's residents and businesses as they embrace new opportunities and innovations."

For more information about Infosys Springboard, please click HERE.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, increased competition for talent, our ability to attract and retain personnel, increase in wages, investments to reskill our employees, our ability to effectively implement a hybrid work model, economic uncertainties and geo-political situations, technological disruptions and innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, and cybersecurity matters. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/4364085/Infosys_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Infosys
As the first-ever UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Central Asia approaches, new polling by Montfort Eurasia highlights significant regional differences in attitudes toward climate change and a substantial credibility gap regarding the conferences awareness and impact.

Polling of a representative sample of urban populations aged 18 and over across Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in August 2024 found:

Mixed views on the need for action to tackle Climate Change

The polling highlights stark contrasts in attitudes towards climate change. While over a quarter of respondents (28%) expressed deep concern, the level of urgency varies dramatically between nations. In Uzbekistan, 38% of respondents said they were "very concerned" about the issue, followed by Kazakhstan at 33%. However, in Georgia, 26% of respondents reported being unconcerned - outnumbering those who said the issue was a serious one for them (20%).

These findings reflect a region sharply divided on whether climate change is an immediate priority or a lesser issue, making it challenging to build consensus around climate action and sustainability.

A significant Awareness Gap around COP 29

Awareness of COP29 is also uneven across the region. In Azerbaijan, 85% of respondents are familiar with the upcoming conference, but this drops significantly in other countries, where fewer than half of those polled had heard of COP29 or understood its importance. This highlights the challenge of raising the events profile beyond the host nation.

Despite 51% of Azerbaijanis expressing strong support for hosting the conference, only 37% of respondents across the region share the same enthusiasm. Even more strikingly, only 22% of respondents believe that international climate conferences like COP29 are "highly effective" in addressing global climate issues. This points to a credibility gap that COP29 organisers will need to overcome by delivering tangible results.

Clear sustainability priorities, across the region

The poll also identifies key sustainability priorities across the region. Natural resource preservation and waste reduction emerge as the top concerns for respondents, reflecting an emphasis on immediate environmental issues. Expansion of renewable energy ranks third, indicating an openness to future-focused solutions like solar and wind energy. Meanwhile, sustainable agriculture and emissions reduction are seen as lower priorities, suggesting that broader global challenges may not yet resonate as strongly in the region.

This polling provides an unprecedented look into how the region's 80+ million citizens view climate change and sustainability," said Eleanor Kramers, Managing Director at Montfort Eurasia. "For international businesses entering or operating in Central Asia, these findings highlight both the opportunities and challenges of responding to local priorities. As COP29 approaches, understanding these regional perspectives will be crucial for developing strategies that drive tangible sustainability outcomes and long-term business success.

Montfort Eurasia will be on the ground in Baku supporting clients and contacts. The full breakdown of polling data is available on request.
HAMILTON, Bermuda, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Paratus Energy Services Ltd. (the "Company") announces that a Special General Meeting of Shareholders was held today at 09:00 (local time), at 4th Floor, Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, Bermuda.

The following proposals, as set out in the Notice attached to the stock exchange announcement published on 22 October 2024, were approved by the Company's shareholders at the Special General Meeting:

To set the maximum number of Directors to be not more than eight. To resolve that vacancies in the number of Directors be designated as casual vacancies and that the Board of Directors be authorized to fill such vacancies as and when it deems fit. To elect Mark Anthony Lovell Mey as a Director of the Company. To approve the aggregate remuneration of the Company's Board of Directors to be such amount as the Board may determine from time to time not to exceed US$600,000 for the year ended 31 December 2024 .

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements according to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/paratus-energy-services-ltd/r/special-general-meeting-held---resolutions-passed-by-shareholders,c4061627

SOURCE Paratus Energy Services Ltd
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Investment bank Charter Capital Partners ("Charter") announced that its client, SuperiorX Investigations ("SuperiorX"), has been acquired by Command Investigations LLC ("Command"), portfolio company of Monument MicroCap Partners LLC. Command is a full-service provider of private investigation services intended for insurance defense. The transaction was led by Charter team members Mike Brown, Partner and Managing Director, Zach Wiersma, Director, Justin Pinto, Vice President, Travis Read, Analyst, and Kevin Caballero, Analyst.

SuperiorX Managing Partners Robert Murray and Michael Huntsman said, "We believe it was critical to find a partner with similar aspirations and core values as we enter the next phase of growth at SuperiorX. Joining forces with Command allows us to better serve our clients with an expanded geographic reach and complementary services. We are thrilled to partner with Seth and the rest of the Command team."

"This transaction serves as a pivotal moment for SuperiorX, allowing the team to join forces with a national partner," said Mike Brown. "I am proud that Charter could help the shareholders reach their transaction goals and look forward to seeing what the future holds for the combined company."

Robert Murray founded SuperiorX in 2001 as a private investigations firm specializing in surveillance services for workers' compensation claims. Since then, SuperiorX has expanded its offerings to include a broad range of services such as comprehensive investigations, social media investigations, process serving, and unmanned surveillance, supporting insurance claims, legal proceedings, and workers' compensation cases. In 2017, Michael Huntsman founded CrossXamine Investigations, which joined SuperiorX through a stock merger in 2023. This strategic merger further enhanced SuperiorX's service offerings, workforce, and customer base.

"SuperiorX is a welcomed addition to the Command family of brands, given the similarities in company culture, commitment to excellence and operational approach," said Seth Markham, Command CEO. "SuperiorX will greatly expand our reach within the state of Michigan and help grow our combined revenues by providing customers with enhanced service offerings and an extended coverage area."

About SuperiorX:

Founded in 2001, SuperiorX provides specialized investigative services for insurance companies, law firms, TPAs, and corporate clients. Its services include manned and unmanned surveillance, ACP and background investigations, social media investigations, and process services. Clients primarily employ SuperiorX's services as a defense tactic to mitigate losses by gathering evidence related to fraudulent insurance claims, legal proceedings, and internal corporate issues. www.superiorx.com

About Command:

Based in Lake Mary, Florida, Command Investigations is a full-service private investigation company that offers a full suite of investigative services, including Surveillance, Remote Surveillance, Background Investigations, Medical Canvasses, Social Media Investigations, Field Investigations, and SIU Services to the insurance defense community. Command is best known for its unparalleled customer service and unrivaled investigative knowledge and experience. With offices in California, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas, Command offers services nationwide. www.gocommand.com

About Charter:

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Charter Capital Partners provides premier, sell-side representation and customized investment banking solutions designed to meet the specific needs and goals of each client. The Charter team blends extensive experience with deep industry expertise and personalized service to help corporations, family-owned businesses, and private equity groups seamlessly transition from acquisition to growth to eventual sale. www.chartercapitalpartners.com.

Principals of Charter acted in their capacity as licensed investment banking agents of M&A Securities Group, Inc. Member FINRA/SiPC, a separate entity from Charter Capital Partners.

SOURCE Charter Capital Partners
PETALUMA, Calif., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tangram Insurance Services, Inc. ("Tangram"), a Managing General Agency and Program Manager, is proud to announce its 25th anniversary. Over the past quarter-century, Tangram has established itself as a trusted partner in the insurance industry, delivering innovative solutions and exceptional service to its clients.

Founded in 1999, Tangram Insurance Services has grown from a small startup into a nationally recognized firm, known for its expertise in niche markets and commitment to excellence. The company offers a wide range of specialty insurance programs, including workers' compensation, property and casualty, and professional liability, tailored to meet the unique needs of various industries.

"We are thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone," said Rekha Skantharaja, President and CEO of Tangram Insurance Services. "Our success over the past 25 years is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, the loyalty of our clients, and the strong partnerships we have built within the industry. We are excited to continue our journey and look forward to many more years of growth and innovation."

Throughout its history, Tangram has remained committed to its core values of integrity, innovation, and client-centric service. The company's ability to adapt to changing market conditions and anticipate the needs of its clients has been key to its sustained success.

To mark this milestone, Tangram Insurance Services will be hosting a series of events and initiatives throughout the year, including community service projects, client appreciation events, and industry seminars. These activities are designed to give back to the community, celebrate the company's achievements, and share insights on the future of specialty insurance.

"We are grateful to everyone who has been a part of our journey," added Skantharaja. "As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we remain focused on our mission to provide exceptional insurance solutions and support the success of our clients. Here's to the next 25 years!"

To learn more about Tangram's 25-year milestone, please visit the anniversary page at www.tangramins.com/tangram-25th-anniversary

About Tangram Insurance Services, Inc.

Tangram Insurance Services, Inc. is a national program manager bringing in-depth expertise and specialized program capabilities to a variety of industries. With 25 years of experience in the program space, Tangram partners with top insurance companies to deliver niche insurance solutions. For more information, please visit tangramins.com.

SOURCE Tangram Insurance Services
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tennessee Oncology, a nationally recognized independent oncology practice that cares for nearly half of Tennessee's cancer patients across 36 locations, proudly announces the opening of its new cancer care center in Johnson City. The clinic will be staffed by Jamal Maatouk, MD, Teresa Lord, MD, and a dedicated 30-member care team.

"Expanding access to cancer care in Johnson City enables Tennessee Oncology to deliver world-class cancer treatment to the Tri-Cities region, eliminating the need for patients to travel long distances for the same high-quality care as they would receive in Nashville or Chattanooga," said Natalie Dickson, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tennessee Oncology. "We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Maatouk and Dr. Lord to our team and proud to broaden our reach to meet the needs of communities across Tennessee."

Dr. Maatouk, formerly with Ballad Health Cancer Center in Kingsport, Tennessee, and Dr. Lord, who treated patients in the Tri-Cities at Ballad Health Cancer Center before relocating to Atlanta, are excited to bring their expertise to the region. Together, they will care for patients from Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Elizabethton, and Jonesborough.

This new clinic opening is part of Tennessee Oncology's recent expansion, which includes partnerships with The Surgical Clinic, a multidisciplinary surgical practice with 42 surgeons and 15 advanced practice providers, and Nashville Breast Center, a premier facility dedicated to comprehensive breast health. Additionally, Tennessee Oncology has recently welcomed respected gynecological and radiation oncologists to further enhance the practice's cancer care services.

About Tennessee Oncology:

Tennessee Oncology, one of the nation's largest community-based cancer care practices, is home to one of the leading clinical trial networks in the country. Established 1976 in Nashville, Tennessee Oncology's mission remains unchanged: To provide access to high-quality cancer care and the expertise of clinical research for all patients, at convenient locations within their community and close to their home. Our growing network of physicians and locations is based on this mission. For more information, visit www.tnoncology.com.

SOURCE Tennessee Oncology
CAMBRIDGE, Mass, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, George W. McCarthy is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for his contributions as A Visionary Leader in Housing and Land Policy.

George W, McCarthy

George W. McCarthy, renowned for his exceptional leadership and expertise in housing and land policy, continues to make strides in shaping the future of urban development. Serving as the president and chief executive officer of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge, Massachusetts, since 2014, Dr. McCarthy has led the institute through a period of unprecedented growth and global impact.

With a career spanning 39 years in the industry, Dr. McCarthy's leadership has been instrumental in expanding the Lincoln Institute's workforce from 38 to over 160 employees and more than tripling its budget. Under his guidance, the institute has forged global partnerships with major organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), further solidifying its influence in the realm of housing and land policy.

Dr. McCarthy's academic background serves as the foundation of his illustrious career, with a Doctor of Philosophy in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Arts in economics from Duke University, and a Bachelor of Arts in economics and mathematics from the University of Montana.

Throughout his tenure, Dr. McCarthy has been actively involved in various professional associations, including the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, and the International Association of Assessing Officers, among others. His dedication to advancing housing and land policy has been recognized through numerous career accomplishments, including the introduction of new centers and capabilities to the Lincoln Institute and facilitating its ability to confer undergraduate and graduate degrees through a merger with Claremont Lincoln University.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. McCarthy is supported by his loving wife, Florence "Tootie" Larios, as he continues to envision a future of growth and success for the Lincoln Institute and the field of housing and land policy.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle
ORRVILLE, Ohio, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The J.M. Smucker Co. (NYSE: SJM) will release its second quarter fiscal 2025 financial results on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. A press release, including financial statements and segment information, supplemental materials, pre-recorded management remarks, and a transcript of the pre-recorded remarks will be available beginning at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The Company will webcast a live question and answer session with Mark Smucker, Chair of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Tucker Marshall, Chief Financial Officer, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on that date.

The Company will host its 2024 Investor Day on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Standard Time in New York City. Due to capacity limitations, in-person attendance at the event is by invitation only; however, the Company invites interested shareholders, investors, and consumers to listen to its live webcast or event replay of the executive management presentations.

The live webcasts and replays for both events can be accessed at the Company's website: investors.jmsmucker.com.

About The J.M. Smucker Co.

At The J.M. Smucker Co., it is our privilege to make food people and pets love by offering a diverse family of brands available across North America. We are proud to lead in the coffee, peanut butter, fruit spreads, frozen handheld, sweet baked goods, dog snacks, and cat food categories by offering brands consumers trust for themselves and their families each day, including Folgers, Dunkin', Cafe Bustelo, Jif, Uncrustables, Smucker's, Hostess, Voortman, Milk-Bone, and Meow Mix. Through our unwavering commitment to producing quality products, operating responsibly and ethically and delivering on our Purpose, we will continue to grow our business while making a positive impact on society. For more information, please visit jmsmucker.com.

The J.M. Smucker Co. is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for Dunkin', which is a trademark of DD IP Holder LLC. The Dunkin' brand is licensed to The J.M. Smucker Co. for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels, such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, e-commerce and drug stores, and in certain away from home channels. This information does not pertain to products for sale in Dunkin' restaurants.

SOURCE The J.M. Smucker Co.
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The M Family Foundation is thrilled to announce the success of its 8th annual Superhero Race Against Cancer. The event brought together a passionate community of nearly 600 participants, uniting for a common cause: supporting families affected by pediatric and ovarian cancer. The event, combined with other September initiatives, raised a record-breaking $124,602.11 to aid families in need, a testament to the foundation's mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those battling cancer.

M Family Foundation Logo

Held during September, Ovarian Cancer and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the event attracted participants nationwide and even as far as Italy. Notably, this year set new records in all areas, including attendance, funds raised, volunteers, and sponsorships, with 25 companies contributing to the foundation's initiatives.

"We were overwhelmed by the community's passion and support," shared Lyndsey Berry, M Family Foundation's Director of Outreach. "This year, we not only shattered records in participation and donations but also in the impact we made. The event showcased the strength that comes from unity, and it underscored our shared belief in a brighter future for families facing a cancer diagnosis."

Throughout September, the foundation amplified its support with a series of initiatives. Key highlights include:

Awareness Campaigns : A pediatric cancer awareness billboard in Palm Beach and social media campaigns to educate and inspire the public.

: A pediatric cancer awareness billboard in and social media campaigns to educate and inspire the public. Support Initiatives : Funding essentials such as rent, utilities, and grocery cards for multiple families in October, extending the foundation's reach beyond the race.

: Funding essentials such as rent, utilities, and grocery cards for multiple families in October, extending the foundation's reach beyond the race. Family Experiences: 18 VIP Disney tours for honoree families, family vacations, and Disney tickets to uplift families and provide joy-filled experiences.

Looking Forward

M Family Foundation has assisted 36 families to date, doubling its impact from the previous year. The generosity of the community and sponsors has not only provided financial support but also fostered an enduring network of care and encouragement.

The M Family Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated, volunteered, donated, and sponsored this year's event. With the overwhelming success of the Superhero Race Against Cancer, the foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting families year-round.

This record-breaking event has highlighted the power of collective action and compassion, embodying the mission of the M Family Foundation to bring hope, strength, and support to those who need it most.

M Family Co-Founder and Cancer Advocate Kelly McCarthy shared, "At the heart of what we do is standing shoulder to shoulder with families, becoming family ourselves. We care deeply, we uplift, we listen, we create memories, and we provide support when it's needed most. Above all, M Family's greatest strength is truly being FAMILY."

About the M Family Foundation

The M Family Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer and pediatric cancer. Through diverse events and donor outreach, the foundation provides social support, financial assistance, and personalized experiences, striving to make a meaningful impact on the lives of affected families. While we do not have a cure, we can reduce stress and create moments that matter!

Contact Information:

For more information, to register, or to donate, visit mfamilyfoundation.org.

Lyndsey Berry

Director of Outreach

[email protected]

(770) 401-1258

Media Contact:

Nicole Meyer

Marketing Coordinator

[email protected]

(407) 902-1742

SOURCE M Family Foundation
Third quarter revenue of $284 million , up 3% year over year, in line with guidance

Gross margin of 61%, compared to 52% during the third quarter of 2023

Year to date cash flow from operations of $241 million and free cash flow of $162 million *

Florida adult-use campaign support of $48 million during the third quarter

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp . (CSE: TRUL ) (OTCQX: TCNNF ) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the U.S., today announced its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Results are reported in U.S. dollars and in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles unless otherwise indicated. Numbers may not sum perfectly due to rounding.

Q3 2024 Financial and Operational Highlights*

Revenue of $284 million increased 3% year over year, with 95% of revenue from retail sales.

increased 3% year over year, with 95% of revenue from retail sales. Achieved gross margin of 61%, with GAAP gross profit of $173 million .

. Reported net loss attributable to common shareholders of $60 million . Adjusted net loss of $12 million * excludes $48 million in campaign support and other non-recurring charges, asset impairments, disposals and discontinued operations.

. Adjusted net loss of * excludes in campaign support and other non-recurring charges, asset impairments, disposals and discontinued operations. Achieved adjusted EBITDA of $96 million *, or 34% of revenue, up 24% year over year.

*, or 34% of revenue, up 24% year over year. Generated cash flow from operations of $30 million and free cash flow of $(7) million *, both of which were impacted by $48 million in campaign support.

and free cash flow of *, both of which were impacted by in campaign support. Cash and short term investments at quarter end totaled $319 million .

. Launched adult use sales at three Ohio locations: Beavercreek, Columbus , and Westerville .

locations: Beavercreek, , and . Rolled out #YesOn3 product line to support Smart and Safe Florida adult-use campaign.

Entered partnership with Professional Pickleball Association and Major League Pickleball to sponsor events in Arizona , Florida , and Georgia .

, , and . Opened 15 new dispensaries in Florida and Pennsylvania .

and . Ended the quarter with 30% of retail locations outside of the state of Florida .

*See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for additional information and a reconciliation to GAAP for all Non-GAAP metrics.

Recent Developments

Opened five new retail locations in Bonita Springs , Hallandale , Lake Placid , Orlando , and St. Augustine, Florida .

, , , , and . Currently operate 220 retail dispensaries and over four million square feet of cultivation and processing capacity in the United States .

Management Commentary

"As voters in Florida cast their ballots across the state today, there is an opportunity to make history by approving cannabis legalization for personal use," said Kim Rivers, Trulieve CEO. "With 156 stores in Florida, scaled production capacity, and sufficient capital to support further investment, if approved, Trulieve is best positioned to fully prepare for the launch of recreational sales next Spring."

Financial Highlights*

Results of Operations For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended (Figures in millions except per

share data) September

30, 2024 September

30, 2023 % Better /

(Worse) June 30,

2024 % Better /

(Worse) September

30, 2024 September

30, 2023 % Better /

(Worse) Revenue $ 284 $ 275 3 % $ 303 (6 %) $ 885 $ 842 5 % Gross profit $ 173 $ 143 21 % $ 182 (5 %) $ 529 $ 435 22 % Gross margin %

61 %

52 %



60 %



60 %

52 %

Operating expenses $ 173 $ 120 (44 %) $ 132 (31 %) $ 432 $ 686 37 % Operating expenses %

61 %

43 %



43 %



49 %

81 %

Net loss** $ (60) $ (25) (137 %) $ (12) NMF $ (95) $ (493) 81 % Net loss continuing

operations $ (60) $ (23) (163 %) $ (11) NMF $ (94) $ (399) 76 % Adjusted net (loss) income $ (12) $ (15) 19 % $ 0 NMF $ (22) $ (47) 53 % Basic and diluted shares

outstanding

190

189



190



190

189

EPS continuing operations $ (0.32) $ (0.12) (168 %) $ (0.04) NMF $ (0.52) $ (2.09) 75 % Adjusted EPS $ (0.06) $ (0.08) 20 % $ 0.00 NMF $ (0.12) $ (0.25) 54 % Adjusted EBITDA $ 96 $ 78 24 % $ 107 (10 %) $ 309 $ 235 32 % Adjusted EBITDA Margin %

34 %

28 %



35 %



35 %

28 %





NMF - No Meaningful Figure *See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for additional information and a reconciliation to GAAP for all Non-GAAP metrics. **Net loss attributable to common shareholders which excludes non-controlling interest.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and live audio webcast on November 5, 2024, at 8:30 A.M. Eastern time, to discuss its third quarter 2024 financial results. Interested parties can join the conference call by dialing in as directed below. Please dial in 15 minutes prior to the call.

North American toll free: 1-844-824-3830

Passcode: 3735709





International: 1-412-542-4136

Passcode: 3735709

A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available at:

Trulieve Cannabis Corp Q3 2024 Earnings

A powerpoint presentation and archived replay of the webcast will be available at:

https: //investors.trulieve.com/events

The Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, will be available on the SEC's website or at https://investors.trulieve.com/quarterly-results . The Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the period and the accompanying financial statements and notes will be available under the Company's profile on https://www.sedarplus.ca/landingpage/ and on its website at https://investors.trulieve.com/quarterly-results . This news release is not in any way a substitute for reading those financial statements, including the notes to the financial statements.

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (in millions, except for share data)



September 30,

2024

December 31,

2023 ASSETS





Current Assets:





Cash and cash equivalents $ 237.7

$ 201.4 Short-term investments 80.2

 Restricted cash 0.9

6.6 Accounts receivable, net 9.0

6.7 Inventories 220.9

213.1 Income tax receivable 5.8

 Prepaid expenses 19.2

17.6 Other current assets 26.6

23.7 Notes receivable - current portion, net 1.8

6.2 Assets associated with discontinued operations 0.9

2.0 Total current assets 603.0

477.3 Property and equipment, net 701.6

676.4 Right of use assets - operating, net 116.1

95.9 Right of use assets - finance, net 65.6

58.5 Intangible assets, net 873.3

917.2 Goodwill 483.9

483.9 Notes receivable, net 5.8

7.4 Other assets 23.0

10.4 Long-term assets associated with discontinued operations 2.0

2.0 TOTAL ASSETS $ 2,874.2

$ 2,729.1 LIABILITIES





Current Liabilities:





Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 96.1

$ 83.2 Deferred revenue 6.7

1.3 Notes payable - current portion 3.3

3.8 Operating lease liabilities - current portion 11.6

10.1 Finance lease liabilities - current portion 9.1

7.6 Construction finance liabilities - current portion 1.8

1.5 Contingencies 4.6

4.4 Liabilities associated with discontinued operations 3.5

3.0 Total current liabilities 136.7

114.8 Long-Term Liabilities:





Private placement notes, net 364.4

363.2 Notes payable, net 112.8

115.9 Operating lease liabilities 113.4

92.2 Finance lease liabilities 68.4

61.7 Construction finance liabilities 135.9

136.7 Deferred tax liabilities 204.2

207.0 Uncertain tax position liabilities 384.1

180.4 Other long-term liabilities 6.5

7.1 Long-term liabilities associated with discontinued operations 39.4

41.6 TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 1,565.8

$ 1,320.4 MEZZANINE EQUITY





Redeemable non-controlling interest $ 7.1

$  SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY





Common stock, no par value; unlimited shares authorized. 189,154,228 and

186,235,818 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30,

2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. $ 

$  Additional paid-in-capital 2,048.0

2,055.1 Accumulated deficit (736.0)

(640.6) Non-controlling interest (10.7)

(5.9) TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 1,301.3

1,408.6 TOTAL LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY, AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 2,874.2

$ 2,729.1

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (in millions, except for share data)



Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023 Revenue $ 284.3

$ 275.2

$ 885.3

$ 842.2 Cost of goods sold 111.0

132.3

356.6

407.4 Gross profit 173.3

142.9

528.7

434.8 Expenses:













Sales and marketing 66.7

59.4

191.0

181.2 General and administrative 81.9

34.5

161.5

108.7 Depreciation and amortization 28.3

27.0

84.2

82.6 Impairment and disposal of long-lived assets, net of (recoveries) (4.3)

(1.2)

(4.4)

5.5 Impairment of goodwill 





307.6 Total expenses 172.7

119.6

432.3

685.6 Income (loss) from operations 0.6

23.3

96.5

(250.8) Other income (expense):













Interest expense, net (17.5)

(20.8)

(47.6)

(60.9) Interest income 4.2

1.9

11.5

4.3 Gain on debt extinguishment 

8.2



8.2 Other (expense) income, net (0.2)

1.1

(4.8)

5.9 Total other expense, net (13.5)

(9.6)

(40.9)

(42.6) (Loss) income before provision for income taxes (12.8)

13.7

55.6

(293.4) Provision for income taxes 47.4

36.6

150.0

105.9 Net loss from continuing operations (60.2)

(22.9)

(94.4)

(399.3) Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit

(provision) of zero, zero, zero, and $(0.6), respectively (1.6)

(2.9)

(4.6)

(99.1) Net loss (61.9)

(25.8)

(99.0)

(498.3) Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

from continuing operations (1.4)

(0.5)

(2.8)

(3.8) Less: net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest

from continuing operations (0.3)



(0.9)

 Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest from

discontinued operations 





(1.2) Net loss attributable to common shareholders $ (60.2)

$ (25.4)

$ (95.3)

$ (493.4)















Earnings Per Share (see numerator reconciliation below)













Net loss per share - Continuing operations:













Basic and diluted $ (0.32)

$ (0.12)

$ (0.52)

$ (2.09) Net loss per share - Discontinued operations:













Basic and diluted $ (0.01)

$ (0.02)

$ (0.02)

$ (0.52) Weighted average number of common shares used in computing net

loss per share:













Basic and diluted 190.2

188.9

190.0

189.0















EPS Numerator Reconciliation













Net loss attributable to common shareholders (from above) $ (60.2)

$ (25.4)

$ (95.3)

$ (493.4) Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to

common shareholders 1.6

2.9

4.6

97.9 Adjustment of redeemable non-controlling interest to maximum

redemption value (2.1)



(9.0)

 Net loss from continuing operations available to common

shareholders $ (60.6)

$ (22.5)

$ (99.7)

$ (395.5)

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (in millions)



Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023 Cash flows from operating activities













Net loss $ (61.9)

$ (25.8)

$ (99.0)

$ (498.3) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating

activities:













Depreciation and amortization 28.3

27.0

84.2

83.6 Depreciation included in cost of goods sold 13.3

14.5

40.1

45.4 Gain on debt extinguishment 

(8.2)



(8.2) Impairment and disposal of long-lived assets, net of (recoveries) (4.3)

(1.2)

(4.4)

5.5 Impairment of goodwill 





307.6 Amortization of operating lease right of use assets 3.0

2.5

8.3

7.8 Share-based compensation 5.5

4.5

15.6

7.4 Allowance for credit losses 0.5

0.5

4.9

0.9 Deferred income taxes (6.2)

(6.5)

(2.7)

(18.7) Loss from disposal of discontinued operations 

0.6



69.8 Other non-cash changes (0.3)

1.7

0.9

5.0 Changes in operating assets and liabilities:













Inventories (13.3)

26.2

(8.3)

66.5 Accounts receivable (1.5)

(1.2)

(0.7)

(1.9) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4.9

4.3

(0.9)

9.3 Other assets (1.1)

0.3

(6.1)

2.0 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 4.9

8.9

4.6

4.5 Income tax receivable / payable 0.5

(0.1)

(4.3)

(49.9) Other liabilities 

0.9

0.2

(14.4) Operating lease liabilities (1.6)

(2.1)

(6.0)

(6.9) Deferred revenue 2.3

(2.2)

5.3

(6.0) Uncertain tax position liabilities 51.0

50.7

203.8

61.8 Other long-term liabilities 1.8

(1.8)

(0.7)

(2.6) Proceeds received from insurance for operating expenses 4.4



5.9

 Net cash provided by operating activities 30.3

93.4

240.8

70.4 Cash flows from investing activities













Purchases of property and equipment (36.9)

(6.3)

(79.0)

(31.0) Capitalized interest (1.2)

0.9

(0.9)

0.1 Purchases of internal use software (6.8)

(3.4)

(18.3)

(7.7) Purchases of short-term investments (80.0)



(80.0)

 Cash paid for licenses (6.5)



(7.0)

(4.0) Payment for initial direct costs on finance leases (0.6)



(0.6)

 Proceeds from disposal activities 0.3

3.5

1.0

11.7 Proceeds from notes receivable repayments 0.3

0.2

0.9

0.6 Proceeds received from insurance recoveries on property and equipment 



0.5

 Net cash used in investing activities (131.5)

(5.0)

(183.4)

(30.3) Cash flows from financing activities













Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards (12.2)



(12.3)

 Payments on finance lease obligations (1.9)

(1.8)

(5.5)

(5.7) Payments on notes payable (1.4)

(0.7)

(3.8)

(5.5) Payments on construction finance liabilities (0.9)

(0.7)

(2.5)

(1.3) Payments and costs related to consolidated VIE settlement transaction 



(5.1)

 Distributions to subsidiary non-controlling interest 



(1.1)

(0.1) Payments on private placement notes 

(47.6)



(47.6) Payments for debt issuance costs 

(0.4)



(0.4) Proceeds from non-controlling interest holders' subscription 



3.0

 Proceeds from equity exercises 



0.2

 Net cash used in financing activities (16.4)

(51.3)

(27.1)

(60.6) Net (decrease) increase in cash, and cash equivalents (117.5)

37.2

30.3

(20.5) Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period 356.1

159.9

208.0

213.8 Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, beginning of

period 

1.8

0.3

5.7 Less: cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period 

(0.1)



(0.1) Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period $ 238.6

$ 198.9

$ 238.6

$ 198.9

The consolidated statements of cash flows include continuing operations and discontinued operations for the periods presented.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)

In addition to our results determined in accordance with GAAP, we supplement our results with non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin %, adjusted net (loss) income, adjusted net (loss) income per diluted share, and free cash flow. The Company calculates EBITDA as net income (loss) before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization; adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before net interest expense, interest income, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization and also excludes certain extraordinary items; adjusted EBITDA margin as adjusted EBITDA as % of revenue, adjusted net (loss) income as net income (loss) less certain extraordinary items; adjusted EPS as adjusted net (loss) income divided by basic and diluted shares outstanding; and free cash flow as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with GAAP financial measures to evaluate our operating results and financial performance. We believe these measures are useful to investors as they are widely used measures of performance and can facilitate comparison to other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures are not, and should not be considered as, measures of liquidity. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. Because of these limitations, these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered along with GAAP financial performance measures. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to such GAAP measures can be found below. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered supplemental to, and not a substitute for, our reported financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)

The following table presents a reconciliation of GAAP net loss attributable to common shareholders to non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods presented:

(Amounts expressed in millions of United States dollars) Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September

30, 2024 September

30, 2023 June 30,

2024 September

30, 2024 September

30, 2023 Net loss attributable to common shareholders $ (60.2) $ (25.4) $ (12.0) $ (95.3) $ (493.4) Add (deduct) impact of:



















Interest expense, net $ 17.5 $ 20.8 $ 15.4 $ 47.6 $ 60.9 Interest income $ (4.2) $ (1.9) $ (4.0) $ (11.5) $ (4.3) Provision for income taxes $ 47.4 $ 36.6 $ 47.2 $ 150.0 $ 105.9 Depreciation and amortization $ 28.3 $ 27.0 $ 28.1 $ 84.2 $ 82.6 Depreciation included in cost of goods sold $ 13.3 $ 14.6 $ 13.3 $ 40.1 $ 42.7 EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $ 42.1 $ 71.8 $ 88.0 $ 215.0 $ (205.5) EBITDA Margin (Non-GAAP)

15 %

26 %

29 %

24 %

(24 %)





















Impairment of goodwill $  $  $  $  $ 307.6 Impairment and disposal of long-lived assets, net of

(recoveries) $ (4.3) $ (1.2) $ 1.2 $ (4.4) $ 5.5 Legislative campaign contributions $ 48.4 $ 0.5 $ 5.0 $ 62.7 $ 19.6 Acquisition, transaction, and other non-recurring costs $ 2.6 $ 8.5 $ 4.3 $ 10.6 $ 16.1 Share-based compensation $ 5.5 $ 4.5 $ 5.0 $ 15.6 $ 7.4 Gain on debt extinguishment $  $ (8.2) $  $  $ (8.2) Other (expense) income, net $ 0.2 $ (1.1) $ 1.8 $ 4.8 $ (5.9) Discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to

common shareholders $ 1.6 $ 2.9 $ 1.6 $ 4.6 $ 97.9 Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $ 96.1 $ 77.7 $ 107.0 $ 308.8 $ 234.5 Adjusted EBITDA Margin (Non-GAAP)

34 %

28 %

35 %

35 %

28 %

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Net (Loss) Income (Unaudited)

The following table presents a reconciliation of GAAP net loss attributable to common shareholders to non-GAAP adjusted net (loss) income, for each of the periods presented:



For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended (Amounts expressed in millions of United States dollars) September

30, 2024 September

30, 2023 June 30,

2024 September

30, 2024 September

30, 2023 Net loss attributable to common shareholders $ (60.2) $ (25.4) $ (12.0) $ (95.3) $ (493.4) Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax,

attributable to common shareholders $ 1.6 $ 2.9 $ 1.6 $ 4.6 $ 97.9 Adjustment of redeemable non-controlling interest to

maximum redemption value $ (2.1) $  $ 1.9 $ (9.0) $  Net loss from continuing operations available to common

shareholders $ (60.6) $ (22.5) $ (8.5) $ (99.7) $ (395.5) Add (deduct) impact of:

Adjustment of redeemable non-controlling interest to

maximum redemption value $ 2.1 $  $ (1.9) $ 9.0 $  Impairment of goodwill $  $  $  $  $ 307.6 Impairment and disposal of long-lived assets, net of

(recoveries) $ (4.3) $ (1.2) $ 1.2 $ (4.4) $ 5.5 Legislative campaign contributions $ 48.4 $ 0.5 $ 5.0 $ 62.7 $ 19.6 Acquisition, transaction, and other non-recurring costs $ 2.6 $ 8.5 $ 4.3 $ 10.6 $ 16.1 Fair value of derivative liabilities - warrants $  $  $  $  $ (0.3) Adjusted net (loss) income (Non-GAAP) $ (11.9) $ (14.7) $ 0.2 $ (21.9) $ (47.0)

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Net (Loss) Income Per Diluted Share (Unaudited)

The following table presents a reconciliation of GAAP net loss attributable to common shareholders per share to non-GAAP adjusted net (loss) income per diluted share, for each of the periods presented:



For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended (Amounts expressed are per share except for shares

which are in millions) September

30, 2024 September

30, 2023 June 30,

2024 September

30, 2024 September

30, 2023 Net loss attributable to common shareholders $ (0.32) $ (0.13) $ (0.06) $ (0.50) $ (2.61) Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax,

attributable to common shareholders $ 0.01 $ 0.02 $ 0.01 $ 0.02 $ 0.52 Adjustment of redeemable non-controlling interest to

maximum redemption value $ (0.01) $  $ 0.01 $ (0.05) $  Net loss from continuing operations available to common

shareholders $ (0.32) $ (0.12) $ (0.04) $ (0.52) $ (2.09) Add (deduct) impact of:

Adjustment of redeemable non-controlling interest to

maximum redemption value $ 0.01 $  $ (0.01) $ 0.05 $  Impairment of goodwill $  $  $  $  $ 1.63 Impairment and disposal of long-lived assets, net of

(recoveries) $ (0.02) $ (0.01) $ 0.01 $ (0.02) $ 0.03 Legislative campaign contributions $ 0.25 $ 0.00 $ 0.03 $ 0.33 $ 0.10 Acquisition, transaction, and other non-recurring costs $ 0.01 $ 0.05 $ 0.02 $ 0.06 $ 0.09 Fair value of derivative liabilities - warrants $  $  $  $  $ 0.00 Adjusted net (loss) income (Non-GAAP) $ (0.06) $ (0.08) $ 0.00 $ (0.12) $ (0.25) Basic and diluted shares outstanding

190.2

188.9

190.3

190.0

189.0

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow (Unaudited)

The following table presents a reconciliation of GAAP cash flow from operating activities to non-GAAP free cash flow, for each of the periods presented:



For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended (Amounts expressed in millions of United States dollars) September

30, 2024 September

30, 2023 June 30,

2024 September

30, 2024 September

30, 2023 Cash flow from operating activities $ 30.3 $ 93.4 $ 71.3 $ 240.8 $ 70.4 Payments for property and equipment $ (36.9) $ (6.3) $ (26.5) $ (79.0) $ (31.0) Free cash flow (Non-GAAP) $ (6.6) $ 87.2 $ 44.8 $ 161.8 $ 39.4

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to the Company's expectations or forecasts of business, operations, financial performance, cash flows, prospects, and other plans, intentions, expectations, estimates, and beliefs and include statements regarding the potential approval of cannabis legalization for personal use in Florida, the Company's growth opportunities and the Company's positioning for the future. Words such as "expects", "continue", "will", "anticipates" and "intends" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current projections and expectations about future events and financial trends that management believes might affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, and on certain assumptions and analysis made by the Company in light of the experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors management believes are appropriate. Forward-looking information and statements involve and are subject to assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual events, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future events, results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information and statements herein, including, without limitation, the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in our periodic reports subsequently filed with the United Sates Securities and Exchange Commission and in the Company's filings on https://www.sedarplus.ca/landingpage/ . Although the Company believes that any forward-looking information and statements herein are reasonable, in light of the use of assumptions and the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in such information and statements, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance upon such forward-looking information and statements. Any forward-looking information and statements herein are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation and disclaims any intention to update or revise any forward-looking information and statements herein or to update the reasons that actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in any forward looking information and statements herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise.

About Trulieve

Trulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S., with leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal customer experiences and increases access to cannabis, helping patients and customers to live without limits. Trulieve is listed on the CSE under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF. For more information, please visit Trulieve.com .

Facebook: @Trulieve

Instagram: @Trulieve_

X: @Trulieve

Investor Contact

Christine Hersey, Vice President of Investor Relations

+1 (424) 202-0210

[email protected]

Media Contact

Phil Buck, APR, Corporate Communications Manager

+1 (406) 370-6226

[email protected]

SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to recent announcements from state officials in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Florida blocking Department of Justice (DOJ) monitors from entering polling locations on Election Day, Rochelle M. Garza, Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, issued the following statement:

"The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is deeply committed to protecting the constitutional right to vote of every American. When state officials take steps to block oversight and transparency in our elections, they undermine the accountability and fairness, essential to the integrity of our democracy."

Since our founding, the Commission has served as a civil rights watchdog, and we remain committed to ensuring the civil rights of every American are protected.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, established by the Civil Rights Act of 1957, is the only independent, bipartisan agency charged with advising the President and Congress on civil rights and reporting annually on federal civil rights enforcement. Our 56 state Advisory Committees offer a broad perspective on civil rights concerns at state and local levels. The Commission: in our 7th decade, a continuing legacy of influence in civil rights. For information about the Commission, please visit www.usccr.gov.

Contact: Joe Kim

[email protected]

SOURCE U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSXV: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) (Frankfurt: 0G3) ("Vizsla Silver" or the "Company") is pleased announce that it has received final listing approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") to graduate from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") will begin trading on the TSX effective at the market open on November 7, 2024, under the symbol "VZLA".

In conjunction with the graduation to the TSX, the Common Shares will be voluntarily delisted from, and will no longer trade on the TSXV, effective at the market close on November 6, 2024.

The Common Shares will continue to trade on the NYSE American under the symbol "VZLA".

"Uplisting to the TSX represents another significant growth milestone for Vizsla Silver and its shareholders," commented Michael Konnert, President & CEO. "As the TSX is Canada's premier stock exchange, we expect the higher profile listing will increase market visibility and provide exposure to a broader range of investors."

Shareholders will not be required to take any action in connection with the graduation and listing on the TSX. There will be no change in the Company's CUSIP.

About Vizsla Silver

Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, focused on advancing its flagship, 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project located in Sinaloa, Mexico. The Company recently completed a Preliminary Economic Study for Panuco in July 2024 which highlights 15.2 Moz AgEq of annual production over an initial 10.6-year mine life, an after-tax NPV5% of US$1.1B, 86% IRR and a 9-month payback at US$26/oz Ag and US$1,975/oz Au. Vizsla Silver aims to become the world's leading silver company by implementing a dual track development approach at Panuco, advancing mine development, while continuing district scale exploration through low-cost means.

Contact Information: For more information and to sign-up to the mailing list, please contact: Michael Konnert, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tel: (604) 364-2215, Email: [email protected], Website: www.vizslasilvercorp.ca

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes certain "ForwardLooking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forwardlooking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forwardlooking statements or information. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things: the date of commencement of trading on the TSX and other statements that are not historical facts.

Forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Vizsla Silver, future growth potential for Vizsla Silver and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of silver, gold, and other metals; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Vizsla Silver's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms.

These statements reflect Vizsla Silver's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information and Vizsla Silver has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in Mexico; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in Vizsla Silver's management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information. Although Vizsla Silver has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Vizsla Silver does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Vizsla Silver Corp.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The historical and cultural reserves under the State Service for Cultural Heritage Conservation, Development, and Rehabilitation under the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan hosted events dedicated to the Green World Solidarity Year and the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports.

Meanwhile, it is noted that tree planting actions, excursions, intellectual contests and educational events held in the reserves spoke about the protection of the environment and green spaces, popularization, and protection of historical monuments.

Topics such as reducing the negative impact of climate change on historical monuments and the ecosystem, as well as environmental education, were touched upon.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BOSTON, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Voicify, a leader in AI-powered voice assistant solutions, is excited to announce the appointment of Varun Pathak as Senior Vice President & General Manager of its Healthcare Group. In his role, Pathak will drive the strategic growth and development of Voicify's voice technology solutions tailored for healthcare. Voicify's healthcare solutions are designed to promote operational efficiency and enhance patient experience across medical specialties subsectors such as dental, primary care, dermatology, behavioral health, orthopedics, physical therapy, and many more.

Voicify Product Demonstration

Pathak brings extensive experience delivering vertical specific software solutions, having led successful new product initiatives at several prominent companies. His experience in driving transformative technology solutions makes him a valuable addition to the Voicify team, as the Company deepens its focus on the healthcare industry, enhancing patient and practice interactions and streamlining operations with advanced AI-driven voice solutions.

"We are thrilled to welcome Varun to the Voicify team," said Jeff McMahon, CEO of Voicify. "His proven expertise in delivering vertical SaaS solutions and his track record of driving strategic growth makes him the perfect fit to lead our continued growth and expansion within the healthcare space. As we lead the development of new solutions for healthcare providers, Varun's leadership will be instrumental in ensuring world-class service and innovative technology for our clients."

At Voicify, Pathak will focus on advancing AI-powered voice assistant technology designed to streamline staff workflows and improve patient interactions within healthcare practices. This solution provides 24/7 support by automating key functions like appointment scheduling, rescheduling, and cancellations - reducing administrative workload and enhancing patient engagement. Integrated seamlessly with practice management systems, it also enables outbound appointment reminders, streamlining communication for both practices and patients.

"I'm excited to join Voicify at such a pivotal stage in its journey," said Varun Pathak, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Healthcare Group. "The healthcare sector is primed for AI-driven innovation, and I look forward to collaborating with Voicify's talented team to bring solutions that elevate both patient experiences and practice efficiency."

About Voicify

Voicify is a pioneering provider of Voice AI-driven solutions, specializing in advanced voice assistant technology that caters to diverse industry verticals. The Company's platform is built to empower businesses with Conversational AI solutions that adapt seamlessly to the unique challenges and opportunities in sectors like healthcare, hospitality, dining, and beyond. By offering tailored, scalable technology, Voicify helps organizations transform customer interactions, streamline operational efficiencies, and enhance the overall user experience. From healthcare providers seeking improved patient engagement to restaurants and hotels enhancing guest interactions, Voicify is redefining the potential of voice AI across industries. Explore more at www.voicify.com/healthcare.

Media Contact: Robert Naughton; [email protected]

SOURCE Voicify
Renowned two-day conference brings in-depth learning and expertise for the IoT

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Silicon Labs, a leader in secure, intelligent wireless technology, is excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2024 Works With Virtual Developers Conference. Scheduled for November 20 and 21, this premier event is free to attend and will bring together IoT developers, device manufacturers, wireless experts, engineers, and business leaders from around the globe.

"We are thrilled to open registrations for this year's Works With Virtual Developers conference," said John Dixon, Vice President of Global Marketing and Americas Sales at Silicon Labs. "Now in its fifth year and bolstered by in-person events from around the world, Works With Virtual is a unique opportunity for IoT professionals to come together, share knowledge, and drive innovation in the industry."

Leveraging the best content from regional in-person Works Withs conferences held in San Jose CA, Hyderabad, India, and Shanghai, China, the Works With Virtual conference features a comprehensive program, including:

Expert Keynotes and Technical Courses : Learn from the best in the industry, like NVIDIA and Samsung, about the latest trends and technologies in IoT.





: Learn from the best in the industry, like NVIDIA and Samsung, about the latest trends and technologies in IoT. Ecosystem Integration : Discover how to seamlessly integrate products into leading ecosystems from Amazon, Google, Samsung, and Apple.





: Discover how to seamlessly integrate products into leading ecosystems from Amazon, Google, Samsung, and Apple. Live Q&A Sessions: Engage directly with subject matter experts to get questions answered in real time.

Attendees can build their agenda around specialized tracks covering key areas such as Bluetooth, LPWAN, Matter, Wi-Fi, AI/ML, and IoT security.

Register for the 2024 Works With Virtual Developers Conference and start building a personalized agenda, today.

About Silicon Labs

Silicon Labs is a trailblazer in wireless connectivity for the Internet of Things. Its integrated hardware and software platform, intuitive development tools, and unmatched ecosystem support make Silicon Labs the ideal long-term partner in building advanced industrial, commercial, and home and life applications. Silicon Labs leads the industry in high performance, low power, and security with support for the broadest set of multi-protocol solutions.

SOURCE Silicon Labs
BEIJING, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 2024 Forum on China-Africa Economic, Trade and Cultural Cooperation, a splashy local promotion event under the framework of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), is poised to unleash more potential for China-Africa cooperation.

The forum, organized by Zhejiang provincial government as a pivotal platform to communicate and cooperate with its African counterparts, is scheduled to open in east China's Jinhua City on November 8.

image

Setting one main forum and four parallel sessions, the event will delve into a diverse range of topics related to China-Africa cooperation such as the economic and trade opportunities, and cultural and tourism exchanges as well.

By then, a crowd full of diversity and professionalism will gather there to witness releasing of a report on upgrading of African agricultural industrial chain, the business license awarding for China-Africa agricultural sci-tech park in Jinhua, etc.

As a forerunner in opening-driven cooperation with Africa, Jinhua has deeply engaged in economic, trade, cultural and educational communications and cooperation with its African partners in recent years.

Sparing no effort to build the China-Africa economic, trade and cultural cooperation demonstration zone, the Chinese city is endeavoring to craft a unique Jinhua-style model for China-Africa cooperation.

Through two-way business-matching and procurement activities between local and African enterprises such as those in Tanzania, cooperation in agricultural machinery, hardware tools, and textile industries will be further explored to facilitate the industrialization and agricultural modernization drive of Africa.

Thanks to the prospering cooperation, Jinhua City embraced robust growth in trade with Africa. From 2014 to 2023, its trade with Africa rose on average 12.1 percent annually to 740.27 billion yuan and exceeded for the first time 100 billion yuan last year, up 18.4 percent on year to 116.85 billion yuan.

While focusing on African industrialization and agricultural modernization, regulators in Jinhua kept guiding local companies to "go global" and enhancing investment and production capacity cooperation with African partners.

Year to date, 55 enterprises and institutions have been established in Africa to blaze a new path for integrated China-Africa production, processing and trade cooperation.

Zhu Chonglie, Party chief of Jinhua, said the city is expecting to better leverage the forum in unlocking its comparative advantages and expanding channels to further cooperation with African countries in trade, investment, production capacity, culture, and education sectors.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/342938.html

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2548992/image.jpg
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Azerbaijan demonstrates great efforts and strong political will in relation to the problem of climate change, the special representative of the Council of Europe Alexandre Guessel said at the plenary session "Religions of the world for a green planet" within the framework of the Global Summit of Religious Leaders in Baku, Trend reports.

He noted that climate change is an important issue that must be addressed to protect future generations.

This issue jeopardizes fundamental human rights. Religions and beliefs are important to establish tolerance. The Council of Europe remains committed to its peacekeeping mission. Promoting interreligious dialogue in Europe and beyond is the main objective of our organization. The Council of Europe supports interreligious dialogue, the special representative added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The Ministry of Emergency Situations held a regular meeting on November 5 to discuss preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) to be held in Baku, Trend reports.

According to the information, the meeting headed by Minister for Emergency Situations Colonel General Kamaladdin Heydarov was attended by deputy ministers, heads of relevant structural subdivisions, and institutions of the Ministry.

Addressing the meeting, Minister Kamaladdin Heydarov talked about the importance of COP29, expressing confidence that this prestigious event will be held at a high level. Stressing once again the tasks assigned to the Ministry of Emergency Situations in this context, the Minister noted that the work in this regard is carried out consistently and systematically.

Subsequently, the meeting heard extensive reports from the members of the headquarters set up in the Ministry of Emergency Situations in connection with the preparations for COP29 on the work carried out since the last meeting on the action plan approved in the Ministry and held discussions on the subject.

Summarizing the results of the meeting, Minister Kamaladdin Heydarov once again expressed confidence that the tasks facing the ministry in connection with the event will be fulfilled at a high level and gave relevant instructions.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Ottawa, Nov 5 : Condemning the recent attack on Hindu devotees at a temple in Canada, Federation of Gujarati Associations(FOGA) Chief Jagdish Patel on Monday wrote a letter to the country's Leader of the Opposition Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre, expressing concerns over rising hate crimes against Indian-Canadians.

The FOGA appealed to Poilievre to take swift political action against anti-Hindu hate crimes taking place in Canada which threatens the safety and freedom of the Hindu community.

In a statement on X, Patel said: "On behalf of the Federation of Gujarati Associations (FOGA), the Hindu community, I am writing to convey the urgent need for political action against the escalating anti-Hindu hate crimes that threaten our safety and freedoms."

The FOGA Chief further added: "While your support for Hindus abroad is commendable, we are deeply concerned by the inaction on the challenges Hindus face right here in Canada. The rise in attacks on Hindu temples across Canada is deeply troubling. Our sacred spaces are vandalised, desecrated, and intimidated by extremist groups who seek to instill fear. Those of us who attempt to bring attention to these issues are often disregarded, which leaves our community feeling marginalised and vulnerable in our own country."

The letter further said: "The Hindu community in Canada is vast and diverse, including people from regions like the Caribbean, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India. We have proudly contributed to Canada's prosperity as dedicated, law-abiding citizens with a strong sense of duty. However, despite these contributions, our voices are being ignored."

"Adding to this, the cancellation of Diwali on the Hill -- a celebration attended by close to a million Indo-Canadians, including Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Muslims -- has reinforced our feeling of exclusion. Diwali is a powerful expression of unity, and its cancellation undermines Canada's multicultural principles. Unchecked extremist ideologies not only threaten temple-goers but also impact the younger generation, who face divisive rhetoric and discrimination in schools, workplaces, and public spaces. By ignoring these threats, Canada risks losing the harmonious environment that we have all worked so hard to build."

"As Leader of the Conservative Party, I urge you to take a firm stance against these targeted attacks and call for immediate, bipartisan action to safeguard the Hindu community. This could include introducing tougher legislation on hate crimes, increased support for local law enforcement, and educational campaigns to foster understanding among Canadians of all backgrounds."

"We call upon you to take decisive action to protect the Hindu community, ensure our right to worship in peace and uphold our shared Canadian values. this is a matter of justice, respect, and inclusivity --principles we expect our leaders to defend."
Srinagar, Nov 5 : The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Assembly will remember its members and also national leaders on Tuesday who have passed away, and prominent among them is the hardline separatist leader, late Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

The list of business for Tuesday released by the Assembly Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, includes obituary references to the past members of the House and also national leaders like former President Pranab Mukherjee, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Somnath Chatterjee and Jagmohan Malhotra, former J&K Governor, who have passed away.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani represented the Sopore Assembly constituency in the J&K Assembly thrice in 1972, 1977, and 1987.

When separatist violence started in J&K, Geelani, who had sworn faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the state, became the ideologue of separatists and he publicly advocated the merger of Kashmir with Pakistan.

He was the Chairman of the separatist conglomerate, All Parties Hurriyat Conference, which was a combination of 26 political, social, and religious parties formed on March 9, 1993.

The ostensible objective of the Hurriyat Conference was to provide a political platform to the insurgent movement in Kashmir.

Paradoxically, the Hurriyat included parties of divergent and often disagreeing political groups.

The Jamaat represented then by Geelani stood for the merger of Kashmir with Pakistan while the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) stood for independent Kashmir.

Geelani's hardline, uncompromising attitude resulted in the split of the Hurriyat on September 7, 2003, into the so-called hardline and the moderate groups.

Geelani left the Jamaat-e-Islami and formed his own party called the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat in 2004.

When MPs of all party delegations went to call on Geelani at his Hyderpora residence in Srinagar on September 4, 2016, he refused to speak to the MPs and even slammed the door on them.

He passed away in 2021 and was buried in the graveyard close to his residence in the Hyderpora area.

Geelani's politics remained paradoxical throughout his life, a school teacher, turned preacher, turned mainstream politician, turned separatist ideologue, and in the end, died without formal mourning by those he claimed to represent.
Washington, Nov 5 : More than 78 million American voters had already cast their ballot by Monday morning, on the eve of Election Day as Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump crisscrossed the seven battleground states with their closing remarks.

Harris, 60, and Trump, 78 are the main nominees representing the two largest political parties in the US -- the Democratic and the Republican parties respectively.

The White House race is essentially between these two, but there are others, who have no chance whatsoever of winning but who can spoil it for the two main nominees in the contest that has been called closed in recent decades. They both stand to make history if they win.

Harris will become the first woman elected President, the first African-American woman, the first Asian-American woman, and the first Indian-American elected to the top office.

If Trump wins, he will become only the second former President to lose his re-election bid and then win on this third again, Grover Cleveland was the first.

They are Robert F. Kennedy, 70. The nephew of President John F Kennedy and son of presidential nominee Robert F. Kennedy, he tried to challenge President Joe Biden in the Democratic primary but declared himself to be an independent later. Although he has suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed Trump, he remains on the ballot in certain states and may be able to transfer his voters to Trump.

Cornel West, a 71-year-old progressive academic, is also in the fray as an Independent.

Jill Stein, 74 of the Green Party is running yet again; she has been partly blamed for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's narrow defeat to Trump in the battleground states in 2016 and the race.

Both West's and Stein's appeals overlap with certain sections of the progressive liberals who generally belong to the larger tent of the Democratic Party.

Chase Olivier, 39, belongs to the Libertarian Party is the other nominee. He, and earlier Kennedy, could cut into the libertarian votes in the Republican Party.
Washington, Nov 5 : More than 78 million American voters had already cast their ballot by Monday morning, on the eve of Election Day as Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump crisscrossed the seven battleground states with their closing remarks.

Washington, Nov 5 (IANS) More than 78 million American voters had already cast their ballot by Monday morning, on the eve of Election Day as Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump crisscrossed the seven battleground states with their closing remarks.

Harris and Trump are locked in a tight race even at this late stage in the campaign.

The Vice-President leads the former President by 0.9 percentage points in the weighted average of national polls compiled by FiveThirtyEight, at 47.9 per cent and 47 per cent.

Trump is ahead of Harris by 0.1 percentage point in the RealClearPolitics average of polls, at 48.5 per cent and 48.4 per cent. But the election is going to be determined not by national votes but by electoral college votes that the nominees secure, especially in the seven battleground states.

The seven battleground states -- they are so-called because they can go either way unlike solidly Democratic and Republican states -- are Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada.

The contest between Harris and Trump is tight even in these states.

Harris leads Trump in Michigan (47.9 per cent to 47.1 per cent), Wisconsin (48.2 per cent to 47.3 per cent) and is even with Trump in Pennsylvania (47.7 per cent to 47.9 per cent) and trails Trump in North Carolina (47.2 per cent to 48.4 per cent), Georgia (47.2 per cent to 48.4 per cent), Arizona (46.5 per cent to 49 per cent, and Nevada (47.3 per cent to 47.8 per cent.

But polls have been under serious doubt in recent years.

The 2020 national surveys for the presidential contest between Trump and Joe Biden, for instance, have been called the least accurate in 40 years, according to a comprehensive survey by the American Association for Public Opinion Research.

The report also found that polls for the state election were the least accurate in at least two decades.

The polls had got the 2016 contest between Trump and Clinton horribly wrong as well; because they failed to factor in the education divide and underestimated Trump.

No reason was cited in the report for the 2020 fiasco.
Srinagar, Nov 5 : The king of Kashmir's four seasons, the golden yellow autumn of pleasant sunshine and plenty of fruits and grains is gradually giving way to winter.

There is a nip of cold in the mornings and evenings while the autumn sunshine over a clear sky encourages locals and tourists to move around and soothe their eyes at present.

The paddy crop has been harvested and the farmers are now storing grain for the harsh winter months in their granaries.

Grapes, apples, watermelons, and vegetables are plenty in the Valley these days.

Given their experience of an unpardoning harsh winter, Kashmiris dry vegetables like brinjal, tomato, pumpkins, and even apple slices to store for the winter months.

The precious saffron crop has also been harvested and the growers are now selecting the purest quality to sell to connoisseurs of this King spice.

Pure saffron costs around Rs 2 lakh per 500 grams. It is only the rich and the famous can afford to buy saffron of that quality at that price.

The ordinary buyer would settle for half the quality for less than half the price.

Kashmir has been a landlocked Valley and the uncertainty of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway getting closed by landslides, shooting stones, and caving in of road, has taught locals to save vegetables, food, and even LPG cylinders for the lean winter months.

All supplies of essential commodities are routed to the Valley through the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Rivers, streams, and lakes have clean glistening water in autumn as mountain streams bring down the last melting of the avalanches and glaciers into the Valley.

Within a fortnight or so, the snow up in the perennial water reservoirs of the Valley will stop melting and get frozen.

The sound of the Cicada bug that attaches itself to the bark of the willow tree is nature's way of telling the locals to make hay while the sun shines.

Parents are buying warm clothes for their children to make the loose overgarment called the 'Pheran' that continues to remain the most distinctive winter attire for the local population.

Interestingly, as fewer households in the Valley have access to charcoal after shifting completely to liquefied cooking gas, the earthen pot woven in willow wicker called the 'Kangri' is seen under fewer Pherans now during the winter months.

The harshest 40-day-long period of winter cold called the 'Chillai Kalan' starts on December 21 and will end on January 30.

It was during that period of bone-chilling cold that the locals used to carry the Kangri filled with hot charcoal under the Pheran to keep body and soul together.

In the evenings, one can hear the cackle of the migratory birds arriving in the Valley from far off Siberia, The Philippines, and China to spend winter months in the water bodies of Kashmir.

These armies of various plumaged avian visitors bring magic to the lakes, rivers streams, and bird reserves of Kashmir during the winter months.

These armies of avian visitors start arriving here in late October and remain in the Valley till late April.

Kashmir hosts various species of migratory birds, including the grey leg geese, mallards, teals, coots, wigeons, Pochards, shovelers, and Brahmany ducks during the winter months.

Some birds of passage like the cormorants and Sandhill cranes also arrive here in late autumn to spend a few days before they leave for the Indian plains.

With electric power still playing hide and seek as curtailments, shutdowns, and rotations by the Electric Department make electricity hard to come by in local homes, it is time for the children to hurdle themselves closer to grandparents for stories of kings, queens, and demons of the bygone days.

Whatever, way one looks at Kashmir in whichever season, the Tourism Department slogan 'You Just Can't Have Enough of Kashmir' seems to hold good.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 5. Turkiye has made the decision to write off Kyrgyzstans external debt, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov said during a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Bishkek today, Trend reports.

"I would like to express my gratitude to President Erdogan for the decision to write off Kyrgyzstans external debt to Turkiye," Japarov stated.

On November 4, Erdogan arrived in Kyrgyzstan. The visit is expected to result in signing a number of bilateral agreements aimed at expanding strategic cooperation and further strengthening the interstate relations between the two countries.

Besides, on November 6, the Turkish president will participate in the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

To note, in July 2024, Kyrgyzstans external debt amounted to $4.6 billion. According to forecasts by the Ministry of Finance, by the end of 2024, the external debt will reach $4.7 billion.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Washington, Nov 5 : The outcome of the 2024 US presidential election could be known as early as Wednesday morning, just a few hours after the polling ends on Tuesday. Or it could take days, weeks, and, as it happened in one instance, a month.

More than 78 million American voters had already cast their ballot by Monday morning, on the eve of Election Day as Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump crisscrossed the seven battleground states with their closing remarks.

In 2016, voting closed on November 8 evening and it was all over by 2:30 a.m. on November 9 with Trump winning battleground state Wisconsin and its 10 electoral college votes to cross the magic number of 270 electoral college votes. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had called to congratulate him five minutes later.

But it may take longer. In 2020, polling was over on November 3 evening but President Joe Biden had to wait until November 7 for Pennsylvania to hand him its 19 electoral college votes and the presidency. The record for the most delayed result could go to the 2000 election when the country waited for more than a month to find its next President, George W Bush -- voting ended on November 7 and the state's outcome was known on December 12.

The US presidential election, it must be remembered, is settled not by the national vote total but by the electoral college votes won. Harris and Trump must win at least 270 of the 538 electoral college votes to win. Each state is assigned several electoral college votes which is the aggregate of the number of members it sends to the US House of Representatives and the Senate; the Senate count is the same for every state, two each.

The closing time for polling can vary from state to state and even from county to county within the state and sometimes even city by city in the same county. If polling closes at 8, whoever is in the line then will cast their vote, no matter how long it takes.

Early voting is currently underway with more than 55 million registered voters having already cast their ballot, either in person at a polling station or by postal ballot.
Brampton, Nov 5 : Over a thousand Canadian Hindus assembled outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada, on Monday evening (local time) to protest against the repeated attacks on Hindu temples in the country, a day after the temple was attacked by Khalistani extremists.

The organisers of the solidarity rally pressed Canadian politicians and law enforcement agencies to not give further support to Khalistanis.

The details were shared by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) on social media platform X.

The CoHNA highlighted the multiple attacks on Hindu temples across Canada during the Diwali weekend and called to stop the "Hinduphobia" in the country.

In a post on X, the CoHNA said: "Over a thousand #CanadianHindus have gathered in Brampton to protest against the increasingly brazen attacks on Hindu Temples. Yesterday, during the sacred #Diwali weekend, Canadian Hindu temples, coast to coast, came under attack. We ask Canada to stop this #Hinduphobia now @JustinTrudeau@PierrePoilievre@MaximeBernier@CoHNAOfficial@kushal_mehra@ShawnBinda."

On Sunday, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple witnessed a "violent disruption" in Brampton, near Toronto.

Following the attacks, the Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit organisation working for the Hindu community in Canada, shared a video of the attack on the temple and said that the Khalistani terrorists attacked children and women.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the "deliberate attack" and said that "cowardly attempts to intimidate" Indian diplomats were appalling and New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.

"I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi said on X.

The strong statement by PM Modi came hours after the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario, on Monday.

"We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries regarding violence in Brampton.

"The outreach of our Consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence," he added.

India has repeatedly expressed its deep concern about extremism and the culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada and has sought action against these activities.

The Indian High Commission in Canada condemned the "violent disruption" by 'anti-India' elements outside a consular camp.

The High Commission also said that any further events will be organised "contingent on security arrangements" made by the local authorities.

There has been a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance in Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the recent attack on the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton by Khalistani extremists. Emphasising the importance of religious freedom, Trudeau asserted that every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.

Sharing a post on X, Trudeau wrote, "The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely. Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident."

The Peel Regional Police Police identified three suspects arrested in connection with the attack on the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton as 42-year-old Mississauga resident Dilpreet Singh Bouns, a 23-year-old Brampton resident -- identified only as Vikas -- and a 31-year-old man from Mississauga named Amritpal Singh as the suspects.

A fourth individual, who was not identified, was arrested on an outstanding unrelated warrant and released.

Police said an off-duty Peel police officer was also seen in a video circulating online taking part in one of the demonstrations by pro-Khalistani supporters. The unnamed officer has been suspended, pending an investigation.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : With Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections around the corner, campaigning is in full swing and all parties in the fray, particularly the BJP and the Congress are pulling out the big guns to woo voters in the two states.

Tuesday will see a host of star campaigners from various political parties at the hustings in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

The BJP is leaving no stone unturned and Tuesday will see Defence Minister Rajnath Singh address an election rally in Lohardaga in Jharkhand where he will seek votes from the public for NDA candidate Neeru Shanti Bhagat.

The Defence Minister will be accompanied by Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi and AJSU supremo and former Deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Kumar Mahto at the poll rally.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is also one of the star campaigners of the BJP will also hold poll meetings in Jharkhand and Maharashtra.

CM Yogi will address three rallies in Koderma, Barkagaon, Jamshedpur in Jharkhand on Tuesday.

In a whirlwind schedule he will address a public meeting organised at Chandravati School Ground, Domchanch in Koderma at 10:30 A.M. and after that he will address a public meeting organised at Plus Two High School Ground, Barkagaon in Hazaribagh at 12 PM and will head for a public meeting organised at Aam Bagan Ground in Jamshedpur at 1:30 PM.

The Congress partyas National President Mallikarjun Kharge will also address a public meeting in Jharkhand on Tuesday as the grand old party has intensified its strategy for the Jharkhand Assembly elections.

Mallikarjun Kharge is slated to address a massive election rally in Kanke Assembly constituency in the state.

As the poll scene in Maharashtra hots up, AIMIM National President Barrister Asaduddin Owaisi and party leader Akbaruddin Owaisi will address public meetings in Dhule and Aurangabad respectively in the state.

Both brothers will visit various Assembly constituencies in Maharashtra to campaign in support of party candidates.

The AIMIM is contesting in 16 Assembly constituencies in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Tuesday will also see Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray campaign in Kolhapur in Maharashtra to launch the first salvo on Chief Minister Shindeas arebelsa.

In the evening Kolhapur will see another stalwart, the BJPas Devendra Fadnavis campaign just a few hours after Uddhav Thackerayas tour.
San Francisco, Nov 5 : Meta has announced to extend ban on new political ads on Facebook and Instagram even after the US presidential election on November 5.

In its political ads policy update, Meta has extended ban on new political ads past Tuesday, the original end date for the restriction period.

"The restriction period for ads about social issues, elections or politics is being extended until later this week," said the social media platform.

"As a reminder, ads that have run prior to 12:01 AM PT on October 29, 2024 and served at least one impression will be allowed to continue while the restriction period is in effect with limited editing capabilities," said Meta.

Meta, however, did not specify the day it will lift the restriction.

The social media giant had announced in August that any political ads that ran at least once before October 29 would still be allowed to run on Meta's services in the final week before Election Day.

"We previously announced that, as we have since 2020, we will block new social issue, electoral, and political ads during the final week of the general election in the US. While new ads will not be able to run during this restriction period, ads that have served at least one impression prior to the restriction period will be allowed to continue running with limited editing capabilities," the company elaborated.

The rationale behind this restriction period remains the same as previous years.

"In the final days of an election, we recognise there may not be enough time to contest new claims made in ads," said Meta.

"At 12:00 a.m. PT on Wednesday, November 6, We will allow new ads about social issues, elections or politics to be published. At this time, you will also be able to start making edits to your ads again," the company informed.
Washington, Nov 5 : With a handful of Indian-Americans either eyeing a seat in the US Congress or seeking re-election, there are hopes that the 'Samosa Caucus' may grow in numbers over the coming few months.

'Samosa Caucus' is a nickname given to a group of Indian-American lawmakers in the US Congress. It refers to the growing number of Indian-American legislators who are of South Asian descent, particularly those of Indian origin.

The name is a playful nod to the popular Indian snack "samosa". The term was coined around 2018 by Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois, to celebrate the growing influence of Indian-Americans in US politics.

The Caucus includes members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate who have roots in India or South Asia and who often work together on issues relevant to the Indian-American community, as well as broader issues of interest to South Asian constituents in the US.

Dalip Singh Saund was the first Indian-American elected to the US Congress and served from 1957 to 1963. He represented California in the House of Representatives as a Democrat.

The next Indian-American to enter the House was 40 years later, with the election of Bobby Jindal, from Louisiana in 2004. A Republican, he served one more term and left to run and win for the governorship of his home state.

There was a gap of five years before the arrival of the next Indian-American to take oath as a member of the US Congress. Ami Bera has served continuously since first entering the House in 2013, representing California. He was joined in the House in 2017 by Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois; Pramila Jayapal from Washington State; and Ro Khanna, also from California. Krishnamoorthi coined the phrase "Samosa Caucus", to describe the group in a nod to their Indian heritage.

The fifth member of the Caucus was Kamala Harris, who, unlike the others, was elected to the US Senate, becoming the first Indian-American to join the Upper chamber. She represented California. But her membership of both the Senate and the Caucus was cut short by her election to the vice-presidency as the running mate of President Joe Biden. The Caucus went from five to four in two years.

Shree Thanedar took the membership back to five in 2021.

All of them are now running for re-election and will hope to return for the next Congress.

The Indian-American community is looking closely at Indian-American Suhas Subramanyam's race in a competitive district in Virginia state with the hope of increasing their representation in US Congress to six. The Economist has predicted he is "almost certain" to win.
Canberra, Nov 5 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday expressed concern over the recent attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, calling it "deeply concerning" during a press conference with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong at Parliament House, Canberra.

"What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was obviously deeply concerning. And, you would have seen the statement first by the official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by the Prime Minister yesterday. So, that should, I think, convey to you how deeply we feel about it," Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar also condemned Canada's surveillance of Indian diplomats, slamming what he described as Canada's "pattern of making allegations without providing specifics."

"When we look at Canada for us, the fact that they're putting our diplomats under surveillance is something which is unacceptable," he remarked.

Referencing the videos of the temple attack, Jaishankar said, "Do look at the video, and I think it would tell you, in a way, the political space today, which is being given to extremist forces there (Canada), that so we believe in freedoms. We also believe freedom should not be misused."

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong echoed Jaishankar's condemnation of the attacks on the Hindu temples, expressing solidarity with the Indian community.

"In the wake of Diwali. It is very upsetting for members of the faith community and the broader Indian community. I would again say that people across Australia have a right to be safe and respected. People also have a right to peaceful protest; people have a right to express their views peacefully," she said, simultaneously stressing that violence and vandalism should be handled by law enforcement, referencing to the attacks on Hindu temples in Canberra last month.

"We are a multi-cultural democracy, we cherish that fact, but we also cherish the principles that enable that multi-cultural democracy to flourish -- respect and a right to express different views peacefully," she added.

The Brampton incident occurred when protesters carrying Khalistani flags clashed with devotees at the Hindu Sabha Temple, leading to skirmishes that were captured in unverified videos circulated on social media.

The videos showed some protesters wielding flagpoles and banners supporting Khalistan. Peel Regional Police have confirmed the arrest of three individuals connected to the incident, facing charges including assault with a weapon and assaulting a police officer.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the attack, calling it a "deliberate" act of violence in a strong statement on X.

"Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi wrote.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India also voiced its "deep concern" over the safety of Indian nationals in Canada, calling for the protection of places of worship.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario," and urged the Canadian government to prosecute those responsible.

The MEA emphasised that its consular services would continue, undeterred by "intimidation, harassment, and violence," underscoring India's commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad.
Chennai, Nov 5 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin will visit Coimbatore on November 5 and 6 as part of his statewide tour to monitor government schemes.

During his visit, he will meet with government officials, elected representatives including MPs, MLAs, and local body representatives to assess the implementation of Dravidian model of governance under his leadership.

In a letter to party cadres, Stalin announced plans to conduct ground-level inspections across districts to evaluate the functioning of various state schemes.

Sanitary workers and traders from Coimbatore will have the opportunity to present their grievances to the Chief Minister.

Sanitary workers displaced by the Ukkadam flyover project continue to live in temporary shelters. Sumana (43), a sanitary worker, expressed her concerns: "We were displaced for the Ukkadam flyover project and promised new homes on the land of the old corporation fish market, which is still operational."

The ongoing presence of this fish market has delayed progress on their housing. Traders from the fish market are also seeking approval to relocate to a newly built facility.

The Ukkadam-Aathupalam flyover project, initiated in 2018 and completed in 2024, required the demolition of 727 homes within the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CMC).

Temporary shelters were provided at Pullukadu, with promises of permanent housing in the same area. Under the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board's (TNUHDB) Ukkadam Phase IV Project, 235 homes have been constructed and allocated to displaced residents.

However, for the remaining 492 families, housing remains incomplete. Although work on a 222-unit housing block began in 2020, it is yet to be completed.

For the additional 298 units, plans depend on relocating traders from the old fish market to the new facility in Pullukadu, which requires a government order for the market's demolition and new housing construction.

Despite multiple petitions, the situation remains stagnant, with traders continuing to seek a lease agreement for the new market on government land. Chief Minister Stalin's tour across Tamil Nadu will allow him to receive direct feedback on the welfare schemes implemented by his administration.

However, he has not specified a timeline, noting that the tour will not be continuous. Since assuming office in May 2021, the Stalin-led government has introduced several schemes targeting marginalised communities.

Key initiatives include:

Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam  Rs 1,000 monthly assistance for over 1.15 million women; free bus travel for women, Makkalai Thedi Matuthuvam (Health at Doorstep scheme); Chief Minister's Free Breakfast Scheme for schoolchildren; Pudhumai Pen  Rs 1,000 monthly assistance for girl students in government and government-aided schools pursuing college education, benefiting around 328,000 students.

Due to its success, this programme was extended to boys in government and aided schools through the Tamizh Pudhalvan scheme, benefiting around 318,000 boys; Naan Mudhalvan (I am the First)  Skill development training for 2.8 million students to enhance employability.

The Chief Minister recently informed the state legislative Assembly that Rs 6,569.75 crores have been allocated through these schemes across Tamil Nadu.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 5. A memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation has been signed between the Turkish Savings Deposit Insurance Fund and the Deposit Protection Agency of Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports.

The signing went down during the President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan's, official visit to Kyrgyzstan, with the leaders of both nations looking on.

As part of the Turkish delegation, Chairman of the Deposit Insurance Fund Fatin Rustu Karas arrived in Kyrgyzstan.

The Deposit Protection Agency of Kyrgyzstan said that on November 6, Karas and the fund's representatives are set to swing by the agencys office to hash out the details with the fund's executive director.

On November 4, President Erdogan arrived in Kyrgyzstan to participate in the Summit of the Turkic States Organization (OTS) on November 6.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Tehran, Nov 5 : The Iranian and Azerbaijani naval forces staged a joint rescue and relief drill in the Caspian Sea, Iran's official news agency reported.

The exercise, dubbed "AZIREX2024," was hosted by Iran's Navy and themed "Cooperation for Peace and Friendship," reports Xinhua news agency, quoting IRNA on Monday.

It added the drill involved the Iranian army's maritime and aerial units, including homegrown Deylaman destroyer, Peykan (Arrow), Separ (Shield), Joshan (Armor) guided-missile cruisers, a Bell 212 helicopter, and watercraft belonging to other Iranian armed forces, as well as Azerbaijan's rescue and relief vessels.

Mohsen Razzaqi, spokesman of the exercise, said the two countries' vessels successfully carried out rescue and relief operations, having transferred passengers from a burning watercraft to the coast and extinguished the fire.

He added that the other operations carried out during the exercise were aerial photography, conformation simulation, and tactical arrayal scenarios.

He stressed that Iran attached great importance to ensuring security at the regional and international levels, assuring that the Iranian naval forces would not allow any aggression against the country from sea.
Kalyan, Nov 5 : Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena President Eknath Shinde has slammed the opposition for moving court against the 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' and said that if the scheme was a crime, he was ready to go to jail.

"I am ready to go to jail for the Ladki Bahin (beloved sisters)," he said after the inauguration of the office of the party nominee Vishwanath Bhoir from Kalyan West late Monday night.

The Chief Minister asked the women voters to support Shiv Sena and the MahaYuti for defeating the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which has been pressing for discontinuing the Ladki Bahin Yojana.

"Dear sisters will get Rs 1,500 every month under the Ladki Bahin Yojana. The opposition has been consistently advocating the closure of the Ladki Bahin Yojana. If they (the opposition) approach you (women voters) during the poll campaign, ask them why they are opposing the Ladki Bahin Yojana," CM Shinde said.

Further, the Chief Minister called upon the women to grill the opposition asking them why they went to court to stop the scheme.

"This is the government of the common man. So whoever comes to you - the stepbrothers, rivals or opponents - show them their place for opposing the Ladki Bahin Yojana," he advised.

He further claimed that those who will close down the Ladki Bahin Yojana and other welfare schemes will face a backlash.

The Chief Minister said that Shiv Sena and MahaYuti were counting on a slew of development projects launched during the last two and half years.

"Let the Maha Vikas Aghadi tell about the development works during its rule. We are ready to give our account. Is Maha Vikas Aghadi ready for this?" he asked.

At another rally after the inauguration of the election office of the party nominee from Worli seat Milind Deora, the Chief Minister accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led government of putting speed breakers by stalling various development projects including the Mumbai Coastal Road, Aarey Metro car shed, Mumbai Metro 3, Atal Setu and park in Mahalakshmi Race Course.

"The MahaYuti removed all speed rakers and completed these projects. Had it not been done, then these projects would not have been completed in 15 years," he claimed.

He said that the MahaYuti government will work to bring back the Marathi Manoos, who were thrown out of Mumbai, to the metropolis.

He criticised the Shiv Sena-UBT for running a campaign that Mumbai will be separated from Maharashtra after the elections were over.

"It won't happen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the Centre's desire for Mumbai to become a world-class city and a powerhouse. The double engine government means a double guarantee," he said.
Madrid, Nov 5 : The region of Catalonia in the north-east of Spain was hit by flooding, as rescue work continues in the neighbouring region of Valencia in the wake of the floods that claimed 217 lives six days previously.

Spain's Minister for Transport, Oscar Puente, on Monday, confirmed that local rail services in the region had been cancelled after the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issued a red alert for torrential rain for the provinces of Castellon, Tarragona and Barcelona, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Do not travel unless strictly necessary," informed Puente.

Barcelona's El Prat airport was badly hit by rainfall, estimated to be around 150 litres per square metre, with over 80 flights cancelled or delayed and numerous arrivals diverted to other airports.

Images posted on social media from the airport show large areas under water, while parts of the terminal buildings were also flooded, with water cascading down flights of stairs.

Several roads in the region have also been closed by the flooding, but fortunately, no lives have been reported lost.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) who are part of the 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) reviewing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 are set to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday to express their discontent over the alleged 'one-sided' actions of the committee's chairman, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, and his efforts to 'force through' the proceedings. They have also threatened to disassociate themselves from the JPC entirely if this continues.

Opposition parties raised a formal objection to the ongoing deliberations of the JPC on the Waqf Bill, 2024, accusing the government of rushing through the legislative process and undermining due parliamentary procedure.

In a letter addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Birla, the Opposition members expressed concerns over the frequency and pace of the meetings, claiming that the Bill, which aims to amend key provisions concerning Waqf institutions in India, is being pushed without proper scrutiny and consultation.

The letter, signed by several key Opposition leaders, underscores the lack of sufficient time for proper study and deliberation on the amendments proposed in the Bill.

The Opposition leaders argue that the JPC is meeting too often, without allowing members time to adequately examine the issues raised by various stakeholders, including Muslim community organisations and government departments.

They stressed that such a fast-tracked approach undermines the thorough legal analysis necessary for such significant legislation, especially when revisiting the Waqf Acts of 1995 and 2013.

The Oppositionas primary concern revolves around the potential erosion of the secular principles embedded in the earlier Waqf legislation, which they argue, have been carefully crafted to balance religious freedoms with constitutional safeguards.

"The legal exercise being conducted through this Bill appears to be a surreptitious attempt to dilute previous laws made by Parliament, laws which protect the secular credentials of our Constitution," the letter reads.

Opposition members also highlighted that more than 100 amendments have been introduced in the new Waqf Bill, as opposed to the government's claim of only 44 changes.

They fear that these amendments could fundamentally alter the religious and moral fabric of Waqf institutions, particularly the Waqf Boards, which they believe could be subjected to increased political control and interference.

Pointing out the speed at which the JPC meetings are being conducted, the Opposition expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of a reasonable time gap between sittings, which they claim is essential for thorough preparation and informed participation in the committee's meetings.

The letter references the legal maxim 'lex prospicit non respicit (the law looks forward, not backwards)', stressing that proper consideration should be given to past judicial decisions and legislative wisdom before making changes to the law.

The Opposition members also took issue with the unilateral decision-making process of the JPC Chairman, alleging that dates for consecutive sittings are being scheduled without proper consultation with the committee members. They argue that this approach makes it impossible for MPs to adequately prepare for their interactions with witnesses and experts.

In a pointed criticism, the Opposition warned that the JPC should not be treated as a "rubber stamp" to push the government's desired outcome.

They cautioned that bypassing established parliamentary procedures, driven by the governmentas "majority," could result in a severe undermining of democratic norms and constitutional principles.

The letter concludes with a warning from the MPs that if these concerns are not addressed, the Opposition members may have no choice but to disassociate themselves from the JPC entirely.

"We are being stonewalled in our attempts to engage meaningfully with the process," the letter states, emphasizing that the Oppositionas commitment to the rule of law and constitutional values could not allow them to participate in what they consider an undemocratic process.
Chennai, Nov 5 : Special puja was being held at the Shree Dharmasastha Temple at Thulaseendrapuram in Tiruvayur district, Tamil Nadu, the ancestral village of US Vice President Kamala Harris, for her victory in the Presidential polls.

The Sree Dharmasastha Temple in Thulaseendrapuram is the ancestral temple of Kamala Harris' mother, Shyamala Gopalan.

Kamala's grandfather, P. C. Gopalan, played a key role in renovating the family's ancestral temple, and the family regularly visits to attend pujas dedicated to their family deity.

A temple board shows that Kamala offered Rs 5,000 as a donation to the temple, a gesture carried out by her aunt, Sarala Gopalan, on her behalf.

Kumaresan, a villager in Thulaseendrapuram told IANS, "The whole village is praying for Kamala, who has roots here. Several poojas have been conducted for her across many temples, including her ancestral Sree Dharmasastha Temple."

He added, "She is a woman fighting for a position that can influence global affairs, and we are proud to be part of her legacy. We are praying earnestly for her victory."

The village is hopeful for Kamala's success, and if she wins, they plan to celebrate with 'annadanam' (free food distribution).

DMK councillor Arulmozhi and her spouse T. Suthakar have conducted a special 'abisheka' (coronation) with sandalwood, turmeric, and other sacred items, along with puja to the presiding deity at the Dharmasastha Temple, the family deity of Kamala's ancestors.

Suthakar told IANS, "We are praying for the victory of our daughter of the soil. Let her become the president of the most powerful country in the world."

A Madurai-based spiritual organisation, Anushanathin Anugraham, was also organising special pujas for Kamala Harris' victory. Priests are chanting Vedic mantras to Kanchi Mahaperiyava, Lord Krishna, Lord Murugan, Valli, Deivanai, Lord Rama, and Goddess Kamatchi Amman, performing dhyanam for Kamalaas success.

Posters in Tamil have appeared across the village, praying for Kamala's victory.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that Article 31C of the Constitution, to the extent it was upheld in the landmark Keshavanada Bharati case, remains in force.

A seven-judge Constitution Bench, after perusal of several judgments delivered in the past, held that first part of the unamended Article 31C was constitutional and continued to remain in force.

The Constitution Bench, also comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy, BV Nagarathna, Sudhanshu Dhulia, JB Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, Rajesh Bindal, SC Sharma and AG Masih, was dealing with questions as to whether the term "material resources of the community" in Article 39(b) include privately owned property and whether laws intended to achieve this provision's objective of redistributing material resources for the "common good" be exempted from legal challenges based on violations of fundamental rights.

The majority held that not every resource owned by an individual can be considered a "material resource of the community" and the enquiry about the resource in question must be contest specific.

While Justice Nagarathna authored a separate but partially concurring opinion, Justice Dhulia penned down a dissenting judgment.

Article 39(b)of the Indian Constitution, falling under the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), mandates that the administration will direct its policy towards ensuring that the material resources of the community are distributed equitably.

"The state shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to subserve the common good," reads Article 39(b).

The key question arose before the Supreme Court as to whether private property can be considered part of the "material resources of the community" in the context of this provision.

The principle behind insertion of Article 39(b) was to ensure that the resources necessary for economic growth and social justice serve the collective welfare or "common good", rather than being concentrated in the hands of a few.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 5 : With the passing of Sitaram Yechuri, who was often seen taking a pro-Congress line, and the acting General Secretary Prakash Karat toeing the line of the Kerala unit of the CPI-M of strongly opposing Congress, things are in favour of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The next CPI-M Party Congress will be held in Madurai in April, for which the party's state-wide meetings have all commenced.

Over the years, with the CPI-M in West Bengal and Tripura getting pushed out of the main political scenario in those states, the mantle is on Vijayan and the Kerala unit of the party to go forward.

According to sources, at its leader's meeting held in Delhi recently, this was the focal point of discussion and the broad agreement was the party, though part of the INDIA Block, need not show any more mercy to the Congress party in Kerala and has decided to take on none other than Lok Sabha's Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and his sister, the candidate at the upcoming Lok Sabha by-election slated for November 13.

The broad consensus was that the CPI-M would be treating both Congress and BJP as its political opponents in Kerala.

A political critic on the condition of anonymity said that CPI-M will have to play its cards very well as Kerala is its last bastion and any wrong move would be disastrous for the party.

"The election results to the April Lok Sabha elections is the writing on the wall for CPI-M as BJP has been able to move forward in its vote share and like in West Bengal and Tripura, BJP gained when CPI-M became weak and in Kerala -- the first signs of it happened when the second biggest ally of the BJP-led NDA the BDJS making ground," said the critic, and added that if the CPI-M has to claw back, it has to take a very strong anti-Congress position.

At the April Lok Sabha polls, the BJP-led NDA made a gain of 2.60 per cent votes, with CPI-M-led Left's share declining by 2.95 per cent and the Congress-led UDF came down by 2.27 per cent.

Traditionally in Kerala, the Hindu Ezhava community, especially in the southern and central districts of the state has always aligned with the CPI-M and the first signs that things are not that rosy was seen, when the BJP-led NDA candidates making steady gains in these areas.

Now with Karat at the helm, who is considered close to Vijayan, unlike Yechuri, it remains to be seen if the next party General Secretary will be from Kerala and as matters stand, it cannot be ruled out as Vijayan continues to hold sway.
Belgrade, Nov 5 : Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesic announced that he will step down, following the collapse of a roof structure at the Novi Sad railway station.

The collapse left 14 people dead and three others injured on Friday, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

In a statement released on Monday evening, Vesic expressed condolences to the victims.

"I offered my resignation on the day of the accident. Tomorrow morning, I will formally submit my resignation to the Prime Minister," Vesic said.

The Serbian government declared November 2 a national day of mourning for those who died in the collapse of the roof structure at the Novi Sad railway station.
United Nations, Nov 5 : The UN-supported third phase of the polio vaccine campaign concluded in the besieged northern Gaza Strip, with 94,000 children vaccinated, but thousands still remain out of reach, according to UN agencies.

Nearly 79 per cent of children in northern Gaza have been vaccinated against polio, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on social media on Monday.

The third phase of the vaccine campaign, which had been postponed since October 23 due to the escalating conflict, resumed from Saturday to Monday during agreed-upon humanitarian pauses, reports Xinhua news agency.

Early Saturday morning, 216 medical teams, supported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), UNRWA, and partners, deployed across 106 fixed sites in the north.

In addition, more than 200 social mobilisers engaged communities and raised awareness around vaccination efforts, according to UN agencies.

Richard Peeperkorn, a WHO official, said the target was to reach all children in the north with the second and final dose.

"We covered many more children than we expected, but we missed some," he said at a briefing via video for reporters at UN headquarters on Monday, adding that constant evacuation orders from Israel had recently displaced thousands of people.

The third phase of the campaign in northern Gaza followed the implementation of the first two phases of the second round in central and southern Gaza, which reached nearly 451,200 children, or 96 per cent of the target in these areas, according to the United Nations.
New York, Nov 5 : As the nation gets ready to head to the polls, the aggregation of polls that had given Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump a slight lead, but well within the margin of error, turned to give Democratic nominee Kamala Harris an edge.

The RealClear Polling's (RCP) aggregation that showed Trump ahead by 0.1 per cent on Sunday now has Harris up by 0.1 per cent, with 48.7 for the Democrat and 48.6 for the Republican on Monday night.

The change was fueled by a poll from the public broadcasters that gave her a 4 per cent lead over Trump.

The National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, which are partially funded by the federal government, said her lead was 0.5 per cent above their margin of error of 3.5 per cent.

Out of the eight polls that were taken partially or fully this month and went into RCPas calculation, two others gave Harris a 2 per cent lead, while one gave Trump a 1 per cent lead. The other four showed them tied.

In the RCP aggregations, Harris had consistently led after her nomination as the Democratic Partyas candidate replacing Joe Biden, but Trump eked out a small lead, starting October 26 till Monday.

The national total of popular votes does not matter as much as the performance in the seven swing states because of the electoral college system.

With the other states that are traditionally committed to either party, the swing states that can go to either party can decide the winner because their electoral college votes can decide which candidate goes over the 270 mark in the 538-member body.

RCP still has Trump leading in five of the seven swing states.

Trump leads with 0.5 per cent in Pennsylvania, which has 19 electoral college seats and where Harris and Trump fought a pitched battle for votes.

He is also ahead in Georgia and North Carolina with 16 seats each, and Nevada with six and Arizona with 11.

Harris leads in Wisconsin with 10 seats and Michigan,15 seats.

In 2016, Democrat Hillary Clinton won nearly 3 million more votes than Trump, but lost to him because he won the majority in the electoral college, 306 to 227.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 5. The construction of energy infrastructure facilities for the CASA-1000 (Central Asia-South Asia power) project has been completed in Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports via the National Electric Network of Kyrgyzstan (NENK) OJSC.

"Kyrgyzstan has completed the construction of energy infrastructure facilities as part of the international CASA-1000 project, which aims to create the largest trans-regional power transmission line connecting Central and South Asia. The project involves four countries: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan," the company said.

As part of the CASA-1000 project, the NENK General Director Altynbek Rysbekov announced the completion of the substation bay construction at the Datka substation in Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, 1,243 pylons have been installed, and the suspension of cables along a 456.06 km stretch has been completed.

"This project aims to export electricity from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan. It not only promotes energy integration between Central and South Asia but also opens new economic opportunities for our country," he said.

The CASA-1000 project envisages electricity export during the summer months when Kyrgyzstan experiences an excess of electricity production. This will allow for optimal use of available resources and stabilize the domestic market.

Additionally, the CASA-1000 Local Community Support Subproject (LCSS) has built social facilities, upgraded networks, and installed new pylons in settlements along power transmission lines.

To note, on April 3, 2021, the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, laid the foundation stone for the construction of the first high-voltage power line pylon in the village of Kara-Bulak in the Batken region, marking the starting point for the project.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) supported an international tender that selected the Turkish MITAS company as the contracting organization.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Abuja, Nov 5 : Nigerian President Bola Tinubu ordered the unconditional release of dozens of minors allegedly arrested during recent hunger protests in the country while calling for a probe into their detention.

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris told reporters in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, that the president's directive to the country's attorney-general took immediate effect, not minding the ongoing legal processes instituted against the young citizens, reports Xinhua news agency.

Tinubu also directed that all the law enforcement agents involved in the arrest and the legal processes be investigated, the minister said, adding that "if there are any infractions found to have been committed by any official of the government ... appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against him or her."

The minors, whose ages were below 18 years, according to local authorities, were arrested in the northern part of the country during the hunger protests across Nigeria in August and prosecuted for treason last week in Abuja.

Their arraignment sparked a nationwide debate after a local court gave strident bail conditions, including 10 million nairas (approximately $6,000) and two sureties for each of them.

"The president has also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately see to the welfare of those minors and also take part to ensure that they have a smooth reunion with their parents or guardians, wherever they are in the country," Idris said.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside the Allahabad High Court ruling which had struck down the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004 as unconstitutional and violative of the principles of secularism.

A Bench headed by CJI, DY Chandrachud said that the Allahabad High Court erred in holding that the Madarsa Education Act, 2004 was bound to be struck down for violation of the basic structure.

However, the CJI Chandrachud-led Bench held the Madarsa Education Act "unconstitutional" to the extent it regulates higher education in relation to 'fazil' and 'kamil' degrees for being in conflict with the UGC Act.

Earlier in April, staying the impugned decision, the Bench, also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, had observed that the Allahabad High Court misconstrued the provisions of the Madarsa Act and the view taken by it was prima facie not correct.

Delivering a verdict on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by an advocate challenging vires of the Madarsa Act, 2004, the Allahabad HC, in its March 22 order, had held the law violative of the principles of secularism, Articles 14, 21 and 21-A of the Constitution of India and Section 22 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.

It had asked the Uttar Pradesh government to take steps to accommodate madrasa students in regular schools, adding that if required, new schools would be established to ensure that children between the ages of 6 to 14 years are not left without admission in duly recognised institutions.

With less than a week's time left to him in the highest judicial office of the country, CJI Chandrachud is yet to pronounce several important decisions, including the AMU minority status case.

Before his retirement on November 10, the CJI-led Constitution Bench will also decide the question as to whether Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) licence holders require a separate endorsement to drive a transport vehicle of LMV class.
Mumbai, Nov 5 : In a major turnaround, the BJP on Tuesday declared that the party will support the Shiv Sena nominee Sada Sarvankar in Mahim constituency and not the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena candidate Amit Thackeray who is the son of MNS chief Raj Thackeray.

The BJP's move comes after Sarvankar remained adamant despite repeated calls to withdraw his candidature in favour of Amit Thackeray.

Sarvankar's decision to fight the elections has left the BJP with no option but to support him in adherence to the alliance dharma.

Further, the BJP's move for the moment has stopped its efforts to bring the MNS into the Mahayuti or extend its support to the MNS in a few other seats to checkmate the Shiv Sena UBT in particular and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in general.

With Sarvankar, who is a three-term legislator, the Mahim constituency will witness a triangular contest as he is pitted against the MNS nominee Amit Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Mahesh Sawant.

"As far as the Mahayuti is concerned, the issue of Mahim constituency is over. Now, Sada Sarvankar is the Mahayuti's candidate and we will work for his victory. However, if the leaders of Mahayuti partners including BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP take a different decision after due discussion then it will be a different story," said Shelar.

Shelar's statement has brought cheers in the Sada Sarvankar camp as it now hopes to also garner votes from non-Marathi voters especially Jain, Gujarati and others.

The BJP's move to change its stand comes after Raj Thackeray had launched blistering attacks against the Mahayuti on Monday and also targeted Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for joining hands with NCP chief Ajit Pawar in the government despite his criticism against him after his rebellion.

It was Shelar along with a slew of leaders including Devendra Fadnavis and party legislators Prasad Lad and Nitesh Rane who were at the forefront to argue that the Mahayuti should support Amit Thackeray in Mahim especially because the MNS chief Raj Thackeray had extended his support to the Mahayuti during the Lok Sabha elections.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held several meetings with Sarvankar seeking his views but the latter was reluctant to withdraw his nomination as he cited that MNS was not a part of the Mahayuti and his withdrawal would help the Shiv Sena (UBT) in a big way.

Amid mounting pressure from the BJP, the Chief Minister left the decision to Sarvankar and the Shiv Sainiks from Mahim constituency.

Thereafter, Sarvankar sought a meeting with Raj Thackeray on Monday before the time for withdrawal of nominations ended at 3 P.M.

However, after Raj Thackeray's refusal to meet him, Sarvankar declared that he would contest from Mahim.

Sarvankar during his meeting with the Chief Minister yesterday said he has explained his stand to him.

"Even if I withdraw, there is no chance that Amit Thackeray will be elected. This I brought to the CM's notice," he added.

Sarvankar had pleaded with the Chief Minister that he should not become a victim as his victory was crucial in increasing the Mahayuti's tally.

Sarvankar had also appealed to Raj Thackeray not to do injustice to him to support a common Shiv Sainik.

"I had thought of withdrawing from Mahim constituency on a condition that MNS should withdraw candidates so that more Mahayuti nominees win the elections. In some seats MNS has shown its willingness. However, I am saying that Amitji should be elected after I withdraw my nomination," said Sarvankar.

"If I withdraw my nomination a third party (Shiv Sena-UBT) will benefit," he added.

He claimed that grassroots BJP workers are with him and they will support him.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)
Bengaluru, Nov 5 : The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued notice to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with a plea seeking a CBI probe into the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case.

Adjourning the hearing in the case to November 26, a bench, headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, also issued notices to Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathy, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and land owner J. Devaraju asking them to file an objection if they have any against the petition.

The bench directed the Karnataka Lokayukta to submit a report on the progress of the investigation in the case till November 25.

Public prosecutor B. N. Jagadish sought two weeks to file objections.

RTI activist Snehamayi Krisha on September 27 submitted a petition before the High Court demanding a CBI probe against CM Siddaramaiah.

Krishna had stated in his petition that he does not think Lokayukta can ensure a transparent probe.

He said that the Lokayukta institution comes under the state government, and officers are designated by the government. Therefore, he was not confident of a transparent and unbiased investigation into the case.

On Monday, the Karnataka Lokayukta served notice to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to appear on Wednesday for questioning in connection with the alleged irregularities.

CM Siddaramaiah has been asked to be present at the Mysuru Lokayukta office on November 6 (Wednesday), sources confirmed on Monday.

The Mysuru Lokayukta had earlier grilled Parvathy, the second accused in the scam, for hours.

The Lokayukta sleuths had also probed CM Siddaramaiah's brother-in-law and Devaraju.

Siddaramaiah was the first accused, Parvathy the second accused, his brother-in-law the third accused and Devarju the fourth accused in the case.
Kolkata, Nov 5 : Ajoy Edwards, the founder of Hamro Party based out of the hills in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, will announce the formation of a new political party in the hills on Wednesday.

According to him, the Hamro Party will cease to exist from Wednesday and instead, a new political party will surface. "We are having trouble in getting the Hamro Party registered as a political force and hence, we have made a decision on this count," said Edwards on Tuesday.

It is learnt that the former member of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will be part of the new political party. The other members will include some prominent leaders of Bimal Gurung-led Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) including a former legislator from that party and the owner of a popular hill-based local television channel, among others.

Talks are also on with another leader from the hills and the founder of the Jana Andolon Party Harka Bahadur Chhetri.

According to Edwards, one of the two prime objectives of the proposed new political force would be the revival of movement in demand of the separate Gorkhaland state including the hills scattered over Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong and the plains of Terai and Dooars regions.

The second objective will be starting a movement against rampant corruption in the functioning of GTA, which is currently controlled by Anit Thapa-led Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), which has an understanding with the ruling Trinamool Congress.

In the Parliamentary elections this year, Edwards threw his full weight behind the Congress candidate Munish Tamang, while BGPM backed Trinamool Congress candidate and former bureaucrat Gopal Lama.

However, neither Tamang nor Lama got elected and the winner for the second consecutive term was BJP's Raju Bista, who received the backing of GJM. In the polls this year, the BJP legislator from Kurseong Assembly constituency Bishnu Prasad Sharma contested as an Independent candidate expressing grievance against BJP for fielding "outsider" candidates from Darjeeling again and again.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : Indian Rare Earths Limited, (IREL) and Kazakhstan's Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant JSC, (UKTMP JSC) have signed an agreement to establish an Indo-Kazakh joint venture company, IREUK Titanium Limited, for the production of Titanium Slag in India, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) Indian Rare Earths Limited, (IREL) and Kazakhstanas Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant JSC, (UKTMP JSC) have signed an agreement to establish an Indo-Kazakh joint venture company, IREUK Titanium Limited, for the production of Titanium Slag in India, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

The JVC will act as a catalyst in developing the titanium value chain within India as it will beneficiate low grade Ilmenite into high grade titanium feedstock and also result in employment generation opportunity in the state of Odisha. The offtake arrangement by UKTMP JSC will also be instrumental in bringing valuable foreign exchange for the country and aid UKTMP JSC in raw material security.

The joint venture company envisages to synergize the strength of the respective companies by establishing a plant in the titanium value chain for producing Titanium Slag by utilizing IRELas Ilmenite from Odisha. UKTMP JSC will provide the technology of producing Ti Slag and will take the agreed quantities for an input in their Ti sponge plant.

IRE, a central public sector undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), generates surplus Ilmenite in the course of its operation at Odisha and supplies quality minerals and rare earth compounds worldwide. UKTMP JSC, Kazakhstan is one of the world's largest vertically integrated titanium producers, from raw material extraction to high value-added products that includes titanium sponge and ingots. The products of UKTMP JSC are certified by all world manufacturers of the aerospace industry including Boeing & Airbus. The company exports 100% of titanium products to highly developed countries.

The joint venture company IREL and UKTMP JSC enhance the brand equity of both the companies as well as act as a growth engine for India and Kazakhstan in the titanium value chain.

Speaking at the signing event, A.K Mohanty, Secretary, DAE lauded the efforts of IREL (India) limited and mentioned that the new Indo-Kazakh joint venture company will pave the way for Atmanirbharata in the field of Titanium slag production in the country.

The agreement was signed by Deependra Singh, chairman and managing director, IREL (India) Limited and Assem Mamutova, president UKTMP JSC in the presence of A.K. Mohanty, Secretary DAE and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and Iran Sharkhan, Vice Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Kolkata, Nov 5 : Protesting junior doctors from West Bengal government hospitals on Tuesday alleged there were several gaps in the CBI charge sheet filed in the R.G. Kar Hospital murder-cum-rape of their colleague.

West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front (WBJDF), an umbrella body of the junior medic spearheading the agitation to demand justice for the victim of the August 9 incident, demanded answers on what it claimed to be an inordinate delay in sending samples from the crime scene for forensic test.

"Why did it take five days to send the evidence for forensic examination from the date collection?" asked a representative of the protesters, referring to alleged lack of answers on critical issues in the charge sheet.

The agitating medics have questioned the federal agency's first set of charges, filed against prime accused Sanjay Roy last month, just a week before a hearing in CBI Special Court on November 11.

On Monday, the process of framing of charge in the matter was completed at the Special Court in Kolkata.

The Front also alleged that the charge sheet did not give any details about the activities of accused Sanjay Roy for the 27-minute period between 3.36 A.M. and 4.03 A.M. on August 9, the day when the victim's body was recovered from the seminar hall in the R.G. Kar Hospital premises.

The Front alleged that the charge sheet was also silent on the "sticky white fluid" found on the body of the victim.

The Front said the presence of the fluid was mentioned in the post-mortem report but the CBI charge sheet has not indicated whether it was sent for a DNA test or not.

The WBJDF claimed that the first charge sheet filed by the CBI appeared to be based on the findings of Kolkata Police who carried out the initial investigation before the case was handed over to the federal agency by the Calcutta High Court.

WBJDF representatives, accompanied by thousands of common people, have been organising protests outside the CBI's Salt Lake office in the northern outskirts of Kolkata to demand speedy justice for the victim.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : India's home textile industry is set to witness 6-8 per cent growth this fiscal, riding on resilient demand from the US and expansion in the domestic market, according to a report on Tuesday.

Following a 9-10 per cent rebound in revenue growth last fiscal, the credit profiles of home textile companies will remain stable, supported by healthy cash accrual and moderate capital expenditure (capex) plans on the back of deleveraged balance sheets, according to the report by Crisil Ratings.

The home textile industry derives 70-75 per cent of its revenue from exports  the US alone accounts for 60 per cent  and the remaining 25-30 per cent from the domestic market.

According to Mohit Makhija, Senior Director, CRISIL Ratings, three factors will drive growth of the home textiles industry this fiscal.

"One, resilient consumer spending and normalised inventory levels at major retailers in the US will spur exports, though container availability bears watching. Two, the industry's continued focus on expanding domestic presence will aid growth," he mentioned.

Third, the domestic prices of cotton, the key raw material, are likely to remain close to international levels, resultantly retaining the competitiveness of domestic companies, said Makhija.

Therefore, for the home textiles exported by India, the country's share in US imports will remain steady this fiscal. In January-August 2024, it was 30 per cent, same as in calendar year 2023.

With domestic raw material prices remaining close to international prices, the operating margin is likely to remain stable at 14-15 per cent this fiscal, in line with last fiscal.

The margin will remain insulated from the recent volatility in freight cost as most exports are on a free-on-board basis, said the report.

While most companies are now looking to optimise utilisation this fiscal, a few large ones are planning capex, but on deleveraged balance sheets.

According to Pranav Shandil, Associate Director, CRISIL Ratings, with steady operating performance and moderate capex in fiscal 2025, the interest coverage for home textile companies should remain stable at 5-6 times.
Srinagar, Nov 5 : Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that the erstwhile state would not have been downgraded to a Union Territory had the road map of former Prime Minister, late Atal Bihari Vajpayee been followed.

Speaking during the obituary references in the legislative Assembly, Omar Abdullah said that J&K would not have been downgraded to a UT had late Vajpayee's strategy on Kashmir been followed.

CM Omar recalled that after the then Assembly passed a resolution for greater autonomy to J&K, which New Delhi had rejected during Vajpayee's prime ministership, "Vajpayee realised his mistake and then he designated the then law minister to engage in a dialogue with the state government on the subject. But, as providence would have it, he passed away and that was it."

"What should I say about late Vajpayee? He was a great visionary. Vajpayee was a towering personality, who started the Lahore bus and went to Minar-e-Pakistan.

"He always tried to build friendly ties with Pakistan. He was the one who continuously stated that friends can be changed, but not neighbours", CM Omar added.

He said that Vajpayee's slogan of 'Insaniyat, (humanity), Jamhuriyat (Democracy) and Kashmiriyat (identity of the Kashmiri people)' was full of vision and a reflection of his statesmanship.

"Perhaps, he was the first and last leader who raised this slogan", he said.

Omar said that it was Vajpayee who opened roads to connect the people of divided parts of J&K.

"The motive behind opening of roads was to connect people and the civil society so that a personal relationship is created.

"But, unfortunately, the path and the road map shown by Vajpayee has been left midway and instead of connecting people, distances are being created.

"If Vajpayee's road map on J&K would have been implemented and followed, we would not have been where we are at present," Omar said as he paid rich tributes to Vajpayee.

The chief minister also paid tribute to BJP MLA, late Devender Singh Rana stating that he wasn't aware about the health condition of his friend.

"If I am more pained over the death of any member, that is Devender. He was a great friend with whom I have spent the prime time of my life. I never knew about his failing health. If I would have been aware of his health, perhaps I would have tried to end the distances and indignation", Omar said.
Press Release

November 5, 2024 Senate approves on final reading the bill to rename Mindanao Central Sanitarium to Zamboanga Regional Medical Center principally sponsored by Bong Go Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and principal sponsor of House Bill No. 9656, lauded the Senate following the approval of the measure on its third and final reading on Monday, November 4. The bill aims to rename the Mindanao Central Sanitarium in Pasobolong, Zamboanga City to the Zamboanga Regional Medical Center. The move will elevate the status of the facility and expand its capacity to provide medical services to the people of Zamboanga Peninsula and nearby regions. Go emphasized the potential positive impact of the bill on the region's medical landscape. "Ang pagpasa ng panukalang ito ay isang malaking hakbang tungo sa mas mahusay na serbisyo sa kalusugan para sa mga kababayan natin sa Zamboanga at karatig na mga lugar. Magbibigay-daan ito sa pagpapalawak ng kapasidad ng ospital at pagtugon sa mas maraming pangangailangang medikal," he stated. During the Senate deliberations, the bill received support from lawmakers, signaling the unified commitment of the legislative body to improve healthcare accessibility in all regions. Go voted in favor of the measure, underscoring the urgent need to expand health facilities and services to cater to the evolving medical needs of the community. "Mahalaga na ang ating mga ospital ay makasabay sa lumalaking pangangailangan ng publiko. Ang pagbabago ng pangalan sa Zamboanga Regional Medical Center ay hindi lamang isang palitan ng titulo kundi isang pagpapahayag na ang pasilidad ay handang maging isang mas epektibong kaagapay sa kalusugan," Go explained. As principal sponsor, Go reiterated his dedication to bolstering healthcare systems nationwide. He stressed that supporting hospitals in regional areas is crucial to decentralizing quality healthcare and ensuring that Filipinos, regardless of location, have access to essential medical services. "Dapat nating tiyakin na bawat rehiyon ay may maayos na serbisyong medikal. Hindi dapat limitado sa mga urban na lugar ang dekalidad na ospital. Ito ang layunin ng mga panukalang tulad nito - ilapit ang serbisyo sa tao," he added. The measure seeks not only to rename but also to highlight the hospital's commitment to providing comprehensive medical care that matches the standards expected of regional medical centers. The renaming reflects the facility's evolving role as it expands its capability to offer specialized and advanced healthcare services. Go's leadership of the Senate Committee on Health has already led to the passage of 69 laws aimed at upgrading and establishing various public hospitals across the country. One of Go's initiatives, the Malasakit Center program, has made significant strides in providing accessible medical and financial assistance to Filipinos. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. As of now, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients' medical expenses. The Department of Health reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 15 million Filipinos. Go continues to exercise oversight on the operations of these Malasakit centers, ensuring that they function efficiently and that funds are properly allocated in accordance with the law. In addition to Malasakit Centers, Go is advocating for the establishment of more Super Health Centers. These aim to provide primary healthcare services to remote and underserved areas, bringing primary healthcare closer to communities who need it most. Through the collective efforts of Go, the Department of Health (DOH), local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for around 700 Super Health Centers nationwide so far. Finally, Go principally sponsored and is one of the authors of RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 5. Hungary may host the next informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in 2025, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov said at a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the extended format within the framework of the official visit, Trend repost via press service of the President of Kyrgyzstan.

We fully support Hungary's initiative to hold the next informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Budapest in 2025. We have already supported your initiative.

We are very pleased that the Budapest Informal Summit will be held within the framework of our chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States. In turn, as the chairing country, we are ready to do everything possible to make this summit a success, Zhaparov said.

According to the President, Kyrgyzstan is actively preparing for tomorrow's Summit of the Organization of Turkic States.

Your presence will add special significance to our discussions and emphasize the desire to strengthen ties between our states. Within the framework of tomorrow's Summit, we will jointly review important documents and discuss further development of multilateral cooperation within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States. I am confident that this cooperation will lead to new successes and strengthen our ties. It is important to note that the Kyrgyz side highly appreciates the aspiration of our Hungarian brothers to Turkic integration, as well as your undoubted personal contribution, Prime Minister, Zhaparov noted.
Lucknow, Nov 5 : Maulana Yasoob Abbas, General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB), on Tuesday, expressed his support for the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the validity of the Uttar Pradesh Madarsa Education Act, 2004.

The Supreme Court's ruling on Tuesday overturned a previous decision by the Allahabad High Court, which had declared the Act unconstitutional, claiming that it violated principles of secularism.

By setting aside the High Court's ruling, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed the legality of the Act and the role of Madrasas in the educational landscape of Uttar Pradesh.

"On behalf of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, I welcome the decision of the Supreme Court to validate the Madrasas," Abbas said while speaking to IANS.

Maulana Abbas described the Supreme Court's decision as "significant" and highlighted the long-standing role of Madrasas in India's history.

"Madrasas have played an important role in the Independence of the country," he noted, adding that they have produced numerous distinguished officials, including IAS, IPS, Governors, and PCS officers.

He emphasised the importance of mutual respect and coexistence, saying, "Everyone should respect and welcome this decision. We should implement the policy of 'Live and let live.' Everyone should carry forward the work of progressing the nation."

A Bench headed by CJI, DY Chandrachud said that the Allahabad High Court erred in holding that the Madarsa Education Act, 2004 was bound to be struck down for violation of the basic structure.

However, the CJI Chandrachud-led Bench held the Madarsa Education Act "unconstitutional" to the extent that it regulates higher education in relation to 'fazil' and 'kamil' degrees for being in conflict with the UGC Act.

Earlier in April, staying the impugned decision, the Bench, also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, had observed that the Allahabad High Court misconstrued the provisions of the Madarsa Act and the view taken by it was prima facie not correct.

Delivering a verdict on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by an advocate challenging vires of the Madarsa Act, 2004, the Allahabad HC, in its March 22 order, had held the law violative of the principles of secularism, Articles 14, 21 and 21-A of the Constitution of India and Section 22 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.

It had asked the Uttar Pradesh government to take steps to accommodate madrasa students in regular schools, adding that if required, new schools would be established to ensure that children between the ages of 6 to 14 years are not left without admission in duly-recognised institutions.
Agartala, Nov 5 : Energy-starved Bangladesh wanted at least 250 MW of electricity from Tripura, which is currently supplying 50 to 80 MW electricity to the neighbouring country, top officials said here on Tuesday.

Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) Managing Director Biswajit Basu said that the Bangladesh government has been requesting to supply at least 250 MW of electricity to their country as they have a huge shortage of power to meet the growing demand of consumers.

"Currently we are supplying 50 to 80 MW of electricity to Bangladesh every day. Discussions are going on. But to increase the supply of electricity, Central government's permission and clearances are vital, requiring signing of an agreement and to fulfil other formalities," Basu told IANS.

He said that the Bangladesh government almost regularly makes their payments to TSECL for the supply of electricity.

"Bangladesh is our good neighbour. Regularly we are talking about the supply of power from our power plant to their country," the state-owned corporation MD said.

The top TSECL engineer said that though the outstanding payment of Bangladesh is not much, the corporation is to get Rs 500 crore from the consumers of Tripura.

Tripura, an electricity surplus state, had started supplying 100 MW of power to Bangladesh from the state-owned ONGC Tripura Power Company (OTPC) power plant in March 2016.

The power supply sometimes increased to 160 MW.

After the first agreement in 2016, the TSECL subsequently renewed the agreement twice to continue the supply of electricity to Bangladesh.

Another Tripura Power Department official said that in 2020 the TSECL had supplied 40 MW of electricity to Nepal but the supply has been discontinued as Nepal did not approach the Indian authorities afresh.

The NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) is the nodal agency to supply power to Bangladesh from the Tripura power project, the official said.

He said that electricity is being supplied to Bangladesh and most of the northeastern states from the 726 MW generation capacity OTPC gas-based power plant in southern Tripura's Palatana, 65 km south of Agartala.

The OTPC, a joint venture company of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd, IDFC Bank and the Tripura government, set up the 726-MW project at Palatana in June 2013.

According to officials, the OTPC's combined cycle power plant, which is the largest gas-based power plant in the northeast, is meeting around 35 per cent of the power requirement of seven northeastern states, excluding Sikkim.

The Rs 10,000 crore Palatana power plant is a unique example of the cooperation between New Delhi and Dhaka, which ensured the passage of heavy project equipment and turbines to Palatana in southern Tripura through Bangladesh territory.

Besides the Palatana power plants, Tripura has several other gas-based thermal power projects owned by the state government and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), a Central government PSU.

(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujitchakrabortyne@gmail.com)
New Delhi, Nov 5 : Bank deposits rose at 8.6 per cent compared to December 2023, reaching Rs 218.1 lakh crore (as of October 18), a report showed on Tuesday, adding that on an annual basis, deposit growth has outpaced credit offtake for the first time in the last 30 months.

This growth can be attributed to rising term deposit rates of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), said the report by CareEdge Ratings.

In absolute terms, deposits have expanded by Rs 17.3 lakh crore over the last nine months.

"Deposits have remained prominent in FY25 as banks have intensified efforts to strengthen their liability franchise. The banks are also sourcing funds via the certificates of deposits at a relatively higher cost," the report mentioned.

The credit-deposit (CD) ratio has been hovering around 80 per cent since September 2023. The CD ratio witnessed a marginal uptick reaching 79.0 per cent for the fortnight ending October 18, compared to 79.5 per cent in December 2023.

Additionally, when comparing growth rates with December 2023, deposit growth has continued to outpace credit offtake.

Credit offtake increased by 8.0 per cent compared to December 2023, reaching Rs 172.4 lakh crore as of October 18.

"Mortgages and MSMEs account for the bulk of this increase. However, the growth slowdown compared to last year can be attributed to a higher base effect due to the merger and RBI measures such as higher risk weights and the proposed LCR norms," the report mentioned.

The Short-term Weighted Average Call Rate (WACR) has decreased to 6.43 per cent as of October 18, 2024, compared to 6.74 per cent as of October 27, 2023, indicative of surplus liquidity.

On year-on-year (YoY) performance, credit saw a growth of 11.7 per cent, slower than the last year's rate of 19.7 per cent. Meanwhile, deposits saw a growth of 11.8 per cent, compared to 13.4 per cent last year.
Seoul, Nov 5 : North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Tuesday, South Korea's military said, in the latest sabre-rattling just hours ahead of the US presidential election.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launches at about 7:30 a.m. from the Sariwon area in the western province of North Hwanghae, and they flew about 400 kilometres before splashing into the sea, reports Yonhap news agency.

A JCS official told reporters that the latest launches apparently involved the North's KN-25 super-large 600-millimeter multiple rocket launchers. The weapon system is believed to be capable of striking anywhere in South Korea when fired from Sariwon.

The official declined to specify the number of missiles fired, noting a detailed analysis is underway.

The barrage of missiles came just hours before Americans headed to the polls for the presidential race between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and her Republican rival, Donald Trump.

South Korean officials have warned the North could stage weapons tests around the US presidential vote to assert its presence and attract outside attention by boasting of its nuclear capabilities.

The launches came five days after the North launched the new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) -- theoretically capable of reaching the US mainland -- into the East Sea on Thursday.

Calling the Hwasong-19 the "ultimate version" of its ICBM series, North Korea claimed it renewed the records of its strategic missile capability and that it secured an "irreversible hegemonic position" in developing delivery means of nuclear weapons.

Experts said with the ICBM launch, North Korea appeared to aim to flaunt its nuclear capabilities ahead of the US election and divert attention away from the North's troop dispatch to Russia.

In response to last week's launch, South Korea, the United States and Japan staged combined air drills involving a US B-1B bomber over waters east of the southern island of Jeju on Sunday, according to the JCS.

Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of the North's leader, blasted the air exercise just before the latest launch, describing it as demonstrating the "most hostile and dangerous aggressive nature" of the enemy.

North Korea has bristled against the deployment of US strategic assets to and near the Korean Peninsula, accusing Washington of heightening tensions.

Considering the timing of the latest launches, the JCS official said they were assessed to be a show of force against the combined air drills.

The official said they also appeared to be threats against the South, considering the location of the launch and the North's claim of the 600 mm multiple rocket launcher being nuclear-capable.

"It is not a location where it usually fires missiles," the official said, noting they appeared to demonstrate the North's capabilities to launch a surprise missile attack against the South.

Citing the recent security situation, the official said the North could stage more provocative acts, such as launching a hypersonic missile, a spy satellite, or submarine-launched ballistic or cruise missiles, as well as conducting a nuclear test.

South Korean officials have said the North remains ready to carry out what would be its seventh nuclear test at any time.

If North Korea does press ahead with a nuclear test, the JCS official said it will likely test its Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warhead that it unveiled in March last year as it seeks to miniaturise warheads to mount on various missiles.

"A nuclear test remains prepared at all times," the official said. "Activities for nuclear material production have been ongoing for the entire year, and there appear to be more (nuclear materials) than expected at the start of the year."

The JCS vowed never to "sit idle" to North Korea's provocative acts, warning that the North would bear full responsibility for any consequences.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside the Allahabad High Court ruling striking down the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, holding that the law is consistent with the "positive obligation" of the state government to ensure that students studying in recognised madarsas attain a level of competency which will allow them to effectively participate in society and earn a living.

A bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, said that the Allahabad High Court erred in holding that the Madarsa Education Act, 2004, was bound to be struck down for violation of the basic structure and principles of secularism.

"The entire statute does not need to be struck down each time that certain provisions of the statute are held to not meet constitutional muster. The statute is only void to the extent that it contravenes the Constitution," it said.

The Bench, also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, held the Madarsa Education Act "unconstitutional" to the extent it regulates higher education in relation to the 'Fazil' and 'Kamil' degrees for being in conflict with the UGC Act. "The only infirmity lies in those provisions which pertain to higher education, namely Fazil and Kamil and these provisions can be severed from the rest of the Madarsa Act," it held.

It added that if the provisions relating to higher education are separated from the rest of the statute, the Madarsa Act can continue to be enforced in a real and substantial manner.

"Thus, only the provisions which pertain to 'Fazil' and 'Kamil' (degrees) are unconstitutional, and the Madarsa Act otherwise remains valid," the SC ruled.

Further, it held that Article 21-A of the Constitution and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 have to be read consistently with the right of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

"The Board, with the approval of the state government, can enact regulations to ensure that religious minority institutions impart secular education of a requisite standard without destroying their minority character. The Madarsa Act is within the legislative competence of the State legislature and traceable to Entry 25 of List III," the Supreme Court said.

Earlier in April, staying the impugned decision, it had observed that the Allahabad High Court misconstrued the provisions of the Madarsa Act and the view taken by it was prima facie not correct.

Delivering a verdict on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by an advocate challenging vires of the Madarsa Act, 2004, the Allahabad HC, in its March 22 order, had held the law violative of the principles of secularism, Articles 14, 21, and 21-A of the Constitution of India and Section 22 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. It had asked the Uttar Pradesh government to take steps to accommodate students of such institutions in regular schools, adding that if required, new schools would be established to ensure that children between the ages of 6 to 14 years are not left without admission in duly recognised institutions.

--IANS

pds/vd
Kolhapur : , Nov 5 (IANS) A day after blowing his top over certain political developments, Maharashtra senior Congress leader, Satej D. 'Bunty' Patil regained his composure on Tuesday while reiterating that he had complete respect for the Chhatrapati royalty of Kolhapur.

Patil had fumed after the Congress abruptly withdrew its official nominee from Kolhapur North Assembly constituency  Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati  the wife of ex-MLA Malojiraje Chhatrapati and the daughter-in-law of Chhatrapati Shrimant Shahu Maharaj, sitting Congress MP  leaving the prestigious seat without a Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate.

Livid over the sudden move, Patil vented his anger  and later even shed tears  in front of the Chhatrapati royal trio and in full public and media view, as political circles were taken aback at what was viewed as a veritable 'blasphemy'.

"If you had no courage to fight (the polls) then why did you stand I have been cheated. You should have told me in advance I would have shown my strength," ranted Patil, losing his cool.

With gritted teeth, Patil also warned that he would "not spare the people" around the Kolhapur MP who had reportedly plotted the matter, as Chhatrapati Shrimant Shahu Maharaj allegedly compelled his daughter-in-law to sign the withdrawal form while her husband Malojiraje Chhatrapati escorted her outside.

A quiet but tad tense Patil even sounded remorseful for his behaviour of Monday evening but said he wanted to bury the matter and "looked forward" to the preparations for the Assembly elections, barely a fortnight away.

"I have always had complete respect for the 'gaadi' (throne) and the Chhatrapatis, which will continue in the future I don't wish to comment on what happened last evening and create any misunderstandings," declared Patil.

The Congress leader said that he would be holding discussions with the royal family and the party top brass later on Tuesday and finalise the strategy for the Kolhapur North seat.

The Kolhapur North seat has given a series of hiccups to the Congress in the past few days, owing to local politics, but state Congress President Nana F. Patole attempted to soothe tempers saying (the withdrawal) was ostensibly necessitated owing to certain (royal) family issues, though few were convinced.

The headaches started for the Congress which had earlier nominated a local heavyweight and ex-municipal corporator Rajesh Latkar in place of sitting MLA Jayashree C. Jadhav  elected in a bypoll in 2022 - who promptly quit with her son Satyajit, to join the ruling Mahayuti ally Shiv Sena.

Suddenly, on October 28 the Congress dropped Latkar and nominated Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati - who filled her form, started her poll campaign, and at the last minute stepped out of the contest.

Slighted after being denied the party ticket, Latkar stood as an Independent, and despite all efforts by Patil and the Chhatrapatis to make him withdraw, did not relent.

At one point, local sources said that Chhatrapati Shrimant Shahu Maharaj was riled by the goings-on and reportedly said that "if he (Latkar) doesn't withdraw, then Madhurima Raje will step back", leaving Patil stunned.

Party sources in Mumbai and Kolhapur hint that with no options, the MVA would support Latkar and work to ensure his victory in this crucial and prestigious seat in the erstwhile royal kingdom.

However, nobody is willing to predict the consequences of these serial cloak-and-dagger political dramas with a regal edge on the MVA prospects here in the November 20 elections.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: qnajmi@gmail.com)
New Delhi, Nov 5 : President Droupadi Murmu attended the first Asian Buddhist Summit, organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), in the capital on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, President Murmu said that India, being a blessed land of Dharma has been home to many masters and mystics, seers and seekers, who have shown the humankind a way to find peace inside and harmony outside.

"The Buddha holds a unique place among these pathfinders. The enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya is an event unparalleled in history. He not only attained incomparably rich insights into the working of the human mind, he also chose to share them with all people in the spirit of "Bahujana sukhaya bahujana hitaya cha"  for the welfare of the masses," she told the gathering.

The President said that today the world is facing an existential crisis on many fronts and in such circumstances, the large Buddhist community has much to offer to humankind.

"The various schools of Buddhism show the world how to counter narrow sectarianism. Their central message remains focused on peace and non-violence. If one word can capture the Buddha Dhamma, it has to be 'karuna' or compassion, which is what the world needs today", she remarked.

Emphasizing on the preservation of Buddha's teachings, she said that she was happy to note that the government has granted the status of 'classical language' to Pali and Prakrit, among other languages. She said that Pali and Prakrit would now receive financial support, which will contribute significantly to the preservation of their literary treasures and to their revitalisation.

President Murmu further said that there was a need to discuss the role of Buddha Dharma in strengthening the Asian continent.

"We need to expand the discussion to see how Buddha Dharma can bring peace, real peace, to Asia and the world  a peace free from not only physical violence but also from all forms of greed and hatred  the two mental forces at the root of all our miseries, according to the Buddha," she pointed out.

She expressed confidence that the Summit will go a long way in strengthening our cooperation, based on our shared heritage of the Buddha's teachings.
Mumbai, Nov 5 : The Election Commission of India on Tuesday approved the appointment of IPS officer Sanjay Kumar Verma as Maharashtra's Director General of Police.

Verma, of the 1990 batch, is currently the Director General, Law and Technical. He is due to retire in April 2028.

Vermaas appointment came a day after the poll panel had removed incumbent Rashmi Shukla, an IPS officer of the 1988 batch, amid the oppositionas allegation of bias in her functioning. The state government had given charge of the DGP to Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar till the new appointment.

The state government had submitted a panel of three IPS officers for Shuklaas successor including Verma, Sanjeevkumar Singhal, and Ritesh Kumar. Out of these, the ECI has cleared Vermaas name for the post.

Vermaas appointment comes days before the Assembly elections slated for November 20. Shukla was removed especially after the oppositionas plea to the ECI to shift her out for free and transparent elections in the state.

The Congress had written three letters to the EC to press for Shuklaas removal alleging that she was working at the instance of the BJP while targeting the opposition leaders, especially during the ongoing election process.

The opposition had also raised her role in their phone tapping illegally done by her during 2015 and 2019 when the BJP-led government was in power in the state. The MahaYuti government had appointed Shukla as state DGP in January this year, with a tenure till January 2026, though she was set to retire in June this year.

State Congress chief Nana Patole and Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut last week reiterated their demand for the immediate removal of DGP Shukla. Patole claimed that Shukla is a controversial officer who has sided with the BJP, and with her in office, there are doubts about the elections being conducted fairly and transparently. He said that Congress had appealed to the Election Commission of India to remove Shukla from her post but the poll panel ignored it.

"When the BJP requested the removal of the DGPs in West Bengal and Jharkhand, they were promptly replaced, but the Election Commission has not yet removed Maharashtraas DGP," said Patole.

"Is there a different law for Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Maharashtra? For a fair and transparent election, Shukla should be immediately removed,aa he added.

"Shukla has allegedly instructed Police Commissioners and district police officers to file cases against opposition leaders and harass them. The police machinery is reportedly obstructing opposition leaders and workers, pressuring and threatening them. Rashmi Shuklaas approach has been controversial in the past, as she was involved in the phone tapping of opposition leaders and has had cases registered against her," Patole claimed.
Jaipur, Nov 5 : Apart from signing two MoUs in the hospitality development sector, a delegation led by Rajasthan's Minister of State for Industry and Commerce K.K. Vishnoi invited Saudi Arabia to participate as partner country in 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024' to be held here next month, an official said on Tuesday.

Vishnoi said, "Saudi Arabia is one of the largest economies in West Asia and is replete with leading business groups in sectors ranging from petrochemicals and engineering to real estate and renewable energy, which are crucial to Rajasthan's economy."

"We had very fruitful discussions with leading business groups, which resulted in us signing two investment MoUs in the hospitality development sector," he said in a statement.

Seeking cooperation to facilitate new investments and business opportunities in Rajasthan, the Minister-led delegation apprised the Saudi Arabian delegation of the pro-business policy reforms being implemented by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

Continuing the series of signing of investment MoUs ahead of the summit, the Minister-led delegation also signed pacts with Riyadh-based Swiss Hospitality Company and Jeddah-based C Ventures in the hospitality development sector.

While Swiss Hospitality Company provides a range of services from advisory and project management to community engagement and development, C Ventures, apart from being a consulting major, also provides support to emerging entrepreneurs, new ventures and community building and engagement programmes.

The Minister-led delegation also interacted with officials of Alfanar Projects, a Riyadh-based engineering and construction company, who expressed willingness to make fresh investments in Rajasthan in the renewable energy sector.

Apart from the Minister, other delegation members currently present in Saudi Arabia include Naveen Jain, Secretary, Finance (Expenditure) Department; Sandesh Nayak, Special Secretary to Chief Minister; Navneet Kumar, Additional Commissioner, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corrido; Ravish Kumar Verma, Joint Commissioner Industries; Krishan Kumar Gupta, DGM, RIICO and others.

In preparation for the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024, the Government of Rajasthan has organised investor meets across the country as well as abroad. Domestic investor meets have already been organised in Mumbai and New Delhi, while on the global front, investor meets have been organised in South Korea, Japan, UAE, Qatar, Singapore, Germany and the United Kingdom so far. Extensive outreach both domestically and internationally has resulted in Rajasthan Government receiving investment proposals (MoUs) worth over Rs 18 lakh crore till date, reflecting the tremendous confidence of the investor and business community in the efforts of the State.
Peshawar, Nov 5 : More than 22,000 students across primary schools in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have no option but to sit at home as the province's All-Primary Teachers Association (APTA) are holding a major sit-in protest at Peshawar's Jinnah Park to press for their demands.

APTA Provincial President Azizullah has said that the protest will continue until the KP Education Minister issues an official notification for teachers' upgradation.

On the other hand, the KP Education Department has taken the forced closure of schools as a challenge to the provincial government's authority, warning to take strong action against APTA and the thousands of teachers involved in the protest.

Azizullah, meanwhile, continues to mobilise support, insisting that the government plans to launch a crackdown on the protest.

"Our phones are off and we are all keeping a low profile. Schools will only reopen once the government issues an official upgradation notification for teachers, as there will be no compromise on this demand. Teaches are united; they have made sacrifices in the past and are prepared to face any difficulty to secure their rights," he said.

APTA had warned last month that it would shut down all 26,000 primary boys and girls schools from November 5 and would not reopen them until their demands are met.

"The sit-in would mark a historic event, as it is being held to demand the notification of upgradation, and regularization of 13,500 teachers, the restoration of forced promotions, and the revival of the fargo option", remarked Azizullah.

Along with the demand of regularization of teachers, the teachers' protest also opposes the privatization of primary schools. APTA is demanding creation of senior primary school teacher posts with position codes in merged districts of KP, class-wise teacher appointments at every primary school and teacher regularization under the 2022 Act and its inclusion into the General Provident (GP) Fund.

APTA says that even though it remains open to positive negotiations, no flexibility would be shown in their demands and the primary education system of KP province will remain completely shut.

The protest by the teachers is fast becoming a major challenge for the KP government as thousands of primary teachers, including men and women, take to the streets and force the education system of the province to shut down completely for an indefinite period of time.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 5. The joint declaration on expanded strategic partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Hungary has been signed, the statement of the press service of the President of Kyrgyzstan said, Trend reports.

The signing took place following the talks between the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov and the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban.

The following documents were also signed:

- Program of Cooperation between the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Hungary for 2025-2027;

- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary on cooperation within the STIPENDIUM HUNGARICUM program for 2025-2027.

To note, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan. He will participate in the 11th summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Bishkek on November 6.
Ramanagara : , Nov 5 (IANS) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy expressed outrage on Tuesday, calling the FIR filed against him based on a complaint by a senior IPS officer, Lokayukta SIT chief, M. Chandrashekar as "ridiculous and malicious." Ramanagara (Karnataka), Nov 5 (IANS) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy expressed outrage on Tuesday, calling the FIR filed against him based on a complaint by a senior IPS officer, Lokayukta SIT chief, M. Chandrashekar as "ridiculous and malicious."

While campaigning for his son and NDA candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy in Akkuru Hosahalli village, Kumaraswamy responded to media questions, saying, "During this bye-election, the Congress-led state government is targeting us out of sheer animosity. I will respond to this through the judiciary."

"I have read the FIR and the complaint's content. It is completely ridiculous and clearly malicious. The complainant has stated that I allegedly made accusations against him in a press conference and has asked for action. Did I provide false information about him? He can review my press conference video if he wants," said the Union Minister.

"They filed an FIR because I held a press meet. They also filed an FIR against Channapatna candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy for allegedly making a statement, and against JD(S) legislative party leader Suresh Babu for submitting a complaint to the Chief Secretary. So, according to them, should no one speak or file complaints against officers under the Congress government? They cannot silence us," Kumaraswamy retorted.

"This is a conspiracy and part of a malicious scheme. When they realised their deceit in Channapatna was becoming apparent, they resorted to new tactics. We have faith in Baba Saheb Ambedkar's Constitution and the law, and trust in the people of Channapatna. Even if a hundred such FIRs are filed, we will not lose courage," he asserted.

"If you see the copy of the FIR, the content is laughable. I have not issued threats in my life to anyone. I am not a person who will indulge in illegal activities. How can Nikhil Kumaraswamy be named in the FIR? On what basis has he been booked? They want an FIR against him before election and they have done it," Kumaraswamy claimed.

"In which manner I have issued threats? I have brought certain issues before the media. This is a message that the Congress government is giving that no one should go against officers and file complaints against them. I will seek a solution for this in the court," Kumaraswamy reiterated.

Karnataka Police registered an FIR against Kumaraswamy, on Tuesday as per the directions of a court.

The petition in this regard was submitted by M. Chandrashekar, in which he has accused Kumaraswamy of defaming him and threatening him and his family.

Sanjaynagar police in Bengaluru have registered the FIR against Kumaraswamy.

The police have named Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy and NDA candidate for Channapatna seat as the second accused in the case.

C.B. Suresh Babu, the JD(S) party floor leader in the Legislative Assembly is named as the third accused in the case.
Kochi, Nov 5 : The turmoil in the Malayalam film industry ever since the Hema Committee report became public in August took a new twist on Tuesday as the Producers' Association ousted actress-cum-producer Sandra Thomas, who had been complaining about its functioning, from the body.

An active personality in the Malayalam film industry, Thomas and the Association had been at loggerheads since the Hema Committee report was published and she had filed a complaint against the Association, alleging that it was acting as a feeder organisation of the powerful Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA).

The Association dismissed her complaint as a fake one and they decided to take action against her. Already with the relations strained between her and her Association, she, along with another woman producer, made a written demand that there should be a change of the office bearers of the Association and this was treated as an act of indiscipline by the male-dominated grouping. She was also upset with the Association over its silence after the Hema Committee report was published and the police launched action, based on the various complaints that came from various actresses.

She was further upset when the association called a meeting to discuss the issues raised by her and it ended up as an eyewash and she felt she was humiliated.

Another reason why she was seen as a troublemaker was when she expressed her view that in the Malayalam film industry, there exists a power group which decides everything.

Known for her roles in popular films like "Amen" and *Zachariayude Garbhinikal", Thomas was also the producer of "Zachariayude Garbhinikal" and "Philips and the Monkey Pen".

In the past, she was in the limelight when her business partner Vijay Babu, who co-founded film production company Friday Film House, split with her. She then started her own production company named Sandra Thomas Productions.
Koderma, Nov 5 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday drew parallels between Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and Jharkhand minister Alamgir Alam.

Addressing an election rally in support of BJP candidates from Koderma and Barkatha Assembly seats, he said Aurangzeb destroyed temples and Alamgir "looted" poor people's money in the state.

Chief Minister Adityanath accused the JMM, Congress and RJD coalition government of patronising mafia and corrupt people.

He called upon the people to vote for the BJP in the state for the sake of development, security, respect and good governance.

He said, "Aurangzeb came to this country and destroyed holy temples, and Alamgir, a minister in the Jharkhand government, looted the money of the people of the state."

"Currency notes valuing crores of rupees were recovered from Alamgir's servants and family members. What could be a worse level of robbery than this?", the UP CM wondered.

Alleging that sand, mining and forest mafia involved in organised crime were getting protection from the Jharkhand government, he asked people to vote for the BJP to stem the corruption.

Sharing the changed scenario in Uttar Pradesh, he said before 2017, the mafia was prevalent in the state, but after the BJP government was formed, it was rooted out.

Asking people to vote for the BJP, the leader said the elections in Jharkhand were an opportunity for the people to answer those who have deceived them in the name of politics.

Highlighting the BJP government's schemes, he said only the BJP can guarantee ration and Ayushman Bharat facilities and houses for everyone.

On the outcome of the Haryana Assembly elections, he said exit polls predicted victory for the Congress and its allies, but the people there formed a double-engine government for development, security, good order and good governance.

"Ram Lalla has been seated in his abode in Ayodhya after centuries. In Mathura too, Shri Krishna Lalla will sit in his abode," he said.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the European Union's Proba 3 Sun Observation Mission in December, said Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, on Tuesday.

Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the Indian Space Conclave 3.0 in New Delhi, he said the space scientists from India will partner with those in Europe to unravel the mysteries of the Sun.

Proba-3, which aims to study the Sun's faint corona closer to the solar rim, will be launched on the PSLV-XL rocket, operated by the ISRO.

"The European Union's large orbiter Proba 3, which will observe the Sun, will go to space from Sriharikota in December," Singh said.

"Space scientists from ISRO and the European Union are going to jointly observe the Sun's atmosphere," he added.

Proba-3 mission includes two satellites that will work together to create a 144-metre-long instrument known as a solar coronagraph.

This will help scientists to study the Sun's corona which is difficult to observe due to the brightness of the solar disk.

The 'world's first precision formation flying mission' will enable scientists to study the Sun's elusive corona with unprecedented proximity and detail.

Meanwhile, Singh said the space sector that was "kept under wraps for 60-70 years," has now been opened to the public sector with the 2023 New Space policy, leading to a significant boom in the industry.

He also listed out the ambitious goal of establishing the Indian space station Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035, and landing the first Indian on the Moon by 2040".

Addressing the Indian Space Conclave 3.0, the Minister highlighted that almost every sector in the country is using space technology. He also added that space technology also fosters the creation of smart cities by providing navigation, satellite imaging, and terrain mapping among others.

He also underscored India's vision to increase its contribution to the global space economy from 2 per cent to 10 per cent in the coming years.
Mumbai, Nov 5 : As Maharashtra gears up for the Assembly elections, the contest for the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency has intensified.

The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has fielded Nawab Malik from the seat, sparking resistance from the BJP, the bigger alliance partner in Mahayuti, over his purported ties with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

NCP chose to overlook BJPas opposition in announcing Nawab Malik as its candidate from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, following which the latter placed its bet on Suresh Krishna Patil aka 'Bullet Patil' as an official candidate of Mahayuti.

On the other hand, the Maha Vikas Agahi (MVA) comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP (SS) has put forth Rajendra Waghmare as its candidate.

Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar has joined the list of most-talked-about constituencies in Maharashtra Assembly elections, because of its multi-cornered contest. All eyes are on whether the splitting of votes will impair incumbent MLA Abu Azmias chances or will become a defining example of differences between the Mahayuti partners.

Abu Asim Azmi, a veteran Samajwadi Party (SP) leader has been representing this seat since 2009.

Both Nawab Malik and Abu Azmi spoke to IANS and reasoned why they have better chances of outperforming the other.

Nawab Malik voiced confidence over his victory, despite objections from the BJP and Shiv Sena.

"When I filed my nomination, around 15,000 people showed up in support. Shiv Sena and BJP only gained 28,000 votes in the Lok Sabha, which isn't enough to secure a win," Malik told IANS.

He further said that the "BJP and Shiv Sena do not stand a chance" in front of him and pointed to SP's Azmi as his primary opponent, alleging that Azmi sought to block his candidacy.

"SP leaders tried to sway BJP and Shiv Sena to keep me away from running for elections, but Ajit Pawar supported me, knowing that I am here to fight for public interests. This election is about change -- fighting against drugs and improving education," Malik stated, adding that he believes the public is ready for a transformation.

On the other hand, SP's Abu Azmi expressed confidence in his chances, noting his successful track record in previous elections.

"Secular voters, including Dalits and non-Muslims who support Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's ideals, will reject Mahayuti. They oppose those who glorify the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, ban the burqa, and target Muslims," Azmi told IANS.

Reflecting on his previous wins, Azmi added, "In my first victory, I won by a margin of around 15,000 votes, followed by 25,000, and then 30,000 to 35,000. This time, I expect to win by an even larger margin."

He criticised Mahayuti for attempting to split the vote, stating, "They're not here to win but to divide votes and undermine others. However, people recognise this, and I believe more voters will unite in response."

Azmi also spoke about developments in his constituency, mentioning improvements in infrastructure, including new schools, hospitals, and roads, as well as the construction of a college and public toilets.
Manila, Nov 5 : The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday said it approved a loan of $311 million to modernise electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure in Nepal.

The ADB said the project will finance 290 km of power transmission lines in Nepal, promising to expand, reinforce, and rehabilitate electricity distribution infrastructure in relevant areas, Xinhua news agency reported.

The project is also expected to help the Nepal Electricity Authority upgrade its training centre, expand the smart meter rollout program, establish a data recovery centre, and implement a supervisory control and data acquisition network.

The ADB will also provide an additional $30 million in grants from its Asian Development Fund, which offers grants to ADB's poorest and most vulnerable developing members.
Chennai, Nov 5 : The Tamil Nadu Police are reportedly close to apprehending one of the main suspects in the murder case of the BSP state President K. Armstrong, who was hacked to death on July 5, 2024, in Chennai.

The prime accused in the case, underworld don Sambhav Senthil, along with his associates Krishnakumar and Appu, are still absconding. However, sources in the Greater Chennai Police have confirmed that special police teams are actively following leads and are expected to arrest Senthil and the other suspects soon.

Seventeen police teams were assembled to investigate this case, and 27 individuals have already been arrested.

The arrested include hardened criminals, known history-sheeters, and members from political parties like AIADMK, Tamil Manila Congress (TMC), BJP, and Congress.

Speaking to the media, Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner M. Arun stated that a 5,000-page charge sheet has been submitted to a jurisdictional magistrate court within the stipulated timeframe.

According to the charge sheet, the notorious don P. Nagendran, who has been incarcerated for the past 26 years, is listed as the first accused, with Sambhav Senthil as the second.

The document reveals that three gangs conspired together to meticulously plan and execute Armstrongas murder.

One of the gangs, which carried out the actual murder, was led by Ponnai Balu, the brother of slain gangster Arcot V. Suresh. Balu and his group surrendered to the police shortly after the murder, confessing that they had killed Armstrong in retaliation for the murder of Arcot Suresh, whom they alleged was killed at Armstrongas behest.

The second and third groups, responsible for planning and financing the murder, were led by the first accused, P. Nagendran, and the second accused, Sambhav Senthil.

According to the charge sheet, Nagendranas son, K. Ashwathaman, a former Tamil Nadu Youth Congress office bearer, had personal issues with Armstrong, which reportedly fueled Nagendranas animosity toward the BSP leader.

Additionally, Senthil is alleged to have had a dispute with Armstrong over a real estate deal. The three groups ultimately collaborated to orchestrate the assassination of Armstrong.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi alleged on Tuesday that attending the investigation in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is mere 'drama'.

He said that attending the Lokayukta investigation by Siddaramaiah will help him to escape the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation in the future.

"I am not talking about the Lokayukta Justice or the Upa Lokayukta Justice. But officers who are stooges of Siddaramaiah have been deputed to Mysuru Lokayukta office," he claimed.

He said that the Special Investigation Teams (SIT) have been turned into the "Save Siddaramaiah" movement while ministers have now become the investigation team.

"The SIT probing the Valmiki Tribal Welfare scam did not even mention the name of former minister B. Nagendra in the case who was later arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED)," he said.

On Tuesday, Siddaramaiah confirmed that he would attend the investigation on November 6 (Wednesday) in the Mysuru Lokayukta office. Meanwhile, the High Court, taking up the petition seeking the CBI probe into the MUDA case had adjourned the matter to Nov 26.

Pralhad Joshi further hit back at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's recent claims regarding grant allocations by the Centre, dubbed his repeated statements as cliches.

Earlier, Siddaramaiah questioned whether Joshi would leave politics if he proved that the Central government had not provided adequate grants to Karnataka.

Joshi, responded by dismissing the Siddaramaiah statement, likening it to his typical "guarantee rhetoric."

He said that if Siddaramaiah is serious about transparency, he should step down as Chief Minister and support a proper investigation.
Tokyo, Nov 5 : Japan, South Korea, and the United States on Tuesday jointly condemned North Korea's launch of multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, citing serious threats to regional and global security.

In a high-level Japan-US-South Korea phone conference, Japanese Foreign Ministry's Deputy Director-General Okochi Akihiro, South Korea's Korean Peninsula Policy Director Lee Jun-il and the US Director for Korea and Mongolia Affairs Seth Bailey strongly criticised the North Korean actions.

According to a statement released by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the officials reaffirmed that these launches are a "direct violation" of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. They "strongly condemned" the act, calling it "a threat to regional peace and security" and reaffirmed close coordination among the three countries.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected the missile launches from North Korea's Sariwon area in North Hwanghae Province around 7:30 am Tuesday. The missiles travelled approximately 400 kilometres before plunging into the sea. The JCS indicated that the launches likely involved the North's KN-25 600-millimetre multiple rocket launchers, capable of targetting any location in South Korea.

This show of force carried out just hours before the US presidential election, comes amid speculation that North Korea is asserting its nuclear capabilities to gain international attention.

South Korean officials have previously cautioned that North Korea might escalate its weapons tests around the US election as part of a calculated strategy.

The latest incident follows North Korea's test launch of its Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) five days ago. Capable of reaching the US mainland, this "ultimate version" of North Korea's ICBM series, as claimed by Pyongyang, aims to reinforce the North's nuclear arsenal and assert its "irreversible hegemonic position" in global security.

In response to the Hwasong-19 test, the US, South Korea, and Japan conducted joint air drills over the East Sea on Sunday, involving a US B-1B bomber. Shortly before Tuesday's launch, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, condemned the drills, describing them as "hostile and dangerous aggression."

An official from the JCS noted that the unusual launch site signals North Korea's intention to demonstrate its ability to launch surprise attacks on South Korea.

The official warned that North Korea might follow up with further provocative actions, including hypersonic missile launches, spy satellite deployment, or even a nuclear test with the Hwasan-31 tactical warhead, which Pyongyang revealed last year as part of its miniaturisation efforts.

With North Korea reportedly increasing its nuclear materials production, South Korea remains on high alert, indicating that Pyongyang is prepared for additional nuclear tests.

The JCS stressed that it will not "stand idle" in the face of further provocations, warning North Korea that it will bear full responsibility for any escalated consequences.
Kabul, Nov 5 : Measles cases are surging in Afghanistan, with nearly 6,000 positive cases in 2024, according to the latest data from the country's Ministry of Public Health.

"Out of 10,000 suspected measles cases in 2024, nearly 6,000 cases have tested positive, showing an increase compared to 2023," local media quoted the ministry's spokesperson, Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, as saying on Monday.

The ministry planned to launch a measles vaccination campaign across the country to prevent disease outbreaks, said Amarkhil.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting local media outlet TOLOnews.

Measles is an extremely infectious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when infected people breathe, cough or sneeze. An individual infected with measles can infect nine out of 10 unvaccinated individuals with whom they come in close contact.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Uzbekistan is focused on further developing its already efficient railway system, and Spain is actively collaborating in this endeavor, General Director for International Trade and Investment of Spains Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Business Alicia Varela told Trend in an exclusive interview.

In the realm of bilateral relations, a Framework Agreement for Financial Cooperation between Spain and Uzbekistan was signed during the 2023 Intergovernmental Commission, which envisages finance by the Spanish FIEM fund amounting to 250 million euros. High-level negotiations have taken place to assess the possibility of using part of these funds for transport projects, leaving it to the Uzbek authorities to make a final decision, she said.

Alicia Varela noted that Spain, at the institutional and business level, has been working intensively in Central Asia, specifically in Uzbekistan, for more than a decade. In this context, the first Joint Commission in the economic and commercial sphere was held in Tashkent from March 1 through March 3, 2023. Spain expects to hold the second edition in 2025 in Madrid.

According to her, the Joint Commission is an extraordinary instrument to promote agreements and to find areas of cooperation at the bilateral level in multiple sectors that help increase trade and investment. This is achieved through an intense agenda of meetings at the highest interministerial level. In addition, a business meeting is consistently organized at the same time, featuring representatives from both companies currently operating in Uzbekistan and those interested in developing a market entry. This is also an appropriate framework for Spanish firms to learn in detail about the country's short- and medium-term strategy for opening up and developing the country, and specifically, for analyzing national and regional projects in which Spanish companies with proven experience can participate and generate a knock-on effect for other companies wishing to enter Uzbekistan.

If we look at Spain's import data from Uzbekistan, the fur and leather sector ranked third in 2023, which implies that there is demand for this sector in our country. In this regard, our Ministry has a wide range of instruments to boost Spain's trade and investment with other countries. Firstly, ICEX Espana Exportacion e Inversiones (Spain's Export and Investment Agency) is our agency when it comes to organizing direct and inverse trade missions, industry days, pavilions at trade and investment fairs, and forums in all sectors. We have a wide range of possibilities to open new alliances, the representative of the ministry said.

She emphasized that the fashion and leather sector features several internationally renowned trade fairs that take place annually in Spain, such as FUTURMODA in Alicante, which occurred on October 16, 2024, and MOMAD in Madrid, scheduled for February 2025. Uzbek companies interested in entering the Spanish market should consider participating in these events.

Secondly, we also offer a wide range of financial instruments to support Spanish companies in their internationalization process. The Corporate Internationalization Fund (FIEM) is a public initiative managed by the Spanish Secretary of State for Trade, designed to promote the presence of Spanish companies and products abroad. Through FIEM, we can facilitate exports from Spanish companies, including machinery for the industry. Additionally, we assist clients in modernizing their production systems, which will lead to an increase in exports from the client countryin this case, from Uzbekistan to other partners, Alicia Varela noted.

The representative from the ministry emphasized that the excellent relationship and exchange of information between the economic and trade offices of both countries is also of paramount importance. On the multilateral arena, Spain is an active member and contributor to several multilateral institutions that participate in the development of the financing of infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan, such as the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank Group, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Spain welcomes the Uzbekistans bid for decarbonization and modernization of its energy sector: reaching 40 percent renewables in the energy mix by 2030 is a great challenge, and Spain is ready to support Uzbekistan with its great institutional and corporate expertise in the field of renewable energies. Spanish companies are leading the development of renewable energies in all areas (wind, solar, hydroelectric). An example of the interest of Spanish companies in this sector in Uzbekistan is the project for the construction of a 100 MW wind power plant, but other projects are in discussion nowadays. We plan to increase trade promotion activity in sectors with the greatest growth potential, including agribusiness, water management, energy, mining, tile and construction materials, and medical services, she added.
Patna, Nov 5 : RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for publicly touching the feet of BJP veteran leader R.K. Sinha during the Chitragupta Puja.

"He has a habit of touching the feet of the people," said Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Nitish Kumar has previously also touched the feet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on multiple occasions while also making "pleading gestures" with the high police officials over recruitment in the police department.

During the NDA parties meeting held in Delhi on 7 June 2024, where Prime Minister Modi praised Kumar for his return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In a moment of gratitude, Nitish Kumar bowed down and attempted to touch PM Modi's feet, a gesture that the Prime Minister graciously intercepted, accepting the greeting warmly.

On 10 July 2024, during an inauguration event for the JP Ganga Path road segment from Gayaghat to Kangan Ghat in Patna, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had an unusual moment with his officer.

Frustrated by project delays, Nitish publicly urged an official to ensure timely completion, expressing his appeal by saying, "Will the work be done on time or not? I fold my hands, and if you say so, I will touch your feet."

Nitish even began to bow before the officer to emphasize his point, though Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha and other leaders present quickly intervened to stop him from doing so.

Meanwhile, Lalu Prasad Yadav, accompanied by his daughter, MP Misa Bharti, visited the Ular Surya Temple in Dulhin Bazar on Tuesday, coinciding with the first day of Chhath Puja, known as Nahai-Khai.

This temple, revered as the third most significant Sun temple in India after the Konark Sun Temple in Puri and the Dev Surya Temple in the Aurangabad district of Bihar, holds a special place in the devotion of the people of Bihar, especially during Chhath Puja.
Bengaluru, Nov 5 : The Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) Jagadambika Pal on Waqf will visit Karnataka on November 7 to interact with farmers in connection with the notices issued to farmers, temples, and religious institutions by the state government.

He will also address the issue of changing the land and revenue records of these properties to make the Waqf board the owner of the property.

BJP National Youth President and MP Tejasvi Surya has made an appeal in this regard to the JPC Chairman Jagadambika Pal.

Tejasvi Surya stated on Tuesday that the chairman of JPC on Waqf has kindly consented to my request to visit Hubballi and Vijayapura districts on 7th November to interact with farmers affected by the Waqf's predatory action.

"The chairman will interact with farmer organisations, Mutts and petitions given to him will be placed before the JPC," he said.

Earlier, he had alleged that all the temples and mutts will be handed over to the Muslims if people again voted for the Congress.

He claimed that more lands of farmers are being named as the Waqf property in the state, adding that in Karnataka, the Waqf board has claimed more than 50,000 acres of land.

He said no one can predict when the farmers' lands will be transferred to the Waqf board.

"I have brought this matter to the notice of the Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). I have requested the Chairperson to come down to Hubballi and Bengaluru to receive the petitions from farmers. He is likely to visit the state on November 6 and 7," he added.

He alleged that as per the instructions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan is conducting the Waqf Adalats.

"Under which law the provision for conducting the Waqf Adalat is made? What is the legal standing for the Waqf Adalat? Which provision of the Constitution allows the Waqf Adalat? The Waqf Adalat is an unconstitutional invention of the Congress party. Until the Congress party stops Waqf Adalats, the BJP will agitate," he said.

He said that many cases of South Indian states have come before the JPC, adding that the Waqf board has claimed the temples which existed before when Islam was born.
Chennai, Nov 5 : A leopard killed a dog at a homestay in Valparai in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, on Tuesday morning.

According to officials from the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, the homestay owners woke up to the dog's cries, only to find that the leopard had already killed it.

Local residents have since demanded urgent action from the authorities, calling for the leopard to be trapped and relocated.

This incident comes just days after a tragic attack in Valparai, where a 6-year-old girl was mauled to death by a leopard.

The deceased, identified as Apsara Khatun, was the daughter of Nasiran Khatun and Atul Ansari, migrant workers from Jharkhand employed at the Uzhimala estate.

The leopard reportedly dragged the girl into the forest while she was at a local stream with her mother and other children. Though local residents, police, and forest officers intervened and drove the leopard away, the child succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital.

The Valparai region in Coimbatore has been experiencing increasing human-wildlife conflict, with wild elephants, leopards, and wild boars frequently entering residential areas.

M. Mariappan, a social activist in Valparai, expressing frustration, said, "We have been informing the forest department about the presence of leopards and wild elephants here. We demand stricter measures to prevent wild animals from entering human settlements and to avoid further tragedies."

With the leopard still at large, residents are fearful and have expressed their frustration with the forest department, planning a protest to demand immediate action.
Bengaluru, Nov 5 : A government staffer committed suicide, allegedly over the injustice meted out to him by his seniors and Personal Assistant to State Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar in Karnataka's Belagavi district.

The deceased, identified as Rudaranna Yadavanna who worked as the Second Division Assistant (SDA) at the Tehsildar's office, named the Personal Assistant of Hebbalkar in his death note.

Following the incident, the Karnataka BJP demanded the minister's resignation.

Yadavanna sent a message in the staffer's WhatsApp group mentioning the names of Tehsildar Basavaraja Nagarala and the Minister's PA Somu holding them responsible for his death.

He also stated that too much injustice was taking place in the office and he could not bear it.

The deceased officer had asked other employees of the Tehsildar's office to fight the "injustice" unitedly.

Even as the victim posted the message around 7.30 p.m. on Monday, no action was taken.

Yadavanna, who was working for many years, was recently transferred. Yadavanna's wife also works as the village accountant in the Tehsildar's office.

The jurisdictional Khadebazar police have taken up the investigation.

Preliminary reports suggested that Yadavanna had committed suicide early in the morning and the incident came to light after other staff arrived at the office.

Sources said the deceased officer had also recorded a video in which he mentioned that he was committing suicide due to harassment by the senior officers.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, BJP Legislative Council Member N. Ravi Kumar has called for Minister Hebbalkar's resignation following the suicide of Yadavanna.

He mentioned that Yadavanna left a note attributing his death to Hebbalkar's private secretary, stating he had "suffered" for many days.

Speaking to media representatives at the BJP State Office in Bengaluru, Kumar demanded Hebbalkar's resignation, saying that the BJP government had taken the resignation of former minister K. S. Eshwarappa under similar circumstances.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : The Opposition lawmakers, who are part of the Parliamentary committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday to register their protest against 'unilateral' decisions taken by the panel chairman and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal.

New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) The Opposition lawmakers, who are part of the Parliamentary committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday to register their protest against aunilaterala decisions taken by the panel chairman and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal.

Opposition MPs from parties including Congress, DMK, TMC, AAP and SP met Om Birla on Tuesday and complained about the 'arbitrary' behaviour of committee chairman Jagdambika Pal.

As per reports, the Opposition MPs alleged that the JPC Chairman is arbitrarily calling the meetings and inviting those people and organisations for presenting their views, who are not stakeholders in this matter.

They also claimed that the Opposition lawmakers were being denied the proper opportunity to speak and also their views were not being paid heed upon.

After meeting Speaker Om Birla, AAP MP Sanjay Singh told the media that a delegation of Opposition Parliamentarians impressed upon the Speaker about the problems and challenges being faced in the JPC meetings.

Singh said that the Speaker has assured the Opposition MPs of discussing the things out and finding a solution soon.

The Opposition MPs of the JPC scrutinising the Waqf Amendment Bill are also understood to have submitted a letter to the Om Birla, listing their complaints and grievances regarding the amendments. In the letter signed by the Opposition lawmakers, they have raised multiple allegations against the JPC chief.

Meanwhile, Jagdambika Pal has refuted all the charges and said that the Opposition MPs who levelled these charges are continuously attending these meetings and being given ample opportunity to speak and share their views on Waqf amendments.

Notably, the JPCas proceedings have lately been marred by frequent protests from the Opposition members over a host of issues. BJP members have rejected these charges and accused the Opposition of scuttling the progress made in past JPC meetings.

The panel is expected to submit its report by the first week of Parliamentas Winter Session.
Hyderabad, Nov 5 : The Congress unit in Telangana has made elaborate arrangements to welcome top party leader Rahul Gandhi who will be arriving later on Tuesday day to address party leaders ahead of the caste survey in the state.

Posters, banners, and flexis have come up in various parts of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad to welcome the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

Traffic intersections, flyovers and other places have been decked up with party flags, banners and flexis carrying photographs of Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and state unit President B. Mahesh Kumar Goud.

Since this is Rahul Gandhias first visit to Hyderabad after the appointment of Goud as the state chief, he and other leaders are rolling out a red carpet for him.

"We love you Rahul Gandhi Ji for caste census in Telangana," reads a flexi with heart symbol put up by Dr Kota Neelima, Congress in-charge for Sanathnagar Assembly constituency.

Several such flexis and hoardings have come up around Begumpet Airport, where Rahul Gandhi would be arriving for a two-hour visit to the city.

The banners, posters and flexis have also been erected on the route from the Begumpet Airport to Gandhi Ideology Centre, Bowenpally, where he will be addressing the meeting organised by the Telangana Congress.

Former minister and Khariratabad MLA D. Narender, former MLA Mynampalli Hanumanth Rao, his son and MLA Mynampalli Rohith have also put up banners and hoardings to welcome Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress leader is likely to give direction to the party functionaries a day ahead of the launch of the state-wide survey in line with his idea of a caste census. After the meeting, the Chief Minister, Goud, and some senior leaders are likely to meet Rahul Gandhi separately at the same venue.

Rahul Gandhias visit is significant as Telangana is set to become the first state to undertake a caste survey as promised by him in the elections. He is expected to give directions to the party leaders on the need to successfully undertake the exercise as the party is keen to project the Telangana model to replicate the same in other states ruled by it.

A comprehensive door-to-door household survey (socio, educational, economic, employment, political, and caste survey) of the entire state will be undertaken from November 6. More than 85,000 government employees will conduct the survey for which the Planning Department has been designated as the nodal department.
Chandigarh, Nov 5 : In a major breakthrough, Punjab Counter Intelligence and Ludhiana Commissionerate Police in a joint operation have solved the petrol bomb incidents targetting Shiv Sena leaders with the arrest of four members of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) module being operated by foreign-based individuals Harjit Singh and Sabi, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.

Those arrested have been identified as Jaswinder Singh, alias Binder, a resident of Boothgarh in Ludhiana; Ravinder Pal Singh, alias Ravi (38), Manish Sahid, alias Sanju (30), and Anil Kumar, alias Honey (27), trio residents of Rahon in Nawanshahr.

Police teams have also recovered two mobile phones and impounded the red coloured TVS Raider motorcycle used to commit the crimes.

"This operation has successfully solved the petrol bomb incidents targeting Shiv Sena leaders, including the October 16 attack on Yogesh Bakshi's residence and the November 2 incident at Harkirat Singh Khurana's home in Model Town Extension, Ludhiana," said DGP Yadav.

As per the information, three people hurled a petrol bomb at the house of Shiv Sena leader Yogesh Bakshi located in Ludhiana at around 9.40 pm. A little over a fortnight after a similar petrol bomb attack took place on the house of Shiv Sena Leader Harkirat Singh located in Model Town Extension.

The DGP said foreign-based handler Harjit Singh, alias Laddi, is also an accused wanted in the murder of Vikas Prabhakar in Nangal in Punjab and carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Further investigations are ongoing to establish backwards and forward linkages in this case and more arrests are expected in coming days, he added.

Sharing operation details, Commissioner of Police (Ludhiana) Kuldeep Singh Chahal said acting promptly to trace both cases, various teams of Ludhiana Commissionerate Police and Counter Intelligence (CI) were formed under the supervision of DCP (Investigation) Shubham Aggarwal.

He said the investigation, including following the trail of CCTV footage and gathering of technical evidence, led to the arrest of four members of the BKI module involved in executing both crimes.

Accused Anil and Ravinder were found present in both the incidents, while arrested accused Jaswinder had accompanied them in the Haibowal area, he said.

"We have also identified the third person involved in hurling petrol bomb at a house located in Model Town Extension and police teams are on a manhunt to nab him," said the Commissioner of Police.
Itanagar, Nov 5 : Arunachal Pradesh Police registered an FIR against artist Kon Waii Son for publicly killing a chicken by slitting its throat and then drinking the bird's blood during a recent performance in Itanagar, officials said on Tuesday.

Police officials said that the FIR has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, against Kon Waii Son.

Kon Waii Son, who hails from Seppa in Arunachal Pradesh's East Kameng district, is a songwriter, composer, and musician.

Following the killing of the chicken and drinking of its blood, police filed the FIR at the Itanagar Police Station on Monday against Kon Waii Son based on a complaint made by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India.

Controversy widely erupted in Itanagar after the artist killed the chicken and drank its blood during a performance on October 28.

The video of the incident widely circulated on social media led to criticism of the artist.

PETA India recommends that perpetrators of animal abuse undergo psychiatric evaluation and receive counselling, as abusing animals indicates a deep psychological disturbance.

Research shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals are often repeat offenders who move on to hurting other animals, even humans, PETA India said in a statement.

A study published in Forensic Research & Criminology International Journal states, "Those who engage in cruelty to animals were three times more likely to commit other crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, harassment, threats, and drug/substance abuse."

In a proposal sent to the Central government regarding an amendment to the PCA Act, PETA India has recommended significantly increasing penalties for cruelty to animals.
Chandigarh, Nov 5 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday condemned the incidents of violence in Canada and urged the Centre to take up this matter with the Canadian government.

The Chief Minister said: "Canada is second home of millions of Punjabis who have settled there and carved a niche for themselves."

He said the ties with Canada must remain cordial as Punjabis have gone there and were breadwinners of their families.

CM Mann said: "It is unfortunate that politics of divisiveness and hatred has fastly spread its stinky tentacles in Canada."

The Chief Minister said: "It is unbelievable that politics of religion and hatred is being pursued on lands like Canada. He said this action of hatred and violence is highly condemnable and the government of India must take up this matter with the Canadian national government for appropriate action."

"Punjabis pray for the welfare of all and are votary of peace due to which they are loved across the globe," CM Mann said.

The Chief Minister said Punjabis have carved a niche with their rare qualities of hard work and resilience.

However, CM Mann said such actions bring a bad name to Punjab and Punjabis due to which it should be avoided. He said the Canadian government must ensure exemplary action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime so that it acts as a deterrent for others in future.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has expressed concern over the attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, calling it "deeply concerning" during a press conference with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong at Parliament House, Canberra, on Tuesday.

"What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was deeply concerning. And, you would have seen the statement first by the official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by the Prime Minister yesterday. So, that should, I think, convey to you how deeply we feel about it," EAM Jaishankar said.

He also condemned Ottawa's surveillance of Indian diplomats, slamming what he described as Canada's "pattern of making allegations without providing specifics".
Tokyo, Nov 5 : Cases of mycoplasma pneumonia, a respiratory disease caused by bacteria, have been surging in Japan, hitting a record high for four consecutive weeks as of October 20, local media reported Tuesday.

The average number of cases reported by about 500 medical institutions nationwide was 2.01 per institution in the week ended on October 20, with the figure surpassing two for the first time, Xinhua news agency reported quoting Jiji Press, citing data from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

Patient numbers have been at the highest-ever weekly total since the current reporting method was introduced in 1999.

Before the recent surge in mycoplasma pneumonia cases, the record weekly average number of patients was 1.64 logged in October 2016.

The respiratory infection, caused by the bacterium mycoplasma pneumonia, spreads through droplets released into the air by sneezing and coughing and leads to symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue and headache, while children are more likely to become infected.

People aged 14 years or younger account for more than 80 per cent of patients, the report said.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 5. Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will undertake a working visit to Bishkek on November 5-6, at the invitation of President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, to attend the forthcoming session of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Trend reports via the Uzbek Presidents Office.

The source pointed out that the upcoming summit will put the pedal to the metal on boosting multilateral cooperation within the organization.

Key topics will include strengthening political dialogue, expanding trade, economic, and investment ties, fostering business exchanges, and deepening cultural and humanitarian interactions.

Leaders will also discuss pressing international and regional issues. Its in the cards that the summit will bear fruit, leading to the adoption of a handful of joint decisions and documents, including the Charter of the Turkic World, which came to light thanks to Uzbekistans initiative.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Delhi, Nov 5 : Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Tuesday presented a progress report on arrangements at Chhath ghats and used the opportunity to hit out at the BJP-led Central government for the deteriorating law and order situation in the city.

Claiming that the AAP government had increased the number of Chhath ghats in the city from 60 to 1,000 in the past 10 years, the CM trained her guns on the BJP-led Centre at a time when the saffron party and the Congress have levelled allegations of poor preparations for Chhath puja against the Delhi government.

Targeting the BJP-led Central government, the CM said, "The Union government is busy creating obstacles for the elected Delhi government and harassing Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP but it is not able to check crime and make it more secure for women, elderly, children and businessmen.

Hitting out at the Centre for the spurt in crime, especially extortion bids, in Delhi, Atishi said, "If the Central government spends even 1 per cent of its time on improving law and order in Delhi, the situation would be much better."

Delhiites today have to choose between two models  first, the model of development implemented by the AAP government under Arvind Kejriwal and, second, the BJP-led government's model in which there is extortion, firing and gang war, she said.

"Delhi voters need to remain alert against the BJP. If the BJP comes to power, it will ruin the education and health sector in the city like it has done in the law and order sphere," she said.

Earlier, she said that under AAP rule in Delhi, the number of Chhath ghats in the city has increased from 60 to 1,000 in the last 10 years.

Reiterating her government and party convener Arvind Kejriwal's commitment to help the Purvanchali devotees, the CM said, "Gone are the days when our Purvanchali sisters and brothers needed to return to their home states to celebrate Chhath. Under Kejriwal's leadership, we have ensured that they get all the facilities for puja in Delhi itself."

Elaborating on the Delhi government's arrangements for Chhath puja, Atishi said artificial ghats have been created by the flood control government, the water for prayers has been arranged by the Delhi Jal Board and provision for medical help at these spots has been made by the health department.

"The provision for tents, light and sound at the big ghats is made by the revenue department while the cultural programmes are held with the help of Maithli-Bhojpuri Academy," she said.

"We have ensured that Purvanchali devotees do not need to travel more than 1 km from their homes to offer prayers at a ghat," she said.
Bhubaneswar, Nov 5 : Amidst the row over the proposed untimely celebrations of Rath Yatra by ISKCON in Houston city of US on November 9, Puri King Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb on Tuesday again appealed to the organisation to abstain from organising the Rath Yatra or any other festival related to Lord Jagannath in violation of the Shastric injunctions.

Addressing the media persons in a press conference here on Tuesday, the Puri King said that the ISKCON, in view of the sentiments of the devotees, didn't hold the proposed Snana Yatra of the holy triad in Houston on November 3.

He further stated that it however is unfortunate that the organisation has not yet made any announcement regarding cancellation of the plan to conduct the Rath Yatra on November 9. The ISKCON has been making all the preparations to hold the Rath Yatra in Houston on November 9.

The King also informed that not only in Houston, the ISKCON is also going to organise Rath Yatra in Nigeria later this month as well.

"We are in touch with the senior members and Swamijis of ISKCON's Governing Body Commission (GBC). The governing body of ISKCON is going to hold an important meeting in March where the issue will be raised for discussion," said Deb.

"We hope that they (ISKCON) will accept our logical views on it (conduct of Rath Yatra as per the Shatric injunctions and tradition) and settle the matter amicably as they also believe in religion, 'Shastra' and the rituals. Odia people are very much patient and we have to keep patience for some more time. We have to wait for the GBC meeting scheduled to be held in March this year. If they didn't accept, 'enough is enough'. We will take legal recourse then," he added.

The Puri King said it is not good to break the age-old tradition of the Jagannath Temple.

As per the tradition, the idol of Lord Jagannath and his Holy Siblings should not be taken out of the temple except only on two occasions, the annual Snana Yatra (birth anniversary of Lord Jagannath) and Rath Yatra. It has been mentioned in Skanda Purana and Lord Jagannath himself has given directions in this regard.

He described the untimely Ratha Jatra as a promotional festival, which is not as per the Hindu manuscript. He termed the untimely celebrations of Rath Yatra as the 'Prachar jatra' or a promotional festival by the ISKCON which is against our tradition and the Shastras.

ISKCON has been organising untimely Rath Yatras since 1969. The matter has been taken up with the organisation a number of times but to no avail. The ISKCON has stopped organising Rath Yatra in India since 2021 but they are yet to stop the practice across the globe.
Mumbai, Nov 5 : Actor Vicky Kaushal recently expressed his excitement for the upcoming film "I Want To Talk", calling it a "blissful classic." Mumbai, Nov 5 (IANS) Actor Vicky Kaushal recently expressed his excitement for the upcoming film "I Want To Talk", calling it a "blissful classic."

On Tuesday, the 'Uri' actor took to his Instagram Stories to praise Shoojit Sircar's directorial after its trailer release. Sharing the trailer, Vicky wrote, "Classic Shoojit Da, raw, beautiful, and blissful! Can't wait to watch it this 22nd Nov. :)"

Today, the makers of the Abhishek Bachchan starrer unveiled the trailer, which opens with Arjun, played by Abhishek, seated on a couch wearing a cervical collar as his daughter, portrayed by Ahilya Bamroo, assists him as he recovers his speech. Initially, he struggles to form words but soon gives up. The trailer then shifts to Arjun reflecting on the purpose and significance behind every story, hinting at a deeper narrative.

The film also stars Johnny Lever, Jayant Kriplani, Pearle Maaney, and Kristin Goddard.

"I Want to Talk" delves into the intricate dynamics of modern relationships, personal struggles, and the human experience. It tackles sensitive themes, balancing humor with the emotional depth of life's everyday challenges. Produced by Rising Sun Films and Kino Works, the movie is set to release in theaters on November 22.

Meanwhile, Vicky recently celebrated Diwali with his wife Katrina Kaif and their families. He shared photos from the festivities on social media. The family photo includes Vicky's parents and brother Sunny Kaushal, as well as Katrina's mother, brother Sebastian, and sister Isabelle Kaif, all posing happily together. Malavika Mohanan and her family also joined them for the celebration.

On the work front, Kaushal is gearing up for the release of his period drama "Chhaava", co-starring Rashmika Mandanna. The film set to hit theatres on December 6. He will also feature in the film "Love & War" where he shares the screen with Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved a new program to support farmers in Kerala to adapt to climate change and promote agri-entrepreneurs to market value-added products.

It will also leverage at least $9 million of commercial finance including for agri-food small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially for women.

As the leading producer of spices such as cardamom, vanilla and nutmeg, Kerala accounts for about 20 per cent of India's total agri-food exports. However, climate change is impeding these achievements. Natural disasters like floods and forest fires, as well as challenges to reach broader markets, have been impacting farmer households.

The $200 million Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization (KERA) Project will help strengthen the resilience of the state's agricultural sector to climate change. About 400,000 farmers will benefit through better access to climate-smart practices. These include replanting of climate-resilient varieties of coffee, cardamom and rubber and helping expand Kerala's "food parks" into rural areas.

These parks will have essential infrastructure such as water, power, and waste management to support agribusinesses in food processing and value-added products.

"This project will further infuse private sector investment and integrate agricultural value chains for the benefit of farmers and SMEs," said Auguste Tano Kouame, the World Bank's Country Director for India.

"Moreover, it will support agri-based SMEs, especially women who currently own only 23 per cent of MSMEs in the state, to gain access to commercial finance by providing training for business plans and to strengthen their commercial viability," he added.

The project also aims to form productive alliances between farmer groups and agribusinesses. The alliances will help strengthen the linkages between producers and buyers, with the public sector playing a facilitating role. In addition, it will incubate agri-tech startups.

"This project will help to increase productivity for staple food crops such as rice while reducing GHG emissions," said Chris Jackson, Azeb Mekonnen, and Amadou Dem, the Task Team Leaders for the project.

"The increase in productivity and strengthening of agricultural value chains will help maintain the competitiveness of Kerala's agricultural sector and will help create jobs and increase incomes."

The $200 million loan from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a final maturity of 23.5 years, including a grace period of six years.
Los Angeles, Nov 5 : Director Ridley Scott, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming movie 'Gladiator 2', has revealed how he zeroed down on actor Paul Mescal for the lead role in the film.

The director shared that he first noticed Paul Mescal, who plays Lucius, when he starred in the acclaimed Anglo-Irish television series 'Normal People'.

Talking about the same, the director said in a statement, "He reminded me of Richard Harris crossed with a very young Albert Finney. He seemed a very sound, solid, and sympathetic actor. As this story in the script started to evolve, I kept thinking about him. I knew that he was a very good theatre actor, which to me is a plus. Theatre actors keep me honest. I tend to be very visual and move like lightning. They like to know about the story and the characters between each take".

Paul Mescal has become one of the most sought after young talents in the film industry.

Producer Douglas Wick said, "Finding a follow-up for the first movie was a daunting task  particularly since we had killed off our two leads! That meant we either had to find a new star or make one. It was an incredible risk on a big movie to choose an actor who's never carried one. And our protagonist also had to be credible as an action hero. Ridley, the producers and the studio all held hands with Paul and jumped off a cliff. We would soon discover that Paul is one of those once-in-a-generation talents who always lands on his feet".

'Gladiator 2' also stars Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, and the legendary Denzel Washington.

The film is set to release in India on November 15 in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu in 4DX & IMAX.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : India must address the shortage of qualified professionals in the healthcare sector to boost universal health coverage (UHC) in the country, said a report on Tuesday.

The report by KPMG in India, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), highlighted the urgent need for reform in India's healthcare system.

"India's healthcare landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, emerging as a beacon of hope and innovation on the global stage. With the government's commitment to universal health coverage, we are witnessing a proactive approach to ensuring that healthcare is not just a privilege for the few but a right for all," said Dr. Anna van Poucke, Global Head of Healthcare, KPMG International.

"However, as India embraces this evolution, a focus on cultivating a skilled workforce that meets the demands of modern healthcare is crucial," van Poucke added.

The report emphasises the critical role of medical education in addressing the shortage of qualified professionals and analysing the evolution of the Indian healthcare ecosystem over the past thirty years.

It identified three key pillars -- affordability, accessibility, and availability (the 3As) -- that are vital for equitable healthcare services.

Despite initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), the country continues to face challenges such as a shortage of qualified doctors and disparities in medical education.

It also highlighted key challenges like workforce shortages, geographic disparities, and lack of research and compliance issues.

It further recommends strengthening PG medical education enhancing quality, improving access, incentives for less popular specialties, expanding alternative PG programmes, and fostering research and innovation.

Lalit Mistry, Partner and Co-head, Healthcare, KPMG in India called for the transformation of postgraduate medical education in India via "modernising our curricula, enhancing practical training, and ensuring equitable access across regions and specialties".
Colombo, Nov 5 : Maldivian Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Aishath Rameela announced that the government is planning a temporary ban on the import of cats for commercial purposes.

Speaking on the "Raajje Miadhu" programme by the Maldives' state broadcaster PSM on Monday evening, she stated that an amended Animal Welfare Bill has been submitted to the Attorney General's Office. The bill aims to establish a regulated system for importing domesticated animals into the Maldives.

Rameela added that all stray cats are being relocated to a pet care facility recently opened on Hulhumale, a reclaimed island located south of North Male. Residents of the Maldives will have the option to adopt cats from this facility, Xinhua news agency reported.

She noted that the temporary ban on cat imports for business purposes is under consideration for the interim period. Additionally, Rameela mentioned plans to develop a four-story pet care facility next year, which will offer cat-sitting services for pet owners while they are travelling.

The minister also highlighted that currently over 4,000 stray cats were reported in the Male area.
Mumbai, Nov 5 : Pollywood director-writer Karan Gulianii has acquired the rights to depict the life story of infamous gangsters Sandeep, aka Kala Jathedi, and Anuradha Choudhary, aka Madam Minz.

The gangsters, who tied the knot in March this year, has captured the public's attention, and Gulianii aims to bring their unconventional love story to the big screen.

Discussing the inspiration behind the project, Gulianii stated, "Yes, I've secured the rights to portray the lives of two notorious figuresKala Jathedi and Anuradha Chaudhary. What intrigued me is their love story amidst the backdrop of crime. It's about two individuals who found love in a very unconventional environment and decided to get married despite unfavorable circumstances. The essence of the story is love."

Currently, the writing process is well underway, with Karan Gulianii and his team regularly discussing the script's direction. He aims to complete the script within the next six to seven months, targeting a potential release by June or July of next year. Gulianii is also in talks with prominent industry figures to cast actors for the roles of Kala and Anuradha.

Karan Gulianii has previously directed two Punjabi films, "Sarvann," featuring Amrinder Gill and Ranjit Bawa, and "Amritsar Chandigarh Amritsar," starring Gippy Grewal and Sargun Mehta. Notably, " Sarvann " was produced under Priyanka Chopra's banner. The 2017 released Punjabi film was PeeCee debut Punjabi production and marked her second venture into regional cinema, following her first Marathi production, Ventilator.

Delhi-NCR's most infamous gangsters- Sandeep and Anuradha got married at banquet hall in Dwarka Sector-8 in the presence of their close family members, a few friends and at least 250 armed police personnel.

Sandeep, who was apprehended in 2021, faces a daunting list of charges, with at least 76 cases related to murder, extortion, and kidnapping, while Anuradha is implicated in a dozen cases involving money laundering and criminal intimidation.

-IANS

ps/
Bengaluru, Nov 5 : The Karnataka BJP on Tuesday demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dissolve the Waqf board in the state and ask Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan to resign for "trying to grab the lands of Hindus".

Speaking to media at the party office in Bengaluru, Member of Legislative Council N. Ravi Kumar slammed the Congress government, alleging that the Waqf Board in Karnataka was targeting farmers' lands, schools, and temples, just as Aurangzeb and others who invaded the country and seized property.

He claimed that Khan had a "free hand" under the Siddaramaiah government, allowing the Waqf Board to act without accountability.

Ravi Kumar urged the Chief Minister to dissolve the Waqf Board. He sought the resignation of Khan from both his ministerial and legislative posts.

He urged that Minister Khan should be restricted from official tours within the state, questioning why the government hasn't acted even as sites in Bidar and Vijayapura districts have been declared Waqf properties.

While welcoming the recent withdrawal of notices, he questioned whether all previously claimed properties would automatically revert to Hindu ownership.

MLC Ravi Kumar pointed out that the Waqf issue persists in regions once ruled by the Nizam, and demanded a thorough investigation by a joint committee of the Assembly and Council.

He stated that nearly 47,000 acres of land had received notices, and when authorities claim errors, it mirrors excuses previously made in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and Valmiki Tribal Welfare Corporation scams.

He questioned how officials could make such errors without government direction, and demanded the dismissal of those involved.

He demanded Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should intervene and address the Waqf's alleged unchecked authority and disregard for legal standards.
Mumbai, Nov 5 : The makers of the highly anticipated film "Thandel", starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, have officially announced its release date. The movie is set to hit theatres on February 7, 2025, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Mumbai, Nov 5 (IANS) The makers of the highly anticipated film "Thandel", starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, have officially announced its release date. The movie is set to hit theatres on February 7, 2025, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Sharing a new poster on their social media platforms, the filmmakers wrote, "Get ready to sail from the shores of love to an ocean full of emotions. "Thandel" GRAND RELEASE WORLDWIDE ON FEBRUARY 7TH, 2025! #ThandelonFeb7th."

The release date poster highlights the captivating chemistry between the lead pair, set against a breathtaking ocean backdrop. The image features the couple warmly embracing, hinting at the emotional depth of their characters.

Directed by Chandoo Mondeti, "Thandel" is produced by Bunny Vas under the prestigious Geetha Arts banner and presented by Allu Aravind. This film marks a reunion for Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi after their successful collaboration in the blockbuster "Love Story." The film was directed by Sekhar Kammula and was released in September 2021.

"Thandel" draws inspiration from real-life events that took place in the village of D Matchilesam in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. The film promises a compelling blend of love, action, drama, and adrenaline-pumping moments.

It features an impressive crew, including National Award-winning composer Devi Sri Prasad, cinematographer Shamdat, and editor Naveen Nooli, who has also received a National Award.

Currently, the production team is reportedly awaiting special permissions from the Indian Navy to shoot certain scenes at sea, which has delayed the filming process. Initially slated for a Christmas release, the change in schedule was necessitated by these pending permissions.

"Thandel" marks Naga's second collaboration with and Sai Pallavi.

Pallavi is also making her Bollywood debut alongside Ranbir Kapoor in Nitesh Tiwari's much-anticipated film Ramayan. The actress will be seen essaying the role of Sita in the epic drama.

-IANS

ps/
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 5. Uzbekistan Railways and Turkmenistan Railways Agency discussed the expansion of freight traffic, Trend reports.

The matter was reviewed at a meeting between the Chairman of the Uzbekistan Railways Board, Zufar Narzullaev, and the Chairman of the Turkmenistan Railways Agency, Azat Atamuradov.

The parties discussed important issues of expanding bilateral cooperation in the railway sector, particularly the extension (prolongation) of tariffs for railway transportation, as well as the establishment of cooperation in the modernization of the freight and passenger car fleet.

In addition, both sides agreed to work on the introduction of competitive tariffs and efficient use of railcars in order to increase transit traffic. These issues create significant opportunities for further development of regional trade and transport links.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have reached an agreement to implement an electronic permit exchange system known as E-permit.

Furthermore, an interagency working group will be established to address transportation problems efficiently. Starting in 2025, fees and payments will be collected on a parity basis between the two nations.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : The country's largest IPO, Hyundai Motor India, has disappointed investors to date.

The stock has been continuously declining since its public listing and on Tuesday, the stock closed at Rs 1,829, which is about 7 per cent below the issue price of Rs 1,960.

The reason for the weak performance of Hyundai Motor India's stock is the lack of growth in the company's sales.

In October, the company sold 55,568 vehicles in the domestic market. It grew by just 0.80 per cent on an annual basis, which is much less than the average growth of the market (which was 1.82 per cent).

In the same period last year, the company had sold 55,128 vehicles.

Hyundai Motor India's stock was listed on October 22. The stock was listed at Rs 1,931 with a decline of 1.47 per cent. Since then, the stock has been witnessing a continuous downside.

Hyundai Motor India's Rs 27,870 crore IPO received a mixed response from investors. The IPO received more than double the subscription.

Hyundai Motor India is the second largest car company in the country after Maruti Suzuki India. The company's market share was around 14 per cent in June 2024. In the financial year 2023-24, the company sold 7.77 lakh vehicles, out of which 21 per cent were exported to countries like Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Hyundai Motor India has 1,550 service outlets and 1,366 sales outlets in the country. Hyundai Motor India's revenue in FY 2023-24 was Rs 69,829 crore. During this period, the company had a profit of Rs 6,060 crore and the margin of the company was 13.1 per cent. In the June quarter of the financial year 2024-25, the company's revenue was Rs 17,344 crore. During this period, the company had a profit of Rs 1,489 crore and the margin was 13.5 per cent.
Baghdad, Nov 5 : The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a Shiite militia group, on Tuesday claimed responsibility for six drone attacks on Israeli targets.

According to its statements, the group's fighters launched three drone attacks on "vital sites" in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, two more on other locations in Israel, and one in the south.

The statements did not provide further details about the targeted sites or report any casualties, Xinhua news agency reported.

The group said that the strikes were carried out "in solidarity with our people in Palestine and Lebanon," pledging to continue targeting "the enemy's strongholds at an escalating pace."

Since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has repeatedly attacked Israeli and US positions in the region to show support for Palestinians in Gaza.

The militia has stepped up its attacks on Israel after the latter intensified strikes against Hezbollah across Lebanon on September 23.
Srinagar, Nov 5 : One unidentified terrorist was killed in a gunfight between the security forces and terrorists in J&K's Bandipora district on Tuesday.

Officials said that the terrorist was killed during an encounter between terrorists and the security forces in Ketsun forest in Bandipora district.

"The operation is still going on in the area. The identity of the slain terrorist will be ascertained once the encounter ends," the officials said.

Ever since an elected government took office in J&K, terrorists have increased their activities as the intelligence agencies believe the terror handlers sitting across the border in Pakistan have been frustrated due to the participation of a large number of people in peaceful elections in J&K.

On November 2, a top commander of the LeT identified as Usman Bhai alias Chota Waleed of Pakistan was killed after a daylong gunfight in the old Srinagar city Khanyar area.

Two local policemen and two CRPF troopers were injured in the Khanyar gunfight.

Last month, terrorists killed six workers of an infrastructure project company and a local doctor in the Gagangir area of the Ganderbal district. The workers were building a tunnel from Gagangir to Sonamarg tourist resort to make the Srinagar-Sonamarg an all-weather road and generate economic growth and employment in the area. Those killed in the Gagangir attack included six non-local workers and a doctor belonging to the Budgam district.

Later on, terrorists killed three army soldiers and two porters in the Botapathri area of Gulmarg in Baramulla district.

Terrorists have also targeted non-local semi-skilled workers in Shopian Assembly Constituency's Budgam districts. Although the terrorist targets escaped with minor injuries.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has given clear orders to police and other security forces to go after terrorists, their harbourers, sympathisers and overground workers (OGWs).

The occurrence of terrorist attacks in places hitherto believed to be free of militancy has been a worrisome development for the security forces as a single terror-related incident disturbs peace that has been painstakingly achieved by the security forces.
Chandigarh, Nov 5 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Working President Balwinder Singh Bhunder on Tuesday condemned incidents of violence outside religious places in Canada and appealed to people of Indian origin to defeat the conspiracies to divide them on communal lines.

He called upon the Canadian government to ensure all places of religious worship were secure from such acts of violence.

"Attempts are afoot to divide Sikhs and Hindus in Canada on communal lines. This is against the teachings of our Guru Sahiban who have preached the concept of 'sarbat da bhala'," said Balwinder Singh Bhunder.

The Akali Dal has always stood for communal harmony and has also made numerous sacrifices to uphold this principle. He appealed to people from both communities in Canada to recognise their common roots, exercise utmost restraint and maintain communal harmony at this critical juncture.

Bhunder also appealed to the Canadian government to ensure the safety of all persons of Indian origin as well as the safety of their places of worship.

"Everyone should have the right to free access to their religious places. It appears these acts of violence have been engineered as part of a larger conspiracy. The Canadian government should unmask the conspiracy behind these incidents," he said.

The SAD Working President also urged the Canadian government to ensure the safety of Indian diplomats on Canadian soil. He also urged the Indian government to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of Indo-Canadians and make attempts at genuine reconciliation amongst both communities.

Responding to the incidents, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has expressed concern over the attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, calling it "deeply concerning" during a press conference with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong at Parliament House, Canberra, on Tuesday.

"What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was obviously deeply concerning. And, you would have seen the statement first by the official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by the Prime Minister yesterday. So, that should, I think, convey to you how deeply we feel about it," Jaishankar said.
Chandigarh, Nov 5 : Haryana Heritage and Tourism Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma said on Tuesday that Mahabharata-linked historical pilgrimage sites in Kurukshetra and surrounding districts would be developed as key tourism destinations.

In this regard, officials from the Union Ministry of Tourism and the state Tourism Department were working together in a coordinated manner.

Minister Sharma informed this after attending the Second Mahabharata Circuit Conference, held in Karnal.

To promote tourism, the Union Ministry of Tourism (Northern Region) organised the conference to discuss the development of historical and ancient pilgrimage sites related to the Mahabharata in the mythological and religious region of Kurukshetra and its neighbouring districts.

The conference was held at the Karna Lake Banquet Hall in Karnal, where a familiarisation tour was also conducted.

Minister Sharma attended the event as the chief guest. During the programme, he engaged in detailed discussions with officials from the Union Ministry of Tourism, the state Tourism Department and various tourism stakeholders and service providers.

He also released a book detailing the proceedings of the Second Mahabharata Circuit Conference, which highlights the significance of Kurukshetra.

He said just as Vrindavan attracts thousands of devotees and tourists, similar facilities would be developed in Kurukshetra to accommodate a larger number of visitors.

The minister also proposed that alongside Kurukshetra, the towns of Karnal and Kala Amb in Panipat should be included in the Mahabharata circuit, as these areas also receive a significant influx of tourists.

He said under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the state government is working on the development of major tourist destinations across the state. These efforts are aimed at enhancing infrastructure and providing better amenities to visitors in the coming years.

Regional Director (North) of the Union Ministry of Tourism, R. K. Suman, said the ministry is committed to bringing Kurukshetra to the global stage and has already made significant strides in this mission.
Bengaluru, Nov 5 : Karnataka BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra claimed on Tuesday that the timing for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's resignation has been decided.

He added Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have already discussed and decided on Siddaramaiah's resignation.

Referring to the Lokayukta notice to Siddaramaiah to attend the investigation, Vijayendra questioned whether he would face the investigation as Chief Minister or as an accused, urging him (Siddaramaiah) to clarify this to the public.

"Siddaramaiah should reveal the exact timing of his exit. His resignation is certain. I challenge Siddaramaiah to declare that he will serve as Chief Minister for a five-year term," he stated.

He further demanded that Siddaramaiah, along with his family, owes the people of Karnataka answers regarding corruption allegations, pointing out that the Lokayukta has issued a notice for investigation.

He also criticised the Congress leaders, including Siddaramaiah, for giving long speeches on corruption, while stating that contractors are committing suicide due to the state's financial mismanagement and non-payment of bills for government projects.

He further accused Siddaramaiah of supporting "questionable actions" by Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan in the Waqf Board.

He claimed that the Chief Minister is complicit in Minister for Waqf Zameer Ahmad Khan's "conspiracy" behind these actions.
Bengaluru, Nov 5 : Karnataka Leader of Opposition (LoP) R. Ashoka on Tuesday said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate why government officers are committing suicide in the state.

Addressing a gathering in Channapatna, referring to the suicide case of the government staffer in Teshildar's office in Belagavi, Ashoka further demanded the SIT should also probe how much bribe is being demanded from them compelling them to end lives.

"This is important as the public should know the reality. An SIT is needed to expose the corrupt foundation of this government," he said.

He added that unable to withstand harassment in the Valmiki Tribal Welfare Development Corporation, officer Chandrasekaran committed suicide while SDA Rudranna also took his life in a government office in Belagavi.

He said that government offices lack a peaceful working environment for staffers, adding that survival in the state seems possible only by paying bribes.

"Whenever an issue arises, the state government announces the formation of an SIT. Regardless of who dies, SIT is formed. An officer has died due to the actions of Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar's PA, Somu," he alleged.

He said that when officers are intimidated, extortion increases. "But no officer should lose courage," he said.

He said that a letter regarding corruption in the Excise Department has been sent to the Governor, claiming that corruption has crossed all limits in every department.

"People should teach this government a lesson in the upcoming by-election," he said.

Further taking to social media, Ashoka slammed: "Honorable Siddaramaiah, whenever you become Chief Minister and whenever the Congress party comes to power, it seems that honest officers in the state are destined for harassment and suicide."

He added that the recent suicide of SDA Rudranna in Belagavi marks the fourth such case in the past 17 months, yet another example of the extreme levels of corruption that have been reached under this Congress government.

"There have been several similar cases: the suicide of Valmiki Corporation officer Chandrasekaran in Shivamogga, contractor P.C. Gowda in Davanagere who took his life due to bribery in the Rural Development Department, PSI Parashuram in Yadgir who suffered a heart attack due to pressure and harassment over transfer dealings, and now, SDA Rudranna's suicide in Belagavi," he said.

He claimed that there are suspicions that Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar's transfer dealings are behind this suicide.

"I urge you to immediately remove Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar from the Cabinet and hand this case over to a CBI investigation," he said.
Beijing, Nov 5 : Zhou Qingyu, former Vice President of China Development Bank, was on Tuesday sentenced to 15 years in prison for bribery crimes, according to a verdict handed down by a court in Changchun, Jilin Province.

Zhou has also been fined 5.2 million yuan (about 732,000 US dollars), and his illegal gains are confiscated and turned over to the state treasury, according to the verdict by the Changchun Intermediate People's Court.

An investigation into Zhou's case revealed that between 2013 and 2023, he took advantage of his various positions at the bank to assist others in such matters as loan financing, project contracting, business operations and personnel arrangements. In return, Zhou accepted money and valuables worth over 67.43 million yuan.

It was also established that Zhou, after leaving the bank, had used his influence to seek illegal benefits for others in project contracting and other matters, and accepted money and valuables worth approximately 1 million yuan in return.

The court noted that Zhou had been cooperative throughout the investigation and in returning his illegal gains, and he was given a lenient sentence in accordance with the law, Xinhua news agency reported.
Ranchi, Nov 5 : Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, on a campaign trail in poll-bound Jharkhand on Tuesday, responded to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s 'batenge toh katenge' slogan and dubbed this as the communal agenda of the latter to seek votes.

Congress president, in a fierce counter to 'batenge toh katenge' call of Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, said that it was the BJP which was sowing the seeds of division among communities and also then going a step to break the social fabric.

He said that the BJP leaders are giving such divisive calls as part of their agenda and also appealed to the people to break the vicious campaign if they want to change their lives for the better.

"Dalits are denied entry into temple premises and other common places, poor and marginalised classes have to run from pillar to post in getting basic needs addressed," he said.

"Unless you break this agenda, your lives won't change you will be subjected to exploitation for years to come," he further stated.

Addressing two public rallies, first in the Mandu region of Hazaribagh and then in Kanke of Ranchi district, Kharge slammed the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for pursuing 'divisive and destructive' politics.

Kharge, speaking at a huge public meeting Ranchi's Kanke said that the BJP's only intention and motive was to gain power.

"They want to rule by making people fight among themselves. But we will not let their agenda succeed at any cost," the Congress chief declared, eliciting cheers and praise from the crowd.

He also launched an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged fake promises.

"PM Modi had promised Rs 15 lakh in everyone's account. Have you received it? When a journalist asked Amit Shah, he said that it was an election slogan," Kharge pointed out.

On the jobs front also, the Congress veteran sought to expose the Modi government.

"They had promised to give two crores every year. According to this, 20 crore people should have got jobs in 10 years, but did you get them?" he asked the gathering.

Responding to the issue of Bangladeshi infiltration, he asked the Centre what it was doing to address the issue.

"The government is in their hands. It is their responsibility to protect the border. Even after this, when they talk about Bangladeshi infiltration, it is nothing but belittling the country's army men," he remarked.
Kolhapur, Nov 5 : Kolhapur Congress MP Chhatrapati Shrimant Shahu Maharaj said that the royal clan had decided no two persons from the same family will occupy elected posts and give an opportunity to ordinary party workers.

In a two-pager, he said that the family's decision to withdraw the candidature of his daughter-in-law, Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati  the wife of ex-MLA Malojiraje Chhatrapati  was in tune with the clan's resolve.

The statement came a day after a huge fracas erupted when Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati abruptly opted out of the poll race from the Kolhapur North Assembly seat and hours after Congress strongman Satej D. 'Bunty' Patil indicated that the political storm had blown over this morning.

The Chhatrapati said that the independent, Rajesh Latkar was earlier nominated as the Congress' official candidate for the seat, but owing to opposition from certain quarters, the party had given the ticket to Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati.

"It was with the clear understanding that Madhurima Raje would contest only if Latkar would step out of the poll fray. This was also explained in a meeting with Latkar and informed to the Congress leadership," said the Chhatrapati.

However, despite repeated coaxing, Latkar did not take back his papers and hence the royal family decided to withdraw Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati from the poll fray, he added.

"Yesterday, Patil had expressed his feelings over the developments It is being said in some quarters that he had insulted us (royals), which is not the case. Canards are being spread that I am planning to quit as Lok Sabha MP, which is false," said the Chhatrapati.

He made it clear that the party workers would now work hard to ensure that Latkar is elected as he is from the Congress ideology, plus the five other candidates of Maha Vikas Aghadi from the Kolhapur district.

The Chhatrapati emphasized that "there are no differences with Patil", and they were together at a programme in Bhudargad last evening, from where they returned in the same vehicle.

This morning a cool Patil had reiterated that he had complete respect for the Chhatrapati  a day after he had exploded in anger at the royal clan in full public and media view in what was considered a 'blasphemy'.

"If you had no courage to fight (the polls) then why did you stand I have been cheated. You should have told me in advance I would have shown my strength," ranted Patil, losing his cool, when he learnt that Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati had quit the race yesterday.

Patil even sounded remorseful for his behaviour but said he wanted to bury the hatchet and "looked forward" to the preparations for the Assembly elections, barely a fortnight away.

"I have always had the highest regard for the 'gaadi' (throne) and the Chhatrapatis, which will continue in the future I don't wish to comment about yesterday evening and create any more misunderstandings," declared Patil.

The Kolhapur North seat has proved tricky for the Congress in the past few days, owing to local political permutations-combinations, but state Congress President Nana F. Patole tried to soothe tempers, saying (the withdrawal) was ostensibly necessitated owing to certain (royal) family issues, which the Chhatrapati himself clarified this evening.

The troubles began when the Congress first named Latkar in place of sitting MLA Jayashree C. Jadhav  elected in a bypolls in 2022 - who promptly quit with her son Satyajit, to join the ruling MahaYuti ally, Shiv Sena.

Suddenly, on Oct. 28 the Congress dropped Latkar and nominated Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati - who filled out her form, and started her poll campaign, but opted out of the contest at the last minute.

Slighted after being denied the party ticket, Latkar stood as an independent, and despite all efforts by Patil and the Chhatrapatis to make him withdraw, did not relent.

Party sources in Mumbai and Kolhapur hint that with no options, the MVA would be compelled to support Latkar and ensure his victory in this important seat.

However, nobody is willing to predict the consequences of these serial cloak-and-dagger political drama with a regal edge on the MVA prospects here in the November 20 elections.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: qnajmi@gmail.com)
Bhopal, Nov 5 : In a major step towards women's empowerment, the Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday increased the reservation quota for women up to 35 per in all state government services.

The decision was taken during the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday. As of now, the reservation quota for women in the state government services is up to 33 per cent.

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said that the increase of 2 per cent reservation for women in the state government services will executed with immediate effect.

Shukla further said the state government is all set to start major recruitment in several departments, prominently in public health of the state government, and 35 per cent of seats would be reserved for women.

The approval for increasing reservation for women came one year after the announcement was made during the previous BJP government in October last year, one month before the state Assembly elections held in November 2023.

It was one of the key poll promises the BJP had made to the people during the Assembly elections.

"Today's Cabinet decision to increase reservation for women is fulfilling the promises made by the BJP. It is also our commitment to empower women," Shukla said.

Increasing reservation for women is the second major step from the BJP government within a period of one year after 'Ladli Bhena Yojana', a cash incentive scheme was introduced last year.
Jamshedpur : , Nov 5 (IANS) In a scathing attack on the JMM-Congress and RJD coalition government of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that the ruling government conspired to change the demography of the state through land jihad and love jihad.

While addressing an election rally in Jamshedpur, the UP CM said that this government (coalition) has promoted land jihad and love jihad which has been made a part of the conspiracy to change the demography of Jharkhand.

"Recently the honourable court of Jharkhand had to express concern on why the population of tribes in Santhal decreased from 42 per cent to 28 per cent. Where did these people go? How did a large population become a part of another community?" he questioned.

Yogi Adityanath called upon the people of Jharkhand to once again elect a BJP government in the state to honour the spirit with which Atal Bihari Vajpayee had created a separate state in 2000 and to make a developed and safe Jharkhand.

"In this state, Bangladeshis and Rohingyas are infiltrating. The height of audacity is when they pelt stones on Maa Durga and Ramnavami processions during festivals. Before 2017, it used to happen in UP as well, but now there is no stone pelting on the procession because those who do so, face consequences," he said.

Referring to the strict steps taken to end the mafia and goonda raj in Uttar Pradesh, CM Yogi said that when the Ayodhya case was in the court, the stone pelters used to say that rivers of blood would flow. "But today, there is neither curfew nor riot in UP. Just like stone pelters were eliminated from Kashmir after the BJP government is formed, Naxalism will also be eliminated from Jharkhand," he added.

Yogi Adityanath appealed to the people of Jharkhand to give a befitting reply to the conspiracy to divide them on the basis of castes. He said that those who divide people in the name of caste, region and language are the same people who will not stand with them in times of crisis.

"Congress has been hurting the country since 1947. RJD did the same thing in Bihar and JMM in Jharkhand. The way Rohingyas started infiltrating into Jharkhand. If the demography changes in this way, then these people, who are stopping the processions today, will not allow the ringing of bells and conches inside homes in the coming time," he said.

"Bring BJP and take out a safe Ramnavami procession. The history of the country is witnesses that whenever people have been divided in the name of caste, region and language; they have been brutally cut down," CM Yogi added.

The UP CM called Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress and RJD as messengers of destruction. "These people are angels of corruption. Congress, JMM and RJD snatched the livelihood of the poor, forced farmers to commit suicide and youth to migrate. This area, which is rich in natural resources, is known for its mica mines. A poor person cannot get even a trolley of sand to build a house, but sand mafia, forest mafia, liquor mafia and land mafia are flourishing with the protection of the government. The only solution is BJP," he added.

CM Yogi said that those who used to say that Ram Mandir will not be built in Ayodhya, are seeing that the temple has been built and Ram Lalla has also been installed. "The new Uttar Pradesh of the new India does not spare those who trouble innocent citizens and Hindus," he added.

He said that the Congress, JMM and RJD's INDI alliance which is promoting corruption, anarchy and hooliganism in Jharkhand is playing with the nation's self-respect and security.

Yogi appealed to the people to vote in the elections to improve the present and make the future bright. "Vote them out and the NDA government will do the rest," he said.

During the public meeting, Union Minister and Koderma MP Annapurna Devi, Jharkhand in-charge and Rajya Sabha MP Dr Laxmikant Vajpayee, among others were present.

--IANS

snc /uk
Kochi, Nov 5 : From early detection of algal blooms to feed broadcasting in mariculture to rescue operations during emergency situations, drone technology is expected to revolutionise India's marine fisheries sector.

A joint effort of the Union Ministry of Fisheries, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) is on to promote and popularise drone applications in the country's marine fisheries.

This initiative aims to significantly enhance the efficiency of fisheries management, sea cage farming, disaster management and ecosystem conservation.

An awareness workshop and drone demonstration for fishermen and fish farmers will be held at CMFRI on November 8 to showcase the prospects of drone applications for various purposes, including aquaculture input dispensing, live fish transportation, rescue operation, water sampling, underwater imaging, water body monitoring and mapping, and marine mammal stock assessment among others.

Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian will inaugurate the workshop followed by a demonstration of potential drone application.

Referring to the prospects of drone applications, CMFRI Director Grinson George said the technology will significantly enhance efficiency, reduce labour costs and minimise environmental impact.

"It could be used in cage fish farming operations both in coastal and offshore waters for monitoring fish health, assessing water quality parameters, and optimising feed distribution. Drones can also aid in early detection of algal blooms and other environmental threats to the farming," he said adding that the technology could be used for monitoring paddy seedlings in Pokkali farms.

Another significant benefit of this technology is enabling fish farmers to get reasonable market prices for their high-value, cage-farmed fish.

Drones can efficiently transport live fish from remote aquaculture sites to markets according to requirements, ensuring freshness and reducing transportation time.

The application of drones would also be helpful to improve marine mammal stock assessment, and easy surveillance of their interaction, including their strandings. This technology could be used for deploying life jackets for rescue operations during emergency situations.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that held that not every resource owned by an individual can be considered a "material resource of the community", merely because it meets the qualifier of "material needs".

A seven-judge Constitution Bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, said that inquiry about whether the resource in question falls within the ambit of Article 39 (b) of the Constitution must be context-specific and subject to a non-exhaustive list of factors such as the nature of the resource and its characteristics, the impact of the resource on the well-being of the community, the scarcity of the resource, and the consequences of such a resource being concentrated in the hands of private players.

"The Public Trust Doctrine evolved by this court may also help identify resources which fall within the ambit of the phrase 'material resource of the community'," it added.

The Constitution Bench, also comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy, B.V. Nagarathna, Sudhanshu Dhulia, J.B. Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, Rajesh Bindal, S.C. Sharma and A.G. Masih, was dealing with questions as to whether the term "material resources of the community" in Article 39 (b) include privately owned property and whether laws intended to achieve this provision's objective of redistributing material resources for the "common good" be exempted from legal challenges based on violations of fundamental rights.

The majority held that the term "distribution" has a wide connotation and the various forms of distribution which can be adopted by the state authorities cannot be exhaustively detailed. It added that distribution may include the vesting of the concerned resources in the state or nationalisation and in the specific case, the court must determine whether the distribution "subserves the common good".

While Justice Nagarathna authored a separate but partially concurring opinion, Justice Dhulia penned down a dissenting judgment.

In her opinion, Justice Nagarathna said that Articles 37, 38, and 39 of the Constitution need to be interpreted by bearing in mind the changing economic policies and not in a rigid watertight compartment.

"The flexibility of interpretation is having regard to the dynamic changes in the Indian socio-economic policies meant for the welfare and progress of the people of India," she held.

Justice Dhulia, in his dissenting opinion, said that is for the legislature to decide how the ownership and control of material resources is to be distributed in order to subserve the common good.

"Once the expansive meaning of 'material resources of the community' is determined, there is no necessity of drawing further guidelines for the legislatures to determine as to what will constitute material resources."

"How to control and distribute a material resource is also the task of the Legislature, but while doing so what has to be seen is that the control and ownership of the material resource be so distributed that it subserves the common good of the community. If it does not, then such legislation can be struck down as the judiciary is not deprived of its powers of judicial review. The legislation in question has to establish a nexus with the principles specified in Article 39 (b) and (c) to be a valid legislation," he opined.

Article 39(b) of the Constitution, falling under the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), mandates that the administration will direct its policy towards ensuring that the material resources of the community are distributed equitably.

"The state shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to subserve the common good," reads Article 39(b).

The key question arose before the Supreme Court as to whether private property can be considered part of the "material resources of the community" in the context of this provision.

The principle behind the insertion of Article 39(b) was to ensure that the resources necessary for economic growth and social justice serve the collective welfare or "common good", rather than being concentrated in the hands of a few.

In its detailed judgment, the Supreme Court also held that Article 31C of the Constitution, to the extent it was upheld in the landmark Keshavanada Bharati case, remains in force and, after referring to several judgments delivered in the past, said that the first part of the unamended Article 31C was constitutional and continued to remain in force.
Kolkata, Nov 5 : Former West Bengal Education Minister and the Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee, on Tuesday, moved a fresh bail petition at a special court of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Kolkata in connection with the multi-crore cash for school job case in West Bengal.

The hearing in the matter will be on November 13. Earlier also he had moved several bail pleas at different courts including the Calcutta High Court, which were rejected by all the courts concerned.

Chatterjee had been behind bars since he was arrested in July 2022 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, after the central agency officials recovered huge amounts of cash and gold from the twin residences of Chatterjeeas close aide Arpita Mukherjee.

On October 1, CBI, which is conducting a parallel probe in the school job case had shown Chatterjee and another accused in the case Ayan Shil as arrested. It is perceived that because of this fresh development of CBI showing him arrested, Chatterjee had made this fresh bail application at the special court of CBI in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, CBI has claimed to have procured specific evidence against Chatterjee that shows how the latter played a crucial role in personally shortlisting ineligible candidates paying money for appointment and recommending their names for that purpose.

The investigating officials of the central agency have also claimed to have evidence of Chatterjee forwarding the list shortlisted by him to an erstwhile bureaucrat attached to the state education department.

As claimed by the CBI insiders they procured the preliminary evidence at state education department headquarters and thereafter their officials interrogated Chatterjee at a correctional home in South Kolkata.

During the interrogation, Chatterjee made a number of inconsistent statements through which the investigating officials secured additional clues in the matter.
Patna, Nov 5 : Three children in an age group of 12 to 16 tragically drowned in the Ganga River in Bihar's Bhagalpur district on Tuesday.

The incident took place at Mohanpur Diara, within the Ekchari police station's jurisdiction.

Bhagalpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anand Kumar said that the children had gone to the riverbank to bathe.

"During the bath, one of the children ventured too deep into the river and began to drown. In an attempt to rescue him, the other two children followed but also lost their lives in the water," Kumar said.

The victims have been identified as Jeevan Kumar, Ashutosh Kumar, and Mausham Kumari. All of them are residents of Mohanpur village.

Eyewitnesses said that a lack of essential safety measures at the riverbank, especially concerning the Chhath Puja, a significant festival when many people visit the river for ritual bathing.

The absence of barricades to warn visitors of dangerous spots, combined with the lack of on-site divers, has raised concerns about the safety arrangements at the Ghat.

After the accident, local residents alerted the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and district police, who arrived and recovered the children's bodies.

The incident, which occurred on the first day of the Chhath festival, has cast a sombre mood over the region, leaving the local community in shock. Family members of the deceased have been notified, and the community is mourning this heartbreaking loss.

Such an accident underscores the risks associated with unsupervised access to rivers, especially in rural areas where children often visit water bodies without adult supervision.

This is the biggest Chhath Ghat in the Diara area of Bhagalpur, where more than 5000 people are expected to offer prayers to Lord Surya.
Chandigarh, Nov 5 : Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana on Tuesday said the government is promoting the use of straw as manure by encouraging farmers to incorporate it into their fields.

This practice not only enhances soil fertility but also provides economic benefits to farmers.

Rana said incorporating crop residue into the soil boosts the levels of carbon and other nutrients, leading to higher yields in subsequent crops.

"Scientific research has demonstrated that mixing straw into the soil strengthens the nutrient cycle and increases soil carbon levels, which in turn improves the yield of future crops," he said.

He said many progressive farmers are now using crop residues as fertilizer by incorporating them into the soil. This approach not only boosts crop yields by three to five quintals per acre annually but also reduces costs by lowering urea consumption.

Citing the example of farmer Rajesh Saini from Bakana village in Yamunanagar district, the minister said instead of burning stubble, Saini has been mixing it into his fields for the past three years. As a result, his crop yield has increased by about six quintals per acre, leading to an annual income boost of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per acre.

Haryana cultivates paddy on approximately 28 lakh acres, and the government's awareness campaign has significantly reduced stubble-burning cases this season.

The state has also provided subsidised machines for in-situ and ex-situ stubble management, and farmers who refrain from burning stubble receive a financial incentive of Rs 1,000 per acre.

Rana also mentioned that the government's efforts have been praised by the Supreme Court, highlighting that Haryana is actively providing valuable support to farmers.

He said attributing the rising pollution in Delhi solely to stubble burning is misguided. He advised the Delhi government to implement concrete measures similar to those in Haryana.

This initiative by the Haryana government not only promotes environmental preservation but also offers farmers financial benefits, marking a positive shift toward sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture. He said this year, the state has recorded a noticeable reduction in stubble-burning cases.
Bhopal, Nov 5 : The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), envisioning affordable housing for low and middle-income families, has brought profound and positive changes in the lives of scores of people across the country.

Harda district in Madhya Pradesh is one of the key beneficiaries of this scheme, as thousands of people here have either attained or are in the process of realising their dream of pucca houses.

The PMAY scheme was launched in Madhya Pradesh's Harda in September 2017. Since then, a total of 6,813 people have benefited from the scheme in urban pockets. Out of this, about 6,011 houses have been completed while the rest 10 per cent of houses are under construction.

Pramendra Sakalle, a local of Harda village told IANS about how the PMAY scheme turned to be a boon for him and his family as today all of them are living in pucca houses, as against kuccha houses earlier.

Ganesh Prasad Kushwaha, another local, said that he and his family have a permanent house now and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this.

Maya Bai, a resident of Ward No. 17 said, "Our permanent house has been built because of PM Modi and Shivraj Singh Chauhan. There were a lot of problems in kuccha house. It had to be repaired again and again. Now with the construction of a pucca house, all our problems have been solved."

Rekha Nayade, a resident of ward number 4 said that they received monetary assistance in three installments and this helped them transition from kuccha to pucca house.

"We are very happy to get a pucca house," said Meena Bai, another beneficiary of the scheme.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is a subsidy scheme, launched by the Modi government in 2015, aiming to build 2 crore affordable houses by March 31, 2022. The government has extended the PMAY scheme for another five years.

Under the Yojana, an amount of Rs 2.50 lakh monetary assistance is provided by the Centre to beneficiaries, living below the poverty line in three instalments. The first instalment is given in the form of Rs 1 lakh, followed by Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 consecutively in the next two instalments.

---IANS

mr/uk
Aizawl, Nov 5 : The northeastern state of Mizoram has witnessed a significant rise in cyber-crime or financial fraud, with approximately duping over Rs 8 crore in the first nine months of this year, police officials said.

Mizoram police cyber crime officials said that between January and September over Rs 8 crore of a large number of people were duped.

Nearly 80 per cent of the cyber-crime cases are financial fraud, primarily involving fake investment or depository schemes and impersonation fraud, an official told the media.

Cyber-criminals cheated a total of Rs 8,00,31,849.35 from victims across the state, with July recording the highest financial fraud of Rs 2.57 crore, followed by Rs 1.59 crore in March this year and the monetary loss of other months this year ranging between Rs 24 lakh to Rs one crore.

Only around 10 per cent of the Rs 8 crore of deceived money was reclaimed, the official said, adding that the frauds sometimes identified themselves as military or bank personnel to earn victims' confidence before convincing them to transfer money.

Mizoram Police officials said that most of the cybercriminals operate from different parts of the country including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, Chandigarh.

Mizoram Police launched a massive campaign against cyber-crime and urged people to remain extra alert against online or digital fraud.

People should reject unsolicited and hefty offers from unauthorised people and promptly report to the authorities any suspicious activities, the official said.

Meanwhile, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma recently said that his government has given priority to dealing with cyber-crime in the state and since 2022 at least 263 such crimes have been registered.

Addressing a seminar on cyber-crime at the Serchhip Press Club, the Chief Minister highlighted the rapid increase in cyber-crime cases across the country and stressed the importance of public awareness in every internet-based activity.

"In 2022, around 158 cyber crime cases were registered, followed by 72 cases in 2023, and 33 cases so far this year," the Chief Minister had said.

The Chief Minister urged the people to promptly report any suspicious calls, messages, or activities related to cyber-crime to the nearest police station.

Additional Superintendent of Police, CID Crime, Zonunsanga, explained the cyber-crime-related incidents in Mizoram and the government's steps to deal with such offences.

Mizoram Police established a Cyber Crime Police Station in 2020 at the state Police Headquarters, Khatla, Aizawl and this police station has jurisdiction all over the state.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : The CBI on Tuesday launched simultaneous searches at around 20 locations in poll-bound Jharkhand, West Bengal and Bihar and recovered Rs 60 lakh, over 1 kg gold, 1.2 kg silver, gold ornaments, mobiles in connection with illegal mining in the JMM-ruled state.

Investigation revealed that large-scale illegal stone mining activities in the Sahebganj district of Jharkhand allegedly caused substantial losses to the government, primarily through unpaid royalties and the violation of mining laws, a statement said.

CBI officials said the initial investigation had pointed towards the involvement and nexus of key individuals and firms to carry out the illegal mining activity and conceal the proceeds thus obtained.

In Jharkhand, the searches were conducted at three places in Ranchi, one place in Gumla and 13 places in Sahebganj. In West Bengal, the CBI raided two places in Kolkata and in Bihar, searches were conducted at one place in Patna.

Searches led to recoveries of over Rs 60 lakh cash, 1 kg gold, 1.2 kg silver, gold ornaments, mobiles, 61 live cartridges (9mm), sale deeds related to properties, documents related to investments and shell companies, agreement papers and other incriminating documents.

The CBI registered the instant case on November 20, 2023, under various sections based on the directions of the Jharkhand High Court issued on August 18, 2023.

The federal agency claimed that field investigations suggested that key individuals and entities were allegedly involved in this illegal mining operation using multiple methods to conceal their activities and divert illicitly obtained resources/money.

The CBI searches came days before voting to pick a new 81-member Assembly. During the election campaign, the ruling JMM has been facing attacks from rival BJP over alleged corruption in the government.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. So far, Iran hasn't had a reason to make an atomic bomb, Head of Iran's Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, Mohammad-Javad Larijani told local media, Trend reports.

According to him, Iran is putting its best foot forward in acquiring nuclear knowledge and technology for peaceful purposes, steering clear of any military direction. Iran's deterrent power is so strong that it doesn't have to go down that road of making atomic weapons.

Larijani added that, however, if Iran ever gets the itch for atomic weapons, it won't take long for them to pull the trigger on that acquisition. Iran has made it clear that it neither has nor will ever dip its toes into the waters of atomic weapon production. This decision is a result of Iran's policy.

The Iranian parliament's 39 deputies have petitioned Iran's Supreme National Security Council to review the country's defense doctrine regarding the production of nuclear weapons.

Tensions have recently increased in the Middle East, mainly between Iran and Israel. Several circles in Iran are considering various scenarios in light of these tensions.

Meanwhile, in January 2016, Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) implemented the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action concerning Irans nuclear program.

In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran.

By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement.

Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Kolkata, Nov 5 : The Indian Army is on the lookout for advanced equipment, including robust drones as well as counter-drone systems, Lt Gen R C Tiwari, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, said in his keynote address on Tuesday, during the inaugural session of the two-day long defence expo East Tech 2024 in Kolkata.

East Tech 2024 has been organised by the Army's Eastern Command in which nearly 140 companies engaged in defence-related production, including MSMEs and start-ups, are participating in the third edition of the event.

The Eastern Army commander urged defence production units to develop and deliver drones that are capable of operating at high altitudes and harsh terrain.

The operational jurisdiction of the Eastern Command stretches from the high reaches of the Himalayas to hot and humid rain forests in the country's northeastern states. Drones are today a force multiplier as well as a threat.

"We are looking for potent state-of-the-art drones. Equally important and in light of increasingly potent capabilities available in this domain with militaries the world over as well as in our neighbourhood, having an effective counter-drone system is of utmost importance," Lt General Tiwari said.

He added that cutting-edge technology to improve the survivability of own troops and resources is the way forward. He spoke on how the Eastern Command, the largest operational command of the Army, has its own requirements of defence-related equipment and technological solutions.

An official noted that an Army Commander has financial powers to clear the procurement of need-specific equipment to a certain extent.

"We also have to take cognisance of new threats and challenges that are emerging with each passing day and hence look towards the defence industry to provide us with the required battlefield equalisers. Given the high humidity across the eastern region, moisture-proof storage conditions, especially for ammunition in forward areas, is an area that we expect the Indian defence industry to work on and come up with positive solutions. Our wars have to be fought with our weapons and equipment," Lt Gen Tiwari added, highlighting the importance of self-reliance in defence production.

He also urged West Bengal minister Arup Biswas to ensure greater participation from MSMEs at such events. Biswas, who inaugurated the event, claimed that the state has the second-largest number of MSMEs in the country.

Lt Gen R C Srikanth, Chief of Staff, Eastern Command, told reporters later that the defence industry and the armed forces are now developing various counter-drone technologies and these are being inducted to carry out operations against drones that pose a threat to national security.

"Drones have turned into a major threat. Both the armed forces and the industry are conscious of the fact that we need to develop counter-measures. Some systems are already in place and others will be inducted in due course," he said.
Istanbul, Nov 5 : A fire erupted at the TUPRAS oil refinery in the northwestern Turkish province of Kocaeli on Tuesday, injuring 12 people, according to a statement from TUPRAS.

TUPRAS said a fire broke out at 1:30 p.m. local time (1030 GMT) during compressor maintenance at its Izmit refinery. According to initial assessments, 12 staffers were lightly injured, all of whom have been transferred to the hospital, the company added.

It noted that the fire had been brought under control and the related unit had been safely shut down, while "other operations at the refinery are continuing as normal."

Meanwhile, the local broadcaster NTV reported that an explosion and an ensuing fire took place at the refinery during a planned drill, giving no details about the drill.

"There was a planned drill. An issue occurred during that drill. It was brought under control. The firefighting teams intervened, and there is no problem," Kocaeli Mayor Tahir Buyukakin was quoted by NTV as saying.

Following the explosion, TUPRAS shares, which saw a 3-percent decline, were suspended from trading on Borsa Istanbul, the sole exchange entity of TArkiye, until the required special situation disclosure is issued, according to NTV.

TUPRAS, or Turkish Petroleum Refineries Corporation, is a leading player in the country's energy sector, with its four refineries' annual crude oil processing capacities totaling 30 million tonnes, Xinhua news agency reported.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : The Financial Intelligence Units of India and Qatar held a two-day meeting here to strengthen the relations between the two organisations and their commitment to assist each other in fighting the menace of money laundering and financing of terrorism, the Finance Ministry said on Tuesday.

A nine-member delegation, headed by Sheikh Ahmed Al Thani, Head of Financial Intelligence Unit-Qatar (FIU-Qatar), held meetings with Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) headed by Vivek Aggarwal on November 4 and 5.

Aggarwal and Sheikh Ahmed Al Thani discussed current practices in the anti-money laundering and the countering of financing terrorism (AML/CFT) regime as well as possible areas of future collaboration between the two organisations.

Both sides also discussed various areas such as the IT systems used by the respective jurisdiction, the public-private partnership initiative of FIU-IND (FPAC), the private-private [artnership for Alliance of Reporting Entities in India for AML/CFT (ARIFAC), strategic analysis and various tools used by the two FIUs as well as FIU-INDas experience in the area of virtual digital assets service providers.

Methods of effective information exchange were also discussed and deliberated upon.

The FIU-Qatar highly appreciated the IT system (FINNET 2.0) used by FIU-IND and mentioned that it is one of the most sophisticated systems used by any FIU. They expressed keenness to further understand the private-private partnership Initiative from FIU-IND which facilitates the collaboration amongst private sector players in the AML/CFT regime.

In order to provide insights into the functioning of AML/CFT stakeholders, two on-site visits were also scheduled for the Qatari delegation by FIU-IND which were extremely fruitful for them, according to the official statement.

FIU-Qatar and FIU-IND have cooperated over the years, through the informal information exchange on offences related to money laundering and financing of terrorism. Both the FIUs are members of Egmont Group and FATF and have been actively associated with various initiatives taken by these international organisations. In order to bolster cooperation, both FIUs have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding on information exchange in relation to money laundering, financing of terrorism and associated predicate offences in 2016.

At the end of the meeting, Sheikh Ahmed Al Thani invited Aggarwal to undertake a visit to FIU-Qatar in the near future to further build on the relationship.
Jaipur, Nov 5 : Former state minister and Congress MLA Shanti Dhariwal and three ex-JDA officials on Tuesday got a setback from the Supreme Court as the bench of Justice Suryakant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan quashed the orders of the Rajasthan High Court, which earlier announced to end the criminal proceedings in the single lease case against them.

The Supreme Court directed the High Court to hear the case again in six months. RTI activist Ashok Pathak had filed an SLP (Special Leave Petition) in the Supreme Court against two orders of the High Court.

Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma, who pleaded on behalf of the state government in the Supreme Court, said that on Tuesday the Supreme Court quashed both the orders of the High Court dated 17 January 2023 and 15 November 2022 which asked to end criminal proceedings against the then ACS GS Sandhu, Deputy Secretary Nishkam Diwakar and Zone Deputy Commissioner Omkarmal Saini.

The High Court, on the basis of the ACB plea, had considered the withdrawal of the case against Sandhu, Diwakar and Saini of the state government, however, SC quashed the same on Tuesday.

Additional Advocate General Sharma, who represented the state government in the Supreme Court, said that the affidavit presented by the state government in the Supreme Court in April said that there was no criminal case. Also, he was not consulted while a new affidavit was presented and a request was made to cancel the orders of the High Court which the court accepted.

AAG Sharma said that the ACB had presented three closure reports in the court, which did not have all the facts included. In such a situation, the ACB court rejected two closure reports and no decision was taken on the third. During this time the case went to the High Court. In January last, the High Court considered the withdrawal of the case against former IAS GS Sandhu, Nishkam Diwakar and Omkar Mal Saini to be correct and dismissed the case against Dhariwal.

On 29 June 2011, Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) issued a single lease in the name of Shailendra Garg, the proprietor of Ganpati Construction. Complainant Ramsharan Singh had complained to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in 2013 against the deal. Soon after the complaint in ACB, the then ACS GS Sandhu, Deputy Secretary Nishkam Diwakar, Zone Deputy Commissioner Omkarmal Saini, Shailendra Garg and two other accused were arrested. ACB had presented a challan against them in the court. When the matter escalated, the department cancelled the single lease on 25 May 2013.

ACB had registered a case in the single lease case on 3 December 2014 during the then Vasundhara government. A challan was also presented against the accused. At that time, the then UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal was also questioned. As soon as the government changed in the state, the ACB in the Gehlot government presented three closure reports in the case in the court. In all three closure reports, the government gave a clean chit to former IAS GS Sandhu, former RAS Nishkam Diwakar and Omkarmal Saini in this case.

Surprisingly, the Bhajan Lal government also gave a clean chit to all others including Dhariwal while presenting its reply in the Supreme Court on 22 April 2024, saying that there is no case in the single lease case.

Earlier, the government took a U-turn from its reply and presented a new affidavit in the Supreme Court which on behalf of the government said that a case is made against Congress MLA Shanti Dhariwal and three officials. The affidavit presented in the Supreme Court in April 2024 said that senior officials and AAG were not consulted. The government further changed the case officer associated with the case.
Lucknow, Nov 5 : Uttar Pradesh has achieved the top spot in the Veergatha Project 4.0 and surpassed all other states with an impressive 45.2 lakh student nominations. This achievement sets a new benchmark in promoting respect for bravery and encouraging creativity and motivation among students.

Uttar Pradesh's performance in this year's Veergatha Project has been tremendous under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, with a record 45,24,559 nominations. This is a remarkable increase from last yearas tally of 39 lakh nominations.

The success is a result of the collective efforts from all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh, ensuring widespread participation across the state.

In the rankings for Veergatha 4.0, Delhi, which once held the top position, has slipped to second place with 18,08,556 nominations. Similarly, Bihar got third place with 13,91,187 nominations. Uttar Pradesh has outperformed Delhi by a massive margin of 27,16,003 nominations. It has outpaced Bihar by 31,33,372 nominations. This is a new national record, says an official release.

Every district in Uttar Pradesh contributed to the surge in student nominations in what is being viewed as one of the most remarkable features. In fact, 18 districts from Uttar Pradesh are now among the top 50 districts nationwide with the highest participation. These include Pilibhit (2,92,756), Bulandshahr (2,68,852), Sant Kabir Nagar (2,35,934), Lakhimpur Kheri (1,32,414), and Siddharthnagar (1,24,950), among others.

Other prominent districts that made it to the top 50 are Hardoi (1,22,973), Lucknow (1,19,908), Maharajganj (1,14,227), Prayagraj (1,12,041), and Varanasi (1,04,460). Districts such as Chitrakoot (95,583), Sambhal (92,953), and Unnao (89,358) also contributed significantly to this achievement.

The Veergatha Project 4.0, launched by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education in 2021 under the Gallantry Awards Portal (GAP), aims to connect students with the inspiring stories of brave soldiers.

Students from classes 1 to 12 were encouraged to participate in creative activities centred around bravery award winners, including poetry, essays, storytelling, painting, and video competitions.

This year, online nominations were open from September 16 to October 31, 2024, with participation from students across all schools in Uttar Pradesh. According to Sandeep Singh, the Minister of State for Basic Education (Independent Charge), the record-breaking participation reflects the widespread enthusiasm and respect for the armed forces and the state's commitment to nurturing creativity and courage among its young learners.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday released three publications of the Supreme Court at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The three publications are: "Justice for Nation: Reflections on 75 Years of the Supreme Court of India", "Prisons in India: Mapping Prison Manuals and Measures for Reformation and Decongestion", and "Legal Aid Through Law Schools: A Report on Working of Legal Aid Cells in India".

In her address on the occasion, President Murmu noted that "Justice for the Nation..." captured the high points of the Supreme Courtas journey of 75 years, describing the impact of the top court on various aspects of the lives of the people.

The President said that the Supreme Court has developed a jurisprudence which is rooted in the Indian ethos and realities, adding that the justice delivery system must strengthen our onward march as a just and fair society.

Further, she said that the report on the working of legal aid cells was devoted to the legal aid clinics operating in law schools in the country. She said that legal aid clinics contribute to imparting holistic legal education to youth and sensitise them to the needs of the vulnerable segments of our society.

The President said that the status of under-trial prisoners has been an abiding concern for her and the report on the prison system sought to understand the role of the judiciary in reducing the number of undertrial prisoners.

President Murmu expressed confidence that the three publications released would help realize the objectives of free legal aid and prison reforms, besides educating the people about the exceptional role played by the Supreme Court. "I congratulate the members of the Bench and Bar, past and present, for making the Supreme Court of India the great institution that it is. I wish the apex Court of India a greater future ahead," she said.
Kolkata, Nov 5 : The duration of the winter session of the West Bengal Assembly starting from November 25 will go on for 10 to 11 days, the Assembly Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay told media persons on Tuesday evening.

"A number of serious issues are scheduled to come for discussion at the winter session of the assembly. The matters will be placed at the meeting of the business advisory committee of the house and accordingly, the schedule of the session will be fixed," said the Speaker.

When questioned about the fate of the Aparajita Women & Child Bill, the new bill seeking capital punishment for convicts in rape and rape & murder cases, which though passed on the floor of the house in September this year, the Speaker said that as informed by the office of the Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, the bill has been referred to the office of the Indian President Droupadi Murmu for final clearance.

However, he refused to make on comment on the West Bengal (Prevention of Lynching) Bill, which has been gathering dust for the last five years since it was passed on the floor of the house in August 2019.

Although the Speaker did not exactly specify the matters that might come for discussion during the forthcoming winter session, Trinamool Congress insiders said that the treasury bench might move a resolution condemning the role of the Union government in releasing money to the state government on the Prime Minister under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme.

Meanwhile, insiders from the state unit of BJP said during the discussion on the resolutions their legislators will counter the arguments of the treasury bench and highlight instances of brewing public grievances in different pockets of the state over corruption in the implementation of the housing scheme.

During his recent visit to West Bengal the Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also been vocal against the state government on the irregularities in West Bengal over the implementation of the centrally-sponsored schemes especially the PMAY and the 100-day job scheme under MGNREGA.

The Union Home Minister also accused the ruling party of rendering benefits under such schemes to their party confidants denying the really eligible ones and also said that if BJP comes to power in West Bengal after the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections they will be cleaning up the accounting system under such schemes.
Jaipur, Nov 5 : The Rajasthan Mining Department on Tuesday imposed a penalty of Rs 38 crore on charges of illegal mining in Beawar district, an official said.

He said that the action was taken on the orders of the Beawar District Collector against illegal mining under the joint aegis of administration, police and mineral department under the leadership of the Raipur Sub-Divisional Officer.

The Mineral Department inspected one Karni Kripa Granite firm in the village Amargarh of Chang Tehsil of Raipur area as there were complaints pouring that illegal mining was going outside the lease area.

On calculation, a total of 130110.96 tonnes of illegal mining was reported, the penalty amount of which was 10 times the royalty recoverable.

Accordingly, the Mineral Department imposed a fine of Rs 37.73 crore by collecting 10 times the royalty. In the investigation, the total illegal mining area was found to be 5571 square meters and the illegal encroachment area was 22274 square meters.

The District Collector had earlier received complaints of illegal mining and illegal encroachment by the villagers against the said firm. To investigate and verify the complaints, the District Collector directed the Sub-Divisional Officer Raipur to reach the spot with a joint team and investigate and take action if the complaint is found to be true.

On investigation, it was found that the mining lease ML 39/02 was not marked in the revenue records. The remaining two boundary marks were neither found on the spot nor were they pointed out by the Mineral Department.

The leaseholder was found to be carrying out illegal mining in an area more than the lease area and in the Chak land and encroaching by dumping material. Under this, a fine of about 38 crores was imposed in the action taken by the administration.
Mumbai, Nov 5 : The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of the Congress, the Shiv Sena-UBT, and the Nationalist Congress Party-SP will officially launch its campaign for the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections with events in Nagpur and Mumbai, attended by top leaders, on Wednesday, party leaders said.

Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will land in Nagpur in the morning and attend the aSamvidhan Sanman Sammelan' (Honour the Constitution Meeting), there.

Rahul Gandhi will start his state trip by first paying homage at Deekshabhoomi, where the Indian Constitution's Chief Architect, Dr B. R. Ambedkar, and over four lakhs of his followers had embraced Buddhism 68 years ago.

Later, he will participate in the aHonour Constitution Meetinga at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium, and later, along with Kharge and other top leaders, shall arrive in Mumbai for a massive MVA public rally - the "Swabhiman Sabha" - at the Bandra Kurla Complex, Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe said.

"We will unveil the Congressa guarantees for the people of Maharashtra ahead of the Assembly elections, highlight the corrupt dealing of the ruling MahaYuti alliance government, how they have mortgaged the pride of Maharashtra to Gujarat, its various acts detrimental to the state, etc," he said.

The MVA leaders shall also give a firm response to the Bharatiya Janata Partyas fake narratives, detail how the Congress guarantees have been implemented in Karnataka and Telangana, and the manner in which it would be executed in Maharashtra.

The opposition rally will be attended by Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Nationalist Congress Party-SP President Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena-UBT President Uddhav Thackeray, NCP-SP state chief Jayant R. Patil and heads of other parties in the alliance.

The MVA allies have so far addressed independent political meetings across the state for their respective candidates in key constituencies from the 288 going to the polls.

However, the Wednesday rally will be the first formal joint campaign launch for the MVA-INDIA bloc, followed by more such combined rallies planned in different parts of the state, said a party leader in Mumbai.
Mumbai, Nov 5 : BJP, in a serious bid to surpass anti-incumbency, has lined up rallies by party bigwigs including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who are in demand from most of the party nominees, during November 6 and 14.

BJP, which is contesting 148 seats in the MahaYuti, proposes to ride on the Modi wave while approaching the voters. BJP also proposes to seek votes for pro-development MahaYuti opposing the anti-growth Maha Vikas Aghadi.

The party also hopes to increase its vote share banking on the popularity of Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had addressed 18 rallies during Lok Sabha elections for the MahaYuti candidates, will address two rallies each during November 8 and 14 covering Konkan, North Maharashtra, Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada before he leaves for his official trip abroad.

He will visit Dhule, Nashik, Akola, Nanded, Chandrapur, Chimur, Solapur, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Navi Mumbai, and Mumbai.

BJP insiders said that two more rallies may be organised in some constituencies based on the Prime Minister's schedule. The Prime Minister is expected to visit Mumbai on November 14 to address the MahaYuti's joint rally at the Bandra Kurla Complex.

The MahaYuti partners have already swung into action to mobilise cadres to put up a show of strength.

According to a senior party functionary: "The party bets big on the Prime Minister's charisma and popularity. His meetings help the party and MahaYuti to woo the voters in their favour. The Prime Minister's appeal to vote MahaYuti to increase the pace of Maharashtra's development is crucial. His call for the election of double engine sarkar will find resonance among the voters, especially in the wake of a slew of development projects launched by the Centre and the MahaYuti government in the last two and half years."

He recalled that the Prime Minister during his recent visits to the state has already announced the Centre's assistance for Maharashtra to become a powerhouse and one of the major tourist destinations while Mumbai is the Fintech capital.

Furthermore, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who held more than four region-wise meetings in September and October to review the party's poll preparations, will address at least 20 rallies in the state.

The state unit has so far received the Home Minister's schedule for November 8 when he will hold rallies in Kolhapur south, Jat, Karhad South, Khadakwasla and Parvati. His schedule for other days will be sent to the state unit soon. Amit Shah had also addressed more than 10 rallies during the general elections.

The state BJP unit is banking on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's magic to lure the voters. The state unit has so far received his schedule for September 6 when he will address rallies in Washim, Murtijapur and Mozart-Tivasa.

"Yogi Adityanath's appeal for voters such as Ek Rahangdale to Bachenge and Batenge to Katenge will change the narrative in the state in favour of the party," said another party functionary.

He further added that Adityanath is expected to hold rallies in other constituencies also.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, though the reason for this decision remains undisclosed, Trend reports, citing Israeli media.

Israel Katz, who previously served as Foreign Minister, has been appointed as the new Defense Minister, while Gideon Saar will assume the role of Foreign Minister.
New Delhi, Nov 5 : In fresh action over a Rs 7,377-crore bank fraud, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Lucknow Zonal Office, provisionally attached 86 land parcels (73.34 hectares) worth Rs 31.94 crore belonging to Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Limited under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), officials said on Tuesday.

The immovable properties attached are situated at Bhatapara and Baloda Bazar, Chhattisgarh, and are in the form of agricultural land parcels.

All the properties are registered either in the name of the company or trusted employees and other gullible persons, ED said in a statement.

The case involves an outstanding loan amount to the tune of Rs 7377 crore which has been already declared fraud by RBI and all assets of the accused company Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn have been liquidated by the Resolution Professional (RP) appointed by the National Company Law Tribunal.

The ED initiated an investigation on the basis of the FIR registered by CBI under various sections of IPC, 1860 and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 on the basis of a written complaint dated June 1, 2021, received from Rajeev Khurana, DGM, Central Bank of India, Parliament Street, New Delhi.

The complaint was filed against Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Limited having registered office at 19/X- 1, Krishna Puram, GT Road, Kanpur 208007 (UP); Mata Prasad Agarwal, CMD, Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd; Pawan Kumar Agarwal, Jt. MD; Devesh Narain Gupta, Dy. MD, Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn; Sharda Agarwal, Director, Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd and unknown public servants and private persons.

The complaint said the accused committed cheating, criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy, forgery, falsification of accounts and criminal misconduct for diversion/misappropriation of public money during the period from 2010 to 2018.

ED investigation revealed that the accused company Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd approached a consortium of 23 banks wherein the Central Bank of India was the consortium leader, for financial assistance for manufacturing of blended suiting & shirting, quilted fabrics, denim fabrics, technical textile fabrics etc.

Due to non-adherence of financial discipline, the accounts were classified as NPA by the complainant banks individually as per IRAC norms. It was revealed in the forensic audit that the accused company did not comply with the terms and conditions of the loan agreement.

The forensic audit suggested that the company inflated inventory records, improperly organised the auction process, and conducted significant sales with undisclosed related parties, the statement said.

The accused company lacked a formal discount policy but provided significant discounts totalling Rs 207.29 crore to related parties, potentially undisclosed parties, and customers in different industries, as well as to non-existent customers at the addresses listed on sale invoices. Advances to suppliers were written off without any supporting documentation, reflecting the diversion/siphoning of funds in these transactions, the ED said.

The company Shri Laxmi Cotsyn was liquidated on the directions of NCLT and assets worth Rs 265.44 crore were sold by RP to realise the debt.

Further, it was found during investigation that some funds of Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd were diverted to its other group company Shri Lakshmi Power Ltd.

These funds were further diverted to individual persons through their ICICI bank account at Baloda Bazar and later these funds were utilised for acquiring immovable properties in the form of land in the name of trusted employees of the company and gullible tribal people of Chhattisgarh.
Mumbai, Nov 5 : NCP's Maharashtra chief Sunil Tatkare on Tuesday claimed that the party President and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will win the Baramati Assembly seat by a huge margin against NCP-SP nominee and his nephew Yugendra Pawar.

Tatkare indicated that Yugendra Pawar poses no challenge to Ajit Pawar who is not just popular due to his work in the constituency but also his pro-development approach.

"The people of Baramati are wise. The extensive work Ajit Pawar has done in Baramati over the last 30 years cannot be forgotten by not only Baramati but also the Pune district and the entire Maharashtra. The Baramati pattern is praised nationwide. Ajit Pawaras contribution in that pattern will make the wise people of Baramati decide whom to give representation to, but he will win in this Assembly seat by a huge margin," he said.

The NCP leader also said that the NCP SPas move to seek votes with an emotional appeal will not work during the present elections.

On the MahaYutias poll prospects, Tatkare said that the BJP, the Shiv Sena, and the NCP are working hand in hand and with unity so that the MahaYuti government comes back to power.

"Nominations were filed in various constituencies by workers from three parties against each other but Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar have conducted joint discussions. Swift efforts were made to convince most of them to withdraw their nominations. In one or two days, attempts will definitely be made to create a favourable atmosphere in each constituency by convincing everyone,aa he said.

"NCP is not contesting many seats but the party has begun campaigning in full swing not just in its seats but also other seats where the BJP and the Shiv Sena have fielded their nominees. The MahaYuti is launching its campaign at Kolhapur and the leaders from the grand alliance will hold a few meetings together in some constituencies as the days are limited. Therefore, we are contesting the elections on all 288 seats with full strength and unity," he said.

"We are confident of successfully pacifying disgruntled members in one or two days, he remarked.

Tatkare also said that the Deolali seat belongs to the NCP, and Saroj Ahire is the grand alliance candidate there. "Whatever sentiments Shiv Sena leader Hemant Godse may have, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will certainly succeed in convincing him there."

On MNS chief Raj Thackerayas criticism of Ajit Pawar, Tatkare said Raj Thackeray sometimes speaks in his own way. "Sometimes he jokes, and sometimes he does mimicry, so his words should be taken in that sense. I donat think thereas anything different about it," he added.

He also said that the success Congress gained in the Lok Sabha seems to have gone to their heads, "and how much they are getting grounded can be seen by the official Congress candidateas withdrawal of nomination in Kolhapur".
Guwahati, Nov 5 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday made serious accusations against the Congress, saying it is planning to endanger the safety of Bengali Hindus in the Barak Valley region of the state.

According to Sarma, Congress is purposefully bringing up concerns in order to sow discord and instability in Assam.

While addressing an election rally in the Cachar district, Sarma said, "The Congress is plotting to endanger our Bengali Hindu brothers and sisters."

He emphasised his worries about the party's intentions, saying that Congress is trying to "vitiate the atmosphere" for political purposes even if the situation in Assam is stable.

In contrast to the Congress' alleged attempts to put the Bengali Hindu community in jeopardy, Sarma highlighted the BJP's continuous efforts to address and fix the problems they confront.

He said, "Congress is working against the interests of the Bengalis."

Sarma claimed that Congress just intends to obstruct the state's progress and is unconcerned about electoral success or failure.

He asserted that Congress will not be able to bring about progress even if it receives votes, comparing the opposition party to a "male cow" that is unable to give milk.

"The Congress has no issue this election," Sarma said at his first rally for the upcoming by-elections in the Dholai Assembly seat in the Cachar district.

"They don't care whether they win or lose. All they wish to do is impede progress. They oppose the poor receiving government assistance," the Chief Minister attacked the Congress party.

He said, "The Congress should sit at home and take rest. They cannot come to power for another 50 years."

Sarma claimed that the Congress party has historically incited violence in the state, which has since been effectively controlled by the BJP since it came to power in Assam.

"The Congress was busy creating conflicts between Assamese and Bengali people. Such conflicts are no longer there. There is no difference between Brahmaputra Valley and Barak Valley now. The same development is happening everywhere in the state," he said.

Barak Valley comprises three districts -- Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi. The region has two Lok Sabha MPs and 13 legislators in the state Assembly.
Bhubaneswar, Nov 5 : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday ordered an RDC-level inquiry into the death of two women following the alleged consumption of mango kernel porridge at Madipanka village in Kandhamal district a couple of days back.

"Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed an RDC (revenue divisional commissioner) level inquiry into the mango kernel death issue in Kandhamal district," the Chief Minister's Office said in a statement on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the opposition congress party on Tuesday met Governor Raghubar Das and submitted a memorandum seeking his intervention in the case.

"Had the food supplies been released on time in October, this incident and the loss of two precious lives could have been saved. Delay in food distribution violates the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and is a criminal offence," the party alleged in the memorandum.

The party made several demands in the memorandum including monetary compensation of Rs 20 lakhs each for the family members of the two women who allegedly died after eating mango porridge, removal of Food and Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra from state cabinet, sacking of the district collector of Kandhamal for gross negligence, etc.

The party also urged the governor to make a field visit to the affected village to assess the ground realities.

"As you are the constitutional custodian of tribal rights, we request your visit to these areas to witness the ground realities firsthand. Your presence will bring much-needed attention to the issues, helping to set many things back on track," urged the party.

Notably, eight persons fell seriously ill after consuming mango kernel porridge and rice in Madipanka village in the Daringbadi area of Kandhamal district on October 29. All the sick persons were later admitted to the Community Health Center at Brahmanigaon where a lady succumbed the next day on October 30.

The doctors later refer the rest seven sick persons to the MKCG medical college and hospital at Berhampur in the Ganjam district.

On the basis of primary inquiry, the state government on Saturday clarified that food poisoning was the actual cause behind the unfortunate deaths.
Jaipur, Nov 5 : The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered an FIR against 22 people including former state minister Mahesh Joshi in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam, officials on Tuesday.

The FIR has also been registered against the JJM's financial advisor, chief engineer, additional chief engineer, superintendent engineer and executive engineer.

Officials said that the role of officials and contractors of the Water Supply Department will be investigated. The ACB has also clarified that Mahesh Joshi will be called for questioning soon.

Departmental officials and contractors will also be questioned in this matter, said officials.

The scam in Jal Jeevan Mission was raised by veteran BJP leader Kirodi Lal Meena during the Gehlot government.

Meena had gone to Ashok Nagar police station to register a report. He also sat on a dharna outside the police station when the case was not registered. Two days later on 22 June 2023, he was detained by the police. However, even after this, Kirodi continued to protest.

The ACB registered an FIR on January 18, 2024, after making a thorough investigation.

According to the ACB, the interrogation of Executive Engineer Mayaram Saini in Behror revealed that there has been corruption in the work of JJM in the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).

Mahesh Mittal and Padmachand Jain reportedly made fake certificates and took tenders at various places in Rajasthan in connivance with the officials of the department.

The ACB investigation has also confirmed that Mahesh Mittal and Padmachand Jain got fake certificates of IRCON International Limited made and tenders issued. Surprisingly, the officials ignored the verification and kept making continuous payments by giving tenders to ineligible firms.

On completion of the investigation, the ACB registered an FIR on January 18, 2024.

Officials said that the ACB got the lead from an email ID via which documents for tender were sent. On investigating each ID, the names of different officers were revealed.
Patna, Nov 5 : JD-U National Working President and Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Kumar Jha, announced that November 13 will be a significant day for Mithilanchal, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for Bihar's second All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Darbhanga.

Jha expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Mithila people, acknowledging PM Modi's commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure in Bihar.

He noted that the decision to establish a second AIIMS in Bihar reflects PM Modi's "special affection" for the state. Bihar's first AIIMS was established in Patna, and the decision for a second was made to expand access to advanced medical care across the region.

"Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who himself selected a location and facilitated land allocation, chose Darbhanga due to its historical importance and its status as home to Bihar's second-oldest medical college, Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). This decision came after significant demand from multiple cities across the state," Jha said.

The new AIIMS in Darbhanga is expected to boost healthcare facilities in the Mithila region and reduce the burden on AIIMS Patna, ultimately improving healthcare access for residents throughout northern Bihar.

Sanjay Kumar Jha detailed the plans and preparations for Darbhanga's upcoming AIIMS, noting that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had inspected and approved the designated land near the Shobhan-Ekmi bypass during his 'Samadhan Yatra' last year.

"The Bihar government provided approximately 150.13 acres of land to the central government, after completing the necessary land acquisition and legal formalities. The AIIMS construction will leverage advanced technology, with its design crafted by IIT Delhi experts. Strategically located on the outskirts of Darbhanga city, the facility is expected to spur development, with new areas expanding and fresh employment opportunities arising," Jha said.

He emphasised that the Bihar government has pledged to support the AIIMS project with essential infrastructure, including four-lane road connectivity, electricity, water, and other facilities to ensure smooth access and operation.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to modernise Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), where a new 2,500-bed hospital is under construction at a cost of 2,742.04 crore.

The combination of AIIMS and the expanded DMCH is set to make Darbhanga a significant healthcare hub, serving not only North Bihar but also neighbouring areas, including parts of Nepal.

Earlier on Monday, Samrat Choudhary, the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar said that PM Modi may come to Bihar on November 13.
Guwahati, Nov 5 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday claimed that the BJP and its allies will easily win in the four Assembly constituencies while there will be a contest on only one seat.

Sarma kickstarted his campaign for the by-elections in Assam earlier in the day from the Dholai Assembly constituency in the Cachar district of the Barak valley region.

He told reporters here, "We will comfortably win four seats and there is a contest in one seat only. However, there are possibilities that the BJP and our allies can win all five Assembly seats in the upcoming by-elections."

The Chief Minister asserted that the people have been connected with the ruling party and they support the government's performance.

By-elections in five Assembly constituencies  Dholai, Samaguri, Behali, Bongaigaon, and Sidli became due following the elections of five legislators in the lower house of the parliament in this year's Lok Sabha polls.

Except in Samaguri, where Congress heavyweight Rakibul Hussain has been winning since 2001, the rest of the four seats are with the BJP-led alliance. According to pollsters, due to the dominance of Muslim voters in the Samaguri seat, Congress has an edge over the BJP in this seat.

The BJP fielded candidates for three seats - Dholai, Samaguri and Behali.

Diplu Ranjan Sarma has been given a ticket in Samaguri while Diganta Ghatowar and Nihar Ranjan Das will fight for the BJP in Behali and Dholai Assembly segments respectively.

BJP's two alliesAsom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) are contesting polls in Bongaigaon and Sidli assembly constituencies.

Meanwhile, Sarma said at an election rally in the Cachar district today, "The Congress is plotting to endanger our Bengali Hindu brothers and sisters."

He emphasised his worries about the party's intentions, saying that Congress is trying to "vitiate the atmosphere" for political purposes even if the situation in Assam is stable.

In contrast to the Congress' alleged attempts to put the Bengali Hindu community in jeopardy, Sarma highlighted the BJP's continuous efforts to address and fix the problems they confront.

He said, "Congress is working against the interests of the Bengalis."

Sarma claimed that Congress just intends to obstruct the state's progress and is unconcerned about electoral success or failure.

He asserted that Congress will not be able to bring about progress even if it receives votes, comparing the opposition party to a "male cow" that is unable to give milk.

"The Congress has no issue this election," Sarma said at his first rally for the upcoming by-elections in the Dholai Assembly seat in the Cachar district.

"They don't care whether they win or lose. All they wish to do is impede progress. They oppose the poor receiving government assistance," the Chief Minister attacked the Congress party.

He said, "The Congress should sit at home and take rest. They cannot come to power for another 50 years."
Bhubaneswar, Nov 6 : The ISKCON has announced that the society will not hold the proposed Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Houston city of US on November 9. The organisation took the decision following widespread resentment among the devotees over the untimely celebration of the Rath Yatra by the organisation.

"Finally, respecting the sentiments of Odiya Devotees of Lord Jagannath, the Huston Rath Yatra is cancelled. They will do Gour Nitai Sankirtan Yatra," said Tukaram Das, Vice President, ISKCON Bhubaneswar in a press statement released on Tuesday.

He further informed that the decision was conveyed by National Communications Director, Yudhistir Govinda Prabhu after his discussion with Anuttama Prabhu, the member of ISKCON's Governing Body Commission & GBC Minister for Communications.

Responding to criticisms against it, the society through the statement clarified, " ISKCON is not a Christian organisation or promoting Christianity in name of Sanatan Dharma. One can read our books to understand our philosophy better. We are coming in the most authentic and bonafide Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Parampara. We speak & preach exactly what is written in Vedic Literature."

Earlier, the Puri King, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb in a press conference on Tuesday has urged the organisation to abstain from conducting the Rath Yatra in Houston on November 9.

"Odia people are very much patient and we have to keep patience for some more time. We have to wait for the GBC meeting scheduled to be held in March this year. If they didn't accept, 'enough is enough'. We will take legal recourse then," said Deb.

He also informed that ISKCON has been organising untimely Rath Yatras since 1969.

Supporting the views expressed by the Puri King, the Law Minister of Odisha Prithiviraj Harichandan on Tuesday stated that action will be taken against anyone found distorting and disrespecting the Jagannath culture.
Jerusalem, Nov 5 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday evening that he was removing Defence Minister Yoav Gallant from his position and replacing him with Israel Katz, citing a "crisis of trust" that "gradually deepened".

The move is a stunning shift after the Prime Minister nearly made a similar move in September but made an about-turn.

In a terse letter released by the Prime Minister's office, Netanyahu tells Gallant that "your tenure will end 48 hours from the receipt of this letter".

"I would like to thank you for your service as Defence Minister," he concludes.

Gallant will be replaced by Foreign Minister Israel Katz. Minister without Portfolio Gideon Sa'ar will replace Katz as Foreign Minister.

"Unfortunately, although in the first months of the war, there was trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the Defence Minister," said Netanyahu in a video statement.

He said that they disagreed on the management of the war and that Gallant made decisions and statements that contract Cabinet decisions.

Netanyahu also accused Gallant of indirectly aiding Israel's enemies.

"I made many attempts to bridge these gaps, but they kept getting wider," he said.

"They also came to the knowledge of the public in an unacceptable way, and worse than that, they came to the knowledge of the enemy -- our enemies enjoyed it and derived a lot of benefit from it."

Netanyahu added that most members of the government agree with him.

The decision comes amid stress in Netanyahu's coalition over the draft of ultra-Orthodox leaders.

Gallant on Monday approved the drafting of 7,000 more Haredim into the Israeli Defense Forces IDF.

Following his firing by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in favour of Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Gallant issued a terse statement, saying that "the security of the State of Israel always was, and will always remain my life's mission".

It also comes as Americans head to the polls, and US attention is elsewhere.

Netanyahu first announced that he would fire Gallant after the latter warned in March 2023 that the government's judicial reforms were endangering national security. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in protest in what became known as "the Night of Gallant," and Netanyahu backtracked.

The relationship between the Prime Minister and Defence Minister has deteriorated since the outbreak of war on October 7.

Gallant publicly accused Netanyahu of involving political considerations in his decision-making, while Netanyahu accused Gallant of attempting to topple the government from within.

Gallant is also an obstacle to Netanyahu's attempt to obtain a haredi exemption from IDF service, and his removal may contribute to solving this problem for Netanyahu as well.
Patna, Nov 6 : JD-U's Neeraj Kumar has accused Bihar Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav of involvement in the 'salary scam'.

Patna, Nov 6 (IANS) JD-Uas Neeraj Kumar has accused Bihar Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav of involvement in the asalary scama.

The allegation comes after Tejashwi Yadav sent a defamation notice to Neeraj Kumar, the latter responded through his lawyer, calling him (Tejashwi) to withdraw the legal notice within two weeks and issue a public apology.

Neeraj Kumar also warned that if Tejashwi fails to comply, he will proceed with legal action against him. In his legal response, Neeraj Kumar argued that Tejashwias notice seeks to suppress his freedom of speech.

Neeraj Kumar has raised questions about Tejashwi Yadav's financial disclosures, pointing to discrepancies in his reported income and lifestyle and accused him of being involved in a "salary scam."

On October 21, Kumar publicly claimed that while RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was responsible for the infamous fodder scam, his son Tejashwi Yadav was now involved in a similar scandal related to salaries.

Neeraj Kumar noted that in 2015, Tejashwi Yadav declared an annual income of a5,08,019, yet claimed to have loaned over a1.13 crore to various individuals.

During the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, Tejashwias reported income had decreased to a1,41,000 annually, or around a11,812 per montha"significantly lower than the monthly basic salary of a40,000 for an MLA.

Neeraj Kumar questioned how someone with such a modest income could afford luxuries like chartered planes for birthday celebrations and frequent international travel. He suggested that Tejashwi Yadav should explain this "formula" of managing such expenses on a limited income to the people of Bihar, highlighting the drop in his reported income upon becoming the Leader of the Opposition.

In response to these allegations, Tejashwi Yadav called it baseless and sent an eight-page legal notice to Neeraj Kumar on October 24.

Tejashwi Yadav demanded a12.10 crore for maligning his image and asked for a reply of notice within 10 days.
Antiquorum announces its upcoming Genevas auction on November 9th & 10th at the Beau Rivage, Geneve Hotel

Antiquorum proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary by presenting an exceptional and important selection of 677 remarkable lots, each deserving collectors' attention. This collection serves as an homage to the rich history of the auction house and the expertise of its professionals.

Established in 1974 in Geneva, Antiquorum ignited a fervent passion for horology within the watch lovers community. Through its participation, it has transformed enthusiasts' excitement and appreciation for timepieces into profound knowledge and recognition of their investment value.

From their start with famous thematic sales to now, Antiquorum experts combine the efforts of their specialists, international network, and manufacturers with a thorough process for identifying and valuing watches. Even today, Antiquorum's archives are a key resource in the watchmaking world.

Geneva, the international capital of the watch world, will resonate with Antiquorum auctions celebrating this special anniversary year twice, in May and November.

In the beautiful setting of the Beau-Rivage hotel, along the peaceful shores of the Leman Lake, Romain Rea, CEO of Antiquorum and Julien Schaerer, Managing Director, will wield the auctioneer's hammer for bidders present in the room, as well as those participating via phone and online, spanning two days.

Exceptional Richard Mille: Pushing the Boundaries of Luxury and Engineering in Watchmaking

Antiquorum is proud to present an incredible selection of 5 Richard Mille watches, among them, the RM-UP01, Ferrari Ultra-thin limited edition of 150 pieces. Celebrating their partnership in 2021, Richard Mille embarqued on a new quest to create an ultra-thin wearable timepiece. After more than 6000 hours of development, research and testing, the 1.75 mm thin masterpiece was created. The RM-UP01 caliber was created using a baseplate and bridges made of grade 5 titanium and features a patented ultra-flat escapement with a variable inertia balance wheel in grade 5 titanium, developed in collaboration with Audemars Piguet. Upon its launch, it captivated watch enthusiasts worldwide and were all quickly sold-out, ensuring its desirability. A true masterpiece of horology.

LOT 625 - Richard Mille Ref. UP-01 Ferrari, Ultra-Thin, Limited edition of 150 pieces. EST: 1 000 000 - 2 000 000 CHF

Masterpieces of Time: Explore the Exquisite Selection of Patek Philippe Watches

LOT 672 - Ref 5074 was launched in 2002 only in yellow gold available with a stricking black dial. In 2005 during the Basel fair, Patek Philippe presented the pink gold version. It is considered the successor to the famous ref. 3974. Finally at the same fair in 2009, the platinum version was offered. The mechanism is the same in both references with the exception of the gong which goes twice around the watch case in reference 5074 in order to give a better and louder sound. This type of gong is called cathedral gong. This particular example has been maintained in perfect condition. This is a truly next-level timepiece.

LOT 672 - Patek Philippe Ref. 5074R-001, Perpetual Calendar, Cathedral Minute-Repeater, Black dial, 18K Pink gold. EST: 350K - 450K CHF

LOT 668 - This particular model, the Ref. 4895G, stands out due to its elegant 18K white gold case and dazzling baguette diamond setting. Fitted with the manual wound caliber 215, this Calatrava was fitted with a beautiful cherry red guilloche dial surrounded by baguette diamonds that is sure to please any lady collector. This watch is a rarely seen impressive ladys Haute Joaillerie model, featuring over 5 ct of baguette diamonds, a beautiful enamel dial and a mechanical caliber 215 movement.

LOT 668 - Patek Philippe Ref. 4895G, Calatrava Haute Joaillerie, Baguette Diamond-Set. EST: 40K - 80K CHF

Cartier Madness

LOT 229 - This specific model, Cartier Rotonde, numbered 07 out of a limited edition of 15, is particularly notable due to its striking red enamel skeleton dial and lightweight titanium case.

LOT 229 - Cartier Ref. 4173A, rotonde, NO 07/15, Red enamel Skeleton dial, titanium. EST: 20K - 30K CHF

LOT 619 - Made from the 1940's until the 1950's, the Cartier Gouvernail has long been an iconic model made by the firm. The huge majority were made in yellow gold, the versions in platinum featuring baguette diamond indexes are extremely rare, in fact as of today only four examples are known. This example is the fifth known and has never been offered on the market. Preserved in very good overall condition still featuring the platinum punchmark on the back of the case and with its European Watch & Clock movement, it is only 2 case numbers away from the previous one offered at Antiquorum (Geneva, October 14, 2007, lot 501), a testament to the small production of such an exceptional timepiece.

LOT 619 - Cartier / European Watch & Clock Co. Gouvernail Ronde Squelette, Baguette Diamond Indexes platinum EST: 150K - 250K CHF

For Rolex Afficionados !

LOT 592 - Following the tremendous result of the last Rolex Zerograph reference 3346 that sold in our auction on May 9th 2021 (lot 292 sold for CHF 225000), we are delighted to offer its sister version with a smooth bezel reference 3890.

There is no denying that the Rolex Zerographe (also known with an observatory dial as the Centregraph) has remained one of the biggest mystery and one of the most important watches made by the firm.

Featuring a fly-back second that is reset by the pusher at 2 o clock, it is the first known Rolex featuring this complication and was only available in steel. Another version featuring a smooth bezel was also produced under the name Zerograph (reference 3890) but was produced shortly after if one takes the serial numbers into consideration (usually with serials starting with 181XXX).



From the overall condition of the watch, it is immediately obvious that it has remained in unworn condition, amazingly still fitted with rests of its protective stickers from the late 1930's.

LOT 592 - Rolex Ref.3890, Zerographe, New old stock. EST: 150K - 250K CHF

Antiquorum is proud to highlights LOT 302, 305 and 595.

Not to be confused with the later diamond-set Daytonas often found under reference 116589, this Zenith (Lot 302) powered reference 16589 dates from around 1998.

One of the most sought-after references especially with the combination of the Sodalite dial with baguette sapphire bezel and sold by the famous retailer Asprey only makes it more desirable.

Produced from 1970 until 1987, the last series of manual wound Daytonas (reference 6263/6265) were the longest running until the introduction of the new automatic version reference 16520. While approximately 20'000 examples were made, it is estimated that about 10% of the production were dedicated to the 14 and 18k versions. The 6263 was distinguished by its black acrylic bezel deamed visually more attractive and desirable than the metal bezel version.

While the transition to automatic Daytonas was already in motion, these represent almost the last of the manual wound Daytonas as this example was sold in Genova in July 1987. (Lot 595)

Rolex Ref. 6263, Cosmograph Daytona (LOT 302. EST: 80K - 140K CHF); Rolex Ref 16589, Daytona, Sodalite diamonds- set dial (LOT 205. EST: 150K - 250K CHF); Rolex, ref 6265/6263, Cosmograph Daytona (LOT 595. EST: 100K - 200K CHF)

LOT 677 - An extremely fine and unique, platinum, manual wind, Tourbillon Souverain in platinum with  Remontoir dEgalite  N24. 20 numbered examples in platinum. Directly sold by Monsieur Francois-Paul Journe.

LOT 677 - F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain sold directly by Mr F.P. Journe. EST: 800K - 1 800 000 CHF

Where Art, Geography, and Swiss Precision Sing in Harmony

LOT 526 - A magnificent and extremely rare , 18k gold, enamel, pearl-set Freres Rochat singing bird box with independent musical movement, manual wind rectangular case with rounded corners, all the panels entirely decorated with translucent Imperial blue enamel over engine-turning, borders with white and black champleve enamel geometrical decoration, the outer lid opens on an engine-turned panel with the keyhole for the bird movement, on the side contains the key compartment, the other has the keyhole and button for the musical movement. The top panel with oval medallion concealing the bird very finely painted on enamel scene with a lady teaching the geography to two children within half-pearl-set frame.

When the bird cover is opened, the bird rises and begins to move and the song starts, being activated by a slide on the front of the case. The articulated bird sings, rotates, turns its head, opens its beak, flaps its wings and moves its tail.
Lohardaga : , Nov 6 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress and RJD leaders, claiming they amassed huge wealth by sucking the blood of tribals.

Addressing an election rally in Jharkhand's Lohardaga, Rajnath Singh said that JMM, Congress and RJD leaders have made a mockery of the tribals by sucking their blood.

"They have acquired immense wealth. The recovery of hundreds of crores of rupees from the hideouts of the Congress MP and the PA of a Congress Minister is proof of this," he added.

He said that Bangladeshi infiltrators are continuously entering and settling in Jharkhand and occupying the land of the tribals. "Chief Minister Hemant Soren should explain how the population of tribals in Santhal Pargana has come down to only 28 per cent. It is surprising that despite this, they are claiming to work for the welfare of the tribals."

The Union minister appealed to the people to vote for the BJP, claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party has given the most respect to the tribals. "After the formation of the BJP government, no infiltrator will be able to occupy the land of the tribals. The BJP government will make life difficult for those who do so," he said.

Rajnath Singh said that JMM, Congress and RJD are fused firecrackers whereas BJP is a powerful rocket that will take Jharkhand to new heights.

"Jharkhand and BJP have a cordial relationship. No other party has done the work of creating Jharkhand. But the Bharatiya Janata Party has done it. Atal Bihari Vajpayee believed that as long as this area remains a part of Bihar, the expected development of our poor and tribals will not be possible, Jharkhand must become a separate state," he said.

"We made Jharkhand a state; we thought that the newly formed Jharkhand state will become a developed state. But whenever Congress- JMM-RJD ruled, Jharkhand kept sinking, poverty kept increasing," he said.

"Thirteen Chief Ministers were elected, many of them also went to jail, but I can claim with conviction that no chief minister of our Bharatiya Janata Party has gone to jail. When they (coalition leaders) come, they come to build their houses, but if our government comes, we come to build the state of Jharkhand. This is the biggest difference between them and us," Rajnath Singh claimed.
Patna, Nov 6 : On the first day of the Chhath festival in Bihar, five people drowned in separate incidents across Patna and Begusarai districts on Tuesday.

In Patna's Maner block, a tragic incident occurred when Neetu Devi, a 38-year-old woman, drowned in the Ganga River.

Neetu, the wife of Amarjeet Paswan, a watchman at the Maner Police Station, had gone to Dasweshpur Ghat to bathe.

Nikhil Anand, BJP's OBC Wing National General Secretary and a local resident, shared details of the incident, noting that despite efforts by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Neetu's body could not be located.

"We have requested the Danapur Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) to continue rescue operations on Wednesday to recover the body," Anand said.

The other four persons including three teenagers drowned in Begusarai district, bringing the total to five across the region.

Rahul Kumar, a 13-year-old Class sixth student, drowned while bathing in the river under the jurisdiction of Chakia police station. He was a resident of Malhi Bind Toli village.

Sushanshu Kumar, an 18-year-old resident of Bela Megh Chakdwar village in Samastipur district, also drowned while bathing in the Ganga River at Jhamatia Ghat located in the adjoining Begusarai district. Sushanshu, who was living in Delhi, had returned to Bihar specifically for the Chhath festival.

Priyanshu Kumar, also known as Golu, a 16-year-old, drowned at Makhdumpur village under Mansurchak police station while taking a bath in the river. He was a student in Class nine.

Mohammad Khalil, a 35-year-old daily wage labourer of Singhaul village, drowned in the Ganga River near Singhaul police station. He had gone to the riverbank to bathe and tragically lost his life.

These tragic incidents underscore the risks associated with riverside gatherings during festivals, as well as the ongoing need for improved safety measures like barricading, and deployment of swimmers and divers at riverbanks during high-traffic events like Chhath Puja.
Guwahati, Nov 6 : Hours after announcing support for the BJP candidate in the upcoming by-election, three All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) leaders were expelled from the party on Tuesday.

Three opposition leaders--Saddam Hussain, Safikul Islam and Sadikur Rahman earlier in the day announced their support for the BJP candidate Diplu Ranjan Sarma in Assam's Samaguri assembly seat defying the AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal's direction.

Hussain and other leaders told reporters: "We cannot go with the Congress candidate Tanzil Hussain. His father Rakibul Hussain contested against our chief Badruddin Ajmal in Dhubri constituency in the Lok Sabha polls. This was a betrayal and hence we cannot support the Congress candidate in Samaguri."

They openly announced their support for the BJP candidate Diplu Ranjan Sarma. Following that, the AIUDF leadership expelled the trio from the party.

Badruddin Ajmal said that he did not field any candidate in the Samaguri assembly seat to help 'nephew' Tanzil Hussain.

He said: "I might have differences with Rakibul Hussain in Dhubri but I have no animosity with his son. I wish him good luck and I desire that he be chosen as an MLA from Yamaguchi in the bypolls. He has come to my house for the blessing."

Ajmal was defeated by Rakibul Hussain by more than 10 lakh votes in AIUDF bastion Dhubri - a seat he represented in the lower house of the parliament for 15 years.

The AIUDF leadership earlier announced that they would field a candidate in the Samaguri Assembly seat; however, later they changed their decision and the party announced that they decided to stay out of the by-elections.

Ajmal said: "If we field candidates in any of the five seats which are going into bypolls, the BJP will get an advantage. We do not want to give the ruling party an edge in this election. AIUDF's motive is to put a brake on BJP's winning spree and that is why we have decided not to contest polls."

Hussain was an MLA in the Samaguri Assembly constituency for a long time and the Congress party fielded him in the Dhubri Lok Sabha seat to take on Ajmal.

Following his win in the Lok Sabha polls, his Assembly seat Samaguri fell vacant and the bypolls became imminent there.
Indore, Nov 5 : Condemning the recent attacks on a Hindu temple in Canada's Brampton by pro-Khalistani supporters, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that anti-national forces tried to create division within the Hindu community in Canada which includes the involvement of international forces as well.

While addressing the media on Tuesday, he further added: "I thank the nationalist Sikh brothers for coming forward and condemning this incident. The country will not tolerate such an incident."

Commenting on the increasing number of elephants in Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister said: "The climate of Madhya Pradesh suits the elephants. Earlier they used to come and escape from our state but in today's situation, whether it is proper living conditions, security arrangements, etc. are being made in our jungles such that nearly over 100 elephants from Bandhavgarh till Umaria now stay here. With the help of the state administration, the forest department has made a plan for the protection of elephants, providing them with a proper living environment as well as facing any threat to their existence."

He further added: "The Forest department is also communicating and is building coordination with neighbouring states over the rising number of elephants in Madhya Pradesh. I spoke yesterday with Chhatisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai where we made a resolve. In Chhatisgarh and Madhya Pradesh more than 300 to 400 elephants used to live earlier but they did not stay long in the jungles of Madhya Pradesh. Today with the changing times and efforts of the Forest department, it is a matter of honour for my state that it is the only one in the country with the highest population of tigers along with a large number of cheetahs, leopards and now elephants which have started living here. But we are making arrangements such that they do not face threat to their existence and do not attack other animals. I have also sent forest department officials in other states such as Kerala, Karnataka, Assam etc. We are constituting a team of elephant experts and the government is taking several necessary measures to ensure that elephants live in natural habitat."

Speaking over a fight leading to violence between two communities over the bursting of firecrackers in Indore on November 1, CM Yadav said: "My government respects people from all religions but we will not tolerate those who violate law and order situation in the state. How can anyone stop the Hindu community from bursting firecrackers on Diwali? My government will oppose such a decision. My government is working for the development of the state but it is also equally capable of dealing strictly with people who do not follow the rule of law."

The Chief Minister also expressed deep sorrow over the untimely death of four children of a labourer from Khadi Amba village in Dhar district, following death due to suffocation in a car in Amreli, Gujarat.

CM Yadav further added: "At this time the family members must be going through unbearable pain. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of the children who lost their lives in the accident. I and the entire state stand in solidarity with the bereaved families. I pray to Almighty God to give peace to the souls of the departed innocent children and strength to the bereaved family to bear this unbearable grief. I have given instructions to approve a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the parents of the deceased on behalf of the state government."
Indulge in froyo magic with the limited-time Peppermint Fudge Brownie, exclusive promotions & more

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Yogurtland, the leading self-serve frozen yogurt brand, is celebrating the spirit of the holiday season with a new flavor, Peppermint Fudge Brownie, an online-exclusive Gingerbread Wonderland Cup and a limited-time only Gingerbread Man cookie topping. The limited-time treats are now available at participating Yogurtland locations nationwide while supplies last.

Yogurtland's new seasonal Peppermint Fudge Brownie frozen yogurt is a rich, fudgy brownie flavor that meets refreshing peppermint for a winter wonderland in every bite. It is the perfect way to sweeten the holidays, with each spoonful being something to cheer about. Additionally, guests can enjoy the new Gingerbread Man topping, adding an extra dash of festive sweetness.

Guests can also enjoy Yogurtland's delicious online-exclusive treat, the Gingerbread Wonderland Cup. The flavorful cup features a delightful blend of creamy vanilla swirl, mini chocolate coated candies, festive sprinkles, and a charming Gingerbread Man cookie to top it all off. Orders can be made exclusively online at Yogurtland.com or through the Yogurtland app.

"Holiday magic is in the air at Yogurtland and we're excited for our guests to create joyful moments with our new seasonal treats," said Brittany Knollmiller, head of marketing at Yogurtland. "The Peppermint Fudge Brownie and Gingerbread Wonderland Cup bring a blend of warmth, cheer and nostalgia to every bite. Frozen yogurt is the perfect treat to enjoy year-roundeven in wintermaking it the ideal way to celebrate with family, friends or simply indulge yourself this holiday season."

Yogurtland is honoring civic duty and service with sweet rewards this season. Guests can bring their "I Voted" sticker in-store to participating locations on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, and enjoy 15% off. Veterans and active-duty military can also receive 15% off in-store with a military ID on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11.

To add to the holiday magic, Yogurtland is celebrating Black Friday, Nov. 29 with double points for loyalty members. Take a sweet shopping break on Thanksgiving weekend to recharge and indulge with a delicious froyo treat (offer valid on November 29 only, in-store and online orders; please allow up to 24 hours for points to be applied). Customers can also spread some holiday cheer this Cyber Monday, Dec. 2, and get a $5 Bonus Card for every $25+ eGift card purchased (with up to four bonus cards per order) via yogurtland.com/buygiftcards. Bonus cards are redeemable in-store from Dec. 2 through Dec. 31.

For more information or to find a location near you for takeout, delivery, or catering, please visit Yogurtland.com.

ABOUT YOGURTLAND

Yogurtland is the industry-leading frozen yogurt chain that delivers over 200 handcrafted flavors and provides fans an anytime treat for the whole family. Made with real ingredients, Yogurtland creates froyo moments with expansive menu items and offerings, at-home experiences, and innovations throughout the brand. Yogurtland creates their one-of-a-kind roster of flavors through its Flavorologists, who are experts in flavor and masters of their craft. With scratch-made, handcrafted flavors from across the globe, fans can experience a truly customized frozen dessert. Yogurtland's premium frozen yogurt and delicious toppings are available through delivery, pickup, or catering, making it fun and easy to enjoy dessert anytime and anywhere. Presently, Yogurtland has more than 220 locations across the U.S. and internationally. For more information, visit www.Yogurtland.com.

Media Contact

Raquel Henry, Yogurtland, 1 919-985-6427, [email protected], www.yogurtland.com

SOURCE Yogurtland
The National Book Foundation will proceed with awarding W. Paul Coates, the founder and publisher of Black Classic Press and BCP Digital Printing, its 2024 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. The confirmation follows the publication of a September article in the online magazine Jewish Insider, followed by another in the online journal Arc last week, questioning the choice in light of what the latter characterized as a history at Black Classic of marketing racist, antisemitic, and homophobic books.

A person at the NBF familiar with the matter, who spoke with PW on condition of anonymity, said the board convened in full shortly after the publication of the first piece and in anticipation of a second, and was unanimous in its conviction that Paul deserved the award. The source continued: Like many of our colleagues in the industry, we knew that there were books Paul had published that raised concerns, but believed that they did not outweigh the many contributions that deserved to be recognized. At that point, the source added, the board decided it should have a statement ready to go if there were further concerns raised.

In an identical statement to the one the NBF provided to Publishers Lunch last week, the foundation wrote: W. Paul Coates is being honored with the 2024 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the Literary Community for a lifetime of contributions to American literature. Coates has preserved the work of hundreds of Black and African diasporic authors, most notably as the publisher and founder of Black Classic Press and BCP Digital Printing. Coatess work as a bookseller, librarian, instructor, editor, and publisher to preserve these works and make them accessible is a singular scholarly accomplishment, particularly considering that Black people in the United States had been historically targeted by anti-literacy laws, echoed in the current climate of book banning that disproportionately targets narratives by, for, and about Black people and people of color.

The statement continued: The National Book Foundation condemns antisemitism, homophobia, Islamophobia, racism, and hatred in all its forms. The National Book Foundation also supports freedom of expression and the right of any publisher to make its own determination on what it chooses to publish. Anyone examining the work of any publisher, over the course of almost five decades, will find individual works or opinions with which they disagree or find offensive. The National Book Foundation is honoring W. Paul Coates, not for the publication of any particular titles or authors, but for his tireless efforts of scholarship, to ensure that Black voices and stories, that might otherwise have been lost, are instead preserved as an irreplaceable part of American literary history.

Among the books published by Black Classic cited as cause for concern was The Jewish Onslaught by Tony Martin, an antisemitic screed that seeks to uphold a widely discredited conspiracy theory alleging Jewish domination of the Atlantic slave trade, per Jewish Insider. The book has since been removed from the Black Classic website.

The article in Arc also questioned NBF's decision to honor a former board member with the award, initially stating incorrectly that Coates served on the board from 2017-2022. Arc has since updated the article with the correct dates of Coatess service, 1997-2005. The source at NBF further explained that of the current 23 members of its board, only twoand no members of the executive committeewere on the board during Coatess term. (Coates is not the only former board member to receive the award; in 2020, NBF honored S&S CEO Carolyn Reidy with a posthumous award following her death earlier that year.)

The Literarian Award marks Coatess second major lifetime achievement honor this year; in June, he received the 2024 Publisher Award for Distinguished Service to the Literary Community from the Authors Guild.
A keynote conversation between Lakeside Book Company CEO Dave McCree and Macmillan CEO Jon Yaged mixed with panel discussions on bread-and-butter issues at the Book Manufacturers Institute's (BMI) annual meeting held on October 28 in Naples, Fla.

BMI executive director Matt Baer was successful in his goal of not making the conference only about meeting the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulations, the objective of which is to prevent forest degradation by mandating that only "deforestation-free" products, including books, can be sold in the European Economic Area. The topic was a major focus of BMIs Mastered program held on October 1 in Boston, and took on a new life a couple days later when the European Commission approved a one-year delay in implementing the regulations, which were set to go into effect on December 31.

The postponement was good news for U.S. printers and publishers, but Lisa Faratro, director of environment and sustainability at the U.K.-based CPI Group, and Jenna Mueller of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) both advised those in attendance that they should not slow down their efforts to comply with the regulations. Faratro made it clear that the postponement was just that, stressing that no actual changes to the regulations can be made before 2028. She also noted that more green legislation that could affect the international supply chain is brewing in the U.K.

Mueller reiterated that the FSC is developing tools that will help publishers and printers meet the EUDR requirements. Both speakers acknowledged that the issue remains a complicated one, but urged executives to recognize the fact that they cannot drag their feet in preparing to meet the EUDR requirements. Baer, who served as moderator of the panel, said that BMI is planning to form a working group to develop best practices for meeting the EUDR requirements.

Printing executives also received some encouraging forecasts about transportation and trucking costs from Avery Vise of FTR Intelligence. Vise noted that the number of trucking jobs has risen steadily after falling during the early months of the pandemic. Given the increase in jobs and the modest expectations for economic and freight growth in the short term, Vise said that he sees little chance of a driver shortage in the next year. The adequate driver supply should in turn mean that, while rates may go up in 2025, the increases will be modest and will likely come later in the year.

The annual meeting also saw BMI present its annual awards and to seat two new directors. The Signature Award, given to a BMI member "who has made a valued contribution to the welfare of the industry and/or the Institute," was presented to Suzanne Wiersma of Wallaceburg Bookbinding & Manufacturing. Additionally, David Hetherington of Books International; Sheri Jammallo, formerly of Canon; and Christian Schamberger of Mercury were inducted into the Cased-in Club, which honors BMI members "who have served in the industry for more than 20 years and have worked with the BMI with distinction."

Joining the BMI board during the meeting were Chris Kurtzman of the CJK Group and Steve Zweber of Thomson Reuters Core Publishing Solutions.
Its the day after Election 2024 and half the population of the United States thinks the end of the world is imminent. And the editors of the satire site Babylon Bee, cofounders and coauthors Joel Berry and Kyle Mann, are delighted.

Their new book The Babylon Bee Guide to the Apocalypse: How to Survive All of the Possible World-Ending Scenarios, From Artificial Intelligence to Zombies (Regnery), releases next week, "which is providential," said Mann, because, "the book is a fun way to poke fun at both sides, because both will feel like the world is ending."

We are skewering the fearmongering and catastrophizing, taking it to its most absurd conclusions, said Berry of the fourth book in the Babylon Bee Guide series. We make fun of everyone, of all religious and political persuasions.

Founded in 2016, The Babylon Bee is a website extravaganza that sneers and jeers at all things Christian and life-related: politics of course, sports, movies, books, church denominations, science, megachurch preacher Joel Osteen, Hercules actor Kevin Sorbo. Nothing is sacred at The Babylon Bee, which claims 250,000 newsletter subscribers.

Meanwhile, what started as a goofball website has now become a full-time job for Mann, editor-in-chief of the Babylon Bee, and Berry, managing editor.

We were polarizing from the beginning. In 2016, Trump had been elected and the church in America split in two, said Berry. The Bee became polarizing and we kind of enjoyed that. There was a lot of fun to be had by being a bit mischievous, on the outskirts, pissing off people in our church and the Christian community.

 We are skewering the fearmongering and catastrophizing, taking it to its most absurd conclusions. 

This new book, however, might be the most friendly and palatable to both sides of the cultural divide, the pair say. "Its definitely the stupidest thing weve ever written, Berry adds. They're promoting the book with hints of the contents including ways to prepare for "the rise of artificial intelligence-powered death robots," and "bunker Interior decorating tips that will wow any guests into your 50-story underground nuclear silo Weapon assembly. " The book even offers an Interactive Zombie Adventure, field training exercises in every chapter, an interview with AI, a list of signs the end is approaching, illustrations, weapons, sarcasm, hilarity, and offense on pretty much every page.

It is even more over the top than their first book, The Babylon Bee Guide to Wokeness (Salem, 2021), which was "more word heavy," said Berry. This one is "a lot more anarchist. This one is crazy with illustrations, columns, puzzles and activities. Turn to any page and youll laugh a little.

Mann adds, My favorite part has always been making fun of Christian culture, but its done out of love. I grew up thinking the rapture was going to occur any minute." Hes seen all the movies, read all books, and was terrified of scenarios brought to life in the Left Behind series of books about post-Rapture events. There are serious challenges for our nation and the world, Mann said. But also we can take a deep breath and realize its not all the end of the world.

Berry assumes folks will be reading The Babylon Bee Guide to the Apocalypse after the election, with the unrest and craziness" that will follow, and that the book might offer "a little relief, a chance to laugh at what were afraid of. It puts things into perspective."

And, of course, Mann and Berry are pretty sure its going to be their last Guide book. Maybe. The world is ending, after all.
This highly personal unique piece tells the story of the polar expeditions undertaken by Princes Albert I and Albert II of Monaco, both of whom travelled to Svalbard  exactly one century apart

As anyone who has travelled to the northernmost part of the globe knows, blue and white are the only colours to be seen in the Far North: the blue of the Arctic Ocean and the white of the ice covering part of it. Today, these two hues clad a Classic Traveller by Laurent Ferrier for a wholly unique piece designed especially for Art in Time.

The dial features an unusual map projection centred on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. These islands were the destination of the voyages undertaken by Albert I of Monaco in 1906 and precisely one hundred years later by Albert II of Monaco in 2006; while the former set out to explore the islands, the latter made the journey to raise international awareness of the need for the archipelagos preservation amid climate change. The only other touch of colour is a tiny dot in Monaco red on the southernmost corner of the map, denoting the Rock from which the two princes set sail.

Classic Traveller Art in Time  Laurent Ferrier

The model chosen to retrace the story of these epic voyages is naturally a travel watch: the Classic Traveller. Laurent Ferrier designed its first Galet Traveller just over ten years ago, in 2013; the travel complication went on to become the mainstay of its Classic Traveller collection.

The Classic Travellers ease of use is a textbook example for the category. The central hour hand indicates local time, which the wearer naturally needs to know first and foremost, requiring adjustment as they progress through various time zones. The pushers are used to adjust the hand forwards or backwards in hourly increments as the journey requires.

Meanwhile the time band displayed in the window at 9 oclock shows the wearers home time; this remains unchanged no matter where they are, and so can be left to be controlled directly via the crown. The date window at 3 oclock displays the day of the month; appropriately enough, this stays in phase with the local time display: if the wearer crosses the international date line, it automatically updates accordingly.

Classic Traveller Art in Time  Laurent Ferrier

The dial is made entirely from grand feu enamel; the artisanal, hand-worked technique is used to depict a contrasting polar projection, with continents in hand-frosted white gold falling away into oceans that become darker and darker as the coastline recedes, just as in real life. The scene is encircled by the traditional features of the Classic Traveller: a broad, circular brushed flange graduated with hand-polished hour markers, one end of each extending out over the dial. The 41-millimetre white gold case comes on a strap designed especially for the unique piece in blue calfskin with an Alcantara lining and blue topstitching.

Inside sits Laurent Ferriers iconic LF 230.02 calibre featuring an 18-carat gold micro-rotor, Cotes de Geneve finishing, hand-polished bevelling, a double direct impulse escapement, a silicon anchor, a three-day power reserve  and as always, its own individual movement number: the Art in Time calibre bears the number 178. The case also features the words Piece Unique and Art in Time.

The view on the LF 230.02 calibre  Laurent Ferrier

Like the seven other unique pieces produced for Art in Time since 2020, part of the proceeds from the sale will go to the Monaco Red Cross; every year, the charity provides direct aid for humanitarian initiatives benefiting children and cultural projects targeting students. As well as paying homage to Albert II of Monacos journey retracing that of his great-great-grandfather, theres another nod to history here: proceeds from the very first Art in Time piece, made by Urwerk in 2020, also went to the Monaco Red Cross.
Is technology a religion, a godlike system promising salvation and threatening of damnation? Yes, says Greg Epstein, the Humanist chaplain at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, in his new book Tech Agnostic: How Technology Became the World's Most Powerful Religion, and Why It Desperately Needs a Reformation (MIT, out now). He says "Tech" is the most significant mass conversion of believers since Constantine put a Christian symbol on his warriors' shields in 312 CE. Now, faith in "Tech"  as Epstein dubs this "religion"  may be today's tool for ruling the world.

PW talks with Epstein about Tech Agnostic, God and the charm of being "agnostic"

Isn't Silicon Valley, your umbrella term for titans of technology, obsessed with gods? Where do you, author of Good Without God (2009) and a humanist chaplain, stand on God?

I'm not a crusader against belief in God at all. I have warm, caring relationships with many sincere God believers. But every religion has gods they accept and gods they see as false. Tech Agnostic begins with Constantine choosing the Christian God because he believed it had operational power in a military victory. We have always had technology but starting in the late 1980s and 90s, technological tools are being seen like "gods" and "demigods' in this mythical place called Silicon Valley. Today, "Tech" is a religion with operational power.

So, these are "gods" of power and control, reward and punishment? What about the idea of one God of love and justice? Can faith in Tech be a force for that?

I want to see Silicon Valley's emerging leaders talk with people who sincerely and passionately preach God as love, than to have them turn to a largely secular gospel of optimization and techno-solutionism, using technology as an ultimate set of tools for dominating others. I'm not anti-technology. I see it has tremendous potential to help with our human efforts and desires to heal ourselves and our relationships. Think about the creation of medicine, the creation of transportation so we can see more and do more, of safe housing so we can enjoy a better quality of life.

Your book does point to some efforts by the technocrats to address ethical and responsible technology. What about (Amazon founder) Jeff Bezos' 100-million-dollar AI Climate Solution pledge?

Leah Stokes, a leading scholar on climate policy, told me there's a painful irony here: We already know how to get rid of 75% of our emissions right now. We don't need some sort of AI magic bullet or a magic solution. And AI is terrible for the environment, a huge source of the rise in carbon emissions. I'm not accusing all religious people of this mentality. But this is the trope that people are using to fund their data centers, to get their trillions of dollars of investment: "If you do not do this for me then you're going to be condemned." I quote an influential AI philosopher named Nick Bostrom who argues that there will be trillions of digital beings in the future but only if we act now to do all that we possibly can immediately to bring those digital beings into being. And if we don't, we are essentially murdering them.

You take a strong stand on Tech so but your book title is Tech Agnostic. Isn't "agnostic" a term for someone who can't make up their mind?

I thought so, too! But then I met (journalist and author) Leslie Hazelton, who says that to be agnosticto say you don't knowis a joyful thing. It's wonderful to recognize that not everything is knowable. Ultimately, I self-define as a Humanist. Just as Humanism is about creating positive alternatives to religion for non-religious people, Tech Humanism is about the creation of technological tools to gain not just data-driven knowledge, but real, lasting, sustainable knowledge, including knowledge of how to be better, more loving human beings.
On Sunday, on the first day of this year's Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) chairperson Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi and CEO Ahmed Al Ameri announced the winners of the 3rd Sharjah Rights Connection Awards. The program aims to celebrate exceptional efforts in supporting and developing the publishing rights and translation sector.

The professionals working within publishing houses buying and selling translation rights category was won by Kalem Agency of Istanbul, Turkey, and accepted by Nermin Mollaoglu, founder of the agency. The category honoring independent professionals or those employed by agencies involved in buying and selling these rights went to Ahmed Bedeir, general manager at Dar El Shorouk in Egypt.

After a touching acknowledgement, a Special Appreciation Award was awarded to Bassam Chebaro, founder of Arab Scientific Publishers, who passed away in August. An Appreciation Award was also given to Bill Kennedy, founder and director of Avicenna Partnership Ltd. The appreciation awards were offered, per SBA, in recognition of Chebaro and Kennedys efforts in promoting the publishing industry and knowledge exchange.

Support for rights and translations

Since 2011, SBA has been offering grant support for publishers looking to acquire rights while at SIBF. The grant program intends to facilitate cross-cultural exchange and offers various levels of funding support to Arab and foreign publishers for the translation of literary works into various languages.

The support is generous, with as much as $4,000 available for general titles and $1,500 for childrens books. Overall, the fund supports up to $300,000 of grants each year, and over 500 books in all have been supported by grants.

Since the programs inception, hundreds of different publishers and professional organizations have been awarded grants. These include a variety of well-known publishers from the Middle East such as Lebanons Arab Scientific Publishers and the American University of Cairo Press, plus others from further afield such as Mexicos Textofilia Ediciones and Book Art Nepal.

Benas Berantas, owner of the Book Smugglers Agency from Lithuania, has found the program extremely supportive. The Sharjah Publishers Conference has proven to be my gateway to the Arabic world throughout the years, leading to the sale of translation rights for over 10 titles, he said. It has also allowed me to connect with publishers I wouldnt have met otherwise, as some dont attend other international book fairs. This unique opportunity has enabled me to do deals with countries as far away as Argentina and Mongolia, as well as those in Europe.

Honoring Emirati and International Talent

To motivate Emirati writers, SIBF will again this year be announcing four awards for local authors, each of which offers AED 50,000 ($13,000) to the winner. These awards are designed to encourage local literary talents, authors, researchers and publishers to continue enriching the U.A.E. library with exceptional and valuable work.

The first of these, Best Emirati Book for First-Time Authors, honors an outstanding debut novel that demonstrates literary prowess and creative ingenuity. Last years winner was Mazofa Samma by Mona Abdulqadir Al-Ali, published by Dar Thaqafa.

Last years winners for the other three awards were:

Best Emirati Novel Award: Happened in Sebeya by Dr. Suad Al-Araimi, published by Dar Al Saqi

Best Emirati Creative Literature Book: Al-Ghaseq, a poetry collection by Najat Al-Zaheri, published by Manshurat Ghaf Book Trading

Best Emirati Academic Book: Woman in Emirati Folklore: A Cultural Reading of Popular Discourse by Dr. Aisha Ahmed Al Ghais, published by Al Thabi Publishing and Distribution.

SIBF will also be presenting awards in a variety of other categories, including:

Sharjah Award for the Best Arabic Novel. The AED 150,000 ($40,000) award recognizes original works that present fresh themes, styles, and creative perspectives in their portrayal of the sociocultural realities of the Arab world. In 2023 this was won by Bab Al-Wadi, written by Ahmed Tayyebawi and published by Dar El Shorouk.

Sharjah Award for the Best International Book. Divided into two subcategories of fiction and non-fiction, each valued at AED 50,000 ($13,000), this award honors the most outstanding literary works of the year in English. Last years winners were An Andalus Adventure by Saiyada Jalali, published by Black Stone House, in the fiction category, and Unbounded: A Memoir by Huda Al-Ghusn, published by Media Publishing, in the non-fiction category.

Sharjah Publisher Recognition Award. This award recognizes contributions to advancing the global industry and is worth AED 75,000 ($19,500), which is split equally amongst the winners of the following sub-categories: Best Local Publisher, Best Arab Publisher and Best International Publisher. Last year Emirati publishing house Dar Malamih was Best Local Publisher, while Al Dar Al Masriah Al Lubnaniah from Egypt was named as the Best Arab Publisher, and OM Books International from India took the prize as Best International Publisher.

A final prize, the Cultural Personality of the Year Award, is given to a person or organization active in the field of culture. The winner of the Cultural Personality of the Year Award is selected in accordance with the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Sharjah, and announced annually prior to SIBF.
My Vote, a coalition of Georgian civil society organizations, has called on the Prosecutor's Office to investigate top officials at the Central Election Commission (CEC) for their alleged involvement in election rigging. In a briefing on November 4, My Vote spokesperson Londa Toloraia claimed that CEC leaders Giorgi Kalandarishvili, Giorgi Sharabidze, and Giorgi Javakhishvili played key roles in manipulating election results, violating the Criminal Code.Toloraia explained that the CEC's ballot-handling process allowed for possible monitoring of voter choices, saying, "The CEC's actions on election day allowed the ruling party to control the will of the voters on a large scale." She highlighted issues like voter ID confiscation, obstacles for independent observers, and multiple votes cast by people linked to the ruling party.The coalition also raised concerns about polling issues abroad, particularly in areas with high numbers of Georgian migrants, where insufficient resources reportedly slowed the voting process. "This decision played into the hands of the ruling party," Toloraia said.Toloraia added that she had been summoned by the Prosecutor's Office regarding election fraud allegations. However, she declined to attend, accusing the agency of inaction during the elections. "If the information I provided is really important to this agency (.) I will go to court, where at least one more person will hear how inactive the Prosecutor's Office was during the entire period," she wrote.During a briefing on November 4, Parliament Chairman Shalva Papuashvili vehemently criticized what he described as "disinformation" regarding allegations of election fraud in Georgia. However, the event drew more attention for a controversial display of a map of Georgia that notably omitted the occupied territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, which were nearly invisible to the audience.The absence of these regions from the official map during a state official's briefing sparked significant public outrage. In response to the backlash, Parliamentary Majority Leader Mamuka Mdinaradze defended the presentation, claiming that the occupied territories were indeed included on the map but displayed in very pale colors that were difficult for the cameras to capture."The people without a homeland began to post one after another, trying to overshadow what Shalva Papuashvili had done to them with this briefing," Mdinaradze stated, suggesting that the criticism was an attempt to divert attention from the main message of the briefing. He claimed that journalists in attendance were provided with the presentation, where the occupied territories were visible, albeit in subtle shades.
Louis Moinet introduces the STARMAN

Imagine a watch that shelters the first traces of life ever discovered in the cosmos. Its a silent messenger, a guardian of the stars, and it was predestined to be called STARMAN.

Among the treasures of my personal collection are meteorites that have fascinating stories. One in particular, the Jbilet Winselwan, is noted for the presence of amino acids, molecules that are considered the building blocks of life itself. I was fascinated by these traces of life in space, so this year I decided to incorporate a fragment of that meteorite in a timepiece with a name that came quite naturally: STARMAN. This watch, which is the product of some remarkable horological techniques, has many other secrets to reveal" - Jean-Marie Schaller, Owner and Creative Director

STARMAN in red gold  Louis Moinet

The earliest traces of life from the cosmos: Jbilet Winselwan

A fragment of the Jbilet Winselwan meteorite majestically dominates the upper part of the STARMANs dial and competes visually with the tourbillon. This beautiful black stone, spangled with little brown dots, was discovered in the western Sahara Desert. It bears amino acids and is thus a silent witness to the first sparks of life spread throughout the cosmos.

The STARMAN dial: a highly complex construction

The STARMANs dial is a genuine feat of artistic and technical prowess. Lets begin with the base cut from the Gibeon meteorite, which fell to earth in prehistoric times and is famous for its emblematic Widmanstatten pattern. The fragment was dyed in a deep blue using an intricate  and secret  process. A second disc made of sapphire crystal features a map of the stars. In the foreground are the constellations carefully painted by hand using a luminescent material. They appear on the backdrop of the maps longitudinal and latitudinal lines.

At night, the STARMAN reveals a magnificent stellar panorama, creating an appearance of depth that draws us into the immensity of the universe itself. This nightly display is enhanced by the vibrant blue hands and indexes that provide a touch of technical elegance to this exceptional timepiece.

STARMAN in white gold  Louis Moinet

The solar map and its riddle

Turn the STARMAN around, you will find a fascinating chart of the solar system. The planets, some of which only measure two millimetres in diameter, have been meticulously painted by hand and placed on a grid that seems to float over a star-lit sky.

The ultimate secret, however, is this: The planets have been precisely positioned as they appeared on March 21, 2013, when the world of watchmaking was stunned by an amazing revelation: Louis Moinet was the inventor of the chronograph. The public event was held at the Neuchatel observatory, where Jean-Marie Schaller unveiled the famous compteur de tierces, which had been built by the great French watchmaker in 1816.

The back of the STARMAN  Louis Moinet

The art of horology

The STARMAN defies gravity in a riveting manner thanks to its flying tourbillon in an off-centre cage. The hand-wound movement is equipped with two barrels in parallel. The system, called volte face, has one of the barrels turned upside-down or head-to-tail, so they deliver their energy simultaneously, producing a power reserve of ninety-six hours.

It comes in an 18-carat gold case with a diameter of 47.4 millimetres. Its architecture is opulent and complex, mixing brushed and polished surfaces and a stepped bezel that gives it a unique character.

STARMAN in red gold  Louis Moinet

The STARMAN is available in two editions limited to twelve pieces each, one in 18-carat red gold, the other in 18-carat grey gold.

In creating this timepiece, Jean-Marie Schaller delved into the mysteries of the cosmos. Its a spirited homage to Louis Moinet, a man whose spirit of innovation and exploration is destined to continue resonating into the future.
Over the last 60 years, there has been unconscionable neglect of civics and American history at both the K-12 and university levels.

Surveys by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) show that fewer than 20% of colleges nationwide require an American history or government course for graduation. Unsurprisingly, this deficit has made its way into the training of teachers too. Future K-12 teachers are unlikely to learn the basic facts about our founding principles and our long history of working toward that more perfect Union our founders envisioned.

Fortunately, more and more public universities are doing their part to reverse this trend.

In 2016, the Arizona legislature created the School for Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University. This school has become a valuable training ground for ASU students seeking a thorough understanding of our nations governing institutions and the responsibilities of citizenship in a free society while being exposed to a diversity of viewpoints.

The ASU model has since been replicated at 13 universities in several other states.

Founded a year ago, the School of Civic Life and Leadership at the University of North Carolina (UNC)-Chapel Hill, which ACTA helped create, has already gained national attention. It was deservedly featured in articles in the Wall Street Journal and elsewhere. And for good reason.

UNC-Chapel Hills School of Civic Life and Leadership (SCiLL) offers a civic life and leadership minor that introduces students to key ideas from philosophy, history, political science, and economics. It helps prepare them for participating in consequential policy discussions and debates.

SCiLL is explicitly dedicated to promoting civil discourse and free speech and inculcating the responsibilities of informed, engaged citizenship. UNC-Chapel Hill students who do not participate in SCiLL classes nevertheless benefit from its speaker series and Program for Public Discourse.

Programs such as these consist of a separate academic unit within the university, supported by the state and private donors. Crucially, the head of that unit has hiring authority and almost always reports directly to the provost or president of the university.

New institutes like SCiLL not only educate undergraduates but are also developing M.A. and Ph.D. programs. And they have already reached out to train the K-12 social studies teachers in their regions so that those teachers will be better able to teach their own pupils.

The goal is to continue expanding these programs in states across the country.

The Tennessee General Assembly answered Governor Bill Lees call to establish an institute devoted to teaching informed patriotism with a $6 million initial appropriation by an overwhelming bipartisan vote.

The Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville offers minor and certificate programs in American civics and constitutional studies, as well as many other events, programs, and scholarships for students. It also features outstanding professional development programs for secondary school teachers. It is already drawing some of the best and brightest students  especially those who want to make a positive difference but previously could not find a constructive, nonpartisan path to pursue this passion.

Through the efforts of Ohio state senators Jerry Cirino and Rob McColley, the State of Ohio has made the largest investment yet  $24 million  for the creation of civic education centers at five public universities in the state. Ohio State University, for example, now has the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society. Four other state universities are rapidly coming online with programs devoted to the American constitutional life.

And at the University of Florida in Gainesville, the Hamilton Center is on its way to hiring 50 professors, including distinguished faculty recruited from elite institutions who have grown weary of having their views be marginalized.

Young professors whose interests in the American founding, constitutional and diplomatic history, and our roots in Western civilization are often left without prospects in academe. Now, however, they are finding excellent opportunities to teach at civic centers being established throughout the country. And thousands of public university students now have a chance to get a world-class education in citizen leadership that will serve them well across an array of career pathways.

Nonprofit organizations and their donors can play a valuable part in advancing efforts like these.

For example, ACTA makes the case to trustees and legislatures that establishing these centers must be a priority.

And for many years, the Jack Miller Center has invested in training and helping young professors in their careers and supporting established professors, including funding for outstanding postdoctoral fellows in American political thought and political theory.

Today, the Jack Miller Centers academic network includes over 1,200 professors on over 300 campuses around the country. A number of them now hold faculty and senior leadership positions in these new schools and institutes of civic thought and leadership.

These new institutes are devoted to teaching the whole story of America. As the late Bruce Cole, a former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities and former member of the Jack Miller Centers Board of Directors, said, they will provide a story of the center and the margins, the peaks and the valleys. In contrast to what sadly so often happens on campus, they not only recognize the flaws that must be mended but also the American achievements that inspire the world.

We have an opportunity with new generations of students to create informed patriots and renew their search for the promise of achieving the American dream. Working together, the states, the organizations working in this field, and donors can make this civics renaissance become a reality across the country.
In early August, NPR published a poll comparing the favorability ratings of three men widely considered frontrunners for Kamala Harriss VP slot at the time: Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

The poll revealed that Walz had a lower overall favorability rating than both Kelly and Shapiro. His favorability rating and name recognition were consistently lower across all voter categoriesDemocrats, Republicans, and Independents. For Harris, Walz would seem to have been the least attractive choice in terms of appealing to Independent or Republican voters.

Minnesota has not gone Republican in a presidential race since 1972, so there were no crucial electoral college votes that Walz could deliver from his home state that Harris wouldnt already have. Meanwhile, Kelly and Shapiro hail from critical, almost must-win swing states.

Its understandable if Harriss choice to go with Walz left some observers scratching their heads. Typically, candidates play to the party base during the primaries and then move toward the center in the months leading up to the general electiona triangulation strategy perfected by Bill Clinton in the 1990s.

However, this election cycle, Democrats had no real primary, and Harris found herself in the unusual position of needing to shore up the disaffected left wing of her own party. Among many on the left, the Biden administrations support for Israel in the Gaza war is deeply unpopular.

Walz offered this clear advantage in galvanizing the left: he is one of the most uncompromising progressives on the national stage today. Heres an overview of the hard-core progressive track record that won Walz the VP nomination.

School Vouchers: Walz has adamantly opposed publicly funded vouchers for private schools. School vouchers enjoy cross-party support, with many progressives, particularly minorities, backing them as a solution for children trapped in failing schools. Shapiro, by contrast, has previously expressed openness to a voucher program aimed at low-income students. However, teachers unionsperhaps the most influential interest group aligned with the Democratic Partyhave made vouchers a non-starter for any Democratic candidate on a presidential ticket.

Critical Race Theory: As governor, Walz ordered an overhaul of K-12 curriculum in Minnesota to implement ethnic studies standards that all students in the state would be required to study. One of the individuals he enlisted to help write the new curriculum standards is Brian Lozenski, a professor of multicultural education at Macalester College who has explicitly called for the deconstruction of the American system of government. In a video that has raised alarms among conservatives concerned about Walzs influence on a potential Harris administration, Lozenski explained his agenda in this way:

The first tenet of critical race theory is that the United States as constructed is irreversibly racist. So if the nation-state as constructed is irreversibly racist, then it must be done with, it must be overthrown... You cant be a critical race theorist and be pro-U.S. Okay, it is an anti-state theory that says, The United States needs to be deconstructed.

Brian Lozenski

Abortion: Walz once said, My record is so pro-choice, Nancy Pelosi asked me if I should tone it down.". A few months before Harris chose him as her running mate, they visited a Minnesota abortion clinic togetheran unprecedented move for a sitting president or vice president. Walzs record is distinguished by his support for a law that removed a decades-old requirement for medical providers to give life-saving care to infants who survive an abortion. Instead, the law he signed mandates only comfort care for the infant, rather than requiring life-saving efforts. According to a spokesperson for Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, The law as its now written could allow a baby to be left to die, even a baby who could be saved with appropriate life-saving measures, as reported by the Catholic Register.

Israel: As college campuses erupted in anti-Israel protests this year, many younger progressives have shown sympathy for Hamas in response to Israels counterattacks following the October 7, 2023, assault by Hamas. Some progressive leaders organized to oppose Shapiros candidacy for the VP slot, in large part due to his vocal support for Israel. Mark Kelly has resisted demands from the left to impose conditions on further aid to Israel. Walz has attempted to walk a finer linecondemning Hamas while voicing support for pro-Palestinian protesters, saying they are speaking out for all the right reasons. Addressing Muslim voters, Walz declared, This war must end, and it must end now.

Walz was chosen to bolster the Democratic tickets appeal to a wavering base on the left. The fear that young progressives, in particular, will stay home on election day is well-founded. Although Harris still has a substantial lead over Trump among young voters, there are signs that turnout among young progressives may fall short of 2020 levels.

Only 31% of young voters in battleground states said in a poll this summer that they felt better off than four years ago. In North Carolina, another crucial swing state, early voter turnout among young adults is down by 45,000 compared to this point in the 2020 election cycle. And only nine states have more 18-19-year-olds registered to vote now than in 2020. Nicholas Kristof published an op-ed in the New York Times practically begging young progressives to show up and vote and set aside their grievances related to the Biden-Harris administrations support for Israel.

Harriss goal in choosing Walz was to motivate young progressives to show up at the polls, or at least to avoid turning off more of them. If early voter turnout and registration numbers are to be believed though, Walz, despite his progressive credentials, may have been too little, too late. In an extremely close election, her decision to appeal to the left rather than the middle with her VP may have been a strategic blunder.

Nevertheless, Harris once held the distinction of having the most liberal voting record in the Senate. If Harris does manage to win the White House, Walz will almost certainly become the most liberal vice president in U.S. history. In that sense, he and Harris make a fitting pair.
If Donald Trump wins the election on Tuesday, he will encounter a Europe far different from the one he knew during his first term both in terms of personnel and policy.

A second Trump term could very well be a baptism by fire for new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. After a decade of leadership by Jens Stoltenberg, whom some regarded as a Trump whisperer, NATO has turned to a leader known for being a quiet builder of consensus.

The G7 has also seen significant turnover. Think back to the infamous photo from the 2018 summit, wherein German Chancellor Angela Merkel is leaning on a table toward a seated and smirking Donald Trump. Of the five world leaders pictured, only French President Emmanuel Macron remains.

Chancellor Merkel is long gone; so are former British Prime Minister Theresa May and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was tragically assassinated in 2022. And todays weaker Macron is a stark contrast to the Macron of Trumps first term, who commanded the French political scene.

The United Kingdom has a new Labour government and a different monarch on the throne. In Germany, Social Democratic Chancellor Olaf Scholzs traffic light coalition looks to be on its last legs. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union and very likely next chancellor, is a conservative who has expressed his desire to increase German defense spending, an openness to reversing Merkels shuttering of Germanys nuclear power plants, and a promise to halt mass migration.

Merz and German conservatives have sought to rebuild ties with U.S. conservatives, with CDU/CSU even sending a delegation to the Republican National Convention. As if to underscore how different he would govern if elected, standing next to Merkel, Merz recently stated history doesnt repeat itself.

Indeed, with the notable exception of the UK, in most other corners of Europe, conservatives have been resurgent over the past four years. Conservative governments are now in office in the Czech Republic, Finland, and Sweden. This trend is perhaps most pronounced in Italy, where the two-year-old government of conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is arguably the most stable in Europe. Her influence in Europe expanded after a strong showing for the conservative European Conservatives and Reformists Group in June European Union parliamentary elections. Meloni is a conservative who understands the critical importance of the current moment as it relates to the Russian war against Ukraine (and the West more broadly).

She could become a key interlocutor if President Trump returns. This is due not only to her expanded influence in Europe or her governments presumed longevity, but because of her conservative views and status coming into office as a political outsider. Relations between a second Trump Administration and European allies could run more smoothly if the U.S. president finds an interlocutor whom he feels comfortable with.

The changeover in Polands government away from Law and Justice, with whom Trump was close, means that while U.S.-Polish relations will remain strong; Poland under Civic Platform is unlikely to have the same closeness it did with the Trump Administration during his first term.

Likewise, while a Trump White House will undoubtedly remain close with Hungarian Prime Minister Orban, his poor relations to put it mildly with fellow European leaders limits the scope of this partnership. Italy, however, represents an intriguing possibility for closer relations with the U.S. under a Trump presidency.

While President Macron, with whom Trump seemingly had a good working relationship with the first time around could possibly serve the role of key interlocutor, Meloni for reasons of policy may be a more natural European partner for Trump.

In addition to a different set of faces around the conference table, President Trump returned to office (or a potential President Harris for that matter) will find a changed European policy landscape, particularly as it relates to defense and migration.

On defense, the shock of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine and consistent brutality has forced Europe to become more serious on defense. NATO as an alliance is in a much different place on defense spending than in 2017 or even 2021. Europeans are investing more in defense, in particular buying large amounts of U.S. built capabilities. Today, two-thirds of NATO member states spend 2% of GDP on defense with many moving well beyond that benchmark.

On migration, the conversation in Europe is vastly different than four years ago. The downstream impacts of unfettered mass migration are now abundantly clear to voters. As in the U.S., migration is a key animating political issue in many European nations including the Netherlands, where the success of the Party for Freedom on the back of the migration issue has shifted the new government rightward.

Fixing the chaos left behind by years of Bidens open border policies will be priority number one for a second Trump term. In Europe, even in places like France and Germany, there is far more alignment with Donald Trump on this issue than there is distance, even if some politicians would be loath to admit it.

Similarly, Europe has become more hawkish on the issue of China since Trump left office. Likewise, on the future of the green transformation, many European governments are now seeing yellow. There is newfound caution.

While most continue to officially support the adoption of renewables and give lip service to the goal of striving towards climate targets, in private conservations, and in policy decisions, it has become clear that many nations are reconsidering their enthusiasm for a green transition in light of energy security concerns.

While we do not yet know the outcome of the imminent U.S. election, the next president will find a European landscape much changed over the past four years. The conservative shift in many European capitals  and the political shift rightward on several key policy issues in voters in Europe  is an intriguing scene change to consider as we approach November 5th.

This changed reality on the ground will have impacts on the 47th President but would seem to have an outsized impact if Donald Trump is once again returned to office.

Daniel Kochis is a Senior Fellow in the Center on Europe and Eurasia at Hudson Institute.
Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale

Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada.

Search Real Estate
Nominated in the GPHGs Mens Complications category, this world-first timepiece has all the chances on its side

WorldTempus visited Watchland, home to Franck Muller, this week to discover one of its latest creations  the Long Island Evolution Master Jumper. This timepiece was unveiled earlier in the year as part of a trilogy that includes the brands Giga Tourbillon and its 7-Day Power Reserve model.

The real reason we were visiting this watch manufacture on the outskirts of Geneva, however, was to get a glimpse of the Master Jumper. This timepiece has been nominated in the Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneves (GPHG) Mens Complication category along with watches from De Bethune, Chopard, Byrne, ArtyA and Kazuo Maeda.

What makes the Master Jumper so special is its triple jumping function that features five rotating numbered discs. Not only do the hours and minutes jump, but also the date, making it a world-first complication. Limited to 100 pieces, the timepiece comes in a black titanium case with an anodized pine-green inner case and inner bezel. The brands Head of Complications told us that it was the most complex piece they had made this year, far more complicated than a perpetual calendar, to give you an idea.

The watch is large, measuring 48.1 mm by 35.3 mm, with a thickness of 12.5 mm. The size has been cleverly disguised, however, by creating a curved case back so the watch sits comfortably on the wrist. Other noteworthy details include a double sapphire crystal, with the lower crystal featuring three cut-out windows for the apertures, giving the impression that they are open.

Check out our video One Watch in One Minute where we look in depth at this timepiece in just 60 seconds so you can have all the key information in record time.
EVs to play a key role in reaching 800,000 units in exports by 2030-31.

Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL), the largest passenger vehicle manufacturer in India, has set a road map to expand its global presence by targeting exports of 800,000 units by the end of this decade -- almost double the approximately 280,000 units sent abroad in 2023-24, Rahul Bharti, executive director, corporate affairs, told Business Standard.

The companys upcoming electric vehicle (EV) strategy is expected to play a crucial role in its global ambitions.

In October, the company had rung up a 51 per cent jump in export, its historic high, to 33,168 units, up from 21,951 units in October 2023.

Our growth ambitions for Viksit Bharat have to be supplemented by exports.

"Moreover, if you are exporting, it will act as an assurance in global excellence, quality, and cost, Bharti said.

In 2023-24, the industrys export was 670,000 units, of which around 41 per cent was MSILs contribution.

In incremental growth in the last three years, 70 per cent was contributed by MSIL.

In a significant milestone, the company started exporting its Made-in-India sport utility vehicle, the Fronx, to Japan in August, which was termed a key expansion of Brand India passenger vehicles globally.

If you are a winner in export, chances are customers in your home market will be delighted and you can beat any level of competition in India, Bharti added.

He termed it one of the strategic reasons behind the global footprint expansion.

The company is set to launch its first ever EV in January next year.

It is built on a dedicated high-spec platform designed for EVs.

According to reports, MSILs EV aims to target international markets, like Europe and Japan.

At present, the companys key export markets include Latin America, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa.

The top-selling export models between April and October this year were the Fronx, Jimny, Baleno, Dzire, and S-Presso.

The good part is that we are exporting around 17 models to 100 countries.

"Since we are diversified, we are insulated from regional disturbances like the Red Sea crisis or West Asian geopolitical tensions.

"We want to increase this presence, Bharti said.

Key drivers for this growth will be global competitiveness in technology and quality, more models in more geographies, and denser distribution networks in new geographies.

"The more the density of this network, the higher the sales you get, he added.

As part of this global export strategy, the company is looking to strengthen its logistics infrastructure too, especially railways.

We have set up the first in-plant automobile railway siding in our plant in Gujarat.

"We will be putting up another one in Manesar and a third one in Kharkhoda, he added.

At present, the share of rail traffic in MSILs vehicle transportation is around 23 per cent.
Chinese smart devices firm Xiaomi's India head Muralikrishnan B has resigned from the company to pursue his interest in academic research, the company said on Monday.

Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

He will continue to support Xiaomi India as an independent Strategic Advisor, the company said.

"Muralikrishnan B, the current President of Xiaomi India, will be transitioning out of his role at the end of the year.

"After over six impactful years with the company, Murali is set to pursue his passion for academic research, focusing on his Executive Doctorate in Management, where he aims to deepen his expertise in Consumer Behaviour on Technology Platforms," the company said in a statement.

After leading the smartphone market in India for several years, Xiaomi has been making efforts to reclaim its numero uno position.

According to Counterpoint Research, Xiaomi made a comeback to the top position in the second quarter of 2024, but it again lost the position to Vivo.

The company had a 16.7 per cent share in volume terms and an 8.7 per cent share in value terms in the third quarter of 2024.

Murali joined Xiaomi India in 2018 and held various roles, including chief operating officer, before his elevation to the post of president in 2022.

He took over charge of the company when its tussle with the Enforcement Directorate peaked.

The Enforcement Directorate had seized funds worth over Rs 5,551 crore from the company for allegedly violating foreign exchange management rules in April 2022.

Xiaomi said that throughout his tenure, Muralikrishnan played a pivotal role in enhancing Xiaomi India's brand presence, leading strategic direction across teams, and steering critical public affairs efforts.

"Under Murali's leadership, Xiaomi has seen exceptional success in India, continuing to be a key player in the technology landscape and connecting millions to innovative products," Xiaomi senior vice president of the Group and President of the International Business Department Adam Zeng said.

Xiaomi had recently onboarded former managing director of Motorola Mobility in India Sudhin Mathur as its chief operating officer (COO).

Muralikrishnan said Mathur will continue to guide key functions as COO.

"With a well-established leadership team, Xiaomi India remains committed to its mission of delivering innovation across India.

"Sudhin Mathur, with over 30 years in the industry, will continue to guide key functions as COO.

"Key leaders, including Sameer Rao (CFO), Varun Madan (CPO), and Anuj Sharma (CMO), will further strengthen Xiaomi's focus on high-quality technology experiences and its ambitious vision for the next decade," he said.
''Given China's past behaviour and their territorial claims, should we be sceptical regarding China's willingness to adhere to these agreements fully? The answer is yes.'

'As Ronald Reagan famously said in the context of the SALT talks, 'Trust, but verify!' India should also do the same.'

'This has already begun with foot patrolling, drones, satellite imagery and so on. India's military deployment did mirror China's and will continue to do so in the future.'

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit at Kazan in Russia, October 23, 2024. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

While engaging with China is necessary for regional stability, India must approach this relationship with caution, points out retired Lieutenant General Gautam Moorthy, founder and managing director, Current Affairs Strategic Forum, an independent virtual think-tank.

General Moorthy was former Director General, Army Ordnance Corps and administrative member, Armed Forces Tribunal.

"By focusing on verification of agreements, enhancing military preparedness, maintaining strong diplomatic ties without compromising sovereignty, reducing economic vulnerabilities, and strengthening regional alliances, India can better navigate the complexities of its relationship with China," the general tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih in an e-mail interview.

Military experts say that completing the entire process of de-induction and withdrawal of the massive number of troops will be a long drawn process. What according you are the next crucial steps that lie ahead -- militarily, diplomatically and politically?

There is no doubt that the breakthrough and the measures agreed to at the recent BRICS Summit in Russia will be a long drawn-out process in all the domains that you mention.

Let us not forget what lay behind this. It involved over four-and-a-half-years of intense and extensive negotiations involving 31 rounds of diplomatic talks through the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs and 21 rounds of military talks at the corps commander level.

They also included discussions during meetings between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

In fact every meeting at that level emphasised the urgency of resolving outstanding issues along the Line of Actual Control.

The culmination of these efforts reflects a concerted push from both sides to stabilise our relationship following the Chinese deployments in Eastern Ladakh in April 2020 and the heightened tensions between us two countries that continued in a downward spiral.

So at the very least, this downward spiral has been arrested.

I shall try and list out the next crucial steps that I believe will follow logically.

Political

There is a definite shift in the political dynamics at play here. It was very visible and evident in the televised meeting between the two delegations at Kazan headed by PM Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping.

This signals a readiness for high-level political dialogue, setting the stage for future engagements that prioritise mutual interests over historical disagreements. This is seen as crucial for both nations as they navigate their respective roles in a multipolar world.

Geopolitical

I stress, that more than the political, it is in the geopolitical domain that this thaw could create issues for the US and its allies and for the QUAD. It could lead to a re-evaluation of India's commitment to the QUAD in countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

A more cooperative India will be seen as diluting the QUAD's effectiveness as New Delhi balances its relationships with both Washington and Beijing.

Diplomatic

Diplomatically, the resumption of border patrols and discussions on disengagement from contentious areas like Ladakh indicate a commitment to resolving outstanding issues peacefully. Both countries have expressed intentions to enhance trade ties, which is vital given China's status as India's largest trading partner.

The focus on economic collaboration is particularly relevant as both nations face external pressures, including US decoupling strategies that threaten their economic interests. This will get increased salience if Mr Trump is elected as president.

The talks also aimed to establish a framework for ongoing communication regarding border management and strategic cooperation in areas such as manufacturing and infrastructure development. This shift reflects a recognition of our interdependence.

This also serves as a framework for ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving our territorial disputes, in stabilising relations and at the same time, recognising that a comprehensive resolution of unresolved issues will take its own time.

Military

Militarily, the agreement to reduce troop presence at disputed border points represents a significant step towards de-escalation.

The potential for new 'buffer zones' where both sides withdraw troops could help prevent future conflicts similar to the 2020 Galwan Valley clash that resulted in casualties on both sides.

Given China's past behaviour and their territorial claims, should we be sceptical regarding China's willingness to adhere to these agreements fully? The answer is yes. As Ronald Reagan famously said in the context of the SALT talks, 'Trust, but verify!' India should also do the same.

This has already begun with foot patrolling, drones, satellite imagery and so on. India's military deployment did mirror China's and will continue to do so in the future.

De-induction will likely follow, but it will not or rather should not be at the cost of our military preparedness, capacity enhancement and capability building. The evolving military landscape will require India to balance its defence readiness (and by this I mean not just our army but the other two services -- the Indian Navy and IAF too) with diplomatic engagement.

In summary, the recent thaw in India-China relations holds hope for improved political dialogue, enhanced trade ties, and potential military de-escalation.

However, the sustainability of this thaw will depend on both nations' ability to navigate their historical differences while addressing contemporary challenges posed by external powers and internal dynamics which will play out differently for both countries.

As we move forward, careful management of our relationship will be crucial for regional stability and our respective national interests.

Finally, both nations are motivated by economic interests and security concerns, as we aim to stabilise our historically difficult relationship.

IMAGE: Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi interacts with Army troops during his visit to Eastern Ladakh to review operational preparedness. Photograph: ANI Photo

In view of China's consistent gross disregard for signed agreements and protocols in the past, what should India be cautious about in dealing with China going forward?

In light of China's historical disregard for agreements and protocols, India should exercise caution in several areas while engaging with China moving forward:

Trust Issues

Given China's past actions, India should adopt a 'Trust, but verify' approach as I have just said. This means closely monitoring China's adherence to all agreements reached, particularly those concerning military disengagement and border management.

Historical precedents suggest that China may not consistently honour its commitments, making vigilance essential.

Diplomatic Engagement

While pursuing diplomatic dialogue is important, we should remain cautious about making concessions that could undermine its strategic interests. Negotiations should not compromise India's sovereignty or security, especially regarding sensitive issues like border demarcation and our military deployments.

Military Preparedness

India must continue to enhance its military capabilities in response to China's increasing military power. With China's rapid advancements in naval and aerial capabilities, India should prioritise modernising its armed forces and improving infrastructure along the border to deter potential aggression.

Economic Dependencies

India should be wary of becoming economically dependent on China. This includes diversifying trade partners and reducing reliance on Chinese imports, particularly in critical sectors such as technology and pharmaceuticals.

Such steps can mitigate risks associated with economic coercion.

IMAGE: Army combat vehicles carry out drills in Eastern Ladakh. Photograph: ANI Photo

Regional Alliances

Strengthening Strategic Partnerships: India should continue to bolster its alliances with other countries, particularly those in the QUAD (the US, Japan and Australia). In fact a QUAD Plus to include South Korea, the Philippines and Indonesia should be what we ought to be working towards. Strengthening these partnerships can provide a counterbalance to China's influence in the region and enhance India's security posture.

Monitoring Chinese Activities

Awareness of Chinese Influence: India needs to remain vigilant about China's strategic initiatives in neighbouring countries, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Monitoring these developments is crucial to counter any encroachments on India's sphere of influence and address potential security threats.

Political Statements: India should be able to read into statements made by Chinese leaders and be able to pick up nuances. Understanding their messaging is important.

Our political leaders both within the government and in the Opposition too must be wary of what they say with respect to China to avoid any misunderstandings that could roll this process back.

In summary, while engaging with China is necessary for regional stability, India must approach this relationship with caution.

By focusing on verification of agreements, enhancing military preparedness, maintaining strong diplomatic ties without compromising sovereignty, reducing economic vulnerabilities, and strengthening regional alliances, India can better navigate the complexities of its relationship with China.

IMAGE: India Army soldiers carry out drills. Photograph: ANI Photo

Former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran pointed out that the other points of contention in eastern Ladakh which had been resolved now had buffer zones between the two troops which neither side could intrude, hence it would be incorrect to say that the situation had gone back to the pre-2020 position.

Do you believe we can reach the status quo ante 2020?

Mr Shyam Saran has made this statement earlier last week. However, it has been reported in the media that the PLA has dismantled its temporary structures and pulled back to the pre-April 2020 positions.

Patrolling is being conducted in Demchock as hitherto and is likely to resume in Depsang shortly. The patrols will have full unrestricted access to the five PPs (Patrolling Points) in Depsang and two in Demchock which were blocked by the PLA post Apr 2020.

Troops will soon be able to patrol up to the pass Charding La which is at 19,000 feet. After stabilisation, the focus will be on patrolling in the 'buffer zones' that were established. These buffer zones fell in our perception of the LAC. Although this has not yet taken place, it appears that the agreement has indeed taken our sensitivities into consideration and we have achieved what we wanted.

More importantly for the locals, the herders can access their traditional grazing grounds there.

Or considering the complex and difficult relationship that we have with China, progress can only be made phase wises, by taking one careful step after another?

This is absolutely correct. We cannot take anything for granted. I'll never tire of repeating the adage, 'Trust but verify!'

The clash at Galwan is reported to have happened because our troops went to a particular spot to see if the PLA had taken down the structures that they had put up earlier. They had not. A verbal admonition resulted in the manhandling of the commanding officer by the PLA that incensed our troops who came back with reinforcements and then the clash began.

This kind of a situation must be avoided going forward. Cool heads should prevail and reliance must be placed on technological means too to ensure verification.

Progress is needed not only on the boundary issue, but in other domains too. Our EAM had been insisting over the past four years and more, that progress cannot be made on other issues till status quo ante is achieved. Now that has been done, we can surely go ahead.

Part II of the Interview: 'Ladakh Made The World Wary Of China'

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Hours before the US presidential elections, special prayers were held for Democrat candidate Kamala Devi Harris's victory at her ancestral village in Tamil Nadu.

The prayers were organised by Anushanath's Anukragni organisation in Thulasendrapuram village in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu.

The organisation's founder, Ballu, affirmed hope that Harris will win the upcoming elections.

"She will definitely win the elections. We have organised a special puja for her victory," he said.

Thulasendrapuram village happens to be the birthplace of Harris' maternal grandfather, P V Gopalan.

Earlier, an 11-day-long Maha Yagnam was conducted in Telangana for her victory.

Speaking to ANI, Nalla Suresh Reddy, the founder of the Shyamala Gopalan Educational Foundation, said that the Goddess has listened to the voices of everyone and they are optimistic about Harris's chances of becoming America's first woman president.

IMAGE: Supporters cheer for Kamala in Thulasendrapuram, the village where her maternal grandfather was born, November 5, 2024. All photographs: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: A priest carries flowers required to perform puja inside a temple in Thulasendrapuram.

IMAGE: The puja begins.

IMAGE: A man reads a newspaper at a restaurant in Thulasendrapuram. The headline reads, 'US presidential election today'.

IMAGE: A man cycles past a Kamala poster in Thulasendrapuram.

IMAGE: A calendar with images of US President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris inside a shop in Thulasendrapuram.

IMAGE: Priests perform the puja for Kamala's success.

IMAGE: A kolam, a tradition in Tamil culture, to express hopes for Kamala's success.

IMAGE: A devotee prays inside the Sri Dharmasastha temple for Kamala's victory.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
This week, the WorldTempus Team is trying on Franck Mullers Long Island Evolution Master Jumper. Lets see what they had to say

Brice Lechevalier

A fresh breeze is blowing through the Franck Muller manufacture (affectionately known as Watchland), nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva with a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc. The days when the brand enjoyed greater recognition abroad than in Switzerland may be drawing to a close. The Long Island Evolution has been nominated by the Academy of the Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve, marking a triumphant return to the Swiss horological spotlight. Franck Muller has always set its own aesthetic and technical standards, as is clear from the triple jumping indicator (hour, minute and date on discs) and the iconic barrel-shaped case. Born in 2000, the Long Island model retains the avant-garde identity that makes it instantly recognisable on the wrist, now softened by a seasonal green hue that evokes pine-tree-lined ski slopes.

Long Island Evolution Master Jumper  Amaury Thomas / WorldTempus

Allissa Pataki

There is so much to unpack about this watch, its hard to know where to start! The first thing that caught my eye was the case  specifically, the Long Island Evolution case. Its called Evolution, because its an updated take on Franck Muller's rectangular Long Island case, first introduced in the year 2000. Back then, the case was rectangular with a slightly curved shape, short lugs and arched numbers  quite Art Deco-esque. The design has evolved over the years, retaining its original silhouette while adding exciting new elements. The latest model features a green inner bezel securing the movement, an anodized aluminum inner case in pine green, and a black PVD-coated titanium outer case with a satin finishgiving the watch a very sporty, avant-garde feel. And thats just the casewait until you hear about whats happening inside!

Long Island Evolution Master Jumper  Amaury Thomas / WorldTempus

Mathieu Rotzer

The moment I saw the Franck Muller Long Island Evolution Master Jumper, I was immediately captivated by its striking green tones. With its futuristic design and vibrant colorway, it immediately reminded me of one of my favorite villainsthe Green Goblin. What sets this watch apart are the details that make it truly unique. The metallic green color seems to come alive in the light, and the writing on the sapphire crystalsomething rarely seenadds a bold, futuristic, seemingly digital touch to the design. Despite this modern aesthetic, the five finely crafted discs showcase true mechanical mastery and craftsmanship, which is no surprise as this watch has a triple jumping complication!

Long Island Evolution Master Jumper  Amaury Thomas / WorldTempus

Sophie Furley

There is nothing like a World Premiere to get us excited here at WorldTempus and this triple jumping display is a world first. During my visit to Watchland, I had the opportunity of chatting with Franck Mullers CEO and its Head of Grand Complications who both shared with me just how difficult this kind of mechanism is to create. It takes five to six weeks to craft each one (with three weeks just for the assembly part). There are five rotating discs that indicate the changing hours, minutes, and date which are made of a combination of different materials so that they turn perfectly. The tiniest distortion and the watch wont work. Speaking with the watchmakers, I got a sense of just how complicated this movement is, more complicated that a perpetual calendar, and by far the most complex mechanism they have worked on this year. The beauty of it all is that for the lucky people who end up with this timepiece on their wrist, it is simplicity itself to use and read, but thats the recipe for the perfect complication!

Long Island Evolution Master Jumper  Amaury Thomas / WorldTempus

Steven Rogers

An innovative highlight of the Long Island Evolution Master Jumper is its double sapphire crystal construction. The top curved crystal protects the dial in the traditional manner, while a second flat crystal beneath it showcases green and white printed details that complement the display of the five rotating discs. This flat crystal also features three central cut-outs, each with bevelled metallic green borders, framing the hours, minutes and date indications. These floating written elements and the vivid green borders create a cool sense of depth and intrigue, enhancing the watch's avant-garde aesthetic.

Long Island Evolution Master Jumper  Amaury Thomas / WorldTempus

Marie de Pimodan

The unique aesthetic signature of the Franck Muller manufacture has been a consistent differentiating factor for the brand, and the Long Island Evolution Master Jumper is no exception. When I first saw the generous rectangular case, measuring 35.30 x 48.10 mm with a thickness of 12.50 mm, I had some reservations about how it would sit on my wrist. However, this is a timepiece that deserves to be worn and experienced, for at least a few hours, to truly appreciate its ergonomics. By means of rounded corners and an artfully curved caseback, Franck Mullers designers have achieved the remarkable feat of disguising the watchs volume and thickness. The true beauty of their work lies in striking a perfect balance between avant-garde aesthetics and exceptional comfort on the wrist.
A Canadian police officer has been suspended for participating in a pro-Khalistan protest outside the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, according to a media report.

IMAGE: Peel regional police Sgt. Harinder Sohi was part of the Khalistani attack on Hindu devotees at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton. Photograph: X

On Sunday, protestors carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people at the Hindu temple and disrupted a consular event co-organised by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.

There were unverified videos circulating on social media about the protest. The videos appeared to show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan, as reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

The Peel Police is "aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an off-duty Peel Police officer involved in a demonstration," said Media Relations Officer Richard Chin in an email to CBC News.

"This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act," he said.

"We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until such time that this investigation is complete."

Peel police previously said three people have been charged after violence erupted as Indian consular officials visited the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple Sunday.

Videos circulating on social media show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan, the CBC report added.

Later in the day, demonstrators made their way to the Westwood Mall in neighbouring Mississauga, according to the World Sikh Organisation of Canada.

A short time after, a third protest was held outside the Malton gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship on Airport Road in Mississauga, the report added.

"Although these demonstrations occurred at three different locations, they appear to be related to one another. Several incidents between protestors and worshippers broke out," police said in a news release.

India on Monday condemned the attack on the temple with an expectation that those indulging in violence "will be prosecuted".

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that New Delhi remains "deeply concerned" about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada.

"We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario. We call on the government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was quoted as saying in the statement.
Janata Dal-Secular patriarch and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda on Tuesday jumped into the campaign fray as he sought support for his grandson and party's candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy from Channapatna assembly segment, which will go for by-polls on November 13.

IMAGE: Janata Dal-Secular MP HD Deve Gowda speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, August 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Making a rare public appearance in recent months, the 92-year-old leader, who is facing age-related health issues, appealed to people to ensure a big win for Nikhil in the constituency which was earlier represented by his son and Union minister HD Kumaraswamy twice.

Assisted by his personal staff and gunmen, Gowda, with a cannula on his right hand, attended multiple election meetings on Tuesday and addressed people sitting in his chair as he cited knee pain.

"This election has come as this assembly seat fell vacant due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to make Kumaraswamy a central minister. There was confusion as to who should contest, other leaders have spoken about what all happened, I don't want to speak about that one person (Congress candidate C P Yogeeshwara)..." Gowda said.

He said he has several things to say about what he has done for development of Channapatna like Igloor dam, "but no need to discuss them now."

"Please, bless Nikhil Kumaraswamy, not because he is my grandson.....I don't know whether I will be a centenarian, but with your blessings I will be alive, it is a guarantee, as per the horoscope that my father had got written, I will be alive. (I will see) how my grandson will develop this constituency. His father (Kumaraswamy) is a central Minister and son will be here," he said.

Channapatna by-poll is necessitated as the seat fell vacant following HD Kumaraswamy's election to Lok Sabha. Yogeeshwara, a political heavyweight in the segment, had recently quit Bharatiya Janata Party and joined the Congress.

There were plans to field Yogeeshwara on a JD-S ticket, but he was not interested in it, and instead wanted Kumaraswamy to support him as BJP candidate, which was not acceptable to the latter and his party.

Noting that he has been in politics for 60-years, Gowda said he had never seen "such bad politics that is there now," indirectly targeting the ruling Congress in the state.

"I pray to youth, mothers and elders....enough. Such bad politics should not continue to remain in the state. I'm not saying this out of jealousy, hate or any personal angst.....they don't know how to respect when the leader from an opposition party speaks," he said.

Further, asserting that he will continue to campaign till the last day of campaigning on November 11, Gowda said he will also continue his fight against the water issues faced by the state.

"I have brought it (issues) to the notice of PM Narendra Modi. For one-and-half years more I will be a member of Rajya Sabha, I will fight along with NDA friends, 17 MPs. We will work together in the interest of the state," he said.

Reacting to former Congress MP DK Suresh's statement that Deve Gowda will come for election in an ambulance, the former PM said: "For those who said it, I'm speaking in front of you (people) openly, I will be alive for another four-six years with your blessings. I will fight for my people until my last breath in this body."

This is the third electoral battle for the actor-turned politician Nikhil.

He had unsuccessfully contested the 2023 Assembly from the neighbouring Ramanagara, which had propelled Deve Gowda to the post of chief minister, and the seat that was also represented by both his parents.

He earlier had a disastrous electoral debut when he had lost to BJP-backed independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh in the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency in the 2019 polls.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha warned on Tuesday that the houses of those providing shelter to terrorists would be razed to the ground as he asked people to stand up against the perpetrators of terror.

IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inspects the passing out parade of BSF recruit constables at Humhama, in Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir, October 26, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

He also said if security forces, the Union Territory administration and people come together, then terrorism could be eliminated from the region in a year.

"I have directed the forces not to harm any innocent but the culprits will not be spared. If anyone provides shelter to terrorists, then his house will be razed to the ground. There will be no compromise on it," the LG said at a function in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

He said some people make statements that atrocities are being committed on those providing shelter to terrorists. "However, this is not an atrocity, but a demand for justice and such justice will continue," he added.

Sinha said there are some people who are trying to disrupt the peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Our neighbour is trying, but it does not worry us. It is the people here who are doing it on its directions (that is a cause of concern). It is not just the job of the security forces and the administration but the people as well to identify such people," he said.

The LG said if the forces, the administration and people come together, then "it (terrorism) will not remain here for more than a year".

"But if the people give them shelter and then say we are doing injustice to them, then that is not right," he added.

Asking the people of Jammu and Kashmir to stand up against terror, Sinha asked the gathering whether anyone has the right to kill those who work to improve connectivity in the region.

He was referring to the October 20 killings of a local doctor and six non-local labourers by terrorists at a tunnel-construction site in the Gagangir area of Ganderbal district.

"If people do not stand up against such elements, this scenario will never change. I think those who only issue statements for formality are worse than them (terrorists)," the LG said.

His remarks came amidst a spike in terror-related incidents in the valley.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has received a fresh threat along with a demand of Rs 5 crore from a person claiming to be the brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, police officials said on Tuesday.

IMAGE: Bollywood actor Salman Khan has previously faced threats from the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Photograph: ANI Photo

A suspect was tracked down at Hubballi in Karnataka and a police team has reached there though no arrest has been made yet, they said.

The threat message, which also asked Khan to apologise apparently over the 1998 blackbuck poaching incident, was received on the WhatsApp helpline of the Mumbai traffic police control room located in Worli late Monday night, an official said.

The message sender claimed he is the brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, he said.

"If Salman Khan wants to stay alive, he should go to our (Bishnoi community) temple and apologise or pay Rs 5 crore. If he does not do so, we will kill him; our gang is still active," the message said.

A case was registered at Worli police station, and Khan's security was also beefed up, the official said.

The Worli police tracked the sender of the message to Hubballi.

A team was sent to the southern state which zeroed in on a 35-year-old man, a welder by profession, he said.

The man is suspected to have sent the threat message, and the police team was questioning him though he has not been detained or arrested yet, the official added.

Salman Khan has received similar threats earlier.

On October 29, a man sent a threatening message to the same traffic police helpline, threatening to kill Khan and city Nationalist Congress Party leader Zeeshan Siddique if they failed to pay Rs 2 crore.

The sender warned that the two will meet the same fate as former state minister Baba Siddique, Zeeshan's father. Baba Siddique was shot dead by three gunmen in Bandra area of Mumbai on October 12.

On October 30, a resident of Bandra (West), an upscale area where Khan also lives, was arrested in connection with the threat.

Earlier in October, the helpline desk had received a threat message demanding Rs 5 crore from the actor. The police subsequently arrested a man from Jamshedpur in Jharkhand.

City police also arrested a man from Noida in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly issuing a death threat to Khan and Zeeshan Siddique.

Notably, Khan had earlier received death threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. While Bishnoi himself is lodged in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati jail in cases including attempted murder and extortion, suspected members of his gang opened fire outside the actor's Bandra home in April.

Weeks after that, Navi Mumbai Police claimed to have uncovered a plot by the Bishnoi gang to kill Khan while on his way to his farmhouse at Panvel near Mumbai.
Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on Monday said the independence of the judiciary does not mean always delivering verdicts against the government.

IMAGE: Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

Speaking at an event in New Delhi organised by the Indian Express group, Chandrachud said there are pressure groups trying to get favourable verdicts by putting pressure on the courts by using electronic media.

"Traditionally, judicial independence was defined as independence from the executive. Independence of the judiciary even now means independence from the government. But that is not the only thing in terms of judicial independence.

"Our society has changed. Particularly with the advent of social media, you see interest groups, pressure groups and groups which are trying to use electronic media to put pressure on the courts to get favourable decisions," he said.

Chandrachud, who demits office on November 10, said a lot of these pressure groups term the judiciary independent if judges decide in their favour.

"'If you do not decide in my favour, you are not independent,' that is what I have an objection to. To be independent, a judge must have the independence to decide what their conscience tells them, of course, the conscience which is guided by the law and the Constitution," the CJI said.

Chandrachud said he was called independent when he ruled against the government and struck down the electoral bonds.

"When you decide electoral bonds, then you are very independent but if a verdict goes in favour of the government, then you are not independent... That is not my definition of independence," the CJI added.

He said judges must be given the leeway to decide cases.

The CJI also said merits of a case may be quite different from what is shown in the media when asked about the delay in hearing on the bail plea of former Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid, lodged in jail in a Delhi riots case.

A judge applies his mind to a case while hearing it, and decides on its merit without being biased, the CJI asserted in the same breath.

Chandrachud said that in the media a particular case assumes significance and then the court is criticised on that particular case.

"After I took over as CJI, I decided to prioritise bail cases as it pertains to personal liberty. It was decided that at least every bench of the top court should hear 10 bail cases. Between November 9, 2022, and November 1, 2024, 21,000 bail cases were filed in the Supreme Court. During this period, 21,358 bail cases have been disposed of," he said.

In the same period, 901 out of 967 Prevention of Money Laundering Act cases filed during were disposed of, he said.

"A dozen political cases involving prominent ones, where bail has been granted in recent months. Very often, in the media, a certain facet or atmospherics of a case are being made out.

"When a judge applies mind to the record of a case, what emerges may be quite different from what is portrayed in the media on the merits of that particular case. The judge applies his mind to the concerned cases and then decides the case.

"Speaking for myself, I have granted bail from A to Z (Arnab Goswami to Zubair) and that's my philosophy," Chandrachud said.

He said the principle that 'bail is the rule and jail is the exception' must predominantly be followed but it was yet to permeate to the trial courts.
The race between Democratic leader Kamala Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump for the White House has been truly unprecedented as it saw drama, tragedy, political comebacks, fierce rhetoric and a historically razor-tight contest.

IMAGE:A screen displays the presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee and US Vice President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 10, 2024. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

As millions of Americans headed towards polling stations on the big Election Day, many political observers billed the unpredictable race for the 47th president of the US as the most consequential one in decades while appearing to project a grim picture for the country's future under a Trump presidency.

In her final days of the campaign, Vice President Harris focused on a message of hope, unity, optimism and women's rights, Trump remained fiercely combative in targeting his Democratic rival and even suggested that he may not accept the election outcome in case of a defeat.

Overall, it has been a roller coaster ride for both 60-year-old Harris and 78-year-old Trump.

Trump received his party's nomination in March and formally at the Republican National Convention in July -- in a historic comeback after remaining in the political wilderness for months following several court cases.

In effect, he became the first former president to get the nomination for the top office on the planet after being convicted of a felony.

"Trump has made one of the biggest political comebacks since Richard Nixon's in terms of the political struggles that he has had in the last four years," said communication strategist Anang Mittal.

Just days ahead of the RNC, Trump was shot at during a rally in Pennsylvania. He suffered an upper ear injury. Minutes later, a bleeding Trump raised his fist in defiance, images that drew a lot of emotional support from his die-hard supporters.

For Harris too, it has been a dramatic ride after Biden ended his reelection campaign in July, nearly weeks after he came under severe scrutiny following his incoherent performance at a televised debate with Trump.

While dropping out of the race, Biden, 81, endorsed Harris to succeed him as the Democratic candidate.

Finally, in August, the Democratic National Convention formally nominated Harris as the party's candidate for the presidential election.

The presidential election will be a chance to "move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past", she said in a powerful speech at the Convention.

If Harris wins the race, she will become the first woman, first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to become the US President.

In the overall campaign, Harris has been projecting the election as the one to protect the country's fundamental freedoms, safeguard constitutional values and ensure women's rights.

On his part, Trump has maintained his signature aggressive rhetoric and promised to rebuild the economy and rid the US of illegal immigrants.

However, there has been strong criticism of the Republican leader's roadmap to repair the economy.

"Donald Trump is offering a vision of crony rentier capitalism that has enticed many captains of industry and finance," said Joseph E Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate economist, in a column in Project Syndicate.

"In catering to their wishes for more tax cuts and less regulation, he would make most Americans' lives poorer, harder, and shorter," he said.

With voting underway on the big election day, there is no clarity on who has a better chance of winning the race.

"The elections are very close. They (the outcome) may change on the basis of a few thousand votes here or there. I think the big issue will be voter turnout tomorrow. That will determine the outcome in certain swing states," said the executive director of the US chapter of the Observer Research Foundation, Dhruva Jaishankar.

Kapil Sharma, a non-resident senior fellow at Atlantic Council's Middle East Programmes, also echoed similar views.

"This election is probably one of the closest elections that I can remember. I have been working in Washington for over 30 years and I don't recall an election being this tight," he said.

More than 78 million Americans have already cast their votes as of Sunday, according to the University of Florida's Election Lab which tracks early and mail-in voting across the US.

In their final rallies, the two candidates concluded their campaigns with virtually opposing visions of how to take the country forward with Harris calling for a vision to overcome "hate and divisiveness" and make a "fresh start" and Trump warning of a bleak future under a Democratic regime.

"Tonight, then, we finish, as we started with optimism, with energy, with joy," said Harris, closing her campaign in Pennsylvania.

In his concluding remarks, Trump said: "My message to you, and to all Americans tonight is very simple: we don't have to live like this."

The US has 50 states and most of them vote for the same party in every election except the swing states. Based on the volume of population, the states are assigned electoral college votes.

Overall a total of 538 electoral college votes are up for grabs. A candidate with 270 or more electoral votes is declared winner in the election.
Glimpses of Election Day across the USA.

IMAGE: Republican presidential nominee Donald J Trump with wife Melania alongside speaks to reporters after he voted at the Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, Florida, November 5, 2024. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters

IMAGE: Orthodox Jewish community members and other residents gather to vote at a polling center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Photograph: Maye-E Wong/Reuters

IMAGE: Malcolm Kenyatta, a candidate for Pennsylvania's auditor general, celebrates after casting his vote in Philadelphia. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters

IMAGE: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson visits a polling precinct in Detroit, Michigan. Photograph: Rebecca Cook/Reuters

IMAGE: Election workers speak with voters as they arrive at a polling center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Photograph: Maye-E Wong/Reuters

IMAGE: North Carolina Attorney General and Democratic candidate for governor Josh Stein visit the Chavis Community Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Photograph: Sam Wolfe/Reuters

IMAGE: Independent US Senate candidate Dan Osborn waits in the rain to vote at the Upchurch Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska. Photograph: Scott Morgan/Reuters

IMAGE: Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and US Senator Tammy Baldwin campaign for Kamala Devi Harris at a grocery store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photograph: Vincent Alban/Reuters

IMAGE: Former New York City mayor and former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani sits inside a car outside the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump was expected to vote. Photograph: Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters

IMAGE: Melissa Fehl votes, next to a cat named Skye, in the 2024 US presidential election on Election Day at the Mattress Factory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 5, 2024.

Pennslvania is one of the battleground states whose results will determine the winner of the election. Photograph: Quinn Glabicki/Reuters

IMAGE: People vote at the Buckhead library in Atlanta, Georgia. Photograph: Cheney Orr/Reuters

IMAGE: People vote in Detroit, Michigan, another battleground state. Photograph: Rebecca Cook/Reuters

IMAGE: People vote at the Grover Cleveland Elementary School in Erie, Pennsylvania. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

IMAGE: People line up to vote at the Park Tavern in Atlanta, Georgia. Photograph: Cheney Orr/Reuters

IMAGE: People queue to vote outside the Billings Park Community Center in Superior, Wisconsin, another battleground state. Photograph: Erica Dischino/Reuters

IMAGE: First-time voter Henry Schultz, 18, casts his ballot as the Billings Park Community Center opens in Superior, Wisconsin. Photograph: Erica Dischino/Reuters

IMAGE: Mary Miller, who has a mobility issue and cannot leave her car to vote, is accompanied by her neighbor Jan Fredette as election officials Owen O'Keefe and Brandon Rieckhoff, who are from different parties, assist her with the voting process, outside the Faith Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Photograph: Carlos Osorio/Reuters

IMAGE: A person votes in Springfield, Ohio, another battleground state. Photograph: Megan Jelinger/Reuters

IMAGE: A campaign volunteer for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Devi Harris hands out a campaign flyer near a polling station in Detroit, Michigan. Photograph: Rebecca Cook/Reuters

IMAGE: An official ballot for the 2024 US presidential election in Manhattan, New York City. Photograph: Andrew Kelly/Reuters

IMAGE: Members of the media gather as Trump and Trump were expected to vote at the Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, Florida. Photograph: Marco Bello/Reuters

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Mahipal Soni/Rediff.com
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday took a strong exception to the Hindu temple incident in Brampton and said it tells in a way the "political space" which is being given to "extremist forces" in Canada.

IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar speaks at a press briefing with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong in Canberra. Photograph: @DrSJaishankar/X

He said this in response to queries related to the incident that took place in Canada on Sunday and the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada, during a joint press briefing with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong in Canberra.

In Canada's Brampton, protestors carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people at the Hindu Sabha temple on Sunday and disrupted a consular event co-organised by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.

"You would have seen a statement first by our official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by our Prime Minister," Jaishankar told reporters in Canberra.

The external affairs minister is on an official visit to Australia from November 3-7.

"Let me make three comments, one, Canada has developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics. Secondly, when we look at Canada, for us, the fact that...our diplomats under surveillance, is something which is unacceptable," Jaishankar said.

"The third is the incident which the gentleman spoke about, do look at the video. I think that will tell in a way the political space which is being given to extremist forces there," the EAM said.

The development comes as India-Canada ties remain deeply troubled over the North American country's alleged support to Khalistani separatists and its accusation of India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who has been designated a terrorist by India.

In a post on X on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve. He added, We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.

Prior to that the Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement, saying it expects that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted, as it called on the government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks.

We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday (Sunday). We call on the government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was quoted as saying in the statement.
An air of excitement and expectancy pervades Thulasendrapuram village in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu hoping that Democrat Kamala Harris, current US vice president, wins the presidential elections.

IMAGE: Puja being performed for Kamala Harris at a temple in Thulasendrapuram, Tamil Nadu, November 5, 2024. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

The villagers have performed prayers at the Sri Dharma Sastha temple in her ancestral village expecting her to trounce former president and Republican Donald Trump, and emerge victorious as Americans vote on Tuesday to elect their next president.

Thulasendrapuram is the ancestral village of Kamala's grandfather and former Indian diplomat P V Gopalan. Her mother Shyamala was Gopalan's daughter.

The village hogged the limelight in August 2020 when Kamala was nominated as the Democrat vice president candidate, and it later celebrated her victory the same year.

Our sincere prayers are for the victory of the daughter of the soil in the election and to become the president of the most influential country in the world, says councillor Arulmozhi and her spouse T Sudhakar, who have organised a special abishekam of sandalwood and turmeric, besides a special archanai to the presiding deity at the Sri Dharma Sastha temple, the family deity of Kamala's forefathers.

They have erected a massive banner carrying her picture, wishing her success in the election.

Similar prayers filled the air in Madurai where Anushanathin Anugraham, a spiritual organisation, held a special prayer on November 4.

If Kamala wins, then village leaders in Painganadu in the district will offer annadhanam (free food) to the poor.

Her ancestors are from our village... she is a woman fighting for the big post and we want her to win, says Arulmozhi.

Kamala's maternal grandfather Gopalan was born in this village before moving to Chennai. He had contributed nearly Rs 1 lakh to the Sri Dharma Sastha temple.

A donation of Rs 5,000 was made to the temple towards its Kumbhabhishekam (consecration) in the name of Kamala Harris in 2014, indicating her connection to the temple, though no one from her family lives in the village today.

Her donation prompted the temple authorities to inscribe her name on a stone tablet containing the list of donors to the shrine.
Former United States president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris hit key battleground states on the final full day of campaigning in their last push ahead of the big election day for the top post in the White House.

Harris, 60, is the Democratic presidential candidate, while Trump, 78, is her Republican rival.

More than 78 million Americans have already cast their votes as of Monday, according to the University of Florida's Election Lab that tracks early and mail-in voting across the US.

The vice president spent her entire day in Pennsylvania holding five rallies with the last one scheduled to be held in Philadelphia as late as 11 pm. Pennsylvania and Michigan are considered to be the ground zero for the 2024 presidential elections.

Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Georgia are the other five battleground states. A candidate needs 270 electoral college votes to be declared the winner of the 2024 presidential elections.

What you are all signing up to do today, and what you've been doing -- like, let's enjoy it, you know, Harris said in a rally in Pennsylvania. We rise and fall together. That's the strength of who we are, she said.

Harris did not name Trump in her campaign for the second straight day. The vice president is scheduled to hold five campaign events in Pennsylvania, considered the most important among the seven battle ground states.

Trump is hitting battleground states of North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan to make his closing remarks in the election.

Trump held four rallies, two of which were in Pennsylvania. He started the day with a campaign rally in North Carolina and was scheduled to end his campaign in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the venue of his last public event of his 2016 historic presidential elections.

We are just one day away from what will be the most important political event in the history of our country-but you have to get out and vote! Together, we make America Great Again, he said on X'

Trump had won Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin in 2016. However, the states had gone to Joe Biden in 2020.

A latest ABC News/Ipsos poll showed Harris slightly ahead nationally but Trump ahead in some key swing states -- and the two candidates deadlocked in Pennsylvania.

In the overall campaign, Harris has been projecting the election as the one to protect the country's fundamental freedoms, safeguard constitutional values and ensure women's rights, while Trump has been promising to rebuild the economy and rid the US from illegal immigrants.

If Harris wins the race, she will become the first woman, first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to become the US President.

On the eve of the polling day of November 5, both the campaigns exuded confidence over the state of affairs of their electoral prospects.

They have an expression, I hate the expression actually, but it's ours to lose. Does that make sense to you? It's ours to lose. If we get everybody out and vote, there's not a thing they can do, Trump told his supporters in North Carolina.

I will be president of all Americans, Harris told her supporters in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Can you feel it. We have momentum, a confident vice president said, adding that it is time for a new generation of leadership in America.

Make no mistake, we will win, Harris said. Both Harris and Trump urged their supporters to go out and vote.

We will get this done, we will win, and it will be because we know what's at stake, we love our country, and we know how to fight for all that is good and important for the future, she said in a call with Black women.

The Trump Campaign said that the former president is going into Election Day stronger than he has in any previous election and if patriots across the country keep the momentum and turn out as expected on Election Day, we will be swearing in President Trump in January.
The US is already holding presidential elections, with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris as opponents. Young Americans are pinning their hopes on this woman not only because of her "leftist" views but also because she became the first black American citizen to serve as vice president of the United States.

ADVERTISIMENT

Her roots are in South Asia and Jamaica. Kamala Harris did not grow up alone in the family; she has a sister, Maya Harris, and a niece, Meena Harris. And in 2014, the politician married California lawyer Douglas Emhoff, who has two children from a previous marriage, Cole and Ella. OBOZ.UA has compiled a photo chronicle of Kamala Harris' life from childhood to the present.

1964  newborn Kamala Harris

"At twenty-five years old, my mother had a university degree, a doctorate, and me," Harris wrote in her memoirs, Town & Country notes.

Kamala Harris with her mother

"My mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, came to the United States from India alone at the age of 19. She was a force with two goals in life: to cure breast cancer and to raise my sister Maya and me. Her dedication, determination, and courage shaped me into the person I am today," the politician commented on Instagram.

ADVERTISIMENT

1966  Harris enjoying ice cream

"Visiting my Uncle Freddie in Harlem. Harlem has always been a magical place for me," she wrote.

1970  Shyamala Gopalan Harris with her daughters

"My mother, Maya, and I outside our apartment on Milvia Street after my parents' divorce. From then on, we were called 'Shyamala and the girls,'" said Kamala Harris.

ADVERTISIMENT

Kamala Harris with her younger sister

"I'm a daughter of California, but I also briefly called Wisconsin home when I was a kid," she described this photo.

1986  Kamala Harris during her graduation from the university

Harris graduated from Howard University in 1986 at the age of 22. "He persevered when the doors of higher education were almost closed to black students. He stood up when segregation and discrimination were the law of the land. He stood up when few recognized the potential and ability of young black men and women to be leaders," the politician commented.

ADVERTISIMENT

1997  Harris gets involved in politics

In this photo, Kamala Harris is 33 years old and already actively involved in a profession that is related to the law. At that time, the politician was working as a deputy district attorney in the Alameda County Superior Court in Oakland, California, USA.

2024  Kamala Harris before the election

She conducted an active political campaign, engaging young people who support equality in the elections. Many world-famous stars supported her publicly and urged her to cast their vote for the woman.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said the agreement on disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh will be implemented in the coming days to everybody's satisfaction.

IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar interacts with Australian Strategic Policy Institute Executive director Justin Bassi at the inaugural session of Raisina Down Under 2024, in Canberra, Australia, November 5, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Jaishankar was speaking at the inaugural session of a think tank in Canberra in conversation with Justin Bassi, the executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute when he was asked a question about the India-China relationship after the seeming breakthrough.

India on October 21 announced it had reached an agreement with China on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, ending the over four-year-long military standoff between the two armies.

Jaishankar said, The immediate part which awaits us is what we call the de-escalation, which is the build-up of forces along the Line of Actual Control.

Both the countries have bigger troop deployment than existed along the LAC before 2020, so we have negotiations ahead of us, the external affairs minister said.

The ties between the two Asian giants nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.

What India and China negotiated on October 21 was the last set of what we call disengagement agreements, which essentially means that after the summer of 2020, Chinese and Indian troops have been deployed along the LAC in distances which were extremely concerning, he said.

The priority has been to find ways of separating the troops, which is why the word disengagement.

He listed having them (the two armies) go back to their normal operating basis as far as possible and also resuming patrol in the way in which it used to be done in 2020, were the last set of agreements and said, the expectation is that the patrolling would resume there, which in fact, is happening as we speak.

The disengagement chapter is done, its implementation will happen in the coming days to everybody's satisfaction.

During this period (post 2020), India-China relationship was also very profoundly affected, because it has always been an assumption on India's side that peace and tranquillity in the border areas is a prerequisite for the development of bilateral ties, he mentioned.

He also drew attention to what was agreed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in their first bilateral meeting after five years, that the foreign minister and the national security advisor would meet their counterparts and find ways to normalise the relationship.

And how do you establish an equilibrium between yourselves at in the border, border areas, which happens to be disputed as well, as well as establish a working relationship in on other issues, he said and termed them as a very complex set of issues that require a lot of thinking and management.

Jaishankar also spoke about how India balances its position as a member of both the BRICS bloc, which he explained is non-west but not anti-west, and QUAD.

Highlighting the importance of the Indian diaspora, the Indian minister said the change in India-US relations can be almost completely correlated with the growth of the diaspora in the United States and asked Australia to learn from it.

The more the diaspora is made comfortable, the more they are seen as equal partners in Australia, the more they are likely to serve, actually, almost as the ballast of the growing relationship, Jaishankar added.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Foggy early. Then periods of showers this afternoon. Thunder possible. High 61F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Rain. Low around 50F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch.
WEST TOWNSHEND  After five years of planning and fundraising, the Follett Stone Arch Bridge was carefully restored in five months and reopened to the public.

"We're really excited that we got this project completed," Brian Post, owner of Standing Stone LLC, said at a well-attended ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday.

The bridge is just off Route 30 on Back Windham Road. Aware that it needed restoration work for about a decade, Post said he was "really excited" to be involved in some of the early consulting for the project then gradually seeing it come together before becoming the lead contractor.

About 20 professional stone workers participated in the project. Post said they came from Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, with one coming from Washington state.

"It was just a tremendous joy to bring such a good team of highly skilled craftspeople together to work on this special project," Post said.

Historic Stone Arch Bridge restoration project begins WEST TOWNSHEND  After five years of fundraising and planning, the restoration of the histor

In 1910, the bridge was built by Townshend resident James Otis Follett. He also built other bridges in the area.

Issues were becoming apparent about a century after the construction of the West Townshend bridge, Post said. Examples he cited included the side walls pushing outwards due to frost and heavy loads, the bedrock ledge underneath the bridge deteriorating and the railing starting to fall off.

During the restoration, Post's team tore the bridge down to the stones that make up the arch.

"Those stones stayed in place, supported by a form, while we did the work," Post said. "And throughout the process ... you had a big wooden scaffold up that just came down last week."

Drainage issues were addressed. Another priority involved making the bridge safe for modern day use with new guard rails, Post said.

Post and Townshend Historical Society President Charlie Merchant thanked the neighbors for their support of the project and their patience. Neighbors allowed for their property to host equipment, brought refreshments to the workers and navigated longer commutes.

Post and Marchant also thanked the town road crew, Select Board, funders and donors.

"This project wouldn't have happened in this way without all of those folks," Marchant said. "This would have probably turned into some concrete, pre-cast box culvert or something. And now we have a bridge that's been here for 114 years, and it should be good for another 100 to 200 years, if not longer."

Marchant said the project was supported by the voters of Townshend; a Save Americas Treasures Grant of congressionally-designated funds secured by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, and administered by the National Park Service; a Vermont Division for Historic Preservation 2024 Preservation Grant; and many individual donors.
Italy's Venice is called one of the most beautiful and unique cities in the world, which is why it suffers from huge crowds of tourists wanting to admire its charms. This makes those who do not like crowds look for interesting alternatives.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to the Express, one of them can be found in the French Alps. Yes, a small but extremely picturesque town is located not on the seashore but in the mountains, and it has already been nicknamed the "Venice of the Alps". We are talking about Annecy, which is located on the shores of the mountain lake of the same name.

The medieval French pearl combines its location above the blue waters with breathtaking mountain views. And this combination is gorgeous, say tourists who have already visited Annecy.

To admire its beauty, you need to take a walk in the old town. You won't be disturbed by crowds of tourists. Besides, accommodation here is much cheaper.

Every week, Annecy hosts a large fair where local craftsmen demonstrate traditional Savoyard crafts. You can also try the delicacies of local cuisine.

A night in a good hotel here will cost 1.5-2 thousand hryvnias. A meal for one day will cost around 250 hryvnias.

The city center is not the only must-see place in Annecy. It is also worth taking a stroll in the park on the shore and admiring the picturesque mountain lake.

At its southern end there is a nature reserve that boasts well-groomed hiking trails and scenic views.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
Greta Thunberg appeared at an anti-government rally in Tbilisi on November 4. "I am here to support the fight for democracy and freedom of the Georgian people," the Swedish climate activist told RFE/RL. Thousands marched in the streets of the Georgian capital, demanding a rerun of the October 26 parliamentary elections. President Salome Zurabishvili and the opposition believe the polls were rigged. After international observers documented vote buying and double voting, Georgian authorities said they launched investigations into 47 cases of suspected election fraud.
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.

I'm RFE/RL's China Global Affairs Correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now.

Minding The Transatlantic Gap

China is looking to capitalize on a transatlantic rift between the United States and Europe that is widening as U.S. President Donald Trump looks to quickly end the war in Ukraine.

But how much of an opening is there actually for Beijing?

Finding Perspective: The threat of tariffs, a war of words at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, U.S.-Russia talks that excluded Europe and Kyiv, and a standoff at the United Nations over how to commemorate the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine have all been recent fissures between Washington and European governments.

That brought new questions about relying on the United States to European capitals and left an opening for Beijing, which has been trying to woo back Europe over the past four years.

On the sidelines in Munich, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral meetings with several top European officials, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Spain's foreign minister seems to be at least more open to the idea of keeping China closer amid tensions with the United States.

Jose Manuel Albares told the Financial Times that the European Union should craft its own China policy and not follow the more confrontational line with Beijing advocated by those in the Trump administration.

"Europe must take its own decisions, on its own. And we have to decide when China can be a partner and when China is a competitor," Albares told the newspaper.

How We Got Here: During Trump's first term in office, Washington pushed European governments to take a harder line on China. That led to the bloc labeling China a "systemic rival" in 2019.

The Chinese government's untransparent handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, trade, human rights, and supply chain concerns, and Beijing's backing of Russia throughout the war in Ukraine all saw that harder line solidify in Europe under former U.S. President Joe Biden's tenure.

Now amid growing transatlantic tensions, some European governments see following Trump's tough stance on China as a way to win over Washington. Others, like the Spanish government, are arguing to preserve vital economic ties with Beijing, especially amid growing uncertainty about the United States.

This has even led to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, one of Brussels's more hawkish voices on China, calling in January for a new effort to improve relations between Brussels and Beijing.

A True Rift? Tensions on each side of the Atlantic are real.

Following his party's victory in elections on February 23, Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting for the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said the Trump administration "does not care much about the fate of Europe" and that the Continent needs to act accordingly.

"My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the U.S.A.," he said.

Talk of a seismic shift in the geopolitical order is also under way in Brussels.

One EU official recently back from discussions with U.S. officials told RFE/RL that the White House's focus is on ending the war in Ukraine and that there is a "take it or leave it" attitude from Washington.

The Trump administration wants to "remove the Ukraine issue from the table and move on to other issues. It is becoming clear that Trump's goal is to rule the world together with Russia and China" and work toward "strategically separating them from each other," said the official, who was granted anonymity in order to discuss sensitive matters.

Why It Matters: Europe may be grappling with a realignment, but that doesn't mean China is its only option to hedge.

As European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visit Washington, von der Leyen is set to arrive in India on February 27.

James Crabtree, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told me that "it's hard to imagine a better time to re-energize Europe's and India's historically lackluster ties" and that a focus of the trip will be technology cooperation.

"A meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council -- only the second since its foundation in 2023 -- offers opportunities to deepen collaboration in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to clean technologies," he said.

China may also be short on opportunities, with most EU members unable to look past its support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine. The bloc's most recent sanctions package passed on February 24 once again included Chinese companies and individuals.

What is likely to emerge is a more fragmented Europe when it comes to China. While some governments look to countries like India, South Korea, and Japan to balance out their foreign policy, others -- such as the current Spanish government and Hungary -- will keep courting Chinese investment and create new openings for Beijing.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. A Reverse Nixon?

China publicly backed the Trump administration's recent talks with the Kremlin, but analysts and former U.S. officials I spoke with mostly said the prospect of a U.S.-Russia reset is also making Beijing "nervous" about having less leverage over its partner.

The Details: "While a complete rapprochement might not be in the cards, they're nervous because if Trump lifts sanctions on Russia, then Moscow's dependency on China decreases," Dennis Wilder, who was a top White House China adviser to former U.S. President George W. Bush, told me.

One of the hallmarks of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's foreign policy has been a burgeoning strategic partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin that's grown closer since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Beijing has propped up the Russian economy through enhanced trade and energy purchases while fueling the Kremlin's war effort with the supply of key goods as both Xi and Putin have found common ground in wanting to challenge the West and unseat the United States.

The fear of all that being derailed by a new type of U.S.-Russia relationship born out of a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine is real for Beijing.

Wilder says he's had conversations with "very senior Chinese officials" since Trump's election in November who have expressed concern about a potential U.S.-Russia reset.

He says they've used the phrase "Only Trump goes to Moscow," a play on the historical reference to former U.S. President Richard Nixon's landmark visit to Beijing in 1972, when he defied precedent and courted China to exploit its split with the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War.

2. But Can It Work?

A grand bargain would be a major diplomatic feat, but it's something Trump administration officials have hinted at in public comments of late.

What You Need To Know: The Trump administration has made clear it sees managing a long-term rivalry with China as its top foreign policy objective and may look to deprioritize regions like Europe and the Middle East in order to raise pressure on Beijing in Asia.

Following the talks in Riyadh, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the possibility for future "geopolitical and economic cooperation" between Washington and Moscow was among the key points discussed.

And in an interview this month with The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington was prepared to reset the relationship with the Kremlin following an agreement over Ukraine as a move to end Russia's isolation and its growing dependence on China since the war began.

"It's not in Putin's interest to be the little brother in a coalition with China," Vance said.

The thinking is that even new cracks between the two powers may loosen Moscow's alignment with Beijing and could have a deterrent effect on China, especially if it decides to use military force to take Taiwan.

Still, both Beijing and Moscow are aware of what the White House is trying to do, and Beijing has made a point to show it and Moscow are still a tandem, including a recent phone call between Putin and Xi on the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

Steve Tsang, director of SOAS University London's China Institute, told me he believes Washington's efforts to reset its Russia ties are also not all bad news for Beijing.

"Xi does not want Putin to fail in the war, and so Trump delivering a peace that mostly meets Russian conditions is a positive," he said. "Who knows who will be the next U.S. president and if there will be a reversal of U.S. posture post-Trump."

3. Taiwan Watches A New U.S. Line On Ukraine

Ukrainians living in Taiwan and local supporters protested outside the de-facto Russian Embassy in Taipei on the eve of the third anniversary of Moscow's invasion.

What It Means: The self-governing island has been a vocal supporter of Kyiv, which the Taiwanese government sees as a foil for its own tenuous geopolitical position where China has long threatened to invade and annex Taiwan if it refused to peacefully accept unification.

Those parallels have grown since Trump's election. The United States is Taiwan's largest military backer and its support is considered vital for its survival, but Trump's global shakeup, including launching negotiations with Russia without Ukraine and threatening to cut off future aid to Kyiv, has brought anxiety to Taiwan about a similar withdrawal of American assistance.

When I was in Taiwan in December, I spoke with several senior officials who said they were closely watching what happened to Kyiv on the battlefield and with the new U.S. administration.

So far, the White House has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan, but Washington has also threatened tariffs on the island's semiconductor industry, which is responsible for around 60 percent of world production for microchips and 90 percent of the most-advanced ones needed for the global AI boom.

Across The Supercontinent

Choking Off Iranian Oil: Earlier this month, the United States brought in a new tranche of sanctions on Iranian oil, my colleague Kian Sharifi and I reported . The move is seen as an opening shot against Tehran and Beijing -- Iran's top oil customer.

New Bridge Deal: The Transport Ministry of Tajikistan and the Tajik branch of the Chinese company Zhejiang Communications Construction Group (ZCCC) signed a cooperation agreement for the construction of what will be the longest road bridge in Central Asia.

New Tools For Tashkent: Uzbekistan showcased on February 25 newly purchased Chinese-made air-defense systems, including the FM-90 short-range surface-to-air missile system and the KS-1C medium-to-long-range air-defense system.

One Thing To Watch

A Chinese-crewed cargo ship is detained in Taiwan's southern port of Tainan after a key Taiwan-Penghu Internet cable was mysteriously severed.

Taiwanese prosecutors are investigating whether this was an accident or part of a broader pattern of disruptions to vital communication lines, but the country's Coast Guard released footage of them apprehending the vessel.

The move comes amid growing tensions from a rise of so-called gray zone tactics, the term often used by Taiwanese officials to refer to the hybrid tactics used to intimidate the island but which remain below the threshold for war.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish
US President Donald Trump has urged Russia to agree to a 30-day cease-fire, warning he would slap additional sanctions on the country if it refused the US proposal, as Moscow made more gains on the battlefield.



"Russia has no way out but cease-fire. If needed we will sanction it, but I hope we won't need to," Trump told reporters at the White House on March 12.



"In a financial sense we can do very unpleasant, very bad things, devastating for Russia, but I don't want to," he said.



His comments come a day after Kyiv agreed to the temporary cease-fire following nine hours of talks with Trump administration officials in Saudi Arabia.



Trump has made ending Russia's more than three-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine a top priority since taking office for a second term less than two months ago, quickly dispatching his top officials to Moscow and Kyiv to prepare the groundwork for peace talks.



He has used Washington's significant leverage over Ukraine -- namely military aid and intelligence sharing -- to get Kyiv to agree to the cease-fire proposal, which if implemented, would leave almost 20 percent of the country in Russia's hands for the time being, at least.



But Trump lacks that type of leverage with Russia, which has navigated sweeping US and European sanctions placed on its economy following the invasion much better than most experts forecasted.

Putin may seek to drag out talks with the US over a cease-fire to improve Russia's position on the battlefield and hence at the negotiating table when and if Moscow and Kyiv hammer out a peace deal.

As Trump spoke at the White House, Putin was visiting troops in Russia's Kursk region, where fierce fighting is currently taking place and Moscow's forces are advancing.

Ukraine seized a swath of the Kursk region in a stealth incursion in August seen as an effort to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and use the territory as a bargaining chip during any peace talks.

That strategy is now at risk of failing as Russian forces slowly push the Ukrainians out of Kursk. Russians forces have retaken more than half the territory initially captured by Ukraine.

Putin's visit to Kursk was his first since the incursion and signals the momentum Russia has in that theater of the war. The Kremlin leader urged his troops to retake the region in its entirety "as soon as possible."

Ukraine's top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskiy, said that fighting continued in and around Sudzha, the largest town in the part of the region that Ukraine occupied.

Unconfirmed reports on March 12 indicated that Ukraine has begun to draw back units as Russian officials claimed their troops had captured more settlements, including Sudzha.

"Despite increased pressure from the Russian and North Korean forces, we will maintain the defense of the Kursk region as long as it is appropriate and necessary," Syrskiy wrote on Telegram.

In a Facebook post, Syrskiy said that saving soldiers lives is a priority and that Ukrainian troops "maneuver to more favorable positions, if necessary," wording often used top describe a retreat.

Concessions?

Trump hinted that Ukraine would have to make concessions on land, something more and more experts say is inevitable given Russia's momentum on the battlefield.

"When we talk cease-fire [with Ukraine], we talked land, who's withdrawing -- we discussed a lot of things [with Ukraine]," Trump said.

"We don't want to waste time, people are dying. Russia is not in the best situation now. I hope [Putin] gets a cease-fire."

Earlier in the day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the cease-fire proposal and said he hoped it would be used as a draft for a lasting peace deal that included security guarantees for Ukraine.

"It's now up to Russia what is next," he said at a March 12 press conference, and whether "it wants to continue its aggression against Ukraine or not."

On the streets of Kyiv, some Ukrainians told RFE/RL's Current Time that they doubted whether Russia would sign on to, and adhere to, a cease-fire deal.

"I'm not sure what to say, but it all seems implausible, frankly speaking," said one Kyiv man, while a woman in the capital said the cease-fire talks were "meaningless without Russia taking part."

Moscow has so far declined to comment on the specifics of the proposal for the 30-day cease-fire, and it's unclear whether Putin has made up his mind on the agreement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was "carefully studying" the joint US-Ukraine statement issued following the Jeddah talks and will wait to comment until Russian negotiators receive more detailed information from Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who represented the United States at the talks, said Washington "will have contact with Russians" today.

Trump on March 11 said he would soon speak with Putin to secure his commitment. Mike Waltz, the White House national-security adviser, spoke with his Russian counterpart on March 12, while Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff also planned to travel to Moscow, possibly to meet Putin.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe held a phone call with Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, late on March 11, the Interfax news agency reported.

Rubio told reporters on March 12 in first comments since leaving the talks in Jeddah that the United States hoped to have a positive answer from Russia toward the cease-fire deal and "strongly urge[s] Russians to end all hostilities.

Konstantin Kosachev, an influential lawmaker in Russia's upper house of parliament, seemed to imply that Moscow would not simply accept the US-backed ceasefire proposal but attach conditions, taking into account that Russian forces have the momentum on the battlefield.

"Russia is advancing, and therefore it will be different with Russia," Kosachyov said in a Telegram post.

"Any agreements (with all understanding of the need for compromise) will be on our terms, not American," he said. "And this is not boasting, but an understanding that real agreements are still being written there, on the front line. Which Washington should also understand."

Rubio also said Ukraine will need a strong deterrent to prevent future attacks and that Europeans will "need to be involved in this regard." He added that further discussions would need to tackle to topic of the European Union lifting sanctions on the Russian economy.

"I would imagine that in any negotiation, if we get there, hopefully with the Russians, they will raise these European sanctions that have been imposed upon them," Rubio said.

Moscow has so far been against a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Russia's position during an interview with three right-wing US bloggers that it will under no conditions accept the presence of NATO forces in Ukraine.

Minerals Deal

Washington and Kyiv could sign a framework agreement as early as this week on sharing the revenue generated from Ukraine's mineral resources.

Trump and Zelenskyy intended to sign the deal during their meeting at the Oval Office on February 28. However, the two got into a heated, public exchange over security guarantees for Ukraine and the meeting was abruptly ended without any deal.

Rubio cautioned that he "would not couch [the] minerals deal as a security guarantee." But he added that "if the United States has a vested economic interest thats generating revenue for our people as well as for the people of Ukraine, wed have a vested interest in protecting it if it were to be challenged or threatened."

The parade of comments come after Russia and Ukraine traded air attacks overnight just hours after Kyiv agreed to accept the cease-fire proposal.

Two Russian missile strikes hit the central Ukrainian city of Kryviy Rih on March 12, killing one person, while a separate attack killed four crew members of a cargo ship near the southern port city of Odesa.

Russia's Defense Ministry said its air-defense systems shot down six drones overnight on March 12, one over Ukraine's Russia-annexed Crimea and five over the Black Sea. The Krymsky Veter Telegram channel reported loud explosions and air-raid sirens over Crimean towns and near Russian military sites.

The United States announced after the talks in Saudi Arabia that it would immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and restore military aid to Ukraine, which could be a boost to Ukrainian forces. Ukraine's battlefield positions have been under heavy pressure, particularly in Russia's Kursk region.
A senior aide to President Vladimir Putin has rejected any temporary cease-fire with Ukraine just hours before a US delegation arrived in Russia for talks with Moscow where they will urge the Kremlin to agree to a 30-day cease-fire proposal or face sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion: News & Analysis RFE/RL's Ukraine Live Briefing gives you the latest developments on Russia's invasion, Western military aid, the plight of civilians, and territorial control maps. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said in an interview broadcast on state television on March 13 that U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed cease-fire, which Kyiv has agreed to, would only give Ukraine time to recover from pressure Russia has been exerting on its troops.

"I have stated our position that this is nothing other than a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military, nothing more," said Ushakov, Ushakov, who has more than half a century of involvement in diplomacy and is considered to be the Kremlin's chief foreign policy adviser.

He added that he had laid out Moscow's position in a phone call to US national-security adviser Mike Waltz a day earlier.

"It seems to me that no one needs any steps that (merely) imitate peaceful actions in this situation," he said, noting that Russia wants a long-term settlement that addresses its interests and concerns into account.

During a March 12 White House meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Trump expressed confidence about securing a cease-fire for Ukraine and said that U.S. negotiators were traveling to Russia right now, as we speak.

On March 13, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the US team reportedly headed up by Trump's special envoy. The state news agency TASS later reported that the envoy, Steve Witkoff, had arrived in Moscow.

Trump had earlier told reporters that Russia "has no way out but cease-fire. If needed, we will sanction it, but I hope we won't need to."

The US President has made ending Russia's more than three-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine a top priority since taking office for a second term less than two months ago, quickly dispatching his top officials to Moscow and Kyiv to prepare the groundwork for peace talks.

His latest comments on the war come after Kyiv agreed to the temporary cease-fire plan following nine hours of talks with Trump administration officials in Saudi Arabia.

At the same time, it is unclear how interested Russia is in the idea, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to speak on Ukraine on March 13 after talks with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko.

"Regrettably, for more than a day already, the world has yet to hear a meaningful response from Russia to the proposals made," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on X on March 13.

"This once again demonstrates that Russia seeks to prolong the war and postpone peace for as long as possible. We hope that U.S. pressure will be sufficient to compel Russia to end the war," he added.

Putin Visits Kursk

As Trump spoke at the White House, Russian President Vladimir Putin was donning combat fatigues for a visit to troops in Russia's Kursk region, where fierce fighting is currently taking place and Moscow's forces are advancing.

Ukraine seized a swath of the Kursk region in a stealth incursion in August, a move seen as an effort to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and use the territory as a bargaining chip in any peace talks.

That strategy is now at risk of failing as Russian forces slowly push the Ukrainians out of Kursk, having retaken more than half the territory initially captured by Ukraine.

During his visit to Kursk -- his only visit since the incursion began -- Putin urged his troops to retake the region in its entirety "as soon as possible."

He also said that captured Ukrainian soldiers would be treated as "terrorists."

In an interview with Current Time, the editor in chief of Novaya Gazeta Evropa, Kirill Martynov, said that the US proposal of a cease-fire free of additional conditions had angered pro-war elements in Russian society, including so called Z-Channels on Telegram.

Putins appearance in military garb was a response, said Martynov, and a way of showing this more aggressive group of citizens that everything is under control, and he continues to wage war.

Absolutely in his style, after the situation has improved [in the Kursk region], he appears and takes credit for what is happening, Martynov said.

Unconfirmed reports on March 12 indicated that Ukraine has begun to draw back units as Russian officials claimed their troops had captured more settlements, including Sudzha, the largest settlement that Ukraine had taken in the offensive.

Ukraine's top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskiy, said that fighting continued in and around Sudzha.

"Despite increased pressure from the Russian and North Korean forces, we will maintain the defense of the Kursk region as long as it is appropriate and necessary," Syrskiy wrote on Telegram.

In a Facebook post, Syrskiy said that saving soldiers lives is a priority and that Ukrainian troops would "maneuver to more favorable positions, if necessary," wording often used to describe a retreat.

Concessions?

Trump has so far used Washington's significant leverage over Ukraine -- namely military aid and intelligence sharing -- to get Kyiv to agree to the cease-fire proposal, which, if implemented, would leave almost 20 percent of the country in Russia's hands for the time being at least.

The United States announced after the talks in Saudi Arabia that it would immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and restore military aid to Ukraine, which could be a boost to Ukrainian forces, whose battlefield positions have been under heavy pressure, particularly in Kursk.

Trump lacks that kind of leverage with Russia, which has navigated sweeping US and European sanctions placed on its economy following the invasion much better than most experts forecasted.

Putin may seek to drag out talks with Washington over a cease-fire to improve Russia's position on the battlefield, experts say, and hence at the negotiating table when and if Moscow and Kyiv hammer out a peace deal.

Trump has also hinted that Ukraine would have to make concessions on land, something more and more experts say is inevitable given Russia's momentum on the battlefield.

"When we talk cease-fire [with Ukraine], we talked land, who's withdrawing -- we discussed a lot of things [with Ukraine]," Trump said.

"We don't want to waste time, people are dying. Russia is not in the best situation now. I hope [Putin] gets a cease-fire."

Trump has said fresh sanctions could do "very unpleasant, very bad things, devastating for Russia," but has offered few details.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the cease-fire proposal and said he hoped it would be used as a draft for a lasting peace deal that included security guarantees for Ukraine.

"It's now up to Russia what is next," he said at a March 12 press conference, and whether "it wants to continue its aggression against Ukraine or not."

Moscow has so far declined to comment on the specifics of the proposal for the 30-day cease-fire.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was "carefully studying" the joint US-Ukraine statement issued following the Jeddah talks and will wait to comment until Russian negotiators receive more detailed information from Washington.

Reaction on the streets of Moscow, however, was mixed, with one man saying that "agreeing to a truce now, when the enemy is weakened, is completely inappropriate and wrong."

But others welcomed the news. "We just want this to end as soon as possible so that people stop dying," said one woman in the Russian capital. "So many have already perished."

Meanwhile, on the streets of Kyiv, some Ukrainians told RFE/RL's Current Time that they doubted whether Russia would sign on to, and adhere to, a cease-fire deal.

"I'm not sure what to say, but it all seems implausible, frankly speaking," said one Kyiv man, while a woman in the capital said the cease-fire talks were "meaningless without Russia taking part."


Viewed of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
In the United States, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has issued a new warning about Argentine black-and-white Tegu lizards, which have been wreaking havoc in the state for years. These reptiles can grow up to 1.5 meters long.

ADVERTISIMENT

The agency has received 114 reports from 27 counties claiming to have seen a dog-sized lizard. These non-native scaly ones have deliberately invaded the state's natural ecosystem and eat the eggs of quail, turkeys, alligators, and land birds, the DailyMail writes.

State herpetologist Andrew Gross said that the first Tegu was discovered in South Carolina in 2020. Since then, the Department of Natural Resources has confirmed 32 sightings in 17 counties.

In addition to eating the eggs of native birds, Argentine lizards also prey on young gopher tortoises, which are endangered in the Palmetto State. Therefore, these reptiles are banned from breeding in South Carolina.

ADVERTISIMENT

Despite the ban, people who own Tegu as pets are allowed to keep their lizards, but they must register them with the SCDNR. However, there are cases when people release these reptiles into the wild because they grow large.

Wild populations of the Tegu are known to exist in Florida and Georgia.

Zoologists advise against catching these lizards with your bare hands. Although its bite is not venomous, it can be extremely strong and painful.

The Department of Natural Resources has urged anyone who sees a Tegu to contact them immediately by phone or email and, if possible, send a photo.

Residents are even allowed to shoot the invasive reptile, but only if it is legal to do so in the area.

According to zoologists, Argentine black-and-white Tegu are native to Paraguay, northern Argentina and eastern Uruguay. These lizards can withstand the cold and raise their body temperature by 50 degrees above the current climate.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Isabel Hayes and Eimear Dodd

Former rugby international Brendan Mullin has been found guilty of stealing hundreds of thousands of euros from Bank of Ireland Private Bank when he was its managing director a decade ago.

The jury returned guilty verdicts in 12 of the 14 charges before the court on Tuesday after nearly seven hours of deliberating. Mullin made no visible reaction when the verdicts were handed down.

Mullin (61) stood trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court accused of nine counts of stealing more than 570,000 from the bank between 2011 and 2013, along with five false accounting charges. He had denied all charges against him.

The jury was directed by the trial judge to return a verdict of not guilty on a further count of deception alleging Mullin induced two bank workers to sign a payment authorisation letter.

The three-week trial heard allegations Mullin, of Stillorgan Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, was acting dishonestly when he arranged for sums of money to be paid by the private bank to McCann Fitzgerald solicitors, Beechwood accountants and Grant Thornton for work that had been done either for him personally or for his firm Quantum Investment Strategies.

The prosecution further alleged that Mullin stole 500,000 from Bank of Ireland during a breakdown in communication within various arms of the banking group, with the money ultimately being transferred to a company called Spice Holdings, registered in the British Virgin Islands.

The court heard Spice Holdings was a client that Mr Mullin had brought into the bank.

The jury returned not guilty verdicts on two of the charges before the court relating to Beechwood Partners. These related to an alleged theft of 6,150 from the private bank for work carried out by this company for Mr Mullin and a false accounting charge related to the same.

Judge Martin Nolan thanked the jury for its hard work and diligence. He remanded Mullin on continuing bail for the time being.

The matter will return to court later on Tuesday to set a sentencing date.
The posthumous mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun is one of the most iconic Egyptian relics. However, researchers say it may not have been intended for the late ruler.

ADVERTISIMENT

The team from the University of York in the UK says that the holes in the mask's ears indicate that it was actually intended for a high-ranking woman or child, possibly Tutankhamun's stepmother Nefertiti, whose body has not been found. Scientists suggest that the sudden death of the young king at the age of 18 may have led to the use of a mask made for another person for his burial, DailyMail writes.

"This mask was not made for an adult male pharaoh. When we compared the gold, we found that the face was made of a completely different gold than the rest of the mask," said archaeology professor Joanne Fletcher.

The researchers came up with the new theory after re-examining historical records of the 1922 excavation. They found references to body modifications that were not consistent with ancient Egyptian tradition.

ADVERTISIMENT

One document caught Fletcher's attention, which read: "One feature that has been overlooked for a long time has been honed in on  the clearly pierced ears on the posthumous mask."

While pharaohs wore earrings, the modifications were not carried over to the posthumous mask. The piercings were only on those made for the masks of queens and children, the researchers note.

Prof. Fletcher said she is certain that the famous posthumous mask was not designed specifically for Tutankhamun. However, this idea was first put forward in 2015 by Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves, who claimed that the golden face covering was originally made for Queen Nefertiti, the young king's stepmother.

ADVERTISIMENT

It is known that Nefertiti married Tutankhamun's father, Akhenaton. But the queen's tomb has not yet been found.

However, the tomb of King Tutankhamun, who ascended the Egyptian throne at the age of only nine and ruled from 1332 to 1323 BC, was discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter, historians say. An ancient crypt was unearthed in the Valley of the Kings, which was filled to the brim with all kinds of valuables, including the famous golden mask of the young ruler.

Joanne Fletcher has suggested that the clues on the mask mean that Tutankhamun's burial was rushed. Archaeologists have also documented paint stains on the tomb wall that indicate it did not dry when the tomb was quickly prepared for burial.

ADVERTISIMENT

Some experts suspect that Tutankhamun was murdered, while others believe that health problems led to his death. After all, the young pharaoh had clubfoot, cleft palate, bone disease, and scoliosis. Such diseases could have been provoked by the fact that his father and mother were brother and sister. And such couples often give birth to sick children.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Roscommon-Galway Independent Ireland TD, Michael Fitzmaurice, will decide this week on what constituency he will contest in the forthcoming general election.

Since the Roscommon-Galway constituency was redrawn, there has been speculation that Mr Fitzmaurice might run in Galway East.

Mr Fitzmaurice was first elected to the Dail in 2014 and topped the poll in 2020. Under the new boundary, a population of 16,330 in 32 County Galway electoral districts in the constituency of Roscommon-Galway were transferred to Galway East.

Speaking to the Herald on Monday, Deputy Fitzmaurice said that a meeting is planned either tonight, Tuesday November 5th, or Wednesday to finalise the matter.

There are a few different scenarios we can go through, said Deputy Fitzmaurice.

The bottom line is if I moved constituency, I would be taking a huge risk. To be honest about it, I would be putting my political future on the line if I moved, he said.
Gardai have confirmed this evening, Monday, that the investigation into the alleged assault on a minor in Ballaghaderreen does not involve anyone seeking international protection

In a message posted this evening on its X (Twitter) account, An Garda Siochana said it was aware of a significant degree of misinformation in circulation online.

The message went on to say that shortly after midnight on Friday, November 1st 2024, Gardai received a report of an alleged assault at a location in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.

Gardai outlined that all of the circumstances surrounding this alleged incident are under investigation.

Please be aware that this investigation does not involve anyone seeking international protection.

"We are advising the public to also be mindful of the fact that those involved in this investigation are children as defined by the Children Act, 2001, said An Garda Siochana.

Gardai also appealed to the public "to always independently verify the content published on social media and which may be shared with you through a direct messaging app".
The first of three public consultation sessions on a proposed windfarm straddling parts of the border in southwest Roscommon takes place this evening, Tuesday.

The Derryfada wind farm project planned on Derryfadda, Boughill and Gowla bogs in East Galway is being jointly developed by Bord na Mona and SSE Renewables.

The proposed development is adjacent to communities in Ballygar, Ballyforan and Ahascragh, and the two companies have organised a number of local public consultation sessions this week on the proposed development.

The project team will be on hand to discuss queries, and to provide the most up-to-date information on the proposed development.

The first meeting takes place this evening, Tuesday, November 5th, in Ballyforan Community Centre. Two other meetings will take place on Wednesday, November 6th at the Mattie McDonagh Centre, Market Square, Ballygar; and on Thursday, November 7th in Ahascragh Community Centre. Each session will take place between 5 p.m. and 8.30 p.m..

Its understood that the draft wind turbine layout will be available at the second round of public consultations in the New Year where details on the setback distance, location, height and number of proposed turbines will be provided.

The electricity generated by the turbines would be transmitted directly onto Irelands National Grid which is managed by EirGrid for distribution around the country.

Earlier this year, Bord na Mona and SSE Renewables announced their formation of a joint venture to develop a series of onshore wind energy projects. The proposed Derryfadda Wind Farm will be developed as part of the joint venture.

SSE Renewables is a leading developer and operator of renewable energy, headquartered in the UK and Ireland, with a growing presence internationally.
As part of an on-going investigation into organised criminal activity and burglaries in Roscommon. Mayo, Longford, Westmeath and Sligo, Gardai arrested three males in the Dublin Metropolitan Region today (Tuesday, November 5th).

The operation involved the search of four properties in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) where North Western Region personnel were assisted by members from the Armed Support Unit, DMR West and DMR South along with DMR Regional support and members from Athlone.

It was part of an investigation into 29 burglaries in counties Mayo, Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath and Sligo. During the course of the searches, property was seized which is believed to be the proceeds of organised criminal activity, which included a Rolex watch, designer handbags and shoes, substantial amounts of cash. Other property recovered included mobile phones, multiple car keys and log books of vehicles.

Three males (aged 26, 21 and a juvenile) were arrested and taken to Garda stations in the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division, where they are being detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007.
Michael Bolton

Three men have been arrested in connection with 29 burglaries across Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Longford and Westmeath.

The men were arrested in Dublin on Tuesday after searches of four properties in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.

During the course of the searches, property was seized which is believed to be the proceeds of organised criminal activity, which included a role watch, designer handbags and shoes and a substantial amount of cash.

Other property recovered included mobile phones, multiple car keys and log books of vehicles.

Three men, aged 26, 21, and a juvenile were arrested and taken to Garda stations in Mayo, Roscommon and Longford.
BOZEMAN  Montana State University will host nearly 1,800 high school and middle school students from across the state Nov. 14-16 for the annual Montana FFA Ag Expo.

The event includes leadership development workshops, education about career options with industry representatives, and tours of MSU research and academic facilities. Students will also compete in FFA activities, such as quiz bowls and livestock judging, which will be hosted both on campus and at the Gallatin County fairgrounds.

The expo is the result of a partnership between the university, Montana John Deere dealers  C&B Operations, Frontline Ag Solutions and RDO Equipment Co.  and the Montana FFA Foundation. The foundation supports 111 FFA chapters and over 7,000 members across the state. Its mission is to cultivate partnerships, promote awareness and secure resources to enhance agricultural education and opportunities for students.

The expo is largely a volunteer-run event, requiring hundreds of judges and facilitators to put on the career development events. Those interested in volunteering can sign up at signup.com/client/invitation. No experience is necessary.

Groups can also register to host an exhibit at the expos career show on Friday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. More information on the career fair can be found at montanaffa.org/association/news-events/montana-ffa-ag-expo/.
SIDNEY, MT  Governor Greg Gianforte celebrated National 4-H Week with young Montanans in eastern Montana last week.

Our 4-H programs in rural Montana are raising the next generation of leaders and making our communities stronger, Gianforte said. I am always impressed to visit with young Montanans who are passionate about their projects.

During a visit to the Richland County Fairgrounds, the governor got an overview from over 50 4-H members on their projects and awards won at the Summer 2024 Richland County Fair and Rodeo.

Serving nearly 20,000 Montana kids in all 56 counties each year, Montana 4-H is the largest out-of-school youth development program in the state.

4-H offers more than 200 different projects and experiences that actively engage youth in learning and developing the life skills needed to prepare for meaningful employment, make a positive impact as leaders in their communities, and become well-informed citizens who actively engage in their communities and the world.

This year, Richland County 4-H students raised award-winning steer, goats, and pigs, while also exploring projects like painting, cake decorating, woodworking, ironworking, quilting, floral designing, and music.

In Fallon County, the governor visited with 4-H members to hear about their livestock and indoor projects.

The Fallon County 4-H has over 180 young members and 26 leaders whove completed over 27 projects this year for the fair. One team leader, Kennedy, shared with the governor more about her involvement.

Ive been in 4-H for 10 years. I show horses and swine and do indoor projects such as sewing and leathercraft needlepoint. Ive never been into sports, so through 4-H and FFA, Ive been able to show off my skills, Kennedy said.

Concluding the visit and joining members, Gov. Gianforte read and signed a proclamation to declare the week National 4-H Week in Montana

In December 2022, the governor contributed a quarter of his annual governors salary to the Montana 4-H Foundation, a youth development program empowering young Montanans to lead for a lifetime.
The Montana Historical Society (MTHS) recently welcomed Lunds B Bar Angus Ranch, Wibaux County, to the Centennial Farm and Ranch register.

Randy Lund and his siblings surprised their mother Ethel on her 90th birthday with the Centennial designation honoring her and the Lund familys remarkable longevity on their land. She received the signature MTHS roadside sign, and a framed certificate signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte.

By honoring families who have owned their land for 100 years or more, we help preserve Montanas strong agricultural roots and the stories and traditions that define our rural communities, said Christine Brown, MTHS Outreach and Interpretation historian. These families deserve a hearty pat on the back and recognition for achieving this rare milestone.

The Lund familys legacy weaves together the story of generations of Lund family members working together to keep and eventually merge various farm and ranch lands. Brothers Charles and Melvin Lund each claimed 320-acre homesteads in Wibaux County in 1914. The brothers farmed wheat and shipped eggs, milk and other items via rail from nearby Carlyle to Beach, ND.

Charles and his wife, Lida, had one son  Calvin  and Melvin and his wife Bertha had three sons  Claude, Vernice, and Floyd. In the mid-1920s, cousins Calvin and Claude married sisters Lydia and Janette Stark, respectively. The cousins continued helping on their parents farms, purchased their own land nearby, and raised families of their own. During the droughts of the mid-1930s Charles and Lida retired to Baker and Calvin and Lydia followed suit, opening a Standard Oil dealership while still operating the farm. After Charles and Lida and eventually Calvin passed away, Calvins son Harold, who also operated the Baker Dry Cleaners, farmed their land until 1991.

Meanwhile, Melvin, who had sold his original homestead to purchase another property on the Carlyle Road, began farming with his son Claude in 1925. Claude and Janette later purchased their own farm two miles west and after Melvin and Bertha retired in the late 1940s, continued farming Melvins land. Claudes son Robert (Bob) began farming with him after completing his degree in agricultural economics at Montana State College (MSC) in 1955. Bob married MSC classmate Ethel Swingle in 1956, and in 1957 Claude and Bob started raising registered Angus cattle under the B Bar brand. Their cattle gained widespread recognition and they began acquiring more land and cattle. Claude and Janette semi-retired to Billings in 1973 but stayed active in the operations until they died in 1983 and 1992, respectively.

Bob died in 1989 after a battle with cancer. His wife Ethel, sons Rob and Steve, and his mother Janette assumed the ranch operation. Ethel inherited the original homestead in 1992 along with the first property bought by Claude and Janette, which is where the ranch headquarters are now. In 1994, Ethel also acquired the original Charles Lund homestead after his grandson Harold died.

Today, Melvin Lunds great grandsons Rob and Steve with their respective spouses operate Lunds B Bar Angus Ranch. In addition, Steves two sons Cooper and Angus, with his wife Briley and daughter Emery are also living on and involved in operating the ranch. The original farms established by Charles and Melvin are now part of the approximately 10,000 acres owned by Ethel, Rob, and Steve.
FAIRVIEW - The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Wickens Construction Inc. are wrapping up major operations on the Fairview West project.

The Fairview West project reconstructed six miles of Montana Highway 201 (MT 201), including two miles of new alignment north of Fairview. As part of the realignment, a new intersection was constructed at MT 201 and Montana Highway 200 (MT 200) north of town, which is expected to reduce commercial traffic congestion in Fairview and enhance motorist safety.

"We're happy to be finishing another successful construction season," said Wickens Construction, Inc. Project Manager Mike Lutes. "We're grateful to everyone who slowed down and kept an eye out for our crews in the construction zones."

MDT constructed a roundabout at the intersection of MT 201 and MT 200, along with other improvements, including the reconstruction of the intersection with County Road 350. Further enhancements provided drivers with wider roadways and shoulders, better sight distance, updated and restored pavement markings, and improved signage to safely guide travelers to their destinations.

Roundabouts work well at intersections like the junction of MT 201 and MT 200, where traffic volumes fluctuate throughout the day. By eliminating the need for vehicles to come to a complete stop, roundabouts promote continuous traffic flow during all hours. Drivers simply slow down, look to their left, and merge into the roundabout before traveling around the circle towards their destination.

In the next few weeks, please watch out for crews finishing up shoulder work, like seeding, installing signs, and installing guardrail.

Project Manager Jerry Phillips, MDT Glendive District, expressed appreciation for motorists who were vigilant during the past two construction seasons. "Our road crews worked diligently and safely, but they can only do so much without the attention and care of drivers. We thank everyone who slowed down and respected the 'cone zone' to help protect workers as traffic passed through the project area. We're glad to be on the home stretch and would appreciate your continued caution next spring when we are back out here to chip seal."

Crews will return next spring to apply seal and cover (chip seal) and permanent roadway markings. MDT will get in touch with the schedule and anticipated impacts closer to work resuming.

Visit the project website to learn more: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/fairviewwest.

If you have any questions, comments, or feedback on this project or the public involvement process, please get in touch with Ella Currier at [email protected] or 406-465-7198.
Marilyn J. Olson passed away on Nov. 1, 2024, at Benedictine Living Community, Dickinson, ND. She was born to Clarence and Margaret Bourassa on Nov. 29, 1944, in Scobey, MT. She grew up with her older brother (Ron), whom she was close to throughout her life. Marilyn spent her early years in Whitetail, MT, where she attended primary school, later moving to Spokane, WA, for high school. After graduation, she returned to Montana to join her parents in Crane, where she helped run the family business, the Crane Market.

On May 5, 1989, she married Charles J. Olson, gaining a family of her own as a beloved stepmother to Travis, Leif, and Jennifer. The couple moved to a ranch in Pompey's Pillar in 1990, sharing a love for rural life until Charles's passing in 1994.

Marilyn was dedicated to furthering her skills and pursued studies at May Technical College in Billings. After completing her education, she moved to Livingston, where she worked at Livingston Memorial Hospital as a reception clerk in admissions. She retired in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and professionalism.

Her faith was a significant part of her life. Marilyn was an active member of her church, serving as church council secretary for five years. She contributed her time to various church activities, including quilting for Lutheran World Relief and helping make lefse for the annual Lutefisk dinners.

Marilyn was also involved in the Livingston community. She volunteered with the Meals on Wheels program and was a regular contributor to Loaves and Fishes, a local food bank. She loved her daily walks around Sacagawea Park, where she found peace and joy in the natural surroundings.

In her spare time, Marilyn loved puzzles, crossword puzzles, and word scrambles, always keeping her mind sharp. Known for her wit and humor, she delighted friends and family with her favorite saying: "When God said brains, I thought he said trains, and I guess I missed mine."

Marilyn will be remembered for her warmth, generosity, and commitment to helping others. Her life was a testament to the importance of family, faith, and community.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her stepson, Travis; her brother, Ron; her parents, Clarence and Margaret; and several other beloved family members.

Marilyn is survived by her stepson, Leif (Amber), Pompey's Pillar; her stepdaughter, Jennifer (Fidel), Dickinson, ND; her daughter-in-law, Francisca, Watford City, ND; her grandchildren, Mikala, Shiloah, Aaron, and Charles; and various cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 12. 2024 at 10 a.m., at the American Lutheran Church, Livingston, MT. A reception will immediately follow at the church where a light luncheon will be served. The graveside committal will take place following the reception at Mountain View Cemetery, Big Timber, MT, beginning at 1 p.m.

The family invites you to honor Marilyn with a donation to Loaves and Fishes instead of sending flowers.

To offer condolences visit [email protected].
The Turkish airline Pegasus Airlines has disgraced itself by simplistic objectification of Ukrainian culture in its "city guides" to Ukrainian cities. They are available on board via the airplane's Wi-Fi network.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to the company, it turned out that our country is characterized by selling souvenir nesting dolls, eating allegedly Russian dishes, and wearing clothes with a print of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. OBOZ.UA has collected shameful statements in the "guidebook" that somehow make foreigners believe that Russians and Ukrainians are "one people."

According to the creators of the text guide, it is in Kherson that you can try "different flavors of Ukrainian and Russian cuisine." Among the dishes were borsch and cabbage soup, which were called "delicacies," although for us they are traditional food. Moreover, the Russians called the thick cabbage soup "theirs."

ADVERTISIMENT

"Standing out for its cultural and artistic festivals and vibrant nightlife, Kherson is also one of the most attractive excursion routes for gastronomy lovers. In a city where you can taste different flavors of Ukrainian and Russian cuisine, borsch and cabbage soup, a world-famous Russian dish, are among the most famous delicacies. In Kherson, where meat, chicken, potatoes, and mushrooms predominate, you should also try dumplings, stuffed cabbage, Kyiv-style chicken, and Kyiv-style pilaf," the guidebook says.

The Turkish airline has also not yet deprived Odesa, written in Latin, of another letter "S". The name "Odessa" is still "flaunting" there, although the correct translation from Ukrainian (and not Russian, as the "S" is retained there) does not have the extra letter.

ADVERTISIMENT

However, this is not the only mockery of this port city. According to the creators of the "guidebook," it was during the time of the so-called tsarist Russia that Odesa became a real city by the sea, where industrialization was in full swing.

"Odesa, which changed the face of the Black Sea during the time of Czarist Russia, was also known as the fourth largest city in the Russian Empire in the 20th century after Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Warsaw. With many features such as museums, architectural buildings, theaters and universities, Odesa is one of the most famous cultural centers in the country," the airline is trying to imprint in the minds of tourists.

It is worth noting that the description of the cities does not mention the heritage of Kyivan Rus, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Ukrainian People's Republic, or independence itself after 1991.

ADVERTISIMENT

In Kharkiv, however, as indicated in the "guidebook," you can easily buy clothes with Russian figures and elements of their culture. Moreover, according to the Turks, vodka should be of interest to travelers in Ukrainian cities, as it was also mentioned in the section describing Kherson.

"The most popular goods available in Kharkiv are Ukrainian local clothes, national clothes, T-shirts with Yuri Gagarin's print, homemade vodka, jewelry, and souvenirs describing Ukraine and Kharkiv. In addition, wooden nesting dolls, which are part of Russian culture, are also among the goods that can be bought in Kharkiv," the text guide says.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that a native of Crimea, who was traveling from Russia to Georgia, said that Georgian border guards refused to allow her to enter the country because of her internal passport. According to her, Georgians are completely "out of control".

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Letter To The Editor

As a longtime rancher and legislator, protecting rural Montanans from legislation that infringes upon economic liberties and promotes government interference is my top priority. This is why I vehemently oppose the Biden administrations new tailpipe emissions rule.

The rule dictates that by 2032, at least 56% of new vehicle sales must be Electric Vehicles (EVs). This will severely hurt Montana ranchers, farmers, and workers by increasing personal expenditures to comply with the EPA mandate.

Requiring Montana families to purchase electric cars and/or trucks is simply unfair, especially with the lack of reliability and affordability of these vehicles. Making matters worse, the mandate disregards the lack of proper charging infrastructure across Montanas rural communities. With little to no affordable EV options and being forced to travel greater distances for sufficient recharge, this rule cuts into ranchers and farmers ability to live with economic ease.

In a ranching and farming state that produced $4.54 billion in agricultural products, spanning to more than 24,000 farms and ranches, Montanans need its political leaders to stand up for this critical industry.

Our Congressional representatives must speak up and stop this federal mandate, including supporting the bipartisan Congressional Review Act legislation. Senator Tester is Montanas only Congressional member that has not yet co-sponsored this legislation, despite touting to be Congress only active farmer. I urge Senator Tester to stand with Montana ranchers and farmers and oppose the EPAs federal overreach.

Sen. Steve Hinebauch

Senate District 18

Wibaux, MT
One of five sisters, Kendel Hofer, Williston, ND, had years of duck hunting under her belt before she could even lift a shotgun. Today, she can say she has bagged bucks by bow in North Dakota, elk hunted in Montana, brought down snow geese, and even watched her dad successfully hunt stag in New Zealand.

Her grandfather, Charles Nehring, made hunting a family priority. Both he and his wife, Persis, were excellent shots, competition winning even for his part. Her grandmother encouraged the girls by "cleaning" their faux play game, and everything they packed home from their early hunting adventures, from pigeons to gophers. Kendel fondly remembers pretending to duck hunt with her siblings while her dad and grandfather did the actual shooting, and younger sisters falling asleep amongst the reeds while they waited.

Every fall, her grandpa picked her up early from school for deer opener. Helping his granddaughters fill their tags was a point of pride for him. Once after helping Kendel push brush for a buck she had scouted all summer, he made sure to tell her that he could have shot him, but out of love for her, didn't. He had choice words however when ducks were shot out from under him; even as his sight failed from cataracts.

Family vacations were almost always a hunting trip growing up, and even as an adult they still choose to make them so. Last fall, the Nehring-Hofer family sacrificed two elk hunting seasons to travel to New Zealand to fulfill her father, Dennis Nehring's, dream of hunting stag. The successful hunt was well worth passing on last and this fall's elk season, and they are looking forward to a full season of pheasant hunting close to home.

Kendel loves bird hunting behind a dog, and grew up with Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and then Labrador Retrievers. They transitioned to hunting German Shorthaired Pointers at one point, and today she hunts a German Wirehaired Pointer named Hatchet. Hatchet is a bit more laid back than a German Shorthair in her opinion, and the thicker coat helps her with waterfowl conditions as well. Her dad often steals Hatchet for his own hunts.

Kaston and Kannan, Kendel and her husband Leroy's boys, have been tagging along since they could walk. They enjoy shooting and helping wherever they can. Once when elk hunting, Kasten was so excited about his grandpa and dad downing cow elk, he took off running after them with all the packs and left Kendel to bring the horses on her own. His excitement, and impressive surefootedness with extra gear, made the harvest all the more special.

Conservation is deep in the hearts of Kendel's family, and on their ranch, they are careful to preserve the animal populations that call it home. Each sister that wishes to deer hunt will take a turn claiming a buck each year, and they do not harvest bucks below a certain size to ensure young ones get the years to grow into a mature animal. Bluetongue Disease has ravaged their area, and they hope to encourage the animals that have survived to thrive. They also trap coyotes to further assist the deer and prey animal populations.

Good luck this fall to Kendel and her family on their hunts, and thanks to their care, it's a good winter to be a deer, pheasant, or rabbit on the Nehring-Hofer Ranch!
Punjab Govt Partners with Nalandaway Foundation to Provide Safe Rehabilitation for Needy Kids

The Punjab government has raised new hope for helpless and needy children by implementing special measures for their safe rehabilitation.

Chandigarh: In a significant announcement, the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has taken historic steps to secure a brighter future for children residing in government orphanages and observation homes/special homes. An agreement was signed with the Chennai-based NGO Nalandaway Foundation in Chhatbir to initiate a project focused on art-based rehabilitation and transformation for better care of these children.

This initiative represents a first-of-its-kind, innovative step in Punjab. Following the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government is committed to ensuring the care and protection of needy children, including those living in government child care institutions and those undergoing legal processes. The initiative will emphasize skill development, employment opportunities, and career guidance to equip these children as peers of the 21st century. Additionally, it will include need-based assessments in areas such as guidance, mental and physical fitness, and academic support to provide better opportunities for safe rehabilitation.

Advertisement

The Nalandaway Foundation, which has previously worked in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Delhi, aims to enhance the well-being of these children. It will provide essential support in basic literacy skills like reading and writing, vocational training, and career counseling for children aged 6 to 18 years.

The program will be implemented in up to six government orphanages and five supervised/special homes in the first phase, with plans to extend its scope to four more government-aided orphanages in the next phase.


Canada News: Thousands Rally in Brampton Against Attacks on Hindu Temples

The incident on Sunday saw a violent disruption at an Indian consular camp held at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton.

Canada Brampton Hindu Sabha Mandir Temple Attack Latest news: Over a thousand Canadian Hindus gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton on Monday evening to protest against a series of attacks on Hindu temples across Canada. The demonstration came just a day after the temple was targeted by Khalistani extremists, during the sacred Diwali weekend.

The solidarity rally, organized by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), called on Canadian politicians and law enforcement agencies to take stronger action against the perpetrators and to cease any further support for Khalistani activities. CoHNA shared details of the rally on social media platform X, highlighting the alarming increase in attacks on Hindu temples from coast to coast in Canada.

Advertisement

"Over a thousand #CanadianHindus have gathered in Brampton to protest against the increasingly brazen attacks on Hindu Temples," CoHNA posted. "We ask Canada to stop this #Hinduphobia now!" they added, drawing attention to the widespread concern within the community.

The incident on Sunday saw a violent disruption at an Indian consular camp held at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton. The Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit organization, shared videos of the attack, showing Khalistani extremists targeting women and children.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the "deliberate attack" on the temple, describing the intimidation of Indian diplomats as "appalling." In a statement on X, he said, "Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law."

Advertisement

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also issued a strong condemnation, urging the Canadian government to protect places of worship and prosecute those responsible for the violence. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized concerns for the safety of Indian nationals in Canada, calling on the Canadian authorities to take necessary actions to prevent such incidents in the future.

(For more news apart from Canada Brampton Hindu Sabha Mandir Temple Attack Latest news, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
US Elections 2024: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Face Off in Tight Race as Millions to Vote Today

Primaries and caucuses are crucial in determining the presidential nominees.

US Elections 2024 Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump Latest News Today: Americans are heading to the polls today to cast their votes in the fiercely contested 2024 presidential election, where Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican rival Donald Trump are neck-and-neck.

This marks the 60th presidential election in U.S. history. Out of 230 million eligible voters, approximately 160 million are registered, with over 70 million having already voted via postal ballots or early in-person polling.

Advertisement

Key Facts About the Presidential Election:

Eligibility:

To qualify as a presidential candidate, individuals must meet three constitutional criteria: they must be natural-born U.S. citizens, at least 35 years old, and residents of the United States for 14 years. Once a candidate raises or spends more than $5,000, they are required to register with the Federal Election Commission, appointing a principal campaign committee to handle campaign funds.

Primaries and Caucuses:

Primaries and caucuses are crucial in determining the presidential nominees. Most states conduct primaries six to nine months prior to the election, where voters cast secret ballots to select their preferred candidates. The results influence the allocation of delegates to the candidates.

In contrast, caucuses, which political parties organize, take place at the local level and involve more interactive methods of selecting candidates. Participants may vote by secret ballot or openly align with candidate groups. Delegates are awarded based on the caucus outcomes.

Advertisement

As the nation watches closely, the results of todays election will shape the political landscape of the United States for the coming years.

(For more news apart from US Elections 2024 Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump Latest News Today, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Condemns Attack on Hindu Temple in Canada, Here's What He Said

He further stressed that the actions of a few should not tarnish the image of the entire Punjabi community.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly condemned the attack by Khalistani supporters on the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, Canada, on November 3, 2024. During a press conference in Bathinda, CM Mann emphasized the need for dialogue between the Indian and Canadian governments to prevent such incidents.

CM Mann stated, "What happened in Canada is deeply condemnable. Punjabis consider Canada their second home and do not support such violent acts. I urge the governments of India and Canada to take necessary actions to prevent such occurrences. We, Punjabis, are peaceful and hardworking people, and such incidents should not define our community."

Advertisement

He further stressed that the actions of a few should not tarnish the image of the entire Punjabi community. He added, "If some individuals engage in such activities, it does not mean all Punjabis are like that. Both communities are ours, and we need to maintain harmony. The Indian government must engage with the Canadian government to ensure this doesnt happen again."

Addressing concerns about the incident, CM Bhagwant Mann highlighted the importance of maintaining strong relations between India and Canada. "Many families from Punjab have members living in Canada. Its like a second home to them. People frequently travel between the two countries for festivals and celebrations. We must ensure that these ties remain strong through mutual dialogue and understanding," he said.

When questioned about the role of religious politics, CM Mann asserted, "Engaging in religious politics, especially in other countries, is wrong. The recent incident in Canada has drawn global condemnation. The Indian government has expressed strong objections to the activities of pro-Khalistan groups in Canada, raising this issue on international platforms."

Advertisement

The incident in question involved an attack by Khalistani supporters on devotees at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton. Video footage circulating on social media shows the attackers wielding sticks and carrying Khalistani flags. The attack, which took place during a consular camp organized by the Indian High Commission, has sparked widespread outrage. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the attack, calling for swift action from the Canadian government.
Punjabi Truck Driver Arrested in Michigan with $16.5 Million Worth of Cocaine

Authorities discovered 1,000 grams of cocaine hidden in Singh's truck during the arrest.

Michigan, November 5, 2024: A Punjabi truck driver, identified as 29-year-old Sukhjinder Singh, has been arrested in Michigan with cocaine valued at $16.5 million. Singh was apprehended on Pine Grove Avenue in Port Huron, a city that serves as a key connection between Michigan and Ontario, Canada.

Authorities discovered 1,000 grams of cocaine hidden in Singh's truck during the arrest. The incident highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat drug trafficking across the U.S.-Canada border.

Advertisement

Singh is currently in custody, and investigations are underway to determine the extent of his involvement in the drug smuggling network.
Theodor Aman  Founder of the Romanian Fine Arts School

Theodor Aman (1831-1891)was the first great Romanian classical artist

Theodor Aman  Founder of the Romanian Fine Arts School

Ion Puican, 02.11.2024, 18:21

Theodor Aman (1831-1891), the first great Romanian classical artist, was a Romanian painter, graphic designer, sculptor, pedagogue, and academician, the founder of the first Romanian school of fine arts in Bucharest, together with another great Romanian artist, Gheorghe Tattarescu. Theodor Aman represents for the history of Romanian art the first modern artist in the true sense of the word, influencing and speeding up, at the same time, through his activity in the United Principalities of Moldova and Wallachia, the opening towards cultural modernization and artistic development within the relevant institutions. But how did it all begin? How the idea of founding the School of Fine Arts in Bucharest was born in the mind and soul of this artist, the curator of the Aman Museum within the Bucharest City Museum, museographer Greta Suteu, tells us:

Aman had the chance to leave at 19, like a normal kid today, to leave at 19 from a very, very backward, Ottoman-influenced Wallachia. He had this chance to even reach Paris, which was the capital of culture and art education at the time. But, a 19-year-old child from the space I have indicated arrives in Paris, and discovers a world that had developed according to other rules, completely and totally unknown. He adapts. Hes a very intelligent character, a character with an education though, for the time. He had left knowing foreign languages, he had left knowing music. He is very serious, he does school very well and very seriously. He should have returned around 1855 to this space he left, and he receives a message from none other than Prince Barbu Stirbei, who conveys to him through a nephew of his: Tell Aman not to come back yet, because things are not ready for him. He stayed in Paris until 1858 and learned everything there was to learn. That is why we find him now, we who are left to see, to enjoy his work, find him prepared for various techniques. He clearly took the Renaissance artist as his model there, who had to cover as many techniques as possible. And he returns to the country in 1958, but with a big idea driving him: he comes very determined to go to school. He realized where society had reached, and what a past European culture and art had in a space where things proceeded normally. And he realized that without education, a society, a people cannot evolve. And then, his first option was to create a school.

Greta Suteu tells us about how Theodor Aman succeeded in founding the art school in Bucharest:

And starting in 1858 he petitioned all the officials of the moment. He was not successful, he had despaired at one point. He only asked for a plot of land and wanted to build a private school. And yet, in 1864 he gets approval. Alexandru Ioan Cuza had come in, who in the 1860s had founded the University of Iasi and the Art School of Iasi. It had been functioning since 1960. And in 1964, Cuza signed the founding decree of the School of Fine Arts in Bucharest, and then, in fact, the University of Bucharest was also opened. All these steps were taken together with his friend, his colleague, Gheorghe Tattarescu. Tattarescu was two years older than him. Tattarescu had gone to school in Rome, but together they fought for this goal. We find them as school founders in 1864. The school opens. Aman is appointed the headmaster of the school, and will remain so until his death in 91. In this way, some talented young people from the Romanian space have the chance to study with people who had studied in the West.

What was Professor Aman like, from the perspective of museographer Greta Suteu?

Many times I said Aman could have done nothing of what we see, i.e. his art, and he would have still remained in the history of Romanian culture as the founder of the school, but also as a teacher. Apparently he was an exceptional teacher. We have a lot of testimonies that talk about the relationship between the teacher and the students. He loved them as his children, and they loved him as a parent. We have fragments of correspondence between them, and this is how they address him, as a parent. And Aman was answering as a parent to his children. He had no children, and then these were his children. But not only as a human relationship. He is an exceptional teacher because he has an extraordinary education and has something to teach others, and then of course his requirements are also at the highest level. We have some artists, we can say that our first important artists from the late 19th, early 20th century are Amans students.

Theodor Aman remains an important landmark in Romanian art. His name remained in the history of Romanian art not only through the value of his signed works, but also through his contribution to the foundation of the first schools of fine arts. In fact, one of the most beautiful and original museums in Bucharest is the house / workshop of the artist, a house designed, painted and decorated entirely by him, a place that reflects the complex personality of the great Aman.
NATO must stay united

NATO must stay united  is the message conveyed by NATO secretary general Mark Rutte in the context of the US presidential elections.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (Source: NATO)

Leyla Cheamil, 05.11.2024, 13:50

NATO will work with the winner of the US elections, whoever that person may be and will do its best to stay united, NATO secretary general Mark Rutte promised on Monday. He was in Berlin for talks with German chancellor Olaf Scholz. Whoever wins those elections, we will work with Kamala Harris, we will work with Donald Trump, and make sure that the alliance stays united, said Rutte, a former prime minister of The Netherlands who took over at the helm of NATO from Jens Stoltenberg.  I have no doubt, because it is in our interest. It is our interest here, but also the United States, he added.

Since taking office on 1st October, Mark Rutte has been saying he is not worried about the outcome of the American elections. He said he knows both candidates well and that he worked with Donald Trump for four years. Rutter went on to say that they know that if Putin would be successful in Ukraine, that at that moment, an emboldened Russia is on our eastern flank and will present a direct threat to NATO territory, saying that this is why Washington is involved in Ukraine and in NATO.

Since taking office, Rutte has had a series of talks with political actors on the subject of the war in Ukraine. Last week, Rutte and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in Brussels that NATO and the European Union will create an operative group to consolidate cooperation between the two organisations. They warned that the deployment of North Korean military to Russia is a significant escalation of the war in Ukraine and a serious threat to European security and world peace.

Last month, Mark Rutte met NATO foreign ministers, saying that the war in Ukraine showed that instability in Europe has global consequences and that countries thousands of km away, like China, Iran and North Korea can start to undermine Europes security. He emphasised that our worlds are interconnected, and so is security, adding that allies will comply with their promise to deliver defence aid worth 40 billion euros to Ukraine, with figures indicating expenses of almost 21 billion in the first part of 2024. The partners in the Pacific area also announced new aid deliveries, with Australia to send Ukraine tanks. Allies are also boosting investment within NATO and one of the priorities is air defence, especially in the context of the drones entering NATO air space as part of the war.
The popular inexpensive Toyota RAV4 crossover was shown online in an unexpected modification before the premiere of the next model. The car is probably designed to draw attention to the car.

ADVERTISIMENT

The new Toyota RAV4 is scheduled for release in 2025. So, the car is almost ready. As OBOZ.UA reminds, there is no exact information about the car yet  the manufacturer manages to keep the development secret.

Meanwhile, the Toyota RAV-X Concept SUV based on the RAV4 has been prepared for the SEMA auto show in Las Vegas. The car differs from the production crossover by a slightly modified design, body stickers, large wheels, and underbody protection. But this show car will not go on sale.

The manufacturer is busy finalizing the next model and is close to completing the design. In fact, there is still no exact information about what kind of car buyers will eventually get  a deep modernization of the 5th generation Toyota RAV4 or a full-fledged new car. The current model appeared in 2018 and will soon turn 7 years old.

The only thing that is known is that the Japanese company is very careful in modernizing this successful model. It is reported that the Toyota RAV4 will retain its formula and will not demonstrate any dramatic changes in the concept. The car will definitely not turn into an electric vehicle. Hybrid modifications will remain in the lineup  they will become more efficient and receive new batteries.
The private sector in Singapore continued to expand in October, albeit at a slower rate, the latest survey from S&P Global revealed on Tuesday with a PMI score of 55.5.

That's down from 56.6, although it remains above the boom-or-bust line that separates expansion from contraction.

Incoming new orders for Singaporean goods and services expanded sharply in October, driven by improvements in underlying demand conditions and successive development efforts. New sales rose the quickest in the wholesale and retail sector according to detailed sector data.

The marked increase in new business contributed to an acceleration of business activity growth. The level of backlogged work also rose sharply, with firms in the real estate & business services experiencing the most pronounced accumulation.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
Reinsurer Swiss Re Ltd. (SSREY.PK) Tuesday announced its agreement to sell iptiQ's European Property & Casualty or P&C to Allianz Direct, affiliated to Allianz Group (ALIZY). The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of fiscal 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals

iptiQ is a digital insurer that partners with other insurers, brokers, banks and consumer brands to deliver innovative P&C as well as life and insurance products to end-consumers or B2B2C.

The move is in line with Swiss Re's strategic decision to withdraw from Luxembourg -based iptiQ, which was announced earlier this year. The company had concluded that, in a strategic context, it was not the best owner for this business in the long term.

Under the deal, Allianz Direct, the pan-European online insurer of Allianz Group, will take over the risk carrier with more than 100 employees, and all distribution agreements.

The transaction is in line with Allianz Direct's goal to expand its B2B2C operations as it can capitalise on iptiQ's distinctive business model and expertise in this segment.

Philipp Kroetz, CEO Allianz Direct, said, "The acquisition of iptiQ's European P&C business underlines our commitment to grow our footprint in key European , both in B2C and B2B2C distribution. We are excited to welcome the team from iptiQ to Allianz Direct and look forward to our future success. I am confident that together iptiQ and Allianz Direct can leverage the platform's scale and competitiveness for its products and operations to drive further success for our business partners."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The United States and South Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Principles Concerning Nuclear Exports and Cooperation, advancing their cooperation on civil nuclear energy.

The two countries reaffirmed their mutual commitment to promoting the expansion of peaceful nuclear energy while upholding the highest standards of nonproliferation, safety, safeguards, and security.

Toward this end, the two allies strengthened their administration of export controls on civil nuclear .

"These further commitments will provide a springboard for the expansion of our bilateral work in combatting climate change, accelerating global energy transitions, and assuring critical supply chains while creating billions of dollars worth of new economic opportunities and the creation or maintenance of tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs for both of our industries," the U.S. Department of Energy said in a statement.

The MOU will proceed to final review in both countries' capitals.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Distinguished Professor Heila Lotz-Sisitka delivering her acceptance speech at the South African Education Research Association conference

Distinguished Professor Heila Lotz-Sisitka, a leading figure in environmental education, was recently awarded the 2024 SAERA Research Honours Award by the South African Education Research Association (SAERA) at their annual conference in Bloemfontein.

The award recognises her substantial contribution to the development of education research in South Africa, especially within the fields of Environmental and Sustainability Education, over a remarkable 30-year career. The accolade, which is one of the highest forms of national recognition for a researcher in the Educational Sciences in South Africa, also marks a significant first for Rhodes Universitys Education Faculty.

Distinguished Professor Lotz-Sisitka is the director of the Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC) at Rhodes University, where her Tier 1 SARChI Chair is based. She has been a cornerstone in integrating environmental education into South Africas educational landscape, with her work influencing and catalysing key policy initiatives, including the South African Environmental Sector Skills Plan and the national curriculum. Her research has been instrumental in addressing pressing climate and sustainability issues through education, and now also informs skills development for South Africas Just Energy Transition.

I am deeply humbled, she said in her acceptance speech, This would not have happened 30 years ago, when our research field was embryonic. But people are now realising how important Environment and Sustainability concerns are to a quality and relevant education. She emphasised that the nature of her journey has been collaborative, recognising the important contributions of colleagues, students, and community partners who share her commitment to sustainable education.

Throughout her career, Professor Lotz-Sisitka has been dedicated to mentoring and developing emerging scholars. She has supervised or co-supervised over 150 postgraduate scholars, including 58 PhDs and 72 Masters students, many of whom now contribute to sustainability education worldwide. "Working with these scholars has been a privilege," she shared, "Ive learned as much from them as they have from me."

Beyond academic mentorship, her impact has been tangible in securing over ZAR 140 million in research funding, supporting numerous scholarships, programs, and projects at Rhodes University. She has also made her fundraising skills more widely available, helping over the years to raise in excess of another ZAR 70 million + funds for national and international programmes. This included the SADC Regional Environmental Education Programme, which worked across 14 southern African countries between 1997 and 2016, and the UNESCO Sustainability Starts with Teachers Programme, which works across 11 SADC countries, advancing sustainability education across Africa.

Additionally, her collaborative work with programs such as Fundisa for Change, a national teacher education initiative, has further integrated environmental learning within South Africas educational systems by working closely with its teachers. She recently contributed to the highest level of educational policy work while revising a UNESCO Recommendation for Education, Peace and Sustainable Development.

Distinguished Professor Lotz-Sisitka has also led cutting-edge international research on transformative learning in times of climate change, with grants from prestigious international research funding organisations such as the International Science Council. Her extensive publication record includes over 250 academic works, with her most recent contributions being to a book framing a new orientation to Vocational Education and Training in Africa; a co-edited special issue of the South African Journal of Science focusing on Engaged Sustainability Science and Sustainability Science Engagement; and a publication summarising eight years of transformative learning research in a Special Issue Journal focusing on the Politics of Environmental Education Research. Much of this research has been focused on engaging communities in a collaborative learning environment, outside of formal educational institutions.

Her influential research has also earned her invitations to deliver keynotes at some of the most prestigious education research and sustainability science conferences in the world, presenting over 145 keynotes to date.

Expressing her gratitude, she credited Rhodes Universitys continuous support, highlighting the foundational role of her colleagues and university leaders in fostering a place where environmental education could flourish. From establishing the first Chair in Environmental Education to supporting the creation of a dedicated Environmental Learning Research Centre, Rhodes has been a supportive home for this work, she said. I thank the former Vice-Chancellor Professor Saleem Badat, my current VC, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, and the two DVCs of Research and Innovation that I have worked with, Professor Peter Clayton, and most recently Dr Kwezi Mzilikazi. Their support has been vital for this research field to flourish." She also expressed appreciation for the Education Faculty leadership team and colleagues for their continued support of this field of research over the past 34 years, and the instrumental support from the DSI/NRF for her SARChI Chair.

My approach to research, teaching and life in general is creative, co-operative and collaborative, said Professor Lotz-Sisitka, I am ethically and intellectually inspired by the beauty and potential of human-nature relations, and the possibilities of social justice in a world less troubled. I have a passion for social theory and creative works all kinds, and for children and their futures. Mostly I love teaching, the potential of human learning and agency, and the creativity found and made in nature, research, art and epistemic engagements that are edgy and unusual."

Professor Lotz-Sisitka expressed her gratitude to the SAERA community and the work that they do to advance educational research in South Africa. This award underscores the importance of environmental education in addressing global challenges, honouring a legacy of innovative research that continues to shape educational policy and practice in South Africa and beyond.
Italy is a country of sea, ancient architecture, pizza and fashion. The brightest season here is, of course, summer. But, as practice shows, autumn is also not far behind in popularity among tourists from all over the world.

ADVERTISIMENT

What interesting things does Italy offer in the fall?

Rome

A city where every wall and street is a valuable architectural monument. When visiting Rome, get ready for long walks, because you need to explore every corner of the cradle of a powerful civilization.

We recommend starting your trip with a sightseeing tour, during which you will see most of the pearls of this land in a few hours - the Capitoline Hill, the Trevi Fountain and the majestic Colosseum.

We also recommend visiting lesser-known areas of the city, such as San Lorenzo and Pigneto. Here you will feel the true Italian atmosphere and enjoy beautiful moments without crowds of noisy travelers.

Must see locations:

Colosseum;

Roman Forum;

Vatican City;

Pantheon;

Fountain di Trevi;

Capitol;

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore;

Piazza Navona.

ADVERTISIMENT

Milan

Milan is a world-famous European shopping capital. However, along with the fashion industry, the city is also famous for its cultural and architectural gems.

You'll need to do your best not to miss a single detail, because the true soul of Milan is hidden deeper than in many other tourist destinations. The longer you wander the streets of the center, the more often you will come across ancient buildings and churches.

We recommend starting with Piazza Duomo. This is the absolute center of Milan, surrounded not only by unique buildings but also by a large number of restaurants, boutiques and cinemas.

Must see locations:

Milan Cathedral;

Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery;

La Scala Theater;

Sforza Castle;

Piazza Mercanti;

Pinacoteca Brera;

Basilica of St. Ambrose;

Naviglio Grande.

ADVERTISIMENT

Venice

One of the most unusual places not only in Italy but in the whole of Europe. The city on the water with its fascinating architecture and fascinating history has long been a "mecca" for travelers.

Venice is a paradise for romantics. Almost every building here has its own special legend. The historic center of the city is densely built up with old buildings and is located on 120 small pedestrian islands that are connected by 400 bridges and crossed by 170 canals.

You can get an unforgettable experience by meeting the sunrise in Piazza San Marco. Take a slow stroll through the empty morning city, smell the fresh scent of the sea, hear the muffled chimes, and watch the sunlight fill Venice with light and bring it to life.

Must see locations:

St. Mark's Cathedral;

The Doge's Palace;

Grand Canal;

ADVERTISIMENT

Rialto Bridge;

Church of Santa Maria della Salute;

Correr Museum;

Murano and Burano islands.

Verona

A small town in the north of Italy that became well known thanks to Shakespeare. Despite the fact that everything related to Romeo and Juliet is not real here, but created only for tourists, the region does not lose its charming flavor and atmosphere.

Verona is rich in numerous historic buildings from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, beautiful landscapes and narrow streets with colorful, cheerful houses.

The best way to get to know the city is to take a leisurely stroll with the opportunity to carefully examine all the old buildings and feel their spirit. We recommend starting your tour from the Old Town.

ADVERTISIMENT

Must see locations:

Piazza Bra;

Verona Arena;

Juliet's courtyard;

Piazza delle Ebre;

Lamberti Tower;

Gothic castle of Castel;

Ponte Petra Bridge.

Naples

An extremely picturesque and lively place, full of historical monuments and enchanting landscapes. This city, which lies at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, is the largest on the southern coast of Italy.

Naples looks like a huge beehive filled with energy, color and diversity. Cultures and traditions of many nationalities are mixed here.

In addition to palaces and castles, the region is famous for its gastronomy. Neapolitan cuisine is known for pasta, which is eaten every day, even several times. Naples is also home to the Margherita pizza. It is cooked in a wood-fired stone oven with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes.

Must see locations:

Royal Palace;

San Carlo Theater;

Castel del Ovo Castle;

Anjou Castle;

Salm Elmo Castle;

Cathedral of St. Januarius;

Vesuvius National Park.

In the fall, Italy's climate is ideal for hiking, walking, and sightseeing: not too hot, but not too cold. So, go on a trip to enjoy the ancient buildings, mysterious streets, unforgettable flavor and unsurpassed local cuisine.

Only verified information is available on the Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Premier of the State Council and Co-chair of the China-Turkiye Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee (ICC) mechanism Zhang Guoqing, Turkish Minister of Treasury and Finance and ICC Co-chair Mehmet Simsek will visit China from November 6 to 8. The two sides will co-chair the second meeting of the ICC.

Dragon TV: The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened in Shanghai this morning. Premier Li Qiang attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Can you share more details? Weve learned that 3,496 exhibitors from 152 countries and regions participated in this years CIIE, both numbers exceeding those of last year. Also, among the exhibitors there are 297 Fortune Global 500 enterprises and leading firms in the industries, hitting a record high. How do you see the significance of CIIE to Chinas high standard opening up?

Mao Ning: Hosting CIIE is an important step China takes to expand open cooperation. Over the past seven years, CIIE has become a window for Chinas new development paradigm, and a platform of promoting high-standard opening up. It shows Chinas sincerity and inclusiveness in seeking common development with the world. As Premier Li Qiang stressed in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the seventh CIIE this morning, as de-globalization, unilateralism, and protectionism are on the rise, it is all the more important that China stays committed to, expands, and upgrades opening up.

Premier Li Qiang stressed that we should build strong consensus for openness by keeping to our commitment. Only when all parties keep to the pledge of openness with concrete actions can we jointly create a sound atmosphere for open cooperation, and truly make openness a prevailing consensus. On advancing and expanding opening up, China has all along honored its commitment. We will further expand institutional opening up, actively align with international high-standard trade rules, upgrade pilot free trade zones, and sign high-standard free trade agreements and investment agreements with more countries. Throughout Chinas opening up, we will always honor our words with deeds. Premier Li Qiang stressed that we should broaden the space for opening up by pursuing mutual benefit. Openness based on shared interests is more efficient and sustainable. Zero-sum or winner-takes-all mentality will achieve nothing but hinder development. China is ready to further open up its mega-sized market, including taking unilateral opening up measures, to share its development opportunities with all countries, and make the big market of China a great opportunity for the world. Premier Li Qiang stressed that we should better fulfill the mission of opening up by embracing our shared future. No country can stay immune to the difficulties in global development, and no country can handle them all by itself. China actively advocates and practices multilateralism, firmly upholds the WTO-centered multilateral trade system, and supports developing countries in better sharing in the dividends of globalization.

Premier Li Qiang said that after a batch of incremental policies were rolled out, major economic indicators rebounded across the board, market confidence was significantly boosted, social expectations markedly improved, and many positive changes were seen in the economic performance, showing a sound momentum. This shows that Chinas sound economic fundamentals are not changed, and the Chinese government has the capability of continuing to grow its economy. We are full of confidence in Chinas economic prospects.

Opening up is a basic national policy of China. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will not change its commitment to expanding high-standard opening up and deeply integrating itself into the world. And we will not stop our efforts. China is ready to work with all parties to jointly build an open world economy.

Antara: President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto will pay a state visit to China from November 8 to 10. Are there any specific agreements that will be signed or any specific topics that will be highlighted by the leaders when they meet this week?

Mao Ning: China and Indonesia are good neighbors facing each other across the sea and good partners with a shared future. Under the strategic guidance of the heads of state of the two countries, China-Indonesia relations have maintained a robust momentum of growth and entered a new phase of building a community with a shared future.

President Prabowo Subianto visited China in his first overseas trip right after he was elected in March and again chose China as the first country to visit after taking office. This speaks volumes about the great importance he attaches to the growth of China-Indonesia relations and the strength of the bilateral ties. President Xi Jinping will hold a welcoming ceremony for President Prabowo Subianto, and the two heads of state will hold talks. Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji will meet with him respectively. China stands ready to work with Indonesia through the visit to cement high-level political mutual trust, deepen all-round strategic cooperation and elevate the building of the China-Indonesia community with a shared future to a new level, so as to inject strong impetus to our two countries respective modernization process, and boost regional and global development and prosperity.

On the specifics of the visit, we will release timely information. Please stay tuned.

China News Service: The Chinese side announced today that Italys president will visit China. Could you share with us the program and Chinas expectation for the visit? How does China view its current relations with Italy?

Mao Ning: During President Sergio Mattarellas visit to China, President Xi Jinping will hold talks with him to draw up a blueprint for the growth of bilateral relations. Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress will meet with him respectively.

Both China and Italy are ancient civilizations and important economies in the world. The friendly cooperation between the two countries enjoys profound public support, serves the common interests of both sides and is also conducive to promoting the sound growth of relations between China and the EU and the stability and prosperity of the world. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy. The visits of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella underline the robust growth of China-Italy relations. Guided by the common understandings of the leaders of the two countries, China stands ready to work with Italy to further deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, promote mutual learning among civilizations, and provide more stability for a changing and turbulent world.

Al Jazeera: Lebanons Health Ministry said on Monday that more than 3,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, which doubles the death toll of the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Whats Chinas comment? Can China play a role in the negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah?

Mao Ning: China is following closely the situation in Lebanon. We oppose acts that violate Lebanons sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, oppose and condemn all moves that harm innocent civilians, and call on relevant parties to take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent further escalation in the region. China will continue playing a constructive role together with the rest of the international community to cool down the situation.

AFP: Leader of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing will travel to China for a meeting this week. Will he pay a state visit to China? What is Chinas expectation for his visit?

Mao Ning: Myanmar is an important country in the region, and has actively participated in regional cooperation mechanisms. As a usual practice, China invited the leader of Myanmar to the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit. As for the specifics, we will release timely information. Please stay tuned.

AFP: US presidential candidate Donald Trump just said he would impose tariffs on China over fentanyl. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: We have no comment on campaign rhetoric.
The European Film Academy announced the nominees for the European Film Awards 2024 on Tuesday, November 5. The film In Limbo by Ukrainian director Alina Maksymenko will compete for the European Documentary category.

ADVERTISIMENT

The film will compete with 14 other competitors for recognition in the nomination. The list of films is published on the website of the European Film Academy. The winners will be announced on December 7 in Lucerne, Switzerland.

The full list of nominees in the European Documentary category:

"Bye Bye Tiberias", Lina Saualem.

"Dahomey" by Mati Diop.

"Emilia Perez" by Jacques Audiard.

"Flow", Gints Zilbalodis.

"In Limbo," Alina Maksymenko.

"Living Large", Kristina Dufkova.

"No Other Land," Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal.

"Savages," by Claude Barras.

"Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat," by Johan Grimonprez.

"Sultana's Dream," by Isabel Herguera.

ADVERTISIMENT

"The Room Next Door," by Pedro Almodovar.

"Seeds of the Sacred Fig," by Mohammad Rasoulof.

"The Substance," by Coralie Fargeat.

"They Shot the Piano Player," Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal.

"Vermiglio," by Maura Delpero.

What is In Limbo by Alina Maksymenko about?

The director shot the film in Poland. The plot revolves around a Ukrainian woman, Alina, who is under occupation in Irpin during the Russian invasion. She miraculously managed to leave for a neighboring village, where her parents are stuck.

"In the first weeks, they try to live a normal life: my mom teaches online classes, my father takes care of his cats and animals in the neighborhood, and Alina records current events on camera. But the frontline is getting closer and closer, and they have to make a decision: should they stay or flee? When the neighbors leave their homes, Alina and her parents rush to pack under the cover of night. But at the last minute, her father decides to stay," reads the description of the film.

ADVERTISIMENT

The director also admitted that the main idea behind In Limbo was to depict her own story of the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion. Alina Maksymenko documented the war on video, which became the basis of the film.

"The axis of the film is my film notes from the first days of the war in Ukraine, documented in the form of a kind of diary in which I tried to record my own thoughts and emotions. To understand what is really happening, what this war is, which I and the people around me have known so far only from books, movies, and stories, and which suddenly became our terrible reality," she explained.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Administrative innovations in south-west Asia during the 4th millennium BCE, including the cylinder seals that were rolled on the earliest clay tablets, laid the foundations for proto-cuneiform script, one of the first writing systems. Seals were rich in iconography, but little research had focused on the potential influence of specific motifs on the development of the sign-based proto-cuneiform script. In a new study, published today in the journal Antiquity, scholars identified symbolic precursors to fundamental proto-cuneiform signs among seal motifs that describe the transportation of vessels and textiles, highlighting the synergy of early systems of clay-based communication.

The origins of writing in south-west Asia are often sought in the accounting systems that developed over the course of the 4th millennium BCE, which physically documented transactions using tokens, tags and bullae, numerical tablets and seals.

Proto-cuneiform, first attested on clay tablets at the city of Uruk in southern Iraq around 3350-3000 BCE, is a complex accounting system with hundreds of iconographic signs, many of which still defy interpretation.

Elaboration of tokens, long used throughout south-west Asia, may have both stimulated the development of proto-cuneiform and served as models for several signs, but token-to-sign comparisons, numerical notations aside, are rarely demonstrable and the origin of sign forms is likely to be diverse, emerging from the multimedia environment of visual expression.

The conceptual leap from pre-writing symbolism to writing is a significant development in human cognitive technologies, said University of Bolognas Professor Silvia Ferrara.

The invention of writing marks the transition between prehistory and history, and the findings of this study bridge this divide by illustrating how some late prehistoric images were incorporated into one of the earliest invented writing systems.

The close relationship between ancient sealing and the invention of writing in southwest Asia has long been recognised, but the relationship between specific seal images and sign shapes has hardly been explored, she added.

This was our starting question: did seal imagery contribute significantly to the invention of signs in the first writing in the region?

To find an answer, Professor Ferrara and her colleagues compared the designs on the cylinders with proto-cuneiform signs, looking for correlations that might reveal direct relationships in both graphic form and meaning.

We focused on seal imagery that originated before the invention of writing, while continuing to develop into the proto-literate period, said University of Bologna researchers Kathryn Kelley and Mattia Cartolano.

This approach allowed us to identify a series of designs related to the transport of textiles and pottery, which later evolved into corresponding proto-cuneiform signs.

The discovery reveals a direct link between the cylinder seal system and the invention of writing, offering new perspectives for studying the evolution of symbolic and writing systems.

Our findings demonstrate that the designs engraved on cylinder seals are directly connected to the development of proto-cuneiform in southern Iraq, Professor Ferrara said.

They also show how the meaning originally associated with these designs was integrated into a writing system.

_____

Kathryn Kelley et al. Seals and signs: tracing the origins of writing in ancient South-west Asia. Antiquity, published online November 5, 2024; doi: 10.15184/aqy.2024.165
Using genome, transcriptome, and proteome analysis of the newly-discovered species of tardigrade, named Hypsibius henanensis, scientists explored the molecular basis contributing to radiotolerance in these tiny invertebrates.

Tardigrades, also known as water bears or moss piglets, are a diverse group of microscopic invertebrates famous for their ability to withstand extreme conditions.

First discovered in 1773, these creatures can live for up to 60 years, and grow to a maximum size of 0.5 mm, best seen under a microscope.

They are able to survive for up to 30 years without food or water, for a few minutes at temperatures as low as minus 272 degrees Celsius (minus 457 degrees Fahrenheit) or as high as 150 degrees Celsius (302 degrees Fahrenheit), and minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit) for decades.

They withstand pressures from virtually 0 atm in space up to 1,200 atm at the bottom of the Marianas Trench.

They also exhibit exceptional resistance to ionizing radiation, withstanding doses as high as 3,000 to 5,000 grays (Gy) of gamma rays, which is approximately 1,000 times the lethal dose for humans.

The mechanism of radiotolerance in tardigrades remains largely unclear.

Previous studies investigating how they do this have shown that tardigrades possess robust DNA repair capabilities.

They also express a tardigrade-specific protein called damage suppressor (Dsup), which, when expressed in human cells, protects DNA from radiation damage.

In new research, Qingdao University Lei Li and colleagues described a new species of tardigrade: Hypsibius henanensis.

Through detailed morphological and molecular analysis, they also explored the basis of the species radiotolerance.

The researchers evaluated how exposure to heavy ion radiation altered the animals molecular profiles. They found that 285 stress-related genes were upregulated.

They further uncovered three molecular mechanisms that contribute to radiotolerance in the organisms.

First, the horizontally transferred bacterial gene DOPA dioxygenase 1 (DODA1) enhanced radiation resistance by producing betalains  pigments with potent free radical scavenging properties typically found in plants, fungi, and bacteria.

Second, a tardigrade-specific protein, TDP1, facilitates the repair of DNA double-strand breaks.

Lastly, the mitochondrial chaperone gene BCS1, which expanded during tardigrade evolution, is uniquely upregulated in response to radiation, shielding cells from radiation-induced mitochondrial damage.

Extreme environmental resistance of extremophiles such as tardigrades is a treasure trove of unexplored molecular mechanisms of stress resistance, the authors said.

Functional research on these radiotolerance mechanisms will further broaden our understanding of cellular survival under extreme conditions and may provide inspiration for promoting human health and combating disease.

The results were published October 25, 2024 in the journal Science.

_____

Lei Li et al. 2024. Multi-omics landscape and molecular basis of radiation tolerance in a tardigrade. Science 386 (6720); doi: 10.1126/science.adl0799
The German arms concern Rheinmetall will soon complete its second military enterprise in Ukraine. In total, the German giant intends to build four defense plants in Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the opening of Rheinmetall's second plant in Ukraine. He made the announcement at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.

"Rheinmetall has just opened its first plant in Ukraine. The construction of the second plant will be completed soon," the NATO Secretary General said.

At the same time, Rutte emphasized that the development of the defense industry is key to the security of Europe and the defense of Ukraine.

Therefore, the German industry is extremely important for NATO and Kyiv, the NATO Secretary General said. Rutte added that Rheinmetall has also significantly increased its ammunition production since 2022.

Rheinmetall AG is one of the largest manufacturers of military equipment and weapons in Europe. The company ranks 29th in the world in terms of sales of military products.

ADVERTISIMENT

Last year, Rheinmetall established its first joint venture with a Ukrainian partner to service and repair tanks in Ukraine.

In February of this year, it was announced that a memorandum on the production of Rheinmetall ammunition in Ukraine was signed in Munich.

After that, the concern's executive director Armin Papperger said that Rheinmetall plans to set up at least four plants in Ukraine to produce shells, military equipment, gunpowder, and anti-aircraft weapons.

"Ukraine is now an important partner for us. We see a potential of 2-3 billion euros a year here," Papperger said.

Recently, Ukroboronprom Rheinmetall LLC opened an armored vehicle plant in western Ukraine. It has already begun production of Lynx infantry fighting vehicles.

The first combat vehicle is planned to be released by the end of the year, and full local production will be organized "as soon as possible," as confirmed by the German arms company.

In addition, Rheinmetall has received a contract to build an ammunition plant in Ukraine.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the Kremlin threatened that the military plant of the German concern Rheinmetall, which opened in Ukraine, could become a target for Russian strikes. The German concern stated that it was not afraid of Russia's threats, as its facilities in Ukraine are well protected.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The U.S. Department of Defense cannot confirm that North Korean troops have already taken part in hostilities in the Kursk region of Russia, where the Ukrainian Defense Forces are conducting an operation. At the same time, the deployment of North Korean soldiers could play a "certain role" in Russia's attempts to push the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of the region.

ADVERTISIMENT

It will all depend on how the Russian command decides to use these troops. This was stated by Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder at a briefing on November 4.

According to U.S. estimates, the total number of DPRK troops in Russia could be 11-12 thousand, of which about 10 thousand are in the Kursk region.

"We have seen press reports about possible military operations. We are studying them, but we cannot confirm these reports at this time. But, as you heard, Secretary Austin (Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin  Ed.) said last week that if these troops take part in combat operations against Ukraine, they will become legitimate military targets," he said.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to him, all indications are that the DPRK military will provide the Russians with additional capabilities to fight or support the battle.

Ryder recalled that when the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an operation in the Kursk region, the Russian army gave a "very confusing" response. So far, the Russians have been unable to recapture the territories under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Thus, the deployment of 10-12 thousand North Korean troops in the Kursk region is likely to be of great importance.

"So the deployment of these additional 10-12 thousand soldiers in the Kursk region could certainly be something significant in terms of combat capability. But a lot will depend on how these forces will be used, how they will be integrated into the Russian command and control," said the US Defense Department representative.

ADVERTISIMENT

At the same time, he reminded that the Ukrainian military are battle-hardened veterans who know how to fight.

"So everything indicates that they will continue to defend Ukrainian sovereignty and the territory they control in the Kursk region. So we'll see how it ends," Ryder added.

As for the number of Russian troops together with North Korean soldiers, the Pentagon spokesman urged not to jump to conclusions, as "the numbers can be misleading."

"Look at what Ukraine did when Russia invaded in 2022. How a small number of forces were able to significantly impede the achievement of the strategic goals of what was and remains the largest army in Europe. Therefore, much depends on how Russia decides to use these forces, how well they are integrated, and what kind of combat experience they have. We continue to consult with our allies and partners. And we also continue to work to provide security assistance to Ukraine," he summarized.

As a reminder, in his evening address on November 4, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also reported on the growing number of North Koreans in the Kursk region of Russia. According to him, there are already 11 thousand of them there. He cited Ukrainian intelligence data.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, Andriy Kovalenko, said that Russia is already involving military personnel from the DPRK in the fighting at the front. According to him, they have already come under fire in the Kursk region.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
About 10 thousand military personnel from North Korea are stationed in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation. They "may enter the battle in the coming days".

ADVERTISIMENT

This was stated on Monday, November 4, by US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller at a briefing. Thus, Washington has confirmed that the number of mercenaries from the DPRK in Kursk region has increased.

On October 31, the United States reported that Russia had deployed about 8,000 North Koreans to the area.

"The Secretary of State said (last week - Ed.) that about 8,000 North Korean troops were sent to the Kursk region. We now estimate that about 10,000 have gone there and may engage in combat in the coming days," Miller said.

He reiterated America's "concern" over the strengthening of the military partnership between Russia and the DPRK.

Miller also acknowledged that Washington had seen media reports about the participation of DPRK units in military operations. He cannot currently officially confirm this information on behalf of the United States. But if the North Korean military does fight on the side of Russia, they will become a legitimate target of attack.

As a reminder, in his evening address on November 4, President Volodymyr Zelensky also reported on the growing number of North Koreans in the Kursk region of Russia. According to him, there are already 11 thousand of them there. He cited Ukrainian intelligence data.

"We see an increase in North Koreans, we do not see an increase in the reaction of our partners. Unfortunately," the head of state emphasized.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the media named the military training grounds where Russians are training DPRK militants for war. The locations are located in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky Krai, as well as in the Amur region of the aggressor country.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
In October 2024, the Russian occupation army suffered record losses of equipment over the past two years of the full-scale war in Ukraine. In total, the occupiers lost 695 pieces of equipment that were destroyed, damaged, abandoned on the battlefield, or captured by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

The lost equipment includes 253 armored personnel carriers, 103 tanks, 41 armored personnel carriers, four airplanes, and one helicopter. This was reported by Oryx.

According to analysts, the losses of the Ukrainian army in October are much smaller. In particular, during the month, the Armed Forces lost 276 pieces of equipment, including 47 armored personnel carriers, 28 infantry fighting vehicles, 21 tanks, and one aircraft. It is noteworthy that the significant increase in losses in the Russian army's equipment is due to the high rate of the offensive.

Such data indicate that Russia's military and political leadership is ready to continue sacrificing equipment and manpower in order to capture as much Ukrainian territory as possible. This tactic has led to record daily losses of Russian equipment.

ADVERTISIMENT

It is worth noting that the Russian army suffered more monthly losses than in October 2024 two years ago in October 2022. Then the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed 1032 units of enemy equipment, and in September 2022, the losses of occupiers' equipment were a record 1179 units.

Despite the huge losses, in October 2024, the Russians had some success at the front. Data from the Ukrainian OSINT project DeepState show that in the week from October 28 to November 3, the occupiers managed to seize 172 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory, and a week earlier  196 square kilometers.

As a reminder, Ukrainian soldiers "denazified" 1260 Russian invaders on November 4. Total enemy combat losses in manpower exceeded 701 thousand people.

Earlier it became known that over the past week, Russia lost more than 10,000 troops and about 70 tanks. In total, 1550 pieces of military equipment and weapons were "demilitarized".

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
The Yours, Mine, and Ours  Public Healthseries highlights how our state's public health agencies keep us healthy, safe, and informed about issues impacting physical and mental health in our communities, homes, workplaces, and schools. The series is made possible with funding from the Michigan Association for Local Public Health
Boeing s workforce ended a 53-day strike on Tuesday, after voting to accept a new labour agreement that included a 38% pay increase over four years and improved retirement contributions.

The deal, approved by 59% of union members, allowed Boeings 33,000 striking machinists to return to work, marking a major win for both the company and its new chief executive Kelly Ortberg, as it seeks to recover from a series of recent crises.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) pushed for significant pay hikes and retirement benefits, though it could not secure the return of a defined-benefit pension plan, a point of contention for many workers.

Union president Jon Holden acknowledged members ongoing dissatisfaction over lost pension benefits, but emphasised the gains achieved, including a $12,000 signing bonus and an immediate 13% wage bump.

He stressed the importance of getting workers back on the factory floor, with production resuming as early as Wednesday.

The strike had weighed heavily on Boeings finances, costing an estimated $100m per day in lost revenue.

To address mounting financial strain, Boeing raised over $24bn in capital to stave off a potential downgrade of its credit rating.

While the funding offered short-term stability, analysts expected Boeings wage costs to rise by $1.1bn under the new contract.

Furthermore, production would likely resume gradually, with delays expected in fulfilling Boeings extensive aircraft backlog.

Ortberg, who took the helm just five weeks before the strike began, welcomed the resolution as a step toward strengthening Boeings internal culture and relationships with union members.

US President Joe Biden also praised the agreement, emphasising its role in supporting American economic growth.

The strike disrupted supply chains across Boeings vast network of suppliers, affecting more than 44,000 jobs.

Airlines, including Ryanair, experienced delivery delays, adding to existing challenges for Boeing, which had struggled with safety concerns and production issues over recent years. At 0930 EST (1430 GMT), shares in the Boeing Company were up 0.95% in New York, at $156.55.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Shares in Vestas Wind Systems were tumbling on Tuesday, after it reported third-quarter revenue of 5.2bn, up 18.9% increase year-on-year, with a core operating profit of 235m, far short of the expected 352m.

The Danish wind turbine giant said its margin of 4.5% was still a significant improvement from the prior years 1.6%, driven by higher pricing and volume growth.

Elevated warranty provisions and weaker-than-expected service EBIT margins contributed to the lower-than-anticipated profit.

Vestas maintained its full-year revenue guidance between 16.5bn and 17.5bn, though it now expected the EBIT margin to be at the lower end of its 4% to 5% forecast range.

The company also adjusted its service EBIT forecast to 450m, down from a previous estimate of 500m, and reduced its total investment outlook to approximately 1bn from 1.2bn.

Its order intake was 4.4 GW for the quarter, slightly down from the same period last year, bringing its order backlog to a record 28.3bn.

Including service agreements, the combined backlog reached 63.4bn.

Vestas was facing additional headwinds from geopolitical uncertainty and the US election, where candidate Donald Trump had pledged to end offshore wind projects if re-elected.

Chief financial officer Hans Martin Smith still expressed Vestas readiness to collaborate with the next US administration, stressing the companys commitment to supporting green energy stateside.

At 1536 CET (1436 GMT), shares in Vestas Wind Systems were down 12.32% in Copenhagen, at DKK 119.20.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has reiterated that there is "no need" to make a decision on inviting Ukraine to NATO. He emphasized that he has no plans to change his position on Ukraine becoming a member of the Alliance while the war is ongoing on its territory.

ADVERTISIMENT

At the same time, the head of the German government assured that Berlin would remain one of the largest suppliers of military aid to the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Scholz made this statement at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Berlin on November 4, Ukrinform reports.

According to him, there is currently "no need" to make new decisions on Ukraine's membership in NATO, in particular regarding the invitation to Ukraine.

"We made decisions in Vilnius and Washington that are well suited to the current situation. I think there is no need for new decisions in this regard because the situation has not changed since we made those decisions," the German Chancellor said.

He emphasized that Ukraine's partners should now focus on ensuring that the country has enough weapons to continue to fight the invasion of the Russian occupiers. This is especially true in the context of Russia's involvement of DPRK troops in the war against Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

"It is now important to make sure that Ukraine does not run out of weapons," he said.

Scholz also recalled that the G7 countries decided to provide a $50 billion loan to Kyiv at the expense of profits from frozen Russian assets, and noted that Ukraine would be able to use the money to purchase new weapons.

On October 24, Scholz told a German TV channel that he saw no need to make a decision on inviting Ukraine to NATO. According to him, a country at war cannot join the Alliance.

Thus, Scholz rejected the first point of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Victory Plan.

In addition, he rejected other points of the plan, which Zelenskyy presented at the EU summit on October 17. He explained his position by his fears of further escalation.

"We are responsible for ensuring that the war between Russia and Ukraine does not turn into a war between Russia and NATO," the German chancellor said.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Olaf Scholz is not against India's mediation in the political settlement of Russia's war against Ukraine. He called on New Delhi to support a "lasting and just peace".

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Solo traveling is rising--more than 83 million Americans are projected to have ventured alone in 2023. Traveling by yourself can be exhilarating, as you're freed from having to coordinate schedules or compromise activities. Such pleasures and more are extolled in the joyful, detailed entries of Fifty Places to Travel Solo: Travel Experts Share the World's Greatest Solo Destinations, geared for both experienced and novice travelers.

The late Chris Santella and DC Helmuth have assembled a variety of knowledgeable travel experts who vividly describe the sites around the world with a mind to budgets, comfort, and safety. Each piece is accompanied by beautiful photographs. In Vienna, Lorrain Moteagut, writer and teacher, "felt most comfortable being alone in all of Europe." Amanda Black, founder of the Solo Female Traveler Network, shares that despite a lack of "frills," Cuba is welcoming to solo travelers. Amanda Williams, award-winning travel blogger, says the same of Iceland, where "the most dangerous thing... is probably the weather." Those interviewed also suggest that solo travelers consider joining a small tour in some places, such as Egypt. Fifty Places to Travel Solo offers abundant insight to enhance visits to U.S. cities and international sites. --Oline H. Cogdill, freelance reviewer
Tree: Exploring the Arboreal World is a gorgeous showstopper of a book celebrating the humble tree in its many forms. More than 300 images of tree-inspired art grace the pages of this oversized coffee-table tome. These full-color images showcase an astonishing range, including tapestries, Aboriginal taphoglyphs, and National Park Service posters. Each is buttressed by a few paragraphs of text explaining and contextualizing the image. For instance, artist Shota Suzuki's sculpture Heaven and Earth is described as "a reflection on the Japanese concept of Mono no aware, or the transitory nature of life." Process is also detailed for many of the included pieces; with a photograph of a Tiffany laburnum table lamp, readers will learn that Louis Comfort Tiffany, along with Englishman Arthur Nash, "developed a technique whereby he blended different colours of pigment together while the glass was still molten." An intro by horticulturalist Tony Kirkham, plus an overall timeline of trees (starting 470 million years ago!), glossary, artist bios and suggested further reading all deepen the enjoyability of the book. --Nina Semczuk, writer, editor, and illustrator
Ukrainian soldiers have been holding the "sanitary zone" in the Kursk region of Russia for almost three months. This operation is very valuable for replenishing our exchange fund.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky in an evening address recorded on Monday, November 4. The video was published on the YouTube channel of the Presidential Office.

Zelensky said that on Monday, he and the military discussed the operation in Kursk region - soon it will be three months of our active operations in this area.

"And this is important - we keep this "sanitary zone" in certain areas near our state border. And we must appreciate the importance of this operation - the Kursk operation - for replenishing our exchange fund. It greatly helped the liberation of our people from Russian captivity," the President noted.

ADVERTISIMENT

He thanked all the soldiers, sergeants and officers involved in the fighting in Kursk region.

Also on Monday, the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate and the Foreign Intelligence Service provided a separate report on the North Korean military in Russia. There are already 11 thousand of them in the Kursk region.

"We see an increase in the number of North Koreans, but we do not see an increase in the reaction of our partners. Unfortunately," the president emphasized.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- Earlier, Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Kursk operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has a strategic goal.

- On October 31, the United States said that Russia had deployed about 8,000 troops from North Korea to the Kursk region. They have not yet taken part in combat against the Ukrainian Defense Forces, but this may happen in the near future.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Customer master data management solutions provider Posidex Technologies Pvt. Ltd announced its foray into the international market and a strategic rebrand while unveiling its new logo, in the presence of PV Sindhu and industry dignitaries.

"It is amazing to see how well they impact people", Sindhu said of all the solutions and products shown to her. "So much of what Posidex has been doing behind the scenes - often without people even noticing it-has made life easier every day", she added. Whether it is securing personal data, giving right customer insights or helping businesses understand their customers better, the technology has become an invisible yet essential part of everyday interactions.

Over the last two decades, Posidex has assisted more than 60 major enterprises, which include several Fortune 500 companies, in the domains of banking, insurance, consumer finance, housing finance, retail, capital markets, and government. Its advanced customer data management and real-time contextual insights have allowed clients to perform extremely well in highly competitive environments.

Currently, Posidex supports 7 of India's 9 largest private banks, 9 of the top 15 NBFCs, the country's second-largest retailer, the largest depository, and several government departments, thereby establishing itself as a leader in India. By offering pinpoint, scalable, real-time insights, Posidex has gained the confidence of leading players in each of India's most critical sectors.

Following this success, Posidex is expanding to North America, the Middle East, and the APAC region. Active growth is happening in the U.S., Dubai, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. The new brand identity is the result of this global expansion and represents Posidex's evolution and ongoing commitment to delivering real-time, 360-degree customer insights. This strategic rebranding will help Posidex support its mission of taking its proven solution to the high-growth international markets and thus strengthening its position in customer data management and technology innovations.

K. Venkat Reddy, Co-Founder & CEO of Posidex Technologies said: "With our strong background in addressing complex data processing challenges, and in pursuit of meeting scale-up demands, I am delighted to announce this strategic positioning that we will take to market at an opportune moment with a strong portfolio of products in meeting the high bar set by stringent data privacy laws".

Posidex Technologies said. Our new brand identity is not only a new look but a reflection of the readiness of our team to present Posidex innovations onto the world platform," Datta Gouravelly, Executive Director atsaid.

The Posidex suite of products PrimeMDM, Prime360, CLIP, Relate, and Screen permits security, real-time resolution and linkage of customer entity with records, and even deeper intelligent insights. A decade and a half after designing its proprietary algorithm in the year 2002, Posidex can tokenise customer data via this unique five-step polymorphic tokenization process-an unchallenged way within the world. Posidex has enabled the same clients to grow exponentially on the basis of secured relationships, risk reduction, ensured compliance, and even reduction to up to 75 percent infrastructure cost for most of its clients while also getting 99.5 percent processing accuracy.
Markets regulator Sebi permitted MFs to invest in offshore mutual funds or unit trusts having an investment in a committed minimum percentage of their combined net assets in Indian securities. The total exposure, however, should not surpass 25 per cent of their net assets.

The move would ease overseas MF/UT investment, ensure transparency in the manner of investment, and enable MFs to diversify their overseas investments, Sebi said in a circular.

The new framework shall come into effect immediately, the Securities and Exchange Board of India said.

Besides, MF schemes must be structured such that all the investments made by investors in an overseas MF/UT get aggregated into a single investment vehicle without any side vehicles.

The corpus of an overseas MF/UT shall be a blind pool and there shall not be segregated portfolios so that all the investors have equal and proportionate rights in the fund.

"All investors in the overseas MF/UT have pari-passu and pro-rata rights in the fund, i.e. they receive a share of returns/gains from the fund in proportion to their contribution and have pari-passu rights," Sebi said.

The regulator has banned advisory agreements between Indian MFs and the underlying overseas MFs as there can be a scope of conflicts of interest between them.

In its circular, Sebi said Indian mutual fund schemes may also invest in overseas MF/UTs that have exposure to Indian securities, provided the total exposure to Indian securities by these overseas MF/UTs shall not be more than 25% of their assets.

Indian MF schemes shall, while making fresh and subsequent investments, ensure that exposure of the overseas MF/ UTs to Indian securities should not exceed 25 per cent.

After investing in, if the exposure has breached threshold, an observation period of six months from the date of publicly available information of such breach would be allowed to Indian MF schemes for monitoring of any portfolio rebalancing activity by the underlying overseas MF/UT.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New York City has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. In order to buy a gun in one of the five boroughs, consumers must be at least 21 years old with no history of felony convictions. And if youre seeking a concealed carry permit, multiple character references are required, as well as proof of completion of a firearms safety training course.

Vincent Orlando and Bradley Hecker are strong supporters of those Second Amendment terms.

A look at some of the handguns available for sale inside the Tactical Beards Gun Shop. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) Jason PaderonJason Paderon

Here in New York, were experiencing a new era in firearm rights, Orlando noted, detailing a 2022 Supreme Court decision that reversed a century-old law which prohibited a citizens concealed carry rights. For the first time in a long time, residents can carry a concealed weapon on their person. And I think members of the community need to recognize the weight of that right and understand the responsibilities that go along with it.

Orlando and Hecker -- both longtime gun enthusiasts who are licensed to carry in multiple states -- are making it their mission to educate borough residents about firearm safety. And at their newly launched establishment, Tactical Beards Gun Shop -- the first store on Staten Island to sell firearms and ammunition in over 20 years -- business is already thriving.

For the first time in a long time, residents can carry a concealed weapon on their person," noted Vincent Orlando, seen here at right. "And I think members of the community need to recognize the weight of that right and understand the responsibilities that go along with it. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) Jason Paderon

In other areas of the country, gun stores are unique to the communities that they serve, noted Hecker. If you live in a big hunting community, youre going to find rifles, shotguns and camouflage clothing. If you live closer to the city, there will be more handguns and self-defense weapons. But because Staten Island has no gun shops, and there is zero purchase history to define the market, we are catering to all kinds of different consumers with all kinds of different backgrounds.

Located at 451 Northfield Ave. in Mariners Harbor, in the Roman Plaza shopping center that is anchored by Burger King, Popeyes and Taco Bell, Tactical Beards defines itself as a one-stop gun shop that offers firearms, ammunition and accessories, as well as a healthy buy-and-trade business.

Tactical Beards Gun Shop is located at 451 Northfield Ave., in the Roman Plaza shopping center that is anchored by Burger King, Popeyes and Taco Bell. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) Jason PaderonJason Paderon

We offer the NY concealed carry course and can assist you with all paperwork needed to obtain your carry permit, the business noted on its Yelp page. We have a gunsmith on site for all your firearm-related needs, including parts installations, repairs and more.

Orlando explained: Were not in it to make a quick buck. We advocate for a strong knowledge and skillset in firearms before making a purchase. If youre making the decision to carry a tool that has the potential to take someones life, you have to check your ego at the door.

The store is still in its soft-opening phase, but the owners said that the community response has been overwhelming: Customers have been lined up outside of the establishment daily, sometimes dozens deep, to browse the offerings. And the official grand opening isnt until Nov. 10.

The store sells handguns, rifles and a range of other weapons. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) Jason PaderonJason Paderon

Our goal is to guide the customer in selecting the perfect firearm for them, Hecker said. And then we can train you on how to best utilize it.

And each owner brings a different skillset to the table. Orlando, an entrepreneur who owns four other businesses, began hunting at a young age and has experience with a range of weapons.

Im a civilian, not in law enforcement, he said. So I approach gun ownership from that vantage point, which I think customers respect and appreciate. I obtained my license and permits the same way they obtained theirs.

Hecker, a New York state law enforcement officer and former EMT, is a competitive shooter who has multiple title wins in practical shooting sports.

Together, through our combined experience, we have a lot of knowledge, Hecker said. We understand the laws, and if we dont have an answer to a particular question, we will do the research and get the answer for you.

And their sales tactics are extremely low pressure -- a policy they said theyve adopted to make sure their customers are always happy.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A 31-year-old man from Rossville assaulted another prisoner in a holding cell at the 120th Precinct stationhouse in St. George, authorities allege.

Domestic incidents on the South Shore of Staten Island led to the arrests of both men, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

The victim needed multiple stitches in his head after the assault, which occurred on Oct. 24 at 6:10 a.m., police said.

The victim was a 53-year-old man, the source said.

Abanoub Michail, 31, of Rossville Avenue, grabbed and pushed the victim into the bars of the holding cell, the criminal complaint alleges.

The victim suffered head injuries that included a laceration, redness, bleeding and substantial pain, according to police.

Michail, who also is listed in public records as Michail Abanoub, has been charged with felony assault in a correctional facility, and misdemeanor assault and harassment.

The defendant was in the holding cell because he was arrested for allegedly violating an order of protection on Oct. 23 in the 123rd Precinct. He has been charged with misdemeanor criminal contempt and criminal trespass in that case, which is winding its way through the courts.

The defendant, who stands about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He has been remanded to Rikers Island and is due back in Criminal Court in St. George on Dec. 2, according to public records.

The victim ended up in the holding cell after he was arrested in the 123rd Precinct and charged with a misdemeanor of criminal mischief.

An attorney for the defendant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  St. Clare R.C. Church parish hosted its inaugural Self-Care Fair sponsored by Freedom From Fear, a non-profit organization founded by Mary Guardino, its executive director.

The event was hosted by the Adult Faith Formation Team and Claire Smith, director.

The fair brought together physicians, healthcare professionals, vendors and clergy to provide educational information on self-care.

We were overjoyed that over 250 individuals attended the event, reported Father Arthur Mastrolia, pastor of the Great Kills parish. The event was well received by the parish and the community with each person focusing on the many specialists that were on hand.

Father Arthur and members of the Sisters of Life provided information on end of life issues, with members of the Adult Faith Formation Committee and community volunteers.

Representatives of the YMCA Counseling Service. (Courtesy/Deacon Richard Salhany)Staten Island Advance

The agenda for the day covered a number of health topics including diabetes, cardiac health and nutrition.

Richmond University Medical Center and Northwell provided free health screenings for PSA, glucose, and cholesterol testing.

Dr. Ted Strange, who provided a session on senior care stated, We were happy to participate and support the event in any way. The audience was grateful for the information on senior care and the screenings are valuable and an easy way to get people to be pro-active about their health

Members of NAMI NYC Staten Island. (Courtesy/Deacon Richard Salhany)Staten Island Advance

Dr. Philip Otterbeck, chief medical officer at Richmond University Medical Center, concurred. People were knowledgeable about the new medications but needed more information about the real time glucose monitoring available. We were able to really educate the participants, he said.

An important part of the event was to bring attention to mental health issues.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a huge spike in those seeking and in need of mental health treatment, according to Guardino. Organizations like NAMI, CASC and Freedom Fear can help those return to their regular routines with coping skills on how to deal with caring for another individual.

Mary Guardino, center, founder of Freedom From Fear, and friends. (Courtesy/Deacon Richard Salhany)Staten Island Advance

Attendees were treated to songs by Kids Praise, a parish group who conduct monthly Praise and Worship Sessions. The Scouts also volunteered their services.

We are hopeful that we can make this an annual event for the parish and the community, said Claire Smith, director of Adult Faith Formation. Participants enjoyed the spiritual and medical aspects of the day leaving armed with a lot of valuable information on self-care. You have to be ready and able to take care of yourself before you can care for others. Were grateful that Jesus takes care of all of us!
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Since October has been designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month, St. Joseph Hill Academy played host to its Fifth Annual Breast Cancer Walk And Bake-A-Thon in memory of Doreen Quirk, the grandmother of Antonia Lanni, Class of 2026, and AnnaDoreen Lanni, Class of 2022.

Doreen succumbed to complications of breast cancer in 2010 at age 56.

And since that time family members have also participated in the American Cancer Societys Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Clove Lakes Park representing a team called In Memory of Doreen Quirk. And over the years theyve raised more than $50,000 for the cause from their team alone.

My mom was the backbone of our entire family and our lives have changed forever since she is gone, said Supreme Court Justice Susan Quirk, Doreens daughter and the mom of Antonia and AnnaDoreen Lanni.

From the left, Antonia Lanni and teacher, Denise Benson. (Courtesy/Lanni family)Staten Island Advance

Everything I do, I do in her honor, Quirk added. She was so beautiful, kind, loving and growing up everyone went to my mom for whatever they needed.

Quirk went on to explain that her daughters help direct the Annual Bake-a-Thon and Walk-a-thon at the Arrochar school and Larry Hansen, the school principal, not only conducts the event but donates all proceeds to the American Cancer Society in memory of Doreen.

Eileen Gregor, director of Early Childhood, After School Programs and executive camp director, and Sister Mary Coffelt, provincial superior and president of St. Joseph Hill Academy, and students at the Arrochar school. (Courtesy/Lanni family)Staten Island Advance

Quirk noted that Hansens efforts have have been extraordinary over the years, as well as the faculty and parents whose children attend the elementary school.

And though COVID-19 set the event back a few years, the sale has nonetheless become a Hill tradition.

Last year, St. Joseph Hill raised $4,500 and this year a close second with $3,885.

Students at St. Joseph Hill Academy attend the Arrochar schools Fifth Annual Breast Cancer Walk And Bake-A-Thon in memory of Doreen Quirk. (Courtesy/Lanni family)Staten Island Advance

In total, more than $18,000 has been raised for the cause.

Students at St. Joseph Hill Academy during the Fifth Annual Breast Cancer Walk And Bake-A-Thon in memory of Doreen Quirk. (Courtesy/Lanni family)Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  This year, the John Vincent Scalia Group and the Staten Island Giving Circle will host the 8th Annual Salute to Veterans Breakfast and Information Event on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. at the Historic Old Bermuda Inn.

The event created by John Vincent Scalia, proprietor of the Rossville venue, marks the first collaboration between his group -- John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals & Cremation Services, Kittys Family Florist, Family Limousine, the Historic Old Bermuda Inn -- and the Staten Island Giving Circle.

Complimentary tickets are available by reservation only, with seating limited to veterans to allow more to attend.

While Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day always revolve around table gatherings, the experience of veterans coming together is different than a holiday family reunion.

A number of veterans lack close family connections and struggle with disabilities, isolation, and loneliness. The Scalia Group and Giving Circle aim to provide a welcoming venue and a sense of camaraderie to honor veterans service and sacrifice.

The common ground of love of country and sharing of experiences is essential to the service peoples state of mind and heart, said John Vincent Scalia.

He added, Sharing conversation with their fellow veterans is an ultimate positive boost to their spirits.

Veterans interested in attending the Nov. 14 event can RSVP to 646 535-3824 or rsvpsigc@gmail.com.

As the veteran population ages, Scalia emphasizes the growing need to support their well-being through events like this, as well as addressing food insecurity, nutrition and social isolation.

The Staten Island Giving Circles mission focuses on assisting underserved children, seniors and veterans through initiatives like their On the Move Military Food Pantry, Value-A-Veteran, and Adopt-A-Veteran for the Holidays projects.

Proceeds from the breakfast will fund their veterans outreach programs. The groups will also host a veterans holiday party in December.

The collaboration of the Scalia Group and the Staten Island Giving Circle is a perfect fit and their collective passions and love for their own community are palpable, said Michelle Yacovello, head of the Staten Island Giving Circle.
New York State Police say they are continuing to search for the bodies of a mother and her two children who went over Niagara Falls on Monday night.

The victims, identified as 33-year-old Chaianti Means, her 9-year-old son Roman Rossman, and her 5-month-old daughter Mecca Means, are presumed dead. The Niagara Gazette reports investigators are starting to shed some light on what they know, calling the incident intentional in nature.

We do believe this is intentional, but the circumstances of what actually happened are under investigation. They definitely went there that night and none of them returned. Due to information, we do know it was an intentional act, but the reason why is a tougher answer, said Trooper James OCallaghan, a State Police Public Information Officer. The circumstances of how that went down, that is the part we may be able to solve or we may never know. Not going to get into what the witnesses saw because its still an active case, but it is alarming what they told us.

OCallaghan said the incident was captured on video by surveillance cameras in the state park and near the brink of the falls. The 9-year-old boy entered the water first, going over a 3-to-4-foot safety railing around 9 p.m. Monday, followed by the baby girl; then their mother jumped in.

The boy went over the falls first, he said.

When asked if Means was chasing after her children, OCallaghan said: No, we believe this was intentional.

Investigators are working to determine if mental health issues may have played a role, according to the Gazette. The fathers of both children have been very cooperative, OCallaghan added.

Means, who lived in Niagara Falls with her family, reportedly worked as a domestic violence counselor in Western New York.

The investigation and search for the bodies are both continuing. Searchers, including Park Police marine units and drones, have been focusing on the Niagara River gorge and shoreline.

* * * * *

Are you or a friend is thinking about suicide? Heres how to get help

Dial 911 if you or your friend is in immediate danger.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-8255. This toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. By dialing 1-800-273-TALK, the call is routed to the nearest crisis center in a national network of more than 150 crisis centers, including Contact Community Services in Syracuse.

988 Suicide & crisis lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, this confidential, free service can be accessed by calling or texting 988. You can chat at 988lifeline.org

Contact Community Services Hotline, (315)-251-0600, provides 24-hour telephone counseling.

Veterans and Military Crisis Line, 1-800-273-8255 Press 1.

Crisis Text Line, a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7 and confidential.

Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation Program (CPEP), 205 Prospect Ave., Syracuse, (315) 448-6555. This licensed psychiatric emergency room at St. Josephs Hospital Health Center provides evaluation and treatment for individuals of all ages who are experiencing an acute mental health crisis.

St. Josephs Mobile Crisis Outreach, (315)-726-8650 or (315)-569-4129, provides off-site initial evaluation and assessment of individuals in an emotional crisis.

Upstate High Risk Psychiatry Program, (315) 464-3117, outpatient treatment for people at high risk of suicide. Anyone interested in the program can call. Referrals are not needed.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A raucous scene played out Monday night in Willowbrook when a real estate forum held at a synagogue prompted demonstrations from pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups.

A man was taken into custody after he lit an Israeli flag on fire, according to a spokesman for the NYPD.

With a large NYPD presence on the scene, hundreds of residents and congregants gathered shoulder-to-shoulder on the steps of Young Israel of Staten Island just before 7 p.m., while at least 100 pro-Palestinian protesters stood behind police barricades on the opposite side of heavily trafficked Forest Hill Road.

A demonstration is held in front of Young Israel of Staten Island in Willowbrook on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Scott R. Axelrod)Staff shot

Protesters organized by the Palestinian Assembly for Liberation New York and New Jersey (PAL-Awda) came to express their disapproval of a meeting being held in the synagogue related to real estate opportunities in Israel.

In response, the Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) organized a Unity and Love/Day of Peace Rally, according to COJO President Mendy Mirocznik.

A flyer posted by the PAL-Awda on X, formerly known as Twitter, promoting the demonstration read: Zionists are selling stolen land in Palestine. The group claimed online Zionists were planning the expansion of illegal settlements.

The space was supposed to be used for the showcasing of a real estate fair, and the group, decided to make a signature protest at Young Israel, Mirocznik explained. The synagogue has the right to rent out the space and are peaceful and not bothering anybody, while this group has gone throughout the tri-state area being very disruptive  it creates a stress in the community, he claimed.

Young Israel Rabbi Yakov Lehrfield pointed out that many of his congregants felt an obligation to be in attendance as they have children who are currently enlisted and fighting for the Israeli army.

Its our way of saying to the world, were not going to lie down, Rabbi Lehrfield said. There they are fighting with guns. Here, we can fight with our voices and show the world that we care  were not just going to cower.

With Israeli and American flags waving and the impromptu singing of Hebrew songs, including the Israeli national anthem Hatikvah, members of both sides exchanged harsh words as the protesters waved Palestinian flags and held up signs emblazoned with phrases such as, Judaism is not Zionism. Zionism is not Judaism and Stop the Sale of Stolen Palestinian Land.

Amid honking horns and supportive shouts, several antisemitic comments could clearly be heard being yelled from vehicles as they slowed past the temple. Several of the pro-Palestinian protesters were also escorted back across the street by police who worked to keep things as peaceful as possible and prevent any potential altercations.

The political director of the Muslim American Society (MAS) of Staten Island, who was in attendance, noted that college students and some individuals who practice Orthodox Judaism joined the Free Palestine movement to express their disapproval of Zionism.

At the scene, a sign reading Free Beepers, inquire within could be seen hanging from above a doorway into Young Israel of Staten Island, he said. Back in September, Israels Mossad spy agency planted explosives inside 5,000 pagers believed to be distributed to members of Hezbollah; the detonation of these devices reportedly killed nine and injured nearly 3,000 individuals, according to Reuters.

Its almost a threat to many peoples lives when they hear about free beepers, the MAS of Staten Island political director said. Especially theres a really big Lebanese community here on Staten Island and a Muslim community as well. And so, them seeing a sign like that openly put up was definitely something that was horrifying to so many of them.

Hundreds gathered on the steps of Young Israel of Staten Island for a rally of unity and love in support of Israel, while pro-Palestinian protestors assembled across busy Forest Hill Road in Willowbrook, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (Courtesy of Debra Killen/COJO)Debra Killen

Flag burning

An arrest stemmed from an episode that began when a man was holding the Israeli flag as he was seen standing on top of a rock surrounded by a large group of protesters. The man then allegedly used a lighter to torch the flag, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

No injuries or additional property damage were reported to police and the man faces charges that include misdemeanor reckless endangerment, the spokesman said.

This is a developing story and additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A Staten Island man who admitted possessing a gun in his West Brighton neighborhood will be headed to prison.

Shawn Plair of Alaska Street was charged after he tossed a gun while fleeing cops on May 17, 2024, and pleaded guilty to second degree criminal possession of a weapon.

The 18-year-old will be sentenced on Dec. 13, to two and a half years behind bars, according to the Richmond County District Attorneys Office.

Plair entered the guilty plea before Justice Lisa Grey in state Supreme Court, St. George, this past Friday.

The defendant ran from NYPD Violent Crime Squad (VCS) officers when they approached him, ditching the gun as he fled, allowing officers to recover it, said a newsletter from the office of District Attorney Michael E. McMahon.

Although initially Plair evaded arrest, through diligent investigative efforts and persistent follow through on the part of VCS and our office, a search warrant was able to be drafted for the clothing Plair was wearing that day and an arrest subsequently made, the newsletter said.

McMahon thanked Assistant District Attorney Matthew Signorile as well as the NYPD for ensuring that Plair faced consequences for his criminal acts and that justice was served.

Plairs attorney did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.

Gun toss

Authorities found Plair armed with a Smith & Wesson M&P shield 9 mm gun on May 17 at about 2:30 p.m. in the vicinity of Henderson Avenue and Broadway, according to the criminal complaint and police.

According to the police, the gun had one bullet in the chamber and 15 bullets in the magazine.

Plair, who was wearing a camouflage mask, gray Nike sweater, light-colored denim jeans and white Nike sneakers, threw the loaded gun on the ground and fled from officers, the complaint alleges.

Officers armed with a search warrant swarmed Plairs apartment in the West Brighton Houses on June 18 at about 6 a.m.

Countless lives have been lost and families forever changed due to senseless acts of gun violence, said McMahon in the newsletter. Todays plea reflects the commitment our office and the NYPD have made to ensure our streets are free from the threat of gun violence and proves we will not stop until those responsible for carrying these dangerous weapons are held accountable.
From the terrace of Alis brothers house in Meiss Ej Jabal, the plains of Galilee in Israel could be seen. This Lebanese Shia, who asks to remain anonymous, was born next to the unofficial border that Israeli troops crossed on October 1, when they launched their ground offensive in Lebanon 18 years after the last time their Lebanese enemy, Hezbollah, forced them to retreat after a brief and disastrous 34-day war. In Beirut, Ali, who is about 70 years old, shows photos of the house, a beautiful building nestled in land crisscrossed by olive trees and vineyards. None of it exists anymore: another satellite photo of the property shows a wasteland. The Israeli army, he says, blew it up.

Alis village is now empty. Its inhabitants have fled, like those of the other villages near the border, a three-kilometer strip that Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has dubbed the first belt of the southern offensive against the Shia party-militia. In that area, massive bombardments, the expulsion of the population, and the contamination of fields with white phosphorus  as denounced by Amnesty International  point to a scorched-earth strategy. Its aim, Ali believes, is to make the region uninhabitable. Hezbollah would thus be deprived of what Israel considers to be its social base in the region: the Shia community that lives along the border between the two countries.

The Israeli army has not, however, gained a foothold in the land it is ravaging, according to videos its own soldiers have posted on social media, such as one released on Monday showing the blowing up of numerous buildings in Meiss Ej Jabal. The soldiers go in, blow up the houses, and return to Israel at night, because that is when the militants [Hezbollah] attack them, Ali said. An Israeli newspaper, Yedioth Ahronot, criticized on Friday that, in the month since the ground offensive began, 50,000 soldiers have not been able to conquer a single village in Lebanon.

The article referred to the troops from the five divisions deployed in northern Israel for the invasion of Lebanon. They are not just any soldiers: the first Israeli forces to enter the Arab country were part of the elite units of the 91st Galilee Division, the Golani Reconnaissance Brigade, and the Egoz commandos, created in 1995 specifically to fight Hezbollah. The furthest these soldiers have penetrated, says Ali, is a few kilometers. All this, despite facing a militia that is very weakened after the setbacks that Israel managed to inflict on it in September.

In the 11 days of September between the detonation of thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies and the assassination in Beirut of its secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, the movement that emerged in 1982 to fight the Israeli occupation suffered unprecedented defeats. Israel was already covering Lebanon with bombs. In one day alone, September 23, 600 people died in these attacks. On that day alone, Israel claimed to have hit 1,600 Hezbollah military targets. Although seriously degraded  according to a military analyst and retired Lebanese general who is very critical of the paramilitary group, Khalil Helou  Hezbollah still resists, ambushing Israeli troops, planting explosives, and using projectiles that have even reached the southern region of Tel Aviv.

In the first four weeks of the Israeli ground operation, Hezbollah has been involved in more than 50 armed clashes with Israeli troops, according to data from the NGO ACLED. This conflict monitoring organization has recorded another 60 actions by the militants such as the detonation of improvised explosive devices or the launching of rockets, anti-tank missiles, or mortars against Israeli forces. October was the deadliest month for the Israeli army this year, with 62 soldiers killed in Gaza and Lebanon. In large part, this was due to the war against Hezbollah: 37 of these died on Lebanese territory.

Last Friday, the day before Israel announced the figures, Hezbollah had raised Israeli casualties to 95 and claimed to have destroyed 42 Merkava tanks, among other Israeli equipment  figures that are impossible to verify. Both sides tend to exaggerate their achievements, Andreas Krieg, a defence expert at Kings College London, told Middle East Eye in mid-October. However, Israels lack of territorial advances suggests, in his opinion, that the Israeli military has encountered fiercer resistance than they had expected.

Hezbollah retains good reconnaissance capabilities [...] and has staged several ambushes against Israeli soldiers using improvised explosive devices and close-quarter small-arms fire, said a document on October 22 issued by the Atlantic Council, a think tank with close ties to NATO, the United States, and the United Kingdom, all allies of Israel.

Air superiority

Israel is betting, at least for the moment, on prioritizing its unbeatable air superiority rather than expanding a ground offensive that it has described from the outset as limited. In September and October, the number of bombings in Lebanon far exceeded the attacks in Gaza in any month last year, according to ACLED, although with far fewer deaths than in the Palestinian strip, due to the tiny size of the enclave, its high population density, and the impossibility of Gazans fleeing.

Since October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah began attacking northern Israel with rockets in response to the Gaza offensive, more than 3,000 Lebanese have been killed, according to official figures. Of these, retired General Hisham Jaber, who was commander of the Beirut military region, says in his Beirut office, 80% were civilians. General Helou, for his part, estimates the number of Hezbollah fighters killed at 1,000.

Israels attacks on Hezbollah have not prevented the party-militia from continuing to launch missiles and drones, in strikes that have even increased their scale and geographic reach in Israeli territory, ACLED confirms. On October 20, a drone hit the home of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Caesarea, north of Tel Aviv. Six days earlier, another unmanned aircraft killed four Israeli soldiers and wounded more than 60 in Binyamina, south of Haifa, about 65 kilometers (40 miles) from the border with Lebanon. One of the declared objectives of the war  the return of the 60,000 Israelis displaced from the north of the country by Hezbollah rockets  thus seems just as implausible as it was months ago.

Since the first Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1978, Israel has launched ground offensives on three occasions: in 1982, 2006 and 2024. These offensives, also described as limited and localized, preceded much more ambitious ground invasions in the past, something that has not yet happened. In 1982, only a week had passed since the entry of Israeli troops into Lebanon, on June 6, when soldiers began to advance towards Beirut. At that time, the target was the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which Israel managed to expel from the Arab country. However, that brutal invasion led to the rise of Hezbollah: 18 years later, in 2000, the paramilitary organization forced Israel to withdraw from Lebanon. Six years later, in 2006, the now party-militia caused a new Israeli withdrawal, which ultimately ended up reinforcing Hezbollahs power.

Faced with the powerful Israeli army, then as now, Hezbollah's strategy is based, explains General Jaber, on "guerrilla warfare" and an "excellent knowledge of the terrain." These militants have been trained to attack Israeli soldiers autonomously, without receiving orders from their commanders, noted a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in March. This could explain why, with the group's chain of command damaged and many of its leaders killed, these militants continue to fight in southern Lebanon.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - As Staten Islanders took to the polls on Tuesday, many said they are feeling a mix of nervousness, hope and confidence as they voted for the next U.S. president.

Republican nominee former President Donald Trump is battling Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris for the Oval Office. A president needs 270 electoral college votes to win the presidency, and New Yorkers hold 28 of those crucial votes.

North Shore voters

By 8:30 a.m., the Central Family Life Center, Stapleton, had already welcomed over 50 voters. In 2020, that same voting site recorded 331 votes (91%) for Joe Biden and only 34 votes for Donald Trump.

This time feels like its the most important of all. I have a daughter, so I dont want her to grow up having less rights than I have, explained Martha Vazquez, a third-time voter from Stapleton who said she is voting for Harris. I came to do my civil duty early, and hopefully it goes smooth and its not as chaotic as the campaigns have been.

I feel that if we dont support Kamala this time, were going to be lost for the next four years, said Marjorie Miranda, of Stapleton. We need to start thinking that there are going to be changes.

Miranda added she feels this election is more stressful because of how divided the people have become.

We need to start thinking that there are going to be changes," said Marjorie Miranda, of Stapleton. (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi)Priya Shahi

It feels good and a little stressful, Jillian Ballow, of Stapleton, said of Election Day. Its been many years of stress of whats happening and whats going on. Hopefully, therell be an answer today. I think either way, were going to be OK, and the world is not going to end.

Stapleton resident Jillian Ballow said this Election Day "feels good and a little stressful." (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi)Priya Shahi

South Shore

At the other end of Staten Island, at the PS 3 voting site in Pleasant Plains, Trump supporters expressed confidence.

A poll worker shared that before 9 a.m., a group of a dozen firefighters, sanitation workers and EMTs entered the polling site, cheering, Go Trump! By 10 a.m., more than 325 people had cast their votes at that polling site.

Trump all day. He has to win. Good versus evil. Black versus white. Its very simple, said Joe Padovano, of Pleasant Plains.

And if Trump doesnt win, he added, were going to have to do what we did the last four years, pay for everybody else.

Trump all day," said Joe Padovano, of Pleasant Plains. (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi)Priya Shahi

Another Pleasant Plains resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said they were 99% sure Trump would win.

I am voting for Donald Trump. Hes not afraid to say things, said Richard Randazzo, of Princes Bay. Its very exciting. What Ive never liked about the debates -- they just attack each other instead of discussing what they want to do and what their real feelings are about helping the public.

I am voting for Donald Trump. Hes not afraid to say things, said Richard Randazzo, of Princes Bay. Its very exciting." (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi)Priya Shahi

A married couple who emigrated from Eastern Europe shared their support for Harris.

I am proud we have a newspaper on Staten Island that expresses a reasonable opinion, Michael Yakir said. Right now, Im OK. But later on during the day, I might be very disappointed.

Marina Yakir added: Im worried for democracy. Its a very stressful day. I feel very uneasy. Whatever the situation is going to be, even if I like the results, Im very much afraid of whats going to happen next.

Barbara Schaefer, of Pleasant Plains, said she feels optimistic that Trump will win.

I want the economy to be stronger. Better system for the children. And no wars -- my son is a Top Gun pilot, so I dont want him in the Middle East or in China, she said.

Sonny Soemarsono, who emigrated from Indonesia, shared he reached his American dream in the United States, and he voted for Harris.

We are comfortable. We work hard. We know how to save money. I achieved my American Dream. We started from zero, Soemarsono said, as his wife, Veronida Soemarsono, who shared she is from the Philippines, nodded. Kamala is for the working people.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  If youre worried about how long it will take to vote today, dont stress: The New York City Board of Elections Election Day Wait Time Map is up and running.

By visiting the Board of Elections website, you can explore the map. There are hundreds of polling sites in the five boroughs, with over two dozen on Staten Island alone  but only your address can dictate where you vote.

By plugging your address and borough into the search bar, you can find your polling site and its wait time. Color coded like a traffic light, green means under 20 minutes, yellow means 20 to 50 minutes, and red means over 50 minutes.

The maps wait times are updated every half an hour, keeping you in the know as you vote.

Click here to see the wait time for your voting site.

Polls in New York are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., given New Yorkers a 15-hour window to cast their ballots  if they havent been casted already.

After nine days of early voting, 1,089,328 million votes were cast across the five boroughsless than 100,000 votes from 2020s total of 1,119,056.

The Staten Island highlight, though, comes in the per capita number of votes.

In the first ever Battle of the Boroughs, Kings County won with the raw vote, while Staten Island had the highest voter turnout by percentage, the statement detailed.

A borough-by-borough breakdown shows Staten Island leading the way in turnout, with over a quarter of residents casting their vote ahead of Election Day tomorrow.

As seen in the written statement, here are the numbers of early voting check ins and turnout percentages by borough:
After voting in Palm Beach, Fla., former President Donald Trump irritably told a reporter to to stop talking about it in reference to Floridas abortion ban.

The ban is on the ballot for millions of Floridians, like other states across the nation.

Should it pass, it would prevent state lawmakers from passing any law that penalizes, prohibits, delays or restricts abortion until fetal viability  which doctors say is sometime after 21 weeks, CBS News reported.

If it fails, the Sunshine States abortion ban would remain at six weeks, when many women dont know theyre pregnant yet.

Reporters asked Trump about how he voted on the ban twice, CBS News said, with Trump ducking the question initially.

Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court two years ago, sending abortion laws to the state level. Since the states began voting on it, no state has enshrined a strict abortion ban.

Trump said he did a great job bringing it back to the states, as the three conservative justices on the court were inducted to the nations highest bench under his administration, CBS News said.

The second time the reporter asked how he cast his vote, Trump retorted with, You should stop talking about it.

Back in August, Trump flipped flopped on the issue, his decision changing within a day.

AP wrote that Trump said he will vote no on a Florida ballot measure that would repeal the states six-week abortion ban, a day after he seemed to indicate he would vote in favor of the measure.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Less than 24 hours until Election Day, the race for the White House couldnt be much closer, with many outlets final pre-election polls showing former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris deadlocked in a tie.

In a race filled with twists and turns, including a replacement at the top of the Democratic ticket, an apparent assassination attempt, a controversial New York City rally and much more, Americans are no closer to knowing who will be their next president than they have been in recent months.

Both national and state-level polls have varied widely since the summer, making it nearly impossible to tell which candidate was actually leading at any given point.

Now, as millions and millions of Americans prepare to cast their ballots on Tuesday, various polls show the candidates tied, meaning whichever party turns out more voters may very well end up on top.

Heres a look at how both candidates performed in some of the final pre-election polls.

NBC NEWS

An NBC News poll, which includes responses from 1,000 registered voters between Oct. 30 and Nov. 2, showed Trump and Harris tied, with both candidates receiving 49% supporting and the remaining 2% still undecided on how they will cast their ballots.

When the ballot is expanded to include third-party candidates, Trump takes a one-point lead, with 47% supporting Trump, 46% supporting Harris and 7% undecided or planning to vote for a third-party candidate.

As has been the case throughout the election cycle, there continues to be a massive gender gap between the two candidates, with Harris leading 57%-41% among women and Trump leading 58%-40% among men, representing a 34-point gap.

Trump leads by significant margins among rural voters, 75%-23%, white voters, 56%-42%, and white voters without college degrees, 64%-34%.

Meanwhile, Harris largest margins are among Black voters, 87%-9%, voters under 30 years old, 57%-41%, and white voters with college degrees, 55%-43%.

This is very stable data from where we were in October, Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates, who conducted the survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff of Public Opinion Strategies, told NBC News.

Weve grown further apart, and weve picked our corner, added McInturff. Each side is as locked down as it gets, and they dont budge or move.

NEW YORK POST

A New York Post poll, which includes responses from 950 likely voters between Oct. 31 and Nov. 3, showed both candidates tied at 49% support, with the remaining 2% planning to vote for a third-party candidate.

The results represent a significant four-point surge for Trump, who had been trailing Harris 51%-47% in the previous New York Post poll released at the beginning of October.

The gender gap in the most recent New York Post poll is far more narrow than in polls conducted by other outlets, with Harris up seven points among women and Trump up five points among men, representing a 12-point gap.

In terms of age, Trump continues to lead among older voters, up 14% among those ages 55 and up, while Harris leads among younger voters, up 20% among ages 18-34.

Harris maintained a slight edge in favorability among voters, although both candidates are viewed more negatively than positively going into the election.

Roughly 43% held a favorable view of Harris, while 44% held an unfavorable view, representing a net favorability rating of -1%.

Meanwhile, 45% held a favorable view of Trump, while 48% held an unfavorable view, representing a net favorability rating of -3%.

EMERSON COLLEGE

An Emerson College poll, which includes responses from 1,000 likely voters between Oct. 30 and Nov. 2, showed the candidates tied at 49% a piece, with 1% undecided and 1% planning to vote for a third-party candidate.

Whether these types of national polls, or elections themselves, are to be trusted depends on who you ask, according the recent results.

Harris and Trump voters differ greatly in their trust of elections: 93% of Harris voters have a good amount or great deal of trust that elections are fair, compared to 40% of Trump voters, said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling. Trust in public opinion polls also varies by presidential choice: 54% of Harris voters have a great deal or good amount of trust in public opinion polls compared to 25% of Trump voters.

Roughly 40% of respondents said the economy was the most important issue facing the nation, followed by immigration (17%), threats to democracy (16%), abortion access (7%) and healthcare (5%).
Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe!

Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions.

Premium Subscription

As low as $8.25 per week

Premium Includes:

-- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time.

-- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content

-- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community

-- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week!
Coinciding with the diversion of attention away from Gaza in the wake of Israels invasion of Lebanon and renewed fears of a wider regional conflict, the volumes of basic supplies entering the Gaza Strip since September have plummeted. This drastic drop, amid the humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave and another military siege in the north, is the result of new Israeli obstacles and the chaos caused by its offensive. And now the situation could get even worse with the passage last Monday of a law in the Israeli parliament (Knesset) banning the activities of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

Israels increased restrictions on the delivery of essential goods, both from humanitarian agencies and the private sector, come as winter approaches and the threat of famine looms over Gaza. The latest report from the main international body on food security warned in October that acute malnutrition will worsen in the Gaza Strip in the coming months, partly due to reduced aid and limited access to food. It also warned that the risk of famine will persist if the war continues and aid is restricted.

In September, the total number of humanitarian aid shipments and commercial shipments entering Gaza was the lowest since February, according to U.N. data. Moreover, if only humanitarian shipments are counted, deliveries in September were by far the lowest since the start of Israels military offensive in the Gaza Strip, with the exception of October 2023, and remained almost 70% below the peak recorded in April. Israels data show a significantly higher flow, but reflect similar trends.

The situation worsened further in October. According to U.N. data, no private commercial cargo had entered Gaza until the 27th of that month, the latest for which figures are available, while Israeli authorities put the figure at 104. In the previous five months, by contrast, Israel had allowed in at least 1,200 privately chartered trucks each month. During the same period in October, only 836 humanitarian trucks entered Gaza, according to U.N. data, more than 40% fewer than in September.

The drop in aid to Gaza is due mainly to two factors, according to Tamara Alrifai, a spokeswoman for UNRWA. First, Israels closure of border crossings  most of the time, only two crossings are open , and second, its continued restrictions on aid shipments, including lengthy and cumbersome checks. One of the latest obstacles is a new customs clearance process introduced in September for shipments from Jordan.

Until now, aid entering through the Jordanian corridor did not require customs clearance, as it was regulated by another mechanism between the U.N. and Israel, says Alrifai. Adding a customs regulation is the prerogative of any country, but it adds an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and time to the practice, she adds. In August, 346 U.N. and NGO trucks arrived in Gaza via this route, according to U.N. data. But the number fell to 31 in the first half of September and to zero in the second half. In October, 130 were counted.

As for the private sector, Jonathan Whittall, acting head of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Palestine, says deliveries have been drastically reduced by increased screening, the Israeli authorities desire to see them reduced, and border crossing closures during a holiday period.

Fifteen international NGOs reported in September that aid into Gaza is also systematically hampered by the lack of security guarantees, restrictions on the movement of aid within the Strip, the extensive destruction of infrastructure, and the displacement of civilians. A recent development is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find truck drivers willing to pick up humanitarian goods, as they fear looting and the violence that now surrounds any movement of goods, explains Alrifai.

Humanitarian aid packages dropped from planes in the Al-Mawasi area, Gaza, on October 17, 2024. Abed Rahim Khatib (Anadolu/Getty Images)

Without alternative routes

Whittall says OCHA has asked for alternative routes to be opened for transporting goods, in order to avoid the current breakdown in public order around the main border crossing in southern Gaza, and at the same time removing the need to travel along a single road full of looters. But the Israeli authorities have been refusing them for months, he laments.

The supplies that are reaching Gaza are far below what is required to alleviate or reverse its serious humanitarian crisis. Before the Israeli offensive, some 500 trucks were entering every day, most of them from the private sector. But in the last year Israel has not allowed this average to be reached again, even though the needs of the population are now even greater.

These 500 were arriving before there were two million displaced people, around 80% of infrastructure destroyed, [current levels of] food insecurity, collapsed health systems, lack of water, sanitation and shelter, Whittall says. And a lot of the things [needed] to save lives cant be loaded onto the back of a truck  medical personnel, emergency response personnel, all that kind of stuff.

Israels ban on UNRWA operations threatens to further hamper aid distribution. The law passed by the Knesset could collapse the U.N. agencys activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, and although Israel insists it will work with other entities, there is currently no replacement with a similar infrastructure.

Restrictions on aid to Gaza are in the spotlight because Israel is bound by international law to ensure Gazans receive essential supplies. In May, prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) asked the court to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in part on suspicion that Israel uses the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare.

But the Israeli government denies this. Israel does not restrict the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, said a spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Defense body that manages the day-to-day operations of the occupation in the Palestinian territories, COGAT. Due to the dynamic situation of the fighting, adjustments are made from time to time to the entry agreements to facilitate the entry of aid and prevent its use by terrorist organizations, he explained.

The reality on the ground, however, is different. If the siege is not lifted and border crossings are not fully functional, essential aid will not be able to reach those in need, says Ahmad Baroudi of Save the Children. Ahmed Bayram of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) agrees: Its been the same story for a year. We are talking about so much effort, so much discussion, so much diplomacy and so much pressure, for what is probably the most basic of human rights: to be safe and to eat.
Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed

There are reasons to be wary of Al Jazeera: the largest news channel in Arabic, which also broadcasts in English, is owned by the Emirate of Qatar, which is only too happy to deploy its influence in the region. It sparked the Arab Spring, which succeeded in toppling some tyrants but not in consolidating democracies (there is none in Qatar either). There are also reasons, perhaps more, to pay attention to what Al Jazeera has to say: not only as a thermometer of how Arab countries are reacting to the Middle East conflict, but also because it is the global television channel with the greatest presence in Gaza, given that the major international media outlets are denied access. It has first-hand material that it continues to broadcast despite the fact that Israeli forces killed four of its journalists (and the entire family of its local chief, Wael Dahdouh, who continued to work through the heartbreak.) It is no longer present in Israel, where its activities have been banned.

Al Jazeera has produced the documentary Investigating war crimes in Gaza, available on its website and on YouTube, which presents evidence of violations of the rules of war and humanitarian law committed by Israeli troops in a small, overcrowded territory where more than 43,000 people have already died and where most of the buildings have been destroyed. It includes good material of the devastation of the Strip, but what is most striking is that it contains abundant footage recorded and distributed by Israeli soldiers themselves, because the military appears not to have any restrictions when it comes to sharing footage of shootings, demolitions or the mistreatment of prisoners on Instagram or TikTok. A first, shocking conclusion is that the dissemination of these videos is tolerated by army commanders, given that those who upload them to social networks often do so under their own names. Today it is quite common  and at the same time stupid  for someone to record themselves committing a crime, but it fits poorly into the discipline expected of such a sophisticated army. This material could be incriminating in court, were it not for Israels habitual disregard for the demands of international justice.

Among these videos there are some that show cruelty: shooting defenseless civilians, including children and women, just for being where they are; the humiliation of handcuffed prisoners, almost naked and dragged along the ground; the destruction of basic civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools. Other videos are chilling for their frivolity: they are set to music and emoticons, trying to make humor out of the tragedy of others. The euphoria unleashed by the occupation forces with each demolition is shocking. We see private homes, entire neighborhoods, entire villages, and multi-story buildings being destroyed with large explosive charges. There is a soldier who admits that he is addicted to this spectacle. A few days ago, a well-known journalist from Israeli television channel N12 had the rare honor of pressing the button to blow up a building, this time in Lebanon. An Israeli song, which went viral on networks and is played at parties and discos, mocks Gazans who have lost everything: This was my house. It is danced to on TikTok, in a grotesque manner, by users who dress up as Palestinians.

In some of these selfies from the front, Israeli soldiers enter private homes, destroying everything, and look surprised to find drawers full of fine lingerie, as if they had just discovered that Palestinians have erotic lives. There are several images of soldiers unfurling the garments around them or putting panties, bras, and stockings on over their uniforms. The footage leads to the conclusion that the Israeli armys actions are not only in response to the military logic of putting an end to Hamas, but also to quench the Israelis thirst for revenge after the brutal attacks of October 7, 2023 (over which this documentary passes too quickly).

In addition to the footage captured by Al Jazeera and that of the Israeli soldiers themselves, the documentary brings together the opinions of international experts in humanitarian law, witnesses to the horror, and Palestinian intellectuals. Some of the war crimes committed in Gaza are detailed here: the collective punishment of an entire people, the torture and inhumane treatment of prisoners, the use of hunger as a weapon of war, the systematic attacks on health workers and aid workers such as those of World Central Kitchen or the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), which has been outlawed. There is much insistence that Israel has the unconditional support of the United States and the United Kingdom. It is clear what the main problem for the West is in the eyes not only of Arab public opinion, but of the entire Global South: the loss of credibility in the face of the double standards applied in the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the lack of consistency in the defense of human rights depending on where they are violated.

A Palestinian woman weeping amid the rubble cries out to the camera: Who cares about us? This is not an impartial, cold, neutral, and equidistant report, nor could we have expected it to be. But the images that are placed before our eyes are as real as they are disturbing.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Thanks for joining us for our live coverage of news from Brisbane and abroad. Well be back tomorrow morning  see you then.

In case you missed them, here are some of the stories making headlines today.

Donald Trump is on track to defeat Kamala Harris in a dramatic victory that would make him just the second person in American history to return to the White House after an earlier defeat.

Liberal National Party senator Matt Canavan wont be withdrawing his bill that would require medical professionals to provide healthcare to fetuses described as born alive after an abortion.

Under-pressure opposition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie has apologised for failing to declare 16 flight upgrades, just over a week after she claimed to have never sought or received airline perks.

Back in Brisbane, the owner of a West End restaurant rammed by a ute that was then set alight, burning his business, says he doesnt know why it was targeted, as police release CCTV footage of two suspects.

Net overseas migration will overshoot the federal governments budget forecasts as students attempt to stay in the country and New Zealanders leave their weak economy in search work in Australia.

In entertainment news, Eurovision on Tour brings the stars, costumes and kitsch to Brisbane, with runner-up Dami Im joining winners and finalists to sing hits from the planets biggest and glitziest song contest.
A Virgin Australia flight took off from a partially closed runway at Brisbane airport because the distracted crew didnt notice the warnings.

An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found the flight crew only realised there might be a problem when they saw traffic cones in front of the plane. By then, the Boeing 737-800 was travelling about 100 knots (185 km/h)  towards a section of runway partially closed for repairs.

A Virgin Boeing narrowly missed safety cones on the runway in Brisbane. Credit: Beau Chenery

While they considered the cones an immediate threat, they estimated that the aircraft would become airborne before the cones and, as the aircrafts airspeed had exceeded 80 knots, they continued the take-off, the ATSB report, released on Tuesday, stated.

The incident, on November 30, 2022, did not go unnoticed in the control tower. One air traffic controller had questioned the timing of the take-off and, on noticing the aircraft pass over the cones, sent ground crew to inspect, who found three cones had been blown over.
University fees will be reviewed nationwide in the next phase of the Albanese governments overhaul of student debt in a pitch to young voters tempted by the Greens.

A planned Australian Tertiary Education Commission would have the power to examine course fees, Education Minister Jason Clare confirmed on Tuesday, in a move that could undo Morrison-era changes that doubled the cost of some degrees while lowering maths and science course fees.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Education Jason Clare in parliament on Tuesday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Our intention is to also establish a commission that would be setting course fees into the future, Clare said in Labors caucus meeting, according to a spokesman.

The government has this month announced a host of planned changes to tertiary education costs, including increasing the threshold for repayments and reducing the amount of income that people have to put towards their debts. But its biggest move is a plan to cut debts by 20 per cent.
Melbourne Water paid $80.82 million in capital repatriation, $22.2 million in dividends, plus a new efficiency dividend of $24.5 million  as part of the governments COVID debt repayment plan, it said in its annual report. Pallas determines dividends and whether to withdraw more cash after consultation with the corporations boards and Water Minister Harriet Shing. Greater Western Water paid $71.8 million in capital repatriation for the year, acquitted $64.74 million in dividends and paid a further $1.89 million in efficiency savings. Dr Erin ODonnell, a senior lecturer in water policy at the University of Melbourne Law School, said Greater Western Water could already be under pressure after forgoing bills for part of the year because of a technical issue.

I get that the government is trying to pay down debt, but this will put upwards pressure on water corporation prices, ODonnell said. In what remains a cost-of-living crisis, this does appear to be robbing Peter to pay Paul. We all lose out if water corporations end up scrimping on essential maintenance to pay government dividends. Treasurer Tim Pallas pulls hundreds of millions of dollars a year from water corporations. Credit: Joe Armao A Greater Western Water spokeswoman said the dividend would not affect prices. The government, water providers and the Essential Services Commission (which sets prices every five years) insist the payments have no consequence for customers bills. The commission sets prices based on how much each business needs to recover to provide its services.

ODonnell has previously argued that if the water authorities had cash to spare for the government, then customers could reasonably ask whether they were paying too much. Melbourne has the lowest average water bills of all Australian capital cities and the government said those for regional Victorians were also among the cheapest. The government says Melbourne has the lowest average water bills of all Australian capital cities. Credit: Vince Caligiuri Distributions from government business enterprises are reinvested through the budget, helping to fund important infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and roads and vital services that Victorian families rely on, a government spokeswoman said. Some of the corporations had to borrow from Treasury Corporation of Victoria, which then makes a profit on the interest. That corporation paid $144.6 million in dividends for the year.

Pallas, in announcing the COVID repayment plan last year, said efficiencies would save $2.1 billion without affecting frontline services. Housing Minister Harriet Shing. Credit: AAP The treasurer has now charged Ports Victoria $400,000 for an efficiency savings payment, while State Trustees was sent a $736,000 bill. Cladding Safety Victoria also paid an unspecified COVID levy. The Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, which routinely posts a deficit and which was ensnared in the states failure to properly regulate domestic building insurance last year, was asked to pay $600,000 in capital repatriation. That was after going through a major restructure, which helped us meet the efficiency savings required by the Victorian government, it said.

Development Victoria paid $27.081 million in dividends, including $352,000 in efficiency savings dividends. Loading South East Water was handed a $194.36 million bill for capital repatriation, $51.427 million for dividends and an extra $1.89 million in efficiency savings as part of the governments COVID debt repayment plan. Yarra Valley Water paid $72.8 million in capital repatriation, on top of $58.1 million in dividends and $1.7 million in COVID efficiencies. Gippsland Water was told to repay $892,000 in capital repatriation, and North East Water made a $560,000 state efficiency payment.

Goulburn Murray Water sent the government $700,000 as capital repatriation and Central Highlands Water had $672,000 withdrawn as a state efficiency payment. The Department of Treasury and Finance also sent $500,000 bills to Lower Murray Water and Wannon Water. Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water will stump up $400,000, while Southern Rural Water was paying $300,000 and Westernport Water was returning $200,000. Shadow finance spokeswoman Jess Wilson said Labor was taking money from corporations that were carrying debt. Labor continues to rip money out of public agencies to prop up its own budget, Wilson said.

Loading The Allan Labor governments capital repatriations are nothing more than debt-shifting from one set of books to another. Melbourne Waters acting executive general manager of corporate services, Lachlan Bakewell, said the payments did not affect the companys ability to deliver essential services and maintenance. As a Victorian-owned statutory authority, a percentage of our profits are returned to government to spend on essential infrastructure like schools and hospitals, Bakewell said. South East Water chief financial officer Kimberley Lamden said the government had the authority to request repayment of its capital contribution as sole shareholder and that future investment was a priority.
Every year, on the first Tuesday of November, jockey Tommy Berry would receive text messages from long-lost schoolfriends, asking him, Who do you like in the Melbourne Cup?

This year, they were all like, What do you like in the Big Dance? Berry said.

A few of those friends must have been tempted to buy Berry a beer or two after he rode Gringotts to a classy victory in the $3 million Randwick feature.

Gringotts drew wide in barrier 23, but Berry had a plan: roll forward down the back straight and have the gelding at the front of the pack when swinging for home.
When they drew gate six, it must have brought a smile to their faces. They could not do any more, the rest was up to Dolan. Knights Choice jumped cleanly from the barriers, but could not match the speed of Trust In You and Zardozi on his inside. Crucially, though, he landed in front of Japanese runner Warp Speed from gate three  ultimately, this would prove the winning break. Dolan was caught three wide  outside Zardozi and Trust In You  for the first 200m, but held his nerve and as Andrea Atzeni squirted forward on Zardozi, Knights Choice was able to settle one off the fence. At this stage, he was seven lengths off early leader Just Fine. We didnt give him instructions, he just knew what to do, Laxon said of Dolans ride.

To the naked eye, it was too early to spot the winner. Jamie Kah had positioned Okita Soushi behind leader Just Fine, Zardozi was behind her, while the three favourites  Buckaroo, Onesmoothoperator and Vauban  were caught back and wide. It was not what punters wanted to see. From the 800m: Sleeping like a baby As the field pushed past the finishing post for the first time Dolan, who once appeared on The Voice, must have been belting out a lullaby because he had practically put Knights Choice to sleep. The five-year-old gelding was conserving his energy in the back third of the field. This would allow him to unleash a long, sustained burst at the back end of the race.

By now, Land Legend and Circle Of Fire had pushed up on leader Just Fine and injected speed into what many thought was going to be a slowly run race. I thought Id be a pair closer, but they went quick, Dolan said. I just rode him for luck because I know hes got a good turn of foot. This early pace would take the sting out of the sit-sprinters such as Kovalica, who finished ninth, and Buckaroo, 10th. As the horses turned into the first bend, two of the pre-race fancies, Absurde and Sea King, were the last two horses in the race. It was game over for them. Final 900m: It pays to cut corners

The field had been strung out by leader Just Fine at the 900 metre-mark, and the back markers waited until the 700 before starting to fan and make their moves. At this stage, Zardozi and Okita Soushi were emerging as the dangers. Kah had cleverly manoeuvred Okita Soushi three off the fence, while Atzeni on Zardozi was making valuable ground along the rail. All eyes then fanned wide because Buckaroo and Vauban were making their runs. No one was looking for Knights Choice or Warp Speed. Why would you? They were caught back in the wash  still seven lengths off the lead.

Loading When Warp Speed swung around the outside of Knights Choice, Dolan knew his moment had come. Together they started to pick their way through the field. There wasnt enough room for me to come outside. So I decided to cut the corner, Dolan said. Once my horse spotted the gap, he sort of changed legs and he just sort of picked up on me. By the 400m mark, Knights Choice and Warp Speed had made up four lengths, while Buckaroo and Vauban were dying on their runs.

What a great ride by Robbie. You know he stayed in, he took the risk, went through the pack, Symons said. I was worried he got further back than we talked about, but what a great ride. Last 200m: He found another gear Inside the final 200m, a fairytale looked to be unfolding. But it wasnt the singing jockey on the 80-1 longshot that fans were cheering home. It was Kah and James Cummings. Kah, hoping to become the second woman to win the Cup, had hit the front on Okita Soushi. Coming hard on her inside was Zardozi, trained by Cummings, grandson of the legendary Bart, who was chasing his first Cup.
As millions of Americans headed to the polls to cast their ballot in what was likely to be one of the most consequential elections in recent history, bomb threats were reported at a number of polling sites amid claims of foreign interference and voter fraud.

In Fulton County, Georgia, which has the states largest black population and was one of the strongest counties for the Democrats in the 2020 election, five polling sites were temporarily closed after bomb threats were made. Out of the 177 polling places in Fulton County, 32 faced bomb threats.

A voter works on her ballot at a polling place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, California. Credit: AP

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said similar threats were made throughout the state, but all were deemed non-credible and authorities were investigating. The FBI also reported multiple bomb threats were made nationwide that were not being treated as credible threats. All threats appeared to originate from Russian email domains.

On Tuesday AEDT, US officials issued a joint statement with federal law enforcement agencies warning that Russia was ramping up its influence operations, including in ways that could incite violence, and would probably continue those efforts well after the votes had been cast. The statement also noted that Iran remains a significant foreign influence threat to US elections.
When Donald Trump arrived at a rally in Lititz, Pennsylvania, on Monday AEDT, the full theatricality of American politics was on display. Walking from a black SUV to the podium, Trump co-opted WWE wrestler The Undertakers entrance song Rest In Peace  a funereal dirge complete with church bells and organs. The former president then stood and swayed for two and a half minutes of Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA.

As the unofficial national anthem played its final notes, Trump raised a fist and knocked twice on an enormous plate of bulletproof glass. Chants of USA followed. The protective glass, which is typically used to protect only sitting presidents and vice presidents, has become an unwelcome staple at Trumps outdoor rallies since a July assassination attempt.

Trump standing between two bulletproof panels, probably made of layers of glass and polycarbonate. Credit: AP

Half an hour into the rally, Trump began to lament the impact the panels would have on his appearance, saying When you watch me tonight youll say the president doesnt look that good. Well, how the hell do you look good? Look at the size of this sucker. I dont look great on television when you have a four-inch piece of glass that a Howitzer cant go through.

For bulletproof glass to meet the standard for government use in the USA, it must be able to withstand five shots from one of Americas 1.2 million submachine guns or rifles. According to Nathan Munz, the managing director of Australian ballistic glass manufacturer Glassform, the panels used in both Trump and Harris rallies appear to be designed to withstand a particularly aggressive assault.
Prospects for collaboration between Azerbaijan and Egypt in sustainable urban development and infrastructure were a key topic of discussion during the 12th World Urban Forum. Anar Guliyev, chairman of the State Urban Planning and Architecture Committee of Azerbaijan, shared insights about these discussions on X, Azernews reports.

Guliyev met with Sherif El Sherbini, the Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities of Egypt, to explore potential cooperation avenues. He emphasized the importance of sharing experiences in urban planning, particularly as Azerbaijan prepares to host the upcoming World Urban Forum in 2026.

"We conveyed our congratulations on the successful organization of WUF12, the most reputable and widely attended event in urban planning," Guliyev noted. He expressed confidence that Azerbaijan could greatly benefit from Egypt's expertise as it gears up for WUF13.
At 20, Kit Connor has just learned to drive. While this is typical for someone his age, it feels unusual for someone who is the visible face of one of Netflixs most successful series, Heartstopper. The show  based on the best-selling comic by Alice Oseman  has catapulted Connor to fame. Everything has happened so quickly that some describe his career as stratospheric, even though he has spent more than half his life in front of the cameras.

Growing up on film and television sets forced him to mature at a young age, he told Interview magazine, leaving him feeling somewhat out of place at times. I never went out to parties really, he admitted. A lot of my friends and family would be going out on holiday, and Id be working. That was the only thing that did have a sort of lasting impact. But for the most part, I really loved growing up on film sets.

Connor grew up in Croydon, a town south of London that lacks any cinematic glamour. His parents worked in advertising, and his two older brothers had no ties to the acting world. Nevertheless, he began his journey as a child actor after attending drama classes to overcome his shyness. What started as an extracurricular activity quickly blossomed into a passion, and before he knew it, he had landed his first significant role at just 9 years old in the Christmas film Get Santa, released in 2014. This was followed by supporting roles in television series like Rockets Island and War and Peace, as well as minor appearances in films such as The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

In 2019, he experienced another pivotal moment in his career when he portrayed a teenage Elton John in Rocketman, the biopic directed by Dexter Fletcher. This role not only marked a significant opportunity for him, but also allowed him to forge a friendship with the legendary musician, whom he considers a role model. Elton and David [Furnish, the musicians husband] are extraordinary parents, he said in an interview with The Sunday Times. Their two kids are just brilliant, and I think its incredibly impressive they live such a privileged life and have been raised to be humble and grateful young men.

From left, Elton John, his husband David Furnish and Kit Connor, at the premiere of 'Rocketman' at the Cannes Film Festival, on May 16, 2019. Toni Anne Barson (FilmMagic)

As part of the cast of Rocketman, he attended the Cannes Film Festival for the first time and, as a teenager, entered a world that was starting to embrace him. Landing the role in Heartstopper gave him with the final push. At just 16 years old, Connor auditioned for the series, which centers around the relationship between two teenagers: Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), who identify as gay and bisexual, respectively. The first season, released in April 2022, quickly became a global success, ranking among the most-watched show on Netflix in over 50 countries.

Overnight, as often happens to actors touched by Netflixs magic wand, he became a star. Fashion brands invited him to their shows  Loewe even featured him in its fall-winter campaign  magazines clamored to photograph him for their covers, and his social media following skyrocketed, with 6.2 million followers on Instagram alone. However, with overexposure came the first bitter taste of fame.

Joe Locke and Kit Connor in an episode of the second season of 'Heartstopper.' Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Cordon Press

In September 2022, after photographs surfaced of the actor walking hand in hand with fellow actress Maia Reficco (who co-stars in his upcoming film A Cuban Girls Guide to Tea and Tomorrow), tens of thousands of people accused him on social media of queerbaiting  a marketing technique involving intentional homoeroticism or suggestions of LGBTQ+ themes intended to draw in an LGBTQ+ audience. The controversy was addressed with a brief message from Connor, in which he criticized the attitude of some Heartstopper fans: Im bi. congrats for forcing an 18-year-old to out himself. I think some of you missed the point of the show. Bye, he said in what would be his last post before leaving social media.

In an interview with The Guardian in 2023, Connor reflected on this episode: I knew that I was a queer man, but I didnt feel I wanted the world to know. Not because I was ashamed, but because it was private.

Following that incident, he made a conscious effort to distance himself from the public eye, preserving his privacy and minimizing his exposure outside of red carpets. Sometimes as an actor, you have to have social media to [promote your work]. But for me, I think I realized that I like to keep my distance a little bit. I also like my privacy. I like my personal space. I like to be able to do things that human beings do. For the most part I can, he confessed in a candid conversation with Teen Vogue.

The third  and so far final  season of Heartstopper was released on Netflix on October 3. While the first season was seen by many as the antithesis of other teen shows that revolve around drugs and sex, the series has evolved significantly. Weve been taking baby steps, he told The Sunday Times. Season one, [co-star Joe Locke] would be there making sure that we were comfortable holding hands. And now were doing the sex scenes. We shot a lot of footage for them. Not much actually ended up in the show. But we shot the sex scenes for about seven hours!

New records

Just weeks after the premiere of the third season, Connor reached another notable milestone in his burgeoning career: his Broadway debut. He is now under the direction of Sam Gold, starring in an adaptation of Romeo + Juliet alongside Rachel Zegler, who plays Juliet. Reviews have been mixed, but the production has allowed Connor to showcase a different range of talent, which is precisely what he has expressed a desire for in various interviews. He has made it clear that he does not want to be confined to a specific type of role.

I want to play roles that are interesting and challenging, whether theyre queer roles or straight roles, he said in an interview with Vulture.

Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor during the Broadway premiere of 'Romeo + Juliet' at the Circle in the Square Theatre on October 24, 2024 in New York City. Bruce Glikas (Getty Images)

A fourth season of Heartstopper has not yet been confirmed, but given its reception, it would be surprising if it were canceled. Regardless of what happens, Connor certainly wont have time to be bored. In the coming months, he has three films slated for release, all currently in post-production.

One of these projects, A Cuban Girls Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, is a romantic comedy based on Laura Taylor Nameys book, which was completed in September 2022, though a theatrical release date has yet to be announced. Additionally, he will star alongside Noah Centineo and Michael Gandolfini in the war drama Warfare, and he will take the lead in the horror film One of Us. With these three projects spanning entirely different genres, its clear that Kit Connor is serious about not being pigeonholed.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
This was always a challenging race for Vice President Kamala Harris. She started late and ran against a tough opponent in a bleak environment. She faced an electorate hungry for change, upset with the direction of the country and the economy.

If she wins, she will be able to credit a handful of factors that helped her fight those headwinds and defeat former president Donald Trump.

A Kamala Harris victory would leave little doubt about the potency of reproductive rights as an issue. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

Here is what analysts will be saying should Harris win.

Turnout, turnout, turnout
Below is an excerpt from the latest Harris v Trump edition of our What in the World newsletter. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox.

Greetings from Pennsylvania on the eve of the most extraordinary election Ive covered.

Im writing from Philadelphia, where crowds have been gathering for hours to attend Kamala Harris final pitch to voters before America decides who will become its 47th president.

Vice President Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff aboard Air Force Two, just before taking off from Pittsburgh on Monday. Credit: AP

Theres a nervous excitement in the air  the kind you get when you know youre on the cusp of a history-defining moment, whatever the outcome may be.
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA), is recommending to persons to get their seasonal flu shot.



Influenza is an acute viral infection that spreads very easily from person to person and can affect anybody in any age group.



Experts think that influenza viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. Less often, a person might get influenza (flu) by touching a surface or object that has influenza virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.



Influenza viruses can be detected in most infected people beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. People with flu are the most contagious during the first three days of their illness.



Check with your physician to see whether or not you are part of the high-risk group and be proactive. Get vaccinated and apply strict and consistent preventive measures to stop you from getting the flu.



Influenza is a serious public health problem that causes severe illnesses and deaths for higher risk populations. Vaccination (flu shot) is the most effective way to prevent infection.



Persons who form part of high-risk groups include people who are more likely than others to develop severe disease, resulting in hospitalization or death, if they should be infected. They include:

children aged six months to four years; the elderly 60-65 years of age; pregnant women (regardless of trimester must be discussed with physician); and immunosuppressed individuals or people with chronic medical conditions.



Front-line workers as well as health care workers who may be in contact with patients in these risk groups (personnel in nursing homes, senior citizen home, hospital, outpatient clinics and general practitioner/specialist practices), should get their flu vaccination.



Home care givers of persons with a very high risk for severe illness and mortality attributed to the flu should also get vaccinated.



People with flu can spread it to others. Most experts think that influenza viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Putting physical distance between yourself and others can help lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.



Less often, a person might get flu by touching a surface or object that has influenza virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.



People with flu are contagious Influenza viruses can be detected in most infected persons beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. People with flu are most contagious during the first three days of their illness. Some people, including young children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for longer periods of time.



Symptoms typically begin about two days (but can range from one to four days) after influenza viruses infect a person's respiratory tract. It is theoretically possible that before symptoms begin, an infected person can spread influenza viruses to their close contacts. Some people can be infected with influenza viruses and have no symptoms but may still be able to spread the virus to their close contacts.



Consult your family physician (house doctor) in due time once you dont feel well, and do not place others at risk. Take the necessary preventive measures when in the vicinity of any sick persons. Apply strict cough etiquette and proper hand hygiene.



Eat healthy foods, get a lot of exercise, and maintain a good sleep schedule which is usually eight hours.
There are few public figures who provoke as much controversy as Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX. His outlandish statements, extravagant lifestyle and political interference make him seem like a James Bond baddie bent on conquering  and perhaps destroying  the world.

But there is another side to Musk, that of an excellent engineer and visionary. Whether this is due to his cutting-edge ideas or his ability to surround himself with top engineers, the fact is that in just a few years, his companies Tesla and SpaceX have brought about a true revolution in their sphere; others, such as Neuralink, have the potential to do so in the future. He is the one who has insisted on implementing concepts such as the recoverable rocket.

Musk is known for his surprising statements and predictions. Reality has shown that many of them have come true, albeit far more slowly than predicted. Now he has just announced his intention to send not one but five unmanned spacecraft to Mars, taking advantage of the launch window that will open in 2025.

Musks ultimate goal is to launch his Starship super rocket at hourly intervals. This is why its important that its lower half was able to maneuver back beside its launch tower. That way it can be quickly placed on the launch pad, so that the condition of the engines can be checked, the damaged ones replaced and a second stage attached. It can then be refueled and launched again.

Could such a pace be maintained? Not right now, as the bottom part of the rocket, known as the Super Heavy booster, is still undergoing tests, but two years down the road it seems feasible. In Boca Chica, Texas, there are already two launch towers, although the second one has not yet been inaugurated. A third has been erected on Ramp 39A at the Kennedy Center. When all three are operational, SpaceX could theoretically launch three Super Heavy boosters almost simultaneously.

The Super Heavy booster is recoverable, and each mission lasts less than a quarter of an hour, which is the time it takes to reach an altitude of about 70 kilometers, slow down and return to base. So, it would be enough for SpaceX to have a fleet of three launchers, one per pad. Maybe two or three more as a precaution. After all, they are relatively inexpensive; the most expensive thing is the propulsion plant with its 33 Raptor engines.

Today, SpaceX is producing engines at a rate of one per day. With the upcoming introduction of a new model, which makes extensive use of 3D printing, that figure could be doubled.

Why the launch frenzy? Because the second stage, which includes the Starship, only has enough fuel to travel into Earths orbit. Future missions to the Moon or Mars will require refueling with methane and oxygen mid-flight, which is another critical operation that has yet to be tested.

SpaceX engineers plan to use a fleet of tanker spacecraft that will automatically dock with the main spacecraft to refill its tanks as fast as possible to avoid evaporative losses. Each interplanetary trip will require between six and twelve freighters that may or may not be recoverable.

Musk estimates that the cost of each recharge launch will be minimal. The first stage, which is the most expensive, is recoverable; the second stage is little more than a casing that is manufactured at the Boca Chica industrial complex, right next to the ramp. It is cheap and quick to build, as it is made of stainless steel rather than exotic materials such as lightweight aluminum alloys and carbon fiber. Although many of the details remain under wraps, it appears that SpaceX assembles these casings almost in series, directly from the metal coils as they arrive from the rolling mill.

The bottleneck may lie in the supply of the thousands of liters of methane and oxygen needed to maintain a sustained hourly launch rate. Currently the tank farm adjacent to the launch tower is sufficient to fill one rocket, but not several in quick succession. Both Boca Chica and Kennedy are on the coast, so some have proposed building a jetty and a small gas pipeline so that the fuel can arrive in large methane tankers.

In principle, the orbital fuel freighters will also be recoverable, which means providing them with protection from the heat of re-entry. Each carry only six engines, which may be worth reusing although they also do not represent an inordinate cost and, if time is of the essence, Musk could opt to let them be destroyed after delivery. It wouldnt be the first time. On the recent Europa Clipper launch, which required a high exit velocity, SpaceX decided to lose all three rocket bodies in order to squeeze every last drop of fuel out of them.

In any case, after the successful capture of the first stage, it is likely that subsequent efforts will be directed towards the very complicated maneuver of refueling in space. Apart from Musks plans to explore Mars, the fact is that this operation will be essential for the lunar lander NASA has contracted as part of the Artemis program to go to the Moon. Mars has no date except in Musks diary; the Moon does.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
America's Space Commanders-in-Chief

NASA

On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced a bold new plan for NASA and the nation: To send an American to the moon, and to return him safely, by the close of the decade.



Kennedy's speech, which came just six weeks after cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person to reach outer space, had a huge impact on NASA and space exploration. It jump-started the agency's Apollo program, a full-bore race to the moon that succeeded on July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong's boot crunched down into the gray lunar dirt.



Kennedy, of course, isn't the only leader who had a vision for the nation's space program. Since NASA's founding in 1958, every president from Eisenhower to Obama has left his mark. Take a look at how each U.S. commander-in-chief helped shape and steer American activities in space.

Editor's note: This story was updated on Jan. 20, 2021.

Dwight Eisenhower (in office 1953-1961)

NASA

President Dwight Eisenhower was president when the Soviet Union launched the world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik I, in October 1957. This seminal event shocked the United States, started the Cold War space race between the two superpowers and helped lead to the creation of NASA in 1958.



However, Eisenhower didn't get too swept up the short-term goals of the space race. He valued the measured development of unmanned, scientific missions that could have big commercial or military payoffs down the road.



For example, even before Sputnik, Eisenhower had authorized a ballistic missile and scientific satellite program to be developed as part of the International Geophysical Year project of 1957-58. The United States' first successful satellite, Explorer I, blasted off Jan. 31, 1958. By 1960, the nation had launched and retrieved film from a spy satellite called Discoverer 14.

John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)

NASA

President John F. Kennedy effectively charted NASA's course for the rest of the 1960s with his famous speech before Congress on May 25, 1961.



The Soviets had launched Sputnik I in 1957, and cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin had become the first person in space on April 12, 1961, just six weeks before the speech. On top of those space race defeats, the U.S. plan to topple the Soviet-backed regime of Cuban leader Fidel Castro  the so-called Bay of Pigs invasion  had failed miserably in April 1961.



Kennedy and his advisers figured they needed a way to beat the Soviets, to re-establish American prestige and demonstrate the country's international leadership. So they came up with an ambitious plan to land an astronaut on the moon by the end of the 1960s, which Kennedy laid out in his speech.



The Apollo program roared to life as a result, and NASA embarked on a crash mission to put a man on the moon. The agency succeeded, of course, in 1969. By the end of Apollo in 1972, the United States had spent about $25 billion on the program  well over $100 billion in today's dollars.

Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969)

NASA

President Lyndon Johnson was instrumental in both ratcheting up and scaling back the United States' space race with the Soviet Union.



As Senate majority leader in the late 1950s, he had helped raise the alarm regarding Sputnik, stressing that the satellite launch had intiated a race for "control of space." Later, Kennedy put Johnson, his vice president, in personal charge of the nation's space program. When Johnson became commander-in-chief after Kennedy's assassination, he continued to support the goals of the Apollo program.



However, the high costs of Johnson's Great Society programs and the Vietnam War forced the president to cut NASA's budget. To avoid ceding control of space to the Soviets (as some historians have argued), his administration proposed a treaty that would outlaw nuclear weapons in space and bar national sovereignty over celestial objects.



The result was 1967's Outer Space Treaty (OST), which forms the basis of international space law to this day. The OST has been ratified by all of the major space-faring nations, including Russia and its forerunner, the Soviet Union.

Richard Nixon (1969-1974)

NASA.

All of NASA's manned moon landings occurred during President Richard Nixon's presidency. However, the wheels of the Apollo program had been set in motion during the Kennedy and Johnson years. So Nixon's most lasting mark on American space activities is probably the space shuttle program.



By the late 1960s, NASA managers had begun drawing up ambitious plans to set up a manned moon base by 1980 and to send astronauts to Mars by 1983. Nixon nixed these ideas, however. In 1972, he approved the development of the space shuttle, which would be NASA's workhorse space vehicle for three decades, starting in 1981.



Also in 1972, Nixon signed off on a five-year cooperative program between NASA and the Soviet space agency. This deal resulted in 1975's Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, a joint space mission between the two superpowers.

Gerald Ford (1974-1977)

NASA

President Gerald Ford was in office for less than 2 1/2 years, so he didn't have much time to shape American space policy. He did, however, continue to support development of the space shuttle program, despite calls in some quarters to shelve it during the tough economic times of the mid-1970s.



Ford also signed off on the creation of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in 1976. The OSTP advises the president about how science and technology may affect domestic and international affairs.

Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)

NASA

President Jimmy Carter didn't articulate big, ambitious spaceflight goals during his one term in office. However, his administration did break some ground in the area of military space policy.



While Carter wanted to restrict the use of space weapons, he signed a 1978 directive that stressed the importance of space systems to national survival, as well as the administration's willingness to keep developing an antisatellite capability.



The 1978 document helped establish a key plank of American space policy: the right of self-defense in space. And it helped the United States military view space as an arena in which wars could be fought, not just a place to put hardware that could coordinate and enhance actions on the ground.

Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)

NASA

President Ronald Reagan offered strong support for NASA's space shuttle program. After the shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986, he delivered a moving speech to the nation, insisting that the tragedy wouldn't halt America's drive to explore space. "The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave," he said.



Consistent with his belief in the power of the free market, Reagan wanted to increase and streamline private-sector involvement in space. He issued a policy statement to that effect in 1982. And two years later, his administration set up the Office of Commercial Space Transportation, which to this day regulates commercial launch and re-entry operations.



Reagan also believed strongly in ramping up the nation's space-defense capabilities. In 1983, he proposed the ambitious Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which would have used a network of missiles and lasers in space and on the ground to protect the United States against nuclear ballistic missile attacks.



Many observers at the time viewed SDI as unrealistic, famously branding the program "Star Wars" to emphasize its supposed sci-fi nature. SDI was never fully developed or deployed, though pieces of it have helped pave the way for some current missile-defense technology and strategies.

George H. W. Bush (1989-1993)

NASA

President George H.W. Bush (the first Bush in office) supported space development and exploration, ordering a bump in NASA's budget in tough economic times. His administration also commissioned a report on the future of NASA, which came to be known as the Augustine report when it was published in 1990.



Bush had big dreams for the American space program. On July 20, 1989  the 20th anniversary of the first manned moon landing  he announced a bold plan called the Space Exploration Initiative. SEI called for the construction of a space station called Freedom, an eventual permanent presence on the moon and, by 2019, a manned mission to Mars.



These ambitious goals were estimated to cost at least $500 billion over the ensuing 20 to 30 years. Many in Congress balked at the high price tag, and the initiative was never implemented.

Bill Clinton (1993-2001)

NASA

Construction of the International Space Station began in late 1998, in the middle of President Bill Clinton's second term as president. And in 1996, he announced a new national space policy.



According to the policy, the United States' chief space goals going forward were to "enhance knowledge of the Earth, the solar system and the universe through human and robotic exploration" and to "strengthen and maintain the national security of the United States."



This latter sentiment was consistent with other space policy statements from previous administrations. However, some scholars argue that the 1996 document opened the door to the development of space weapons by the United States, though the policy states that any potential "control" actions would be "consistent with treaty obligations."

George W. Bush (2001-2009)

NASA

President George W. Bush issued his own space policy statement in 2006, which further encouraged private enterprise in space. It also asserted national self-defense rights more aggressively than previous administrations had, claiming that the United States can deny any hostile party access to space if it so chooses.



Bush also dramatically shaped NASA's direction and future, laying out a new Vision for Space Exploration in 2004. The Vision was a bold plan, calling for a manned return to the moon by 2020 to help prepare for future human trips to Mars and beyond. It also instructed NASA to complete the International Space Station and retire the space shuttle fleet by 2010.



To help achieve these goals, NASA embarked upon the Constellation program, which sought to develop a new crewed spacecraft called Orion, a lunar lander named Altair and two new rockets: the Ares I for manned missions and the Ares V for cargo. But it was not to be; Bush's successor, President Barack Obama, axed Constellation in 2010.
South Korea fines Meta for illegal collection of user data



Seoul, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



South Korea has fined Facebook-parent Meta more than $15 million for illegally collecting sensitive user information from nearly a million people without consent and sharing it with advertisers, the country's data watchdog said Tuesday.

The firm, which also owns Instagram, ran afoul of laws prohibiting the use of information on political opinions, religious beliefs and people's sex life unless the individual provides explicit consent, Seoul's Personal Information Protection Commission added.

It added that the tech giant collected sensitive information from around 980,000 domestic users in South Korea through their Facebook profiles.

This included details about their religious beliefs and whether they are in a same-sex relationship.

The watchdog said it had confirmed that such information was provided to advertisers by Meta, with around 4,000 advertisers using it.

Meta "analysed user behaviour data, including pages liked and ads clicked on Facebook", to create and implement targeted advertising related to "sensitive themes" such as transgender issues, homosexuality and North Korean defectors, officials said.

The commission said Tuesday it had decided to fine Meta 21.6 billion won ($15.6 million).

It added that it "also ordered the company to establish legal grounds for processing sensitive information, implement safety measures, and respond diligently to users' requests for access to their personal data".

The decision is "significant in that they ensure that foreign operators providing global services must comply with the obligations set forth in (South Korea's) Protection Act regarding the processing of sensitive information".

cdl/ceb/dan
Germany's Baerbock offers Ukraine no guarantees as Kyiv sounds alarm



Kyiv, Ukraine, Nov 4 (AFP) Nov 04, 2024



Germany's Foreign Minister visited Ukraine on Monday in a symbolic display of support but offered no concrete assurances as the war-battered country sounded the alarm over thousands of North Korean troops building up in Russia and diminishing foreign aid.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that Kyiv believed 11,000 North Korean troops had reached the Kursk border region in Russia, with the West repeatedly warning they could be sent into combat within days.

Kyiv is urging its allies to respond to Pyongyang's troop deployment and has appealed for permission to use long-range weapons deep inside Russian territory.

Zelensky has criticised the West for its muted response so far to reports of the deployment, a major escalation in the conflict.

"We see an increase in North Koreans and no increase in the reaction of our partners, unfortunately," he said in his evening address.

During her visit, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock voiced "rock-solid" support but gave no reassurances that Kyiv's allies would respond to Russia's rapid advances or Ukraine's requests for help.

"Right here, right now. We stand firmly by your side as long as you need us," she said during a press conference with her Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiga on her eighth trip to Ukraine.

Baerbock's visit comes at a critical moment in the nearly three-year war as Ukrainian defences buckle under Russian pressure and ahead of US elections that could prove decisive for further military aid from Ukraine's most powerful ally.

Zelensky has grown visibly frustrated by what he sees as a meagre Western reaction to Russia allegedly hosting North Korean troops.

Sybiga, his foreign minister, also urged the West to act.

"We call on Europe to realise that North Korean troops are now waging an aggressive war in Europe against a sovereign European state. This proves once again that while the West is afraid of and hesitates, Russia is acting and going for escalation," Sybiga said.

A US Defense Department spokesman said Monday that the number of North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk region had risen by about 2,000.

"We think that the total number of DPRK forces in Russia... could be closer to around 11 to 12,000," with "at least 10,000 right now in the Kursk Oblast," Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said, using the abbreviation of North Korea's official name.



- N.Korea FM meets Putin -



Baerbock acknowledged that Moscow was "seeking military assistance" from Pyongyang and denounced Russia's "harsh" attacks in eastern Ukraine, and called on Ukraine's allies to provide more air defence systems.

Germany is Ukraine's second-largest backer after the United States and has pledged 170 million euros ($185 million) in emergency aid to help the country get through the winter.

Ukraine has long been asking Germany for long-range Taurus missiles but Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refused to provide them over fears of escalating and widening the conflict.

Scholz has also rejected Ukraine's request to immediately be invited into NATO, made by Zelensky when he recently presented his "Victory Plan" to Western allies.

Zelensky told journalists last month that Berlin was "afraid" to allow Ukraine to integrate with the US-led defence alliance more closely because it feared how Russia might respond.

Baerbock's visit coincided with a meeting in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. The Kremlin released images showing the two shaking hands ahead of talks.



- North Koreans 'will die' -



Ukrainian forces in August launched a surprise offensive into Russia's western Kursk region, and Kyiv said Monday that Pyongyang's forces were already under fire in the border territory.

"They, like the Russian army, pose a threat to Ukraine. They are present there and, of course, they will die," Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, wrote on social media.

But Ukrainian forces are reportedly losing ground in Kursk and Russian troops are rapidly advancing in the industrial Donetsk region, which the Kremlin claimed as part of Russia in late 2022.

Moscow advanced 610 square kilometres (230 square miles) in October alone, according to an AFP analysis of data from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Baerbock's arrival was announced hours after 13 people, including four police officers, were wounded in another night of Russian attacks on Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv.

AFP journalists at the scene saw buildings gutted by a blast and first responders in helmets hauling wounded civilians to ambulances.

Kyiv said it had downed 50 Iranian-designed Russian drones in nine regions overnight, including over the capital Kyiv. Zelensky later said that Russia had been using around 10 times more drones compared to the same period last year.

burs-jbr-oc/ju/js
North Korea fires another ballistic missile ahead of US election



Seoul, Nov 4 (AFP) Nov 04, 2024



North Korea fired a ballistic missile early Tuesday, Seoul's military said, its second launch in days and just hours before Americans vote for a new president.

"North Korea fires unidentified ballistic missile," Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, without giving further details, adding that an analysis was under way.

It said the missile was fired off North Korea's east coast, into what South Korea calls the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

Tokyo also confirmed the launch, with the prime minister's office saying Pyongyang had "launched a suspected ballistic missile".

On Thursday, the nuclear-armed North test-fired what it said was its most advanced and powerful solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

That launch was Kim Jong Un's first weapons test since being accused of sending soldiers to Russia.

It also came just hours after US and South Korean defence chiefs called on Pyongyang to withdraw its troops, warning that North Korean soldiers in Russian uniforms were being deployed for possible action against Ukraine.

On Sunday, South Korea, Japan, and the United States conducted a joint air drill involving a heavy bomber in response to the ICBM launch.

The drill mobilised the US' B-1B bomber, South Korea's F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets, and Japan's F-2 jets.

Such joint drills infuriate Pyongyang, which views them as rehearsals for invasion.



- 'Aggressive nature' -



Kim Yo Jong, sister of the country's leader and a key spokesperson, said the drill was "just another outright action-based explanation of the most hostile and dangerous aggressive nature of the enemy toward our Republic."

In a statement carried Tuesday by the official Korean Central News Agency, she said the drill was "absolute proof of the validity and urgency of the line of building up the nuclear forces we have opted for and put into practice."

She warned that any "upset of the balance of power between rivals on the Korean peninsula and in the region precisely means a war."

Experts have suggested the spate of weapons tests by Pyongyang could be a bid to distract attention from its purported troop deployment to Russia -- or bump itself up the agenda ahead of the US election.

Seoul has long accused the nuclear-armed North of sending weapons to help Moscow fight Kyiv and alleged that Pyongyang has moved to deploy soldiers en mass in the wake of Kim Jong Un's signing of a mutual defence deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.

It has also warned that Russia may be providing new technology or expertise in return for weapons and troops to help them fight Ukraine.

Seoul, a major weapons exporter, has said it is reviewing whether to send weapons directly to Ukraine in response, something it has previously resisted due to longstanding domestic policy that prevents it from providing weaponry into active conflicts.

North Korea has denied sending troops, but its vice foreign minister has said any such deployment would be in line with international law.
Celebrities, particularly musicians, do not have a statistically significant tendency to die at the age of 27. This assertion is backed by indisputable evidence, yet the deaths of Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison within a two-year span in the 1970s at that age gave rise to the myth of a so-called 27 Club. This notion was reignited with the death of Amy Winehouse in 2011.

A new study published in PNAS challenges the empirical basis of this popular belief. While an earlier study from 13 years ago published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) also addressed the topic, the latest research further clarifies that the 27 Club is a popular belief without any empirical basis  as evidenced by icons such as Mick Jagger (81) and Paul McCartney (82). The study, however, concludes: While age 27 does not hold greater risk of mortality for notable persons, those who died at 27 are as a group exceptionally notable compared to those who died at other young ages.

The lead author of the new research, Zackary Okun Dunivin  an expert in computer science and cultural sociology at Indiana University  analyzed extensive data to arrive at this conclusion. He argues that while the 27 Club exists as a cultural phenomenon, it is not the result of a curse. Instead, it reflects a reality, a social construction arising from an effectively random event marked by the deaths of four legendary musicians at the same age  an occurrence deemed statistically improbable. According to Dunivin, the celebrity deaths at this fateful age have created narrative that shapes otherwise unrelated events and thus the way we make and interpret history.

The researcher explains that the social belief in the 27 Club is fueled by details that go beyond the mere number 27. The mystique of these deaths was strengthened by further uncanny parallels including participation in the counter-cultural music scene and festival circuit, the drug-related nature of the deaths, and the occurrence of the fourth and final death [Morrison] on the second anniversary of the first [Jones], as well as the apocryphal white lighter found on each musician.

The myth of the 27 Club expanded with the deaths of influential figures like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse. The legend even reaches back to earlier artists, such as Robert Johnson. In total, the so-called club encompasses around a hundred celebrities who died at 27.

Statistician Martin Wolkewitz previously examined this ominous club in a study published in the BMJ, concluding that there is clearly no peak in risk [for famous musicians] around age 27. He did acknowledge, however, that there is some evidence of an increase in deaths among musicians aged 20 to 40 during the 1970s and early 1980s. But in the late 1980s, despite the presence of a substantial number of artists, he found that there were no deaths in this age group. Wolkewitz attributed this decline to improvements in drug addiction treatment and shifts in the music industry, citing the transition from the hard rock 1970s to the pop dominated 1980s.

Dunivin invokes the Thomas Theorem, formulated by sociologist William I. Thomas, to bolster his argument: If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences. The study claims: Given the persistent legend of the 27 Club, we propose that the club is reified (made real) as a cultural phenomenon and measurable in its consequences even as empirical death rates do not support it. This cultural framing explains why celebrities who die at the age of 27 garner more attention.

Dunivins study does not aim to provide statistical evidence for the existence of the 27 Club, but rather to show how a myth, a belief, or narrative with limited basis in fact, can form over a relatively short period and have real cultural consequences.

Its obvious that 27-year-olds are no more likely to die than 26- or 28-year-olds. What motivated me about this story is that the myth is real, Dunivin explains. Because we highlight those who die at 27, it really does seem like more people are dying at that age. Because this story is so well-known, a global myth, it seemed meaningful to me to write about this strange effect and explore some concepts of complexity in the context of cultural change. The idea to write the article came to me out of the blue, after watching a film about Jean-Michel Basquiat.

In this way, Dunivin analyzes the existence of the 27 Club as a cultural phenomenon shaped by improbable and unpredictable events. The original four deaths were a fluke, yet it is unsurprising that such a remarkable event with high public visibility would inspire a myth, the study argues.

The research also posits that a mechanism of contagion leads to the growing membership of the 27 Club, a phenomenon that does not extend to other age groups. This mechanism facilitates the spread of specific cultural knowledge, ultimately transforming the club into a real phenomenon.

The study examined data from 344,156 famous people across various fields, including culture, sports, and society, who died between 1900 and 2015. After analyzing this extensive dataset, the researchers concluded that social forces and their interplay are more widely applicable in the development of not only folklore, but cultural patterns more generally.

I think the key element of a myth is poetry, not verisimilitude. The stories we tell are the ones that feel mysterious, transcendental or beautiful. They are fun stories to tell and speculate about. We often pass on myths that we know are not true, just because the story is compelling, says Dunivin.

Other baseless myths

The creation of baseless myths extends across various domains. For instance, popular belief holds that the Roman siege of the Masada fort, the site of the so-called Great Jewish Revolt in the first century AD, lasted for three years. According to this narrative, the siege culminated when the rebels, facing imminent defeat, chose to take their own lives rather than be captured and enslaved. However, a recent study has significantly shortened the duration of the siege to just a few weeks.

We were able to objectively calculate how long it took them to build the entire siege system  eight camps and a stone wall surrounding most of the site. We found that construction took merely about two weeks, says Hai Ashkenazi, head of Geoinformatics at the Israel Antiquities Authority. Based on the ancient historical testimony, it is clear that once the assault ramp was completed, the Romans launched a brutal attack, ultimately capturing the fortress within a few weeks at the most. This leads us to the conclusion that the entire siege of Masada lasted no more than several weeks.

Another cultural myth suggests that the Easter Islanders felled all their trees to construct the famous moai statues, leading to an ecological disaster that drastically reduced the population. However, recent research questions whether the island was ever densely populated in the first place

What were actually seeing here is that the island couldnt sustain that many people to begin with based on ecological constraints, says Dylan S. Davis, co-author of the research. People actually modified their landscapes to increase the amount of what they could intensively cultivate and that number was still very small. This isnt an example of ecological catastrophe but of how people survived despite really limited natural resources in a fairly sustainable way for a long time.

Widespread misconceptions can also emerge in the health field, often with serious consequences. One prevalent myth is that only white, wealthy, thin girls develop eating disorders. According to the authors of Eating Disorders: The Basics, this stereotype limits the treatment and diagnosis of patients who do not conform to this stereotype.

The media also plays a significant role in perpetuating myths. For over two decades, the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania has tracked how news reports inaccurately link the holiday season and New Years Eve to increased suicide rates. Contrary to this narrative, one study found that the winter holiday months generally exhibit lower average daily suicide rates, with December recording the lowest rates of all. Whether its the media that is influencing popular opinion, or mistaken beliefs by the public that appear in news stories, its unfortunate to see there are still persistent misimpressions about the holidays and suicide, says Dan Romer, the centers research director.

Similarly, an analysis of data from dozens of foraging societies around the world reveals that women participate in hunting in at least 79% of these cultures, challenging the widely held belief that hunting is solely a mans job and that women only gather. This finding comes from a study led by Abigail Anderson of Seattle Pacific University and published in PLOS ONE.

The list of misconceptions is extensive, but in every case, the hypothesis of the 27 Club is clear: once an idea becomes ingrained in the collective imagination, it generates a myth  regardless of the objective validity of the data or the coincidental nature of the events that form a singular narrative. These myths create a reality that has real consequences.

Usually, Dunivin explains, there is an interplay between arbitrariness, function and historical assimilation of cultural objects. And it can be very difficult to unravel them.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition




N. Korea fires salvo of short-range ballistic missiles ahead of US election



Seoul, Nov 4 (AFP) Nov 04, 2024



North Korea fired a salvo of short-range ballistic missiles early Tuesday, Seoul's military said, Pyongyang's second launch in days and just hours before Americans vote for a new president.

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launch of "several short-range ballistic missiles," at around 7:30 am Tuesday (2230 GMT) into waters east of the Korean peninsula.

"In preparation for additional launches, our military has strengthened surveillance and alertness," it said, adding it was sharing information with Tokyo and Washington.

Tokyo also confirmed the launch, with the prime minister's office saying Pyongyang had "launched a suspected ballistic missile".

On Thursday, the nuclear-armed North test-fired what it said was its most advanced and powerful solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

It was Kim Jong Un's first weapons test since being accused of sending soldiers to Russia.

It also came just hours after US and South Korean defence chiefs called on Pyongyang to withdraw its troops, warning that North Korean soldiers in Russian uniforms were being deployed for possible action against Ukraine.

On Sunday, South Korea, Japan, and the United States conducted a joint air drill involving a heavy bomber in response to the ICBM launch.

The drill mobilised the US' B-1B bomber, South Korea's F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets, and Japan's F-2 jets.

Such joint drills infuriate Pyongyang, which views them as rehearsals for invasion.



- 'Aggressive nature' -



Kim Yo Jong, sister of the country's leader and a key spokesperson, called the drill an "action-based explanation of the most hostile and dangerous aggressive nature of the enemy toward our Republic."

In a statement carried Tuesday by the official Korean Central News Agency, she said the drill was "absolute proof of the validity and urgency of the line of building up the nuclear forces we have opted for and put into practice."

She warned that any "upset of the balance of power between rivals on the Korean peninsula and in the region precisely means a war."

Experts have suggested the spate of weapons tests by Pyongyang could be a bid to distract attention from its purported troop deployment to Russia -- or bump itself up the agenda ahead of the US election.

Seoul has long accused the nuclear-armed North of sending weapons to help Moscow fight Kyiv and alleged that Pyongyang has moved to deploy soldiers en mass in the wake of Kim Jong Un's signing of a mutual defence deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.

It has also warned that Russia may be providing new technology or expertise in return for weapons and troops to help them fight Ukraine.

Seoul, a major weapons exporter, has said it is reviewing whether to send weapons directly to Ukraine in response, something it has previously resisted due to longstanding domestic policy that prevents it from providing weaponry into active conflicts.

North Korea has denied sending troops, but its vice foreign minister has said any such deployment would be in line with international law.
North Korea fires short-range ballistic missile salvo ahead of US election



Seoul, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



North Korea fired a salvo of short-range ballistic missiles early Tuesday, Seoul's military said, Pyongyang's second launch in days and just hours before Americans vote for a new president.

The nuclear-armed North last week test-fired what it said was its most advanced and powerful solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in Kim Jong Un's first weapons test since being accused of sending soldiers to help Russia fight Ukraine.

Pyongyang, which has denied the deployment, is under growing international pressure to withdraw its troops from Russia, with Seoul warning Tuesday that thousands of soldiers were being deployed to frontline areas, including Kursk.

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launch of "several short-range ballistic missiles" at around 7:30 am Tuesday (2230 GMT) into waters east of the Korean peninsula.

The missiles flew approximately 400 kilometers (248 miles) and Seoul's military said it had tracked the launch in real time while sharing information with Tokyo and Washington.

"In preparation for additional launches, our military has strengthened surveillance and alertness," it added.

Tokyo also confirmed Pyongyang's latest weapons test, with top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi saying that the North's "repeated launches of ballistic missiles, threaten the peace and security of our country".

On Sunday, South Korea, Japan and the United States conducted a joint air drill involving a US B-1B bomber, South Korean F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets, and Japanese F-2 jets, in response to the ICBM launch.

Such joint drills infuriate Pyongyang, which views them as rehearsals for invasion.



- 'Aggressive nature' -



Pyongyang's latest launch was "a direct response to the trilateral aerial exercises over the weekend", Han Kwon-hee of the Korea Association of Defence Industry Studies told AFP.

"Given it was a salvo of short-range missiles, the North is indicating that it not only has long-range missiles capable of reaching the US, but also short-range ones to target all bases in South Korea and Japan," Han added.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of the country's leader and a key spokesperson, called the US-South Korea-Japan exercises an "action-based explanation of the most hostile and dangerous aggressive nature of the enemy toward our Republic."

In a statement carried Tuesday by the official Korean Central News Agency, she said the drill was "absolute proof of the validity and urgency of the line of building up the nuclear forces we have opted for and put into practice."

Seoul has long accused the nuclear-armed North of sending weapons to help Moscow fight Kyiv and alleged that Pyongyang has moved to deploy soldiers en masse since Kim Jong Un signed a mutual defence deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.

"More than 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, and we assess that a significant portion of them are deployed to frontline areas, including Kursk," Jeon Ha-gyu, a spokesman for the South Korean Defense Ministry, said Tuesday.

Seoul, a major weapons exporter, has said it is reviewing whether to send weapons directly to Ukraine in response, something it has previously resisted due to longstanding domestic policy that prevents it from providing weaponry into active conflicts.

With its recent testing spate, "Pyongyang is showing that its contribution of weapons and troops to Russia's war in Ukraine does not curtail its military activities closer to home," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

"On the contrary, cooperation with Moscow appears to enable blatant violations of UN Security Council resolutions."

On Monday, Robert Wood, US deputy ambassador to the UN, slammed the North's advancing ballistic missile programme and said Russia and China were preventing the UN from holding Pyongyang to account.

Beijing and Moscow "have repeatedly shielded the DPRK, contributing to the normalisation of these tests and emboldening the DPRK to further violate this Council's sanctions and resolutions," he said, referring to the North by its official name.
Gaza rescuers say displaced Palestinians among 13 dead in Israel strikes



Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



Gaza civil defence agency said on Tuesday that at least 13 people, including some living in tents for displaced Palestinians, were killed in Israeli air strikes overnight.

Four people were killed when an Israeli missile hit the home of the Shurafa family in eastern Gaza City, civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP.

Three people were killed and several wounded when a tent housing Palestinians displaced by the war was hit by an Israeli missile in the east of Khan Yunis city, Bassal said.

Another tent housing displaced people in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza was also hit by an Israeli air strike overnight, killing at least four people, he added.

Two other people were killed in separate incidents, Bassal said.

The Israeli military, meanwhile, said its forces were continuing their land and air assault in northern Gaza, where the civil defence says hundreds have been killed since October 6, when the military launched the offensive.

"Over the past day, IDF (military) troops in the area of Jabalia eliminated dozens of terrorists during close-quarters encounters and aerial strikes," the military said in a statement.

Several militants were also killed in central Gaza and in the area of Rafa in the south of the territory, the military added.

Israel has been waging a month-long military offensive in northern Gaza, which it says is aimed at preventing Hamas militants from regrouping.
Palestinians say Israeli strikes on West Bank kill four



Qabatiyah, Palestinian Territories, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



Palestinian officials said Israeli forces killed four Palestinians in air strikes during two operations in the West Bank on Tuesday, in the latest violence to rock the occupied territory.

Two people were killed in the town of Tammun, said Ahmad Assad, governor of the nearby city of Tubas whose jurisdiction includes Tammun.

"There is a martyr from the air strike whose body is torn to pieces," he told AFP.

The Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah confirmed two men had been killed by Israeli forces in Tammun.

"The body of one of them, whose identity is still unknown, has been withheld by the army," the ministry said in a statement.

Two other Palestinian men were killed in another Israeli air strike in the town of Qabatiyah, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, the governor of Jenin said.

"Two martyrs were killed as a result of an air strike carried out by Israeli forces during an operation in the Qabatiyah area," the governor, Kamal Abu Rubb, told AFP.

The two men were aged 40 and 38 and were related, he added.

The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the incident.

The Israeli military said it was checking the reports from Tammun, while it did not offer an immediate comment on Qabatiyah operation.

Violence in the West Bank, particularly in the northern areas of the territory, has soared since the war in Gaza broke out on October 7 last year.

Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 754 Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, according to the Ramallah-based health ministry.

Palestinian attacks on Israelis have also killed at least 24 people in the same period in the West Bank, according to official Israeli figures.
Iran sentences 3 to death over nuclear scientist killing



Tehran, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



Iran has sentenced three people to death over the 2020 assassination of one of the country's top nuclear scientists, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the judiciary said on Tuesday.

"The judicial processes of these three people were carried out in the Revolutionary Court of Urmia, and they were sentenced to death in the initial stage, and the case is currently in the appeal stage," judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir told a Tehran press conference.

Fakhrizadeh was killed when his car was ambushed on a highway outside the capital in November 2020, in an attack Iran blamed on its sworn enemy Israel.

"After some investigations, three people out of eight arrested in West Azarbaijan province, were accused of committing espionage for the occupying regime of Israel," Jahangir said.

He added that the three are also "accused of transporting equipment into Iran for the assassination of martyr Fakhrizadeh under the guise of smuggling alcoholic beverages".

In December 2022, then judiciary spokesman Massoud Setayeshi said nine people had been charged with the capital offence of "corruption on earth" for their suspected collusion with Israel in the assassination.

Fakhrizadeh had been under US sanctions for his role in Iran's nuclear programme when he was killed.

Iranian authorities said the attackers used a bomb and a remote-controlled machine gun.

Israel has never commented on the killing.

In 2018, the Israeli government accused Fakhrizadeh of leading Iran's efforts to develop an atomic bomb, a claim Iran has always vehemently denied.
China's Xi urges military to curb corruption: state media



Beijing, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



Chinese President Xi Jinping warned the military must tackle corruption and "unhealthy tendencies", state media reported Tuesday, with Beijing deepening a crackdown on alleged graft in the armed forces in recent months.

Speaking to troops in central China's Hubei province, Xi said the army must "seriously investigate and deal with corruption and unhealthy tendencies among officers and soldiers," according to military-backed outlet PLA Daily.

Xi inspected weapons and was briefed at the headquarters of China's airborne forces, a unit under the People's Liberation Army Air Force, state media said.

"(We) must keep firmly in mind our duties and missions, increase our sense of war preparedness and tighten our preparations for military struggles," Xi told soldiers in Xiaogan city.

Xi has overseen a wide-ranging crackdown on official corruption since coming to power just over a decade ago -- which has spread to the military -- but critics have said it serves as a way to purge political rivals.

Last October, former defence minister Li Shangfu was ousted after seven months in the role following a lengthy absence from public view.

The Chinese navy on Monday also cautioned officers against online dating scams and gambling, warning troops to not let down their guards in a social media post directed at soldiers born in the 1990s and 2000s.

"Officers and soldiers should be vigilant at all times," it said in a post to its official WeChat account.

"Don't lose your principles."

In July, a top Chinese official in Beijing's secretive Rocket Force was placed under investigation for corruption.

Sun Jinming was kicked out of the ruling Communist Party and placed under investigation for "grave violations of party discipline and laws", state news agency Xinhua said at the time, using a common euphemism for graft.

At least two other high-ranking officers connected to the Rocket Force, a relatively new unit of the Chinese military, have also been axed for graft in recent years.

The Rocket Force oversees China's arsenal of strategic missiles, both conventional and nuclear, and can both deter and strike, according to the government.
Two Egyptian pilots killed in helicopter crash in Suez: army



Cairo, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



Two Egyptian air force officers were killed on Tuesday when a helicopter crashed during a training exercise, the military said.

The helicopter went down near a key air base in the town of Shalufa, in Suez province, "due to a technical malfunction", military spokesman Gharib Abdel Hafez said in a post on his official Facebook page.

He did not specify the manufacturer or model of the aircraft.

The Egyptian air force operates aircraft from various countries, including France, Russia and the United States.

In November 2022, the military said a fighter jet had crashed during a military exercise but it reported no casualties.

In December 2019, an aircraft crashed during a training exercise. The pilot ejected safely.
Most UN Security Council members urge NKorea to give up missiles



United Nations, United States, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



A majority of the 15-member UN Security Council on Tuesday called on North Korea to give up its ballistic missile program and condemned its launch of an intercontinental missile last month.

"This launch, in addition to the more than 100 ballistic missile launches since 2022 to date, is a clear violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, jeopardizes international peace and security and threatens to undermine the global nonproliferation regime," the countries said in a joint statement read out by the deputy US ambassador, Robert Wood.

Besides the United States, the statement was signed by France, Japan, Ecuador, Malta, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Switzerland and Britain. They were also joined by Denmark, Greece and Panama, which will become non-permanent members of the council in January.

According to the statement, in response to the ICBM launch on October 30, the United States asked the council to adopt a text declaring North Korea to be in violation of UN resolutions. This would need to be approved by all 15 members.

"However, two council members refused to join a united denunciation," the statement said.

The text does not name the two countries, but the United States regularly accuses Russia and China of protecting North Korea at the United Nations.

"We call on the DPRK to return to negotiations, comply with its obligations under numerous UN Security Council resolutions and abandon its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs," the joint statement said.

It made no mention of a salvo of short range ballistic missiles that North Korea fired, according to the South Korean military, just ahead of the US presidential election on Tuesday.

North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 because of its weapons programs and they were toughened three times in 2017.

But since then the council has failed to achieve a common position on North Korea.

In May 2022 China and Russia vetoed a draft resolution that would have slapped new sanctions on North Korea.
DR Congo, Rwanda affirm need to respect ceasefire



Goma, DR Congo, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwandan foreign ministers affirmed Tuesday the need for warring parties to respect a ceasefire in eastern DRC, AFP noted.

The countries met with the Angolan foreign minister in North Kivu provincial capital Goma, east DRC, close to the Congolese and Rwandan border to launch a committee to monitor ceasefire violations.

A ceasefire between the DRC army and the Rwanda-backed M23 had been in place since early August following mediation by Angola.

"We all insisted on the need for a respect of the ceasefire," Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio told reporters following the meeting.

"The right path is the search for peace," he added.

Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner did not comment after the meeting.

In a note to the press ahead of it she said there was a "certain contradiction" between "Rwanda's public discourse and the actions on the ground, namely the capture of certain localities".

But she did say the ceasefire had been "widely followed".

The M23 relaunched an offensive in October in North Kivu seizing several localities and at times clashing with Congolese armed forces and groups of militia supporting them.

Angola condemned the occupation of one town by M23 rebels in early october as a "flagrant violation" of the ceasefire.

"We Rwanda, we are still engaged in the (peace) process," Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said Tuesday.

The committee to monitor the ceasefire will be led by Angola and include representatives from the DRC and Rwanda.

On Sunday the M23 attacked a new area and temporarily took control of a town located on the banks of Lake Edward, which lies on the border between the DRC and Uganda.

Since launching a fresh offensive in late 2021, the largely ethnic Tutsi M23 rebel militia has seized swathes territory in DRC's east, displacing thousands and provoking a humanitarian crisis.
Israel's Netanyahu fires defence minister over breakdown in 'trust'



Jerusalem, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired defence minister Yoav Gallant Tuesday following public differences over the ongoing war in Gaza, replacing him with former top diplomat Israel Katz.

The surprise move to sack Gallant -- who has been hawkish on Israel's war with Hezbollah but has also recently urged a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza -- comes as elections are held in the United States, Israel's top military backer.

Netanyahu and Gallant have frequently clashed over Israel's retaliatory military offensive against Hamas following the Palestinian militant group's deadly attack on Israel on October 7 last year.

"Over the past few months... trust has eroded. In light of this, I decided today to end the term of the defence minister," a statement from the Netanyahu's office said, adding that he had appointed Katz to take his place.

Gideon Saar was in turn appointed to replace Katz as foreign minister.

After his sacking, Gallant said Israel's security would remain his life's "mission".

Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed 43,391 people in Gaza, a majority of them civilians, according to Gaza health ministry figures which the United Nations considers to be reliable.



- Rockets and drones -



From the air and on the ground, Israeli forces pressed their multi-front campaign Tuesday against militants more than a year after the Gaza war began.

Authorities in Lebanon reported deadly raids across the country. The health ministry said an Israeli attack on the coastal town of Jiyeh south of Beirut killed one person and wounded 20.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said an apartment used by Hezbollah had been the target.

The strike destroyed the top floor of a four-storey complex, an AFP correspondent said.

Air raids also hit southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley, Lebanon's official National News Agency reported.

The NNA reported that the Lebanese Red Cross and the army had recovered seven bodies from a village in the southern region of Tyre following recent heavy raids.

Hezbollah on Tuesday claimed it had fired rockets and drones into northern Israel, and also targeted Israeli troops near the border inside Lebanon.

Tuesday's fighting came more than a month into the Hezbollah-Israel war which has left at least 1,964 dead in Lebanon since September 23, according to an AFP tally of health ministry figures.

In neighbouring Syria, close to the border with Lebanon, the town of Al-Qusayr came under air attack for the second time in a week.

Israel's military said it carried out "an intelligence-based strike on weapons storage facilities used by Hezbollah's munitions unit".

Syria's official SANA news agency said the industrial zone in Al-Qusayr was hit and Israel "also targeted some residential buildings surrounding the industrial zone".

SANA did not report any casualties.



- West Bank deaths -



In the West Bank, which has seen spiralling violence since the October 7 attack on Israel, Palestinian officials said Israeli forces killed seven Palestinians in separate operations.

The Israeli military told AFP it had targeted "terrorists".

Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 757 Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, according to the Ramallah-based health ministry.

Palestinian attacks on Israelis have also killed at least 24 people in the same period in the West Bank, according to official Israeli figures.

Palestinians in Gaza told AFP that whoever wins Tuesday's presidential election in the United States must end the conflict in the territory.

"We are hanging by a thread, and like every other people in the world, we are looking for someone who can stop the war," said Ayman al-Omreiti, 45, in Gaza City.

"Our hope is that the American people will choose someone who can end the suffering of the Palestinian people."

burs-srm/jsa
American election enthusiasts know the name Steve Kornacki well. The MSNBC political analyst turns every election into a media phenomenon on social networks through his late-night passion and his digital screen, with which he offers detailed interpretations of the votes that are being counted across the country. Kornacki has issued a warning for Tuesday, November 5: it will be a very long night. If we are in suspense and the math of the Electoral College depends on Arizona and/or Nevada, it will take a long time [...] It will become a process of days, Kornacki said on Sunday.

Five of the seven swing states that will determine the outcome of the election are in the east of the country. These will be the first to open the electoral packets to count the votes after the polls close. Georgia will start the process at 7 p.m. ET. With 16 votes in the Electoral College, there will be a good measure of certainty there because local authorities allow the advance processing of ballots from in-person voting and those sent by mail. Four million people have already voted in Georgia in the three weeks prior to November 5, which indicates that there will be a very high turnout. That vote has to be counted an hour later. It is expected that a good percentage will be counted in the early hours of Wednesday. Despite everything, there are other possible scenarios. In 2020, the vote count in Georgia lasted 10 agonizing days due to the large number of mail-in votes that arrived. This year, this form of voting decreased by 75% in favor of early voting, but in person.

There will be a very brief respite until the next state closes polls: North Carolina, at 7:30 p.m. ET, where there are 16 Electoral College votes at stake. The scenario will be similar to that of Georgia: early voting has also skyrocketed, with 4.4 million people already casting ballots. Throughout the night, the votes cast on Tuesday will be counted.

Georgia and North Carolina were the last to complete their vote counts in 2020. They did so on November 13, 10 days after the election. The huge influx of mail-in votes bogged down the process that gave Joe Biden the presidency after days of uncertainty. After that, several states undertook reforms to speed up the processing of ballots.

Pennsylvania  with 19 Electoral College delegates, the biggest prize at stake  has been the most-courted state by both candidates. Donald Trump and J. D. Vance have visited it 35 times during the campaign; Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have done so on 40 occasions. Democrats and Republicans held several events there on Monday, the last day of the campaign. The decisive results will have to wait until after the polls close at 8 p.m. Local laws indicate that electoral officials must wait until 7 a.m. on Election Day to begin processing the postal vote, which tends to favor the Democrats. This, just over two million votes, will be announced first after the closing of the polling stations. The updates in the hours after will be a mix between the counting of the mail-in vote and the in-person vote on November 5.

Compared to 2020, there are 500,000 fewer postal votes this year, which has generated some optimism that the counting could be faster. Pennsylvania was the state that ended up tipping the balance in Bidens favor four years ago. The Democratic president had to wait until Saturday morning, four days after the election, to find out that he had won there.

Michigan is one of the states that has changed its rules since the last election. With 15 Electoral College votes, it will be decisive for a third consecutive time. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. elsewhere (the state spans two time zones). Officials changed laws to give poll workers eight days before Election Day to process mail-in ballots (an estimated 2.5 million have already been tabulated since Monday, October 28). This gives them a window to avoid the delay of 2020, when they received 3.3 million such ballots. These results, however, cannot be known until Tuesday evening. Local laws also indicate that an automatic recount will be conducted if the difference between the two candidates is 2,000 votes or fewer.

There will also be news from Wisconsin at 9 p.m. ET, where 10 Electoral College votes are up for grabs. Seventy percent of the 3.3 million votes cast in 2020 that gave Biden victory had already been counted and reported by midnight on Tuesday, November 3, Election Day. This year, results may take a few more hours because of changes made for the 2022 midterm elections. Some cities are now sending early in-person votes and absentee ballots to be counted at a single site after the state polls close. The designated site is in Milwaukee, Wisconsins largest city, where results are processed, which could happen around 2 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

The Western States

There are 17 Electoral College votes at stake between Arizona and Nevada. Harris or Trump could emerge as the winner if the high turnout pushes them to conquer four or five eastern states. But if the polls are right, the campaigns will have to wait to find out in the West, where the rush to find out the winner will be buried by a mountain of mail-in ballots and other local measures adopted to give certainty and security to the results.

Arizona (11 Electoral College votes) closes its polls at 9 p.m. ET, but doesnt start issuing results until an hour later, after all voting precincts have reported to the Secretary of State, the election authority. This will be an especially long day. There are so many issues on the ballot that this time there are actually two, as it takes up two pages (Pennsylvanias is also two pages, and theyve calculated that it will take the average voter about 12 minutes to complete).

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has warned that it will take officials 10 to 13 days to count every ballot. Its always been this way, Fontes said this week. What has changed, in his view, is the closeness of the election. Biden became the first Democrat since Bill Clinton in 1996 to win the state in 2020. He did so by 0.3% over Trump, less than 11,000 votes. Unless the Republican or Harris wins by a comfortable margin, which at this point seems far from certain, we will have to wait days  not hours  to know the result.

At 10 p.m. it is Nevadas turn, the least populous of the seven states that will decide the name of the next president and where one million of its 3.2 million residents have already voted early. The state made permanent in 2021 a pandemic rule requiring a ballot to be sent to every registered voter. Eighty percent of those who participated in the 2022 midterm elections voted early in-person or by mail. Ballots postmarked by November 5 will be valid and counted up to four days later, on November 9. This can delay the outcome of the closest races by several days. Two years ago, it was necessary to wait four days to find out who won the Senate seat. Patience will also be vital in this election week.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
US hails fired Israeli defense chief Gallant as 'important partner'



Washington, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



The United States on Tuesday praised sacked Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, a key intermediary with Washington fired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Minister Gallant has been an important partner on all matters related to the defense of Israel. As close partners, we will continue to work collaboratively with Israel's next minister of defense," a State Department spokesperson said.

Gallant has served as a main pointperson for the United States in the 13-month war in Gaza and now in Lebanon, with US officials seeing him as a professional without the ideological bent of some in Netanyahu's cabinet.

Just Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by telephone to Gallant to press US demands for greater humanitarian aid into Gaza, with a deadline looming next week in a threat to cut off some US military assistance without progress.

President Joe Biden's own relationship has deteriorated with Netanyahu, who announced Gallant's dismissal just as the United States was electing Biden's successor.
The result of the United States presidential election will have far-reaching consequences beyond its borders. In Russia and Israel, the expectation was a victory for the Republican Party candidate, former president Donald Trump, which would also be welcomed ultra-right governments such as those in Argentina or Hungary. In Brussels and Ukraine, confidence was high that the winner would be the Democratic Party candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, who would maintain the current relationship with the EU and support for Kyiv in the face of the Russian invasion. In China, officials from the worlds second-largest power are skeptical about the possibility of dialogue with Washington improving substantially over the next four years in either case.

Six EL PAIS correspondents discuss the effects that the U.S. elections will have on different regions and conflicts around the world.

European Union

By Maria R. Sahuquillo (Brussels)

Europe is holding its breath ahead of the election. The experience of Trumps first term, his relationship with Russia, and the prospects of what the unpredictable Republicans return to the White House could mean for the European Union are worrying most member states, and Brussels has prepared contingency plans to prevent and respond to a possible blow. The uncertainty about Tuesdays polls came at a time when the leaders of the two largest economies in the EU, Germany and France, are very weakened. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Emmanuel Macron are leaders with waning influence and at the head of divided governments. And their political survival is not guaranteed. The result in the United States will also deeply mark the European agenda in security, defense, and trade. The challenges arising from a Trump victory would be the primary focus of the summit that European leaders will hold on Thursday and Friday in Budapest.

A Harris presidency would mean maintaining the current status quo with the EU, but if Trump wins, the member states expect a hardening of the trade war between Washington and Beijing  which will also affect the EU  and an even more protectionist escalation with Europe with the imposition of new tariffs. Brussels and several European capitals also fear that a second term for the Republican would leave the EU alone in its support for Ukraine and force Kyiv into an unfavorable and insecure agreement to end the war.

Trump is expected to shift the focus from Europe and support for Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific region. And that would also have effects on the Old Continent, which is extremely dependent on Washingtons support for its security. Trump has attacked NATO and those who do not invest 2% of their GDP on defense spending, such as Spain and Italy. If he maintains this tone, he could weaken the Atlantic Alliance and embolden Vladimir Putin, warns a senior European source. Trumps return to the White House would be welcomed by and would encourage European ultra-right parties and leaders, such as Hungarys Viktor Orban or Slovakias Robert Fico.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, last July. Zoltan Fischer HANDOUT (EFE)

Russia and Ukraine

By Cristian Segura (Kyiv) and Javier G. Cuesta (Moscow)

Ukraines future is also being played out in the United States. Without its biggest military ally, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly said, the war against Russia is lost. For the Kremlin, Trump is the winning horse. His possible victory is viewed with great concern in Kyiv due to his constant messages about turning off the tap on military aid. Trump insists that his priority will be to force Ukraine and Russia to negotiate. Harris, on the other hand, has defended continuing the multibillion-dollar aid to Kyiv on the grounds that the world cannot afford a Putin victory.

The Russian autocrat likes to play a misleading game to confuse his rivals. He said he would never invade Ukraine and then repeatedly stated that he preferred the Democratic candidate in office, stating President Joe Biden was more predictable. However, after he dropped out of the race for re-election, Putin said Harris had become his favorite.

The reality is different. In 2018, an escort, Nastia Ribka, mistakenly spread on Instagram conversations held on a yacht between Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign manager, the late Russian deputy prime minister Sergei Prikhodko, and the oligarch Oleg Deripaska. The ties were never broken: the renowned journalist Bob Woodward wrote in October that Trump has remained in contact with Putin after leaving the presidency.

The Kremlin also has the unconditional support of Elon Musk, whose social network X is key to spreading Trump-Moscow lies. The businessman, the biggest donor to Trumps campaign, is a modern-day Charles Lindbergh: he is now a leader in human progress  Lindbergh was the first person to fly across the Atlantic  and an ardent defender of the enemy; Lindbergh had contacts with Adolf Hitler. The Wall Street Journal has revealed that Musk and Putin have also held secret talks. The Kremlin denies this, just as it remained silent on reports that its troops are using Musks Starlink satellite network on Ukrainian soil.

Aware of the possibilities of a new Trump mandate, Zelenskiy has insisted over the last month that what Trump says during the election campaign is one thing, and what he might decide to do if he is elected president is another. But equally relevant for Kyiv is the outcome of the vote for the U.S. Congress, where Republicans have for the past two years slowed down the military appropriations that the White House wanted to transfer to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The shortage and delays in aid to Ukraine have strengthened Putin, emboldened by his advances in the east of the invaded country in recent months despite his failure to recover the occupied territory in the Russian province of Kursk. The Kremlin says it is willing to negotiate with Kyiv, but only if it first withdraws its troops from the front and renounces a possible accession to NATO, which would leave the country defenseless in the future.

Ukrainian soldiers on the Chasiv Yar front (Donetsk province) on May 1. 24TH MECHANIZED BRIGADE PRESS SE (EFE)

Middle East

By Luis de Vega (Jerusalem)

The United States is Israels main ally and its main supporter in the war in the Middle East. That is not expected to change regardless of who wins the election. It is possible, however, that if there is turbulence during the transition period between the Biden administration and the incoming one, the White House will not be as attentive to this region because of domestic issues, argues analyst Amos Harel in the daily Haaretz. Jewish and Arab voters in the United States will go to the polls in the shadow of the Middle East conflict, which could play a decisive role in some swing states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania, given how tight the race is.

Trump has made it no secret that, if he wins, one of his goals will be for Israel to prevail as quickly as possible. But if anything has been demonstrated since the war broke out on October 7, 2023 in the wake of the Hamas massacre, despite the ups and downs and differences with Washington, it is that the line of no return has never been crossed in bilateral relations. U.S. arms shipments for the war operations that have already left more than 43,000 people dead in Gaza have not stopped. Nor has the United States stopped backing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations.

Lebanon is the other major front, while tensions remain with Iran. Both conflicts are being closely followed by the White House, without turning its back on its ally. In Israel, unlike Europe, Trump has more support than Harris. The Republicans decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the unrecognized capital of the Jewish state, during his presidential term was a strong endorsement of Israeli policy.

Kamala Harris at a rally in East Lansing, Michigan, November 4. DPA via Europa Press (DPA via Europa Press)

Latin America

By Francesco Manetto (Mexico)

Everything that is decided in the White House or in the United States Congress has a daily impact along the more than 10,000 kilometers (6,213 miles) that separate Patagonia and the Rio Grande. In Latin America, dependence on Washington determines, to a greater or lesser extent, political balances at a local level. From the trade agenda to migration, including security or the scope of diplomatic relations, one administration or another can make the difference for many governments in the region. With these premises, Latin Americans, even the most skeptical, await Tuesdays elections with the expectation of an event in which their own future is also at stake.

The most affected country is Mexico, where ties with Washington are vital for economic stability. The new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, a left-wing environmental scientist, has avoided commenting on the elections and has said that her priority will be to get along with both Harris and Trump, who during his term threatened former Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador with a tariff war if he did not collaborate with his immigration plan. This is one of the most problematic knots in the bilateral relationship, which has been compounded by concerns about the security crisis and calls to attention from the White House regarding the recent judicial reform, which introduced the popular election of judges.

In South America, Venezuelans face Tuesday with polar opposite feelings. The majority of the opposition, deactivated and cornered by Nicolas Maduro after the July elections, is confident that the next U.S. administration will toughen its position against the Chavista government, which everyone in Washington has already accused of fraud. Hugo Chavezs successor, like his entourage and supporters, knows that the relationship will be difficult no matter who wins, although Maduro will try to maintain the few commercial links that remain, perhaps through some attempt at dialogue with the opposition, so that the ailing Venezuelan oil industry is not completely dismantled.

There are few expectations for change in Cuba, too. However, any gesture from the White House could prove decisive in alleviating the deep crisis that the island is suffering and an unprecedented exodus. The U.S. election will also have a great impact on countries such as Brazil or Colombia, governed by left-wing presidents. A victory for Harris would mean continuity, while the return of Trump would open the door, especially in the case of Colombia, to open confrontation. The opposite of what the far-right Javier Milei aspires to. The Argentine president is not only a great admirer of Trump, but would seek the support of the magnate in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

China

By Guillermo Abril (Beijing)

The technological, commercial, and military race between the United States and China, the worlds first and second powers, will probably be the geopolitical struggle that will mark this century. From this perspective, Beijing is observing the elections with both utmost attention and large doses of skepticism, without showing preference for any candidate, and calculating scenarios depending on who wins. If you ask officials from the Asian giant which of the two candidates they prefer, there is a high probability that the answer will be: Neither.

After a Trump presidency followed by the Biden administration, the communist leadership has assumed that there is no magic president who will put an end to the differences between the two countries. The deterioration in bilateral relations began to become apparent under the former, who came to power with a string of invectives against China and unleashed a trade war in 2018. Ties entered a downward spiral, became entrenched during the pandemic, and hit rock bottom with Biden in the White House.

Since Harris became vice president, there have been clashes over Taiwan and Chinas ambiguous stance on Russias invasion of Ukraine; Washington has also restricted Chinas access to the most advanced chips to prevent their use in the military domain, something that Beijing takes as a measure aimed at slowing its development. The symbol of diplomacy in tatters was the shooting down, in February 2023, of a Chinese stratospheric balloon that was flying over U.S. territory without permission. Since then, Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have tried to stabilize the situation. In part they have succeeded: military commanders have reopened a channel of dialogue. In part not: barring a surprise, Biden will be the only American president who has not visited China since Jimmy Carter (1977-81).

Biden and Xi, in November 2023 in Woodside, California. Doug Mills (AP)

During the campaign, China has been attacked from both sides. Trump and Harris both accuse each other of having been too lenient with China. The former president has promised a new round of 60% tariffs on all Chinese products. Harris accuses Trump of unleashing the trade war and having ended up selling American chips to China to help it modernize its military.

In Beijing, there are no illusions about either candidate. While there may be differences in Trump and Harriss approaches to China, pressure and attacks will continue regardless of who wins, Wang Yiwei, director of the Center for European Studies at Renmin University of China, and Tan Yannan, a PhD candidate at the same universitys School of International Studies, wrote in a recent article. With Trump, they see a growing economic slowdown; with Harris, technology as a key area for potential conflict.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Alongside the delirium, though, there has also been a growing, but familiar, anxiety. It is perhaps best described as a recurring trauma, one which lodged itself in the bodies of all vaguely left-leaning people on the morning of November 9 2016  and has never quite left. Waking up on that morning, to the news that Hillary Clinton had against all odds, conceded to Donald Trump, and having the scales fall abruptly from our eyes  it is a PTSD that has become something of a tentative joke in Democrat campaigning circles now. The naive hubris of the night before, versus the abject horror of the morning after. And as with all trauma, the body remembers  and it is prepping us now  for the very distinct possibility of a horrible deja vu.
90s girl band star confesses she is homeless and has been living in her car for three years

90s music star is homeless and been living in her car for three years
The Manchester rockers, known for hits including Wonderwall and Supersonic, will begin their tour of the continent with two dates in Argentina, at the River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, on November 15 and 16.
Kemi Badenochs election to leader of the Conservative party comes with a number of firsts. She is the first black leader of any major British political party and the only first-generation immigrant. Not that Badenoch, 44, has any interest in talking about that  as a staunch critic of identity politics she would rather focus on her Conservative values and her vision for the future, where she promises to reset our politics and our thinking. The story of her childhood and between London and Lagos and her subsequent rise through the political ranks provides an insight into how she became very Right-wing, as she puts it.
Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said: During her admission to the hospital in 2015, Alice was repeatedly able to attempt self-harm when she was subject to close observation from staff, but the incidents were not properly recorded, the records that were made were not properly assessed, and the implications of her repeated use of ... to harm herself, and her continued access to such ..., were neither considered nor addressed.
The Government has pledged to crack down on the crime after figures last month showed 78,000 people across the country had phones or bags stolen from them in snatch thefts in the year to March 2024 - a sharp rise of 153 per cent compared to the 31,000 such thefts in the previous 12 months.
Antony Phillipson, Britains high commissioner to South Africa, said about the royal visit: I would just highlight that we are actually delighted to have the Prince of Wales here this week for Earthshot week, and we will be taking the opportunity of doing some bilateral events with him, and for him.
November 5, 2024, has arrived loaded with uncertainty. As Americans who have not yet voted head to the polls, there are only questions. The main one: who will win? The second: when will the result be announced? The most important election in recent history for the future of the United States, and the world, does not have a clear favorite. The polls place Donald Trump and Kamala Harris almost neck-and-neck in the swing states that will tip the balance one way or the other. If the result is as close as the polls indicate  and that is another unknown  the vote count could last many days in a divided and tense country, while the world waits in suspense to find out who will hold the keys to the White House for the next four years.

The U.S. has witnessed some heart-stopping presidential elections in recent history. In 2000, the media mistakenly proclaimed Al Gore president over George W. Bush on election night, only to later rectify the error. Hours later, Bill Clintons vice president congratulated his rival, only to retract his statement. In the end, after a recount in Florida aborted by the Supreme Court in December, Bush won the state by a margin of 537 votes. The most recent election, in November 2020, was decided by a margin of 44,000 votes in three of the key states, and Joe Biden was not able to declare victory until Saturday, four days after the election date.

It is unlikely that this election will be as close as those when push comes to shove, but what is closer than ever in recent history are the polls. In all recent elections, on voting day there has been a clear favorite (although, as Hillary Clinton knows only too well, that does not guarantee victory). This time, it seems to be a toss-up. The polls give Harris a slight lead in the popular vote, but it remains unclear if that will be enough to tip the balance in the decisive states.

Kamala Harris during her final rally in Philadelphia. Quinn Glabicki (REUTERS)

Multiple combinations, nothing guaranteed

The election will essentially be decided in seven states, home to approximately 15% of the U.S. population of 335 million, and which hold 93 votes in the Electoral College. The most important is Pennsylvania (19 votes), followed by Georgia (16) and North Carolina (16), Michigan (15), Arizona (11), Wisconsin (10), and Nevada (6). In 2016, Trump won all but Nevada. In 2020, Biden won all but one: North Carolina.

There are many possible combinations. With nothing guaranteed, Harris appears to have a slim lead in Wisconsin and Michigan, while Trump is slightly ahead in Arizona, North Carolina, and Georgia. That scenario would leave everything in the hands of Pennsylvania, where both are tied, regardless of what happens in Nevada.

The two candidates campaigned Monday in the most decisive of the key states. Harris scheduled five events in one day, including one in Scranton, Joe Bidens birthplace, two in towns with a greater Latino vote (Allentown and Reading), another in the states industrial capital (Pittsburgh), and the last in its largest city (Philadelphia). Trump decided to open the last day in Raleigh (North Carolina) and close it in Warren (Michigan), but with two rallies in between in Pennsylvania (in Reading and Pittsburgh).

Polls underestimated Trump in 2016 and 2020. The question is whether that will be repeated this year or, on the contrary, by adjusting their models, the polling firms have ended up favoring the former president. The big demographic surprise of the last few days has been a poll by the Des Moines Register, the main newspaper in Iowa, a state that Trump believed he had in his pocket. It gives Harris a 47% to 44% lead in voting intention among likely voters. It also points to enormous support for the Democrat among women not registered as Republicans or Democrats. Among these independent voters, the poll gives her a 28-point lead in Iowa, 57% to 29%. Beyond the fact that the poll leaves a state with six votes in the Electoral College that had gone under the radar until now up in the air, its data by population groups are very encouraging for the vice president.

Harris has tried to court centrist voters with calls for unity. She promises to be a president for all Americans, who will govern with common sense and bring her political rivals to the table. Trump, on the other hand, has embraced violent, xenophobic, and extremist rhetoric, raising the specter of electoral fraud and painting a bleak and apocalyptic picture of the U.S., to which he presents himself as the only solution. He seems to prefer the course of reassuring his faithful supporters and mobilizing new voters who are dissatisfied with the direction of the country.

Such close elections boost participation, which is usually low. According to data from the U.S. Census, in the 2020 presidential election, which broke records for the last few decades, 66.8% of citizens aged over 18 voted. Early voting is estimated at 83 million people, including those who voted in person and those who voted by mail, although millions more ballots may still arrive. In any case, it seems unlikely that the record of 101.45 million in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, will be surpassed. Early voting shows a strong mobilization of voters registered as Republicans, although this seems to be due more to a change of habits  Trump and his followers discouraged the practice in 2020 but have changed tack in this campaign  than to a substantive electoral transfer.

Long night

It will be a very long election night. The counting of votes in some states may take days if the result is extremely close, as was the case in 2020. It is also possible that a surprise could occur and the balance could tip quickly one way or the other. Uncertainty is the only thing that is guaranteed.

The ballot box will decide whether Harris becomes the first woman to occupy the Oval Office since the founding of the United States, or whether Trump manages to regain the presidency after having lost it, something that has only happened once previously, in 1892, with Grover Cleveland. In either outcome, the election will leave a divided country in its wake. The result will determine not only the future of U.S. democracy, but also the geopolitical chessboard (including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the competition for hegemony with China, and Washingtons relationship with the EU) and the future of world trade. Voting is the oxygen of democracy, said Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy. The world awaits the result with bated breath.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
It comes despite the Prime Minister have expressed his desire to reset the relationship between the Governments at Holyrood and Westminster after a difficult relationship developed between SNP ministers in Edinburgh and the previous Conservative government in London.
I think it's an economic lesson to be learned as well, that monopolies are abused, and one only has to look at the price, which is charged on some occasions - you can fly to Australia cheaper than you can fly to London on some occasions with British Airways

Sammy Wilson, DUP
Benny Higgins, executive chairman of the Buccleuch Group, said: This project promises to have an outstandingly positive impact on tourism and leisure in the Scottish Borders and we are delighted to have signed an option agreement that will enable Center Parcs to take the next steps towards fulfilling its ambitions.
What he is doing is sort of what we did a few years ago. Hes doing a great job. Hes always been my friend for some reason. He liked me, I liked him, and hes shaking it up pretty good over there.
If they can look up to these incredible people from all over the word. You look at the Earthshot finalists and they are from every corner of the globe, from different backgrounds and cultures and they are all coming together for one common goal. What an awesome thing to get behind.
You cant picture a sheepskin shoe without UGGs flashing to mind. Yes, some of us will think of their 2000s heydey when they were the shoe of party girls  everyone from Paris Hilton to star of The OC Mischa Barton flew the flag in celebrity circles  and they were all over university campuses thanks to their comfy creds. But they actually date back to the late 1970s, with roots in the surf world. Aussie surfer Brian Smith founded the company in Santa Monica, California and they quickly became a staple for beach communities to slip on after riding waves.
Continuing the musical performances, for the first time the BBC Children In Need Choir will feature children from across the UK, who have been supported by funds raised, coming together in the studio to sing the classic Take That song Never Forget.
The company has been through so much over the last 17 years  ups, downs, restructuring its been quite the journey. So, finally, to be able to say were profitable is something Im so proud of, because its not an easy industry, and its getting harder and harder.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 5, 2024 - 13:05 | All, World

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has confirmed his country's military has engaged for the first time with North Korean troops, South Korea's public broadcaster KBS reported Tuesday.

Umerov told KBS in an interview on Monday local time that a "small-scale" engagement had taken place, without detailing when and where the fighting took place. He said it could be officially considered the beginning of North Korea's participation in Russia's war against Ukraine, according to the report.

But the fighting was not a systematically organized level of engagement with all forces mobilized, Umerov said.

The defense minister added he expects five North Korean units, each with approximately 3,000 soldiers, to be deployed in the northeast, east, and southeast locations on a 1,500-kilometer-long frontline.

Related coverage:

Sending troops to Russia a "gamble" for N. Korea leader: ex-diplomat

North Korea troops possibly deployed in Ukraine battlefield: South Korea

NATO confirms North Korean troops deployed to Russia's western region
KYODO NEWS - Nov 5, 2024 - 16:11 | All, Japan, World

When police searched a group of abandoned motels in a city some 50 kilometers northeast of Tokyo earlier this year, they found more than 20 Vietnamese men and women living together in a community that included a restaurant and a karaoke bar.

"There is a possibility that these were people who had nowhere else to go," an investigative source said.

The Vietnamese, who have since been deported, were living in about 10 motels that were no longer in use in Bando, Ibaraki Prefecture, according to the police. It is believed some of them had fled from Japanese firms where they were working as technical intern trainees.

The motels were owned by a 40-year-old Vietnamese company executive, who was indicted in late October on the charge of abetting their illegal stay by providing them with housing.

The executive has told the police she provided housing after being "requested by a group involved with illegal overstayers," according to an investigative source said.

Two to four people were living in each motel, paying 40,000 yen ($262) a month in rent, said the source.

Located along the Tone River, Bando has a population of about 50,000, with vegetable cultivation its prime industry.

After entering a gravel path from a highway and proceeding about 100 meters, a Kyodo News reporter who visited the area late last month saw a group of old one-story motels lined up in a U-shape. One of the buildings still had a sign that read "Vietnamese restaurant."

According to investigative sources, most of the Vietnamese people who lived there had come to Japan as technical intern trainees, believing the claim that they "can earn money" in the country.

But they left their jobs due to low wages or after being assaulted by their bosses, the sources said, adding it is believed that they moved to the motels after living together in neighboring Chiba Prefecture and exchanging information through social media.

In Japan, a number of foreign technical intern trainees have disappeared from their workplace due to a poor work environment. A record 9,753 such trainees went missing in 2023, Justice Ministry sources said citing preliminary data.

By country, Vietnam topped the list with 5,481, followed by Myanmar at 1,765 and China at 816. Nearly half of all those that disappeared were engaged in construction-related jobs, said the sources.

A woman who lives near the motels recollects, "I couldn't sleep because of the sounds of karaoke and voices echoing all night long."

Related coverage:

2 Vietnamese arrested for stealing Tokyo bikes, 70 thefts suspected
By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - Nov 6, 2024 - 08:06 | All, World

Click here for live update

WASHINGTON - Americans are voting Tuesday in one of the most consequential presidential elections in U.S. history, with polls showing the Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and her Republican opponent Donald Trump essentially tied in all seven swing states that will most likely determine the outcome.

Whether the victory goes to Vice President Harris -- who would be the country's first female commander-in-chief -- or former President Trump -- who would be the first in 132 years to be sworn in for a nonconsecutive second term in the White House -- may not be known for days after the polls close.

The historically close election matters beyond the United States as the two rivals have offered sharply contrasting worldviews, with people in Asia, Europe and elsewhere watching closely and preparing for what may come next in U.S. foreign and economic policies.

To win the U.S. presidency, a candidate must secure at least 270 of the 538 total electoral votes allotted to the 50 states and the District of Columbia largely based on population size.

Pennsylvania's 19 electoral votes, the most among the seven battleground states also including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin, make it a pivotal contest for the opposing campaigns.

The next-biggest prizes among the swing states are Georgia and North Carolina, with 16 electoral votes each, and Michigan, with 15. According to U.S. media analyses, Harris needs a total of 44 electoral votes from the toss-up states to get to the required 270 threshold, while Trump needs 51.

Of the seven, Georgia or North Carolina could be the first to declare a winner after polls in the southern states close at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively.

After casting his ballot in Florida, Trump, 78, who could be the oldest person to be elected U.S. president, told reporters he feels "very confident" about his chances of taking back the White House.

Harris, 60, who had voted by mail in her home state of California, made last-ditch efforts to connect with voters in swing states through interviews with local radio stations, while posting a series of messages on the X social media platform to encourage Americans to vote and make their voices heard.

The winner will be sworn in on Jan. 20 next year, succeeding Joe Biden, the oldest president in U.S. history. Biden abandoned his reelection bid in July in the face of growing doubts among his supporters over his age and mental acuity.

Harris swiftly ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket after the 81-year-old president, who defeated Trump in the previous election, stepped aside.

Since accepting the nomination, Harris, who if elected would also be the country's first Black woman and Asian American president, has reenergized the party and recovered ground lost by Biden, but not to the point of establishing a clear lead in any battleground state.

She has continued Biden's line of attack that Trump, the first former president to face criminal charges, is a threat to democracy.

Trump has been indicted on federal and state charges in connection with his efforts to overturn his election loss in 2020, as well as on federal charges over alleged mishandling of classified documents.

He was convicted in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a New York case involving hush money payments to a porn star during the 2016 race, but an election win this year would greatly boost his odds of escaping sentencing or the resumption of the other cases against him.

Harris, while leaning into "freedom" and "the future" as her core messages, has emphasized her middle-class roots and background as a prosecutor, asserting that she, unlike Trump, respects the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign has continued slamming the Biden-Harris administration as a complete failure on almost every front, making claims such as that prices have skyrocketed and too many illegal immigrants have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in the years since he left office.

Trump still asserts without evidence that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. His campaign messages are often laced with hateful rhetoric, as retribution against political enemies has been an important part of his motivation for seeking office again.

The two candidates have presented conflicting visions for the country's future on issues ranging from abortion access and transgender rights to taxes and energy.

Polls have indicated that Harris is more trusted than Trump by voters on abortion and health care. But Trump is more trusted on the economy and immigration.

On issues that generally carry more weight for other countries, Harris has said she will follow the Biden administration's commitment to championing multilateralism. She has pledged to tackle global and regional challenges with U.S. allies and partners.

As Trump did in his first term, under his "America First" mantra, the reality TV host-turned-politician is expected to pursue an isolationist approach that could be even more drastic and implement far-reaching tariffs on imports from China and other parts of the world.

In stark contrast to Harris, Trump, who believes Russia would not have invaded Ukraine had he been president, has suggested that providing billions of dollars in assistance to the war-torn country is a waste of American money.

Trump, who is also skeptical about NATO and seems reluctant to protect Taiwan from China, has repeatedly said he is capable of ending the war in Ukraine swiftly by bringing Kyiv and Moscow to the negotiating table, should he return to the White House.

Although Trump has refrained from saying whether he wants Ukraine to prevail in the war, his past remarks have signaled that the territorial integrity of Ukraine is a secondary concern.

Related coverage:

Kamala Harris' Indian aunt says U.S. vice president shaped by immigrant mom's values
The Union of Liberal Professions in Romania (UPLR) organises today the 17th edition of the conference Day of Liberal Professions in Romania themed "Encouraging young people to enter liberal professions."

According to organisers, the conference aims to highlight the special role and importance of the liberal professions to society given a decrease in the number of young people who choose to embark on a liberal profession both internally and at European level.

"The purpose of the conference is to raise awareness of this phenomenon and to generate ideas and opinions that will be the basis for developing a medium and long-term strategy to convince young people to enter liberal professions, thus contributing to the achievement of the public good."

Attending the event will be representatives of liberal professions associations, central public authorities, relevant institutions and organisations, as well as the academic and university environment.

UPLR is a non-governmental, apolitical organisation, established on June 11, 2001, under Government Ordinance no. 26/2000.

The Union of Liberal Professions in Romania is made up of 17 associations of liberal professions and is open to membership of all professional organisations, legal entities that meet the conditions provided in its statutes. UPLR represents approximately 100,000 members of professional organisations. It is a full member of the European Council of the Liberal Professions (CEPLIS) and of the World Union of the Liberal Professions (WUP).

The member associations of UPLR are: the Romanian Guild of Architects; The Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania; the National Union of Romanian Bar Associations; Chamber of Tax Consultants; the National Association of Certified Appraisers of Romania (ANEVAR); the National Union of Bailiffs; Romanian College of Pharmacists; National Union of Notaries Public of Romania; the National Union of Insolvency Practitioners in Romania; the College of Veterinarians of Romania; the National College of Social Workers in Romania; the Association of Management Consultants in Romania; the National Chamber of Industrial Property Attorneys of Romania; Body of Technical Experts in Romania (CETR); the Union of Surveyors of Romania; the College of Osteopaths of Romania; the Association of Liquidators and Administrators of the Republic of Moldova.
Bids for the first Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction can be submitted by November 18, 2024, as the additional requests for clarifications received after October 23, 2024 - the initial deadline for completing the process - have been processed, the Ministry of Energy announced on Tuesday.

The ministry has published on its website an updated 64-page document regarding the questions and answers related to the clarification of the aspects related to participation in the auction process in order to provide as pertinent information as possible in order to ensure as wide a participation as possible in the first CfD auction.

The document includes clarifications related to contract amendments, rules applicable to the applicant, about the auction procedure, guarantees (participation and performance), CFDs, the obligations of the beneficiary, financial resources and CFD payments. There are also clarifications about the legislative changes, the content of the technical bid and the financial bid, eligibility criteria, limitations on liability and losses, penalties and much more.

The Ministry of Energy says that the clarification process related to the first auction for the energy generation from renewable resources of onshore wind and solar photovoltaic energy through Contracts for Difference (CfD) is closed, encouraging interested parties to submit bids by November 18.

The first auction under the CfD scheme will support the development of photovoltaic projects of a capacity of 500 MW and onshore wind projects of 1,000 MW.

According to the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, investors will get support in the form of a contract for difference, which will guarantee them a fixed price for the sale of electricity for a period of 15 years. The price will be set by competitive bidding, with a maximum starting threshold of 78 euros/MWh for photovoltaic projects and 82 euros/MWh for onshore wind projects.

"I am inviting as many investors as possible to participate in this auction and contribute to the transformation of the energy sector in Romania. The more bidders we have, the more we will be able to accelerate the change necessary to increase the energy production from renewable resources at a competitive cost. Romania is the first country that has managed to finance the CfD scheme from the Modernisation Fund, getting EUR 3 billion for this purpose," Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said at the beginning of September.

A second auction, which will cover a total capacity of 3,500 MW of onshore wind and photovoltaic projects, is scheduled for 2025. These measures are designed to increase and strengthen Romania's capacity to generate energy from renewable resources, bringing major benefits to the economy and citizens, as well as ensuring energy security and price competitiveness.

The signing of the contracts for the first tender is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
The National Bank of Romania (BNR) is releasing today a gold coin marking the 80th anniversary of Operation Neptune and a special sheet consisting of four banknotes of a face value of RON 10.

Featuring on the obverse of the coin is the Tismana Monastery, the place where the BNR treasure was shipped for safekeeping in 1944, the inscription "ROMANIA" in an arc, the coat of arms of Romania, the face value "100 LEI" and the year of issue "2024."

On the reverse of the coin there are the portraits and names of Constantin Angelescu and Ion Lapedatu, governors of the National Bank of Romania, the Old Palace of the National Bank of Romania in the background and the inscription "OPERATIUNEA "NEPTUN."

The gold coins are legal tender in Romania.

According to BNR, each of the special sheets contains four banknotes with face value of lei 10. The banknotes have consecutive series and the same technical specifications as the banknotes in circulation with face value of RON 10.

The maximum mintage is 1,000 gold coins marking 80 years since the unfolding of Operation 'Neptune' and the maximum printed number of special sheets is 5,000 pieces consisting each of four banknotes with face value of lei 10.

The selling prices are RON 4,200, VAT excluded, for the gold coin, including the presentation brochure and the certificate of authenticity and RON 60, VAT excluded, for the special sheet consisting of four banknotes of a face value of RON 10, including a certificate of authenticity.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu declared on Tuesday that Romania's role as a factor of stability in Europe and in the region, as well as its geostrategic, economic and political advantages qualify our country as a destination for investors, informs Agerpres.

The Head of Government had, at the Victoria Palace, a meeting with a delegation of Japanese investors from the fields of energy, research and technology, industry, infrastructure and banking, led by the Japanese Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Shinji Takeuchi.

The Prime Minister appreciated the level of Romanian-Japanese bilateral relations, developed on the basis of the Strategic Partnership, the common values promoted by the two states and the economic opportunities offered by the current international context, according to a Government press release sent to AGERPRES.

The Head of the Executive emphasized the role of Romania as a factor of stability in Europe and in the region, as well as the geostrategic, economic and political advantages that qualify it as a destination for investors.

"The Romanian government has modernized the legislative framework in key areas for attracting foreign investments, such as the public-private partnership. We now have a new law that brings high-quality investors to Romania, we have major projects in the fields of energy, road, railway and maritime infrastructure, in the logistics sector, as well as a Plan for the Reindustrialization of the Country, doubled by a measure through which we financially support, from the state budget, investments with a significant impact on the economy and those carried out in the processing industries," PM Ciolacu said.

He also mentioned the state aid schemes, as well as investments in new technologies so that Romania becomes a real technological hub in the center and south-east of Europe.

"We have ambitious plans in the nuclear area. The experience and professionalism of Japanese companies represent solid arguments for the achievement of our objectives to re-engineer the Candu type nuclear reactors from Cernavoda and to realize the SMR project, the first in Europe. Also, in the area of green energy we have a new law that allows investments in the offshore wind energy area, in a motivating and predictable long-term fiscal framework," said Ciolacu.

According to the Prime Minister, Romania has the necessary logistics, expertise, human capital and projects to become one of the main hubs for the reconstruction of Ukraine. In this context, the prime minister recalled Romania's interest in developing the Port of Constanta, as well as in supporting regional interconnection projects.

The Japanese economic delegation conveyed its interest in strengthening financial support for Romania in projects in the areas of transport infrastructure, energy, digitization and high technology, the press release reads.

"The investment opportunities offered by Romania are particularly important and offer new perspectives to develop our bilateral relations," said Deputy Minister Shinji Takeuchi.

Also, the Japanese official appreciated Romania's contribution to the organization of the world exhibition Expo Osaka, Kansai 2025, and addressed to Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu the invitation to participate in this event.

On behalf of the Romanian Government, the Prime Minister's meeting with the Japanese economic delegation was attended by the Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Radu Oprea, the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, the Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitization, Bogdan Ivan, the head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Alexandru - Mihai Ghigiu.
The scientific device DropCoal (Droplet Coalescence), developed entirely in Romania by Romanian InSpace Engineering (RISE), as part of a project funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and proposed by an international team of researchers led by the National Institute for Laser, Plasma & Radiation Physics (INFLPR) Romania, was launched on Tuesday to the International Space Station, informs a press release sent to AGERPRES.

The launch took place on Tuesday from NASA Kennedy Space Center, with the equipment inside the Dragon capsule mounted on a Falcon-9 rocket (as part of the SpaceX CRS-31 mission). The experiment will arrive at the ISS on Tuesday evening, where it is to be installed by astronaut Donald Pettit in the European Physiology Module in the Columbus laboratory, on the ICE Cubes Facility.

"DropCoal was designed to study the coalescence and mixing of liquids during a 6-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Specifically, throughout the entire mission, the device will run 560 experiments, which involve generating two droplets of different substances, filming with an ultra-fast camera how they coalesce and mix in the microgravity environment. The discoveries from this experiment are of particular importance for space exploration, as they will help scientists improve the way astronauts take medicines or fuel different spacecraft," the cited source says.

According to the cited source, RISE designed and built the apparatus needed to carry out the experiment. It includes an ultra-fast video camera, a fluid circulation system, pumps, high-precision motors to control the movement of the droplets towards each other.

"The droplet formation is carried out through advanced software and is controlled by an operations center installed in the RISE lab," the same source said.

To qualify for launch, the device underwent a test campaign as required by ESA and NASA. This campaign included checks for: resistance to vibration during launch, operation over the entire temperature range, electromagnetic compatibility with the ISS and compatibility with the communications interface.

The team of scientists who proposed the experiment is led by experts from the National Institute for Laser, Plasma & Radiation Physics (INFLPR) Romania in collaboration with the Technical University of Darmstadt (Germany) and Carnegie Mellon University (USA).

A space mission operated entirely from Romania, DropCoal will run scientific experiments for 6 months on board the Station.

DropCoal is thus the first complete space mission, from concept to operation and scientific data processing, developed in Romania as a member state of the European Space Agency (ESA).

The project is fully funded by the European Space Agency and is in line with the Romanian Space Agency's (ROSA) efforts to develop the space field in Romania.
The European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, will travel to Romania for an official visit on Wednesday, November 6, the European Commission has announced, informs Agerpres.

The commissioner will participate in the National Conference of Romanian Farmers' Club, with the theme "Multi-sectoral Pact for an Integrated Agricultural Policy of Romania - objective 2035".

During the event, the high-ranking official is a special guest in the interactive EU-Romania Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture, where he will talk about the perspectives of European farmers in the context of environmental, geo-political challenges and EU enlargement. At the same time, the European commissioner will also have an intervention in the plenary session, with the theme "Vision and action for the sustainable transformation of agriculture".

It will be a pleasure and an honor to address the National Conference of the Romanian Farmers' Club. First of all, it will be an opportunity to thank Romanian farmers for their vital contribution to food security, both in Europe and beyond. In recent years, farmers in Romania have shown remarkable resilience, passing well through a pandemic, through economic recessions and through the challenges related to the climate. Despite these challenges, they have ensured that, every day, no matter what happens, we have healthy and high-quality food on the table. During my mandate, I talked with the farmers in Romania on numerous occasions, said Janusz Wojciechowski, according to a press release.

He emphasized that, during the conference on Wednesday, he will answer the most important concerns of the farmers.

The European official added that he would also like to present the way in which the European Commission stands by the Romanian farmers and works for the Romanian farmers, to help them face these challenges.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, had, on Monday, in Paris, a meeting with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Noel Barrot, on the sidelines of the working visit undertaken in the French capital by the Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu, MAE informs.

According to the cited source, Luminita Odobescu highlighted the special relevance of the cooperation of the two countries in the field of Defense, reiterating the appreciation of the Romanian side for the solid contribution of France to the consolidation of the security of the Eastern Flank, especially by assuming the role of the framework nation of the NATO Battle Group deployed to Five.

He also emphasized the importance that Romania attaches to shaping a strategic EU approach to the Black Sea, in complementarity with NATO's vision, considering the strategic importance of the region in terms of security, energy and connectivity.

The Romanian minister also highlighted the importance of continuing united and solidary action at the level of the European Union, Romania and France being both firm supporters of the Union's advancement on these bases....

The Romanian official thanked France for its support both for the completion of the process of Romania's accession to the Schengen area and for our country to obtain the status of a member of the OECD.

During the discussions, the solid support of the two countries for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine was reiterated. Also, special attention was paid to developments in the Republic of Moldova, including in the post-election context in Chisinau, welcoming the victory of President Maia Sandu in the recent presidential elections. In this context, it was agreed to continue close cooperation and coordination in support of Chisinau in an essential stage for democracy, resilience and the European future of the Republic of Moldova.
SHANGHAI, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- With the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) in full swing in Shanghai, global companies are unveiling their latest technological innovations, capitalizing on the opportunities arising from China's commitment to further opening up both its market and manufacturing industry.

GE Healthcare, a regular exhibitor at the CIIE, has brought an unprecedented lineup to Shanghai this year. The U.S. medical technology company is showcasing multiple products either making their global or Chinese debut.

Eyeing China's growing demand for advanced medical technology, GE Healthcare is exhibiting its largest collection of new products ever at this year's expo, where it has been participating since 2018, said Zhong Luyin, the company's China communications executive.

"Our goal extends beyond mere participation in the expo. More importantly, we look forward to engaging in China," Zhong said.

A STAGE FOR ALL

At the ongoing CIIE, over 400 new products, technologies and services from around the world are being showcased, spanning sectors such as artificial intelligence, new materials, autonomous systems and energy transition technologies.

During a meeting on Monday with select exhibitors and buyers attending the expo, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said that China is able to sustain steady economic recovery, improve the quality and capacity of its market, and provide more extensive growth space for global businesses in terms of trade, investment and innovation. He added that the Chinese market is still one of the best choices for companies worldwide.

Just days ago, China removed all market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector, with the country's new edition of its national negative list for foreign investment having taken effect on Nov. 1. This significant move marked the latest effort of the world's second-largest economy to open its doors even wider.

"Benefiting from the 'spillover effect' of the expo, many of our showcased products are now in use across Chinese hospitals," said Lu Yi, MRI marketing manager of Siemens Healthineers. At this year's CIIE, the German medical technology company is unveiling the MAGNETOM Terra.X, its latest generation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment -- the first time this new equipment is being displayed in Asia.

Lu revealed that Siemens Healthineers is advancing its localization strategy for cutting-edge product manufacturing. Notably, the MAGNETOM Terra.X is slated for future production at the company's base in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province.

Apart from traditional technological sectors, the ongoing expo showcases an array of futuristic exhibits that seem straight out of the world of science fiction, including tires designed for lunar exploration vehicles, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and innovative motor-powered shoes.

French tire maker Michelin, which is attending the expo for a fourth year, is exhibiting a futuristic prototype wheel for lunar exploration vehicles, among other products including car tires containing 71 percent sustainable materials and a new generation aircraft tire.

Serge Godefroid, research and development director of Michelin China, said Michelin has been innovating for the future of mobility and is even thinking about mobility beyond the Earth for future lunar or Mars exploration projects.

Michelin is already extensively testing tires in very rough conditions and with exposure to the range of temperatures that exist on the moon, Godefroid said. "You don't have somebody to help you inflate a tire on the moon, so you need to find a wheel that can sustain very difficult conditions."

RISING INNOVATION LANDSCAPE

A number of eVTOL aircraft are proving eye-catching at this year's CIIE. Vertaxi, an eVTOL startup which is attending the expo jointly with Ampaire, a global leader in hybrid electric aircraft systems, has brought three autonomous eVTOL drones to the 2024 expo.

Yue Tingting, vice president of Vertaxi, said the company's smaller eVTOL aircraft have been well received by the market and are being widely used for police, emergency and fire-fighting patrols, public and oil infrastructure inspections, and island logistics.

Yue admitted that it will take longer for the company's eVTOL aircraft to obtain the airworthiness certification needed for passenger transport. She, however, is very bullish about China's low-altitude economy and even envisions a future where people will be able to board eVTOL aircraft for daily commuting, much like taking a taxi or bus.

Shift Robotics, attending the expo for the first time, is exhibiting its new generation of motor-powered shoes, called Moonwalkers Aero, that allow people to walk at speeds of up to 11 km per hour.

Moonwalkers deliver smooth power when people who wear them speed up, while they offer very little assistance if the person wearing them walks very slowly. These motor-powered shoes can be used in virtually any environment, even on the subway, in a lift or on stairs, and people can move around in these Moonwalkers without taking off their normal shoes, according to Zhang Xunjie, CEO of Shift Robotics.

From industry giants to rising startups, the dedication shown to China by global tech companies is well-timed, as the country's prominence in the global innovation landscape continues to increase. According to the Global Innovation Index 2024 released by the World Intellectual Property Organization, China has moved up one spot to 11th place in the latest rankings of the world's most innovative economies -- becoming one of the fastest risers over the past decade.

"China's growth pattern has shifted from quantity-oriented to quality-oriented," said Tetsuro Homma, executive vice president of Panasonic Holdings Corporation. "To keep pace with this change, we are setting up more research and development teams in China to quickly adapt to the evolving Chinese market."

Over the past four years, this Japanese manufacturing company has steadily expanded its investment in China. Home to over 60 Panasonic subsidiaries, China now accounts for nearly a quarter of the company's business worldwide. "We are innovating for China, and we aspire to innovate in China for the whole world," Homma said. 
The Ministry of Culture, through the Project Management Unit, as coordinator of reforms and investments and as provider and administrator of the de minimis aid scheme, will contract 47 projects under the call "Support for cultural initiatives to accelerate the digitization of film production and distribution, including cinematographic films", informs Agerpres.

According to the ministry, the budget is 5 million EUR (24,841,500 RON), representing the contribution from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), to which about 1 million EUR (4,750,000 RON), the value-added tax (VAT), is added from the state budget.

Each project will receive a maximum of 100,000 EUR and will run for a maximum of six months, the Culture Ministry said on Tuesday.

"This call for projects comes in support of Romanian film producers and distributors, aiming to facilitate the increase of the Romanian companies' competitiveness in the film industry on national, European and international markets, the modernization of the current mode of production, distribution and consumption, but also to increase the capacity to respond to new consumer challenges in order to adapt the cultural sector to the requirements and opportunities of the digital age," explained the source.

According to the ministry, the indicator assumed under the PNRR (40 film producers and distributors) has been exceeded, so that 47 beneficiaries will develop diverse digital content for the Romanian public and beyond: from documentaries and animation films, comedy shorts, trailers for films, teasers for feature-length projects, to the digitization of Romanian films.
If things carry on at the current, highly dynamic pace, Romania will join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2026, Secretary of State with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and national coordinator for Romania's OECD accession process Luca Niculescu declared on Tuesday, informs Agerpres.

"We have no delay, so far we are going according to plan. There is a political consensus that helps us a lot. There are 26 chapters we have to complete. At the end of this process we have to be aligned with the OECD political standards and best practices. There are 26 committees that monitor Romania's progress towards OECD accession and that cover practically all areas of public life, from good governance, anti-corruption, to agriculture, health, education. Almost everything is somehow connected with OECD. Step by step we go through assessment by these committees and once the procedure is completed, we will join the organization as a member. So far we have successfully completed six such chapters," Niculescu on Tuesday told the 5th edition of the Romanian Economic Forum organized by FinMedia and the Financial Market publication.

According to the official, the business environment is the best ally of the authorities on the way to joining the OECD, as this will bring more investments in the first place.

"More money will come to our country, there will be more foreign investments. Many investment funds have, among their project-financing criteria, the respective state's OECD membership, but it's not only about investments. It is simply about better governance. This country will be well-governed once we join the OECD. The policies proposed by the OECD are based on data, figures, statistics, and are probably the best policies in the world," added Luca Niculescu.

He emphasized that Romania's becoming an OECD member will also mean an improvement of its administrative capacity.

"The people working in administration will be better, more competent, because we learn from each other, we learn from the OECD Secretariat, from the experts there, but, even more importantly, we learn from their colleagues from other OECD countries, because there is a permanent interaction between those who deal with the same activity field. At the same time, Romania will participate in the development of norms and standards with global impact," the Secretary of State also said.

According to him, a large part of the Romanian legislation represents the transposition of directives elaborated by the European Union, but a good part of the laws put forth at EU level are considered before in the OECD.

In Niculescu's opinion, Romania's accession to the OECD will represent "a new anchor for the country's modernization, for the consolidation of its status among solid democracies, based on rules and the rule of law."

Stressing that Romania's accession to the OECD is a goal pledged and supported by the entire political class, the academic milieu and the civil society, Niculescu said that this global economic forum "means more than material wealth, it means a vast, very comprehensive expertise in almost all areas of public life, it means a unique cooperation platform for the member states. (...) A total of approximately 100 countries throughout the world benefit from the OECD's experience with finding concrete solutions to common problems."
Romania's Finance Minister Marcel Bolos is participating today in a meeting of the EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), which takes place in Brussels.

According to the European Council, featuring on the agenda of the meeting are: VAT in the digital age; the Recovery and Resilience Facility; Russia's aggression against Ukraine; annual reporting; EU statistics; international meetings; climate finance; financial services.

Thus, the council will seek a political agreement on a package of legislation on value added tax (VAT) in the digital age. The package consists of three proposals that set out to tackle VAT fraud, support businesses and promote digitalisation.

Ministers will take stock of the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), and the Council is expected to adopt implementing decisions approving modified recovery and resilience plans, submitted by some member states.

The EU ministers of economy and finance will also be informed of the state of play of the economic and financial impact of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

The council will hold an exchange of views on the 2024 annual report of the European Fiscal Board (EFB) in the presence of the EFB Chair, Niels Thygesen.

The council will also approve conclusions on the progress made on the EU's statistical priorities, while providing guidance for further work. As a point without discussion, the Council will also adopt a regulation that aims to further improve the development, production and dissemination of European statistics.

The council and the European Commission will debrief ministers on the main results of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting that took place on 23-24 October 2024 in Washington.

On the other hand, the council is expected to publish the 2023 international climate finance figures.

The Presidency will present the state of play of legislative proposals in the field of financial services. Ministers will also be informed of the state of play in implementing EU legislation in the field of financial services. These are recurrent items on the ECOFIN agenda.

As a point without discussion, the council will adopt two pieces of legislation that change the Solvency II directive, the EU's main piece of legislation in the insurance area, and introduce new rules on insurance recovery and resolution (IRRD).
The Parliamentary Committees for Foreign Policy and European Affairs gave a favorable opinion on Tuesday, with 35 votes in favor and six against, granting Parliament's confidence to Roxana Minzatu, Romania's nominee for European Commissioner, informs Agerpres.

"It was an extremely professional hearing. (...) It was an extremely professional development, with professional answers and a consolidated European vision and the result is not a surprise. I would like to congratulate her, together with my fellow chairs of the other three committees, Roxana Minzatu for the favorable opinion obtained with an extremely solid, overwhelming majority of 35 votes in favor, six votes against, for obtaining the opinion and the confidence of the Romanian Parliament, before the hearing that will take place at the European Parliament in just one week," said Social Democrat Titus Corlatean, Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee in the Romanian Senate.

Roxana Minzatu, who will hold the People, Skills and Preparedness and a post of executive vice-president of the European Commission, emphasized, after the hearings, that Romania is for the first time in the the European Commission's leadership.

"I presented the priorities of the portfolio both as Executive Vice President of the European Commission and we have to tell Romanians that for the first time Romania is in the leadership of the European Commission. There are seven people in this top echelon: President Ursula von der Leyen and six other Vice-Presidents, including the High Representative for Foreign Policy. I represent not only Romania, but also the countries that joined after 2004, after 2007, Eastern Europe, and I think it is important to recognize that we have this role at Commission level. It is a very important portfolio, in which I directly coordinate funds of over EUR 240 billion. We are talking about the European Social Fund Plus, the Social Climate Fund, Erasmus+, money which is already going into Romanians' pockets today, the RON 250 vouchers for Romanians, which come every two months for Romanians affected by poverty. They are an example of what we are financing within this portfolio," MInzatu explained.

She specified that she presented the pieces of legislation that she is directly coordinating, such as the Labour Code and the labor law that transposes the acquis communautaire in Romania.

"We talked about education and skills, about how we are going to support Europeans who are increasingly affected by poverty and there are Europeans who have a job and, despite having a job, cannot afford rent or access to quality housing. I gave examples of interventions that we are considering, both on legislation and funding programmes. We also talked about other important policies for Romania, such as the cohesion policy," added Roxana Minzatu.

She maintained that she will be involved in the European Commission in all decisions that will be made.

"I will be a voice in the College of Commissioners. I will generally make decisions there by consensus, by simple majority anyway, but I will be involved in all the policies and decisions that will be made in the Commission, which are relevant, obviously, at the European level, but also for Romanians," Minzatu added.

The hearings in the specialised committees were held in the absence of PNL MPs, who left the meeting, the leader of the Liberal MEPs, Gabriel Andronache, adding that the party was not consulted in the procedure of appointing the European Commissioner on behalf of Romania.
At a plenary session on Tuesday, the Chamber of Deputies passed a bill under which corporate shareholders can participate in general meetings also virtually and vote by e-mail or mail.

The bill amends and supplements Companies Law no. 31/1990 in order to ensure virtual participation in the general meetings of companies, by using electronic voting systems.

"The shareholders, in person or represented, may participate and vote physically or by electronic means of remote communication in general meetings. They can also express their vote by correspondence," reads the bill.

According to it, the convening notice will include the place and date of the meeting, as well as the agenda, with the explicit mention of all the issues that will be the subject of the debates of the meeting. If the appointment of the directors or members of the supervisory board appears on the agenda, the notice shall state that the list containing information regarding the name, place of residence and professional qualification of the persons proposed for the position of director is available to the shareholders, and may be consulted and completed by them. If participation by electronic means of remote communication is also ensured, the convening notice shall also include a description of the procedures to be followed by the shareholders in order to participate and vote virtually in the general meeting.

The Chamber of Deputies is the decision-making body in this case.
ST. LOUIS  One of the owners of the Missouri Baking Company Inc., known for its Italian cookies and desserts, has filed a lawsuit that could end her familys century-plus run in the Hill neighborhood here.

Co-owner Camille Lordo filed a petition with the St. Louis Circuit Court on Friday to discontinue the bakery business and dispose of its assets, saying she and Edward Wilson Baking LLC are unable to agree upon the desirability of continuing the business of Missouri Baking Company.

The shop, at 2027 Edwards Street, was started by Stefano Gambaro, who emigrated from Genoa, Italy, to Missouri in the early 1900s. In the business early days, it was a wholesale bread company.

Stefanos children took over the bakery after Stefano died. The youngest sibling, Ben, eventually sold Missouri Baking Co. to his kids  Stefanos grandchildren  Camille Mimi Lordo and her brother, Chris Gambaro.

Over the years, the bakery also shifted to include retail sales of traditional sweets and holiday cookies.

The story goes that people from the neighborhood would knock on the door and ask, Could you make me a cake? Ben Gambaro told the Riverfront Times in 2021. So they said, Sure, well make you a cake. Then theyd ask for bread, then seeded cookies. More and more of that happened, and eventually, they went less and less wholesale and more toward retail.

The bakery has since become a staple in the community, while landing accolades from national and local press:

In 2001, the Food Network filmed a feature there. In 2014, the Riverfront Times named its amaretto macaroon the Best Cookie. In 2021, Sauce Magazine said its cookies were the best holiday treat.

And in 2024, the Post-Dispatch Headliners competition called it the best bakery.

Cherie Galimberti has lived three doors down from the bakery for five years, but was born and raised in the Hill and was brought up with Missouri Baking Co. treats.

We used to stop by on the way home from school, Galimberti said. Id get a chocolate drop for 5 cents.

Along with her fondness for the drops  small, round donut-like morsels  Galimberti remembers her grandfather going to the bakery once a week to buy a yellow layer cake with chocolate frosting.

To me, theres no other bakery, Galimberti said. I tell people I love living here because I open my doors and smell the best smells in the whole world.

Across the street, resident Pima Palmeri said that shes watched lots of people come to the bakery every Sunday, Friday and major holidays. She has lived on Edwards Street for the past 35 years and said the bakery has always been popular.

They have good stuff, Palmeri said. Its a nice bakery with nice people.

Neither Lordos attorney, Mark Sanders of Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch, nor Edward Wilson Bakings registered agent, V.A. Favazza, responded to requests for comment.

The bakery is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Co-owner blindsided by Missouri Baking Co. suit, wants to keep Hill bakery open Anthony Favazza, a new co-owner of the St. Louis shop, said he was approached this spring to buy in and called the bakery a beloved institution.
Election night is over; the live blog is as well. Catch up on Post-Dispatch coverage of results:

Recreational pot sales stay legal in Olivette and Des Peres

11:25 p.m. An effort to ban recreational pot sales in two St. Louis County municipalities went up in smoke Tuesday after failing to garner enough support from voters.

In Olivette, 53% of voters approved a ban. But the measure needed at least 60% approval from city voters to pass, under state law.

In Des Peres, a ban failed to get even a simple majority approval. Roughly 55% of voters rejected the idea. Read more.

Amendment 3 passes in Missouri

10:48 p.m. Missouri voters approved a measure on Tuesday that enshrines abortion rights in the state constitution and replaces a near-total ban on the procedure. The measure guarantees a persons right to get an abortion and make other reproductive health decisions. It opens the door to legal challenges of a ban on most abortions that took effect immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The measure made the ballot after an intense legal fight led by anti-abortion advocates who sought to prevent a vote. The Associated Press called the race.

Republican wins south St. Louis County Council race

10:45 p.m. Republican G. Michael Archer won Tuesday night in a contested race to represent south St. Louis County, according to unofficial election results.

Archer, known as Mike, won comfortably with 53% of votes compared to Democrat Kevin Schartner's 48%, leaving the district in Republican hands.

An election with few surprises, other than perhaps a banana and a Power Ranger

From Joe Holleman:

Election Day offered few surprises for this bureau, but it certainly had its high notes:

The rain let up, polling place and doughnut shop lines disappeared  and a Mighty Morphin Power Ranger agreed to be interviewed.

Hawley defeats Kunce in Missouri race for U.S. Senate, AP says

9:28 pm. Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley defeated Democratic challenger Lucas Kunce in an expensive race for U.S. Senate on Tuesday night.

The Associated Press called the race for Hawley at 9:28 p.m. Tuesday. With about 45% of votes counted, Hawley was leading Kunce by a 52%-to-46% margin, according to the Associated Press. Read more.

Jefferson, St. Charles counties have yet to release absentee vote counts

10:25 p.m. Election officials in Jefferson and St. Charles counties say that they have not yet released the results of absentee votes. St. Charles County had a large number of mail-in ballots arrive today.

Ann Wagner wins 2nd Congressional District race

10:17 p.m. Republican Rep. Ann Wagner won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Missouri on Tuesday.

Wagner captured her seventh term in the 2nd District in suburban St. Louis by defeating Democrat Ray Hartmann. Read more.

St. Louis city finishes vote count

A proposal to give the Board of Aldermen the ability to propose increases to the budget failed. About 53% of the voters opposed Proposition B.

Bob Onder wins U.S. 3rd Congressional District race

9:53 p.m. Republican Bob Onder won election to a U.S. House seat representing Missouri on Tuesday.

Onder captured his first term in the 3rd District, which covers central and east-central Missouri, by defeating Democrat Bethany Mann. Read more.

Amendment 3 holds lead as more votes come in

9:30 p.m. Amendment 3, with 19% of precincts reporting, was passing with 54% of the votes. The amendment would overturn the state's abortion ban.

Amendment 2, the effort to legalize sports gambling, was winning with about 54% of the votes. Amendment 5, to authorize the construction of a casino at the Lake of the Ozarks, was failing with 52% no votes. Amendment 7, which addressed various voting issues, was passing with about 68%. Amendment 6, which would charge a court fee to fund sheriff's pensions, was failing with 62% of the votes.

Proposition A, which would increase the minimum wage, was passing with about 61% of the vote.

Josh Hawley gains a lead in Senate race

9:25 p.m. Incumbent Josh Hawley has gained the lead in the race for U.S. Senate. The Republican carries 50% of the vote, with 24% of precincts reporting. Democrat Lucas Kunce has 47% of the vote. Read more.

Republican pulls ahead in south St. Louis County Council race

9:20 p.m. In another batch of results, Republican G. Michael "Mike" Archer jumped ahead of his opponent, Democrat Kevin Schartner, in the race to represent south St. Louis County on the council.

With votes counted from 35% of polling places, or 82 out of 230, Archer was ahead with 51% of votes compared to Schartner's 49%. Read more.

Senate race essentially deadlocked

9 p.m. With 11% of precincts reporting, the race between Josh Hawley, R., and Lucas Kunce was essentially tied, with both candidates holding 48.9% of the vote. Read more.

Missouri picks Kehoe over Quade in race for governor

8:45 p.m. Missouri's No. 2 statewide official was poised to become Missouri's 58th governor Tuesday, as early unofficial returns showed him cruising to victory over the minority leader of the House.

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe comfortably led the polls in the reliably red state, and initial vote counts showed he was garnering strong rural support in his bid to take the seat instead of Democrat Crystal Quade. Read more.

The Amendment 3 race has narrowed, with the measure passing at 54% and 9% of precincts reporting.

Wesley Bell wins U.S. House seat

8:19 p.m. The Associated Press has called the 1st Congressional District race for Wesley Bell. The Democrat was expected to win the district, which covers St. Louis city and part of St. Louis County.

Live map of Amendment 3 results

If approved, the constitutional amendment would effectively end the state's abortion ban. Read more.

Early results on Missouri amendments

8:20 p.m. With about 1% of precincts reporting, voters are supporting Missouri Amendment 3 64% to 36%. The amendment would overturn the state's abortion ban.

Another closely watched statewide race, Amendment 2, which would legalize sports gambling, is narrowly failing. The no votes are at 52% and the yes votes are at 48%. See more results of statewide races.

In the U.S. Senate race, Democrat Lucas Kunce holds a lead over incumbent Josh Hawley, Republican. Kunce has 56% of the vote to Hawley's 43%. That's with 2% of precincts reporting.

Similarly, Democrat Crystal Quade has a narrow lead over Republican Mike Kehoe; 52% to 47% in the race for Missouri governor. That race also has 2% of precincts reporting.

Many rural counties have yet to report results, however, so all those races could swing towards Republicans.

Democrat pulls to early lead in south St. Louis County Council race

8:10 p.m. Early absentee results Tuesday night put Democrat Kevin Schartner ahead of his Republican opponent G. Michael "Mike" Archer in the race to represent south St. Louis County.

The district is a closely watched County Council race this year. The district, which runs from the River Des Peres to Jefferson County, has become "purple," with its denser, urban north voting largely for Democrats and its more spacious suburbs to the south going largely Republican. Read more.

St. Louis County has begun reporting results

Some Missouri results being tallied

7:30 p.m. At least one precinct in Missouri is reported results for statewide races, including U.S. Senate, governor and other offices.

The Post-Dispatch is relying on the Associated Press to report the statewide results. Read more about how the newspaper is reporting on vote results for the St. Louis area.

St. Charles County expects small delay

7:25 p.m. St. Charles County is expecting one more batch of absentee votes to be counted Tuesday night causing a small delay in no-excuse voting results being posted.

St. Charles County Election Authority Kurt Bahr said Tuesday that he was notified late this afternoon that a significant number of absentee ballots arrived today at the main USPS processing and sorting center in St. Louis.

He said a carrier is en route to the St. Louis County Board of Elections office to pick up the St. Charles County absentee ballots. St. Louis County office staff picked up the St. Charles County and St. Louis County ballots in order to save St. Charles County officials from making the trip downtown.

The arrival of these absentee ballots is expected to delay the posting of absentee vote results on Tuesday night.

Election results from in-person voting will be posted on the county's website as they are tallied, Bahr said.

At least some voters were still casting ballots at the election authority in St. Peters at 7:35 p.m.  Ethan Colbert

Missouri polls have closed

7 p.m. Any voters who were in line at polling places when they closed will be able to cast their votes.

Meanwhile, county election authorities can begin releasing the results of any early and absentee votes. Vote results will continue to update through the night as workers close precincts and bring ballots to election authorities.

In November 2020, about 68% of the total votes cast were reported by 11 p.m. Turnout that year was 70% statewide.

Photos: St. Louis-area voters cast their ballots on Election Day Election Day 2024 has finally arrived, and authorities report high turnout as Missourians exercise their right to vote on important races and 

Lines lengthen as darkness falls

5:45 p.m. Voters in at least one location in St. Charles County were waiting in lines that stretched outside polling places. At the St. Charles Christian Church, one voter said he had been waiting for about 30 minutes in a line that stretched down the block.

The church is in the New Town area in St. Charles.

Voters viewpoints differ: Frantic about a fair election; believing in the candidate

5:15 p.m. A few voters at McKelvey Elementary School in Maryland Heights had viewpoints that fell along party lines.

Elizabeth, 56, a bartender who didnt want to use her last name, was worried about the outcome of the national election. Everyone is frantic about it being a fair election because of the last time, she said. In my heart of hearts, I believe (Trump) won the last one.

She doesnt trust a lot of media outlets that report the contrary.

If you want to listen to CNN, you arent going to get straight news, she said.

Instead, she tunes into the Bott Radio Network, which has a lot of Christian talk radio programs on 91.5 FM.

Then there was Sharron Matthews, 74, a retired Xerox employee from Maryland Heights, who described Trump as a real piece of work.

I might need therapy if he wins, she said.

She said she wasnt just voting against Trump.

I believe in Kamala Harris, she said.  Jesse Bogan

St. Charles party leaders enjoy seeing crowds

4:45 p.m. St. Charles Republican and Democratic party leaders can agree on one thing  they like seeing crowds of people at polling places.

The two men  Donald Looney, representing the local Democratic Party, and Bob Eno, representing the local Republican Party  don't agree on what the crowds might mean.

"Record turnout, or at least extremely high turnout tends to favor Democratic candidates or candidates that are more progressive. Based on what we are seeing, we are waiting with bated breath for election night," Looney said.

Meanwhile, Eno said he stopped drawing conclusions based on lines on Election Day years ago.

"When I look at those lines they look like normal, everyday people who just want to vote and to have their voice heard," Eno said. "I don't know what the crowds mean."

Looney said Democrats are keeping a close eye on a number of races and will be looking at early returns for House District 104, House District 105, and House District 106 to gauge just how big of a night their candidates might have. He said eyes will also be on returns in Senate District 23.

Democrats are hosting a watch party at the Firefighters Union Hall, 115 McMenamy Road, in St. Peters.

Eno said Republicans won't be looking for any clues in early election returns.

"I don't expect any early returns to tell us much unless it is a landslide, and I doubt that there will be any landslides tonight," Eno said.

He said party leaders were not worried by the rainy weather on Election Day.

"Given the number of controversial ballot issues and candidates, we knew there was very little that was going to keep voters from making their way to the polls."

Eno said he believes voters are highly motivated, and that many St. Charles County voters would trek to the polls once the rain clouds passed.

Eno's predictions proved true  at least in St. Charles city.

There was a line of more than 70 people at St. Charles First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in New Town shortly after 3:15 p.m. Officials at St. John United Church of Christ in St. Charles city said that crowds had been steady all day, but the pace was picking up after 3 p.m.

The pace was somewhat slower at St. Charles Presbyterian Church, where there was no line of waiting voters and most were voting in 10 minutes or less.

"It is exciting to see people vote  that's what it is all about," Eno said.

Back at the St. Charles County Election Authority Office in St. Peters, election workers started Tuesday afternoon the process of scanning absentee ballots sent by mail and cast from American citizens living overseas.

Bahr said many of the overseas ballots came from military personnel, their spouses, their adult children, and from federal government employees living abroad.

"(The ballots) came from all around the globe," Bahr said Tuesday afternoon.

These absentee votes will be combined with the ballots cast during the no-excuse absentee voting period that ended Monday.

Approximately 25% of the county's registered voters voted early this year.

Workers are using a scanner that can scan up to 3,100 ballots per hour, reading both sides of the ballot.

The machine doesn't show the results of the ballots as they are scanned, Bahr said.

"We won't see the results until this process of scanning ballots is completed, and we transfer the results into the tabulation laptop," Bahr said. Those results won't become public until after polls close at 7 p.m.  Ethan Colbert

Flash floods swamp roads, kill 2 on Election Day in St. Louis region At Lambert airport, the National Weather Service said 3.6 inches of rain had fallen between midnight and 8 a.m. Rains should move out of the St. Louis area by the afternoon.

Flooding causes St. Louis County election officials to pivot

3:12 p.m. Because of floodwater remaining in the parking lot of the Deer Creek shopping center in Maplewood, St. Louis County election officials no longer plan to use that site as one of 10 "turn-in locations" where sealed bags containing ballots and other material will be brought from polling places Tuesday evening. The bags will then be taken from the turn-in locations to Election Board offices in St. Ann for vote tabulating. Rick Stream, the county's Republican director of elections, said the Deer Creek center lot will be replaced by a lot near the Maplewood City Hall.  Mark Schlinkmann

Voter turnout in St. Louis County could exceed 75%

Photos: St. Louis-area voters cast their ballots on Election Day Election Day 2024 has finally arrived, and authorities report high turnout as Missourians exercise their right to vote on important races and 

2:45 p.m. More than 181,000 people had voted Tuesday at St. Louis County polling places by 2:40 p.m., the county Election Board reported. When added to about 234,000 people who voted absentee in person before Election Day, the total is now over 415,000, said Rick Stream, the board's Republican director. As of now, about 62.5% of the county's registered voters have cast ballots. When all is said and done, Stream said, he believes the county will come in at 75% to 79%.  Mark Schlinkmann

Im ready to turn the page

2:50 p.m. Susan, a 77-year-old Maplewood resident who declined to give her last name, cast her vote for Amendment 3 to legalize abortion in Missouri.

I lived through too many years when you couldnt get an abortion not to vote for it, she said.

It was equally important for Caroline Walters, 70, who had also just voted at Maplewood City Hall.

For my daughters to have less rights than I had, not happening, she said.

She said her children were struggling to afford to buy homes in the current housing market, and she said Kamala Harris was more likely to help people like them. She was hopeful Harris would prevail.

Im excited, Walters said. Im ready to turn the page. Im tired of the carnivals.  Jacob Barker

If Trump would just shut up sometimes hed be easier to support

2:40 p.m. Jon Solomon voted without any wait at Chesterfield City Hall.

Its a big election, but at the same time people need to be nicer to each other, said Solomon, 25, who has a vintage clothing business. No matter who wins, I feel like there is going to be an uproar.

As for Solomon, of Wildwood, he said he voted for Trump because he thinks Trump will do a better job at enforcing legal immigration and keeping consumer prices lower.

I dont love him, but I think hes a better candidate. If he would just shut up sometimes hed be easier to support.  Jesse Bogan

Jefferson County on pace to exceed previous voter turnout

1:45 p.m. Election day turnout is now at 30% in Jefferson County. This means roughly 50,000 people have voted on Election Day in Jefferson County.

County clerk Jeannie Goff says voting is occurring at a steady pace at polling places throughout the county, but the pace is expected to pick up later today as residents get off from work.

Jefferson County, which typically sees turnout at about 72%, is on pace to exceed that threshold, Goff said.

We could be as high as 80% turnout, but I dont think we will go beyond that, Goff said. I think we are definitely going to end up in the mid-to-high 70s for turnout in this election.  Ethan Colbert

Small voting lines in St. Louis County

1:30 p.m. There wasnt much of a lunch rush in St. Louis County. By 1 p.m., only four polling places had more than 25 people in line, according to the Post-Dispatchs wait time tracker.

At King of Kings Church in Chesterfield, election workers said they had a rush in the morning but the rest of the day had been steady. There were no lines there or at River Bend Elementary a couple minutes away.

Carlos Marroquin and Ashlee Smith, both U.S. Army veterans, were two of only a handful of voters at the school around lunch time. They said veteran support was a big issue for them.

I feel like Trump has definitely always had good policy towards us, Marroquin said.

In Jefferson County, over half of the voters have already cast ballots as of noon on Election Day, according to Jefferson County Clerk Jeannie Goff.

This includes the 41,000 people, or 25% of registered voters, who voted absentee by mailing their ballot to the elections office or voted in-person at the courthouse.

The county has 167,000 registered voters, Goff said.  Monica Obradovic and Ethan Colbert

Voters offer perspective on amendments

1:10 p.m. Aimee James of Tower Grove South braved the rain to cast her vote in favor of Amendment 3, which would restore access to abortion in Missouri.

That would have gotten me out in any kind of weather, she said.

Shes hopeful for Democrats and would love to see Crystal Quade elected as the states first female governor. While early voting was available for weeks, she said she still enjoys the feel of election day.

I like to come out and be part of the community, James said.

Another woman, a 30-year-old Tower Grove resident who declined to give her name, said she came out to keep that psycho Trump out of office and restore womens rights, referring to Amendment 3.

Kaylen Mattie, a 30-year-old teacher in St. Charles County who lives in south St. Louis, said she was wanted to repeal the states abortion ban and was also worried about another Trump presidency.

I think theres even more at stake this time around, she said.

Megan Purcell, a 52-year-old former nurse in Tower Grove South who described herself as a born-again Christian, said she didnt vote for any presidential candidate, writing in Jesus instead. But she voted against Amendment 3.

Ive had an abortion and it ruined my life, she said.

But a 69-year-old resident of the neighborhood, who only gave his first name, Dean, said he was voting for Amendment 3 despite being a Republican who voted for Trump.

Im not necessarily an abortion supporter, but I have to support peoples rights to control their bodies, he said.

Dawn Stavenau, a 45-year-old stay-at-home mom, said the abortion amendment was a big motivator for her. She also planned to vote against Amendment 2, which would legalize sports betting in Missouri.

St. Louis is already a drinking city, Stavenau said. We dont need to make it a drinking and betting city.

While he knows his votes for Democrats are often overwhelmed by the states Republican rural voters, Jim Clark, a 56-year-old English teacher and dog walker, said he thought Amendment 3 would pass even in Republican-dominated Missouri. A similar measure passed in Kansas, another conservative state, he pointed out. But he voted against legalizing sports betting, explaining that he had family and friends with unhealthy gambling habits.

Its stupid to make it that easy, Clark said.

He was cautiously optimistic that Harris would defeat Trump nationally, pointing to a comedians off-color joke about Puerto Rico at Trumps Madison Square Garden rally as a potential motivator for Puerto Ricans in the likely tipping point state of Pennsylvania.

I think its going to be a good day, Clark said.  Jacob Barker

More than half of St. Charles County voters have cast their ballots

11:45 a.m. St. Charles County election authority director Kurt Bahr said more than half of the county's 300,000 registered voters have already cast ballots either in-person or during the absentee voting period.

Turnout on Election Day is now at 27%, Bahr said. The county had 25% turnout during the early voting period.

Bahr said he expects polling places to be busiest over the noon hour. Historically, the county also saw a rush of voters coming to polling places after 5 p.m. and just before polls close at 7 p.m.

"That was the case in the past, pre-COVID," Bahr said. "Now, with more people working from home, and more people retired, we are seeing busier polling places earlier in the day."

The county has 104 polling sites across the county, including at Daniel Boone Elementary in New Melle.

It is one a handful of polling sites that have Election Day Challengers and the only one so far that has had a formal challenge, Bahr said.

"The challenger there wanted to use their ID to scan themselves in using the iPad, because they wanted to see how it would appear for voters," Bahr said. The head election judge denied the challenger's request, but called Bahr to allow him to have final say. Bahr said he dismissed the challenge.

"Some people think that the iPads are inherently flawed, so they are always looking for some reason to discredit them," he said.

According to Bahr, the job of the Election Day Challenger is "to watch for violations of state law or perceived violations of state law. It is not to test the system."

Democrats and Republicans have Election Challengers at polling places throughout St. Charles County, including voting sites in St. Charles city, Wentzville, St. Peters O'Fallon, Flint Hill, Lake Saint Louis and New Melle.

Lines were short or nonexistent on the eastern edge of St. Charles County. At the Family Arena, a steady stream of voters trickled in and out, each departing within five to 10 minutes of arriving.

Nancy Slusarski had been standing outside the arena under an umbrella for about an hour with a sign for Elad Gross, a Democratic candidate for Missouri Attorney General. She also supported the Harris-Walz ticket.

Im the mother of a transgender child, so thats a pretty key issue for me; that my child and other LGBTQ members are safe and have the same rights as everyone else, Slusarski said.

About three miles away, Aaron Fennell sauntered out of Hope Lutheran Church after voting Republican across the board.

The past four years have been tough for his family and business, he said. Theyre spending hundreds more on groceries this week. Their electric bills are through the roof. Hes a project manager for a local construction company, and he said his income has been cut by about 35% as sales have plummeted. He blames the Biden administration.  Ethan Colbert and Monica Obradovic

MetroBus routes resume

1:30 p.m. Metro Transit says "the majority of bus service" on the 13 routes affected by flash flooding had been restored by noon but that some were still experiencing only limited service. Water has now receded on Brentwood Boulevard, allowing buses parked at Metro's garage facility to get out on the streets.

11:35 a.m. By 9 a.m., Metro Transit had begun running limited service on 13 bus routes which had been temporarily halted due to flash flooding.

Affected routes are:

No. 8 Shaw Cherokee

No. 11 Chippewa

No. 30 Arsenal

No. 47 Hanley

No. 49 Lindbergh

No. 57 Manchester

No. 70 Grand

No. 73 Carondelet

No. 9 Oakville

No. 21 Watson Road

No. 31 Chouteau

No. 56 Kirkwood-Webster

No. 98 Ballas-North Hanley

A Metro spokeswoman said flash flooding on Brentwood Boulevard continues to keep buses from leaving Metro's bus facility on Brentwood to get to those routes as they normally would. A Metro spokeswoman said some buses have been deployed from other areas to the affected routes.  Mark Schlinkmann

Turnout varies by location in St. Louis metro area

11:30 a.m. In north St. Louis, poll workers at Wohl Community Center are saying turnout is slow, but early voting was busy. About 3,000 voters were at the center yesterday, compared to 100 today by 11 a.m.

One of them was Tristan Boyd, 44.

I am just hoping for the best outcome, Boyd said. I really dont want Trump to win, only because of the racial tension he causes.

Her daughter, still too young to vote, foresees a no-win situation.

I am scared of what will happen if either of them wins, said Amani Steed, 13. If Kamala wins, Trump supporters are going to go haywire. And if Trump wins, womens rights are just gone.

In Franklin County, clerk Tim Baker said he is seeing "large numbers" at polling places across the county, including some polling places where they have already eclipsed 25 to 30% turnout for in-person voting.

"That is an indicator that we are having a very strong turnout," Baker said.

Estimated wait times at polling places are less than 10 minutes, and most have fewer than five or six people in line to vote.

That is a far cry from where lines were earlier in the day.

More than 200 people were in line to vote when polls opened, Baker said. Villa Ridge, which sits along Interstate 44, is a predominately rural polling place that is also one of the largest polling places in the county.

"We are seeing large numbers at our smaller-size polling places as well," he said.

Baker said 19% of the county's registered voters voted during the absentee period.  Jesse Bogan and Ethan Colbert

Another polling location in St. Louis County has water leak, voting unaffected

11 a.m. Rick Stream, Republican director of elections for St. Louis County, said rain water got into the polling place at a VFW post on Lemay Ferry Road in the Oakville area early Tuesday morning. But he said poll workers arriving at 5 a.m.  an hour before voting started  moved voting equipment to an unaffected part of the room and voting there took place as planned.  Mark Schlinkmann

St. Louis County has seen over 100,000 voters this morning

10:30 a.m. In St. Louis County, 111,810 people had voted at the polls by 10:30 a.m. This total does not include early voting. Rick Stream, the county's Republican director of elections, said that's "pretty much on pace" with what he expected. The length of lines has varied from polling place to polling place.  Mark Schlinkmann

St. Louis City official says voter turnout on track with 2020 levels

10:10 a.m. In St. Louis city, Gary Stoff, Republican director of the St. Louis Board of Elections, said a power outage in the neighborhood closed one polling place, Christ Southern Missionary Baptist Church, on Page Boulevard. Voters were sent to nearby locations.

Stoff said the city is expecting this election to be comparable to the 2020 levels, at 66% voter turnout.

"I think we're going to approach that, and maybe even exceed that," Stoff said. "The voting has been steady despite the rain."

He said the forecast of clearing skies by the afternoon might encourage more people to vote. They can cast a ballot as long as they are in line by 7 p.m., he said.  Kim Bell

Bellefontaine Neighbors polling location remains without power

9:40 a.m. Holy Name Community Center polling location in Bellefontaine Neighbors remains without power. Ballot machines have been running on batteries since 6 a.m.

"Our voters have been more than patient and understanding," said Shene't Paige, 33, Republican manager. "No one has turned around because of it."

Jalisa Wilhite, a voter at the Bellefontaine Neighbors location, showed up with her 1-year-old son in a stroller.

"We had to fight for these rights to vote," Wilhite said. "I am glad to be able to be a part and participate in today's world."

At 9:50 a.m., the St. Louis County Election Board delivered a large gas-powered generator borrowed from the county to help run the machines.

Just over 200 voters have cast their ballot at Holy Name.  Reporting from Jesse Bogan

Short voting lines in St. Louis metro area

9:30 a.m. Maplewood Richmond Heights Elementary School may not have enough privacy voting screens for the amount of people voting, but it does have a short wait time. About 40 people were voting when the Post-Dispatch was there with about 20 still in line. Voters found space available at open tables to cast their ballot, and the process from start to finish took about 15 minutes.

9:20 a.m. There are no lines at the Washington Public Library, one of four polling places in Franklin Countys largest city. More than 425 people had already voted in-person as of 9:15 a.m. Election workers say that two women were standing in line to vote here at 5 a.m. even though polls didnt open for another hour because they were that eager to vote.

So far the longest wait time here for voters to cast their ballots was 30 minutes, one election official said. Ethan Colbert

St. Charles County off to 'healthy start,' polling locations unaffected by flooding

8 a.m. St. Charles County Election Authority Kurt Bahr said there have been no delays in voting in St. Charles County due to the rain or flash flooding.

"All of my polling places are open and all are processing voters," Bahr said. He said Election Day turnout has already eclipsed 10.5% and that the county ultimately had 25% turnout during the no-excuse early voting period and from voters mailing in their ballot.

"That's a pretty healthy start for the day," he said.

Bahr said there was about an hour-long delay at two polling places in St. Charles County  Oakridge Baptist Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in St. Peters  when poll workers arrived and realized they had wrong voting cabinets for the polling place. The cabinets had been delivered incorrectly by a third-party delivery company, but have been switched and voters are casting ballots.

Bahr says that Oakridge Baptist Church has 3,800 voters assigned to it, while the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has about 2,000 voters assigned to it.

"We don't know how many voters were affected, it is hard to know that kind of thing," Bahr said. Voters at the polling places were encouraged to cast their ballot at the St. Charles County Election Authority office, which is about four miles away from both polling places.

"These are two of our smaller precincts, and they are relatively close to one another so we were able to get a team out there to correct the situation fairly quickly," Bahr said. The two precincts are located two-tenths of a mile away from one another in St. Peters, according to maps.

Approximately 31,000 people have already voted today. Turnout is now at 11.5 percent countywide for Election Day.  Ethan Colbert

Jefferson County sheriffs say they are being accused of voter suppression

8 a.m. As roads flood and police direct traffic away from closures, Jefferson County Sheriff's office says drivers are yelling at deputies, suggesting that police were trying to suppress the vote.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," the Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook. "We are trying to keep everyone updated on road closures so you can go around and vote."

St. Louis County polling location loses power

7:45 a.m. St. Louis County Democratic Director of Elections Eric Fey says a Bellefontaine Neighbors polling place lost power today after electrical equipment flooded. The election there is being run on generators.

Rains drench St. Louis region, flooding some roads

6:45 a.m. After rain through Monday, and storms overnight, several roads in the area were flooded Tuesday morning. Navigate traffic in the St. Louis area here.

MetroBus had to temporarily halt service on several routes:

No. 8 Shaw Cherokee

No. 9 Oakville

No. 11 Chippewa

No. 21 Watson Road

No. 30 Arsenal

No. 31 Chouteau

No 49 Lindbergh

No. 56 Kirkwood-Webster

No. 57 Manchester

No. 70 Grand

No. 73 Carondelet

No. 98 Ballas-North Hanley

The 70 Grand route is MetroBus' biggest route, serving about 80,000 riders a month.

The ride service Lyft is offering a 50% discount, up to $10, on rides to the polls. The code VOTE24 must be used.

Uber is also offering a 50% discount on rides to the polls, again capped at $10.

The A. Philip Randolph Institute is offering free rides to the polls in St. Louis and St. Louis County; call 314-562-0411 to request a ride.

Before polls open, voters huddle in rain

5 a.m. As a steady rain fell an hour before the polls opened, 30 people were in line outside Grants View Branch library in St. Louis County. The earliest ones huddled beneath an overhang to stay dry.

Poll hours, candidates and issues on the Election Day ballot

Election officials expect the overall turnout for Tuesdays presidential vote to hit 73% across Missouri  and possibly higher in some parts of the St. Louis area. The polls in Missouri and Illinois will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The estimates include those who already have cast absentee ballots, including thousands who streamed into polling places Monday on the last day of the states early voting period that began two weeks ago.

In addition to choosing a new president, voters are deciding the winner of a big-spending U.S. Senate race between Josh Hawley and Lucas Kunce, picking a new governor (Mike Kehoe vs. Crystal Quade) and filling four other statewide posts.

Various U.S. House and state legislative races also are on the ballot.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcrofts office said the expected 73% statewide turnout would exceed the percentages for the last two presidential elections. About 70% of Missouris registered voters took part in 2020 and nearly 67% in 2016.

In St. Louis County, Missouris most populous county, election officials were predicting a total of 75% to 79%.

Rick Stream, one of the countys two election directors, said that would come close to the all-time high percentage for the county of 79.3% four years ago.

St. Charles Countys election director, Kurt Bahr, on Monday predicted a total turnout of 75%, close to the November 2020 turnout of 76%.

As for early voting, which was begun by the Missouri Legislature in 2022, Stream said more than 12,100 people already had cast ballots on Monday by 1 p.m. That brought the county total for this election to more than 212,000, he said.
The tongue-tied speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Alen Simonyan, tried to explain the existence of revanchism in his country. It turned out, as always, clumsy and funny.





Simonyan stated that Armenians have no desire for revanchism, and that Azerbaijanis invented this notion. According to her, in Armenia, people only dream of peace. Speaker Simonyan views the issue of the Zangezur corridor as the "greatest revenge." She explains it like this: by demanding a road through Zangezur, Azerbaijan "instills a kind of revanchism that the Armenian people do not have." So, by demanding that Armenia restore the road to Nakhchivan, are we provoking base instincts among Armenians? An interesting approach to the issue. Purely Armenian.





In any case, the neighbors can relax - Azerbaijan is already building a road to Nakhchivan. The opening of the road to NAR through Iran will to some extent remove the need for active pressure on Yerevan in order to force it to fulfill its obligations. But one should not think that Azerbaijan intends to abandon its demands altogether. Although this is not the main thing. The main thing that Yerevan should think about is that Iran will receive dividends from transit, and Armenia will once again be left with a broken trough. During the time that the Armenian side is engaged in demagogic chatter and blackmail, the road through Meghri could have already been restored and would have brought Armenia out of isolation, because this would have been followed by the unblocking of other communications, as well as the opening of the border by Turkiye. But Armenia has made its choice, and, as always, the wrong one. Another project of regional importance bypasses it. And this is the last real project in which Armenia could participate. She missed the previous real projects because of the aggressive policy. The Zangezur corridor was the last opportunity for it to integrate into regional transit. Other projects where her name appears are unrealistic due to geopolitical conditions and high costs that no one wants to bear. And most importantly, due to the absence of Azerbaijan in them. It has long been noticed that projects in which Baku does not participate go very hard, or remain only on paper. And there is no mystery here.





If postponing the issue of the Zangezur corridor for now will somehow help the "humanization" of Armenian society (as follows from Simonyan's words), then we hasten to please our neighbors. By the end of next year, the automotive segment of communications connecting the main part of Azerbaijan with the NAR through Iran will begin to function. The border road bridge was laid in Agbend (Zangilan) in early October last year as part of the Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of Azerbaijan and Iran on the creation of new communication links between the East Zangezur Economic Region of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR) through the territory of Iran. It is expected that after the completion of construction, the number of trucks and other vehicles that will be able to receive a checkpoint at the state border and a road bridge with seven lanes on a daily basis will amount to 1.1 thousand. cars and 30 buses.

The day before, footage of the bridge under construction across the Araz was published. It is reported that almost 50 percent of the work has been completed on the Azerbaijani side, and 25 percent on the Iranian side. Many analysts fear that the Iranian part of the project will suffer the same fate as the Rasht-Astara railway line, the construction of which Iran has been dragging on for many years. Recall that Rasht-Astara is an important part of the "through" North-South railway. To connect the North with the South, in particular, with the Persian Gulf, only this section is missing. Last year, Russia took over the bulk of the financing of the project (1.3 out of 1.6 billion euros), and the matter seems to have moved forward.





However, in the case of the South Araz corridor, as it is called, there will be no such delays. First of all, because Iran needs it itself. The Iranian side has done everything to prevent the implementation of the Zangezur corridor. Tehran sang along with Yerevan in every possible way, supporting its foolish fears. In Armenia, they rejoiced at this support, not realizing that the neighbors were simply eliminating a competitor in this way. Having carried out communications from Eastern Zangezur to Nakhchivan, Iran automatically becomes a participant in East-West transit, or rather, one of the branches of this grandiose route. Armenia could have been in his place, but Yerevan did not have the sense to see the future. But Iran saw this prospect perfectly well, and under the pretext of caring about Armenia's sovereignty, they distanced it from the opportunities that opened up to it. So the Iranian side will try very hard to implement the project until Yerevan gets smarter. In difficult geopolitical vicissitudes and with Iran's precarious position in the international arena, the Azerbaijani project will always be a transport window for it in the western direction.





It is important that in addition to the highway, the construction of a railway line is also planned within the framework of the agreements. A couple of weeks ago, the heads of the railway departments of the two countries discussed a railway project that will connect the NAR with the main territory of Azerbaijan through Iranian territory. The part of the railway corridor that falls on the territory of Azerbaijan can be said to be almost ready. The construction of the Goradiz-Agbend road is proceeding rapidly. In the future, this line will connect with Iranian railways via a railway bridge across the Araz. The length of the Goradiz-Agbend highway is more than 110 kilometers, and together with the side tracks 140 kilometers. There will be 40 bridges on it, and one of them - across the Hakari River, will become the longest railway bridge in the region. It has 23 spans and is over 770 meters long. As the Railways proudly emphasize, the bridge, which is being built in technically difficult conditions, was designed exclusively by local specialists.





It should be noted that the Goradiz-Agbend railway will be completed in 2025. By this time, Armenia should have already completed the restoration of its section of the Zangezur corridor. If Yerevan had not started listening to external advisers, it would have been so. In January 2022, Nikol Pashinyan created a working group to prepare a plan for the restoration of the Soviet-era railway connecting the main part of Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomy. This was the only practical step that Yerevan took to implement its commitments made within the framework of the Trilateral Statement, but Pashinyan failed to complete it. I didn't have the guts. According to preliminary estimates, the work on the Armenian section of the road - from Yeraskh to the western border of NAR and from the eastern tip of Nakhchivan through Meghri (Western Zangezur) to the border of the main territory of Azerbaijan - was supposed to cost about $ 200 million and take three years.





To be fair, Pashinyan initially tried to explain to his unhealthy society the advantages that the restoration of this railway line would give Armenia. But the society did not understand him. And later, the country had new advisers who advised it to turn the obligations of Armenia, which lost the war, into an object of blackmail and speculation.





It was a big mistake. In response to the blackmail, Azerbaijan simply began to build a road to the NAR through Iran, making it clear that it always has a plan B, and Armenia is not a country that can set conditions for someone. Especially Baku.
OTTAWA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Maritime employers in Canada's British Columbia locked out more than 730 dock foremen across the country's west coast ports, including the largest port, Vancouver, in a labor dispute on Monday afternoon.

The B.C. Maritime Employers Association said Monday that its plan to lock out workers was meant to "facilitate a safe and orderly wind-down of operations" in light of escalating and unpredictable strike action.

Last week, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 issued a 72-hour strike notice for job action, which was due to start at 8 a.m. PT (1300 GMT) on Monday. The union's main task was said to protect jobs from automation.

The lockout began at 4:30 p.m. PT (2130 GMT) and will remain until further notice, the B.C. Maritime Employers Association said in a news release.

In a joint written statement, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen on Monday called on the federal government to take whatever steps are necessary to maintain critical port operations and urgently intervene with binding arbitration in future disputes.

"Alberta is a landlocked province that relies on the safe, dependable movement of goods to and from west coast ports. These ports export about 50 million Canadian dollars (36 million U.S. dollars) worth of Alberta's key commodities every day including agricultural, energy and manufacturing-related products," the statement said.

"A prolonged work stoppage will disrupt the movement of these products, backlog other transportation networks such as rail and trucking and damage the economies of Alberta and Canada," it said.

Bridgitte Anderson, CEO and president of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, said 800 million Canadian dollars (576 million U.S. dollars) in trade flows through West Coast ports every day.

"This could have disruptions right across our industries, right across our sectors, and in fact right across the whole Canadian economy," she was quoted by local media on Sunday.

In a statement on social media, Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon said federal mediators are on site, ready to assist the parties.

"It is the responsibility of the parties to reach an agreement. Businesses, workers, and farmers are counting on them to get a deal," he said.

This work stoppage followed the 13-day strike from more than 7,400 longshoremen at the B.C. ports in July 2023, which disrupted the flow of goods into Canada, resulting in 10.7 billion Canadian dollars (7.7 million U.S. dollars) worth of cargo being held up and diverted elsewhere.

Currently, an indefinite strike since Thursday morning at two container terminals at the Port of Montreal on Canada's East Coast is slowing down the processing of 40 percent of the containers delivered to the port. 
JEFFERSON CITY  A U.S. district judge in St. Louis on Monday night rejected an effort by the state of Missouri to block federal election monitors for St. Louis on Election Day.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Attorney General Andrew Bailey, both Republicans, filed a lawsuit earlier Monday challenging the U.S. Department of Justices plans to monitor polls in St. Louis.

U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk held a virtual hearing on the case earlier Monday night. She later denied the states motion for a temporary restraining order.

The Department of Justice, in response to Ashcrofts lawsuit, said monitoring in St. Louis is pursuant to a settlement agreement reached with the Board of Election Commissioners in 2021 to protect voting access for people with disabilities.

Jean Lin, special litigation counsel for the Department of Justice, told the court Monday night that to the best of her knowledge, only two monitors would be in St. Louis on Tuesday and that they would be working at the same location.

Missouri Solicitor General Josh Divine said Missouri didnt know the scope of the Department of Justices monitoring efforts until the lawsuit was filed.

A news release the Department of Justice issued Friday only mentions St. Louis on a list of jurisdictions where federal government was going to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws.

Ashcroft said in a news release Monday morning that the federal officials were illegally attempting to interfere with polling places.

In her order, Pitlyk said harms the state expects are speculative.

She said she had not been persuaded that the public's interest in enforcing Missouri's elections laws, "in the absence of any non-speculative threat to election integrity," was outweighed by "the publics interest in the enforcement of the American with Disabilities Act in response to documented harms.

"The harms to persons with disabilities that led to the Settlement Agreement and the presence of federal observers are documented and uncontested, whereas the harms that the State of Missouri anticipates are speculative," Pitlyk said.

She said the defect was underscored by the fact that similar observers had been present at least twice before and their presence "apparently went unnoticed."

The Justice Department, in the news release on Friday, said that the city of St. Louis was among 86 jurisdictions in 27 states where officials were going to monitor compliance with federal law.

The election boards 2021 settlement agreement with the Justice Department was aimed at ensuring people with mobility and vision impairments can access to polling places after federal officials found problems, such as ramps that were too steep and inaccessible parking, according to the court papers.

The settlement, which expires next year, says the board must cooperate fully with Justice Departments efforts to monitor compliance, including but not limited to providing the United States with timely access to polling places (including on Election Day).

Denise Lieberman, attorney and director of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, blasted the lawsuit in a statement Monday afternoon.

The DOJ has a long history of monitoring federal elections under both Republican and Democrat administrations to ensure compliance with federal voting rights laws, she said.

The Secretary of State should focus on ensuring Missouris elections are accessible to everyone rather than wasting taxpayer dollars to keep federal monitors from doing their jobs of ensuring compliance with federal laws, she said.

The states emergency motion for a temporary restraining order on Monday only focused on the Department of Justices monitoring plans in Missouri.

But the states initial lawsuit Monday asked that the Justice Department be blocked from taking poll monitoring actions within Missouri and anywhere else within DOJs jurisdiction.

This isnt the first time Ashcroft has resisted federal poll watchers. A similar situation played out in Cole County in 2022.

That year, Ashcrofts office sent out a news release that said the Justice Department was told it didnt have the authority or jurisdiction to be present at a polling site unless invited by the local election authority.

This year, Ashcrofts office said the Justice Department was contacting local officials. Ashcroft criticized the move on Monday, saying the department was trying to go through the back door in its outreach to local authorities.

Two years ago, we met with the DOJ. We showed them the law and explained that they have no jurisdiction to interfere in Missouri elections, Ashcroft said Monday in a statement.

Now they are doing the same thing; trying to go through the back door by contacting local election officials and making false jurisdictional claims for access rather than contacting my office directly, Ashcroft said.

In its news release Friday, the Department of Justice said the Civil Rights Division was coordinating the monitoring effort. It said the divisions Voting Rights Section enforces laws such as the Voting Rights Act and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

The divisions Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act to make sure people with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote, the news release said.

Election monitors are lawyers who work for the Justice Department, including in the civil rights division and U.S. attorneys offices across the country. They are not law enforcement officers or federal agents.

For decades, the Justice Departments civil rights division has sent attorneys and staff members to monitor polling places across the country in both federal and non-federal elections. The monitors are tasked with ensuring the compliance of federal voting rights laws.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Updated at 11:18 p.m. Monday.
The Declaration of Independence tells us that any legitimate government derives its power from the consent of the governed. Implicit in that statement is that voting is not just an American right but a responsibility.

The quadrennial declaration that every presidential election is the most important election of our lifetimes is so hackneyed these days that well resist the urge to offer it. Suffice to say, this is an unusual election  and yes, an unusually important one.

It has also been an unusually divisive one, not just in policy but in tone. With all the negativity floating around, its easy to get discouraged and throw up your hands and decide to just sit out that whole toxic mess. That nihilism might be worsened by the fact that only in a handful of battleground states (which dont include Missouri or Illinois) is there any real question about the state-level outcome that will translate into electoral votes.

So why bother showing up?

Heres why:

The popular vote matters. Not in terms of directly picking the president  under our system, thats entirely a function of the Electoral College. But the popular vote can be an indicator of whether the winner goes into office with an overwhelming mandate or a narrow victory requiring a more bipartisan approach to governing.

In the unlikely (but possible) event that the race ends in a 269-269 Electoral College tie, the newly elected House would pick the president under a process of one vote per state. In that instance, under a best-case scenario, the popular vote total could become the deciding factor for some good-faith legislators regardless of their own party affiliation.

The policy differences between the two presidential candidates are stark. Even more so than in most presidential elections, the policy gulf is wide between the Republican, former President Donald Trump, and the Democrat, Vice President Kamala Harris.

While its not unusual for the parties to disagree on abortion rights, guns, tax policy and other perennial hot-button topics, the issues this time include some that arent routinely aired in presidential elections: how tariff policies should be deployed, how strongly the U.S. should support NATO and its agenda in Europe, how immigration laws should be enforced and how the U.S. should respond to the war in Gaza, just to name a few. Where the outcome lands will impact domestic and global events for years to come.

Down-ballot races are important. Its a quirk of American politics that the presidential contest tends to obsess voters more than anything happening down ballot. But in fact, lower-level offices tend to have a more direct effect on the everyday lives of most citizens.

In Missouri, one U.S. Senate seat and all but one statewide state-level office are on the ballot, as well as partisan control of the state Legislature. Missouri and Illinois (and every other state) will elect their entire U.S. House delegations. These are the levels at which a great many political decisions are made affecting all of us where we live.

Ballot initiatives require direct voter participation. Ballot measures allow voters to directly decide state issues without going through the normal legislative process controlled by elected politicians.

In Missouri this year, voters will consider a half-dozen statewide referendums impacting abortion rights, gambling, the election process and more. St. Louis city voters will consider four measures that would change the way the city operates. This is democracy in its purest form.

If you dont vote, you cant complain. Well, technically, you can  the First Amendment guarantees it  but how much weight should the views of a non-voter really carry in the coming post-election national conversation?

Airing our political grievances toward every level of government is an American birthright on par with voting itself. Whatever happens on Tuesday, a great many of us will spend the next few years decrying the outcome. For those who cant be bothered to stand in line and cast their votes, that will be an empty exercise, indeed.

Perhaps the most important reason for all Americans to exercise their right to vote today is that, even in these deeply divided times, this precious process represents one issue on which we can all agree: Democracy cannot function without the consent of the governed.

Thats all of us. Today is the last day in this election cycle to utilize that right  and to fulfill that responsibility.
Firefighters arrive at the scene of a mock fire as part of an exercise at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., Oct. 11, 2023. Range fires that broke out at Aberdeen Proving Ground were contained as of Nov. 4, Army officials said Monday, after the blazes affected an estimated 1,000 acres of land and prompted air pollution warnings across the Baltimore region. (Ann Gonzalez/U.S. Army)

(Tribune News Service)  The range fires that broke out at Aberdeen Proving Ground are contained, Army officials said Monday, after the blazes affected an estimated 1,000 acres of land and prompted air pollution warnings across the Baltimore region.

Army officials believe the outbreak of brush fires at the military installation began Saturday after a change in wind direction, which ignited smoldering embers from residual materials in remote areas of the munitions test site in Harford County, the garrisons public affairs chief, Emily Myers, said. Smoke began pouring from the proving ground Sunday afternoon, becoming visible from adjacent counties and fouling air quality in the Baltimore region.

Units from the military installation and the Maryland National Guard were on site in the munitions testing area watching for remaining hot spots Monday morning as smoke was still visible from around the site.

Approximately 170,000 gallons of water were poured on the site from Bambi buckets  tanks of water attached to helicopters for aerial firefighting, Myers said.

The installation said Monday that there was no threat to surrounding communities, and the smoke should dissipate as the day goes on. The states environmental department had issued a Code Orange air quality alert that lasted from Sunday afternoon to midday Monday, warning that groups sensitive to air pollution in the Baltimore region should avoid outdoor activity. The warning prompted at least one school district to halt outdoor activities on Monday.

Approximately 50 brush fires occur at the munitions test site each year, according to Myers. The last one of substance was on Oct. 23, and was extinguished the same day, she said. The fires are usually small, but leaves, stumps and marshy areas on the create a lot of smoke, she said.

The blazes came amid drought-like conditions throughout Maryland, where the states Department of Natural Resources had issued a burn ban last week. Federal facilities, however, generally are exempt from burn bans, a DNR spokesperson said. The Army has scrutinized planned testing activities and mitigated hazards in the interest of preventing fires, Myers said, noting the proving ground recognizes the same dry conditions that led to the statewide burn ban and complies with federal law and army regulations in all testing activities.

The brush fires broke out just before a new record was set at BWI Marshall Airport for consecutive days without measurable rainfall. It had been 32 days without significant rain at BWI on Sunday, matching the record set in October of 1963, according to the National Weather Service. No precipitation was expected in the Baltimore area until Thursday at the earliest.

When the DNR imposed the burn ban on Nov. 1, the department said the Maryland Forest Service had responded to more than 24 wildfires in October that burned about 75 acres, more than triple the 10-year average. By Monday, that had climbed to 33 fires since Oct. 1. Of those, 19 had been declared out, and 14 were still being contained or monitored, said DNR spokesperson Gregg Bortz.

The situation will need to be monitored closely over the next several days for potential [flare-]ups, the environment departments forecast said.

(c)2024 The Aegis (Bel Air, Md.)

Visit The Aegis (Bel Air, Md.) at www.baltimoresun.com/explore/harford/publications/the-aegis

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Army Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley, who was injured while assigned to the pier operation in Gaza, died Oct. 31, 2024, according to CNN. (U.S. Army)

A U.S. soldier critically injured earlier this year while assigned to the Pentagons humanitarian aid operation off the coast of Gaza has died.

Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley was receiving treatment in a long-term care facility after being injured in May while helping move aid to a temporary pier built by the U.S. military, the Army said Tuesday in a statement.

The Army did not specify the date of death, but the 23-year-old, from Columbia, S.C., died Oct. 31, according to an obituary posted online by the Jackson and McGill Funeral Home in Marion, S.C.

Stanley was an instrumental and well respected first line leader ... especially during the mission to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, said Col. John Eddie Gray, commander of the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary. Our entire unit mourns alongside his family.

It wasnt clear how Stanley and two other soldiers were injured in a mishap on a ship near the Gaza coast around May 23. The ship was not docked at the pier.

At the time, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, said three service members had minor noncombat injuries, but one was taken to an Israeli hospital for an undisclosed issue.

CENTCOM subsequently said the soldier was in critical condition. The other two soldiers recovered from their injuries and returned to duty, CNN reported on Monday.

Stanley, who had served in the Army since July 2020 as a motor transport operator, was later flown in critical condition from Israel to Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas.

He was retired from the Army on Oct. 25 due to his injuries, according to the Army statement.

The Gaza pier became operational May 17 but the mission was hampered by bad weather and logistical issues that repeatedly delayed aid delivery.

Just two weeks after it entered service, officials were forced to suspend operations and remove the pier from the shore to repair damage caused by rough weather.

The pier again was removed from the Gaza shore at the end of June due to bad weather and had been in the Israeli port of Ashdod for weeks when officials announced July 17 that the operation was ending.

Defense Department officials characterized the estimated $230 million mission that delivered more than 1 million pounds of aid as a success. All told, the effort involved about 1,000 soldiers and sailors.

Stars and Stripes reporter Matthew Adams contributed to this report.
A Navy contractor collects a drinking water sample at Moanalua Preschool in Honolulu on Feb. 27, 2024. (Glenn Slaughter/U.S. Navy)

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  The Defense Departments complex management of the defunct Red Hill underground fuel storage facility in Honolulu relied on contractors for essential services in the years preceding disastrous fuel leaks in 2021, according to a government watchdog.

DOD used a decentralized structure that, in part, relied on a complex and interconnected set of roles and responsibilities to manage the operations, maintenance, and repair activities at Red Hill, the U.S. Government Accountability Office said in a report Monday.

Prior to the 2021 leaks, contractors also played an essential role in the maintenance and repair of equipment, it said.

The GAO report offers no conclusions about the degree to which contractors might have contributed to the fuel leaks.

The review, however, was sparked in part by the role a contractor played in a November 2022 spill of a concentrated form of a hazardous fire-fighting foam at the facility.

About 1,300 gallons of foam escaped into the environment because a contractor improperly installed a valve on the system that allowed the release, a DOD investigation concluded.

Both the fuel leaks and the [foam] concentrate release have raised questions about what role, if any, that contractors had in the operations, maintenance, and repair of Red Hill and the Navys oversight of its contractors, the GAO report states.

The GAO review was requested by Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committees subcommittee on readiness.

Jet fuel leaks in May and November 2021 contaminated the Navys water distribution system that supplied military communities on and near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The contamination forced thousands to temporarily relocate to area hotels as the Navy flushed the system and isolated the tainted well.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced in March 2022 that the World War II-era facility would be permanently closed. The Navy is amid a multiyear effort to clean the 20 massive tanks and clean up contamination in the area surrounding them.

A Navy investigation into the cause of the fuel leaks concluded that several deficiencies had led to the spill, including poor training and ineffective command and control.

Several DOD entities had a hand in the Red Hill operation in 2021, including Navy Region Hawaii, the Defense Logistics Agency, Navy Supply Systems Command, Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command and the Army Corps of Engineers, the GAO report states.

At the time of the leaks, the Navy managed Red Hill operations, maintenance and repair activities with support from the Defense Logistics Agency, which owned the fuel in the tanks.

The decentralized structure at Red Hill necessitated careful coordination, communication, and management of responsibilities and relationships, the report states.

For example, the logistics agency was not involved in day-to-day operations unless fuel was being delivered, at which time they coordinated with Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor.

And although the logistics center was responsible for operating the facility, it had no role in larger maintenance or repair of the tanks or facility.

Contractors performed key roles in maintaining and repairing equipment at Red Hill in the years leading up to the 2021 leaks, according to the report.

Contractors were responsible for performing preventative maintenance and corrective repairs on the fuel tanks, pipelines, supporting equipment and systems, as well as monitoring services, the report states.

The Navy, however, changed its approach to contracting for Red Hill after the contamination. It awarded eight of the 10 pre-spill contracts reviewed by GAO on a competitive basis.

After the 2021 fuel leaks, the Navy awarded all six of the contracts GAO reviewed noncompetitively, in part to address urgent safety or environmental concerns, improve facility operations, and identify needed maintenance and repairs, the report states.
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany at dusk. Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, is questioning Defense Health Agency practices related to the hiring of qualified military spouses at LRMC, the Pentagons largest medical facility overseas. (Facebook/Landstuhl Regional Medical Center)

NAPLES, Italy  A U.S. lawmaker wants to know whether the Pentagons largest overseas medical facility is denying employment to qualified military spouses in favor of local applicants in Germany.

In a letter last month, Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, questioned the Defense Health Agencys hiring practices at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

The letter is addressed to DHA director Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland and seeks information specific to the Defense Departments hospital near Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Instead of being hired, military spouses often are referred to volunteer for the American Red Cross and essentially perform the duties and responsibilities of a medical practitioner  without financial compensation, Pfluger wrote in the Oct. 8 letter, which asked for LRMCs hiring data for the past five years.

Pfluger also requested information about how the agency is prioritizing military spouses for hiring as well as compensation data for spouses who work in full- or part-time positions at military medical facilities worldwide, among other information.

If theyre actually prioritizing (people) other than fully qualified spouses, then we want to know what those practices are, what the priority list looks like and how theyre making their decisions, said Pfluger, a second-term representative who served 20 years in the Air Force as a pilot and now is a colonel in the Air Force Reserve.

Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, is asking the Defense Health Agency whether medically credentialed military spouses are being passed over for health care jobs at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. (August Pfluger)

A DHA spokesperson confirmed receipt of the letter but said the agency couldnt address the questions without first formally responding to Pfluger.

The letter echoes decades of frustration by military spouses who say they are forced to quit their well-paying jobs when their family is posted overseas. Due to a multinational pact, most have few employment opportunities when living in Europe.

As a result, many military families must live on one income, dig into savings and sometimes rely on a Defense Department supplemental food program to make ends meet.

There have been some improvements. For example, recent agreements reached in Italy and Spain now allow U.S. military spouses living in those countries to work remotely for their American employers.

That change followed years of policy that forbade the practice unless a military spouse gave up rights and protections afforded them through the NATO Status of Forces Agreement.

But problems persist. The situation has helped to create a pipeline of highly skilled, cheap  and in many cases free  labor exploited by military hospitals and other base organizations, a Stars and Stripes investigation last year found.

For example, military spouses who are nurses, physical therapists or other medical professionals said they were encouraged to give as much as 40 hours a week to the Red Cross or other organizations in the hope that doing so could lead to an eventual paid position.

In Germany, those professionals saved LRMC more than $600,000 in unpaid labor, according to Red Cross figures in 2023.

Asking qualified military spouses to volunteer their medical skills for free is not only unacceptable but also frustrating, said advocate Beth Conlin.

However, a June 2023 White House directive that ordered federal agencies to develop a strategic plan for hiring and retaining military spouses is empowering, she said.

With that power, spouses can better advocate for themselves, directly question a hiring manager about employment practices and ask what is being done to comply with the order, Conlin said.

Still, the DHA should be more proactive in hiring military spouses, which would benefit everyone, she said.

This is filling the gaps that they have at their facilities overseas, said Conlin, who chairs the board of the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce and is an adviser for Blue Star Families. This is employing military families, and this is improving the care of those that go to those facilities.

Pfluger said he wrote the letter after learning about the recent experience of a military spouse who wanted to work at LRMC, as well as stories of others who faced similar situations.

When the DHA responds, Pflugers office will review the data and evaluate its compliance with federal mandates, he said.

One hundred percent we will be pursuing any sort of change to the law if we find that thats not the case and that the hiring practices favor others (over) spouses, he said.
BEIJING, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Italian President Sergio Mattarella will pay a state visit to China from Nov. 7 to 12 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced here on Tuesday.

During President Mattarella's visit, President Xi will hold talks with him to draw a blueprint for the future development of China-Italy relations. Li Qiang, the Chinese premier, and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, will meet with him respectively, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily press briefing.

China and Italy, both ancient civilizations and important economies in the world, enjoy solid public support for bilateral friendly cooperation, which is in line with the common interests of both sides and contributes to the healthy development of China-Europe relations and global stability and prosperity, Mao said.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership, Mao said the successive visits of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Mattarella to China highlight the high-level development of China-Italy relations.

China is willing to work with Italy, under the guidance of the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, to further deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, promote mutual learning among civilizations, and inject more stability into a world fraught with uncertainties. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin has tapped a Ukraine war veteran to head one of Russias regions, the highest post so far awarded to an invasion participant as the leader looks to forge a new elite of patriotic workers and soldiers.

In an orchestrated reshuffle, Putin replaced two governors Monday, appointing interim heads in the Rostov region, a key area bordering Ukraine and home to the militarys command center for the war, and the Tambov region, an agricultural and consumer goods producer in southern Russia.

For Tambov, Putin selected Yevgeny Pervyshov, a former mayor of a major southern city who in 2022 signed up to fight in Ukraine.

After several months of service, he was selected to take part in Putins Time of Heroes program, aimed at turning war veterans into influential civil servants.

Pervyshovs appointment is an example of how the Kremlin is casting the war as an opportunity for society to replace oligarchic elites with patriotic workers and soldiers, and as a tool to advance ones political career.

It is also part of the Kremlins efforts to attract more men to the front lines, boosting contractor sign-ups by dangling the possibility of a path to power and the promise of prestigious peacetime jobs, experts said.

Last month, the Kremlin announced the appointment of 10 program graduates to various sectors of the government, including as presidential envoys, regional ministers and managers of defense contractors.

The Time of Heroes has come to Tambov, Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political analyst, wrote Monday in his Telegram blog, praising the appointment. You wanted a change of elites? Here it is! Although, I admit that many thought that it would go differently. But history has chosen this path for Russia!

Analysts critical of the Kremlin say that most of the appointees are just figureheads with little political weight, and that there are actually limited opportunities for soldiers postwar.

The appointees so far have little in common with the majority of contract soldiers, who mostly sign up for financial gain, or those conscripted, who routinely complain that they are treated poorly by their commanders. The bar to be admitted into the program is also quite high - among the stated requirements is higher education and experience in managing people.

In reality, the representatives of the very same nomenklatura clans are being nominated, just with an updated biography, wrote Nezygar, an influential Telegram channel critical of the Kremlin.

Pervyshov served in BARS Kaskad, a reserve unit of elites that normally stays away from the front lines, according to British intelligence.

Enlistment with BARS Kaskad likely allows Russian elite figures to sidestep statutory Russian military service requirements with guaranteed safety and potentially curry favour with the Kremlin, the British Defense Ministry said in its assessment this year.

The Russian investigative outlet Important Stories reported that officials serving in the unit can leave whenever they need to and dont face real combat danger.

Artem Zhoga, who took over as commander of the pro-Russian Sparta Battalion in Ukraines Donbas region after his son was killed in battle, is another alumni of the Time of Heroes program. He became the poster child for integrating pro-Russian personalities from occupied Ukrainian territories into Russias power structures.

In 2023, Putin used Russian-born Zhoga to stage the announcement of his next presidential run. In a carefully orchestrated TV spectacle, Zhoga told state media reporters that he had pleaded with Putin to run on behalf of soldiers fighting in Ukraine - and that the president had agreed. Zhoga now serves as Putins envoy in Russias Ural Federal District.

Pervyshov said that as part of the program, he interned in the Moscow mayors office and the Sakhalin regional government, and went on an expedition to the North Pole. Now, Pervyshov has become the first participant in the war to govern a region in Russia.

This is yet another fake reality that the Kremlin endlessly breeds. It is designed to convince as many representatives of the general population as possible that they need to go to war, that it is respectable and prestigious, so go and think, Maybe then they will appoint me too later, said Abbas Gallyamov, a Russian political analyst and former speechwriter for Putin.

Gallyamov now lives in Israel, and last year the Russian Justice Ministry declared him a foreign agent.

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, described the program as part of Kremlin efforts to militarize Russian society and government.

The program is being heavily advertised by state TV propagandists such as Vladimir Solovyov.

All roads must be open for you, both in military and civilian life.  Everyone who wants success will gain it, and we will help them, Solovyov said in an ad, set to dramatic music, depicting uniformed men attending MBA-like classes in modern facilities.
British counterterrorism police are investigating whether Russian agents were behind an incendiary device in a parcel that caught fire in a DHL warehouse in Minworth, near Birmingham, in central England on July 22. (Matthias Rietschel/AP)

WARSAW, Poland  Western security officials suspect Russian intelligence was behind a plot to put incendiary devices in packages on cargo planes headed to North America, including one that caught fire at a courier hub in Germany and another that ignited in a warehouse in England.

Poland said last month that it has arrested four people suspected to be linked to a foreign intelligence operation that carried out sabotage and is searching for two others. Lithuanias prosecutor general Nida Grunskiene said Tuesday there were an unspecified number of people detained in several countries, offering no elaboration.

The events come as Western officials say they are seeing an intensification of a hybrid war of sabotage by Russia targeting Ukraines allies, including election disinformation and arson attacks in Europe this year. Several officials said they believe the attacks were the work of Russian military intelligence, the GRU, although Moscow denied involvement.

Polands Internal Security Agency, or ABW, says that incidents in Poland, as well as other EU and NATO members, had intensified this year. ABW believes they are initiated and coordinated by the Russian special services. So far, 20 people have been charged in investigations led by the prosecutors office, the ABW and police.

Polish Prosecutor Katarzyna Calow-Jaszewska said the investigation focuses on foreign agents conducting acts of sabotage, including damaging industrial facilities or critical infrastructure such as airports, airplanes and other vehicles, and as well as arson using self-combustible parcels sent to EU countries and the U.K. that would ignite during road or air transport.

She added that the group tested a channel for sending such parcels to the United States and Canada.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the details of the cargo plane incidents.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration said it has put extra security measures in place in recent months for certain cargo shipments heading to the United States.

We continually adjust our security posture as appropriate and promptly share any and all relevant information with our industry partners, to include requirements and recommendations that help them reduce risk, the TSA said.

There was no active threat targeting flights heading to the United States, according to a U.S. official, who was not authorized to comment publicly.

Dirk Heinrichs, a spokesperson for DHL in Germany, said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press that the company could not provide details about the matter but was fully cooperating with the relevant authorities to protect our people, our network and our customers shipments.

The head of Britains domestic intelligence agency, MI5, said last month the U.K. is facing a staggering rise in attempts at assassination, sabotage and other crimes on its soil by Russia as well as Iran.

Calow-Jaszewska said Oct. 25 that parcels with camouflaged explosives were sent via cargo companies to EU countries and Britain to test the transfer channel for such parcels that were ultimately destined for the U.S. and Canada.

The incendiary devices in Germany and the U.K. both ignited in July.

One was at at stopover at a DHL logistics center at an airport in the city of Leipzig, according to Thomas Haldenwang, head of the German intelligence service. The German news agency dpa reported that the connecting flight containing the package, which came from one of the Baltic nations, was delayed in Leipzig and was on the ground when it ignited and set fire to a freight container.

British counterterrorism police are investigating whether Russian agents were behind an incendiary device in a parcel that caught fire in a DHL warehouse in Minworth, near Birmingham, in central England on July 22. The incident, first reported by the Guardian newspaper and German broadcasters, was similar to the one in Germany.

The Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza also reported that a fire was reported in a courier truck near Warsaw.

We are observing aggressive action by the Russian intelligence services. In particular Russian espionage and sabotage in Germany are on the rise, both quantitatively and qualitatively, Haldenwang told the German Budestag, or parliament, last month while discussing the Leipzig incident.

The activities of Russian intelligence services in the real world as well as in cyberspace show that Germany is the focus of this Russias hybrid war against Western democracies, he added. Russia is using its entire toolbox: from influencing political discussions within Germany to cyber attacks against critical infrastructure and sabotage. Russias willingness to use force proves that it is also willing to put human lives at risk.

In a rare public speech setting out the major threats to the U.K., MI5 Director General Ken McCallum said the GRU in particular is on a sustained mission to generate mayhem on British and European streets: Weve seen arson, sabotage and more. Dangerous actions conducted with increasing recklessness.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday called media reports about the alleged sabotage plot an example of a vague fabrication.

Associated Press writers Jill Lawless and Danica Kirka in London; Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia; Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin; Aamer Madhani in Washington; and Liudas Dapkus in Vilnius, Lithuania, contributed to this report.
U.S. Marines prepare to patrol Fallujah, Iraq, to clear the city of insurgent activity and weapons caches during the second Battle of Fallujah, Nov. 26, 2004. The Marines are, left to right, Staff Sgt. Eric Brown, Sgt. Aubrey McDade, Cpl. Steven Archibald and Lance Cpl. Robert Coburn. Twenty years later, McDade and others say they are still coming to terms with what would be known as the bloodiest single battle of the Iraq War in the years following the 2003 invasion. (U.S. Marine Corps)

Even the dead insurgents lining the streets and alleys of Fallujah were a threat to the U.S. Marines pushing into the Iraqi city two decades ago.

Troops shot up the often boobytrapped corpses lying ahead of them as a precaution. Enemy snipers hid in the buildings. Others sprung from spider holes and fired from a high-powered Western arsenal that included .50-caliber machine guns, much of it seized from earlier fights.

The initial push on Nov. 7, 2004, marked the start of what would turn out to be the bloodiest battle of the Iraq War, confronting U.S. forces with fighting on a scale not seen since Vietnam.

Twenty years later, memories from the battle, which killed nearly 100 U.S. service members, remain raw for many who fought there. And some continue to grapple with the legacy of what it all meant.

I kind of came to grasp that, you know, the worlds probably a worse place for what we did, said Marine veteran Alex Nicoll. People died, limbs were lost, and I dont know if any outcome came of it.

Nicoll and a group of Fallujah veterans reflected on their experiences and the battles legacy as part of a special commemoration created by the organization Disabled American Veterans.

Its pretty impressive when rules of engagement are thrown out the window, the wall of lead that comes with Marines, Nicoll said in his video testimonial. Im glad I got to see that. For a just reason or not? Thats debatable. But its irrelevant, too. We got to be a part of Marines being unleashed.

Like the Iraq War itself, the battle has left conflicted feelings. The bravery of U.S. forces in Fallujah and the hardships they endured are now part of military lore.

The battle showcased how an unleashed Marine Corps, backed by U.S. soldiers, could lay waste to a tough adversary in brutal urban warfare conditions.

Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Reconnaissance Troop clear houses in Fallujah on Nov. 15, 2004. The soldiers were part of the largest single urban battle of the Iraq War in the years following the 2003 invasion. (Kimberly Snow/U.S. Army)

Yet the battle didnt pave the way to a bigger turnaround in a war that had many dark days ahead. It would be more than two years before the tide started to clearly turn, with the 2006 Anbar Awakening and the troop surge of 2007 eventually helping to quell much of the fighting.

But even those successes proved to be short-lived. When U.S. forces pulled out in 2011, Iraq was in shambles and Irans influence in the country was larger than ever. By 2014, a new group of militants that came to be known as ISIS was on the march.

Complicated retrospective

The legacy of Fallujah is muddled in ways other major operations in history arent, such as the great battles of World War II that are memorialized every year for the role they played in American victories in Europe and the Pacific.

In Iraq, there were none of the traditional measures of military success  no unconditional surrenders, no peace treaties  that helped make the sacrifices at Fallujah seem worth the cost.

The November battle was launched months after a precursor in Fallujah was called off amid international outcry over the scale of civilian casualties.

Hundreds of Iraqi civilians were believed to have been killed during that clash between U.S. forces and insurgents. After pulling out of the city on May 1, 2004, the U.S. turned the mission over to the Iraqi Fallujah Brigade, which quickly folded.

Spc. Stephen Lewis, Staff Sgt. Nicholus Danielsen and Staff Sgt. Jimmy Amyett, top to bottom, clear a house in southern Fallujah, Nov. 19, 2004. The second Battle of Fallujah began Nov. 7, 2004, claiming the lives of nearly 100 U.S. service members. (Kimberly Snow/U.S. Army)

Many of those Iraqi troops joined up with the insurgents. After the American withdrawal, Fallujah festered throughout the summer, becoming the center of opposition to the U.S.-led coalition.

The city also served as the main base for the militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who directed numerous high-profile kidnappings, executions and beheadings of foreigners.

By the end of the summer, American commanders and the Iraqi government had determined that an operation to clear the city of an estimated 4,000 insurgents would be needed.

Responsibility for the second Battle of Fallujah, known as Operation Phantom Fury, fell to I Marine Expeditionary Force, which commanded a contingent of more than 12,000 U.S. troops drawn from every Pentagon service and an array of coalition soldiers.

Perhaps the biggest problem facing them would be distinguishing guerrilla fighters from civilians still trapped in their homes. Civilian casualty estimates from the battle ranged between 580 and 800.

On Nov. 8, U.S. forces stormed into the city. While the Marine Corps was the main element, the U.S. Army also played a large role.

Then-Staff Sgt. David G. Bellavia, an Army squad leader, on the third day of the battle charged into a house infested with insurgents, doing battle from room to room in close-quarter combat.

Bellavia was credited with singlehandedly saving an entire squad, and in 2019 he received the Medal of Honor, becoming the first living Iraq War veteran to receive the honor.

Men go into battle because it is our love of nation, our way of life and our love of those we serve with side by side, Bellavia said during a ceremony at the time. We defend, we avenge, we sacrifice, we bleed and we are willing to die for this unique creation, the United States of America.

President Donald J. Trump presents the Medal of Honor to former U.S. Army Staff Sgt David G. Bellavia during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., June 25, 2019. Bellavia was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions while serving as a squad leader with the 1st Infantry Division in in Fallujah, Iraq when a squad from his platoon became trapped by intense enemy fire. (Kevin M Roy/U.S. Army) Staff Sgt. David G. Bellavia in Iraq in 2004. In 2019 he received the Medal of Honor, becoming the first living Iraq War veteran to receive the honor. (U.S. Army)

Medals and memories

Scores of valor medals were awarded in the aftermath of the fighting, including at least 10 Navy Crosses for Marines.

Then-Sgt. Aubrey McDade, a machine gun squad leader, was one of the recipients of the Navy Cross, the militarys second-highest combat medal.

But McDade said he struggled for years to come to terms with the carnage he had witnessed and the screams in battle he heard from injured Marines.

I struggled so bad, he said during his testimonial shared with the Disabled American Veterans organization. McDade compared his recollections to being in a trance and being forced to watch a movie I didnt want to watch.

Nicoll also struggled for years after the war. He and his team did battle in what came to be known as the House of Hell, where bullets and grenades were flying everywhere as they fought off scores of insurgents. During the shootout, Nicoll was badly injured.

Amid the mayhem, then-Cpl. Robert Mitchell, Nicolls squad leader, was putting a tourniquet on Nicolls leg when an insurgent lunged at them. Mitchell pulled his combat knife and, in a swipe, instantly killed the fighter, according to the Marine Corps account.

Mitchell went on to receive the Navy Cross for his actions.

In those situations, you just react and decide how to gain the upper hand, Mitchell told the student media at Arizona State University in a 2012 interview. Your training takes over and you forget about everything else because one of your guys is injured and you have to be there for him.

The experience of Fallujah drew him closer to his fellow Marines, Mitchell said.

When you think you are in the worst situation possible, whether its in training or in combat, there is always someone who knows just what to say to make light of the situation, he said.

Nicoll, who lost his leg below his left knee in Fallujah, said it took him about 15 years to find new purpose in life.

Now he works as a motorcycle mechanic. But all these years later, he said, theres no replacing the bonds formed under fire.

Youre never going to get those buddies again, Nicoll said.
The National League of POW/MIA Families flag flies over an Air Force base in 2014. (Defense Department)

A Virginia woman whose scheming almost liquidated a prominent advocacy organization for American prisoners of war now awaits punishment for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Jennifer Giorffino, a former administrator for the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Alexandria to a single count of wire fraud, according to the Justice Department.

She could receive a prison term of up to 20 years when she is sentenced next year, a DOJ statement said Thursday.

Between October 2022 and April this year, the 53-year-old Giorffino stole $257,259 from the nonprofit, also known as the National League of POW/MIA Families, court records state.

The organization was nearly out of money at the time of the embezzlement. It was slated to be dissolved after a Jan. 31, 2023, vote by its board of directors, according to a series of League statements between January and June 2023.

But less than two weeks later, an anonymous benefactor stepped in and pledged $400,000 annually over five years to fund the group, according to a February 2023 statement.

Ann Mills-Griffiths, who has led the organization since 1978, was listed as board chairwoman on League statements during the period in which the fraud took place. Mills-Griffiths did not reply Monday to an email seeking comment.

Giorffinos job included processing donations. Instead, she used the money for personal retail purchases, according to the Justice Department.

She also stole Mills-Griffiths identity and fraudulently applied for at least 30 credit cards and lines of credit for additional spending, authorities said.

She made over $36,000 worth of purchases on one card alone and paid off the cards every month until April using League funds, the Justice Department statement said.

In February, Giorffino opened a checking account in the Leagues name and began diverting checks and online donations into the account, accumulating $29,746, the Justice statement said.

The organizations funds were largely drained by March, but she forged bank statements and wrote checks she knew would bounce, according to prosecutors.

The chairwomans credit card was declined at a restaurant around the same time the theft was discovered, the statement said. Giorffino gave the board falsified bank statements at an April meeting and she stopped working at the League on April 27, according to court records.

It is unclear what Giorffino was charged with before the plea deal was negotiated. A spokesman for the Eastern District of Virginia on Monday declined to comment further.

In 1971, the League created the iconic black-and-white POW/MIA flag that currently flies over government and military institutions.
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, attends the second plenary meeting of the 12th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

BEIJING, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers met on Tuesday to deliberate on multiple reports during the ongoing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, attended the plenary meeting of the session.

The meeting heard a report on the enforcement of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Law, which proposed strengthening the protection of intangible cultural heritage, promoting the full implementation of statutory responsibilities, and accelerating relevant legislation.

Lawmakers reviewed a report on the enforcement of the Social Insurance Law. The report proposed steadily expanding social security coverage and enhancing top-level design to improve the social insurance system.

The meeting also heard a report on financial work, which proposed continuously improving the quality and efficiency of financial services and increasing financial support for high-quality economic development.

Lawmakers reviewed three reports on the management of state-owned assets, which proposed additional measures to enhance management.

The meeting heard a report on building world-class universities with Chinese characteristics and strong disciplines. The report proposed building a high-quality, professional teaching workforce and innovating mechanisms for international exchange and cooperation.

Lawmakers reviewed a report on desertification prevention and control, which proposed enhancing law-based and science-based control work and further strengthening international cooperation.

The meeting also heard a report on the courts' trial of administrative cases, which proposed upholding the Party's absolute leadership over judicial work and better serving high-quality economic and social development.

Lawmakers reviewed a report on the prosecution of administrative cases. The report proposed upholding the Party's absolute leadership over procuratorial work and deepening reform to improve duty performance. 
They are seeking punitive damages for the egregious disregard to the interests of the children

A Canadian couple is suing their Irish nanny who allegedly quit without notice and didnt say goodbye to the children.

Just 10 days after Roisin Murphy told David Aaron and Gloria Garofalo by email she was quitting, the Vancouver couple launched a lawsuit in BC Supreme Court.

They are seeking damages for the effect her leaving will have on their ability to earn income and punitive damages for the egregious disregard to the interests of the children.

They claim they had emphatically requested an explicit commitment from Murphy to work to the beginning of December but she allegedly left with six weeks left on her contract.

This commitment to stay until December protected the emotional interests of the children in opening up, trusting and bonding to a child-care provider without disruption and without broken bonds and expectations, the lawsuit states.

According to the lawsuit, Murphy started working on September 14, from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, for $20 an hour.

The children, aged four and two, did trust and tenderly bond with the defendant while hiring her allowed the parents to work during the day.

Aaron, a lawyer in the field of class actions and administrative law, was told by Murphy on October 18 that she may be coming down with a cold.

He asked her to go home for the day as a precaution against giving her cold to the children, the claim states.

The stay home sick request was communicated verbally by the plaintiff Aaron in the presence of the children in a manner that was caring, courteous and professional, it said.

After she left she invoiced the couple for her service up to October 18 and the couple paid her wages that included for the sick day, the claim adds.

That was a Friday and, she sent an email on the following Sunday, citing the stay home sick request as the reason she was quitting.

According to the lawsuit, her quitting left the children abandoned by someone with whom they had formed a bond of trust and reliance, as well as an expectation of ongoing connection and care.

As the parents were left without a nanny and unable to work, this resulted in a loss of opportunity to earn professional income and meet their financial commitments.

They said the abrupt and groundless termination was without just cause, which constitutes negligence and breach of contract and it occurred in blatant disregard for the emotional interests of the children.

Murphy, who the claim said is an Irish citizen, couldnt be located for comment, The Vancouver Sun reports, adding that none of the allegations have been proven in court.
She claims he pinned her down on a bed after she had earlier refused to perform a sex act on him.

Conor McGregor arriving at the High Court in Dublin this morning. Photo: Collins Courts

Conor McGregor pinned down and violently raped a young woman in a Dublin hotel after taking cocaine, the High Court has been told.

Mother-of-one Nikita Ni Laimhin (35) was left with extensive bruises and abrasions, including black and blue wrists, a bloodied scratch to her breast, and neck pain after being placed in a stranglehold by the mixed martial arts star.

The hair colourist claims she tried to fight off McGregor (36), but submitted to him after he three times put her in an armlock until she could not breathe.

She claims he pinned her down on a bed after she had earlier refused to perform a sex act on him.

Conor McGregor arriving at the High Court in Dublin this morning. Photo: Collins Courts

During the assault he is alleged to have told her: Now you know what it was like in the Octagon when I had to tap myself out three times.

The rape is alleged to have occurred after McGregor picked her up from her Christmas party and brought her to a penthouse suite in the Beacon Hotel in Dublin.

The court heard she later presented at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit of the Rotunda Hospital, an absolute wreck, constantly weeping, and in pain.

A tampon embedded in her vagina had to be removed with a forceps, a jury was told.

Details of the alleged rape were outlined on the opening day of Ms Ni Laimhins civil action against McGregor and his associate, James Lawrence of Rafters Road in Drimnagh.

She claims to have been raped by both men at the hotel on December 9, 2018. She was 29 at the time.

The two defendants deny her claims and say they each twice had consensual sex with Ms Ni Laimhin.

They say the claims made in her lawsuit were false, malicious and patently made in bad faith and that a claim for damages so she can relocate to a new home amounted to extortion.

Ms Ni Laimhins counsel John Gordon SC said McGregor had claimed he and Ms Ni Laimhin were just having fun and a bout of rough sex.

He said the defendants would try to portray her as a gold-digger and a fraud.

But the barrister said this would be contradicted by medical evidence. He said the rapes had left her suffering from depression, stress and panic attacks, frightened of the area she was living in and frightened of McGregor.

A jury of four men and eight women was sworn in this morning to hear the case, which is expected to last two weeks.

Prior to the opening of the case, Mr Justice Alexander Owens told jurors: Essentially the allegation in the statement of claim is Mr McGregor sexually assaulted Ms Ni Laimhin and in effect raped her on December 9, 2018 and Mr Lawrence did likewise.

Mr Justice Owens said the case was not a criminal trial but rather a civil action for damages.

He told jurors they would be judges of fact.

The law acts on your decision on the facts one way or another, he said.

McGregor and Lawrence sat at the back of the court either side of McGregors father Tony as the jury was selected and the case opened.

After the jury was selected, Mr Justice Owens said their first task would be to appoint a foreman or forewoman. Any questions the jury might have would be conveyed to the judge through the foreman or forewoman, he said.

Mr Justice Owens said the jury would have to decide what happened by reference to the evidence they will hear.

He warned them that this was confined to what they would hear from the witness box and may potentially involve documents introduced into evidence.

Anything you hear or see about this trial that is not received by you in court is not evidence, he said.

The judge said that when jurors return home each evening, they should not discuss the evidence with their loved ones or seek opinions.

You dont do that. You should also discourage other people from offering their opinions, he said.

Mr Justice Owens said jurors were not in the business of acting as a private detective and he warned them not to seek out information on the internet or on social media.

He said jurors should accept there is a lot of nonsense on the internet and should not bother during this trial with looking up opinion pieces or posts on Twitter or other social media sites.

Stay away from that because there are enormous temptations to get into that, he said.

The judge said his directions were most important.

A failure by a juror to abide by the directions of the judge is a contempt of court, he said.

The plaintiff is being represented in the action by barristers John Gordon SC, Ray Boland SC and Siun Leonowicz BL, instructed by solicitors Coleman Legal.

McGregor is represented by barristers Remy Farrell SC and Shelley Horan BL, instructed by Michael J Staines & Company Solicitors.

Lawrence is represented by the same solicitors. His senior counsel is John Fitzgerald SC.

Helplines: If you have been affected by the contents of this article, click here for more information.
Mr O'Higgins of Cahir O'Higgins and Company, Kingsbride House, Parkgate Street, Dublin denies all the allegations against him.

A criminal defence solicitor has gone on trial accused of theft and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Cahir OHiggins (49) pleaded not guilty to one count of theft of 400 in July 2016 and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in December 2017.

Mr O'Higgins of Cahir O'Higgins and Company, Kingsbride House, Parkgate Street, Dublin denies all the allegations against him.

Opening the prosecution's case this afternoon, Eoin Lawlor SC told jurors that Mr O'Higgins is a criminal defence solicitor with 20 years' experience.

He said the alleged injured party in this case is Raul Sanz, a Spanish national, who was a defendant in a case before the Dublin District Court on July 30, 2016.

Legal firm Darcy Horan were assigned to Mr Sanz under the legal aid scheme, but they didn't have a representative at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ), and an arrangement was made for Mr O'Higgins to stand in and represent the defendant.

Mr Lawlor said the presiding judge was told by Mr O'Higgins that his client wished to plead guilty and agreed to strike out the case against Mr Sanz if 200 was paid. Mr O'Higgins then volunteered to withdraw the money.

Mr Sanz's bank card and PIN were obtained by the investigating garda and given to Mr O'Higgins, who then went to the Londis shop on Parkgate Street, the court heard.

Mr Lawlor said it is the State's case that Mr O'Higgins made three withdrawals totalling 600 from the ATM in the shop. It is alleged Mr O'Higgins placed 200 into papers he was holding, and put the balance of 400 into his pocket.

When Mr O'Higgins returned to the courtroom, 200 was paid and the case against Mr Sanz was struck out.

Mr Lawlor said Mr Sanz was brought from the holding area to the ground floor of the CCJ, where Mr O'Higgins told the garda he needed to have a private consultation with his client. This took place without an interpreter

Mr Lawlor said Mr Sanz became aware Mr O'Higgins had withdrawn a sum of money in addition to the 200 to pay for his services.

He said there was no receipt or invoice from Mr O'Higgins reflecting any money having been paid for services rendered, if that is the purpose for which he kept the money. The court heard Mr O'Higgins does not accept that he kept the 400.

Darcy Horan solicitors subsequently made a claim to the legal aid scheme in relation to this case.

Mr Lawlor said gardai started an investigation after a complaint was made and on December 8. 2017, Mr O'Higgins was invited to attend a voluntary cautioned interview.

Following this, Mr O'Higgins emailed scans of a two-page document that purported to be contemporaneous notes made while he was representing Mr Sanz. These notes stated Mr Sanz agreed to and instructed the withdrawal of 600 and that Mr O'Higgins handed him 400 in an envelope.

On December 17, 2017, Mr O'Higgins attended the Bridgewell Garda Station for a voluntary interview with gardai and handed over the original of these notes. Mr O'Higgins told gardai that Mr Sanz gave consent for 600 to be withdrawn.

Mr Lawlor said gardai then showed Mr O'Higgins CCTV footage from July 30, 2016. At this point, Mr O'Higgins said he would be candid and admitted the notes were not contemporaneous, but drawn up some time later.

Prosecuting counsel said Mr O'Higgins told gardai that these notes contained untruths and were drawn up due to concerns about a potential Law Society investigation. Mr O'Higgins said he handed the 400 to Mr Sanz in an envelope along with the charge sheets.

Mr Lawlor said Mr O'Higgins made a prepared statement to gardai in early 2018 in which he accepted he had withdrawn 600.

He said he did this as he understood the investigating garda intended to ask the District Court judge to re-open the case and he formed the view that the judge, whom the accused described as unpredictable, may increase the fine or request compensation be paid.

Mr O'Higgins told gardai he divided the money into two sums, describing the 400 as contingency money. He accepted he hadn't sought his client's consent, but believed it was inferred from the circumstances. Mr O'Higgins maintained that he put the 400 into an envelope and gave it to Mr Sanz.

After he was charged on April 7, 2020, Mr Lawlor told the jury that Mr O'Higgins replied that he was surprised by this allegation, Im not guilty and I will answer it at the appropriate time.

Garda Tao Yu gave evidence that he arrested Mr Sanz in the early hours of July 30, 2016 for criminal damage after a fire started in a toilet cubicle at Dicey's nightclub.

He said Mr Sanz was taken to Pearse Street Garda Station and was initially deemed unfit for interview due to intoxication.

Gda Yu said Mr Sanz was later interviewed with a solicitor and a Spanish interpreter present. Mr Sanz admitted the offence, was charged and brought before a sitting of the district court at the CCJ around 4.30pm.

He said Mr O'Higgins told the presiding judge that Mr Sanz wished to plead guilty. The judge made a ruling before any facts were outlined that he would strike the case out if 200 was paid.

Gda Yu said he obtained permission from Mr Sanz with the help of the interpreter, then retrieved his bank card and got his PIN.

He said he handed the bank card and PIN to Mr O'Higgins, who then left the courtroom. Mr O'Higgins returned, and after the fine was paid, the judge struck out the case.

Gda Yu said he brought Mr Sanz back to the custody area, retrieved his property then brought him to the ground floor of the CCJ. He saw Mr O'Higgins with another garda and walked towards them with Mr Sanz.

Mr O'Higgins then told him he needed to consult privately with his client. Gda Yu said he saw the interpreter leaving the courtroom and pointed this out to Mr O'Higgins, who replied that his client should be okay.

He agreed with Mr Lawlor that the Spanish interpreter had been present during garda interview and the court proceedings.

Under cross-examination, Gda Yu told Michael O'Higgins SC, defending, that he could not remember if he had any conversation with Mr O'Higgins about applying to the judge to re-open the case, after the judge had indicated he would strike out the case if 200 was paid.

Gda Yu accepted he could have intended to ask the judge to re-open the case, but repeated that he didn't know and couldn't remember.

The witness also told defence counsel that he couldn't recall if he saw Mr O'Higgins hand anything to Mr Sanz.

A copy of a map of the ground floor of the CCJ was shown to the jury, along with CCTV footage from within the building on July 30, 2016.

Mr O'Higgins has pleaded not (NOT) guilty of the theft of 400 on July 30, 2016 at Londis shop, on Parkgate Street.

He also pleaded not (NOT) guilty to four counts of perverting the course of public justice contrary to common law, on December 8 and December 17, 2017 , within the State and at the Bridewell Garda Station in Dublin.

The trial is expected to last six days and continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.
Rescuers prepare to enter the underground garage of Bonaire Commercial Center in Valencia, Spain, Nov. 4, 2024. The region of Catalonia in the north-east of Spain was hit by flooding on Monday, as rescue work continues in the neighboring region of Valencia in the wake of the floods that claimed 217 lives six days previously. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

MADRID, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The region of Catalonia in the north-east of Spain was hit by flooding on Monday, as rescue work continues in the neighboring region of Valencia in the wake of the floods that claimed 217 lives six days previously.

Spain's Minister for Transport, Oscar Puente confirmed that local rail services in the region had been canceled after the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issued a red alert for torrential rain for the provinces of Castellon, Tarragona and Barcelona.

"Do not travel unless strictly necessary," informed Puente.

Barcelona's El Prat airport was badly hit by rainfall, estimated to be around 150 liters per square meter, with over 80 flights canceled or delayed and numerous arrivals diverted to other airports.

Images posted on social media from the airport show large areas under water, while parts of the terminal buildings were also flooded, with water cascading down flights of stairs.

Several roads in the region have also been closed by the flooding, but fortunately, no lives have been reported lost. 

Rescuers are seen near Bonaire Commercial Center in Valencia, Spain, Nov. 4, 2024. The region of Catalonia in the north-east of Spain was hit by flooding on Monday, as rescue work continues in the neighboring region of Valencia in the wake of the floods that claimed 217 lives six days previously. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

This photo taken on Nov. 4, 2024 shows a flood-hit parking lot at Bonaire Commercial Center in Valencia, Spain. The region of Catalonia in the north-east of Spain was hit by flooding on Monday, as rescue work continues in the neighboring region of Valencia in the wake of the floods that claimed 217 lives six days previously. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

A rescuer cleans the entrance of the underground garage at Bonaire Commercial Center in Valencia, Spain, Nov. 4, 2024. The region of Catalonia in the north-east of Spain was hit by flooding on Monday, as rescue work continues in the neighboring region of Valencia in the wake of the floods that claimed 217 lives six days previously. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
I held my arms against his chest and he just kept pushing his weight down on top of me.

Conor McGregor arriving at the High Court in Dublin this morning.Pic Collins Courts

A woman who claims she was raped by Conor McGregor has spoken of how she tried to fight off the mixed martial arts star.

He just wasnt taking no for an answer, Nikita Hand said in the witness box in the High Court.

He kept telling me to relax baby, relax, rubbing my face. He pinned me right down to the bed. I remember putting my arms up to defend myself, just to keep him away from me.

I held my arms against his chest and he just kept pushing his weight down on top of me.

Ms Hand (35), a hair colourist from Drimnagh in Dublin also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, began her evidence today in her civil action against McGregor (36) and his associate James Lawrence.

She has sued them for damages, claiming she was raped by both men in a penthouse suite at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin on December 9, 2018 when she was aged 29.

Nikita Ni Laimhin

Ms Hand, a female friend, and Lawrence were brought to the hotel that morning by McGregor, who she knew and communicated with on Instagram.

She had attended an alcohol and cocaine-fuelled work Christmas party the night before and had gone with McGregor as she wanted to keep partying.

Ms Hand claimed that once there, McGregor invited her to perform oral sex on him, a comment she did not respond to. I didnt want to make a big issue or a big deal out of it, she said.

But the mother-of-one said she later found herself alone in the penthouse bedroom with McGregor.

She told the court she did not want to have sex with him and explained to him she felt uncomfortable because she knew the family of McGregors partner Dee Devlin.

I wasnt there for anything like that. I was there to have a party and have a good time, she said.

Ms Hand is due to continue her evidence tomorrow.

Nikita Ni Laimhin outside the High Court in Dublin today. Photo: PA

She took the stand after her counsel John Gordon SC opened her case to a jury of four men and eight women.

The barrister told the jury Ms Hand was violently raped by father-of-four McGregor, and left with extensive bruises and abrasions, including black and blue wrists, a bloodied scratch to her breast, and neck pain after being placed in a stranglehold.

He said Ms Hand would tell the court she submitted after McGregor three times put her in an armlock until she could not breathe.

Mr Gordon said that during the assault McGregor is alleged to have told her: Now you know what it was like in the Octagon when I had to tap myself out three times.

The court heard Ms Hand presented at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) of the Rotunda Hospital the following morning an absolute wreck, constantly weeping, and in pain.

She told a doctor who examined her that an assailant held me by the neck and I thought he was going to kill me.

A tampon embedded in her vagina had to be removed with a forceps.

Dr Daniel Kane, the gynaecologist who examined her, told the court she was very upset, shaking and crying throughout and had difficulty sitting due to pain.

McGregor and Lawrence, of Rafters Road in Drimnagh, sat either side of McGregors father Tony at the back of a packed Four Courts courtroom as the case against them was detailed by Mr Gordon.

Both deny Ms Hands claims and say they each twice had consensual sex with her at the hotel that day.

Ms Hand has no recollection of a second sexual encounter with McGregor or of any sexual encounter with Lawrence.

Both men say her claims are false, malicious and patently made in bad faith. In their defence papers, they allege a claim by her for damages so she can relocate to a new home amounted to extortion.

Mr Gordon, who appeared instructed by solicitors Coleman Legal, said McGregor had claimed he and Ms Hand were just having fun and a bout of rough sex.

He said the defendants would try to portray her as a gold-digger and a fraud.

But the barrister said his clients account would be backed up by medical evidence.

He [McGregor] is saying to you she consented to the state she ended up in, Mr Gordon told the jury.

In his defence, McGregor claims Ms Hand was enjoying herself and moaning with pleasure. According to his account, at no point did she ask him to stop.

Conor McGregor arriving at the High Court in Dublin this morning.Pic Collins Courts

He claims the intercourse was physical and involved a number of different positions.

Mr Gordon told the jury: What he [McGregor] is saying to you is that she consented, she gave him licence to carry out what had to have been a brutal assault on her body.

I think you will find it unimaginable that anyone would do that.

The rapes, he said, had left her suffering from depression, stress and panic attacks, frightened of the area she was living in and frightened of McGregor.

The jury was given the SATU report and around 20 photographs of the injuries visible on Ms Hands body. Dr Kane told the court the extent of the bruising was unusual and that he had to remove the tampon which he described as being "wedged" at the very top of her vagina.

Mr Gordon said his client was no angel and on the evening of December 8 had been partying hard.

She had lots to drink. Her spirit of choice is Bacardi. She had some beer. She had some cocaine, he said. His client was also on the an anti-depressant called Sertraline at the time.

He said McGregor was then enormously famous and in Drimnagh was the hero of the hour.

Ms Hand had been living in the Dublin suburb at the time with her then partner Stephen and their then seven-year-old daughter.

She and some friends had gone to a Christmas circus in Dundrum and then to a pub in Goatstown.

They then went back to the salon where she worked to continue the party.

There had been some communication with McGregor on Instagram and he arrived with a car and driver to pick her and a friend up from the salon around 9am the following morning.

The car drove around various housing estates, eventually arriving at Lawrences house.

Mr Gordon said McGregor went into the house. Lawrence came out and got into the front of the car. Then McGregor, who had a bag of cocaine, got into the back of the car with the two women.

Ms Hand would later tell the court she remembers that she and her friend took some of the cocaine but didnt remember seeing McGregor or Lawrence doing so.

The group arrived at the Beacon Hotel and went up to a penthouse.

It is claimed that soon after they arrived, McGregor beckoned her to suck on that, which she said was a reference to his penis.

Mr Gordon said McGregor then pinned Ms Hand to the bed and she was clearly no physical match for him.

The barrister said she tried to push him away but he flipped her over, put her in an armlock and held her till she could not breathe.

By the time he did it a third time, she gave up, said Mr Gordon.

What followed, he said, was a violent vicious assault.

There was no time for removing tampons. He drove the tampon up to the back of her vagina, the barrister said.

Mr Gordon said Ms Hand would tell the court that she would not have sex during her period and would definitely not have sex with a tampon in situ.

The barrister said his client fell asleep after the rape.

McGregor and Ms Hands friend left the penthouse, leaving her there with Lawrence.

Mr Gordon said that at this point, her conduct will seem to be extraordinary. She didnt dial 999 or rush down the corridor for help.

She was of course full of drugs, in a state of elation or delayed shock, he said.

The barrister said that, bizarrely, she hung around with Lawrence and was lovey-dovey with him.

He said she asked him: How do ye turn a blind eye on what Conor does to girls?

Mr Gordon said Lawrence didnt make any particular response.

They went out in a car and later returned to the hotel where they stayed until 7pm on December 9.

Ms Hand initially made no complaint against Lawrence but on February 4, the following year, she was advised for the first time that he had claimed that while they were together, after McGregor had gone, they had sex twice.

Mr Gordon said his client had no recollection of such an event happening.

He told the jury: You will have to decide what you make of that.

Mr Gordon said his clients shock had faded by the time she got home, where she was a gibbering wreck.

Her partner was not very happy when he saw how she was but he had to get up for work and bring their daughter to school.

Ms Hand went to her mother Debbies house that morning, December 10.

She was thinking about going to A&E because she was concerned about the tampon embedded inside her and initially didnt want to make a criminal complaint as she was too frightened.

But her mother dialled 999 and an ambulance brought her to the Rotunda, where she was referred to the sexual assault treatment unit around 9am.

Mr Gordon said the defence filed by McGregor and Lawrence amounted to a blanket denial.

He said McGregor claimed Ms Hand had exchanged flirtatious messages with him and followed him into the bedroom for consensual intercourse.

Mr Gordon said it was being claimed by Lawrence that after McGregor left, he and Ms Hand kissed. It is claimed by Lawrence she asked to be brought to the Marble Arch pub in Drimnagh and that afterwards she and Lawrence went back to the hotel where they had consensual sex, ordered food, and then had consensual sex again.

The barrister said that according to Lawrences account, she became briefly upset, that she showed him some bruising and asked what would she tell her partner.

Lawrence claims they left the hotel together in a taxi and continued kissing during the journey, something Ms Hand has no recollection of.
Christian Topiter, 39, who has been in custody on remand for almost five months, appeared before Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court today

A man accused of arson and destroying "priceless" ancient mummies following a fire at St Michan's Church in Dublin has signed a guilty plea and awaits sentencing.

Christian Topiter, 39, who has been in custody on remand for almost five months, appeared before Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court today.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed that Mr Topiter be sent forward for trial on indictment with broader sentencing power.

The DPP also said Mr Topiter could go forward on a signed plea of guilty, should that arise.

Today, Mr Topiter, represented by Aisling Ginger-Quinn BL, confirmed that he had signed a guilty plea. The document was furnished to the court and to prosecution solicitor, Fergal Mawe.

Judge Mitchell then granted an order sending the accused forward for sentencing to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case will be listed on December 13.

Mr Topiter, previously of Grand Canal House, Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6, was charged with causing criminal damage by arson on June 11 at St Michan's Church to mummified remains, property of Church of Ireland Archdeacon of Dublin & Vicar of St Michan's Church David Pierpoint.

Earlier, Garda James Kenny alleged that a blaze broke out at around 4 pm on June 11, and water damage was believed to have ruined five mummified remains, including an 800-year-old artefact known as 'The Crusader'. The other mummies date back 400 years.

Garda Kenny had told a bail hearing on June 12 that there was CCTV evidence and alleged the accused was arrested shortly afterwards wearing distinctive clothing.

A witness allegedly told gardai that there was a person "locked behind gates where this incident occurred, where he would have had to forcibly enter".

Mr Topiter lived 200 metres away in a hostel beside Merchant Quay.

Garda Kenny said historical artefacts of this nature were priceless and irreplaceable.

The garda maintained that the offence was at the higher end of criminal damage offences, which could carry a maximum 10-year sentence.

In response to bail objections, the defence had said Mr Topiter had "clear ties" to Ireland and was in a four-and-a-half-year relationship with his fiancee.

His solicitor argued that there was no evidence before the court that his client would interfere with witnesses.

That court hearing was also told the accused had been in a stable relationship, worked as a security guard, received social welfare payments, and participated in a charity soup run.

The defence submitted that Mr Topiter had an immigration identity card issued by gardai, was presumed innocent, and would obey conditions.

The bail hearing was also told he had no history of serious offences.
The accused man Brandon Gavin's mother, father and sister all broke down in the witness box this afternoon

A murder accused was in hysterics and shaking when he told his father "I f**ked up" and asked for a hug following a fatal stabbing over an alleged drug debt, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

The accused man Brandon Gavin's mother, father and sister all broke down in the witness box this afternoon as they recalled the aftermath of the incident that left 19-year-old Marius Mamaliga dead.

Mr Gavin (22), of Brookdale Road, Rivervalley, Swords, has pleaded not guilty to Mr Mamaliga's murder at Forest Court, Swords, on the evening of February 23, 2023.

The jury have been told it is the prosecutions case that Mr Gavin went to meet with Mr Mamaliga armed with a knife. The State say that the accused got into the back seat of a car behind the deceased and suddenly and without warning stabbed him in the neck with the intention of killing him or causing him serious injury.

There will be evidence the accused told gardai that he stabbed Mr Mamaliga in self defence because he was in fear for his life as he owed money for drugs.

Eddie Gavin, the father of the accused, told prosecution counsel Ronan Kennedy SC that he has been separated from Brandon's mother for some years but has a close relationship with their two children, Kerrie and Brandon.

The witness was delivering a strength and conditioning class when Kerrie called him and told him Brandon needed to speak to him. She seemed panicked and he knew something was seriously wrong. When she put Brandon on the phone, he told his father: "Dad, I f**ked up."

Accused Brandon Gavin

Brandon went on to say that he had been "in an altercation with a fella and he had stabbed him". Mr Gavin dropped everything and drove to his son's home. Gardai and ambulances had already arrived and when Mr Gavin saw his son, he "knew by his face that he was shaken". Brandon Gavin told his father again that he had "stabbed this guy" but didn't give any specifics.

Mr Gavin broke down as he told the jury: "He said, "Dad, Can I have a hug?" and I said, of course you can, so I hugged him."

Mr Gavin said his son was "adamant that he was going to hand himself in" so they went to a garda station together.

Mr Gavin told defence counsel Dean Kelly SC that Brandon was trembling, hysterical and crying. "He was a mess," the witness said.

He said the accused didn't try to justify what he had done by saying he owed a drug debt to people who are "not to be messed with" or that he had received threats. He didn't suggest at any point that he could go into hiding, the witness said.

The accused's mother, Jacqueline Gavin, told Mr Kelly that Brandon had mental health problems for many years and had self-harmed and attempted suicide on a number of occasions. She said the family "tried everything", including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Pieta House, private counselling and various hospitals in Dublin.

She said she knew her son used marijuana but discovered only after the fatal stabbing that he had been using cocaine.

Marius Mamaliga

Kerrie Gavin told Mr Kennedy that she was at home in bed recovering from surgery in February 2023. She recalled Brandon running up the stairs to her room, upset and crying. He sat "slumped" in a chair by her bed with his face blotchy, as though he had been crying for some time, she said. He was having difficulty speaking but asked her to call their father.

Ms Gavin told Mr Kelly that she was crying as she phoned her dad because she knew something was wrong. She recalled Brandon repeating, "I've done something stupid" and as the phone was ringing, she said he "just came out with it: I stabbed my mate".

She said she knew about her brother's cannabis use and felt that he "shouldn't be using it at all". She wasn't aware until later that he had been using cocaine. The trial continues before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of seven men and five women.
Mr Hayes also pleaded guilty to threatening to kill his then girlfriend at the same address on the same date

A has pleaded guilty to a very serious assault on his then girlfriend on St Patricks Day that hospitalised her and left her with a broken eye socket, broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

At Ennis Circuit Court today, Mark Hayes (35) of Aidan Park, Shannon pleaded guilty to the assault causing harm of his then girl-friend at Rineanna View in Shannon on March 17th contrary to Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Mr Hayes also pleaded guilty to threatening to kill his then girlfriend at the same address on the same date contrary to Section 5 of the Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act.

Mr Hayes replied yes - guilty when arraigned on the charges.

Mr Hayes has been on remand in custody at Limerick prison since April 12th after failing to secure bail.

The guilty pleas have been entered on a full facts basis.

Mark Hayes at Ennis Court.

Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL (Instructed by State Solicitor for Clare Aisling Casey) said that the victim in the case required a plate to be inserted for a facial injury.

Mr Hayes pleaded guilty today to the charges after a new patient report from University Hospital Limerick (UHL) on the womans injuries was handed into court.

At an earlier bail application in the case in the district court, Det Sgt Kevin OHagan of Shannon Garda Station said that the victim in the case sustained a broken eye socket, stitches to her face, staples to her head, a collapsed lung that required to be drained, bruises to her body and broken ribs arising from Mr Hayess assault.

Det Sgt OHagan said that it is the States case that Mr Hayes assaulted his then girlfriend at a house in Rineanna View, Shannon on St Patricks Day and assaulted another man unknown to him on April 11th at Aidans Park, Shannon.

Det Sgt OHagan stated that arising from the assault, the woman required surgery on her broken eye socket.

Det Sgt OHagan said that it was a very serious assault.

Judge Francis Comerford further remanded Mr Hayes in custody for sentencing to Friday, November 15th. Judge Comerford also directed a victim impact statement for the sentencing hearing.
At a sentencing hearing earlier this year, Ms Lohse, a grandmother, was described as the "heart and soul" of her family who kept them together

A "solitary and sad" man who killed his 88-year-old mother by setting fire to her home intends to go home to Germany after serving his prison sentence and will undertake not to return here, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

Seoirse O Dunlaing BL today said that Geunter Lohse (63) was in custody for a serious offence for which the sentence will be measured in years. He said that Lohse had shown genuine remorse for what he had done, having caused the death of his mother and pain to his family.

Lohse pleaded guilty earlier this year to unlawfully killing his mother Ruth Lohse by arson at the house they shared in Coolvoy, Doochary, Co Donegal on April 12, 2022.

He had originally been charged with the murder of his mother, but the State accepted a plea to manslaughter.

At a sentencing hearing earlier this year, Ms Lohse, a grandmother, was described as the "heart and soul" of her family who kept them together.

Having moved to Donegal from Germany in 2016, she had grown to love its people, beaches and coastline, her son Kurt Lohse said in a written statement.

The court heard that Geunter moved to Ireland with his mother. He had lived with her all his life and in the days before the killing he was upset that the family had planned to send him back to Germany but to keep his mother in Donegal.

Garda Ciara Gibbons told the court that when firefighters arrived at the scene, they found Ms Lohse seated in an armchair in the sitting room of her home. Three fires had been lit in the house using matches but no accelerant was used and a post mortem showed that Ms Lohse died from inhaling fumes.

Ms Justice Melanie Greally previously adjourned the matter for a probation report and psychiatric and psychological reports to be prepared.

Presenting these reports to the court today, Mr O Dunlaing said that the defendant had no previous convictions, and it was his intention to return to Germany at the end of his sentence, for which he will require supports. Counsel said that Lohse would give an undertaking not to return to Ireland, adding that the probation report placed him at a moderate risk of reoffending.

Considering the headline sentence, Mr O Dunlaing said that while the offence was extraordinarily serious, it did not fall into the most serious category.

Ms Justice Greally adjourned the matter to November 11 for sentencing, remanding Lohse in custody until then.
Erin Dennis (26), a betting shop worker of Cushlawn, Tallaght, Dublin died on March 2, 2022 after collapsing at home shortly after she had left the emergency department at Tallaght University Hospital

A young Dublin woman, who had undergone weight loss surgery in Turkey, died from a blood clot shortly after she had spent almost 44 hours sitting in an overcrowded emergency department, an inquest has heard.

Erin Dennis (26), a betting shop worker of Cushlawn, Tallaght, Dublin died on March 2, 2022 after collapsing at home shortly after she had left the emergency department at Tallaght University Hospital.

A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court on Tuesday heard TUH has apologised for any failings that had been identified in a clinical review of the circumstances of Ms Dennis death.

However, a barrister representing her family, Nichola Delaney BL, said they had heard many apologies from hospitals about failings in care and wondered how many times it would be before an apology is sincere.

The inquest heard Ms Dennis had spent a total of 43 hours and 38 minutes in TUHs emergency department where kidney stones were diagnosed as the cause of her abdominal pain.

Evidence was also given that an ECG scan was not carried out on Ms Dennis prior to her discharge from TUH as required by the hospitals policy after she was found with a fast heart rate.

A staff nurse, Junnel Aganon, said the patients condition meant her vital signs should also have been checked every 4-6 hours but it was not possible due to overcrowding.

The coroner, Clare Keane, recorded a narrative verdict based on very complex evidence relating to several issues regarding the deceaseds health in various periods before her death.

Dr Keane confirmed that the cause of death was a pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis of an artery in the deceaseds left leg.

The coroner said it came against a background of Ms Dennis having a raised body mass index (BMI), undergoing surgery in Turkey for a gastric sleeve  an operation to remove a large part of the stomach  as well as suffering a fracture to her left ankle while in hospital.

A consultant in emergency medicine, Michael Bennett, acknowledged that Ms Dennis had a protracted stay in a severely overcrowded and understaffed emergency department prior to her death.

With this level of overcrowding, we are unable to see patients in a timely and safe manner due to the lack of clinical space, said Dr Bennett.

The inquest heard that patients should be triaged within 15 minutes but it was four hours and 29 minutes before Ms Dennis was seen when she arrived in the hospital on February 28, 2022.

Once triaged, Ms Dennis condition meant she should have been examined by a doctor within one hour.

However, Dr Bennett accepted that it was almost 11 hours before the patient was seen by a doctor, while it took a further six and a half hours before the results of a CT scan became available.

Ms Dennis chose to have the kidney stones diagnosed by the scan managed conservatively and left TUH shortly after 3.30pm on March 2, 2022.

However, she collapsed outside her home around 5pm and was in cardiac arrest as she arrived back at the hospital at 5.48pm. Efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at 7.03pm.

Ms Denniss mother, Theresa Dixon, broke down in tears as she recounted how her daughter had complained about dizziness, blurred vision and her left eye turning in which first led to her being admitted to TUH on January 23, 2022.

She was my breath. My only child that came from my body. I have failed her because it was my job to protect her, Ms Dixon sobbed.

While in hospital Ms Dennis required surgery after suffering a fracture to her left ankle after she fell while going to the toilet on January 24, 2022.

She was discharged on February 17, 2022 but needed to return to the hospital on February 28, 2022 with back pain.

The inquest heard Ms Dennis, who was overweight, had decided to travel to Turkey in November 2021 for gastric sleeve surgery after researching the topic for a few years and was taking multivitamins after the operation.

A consultant neurologist at TUH, Allan McCarthy, said medical records showed that Ms Dennis had been vomiting five or six times a day for an eight-week period when she was admitted to the hospital in January 2022.

Dr McCarthy said the patient had been diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy  a brain disorder caused by the lack of vitamin B1.

He noted that the multivitamins that Ms Dennis had been using did not contain vitamin B1.

Dr McCarthy said doctors had believed the vomiting was due to the effect of the gastric sleeve surgery as there was no other obvious cause.

The consultant admitted that he was worried about the degree and duration of vomiting as it would lead to a deficiency of vitamin B1 in a patient after 3-6 weeks.

The inquest heard that the fracture to the deceaseds left ankle was linked to a problem with her gait which may have been due to her lack of vitamin B1.

Dr McCarthy also noted there was no record of Ms Dennis taking any anti-blood clotting medication after the surgery in Turkey.

The consultant confirmed that dosage of anticoagulants prescribed to the patient after the surgery on her ankle was doubled during her stay in hospital due to her weight.

Evidence was heard that doctors at TUH did not consider Ms Dennis at risk of blood clots when she attended an outpatient clinic to review her ankle on March 1, 2022 as she was six weeks after surgery at that stage and her leg appeared normal.

Medical records showed the deceased had never complained at any stage of pains in her leg.

The inquest heard that Ms Dennis had some mobility after she had been discharged home on February 17, 2022 but also used a wheelchair.

Offering her sympathy to Ms Dennis family, Dr Keane said Erin had great hope that the surgery she had undergone in Turkey would be life-changing.

The tragic outcome could not be foreseen, the coroner added.

She noted risk factors associated with blood clots were a raised BMI index and birth control implants containing etonogestrel (which Ms Dennis had been using).

The coroner said Ms Dennis had also experienced periods of immobility for different reasons including the surgery and travel to Turkey and a number of hospital stays, which may have contributed to what happened, although it had not been possible to establish conclusively when the fatal blood clot had developed.

Dr Keane said she endorsed recommendations made following a review of the patients death which included the need to adequately resource the treatment of patients with a high BMI and increased staffing levels for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis at TUH.

They also included raising awareness of the risk of travelling to non-EU countries for bariatric surgery.

Ms Delaney said Ms Dennis family would also like to see all patients being assessed for the risk of blood clots within 24 hours of being admitted to hospital.
She claims he pinned her down on a bed after she had earlier refused to perform a sex act on him

A woman who claims she was raped by Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel told a doctor that she thought he was going to kill me, the High Court has heard.

Mother of one Nikita Ni Laimhin (35), also known as Nikita Hand, was left with extensive bruises and abrasions, including black and blue wrists, a bloodied scratch to her breast, and neck pain after being placed in a stranglehold by the mixed martial arts star.

The hair colourist from Drimnagh in Dublin claims she tried to fight off Mr McGregor (36), but submitted to him after he put her in an armlock three times until she could not breathe.

She claims he pinned her down on a bed after she had earlier refused to perform a sex act on him.

During the assault he is alleged to have told her: Now you know what it was like in the Octagon when I had to tap myself out three times.

The rape is alleged to have occurred after Mr McGregor picked Ms Ni Laimhin up from her Christmas party and brought her to a penthouse suite in the Beacon Hotel in Dublin.

The court heard she later presented at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) of the Rotunda Hospital an absolute wreck, constantly weeping, and in pain.

She told a doctor who examined her that an assailant held me by the neck.

I thought he was going to kill me, she told Dr Daniel Kane, a gynaecologist, the court heard.

A tampon embedded in her vagina had to be removed with a forceps.

Details of the alleged rape were outlined on the opening day of Ms Ni Laimhins civil action against Mr McGregor and his associate, James Lawrence, of Rafters Road in Drimnagh.

She claims to have been raped by both men at the hotel on December 9, 2018. She was 29 at the time.

Nikita Ni Laimhin outside the High Court in Dublin today. Photo: PA

The two defendants deny her claims and say they each twice had consensual sex with Ms Ni Laimhin.

They say the claims made in her lawsuit were false, malicious and patently made in bad faith and that a claim for damages so she can relocate to a new home amounted to extortion.

Ms Ni Laimhins counsel, John Gordon SC, said Mr McGregor had claimed he and Ms Ni Laimhin were just having fun and a bout of rough sex.

He said the defendants would try to portray her as a gold-digger and a fraud.

But the barrister said his clients account would be backed up by medical evidence. He said the rapes had left her suffering from depression, stress and panic attacks, frightened of the area she was living in and frightened of Mr McGregor.

A jury of four men and eight women was sworn in this morning to hear the case, which is expected to last two weeks.

They were shown the SATU report and around 20 photographs of the injuries visible on Ms Ni Laimhins body. Dr Kane told the court the extent of the bruising on her body was unusual.

Mr Gordon said his client had known Mr McGregor and communicated with him on Instagram.

He said Mr McGregor was then enormously famous and in Drimnagh was the hero of the hour.

At that time, she lived in Drimnagh with her then partner Stephen and their then seven-year-old daughter.

Mr Gordon said his client was no angel and on the evening of December 8 had been partying hard.

She had lots to drink. Her spirit of choice is Bacardi. She had some beer. She had some cocaine, he said. His client was also on the an anti-depressant called Sertraline at the time.

Mr McGregor appeared at the High Court in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA)

Ms Ni Laimhin and some friends had gone to a Christmas circus in Dundrum and then to a pub in Goatstown.

They then went back to the salon where she worked to continue the party.

At some point she made contact with Mr McGregor, who arrived in a car with a driver to pick her and a friend up. She thought they were going to another party.

The car drove around various housing estates, eventually arriving at the front door of Mr Lawrences house.

Mr McGregor went into the house. Mr Lawrence came out of the house and got into the front of the car.

Mr Gordon said Mr McGregor had a bag of cocaine and got into the back of the car with the two women.

The barrister said Ms Ni Laimhin had started her period and was using a tampon.

He said she would tell the court, when she comes to give evidence, that she would not have sex during her period and would definitely not have sex with a tampon in situ.

The group arrived at the Beacon Hotel and went up to a penthouse.

It is claimed that soon after they arrived, Mr McGregor beckoned Ms Ni Laimhin to perform oral sex on him and that she refused.

Mr Gordon said Mr McGregor then pinned her to the bed in a bedroom and she was clearly no physical match for him.

He said she tried to push him away, but he flipped her over, put her in an armlock and held her till she could not breath.

By the time he did it a third time, she gave up, said Mr Gordon.

What followed, he said, was a violent vicious assault.

There was no time for removing tampons. He drove the tampon up to the back of her vagina, the barrister said.

Mr Gordon said his client fell asleep after the rape.

He said Mr McGregor claimed they had consensual sex and did so again after she woke up, but she had no recollection of a second episode.

Mr McGregor and Ms Ni Laimhins friend left the penthouse, leaving her there with Mr Lawrence.

Mr Gordon said that at this point, her conduct will seem to be extraordinary.

She didnt dial 999 or rush down the corridor for help.

She was of course full of drugs, in a state of elation or delayed shock, he said.

The barrister said that, bizarrely, she hung around with Mr Lawrence and was lovey-dovey with him.

It is claimed she asked him: How de ye turn a blind eye on what Conor does to girls?

Mr Gordon said Mr Lawrence didnt make any particular response.

They went out in a car and later returned to the hotel where they stayed until 7pm on December 9.

Ms Ni Laimhin initially made no complaint against Mr Lawrence but on February 4, the following year, she was advised for the first time that he had claimed that while they were together, after Mr McGregor had gone, they had sex twice.

Mr Gordon said his client had no recollection of such an event happening.

He told the jury: You will have to decide what you make of that.

Mr Gordon said his clients shock had faded by the time she got home, where she was a gibbering wreck.

Her partner was not very happy when he saw how she was, but he had to get up for work and bring their daughter to school.

Ms Ni Laimhin went to her mother Debbies house on the morning of December 10.

She was thinking about going to A&E because she was concerned about the tampon embedded inside her and initially didnt want to make a criminal complaint as she was too frightened.

But her mother dialled 999 and an ambulance brought her to the Rotunda Hospital. She was referred to the sexual assault treatment unit around 9am that morning.

While there she was examined by Dr Kane, who was so concerned he directed photographs be taken by gardai of her injuries.

Dr Kane noted she was very upset, shaking and crying throughout and had difficulty sitting due to pain.

Mr Gordon said the defence filed by Mr McGregor and Mr Lawrence amounted to a blanket denial.

He said Mr McGregor claimed Ms Ni Laimhin had exchanged flirtatious messages with him and followed him in to the bedroom for consensual intercourse.

He is saying to you she consented to the state she ended up in, Mr Gordon told the jury.

Mr McGregor claims he and Ms Ni Laimhin had sex twice and that on both occasions she was enjoying herself and moaning with pleasure. According to his account, at no point did she ask to stop.

He claims the intercourse was physical and involved a number of different positions.

Mr Gordon told the jury: What he [Mr McGregor] is saying to you is that she consented, she gave him license to carry out what had to have been a brutal assault on her body.

I think you will find it unimaginable that anyone would do that.

Mr Gordon said it was being claimed by Mr Lawrence that after Mr McGregor left, he and Ms Ni Laimhin kissed. It is claimed by Mr Lawrence that she asked to be brought to the Marble Arch pub in Drimnagh and that afterwards she and Mr Lawrence went back to the hotel where they had consensual sex, ordered food, and then had consensual sex again.

The barrister said that according to Mr Lawrences account, she became briefly upset, that she showed him some bruising and asked what would she tell her partner.

Mr Lawrence claims they left the hotel together in a taxi and continued kissing.

Mr Gordon said Ms Ni Laimhin had no recollection of the events described by Mr Lawrence.
It comes as Gardai have vowed to review the case

It comes as the podcast was recognised at the Irish Pod Awards with two nominations, Best True Crime Podcast and Best Podcast (Limited Run).

Crime World has also been nominated for Best True Crime Podcast.

Winners are selected based on public voting and will be announced at a ceremony next January. Crime World Presents: Caught in the Crossfire tells the story of the double murder of crime boss Martin Marlo Hyland and innocent apprentice plumber Anthony Campbell in December 2006.

Nicola Tallant, presenter and executive producer of the show said: Its fantastic that Caught In The Crossfire has reached so many people.

Getting justice for Anthony is something that would make a difference to his mum Christine who has lived with this since her world was torn apart.

Recognition of her story by way of the award nominations is something that she is very grateful of. Win or lose we will continue to call for a cold case review into this case in the hopes that one day someone will stand trial for taking Anthonys life in such a cruel callous and senseless way.

Last month, we revealed that gardai are set to review the murder of Anthony Campbell.

Local detectives will examine the files with assistance from the Serious Crime Review Team on standby.

Anthony was killed in December 2006 and not a day has gone by since that I havent been consumed by that, his mother Christine told the Sunday World.

I cannot explain what it means to know that gardai are reviewing his case, that perhaps there is finally hope that I will get justice for my son.

When I was informed this week that members of the local investigation team had met with senior management at the Gardas Serious Crime Review Team I was overwhelmed.

It means so much to know that Anthony has not been forgotten and that there are fresh efforts to investigate his murder.

Anthony Campbell and his mum Christine

In the podcast, Christine detailed how Anthony was working as an apprentice plumber when he and his boss took on a job at a Finglas house where they were unaware Marlo Hyland was sleeping.

As the mobster lay in bed upstairs, Anthony Campbell was working on a radiator as his boss slipped out to pick up a part for the job. As his van drove away two gunmen burst into the home.

One made their way upstairs and shot Martin to death, while the other one held Anthony downstairs at gunpoint. Martins killer then descended the stairs and in a split second, shot Anthony.

Caught in the Crossfire is available now wherever you get your podcasts.
Detectives are actively pursuing a line of inquiry surrounding both raids after a Mustang skid steer was stolen from a shed at Ford Johnson, Emyvale, Co Monaghan at around 2:30am on Sunday morning

The stolen Mustang skid steer gardai in Monaghan are appealing to the public for assistance in tracing its whereabouts.

A still taken from CCTV footage showing the stolen jeep and trailer taken from a farmyard in Longford heading in the direction of Granard.

Gardai believe a four wheeled loader stolen from a farmyard in county Monaghan during the early hours of Sunday morning was taken by the same cross-border gang that carried out a daring 50,000 raid in Longford barely 24 hours earlier.

Detectives are actively pursuing a line of inquiry surrounding both raids after a Mustang skid steer was stolen from a shed at Ford Johnson, Emyvale, Co Monaghan at around 2:30am on Sunday morning.

Much of that belief is centred on CCTV footage gardai have managed to obtain from the farm showing a silver Toyota Land Cruiser towing the loader away.

Gardai believe the jeep used in the burglary was the same vehicle which was taken from a farmyard in the Clonterm area of Longford just after midnight on Friday and into the early hours of Saturday morning.

That raid resulted in the theft of up to 50,000 worth of agricultural machinery, power tools and a cache of other high value items.

Senior investigators are also trying to establish the movements of the stolen skid steer with inquiries also focusing on the greater Dublin area.

The stolen Mustang skid steer gardai in Monaghan are appealing to the public for assistance in tracing its whereabouts.

Those inquiries came after video footage taken at around 7am on Sunday morning appeared to show the stolen jeep and trailer taken in Longford, travelling along the Ashbourne Road area while transporting the missing skid steer.

Gardai responded to a call whereby a shed was broken into at Ford Johnson, Emyvale, Co. Monaghan on November 3, at 2.30am, said a garda spokesperson.

During the course of the break-in, a Mustang skid steer was stolen. This skid steer was taken away on a trailer which was towed by a Toyota land cruiser.

Anyone with information or CCTV is asked to contact Monaghan Garda Station on (047) 77200 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 66 61 11.
He is defiant and plans to crack on with his run for election

Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch has been granted bail from Spanish jail, and friends say he's more determined than ever to run for election.

The Monk remains before the courts in Spain, where an investigation linking him to money laundering continues.

Nicola speaks with journalist Ali Bracken about the latest twist in the tale of the Monk and his increasing political ambitions.

MORE EPISODES 
People forced to flee from Beit Lahia are seen in Gaza City, on Nov. 5, 2024. At least 25 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bombing of a house in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

GAZA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bombing of a house in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported on Tuesday.

There are still many people missing under the rubble, WAFA said.

The Israeli army has not commented on this incident yet.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on Tuesday that over the past day, the Israeli Air Force struck about 100 "terror" targets in Lebanon and Gaza, including weapons storage facilities, launch posts, military structures, and more.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and approximately 250 taken hostage.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza has risen to 43,391, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday. 

People forced to flee from Beit Lahia are seen in Gaza City, on Nov. 5, 2024. At least 25 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bombing of a house in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

People forced to flee from Beit Lahia are seen in Gaza City, on Nov. 5, 2024. At least 25 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bombing of a house in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

People forced to flee from Beit Lahia are seen in Gaza City, on Nov. 5, 2024. At least 25 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bombing of a house in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

People forced to flee from Beit Lahia are seen in Gaza City, on Nov. 5, 2024. At least 25 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bombing of a house in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

People forced to flee from Beit Lahia are seen in Gaza City, on Nov. 5, 2024. At least 25 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bombing of a house in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

People forced to flee from Beit Lahia are seen in Gaza City, on Nov. 5, 2024. At least 25 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bombing of a house in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

People forced to flee from Beit Lahia are seen in Gaza City, on Nov. 5, 2024. At least 25 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bombing of a house in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

People forced to flee from Beit Lahia are seen in Gaza City, on Nov. 5, 2024. At least 25 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bombing of a house in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)
Leaders of the crime gang are running out of time and influence in the desert kingdom  and alternative places to hide are bleak

Garda efforts to dismantle the Kinahan cartel have reached a key point in an elaborate cat-and-mouse game  and An Garda Siochana now appears to have the upper hand in its efforts against the international drug-smuggling cartel.

But senior officers acknowledge the State is nowhere near game over in taking down its ultimate prize: cartel boss Daniel Kinahan.

Behind the scenes, gardai are aware the leadership of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group (OCG) is making its own plans. From their luxurious Dubai base, the Kinahans paid attention as An Garda Siochana solidified a hard-won extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which eventually aims to return the cartel leadership to Ireland to face justice.

In response the Kinahans are hatching their counter-plans. The gang have reached out to their associates in the monarchy and authorities in Dubai, whose friendship theyve cultivated and bought over the past decade while living in the UAE, to try to continue buy their safety and freedom.

The Kinahans have a second, half-hatched contingency plan involving a move to Russia. Cartel bosses, in particular Daniel and his father Christy Sr, have built up a significant relationship with the Russian mafia. Gardai believe they have a contingency plan for relocation to Russia at a moments notice as soon as they get a tip-off that the authorities will move against them.

But An Garda Siochana has its doubts that the cartel leadership really want to flee to Russia. However, its a better option that Iran, which senior members of the gang have visited and considered as an option, or North Korea  which are the only other safe havens for a hunted international crime gang.

Christy Kinahan leaving a court in Antwerp, Belgium, in September 2009

The Kinahans third option is to sit back, do nothing and let gardai  or the US authorities  try to take them down.

The Garda are aware that the Kinahans are certainly evaluating their options as they watch the storm clouds gather around them, a source said.

They are reaching out to the people on their payroll linked to the monarchy in Dubai, to try to buy their continued safety and freedom.

And they have been looking at Russia. But the senior leadership of the cartel in Dubai, except for Christy Sr, mostly have wives and young families in the UAE and moving them to Russia might not be on the cards.

Daniel Kinahan

Their third option is to continue with this game of cat-and-mouse with the garda and police authorities and do absolutely nothing. Let the Garda try and take them back to Ireland might be their view. After all, that could take some time. We dont even have a direction back from the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge Daniel Kinahan with any crimes yet.

In Dubai alongside cartel boss Daniel, his brother Christopher Jr and their father Christy The Dapper Don Kinahan, are two other senior cartel lieutenants.

They are Ian Dixon (35), from Tallaght, Co Dublin, and Bernard Clancy (47), a childhood neighbour of the Kinahans who grew up in the Oliver Bond flat complex in Dublin city.

Dixon and Clancy were named as key members of the Kinahan cartel and were hit with sanctions in 2022 in documents published by the US government.

Sean McGovern is in custody in Dubai

Sean McGovern was also named as a key member of the cartel in the same US document two-and-a-half years ago. But McGovern, a close confidant of Daniel Kinahan in particular, was taken into custody in Dubai on October 10. He remains in custody, awaiting an extradition hearing to return him to Dublin.

The key difference between McGovern and the rest of the Dubai-based leadership of the cartel, named as one of the most significant drug gangs in the world, is theres a warrant in Ireland for McGoverns arrest.

The Dubliner is wanted here to face criminal charges following the feud murder of Noel Duck Egg Kirwan, a friend of the Hutch family who was shot dead in 2016 as a consequence of his association with the Hutches. McGovern is also wanted on organised crime charges.

Many organised crime gangs think they can evade justice by crossing borders  they cannot

A European Arrest Warrant was issued in April 2022 by the High Court for McGovern to face criminal charges here.

UAE authorities moved against McGovern following a request from the Department of Justice. A red notice issued by Interpol assisted in the Irish request.

The 38-year-olds arrest was a blow to the Kinahans. But worse was to come.

Daniel Kinahan in Dubai

The rise and fall of Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh

By October 21, Justice Minister Helen McEntee arrived in Abu Dhabi to sign a bilateral extradition treaty with the UAE.

The Government formally approved the signing of the treaty the Friday before, with hopes that it will allow for senior members of the Kinahan cartel be returned to Ireland to face trial.

Ms McEntee, understood to be advised by senior gardai, did not mince her words. Many organised crime gangs think they can evade justice by crossing borders  they cannot, she said. There can be no hiding place anywhere in the world for criminals.

Relentless pursuit of organised crime groups both in Ireland and abroad

Then, eight days ago, a delegation of senior gardai arrived in the UAE to further strengthen relationships between the garda authorities and their counterparts in the Dubai police. The delegation was led by Detective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland, head of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB), tasked with taking down the Kinahan cartel.

Garda headquarters later issued a statement saying the officers had gone to meet senior members of Dubai police to discuss ongoing police cooperation with a view to the relentless pursuit of organised crime groups both in Ireland and abroad.

The main matter on the garda agenda at the meetings was putting in place plans to extradite McGovern, the Sunday World understands.

He is expected to appear in court in Dubai the coming weeks in connection with his planned extradition.

Closer to home, the Kinahans have suffered further blows with the jailing of some key associates in Britain over the past fortnight.

Liam Byrne, left, and Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh

Liam Byrne (43), head of the Byrne Organised Crime Gang, the Dublin offshoot of the Kinahan cartel, was sentenced in London on October 22 to five years in prison for weapons charges. Byrne will only be required to serve half the five-year sentence and with time already served on remand, is due to be freed in just 14 months time.

UK-based Kinahan cartel gang leader Thomas Bomber Kavanagh (57) was sentenced to six years for similar offences and admitted perverting the course of justice.

In recent days his son, Jack Kavanagh (24), admitted helping his father in a plot to amass an arms cache to dupe authorities. He is to be sentenced next month.

Gardai maintain that the pressure the cartel is under has never been more intense as a consequence of international political pressure as well as the recent takedown of some key gang members.

The Kinahans, and many other gangs, helped the UAE economy by throwing dirty money at them for years

But one source said the authorities in Dubai, which is run by a monarchy rather than as a democracy, is not necessarily to be trusted.

Just a few years ago, Daniel Kinahan befriended a young member of the ruling monarchy in Dubai and was moving in political circles himself in a bid to re- invent himself, which ultimately failed.

Gardai are also under no illusions that the Kinahans have handed over the equivalent of several millions of euro to the UAE authorities over the past decade to ensure and solidify their freedom.

But the force is also satisfied that its behind-the-scenes negotiations and political pressure have now convinced the authorities in the Middle East that the Kinahans time is up.

The Kinahans, and many other international crime gangs, helped the UAE economy by throwing dirty money at them for years, a source said.

They took the money, but now the gig is up. The international pressure is too much.

They will gradually kick them out. It is now a case of when, rather than if.
They are just making so much money that they cant walk away

The UVF leadership is under pressure to launch a fresh purge of the renegade East Belfast crime gang on Remembrance Day.

A year after they stood down the leadership structure of East Belfast UVF, the Shankill leadership are set to move again.

Under pressure from veteran and senior members who believed last years actions didnt go far enough, they will order the rump of east Belfast out of the city.

The Sunday World understands the organisation may use next weekends Remembrance Day ceremonies to announce a night of the long knives purge.

The move will be deeply divisive within the organisation, with members reluctant to move against people they see as their own.

While the hawks are known to be pushing for decisive action, there are others who feel risking the outbreak of a violent backlash is madness at a time when much attention is on loyalist groups.

Relations between the mainstream organisation and the east have been relatively cordial and there has been regular contact between the groups.

But the fact remains there is considerable anger that drug dealing in the east has remained unchecked since the command structure there was dismantled a year ago.

Last Novermber it was announced the eight-man command structure in the east, including alleged gang leader Stephen Matthews, had been stood down.

Stephen Matthews is said to be considering a move to Spain

It was revealed at the time that the bloodless coup had been the result of months of negotiation aimed at avoiding a violent backlash.

In return the men, dubbed the Hateful Eight, agreed to step away from criminal activity and they would be allowed to remain in the east while a new command was put in place.

As previously revealed, a number of senior figures downed tools and walked away from crime.

Matthews, it is understood, also stepped back and was described as semi-retired.

Initially the move was welcomed but hopes that it would see a downturn in crime levels, in particular drug dealing, have proved groundless.

The remnants of East Belfast have remained in place and continue to deal in drugs.

Attempts by the Shankill to impose their authority  on one occasion flooding the lower Newtownards Road with more than 1,500 members  have failed.

Residents and veteran members have grown impatient and it is also understood the UVF leadership has come under increased pressure from the government, who are anxious to see paramilitary groups transition.

It now appears the organisation has bowed to pressure and will make a decisive move against a number of individuals.

Sources have told us they intend moving against up to 10 people, with a number set to be ordered out of the city, while tougher sanctions are reserved for a select band of others who will be ordered to quit Northern Ireland.

It is not clear if Matthews is in their sights but it is understood he will come under pressure to leave the east.

He is currently awaiting trial in relation to an alleged UVF show of strength at Pitt Park in 2021.

Sources have also told us that the Sunday World revelation last week of a community hub set up in Pitt Park has stung the UVF leadership.

Set up under the auspices of the Pitt Park Residents Association, with convicted coke dealer Maggie Hutton at its forefront, it is being seen as another challenge to the mainstream UVF.

Hutton was convicted as part of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force investigation into East Belfast UVF criminality.

It hasnt helped, a source told us.

It gives the impression that the UVF has no influence or control over what happens in the east.

The move against the east was already planned but this will make it more difficult to get people out.

It had been speculated that Matthews may have been planning to leave the country. He is believed to have amassed considerable wealth and has a holiday home in Benidorm.

He has remained in Belfast because of his mothers ill-health and his impending trial.

Sources say that once legal proceedings are out of the way, he may consider leaving Northern Ireland.

The UVF leadership is bracing itself for the potential of a violent reaction to the latest purge.

East Belfast criminals have shown no willingness to step back and it is known they have access to weapons.

Theres about a dozen who were members of East Belfast who have refused to step back and if anything have stepped up their activities, said our source, particularly with drug dealing. They are making so much money that they cant walk away.

They also point out that even if they did, the void would quickly be filled by other dealers.

There has been a long tradition of loyalist paramilitary groups using Remembrance Sunday to make significant policy statements.

It was on past Remembrance Sundays that both the UDA and UVF pledged to transition away from crime.

Stephen Matthews and Maggie Hutton

Paramilitary groups stage memorial services every year which every member is expected to attend.

All eyes will be on the east where a large turnout is expected.

Whether whatever remains of East Belfast rises to the challenge remains to be seen.

The Sunday World understands the targets will be confronted before next weekend and told they are no longer welcome in the city.

Last night a spokesperson for Matthews dismissed the speculation and said the he claims have no basis in reality.

This is the work of people who have had no connection to loyalism for decades trying to further personal grudges by turning loyalists on each other.

Relationships are excellent across loyalism and Mr Matthews will not be engaging in this utter nonsense.
You cant get blood from a stone: Maureen McCormack will not have to pay back balance owed

An employee who stole over 200,000 from the Bank of Ireland and its customers before trying to set the branch on fire will not have to repay an outstanding loss of 86,089 to the bank  after a judge ruled: You cant get blood from a stone.

Judge Keenan Johnson imposed a sentence of 240 hours community service in lieu of four years in prison in respect of the arson charge and a sentence of four years in prison suspended for a period of six years in relation to one of the theft charges against Maureen McCormack.

The remaining charges were marked as taken into consideration.

McCormack of Esker, Banagher, Co. Offaly, who the court heard is now working as a carer for children, had pleaded guilty to four offences.

She pleaded guilty to the theft of 145,000 which was the property of Bank of Ireland, Banagher, between January 1, 2017, and October 6, 2021.

She pleaded guilty that on December 2, 2013, at Bank of Ireland, Banagher, she stole money to the approximate value of 33,419.50 from William and Anne Meleady.

And she pleaded guilty that on November 7, 2016, she stole 21,008.25 which was the property of Bernard and Pamela Golding.

The offences carry a maximum sentence on indictment in the Circuit Court of 10 years in prison.

Realistic

She also pleaded guilty that, on October 16, 2021, she damaged the Bank of Ireland building in Banagher by fire.

This offence also carries with it a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

McCormack appeared for sentencing before Judge Johnson at Tullamore Circuit Court on Thursday October 25.

The matter had previously been adjourned to allow the defendant furnish the court with financial documents that would allow the judge formulate a realistic repayment schedule for McCormack to make good the banks outstanding losses.

The court heard that McCormacks pension had already been handed over to the bank.

Counsel for McCormack told Judge Johnson a statement of means had been prepared that shows a small surplus in the family income at the end of each month.

But, he cautioned, this didnt take into account the fact the mortgage on the family home was in arrears or that McCormack and her husband have a child who is due to start college in the next two years.

Counsel noted also that the High Court had imposed a freezing order on a Credit Union account held in McCormacks name with a balance of 5,294.52.

Counsel said he understood this had been done at the request of the Criminal Assets Bureau.

Prosecution counsel clarified, however, that the freezing order had been imposed at the request of gardai investigating the offences currently before the court.

Judge Johnson was told that the loss outstanding to the bank stands at 91,384.93.

Judge Johnson calculated, once the balance of the funds in the Credit Union was signed over to the Bank of Ireland, this sum will reduce to 86,089.

After examining the documents handed in by McCormack, Judge Johnson remarked: You cannot get blood from a stone.

He said he was satisfied McCormack hadnt profited in any sense from her offences as she had lost her pension and noted, if he imposed any further financial penalties, it was likely her family would be made homeless.

Handing down a 240-hour community service order combined with a suspended four year sentence, he addressed McCormack directly saying: You can count yourself extremely lucky to be walking out of here today.
It would put me in a situation where I would be detained in custody and the Irish would be more or less obliged to extradite me to France

Ex-Leinster star Rocky Elsom has opened up on why he fled Ireland after an international arrest warrant was issued for him last month.

The former Wallabies captain is currently in hiding after gardaii called to his home looking for him.

Last month, Elsom (41) was sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty in a French court for alleged misuse of corporate funds.

He was convicted in absentia and an international warrant was issued for his arrest.

The charges are linked to his time as president of the Narbonne Mediterranean Racing Club.

He told Christy Doran, host of the Roar Rugby podcast that he dropped everything and left Dublin within hours of hearing an international arrest warrant had been issued for him.

I left immediately, which is just as well because it took one day for them to get the information through to gardai, Elsom explained.

They came straight to where I was working, came straight to my home and Id already left by then.

Rocky (right) on the podcast

He said he left because it would put me in a situation where I would be detained in custody and the Irish would be more or less obliged to extradite me to France.

That would make it a lot more difficult for me to be able to defend myself from inside a police station or wherever I would be in custody.

Elsom was accused of a range of offences in a French court.

They include backdating a club doctors contract and having a payment from beer giant Heineken illegally transferred to a company in his name.

It was also claimed he agreed to salary advances for players.

Elsom was found guilty of forgery and ordered to repay 705,000 ($1.1million) from his time at the club between 2015 and 2016.

He has denied any wrongdoing,

Elsom says he has only recently provided documents detailing the allegations against him.

When they make the allegations, I think that theres very little validity to them, especially nothing that put the club in harms way, Elsom told the podcast.

If we go through the allegations, its very, very easy for me to defend.

He adds: As much as you just want to say you didnt do it, those things definitely happened. But who is the victim here? Where have they been able to prove that the club was disadvantaged by it? And pivotally, how did those actions lead to the relegation of the club two years after I left in 2018? And thats a key factor in the case.

Elsom, who played 75 tests and captained the Wallabies on 24 occasions, says hes eager to have his argument heard after eight years of rumours but says he doesnt trust the French legal system to hand himself over.

I havent been able to categorically refute anything because I hadnt seen the allegations until a few days ago, he said.

When you look into the detail, it supports me. So I need to try and get that out as much as possible.

Elsom had a glittering rugby career which spanned from 2005 to 2011.

He played 21 times for Leinster across 2008 and 2009, where he won a Player of the Year award, as well as representing clubs Toulon and Narbonne in France.

He also landed a European Player of the Year award in 2009, as he helped Leinster to land the Heineken Cup that year.

Soon after, he made the decision to return to Australia to continue his playing career despite Leinster's best efforts to keep him.

I already liked Dublin before playing for Leinster and obviously enjoyed rugby, he said.

"I didn't expect to like it as much as I have done but ultimately I'm Australian and I want to play for Australia. You don't always have the opportunity to do that but I do now so I want to take advantage of it," Elsom said on news of his departure from Leinster.

Elsom previously blasted French law officials for putting him on trial and claimed that he did not get a chance to defend himself.

Not informing me, not allowing me to be there, running a rumour campaign for eight years ... the most concerning thing is thinking that it was intentional.

He added: That it was intentionally done to make things harder for me, he said.
Today it emerged that the Monk is free to travel to Ireland

What a poster campaign for Gerry Hutch could like as he considers running for election

GERRY Hutchs hopes of standing in the General Election were given a boost today after it emerged he is free to travel to Ireland.

Court officials also confirmed his bid to run for the Dail had been a fundamental part of his successful appeal against his remand in prison last month.

It had been thought a judge who provisionally released him on EUROS 100,000 bail yesterday had imposed strict conditions including a travel ban.

But court officials confirmed today no conditions were attached to the release.

Hutch, 61, was one of two of the nine suspects held in Lanzarote during dawn raids on October 23 who were remanded in custody after a behind-closed-doors court hearing in the island capital Arrecife two days later.

He and an alleged British associate were sent to Lanzarote's tough Tahiche Prison before it emerged yesterday Hutch had been provisionally released.

The Canary Islands High Court press office said today in a new statement: With regards to the alleged leader of an international criminal gang who yesterday was provisionally released on bail of 100,000 euros, Court of Instruction Number Two in Arrecife informs that apart from the aforementioned bail to ensure his presence at the trial, no other precautionary measures have been imposed.

Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch

One of the main arguments taken into account by both the prosecutor in his favourable report on the conceding of bail and the investigating magistrate when taking the decision is that the person under investigation alleged in his appeal the withdrawal of his passport or other measures limiting his movements would prevent his free access to the elections.

He alleged that would cause irreparable damage to his right to passive suffrage, which remains intact.

Only a conviction can prevent him from standing for election. The other person remanded in prison on October 25th remains in prison. A secrecy order over the case is still in place."

Court officials have confirmed Hutch is being investigated on suspicion of money laundering.

In their statement yesterday they said: The Irish citizen remanded in custody in Lanzarote on October 25th as the alleged leader of an international criminal gang has been provisionally released on bail of 100,000 euros this morning, November 4th, after Court of Instruction Number Two in Arrecife upheld his appeal against the imprisonment order.

The investigating magistrate took this decision after receiving a report from the Public Prosecutor's Office which was favourable to the appeal.

The Irish citizen is being investigated as the alleged perpetrator of a money laundering offence committed in the context of a criminal organisation.

Overnight reports claimed Hutch was more determined than ever to stand in the General Election.

The veteran Dublin criminal was also said to be furious over the garda dawn raid on his Clontarf home when they knew he was out of the country.

Hutch has been openly travelling between Ireland and Spain using his own passport since he was acquitted last year of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016.

Despite his determination to run for the Dail he faces an uphill battle to get enough votes according to a Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll at the weekend.

Just eight per cent of people said they would consider giving Hutch a No.1 vote if he was to run as a candidate in their constituency.
Martens remains under supervision but is no longer living in North Carolina where she had previously been in prison

Molly Martens allowed to move closer to her parents by US parole officials

Killer Molly Martens (41) is now living in the rented basement of a home near her parents after US authorities allowed her parole supervision to be transferred between states

Molly and her father, former FBI agent Tom Martens (74), were released from prison on June 6 after serving four years and three months for the brutal killing of Limerick widower Jason Corbett (39) in 2015.

Both had been convicted of the Irish businessmans murder but successfully overturned it on appeal  and then secured a plea-bargain deal whereby they admitted the voluntary manslaughter of the father-of-two.

North Carolina authorities have now confirmed that the parole supervision of the former nanny has been transferred to her native Tennessee.

Killer Molly Martens. Photo: Donnie Roberts

For the past five months, she had been under the supervision of the North Carolina Section of Community Corrections (NCSCC) which manages parole issues.

Her supervision will now transfer to the same authority in the state of Tennessee  making it easier for her to live near her parents home in Knoxville.

Under US law, convicted offenders under parole supervision are not allowed to live at the same address.

Her new address will allow her visit more easily with her father, Tom, and her mother, Sharon.

She has indicated to the courts that she hopes to begin studying for a science degree next September.

A drop-out from the prestigious Clemson University over 20 years ago, Ms Martens later lied about her academic qualifications and even to being on the varsity swim team.

College associates were stunned to discover a framed photo of a young girl kept by her dormitory bedside was not, as Ms Martens claimed, her younger sister who died of cancer.

Jason's sister Tracey Corbett-Lynch. Photo: Mark Condren

Ms Martens has three brothers but no sister.

She met Mr Corbett, an Irish widower with two children aged under two years, when she flew to Limerick to work as a nanny, having lied about her experience in childcare.

Prosecutors maintained she was obsessed with gaining control of his two children and had even visited a US divorce lawyer weeks before her June 2011 wedding.

Mr Corbetts family maintain he was beaten to death because he was about to bring his two children back to Ireland for their safety amid mounting fears over his wifes mental health.

Ms Martens, who has bipolar disorder, remains under psychiatric care.

Both Ms Martens and her father must comply with strict conditions as part of their parole period which expires in June 2025.

Mr Martens immediately returned last June to his Knoxville home in Tennessee where he lives with his wife, Sharon.

She has been treated for cancer and the North Carolina court was told, in sentencing submissions, that the mother-of-four depends on her husband for care.

Both father and daughter have been warned any attempted contact with the Corbett family in Ireland will be treated as a potential breach of their parole.

Any serious breach of their parole terms could see them brought back before the court given that their sentence extension ranged from seven months to two and a half years.

Molly Martens smiles as she walks free from prison. Photo: Perfecta Visuals

Mr Corbett, a Limerick packaging industry executive, was beaten to death in the bedroom of his North Carolina home by the father and daughter in August 2015.

His family have always maintained he was killed by his American second wife and father-in-law because he planned to bring his two children back to Ireland.

Mr Martens is a former FBI agent and counter-intelligence operative with the US Department of Energy.

He once held a top level Q clearance which allowed him to be briefed on top secret documents.

When asked in court about his counter-intelligence work, he remarked: It was basically (anti) spy stuff.

However, as a convicted felon, his clearance was revoked.

This will prevent him from consulting on federal security projects  a practice common among retired US security personnel.

The Corbett family admitted they were very disappointed that the father and daughter were released having served just four years and three months behind bars despite the horrific nature of Mr Corbetts death.

Molly Martens and her father Tom Martens

The family accused Ms Martens of having spun a web of lies and of relentlessly putting Jasons two children, Jack and Sarah, through a judicial nightmare that was inhumane.

Tom and Molly immediately appealed against 20-25 year prison terms for second-degree murder handed down after they were convicted by unanimous verdict of a Davidson County Superior Court jury in August 2017.

Their appeal was later upheld by the North Carolina Supreme Court and the murder conviction was quashed.

A retrial was ordered but the pair agreed to a plea bargain deal with North Carolina prosecutors in September 2023.

Martens (centre) has indicated to the courts that she hopes to begin studies for a science degree next September. Photo: AP

Prosecutors agreed to drop the murder charge in return for the father and daughter admitting voluntary manslaughter. Judge David Hall added a further seven months to the term they had already spent behind bars.

Mr Corbetts daughter, Sarah is now writing a book, A Time for Truth, on her experience of the US judicial system and what she suffered at the hands of her stepmother.

At the North Carolina sentencing hearing last November, she said: My fathers life is worth more than just a few years in prison.
In a statement, the partys councillor for Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart, Patrick Quinlan said he was proud to endorse Ms Keegan

Stardust fire survivor and campaigner Antoinette Keegan is to run in the general election for the far-right National Party.

Having spent more than 40 years seeking justice for the 48 victims of the 1981 blaze at a Valentines Day disco in Dublins Artane, and for their families and for survivors, Ms Keegan has decided to run in the Dublin Fingal East constituency.

She said one reason she is running is because she believes everyone thinks the Stardust campaign is finished and sorted when in fact the families are still waiting for compensation in the form of a redress scheme that was promised in August.

A fresh inquest into the deaths delivered a verdict of unlawful killing in April this year.

Ms Keegan survived the fire herself, but lost sister, Mary (19) and Martina (16) in the disaster.

Taoiseach Simon Harris then invited the families of the deceased to Government Buildings and delivered a State apology to them.

This was never about money. The campaign was to get truth and justice for the families, but now people think its all over and sorted out. Nothing has been addressed and nothing has been put on the table, said Ms Keegan.

The doors have been closed on us again. The public has been led to believe that the Stardust has all been sorted out in respect of redress for the families of the deceased victims. Not it hasnt. Not one red cent has been paid over by the Irish State. Theyre dragging their heels on it, she added.

A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said in response: "There has been a process ongoing since the Government decision on redress. Families have been involved in that process and payments are expected to commence shortly.

When asked about joining a far-right, anti-immigration party, Ms Keegan said other political parties also have concerns about immigration, and government parties have outlined instances in which undocumented asylum seekers are being stopped coming into Ireland.

There is a lot of concern around the whole area, she said.

The National Party confirmed Ms Keegans candidacy last night and stated that the candidate was committed to implementing the National Partys pro-Irish position particularly with regards to immigration policy.

In a statement, the partys councillor for Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart, Patrick Quinlan said he was proud to endorse Ms Keegan.

"A sincere, hard-working woman who cares passionately about her family, her friends and her community, she is exactly the calibre of person best suited to representing Irish people in Dail Eireann.

Mr Quinlans pinned post on X states House the Irish, not the world, while in recent weeks he has also posted on X stating:

"There are too many foreigners in Ireland. Legislation must be written, passed by the Dail and 100,000s must be repatriated. We wont discriminate on colour, race or creed and thats a promise.

Ms Keegan said she will not run in her own Dublin constituency because there are already so many candidates in it fighting for five seats. She will instead run in Dublin Fingal East.

I was going to run as an Independent in my own area but it is saturated with 20 or more candidates, and then I was approached by the National Party who said they would fund me and get leaflets and all done.

If I get in and people come to me who have concerns I will be persistent (in helping them) and I will do like I did with the Stardust. I will be persistent and I will not give up until I get a satisfactory conclusion, she explained.

Ms Keegan said there are other issues she wants to campaign on, including immigration, housing for all, reducing homelessness and the long waiting on housing lists, increasing social housing and affordable homes, more investment for doctors and nurses to prevent hospital overcrowding, healthcare and the elderly and carers, and people with disabilities, the cost of living, building regulations to ensure no more tragedies happen, and more funding for Dublin Fire Brigade.

My policies will be to help people. At the end of the day God loves a trier. If I get in, I get in. If I fail, I fail, she added.
Joshua Sullivan (19) died after the road incident on Saturday evening involving a tractor

Tributes have been paid to the teenage victim of a tractor accident in Oranmore, Co Galway ahead of his funeral.

Joshua Sullivan (19) died after the road incident on Saturday evening involving a tractor.

The Limerick Leader is reporting that the teen, from Moneymore, was a passenger in the tractor travelling across a farm when he fell from the vehicle and sustained serious injuries.

Emergency services rushed the teenager to University Hospital Galway.

However, he was pronounced deceased on arrival.

No others were injured in the incident that happened on a local road in Rinn.

On his notice on RIP.ie it states that it is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Joshua Sullivan, Moneymore, Oranmore, Co Galway on November 2.

Predeceased by his loving mum Jackie and grandfather Tom, Joshua is the dearly beloved son of John, brothers Shane and Jacob, sisters Hannah and Erin, his devoted granny Mary, grand uncle Michael John and his grandparents Brian and Charlotte.

The notice also refers to aunts AnnMarie, Helen, Caitriona and Aisling, uncles Derek, Brian and Hugh adding that he is adored and fondly remembered by all his cousins, great neighbours and all his School friends in Educate Together, Abalta and St Joseph's.

Joshua will be reposing at Tearmann Mhuire on the grounds of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Oranmore on Wednesday November 6, from 4pm to 6pm.

Funeral Mass on Thursday, November 7 in Church of the Immaculate Conception, Oranmore at 11am will be followed by burial in Renville Cemetery.

Condolences have been offered by friends and neighbours as well as the wider community to Joshuas family with one writing: Condolences to John and all the extended Sullivan family on the sudden loss of Joshua, may he rest in peace.

Deepest condolences to John, AnneMarie, Helen, Catriona and all your family and friends on the very sad passing of Joshua, another adds.

One person has written: Our deepest sympathies John and the whole family on the untimely passing of Joshua. We are heartbroken for you all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Gardai have assigned a Family Liaison Officer to support Joshua's family.

In an earlier statement, gardai said they "are investigating a fatal road traffic incident near Oranmore, Co Galway which occurred on Saturday, November 2.

"Gardai were alerted to an incident involving a tractor which occurred on a local road in Rinn, Oranmore at approximately 3.30pm.

A male passenger, 19-years-old, injured in the incident was transferred by ambulance personnel to University Hospital Galway, where he was subsequently pronounced deceased.

"No other injuries were reported. The scene was preserved for a technical examination which has since taken place and the road has reopened".
Ronans girl seals the deal with the man of her dreams after the couple got together on hit TV dating show

Ronan Collins at the wedding of his daughter Jessica to Ger Lynch

Ronan Collins at the wedding of his daughter Jessica to Ger Lynch

Comic Jessica Collins was all smiles as she tied the knot in a fairy tale wedding this weekend  having met her husband Ger Lynch on the First Dates Ireland reality TV show in 2020.

And the beautiful bride was escorted down the aisle at Rathsallagh Country House in Co. Wicklow by her proud dad, legendary RTE broadcaster Ronan Collins.

Speaking to the Sunday World, Jessica (44), whose bridal dress was Tori by Curvy Chic Bridal in Belfast, said: I went on First Dates to find love and Im pretty lovestruck at the moment. Ger is a terrific human. Hes my king now and I adore him. Hes so supportive and so loving. Hes the perfect Prince Charming for me.

Ger and Jessica on First Dates Ireland

Weve had a wonderful start to our relationship. We reckon we could probably write the screenplay now and it could be the next big rom-com, she laughed.

Although they met on First Dates Ireland four years ago, Jessica recalled how their relationship was a slow burner. After an initial date, the pair had decided to remain friends.

Ronan Collins at the wedding of his daughter Jessica to Ger Lynch

Then, during Covid, Jessica, who had been living with her parents, Ronan and Woody, moved into Gers house in Duleek, Co. Meath.

It was a twist of fate, Jessica yesterday recalled. I had been living at home and Ger had a room in his house. He wanted a bit of company, so I moved in.

We knew each others boundaries from the beginning. We knew we were just friends because we had already tried to date.

Ronan Collins at the wedding of his daughter Jessica to Ger Lynch

So we werent trying to impress each other. Our guards were down. It was a lovely two-year process before we realised who each other was, so we are properly into each other now.

During Covid, we relied on each other to get through the tough days and we celebrated the easy days. After a year we said, if this is the worst way to finish life wed be pretty happy right now if we were settling.

Jessica and her proud family

Then we realised, oh, hold on a second, this is a real thing, this is happening, lets give it a go. We took a risk and it turned out to be the best one weve ever taken in life.

Its great that we were friends before anything happened because we got to establish what kind of people we were. And then we lived together for 11 months.

Ger Lynch and Jessica Collins

By the time we got together we had fallen into a relationship that everybody else saw, but we chose to ignore.

It was really organic the way it happened. We just needed to be put into the same room to start the ball rolling and First Dates did that.

The couple will spend their honeymoon in the Bahamas next month.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation Toputanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) members employed by Te Whatu Ora are alarmed by Health New Zealands plans to pause a key component of its safe staffing programme.

Te Whatu Ora indicated they would pause calculations for the Care Capacity Demand Management (CCDM) programme during collective bargaining late last month.

CCDM calculates the number of nurses needed based on how sick patients are and how much nursing care they need.

Te Whatu Ora also indicated their bargaining parameters are restricted to one per cent of total employee costs  Total employee costs include salaries, penal rates, allowances, leave entitlements, work related expenses and other expenses including leave revaluations, ACC and Superannuation.

Both issues will be discussed at 62 urgent paid union meetings across the country this week.

NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter says the meeting will allow nurses, midwives, and health care assistants to determine their next steps in the ongoing bargaining process.

Our members are fiercely committed to caring for their patients. They dont want to see patients safety at risk because there are not enough nurses on duty to give them the care they need.

Putting a pause on CCDM calculations is putting a pause on patient safety.

Nurses are also insulted by Te Whatu Oras indication they would only be offered a half per cent wage increase in the first year and up to a one per cent wage increase in the second year, he said.

"Nurses need a pay rise that reflects at least the cost of living. Our members deserve fair pay and conditions that recognise the value of nurses and healthcare workers. With nurses flocking to Australia, we need pay and conditions that help keep them here.
This photo taken on Nov. 4, 2024 shows the launching ceremony of Jetour Auto's first off-road SUV model T2 in Cairo, Egypt. Jetour Auto, a Chinese auto brand, unveiled its first off-road SUV model, namely T2, here on Monday evening. Under the theme of "Travel Together," the launching ceremony held by Jetour at the Saladin Citadel, one of the most famous landmarks in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, attracted more than 600 guests from Egypt and China, including auto dealers, auto experts, internet influencers, and media representatives. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

CAIRO, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Jetour Auto, a Chinese auto brand, unveiled its first off-road SUV model, namely T2, here on Monday evening.

Under the theme of "Travel Together," the launching ceremony held by Jetour at the Saladin Citadel, one of the most famous landmarks in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, attracted more than 600 guests from Egypt and China, including auto dealers, auto experts, internet influencers, and media representatives.

"T2 is our first off-road model launched in Egypt ... After its debut in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), Saudi Arabia, and other countries in the Middle East in the first quarter of 2024, it rapidly became the best-selling boxy SUV in the region," said Yuan Anguo, vice president of Jetour International Marketing Company.

According to the Chinese auto brand established in 2018, Jetour's cumulative sales have now exceeded 1.22 million worldwide.

In the first three quarters of 2024, a total of 4.312 million complete vehicles were exported from China to markets worldwide, a year-on-year increase of 27.3 percent, showed the latest data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. 

This photo taken on Nov. 4, 2024 shows the launching ceremony of Jetour Auto's first off-road SUV model T2 in Cairo, Egypt. Jetour Auto, a Chinese auto brand, unveiled its first off-road SUV model, namely T2, here on Monday evening.

Under the theme of "Travel Together," the launching ceremony held by Jetour at the Saladin Citadel, one of the most famous landmarks in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, attracted more than 600 guests from Egypt and China, including auto dealers, auto experts, internet influencers, and media representatives. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Artists perform at the launching ceremony of Jetour Auto's first off-road SUV model T2 in Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 4, 2024. Jetour Auto, a Chinese auto brand, unveiled its first off-road SUV model, namely T2, here on Monday evening.

Under the theme of "Travel Together," the launching ceremony held by Jetour at the Saladin Citadel, one of the most famous landmarks in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, attracted more than 600 guests from Egypt and China, including auto dealers, auto experts, internet influencers, and media representatives. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo taken on Nov. 4, 2024 shows the launching ceremony of Jetour Auto's first off-road SUV model T2 in Cairo, Egypt. Jetour Auto, a Chinese auto brand, unveiled its first off-road SUV model, namely T2, here on Monday evening.

Under the theme of "Travel Together," the launching ceremony held by Jetour at the Saladin Citadel, one of the most famous landmarks in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, attracted more than 600 guests from Egypt and China, including auto dealers, auto experts, internet influencers, and media representatives. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Visitors pose for photos at the launching ceremony of Jetour Auto's first off-road SUV model T2 in Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 4, 2024. Jetour Auto, a Chinese auto brand, unveiled its first off-road SUV model, namely T2, here on Monday evening.

Under the theme of "Travel Together," the launching ceremony held by Jetour at the Saladin Citadel, one of the most famous landmarks in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, attracted more than 600 guests from Egypt and China, including auto dealers, auto experts, internet influencers, and media representatives. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Visitors try a new car at the launching ceremony of Jetour Auto's first off-road SUV model T2 in Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 4, 2024. Jetour Auto, a Chinese auto brand, unveiled its first off-road SUV model, namely T2, here on Monday evening.

Under the theme of "Travel Together," the launching ceremony held by Jetour at the Saladin Citadel, one of the most famous landmarks in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, attracted more than 600 guests from Egypt and China, including auto dealers, auto experts, internet influencers, and media representatives. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo taken on Nov. 4, 2024 shows the launching ceremony of Jetour Auto's first off-road SUV model T2 in Cairo, Egypt. Jetour Auto, a Chinese auto brand, unveiled its first off-road SUV model, namely T2, here on Monday evening.

Under the theme of "Travel Together," the launching ceremony held by Jetour at the Saladin Citadel, one of the most famous landmarks in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, attracted more than 600 guests from Egypt and China, including auto dealers, auto experts, internet influencers, and media representatives. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Pilar Martinez London Tuesday, 5 November 2024, 11:50 | Updated 11:57h. Compartir

The World Travel Market (WTM) begins today 5 November with some of the usual faces missing. President of the Junta de Andalucia Juanma Moreno, regional tourism minister Arturo Bernal, president of Malaga's Diputacion provincial authority Francisco Salado and Malaga city's mayor Francisco de la Torre all pulled out from attending the event due to the rain alert in Andalucia and the 'Dana' storms that have caused one of the greatest natural tragedies in the history of Spain in Valencia and beyond.

However, despite these absences, the scale of this event can still be felt on the flights connecting the Costa del Sol with London. These flights are loaded with tourism professionals who are aware that Andalusian destinations are at stake in the United Kingdom at a time when that country's economic situation is having a direct impact on the decline in the purchasing power of the British holidaymaker, which sets out some new rules when it comes to travel, according to Turespana, the public agency that promotes Spain as a brand in the global tourism market.

In this context, in which Spain continues to be the preferred destination of the main international clients for Andalucia, the Costa del Sol and Malaga city, this year's WTM opens its doors marked by the devastating rains in the region of Valencia, even being reported in the British media. This trade fair is one of the world's three major tourism events and the one that will show destinations the market outlook and new trends. It serves as a key thermometer to gauge how the tourism industry is developing in areas such as the Costa del Sol, where British travellers account for 30% of arrivals at Malaga airport and a similar percentage of bookings in tourist accommodation. A vital market for tourism in which Andalusia and the province of Malaga are showing strength with the endorsement of maintaining an unstoppable upward trend.

As president also of Turismo Costa del Sol, Francisco Salado spoke with the press a few days ago, highlighting the good data from the UK market. He stated that from January to August 849,555 British tourists have stayed in the province, which represents an increase of 3.9%. "A figure that means that 78.3% of those who come to the region stay in our province, which accounts for 9% of those who choose Spain." He added that this year they have made the largest investment ever in the set-up for this fair in London. They have allocated more than 1.3 million euros to stage this event, 81% more than last year, that's 600,000 euros more. The aim is for Malaga to feature as a destination, to be visible through advertising displays from the moment you arrive at Gatwick airport, passing through strategic underground and overground stations in London city such as Prince Regent DLR Station and flashing up on the giant screen at London Bridge, as well as on fifteen buses as they move around the city. This publicity campaign also reaches the Excel site itself, where the Costa del Sol presents what it has to offer and will maintain an intense agenda of contacts with tourism professionals, travel operators and airlines in its own larger stand, 240 metres in size, and in another next to Andalucia.

2.2 million Brits arrived at Malaga airport in the first nine months of this year, 6.4% more than in the same period last year.

The Andalucia region, which is doubling the number of people in the trade attending, will show off its good results in this market in a larger 580 square-metre stand. Last Tuesday it premiered for the first time outside Spain its new advertising campaign for the region 'Surrender to the Andalusian Crush'. The region's tourism destinations are seeking to attract a British tourist with greater spending power and, to do so, the industry is combining innovation with the essence of the region. Technology is being deployed that will allow the stand to have an electronic register associated with smart bracelets with NFC and QR technology that will monitor the number of attendees, their location, the interactions held and the exchange of virtual business cards.

For the first time in 20 years the Costa del Sol's capital city will be present at the Andalucia stand, which will no longer promote itself with its own stand as it has done for the last two decades. The councillor in charge of tourism at Malaga city council, Jacobo Florido, hopes to grow this market by 10% next year.

Economic impact

Turespana summarised the situation that the United Kingdom is going through after it entered into recession last year, but remains optimistic about the arrival of visitors from there to Spanish destinations as this winter season opens up for business. However, their spokesperson points out that this year the British economy "is showing a very mild recovery, although it is not compensating for the serious loss of purchasing power over the last few years." This factor is slowing down the positive trend that was in place and it is causing certain changes in the behaviour of British tourists. Among these changes Turespana expects the following: a reduction in stays, a search for cheaper destinations and a tendency to book travel dates outside high season.

In its latest report on this market Turespana advises that, despite this situation, in the first half of this year 2024 tourist numbers have been recorded even higher than just before the pandemic, with a slight increase of 0.4% in the first eight months of this year compared to 2019. "Spain continues to stand out as a preferred destination for the British", said their spokesperson.

This 45th edition of the WTM, in which 184 countries are participating via 3,875 exhibitors, 23% and 5.3% more than in 2019 respectively, will also be able to measure the strength of competing markets. Spain, and more specifically Andalucia and Malaga province can gauge the impact of this growing trend among the British as they handle their loss of purchasing power and see if they will still spend their holidays in the country's tourist destinations.

These are just a few of the highlights that tour operators and airlines will be pushing hard as this fair will be the final word on what will happen in the UK travel market this winter and next year.
Pilar Martinez London Tuesday, 5 November 2024 | Updated 06/11/2024 08:07h. Compartir

Andalucia has recovered its pre-pandemic figures of British arrivals to the region in the south of Spain. The revelation comes as Andalusian tourism officials promoted the destination on the first day of the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, considered one of the three most important tourism events in the world, and which runs from this Tuesday 5 November until Thursday 7 November.

The first day kicked off at about 10.30am at the Spanish stand where business owners and tourism operators held a minute's silence to honour the 218 people who died as a result of last week's floods. It was broken by a warm round of applause before people signed a book of condolences. Turespana director Miguel Angel Sanz, together with the secretary of state for tourism Rosario Sanchez Grau, and the heads of various Spanish administrations showed their support and solidarity with the Valencia region, which had a black ribbon on its stand.

Federico Fuster, president of the Valencian hotel employers' association (Hosbec), thanked those who paid their respects and said that "life goes on and for that you have to keep working and you have to be here". Marifrancis Penarroya, general manager of Holiday World, the largest hotel complex on the Costa del Sol said: "The fruit of this work is the best way to contribute to the reconstruction of everything that has been devastated".

Minute's silence at WTL London. Salvador Salas

During his visit to the Valencia stand, the director of Turespana told SUR that "it will be a good year for Spanish destinations in the British market". This optimism is tempered by the UK's economic situation, which has had an impact on the spending capacity of families, and by the foreseeable increase in demand from competing markets such as Turkey and Greece. However, Sanz said that Spain continues to be the leading destination for British tourists.

Spend 40% in the region

With the same optimism and with equal caution, the Junta de Andalucia's secretary general for tourism, Yolanda Aguilar, announced that the region has managed to recover the pre-pandemic figures of British tourists travelling to the area, and added that the region is also attracting British tourists who spend 40% more in the destination. These tourists are also increasingly travelling outside of high season and are spending more time throughout the region with a 10% increase in the amount of Andalusian municipalities visited by British tourists so far this year.

"We are very satisfied with the results obtained in what is our main international issuing market. In addition to the fact that we are going to reach the records of the historical 2019 in overnight stays of British tourists in the region is that we have managed to attract a visitor who has raised the average spend per person per day by 40% to 152 euros, with an average stay of one week," Aguilar said. There was a boom of British tourists in the first and second quarters of this year, rather than the summer months, with the number of municipalities they visited increasing to 23, she added. Andalucia expects to close the year with 6.9 million overnight hotel stays by the 1.5 million British tourists staying in the region's hotels.

A reference destination

Aguilar also pointed out that the first meetings with British tourism operators had been positive on day one of the WTM, providing a good feeling that Andalusian destinations will continue to grow in popularity next year. "The results confirm that we are a reference destination for the British. With caution, but with optimism, we are confident that we will continue to grow in the United Kingdom," she said.

Airlines have scheduled 8.4% more seats on flights between the UK and Andalucia in the last quarter of the year, offering 855,000 seats, she added. The figure is 8.5% higher than before the pandemic.

Turismo Costa del Sol CEO Esperanza Gonzalez spoke about how Malaga province will win over more British tourists and encourage them to stay longer in the destination and spend more. She said they plan to increase investment in the UK next year to 1.5 million. This is an increase of 500,000 euros compared to the investment made this year.

More flight seats

She also said airlines have programmed 11% more seats on flights between Malaga Airport and the UK from October to December, resulting in 719,320 seats up for grabs. Only two mayors from Malaga province, Torrox mayor Oscar Medina and Marbella mayor Angeles Munoz attended the WTM.

Malaga tourism councillor Jacobo Florido pointed out the loyalty of the British tourists who have booked 15% more hotel nights than last year, up to 135,000, and who spend more than the average visitor to Malaga city, with an average spend of 160 euros per person per day. "It is a tourist who stays mostly in hotels and who is looking for everything that an urban destination has to offer," he said. "We are a very appealing destination. In fact, Malaga is the city with the highest growth in overnight stays among cities with more than 500,000 inhabitants," Florido added.
Daryl Finch Malaga Tuesday, 5 November 2024, 11:39 Compartir

Malaga province is quickly turning into a cultural treasure trove of international renown, rich in art and history that beckons both local and international visitors.

From the bustling streets of Malaga city, to the picturesque towns dotted along the Costa del Sol, a plethora of museums, visitor centres and galleries showcase the regions vibrant history and artistic heritage.

Malaga city is, without doubt, the cultural epicentre of the province. It boasts a remarkable selection of over 40 museums and galleries, earning it the title Ciudad de los Museos (Museum City).

The highlight is perhaps the Museo Picasso Malaga. Situated in a beautifully restored 16th-century palace, it celebrates the works of Pablo Picasso, the citys most famous son. The museum houses over 200 pieces from the artists extensive oeuvre, including paintings, sculptures and ceramics, providing visitors with a deep insight into his innovative techniques and evolution as an artist.

Zoom Queues outside the Centre Pomidou during the recent Noche en Blanco event. Migue Fernandez

Another must-visit location is the Centre Pompidou Malaga, a modern cultural hub with a striking glass cube above its entrance. This museum, an extension of the renowned Paris institution, presents an impressive collection of contemporary art, including works by prominent artists such as Henri Matisse and Wassily Kandinsky.

For those interested in the history of Malaga itself, the Museo de Malaga is a valuable destination. Located in the historic old Customs House building, the museum showcases a diverse collection of archaeological artefacts, fine arts and decorative items that trace the citys rich history from prehistoric times to the present day.

The Carmen Thyssen Museum, meanwhile, focuses primarily on 19th-century Spanish painting, featuring a selection of works owned by the baroness, after whom the collection is named, including pieces by artists such as Joaquin Sorolla and Francisco de Goya.

Malaga city also offers a variety of cultural attractions beyond its main museums. La Termica hosts art exhibitions, concerts and workshops, while the Prehistoric Park of La Arana explores the regions ancient history.

In the former tobacco warehouse complex, car enthusiasts can enjoy the Automobile and Fashion Museum, with its vintage collection, and the Russian Museum, which showcases a rich display of Russian art and culture.

Beyond the city

While Malaga city boasts a rich array of cultural offerings, the province has much more to explore beyond its urban limits. The charming town of Ronda, famed for its dramatic gorge and picturesque scenery, is home to the Museo del Bandolero. This unique museum delves into the history of bandits and outlaws in the region, showcasing artefacts, documents and multimedia exhibits that bring this intriguing aspect of Andalusian folklore to life.

Back on the coast in Nerja, the Museo de Nerja offers a different perspective on the regions history. This museum is located near the towns famous caves and focuses on the archaeological findings from the surrounding areas, dating back to prehistoric times. Visitors can view tools, pottery and artistic representations created by early inhabitants, making it an informative destination for those interested in the areas ancient history.

Zoom The Rio Verde villa gives a glimpse into Marbella's Roman past. Josele

The Roman past

Moving to Marbella, several sites reveal the Roman past of the Costa del Sol, often little-known to tourists, namely the Rio Verde Roman Villa and Roman Baths of Las Bovedas. The Paleochristian Basilica Vega del Mar, also in Marbella, adds to this narrative, showcasing early Christian architecture.

Zoom Museo de Grabado Espanol Contemporaneo in Marbella. SUR

Elsewhere in the town, the Museo del Grabado Espanol Contemporaneo is a highlight. It focuses on contemporary printmaking and graphic arts and is home to an extensive collection of prints by renowned Spanish artists, such as Joan Miro. The exhibitions often include workshops and educational programmes, promoting awareness and appreciation of printmaking techniques among visitors of all ages.

Further enriching the cultural landscape, various other museums and sites are scattered throughout the province. The Lighthouse Visitor Centre in Torrox Costa offers insights into local maritime history, while Villa Antiopa in Torre de Benagalbon showcases archaeological remains from Roman times.

For those interested in a glimpse into the regions defensive architecture, the Casa Fuerte Bezmiliana in Rincon de la Victoria and the Torreon de la Cala de Mijas also have engaging visitor centres.
Nacho Carmona Tuesday, 5 November 2024, 19:15 Compartir

The story of Vicente Mirasol, CEO of TuManag3r, can be described in many ways. He started out doing something that he liked, uploading videos to YouTube while playing games. He fell in love with those who did the same and realised that he preferred to remain linked to this world, albeit in the background - staying 'in the shadows', as we might say. He was 14 or 15 at the time. "Word got out that he was taking the networks to big influencers and at 16 or 17 he already had more than 100." He feels pretty pleased with himself as he looks himself over just a decade later, aged 24: "That time was crazy. This world is very word of mouth. It's all about contacts. I grew up fast."

He does a bit of everything. "I do so many things that I think it's going to be difficult to develop," he says laughing. Mirasol is a self-made young man. He started a degree in marketing, but realised that he wasn't learning what he needed to learn and that it was slowing him down, so he decided to switch to ADE (business administration and management). With that too, just more of the same. "I didn't learn anything either and it slowed me down. I did my own training, with day-to-day experience and mistakes."

TuManag3r is an agency that represents influencers. Its CEO explains it in detail: "We work with the brand representation part, or rather managing their account and acting as a manager, and also with the commercial management part, which is to cover their needs. For example: if CocaCola needs influencers, we take care of finding that profile. These are the strongest services we have, although we have also done clothing brands with influencers, books or video editing for clients."

"With competition it is better to collaborate than compete because one person cannot cover the whole market," says Vicente Mirasol.

He started out on his own, but TuManag3r is now made up of around 20 people, covering the commercial, financial and legal aspects of the company. They are based in Malaga's Soho district, in a property they have acquired as their own. They say they are strong in Spain and Latin America and are looking to make a name for themselves in other parts of the world. They were born focused on YouTube, although they also want to cover the Instagram and TikTok niche markets. "They are emerging markets for us, but we are far from being leaders there."

The competition is very strong, although Vicente Mirasol sees that as something positive. He regards it as a possibility of finding allies rather than enemies. "We have a very good relationship. With the competition it is better to collaborate than to compete because one person cannot cover the whole market. It is impossible. So the best thing is to get along as well as possible to find synergies." In Malaga it is more complicated to open up a niche than in other cities like Madrid or Barcelona, but he trusts his team to continue developing the business. "If you do your job well, people speak well of you. This is progressive", he states.

Gero Arias, ElPortero of TikTok, German Garmendia or Kimberly Loaiza are just a small sample of the influencers they work with, although they have also carried out collaborations with the national elite, for instance, Ibai or Nil Ojeda. "At first you are very surprised, but in the end they are healthy relationships. Until recently it wasn't such a professional sector and it is becoming more and more so. It's becoming more comfortable to work in that way."

GeroArias, ElPortero of TikTok, German Garmendia or Kimberly Loaiza are just some of his clients.

The success speaks for itself. The numbers have been growing year by year, and they will close this 2024 with a turnover of close to two million euros. On the horizon is their own, bespoke computer system that will enable them to grow autonomously.

In addition they are looking to expand the range of possibilities to offer their clients. To the influencers in question: "One of our goals is to create businesses with content creators. For example: to create a company based on their image. That is one focus we have going and where we are investing money. We want to be that leverage point."
Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription.

Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Rite Aid drug store said in a letter to employees Monday it is closing its distribution center in Liverpool and moving those operations to Maryland.

The drug chain said it had analyzed how it could operate its distribution network more efficiently.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- A Syracuse company that has created a device that automates the imaging of microorganisms for researchers won $50,000 in a commercialization competition this week at the Oncenter.

Triton Bio, a startup in the CNY Biotech Accelerator, was one of 12 companies to compete in the competition, an annual event held by FuzeHub, a not-for-profit organization that supports small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in New York.
TEHRAN, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Iranian security and intelligence forces have killed four "terrorists" and arrested six others in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, Sepah News, the official news outlet of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), reported Tuesday.

During a military exercise, the provincial intelligence and police forces as well as operational units of the IRGC's Quds Base jointly dealt "fatal blows" to these terrorists and their groups, which are believed to be "enemy proxies," Sepah News quoted Ahmad Shafaei, spokesman for the exercise, as saying.

Shafaei said as the operational drill, dubbed "Martyrs of Security," went on, a total of eight "terrorists" have been killed and 14 others arrested since Nov. 1.

Among the arrestees were those responsible for the recent deadly attack on law enforcement forces in Sistan and Baluchestan, from whom significant amounts of arms and ammunition, including U.S. weapons, were seized, Shafaei added.

On Oct. 26, Iran's police said 10 members of the country's law enforcement forces were killed in a "terrorist" attack in Taftan County of Sistan and Baluchestan earlier in the day.

Jaish al-Zulm, designated as a terrorist entity by Iran, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

On Sunday, Iran's police said it had killed the "ringleader" of a "terrorist" team behind the attack.

Bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan, Sistan and Baluchestan has witnessed several terrorist attacks on both civilians and security forces over the past years. 
A legendary music duo has reunited for the first time in years.

Art Garfunkel revealed in a new interview with The Sun that he had an emotional reunion with former bandmate Paul Simon, more than a decade after their last performance as Simon & Garfunkel.
This November, dont miss the chance to see six incredible artists performing live in Upstate New York. Expect iconic hits across various genres, high-energy performances and festive celebrations that will light up venues across the region. From Chicagos classic rock hits to Pentatonixs holiday favorites, theres something for every music fan.

1. Chicago

Chicago has been actively touring and promoting their latest album, Chicago XXXVIII: Born for This Moment, released in July 2022. The album marked the bands first collection of original material since 2014.

Fans can expect a night filled with the bands classic hits, including 25 or 6 to 4, Saturday in the Park, Make Me Smile and Youre the Inspiration.

When: Wednesday, November 6 @ 7:30 p.m.

Where: Utica, NY @ The Stanley Theatre

Online Tickets: Vivid Seats | SeatGeek | StubHub | Ticketmaster

2. Pop Evil and Bad Wolves

A mixture of hard rock songs with good melodies and loud guitars with propulsive metal rhythms, Pop Evil is best known for hits like Trenches and Waking Lions.

Bad Wolves formed in 2017 and first charted with a cover of The Cranberries Zombie. Theyve previously toured with Ice Nine Kills, Bush and Disturbed.

When: Saturday, November 9 @ 7 p.m.

Where: Albany, NY @ Empire Live

Online Tickets: Vivid Seats | SeatGeek | StubHub | Ticketmaster

3. Pentatonix

Pentatonix, known for their show-stopping renditions of festive favorites like Hallelujah, Mary, Did You Know and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, is bringing their Christmas tour to Upstate New York for two stops.

When: Saturday, November 16 and November 23 @ 7 p.m.

Where: Albany, NY @ MVP Arena and Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center

Online Tickets: Vivid Seats | SeatGeek | StubHub | Ticketmaster

4. Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Trans-Siberian Orchestra is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their final Christmas trilogy album with a fresh version of their classic rock opera. The band is famous for their elaborate stage designs, high-energy performances and intricate storytelling.

When: Wednesday, November 20 @ 7:30 p.m.

Where: Albany, NY @ MVP Arena

Online Tickets: Vivid Seats | SeatGeek | StubHub | Ticketmaster

5. Lindsey Stirling

Lindsey Stirling is bringing the Show Waltz Christmas Tour, a celebration of Stirlings 2022 holiday album, Snow Waltz, to Upstate New York. The tour will feature festive favorites like Sleigh Ride, Joy to the World and Deck the Halls, along with original compositions from her chart-topping album.

When: Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23 @ 8 p.m.

Where: Rochester, NY @ Kodak Center Main Theater and Utica, NY @ Stanley Theatre

Online Tickets: Vivid Seats | SeatGeek | StubHub | Ticketmaster

6. The Story So Far

Pop-punk band The Story So Far will perform in Buffalo, NY, in support of their fifth studio album, I Want to Disappear, featuring the lead singles Big Blind, Letterman and All This Time. Theyll be joined by special guests Superheaven and Koyo.

When: Sunday, November 24 @ 7:30 p.m.

Where: Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo RiverWorks

Online Tickets: Vivid Seats | SeatGeek | StubHub | Ticketmaster
Syracuse, N.Y.  Two Romanian men have been accused of stealing debit card information and using it to withdraw about $175,000 from the card owners accounts.

The men, Radu-Lucian Grigoras and Gheorghe Nistor, placed so-called skimming devices on ATMs to steal information off cards as they were inserted, according to federal prosecutors from the Northern District of New York. Tiny cameras were used to capture the card owner typing in their PIN, they said.

Grigoras, 45, and Nistor, 42, allegedly ran the scheme from April to August, prosecutors said. They tapped ATMs in Onondaga County, as well as in Kansas, Missouri and Pennsylvania.

The two men were indicted on one charge each of financial institution fraud and aggravated identity theft. They appeared in court last week and pleaded not guilty.

Trials for the two men are scheduled to begin Dec. 30 in Utica, records show.

Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- A federal judge has tossed a lawsuit that alleged Berkshire Bank knew about Madison County landlord Burt Marshalls alleged Ponzi scheme and did nothing to stop it.

U.S. District Judge David Hurd of the Northern District of New York dismissed the lawsuit by Mark S. ODell, one of the many victims of Marshalls promissory note fund, in a decision Oct. 31.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Voters will head to the polls today in Central New York and beyond to choose the next U.S. president as well as members of Congress and a handful of state and local officials in New York.

Election Day caps a long and contentious campaign season in Syracuse and around the nation. In Central New York, more than $18 million has been spent on the campaign for the 22nd Congressional District. Nationwide, more than $10 billion was spent on political ads this year, according to NPR.

While today will end the campaigns, many here have already voted. In Onondaga County, one-third of registered voters already cast a ballot during early voting.

Heres a look at what to know ahead of Election Day.

When can I vote?

Polls open today at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.

Who can vote?

Anyone who registered to vote before the Oct. 26 deadline can vote in Tuesdays election.

You cannot vote on Election Day if you voted early or voted by mail-in ballot.

Wondering if youre registered to vote? Look up your registration status here.

Where do I vote?

If youve registered to vote, you have an assigned polling place. You might have gotten a postcard in the mail with your voting location. You can also find your polling place at the New York State Board of Elections site.

Do I need to bring my ID to the polling site?

Government-issued ID cards are not required to vote in New York.

However, certain newly registered voters who are casting a ballot for the first time may need to show ID, if they didnt provide it when they registered. Wondering if that applies to you? Learn more about it here.

What happens if my name is not on the voter registration lists?

Voters who dont appear on the registration list can ask poll workers to check with the county Board of Elections. If the problem cant be resolved, voters will be allowed to cast affidavit ballots. Those ballots, if verified as legal after Election Day, will be counted.

Whos on the ballot?

The marquee race in Central New York is a contest between Brandon Williams and John Mannion for New Yorks 22nd Congressional District. The two are running in one of the most competitive races in the country.

But there are several other down-ballot races of interest in CNY.

Heres a complete list of who is on the ballot in Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison and Oswego counties. You can also see sample ballots from each area.

Whats Proposition 1?

Make sure to flip over your ballot after you select candidates. There, youll see a proposal to change amend the New York Constitution. It reads:

This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

A YES vote puts these protections in the New York State Constitution.

A NO vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution."

Where do I find results?

Syracuse.com will publish live results from each race as they come in after polls close at 9 p.m. today. Well call winners as they become apparent. You can check back Wednesday morning as well for a complete list of results.

What should I know about the candidates?

Heres a look at the policy positions of the two candidates for Central New Yorks House race.

You can also read up on the races for state legislature seats below. For more election coverage, see our 2024 election guide.

NY Senate 50th District:

How a young Salina Republican became the GOPs best hope to flip a tight NY Senate seat

After a decade in the minority, Geddes Democrat seeks a bigger role in Albany

2024 Election: Paro, Ryan square off in one of NYs most competitive Senate races

NY Senate 48th District:

Election 2024: Republican Slater battles incumbent May for Syracuses NY Senate district

NY Assembly:

126th Assembly District: Lemondes, Phillips on equal rights amendment, housing and more

127th Assembly District: Stirpe, Kelly on affordable housing, the equal rights amendment and more

128th Assembly District: Ciciarelli, Hunter on housing, equal rights and other issues

What else matters tonight?

The presidential race looms large on Tuesday. But in upstate New York, a handful of local races will have statewide and even national impact.

Heres a look at 5 things at stake in todays election.

How did we get here?

The race for NYs 22nd Congressional District will be the most-watched contest locally.

That contest pits first-term Congressman Brandon Williams against state Sen. John Mannion in a contest Democrats view as one of the most winnable swing districts in the nation. More than $18 million has been spent here by the candidates and outside groups. The seat is one of just 16 districts where Joe Biden won in 2020 but a Republican maintains the House seat.

Williams, a Republican tech entrepreneur originally from Texas, has sought to soften some of his far-right rhetoric as the election nears. After rejecting bipartisanship in his first bid for office two years ago, hes touted efforts to work across the aisle in recent months and toned down attacks on Democrats.

Mannion, a Democrat and former schoolteacher, has cast himself as the get-along candidate who is able to work with leaders of any political persuasion. His voting record in Albany mostly backs that up. Hes also had to fend off anonymous claims from three former staffers that he created a hostile work environment. Those claims were made by fellow Democrats in the final days of a primary, but national Republican groups have seized on them in a series of blistering attack ads.

Redistricting last year made the district more friendly to Democrats, who have a large enrollment advantage. But the area has traditionally sent moderate Republicans to Congress over the last few decades (with a few exceptions).

Take a look back at our coverage of the primary, the candidates, the jaw-dropping amounts of money spent, and the issues that have dominated the conversation in recent months.

House race between Williams and Mannion turned into an $18 million battle over a few issues

Oneida County emerges as key battleground for Mannion, Williams in CNY House race

Brandon Williams refers to Trumps final days as orderly transition in last House debate

Republicans probably will try to repeal CHIPS Act that drew Micron to Central NY, House speaker says

Democrats unleash unprecedented door-to-door blitz to push John Mannion over the finish line

Democratic group cancels ads for John Mannion amid signs of House race tilting in his favor

What issues separate Brandon Williams, John Mannion in race for Congress?

The public teacher vs. the home-schooler: How Mannion and Williams split on education

Millions are pouring into Mannion, Williams race for House. Where is all that money coming from? (See charts, maps)

Williams, Mannion clash on abortion, taxes for first time in syracuse.com debate

John Mannion fires back over abusive workplace claims as House ad war escalates

Watch Syracuse.com debate between Brandon Williams and John Mannion

Pro-science group pours $600K into Central NY aiming to unseat Rep. Brandon Williams

Whistleblowing? Or dirty politics? Inside the 11th hour accusations against John Mannion

In Central NY battle for Congress, ads from Mannion, Williams distort views on abortion

John Mannion often split with Democrats in Albany. What would he do in Congress?

Who is the real Brandon Williams? A look at Central NY congressmans mixed messages

Its game on for Williams and Mannion, as one of nations key House races begins

John Mannion wins Democratic primary election for Congress: It takes positivity
East Irondequoit, N.Y.  At least one bullet struck a school bus full of students Monday morning in Upstate New York.

An East Irondequoit bus was ferrying ten high school-aged students to school around 7:40 a.m. when a projectile hit the side windows, the New York State Police said. The possible shooting happened on State Route 104 near Portland Ave in East Irondequoit, troopers said.

No one was injured.

The bus was bringing the students to the Aquinas Institute of Rochester, a private Catholic school in Rochester, East Irondequoit Superintendent Mary E. Grow said in a statement. The bullet shattered two of the bus' windows, she said.

We are relieved to report that all students are safe and unharmed, Grow said. The safety of our students and bus driver is our top priority, and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure their well-being.

The students were brought to Aquinas shortly after the incident and met with school counselors, Aquinas officials said in a statement shared with News10NBC.

Troopers asked anyone with information about the incident to call (585) 398-4100 or email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.
An Upstate New York man has been arrested for assaulting a supermarket shopper who was wearing a pro-Trump hat, according to police.

WHAM reports Robert Yott, 60, was arrested in the Steuben County village of Bath after allegedly punching a stranger in the mouth several times at a Tops supermarket on Friday. He broke the victims teeth and left their mouth bloody, the Bath Village Police Department said.

Yott initiated a confrontation with the victim after becoming aggressive over the fact that the stranger was wearing a Trump 2024 hat, police said.

Yott was charged with second-degree assault and criminal mischief as a result of the incident. He was being held pending arraignment, police said Friday.

No other details were released in what police described as a random act of violence.

Yott is a local author who has published two military history books, according to the Wellsville Sun. His political affiliation was not publicized, but the New York Post notes the village of Bath has twice as many registered Republican voters as Democratic voters, according to state records.

Robert Yott is accused of assaulting a man for wearing a Trump hat in an Upstate NY supermarket, according to the Bath Police Department.Bath Police

The victims name has not been released. Its unclear if they required medical treatment or hospitalization.
New York  New York State Police on Monday suspended a trooper without pay after launching an investigation into his account of being shot and wounded while attempting to help a motorist on a Long Island highway last week  an incident that prompted a manhunt for the purported gunman.

The decision was announced after officers executed a search warrant at Trooper Thomas Mascias residence in West Hempstead earlier Monday as they probed the circumstances of the shooting he reported on Oct. 30.

State police also canceled an alert issued for a black Dodge Charger with a temporary New Jersey registration that the trooper said was involved in the shooting.

Department spokesperson Beau Duffy declined to comment further on the suspension.

We cant get into specifics while the investigation is ongoing, he wrote in a email.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said her office is assisting state police in investigating certain inconsistencies in the reporting of the shooting. A spokesperson for her office declined to elaborate, saying the investigation is ongoing.

Police on Monday closed off the West Hempstead road where Mascia lives and officers were seen entering his home.

Neighbors also told Newsday that investigators began knocking on doors to ask residents questions and seek doorbell camera footage Sunday.

Mascia, who was released from the hospital Friday, didnt respond to phone messages seeking comment Monday, and a lawyer representing him also didnt respond to an email.

The New York State Police Benevolent Association, a union representing state troopers, said it is not involved in the investigation but is monitoring the situation.

New York State Police Superintendent Steven James said at a news conference last week that the shooting happened on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead, which is roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Manhattan in suburban Nassau County.

Mascia had been patrolling the parkway shortly before midnight when he observed a black sedan parked on the left-hand shoulder and went to offer assistance, James said.

But when he exited his patrol car, he said, he was met with gunfire and shot in the leg before the driver fled heading west in the direction of New York City.

The 27-year-old, who became a trooper in 2019, used a tourniquet to stem the bleeding until other officers arrived, James said.

Police at the time said there was no video footage of the incident the troopers body camera was not activated.

The camera activates automatically when the lights on a patrol cars roof are fully turned on; Mascia reported only turning on the rear lights of the bar.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Cop Shot, a New York City group, offered a total of $15,000 in rewards for information about the shooting.
A New York State Assemblyman has introduced a new law after an internet-famous squirrel was euthanized in Upstate New York.

WETM reports NYS Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz of the 15th Assembly District in Long Island has proposed Peanuts Law: Humane Animal Protection Act. The law would be an amendment to the New York State Environmental Conservation Law over animal seizure rules after the popular Peanut the squirrel, also known as PNut or PNUT, was euthanized by DEC agents last week.

I urge you to take immediate action by launching a thorough investigation into the handling of this case and ensuring accountability, Blumencranz wrote in a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul. It is essential that we work together to safeguard both the welfare of animals and the values we hold as a compassionate society.

Peanut and Fred, a rescued raccoon, were both confiscated from Mark Longos home and animal sanctuary in the Southern Tier hamlet Pine City on Wednesday. The DEC and the Chemung County Health Department said both animals were put down for rabies testing after Peanut allegedly bit someone during an investigation over complaints that wildlife was allegedly being kept illegally and potentially unsafely.

In New York State, it is illegal to house animals considered wildlife without a special permit; Mr. Longo has said he was in the process of applying for one. Longo said he was working to get Peanut certified as an education animal.

Honestly, this still kind of feels surreal, that the state that I live in actually targeted me and took two of the most beloved animals on this planet away, didnt even quarantine them. They took them from my house and just killed them, he told the Associated Press on Saturday.

According to WETM, the law proposed by Blumencranz would amend Section 11-0512 of New Yorks Environmental Conservation Law to ensure humane treatment and due process of sanctuary animals, including a mandatory 72-hour waiting period before euthanizing any sanctuary animals. It would also create a dedicated DEC review board of experts for emergency appeals of cases and recognize animal sanctuaries like

The controversy has become a political issue for the 2024 election, according to the New York Times and Rolling Stone.

Republicans, including Blumencranz and Reps. Marc J. Molinaro and Marjorie Taylor Greene, have used it to accuse Democrats of government overreach. GOP vice presidential candidate JD Vance said at a North Carolina rally Sunday that former President Donald Trump is even fired up about PNut the squirrel.

RIP Peanut, the Trump campaigns official TikTok account said on Sunday. Needlessly murdered by Democrat bureaucrats in New York... We will avenge you on Tuesday at the ballot box.

Hochul and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, declined requests to comment, according to the Times.

Backlash has only grown as Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk spoke out over Peanut on social media and the squirrel even appeared on the cover of the New York Post Sunday. New York State Police have dealt with 10 bomb threats in the last two days targeting DEC facilities, an official told the Times.

Longo, also known as Squirrel Daddy on the website Only Fans, reportedly considered Peanut and Fred to be pets. Peanut, who became famous on Instagram in pictures with a little cowboy hat, had lived with them for seven years and inspired Longo and his wife, Daniela, to open an animal rescue in Chemung County called PNuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary.

Longo told Rolling Stone that hes previously had no issues with the DEC, but changed his tune after last weeks raid.

Im the first one to say that I shy away from politics, but it sparks me in the sense of, This is how the government is run in New York State? he told the magazine. I dont want Peanuts name to die in vain.
TOKYO, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Japanese authorities warned that human injuries caused by wild deer inhabiting Nara Park in western Japan have risen, with many tourists who approached the stags getting injured by their antlers, local media reported Tuesday.

Thirty-five people were hurt in September by the animals at Nara Park, a major tourist attraction, seven times more than a year earlier, with 10 hospitalized, the Mainichi Shimbun reported.

Many of the injuries were puncture wounds of a few centimeters on the thigh or other body parts, it added.

From September to October each year, the stags are in mating season and become more aggressive, resulting in a few injuries. However, the Nara Park Office said the numbers of stags and injured people this year are both higher than usual, the report said.

Nara Park's male deer have had their antlers clipped at a rate of 10 to 15 a day since late August, but the antler clipping process has not kept pace with the number of deer, according to the park office.

A surge in foreign visitors to Nara City and people walking through the park holding deer crackers was also thought to be a factor.

"Warning! Stags in heat are highly aggressive, especially during the peak month of October, and antler-related injuries are on the rise," reads digital signage the Nara Municipal Government has been broadcasting at 12 major railroad stations in the city, in response to a request from the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation.

Nara's deer, about 1,300 of which roam Nara Park and its surrounding areas, are designated as a national natural treasure in the country. 
A hot potato: The US is one of several countries that previously declared it would always keep control of nuclear weapons in the hands of humans, not AI. But the Pentagon isn't averse to using artificial intelligence to "enhance" nuclear command, control, and communications systems, worryingly.

Late last month, US Strategic Command leader Air Force Gen. Anthony J. Cotton said the command was "exploring all possible technologies, techniques, and methods to assist with the modernization of our NC3 capabilities."

Several AI-controlled military weapon systems and vehicles have been developed in the last few years, including fighter jets, drones, and machine guns. Their use on the battlefield raises concerns, so the prospect of AI, which still makes plenty of mistakes, being part of a nuclear weapons system feels like the nightmarish stuff of Hollywood sci-fi.

Cotton tried to alleviate those fears at the 2024 Department of Defense Intelligence Information System Conference. He said (via Air & Space Forces Magazine) that while AI will enhance nuclear command and control decision-making capabilities, "we must never allow artificial intelligence to make those decisions for us."

Back in May, State Department arms control official Paul Dean told an online briefing that Washington has made a "clear and strong commitment" to keep humans in control of nuclear weapons. Dean added that both Britain and France have made the same commitment. Dean said the US would welcome a similar statement by China and the Russian Federation.

Cotton said increasing threats, a deluge of sensor data, and cybersecurity concerns were making the use of AI a necessity to keep American forces ahead of those seeking to challenge the US.

"Advanced systems can inform us faster and more efficiently," he said, once again emphasizing that "we must always maintain a human decision in the loop to maximize the adoption of these capabilities and maintain our edge over our adversaries." Cotton also talked about AI being used to give leaders more "decision space."

Chris Adams, general manager of Northrop Grumman's Strategic Space Systems Division, said part of the problem with NC3 is that it's made up of hundreds of systems "that are modernized and sustained over a long period of time in response to an ever-changing threat." Using AI could help collate, interpret, and present all the data collected by these systems at speed.

Even if it isn't figuratively being handed the nuclear launch codes, AI's use in any nuclear weapons system could be risky, something that Cotton says must be addressed. "We need to direct research efforts to understand the risks of cascading effects of AI models, emergent and unexpected behaviors, and indirect integration of AI into nuclear decision-making processes," he warned.

In February, researchers ran international conflict simulations with five different LLMs: GPT-4, GPT 3.5, Claude 2.0, Llama-2-Chat, and GPT-4-Base. They found that the systems often escalated war, and in several instances, they deployed nuclear weapons without any warning. GPT-4-Base  a base model of GPT-4  said, "We have it! Let's use it!"
Chinese and Maltese children sing Happy Birthday song during a ceremony celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Confucius Institute at the University of Malta in Msida, Malta, on Nov. 4, 2024.(Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua)

VALLETTA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Malta received acclaim on Monday for its role in promoting friendship between China and Malta, as it marked its 15th anniversary.

The special anniversary celebration featured performances by university students from the Confucius Institute as well as primary and secondary school students.

In his address, Peng Yijun, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Malta, praised the institute's contributions over the past 15 years.

"The Confucius Institute has opened a door for Maltese young people to explore the real China," he said, underscoring the strong partnership between the University of Malta and Xiamen University in southeast China's Fujian Province.

Shi Dalin, vice president of Xiamen University, expressed hope that the Confucius Institute would continue to serve as a model for educational and cultural collaboration between Xiamen University and the University of Malta.

University of Malta Pro-Rector Frank Bezzina highlighted Confucius Institute's role in language teaching and cultural exchanges, noting that institute plays a unique role by promoting dialogue and mutual understanding.

In a video message, Yu Yunfeng, director of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation at China's Ministry of Education, said the Confucius Institute has played "a unique and important role" in promoting cultural exchanges and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship. 
Mark Zuckerberg waved the American flag last 4th of July while surfing and enjoying a cold one, but that is not the only patriotic thing he planned to do this year as Meta is now leveraging its AI model to help the country in more ways than one. The company recently unveiled its plans to join the United States in its fight against the East Asian superpower, China, by using its AI to boost national security.

The company is now partnering with US national security agencies to deliver improved experiences and not only for the country's safety, with Llama AI now looking to take on a more profound role.

Meta is Now Offering Llama AI to US National Security

Meta has announced that its open-source AI model, Llama, is looking to partner with the United States government to bring significant advancements to the national security agencies' technology and processes. According to the company, it looks to improve more of the country's artificial intelligence technology, as well as fortify global security via its renowned Llama model.

The company is touting its artificial intelligence's open source nature that can be beneficial to the public sector that will make way for future discoveries in space, as well as improve public services.

Apart from this, Meta is also partnering with known US government contractors to bolster their technology, with the likes of Amazon Web Services, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, Lockheed Martin, and more.

Meta Wants to Join US in Fight Against China

According to Meta, the company wants to help the United States improve its artificial intelligence standing, particularly as it is facing a tight race against one of its top competitors, China. Through Meta's AI, the US will receive significant help in advancing its AI technology, as China is now working towards its own models.

One example Meta shared is how Oracle is using its technology to "synthesize aircraft maintenance documents" for easier problem diagnosis, with the company also mentioning its work with Scale AI that helps in "fine-tuning" national security team missions.

The Rise of Meta's AI Developments

The social media company has turned itself into a multi-tech company in its Meta rebrand, and one of the technologies that the company also developed is artificial intelligence, with Llama among the early developments in the industry. The company is best known for making Llama open source, looking to rival the likes of OpenAI's GPT and Google's Gemini in the current race.

In this year alone, Meta made its significant move towards offering the public more AI experiences across its social media platforms, with Messenger, WhatsApp, and more getting its renowned chatbot. Additionally, it introduced a new tool that is capable of detecting AI-generated deepfakes online, helping users spot what is real from the fabricated, and soon help in account authentication.

This significant move by Meta towards artificial intelligence leverages its massive developments in the space, with Llama already at version 3.2, offering more powerful features and experiences. However, Meta is taking its AI developments a step further in aiding the United States in different national security processes, helping in the fight against the rising nation of China.
The controversial and celebrated initiative by Elon Musk under the America PAC movement can proceed with its $1 million per voter giveaway until Election Day after a petition was denied to shut it down. It comes after a hearing behind this voter giveaway opened on several issues behind it, with an emergency petition to block it filed against Musk and his team behind America PAC.

It is known that this America PAC movement supports presidential candidate Donald J. Trump, with Elon Musk announcing this over two weeks ago during a campaign rally for the Republican candidate.

Elon Musk, America PAC Can Continue with $1M Giveaways

Elon Musk and the America PAC movement no longer have any worries with their renowned campaign that promises $1 million paid to a lucky, random voter who will register under the campaign. According to The Verge, a Philadelphia judge denied the emergency petition from District Attorney Larry Krasner who asked to block this giveaway program, claiming that it is illegal.

It was further revealed by DA Krasner that this giveaway promotion by Musk and the America PAC is an "illegal lottery," and has since asked for this to stop deceiving the general public.

That being said, Musk and the America PAC's promises will only run until November 5, or the United States' election day, but it already ran for over two weeks since it first awarded the prize money to a Pennsylvania voter.

America PAC's Giveaways Are Not Random, Sweepstakes

However, after a recent hearing this Monday, The Associated Press reported that Musk's giveaways are not selected randomly, as opposed to its original claims of it being under a 'sweepstakes' program.

It was revealed that the America PAC is choosing the winners carefully as they are set to be "paid" spokesperson of the campaign and support for Trump, with its fine print only mentioning the requirement to sign up via its website for a chance to win.

Elon Musk and His Support For Donald Trump

Elon Musk is known for his eccentric persona, as well as his unhinged opinions and sentiments online, with the renowned candidate best known for maintaining a relationship with Trump and most recently, giving his support in the upcoming US elections. Earlier this year, Musk leveraged his social media, X, in offering Donald Trump a platform to air his plans for the country, with both engaging in extreme, unfiltered political discussions.

However, an online campaign against Musk also blew up earlier this year, and many people are calling to "DeportElonMusk" on X after the renowned billionaire exercised his free speech by making a "joke." It was revealed that Musk posted an "assassination joke" regarding President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, with the public holding it against the tech mogul.

As Election day neared, Musk's help to campaign for Trump led to another controversial claim where he said that voters who signed up for America PAC are each getting $1 million randomly, via a sweepstakes. However, it was revealed that it was not selected at random, but is being chosen by America PAC, with many calling to block these monetary giveaways, but was denied by the presiding judge.
Chinese artists perform at the closing ceremony of the 2024 China-Tanzania Tourism and Culture Year in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Nov. 4, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuel Herman/Xinhua)

DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Senior officials from the Chinese and Tanzanian governments have identified tourism and culture as two factors that helped cement ties between the two countries.

A closing ceremony of the 2024 China-Tanzania Tourism and Culture Year and celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries was held in the port city of Dar es Salaam Monday night.

Speaking at the event, the officials observed that tourism and culture not only helped stimulate economic development but also promoted people-to-people exchanges and understanding between the two countries.

Lu Yingchuan, vice minister of culture and tourism in China, said cooperation between the two countries has reached new heights as more Chinese tourists visit Tanzania.

"From exchanges of art performances, tourism promotions, food tasting, to the creation of artworks and personnel training, an array of diverse and colorful activities triggered a fresh surge of cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation between our two countries," Lu noted.

Chen Mingjian, the Chinese ambassador to Tanzania, said China and Tanzania have a long history of rich culture and harmonious coexistence in a peaceful atmosphere.

"At the same time, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Tanzania keeps on growing, with more than 54,000 of them visiting Tanzania between January and September this year," she told the gathering that featured cultural performances from China and Tanzania.

Pindi Chana, Tanzania's minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, said China-Tanzania relations have continued to develop, with fruitful results in practical cooperation and rich cultural exchanges.

"The development of tourism can not only drive growth and create jobs, but also promote consumption and stabilize confidence," she told the gathering co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, and Tanzania's ministries of Natural Resources and Tourism, Culture, Arts and Sports, and Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.

The event was preceded by the "Nihao! China" China Tourism Promotion Conference, which was attended by tourism stakeholders from China and Tanzania. At this conference, they explained their experiences in the industry.

The event also saw the relaunch of the film Amazing Tanzania, which was first launched in China in May 2024.

The film starring Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania's Zanzibari President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, and Chinese actor Jin Dong has served as a catalyst to attract more tourists from China to visit the East African nation, according to the African country's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Hassan Abbasi. 
Spain dreads more flood deaths on day six of rescue



Valencia, Spain, Nov 4 (AFP) Nov 04, 2024



Thousands of rescuers pumped water from submerged buildings, churned through muddy streets and cleared debris on Monday as Spain braced for more deaths from its worst floods in decades.

The toll stands at 218 dead -- all but four in the eastern Valencia region after authorities revised the total from 217 late Monday -- and could spike in the coming days as an unknown number of people remain missing.

Around 17,000 soldiers, police officers, civil guards and firefighters spent a sixth day distributing aid, repairing infrastructure and searching for bodies using heavy machinery, drones and sniffer dogs.

Roads and railways were gradually being repaired, while 60 percent of the telephone network had been restored, government minister Angel Victor Torres told reporters.

Almost all the power grid was back up and 93 percent of the affected population has access to the gas network, said Rosa Touris, spokeswoman for the body coordinating rescue work in the Valencia region.

Divers on Monday concentrated their search for missing bodies in garages and a multi-storey car park in the town of Aldaia.

The structure is full of "millions of litres" of water and a morgue capable of holding 400 bodies is being prepared, said General Javier Marcos, head of the army's emergencies unit.

"To begin with a morgue was set up for around 100 victims -- but we quickly understood that would be insufficient," Marcos said.

Authorities meanwhile authorised the release of around 50 recovered bodies to their families, Valencia's high court posted on X.

The storm caught many victims in their vehicles on roads and in underground spaces such as car parks, tunnels and garages where rescue operations are particularly difficult.

Authorities in Valencia extended travel restrictions for another two days, cancelled classes and urged residents to work from home to facilitate the work of the emergency services.



- Chaos in Catalonia -



Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said Spain is carrying out its biggest peacetime deployment of the armed forces.

But relief works only reached some towns days after the disaster and in many cases volunteers were the first to provide food, water, sanitation and cleaning equipment.

Experts have questioned the warning systems that failed to alert the population in time and the speed of the response.

"They were saying 'alert for water', but they should have said it was a flood," Teresa Gisbert, 62, told AFP in the destroyed town of Sedavi, saying she had "lost everything".

For BassMotor, a small cleaning equipment business in the Valencia region, government help could not come soon enough after the floods destroyed almost all its stock.

After clearing the mud, the company needs to see "how the Spanish government and the aid are responding -- which at the moment doesn't seem to be moving forward much", spokesman Diego Navarro Rodriguez told AFP.

"Everything is pretty uncertain. So there's nothing left to do but wait."

National weather service AEMET announced the end of the emergency for Valencia but torrential rain sparked transport chaos in the northeastern Catalonia region.

Barcelona's El Prat airport, Spain's second busiest, cancelled 153 flights on Monday, Transport Minister Oscar Puente wrote on X.

The city closed some flooded metro stations and regional trains were suspended but no human casualties were recorded in Catalonia, regional leader Salvador Illa told a news conference.



- Monarchs hit by mud -



Spain also grappled with the aftermath of an extraordinary outburst of popular anger in which crowds heckled and hurled mud at King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Sanchez.

A judge has opened an investigation into the chaos in the ground-zero town of Paiporta that cut short their visit on Sunday amid widespread discontent at the perceived mishandling of the crisis.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska blamed "marginal groups" for instigating the violence where mud spattered the monarchs' faces and clothes, and a window of Sanchez's car was broken.

Spain's transport minister told La Sexta television late Monday that it had been "a mistake" to organise the royal visit with emotions running so high.

Storms coming off the Mediterranean like the one that struck Spain one week ago are common during this season.

But scientists have warned that human-induced climate change is increasing the ferocity, length and frequency of extreme weather events.

"Politicians haven't acted on climate change, and now we're paying the consequences of their inaction," environmental activist Emi, 21, told AFP in the devastated town of Chiva.
Critically endangered Sumatran elephant calf born in Indonesia



Jakarta, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



A critically endangered Sumatran elephant has been born in Indonesia, officials said Tuesday, another rare birth that has given renewed hope to conservation efforts.

Sumatran elephants are on the brink of extinction with only about 2,400-2,800 left in the world, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature.

The female calf was born Monday at the Buluh Cina nature tourism park in Riau Province on the western island of Sumatra, local conservation agency head Genman Suhefti Hasibuan told AFP.

The unnamed calf was born to a 24-year-old female named Ngatini and a 25-year-old bull named Robin, Genman added.

"The female calf weighs 104 kilograms (229 pounds)," Genman told AFP.

"The calf is healthy, lively, and actively looking for milk from the mother."

Two more critically endangered Sumatran elephants were born late last year in Way Kambas National Park on Sumatra island.

Indonesian officials hailed the births and said they showed conservation efforts were essential to prevent the protected species from extinction.

The elephant population is threatened by rampant poaching for their tusks, which are prized in the illegal wildlife trade.

The archipelago nation faces an ongoing battle against wildlife crime and several elephant poisoning cases have been reported in recent years.

Deforestation has reduced the critically endangered elephants' natural habitat and brought them into increasing conflict with humans.
Azerbaijan: a country steeped in hydrocarbons



Paris, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



Azerbaijan, host of the upcoming United Nations COP29 climate summit, is a petrostate nestled between Russia and Iran.



- An ancient history -



The name Azerbaijan comes from the Persian "azer", or "sacred fire", from the temples of the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism, which were fuelled by gas or crude oil that gushed naturally from the ground.

In the late 13th century, Venetian explorer and writer Marco Polo reported seeing a gushing "oil fountain" as he travelled along the Silk Road in the Caucasus.

Today, near the capital Baku, the Zoroastrian Ateshgah temple has an ever-burning fire fuelled by a pipe of methane gas from a nearby field. In the past, the gas escaped from cracks in the ground.



- Cradle of oil extraction -



The country is historically one of the cradles of modern oil extraction: even before drilling started in the United States, a well was drilled in 1846 near Baku, which was quickly surrounded by derricks.

Swedes Robert and Ludvig Nobel -- brothers of Alfred, after whom Nobel Prizes are named -- were among the first to invest in Azeri oil.

They bought a refinery and oil fields from 1876, then founded the Branobel company that became the world's largest before being nationalised in 1920 when Azerbaijan came under Soviet control.

It was estimated that more than half of world oil production in 1900 came from the Absheron peninsula on the Caspian Sea on which Baku sits.



- An oil-gas republic -



The Republic of Azerbaijan, which became independent in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, derives much of its wealth from oil and natural gas, which today mainly come from offshore deposits in the Caspian Sea.

Hydrocarbons represent 90 percent of the country's exports, half of state income and a third of gross domestic product, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the US State Department.

The IEA ranks Azerbaijan as a "major" producer and exporter of natural gas and oil, with 32.7 million tonnes of crude and 35 billion cubic metres of natural gas produced in 2022, of which more than two-thirds were exported.

The country is among the 20 biggest net oil exporters and the 12th largest for gas, according to 2022 figures.

The deepwater Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) oilfield complex, discovered in the 1970s around 100 kilometres (62 miles) east of Baku, is the country's main source of oil.

The site, operated by British company BP in association with state company Socar, accounts for more than half of national production of crude oil, according to BP's operating figures for the first quarter of 2024.



- The bet on gas -



While Azerbaijan's oil production has been on the decline since peaking in 2010, production of natural gas is burgeoning.

A member of OPEC+, an enlarged version of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, it defends gas as a transition energy as nations seek to cut carbon emissions, and plans to increase its production by about a third in the next decade.

Baku hopes to benefit from falling Russian gas exports, hit by international sanctions following the war in Ukraine, to become a preferred supplier to Europe through the Southern Gas Corridor network of pipelines that cross Georgia and Turkey, linking Azerbaijan to Italy.

The main gas field, Shah Deniz, was discovered in 1999 in the Caspian Sea around 70 kilometres south of Baku and is one of the biggest natural gas sites in the world.

Operated by BP, it provides more than two-thirds of national production, according to the firm.

ot/jmy/fg/sco
Smog sickness: India's capital struggles as pollution surges



New Delhi, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



The toxic smog season in India's capital has just begun, but those unable to escape cancer-causing poisonous fumes say the hazardous impact on health is already taking its toll.

New Delhi regularly ranks among the world's most polluted capitals, with a melange of factory and vehicle emissions exacerbated by agricultural fires blanketing the city each winter, stretching from mid-October until at least January.

Cooler temperatures and slow-moving winds trap deadly pollutants, suffocating the megacity of 30 million people in putrid fumes.

Factory worker Balram Kumar returns home exhausted from work, but then is up all night coughing.

"I am barely able to sleep all night," Kumar, 24, told AFP as he waited outside a special pollution clinic, set up at the government-run Ram Manohar Lohia hospital.

"My chest hurts every time I cough. I have been taking medicines but there is no relief," said Kumar.

He pointed dejectedly to an X-ray of his chest.

"My cough is just not going," he said.



- Thousands of deaths -



On Tuesday, the level of PM2.5 particles -- the smallest and most harmful, which can enter the bloodstream -- topped 278 micrograms per cubic metre, according to monitoring firm IQAir.

That is 18 times the daily maximum recommended by the World Health Organization.

On the worst days, levels can shoot up as high as 30 times the daily maximum.

Piecemeal government efforts to mitigate the smog, such as a public campaign encouraging drivers to turn off their engines at traffic lights, have failed to make an impact.

A study in the Lancet medical journal attributed 1.67 million premature deaths to air pollution in the world's most populous country in 2019.

Air pollution in Delhi has worsened after a fireworks ban was widely flouted for raucous celebrations last week for the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali.

The cracker frenzy turned Delhi's winter skies dull grey.

Doctor Amit Suri, who heads the pollution clinic, said there is usually a surge of 20-25 percent in the number of patients turning up with respiratory issues after the festival.

This year, it is the same story.

"Most of the patients are coming with complaints of dry cough, throat irritation, running of eyes and some of them are also having skin rashes," Suri told AFP.

The hospital provides treatment and medicine free of cost.

None of its patients can afford private healthcare, and many cannot buy an air purifier for their homes.

The WHO says that air pollution can trigger strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.



- 'How will I survive?' -



A study published in the Lancet Planetary Health journal in July said more than seven percent of all deaths in 10 of India's biggest cities were linked to air pollution.

Delhi was the worst offender, with 12,000 annual deaths linked to air pollution -- or 11.5 percent of the total.

India's Supreme Court last month ruled that clean air was a fundamental human right, ordering both the central government and state-level authorities to take action.

But critics say arguments between rival politicians heading neighbouring states -- as well as between central and state-level authorities -- have compounded the problem.

"We need to create awareness," said doctor Ajay Shukla, the hospital's medical superintendent. "The problem is getting bigger by the day."

On the worst days, Shukla said, it is like chain-smoking cigarettes.

Doctors have been counselling the patients and providing a list of what to do to alleviate the health issues.

The main advice is to try and stay indoors, shut doors and windows, and wear anti-pollution masks while outside.

But Kanshi Ram, a 65-year-old daily wage labourer visiting the clinic, said he did not know what he should do to ease his nagging cough, which has kept him off work this week.

"Doctors are asking me not to go out and breathe the polluted air," Ram, who earns 500 rupees ($6) for each day that he works.

"But how will I survive if I don't go out?" he added. "I feel so helpless."
'Incalculable' bill awaits Spain after historic floods



Madrid, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



The destruction wreaked by Spain's deadliest floods in a generation in one of the country's economic motors will leave a huge bill for the state and the insurance sector.

Last week's catastrophe that has killed more than 210 people nationwide gutted buildings, swept away cars, inundated fields, and wrecked transport and power infrastructure in the wealthy eastern Valencia region.

The European country now faces its "biggest disaster for a climate event", said Mirenchu del Valle Schaan, president of the Spanish insurers' federation UNESPA.

It is too early to estimate the total costs but they will undoubtedly be "extremely high", Celedonio Villamayor, director of the CCS consortium responsible for paying out compensation after natural disasters, told public broadcaster TVE.

The head of the Valencia Chamber of Commerce, Jose Vicente Morata, told the same channel the final bill would be well north of 10 billion euros.

For comparison, the devastating July 2021 floods that claimed more than 200 lives in Germany, Belgium, France, Austria and the Netherlands cost almost $43 billion, according to reinsurer Swiss Re.

The public finances of the Spanish state -- already straining to bring its deficit down in line with EU spending rules -- and the Valencia region will be stretched.

The regional government has proposed an aid package of 250 million euros ($272 million), tax breaks and compensation for businesses.

Clearing debris and reconstructing obliterated infrastructure will also be financed with the central government, which has estimated those works at 2.6 billion euros.



- 'Incalculable consequences' -



An estimated 4,500 businesses located on the ground floors of buildings submerged by mud and water were affected, according to the Valencia Chamber of Commerce.

Dozens of shopping centres and industrial estates home to small and medium-sized businesses were damaged and transport companies lost their lorries.

Among the smaller firms counting the cost was BassMotor, a cleaning equipment company in the Valencia region whose stock was devoured by the floods.

After clearing the mud, the firm is anxiously waiting for the government's response, "which at the moment doesn't seem to be moving forward much", spokesman Diego Navarro Rodriguez told AFP.

If immediate help does not arrive, "there will be redundancies and closures", warned Morata.

The flooding of fields dealt a heavy blow to agriculture in the Valencia region, one of Spain's breadbaskets and a major citrus fruit exporter.

Regional agricultural trade union La Unio estimates 50,000 hectares (123,500 acres) of crops were affected.

Agroseguro, which manages Spanish agriculture insurance, believes the cost could rise to 150 million euros in the sector. Trade union Asaja described the losses as "catastrophic" with "incalculable consequences".

Spanish insurers rely on a common fund managed by the CCS that shares the cost across the sector in the event of a natural disaster.

The CCS therefore covers most of the compensation and insurers only directly pay out for peripheral damage in areas unaffected by the floods.

The system is "perfectly prepared to deal with this type of situation", said UNESPA head del Valle Schaan.

Some 46,000 claims were submitted in just five days, said Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo, who hopes for the first payouts this week.

vab/imm/lth
Radiation level of robot-retrieved Fukushima debris tested



Tokyo, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



Technicians tested the radiation level of debris from inside a damaged reactor at Japan's Fukushima plant on Tuesday after it was removed by a robot for the first time since the nuclear power station was hit by a tsunami in 2011.

Plant operator TEPCO said over the weekend that it had succeeded in bringing a small amount of debris outside the containment vessel surrounding a reactor -- using specialised robots able to function around the high radiation levels inside.

On Tuesday, Kuniaki Takahashi of TEPCO told reporters that they had measured the sample's radiation level and it was low enough to continue to the next stage of the complex process.

Around 880 tons of extremely hazardous material remain, more than 13 years after a catastrophic tsunami caused by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered one of the world's worst nuclear accidents.

A trial removal of nuclear debris from the plant in northeastern Japan began in September, with the aim of studying a tiny sample for clues about conditions inside the reactors.

Removing the debris from the reactors is regarded as the most daunting challenge in the decades-long decommissioning project due to radiation levels within.

The company hopes to transport the sample to a research facility for further testing.

"We will move the debris into a box tomorrow for transportation... and then we will put it in a (special) container," Takahashi said.

"The retrieval will be complete after it is moved into the container," he said, adding that the timeframe for the next steps was unknown.

Three of Fukushima's six reactors went into meltdown after the huge tsunami swamped the facility.

Japan last year began releasing into the Pacific Ocean some of the 540 Olympic swimming pools' worth of reactor cooling water amassed since the disaster.

The step has sparked a diplomatic row with China and Russia, both of which banned seafood imports, although Japan insists the discharge is safe, a view backed by the UN atomic agency.

Beijing, however, said in September it would "gradually resume" importing seafood from Japan after imposing the blanket ban.
Spain unveils aid plan a week after catastrophic floods



Valencia, Spain, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



Spain on Tuesday announced an aid package worth 10.6 billion euros ($11.5 billion) to rebuild regions devastated by its worst floods in a generation that have killed 218 people.

The exceptional Mediterranean storm that lashed eastern Spain a week ago triggered surging torrents of muddy water that have left a trail of destruction and an unknown number of missing.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a series of measures including aid to small and medium-sized businesses, self-employed workers and households who have suffered deaths, incapacity, damage to homes and belongings.

Tax relief and reduction and a three-month postponement to repaying mortgages and loans were also among the announcements aimed at protecting the economy and citizens' livelihoods.

Security force and emergency services personnel are working around the clock to repair damaged infrastructure, distribute aid and search for bodies in Spain's largest peacetime deployment of its armed forces.

Sanchez said almost 15,000 troops, police officers and civil guards were in the eastern Valencia region which has suffered most of the deaths and destruction, up from 7,300 on Saturday.

Firefighters painstakingly combed through piles of damaged vehicles and pumped out water from inundated garages and car parks where more victims may be discovered, AFP journalists saw.

Maribel Albalat, mayor of the ground-zero town of Paiporta, told public broadcaster TVE they were doing "better, but not well" with many streets still inaccessible and residents struggling to get a phone signal.

Five working groups between the left-wing national government and the conservative-run regional authority have been created to coordinate the recovery in Valencia and overcome their occasionally tetchy relationship.



- 'Only the people are helping' -



But many survivors are furious with the authorities for failing to warn the population on time last Tuesday and provide urgent rescue and relief work.

That anger reached breaking point in Paiporta on Sunday when crowds heckled and hurled mud at King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Sanchez.

"Only the people are helping... And the politicians, where are they? Why didn't they raise the alarm? Murderers!" Matilde Gregori, 57, told AFP in the mud-soaked town of Sedavi.

"They don't know how to take care of their people, let them go home... We know how to do better," said Gregori, whose shop fell victim to the floods.

The authorities have warned survivors to shield themselves from health hazards in the stagnant flood water, which may contain toxic waste, chemicals or bacteria from dead humans and animals.

Biology teacher Jose, 58, wore a mask and gloves during the clean-up of a garage in Sedavi awash with water for almost a week.

"Having stagnant water that can breed germs is a great danger that we want to avoid... we'll see if we can manage," he told AFP.

Storms coming off the Mediterranean are common during this season. But scientists have warned human-induced climate change is increasing the ferocity, length and frequency of extreme weather events.
'Incalculable' bill awaits Spain after historic floods



Madrid, Nov 5 (AFP) Nov 05, 2024



Spain's deadliest floods in a generation ravaged one of the nation's key economic regions and will leave an enormous bill for the state and the insurance sector.

Last week's catastrophe that killed more than 210 people nationwide gutted buildings, swept away cars, inundated fields, and wrecked transport and power infrastructure in the wealthy eastern Valencia region.

Spain now faces its "biggest disaster for a climate event", said Mirenchu del Valle Schaan, president of the Spanish insurers' federation UNESPA.

It is too early to estimate the total costs but they will undoubtedly be "extremely high", Celedonio Villamayor, director of the CCS consortium responsible for paying out compensation after natural disasters, told public broadcaster TVE.

The head of the Valencia Chamber of Commerce, Jose Vicente Morata, told the same channel the final bill would be well north of 10 billion euros ($11 billion).

For comparison, the devastating July 2021 floods that claimed more than 200 lives in Germany, Belgium, France, Austria and the Netherlands cost almost $43 billion, according to reinsurer Swiss Re.

The central and Valencia regional governments' finances will be severely stretched, although Spain is seeking aid from the EU solidarity fund that can ease the burden.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday announced a series of measures worth 10.6 billion euros aimed at shielding and relaunching Valencia's economy which he compared to the state's intervention during the Covid-19 pandemic.

These included aid to small and medium-sized businesses, self-employed workers, tax relief and a three-month postponement to repayments of loans and mortgages.

Clearing debris and reconstructing obliterated infrastructure will also be financed with the central government, which has estimated those works at 2.6 billion euros.



- 'Incalculable consequences' -



An estimated 4,500 businesses located on the ground floors of buildings submerged by mud and water were affected, according to the Valencia Chamber of Commerce.

Dozens of shopping centres and industrial estates home to small and medium-sized businesses were damaged and transport companies lost their lorries.

The flooding of fields dealt a heavy blow to agriculture in the Valencia region, one of Spain's breadbaskets and a major citrus fruit exporter.

Regional agricultural trade union La Unio estimates 50,000 hectares (123,500 acres) of crops were affected.

Agroseguro, which manages Spanish agriculture insurance, believes the cost could rise to 150 million euros in the sector. Trade union Asaja described the losses as "catastrophic" with "incalculable consequences".

Spanish insurers rely on a common fund managed by the CCS that shares the cost across the sector in the event of a natural disaster.

The CCS therefore covers most of the compensation and insurers only directly pay out for peripheral damage in areas unaffected by the floods.

The system is "perfectly prepared to deal with this type of situation", said UNESPA head del Valle Schaan.

More than 72,000 claims have been submitted, said Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo, who hopes for the first payouts this week.

vab/imm/rl
Armenia has sent its next and final package of proposals to Azerbaijan to reach a comprehensive peace agreement, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Azernews reports via Russian Media.

"We have sent the last package of proposals, we are waiting for a response from the Azerbaijani side," Hovhannisyan told journalists in parliament, underscoring the current state of negotiations.

Previously, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated that only "one or two points" remain to be agreed upon before an agreement can be signed with Azerbaijan. He expressed hope that both sides would soon reach a consensus on these outstanding issues.

Armenia previously submitted a set of proposals to Azerbaijan concerning the draft peace treaty in late August.

According to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, this version (in August) of the peace treaty contained 17 articles, of which 13 have been agreed upon, including the preamble.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, who is in China to attend the 7th China International Import Expo, in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

SHANGHAI, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic in Shanghai on Tuesday, who is here to attend the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Noting that China always attaches great importance to its relations with Serbia, Li said that China stands ready to work with Serbia to further implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintain close strategic communication, deepen political mutual trust, firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, take bilateral cooperation in various fields to a new level, and advance the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in a new era with high quality.

Li said that China is willing to work with Serbia to strengthen the docking of development strategies, jointly implement the China-Serbia free trade agreement, build and operate key cooperation projects, accelerate cooperation in green, digital and artificial intelligence innovation areas, and achieve more mutually beneficial and win-win results.

It is hoped that Serbia will continue to provide a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Serbia, Li said, adding that the two sides should further deepen exchanges and cooperation on culture, tourism, education, sports, media and youth to consolidate popular support for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future.

Vucevic said Serbia firmly abides by the one-China principle, appreciates China for its firm support on issues concerning Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and looks forward to closer exchanges with China, well implementing the bilateral free trade agreement under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, deepening practical cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, education, science and technology, medical and health care, transportation and agriculture, and strengthening people-to-people exchanges. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, who is in China to attend the 7th China International Import Expo, in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)
People attend the opening ceremony of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum in New Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 4, 2024. The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) kicked off on Monday in New Cairo, Egypt, marking the forum's first return to Africa in more than two decades. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) kicked off on Monday in New Cairo, Egypt, marking the forum's first return to Africa in more than two decades.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said this year's WUF convenes at a critical time, as successive global crises, including devastating wars, have catastrophic repercussions for cities and urban communities.

This requires efforts and political will to establish peace, terminate conflicts, and prioritize development, and reconstruction, he added.

Noting the ongoing wars and conflicts in the Middle East, primarily the war in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, he urged urgent response to end the bloodshed and destruction, and to embark on processes of reconstruction and development.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Israeli offensive has damaged 80 percent of facilities, hospitals, and buildings in the Gaza Strip. He noted more than 150,000 Palestinians were either killed or wounded, calling on the international community to take their responsibilities to stop the Israeli offensive.

At the opening ceremony, the Egyptian president announced the launch of the "National Smart Cities Strategy" and the "National Green Urbanization Strategy," which aim to reinforce ongoing national endeavors in promoting urbanization.

Co-organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) and the Egyptian government, the WUF12 will run until Friday, attracting attendees such as government officials, academics, business people, community leaders, urban planners and civil society representatives. A delegation led by Chinese Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong also attended the opening ceremony.

The WUF was established in 2001 by the United Nations to examine urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies. The first WUF was held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2002.

During the conference, Azerbaijan was announced as the next host for the forum. 

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (at the podium) speaks at the opening ceremony of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum in New Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 4, 2024. The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) kicked off on Monday in New Cairo, Egypt, marking the forum's first return to Africa in more than two decades. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

People attend the opening ceremony of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum in New Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 4, 2024. The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) kicked off on Monday in New Cairo, Egypt, marking the forum's first return to Africa in more than two decades. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi speaks at the opening ceremony of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum in New Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 4, 2024. The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) kicked off on Monday in New Cairo, Egypt, marking the forum's first return to Africa in more than two decades. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Anaclaudia Rossbach, executive director of the UN Human Settlements Program, speaks at the opening ceremony of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum in New Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 4, 2024. The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) kicked off on Monday in New Cairo, Egypt, marking the forum's first return to Africa in more than two decades. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
LIVINGSTONE, Zambia, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Museum directors at an international conference called for solutions to address the challenges confronting museums, particularly regarding management and sustainability amid climate change and other global issues.

The five-day conference, organized by the International Council of Museums (ICOM), concluded on Tuesday in Livingstone, Zambia's tourist city. It attracted 90 participants from 25 countries and focused on four thematic areas: digitalization, climate change, strategic planning, and museum management.

Participants noted the conference has provided an important opportunity for museum heads to develop solutions to the challenges confronting these heritage institutions.

"We have looked at where we are, where we are coming from, and where we are going. The conference has unveiled issues that are to be dealt with by governments and society as a whole," said Emmanuel Hamatwi, president of ICOM Zambia.

Museums serve as a library of society, acting as a bridge between the past and the future, Hamatwi said, emphasizing that "museums are keepers of memories. In museums, people are able to see real objects of the past and look forward to a better future."

He also noted that this marks the third time ICOM has held a conference in Africa, with the first occurring in Rwanda earlier this year.

His remarks were echoed by ICOM Russia President Vasily Pankratov, who stressed the need for museums to enhance their funding capabilities, describing this as crucial for their survival and for attracting more visitors.

"Funding of museums might be seen like a minor issue in some places but it's a great matter for those museums in small towns and low-income places. We need to implement ideas from this conference to help museums that maybe struggling financially," Pankratov said.

Directors of museums from various countries also praised ICOM for investing in the conference, saying that the ideas shared during the meeting would help enhance museum operations worldwide.

"Through this conference, we were able to share best practices and also explored the possibility of exchange programs which I believe could help strengthen colloborations," Artyom Silkin, director of Museum-Reserve in the island town of Sviyazhsk, Russia.

Victoria Chitungu, director of Livingstone Museum, observed that ICOM plays a crucial role in ensuring that museums respond to contemporary society's needs and remain relevant by addressing climate change and utilizing digital spaces to advance their missions. 
A Herald and Good Food investigation reveals a top Sydney restaurant group allegedly ousted female staff after they reported sexual assaults and encouraged on-duty sex and drug use.

Six Merivale and Swillhouse whistleblowers are calling for a public inquiry into the treatment of women and misconduct in the hospitality sector as Merivale faces being blocked from rejoining a NSW government council.

The push follows the Sex, Sleaze and Hospitality investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald, Good Food and The Age, which revealed claims of sexual assault and harassment, widespread drug use and employees being marginalised for reporting misconduct at two of Sydneys largest hospitality groups.

Merivale chief executive Justin Hemmes and Swillhouse managing director Anton Forte.

Merivale owns more than 70 venues with an estimated worth of more than $3 billion, including the Ivy, Bar Tottis and Mr Wong. The ABC has also reported on alleged misconduct at its venues, including the Coogee Pavilion and Hemmesphere.

Swillhouse runs six of Sydneys most high-profile venues including Le Foote, the Caterpillar Club and Restaurant Hubert. Between them, the two groups have dominated Sydneys hospitality scene, winning international awards and more than a dozen chef hats in the Good Food Guide.
Advertisement

Eating outFood Five essential restaurants at Brisbanes blockbuster new food precinct From sky-high dining overlooking the river to a refined Vietnamese and Thai spot, these are the new openings to check out at Queens Wharf. Matt Shea November 5, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

It might have been a slow start for food and beverage at Queens Wharf after the much-anticipated precinct was unveiled to the public in early August, but three months on, the openings are coming thick and fast. The precinct includes casual eateries and bars, such as Babblers and Cicada Blu, both on the Sky Deck, while old favourites, such as Luke Nguyens Fat Noodle, have made the two-block move over from The Treasury. Azteca, Potentia Solutions Leisures new restaurant at Queens Wharf. Markus Ravik But theres also a stack of fresh (or refreshed) concepts and high-quality restaurants from new (to The Star, anyway) operators. Here are five to check out.

Advertisement

Sokyo Sokyo Brisbane presents as a different beast to its dark, moody and celebrated sister venue in Sydney. Alex Yu in the kitchen at the newly opened Sokyo Brisbane. Markus Ravik Design firm Hassell has given the 160-seat restaurant a lighter and brighter treatment that makes the most of its floor-to-ceiling windows looking across the expressway to the river and South Bank. Its all light-timber screens and detailing, the two signature elements  a swank circular private dining room and a lengthy sushi bar backed by black tiling. In the kitchen is gun sushi chef Alex Yu, who spent eight years at the Sydney restaurant before going on to Yugen in Melbourne, which he helped earn two chefs hats.

Advertisement

The Star has a new contender for Brisbanes best Japanese restaurant Yus menu is split into starters, tempura and items cooked on the robata grill on the one hand, and traditional sushi items on the other, including nigiri, sashimi, and signature nigiri and sushi rolls. Theres also a Sokyo signature tasting menu, a banquet set menu, and a vegetarian set menu. Aburi nigiri at Sokyo Brisbane. Markus Ravik For drinks, theres a signature cocktail list, and a sake menu that includes sparkling sake. The wine list runs to about 110 bottles and favours local producers, but includes a lengthy selection of champagne.

Advertisement

Black Hide Steak & Seafood by Gambaro The new Black Hide flips its Treasury predecessors date-night vibes for something lighter and brighter. Black Hides fitout is light and bright, and very different to the old restaurant at The Treasury. Markus Ravik Lisa Henderson of S.SHYNE oversaw a fitout that features plenty of timber, cream curtains and lengthy aquamarine banquettes designed to reflect the new restaurants prime position overlooking the river. It suits a menu that now taps a wider variety of seafood.

Advertisement

Gambaros Black Hide returns at Queens Wharf, but not as you know it For entrees, you can order tuna tartare served on a rice cracker with umeboshi dressing; grilled scallops with garlic, parsley butter and pangrattato; and tuna tataki with wakame and shiitake mushrooms. For mains theres a lobster linguini with tomato, parsley and lemon zest; grilled Mooloolaba prawns with parsley and garlic butter, and lemon; or lobster from the tank grilled or poached with a lemon herb and garlic butter. Theres also a cold seafood platter. Lobster pasta with tomato, parsley and lemon zest at Black Hide. Markus Ravik Steaks are refreshingly straightforward, split into a selection of Angus three-score cuts and Wagyu five-score cuts, with the menu topping out with a 1200 gram Angus tomahawk priced at $240 (designed to feed up to three people).

Advertisement

Azteca From Potentia Solutions Leisure (Lina, Soko Rooftop et al) comes Azteca. Its the groups best-realised venue to date. Azteca was recently unveiled on the level four terrace at Queens Wharf. Markus Ravik The 126-seat design (40 of which are outside overlooking the river) by Blackbox Design Cos Ann Huntington, with its breeze blocks, mosaic tiles, heavy timber features and live hanging greenery, feels like an evolution on the Peruvian-inspired Soko. But this is a restaurant first, bar second, and it draws inspiration from various parts of North, Central and South America. On the menu, there are starters such as yellowfin tuna tacos with kimchi carrot and Yarra Valley salmon roe; bone marrow with braised kangaroo tail, yuca hash browns and a shiso chimichurri; and coral trout ceviche.

Advertisement

Exclusive Take a peek at Queens Wharfs latest  a striking Latin American eatery Larger plates include Elgin Valley free-range half-chicken served with a dark chocolate mole sauce, and line-caught coral trout with baby corn, spring onion, pickled onion and huitlacoche. The drinks menu uses cachaca (a Brazilian spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice) as its cornerstone; it fuels a caipirinha menu that ranges from a classic with sugar syrup and lime, to pomegranate and hibiscus, and watermelon and jalapeno numbers. Aztecas yellowfin tuna tiradito with citrus, sesame, peanut, aji mirisol and radish. Markus Ravik Elsewhere, there are signature cocktails and a tight 60-bottle wine list that dedicates plenty of space to drops from Argentina and Chile, plus Coravin by-the glass selections.

Advertisement

Aloria The Star has been talking up Aloria as the sky-high jewel in the Queens Wharf crown. Aloria opened on the Queens Wharf Sky Deck in late October. Markus Ravik Twenty-three floors up, it looks the part with its glass brick, cabinets full of wine, blush-pink furniture, and eye-popping views of the river and the city. Chef Shayne Mansfields menu, though, isnt about anything flash.

Advertisement

Exclusive First look: Queens Wharf unveils its sky-high crown jewel Instead, it focuses on local produce presented at its best, whether thats via pickling, ferments, ageing, or the simple application of wood fire and smoke. Alorias menu features dishes such as wood-roasted oysters with a white soy emulsion; tiger prawn with fermented chilli butter; miso-roasted cauliflower with burnt leek, toasted yeast cream, The Falls Farm radishes and chive oil; and a 90-day dry-aged bone-in sirloin served with confit garlic and bone marrow sauce. Aloria Stockyard 90-day dry-aged bistecca. Markus Ravik Theres also a 270-bottle wine list compiled by sommelier Damian Danaher that ranges from approachable local producers to some rare European bottles, including a 1982 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild bordeaux that clocks in at $20,599.

Advertisement

Luc Lac Luc Lac is the latest venue from Ghanem Group (Donna Chang, Blackbird, Byblos et al). The cuisine? Elevated Vietnamese and Thai. Luc Lacs lengthy, intricately detailed bar is one of the venues major drawcards. Markus Ravik Regular Ghanem collaborators Space Cubed Design have given the restaurant an immaculately detailed, lengthy timber bar, tiled walls, rattan furniture and richly patterned fabrics and wallpaper. Its a treatment as colourful as group chef Jake Nicolson and head chef Dann Rowells food.

Advertisement

Refined Vietnamese and Thai arrives at Queens Wharf with Luc Lac Theres grilled beef la lot (beef wrapped in betel leaf) with nuoc cham, toasted rice, charred lime and watercress; hand-caught Port Fairy periwinkle escargot with ginger and garlic; kampot peppered wagyu beef bo luc lac (the traditional shaking beef dish that lends the restaurant its name), cherry tomatoes and capsicum; tiger prawns with hot and sour dressing, and fried shallots; pan-roasted spiced John Dory with son-in-law egg, cucumber and sawtooth coriander; and lemongrass braised pork belly with baby tiger abalone, kohlrabi and apple. Tiger prawns with hot and sour dressing. Markus Ravik Drinks are cocktail forward, with a focused list of signatures, as well as twisted classics, such as a variation on a Tommys that mixes in green chilli nam jim, and a Sidecar that features tamarind and toasted red rice. The wine list is a relatively concise 140 bottles favouring floral drops that can converse with the spice and flavour of the food.

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up
Shopping centre magnate Sir Frank Lowy and prominent lawyer Mark Leibler, AC, have been awarded Israels Presidential Medal of Honour, the first Australians to be granted the medal.

The award is Israels highest civilian honour and eight Jewish and non-Jewish leaders from around the world received the award this year recognising their extraordinary contribution to the State of Israel or to humanity through their talents, their service, or in any other way.

Lawyer Mark Leibler (left) and businessman Frank Lowy have been awarded Israels highest civillian honour.

Other recipients were from the US, France, UK and Germany. Former Israeli president Shimon Peres established the medal in 2012, which has been awarded to fewer than 50 individuals and the vast majority have been Israelis.

Past non-Israeli recipients include presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, German chancellor Angela Merkel, Nobel Prize laureate Elie Wiesel, director Steven Spielberg and businessman and philanthropist Michael Siegal.
BAGHDAD, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a Shiite militia group, on Tuesday claimed responsibility for six drone attacks on Israeli targets.

According to its statements, the group's fighters launched three drone attacks on "vital sites" in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, two more on other locations in northern Israel, and one in the south.

The statements did not provide further details about the targeted sites or report any casualties.

The group said that the strikes were carried out "in solidarity with our people in Palestine and Lebanon," pledging to continue targeting "the enemy's strongholds at an escalating pace."

Since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has repeatedly attacked Israeli and U.S. positions in the region to show support for Palestinians in Gaza.

The militia has stepped up its attacks on Israel after the latter intensified strikes against Hezbollah across Lebanon on Sept. 23. 
The Albanese governments plan to cut $16 billion from Commonwealth student debts has come in for strident criticism since the scheme was announced at the weekend.

The federal opposition has branded the plan a desperate giveaway that is unfair because it only benefits about 3 million of the nations 21 million taxpayers.

Any reduction in student debts will help the economy. Credit:

Others have argued scarce government resources could be better used than giving debt relief to the tertiary-educated, a group that tends to go on to enjoy relatively high incomes.

But the denunciations are overblown and ignore the social and economic damage being done by rising student debt.
It is to be expected that from now until the federal election every announcement, whether it be from Labor or the Coalition, will be viewed through the slot of the ballot box. And so it has occurred with the recent announcements from the Labor government on higher education. The race has begun.

At the weekend, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled higher education changes that will remove 20 per cent from the debt of 3 million people. The move will cut $5500 from an average student loan debt of about $27,000.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Education Jason Clare meet with TAFE and university students, at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The 20 per cent cut also applies to TAFE and apprenticeship loans.

Also, from next financial year, a graduate will not have to start repaying their HECS-HELP debt until they earn $67,000 a year. At present, the threshold is $54,435.
The opposition is calling for a parliamentary inquiry into Industry and Science Minister Ed Husics handling of Labors $470 million quantum computing bet on US tech firm PsiQuantum, after it emerged his key adviser is a friend and former housemate of an executive at a venture capital firm that invested in the company.

The Coalition has raised concerns in estimates and in a letter to the Australian National Audit Office about ministerial adviser Ellen Broads friendship with Kate Glazebrook, head of impact at Australias largest venture capital fund, Blackbird Ventures.

Opposition frontbencher Paul Fletcher has been leading the oppositions prosecution of the quantum tie-up. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

This masthead is not suggesting that Broad and Glazebrook benefited in any way from the deal, but opposition frontbencher Paul Fletcher said the friendship was worrying because there are serious questions about how PsiQuantum and its existing investors such as Blackbird got rapid, preferred access to Ed Husic.

In a series of social media posts, the pair talk about sharing a house in London around 2018 and call each other a friend, inspiration, important and influential.
The Australian Federal Police is investigating 14 people for displaying terrorist symbols at a pro-Palestinian protest, while it launches a separate probe into whether Australians commentary about events in the Middle East has crossed legal lines.

Deputy commissioner Ian McCartney revealed the investigations to a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday, just over a month after the waving of Hezbollah flags and vigils glorifying slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah reignited political debate about free speech and appropriate protest in Australia.

A Hezbollah flag was displayed at a Melbourne rally in Melbourne. Credit: AAP

McCartney said the AFP had spent 1100 hours investigating, including reviewing 90 hours of CCTV footage, after Victoria Police reported several matters to the federal agency following a pro-Palestinian protest in Melbourne in September.

As of this week, he said 14 people were under investigation for displaying prohibited terrorist symbols in public. Three search warrants had been executed against three people, a further three had been spoken to, and several mobile phones had been seized.
Sandipan was just shy of his second birthday when his parents rushed him to the hospital with a high fever that would not settle. He died in the hospital on March 24, more than one month after he began suffering a long-running mild fever. His parents claimed they took their son to the GP four times and the hospital twice before a hospital X-ray revealed he had pneumonia. By that stage, it was too late to save his life and a post-mortem revealed the boy was also suffering from undiagnosed leukemia. Sandipans parents said they requested blood tests at both at the Key Largo Medical Centre, where he was first taken, and at Joondalup Health Campus.

An initial inquiry, known as a Severity Assessment Code 1 inquiry, found there was a missed opportunity to get his blood tested at his first presentation. Loading The parents have been waiting months for a second independent inquiry, which was handed to them on Tuesday and backed hospital staff actions. Both reviews found that Sandipan Dhars clinical care was of an acceptable standard and that it was reasonable clinical staff did not order blood tests during the toddlers first presentation to JHC ED, it said. Ramsay Health Care WA manager Dr Shane Kelly said today would be extraordinarily difficult for the two grieving families who have lost children.

But the review into Sandipans care at the hospital found it had been was entirely acceptable and the decision not to take the blood test on his first admission was reasonable, Kelly said. Sandipans death bore similarities to the death of seven-year-old Morley girl Aishwarya Aswath at Perth Childrens Hospital in 2021, which resulted in the Aishwaryas CARE call system for parents to escalate their concerns when they felt they were not being listened to in WA hospitals. That system was in place at Joondalup when Sandipan presented there. Asked if it was concerning parents were still struggling to be heard given the tragedy of Aishwarya Aswaths death three years ago, Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said she was disappointed Sandipans parents concerns werent acknowledged  but noted this was conceded in the review. Sanderson also backed the reviews findings that it was reasonable that the hospital did not order a blood test.

What the review finds is that based on the information that they had in front of them, that it was appropriate to those clinicians to take that decisions that they did, she said. However, Sanderson said the actions of Key Largo Medical Centre in Clarkson needed to be examined, which had not happened because the centre declined to take part in the review. Sandiplan was suffering from undiagnosed leukeamia. She said both herself and the family had written to Key Largo requesting a meeting, which had been declined. They have declined all of those on the grounds that theres an Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency investigation under way, and I dont think thats a reasonable response, she said.

Theres nothing stopping them from sitting down and listening to the family. Key Largo Medical Centre was approached for comment. The report made nine recommendations to Joondalup Health Campus and one external recommendation, which was to support a coronial inquest into Sandipans death and review his care before he presented to hospital. The hospital has committed to implementing all nine recommendations aimed at its own operations. These include improving communication and relationships with staff and visitors to the ED; enhancing the function of the paediatric pod in the ED, including more staff and more skills to meet the increased demand of the hospital and increasing beds at the hospital.
Maumere: Indonesias National Disaster Management Agency said at least 10 people have died as a series of volcanic eruptions widened on the remote island of Flores.

The eruption at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki around midnight spewed thick brownish ash as high as 2000 metres into the air and hot ashes hit several villages, burning down houses including a convent of Catholic nuns, said Firman Yosef, an official at the Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki monitoring post.

He said volcanic material was thrown up to 6km from its crater, blanketing nearby villages and towns with tonnes of volcanic debris and forcing residents to flee.

The sky glows from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Monday. Credit: AP

Rescuers were still searching for more bodies buried under collapsed houses, said Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Management Agencys spokesperson. Muhari said all the bodies, including a child, were found with a 4km radius of the crater.
Brussels: Russia could be plotting to plant bombs on passenger and cargo jets heading to the US, according to security officials in Europe.

Incendiary devices found being shipped across Europe could be a test for a covert Russian operation to start fires on planes flying to the US.

A DHL cargo aircraft at Leipzig-Halle Airport in Schkeuditz, Germany. Credit: Getty Images

Investigators have discovered at least two such devices after fires at DHL shipping hubs in Leipzig, Germany and Birmingham, Britain.

Polands national prosecutors office said four people had been arrested in connection with the fires.
Many Australians are understandably traumatised by the past year in the Middle East. Every day, we see more unbearable scenes. The terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023: the worst loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, and almost 100 hostages still held. And in Israels response: 42,000 Palestinians killed  including more than 13,000 children. About 2 million facing starvation.

While this conflict might be far away, it is close to many in Australia. Some have lost family  or have loved ones in danger. Communities connect with different sides in this conflict.

Penny Wong addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 27. Credit: Bloomberg

The Middle Easts contested history helps explain these divergent perspectives. Those who know the imperative of Israel for the Jewish peoples survival. Who feel October 7 as part of the long shadow of antisemitism; the abomination of the Holocaust and millennia of Jewish persecution. And those who know the dispossession of the Palestinian people; the failure of the international community to honour the 1947 promise made for a Palestinian state when Israel was established. Who feel that the loss of Muslim and Arab lives has been too easily dismissed.

These two experiences seem less reconciled than ever  and they are intensified in a debate often framed by incorrect information.
A prominent political ally of Donald Trump says that the US must defend Taiwan if Chinese President Xi Jinping attempts to seize it.

Amid much doubt over whether a re-elected Trump would be prepared to wage war to defend Taiwan, Steve Bannon said in an interview that we have no choice.

Trump ally Steve Bannon says the US must defend Taiwan if Xi Jinping attempts to seize it. Credit: AP

The former chief strategist in the Trump White House and architect of the MAGA movement said that if Trump were restored to power, he would quickly settle the Russian war with Ukraine so the US could deal with China.

Bannon is not a spokesperson for Trump, nor a part of his formal campaign, but has described himself as a general in the information war for the re-election of Trump. He hosts a daily pro-Trump podcast called War Room.
CANBERRA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Two people have died and seven more have been hospitalized following a major multi-vehicle crash in South Australia.

South Australia Police said in a statement on Tuesday that a truck and trailer collided with three vehicles, a black sedan, silver sedan and white utility, approximately 65 km south of the state capital of Adelaide at 12:15 p.m. local time on Monday.

Two women, who were both rear passengers in the silver sedan, died of their injuries. Police said that a 44-year-old woman died at the scene and the second woman died later in hospital.

Seven more people were injured in the crash. The 43-year-old male driver of the silver sedan was taken to hospital in critical condition, and a 14-year-old male passenger was also hospitalized with minor injuries.

The driver of the utility, a 48-year-old man, was taken to hospital in serious condition and all three people in the black sedan were hospitalized with injuries that police said were not believed to be life-threatening.

The 35-year-old truck driver was hospitalized with minor injuries and has been arrested and charged by police with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing serious harm by dangerous driving and four counts of causing harm by dangerous driving.

Police said that investigations into the crash were ongoing. It took the total number of deaths on South Australian roads so far in 2024 to 75. 
Tourists visit a scenic spot of Qinghai Lake in northwest China's Qinghai Province, Oct. 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

XINING, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland saltwater lake, has been expanding in size continuously for the past 20 years, with the water level rising nearly 20 cm on average annually.

Satellite remote sensing in late September found that Qinghai Lake's water surface had reached over 4,650 square km, returning to its size approximately 70 years ago.

An indication of Qinghai Lake's "growth" is the partial submergence of a large mythical statue by the lakeside.

"Built in 2008, the statue stood 8.5 meters tall and was positioned over 60 meters from the lake water. However, with rising water levels, the shoreline has expanded by nearly 200 meters, leaving the statue now less than 3 meters above the water's surface," said Chen Dehui, an official with the Protection and Utilization Administration of Qinghai Lake Scenic Area.

Qinghai Lake, located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, is an important ecological barrier in northern China and a key stopover site for migratory birds.

In the mid-1950s, Qinghai Lake's water area was approximately 4,600 square kilometers. However, due to climate change and human activities, the lake gradually shrank over the following decades. By 2004, its area had decreased to 4,244.5 square km, accompanied by a decline in vegetation coverage and a reduction in the populations of rare and endangered wildlife.

In 2008, Qinghai adopted a plan to beef up ecological protection and comprehensive management of the Qinghai Lake basin, with a total investment of 1.57 billion yuan (about 221 million U.S. dollars) in 10 years.

Currently, the water quality in the main area of Qinghai Lake has consistently remained good over an extended period. The lake's unique species, naked carp, has seen a remarkable population increase. Additionally, the number of Przewalski's gazelle in the basin rose from 257 in 2004 to over 3,400. Resident waterbird populations have also surged, reaching 606,000 -- the highest count recorded since standardized monitoring began in 2007.

According to Sun Jianqing, an official with the Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve Administration, the recovery of the lake surface area is due to factors including more rain in northwest China and successful ecological protection and restoration efforts in the lake region over the past 20 years. 

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 18, 2024 shows a scenic spot of Qinghai Lake in northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 18, 2024 shows a scenic spot of Qinghai Lake in northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 18, 2024 shows a scenic spot of Qinghai Lake in northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Lyu Shuai)
Assemblyby-polls: Polling for 14 seats in UP, Punjab,Kerala rescheduled from 13 to 20

NEW DELHI :

THE Election Commission on Monday rescheduled from November 13 to November 20 the Assembly by-polls to all nine and four seats in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, respectively, and one seat in Kerala in view of festivals, an official statement said. In Kerala, the by-election to the Palakkad Assembly seat has been rescheduled, while that in Chelakkara Assembly and Wayanad Lok Sabha seats will be held as scheduled earlier on November 13.

Parties including Congress, BJP, BSP and RLD had urged the poll body to reschedule the by-polls in view of various festivals, saying that it could impact voter turnout. According to the Congress, a significant portion of the electorate in the Palakkad Assembly seat in Kerala will celebrate the festival of Kalpathi Ratholsavam from November 13 to 15. In Punjab, the party had said, the 555th Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Nanak Dev will be celebrated on November 15 and an akhand path will be organised from November 13 onwards. The BJP, BSP and the RLD had said that in Uttar Pradesh,people travel for three to four days ahead of Kartik Purnima, which will be celebrated on November 15.
Cong orchestrating unrest, criminal activities in CG: Deo





BJP State President Kiran Singh Deo and other leaders addressing the press conference.

Staff Reporter :

RAIPUR

BJP State President Kiran Singh Deo has accused the Congress party of orchestrating unrest and criminal activities in Chhattisgarh. Speaking at a press conference in Ekatma Parisar, he expressed deep concern over States safety, especially as Chhattisgarh celebrates its 25th Rajyotsav. Deo asserted that Congress is at the core of the rising crime and tension, claiming that the party is intent on igniting chaos in the region. Deo contended that the Congress party not only initiates criminal acts but then uses these incidents to criticise the government. He characterised the situation as part of a broader national conspiracy aimed at destabilising elected governments and fostering an atmosphere of fear and terror. He cited specific incidents, including an attack on the Kabirpanth center in Damakheda, which he claimed involved a known Congress worker. Deo pointed to evidence from a Facebook post by Prakashmuni Saheb, who indicated that the perpetrator was linked to the Congress party. He condemned the politicisation of such acts, calling it inexcusable.

Furthermore, the firing incident at the Central Jail, which occurred during the press conference, further solidified the BJPs claims of a deteriorating law and order situation. Singh condemned the incident and demanded a thorough investigation to bring the culprits to justice. Deo highlighted the violent unrest in Balodabazar, where he alleged that Congress members, including MLA Devendra Yadav, were implicated in the burning of government offices. He noted that many of these individuals remain incarcerated due to the strength of the evidence against them. In another serious allegation, Deo mentioned a brutal murder in Surajpur, linked to the District General Secretary of the NSUI, suggesting a troubling connection between the Congress party and violent crimes. He questioned whether the party was willing to go to such lengths to further its political agenda, implying that Congress has evolved from a political entity into a criminal organisation. The BJP government, he claimed, is dedicated to maintaining peace and order in the state and is prepared to confront Congress through democratic means. He strongly condemned the attack on the residence of Acharya Ji in Damakheda and vowed to uncover the conspiracy behind it, insisting that justice will be served regardless of the perpetrators political ties.

MLA Shukla takes on Congress over rising criminal activities in State

RAIPUR,

Nov 4

Beltara MLA Sushant Shukla has levelled serious allegations against the Congress party over rising criminal activities in State. In his remarks, Shukla described Congress as a gang of criminals, asserting that party members are implicated in numerous serious crimes. He questioned the motivations behind their recent protests, suggesting they aim to undermine the BJP government. Speaking to journalists at the BJP office, Shukla addressed the Congress-led protest against rising crime rates in the state. He accused the party of attempting to tarnish the BJPs image with a calculated strategy. He cited specific incidents, including a violent protest that resulted in the burning of the collectorate in Balodabazar, linking the chaos to Bhilai MLA Devendra Yadav, who he claimed is facing legal difficulties without bail due to substantial evidence against him. Shukla also highlighted the brutal murder of a policeman in Surajpur, pointing out that the accused was a prominent member of Congress youth wing, NSUI. He mentioned a recent attack on a Kabirpanthi religious leaders ashram in Damakheda, alleging that a Congress leader was behind that incident as well. Additionally, he criticized Congress for inciting conflict in Loharidih, where he said party factions clashed. The MLA further stated that Congress leaders have been apprehended with large quantities of counterfeit currency. He concluded that the ongoing crimes and deteriorating social harmony in Chhattisgarh can be traced back to Congress, accusing the party of deliberately seeking to ignite social discord. Shukla emphasized that Congress has become synonymous with conspiracy, violence, and the theatrics of protest.
DEFEAT THEM...





A NOTHER terrorist attack has rattled the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir as questions are being asked about the timing and scale of the sudden aggression. As terrorists are targeting non-locals in regions having distant history of skirmishes, an alarm has been raised by Sundays grenade attack in Srinagar. A grenade was lobbed in the busy market area leaving 11 people injured sending a wave of panic in the city teeming with tourists. It has come a day after the Lal Chowk had become a point of attention with zealous celebration of Diwali. Whether the spurt in terror activities in J&K is a result of security lapses or is there a bigger game at play needs an emergent deliberation and immediate action to arrest downward spiral of things. The Srinagar grenade attack is being attributed as retaliation by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) after the security forces eliminated its top Pakistani commander Usman in the Khanyar locality of downtown Srinagar. Military officials take it as a big blow to the Pak-based terror organisation which has left it totally rattled.

Yet, the extremists penetrating so deep into the city is a cause of serious concern. Keeping the conspiracy theories aside for a while, there is an urgent need of finding out leaks and loopholes in the security system which have allowed foreign terrorists and home-grown terror groups to yet again forge a deadly network in Jammu & Kashmir. There is no denying the fact that terror attacks have seen an upward tick immediately after the Assembly election results gave mandate for the National Conference Government under Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah. Since assuming office, Mr. Abdullah has passed a resolution for restoring Statehood for Jammu & Kashmir. All along in the background, terror activities were hotting up and attacks were unleashed on migrant labourers and construction workers in Ganderbal district, Budgam and now the grenade attack in Srinagar. Calling it a mere coincidence would be naive as there seems a definite link of these attacks to the restart of democratic process in the region.

The re-emergence of locally-grown group The Resistance Front (TRF) with solid footprint of Pakistan in its activities further establishes a connection to disturb the peace and development projects ushered into the UT after the abrogation of Article 370. There seems a sinister design to scuttle all the good and also the efforts to restore democratic mechanism.The design is clear -- to dissuade people from being an equal stakeholder in the growth story through constitutional means. The positive political change and embracing of democratic freedom by the populace has caused severe consternation among the separatists. Further, growing signs of the current dispensation in J&K aligning with the Central Governments idea of a developed Kashmir fully integrated with the rest of the country are being taken as a death knell for separatism. A combination of this fear and unease of getting wiped out has pushed the separatist forces and their terror proxies to use attacks on civilians as a last throw of dice to establish their influence. While this angle should be tapped further to corner the separatist forces, there also is a need to have a deeper look into the terror incidents to rule out any compromise in the security system in the region. The series of attacks signals a pre-planned activity by the extremist groups with ostensible help from some civilians. That there is a repeated failure in intelligence gathering on these activities is another disturbing aspect of the attacks. It is imperative for the military and the police top brass to shake the security system to rule out any loophole.
BEIJING, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The area of desertified land in China has decreased by 65 million mu (about 4.3 million hectares) since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, according to an afforestation work report.

The report on the country's efforts in desertification prevention and control was on Tuesday submitted for deliberation to an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

Since the CPC national congress 12 years ago, China has effectively rehabilitated 53 percent of its treatable desertified land, the report said.

The country has been implementing major desertification control projects, such as the "Three-North" (northern, northeastern and northwestern) Shelterbelt Forest Program, and promoting scientific and technological innovation to help tackle the problem.

Efforts have also been made to utilize the unique resources of desertified areas to develop industries that boost local incomes, while simultaneously improving the ecology, the report added. 
Khalistanis clash with Hindus at temple in Canada





OTTAWA :

PROTESTERS carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people at a Hindu temple in Brampton, triggering condemnation by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who said every Canadian has the right to practise their faith freely and safely. On Sunday, Peel Regional Police said that a protest occurred at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton and unverified videos circulating on social media appeared to show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported. The videos showed fist fights and people striking each other with poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple, the report added. Taking to X, Trudeau thanked the local authorities for the swift response to protect the community and probe this incident. The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable.

Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely. Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident, Trudeau said in a post on X on Monday. Meanwhile, the High Commission of India in Ottawa also issued a strong statement on Monday condemning the recent attack on Bramptons Hindu Sabha temple by antiIndia elements. This incident disrupted a consular event co-organised by the Hindu Sabha Mandir and the Indian consulate. In its statement, the High Commission remarked, We have seen violent disruption today (November 3), orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp co-organisedwiththeHindu Sabha Mandirin Brampton, near Toronto. Peel Regional Police said on X Sunday afternoon that theywereawareoftheprotest taking place at the Hindu Sabha Mandir, and had increased its presence atthe temple to maintain public order and safety. We respect the right to protestinapeacefulandsafe manner but will not tolerate violence and criminal acts, Chief Nishan Duraiappah postedonX Sunday afterthe videos began circulating. Thosethatdoparticipate in this activity will be pursued, arrested andcharged. Peel police told CBC Torontonoarrestsweremade at the temple Sunday.

Policedidnotprovide further details about the social media videos, what happened or whether any complaintswerefiled.Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown condemned the violence in a post onX Sunday afternoon, saying those responsible should be punished to the greatest extent of the law. Iamdisappointedtohear about acts of violence outside ofthe Hindu Sabha, he said. Religious freedom is a foundational value in Canada. Everyone should feelsafeintheirplaceofworship. The recent attack on the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton witnessed widespread condemnation by Canadianpoliticians,including Oppositionleader Pierre Poilievre. Completelyunacceptable toseeviolencetargetingworshippers attheHinduSabha Mandir in Brampton today.

AllCanadians shouldbe free to practice their faith in peace. Conservatives condemnthisviolenceunequivocally.Iwill unite our people and end the chaos, Poilievre said on X. PremierDougFordpraised police for their quick response, adding that the incidentiscompletelyunacceptable and must be condemned.Nooneshouldfeel unsafe at their place of worship, he wrote on X. The Indian High Commissionremarked,We have seenviolentdisruption today(November3),orchestratedbyanti-Indiaelements outside the consular camp co-organisedwiththeHindu Sabha Mandirin Brampton, near Toronto.

Cowards: Canadian leader rips into Trudeau

TORONTO,

Nov 4 (IANS)

PEOPLESParty of Canada (PPC) leader Maxime Bernier lambasted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Opposition leaders Jagmeet Singh and Pierre Poilievre for their responses to a recent attack on Hindu temples and devotees in Brampton. Bernier alleged that the leaders refrained from identifying the attackers as Khalistanis, citing concerns over offending their voter base. Taking to X, Bernier posted, Can you spot the difference between my tweet and that of the three establishment party leaders? He condemned the three leaders as cowards andadded,Notoneofthese cowards dares to even name the Khalistani Sikhs who are committing the violence. Theyreafraidtooffendsome voters, even though Khalistani supporters are a minorityofSikhCanadians. This complacency explains why Khalistani extremism keeps growing in thiscountry,hestated,sharing the screenshots of the social media posts. The criticism follows an attackneartheHinduSabha Temple in Brampton, where devoteeswerereportedlytargetedbyindividualsbelieved to be affiliated with Khalistanigroups.PeelPolice were stationed outside the temple, though no arrests have been made yet. Earlier, Bernier posted a video on X showing the alleged attack, stating that suchincidentscannotintimidateCanadianswhobelieve that diversity is the nations strength. He added, Khalistani Sikhs attacking worshippers at Brampton Hindu temple. Nothing to worryaboutthoughbecause diversity is our strength!!!
Over Rs 1.1 lakh cr spent in free hospitalisation under PM-JAY





NEW DELHI :

MORE than Rs 1.1 lakh crore has been spent in providing free hospitalisation under the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri JanArogyaYojana(PMJAY)sinceitsinceptionin2018, according to the Government data. Theofficialdatashowedthat more than 79 million individuals have benefited from the PM-JAY scheme that provides an annual health cover of Rs 5 lakh. It has significantly enhanced healthcare accessibility for Indias most vulnerable populations.

The scheme was made available for 107 million poor household sinthe country from September 2018, covering the bottom of 40 per cent population, as per the data. Launched in September 2018, AB PM-JAY has seamlessly integrated comprehensive care across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels to provide universal health coverage, particularly forrura land vulnerable populations.

The landmark health initiative addresses immediate health needs and also emphasises preventive care and health promotion,makinghealthcare moreaccessibleandequitable. PM-JAY has been key in reducingout-of-pockethealthcare expenditures of households. Before the launch of the scheme, about 62 per cent of healthcare costs were paid directly by individuals --a burden that drovemany into financial hardship. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat are the states with the highestnumber of beneficiaries, thedata showed. PMJAY provides cashless treatment to nearly 2,000 procedures.
PM Modi makes roti, beti, maati pitch in Jkhand





RANCHI :

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi joined the BJPs mega poll blitz in Jharkhand on Monday and launched a blistering attack on the Hemant Soren Government, accusing the latter of stymying the development of tribal State. Addressing a mega rally in the Garhwa region of Jharkhand,PMModi saidthat the upcoming election will mark the ouster of the JMM Government and added that BJPwillform thenextdoubleengine Government in the State. He also urged party workers and volunteers to strive hard to empower the party, even at the booth level and make BJP victorious in the Assembly elections. Today, one slogan is reverberating across the State-roti, beti and maatiki pukaar,PM Modi said. Outlining the next two decades as very important forthe State as well as for thecountry,PM Modi said that theStatewillplayacrucialrole in realising the goal of Viksit Bharat.

Highlighting BJPs commitment to the development of Jharkhand, PM Modi said that the BJP Government laid the foundation of a separateState forJharkhandtoput it on a fast growth pedestal andalso ensure prosperity for its people. Its the Hemant Government which is putting impediments in the path of development, PM Modi added.ThePrimeMinisteralso heapedpraiseonBJPsSankalp Patra for Jharkhand and said that the welfare and security of women residents are the partys top priorities. Talking about BJPs proposedschemesforJharkhand, like the Gogo Didi Yojana (Rs 2100monthlyforwomen)and gas cylindersatRs500,hesaid that these will empower the womenoftheState, muchlike the Centres flagship Ujjawala Yojana.

He also took potshots atthe INDIA bloc parties and accusedthem of betraying the people with fake promises. BJPhasatrackrecordoffulfilling its guarantees while JMM,Congress

and others are abunchofliarswhoarebefooling people with false promises, he said, amid loud chants of people. He further said, They can announce a multitude of schemes but cannevermatch the honesty and honesty and probity of the BJP dispensations. The Prime Minister also extended Chhath greetings to the people of Jharkhand as they begin preparations to celebrate the four-day-long festival.

Termites of corruption make the country hollow. In Jharkhand,theJMM,Congress and RJD have crossed all limits as far as corruption is concerned.Thishas impactedthe poor, Dalits, tribals and the backward communities. The CM, andMLAs andMPs of the JMM-led coalition are neckdeep in corruption, the PM alleged. Modi accused the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance of using Bangladeshi infiltrators for vote bank politics, enabling their settlement in Jharkhand,deemingitathreat to the States social structure.
Rajyotsav begins MP willextend full support to Cgarh: Dr Mohan Yadav





Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav along with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh and other lighting the ceremonial lamp to inaugurate the Rajyotsav at Fair Ground, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar on Monday evening.

Staff Reporter ;

RAIPUR,

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has expressed his commitment to extending full support for the development of Chhattisgarh. Speaking at the inauguration of the three-day Rajyotsav celebrations at Fair Ground, Nava Raipur in Atal Nagar on Monday evening, Dr Yadav highlighted the shared cultural heritage between the two states. He recalled that Chhattisgarh, which was carved out of Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 2000, had suffered neglect for 55 years under previous governments, leading to widespread poverty and even starvation among its people. Dr Yadav assured that Madhya Pradesh would support Chhattisgarhs development through initiatives such as industrialisation. He also mentioned the recent celebrations in Ayodhya, emphasising the grandeur of Diwali festivities following the construction of the Ram Temple. Dr Yadav further stressed that the BJPs double-engine governments are dedicated to the welfare of the underprivileged, including the poor, tribal communities, and women. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, in his presidential address, called on the people of Chhattisgarh to work diligently towards transforming the state into a developed region.

He also appealed to the citizens to contribute to the vision of a developed India. CM Sai emphasised the swift action taken by his government, noting that within just ten months, they had fulfilled most of the promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the assembly elections. Highlighting a major achievement, he detailed the governments efforts to support farmers by purchasing paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal, with a limit of 21 quintals per acre. This initiative led to a record procurement of 145 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, with the state disbursing Rs 3,716 crore as a pending bonus for the last two years. Additionally, he underscored the empowerment of women through the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, under which 70 lakh women receive monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 each. Speaker of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Dr Raman Singh, and Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma speaking emphasized various accomplishments of the state government. The Secretary of the Culture Department, Anbalgan P, delivered the welcome speech.

The three-day Rajyotsav event will be concluded on November 6. Cabinet Ministers Dayaldas Baghel, Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Tankram Verma, Raipur Lok Sabha MP Brijmohan Agrawal, and MLAs Rajesh Munat, Purandar Mishra, Motilal Sahu, Anuj Sharma, Guru Khushwant Saheb, and Indra Kumar Sahu. High-ranking officials such as Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Director General of Police Ashok Juneja, and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests V Sreenivasa Rao, along with other dignitaries and public representatives, were also present at the event.
US to vote for 47th President today Trump vs Harris goes down to the wire: US polls





 By Lalit K Jha :

WASHINGTON,

THE United States will on Tuesday vote to elect its 47th President in a fierce race between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic leader Kamala Harris that is set to go down in history as one of the tightest fights for the White House in decades. The electoral battle appears to have gone to the wire, according to latest opinion polls. Harris, 60, is the nominee of the Democratic Party and Trump, 78, is the Republican nominee. Their party members and support bases are united with their respective parties, and independent votes might decide who would be the next occupant of the White House. To win the elections, a candidates needs 270 of the electoral college votes. Latest opinion polls indicate that the elections will be decidedby the results inseven battle ground states of Arizona,Nevada,Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina andGeorgia. Of these, Michigan and Pennsylvaniaplaykeyroleto themreachingthe270-mark.

The presidential race appearstobehurtlingtoward a photo finish, with the final set of polls by The New York TimesandSienaCollegefinding Harris gaining new strength in North Carolina and Georgia even as Trump erases her lead in Pennsylvaniaandmaintains hisadvantageinArizona,the daily reported Sunday. AccordingtoTheNewYork Times,Harrisisnownarrowly ahead in Nevada, North Carolina andWisconsin, the pollsshow,whileTrumpleads in Arizona. The polls show themlockedinclose races in Michigan, Georgia and Pennsylvania.

Buttheresults in all seven states are within themarginofsamplingerror, meaning neither candidate hasadefinitive lead in any of them, the daily reported. The Real Clear Politics, which tracks all the major national and battleground polls, said its a tie between Trump and Harris. In the national polls, Trump leads by0.1percentagepoints,and inbattlegroundstatestheformerPresidenthas anedgeof 0.9 percentage points.
Window on vidarbha Washim farmer makes a lucrative choice with ginger





Ramprabhu Sonone (inset) in his field at Dhakalwadi (right) where he cultivated ginger crop.

By Ram Dhangar :

In a bold move thats turning heads in the agricultural community, Ramprabhu Sonone, a farmer from Dhakalwadi near Washim, has ventured beyond conventional crops to cultivate ginger on his two-acre farm. With this innovative choice, Sonone expects a substantial return, projecting earnings of up to Rs 40 lakh and is inspiring a wave of agricultural experimentation across the district. For decades, farming in Washim has leaned heavily on traditional staples. However, Sonones choice to grow gingera crop in high demand due to its medicinal and culinary usesis creating a fresh narrative in local agriculture. With a current market price ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000 per quintal, ginger offers not only a profitable alternative but a stable one in an often unpredictable market. Sonones ginger crop is expected to yield approximately 400 quintals, turning his investment into a promising income source. With prices as they are now, the potential is clear. After covering expenses, the returns are impressive, he explained. His bold approach has already drawn interest from neighbouring farmers, who are intrigued by the possibility of improving their own livelihoods through innovative crop choices.

Washim district, like much of rural India, has seen farmers sticking to conventional crops due to familiarity and a safety net of government support. But as farming expenses rise and traditional yields remain steady, income growth for farmers has slowed down. Sonones success story is a reminder of the potential in shifting towards high-demand, profitable crops that can elevate farmer income beyond subsistence. Gingers demand never falls; its a staple in every household, known for its health benefits. As more people prioritise natural remedies, we can expect demand to grow even more, he noted, emphasising that gingers versatility and resilience make it ideal for long-term profit. Sonones journey is not only about earning profit but also about challenging norms in agriculture. Hes calling on local farmers to consider crops like ginger as a way to improve financial stability and foster economic resilience. We cant rely solely on traditional methods forever, he explained.

With the right planning, crops like ginger can transform our earnings and improve the quality of life for our families. Farmers in Washim are beginning to see the potential in following Sonones lead, with many now exploring the feasibility of introducing ginger or other alternative crops on their own lands. The Agricultural Department has also taken note, considering ways to support such transitions by providing technical guidance and resources for those looking to make similar changes. Sonones ginger crop success story highlights the opportunities awaiting farmers who dare to innovate. For farmers in Washim and beyond, his example serves as a beacon of hope and a guide for adapting to the changing demands of the agricultural market. As more farmers consider diversification, Washim could soon witness a new era of agricultural prosperity. Through hard work and a willingness to take calculated risks, Sonone is setting an example for rural communities, showing that with vision and a spirit of innovation, farmers can not only sustain but thrive.
KABUL, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Measles cases are surging in Afghanistan, with nearly 6,000 positive cases in 2024, according to the latest data from the country's Ministry of Public Health.

"Out of 10,000 suspected measles cases in 2024, nearly 6,000 cases have tested positive, showing an increase compared to 2023," local media outlet TOLOnews quoted the ministry's spokesperson, Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, as saying on Monday.

The ministry planned to launch a measles vaccination campaign across the country to prevent disease outbreaks, said Amarkhil.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles.

Measles is an extremely infectious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when infected people breathe, cough or sneeze. An individual infected with measles can infect nine out of 10 unvaccinated individuals with whom they come in close contact. 
CHANGCHUN, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Zhou Qingyu, former vice president of China Development Bank, was on Tuesday sentenced to 15 years in prison for bribery crimes, according to a verdict handed down by a court in Changchun, Jilin Province.

Zhou has also been fined 5.2 million yuan (about 732,000 U.S. dollars), and his illegal gains are confiscated and turned over to the state treasury, according to the verdict by the Changchun Intermediate People's Court.

An investigation into Zhou's case revealed that between 2013 and 2023, he took advantage of his various positions at the bank to assist others in such matters as loan financing, project contracting, business operations and personnel arrangements. In return, Zhou accepted money and valuables worth over 67.43 million yuan.

It was also established that Zhou, after leaving the bank, had used his influence to seek illegal benefits for others in project contracting and other matters, and accepted money and valuables worth approximately 1 million yuan in return.

The court noted that Zhou had been cooperative throughout the investigation and in returning his illegal gains, and he was given a lenient sentence in accordance with the law. 
by Xinhua writer Tai Beiping

BEIJING, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The seventh edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) started on Tuesday, offering countries and companies across the globe a grand platform to showcase their products and services, and a valuable opportunity to tap into the vast Chinese market.

On top of the national level import-themed expo, China has recently unveiled a series of initiatives, including broadened visa-free policies and eased investment restrictions, to open its doors even wider to foreign visitors, investors and business doers.

As the country presses forward with its high-quality opening-up policies, an enormous boost is widely expected in global trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.

This year's CIIE, running on Nov. 5-10 in China's commercial hub of Shanghai, brings together participants from 152 countries, regions, and international organizations, with a record number of 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders setting to attend, a testimony to the event's growing international sway and appeal.

The event displays China's clear commitment to expanding imports and promoting trade liberalization. It also serves as a platform for China to introduce new measures to improve the business environment for foreign enterprises, from easing trade policies to supporting cross-border e-commerce and facilitating smoother customs procedures.

Over the past six years, the annual expo has become a signature event of China's high-level opening up and an emblem of its ongoing endeavors to build an open global economy.

Through the expo, China has signed trade agreements worth billions of dollars and opened its domestic market to a wide range of foreign goods and services, thereby delivering benefits to both domestic consumers and global suppliers.

This commitment to shared prosperity and economic globalization makes the CIIE a major contributor to global economic stability and a driver for cross-border trade and investment, particularly at a time when global trade is fraught with uncertainties and protectionist pressures.

China is also on the move to make visits by foreign tourists and businessmen much easier. Starting from Nov. 8, citizens holding ordinary passports from Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein and South Korea will be able to travel to China visa-free.

This move, coupled with other visitor-friendly measures, promises to give a further boost to foreign arrivals. In the third quarter this year, China registered an influx of 8.186 million foreigners with 4.885 million of them visa-free, which represent year-on-year upsurges of 48.8 percent and 78.6 percent respectively.

Local governments across China are also stepping up hospitality offerings. A brochure of "Welcome to Beijing: Essential Tips for New Arrivals" has been introduced in Beijing with essential tourism information; and Shanghai has equipped its taxis and subway stations with devices that accept foreign bank cards. Tourism hubs like Chengdu and Xi'an have also taken new measures to make foreigners feel at home.

Substantial strides in fostering a more favorable environment for foreign investors have also been made recently. The new edition of China's national negative list for foreign investment, which took effect Friday, eliminated the remaining restrictions on the manufacturing sector.

The country has thereby removed all barriers to foreign investment in manufacturing, a testament to its global leadership in manufacturing openness, especially as some developed countries are still bent on limitations on foreign manufacturing investments.

An ever opening up China, as multiple pundits have observed, is a tremendous boon for the rest of world, adding impetus to global economic recovery especially amid the evolving and turbulent international landscape. 
By Alimat Aliyeva

Boeing union members have accepted the latest proposal from the aircraft corporation, which is likely to end a strike that has lasted more than seven weeks, Azernews reports.

In early November, the media reported that Boeing had offered the striking employees improved contracts, including a 38% pay increase over four years.

"Boeing Co. employees voted to accept a new employment contract and end the strike, which disrupted the production of airliners for more than seven weeks," the agency said in a statement.

About 59% of the union members voted to accept the proposal.

The New York Times newspaper wrote in September that a strike by the Boeing mechanics union had significantly slowed production of passenger aircraft.

Boeing produces a wide range of civil and military aviation equipment and develops space programs.
CAIRO, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas discussed on Monday the recent developments in the Palestinian territories.

They met on the sidelines of the 12th edition of the World Urban Forum held in Cairo from Monday to Friday, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement.

During the meeting, Sisi underscored Egypt's support of the Palestinian cause, and rejection of all forms of Israeli escalation against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank.

He confirmed that Egypt is continuing its efforts to achieve calm, enforce a ceasefire, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, while working to protect the Palestinian people's legitimate right to establish an independent state along pre-1967 borders, in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy.

Sisi also emphasized Egypt's unwavering support for the Palestinian Authority, highlighting its efforts to assist the Palestinian people to reach understanding and foster consensus.

For his part, Abbas expressed deep gratitude for Egypt's historical role and relentless efforts in support of the Palestinian cause, emphasizing that the Palestinian people appreciate Egypt's supportive role and assistance. 
BRATISLAVA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE) will help further promote the economic and trade relations between Slovakia and China, former Slovak ambassador to China Dusan Bella said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

The CIIE has become one of the most important trade fairs in the world, Bella said. This year's expo will see Slovakia participating in the Country Exhibition for the first time.

Noting that China remains the main engine for global economy, Bella said events like this will contribute to the world economic recovery.

Visitors can find many inventions and innovative solutions at such expos, and exhibitors are there either to show what they have invented or to look for inspiration as well as investors, Bella said, recalling a Slovak flying car exhibited a few years ago.

In April this year, Slovak company Klein Vision announced that it sold its flying cars' production and sales authorization for the Chinese market to a company based in north China's Hebei Province.

The seventh CIIE, set for November 5-10 in Shanghai, has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions and international organizations, and achieved a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders set to attend.

Since its first edition in 2018, the expo has become an important showcase, spotlighting China's new development paradigm, a platform for high-standard opening up, and an opportunity for the whole world. 
People inspect the damage of a building after an Israeli raid in the town of Tamoun in northern West Bank city of Tubas, on Nov. 5, 2024. Four Palestinians were killed in Israeli bombing and gunfire in Jenin and Tubas cities, northern West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Four Palestinians were killed in Israeli bombing and gunfire in Jenin and Tubas cities, northern West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday.

In a brief statement, the ministry said the bodies of two Palestinians arrived at Jenin Governmental Hospital, following a drone attack on a house near the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin.

Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli forces stormed Qabatiya, bulldozing infrastructure and destroying residents' properties.

Sounds of an exchange of gunfire were heard between Palestinian militants and Israeli forces, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army said Tuesday in a press statement that its drone targeted an armed cell near Qabatiya.

In a separate statement on Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said the body of a third Palestinian, killed by Israeli forces, was transferred from the town of Tamoun in Tubas to the hospital.

The ministry said later that it was informed by the Civil Affairs Authority, which coordinates with Israel on civilian matters, of the death of another Palestinian man in Tamoun, whose body was detained by Israeli forces.

Tubas Governor Ahmed al-Asaad told Xinhua that Israeli forces stormed Tamoun and the Wadi al-Far'a area and killed a young man.

Describing the Israeli raid as large-scale, al-Asaad said an Israeli bulldozer continues to destroy infrastructure and citizens' properties.

So far, the Israeli military has not commented on the attacks in Tubas.

The West Bank has been witnessing an escalation of violence since Oct. 7, 2023, which has led to the killing of more than 760 Palestinians by Israeli gunfire and shelling, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. 

Children stand in front of a damaged building after an Israeli raid in the town of Tamoun in northern West Bank city of Tubas, on Nov. 5, 2024. Four Palestinians were killed in Israeli bombing and gunfire in Jenin and Tubas cities, northern West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People walk on a damaged street after an Israeli raid in the town of Tamoun in northern West Bank city of Tubas, on Nov. 5, 2024. Four Palestinians were killed in Israeli bombing and gunfire in Jenin and Tubas cities, northern West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People inspect a destroyed vehicle after an Israeli raid in the town of Tamoun in northern West Bank city of Tubas, on Nov. 5, 2024. Four Palestinians were killed in Israeli bombing and gunfire in Jenin and Tubas cities, northern West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People inspect the damage of a building after an Israeli raid in the town of Tamoun in northern West Bank city of Tubas, on Nov. 5, 2024. Four Palestinians were killed in Israeli bombing and gunfire in Jenin and Tubas cities, northern West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Laszlo Kover, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji held talks with Laszlo Kover, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, in Beijing on Tuesday.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Hungary, and in May, the two sides elevated bilateral relations to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era.

China is willing to work with Hungary to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, consolidate the momentum of high-level exchanges, enhance strategic communication and cooperation, and embark on a new chapter of practical cooperation, jointly creating a bright future, Zhao added.

Zhao also expressed China's willingness to strengthen policy communication with Hungary in various fields, deepen high-level political mutual trust, firmly support each other's core interests, and consolidate the political foundation of China-Hungary friendship.

The Chinese side is willing to promote a deep synergy of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Hungary's "Opening to the East" policy, accelerate the construction of the Hungary-Serbia railway, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as clean energy, digital economy, and artificial intelligence, to comprehensively elevate the level of cooperation, said Zhao.

Noting that China's NPC and the Hungarian National Assembly have maintained a long-standing and good relationship, Zhao said the two sides should further strengthen exchanges and interactions at different levels, to enhance mutual understanding, trust, and friendship. He also called on the legislative institutions of the two sides to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral forums, promoting global governance that is more conducive to maintaining world peace and international fairness and justice.

Kover said Hungary firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to seize the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields, including jointly building the BRI, promoting economic and trade investment, Hungary-Serbia railway construction, and people-to-people exchanges, to contribute to the cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries and China, as well as the development of EU-China relations.

The Hungarian National Assembly is committed to enhancing friendly exchanges with China's NPC, to make active contributions to the development of bilateral relations, Kover added. 

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Laszlo Kover, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
SHANGHAI, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- From Honeywell and BMW to L'Oreal and Lindt & Sprungli, many renowned global brands have launched new innovative products to entice Chinese consumers, exposing themselves in the spotlight at a high-profile trade promotion event.

The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's first import-themed national-level expo, being held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10, has become a major launchpad for new products, technologies and services, demonstrating global companies' great interest in exploring the lucrative Chinese market.

Political and business leaders from 152 countries, regions and international organizations attended the opening ceremony. Around 3,800 Chinese and foreign journalists from more than 400 media outlets are participating in the coverage of this event.

At the booth of Lindt & Sprungli, a 4-meter tall "waterfall wall" made of eight different flavors of the brand's bestselling LINDOR chocolate is catching the eyes of many. Founded in 1845, the Swiss chocolate brand is participating at the expo for the first time.

The company has recognized the significant potential of the Chinese market since its entry in 2012. It aims to strengthen its connections with Chinese consumers, explore the market more thoroughly, and create a wider range of high-quality chocolate products through participation in the CIIE, said a booth staff.

At the expo, the company is showcasing dozens of chocolate varieties, including some new products, and will conduct tasting activities throughout the expo. One of the five Lindt Swiss master chocolatiers, Thomas Schnetzler, will be present to share chocolate-making expertise and engage participants in the process of creating chocolates via a master class.

Nippon Paint, a popular choice for many Chinese for home furnishing, is a first-time exhibitor at the CIIE, and has debuted a suite of new products, with a focus on smart road construction and urban air purification.

"We hope to comprehensively show our extensive business and global strength via the CIIE. We will continue to increase investment in China and firmly believe that investing in China is investing in the future," Eric Chung, CEO of Nippon Paint China, stated in a written interview with Xinhua.

The BMW, a beloved brand among China's middle-income group, is also participating in the CIIE for a seventh consecutive year. At its booth, six models from the BMW M series are on display. The exhibited vehicles include gasoline cars, plug-in hybrid models and pure electric vehicles.

Sean Green, President and CEO of BMW Group Region China, said the company firmly believes in open innovation. It is willing to collaborate with China's top research forces in cutting-edge technology fields to create products that meet the needs of Chinese consumers, thereby providing users with a more personalized and intelligent travel experience.

L'Oreal, another company to participate in the CIIE for seven successive years, is amplifying its presence in 2024, unveiling over 220 exhibits across 21 brands. In its exhibition area, a revolutionary hairdryer made its debut, attracting many expo attendees who stopped by to give it a try.

Jointly developed by L'Oreal and a Chinese startup, the AirLight Pro hairdryer, which combines infrared light technology with high-speed airflow, is said to be more friendly to both the health of hair and the environment.

"CIIE is the only event like this in the world, where L'Oreal is so involved, where we introduce new brands and innovations," remarked Jean-Paul Agon, L'Oreal Group Chairman. "We are very excited to be part of it, and we have a great belief in the opportunities in the Chinese market."

L'Oreal has already inked a deal to participate in the eighth CIIE, underscoring its commitment to this platform.

At the Honeywell exhibition booth, the company debuted a brand new type of gas detector which is able to detect more than 35 types of gases in the field of semiconductor processing and manufacturing, aiming to help enterprises reduce operating costs required for gas detection.

It is the seventh time Honeywell is participating in this expo. Over the past six years, the company's exhibition space has expanded tenfold, from some 50 square meters during its first attendance to the current 500 square meters, with more than 160 innovative technologies, products and solutions showcased during this period.

This year the company is exhibiting a record 100 technologies covering areas such as aviation, smart buildings, energy transition and smart manufacturing, according to a company employee at the booth.

Over the years, the CIIE has become an important platform for global companies seeking to make big profits in the Chinese market. The previous six editions of the expo saw nearly 2,500 new products, technologies and services make their debuts -- with combined intended turnover reaching over 420 billion U.S. dollars.

The 7th CIIE has attracted about 3,500 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions, and achieved a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders attending the event. More than 400 new products, new technologies and new services are set to be unveiled during the 2024 expo. 
Emerging geo-politics and what it portends Call for Nationhood

|

It may or will not amount to much, but now it is there on record that the Chief Minister of Mizoram in a recent trip to the United States had called for the amalgamation of Chin-Kuki-Mizo communities spread across the three countries of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh and underlined his observation with the words, We are one people-brothers and sisters-and we cannot afford to be divided or live apart from one another...we have been unjustly divided, forced to exist under three different Governments in three different countries, and this is something we can never accept. This coming from a former IPS officer and now serving as the Chief Minister of Mizoram who had taken the oath to protect and preserve the integrity of the Nation and clearly the bigger game plan of the Kuki-Chin groups is emerging more and more clear. Delhi may or may not respond to the report carried by some newspapers and news agencies but here is a case of a serving Chief Minister undermining the sovereignty of the country and take the declaration of the ousted premier of Bangladesh some time back that a plan is afoot to carve out a Christian Nation under the patronage of the United States in the region comprising of territories carved out from India, Bangladesh and Myanmar and the dots can be connected to form a pattern. Geo-politics, this is a term which has been used by many in Manipur to explain the manner in which the ethnic clash here has been allowed to drag on for so long and see this term against what the former premier of Bangladesh has had to say, the recent proclamation of the Mizoram Chief Minister in the United States, the cloud of confusion created over the validity of the Suspension of Operations pact and one can see a pattern emerging out of the all round confusion created wilfully. The confusion over the status of the SoO pact may be understood in the backdrop of the more recent proclamation of Chief Minister N Biren that the pact is still in force while Delhi has been silent on whether the pact has been extended or not after its validity expired on February 29 this year. It is this reality that Manipur should be awake to and then respond to the demand of the reality accordingly. However it is not clear whether this reality has really sunk into the consciousness of the people or not. Even as news of the transcript of the Mizoram Chief Minister was carried in a seven column lead story, The Sangai Express also carried a prominent story of the civil society organisations of Senapati having decided to go ahead with a blockade on the highway in protest against the inaction of the State Government to rein in the culprits responsible for assaulting and robbing two Poumai youths on October 31. Dont step on the wrong toes of anyone were the words of caution that had been sounded earlier but as things stand right now, it is evident that there are some power players who are not bothered about the outcome of their reckless behaviour.

Manipur should acknowledge the reality. Those who stand against the very existence of the place have been able to take their case to the floor of the European Parliament. Manipur is yet to get over the false narratives that have been spelt out before the country and the world at large and now it is the Chief Minister of a neighbouring State who has had the gumption to call for the creation of a Nation in the region by dismembering Manipur and parts of Myanmar and Bangladesh. Not that this would have any tangible impact on the region, but it is time to wake up to the geo-politics at play here and respond to the unfolding situation accordingly. At the moment, a number of educated, young people have woken up to the damages caused by the false narratives and have taken it upon themselves to neutralise the falsities that have been peddled with so much finesse. Their contributions too should be noted and it is time to acknowledge that the battle is fought not only with guns and sheer physical strength but also in other fields. This is where the contributions of people who stand firm by the idea of Manipur should be acknowledged. In doing this, it is also equally important that Manipur or rather the Meiteis try to reach out and make friends as much as possible and the first step should be to ensure that communities which are not part of the ongoing feud are not unnecessarily harassed. This should be the bottomline.
Tribute to Ratan Naval Tata

|

Oinam Nabakishore Singh, IAS (Retd)

Ratan Naval Tata passed away at 11.30 pm on Wednesday, the 9th October, 2024 at Breach Candy Hospital at south Mumbai at the age of 86 after a brief illness related to ageing. There were outpouring of condolences, praises and admirations, fond memories, obituaries and eulogies from many leaders including Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, Shri Rahul Gandhi, leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, business community in India and abroad. Passing away of Ratan Tata leaves a vacuum in the world of business and philanthropy in India and abroad.

Television channels and social media were quick to bring forth discussions and interviews with a lot of people who knew Ratan Tata closely or from a distance to highlight the person he was during his lifetime. Everybody says that Ratan Tata was humble despite his position as Chairman of the Tata Group of companies. This trait is visible to one and all as manifest from his words, responses to those interacting with him and words used by him. In all his appearances while receiving awards or honorary degrees or participation as a panelist, he never crossed his legs, which may be seen as a disrespect to the audience.

Besides his humbleness, he is also recognized to be humane in the tradition of the family of Tata. His concern for the well-being of fellow human beings, both in India and abroad, is evident from his donations to many institutions.

Ratan Tata started his career in Tata Steel by working as an ordinary worker on the shop floor. Through such job, he learned the dynamics of working on the shop floor without any comfort whatsoever. He also learned about the working conditions of the workers, their attitude and views on many aspects of a factory. Later on, after working on the shop floor for about a decade, he was given a managerial position in National Radio and Electronics (NELCO) in 1970s. Later in 1991, he was made the Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Group of companies after JRD Tata, his uncle stepped down from that position. His ascension was not without resistance from many heads of the subsidiary companies, who had been enjoying freedom in their operation under JRD Tata. He took a number of steps to streamline the operations of numerous com- panies under the Tata Group. He also used the services of consultants to bring all products of Tata Group under the same brand of Tata logos in order to enhance brand value of the products and their visibility and recognition.

He was chairman of the group for about 21 years from 1991 to 2012. He was responsible for strategic acquisitions of companies abroad to make the group a multinational conglomerate.

Acquisitions of Tetley tea, steel company, Corus and JLR Land Rovers in the United Kingdom and their successful operation proved to the global community of the financial and managerial strength of the group.

During the tenure of Ratan Tata at the helm, market capitalization of listed companies of the Tata Group increased from Rs 30, 000 crore to Rs 5.00 lakh crore. Now, the market capitalization of the said companies stand at Rs 30.00 lakh crore. Such increases in the value of stocks would have resulted in creation of tremendous wealth for shareholders especially retail investors. Rakesh Jhun- jhunwalla, who is called Warren Buffet of Indias stock market, bought shares of Titan company, a Tata company, at Rs 30-32 in 2002-03 and its market price today (18.10.2024) is Rs 3,381. Appreciation is about 1000 times. During the tenure of Ratan Tata, the revenue of the group companies too increased from about Rs 18, 000 crore to Rs 5.5 lakh crore. The growth of Tata group companies has contributed to the growth and development of India in many respects. Tata Steel which produces steel may be considered to be pivotal in the creation of infrastructure like roads and bridges, power plants, buildings, equipment and machineries, rail roads, transportation vehicles and any appliance where steel is used. Tata trucks with the highest market share of commercial vehicle in the country moves goods across the country for decades.

What stands out for Ratan Tata is having a conviction to translate a dream, which is considered to be impossible by many into reality. On seeing that the vast majority of Indians cannot afford a car, he thought of making an affordable car below one lakh rupees. At that time the cheapest car would have cost three lakh rupees. When this idea was placed before his colleagues and others, it was rejected as something not feasible. However, Ratan Tata stood his ground. So far, Tata Mo-tors has been making co- mmercial vehicles in India. Now, it has ventured into an entirely new area of making passenger cars. There were doubters as to the capability of Indian car makers as passenger car market has been dominated by Japanese and European car makers. Finally, Tata launched Indica, a hatchback, in 1998 and it proved to be very successful. Small car Tata Nano was manufactured from 2008 to 2018 and sold at Rs 1,00,000. However, it was not very popular due to a few instance of Nano catching fire.

Nevertheless, Rata Tata proved that it was possible to make a four-wheeler passenger car at Rs 1,00,000. Rata Tata will also be remembered for his philanthropic works. He is the highest international donor to Cornell University, his alma mater. Under his leadership, Tata Group donated substantial amounts for research and development to Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, Harvard University, USA, University of California, USA, etc. The number of welfare and development works under- taken by Tata Sons in India and abroad is numerous. In Manipur, it extended financial assistance to the farmers for production of milk and raise their living standards. Their representatives came to set up a skill centre to provide training to unemployed youths in repairing of automobiles in Imphal.

The simple life led by Rata Tata has been mentioned by many who came in contact with him. He is said to drive his own car. He lived in a modest home. He made Tata Group a truly global company, which is not an easy achievement in the competitive world of business. He is known for ethical practices in business. It is considered to be common for business houses to oil the palm of politicians and bureaucrats in India, where license and permit raj continued till liberation began in 1991. However, Rata Tata, preferred morality over unethical practices, and he was proud of his stand. Throughout his career, at the cost of loss of business opportunities, he remained ever an epitome of ethical business practices in India.
Technicians check the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. The SMILE is a joint mission between the CAS and the European Space Agency (ESA) that aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.

The SMILE satellite has completed the development work in China, including satellite testing, system interface testing and environmental experiments, according to the National Space Science Center of the CAS.

The SMILE is about to depart for Europe. It is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 from Europe's space launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, by Arianespace's Vega-C launch vehicle. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

A technician checks the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. The SMILE is a joint mission between the CAS and the European Space Agency (ESA) that aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.

The SMILE satellite has completed the development work in China, including satellite testing, system interface testing and environmental experiments, according to the National Space Science Center of the CAS.

The SMILE is about to depart for Europe. It is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 from Europe's space launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, by Arianespace's Vega-C launch vehicle. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

A technician checks the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. The SMILE is a joint mission between the CAS and the European Space Agency (ESA) that aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.

The SMILE satellite has completed the development work in China, including satellite testing, system interface testing and environmental experiments, according to the National Space Science Center of the CAS.

The SMILE is about to depart for Europe. It is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 from Europe's space launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, by Arianespace's Vega-C launch vehicle. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

A technician measures the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. The SMILE is a joint mission between the CAS and the European Space Agency (ESA) that aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.

The SMILE satellite has completed the development work in China, including satellite testing, system interface testing and environmental experiments, according to the National Space Science Center of the CAS.

The SMILE is about to depart for Europe. It is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 from Europe's space launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, by Arianespace's Vega-C launch vehicle. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Technicians check the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. The SMILE is a joint mission between the CAS and the European Space Agency (ESA) that aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.

The SMILE satellite has completed the development work in China, including satellite testing, system interface testing and environmental experiments, according to the National Space Science Center of the CAS.

The SMILE is about to depart for Europe. It is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 from Europe's space launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, by Arianespace's Vega-C launch vehicle. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Technicians pack the battery pack of the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. The SMILE is a joint mission between the CAS and the European Space Agency (ESA) that aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.

The SMILE satellite has completed the development work in China, including satellite testing, system interface testing and environmental experiments, according to the National Space Science Center of the CAS.

The SMILE is about to depart for Europe. It is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 from Europe's space launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, by Arianespace's Vega-C launch vehicle. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Customs officers check the packages for the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. The SMILE is a joint mission between the CAS and the European Space Agency (ESA) that aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.

The SMILE satellite has completed the development work in China, including satellite testing, system interface testing and environmental experiments, according to the National Space Science Center of the CAS.

The SMILE is about to depart for Europe. It is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 from Europe's space launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, by Arianespace's Vega-C launch vehicle. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

A technician checks the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. The SMILE is a joint mission between the CAS and the European Space Agency (ESA) that aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.

The SMILE satellite has completed the development work in China, including satellite testing, system interface testing and environmental experiments, according to the National Space Science Center of the CAS.

The SMILE is about to depart for Europe. It is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 from Europe's space launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, by Arianespace's Vega-C launch vehicle. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

A technician packs the battery pack of the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. The SMILE is a joint mission between the CAS and the European Space Agency (ESA) that aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.

The SMILE satellite has completed the development work in China, including satellite testing, system interface testing and environmental experiments, according to the National Space Science Center of the CAS.

The SMILE is about to depart for Europe. It is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 from Europe's space launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, by Arianespace's Vega-C launch vehicle. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Technicians measure the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. The SMILE is a joint mission between the CAS and the European Space Agency (ESA) that aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.

The SMILE satellite has completed the development work in China, including satellite testing, system interface testing and environmental experiments, according to the National Space Science Center of the CAS.

The SMILE is about to depart for Europe. It is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 from Europe's space launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, by Arianespace's Vega-C launch vehicle. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

A technician checks the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. The SMILE is a joint mission between the CAS and the European Space Agency (ESA) that aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.

The SMILE satellite has completed the development work in China, including satellite testing, system interface testing and environmental experiments, according to the National Space Science Center of the CAS.

The SMILE is about to depart for Europe. It is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 from Europe's space launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, by Arianespace's Vega-C launch vehicle. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Seven terrorists were killed and three others injured in separate operations by the Pakistani military across the country, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The ISPR, the media wing of Pakistan's military, said one incident happened in the North Waziristan tribal district where a terrorist was killed in an intelligence-based operation.

The second incident took place in the neighboring South Waziristan district where troops intercepted terrorists trying to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The incident triggered an exchange of fire, in which five terrorists were killed, while three others got injured.

Meanwhile, a terrorist was killed in a clash with security forces in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Monday. 
The upcoming winter session in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly is likely to start from 25 November.

There are several important issues which may be discussed. The brutal rape and murder of the 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at R G Kar Hospital was going to be discussed.

Advertisement

While the official schedule of the session has not been finalised, sources suggested that the ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC) plans to bring a resolution condemning the central government for allegedly withholding funds meant for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in the state.

Advertisement

The Winter Session is likely to begin on 25 November, but the agenda is still being decided, state Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay told The Statesman.

This time the session will continue for eight to 10 days, Mr Bandyopadhyay added.

According to Trinamul Congress sources, the government is likely to introduce a resolution criticizing the Centre for failing to release funds under PMAY, which in West Bengal operates as the Banglar Awas Yojana. The scheme aims to provide housing assistance to the rural poor.

Recently, protests have erupted across West Bengal over alleged exclusions of beneficiaries under the Banglar Awas Yojana.

The Mamata Banerjee government is currently conducting a field survey for around 11 lakh potential beneficiaries, who were initially approved to receive financial support for house construction.

Villagers have been protesting in several districts, including Purulia, Birbhum, West Midnapore and South 24-Parganas, particularly outside block development offices (BDOs) in the district.

Many of them alleged that local TMC leaders have deliberately deleted their names from the list of beneficiaries.

Under PMAY, beneficiaries in plain areas are eligible for a subsidy of Rs 1.2 lakh, while those in hilly or tribal regions receive Rs 1.3 lakh, distributed in two installments.

The first round of funding for these beneficiaries is expected to be released in December.

However, the state secretariat Nabanna claims that the state government is funding the Banglar Awas Yojana on its own, as the central government has allegedly stopped its contributions.

For the past 87 days since 9 August, the medics under the banner of the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) have been organising protests, including cease-work in government medical colleges and hospitals and 17 day-long fast-unto-death at Esplanade from 5 October demanding justice for the incident at R G Kar Hospital, safety and security for doctors and other staff inside state-run hospitals and end of threat culture in state healthcare facilities.
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, launched Phase  II of the retail sale of Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice by flagging off mobile vans of NCCF, NAFED and Kendriya Bhandar here today.

Bharat Atta at MRP of Rs 30 per kg and Bharat Rice at MRP of Rs 34 per kg is being made available to consumers during the Phase-II.

Advertisement

Interacting with mediapersons during the event, Joshi stated that the initiative is an affirmation of the Centres commitment towards ensuring the availability of essential food items to the consumers at subsidised prices. Direct interventions through retail sale of basic food items under Bharat Brand such as rice, atta and dal have helped in maintaining a stable price regime, he added.

Advertisement

Minister of State B L Verma was also present on the occasion.

In the initial stage of Phase  II, 3.69 LMT of Wheat and 2.91 LMT of Rice are made available for retail sale. During Phase  I, around 15.20 LMT of Bharat Atta and 14.58 LMT Bharat Rice was made available to general consumers at subsidised rates. Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice will be available at stores and mobile vans of Kendriya Bhandar, NAFED and NCCF and e-commerce /big chain retailers. During Phase-II. Bharat brand Atta and Rice will be sold in 5 Kg and 10 Kg bags.

Updating on Procurement of paddy in Punjab, the Union Minister reiterated the commitment of the Central Government to achieve the targeted procurement estimate of 184 LMT in Punjab and procure every single grain brought to mandis by the farmers. As of 4th November 2024, a total quantity of 104.63 LMT of paddy has arrived in the Punjab mandis out of which 98.42 LMT had been procured by State agencies and FCI.

The paddy is being purchased at MSP at Rs 2320 as decided by the Centre for Grade A paddy. The total paddy purchased by Government of India till date in the ongoing KMS 2024-25, amounts to Rs 20,557 Crore. This has benefitted 5.38 lakh farmers and the MSP amount has been credited to their bank accounts.
File photo taken on Oct. 31, 2024 shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R, Front) and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (L, Front) attending a ceremony for the 70th cohort of military combat officers at an army base near Mitzpe Ramon, Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Nov. 5 that he has dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing their differences over security matters. (JINI via Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that he has dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing their differences over security matters.

In a termination letter made public by Netanyahu's office, the prime minister informed Gallant that his term would end within 48 hours.

In a video statement, Netanyahu said, "Over the past few months, the trust between the Defense Minister and me has eroded. Significant differences emerged regarding the management of the (military) campaign, accompanied by statements and actions that contradicted government and cabinet decisions."

Netanyahu added that this crisis "does not allow for the proper continuation of managing the (military) campaign."

Israel Katz, Netanyahu's close associate and Israel's current foreign minister, will replace Gallant. The decision was met with widespread criticism due to Katz's limited senior military experience.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group representing families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, released a statement saying the move is part of Netanyahu's efforts to thwart a potential hostage deal. The group noted that Gallant had supported a hostage-for-ceasefire exchange, emphasizing that Israel has met its objectives in Gaza, while Netanyahu continues to call for the conflict's continuation until "total victory" over Hamas.

The current dispute between Netanyahu and Gallant centers on the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men into the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Traditionally, this group has been exempt from mandatory military service, a status quo staunchly defended by ultra-Orthodox parties, which are key partners of Netanyahu's far-right coalition. In contrast, Gallant advocates for their enlistment, citing a pressing need for additional manpower amid ongoing conflicts. Earlier on Tuesday, Gallant authorized the drafting of 7,000 ultra-Orthodox men into the IDF. 

File photo taken on Oct. 31, 2024 shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R, Front) and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (L, Front) attending a ceremony for the 70th cohort of military combat officers at an army base near Mitzpe Ramon, Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Nov. 5 that he has dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing their differences over security matters. (JINI via Xinhua)
The residents of rural areas in the national capital on Tuesday warned of protest against the mayoral and deputy mayoral polls scheduled on November 14, if the house tax exemption announced in December last was not notified before the polls.

Announcing about the protest, Palam 360 Khap chief Choudhary Surender Solanki said, The outgoing Mayor in December 2023 had announced that corporation will not collect any house tax from lal dora or extended lal dora properties in the rural areas. After the passage of almost a year, the same has not been notified till date which clearly shows how villagers are being neglected by the government, Solanki added.

Advertisement

This has forced us to take such steps to wake the government up which is sleeping on implementing the promises it made with the villagers. So we will stage a protest against them to remind them of their announced plans, the Khap leader said.

Advertisement

Solanki, who is on a Gaon Dehat Bachao Yatra, is travelling to all the 360 villages of Delhi, to voice the demands of rural Delhi regarding long pending issues, and had announced earlier to boycott the Delhi assembly elections as the government is taking no cognizance of the plight of the villagers.
Director Danish Aslam, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming movie Khwaabon Ka Jhamela, has confirmed that he is indeed working with actor Imran Khan on his next project.

Earlier, there were reports of Imran working on a streaming title with Danish. The two have earlier worked together in the 2010 rom-com Break Ke Baad. Danish spoke with IANS, and confirmed that he is busy mounting a story with Imran as the actor.

Advertisement

However, the director refrained from divulging any details as he shared that its too early to talk about it. He also said that he doesnt like the term comeback used for any artiste.

Advertisement

The director told IANS, Yes, Im working with Imran on a project, thats true. However, its too early to comment on that. We have an exciting story and the idea but, thats about it. I will be able to speak about it with more clarity as the time progresses.

Danish also shared the details about his upcoming film Khwaabon Ka Jhamela which stars Prateik Babbar, Sayani Gupta and Kubbra Sait in the lead. The film is a fresh take on the genre of rom-com after ages.

He shared, This one is a rom-com wrapped in a coming of age story. I have a theory about rom-coms, which is that they need to be updated with the times. If you watch an action movie or a drama film from 40-50 years ago, you dont need to know the societal context of the time for you to get the beats of the story. Its the same revenge, fight, this, that. Rom-coms on the other hand, if you watch something that is from even 20 years ago, therell be so much which was time specific, and suddenly with time, you find things in them which may sound problematic.

He added, Rom-coms need to be constantly updated, the language needs to be updated. Its a very dynamic genre. Ill give you an example, during the lockdown, my wife was watching Friends, which is something we all watched growing up. Suddenly, when I look at it now, there are so many episodes that are problematic, so many jokes, so many things that they say, which you cant do today.

Produced by Baweja Studios, Jio Studios, Jyoti Deshpande, Pammi Baweja, Harman Baweja, and Vicky Bahri, Khwaabon Ka Jhamela is set to drop on JioCinema on November 6.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Tuesday accused the AAP government of indulging in politics over Chhath and alleged that it has left deficiencies in preparations for the grand festival of the Purvanchali community.

He alleged that it will not be an exaggeration to say that this year, AAP governments administration led by CM Atishi has shown gross negligence, engaged in corruption, and tampered with the faith of the entire Purvanchal community, particularly the Chhath devotees.

Advertisement

He claimed that due to the inaction and carelessness of the Atishi government, neither have the ponds been filled with water, nor have drinking water tankers reached over 800 temporary Chhath Ghats by Tuesday evening. The Delhi BJP chief alleged that AAP MLAs are openly spreading political corruption, be it along the riverbanks or at temporary ghats.

Advertisement
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said the large Buddhist community has much to offer to humankind at a time when the world today is facing an existential crisis on many fronts, not only strife but also the climate crisis.

The various schools of Buddhism show the world how to counter narrow sectarianism. Their central message remains focused on peace and non-violence. If one word can capture the Buddha Dhamma, it has to be karuna or compassion, which is what the world needs today, she said.

Advertisement

The President was addressing the first Asian Buddhist Summit, organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), in New Delhi.

Advertisement

She said India is the blessed land of Dharma. In every age, there have been great masters and mystics, seers and seekers in India who have shown humankind a way to find peace inside and harmony outside. The Buddha holds a unique place among these pathfinders.

The enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya is an event unparalleled in history. He not only attained incomparably rich insights into the working of the human mind, he also chose to share them with all people in the spirit of Bahujana sukhaya bahujana hitaya cha  for the welfare of the masses, the President added.

She said that over the centuries, it was only natural that different practitioners would find different meanings in the Buddhas discourses and, thus, there arose a variety of sects. In broad classification, today we have Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions, with many schools and sects within each of them. Moreover, such flowering of the Buddha Dharma proceeded in many directions over different periods of history.

This spread of Dhamma over an expanding geographical area created a community, a larger Sangha. In a sense, India, the land of the Buddhas enlightenment, is at its centre. But, what is said about God is also true about this larger Buddhist Sangha: that its centre is everywhere and circumference nowhere, President Murmu said.

The President said that the preservation of Buddhas teachings has been a great collective endeavour for everyone. She was happy to note that the Government of India granted the status of classical language to Pali and Prakrit, among other languages.

She said that Pali and Prakrit would now receive financial support, which will contribute significantly to the preservation of their literary treasures and to their revitalisation.

She also underlined the need to discuss the role of Buddha Dharma in strengthening Asia. Indeed, we need to expand the discussion to see how Buddha Dharma can bring peace, real peace, to Asia and the world  a peace free from not only physical violence but also from all forms of greed and hatred  the two mental forces at the root of all our miseries, according to the Buddha, she added.
The Thalassery sessions court will deliver its verdict on the bail plea of former Kannur district panchayat president PP Divya, who has been charged with abetting the suicide of Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu, on Friday. The court announced its decision on Tuesday after hearing arguments from Divyas defence counsel, the prosecution, and the counsel for the family of the deceased ADM.

During Tuesdays hearing, Ms. Divyas lawyer, advocate K Viswan, argued that the case lacks clear evidence of intent to abet suicide. He contended that Naveen Babu had allegedly accepted a bribe in the presence of government official Prashanth, who had been suspended on disciplinary grounds for bribery.

Advertisement

Vishwan further contended that Divya was not involved in any illegal activity and emphasised circumstantial evidence suggesting that Prashanth took a gold loan of Rs 1 lakh from a cooperative bank and that both the ADM and Prashanth were present at the same tower location the following day. The defence lawyer requested the court to grant bail to Divya, asserting that the case lacks clear evidence of intent to abet suicide. He further submitted that after Divyas speech at the farewell meeting, the ADM approached the collector and confessed.

Advertisement

Countering the arguments of Divyas lawyer, the prosecution asked whether a phone conversation between the ADM and Prashanth could be considered solid proof of bribery. The prosecution counsel pointed out that while there were disciplinary violations, including bribery allegations, against Prashanth, no concrete evidence had been provided to establish a link between the phone call and the bribery claim.

The counsel for the family of the deceased ADM strongly opposed the bail application. He alleged that the police had shielded Divya by failing to arrest her promptly and criticised the police for not recording the statement of the ADMs wife. Despite receiving two notices, Divya had not cooperated with the investigation, he said.

The counsel rejected Divyas defence that she had no intention of causing the suicide and argued that the claim of the ADMs confession to the Collector was false. He noted that the Collector was not someone with whom the ADM had a close relationship, asserting that the purported confession to him was fabricated.

The counsel insisted that the Collectors statement was part of a conspiracy involving Divya and demanded an examination of the Collectors phone records to investigate the matter further.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday expressed concern over the recent attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, calling it deeply concerning during a press conference with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong at Parliament House, Canberra.

What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was obviously deeply concerning. And, you would have seen the statement first by the official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by the Prime Minister yesterday. So, that should, I think, convey to you how deeply we feel about it, Jaishankar said.

Advertisement

Jaishankar also condemned Canadas surveillance of Indian diplomats, slamming what he described as Canadas pattern of making allegations without providing specifics.

Advertisement

When we look at Canada for us, the fact that theyre putting our diplomats under surveillance is something which is unacceptable, he remarked.

Referencing the videos of the temple attack, Jaishankar said, Do look at the video, and I think it would tell you, in a way, the political space today, which is being given to extremist forces there (Canada), that so we believe in freedoms. We also believe freedom should not be misused.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong echoed Jaishankars condemnation of the attack, expressing solidarity with the Indian community.

In the wake of Diwali. It is very upsetting for members of the faith community and the broader Indian community. I would again say that people across Australia have a right to be safe and respected. People also have a right to peaceful protest; people have a right to express their views peacefully, she said, at the same time stressing that violence and vandalism should be handled by law enforcement.

We are a multi-cultural democracy, we cherish that fact, but we also cherish the principles that enable that multi-cultural democracy to flourish  respect and a right to express different views peacefully, she added.

The Brampton incident occurred when protesters carrying Khalistani flags clashed with devotees at the Hindu Sabha Temple, leading to skirmishes that were captured in unverified videos circulated on social media.

The videos showed some protesters wielding flagpoles and banners supporting Khalistan. Peel Regional Police have confirmed the arrest of three individuals connected to the incident, facing charges including assault with a weapon and assaulting a police officer.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the attack, calling it a deliberate act of violence in a strong statement on X.

Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law, PM Modi wrote.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India also voiced its deep concern over the safety of Indian nationals in Canada, calling for the protection of places of worship.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario, and urged the Canadian government to prosecute those responsible.

The MEA emphasised that its consular services would continue, undeterred by intimidation, harassment, and violence, underscoring Indias commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad.
In yet another incident of idol vandalism in Telangana, five Navagraha idols were damaged at a Hanuman Temple in Airport Colony, Shamshabad, on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

This act has sparked protests, with right-wing organizations calling for a bandh in the area tomorrow.

Advertisement

Police have detained a suspect, originally from Uttar Pradesh, in connection with the incident and have increased security in the area.

Advertisement

Recently, the state has witnessed a series of idol desecration and vandalism incidents.

Last night, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi was also vandalized by miscreants in the Pragathinagar area under Cyberabad police, causing public outrage.

The temple vandalism was discovered in the morning when a devotee informed the priest, who then reported it to the police.

Meanwhile, the incident has led to outrage among locals, prompting right-wing organizations to call for a bandh in the Shamshabad municipality area tomorrow in protest.

Police are examining CCTV footage, and a person from Uttar Pradesh has been detained. However, the motive behind the vandalism remains unclear.

A few days ago, Hyderabads Commissioner of Police, CV Anand, held a coordination meeting with the police, social welfare departments, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, and NGOs to address issues concerning homeless people who stay at roadsides, railway stations, footpaths, and bus terminals, some of whom were reportedly causing disturbances at places of worship.

The Commissioner announced plans to create profiles for such individuals, and to relocate those who are mentally unstable or homeless to shelters, NGO-run homes for the elderly, and hospitals for treatment.

Last month, a person from Mumbai desecrated an idol at the Muthyalamma Temple in Secunderabad, sparking protests and communal tension. During Navratri, a homeless man also entered a pandal seeking food and vandalized it.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said India and China have other challenges to address, including de-escalation of forces, once the disengagement process at the LAC is completed.

On October 21st, we concluded the last lot of disengagement agreements, we had done some earlier. These are currently in the process of being implemented. The last agreement was primarily around patrolling rights of the two sides. So we think all in all, its a positive development, he said about the agreement on disengagement reached between the two countries ahead of the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Kazan in Russia last month on the margins of the BRICS Summit.

Advertisement

At a press conference in Canberra, the foreign minister said the two leaders had agreed at Kazan that their foreign ministers and national security advisors would meet to have a look at further building on the decisions taken by them.

Advertisement
Amid growing tensions surrounding recent US sanctions against 19 Indian companies, including Lokesh Machines Limited, the Indian Army has successfully inducted 550 units of the indigenously developed Asmi machine pistols, by the firm, into its various operational units under the Northern Command.

The announcement came via the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI), which highlighted that the Asmi pistols, designed for close-quarter battle and specialized operations, are a significant step toward Indias self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

Advertisement

Developed by Colonel Prasad Bansod of the Indian Army in collaboration with DRDO, these weapons are being manufactured by Lokesh Machines, based in Hyderabad.

Advertisement

In a tweet, the ADGPI stated,The Asmi machine pistol is a robust, compact and reliable weapon designed for close quarter battles and specialised operations. Its unique semi-bullpup design allows for single-handed operation both as a pistol and submachine gun. This 100% Made-in-India weapons induction demonstrates the unwavering commitment of IndianArmy towards AtmanirbharBharat to propel the Nation towards self sufficiency in defence manufacturing.

It may be recalled that earlier in the month of October, Lokesh Machines Limited had delivered its first major order of the indigenously developed Asmi submachine gun (SMG) to the Indian Armys Northern Command.

This order consisted of 550 SMGs based on the design provided by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) Pune, in collaboration with the Indian Army. The weapon, which weighs less than 2.4 kg, is approximately 10-15% lighter than comparable international models, offers the Indian Army a tactical advantage in various combat scenarios.

However, this achievement comes amidst controversy. Lokesh Machines Limited found itself on the US governments radar after it was included in a list of 19 Indian companies and individuals sanctioned on October 30 for alleged business dealings with Russia. In response, Indias Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has defended the companies, stating that the transactions in question did not violate Indian laws.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that India is engaged in dialogue with US authorities to address concerns over export controls and is ensuring that Indian companies are informed of any new regulations that might affect their operations.

Our understanding is that the sanctioned transactions and companies are not in violation of Indian laws. Nevertheless in keeping with Indias established non-proliferation credentials, we are working with all the relevant Indian departments and agencies to sensitise Indian companies on applicable export control provisions as well as inform them on new measures being implemented that could impact Indian companies in certain circumstances, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had stated during a press briefing, recently.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday that the attack on a Hindu temple at Brampton in Canada on Sunday was deeply concerning and accused Ottawa of making allegations against India in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar without providing specifics.

What happened at the Hindu temple in Canada was obviously deeply concerning. And you would have seen the statement first by (the MEA) official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by our Prime Minister yesterday. So that should, I think, convey to you how deeply we feel about it, he said at a joint press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong after talks between them in Canberra.

Advertisement

Canada, he said, is putting Indian diplomats under surveillance, which is something unacceptable to India. Mr Jaishankar also spoke about political space being given to extremist voices in Canada. So, we believe in freedoms, we also believe freedom should not be abused, and have had a talk about it, exactly on the lines, he added.

Advertisement

The Australian minister said she raised with Mr Jaishankar the charges levelled by Canada about the involvement of Indian agents in Nijjars killing. We have made clear our concerns about the allegations under investigation. Weve said that we respect Canadas judicial process. We convey our views to India as you would expect us to do. And we have a principle position in relation to matters such as the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary and also frankly the sovereignty of all countries, she said in response to a question.

In the context of the Sikh community in Australia, Ms Wong said people have a right to be safe and respected regardless of who they are in her country and thats the essence of Australias multicultural democracy.

Referring to bilateral economic ties, Mr Jaishankar said the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) has yielded results and the two countries are now negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). He also spoke about the growing partnership between the two countries in other fields such as education and defence.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is in China to attend the seventh China International Import Expo, in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

SHANGHAI, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met on Tuesday with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is in Shanghai to attend the 7th China International Import Expo.

Li said that China-Malaysia relations have entered a new stage of historical development and are moving steadily toward the goal of building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future.

He said that China is ready to work with Malaysia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, uphold mutual respect and mutual trust, treat each other as equals and cooperate for win-win results, working together to achieve common development and prosperity of the two countries.

Li said China is willing to continue with firmly supporting each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthening the docking of development strategies and the exchange of experience in governance, improving the layout of cooperation in various fields, and boosting the modernization process of the two countries with high-level strategic cooperation.

He called on the two sides to steadily advance flagship projects such as the East Coast Rail Link and the Malaysia-China "Two Countries, Twin Parks," tap into the cooperation potential in emerging areas, and constantly expand new space for cooperation.

China will continue to promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning with Malaysia, strengthen cooperation on education and visa facilitation, and encourage the two peoples, especially the youth, to visit each other more often to enhance mutual understanding and friendship, he said.

Li said China will strongly support Malaysia in assuming the rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year, and is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Malaysia within China-ASEAN and other multilateral frameworks to jointly advance regional economic integration, safeguard ASEAN centrality and safeguard the peaceful development of Asia.

Anwar noted that China is Malaysia's good friend and good partner. Malaysia is willing to deepen Belt and Road cooperation with China, promote cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, digital economy and education, and enhance people-to-people exchanges, he added.

Malaysia supports China in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, said Anwar.

He noted that as the rotating presidency of ASEAN next year, Malaysia will take this opportunity to enhance coordination with China on international and regional issues. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is in China to attend the seventh China International Import Expo, in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday asked the people to stand up against the perpetrators of terror, stating, Security forces, administration, and people should work together to wipe out terrorism.

The LG was interacting with the youth in the border district town of Baramulla in North Kashmir. He said that terrorists targeting the people will be brought to justice and issued a warning to those aiding and sheltering terrorists.

Advertisement

We will not spare terrorists and those aiding and abetting them in targeting our people. We will bring them to justice, he said.

Advertisement

The Lt Governor also urged the youth to spread the message of peace and contribute to counter-radicalisation efforts and the prevention of drug addiction.

Among the many challenges facing our youth is the issue of drug addiction. A drug-free J&K is essential to ensure our youth realise their true potential and shape their tomorrow through hard work, he said.

He further called upon the people to identify and isolate anti-national elements and those disrupting the peace.

The Lieutenant Governor reiterated the governments commitment to empowering the youth of J&K and providing them necessary opportunities and facilities to unlock their potential for a better tomorrow. He assured the talented youth that their empowerment is amongst the foremost priorities of the government.

Our youth as fearless forces of creativity and torch-bearers of positive change are building a bright and vibrant J&K. Under the leadership of Honble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts have been made to fulfil the hopes, aspirations, and dreams of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lt Governor said.

Emphasising the significant role of the younger generation in nation-building, the Lt Governor called upon the youth to work with team spirit while following the ideals and values of the founding fathers of the country for peace and progress in J&K.

The combined power of the youth, ignited by desire and determination to carve a new destiny for society, will be the strongest force in the journey towards Viksit Bharat and a joyous, peaceful, and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

Sharing key reforms and initiatives of the government in the past few years, the Lt Governor highlighted the need to channelise the energy of the youth towards achieving the common goal of development and peace.

When the energy of the youth and their dynamic actions are channelled towards development, cultural, and social activities, they not only work to realise the true potential of the region, but their consciousness, creativity, innovation, and courage also impact various developmental sectors, the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor commended the Save Youth Save Future Foundation for its tireless efforts in youth empowerment. I am confident that the younger generation will fulfil the dream of a modern J&K and help society to achieve developmental aspirations, he said.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has sought the intervention of President Droupadi Murmu to ensure a level playing field for all political parties, alleging that Chief Minister Hemant Sorens helicopter was delayed from taking off due to security protocols for Prime Minister Narendra Modis rally.

In response, the BJP said that Chief Minister Hemant Soren is making excuses because he has realised that his party is going to lose the assembly elections in the state.

Advertisement

The JMM has raised concerns over what it describes as repeated inconveniences caused to state leaders during high-profile visits by central figures.

Advertisement

In a letter addressed to the President, JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya claimed that CM Sorens movement was restricted during a public event in Jharkhand.

The Election Commission (EC) had enforced a no-fly zone extending 50 kilometres around the PMs location, which affected the movement of other leaders and delayed the CMs helicopter for more than 90 minutes.

The party demanded that the President ensure that all political leaders and star campaigners get equal freedom of movement during the election campaign.

The JMM also alleged that the BJP hatched a conspiracy to delay the take-off of Hemant Sorens chopper on November 4 because he belongs to the tribal community.

Hemant ji is a tribal. Is that why such a conspiracy is being hatched by the BJP? Why is the BJP so irritated with tribal, Dalit, backward, and minority-class people? the JMM asked.

However, the BJP has downplayed the controversy, asserting that such restrictions are standard practice for ensuring the security of the Prime Minister.

This has happened for years whenever the PM holds a programme. This is done for security reasons. This is nothing new We too prepare our programmes accordingly. We dont hold our events in areas where the PM is scheduled to visit because we know that flying a chopper wont be permitted until he departs. This was common during Congress regimes as well, BJP state chief Babulal Marandi said.

Assam CM and BJPs co-incharge for the state elections, Himanta Biswa Sarma, told reporters in Ranchi, The PMs itinerary is not confidential. It is shared with the CMO too. Everyone makes their schedule accordingly. If Hemant Soren wants to make the PMs security issue a political issue, then just think how nervous he is He has realised that he is going to lose, so he is making excuses.
The Indian Navy (IN) successfully conducted the third edition of its high-level virtual interaction series, MAHASAGAR, today. Launched in 2003, MAHASAGAR is a bi-annual flagship outreach event aimed at fostering collaboration among Maritime Heads across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) under the framework of Active Security and Growth for All in the Region.

This editions theme, Training Cooperation to Mitigate Common Maritime Security Challenges in the IOR, emphasized the critical need for training collaboration to address and mitigate shared maritime security challenges in the region. The interaction brought together senior leaders from maritime agencies across the IOR littorals, including Bangladesh, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.

Advertisement

Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, led the discussion, engaging with heads of navies and maritime agencies from the region. According to a statement from the Indian Navy, the participants delved into the importance of quality training and explored opportunities for training cooperation among IOR countries. The goal was to enhance the regions collective maritime security capacity and develop a skilled workforce capable of addressing the increasingly complex maritime challenges in the IOR.

Advertisement

The conversation also underscored the growing importance of cooperation among IOR nations to bolster regional maritime security and to ensure stability in the strategically vital Indian Ocean. The MAHASAGAR platform continues to serve as a key avenue for fostering dialogue and building partnerships to safeguard the shared maritime space of the Indian Ocean region.
Accusing the BJP government in the state of triggering severe food insecurity and breakdown of public distribution system, The Odisha Congress unit, on Tuesday, alleged that the death of two women in the Kandhamal district after consumption of mango kernel gruel was due to lack of food grains.

Submitting a memorandum to the Odisha governor in this regard, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee pointed out that people in these areas are being forced to eat food of this nature in the face of acute food scarcity.

Advertisement

The state government currently provides only 5 kg of rice a month per head, which lasts for just 15-20 days. The food grains for October were released on 2 November delayed by a month, which led the people to consume mango kernels.

Advertisement

If the food supplies had been released on time, the loss of two lives could easily have been avoided, the Congress said, targeting the government. The Congress memorandum stated that delay in food distribution violates the National Food Security Act and is a criminal offense.

Stating that Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister K C Patras claim of families having adequate rice was false and misleading, the memorandum said, Its a cover-up to hide the governments failure.

The villagers are not consuming mango kernels by choice but are forced to do so because of inadequate food stock, the OPCC said.

It may be recalled here that two tribal women died and seven others fell sick after allegedly consuming mango kernel gruel in a far-flung Mandipanka village under the Daringbadi block of Odishas Kandhamal district on 30 October.

In response to the Opposition blaming the BJP government in Odisha for the death of two women, the Health Department said they died due to food poisoning. The gruel became toxic leading to fungal growth among those who consumed it as it was kept without proper preservation.

The department later claimed that fulminant hepatitis led to multi-organ failure and led to the death of two women, who had consumed mango kernel gruel in the Kandhamal district.
The Winter Session of the Parliament is set to commence from November 25 and will go on till December 20, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced here on Tuesday.

In a post on X, Rijiju said, President, on the recommendation of Government of India, has approved the proposal for summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Winter Session, 2024 from 25th November to 20th December, 2024 (subject to exigencies of parliamentary business). The minister further informed that on November 26 (Constitution Day), 75th Anniversary of the adoption of Constitution, the event would be celebrated in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.

Advertisement

The Budget Session, 2024 of Parliament which commenced on July 22 was adjourned sine die on August 9. After the constitution of 18th Lok Sabha, this was the first Budget Session and the Union Budget along with the Budget of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was presented in Lok Sabha on July 23. During the Budget session, The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for examination on August 9. On August 9, Parliament was adjourned sine die after the conclusion of the Budget Session which saw presentation of the first full Budget of the Narendra Modi Governments third consecutive term in office. Prime Minister Narendra Modis government had presented an Interim Budget for 2024-25 just before the 17th Lok Sabhas term ended.

Advertisement

During the upcoming Winter Session of the Parliament, the Union government could also look to introduce One Nation One Election Bill.The Bill on the simultaneous polls for the lower house and the assemblies, once cleared by both houses of Parliament, will become a law. Recently, Mr Modi highlighted that his government was working towards achieving One Nation One Poll which will ensure simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

We are now working towards One Nation One Election, which will strengthen Indias democracy, give optimum outcome of Indias resources and the country will gain new momentum in achieving the dream of a developed India. Today, India is moving towards One Nation One Civil Code that is a Secular Civil Code, he said.

In a move that has far-reaching implications for the democracy in the country, the Centre on September 18 had given its nod to simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies recommended by the High-Level Committee formed to go into the proposal.The committee led by former president Ram Nath Kovind advocated elections to urban bodies and panchayats within 100 days.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act 2004 stating that it regulates the standards of education in respect of recognized Madrasas in the State, as the top court set aside the Match 22, 2024, Allahabad High Court judgment which had struck down the Madarsa Act as unconstitutional on the grounds of its being non-secular and had ordered closure of madarsa.

Heading a bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, however, held that the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act 2004 (Madarsa Act) regulating higher education degrees of fazil and kamil, as unconstitutional being in conflict with the University Grant Commission Act.

Advertisement

The Madarsa Act is within the legislative competence of the State legislature and traceable to Entry 25 of List III. However, the provisions of the Madarsa Act which seek to regulate higher-education degrees, such as Fazil and Kamil are unconstitutional as they are in conflict with the UGC Act, which has been enacted under Entry 66 of List I, said the top court in the judgment pronounced today.

Advertisement

Holding that the right of minorities to administer educational institutions is not absolute, the Chief Justice Chandrachud pronouncing the judgment said, The Madarsa Act is consistent with the positive obligation of the State to ensure that students studying in recognised Madarsas attain a level of competency which will allow them to effectively participate in society and earn a living.

the right to administer minority educational institutions is not absolute. The right to administer educational institutions implies an obligation and duty of minority institutions to provide a standard of education to the students, reads the judgment.

Speaking for the bench, Chief Justice Chandrachud said, Article 21-A and the RTE Act have to be read consistently with the right of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. The Board with the approval of the State government can enact regulations to ensure that religious minority institutions impart secular education of a requisite standard without destroying their minority character.

The Allahabad High Court had struck down the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act 2004 for violating principles of secularism  a facet of basic structure of the Constitution.

The Madarsa Act is within the legislative competence of the State legislature and traceable to Entry 25 of List III. However, the provisions of the Madarsa Act which seek to regulate higher-education degrees, such as Fazil and Kamil are unconstitutional as they are in conflict with the UGC Act, which has been enacted under Entry 66 of List I, the judgment said referring to the list of the subjects covered under the State and the central list.

The top court further said, The Madarsa Act secures the interests of the minority community in Uttar Pradesh because: (i) it regulates the standard of education imparted by the recognised Madarsas; and (ii) it conducts examinations and confers certificates to students, allowing them the opportunity to pursue higher education. The Madarsa Act is consistent with the positive obligation of the State to ensure that students studying in the recognised Madarsas attain a minimum level of competency which will allow them to effectively participate in society and earna living.99 Therefore, the Madarsa Act furthers substantive equality for the minority community.

The legislative scheme of the Madarsa Act, the judgment says, suggests that it has been enacted to regulate the standard of education in Madarsas recognized by the Board for imparting Madarsa education. The Madarsa Act grants recognition to Madarsas to enable students to sit for an examination and obtain a degree, diploma, or certificate conferred by the Board. The statute envisages granting recognition to Madarsas which fulfil the prescribed standards for staff, instructions, equipment and buildings.

The grant of recognition, the judgment says, imposes a responsibility on the Madarsas to attain certain standards of education laid down by the Board. Access to quality teachers, course materials, and equipment will allow Madarsa students to achieve stipulated educational and professional standards.
Taking potshots at the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha on its chopper delay complaint to the President, the BJP Tuesday said Chief Minister Hemant Soren has understood that his party is going to lose the state assembly elections, so he is making excuses.

JMM has sought Presidents intervention after Sorens chopper take-off was delayed in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modis security.

Assam CM & BJPs co-incharge for the state elections, Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters in Ranchi that everyone knows about the rules that when PM travels, security arrangements are made for him and air traffic is blocked for half an hour.

Advertisement

PM is the highest office-bearer of the country. When he comes, security arrangements are made for him and air traffic is blocked for half an hour. Everyone knows of these rules. So, in Assam too, if there is an election event by the PM, we conduct our own event at some other place that day. The PMs itinerary is not confidential. It is shared with the CMO too. Everyone makes their schedule accordingly. If Hemant Soren wants to make the PMs security issue a political issue, then think how nervous he isHe has understood that he is going to loseSo, he is making excuses.

Advertisement

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo said when the PM visits an area, he has a flying protocol, decisions are taken as per that.

He said, Looking at its definite defeat, JMM is making excuses now. First, they levelled allegations against the Chief Electoral Officer. Then they accused the Election Commission of India over election dates. Now, they say that there is no equal playing field. However, everyone knows that when the PM visits an area, he has a flying protocol. Decisions are taken as per that.

He said they have written to the President but if you look at their narrative, it wont be a big thing if they approach the UN Secretary-General. When counting (of votes) happens on 23rd November, they will be wiped out. So, they need excuses. So, these are just excuses being made out of fear of defeat.., he claimed.

In Ranchi, JMM Leader Manoj Pandey said in a democracy, there should be a level-playing field for all parties for campaigning during elections.

This is a very serious matter. In a democracy, there should be a level-playing field for campaigning during elections. A level-playing field should be provided to all parties. But it was openly violated. A dictatorial government stopped a popular CM, our star campaigner, a tribal son from election campaigning. There was a delay of 1.5-2 hours, though it was not necessary. Our leader had to fly in a chopper from Gudri and had to go somewhere else  very far from Ranchi. But he was not given ATC clearance, he said.

He further said, If these things happen, you can understand how frustrated & dejected they are. They have stooped to a level where our chopper is not permitted to fly, we cant campaign for elections and we get delayed and there is obstruction in our rallies.

Pandey said such things are being done at the behest of the BJP Government. It is very objectionable. The President is the custodian of our democratic rights and we have written to her, asking her to intervene and control the matter. Because we do not trust the Election Commission.., he added.

JMM has sought the intervention of President Droupadi Murmu to ensure a level-playing field for all political parties, alleging that Chief Minister Sorens helicopter was delayed from taking off in view of security protocols for PM Modis rally. The party has raised concerns over what it describes as repeated inconveniences caused to state leaders during high-profile visits by central figures.

The Election Commission had enforced a no-fly zone extending 50 kilometers around the PMs location, affecting the movement of other leaders and delaying the CMs helicopter for more than 90 minutes.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi declared on Tuesday that Telangana would be the model for the caste census for the entire country and promised to demolish the 50 per cent cap on reservation.

Telangana will start conducting the caste census from tomorrow to 30 November.

Advertisement

The Congress leader accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of hiding the truth about the discrimination that exists in society.

Advertisement

Gandhi, who visited Hyderabad for a few hours on Tuesday, participated in the state-level consultations on caste census at the Gandhian Ideology Centre in Bowenpally. Addressing the gathering, he said unlike the prime minister, he was fully committed to holding a caste census in the country and he had also declared it in the Parliament. I am fully committed to ensuring not only that caste census happens in Telangana but that Telangana becomes the model for caste census in the country, he said.

He then went on to announce, We will demolish the artificial barrier of 50 per cent reservation that has been placed in front of this country. For me, Telangana is the model of the national caste census.

Explaining why the country needs a caste census, he said, Let us find out how many Dalits, adivasis, OBCs, minorities, general caste, and women are there in this country. After that, let us find out how wealth is distributed in this country Let us ask how many Dalits are there in Corporate India. How many OBCs are sitting in the top 500 companies?

In his address, the LoP also attacked Modi and the BJP accusing them of trying to hide the discrimination in wealth distribution. The moment I say this, the people in BJP, the leaders of BJP, the prime minister suddenly start to say I am dividing the country. Since when has revealing the truth of this country divided this country All we are saying is that let us explore the truth of discrimination.

He said only those who benefit from the discrimination want to hide the truth. He wondered why the prime minister was scared of asking these key questions. I am still wondering why the PM has not said publicly he wants to challenge the idea of discrimination, said Gandhi.

He further said, We dont want a bureaucratic caste census. The bureaucrats should not decide the questions. This will be an insult to the people of India. We want the common people to decide what questions should be asked. We will get a political instrument and a development instrument to decide on the progress of the country. The caste census will decide the system of governance of this country.

While appreciating the Telangana Congress leaders for taking up the survey he warned there might be some shortcomings but promised to iron them out.
Hungarian anthropologist Karl Polanyi says that there are certain critical periods of history when time expands. In recent years, time has expanded in Spanish politics. The country has become a global hotspot of social movement contestation. A new civic culture has emerged which has provided good space for civil society. A Spanish transition to democracy is considered a global exemplar.

Post-Franco Spain has avoided both a sense of victimhood and a delusion of grandeur. How did that happen? The credit goes to Spains political leaders, to compromise between the reform ist right and the non-violent left. Consensus became the watchword which was epitomised by the Pacto de Olvido (Pact of Forgetting). A collective memory has often led to war rather than peace. As Edna Longley, a Northern Irish writer, suggests the next memorial to Irish history should be raising a monument to amnesia and forgetting. In more and more countries, political leaders seek glory in the past and the media is obsessed with the eternal present. Spain institutionalised the pact of forgetting.

Advertisement

The Democratic Memory law, introduced by the government pardoned all victims of the regime who were sentenced on grounds of political, religious beliefs, ideology and sexual orientation. Spains journey towards democratic consolidation and democracy-deepening has been incredible, though not without challenges. Main players, parties, organised interests and institutions view and accept democracy as the only game in town. Spain has enshrined fundamental individual rights following the high standards of the UN Declaration and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Advertisement

Many consider Spain among the worlds more advanced democracies. It has also made several innovations like a digital parliament and citizen assemblies to deepen democracy. Both left and right broadly agree on key foreign policy goals. The European Union is Spains main foreign policy priority. However, Madrid punches below its weight in Europe. The country has a visibility problem. It is not seen, even when it is there. Spanish diplomats are proud of quiet initiatives and behind-the-scenes diplomatic brinkmanship. They are good at nurturing close personal relationships with key stakeholders.

Spain pursues a minimalist and managerial foreign policy which is focused on geo-economics and security. Spains natural network of partners are fellow members of the Southern Seven (Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta and Portugal) and the Big Six (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, and the United Kingdom). Evidence suggests that Spain lacks close links with the Affluent Seven (Austria, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) and the eastern member states. Spains most favoured partners are France, Germany, Italy, and Portugal for almost all the political priorities in the EU. For Madrid, Berlin and Paris have always been the capitals to look up to, and it has actively sought their acceptance as a third leg of the Franco-German axis.

Gills Tremlett, fellow at Canada Blanch Centre of the London School of Economics, says Spain has many friends, but few allies. Prime Minister Pedro Gonzalez has embraced Emmanuel Macrons idea of the Europe that protects as a way to reassert Spains Europeanism. In a speech to the European Parliament in January 2019, Sanchez adopted an even more proactive stance, proposing to forge an environmental union and complete the foundations of the economic, social, and political union. This was a first step for Spain moving from words to deeds and starting to think bigger. Democratic Spains diplomacy itself has undergone a democratisation process.

A democratic Foreign Service is a basic requirement of the new foreign policy of Spain. In an address at the UN, Marcelino Oreja, who served as foreign minister from 1976 to 1980, highlighted respect for human rights and individual freedom as the cornerstone of Spains new foreign policy. In a speech at the School of Diplomacy on 26 May 1977, Oreja highlighted the three main features that a democratic foreign policy should have: first, to be the expression of internal democratic change; second, to be effectively controlled by Parliament; third, to be deployed by a modernized Foreign Service. A strong Europe in the world has been the common line wheeled by successive Spanish governments. There are four axes of Spains foreign policy: the European axis, the Atlantic axis, the Latin American axis and the Mediterranean axis. Integration in the EU is the primary objective of the European axis. The two major components of the Atlantic axis are ties with the US and a role in NATO.

As far as the Latin American region is concerned, Spanish foreign policy has moved from Hispanism to Ibero-Americanism. In 2021, the Pedro Sanchez government approved the first draft of the Foreign Action Strategy 2021-2024, which outlines Spains foreign priorities and goals for the next four years. Sustainable development has been outlined as a core instrument to achieve Spains foreign goals. Spain has also reformed its Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation. Spain is a medium power but it has a foreign policy of a big benign power. There is a lot to learn from the way Spain has, in such a short span of time, created instruments of enhancing its global reach. It is not its economic might or its military prowess but its ideas and innovations that explain the high stature that it commands in the comity of nations. Prime Minister Pedro Sanc  hezs views on migrants are bold and imaginative. Unlike Italy where migrants are sent to a third country, Sanchez has characterised them as synonymous with wealth and development. He has extolled the contribution of migrants to Spains economy, social system and the sustainability of its pensions as fundamental. He has said famously: We Spaniards are the children of migration, and we are not going to be the parents of xenophobia. A country doesnt have to be big to have global influence.

The Scandinavian countries are powerful players when it comes to conflict resolution or sustainable development. Canada and Australia have been great advocates of cooperative security. Some big countries are big bullies. As Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes says, American foreign policy is like a Hollywood movie. You have to know who has the white hat and who has the black hat and then go against the black hat. In contrast, Spain has the belief, as pointed out by Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, former Prime Minister, in a foreign policy in which Spains name is synonymous with solidarity, justice and humanity throughout the world.

(The writer is director, Institute of Social Sciences, Delhi)
NATO and Europe are crying hoarse about North Korean troops being deployed in Russia. According to the Pentagon, about 10,000 North Korean troops are ready to be deployed in the war zone, most of whom are undergoing training in Russia. This would imply strength of about one division. A few thousands have been observed in the Kursk region where Russia is fighting to push back Ukrainians who entered the region in a surprise offensive in August this year.

Ukraines top commander, General Oleksandr Syrskiy, mentioned recently that Ukraine is struggling to stem one of the most powerful offensives by Russia. NATO Secretary-General, Mark Rutte said: The deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a threat to both IndoPacific and Euro-Atlantic security. NATO fears that despite all its support the war will tilt in favour of Russia. The US believes it is a violation of UN resolutions and an escalation in the conflict; however there is little it can do. There is no doubt that the presence of North Korean soldiers would benefit Moscow.

Advertisement

President Vladimir Putin will not need to resort to additional mobilization to meet demands of the conflict, thereby saving the Kremlin from embarrassment. Earlier there were reports of Iran providing missiles and UAVs to Russia and of North Korea providing it with artillery ammunition. Putin, who had earlier denied such reports, did not comment on the presence of North Korean soldiers, instead mentioning it was up to Russia to determine how to implement its strategic partnership treaty with Pyongyang. In response, Ukraine has sought sanction of its backers to permit employment of weapons to target North Korean military camps in Russia, over which the West hesitates. North Korea and Russia are currently the most sanctioned nations on the planet.

Advertisement

As per the BBC, the West along with its partners, Australia, South Korea and Japan, have imposed over 16,500 sanctions on Russia. About 50 per cent of its total foreign exchange reserves and 70 per cent of the assets of its banks in Western nations have been frozen. They claim that sanctions are impacting the Russian economy. The UN has imposed massive sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear testing and firing of ballistic missiles, resulting in its isolation and humanitarian suffering. In March this year, Russia vetoed a UNSC resolution to extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts monitoring UN sanctions on North Korea. China and Russia have imposed selective UN sanctions, though they continue to maintain close ties with Pyongyang, and provide it with aid. In June this year, President Putin visited Pyongyang and inked a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty. This was endorsed by Russias lower house (Duma) on 24 October.

The treaty mentions that either nation would provide military assistance employing all means in case any of them is attacked. It was to fulfil its part of the treaty that North Korea provided 10,000 troops to Russia. In return for military assistance, Russia is expected to provide weapon technology which could enhance Pyongyangs ballistic missile and satellite capabilities, as also economic aid and cheap fuel. This would add to the threats to its neighbours. Pyongyang recently tested its longest range intercontinental ballistic missile dubbed Hwasong-19. Russian support would worsen its ties with South Korea and Japan, though both have joined Western sanctions against Moscow.

North Korea remains the worlds most reclusive authoritarian state, generally ignored, except when it conducts its nuclear or missile tests. The West was aware of the visit and the pact, but never acted to stall it. Increased security cooperation between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo was seen as a threat to the survival of the Pyongyang regime. Kim Jong-un has been globally ignored with few attempts to engage with it or manage its concerns. Putin exploited this fear and insecurity existing within North Korea to his advantage. The Russian veto in the UNSC against North Korean sanctions worked in his favour. The presence of North Korean troops would confirm the existence of the alliance between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.

This will be a major challenge to US-led domination, especially in Southeast Asia. The treaty will guarantee the survival of the Pyongyang regime as Russia is now its security partner. However, Beijing which has been treating Pyongyang as its satellite state would now have to deal with the fact that Russia and North Korea are close allies. An added fear is that this pact may bring the US, South Korea and Japan closer, something China does not desire. The future would depend on who comes to the White House next. For the West, which was hoping to exploit the war to degrade Russias military capabilities, the move has come as a surprise, even though it was not unexpected. It opens doors for increased Russian assaults on Ukrainian positions.

The war, which was progressing slowly, would now move at a faster pace, as Russia has additional trained troops to push on to the battlefield. How technologically capable North Korean troops are is unknown. NATO, which is concerned about the arrival of North Korean troops, can do little. Employing its own forces, inviting Ukraine to join the organization or permitting Ukraine to hit Russia deep could result in an escalation which it seeks to avoid. The West could have considered talks to end the war, over which it hesitates. India has all along been insisting on dialogue, which was ignored by the West. Russia too had been hinting on talks to diffuse the situation, which was also discarded. While the US elections could change the scenario, the emergence of North Korean troops has placed Putin at an advantage.

Terms and conditions of Moscow in any future dialogue can no longer be bypassed, despite tall claims by Volodymyr Zelenskky, the Ukrainian president. How would North Korean troops perform in a technology-dominated battlefield is to be seen, however it is expected that Russia would mix them with its own forces to ensure they are not overawed. Ignoring North Korea over the years and applying continuous pressure, hoping for a regime change has been exploited by Moscow. Now all that the West can do is limit the damage. Further sanctions will do little to change the scenario.

(The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.)
This photo taken on Oct. 28, 2024 shows the Bratislava Castle in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. (Photo by Peter Lahky/Xinhua)

This year's CIIE will see Slovakia participating in the Country Exhibition for the first time.

BRATISLAVA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE) will help further promote the economic and trade relations between Slovakia and China, former Slovak ambassador to China Dusan Bella said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

The CIIE has become one of the most important trade fairs in the world, Bella said. This year's expo will see Slovakia participating in the Country Exhibition for the first time.

Former Slovak ambassador to China Dusan Bella talks with Xinhua reporter on Sept. 30 in Slovakian capital Bratislava during an interview. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)

Noting that China remains the main engine for the global economy, Bella said events like this will contribute to the world economic recovery.

Visitors can find many inventions and innovative solutions at such expos, and exhibitors are there either to show what they have invented or to look for inspiration as well as investors, Bella said, recalling a Slovak flying car exhibited a few years ago.

In April this year, Slovak company Klein Vision announced that it sold its flying cars' production and sales authorization for the Chinese market to a company based in north China's Hebei Province.

This photo shows a view of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

The seventh CIIE, set for November 5-10 in Shanghai, has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions and international organizations, and achieved a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders set to attend.

Since its first edition in 2018, the expo has become an important showcase, spotlighting China's new development paradigm, a platform for high-standard opening up, and an opportunity for the whole world. 
A Canadian police officer was suspended on Monday after a video went viral on social media showing him participating in a pro-Khalistan protest outside a Hindu temple in Brampton, media reports said, quoting authorities.

The suspended Peel Regional Police officer, identified as Harinder Sohi, was caught on camera holding a Khalistan flag, while others in the protest chanted anti-India slogans, CBC News reported.

Advertisement

Sohi was a Sergeant of the Peel Regional Police.

Advertisement

Media Relations Officer Richard Chin emailed CBC News to say the police force is aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an off-duty Peel Police officer involved in a demonstration.

This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act, he said.

We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until this investigation is complete.

Peel Regional Police previously said three people have been charged after violence erupted as Indian consular officials visited the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple on Sunday.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh homeland in northern India, and clashing with other individuals, including some holding Indias national flag.

The videos appear to show fist fights and people striking each other with poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple.

Peel police said the event was eventually moved to two other locations in neighbouring Mississauga, where further demonstrations also took place.

On Sunday noon, Peel police said they were aware of the protest and had increased their presence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple to maintain public order and safety.

We respect the right to protest peacefully and safely but will not tolerate violence and criminal acts, Chief Nishan Duraiappah said after the videos began circulating.

Those that do participate in this activity will be pursued, arrested, and charged.

The violence drew condemnations from Canadian political leaders at all levels of government and also prompted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to issue a rare comment at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Taking strong note of the deliberate attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought accountability from the Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government and expected it would ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.

In a Monday post on X, Modi said, I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve.

Meanwhile, the Minister of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday that it remains deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada, adding that it expects that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted.

We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday. We call on the government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Four airports in East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, were temporarily closed due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi late Sunday night, which killed at least 10 people, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) announced on Monday.

Frans Xavier Seda Airport in Sikka regency, East Nusa Tenggara, is temporarily closed, said BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari at a press conference.

Advertisement

Three other airports in the province also affected by closures are H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport in Ende regency, Bajawa Soa Airport in Ngada Regency, and Gewayantana Airport in East Flores regency.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, 14 flights to and from Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo were canceled due to volcanic ash moving across flight paths. However, the airport remains open, Xinhua news agency reported.

Of the 10 casualties, nine bodies have been recovered, while one person is still missing and feared buried under rubble. Authorities have evacuated 2,735 families, or 10,295 people, from 14 villages affected by the eruption.

Mount Lewotobis alert status has been raised from Level III to Level IV, the highest danger level, with authorities warning the public to avoid the risk zone within a seven-km radius.
More than 78 million American voters had already cast their ballot by Monday morning, on the eve of Election Day as Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump crisscrossed the seven battleground states with their closing remarks.

Harris, 60, and Trump, 78 are the main nominees representing the two largest political parties in the US  the Democratic and the Republican parties respectively.

Advertisement

The White House race is essentially between these two, but there are others, who have no chance whatsoever of winning but who can spoil it for the two main nominees in the contest that has been called closed in recent decades. They both stand to make history if they win.

Advertisement

Harris will become the first woman elected President, the first African-American woman, the first Asian-American woman, and the first Indian-American elected to the top office.

If Trump wins, he will become only the second former President to lose his re-election bid and then win on this third again, Grover Cleveland was the first.

They are Robert F. Kennedy, 70. The nephew of President John F Kennedy and son of presidential nominee Robert F. Kennedy, he tried to challenge President Joe Biden in the Democratic primary but declared himself to be an independent later. Although he has suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed Trump, he remains on the ballot in certain states and may be able to transfer his voters to Trump.

Cornel West, a 71-year-old progressive academic, is also in the fray as an Independent.

Jill Stein, 74 of the Green Party is running yet again; she has been partly blamed for former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons narrow defeat to Trump in the battleground states in 2016 and the race.

Both Wests and Steins appeals overlap with certain sections of the progressive liberals who generally belong to the larger tent of the Democratic Party.

Chase Olivier, 39, belongs to the Libertarian Party is the other nominee. He, and earlier Kennedy, could cut into the libertarian votes in the Republican Party.
Chinese premier meets Kazakh PM, calling for enhanced cooperation

Xinhua) 08:41, November 05, 2024

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, who is here to attend the 7th China International Import Expo, in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

SHANGHAI, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov in Shanghai on Monday, who is here to attend the 7th China International Import Expo.

Li said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than 30 years ago, China and Kazakhstan have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, setting a good example of good-neighborly friendship and mutual benefits between neighboring countries.

He said that China is ready to work with Kazakhstan to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen political mutual trust, firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests, continue to expand mutually beneficial cooperation and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Li pointed out that China is willing to strengthen the docking of development strategies with Kazakhstan, take high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as the guide, continue to expand bilateral trade, consolidate production capacity and investment cooperation, create highlights in energy and mineral cooperation, enhance the level of connectivity and push for more practical results.

He called on the two countries to jointly work for the success of the Year of Chinese Tourism in Kazakhstan next year, strengthen cooperation in culture, education, sub-national and other fields, and enhance mutual understanding and amity between the two peoples.

China stands ready to coordinate closely with Kazakhstan within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the China-Central Asia mechanism, actively implement the three global initiatives, practice genuine multilateralism, safeguard economic globalization and free trade, and promote the development of global governance toward a more just and equitable direction, Li said.

Noting that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, Kazakhstan-China relations have reached a record high, Bektenov said Kazakhstan attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to further strengthen high-level exchanges with China, deepen cooperation on trade, investment, agriculture, transportation, science and technology, culture and education, and strengthen connectivity under the framework of Belt and Road cooperation.

Bektenov said Kazakhstan welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Kazakhstan and is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China within multilateral frameworks such as the SCO and the China-Central Asia mechanism.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, who is here to attend the 7th China International Import Expo, in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Students stranded in Gaza take part in a protest in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 5, 2024. Dozens of Palestinian students stranded in Gaza on Tuesday held a protest, calling for permission to leave the region and resume their studies abroad. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Palestinian students stranded in Gaza on Tuesday held a protest, calling for permission to leave the region and resume their studies abroad.

The students, who have been denied travel and enrollment at universities outside the Gaza Strip for 13 months due to the blockade and the ongoing war, gathered outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, holding banners and chanting for their right to pursue education.

"The war has stolen a whole year from our lives, and we're still waiting to join our classmates in school," Ahmed Mansour, one of the stranded students who was studying medicine in Ukraine, told Xinhua.

The 22-year-old fears losing his future if he remains unable to return to Ukraine to complete his degree, a lifelong dream of his.

According to Gaza's Palestinian education authorities, around 1,500 students remain trapped in Gaza, unable to travel for their studies. Since May, the Israeli military has closed the Rafah border crossing -- a crucial gate for Gazans to leave or enter the enclave -- following an attack on Rafah city.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip in retaliation against a Hamas attack across the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 43,391, according to a statement from Gaza-based health authorities on Tuesday. 

Students stranded in Gaza take part in a protest in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 5, 2024. Dozens of Palestinian students stranded in Gaza on Tuesday held a protest, calling for permission to leave the region and resume their studies abroad. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Students stranded in Gaza take part in a protest in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 5, 2024. Dozens of Palestinian students stranded in Gaza on Tuesday held a protest, calling for permission to leave the region and resume their studies abroad. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Students stranded in Gaza take part in a protest in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 5, 2024. Dozens of Palestinian students stranded in Gaza on Tuesday held a protest, calling for permission to leave the region and resume their studies abroad. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Students stranded in Gaza take part in a protest in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 5, 2024. Dozens of Palestinian students stranded in Gaza on Tuesday held a protest, calling for permission to leave the region and resume their studies abroad. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
Under the recently launched health cover of Rs 5 lakh for those over 70 years of age under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, all senior citizens aged 70 and above will receive health coverage, regardless of their income. This expansion, as per government claims, is set to benefit around 4.5 crore families, including 6 crore senior citizens, by providing them with free health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family.

Experts say that this move will give a significant boost to the Indian healthcare infrastructure, and will take the nation closer to the goal of healthcare for all. "The announcement of this health cover will empower one of the most sensitive demographics and will provide them security against major health concerns. The launch of this health cover under PM-JAY will help them avail quality treatment facilities which otherwise used to be a financial burden for them or their families," said Dr Manisha Karmarkar, CEO, DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune.

Interestingly, this development comes in the backdrop of some good news in the Indian health insurance market, with national insurer Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) announcing its plans to foray into the country's health insurance sector.

The insurance industry, as per reports, had been anticipating government amendments to the Insurance Act that would allow life insurers to offer lucrative health policies. The big picture here is the government's goal of achieving universal coverage by 2047 by way of expanding health insurance coverage. LICs entry into the health insurance market, with its strong brand presence and a sales force of over 1.3 million, is expected to boost these efforts.

A recent research paper titled 'Public Health Insurance Status and Utilization of Healthcare Services Across India: A Narrative Review' by Vaibhavi Shende and Vasant Wagh, says that, in India, improving public health insurance literacy is crucial for enabling people to make knowledgeable healthcare decisions and maximise the benefits provided by public insurance programmes.

In a published paper that aims to understand the workings of the health insurance sector in India, author Madan Mohan Dutta from the department of Management, JD Birla Institute, Kolkata, explains how health insurance is "one of the major contributors of growth of general insurance industry in India, as it alone accounts for around 29 per cent of total general insurance premium income earned in India. "The growth of this sector is important from the perspective of overall growth of general insurance industry, says Dutta.

He also highlights the problems in this sector which are affecting its performance. "There is a significant relationship between earned premium and underwriting loss. There has been an increase of premium earnings which instead of increasing profit for the sector in fact has increased underwriting loss over the years. The earnings of the sector is growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 27 per cent still it is unable to earn underwriting profit."
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- UN agencies and partners continue to deliver humanitarian aid to the crisis-impacted people in Lebanon amid escalating hostilities, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, said at a daily briefing on Tuesday.

On Monday, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) delivered medical supplies and fuel for generators to the Burj Shimali Palestinian refugee camp in Tyre in southern Lebanon. A humanitarian convoy also delivered medical supplies, medicine and hygiene kits to a healthcare center in Labweh, located in the Baalbeck-El Hermel area.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) has already reached over 2 million vulnerable people in the country through its emergency assistance as well as regularly programs. WFP is also providing food assistance to Lebanese and Syrian people fleeing across the border into Syria.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) is partnering with local authorities to facilitate the gradual return to learning for some 387,000 Lebanese children, including those staying in shelters and communities affected by the war.

The initiative is part of an emergency response plan to support the opening and operation of 326 public schools not used as shelters to ensure school-age children in Lebanon have access to education.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that the humanitarian situation in the country has reached levels that exceeded the severity of the 2006 war. The healthcare sector continues to face relentless attacks, with facilities, staff and resources increasingly caught in the crossfire, and further straining Lebanon's already fragile health infrastructure.

"Our humanitarian colleagues fear that, amid escalating hostilities and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation, the demand for food, medicine, shelter and other essential supplies is growing higher," the UN spokesperson said, calling for urgent funding needed to sustain the response.

However, the humanitarian appeal launched in the beginning of October for 426 million U.S. dollars is currently just under 19 percent funded. That means only 80 million dollars has been received so far, he added, urging countries not only to pledge but turn pledges to cash as early as possible. 
Despite having one of the worlds longest coastlines, India has largely ignored the coast and the sea in the past, but it has changed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.

India has a rich history of maritime trade. Indeed, the country's maritime history is magnificent. However, in modern times, we have been blind to the maritime economy, but this blindness is ending under the vision of PM Modi. We plan to recapture and reclaim India's glorious shipping past, Sonowal said at THE WEEK Maritime Conclave 2024 in Chennai.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal lights the lamp as (L-R) Commander Abhilash Tomy KC, NM; Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM (Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command; Sunil Paliwal, chairperson, Chennai Port Trust; Riyad Mathew, chief associate editor & director of THE WEEK; and Dr Malini Shankar, Vice Chancellor, Indian Maritime University, look on at THE WEEK Maritime Conclave 2024, in Chennai

The Union minister said that while the maritime sector faces numerous challenges such as global geopolitical tensions and the rapidly evolving dynamics of international and domestic trade and commerce, it also presents significant opportunities.

Emphasising that the ongoing initiatives are inspired by PM Modis vision of making India a developed nation by 2047, Sonowal said the aim is to position India as a Maritime Vishwaguru (world leader) through "a series of transformational measures for enhancement of cargo handling capacity, productivity enhancement, modernisation, mega port construction, ship building initiatives and other green and sustainable shipping and maritime activities".

Maritime Conclave 2024, Chennai

Keynote address by Sh. @sarbanandsonwal Sonowal, Union Minister, PSW

"We have been working in a concerted manner for the last 10 years to strengthen India's maritime sector"@TheWeekLive pic.twitter.com/0FPNUGnqol  Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (@shipmin_india) November 5, 2024

Blue economy will have far-reaching global benefits, he said. The Union minister also highlighted India's plans to be one of the top five countries in shipbuilding in the near future and also announced the establishment of shipbuilding clusters. He also spoke about the digital initiatives undertaken by his ministry for the fast development of the maritime sector.

The Union minister also lauded THE WEEK for organising the conclave. "I am happy THE WEEK, which is published from Kochi - the Queen of the Arabian Sea - has taken this initiative to organise such a summit. Avenues such as this Maritime Summit provide an opportunity for such stakeholders to connect, collaborate and evolve a vibrant maritime ecosystem."

Riyad Mathew, chief associate editor & director of THE WEEK presents the memento to Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at THE WEEK Maritime Conclave 2024, in Chennai | Sanjoy Ghosh

The theme of the conclaveVoyage to Innovation: Navigating the Futureis in alignment with Indias Maritime Vision 2047. During his presidential address, Riyad Mathew, chief associate editor & director, reaffirmed THE WEEK's support to Indias efforts to become a maritime leader.

The Union Minister thanked THE WEEK for its commitment, and said, "Our media plays an important role in national building and needs to be an active partner in our endeavour towards creating, promoting, and propagating a dynamic maritime position."

THE WEEK, Indias most circulated magazine, has been at the forefront of showcasing Indias maritime progress. In the inaugural edition of its maritime conclave, THE WEEK has assembled experts across the maritime domain to drive discussions on port modernisation and on strengthening India's position on the global maritime stage.

The day-long conclave will be graced by Minister of State, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur, along with senior ministry and port officials, naval officers, private sector leaders, diplomats, academics, financiers, and other key stakeholders.

Tamil Nadus Minister for Public Works, Highways, and Minor Ports, E.V. Velu, extended his best wishes and support for the conclave.
An FIR has been filed against Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy and JDS leader Suresh Babu at the Sanjay Nagar police station in Bengaluru for allegedly threatening a senior police officer.

The case was registered based on the complaint of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M. Chandrasekhar, who is heading the special investigation team (SIT) probing the decade-old case pertaining to the illegal grant of mining lease by Kumaraswamy, during his tenure as the chief minister in 2007. Kumaraswamy is alleged to have flouted rules to grant a lease to mine 550 acres of forest land in Sandur, Ballari district to Sri Sai Venkateshwara Minerals (SSVM), a company that allegedly had no experience in mining or selling iron ore.

On August 19 this year, a special investigating team (SIT) of the Lokayukta, headed by ADGP M. Chandrashekhar, sought Governor Thawar Chand Gehlots sanction to file a charge-sheet against Kumaraswamy. Following a complaint by the officer, the police have registered a case against the trio under Section 224 (threatening a public servant) of the BNS Act.

In his complaint, the ADGP alleged that he sought the governors approval to prosecute Kumaraswamy as the head of the SIT probing the mining cases. The minister, during the press conferences held on September 28 and 29, made false allegations against me and threatened to shunt me out of Karnataka. Suresh Babu, a close aide of Kumaraswamy wrote to the chief secretary seeking action against me. Nikhil Kumaraswamy too made false allegations against me during the press meet, stated the officer.

Kumaraswamy said the officer was free to review the videos of his press conference as there was nothing malicious or false in what he had spoken. I read the FIR and the complaint. It is ridiculous and clearly malicious. They filed an FIR against me, Channapatna candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy and JDLP leader Suresh Babu for allegedly making a statement during a press meet and for complaining to the chief secretary? So, do they mean to say no one can speak or file a complaint against them? They cannot silence us, said Kumaraswamy, adding that it was a conspiracy as they were getting exposed in Channapatna (which goes to bypolls on November 13).

During the by-election, the Congress government is targeting us out of sheer animosity. I will respond to this legally, said Nikhil.
E-retailer Meesho sparked outrage after selling t-shirts with the image of gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and late Durlabh Kashyap.

People are literally selling gangster merchandise on platforms like @Meesho_Official and Teeshopper. This is just one example of India's latest online radicalisation.

Thread

1/n pic.twitter.com/vzjXM360q3  Alishan Jafri (@alishan_jafri) November 4, 2024

The incident came to light when journalist Alishan Jafri posted screenshots from Meesho and less-known e-commerce platforms such as Teleshopper, where t-shirts with the images of the gangsters are sold.

Apart from Lawrence, you can also buy Durlabh Kashyap t-shirts. pic.twitter.com/r3OTOclGot  Alishan Jafri (@alishan_jafri) November 4, 2024

Lawrence Bishnoi recently hit the headlines after it was revealed that his gang was allegedly behind the killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique in Bandra last month. His gang has also threatened to kill Salman Khan over the 1998 poaching case in which he was accused of hunting two blackbucks. Blackbucks are considered sacred by the Bishnoi community.

Durlabh Kashyap, a gangster who was based in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain, was murdered in December 2023.

Even dawood ibrahim didn't have that level of popularity.  Sarfaraz Nawaz Hussain  (@SarfarazNawazH1) November 4, 2024

Pointing out that gangster merchandise are being sold on platforms like @Meesho_Official and Teeshopper, Jaffri said it was just one example of online radicalisation in the country.

The journalist said he had been following gangster fan groups on social media for much of October.

He pointed out that online influencers are promoting gang content and glorifying gangsters to make some quick buck.

Shame on Meesho and similar websites. Shame !  Shagufta Ahmed (@shagufta1809) November 4, 2024

Following this, netizens slammed Meesho with one of them saying "boycott Meesho" while another posted, "Shame on you, Meesho". A third user said,"Even Dawood Ibrahim didn't have that level of popularity."

Block the Meesho and take strict action against them....# Boycott Meesho  Rohan Sahay (@RohanSahay13) November 5, 2024

Yet another user said, "Shortly a movie will also be made". One user said, "Shame on Meesho and similar websites. Shame!"
Speculation is rife that John Barla, the former BJP MP from Alipurduars and union minister of state for minority affairs, may switch to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after he met leaders from the ruling party at his residence on Monday. The development comes ahead of the November 13 by-elections in the state.

Barla, a controversial politician who had repeatedly advocated for the separation of North Bengal from West Bengal to form a new state, was not renominated by the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Instead, the party selected Manoj Tigga for the Alipurduars seat, which he won.

Its believed that the party sidelined Barla for his controversial remarks and underperformance, leading to several months of political inactivity. He has been notably absent from the Bharatiya Janata Party's campaign for the Madarihat bypoll, an assembly segment within Alipurduars where the election became necessary following former MLA Tiggas election to Parliament.

However, Barlas recent meeting with TMCs district secretary Deepen Pramanik and district spokesperson Dulal Debnath has once again brought him into the spotlight, sparking speculation that he may be considering defection to the TMC.

A key tribal leader in North Bengal, the 49-year-old Barla has switched his allegiance from one party to another throughout his political career. Before 2011, he used to support the left front and after the TMC came to power, he also worked with the Mamata Banerjee-led party.

Barla is also thought to maintain a close relationship with Gorkha leaders, including Bimal Gurung and separatists who advocate for the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland from West Bengal. Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he officially joined the BJP and played a key role in the saffron partys rapid rise in North Bengal. He won from the Alipurduars with a massive margin of more than 2.43 lakh votes.

As a result, his shift to the TMC before the election in Madarihat, the only constituency among the six headed for the bypolls which was won by the BJP in 2021, could be a major success for the ruling party in West Bengal.

During his interaction with the media following the meeting, Barla did not hold back his dissatisfaction towards the BJPs West Bengal leadership. The leadership in Kolkata doesnt even listen to us. Leaders from Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri (districts in North Bengal)are not included in any committees. This is why the BJP is performing poorly in West Bengal.

Barla also criticised Tigga, the Alipurduars MP, accusing him of acting like a one-man army in the region. The former union minister claimed that Tigga has failed to keep the party united, leading to his tribal and Gorkha brothers running as independent candidates against the BJP for the upcoming Madarihat bypoll.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Tuesday, saying that if his vision for Jammu and Kashmir had been fully followed, the region would have been in a much better place today.

What can I say about the late Vajpayee? He was a great visionary, said Abdullah in the assembly during obituary reference on the second day of the five-day assembly session that began on November 4.

Vajpayee was a great leader who started the Lahore bus service and even visited Minar-e-Pakistan, he said. He constantly worked to improve ties with Pakistan, stressing friends can change, but neighbours cannot.

He said Vajpayees slogan of "Jamhooriyat, Kashmiriyat, and Insaniyat", was visionary.

He credited Vajpayee for opening cross-border roads to connect divided parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The idea behind opening these roads was to connect people and civil society, to build personal relationships, he said.

Expressing regret that Vajpayees path had been abandoned, he said that instead of bringing people together, more divisions were being created.

"If Vajpayee's roadmap on J&K had been followed in spirit, we would not be where we are now," he said, hinting at the BJPs Article 370 move that stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its statehood and limited autonomy in 2019.

Abdullah also reflected on the J&K assemblys autonomy resolution, which the Vajpayee-led cabinet initially returned.

Tarigami sahab praised Vajpayee sahab and said he returned the autonomy resolution passed by J&K assembly, he said. Later, Vajpayee realised that the decision had been made in haste and appointed the then law minister Arun Jaitley to talk with the NC leadership about it.

Sadly, he said, things did not move forward after Vajpayee's passing.

He said of all the deceased legislators, he feels more for Devender Singh Rana.

He called Rana a close friend with whom he spent 20 years of his life. I didnt know he was gravely ill. If I had known, I might have tried to mend fences with him, he said.

He also noted that todays tributes included lawmakers from Ladakh and Kargil, saying this might be the last time the J&K assembly would honour members from these areas, as Ladakh is no longer part of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Supreme Court has upheld the validity of Uttar Pradesh Madarsa Education Board Act, 2004, which the Allahabad High Court had declared the Act unconstitutional on March 22 this year.

Challenging the High Court's decision, petitions were filed by Anjum Qadri, Managers Association Madaris Arabia (UP), All India Teachers Association Madaris Arabia (New Delhi), Managers Association Arabic Madrasa New Bazar and Teachers Association Madaris Arabia Kanpur. During the two-day hearing, the petitioners had argued that the High Court had wrongly construed the UP Madrasa Act as having the objective of imparting religious instruction instead of looking at its actual purpose.

The Supreme Court observed that the intent of the Act was to standardise the level of education being provided by madarsas. It did not uphold the High Courts view that the Act interfered with the rights of minorities. Instead, the Court observed, it ensured that students who passed out would be able to earn a decent living.

Those opposing the Act had said that madarsa education has undermined the promise of quality education under Article 21A of the Constitution. Though one has the freedom to take religious education, it cannot be accepted as an alternative to mainstream education.

ALSO READ: Tracing the history of Indian madarsas

The Supreme Court set aside those provisions of the Act which give the Madarsa Board powers to prescribe courses of instructions and text books for higher education - kamil (postgraduate course) and fazil (junior research programme).

The Court held that the same would be in violation of the University Grants Commission Act (UGC Act).

The High Court, in its judgment, had directed the Uttar Pradesh government to formulate a scheme so that students currently studying in madarsas could be accommodated in the formal education system. The decision had come months after the state government had decided to survey Islamic educational institutions. In October 2023, the state government had constituted a SIT to investigate funding of madarsas from abroad.
Any nation that aspires to be a commercial maritime power cannot go far without a security philosophy and the muscle to ensure its implementation. The third panel discussion of THE WEEK Maritime Conclave 2024 addressed this subject.

The formal theme was Strengthening Indias Maritime Security and Strategic International Partnerships. The panel was moderated by Commodore Seshadri Vasan, who retired from the Indian Navy and is the director general of the Chennai Centre of China Studies and the regional director of the National Maritime Foundation Tamil Nadu.

The panelists were former chief of navy staff Admiral Karambir Singh PVSM, AVSM, ADC; Consul General Michaela Kuchler of Germany, and Richard Chen, director general, Taipei Economic and Cultural Center, Chennai.

Maritime security is a public good, said Singh. Free and open seas are a prerequisite for our national prosperity. For example, when you order something on Amazon, the undersea cables play a crucial role as they ensure fast and reliable internet connectivity.

He highlighted the growing interest in the underwater domain, which was largely ignored until recently. Studies indicate that revenues from the seas would exceed revenues from land by 2030, he said. The increased demand for rare earths would trigger the mining of the seas expanding the scope of the blue economy, he added.

The admiral said that maritime security goes beyond the navy and should address both traditional and non-traditional threats. He added that often threats in the seas have sources on land and vice-versa. An example cited was the piracy around the Horn of Africa. The admiral said that illegal fishing in these waters by certain countries increased economic stress and unemployment leading to traditional fishing communities turning towards piracy.

He said that climate change was another non-traditional threat which would see increased fallout in the days ahead.

Germany and EU want increased maritime cooperation with India

Consul General Kuchler focused mostly on the Focus on India document adopted by the German cabinet on October 16. The key strategic document sets the tone for the future of bilateral relations with India. The key maritime components in the report are these:

1. Germany desires to ink an agreement with India on reciprocal logistical support for the armed forces. This will provide additional support for Bundeswehr deployments in the Indo-Pacific. Once an agreement is reached, a liaison officer will be seconded to the Information Fusion Centre (Indian Ocean Region) in New Delhi.

2. Germany regards the EU and India as key partners in preserving maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. Hence, it wants the EUs Coordinated Maritime Presence in the North Western Indian Ocean to be strengthened. The EUs Critical Maritime Routes Indo-Pacific (CRIMARIO) project, which Germany supports, aims to help partner countries expand their capabilities to protect their maritime areas. Another potential area of cooperation is the EUs Operation Aspides, which aims to secure the sea routes in the Red Sea and in the Arabian Sea.

3. Germany is also working with India as a dialogue partner in the Indian Ocean Rim Association. The common areas of interest are maritime security, the expansion of trade and investment as well as disaster risk management in the region.

4. Finally, New Delhi has invited Germany to make a substantial contribution towards the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, which focuses on strengthening Pacific island states in the face of loss and damage caused by the climate crisis.

War in Taiwan Strait could cause the world $10 billion in losses

Director General Chen highlighted both the commercial and security aspects of the maritime sector of his country. From the economic perspective, according to the latest report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington think tank, in 2022 approximately US$2.45 trillion worth of goods, accounting for about one-fifth of global seaborne trade, or 10 per cent of global maritime traffic, were transported through the Taiwan Strait, he said.

He emphasised that Bloomberg Economics estimates that a war in the Taiwan Strait would cost the global economy a whopping $10 trillion, about 10 per cent of the global GDP. This would be bigger than the blow of Russian-Ukraine war, COVID pandemic or the global financial crisis to the global economy, he said.

With Taiwans mature semiconductor manufacturing industry powering the worlds processing plants, any threat to the sea lanes of this island nation could have an unforeseen impact globally. Taiwan produces more than 60 per cent of the world's semiconductors, including 90 per cent of the most advanced chips, which are widely used in smartphones, data centres and advanced military equipment, Chen said. Once the supply of semiconductors was interrupted, it would result in a loss of trillions of dollars in global GDP.

About the security aspect, Chen said that Taiwan plays a significant role in preventing China from dominating in the West Pacific, the South China Sea, and countries further down the Indian Ocean. From this perspective, Taiwan's security is essential to the maritime security of the Indo-Pacific, he said.

Yet, even though large parts of the world and billions of people have enjoyed great prosperity thanks to the peace and stability that prevails across the strait, China continues to intensify its aggressive actions against Taiwan.

He concluded by saying that the Taiwanese government actively promotes the New Southbound Policy, assisting businesses in diversifying their presence overseas. India, benefiting from a demographic dividend and robust domestic market demand, is considered a crucial partner country under our New Southbound Policy, Chen said.
Tamil Nadu is uniquely positioned with both an east and west coast, making it a critical area for maritime development, said Captain M. Anbarasan, state port officer, Tamil Nadu, at THE WEEK Maritime Conclave in Chennai. The state's coastline stretches approximately 1,076 kilometers, dotted with around 400 fishing villages.

This proximity to fishing communities present challenges for land acquisition required for new port developments. Recognizing these challenges, Tamil Nadu's government has focused on developing only two new ports: one on the east coast at Kadalur and another near Udangudi in the south, said Anbarasan.

Anbarasan noted that the Kadalur Port, strategically located between Chennai and Karaikal, is poised for significant development. Covering an area of 1,200 acres, this Greenfield port aims to enhance cargo handling capabilities while minimizing environmental disruption. The port's location benefits from proximity to critical infrastructure such as the upcoming East Coast Road and rail links that facilitate efficient transportation of goods. The Udangudi Trestle Jetty is another significant project nearing completion in the state. This unique jetty extends approximately 8 kilometers into the sea and is designed to accommodate large vessels without requiring extensive dredging. With a natural depth of 19 meters, the jetty will support coal imports for nearby power plants once operational by mid-2025.

Anbarasan noted that to bolster regional trade, Tamil Nadu is investing in robust road and rail connectivity. The state is developing multiple industrial corridors that connect major ports with inland areas.

In line with global sustainability trends, Tamil Nadu's government has introduced a state port development policy aimed at promoting green initiatives within its maritime sector. New ports will incorporate green energy solutions, while existing facilities will transition to sustainable practices over time.

The development of fishing harbors is another critical initiative aimed at supporting local fishermen's livelihoods. Anbarasan talked about government plans to upgrade existing facilities while establishing new fishing harbors equipped with fish processing units, cold storage facilities, net mending sheds, and boat manufacturing capabilities.

Recognizing the importance of skilled labor in the maritime sector, Tamil Nadu has established itself as a hub for maritime education. Anbarasan noted that the Indian Maritime University in Chennai serves as a premier institution for maritime studies, alongside various private academies offering specialized training programs.
The showdown between the Opposition MPs and the ruling BJP members continues in the JPC on Waqf. The Opposition members met Speaker Om Birla to apprise him about "unilateral" decisions taken by the JPC chairperson Jagdambika Pal.

A day earlier the Opposition JPC members had written to Birla, seeking his intervention on their differences with Pal who, they said, was fixing dates of meeting on his own accord.

Among the members who participated in the meeting with Speaker Birla were TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, DMK MP A. Raja, Congress' Mohammad Jawed and Imran Masood, DMK's Raja and AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi. They also submitted a memorandum to Speaker.

Speaker Birla is learnt to have assured the members that he would look into the matter. Following this, the Opposition MPs said they would continue to participate in the proceedings.

During the meeting, members of the Bohra community appeared before the JPC panel. They were represented by lawyer Harish Salve.

The JPC is moving swiftly to conduct meetings.

Pal would visit Hubballi and Vijayapura on November 7 to interact with farmers affected by the Waqfs action. The chairman will interact with farmer organisations, mutts, and the petitions given to him will be placed before JPC, the Bengaluru South MP posted on social media on November 5.

Meanwhile, former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar also asked Pal to visit Kerala's Munambam to meet people affected by the Waqf board. BJP MP Aprajita Sarangi who is also the JPC member, responded to Chandrashekhar's request saying that she has already visited the area and briefed the chairperson.

The row over Waqf action on various properties may escalate in the coming days as the government wants to pass the bill at the earliest after JPC submits its report.
Americans are heading to the polling station to vote for their next president following a knife-edge campaign by Democratic nominee and vice president Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Each candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win.

Polling began in the eastern time zone at 6 am local time (4.30 pm IST) on Tuesday with long lines of people queuing to cast their vote found in front of several polling stations.

According to reports, more than 82 million people have already taken advantage of early voting to cast their ballots.

Harris stands to be the first female president if elected while Trump eyes a second term at the White House. Harris proposed policies are more about maintaining the status quo, though she has promised to work across the aisle to tackle economic worries and other issues.

Trump, on the other hand, has vowed to replace thousands of federal workers with loyalists, impose sweeping tariffs on allies and foes alike, and stage the largest deportation operation in US history.

The seven battleground statesArizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsinare expected to be crucial in deciding the victory.

Given the tightness of the race, observers believe that the victor might not be known on the election night. In the 2020 presidential race it took four days to declare a winner.

Trump plans to vote in his adopted home state of Florida and then spend the day at his Mar-a-Lago estate, reported the Associated Press. Harris, meanwhile, has already voted by mail in her home state of California.
ABUJA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's debt service-to-revenue ratio has decreased significantly to 65 percent from approximately 97 percent 17 months ago, President Bola Tinubu said on Monday.

"For us, it was a challenge when the nation was servicing its debt with 97 percent of its revenue, it was nothing but the edge of the cliff," Tinubu said in the capital of Abuja while swearing in seven new ministers, referring to the country's debt service-to-revenue ratio when he took office in May 2023.

"But today, I can report to you that we have brought that down to 65 percent, and we have never defaulted in meeting all obligations, both foreign and domestic. We have our head above water. All other countries around us, and across the world, are also facing challenges," the Nigerian leader said.

Acknowledging that Nigeria is facing its worst cost-of-living crisis due to reforms, he declared that the country has made progress economically, explaining that his administration inherited "an economy on the brink of bankruptcy."

He expressed optimism that the tough times would soon be over, saying that the government had gone far in blocking economic saboteurs.

"We are not shirking our responsibility; we are confronting it head-on. Economic recovery is on the horizon. We are on a good path to realize our dreams," he added. 
A police officer was suspended by Canadian authorities after he was caught on camera taking part in the Khalistani demonstration who attacked devotees at the Hindu temple in Brampton.

Canada's Peel Regional Police on Monday said three people have been arrested and charged over the incident that happened on Sunday.

The authorities have launched a probe into the officer, identified as Sergeant Harinder Sohi, an 18-year-veteran of the service, who was seen taking part in the Khalistani demonstration. Sohi has claimed that he is receiving death threats after being outed as a participant of the attack team.

Sohi was seen carrying a Khalistan flag, chanting anti-India slogans along with other demonstrators.

Peel police spokesperson Richard Chin acknowledged Sohi's presence among the Khalistani demonstrators, stating they were "aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an off-duty Peel police officer involved in a demonstration."

"This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act. We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until such time that this investigation is complete," Chin added.

BREAKING Source: Off-Duty Peel Police Sergeant part of Khalistan mob attacking Hindu Temple.



A man said to be @PeelPolice Sergeant Harinder SOHI is visible in videos and photographs of the Sunday November 3, 2024 attack at Brampton Hindu Sabha Temple. (Attached)



Purported pic.twitter.com/fQ4jvTkGwd  DonaldBest.CA * DO NOT COMPLY (@DonaldBestCA) November 4, 2024

Also read: What happened at Brampton temple? MP says Canadian Khalistanis 'crossed the red line'

Sohi has not been charged so far as he has not yet been accused of committing a crime. If charged, he will get the support of the police union as an off-duty incident generally does not receive funding for their legal defences.

On whether Sohi was working in plain clothes, police union sources told Toronto Sun that he does not work in an undercover capacity.

After the attack, Canadian MP Chandra Arya had stated that he believes there is a "small grain of truth in the reports that in addition to Canadian political apparatus, Khalistanis have effectively infiltrated into our law enforcement agencies."

Meanwhile, the Peel police have arrested and charged Dilpreet Singh Bouns, 43, of Mississauga, Vikas, 23, of Brampton and Amritpal Singh, 31, of Mississauga, in connection with the case.

The police said the same protesters who demonstrated outside the Brampton temple later relocated to two separate locations in Mississauga, Ontario.

The action comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to condemn the attack on a Hindu temple in Canada while urging the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.
Russia allegedly tried to plant two 'incendiary' devices onboard cargo or passenger aircraft flying to the U.S. and Canada as part of its sabotage plan, according to a report.

The devices were reportedly shipped by DHL and the plot was uncovered after the devices ignited in July, one at Leipzig in Germany and another in Birmingham, The Wall Street Journal quoted Western security officials.

The plot was part of Moscow's sabotage campaign against the US and its allies, the report said, adding that the explosions set off a global investigation.

The devices were reportedly electric massagers implanted with a magnesium-based flammable substance. The massagers were sent to the UK from Lithuania. The report added that this was a test run to figure out how to get such devices onboard flights for North America.

According to German officials investigating the devices, the devices narrowly missed being on the aircraft used by DHL. Once magnesium ignited, it would be difficult to extinguish with the firefighting systems. The only option will be an emergency landing. An aircraft over an ocean would have been at risk of going down, the officials told The WSJ.

One person was arrested by the Lithuanian police in this regard. He has been identified as Alexander Suranovas though he claimed to the officials that his name was Igor Prudnikov. He is suspected to have sent four incendiary devices, including two from a DHL shop in the capital Vilnius, the report quoted a European law-enforcement official. Officials said he was a proxy of Russian spy services.

Four others have been arrested by Polands National Prosecutors Office in connection with the fires and they face terrorism charges. "The groups goal was also to test the transfer channel for such parcels, which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada," the prosecutors office told The WSJ.

Polish authorities believe the Russians were behind this and if an explosion had happened, it would have been a major escalation in the Russia-West conflict.

However, Russia has rubbished the claims, stating it wasn't aware of any such accusation. "We have never heard any official accusations of Russian involvement. These are traditional unsubstantiated insinuations from the media," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the newspaper.

Two months after the DHL explosion, UK's MI6 head Richard Moore said that Russian spy agencies had "gone a bit feral in some of their behaviour."
All eyes are on US vice president Kamala Harris and former US president Donald Trump as the country heads to elections on November 5. However, it's not just Democrats and Republicans in the fray.

Several other less known candidates from smaller parties are also taking part in the race for the White House. There are 22 presidential hopefuls who are from third parties or independents.

Jill Stein from Green Party

One of the known faces among them is third-time candidate Jill Stein, 74, from the Green Party. She raked in 1.5 million votes in 2016 and contested in 2012 as well.

The Harvard-educated doctor has called for an "economic bill of rights" to guarantee food, education, jobs, healthcare and affordable housing. Stein is also a climate change activist and campaigns for abortion and transgender rights.

Chase Oliver from Libertarian Party

Chase Oliver, 39, who is a Left member of the Libertarian Party, decribes himself as "armed and gay".

He says he ready to take over as US president but is not completely removed from reality. The former Democrat was opposed to the Iraq war and has slammed Israel war in Gaza. Oliver also advocates drug decriminalisation and scrapping of the Federal Reserve.

He is named in 47 ballots, higher than any other third-part candidates. He is also a write-in option in three others ballots and the District of Columbia.

Claudia de la Cruz from Party for Socialism and Liberation

Claudia de la Cruz has been urging Americans to embrace a socialist economy. She said she is running so that her party can play the "long game" and focused on laying the groundwork for the future.

"We dont think in any way, shape or form that we could win without the masses, she said. She said cutting the military budget by 90 per cent, the US can invest trillions of dollars into health care, free education, housing and student debt relief.

De la Cruz appears on the ballots of 19 states and is a write-in choice is 24 others.

Cornel West

Cornel West, 71, is an Independent candidate and a professor of philosophy at Union Theological Seminary. He has taught at Yale, Harvard and Princeton.

A vocal critic of Barack Obama, West initially sought to be the Green Party candidate. Green Party nominee Jill Stein was formerly West's campaign manager and contested for the party after West decided to run as an Independent. He has also criticised Joe Biden's Israel policy.
Come Tuesday, all eyes will be on the United States as millions of Americans will head to the voting stations to choose their new President. Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris are on their final leg of the campaign, visiting battleground states on the Election eve.

Most states will begin voting at 7 am in their local time, with others starting as early as 5 am or as late as 10 am.

While some US election results came within a day of the voting, some took almost a week.

As per analysts, this year's tight contest would mean the wait is longer. The winner can be announced only after the majority of ballots are counted. The initial results could show one candidate ahead, only for the other candidate to win after more votes are tallied.

Latest poll figures indicate that Kamala Harris is slightly ahead nationally but Donald Trump has an edge in key swing states. As for Pennsylvania, the two candidates are deadlocked. It is important that the results in key battleground states, mainly Pennsylvania, are not tied for election results to come the next day. Only a wide gap between the first and second could enable the projection of a winner. So, it is unlikely that the results will come on Wednesday.

It took many poll predictors almost four days to declare Joe Biden a winner in the 2020 elections since Pennsylvania was a pivotal Electoral College state. This year too, the state may be crucial, but the silver lining is that 98% to 99% of the vote in Pennsylvania will likely be counted by Wednesday morning.

Early indicators

An early indicator of which candidate is performing better will come between 7 pm and 8 pm Eastern Time ( IST 5 am-6 am), when polls close in the key battleground states of Georgia and North Carolina.

Another major key moment could happen between 8 pm and 9 pm Eastern time (6 am to 7 am IST), when voting ends across the so-called blue wall states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Other swing states of Arizona and Nevada will likely declare results by 10 pm Eastern Time (IST 8 am)

But, it is unlikely that a winner will be declared in any of these states straightaway.

Speedy counting

In many states, in-person votes are counted on election night, while mail-in ballots take longer to count. In many key states like Michigan, the vote counting will be sooner than in 2020 since fewer votes are cast by mail this time.

While the number of mail-ins in Pennsylvania has remained unchanged since 2020, the counting is more efficient this year, thanks to new voting machines and more personnel to help process ballots. A Wednesday projection is likely if 99% of the total vote is counted quickly.

Wisconsin will also likely finish counting 99 per cent of votes by Wednesday morning.

Other challenges

Another hurdle is narrow victories, which could also mean recounts. In a state like Pennsylvania, a 0.5 per cent difference between the first and second places would surely mean a recount. In 2020, the margin was just 1.1 per cent.

Then, the legal challenges. While any disorders at voting stations could disrupt the declaration of results, the lawsuits can also delay the announcement of winners. The Republicans have already filed over 100 pre-election lawsuits, including challenges to voter eligibility and voter roll management, according to BBC.

Previous elections

The wait as shorted in 2016 and 2012. In 2016, when Trumo won the results were announced the day after the elections. The same was the case in 2012, when Barack Obama secured a second term. His victory was projected before midnight on polling day itself.

However, in the 2000 election between George W Bush and Al Gore, the results came was five days. The vote was held on November 7 and the results came on December 12. The US Supreme Court voted to end the state's recount process, which kept Bush in place as winner and handed him the White House.
Around 75 million people voted in advance in the US elections and the remaining are set to vote on November 5. However, it's not the "popular vote" that would decide whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will become the next US President. Instead Electoral College votes will decide the fate of the candidates.

Took some time today to hear from voters in Pennsylvania and ask for their support.



There's still time to join us on the doors: https://t.co/ZaRpcqNdUT pic.twitter.com/J7E8ObhEjp  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 5, 2024

What are Electoral College votes?

Americans elect their president indirectly through the Electoral College, which is decided by the electors in each state. There are 538 electoral votes in total and 270 is needed to claim a majority.

A GREAT DAY IN NORTH CAROLINA, PENNSYLVANIA, AND MICHIGANTHANK YOU!



ITS TIME TO GET OUT AND VOTESO TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! https://t.co/QrckeupQKi pic.twitter.com/eQisvQHxMZ  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2024

The number of Electoral College votes in each state is decided by the total number of US Senators and House of Representatives in each state. This means each state will have at least three electoral votes from the two US senators and a House of Representative. However, the District of Columbia also has three votes though there are no voting members in Congress.

ALSO READ: Will Donald Trump become US president for 2nd time? Tables turned on Kamala Harris in all 7 swing states: Poll

However, the number of House of Representatives will go up depending on the population of the state and thereby increasing the number of Electoral College votes. For example, the most populated state, California, has 54 electoral votes. Texas has 40 seats while Florida has 30 and New York has 28.

ALSO READ: Is Kamala Harris losing the last lap against Donald Trump? Here's what survey says about US Presidential elections

Most states award all their electoral votes to the candidate who comes first in the popular voter in that state. But Nebraska and Maine allow their electoral votes to be split.

Among the seven swing states, also known as battleground states, Pennsylvania has the highest number of electoral votes at 19. Georgia and North Carolina has 16 votes each while Michigan has 15 votes. Arizona has 11 seats, followed by Wisconsin (10) and Nevada (6).

States could gain or lose the number of electoral votes if there is a change in population, which brings the number of House of Representatives down.

States with the least population have three electoral votes each, including Alaska, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming.

The electors were picked before the election by each party. They could be party leaders, elected officials, activists or others linked to the party. Following the election, they will cast a vote each for the president and the vice president.

If both candidates are tied at 269, which is a rare event, members of the new House of Representatives would pick the president while the Senate will choose the vice president.
A lawyer for Elon Musk s political action committee told a judge in Philadelphia on Monday that so-called winners of his $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes in swing states are not chosen by chance but are instead chosen to be paid spokespeople for the group.

GOP lawyer Chris Gober also said that the recipients Monday and Tuesday will come from Arizona and Michigan, respectively, and therefore will not affect the Pennsylvania election. He said the recipients are chosen based on their personal stories and sign a contract with the political organization, America PAC.

The $1 million recipients are not chosen by chance, Gober said Monday. We know exactly who will be announced as the $1 million recipient today and tomorrow.

Musk did not attend the hearing, held on the day before the presidential election. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner took the witness stand Monday and called the sweepstakes a scam as he asked the judge to shut it down.

America PAC hopes the lottery will help Donald Trumps presidential campaign. Krasner said 18 prizes have been announced to date.

Lawyers for Musk and his America PAC confirmed to the judge they do not plan to extend the lottery beyond Tuesday.

However, Krasner called it an illegal lottery under Pennsylvania law, with no published rules or privacy policies for the information the PAC collects on voters who sign an oath the U.S. Constitution as they register for the sweepstakes.

They were scammed for their information, Krasner testified Monday. It has almost unlimited use.

Krasners lawyer, John Summers, said Musk is the heartbeat of America PAC, and the person announcing the winners and presenting the checks.

He was the one who presented the checks, albeit large cardboard checks. We dont really know if there are any real checks, Summers said.

Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta was presiding over the case at Philadelphia City Hall after Musk and the PAC lost an effort to move it to federal court.

Krasner has said he could still consider criminal charges, as hes tasked with protecting both lotteries and the integrity of elections. In the lawsuit, he said the defendants are indisputably violating Pennsylvanias lottery laws.

Pennsylvania remains a key battleground state with 19 electoral votes and both Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris have repeatedly visited the state, including stops planned Monday in the final hours of the campaign.

(AP)
South Korean and the European Union on Monday strongly condemned North Koreas reported dispatch of troops to aid Russias war against Ukraine and expressed concerns that Russia could reward North Korea with transfers of sensitive technology to enhance its nuclear and missile programs.

North Koreas troop deployment, which was confirmed by the U.S. and NATO, threatens to expand the almost 3-year-long war and is causing security jitters in South Korea and elsewhere about what Russia could give North Korea in return.

After a meeting in Seoul, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell issued a joint statement condemning in the strongest possible terms North Koreas deployment and voicing worries about Russias possible provision of materials and technology to North Korea in support of its military objectives.

We are also deeply concerned about the possibility for any transfer of nuclear- or ballistic missile-related technology to the DPRK, which would jeopardize the international non-proliferation efforts and threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the globe, the statement said. DPRK stands for the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, North Koreas official name.

Cho and Borrell called North Koreas deployment a flagrant violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions and called on North Korea and Russia to immediately withdraw the troops from Russia.

In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday met North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, who has been on an official visit to Russia since late last week. State televison showed them greeting each other, but details of the meeting were not available.

Earlier Monday, Borrell met South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun and they agreed to work together with the international community to try to obstruct Russian-North Korean security cooperation, according to the South Korean Defense Ministry.

North Korea and Russia havent explicitly confirmed the North Korean deployment. But theyve both argued that their military cooperation conforms with international laws.

The U.S. government said that about 8,000 North Korean soldiers were in Russia near Ukraines border and preparing to join Russias fight against Ukraine in the coming days. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged allies to stop just watching and take steps before North Korean troops deployed in Russia reach the battlefield.

According to U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence assessments, North Korea was estimated to have moved a total of about 10,000-12,000 troops to Russia. If they start fighting against Ukraine forces, it would mark North Koreas first participation in a large-scale conflict since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has used the Russia-Ukraine war as a way to expand defense and economic cooperation with Russia in the face of an intensifying U.S.-led pressure campaign against his advancing nuclear program. The U.S., South Korea and others accuse North Korea of having already exported artillery shells, missiles and other conventional arms to Russia.

Besides Russias possible weapons technology transfer, South Korean officials also worry that Moscow might offer defense commitment to North Korea in the event of a war on the Korean Peninsula. The North Korean troops in Russia could also learn valuable combat experience and get Russian help to modernize their outdated conventional weapons systems.

In the past two years, Kim has ramped up tests of nuclear-capable missile systems, as Russia and China have repeatedly blocked U.S.-led attempts to toughen international sanctions on North Korea over its testing activities in defiance of U.N. bans. Last week, North Korea test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile designed to attack the U.S. mainland for the first time in almost a year.

North Korea has also pushed to sever relations and abandon its long-standing goal of reconciliation with South Korea.

In a background briefing with local media Monday, South Koreas military said North Korea has built anti-tank, trench-like structures at two sites near the Koreas heavily armed border, where it blew up northern parts of unused cross-border road and rail routes last month in a display of anger toward South Korea.

In a war situation, the North could easily fill up the trenches with piles of dirt nearby to create routes to invade the South, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

(AP)
Election Day is nearly upon us. In a matter of hours, the final votes in the 2024 presidential election will be cast.

In a deeply divided nation, the election is a true toss-up between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump.

We know there are seven battleground states that will decide the outcome, barring a major surprise. But major questions persist about the timing of the results, the makeup of the electorate, the influx of misinformation  even the possibility of political violence. At the same time, both sides are prepared for a protracted legal battle that could complicate things further.

Heres what to watch on the eve of Election Day 2024:

History will be made either way

Given all the twists and turns in recent months, its easy to overlook the historical significance of this election.

Harris would become the first female president in the United States 248-year history. She would also be the first Black woman and person of South Asian descent to hold the office. Harris and her campaign have largely played down gender and race fearing that they might alienate some supporters. But the significance of a Harris win would not be lost on historians.

A Trump victory would represent a different kind of historical accomplishment. He would become the first person convicted of a felony elected to the U.S. presidency, having been convicted of 34 felony counts in a New York hush-money case little more than five months ago.

Trump, who is still facing felony charges in at least two separate criminal cases, argued that he is the victim of a politicized justice system. And tens of millions of voters apparently believe him  or theyre willing to overlook his extraordinary legal baggage.

How long will it take to know the winner?

Election Day in the United States is now often considered election week as each state follows its own rules and practices for counting ballots  not to mention the legal challenges  that can delay the results. But the truth is, nobody knows how long it will take for the winner to be announced this time.

In 2020, The Associated Press declared President Joe Biden the winner on Saturday afternoon  four days after polls closed. But even then, The AP called North Carolina for Trump 10 days after Election Day and Georgia for Biden 16 days later after hand recounts.

Four years earlier, the 2016 election was decided just hours after most polls closed. The AP declared Trump the winner on election night at 2:29 a.m. (it was technically Wednesday morning on the East Coast).

This time, both campaigns believe the race is extremely close across the seven swing states that are expected to decide the election, barring a major surprise: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The size of the map and the tightness of the race make it hard to predict when a winner could be declared.

Where can I find early clues about how the contest might unfold?

Look to two East Coast battleground states, North Carolina and Georgia, where the results could come in relatively quickly. That doesnt mean well get the final results in those states quickly if the returns are close, but they are the first swing states that might offer a sense of what kind of night were in for.

To go deeper, look to urban and suburban areas in the industrial North and Southeast, where Democrats have made gains since 2020.

In North Carolina, Harris margins in Wake and Mecklenburg Counties, home to the state capital of Raleigh and the states largest city, Charlotte, respectively, will reveal how much Trump will need to squeeze out of the less-populated rural areas he has dominated.

In Pennsylvania, Harris needs heavy turnout in deep blue Philadelphia, but shes also looking to boost the Democrats advantage in the arc of suburban counties to the north and west of the city. She has campaigned aggressively in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, where Biden improved on Clintons 2016 winning margins. The Philadelphia metro area, including the four collar counties, accounts for 43 percent of Pennsylvanias vote.

Elsewhere in the Blue Wall, Trump needs to blunt Democratic growth in Michigans key suburban counties outside of Detroit, especially Oakland County. He faces the same challenge in Wisconsins Waukesha County outside of Milwaukee.

Where are the candidates?

Trump will likely spend the very early hours of Election Day in Michigan, where he is scheduled to hold a final late-night rally in Grand Rapids as has become his tradition.

The Republican candidate plans to spend the rest of the day in Florida, where he is expected to vote in person  despite previously saying he would vote early. Hes scheduled to hold a campaign watch party in Palm Beach Tuesday night.

Harris plans to attend an Election Night party at Howard University in Washington, a historically Black university where she graduated with a degree in economics and political science in 1986 and was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Aside from Howard, she has no public schedule announced for Election Day.

Harris said Sunday that she had just filled out her mail-in ballot and it was on its way to California.

Whos left to show up on Election Day?

On the eve of Election Day, its unclear which voters will show up to cast ballots on Tuesday.

More than 77 million people participated in early voting  either in person or through the mail. So many people already cast ballots that some officials say the polls in states like Georgia might be a ghost town on Election Day.

One major reason for the surge is that that Trump has generally encouraged his supporters to vote early this time, a reversal from 2020 when he called on Republicans to vote only in-person on Election Day. The early vote numbers confirm that millions of Republicans have heeded Trumps call in recent weeks.

The key question, however, is whether the surge of Republicans who voted early this time will ultimately cannibalize the number of Republicans who show up on Tuesday.

There are also shifts on the Democratic side. Four years ago, as the pandemic lingered, Democrats overwhelmingly cast their ballots early. But this time around, without the public health risk, its likely that more Democrats will show up in person on Election Day.

That balance on both sides is critical as we try to understand the early returns. And its on the campaigns to know which voters they still need to turn out on Tuesday. On that front, Democrats may have an advantage.

Trumps campaign and the Republican National Committee have outsourced much of their get-out-the-vote operation operation to outside groups, including one funded largely by billionaire Trump ally Elon Musk thats facing new questions about its practices. Harris campaign, by contrast, is running a more traditional operation that features more than 2,500 paid staffers and 357 offices in battleground states alone.

Could there be unrest?

Trump has been aggressively promoting claims in recent days questioning the integrity of the election. He falsely insists that he can lose only if Democrats cheat, even as polls show that show the race is a true toss-up.

Trump could again claim victory on election night regardless of the results, just as he did in 2020.

Such rhetoric can have serious consequences as the nation saw when Trump loyalists stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 in one of the darkest days in modern American history. And unfortunately, there is still a potential of further violence this election season.

The Republican National Committee will have thousands of election integrity poll monitors in place on Tuesday searching for any signs of fraud, which critics fear could lead to harassment of voters or election workers. In some key voting places, officials have requested the presence of sheriff deputies in addition to bulletproof glass and panic buttons that connect poll managers to a local 911 dispatcher.

At the same time, Trump allies note that he has faced two assassination attempts in recent months that raise the possibility of further threats against him. And police in Washington and other cities are preparing for the possibility of serious Election Day unrest.

As always, its worth noting that a broad coalition of top government and industry officials, many of them Republicans, found that the 2020 election was the most secure in American history.

(AP)
Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with Kenyan President and United Democratic Alliance Leader William Ruto in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 4, 2024. Li led a CPC delegation on an official goodwill visit to Kenya at the invitation of Kenya's United Democratic Alliance from Nov. 3 to 5. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

NAIROBI, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Li Xi, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), on Tuesday concluded an official goodwill visit to Kenya, where he expressed commitment to fostering an even closer China-Kenya community with a shared future in the new era.

During the three-day visit, Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, met with Kenyan President and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Leader William Ruto and held discussions with UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar.

During his meeting with the Kenyan president, Li said that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ruto have met for two consecutive years, charting the course for developing bilateral relations. China is willing to work with Kenya, under the guidance of the important consensus between the two heads of state, to remain reliable friends and partners and firmly support each other on core interests and issues of major concern, so as to build an even closer China-Kenya community with a shared future in the new era.

Li said the practical cooperation between China and Kenya has yielded fruitful results, noting that the Chinese president announced 10 partnership actions for modernization to deepen China-Africa cooperation at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing.

China is willing to align the outcomes of this summit with Kenya's Vision 2030 to support Kenya's economic development, Li said.

China appreciates and welcomes Kenya's participation in the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by the Chinese president, Li said, adding that China also looks forward to strengthening communication and coordination with Kenya on issues like reform of international multilateral institutions, jointly safeguarding the common interests of the Global South.

For his part, Ruto said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kenya and China more than 60 years ago, the two countries have always worked side by side and sincerely cooperated in their respective national development processes.

Noting that Kenya-China relations are exemplary, Ruto said China's support in major projects like the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway has played a vital role in the development of Kenya and East Africa.

Ruto extended his congratulations on the successful FOCAC summit and expressed full support for the 10 partnership actions for modernization, pledging to work with China to accelerate the implementation of the summit's outcomes.

Kenya remains committed to the one-China principle and appreciates China's contributions to peace and security in Africa, Ruto said.

Kenya looks forward to deepening communication and cooperation with China at the international level to strengthen unity and collaboration in the Global South, Ruto said, while voicing anticipation for China's increased involvement in African affairs and support for the African Union to foster peace, stability, and development across the continent.

In his talks with Omar, Li said that the CPC and the UDA, as governing parties, share the historical mission of strengthening the party and nation to benefit the people.

The CPC values its relationship with the UDA and is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen strategic communication, and enhance political mutual trust between the two countries, Li said.

Li said the CPC is ready to enhance the exchange of governance experiences and improve the capacity and level of governance with the UDA, promote local and cultural exchanges to consolidate public support for friendship between the two countries and strengthen solidarity and cooperation to jointly uphold international fairness and justice to contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Omar said that under the leadership of the CPC, China has made remarkable development achievements, setting an example for African political parties in governance and development.

The UDA is eager to learn from the CPC's governance experience, further enhance exchanges and cooperation, and strengthen mutual understanding and trust to provide a solid political foundation for the development of relations between the two countries, Omar said.

During the visit, Li introduced the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, along with the CPC's efforts in full and rigorous Party self-governance and anti-corruption.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping has drawn profound lessons from the extensive practices and important theoretical achievements in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance in the new era, developing important ideas of the Party's self-reform, which provide fundamental guidance for advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance, improving Party conduct, fostering a clean government, and advancing the fight against corruption, Li said.

China is willing to enhance anti-corruption experience exchange and mutual learning with Kenya and jointly combat cross-border corruption, he added.

The Kenyan side said that the CPC has made significant progress in the fight against corruption and Kenya is willing to learn from China's experiences to strengthen the internal development of the party.

Li also inspected flagship projects under the China-Kenya Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation, such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, and visited a coffee plantation jointly developed with Chinese partners. He also attended a symposium on integrity building in BRI projects with representatives of Chinese enterprises operating in Kenya. 

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, holds discussions with Kenya's United Democratic Alliance Secretary General Hassan Omar in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 4, 2024. Li led a CPC delegation on an official goodwill visit to Kenya at the invitation of Kenya's United Democratic Alliance from Nov. 3 to 5. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, inspects the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, a flagship project under the China-Kenya Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation, in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 3, 2024. Li led a CPC delegation on an official goodwill visit to Kenya at the invitation of Kenya's United Democratic Alliance from Nov. 3 to 5. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, visits a coffee plantation jointly developed with Chinese partners in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 4, 2024. Li led a CPC delegation on an official goodwill visit to Kenya at the invitation of Kenya's United Democratic Alliance from Nov. 3 to 5. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
Western security officials believe Russia is behind a covert operation that aimed to ignite fires on cargo or passenger planes flying to the United States and Canada. The plot, allegedly part of Moscows escalating sabotage campaign against Washington and its allies, involved two incendiary devices shipped via DHL that ignited at logistics hubs in Leipzig, Germany, and Birmingham, England, in July, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the investigation.

The devices, which were hidden inside electric massagers filled with a magnesium-based flammable substance, sparked a multinational investigation. European investigators and intelligence agencies have now concluded that the incendiary devices were part of a Russian test run to determine if similar devices could reach North America undetected.

The plot appears to have been orchestrated by Russias military-intelligence agency, known as the GRU, according to Pawel Szota, head of Polands foreign-intelligence agency. If one of these packages had exploded, causing mass casualties, it would represent a major escalation in Moscows campaign against the West, Szota warned. Polish authorities have already arrested four individuals in connection with the fires and are collaborating with European law enforcement to track down additional suspects.

According to Polands National Prosecutors Office, the group aimed to test a route for sending incendiary devices to the U.S. and Canada. Although officials did not directly attribute the plot to Russia, Szota and other Western intelligence leaders have pointed to Russian involvement.

The Kremlin denied any knowledge of the plot, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissing the accusations as unsubstantiated insinuations.

The DHL fires have intensified concerns among Western intelligence agencies over Russias growing sabotage activities across Europe. Authorities allege that Russia has been involved in a string of destructive acts, including arson in the U.K. and Czech Republic, attacks on pipelines and data cables in the Baltic Sea, and tampering with water supplies in Sweden and Finland.

High-level intelligence warnings about Russias increasingly reckless actions came in the wake of the DHL incidents. Richard Moore, head of the U.K.s MI6, and Ken McCallum, head of MI5, have both publicly criticized Russias escalating operations. McCallum warned that Russia was orchestrating arson, sabotage, and more dangerous actions, while Moore remarked that Russian spy agencies had gone a bit feral in some of their behavior.

German investigators who tested replicas of the incendiary devices noted that the magnesium-based fires would be challenging to extinguish with conventional airplane firefighting systems. A similar device on a plane mid-flight could have forced an emergency landing or, in the worst-case scenario, led to a catastrophic crash over open water.

Although no arrests have been made in the U.K., German police described the lack of casualties as a lucky coincidence due to a delayed flight. DHL, which transports packages using both cargo and passenger aircraft, confirmed its cooperation with authorities in the investigation.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented additional security measures for air cargo in response to the alleged plot. The TSA stated that it regularly works with both domestic and international carriers to enhance security, though it declined to comment directly on the plot.

The potential threat of Russian sabotage targeting commercial aircraft marks a concerning new phase in Moscows campaign against the West, raising questions about how far Russias intelligence agencies are willing to goand whether they have full Kremlin authorization.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Just hours away from Election Day, betting markets show one of the tightest races in recent history, with Republican candidate former President Donald Trump holding a slight edge over Democrat candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. According to the latest data from Oddschecker, Trumps probability of victory stands at 56%, while Harris is close behind at 44%.

The odds currently place Trump at 8/11 (-138) and Harris at 5/4 (+125). Trumps lead has slightly decreased from the 60% backing he saw in October, while Harriss odds have improved from 47% over the same period.

As we head into the final hours before Election Day, the betting markets are showing some decisive shifts, especially in the swing states, said Leon Blackman, spokesperson for the UK-based Oddschecker, which compiles odds from 80 sources. Trumps lead in the overall odds reflects a trend weve seen steadily build throughout October, but recent betting sentiment has shown a late surge for Harris, particularly in states like Michigan and Pennsylvania.

In key swing states, Republicans are picking up betting support in Arizona and Nevada, while North Carolina and Pennsylvania remain stable with Republicans holding a slight edge. Michigan and Wisconsin are the only two states where Democrats are the betting favorites, while Georgia shows a slight dip in Republican probability.

The Betfair Exchange, a major platform for political betting, has recorded over $220 million in wagers on the U.S. election, making it the second-most bet-upon political event in history, following the 2020 election where an unprecedented $2.6 billion was wagered.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
From as far as Algeria, Iraq and Georgia, an assortment of senior government officials converge on this small facility for training by top U.S. experts to prevent the kinds of materials used to build weapons of mass destruction from crossing their borders.

In just its third year of operation, the U.S.-funded Cyprus Centre for Land, Open Seas and Port Security (CYCLOPS) has far exceeded expectations. From the dozen courses that officials were initially hoping to hold annually, demand has skyrocketed, with scheduled training sessions for next year expected to surpass 50, says the centers director Chrysilios Chrysiliou.

So far, over 2,000 officials from 20 countries including Yemen, Libya, Armenia and Ukraine, have received training on radiological and nuclear detection for customs officers, methods of smuggling weapons of mass destruction, and chemical terrorism investigations among a host of other topics.

On Monday, a group of Cypriot and Egyptian officials started a two-day seminar on maritime cybersecurity led by the U.S.-based Sandia National Laboratories.

This uniqueness has actually brought  a lot of success which could not had been foreseen when Cyclops was initially being created, Chrysiliou told the Associated Press.

According to Chrysiliou, key to the centers success has been the top-notch level of instruction participants receive from U.S.-based experts, including from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, that specialize in counter-proliferation programs.

The center also boasts an array of the latest in cutting-edge detectors able to sniff out radiological, chemical and biological agents and explosives that countries in the wider region dont possess or have access to.

Here, the participants have the opportunity to see the latest technology in in detecting all of the range of the threats, said Chrysiliou. Its like a showcase of what exists out in the market.

For instance, trainees are taught on how to detect and properly dispose of the radiological elements of discarded medical equipment that militants could use to fashion a weapon. Another emerging threat is the possible use of off-the-shelf drones to disperse chemical or biological agents over populated centers.

CYCLOPS has been the product of ever-closer Cypriot-U.S. defense and security ties, earning plaudits from U.S. officials all the way up to the White House. During Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden last week, the center figured prominently as an example of enhanced bilateral security cooperation.

The center was built on a $7 million U.S. government grant, $2 million of which was for the purchase of border security equipment. The island nations proximity to the Middle East was seen as an asset to helping train officials from the region, whose options for such training would otherwise be very limited. The Cypriot government has secured another $5.6 million in European Union funding to expand the center and purchase additional high-tech equipment.

Theres such a huge interest by different agencies of the U.S. and the U.N. too, because they have seen the value of utilizing CYCLOPS because of its proximity to their neighboring countries, Chrysiliou said.

Another selling point for the center is that its situated a stones throw away from Cyprus main international airport of Larnaca and is close to top-flight accommodations that this tourism-reliant country is known for.

The centers managers want to procure an expansive virtual reality system enabling officials to safely train on biological, chemical and radiological agents. Chrysiliou liaises daily with Kevin Keeler from the U.S. State Departments Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program, who called the VR system a game-changer.

Although the center does have small quantities of radiological and other dangerous substances for training, a virtual simulator would greatly enhance the centers training capacity.

Weve already put the word out about this new virtual simulator and we have agencies like, okay, how can we get on the schedule next year when its not even been built yet? Yes, because its a big factor in todays world, said Keeler.

Its still early days for the center to count on headline-grabbing cases where WMD materials have been seized at any given border. Chrysiliou said whats equally important in acting as a potent deterrent is to send out the message that trained professionals have the means and the ways to check and stop you.

So if we teach Iraqis or Yemenis or Libyans or from other countries to do a better job in controlling their borders, in controlling the dispersion of weapons of mass destruction  it makes their citizens much safer and more secure, said Chrysiliou.

(AP)
New York Times political analyst Nate Cohn says that so-called shy Trump voters could once again skew poll results in favor of former President Donald Trump. In a report based on the Times final poll with Siena College, Cohn highlighted inconclusive results in seven key battleground states, noting potential polling inaccuracies due to nonresponse bias among Republican voters.

The final survey shows a mixed picture in battleground states, with Trump leading Kamala Harris by four points in Arizona and one point in Michigan. Harris, meanwhile, leads by one point in Georgia and three points in Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Both candidates are neck and neck in Pennsylvania, widely considered a critical swing state for either side.

Cohn pointed out that while Harris appears to have made slight gains in some areas, these improvements are primarily in states where she was previously trailing.

On average, Ms. Harris fared modestly better than our last round of surveys of the same states, but her gains were concentrated in states where she was previously struggling, he explained. However, he noted that the Blue Wall statesMichigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvaniaare not as solidly in her corner as they once seemed, leaving her position in the Electoral College unchanged.

A key factor potentially affecting the poll results, according to Cohn, is nonresponse bias, where certain voters, often Republicans, are less likely to respond to surveys. In 2020, similar biases led to significant polling errors, underestimating Trumps support. 

White Democrats were 16 percent likelier to respond than white Republicans, Cohn said, describing this gap as a troubling indicator for poll accuracy. It raises the possibility that the polls could underestimate Mr. Trump yet again.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Mexicos National Guard fatally shot two Colombians and wounded four others in what the Defense Department claimed was a confrontation near the U.S. border.

Colombias foreign ministry said in a statement Sunday that all of the victims were migrants who had been caught in the crossfire. It identified the dead as a 20-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman, and gave the number of Colombians wounded as five, not four. There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy.

Mexicos Defense Department, which controls the National Guard, did not respond to requests for comment Monday on whether the victims were migrants, but it said one Colombian who was not injured in the shootings was turned over to immigration officials, suggesting they were.

If they were migrants, it would mark the second time in just over a month that military forces in Mexico have opened fire on and killed migrants.

On Oct. 1, the day President Claudia Sheinbaum took office, soldiers opened fire on a truck, killing six migrants in the southern state of Chiapas. An 11-year-old girl from Egypt, her 18-year-old sister and a 17-year-old boy from El Salvador died in that shooting, along with people from Peru and Honduras.

The most recent shootings happened Saturday on a dirt road near Tecate, east of Otay Mesa on the California border, that is frequently used by Mexican migrant smugglers, the department said in a statement late Sunday.

The Defense Department said a militarized National Guard patrol came under fire after spotting two trucks in the area, which is near an informal border crossing and wind power generation plant known as La Rumorosa.

One truck sped off and escaped. The National Guard opened fire on the other truck, killing two Colombians and wounding four others. There was no immediate information on their conditions, and there were no reported casualties among the guardsmen involved.

One Colombian and one Mexican man were found and detained unharmed at the scene, and the departments said officers found a pistol and several magazines commonly used for assault rifles at the scene.

Colombians have sometimes been recruited as gunmen for Mexican drug cartels, which are also heavily involved in migrant smuggling. But the fact the survivor was turned over to immigration officials and that the Foreign Relations Department contacted the Colombian consulate suggests they were migrants.

Cartel gunmen sometimes escort or kidnap migrants as they travel to the U.S. border. One possible scenario was that armed migrant smugglers may have been in one or both of the trucks, but that the migrants were basically unarmed bystanders.

The defense department said the three National Guard officers who opened fire have been taken off duty.

Former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who left office Sept. 30, gave the military an unprecedentedly wide role in public life and law enforcement; he created the militarized Guard and used the combined military forces as the countrys main law enforcement agencies, supplanting police. The Guard has since been placed under the control of the army.

But critics say the military is not trained to do civilian law enforcement work. Moreover, lopsided death tolls in such confrontations  in which all the deaths and injuries occur on one side  raise suspicions among activists whether there really was a confrontation.

For example, the soldiers who opened fire in Chiapas  who have been detained pending charges  claimed they heard detonations prior to opening fire. There was no indication any weapons were found at the scene.

(AP)
As Americans head to the polls today, theres an unusual path to victory that could see Donald Trump winning the presidency even if he loses the Electoral College vote. This scenario hinges on an emerging framework known as the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC), a state-led initiative aimed at ensuring that the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote ultimately becomes President of the United States. If Trump wins the popular vote but Kamala Harris secures the Electoral College, Republican-led states could, theoretically, adopt the NPVIC in a last-minute bid to put Trump in office.

The U.S. Electoral College has long been a point of contention, especially for its ability to produce a president who didnt win the popular vote. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes, yet Donald Trump became president by securing the majority of electoral votes. In 2024, the inverse could occur, with some polls showing Trump narrowly leading in the national popular vote but Harris on track to win the Electoral College. Ordinarily, this would mean a victory for Harris, but the NPVIC offers a potential workaround.

The NPVIC is a legislative agreement between states that promises to award all of a states electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote, not the candidate who wins in that particular state. However, the compact only takes effect once enough states have joined to secure the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency. Currently, 16 states and Washington, D.C. have joined the compact, representing 205 electoral votesabout 75% of the 270-vote threshold needed for the NPVIC to be effective.

If Trump wins the popular vote today but loses the Electoral College, Republican states could theoretically push through legislation to join the NPVIC, retroactively shifting the outcome in Trumps favor. While this move would be highly controversial, it could prove effective if additional states with a combined 65 electoral votes join the compact, allowing the NPVIC to reach the 270-vote threshold needed to determine the outcome.

Such a maneuver would be unprecedented and would likely face numerous legal challenges. Critics argue that adopting the NPVIC after an election may be unconstitutional and could lead to a protracted legal battle in federal courts, and would most likely reach the Supreme Court. But in an election year marked by fierce partisanship, some Republican-led states might still be willing to try.

The idea of electing presidents based on the national popular vote has broad support. A 2020 Pew Research Center poll found that 58% of Americans favor replacing the Electoral College with a system based solely on the national popular vote. The NPVIC appeals to those who believe that the will of the people should directly determine the presidency, and its proponents argue that it aligns with the democratic principle of one person, one vote.

Since Maryland became the first state to adopt the NPVIC in 2007, interest has grown steadily, especially in the wake of close elections. In 2019 alone, four states joined the compact. Should additional states push the NPVIC over the 270-vote mark, it would leave the Electoral College intact in name but functionally bind electors to the national popular vote winner.

If Republican states attempt to adopt the NPVIC after todays election, it would likely trigger a constitutional crisis. Legal scholars point out that the compact could require congressional consent due to its impact on the federal electoral process, which is not currently part of the compacts framework. Should the situation arise, the Supreme Court could be asked to rule on the compacts constitutionality and whether a post-election enactment is legitimate.

The outcome of this election could spark a fundamental debate about the future of the Electoral College. If Trump loses the Electoral College but wins the popular vote, Republican efforts to push through the NPVIC could fuel calls for either reforming or abolishing the Electoral College entirely. Such a scenario would be a first in U.S. history and would underscore the flaws and complexities of the current system.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
North Korea on Tuesday fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern sea, the South Korean military said, as the country continued its weapons demonstrations hours before the U.S. presidential election.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff didnt immediately specify the number of missiles detected or how far they flew. Japans Defense Ministry said the missiles were believed to have already landed at sea and there were no immediate reports of damages.

The launch came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a flight test of the countrys newest intercontinental ballistic missile designed to reach the U.S. mainland. In response to that launch, the United States flew a long-range B-1B bomber in a trilateral drill with South Korea and Japan on Sunday in a show of force. That drew condemnation from Kims powerful sister, who on Tuesday accused the Norths rivals of raising tensions with aggressive and adventuristic military threats.

The latest launches came after South Korean officials said the North was likely to dial up its military displays around the U.S. presidential elections to command the attention of Washington. South Koreas military intelligence agency said last week that North Korea has also likely completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test.

Outside officials and analysts say North Korea eventually hopes to use an expanded nuclear arsenal as leverage to win outside concessions such as sanctions relief after a new U.S. president is elected.

There are widespread views that Kim would prefer a win by Republican candidate Donald Trump, with whom he engaged in high-stakes nuclear diplomacy in 2018-19, seeing him as a more likely counterpart to give him what he wants than Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. During campaigning, Trump boasted about his personal ties with Kim, while Harris said she wont cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un who are rooting for Trump.

North Korean state media claimed last week that the Hwasong-19 it tested on Oct. 31 was the worlds strongest ICBM, but experts say the solid-fuel missile was too big to be useful in a war situation. Experts say the North has yet to acquire some critical technologies to build a functioning ICBM, such as ensuring that the warhead survives the harsh conditions of atmospheric re-entry.

Tensions between the Koreas are at their highest point in years as Kim has repeatedly flaunted his expanding nuclear weapons and missile programs, while reportedly providing Russia with munitions and troops to support President Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine.

According to U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence assessments, North Korea was estimated to have moved a total of between 10,000 and 12,000 troops to Russia. If they start fighting against Ukraine forces, it would mark North Koreas first participation in a large-scale conflict since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

On Monday, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that as many as 10,000 North Korean soldiers were in Russias Kursk region near Ukraines border and preparing to join Moscows fight against Ukraine in the coming days. Thats up from the 8,000 troops that the U.S. government mentioned Thursday.

After a meeting in Seoul on Monday, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressed deep concern over the possibility that Russian transfers any nuclear or ballistic missile-related technology to the North in exchange for its arms and military personnel.

Such transfers would jeopardize the international non-proliferation efforts and threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the globe, they said, while calling on North Korea and Russia to immediately withdraw the troops from Russia.

In response to North Koreas growing nuclear threats, South Korea, the United States and Japan have been expanding their combined military exercises and updating their nuclear deterrence plans built around U.S. strategic assets.

North Korea has portrayed the joint military drills of its rivals as rehearsals for an invasion and used them to justify its relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons and missiles.

At a U.N. Security Council meeting Monday, North Koreas ambassador, Kim Song, defended Pyongyangs nuclear and ICBM programs as essential for the countrys self-defense and a necessary response to what it perceives as nuclear threats from the United States. He stressed that North Korea will accelerate the build-up of our nuclear force that can counter any threat presented by hostile nuclear weapon states.

U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood warned that the U.S. cannot stand back from North Koreas expanding nuclear and ballistic missile programs and the growing threat to U.S. security without a response.

Wood also repeated last weeks call for Russia to say whether there are North Korean troops on the ground in Russia. Were not in a court here, Russias deputy ambassador Anna Evstigneeva replied, and the questions of the United States, in the spirit of an interrogation, is not something I intend to answer.

(AP)
For 21 years, YWNs team of seasoned reporters has delivered breaking news and reliable updates, building two decades of trust with over half a million readers each day. Since October 7, YWN has provided continuous, around-the-clock coverage, bringing you the latest developments as they unfold.

You can also join over 100,000 subscribers on YWN WhatsApp and stay connected for real time updates:

YWNs WhatsApp group

YWNs WhatsApp status

US Advances $680M Arms Deal with Israel, Claims Unrelated to Ceasefire A U.S. official has confirmed to The Times of Israel that the Biden administration is moving forward with a $680 million arms deal for Israel. The official emphasized that the sale is unrelated to the ceasefire with Hezbollah, which took effect this morning. Earlier, on Tuesday, Washington reiterated that the truce was not linked to any weapons transfers to Israel.

Wizz Air to Resume Israel Flights December 20 Wizz Air, a budget airline based in Hungary, plans to restart operations at Israels Ben Gurion Airport starting December 20. The decision follows the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

WATCH AND ENJOY: What Dead Nasrallah Said A Few Weeks Ago OH THE IRONY: Remember when Nasrallah, who is now a rotted carcass, said, A ceasefire in Lebanon without one in Gaza would mean all our sacrifices were for nothing. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26101313/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-9.46.01-AM-1.mp4

REPORTS: Ceasefire Expected In Hours Numerous reports state that a joint statement from the United States and France will confirm a ceasefire in Lebanon shortly after 10 p.m. local time. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati is expected to issue a separate statement welcoming the agreement.

The Scene In Jabaliya, Gaza Meanwhile. this is the scene of what once was Jabaliya, Gaza. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26100905/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-9.00.57-AM.mp4

IDF UPDATE: 8 Fighter jets, 20 Strikes, Two Minutes The IDF reports that eight fighter jets struck 20 Hezbollah-linked sites in Beiruts southern suburbs within two minutes. Targets included seven buildings tied to Hezbollahs financial operations, such as headquarters and branches of the Al-Qard al-Hasan association, as well as 13 military sites, including an aerial forces center, weapon depots, and intelligence facilities. Civilians in the area were warned to evacuate prior to the strikes. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26101042/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-9.06.21-AM.mp4

Massive Wave Of IDF Airstrikes Underway The IDF is still carrying out additional airstrikes in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahieh, a suburb in Southern Beirut. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26100834/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-8.55.21-AM.mp4

IDF Launches Dozens of Airstrikes in Beirut After Evacuation Warnings UPDATE: Dozens of IDf airstrikes underway in Beirut. The strikes come just a short while after the IDF sent warnings to the residents of around 20 residential buildings to evacuate. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26100707/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-8.42.09-AM.mp4

Israeli Airstrike in Beirut Amid Ceasefire Talks; Evacuations Ordered As discussions of a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, a major Israeli airstrike just took place in Beirut. The strike occurred outside Hezbollahs stronghold in the citys southern suburbs. The lack of an evacuation warning suggests the attack may have been an assassination attempt rather than a strike on Hezbollah infrastructure. Simultaneously, the IDF has issued evacuation notices to residents of around 20 buildings in Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut, ahead of planned airstrikes targeting the groups assets. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26100536/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-8.09.20-AM.mp4

Direct Rocket Strike In Nahariya [VIDEO] The IDF reports that 10 rockets were fired from Lebanon toward the Western Galilee. Some of the rockets were intercepted, while others landed. Magen David Adom, are currently inspecting impact sites in Nahariya for any injuries. A fire has also broken out in Nahariya, reportedly caused by an impact or debris from the attack. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25170137/My-movie-66.mp4

WATCH: Celebrations In Lebanon Ahead Of Ceasefire Confirmation People in Lebanon celebrate ahead of a likely ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25113820/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.33.48-AM.mp4

Video: Israeli Airstrike Hits Hezbollah Site in Beirut Video captures an Israeli airstrike earlier today targeting a Hezbollah-linked site within a high-rise building in southern Beirut. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25113530/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.34.53-AM.mp4

WATCH: Haifa Demolishes Rocket-Hit Building to Prevent Collapse Municipal crews in Haifa are demolishing a residential building heavily damaged by a direct rocket hit during a Hezbollah attack on northern Israel yesterday. The Haifa municipality stated that experts recommended the demolition to prevent the structure from collapsing onto a nearby apartment complex. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25112623/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.12.30-AM.mp4

WATCH: See The Scene In Beirut On Monday This was the scene in the Hezbollah stronghold neighborhood of Dahiyeh in Southern Beirut, earlier on Monday, after the IDF pounded dozens of targets. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25112448/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.09.46-AM.mp4 https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25112501/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.10.10-AM.mp4

Hezbollah Launches Rocket Barrage; Israel Responds with Strikes on Key Targets This morning (Monday) at 8:35 a.m., Hezbollah launched approximately 20 projectiles from southern Lebanon toward the Nahariya region in northern Israel. In response, the Israel Air Force (IAF) struck the launcher used in the attack, located near Bazouriye in southern Lebanon. In a series of additional operations, the IAF carried out intelligence-driven strikes targeting critical Hezbollah infrastructure. These included command centers of the groups coast-to-sea missile unit, communication facilities, and two military command centers in Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25111546/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.04.28-AM.mp4

Massive Destruction Following IDF Strikes In Beirut Massive destruction to residential buildings and Hezbollah infrastructure in the city of Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, as a result of the recent Israeli airstrikes.

IDF Carries Out 25 Airstrikes In Lebanon In One Hour Over the past hour, the IAF conducted intelligence-based strikes on approximately 25 terror targets belonging to Hezbollahs Executive Council in Lebanon, including in Nabatieh, Baalbek, Beqaa Valley, Dahieh, and the outskirts of Beirut. Among the targets struck were the Executive Councils command centers, and intelligence control and collection centers, where Hezbollah commanders and operatives were located. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25111445/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.05.00-AM.mp4

IDF Airstrikes In Gaza Against Hamas Targets The IDF bombard several homes in the Manshiya area of Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, that were being used by Hamas to attack the IDF. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25114144/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.07.41-AM-1.mp4
The IDF reported that two senior Hezbollah commanders, including a member of the elite Radwan Force, were killed in recent airstrikes in southern Lebanon. The strikes, part of ongoing operations against Hezbollah targets in the region, were conducted by Israeli fighter jets.

In the village of as-Sultaniyah, one airstrike killed Riyad Reda Ghazzawi, whom the IDF identified as a prominent commander within Hezbollahs Radwan Force, specifically leading its anti-tank missile unit. The IDF claims Ghazzawi was responsible for multiple anti-tank attacks on Israeli forces operating near the Lebanon border.

Further airstrikes targeted Hezbollah-linked sites in Safad al-Battikh, where the IDF stated that the group was using buildings as operational bases. According to the IDF, a commander at Hezbollahs headquarters was killed in the strikes. This individual was reportedly involved in supplying weapons to Hezbollah cells and recruiting new members for the organization.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Iran is expected to attack Israel tomorrow evening, Tuesday, with approximately 400 missiles, aiming to damage air force bases, air defense systems, and defense industries in the Haifa area, according to Dr. Farzin Nadimi, a Senior Fellow with The Washington Institute, a Washington-based analyst specializing in the security and defense affairs of Iran and the Persian Gulf region.

Nadimi said that the the timing of the attack is intended to overshadow the announcement of the winner of the US elections.

According to Nadimis assessment, reported in Maariv, Iran will launch its most advanced missiles, including Khorramshahr-4 missiles (a ballistic missile with a range of about 2,000 km), Fattah (a hypersonic missile developed to overcome air defense systems), Kheibar Shekan (a medium-range ballistic missile), and Emad (a precision ballistic missile).

Nadimi says that the ballistic missiles are located in Iraq due to the fact that Iranian missiles are not accurate enough for long ranges and must be launched at Israel from a shorter distance  from Iraq and Syria.

Dr. Nadimi noted that alongside missile launches, Irans armed forces are expected to launch long-range suicide drones of the Arash type.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
PORT SUDAN, Sudan, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 civilians were killed in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a village in Gezira State in central Sudan, non-governmental groups announced on Tuesday.

"The RSF militia stormed Al-Barorab village east of Gezira State and killed 10 citizens," said the resistance committee of Wad Madani, the state's capital city.

Meanwhile, the non-governmental Sudanese Doctors Network confirmed in a statement that "nearly 13 people were killed and some others injured in an RSF attack on Al-Barorab village on Monday evening."

The group condemned killing and looting in villages of Gezira State, as well as the siege imposed on the area, which led to mass displacement and a severe humanitarian disaster.

Activists and volunteer groups accused the RSF of carrying out a series of attacks on eastern Gezira since its commander in central Sudan, Abu Aqla Keikel, surrendered himself and his forces to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Oct. 20.

However, the RSF said its fighters were not targeting civilians but fighting armed groups supporting the army.

"Those who were recently attacked in eastern Gezira are not civilians," Imran Abdullah, an advisor to the RSF commander, said on social media platform X on Oct. 29, noting that there has been a "deliberate" wave of arming the citizens.

About 135,400 people were displaced from various locations in Gezira State following a surge of violence in over 30 villages and towns across the state since Oct. 20, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in its latest update on Tuesday.

Sudan has been ravaged by a deadly conflict between the SAF and the RSF since mid-April 2023. A situation report from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project issued on Oct. 14 indicated that the fighting had claimed over 24,850 lives.

The conflict has also displaced more than 14 million people, either inside or outside Sudan, according to the latest estimates by the International Organization for Migration on Oct. 29. 
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a meeting on the recruitment of bnei yeshivos on Monday, with the participation of IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Deputy Chief of Staff Amir Baram, the head of the IDF Manpower Directorate, Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor, and the military advocate general, Maj.-Gen. Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi.

During the discussion, IDF professionals presented a summary of the data from the first phase of Chareidi recruitment and the lessons learned from the extremely low turnout for the first 3,000 draft orders.

At the end of the meeting, Gallant approved the recommendation of the IDF to issue another 7,000 initial draft orders to Bnei Yeshivos. The orders will be sent in the coming days.

Last week, the IDF issued 800 arrest warrants to bnei yeshivos.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
In the latest blow to ongoing ceasefire efforts, Hamas has reportedly rejected a proposal for a short-term ceasefire and hostage release, insisting instead on a complete and permanent withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. The U.S. State Department announced on Monday that Hamas had turned down a proposal backed by Egypt, which aimed to facilitate a temporary ceasefire and a phased release of hostages.

The proposal, which would have begun with a 48-hour ceasefire, was designed to lead to the release of four Israeli hostages over a 10-day period. In exchange, Israel would have freed approximately 100 Palestinian security prisoners. However, Hamass leadership demanded assurances of a longer-term truce, something Israel has refused to commit to without substantial conditions.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the situation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, stating in a readout that Hamas has once again refused even limited hostage releases that could provide relief to Gazas population.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made clear last week that he would not end military operations in Gaza as part of a trade for hostages, despite pressure from some members of his coalition. Israels official position remains focused on dismantling Hamas and recovering all hostages, with Netanyahu demanding that any ceasefire deal allow for Israeli troops to retain positions along the Gaza-Egypt border corridor.

Despite Hamass rejection of the Egyptian-mediated proposal, talks are reportedly ongoing, with mediators from Qatar and Egypt still trying to broker a solution. Qatar recently put forth its own proposal, which would include a month-long truce and the release of 11-14 hostages, but Hamas has not yet responded.

Meanwhile, security officials within Israel have expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a breakthrough. According to Channel 12, Israeli negotiators warned Netanyahu on Sunday that without flexibility on Israels part, the deadlock may continue, even following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last month.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Two members of the Religious Zionist party, MKs Moshe Solomon and Ohad Tal, announced on Tuesday morning that they will vote against UTJ MK Yisrael Eichlers daycare law, losing the coalition majority needed to pass it.

The bill, which bases daycare subsidies solely on the employment status of the mother, was scheduled to be brought for a preliminary vote in the Knesset on Wednesday. The bill was formulated by Eichler after Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara decided that providing daycare subsidies to the children of bnei yeshivos who are eligible for the draft is illegal.

Previously, Likud MKs Yuli Edelstein and Dan Illouz announced that they would not support the bill, It is also believed that Likud MK Eli Dalal and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (Likud) will not support it. New Hope chairman Gideon Saar also announced that his party of four will vote against the bill.

On Monday, the UTJ party held a meeting and sent a message to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that if the daycare law is not approved, they will refuse to vote with the coalition on other laws.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Top American and Saudi officials met in Washington last week to discuss a potential security agreement, according to sources cited in an Axios report on Monday. The discussions reportedly focused on a scaled-back security deal that does not include the normalization of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The prospects for normalization between Riyadh and Jerusalem have cooled amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has drawn heightened global attention. Saudi Arabia has paused on forging diplomatic ties with Israel, as Israel has yet to outline a clear path toward a Palestinian state, a factor central to Riyadhs considerations.

Despite these hurdles, Washington and Riyadh are reportedly exploring a more limited security arrangement that would provide some guarantees to Saudi Arabia. The Biden administration hopes to reach a deal before President Joe Bidens term concludes in January, though this falls short of the full defense pact that Saudi Arabia initially sought. Last week, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan indicated that Riyadh could move forward on certain bilateral agreements with the US, even if a broader accord involving Israel remains elusive.

The Biden administration has actively worked to broker an Israeli-Saudi normalization agreement as part of a larger US diplomatic initiative in the Middle East. Those efforts encountered setbacks following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and saw 251 hostages taken to Gaza.

Addressing the Knesset on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to peace with Arab nations, citing the 2020 Abraham Accords, which established formal relations between Israel and several Gulf nations under the auspices of then-US President Donald Trump.

I aspire to continue the process to achieve peace with other Arab countries, Netanyahu said, emphasizing the importance of peace out of strength.

Saudi Arabia has not yet joined the Abraham Accords, and normalization remains a sensitive topic in the region.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently embarked on a tour of the Middle East, with stops in Tel Aviv and Riyadh, as Washington seeks to strengthen diplomatic ties and support stability amid the conflict.

There remains, despite everything thats happened, an incredible opportunity in this region to move in a totally different direction, Blinken commented before departing Israel, underscoring Saudi Arabias pivotal role in any potential realignment.

Meanwhile, Saudi National Security Adviser Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban also visited Washington, where he met with Blinken, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and key Biden administration advisers.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant from his position.

Likuk member Yisrael Katz, who now serves as Foreign Minister, will serve as Defense Minister in place of Gallant.

New Hope chairman Gideon Saar is expected to be appointed as as Foreign Minister in place of Katz.

Netanyahu released a video on Tuesday evening explaining his decision.

The prime minister stated: My supreme commitment as Prime Minister of Israel is to ensure Israels security and lead us to a complete victory. In the midst of a war, now more than ever, full trust between the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister is essential.

Unfortunately, although there was such trust in the first months of the war and we accomplished many things, over the past months this trust has eroded between me and the Defense Minister.

Significant differences arose in the management of the war between me and Gallant, and these differences have been accompanied by statements and actions that contradicted government decisions and cabinet resolutions.

I made many attempts to bridge these gaps, but they continued to widen. These differences even became known to the public in an unacceptable way, and worse, they reached the enemys awareness  our enemies reveled in this and benefited greatly from it.

Different opinions in open debates, everyone knows, those who know me  this is my way of managing discussions, assessments, and decisions. Everyone knows this. But the trust crisis that developed between me and the Defense Minister has become public knowledge, and this crisis does not allow for the proper continuation of the war management. Its not only me who is saying this, most members of the government and most cabinet members, almost all share this feeling that this cannot continue.

In light of this, I decided today on the termination of the Defense Ministers term. In his place, I have decided to appoint Minister Yisrael Katz. Yisrael Katz has already proven his capabilities and his contribution to national security as Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, Intelligence Minister for five years, and significantly, as a member of the Security Cabinet for many years.

He brings with him an impressive combination of rich experience and practical skills. He is known as a bulldozer combined with responsibility and quiet determination  all essential skills for managing the war.

Following the announcement, Gallant released a statement on X, saying: The security of the state of Israel was and will always remain my lifes mission.

Benny Gantz released a less idealistic statement saying: Politics at the cost of the countys security.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Shein and Temu are set for a High Court showdown in 2026 after the rival fashion brands filed lawsuits against each other.

The former company sued Temu in Britain last year, alleging it breached copyright by using thousands of images from Shein's website to advertise and sell its products.

According to documents seen by the Daily Telegraph, Shein sought an injunction against Temu's sellers copying its listing photos and insisted all offending posts were removed.

Battle: Shein and Temu are set for a High Court showdown in 2026 after the rival fashion brands filed lawsuits against each other

Temu then put in a counterclaim against its larger Chinese competitor in February, accusing it of engaging in anti-competitive behaviour.

In court documents ahead of a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, its lawyers claimed Shein was disrupting Temu's sales by sending the business an 'unwarranted' volume of copyright infringement notices.

Shein's lawyers anticipate the two cases will eventually go to trial in London's High Court around two years from now.

The UK dispute is the second time both parties have sued each other, as the pair are fighting a major case in the United States.

In December 2023, Temu launched a lawsuit against Shein, accusing it of partaking in 'a multi-faceted scheme' to slow its US-based growth.

Among other claims, it said Shein infringed its intellectual property rights, violated US antitrust laws, and undertook 'mafia-style intimidation' of suppliers, including by falsely imprisoning merchants.

Shein filed its own suit against Temu in August, accusing the firm of counterfeiting, misleading customers, stealing trade secrets, and trademark and copyright infringement.

'Temu masquerades as a legitimate e-commerce 'marketplace' where independent sellers can offer their products for sale,' said lawyers for Shein's Singapore-based parent company, Roadget Business.

'But the facts uncovered to date - and those expected to be uncovered in discovery - demonstrate otherwise.'

Both companies have enjoyed considerable growth in the past few years due to their cheap products and soaring popularity among the 'Gen Z' age group.

This is despite increasing awareness of the impact fast fashion products have on the environment, as well as the health and conditions of garment workers.

Shein's annual sales in the UK overtook Boohoo for the first time last year after they jumped by 38 per cent to 1.55billion.

The firm is considering a listing on the London Stock Exchange that could be worth 50billion, which would represent a big victory for the UK markets given the dearth of recent initial public offerings.
Savers can now get their hands on a best buy 4.9 per cent easy-access rate from a little-known mutual.

Furness Building Society has launched a new double-access savings account. Savers opening an account with it would garner 490 of interest on a 10,000 deposit over one year.

The previous best easy-access savings account on This is Money's independent tables paid 4.86 per cent, meaning Furness's new rate propelled it to the top of the best buys.

Unusually for a building society, Furness has also launched an app, and the new easy-access account is available to open on it.

Furness Building Society has launched a best buy easy-access account paying 4.9% and it has also launched a new app

The account is available to new and existing members and can be opened with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 250,000 for individual accounts and 500,000 for a joint account.

Up to 85,000 is protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme for savings or up to 170,000 in the case of joint accounts.

However, it's not strictly a pure easy-access account as savers can only make two withdrawals over the course 12 months.

If more than two withdrawals are made within a 12 month period, Furness will transfer your account to an access account which pays a lesser rate of 2.5 per cent.

Furness' new app, 'Furness Savings', can be downloaded via the App Store, Google Play Store and online.

An in-app messaging service is also available through the app allowing customers to contact the customer service team.

For those who do not want to download an app, the account can be opened the traditional way by calling into a Furness branch or by phone or online.

Furness has nine branches in the North West, including in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancaster and Preston.

Savers looking for an easy-access without withdrawal restrictions or penalties, Chetwood Bank is offering 4.86 per cent.

Chip is offering 5 per cent on its easy-access account but this includes a bonus of 0.93 per cent for the first 12 months. It also only allows three penalty free withdrawals every 12 months, or the rate drops to 3.9 per cent with the boost.

Larry Chan, head of savings strategy, Furness Building Society, said: 'Our new app is a means for us to take our renowned levels of customer service, built through generations of Furness expertise, to a digital audience.

'Upholding our commitment to retaining in-person banking, our Double Access Saver will also be available in our branches. Our app is designed to complement our in-branch services, giving our customers the freedom to manage their money any way they choose.'
HARARE, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa reiterated his call for former colonial power Britain to apologize and compensate for injustices suffered by indigenous Zimbabweans during the 1890-1980 colonial period.

Speaking on Monday at the burial of a senior member of Zimbabwe's ruling party ZANU PF at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, the country's capital, Mnangagwa said Britain should not remain indifferent to Zimbabwe's pleas for compensation.

"We demand an apology and reparations from the British government. We call upon the British government, whose predecessor governments were responsible for pillaging and brutalizing us, to take responsibility and not remain indifferent to the cries of Zimbabweans for justice," he said.

Mnangagwa made the same call to Britain last Friday while announcing an initiative to study the impacts of Britain's colonialism on indigenous Zimbabweans and launch legal proceedings against Britain for compensation and apology.

On Monday, Mnangagwa hailed the Zimbabwe National Elders Forum for the initiative.

"I applaud our elders for this great initiative that will document the suppressed and untold story of the injustices, trauma, and loss of lives as well as livelihoods suffered at the hands of the British government," he said. 
ULAN BATOR, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- A series of cultural events promoting northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region officially kicked off in Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, on Monday.

The "Feel China" cultural days, co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth of Mongolia, and the Information Office of the People's Government of Inner Mongolia, aim to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Mongolia, enhance their longstanding friendship, and celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The opening ceremony was attended by Jiang Xinhui, director of the Information Office of the People's Government of Inner Mongolia, Zhang Muxing, acting ambassador and minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia, Adiyasuren Davaajargal, state secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth of Mongolia, as well as other officials and representatives from both countries.

Davaajargal said he hopes that the series of events will further enhance cultural relations between China and Mongolia and promote cross-border tourism.

Jiang said that, as a neighboring region, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has leveraged its geographical proximity and cultural affinity to serve as a crucial bridge for cooperation between China and Mongolia across various fields, including economic and trade exchanges, cultural collaborations, medical and health care, and ecological conservation.

"With our joint efforts, the 'Feel China' event has been successfully held in Mongolia for many consecutive years. We have consistently adhered to our mission of promoting people-to-people exchanges and strengthening friendship, allowing Mongolian friends to better understand China and Inner Mongolia," he said.

The five-day series of events includes Shaolin martial arts performances, the inauguration of a Chinese book reading classroom at a Mongolian university, free health check-ups, and screenings of Chinese movies on Mongolian television and in cinemas, among other activities. 
PHNOM PENH, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia approved 346 fixed-asset investment projects worth 5.5 billion U.S. dollars during the first 10 months of 2024, generating over 266,000 jobs, said a Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC)'s report on Tuesday.

The new projects were mainly focused on garment, travel goods, and footwear sectors, hotel development, hydroelectric power station, freshwater port, solar power plants, lighting and accessory factories, agriculture, amusement park, car tire plants, special economic zones, and infrastructure, among others.

In October alone, the kingdom attracted a total of 31 investment projects worth 226 million dollars, which were expected to create about 16,000 jobs, the CDC said.

China was still the biggest foreign investor in the Southeast Asian country, it added.

Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's Secretary of State and Spokesperson Penn Sovicheat said the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement and the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA), together with Cambodia's favorable investment law, are the major factors in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to the country.

"Both RCEP and CCFTA are magnets for foreign investors to Cambodia," he told Xinhua. "FDI, particularly from China, is crucial to helping boost Cambodia's socio-economic development, trade growth, and poverty reduction." 
An inspection of one of Ireland's most famous cliff walks found visitors were "ill-equipped" for conditions on the and prone to ignoring warning signs, and advised that the trail be 'closed immediately.

The inspection of the Cliffs of Moher coastal trail was undertaken by Sport Ireland in mid-August after three people tragically fell to their death this year.

The walking trail stretches 18km from the famous cliff site to Doolin, 10km of which is a coastal cliff walk.

The inspection found that many visitors were ignoring warning signs along the trail, and walking dangerously close to the cliff edge, and that sections of the walk were too narrow to cater for the volume of walkers travelling in both directions, resulting in many straying off the official pathway.

Read Also: Arrests made in Dublin following spate of burglaries in five rural counties

The Sport Ireland inspector also found the trail was "unsuitable for the type of people it was attracting", and recorded multiple examples of dangerous or risky behaviour.

In one case, parties to a humanist wedding were standing close to the cliff edge with their backs to the edge and ocean below.

In summary, it was observed that walkers were unprepared for this grade of walk [and] warning signs were unheeded," the report said.

The volume of walkers was too high for some sections of the trail, and unofficial events were being held close to the cliff edge," it added.

The inspectors view was that the trail should be closed immediately to make it safe, according to a copy of the report released under freedom of information laws.

Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) undertook work to improve safety measures at points where walkers most commonly step off the official trail in August.

The improvements came just weeks after the death of a 12-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy at the cliffs in late summer 2024, while a young woman, believed to have been an international student, also tragically lost her life in May this year.

In a statement, Sport Ireland said that following the inspection in August, "several safety issues were identified" along the Cliffs of Moher Coastal trail.

"In agreement with Clare Local Development Company, which manages the trail, these issues were deemed serious enough to require urgent attention."

The Cliffs of Moher coastal trail is included on the National Trails Register and is on the connected Public Liability Insurance Policy, which is managed by Sport Ireland Outdoors, who also inspect the trails on the National Trails Register periodically "to ensure they continue to meet the required standards".

"To remain on this register, any safety issues reported during these inspections must be resolved within 30 days of the inspection date," Sport Ireland said.

As the Cliffs of Moher are a key tourist attraction in Ireland, with the connected coastal trail "attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year", Sport Ireland said that CLDC have structured their plans to allow sections of the trail to remain open while other parts are closed for renovations.

"Clare Local Development Company have successfully addressed all safety issues in the areas of the trail that remain open," the statement from Sport Ireland continued.

"Sections of the trail with unresolved safety issues are now closed to the public until they are addressed."
A Clare man has pleaded guilty to a very serious assault on his then girlfriend on St Patricks Day that hospitalised her and left her with a broken eye socket, broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

At Ennis Circuit Court this Tuesday, November 5, Mark Hayes (35) of Aidan Park, Shannon pleaded guilty to the assault causing harm of his then girl-friend at Rineanna View in Shannon on March 17th contrary to Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Mr Hayes also pleaded guilty to threatening to kill his then girlfriend at the same address on the same date contrary to Section 5 of the Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act.

Mr Hayes replied yes - guilty when arraigned on the charges.

Mr Hayes has been on remand in custody at Limerick prison since April 12th after failing to secure bail.

The guilty pleas have been entered on a full facts basis.

Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL (Instructed by State Solicitor for Clare Aisling Casey) said that the victim in the case required a plate to be inserted for a facial injury.

Read Also: Arrests made in Dublin following spate of burglaries in five rural counties

Mr Hayes pleaded guilty today to the charges after a new patient report from University Hospital Limerick (UHL) on the womans injuries was handed into court.

At an earlier bail application in the case in the district court, Det Sgt Kevin OHagan of Shannon Garda Station said that the victim in the case sustained a broken eye socket, stitches to her face, staples to her head, a collapsed lung that required to be drained, bruises to her body and broken ribs arising from Mr Hayess assault.

Det Sgt OHagan said that it is the States case that Mr Hayes assaulted his then girlfriend at a house in Rineanna View, Shannon on St Patricks Day and assaulted another man unknown to him on April 11th at Aidans Park, Shannon.

Det Sgt OHagan stated that arising from the assault, the woman required surgery on her broken eye socket.

Det Sgt OHagan said that it was a very serious assault.

Judge Francis Comerford further remanded Mr Hayes in custody for sentencing to Friday, November 15th. Judge Comerford also directed a victim impact statement for the sentencing hearing.
HANOI, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports are expected to hit a new record high of 7.5 billion U.S. dollars this year, Vietnam News Agency reported Tuesday, citing Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Southeast Asian country earned 6.34 billion dollars from exporting fruits and vegetables in the first 10 months of this year, up 31.5 percent year on year and exceeding last year's record of 3.5 billion dollars.

During the cited period, durian continued to be the biggest earner with an export value of over 3 billion dollars, accounting for nearly half of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export revenue, said the association.

China remained Vietnam's biggest fruit and vegetable importer at 3.8 billion dollars in the first nine months of this year. 
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Five local companies in Brunei were fined by law enforcement for illegal waste disposal, local media reported on Tuesday.

Law enforcement officers from the Licensing and Enforcement Division of the Brunei-Muara District Office conducted operations recently, and the companies were each fined 2,000 Brunei dollars (1,515 U.S. dollars), while another company received a fine of 1,000 Brunei dollars (757 U.S. dollars).

Brunei is a Southeast Asian country located in the northern part of Borneo Island, with 340,000 citizens. The Brunei government places a high priority on environmental protection and has enacted strict environmental protection laws. 
SYDNEY, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- A man has been arrested after he allegedly stabbed multiple people at a shopping center in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Police in the state of Victoria said in a statement that emergency services were called to the Fountain Gate shopping center in Melbourne's southeast at about 2:25 p.m. local time on Tuesday following reports that three people were attacked at a bus stop.

The three victims, two men and a woman, were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Local media reported that they were slashed with a box cutter.

Police said that the alleged perpetrator, a 30-year-old local man, fled the scene but was later arrested inside the shopping center.

One witness posted on social media that there was a major police presence at the center in response to the incident and that the arrested man had blood on his face. 
JAKARTA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- A female baby elephant was born at the Buluh Cina ecopark in Riau on Sumatra Island of Indonesia, increasing the population of this protected and endangered species, according to the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency.

Weighing 104 kg, with a chest circumference of 112 cm and a shoulder height of 83 cm, the baby elephant was born to mother Ngatini and father Robin on Monday at around 00:50 a.m. local time.

"This birth is great news, especially for us who are dedicated to conserving endangered species. We have been waiting for this moment for a long time," said Genman S. Hasibuan, head of the agency.

During Genman's visit, the baby elephant appeared healthy and began nursing from her mother. Veterinarians have provided vitamins to boost the baby elephant's immune system and appetite.

The mother, Ngatini, which is 24 years old, also appeared healthy and eager to eat, Genman added.

Indonesia is home to endangered elephants, particularly the Sumatran elephant, whose population continues to decline due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. 
And so . . .

We'll have more in a bit but for now we just wanted to share this:



Voting today in Kansas City was fast, easy and not really that crowded.

Just like every successful, consensual & underwhelming romantic encounter . . . TKC was in and out in less than five minutes and it really didn't seem like such a big deal in the aftermath.



Check the method to the madness . . .



"The early turnout in Georgia, which has flipped between the Republican and Democratic nominees in the previous two presidential elections, has been so robust  over 4 million voters  that a top official in the secretary of states office said the big day could look like a ghost town at the polls."

And that's PROBS what happened to TKC . . .



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

The last day of voting in the U.S. is here, after tens of millions have already cast their ballots The early turnout in Georgia has been so robust - over 4 million voters - that a top official in the secretary of state's office said the big day could look like a "ghost town" at the polls

Report: Google removed voter scam ads from search results Google search testing by the Tech Transparency Project finds no scam voting ads.

Don't be fooled by early US vote counts: They might be misleading Early vote returns in U.S. battleground states may not be a good indicator of whether Democratic candidate Kamala Harris or Republican rival Donald Trump will win, experts say, thanks to vote counting rules and quirks in several key states.

Developing . . .
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian businesses seek to unlock the huge potential and opportunities available at the Seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE), according to a Malaysian business leader.

To realize this, it will be especially important for these business to identify and take advantage of emerging business trends, Ng Yih Pyng, president of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview.

"I am confident the CIIE will continue to unlock opportunities for Malaysian businesses...Some young entrepreneurs mentioned that their businesses are still small, with progress to make before entering the Chinese and international markets," Ng said.

"I told them the CIIE serves as a vital platform for trade and economic cooperation in China. By participating in the expo, companies can broaden their perspectives and enhance collaboration opportunities through engagement with exhibitors and global delegations," he explained, adding that the importance of the CIIE is underscored by the fact that the association has been a consistent participant at the expo.

"Since the inception of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), we never missed it during the past seven years," he said.

The seventh CIIE is running in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10. This year ACCCIM brought 18 companies with 31 booths featuring specialty products such as coffee, bird's nest, and durian, with the delegation growing to nearly 250 individuals.

Ng also said the CIIE offers Malaysian companies direct access to Chinese buyers, bolstering brand visibility and fostering robust business networks, thereby deepening bilateral trade and economic ties especially in conjunction with the historic 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Ng views the CIIE as a pivotal platform underscoring China's commitment to high-level opening-up, with the Chinese market being indispensable for global enterprises: "In my view, no company can afford to overlook the Chinese market. With 1.4 billion people and immense purchasing power, China represents a substantial market for numerous Malaysian businesses," he said.

"This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, with Malaysia as one of guest countries of honor at the CIIE. We hope the expo will deepen economic ties, strengthen people-to-people connections, and promote sustained growth in bilateral relations," Ng said.

He also commended China's pragmatic and efficient economic policies, particularly its emphasis on high-tech industries for economic upgrades, as well as measures to stimulate domestic consumption and tourism as engines of growth.

"Malaysia can look forward to greater opportunities for economic and investment collaboration with China in sectors such as electronics and electrical engineering, electric vehicles, renewable and green energy, healthcare, agriculture, and tourism," he added. 
KIEV, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- A missile attack on Ukraine's southern city of Zaporizhzhia killed six people and injured 23 on Tuesday, said regional governor Ivan Fedorov.

Furthermore, the strike on an infrastructure facility in the city caused a fire that was extinguished later, Fedorov said in a statement on Telegram.

Shortly before the raid, the Ukrainian Air Force had issued a ballistic missile alert for Zaporizhzhia. 
facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter

Published November 5, 2024

MONROE, LA  This holiday season, the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) and The Center for Children & Families are proud to announce a new partnership to support children in need through the Warhawks for Hope Christmas Project. ULM students and faculty will come together to collect new toys, clothing, and money, bringing joy and warmth to children who have faced significant hardships, including abuse, neglect, poverty, and trauma. The donation drive will run from November 18 to December 3. Gifts can be dropped off in Walker Hall room 2-101.

The partnership aims to rally the ULM community to give back in a meaningful way. All gifts and donations collected will stay local, directly benefiting clients served by The Center for Children & Families annual Christmas Project. Over 1,000 children, all clients of The Center, will receive these much-needed gifts, ensuring that their holidays are filled with the joy and love they deserve.

"This partnership truly embodies the Warhawk spirit of caring for our community, said ULM Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Amy Weems. "We are proud to see our students and faculty stepping up to support children in need. Its a great reminder that the holidays are about giving and making sure every child feels valued.

Weems says the partnership with The Center for Children and Families is an example of how ULM students can participate in service learning, which is a teaching and learning method that combines community service with academic learning. Its a way for students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world issues and to develop civic responsibility and critical thinking skills, said Weems.

The service learning opportunities for ULM students will fall into three categories: indirect service, which includes donating items for The Christmas Project or volunteering at a drop-off location; direct service, which includes volunteering at The Center for Children and Families to help sort donations; and advocacy, which includes developing and sharing communications about The Christmas Project, both on campus and in the community.

The Center for Children & Families has been serving vulnerable children and families for over 25 years, offering services such as counseling, advocacy, and foster care support. Each year, The Christmas Project provides gifts, clothing, and essential items to children who are often overlooked during the holidays. By partnering with ULM, The Center hopes to reach even more children and create a deeper connection between the university and the local community.

"The children we serve have faced immense challenges, and many struggle to meet basic needs," said Chris Ramsey, Chief Operating Officer. "Thanks to ULMs involvement, we can ensure that more children experience the joy and hope that the holidays should bring."

The project encourages ULM students, faculty, and staff to volunteer their time and donate new toys, clothing, and other essentials. Donations will be collected at designated locations on the ULM campus, with all items being distributed to children served by The Center for Children & Families in Northeast Louisiana.

How to Get Involved

The ULM community and citizens across northeast Louisiana can contribute in several ways:

- Donate new toys, clothing, or winter essentials at collection sites across the ULM campus.

- Participate in volunteer opportunities to help organize and prepare the gifts for distribution.

- Make a financial contribution to The Christmas Project by visiting (http://www.standforhope.org) or texting "STANDFORHOPE" to 53555.

Important Dates

- ULM Service Learning Kickoff Workshop

Tuesday, November 12, 5:00  7:00 p.m. in the SUB Hangar (2nd Floor) ULM students, faculty, and staff members wishing to participate in the service learning project can attend this workshop for two hours of service credit. RSVP here by Monday, November 11.

- The donation drive will run from November 18 to December 3. Donations can also be made at the Holidays at ULM Tree Lighting Ceremony on Monday, December 2.

Together, ULM and The Center for Children & Families are spreading hope, cheer, and generosity this holiday season. By teaming up, the university and community can make a significant impact on the lives of local children and ensure that no child is left behind during this special time of year.
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home

Hong Kong varsity's AI model can reduce diagnosis time by 40%

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Tuesday announced four AI medical models, including medical ChatGPT, which can potentially reduce diagnosis time by up to 40%

Tuesday November 5, 2024 2:27 PM , ummid.com News Network

[AI generated image for representation]

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Tuesday announced four AI medical models, including medical ChatGPT, which can potentially reduce diagnosis time by up to 40%.

"MedDr"

Named "MedDr", the new AI model has the ability to successfully diagnose up to 30 types of cancers and other diseases, HKUST said.

Addressing a media briefing, Chen Hao, Assistant Professor in the HKUST Department of Computer Science, who leads the pioneering project, said MedDr, functions as a versatile AI medical generalist akin to a medical GPT.

"The AI tool can generate reports and provide initial diagnoses using medical images, allowing users to submit close-up images for analysis and receive treatment recommendations from the chatbot", Chen said.

Chen said he hopes the model can save doctors 30 to 40 per cent of their time, significantly improving their efficiency and freeing them up to handle tasks of higher value, according to China Daily.

Chen added that the university will collaborate with local hospitals and consult more doctors to ensure the accuracy of the tool.

According to HKUST, MedDr is one of the largest open-source software developments available in general medicine. A recent study by Shanghai AI Laboratory recognises it as one of the best existing generalist models.

"MOME"

Another AI model, MOME, focuses on diagnosing one of the most common cancers among Hong Kong women  breast cancer.

Chen said it assists doctors in analysing patients breast MRIs, helping them to swiftly distinguish between benign and malignant breast tumors, potentially averting unnecessary pathological biopsies.

This model can also predict patient responses to chemotherapy, facilitating the formulation of suitable treatment plans, Chen added.

Chen noted that the system accuracy of this model can rival that of radiologists with five or more years of experience, achieving a rate surpassing 90pc. This achievement was made possible through partnerships with five Chinese mainland hospitals and the analysis of over 10,000 patient cases.

Pathology Assistant Tools

The four models also include pathology assistant tools mSTAR and XAIM, which dissect how AI medical systems make decisions.

HKUST said that research of the AI models was carried out using the universitys AI computing resources. With sufficient arithmetic power, these AI medical systems are able to process large amounts of data and achieve outstanding performance.

Provost of the university Guo Yike, speaking at the same media briefing, described this as the first concrete step toward modernizing healthcare.

He said that HKUST is actively pursuing the establishment of Hong Kongs third medical school, with the development of AI-integrated modern healthcare being a significant future direction for the university.

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home

Maharashtra TET 2024 Admit Card Released - Download Here

All registered candidates can download their Maha TET 2024 admit card or hall ticket till November 10 - before the start of the Teacher Eligibility Test

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:20 PM , ummid.com News Network

MAHA TET November 2024: The Maharashtra Rajya Parkisha Parishad, Commissioner Maharashtra State Council of Examination, has released the Hall Ticket or Admit Card of the candidates who have registered for MAHA TET 2024 on the official website of Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test, mahatet.in.

Maha TET 2024 Date

According to the MAHA TET 2024 notification, the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test 2024 will be held on November 10, 2024.

Maharashtra TET is held in Marathi, English and Urdu three languages since 2013. It comprises of two papers. MAHA TET 2024 Paper I is for candidates aspiring for posts of primary teachers, whereas MAHA TET 2024 Paper II is for those wanting to be secondary school teachers.

MAHA TET 2024 Paper I will be held on Nov 10, 2024 in the morning session - 10:30 AM to 01:00 PM. MAHA TET 2024 Paper II will be held on Nov 10, 2024 in the afternoon session - 02:30 PM to 05:00 PM.

Steps to download "Maha TET November 2024 Hall Ticket"

Click here to go Maha TET official website: mahatet.in. Log in using Registration ID and password. Click on appropriate link to download and take the printout of the Maha TET 2024 Admit Card.

According to the MAHA TET 2024 notification, candidate should use registered mobile no or application form number to download the admit card.

All registered candidates will be able to download the admit card till November 10 - before the start of the Teacher Eligibility Test.

"MAHA TET 2024 Important Dates"

"MAHA TET 2024 Online Registration": From September 09 to 30, 2024

"MAHA TET 2024 Admit Card Download Start Date": October 28, 2024

MAHA TET 2024 Paper 1: November 10, 2024 from 10:30 am to 01:00 pm.

Maharashtra TET 2024 Paper 2: November 10, 2024 from 02:30 am to 05:00 pm.

As per the Right to Education Act, 2009, all states have to mandatorily conduct TET for recruitment of teachers to all types of schools. Only candidates who have qualified the TET will be eligible for teaching jobs henceforth.

Candidates wishing to appear for Maharashtra TET can visit the official website - the link of which is mentioned above, for TET syllabus, eligibility criteria, exam fees, test centres and other useful information.

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Manipur is living under the shadow of guns

In our recent visit to Manipur as a team of the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism to study the conflict in the state, it was not very difficult to conclude that the people of the state are living under the shadow of guns

Tuesday November 5, 2024 11:38 PM , Irfan Engineer

In our recent visit to Manipur as a team of the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism to study the conflict in the state, it was not very difficult to conclude that the people of the state are living under the shadow of guns.

The people of Manipur have long waited for elusive peace. The Meitei-Kuki conflict, which escalated on 3rd May 2023, has brought forth wider issues faced by the people in the state of Manipur, including the fragile rule of law, and failure of the state in managing inter-ethnic conflicts. Peace, rule of law and effective functioning of democratic institutions seems to be very remote in this ethnically polarised state.

The state has failed miserably in instilling confidence in the citizens regarding their security. Guns of the militants that are supposed to protect the ethnic community to which they belong, end up having a chilling effect on the moderates and dissenting voices within the community.

Take for example, Arambai Tenggol  a Meitei militant group which started in 2020 as a cultural organisation, but has been radicalised, and according to the Kuki groups, was allegedly involved in the Metei-Kuki riots in May 2023.

The organisation issued summons to the Meitei MLAs and the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs representing valley areas of the state in Manipur, to assemble at Kangla Fort on 24th January, 2024. The summons of Arambai Tenggol were honoured by the elected representatives from the valley districts as the organisation has armed itself.

All the elected representatives were made to take an oath that they would fight for the demands of the Meitei community, which included delisting of Kukis from the Scheduled Tribes list, deportation of Kuki refugees to camps in Mizoram, border fencing, replacement of Assam Rifles with other paramilitary force and revoking Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement between the Centre and Kuki militant groups (Explained Desk, 2024).

If the elected representatives and ministers of the state government can be pressurised to sign the demands of the organisation, then no Meitei would feel free to hold her independent opinion if she wants to stay in the valley.

On September 23, 2024, following a press conference held by Meitei Leepun (ML), another radical organisation, approximately 50 individuals, identifying themselves as ML members, went to Babloo Loitongbams house in Imphal West district, and verbally threatened him and his family of severe consequences if he (Babloo Loitongbam) appeared in public.

Earlier, on October 5, 2023, his house was attacked by approximately 30 unidentified individuals, who vandalised his property. The attack was after Babloo criticised certain groups within the Meitei community, particularly the ML, suggesting that radical right-wing ideology was becoming prevalent among them (FIDH, 2024). Babloo is forced to stay outside Manipur.

Arambai Tenggol attacked not only the Kukis, it also attacked Naga community leaders. In June 2023, a 57-year-old Naga woman was allegedly shot dead by the group in Imphal East district. On 31st October 2024, members of Arambai Tenggol allegedly assaulted two Naga men in Imphal when they were returning after purchasing livestock in Imphal Valleys Thoubal district. After torturing them (the Naga men), they allegedly seized Rs. 61,400. The Naga men were threatened and assaulted with automatic rifles, according to Naga Peoples Organisation, Senapati District Students Association and Senapati District Womens Association (The Hindu Bureau, 2024).

Arambai Tenggol has not spared even the Manipuri police, even though they are known to be partial towards the Meiteis and Meitei radical organisations. On 27th February 2024, members of Arambai Tenggol allegedly assaulted and briefly abducted the additional superintendent of police (A.S.P.) Moirangthem Amit Singh along with one of his security escorts from his home in Manipurs Imphal East district.

According to the state police, at least 200 armed miscreants stormed Singhs home and vandalised the property. This action was in response to the A.S.P. arresting 6 Members of the radical outfit for their alleged involvement in vehicle theft (Scroll Staff, 2024). No Meitei, who is critical of the ideology and violent acts of Meitei radical organisations, can feel safe if the radical organisations continue to have lethal capabilities and wield automatic assault rifles.

The militant radical outfits are able to set the dominant social narrative of the conflict by instilling fear and silencing alternative narratives. The dominant and influential media is in the valley. We scanned the English print media and found only pro-Meitei news and narratives, which exclusively blame the Kukis for the conflict.

Kukis in the media narrative are depicted as illegal immigrants from Myanmar, involved in narco-terrorism. These illegal immigrants encroach into the reserved forests, grow poppy, and establish new villages. They are armed with sophisticated weapons, or are overground supporters or the underground militants, and all their illegal activities are protected by the Assam Rifles. The tone and tenor of these narratives may differ.

Unfortunately, as we do not know the Manipuri language, we could not personally scan the print media and the social media. It was therefore not surprising that even the human rights activists and civil society had more or less the same opinions.

We interacted with a journalist who differed with the dominant pro-Meitei narrative but had to moderate himself to be in the profession. According to this journalist, the BJP is unpopular but there is fear of the state and the deep state (militant organisations like the Meitei Leepun and Arambai Tenggol).

More than 5,000 firearms of the state security forces were looted in the valley by Meitei organisations and the state has not been able to recover most of them. Some say, according to the journalist, that the arms were handed over to the deep state. The journalist further said that the looted firearms are now used to extort money from the Meiteis as well as Nagas living in the valley.

According to a report in the Hindustan Times, mobs had looted around 4,000 weapons and 50,000 rounds of ammunition from police stations and armouries since the conflict began. In a separate incident, around 500 people in more than 40 vehicles looted arms and ammunition from the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) camp at Naraseina in Bishnupur district on 4th August 2023. According to a 6th August 2023 report, 1057 arms and 14201 ammunition had been recovered in the valley districts and 138 arms and 121 ammunition had been recovered in the hill districts. (Gupta, 2023).

Selective protection by state armed forces

The commandos of the Manipur police who are largely from the Meitei community are perceived by the Kukis as a partisan armed force of the Meiteis. Meitei politicians and armed militants in turn consider the Assam Rifles as partisan towards the Kukis. They guard the buffer zones separating the Meiteis and Kukis to ensure that Meiteis and Kukis do not cross over to each others areas. There is very little traffic on the highways joining the valley and the hill districts.

Every vehicle and all individuals are checked as if they were crossing international border. Only Meitei Pangals (Muslims) are allowed to drive across the buffer zones by both sides transporting essential goods and non-Meitei, non-Kuki passengers like us. There are no Kuki police officers left in the valley.

However, the state is refusing to withdraw the Meitei police commandos from Moreh, a Kuki dominated strategic town in Tengnoupal district with prospering trade due to its borders with Myanmar. The volume of trade in Moreh was worth Rs. 350 crores in the pre-pandemic year. It is also a gateway to drug trade.

The Kuki Womens Union and Human Rights told us that on 3rd May, 2023, three Kukis were killed by the commandos, although no Meitei was killed in Moreh town. The homes of Meiteis were vandalised to scare them to leave the town and partly as a reaction to what was happening to the Kukis in the valley.

According to the Kuki women, the Meitei police commandos used excessive force being inimical to the Kukis. Kukis feel that the Meitei commandos have been imposed to control them and maintain Meitei hegemony over this border town. A Kuki InpiTengnoupal (Apex body of Kuki tribes) leader told us that they are at risk if the Meitei police posted in Moreh town join the Meitei underground militants based in Myanmar, if they decide to cross the border and attack them. More than 150 elite Manipur police commandos from the Meitei community were flown into Moreh by the Manipur government by the second week of January 2024 (Saikia, 2023).

There was intermittent fighting between the Meitei commandos and the Kuki militants that resulted in the death of a SDPO and two commandos. The casualties on the Kuki side are not known. The commandos have shifted out of the police station and are functioning from another building - SBI.

On 26th July, 2023, the Kuki women blockaded the highway to demand withdrawal of Meitei commandos from Moreh town. They have been agitating since July 2023 with their demand that the Meitei commandos be transferred (Express News Service, 2023).

The Kuki women allegedly pillaged remaining Meitei properties in the town. The Meitei commando officers stepped out of their self-imposed confinement and fired 4,000 to 5,000 rounds on the agitating women (Saikia, 2023).

The Meitei commandos were engaged in constructing a helipad in Moreh, which would enable the Meitei police officers to be flown in and out of Moreh without having to cross the buffer zone. A Kuki delegation met the police head of the Moreh town to stop construction of the helipad.

As it did not have any effect, the Kuki militants killed the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) on 31st October 2023. This led to more Meitei commandos being flown in. on 15th January, 2024, the Manipur Rifles arrested two Kuki protestors  Philip Khaikholai Khongsai and Hemkholai Mate.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum claimed that they were arrested merely for protesting, while the police claimed that they were arrested for the murder of SDPO Chingtham Anand Kumar. This triggered a fierce battle between the Kuki militants who started firing in the wee hours of 17th January and the Manipur Rifles, dominated by Meitei officers retaliated. The battle raged for 15 hours, leading to the death of two Police commandos on 17th January, 2024, one of them being Wangkhem Somorjit Meetei (Express News Service, 2024).

Assam Rifles had to intervene to bring about cease fire between the two warring sides. The Manipur police were moved to another location within Moreh. During the 15 hour long battle, the Meitei police burnt three schools and 17 Kuki homes. Ironically enough, the Meitei commandos, who are supposed to protect the people, had to be protected by the Assam Rifles.

An Assam Rifle Commandant, who is not authorised to speak, told us that the Meitei commandos and police in Moreh burnt down three schools and eleven houses. These properties, according to him, were burnt down in revenge. The principal of one of the schools told us that the police commandos must have targeted the educational institutions with the intention to deprive the community of the ability to acquire knowledge.

According to the AR Commandant, the Kukis did attack Meiteis on 3rd May, 2023 out of feeling of revenge for what had happened in the valley, which they learnt from the social media. However, they were not as brutal as the Meitei extremists were.

The AR Commandant revealed to us his dilemma  whom should they act against, if the Meitei police commando or the Kuki extremists  both are violating law and are targeting each other, whom should they protect at such a moment.

The security apparatus of the state is sharply divided. Manipur Rifles are perceived as partisan towards the Meiteis, while the Assam Rifles are perceived by the Meiteis to be protecting the Kukis militants. The Assam Rifles do engage with the Kuki chiefs and community leaders, and are familiar with their issues. Most of the time they are able to get them to comply with their legal orders and security needs.

However, when they need to, they use force. AR Commandant told us that during the conflict, not a single Meitei has died because of bullet fired by them, although Kukis have been killed by their bullets. They have not recovered more arms from the Kuki militants and arrested more Kukis than the Meiteis. Even then they are unfairly accused of being partial to the Kukis. One reason may be that the AR is not as brutal, and using excessive force as the Meiteis and the Manipuri Rifles may want them to.

Peace cannot be established by the security forces, no matter how brutal, repressive and lethal they turn in order to silence communities into abject submission. People seemed determined to fight perceived injustice and give their life for the honour of their community. The ceasefire in Moreh appears to be only temporary.

The Manipur Rifles too cannot be ejected from Moreh by force, and the Kuki militants have plenty of firepower, grit and determination left to fight another battle another day. Use of excessive force by the Manipur Rifles only ensures that the Kuki militants keep getting new recruits.

The Kukis and Meiteis, both have lost faith in the ability of the state to protect them, leading to militarisation of both communities. The Chief minister of Manipur N. Biren Singh demonised the Kukis even before 3rd May 2023 calling them encroachers into reserve forests, poppy growers, illegal immigrants from Myanmar and narco-terrorists. He demonised them on one hand and patronised the deep state  militant Meitei outfits on the other hand to consolidate his base amongst the Meiteis, who form 53% of Manipurs population and unite them into a permanent majority. However, such an approach will only escalate the conflict.

The casualty in the conflict is not only the Kuki and Meitei community. The greater casualty is democracy, democratic institutions and rule of law and development of Manipur, particularly of the hill areas. This is leading to growing militarisation of all ethnic communities and dependence of members of the community on its underground armed fighter. The underground fighters are not accountable to any law, norms or a body. There is often fratricidal internecine struggle within the armed groups.

Manipur needs a political solution to the conflict. The political solution will emerge only through a sustained dialogue process in which all communities understand and empathise with each others needs and reconcile their no compromise stand.

[The writer, Irfan Engineer, is Director at Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai.]

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
THE HAGUE, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Dutch and French authorities conducted a search of Netflix's offices in Paris and Amsterdam on Tuesday as part of an investigation into alleged tax fraud, reported Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

The investigation, initiated by French authorities in November 2022, has involved close cooperation between France and the Netherlands, according to De Telegraaf. Netflix's European headquarters is based in Amsterdam.

The streaming giant has been under investigation in France regarding its tax filings for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021. When news of this investigation surfaced last year, Netflix emphasized its commitment to complying with tax regulations in all countries where it operates.

French investigative media outlet La Lettre reported last year that Netflix's French operations were structured so that all subscribers were registered with a Dutch subsidiary until 2021, which allowed Netflix to reduce its tax obligations in France for 2019 and 2020.

Authorities in the Netherlands and France are now investigating whether Netflix continued similar practices to minimize its reported profits and tax responsibilities. 
Muslim Population in India: Myth and Reality

A new book "The Population Myth: Islam, Family Planning and Politics in India" by former Ehief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi is an interesting read on the politics of the Muslim population myth in India

Tuesday November 5, 2024 7:46 PM , Syed Ali Mujtaba

A new book "The Population Myth: Islam, Family Planning and Politics in India" by former Ehief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi is an interesting read on the politics of the Muslim population myth in India.

The book discusses several myths about the population of the Muslim community that have been afloat for creating hostility among Hindus and Muslims in India.

These narratives are manufactured in the Muslim hate factories and handed to the media to make a juicy story for the consumption of the Hindutava audience.

These myths which otherwise would have been nipped in the bud by the media are circulated through mass communication making them equal partners in the crime.

Myth One

Muslims produce too many children and are solely responsible for the population explosion in India. The comparative data shows that while Hindus' family planning data is 54.4 %, Muslims' family planning data is 45.3%.

Secondly, the total fertility rate (TFR) among Hindus is 2.13% for Muslims it is 2.61%. Muslims are lagging due to their socio-economic status which is far behind the Hindus. As Muslims' socio-economic profile improves, the gap also narrows down.

It is not the Muslim community or their religion that has to be blamed, but it is the indifference of the government of the day to develop the Muslim community that has to be blamed. The media narrative should not be against the Muslims but against the government. This conspiracy against the Muslims needs to be exposed.

Myth Two

The Muslim population growth is upsetting the demographic balance in India. The demographic ratio of India shows an increase in Muslims from 9.8% in 1951 to 14.2% in 2011, but this is an increase of 4.4 % in 60 years.

The media talks about the decline in the Hindu population from 84.2% to 79.8 %, it does not talk about Muslims adopting family planning methods and their population growth rate is declining faster than Hindus.

The media does not talk about the decrease in the fertility rate of Muslims. The gap in the number of children between Muslims and Hindus is reduced to only one child.

Islam is not opposed to family planning. It is a pioneer of the concept. Nowhere in the holy book Quran, there is any prohibition of family planning, there are only interpretations. There are numerous verses of Quran and citations from Hadith that emphasize quality over quantity, the health of women and children, and the right of children to have a good upbringing. "Hum do Hamare Baarah is a myth that cinematic media has created regarding the population explosion among Muslims.

Myth Three

The allegation is that there is an organized conspiracy by Muslims to overtake the Hindu population to capture political power in India. There is no evidence for it. No Muslim leaders scholars or clerics have asked the Muslims to produce more children to overtake the Hindu population. Muslims will overtake Hindus in terms of population as mere "propaganda."

Myth Four

Muslims are polygamous by nature because their religion permits them to have more than one wife. A government study in 1975 found that polygamy is present in all the communities in India. Among them, Muslims are the least polygamous.

Muslim Polygamy is also statistically not possible in India as the gender ratio is (only 924 women per 1,000 men) that does not permit it. Moreover, Polygamy is related to the economic wealth of a man who can afford more women.

Muslims are so poor that they cant afford even one wife. Media instead of highlighting which are the Hindu communities that are more polygamous, is taking a dig at the Muslims are polygamous.

Thus the book "The Population Myth: Islam, Family Planning and Politics in India" breaks several other myths" about the Muslim population in India. These myths are put into circulation by the enemy of the Muslims in India.

The media is taking these myths to the masses to perpetuate these myths. The media instead of exposing the authenticity of these myths by giving correct statistics are partners in the crime demonizing Muslims in India.

[The writer, Syed Ali Mujtaba, is a journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com.]

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
The Saga of Drugs in Kashmir

Drug addiction is becoming a very serious problem not only in Kashmir but across the world.

Tuesday November 5, 2024 11:57 AM , Raqif Makhdoomi

Drug addiction is becoming a very serious problem not only in Kashmir but across the world. There are big mafias involved in the drug trafficking who in return, are supported by big powers. Some are unlucky to get caught but those who make it to international market become milliners overnight.

The syndicate of drugs is so complicated that even after the governments of some countries trying to curb it are failing because the peddling of drugs isnt a national affair but an international one having a very powerful and strong worldwide network.

Jammu and Kashmir well known for its beauty, hides an ugly truth of drug addiction. The fact of the matter is that Kashmir has taken over Punjab in drug addiction.

This ugly reality of drug addiction hides a very bitter reality. Some accuse the people across the border, whereas some others say it is a weapon to silence the voices of dissent as was done in Punjab.

The typical geography and sharing of the boarders make Kashmir a place where drugs are easily available, making its way from Kupwara to whole of Kashmir and drug peddlers find it very easy to transport it from one place to another.

I fail to understand how these peddlers get a Green Corridor, that they are able to reach to other districts, especially to Srinagar?

Police and other security forces have developed such a great information system that they are able to track down, what they call, every anti-National element and activity. And also get superfast information about the presence of what they call terrorists.

I fail to understand when they have such a robust information system for tackling militancy, why do they lack such a system for tackling the evil of drugs?

The theory of drugs and terrorism is same. Both are Pakistan sponsored but the way of dealing is different.

For terrorism the rules and mechanism are getting tougher and stronger. But for drugs, except arresting addicts and sealing properties of those who are middle men, nothing serious is happening.

In an interview regarding drug addition, a DIG level officer of Jammu and Kashmir said a very deep line.

We are not boarders and till it reaches here its already distributed, he said.

A statement that explains so much.

Drug addicts have their own explanation of getting into drug addiction to becoming a drug dealer. To become, a dealer a very common statement is given:

It makes arrangements for my own consumption.

One of the drug addicts in an interview to an independent news portal said he became a peddler because he wanted to clean the system. He saw his friends using shoe polish, used sanitary pads, dirty socks and other things. He wanted them to use clean things.

By clean things he meant Heroin.

So to make it easily available and make it available to him easily, he became a peddler.

How easily it is to become a peddler!!!

The drug addiction has become such a common thing that in every 12 minutes a drug addict walks in a de-addiction center in Srinagar. There was a single de-addiction center in Kashmir. But, now the number has grown up to four, and more are in line.

The problem of addiction is on massive growth, and because of this other problems like HIV, Hepatitis A,B,C,D and other diseases too on rise.

One of the major reasons why the addicts aren't put behind bars is their damaged kidneys. The addictions damage their kidneys to 70%, 80% and even to 90%. They are so venerable to deaths that no one wants to take any risk. A single hit from a stick can lead to their death and no one wants to take a dead on him. And hence they are let go thinking their time is near, the nature will take care of them.

The drug addiction has also led to increase in cases of thefts and stanching. The drugs cost too much and having that much available isnt possible for everyone. Even a well to do drug addict at some point reaches to a level where he has to get into theft.

Once someone becomes addicted he/ she needs it every day, some need it even twice a day. This addiction has ruined many happy families and have made them forgotten how to smile. The over dosing often leads to deaths. They are often found dead on road sides on in drains. The whole process of drugs is very scary and soul shivering.

Every drug addict has a story. Some became addicts after failing in love, while some became addicts because they had friends offering them and some got into addictions because of family issues. Unemployment is another major reason of drug addiction.

The environment is also playing a very serious role in growing drug addictions in Kashmir. The conflicted status of Kashmir cant be ignored. Punjab and Afghanistan are the two best examples of how drugs played a role as weapon in any conflict region.

The easy availability of drugs cant be ignored. It must ring alarm bells. How a drug like heroin is easily available that anyone can lay hand on it?

The issue has to be addressed on personally by each and every person. Leaving it to government will leave it unaddressed for decades.

We have just few seconds of the time bomb to blast that we are sitting on.

Its now or never.

[The writer, Raqif Makhdoomi is a law student and Human rights defender.]

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
MOSCOW, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Tagansky District Court of Moscow fined Apple Inc. 3.6 million rubles (about 36,800 U.S. dollars) for refusing to delete the information banned in Russia, the court press service said Tuesday.

Apple was found guilty of committing an administrative offense for failing to "remove information when such removal is required by Russian law," the court said in a statement.

Over the past years, major online services such as Apple, Google and Telegram have been repeatedly fined in Russia for failure to remove the content that Russian authorities deemed prohibited. 
WARSAW, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- A 23-year-old German national suspected of establishing a neo-Nazi terrorist organization has been detained, the Polish Internal Security Agency (ABW) announced on Tuesday.

The arrest, which took place with support from German and Austrian special services, is part of an investigation into a right-wing extremist network aiming to dismantle Germany's current socio-political structure and replace it with a neo-Nazi state in eastern Germany.

ABW said that the suspect, Joerg S., faces charges related to establishing and actively participating in a terrorist organization aligned with armed neo-Nazi extremism.

According to the Polish Press Agency (PAP), as part of the ongoing German investigation, eight suspects have been apprehended. Searches have been conducted across 20 locations. Individuals linked to the group had undergone paramilitary training with weapons and acquired military equipment.

The detained individuals will appear shortly before Germany's Federal Court of Justice. 
November 5 2024

Dualchas Architects have made their mark at the Highlands and Islands Architecture Association (HIAA) Awards after celebrating a double win.

The Skye-based practice was one of the big winners on the night alongside Eilidh Izat and Jack Arundell, who walked off as the best-in-show winners for Caochan na Creige - hand built by Jack Arundell and Alasdair Izat.

That win pushed Dualchas into second place for The Highland Cinema, which earned a commendation in the best-in-show category. Nevertheless the practice still had plenty to celebrate as winners of the top prize for placemaking.

Dualchas director Rory Flyn, commented: It was always a shame that Cameron Square, where the town hall used to stand, had become a largely redundant space. There was also a lack of indoor recreation within the heart of the town where people could take shelter from the rain and give locals and tourists more to do in the evenings. Angus MacDonald, our client, wanted us to design a building which addressed these issues and gave Fort William a central square of which the community could be proud.

Dualchas architects Neil and Laura Stephen also earned a commendation for another self built home at Achnacloich, Skye, which has already seen locals flocking to pay a visit. Neil said: "Laura was definitely my most difficult client, and I was undoubtedly hers, but we got there in the end!

The awards in full:

New Building

Caochan na Creige by Eilidh Izat and Jack Arundell, winner

Taigh Creadha, private residence by Dualchas, commended

New life for existing buildings

Strathnaver Museum Restoration & Annex, Oberlanders, winner

North Uist Distillery, Studio Hebrides, commended

Place-making

Smaller project

North Roe Kirk, Nee Gibson Architects, winner

Tulach Ard Byre, TAMA Studio, commended

Social benefit

National Treatment Centre, Oberlanders, winner

The Victorian Market, Threesixty, commended

Client of the year

The Haven Centre, Colin Armstrong, winner

Darklass, Coast to Coast, commended

Best use of timber
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Nov, 2024) pakistan stock exchange (PSX) on Tuesday announced the appointment of Farrukh H. Sabzwari as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

According to a notice issued by PSX, Sabzwari will assume his office as CEO of Pakistan Stock Exchange on November 18, 2024.

Farrukh Sabzwari has spent more than 25 years in senior management roles in the investment banking industry, both locally and abroad, the press release said adding he had previously served as CEO and MD of KASB Securities (local partner of BoA Merrill Lynch), BMA Capital and Country Head for CLSA Emerging Markets in Pakistan.

His time abroad includes stints at CLSA Emerging Markets in NY, USA, where he was VP sub-continent sales and at Credit Suisse in Indonesia and Singapore  where he spent seven years looking at both APAC and Frontier Markets as Director Equities sales, said psx press release.

He also served as Chairman Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP from (December 2018 to August 2019) and Commissioner of SECP from 2018 to 2021, a position he took up on his return to Pakistan.

He is a proposed Director on the board of Hugobank  a Getz Group entity that he has been associated with since March 2022  one of the five Digital Banking consortiums that were awarded banking licences by the SBP in January 2023.

He is also a co-opted member of the Capital Markets Advisory Council (CMAC), set up in November 2023.

Sabzwari has capital market certifications from various jurisdictions, including Singapore, Indonesia, and NY, and he is an alumnus of the IBA in Karachi, where he graduated with an MBA in December 1992, the press release added.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Tuesday granted in principle approvals to two more companies for establishing Electronic Money Institution (EMI) and Payment System Operator (PSO) or Payment Service Provider (PSP) while another EMI was allowed to start its pilot operations

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Nov, 2024) The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Tuesday granted in principle approvals to two more companies for establishing Electronic Money Institution (EMI) and Payment System Operator (PSO) or Payment Service Provider (PSP) while another EMI was allowed to start its pilot operations.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has given in principle approval to M/s Toko Lab Private Limited and M/s Accept Technologies Private Limited (M/s PayMob) for establishing as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) and Payment System Operator (PSO)/Payment Service Provider (PSP) respectively, said a statement issued here.

The EMI and PSO/PSP will now develop their infrastructure and readiness within 6 months for applying to SBP for permission to initiate pilot operations, SBP said adding that an approval was also granted to M/s HubPay Private Limited for initiating pilot operations as an EMI after assessing its readiness to initiate pilot operations.

Currently in the country, four EMIs- namely M/s NayaPay, M/s Finja, M/s SadaPay and M/s Akhtar Fuiou Technologies- were in Commercial Operations, said the statement adding that three EMIs namely M/s Wemsol, M/s E-Processing System and M/s HubPay were in pilot Operations while three EMIs namely M/s YAP, M/s Cerisma, and M/s Toko Lab have been granted in-principle approval for establishing their readiness for pilot operations.

As per SBP data, EMIs have opened 4.2 million wallets as of September 30, 2024, issued 4.6 million payment cards and have outstanding E-money deposits of Rs5.7 billion. On a year-on-year basis, the e-money wallets have increased 76.5 %, cards issuance by 41.4 % and e-money deposits by 87.5%.

Further, during the first 3 quarters i.e. Jan to Sep of 2024, a total of 82.1 million payments were made through E-wallets offered by EMIs amounting to Rs231.9 billion, showing a significant growth of 117% and 163% respectively as compared to the corresponding period in last year, it concluded.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Nov, 2024) Speaker National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Tuesday emphasized the need to address the environmental consequences of armed conflicts.

He expressed these views in his message on the occasion of the "International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, which was observed across the world on 6th November 2024 under the auspices of the United Nations.

The Speaker stressed that armed conflicts not only bring widespread human suffering but also lead to severe environmental degradation and badly affect biodiversity.

He highlighted the impact of war on natural resources and the ecosystems that sustain life, urging global collaboration to protect the environment in conflict zones.

"The devastating effects of war on the environment extend beyond national borders and generations.

"

Ayaz Sadiq said that armed conflicts and war destroy infrastructure as well as cause deforestation, and soil degradation and undermine the global efforts to address climate change and biodiversity loss.

The Speaker called on lawmakers worldwide to advocate for policies that prioritize environmental protection, even amidst conflict, and to push for legislation that holds parties accountable for environmental damage in conflict zones.

"It is our collective responsibility to safeguard our planet. By addressing environmental damage in conflict zones, we can contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful future."

Ayaz Sadiq reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly of Pakistan to support international efforts aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of armed conflicts and expressed solidarity with the affected communities.
(@FahadShabbir)

The second day of the Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) saw a number of panel discussions, with speakers deliberating on issues including regional connectivity, climate change, plastic waste management, women empowerment, debt justice, economic zones, textile industry and accountability

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Nov, 2024) The second day of the Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) saw a number of panel discussions, with speakers deliberating on issues including regional connectivity, climate change, plastic waste management, women empowerment, debt justice, economic zones, textile industry and accountability.

The conference is being organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). In a panel discussion on Leveraging new economic geography for shared prosperity, stability and resilience speakers on Tuesday stressed the need to translate Pakistans regional connectivity and infrastructure into economic incentives, said a press release.

Vice Chancellor (VC) of BeaconHouse National University, Lahore, Dr Moeed Yusuf said that the problem is that we continue to hold conversations on regional cooperation while the world was moving on.

Former ambassador to China Naghmana Hashmi said CPEC was never about power connectivity alone, we were supposed to develop our industrial zones based on the connectivity from CPEC.

Former Federal minister, Khurram Dastgir Khan said Pakistan had always been leveraging its geographical location to determine our foreign policy.

Dr Dushni Weerakoon, Institute of Policy Studies Sri Lanka executive director, said we have similar conversations about the tyranny of location in Sri Lanka.

Dr Paras Kharel from South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment, Nepal, spoke on the importance of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in connection with regional cooperation.

Dr Rajan Suresh Ratna from UNESCAP-SSWA, India, said it was not just about cooperation, it was also about peace and development, adding that Saarc region hosts half of the poor population of the world.

In a session titled Role of Textile Industry in Strengthening Climate Action in Pakistan, Chief Operating Officer, Younas Textiles, Mohammad Nisar Palla said the textile industry was playing an important role in the countrys economy, therefore it should be facilitated.

Asad Naqvi from UNEP-Geneva said if Pakistan wanted to compete internationally, it would have to reduce its per unit cost of electricity and use recyclable material.

Ahmed Qazi from the European Union (EU) Delegation to Pakistan said if we get into a discussion on who was producing more pollution, we would not be able to come up with a solution.

Senior Joint Secretary, Climate Change Ministry, Mohammad Farooq said we needed investment for decarbonization, therefore public-private partnership was required, whether in textile, transport or agriculture.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Nov, 2024) Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held a meeting with Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, who called on the Finance Minister at Finance Division here Tuesday.

During the meeting, matters related to follow-up and progress on meetings, consultations and discussions held between the minister and stakeholders, including heads of leading financial institutions, commercial and investment banks, bilateral partners, think tanks and government officials came under discussion.

Ambassador Munir Akram highlighted Pakistans efforts for underscoring the need for climate justice, scaling up climate finance and trade reforms to supporting developing countries, early operationalization of the Loss & Damage Fund, implementation of the agreement to re-channel 50% of the 2021 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) allocation to development, and putting Secretary-Generals SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Stimulus proposal into action through an inter-governmental process at the UN.

Akram also dilated upon Pakistans efforts for advocating a concrete time-bound roadmap for the fulfillment of the developed countries 0.7% of GNI ODA (Gross National Income, Official Development Assistance) commitment, establishment of a UN mechanism to facilitate public and private investment in sustainable infrastructure in developing countries, and a fair and fast debt relief and restructuring for countries in debt distress.
Political life will get easier for President Biden once the election is over and he doesnt have to worry about controversial moves that could damage Vice President Kamala Harriss chances of winning the White House. And theres a lot Biden might do after the election that he wouldnt do before it.

The so-called lame-duck session  the period from Election Day until the new president takes office the following January  occasionally produces some interesting surprises. Theres also a congressional lame-duck session, which goes from Election Day until new members take their seats in early January.

If theres a change in political power in the White House or Congress, the lame-duck session can be an opportunity for the outgoing party to wrap up unfinished business, especially involving moves that might be politically unpopular.

Seventeen days before leaving the White House, in 1960, President Dwight Eisenhower severed relations with Cuba, clinching its place in the Soviet orbit. President Jimmy Carter signed the Superfund environmental cleanup law during his lame-duck session in 1980. President George W. Bush approved the federal bailouts of General Motors (GM) and Chrysler (STLA) during the lame-duck period in 2008.

Biden hasnt overtly signaled any major moves he plans to make during the next 10 weeks, but there are a number of unsettled issues on which he might feel he has a freer hand to act.

Iran

One is sanctions on Iran, which has fully asserted itself as the most nettlesome nation in the Middle East. Iran backs the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups at war with Israel, and the conflict has escalated to direct exchanges of fire between Israel and Iran: once in April and again in October. The bloody scorecard now shows Israel with the latest jab and Iran vowing yet another retaliation.

Biden has taken heat for tacitly easing enforcement of long-standing sanctions against Iran that are meant to hamper its ability to earn desperately needed revenue from oil exports. Biden suffered clear political damage when US gasoline prices hit $5 per gallon in 2022, and hes been determined to get gas prices down ever since. That includes letting Iran export more oil into global markets than it might under tougher enforcement, with the marginal supply boost putting downward pressure on prices.

Biden wont have to worry quite as much about gasoline prices during the next couple of months, which means he might be able to tighten up on Iran. Eurasia Group estimates that Biden could take a range of actions that would reduce Iranian oil exports by 150,000 barrels per day to 700,000 barrels per day. The effect on oil prices, and, eventually, gas prices, could be negligible at the lower end, with a pop of 10% or more at the higher end.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Nov, 2024) Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani urged the media to raise awareness about the role of federal Ombudsmen offices in resolving numerous grievances, with many more anticipated to be addressed in the near future.

The acting president heard representations against the orders of the Ombudsmen at the federal level. Justice (R) Irfan Qadir, the nominee of the President of Pakistan to process and decide these representations, was also present on the occasion.

These representations included matters pertaining to Wafaqi Mohtasib, Federal Ombudsman for Protection Against Harassment at Workplace (FOSPAH) and Federal Insurance Ombudsman.

After the hearings, the acting president said that in the last six months, the President of Pakistan through his nominee had decided hundreds of cases, providing relief to the downtrodden, widows, persons with disabilities, including persons belonging to minorities and backward areas against the maladministration of the executive.

"Such prompt disposal of cases in recent times is unprecedented", he remarked.

Acting President Gilani stated that large scale relief was also provided to citizens and overseas Pakistanis in the taxation and banking sector.

He said that the institution of Ombudsmen at the federal level, inclusive of the Apex forum of the President's nominee, had provided relief to the general public against the maladministration of the executive in issues concerning all the departments of the federal Government, Autonomous Bodies and other public and private sector organizations of national importance. In this way, over two lac cases per year are being decided where the President of Pakistan is the highest forum, he added.
(@FahadShabbir)

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Nov, 2024) The construction work on rescue 1122 station at Paharpur Tehsil will start soon, said spokesman of the district's emergency service.

In this regard , land has been handed over to the Rescue 1122 in presence of District Emergency Officer Engineer Faseeh Ullah, Assistant Commissioner Paharpur Sohni Saleem, Chief Minister's focal person Kamran Shah, and C&W Executive Engineer.

He said that facility was being provided in line with the vision of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, and under the special guidance of Rescue 1122's Director General, Dr.

Ayaz Khan.

It is worth mentioning there was already a Rescue 1122 station in Tehsil Paharpur but the service was being expanded to provide the local population with better and more efficient emergency services.

He said with the construction of the new station, residents of Tehsil Paharpur and surrounding areas would have access to prompt and effective rescue services at their doorstep.

APP/slm
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

LARKANA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Nov, 2024) The University of Larkano, Pakistan, and University of Sri Jayewardenepura (SJP), Sri Lanka, have embarked on a pioneering international collaboration to start joint research projects, academic exchanges, and innovation across disciplines, benefiting students and faculty from both institutions.

The first meeting, held virtually on Tuesday was hosted by Dr. Sanaullah Mastoi, Head of International Affairs and Focal Person for the Faculty of Science at the University of Larkano. Key representatives from both universities participated, including distinguished leaders from SJP:Prof. Padmalal, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dushan, Dean, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, Prof. Heenkenda, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Subasinghe, Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Prof. Jayaweera, Dean, Faculty of Computing, Dr. Dharmaweera, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Ruwini, Director, International Affairs Division, Dr. Isuru, Senior Lecturer, Department of Accounting, Dr. Sampath and Senior Lecturer in Polymer Science. From the University of Larkano, the following delegates joined to discuss the collaborations goals:

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Usman Keerio, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Samiullah Sohu, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Mohsin Shaikh, Focal Person, Faculty of Computer Science, Dr.

Khalil Zohaib Kamboh, Director of Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Taufeq Ahmed Soomro, Director, ORIC, Dr. Syed Abid Ali Shah, Chairman, Electrical Engineering and Dr. Khalid Solangi, Chairman, Mechanical Engineering.

Both universities shared their vision for this alliance, focusing on initiatives such as faculty and student exchanges, joint research projects, and academic development programs across faculties like science, engineering, social sciences, and computer science.

"This partnership will create pathways for our faculty and students to broaden their academic experiences and knowledge while contributing to advancements in various fields, said Prof. Dr. Muhammad Usman Keerio, Vice Chancellor of the University of Larkano.

He said that the University of Larkano and SJP are excited to continue developing this partnership, which holds the potential to foster global academic engagement and enrich the educational landscape.

He said that the University of Larkano is dedicated to academic excellence and global collaboration. With a focus on fostering a diverse learning environment, the university is committed to equipping students and faculty with skills and knowledge for success in a globalized world.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Seattle, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Nov, 2024) Striking workers at Boeing approved the company's latest contract proposal Monday, ending a more than seven-week stoppage that underscored discontent within the workforce of the beleaguered aviation giant.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751, which had rejected two prior offers, ratified the latest bid by 59 percent, the union said.

The move will send some 33,000 Seattle-area workers back on the job and restore operations at two major assembly plants.

The contract includes a 38 percent wage hike, a $12,000 signing bonus and provisions to lift employer contributions to a 401K retirement plan and contain health care costs.

But the contract did not restore Boeing's former pension plan that had been sought by older workers.

Jon Holden, head of the Seattle union, described the contract as a win for workers who were determined to make up for more than a decade of stagnant wages from prior negotiations that had enraged many rank-and-file workers.

"The strike will end and now it's our job to get back to work and start building the airplanes, increase the rates and bring this company back to financial success," Holden said at a news conference.

"I'm proud of our members," Holden said. "They've achieved a lot and we're ready to move forward."
UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Nov, 2024) Pakistan has reaffirmed its support for revitalizing the U.N. General Assembly, saying its role on peace and security includes promoting peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter and UN resolutions, including through mediation, arbitration and good offices.

"The Assembly also has the principal responsibility to address the so-called 'thematic' aspects of peace and security, such as environment and peace; women, peace and security; and the nexus between peace, development and human rights  the three 'pillars' of the United Nations," Ambassador Usman Jadoon, acting permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, said in a debate on revitalizing the work of the 193-member body.

Emphasizing General Assembly's status as the only forum with universal representation, he said its deficiencies primarily arise from the inability or unwillingness of some of the major member states that prevent full utilization of its authority and potential. The only limitations arise from the Primary role of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Noting the General Assembly vast complementary and residual authority under the Charter, the Pakistani envoy said it was reflected whenever the Security Council was unable to act or is prevented from acting.

Since the Security Council acts on behalf of the entire UN membership, he said it should report more frequently and comprehensively to the Assembly.

In order to enhance the credibility of its decisions, Ambassador Jadoon proposed that the Assembly establish a dedicated mechanism to monitor the implementation of its own resolutions.

As a first step, the Secretariat should be requested to submit, within a specific time-frame, reports on the status of implementation of General Assembly resolutions, the Pakistani envoy said.

He voiced concerns about the Security Councils increasing use of Chapter VII (enforcement) resolutions to create international norms, noting that this bypasses the inclusive, democratic processes envisioned by the UN Charter.

Pakistan called for future treaties, including those on tax, development, and environment, to be negotiated by the Assembly with the participation of all member states.

During the debate, many delegates said it was about time for the United Nations  the worlds largest multilateral body - to be headed by a woman for the first time since its founding nearly 80 years ago.

How can the UN convincingly promote women's empowerment if its leadership structures continue to exclude women?, asked Costa Ricas delegate, adding that because the selection process for the next Secretary-General presents a historic opportunity, therefore, the time has come to break the 80-year cycle of exclusion.

Imploring Member States to elect a female helmswoman, Costa Rican delegate regretted the usage of male pronouns in Articles 97 to 99 of the UN Charter to describe the role of the Secretary-General, thereby enshrining sexism in the highest political office and entrenching a male-dominated multilateralism.

For Slovenias representative, who spoke for a group of Member States, gender equality and the representation of women in leadership positions at the UN is one issue of great importance not only for the functioning of the United Nations, but also for how this Organization is perceived by the broader public, especially by youth and in particular young women and girls of the world.

The full, equal and meaningful participation of women at all levels is essential to diplomacy, multilateralism and the UN's work across its three pillars of peace and security, human rights and sustainable development, the delegate stressed.
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Canadian officials pressed charges against three people Monday, following the violence that erupted Sunday at a Hindu temple near Toronto where Sikh activists staged a Pro-Khalistan demonstration, according to a Reuters report.

Local police say a 43-year-old man was charged with causing a disturbance and assaulting a peace officer and a 23-year-old man was charged with assault with a weapon. Meanwhile, a 31-year-old man was charged with mischief.

In addition, police say they have been made aware of the video of an off-duty police officer who was seen participating in the protest. Police say they are investigating that case and the officer has been suspended.

The prime ministers of India and Canada have denounced the violence that erupted Sunday at several locations in suburban Toronto, including the Hindu temple.

"I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the "acts of violence" were unacceptable.

Video of the disturbance at the temple appeared to show an altercation between Hindus and Sikhs that included footage of people hitting each other with flagpoles outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in the city of Brampton, according to Reuters. It was not clear, however, how the violence was initiated.

The Hindu community in Canada is feeling that they are not being provided a safe place for the worship," Arunesh Giri, president of the Canadian Hindu Foundation told Agence France-Presse.

A spokesperson for Indias foreign ministry called on Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from attacks like the ones on Sunday. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted, the ministry said.

Sikh activists told Reuters that pro-Khalistan activists at the Hindu temple demonstration were protesting the presence of Indian diplomats. The activists said another rally was held at a Sikh temple.

Khalistan is the Sikh homeland that some activists want created out of Indias Punjab state. Canada is home to the largest Sikh community outside of India. Footage of the disruptions posted on social media shows some people carrying the yellow flags of the pro-Khalistan movement.

The violence comes amid frayed diplomatic ties between India and Canada. Canada recently expelled six Indian diplomats over the 2023 killing in Canada of a Sikh separatist leader. Indias tit-for-tat response to the expulsion of its diplomats from Canada was to expel six Canadian diplomats from India.

Canada has accused India of targeting Sikh activists in Canada. India has said that allegation is absurd and baseless.

Some information provided by Reuters and Agence France-Presse.


Francisco Murgui went out to try to salvage his motorbike when the water started to rise.

He never came back.

One week after catastrophic flooding devastated eastern Spain, Maria Murgui still holds out hope that her father is alive and among the unknown number of the missing.

He was like many people in town who went out to get their car or motorbike to safety, the 27-year-old told The Associated Press. The flash flood caught him outside, and he had to cling to a tree in order to escape drowning. He called us to tell us that he was fine, that we shouldnt worry.

But when Maria set out into the streets of Sedavi to try to rescue him from the water washing away everything in its path, he was nowhere to be found.

He held up until 1 in the morning, she said. By 2, I went outside with a neighbor and a rope to try to locate him. But we couldnt find him. And since then, we havent heard anything about him.

At least 218 have been confirmed dead after a deluge caused by heavy rains late on October 29 and the next morning swamped entire communities, mostly in Spain's Valencia region, catching most off guard. Regional authorities have been heavily criticized for having issued alerts to mobile phones some two hours after the disaster had started.

Authorities have yet to any give an estimate of the missing seven days on. Spanish state broadcaster RTVE, however, shows a steady stream of appeals by people who are searching for family members who are not accounted for.

Maria Murgui herself has posted a missing persons message on social media with a photo of her father, a 57-year-old retiree.

This is like riding a roller coaster. Sometimes I feel very bad and sometimes I feel better. I try to stay positive, she said. This truly is madness. We dont know what else to do. Neither does anybody else in town.

Relief package

While many search for their loved ones, the gargantuan recovery efforts in Sedavi and dozens of other communities slowly moved forward.

To aid those in need, the central government approved a 10.6-billion-euro relief package for 78 communities on Tuesday. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez compared it to the measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The package includes direct payments of 20,000 euros to 60,000 euros to owners of damaged homes, among other financial aid for businesses and municipal governments.

We have a lot of work left to do, and we know it, Sanchez said.

Sanchez said that he will ask the European Union to help pay for the relief, saying, it is time for the European Union to help.

Many people are still without basic goods amid scenes of devastation.

Street after street in town after town is still covered with thick brown mud and mounds of ruined belongings, clumps of rotting vegetation, and wrecked vehicles. A stench arises from the muck.

In many places, people still face shortages of basic goods, and lines form at impromptu emergency kitchens and stands handing out food. Water is running again but authorities say it is not fit for drinking.

The ground floors of thousands of homes have been ruined. It is feared that inside some of the vehicles that the water washed away or trapped in underground garages there could be bodies waiting to be recovered.

Thousands of soldiers are working with firefighters and police reinforcements in the immense emergency response. Officers and troops are searching in destroyed homes, the countless cars strewn across highways, streets, or lodged in the mud in canals and gorges.

Authorities are worried about other health problems caused by the aftermath of the deadliest natural disaster in Spain's recent history. They have urged people to get tetanus shots and to treat any wounds to prevent infections and to clean the mud from their skin. Many people wear face masks.

Thousands of volunteers are helping out, filling the void left by authorities. But the frustration over the crisis management boiled over on Sunday when a crowd in hard-hit Paiporta hurled mud and other objects at Spains royals, Sanchez and regional officials when they made their first visit to the epicenter of the flood damage.

Sanchezs national government is set to announce a new package of relief on Tuesday.
Pyongyang may have bet all its chips on its relationship with Moscow by committing the lives of its soldiers to fight for Russias war efforts against Ukraine, according to analysts.

North Korean soldiers are gearing up for an anticipated battle in the Russian border region of Kursk.

According to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine on Saturday, more than 7,000 North Korean soldiers in the front line near the border were armed with various weapons by Russia. They included 60 mm mortars, AK-12 rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.

Some North Korean soldiers in the region have already come under fire, according to a message that Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, posted on Telegram on Monday.

The U.S. estimates that 8,000 soldiers are in the Kursk Oblast to fight in front-line operations against Ukraine forces in the coming days.

There is no more significant and long-term a commitment one country can make to another than sending troops at wartime, Victor Cha, president of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), told VOA.

I never believed this was short term, at least from the North Korean perspective, said Cha, who formerly served as the deputy head of the U.S. delegation to the Six Party Talks with North Korea.

Cha added that Kim could face many risks by deploying troops thousands of miles away from home and exposing them to fight alongside Russian soldiers.

What if North Korean soldiers desert or are captured? What is the future of DPRK-Europe relations? What if South Korean weapons [supplied via the U.S to Ukraine thus far] kills North Korean soldiers? What if Ukraine makes a point of targeting North Korean soldiers for propaganda purposes? he asked.

Long-term commitment

Cha, in an article CSIS published October 23, said that by sending troops, North Korea may have crossed the point of no return in its ties with Russia.

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun said during a news conference in Washington, held last week after a security meeting, that Seoul is looking to send a team to Ukraine to monitor North Korean troops.

When Kim visited Russia last year and began sending munitions the same year, some analysts saw him as largely engaged in a short-term transactional relationship with Moscow.

But after North Korea deployed troops to Russia  a move in line with a mutual defense treaty the two signed this summer  and joined Moscows war efforts against Ukraine and, by default, against NATO and U.S. interests, Kim is viewed as engaged in an all-in relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin that comes with major risks.

Evans Revere, a former State Department official with extensive experience negotiating with North Korea, said, Kim Jong Uns willingness to take these risks suggests he is all in on the relationship with Moscow and prepared to make important sacrifices to show support for his Russian patron, in the hope that doing so will yield the benefits he seeks.

Revere added, This tells us a lot about what Kim is prepared to do to receive key military and space technologies. It remains to be seen whether Moscow is prepared to provide all the technologies and support Kim wants. If it does not, it will leave the North Korean ruler in a very difficult position.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell held talks Monday in Seoul and condemned North Koreas troop deployment and possible military technology transfers Russia could make in return.

North Korea launched a Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile Thursday in demonstration of what it described as the worlds most powerful strategic deterrent.

In addition to technologies Kim might want to further advance Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs, North Korea will receive about $200 million from Moscow for its troop deployment, according to an estimate from South Koreas National Intelligence Service.

North Korea is not necessarily wanting to back away from the relationship at the moment because its given a lifeline as well as a hedge partner against China, said Samuel Ramani, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London.

Kim is willing to commit almost anything that Putin is willing to ask him to do at this point, Ramani said.

Transactional relationship

Whether long term or short term, Dan DePetris, a fellow at Defense Priorities, said, Ties are still very much transactional in the sense that Kim expects Russian President Vladimir Putin to compensate him in some way, shape or form.

However, DePetris said, its unlikely North Korea will be comfortable putting all its chips in Russias basket, as betting on Russia over the long term would mean handcuffing North Korea to a single power, limiting the flexibility North Korean officials seek to maintain and giving Russia the ability to blackmail North Korea in the future.

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said Friday, when she met in Moscow with her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, that Pyongyang would fully back Russias war efforts against Ukraine until victory.

Choe also said Kim had already instructed North Korean officials to provide support for the Russian army without regard to anyone when Russia launched what she described as the special military operation against Ukraine in 2022.

In return, Lavrov reaffirmed Moscows full support for North Koreas measures aimed at countering the aggressive policies of the U.S. and its partners and its commitment to implement the mutual defense treaty.

Weve long thought of North Korea as a rogue state, but the tight cooperation between Putin and Kim Jong Un now makes Russia look like a rogue state, too, said Stephen Sestanovich, senior fellow for Russian and Eurasian studies at the Council on Foreign Relations who served as U.S. ambassador-at-large for the former Soviet Union from 1997 to 2001.
Brazilian police official Valdecy Urquiza will be the next chief of Interpol, the global police organization announced Tuesday.

Urquiza was elected secretary-general by a vote of Interpol's general assembly at its meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, and will take up the post when the gathering ends on Thursday.

Currently Interpol's vice president for the Americas, Urquiza is the first chief of the Lyon, France-based organization not to come from Europe or the United States.

The Interpol secretary-general essentially runs the organization on a daily basis. Juergen Stock of Germany, who has held the post since 2014, is not allowed under its rules to seek a third term.

Urquiza pledged to promote diversity within the organization, saying "a strong Interpol is one that includes everyone."

"When we respect and elevate diverse perspectives, we get a clearer, more comprehensive approach to global security," he said.

Interpol, which has 196 member countries and celebrated its centennial last year, works to help national police forces communicate with each other and track suspects and criminals in fields such as counterterrorism, financial crime, child pornography, cybercrime and organized crime.

The world's biggest police organization has been grappling with challenges including a growing caseload of cybercrime and child sex abuse, and increasing divisions among its member countries.

Interpol had a total budget of about $188 million last year, compared to more than $200 million at the European Union's police agency, Europol, and some $11 billion at the FBI in the United States.
Chad says it will withdraw its troops from the United Nations-supported Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, which combats Boko Haram in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

Officials from Chad say its military is not getting enough assistance to fight the terrorist group since an attack last week killed more than 40 of Chads soldiers.

Chad's President Mahamat Idiss Deby says his country will pull out of the Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, which has some 11,000 troops, because of the absence of what he calls coordinated efforts among member states troops in jointly fighting Boko Haram terrorism.

A release read on Chad's state TV on Monday says Deby is surprised at the slow pace at which the task force, a regional group that includes rescue workers, reacts to Boko Haram attacks.

The task force was created in April 2012 by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin and Nigeria to jointly fight Boko Haram and bring back peace in areas affected by terrorism in Lake Chad Basin shared by the five countries.

The African Union, or AU, authorized the force to operate in February 2015. The force says it receives regular technical support from the United Nations to protect civilians affected by terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin.

Deby did not say when Chad will withdraw troops. The Central African states president, however, says Chad's military will protect civilians from all forms of terrorism, including Boko Haram.

Remadji Hoinathy is a lecturer at the Department of Anthropology at the University of N'Djamena in Chad and a researcher on strategic development in central Africa and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.

He said Deby is disgruntled because Chad is not receiving the assistance it needs to track and eliminate several hundred Boko Haram fighters who attacked and killed more than 40 Chad government troops in the Lake Chad Basin last week. He said Deby, who is in the Lake Chad area to supervise a security operation to fight the assailants after the deadly attack, is dissatisfied that his troops are not getting immediate assistance from Cameroon, Benin, Niger and Nigeria.

Remadji spoke Monday on Chad state TV.

Chad's government sait it informed the task force after last weeks attack on its troops in Ngouboua, a western village in Lake Chad, on the island of Bakaram, near the border with Nigeria.

Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria and Benin are yet to react to Deby's threats to pull his troops from the task force.

The statement about Chad troops leaving was issued after media reports that the central African states military recently deployed to fight Boko Haram mistakenly killed at least a dozen fishermen in Lake Chad thinking that they were militants.

Chad's government said reports that its fighter jets bombed the fishermen were unfounded.

Belngar Larme Laguerre is the president of Chads National Commission on Human Rights. He spoke via a messaging app from NDjamena.

He said Boko Haram hides among civilians or uses civilians as human shields when attacked, but that Chad troops are well-trained to find terrorists hiding among civilians. He said he has not received complaints from civilians that the Chad soldiers deployed to fight Boko Haram last week disrespected human rights.

Local media reported that the attack on fishermen took place in Tilma, an island on the border with Nigeria.

VOA could not independently verify if there was an attack on civilians.

Some 40,000 people have been killed and 3 million have fled their homes since 2009, when fighting between Nigerian government troops and Boko Haram militants degenerated into an armed conflict and spread to Cameroon, Niger and Chad, according to the United Nations.
Abbott has unveiled positive long-term data for its Esprit below-the-knee (BTK) stent in treating the most severe form of peripheral artery disease (PAD).

The data, which was presented as a late-breaking clinical trial at the Vascular InterVentional Advances (VIVA) 2024 meeting, demonstrated that Abbotts device offered sustained benefits over balloon angioplasty.

The LIFE-BTK trial evaluated Esprit BTK in 260 people worldwide with PAD below the knee. Abbotts stent is an everolimus-eluting resorbable scaffold system that treats lesions via vessel recoil and dissection. It comprises material similar to dissolving sutures that helps heal the vessel once the blockage is opened and provides support through an immunosuppressant drug until the vessel is strong enough to remain open on its own.

Esprit BTK, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April, showcased two-year strong results in patients undergoing treatment. Around 90% of patients with the stent did not require a reintervention at 24 months and compared to standard treatment balloon angioplasty, had more freedom from chronic limb-threatening ischemia, a severe form of PAD.

PAD affects eight to 12 million people in the US, with that number forecast to rise over the next decade. In severe cases of PAD, blocked vessels reduce blood flow to the lower extremities, which could lead to amputations if treatment is unsuccessful.

A market model by GlobalData forecasts the peripheral vascular stent market to be worth $3bn by 2033.

Abbotts vascular business divisional vice president of global clinical affairs Jennifer Jones-McMeans said: "The positive results at two years reinforce Esprit BTK's potential to revolutionise the treatment of peripheral artery disease below the knee. By eliminating the need for multiple interventions and in some cases, amputation, we're ultimately helping people live fuller, better lives."

Abbott said it has also launched a post-market approval study to assess the stents safety and effectiveness in treating chronic limb-threatening ischaemia  the first patient has already been enrolled in the US.

Johnson & Johnsons (J&J) Shockwave Medical revealed positive results from a trial investigating its peripheral intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) catheter technology today. The system, called Javelin, also treats patients with PAD. Philips, meanwhile, enrolled the first patient in a PAD trial evaluating its combined laser atherectomy and intravascular lithotripsy catheter.

"Abbott touts long-term efficacy for dissolvable Esprit BTK stent" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.
Jasmine Chen has been married for two years, but the idea of having children is not part of her plans. The 28-year-old bank teller who lives in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou said raising children in China is just too expensive.

Even though anyone can raise children, regardless of their economic situation, I would want to make sure that I could give my children the best possible life if I decide to get pregnant, but thats not what I think I could achieve, she told VOA in a written response.

Chen is among a growing number of young Chinese women who have decided not to have children despite a growing number of government policy measures, including subsidies and other incentives, aimed at boosting births.

Last year, new births in China fell by 5.7%. Thats a record low of 6.39 births per 1,000. In contrast, the mortality rate was 7.87 per 1,000 people.

The decline has led to the closure of more than 14,000 kindergartens across China according to Chinas Ministry of Education. Statistics also show more than an 11% drop in preschool enrollments, and kindergarten enrollments experienced a 10.30% decrease.

Fertility friendly policies

To boost the countrys declining birth rate, Chinas State Council, the countrys chief administrative authority, rolled out a policy with 13 directives aimed at enhancing childbirth support services, expand childcare systems, strengthen support in education, housing, and employment, and foster a birth-friendly social atmosphere.

The new measures also include providing maternity insurance to rural migrant workers and people with flexible employment, as long as they have basic health insurance. The policy document also urges local authorities to implement parental leave.

Other measures include offering subsidies and medical resources for children and the call on local governments to budget for childcare centers and preferential taxes or fees for these services. Local authorities are also encouraged to raise the limits of housing loans to help families with multiple children buy homes.

Despite the Chinese governments efforts, analysts say these new measures may only have a limited impact on boosting Chinas birth rate.

China is currently facing a serious debt crisis, many local governments, especially those in northeastern or western provinces, wont have enough financial resources to implement the policy directives that the state council has laid out, Yi Fuxian, a demographer and expert on Chinese population trends at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told VOA by phone.

Fertility rates in Asia

China is not the only economy in the region that is struggling with low fertility rates. According to economists, a rate of 2.1 children per woman is needed to sustain a population over time.

South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Japan have been struggling for years to raise their number of births. Yi said since Japan and Taiwan have already implemented similar measures with little success, it will be hard for the Chinese government to achieve its birth goals by rolling out these policy directives.

Japan put so many resources into these policies, but its birth rate didnt increase as a result, and the Chinese government may not have enough financial resources to replicate Japans policies, he told VOA.

One child policy

Unlike most countries though, China had a stringent one-child policy for decades. That policy formally ended in 2016 when couples were allowed to have two children. However, the change in policy has done little to turn the trend around.

In addition to financial challenges, Yi said Chinas persistently low birth rate is also the result of less willingness to have children and the growing prevalence of infertility among Chinese women, in part due to trying to have a child later in life, according to researchers.

The one-child policy has changed the concept of childbearing for several generations in China, resulting in the lack of willingness to have children among the younger generation in China, Yi told VOA.

Some young Chinese women told VOA that they worry once they have children, they would have to make a lot of compromises in their lives, including giving up the freedom to decide how to live their lives.

Having a child and being responsible for it would make me lose the ability to leave for a trip whenever I want to and lose the very free lifestyle that I currently have, Chen in Guangzhou said.

Others said they are terrified of the responsibility that comes with having children.

Im relatively healthy. My financial situation is manageable, and my parents even agree to help me out if I ever decide to have children. But I simply dont want to take on the responsibility that I cant get rid of once I have children, Catherine Wang, a 33-year-old woman living in Beijing, told VOA in a written response.

Putting off marriage

In addition to the unwillingness among some Chinese women to have children, more Chinese people are getting married much later in their lives.

According to Chinas official 2020 data, Chinese mens average age for a first marriage was 29.38 while Chinese womens average age for a first marriage was 27.95. Yi estimates that both numbers are probably now beyond 30 years old.

Many people wont be able to have children if they are delaying their marriage age and the Chinese government has done nothing to address this issue, Yi told VOA.

Data released by Chinas Ministry of Civil Affairs on November 1 showed a drop in marriage registrations for the first nine months of 2024. Its a year-on-year decrease of 943,000.

Working overtime

Long working hours and low wages for certain people, such as factory workers, will make it hard for them to raise children, said some labor rights groups.

In China's manufacturing factories, workers frequently endure long shifts, typically from 8 AM to 8 PM, with only two days off per month, [and] the combination of low minimum wages and extended overtime working hours has resulted in numerous workers clocking over 300 hours per month, wrote the editors of the China Labour Bulletin, or CLB, on the organizations website.

A CLB spokesperson told VOA in a written response that unless Chinese workers have support from extended families, it will be difficult for them to raise children.

According to Chen, overtime work has been routine for her, and she does not think she can have enough time to childcare if she ever has children.

Some people may seek help from nannies or older family members, but I think one thing that cant be absent from childrens upbringing is quality time with their parents, and since my work is too busy, I dont think I can fulfill that, she told VOA.
China has moved forward with a complaint at the World Trade Organization that alleges the European Union has improperly set anti-subsidy tariffs on new Chinese-made electric vehicles.

The Chinese diplomatic mission to the WTO said Monday it "strongly opposes" the measures and insisted its move was designed to protect the EV industry and support a global transition toward greener technologies.

The European bloc announced last month it was imposing import duties of up to 35% on electric vehicles from China, alleging the Chinese exports were unfairly undercutting EU industry prices. The duties are set to remain in force for five years, unless an amicable deal can be struck.

Electric vehicles have become a major flashpoint in a broader trade dispute over the influence of Chinese government subsidies on European markets and Beijing's burgeoning exports of green technology to the bloc.

China alleged that the EU move amounted to "an abuse of trade remedies" that violates WTO rules, and amounted to "protectionist" measures, according to the mission's statement.

Valdis Dombrovskis, the executive vice president of the EU's Commission, last week called the steps "proportionate and targeted" and were aimed to underpin fair market practices and support the bloc's industrial base.
In an unusual warning, China's navy told young officers and personnel that they could get ensnared by online dating scams and virtual gambling if they let down their guard, exposing themselves to security risks and undermining the military.

Addressing those born from 1990 who are "becoming the core of the army," the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy said in a social media post that young soldiers should avoid revealing their military identity online as they could be "extremely easy" targets of criminals.

The political and confidential nature of the military profession dictates that the military personnel identity must not be exposed online, it said.

"Distinguish carefully and keep some distance when making friends online," a line in the post advised, and "never lose sight of your principles and make random friends with netizens."

The navy also cautioned against virtual gambling, which is illegal in China, likening gambling addiction to being "possessed by a demon" and warning against schemes that could lead to a "fall into an endless abyss" of debt.

China's military projects an image of power, from launching drills around democratically governed Taiwan to deploying patrols in the South China Sea. But President Xi Jinping, also the military's commander-in-chief, has often warned that the armed forces face "deep-seated" problems from within, including corruption and a lack of discipline.

Young soldiers are not the only demographic singled out. Xi has also stressed political loyalty from senior military personnel.

At a military conference in June, Xi emphasized upholding the Chinese Communist Party's "absolute leadership" over the PLA and that the armed forces must always "uphold their core values, maintain purity, and strictly adhere to discipline."

Xi attributed the root cause of problems to the lack of ideals and beliefs, calling on the armed forces particularly senior cadres, to "introspect, engage in soul-searching reflections, and make earnest rectifications," according to official news agency Xinhua.
Control of the U.S. Congress is at stake in Tuesdays voting, with the outcome likely to play a key role in the fate of legislative proposals advanced by whomever wins the presidency, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris or Republican former President Donald Trump.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are at stake in elections throughout the U.S. for new two-year terms, while 34 of the 100 seats in the Senate are being contested for new six-year terms.

Democrats now narrowly control the Senate and Republicans the House, but the majorities in both chambers could flip, or possibly stay the same, election analysts are predicting. Either way, political party control of both chambers is likely to remain narrow, no matter the outcome.

Republicans stand a good chance of taking back control of the Senate, where Democrats hold a 51-49 majority. One seat, in West Virginia, is considered likely to flip to Republicans, giving the party the chance to assume control if it can win one more seat from Democrats. A handful of Democratic incumbent senators are facing stiff Republican opposition, locked in tight contests to win reelection.

A total of 23 of the 34 Senate seats at stake are held by Democrats or independents who caucus with the party.

Analysts say control of the Senate hinges on seven especially competitive contests, while the outcome of fewer than 40 of the 435 Houses races is in doubt, leaving each party safely controlling about 200 seats. Republicans currently hold a 220-212 edge, with three vacant seats.

Political surveys throughout the election campaign have shown voters, much like in the Harris-Trump race for the White House, evenly divided in their political preference for congressional control.

An October Reuters/Ipsos poll found 43% of registered voters would back the Republican House candidate in their district, while 43% would back the Democratic candidate.

Tight contests in the heavily Democratic states of New York and California could determine House control, with Democrats trying to win back a handful of seats they unexpectedly lost in the 2022 elections.

Control of the House may not be known for several days as California has often taken days to count ballots, and recounts and runoffs of close races can take weeks to resolve.
Suspected Russian efforts to rile up Americans and undermine faith in U.S. democracy disrupted voting in at least five states Tuesday but appears to have failed to derail the U.S. election, according to officials charged with overseeing election security.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, said that despite a series of bomb threats and a series of fabricated videos and social media posts aimed to mislead voters, there were no indications anyone had succeeded in sabotaging the ability of Americans to cast ballots in the presidential election.

"At this time, we've seen no evidence of malicious activity impacting the security or integrity of election infrastructure," CISA Director Jen Easterly told reporters after most polling locations across the U.S. had closed.

"While at the national level, we found some minor disruptive activity throughout the day, [it was] activity that was largely expected and planned for," she added.

But multiple senior officials cautioned it would be a mistake to underestimate Russia, as well as Iran and other U.S. adversaries.

"I don't want to count out that our foreign adversaries may still be active in their aims of influence operations to undermine American confidence ultimately and the legitimacy of the results," Easterly said.

CISAs lead election security official, senior adviser Cait Conley, put it bluntly. "We are not out of the woods yet," she told reporters during an earlier briefing.

The biggest disruptions came as a result of a series of Election Day bomb threats that first targeted polling locations in the southeastern state of Georgia, before plaguing additional voting sites in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Arizona.

The FBI said Tuesday that the majority of the threats, "appear to originate from Russian email domains."

And while CISA officials cautioned that other U.S. adversaries could have used the domain to hide their involvement, some state officials assigned blame directly to Moscow.

"We identified the source, and it was from Russia," Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told reporters.

"They're up to mischief and it seems they don't want us to have a smooth, fair and accurate election," Raffensperger added. "They think if they can get us to fight amongst ourselves, they can count that as a victory."

Police in Georgia described the efforts to disrupt voting as extensive.

"Thirty-two bomb threats at different polling locations. Three-two," said Fulton County Police Chief Wade Yates. "Some [of the threats] were called in to 911. Some were called in at a location and some were emailed."

Officials in Pennsylvania and Arizona said multiple polling locations in their states were also targeted.

Voting at many of the affected locations was paused while law enforcement units checked for explosives, though none were found.

"None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far," the FBI said, adding it would continue to work with state and local authorities to investigate the threats.

CISAs Easterly said that while voting hours had to be extended at some of the polling sites, the threats did not catch election officials unaware.

"This was a threat that election officials prepared for and exercised for and effectively mitigated," she said. "While these were certainly disruptive, they ultimately did not impact the ability of citizens to be able to cast their ballots."

But U.S. officials have not ruled out the possibility that the threats were just the first salvo in a Russian effort to spark chaos around the presidential election.

"Our adversaries are specifically intent on leveraging opportunities to spin narratives, to undermine confidence and to pit Americans against one another," Conley said. "We are not aware of any specific Russian activity in terms of influence operations capitalizing on this narrative yet but  we should not be surprised if we do."

Multiple Russian officials Tuesday denied the U.S. accusations, having dismissed previous U.S. claims as "baseless."

The suspected Russian bomb threats, however, built on other last-minute attempts to disrupt the U.S. election.

The FBI on Tuesday warned of at least five efforts to use the bureau's name and likeness to promote false narratives and spark election-related panic.

In one instance, a fabricated statement claiming to be from the bureau warned U.S. media and bloggers to not publish information about violence at polling stations to prevent unrest from spreading.

A second fabricated video purporting to be from the FBI and another government agency suggested U.S. schools close until sometime next week because of concerns about election-related violence.

A third video falsely claimed the FBI had received 9,000 complaints about malfunctioning voting machines, some of which appeared rigged to help one of the presidential candidates.

"This video is also not authentic, is not from the FBI, and its contents are false," the FBI said in a statement.

Earlier, FBI officials called out faked news clips urging Americans to "vote remotely" because of the increased threats of a terror attack and a fabricated video alleging five U.S. prisons were engaged in a vote-rigging scheme.

The FBI did not say who was responsible for creating the videos, which began to circulate just three days after two other fraudulent videos purporting to be from the FBI began circulating on social media.

Another fabricated video targeted the CIA, alleging the U.S. spy agency found evidence that dead Americans were being used to cast ballots.

The video "is absolutely false and is consistent with foreign disinformation that the U.S. Intelligence Community has long warned about," a CIA spokesperson told VOA.

U.S. intelligence officials have assigned responsibility for other videos claiming to show voting irregularities, some surfacing last week, to Russian influence actors.

The latest incidents are part of what some U.S. officials have described as a "firehose of disinformation" and follow a warning from U.S. intelligence agencies late Monday that Russia, and to a lesser extent Iran, were likely to intensify their influence operations on Election Day and in the days and weeks that follow.

"Influence actors linked to Russia in particular are manufacturing videos and creating fake articles to undermine the legitimacy of the election, instill fear in voters regarding the election process, and suggest Americans are using violence against each other due to political preferences," according to the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

"We anticipate Russian actors will release additional manufactured content with these themes through election day and in the days and weeks after polls close," the statement added. "These efforts risk inciting violence, including against election officials."

Like the FBI and CIA, CISA on Tuesday rejected reports of violence and voting irregularities tied to the U.S. election as lies.

"We have really, on a national perspective, seen very minimal types of disruptive activity in the forms of any type of altercation at polling locations," CISA's Conley told reporters.

And she said allegations of widespread voter fraud have no merit.

"We have been in very close contact with state and local election officials across the country, and we see no data or reporting to support these claims," Conley said.
Millions of U.S. voters are set to cast their ballots Tuesday as they decide whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump will be the countrys next leader.
Iran on Monday executed a Jewish citizen convicted of murdering another man in 2022 following a personal dispute, reports said. It was a rare case of an execution of member of a religious minority in the predominately Muslim nation.

Mizanonline.ir, a website affiliated with Iran's judiciary, said 23-year-old Arvin Ghahremani was put to death after the country's Supreme Court affirmed the capital punishment handed down in the case earlier last year.

The report quoted Hamid Reza Karimi, the prosecutor of the western city of Kermanshah, as saying the court and the convicted man's lawyers and relatives had failed to convince the victim's family to abstain from qisas  an act under Islamic penal code that calls for similar punishment, or an "eye for an eye"  and effectively pardon his killer.

The victim's name was not provided.

According to the report, Ghahramani attacked the victim outside a gym in Kermanshah in 2022 and stabbed the man several times following a dispute over money he had loaned the victim.

Jewish citizens are a small minority in the country of 85 million. In 1999, Iran arrested 13 Jewish citizens, accusing them of spying for Israel and sentenced several to up to four years in prison.

Many Jews fled the country after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and current estimates suggest some 20,000 Jews remain in Iran. Shiite Muslims make up most of Iran's population and the establishment is led by hard-line clerics who preach a strict version of Islam.
Iran's chief diplomat said Tuesday that Tehran opposes military escalation in the region but "will certainly respond" to the deadly Oct. 26 strike by Israel against his country.

During an official visit to neighboring Pakistan, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the Israeli attack on Iranian military bases and other installations, resulting in the deaths of at least five people, mostly security personnel.

"Unlike the Israeli regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek escalation. However, we reserve our inherent right to legitimate defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter," he told a joint news conference in Islamabad with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar.

"We would certainly respond to the Israeli aggression in a proper time and in a proper manner in a very measured and well-calculated manner," Araghchi said without elaborating further.

Israeli warplanes conducted the October 26 strikes, saying they were in retaliation for Tehran's missile barrage on October 1. Iran described its military action as a response to the killing of militant leaders backed by Tehran and a commander from the Revolutionary Guards.

On Sunday, Iranian state media quoted President Masoud Pezeshkian as saying that a potential cease-fire between its regional allies and Israel "could affect the intensity and type of" Iran's response to the Israeli attack.

Dar stated Tuesday that during discussions with his Iranian counterpart, both sides condemned the "unrestrained Israeli aggression" in the Middle East and emphasized the urgent need for a "cease-fire" and "de-escalation."

Gas pipeline

Araghchi said that during his meetings in Islamabad, he also stressed the need to boost political, economic, commercial, and energy cooperation between Iran and Pakistan. He described terrorism as a mutual threat for both countries and urged enhanced cooperation.

The two foreign ministers did not discuss the status of a long-stalled multi-billion-dollar pipeline, though, intended to export Iranian natural gas to energy-starved Pakistan.

The United States is opposed to the project as a violation of its sanctions on Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Under a 2009 gas sales and purchase agreement for the cross-border pipeline, the Iranian side must supply Pakistan with up to 1 billion cubic feet of gas per day from Iran's South Pars Field. However, the project has been on hold since then.

Iranian officials have long announced that the 900-kilometer pipeline is completed on their side of the border. Pakistani officials say they have not started constructing their portion of the pipeline for fear of being slapped with U.S. sanctions.

Tehran has been pressing Islamabad to uphold its end of the project or pay a reported financial penalty of up to $18 billion for delaying it.

Pakistan has recently hired the services of two U.S.-based law firms to represent the country at the International Court of Arbitration in anticipation of a potential situation in which Iran may compel Islamabad to fulfill its obligations or face financial penalties.

The move followed Tehran's reported final notice to Islamabad in August before seeking arbitration from the Paris-based body.
[[ Near-universal concern and condemnation has followed Israels formal announcement to the United Nations that it will not cooperate with the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, after Israels parliament voted to cut ties last week. In Washington, at the U.N. and on the ground, officials and residents are raising alarms over the disintegrating humanitarian situation in Gaza and elsewhere. VOA White House correspondent Anita Powell reports from Washington.
Palestinian health officials said Tuesday a series of Israeli airstrikes killed at least 30 people in the Gaza Strip.

One strike late Monday hit a house where displaced families were sheltering in Beit Lahiya, killing at least 20 people, the officials said.

Other deadly strikes took place in Gaza City, Zuweida and Deir al-Balah.

Israels military said Tuesday its forces had killed militants and militant infrastructure sites in central and southern Gaza during the past day.

Lebanon conflict

The death toll in Lebanon surpassed 3,000 on Monday, in the 13-month-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with the vast majority killed since hostilities dramatically escalated in mid-September and Israel invaded south Lebanon on October 1.

The Lebanese health ministry said more than 13,000 people have also been wounded. More than a million people have been displaced in the tiny country. Israel says the dead include hundreds of Hezbollah members. It also succeeded in assassinating the groups top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and several senior commanders.

In Israel, 72 people have been killed by Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks, including 30 soldiers, according to the prime minister's office.

Meanwhile, Lebanons caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, called for immediate international pressure to end the war with Israel, protect civilians and medical teams from attack, as well as the countrys cultural heritage, the National News Agency reported Monday. Israel has conducted repeated airstrikes over the ancient cities of Tyre and Baalbek, risking damage to their ancient ruins.

Mikati also had discussions with the ambassadors of the permanent five members of the U.N Security Council  Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, as well as the European Union, about the situation.

Gaza aid

Rik Peeperkorn, World Health Organization representative in the West Bank and Gaza told reporters in a video call from Gaza on Monday that there were very few aid delivery missions to northern Gaza in October across U.S. agencies. Peeperkorn said the missions got canceled, got impeded, got delayed.

Currently, private imports are virtually banned and Israeli authorities are only allowing the use of three crossing points into Gaza  Kerem Shalom, Gate 96 (near central Gaza) and Erez West.

Furthermore, humanitarian colleagues can only access these border areas by highly dangerous routes, said U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. The use of most roads leading to these entry points has either been banned by the Israeli authorities or rendered unsafe due to the ongoing hostilities.

He said the routes available are often in poor condition and prone to looting by armed men.

The United Nations is also in the final phase of a massive polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, where the disease has been detected in wastewater. Peeperkorn said the goal is to vaccinate nearly 600,000 children under age 10 across the territory. They have reached more than 95% coverage in south and central Gaza, and in the first two days of vaccinations in northern Gaza reached nearly 95,000 children or about 79% of their target.

More than a year ago, Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages in their October 7 attack on Israel that sparked the current war. Israel says it believes Hamas is still holding 101 hostages, including 35 the military says are dead.

Israels counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 43,300 Palestinians, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count.

Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated terror groups by the United States and other Western countries.

VOA United Nations Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. has proposed investing almost $10 million to make additional goods in Indonesia, according to people familiar with the matter, as it seeks to have the countrys ban on sales of its latest iPhone removed.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The plan would involve Apple investing in a factory in Bandung, southeast of Jakarta, in partnership with its list of suppliers, the people said, asking not to be identified because theyre not authorized to speak publicly. The facility would make products such as accessories and components for Apple gadgets, the people said.

Apple has submitted its proposal to the nations Ministry of Industry, which last month blocked a permit allowing the sale of the iPhone 16 on grounds the US tech giants local unit hasnt met a 40% domestic content requirement for smartphones and tablets.

The ministry is deliberating on the proposal, which isnt final and may be subject to change, and is expected to reach a decision shortly, the people said.

Apple didnt respond to a request for comment. The Ministry of Industry also didnt respond to a request for comment.

Indonesias iPhone 16 ban is the latest example of the pressure new President Prabowo Subiantos government is putting on international companies to boost local manufacturing as it seeks to protect domestic industries. The Southeast Asian nation has also banned the sale of Alphabet Inc.s Google Pixel phones because of a similar lack of investment.

The moves are a continuation of similar tactics used under former President Joko Widodos administration. Last year, Indonesia blocked Chinas ByteDance Ltd. in a bid to shield its retail sector from cheap Chinese-made goods, prompting the hugely popular video service to ultimately invest $1.5 billion in a joint venture with Tokopedia, the e-commerce arm of Indonesias GoTo Group.

Apple doesnt have any standalone factories in Indonesia and like most multinationals, partners with locally based suppliers to make components or finished goods. An investment of close to $10 million would be a relatively small price for Apple to pay for freer access to Indonesias some 278 million consumers  more than half of them under the age of 44 and tech savvy.

While Indonesia may view Apples additional investment  should it transpire  as a win, its strong arm approach risks deterring other companies from scaling up their presence or establishing a footprint in the first place, particularly firms that are looking to pivot away from China. It may also jeopardize Prabowos aim of attracting overseas investments to grow the economy and fund policy spending.
In a rare and welcome move, the World Health Organization says more than 100 patients, including children, who are suffering from severe trauma injuries and chronic diseases will be medically evacuated from Gaza Wednesday to countries where they can receive medical treatment for their condition.

These are ad hoc measures. What we have been requesting for repeatedly is a sustained medevac [medical evacuation] outside Gaza, an organized, sustained medevac, Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said in a call Tuesday with journalists in Geneva.

Speaking in Gaza, Peeperkorn said that as many as 113 patients who are on the Ministry of Health priority list for medical evacuation will be gathered at the European Gaza hospital tonight and from six in the morning  that is the plan  they will be brought to Kerem Shalom and then across Kerem Shalom to Ramallah airport.

The majority of the patients will go to the UAE, he said and then I think something like 13 patients will go to Romania. So, that is the plan for tomorrow.

While affirming the importance of the operation, Peeperkorn noted the number of people being evacuated from war-torn Gaza paled in comparison to the needs.

We estimate that approximately 12,000 to 14,000 critical patients need to be medevaced, half of them probably trauma-related  what we call serious trauma cases  amputations, spinal cord injuries, burns, etc., with the other half being chronic cases, including cancer, cardiovascular, blood and liver diseases, he said.

Before the Rafah crossing in South Gaza near the Egyptian border was closed on May 6, nearly 5,000 patients were medevaced outside the Palestinian enclave. Since then, only 282 patients have been evacuated. The last WHO-led operation occurred on September 11 when 97 sick and severely injured patients and 155 companions were transported out of Gaza via Kerem Shalom for medical treatment.

We cannot continue the way we do now. We need medical corridors, Peeperkorn said. The first medical corridors we have repeatedly requested to be restored is the traditional referral pathway from Gaza to East Jerusalem and the West Bank to the hospitals that are there already.

And a second medical corridor to Egypt should be opened again, and maybe to Jordan, and from there when other countries are willing to receive patients, they can go to other areas, he said.

While plans for transporting patients outside the Gaza Strip are moving ahead, a second round of polio vaccinations aimed at reaching more than a half million children under age 10 is winding down.

The World Health Organization says a second dose of novel oral polio vaccine has been administered to more than 450,000 children, and more than 364,000 children have received vitamin A in central and southern Gaza.

Unfortunately, a similar campaign was compromised in northern Gaza because of the dire conditions prevailing in the region.

Peeperkorn said the technical committee, which is the Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, UNRWA, and NGO partners, decided to postpone the vaccination campaign from October 23 until November 2 due to the lack of access, the lack of assured humanitarian pauses, the intense bombardment and the mass evacuation orders.

The committee decided to go ahead after the delay and to do our level best to cover as many kids as possible, he said, noting that between November 2 and 4, the campaign managed to vaccinate 88% of the targeted 119,000 children under 10, and it provided nearly 84,000 children with vitamin A.

This is an exceptional achievement, he said, while acknowledging it will take weeks if not months for us to know how successful this campaign has been.

Peeperkorn participated in a mission that reached Kamal Adwan hospital Sunday, managing to deliver medical and surgical supplies, as well as other urgent necessities of fuel, food and water. The team also transferred 25 patients and 37 companions to Gaza Citys Shifa Hospital.

The WHO official presented an alarming picture of conditions in northern Gaza and the dangers encountered by medical staff and patients alike.

There was intense bombardment in close proximity to the hospital even during the mission, he said. Shortly after the WHO mission to Kamal Adwan Hospital departed, the facilitys third floor reportedly was hit, injuring six children who are patients there. One child reportedly sustained a critical injury. Water tanks were damaged.

He said, The needs are enormous. The Emergency Department is full of patients, more than 40 casualties. The inpatient department also was full of hospitalized patients and their caregivers.

Northern Gaza has three hospitals. Peeperkorn said the Indonesian Hospital is not functional and the other two, Kamal Adwan and al-Awda hospitals, are only minimally functional.  There are no functional primary health care centers or medical points in North Gaza.

While an estimated 150,000 people were forcibly evacuated from the region, he noted that an estimated population of 75,000 people remain.

Given the health situation in northern Gaza, he said, It is critically vital that these hospitals remain functional.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate release Monday of some 29 minors detained during anti-government protests in August after their court trial sparked outrage and widespread condemnation.

The protesters faced treason charges punishable by death according to Nigerian law.

But human rights groups saaid recent suppression of protesters is an attempt by authorities to stifle dissent.

Nigeria's information minister, Mohammed Idris, told reporters that Tinubu ordered the immediate release of all minors arraigned in connection with the anti-government protests in early August.

He said Tinubu also called for a probe of the security operatives involved in their arrest and ordered the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to help rehabilitate the minors.

The children were among 76 protesters who had been detained since early August. They appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, most of them looking frail and sick.

Their arraignment sparked widespread condemnation of the government by human rights groups including Amnesty International.

Amnesty said putting underage protesters on trial shows the government's disregard for the rule of law, and it called for the minors to be released unconditionally and immediately.

Among the charges they face are treason and attempting to destabilize the government.

Under Nigerian law, treason is punishable by a possible death sentence.

"Any form of trial that has a child as a defendant is illegal, unconstitutional and null and void," said Marshal Abubakar, a lawyer for the protesters. "We have informed the court through our notice of criminal objection challenging the court's jurisdiction to try those children."

Abubaker said the proceedings were a violation of the children's fundamental human rights.

Nigerias National Human Rights Commission also criticized the trial, accusing authorities of manipulating state institutions to punish citizens.

In early August, many Nigerians took to the streets to denounce government policies they said had increased the cost of living.



The so-called Ten Days of Rage protests aimed to pressure the government to abandon unpopular economic policies. However, security forces cracked down and quelled the demonstrations.

Nigerian police accused the protesters of attempting to foment violence.

Before the minors were ordered to be released, Nigerian police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the protesters were criminally liable even if they were underage.

"Once you're more than 7 [years old], you can be charged to court," said Muyiwa Adejobi of the national police. "The only thing is that you need to follow certain procedures to do that. The youngest should be 13. So, we have charged them to court on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria, because these are those who actually leveraged on the protests, they hijacked the protests, and they're so violent."

Last year, Tinubu introduced several reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, which he says will boost Nigerias economy.

But citizens facing higher living costs have been pushing back against the policies and have blamed the government for their hardship.

Abubakar said the government wants to curb demonstrations of any kind.

"Over the months this government has shown that they are interested in curtailing the civic space and denying Nigerians of their fundamental human rights to dissent and to demand for a better life for themselves," Abubakar said.


The $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes that Elon Musk 's political action committee is hosting in swing states can continue through Tuesday's presidential election, a Pennsylvania judge ruled Monday.

Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta  ruling after Musk's lawyers said the winners are paid spokespeople and not chosen by chance  did not immediately explain his reasoning.

District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, had called the process a scam "designed to actually influence a national election" and asked that it be shut down.

Musk lawyer Chris Gober said the final two recipients before Tuesday's presidential election will be in Arizona on Monday and Michigan on Tuesday.

"The $1 million recipients are not chosen by chance," Gober said Monday. "We know exactly who will be announced as the $1 million recipient today and tomorrow."

Chris Young, the director of America PAC, testified that the recipients are vetted ahead of time, to "feel out their personality, (and) make sure they were someone whose values aligned" with the group.

Musk's lawyers, in closing arguments, called it "core political speech" given that participants sign a petition endorsing the U.S. Constitution. They said Krasner's legal bid to shut down the sweepstakes under Pennsylvania law was moot because there would be no more Pennsylvania winners before the program ends Tuesday.

Krasner believes the giveaways violates state election law and contradict what Musk promised when he announced them during an appearance with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump 's campaign in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 19: "We're going to be awarding a million dollars randomly to people who have signed the petition every day from now until the election," Musk vowed.

Young also acknowledged that the PAC made the recipients sign nondisclosure agreements.

"They couldn't really reveal the truth about how they got the money, right?" asked Krasner lawyer John Summers.

"Sounds right," Young said.

In an Oct. 20 social media post shown in court, Musk said anyone signing the petition had "a daily chance of winning $1M!"

Summers grilled him on Musk's use of both the words "chance" and "randomly," prompting Young, who also serves as the PAC's treasurer, to concede the latter was not "the word I would have selected."

Young said the winners knew they would be called on stage but not specifically that they would win the money.

Musk did not attend the hearing. He has committed more than $70 million to the super PAC to help Trump and other Republicans win in November.

"This was all a political marketing masquerading as a lottery," Krasner testified Monday morning. "That's what it is. A grift."

Lawyers for Musk and the PAC said they do not plan to extend the lottery beyond Tuesday. Krasner said the first three winners, starting on Oct. 19, came from Pennsylvania in the days leading up to the state's Oct. 21 voter registration deadline.

Other winners came from the battleground states of Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina and Michigan. It's not clear if anyone has yet received the money. The PAC pledged they would get it by Nov. 30, according to an exhibit shown in court.

More than 1 million people from the seven states have registered for the sweepstakes by signing a petition saying they support the right to free speech and to bear arms, the first two amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Krasner questioned how the PAC might use their data, which it will have on hand well past the election.

"They were scammed for their information," Krasner said. "It has almost unlimited use."

Krasner's lawyer, John Summers, said Musk is "the heartbeat of America PAC," and the person announcing the winners and presenting the checks.

"He was the one who presented the checks, albeit large cardboard checks. We don't really know if there are any real checks," Summers said.

Foglietta was presiding over the case at Philadelphia City Hall after Musk and the PAC lost an effort to move it to federal court.

Krasner has said he could still consider criminal charges, as he's tasked with protecting both lotteries and the integrity of elections. In the lawsuit, he said the defendants are "indisputably violating" Pennsylvania's lottery laws.

Pennsylvania remains a key battleground state with 19 electoral votes and both Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris have repeatedly visited the state, including stops planned Monday in the final hours of the campaign.

Krasner  who noted that he has long driven a Tesla  said he could also seek civil damages for the Pennsylvania registrants. Musk is the CEO and largest shareholder of Tesla. He also owns the social media platform X, where America PAC has published posts on the sweepstakes, and the rocket ship maker SpaceX.
The Philippine military opened two weeks of combat drills Monday that will include seizing an island in the disputed South China Sea and likely be frowned upon by China.

More than 3,000 Filipino army, navy and air force personnel will take part in the maneuvers, which Philippine military officials said were not directed against any country.

China has rapidly expanded its military and has become increasingly assertive in pursuing territorial claims in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually in its entirety. The tensions have led to more frequent confrontations, primarily with the Philippines and Vietnam, though the longtime territorial disputes also involve Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Last month, Indonesia said its patrol ships drove away a Chinese coast guard ship that disrupted a survey being undertaken by a state-owned energy company in a part of the South China Sea disputed by both countries.

"Our mission today is very clear, to prepare ourselves comprehensively to respond to any external threats that might challenge our sovereignty," Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said in the opening ceremony of the exercises.

The maneuvers will include live-fire drills using artillery and assault rifles and beach landing drills. In the South China Sea, Filipino forces would simulate taking control of an island, Philippine army Colonel Michael Logico told reporters without elaborating.

Asked how China may react, Logico said he expected Chinese forces to undertake surveillance from a distance but added they would not likely make any hostile move.

"They have a front seat to the exercise. They'll watch and we don't mind," Logico said.

China has opposed such combat drills in the South China Sea, particularly if American and allied forces were involved.

The outgoing Biden administration has moved to strengthen an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to better counter China, including in any future confrontation over Taiwan. America's moves dovetail with Philippine efforts to shore up its territorial defense amid a long-seething dispute mainly with China in the South China Sea.

Next year, U.S. and Philippines forces plan to stage their largest annual combat drills called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, that are also expected to include maneuvers in contested South China Sea areas.
Russia is flagrantly violating its agreements with the OPEC oil cartel by concealing the true amount of oil it is producing and selling, according to a new report that says the profits are funding Moscows war on Ukraine.

The investigation by the Ukrainian Center for Defense Reforms asserts that Russia is breaching an OPEC agreement to cut oil production. The think tank is chaired by Oleksandr Danylyuk, a former chief adviser to the Ukrainian defense minister.

Oil cut

In 2016, amid declining oil prices and to stabilize the market, OPEC reached an agreement with ten additional oil-producing countries, including Russia. The participants in this expanded format, known as OPEC+, agreed to reduce oil production, leading to a natural rise in global commodity prices, the report says.

However, the authors say that Russia has flagrantly violated its obligations under the OPEC+ agreement by concealing the true extent of its production and sales, thereby exceeding its production quota by no less than 2.57 million barrels per day (28%) on average during the first four months of 2024.

$60 billion

That has enriched the Kremlin, said report co-author Danylyuk.

Its about $60 billion per year. And it's also important because this is the money which is not seen by anyone, Danylyuk told VOA. And obviously, this is extra funds Russia can use to support the war efforts in Ukraine. This is actually the money they can use to buy microelectronics, to buy explosives, to buy shells, to pay countries like North Korea and Iran.

The report claims Russia is concealing the true volume of oil sold to its two biggest customers, India and China.

To disguise these deliveries, Russian authorities list zero value for certain contracts in the customs declarations, says the report. Over the first four months of 2024, Russia exported at least 789,000 barrels of oil per day more to China than officially reported. During the same period, exports to India exceeded official statistics by at least 280,000 barrels per day.

Shadow fleet

In addition, Moscow is using a so-called shadow fleet of tankers to mask the true scale of its oil sales.

The vessels frequently change flags or ownership structures, deliberately deactivate the Automatic Identification System, falsify location under the influence of electronic warfare, and use other deceptive shipping practices.

By comparing discrepancies in shipping data, the Center for Defense Reforms estimates that Russia is exporting an unaccounted crude oil volume of around 1.5 million barrels per day above its OPEC quota through the Baltic Sea and Black Sea.

Smuggling

Paradoxically, because Russia started using those sophisticated methods of smuggling its oil, they are able not just to fool the West and to hide the oil supplies from sanctions, but also to hide them from their partners in the OPEC+ club, Danylyuk said.

The real scale of the operations is actually much higher than most observers believe  $60 billion literally stolen from other OPEC+ countries, he added. I don't think that OPEC originally was founded to have members like that, right? So it's not fair. It's not how cartels usually work.

Russia response

Russia has not directly addressed accusations that it conceals oil sales from OPEC. The Kremlin had not responded to VOA requests for comment at the time of publication.

Speaking at Septembers Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin insisted his country was a reliable partner.

Russia fulfills its obligations to supply energy resources to the world market and plays a stabilizing role in it by participating in such authoritative formats as OPEC+, Putin said in a September 26 address to the conference.

OPEC also did not respond to VOA requests for comment. In a press release issued Sunday, OPEC said that Russia  along with Iraq and Kazakhstan  had strongly reaffirmed their commitment to cut oil output.

Danylyuk said the interests of the West and OPEC were now aligned, because the West doesn't want Russia to make money and OPEC doesn't want Russia to steal money from them.

Obviously, the only way to reduce Russia's ability to make that money is to just reject them from OPEC, he told VOA.
Indonesia and Russia began their first-ever joint naval exercises Monday in the Java Sea.

These bilateral drills work to support an Indonesian foreign policy agenda that prioritizes nonalignment in the face of conflict between world powers.

The drills have been divided into two phases and will take place over the course of five days near Indonesia's Surabaya city, east of the capital, Jakarta.

In the beginning harbor phase, Indonesia and Russia have focused on increasing naval interoperability through ship tours and simulation games, according to a press release from the Indonesian navy.

Russia sent three corvette-class warships, a medium tanker ship, a military helicopter unit and a tugboat to the archipelago.

Indonesia participated in military drills in 2021 with Russia as a member of the ASEAN bloc, but this marks the first time that the two countries have engaged independently.

The bilateral drills come as Indonesias newly elected President Prabowo Subianto doubles down on Indonesias commitment to nonalignment in foreign affairs, seeking to pursue relationships with all countries, regardless of ideological differences.

Prabowo, the countrys former defense minister, visited Russia in July, where he expressed wishes to deepen the bilateral relationship and increase defense collaboration, extending an invitation to Indonesias defense exposition this month.

"We consider Russia as a great friend, and I would like to continue to maintain and enhance this relationship," Prabowo told Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian ambassador to Indonesia, Sergey Tolchenov, said Monday that the drills were not aimed at any country and could "ensure security and stability in the region," Reuters reported.

Outside of Russia, Indonesia has looked to further defense collaboration with other countries, including the United States and China. In August, just before participating in the U.S.-led, multinational Super Garuda Shield exercises, Indonesia and China agreed to resume joint military exercises after a nine-year suspension.
Authorities in Pakistan said Tuesday that a local security guard at a factory in the southern port city of Karachi shot and injured two Chinese nationals, the third attack this year in the country targeting workers from China.

Zia ul Haq Langar, the home minister of the Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital, confirmed the shooting incident, saying it took place in an industrial area. He said an investigation was under way.

Police officials reported that a heated argument and subsequent scuffle with the Chinese workers prompted the guard to open fire on them. The foreigners were taken to a local hospital, where one of them was said to be in critical condition.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry pledged to bring "the responsible individual to justice.

This morning, two Chinese nationals were injured in Karachi as a result of a firing incident following a dispute with a private guard, the ministry stated in Islamabad. "Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions in Pakistan.

The shooting comes amid Islamabads rare tensions with close ally Beijing that stem from growing security threats to Chinese workers and engineers working on infrastructure development projects under Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI.

At a seminar in Pakistan's capital last week, the Chinese ambassador criticized the repeated attacks on Chinese citizens in the country, labeling them as unacceptable and a barrier to their investments in the South Asian nation.

It is extremely rare for Beijing to publicly admonish Islamabad over the security threats to its workers.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry, in an unprecedented response, described the Chinese envoy's remarks as perplexing" and inconsistent with "the diplomatic traditions" that exist between the two nations.

Last month, a suicide car bomber in Karachi killed two Chinese engineers and wounded another, along with several local security personnel. The Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack.

In March this year, a suicide car bombing in northwestern Pakistan killed five Chinese workers and their local driver traveling to a major hydropower project in the area.

The attacks have increased the number of Chinese workers killed in the country to 21 since the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) nearly a decade ago, which is a major infrastructure project stemming from President Xi Jinpings global BRI plans.

Beijing has repeatedly urged Islamabad to improve security for its nationals working in Pakistan.

CPEC has resulted in roads and highways, primarily coal-fired power plants in Pakistan, and the strategic deepwater Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea in the southwestern province of Balochistan.
The United Arab Emirates opened its annual oil-and-gas summit on Monday as it plans to increase the country's energy output as global prices stay volatile and world politics remain uncertain ahead of the U.S. presidential election.

The massive Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference comes after the UAE just last year hosted the United Nations COP28 climate talks. Those talks ended with a call by nearly 200 countries to move away from planet-warming fossil fuels  the first time the conference made that crucial pledge.

But the UAE as a whole still plans to increase its production capacity of oil to 5 million barrels a day in the coming years as it pursues cleaner energies at home. Meanwhile, UAE officials have made a point to dodge any questions about the U.S. election while maintaining their close ties to Russia despite Moscow's war on Ukraine.

"Allow me to say that we in the United Arab Emirates will always choose partnership over polarization, dialogue over division and peace over provocation," said Sultan al-Jaber, who heads the state-run Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., or ADNOC, and who also led the COP28 talks in Dubai.

Crude oil prices have been depressed this year. Benchmark Brent crude traded around $74 a barrel on Monday as prices have dropped after concerns over the ongoing Mideast wars growing into a regional conflict faded in recent days.

Slowing economic growth in China and ample supply in the market are additionally dragging down prices.

In his speech opening the summit, al-Jaber pointed to artificial intelligence as a future technology that could be deployed by the energy industry  and one with a voracious appetite for electricity.

"No single source of energy is going to be enough to meet this demand," he said. He called for a variety of energy sources to meet that challenge, including fossil fuels.

"Oil will continue to be used for fuel and as a building block for many essential products," al-Jaber added.

Scientists have called for drastically slashing the world's emissions by nearly half in the coming years to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) compared with pre-industrial times.

The 2015 Paris Agreement mentions that limit without specifically calling for a stop on using fossil fuels  something that OPEC Secretary-General Haitham al-Ghais seized on in remarks.

"The Paris Agreement, ladies and gentlemen, is about the reduction of emissions," he said. "It's not about phasing out or phasing down or keeping the oil under the ground."

Suhail al-Mazrouei, the Emirates' minister of energy and infrastructure, separately stressed that "investments in oil and gas need to be taken care of" to support demand in the market.

"We are committed to invest in making more resources in the future to ensure the world will have adequate oil and gas resources," he said.

Hardeep Singh Puri, India's minister of petroleum and natural gas, separately made a point to criticize what he described as his "ideologically motivated colleagues" who sought an end to fossil fuel production.

"As we accelerate other green energy transition, we will still need affordable traditional energy at least for two decades, if not longer," he said.

Politics was also close at hand at the summit on Monday. Whispers among the crowd attending the opening pondered who would be better for their businesses, Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump.

Al-Mazrouei dodged the first question by a presenter over whether his country preferred Trump or Harris.

"Of course, we will be discussing energy politics here and I [would] rather not ... talk about the election in the United States," al-Mazrouei said. "As a political contest, we wish both candidates the best."

Later, ADNOC executive Musabbeh al-Kaabi said he worried that "escalating tensions and trade wars may have an impact on the energy transition going forward." However, he declined to comment directly on the election.

The UAE maintains close ties to Russia despite Western sanctions over Moscow's war. An announcer told the crowd where to find Russian translation for the event, while one of the main partners of the summit was Lukoil, Russia's largest non-state oil firm.

Meanwhile, the Mideast wars remain a top concern.

"I think the conflict in the Middle East is probably the top risk," U.K.-based BP CEO Murray Auchincloss said. "We're worried about the safety and security of our people and the security of energy flows."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that his countrys forces have engaged in battle with the North Korean troops that were deployed to Russia to assist in its war on Ukraine.

"The first battles with North Korean soldiers open a new page of instability in the world," Zelenskyy said Tuesday in his daily address  his first official acknowledgement of the encounter between the two forces.

Rustem Umerov, Ukraines defense minister, also has confirmed the arrival of the North Korean forces. In an interview with South Koreas public broadcaster KBS, he said the Ukrainian and North Korean forces has engaged in small-scale fighting.

"The first North Korean troops have already been shelled in the Kursk region," Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation branch of Ukraines Security Council said.

According to a U.S. official quoted by The New York Times late Tuesday, a "significant number" of North Korean troops had been killed, though the report said it was not clear when the fighting had occurred.

Earlier Tuesday, Ukraines military said it shot down two Russian guided missiles as well as 48 of the 79 drones that Russian forces used in overnight attacks.

The intercepts took place over the Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy and Zhytomyr regions, the Ukrainian air force said.

Ivan Fedorov, governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, said Tuesday a Russian attack killed at least six people and wounded 16 others. Fedorov said on Telegram that Russia hit an infrastructure facility.

Officials in Ukraines Kharkiv region also reported a Russian attack that injured two people and damaged three apartment buildings.

Russias Defense Ministry said Tuesday it destroyed six Ukrainian aerial drones over the Kursk region.

The governor of Bryansk, Alexander Bogomaz, said on Telegram there were no reports of damage or casualties.

A spokesperson for the South Korean Defense Ministry said at a briefing Tuesday that there are more than 10,000 North Korea soldiers currently in Russia, including a portion deployed to front line areas, such as in Kursk.

The statement, which spokesperson Jeon Ha-Gyu said was based on intelligence authorities, came a day after a similar assessment from the U.S. Defense Department.

Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder told reporters that there could be as many as 11,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, with most of them in Kursk.

Ryder said the Pentagon could not corroborate reports that the North Koreans were engaged in combat.

Some information for this story came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Just hours before tens of millions of U.S. voters headed to the polls for the countrys presidential election, U.S. intelligence agencies issued a dire warning about ramped up influence operations  some apparently aimed at convincing Americans to turn on each other.

The statement late Monday cautioned voters to beware of a new wave of influence operations aimed at undermining trust and confidence in the U.S. election process, adding that a flood of fake videos and articles meant to spark outrage and inflame tensions is likely to only accelerate, especially in swing states that could determine the outcome of the presidential race.

Russia is the most active threat, according to the warning issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Information Security Agency, or CISA.

Influence actors linked to Russia in particular are manufacturing videos and creating fake articles to undermine the legitimacy of the election, instill fear in voters regarding the election process, and suggest Americans are using violence against each other due to political preferences, they said.

We anticipate Russian actors will release additional manufactured content with these themes through election day and in the days and weeks after polls close, the statement added. These efforts risk inciting violence, including against election officials.

The last-minute warning follows a series of declassified assessments that U.S. intelligence officials have issued in the weeks and months leading up to Tuesdays election.

Yet while most votes have been cast without issue, organizations representing state election officials cautioned there are likely to be some disruptions.

As with any Election Day, it is important to note operational issues may arise, according to the National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association of Secretaries of State.

Voting locations could open late, there could be lines during busy periods, or an area could lose power, they said in a statement. These are inevitable challenges that will arise on Election Day.

There have also been other efforts to try to derail the election.

CISA said it has observed small scale incidents, including efforts to take down official election websites with distributed denial of service attacks, as well as several attempts to blow up or set fire to ballot drop boxes.

The most recent declassified assessment, issued just two weeks ago, warned Russia, Iran and China remain intent on fanning divisive narratives to divide Americans and undermine Americans confidence in the U.S. democratic system consistent with what they perceive to be in their interests.

It further warned that intelligence obtained by U.S. intelligence agencies made them increasingly confident that Russia was starting to engage in plans aimed at inciting violence, and that Iran might follow Moscows lead.



The information shared in the new warning builds on that assessment, pointing to a flurry of new activity linked to Russia.

Specifically, the new statement blames Kremlin-linked actors for posting and amplifying an article falsely claiming that U.S. officials in key states are orchestrating a plan to rig the election by using tactics such as ballot stuffing and cyberattacks.

It also links Russian actors to a video of a fake interview of an individual claiming a scheme in the Southwestern state of Arizona sought to tip the vote in favor of Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris with fake overseas ballots and doctored voter rolls.

U.S. intelligence agencies had already attributed responsibility for other social media videos to Russian influence actors  including two last week claiming to show Haitian immigrants voting multiple times and purporting to show ballots in Pennsylvania being ripped up.

The latest statement also warned that Iran remains a significant foreign influence threat to U.S. elections, citing, in part, previously Iranian efforts to hack the campaign of Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump.

VOA has reached out to the Russian Embassy in Washington and the Iranian Mission to the United Nations in New York for a response to the new U.S. allegations.

Russia, Iran and China have repeatedly rejected previous U.S. assessments of their influence operations.

The Russian Embassy in Washington late Monday in an email to VOA dismissed the newest U.S. intelligence warning as baseless.

The Embassy has not received either any proof for these claims during its communications with U.S. officials, or any inquiries regarding the narrative being promoted by the press, the embassy said, further describing Washingtons accusations of Russian disinformation campaigns an unfortunate tradition for U.S. elections.

The Iranian Mission to the United Nations in New York has yet to respond to VOAs request for comment.

Despite concerns about the potential of Russian and Iranian influence operations, the U.S. expressed confidence earlier Monday that other foreign efforts to hack into the countrys election infrastructure in order to alter the vote tally would come up short.

In a briefing with reporters, CISA officials said there is no evidence to suggest foreign adversaries like Russia, Iran and China have the wherewithal to infiltrate and manipulate the countrys election infrastructure.

"I can say with great confidence that I do not believe that a technical hack of our elections in the way that it would materially impact the presidential election is possible," said CISA Director Jen Easterly.

"Given the multiple layers of safeguards, the cybersecurity protections, the physical access controls, the preelection testing of equipment for accuracy, the postelection audits, it would not be possible for a bad actor to tamper with or manipulate our voting systems in such a way that it would have a material impact on the outcome of the presidential election, certainly not without being detected, Easterly told reporters.

Some of the confidence stems from the decentralized way U.S. elections are run  with each state using its own, individual system to record and tally ballots. But it also follows years of preparation by CISA, working with state and local election officials across the United States.

Those efforts have included more than 700 cybersecurity assessments, and hundreds of election exercises and training sessions since the start of 2023.

Additionally, none of the state voting systems are connected to the internet, and an estimated 97% of U.S. voters will be casting ballots in jurisdictions that produce paper records as a backup.

Our election infrastructure has never been more secure, Easterly said. The election community has never been better prepared to deliver safe, secure, free and fair elections.

As of late Monday, CISA estimated that more than 77 million Americans had already cast ballots during the early voting period, with tens of millions more expected to vote in person on Election Day.

That confidence, however, has been tempered by concerns that foreign actors could play on mundane disruptions, like power outages, or cyberattacks on other U.S infrastructure to spark fears across the U.S.

As with any Election Day, it is important to note operational issues may arise, according to the National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association of Secretaries of State.

Voting locations could open late, there could be lines during busy periods, or an area could lose power, they said in a statement. These are inevitable challenges that will arise on Election Day.

Already, there have also been other efforts to try to derail the election.

CISA said it has observed small scale incidents, including efforts to take down official election websites with distributed denial of service attacks, as well as several attempts to blow up or set fire to ballot drop boxes.

"We expect that these types of incidents and other forms of disruptions will continue on Election Day [and] in the days that follow, Easterly told reporters, adding despite cause for concern there have been no significant impacts to election infrastructure."

Still, CISA and its state and local partners are wary that even though the U.S. is on track, foreign influence campaigns could alter the perception among voters due to what U.S. officials have described as a firehose of disinformation."

Some of the efforts, like those attributed to Russia and Iran, have gained widespread attention.

Others, like Chinese efforts against Republican lawmakers and candidates seen as critical to Beijing, appear to be more targeted.



And gauging the effectiveness of these efforts, especially the recent videos attributed to Russia, is difficult to determine.

The successfulness, I would say, is quite small, said Brian Liston, a senior threat intelligence analyst with Recorded Futures Insikt Group.

We have not really seen these videos, or this content break out beyond social media or on Telegram, Liston told VOA.

But there are concerns, however, that some of these narratives could gain traction on more mainstream social media platforms.

Since Elon Musk took over Twitter and gutted content moderation and really changed the purpose of X, we've seen it become just a hotbed of mis and disinformation, said Audrey McCabe, an information accountability analyst at Common Cause, a nonpartisan watchdog and advocacy organization.

McCabe told reporters Monday that the changes to X have rippled across the social media space.

[It] has allowed other platforms to lower their standards for content moderation and what they're doing to protect users, she said. And so, we're seeing an increase of this stuff everywhere, including on Meta, and other platforms as well."

And if some of the foreign influence efforts spread far enough, it could help exacerbate exiting tensions.

They are deliberately finding narratives to try to stoke partisan discord and inflame domestic tension and pit Americans against one another, and we cannot let them succeed," a senior CISA official said, who briefed reporters last Friday on the condition of anonymity.

We've seen how these disinformation campaigns have led to very real threats of violence targeting these public servants, and that should be unacceptable, the official added, citing repeated threats against election officials across the country.

CISA officials on Monday said that state and local election officials have been in close contact with law enforcement agencies, and that precautions have been put in place to better protect election workers, election officials and even the ballots themselves.

They also emphasized that so far, there have been no credible or specific threats to polling locations.

"We've not seen specific reporting about violence at polling places, Easterly said Monday in response to a question from VOA. "I certainly don't want voters to feel at all intimidated about going to voting locations."
Tech giant Apple is conducting an internal study, dubbed Atlas, to gather employee feedback on smart glasses currently available in the market, Bloomberg reported.

This initiative, part of the company's exploration into the smart glasses sector, involves focus groups led by Apples Product Systems Quality team.

The study, which began recently at the company's Cupertino headquarters, is aimed at understanding the smart glasses category.

"Testing and developing products that all can come to love is very important to what we do at Apple," the company in an email told the publication.

The publication previously reported that Apple was considering entering the smart glasses market, a move that could challenge Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses.

However, any resulting product from Apple is anticipated to be several years away from launch.

In a separate development, the company has proposed plans to invest nearly $10m in Indonesia to address a ban on its latest iPhone sales, the news publication reported citing people familiar with the matter.

The investment is expected to involve a factory at Bandung in southeast of Jakarta which develops products such as accessories and components for Apple devices.

The proposal is said to be under review by Indonesia's Ministry of Industry, which enforced the ban due to Apple not meeting the 40% domestic content requirement.

A decision on the proposal is expected soon.

Indonesia's stance on local manufacturing has affected other tech giants as well, with sales bans impacting Google Pixel phones and ByteDance's services until investment commitments were made.

The latest development comes after Apple announced plans to invest approximately $1.5bn in satellite communications company Globalstar to expand iPhone satellite services.

The deal between Apple and Globalstar involves a $1.1bn cash injection and a 20% equity stake for Apple, valued at $400m.

Of this funding, more than $200m is designated to reduce Globalstars existing debt.

"Apple reportedly devising plans to enter smart glasses market" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand.




A Turkish businessman was arrested Monday in Miami and charged with helping Venezuela's state-run oil company circumvent U.S. sanctions.

Taskin Torlak, 37, was arrested while attempting to return to Turkey, the Justice Department said in a statement.

According to court documents, Torlak operated several companies involved in the shipment of sanctioned oil. Starting in 2020, he allegedly started working with unnamed co-conspirators and companies from Ukraine, China, Indonesia and elsewhere to transport Venezuela's crude oil at a time when most Western buyers stayed clear of the South American country for fear of undermining U.S. sanctions aimed at removing President Nicolas Maduro.

Torlak and his associates allegedly hid the identities of transaction beneficiaries to enable U.S. banks to unknowingly process payments related to the illegal oil transports.

"We could use one of the clean names to avoid money getting stuck somewhere," he allegedly wrote in communications with one of the co-conspirators.

To evade detection, the chartered oil tankers frequently turned off their automated tracking systems, a mandatory safety device, when transporting the illegal Venezuelan crude. They also frequently changed the vessels' registry to fly so-called flags of convenience.

It wasn't immediately possible to locate an attorney for Torlak.

The U.S. started ratcheting up sanctions on Venezuela following Maduro's first re-election in 2018, in which several key opponents were barred from running. Since then, the self-declared socialist leader has deepened his grip on power, this year claiming he won a third six-year term in the face of evidence presented by his opponents that the vote was stolen. The U.S. responded with another round of sanctions against officials accused of obstructing the vote and carrying out human rights abuses.

"The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable those involved in criminal efforts to circumvent sanctions imposed on the Maduro regime," Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said in a statement.
World Health Organization member countries resumed negotiations Monday to finalize an agreement on pandemic prevention, with outbreaks of mpox, Marburg and H5N1 stressing the urgency of reaching an agreement without repeating the deadly mistakes of COVID-19.

After more than two years of negotiations, there is hope of reaching an agreement in the next 15 days, especially since the negotiators have agreed to postpone discussions on the most contentious points: the sharing of knowledge and equitable access to medical advances.

Recent negotiations at COP16 in Colombia on biodiversity, which provided for a comparable mechanism, stumbled on this point.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the need to balance timeliness and workable deal.

"Time is not our friend, Tedros told national negotiators at the opening of the talks. COVID is still circulating. Mpox is a global health emergency. We have a Marburg outbreak and H5N1 spreading. The next pandemic will not wait."

Never again

In December 2021, fearing a repeat of the catastrophe caused by COVID-19, which killed millions of people, the 194 member countries of WHO agreed to reach an agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

The emergence of a new strain of mpox, the deadly Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda and the spread of H5N1 avian flu in recent months have clarified the issues.

Diplomats have agreed on most of the draft's 37 articles during 11 rounds of negotiations.

The main section on which consensus will need to be found concerns access to pathogens for the scientific community and medical research, and then to products to combat the pandemic such as vaccines or other tests derived from this research.

In order not to block everything, the idea is to postpone the discussion on the details of the pathogen access and benefit sharing system (PABS) until later.

Battle for fairness

For the moment, there is an impasse between rich and poor countries, which have not forgotten that they were abandoned to their fate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If the world has failed on one thing, it is on the issue of equity" during the COVID-19 pandemic, the head of WHO stressed on Friday.

"Africa was left behind at the time, and this should not happen," Tedros said.

Bitter taste

Helen Clark, former New Zealand Prime Minister, believes that "the South sees the North as protecting its pharmaceutical industries," and this "has left an incredibly bitter taste between the North and the South."

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations called for an agreement "allowing the private sector to innovate."

"Intellectual property must be respected, and technology transfer must always be voluntary and on mutually agreed terms," the federation insisted.

Among the country representatives, Malaysia, speaking on behalf of a group of developing countries known as the Equity Group, said major improvements are still desperately needed in many areas.

It demanded that at least 20% of real-time production of vaccines, tests and treatments go to developing countries.

Tanzania, on behalf of 48 African countries, said it could not "accept an agreement not based on equity."

The Indonesian negotiator said an agreement that only preserves the status quo is unacceptable, because "empty promises will not save lives."

China insisted that "quality should not be sacrificed for time."

Germany's representative called for an acceleration of the talks to "focus on what is achievable.
Dianne Elizabeth Tomoson, aged 80, of Evansville and formerly of Alexandria, died on March 6th.
For a year now, we have witnessed proud declarations and threats from the Israeli and Iranian authorities. Each, like a rooster standing on its spurs, assures us that we will see what we will see, that its response will be final and painful. Yet the two Iranian attacks (Operation Honest Promise on April 13 and October 1) and the two Israeli attacks (April 19 and October 26) have not kept their promises. Neither Tehran nor Tel Aviv sought to destroy strategic objectives in their adversary.

A month ago, I published an article [1] highlighting the deep and numerous links between a part of the Iranian ruling class and the revisionist Zionists [2]. I insisted on the fact that these groups are very much a minority in their own country, although the former have acceded to the presidency of the Islamic Republic several times and the latter are now in power at the head of the Hebrew state. Even if it is difficult to admit, neither of these two nations is a democracy and their leaders can hold speeches very far removed from reality without being overthrown by their people (although the Iranians overthrew the Shah 45 years ago).

However, the two armies, although they were forbidden from significantly injuring their adversary, did not limit themselves to staging fireworks. They have used their missile launches, ground-to-ground for Iran and air-to-ground for Israel, to test their anti-aircraft defense systems and to try to destroy their offensive capabilities (Iran by attacking the F-35 airbase and Israel by attacking the solid fuel manufacturing plants for hypersonic missiles)

To date, it appears that the Iranian Armed Forces can strike Israel wherever they want without it and its Western allies being able to shoot down its hypersonic missiles, if they still have them. It is much more problematic for the Israeli Air Force to bomb Iran in depth. Its planes have significant difficulties reaching the borders of the Islamic Republic to fire their long-range missiles. But Israel knows that it can count on the in-flight refueling of its planes by the US Air Force and on the passivity of the Zionist Arab regimes, that is to say the Jordanians and the Saudis.

On the political level, it should be noted that the latest Israeli operation (that of October 26) was justified as a response to the attack on the Palestinian Resistance on October 7, 2023 (Operation "Al-Aqsa Flood"). Indeed, Tel Aviv could not claim to respond to the bombing of April 13 carried out in retaliation for that of the Iranian diplomatic premises in Damascus on April 1, which in itself constituted a serious violation of international law. Nor could it invoke the Iranian bombing of October 1, which responded to the assassination of a foreign leader on its soil (Ismail Haniyeh, on July 31) and that of General Abbas Nilforoushan in Lebanon (during that of Hassan Nasrallah, on September 27). It is becoming increasingly difficult for Tel Aviv to justify its actions credibly in international law: holding Iran responsible for the Palestinian attack of October 7, 2023 was not mentioned at the time and no new data allows it to be credited. It is even an aberration in light of the doctrine of the "Axis of Resistance" of General Qassem Soleimani, according to which each national unit must act in full independence. It is just a resumption of the Western vision according to which, on the contrary, these national units are only proxies of Iranian imperialism.

In Israel, the attack of October 26, 2024 was presented as punishment, one year later, for the worst pogrom in history, that of October 7, 2023.

Let us first observe that the assimilation of the operation of the Palestinian Resistance against a colonial fact to a pogrom, that is to say to an anti-Semitic action, is an absurdity; as Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, pointed out.

Then, let us note that Israel has already commemorated this attack, one year after it occurred to the day. This second date refers, according to the Jewish liturgical calendar, to the festival of Simhat Torah, which this year falls three weeks after that of 2023. However, the State of Israel has never invoked the liturgical calendar until now. The very choice of the name State of Israel when its army proclaimed itself on May 14, 1948, aimed to avoid choosing between the Republic of Israel desired by secular Jews and the Kingdom of Israel chosen by religious Jews. We are therefore witnessing an evolution towards an assumed theocracy in Jerusalem as in Tehran (I put Jerusalem in quotation marks here because it is not the internationally recognized capital of the Hebrew state).

The Iranian attitude is incomprehensible to its regional allies. Tehran did not strike Israel as it had announced and refused to help Hezbollah. It warned the West in advance of what it was going to do so that they could intercept its missiles and is continuing its negotiations with the United States. In doing so, it itself put an end to the Axis of Resistance.

At the same time, Tehran pushed Hezbollah to choose first Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, to succeed Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, then Sheikh Naim Qassem after his assassination. However, Safieddine was above all "the man of Tehran" and Qassem is "the man of the mullahs". Both, as respectable as they may be, were not for the first and are not for the second, capable of maintaining the independence of Hezbollah. The Lebanese Resistance will undoubtedly continue, with or without Tehran, which will mean with or without Hezbollah.

Staging the turnaround of his country, Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian president, never ceases to proclaim that, "if Muslims are united" (which they are not), the Zionist regime will no longer be able to commit crimes.

Hamass turnaround, for its part, is already perceptible. While it is not known who succeeded Yahya Sinwar, the most likely outcome is that the organization will now be led in Gaza by a hard-line member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Khalil Hayye. In this way, Hamas will become again what it was before 2017: an Islamist political party fighting against the secular Fatah (that is, against other Palestinians) and not a resistance network against Israeli colonization.

Once again, we are witnessing one of these historic moments of recomposition of alliances, the logic of the institutions not being that of the causes they claim to defend.
Photo: Jason Hannett/A24

Modern horror cinemas most heterodox event took place on Saturday night, when two blonde Whitneys and A24 hosted dueling screenings at a multiplex within the southernmost border of Salt Lake City proper. The film was Heretic, directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, about two Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), who knock on the door of a suburban Colorado house one inclement afternoon hoping to baptize the homeowner, Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), into their faith.

Within a makeshift chapel behind locked doors, Mr. Reed lectures the missionaries on Radioheads litigious copywriting strategy; Monopoly and its unsung predecessor, The Landlords Game; and bird-headed deities until coercing the young women to choose their escape from his house of escalating horrors through either a door marked DISBELIEF or one alongside it marked BELIEF. (Spoiler: Neither presents an easy egress.)

Inside this packed cineplex, the screenings snaking line was filled with only the truest disciples of horror film and/or Utah-based reality television. Some people I spoke to had been invited to the event by A24 directly, including members of the Lost & Found Club, a women- and genderqueer-led 501(c)(3) that aims to bring community to people who have left the LDS church in young adulthood. But most people waiting in the standby line for tickets had to rely on faith alone that theyd make it to that celestial kingdom of a screening room and experience the rapture of an A24 film presented by a woman named Whitney (with a complimentary free small popcorn and small fountain drink).

The events whole shtick played off the confrontational, dueling doors that have been the centerpiece of the films marketing: If an attendee was handed a DISBELIEF ticket, they attended the screening hosted by Whitney Rose, the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast member who was raised in the church but has since left it. If they got a BELIEF ticket, then they went to the screening hosted by Whitney Leavitt, a practicing Mormon and cast member of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

The LDS church has expressed concern about Heretic as its November 8 release nears, which is also the date on which the film takes place. In a statement provided to the Mormon-run newspaper Deseret News, church spokesperson Doug Anderson said, Heretic portrays the graphically violent treatment of women, including people of faith, and those who provide volunteer service to their communities. Any narrative that promotes violence against women because of their faith or undermines the contributions of volunteers runs counter to the safety and well-being of our communities.

I hear what the church is saying about violence against women  Heretic has a scene involving an elderly womans arthritic fingers and a blueberry pie that is, while slightly less depraved than Call Me by Your Names sequence with Timmy Chalamet and a peach, far more psychically scarring than the hand scene in A24s Talk to Me. For what its worth, I didnt find Heretic anti-Mormon. If anything, the film was overwhelmingly antismug British guy.

Rose, who later told me she was channeling her inner missionary, Sister Rose, wore a gray tweed short-skirt-long-jacket combo with a sheer turtleneck; a Sword of the Spirit necklace from her jewelry line, Prism; and a pair of Louboutins. Leavitt, who was one week postpartum, wore a 1980s Jessica McClintockinspired minidress from Asos. Her adorable, teeny-tiny 1-week-old son, Billy Gene, and her husband and at-home scene partner, Conner Leavitt, watched her admiringly from across the room.

Each woman had a designated theater to introduce the film, and right before, Rose invited me and my plus-one to join her for a shot of tequila to calm her nerves. (It was Casamigos, not her co-star and usual rival Lisa Barlows Vida Tequila brand, and I love drama more than I hate having to pee during a movie.) Before we knocked it back, Rose called out for Leavitt and anyone else interested to join us for a toast. Leavitt waved Rose off, but she did spend time with her Mormon Wives co-star and fellow saint Jennifer Affleck and her husband, Zac. The duo had showed up in the spare theater being used as a greenroom, and they were busy cooing over the new baby. Later, the internet told me that most of Leavitts castmates had been at a Sabrina Carpenter concert that night without her.

In a joint interview before the screening, I spoke to both Whitneys about their reactions to the film and the proliferation of content about Utah women in the last few years. BELIEF and DISBELIEF embodied with bobs, sitting right next to each other in reclining theater chairs.

So, first of all, I just want to know how your involvement with this event came to be. Online, on Reddit and elsewhere, this screening became a must-attend event shrouded in secrecy.

Whitney Leavitt: Did it really?

Yes. People didnt even know how to get tickets and were apparently calling the movie theater, getting nowhere. How did it all come together?

Whitney Rose: I just got a call from a friend who said, Can I have a friend reach out to your agent? Someone at A24 is a big fan of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. It was intense because I posted about the screening and shared the tag from A24, and all of a sudden, my DMs, my text messages, and my emails were blowing up with everyone wanting tickets.

Theres something happening nationally right now where Utah is blowing up  not as a state but as a concept. And theres something A24-ish about our fascination. Why are people looking at women in Utah with such fascination?

Leavitt: I think its a lot of things besides our religion that happens culturally in Utah. Like, weve got our soda drinks. Yeah, weve got our Utah curl. I dont know if youve heard about it.

Wait, I dont know the Utah curl.

Leavitt: The Utah curl: Its a specific curl that Utah girlies have.

Rose: And I love all of your castmates a lot, but I despise the Utah curl. You gotta curl your hair to the end.

Leavitt: Or get a bob!

Ill say this. I couldnt tell any of your Mormon Wives castmates on the show apart until about four episodes in. Besides you, Whitney. Because they all had that same hair. All gorgeous women, to be sure, of course 

Leavitt: Its a very trendy look. I think people were fascinated that we all looked a certain way, dressed a certain way, ate a certain way, and drank a certain way. But then, obviously, people were fascinated by the religion side of it too. And I also do appreciate both of our shows presenting a different perspective of the Mormon religion. Because I just feel like, worldwide, everyone thinks of Mormons in a certain way, right? But then you get to see a different side.

Rose: I echo everything Whitney says. When you hear about Mormonism, your mind instantly goes to all of the things that they practiced in the past, like polygamy and multiple wives. Mormonism in and of itself, from the outside, looks strange. But when I was living in it, I didnt view it that way. Its just so normal to us, especially growing up here in Utah, right? Whitney and I grew up in whats called the bubble of Utah County, and its just that everyone is the same. We all think the same, act the same, and have the same friends. All the moms drive the same cars. I mean, Mormon Wives shows that. They all have the same hair, except for Whit.

Leavitt: The Utah curl.

Rose: Yeah, and Im so glad that Whitney is paving the way there with her bob. Its just fascinating when you have such a dense population of one religion and one culture. What people dont realize is that there are so many different iterations and subcultures within that culture.

Heretic has gotten a lot of pushback from the Mormon church. What is it so afraid of?

Leavitt: Maybe theyre afraid of the filmmakers putting out false speculation or false doctrines. But when I watched, theres nothing doctrinal about the church in it. Of course, there are Mormon missionaries, but I appreciated Hugh Grants character just giving a perspective of religion in general.

Rose: I think the fear is that there are a lot of things that we dont talk about or are told not to talk about within the church, whether they be sacred or things that were once true in the past but are no longer true in modern revelation. Theyre scared of whats going to be in it and what that means for their members.

For me, this is easier to talk about because Im not a member. Ive removed my name from the church records. Its just exposure. Its fear of the unknown; its lack of control over ones own narrative. Its the same fear I have being on reality TV: We just show up and watch our edits.

Its fascinating to see you two here together like this, talking about the same faith from such different perspectives. I consider RHSLC to be the wackiest comedy on TV. And some of the relationship plotlines on Mormon Wives are the most depressing television Ive ever seen. It was often hard for me to watch. And now, Im about to see a whole different take on the Mormon genre within a horror film.

Rose: The writers and directors are brilliant with their use of horror and psychological thrill. Its a cat-and-mouse game of: What do I believe? Do I really not? Am I just doing this because I was told to? Its fascinating. I watched it last night on my laptop, and I was like this the whole time:

[Rose mimics raising her paws up to her chest height expectantly, the laying-in-bed-watching-movies equivalent of being on the edge of her seat.]

I was going, Oh my God, I relate to this!

You didnt serve a mission, correct?

Rose: No, I didnt, but I channeled my inner missionary with my look tonight.

Theres a saints-sinners binary going on at this event, which was also a big part of Mormon Wives. Growing up Mormon in Utah County, did you feel confined to that binary of being either a saint or a sinner? Organized religion leaves very little room for dabbling in 60 percent of one thing and 40 percent of the other.

Rose: From my perspective, the black-and-white was really hard. By design, religion in Utah is the culture. I was raised here, and people would know if you werent wearing your garments, people saw you at Starbucks, and people would know if I was drinking a glass of wine at dinner. By design, I didnt feel I could live in a gray area. Now, this was 17 years ago. A lot has changed. Even us just sitting here together with such polar-opposite perspectives  I think Utah has evolved. You can interpret religion with your relationship to God versus the institution of religion.

Youve explored this on your show for years. Im sure youre aware of the memes. I talked to a Brigham Young University linguist about your hilling journey and the fill/feel merger present in the speech of millennial women in Utah, and Ive never gotten such a response from people before about anything Ive written.

Rose: That was like my top moment of a Housewife. Im no longer LDS, but I come from a long line of Mormon pioneers. My family trekked across the entire United States to get here. I get so bad with words.

When the linguist at BYU [David Ellingson Eddington, professor emeritus of Linguistics] talked to you for that article, I was so proud. I was so validated. I feel so seen. Someone understands my dialect and the way I talk.
Usually, when a television drama that has been running for four seasons reaches its penultimate installment, there is a sense that things are wrapping up. Of all the Ts yet to be crossed in My Brilliant Friend, Lenus obsession with Nino is the most pressing. She is finally on the other side of her relationship with him, but if its frustrating to see Lenu dressing up for his visit and worrying about his feelings for Lila (and vice-versa), it also makes sense. At this point, her obsession with Nino is bigger than Nino himself. It has calcified into the foundation of her character. By the time we reach the end of this saga, Lenus feelings for Nino will not be resolved. There is no cure for a sick heart, definitely not in Ferrantes universe, where desire burns down to an ember that lingers, waiting to be fanned and catch fire.

In the face of this episodes two pivotal moments, though, the question of what to do about Nino becomes senseless. After a lifetime of internal turbulence, the environment finally catches up to Lila and Lenu, upending the last certainties they still had  and with it, our expectations of any neat, definitive ending. By the end of The Disappearance, the neighborhoods universe seems uncanny: familiar but strange. No perceived normalcy can survive Tinas disappearance and the death of the Solaras. Nothing, of course, but the people. The people are all still themselves. In order to gain any ground in this world, life in the neighborhood warns, you have to dig your heels in.

When Lenu sees Nino again, after months of silence, coming out of his swanky new Beamer with his swanky new suit and salt and pepper hair, she, mercifully, doesnt stir. She had spent the morning getting herself and the girls ready for Ninos visit, which he had to be coaxed into through a series of threatening phone calls to his secretary in parliament, so distant is the possibility that it could ever occur to him to visit his young daughter unprompted. For her part, Imma is indifferent to Papas visit. Shed rather play with Tina.

Lenu is combative. She wants Nino to show undivided attention to Imma and not waste time fussing over her, Dede, or Elsa (or Lila, it goes unsaid). As Lenu speaks, Nino makes a face as if he already knows and understands everything, like its beneath him to be explained to in this way, even though he has to be essentially physically wrested to come visit, let alone read the letter Lenu sent detailing the minutiae of Immas emerging daddy issues. But the inescapable truth is that Ninos charms are irresistible for a young and impressionable mind (even sometimes a developed and sophisticated one). He brings books for Dede and Elsa and a bag full of gifts for Imma; when Tina, for once, is the odd one out, he takes a pen out of his jacket to give to her. Not one to miss the opportunity to show off, Tina writes her name perfectly on a notebook, inspiring Ninos amazement and the unfortunate comparison: Shes just like her mother. In order to spare Imma, he has her write her name, too, and dutifully praises her scribbles. Do you want to see the most beautiful car in the world? He asks the four girls before taking them all for a stroll.

As she gets lunch ready, Lenu wonders about the potential vestiges of Nino and Lilas feelings for one another, and in a callback to the hospital scenes  in which what Lenu imagined was happening between Nino and Lila in her absence turned out to be true  she manifests her fears. On the stradone, she finds Nino and Lila talking closely, the latter laughing and batting her eyelashes, Imma on her hip. The sight is so arresting that when Lenu calls out Ninos name, her voice catches in her throat; Elsa, that menace, mocks her mother to her sisters amusement. On a Sunday, the stradone is busy with movement. The sounds and sights of the families overwhelm Lenus already distorted senses so that by the time she poses the defining question, no one seems very worried at all. Wheres Tina? Lila first thinks shes with Dede and Elsa, then tells Nino about a time when she lost sight of Gennaro for a few hours until she found him strolling along the street. While she warbles on, Enzo becomes increasingly uneasy. He exchanges looks with Lenu. The realization that something is wrong flushes Lilas face gradually, and she retreats from Nino as if she were surrendering. In a daze, she starts looking for her daughter.

We find out more information on Tinas disappearance from a television program that Enzo and Gennaro watch at home one week later. Though Lila is also technically looking at the TV, she doesnt seem to be seeing anything. Unrecognizable faces from the neighborhood speak to the collective effort that has swept over the community to find little Tina. One popular, gruesome theory has it that a truck ran her over and then sped away, but what happened for sure, no one can tell. Despite the LEspresso article detailing their corrupt business, the reporter notes, the Solaras have undertaken a massive effort to help locate the girl. Rino, Lilas brother, Stefano, her ex-husband, and Gennaro have all been taken under questioning; her brother and son particularly for their association with the neighborhoods unsavory characters. After being released, Stefano suffered a heart attack, though whether the two experiences are related remains unclear.

The authorities are conspicuously absent from our viewpoint  we never meet a cop, not on television or on the ground as the episode goes on. That absence only adds to the sense that the neighborhood is its own world apart from Italy, Europe, or planet Earth, with its own rules and hierarchies. Seeing an opening in Lila and Enzos misery to take back their position as the neighborhoods rulers, the Solaras make a show out of being helpful. But their posturing is not convincing to Enzo, who accuses them of kidnapping his daughter after he refused to sell them shares of his company. Standing in Lilas doorway, Marcello keeps repeating that he understands Enzos pain, which, along with their impossible promises that theyll find Tina, maddens Enzo. He wouldve jumped at their necks if it werent for Lila holding him back.

Just when it seems like things couldnt possibly get worse, Rino goes missing, too. The relationship between Lila and her brother had been fraying for years, but Rino was one of the most important people in Lilas childhood  she saw in him the spark of repressed genius, someone whose circumstances, like her own, oppressed his potential to thrive. Gennaro and Stefano find Rinos dead body in an abandoned train car, a tourniquet still tied on his bicep. The sight angers Stefano; he all but kicks the corpse, then forces his son to look at it: This is how youll end up. Gennaro, frightened, wonders why its only now that Stefano has decided to act like a father. The only people he respects in the neighborhood are Lila and Enzo.

If Lila has always maintained an implacable front, even as the boundaries of her world dissolved and she was scared, sick, or angry, now, as she spirals into grief, she begins to resemble Antonios mom, old Melina Cappuccio, the neighborhoods erstwhile crazy lady. People were scared of Melina: they believed that just by looking at her, they could absorb some of her misfortune. But Melina always fascinated Lila  the authenticity of madness, untethered from the social mores that dominated their environment, made sense for Lila. As she lights candles on an altar built for her missing daughter, Lila finds a dead bird wrapped in a piece of fabric amongst the trinkets and rosaries adorning the ledge. A group of school-aged boys cackle when she finds it. You deserve to be killed, Lila yells, crazily. They wont even let you into hell! Her voice breaks as she cries out, and walking away, she throws the dead bird forcefully on the ground. When Lenu first returned to Naples after leaving Florence, she noticed how people in the neighborhood had started treating her with devoted reverence; now, as she walks down the street, its as if a force field repels others from coming in too close. They avoid her like they once avoided Melina.

One of the things that brings Lila a small measure of comfort is her affection for Imma. Lila clings on to Lenus youngest daughter, and Lenu lets her, leaving Imma upstairs for as long as the next morning. The grief and confusion Imma herself must have felt through all of this go somewhat unexamined, but I can only imagine the shock of suddenly losing your inseparable best friend, who might as well be your sister. At first, Lila addresses her with patience, but when Imma presses on the question of when Tina will return, Lila orders her to mind her business and shut up. Imma is relieved to see her mother and anxious to go home. Witnessing Lilas frustration, Lenu decides that she wont have her look after the girls anymore.

Dede and Elsa, once besotted with their cool, beautiful aunt, have lost all respect for Lila. Dede, enraged by Lilas methods of dealing with Gennaro, believes that Lila lost her child on purpose, an accusation she bases on the fact that Lila hasnt shed a tear. Not content with that, she wants to call the police  that mythical authority  when she hears Lila yelling and breaking things in yet another fight with Gennaro. Lenu calls up to Lila to tone it down, but Lila retorts that if her daughters dont want to hear their fighting, they should just cover their ears. Elsa continues to be unhelpful, relishing in the novel thrill of calling someone a fucking bitch when youre twelve years old. Elsas mean streak, while amusing and borderline cool  there is something charming about a difficult girls reign of terror  is also concerning. Dede rats her out: she cuts class, forges signatures, is hated by her peers. The hurricane of chaos intensifies around Lenu; she stands still and helpless in the eye of it.

Now that Dede is 16, she can watch her sisters when Lenu goes out of town for work. One day, while they are all sitting in the courtyard, Lila, now graying, her hair stringy and unbrushed, comes ordering them back in  its dangerous outside. Later, Lenu explains to the girls that Lila had learned about the disaster in Chernobyl and become worried about the radiation. At the moment, though, the girls couldnt care less. Dede uses the opportunity to tell Lila what she really thinks  shes a shitty mother because she hasnt cried since Tina disappeared  and Lila fully slaps her across the face. She doesnt spare Elsa, either, who tries to stand up for her sister. Her authority prevails and she brings the girls home, where they remain for days until Lenu returns from her trip.

All huddled in their mothers bed while she unpacks, the girls tell Lenu everything. In anticipation of what Enzo will later ask of her, Lenu instructs her daughters to be patient with her aunts unthinkable grief. Mother and daughters all sleep together  Tinas disappearance is a strong bonding agent for Lenus family. Perhaps gaining some strength from this renewed affection, Lenu tries to shake Lila out of the more immediate trappings of her distress: she encourages her friend to focus on work, to find some way to get over her grief. But the all-encompassing emotion that Lila feels, she explains, is anger. And anger usually needs an outlet. Lila lays into Dede, Elsa, and Imma, saying how rude and entitled the girls are. With no possible way of actually knowing whats going through her friends mind, Lenu imagines it all instead. She fantasizes about what Lila might want to say: Tina was supposed to be better than all of you, but they took her away. Even as she tries to put herself in Lilas shoes and grasp what she could possibly be feeling  the novelists job  Lenu concludes that what is actually going through Lilas mind is unfathomable and probably much worse than anything she could ever come up with.

When walking with the girls along the stradone, Lila, Lenu, and Enzo run into the Solaras with their families, and the brothers make a show out of admiring Lenu. They ask her to take the kids to the library and show them what to read  shes an inspiration to them, unlike Lila, who didnt study and never became anything. Elisa ignores her sister completely, and everyone ignores Lila. When Michele tries to take Lenus hand, she pulls it back, and her mothers bracelet falls on the floor. Marcello picks it up and promises to get it fixed. When Lenu lets him take it, Lila scoffs: Youre even worse at defending yourself now, youll never see that bracelet again.

In moments like those, Lilas old self shows through  but she is increasingly losing her bearings. As she spirals deeper into her inner torment, her exterior comes undone. One night during a windstorm, when Enzo is in Avellino, Lenu comes up to invite Lila to dinner. Lilas makeup is smeared all over her face; the windows of the apartment are wide open, the wind rattling the empty rooms. Instead of eating dinner at Lenus house, Lila requests her dinner to be brought up as if she were in a hotel or a hospital; Lenu humors her friend, bringing the meal on a tray. Lila conspicuously plays the madwoman: her cryptic remarks are delivered with a mischievous glint in her eye as if she were saying, Ill show you crazy. In the bathroom, she goes on and on about how her suspicion that Gennaro was Ninos son effectively made him Ninos actual son for a few years; that if you believe something strongly enough, it becomes a reality. She mocks Lenus limp, arguing that Lenu invented the hip pain so that she could keep her mother alive for a little longer. Looking into her ragged reflection in the mirror, Lila wonders out loud if Tina will look like her when she turns forty. At first, it seems like a nice sentiment, but on second thought, it sounds more like a curse: if shes alive somewhere, when shes forty, will Tina look this bedraggled, this insane?

The cogs in Lenus brain immediately start to turn. Being around Lila makes Lenus thinking more unique, more intelligent and fearless. You help me make connections between distant things, she says. Lila looks pleased; it makes her feel good to be useful. The purpose that shes lost in motherhood, with one daughter missing and one nearly unrecognizable son, is rediscovered in the birth of ideas.

Lenu stays up writing all night. She muses that adulthood is about recognizing that I needed Lilas nudges; with age and experience, she can find the middle ground between wanting to be Lila and wanting to be herself: she can take what she needs from Lila and then create her own meanings. While she works, her daughters catch a cold. When Lenu finds her daughters at the breakfast table, Dedes fever is subsiding but Imma has a sore throat. In a hungover daze from spending the whole night thinking, Lenu brings up breakfast for Lila. But when she opens the door to the upstairs apartment, Lila looks even crazier than she did the night before. Her makeup is still all over her face; the remnants of dinner remain uncleared on the table. More concerningly, Lila is wailing in pain, cursing that her gut has been spilling out all night. Lenu finds bloodied paper towels littering the kitchen.

On the way to the pharmacy to get something thatll help with Lilas pain, Lenu runs into Carmen, who apologizes for the lawsuit and confesses that the Solaras had forced her to file it. As they hug it out, they hear gunshots, and Lenu runs to see whats going on. Fallen on the bottom of the church steps, their shirts soaked with blood, are Michele and Marcello Solara. Carmen walks away, frightened, but Lenu gets even closer to the scene of the crime, asking witnesses what happened. Someone says they saw someone come out of a red Ford and shoot the two brothers point blank  Lenu imagines it was Pasquale and Nadia, still on the run, wearing balaclavas. When she runs home to tell Lila  whose pain seems to have gotten worse  what happened, Lila gets a demented look in her face. Tina came out of my belly again and shes taking revenge on everyone, she seethes. She killed them, she smiles, looking disturbingly like the Joker.

In Piu

 I am struck by all of the bathroom scenes in this show; its where many confidences are shared, where the light is always soft and gold, like in a dream. It seems as if whenever Lenu, Lila, or even their daughters are questioning their identities  why they bear the names they do, for example, or the force of a persons desire  they are placed in front of the mirror, which serves as a window into their past as well as into their future. Looking at themselves, Lenu and Lila remember who they once were and are reminded of who they have become.
The innocent. Photo: peanut_the_squirrel12/Instagram

Not to be confused with the Josh Hutcherson Saturday Night Live sketch thats almost impossible to find online, the tragedy of Peanut, an Instagram-famous squirrel that was euthanized late last month, has sent the internet into mourning. Peanut, also known as Pnut, belonged to Mark Longo, who runs an animal sanctuary in Pine City, New York, with his wife, and was seized by the Department of Environmental Conservation alongside a raccoon named Fred. The squirrel was subsequently put down and tested for rabies after it reportedly bit one of its handlers.

On Oct. 30, DEC seized a raccoon and squirrel sharing a residence with humans, creating the potential for human exposure to rabies. In addition, a person involved with the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized, the agency and the Chemung County Health Department said in a statement to CBS News in New York. The animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has been in contact with these animals is strongly encouraged to consult their physician.

What the DEC didnt account for, however, was the emotional contact Peanut seems to have made with followers and fans across the internet, who have responded with a level of emotion and fury that, if anything, is an accurate reading of the national mood this election season. Because, yes  somehow Peanuts untimely death has spiraled from a social-media tragedy to a conservative political movement. Even Trump is apparently fired up about Peanut, which makes sense because I cant think of anything else of note happening this week.

Who is Peanut?

According to Longo, Peanut was rescued in New York City seven years ago after the squirrels mother was hit by a car. In the years since, Peanuts various costumes and antics, including jumping through hoops and eating waffles, have earned him hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers, per Social Blade  even before he was martyred. Peanuts account boasts over 680,000 followers, but what used to be home to a sneaky little rodent that liked to ride on his owners shoulders and invade his bowls of oats is now a stage for mourning, fundraising, and activism following his death. Poor Peanut  he took a kiss like no problem.

Last year we moved to NY in hopes of starting a NONPROFIT animal rescue in PNUTs name, Longo wrote in an Instagram caption announcing Peanuts death on October 30. With over 350 rescues, weve relied heavily on PNUT and his internet family to gather donations to help more animals. I dont even know how [we] will continue to fundraise for this nonprofit.

Why did the DEC get involved?

According to the Associated Press, Multiple reports from the public about the potentially unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies and the illegal keeping of wildlife as pets prompted six state DEC officers to search and seize the animal. Longo appears to blame social-media users for alerting the DEC to Peanut. Well internet, you WON, he began the aforementioned Instagram post. He has also suggested to TMZ that his work as an adult-content creator was a motivator for the raid.

It is illegal in New York to own a wild animal without a license, but Longo says he was in the process of filing paperwork to certify Peanut as an educational animal when the raid took place. If were not following the rules, guide us in the right direction to follow the rules, you know? he told the AP. Let us know what we need to do to have Peanut in the house and not have to worry about him getting taken.

Now why is Fred in it?

Oh, sweet Fred. As the newest addition to the sanctuary, Fred was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Longo has told the press he and his wife were temporarily rehabilitating the raccoon after an injury and had planned to release him back into the wild, but, as a fellow potential rabies carrier, he got caught up in the storm.

How has the internet responded?

Normally. Just kidding  everyone lost their minds. Longos vocal outcry has earned the sanctuary over $100,000 in fundraising and multiple media appearances. TMZ is on the case, and the New York Post is boasting exclusives. Hashtags like #PeanutTheSquirrel and #JusticeForPeanut have appeared across thousands of videos on TikTok, in which creators somberly detail Peanuts plight with the reverence of a true-crime podcast. Even celebrities are getting involved: How could he be considered a wild animal when all he knew was being a pet? William Shatner tweeted. This would never happen on the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)!

And now its a  MAGA thing?

Yes, because Trump would have never let this happen  according to JD Vance, who told a North Carolina crowd on November 3 that the president was fired up about the issue. Peanuts seizure and execution have been taken as a symbol of government overreach with the official Twitter account of the GOP House Judiciary Committee calling for justice. Leftists and Kamala hate Babies, cats, dogs, Peanut the Squirrel, and Fred the Raccoon, another popular conservative account posted. VOTE TRUMP. Even worse, Peanut and Fred are the subject of multiple Elon Musk tweets. Stop, stop! Theyre already dead!

Was Peanut this elections October surprise?

Experts say, Not so fast.

It is TERMINALLY ONLINE to think that the fate of a squirrel microcelebrity would turn even a single vote, much less swing the election, as thousands of far-right influencers now seem to believe, Emerson T. Brooking, director of strategy and a senior resident fellow at the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab, posted. But hell be eating his words when write-ins of Peanut win by a landslide. An Instagram-famous squirrel posthumously elected president? Now thats unprecedented.
Photo: Russ Martin/FX

What We Do in the Shadowss Nandor the Relentless has historically had no trouble telling his familiar, bodyguard, fellow bloodsucker (if only briefly), and fandom ship-partner Guillermo de la Cruz what to do. Until the final go-round for WWDITS, that is, when the hierarchy of power between vampire and subordinate flips.

In the episode Running a Train, Guillermo (Harvey Guillen) fires Nandor, played by Kayvan Novak, from the financial firm where theyve both, for nonsensical and highly entertaining reasons, working, and in Nandors Army, Nandor goes on a doom spiral to New Hampshire to recruit an army to seek revenge on Cannon Capital. The latter episode is part true-crime send-up as Guillermo and his roommates track Nandor down, part Apocalypse Now homage as Nandor entertainingly slips into Colonel Kurtz-like mania, and all heart as Nadja, Laszlo, and Colin Robinson worry about Nandors emotional state and Guillermo realizes how deeply he wounded his onetime master. Their confrontation and makeup is another essential chapter, Novak says, in the ongoing saga of their complicated relationship.

Every interaction leaves you wanting another interaction to kind of manage over the last interaction, because they never end well, do they? a laughing Novak says of the perpetual push-pull between Nandor and Guillermo. He should have just left Guillermo to his own devices, but he cant do that, because he needs Guillermo. He needs some kind of leverage.

The episode is a showcase for Novak, whose dandy-ish Nandor has never quite figured out what kind of vampire he wants to be after a human life as a ruthless Ottoman warrior. Although its canon that Nandor sacked Nadjas village before they were both undead, WWDITS has always played the stories of Nandors titular relentlessness as a bit of a joke  until the gotcha last act of Nandors Army, which reveals that his forceful and hawkish personality actually has drawn dozens of wayward humans looking for a cause to his side. The episode hinges on Novaks ability to sell Nandors transformation from seemingly addled while lecturing a warehouse full of mannequins, to roguishly determined when commanding his followers to set Dartmouth University on fire. Its a bit of a stretch to imagine myself as a great leader, especially in that guise, Novak says. You do your rough approximation. You do what the script tells you to do. You hope the audience buys it, really. Its all pretend at the end of the day.

Weve heard about Nandors military prowess for a while. Were you surprised that this episode let us see Nandor in his full glory as a commander?

It was definitely something I hadnt played previously. I touched on it in the Ghosts episode in season two, which is one of my favorite episodes. That was a bit more low-key, whereas this is playing what you imagine Nandor would have been like when he was commanding an army in Al Quolanudar. Whether you could actually go from being that aggressive and that power hungry to being that goofy and clueless, I dont know. I guess 700 years will do that to someone.

The Ghosts episode meant a lot to me as someone who realized I was forgetting my Farsi. I wrote a piece about it. Thank you for that episode.

I read that. That was a lovely piece. That was cool. It was so nice to be given a chance to do that, to play with the Farsi  even though hes from Al Quolanudar, the audience knows hes Iranian  and throw in a lot of slang that I picked up off my dad. The way that Nandor talks to his horse in Farsi is the way that my dad talks to his dog. And its lovely to do that in such a sweet and tender way, rather than do it in some kind of spy drama where youre a baddie.

Nandors Army is very intentionally influenced by Apocalypse Now. Did you want to specifically evoke Marlon Brando and Colonel Kurtz through your performance?

That was in the script, and Yana Gorskaya, the director, shes very clear about what shes going for. The way they lit it was very inspired by the Brando scenes in Apocalypse Now. When they come and find me, and then we walk and we talk, that was all one long take. For me, that was like, ahhh. I said, Can we break it up into two bits? It was three or four pages. Im like, Oh my God, is this a play now? But Yana was like, Just do it. Shut the fuck up, youll be fine. I did, and it was actually really enjoyable.

Most of the sets that we work on are so intricate, and this one was huge. It was a converted warehouse that they turned into that menswear factory. They build those sets for weeks and we just enjoy the spoils of all their efforts.

But youre on a bit of a tightrope because you dont want it to be too dramatic or heavy. Then youre losing the joke or the lightness, and it doesnt sit right in the show. You go with your instinct. Ive played Nandor depressed and detached and despondent and pissed off, so you work with those emotions. I take the comedy seriously, but the drama, less so. Youve always got the other vampires to fall back on. Were each others protective belay.

Theres a scene where the other vampires are talking to the camera, and youre in the background, shirtless, and trying to fight the mirror. What do you remember from that moment?

Yana got me to watch Apocalypse Now, which I had watched many times anyway. But thats a pastiche of the Willard scene, when hes in the hotel room drinking himself silly and punching the mirror, which Martin Sheen famously did and really cut his hand. Physical stuff, fighting-the-mirror act-y stuff, you start doing things, and then before you know it, youre squatting and making sounds like a tropical bird. Because its in the background, you feel extra free. You feel pretty free on the set anyway, but this was a case of, just be stupid in the background. Thats kind of my specialty.

When youre training Laszlo, Nadja, and Colin to join your army, youre shouting military chants in Farsi. Did you advise on those translations?

Actually, I got my dad to translate a lot of the chants that were in Farsi, and then I threw in some lines. I threw in the odd reference to Iranian kebab, koobideh, somewhere. I dont know what made it in. Expecting everyone to chant along was probably too much of an ask. But I was pretty diligent. My dad made me learn them and pronounce them correctly and say them with the right stresses. Thank you to him for that. I dont think they would really do those kinds of chants there. The chants would be very different.

The chants would probably not mention koobideh  but maybe?

Its worth fighting for a good koobideh.

How much improvising were you able to do this episode?

This episode probably allowed for the least amount of improv for me, because it was very much about Nandors current state of mind. I was there to give This is where were at, and then the other vamps could goof around. Someone throws in an aside or responds in a different way, but its all very quick. If you know your character, then youre gonna imagine what the character might say at that point. Its really about reacting. You want to be as lazy as possible with your approach to improv, and use it as icing to complement something else. [Slips into a genteel radio-broadcaster voice] Any of you budding improvisers out there, thats my top tip. You can have that for nothing.

As you mentioned, Nandors been depressed, hes been detached, hes tried in a lot of ways to find self fulfillment: the cult, bringing back his wives, wanting to travel. Is there a core to Nandor that you think youve kept consistent with your performance, that allows for the writing of all of these different experiences?

Oh, I dont know, because Im playing a character thats been written.

But your performance helps with that, to help build it from words on a page.

Sure. But ultimately, the essence of him comically is that hes this great warrior whos actually very pedantic and quite un-warrior-like in a lot of ways. Hes sexual, but hes asexual. Hes commanding, but hes also submissive. Hes all these contradictions, which adds to the comic trope of a delusional character. We can all see it; he cant see it. Hes always reinventing himself. One second, hes looking for a wife; the next second, he wants to be alone. One second, he wants to be a soldier, then another second, he wants to be a janitor. Its like, make your fucking mind up  but were all like that as human beings. Its relatable in that way. You dont necessarily want to be like Nandor. I think people want to be more like Laszlo, because hes so confident and sure of himself and cocky. He doesnt bend for anyone, only his wife, whereas Nandors a bit more wishy-washy.

Of all Nandors various trying-to-find-himself experiences, is there one you liked playing the most?

I quite liked him stealing Guillermos boyfriend  Im sorry, cloning his boyfriend. I liked playing him falling for someone, and then acting out on it, enjoying it, and gaslighting Guillermo. Hes like, Ive got Freddie and youve got Freddie. Whats the big deal? Chill out. That was a really good episode because it was fucked up, but again, in quite a relatable way. Although Ive never cloned anyones partner, and Ive never been with a twin  or have I? Maybe I have, in Iceland, years ago. Only the one. [Laughs.]

In this episode we hear Nandor call into a radio show to request Simon and Garfunkels Scarborough Fair, and he also plays JoJos Leave (Get Out) to dismiss Guillermo. Do you have a third song you think Nandor would be listening to in the context of this episode?

Maybe Bicycle Race by Queen. Its a mad choice that Nandor might make. Its a great song.
Salvini rails against "communist judges" amid fresh blow to migrant scheme.

The Italian government's contested migrant repatriation scheme in Albania hit a fresh hurdle on Monday after a Sicilian court ruled that Egypt cannot be considered a "safe" country.

In a challenge to the government's newly updated list of "safe" countries to which migrants can be returned under an expedited process, the tribunal in Catania refused to grant a detention order for an Egyptian asylum seeker.

The Catania judges recalled that the European Court of Justice ruled recently that a country cannot be deemed "safe" unless it protects the rights of all its citizens throughout its territory.

The court, headed by Judge Massimo Escher, cited "serious human rights violations" in Egypt, including the death penalty, systematic torture by police, and violence and discrimination against women and minors.

Escher also cited "forced disappearances", in what is viewed as a clear reference to Italian student Giulio Regeni who was abducted and tortured to death in Cairo in 2016.

The ruling is the latest legal obstacle for the government's controversial migrant repatriation scheme, a flagship policy of right-wing premier Giorgia Meloni who agreed the offshore deal last year with her Albanian counterpart Edi Rama.

Last week Bologna judges challenged a new government decree classifying 19 countries as "safe", asking how entire countries could be declared safe where there is evidence of the persecution of minorities.

The Bologna tribunal questioned the parameters of the decree, which was rushed through by Meloni's government after a Rome court rejected the detention of the first 12 migrants at the new processing facilities in Albania.

The Rome court made the ruling on the grounds that the migrants, from Bangladesh and Egypt, did not come from safe countries, and ordered their immediate return to Italy.

Meloni's government reacted angrily to the ruling and swiftly changed the law to overcome court objections, in a move slammed by human rights groups.

The ruling by the Catania court has also sparked a backlash from the government, with deputy premier Matteo Salvini writing on X: "Because of some communist judges who do not apply the laws, the unsafe country is now Italy. But we do not give up!"

Photo credit: Massimo Todaro / Shutterstock.com.
By David Young, PA

Offering migrants the opportunity to learn the Irish language could help with integration in certain rural communities in Ireland, researchers have found.

As well as introducing an Irish language programme, there is a need to increase the number of English classes available to migrants who have settled away from urban centres, academics from the University of Galway said.

A team from the university examined the extent to which language plays a part in how migrants integrate in rural Ireland.

The study explored the experiences of people living across 11 counties, examining how language  both English and Irish  impacts on migrants experience of employment, access to services and community involvement.

The research formed part of the Taighde Eireann-Research Ireland-funded project Rural Villages, Migration And Intercultural Communication (Vico), led by Dr Andrea Ciribuco from the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at University of Galway.

Some of the key findings included:

 English classes have a crucial role in facilitating social inclusion, building connections among migrants and with local communities;

 Mothers with small children reported having a hard time accessing classes and training due to childcare responsibilities;

 When educational opportunities were available, migrants who are eager to work point to a lack of more advanced language education which can become a barrier to satisfactory employment;

 In certain regions, particularly the Gaeltacht, the Irish language can become a factor of integration. Migrants saw Irish as an important part of the local culture and heritage, and are interested in the language, especially when their children are learning it in school. But few have the time or opportunity to learn it;

 Nearly all participants in the study said they never had negative reactions from locals when speaking their native language within a rural community. Many felt safe and more included in rural areas;

 Limited employment opportunities in rural settings were cited as a barrier towards living in rural locations for the long term but learning English was seen as a gateway to a job and, subsequently, to inclusion in Ireland.

Dr Ciribuco highlighted the importance of focusing on migrant experiences in rural areas.

Migrant integration in rural areas is a crucial issue for the future of Ireland and Europe, yet most migration research focuses on urban settings, she said.

Ireland also has one of the highest rates in Europe of migration into rural areas. This study and event provide a vital platform to explore the unique opportunities and challenges of rural migration.

The high level of migrants moving to rural Ireland comes with specific challenges linked to infrastructure and migrant integration, but also with opportunities in terms of cultural and economic vitality. Too often, public discourse weighs heavily on the challenges.

The findings and recommendations are based on fieldwork, including interviews and focus groups, conducted between March 2023 and June 2024 with 165 migrants, of 31 nationalities, who are living in counties Galway, Mayo, Waterford, Kerry, Cork, Kilkenny, Wexford, Clare, Tipperary, Carlow, and Limerick.

It was carried out during a period when tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees arrived in Ireland as they fled the war in their homeland.

As such, the Ukrainian experience was a consistent theme across the cohort that was studied.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

The Government cannot ram through a Bill banning imports from illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land if it is unconstitutional, Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said.

There is a disagreement between the Government and opposition parties over how quickly the Occupied Territories Bill can be amended and passed ahead of a general election.

It is expected that the Dail parliament will be dissolved by the end of the week and polling day will be at the end of the month.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the Occupied Territories Bill needs to be substantially amended to make it legally robust and will not be ready by the end of the week.

Opposition politicians have accused the Government of delaying the passage of the Bill after years of stalling.

Independent Senator Frances Blacks Bill, tabled in 2018, has been frozen for years in the legislative process due to concerns that it would breach EU law.

Frances Black tabled the Bill in 2018. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Images

But the Government has said that an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the summer, that declared Israels occupation of Palestinian territories illegal under international law and that countries should not aid nor assist the illegal settlements, has changed the context.

The opposition has urged the Government to pass the Bill before an election is held, with Sinn Fein and the Social Democrats offering time in the Dail this week to do so.

Speaking on Tuesday, Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Martin said it was an extraordinary position to ram a Bill through that is, as currently written, unconstitutional.

In an appearance before the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs committee, Mr Martin told TDs and Senators that while the ICJ opinion changed the legal context for the Bill, it did not make it legally airtight or a slam dunk.

I cannot ram a Bill through that is unconstitutional, he said.

This will be challenged, this could go right into the European courts, and the least we could do is produce a Bill that would be robust enough to navigate such a potential journey.

He said that the advice from the attorney general several years ago was that if the EU does not take measures to limit or prevent trade with illegal Israeli settlements, there are exceptional grounds in EU law that could allow countries to take action.

He said they had been advised that the provision in EU law can only be compromised on exceptional grounds of public policy, but it would be unusual to use that argument to comply with international law.

Mr Martin said: What has not changed is the European Unions exclusive competence in the field of trade for all of its member states, including Ireland. It is against this background that the Taoiseach asked the Attorney General to provide updated advice in relation to this Bill.

However, it is important to understand that these grounds have never been used by a member state before in similar circumstances. There therefore remains a legal risk if we do take our own domestic measures.

The author of the Bill, Frances Black, also addressed the committee, telling members that passing the Bill should not have taken this long.

If (the ICJ ruling) is what can finally unlock things, then I truly welcome it.

We shouldnt waste any more time, we must focus on getting this legislation passed as soon as humanly possible.

After decades of theft, dispossession and displacement, and in the context of an ongoing genocide in Gaza, this Bill is the absolute least we can do.

Sinn Fein foreign affairs spokesperson Matt Carty accused the Government of attempting to delay and frustrate the passage of the Bill.

You have told us that substantive amendment needs to be made to most, if not all of, the provisions of the Bill.

In fact, you have already directly contradicted Senator Frances Black, who says that the requirements are technical changes.

Chairman of the committee and former justice minister Charlie Flanagan asked Mr Martin for correspondence from the attorney general Rossa Fanning to explain the reasoning for the amendments to the Bill.

Mr Martin responded that because Mr Fannings advice points to potential lines of attack from people who might want to undermine the Bill, it should not be shared.

So you furnish that with more than 10 people or whatever and it gets into the hands of those who might take a case against it, that would weaken our position collectively as a nation in defending such a Bill.

He added: Passing this Bill will not stop Israels behaviour, unfortunately.
US-based GoldenTree Asset Management has agreed to acquire a portfolio of UK consumer loans valued at approximately 800m ($871.24m) from Bank of Ireland, reported Bloomberg News citing sources.

The deal involves loans used as collateral for a securitisation arranged by Citigroup, the people said.

Structured into various tranches, the asset-backed deal will see GoldenTree's managed funds purchasing the junior portion. Citigroup is set to arrange the remaining parts of the transaction.

Morgan Stanley provided advisory services to the Irish lender on the transaction.

The sale forms part of Bank of Ireland's withdrawal from consumer lending operations within the UK market.

The bank had previously ceased offering personal loans and mortgages in collaboration with the UK Post Office and terminated a lending partnership with the AA at the end of the previous year.

In January this year, Bank of Ireland announced more than 60m investment in branch improvements, including its largest single investment in ATMs in the last decade.

The bank has 169 branches across the Republic of Ireland and 13 in Northern Ireland,

Meanwhile, last month, Bank of Ireland named Eamonn Corcoran as Director for Area South.

In the new role, Corcoran will oversee 53 branches and outlets across Munster and South East Leinster (Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford). This includes over 550 colleagues.

Eamonn, who has about 25 years of experience in financial services, first joined Bank of Ireland in 2000.

Since then, Eamonn held several senior roles including Head of Wealth Direct & Digital, Head of County for Clare and Tipperary, and most recently Head of County Cork.

"Bank of Ireland sells 800m UK loan portfolio to GoldenTree" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




For the third year running Flahavans is delighted to announce the winners of their Oat Grower of the Year Awards 2024. The Gray family from Co. Waterford emerged as winners in the Conventional category, continuing their tradition of supplying high-quality oats to Flahavans for generations. Specialising in winter oats, they achieved top results this year with a bushel weight of 59.5 for Harvest 2024. Known for their exemplary farming practices, the Gray family focuses on crop rotation and has shifted from minimum tillage to direct drilling, underscoring their commitment to sustainability. Their attention to detail includes chopped straw management and active participation in a local farming discussion group, reinforcing their reputation for excellence.

The awards were split into two categories - Conventional Oat Growers and Organic Oat Growers, with strong competition in both categories reflecting the high quality of entries. Agronomist & Cereals Specialist, Ciaran Collins, who served as an independent judge, noted, there was clear evidence of a strong commitment from the growers to produce oats of the highest quality for Flahavans. Winners and runners-up in both categories were selected based on Overall Grain Quality, taking into account kernel content, bushel weight, moisture levels, aroma, flavour, colour, and cleanliness. Ciaran Collins reviewed the samples, interviewed shortlisted growers, and narrowed the list to three finalists per category. Finalists were further evaluated on **Grower Excellence**, including cereal knowledge, farm practice & technique, and environmental sustainability.

The winner in the Organic category is Eoghan OSullivan from Donohill, Tipperary, who was a runner-up in 2023. Eoghan achieved an impressive bushel weight of 60.5, aided by an optimised combine setup. His approach to maximising straw quality involves cutting crops high and re-cutting stubble for bedding. Despite limited tillage land, Eoghan efficiently uses farmyard manure and lime, showcasing his dedication to sustainable farming.

Runners-up in the Conventional category were:

- Martin O'Regan from Kinsale, Co. Cork - Frank Shanahan from Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford Runners-up in the Organic category were:

- Barry McWilliams from New Ross, Co. Wexford - Brendan Rafferty from Greenore, Co. Louth In his summation of the awards, Ciaran remarked, The standard of the growers in the competition was excellent. He added that recent Teagasc research shows that Irish grain has a significantly lower carbon footprint than grain produced in Europe and North America, with oats having the lowest footprint in the study.

Johnny Flahavan, Operations Manager at Flahavans, commented, The standard of oats supplied to Flahavans is consistently exceptional, and were particularly delighted to see so many of our suppliers adopting more environmentally sustainable practices. Our sincerest congratulations to our winners and runners-up for their well-deserved recognition. Flahavans sources their conventional oats within a 60-mile radius of the mill in Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford. While most organic oats are already sourced domestically, the company aims to meet full demand for organic oats with Irish-grown supply in the near future.
By David Young, PA

Stormonts First Minister Michelle ONeill is to participate in the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at Belfast City Hall  the first time a senior Sinn Fein figure will take part in such an event in the North.

The Sinn Fein vice president said her attendance was a demonstration of her determination to fulfil her pledge to be a First Minister for all.

Ms ONeill, who will lay a laurel wreath at the Cenotaph in Belfast in her role as First Minister, will attend with DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly.

In an interview with the PA news agency, the First Minister said she appreciated some republicans would be uncomfortable with her being there, but she insisted it was nevertheless the right thing to do.

First Minister and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill said she took her pledge to represent everybody seriously. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA

Back in February, it was a moment of progress and equality here when I became the first nationalist, republican First Minister and I made very firm pledges at that time that I would represent everybody in society, she said.

So when I got this invitation to attend remembrance events this weekend, I thought it was important to take that invitation up because that for me is the fulfilment of my commitment to those people out there from a British and unionist identity who hold this important Remembrance Day very carefully to their own heart.

So, for me, this is about acknowledgement of loss, but its also about being respectful to all those people out there and fulfilling my commitment to be First Minister for all.

She added: I think its going to be an uncomfortable thing for many republicans out there. I mean I think thats understandable.

But, you know, I pledged to be a First Minister for all. I think its important at times like this, not least when you take a look around the world and whats happening, the conflict, the world at war with itself, not least whats happening in Palestine and the genocide of people there, that people need to lead.

I am a leader. Im a First Minister for everybody in this society.

In 2002, Belfasts first Sinn Fein Lord Mayor, Alex Maskey, laid a wreath in memory of the victims of the battle of the Somme at the Cenotaph at Belfast City Hall (Paul Faith/PA)

Sinn Feins approach to remembrance events linked to the British armed forces has evolved gradually since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, beginning in 2002 when the then Sinn Fein Lord Mayor of Belfast Alex Maskey laid a laurel wreath at the Cenotaph at City Hall on the July anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

The republican party has gone on to participate in Armistice ceremonies in Belfast while Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald and Ms ONeill have both attended an annual church service in St Patricks Cathedral in Dublin to mark Remembrance Sunday.

In 2016, the late Martin McGuinness, who was then Stormont deputy First Minister, visited two First World War battle sites  the Somme in France and Flanders in Belgium. The former IRA commander turned political leader said the visits were made in the spirit of reconciliation.

However, until now, the partys leadership has declined to participate in Remembrance Sunday ceremonies in the North, previously citing concerns about excessive British military trappings on show at the events.

Remembrance Sunday also holds an added significance in the context of the Troubles, due to the IRAs notorious bomb attack in Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh in 1987.

The no-warning blast at the towns war memorial, as crowds gathered for the annual ceremony, killed 11 people  with a 12th victim dying years later having never woken from a coma.

Asked about how IRA victims may respond to her attendance on Sunday, Ms ONeill said: Ive said it now on a few occasions that I regret every single loss of life. Theres nothing poetic or romantic about war. War is horrible. People lost loved ones, and for this weekend in particular, I think its important, because this is, for me, about an acknowledgement of all loss.

She added: Im always comfortable in saying that I am sorry that any single person lost their life in conflict. But, for me, this is an opportunity this weekend to demonstrate that commitment to a shared society, that shared understanding of acceptance in terms of remembrance, that acceptance in terms of the fact that we have a contested past in many ways and contested narratives in many ways as well. But for me, this is about leadership.

Asked about families whose loved ones were killed by British soldiers during the Troubles, and how they might respond to her attendance, the First Minister spoke of a desire to create space for everyone to remember their dead.

Were 26 years post the Good Friday Agreement and our own peace agreement, and how precious that is to us all, she said.

I also contend that everybody has a right to remember their dead, and I think we need to create the space for all of our people out there to remember their dead in a way that they feel is respectful and appropriate to them. Lets create space for each other.

Ms ONeills move comes 14 years after then Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny became the first taoiseach to attend a Remembrance Day service in Northern Ireland when he took part in commemorations at Enniskillen in 2012.

He began a tradition that has been continued by Mr Kennys successors as taoiseach.

Their attendance has been symbolic of the greater recognition now afforded in the Republic to those Irish men who fought and died serving in the British army in the First World War.

Ms ONeills announcement comes in the week when the date of the forthcoming general election in the Republic will be announced.

First Minister and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill in a Sinn Fein party room in Parliament Buildings (Liam McBurney/PA)

She insisted her decision was not linked to electoral politics south of the border.

Since I pledged to be a First Minister for all, Ive lived up to that commitment at every turn, she said.

I intend to take that opportunity at every turn to represent everybody fairly equally and in a very inclusive way in our society. This, to me, is about nothing else other than fulfilling that commitment to be First Minister for all.

Sinn Fein has been reeling from a series of controversies in recent weeks linked to its handling of allegations against several party members.

Ms ONeill denied her announcement was an attempt to shift the focus away from the partys internal difficulties.

Im going to have no truck with that, she said of the suggestion.

I took this initiative because I believe its the right thing to do. I believe it is a fulfilment of my commitment to be First Minister for all.

We cant escape the fact the past number of weeks have been difficult for the party, and Ive publicly stated all of that in terms of the public record.

But this is not about that. This is about me fulfilling my commitment to be First Minister for all.
Review: The Broderick Talks at the Medieval Museum

Wellbe honestgwan nowdont you just lovvve it when a conceited hero falls from grace. Especially one who practices nothing of what he preaches. Its called schadenfreude  the joy you experience when someone gets his comeuppance.

Remember Charlies admonishments to his humble Sean & Sile Citizens?...of living way beyond our meanstightening our beltsno one owes us a livingthe IMF are coming to get us while at the same time buying Charvet shirts at 300 (1,000 today), hosting dinner parties in Le Coq Hardi (aptly translates as The Bold Rooster) restaurant and buying Inishvickillane  a private island  along with the 14-bedroomed Abbeville House with its 250-acre estate at Kinsealy in north Co Dublin.

Charlie had failed in his obsession to achieve an overall majority at the ballot box. Mainly because people neither liked nor trusted him. The rumours surrounding the sources of Haugheys wealth and Golden Circles fluttered in the ether like Siberian confetti. A TV enquiry into the beef industry and Larry Goodman suggested corruption. PD leader Des OMalley insisted on a public inquiry that would have serious implications for both Haughey and Reynolds. A Ballsbridge site was sold for 4.5m and sold to Telecom a year later for double the sum and suggestions  unfounded as it turns out  widened the cast of the Golden Circle.

And now Haughey was proving to be a loser as well. All those enemies and sycophants he had made on the way up were waiting for him on the way down. He was blessed in neither.

Albert Reynolds let it be known that he had come to dislike Charlies dictatorial style and was also bad-mouthing the PDs  FFs partners in government. A no-confidence motion, that was supported by his strongest allies, lost, but, ominously, numbered some twenty-two TDs. The sharks were circling.

When former Minister for Justice Sean Doherty appeared on a late night chat show, grenades exploded. Doherty confirmed that, despite Haugheys denials, the then Taoiseach was fully informed on the bugging of two well-known Irish political journalists  Bruce Arnold (Irish Independent) and Geraldine Kennedy (Irish Times). Charlies goose was cooked. It was time to pay the piper and Charlie was forced to pack it in.

The Ben Dunne scandal sparked a domino-hit of more tribunals and the source of Haugheys money moved centre-stage. Haughey denied and denied but Moriarity and McCracken tribunals exposed a man funded by donations from wealthy businessmen. Judge McCracken was scathing unacceptable donations from wealthy businessmen potential for corruption and bribery unbelievable. Haughey received 9m between 1977-1992  valued at 45m in 2006. Worst of all, 190,000 donated to fund Brian Lenihans liver transplant remained unaccounted for (Haugheys family always denied this). Events dear boy events.

When he finally exited the McCracken Tribunal, his reputation was in tatters and he was booed by the waiting crowd.

The real tragedy was that Haugheys brilliant potential as a maker of modern Ireland was never realised.
Boeing's (BA) turnaround efforts had stalled amid a seven-week strike by its biggest union that cost the company billions and set back production of its jets.

That particular risk to its stock has now been removed. The strike by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) ended Monday evening, with union members voting in favor of the aviation giant's latest contract offer. Analysts said the development should set the stage for a Boeing recovery.

"Boeing CEO, Kelly Ortberg, added another check to the 'Boeing Turnaround' list," wrote Bank of America analysts on Tuesday morning.

Shares of the plane maker rose 1% in early trading and had slipped slightly by mid-session Tuesday. The stock is down more than 40% year to date.

The worker strike was problematic for Boeing as it tried to get itself out of heavy debt following safety and production challenges that began in early January when a door plug blew out from an Alaska Airlines (ALK) Boeing jet.

By late October, the strike was estimated to have cost Boeing, its workers, and suppliers nearly $10 billion in lost wages, earnings, and supplier losses, according to Anderson Economic Group.

Wall Street analysts remain cautious on how fast the plane maker can ramp up production of planes. Much of it which was on pause during the strike that began Sept. 13.

While the strike ending and workers returning to the shopfloor is a meaningful step in the right direction, ramping [production] back up will take time," Bank of America Global Research analysts said, maintaining their Neutral rating on the stock with a price target of $170.

Last month Boeing announced a 10% workforce reduction, and last week it raised more than $21 billion in capital in a move widely anticipated by Wall Street.

Restarting and increasing production is necessary for the company to start generating cash and repaying debt, Ben Tsocanos, aerospace director at S&P Global Ratings, said following the union vote.

A Boeing sign is pictured outside the Renton Production Facility in Renton, Washington on Nov. 3, 2024. (JASON REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images)  JASON REDMOND via Getty Images

The contract approved by IAM includes a wage increase of 38% over the next four years.

Prior to the vote the union posted a message encouraging its members to approve the offer.

We have accomplished an amazing agreement together, read the IAM website. Your entire bargaining committee believes it is time to settle this strike and move forward.

Workers can return back to their shifts as early as Wednesday, but not later than Tuesday, Nov. 12.

"While the past few months have been difficult for all of us, we are all part of the same team," Ortberg wrote in a message to employees after the bargaining agreement was approved by 59% of union members.
Tens of thousands of Boeing workers are ending their 53-day strike after voting to accept a contract offer with significant wage gains on Monday.

The deal between the airplane manufacturer and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers gives employees a 38% raise over four years, an increased 401(k) contribution and a one-time payment of up to $12,000 for ratifying the contract, among other provisions.

The agreement, approved with 59% of ballots, is much closer to the original 40% raise that the union had pushed for; the company had been offering 25% when workers walked off the job on Sept. 13.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the company was pleased to settle a contract and get back to building planes.

There is much work ahead to return to the excellence that made Boeing an iconic company, he said in a statement.

The deal also includes a minimum 4% annual bonus that Boeing had proposed eliminating in earlier negotiations. However, it does not restore the defined-benefit pension that had been phased out in a previous contract  something many workers had demanded.

Jon Holden and Brandon Bryant, local union leaders for the machinists, said in a joint statement that the deal creates a new foundation to build on for the future.

We are ready to help Boeing change direction and return to building the highest quality and safest airplanes in the world, they said. Our members are critical to that mission, and now have a stronger voice in the decision making process to ensure those needed improvements are made.

The union said the deal had been negotiated with a hand from acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, who also helped broker a temporary deal to end the dockworkers strike last month.

Su said in a statement that the deal showed what is possible when workers have a real voice on the job.

This agreement proves yet again that collective bargaining works, she said.

Ryan Bergh, a machinist at Boeing's factory in Everett, Washington, for 10 years, cheers during a strike rally for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) at the Seattle Union Hall in Seattle, Washington, on Oct. 15. JASON REDMOND via Getty Images

The Boeing strike halted production of the 737 MAX, 777 and 767 planes in the Puget Sound region of Washington. It involved more than 30,000 workers, making it one of the largest work stoppages of the year.

It was just the latest setback for a company thats been plagued by manufacturing delays, a credit downgrade and a series of safety scandals that damaged its reputation.

In January, a door panel blew off a Boeing 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight, forcing an emergency landing and prompting a fresh round of congressional scrutiny. The Federal Aviation Administration put a cap on Boeings plane production following the incident.

Boeing logged a $6 billion loss in the quarter that ended in September, the company announced. It is in the midst of slashing its workforce.
If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now!

Submit
Boston Scientific has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of an Ajax Health company, Cortex, to bolster its cardiac ablation portfolio.

The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. Subject to meeting necessary closing conditions, it is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.

Cortex focuses on developing a diagnostic mapping solution aimed at identifying triggers and drivers of atrial fibrillation (AF) beyond the pulmonary veins.

The companys OptiMap System leverages a basket catheter and an algorithm to recognise active AF sources.

This approach provides precise insights for physicians, enabling them to deliver individualised cardiac ablation strategies.

Last year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted 510(k) clearance for the OptiMap System.

According to the data from the FLOW-AF clinical trial, OptiMap-guided treatment was shown to improve freedom from AF by 51% one year after ablation, compared to standard pulmonary vein isolation therapy.

Cortex CEO Duke Rohlen said: "Cortex was established to provide physicians with a more intelligent and precise solution for patients with AF.

"Joining Boston Scientific will allow us to further develop this technology, which we believe has the ability to transform the treatment of AF for patients around the world."

Cortex is currently conducting a global clinical trial, RESOLVE-AF, enrolling 300 patients to assess the effectiveness of the OptiMap System in detecting extra-pulmonary vein sources.

Boston Scientific Electrophysiology global president Nick Spadea-Anello said: "We believe the addition of the Cortex technology complements our electrophysiology portfolio with a differentiated cardiac mapping offering to assist with complex AF cases.

"We look forward to advancing this technology and driving future clinical evidence generation with the goal of making it accessible to physicians and patients globally in the years ahead."

In September, the company received approval from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Device Agency (PMDA) in Japan for its Farapulse pulsed field ablation (PFA) system.

"Boston Scientific to bolster cardiac ablation portfolio with Cortex acquisition" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Gerard Couzens

Gerry Hutchs hopes of standing in the general election were given a boost on Tuesday after it emerged he is free to travel to Ireland.

Court officials also confirmed his bid to run for the Dail had been a fundamental part of his successful appeal against his remand in prison last month.

It had been thought a judge who provisionally released him on 100,000 bail on Monday had imposed strict conditions, including a travel ban.

But court officials confirmed on Tuesday that no conditions were attached to the release.

Hutch, 61, was one of two of the nine suspects held in Lanzarote during dawn raids on October 23rd who were remanded in custody after a behind-closed-doors court hearing in the island capital Arrecife two days later.

He and an alleged British associate were sent to Lanzarote's tough Tahiche Prison before it emerged on Monday that Hutch had been provisionally released.

The Canary Islands High Court press office said Tuesday in a new statement: With regards to the alleged leader of an international criminal gang who yesterday was provisionally released on bail of 100,000, Court of Instruction Number Two in Arrecife informs that apart from the aforementioned bail to ensure his presence at the trial, no other precautionary measures have been imposed.

One of the main arguments taken into account by both the prosecutor in his favourable report on the conceding of bail and the investigating magistrate when taking the decision is that the person under investigation alleged in his appeal the withdrawal of his passport or other measures limiting his movements would prevent his free access to the elections.

He alleged that would cause irreparable damage to his right to passive suffrage, which remains intact.

Only a conviction can prevent him from standing for election. The other person remanded in prison on October 25th remains in prison. A secrecy order over the case is still in place."

Court officials have confirmed Hutch is being investigated on suspicion of money laundering.

In their statement Monday they said: The Irish citizen remanded in custody in Lanzarote on October 25th as the alleged leader of an international criminal gang has been provisionally released on bail of 100,000 this morning, November 4th, after Court of Instruction Number Two in Arrecife upheld his appeal against the imprisonment order.

The investigating magistrate took this decision after receiving a report from the Public Prosecutor's Office which was favourable to the appeal.

The Irish citizen is being investigated as the alleged perpetrator of a money laundering offence committed in the context of a criminal organisation.

Overnight reports claimed Hutch was more determined than ever to stand in the general election.

The veteran Dublin criminal was also said to be furious over the garda dawn raid on his Clontarf home when they knew he was out of the country.

Hutch has been openly travelling between Ireland and Spain using his own passport since he was acquitted last year of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016.

Despite his determination to run for the Dail, he faces an uphill battle to get enough votes according to a Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll at the weekend.

Just eight per cent of people said they would consider giving Hutch a No.1 vote if he was to run as a candidate in their constituency.
High Court Reporters

A jury has been sworn in for the High Court civil trial of MMA star Conor McGregor, who, along with another male defendant, is accused of the "in effect, rape" of a woman at a hotel in Dublin in 2018.

Mr Justice Owens, in outlining the case to the jury panel, said that Mr McGregor is alleged to have sexually assaulted Nikita Ni Laimhin, which Mr Justice Owens said "in effect, amounted to a rape [accusation]" alleged to have happened in December 2018.

At the High Court on Tuesday, Mr Justice Owens was told by Ray Boland SC, for the plaintiff, that the trial would take two weeks.

Mr McGregor (36) attended the court in a dark blue suit, navy tie and white shirt and was flanked by his father, Tony, and his co-defendant, who all sat towards the rear of the court.

Mr Justice Owens told the jury panel that the complainant in the case is Ms Laimhin, who is a hair-colourist, and that the case was a civil action against both defendants, from whom the plaintiff is claiming damages.

Mr Justice Owens said the jury of eight women and four men were the judges of fact in the case and to make themselves available for three weeks, should the case over-run.

The judge said that the jury were judges of fact and were not to think "anything that glitters is gold", not to discuss the case with others and not to be "private detectives" doing their own research. "You have enough to be doing," said Mr Justice Owens.

Ms Ni Laimhin's damages claim for alleged sexual assault against Mr McGregor was lodged against the celebrity fighter three years ago.

The action was due to be heard in late June or early July but was put back after Mr McGregor succeeded in an opposing application to adjourn the hearing to allow him take part in a UFC comeback bout against Michael Chandler in Las Vegas.

That contest, however, was cancelled after Mr McGregor broke his toe in training.

The allegations in the actions are fully denied by Mr McGregor, who was once the highest-paid sportsperson in the world, and his co-defendant.

Last month, lawyers for the woman were granted permission by Ms Justice Denise Brett to subpoena witnesses and statements in the case.

The plaintiff is represented by Ray Boland SC, John Gordon SC and Siun Leonowicz BL. Mr McGregor is represented by Remy Farrell SC.
High Court reporters

A man who sustained a "devastating and life changing" traumatic brain injury after he absconded from a Kerry addiction treatment centre has settled for 10 million a High Court action over his care at the centre and University Hospital Kerry.

The young man, who cannot be identified by order of the court, had taken a knife when he left the centre and was found later face down in a field with lacerations to both arms and a head injury.

The court heard he fell or banged his head on a rock and sustained a skull fracture.

The 10 million settlement against the HSE and The Grove Addiction Treatment Centre, with registered offices at Castleisland, Co Kerry, is without admission of liability and was reached after mediation.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey in the High Court was told that the young man who had a sad history of addiction to alcohol and soft drugs had earlier been brought to University Hospital Kerry after a suicide attempt at The Grove where he was in a programme.

His counsel, Oonah McCrann SC, instructed by Cantillon Solicitors, told the court the man who was in his 20s at the time, in late 2020, was admitted to the emergency department of University Hospital Kerry.

In hospital, a psychiatric assessment was carried out and anti-depressant medication was prescribed.

Counsel said the view was that it was considered safe to discharge the man back to The Grove centre.

Ms McCrann said he was in a very distressed state and at the centre he was put on a one-to-one watch. She said the person doing the watch went on a 15-minute break and another person took over, but she said the young man got out of sight and took a sharp knife and left the centre.

An ambulance and gardai were called, but Counsel said when the man was found in the field he had significant lacerations to both arms, and she said it appeared he fell or banged his head on a rock.

He was brought back to hospital where a skull fracture was diagnosed. Counsel said he has been left with devastating and life-changing injuries and now needs 24-hour care.

The man had, through his mother, sued the HSE and The Grove Addiction Treatment Centre, the operator of The Grove in Ardfert, Co Kerry.

In the proceedings, it was claimed against the HSE relating to his University Hospital Kerry visit that alleged substandard care had been provided and there was an alleged failure to take due notice in the referral letter to suicidal ideation, anxiety and agitation as well as previous suicidal attempts.

It was further claimed that an alleged inadequate assessment of the mans mental health had been made, and he had been allegedly discharged from the hospital without an adequate care plan.

The court heard the HSE denied all the claims and contended the man appeared settled and was not in crisis at the time of examination. His discharge, it claimed, was reasonable in all the circumstances.

It was claimed against The Grove Addiction Treatment Centre that there was an alleged failure to prevent the man from obtaining a knife or from leaving the premises alone with a knife and an alleged failure to provide him with adequate one to one full-time supervision following his return to the unit from hospital.

The Grove Addiction Treatment Centre denied all the claims and contended it operated on a counselling basis and is not a medical facility.

It said when the young mans level of wellbeing did not improve, contact was made with a doctor who recommended an assessment in University Hospital Kerry, which it said it promptly organised.

It said its residential unit is not a secure facility and kitchen facilities are routinely available to residents. The man was a voluntary resident, it said, and entitled at all times to come and go as he wished, and it was his decision to leave the unit.

Counsel praised the heroic efforts of the mans family to look after him and said the settlement would make a huge difference to his quality of life.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was a very tragic case, and he conveyed his best wishes to the man and his family.
A former HSE manager has pleaded guilty to the possession and distribution of depraved child sexual abuse images and photographs.

Peter OMalley, aged 47, of Hawthorn Place, Ballinrobe faced 36 charges when he appeared before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court last week. He pleaded guilty to one count of causing a child to watch sexual activity, two counts of using information technology to facilitate the exploitation of a child, three counts of possession of child pornography and four counts of distribution of child pornography.

Originally from The Neale, OMalley used the online platform Kik to access and share child pornography.

Det Gda Paula Griffin told the court that An Garda Siochana was sent an intelligence pack from the FBI in Philadelphia on May 18, 2021, after they had monitored OMalleys activity on the social media app called Kik.

OMalley was identified as being an administrator on a private chatroom on the app where child abuse material was being shared. Users had to send three videos or five images of child-explicit material to OMalley to gain entry to the private group. He had been operating under the online handle Pat No One and an IP address, emails, and telephone number linked to the Kik account were traced back to OMalley.

On October 4, 2021, Gardai searched OMalleys home and seized a number of electronic devices and a work phone belonging to the HSE. His personal phone contained 128,791 images of which approximately 70% were of a pornographic nature, legal and illegal. The phone contained 249 images of child sexual abuse material, including 62 images of category 1 and 44 images of category 2 content.

The category 1 images included content of children from three to 17 years engaged in sexual activity or witnessing it. The images showed sexual abuse of children which included oral sex performed on children, children performing oral sex on adult males, children performing sexual acts, vaginal intercourse with children and anal intercourse with children.

Some of the children were visibly crying or screaming in the images. The images featured individual adult males and multiple adult males.

The category 2 images included material in which childrens genitals were exposed. The children's ages ranged from three years to teenagers.

Gardai discovered more than 10,000 deleted Kik conversations between December 2019 and April 2021, including 30 conversations involving O'Malley that contained illegal material. He was engaged in group chats where child-explicit material was exchanged and he shared material with other users.

The court heard some of the images OMalley exchanged were extremely graphic and of extreme depravity with serious sexual abuse being carried out. He indicated in many of these chats that his preference was for pre-pubescent children. OMalley was the initiator in most of the conversations recovered.

In one conversation with another user, who claimed to have an eight-year-old child, OMalley discussed his fantasy of having sex with the girl. He asked another fellow user if he could have sex with their 12-year-old daughter, saying he would like to force f*** his daughter. He told someone else on the app that he wanted to abuse the users two-year-old baby.

The court heard OMalley knowingly engaged in five online conversations with children from Ireland who were aged 15 and 13. He sought photos and told one of the girls that he loved seeing young p***y. The accused suggested to another teenager that they could have sex in a hotel or his car.

OMalley has no previous convictions. He gave Gardai no explanation for his offending.

The court heard the defendant qualified as an orthotist in the UK and worked for the NHS and in the private sector before returning to Ireland in 2010. He started working as an orthotist with the HSE in 2015 and was later appointed to a managerial role. The court heard he played a key role in establishing Covid-19 vaccination centres in Castlebar and Roscommon.

OMalley was suspended by the HSE in February 2022 when they became aware of his crimes. He formally resigned from the HSE in June 2024.

Senior counsel Desmond Dockery, representing OMalley, said his client fell into a pit of darkness". OMalley had been engaged to be married but that relationship ended around Christmas 2019.

The barrister said the accused became isolated during the Covid-19 pandemic and began drinking excessively. While not an alcoholic, OMalleys guardrails were lowered as a result of his drinking. Mr Dockery said the accused first turned to adult pornography as a distraction but then fell deeper and deeper into a dark place".

The court heard he became fixated with and addicted to the Kik app.

Judge Eoin Garavan said there was shocking material in the case and he would require time to reflect slightly coldly and objectively before finalising matters. He remanded O'Malley in custody and adjourned the case until November 25th next.
Yesterday (Monday) was a day over 280 years in the making as the ribbon was cut on the Ballina Innovation Quarter, a 7.5 million project to transform the towns Military Barracks into an enterprise hub.

The extensive renovations and refurbishments of the Barracks, which originally opened in 1742, were completed towards the end of last year. Since then, Block B of the building is now fully occupied while Block C is about 80% occupied. The companies occupying these blocks are MFA Consulting Engineers, Accelerating Change Together (ACT), Clarke & Conlon, GDI Ventures and OX Timber Frames, with several other offices and co-working spaces occupied by individuals.

The IQs largest block, Block A, is currently unoccupied and is earmarked for an anchor tenant to occupy the entire block. It is hoped that when the entire IQ is fully occupied, it will create a total of 200 jobs and indirectly support another 60 jobs.

The ribbon-cutting was performed by local Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital Transformation and Company Regulation Dara Calleary, who hailed it as a momentous day for the town.

This is a definite statement of intent. We are combining history and intent with a signal towards our future.

In Ballina, we move along our projects. We dont hold back.

Minister Calleary said he was very confident about the future of the facility.

We will fill out the IQ. There is some scepticism that it is empty but we will fill it out with the type of businesses we want to see in our town centre.

This will be a vibrant enterprise hub that we will all be proud of.

Other speakers included Minister of State Alan Dillon who said the new centre was "a much-needed, high-quality enterprise space".

"It addresses both vacancy and dereliction in an innovative way, he said.

Chairman of Moy Valley Resources David Dwane said the IQ can be a cornerstone of Ballinas future.

When the Military Barracks were first occupied, Ireland was a different place. Ireland is a different place today and there is a different sort of occupation here and we welcome the best and brightest innovators to our town, he said.

Chief executive of Mayo Co Council Kevin Kelly said the official opening was not an end to the project but rather a new beginning for Ballina.

The IQ will breathe new life into the town centre and will be a catalyst for Ballina to be modern and innovative within this revitalised space, said Mr Kelly.

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council Cllr John OHara said it was an exciting day for Ballina and north Mayo, hailing the restored Military Barracks as the "latest addition to the Ballina armoury".

Making the old modern is not easy to achieve but it has been done here beautifully, said Cllr OHara.

He reserved praise for the role played by former TD and Senator Michelle Mulherin who helped to secure funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for the project in its early stages.

Minister Calleary also highlighted the role Ms Mulherin played in bringing the project to fruition.

Michelle showed so much tenacity in this project, identifying the funding stream that was available and seeing it through, he said.
The arrival of veteran Sinn Fein councillor Gerry Murray into the general election race in Mayo means there are now 14 candidates seeking five Dail seats.

It is widely expected that Taoiseach Simon Harris will announce the general election later this week with Friday, November 29, mooted as the most likely date. The contest in Mayo has never been more open with only three outgoing TDs, meaning there are two vacant seats.

Castlebar-based Fine Gael Minister of State Alan Dillon will contest his second general election having successfully won the seat of former Taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2020.

Keira Keogh, who was unsuccessful in the Local Elections in June, will be hoping to take Michael Rings old seat in Westport while Ballina Municipal District councillor Mark Duffy, formerly an Independent, has joined forces with Fine Gael and will be aiming to build on his excellent performance in the recent Local Elections. The Fine Gael ticket is completed by Mayo-Roscommon Hospice CEO Martina Jennings from Hollymount.

Ballina-based Minister of State Dara Calleary and Senator Lisa Chambers from Castlebar are the Fianna Fail candidates. Minister Calleary was first elected in 2007 while Senator Chambers previously served as a TD from 2016 to 2020.

Sinn Fein is now also going with a two-candidate strategy after Cllr Murray was added to its ticket at the weekend, joining outgoing TD Rose Conway-Walsh.

Aontu Cllr Paul Lawless, from Knock, is running in a general election for the second time after an unsuccessful run in 2020, although he was elected to Mayo Co Council last June.

After topping the poll in Westport in the Local Elections, Louisburgh Cllr Chris Maxwell will run for Independent Ireland while Castlebar-based Joe Daly will represent People Before Profit. Micheal Boxty OConnell from Erris is running for the Green Party, having also represented the party in the Local Elections.

There are two Independent candidates on the ballot in Mayo thus far - Cllr Patsy OBrien from Robeen, formerly of Fine Gael, topped the poll in the Claremorris Municipal District last June, while Stephen Kerr, from Breaffy, narrowly missed out on a seat in the Castlebar area in the Local Elections.
Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone had the numerical superiority, with the English army pinned between his Gaelic forces and their besieged Spanish allies in Kinsale town. Lord Mountjoy had seriously weakened the last area of English power around Dublin (known as the Pale), by gathering as many men as he could muster from loyal garrisons in his rush to confront the Spanish troops who had landed on the south coast on October 2, 1601.

A defeat of Mountjoys men would have had catastrophic consequences for English rule in Ireland. With the Pale and ultimately Dublin city left in a desperately weakened state to face an onslaught of the resurgent Irish, the Crowns remaining allies in Ireland would likely have found their reasons to change sides and ONeill would probably have been crowned King of Ireland  but for ill-fortune.

There are multiple reasons why Mountjoy was able to defeat ONeill, thereby ushering in the destruction of the Gaelic order and paving the way for the complete conquest of Ireland by the English crown. By their landing on the Cork coast, the Spanish army forced ONeill to reluctantly march to their aid from his Ulster stronghold, in the depths of winter.

On his arrival, he abandoned a strong defensive position on high ground for a weaker one and his exhausted forces were caught redeploying out of battle formation when the English successfully routed them. ONeill lacked the guidance of his charismatic father-in-law, Hugh Maguire, who had been killed in a skirmish a year earlier, leaving the Earl with a depression of mind according to the Irish annals, making the already cautious leader, perhaps now rudderless and indecisive when the moment came to matter.

I have often wondered if Hugh Maguire had not brazenly rode out on a scouting mission on a fateful night and gotten himself killed in a needless struggle, would his guidance have seen his son-in-law crowned king, thereby dramatically changing Irish and English history and thus that of the world? By such momentary decisions does the universe unfold.

Historians love to speak of a zeitgeist or particular mood of an era, a spirit of revolution or coming together of social movements which sweeps through nations and leads to overturning of the old order and the birth of the new. Thus is born the French Revolution, the USA superpower, the rise and fall of the Soviet Union or even Irish independence. Yet, major turning points of history have often spun on a coin-flip and generations of history unfolded in radically different ways as a result  especially in elections.

Enda Kenny was Taoiseach from 2011 to 2017 during Irelands exit from its traumatic post-2008 economic crisis. This involved the EU effectively saving the State from bankruptcy with a 67.5bn loan, but then strong-arming the Irish people to cover all the financial losses of failed Irish banks.

As a compliant Irish Prime Minister unwilling to offend his European peers, Kenny was adamant in ensuring all bondholders (mainly European banks) would be repaid, thus resulting in severely curtailed public services, increased taxes with slashed capital expenditure and building programmes. We see the consequences today with an extreme shortage of housing, overstretched health services and lack of public infrastructure. Essentially five million Irish people were forced to bail out the European banking system to "avoid bank contagion" and Kenny insisted it was a moral duty for Ireland to repay every single cent owed. Would a less conservative and more courageous statesman have threatened to burn the bondholders and done an Iceland on it? What would Ireland look like today if we had?

Yet Enda Kenny almost wasnt available to be chosen as Taoiseach. In the 2002 election in his native Mayo, on the second-last count Kenny overtook his Fine Gael colleague Jim Higgins by only 87 votes and survived to be elected, while Higgins lost his seat. Rumours swirled in the tense Castlebar count centre but in the end, those 87 lucky votes changed Irish history (and maybe why we have no houses in Ireland).

If the British Prime Minister hadnt shocked the world by calling the Brexit referendum, the UK wouldnt have voted narrowly to leave the EU by 52% to 48%. David Camerons decision to gamble on his political future saw the unprecedented leaving of the European Union by a member state, with consequences still unravelling for the UK and Ireland, and an alienated Northern Ireland potentially rejoining the bloc though Irish reunification.

In a deja-vu moment harking back to the Brexit referendum of the previous June, I remember waking up on November 6, to hear of Donald Trumps predicted victory in the 2016 US election and not able to take it in until I had copious amounts of coffee. He had defied the pollsters by winning in the three rust-belt states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin by 0.2%, 0.7% and 0.7% of the votes cast respectively.

Hillary Clintons over-confident campaign had neglected these key swing states. These 77,744 lucky ballots in a country of 323 million ushered in a tumultuous four years of Trumps government, which caused 400,000 avoidable deaths due to Covid-19 and culminated in the January 6th attack on the Capital building in 2021, leaving a polarised nation and damaged institutions in its wake.

There was much talk of the People have spoken and rejected MAGA extremism in Joe Bidens 2020 victory over Donald Trump. In reality (and especially in an America where only seven swing-states effectively decide this election), a sliver of people who mattered chose him over Trump. As with Kenny, Trump or Brexit before him, Bidens success was down to a relatively few people and only for luck almost never happened. These are not the grand societal sweeps of people voting in unison but a few tiny accidents of unintended consequences.

The same will be true of the American election today when a relatively few people will again decide the result. No matter what the final vote is, one in two Americans will disagree  often vehemently  with the new President-elect. The two possible election outcomes will be starkly different in consequence  both in the paths not travelled by the country in the years ahead, as much as those policies and plans which will be enacted. It will not only effect the American people but also profoundly influence the outcome of the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as future events which cant even be imagined right now all over the world.

By such tiny margins, luck plays an outsized role in how history unfolds  just ask Jim Higgins or Hillary Clinton. By the way, keep an eye on Pennsylvania because whoever wins there likely wins it all, I believe.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Cloudy, breezy, and warm with occasional showers developing, especially in the afternoon; a gusty downpour or strong thunderstorm possible in the afternoon and evening. .

Tonight

Cloudy, breezy, and mild with showers and a few gusty storms or downpours in the evening; drying out late at night.
Shares of Carnival (NYSE: CCL) have rallied to a spectacular 92% gain this year amid a string of better-than-expected quarterly results. Compared to the pandemic-era disruptions, the cruise line giant has converted strong booking activity and higher pricing into an impressive financial comeback story.

Investors have plenty to celebrate with the stock currently trading at a 52-week high. But can this party boat keep delivering positive returns?

Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free 

Let's discuss what to do with Carnival stock heading into 2025.

The case to buy or hold Carnival stock now

Carnival is benefiting from a cruise industry renaissance with data showing this form of travel and leisure is more popular than ever. More people are taking a cruise for the first time and traveling more often, while willing to pay a premium for that dream vacation.

The setup has been great news for Carnival, which invested heavily to capture the booming demand by adding capacity to break several pre-pandemic records this year. In the last reported third quarter (for the period ended Sept. 30), Carnival held $6.8 billion in customer deposits for future cruises, up $500 million from the prior-year quarter and 39% higher than Q3 2019.

The performance metric that stands out is Carnival's guidance for 2024 net yield (a fancy industry term measuring the average revenue earned per capacity per day). It's projected to climb by 10.4% from 2023, even as the per-day adjusted cruise cost increases by just 3.4%. That spread highlights the company's success in hiking prices while controlling expenses.

Steps to modernize the fleet with bigger and more feature-packed ships have translated into a more premium product generating higher profitability margins.

Image source: Getty Images.

The company forecasts 2024 adjusted EBITDA of $6 billion, representing a 40% increase from 2023. The target for full-year adjusted earnings per share of $1.33 is set to turn consistently positive from the $0 result in 2023.

Management is optimistic about 2025, as Carnival's "Celebration Key" -- the newest exclusive resort-style destination in the Caribbean -- begins contributing higher yields.

Investors who are confident Carnival remains in the early stages of a significant long-term growth opportunity have a good reason to own the stock and expect more upside to the rally.

The case to sell Carnival stock now

As favorable as the outlook for Carnival may appear, it's always important to take a critical look and reflect on what could go wrong.
Reading, PA (19601)

Today

Cloudy, breezy, and warm with occasional showers developing, especially in the afternoon; a gusty downpour or strong thunderstorm possible in the afternoon and evening. .

Tonight

Cloudy, breezy, and mild with showers and a few gusty storms or downpours in the evening; drying out late at night.
US restaurant franchise Tropical Smoothie Cafe has announced the appointment of Max Wetzel as its new chief executive officer.

Wetzel takes over from Charles Watson, who has stepped down after more than 16 years with the company and six years as its CEO.

The company also welcomed Roland C Smith to its board of directors, bringing his leadership experience in the fast-casual restaurant, consumer-packaged goods and retail sectors, and in growing global brands and franchised restaurant businesses.

His most recent role was as CEO of CKE Restaurants Holdings, the parent company of Carl's Jr and Hardee's.

Before this, he was chief operating officer at Papa John's International.

Max Wetzels past roles include CEO positions at Delhaize America, Wendy's/Arby's Group, Wendy's International, Triarc Companies and Office Depot.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe chairman of the board Nigel Travis said: "We are delighted to welcome Max and Roland, two industry executives of the highest calibre, to Tropical Smoothie Cafe as we continue to deliver exceptional service and high-quality products for our valued guests.

"Tropical Smoothie Cafe continues to redefine the smoothie and juice better-for-you food category with the support of our dedicated franchisees. Max's commitment to fostering a people-first culture centred around operational excellence combined with his proven track record of expanding brand awareness through product innovation and best-in-class marketing capabilities will help Tropical Smoothie Cafe and our franchisees extend their strong momentum."

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, established in 1997 as a single beachfront location in Destin, Florida, now has 1,500 locations across 44 states.

Since 2023, the cafe has opened more than 300 new locations, more than 70% of which were opened by existing franchisees.

In early 2024, Blackstone-managed funds acquired Tropical Smoothie Cafe to support its growth through investments in menu innovation, operating excellence and marketing.

"New CEO Max Wetzel leads Tropical Smoothie Cafe " was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.




Tribute to Prof. Chabani Manganyi

Prof. Manganyi, an academic and the first black psychologist, made an invaluable contribution to the discipline and higher education.

Wits University is deeply saddened by the passing of Prof. Noel Chabani Manganyi, a prolific author, scholar, biographer and higher education leader. Manganyi passed away on 31 October at the age of 84.

Manganyi who already had a reputation of academic excellence, joined Wits in 1981 as a senior research fellow and visiting professor at the then African Studies Institute. He spent a decade at Wits where he continued with his research and teaching opening up new areas of scholarly enquiry. His work at Wits culminated in the publication of the book Political Violence and the Struggle South Africa adding to earlier publications offering insight into the black experience, including Exiles and homecomings: A biography of Es'kia Mphahlele. He remained a friend of Wits University post his tenure and served on the board of Wits University Press (WUP) at the invitation of then-chair, Prof. Belinda Bozzoli, due to his intellectual integrity and passion for the preservation of South Africas rich cultural and scholarly heritage.

He displayed these qualities  and more  in abundance during his long tenure from 2005 to 2018. With his gentle manner and deep insight as a psychologist and academic, he offered guidance to the Press as it sought to renew its identity and place in the local scholarly publishing ecosystem, said WUP in a statement.

His exceptional writing skills meant that he wrote a number of books, five of which were published by the WUP over the years; they have taken on the status of classics in their fields.

Manganyi was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Literature by Wits in April 2008.

Born on 13 March 1940 in Louis Trichardt, Manganyi earned a BA, BA Honours, Masters and Doctorate from UNISA. From 1973 to 1975, he held a post-doctoral fellowship in clinical psychology at the Yale University of Medicine.

He developed expertise in political violence and would often be called upon to give expert evidence in political trials. The Universitys archive attest to his enormous impact with the 2008 citation stating: Manganyis oeuvre has made a substantial contribution to South African psychology, a contribution which has still to be fully acknowledged.

An astute administrator, he contributed to higher education in South Africa by establishing a psychology department at University of Transkei (1976), served the vice-chancellor and principal of the University of the North (1990), director general of education under Minister Sibusiso Bhengu during Nelson Mandela's presidency, vice-principal (2003-2006) of the University of Pretoria, and as the chairperson of the Council on Higher Education (CHE).

Wits University send its condolences to the Manganyi family, and is honoured to have had the distinguished Professor serve not only Wits but South Africa and humanity.

Read a tribute by Wits lecturer and psychologist Dr Mpho Mathebula.
Gabrielle Mudiwa awarded the Achmat Dangor Literary Prize 2024

This inaugural award enables a talented young writer to pursue an MA in Creative Writing at Wits thereby ensuring that Dangors legacy endures.

The Achmat Dangor Literary Prize, offered by the Achmat Dangor Legacy Project and the Universitys Creative Writing Department, School of Literature, Language, and Media (SLLM), and the Faculty of Humanities named Gabrielle Nthabiseng Mudiwa as the 2024 award recipient.

Gabrielle Mudiwa is a 28-year-old writer completing a joint Honours in African Literature and Creative Writing at Wits.

Mudiwas work stood out of nearly 40 applications for its unique narrative voice and command of language, capturing themes of memory, displacement and continuity in South Africa.

Awarded for the first time this year, the prize aims to ensure the enduring legacy of Achmat Dangor, an acclaimed South African writer and activist.

The prize is dedicated to nurturing young, previously disadvantaged writers by providing the financial support needed to pursue an MA in Creative Writing at Wits.

This years submissions highlighted the diversity and vibrancy of South African literature, emphasising the need for initiatives that support emerging voices.

The shortlist, featuring distinct voices and remarkable talent, included Veli Mnisi, Phelani Makhanya, Vuyokazi Ngemntu, Lerato Sibanda waga Matsomela, and Seitlhamo Thabo Motsapi.

The award ceremony took place at the William Cullen Library on 30 October, where attendees could also view an exhibition of Achmat Dangors papers, now housed in Wits Universitys Historical Papers Research Archive.

Friends, family, associates of Achmat Dangor, and students and staff from Wits University joined to celebrate this years winner.

The Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Mucha Musemwa, conferred the award, commending the shortlist and congratulating Mudiwa on her achievement.

Writer and Distinguished Professor in Creative Writing at Wits, Ivan Vladislavic spoke on Dangors contributions to South African literature. He noted, Dangor's work resonates profoundly in our present. His concern with the fluidity and mutability of identity, intergenerational trauma and the burdens of memory, his bold and sometimes disquieting eroticism, and his interest in spirituality, mysticism and Muslim identity will strike a chord with many contemporary readers and writers.

Verne Harris, former Head of the Memory Programme at the Nelson Mandela Foundations Centre of Memory and Dialogue, shared memories of Dangor as a gifted writer and influential leader.

Poet, educator and activist Barbara Masekela emphasised Dangors cultural activism, calling on writers to draw inspiration from him and respond to the urgent demands of the present moment.

The Achmat Dangor Literary Prize, offered every two years, supports young, previously disadvantaged writers and continues Achmat Dangors legacy.

It is made possible by the generosity of the Ford Foundation and Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Audrey Elster, Achmat Dangors wife and long-term partner, initiated the project and brought this years prize to fruition.
Jonny Steinberg wins the 2024 Sunday Times Literary Award

Witsie becomes the first three-time winner in history of the prize and second Wits graduate in a row to win SAs biggest literary award.

Wits alumnus, social scientist and historian Professor Jonny Steinberg (BA 1992, BA Hons 1993, MA 1996) is the 2024 Sunday Times Literary Award winner.

At a ceremony held on 31 October 2024, Steinberg received the award for what is considered the best of South African non-fiction for his dual biography Winnie & Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage (Jonathan Ball, 2023).

In the 34th anniversary of the non-fiction prize, Steinberg also received R100,000, making the award one of the richest literary prizes in South Africa.

The biography has been described by judges as the work of a generational talent.

Steinberg is currently teaching two seminars at Yale, Pandemics in Africa: From the Spanish Influenza to COVID-19, and Bureaucracy in Africa. Until 2020, he was Professor of African Studies at Oxford University and Visiting Professor at the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (Wiser). He becomes the first three-time winner in the history of the Sunday Times literary awards, 11 years after his initial win for Midlands (Jonathan Ball, 2002), which was followed by The Number (Jonathan Ball, 2004).

When asked about the recognition, Steinberg told Alumni Relations: Winning this prize again is an enormous honour. The writing process itself is so full of doubt and fear; it's hard to know, in the thick of things, whether the book has come together. And so, to be recognised by an esteemed panel is wonderful affirmation and really means a great deal.

The judges said: Steinberg has taken a story that is extremely well-known and still manages to keep us engaged. Like a Greek tragedy, we watch, enthralled and at times appalled, as Steinberg unearths their personal secrets presenting them back to us, never out of prurience or sensationalism but with incredible sensitivity to allow us to better understand the two greatest actors of the South African story.

His ability to take two very different and iconic characters and give them both equal time without the one overshadowing or overwhelming the other, but instead complementing each so that the whole becomes far greater than the sum of their parts, is another example of his biographers skill. It is even more impressive given the fact that Madikizela-Mandela was a notoriously reluctant biographical subject. Finally, Steinbergs timing was impeccable. Any earlier than South Africas 30th anniversary would have been too soon, but now his book provides a perfect backdrop and an invitation to reflect on South Africas journey not just over the last 30 years, but of the fuller panoply of an entire nations long walk to freedom, which is still barely past the foothills.

Winnie and Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage fulfils the injunction in the description of the Sunday Times Literary Awards non-fiction category; the book is the illumination of truthfulness, it is new and delicate. It is unfashionable. It does fly in the face of power (and accepted dogma). It is filled with compassion. Steinbergs intellectual and moral integrity shine through on every page.

It has been an immense honour for us to serve as the judging panel for the 2024 Sunday Times Literary Awards. The awards espouse values we individually and collectively cherish  celebrating and showcasing the best in South Africas literary landscape. While our judging panel is comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds, we are united by a shared passion for books and South African literature in particular.

This dual biography has also been shortlisted for the prestigious 2024 Wolfson Prize.

Fellow Witsie Jarred Thompson (MA 2022) was among the shortlisted candidates in the fiction category for his novel The Institute for Creative Dying (Picador 2023).

Last year Johannesburg-based attorney, Bulelwa Mabasa (BA 2000, LLB 2002), was the winner of the non-fiction award for My Land Obsession: A Memoir (Picador, 2022).

Sources: Sunday Times and April 2023 edition of WITSReview.
The European Union's trade chief-in-waiting has described China as the bloc's "most challenging trade partner" at a parliamentary confirmation hearing in which he vowed to crack down on mainland-exported overcapacity "with all our force".

Maros Sefcovic, regarded as a close ally of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, stuck closely to the tone established by his hawkish boss over the last three years during a three-hour grilling by members of the European Parliament on Monday.

The Slovak said the "pendulum is swinging" towards matters of economic security amid tensions between free trade and protectionism, articulating a more muscular vision of the EU than that outlined by his predecessor, Valdis Dombrovskis.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

"We will tackle with all our force overcapacities being created by China and threatening our industry in Europe," said Sefcovic, who would also be the commissioner for economic security should he clear a vote of MEPs later this month.

By his account, he said he had told his counterparts from Beijing that the EU "cannot tolerate where subsidies are aimed to preserve Chinese jobs at the expense of jobs for Europeans".

Describing China as "our third biggest and most challenging" trading partner, Sefcovic vowed to "rebalance" ties and be "more assertive in challenging structural imbalances and unfair practices" including "non-market policies driving overcapacity".

The overcapacity issue has become a major bone of contention between Brussels and Beijing in recent months.

During a heated debate at the World Trade Organization last week, the EU and other Group of 7-aligned members blasted China for decades of "large-scale state interventions", claiming that the body's rules were not fit to handle Beijing's policies.

The Chinese delegation, in response, accused the group of propagating a "false narrative to excuse lack of competitiveness", according to sources present at the debate.

Pointing to sluggish consumption in the mainland's economy, the EU believes that subsidised exports of manufactured goods - mostly hi-tech or cleantech - are being shipped to Europe and undercutting local companies.

Von der Leyen has made the matter a cornerstone of her China strategy, along with a drive to cut dependencies on the country's critical minerals. She has pledged to "de-risk" ties with China, and Sefcovic vowed on Monday to pursue her agenda to the full.
(Reuters) -A China state-sponsored hacking group had breached Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) in June as a part of a global campaign targeting telecom companies and critical infrastructure operators, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday.

Investigators believe that the breach was carried out by a hacking group nicknamed Volt Typhoon, Bloomberg said, citing two people familiar with the matter.

"There was a malware detected in June, which was subsequently dealt with and reported to relevant authorities. There was no data exfiltrated and no impact to services," a SingTel spokesperson told Reuters by email.

However, the spokesperson added they could not ascertain if that was the same event the Bloomberg report referred to, saying, "We do not comment on speculation."

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said he was not aware of the specifics of the incident.

"China firmly opposes and combats cyber attacks and cyber theft in all forms," Pengyu said.

Volt Typhoon has infiltrated critical U.S. infrastructure sectors, including telecoms and energy, although China has said its cybersecurity agencies had published evidence to show the group was staged by an international ransomware organization.

Bloomberg reported SingTel's breach is believed to have been a test by China for future cyberattacks on U.S. telecom firms.

Information gleaned from the incident has offered insights into the growing range of suspected Chinese cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure overseas, the report said, citing the sources.

(Reporting by Roshan Thomas and Echha Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza)
Tourists visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall in Beijing, capital of China. [Xinhua/Ju Huanzong]

Situated at the foot of the Mutianyu section of the majestic Great Wall, Mutianyu Village in Huairou District, Beijing has drawn visitors from both home and abroad with its breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage.

Jim Spear, a self-taught architect from the United States, has taken it a step further, spending nearly 20 years as a villager at the foot of this ancient wonder. Spear and his wife, Tang Liang, have a design studio in the village.

"As a boy, I didn't know much about China, but I did know the Great Wall in China," Spear said, adding that he never dreamed back then that he would have the chance to visit the Great Wall, let alone live at the foot of it.

Spear's strong interest in China began during his college days as one professor of his sparked a major fixation about China. Such fascination deepened when Tang, who was studying in the U.S., became his Chinese tutor, and they got married later.

Spear first visited China in 1981 when he went to Peking University for an exchange program. Five years later, Spear and Tang moved to China.

A chance encounter in 1996 led him to establish deep roots at the foot of the Great Wall. After hiking the Great Wall one day in 1996, Spear met Li Fengquan, a villager and a vendor, who later became Spear's lifelong friend.

"I envy you living in such a beautiful place at the foot of the Great Wall," Spear told the villager, adding that he had always dreamed of living near the Great Wall.

Li Fengquan then helped the couple rent a house in Mutianyu Village, and Spear renovated his dream house. Since then, the couple often spent their vacation at the house. In 2005, Spear resigned from his job, and he and his wife made the house their full-time home.

Shortly after Spear settled in Mutianyu Village, he was approached by Li Lianting, Party secratary of the village, who expressed the hope of establishing a company to promote local economic development.

This motivated the American architect to explore ways to boost the sustainable development of tourism in the village.

Spear later turned an abandoned village schoolhouse into a restaurant, which was the first sustainable tourism enterprise in Mutianyu Village, and has become a major employer in Bohai Town that administers the village. It hires local people, purchases local produce, and sells locally-made handicrafts. The restaurant received former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama in 2014.

Spear's team also published five travel guidebooks, helping boost the development of local tourism.

Over the past years, Spear has witnessed Mutianyu's evolution into a village that beautifully blends rural traditions with international influence.

The factory turned hotel designed by Jim Spear in suburban Beijing welcomes guests. [Xinhua]

Spear also renovated a former tile factory in Beigou, the village next to Mutianyu, turning it into a hotel named the Brickyard Retreat, which is the only "China Rural Heritage Hotel" in Beijing and a sought-after destination for tourists. In the Brickyard Retreat, guest rooms have unobstructed views of the Great Wall.

Spear designed two hotels, three restaurants, and 10 villas in Beigou Village. His design philosophy emphasizes preserving the original appearance of old houses at the foot of the Great Wall as much as possible. He called for not pulling old houses down while retaining local residents and integrating tourist services with local life and ecology.

The architect said he is honored to participate in the construction of villages that are closely related to the Great Wall, adding that the responsibility is immense.

At 69, Spear continues his passion for the protection and development of China's ancient villages. "Contributing to China's rural development has been the greatest achievement of my life," he said.

The architect's efforts have injected new vitality into traditional villages at the foot of the Great Wall.

In recognition of his contributions, Spear received the Great Wall Friendship Award, the top honor for foreign experts working in Beijing, from the Beijing government.

(Source: People's Daily Online)

Editor: Wang Shasha
Federal agencies say Russia and Iran are ramping up influence campaigns targeting US voters
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, said he wasnt aware of the specifics, as relayed by Bloomberg, but that in general, China firmly opposes and combats cyberattacks and cybertheft.

The spokesperson added that the company cannot confirm or ascertain if this is the exact same event listed in your story with the cited threat actors and intended targets.

Like any other large organization and key infrastructure service provider around the world, we are constantly probed, the spokesperson said. Network resilience is critical to our business, and we adopt industry best practices and work with leading security partners to continuously monitor and address the threats that we face on a daily basis. We also regularly review and enhance our cybersecurity capabilities and posture to protect our critical assets from evolving threats.

A Singtel spokesperson confirmed that malware on the companys network was detected in June and that the incident was reported to authorities. No data was taken and there was no impact to Singtels services, the spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement.

The breach of Singtel, a carrier with operations throughout Southeast Asia and Australia, was seen as a test run by China for further hacks against US telecommunications companies, and information from the attack has provided clues about the expanding scope of suspected Chinese attacks against critical infrastructure abroad, including in the US, the people said.

The previously undisclosed breach was discovered in June, and investigators believe it was pulled off by a hacking group known as Volt Typhoon, according to the two people, who asked not to be identified to discuss a confidential investigation. Officials in the US, Australia, Canada, the UK and New Zealand  the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance  warned earlier this year that Volt Typhoon was embedding itself inside compromised IT networks to give China the ability to conduct disruptive cyberattacks in the event of a military conflict with the West.

(Bloomberg) -- Singapore Telecommunications Ltd., Singapores largest mobile carrier, was breached by Chinese state-sponsored hackers this summer as part of a broader campaign against telecommunications companies and other critical infrastructure operators around the world, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Story Continues

The US is currently battling its own suspected Chinese attacks of political campaigns and telecommunications companies. Officials have described the telecom breaches as one of the most damaging campaigns on record by suspected Chinese hackers and one that they are still seeking to fully understand and contain.

In the US telecommunications attacks, which investigators have attributed to another Chinese group called Salt Typhoon, AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. are among those breached, and the hackers potentially accessed systems the federal government uses for court-authorized network wiretapping requests, the Wall Street Journal reported in early October. US intelligence officials think the Chinese hacking group that Microsoft Corp. dubbed Salt Typhoon may have been inside US telecommunications companies for months and found a route into an access point for legally authorized wiretapping, according to a person familiar with their views.

AT&T declined to comment. Verizon didnt respond to a request for comment.

Through those intrusions, the hackers are believed to have targeted the phones of former President Donald Trump, running mate JD Vance and Trump family members, as well as members of Vice President Kamala Harris campaign staff and others, the New York Times has reported.

In the case of the alleged Singtel breach, one of the people familiar with that incident said the attack relied on a tool known as a web shell.

In August, researchers at Lumen Technologies Inc. said in a blog post they assessed with moderate confidence that Volt Typhoon had used such a web shell. A sample of the malware was first uploaded to VirusTotal, a popular site for security experts to research malicious code, on June 7 by an unidentified entity in Singapore, according to Lumen researchers. The web shell allowed hackers to intercept and gather credentials to gain access to a customers network disguised as a bona fide user, they said.

The hackers then breached four US firms, including internet service providers, and another in India, according to Lumen researchers.

General Timothy Haugh, director of the National Security Agency, said in early October that the investigations into the latest telecommunications breaches were at an early stage. Later that month, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said they had identified specific malicious activity by actors affiliated with the Chinese government and immediately notified affected companies and rendered technical assistance.

A spokesperson for the National Security Council last week referred to the ongoing investigation and mitigation efforts, but directed further questions to the FBI and CISA.

Singtel uncovered the breach of its network after detecting suspicious data traffic in a core back-end router and finding what it believed was sophisticated, and possibly state-sponsored, malware on it, according to the other person familiar with the investigation. The malware was in listening mode and didnt appear to have been activated for espionage or any other purpose, the person said, adding that it reinforced a suspicion that the attack was either a test run of a new hacking capability or that its purpose was to create a strategic access point for future attacks.

There is evidence that Salt Typhoon reached the US at least as early as spring 2024, and possibly long before, and investigators tracking the group think it has infiltrated other telecommunications companies throughout Asia, including in Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, according to two people familiar with those efforts.

The NSA has warned since 2022 that telecommunications infrastructure was vulnerable to Chinese hacking. Volt Typhoon has been active since at least mid-2020, having attacked sensitive networks in Guam and elsewhere in the US with a goal of burrowing into critical infrastructure and staying undetected for as long as possible.

The hacks by both Chinese Typhoon groups have alarmed Western officials and raised concerns about the number and severity of backdoors  a way to get around security tools and gain high-level access to a computer system  that China has placed inside critical IT systems. Those entry points could be used to conduct espionage or prepare the battlespace for use in a potential military conflict with the West.

Chinese hackers have long been accused of conducting espionage attacks against the US  including, most notably, the theft of security clearance applications for tens of millions of US government workers held by the Office of Personnel Management. But officials say the latest hacks go a step further and in some cases suggest China may be amassing capabilities to disrupt or degrade critical services in the US and abroad.

Paul Nakasone, a retired general who led the NSA for nearly six years until February, told reporters in October that the latest telecommunications hacks by Salt Typhoon were distinguished by their scale, and that the two Chinese groups represent a tremendous challenge for the government. I am not pleased in terms of where were at with either of the Typhoons, he said.

--With assistance from Kelcee Griffis and Gao Yuan.

(Updates with further comments from Singtel starting in fourth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
World-renowned Jewish Israeli historian Professor Haim Bresheeth, a lifelong peace activist and anti-Zionist, was arrested Friday evening in London during a protest against Israelis genocide of the Palestinians.

Bresheeth, who is in his seventies, is a retired professor of media and culture at the University of East London. He was arrested by police under the Terrorism Act, accused of a hate speech, outside the official London residence of Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely.

Professor Haim Bresheeth [Photo: haimbresheeth.com]

After being held for hours in custody in Charing Cross police station, he was released without charge Saturday morning. A video of his arrest, published by left-wing website The Skwawkbox, can be viewed here, and in their X posting below.

Bresheeth, the son of holocaust survivors, was arrested after making a speech at the protest against Hotovely, with a police officer stating that he was suspected of hate speech. The arresting officer refused to tell Bresheeth, and other protesters present, what his supposed hate speech consisted of.

In the video two police officers are seen approaching Bresheeth with one asking that he come away from the people he was with as I need to speak to you over here. Bresheeth asks what have I done? Another person says to the police officer, Not on his own. The people with Bresheeth ask for and receive the collar IDs of the police.

The male police officer then states: So, earlier today, you made a speech. So you are under arrest under the Terrorism Act 2000, for making a hate speech.

Bresheeth replies, A hate speech? I made a hate speech? Are you talking about somebody else probably. Not in this demonstration.

The police officer then reads Bresheeth his rights and says to him, So you are nice and calm at the moment so [pointing over his shoulder] we are just going to walk over here away from the crowds.

Bresheeth replies, I dont understand why you are stopping me and another person says, You need to tell him whats hes alleged to have said.

The police officer takes Bresheeth away, as protesters shout, Shame, shame, Shame on you and You are arresting a Jewish man. Protesters are blocked off from Bresheeth by at least four police officers.

In his speech outside Hotovelys residencewhich can be viewed on Skwawkbox hereBresheeth denounces the Israeli war machine stating that Israel has not achieved any of its declared aims, either in Gaza, in Lebanon, in Iran or anywhere else. What has it achieved? Murder, mayhem, genocide, racism, destruction. This is what they are good at. Theyre really good at killing babies. Theyre really good at killing women and old men. But they cannot fight the resistance. They have lost every single time.

He said that while Israel has won a number of wars against very big and successful armies They cannot win against Hamas, they cannot win against Hezbollah, they cannot win against the Houthis, they cannot win against the united resistance to the genocide that they have started.

According to Skwawkbox, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said Bresheeth was arrested to prevent intimidation and serious disruption to communities, and that police had to maintain a constant balancing act. The spokesperson said, One man was arrested on suspicion of showing support for a proscribed organisation. This person had been a speaker at the demonstration. He has been released under investigation.

Peaceful protests have been held weekly for over a year against Hotovely at the residence located in the borough of Camden. These are organised by the UK branch of the International Jewish Antizionist Network (IJAN), and Jewish Network for Palestine (JNP). The protests demand the government expel Hotovely for her pro-genocide views. Justifying Israels mass bombing of Gaza last January, and the killing of thousands of men, women and children, Hotovely told LBC Radios Iain Dale, I really want to mention the fact that Gaza has an underground tunnel city and in order to get to this underground tunnel city, those areas must be destroyed.

Hotovely added, And one of the things we were exposed to after getting into the areas in Gaza that we try to find all those tunnels and underground metro city that Hamas has built thanks to this great support of Iran, Qatar, of the international community generosity, everything turned [out] to be this horrible terrorist city. One of the things we realize is that every school, every mosque, every second house has access to these tunnels.

Asked by Dale if her comments were a call for the destruction of all of Gaza, Hotovely responded, Do you have another solution?

None of Britains mainstream national or local media have even reported Bresheeths detention. The only media to report Bresheeth arrest was the Qatar-based Al Jazeera, and independent outlets including Skwawkbox and the Middle East Eye.

Bresheeth is an author, photographer and filmmaker whose journalistic workgoing back almost four decadesincludes a widely viewed documentary film on the first Palestinian Intifada, originally shown by the BBC in 1988.

As part of his fight to oppose the victimisation of himself and others under the bogus claims of antisemitism by the Labour Partywhich began under the leadership of Jeremy CorbynBresheeth provided a biography to the party in February 2020 while Corbyn was still leader.

He wrote that he is an academic, an ex-Israeli Jew who has been active for over five decades as a socialist, anti-Zionist and anti-racist activist. My parents were Polish Jews, survivors of Auschwitz and other camps. They ended forced onto death marches to the Third Reich after the Auschwitz camp was vacated by the SS in mid-January 1945. My mother was freed by the British forces in Bergen-Belsen, and my father was freed by the US forces in Mauthausen. I was born in a Displaced Persons Camp in Italy, and arrived in Israel as a baby, during June 1948, as no European country would then accept Holocaust survivors.

I served in the Israeli Army (IDF) as a junior infantry officer, and took part in two wars, in 1967 and 1973, after which I turned into a committed pacifist. I came to study in Britain in 1972, and a short while afterwards I have learnt much about Zionism which I did not while in Israel, thus becoming an ardent supporter of Palestinian rights, and an anti-Zionist activist. I was an active supporter of the Anti-Apartheid Movement as a Labour member in the 1970s and acted against racist organisations throughout my life. My films, books and articles reflect the same political views outlined here; these include a popular book on the Holocaust (Introduction to the Holocaust, with Stuart Hood, 1994, 2001, 2014), among others, a BBC documentary film (State of Danger, with Jenny Morgan, BBC2, March 1988) about the first Intifada, and a forthcoming volume on the Israeli Army (An Army Like No Other, May 2020). I have re-joined the Labour Party after decades, when Jeremy Corbyn was elected to the leadership, as I regained hope in promoting a progressive agenda for the party, after years of Blairism.

Bresheeth resigned from the Labour Party in August 2021, citing the expulsion of left-wing filmmaker Ken Loach from the party as the last straw. In his resignation letter to Sir Keir Starmer, seen by the Electronic Intifada publication, Bresheeth wrote that the new Labour leader had perfected a regime of inquisition in the Labour Party, searching for anti-Semitism in every group which supports a just peace in Palestine.

Bresheeths arrest follows the hounding of prominent academics in Britain, under the Conservative and now Labour government, in office since July, as part of a clampdown aimed at silencing protests against genocideespecially those that have erupted on campuses. These include the cases of Professor David Miller, Professor James Dickins, and Dr. Shahd Abusalama. Anti-terror legislation has also been used in the arrests and intimidation of pro-Palestinian journalists including Sarah Wilkinson, Richard Medhurst and Asa Winstanley.




A major article published on Bloomberg at the end of last month provides a detailed analysis of the US high-tech economic war against China, and draws the conclusion, as indicated in the headline, that US efforts to contain [Chinese president] Xis push for tech supremacy are faltering.

Chinese President Xi Jinping [AP Photo/Maxim Shemetov]

The consequences, as indicated in the article at least to some extent, are that the US drive against China will assume ever more aggressive forms, bringing the prospect of war even closer.

The article began by noting that at a glance the US campaign appeared to be successful given that Chinese tech giants had been cut off from access to the highest level of chip making capacity.

This was because the US has been successful in pressuring the Dutch firm ASML into refusing to supply China with its one-of-a-kind machines necessary to make the most advanced chips.

But deeper research showed that despite export controls and financial sanctions China was making steady progress in developing the industries of the future and that the Made in China 2025 program launched a decade ago by Xi, has largely been a success.

Of 13 key technologies tracked by Bloomberg researchers, China has achieved a global leadership in five of them and is catching up fast in seven others.

The article cited comments by Adam Posen, president of the Washington-based think tank, the Institute for International Economics, who said: Chinas technological rise will not be stymied, and might not even be slowed, by US restrictions. The only exception would be draconian ones that slow the pace of innovation in the US and globally.

It pointed to the vast transformation that has taken place over the past three decades in the very structure of the world economy, noting that Chinas manufactured goods trade surplus is the largest relative to global GDP since the US right after World War II. China had taken the lead in the making of electric vehicles (EVs), batteries and solar panels.

The battle would continue whoever won the White House in the presidential election with the US focused on trying to prevent China from catching up in the manufacture of cutting-edge chips.

It is not confined to the economic sphere. As the article continued: For policymakers in Washington and Beijing, the push to win the technology race is driven by a number of considerations, including a desire to drive development, create jobs and secure supply chains. But officials in both capitals say another factor is playing a bigger role in economic policy these days: Preparation for a potential war, even if one isnt imminent or planned.

On the US side, it cited remarks by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in a major speech in 2022 in which he outlined a series of areas, including semiconductors, clean energy and biotech, in which he said the US would seek to maintain as large of a lead as possible.

Sullivan said export controls, which have increasingly been used by the Biden administration, going well beyond the tariffs and other measures introduced during the Trump presidency, were a new strategic asset that would be used to impose costs on adversaries and degrade their battlefield capabilities.

In their official statements, Chinese authorities pursue a different tack. They insist they are seeking to uphold the international free trade order which the US is in the process of upending.

But they know that US strategic planning is not only directed at trade but involves war in which the US would seek to cut off vital supplies of raw materials, particularly energy and so are seeking to develop Chinese capacity in alternative energy sources.

This means, the article noted, that the possibility of an all-out conflict means China has no intention of degrading its manufacturing power, despite US demands that Xis government reduce overcapacity and rebalance the economy more towards consumption.

There is no doubt the US bans on the export of the most developed computer chips and highly complex chip-making equipment is having an impact. But the analysis said that despite this China continued to climb the ladder of manufacturing dominance and technological advance and that if the US wanted to win the competition it would need to run faster or try harder to trip China.

This portends ever increasing economic warfare. But at a certain point this will develop into the increased use of military methods. This is because, as Shen Meng, a director at the Beijing investment bank Chanson, told the researchers while the efforts to contain China worked in the short term in the long run China will find ways to circumvent this containment.

This is not idle speculation but is reflected in the case of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. In 2019 the Trump administration put a ban on the company denying it access to advanced chips necessary for its mobile phones and its sales slumped.

But it poured money into research and development and worked with domestic suppliers to develop a more advanced chip which the US considered would not be possible. While the Chinese developed chip is not top of the range, according to the article: Huaweis smartphone business has since recovered and is now challenging Apple.

Paul Triolo, an analyst at a Washington-based advisory firm said that while Huaweis AI chips were not as advanced as those produced by Apple and Nvidia they are capable enough for many applications.

He said China had made major progress towards manufacturing without the use of US tools, but this process would be slow and challenging as the US continues to ratchet up controls targeting both tool makers and front-end manufacturing facilities.

It may be slow but there is no denying the direction of development. Goldman Sachs has estimated that China could lift its chip self-sufficiency to 40 percent by 2030, nearly double its present level. Even though this development may not yet be top of the range it will provoke an even more aggressive response from the US.

The development of Chinese high-tech, and the increasingly bellicose response of the US towards it, underscores the utterly reactionary character of the nation-state system in which the capitalist system is rooted and the historic necessity for its abolition by the international working class in the struggle to take political power and establish socialism.

High-tech development, which like every other advance in the productive forces, is not the product of one nation but is a global product, involving the labour of workers, scientists, engineers, programmers etc, drawn from all over the world.

It contains the potential for a tremendous advance in social conditions and living standards for the worlds people. But so long as this contradiction, between its global scope and the division of the world by the nation-state system, remains, this very development brings ever-closer the danger of world war and the destruction of civilisation as the major imperialist powers seek to resolve it by establishing themselves as the dominant force.
Strikes and lockouts involving workers at Canadas largest ports in Montreal and British Columbia are set to significantly curtail seaborne cargo traffic into and out of the country.

Port of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada [Photo by Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0

On Monday the BC Maritime Employers Association announced as of 4:30 p.m. local time it was locking out the more than 700 foremen who oversee the loading and unloading of cargo at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert. The lockout will effectively shut down Canadas West Coast dockssave for grain terminals and cruise shipsfor the second time in less than a year, as the foremen are essential for operations.

The employers provocative action came after International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514 announced it had implemented an overtime ban and that foremen would also refuse to adopt technological changes, as part of a limited job action following a 72-hour strike notice issued on Thursday.

Meanwhile, at the Port of Montreal more than 300 dockworkers at two terminals have been on an indefinite strike since last Thursday. Their union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), has kept 900 workers on the job, maintaining operations at the rest of the port. Some 80 members of the same union at Quebec Citys port have entered the third year of a lockout, which CUPE is helping enforce by isolating the workers.

The contract struggles by foremen at the Pacific seaports and by dockworkers at the Port of Montreal follow on from massive worker unrest last year in BC that saw a militant 13-day strike by 7,400 longshoremen sold out by ILWU officials in collaboration with the trade union-backed Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Liberal government has worked closely with the Biden administration in the US to suppress the class struggle on a North America-wide basis, including during last years dockworkers struggle and this years lockout/strike at Canadas two main freight rail carriers.

In the United States last month, 45,000 longshore workers in 36 ports from Maine to Texas struck for three days in the face of opposition from the Biden administration, big business and state governments. Quickly acceding to demands to wrap up the strike to ensure the flow of weapons to the US-led war on Russia and Israels genocide against the Palestinians, the International Longshoremens Association (ILA) union bureaucracy scuttled the strike even though the full contract had not yet been negotiated.

In the current contract struggle in Montreal, after staging a 24-hour strike on October 27, longshore workers at the Port of Montreal immediately convened at their union hall and voted to indefinitely continue the walkout at the Viau and Maisonneuve container terminals in the port beginning on October 31. The two docks are owned by cargo company Termont, and employ 320 of the 1,200 longshore workers currently in a drawn-out contract dispute at the port. The two terminals account for about 40 percent of container traffic in the Port of Montreal and 15 percent of all types of cargo moved at the port.

The walkout follows on from an open-ended overtime ban on the docks and a partial three-day strike at the port last month. The 1,200 longshoremen have been without a contract since December 31, 2023.

Workers struck the Termont terminals to press their demands for revision of the companys brutal work-scheduling practices, which make it virtually impossible for workers to enjoy any real work-life balance. Termont is the most notorious of the cargo companies in its constant and provocative altering of already onerous shift scheduling. In response to the strike, management has threatened to void the 320 workers salary guarantee provisions on November 5.

All 1,200 workers at the port are demanding not only improved work schedules but a wage rise of 20 percent over four years to bring them into parity with longshore workers in Halifax and Vancouver. The Port of Montreal is the second largest in Canada after the operations in Vancouver.

Anti-worker federal government strikebreaking threats and pro-company Labour Code edicts designed to enforce the brutal contract demands of the shipping and logistics companies have been deployed against St. Lawrence Seaway workers, as well as west coast dockers. Already, due to a July decision of the Canadian Industrial Relations Board, Montreal longshore workers involved in any industrial action at the port cannot interfere with grain shipments or cargo destined for the island province of Newfoundland.

A five-day strike in 2021 at the Port of Montreal was criminalized by the trade union-backed Trudeau Liberal government, with workers forced into pro-company binding arbitration. A bitter 12-day strike in August 2020 preceded another government-imposed strike ban.

In each case, CUPE officials have bowed to the attacks of the government and the employers, working tirelessly to restrain the workers. In the current Montreal dispute, the CUPE leadership has repeatedly refused to call an all-out indefinite strike, in spite of overwhelming support from the rank and file.

Late last week, Jasmin Guenette, the national vice president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, demanded government intervention to break the strike actions. Its time the federal government made ports an essential service, so that they remain operational at all times, he said.

In British Columbia, after a simmering contract dispute beginning last May, the dock foremen have already seen government officials move to stop any strike action. The workers are fighting to turn back demands to lower existing staffing levels and beat back company attempts at unilaterally imposing changes to work processes through increased automation. In particular, the largest of the cargo handling companies, DP World, has refused outright to withdraw its plans to force new automation on the workers.

Dock foremen have been clamoring for strike action since an initial strike vote was taken this past June. When a 72-hour strike notice was issued in early July to bring operations at DP World to a halt, the employers association threatened to lock out all port foremen across the industry if workers took strike action.

However, after an intervention by the federal labour minister just days before the strike was to begin, the CIRB announced that they had determined the 99 percent June strike vote was an unfair labour practice and therefore illegal because, they claimed, not all union foremen had the opportunity to vote. In reality, the ILWU had declared it had no dispute with the other companies operating on the docks and therefore sought to limit job action to only the foremen working at DP World.

Appeals against the CIRB ruling dragged out any action on the docks for another month before a second vote could be organized. That 96 percent vote to strike announced in August was mandated by all union foremen voting across the entire industry. Despite the near unanimous support for strike action, however, ILWU officials have yet to honour the vote by calling for an all-out strike and have now allowed the employers association to take the initiative with its lockout.

With the entire cargo-handling operation along the Pacific Coast now shut down, the employers have calculated that the federal government will more easily cite the supposed dire threats to the Canadian economy to illegalize further worker action.

Business leaders across the country, in concert with provincial and federal government officials, have been demanding a declaration outlawing all strikes at ports and railways in the wake of militant job actions by workers over the past several years. In July, the government intervened in a WestJet airline mechanics strike to end the action and finalize a contract before binding arbitration could be imposed. And the federal Liberal government and the CIRB intervened in August to end a lockout/strike on the two major Canadian railway networksCanadian Pacific Kansas City and Canadian Nationaland force workers into the always company-friendly binding arbitration process.

Union bureaucrats are working overtime with their allies in government to suppress the class struggle, but it is continuing to intensify. A turn by Montreal dockworkers or west coast foremen to broader sections of the working class to join their fight for improvements to wages and conditions would meet with enthusiastic support. A national postal workers strike recently mandated by a 96 percent vote by the 55,000-strong Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) membership is imminent, although the CUPW bureaucrats are doing their best to avert it. CUPW has kept workers on the job past a November 3 strike deadline in a no strike/no lockout agreement with management.

The litany of union betrayals is not the fruit of a few rotten apples atop the union apparatuses but of the pro-capitalist perspective shared by, and embodied in, the union bureaucracy as a whole. The unions and the privileged bureaucrats who run them, in Canada as around the world, function today as instruments of big business and the state and have developed class interests hostile to the workers they claim to represent. This finds expression in the Liberal/union/New Democratic Party alliance, which has supported a massive military build-up, Canadian imperialisms involvement in wars around the world, and attacks on workers at home over the past nine years.

However, increasingly favourable conditions exist for dockworkers on the west coast and in Montreal to defeat these conspiracies if they make their struggles the spearhead of a worker-led counter-offensive. The more than 7,000-strong workforce across Canadas west coast docks would welcome a powerful appeal from the foremen for solidarity action to beat back the looming government intervention, with their own defeat at the hands of the Liberals last year still fresh in their memories. Across the border, west coast dockers in the US remember only too well the ILWUs connivance with the Biden administration to prevent them from striking after their contract expired in 2023, above all so that they wouldnt go out alongside their Canadian brothers and sisters. The ILWU then rammed another concessions-filled contract down their throats.

Canadian and US ports play a critical role in the North American imperialist powers global supply chain, therefore necessitating cross-border collaboration by dockworkers in a political struggle against austerity and war. Workers must mobilize to defend their social and democratic rights on the basis of a socialist and internationalist perspective.

To carry out this fight, workers must build independent organs of class struggle, rank-and-file committees in all workplaces, and prepare a working class offensive against the profit system, which is at the root of war, social inequality and the growing attacks on democratic rights.
Are you a tech worker at the New York Times or another workplace? Tell us why you are fighting and the conditions you face by filling out the form below.

Technology workers at the New York Times on strike on November 4, 2024. [Photo: New York Times Tech Guild]

On Monday morning, one day before the US elections, hundreds of technology workers at the New York Times launched a multi-day strike to fight for higher pay raises, improved working conditions and to oppose discriminatory performance management practices.

Over 600 software engineers, product managers, digital designers and other tech workersthe core team sustaining the New York Times digital infrastructurewalked off the job Monday and set up pickets outside the company headquarters.

The timing of the strike, coming just one day before the pivotal 2024 US elections, underscores the important role these workers play in supporting the news giants digital reach. Organized by the New York Times Tech Guild, an affiliate of the Communication Workers of America (CWA), the strike is one of the first major work stoppages by technology workers.

A statement by the Guild noted that the workers are demanding fair, equitable pay, job security, and protected hybrid/remote work. Over 95 percent of the tech workers voted to authorize a strike. Managements latest offer includes a 2.5 percent annual wage increase, a 5 percent pay increase for promotions and a $1,000 ratification bonus.

The disrespect has reached a new low, Sarah Duncan, a staff engineer, said on Twitter/X prior to the strike. NYT execs better come to their senses and bargain like their products rely on itsince we are the ones who make and maintain them and weve authorized a strike!

The strike has the potential to disrupt the Times high-stakes news cycle coverage of the 2024 US elections, including the presidential and congressional races, bringing into sharp relief the dependence of the papers most essential operations on its tech workforce.

For readers of the Times, the walkout shuts down many digital tools that make the publications election coverage possible. Its digital architecture, maintained by these tech workers, delivers real-time election results, interactive maps, and in-depth data visualization, which the media company is known for.

The tech workers also support key software platforms on the Times, such as its gaming apps like Wordle and the crossword puzzle, its cooking platform and its podcast and other apps.

The strike is all the more significant given the role played by the Times, the so-called newspaper of record, as one of the central instruments of ruling class propaganda for over a century.

In recent decades, the Times has played a key role in imperialist war propagandafrom the criminal invasion of Iraq to the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza and the US-NATO proxy war in Ukraineand in falsifying history, including the discredited 1619 Project.

A year of frustrations boiling over

The tech workers fight at the New York Times is emblematic of a larger crisis engulfing the media and tech industries, as well as the broader jobs bloodbath taking place in the auto industry and other sectors. Across all these industries, workers face the brunt of management-driven cost-cutting, which manifests as stagnant wages, escalating workloads and job insecurity.

But workers are fighting back, including the courageous strike of over 33,000 Boeing workers and other workers on strike at defense and aerospace companies like Eaton.

Kait Hoehne, a Times web engineer, wrote on X/Twitter last month, We are asking for reasonable things that would make a huge quality-of-life improvement for our members: remote work protections, layoff protections, more affordable health care, reasonable annual raises.

She added, The New York Times has been wildly successful over the last few years, in large part due to our units hard work, but we are consistently squeezedpushed to produce as much as possible for as little as possible.

Shares of the Times fell over 7.7 percent on Monday due to the strike, despite posting a 7 percent increase in quarterly revenue, centrally through its digital operations and subscribers. Net profit rose over 20 percent to $64.1 million in the third quarter. The publication gained over 260,000 paid subscribers last quarter, with a total of over 5 million paid subscribers to many of its key platforms for news, cooking, games and reviews.

We are denied promotions, fired without cause, Hoehne added. The women and people of color in our unit experience wage gaps and unfair performance reviews. We can work to resolve these issues as a unit. We deserve a fair deal, and we deserve it now. One tech worker was fired and retaliated against days before a brain surgery.

The tech workers at the Times have faced over a year of stalled bargaining, with management allegedly using delay tactics and other means to avoid coming to an agreement. The bargaining impasse has led to accusations by workers and supporters that the media companys executives are fundamentally unwilling to recognize the rights and contributions of their tech workforce, who play an essential role in delivering the digital infrastructure that allows the Times to operate.

In recent years, mass layoffs have swept through major tech and media companies, with corporations prioritizing profits and shareholder returns over workforce stability. Over 1,100 Times workers previously went on strike in 2022.

Despite posting substantial profits in 2023, the New York Times has resisted paying its tech workers wages that align with industry standards. The decision to go on strike speaks to a shared sense of anger felt by many workers who see their contributions as vital yet undervalued.

Tech workers have not limited their opposition just to mass layoffs in recent years but have also spoken out against the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza.

One Microsoft tech worker Hossan Nassr was recently fired for protesting the genocide and the complicity of technology companies in war and genocide. I was fired from Microsoft, Nassr said in a viral tweet, hours after a vigil we organized to honor and remember the lives of Palestinians killed by American-funded and Microsoft-empowered Israeli genocide.

The role of the NewsGuild and the CWA

It is critical that Times workers must understand the role of the CWA union bureaucracy, given the CWAs sellout of AT&T workers. The NewsGuild, part of the CWA, bargains on behalf of roughly 3,000 media professionals in New York, including both editorial and technology staff at the Times.

In the case of AT&T, the CWA leadership pushed through a contract that many workers felt was inadequate and failed to address their core demands. This betrayal shows that the CWA, and by extension the NewsGuild, cannot be relied upon to support a genuine fight for tech workers rights at the Times.

To fight for their demands and to prevent a sellout by the union bureaucracy, Times workers should form rank-and-file committees, organizations directly led by workers. Such committees would enable workers to democratically control their struggle, preventing the union leadership from making concessions that fail to meet their needs. Rank-and-file committees would place decision-making power in the hands of the workers themselves, allowing them to assess and guide their strategy without fear of a compromise or any betrayals by the CWA leadership, and make a turn to broader sections of the working class.

The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) has advocated the formation of rank-and-file committees to empower workers to take control of their struggles. With the Times management showing little willingness to address workers core demands, the formation of rank-and-file committees can serve as a powerful counterweight, allowing workers to push forward without interference or dilution of their demands.

Ultimately, this strike is more than a dispute over wages and working conditions. Workers at the Times have to also come to terms with the role of the publication as a central organ of propaganda for the capitalist ruling class today.

The outcome of this important tech workers strike will also reverberate across the technology and media industry. This fight, and its implications, extend beyond the Times to tech and media workers everywhere, as well as broad sections of the working class who are facing the brunt of the attacks by the ruling class on their living standards and working conditions.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Top Wall Street lenders have created a big debt market back by red-hot Nvidia GPUs.

A report from the FT says firms have made billions in loans to companies that use Nvidia chips as collateral.

The risk is that new GPU technology is released regularly, and the existing collateral could lose value.

Top Wall Street firms have loaned billions to a handful of tech companies that have used Nvidia's artificial intelligence-enabling GPUs as collateral, The Finanacial Times reported.

According to the FT, big financial institutions including BlackRock, Blackstone, Pimco, and Carlyle, have made over $11 billion in loans to "neocloud" companies, tech companies that provide cloud services to other tech firms building AI products.

These firms are among some of Nvidia's largest customers and include names like CoreWeave, Crusoe, and Lambda Labs. Collectively, they have purchased tens of thousands of Nvidia's highly sought-after chips and have offered them as collateral for loans that they use to buy even more GPUs, the report said.

There are concerns, though, over the value of Nvidia's GPUs, with the price of existing AI chips potentially coming down as more advanced models are released and as companies potentially dial back AI spending.

Having access to GPUs is no longer like having a "golden ticket to Willy Wonka's factory," as it was considered to be a year ago, a senior executive at one of CoreWeave's lenders told the FT.

Leasing contracts between neocloud firms and tech groups, meanwhile, are poised to expire in the coming years. That could result in a huge supply of chips making their way back to the market, the report added.

CoreWeave, Crusoe, and Lambda Labs did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Nvidia declined to comment.

Elsewhere on Wall Street, there are concerns that Nvidia's huge pace of growth cannot be sustained, with doubts rising about returns on AI investment by corporations and the threat of competition from other chip makers muscling into the AI space.

Read the original article on Business Insider
On the eve of Election Day, a group of American historians has issued a public statement calling for a vote for Kamala Harris. It has been co-authored by eight historiansKai Bird, Sidney Blumenthal, Ken Burns (best known as a documentarist), Ron Chernow, Beverly Gage, Eddie Glaude, Jon Meacham and Sean Wilentzand co-signed by dozens of other academics.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally in Memorial Hall at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Monday, November 4, 2024. [AP Photo/Susan Walsh]

It is an appalling document, which exposes both the political bankruptcy of American liberalism and the deplorable role played by its intellectual exponents in propping up the Democratic Party.

The statement does not confine itself to urging a vote for Harris as the lesser of two evils. Such an appeal based on this argument would be politically incorrect, but at least it would place some distance between the signatories and the crimes of the Biden-Harris administration. Quite the opposite: The document hails Harris as a heroine of democracy, swinging her terrible swift sword against Trump, the devil.

Reading the text of this statement, one finds it hard to believe that any of its authors and signatories had any knowledge of American history, let alone familiarity with the present state of US society. The statement proclaims:

Since 1789, the nation has prospered under a Constitution dedicated to securing the general welfare, under a national government bound by the rule of law in which no one interest or person holds absolute power. In 1860 an elite interest dedicated to human slavery attempted to shatter the Union rather than accede to the constitutional rule of law by accepting the outcome of the election, plunging the nation into Civil War.

This narrative is based not on history but on myth. It counterposes to Trumps reactionary battle cry, Make America Great Again, a pathetic appeal to Keep America Great. Many of the signatories have written books dealing with the inequities of the Constitution as it was originally drafted, and that its evasions on the issue of slavery enabled the Southern slaveholders to claim that it was Lincoln who was violating the Constitution. Moreover, the real political and moral foundation of the Unions position was grounded not on a narrow reading of the provisions of the Constitution but on the principles proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence. But beyond this essential historical point, the historians claim that the nation has prospered under a Constitution dedicated to securing the general welfare is the sheerest patriotic nonsense, no more believable than the claims that George Washington threw a silver dollar across the Potomac and that the Founding Father never told a lie.

All the basic and essential democratic rights that are formally recognized in law are the product of amendments to the original Constitution. The Constitution as it existed in the 72 years between 1789 and 1861 protected slavery, a fact that weakened to the point of paralyzing the struggle for abolition. In the end, it was necessary for the North, led by Lincoln and the Radical Republicans, to wage a revolutionary war against the slaveowners. Moreover, preserving in law the results of the military struggle required the passage of three amendmentsthe Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenthto the Constitution.

We must also ask the historians: What nation and what general welfare are they referring to?

In the bloody aftermath of the Civil War, the prosperity and general welfare eulogized by the forgetful historians did not include either the ex-slaves, who faced the vengeance and oppression of their former masters, or the Native Americans, who were the victims of US government-sanctioned genocide.

There are a fair number of labor historians among the signatories, but the brutal exploitation of the working class by the ruling capitalist class, accompanied by extreme violence, in the 70 years following the Civil War seems to have escaped their memories.

In short, the statements evocation of US history, until the appearance of Trump, as the triumphal procession of truth, justice and the American way is a fabrication.

The signatories condemn Trumps hostility to constitutional customs and the rule of law. That claim is true, but it ignores the fact that Trumps contempt for democratic principles and the rule of law can claim numerous precedents in the actions of earlier presidential administrations, both Republican and Democratic. The Obama administration institutionalized the use of targeted assassinations, which included the extra-judicial killings of American citizens. During the past year, the Biden-Harris administration has systematically ignored and violated essential principles of international law in financing and arming Israels genocidal war against the people of Gaza.

The historians warn against Trumps plans to intimidate, prosecute and imprison those who are designated as the enemy within. But such actions by Trump would be building upon the violations of democratic rights by every administration over the past 85 years, including the jailing of Trotskyists on trumped-up charges of sedition during World War II, the later Smith Act prosecutions of members of the Communist Party, the execution of the Rosenbergs, the Hollywood blacklists and countless other violations of First Amendment rights.

The historians seem to have sleepwalked through the last quarter-century. The massive violations of democratic rights associated with the fully criminal war on terrorlegitimized and waged on the basis of colossal lies by the presidential administrations of both partieshave passed them by unnoticed.

The statement descends into the depths of political duplicity in its unstinting praise of Kamala Harris. The historians might have counseled their readers to hold their noses while casting their ballot for Harris. But it was not enough for the historians to advocate run-of-the-mill political opportunism. They have chosen to revel in unrestrained political toadying. Writing in the style of shameless courtiers, they proclaim:

Kamala Harris has dedicated her life to affirming the rule of law and democracy. As a prosecutor and California attorney-general, she pursued justice without fear or favor. As U.S. Senator, she confronted those who would aid and abet the malign use of authority. As Vice President, she has worked to find solutions to urgent problems, domestic and foreign. As a presidential candidate, she has called out her opponent as a disgrace to his oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

This unctuous drivel is being written about an intellectual lightweight and political cipher whose career is based entirely on her capacity, like all those who make their way ahead within the framework of the capitalist two-party system, to do the dirty work of her corporate paymasters. The authors fail to identify the great social causes for which Harris fought without fear or favor. Her tenure as California attorney general was principally distinguished by her ruthlessness and contempt for the poor, such as defending the death penalty and opposing release of inmates from overcrowded prisons and the requirement that police shootings be investigated. Once in the Senate, Harris was quickly moved on to its Intelligence Committee, demonstrating that she enjoyed the confidence of the CIA and the military. Her unquestioned fealty to the interests of US imperialism assured her elevation to the vice presidency under Biden.

The historians observe a guilty silence on her complicity in the Gaza genocide and her enthusiastic promotion of the proxy war in Ukraine. Harriss four-year stint as vice president is drenched in blood. She made it a point to attend every single one of Bidens meetings with Netanyahu, directly associating herself with the US-backed massacre of, according to official figures, more than 43,000 Palestinians, including more than 13,000 children.

As for a dedication to the rule of law and democracy, as part of the Biden administration Harris has overseen the victimization and persecution of opponents of the genocide, including many students and academics. Indeed, Harris held one of her final campaign events at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where Maura Finkelstein, a Jewish anthropology professor, was fired for statements opposing Israel.

The authors conclude their statement with a final ringing appeal for the election of Harris. They proclaim: On the outcome of this election, no less than the election of 1860, hangs the fate of both the spirit and letter of the Constitution. This statement is political and intellectual gibberish. The great issue that confronted the American people in the election of 1860 was slavery. A vote for Lincoln represented a decision to defend the Union against the dictatorship of the slaveowners. As the great historian James McPherson has written, when the Civil War erupted soon after the election, people shot the way they had voted.

What are the great democratic principles that are being upheld by Harris? What profound changes in the economic, political and social structures of the United States is she advancing, without fear or favor? Two years before the election of 1860, in public debates in which he confronted Stephen A. Douglas, his future challenger for the presidency, Lincoln articulated the basic principles upon which the struggle against slavery would be based.

Where and when has Vice President Harriswho, when deprived of the services of a teleprompter, relies entirely on the memorized recitation of scripted platitudesarticulated the principles at stake in the election of 2024? Her brief reference to fascism was quickly withdrawn. The overtly fascist character of the Republican Party and its full-scale involvement in the conspiracies of Trump go entirely unmentioned.

This degraded election campaign has been characterized above all by the exclusion of any mention of the real political, social and economic issues: that the United States is already deeply engaged in a rapidly expanding global war that threatens to escalate into a cataclysmic nuclear conflict; that the United States is riven by massive social inequality, with staggering levels of wealth concentrated in an infinitesimal percentage of the population; that the vast majority of the people are experiencing significant levels of economic distress; and that social life has been profoundly destabilized by the consequences of a five-year pandemic that has claimed the lives of 1.5 million Americans and seriously debilitated millions more.

The silence of the Harris campaign on these conditionsfor which the Democratic Party bears full responsibilityis reproduced by the historians. Apart from the personality of Trump, the infernal interloper in Americas democratic paradise, the historians offer no analysis of the causes of his political ascent. No attempt whatever is made to explain why upwards of 70 million Americans will cast their votes for him.

They never pose the critical question: What are the objective conditions underlying the phenomenon of Trumpism and the fascist MAGA movement? How will the election vote, in and of itself, save democracy from destruction? Will the deep-rooted anger and frustration felt by millions of Americans dissolve if Trump fails to obtain an electoral vote majority? The Southern slaveowners responded to their defeat in the elections of 1860 by resorting to a counter-revolutionary insurrection in 1861. After the experience of January 6, 2021, there is no reason to believe that the ultimate fate of American democracy will be decided by the outcome of the election.

Without an analysis of the causes of the emergence of a significant fascist threat in the United States, there can be no serious and successful struggle against it.

The statement of the historians reflects the bankruptcy of what passes for political thought in academic circles. But this intellectual impoverishment is not merely a failing of individuals. In this epoch of intense crisis of the existing social order and the growing confrontation of the two most powerful classes, capitalists and workers, the role of the middle class ideologists of class compromise and the glories of capitalist democracy is reduced to insignificance. Their political bromides assume an irrelevant and absurd character.

Whatever the outcome of Election Day, the United States faces a future of bitter class conflict. The struggle against the horrors of fascism and war requires a clear and farsighted socialist perspective. That will emerge not from the pulpits of academia but from the ranks of the Trotskyist movement, basing itself on the theoretical foundations of Marxism, in the closest connection with the development of the struggles of the working class in the United States and internationally.
On Tuesday, Middle East Eye (MEE) reported that the Uncommitted Movement received more than $400,000 from a well-financed Democratic Party-aligned political action committee that exists to elect Democrats and explicitly rejects any support for third-party candidates, opposed to the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Uncommitted delegates hold a press conference outside the United Center before the Democratic National Convention Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago. [AP Photo/Matt Rourke]

A review of Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings by MEE found that the Uncommitted National Movement received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Movement Voter Project in the months after its inception in March 2024. Movement Voter Project (MVP) has contributed over $15 million to campaigns and political committees in the 2024 election cycle according to OpenSecrets.org.

MVPs website makes clear that the goal of the PAC is a A Blue Wave with the number one objective being to Win the Presidency by mobilizing youth, voters of color, immigrant voters, LBGTQ+ voters, and other pivotal constituencies to carry the Harris-Walz ticket over the finish line.

On MVPs website under the FAQ, the group makes clears that it does not support third-party presidential candidates, No. We do not, and we will not. We dont expect any of our partners to endorse third-party candidates. And we would not support groups to get out the vote for such candidates.

The Uncommitted Movement was formed earlier this year by Democratic Party operatives in response to massive anger over the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Terrified that millions of people politically radicalized by the ongoing genocide will permanently split not only from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, but from the Democratic Party that has supported the Zionist state of Israel since its inception, Uncommitted sought to channel that anger back into the dead-end of the Democratic Party and electoral politics.

Leaders of Uncommitted, seeking to prevent such a break, promoted the fiction that if enough people voted uncommitted during the primaries the Biden administration would be obligated to cease its support for genocide. This diversion from building an independent movement in the working class in opposition to both parties of genocide and the capitalist system completely ignores not only the historical support Israel has received from both parties, but the critical role Israel plays as a militarized outpost for US imperialism.



For months, the mainstream press and pseudo-left outlets like Jacobin magazinethe unofficial press organ of the Democratic Socialists of Americapromoted the Uncommitted Movement as an independent, organic and grassroots movement. In reality, the Uncommitted trap was seeded with hundreds of thousands of dollars, and given out-sized media attention and promotion because of its pernicious role.



From the beginning and through the Democratic National Convention, Uncommitted was heavily backed not only by the DSA but by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (Democrat-Michigan).

Notably, of the 69 recipients of MVPs largesse, Listen to Us, also known as Listen to Michigan, received $464,100, the 10th most MVP has doled out to a single group this election cycle. The treasurer of Listen to Us, according to OpenSecrets.org is Layla Elabed.



In addition to being one of the main leaders of the Uncommitted Movement, Elabed is Rep. Tlaibs sister. This past May, both Elabed and Tlaib spoke at the Peoples Conference for Palestine, a multi-day conference organized and led by leaders of Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and trade union officials. At the Detroit conference, neither Elabed or Tlaib called for a break from the Democratic Party, with Elabed calling on conference attendees to get out and vote for our ceasefire candidates ... and our pro-peace anti-war folks

Speaking with The New Arab in August at the Democratic National Convention, which refused to allow a Palestinian speaker on the platform throughout the four-day event, Elabed continued to promote illusions in the Democratic Party.



We think the DNC is listening a little bit more to the demands of our movement, especially in the political moment that we are in, watching a genocide unfold on Palestinians in 2024, she said.



In a blatant lie, Elabed declared, All we have is our voices. We dont have a multi million-dollar super PAC to advocate on our behalf. All we have is our voices and our votes (emphasis added).

In reality, it was just such a political slush fund that was financing this phony gesture, while preparing the way for turning students, workers and others opposed to the Gaza genocide back into the Democratic Party, the graveyard for movements of social and anti-war protest.
After Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and National Peoples Power (NPP), was elected as Sri Lankas president on September 21, the local and international media published scores of articles, in which he was described as a Marxist, a leftist, a Lenin-loving President and a peoples president who defeated the traditional parties that had ruled the country since the 1948 independence.

None of the writers bothered to explain how the JVP, steeped in Sinhala chauvinism and dedicated to defending capitalism, in any way represents Marxism, or its leader Dissanayake could be considered an admirer of Lenin, or a president of the people.

The JVPs own media has in the past quoted from Marx and Lenin, out of context, to justify their pro-capitalist policies and actions. At its May Day demonstrations, JVP supporters carried portraits of Marx, Engels, Lenin and notably Stalin and its leaders paraded in red shirts denoting socialism.

JVP supporters erecting stage for its May Day rally in 2016 [Photo by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna / CC BY-SA 3.0

In reality, the JVP was never a genuine Marxist Party as its embrace of Stalin, who represented the antithesis of Marxism demonstrates. At this years May Day, as it prepared to contest the presidency, the JVP ditched its red shirts and portraits. Those who present the JVP, its past leaders and Dissanayake as Marxists, without a word of criticism, are either politically ignorant or engaged in deliberately deceiving working people.

The Marxism of today is Trotskyism, represented alone by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) and its sections around the world including the Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka. Trotskyism defended and developed Marxism in the fight against Stalinism, which rejected the world socialist revolution, adopted the reactionary nationalist theory of Socialism in One Country, and was the gravedigger of 1917 October Revolution.

The JVP emerged in the late 1960s, following the Lanka Sama Samaja Partys (LSSP) betrayal of socialist internationalism when it entered the bourgeois coalition government under Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike in 1964. The LSSP betrayal, which was the first by a party claiming to be Trotskyist, opened the door for petty-bourgeois radical groups such as the JVP, and Tamil organisations to thrive.

The JVP was formed by a faction that broke from the pro-Beijing wing of the Stalinist Communist Party and embraced an eclectic mixture of the peasant guerrillaism of Castro, Che Guevarra and Mao Zedong, all bound up with the Sinhala patriotism and supremacism of the islands Sinhala Buddhist majority.

The JVP was responsible for the disastrous uprising of rural Sinhala youth in 1971 that left 15,000 dead, as well as a reactionary campaign against the Indo-Lanka Accord in the late 1980s that opened the door for the slaughter of tens of thousands of rural youth. Over the past three decades, however, this petty-bourgeois formation has been thoroughly integrated into the bourgeois political establishment and transformed itself into a right-wing, pro-imperialist party.

Amid a profound economic and social crisis, the JVP/NPP postured during the presidential election as an anti-establishment party, exploiting the deep hatred among masses towards the longstanding parties of bourgeois rulethe United National Party (UNP) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) that have now split to form numerous fragmentsand ruling class dynasties that led them.

At the same time, Dissanayake and his party reassure the ruling class that it would defend their interests. He repeatedly declared his support for the drastic International Monetary Fund (IMF) austerity agenda and met with US and Indian officials who gave their nod of approval.

The ruling elites received a profound shock in 2022 when a protracted mass uprising against intolerable social conditions forced President Gotabhaya Rajapakse to flee the country and resign. Now significant segments have turned to the JVP as the means for suppressing any repetition by working people as the new government implements IMF austerity and makes even deeper inroads into their living conditions.

During the 2022 uprising, Dissanayake underscored the JVPs hostility to the masses when he called on all parliamentary parties to unite to suppress the anarchy that was creating deep political instability. He proposed an interim administration as the means to derail the mass movement and subordinate it to parliamentary manoeuvres. The result was the installation of pro-US, pro-IMF Ranil Wickremesinghe as presidenta figure with no popular support.

Having won the presidency, Dissanayake called a snap parliamentary election with the aim of winning a majority and establishing a strong government. The JVP has already stressed that its government will retain the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as part of its repressive arsenal.

Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi [Photo: Facebook/Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi]

Dissanayakes righthand man, former MP Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, last week gave the clearest indication of the anti-working class character of the new government. He declared that one of its first acts after the election would be to dissolve party-affiliated trade unions and make strikes a thing of the past. This measure is not aimed at the trade bureaucracy but against the working class and its democratic right to organise and engage in industrial action to fight for its class interests.

These statements and measures have nothing to do with Marxism and are far more akin to a fascist party that is preparing to take office and crush any working-class resistance against its big business policies.

Who is Dissanayake?

Anura Dissanayake is a life-long JVP member. He was attracted to the JVP in the midst of its virulent anti-Indian, Sinhala chauvinist campaign against the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord. He was a 19-year-old GCE Advanced Level student in Thambuttegama Maha Vidyalaya, in the predominantly rural North-Central Province and joined the JVPs Socialist Student Union (SSU) through his first cousin, Sunil Ayiya.

President J.R. Jayawardene signed the Accord with Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in July 1987 amid a deepening crisis precipitated by the communal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which his government had launched. Under the Accord, Indian troops were sent into the north and east of the island to disarm the LTTE while limited powers were to be given to the Tamil elites by establishing a provincial council system.

In what was a continuation of its fervent support for the communal war, the JVP bitterly opposed the Accord based on nationalism and chauvinism, declaring that it was a betrayal of the motherland. It denounced Indian imperialism and declared that devolution of powers would split the nation.

Jayawardenes UNP regime had banned the JVP in July falsely claiming that it had instigated the savage 1983 anti-Tamil pogrom that had triggered all-out civil war. In reality, UNP goons had instigated the wave of anti-Tamil violence in Colombo and other areas of the island.

In response to the Accord, the JVP launched a fascistic patriotic campaign against the Colombo government under the slogan, Motherland or Death! Its underground military wing, Deshapremi Janatha Vyaparaya (DJV) or Patriotic People Movement, organised protests. Thousands of political opponents, trade union and student leaders and workers who opposed their campaign were murdered by JVP gunmen.

The JVP killed three members of the Revolutionary Communist League (RCL), the forerunner of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP)R.A. Pitawela on November 12, 1988; P.H Gunapala on December 23, 1988; and Greshan Geekiyanage on June 24, 1989. The RCL opposed the Accord, warning it was directed against the working class and calling for the unity of Sinhala and Tamil workers on the basis of socialist policies.

Jayawardene and his successor, Ranasinghe Premadasa, exploited the JVP campaign as the pretext to unleash a reign of terror aimed not just against the JVP but at suppressing widespread unrest among rural youth. Some 60,000 youth were slaughtered often in the most gruesome fashion by the military and its death squads.

Rohana Wijeweera [Photo: Facebook/Rohana Wijeweera Returns]

JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera and 13 other Political Bureau leaders were murdered along with hundreds of local leaders and activists. A notable exception was Political Bureau member Somawansa Amarasinghe who fled the country and became the partys future leader.

The RCL and the ICFI condemned the assassination of Wijeweera and other leaders and massacre of rural youth and launched an international campaign against the Premadasa governments murderous state repression.

Dissanayakes family faced harassment and threats by the security forces and their associated goons like tens of thousands of other rural families. However, what Dissanayake was doing at the time remains unknown.

An introduction on the presidents official website notes only that he participated in widespread protests against the Indo-Lanka Accord signed by the government at the time. He was a member of the JVP/DJV with the pseudonym Aravinda as it carried out its violent activities around the country.

While Dissanayake and the JVP has sought to distance itself from the murderous, chauvinist campaign, it has always hailed those who led it and participated in it as patriotic heroes. What exactly were Dissanayakes activities during that period?

The JVPs vicious campaign against the Accord is a warning of the methods that the new government will use in response to any threat to the Motherlandabove all from the working class.

Dissanayake and the JVPs regroupment

As the UNP governments reign of terror eased, Dissanayake was able to enter the Kelaniya University in 1992 to study physical science and became an activist of the JVP student wing.

NPP presidential candidate JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressing Business Forum on September 4, 2024 [Photo: NPP Facebook]

He was contacted by Amarasinghe, who was living in exile in London after fleeing the country in March 1990 with the assistance of an influential UNP member and Indian High Commission officials. Amarasinghe has never explained why he was given such help from sources towards which the JVP was deeply hostile.

Amarasinghe was assembling JVP cells in a bid to revive the party. In the next two decades, Dissanayake became his righthand man, ensuring his ascendency in the party as it adopted an openly pro-capitalist orientation and integrated itself into the Colombo political establishment.

The process mirrored political transformations taking place internationally amid the crisis of Stalinism that culminated in the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Nationalist petty-bourgeois formations based on the armed struggle around the world were exchanging their automatic rifles and jungle fatigues for business suits and seats in parliament or on corporate boards.

Sections of the ruling class also turned to the JVP as a useful tool in containing and suppressing opposition among workers and youth, particularly with the expansion of the communal war following the LTTEs assassination of President Premadasa on May Day, 1993. Chandrika Kumaratunga, who assumed the SLFP leadership and was preparing to contest in the presidential election was prominent among them.

Dissanayake along with Wimal Weerawansa and Tilwin Silva fully backed the shift and the discarding of its previous anti-imperialist rhetoric and with Amarasinghes backing rose rapidly in JVP leadership.

In 1997, Dissanayake was elevated onto the JVPs Central Committee and the following year onto the Political Bureau, the partys top decision-making body. In 2000, he entered the parliament via the JVPs national list and quickly became its main spokesperson.

Prior to his return to Sri Lanka in November 2001, Amarasinghe blurted out the JVPs renunciation of its former Marxist phrasemongering, derived from Stalinism, in an interview on the Lacnet.org website. Marxism had become old fashioned towards the end of the 19th century, he declared. We are not old-fashioned Marxists. We are open to be influenced by any other ism that provides us new ideas.

Dumping the partys past anti-imperialist rhetoric, JVP leader Amarasinghe wrote to US President George W. Bush praising his declaration of war on terrorism, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and requesting Bushs support to fight LTTE terrorism in Sri Lanka.

The JVPs election manifesto for the December 2001 parliament election declared that Sri Lanka had to line up with Bushs war on terrorism and utilising this advantageous situation fully to wipe out the Tiger [LTTE] terrorism from Sri Lanka.

The manifesto also made clear the JVPs pro-market orientation, promising concessions including generous tax holidays for investors and insisting that trade union activities should not draw public hostilitythat is, from the corporate elite in particular. In an interview with Business Today, Tilwin Silva warned of severe unrest among the workforce and promoted the Chinese regimes regimentation of the working class as a model for high growth.

The JVP leaders signed an agreement with Chandrika Kumaratunga to support her in the 1994 presidential election and withdrew its own candidate, on the pretext that Kumaratunga had promised to abolish the autocratic executive presidency which she ignored after coming to power.

The JVP sided with Kumaratunga after several of its MPs defected to the UNP enabling it to form a government. In November 2003, under pressure from the JVP, President Kumaratunga seized three major ministries from the UNP cabinet and then sacked its government in March 2004.

The JVP joined the SLFP to form a new electoral alliance, United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to contest the April 2004 parliamentary election. After the UPFA won and the JVP took 39 seats, it was awarded four ministerial posts, including Dissanayake who became Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Irrigation and Livestock.

Vijitha Herath, K.D. Lal Kantha and Chandradasa Wijesinghe became ministers for Cultural Affairs, Rural Economy, and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, respectively. Four other JVP members took the deputy minister posts in the same ministries.

The Kumaratunga government was desperate to for the IMF bailout loan that she had suspended earlier as she sought to scuttle the UNP-led governments efforts to reach a peace deal with the LTTE.

Kumaratunga signalled her readiness to impose IMF austerity by removing prices subsidies on essential items and hitting working people hardmeasures that were not opposed by the JVP ministers. Prices for petrol, cooking gas, ricethe countrys main stapleand powdered milk all increased. The JVP boasted about renovating 1,000 rural tanks, or water storages, and facilities for farmers and fisherfolk but nothing materialized.

The JVP came into conflict with Kumaratunga on racist grounds following the December 2004 tsunami that devastated much of the islands south coast. Specifically, its post-tsunami operational management structure (PTOMS) to distribute aid for victims included the Tamil Rehabilitation Center designed for December 2004 tsunami victims, declaring that it benefitted the LTTE terrorists. The JVP ministers withdrew from the government.

At the end of 2005, the JVP entered into another agreement with the SLFPs candidate Mahinda Rajapakse for the presidency after he pledged to end the ceasefire agreement with the LTTE. Dissanayake along with other JVP leaders campaigned for Rajapakses election but did not join the government.

In the parliament, they supported his war budgets and the extension of repressive emergency regulations. The JVP pressed him to reinvoke the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and helped suppress the class struggle, all in the name of waging war.

Dissanayake became the JVPs parliamentary group leader when the party sacked Wimal Weerawansa in May 2008 after he joined the Rajapakse government. In the wake of the defeat of the LTTE in May 2009, the JVP distanced itself from Rajapakse while defending to the hilt the militarys war crimes including against tens of thousands of civilians in the final months of the war.

In the 2010 presidential election, the JVP allied with the UNP in supporting as their common candidate, the former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka. Despite his responsibility along with the Rajapakse government for the militarys atrocities, the JVP promoted Fonseka as the democratic alternative to Rajapakse.

Dissanayake becomes party leader

Dissanayake became the party leader in February 2014, replacing Amarasinghe who led the party since 1992. The majority of the central committee reportedly favoured Dissanayake and compelled Amarasinghe to retire.

The leadership change was associated with an attempt to portray the JVP as a respectable party both in Sri Lanka and internationally that had renounced past violence and stood for national unity. Support for big business and international capital once again came to the fore.

Addressing a meeting of the Sinhala diaspora in London in May 2014, Dissanayake apologised for the first time on behalf of the party for the JVPs violence in its chauvinist campaign against the Accord during 19881990. In the same breath, however, he justified the partys actions saying it was just reacting to the repression of the UNP government, which was a lie.

Dissanayake cynically blamed past governments for creating the ethnic conflicts, which, while true, deliberately obscured the JVPs own role in backing many of those governments and its demand for a relentless war against LTTE terrorism.

While attacking Rajapakse for Sinhala communalism, corruption and dictatorial rule, the JVP and its new leader joined with the right-wing UNP in the Washington-backed conspiracy to oust him. Senior SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena broke ranks with Rajapakse and, with the backing of a UNP-led alliance, won the presidential election in January 2015. The US had backed Rajapakses war against the LTTE but was hostile to his leaning towards Beijing for financial assistance and weapons.

While the JVP did not directly call for a vote for Sirisena, it launched a vociferous election campaign demanding Rajapakse be ousted. So as not to split the vote, the JVP did not field its own presidential candidate.

In an interview to the Daily Mirror on December 1, 2014 Dissanayake declared: Everyone should work together to topple this dictatorship [of Rajapakse] [even if] we would not be a majority in a government that would form if the opposition wins. He stressed in particular: We dont have an issue with [UNP leader] Ranil (Wickremesinghe) becoming prime minister.

Alluding to the US pressure to oust Rajapakse, Dissanayake said that one of the problems to be solved was the risk of being isolated in the international arena.

The JVP did not join the government after the election. However, Dissanayake was appointed to the 13-member National Executive Council appointed by Sirisena to prop up his minority government until after the parliamentary elections. The JVP leader praised the phony good-governance posturing by Sirisena and Wickremesinghe, who became prime minister, and had no qualms about their abrupt shift in foreign policy towards Washington.

The Sirisena-Wickremasinghe national unity government implemented a brutal austerity program provoking widespread opposition among workers, students and rural poor. Only then did the JVP take a critical attitude towards the government while at the same time blocking workers struggles to prevent any threat to its rule.

The 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attack on churches and luxury hotels by an ISIS-backed Islamist group graphically exposed the pretenses of JVP and Dissanayake to have put their communalist politics in the past. Speaking in the parliament, Dissanayake not only denounced Muslim terrorism but blamed the entire Muslim community, declaring: This destructive embryo is being developed inside Muslim womb.

In August 2019, JVP leadership announced the formation of an electoral front, National Peoples Power (NPP), to draw in layers of the upper middle class to further obscure its past and give it legitimacy.

A recent political column in the Sunday Times on October 20 shed some light on the collusion in ruling circles behind the NPPs establishment. Months before the 2019 election, Dissanayake met with top UNP leaders as part of a dialogue that was established during the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe regime.

The Sunday Times explained: During the dialogue, one of the UNP stalwarts offered a suggestion to rebrand the party whilst retaining the identity of the JVP. The suggestion to retain the identity was to keep ordinary people happy. He said that a new face would be appealing domestically and to the outside world.

He also advised the JVP leaders that such a rebrand would also draw away criticism about JVPs previous record linked to violent incidents.

The rebranding gave birth to the NPP was born with prominent academics and NGO top activists already gathered around the JVP, including Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is now prime minister. In the subsequent five years, the NPP has expanded to include academics, professionals, businessmen and former senior military officers.

During this period, particularly following the 2022 mass uprising, the JVP/NPP has developed close relations in Colombo diplomatic circles, especially with US imperialism.

JVP leader Dissanayake with US ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung [Photo: US Ambassador Julie Chung Facebook page]

US ambassador Julie Chung, after meeting Dissanayake and other leaders at the JVP office in July 2022, declared: To me the JVP is a significant party. They have a growing presence. They resonate with the public during recent times I thought it is my duty to really connect with the JVP leadership as person to person, not just as a party to the US government.

The history of the JVP in which Dissanayake has played a particular role in its jettisoning of socialistic demagogy and transformation into pro-imperialist political instrument of the Sri Lankan ruling class is a warning to workers and youth. The Dissanayake government is completely committed to imposing the burden of the deep economic crisis on the workers and the poor and ruthlessly suppressing any opposition, including with police-state measures.

The Socialist Equality Party (SEP), the Sri Lankan section of the ICFI, calls upon workers to prepare politically for the class battles ahead against the Dissanayake governments assault on their basic social and democratic rights. What is required is mobilisation of an independent political movement of the working class, rallying rural poor and youth, in opposition to the JVP/NPP and all the other parties of the bourgeois political establishment and their fake-left hangers on, based on international socialism.

The SEP is intervening in the November 14 general elections, running 41 candidates for three electoral districtsthe capital Colombo, Jaffna in the north and Nuwara Eliya in central plantation area. We are calling on workers and rural toilers to form action committees, independent of the trade unions and all bourgeois parties, to defend their class interests and advance the fight for a workers and peasants government to implement socialist policies. We appeal to workers, youth and rural poor to support our campaign, vote for our candidates and join with us in the struggle for this perspective.
On October 24, some 200 students, faculty and staff at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), associated with the citys famed Art Institute, walked out of classes to protest Israeli mass murder in Gaza. The protesters denounced the ongoing genocide and the complicity of the art school and museum.

According to ARTnews, signs bore phrases such as WHEN ISRAEL BOMBS, SAIC PROFITS and AIC STAFF SUPPORT SAIC STUDENTS.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago [Photo by Alanscottwalker / CC BY 3.0

Students for Palestinian Liberation (SPL), which organized the action, asserted in an Instagram post that the art school Supports and Benefits from War Criminals and Profiteers.

SPL referred to the fact that there could be no ethical education at an institution funded by the Crown family. The reference is to the descendants of Chicago financier Henry Crown, now collectively worth some $14.7 billion, reports Forbes magazine. The original Crown started a building supplies company in 1919, which merged with General Dynamics in 1959. The family still owns 10% of General Dynamics (Forbes) one of the worlds largest arms manufacturers and, the SPL points out, a supplier of weapons to the Israeli military.

The anti-genocide group continued

There is no freedom of speech, radical artistic expression, and progressive education while a Crown family member sits on our board of trustees and holds more power than any student or faculty member. Israels genocidal campaign is ongoing in Gaza; land theft and settler violence in the West Bank are increasing; and now the Zionist entity is expanding its murderous assault and terror regimes in Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria.

The significant protest in Chicago occurred in the midst of a general crackdown on the right to protest and freedom of speech at art schools across the US. Many of those institutions witnessed major protests last spring against Israels war of extermination, including Rhode Island School of Design (RISD); Pratt Institute, Cooper Union, School of Visual Arts, Parsons School of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City; California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in Santa Clarita, California and Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles; Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia; SAIC in Chicago and Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Detroit.

The recent protest at SAIC followed a a widely publicized pro-Palestine protest at the school in May that led to the mass arrest of around 70 students, according to ARTnews. Subsequently, a group of 40 museum staffers issued an open letter to museum president James Rondeau, expressing solidarity with the protesters. The letter called on the museum to end financial support of the Palestinian genocide, direct or indirect.

Remarkably, following a class walkout in November 2023 over Gaza, the schools administration sent an email internally to students alleging that the demonstration disturbed the equilibrium. (ARTnews)

This notion, that university administrations are ready and willing to accept protests as long as the latter dont disturb the equilibrium, is presently being codified in the attack on anti-genocide protest and freedom of speech generally.

RISD workers on strike in April 2023 [Photo by Kenneth C. Zirkel / CC BY 4.0

The purpose of any serious protest is precisely to disturb the equilibrium, in this case to bring the attention of a given campus and the wider public to the commission of an abominable crime, the homicidal final solution of the Palestinian question in Gaza and the West Bank.

The ArtNewspaper reports that in mid-September hundreds of students rallied at FIT, Parsons, School of Visual Arts and New York University while large New York Police Department contingents looked on.

The same article notes that

many protesters are facing fresh obstacles and new consequences on campuses this autumn. In particular, some of the USs top art schools have updated their policies on demonstrations, tightening restrictions and strengthening penalties ahead of the new term.

At FIT, part of State University of New York (SUNY), the administration issued a lengthy series of temporary standards and guidelines in August, couched in police-bureaucratic language, seriously restricting political demonstrations. As the ArtNewspaper noted, the new policies

include an expansive list of locations where protests are explicitly prohibited and a total ban on encampments and overnight demonstrationsthe latter of which will be considered trespassing and addressed as such.

The list of dos and donts consists principally of donts. The locations in which demonstrations may not occur goes on for six paragraphs (a.-f.), and includes Classrooms, seminar rooms, auditoriums, or meeting rooms.

The section in which the administration announces that it will monitor all assemblies in designated public areas of grounds and buildings and prevent participants from engaging in any of the following goes on for nine paragraphs and includes a bewildering array of campus policies that student protesters may not contravene.

Of course, above all, disturbing the equilibrium is prohibited, or as FIT prefers to phrase it, Disrupting college operations is not permitted. Any objective reader of the guidelines is likely to conclude that the FIT administration is frightened of and hostile to opposition to the status quo and, in particular, intends to suppress protest against the Israeli mass killings.

FIT 27th Street campus in Manhattan [Photo by Beyond My Ken / CC BY 4.0

At SAIC itself, the latest edition of its student handbook, updated September 4, sets out similarly repressive guidelines for protest, obviously intended to discourage such activity. Once more, the language used is worthy of a police or intelligence agency. The tone of disapproval is striking. Everything is to be done to assist the administration-bureaucracy to narrow or, if possible, eliminate protest:

The 280 Pit is the only space on campus where students are permitted to stage a group demonstration or protest. To facilitate advanced planning for an event, students must reserve the space in advance by completing this form. This form must be submitted at least three business days before the start of the event. Whenever possible, students and/or student groups should give additional advance notice, ideally two weeks or more, to best facilitate planning.[!] The space is not considered reserved until an official notification is sent to the student organizer. Once notified of an approved demonstration, the student organizer will be assigned a point of contact to assist with managing the event.

The ArtNewspaper cited the legitimate comment of an SAIC student, These new policies are trying to suppress our right to protest, and I wont stand for it  The administration should be ashamed of themselves.

At RISD in Providence too, the administration has also suddenly updated its policies, as of September 16. The art schools policy on campus protests and demonstrations now stipulates that a protest, rally or demonstration must not interfere with the missions, processes, procedures or functions of the College. As at the other schools, the guidelines lay great stress on what students may not do. While the College encourages the free exchange of ideas, the College may limit the time, place, and manner of demonstrations.

The clear intent of the pages and pages of restrictions (and ominous warnings about corrective action [!] for those who violate school policy) at RISD, as at the other art schools, is to discourage left-wing opposition and stifle dissent, all of the verbiage backed up by the threat of policemens batons and handcuffs. Indeed, police last May arrested dozens of anti-genocide protesters at FIT and, as noted above, 68 demonstrators at SAIC.

As the ArtNewspaper blandly concludes,

As the war in Gaza enters its second year, students at multiple US arts universities are already facing harsher consequences should they decide to organiseor continue organisingprotests in solidarity with Palestinians.
Democratic Party presidential nominee Kamala Harris visited Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Monday on the final day of the 2024 US election campaign. The venue was clearly chosen as a political signal of the candidates commitment to support Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Muhlenberg College has been ground zero for the systematic assault initiated on basic democratic rights in the wake of mass protests that began last year against the Israeli governments war on the Palestinians.

Earlier this year, the college terminated Maura Finkelstein, a tenured professor of anthropology, for speaking out against the genocide of the Palestinian people on her personal social media account.

As the World Socialist Web Site wrote previously, Finkelsteins removal is believed to be the first tenured faculty member fired for constitutionally-protected free speech opposing Israels genocidein her case speech that took place outside the classroom, thereby trampling on both her academic freedom and her basic democratic rights.

Finkelsteins case has begun to gain national attention following the release of a Department of Justice email detailing the flimsy nature of the various complaints which led to the teachers termination. Several articles have appeared in the national media following the WSWSs lengthy interview with Finkelstein in which she defended her anti-Zionist views.

Harris, speaking from Muhlenbergs auditorium, predictably said nothing about any of this. Over the weekend, Harris had visited Michigan for her campaign. While she avoided speaking in predominantly Arab American cities such as Dearborn and Hamtramck in the Detroit area, she was compelled to give verbal acknowledgement of the mass suffering in Gaza, while promising nothing.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally in Memorial Hall at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Monday, November 4, 2024. [AP Photo/Susan Walsh]

In Pennsylvania, the Democratic candidate gladly dropped this charade. Her appearance was not geared toward making any statements in defense of democratic rights, but in effect lent her campaigns stamp of approval to the colleges effort to banish Finkelstein and other opponents of genocide.

Harriss speech, book-ended by banal declarations featured in her various other appearances, called on audience members to fight for the ideals of America, without explaining what those were. She also did not say how it would be possible to do so under conditions in which freedom of speech was being extinguished on college campuses in the United States with the approval of the Democratic administration in which she is second in command.

In her remarks, Harris praised Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, who has threatened Pennsylvania schools for alleged weakness in confronting student protesters.

Some of the most vicious attacks on school protests have occurred in Pennsylvania, including the removal of University of Pennsylvanias president Liz Magill for her perceived failure to crack down on protests. The most recent is the effort to administratively remove Philadelphia high school teacher Keziah Ridgeway for letting her students create a pro-Palestinian school exhibit.

Harriss speech continued the candidates policy of praising and fawning over Republican Party officials who have shown support for her campaign. She praised Republicans who never voted for a Democrat before, but would do so with Harris because they had decided to put the Constitution over party.

As the WSWS has frequently noted, Republican war hawks such as former congresswoman Liz Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, are not endorsing Harris out of love for the Constitution. Instead they do so because they think she would be more reliable than Trump in conducting wars with American imperialisms main rivals, Russia, China and Iran.

In fact, Democratic President Joe Biden and Harris as vice president have been attacking constitutional rights in lockstep with the most right-wing and fascistic forces. Muhlenberg itself has been the target of the Department of Educations witch-hunting of pro-Palestinian groups, initiated at the urging of far-right groups aligned with Trump and the Republican Party.

In spring, the Biden White House published an official statement, denouncing the wave of peaceful anti-genocide protests for shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations. He declared there should be no place on any campus, no place in America for antisemitism or threats of violence against Jewish students. This was followed by an official policy document on countering antisemitism.

The attacks on students are mirrored by the growing efforts to intimidate and punish faculty for their opposition. An article in the New York Times last month notes, Attempts to discipline scholars have been rising, to 145 a year in 2022, from four a year in 2000, as education has become more polarized.

Harriss visit to Allentown is part of a whirlwind series of campaign stops, culminating in an election night rally in Philadelphia, before Harris visits her alma mater, Howard University in Washington D.C. That the final leg of campaigning included Allentown, a part of the heavily industrialized Lehigh Valley, is not insignificant.

The Biden administration has regularly focused on the Lehigh Valley, of which Allentown is the largest population center. In 2021, Biden visited following the defeat of the 2021 Volvo Trucks strike, which the president collaborated with the United Auto Workers union to isolate and break. Since that time, Biden has sought to heavily involve the trade union leadership in its plans to sell its military foreign policy, even dubbing the trade unions his domestic NATO. Significantly, Harris also pointed to a UAW representative in the audience at her Allentown speech.

Conversations the WSWS held with students at Muhlenberg confirmed the essentially anti-democratic reign of terror which had prepared the way for Harris to speak. Students told WSWS reporters that anyone seeking to talk about the Gaza genocide there had to walk on eggshells, because of the atmosphere of repression.

Several students remarked sarcastically that Harriss visit had upended their class schedule, providing the same disruption which was the supposed pretext for the crackdown on protests.

While Harris visited Muhlenberg College to solidarize herself with the attacks on pro-Palestinian free speech, she has made no attempt to make a speaking engagement at a predominantly Arab American location.

Her refusal to give even a perfunctory nod to anti-genocide political views has allowed the fascist Trump campaign to make a cynical appeal to the popular opposition that exists in Arab American neighborhoods. Over the weekend, Trump visited a Dearborn halal food cafe in order to proclaim that if he is elected, Youre going to have peace in the Middle East.
The body of Rosa Maria Andrade Reynoso, the final missing Impact Plastics employee who died after the semi trailer she was clinging to capsized in flood waters during Hurricane Helene was found in a debris field in Erwin, Tennessee, last Thursday.

An aerial view of flood damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Erwin, Tennessee [AP Photo/George Walker IV]

Andrade Reynoso and eleven other Impact Plastics workers sought refuge from the swiftly rising waters of the Nolichucky River on September 27 on the back of a semi-truck when the parking lot of Riverview Industrial Park became impassable. The trailer overturned after being struck by debris, tossing all eleven workers into the rushing flood waters.

Six workers died. In addition to Rosa Maria Andrade Reynoso, the victims were Monica Hernandez, Bertha Mendoza, Johnny Peterson, Lidia Verdugo, and Sibrina Barnett.

According to the latest reports, Hurricane Helenes death toll has risen to over 230 people across multiple states, making it one of the deadliest hurricanes in recent US history. Search and recovery operations are still underway in many affected regions, meaning the total could still change as officials continue their assessments and investigations.

As efforts continue to restore basic infrastructure in areas hardest hit by the catastrophic storm, more information about the final moments of the six Impact Plastics workers has come to light.

Supervisor Johnny Peterson had been employed at Impact Plastics for over 35 years. While senior management fled the premises in time to exit the industrial park where the plastics plant is situated, Peterson remained behind to lead workers outside, saving them from certain death inside the factory as walls caved in and shelves began to topple.

Peterson was in contact with his daughter Alexa throughout the morning, sending video updates until the semi-truck was finally overcome by the flood waters, tossing everyone clinging to the cargo on the bed of the trailer into the rapids.

Petersons family is now filing a wrongful death lawsuit, which claims that workers were forced to stay even when management was aware of the growing danger.

In anticipation of the potential damage from Helene, Impact Plastics CFO Susan Chambers sent an email on September 25 telling managers and supervisors to turn off their computers when they left Friday since power will be down over the weekend.

On Friday, September 27, the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tennessee sent out its second urgent flash flood emergency text alert at 9:20 a.m. instructing people to move to higher ground immediately. Eight minutes later, at 9:28 a.m., production controller Sarah Vance sent an email pushing a 10:30 a.m. meeting to 1 p.m. According to the familys lawsuit, the email shows that Impact Plastics managers were preparing for business as usual for the rest of the day.

At 10:39 a.m., the power went out at Impact Plastics. By this time, the parking lot was already underwater. Video taken by Peterson shows ankle deep water in the breakroom of Impact Plastics. It took supervisors 11 minutes to finally dismiss workers, but by that time it was too late to get out of the industrial park which only had one way in and one way out.

At 10:44 a.m. Peterson texted a video of the flooded parking lot to his daughter Alexa. He wrote:

Cant get out.

Its bad Lexie.

I love you all.

At 1:30 p.m., in response to his daughters urgent requests for him to answer her calls, he texted, I cant.

Making clear that the loss of life was entirely preventable, neighboring businesses in Riverview Industrial Park heeded flood warnings. Foam Products Corporation closed on September 26, well before the storm arrived, and advised employees to remain home on September 27 due to serious concerns about the approaching weather. This marked the first time in the plants 15-year history that it shut down over worries about dangerous weather conditions.

To the north of Impact Plastics, Old Hickory Buildings opened on September 27, however, managers closely monitoring National Weather Service emergency alerts started sending employees home at 7:42 a.m.

Even so, factory manager Ron Kell at Old Hickory Buildings used a tractor to create an alternate path to higher ground, scoring a path through the brush to railroad tracks because the only road in and out of the industrial park was impassable.

The Peterson familys lawsuit also claims that there was no emergency action plan, despite the fact that the entire industrial park was situated in a federal flood plain. According to Knox County engineering director Jim Snowden, facilities of more than 62,000 square feet require multiple access points.

Impact Plastics, along with several other buildings along Riverview Industrial Park, reached that threshold and would therefore have been required to provide two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads according to the latest guidelines.

On October 3, Gerald OConnor, CEO of Impact Plastics, released a video statement denying any liability in the incident. In his clumsy effort to distance himself from responsibility, OConnor endeavored to invalidate the claims of his employees, professing that employees were told to leave the plant 45 minutes before the flooding hit the industrial park.

OConnor also stated in the video employees were not told at any time that they would be fired if they left the plant. After checking to make sure everyone was out of our plant and to rescue important files, I was one of the last people to leave the plant and luckily escaped.

In contradiction to OConnors statements, Johnny Petersons daughter revealed that OConnor called her family and said, he was sorry to hear dad died and that he wanted me to know dad was there helping people and that dad did not leave with them when he had the opportunity to.

Alex Little, the Peterson familys attorney, stated that there is substantial evidence that OConnor was among the first to leave, and had instructed workers to work that day because they wanted to meet order deadlines.

Its clear that OConnor, who was seen at the plant only a day later, checking on his Porsche that was left in the factory, values profit above the truth and above human life. No cover-up or video statement will hide that truth from workers.

Four of the six employees who were swept away by the violent flood were immigrants from Mexico. Lidya Verdugo, Bertha Mendoza, and Monica Hernandez had each lived in the small Appalachian community for two decades.

Mendoza, who worked in quality control at Impact Plastics, leaves behind her husband and four children. Mendoza worked alongside her sister, Araceli Mendoza, at the plant. After being thrown into the rushing water, Mendoza found refuge on top of a submerged van long enough to call her family, telling her husband and children that she loved them before she was overcome by the force of the flood. Her body was found two days later, not far from the factory. Araceli Mendoza was among the survivors.

Rosa Maria Andrade Reynoso lived in Erwin for almost eight years, working at Impact Plastics in order to bring her 10-year old son to the United States. Reynoso had also been in communication with her family throughout the morning. In her last messages to her husband, Reynoso told her husband to take care of their children.

Hernandez sister, Guadalupe Hernandez-Corona, expressed the confusion and anger felt by the families who lost their loved ones at Impact Plastics. She told a translator We ask: Why? Why did she go to work? Why did she stay?

Many in Tennessees Hispanic community have been frustrated that state officials were unable to do more to support survivors. Phone lines for reports on missing people were spoken only in English. State officials claim they were unaware of the scale of Spanish-speakers in the area. In Erwin, over 8 percent of the population is Hispanic.

The tragic loss of life at Impact Plastics is a sobering reminder that, even in the face of natural disasters, the capitalist class is willing to sacrifice the lives of their workers in pursuit of profit. There is no progressive way forward under such a system. It is up to the working class, as the sole social force capable of overthrowing the capitalist system, to unite on an international basis and reorganize society based on a socialist program.
Declining Net Income: CFG's net income has seen a decline, dropping from $430 million in Q3 2023 to $382 million in Q3 2024. This decrease reflects challenges in maintaining profitability amid a competitive banking environment and potential pressures on interest margins. The bank needs to address the factors contributing to this decline, such as increasing interest expenses and provision for credit losses, to improve its bottom line and shareholder returns.

Strong Capital Position: CFG's capital adequacy is another key strength, as evidenced by its total stockholders' equity of $24,932 million as of September 30, 2024. The bank's ability to generate capital internally through retained earnings, which stood at $10,233 million, and its prudent management of equity, demonstrate a robust balance sheet. This strong capital position provides CFG with the flexibility to navigate economic fluctuations and invest in growth opportunities.

Consumer Banking Segment Dominance: CFG's consumer banking segment continues to be a major strength, generating the majority of the company's revenue. This segment benefits from a diverse product offering, including savings, wealth management, and small business services, which contribute to a stable and recurring income stream. The bank's extensive branch network and digital banking platforms have enabled it to maintain a loyal customer base and attract new clients, further solidifying its market position.

Citizens Financial Group Inc ( NYSE:CFG ), a leading bank holding company headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, operates through two primary segments: consumer banking and commercial banking. With over 1,100 branches across 14 states and assets exceeding $220 billion, CFG has a significant presence in the Northeast. The company's latest SEC 10-Q filing, dated November 4, 2024, provides a comprehensive overview of its financial performance. Despite a decrease in net income from $430 million in Q3 2023 to $382 million in Q3 2024, CFG maintains a strong capital position with a total comprehensive income of $1,591 million for the same period. The bank's commitment to delivering tailored financial solutions to its customers remains a cornerstone of its strategy.

Story Continues

Noninterest Income Growth Challenges: While CFG has a diversified income stream, the bank faces challenges in growing its noninterest income, which is crucial for overall revenue diversification. The modest increase in noninterest income from $492 million in Q3 2023 to $532 million in Q3 2024 indicates a need for CFG to innovate and expand its fee-based services to counterbalance the interest income volatility and enhance its financial resilience.

Opportunities

Digital Banking Expansion: The ongoing shift towards digital banking presents CFG with significant opportunities to expand its digital services and platforms. By investing in technology and innovation, CFG can enhance customer experience, improve operational efficiency, and capture a larger market share in the digital banking space. This strategic focus can also attract tech-savvy consumers and meet the evolving preferences of existing customers.

Market Share Growth: CFG has the opportunity to grow its market share by leveraging its strong brand and customer relationships. The bank can explore strategic acquisitions, partnerships, and entry into new geographic markets to expand its footprint. Additionally, CFG can capitalize on the growing demand for personalized financial solutions by offering tailored products and services to different customer segments.

Threats

Economic Downturn Risks: CFG operates in an environment where economic downturns can significantly impact its business. Factors such as rising unemployment rates, declining GDP, and market volatility can lead to increased credit losses and reduced consumer spending. CFG must continue to closely monitor economic indicators and maintain a conservative risk management approach to mitigate the potential adverse effects on its financial performance.

Competitive Banking Landscape: The banking industry is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for market share. CFG faces competition from both traditional banks and emerging fintech companies. To remain competitive, CFG must continuously innovate its product offerings, enhance customer service, and adopt advanced technologies to meet the changing needs of the market.

In conclusion, Citizens Financial Group Inc (NYSE:CFG) exhibits a strong market presence and capital position, which are counterbalanced by challenges in net income growth and noninterest income diversification. The bank's opportunities lie in digital expansion and market share growth, while it must navigate the threats posed by economic downturns and a competitive landscape. CFG's strategic initiatives and risk management practices will be critical in leveraging its strengths and opportunities to address its weaknesses and threats, ensuring long-term success and shareholder value.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Key Insights

The projected fair value for PolyPeptide Group is CHF25.66 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

PolyPeptide Group is estimated to be 28% overvalued based on current share price of CHF32.90

Our fair value estimate is 29% lower than PolyPeptide Group's analyst price target of 36.25

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of PolyPeptide Group AG (VTX:PPGN) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for PolyPeptide Group

Is PolyPeptide Group Fairly Valued?

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF (, Millions) -28.6m -14.0m -18.0m 14.0m 20.5m 27.2m 33.5m 38.8m 43.3m 46.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 46.54% Est @ 32.65% Est @ 22.93% Est @ 16.13% Est @ 11.36% Est @ 8.03% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 4.2% -27.5 -12.9 -15.9 11.9 16.7 21.3 25.1 28.0 29.9 31.0

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 108m

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.3%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 4.2%.
LONDON (AP)  The Edinburgh Zoo launched a cuteness contest between Haggis, its newborn pygmy hippo, and Moo Deng, the adorable mini hippopotamus that became a viral sensation at a Thailand zoo this summer.

Moo Deng? Who deng? the Scottish zoo playfully posted Monday on the social media platform X as it introduced its infant hippo to the world.

The smack talk pitted two critters with more in common than just being females calves of the same endangered species. Theyre also named for meat products that dont typically carry cute connotations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Haggis, the national dish of Scotland that is butt of many jokes, is made in a sheeps stomach filled with spiced and diced innards. Moo deng is a type of meatball that means bouncy pork in Thai.

Moo Deng, a pudgy, pink-cheeked pygmy hippo, quickly became a social media star about two months after being born at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in July. Videos of her went viral and she was the source of endless memes.

The Thai zoo planned to copyright and trademark the hippo's name and capitalize on its fame by making shirts, pants and other merchandise to support its operations.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is also looking to cash in on its prize pygmy with a drawing promising the winner a unique pygmy hippo experience to meet Haggis and her parents, Gloria and Otto. Tickets are 5 British pounds ($6.50) and the zoo had raised more than half its 15,000 pound ($19,500) target in a day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Prepare to fall in love with wee Haggis, the zoo said. With her playful nature, Haggis will show you why the world has fallen in love with pygmy hippos!

There are only an estimated 2,500 pygmy hippopotamuses in the wild in West Africa, where it is threatened by poaching and loss of habitat.

Edinburgh Zoo visitors won't immediately be able to see Haggis, who was born Oct. 30, because the hippo house will be closed during the first month of her development.

After using Moo Dengs fame to draw attention to Haggis, the zoo apologized for creating a rivalry.

We were wrong to pit Haggis and Moo Deng against each other," the zoo said in a later post. There is space in this world for two beautiful pygmy hippo divas and we should celebrate them all."
PARIS (AP)  As dusk falls over the City of Light, a new spectacle is illuminating Saint-Sulpice church, a monument whose interiors are even larger than Notre Dame's  and arguably just as breathtaking.

The cavernous walls of the neoclassical gem on Paris' Left Bank are coming alive with 360-degree video projections, sparkling cutting-edge technology and actors, all telling the story of the church and its place in French history.

Blending centuries of intrigue, revolution and family drama, the show reimagines the Saint-Germain district during the Fronde, the 17th-century civil war, and the lead-up to the French Revolution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Paris Cur de Lumieres (Paris Chancel of Lights), which runs until Nov. 23, transforms the churchs sprawling 6,000-square-meter (65,000-square-foot) interior into a digital stage through advanced video mapping.

From a technological standpoint, its a laser scan of the entire building that allows us to reconstruct the space in three dimensions, director Damien Fontaine explained.

We then unfold it like origami ... and put it back into 3D to be projected as a single unified image. We have over 45 projectors, each covering a part of the vaults, a section of a pillar, or a piece of the nave. Its ... a mosaic of images to form one large picture.

Projections transform stone carvings into animated storytellers, while immersive soundscapes, paired with an original score, wrap the audience in a sensory experience.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The actors brought history to life. Over 350 performers and volunteers, clad in more than 500 historical costumes, move among the audience portraying local families and rivalries, threading personal narratives into the broader history.

Many of those who volunteered themselves marveled at learning about little known aspects of French history.

Anne Dubosc, a 65-year-old amateur actress, played Anne of Austria, mother of Sun King Louis XIV.

She was a remarkable woman, very involved in politics and religion, Dubosc said. I hadnt realized how important she was. If Louis XIV became the man he was, it was partly thanks to this woman, this mother who was like a tigress, doing everything to protect her son and teaching him to be a great statesman.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Performing in Saint-Sulpice, she added, was extraordinary: Its exceptional. You lose track of whats happening, of where fiction ends and history begins.

Her historic costume shaped her performance  literally.

I have a corset that squeezes me so tightly, she said. You realize theres a very 18th-century way of holding yourself, of carrying your shoulders and neck, which gives a natural majesty. The costume really impacts how you carry your body, and that posture influences your mind, giving character to this woman of state.

The production underscored a growing trend in Paris of using light technology to show off the city's storied church interiors. A similar illuminations display took place at Saint-Eustache church until September, featuring video projections, lighting effects and spatialized electronic soundtrack.

___

Associated Press writer Marine Lesprit contributed to this report.
In the lucrative world of true crime entertainment, the 1989 murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez by their adult sons Lyle and Erik still loom large.

Three decades since the brothers' televised trial captivated the nation, they've been the subject of multiple made-for-TV movies, documentaries, a "Saturday Night Live" parody, podcast episodes, and, most recently, Ryan Murphy's controversial Netflix series "Monsters."

But amid a sea of Menendez content, Alejandro Hartmann's new Netflix documentary has one thing most Menendez docs don't: both brothers telling their story in their own words.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The Menendez Brothers," released on Netflix in October, features more than 20 hours of interviews conducted with Lyle and Erik during their incarceration at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility outside San Diego.

It's the first time the brothers have both spoken about the case for the same project in almost 30 years, when they sat down together with Barbara Walters in 1996 soon after being convicted of murder in their second trial.

Through additional interviews with other family members and people involved in the brothers' trials (including Pamela Bozanich, the lead prosecutor in the first trial who still refutes the brothers' claim that they killed their parents in self-defense after years of abuse), the documentary paints a holistic portrait of a case we may think we already know everything about  while opening the door for the viewer to come to new conclusions.

"I just wanted to tell the story with the most wide open eyes," Hartmann told Business Insider, "having the prosecutor and having different opinions because I wanted to hear those opinions too."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Below, Hartmann breaks down how he got the brothers to open up to him, and if he thinks Lyle and Erik should be freed.

'The Menendez Brothers' director says being a foreigner helped him offer a fresh perspective on a decades-old case

Erik Menendez and his brother Lyle Menendez at a pre-trial hearing in 1992. Vince Bucci / Getty Images

Hartmann, who is from Argentina, wasn't particularly familiar with the infamous murder case when he signed on to direct. But he said his lack of prior knowledge enabled him to approach the project without bias.

He also used his outsider status to woo Lyle Menendez, whom he knew would be the more difficult brother to secure for an interview. (Erik had previously participated in a 2017 A&E docuseries "The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All.")

After connecting with Lyle by first approaching his wife, Hartmann wrote Lyle an email explaining his background as a non-American and hinting that he might have a different perspective on the case than Lyle expected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It helped seal the deal. "That was a big thing for him to eventually accept, to be part of the documentary and eventually to talk with me," Hartmann told BI. Lyle then encouraged Erik to connect with Hartmann, too.

The director said the key to gaining the brothers' trust was gradually developing a genuine rapport. "Sometimes I gave him my opinion, which is something that I normally don't do with my interviewees," Harmann recalled of his conversations with Lyle about his case.

It also helped that Hartmann could take his time. "I didn't have a deadline, so I had all the time in the world to talk to Lyle," the director said. Lyle, by virtue of serving a life sentence in prison, seemingly also had a lot of time to talk.

He's seen some of 'Monsters,' but he's not comparing his doc to the scripted series

Nicholas Chavez, Chloe Sevigny, Javier Bardem, and Cooper Koch in "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story." Courtesy Of Netflix

While there have been noteworthy dramatized adaptations of the case before  Edie Falco was nominated for an Emmy for her performance as defense attorney Leslie Abramson in "Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders," which aired on NBC in 2017  none have made quite as big a splash as "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," the Netflix series from creator Ryan Murphy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The series racked up over 30 million views in the first two weeks of its release, topping Netflix's streaming chart. According to Nielsen data, it's been viewed for over 2 billion minutes.

Hartmann said he had no idea a high-profile scripted series about the case was also in the works when he began working on the documentary, let alone that it would be on the same streaming service and released weeks before his documentary. He eventually read the news in a trade publication when the series was publicly announced.

While he's since watched a few episodes of "Monsters," Hartmann wasn't rankled by all the noise surrounding the dramatized series based on the same crime as his new documentary  he'd been through it before.

"In two other documentaries I did, they made scripted series" of the same story, he said. "And it made a lot of noise, because people sometimes think that the case is well-reflected. Some other people think that it's not well-reflected. And that will happen always."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When asked about projects like "The Menendez Brothers" and "Monsters" bringing new attention to the case, Hartmann acknowledged that the renewed interest could benefit the brothers, but noted that he couldn't speak for them and hadn't spoken to them for over a year beyond a few emails. (Production on the documentary wrapped in 2023.)

He now believes the Menendez brothers should be freed

Erik Menendez with his attorney Leslie Abramson and his brother Lyle Menendez during their trial. Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images

Though Hartmann didn't have an opinion on the case heading into the project, he's since formed one: He believes the brothers should be released.

(Days after our interview, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon announced on October 24 that he would review new evidence and recommend resentencing the brothers, which could lead to their immediate release after decades in prison. A follow-up request for comment sent to Hartmann and Netflix amid the news was not returned.)

"I understand and I believe them about the abuse they suffered, but they committed a crime," Harmann said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I think they deserve the punishment," he continued. "But I think 30 years might be enough."

Regardless of whether the brothers are ultimately resentenced and released from prison, Hartmann is grateful that his documentary and "Monsters" are bringing more attention to the sexual abuse of children.

"If people are talking about that, I'm really happy," he said, "and I think that's good for society."

"The Menendez Brothers" is now streaming on Netflix.

Read the original article on Business Insider
https://www.tipranks.com/news/the-fly/targa-resources-price-target-lowered-to-210-from-218-at-scotiabank

enCore Energy (EU) provides the Companys contracting strategy and 5 year forward outlook regarding its uranium sales agreements. As of October 31 the Company has executed seven contracts to supply uranium to nuclear power plants in the United States and holds one legacy contract with a uranium trading company. The company said, Our Contracting Strategy Outlook represents our annual contracted sales only. This Contracting Strategy provides enCore with significant exposure to future spot uranium prices on a percentage of our future planned production. The Companys Contracting Strategy has achieved the objective of establishing a base level of revenue while retaining significant exposure to upside price action. Sees Q4 uranium contracted deliveries 190,000 lbs, FY25 740,000, FY26 920,000, FY27 925,000, FY28 750,000; and FY29 955,000. The Company intends to provide updates to the Contracting Strategy and the 5-year forward-looking revenue projection in the 4th quarter of each year providing transparency and notes that this is not intended to account for the Companys total production or revenue for any given year.

Published first on TheFly  the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>>

See Insiders Hot Stocks on TipRanks >>

Read More on EU:
When 55-year-old Penn State University professor Ronald Bettig was reported missing by his housekeepers on Monday, August 15, 2016, police began looking into it as a missing persons case. But after they met Bettigs 34-year-old girlfriend, Danelle Geier, and her 41-year-old uncle, George Ishler, at Bettigs State College, Pennsylvania home, they immediately became suspicious.

I think Danelle, her moving in and becoming a girlfriend, I think that was planned from the very beginning, said former State College detective Christopher Weaver on Snapped, airing Sundays at 6/5c on Oxygen. For her to get in there and form a fake relationship and gain his trust. And they were gonna exploit that.

Geier and Ishler told police theyd been with Bettig at a beach in Delaware, and had last seen him Friday, August 12, when the trio returned to Bettigs home. Geier claimed she went to bed that night, and when she woke up, the professor was gone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They indicated he was depressed over the loss of his wife from several years prior, Weaver said. He was having some mental health issues. They thought that something bad had happened to Ronald Bettig.

Two days later, police found Bettigs vehicle abandoned near an abandoned limestone quarry. A search found his body at the bottom of a 90-foot drop.

It was our pathologists conclusion that he had actually survived the fall, said prosecutor Bernie Cantorna on Snapped. He survived for approximately two days.

But was it an accident, suicide, or murder? Keep reading to see what police discovered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dr. Ronald Bettig moves Danelle Geier into his home



When Dr. Ronald Bettigs second wife died unexpectedly in 2011, friends and family said it sent him into a depression.

I know how deeply he loved her, said Fred Bettig, Rons brother, on Snapped. And he would tell me that all the time  how much he missed her. He was losing weight. And he wasnt going out. And thats also the point where he started to have some memory issues.

By 2015, Bettigs health problems became so severe, he was no longer able to teach and took a sabbatical. During that time, he became friends with George Ishler, who he met at a local smoke shop. Ishler told Bettig about his troubled niece, Danelle Geier, who was struggling to make ends meet with a young child and was homeless.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2016, just seven months before he died, Bettig offered her a room in his home. Their relationship quickly went from friendly to romantic.

For more in true crime:

Connecticut Mom Raped At Home and Shocking Attacker Is Revealed To Be Someone She KnewSurgeon Disappears During Wife's Birthday Trip to Greece and His Dark Secrets Come To LightMarried Missouri Police Officer Kills College Student He Was Having Affair with, Who Threatened To "Out" Him



The life force was starting to come back to him. He had purpose, Fred Bettig said. As he started having more and more conversations with Danelle, I think that he was also starting to have feelings for her as well.

Geier had lost custody of her first son to her ex-husband and was currently raising her second son alone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Danelle told us that Ron took care of her, fed her and gave her shelter, said Brian Wakefield, former Pennsylvania State Police Investigator, on Snapped. And was paying for much of the items needed for raising her child.

George Ishler and Danelle Geier blame each other for Dr. Bettig's death



Soon after Dr. Bettigs body was found, George Ishler contacted police and shared his suspicions that his niece was involved in the professors death  claiming thered been tension between the couple while on vacation.

He also suggested that Danelle had had another man over to Rons house while Ron was missing that weekend, said Geoff Rushton, former reporter for statecollege.com on Snapped. And really seems to turn suspicion on Danelle being responsible for Ron Bettigs death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But when police interviewed Danelle Geier, she pointed the finger at her uncle.

She says she had nothing to do with it, Cantorna said. She says that George Ishler has threatened to kill her, that shes afraid. Shes afraid for the life of her child.

The reason Geier said Ishler wanted Dr. Bettig dead? Money. She told police the plan was to go to the beach in Delaware to get it.

Danelle tells a story that George Ishler is going down there to get money, because he owes the professor money, Cantorna said. He was mad at George Ishler because he discovered the fact that hed been using his credit card for purchases that he wouldnt have authorized.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Geier claimed that when Ishler was unable to come up with the money, he offered the professor marijuana plants he was growing by the quarry. Geier told police the trio and her child drove to the quarry, and Ishler and Bettig left to harvest the plants  then Ishler came back alone.

Thats when she asked George, Where is Ron? He said, I killed him. I killed him and if you say anything to anybody about it, Im going to kill you, too, and Im going to kill your son, said defense attorney Deborah Lux on Snapped.

George Ishler confesses he killed Dr. Bettig  but calls Danelle Geier the mastermind



When police once again interview George Ishler, he confessed to murder, but claimed Danelle Geier was the mastermind behind the plot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His next statement was, Danelle talked me into it. Danelle convinced me to kill him, Wakefield said. He said it was because Danelle wanted [Bettigs] money because of the will. He explained to us that he had written a will, knowing that Rons mental state seemed to be diminishing, and Ron had signed it.

The will provided a motive for Danelle Geier to want Ronald Bettig dead.

The will says that Danelle will inherit Rons house and that George will become the executor of the remainder of his estate, Rushton said.

Danelle Geier thought he had about a million dollars in Disney stock, and she believed that she was going to be a recipient, Cantorna added, although the stock proved to be worth $50,000.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ishler alleged that after Dr. Bettig discovered theyd been charging his credit card, Geiers relationship was in jeopardy.

The whole thing was coming to an end and Danelle was not going to have anywhere to go and be out in the street with her baby, Weaver said.

Both Ishler and Geier were tried together, and both were found guilty of first-degree murder in April 2018 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Why did Danelle snap? Want to know the real reason? She lost her kid. She lost custody of her kid in Florida, Cantorna said. And she needed money. She wanted that kid back desperately. I think she thought Dr. Bettig was a million-dollar price tag.

Watch all-new episodes of Snapped on Sundays at 6/5c on Oxygen.


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



Over the last few years, many of us have dreamed of living abroad. Whether inspired by Emily in Paris, the current political climate, or the desire for a slower lifestyle, moving internationally can be the piece we need to finally find a zen life. However, not all international real estate destinations are created equally. Some countries have a lengthy visa process, more daunting language barriers, and an difficult-to-navigate legal system. And a few, like Thailand and Vietnam, dont allow foreigners to own property at all.

On the other end of the spectrum are the countries actively trying to attract foreign home buyers with enviable incentives. Ultra-low home prices, and an easier customs process and work-visa approval process can make the prospect of moving abroad less intimidating, if not entirely seamless. Ahead, were breaking down the eight countries that are the best for Americans who are looking to purchase a home internationally. These countries offer the most hassle-free buying experiences out there, plus, theyre pretty great places to call home.



For more real estate inspiration and tips:





New Zealand

With a very clear, straightforward, and highly regulated real estate market, New Zealand is a great place to move for those looking for a seamless home-buying process. Samira Easton, a certified international property specialist with Premier Sothebys International Realty, says, There is a strong network of real estate professionals, including agents and lawyers, who are accustomed to working with foreign buyers. The country also regularly boasts one of the happiest populations in the world, ranking 11 in the 2024 World Happiness Report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shop Now

Related Story: You Can Really Sleep in the Hobbit Holes from The Lord of the Rings Trilogy in New Zealand

Scott E Barbour - Getty Images





Costa Rica

With clear property rights, a legal system that respects foreign ownership, and a warm, welcoming environment, Costa Rica is a top choice for foreign investors and a simple place to buy property, says Mauricio Umansky, CEO and founder of The Agency, which has offices around the world. This biodiverse country also has a large and bustling expat community so its not just easy for Americans to buy there, its easy for them to live and work there too.

Shop Now

Related: Designer Raili Clasen on How to Master Surf Style

Kryssia Campos - Getty Images





Dominican Republic

Instead of retiring to Florida, consider this balmy and beautiful Caribbean countrywhich is just a four-hour direct flight from the New York area. Like everything else on the island, the real estate laws are relatively relaxed, which makes buying a house easy-breezy, and you can buy and own property without having to obtain residency status or special permissions, as is the case in many other Caribbean islands. Foreigners can own property outright in the Dominican Republic, with legal protections for foreign investors, Umanksy says. One important consideration is financing: You can certainly get a mortgage in the DR, but it may not be quite as cushy as what you can get in the U.S.so pay cash if possible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shop Now

Related: This Dominican Republic Airbnb Is the Perfect Tropical Getaway

todaydesign - Getty Images





Panama

This affordable, below-the-radar Central American country has breathtaking beaches, lush rainforests, and exceptional wildlife. It has many similarities with neighboring Costa Ricaincluding how easy the country makes it for Americans to buy real estate. Its Friendly Nations Visa program offers permanent residency for citizens of 50 countries, and the U.S. is on the list. Plus, Panama doesnt place any restrictions on foreign ownership, and the legal system is efficient and reliable, Easton says, so you can invest with confidence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shop Now

Related: Expert Advice on Where to Buy Affordable Beach Houses

BriBar - Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement





Thailand

Thailand is home to beautiful sandy beaches (it has 1,400 islands!), Buddhist temples, ancient ruins, and excellent street food, making it a good place to consider buying if youre looking for an easy investment. Housing prices are relatively affordable and foreigners can own up to 49 percent of the units in a condominium building, offering a straightforward option for property investment, Easton says. There are also plenty of English-speaking real estate agents and real estate attorneys who can walk you through the process.

Shop Now

Related: The Ultimate Design Lovers Travel Guide to Bangkok

Kanok Sulaiman - Getty Images





Mexico

Bordering the Southwestern United States and a direct flight from most major cities, Mexico is a geographically desirable spot for a second homeand Mexico makes it especially easy for its American neighbors to buy property. The country has straightforward real estate laws for foreigners, especially in designated restricted zones like beachfront areas where foreign ownership is facilitated through a bank trust, Umansky says. Cities like San Miguel de Allende, shown are just as beautiful, especially for design lovers. Mexicos real estate agents also tend to be very professional and are accustomed to working with Americans and other foreign buyers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shop Now

Related: This Mexican Home Is Shea McGees First-Ever International Project

Kim Rogerson - Getty Images





Portugal

The people in this popular Western European coastal country are famously friendly and inviting, and that extends to real estate. According to Easton, Portugal offers a Golden Visa Program, which makes it simple to buy property and gain residency; clear real estate laws; and a well-established network of English-speaking real estate agents, lawyers, and notaries to help you during the process. In addition to the capital, the seaside city of Porto, seen here, is a popular destination for expats.

Shop Now

Related: The Definitive Design Lover's Guide to Lisbon

Alf - Getty Images





Spain

Like Portugal, Spain offers a Golden Visa Program that enables foreigners to gain citizenship by purchasing real estate. Plus its real estate market is robust and transparent, and there are plenty of professional services in place to help guide you through the process. The are also numerous online resources and property portals available, so its easy to find listings and information, Easton says. This is a boon for those who arent able to make the trip over to Europe to house shop in person.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shop Now

Related: Everything You Need to Know About the Spanish Colonial Design Style

Kirill Rudenko - Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You Might Also Like
The Missouri State Women's Chorus will embark on its first international concert tour in May, performing in five cities through the Czech Republic and Germany.

The growing program, which has risen to national prominence in recent years, launched a fundraiser  it runs through November  to defray the cost for students.

The initial fundraising goal is $25,000.

"It's such an important part of their educational journey and just their journey to become better humans and better citizens in our 21st century world," said Erin Plisco, associate director of choral studies at Missouri State. "Traveling and experiencing other cultures and learning and having those experiences firsthand is just absolutely critical to that growth."

The Missouri State University Womens Chorus will embark on its first international concert tour in May, visiting and performing concerts in five different cities throughout the Czech Republic and Germany.

The MSU Women's Chorus was founded in 2014 and Plisco, an associate professor of music, took over in 2018. It is one of two ensembles that she conducts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The chorus has grown significantly under her leadership. This fall, there are 82 students, from freshmen through seniors with a few graduate students. Roughly half are music majors but the rest, Plisco said, are "students from all corners of the campus who love to sing."

"We have a really talented bunch this year. I feel like every year the level of our incoming students just improves or gets higher," she said. They rehearse three times a week.

A treble choir, primarily featuring sopranos and altos, played a prominent role in the Oct. 17 inauguration of the 12th president of Missouri State, Richard "Biff" Williams. They performed at the beginning and toward the end.

Plisco said she has worked hard to empower and elevate the Women's Chorus by tackling more challenging programs and recording performances.

The Missouri State University Womens Chorus will embark on its first international concert tour in May, visiting and performing concerts in five different cities throughout the Czech Republic and Germany.

As a result, the choir was invited to perform at a conference in Little Rock in 2022 and a state conference at Lake of the Ozarks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In early 2023, the program accepted a prestigious invitation to perform in Cincinnati, Ohio at the national conference of the American Choral Directors Association.

Last fall, they were invited to perform National Collegiate Choral Organization National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, which featured the world premiere of an extended work for womens chorus, orchestra, sitar, and tabla.

Plisco said after the trip to Georgia, she explored the idea of organizing an international concert tour to provide choir students with life-changing cultural experiences.

"So many of our students just haven't yet had the opportunity to travel. A lot of them have never left the state of Missouri," she said. "Some of them have never been on an airplane. They're getting their passports right now for the first time."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the May 10-19 trip, the MSU Women's Chorus will perform in five different cities and engage in exchanges with other choirs.

Erin Plisco

"There is nothing like getting to experience that idea of music truly being a universal language," Plisco said.

As part of the tour, Plisco said the choir will perform pieces in Czech and German. "It is important that we are diving into the language and the culture of the places that we're going to visit."

They'll also perform traditional American choral music.

"Part of it is bringing a little slice of home with us. European audiences just absolutely love American choral music so we're bringing things like spirituals, gospel, bluegrass, traditional American folk songs," she said. "We'll work all of that in as well."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The trip is not mandatory but at least 55 choir students plan to go. The estimated cost, per person, is $3,900 including airfare and travel accommodations for the 10-day trip.

More: Missouri State marks new era, 'time of renewal' with inauguration of 12th president

Plisco said every dollar raised as part of the fundraiser will go to reduce travel costs for students.

"A lot of them work multiple jobs and are paying their own tuition," she said. "They're working really hard so we want them to have this opportunity and we want to make it possible for them."

She said there is a greater good that comes from sending students on a trip that teaches them about the world and allows them to interact with a diverse group of students.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"These students will have this really profound experience that's going to shape the trajectory of their lives," she said. "And it's going to impact everyone that they come into contact with in the future."

Want to help?

As of Monday afternoon, 22 donors had contributed $2,840 toward the goal of raising at least $25,000 to defray costs for students who will participate in the MSU Women's Chorus international concert tour to five cities in Germany and the Czech Republic.

To contribute, go to crowdfunding.missouristate.edu.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State Women's Chorus planning international concert tour
TRINITY COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  A man was found dead after he apparently fell off a cell tower he was working on near State Highway 94, Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace said.

1 injured, 1 arrested in overnight Longview shooting

According to Wallace, the sheriffs office got a call at around 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday from Mastec Network Solutions. The company asked them to do a welfare check at a cellphone tower located at 7587 State Highway 94 after worker assigned to that tower didnt return home on Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When deputies arrived, they found the man dead after he seemingly fell off a platform raised about eight feet in the air, Wallace said.

The sheriffs office is currently investigating the workers death.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK)  A 30-year-old man is behind bars after a Tuesday morning shooting that hospitalized one, according to the Longview Police Department.

Man charged with forgery after unsigned check taken from pastors office

According to the department, officers responded shortly after 12:30 a.m. to a shooting in the 100 block of Christie Road. When they arrived police found an unidentified male had been shot.

Mugshot of Shore Grant, courtesy of Gregg County Jail.

The Longview Fire Department EMS transported the victim to a local hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Investigators determined that the shooting was a result of an argument between two people and the suspect, identified as Grant Shore, 30 of Longview, was found nearby and arrested.

Grant was taken to the Gregg County Jail where he is facing an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge and a $50,000 bond.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  One person is dead following a deputy-involved shooting in Lindale.

1 injured, 1 arrested in overnight Longview shooting

According to the Smith County Sheriffs Office, deputies responded to a threat call at a business in Lindale on Tuesday at around 12:50 p.m. The caller said Jonathan Layton had recently been terminated and had made threats that he was going home and would return to the business to kill them.

Before officials arrived, Layton had left the business and a description of his vehicle was released. A responding deputy noticed the suspect vehicle headed south on US 69 prior to receiving the information.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Officials attempted to contact Layton at the 13200 block of CR 4109 east of Lindale, and found his vehicle in the front yard of a residence.

When deputies attempted to contact Layton at the residence, he turned around holding a handgun pointed in their direction. One of the deputies fired at Layton with his duty weapon incapacitating him, Smith County officials said.

East Texas man arrested, 18 animals found in deplorable conditions

Medical personnel were called to the scene and took Layton to a local hospital where he reportedly was later pronounced dead.

Smith said that the two deputies reportedly did what they were trained to do and will be on leave for a few days to consult with their attorneys. An autopsy has been ordered and the Texas Rangers have responded to the scene to conduct the investigation, as called for by Smith County Sheriffs protocol.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  One person was killed in a crash involving a Dona Ana County Sheriffs unit along Interstate 25 Monday night, Nov. 4, according to Sheriffs Office.

At about 6:30 p.m., DASO deputies were responding to a call about an injury to a child in the Las Alturas area. Deputies were responding with their lights and sirens all activated, acccording to DASO.

While en route on southbound I-25, a vehicle that was traveling significantly slower pulled out onto the freeway in front of Sheriffs vehicles, the Sheriffs Office said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There were two deputies in a unit that collided with the slower moving vehicle, DASO officials said.

Both deputies and the female driver of the other vehicle were transported to local hospitals for treatment. A passenger in the other vehicle, identified only as a male civilian passenger, was unresponsive at the scene and later died at a hospital, Dona Ana County Sheriffs officials said.

Neither the deputies nor the civilian female suffered any life-threatening injuries, according to DASO.

New Mexico State Police are handling the investigation into the crash. DASO did not say exactly where the crash happened on I-25.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
The Pentagon estimates there are now "at least 10,000" North Korean forces inside Russia's Kursk Oblast, and Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's press secretary, said that "those numbers could go up."

Ryder said that overall there could be closer to 11,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops inside of Russia. Ryder said the U.S. fully expects the remaining troops still in eastern Russia to make their way to Kursk.

"We've seen the press reports about alleged combat ops. We're looking into those, but at this point, cannot corroborate those reports," said Ryder, who made the comments at a press briefing on Monday.

PHOTO: In this photo taken from video released by the Russian Defense Ministry on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, a Russian soldier fires from a howitzer toward a Ukrainian position in the Kursk region. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

NATO had confirmed last month that North Korean troops have been deployed alongside their Russian counterparts in the Kursk region, the area within Russia where Ukraine has been waging an assault.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MORE: North Korean troops are already in Russia, US confirms

"The deployment of North Korean troops represents: one, a significant escalation in the DPRK ongoing involvement in Russia's illegal war," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said, using the acronym of the country's official name -- the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korea has denied the reports of its forces being active in Russia. The country's foreign minister, Choe Son-hui, traveled to Moscow last month on an official visit.

Ryder also said he could not corroborate that there are small numbers of North Korean engineers inside Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"But as you heard Secretary [of Defense Lloyd] Austin say last week, should these troops engage in combat support operations against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets," he said.

PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin greets North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (Mikhail Tereshchenko/AP)

Ryder said it remained unclear exactly how the North Korean troops would be employed by Russia and referred back to last week's comments that they are receiving training in drone operations, artillery, and infantry.

"We would fully expect that the Ukrainians would do what they need to do to defend themselves and their personnel," he said.

"In so much is that these are potentially forces that are coming in to replace the massive numbers of losses that Russia is experiencing," said Ryder. "I think that's probably a fair assessment, and I certainly would not want to be a North Korean soldier, right?"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Moving about 10,000 additional troops into a battlezone may sound like a large movement, but Ryder did not have any information about what percentage of troops those North Korean soldiers might make up on the Russian side of the battle.

"I don't even have a ballpark number, other than to say, broadly speaking, what we saw in the past was essentially a conglomeration of various units on the Russian side, to include territorial defense forces attempting to push the Ukrainians back," said Ryder.

But Ryder said that the addition of the 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean forces "could be significant" from a combat capability, "but a lot of that will depend on how those forces are employed, how they're integrated into the Russian command and control."

Ryder said that if Ukrainian forces continue to demonstrate their willingness to fight they'll be able to hold onto the ground they've gained in Kursk.

ABC News' David Brennan contributed to this report.

10,000 North Korean troops now in Russia's Kursk region, Pentagon says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model .

How far off is Image Scan Holdings Plc ( LON:IGE ) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

When compared to the industry average discount of -31%, Image Scan Holdings' competitors seem to be trading at a greater premium to fair value

Story Continues

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.9%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.2%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK231k (1 + 1.9%)  (7.2% 1.9%) = UK4.5m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK4.5m ( 1 + 7.2%)10= UK2.2m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is UK3.7m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK0.03, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

AIM:IGE Discounted Cash Flow November 5th 2024

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Image Scan Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.085. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Image Scan Holdings

Strength

Currently debt free.

Weakness

Expensive based on P/S ratio and estimated fair value.

Opportunity

Expected to breakeven next year.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for IGE.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Image Scan Holdings, there are three fundamental aspects you should further research:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Image Scan Holdings (of which 2 are a bit unpleasant!) you should know about. Future Earnings: How does IGE's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the AIM every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The retired sea captain was so eager to move in to his new retirement home that he put his belongings in a bedroom and waited on the front steps for dignitaries to arrive at the just-completed building.

The year was 1925 and the captain had been on a waiting list to get in to the new facility which carried the name of Franke Tobey Jones.

A century later, Tobey Jones popularity hasnt waned. Bigger than ever, theres still a waiting list.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tacomas first retirement home is celebrating its centennial this year. The not-for-profits staff and several of its residents, one a retired historian, began researching the organizations history to produce a book, Franke Tobey Jones ~ 100 Years, 100 Stories, as well as displays and a video.

The groups research went deep, including poring over board meeting notes as far back as 1921.

Two women stand in the gardens of Franke Tobey Jones in the 1930s.

Early days

A century ago, there was no Social Security, no such thing as senior living or retirement communities. Retirees, if they had no family to live with, went to live in old peoples homes.

Franke Tobey Jones, the woman, envisioned something more than poor houses or pensioner homes for seniors and others who no longer could live independently or with their families.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Jones wasnt the creator of the community which, over the past century, has grown to a 220-resident, 20-acre facility within a stones throw of Point Defiance Park. It began in 1922 when Tacoma resident Virginia Mason spearheaded the creation of a retirement home in a rented house at 424 D Street, according to Tacoma historian Redmond Barnett.

That first house, called Restholme, according to a newspaper story, was for men and women aged 65 or older. There was no charge for entrance.

The retired school teachers and the like were thought to be respectable, just people down on their luck whose families couldnt support them, he said.

Mrs. Jones

Mason (not to be confused with the Virginia Mason health care system) was the wife of Tacoma pioneer and Civil War veteran John Quincy Mason. Virginia Mason was a leader in the suffragist movement which worked to give women the right to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While she and her cohorts were generally wealthy, it was the cash infusion of a neighbor that got the Franke Tobey Jones Home on the map.

That neighbor was Franke Tobey Jones.

Jones lived across the street and was fascinated by the idea of a retirement home. Not for herself, of course. She was the wealthy widow of a co-founder of the St. Paul and Tacoma Lumber Company.

In 1888, Franke Tobey and Charles Hebard Jones settled in Tacoma. Charles Jones joined with partners to establish the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company and it quickly became the worlds biggest lumber producer. Franke Tobey took an active interest in the business, even showing up on the mill floor. When Charles died in 1922, Franke kept her quarter share in the company and maintained full ownership and management of the mill in Hoquiam.

Her husband had just died, so she had gobs of money, and she bought the land we sit on, or some of it, and gave a lot of money to build the Tobey Jones building, Barnett said.

Growing

Jones donated $150,000 and six acres to begin the project on Bristol Street. In March 1924, the then 80-year-old Jones helped break ground for the project.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Along with the sea captain, about 15 other residents moved in to the Tudor-style building when doors opened in 1925. Several residents of the D Street home refused to leave, staged a sit-in and had to be forcibly removed. When they finally visited the new facility, they called off their protest.

The 65-resident capacity building had bedrooms, dining rooms, a stage, library and solarium. At the time, according to the centennial book, it was only the second community home for seniors in Washington.

In 1947, a $750,000 bequest from former Tacoma resident Lillian Pratt added another 40 acres. By the late 1950s, Tobey Jones long waiting list necessitated the construction of a second building on the site. Some $1.2 million was eventually raised for the new Pratt building, constructed in the early 1960s.

Funding

In its early years, Tobey Jones was funded by 29 womens groups that, according to Barnett, ran card parties, cake sales and bazaars to raise money. That came to an end around World War II when women began entering the work force in large numbers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Probably because Tobey Jones was ahead of its time in the 1920s, it began to fall behind the times in the 1970s when other, more modern senior and retirement communities were appearing on the landscape. Tobey Jones wait list soon became a list of vacancies.

At the time, residents were required to give Tobey Jones half of their assets and half their income to the facility in exchange for lifelong residency and health care. That model wasnt providing enough money to run Tobey Jones by the late 1970s.

In the 1980s, the organization was forced to sell around 20 acres to what is now Solstice Senior Living.

Residents of Franke Tobey Jones gather in a parlor, date unknown.

Today, in order to qualify for residency, a person (or at least one person in a couple) must be 62. They dont need to be retired. Tobey Jones charges monthly rent plus care fees, if needed. Three of its newer residential buildings require an entrance fee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tobey Jones spokesperson Christine Hall said Tobey Jones pricing is mid-range. Still, its residents are predominantly white.

Weve always marketed to all races but the population that lives closest to Tobey Jones doesnt represent that, she said.

The organization has just adopted a diversity, equity and inclusion policy, Barnett said.

Todays Tobey Jones

Barnett, 80, is not just a historian, hes also a resident of Tobey Jones along with wife Suzanne Wilson Barnett, 84.

The retired curator for the Washington State History Museum and his wife had a home in Tacomas North End before moving to the retirement community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I said to my friends, we dont need to get out of our house. Were just doing fine. I love the stairs and theyre part of my exercise, Suzanne said. And then I heard Redmond later in the day come home from work, and he just was having a terrible time getting upstairs. And I said, okay, its time.

Redmond retired from the museum in 2015. In 2016, they put their names on a wait list but it wasnt until 2019 when a home became available. By then, Suzanne was having mobility issues as well.

He and other residents researched the centennial book, just published, on the history of Tobey Jones.

Retiring in place

Once, the citys streets and homes were built for the agile and able bodied. Tobey Jones, like other senior communities, is built with the conceit that people with varying mobility issues will be using them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Redmonds duplex home is thoughtfully designed and all on one level. The doors, wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, have no knobs, just levers. Changes can be made easily, Suzanne said. A tub could be swapped with a roll-in shower, for example.

Redmond and Suzanne Barnett have been residents of a Franke Tobey Jones duplex since 2019. Redmond Barnett helped write a book on the retirement communitys history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Redmond said neighbors gather weekly at the communitys gazebo to socialize.

You get to know people here who are more than neighbors, she said. They do become real friends.

Residents can transition from independent living to increasing levels of personal care. Some residents cook their own meals, some use the dining room and others have meals delivered to them.

Programs

Health and wellness, particularly how it pertains to aging, has changed dramatically over the past century and Tobey Jones reflects that evolution. Whereas once medicine only sought to cure ailments, now theres an emphasis on staying healthy and prevention.

Old peoples homes didnt want you if you couldnt walk or had other debilitating health issues in the early 1900s. Tobey Jones was no exception.

As late as the 1960s, applicants were denied if they had long term medical conditions, Barnett said. In 1969, Tobey Jones board voted to exclude a woman with diabetes because they feared her health care costs would be a burden.

Thankfully, attitudes about the elderly have progressed across the nation and at Tobey Jones. Today, the centers memory care unit has 49 residents who need specialized care. Residents in the assisted living building receive medication management and help with dressing and showering.

Senior university

Exercise isnt just for preening 20-somethings on TikTok. Its vital for people at all ages, say health experts. Tobey Jones has a 6,000-square-foot wellness gym with personal trainers and multiple fitness classes.

A holistic wellness program offers nature walks, brain games, art classes, meditation, food classes and more.

Its sort of expanding your mind to make sure you are taking care of your mind, body and soul, Hall said. They are well attended.

Seniors are keen on keeping their education and knowledge up to date as well. The communitys Senior University features knowledgeable speakers and experts from local colleges and universities. Topics range from the useful (navigating Medicare) to simply interesting (Tacoma history).

The Senior University programs are free to all Pierce County seniors. Seniors who dont live at Tobey Jones can pay a fee to participate in the fitness and wellness programs.

Since 1997, Tobey Jones has been running the Point Defiance-Senior Center in Ruston and in 2023 began managing both the Beacon and Lighthouse senior centers for the City of Tacoma. But both Beacon and Lighthouse are slated for closure at the end of the year after the city announced this week it was cutting funding.

Were just heartbroken about it, Hall said.

The future

In 2019, Tobey Jones opened a new 65,000-square-foot care center with skilled nursing and memory care and a 16-unit apartment building. Still, Tobey Jones has a waiting list for its independent and assisted living apartments.

The next expansion will begin later this decade with the construction of more luxurious, independent living  a growing trend across the country. The old care center will be demolished to make way for the higher end apartment buildings, Hall said.

Franke Tobey was born Frances Martha (Franke) Tobey in Jay, New York, on May 22, 1845. She married Charles Hebard Jones on June 25, 1872.

Its all part of its founders original vision, she said.

We will continue to live out Mrs. Franke Tobey Jones legacy of providing high quality care and beautiful living accommodations for seniors, Hall said.
Lillie Mae Harper, born when Warren G. Harding was president, joined her daughter, members of her church and hundreds of other voters to cast ballots at an Apopka precinct Tuesday morning.

But at 103 years old, Harper was a special voter. With the wait to vote topping more than an hour, poll workers ushered her inside and out of the sun until her daughter, Mary Harper, could join her.

I just wanted to come out, she said after she voted. It makes me feel good.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This year, Mary Harper said, she and her mother both voted for Vice President Kamala Harris.

She likes her ideas, she said. My mom, she always felt like no person should tell a woman how to handle her body.

Harper said it was important to her to bring her mom to the polls because voting is how citizens make themselves heard.

I wanted to vote, but I wanted my mom to vote too, she said. I know it doesnt always matter, but we should all vote.

The precinct at Day Springs Community Church off Orange Blossom Trail drew a crowd that snaked outside the building. Some soon-to-be voters huddled underneath the shaded areas of the church buildings and fanned themselves with pamphlets and sample ballots as they waited.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jose Miguel and Yolanda Caraballo were happy to see the line.

Long lines, thats good because that means people come to vote, she said.

This year is amazing how people come to vote. Four years ago, it was not much, her husband said.

The couple, both from Puerto Rico, said the presidential election and Floridas constitutional amendments were top of their minds. Both voted for former President Donald Trump.

That guy Trump has strong values for the Christians from the Bible, said Jose Miguel Caraballo.

I voted for the non-racist one, said Brian Hunt, who also waited in line at the same precinct, adding later that was Harris.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said he viewed the race as a lesser of two evils thing but also believed voting was important.

It matters to vote, if people dont do anything then you just kind of let the people who are misinformed do that, Hunt added.

His evening, he added, would be spent watching for election results.

I dont think youre going to be able to escape it, he said. I think, even if youre watching sports, theres something thats going to be letting you know one way or the other with the networks affiliations. Instead of trying to hide from it, just embrace it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Harpers, who waited more than 90 minutes to vote, said theyd be doing the same.

Tonight were definitely just going to be at home, Mary Harper said. Watching the news like everybody else.
A 13-year-old Puyallup boy is currently fighting for his life after he had been hit by a vehicle while trick-or-treating.

C.J. was one of three children who were hit by vehicles in Tacoma on Halloween night.

#NEW: Tacoma police tell me 3 children - as young as 8 years old - were hit by vehicles on Halloween. Investigators say... Posted by Louie Tran on Friday, November 1, 2024

C.J. is currently in critical condition after he had been struck by a vehicle at the intersection of S 96th Street and A Street, police said, and has been in the ICU since last Thursday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its terrifying. You never think its going to happen in your family, said Marissa Fullerton, aunt. It made me terrified thinking that people are just driving recklessly.

Fullerton told KIRO 7 News that it was C.J.s first time trick-or-treating with just his friends.

Surveillance video captured C.J.s friends rushing to the crash scene immediately after the crash.

Fullerton said his friends told her that her nephew had been helping a man experiencing homelessness before he crossed the crosswalk.

His group of friends crossed the crosswalk first and he was lagging behind a little bit because he was giving candy to a homeless man. He was that kind, she shared.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

C.J., who turns 14 in a few weeks, is currently at Harborview Medical Center after suffering a fractured skull, broken eye sockets, a broken leg and a fractured elbow, the aunt shared.

While Kandy Fullerton, the boys great aunt, is still devastated, she told KIRO 7 News that she forgives the driver.

We even forgive her, and we want her to heal, she shared.

The family, along with several other neighbors, is urging the City of Tacoma to add additional safety measures, such as stop lights, stop signs, roundabouts and additional streetlights, following the three crashes, involving children. The family is hoping to prevent another tragedy in the future, they said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To be out and trick-or-treating on Halloween when you know theres all the little kids walking the street, I dont know how a car could be speeding when theres children around, said Kandy Fullerton.

Marissa Fullerton, said, Every responsible adult knows that kids are out trick-or-treating. Drive the speed limit, drive a little under, be cautious when youre coming to a cross walk.

Its imperative our kids are able to walk these streets safely on a holiday for kids, she added. I want justice. Hes laying in the hospital fighting for his life while the driver walks free.

The Fullerton family created a GoFundMe to help with C.J.s medical expenses. If you would like to help, please click here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Monday, KIRO 7 News reached out to the Tacoma Police Department for details on the investigation and the driver.

Were still waiting for more information.

KIRO 7 News also contacted the City of Tacoma for a response after several neighbors had shared concerns about the lack of safety measures around certain roads following the crashes.

The City of Tacoma shared this response with KIRO 7 News on Tuesday:

Thank you for reaching out about concerns regarding speeding on Portland Avenue and 96th Street. The City of Tacoma takes traffic safety very seriously and we understand how important it is to address speeding in our neighborhoods.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are actively working to make our streets safer for everyone, especially vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. Our commitment to Vision Zero, a strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2035, guides our efforts.

Heres what were doing to address speeding and improve safety on Portland Avenue:

Employing a Data-Driven Approach: Portland Avenue has been identified as a priority corridor in our Vision Zero Action Plan. We use data to analyze crash history, traffic volumes, and speed patterns to identify high-risk areas and implement targeted improvements.

Utilizing Grant Funding for Safety Improvements: In 2023, the City of Tacoma secured a $2.1 million grant to support engagement, planning, and design for safety enhancements along Portland Avenue. This funding will allow us to develop comprehensive solutions to reduce speeding and improve safety for all road users.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Making Targeted Improvements to Pedestrian Safety: To improve pedestrian safety, were installing a high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) beacon at South 60th Street and Portland Avenue. This type of crosswalk is highly visible and effective in helping pedestrians cross busy streets safely. Construction is expected to be completed in late summer 2025.

While stop signs, stop lights, and roundabouts can be effective traffic management tools, they are not always the most appropriate solution for every location. Our traffic engineers carefully evaluate each situation to determine the most effective and appropriate safety measures.

We value community input and encourage everyone to stay engaged in the planning process for Portland Avenue. We will continue to monitor traffic conditions and explore additional strategies to address speeding concerns and create safer streets for everyone in Tacoma.
A 16-year-old has died after he was pulled from an early morning house fire in Boston last week

Firefighters responding to a report of a blaze at 1049 Hyde Park Avenue in the citys Hyde Park neighborhood just after 4 a.m. on Tuesday found smoke showing on the second floor of the home, according to the Boston Fire Department.

There was smoke showing from a window on the right-hand side of the building that did turn into fire showing we did have smoke emanating from the roof so we opened the roof to ventilate, Boston District Fire Chief Eric Vinitsky said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mario Evans, 16 was pulled from the burning home and rushed to the hospital where he died Monday evening. A total of five adults and three children were displaced by the blaze, officials said.

The Evans family described Mario as a very bubbly, smart, autistic young man, [who] was taken from us way too young.

He was always so helpful and yearned to learn as much as he could, the family wrote. He touched the lives of so many who got the chance to know him.

Mario will be donating his heart and functioning organs, according to the familys request.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the family during this difficult time. To donate, click here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
VERNAL, Utah (ABC4)  A 16-year-old girl is in the hospital after riding on the hood of a car in a parking lot, falling off, and getting trapped under the vehicle on Monday, according to police.

The Vernal Police Department said two 16-year-olds were riding on the hood of a car in the Terra Academy Charter School parking lot. The car was being driven by an 18-year-old student, police said.

How a 24-hour, Utah-based gaming event benefits childrens healthcare

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The two juveniles slipped off the hood, leading to one of them becoming trapped under the car. Law enforcement and bystanders were able to lift the car and extricate the victim from underneath soon after the incident.

She was taken to a Vernal emergency room, where she was stabilized before being taken to an area hospital in Salt Lake City. Police said she is in intensive care.

Vernal PD said the case is under investigation and is being reviewed for charges. The school provided counselors on campus throughout the day to support students and staff.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family, wishing her a prompt recovery, the Vernal Police Department said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bill Zenner, Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator at Terra Academy, issued a statement to staff and families after the incident.

One of the students was injured and is receiving medical attention, and the student is in our thoughts as we remain in touch with the family throughout the day, the statement reads in part.

In the statement, Zenner expressed gratitude to first responders for their quick response, as well as the cooperation of staff and students while the school was on lockdown.

There is no further information at this time.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A teenager was killed and another teen was sent to the hospital from a Sunday evening crash on the outskirts of Charlotte, according to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.

Around 6:41 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, first responders were called to a 2007 Nissan Altima that crashed into a tree in the 9700 block of Brookshire Boulevard. This is about a half mile from where the road crosses over Mountain Island Lake and into Gaston County.

The driver, 16-year-old Lillee Shyann Wright, was pronounced dead at the site of the crash. A juvenile passenger in the front seat was taken to Atrium Health Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Drug deal turned robbery: Man shot in head, 2 charged in Rock Hill, police say

Officials say Wright was driving northwest on Brookshire Boulevard when the cars front tire ran off the road and into a soft shoulder, which led Wright to lose control of the car. The Nissan went off the road and crashed into a tree. Passersby were able to pull the passenger out of the car.

Authorities believe that the crash was not caused by speeding or impairment. Both the driver and passenger were wearing seatbelts.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Detective Mercedes at 704-432-2169 Ext. #5 or contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or charlottecrimestoppers.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

We remember and honor those 168 who lost their lives on April 19, 1995, when a bomb went off in front of the Murrah building in downtown Oklahoma City.

We want to remember Richard A. Allen while honoring those who survived and those who are changed forever.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
A 17-year-old wearing a T-shirt with former President Donald Trump on it was arrested over the weekend and accused of punching a 70-year-old woman at a Stuart, Florida, rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and abortion rights, police announced Monday.

The teen was arrested and charged with battery on a person over the age of 65  a third-degree felony  after witnesses at the rally reported the woman had been struck following a separate altercation involving the teen and an adult man, the Stuart Police Department said. The woman fell to the ground, but she declined medical assistance at the scene.

She later identified herself to local news outlets as Kathleen Tomasko.

Kathleen Tomasko, via WPTV. WPTV/Screengrab

Im standing there and people are moving and this kid just turned around and he punched me. I dont know where he came from, she told the Treasure Coast Palm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He punched me in the gut and knocked me on the ground, and I fell back and hit the ground, she continued. Thank goodness the two ladies were behind me so I didnt hit my head.

In a separate interview with NBC affiliate WPTV, Tomasko said she was still shocked from the incident.

I never thought there was going to be trouble, Tomasko said. I never thought anything like this.

The rally at Roosevelt Bridge, also called Rally on the Bridge was put on by the Womens March in support of the Harris campaign and Floridas Amendment 4 ballot initiative. If passed, it would amend the states constitution to protect abortion rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tomasko told WPTV that the teen who hit her was one of a small group of Donald Trump supporters who attended the rally.

They were hollering at other people, and it was going back and forth, she told the station. Things they were saying were rude and crude.

A spokesperson for the Stuart Police Department confirmed to HuffPost on Tuesday that the teen was wearing a T-shirt with an image of the former president at the time of the incident. He was booked into jail and released to his parents.

Related...
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  After two weeks, all residents of the Park Terrace high-rise apartment building have been allowed back to their homes.

One hundred and seventy residents were forced to be rehoused into hotels after the building was set on fire on October 17th.

Police said 46-year-old David Marshall confessed to starting the blaze and is facing charges of arson. He was seen on surveillance video breaking into the building.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Rockford Housing Authority said the building has been inspected to ensure its safety.

The first floor of the building is still under renovation due to fire damage.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
AUSTIN, Texas (KETK)  Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar has awarded $18.5 million to 17 counties, including several East Texas counties, as a part of the Texas Broadband Pole Replacement Program.

Texas Radio Hall of Fame in Kilgore inducts 20 broadcasters, including 2 East Texans

The following counties, including the East Texas counties in bold, are each receiving part of the $18.5 million to deploy broadband poles to rural and underserved areas of the state:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anderson

Bell

Bowie

Delta

Erath

Franklin

Grimes

Henderson

Hopkins

Hunt

Kaufman

Madison

Milam

Sabine

San Augustine

Van Zandt

Walker

Our agency is awarding this critical funding under our legislative directive to connect every Texan to broadband service, said Hegar. Ensuring all Texans have access to reliable, high-speed internet is important for Texas continued economic growth and prosperity.

The Broadband Development Office, which Hegars office runs, awarded the money to Bartlett Electric Cooperative, Charter Communications, United Electric Cooperative Services Inc. and MidSouth Electric Cooperative who will be installing the poles throughout those 17 counties.

Spectrum is expanding rural broadband in East Texas

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The companies had to prove they were able to set up poles that could support broadband speeds of at least 25 megabits per second for downloads and three megabits per second on uploads. According to Hegars office, the average new pole funded by this award will provide speeds of 1 gigabit per second or greater.

Funding for these new poles comes from Proposition 8 which was passed by Texas voters in November of 2023. The proposition dedicated $75 million to the Pole Replacement Fund.

Hegars office said that this initial round of polls was the first round of money awarded from the Pole Replacement Fund. Additionally, Hegars office said that another $729 million from the federal Capital Projects Fund and the state Broadband Infrastructure Fund could bring online 20 percent of all Texans without broadband access.

To learn more about efforts to broaden broadband access, visit the Texas Broadband Office online.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
(Reuters) - Here is a side-by-side comparison of the key elements of three Boeing contract deals for U.S. West Coast factory workers that have gone to votes since September, according to details provided by the company and the union.

The latest offer was approved by union members on Monday, ending a seven-week strike.

OFFER APPROVED BY 59% OF WORKERS ON NOV. 4

Endorsed by union

Duration: Four years

General wage increase of 38%

$12,000 signing bonus

Restoration of annual performance bonus valued at up to 6% with annual guaranteed payoff of 4%

Retirement: Boeing 401(k) retirement plan match increased to 100% of first 8% of pay, plus automatic 4% company contribution

Pledge to build Boeing's next commercial jet in the Seattle area, provided the program is launched within the four years of the contract.

OFFER REJECTED BY 64% OF WORKERS ON OCT. 23

Not endorsed by union

Duration: Four years

General wage increase of 35%

$7,000 signing bonus

Restoration of an annual performance bonus

Retirement: Boeing 401(k) retirement plan match increased to 100% of first 8% of pay, plus automatic 4% company contribution

Pledge to build Boeing's next commercial jet in the Seattle area, provided the program is launched within the four years of the contract.

OFFER REJECTED BY NEARLY 95% OF WORKERS ON SEPT. 12

Endorsed by union

Duration: Four years

General wage increase of 25%

$3,000 signing bonus

Removal of an annual performance bonus

Retirement: Boeing 401(k) retirement plan match is 75% of the first 8% an employee contributes, plus automatic 4% company contribution.

Pledge to build Boeing's next commercial jet in the Seattle area, provided the program is launched within the four years of the contract.

(Compiled by Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks about immigration and border security near Coronado National Memorial in Montezuma Pass, Ariz., Aug. 22, 2024. Credit - Olivier TouronAFP via Getty Images

Since his first campaign announcement in 2015, Donald Trump and the GOP have sought to appeal to some Americans worst fears, scapegoating immigrants for every problem facing the nation. If his rise to power hinged on this ugly rhetoric, it has only gotten worse over the years. In the 2024 election, immigrants have been portrayed as barbarians who eat cats and dogsor as animals themselves. Making anti-immigrant appeals to win votes is nothing new, however. The playbook from which Trump is drawing was written 30 years ago in California.

In November 1994, immigrants and their families found themselves under siege as California voters overwhelmingly passed into law Proposition 187, a ballot initiative that sought to deny basic social servicessuch as healthcare and educationto undocumented immigrants and their families.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lessons of that moment are defining for our own. In the Prop 187 campaign, politicians and activists learned that anti-immigrant politics could deflect from the real problems people faced, all in an effort to galvanize voters. Meanwhile, opponents of the nativist movement also learned how difficult it is to counter such rhetoric and policies, even when they have truth on their side.

California, today overwhelmingly Democratic and progressive, may seem an odd setting for launching a virulently anti-immigrant campaignespecially given the states long history and economic dependence on immigration. But before the state earned its liberal reputation, it was a key launchpad for the conservative movement. It was California where Ronald Reagan's political rise began in the 1960s, where the modern English-only movement gained momentum, and where reactionary ideologies found mainstream support during the Cold War thanks to the rise of sunbelt conservatism.

Read More: Trump Declines to Rule Out Reviving Family Separations During CNN Town Hall

At the same time, the state had long been a destination for immigrants of colorMexican, Filipino, and Japanese, among othersall vital to the agricultural industry that has always drawn foreign workers. In the 1970s, '80s, and '90s, agricultural centers like the San Joaquin and Salinas Valleys and cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco attracted economic and political refugees from Mexico and Central America, seeking jobs, stability, and opportunity. While their work helped expand the Golden States economy, many were undocumented.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As their numbers grew, however, so did a reaction against them. In the 1970s, California legislators, led by Dixon Arnett, sought to criminalize the hiring of undocumented peoplehoping to stem the tide of migration. The resulting legislation was ruled unconstitutional but it set the stage for a growing nativist assault.

Then, in 1986, Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which increased border enforcement, imposed penalties on employers who hired undocumented people, and legalized some three million undocumented people, including many Californians. During the debates, Sen. Pete Wilson (R-Calif.) pushed to include the admission of temporary workers on an annual basis. He spoke out against immigration raids, which he deplored, since immigrants [did] the work when Americans [would not] take the jobs.

But IRCA did not stop unsanctioned migration. California continued to grow into a new Ellis Island that attracted immigrantsdocumented and undocumented alikefrom Mexico, Latin America, and Asia.

Anxiety about the browning of the state only grew. By the early 1990s, nativists were in full panic mode, alarmed at Californias rapidly changing demographics. Simultaneously, the state also became engulfed in social and economic crises: racial unrest following the beating of Rodney King and the acquittal of the police officers who perpetrated it; military base closures at the Cold Wars end that led to the loss of thousands of jobs; and a nagging economic recession.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many Californians initially blamed Pete Wilson, who had become Californias governor in 1991. Poll numbers appeared to predict certain defeat in his bid for reelection in November 1994.

Then Wilson made a political calculation that embracing anti-immigrant sentiment would turn his political fortune around.

Prop 187 was the brainchild of a group united against what they deemed illegal immigration. This included Dick Mountjoy, an assemblyman representing Monrovia; Alan Nelson, the former commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) under President Reagan; Harold Ezell, a former regional director for the INS; Ron Prince, an Orange County accountant; and Barbara Coe, founder of The California Coalition for Immigration Reform.

Although Wilson had long recognized the importance of immigration to the states fortunes, he gladly became the face of Prop 187. It worked, too. He polled better as he saturated the airwaves with ads that depicted immigrants as criminals, invaders, and threats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read More: Trump's Asylum Rhetoric Is Rooted in the Mariel Boatlift

Communities mobilized against the proposition. Anti-187 activists, led by Latino civil rights leaders like Dolores Huerta, spread the message that anti-immigrant rhetoric was not about illegality. It was about racial anxiety. As one activist put it, Theyre playing games with us its wrong and its racist.

Latino rights advocates understood what the passage of the initiative would mean for their communities, including immigrants and U.S. citizens: that the very color of their skin or the language they spoke would make them targets of harassment, discrimination, and violence.

With the backing of religious leaders, civil rights figures, other ethnic solidarity groups including Asian Americans who also recognized 187 as an existential threat, and labor unions, they fought back. They organized voter registration drives, made phone calls, and took to streets to protest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It wasnt enough. With the backing of a political machine, the coalition in favor of Prop 187 weaponized economic and racial anxieties against undocumented immigrants, whom they claimed were taking their jobs, bringing crime, and costing the state's taxpayers millions each year.

Wilson won re-election, and Proposition 187 passed by a two-to-one margin. White Californians provided the largest margins of support, though by smaller margins Black and Asian American voters also approved it. The only major ethnic group to oppose it was Latinos. They rejected the measure in almost mirror image numbers, which can be attributed to the power of the anti-187 movement.

Economists and other researchers, both then and today, showed that the undocumented did not "take" Americans jobs. They were also much less likely to commit crimes than people born in the United States. And while the cost of providing health care and education was substantial, immigrants more than repaid the cost through taxes and other subsidies they provided to the economy, through cheap labor and increased productivity, especially in the service and food industries.

Despite its popularity, the law was on shaky legal ground, and a judge placed a restraining order on it almost immediately. After years of legal battles, it was ruled unconstitutional in 1998, when Judge Mariana Pfaelzer struck it down. No portion of 187 was ever implemented. Teachers were not required to report their undocumented students to authorities, healthcare providers were not required to turn undocumented patients away, and students were permitted to remain in school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But this was not the end of the story.

Nativist activists were determined to take the fight elsewhere and to wage a national battle against immigrants. They found success at the federal level, fostering bipartisan support for increased immigration enforcement, border militarization, and restriction. In 1996, Clinton signed into law IIRIRA, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, which made legalization more difficult and restricted access to social services even for legal permanent residents.

Read More: America's Border Wall Is Bipartisan

Over the next decades, other states used Prop 187 as a blueprint, recognizing that even if the laws were struck down, the process of galvanizing support for anti-immigrant measures could be politically useful.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And then came the rise of Donald Trump, who like Wilson, seems not to care as much for the facts about immigration as for the political utility of fear.

Making outlandish, patently false claims, Trump regularly dehumanizes immigrants, claiming criminal gangs are taking over American cities, that illegals are taking American jobs, and that building a wall to keep them out was necessary. As it did for Wilson, Trumps politics of nativism paid off. It helped deliver him the White House in 2017. In 2018, the nauseating specter of children in cages, often separated from their parents, became the lasting image of this policy approach.

As was the case in 1994, most of the claims that were used to rationalize these horrors were grounded in misinformation, outright lies, and racist fantasies. Immigrants pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits, and they strengthen not only our economy but our society. They are not coming to invade or take jobs; they are coming because there is demand for the work they do and because they are fleeing violence and instability that has roots in U.S. interventions in their home countries dating back decades.

Despite the Trump campaigns anti-immigrant rhetoric, in a modern globalized world, migration is a fact of life and cannot be stopped. But it can be made more painful and cruel, as we saw in the 1990s and during Trumps first administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It can also be made more orderly, rational, and humane. But doing so would require leaders who wish to do so.

Eladio B. Bobadilla is an assistant professor of history at the University of Pittsburgh, where he specializes in the history of immigration and nativism.

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.

Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@time.com.
Elon Musks $1 million-a-day giveaway has evolved from what his America PAC initially called a random sweepstakes into a political tool to reward citizens for their support of Donald Trump's reelection campaign.

The contest has sparked legal challenges and accusations of fraud.

But a Pennsylvania judge on Monday allowed the giveaway to continue, and on Tuesday, the America PAC posted on Musk's social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that a Phoenix man was the latest recipient of $1 million.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the Election Day post, "Joshua of Phoenix, Arizona received $1M for signing our petition to support the Constitution." And Joshua isn't the only Arizonan who was awarded $1 million for signing the petition.

Here's what to know about Elon Musk's million-dollar giveaway.

Election 2024: Arizona election results | Live coverage | Ballots left to count

Joshua of Phoenix, Arizona received $1M for signing our petition to support the Constitution.



Every day until Election Day, a person who signs will be selected to earn $1M as a spokesperson for America PAC.



SIGN: https://t.co/TMeyWUhbrH pic.twitter.com/gdqq6eTu24  America (@america) November 4, 2024

Who won Elon Musk's $1 million giveaway in Arizona?

According to the Nov. 5 post on X, a Phoenix man named Joshua got $1 million for signing the America PAC petition.

No identifying information is given about Joshua. The photo in the post shows a man and a woman holding two small children outside a brick home with a flag in front.

Why is Elon Musk giving away $1 million a day?

Elon Musks million-dollar giveaway is tied to his strong support for former President Donald Trump and is being run by Musk's political action committee, America PAC.

Advertisement Advertisement

The $1 million-a-day giveaway began in October and has become a centerpiece of Musks efforts to influence the election, especially in key swing states including Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Musk has said the purpose of the giveaway is to encourage people to sign a petition supporting constitutional rights, specifically the First and Second amendments  the right to free speech and the right to bear arms.

Critics have raised concerns that the contest may be a tool for voter manipulation. By attracting people to sign with the lure of $1 million, Musk is gathering voter data, which could be used for campaign purposes.

How does Musk's $1 million-a-day giveaway work?

It appears simple on the surface: Sign the petition for a chance to win $1 million. But the reality is more complex.

Advertisement Advertisement

The contest is open to registered voters in the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Individuals must sign the petition and provide their name, address, phone number and email address.

Musk first presented the giveaway as a random sweepstakes in which daily winners would be selected by chance.

But in a court hearing in Philadelphia, Musk's lawyer said the winners are actually chosen in advance based on how well their values align with America PAC's mission. The winners, according to the PACs legal team, are effectively paid spokespeople for the PAC.

How winners of Elon Musk's $1 million giveaway were announced

The process of selecting and announcing winners has sparked controversy. The first two $1 million winners were present at the rallies in Pennsylvania where their names were called. This raised suspicions that the contest was not random at all.

Advertisement Advertisement

On Nov. 4, a Phoenix man named Joshua was announced as the winner of the $1 million giveaway. According to 12News in Phoenix, Joshua, who has two young children, expressed gratitude for the prize and spoke about his hopes for a better America  one where his children could thrive and build their futures.

Joshua wasn't the only $1 million winner from Arizona. On Oct. 27, America PAC announced on X that Nancy from Arizona won $1 million.

Nancy from Arizona received $1M for signing our petition to support the Constitution.



Every day until Election Day, a person who signs will be selected to earn $1M as a spokesperson for America PAC.



SIGN: https://t.co/TMeyWUhbrH pic.twitter.com/MDN9VhQsAw  America (@america) October 27, 2024

Other winners include John, Kristine, Judy and Shannon, all from Pennsylvania; Andy from Holly Springs, North Carolina; Jason from Holland, Michigan; and Marie from Nevada.

Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Tiffany.Acosta@gannett.com. Follow @tiffsario on Instagram.

Support local journalism and subscribe to azcentral.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Elon Musk's $1 million-a-day giveaway: The Arizona winners
DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  Sheriff L.C. Knight is set to retire, and a new sheriff will soon be sworn into office. But voters in Dorchester County will first decide between two candidates.

Democratic candidate Charles Frederick, a former Dorchester County captain, spent part of his day at the Marcia OBrien Conference Center in Summerville greeting voters, and the departments chief deputy and Republican candidate, Sam Richardson voted at Miles Road Baptist Church this morning.

Meet the candidates running for Dorchester County Sheriff

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both men say they are looking forward to seeing who the voters picked  both say they are very qualified to be sheriff.

Ive been working in law enforcement my whole life; 25 years on the South Carolina Highway Patrol as a state trooper  I was a corporal. I came to Dorchester County as a lieutenant promoted to captain, said Frederick.

I care about our county, said Richardson. Im the best-prepared candidate  Im a commissioned officer in the United States Army, and Ive had command opportunities there from across the country. Ive had the opportunity inside the sheriffs office to rise to the level from a deputy on the streets to chief deputy sheriff.

The winner of the election will serve a four-year term.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Click here to see local election results when the polls close at 7pm.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
MOAB, Utah, (KREX)  Two Durango residents are accused of trespassing, disrupting and stealing from a Canyonlands National Park historic site.

According to the U.S. Justice Department, Roxanne McKnight, 39, and Dusty Spencer, 43, were charged with three misdemeanors Monday relating to the incident on March 23.

McKnight and Spencer allegedly entered a fenced-off area of the Cave Springs Cowboy Camp where they handled and stole numerous historic artifacts. The camp was protected by fencing and clear warnings denying visitors entry, the press release said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They are charged with theft of government property of less than $1,000, possessing or distributing cultural or archaeological resources and walking on or entering archaeological or cultural resources.

Spencer and McKnight will appear Friday in the U.S. District Court in Moab.

The case is being investigated by the National Park Service.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  The Palisade Police Department and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation have arrested two suspects after an Oct. 8 shooting  and subsequent high-speed car chase  which left a 54-year-old woman in critical condition.

The Palisade Police Department said in a release investigators believe the suspects, 27-year-old Zachary David Bayhan from Delta and 32-year-old Jamie Hopper, were involved in a drug deal gone bad.

Investigators believe the two wanted drugs from the victim without intending to pay for them. According to the release, the pair allegedly arranged for another man, age 26, to introduce the couple to the 54-year-old woman near a storage facility in the 200 block of Palisades West Third Street.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Investigators believe Bayhan shot at the 54-year-old woman as she drove away, then stole the 26-year-olds car, initiating a high-speed chase that ended with his arrest in Delta County.

The 54-year-old woman, who was shot in the shoulder and crashed her car at the Golden Gate Gas Station on Elberta Avenue, is expected to recover.

Bayhans charges include the following:

Attempted second-degree murder.

First-degree assault.

Aggravated robbery.

Criminal attempt of aggravated robbery.

Possession of a weapon by a previous offender.

Two counts of felony menacing.

Motor vehicle theft.

Hoppers charges include the following:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

First-degree assault.

Aggravated robbery.

Criminal attempt of aggravated robbery.

Two counts of felony menacing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Two people involved in three violent robberies and a shoplifting incident on the same day in January took plea deals on Monday. The crime spree started around 5:30 p.m. on January 23. Six people walked into the Family Dollar on Sage Rd. in southwest Albuquerque, pepper sprayed an employee, beat up two more, threatened them with a gun, and left after stealing various items.

Driver arrested after crashing into Albuquerque law firms office on Halloween

About 20 minutes later, they shoplifted from OReillys down the road. They went on to assault employees at a nearby Autozone and Walgreens while robbing the stores.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Three brothers, Daniel, Dominick, and Rudy Chavez-Montoya along with Rudys girlfriend Antoinette Mendoza were arrested. Mendoza pled guilty to shoplifting and conspiracy to commit shoplifting. The state agreed to two years of probation. A sentencing date has not been set.

Daniel Chavez-Montoya pled guilty to two counts of shoplifting and two counts of simple battery. His sentencing agreement puts a one-year cap on incarceration. Rudy Chavez-Montoya has a plea hearing scheduled for Tuesday. Dominic Chavez-Montoya pled not guilty to his charges. A trial date has not been set.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
35,725 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?

35,725 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Election Day 2024 is here. Its been a contentious national election season, and locally, New Mexico could see some big changes.

This week on the New Mexico News Insiders podcast, University of New Mexico Political Science Professor and KRQE Political Analyst, Gabe Sanchez, joins Chris and Gabby to break down the races to watch in this election. Sanchez provides perspective as a professional pollster and provides analysis of some of the candidates strategies this season.

Will a visit from Donald Trump impact voters or local candidates? How much do political ads matter?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Locally, its also the first time both the House and Senate face new voting maps after redistricting, and all 112 seats in the state legislature are up for grabs. How could the new maps reshape the states political landscape?

Sanchez also responds to research published by UNM referring to a potential decline in population impacting New Mexicos congressional seats. Could the state lose a congressional seat in the next 10 years?

Most folks arent really conscious of this, but New Mexico is one of the oldest in terms of median age demographics across the country already, and really trending towards an older segment of the population moving forward, Sanchez explained. Thats driven a lot by, unfortunately, a lot of our young people leaving the state because they dont see the economic future for themselves, their career opportunities maybe looking brighter in other states. And thats really fueling a lot of the underlying demographic trends that we see.

Listen to the full discussion above for a full breakdown of the topics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, among others.

You can now watch our podcasts in video form both on-air or online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQEs YouTube page at youtube.com/krqenews13.

Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term KRQE or New Mexico News Insiders (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post.

If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email your hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Mississippis 2024 General Election Day will be held on Tuesday, November 5.

The ballot features offices of President, U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative, Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judge, School Board Members, County Election Commissioners, and some special elections.

Polls for the General Election will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Any voter in line at 7:00 p.m. is legally entitled to cast a ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mississippi receives nearly 198,000 absentee ballots ahead of 2024 election

To familiarize yourself with the upcoming election, visit the My Election Day portal to receive election information tailored to your specific address, including a sample ballot.

Election Day Reminders

In-Person Absentee Voting Deadline: The last day to vote absentee vote in-person was Saturday, November 2. Circuit Clerks Offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. until noon.

Mail-In Absentee Voting Deadline: All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by November 5 and received by county Circuit Clerks Offices by November 13.

Voter ID Affidavit Ballot Deadline: Voters who cast an affidavit ballot because they forgot their voter ID must present an acceptable form of photo ID to their Circuit Clerks Office by November 13.

Polling Place Location: Visit the polling place locator on the My Election Day portal, or contact your county Circuit Clerks Office or local Election Commissioners to verify your polling place.

Voter Photo ID: Voters are required to show photo identification at the polls. A voter without an acceptable form of photo identification is entitled to cast an affidavit ballot. Click here to view a list of acceptable photo IDs.

Campaigning: It is unlawful to campaign for any candidate within 150 feet of any entrance to a polling place, unless on private property.

Loitering: The polling places should be clear for 30 feet from every entrance of all people except election officials, voters waiting to vote, or authorized poll watchers.

Camera Phones: Voters are prohibited from taking pictures of their marked ballot.

For election questions, call the Elections Division at 1-800-829-6786, email ElectionAnswers@sos.ms.gov, or visit YallVote.ms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Tuesday marked the final day voters could cast their ballots in a range of races from President of the United States all the way down to numerous local seats and ballot measures in the Kansas City area.

FOX4 is your local election headquarters and were following dozens and dozens of races that you can keep up with in real time on this page after 7 p.m.

Your Local Election Headquarters: Candidates, races and results on FOX4

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)-listed mining company FireFly Metals has announced the acquisition of the Tilt Cove exploration property in Newfoundland, Canada, from Signal Gold.

The deal, which includes a cash payment of C$570,000 ($620,754) and the issuance of C$2.5m worth of FireFly shares, will see the company's land holding at the Green Bay project increase by 54% to approximately 326km.

The shares will be issued at the ten-day volume-weighted average price on the ASX prior to the agreement's signing.

An additional C$1m will be payable in cash or shares once Firefly defines a mineral resource of at least 500,000oz of gold-equivalent at a minimum grade of 1g per tonne.

The Tilt Cove property, adjoining FireFly's existing operations, is known for its potential for volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits, akin to the company's Ming mine.

The property has a long history as a copper producer, with operations dating back to the late 19th century.

The site's historical output of approximately 170,000 tonnes of copper and 50,000oz of gold, combined with its potential for high-grade orogenic-style gold mineralisation, positions FireFly for a major step-up in its exploration efforts.

The acquisition's key target, the Tilt Cove copper-gold VMS deposit, represents a notable opportunity for FireFly.

The deposit's past as one of the world's largest copper mines enhances the project's prospects for future exploration and development.

FireFly managing director Steve Parsons said: This is a golden opportunity to secure a large parcel of compelling exploration tenure right next to our Green Bay project.

Tilt Coves mining is a compelling geological setting, which offers another potential avenue for substantial resource growth.

We will move quickly to apply our exploration skills and local knowledge at Tilt Cove as part of our overall strategy to keep growing the resource at Green Bay.

In September this year, FireFly Metals secured binding commitments to raise A$65m through a placement to support the next phase of development at its Green Bay Copper-Gold project.

"FireFly Metals acquires Tilt Cove property in Canada" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Election Day is here, and with the final votes coming in, voters will want to know if their preferred candidate will win.

Your Local Election Headquarters will give you the latest results as the votes are counted in Florida and nationwide.

Get your LIVE election results here

To see live totals for national and local races in the Tampa Bay area, check out our Election Results page, which will begin displaying the results as they come in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Want to see how Florida and other states are voting? Click here to see our Balance of Power maps, which will have county-by-county breakdowns on how people voted.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Incumbent Maria Cantwell has locked down a fifth term in the U.S. Senate, according to the Associated Press.

She was running against Republican Dr. Raul Garcia from Yakima.

The democratic incumbent is running against Republican Dr. Raul Garcia from Yakima.

Democrats have occupied both Senate seats in Washington, D.C. since Cantwell first won in 2000. She beat incumbent Republican Sen. Slade Gorton by less than 1% of the vote. There hasnt been an election that close since.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can read more about both candidates here:

Maria Cantwell (D)

Cantwell was born in Indianapolis and earned her bachelors degree from Miami University of Ohio.

She served as senior vice president of consumer products for RealNetworks from 1995-2000.

Cantwell then went on to become a member of the Washington House of Representatives from 1987 to 1993 and a member of the United States House of Representatives for one term from 1993 to 1995.

She was then elected to the U.S. Senate where she has served for 23 years.





Dr. Raul Garcia (R)

Garcia was born in Cuba. He earned a bachelors degree from the University of Miami in 1993 and a D.O. from the New York Institute of Technology.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He isnt a career politician but is a leader in his field. He has worked as a doctor, medical practice owner, dean of a medical school, and medical director. He has been elected to national medical organizations such as the American College of Emergency Medicine, the American Osteopathic Association, and the Bureau of Interns and Residents.

Garcia ran for election for Governor of Washington but did not appear on the ballot for the primary on August 6, 2024.
It's Election Day 2024. Voting has concluded in one of the most contentious U.S. presidential elections in recent history.

So when will the election results be available, and where? Complete unofficial results are not expected until Wednesday morning at the earliest, but the Free Press expects to be able to declare some winners through partial unofficial results, based on projections made by the Associated Press.

Election Day 2024: Live updates from the polls in Michigan

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition to deciding which presidential candidate will win Michigan's 15 electoral votes, Michigan citizens have cast their ballots in a nationally watched and hugely expensive U.S. Senate race that could help determine which party controls that chamber in Washington, D.C.

A person smiles as they hold a voting sign shaped like the state of Michigan during a Get Out the Vote rally ahead of the Nov. 5 general election at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.

Michigan's election will also determine whether Democrats will maintain their slim hold on the state House of Representatives.

Also on the ballot are two Michigan Supreme Court seats and board seats for three public universities and the State Board of Education, plus a number of significant local races around the state.

Check back here later Tuesday, after polls close at 8 p.m. ET across most of Michigan, and the rest of the week to see updates on race totals from contests up and down the ballot.

Michigan election results 2024

Our election 2024 coverage

What's at stake on Election Day?

Whether one supports the Democratic candidate for president, Vice President Kamala Harris, or the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, each promises a different future for the U.S. and for Michigan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To cite just a few examples, Harris would defend the rights of women to make their own reproductive choices, while Trump says he would leave it up to individual states to decide those issues. Harris generally supports a gradual transition to electric vehicles in the automotive industry that Trump generally opposes. Trump promises double-digit tariffs on foreign imports as a way to pressure foreign manufacturers to build their products in the U.S., Harris says that would amount to a national sales tax that would hurt consumers. Trump promises mass deportations of undocumented migrants that Harris opposes.

Also at stake:

Michigan's choices for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House could make the difference in determining which of the two main political parties controls each chamber.

Control of the Michigan State House also is up for grabs and will impact to what extent Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is able to implement what remains of her agenda in the final two years of her time in office.

And the choices Michigan makes for the state Supreme Court will determine whether Democratic nominees will maintain their current 4-3 majority on that influential body.

When will we know full election results?

When the polls close at 8 p.m. local time, election officials can begin reporting out unofficial election results. While results will start pouring in when the polls close, the outcome of any race may not be clear for awhile. It depends on how close the race is and how many voters return their absentee ballots on Election Day. Absentee ballots take longer to process than ballots cast in-person due to the additional steps involved after a voter returns their absentee ballot to verify and log the ballot, and then prepare it for tabulation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2020, the Associated Press  which tracks races across the U.S.  wasn't able to call President Joe Biden as winning Michigan until 5:56 p.m. ET Wednesday, the day after the Nov. 3, 2020 election. The AP has called races before all of the votes are counted based on an analysis of the votes that have already been reported and other election data. The Free Press relies on the AP's calls.

Clara Hendrickson contributed.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan election results 2024: Live
On Election Day, millions of Americans will head to the ballots to cast their votes in the presidential election. Candidates Kamala Harris and Tim Walz (and previous candidate Joe Biden) all voted early, while Donald Trump and J.D. Vance cast their votes today.

Here, see photos of the presidential and vice presidential candidates voting:

Kamala Harris

In a video posted on her social media channels before Election Day, Harris revealed she voted by mail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"She wants to model behavior for other voters to continue to take advantage of the various modes of voting that we have during the [Get Out the Vote] time period," campaign officials told The Hill. Harris will be spending Election Night at Howard University.

Tim Walz

Star Tribune - Getty Images

Walz voted early on October 23 with his wife, Gwen Walz, and son, Gus, in St. Paul, Minnesota. 18-year-old Gus voted for the first time in the 2024 elections. "He's looking for that 'I voted' sticker," Tim said. Above, the Walz family leaves after early voting"I voted" stickers and all.

Donald Trump

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by former U.S. first lady Melania Trump, speaks to reporters as he votes at Mandel Recreation Center on Election Day in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo by @brian_photog pic.twitter.com/thtoBjMwpw  corinne_perkins (@corinne_perkins) November 5, 2024

Trump voted in Palm Beach alongside his wife, Melania Trump, at Mandel Recreation Center. After casting his vote while wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat, he spoke with reporters. He said he'll be at Mar-a-Lago for most of the day. (More on his Election Night plans, here.)

JD Vance

Stephen Maturen - Getty Images

Vance voted on Election Day with his wife Usha Vance at a polling place in Cincinnati, Ohio. They brought their children along with them. After voting, he told reporters, "I feel good. You never know until you know. But I feel good about this race."

Bonus: Joe Biden

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS - Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Biden, a former candidate for president until he dropped out earlier this year, voted early in New Castle, Delaware on October 28, 2024. Asked whether it was bittersweet, Biden said, "No, this is just sweet."

You Might Also Like
Voting closes across Wisconsin for the 2024 general election at 8 p.m., and then we wait for results.

Anyone who is in line to vote when the polls close can remain in line and still legally cast their ballots in Wisconsin's election.

Wisconsin voters cast ballots for President of the United States, U.S. Senator, all U.S. Congressional seats and myriad Wisconsin state Senate and all Wisconsin state Assembly seats. There was a statewide referendum on the ballot focused on citizenship as well as a handful of local races and school board referendums.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Check the latest election results using the links below.

Wisconsin 2024 election results

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Find all 2024 Wisconsin election results here
25 Investigates has learned the city of Boston is dealing with a backlog of complaints filed with the office tasked with overseeing police accountability and transparency.

25 Investigates told you how Bostons Office of Police Accountability and Transparency website, or OPAT, has been largely inaccessible to the public for months.

Now were hearing from a local woman who says its not just the website thats broken.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Annemarie Grant described the interaction her nephew allegedly had with a Boston Police officer in October 2023. She says her nephew was arguing with workers at a Boston tow lot when the officer intervened.

He was angry. He was intimidating. He was bullying my nephew Grant said.

Grant shared cell phone video with 25 Investigates of the alleged incident. We are not identifying the police officer in question here because the city of Boston has yet to fully vet Grants complaint, one year since she filed the complaint with OPAT. Grant shared an email with 25 Investigates showing a confirmation the office received it on November 5, 2023.

I did receive a phone call from someone at OPAT. She wanted me to verbally tell her what I knew about the situation. I did that and I havent heard anything since, Grant said. The last response I received last week stated that they are still looking to appoint members to the Civilian Review Board, so they arent hearing any cases until that committee is fully appointed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

25 Investigates first told you in early October, the OPAT website-- that promises data on police complaints, arrests and use of force is a site of broken links. The links havent worked since July.

Since we started reporting on the website issues, the city replaced the dead links with this message saying, were currently working to update and improve the dashboards.

At a public appearance in October, Mayor Michelle Wu told us, despite the inaccessible website, OPAT was still working with the public on their officer-related concerns.

The department has been able to continue to take in complaint and interacting with residents who have any information to share, Wu said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think that its a waste of tax dollars and resources that theyre pouring into this committee for nothing to happen, said Grant.

And shes not the only one.

During an OPAT meeting in December, 2023 a woman told city staff members she too was struggling to get her complaint processed.

The way that its being handled makes me feel that I should have never even put in a complaint. And Im thinking that if I am feeling this, there must be other people that are feeling this way, the woman told OPAT staff members during the meeting.

There was no resolution that day for her case. But someone else speaking during that meeting remotely says OPAT strives to handle most complaints in 180 days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

OPAT was formed under former Mayor Marty Walsh in 2020 in response to massive calls for police reform.

Since we started reporting on concerns with how this office is functioning, we have asked repeatedly to sit down for an interview with OPAT executive director, Evandro Carvahlo or Mayor Wu.

Those requests have been denied.

But the city of Boston is now acknowledging a backlog in those complaints.

In a written statement a city spokesperson said OPAT will host a meeting on November 20 to address a backlog of complaints. Since taking on the role of Director earlier this year, Evandro Carvalho has been working to build out his team during the OPAT leadership transition. Now that his team is together, he is working to spearhead the offices important work and resume a consistent meeting schedule so OPAT operations can run efficiently.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The application for the Civilian Review Board is open now and on the citys website here. Existing members will attend the November 20th meeting to address outstanding complaints.

Were still at ground zero with transparency and accountability, said Grant.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
MORGAN CITY, La. (KLFY)  A homicide that has gone unsolved fore more than 25 years has been solved in Morgan City.

On October 8, 1998, the Morgan City Police Department responded to Youngs Road, regarding a body that had been discovered behind Youngs Park near the wooded area. The body of Amber Lynn Jenkins Garcia was located. The investigation commenced with the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division when it was determined that Mrs. Garcias death was the result of a homicide.

Amber Jenkins Garcia

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the course of the investigation, investigators collected multiple sources of evidence to be analyzed by criminal specialists. As the investigation continued, information and leads turned cold and investigators were unable to make a determination of who was responsible for Mrs. Garcias death.

Jennifer Vedol

On December 25, 1998, investigators with the Morgan City Police Department responded to the area of Duke Street regarding the body of a female that had been located. The body of Jennifer Vedol was located, and it was determined that her death was the result of a homicide. That investigation commenced by investigators when John Willis Pittman Jr., who was 18 years of age at the time, was developed as a suspect. Ultimately, Pittman was charged in the death of Mrs. Vedol and later pleaded guilty in the 16th Judicial Court to Manslaughter and was sentenced to 40 years at hard labor and taken into custody by the Louisiana Department of Corrections.

John Pittman

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Over the years, the investigation of Mrs. Garcia was looked at to see if new leads could be developed regarding her death. In the beginning of 2024, investigators with the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division resubmitted evidence collected from the scene of Garcias death to the Acadiana Criminalistics Lab. Over the years with technology advancement in this field, the results yielded that DNA collected from the scene linked Pittman to the death of Mrs. Garcia.

With this new evidence, the investigation was once again rejuvenated. Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Pittmans arrest on the charge of Second-Degree Murder for the death of Mrs. Garcia that occurred over 26 years ago. Pittman, who is still incarcerated at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center for the homicide of Mrs. Vedol, will now be charged with the death of Mrs. Garcia. He remains incarcerated and will be booked on the new charge and will await court proceedings in the 16th Judicial Court.

Chief Chad M. Adams and the Morgan City Police Department would like to commend all our investigators, from the ones that were involved in the original investigation, to the ones that looked at the case over the years since, and to our current investigators who have now completed the task bringing this heinous homicide investigation to a conclusion. The work that all these investigators have done has brought Justice to not only Mrs. Garcia, but to the family she had left behind. Mrs. Garcia was a daughter and a mother. We pray for the family of Mrs. Garcia and that our lord may place his hands upon them and the Vedol family during this difficult time. As this investigation comes to a close, Chief Adams and investigators with the Morgan City Police Department have been in touch and met with the family of Mrs. Garcia.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
OGDEN, Utah (ABC4)  A cemetery in Ogden is offering a $2,000 reward to anyone who can help identify those responsible for the vandalism of a Jesus statue that was installed a week ago.

Leavitts Mortuary & Aultorest Memorial Park in Ogden took to social media to share photos of the vandalized statue and offer a reward for information.

Federal charges filed against Colorado residents for destroying historic site in Utah national park

An image of a vandalized statue of Jesus in Leavitt's Mortuary & Aultorest Memorial Park in Ogden, Utah. (Courtesy: Leavitt's Mortuary & Aultorest Memorial Park)

An image of a vandalized statue of Jesus in Leavitt's Mortuary & Aultorest Memorial Park in Ogden, Utah. (Courtesy: Leavitt's Mortuary & Aultorest Memorial Park)

This is truly a one-of-a-kind treasure, as the casting mold was destroyed, making this the only sculpture of its kind, the cemetery wrote on social media Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The cemetery said it was heartbroken over this violation, and said that police have been notified about the incident.

Anyone with information about the incident or who may be responsible has been asked to contact Leavitts Mortuary & Aultorest Memorial Park or local authorities.

We deeply appreciate any assistance you can provide in restoring peace and respect to our park and helping us protect this precious piece of history, the cemetery said.

Leavitts Mortuary & Aultorest Memorial Park is a family-owned funeral home that has been serving the Ogden community since the 1920s.

There is no further information at this time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Republicans prevailed Tuesday in a must-win Senate race in Ohio, as Trump-backed Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno defeated Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown to help shift control of the chamber to the GOP.

With spending that hit $500 million, it was the most expensive Senate race this year and perhaps in U.S. history.

Moreno, 57, who was born in Colombia, will be the first Latino to represent Ohio in the Senate. He won in the Republican-leaning state with a campaign that cast Brown as too liberal for Ohio, barraging airwaves with sometimes misleading and occasionally false claims about Browns votes related to immigration and transgender athletes. Moreno also worked successfully to tie Brown, a third-term incumbent, to President Joe Biden and his vice president, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, on border security.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During an acceptance speech in Cleveland, Moreno pledged to serve all Ohioans and to work to win over those who voted against him.

We talked about wanting a red wave. I think what we have tonight is a red, white and blue wave, he said. Because what we need in the United States of America is leaders in Washington, D.C., that actually put the interests of American citizens above all else. We're tired of being treated like second-class citizens in our own country. We're tired of leaders that think we're garbage and we're tired of being treated like garbage.

His win was lauded by the National Rifle Association and Ohio Right to Life, which both backed his campaign.

Browns defeat marked another win for a candidate endorsed by the former president, whose backing in the state lifted Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance into politics and on to become his vice presidential running mate. Trump appeared in ads for Moreno in the final days of the campaign, and the candidate thanked him Tuesday and praised him as the best president of his generation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thank you for your sacrifices that you've made for this country, Moreno said, addressing Trump. This country owes Donald Trump a debt of gratitude. And the Senator JD Vance. Ohio loves you, man, Ohio loves you. I love you.

He called Vance a brilliant pick for vice president, and joked of quickly becoming Ohio's senior senator if the Trump-Vance ticket wins the presidency.

About 4 in 10 voters in Ohios Senate election said that party control of the chamber was the single most important factor in their vote, while about half said it was an important factor, according to AP VoteCast, an expansive survey of more than 3,700 voters in the state. Voters favoring Brown were as likely to say this as voters for Moreno.

Brown, 71, one of Ohios longest serving and best known politicians, had sought to appeal to Trump crossover voters by emphasizing his work with presidents of both parties and to woo independents and Democrats by promoting his efforts to boost middle class workers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He told supporters Tuesday night that his beliefs in the dignity of work and the power of people over corporate special interests will never change.

This is a disappointment, but it is not a failure, Brown said. It will never be wrong to fight for organized labor, it will never be wrong to fight for the freedom of women to make their health care decisions, it surely will never be wrong to fight for civil rights and human rights. Tonight I am sad, but I am never giving up and neither is Connie.

His wife, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Connie Schultz, affirmed, No way.

Brown and his allies pounced on cellphone video that emerged late in the campaign showing Moreno criticizing suburban women who base their votes on abortion rights to paint the Republican as out of step with the 57% of Ohioans who supported a 2023 amendment that enshrined access to abortion into the states constitution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But abortion, the issue Democrats had banked on to help them win Tuesday, ultimately did not appear to be the determining factor. Republicans hopes for victory hinged on the one-time bellwether states hard shift to the right in recent elections and a strong financial advantage.

Four in 10 Ohio voters said the economy and jobs is the top issue facing the country, according to the 110,000 voters surveyed for AP VoteCast, which included more than 3,700 voters in Ohio. About 2 in 10 Ohio voters said immigration is the most pressing issue, while only about 1 in 10 named abortion.

Still, the abortion-rights group Reproductive Freedom for All thanked Brown for taking up the cause, both during the campaign and in the Senate.

While we had hoped for another outcome, were proud to have mobilized by his side in this race, President and CEO Mini Timmaraju said in a statement. "We know that Bernie Moreno is an urgent threat to abortion rights and access  and we wont back down from holding him accountable for it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As Moreno and his Republican allies consistently outspent Democrats during the race, they significantly chipped away at Browns favorability ratings among Ohio voters, erasing an advantage that Brown had enjoyed in the polls throughout most of the campaign and depriving him of a fourth term.

Brown was the only Democrat to hold a nonjudicial statewide office in Ohio. Also Tuesday, all three Democrats running for the Ohio Supreme Court  an arena where the party had experienced rare statewide successes in recent elections  lost their races. The court's new majority will be 6-1 in Republicans' favor.
Around 30% of Russias nuclear arsenal, which consists of approximately 5,580 warheads, is within range of Ukrainian drones and missiles.

Source: an article in Foreign Affairs titled "How the war in Ukraine could go nuclear  by accident"

Quote: "Because Ukrainian drone assaults have already reached as far as Moscow [...], it is clear that at least 14 Russian nuclear storage sites now fall within range of its drones. At least two of those sites are less than 100 miles from the Ukrainian border, well within striking range of the more damaging missiles Ukraine already possesses, and another five sites lie less than 200 miles from the border, close to or just beyond the range of the advanced Western-provided missiles that Ukraine is seeking permission to use against conventional targets in Russia."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Details: The author of the article notes that there are no signs that Ukrainian forces are intentionally targeting nuclear warhead storage sites. However, it is the Russian governments responsibility to move its nuclear warheads out of the way of danger.

Quote: "Russia knows that its warheads should not be positioned anywhere near conventional military operations: after Ukraine launched its first drone and missile attacks against Belgorod in the spring of 2023, Russia quickly reported that its Belgorod storage site was no longer storing nuclear warheads  acknowledging that warheads should not be stored anywhere near active fighting. But remarkably, there have been no Russian announcements about the status of the warheads it has at any of its other storage sites."

The author suggests several possible explanations for this:

Russian leader Vladimir Putin may believe that relocating the countrys nuclear warheads would be seen as a sign of weakness.

The Russian leadership may be unaware of the risks posed by these warheads.

The Russian military may fear that the West would misinterpret the relocation of warheads as preparation for a nuclear attack, potentially leading to a preemptive strike by NATO.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Quote: "The possibility that a Ukrainian drone or missile will strike a warhead and create an explosion that distributes fissile material is already a major risk. But it is not the only one. Even more dangerous is the possibility that a Ukrainian missile strike or territorial takeover could throw a storage site into operational chaos, allowing rogue actors to seize its nuclear warheads  or inadvertently prompt Russian nuclear escalation."

The author underscores that Russia "breached a sacred tenet of nuclear security by launching attacks against Ukraine from military bases that store nuclear warheads, thus making those bases a legitimate target for counteroffensives".

He points out that since March 2022, Russia has been using the Engels-2 airbase to launch strikes on Ukraine with Kinzhal missiles, which are capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The author believes that "there are probably dozens of nuclear warheads stored less than four miles from the Engels-2 bases main airfields".

Russia is also thought to store dozens of nuclear warheads for short-range aircraft at the Yeysk and Morozovsk airbases. All of these airbases are known to have been attacked by Ukrainian forces multiple times.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Foreign Affairs notes that a strike on a storage site would not in itself cause a nuclear explosion of the warheads.

The threat arises when a warhead is outside a bunker  such as during transportation for maintenance within a storage site or at a rail transfer point.

"But perhaps the greatest danger now posed by Russias nuclear weapons storage sites is the one that was originally envisioned after the Cold Wars end: that is, the danger that warheads could be seized by a small, rogue group of fighters. Russia still faces internal threats including terrorists, separatists, and the thousands of former Wagner fighters now scattered across Russia and Belarus. Its actions in Ukraine have greatly exacerbated the danger posed by these long-standing threats," the article concludes.

Support UP or become our patron!
FTC Solar has signed a supply agreement with US-based renewable energy company Dunlieh Energy to provide solar tracker systems for more than 1GW of solar projects.

The 500MW Situla energy project in Banner County, Nebraska, will be the first initiative under the agreement.

The solar and battery facility will create more than 225 local construction jobs and contribute more than $1.4m annually in nameplate capacity taxes.

Tracker deliveries for the Situla project will begin in the second half of 2025.

Dunlieh Energy CEO Thaer Flieh stated: FTC Solar has impressive, high-quality tracker technology that is incredibly fast, safe and easy to install.

The Situla project is poised to provide great value to the community, and FTCs highly constructible design will lend itself incredibly well for that and other future developments.

FTC Solar president and CEO Yann Brandt stated: We are very pleased to have been selected by Dunlieh for this 1GW agreement.

With our robust product line-up across 1P and 2P technologies, along with excellent customer service, we stand ready to help our new customer, Dunlieh, optimise each individual project site.

The new agreement builds upon FTC Solar's recent collaboration with Strata Clean Energy and Sandhills Energy.

In September 2024, Strata selected FTC to supply 500MW of its Voyager 2P solar tracker technology for several US project sites.

FTC is set to be the preferred 2P solar tracker supplier for an initial three-year term, potentially reaching more than 1GW of volume.

Additionally, the company will supply its 1P Pioneer trackers to Sandhills Energy for 1GW of projects across three sites in Nebraska, US.

"FTC Solar to supply trackers for 1GW Dunlieh Energy solar projects" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




WEBER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  On Monday, Nov. 4, the Weber County Sheriffs Office announced a breakthrough in a cold case: After more than 30 years, the victim has been identified.

On April 16, 1992, a man was killed, and his death was deemed suspicious. Officials with WCSO responded to a large fire in a field near I-15 and 21st Street and found a body on an abandoned boat that was engulfed in flames, according to officials.

Tooele man charged with murder in 50-year-old cold case

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After extinguishing the flames, the body was unrecognizable, and there were no personal identifying items located at the scene, Detective Ty Hebdon with WCSO said in a video press release shared Monday.

Dental records for missing people from surrounding areas were examined, but none belonged to the victim, Hebdon said. Initial attempts to identify the victim were unsuccessful, and the case was cold for the past 32 years.

In 2024, the victim in the case was identified as Kevin Lynn Capps, who was 30 years old at the time of the incident, Hebdon said.

An undated image of Kevin Lynn Capps, who was identified as the victim in a case that went cold more than 30 years ago. Authorities said Capps's body was found on an abandoned boat burning in a field in northern Utah, in 1992. (Courtesy: Weber County Sheriff's Office)

An undated image of Kevin Lynn Capps, who was identified as the victim in a case that went cold more than 30 years ago. Authorities said Capps's body was found on an abandoned boat burning in a field in northern Utah, in 1992. (Courtesy: Weber County Sheriff's Office)

An undated image of Kevin Lynn Capps, who was identified as the victim in a case that went cold more than 30 years ago. Authorities said Capps's body was found on an abandoned boat burning in a field in northern Utah, in 1992. (Courtesy: Weber County Sheriff's Office)

Detectives with the newly formed Weber Metro Cold Case Task Force used advanced DNA testing to identify Capps, including a method called investigative genetic genealogy testing, according to Hebdon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After identifying Capps, authorities made contact with Cappss daughter, Chelsea LaRoe  who was 4 years old at the time of her fathers death  and the victims sister, Rhonda Capps.

I didnt know whether to laugh or cry, so I just did both, LaRoe said.

LaRoe said she will always remember the day detectives knocked at her door to give her the news. On Aug. 12, 2024, detectives told her they had information about her family member.

An undated image of Kevin Lynn Capps, who was identified as the victim in a case that went cold more than 30 years ago. Authorities said Cappss body was found on an abandoned boat burning in a field in northern Utah, in 1992. (Courtesy: Weber County Sheriffs Office) An undated image of Kevin Lynn Capps, who was identified as the victim in a case that went cold more than 30 years ago. Authorities said Cappss body was found on an abandoned boat burning in a field in northern Utah, in 1992. (Courtesy: Weber County Sheriffs Office)

I thought, I dont have any family members in Weber County, and they told me it was about my dad, Kevin Capps, LaRoe said in the video shared by the sheriffs office. I spent my entire life wondering why he left and if he ever thought about me as a kid growing up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With the help of detectives, LaRoe and her mother found Capps in an unmarked grave in an Ogden, Utah, cemetery the day after hearing the news.

I will forever be grateful for the detectives who helped in this case, LaRoe said.

Hebdon is a member of the Weber Metro Cold Case Task Force, which he said was formed to get a fresh set of eyes and ideas on these important cases.

The sheriffs office expressed its gratitude to the other agencies who played a part in solving the case, including the State Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Public Safety, the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner, and more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anyone with information about Capps or the circumstances leading up to his death has been asked to contact Detective Hebdon at 801-778-6646.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
The bus was designed to hold 42 passengers, but on Nov. 4, there were around 60 passengers on board

Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) Uttarakhand/AFP via Getty Uttarakhand bus crash on November 4, 2024 in the Almora district in India's Uttarakhand state. Uttarakhand bus crash on November 4, 2024 in the Almora district in India's Uttarakhand state.

Thirty-six people have died and six people were injured in a bus crash in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand in the Almora district on Monday, Nov. 4, according to the Associated Press, CNN and CBS News.

The bus, which was built to carry 42 passengers but had around 60 people onboard, left Garhwal in the Himalayas for the town of Ramnagar  approximately 120 miles south of Garhwal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the drive, the bus lost control, veered off a hilly road and fell into a river about 200 feet below the road, senior state official Deepak Rawat told the AP. Almora district officials reported to the scene and worked to rescue passengers from the overturned bus.

Several passengers were either thrown out of the vehicle or escaped. Those who survived then alerted authorities about the accident.

According to CBS News, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said emergency crews were "working swiftly to evacuate the injured and take them to the nearest health center for treatment. Instructions have also been given to airlift the seriously injured passengers if required."

Dhami confirmed an investigation into the accident will be launched.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Related: 40 People Killed and Dozens More Injured in Senegal Bus Crash

State Disaster Response Force HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Uttarakhand bus crash on November 4, 2024 in the Almora district in India's Uttarakhand state. Uttarakhand bus crash on November 4, 2024 in the Almora district in India's Uttarakhand state.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

State official Vineet Pal said preliminary information indicated the bus was inadequately maintained, and it skidded before falling into the ravine. Pal also said two transport officials were suspended for permitting the poorly conditioned bus to travel, per the AP.

Dhami said the state government will compensate the grieving families with 400,000 Indian rupees ($4,750) and those injured will receive 100,000 rupees ($1,190). Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered additional compensation, stating that the families of those killed will also receive 200,000 rupees ($2,378) and injured individuals will be given 50,000 rupees ($594), per CBS News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Modi also offered his condolences "to those who have lost their loved ones in the unfortunate road accident."

Related: 8-Year-Old Sole Survivor of Bus Crash That Killed 45 People Discharged from the Hospital

Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) Uttarakhand/AFP via Getty Uttarakhand bus crash on November 4, 2024 in the Almora district in India's Uttarakhand state. Uttarakhand bus crash on November 4, 2024 in the Almora district in India's Uttarakhand state.

India sees hundreds of thousands of road fatalities each year, some of the highest in the world, per the AP.

More recently, in July, 18 people died when a double-decker passenger bus collided with a milk truck in Uttar Pradesh state, the AP reported. Two months before that, 21 people died after a bus lost control and rolled into a deep ravine on a mountain highway in Indian-controlled Kashmir.


BOSTON (AP)  Massachusetts Democrats maintained their hold on the states Congressional delegation Tuesday, with four incumbents fending off Republican and independent challengers and the remaining five coasting to two-year terms without opponents.

Republicans and independents have had a tough time winning seats in Congress in the heavily Democratic state. No Republican has been elected to the U.S. House in Massachusetts in nearly three decades.

The five Democrats who ran unopposed: Jake Auchincloss, Katherine Clark, Seth Moulton, Ayanna Pressley and Lori Trahan,

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrat Richard Neal reelected in 1st Congressional District

Longtime Democrat U.S. Rep. Richard Neal won reelection, defeating independent Nadia Milleron.

Neal was first elected to Congress in 1988 to represent the 1st Congressional District, the states largest in the western and central regions. Hes the top Democrat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

Neal has said that his priorities include fairer taxes, affordable and accessible health care, taking on climate change, preserving Social Security, and more.

Milleron, the niece of consumer advocate Ralph Nader, said she was driven to run for Congress after her daughters 2019 death in the second Boeing 737 Max crash, in Ethiopia. Milleron pushed for passage of a 2020 law requiring the Federal Aviation Administration to change how it certifies new planes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrat James McGovern reelected in 2nd Congressional District

Democrat James McGovern won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Massachusetts, fending off a challenge from independent Cornelius Shea.

McGovern, who was first elected to Congress in 1996, represents the states 2nd Congressional District including Worcester, the states second largest city.

Throughout his tenure in Congress, McGovern has cast himself as an advocate for human rights, including in Chinas Tibet, campaign finance reform and social justice.

McGovern has also been a vigorous critic of the Republican Party under former President Donald Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shea, a 20-year Marine veteran, worked for AT&T before becoming a public school teacher in Worcester. In a campaign statement, he listed illegal immigration, drug overdoses, terrorism and health care costs as his top concerns.

Democrat Stephen Lynch reelected in 8th Congressional District

Democrat Stephen Lynch was reelected to the U.S. House seat hes held for more than two decades, brushing back an effort by Republican Robert Burke to unseat him.

Lynch has held the states 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Boston, since he was elected following the death of Rep. Joseph Moakley in 2001.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The former ironworker is a member of the Financial Services Committee and serves as the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion.

Burke, who describes himself as an amateur journalist and videographer, had said he was reaching out to independent, Democratic and Republican voters tired of what he called the Kamala-Lynch open border. In a campaign statement, he said state money spent on migrants should have gone to help our kids, our roads, our schools, and our veterans.

Democrat Bill Keating reelected in 9th Congressional District

Democrat Bill Keating won reelection to the U.S. House, overcoming a challenge from Republican Dan Sullivan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Keating, who was first elected to the House in 2010, represents the states 9th Congressional District, which includes the states South Shore, South Coast, Cape Cod and the islands of Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket.

Keating currently serves on the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Armed Services.

Keating has pressed for federal funding to help replace the two bridges spanning the Cape Cod Canal. Hes also pushed legislation that would fund care for stranded turtles that wash up on Cape Cod and elsewhere.

Sullivan, a nurse, had said he could bring a fresh perspective to Washington, Sullivan said he supports prosecuting drug dealers while providing addicts with treatment programs. He also backs securing borders, enforcing immigration laws and prioritizing legal immigration for those with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills.
A voter walks toward the stairs leading to an early voting polling location at the Lake Vista Community Center in New Orleans Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.(Matthew Perschall for Louisiana Illuminator)

Its here. Election Day 2024.

And even for a politics nerd like me, I have to admit my usual excitement  think about the kid who was excited to get socks on Christmas morning  is tempered with trepidation over the uncertainty that abounds this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its not the widespread worry over who wins the presidential election. Im old enough to know our democracy was built to survive the swings of extremism in either direction, though its joints are showing some wear and tear.

No, this is more about just not having a firm idea this year of election outcomes in general.

This must have been what it felt like to be a weather forecaster in the days before Super Doppler 9000. Will it rain? Will it snow? Will control of the statehouse flip from the Bull Moose Party to the Greenbacks?

Well just have to wait and see.

In the meantime, heres what Ive been trying to read in the tea leaves without much success.

1) Voter fraud claims  or the absence of them

For all the fuss, rumor mongering and election denying rhetoric at times within the Capitol, state and local election officials  both Democrat and Republican  have consistently attested Louisianas elections are safe and accurate. Yet that didnt provide enough assurance for conservatives who pushed legislation earlier this year based on arguments that more election security is needed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The new laws include specific clampdowns on absentee ballots and voter registration drives, and a rather vague expansion of the states existing voter fraud laws. Also, voter advocates were able to get the state to add three extra days of early voting in Louisiana for the presidential election cycle..

Aside from giving Democrats another seat in the U.S. House, Louisianas Election Day results will have little impact on the bigger national battle for control of Congress and the White House. So while you wont see the intense scrutiny swing states expect here, its still worth monitoring whether officials report any problems at the polls.

Report Election Day problems

If you suspect voter fraud or encounter voting difficulties, you can report it at the following numbersl (Sospecha de fraude electoral o encuentra dificultades para votar Puede denunciarlo a los siguientes numeros).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Louisiana Secretary of State

Division of Election Integrity: 800-722-5305

Legal Defense Fund Election Protection Hotline

English: 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683)

Espanol: 888-VE-Y-VOTA

Asian languages: 888-274-8683

Arabic: 844-YALLA-US (925-5287)

2) Turnout among women

In the first election since the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade, it was anticipated that reproductive health would drive women to the polls this year.

Louisiana, where 51.1% of residents are women, is home to one of the nations strictest abortion bans, with only rigid exceptions that have led reproductive health care providers to leave the state. In addition, a new Louisiana law  the only one of its kind in the nation  went into effect Oct. 1 that designated the pregnancy care drugs mifepristone and misoprostol as dangerous controlled substances.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both are prescribed for medication abortions, but they also have other medical uses. Misoprostol most notably is the go-to drug for treating life-threatening, post-delivery hemorrhages, among other uses.

Figures from the Louisiana secretary of state show, as of Nov. 1, women made up 55% of the states registered voters. Thats less than one percentage point more than before Roe was overturned in summer 2022, triggering Louisianas stringent abortion law into effect.

In the midterm congressional elections that same year, the participation rate for women was 55%. In the first statewide election with the abortion ban in place  the 2023 governors race  the share of Louisiana women voting stayed at 55%.

In this years early voting period (including absentee ballots counted through Nov. 1), the turnout figure for women was 57%. That might be the start of a trend, but its probably not enough to change the expected outcome in a state that Donald Trump won decisively in 2016 and 2020 with 58% support in both elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republicans hold a big edge with nearly 45% of early and absentee ballots cast this year, compared with 36% for Democrats. Well see if that holds up on Election Day.

3) Black voter turnout

Black residents accounted for 30.3% of Louisianas population in 2022 based on the most recent Census revisions, but they cast only 25% of the early votes and absentee ballots as of Nov. 1.

That lean showing means more when you consider the share of registered Black voters in Louisiana is unchanged from four years ago at 31.2%. But in 2020, there were almost 15,500 more Black voters registered in the state than there are now. Any thoughts that having a Black presidential candidate in the race would spur a significant increase in Black voter registration in Louisiana were unrealized.

However, it should be noted there are about 47,000 more Black voters today in Louisiana than when Barack Obama sought the presidency in 2008.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Unlike 16 years ago, Louisiana now has two majority-Black congressional districts  the 2nd and the newly reconfigured 6th. Together, the districts accounted for 57% of early and absentee Black votes heading into Election Day.

In 2020, 63% of registered Black voters in Louisiana took part in the election Joe Biden won, compared with 70% of white voters. It will be interesting to see where those numbers end up this year.

4) The lone constitutional amendment

If you werent aware theres a proposed change to the Louisiana Constitution on the ballot Tuesday, it would be understandable.

There were no organized, statewide campaigns for or against the amendment that would dedicate any revenue from renewable energy projects on Louisianas Outer Continental Shelf to coastal protection and restoration efforts. Even issue-neutral, educational campaigns for the proposal were low key.

The fate of the amendment could come down to whether voters have done their homework and taken an actual position. Without such edification, the measure might suffer a when in doubt, vote no fate.
Five people have been arrested after detectives found a young boy locked in a caged area inside a Kentucky house, according to our media partners WCPO-9 TV.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Monday, Carrollton Police Department detectives received a tip that a young boy was possibly being held in a cage inside a house in the 700 block of 7th Street.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Upon arrival, detectives found a boy under the age of 3, locked behind a wooden and metal enclosure that was secured with a padlock, according to WCPO-9.

Police began investigating and executed a search warrant.

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services took two children from the house.

Brenda Chilton, 71, William Mahoney, 72, Codey Johnson, 29, Tammy Simmons, 52, and Shelby Turocy, 28, were arrested on criminal abuse and wanton endangerment charges.

Turocy is also facing possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia charges.

The five people are currently booked into the Carroll County Detention Center, according to WCPO-9.

Carrollton Police Department said the investigation is ongoing.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  After months of campaigning, Rhode Islanders will finish casting their ballots on Tuesday as they decide races ranging from president to school board.

Aside from the national battle between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, there are several local races catching the attention of political observers and voters.

VOTER GUIDE: Find your polling location for Tuesday

Here are five things to know before the results come in.

1. Mayoral races in several communities

There are races for mayor in multiple Rhode Island cities and towns this year, with Cranston gaining the most attention.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rhode Islands third-largest city is the only one that has a Republican mayor. Incumbent Mayor Ken Hopkins is being challenged by Democrat Robert Ferri, a citywide councilman.

READ MORE: Hopkins, Ferri clash in final Cranston mayoral debate

A much quieter mayoral race in Woonsocket has Mayor Christopher Beauchamp facing City Council President John Ward. Beauchamp is finishing the unexpired time of former Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, who resigned last fall.

In Septembers primary election, Ward and Beauchamp advanced to the November ballot, but Ward placed first, leading by 15 percentage points. Turnout will be much higher Tuesday, however.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The communities of Warwick, Pawtucket and Cumberland also have mayoral contests.

Cumberland Mayor Jeff Mutter and Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebein, both Democrats, are facing independent challengers Brad Dean and Nathan Luciano, respectively.

Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi, an independent, faces Democrat Leah Hazelwood, who is vice chair on the citys School Committee, and independent Patrick Maloney Jr. In Warwick, the candidates are running to serve a four-year term for the first time.

2. Key General Assembly races

Democrats are already poised to retain their supermajorities in Rhode Islands House and Senate  since many seats in both chambers are going uncontested.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the Senate, only 16 of the 38 races are contested, while in the House its 27 out of 75.

For the House, Districts 15, 21, 39 and 42 are seen as having the more competitive races.

District 15 is an open race since state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, R-Cranston, opted out of seeking re-election to make an unsuccessful run for mayor. The District 15 race features Republican Chris Paplauskas, a term-limited Cranston city councilman, and Democrat Maria Bucci, who ran against Hopkins for mayor in 2020.

District 21 is also an open seat after state Rep. Camille Vella-Wilkinson, D-Warwick, chose not to run for another term. This race has two candidates: Republican Marie Hopkins, who lost to Vella-Wilkinson by 38 votes in 2022, and Democrat James McElroy, a Warwick city councilman.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

District 39 was the closest General Assembly race in 2022 and features two of the same candidate from that matchup. State Rep. Megan Cotter, D-Exeter, is facing former Republican state Rep. Justin Price, who beat Cotter in 2020 but lost a rematch in 2022.

In District 42, Democrat Kelsey Coletta and Republican Richard Fascia are running for a seat that is guaranteed to have a new representative come January. Coletta already defeated state Rep. Edward Cardillo Jr. for the Democratic nomination in the September primary.

The district is mostly located in Johnston, a town that has voted for former President Donald Trump twice, which has made Republicans hopeful about potentially flipping the seat.

In the Senate, Districts 25, 26 and 29 are considered races to keep an eye on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

District 25, located in Johnston, is an open race due to the death of Democratic state Sen. Frank Lombardo III. Democrat Andrew Dimitri and Republican Karin Gorman are vying to represent the district come January.

Over in District 26, state Sen. Frank Lombardi, D-Cranston, didnt seek another term, making this another open seat. Todd Patalano, a major in the Cranston Police Department, is running as a Democrat and faces Republican Jenn Caputi.

In District 29, state Sen. Anthony DeLuca II, R-Warwick, is being challenged by Democrat Peter Appollonio Jr. The seat was held by former Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey for years, but DeLuca flipped it to the Republican column following McCaffreys retirement in 2022.

3. Providence School Board races

This year will be the first time in decades that voters in Providence can elect members of the School Board.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After a voter-approved city charter change in 2022, five members of the 10-member body now have to be elected. Previously, all 10 were appointed by the mayor.

Each of the new School Board seats is the size of three City Council wards. They are split up by region: North, South, East, West and Central.

BACKGROUND: Heres the map for Providences new school board elections

The remaining five members are still appointed by the mayor, but more than one member cant be selected from the same region.

The city has a candidate guide on its website with in-depth information about each candidate in all five regions who responded to a survey sent to them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Elected members will serve a four-year term, meaning theyll be on the School Board when the states takeover of the public school district is expected to end.

4. Ballot questions

On the ballot will also be multiple measures voters are asked to weigh in on.

READ MORE: What are the 2024 ballot questions for Rhode Island?

One of the measures, Question 1, asks voters if Rhode Island should hold a constitutional convention. This question comes up every 10 years on the ballot, typically the year ending in the number four.

The last time a convention was held was in 1986 after voters okayed one in 1984.

A coalition called R.I. Citizens for Responsible Government has launched an aggressive campaign urging voters to reject the question. Recent polling by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center showed 47% of likely voters said they plan to vote against the question, while only 34% say they plan to vote in favor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

ALSO READ: Poll: Harris maintains double-digit lead over Trump in RI, Mass.

Voters will also be asked if they support or oppose bonds for various projects, including $120 million for increasing housing availability, $10 million to invest in the arts and $160 million for improving facilities at Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island.

A bond question hasnt failed in the state since 2006.

5. Voter turnout and when to expect results

This year is the first post-pandemic presidential election where there are more accessible voting rules in place.

As of Monday evening more than 219,000 people  27.7% of the total possible turnout  have voted in Rhode Island either by mail or early in-person, according to the voter turnout tracker.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The results for some of these local races could also change throughout the night as ballots are being counted. Typically, in-person votes from the day of are posted first, followed by the early voting and mail-in ballot results.

According to the R.I. Board of Elections, the first results will be available to view starting at 8:10 p.m. Mail ballots will be added to the total later in the evening. In recent years, most of the vote has been tabulated in Rhode Island by 10 p.m.

12 News is Your Local Election Headquarters. Stay with us for in-depth coverage through Primary Day, including real-time results after the polls close.

Your Local Election HQ

 Live Updates 

 RI/MA Results 

 National Results 

 Latest Headlines 

Your Local Election Headquarters

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Nesi's Notes

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
Fifty-one attorneys general from U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia are making a bipartisan push for a peaceful transfer of power and a nonviolent response from voters to the 2024 election results.

Regardless of the outcome of Tuesdays election, we expect that Americans will respond peacefully and we condemn any acts of violence related to the results. A peaceful transfer of power is the highest testament to the rule of law, a tradition that stands at the heart of our nations stability, reads the statement, released by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).

The statement is signed by the top prosecutors from almost all U.S. states  with the exceptions of Indiana, Montana and Texas  plus D.C. and the territories of American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We call upon every American to vote, participate in civil discourse and, above all, respect the integrity of the democratic process, the statement continues.

Let us come together after this election not divided by outcomes but united in our shared commitment to the rule of law and safety of all Americans. Violence has no place in the democratic process; we will exercise our authority to enforce the law against any illegal acts that threaten it.

The officials note that their plea comes after polling suggesting many Americans are concerned about postelection chaos and potential violence.

Roughly three-quarters of voters in a recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Research Center said theyre at least somewhat concerned about violence over the election outcome, and states and cities across the country are reportedly preparing for potential election-related violence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It also comes nearly four years after the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol, where a mob clashed with law enforcement and breached the building as lawmakers met to certify the 2020 election results, when former President Trump lost to President Biden.

Trump has continued to tout disproven claims of widespread 2020 election fraud as he runs for another term this fall. Hes locked in a razor-tight race with Vice President Harris, as Decision Desk HQ/The Hills polling averages show a national tie on Election Day  and election experts are on high alert for potential postelection violence amid the highly polarized race.

The effort by the attorneys general was led by Ohios Dave Yost (R), Connecticuts William Tong (D), Kansass Kris Kobach (R) and Oregons Ellen Rosenblum, the NAAG president (D).

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The origins of writing in ancient Mesopotamia and beyond may rest on a group of cylindrical seals. A team of archeologists from the University of Bologna in Italy has identified a series of correlations between the designs engraved on some roughly 6,000-year-old cylinders and other signs of the proto-cuneiform script that emerged in present day Iraq. The findings are detailed in a study published November 5 in the journal Antiquity.

Making the jump from using symbols to writing is considered a major development in human cognitive abilities. Tracing how and when it began can reveal more about daily life in ancient societies and how our species evolved.

[Related: Ancient Mesopotamian texts show when and why humans first kissed.]

The invention of writing marks the transition between prehistory and history, and the findings of this study bridge this divide by illustrating how some late prehistoric images were incorporated into one of the earliest invented writing systems, study co-author and University of Bologna archaeologist Silvia Ferrara said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The scrolls were found in what was once the city of Uruk, tucked between the Tigris and Euphrates river in present day Iraq. Uruk was one of the first cities to emerge in Mesopotamia and was an important hub throughout the fourth millennium BCE. It had a great deal of influence over a large region from present day southwestern Iran to modern southeastern Turkey.

Cylinder seals that were created in the Uruk region were generally made of stone and engraved with a series of designs. The cylinders were then rolled onto clay tablets, an impression of the design stamped onto the clay like a cookie press. Beginning around the mid-fourth millennium BCE, cylinder seals like these were used as part of an accounting system. The system tracked the production, storage, and transport of various consumer goods in and out of the city, particularly agricultural and textile products.

Photograph of proto-cuneiform tablet showing signs discussed in the article. CREDIT: Courtesy of CDLI  Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative

Proto-cuneiform is among the earliest known forms of human writing and appeared within this need to keep track of trade. The archaic form of writing consists of hundreds of pictographic signs. Over half of these images remain undeciphered to this day. Similar to the cylinder seals, proto-cuneiform was also used for accounting. Proto-cuneiform has primarily been documented in southern Iraq.

The close relationship between ancient sealing and the invention of writing in southwest Asia has long been recognised, but the relationship between specific seal images and sign shapes has hardly been explored, said Ferrara. This was our starting question: did seal imagery contribute significantly to the invention of signs in the first writing in the region?

[Related: Cave drawings from 20,000 years ago may feature an early form of writing.]

In the new study, the team systematically compared the designs on the cylinders with proto-cuneiform signs. They looked for correlations that could reveal direct relationships in both the symbols graphic form and meaning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We focused on seal imagery that originated before the invention of writing, while continuing to develop into the proto-literate period, study co-authors Kathryn Kelley and Mattia Cartolano, added. This approach allowed us to identify a series of designs related to the transport of textiles and pottery, which later evolved into corresponding proto-cuneiform signs.

Diagrams of proto-cuneiform signs and their precursors from pre-literate seals. CREDIT: Courtesy of CDLI  Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative

On the scrolls, they saw correlations and found a link between the use of this cylinder seal system of communication and the eventual invention of writing. For example, a proto-cuneiform symbol designated as ZATU639 is comparable in both shape and context to an impression of a bull found on the cylinders.

The team believes that this demonstrates how the engravings are directly connected to how proto-cuneiform developed in the Uruk region. The findings offer new perspectives for studying the evolution of symbolic and writing systems. They also have gained new insight into the possible meanings of the designs on cylinder seals that could help researchers decipher many of the still-unknown signs in proto-cuneiform.
You can use the database to search by county or by restaurant name.

Florida's restaurant owners are not required to post restaurant inspection results where guests can see them. So every week, we provide that information for you.

For a complete list of local restaurant inspections, including violations not requiring warnings or administrative action, visit our Lake County restaurant inspections site.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Lake County, Florida, for the week of Oct. 28-Nov. 3, 2024. Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as a 'snapshot' of conditions present at the time of the inspection. On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment.

For full restaurant inspection details, visit our Lake County restaurant inspection site.

Which Lake County restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections?

These restaurants met all standards during their Oct. 28-Nov. 3 inspections and no violations were found.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

** Restaurants that failed an inspection and aced a follow-up inspection in the same week

Which Lake County restaurants had high priority violations?

508 Main Ave., Minneola

Complaint Inspection on Oct. 31

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

17 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations

High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. -0 ppm. Operator adjusted, 50 ppm **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. -cooked mushrooms and onions (49F - cooling, prepared yesterday ). Operator discarded. **Warning**

High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. -cooked mushrooms and onions (49F - cooling, prepared yesterday ). Operator discarded. **Warning**

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -raw beef over milk wash in reach in cooler on cook line. **Warning**

High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. -ROP tuna not removed from packaging prior to thawing **Warning**

1350 W. North Blvd., Leesburg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Complaint Inspection on Oct. 31

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

20 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations

High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. -Observed cook handle bread with bare hands. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. -Stored at room temperature. Less than 4 hours. Advised to rapid chill. Cook placed on ice. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -Whipped spread 78f. Less than 4 hours. Advised to rapid chill. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Potatoes 77f, Hashbrowns 93f. Less than 4 hours. Advised to reheat. **Warning**

1350 W. North Blvd., Leesburg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Complaint Inspection on Nov. 1

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

13 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -Whipped spread 78f. Less than 4 hours. Advised to rapid chill. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-01: Whipped spread 78f. Operator has butter packets on ice, but advised to put less packets in bowl. **Time Extended**

3650 S. U.S. 27, Clermont

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Routine Inspection on Oct. 30

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

23 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. -vodka sauce (48F - cooling, prepared yesterday); Hunter gravy (49F - cooling, prepared yesterday); sausage marinara (48F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); housemade marinara (48F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); beef soup (49F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); housemade carbonara (47F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); queso (46F - cooling, prepared yesterday ) pasta salad (47F - cooling, prepared yesterday operator discarded. **Warning**

High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. vodka sauce (48F - cooling, prepared yesterday); Hunter gravy (49F - cooling, prepared yesterday); sausage marinara (48F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); housemade marinara (48F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); beef soup (49F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); housemade carbonara (47F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); queso (46F - cooling, prepared yesterday ) pasta salad (47F - cooling, prepared yesterday **Warning**

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. -grill cleaner stored with sauces under prep table on cook line. **Corrected On-Site**

3650 S. U.S. 27, Clermont

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Routine Inspection on Oct. 31

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

22 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. -vodka sauce (48F - cooling, prepared yesterday); Hunter gravy (49F - cooling, prepared yesterday); sausage marinara (48F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); housemade marinara (48F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); beef soup (49F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); housemade carbonara (47F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); queso (46F - cooling, prepared yesterday ) pasta salad (47F - cooling, prepared yesterday operator discarded. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-31: Cooked turkey 51F, cooling, prepared yesterday Cooked vegetable mix, 51F, cooling, prepared yesterday **Admin Complaint**

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. vodka sauce (48F - cooling, prepared yesterday); Hunter gravy (49F - cooling, prepared yesterday); sausage marinara (48F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); housemade marinara (48F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); beef soup (49F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); housemade carbonara (47F - cooling, prepared yesterday ); queso (46F - cooling, prepared yesterday ) pasta salad (47F - cooling, prepared yesterday **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-31: Cooked turkey 51F, cooling, prepared yesterday Cooked vegetable mix, 51F, cooling, prepared yesterday **Admin Complaint**

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. -grill cleaner stored with sauces under prep table on cook line. **Corrected On-Site** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-31: **Time Extended**

24929 CR 42, Paisley

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Routine Inspection on Oct. 31

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

1 total violation, with 1 high-priority violation

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. -0 ppm. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-17: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-31: Operator is waiting on technician. Machine is not in use and shut off. **Time Extended**

16640 Cagan Crossing Blvd., Ste 301, Clermont

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Routine Inspection on Oct. 28

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

29 total violations, with 7 high-priority violations

High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. -employee began cutting lettuce with no hand wash.

High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. -employee cut lettuce for salad with no handwash, no gloves on. Operator discarded.

High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. -1 flying insect in back kitchen -2 flying insects in front lobby and by soda boxes by server area. **Warning**

High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. -0 ppm, operator changed, was 300 ppm **Corrected On-Site**

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -raw chicken over broccoli and avocados in walk in cooler. -raw shell eggs behind salami at make table in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -housemade macaroni salad (52F - Cold Holding);. shrimp salad (49F - Cold Holding) octopus salad (51F - Cold Holding), rechecked was 41 F, all held less than four hours per operator. Operator moved to walk in freezer quick call. At recheck macaroni salad 43F, octopus salad 41 F, shrimp salad was discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. -pork belly (121F - Hot Holding), front line, held less than four hours per operator. Operator moved to oven for rapid reheat. At recheck was 166 F **Corrected On-Site**

601 Cagan Park Ave. #401, Clermont

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Routine Inspection on Oct. 30

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

18 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 0 ppm at bar **Warning**

High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. -numerous flying insects near mop sink and dry storage area. **Warning**

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -cream cheese (48F - Cold Holding); butter (47F - Cold Holding); raw cod (50F - Cold Holding); potato salad (49F - Cold Holding); coleslaw (48F - Cold Holding), held less than four hours per operation. Operator moved to walk in freezer for quick chill. Recheck: cream cheese42F, butter 40 F, raw cod 41F, potato salad 46F, coleslaw 46F **Corrective Action Taken**

What agency inspects restaurants in Florida?

Routine regulation and inspection of restaurants is conducted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Department of Health is responsible for investigation and control of food-borne illness outbreaks associated with all food establishments.

How do I report a dirty restaurant in Florida?

If you see abuses of state standards, report them and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will send inspectors. Call the Florida DBPR at 850-487-1395 or report a restaurant for health violations online.

Get the whole story at our restaurant inspection database.

What does all that terminology in Florida restaurant inspections mean?

Basic violations are those considered against best practices.

A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report.

An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: "Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over."

An emergency order  when a restaurant is closed by the inspector  is based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public.

A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Leesburg area restaurant/food truck inspections: Oct. 28-Nov. 3, 2024
Earths surface is about 70 percent water. Our blue planet is more ocean than anything else. And heres another fact: About 80 percent of consumer goodsnearly all the stuff we buy in stores and onlineare transported by ship. Combined, that means lots of junk ends up overboard during long voyages between landmasses. We are all connected to the ocean, even if youre just going to the store and buying some clothes, says Andrew DeVogelaere, a research ecologist with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Its difficult to know exactly how much stuff ends up in the vast blue, says Jessica Conway, a response specialist for NOAAs Marine Debris Program. However, she points to one 2020 study that estimated about 23 million metric tons of plastic waste reached waterways in 2016. There are many sources of marine debris, she notes. Regular run-off carries trash from streets and landfills alike out to sea. Major storms and floods push big influxes of human-made stuff off-shore. Fishing, drilling, and other marine industries leave trash in their wake like lines, nets, and other equipment. And then, of course, shipping containers fall off of cargo ships, triggering spills.

Varying fates befall every lost bit of artificial detritus at sea. Some things entangle wildlife. Others get inadvertently eaten, and end up lodged in the digestive tracts of aquatic animals or circulating in the food web as microplastics. Some bulkier items like appliances and empty vessels block channels, causing navigational difficulties and economic disruption, says Conway. Lots of plastics end up floating near the surface in gyres like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. And some stuff gets beached. Here are some of the oddest things to ever wash up on sandy shores.

Friendly Floatees

In 1992, some 28,000 rubber duckies, turtles, beavers, and frogs fell from a cargo ship during a storm in the North Pacific. The bath toys breached containment and ended up free-floating in the biggest bathtub of all, circulating around the worlds oceans. They made their way to coastlines as distant as Australia, Indonesia, Chile, Hawaii, and Alaska. Some even passed through the Bering Strait, traversed the Arctic Sea, and landed on the shores of the UK.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Oceanographers Curtis Ebbesmeyer and James Ingraham tracked their journeys, made predictions, and used the minor environmental catastrophe as a way to study Earths ocean currents. Other marine debris have also provided valuable information, including a 1990 cargo ship incident that sent more than 60,000 Nike shoes into the sea and disposable lighters washed up in East Asia.

A lot o Legos

Five million Legos were lost when a cargo ship nearly capsized off the southwest coast of England in 1997, in an event known as the Great Lego Spill. Theyve been washing ashore British and European beaches since.

In a terribly ironic twist, many of the millions of plastic block bits were molded to resemble sea creatures or otherwise nautically themed. There are flippers, scuba tanks, lifeboats, seaweed, octopuses, and more. Among the cargo was also more than 50,000 plastic sharks, but unlike some of the lighter play pieces, the sharks dont seem to float. Only one has been recovered so far, according to the Lego Lost At Sea, a social media group that tracks the pieces, and it was dredged up from the depths by a fisherman.

One BIG Lego

Beginning in 2007, thereve been several instances of a giant Lego-esque figurine appearing in the tide or on the beach in various countries (The Netherlands, the U.S., Japan, and the UKto name a few). Though initially mysterious, all of the incidents are believed to be the work of an anonymous artist dubbed Ego Leonard who plants his figurative sculptures at public seasides (or releases them directly into the ocean) in an act of performance art.

Children attempt to move the Ego Leonard appearing in 2008 at Brighton Beach near the Brighton Pier. Credit: Dufois/WikiMedia

Other instances of purposefully planted, attention-grabbing beach wash-up include a fake dragon skull installed on a UK beach known for fossil finds in 2013. It was a viral marketing tactic for Game of Thrones season 3.

Garfield phones

For 35 years, hauntingly broken novelty landline phones shaped like beloved comic cat Garfield, kept washing ashore in Brittany, France. The source of the niche devices was a mystery for decades, until a local man remembered a shipping container lodged in a nearly inaccessible sea cave. Finally, the French were able to track down the source of all those garish Garfields. Unfortunately, as of 2019, they still havent been able to clean up the cave.

Cigarettes

The stray cigarette butt polluting the sand on a summer getaway isnt so out of place. But when thousands of packs and complete cartons come ashore, thats a different story. In 2014, a Danish cargo ship dumped 500 shipping containers into French waters. Inside at least one of them were cartons and cartons of Marlboro cigarettes. UK authorities reported removing 11 million cigarettes from one single beach during a cleanup effort in southwestern England. And just two years later, the same thing seems to have happened again. The cigarettes were no longer fit to smoke, but the UK customs agency reportedly incinerated them to generate electricity.

Medical waste

Heaps of medical waste, including needles, syringes, and pill bottles washed up on Mid-Atlantic beaches in September of this yeartemporarily shutting down popular swimming beaches in Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. Weeks on from the incident, investigatory authorities have yet to publicly identify the source of the hazardous debris.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yet its not the first time that medical waste has polluted beaches. In 2019, a similar wash-up occurred in Pakistan. And in 2008, a dentist was charged for illegally dumping trash bags full of needles and other waste into an inlet on the Jersey Shore.

In the most recent case, though the responsible party has yet to be found, Conway says its not hard to imagine how something like this could happen. There is a lot of mismanagement in how we handle waste, and theres a lot of opportunity for waste to be released into the environment just in transit, she explains. Its possible that the medical waste was aboard a cargo ship or trash barge for transportation elsewhere, as many places, like islands low on land space, ship their trash on the ocean.

Beach wash-ups can be local environmental fiascos, and it takes lots of effort to clean up tons of hazardous medical waste from natures sandbox. In a way though, its the best-case scenario for marine debris, says DeVogelaere. If something comes to shore, it can be removed, he explains. In contrast, the stuff that sinks is stuck there. DeVogelaere has spent about two decades monitoring one of 15 shipping containers lost in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Initially, the container fell into the deep sea and crushed everything beneath it. Over the years, its attracted an idiosyncratic animal community, different from everything around it.

20 years on, and theres almost no degradation happening to the container itself, while it alters its surroundings. Looking at it, youd think, oh, this could have fallen in here last year, he says. Aside from the hyper-local impacts, DeVogelaeres concern is that containers lost along consistent shipping routes year after year could be creating stepping stones for invasive species in the deep seaallowing creatures to leapfrog from one spot to the next. The deep sea is poorly studied, he notes. We dont even know the names of a lot of these things were impacting a whole ecosystem that we dont even understand.
Almost 700 people who early voted in Mingo County, W.Va., used incorrect ballots. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch)

The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia has filed a legal action over a candidate being left off of the ballot for a portion of early voting in Mingo County. The agency filed a writ of mandamus Tuesday in Mingo County Circuit Court.

The filing, on behalf of Mingo County resident James Williamson against Mingo County Clerk Larry Croaff and the clerks office, seeks to get them to conduct the election of a candidate for West Virginias 6th Senate District in accordance with their clear and established legal duty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jeff Disibbio, the Democrat candidate for the state Senates 6th district race, was left off the countys ballot beginning Wednesday, Oct. 23, when early voting started, until Monday, Oct. 28, when the mistake was corrected. The ballot instead listed Randy Fowler, who won the Democratic primary but was disqualified from running in the general election due to failure to file campaign finance reports. Approximately 700 people voted with incorrect ballots during that time.

Croaff told West Virginia Watch that people who voted early could cast a provisional ballot if the error affected the way they voted, but the Secretary of States Office said that theres no statutory procedure for the board of canvassers to count provisional ballots for voters who voted in person early. Under the circumstances, provisional ballots cant be counted if an early voters ballot was not challenged, Donald Kersey, chief of staff for the secretary of states office, told West Virginia Watch.

Kersey said the Secretary of States Office said it was investigating the ballot mistake.

In a written statement Tuesday, ACLU-WV staff attorney Nick Ward said the mess-up isnt a partisan issue but one of ballot integrity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now more than ever we need to ensure that our elections are fair and that everyones vote is counted, regardless of who they vote for or how likely that candidate is to win, Ward said. That right is fundamental to our democracy.

Races have been decided on far fewer than 700 votes, Ward said. In a democracy, the voters choose their leaders, not the other way around. Thats why were asking the court to order that the Mingo County clerk do whatever it takes to make this right, and make sure every eligible West Virginian in their community can meaningfully exercise their right to vote.

Croaff did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment when the legal action was filed  around 5 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
You saw the lines out there to vote ahead of Election Day. Turnout this year will be no joke, according to Ada County elections officials.

Voter registration is setting records. In 2020, the county had about 321,000 registered voters, including people who register on Election Day. As of Monday, the county had already exceeded that number, said Nicole Camarda, a spokesperson for the county elections office. The county had about 230,000 registered voters in 2016.

As of Monday, nearly 6,000 people had registered to vote during early voting, Camarda told the Idaho Statesman by email. The county typically sees about 20,000 new registrations on Election Day, Elections Director Saul Seyler said at an Oct. 17 news conference.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These late registrants could raise the number of registered voters to nearly 350,000. In 2023, Ada County had about 410,000 residents of voting age.

Turnout is setting records, too, in early voting  and the county seems likely to set a record in overall turnout. It set a record for number of ballots cast in 2020, with over 260,000 cast. As of Monday, county voters had already cast over 130,000 votes in early voting.

County Clerk Trent Tripple estimated turnout this election would be well over 80% of registered voters.

This could certainly be the largest election in Ada County, Camarda said Monday by email.

Ada County poll workers process unused ballots at the county Elections Office after the May 2024 primary election.

Republicans dominate absentee ballots

As of Wednesday, early voters had cast almost 300,000 ballots throughout Idaho  surpassing the total number of ballots cast in the May primary, according to a news release from the Idaho Secretary of States office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Of the ballots cast, over 60% were from registered Republicans. About 20% were registered as unaffiliated, and about 15% were registered Democrats.

Ada County poll workers at the Elections Office collect voting machines, paper ballots and other election supplies from each of the countys 197 precincts after the May primary election.

That uptick reflected trends in other states. North Carolina broke its turnout record on its first day of early voting, soon after Georgia far outpaced its first-day voting total from 2020, The Washington Post reported.

What to know to vote

If you havent voted yet, check out the Idaho Statesmans story, A procrastinators guide to Idahos general election. It has details and links to news stories and official voting sites that will inform you in a hurry about what and who (besides Donald Trump and Kamala Harris) are on your ballot, and what you need to do to vote.

If you have voted in past years, your voting precinct may have changed. To keep up with growth and keep precincts at a manageable size, the state redistricted in 2022, adding almost 50 new precincts. Even since then, some precincts have grown too quickly  so that process will continue to evolve, Seyler said. The county has also bought more voting equipment, including scanners and voting booths.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voters registering on Election Day must provide a current photo ID and proof of residence, like a lease or utility bill.

Polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. To follow results as they come in, stay tuned to IdahoStatesman.com.

Voter Guide 2024: Read candidates answers before you head to the polls in Boise area

There is a buzz out there: Ahead of Election Day, Boise area sets early voting record

Its not about the R or D: In a Boise swing district, Dems want Trump voters support
The federal government's decision to list the lesser prairie chicken as endangered or threatened could inspire interest in a system of conservation banking that pays landowners a market rate for protecting bird habitat. (Photo via Getty Images)

TOPEKA  Entrepreneur and conservationist Wayne Walker says the business of saving the lesser prairie chicken in Kansas required wider commitment to paying market rates to landowners dedicated to improving grassland habitat for the vulnerable birds.

He said companies involved in energy production within regions favored by the prairie chicken often had good intentions in terms of addressing the need for biological diversity and addressing climate change concerns. But, he said, too many balked at paying the true cost of a landowner setting aside large tracts for benefit of the colorful, reclusive prairie chicken.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Walker, owner of Common Ground Capital and CEO of LPC Conservation, said on Kansas Reflectors podcast that programs designed to aid the lesser prairie chicken tended to fall short because they didnt pay farmers or ranchers enough to justify multigenerational shifts in land use.

You cant keep asking the ranchers to be good conservationists for free. Thats essentially what weve done to date and  is why we have lost so much prairie and this birds in trouble, Walker said.

Our financial system is designed to make a profit and conservation historically has been kept out of that model, he said. Until a rancher can make a profit conserving prairie because of the prairie chicken or some other ecosystem service  just like he can make money selling his wind rights or his solar rights or his mineral rights or his development rights  its not going to turn around.

In 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service controversially listed two distinct population segments of the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act due to habitat loss and fragmentation of grassland areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the northern region, including western Kansas, southeastern Colorado, western Oklahoma and the northeast Texas panhandle, the lesser prairie-chicken was listed as threatened. The southern range of the lesser prairie-chicken in eastern New Mexico and the southwest Texas panhandle was listed as endangered due to the threat of extinction.

The decision of federal regulators enraged members of the Kansas congressional delegation who denounced the listing as an overreach damaging to the states agriculture and energy sectors.

U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, a Republican serving the 1st District that includes much of the birds habitat in Kansas, said the listing amounted to a proxy war on American agriculture and energy sectors that are vital to our economy.

He said the federal government should get out of the way of farmers, ranchers and landowners, who he described as the original conservationists.

Michael Smith appears by Zoom video for an Oct. 22, 2024, recording of the Kansas Reflector podcast. (Photo by Sherman Smith / Kansas Reflector)

More than a cudgel

Years of brawling among energy companies, environmentalists, elected officials and federal regulators led to the listing and fueled the inevitable flurry of lawsuits.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mike Smith, who works with LPC Conservation projects in five states, said the population of lesser prairie chicken had dropped to perhaps 25,000. In certain years, due to good rainfall, there might be a temporary surge in the population. Drought has the opposite impact on the birds.

The long-term spiral, despite a hodgepodge of voluntary programs and initiatives, justified intervention with the federal Endangered Species Act, Smith said.

He said mandates from the federal government could prompt greater environmental awareness to deterioration of bird habitat and raise the profile of approaches anchored to business principles.

The Endangered Species Act provides a cudgel, and, you know, keeps everybody honest, but the outsourcing of conservation work to the states and then having state rangers or state wildlife managers in the land business has not worked, Smith said. They dont know how to cobble together the last of the best properties in order to make  these easements, which is what Wayne (Walker) has done in his conservation banking business.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Walker said collaboration could work if there was sufficient financial incentive for property owners to redirect land resources in a way that also benefitted the bird.

The old conservation models have done some good things, but overall were losing, right? Walker said. It just became clear to me  we had to bring some business acumen to it.

Wayne Walker, owner of Common Ground Capital and CEO of LPC Conservation, points out conservation areas on the Gardiner ranch in April 2024. (Photo by Rachel Mipro / Kansas Reflector)

Its a business

Common Ground Capital works to identify landowners with property that possessed ecological and biological features that could be restored and preserved through a system of conservation banking. Property owners enter into long term protective land easements that serve interests of prairie chickens in exchange for a prescribed revenue stream. It would be ideal to build strongholds for the kesser prairie chicken with 25,000 to 50,000 acres each, Walker said.

When the varied interests come together, companies with a large imprint on the environment  energy companies, for example  purchase conservation credits to position themselves as more clean and green. Wind and solar industries have taken to conservation banking more than oil and gas interests.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We approach it like a developer would approach building a housing development. You know, location, location. Where are the birds? Where are there ranchers there that are willing to talk to us about this arrangement. And then, of course, with the Fish and Wildlife Service, there are standards we have to meet, Walker said.

Listing of the bird as threatened and endangered ought to build momentum for conservation banking. Common Ground Capital, and companies like it, would profit by bringing the diverse interests together.

I really dont want to be apologizing for that. I mean, people have accused me of trying to get rich off the prairie chicken, Walker said. Look, if its a get-rich-quick scheme, it is the worst one in history because we do this for 12 years, and we still arent quite in the black yet.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Eight German nationals, including one member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, have been detained over their ties to a right-wing terrorist organization, dpa learned on Tuesday.

All but one of the individuals were held in the eastern German state of Saxony, while the suspected ringleader was detained in Poland.

Germany's Federal Prosecutor's Office described the group - called the "Saxon Separatists" - as a militant organization of 15 to 20 individuals hoping to "establish a state and society based on National Socialism" in eastern Germany.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its members, prosecutors said, share a profound rejection of Germany's free and democratic constitutional order, and an ideology marked by racist, anti-Semitic and apocalyptic beliefs.

The group is reportedly convinced that Germany is on the verge of "collapse," after which the organization plans to take control of areas in Saxony and possibly other eastern German states by force.

Prosecutors said that, according to the group's plan, "undesired groups of people are to be removed from the area by ethnic cleansing if necessary."

AfD member reportedly among those detained

According to unconfirmed reports from dpa sources, the AfD member is allegedly a local politician from Saxony and part of the AfD's youth faction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The politician is said to have appeared before the police officers with a long gun during the raid, prompting the police to fire two warning shots.

The reports said the politician sustained a jaw injury during the arrest and is currently undergoing surgery. Witness statements are expected to help clarify how the injury occurred and provide further details on the incident.

The regional branch of the AfD in Saxony rejected any connection to the militant group.

"Our party stands firmly with the free democratic basic order. We have nothing in common with such a presumably neo-Nazi 'separatist group,' neither in terms of content nor in terms of organization," party spokesman Andreas Harlass told dpa.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the allegations against the politician are confirmed, he will be expelled from the party immediately, a spokesman for the federal party said when asked.

The AfD's youth faction said too that as far as it is concerned "this is in an independent association that is not organizationally connected to the AfD."

Individuals underwent paramilitary training

According to the prosecutor, the group is thought to have been formed in November 2020 at the latest. Four of those detained are said to be among the original members, while one is believed to be the group's ringleader.

The prosecutor said that the group members had repeatedly undergone paramilitary training with combat equipment: "In particular, they practised urban warfare, handling firearms, night and forced marches, and patrolling."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The group had obtained military equipment such as camouflage suits, helmets, gas masks and protective vests, it said.

German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said: "It is a great success that the Federal Public Prosecutor and the security authorities have managed to uncover these monstrous plans and arrest those responsible."

At the same time, he said that this investigation is a reminder that Germany's basic order is threatened from many sides.

"The fact that weapons training had been provided and military equipment procured shows how dangerous these right-wing extremists are," German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said.

Six remanded in custody

An investigating judge issued a pre-trial detention order for six of the suspects on Tuesday evening, according to a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office in the western city of Karlsruhe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was initially unclear when the remaining two suspects would be brought before the judge. The suspected ringleader was still believed to be in Poland, while another man was reportedly injured.

More than 450 members of the security forces and police officers were deployed as part of the operation in Germany alone, according to the prosecutor's office.

The prosecutor said searches are ongoing for seven additional suspects.
A member of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been arrested during a raid against suspected right-wing terrorists in Germany, Poland and Austria, dpa learned on Tuesday.

The individual is reportedly a local politician from the eastern German state of Saxony and is allegedly part of the political party's youth faction.

According to unconfirmed reports from dpa sources, the suspect is said to have sustained a jaw injury doing his arrest and is currently undergoing surgery. Witness statements are expected to help clarify how the injury occurred and provide further details on the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Earlier, German prosecutors announced that eight suspected members of an extreme right-wing terrorist organization had been arrested in Saxony and Poland.

The prosecutor's office described the group as a militant organization of 15 to 20 individuals with an ideology marked by racist, anti-Semitic, and partially apocalyptic beliefs. Its members, it said, share a profound rejection of Germany's free and democratic constitutional order.
German authorities arrested eight suspected members of an extreme right-wing terrorist organization, including a member of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, dpa learned on Tuesday.

The party member is reportedly a local politician from the eastern German state of Saxony and is allegedly part of the AfD's youth faction.

The prosecutor's office described the terrorist group, called the "Saxon Separatists," as a militant organization of 15 to 20 individuals with an ideology marked by racist, anti-Semitic, and partially apocalyptic beliefs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its members, it said, share a profound rejection of Germany's free and democratic constitutional order.

The group is reportedly convinced that Germany is on the verge of "collapse." When this happens, it plans to take control of areas in Saxony and possibly other eastern German states by force "to establish a state and society based on National Socialism there," the prosecutor said in a statement.

It said that according to the group's plan, "undesired groups of people are to be removed from the area by ethnic cleansing if necessary."

Authorities carried out raids in Saxony, Poland and Austria.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to unconfirmed reports from dpa sources, the politician is said to have appeared before the police officers with a long gun during the raid, prompting the police to fire two warning shots.

The reports said the politician sustained a jaw injury during the arrest and is currently undergoing surgery. Witness statements are expected to help clarify how the injury occurred and provide further details on the incident.

The regional branch of the AfD in Saxony rejected any connection to the militant group.

"Our party stands firmly with the free democratic basic order. We have nothing in common with such a presumably neo-Nazi 'separatist group,' neither in terms of content nor in terms of organization," party spokesman Andreas Harlass told dpa.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the allegations against the politician are confirmed, he will be expelled from the party immediately, a spokesman for the federal party said when asked.

The AfD's youth faction said too that as far as it is concerned "this is in an independent association that is not organizationally connected to the AfD."

According to the prosecutor, the group is thought to have been formed in November 2020 at the latest. Four of those detained are said to be among the original members, while one is believed to be the group's ringleader.

The prosecutor said that the group members had repeatedly undergone paramilitary training with combat equipment: "In particular, they practised urban warfare, handling firearms, night and forced marches, and patrolling."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The group had obtained military equipment such as camouflage suits, helmets, gas masks and protective vests, it said.

German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said: "It is a great success that the Federal Public Prosecutor and the security authorities have managed to uncover these monstrous plans and arrest those responsible."

At the same time, he said that this investigation is a reminder that Germany's basic order is threatened from many sides.

"The fact that weapons training had been provided and military equipment procured shows how dangerous these right-wing extremists are," German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An investigating judge issued a pre-trial detention order for two of the suspects on Tuesday evening, according to a spokeswoman for the federal public prosecutor's office in Karlsruhe.

Four more suspects were to be brought before the judge later in the evening, to decide whether they will be remanded in custody.

It was initially unclear when the remaining two suspects would be brought before the judge.

More than 450 members of the security forces and police officers were deployed as part of the operation in Germany alone, according to the prosecutor's office.

The prosecutor said searches are ongoing for seven additional suspects.
With less than nine hours until voting begins, a local social justice group promoted a strong voter turnout.

The African American Concerned Clergy hosted a collaborative effort to reach the Erie community about the importance of exercising your right to vote.

Just in time  Voters turn in last-minute mail-in ballots

Many ministries in the area have worked together to help voters get rides to the polls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One member of the group that came together shared how exercising your rights will make a difference on all political levels.

Campaign volunteers make final case for candidates before Election Day

We have a lot at stake this is an election. In war, in choice, an election of freedom and an election of where you choose to go backward or forward. So a lot is at stake here, said

The African American Concerned Clergy organized Mondays event with Eries Black Wall Street.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  Attorney General (AG) Phil Weiser has filed a lawsuit against a local car warranty company, located off North Academy Boulevard near Palmer Park, for allegedly selling fraudulent car warranties.

On Monday, Nov. 4, AG Weiser filed a lawsuit against Champion Car Warranty and the companys owners Jack Yedid and Ralph Anteby after an investigation found they sold fraudulent car warranties and misrepresented their products and reputation.

Champion Car Warranty sells extended vehicle warranties and claims it will help people protect themselves from unexpected, costly repairs. According to AG Weiser, the warranty company charges upfront fees for coverage that is meant to last several years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Businesses that deceive consumers about the products and services they sell are breaking the law, Weiser said. In this case, the company and its owners misrepresented their reputation and even lied about making donations that support veterans. When scam artists like these defendants seek to take advantage of Coloradans, we will hold them accountable.

Many were convinced to purchase the warranty by claims the company made online about its reputation. This included advertising high ratings on third-party review sites and being named Best Extended Warranty by Car Talk, as well as a member of the Vehicle Protection Association. The company also said they would donate to Operation Military Family for every new sign-up.

However, the states investigation found the company had no relationship with any of the three companies mentioned above. The investigation found only a bounced check the company wrote to Operation Military Family in 2023. The investigation also found their online reputation was nonexistent or very poor even when it was five stars on Google and Trustpilot.

Champion Car Warranty often refused promised coverage and ignored attempts at communication.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Consumers and mechanics who attempted to reach the warranty company would typically not reach anyone or wait on hold with an automated recording that told them You are number one, thank you for holding, and then their call would disconnect. Whenever someone did pick up, representatives would often deny claims and offer a courtesy check instead, which Champion would then fail to send.

Owners Yedid and Anteby are allegedly involved with other companies with a similar troubling history of selling fraudulent products. Patriot Warranty, Napa Warranty, and National Car Protect are all companies with links to Champions owners and investigators found customer complaints about these companies failing to provide services.

For now, the company has been ordered to immediately halt all operations while the lawsuit proceeds.

Anyone who believes a company is engaging in deceptive or illegal business practices is encouraged to file a complaint with the Colorado AG at StopFraudColorado.gov or by calling 1-800-222-4444.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Hyatt Hotels is to rebrand Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House and Beach House in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, as Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen.

The hotel is to open later this year and will offer a modern lifestyle hotel experience.

It will offer two distinct accommodation choices, an adults-only option at the Downtown House and family-friendly suites at the Beach House.

Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen will be the second Hyatt Centric-branded hotel in Mexico, following Hyatt Centric Campestre Leon.

The hotel is located on Fifth Avenue, known as 'La Quinta Avenida', and features 119 guest rooms and suites, including 92 at the Downtown House and 27 at the Beach House.

It features amenities such as floor-to-ceiling windows, walk-in rain showers, outdoor balconies and plunge pools, as well as semi-outdoor event spaces, designed by architectural company Niz + Chauvet.

The Downtown House features a rooftop infinity pool, swim-up bar, and luxury cabanas, all set against the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea.

The 'Beach House' offers an oceanfront pool and a restaurant that highlights local seafood and seasonal ingredients.

In addition to the rebranding in Mexico, Hyatt has announced the opening of AluaSoul Costa Adeje in Tenerife, Spain, expanding the brand's presence in the Canary Islands.

Part of the Alua Hotels & Resorts brand within Hyatts Inclusive Collection portfolio, the hotel offers all-inclusive services with multiple boarding options.

AluaSoul Costa Adeje features 226 guest rooms, most with private balconies or terraces, and upgraded accommodations through the My Favorite Club.

Guests at AluaSoul Costa Adeje can avail a variety of dining options, a poolside snack bar, two bars, and an on-site spa.

The hotel is also equipped with three meeting rooms for events, accommodating up to 300 guests.

The hotels opening is part of Hyatts expansion in the EAME [Europe, the Middle East and Africa] region with other recent openings, including Grand Hyatt Barcelona, Dreams Madeira Resort, Spa & Marina, Hyatt Centric Cairo West and all Berlin East Side.

The expansion will continue throughout this year and next year with planned openings such as Andaz Doha, Thompson Rome, and Thompson Seville.

"Hyatt announces rebranding and expansion in Mexico and Spain" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Air defence was responding in Kyiv Oblast on the night of 4-5 November.

Source: Kyiv Oblast Military Administration on Telegram

Quote: "The air-raid warning is still in effect. We ask everyone to stay in shelters. Air defence is operating in the oblast."

Details: The authorities also called not to record the work of the defence forces, the moment of downing of the airborne assets and their fall.

Background: The Russian military launched attack drones into Ukraine on the night of 4-5 November.

Support UP or become our patron!
Cailee Knight, 9, was struck by gunfire while sleeping on the couch inside her home in Mobile, Ala., in December 2023

Facebook Cailee Knight. Cailee Knight.

A 17-year-old has been arrested in Texas in connection to the death of a 9-year-old girl last year.

Tara Zieman of the Mobile County District Attorneys Office confirms to PEOPLE that the 17-year-old  who has not been named due to their age  has been extradited from Texas to Mobile, Ala., on a capital murder charge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The teen is among five people charged in connection to the death of Cailee Knight, 9, who was asleep on the couch when shooters fired into her Mobile, Ala. home on Dec. 5, 2023.

An AR-15 was used in the shooting, per Zieman.

Mobile County Sheriff's Office (4) Clockwise from top left: Tyrone Williams; Darius Lucky, Jr.; Ricki Thier; Ariel Curry. Clockwise from top left: Tyrone Williams; Darius Lucky, Jr.; Ricki Thier; Ariel Curry.

On the day of the shooting, the citys chief of staff, James Barber, said that Cailees family member was the intended target, per WKRG.

However, despite confirming that a city official had made such a claim, Zieman says that the district attorneys office has not taken a position on who the target was because thats evidence that needs to come out at trial.

Barber did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for confirmation on some of the details of the case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On a GoFundMe page, Cailees mother, Andrea Bright, remembered the 9-year-old as having such a beautiful spirit.

Two days after the fatal shooting, Ariel Curry and Tyrone Williams were booked into jail by the Mobile County Sheriffs Office.

In September, Curry and Williams were each indicted on two counts of capital murder and one count of attempted murder by shooting into an occupied dwelling, according to the Mobile County District Attorneys Office.

The dual capital murder charges are based on shooting a child under the age of 14 and shooting into an occupied dwelling, per the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Criminal Court clerks office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Darius Lucky, Jr. was arrested Dec. 9, 2023, per his booking records, and is indicted on two counts of capital murder, per prosecutors.

Prosecutors say all three are being held without bond under Aniahs Law, which enables judges to deny bail on the basis of the violent crimes for which defendants are accused.

Ricki Thier was arrested on Jan. 25, 2024, per booking records. Thier faces murder charges in two separate court cases, per the clerks office and prosecutors.

Thier is charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of attempted murder by shooting into an occupied dwelling in connection with Cailees death, per prosecutors. A grand jury set no bond for Thier, based on the capital murder charge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Almost a year after the fatal shooting, the four adults in the case will be arraigned on the capital murder case Nov. 26, per the clerks office. The 17-year-old  who will be charged as an adult in the case and is held without bond  will be arraigned at the same time, according to Zieman.

Lawyers for the adults charged in the capital murder case were not listed in the clerks records.

Will Alford, Thiers court-appointed lawyer, represents her in a separate drug-related homicide  which he says occurred months before the 9-year-olds fatal shooting  in which she is charged with felony murder and breaking and entering.

Alford says Thier, who is currently held at Mobile Metro Jail, has entered a plea of not guilty to those charges and that she is accused as an accomplice in the case and evidence does not suggest she shot anyone. She returns to court Nov. 20 for a status hearing in the case, per the clerks office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He says its unclear if he will represent her in the capital murder case. I am still in the dark, Alford tells PEOPLE in a phone interview, adding that he is unaware of any overlap between the earlier case and Cailees death.

Prosecutors have not yet indicated if they plan to seek the death penalty in the capital murder case. If convicted of capital murder in the state of Alabama, defendants may be put to death or given life behind bars without parole.


SOUTHSIDE, Ala. (WIAT)  The Alabama Department of Transportation announced crews will shut down Alabama 77 northbound for pavement repairs at the Little Bridge on Tuesday.

The ALDOT stated the closure will start at 8:30 a.m. and plans on reopening Alabama 77 northbound in the afternoon. While work is being done on the Little Bridge, northbound traffic will be directed to the southbound bridge, which will have one lane of northbound traffic and a lane of southbound traffic.

What we learned in the final Emerson College swing state polls

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For updates on traffic conditions from the ALDOT, click here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
A poll worker walks past voting booths as he waits for voters to arrive at the Miami Beach Fire Station 4 to cast their ballot during the primary on March 19, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall joined other attorneys general around the country denouncing any potential election violence and calling for respect for the voting process. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and 50 other attorneys general in U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia signed a statement Monday denouncing any attempts at violence at polls and calling for respect for the voting process.

A peaceful transfer of power is the highest testament to the rule of law, a tradition that stands at the heart of our nations stability, the statement said. As attorneys general, we affirm our commitment to protect our communities and uphold the democratic principles we serve.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

The statement comes three years after supporters of former President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 as Congress met to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election and mounting concerns of violence while votes are being tabulated. Experts say law enforcement has learned lessons from that day but have remained concerned about the possibilities of unrest.

Federal and state officials have also passed laws to strengthen the vote certification process. The Electoral Count Reform Act, passed by Congress in 2022, clarifies certification procedures and makes it harder for members of Congress to object to counts. States have also moved to protect their certification methods in their own states.

The statement from the attorneys general urged people to vote and, above all, respect the integrity of the democratic process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Let us come together after this election not divided by outcomes but united in our shared commitment to the rule of law and safety of all Americans, the statement said. Violence has no place in the democratic process; we will exercise our authority to enforce the law against any illegal acts that threaten it.

The group is led by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, both Republicans, and Oregon Attorney General and NAAG President Ellen Rosenblum and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, both Democrats.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
(NewsNation)  Alaska voters will cast their ballots Tuesday for the states Congressional seat and a pair of statewide initiatives in the 2024 election.

Presidential race results in Alaska

Balance of Power in Congress

Democrats are fighting to keep control of the U.S. Senate while Republicans are trying to keep their hold on the U.S. House. Either party will need to have at least 51 U.S. Senate seats to have control of the upper chamber and 218 U.S. House seats to have control of the lower chamber of Congress. Track results below:

Alaska At-Large Congressional Seat

Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, the first Alaskan Native woman to represent the state in Congress, is seeking re-election to Alaskas only at-large Congressional District.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The seat is one of 37 Congressional races across the country the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is targeting this election with the goal of keeping control of the House with the GOP.

Peltola  who won her 2022 race against former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin  faces Republican Eric Hafner, Democrat Nicholas Nick Begich, and Alaskan Independence Party Rep. John Howe.

Alaska Ballot Measures

Additionally, Alaskans will determine whether to increase the states minimum wage to $15 per hour and whether to require employers to provide earned paid sick leave for employees by voting yes or no on Ballot Measure 1.

Voters will also decide whether to repeal the ranked-choice voting initiative, which was first approved in 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Under the ranked-choice system, the four candidates with the most votes in a primary election advance to the general election. A candidate must earn a simple majority, or 50% of votes plus one, to win the general election. If repealed, elections will return to the party primary system.

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for grabs. These elections will determine who has control over the two chambers of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Alaska, typically a red state, will have three Electoral College votes contributing to the presidential race. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Early voting in Alaska started on Oct. 21, and polls for in-person voting will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Alaska State Supreme Court races

Alaska Court of Appeals races

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
[Watch previous FOX 8 I-Team coverage in the player above.]

CLEVELAND (WJW)  A Cuyahoga County grand jury has indicted three more people on charges related to seven separate street takeovers in late September, including the woman who allegedly orchestrated them.

Ashlyn M. Rogers, 23, of Port Clinton, faces charges of aggravated riot, disrupting public service and possessing criminal tools, according to a Monday news release from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ohio sheriffs lieutenant: If you support the Democratic Party, I will not help you

Rogers is accused of coordinating the takeovers on Sept. 28 and 29 using Instagram, giving out instructions to participants and telling them where to go.

Ashlyn will soon realize she should have stayed in Port Clinton that night. She will be held accountable, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael OMalley is quoted in the release.

Rogers was arrested on Oct. 23.

Earlier that month, police also arrested two men who allegedly attended each illegal takeover: Tyrique O. Loury, 20, of Garfield Heights, and Jordan C. McDonald, 25, of South Euclid, each of whom are under indictment on 23 total counts, including aggravated riot and disrupting public service, among others.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Just after 11 p.m. on Sept. 28, McDonald and Loury were at the intersection of East 55th Street and Woodland Avenue, where several vehicles blocked intersections, burning tires and driving in circles, according to authorities.

Nearly 30 minutes later, they were at Lee Road and Miles Avenue, where participants jumped on the hood of a Cleveland police cruiser and a city vehicle, banging on the vehicle windows with their fists, according to prosecutors.

Just before midnight, they were at East 105th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, according to prosecutors. There, the cars slowed an ambulance that was passing through the intersection. Someone in the crowd shot a Cleveland police officer with an airsoft gun as the officer was assisting the ambulance.

McDonald and Loury were then at the intersection of East 93rd Street and Opportunity Corridor just before 1 a.m. the following day. The stunting cars also delayed an ambulance from reaching a hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

$8K of cocaine seized in Ohio traffic stop

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Screenshot Screenshot Screenshot Screenshot

About 30 minutes later, Rogers, the alleged coordinator of the takeovers, drove to West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue, where vehicles drag raced and blocked intersections, stopping an RTA bus, and participants lit fireworks, according to prosecutors. Up to 100 cars were purposely parked to block all four sides of the intersection.

By 3 a.m., McDonald and Loury were at another street takeover at the shopping plaza along Broadway Avenue in Cleveland, where three men were shot, according to prosecutors.

An hour after that, the pair were at their seventh street takeover, along Interstate 90 near West 14th Street. There, participants allegedly blocked the intersection with construction cones, wore masks when approaching people and brandishing firearms and used gasoline to light the highway on fire.

I-Team: Crime wave has lead to 500 vehicle break-in reports this year

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

County court records show Rogers and McDonald are both due for arraignment on Nov. 19.

Rogers was released after posting 10% of a $10,000 bond.

Loury is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, Nov. 7. A warrant has been issued for his arrest on the indicted charges.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
More than 8.1 million Floridians cast their ballots before Election Day arrived Tuesday, Nov. 5.

More than 1.1 million Democrats  1,182,944  opted to vote by mail, compared to 989,822 Republicans, according to the Florida Division of Elections. But more Republicans came out to vote early in person, 2,549,779, compared to 1,511,828 Democrats, according to data released at 11:04 a.m. Nov. 4.

Total ballots cast early, either by mail or with early voting, was 8,189,384.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That's 58.7% of the nearly 14 million registered Florida voters eligible for the Nov. 5 election. In the 2020 election, nearly 80% of the Floridians who voted did so before Election Day.

While early voting is over, it's still possible some of the outstanding 695,835 mail ballots requested but not yet returned, could be received by local election offices in time to be counted.

When did early voting end in Florida?

Early voting ended Saturday, per state and federal mandate, although some counties extended their early voting through Sunday. Early voting for Pinellas and Taylor counties was extended to Election Day due to damage and obstacles from Hurricane Milton in an executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis

Vote-by-mail ballots will be counted as long as they arrive at the Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, which means it's now far too late to drop them in the mail to be sure they'll arrive in time. Use drop boxes, take them to the elections office, or turn them in and vote in person instead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The General Election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

How many Floridians are registered to vote in the Nov. 5 election?

As of "book closings" on Oct. 7, there were 13,949,168 people registered to vote in the Nov. 5 election.Breakdown of the five largest groups were:

Republicans: 5,499,717

Democrats: 4,421,790

No party affiliation: 3,616,170

Independent Party: 276,467

Libertarian Party: 35,964

 See breakdown of registered voters by county

How many people have voted so far in Florida?

According to the Florida Division of Elections, here's how vote-by-mail and early voting went in Florida as of 11:04 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4:

Voted by mail: 2,834,555

Mail ballots requested but not yet returned: 695,835

Voted early: 5,354,829

Total votes submitted: 8,189,384

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Want to see the breakdown in your county?

 When will early voting be counted and when will we know results?

Compare voter turnout so far in 2024 to 2020 presidential election

During the 2020 presidential election, according to the Election Assistance Commission, there was a 71.8% voter turnout in Florida, broken down by:

On Election Day: 1,942,102 (17.4%)

Mail-in votes: 4,546,895 (40.9%)

Early voting in person: 4,332,912 (38.9%)

What's the breakdown between Republicans and Democrats in Florida in early voting 2024?

As of 11:04 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4:

Voted by mail (and ballots returned) : Republicans : 989,822 Democrats : 1,182,944 Other : 61,248 No party affiliation: 600,541

Early voting: Republicans : 2,549,779 Democrats : 1,511,82 Other : 135,197 No party affiliation: 1,158,025

Mail ballots requested but not yet returned: Republicans : 222,318 Democrats : 278,007 Other : 18,826 No party affiliation: 176,684



Top 5 Florida counties of those who have voted early in person

As of 8:12 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4, here are the top five counties where voters cast their ballots during early voting:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Miami-Dade: 597,448 (244,423 Republicans; 175,903 Democrats)

Broward: 431,538 (121,699 Republicans; 188,940 Democrats)

Palm Beach: 344,387 (136,240 Republicans; 110,413 Democrats)

Hillsborough : 323,119 (133,473 Republicans; 104,780 Democrats)

Orange County: 308,321 (98,273 Republicans; 124,377 Democrats)

Want to see the breakdown in your county?

Top 5 Florida counties of those who have returned ballots by mail

As of 8:12 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, here are the top five counties where voters have returned their mail-in ballots:

Miami-Dade: 272,220 (79,649 Republicans; 115,262 Democrats)

Broward : 248,536 (48,250 Republicans; 138,071 Democrats)

Palm Beach: 225,062 (57,023 Republicans; 112,381 Democrats)

Pinellas : 220,944 (79,500 Republicans; 89,987 Democrats)

Hillsborough: 186,944 (59,855 Republicans; 81,895 Democrats)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Want to see the breakdown in your county?

When is the 2024 presidential election?

The General Election is today, Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls are open and close at 7 p.m. in Florida

To vote on Election Day, you must vote in your assigned precinct.

When are early voting and vote-by-mail ballots counted in Florida?

Florida law allows ballots to be processed as soon as they are received and counted as soon as the county has completed public testing of the automatic tabulating equipment. The results are kept secret and releasing them early is a felony.

Will we know the results on election night in Florida?

Probably, and there will almost certainly be enough votes counted to project the winners. When the polls close, the already-received results will be posted. More will be added as returns come in from around the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But no state can count every vote by election night and results can change days or even weeks later. Votes that will be counted after election day include:

Ballots from absent military and citizens overseas, who have up to 10 days to get their ballots delivered as long as they're postmarked by Election Day.

Provisional ballots cast at polls by voters without proper ID or with minor errors that were later "cured" or verified to be eligible. If additional information is needed, Florida voters have until 5 p.m. the second day after the election to present it.

Ballots that were challenged and later cured and tallied.

Here's how to find a sample ballot in Florida

You can see a sample ballot on your county's Supervisor of Elections' website. The races on your ballot all depend on where you live. To see your sample ballot, go to the elections website for your county and enter your address.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida early voting, mail ballots. Turnout, results
POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)  Voters in Florida are deciding whether to approve a change to the state constitution to allow for the sale and use of recreational marijuana for adults 21 years of age and older.

On Monday, advocates on both sides made their closing arguments.

Lakelands Modern Canna expects jump in productivity if recreational marijuana use passes

Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Florida, made two stops in Florida, Miami and Orlando, to discuss why he believes voters should vote no on Amendment 3.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If youre not 100% convinced that this is a good idea, then you gotta vote no, he said.

The amendment would allow medical marijuana treatment centers and other state licensed entities to sell recreational marijuana to adults 21 years of age and older.

DeSantis accused large marijuana companies of writing and supporting the amendment because it benefits them and their shareholders.

They do not give you the right to grow your own marijuana on your own property, DeSantis said. Thats by design because theyre trying to funnel business transactions to them.

Supporters have said Amendment 3 does not ban home grow.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On election eve, Smart & Safe Florida, the group advocating for the passage of Amendment 3, put forth veterans who say they have benefitted from access to safe and regulated marijuana to treat chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder.

I can say Im on the least medicine Ive ever been on since I switched to medical marijuana, Army veteran Forrest Miller said.

Former President and Florida resident Donald Trump said in September he would be voting yes on Amendment 3.

In our political state of divisiveness and vitriol, Im always in support of something that is a bipartisan effort, veteran Adam Margio said. Im in support of the three amendment because I feel that will have cascading effects into the consumer public from an adult use perspective.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In order to pass, Amendment 3 needs 60% or more of the electorate to vote yes.

I believe its going to put a lot of nice regulations on things and make it more safer for everybody, said Curtis Frazier, who has a medical marijuana card and supports Amendment 3. Theres a lot of bad things out there and this is another way to keep it monitored and safer.

Im thinking no mainly because I dont want it to be everywhere and smell it everywhere. I dont love the smell of it, said Joy Dees, who lives in Lakeland. I dont have a problem with anyone who wants to do it for whatever reason but I dont want it recreationally literally everywhere.

DeSantis also expressed concern Monday about the impact of recreational marijuana on tourism and quality of life.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2016, Floridians approved a constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana use with 71% of the vote.

The full text can be found here: https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/initiatives/initdetail.asp?account=83475&seqnum=2

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Polls are now closed across the state and results are coming in for the seven ballot measures in South Dakota, including Amendment G which would make abortion a state constitutional right.

With 89% reporting, results show 60% (224,248) of people have voted no on the amendment and 40% (151,411) voted yes as of 8 a.m. Wednesday.

State Wide Results | State Senate Results | State House Results | National Results Map

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a statement from Dakotans for Health, the amendment sponsor, the co-founder urged Republican politicians to continue looking for solutions to a total abortion ban.

We fell short yesterday but make no mistakethis fight is far from over, co-founder Rick Weiland said. The Right to Life politicians in this state made a three-million-dollar promise to the voters of South Dakota. They said Amendment G was too extreme, and that there was a better way to address the catastrophic consequences of the total abortion ban they put in place. They promised they would find that better way, and now its time for them to deliver.

The amendment outlines a trimester framework for abortion regulation.

In the first trimester, a womans decision to obtain an abortion may not be regulated. During the second trimester, the state may regulate abortion, but only in ways that are reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman. In the third trimester, the state may regulate or prohibit abortion, except when abortion is medically necessary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Supporters say the amendment closely resembles Roe v. Wade and would protect doctors from legal action and streamline the abortion procedure. Opponents say the amendment is too extreme and lacks regulation throughout the pregnancy.

A yes vote would support South Dakota providing a state constitutional right to an abortion under the trimester framework. A no vote would oppose the amendment and South Dakotas current abortion laws will remain.

In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled to remove the nationwide right to abortion, or Roe v. Wade, which pushed the responsibility of abortion law onto individual states. The states trigger law, which banned abortions, went into effect.

Under current South Dakota law, abortion is banned and considered a Class 6 felony punishable by up to two years in prison and up to a $4,000 fine. The only exception to the law is if there is an appropriate and reasonable medical judgment that an abortion would save the mothers life. There is no exception for rape or incest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Also under South Dakota law, the female may not be held criminally liable for the abortion, only the person performing or prescribing it.

South Dakota joins seven other states voting on abortion access this election.

According to early polling from KELOLAND News/The Hill, 48% of the respondents said they would vote no on G, while 45% said they would vote yes and 7% were undecided.

Future uncertain due to lawsuit

Even if Amendment G passes, there is no guarantee it will take effect with the other passed ballot measures. Anti-abortion group Life Defense Fund sued the amendment sponsor, Dakotans for Health, on the grounds of invalid petition signatures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Abortion case pushed to December

If a judge rules in favor of Life Defense Fund and believes Dakotans for Health submitted faulty signatures, the amendment could retroactively be voided.

The next hearing date is set for Dec. 2, with the trial currently scheduled for end of January.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
By Stephen Nellis

(Reuters) - Tenstorrent, a Silicon Valley artificial intelligence chip startup founded by Apple and Intel veterans, said it had won a deal with the Japanese government to help train up to 200 Japanese chip designers at its U.S. offices over five years.

The contract announced on Tuesday, under which $50 million will be divvied up among Tenstorrent and Japan's Leading-edge Semiconductor Technology Center, is part of Japan's effort to reinvigorate its semiconductor industry. The country controlled half or more of the global chips market through the 1980s but has less than a tenth of the market today.

The centerpiece of Japan's efforts is Rapidus, a contract chipmaker with billions of dollars in government backing aiming to build advanced semiconductors in Japan and start mass production by 2027. But to succeed, the Rapidus factory will need to find customers who want their chip designs manufactured there.

The deal on Tuesday is aimed at creating those future customers. Tenstorrent last year partnered with Rapidus to develop designs that can be made in its factory, and bringing Japanese engineers to its U.S. offices is aimed at spreading that knowledge throughout Japan's chip industry.

"I think Japan's actions and their investments have clearly indicated that they want to be in more control of their own future," Tenstorrent Chief Customer Officer David Bennett told Reuters in an interview.

Starting in April 2025, Japanese engineers will work alongside Tenstorrent executives such as Jim Keller and Wei-Han Lien, both of whom created chips for Apple, and Yasuo Ishii, a veteran of Arm Holdings, to design AI chips.

While Tenstorrent will retain the chip blueprints created under the deal, those blueprints will be made using RISC-V, a free and open chip design technology. The visiting Japanese engineers will be able to use their experience in the U.S. to create their own RISC-V designs in Japan when they return.

(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Jamie Freed)
The 19th is committed to covering the unfinished business of voting rights. Read more about how were approaching that in this pivotal election.

Its Election Day in America and voters are heading to the polls this Tuesday to cast ballots in a historic election that could produce the nations first woman president or its oldest.

At the center of this exercise in democracy will be election officials, a predominantly women-led workforce that has been preparing for months and even years to make the vote-counting process more secure and transparent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Elections and voting have become so politicized, said Christina Baal-Owens, executive director of Public Wise, an organization that advocates for fair elections. Theres a lot of really wonderful civil servants who are just trying to do their job and feel really committed to having their communities be able to vote.

The politicization is the result, in part, of online disinformation about widespread voter fraud  amplified often by former President Donald Trump as he seeks another term. Polls show he is locked in a nearly tied race with Vice President Kamala Harris.

At least 80 million people have already cast a ballot ahead of Tuesday, either in person or by mail, during an early voting period that stretched weeks and was even marked by back-to-back hurricanes. For now, just isolated incidents involving ballots  from some drop boxes being damaged in the Pacific Northwest, to delayed mail-in voting in Georgia and Pennsylvania  have been reported.

Still, state and federal officials have made security preparations in case of political violence, fortifying vote-counting sites with concrete dividers, fencing and security guards. In Washington State, the Democratic governor announced plans to activate the states National Guard in case of civil unrest related to the election. Agencies including the FBI are warning the public about Russian efforts to influence the outcome of the election. In Washington, D.C., the vice presidents residence has new fencing around it, along with the White House and U.S. Capitol. Law enforcement have announced security measures for Trumps election night party.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voting experts believe Trump could claim victory on election night irrespective of whether election officials have counted enough ballots to project a winner. He did the same thing in the hours after the polls closed in 2020, solidifying a narrative he had been building since before that election. It directly contributed to a deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

On the campaign trail in recent days, Trump has claimed without proof that widespread voter fraud has occurred, particularly in the battleground state of Pennsylvania. That has generated a flood of conspiracy theories being shared online.

There is a heightened sense by some voters  and again, were talking about a small fraction of the voting population  that are going to take anything that they perceive as not being what they necessarily want to have happen, as a personal affront or a violation of their own rights, said Tammy Patrick, chief executive officer for programs at the Election Center, an organization that works with election officials, during a press call.

Workers erect anti-scale fencing and other security measures around Howard University on November 3, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Vice President Kamala Harris will spend election night at her alma mater, Howard University. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Election officials have been in the crosshairs, trying to bring transparency to how theyre running the elections  while at times contending with harassment, intimidation and threats of violence to do a job that just a few years ago was seen as uncontroversial.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) and the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), the key organizations representing election officials around the country, issued a joint statement asking the public for patience during the vote-counting process.

As with any Election Day, it is important to note operational issues may arise: for example, voting locations could open late, there could be lines during busy periods, or an area could lose power, said part of the statement. These are inevitable challenges that will arise on Election Day, but election officials have contingency plans for these and other scenarios. Americans can have confidence the election is secure, and the results will be counted accurately.

If the race is close, the public may not know the results on election night. In 2020, it took major news outlets four days to project that President Joe Biden had won the presidency. It took some battleground states several more days after that to count all their ballots.

While some states have updated rules that could speed up the vote-counting process, some key battleground states have not. However, vote-by-mail, a popular option during the COVID-19 pandemic, is down  one indication that results in some swing states could come in faster.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voting experts believe Trump and his allies are paving the way to legally challenge the election results if he loses, in part by blaming immigrants. Trump has not committed to fully accepting the results of the election, and Harris campaign has indicated plans to respond to any lawsuits that might come amid the vote counting.

Skye Perryman is president and CEO of Democracy Forward, a legal organization that has been involved in voting rights litigation in previous years. She said the pro-democracy community is also ready to respond to legal challenges that might threaten to toss legally cast ballots.

There is a pro-democracy community that understands that playbook, and that is poised to ensure that every vote is counted and that we have integrity in our democratic processes, she said. The message for voters is: Do your part and vote.

The post As Americans head to the polls, a women-led workforce is on high alert appeared first on The 19th.

News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter.
As the European Union Commission continues to gather evidence for its formal proceedings to determine whether Temu may have breached the Digital Services Act, the fast-fashion giant has said it is in talks to join the EUs Memorandum of Understanding on the sale of counterfeit goods on the internet.

Owned by the Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo, the shopping platform Temu debuted in the U.S. in 2022 and forged into select European countries last year. The app was downloaded more than 47 million times globally last month. Temu is said to generate nearly 500 million monthly visits to its site.

More from WWD

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The investigation is looking into areas linked to the sale of illegal products, the potentially addictive design of the service, the systems used to recommend purchases to users, as well as data access for researchers, according to the EU. Among the aspects that are being put under the microscope, so to speak, are the systems that Temu has in place to limit the sale of non-compliant products in the EU, the risks tied to Temus addictive design of the service, and the companys compliance with the DSA obligations in terms of how it recommends content and products. With more than 45 million monthly active users in the EU, Temu was designated a VLOP (very large online platform) at the end of May.

Earlier this week Temu addressed the probe, saying that Temu will cooperate fully with regulators to support our shared goal of a safe, trusted marketplace for consumers. In a statement, the company said it takes its obligations under the DSA seriously, continuously investing to strengthen our compliance system and safeguard consumer interests on our platform.

A Temu spokesperson said Tuesday, Counterfeiting is an industrywide challenge, and we believe that collaborative efforts are essential to advancing our shared goals of protecting consumers and rights holders.

Counterfeit products cost the international economy more than $500 billion annually, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Up to 6 percent of EU imports were counterfeit products in 2019, representing nearly 119 billion euros in value, according to a report released earlier this year by the European Commission. In terms of clothing, the sector lost approximately 12 billion euros in sales accounting for 5.2 percent of the total EU sales. That figure also resulted in 160,000 fewer people being employed in the apparel industry.

To try to offset that, there are recommendations for EU stakeholders and member states to expedite collaboration and transparency, as a way to deal with the age-old problem of knockoffs. In the EU, counterfeiting is known to take its toll on small and medium enterprises, causing 34 percent of those affected to be more likely to fail than larger companies.

Should Temu join companies like the Vestiaire Collective by signing the MOU on the online sales of counterfeits, the rock-bottom-price fashion platform would be encouraged to apply for the EUs Digital Services Acts trusted flagger status and participate in the modernization of the MOU. The EU is calling for more market surveillance to detect and fight counterfeiting and increased use of AI systems including blockchain and content recognition technology to enhance traceability and detection of counterfeit and pirated products.

Best of WWD

Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Nina Westervelt/Getty Images

Sign up for The Agenda  Thems news and politics newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Thursday.

During an appearance on MSNBC, Janelle Monae called on voters to stand up for human rights and reject the transphobic language favored by the political right, citing the deadly effects of that rhetoric on trans people.

On November 1, the multi-hyphenate artist  who uses both she and they pronouns  joined host Joy-Ann Reid on her show The ReidOut with Joy Reid. During the segment, Reid brought up Republican politicians claims that they are protecting women through transphobic attacks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theyre saying, Oh, no Dont worry about dying because you dont have healthcare. Worry about trans people, Reid said. That J.D. Vance interview with Joe Rogan [was] three hours most of it was attacking trans people. Theyre saying thats how you protect women.

In response, Monae said that its clear that people like Trump and Vance are out of their mind[s], and they do not deserve to be in the White House and leading this country.

We know that transphobic language is used as ammunition to murder and kill more trans people in this country, they continued. I dont care if you are a Democrat, Republican, Independent, what party you serve or youre supportive of. Stand up for human rights. This is the language that literally kills humans.

The rights attempts to score political points through fearmongering come during a year in which over 660 anti-trans bills have been introduced across the country, not to mention the fact that trans people also need access to reproductive healthcare.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the interview, Monae argued that Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, are the only two candidates in this race who want to protect womens healthcare, reproductive rights, who want to protect trans rights, who want to protect LGBTQIA+ rights.

Im queer, Im nonbinary, Im Black. I grew up to working-class parents, she added. [...] [Donald Trump] doesnt care about marginalized folks. And so Im asking those who are in a position of power, who benefit from whiteness, who benefit from patriarchy, to stand up for women, minorities, and those who dont have a platform to stand up for themselves. And do it with legislation. Vote up and down the ballot for people who will protect our rights.

Monae echoed these sentiments during a November 4 Instagram video addressed to viewers who are still wrestling with whether to vote in this election by offering a perspective to strongly consider.

The Soul Train Awards Renamed a Gendered Award to Honor Janelle Monae

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im not a woman. Im not a man. I am something that youll never understand, Monae said in their acceptance speech, quoting Prince.

Every right we have today, every single one exists because someone fought for [it], they said, naming examples like LGBTQIA+ rights and the right to marry who we love.

These victories were won by dedicated people who showed up day after day This is decades of work, yall, Monae continued. Decades of work that will be erased and rolled back if we do not make the right choice. Ive spoken with very progressive grassroots organizations and leaders at the ACLU. Their message is unequivocal: The vital work they are doing will be far more effective under a Harris administration.

She closed by describing Americans votes not just as a choice, but as a responsibility to people who are trying to save our democracy.

They need us, Monae said. We need to make their jobs possible, not impossible.

Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here.

Originally Appeared on them.
By Farah Master

HONG KONG (Reuters) - "Having three children is the best" says a vibrant neon pink sign at a wedding expo in the southern Chinese city of Changsha, where visitors can also pick up tips on tying the knot and men can strap on a pregnancy belly to experience childbirth pain.

The marriage-themed festival comes at a time when China is looking to spur weddings and births to counter a shrinking population, but it has drawn thin crowds and sparked criticism for being regressive, disparaging towards women and for putting people off marriage - contrary to the government's aim.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Social media users called out slogans at the expo such as "Housework is the best", "Best at raising kids" and "Best at tutoring homework" for reinforcing gender stereotypes.

"The slogans are all aimed at women. Shouldn't sharing housework be the right thing to do?" said a user with the handle Jianguo on China's Weibo platform.

A user with the handle Xiaohong on social e-commerce site Xiaohongshu, known as China's answer to Instagram, wrote the festival had probably "persuaded a lot of hesitant people to give up marriage".

The number of marriage registrations in China in the first three quarters of 2024 dropped 16.6% year on year to 4.75 million couples, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Beijing rallied local governments just last week to direct resources towards urging people to marry and have children "at the right age".

Beijing's instructions included improving maternity and childcare benefits and offering housing support for families with multiple children, its most comprehensive framework to date, although lacking in details on funding and implementation.

"I believe the effectiveness of government policies will be limited" unless backed by measures such as cutting working hours and eliminating gender discrimination against women in the workplace, said Xiujian Peng, senior Research Fellow in the Centre of Policy Studies at Victoria University.

Local authorities have instead been offering women free vitamins and cold calling them to encourage pregnancy, according to multiple posts on social media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The cost of having children is still too high and the benefits too low," said 32-year-old Shanghai-based Aiqi, who shrugged off the state council's latest measures. She declined to give her last name for privacy reasons.

"We need to change the competitive education system, high intensity work environment and the high housing cost."

MISSED THE MARK?

China abandoned its 35-year-old one-child policy in 2015, but it has struggled to increase the birth rate that fell to a record low last year.

And demographers do not see a significant change soon. While they expect a flurry of initiatives aimed at spurring births in the coming months, they warn that spending by indebted local governments will remain limited.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It takes 20-years for a child to become a tax payer. Debt-ridden local governments simply have no incentive to encourage childbirth," said Yi Fuxian, a demographer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

China's Yuwa Population Research estimates the country needs to invest 10% of GDP to stabilise the population.

Policies like those laid out last week have been helpful in countries such as France and Sweden, but they have not moved the needle in east Asia, most likely due to high gender inequality, according to demographers.

South Korea and Japan rank 46th and 59th in the World Economic Forum's gender gap index, while China ranks 107th.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Top-down measures that exhort people to have more children are rarely effective, said Yun Zhou, assistant professor of sociology, University of Michigan.

Changsha's festival launched what authorities described as a "marriage school", where men can use a pregnancy belly to simulate labour pain with levels 1-10, state-backed Changsha Evening News reported, saying it enabled couples to experience the "hardship and joy of nurturing life".

Couples can opt to change diapers and prepare formula milk at the expo to learn parenting skills, and get an "internship marriage certificate", the paper said. The expo will run every weekend until the end of November.

The festival missed the mark, said Weibo user Yuxiao.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Treat girls as human beings and respect them. They don't want to get married in the first place, and then the authorities are putting so much pressure on them and their families with average economic levels to have children."

(Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
BRYAN COUNTY (WSAV)  Theres a chance that voters in our area arent selecting a candidate printed on the ballot. Instead, they are writing in a name.

In Bryan County, Meredith Gibson is challenging Incumbent Commission Chairman Carter Infinger. Shes rallied some support on social media.

Ned Rinalducci, WSAV Policital Analyst and Chair of Social Sciences at Miami Dade College, said that it rare for write in candidates to win.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On the rare occasion that they do win, though, it is in smaller state, local elections, Rinalducci said.

Rinalducci considers Meredith Gibson a formidable opponent for the Bryan County commission chairman seat, considering the size of the county.

Gibson qualified through the Georgia Secretary of States Office to be a write in candidate this election. Her reasoning for running is what she said is mishandling of tropical storm Debby and the devastating damage flood waters caused in parts of Richmond Hill.

Her supporters are rallying behind her because of her volunteer efforts at the community house.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What are the 3 ballot questions all Georgians will see when voting in 2024?

She was there for the entire community without any pay, without any adda boys, without wanting anything in return except to help us. I mean, that is an incredible human being, Grace Ramirez Schiffman said.

Schiffman voted for Gibson during early voting, but others arent sold on the candidate, citing her inexperience with local politics.

[Infinger] knows he knows whats been done, and he knows the good, the folks to talk to and how to get things done, Allen Cox said.

Many of the residents are also concerned about the booming growth in Bryan, and they want to elect someone who will be responsible. Cox casted his vote for Infinger.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This place is exploding. And if somebody doesnt grab the reins and do something to slow it down, I dont know whats going to happen, Cox said.

Schiffman said Gibson can learn the job and tackle the growth.

This is something that can be learned, Schiffman said. Shes a professional. Shes running a couple of businesses. She is a real estate colleague. These are things that can be learned.

Either way, Rinalducci said write in candidates can be a good thing, since they often bring attention to issues that may be ignored by current candidates.

Bryan County is a great example, where Gibson is bringing attention to the fact that she and apparently many other people in Bryan County think that the county commission failed in its response to the storm, Rinalducci said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

WSAV has talked with both candidates about the storm response and what they would do in office. Stick with WSAV for election results on Tuesday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
(NewsNation)  Before the polls have even closed on Election Day, former President Donald Trump has accused Democrats and noncitizen voters of cheating.

But is voter fraud so widespread it should warrant urgent concern? Conservative commentator Ann Coulter and Cenk Uygur, co-creator of left-leaning program The Young Turks, joined Dan Abrams Live to discuss.

Its politically stupid. Its not going to help him. I basically agree with you, Coulter said. But for the sake of argument, I do have one, one little point Id like to make about this, and that is, okay, Trump shouldnt be saying it, but lets say somebody else is saying it  Im sick of hearing all the time that there is no vote fraud.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

How are presidential election votes counted?

She argued that nobodys looking for the vote fraud, citing the University of Michigan student and Chinese national who was arrested and charged on Nov. 30 for illegally casting a ballot  after he called the Secretary of States Office and asked for it back.

Coulter points to it as an obvious sign of a larger fraud problem, calling for voter ID and only one day to vote in-person.

But Uygur says actual cases of fraud are incredibly infrequent.

So, Heritage Foundation, [a] very right-wing think tank, the guys who did Project 2025 looked into voter fraud over a period of, I think, about 20 years. And they did find it  totally statistically insignificant, Uygur said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Swing state spotlight: A look at the 7 battleground states

Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, analyzed that data and found the share of reported cases of fraud over the past 13 to 38 years across several key swing states is less than 1 percent.

Any widespread voter fraud is unlikely due to the decentralized nature of American elections, researchers say. There are more than 10,000 independent voting jurisdictions in the U.S., according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Different counties, which typically administer elections, list different names in downballot races.

Uygur pointed to Trumps accusations as a sign of weakness in his campaign, telling NewsNation: Its a kind of desperate thing that losing candidates do.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

NewsNation partner The Hill contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
ANSON, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  On Saturday, the Anson-Jones Museum held a ribbon cutting, with community members taking a trip down memory lane or learning new things about Anson and Jones County.

Anson High School welcomes alumni for first career fair

The museum began renovations in February, following a cleanup day in January. Board president Molly Morrow stated that organization was the first step in the process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the last 15 years, nothing had moved; if an item was donated, a volunteer basically looked around and said, Oh, theres an empty spot, and stuck it there,' Morrow said. We went through and took inventory of everything, figuring out what was relevant to us because we focus on Anson and Jones County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The story behind the photos: Why an Anson diner displays Veteran memorabilia

The museum has added new exhibits, including a childrens education room and a research room with resources about the city and county available to the public. Additionally, the museum received new paint, flooring, and landscaping.

One of the key figures behind the idea of a refresh was Zane Moreno, the Board Treasurer. He mentioned that he had wanted to implement changes for a while.

When I joined the board, it was exactly the same as it was when I came in when I was younger, Moreno said. It was in my head the whole entire year; what could I do to make this happen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its like you were born again: Anson veteran helps local woman pass U.S. citizenship exam

One of the main influences for his desire for change was to keep his city alive.

I always hear people saying, Why are you messing with that museum? Ansons dead. But Im a firm believer that its coming back, Moreno said.

Community members were welcomed to see the new changes and some original pieces. Resident Joe Edd Boaz told KTAB/KRBC it is nice to see the towns history and legacy carried on.

Its really neat to see, Boaz said. We have to learn from history, and we need to embrace our history because in our history, weve made mistakes, and we need to learn from our mistakes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
"Nervous." "Emotional." "Worried." "Insecure."

Los Angeles-area voters were feeling much like the rest of the country as election day dawned.

But with the support of the state's liberal majority for California-bred candidate Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race all but assured, voters were hoping to affect the downballot measures and races that could have an everyday impact on their lives. Ballot items dealing with housing costs (Proposition 33), retail theft and drug addiction (Proposition 36), schools (Proposition 2) and dozens of local races were driving them to the polls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thats a hell no for me, said Koryn Frye-Fuentes, 30, widening her eyes for emphasis as she panned Proposition 36 outside her polling place at Plummer Park in West Hollywood. Incarceration doesnt help people with drug addiction. The proposition, backed by law enforcement, seeks to impose harsher sentences for retail theft and drug possession. And it hits a nerve in Los Angeles, where certain supermarket aisles are now locked up, shoplifting has increased and people openly use drugs.

The measure would roll back Proposition 47, approved a decade earlier to reduce prison overcrowding and direct funds toward rehabilitation.

But it wasn't only local matters that drove people to the polls. Even if Californians had little chance to sway the presidential race, they wanted to take their stance on what they saw as a historical election, with many voting for the first time.

Read more: Trump elected as the United States 47th president following wins in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I never follow politics. I don't follow the council people," said Ernie Quintana, a 44-year-old Puerto Rican in El Sereno. "This is my first time ever."

He came because he wanted to make sure Trump wins.

"I feel like, let's make America great again," said Quintana, who was recently laid off. He said he wasn't offended by stand-up comic Tony Hinchcliffe calling Puerto Rico garbage before a packed Donald Trump rally in New York last month. "He's a comedian," he scoffed. "I didn't take that personally,"

Besides, he added, there's a lot of corruption in Puerto Rico.

As for the rest of the 10 state ballot measures, the U.S. senate race and other local issues, the only item he felt strongly about is Proposition 36.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"You get a lot of people repeating stealing, and they don't get in trouble," he said. "A lot of these stores are closing down. Walmart, Target. You go to those places and everything [is] under key."

While a couple of outlying polling places logged waits of up to an hour, most had waits under 15 minutes, and election officials had not reported any machine malfunctions. And most voters had already cast their ballot by then.

Read more: Your guide to the 2024 California election

"Since 2020, approximately 80% of people who've voted in an election have used the vote-by-mail ballot," said Michael Sanchez, a spokesperson for the Registrar-Recorder/Clerk. " I expect that to uphold. I think when the dust settles, you are going to see that trend continue."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Election officials expect more than 3 million votes to be cast in Los Angeles County. As of midday Tuesday, more than 1.7 million vote-by-mail ballots were being processed. Another 612,000 people had voted at more than 600 centers throughout the region. The majority of those votes were expected to be reflected in results posted by the Registrar-Recorder/Clerk on Tuesday night. But there remains an unknown number of mail-in ballots still coming in.

Girding for a worst-case scenario, law enforcement officials were on heightened alert throughout the county, though no specific threats had been made as of midday.

At the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center in the Fairfax district the mood was celebratory, and Andrea Ruth, 53, was enjoying the festive voting experience.

Read more: Forget election night answers: Why it could take a while to get final results

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Every time someone finished voting, everyone applauded, she exclaimed.

Ruth, who has a school-age child in the Los Angeles Unified School District, said she was supporting funds for more schooling. Proposition 2 is a bond measure that would allow California to borrow $10 billion to help fund repairs and upgrades at thousands of public schools and community colleges. I am glad there is so much money on the table for LAUSD.

Katelyn, a 37-year-old West Hollywood voter who declined to give her last name, said she was moved by Proposition 33, which gives local jurisdictions wider latitude to regulate rents.

I am in West Hollywood, which already had rent control and that really helped during the pandemic, she said while dropping off her mail-in ballot. It has allowed me to stay in this neighborhood that I love.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the lockdowns, she said, neighbors helped one another and the building cultivated a sense of community  in part because people could afford to stay in the same apartments for so long.

I feel like if that could spread in L.A., that would be helpful, she said.

Across town, Maria Cordes, 59, and her friend Teresa Ayala, 83, came to the El Sereno voting center, motivated for different reasons by the presidential election and common ones in some of the state and local races.

Cordes, a Mexican immigrant who lost her job as a nursing assistant because of an injury, voted for Trump because she felt he promised a better economic outlook. Ayala, a Salvadoran immigrant, said she felt that way about Harris.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both were offended by the shoplifters they had seen walk out of stores as families struggled to pay for their meals and voted for Proposition 36.

"I want them punished," said Ayala. "There are people out there who can't afford to eat, and then people steal things?"

Read more: Where to vote in the 2024 election in person or by drop box

Both also backed their incumbent council member, Kevin de Leon, who was embroiled in controversy for his part in a 2022 scandal involving a leaked audio recording with colleagues that contained incendiary remarks. His challenger, tenant rights attorney Ysabel Jurado, was recently recorded by a De Leon aide saying, "F the police."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The other woman offended the police," Ayala said. "And he has done so much for the community."

But Alex Zayas, a 27-year-old nursing assistant who lives in a rent-stabilized apartment, doesnt see it that way. While De Leon helped clear streets that were lined with people living in RVs, Zayas said, problems remain. He pointed to a nearby street corner, about two blocks from De Leon's office, where he said people openly use drugs.

Its like we are back to square one.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  One person died after a motorcycle crash happened over the weekend in north Austin, the Austin Police Department said in a news release Monday.

MAP: Where have Austins fatal crashes occurred in 2024

Officers responded to the deadly crash near the East Anderson Lane service road westbound and Interstate 35 on Nov. 2 around 3:38 a.m., the release said. The motorcyclist, identified as 18-year-old Ronny Perez, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is now being investigated as Austins 74th fatal crash of 2024, according to police.

The crash remained under investigation by police Monday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
By Sam Nussey

KITAKAMI, Japan (Reuters) - Bain Capital-backed Kioxia said on Tuesday it expects demand for flash memory to increase by about 2.7 times in the five years to 2028 on the back of the boom in artificial intelligence.

The chipmaker, which was hammered by a downturn in the market for memory chips, is readying a major capacity expansion at its new fab at Kitakami in Iwate prefecture, north of Tokyo.

Kioxia, formerly Toshiba Memory, had planned to begin production at the fab last year but has delayed that to autumn 2025.

The chipmaker has seen years of upheaval including its carve-out from scandal-hit Toshiba by the Bain-led consortium.

Kioxia also makes chips at Yokkaichi in Mie prefecture in central Japan and in July said it has begun sample shipments of its latest generation of NAND flash memory.

The growth of AI is driving investment in servers and the introduction of AI features is seen as having the potential to drive renewed demand for smartphones and PCs.

Kioxia has space in Yokkaichi and "by having the Kitakami factory operating next autumn we should have sufficient room to respond," Tomoharu Watanabe, executive vice president at Kioxia, said following a ceremony to offer prayers for the safety of the new fab.

Bain scrapped plans for an initial public offering for Kioxia in October after investors pushed it to almost halve the valuation it was seeking, Reuters has reported.

Kioxia is a test case for buyout firms in Japan and is a key player as the government looks to revive its formerly world beating chip industry.

In February, Japan said it would provide subsidies worth as much as $1.64 billion to Kioxia and partner Western Digital to expand capacity at Yokkaichi and Kitakami.

(Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
If its rezoning request is approved, NeighborWorks Columbus plans to transform a former mobile home park on Farr Road into an affordable housing subdivision.

NeighborWorks Columbus mission is to provide access to affordable housing and build access to financial independence, president & CEO Cathy Williams told the Ledger-Enquirer.

The organization acquired the 17.6 acres at 988 Farr Road through donations about six years ago, Williams said. They need funding to help clean and develop the land, she said, and the first step is to get this rezoning request passed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When applying for funding, you have to get the appropriate zoning, Williams said.

In 2023, the organization raised $1.9 million that was invested in helping people become new homeowners and providing loans, down-payment assistance and financial education and counseling.

Some of NeighborWorks Mission Investors include Bank of the Ozark, Bradley-Turner Foundation, Columbus Affordable Housing Services, NeighborWorks America and Synovus.

NeighborWorks rezoning request will be considered by the Columbus Planning Advisory Commission on Nov. 6. Determining what exactly they plan to do with the property could take 12-18 months, Williams said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its like a game of dominoes when you line them up, she said. And this is the very first domino.

No one is living on the property, Williams said, and its been used in the past for illegal dumping.

Weve got to get it cleaned up, she said. There are several old trailer carcasses left on it, but theyre not inhabitable.

Projects like this one on Farr Road and Elliotts Walk are important because its critical to produce more affordable housing units in Columbus, Williams said. The gap between whats needed for lower-income families and whats available is in the tens of thousands, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have an affordable housing crisis in Columbus, Williams said.

People are doubling up living in homes and apartments, she said. Theyre also living in cars, abandoned trailers and pop-up campers because there arent available units.

Data from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey (ACS) showed the supply of housing units in Columbus increased 11.6% from 2000 to 2019, according to a 2021 report by the Community Reinvestment Department. The percentage of vacant for-sale units was 2.3%, the report says, and the vacancy rate for rental units was 5.5%.

The Elliotts Walk development on Leslie Drive is in its completion stages, Williams said, with 57 single-family homes. Almost all of the homes are sold, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They go pretty quick, Williams said. (Its) enormously successful. The people love it. Its gorgeous.

One of the hopes for the new project on Farr Road is to create a green, ecologically friendly development working with the characteristics of the land, she said.

Theres been discussion about using solar energy on the homes and putting in electric vehicle chargers, Williams said. These features are becoming increasingly more common in upper-end developments, she said.

Theres no reason we cant do it for affordable units, too, Williams said. Thats what were gearing ourselves towards.

But this project will take funding, so NeighborWorks is focused on building the capital to follow through on this development with the first step being the rezoning request.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An affordable housing crisis is an issue all Columbus residents should be concerned about, Williams said.

(Residents) might not see it, she said. But I guarantee you, they feel it. They feel it in the crime statistics, the truancy, the dropout rate and the job situation. They feel it everywhere, and they just dont realize it.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  As winter weather moves into the state, Albuquerque Public Schools is reminding the community that they will replace snow days with asynchronous learning again this year.

Calm day before our next storm system

APS said students will be expected to complete lessons at home on days when schools are closed due to inclement weather. School district employees, except for teachers and education paraprofessionals, will be expected to report to work as soon as safely possible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Teachers may work from home or at their school on snow days, and students will not be expected to do any online learning on days where there is only a delay.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Arkansas will receive over $30 million after reaching a settlement with Kroger over its role in the opioid crisis.

Attorney General Tim Griffin said the settlement means Arkansas will receive $13,535,086.30 from the chain. The settlement is part of a $1.37 billion settlement reached with a 30-state coalition that included Arkansas.

NARCAN vending machine coming to University of Arkansas

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to an attorney general spokesperson, Kroger will make 11 payments to Arkansas through 2034. Kroger has also agreed to changes in how its pharmacies monitor, report and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions.

Opioid addiction continues to be a scourge in Arkansas and our nation, Griffin said. I am pleased with this settlement as the funds will go to opioid abatement.

Griffin also said he was grateful to the other states attorneys general who were part of the coalition.

Attorney General Tim Griffin sues pharmacy benefit managers for alleged role in Arkansas opioid epidemic

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Between 2006 and 2014, Arkansas had almost 1.5 billion units of addictive opioids moving through the state. By 2016, Arkansas had the second-highest opioid prescription rate in the nation, with 114.6 opioids dispersed for every 100 Arkansans.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP)  Its tough being a reporter in Cambodia, whose government frowns on independent journalism that questions authority.

Veteran investigative reporter Mech Dara learned the hard way, when he was recently jailed on a felony charge for some items he had posted on Facebook.

Now he plans to be a farmer, he said Tuesday.

In a statement of support last month from Cambodian media organizations and civil society groups, Mech Dara was praised as a front-line investigative journalist whose stories over the last decade have uncovered corruption, environmental destruction, and human trafficking at scam compounds across the country, and has consistently pushed for accountability and justice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But now out on bail, Mech Dara told The Associated Press he plans to leave the profession and grow vegetables in his hometown in Kandal province, just south of the capital Phnom Penh.

When not tending his crop, he might also sell coconuts or other items, he said.

Mech Dara recalled he spent 12 years working as journalist, for the Cambodia Daily and the Phnom Penh Post, two once-vibrant English-language newspapers forced to shut down under government pressure, and the Voice of Democracy radio and website, which was closed by the government last year. Now 36 years old, he had since then been working as a freelancer.

In fact, I had been determined to keep working as a journalist for many years to come, he said, and to overcome all the obstacles I would meet."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But a few weeks spent in jail, with poor prospects of prevailing in court, changed his mind. Cambodias government has long been accused of using the judicial system to persecute critics and political opponents.

Mech Dara was arrested on Sept. 30 by a posse of military police at a toll booth as he was returning with his family to the capital Phnom Penh from a seaside holiday. The next day, he was formally charged with incitement to commit a felony or cause social disorder for items he posted online in late September. The offense carried a penalty of imprisonment for six months to two years, along with a fine.

Mech Dara said his initial, all-night interrogation was rough. He was in handcuffs and flanked by two policemen armed with AK-47 assault rifles as he was questioned. And they walked him up and down from the ground floor to the second floor, again and again, threatening him repeatedly.

Matters didnt improve when he was sent to pre-trial detention at the Kandal provincial prison.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He neither slept nor ate well in the narrow, overcrowded cell where he was kept for more than three weeks. He said he saw prisoners slapping and punching each other and fainting, and heard of others dying. It made him wonder whether or not I could see tomorrow and if the next day it could be me."

Adding to his concerns were his existing health problems, including Hepatitis B.

At the same time, he realized that the prospects of earning a living as a reporter were shrinking, especially because as a freelance journalist it was difficult to get licensed by the Information Ministry,.

His situation took a new turn on Oct. 23, when Fresh News, a pro-government media outlet, published a video of him in an orange prison uniform, apologizing to Prime Minister Hun Manet and former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is now president of the Senate. Hun Manet succeeded his long-serving father as prime minister last year but so far has shown little more tolerance for criticism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a minute-long clip, Mech Dara stated he had posted five instances of false information in the past that were harmful to Cambodia and its leaders, and he promised not to post false information in the future.

The next day he was released on bail.

The most recent adjustment to his situation came on Monday, when Hun Manet on his Facebook page shared two photographs of him and Mech Dara, one in which they hugged each other, and another of them sitting face to face,.

Hun Manet said he had met Mech Dara and they talked about several topics, such as freedom of expression and the responsibility of journalists to publish true information, and to adhere to their professional code of ethics.

Mech Dara hasnt posted anything on his Facebook page since his release.

-

Associated Press writer Grant Peck reported from Bangkok.
WASHINGTONAn arrest Tuesday at the Capitol of a man who police said was carrying a torch and smelled like fuel underscored Election Day anxiety gripping the nations capital.

U.S. Capitol Police halted tours for visitors for the rest of the day in order to investigate the incident.

Our officers just arrested a man who was stopped during our screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). The man smelled like fuel, had a torch & a flare gun.



The CVC is closed for tours for the day, while we investigate. We will provide more information when we can. pic.twitter.com/J5geNud1h2  The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) November 5, 2024

The arrest came amid security threats, voting disinformation, and fears of violent protests in response to the outcome of the deadlocked presidential race in a bitterly divided country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FBI on Tuesday warned of two fake videos circulating, one warning of a high terror threat at polling stations and urging Americans to vote remotely.

This video is not authentic and does not accurately represent the current threat posture or polling location safety, the FBI said in a statement.

Another fabricated video disguised as an official FBI press release alleges officials at five prisons in the key swing states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona rigged inmate voting and colluded with a political party. This video is also not authentic, and its contents are false, the FBI said.

Some businesses, stores and restaurants in downtown Washington took the extraordinary precaution of boarding up in case the outcome of the historic election between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris sparks violent demonstrations.

Businesses near the White House board up ahead of Election Night.

I want to be very clear: We will not tolerate any violence of any kind, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith warned on the eve of the election. We will not tolerate any riots. We will not tolerate the destruction of property. We will not tolerate any unlawful behavior. Offenders will be arrested and will be held accountable.

Fencing and anti-riot barriers are seen near the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 5, 2024.

The Secret Service had already fortified the White House and the vice presidents residence at the Naval Observatory and other federal landmarks with 8-foot-tall fencing as election denialism conspiracies spread throughout the internet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FBI and other U.S. law-enforcement agencies, including the Department of Justice, Secret Service, Capitol Police, Department of Homeland Security, and Election Assistance Commission, are operating a national election command post around the clock through at least Nov. 9.

What all of these folks are doing is triaging information, James Barnacle, deputy assistant director of the FBIs investigative division, said in a statement. Weve had information coming in to the FBI in the last few days.

Meanwhile, polling officials in Fulton County, Georgia, where Trump has been indicted for his alleged efforts to overturn the states election results in 2020, responded to bomb threats on Tuesday.

BREAKING: The county is seeking a court order to extend the two polling locations hours past the statewide 7 p.m. deadline to compensate for the disruption. https://t.co/j1hVftzcV9  Atlanta News First (@ATLNewsFirst) November 5, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The bomb threats were deemed not to be credible. And Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of state, said officials had identified the source and it was from Russia.

There were bomb threats in other states also deemed not credible, according to the FBI, which said many of the threats appear to originate from Russian email domains.

Officials in Washington say theyre monitoring and responding to any federal election crimes, threats to poll workers, foreign influence meddling, cyber threats, and acts of domestic terrorism.

When information is threatening and it rises to the violation of federal laws then we look to take action, Barnacle said.

Find the Daily Beasts coverage of the 2024 election here. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.
The German Federal Public Prosecutor's Office said on Tuesday that eight suspected members of an extreme right-wing terrorist organization have been arrested in the eastern German state of Saxony and Poland.

Around 20 properties are being searched, the authorities said. Searches are also taking place in Austria.

The prosecutor's office suspects the defendants of belonging to the "Saxon Separatists," a group they believe to have been formed in November 2020 at the latest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"This is a militant group consisting of 15 to 20 people, whose ideology is characterized by racist, anti-Semitic and, in part apocalyptic ideas," a statement released by the prosecutor's office said.

"Its members are united by a deep denial of the free and democratic basic order of the Federal Republic of Germany," it added.

The group is reportedly convinced that Germany is on the verge of "collapse." When this happens, it plans to take control of areas in Saxony and possibly other eastern German states by force "to establish a state and society based on National Socialism there," the statement said.

It said that according to the group's plan, "undesired groups of people are to be removed from the area by ethnic cleansing if necessary."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Four of those arrested are said to have been among the original members of the group, while one is believed to be the group's leader.

The prosecutor said that the group members had repeatedly undergone paramilitary training with combat equipment: "In particular, they practised urban warfare, handling firearms, night and forced marches, and patrolling."

The group had obtained military equipment such as camouflage suits, helmets, gas masks and protective vests, it said.

German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said: "It is a great success that the Federal Public Prosecutor and the security authorities have managed to uncover these monstrous plans and arrest those responsible."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the same time, he said that this investigation is a reminder that Germany's basic order is threatened from many sides.

"The fact that weapons training had been provided and military equipment procured shows how dangerous these right-wing extremists are," German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said.

The suspects are to be brought before an investigating judge on Tuesday and Wednesday, who will decide on pre-trial detention.

More than 450 security forces and police officers were deployed as part of the operation in Germany alone, according to the prosecutor's office.
The German Federal Public Prosecutor's Office said on Tuesday that eight suspected members of an extreme right-wing terrorist organization have been arrested in the eastern German state of Saxony and Poland.

Around 20 properties are also being searched, the authorities said. Searches are also taking place in Austria.

The prosecutor's office suspects the defendants of belonging to the "Saxon Separatists," a group they believe to have been formed in November 2020 at the latest.

"This is a militant group consisting of 15 to 20 people, whose ideology is characterized by racist, anti-Semitic and, in part apocalyptic ideas," a statement released by the prosecutor's office said.
This is your home for all Election Day action in Monmouth and Ocean counties, as well as the presidential election. We'll be tracking Election Day action through Tuesday evening and beyond, with reporters and photographers visiting polling places, staying in touch with candidates, talking with election officials and voters, and providing results as soon as they are available.

If you want to share information about your voting experience with us, email newtips@app.com. Provide contact information and, if possible, we'll be in touch.

Stay up-to-date by downloading our app or sign up news alerts.

DAY 2: Update on election from Jersey Shore, New Jersey and national races: NJ elections 2024

2024 Election results

Donald Trump touts 'greatest political movement of all time'

Former President Donald Trump came out to Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" early Wednesday morning after he put himself in position to be the next President.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump now has 267 electoral votes, three away from clinching the election. He also has leads in many of the outstanding states.

"This was a movement like nobody's ever seen before," Trump said. "And frankly this was the greatest political movement of all time."

It sound like he didn't even believe he won.

"Is this crazy?" he asked.

He thanked the American people for helping him become the 45th president and the 47th president and he promised to fight for Americans.

"This will truly be the golden age of America, this is what we have to have," he said.

Trump said he won the popular vote and said he did extremely well in the Battleground States. That might be an understatement as Trump performed exceptionally well in each of those states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He thanked his team, his wife and his family.

Trump's running mate JD Vance also spoke, thanking Trump, calling the election the greatest comeback in history.

Trump wins Pennsylvania, closes in on win

Donald Trump picked up another Battleground State victory and this one may have sealed the deal.

The former president is projected to win Pennsylvania, a state Vice President Kamala Harris needed to win if she wanted to win the election.

Trump now holds a 248-214 lead over Harris, according to USA Today. He also has leads in most of the outstanding Battleground States.

Trump is also on pace to not only win the election, but for the first time in three elections, he is slated to win the popular vote.

Trump wins another Battleground State

Former President Donald Trump is doing very well in the states that will determine this election. After winning North Carolina, he added Georgia to his resume. Trump also leads in most of the Battleground States, including Pennsylvania. If he wins the Keystone State, Trump will almost certainly be the next president.

Battleground States to determine the race; Trump leads

As expected, it's going to come down to Battleground States. And so far, Donald Trump has to like what he sees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The former president has won North Carolina. He leads in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia and Arizona.

Kamala Harris not coming out tonight

Cedric Richmond, Co-Chair of the Harris Campaign, just announced that Vice President Kamala Harris will not come out tonight to address the nation. He did say that she would come out tomorrow.

Republicans win control of Senate

Republicans have won control of the U.S. Senate and remain locked in a tight battle in 2024 for control of the House of Representatives. All 435 House seats are up for election this year, and a handful of close matchups could make or break which party winds up with the majority. Republicans are vying to keep control of the lower chamber, while Democrats hope to flip enough seats to take over.

There are about two dozen tossup House races, where either party could come away with the win regardless of incumbency, according to Cook Political Report. High-profile lawmakers including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., have already won-reelection.

New York Times: Trump likely to win election

The New York Times updated its forecast to say former President Donald Trump has an 89 percent chance at winning the election. It also estimates Trump will win, 298-240.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"For the first time tonight, we consider Trump likely to win the presidency. He has an advantage in each of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin," Chief Political Analyst Nate Cohen said. "To win, Harris would need to sweep all three. There is still a lot of vote left, but in the voting so far, Trump is narrowly but discernibly ahead."

Electoral votes update: Trump inches closer to victory

It looks like Donald Trump is on his way to winning the election. Betting sites have him as the overwhelming favorite, New York Times said a Trump victory is likely, giving him an 89 percent chance to win and he's cleaning up early, with a 214-179 lead advantage over Vice President Kamala Harris.

But it's not over yet. Battleground States Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin will go a long way in deciding the election and all the races are too close to call. But as of now, Trump has the edge in each of these states.

Freehold Township BOE results

In the race for three seats on the Freehold Township Board of Education, Emily Crosby, 9,738 votes, Neil Garguilo, 8,491 votes, and Todd Caissie, 7,741 votes were the top vote getters. Kerry Vendittoli finished with 5,522 votes. The results are unofficial from Monmouth County.

Trump moves closer to victory

Donald Trump continues to pick up wins and lead Kamala Harris 198-109 in electoral votes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pollymarkets has Trump as a 90 percent chance of winning, while New York Times has Trump has a 81 percent chance of winning the election. It also now has Trump as the favorite to win the popular vote.

Eatontown Board of Education results

In the race for three seats on the Eatontown Board of Education, Deidre Seaman, 2,113 votes, Jessca Ragucci, 2,214 votes and Jennifer Kopach, 2,097 votes, were the top three vote getters. Steve Zagha finished with 1,433 votes. No candidates were on the ballot for the 1-year unexpired term but a write-in candidate did receive 278 votes. Anthony Gaetano was uncontested for the Boroughs seat on the Monmouth Regional High School Board of Education with 3,743. A write-in candidate did earn 106 votes. The votes are unofficial from Monmouth County Board.

Massive cheating in Philly? Trump says so

Former President Donald Trump said things were amiss in Philadelphia. He took to his social media platform Truth Social to say there was cheating going on.

"A lot of talk about massive CHEATING in Philadelphia. Law Enforcement coming!!!" he posted tonight about three hours before the polls closed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pennsylvania is a huge Battleground State for both Trump and his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Asbury Park School Board of Education results

In the race for three seats on the Asbury Park School Board of Education, Stephanie Ackerman, 2,368 votes, Jessie Ricks, 2,268 voted and Dominic Latorraca, 2,203 votes, are the top three vote getters. They were followed by Daniell Brascomb, 1,864 votes, Mariella Soria-Flores, 1,864 votes and Shadab Magshood, 1,759. The results are unofficial from Monmouth County Board of Elections.

New York Times: Trump has path to victory

According to the New York Times' Live Presidential Forecast, Donald Trump has a 67 percent chance of winning the election.

The model "estimates the outcome of the race in real time based on polling data, the votes reported so far and what (it) expects from remaining votes."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The tracker estimates Trump will get 284 electoral votes, Vice President Kamala Harris to get 254.

Holmdel Board of Education results

In the race for three seats on the Holmdel Board of Education, Kimberly Tuccillo, 4,311 votes, Raynond Kim, 4,124 votes and Surekha Collur, 3,764 are the top vote getters with 10/10 districts reporting.

Following them are Mary Corrigan, 3.401 votes, John Giampolo 3,153 votes, Terrence Wall, 3,152 votes and Jeff Sargent with 1.070 votes.

The tally is the unofficial results from Monmouth County.

 Dan Radal

Who won in Ohio?

Former President Donald Trump has won Ohio. He now holds an edge in electoral votes 177-99.

Results come in, Trump holds early lead

According to USA Today, Vice President Kamala Harris has already won the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. That gives her 99 electoral votes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

USA Today has already called the following states for Former President Donald Trump: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming. That gives him 120 electoral votes.

Kamala Harris wins New Jersey

As expected, Vice President Kamala Harris has won New Jersey. The Democrat defeated former President Donald Trump for the 14 electoral votes. The Associated Press called the race for Harris. Trump still holds an early lead, 105-41.

South Carolina, Arkansas goes to Donald Trump

Donald Trump's early run continues. The former president just picked up nine electoral votes for winning South Carolina. That gives him a 99-27 lead. He also won Arkansas, giving him a 105-27 lead.

Andy Kim wins Senate seat

Democrat Andy Kim was successful in his bid to fill the open U.S. Senate seat in New Jersey, according to the Associated Press.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The seat belonged to former Sen. Bob Menendez, who resigned in August after he was convicted of federal bribery charges.

Kim, a three-term congressman, bested Republican Curtis Bashaw.

Lots of states projected for Trump; Harris picks up votes

President Donald Trump is a projected winner in the following states: Florida, which gives him 30 electoral votes, Tennessee (11 electoral votes), Missouri (10 votes), Alabama (9 votes) and Oklahoma (7 votes).

Kamala Harris also picked up some more states. She won Massachusetts (11 votes), Maryland (10 votes) and Washington DC (three votes).

Trump maintains an early lead, with a 90-27 lead in electoral votes. The first to 270 wins.

Attorney General wants to keep polls open in Burlington County until 9 p.m.

Attorney General Matt Platkin posted on "X" that he filed a lawsuit to extend voting hours by one hour in Burlington County. The polls are slated to close at 8 p.m.

I just filed a lawsuit to extend voting hours by one hour to 9:00 p.m. in Burlington County, and to make paper ballots available to voters in that county. We will continue to fight to ensure that all voters can participate in this election.  Attorney General Matt Platkin (@NewJerseyOAG) November 6, 2024

Donald Trump wins West Virginia

Former President Donald Trump has won West Virginia. That gives Trump three more electoral votes and leads 22-3 after four states have been decided.

Trump takes early lead

Three states have been called thus far, and Republican Donald Trump has won two of the three.

The former president has won Kentucky, which gives him eight electoral votes and Indiana, which was worth 11. Harris won Vermont, which gives her three electoral votes.

Busy Election Day in Superior Court

TOMS RIVER - Superior Court here was busier than usual with voter challenges this Election Day, with as many as 40 hearings being held by 4 p.m., officials said.

There was a steady stream of people all day going before judges seeking the right to vote, although morning was busiest, according to officials.

Some people were successful.

Others, like a Hudson County transplant now living in Point Pleasant, weren't.

The Point Pleasant woman told Superior Court Judge John Ducey she moved to Point Pleasant in 2021 but never registered to vote in Ocean County.

Ducey explained to her that the law requires voters who move to a new county to register to vote in the new county at least 21 days before the election. Since she had not done that, he told her he could not authorize her to vote.

"The law is there for good reasons,'' Ducey told her. "It's to protect from fraud.

"As a judge, I can't bend the rules,'' he said.

Down the hall in another courtroom, Superior Court Judge Pamela Snyder authorized a mail-in ballot for a man who appeared telephonically before her, who was at a rehabilitation center, recuperating from a broken hip. She authorized the man's daughter to bring him the ballot and then deliver it to the Ocean County Board of Elections.

Snyder told the man she was satisfied he is a registered voter "and you were actually hoping to come in person to vote today, but you were unable to do so.''

 Kathleen Hopkins

10 people denied access to vote in Monmouth County

FREEHOLD - About halfway through the day today, there were dramatically more people seeking a judge's order to allow them to vote than there were during the entire Election Day 2020, attorneys said.

By around 1 p.m. today, 10 people who had been turned away at the polls came to court hoping to convince a judge to let them vote, and all 10 were denied, said Allan Roth, attorney for the Monmouth County Democratic Organization, who was sitting in on hearings before Superior Court Judge Mara Zazzali-Hogan.

That compares to a single person who came to court here on Election Day 2020 seeking permission to vote in the last presidential election, said Lisa Littman, attorney for the Monmouth County Republican Organization.

Roth said applications of everyone who so far had come to court today were denied, either because they were not registered to vote at all, were registered out of state or had not registered to vote by the deadline 21 days before the election.

"People are really upset,'' Littman said of those whose applicants who were denied.

Today's challenges are not the only ones this year, Littman said. Challenges were ongoing throughout the early voting period, she said.

"I think you would have a lot more today if you didn't have early voting,'' Littman said.

Around 1 p.m., a retired couple from Freehold appeared before the Zazzali-Hogan seeking orders allow them to vote.

The husband and wife explained they are snowbirds living in Florida in the winter and said they went to the office in the residential community where they live in Freehold seeking help to get absentee ballots to vote here. The secretary assured them the ballots would be coming, they said. The wife told the judge she and her husband have been trying since September to get their absentee ballots, but they never came.

A pair of deputy attorney generals voiced opposition to the couple's application because they are not registered to vote in Freehold. But both Littman and Roth asked the judge to use her discretion and let the couple cast their ballots.

"I just don't think the applicants should be penalized because someone tried to help them in the office where they live in New Jersey,'' Littman said.

She said this was the fifth application with the same set of circumstances where the applicants went to the office of their senior residential community "and the person in the office told them they would provide assistance in getting their election ballot and failed to follow through.''

Zazzali-Hogan reserved her decision, telling the couple she would need to see proof that they are living in Freehold. She told them to go home and get documentation of their address and come back later.

Around 2 p.m., Hanen Eyouv, formerly of Middletown, headed into the courthouse hopeful she would be allowed to vote.

Eyouv said she is registered to vote in Middletown, but got flagged because she recently sold her home and is temporarily living with a daughter in New York.

Asked why she felt so strongly about voting, Eyouv said, "It's a right, it's a basic right.''

She said the outcome of this election will be important for her children.

"It will affect their lives at some point,'' Eyouv said.

Eyouv emerged from the courthouse around 2:30 p.m. and reported that she was denied voting because she didn't register where she is currently living.

Monmouth County has seen steady turnout on election day, but lines have mostly been short in part because of a surge in early voters, the county clerk said Tuesday afternoon.

Christine Giordano Hanlon said residents who voted early in person helped the county navigate its first presidential election with electronic voting machines that it bought in 2021.

This is what we had hoped for and worked toward to alleviate the lines and the stress on election day, Hanlon said.

New Jersey counties have been unveiling new machines since 2021 when a state law required them to offer in-person voting for nine days before the general election. The state also required counties to have an electronic poll book and voting machines with paper backups. Counties could choose among four companies that provided voting systems.

Ocean County last year spent $9.4 million to switch from a system operated by Dominion Voting Systems to one operated by Election Systems and Software because, officials said, Dominion was difficult to use.

Ocean County election officials didnt immediately respond to a request for an update on how the new system was faring.

Monmouth County, which also uses ES&S, ran into a glitch in 2022 caused by a software re-installation. The system double counted votes in six districts across four towns.

Hanlon said she was confident ES&S wouldnt repeat the mistake.

Weve invested in additional controls and ways to ensure that the system is running as it should be with our vendor and invested in additional resources to sort of help double check everything, she said. We havent had the issue since and we do not expect it to happen again.

 Kathleen Hopkins

Quiet day in Ocean Grove, no problems reported

The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association office on Pitman Avenue, the polling place for Neptune election districts 2 and 3 in Ocean Grove, was quiet at about 4:30 p.m., with only a handful of people in line. A poll worker said it was much busier in the morning, when people came to vote before work.

Are NJ police stopping cars in PA over voting?

A post on Reddit stated New Jersey State Police were stopping cars in Pennsylvania to ask drivers their party affiliation.

Police in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, located about 20 minutes north of Philadelphia, are denying the post, which said four people were stopped.

On Monday evening, a post on the discussion site Reddit reported that a person described as a NJ State Trooper was stopping vehicles in Bucks Co. asking their political affiliation and that at least 4 persons reported this to Langhorne Boro PD. We received NO reports.  LanghornePD (@LanghornePolice) November 5, 2024

New voting machines holding up well in Monmouth County

Monmouth County has seen steady turnout on election day, but lines have mostly been short in part because of a surge in early voters, the county clerk said Tuesday afternoon.

Christine Giordano Hanlon said residents who voted early in person helped the county navigate its first presidential election with electronic voting machines that it bought in 2021.

This is what we had hoped for and worked toward to alleviate the lines and the stress on election day, Hanlon said.

New Jersey counties have been unveiling new machines since 2021 when a state law required them to offer in-person voting for nine days before the general election. The state also required counties to have an electronic poll book and voting machines with paper backups. Counties could choose among four companies that provided voting systems.

Ocean County last year spent $9.4 million to switch from a system operated by Dominion Voting Systems to one operated by Election Systems and Software because, officials said, Dominion was difficult to use.

Ocean County election officials didnt immediately respond to a request for an update on how the new system was faring.

Monmouth County, which also uses ES&S, ran into a glitch in 2022 caused by a software re-installation. The system double counted votes in six districts across four towns.

Hanlon said she was confident ES&S wouldnt repeat the mistake.

Weve invested in additional controls and ways to ensure that the system is running as it should be with our vendor and invested in additional resources to sort of help double check everything, she said. We havent had the issue since and we do not expect it to happen again.

 Michael Diamond

No line in Tinton Falls

There was a steady stream of people walking into vote at the Tinton Falls Municipal Building, which is where Districts 1 and 4 vote in Tinton Falls. The lines did not seem to be long. Voters were able to get in and out in quick order.

 Steven Falk

No problems voting in Ocean Township

Went to vote at St. George's Greek Orthodox Church on West Park Avenue in Ocean Township. Home to at least 6 voting districts, tables set up. Short wait of about 2 minutes at each. Poll worker said it was very busy early on. We voted at about 9:30 a.m. I Voted stickers were handed out and the voting machines had electronic voting with a paper ballot that allowed you to review your choices on paper before casting your final vote. They also ran my driver license through a scanner to prove valid registration and checked by signature electronically through computer.

 Joe Strupp

I Voted stickers: Yay or Nay?

Who doesnt love a free sticker, especially on Election Day? Nearly every state has a unique design and many voters look forward to showing off.

But, what if youve never gotten an I Voted sticker? This is the question reddit user @OvernightSiren posted in r/newjersey on Tuesday.

With sad flair, heres what was posted: "Is this a NJ thing? I've voted in every presidential and mid-term election since 2008 and I haven't ever gotten a sticker. Am I supposed to ask for one? I've lived in both Cape May and Atlantic County."

@gintoddic said Got one today, first time handing them out afaik. Bergen.

@brizia also chimed in, saying Same. They never voluntarily hand them out in Somerset County. They have them but you need to ask. They have those stupid styluses out though.

And, it seems stickers are hard to come by in Ocean County. @dee_sul replied One of the major drawbacks of Ocean County is the lack of stickers.

One lucky user, @sogedking, has gotten a sticker since 2010.

 APP.com Digital Desk

Voting in Asbury Park

At the Municipal Building in Asbury Park, voting is going quickly, with less than a 10 minute wait.

 Jenna Calderon

Is Monmouth County a 'Whole Food' county?

Monmouth County is on the radar of one notable political analyst who says it has the potential to flip from Donald J. Trump in 2020 to Kamala Harris in 2024.

Dave Wasserman, senior editor of the Cook Political Report, said Monmouth is one of 10 so-called Whole Foods counties nationwide that could turn from red to blue.

In the last presidential election, Trump defeated Joe Biden in Monmouth 50.7% to 47.9%, a difference of 10,517 votes. But Trump underperformed compared with other Republicans on the ballot. In the Senate race that year, Rik Mehta beat Sen. Cory Booker in Monmouth County by 18,091 votes.

Notable Whole Foods counties w/ potential to flip from Trump '20 to Harris '24:



Ada, ID (Trump +4 in '20)

Collin, TX (+4)

Denton, TX (+8)

Douglas, CO (+7)

Hamilton, IN (+7)

Monmouth, NJ (+3)

Oklahoma, OK (+1)

Placer, CA (+7)

Suffolk, NY (+0.03)

Washington, AR (+4)  Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 3, 2024

Wasserman analyzed the vote between Whole Foods counties and Cracker Barrel counties nationwide in 2020. He found Biden won 85% of the counties that had a Whole Foods and just 32% of counties with a Cracker Barrel, making Monmouth a rare Trump Whole Foods county.

Monmouth County has three Whole Foods. But the theory might not be as clear cut as it seems. Monmouth County almost had a Cracker Barrel, but Freehold Township rejected an application by the restaurant in 2017 because, the planning board said, the building would be oversized and nontraditional in appearance.

Other counties on Wassermans Whole Foods watch list: Alda, Idaho; Collin, Texas; Denton, Texas; Douglas, Colorado; Hamilton, Indiana; Oklahoma County in Oklahoma; Placer, California; Suffolk, New York; and Washington, Arkansas.

 Michael Diamond, Asbury Park Press

Voting in Monmouth County

Howell: At Ardena Church in Elton Adelphia, Tuesday mornings lines have been short and easy to get through.

Neptune: At the firehouse in Shark River Hills, voting was running smoothly with no line and friendly poll workers.

 Jenna Calderon, Asbury Park Press

Presidential polls: Rutgers-Eagleton survey

New Jersey? Still not considered a swing state.

Heading into election day, a Rutgers-Eagleton poll released Oct. 30 found Democratic candidates held a double-digit lead over Republican candidates up and down the ballot.

In the presidential race, Democrat Kamala Harris was ahead of Republican Donald J. Trump 55% to 35%, among registered voters who said the would already have voted. Another 6% said they would not vote for either candidate or would vote for someone else, while 5% said they were unsure.

In the senate race, Democratic Congressman Andy Kim was ahead of Republican businessman Curtis Bashaw 49% to 26% among the same group of voters. Some 6% said they would vote for neither candidate or someone else, while 19% said they were unsure.

New Jerseyans are less familiar with the candidates running for former Sen. Robert Menendezs seat. Nearly a quarter of voters responded that they did not know Kim, while 58% said they didnt know Bashaw.

Despite pre-election polls showing a statistical dead heat on the national stage and in every battleground state right now, New Jersey will likely remain a win in the blue column this election cycle, said Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick. While final results will ultimately depend entirely on who turns out to vote both in the Garden State and nationwide, poll numbers provide insight into how close this years races may or may not be leading up to Election Day. Right now, Democrats leads in the Garden State look comfortable, but these gaps may very well narrow in the final days through Election Night.

Results are from a statewide poll of 1,018 adults contacted through the probability-based Rutgers-Eagleton/SSRS Garden State Panel from Oct. 15 to Oct. 22. The full sample has a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percentage points.

 Michael Diamond, Asbury Park Press

Happy Election Day  I got my prize!

Around 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, my family  my husband and my son who is a first-time voter  and I pulled into a dark and empty parking lot of our Neptune polling location.

After about 10 minutes, other vehicles started to pile in, and we headed for the entrance. The line was not long and the poll workers were very friendly. They ask if we knew our district so that we could get into the correct line. If not, you could easily check the map hanging on the wall to find it.

Different for me this morning was when the poll workers asked for ID or the sample ballot sent to my home. They wanted to scan it; If you dont have either, you can still proceed. I then confirmed my information and signed the signature card so they the poll workers could compare signatures. I had to sign twice since my signature was different from what is currently on record. I was handed a long, rectangular piece of paper and my signature card. I gave the card to the poll worker and then inserted the long paper into the machine. After I made my selections, I selected 'print and preview.' This is when my ballot was printed and placed in a plastic compartment. I could only see the ballot; You're not allowed to take it with you. This allowed me to double check my choices. I confirmed everything was correct and the paper went back in the machine. Finally, I was asked if I was ready to cast my vote. I pushed 'cast' and got my prize  the 'I Voted' sticker!

 Tamara Walker, Asbury Park Press

What time does voting start in NJ?

Polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in New Jersey.

Polling locations near me

What voting district am I in?

District 9 (Ocean County)  Municipalities: Barnegat, Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Beachwood, Berkeley, Eagleswood, Harvey Cedars, Lacey, Lakehurst, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach, Manchester, Ocean Gate, Ocean Township (Ocean), Pine Beach, Ship Bottom, Stafford, Surf City, Tuckerton

District 10 (Monmouth and Ocean counties)  Municipalities: Bay Head, Brick, Brielle, Island Heights, Lavallette, Manasquan, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, Sea Girt, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, South Toms River, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Toms River

District 11 (Monmouth County)  Municipalities: Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Bradley Beach, Colts Neck, Deal, Eatontown, Fair Haven, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Long Branch, Neptune, Neptune Township, Ocean Township (Monmouth), Red Bank, Shrewsbury Borough, Shrewsbury Township, Tinton Falls

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties)  Municipalities: Allentown, Englishtown, Helmetta, Jackson, Manalapan, Matawan, Millstone (Monmouth), North Hanover, Old Bridge, Plumsted, Roosevelt, Spotswood, Upper Freehold

District 13 (Monmouth County)  Municipalities: Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright, Union Beach, West Long Branch

District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean counties)  Municipalities: Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Farmingdale, Howell, Lake Como, Lakewood, Wall

Outside the Jersey Shore region? Find your district here.

Election Day freebies

To celebrate the vote, some restaurants and other businesses have Election Day promotions with freebies or discounts on food and other offers. These Jersey Shore businesses are offering National Donut Day deals  what an unexpected coincidence that Election Day and Donut Day are both Nov. 5 this year. Find even more deals here.

What do I need to bring to vote?

You may be required to present a valid ID if you're voting for the first time or if your registration is incomplete. Examples include:

Other Government ID

Valid US Passport

Store Membership Card

Rent Receipt

Valid Employee ID

Valid New Jersey Driver's License

Valid Student ID

Valid Military ID

Valid New Jersey Nonphoto Driver's License

Sample Ballot mailed to you

Valid New Jersey Vehicle Registration

Utility Bill

Bank Statement

When do you find out who won the election?

It could be anywhere from hours to days before we know the final results of the 2024 election. Check out the time it took for these previous elections:

In 2020, it took four days for President Joe Biden to be declared the winner.

In 2016, Trump was declared the winner in the early hours of the morning the day after the election.

In 2000, it took 35 days to declare Republican George W. Bush the winner, the longest delay in history.

 Kinsey Crowley

Get a ride to vote on Election Day

Uber: Offers 50% off rides to polling places (up to $10) and 25% off Uber Eats orders from 6 p.m. on Nov. 5 to 7 a.m. on Nov. 6.

Lyft: Provides a 50% discount (up to $10) on rides to polls. Users can preload the ride code VOTE24 by November 5.

What if I have a problem when voting?

To report a potential election crime or incident of voter fraud , call 877-NJ-VOTER (877-658-6837).

If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination or harassment while voting, you can file a report with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights through the NJ BIAS online portal, available at https://bias.njcivilrights.gov, or by calling 833-NJDCR4U (833-653-2748).

Contact the Monmouth County Board of Elections : 732-431-7802, ext 7150.

Contact the Ocean County Board of Elections: 732-929-2167.

What if I'm turned away at my voting location?

You may be turned away if you don't have appropriate ID card, if voting records show you've requested an absentee ballot, or if your name is wrong on the voter registration roll. If this is the case, request a provisional ballot, as well as a receipt.

What is voter intimidation?

Voter intimidation is illegal in New Jersey. You should report it immediately by calling 877-NJ-VOTER (877-658-6837). Examples include:

Individuals or groups waiting outside polling places and trying to scare people out of the voting line

Individuals standing in unauthorized areas near voting booths and video recording or photographing voters in the polling place

Individuals following or harassing voters in the polling place

Individuals threatening violence or harm to voters inside or outside a polling place

What if I'm still in line at 8 p.m.?

If you are in line when the polls close, you legally have the right to vote.

2024 US president betting odds

Early voting turnout 2024

Monmouth County residents cast more than 129,000 early in-person votes, while Ocean County voters cast more than 108,000, according to Ocean County Clerk Scott Colabella. READ MORE

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Election 2024 updates from the Asbury Park Press, Jersey Shore
Home improvement retailer Lowe's has unveiled the Lowe's Digital Home Platform, a new service to assist homeowners in managing their properties more efficiently.

The platform is exclusively available to MyLowe's Rewards members and provides free, personalised home maintenance support, including access to product manuals, warranty information, maintenance tips and how-to guides via mobile devices.

The initial phase of the platform focuses on home appliances, with plans to expand to other home maintenance areas.

Lowe's senior vice-president and chief marketing officer Jen Wilson stated: "With our new digital home platform, we're now making it easier to manage and maintain your home's maintenance needs, starting with appliances.

"Lowe's is all about being a helpful partner and through the digital home platform, we can serve up the exact filter customers need for their refrigerator at the time it needs replacing."

For customers who have purchased major appliances through Lowe's in the past five years, these items will automatically be added to their MyLowe's Rewards profile.

The platform allows members to add additional appliances manually or through a search function.

Lowe's then displays all available information about these appliances.

The current features of the digital platform include easy storage and access to product information, shopping for compatible appliance parts, maintenance reminders and educational content such as articles and tutorial videos.

The MyLowe's Rewards programme, launched in spring 2024, offers members points towards MyLowe's Money, exclusive offers, free shipping for Silver Key status members, free gifts and special deals.

Developed by Lowe's Innovation Labs, the platform is part of a broader initiative to provide customers with a comprehensive digital twin of their homes.

Lowe's technology senior vice-president Chandhu Nair said: "The Lowe's Digital Home Platform is another way we are delivering on our Total Home Strategy, enabling a total home solution for every need in the home. We are excited to explore how this technology can help personalise the home improvement experience for our customers."

The Lowe's Digital Home Platform joins applications from Lowe's Innovation Labs such as Lowe's Style Studio and Measure Your Space.

It is accessible online via the MyLowe's Rewards member dashboard on Lowes.com.

Based in Mooresville, North Carolina, Lowe's operates more than 1,700 home improvement stores and has approximately 300,000 employees.
A team of scientists recently used astronomy to date Vincent van Goghs painting Lane of Poplars at Sunset.

The painting depicts a street named Weverstraat, which ran through the center of the town of Nuenen in the Netherlands, on either November 13 or November 14, 1884.

Donald Olson, the astronomer who led the team that made this discovery, has previously employed this method to date three of van Goghs other works: Moonrise (Wheat Stacks), Road with Cypress and Star, and White House at Night.

Art can be wondrous in more ways than one. Take Vincent van Goghs Starry Night, for instance. Its one of the most famous paintings in the world for its use of color and texture and its beautiful, swirling, flowing lines. But upon closer analysis, it also displays a fascinating understanding of complex atmospheric physics that the famed artists would have had no way of studying.

As compelling as the piece is, Starry Night isnt the only one of van Goghs master works to have the eyes of the scientific world trained on it in the hopes of gathering more information about both painting and painter through in-depth analysis. In a research project published as a story in Sky & Telescope Magazine, a team lead by Donald Olsonastronomer and physics professor emeritus at Texas State Universityfigured out how to use astronomy to discover exactly what location is depicted in van Goghs Lane of Poplars at Sunset.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is a method that Olson has actually employed before, according to a press release from Texas State University. He had previously dated the paintings Moonrise (Wheat Stacks), Road with Cypress and Star, and White House at Night via this astronomical method, now turned his sights on Lane of Poplars at Sunset after being inspired by the famous New York City Manhattanhenge phenomenon. The setting sun in the painting much resembles the suns appearance between the Big Apples skyscrapers during Manhattanhenge, and because the alignment that creates the modern phenomenon is only possible at certain times on certain days and from certain angles, Olson became convinced he could find that famous lane of poplars by reverse-engineer the precise state of the sky depicted in the painting.

If we could identify the lane on 19th-century maps Olson explained in the press release, then wed be able to establish the compass direction of the road appearing in the artworks. Next, we could use astronomical calculations to determine the date when the disk of the setting Sun aligned as van Gogh portrayed it.

But before you can look to maps, you need to narrow down your options. So, the team took a look at one of the most commonly-used sources on the subject of van Goghhis letters to his brother, Theo. From letters in this collection that described locations and climate conditions matching the setting of Lane of Poplars at Sunset, the researchers were able to get an approximate time of creation: sometime between November 5 and November 14, 1884. Inputting those dates into existing planetarium software, according to the press release, shows that the Sun set in the southwest, in the range of azimuths, or compass direction of a celestial object, between 240 and 244.

From there, the team went in search of the road, starting with the known setting of the painting Lane of Poplars in the Autumncreated by van Gogh just before Lane of Poplars at Sunset. Though similar, the settings of the two paintings did not match, so the researchers went back to the maps to look for other roads in the vicinity that also matched the celestial alignment of the painting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They found three options and eventually narrowed it down to a road named Weverstraat, which ran through the center of the town of Nuenen and was the only street of the options that was long enough to have been the setting of the painting. Finishing the investigation off with some astronomical calculations to see when the sun would have been properly visible from down that road, and the team finally found that Lane of Poplars at Sunset could only be depicting either November 13 or November 14, 1884.

Today, Olson said in the press release, we can still gaze down the same stretch of road where van Gogh walked on a chilly autumn afternoon and ponder how the artist, in his native Netherlands, was already interested in portraying sky phenomena, four years before he began to create his famous starry nights in the south of France.

You Might Also Like
More than five years after passing an e-bike and e-scooter curfew in the city, the Atlanta City Council has trimmed the limits for overnight riders down to just two hours.

Going forward, use of Atlanta mobility devices will be blocked from just 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

In October, the city council said it was reconsidering the time the curfew starts.

Previously, the limit was midnight to 4 a.m., a reduction from the initial version passed in 2019.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the time, then-Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms called for a ban from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. after a series of deadly scooter accidents in Atlanta.

Over the intervening years, city officials said Atlanta has since progressively improved micromobility infrastructure, including for shareable dockless mobility devices and are of the opinion now that making shareable mobility devices available until 2 a.m. will provide an alternative transit mode for individuals who feel vulnerable traveling alone by foot or via shared transit modes at night.

Additionally, the councils resolution said the shortening of the curfews length for use of e-bikes and e-scooters will increase the mobility devices value for the city as a reliable form of transportation, particularly for night shift workers and service workers.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

TRENDING STORIES:

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
ILLINOIS (WCIA)  The Illinois Attorney General has got extra staff working on Election Day to keep the election as free from interference as possible.

More than 200 investigators and assistant attorney generals will be working on the day to monitor the election and polling places for illegal activities and to ensure all polling places remain accessible.

Champaign Co. sees increased security ahead of Election Day

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The right to vote is one of the most fundamental rights we have as Americans. My office has and continues to monitor polling places throughout the state on Election Day to ensure that right is protected, Attorney General Kwame Raoul said. Voters who feel their voting rights have been violated or who have witnessed concerning behavior should immediately report it to my office or local law enforcement.

Central and southern Illinois voters who encounter illegal activity like voter intimidation are asked to call the Attorney Generals office at 1-866-559-6812. Additionally, people with hearing or speech disabilities can use the 7-1-1 relay service.

The Illinois Attorney General also reminded voters of some of their basic rights at their polling place, including:

To vote if they are in line by the time polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day

To get a replacement ballot if a voter makes a mistake or spoils a paper ballot before casting it

To get voting assistance from someone besides a worker for their employment or union if a voter cannot read, has trouble understanding English, or has a disability

To have up to two hours unpaid time off work to vote (If they talked with their employer before Election Day)

To be free from politicial influence like signage or clothing for any candidate within 100 feet of the polling place

To able to register to vote, and vote without intimidation, force, threat or deception

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Raoul also made a free guide to help voters identify and avoid election misinformation and election-related financial fraud.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Assistant Attorney General Justin Hall, right, questions Crista Eggers, far left, campaign manager for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Lancaster County District Court. Eggers' attorney, Renee Mathias, sits at Eggers' left. (Justin Wan-Pool/Lincoln Journal Star)

LINCOLN  Attorneys on the final day in Nebraskas civil trial involving two medical cannabis ballot measures summed up the case in very different ways: They were either isolated mistakes and human error, or they were widespread, serious, intentional wrongdoing.

Monday marked the fourth and final day of the trial before Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong. A final decision wont come for at least two weeks, as attorneys file post-trial briefs directing Strongs attention to evidence for or against disqualifying the measures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The efforts  Initiative Measure 437 to legalize medical cannabis and Initiative Measure 438 to regulate the drug  remain on Tuesdays ballot. The votes will be counted and the results made public.

The ends justify the means

Steven Guenzel, one of four attorneys who brought the initial Sept. 12 lawsuit on behalf of John Kuehn, a former state senator and former State Board of Health member, said Monday that the case wasnt about the legitimacy of marijuana or a few isolated situations.

Deputy Solicitor General Zach Viglianco, left, confers with Assistant Attorney General Justin Hall on the first day of the civil trial to determine the validity of the medical marijuana ballot measures at the Lancaster County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Lincoln. (Kenneth Ferriera-Pool/Lincoln Journal Star)

Guenzel said he believes the advocates for the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana campaign were zealous and cared very much, yet for some, that zeal gave way to something worse.

That zeal gave way to, The ends justify the means, Guenzel said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Deputy Solicitor General Zach Viglianco, defending Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen in the lawsuit, in opposition to the campaigns three ballot sponsors, said it isnt unprecedented to ask the judiciary to be the states constitutional watchdog.

But what is unprecedented, Viglianco argued, is the widespread, pervasive and serious, intentional wrongdoing that was undertaken by individuals associated with the petition campaign.

The attorneys for Kuehn and the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office have joined forces to challenge at least 80,000 signatures on the two campaigns, largely by extending observed circulator fraud or notary malfeasance to every petition those individuals touched.

Evnen previously certified nearly 90,000 valid signatures on both petitions. They need at least 86,499 valid signatures, which local county election officials are charged with verifying.

Potentially disastrous consequences

Daniel Gutman, an attorney for the ballot sponsors, dismissed those arguments, stating that no court has said improper notarizations should discredit all other documents they touched.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Viglianco and Assistant Attorneys General Justin Hall and Phoebe Lurz offered multiple examples of improper notarizations, including a circulator notarizing the signatures they gathered, notaries putting the wrong date when they notarized, notaries signing off on a sheet that lacked a circulators oath and sheets where a notarys stamp was crossed off and replaced.

Gutman said some of those were mistakes, while the AGs Office argued they were fraud or malfeasance. Gutman said that argument could be extended to other notarized documents, such as wills, mortgages, purchase agreements and affidavits.

The imagination doesnt have to wander far to grasp the potentially disastrous consequences of the legal arguments advanced in this case, Gutman said.

Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong. Sept. 20, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Gutman said the attorneys for Evnen and Kuehn assumed the worst but still couldnt find enough signatures to toss the campaigns, finding about 706 direct instances of purported fraud or malfeasance on one petition, and 394 direct instances on the other.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Viglianco said those instances cast an inescapable shadow of fraud on every single signature that the NMM campaign submitted, so its impossible to tell what is genuine.

States key witnesses

One paid petition circulator, Michael Egbert of Grand Island, testified that he used a phone book to forge signatures and to fill in information for voters who didnt sign the petitions.

Jennifer Henning of Omaha, another paid circulator, alleged that ballot sponsor Crista Eggers, the campaign manager, told her to pick up petitions she didnt circulate, and that Henning later signed off on those signatures from Seward on Eggers behalf.

That narrative, that entire story, is so compelling because it illustrates in one discrete story the intentional wrongdoing  the fraud, the malfeasance, the wrongful conduct  that exists throughout this case, Viglianco said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The AGs Office showed a text between Henning and Eggers, in which Eggers told Henning, As long as you just sign your petitions, I am comfortable notarizing them. I know you and that you are who you say you are.

From left, Steven Guenzel, Andrew La Grone and Anne Marie Mackin, attorneys for John Kuehn of Heartwell. Sept. 20, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Gutman blasted Henning as having absolutely no credibility as she is currently on probation for two counts of felony insurance fraud; has previously submitted fraudulent documents to multiple Nebraska courts; and was sanctioned by a Douglas County district judge in 2020.

Henning was sick when the trial began but appeared on the second day, which Gutman said raised suspicion.

She went from allegedly having ulcerative lesions in her vocal cords  I cant talk, she emails the court  to having a very spirited and very vocal conversation with my colleague, Gutman told Strong.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Viglianco asked why Henning, who must follow the law and talk to law enforcement as part of her probation and who vigorously supports medical marijuana, would lie.

Henning testified that she is scared to death of punishment, Gutman said, arguing that when the Attorney Generals Office called, she told them exactly what they want to hear.

Supporters of medical cannabis joined together in support of two related ballot measures for the 2024 general election at a public hearing for Initiative Measures 437 and 438 at the University of Nebraska at Omaha on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. Among those in the photo are Dominic Gillen, far left, and Shelley Gillen, left front row, who is kneeling by their son, Will Gillen. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Connely, Eggers and three other notaries pleaded a Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination while on the stand or during depositions, citing ongoing criminal investigations.

She rolled the dice

Evnens attorneys also showed a text between Eggers and Garrett Connely, a 22-year-old circulator and notary for the campaign, in which Eggers said there is no more nice campaign.

We dont follow the rules anymore, Eggers responded. And we just pay the consequences and hope its OK.

Egbert, who has been charged with a felony, testified that he has a neurological condition that affects his memory. Egbert said local and state law enforcement had promised him that if he told the truth, it wouldnt impact his criminal case in Hall County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hall County officials trained to catch invalidities caught Egbert, Gutman said, but it was the AGs Office that assumed the worst of everyone involved with the campaign.

Gutman said, Egbert was used by Evnens attorneys as a means of obtaining a political end and ensure that no Nebraskan has the opportunity to vote on medical cannabis.

Viglianco said that the case wasnt about two bad apples and that asking local officials to be hypervigilant fraud and malfeasance detectors is asking too much.

Crista Eggers, campaign manager for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, left, takes the stand, accompanied by her attorney, Renee Mathias, on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Lancaster County District Court. (Justin Wan-Pool/Lincoln Journal Star)

Jacy Todd of York, the notary charged in connection with Egberts admitted wrongdoing, has vigorously denied that he ever notarized a petition when Egbert wasnt in front of him. Medical issues prevented Todd from testifying in person.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In another text, Eggers told a campaign volunteer that she couldnt add anything to petition sheets, including ZIP codes, because it could invalidate the signatures.

Viglianco said that the texts corroborated the testimony of Egbert and Henning and that Eggers knew the campaign was breaking the rules.

She rolled the dice. She made the choice to try her luck, Viglianco said of Eggers. She gambled. And she lost.

Gutman and other attorneys for the ballot sponsors have argued that Eggers texts are being taken out of context.

Todd and Egbert and the only people who have been criminally charged in connection to the campaign, based on public court documents.

Human error

Viglianco asked broadly why the ballot sponsors attorneys didnt call State Sen. Anna Wishart or former State Sen. Adam Morfeld, the other two sponsors, as witnesses and why they didnt show training documents or proof of training or outline other communications proving respect for the rules.

The simple explanation is that that evidence wasnt introduced because it does not exist, Viglianco said. Evidence of a rule-following, clean campaign has not been introduced because that was not the campaign that was run.

Attorney Daniel Gutman, left, representing the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana sponsors, and former State Sen. Adam Morfeld confer during the first day of the civil trial to determine the validity of the Medical Marijuana ballot at the Lancaster County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Lincoln. (Kenneth Ferriera-Pool/Lincoln Journal Star)

Gutman read a deposition transcript from Connely, who told the AGs Office that human error is a part of life.

Asked whether the states notary exam said human error in notarizations is allowed, Connely said no, but you would like to think better of your government than to go after people for human error.

I think Garrett Connely speaks for tens of thousands of people who signed this petition, and maybe the electorate more generally: Why is our government so committed to undermining these initiatives? Gutman told Strong. Why is the government prosecuting people civilly and criminally for human error?

Strong ordered the attorneys for Evnen and Kuehn to submit post-trial briefs by Nov. 12. Ballot sponsors are to respond by Nov. 15. Kuehn and Evnen may respond by Nov. 18.

If Strong sides with Evnen and Kuehn, the ballot sponsors could be allowed to cure or prove the legitimacy of any challenged signatures. If she sides with the sponsors, the case would end at the district court level.

No matter who prevails, Strong and multiple attorneys have said the case will likely be appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Nebraskas constitutional officers will meet Dec. 2 to certify Tuesdays election results. Legal challenges can continue after that date.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia and India's foreign ministers said on Tuesday they were confident the Quad group of the U.S., India, Australia and Japan would continue to cooperate in the Indo-Pacific region regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters in Canberra she had met Mike Pompeo, who served as Secretary of State in the previous Trump Administration, ahead of the U.S. election and had "a very good discussion".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"One of the priorities for us to discuss was AUKUS, and we are very pleased at the sort of bipartisan support that we have seen," she said, referring to the defence technology partnership between Australia, Britain and the U.S. to transfer nuclear powered submarines to Australia.

Australia's most expensive defence project, the AUKUS deal was struck under the Biden Administration in 2023.

"In terms of the U.S. election, we will work with whomever the American people choose," she said.

China objects to the Quad grouping as an effort to contain it, while Australia, Japan, India and the U.S. say they are like-minded democracies seeking to bolster stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Quad leaders agreed in September to establish joint coast guard patrols and increased military logistics cooperation.

The Quad was "very valuable" in the region, Wong said. "We see it retaining its importance regardless of the outcome of the election," she added.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the Quad was revived under the Trump presidency in 2017.

"When we look at the American election, we are very confident that whatever the verdict, our relationship with the United States will only grow," he said, on an official visit to Australia.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Australia will provide Ukraine with 14 fast and highly manoeuvrable maritime boats to strengthen its maritime and coastal defence.

Source: Australian Government

Quote: "Australia will gift 14 rigid hull boats to Ukraine, underscoring the (Australian - ed.) Governments ongoing commitment to support Ukraine in its defence against Russias illegal invasion.

These Australian Defence Force sea boats will provide a fast and highly manoeuvrable maritime capability for Ukraine. "

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Details: The latest batch of military support, valued at AU$14 million (roughly US$9.2 million), will strengthen Ukraine's maritime and coastal defence, which is an important operational area for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the report said.

Australia has provided more than AU$1.3 billion (roughly US$857 million) in military support and more than AU$1.5 billion (roughly US$989 million) in general support to Ukraine's government since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Background:

As reported earlier, the Australian government, together with the administration of US President Joe Biden, is working on a plan to send American-made Abrams M1A1 tanks to Ukraine.

Australia will send 49 soon-to-be decommissioned Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a US$245 million military aid package.

Support UP or become our patron!
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)  Australias foreign minister said Tuesday she raised allegations with her Indian counterpart that India has targeted Sikh activists in Canada.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she discussed the Canadian allegations with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar while he was in the Australian capital, Canberra.

India has denied Canadas allegation that Indian Home Minister Amit Shah ordered the targeting of Sikh activists inside Canada.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police went public last with allegations that Indian diplomats were targeting Sikh separatists in Canada by sharing information about them with their government back home. They said top Indian officials were then passing that information along to Indian organized crime groups who were targeting the activists, who are Canadian citizens, with drive-by shootings, extortions and even murder.

Canada is not the only country that has accused Indian officials of plotting an assassination on foreign soil. The United States Justice Department announced criminal charges in mid-October against an Indian government employee in connection with an alleged foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.

The Justice Department said Vikash Yadav, who authorities say directed the New York plot from India, faces murder-for-hire charges in an alleged planned killing that prosecutors have previously said was meant to precede a string of other politically motivated murders in the United States and Canada.

Wong said her message to the Sikh community was that people have a right to be safe and respected in Australia, regardless of who they are.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Weve made clear our concerns about the allegations under investigation. Weve said that we respect Canadas judicial process, Wong said at a news conference with Jaishankar.

We convey our views to India as you would expect us to do and we have a principled position in relation to matters such as the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary and also, frankly, the sovereignty of all countries, she added.

Jaishankar said Canada has put Indian diplomats under surveillance, which was unacceptable.

Australia has close intelligence-sharing ties with Canada as members of the Five Eyes alliance that also includes the United States, Britain and New Zealand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Over the weekend, India officially protested Canada's allegation of Sikh activists being targeted there as absurd and baseless.

Jaishankar on Tuesday also condemned reports of vandalism at a Hindu temple near Toronto in Canada on Sunday as deeply concerning. In videos on social media, demonstrators carrying yellow flags in support of the Sikh separatist movement can be seen clashing with others, including some holding India's national flag, inside the temple complex. Indian consular officials were visiting the temple where the clashes erupted. It was unclear how the violence began.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the violence at the temple unacceptable, adding that every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.

The violence drew a strong rebuke from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve, he wrote on the social media platform X, adding that India expects Canada to ensure justice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A demonstration that included protesters holding India's national flag near the same temple on Monday night was ordered to disperse after Peel Regional Police said on social media that weapons were seen within the crowd. Police declared the protest an unlawful assembly, and warned anyone who remains could face arrest.

Relations between the two countries soured after Trudeau said last year there were credible evidence the Indian government had links to the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India has vehemently rejected the accusation.

New Delhi, long anxious about Sikh separatist groups, has increasingly accused the Canadian government of giving free rein to separatists from a once-strong movement to create an independent Sikh homeland, known as Khalistan, in India.

The diplomatic row led to the expulsion of each side's top diplomats last month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jaishankar said, We believe in freedoms, but we also believe freedom should not be misused.

Trudeau has said Modi underlined to him at a G20 summit in India last year that he wanted Canada to arrest people who have been outspoken against the Indian government. Trudeau said he told Modi that he felt the actions fall within free speech in Canada.

Trudeau added that he told Modi his government would work with India on concerns about terrorism, incitement of hate or anything that is unacceptable in Canada. But Trudeau also noted that advocating for separatism, though not Canadian government policy, is not illegal in Canada.

___

Associated Press writer Krutika Pathi in New Delhi contributed to this report.
Allen Maldonado, 39 of Delhi has been identified by the Merced County Sheriff Coroners Office as the driver of a vehicle who died in a fiery crash near Delhi on Oct. 27, according to Deputy Michael Domingue.

A Merced County Sheriff deputy on patrol noticed a vehicle that was on fire in an orchard along El Capitan Way east of Sycamore Street near Delhi at about 3 a.m., authorities said. It appears the man was driving a 1998 Ford Ranger when the vehicle left the roadway and struck multiple trees in the orchard before catching fire, the The California Highway Patrol said.

Cal Fire personnel responded to the scene to extinguish the fire and Maldonado was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact CHP Officer Ramon Perez at 209-356-6600.
This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

UPDATE 11/4, 7:43 p.m.:

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  The Salt Lake City Police Department provided more information about an officer-involved critical incident from Monday evening involving the U.S. Marshals Service.

Members from a USMS fugitive task force requested support from SLCPD officers after 4:20 p.m. on Nov. 4.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When SLCPD officers arrived on scene, they learned the USMS had been involved in an OICI, as defined by Utah law, SLCPD said in a press release Monday.

The incident, which happened near 2150 South Lincoln Street in Sugar House, led to one person being injured. SLCPD said the injured person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries under law enforcement guard.

No other injuries were reported after the incident.

SLCPD said none of its officers were on the scene before the incident. The information released by SLCPD was based on a preliminary review of the details, but information may change as the investigation continues.

UPDATE 11/4, 6:46 p.m.:

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  One person is in the hospital and under the watch of the U.S. Marshals Service after an officer-involved incident on Monday evening, according to officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The person in the hospital does not have life-threatening injuries, according to officials with the Salt Lake City Police Department. There is no risk to the public, SLCPD said.

Officials have not yet released further information about the circumstances that led up to the incident. SLCPD was not involved in the incident, but is in charge of the investigation.

There is no further information at this time.

ORIGINAL STORY: Authorities responding to reported officer-involved shooting in Sugar House

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Authorities are responding to a report of an officer-involved shooting in Sugar House that happened before 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, according to officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The incident took place in Sugar House near the intersection of Elm Ave. and Lincoln St., according to the Salt Lake City Police Department. Police said the Marshals have activated officer-involved-critical-incident protocol

The U.S. Marshals Service was involved in the pursuit of a fugitive from the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Mark Thomson told ABC4.com.

SLCPD said one person is in custody and there is no risk to the public.

According to Salt Lake City police, the incident did not involve SLCPD, but officers from the police department were on the scene to assist. SLCPD said members of a fugitive task force were involved in the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Detectives with SLCPD will be conducting the investigation.

There is no further information at this time.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Similarly, interest in weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy has fueled huge growth in the industry. A recent study published in the scientific journal Addiction indicates that GLP-1 drugs could cut opioid and alcohol addiction rates by up to half. These drugs are also being tested for Alzheimers and other conditions commonly linked to obesity. For pharmaceutical companies aiming to lead in areas like cardiovascular and renal health, developing GLP-1s is becoming essential. The focus has shifted beyond competing with the top dogs in the anti-obesity market, which is projected to reach $130 billion by 2030. As the potential applications of GLP-1s grow, so does the opportunity for new players to enter the field. Swiss company Roche, for instance, rejoined the race for a weight-loss pill last year with its acquisition of California-based Carmot Therapeutics for up to $3.1 billion. The company is looking to fast-track its anti-obesity treatments, aiming to capture a chunk of the weight-loss market and restore confidence in its pipeline.

Today, the biopharma sector boasts its largest and most diverse clinical pipeline to datea result of decades of pioneering research. The number of unique drugs in development has nearly doubled, growing from 3,200 in 2012 to 6,100 in 2022. That said, only 14% of drugs in clinical trials make it to FDA approval, according to Research from MIT, pushing the average cost of developing a single drug to about $1 billion. AI could be the game-changer here. Generative AI, for example, lets researchers explore way more potential compounds than traditional methods can while helping spot disease patterns in massive data sets to find the best drug combinations. Moreover, PwC predicts that AI-driven automation and analytics could slash process timelines by 6070% and reduce operational costs by over 30%.

Healthcare takes the concept of 'defensive' further than almost any industry, encompassing many companies that provide patient care, engage in the research and development of new treatments, and design, manufacture, and market diagnostic equipment and tests. Breakthroughs in medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and treatment methods have transformed patient outcomes, with pharmaceutical companies, in particular, attracting significant attention as the demand for rapid results has increased. A report from Grand View Research estimates that the global pharmaceutical manufacturing market was valued at around $516.48 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.63% from 2023 to 2030.

We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Pharma Stocks To Buy Right Now . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) stands against the other pharma stocks.

Story Continues

Headwinds in Pharmaceuticals

At first glance, the pharma industry might look like its thriving. But, like any industry, it faces its own set of challenges. Both biotech and pharmaceuticals faced a steep 48.6% decline in funding last year compared to 2021. The IPO market also dropped sharply in 2022, with proceeds plummeting amid market instability and volatility. The surge in drug-developer IPOs in 2020 and 2021, which raised approximately $46.5 billionsurpassing the total from the previous eight years combinedleft many general investors wary. The biotech industrys high-risk, high-reward nature, coupled with macroeconomic and geopolitical risks affecting broader markets, has put upcoming IPOs under close scrutiny. That said, drug developers have managed to raise $2 billion through IPOs this year as of September 3, reflecting a 24% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Though nearly two-thirds of these funds were secured in the initial two months amid a surge of new listings, according to BNN Bloomberg. However, with less than $800 million raised in the following six months, drug developers share of U.S. IPO proceeds has dropped from 17% in February to 6.5%.

In his welcome remarks at the October 7 conference, Tim Hunt, CEO of the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), highlighted a rise in investment in cell and gene therapies in 2024. He noted that 13 of the worlds 15 largest pharma companies by market capitalization now have an active presence in this field. With numerous product patents set to expire, major pharmaceutical companies are increasingly looking to cell and gene therapies to bridge potential revenue gaps. Despite this interest, the number of cell and gene therapy deals in the pharma sector dropped by 38% in Q2 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, and there has been a decline in related patent applications. That said, the industry remains compelling and is one that potential investors shouldnt ignore.

Our Methodology

We began by examining several U.S. pharmaceutical ETFs to identify stocks with the highest weightings. From these selections, we ranked each stock based on the total number of hedge fund holders as of Q2 2024.

At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here)

A close-up of a person's hand holding a bottle of pharmaceuticals.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 96

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, is a prominent American multinational pharmaceutical company with historical ties to the original Merck Group, founded in Germany in 1668. Known globally as Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), the company is highly regarded for its contributions to pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) reported a 4% boost in third-quarter 2024 revenue, bringing in $16.7 billion, driven by strong sales of its cancer drug KEYTRUDA and the launch of Winrevair. While Gardasil sales declined by 10%, mainly due to lower demand in China, the company remains optimistic about future growth, targeting $11 billion in sales by 2030. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) also shared positive clinical developments and new FDA approvals, further expanding its oncology portfolio.

On October 25, Barclays reaffirmed its Overweight rating and a $140 price target for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) following new data from competitor Arcus Biosciences on its HIF-2 inhibitor, casdatifan. The data highlighted a 34% objective response rate (ORR), with a 25% confirmed ORR, presenting some competition for Mercks cancer drug, Welireg. However, Barclays noted that the confirmed-to-unconfirmed response ratio did not represent as significant a competitive shift as initially expected.

As of Q2 2024, Insider Monkey data shows that 96 hedge funds held stakes in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), with Millennium Management as one of the largest shareholders, holding shares valued at approximately $1.18 billion.

Oakmark Equity and Income Fund stated the following regarding Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) in its Q3 2024 investor letter:

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a global pharmaceutical firm with leading oncology, vaccine and animal health franchises. Premier products in Mercks portfolio include Keytruda, Gardasil, Winrevair and Bravecto. Outsized contributor Keytruda is an immuno-oncology drug that treats several cancers and tumors. Keytruda is an astounding clinical and commercial success that is on track to become one of the best-selling prescription drugs to date. Investor angst surrounding Keytrudas pending U.S. patent expiration in 2028 presented a chance to buy shares at a discounted valuation. We believe opportunities to extend Keytrudas duration through life cycle management are underappreciated. More importantly, discounted cash flows from products already on market cover todays entire stock price, meaning there is minimal value ascribed to a promising pipeline with strong sales potential. We believe Merck is led by a capable management team that looks to reinvest these cash flows in an accretive manner.

Overall MRK ranks 2nd on our list of the best pharma stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of MRK as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that certain AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MRK but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Ruslan Kravchenko, Head of Kyiv Oblast Military Administration, has said that Russian troops carried out another nighttime attack on Kyiv Oblast with drones. The windows of a house were damaged due to the fall of wreckage from downed Russian drones.

Source: Kravchenko on social media

Details: He says that the air-raid warning was in effect for almost 10 hours. Air defence forces were actively responding in the oblast. The Russian airborne assets were destroyed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kravchenko said that there were no casualties among the population, and no hits to critical and residential infrastructure were made.

Quote: "The current information suggests that the windows of a residential building were damaged in one of the districts as a result of falling wreckage from downed enemy targets. Operational services are working to record the consequences of the attack on Kyiv Oblast."

Background: The Russian military launched attack UAVs across Ukraine on Monday evening.

Support UP or become our patron!
A type of baby powder that was distributed in 35 states, as well as sold online on Amazon, has been recalled over possible asbestos contamination.

The 4-oz. bottle of Dynacare Baby Powder with Item No. 4874 is one of two products included in the recall. The other is No. 4875 (14 oz.).

On Oct. 28, Dynarex Corporation recalled more than 1,000 cases of its Dynacare Baby Powder because the products have the potential to be contaminated with asbestos, the company said in a release shared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

This was an expansion of the companys recall of 62 cases of its baby powder in September.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The recall applies to Dynacare Baby Powder with two specific item numbers: Item No. 4875 (14 oz.) and Item No. 4874 (4 oz.).

According to the Dynarex Corporation, the recall was issued after routine sampling from the FDA found that certain Dynacare Baby Powder products contained asbestos. The company then recalled more products that could potentially also be contaminated because they were produced using the same talc material.

The Dynacare Baby Powder included in the recall was sold on Amazon and distributed in multiple states, according to Dynarex.

A complete list of the product batch numbers affected by the recall can be found on the FDAs website, along with details for requesting a full refund.

Dynarex noted in its release that there have been no illnesses or adverse events reported to date related to the recalled products.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The baby powder varieties in question were sold on Amazon.com, and were also distributed on or after Jan. 18, 2024, in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Asbestos, which is the name for a group of minerals, is a known human carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Exposure to asbestos can cause cancers of the lung, larynx and ovaries, as well as mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the linings of the chest and abdomen, according to the American Cancer Society.

Talc, a key ingredient in some varieties of baby powder, is a natural mineral that may be contaminated by asbestos.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is not the first time baby powder has been recalled over asbestos concerns. In 2019, Johnson & Johnson recalled about 33,000 bottles of Johnsons Baby Powder after the FDA found traces of asbestos in one sampled bottle. The company went on to face multiple lawsuits alleging that its talc-based baby powder contained cancer-causing asbestos.

Johnson & Johnson stopped making baby powder containing talc in 2020 in the U.S., and it discontinued talc-based baby powder worldwide in 2023. The companys baby powder now uses cornstarch instead.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
On Sunday evening, San Luis Obispo resident Gene Nelson dropped off his vote-by-mail ballot at the SLO County Government Building, but the state of the collection box filled him with mixed emotions.

The drop box was nearly overflowing with ballots, he said.

It was definitely at the top, Nelson said. I had to carefully thread my ballot in. It was difficult to get it in because there were so many ballots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On one hand, it encouraged him to see how many people cared about the election, but on the other hand, the drop box aroused concern for the safety of his ballot as he cast his vote.

There were so many ballots in the drop box that he could have taken his ballot right back out, he said.

That certainly causes me concern because a bad actor could be stealing ballots, he said.

This was around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nelson said. The box was not emptied until the next morning.

The county empties the box daily, except for Sunday, which is more often than they are required to, public information officer for the Clerk-Recorders Office Erin Clausen told The Tribune. Their office is required to empty the collection boxes every 48 to 72 hours, she said.

Voters can drop off ballots outside the County Government Center on Monterey Street, seen here on Nov. 4, 2024.

San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano told The Tribune the ballot box at the government center was emptied on Saturday and again early Monday morning when staff arrived and saw that it was full. It was replaced it with a larger collection box, Cano said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There is an entire chain of command process that takes place when removing the ballots from the ballot boxes, including documentation, Cano said. The ballots then get transported in dual custody into the election center, where they are processed by the election staff.

Nelson signed up for Ballottrax to receive updates on when his ballot is received and counted, but Cano said that any mail-in ballots dropped-off after Saturday wont be tabulated until after Election Day.

Election Reality Check: How does SLO County test and secure its Dominion voting machines?

Vote-by-mail ballots await counting at the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorders Office on Nov. 9, 2022.

How many ballots has the county received?

As of Monday morning, nearly 82,000 ballots had been cast in SLO County, according to a California Secretary of State report. That represents about 44% of all registered voters in the county, out of 184,510 total.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Of those ballots, 20,733 were collected from drop boxes, 7,907 were dropped off at an elections center, 52,830 were sent by mail and 259 were faxed.

Anecdotally, weve had a very steady stream of voters both at the Elections counter and at the Government Center drop box all day, Clausen said on Monday.

Retrieval teams of two elections officials from the Clerk-Recorders Office collect ballots from drop boxes around the county every day, including at the county elections center until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Teams of two from the office also pick up mail-in ballots from the San Luis Obispo post office once daily at no set time and twice on Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our retrieval teams are out collecting from drop boxes around the county, and the post office pickup this morning brought in quite a bit, Clausen said.

Mail-in ballots received after Saturday will be counted after all of the in-person poll votes on Election Day and likely wont be included in the initial results on election night.
Poll workers at Des Moines Precinct 13 retrieve ballots that were jammed in the vote tabulator on Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Jim Obradovich for Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Voters who turned out at Des Moines precincts 12 and 13 after the morning rush encountered a long line that stretched around the gym at First Church of the Open Bible in Beaverdale.

People werent waiting to vote, however. The line started after people had marked their ballots and were waiting to slide them into the vote tabulator. About 9:30 a.m., the line was about 30 minutes long. Earlier, some voters said they waited an hour.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Precinct Chair Matthew Peirce said some ballots were cut about a millimeter-and-a-half too wide to slide easily into the machine. He said the problem was discovered right after the polls opened when the third ballot wouldnt cooperate. A technician came to check the machine. The machine is fine  the ballots too wide, he said.

Poll workers were waiting by the machine to assist, but many ballots took several tries to go through. A few had to go back and fill out a new ballot when theirs wouldnt cooperate. Its like trying to feed a dollar bill into a vending machine, Peirce said.

The Iowa Secretary of States Office, however, said just before noon the problem was a minor technical error when setting up the tabulator.

It is not preventing anyone from casting their ballots. We vote on paper ballots and every vote will count. Polk County has staff onsite and the issue has been remedied, Ashley Hunt Esquivel of the Secretary of States Office said in an email.

This story has been updated with comments from the Secretary of States office.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  In addition to highly anticipated federal and state races, New York voters will be asked to weigh in on one statewide ballot measure on Election Day.

At the ballot box, New York voters will decide whether to update the states Constitution to address discrimination based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or gender.

More News: NY Elections

The amendment protects reproductive health care and autonomy, including the right to abortion, according to the New York Civil Liberties Union. The amendment has already passed both houses of the New York State Legislature. The amendment reads:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed [or], religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in [his or her] their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state, pursuant to law. Equal Rights Amendment, Proposition 1

The state Constitution does not offer any protections based on gender but does prohibit race and religion-based discrimination, according to the New York State Bar Association.

Similar clauses to protect reproductive rights have been adopted in other states, like Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. A similar amendment that protects against sex-based discrimination is also up for debate at the federal level.

The timing of this amendment could not be more critical, said representatives of the New York State Bar Association, referring to the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More News: Politics

A guide to ballot measures in NYC and on Long Island

New York City

Proposition 2: Allow the Sanitation Department greater enforcement power for trash collection, including expanded enforcement against small businesses and street vendors. It would allow DSNY to regulate trash bag placement and containerization. It would allow the department to bypass public input on sanitation laws, according to the New York City Council.

Proposition 3: This proposal deals with financial analysis and the city budget. It would update the City Charter to require a fiscal analysis of any laws by the council and the mayors office. This proposal would also give the mayors office more time to submit a preliminary deadline after an election and extend the deadline for an executive budget for the mayor and borough presidents. The New York City Council warns this measure will reduce budget transparency and create a redundant review process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Proposition 4: Require additional 30-day public notice time for any new laws regarding the public safety operations of the FDNY, NYPD, and Corrections Department. During this time, the mayor and other agencies can hold public hearings on the proposal. The City Council warns this proposition would excessively impede and delay public safety laws and give the mayor too much power.

Proposition 5: This would require more detail in annual assessments of city facilities. The facility needs would then inform capital planning via the citys Ten-Year Capital Strategy, which would also have its deadline extended. The City Council says this bill would not create meaningful change to the citys infrastructure.

Proposition 6: This would establish a new position in the city Constitution, Chief Business Diversity Officer, and give the mayor more authority in issuing film permits. Currently, only the Department of Small Business can clear these permits. It would also merge two boards, the Archival Review Board and the Archives, Reference and Research Board, which currently review city archives. The City Council warns this proposition did not have enough public input.

To view a sample ballot for New York City, click here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Suffolk County

Proposition 2: Would amend the Suffolk County Charter to extend the Drinking Water Protection Program and update the countys wastewater infrastructure. The program will be funded using a one-eighth percent increase in sales tax. To read more about Prop 2, click here.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
BOSTON (WWLP)  There are five ballot questions for you to consider on your general election ballot, and 22News is working for you to make sure you have all the information you need to vote.

Where to vote on Election Day in Massachusetts

Question 1 deals with allowing the state auditor to examine the finances of the legislature.

Yes, voterslike the auditorsay it will improve government transparency to know how the legislature is using your taxpayer money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

No voterslike most of the legislaturethink it is outside the scope of the auditors duties, and some say it even violates the separation of powers in the constitution.

Passing the MCAS standardized test is currently a high school graduation requirement, but question 2 looks to change that.

Yes, voters want to do away with the test as a graduation requirement, and they say it is a more equitable way to produce capable and diverse high school graduates in Massachusetts.

No voters worry that getting rid of the test is premature and could lower the high standards of education in the state.

Question 3 asks voters to decide whether Uber and Lyft drivers should be allowed to join a union and participate in collective bargaining.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yes, voters want rideshare drivers to have the same union rights as most other types of employees.

No voters say Uber and Lyft prices will skyrocket, and some argue that these drivers already make enough money.

Should certain psychedelic substances be legal in Massachusetts? Question 4 asks you to decide.

Yes, voters argue that psychedelics can be used for the treatment of PTSD and other conditions and should be regulated by the state.

Some no voters think theres not enough research, and others think treatment will become prohibitively expensive with the proposed law.

The final ballot question, question 5, looks to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yes, voters say raising the minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour over five years will lead to higher overall wages for tipped workers.

No voters disagree, arguing they make more as the law is now.

For a more in-depth look at each question, and to hear from experts on both sides, check out the 22News unpacking your ballot series.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
The News

Former US President Donald Trump declared victory after he was projected to win the critical swing state of Pennsylvania, putting him on the brink of securing a majority of electoral college votes.

Opinion polls had reflected the closest presidential race in modern American history. Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican Trump vied for victory in seven key swing states.

Follow this page for key updates and analysis from the campaigns, pollsters, pundits, lawmakers, and voters throughout Election Day. You can also read our hour-by-hour guide on how to watch the election results, as well as the key bellwethers to keep an eye on, as well as updates with reaction from around the world.

The View From The Campaigns

Trump declared victory in the election, marking a remarkable return to power for the former president. America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate, Trump said during an address in West Palm Beach, Florida. I will govern by a simple motto: Promises made, promises kept, Trump said shortly after he vowed to crack down on migration and stop conflicts across the globe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After casting his vote in Palm Beach, the former president said he felt confident about the election, and that if he lost, he believed there would be no violence, because his supporters are not violent people. He later posted on social media that there were rumors of massive cheating in Pennsylvania without providing evidence amid reports of high turnout in a typically Democratic area of Philadelphia. The citys District Attorney Larry Krasner immediately pushed back, saying there is no factual basis whatsoever within law enforcement to support this wild allegation.

Supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris left the Democratic Partys election watch-party at Howard University after her speech was canceled, and she has not yet conceded the election. The win has not yet been officially confirmed by all US networks or The Associated Press

Harris campaign chief Jen OMalley Dillon wrote in a staff memo late Tuesday that the election seemed likely to come down to the blue wall states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, and that a final result could take until the early morning on Wednesday.

Reporters at the Harris headquarters in Washington, DC, said that there was silence among supporters watching the votes trickle in. The vice president had spent the day doing interviews with local radio stations urging people to vote, according to the campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cedric Richmond, the Harris campaign co-chair, confirmed that the Vice President would address the nation in the morning.

Thank you for believing in the promise of America, Richmond said. We still have votes to count We still have states that have not been called yet.

The View From Abroad

World leaders began congratulating Donald Trump after the former president declared victory..

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was ready to work alongside Trump with respect and ambition as they managed to do for four years, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he appreciated Trumps peace through strength.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on historys greatest comeback, saying it heralded a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.

The View From Congress

House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson congratulated Trump. We have saved America, Johnson wrote on X. Meanwhile Trump, in his victory speech, said Johnson was doing a great job, adding that the GOP looked likely to secure a majority in the lower chamber.

House Republicans  including Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, and Speaker Mike Johnson  were reportedly traveling to Mar-a-Lago Tuesday to support Trump.

Early in the night, the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Suzan DelBene sounded optimistic that her party would be able to flip the House, telling NBC News that voters are tired of the chaos and dysfunction and extremism from Republicans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Minnesotas Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar told MSNBC that she had been surprised to hear from women in Republican-leaning states that theyd be voting for Harris. Klobuchar said that shed heard from the business community that they didnt want to see the chaos in the economy that some of Trumps proposed tariff and tax plans would bring.

The View from The States

North Carolina

Democrat Josh Stein, the states current attorney general, won the gubernatorial race, multiple outlets reported, defeating scandal-plagued Mark Robinson, the states current lieutenant governor.

CNNs exit poll found North Carolina voters were close to evenly split on whether federal hurricane aid was delivered to people who needed it in the wake of Hurricane Helene. About 7 in 10 voters were dissatisfied or angry with the direction of the country, while their top issue showed more of a split, with about 33% identifying the state of democracy and 36% the economy.

Florida

Floridas abortion referendum fell short of the supermajority needed to pass, leaving the states six-week abortion ban in place and leaving abortion virtually illegal across the southeast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Roughly 57% of voters voted in favor of amending the constitution to ensure abortion access before fetal viability; Florida law requires referendums to 60% in favor to pass, the highest threshold in the country.

A measure to legalize recreational marijuana also appeared to have failed, receiving only 56% of voters in support of the initiative.

Delaware

Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride won the states only House race, several outlets reported, making the Democrat the first transgender person ever elected to the US House of Representatives.

In an interview with Reuters, McBride said she was more focused on the issues that matter to voters rather than the history-defining nature of her candidacy, but acknowledged that it came with added responsibilities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Whenever you are first, you often have to try to be the best version that you can, she said.

Maryland

Democrat Angela Alsobrooks defeated former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan  a fierce critic of Trump  in Marylands Senate race, multiple outlets reported, keeping a Democratic seat in the partys hands.

Arizona

A judge ordered polling places to stay open an extra two hours across nine precincts in an eastern Arizona county. The county saw a troubled start to Election Day, with malfunctioning equipment and a shortage of printed ballots, the Associated Press reported.

Wisconsin

In Milwaukee, a tabulator issue means that roughly 31,000 votes will need to be recounted, city officials said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Doors to the machines were not closed properly, officials said, with both absentee and in-person ballots that will be recounted out of an abundance of caution, said the Milwaukee Election Commission.

Pennsylvania

In Fayette County, a judge blocked a local judge of elections who indicated that they would do a hand count audit of votes, ordering the official to follow Pennsylvania law, the Associated Press reported. If the official does not comply, voting materials will be moved to the Fayette County Election Bureau to ensure they counted according to law.

In Cambria County, poll stations were ordered to stay open later than usual after issues were found with some of the machines used to scan ballots. Election officials said that there is a process in place for issues of this nature, and the malfunction should not discourage voters from voting at their voting precincts, CNN reported. Other polling stations in the state also reported some machines that experienced issues, however election officials assured that all votes would be counted. In Luzerne County, polling stations will stay open an hour and a half longer than in the rest of the state after they experienced delays in opening this morning.

Georgia

Two polling stations in Fulton County reportedly closed temporarily early this morning after receiving threatening calls that were investigated by local law enforcement. They have both reopened, and a Fulton County judge has ordered the five polling stations to stay open later than the statewide 7 pm Eastern closing time, according to local reports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Speaking later on Tuesday, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger said that Russian actors appeared to be behind several non-credible threats made on polling stations, while the FBI said they had also detected non-credible threats of apparent Russian origin.

Michigan

Michigans Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson told CNN that she is investigating text messages circulating among some voters from a local Republican representative Tuesday that incorrectly suggested voters should cast their ballots on Wednesday, the day after Election Day.

Nevada

Nevadas Secretary of State warned Tuesday that there appear to be several thousand rejected ballots in two of the states largest counties, Clark and Washoe, with many showing signatures that dont match driving license records  Its mostly the fact that young people dont have signatures these days. The state allows voters to fix (cure) their ballots through Nov. 12, which could delay a final call on which candidate wins the state.

Iowa

Some voting machines in central Iowas Story County malfunctioned Tuesday, according to state officials, which could mean delays in reporting results. The machines were unable to read certain ballot styles, the countys auditor said. The cause of the technical difficulties was unknown.





Washington, DC

US Capitol police officers arrested a man who allegedly smelled like fuel, and was carrying a torch and a flare gun while entering the Capitol Visitor Center. The incident is being investigated.

The View From Pundits

How accurate were polls?

As the final polls closed, the race was shaping up to be just as close as opinion polls predicted. Pretty much exactly the race we expected, The Atlantics Tim Alberta wrote. As Republicans have grown their support in rural areas, Democrats have hoped to make up the difference among suburban women. Can Harris outrun Biden by 4-5 points in those big metro counties? Thats your ballgame.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early, and very limited, voting results, including in Georgia and Indiana, signaled some patterns, analysts said: Trump appeared to be performing better than in 2020 in some rural areas, while Harris was doing better in the suburbs. In counties that have mostly reported results, Trump is holding or improving upon his 2020 margins in rural areas, pollster Adam Carlson said.

Predictions:

Nate Silvers election model published early Nov. 5 forecast Harris winning 50.015% of the time, with the remainder a Trump win or a tie  a scenario that would likely also result in a Trump win, given that the Republican-controlled House would vote to decide the winner. So if you offered me a bet on the election, who would I pick? Well, I wouldnt, Silver wrote.

The Economists final election forecast saw Harris chance of winning rise from 50% to 56%. The lead was small enough to barely be called a lead at all, the outlet cautioned, but noted it likely reflected what voters saw as a stronger end to Harris campaign.

As more results came in on Tuesday, The New York Times pollster Nate Cohn said they predicted that Trump was most likely to win the Presidency, pointing to his early advantages in the blue wall states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. There is still a lot of vote left, but in the voting so far, Trump is narrowly but discernibly ahead.

The Economy Election:

The economy is the third candidate in this election, Justin Lahart of The Wall Street Journal wrote  though exactly how it will influence voters is less than straightforward. Despite the economy being strong by many measures, prices are still higher than before the pandemic, and voters appear to have a longer memory for inflation than they do for economic growth, Lahart noted.





The View From Voters

Exit polls highlight democracy, candidate favorability:

According to ABC News exit polling, voters seem generally negative about the future of the country, with 72% of voters surveyed reporting dissatisfaction or anger. Almost three quarters of voters said democracy is under threat. Meanwhile, about three in four voters are at least somewhat confident that their ballots would be accurately counted, according to an Associated Press poll.

A CNN exit poll found voters had a slightly more positive view of Vice President Kamala Harris than of Donald Trump. Approximately half of voters said theyd be optimistic or excited if Harris wins, while Trump also roughly split voters evenly between being optimistic or concerned if he returns to the White House.

Swing state voters express concern:

Ahead of Election Day, voters in battleground states expressed a sense that their nation was coming undone, The New York Times reported, with many expressing fears over the potential for violence both during and after the election. Others said they were relieved the campaign was coming to an end. Voters in swing state Georgia told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution also expressed concern about what might happen after the election. One, an 18 year old man  a key demographic the Trump campaign has sought to reach but which doesnt usually turn out to vote, said he was voting because everyone should participate in this.

The first local results are in:

Voters in the New Hampshire town of Dixville Notch  of which there are six  cast their ballots shortly after midnight on Tuesday, resulting in a tie, a reflection of what opinion polls have suggested for months: Its really close, Politicos Lisa Kashinsky wrote. The tiny community unanimously voted for Joe Biden in 2020, and some were surprised by the result this time: I didnt see that coming, Scott Maxwell told The New York Times.

Astronauts voted early from space:

NASA astronauts voted early from the International Space Station. They cast their vote in Texas Harris County. Space ballots get beamed to Earth through NASAs constellation of satellites that communicate with antennas on Earth, according to CNN.




With Election Day finally here, Wisconsin voters will be taking time to head to the polls to cast their ballot.

Election Day is not a federal holiday, but some states do observe it as a holiday. The State of Wisconsin does not recognize Election Day as a state holiday, and therefore state employees do not get the day off.

While the day is not a federal holiday, many people are left wondering if banks, post offices and shipping services will be open on Election Day. Here's what we know.

When is Election Day 2024? When do the polls open and close?

Polls will be open statewide from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5.

Are banks open on Election Day?

Branches of Bank of America, PNC, Capital One, Wells Fargo and other banks will be open their regular hours on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Other banking services, such as ATMs and online banking, should also be available as usual on Election Day.

Is the post office open on Election Day? Will mail be delivered?

Yes, post offices will be open and mail will be delivered on Tuesday, as Election Day is not a federal holiday.

Are shipping services, like UPS and FedEx, open on Election Day?

Yes, UPS and FedEx pickup and delivery services will be available on Election Day, and their stores will be open as well.

Are Milwaukee Public Schools open on Election Day?

Milwaukee Public Schools students will not have classes Tuesday during Election Day. The district said with many MPS schools serving as polling locations, students will take the day off. Staff have records day or professional development.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

All schools are closed, not just the schools that are voting locations.

"It has been a longstanding practice of the district that presidential elections days are not student attendance days," the district said.

Are big retailers such as Target and Walmart open on Election Day?

Most major retail stores, such as Target and Walmart, remain open on Election Day.

RELATED: Where do I vote? How do I find my polling place in Wisconsin?

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What's open and closed in Wisconsin on Election Day 2024?
Election Day is here! While many will focus on getting to their polling place to cast their vote, others will still need to handle everyday errands like picking up dry cleaning or visiting the bank.

Although not a federal holiday, some states treat Election Day as a state holiday. Government offices in most states will be closed, and 24 states, along with the District of Columbia, offer paid time off for voting. In Texas, employers are required to provide time off to vote.

Additionally, several school districts in Texas have decided to close for the day. This raises the question: will banks, post offices, and shipping services be open?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Heres what we know.

More: Election Day is Tuesday. Where and how to vote in Texas for US presidential election

Are banks open on Election Day?

Branches of Bank of America, Truist, PNC, Capital One, Wells Fargo and other banks will be open their regular hours on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Other banking services, such as ATMs and online banking, should also be available as usual on Election Day.

More: Texans showed out during early voting with nearly 9 million ballots cast statewide

Is the post office open on Election Day? Will mail be delivered?

Yes, post offices will be open and mail will be delivered on Tuesday, as Election Day is not a federal holiday.

Are shipping services, like UPS and FedEx, open on Election Day?

Yes, UPS and FedEx pickup and delivery services will be available on Election Day, and their stores will be open as well.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: When will the next president be announced? When to expect Election Day results

Why isn't Election Day a federal holiday in the United States?

The United States is one of only nine countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that do not hold elections on weekends. To address this, Israel and South Korea designate election days as national holidays to boost voter turnout.

A Pew Research Center survey revealed that a significant majority of U.S. adults support making Election Day a federal holiday. In 2024, 72% favored the proposal, up from 65% in 2018. This growing support cuts across party lines, with 78% of Democrats and 68% of Republicans in favor.

Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris expressed her support for this idea back in 2019.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"There is no question that Election Day should be a national holiday," Harris wrote on X then.

What are the 11 federal holidays?

New Years Day  Jan. 1

Martin Luther King Jr. Day  third Monday in January

Presidents Day (also known as Washingtons Birthday)  third Monday in February

Memorial Day  last Monday in May

Juneteenth National Independence Day  June 19

Independence Day  July 4

Labor Day  first Monday in September

Columbus Day (also known as Indigenous Peoples Day in some states)  second Monday in October

Veterans Day  Nov. 11

Thanksgiving Day  fourth Thursday in November

Christmas Day  Dec. 25

Inauguration Day  Jan. 20 (observed every four years following a presidential election, only in Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas)

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open on Election Day in Texas?
Key Insights

Significant control over MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad by public companies implies that the general public has more power to influence management and governance-related decisions

FGV Holdings Berhad owns 51% of the company

Using data from company's past performance alongside ownership research, one can better assess the future performance of a company

If you want to know who really controls MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad (KLSE:MSM), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 53% to be precise, is public companies. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Private equity firms, on the other hand, account for 15% of the company's stockholders.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad.

Check out our latest analysis for MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad

KLSE:MSM Ownership Breakdown November 5th 2024

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

We can see that MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

KLSE:MSM Earnings and Revenue Growth November 5th 2024

MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad is not owned by hedge funds. FGV Holdings Berhad is currently the largest shareholder, with 51% of shares outstanding. This essentially means that they have extensive influence, if not outright control, over the future of the corporation. With 15% and 9.1% of the shares outstanding respectively, Koperasi Permodalan FELDA Malaysia Berhad and Permodalan Nasional Berhad are the second and third largest shareholders.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There is some analyst coverage of the stock, but it could still become more well known, with time.
(Getty Images)

Its been a long year for Pennsylvania voters, with intense scrutiny by national media and relentless campaign ads and near-constant visits and rallies from the candidates. The battleground state with 19 electoral votes that both campaigns view as key to winning the White House, Pennsylvania voters are keenly aware of the responsibility they carry into Election Day 2024.

We asked a cross section of Pennsylvania voters for their thoughts. Heres what they told us.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bruce Hoechner, 64, a retired CEO who lives in Lower Makefield, said he feels uncomfortable with the idea that the race is as close as it appears to be and the possibility that Pennsylvania could choose the next president.

Bruce Hoechner of Lower Makefield (Photo by Christina Kristofic for the Capital-Star)

It seems to me, when you look at the track record of both candidates and the dysfunction of Trump, its astonishing that half the people in the United States would consider him fit to be president of the United States, he said.

I wish Kamala good luck.

Hoechner said he went to the Lower Bucks Government Services Center on Monday because he requested a mail ballot more than two weeks ago and it never came. So he went to get that sorted out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

James Mullane, a 23-year-old college student who lives in Middletown, said hes concerned and annoyed by the misinformation hes seen online and on TV.

He noted that a lot of people seemed to be confused about getting mail ballots on demand, thinking it was early voting.

We technically dont have early voting, he said.

But he still saw people calling on-demand mail ballots early voting.

James Mullane of Middletown. (Photo by Christina Kristofic for the Capital-Star)

No ones really learned anything about how our state works, he said. His philosophy about elections: Vote for a name, not a party.

Pamela Fox, 72, manager of a nonprofit who lives in Wrightstown, said shes very, very nervous and scared about the election and Pennsylvanias place in deciding the winner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im afraid that there are too many people in the center of the state who support Trump, and I just think hes abhorrent, she said.

Hes a convicted felon. Hes a liar. He promotes violence. Its like hes a leader of a cult. And I just think it would be very dangerous, especially since hes aligned with Elon Musk and some of the other billionaires in this country. I think it would be very bad for our democracy.

Lisa Williams, a 59-year-old homemaker who lives in Middletown, said shes a little nervous about the election.

Im a little nervous about what happens if Trump wins, and a little nervous about what happens if he loses, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shes especially worried about how many angry people there might be if Trump loses, she said. Williams decided to drop off her mail ballot on Monday rather than last week or going to the polls on Tuesday because she doesnt like crowds.

Jill Petalillo, 58, a Republican from Upper Makefield, said she doesnt feel great about the election coming down to Pennsylvania.

It just seems like theres been a lot of issues at different polling places, she said. I dont know why we dont have it figured out. You know, the lines last week were crazy. The last couple of weeks, you had polling places closing early. So you wonder if its intentional or if its just that they didnt hire enough volunteers.

Given all the confusion around mail ballots and Pennsylvania being very unpredictable, Petalillo said, its a little unnerving that it comes down to PA. Thats why its so important to get out and vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Philadelphia native Greg Ahlswede has lived in Scranton for five years. The election has been exhausted and exhausting, he said. The constant mailers, the constant texts, the constant calls. It goes into your subconscious, all of it, all of the time.

Ahlswede was at the Scranton Cultural Center on Oct. 25 to see Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.

He pointed out that people could be concentrating on other aspects of their lives: their jobs, social lives and more.

Its really easy to get sucked into a wormhole of news and social media, he said.

One of the speakers before Walz took the stage that day was Scranton Mayor Page Cognetti, who also addressed the stress of the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theres hand-wringing, oh theres hand-wringing, she said. Use those hands to knock on doors.

On the other hand

Not everyone, however, sees Pennsylvanias battleground status as a bad thing.

Jessica Reed, 41, of Pittsburgh said she was feeling nauseously optimistic at a rally for Harris on election day eve. She said she mostly watches streaming television so bubbled herself out of much of the constant political ads on broadcast and cable TV. I notice it when I go to my parents who dont have streaming TV, the commercials are just nonstop, she said. But its good to be important, it feels nice.

Bridget Lavin (l) and Jessica Reed attend a Kamala Harris rally in Pittsburgh Nov. 4, 2024 (Capital-Star photo)

Bridget Lavin, 28, moved to Pittsburgh about two years ago, she said, so 2024 is the first year shes experienced a presidential election in Pennsylvania.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I am so excited to feel like my vote is going to make a difference, Lavin said. She said she uses ad blockers online and also watches streaming TV so hasnt been hit with the onslaught of political ads. But this Saturday when I watched SNL live because Harris was on, and I was getting ad after ad after ad, she said. And I was like is this what its like living in Pennsylvania and actually watching TV?

Susie Guisco of Erie, considered a bellwether for the rest of the state, said at a rally with Bernie Sanders she and her husband, Conrad Kubaney 32, take their swing state status seriously. After the first debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, where Biden performed poorly, they were motivated to get more involved in the political process and started helping.

Its too important to be on the sidelines in this election, she said. Its a serious responsibility, but we feel like it really matters.

Christina Collier, 37, originally from New Jersey but who lives in Glassport now, said she feels the pressure of the battleground status. Shes feeling scared, she said, because she knows Trump has a lot of supporters, and she supports Harris.

But I know we did the right thing a couple years ago, she said. I think were going to to do the right thing again.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
The BBC should be granted a permanent Royal Charter to spare it from government interference, its chairman will suggest today.

Dr Samir Shah will question why the corporations existence must be reviewed every 10 years, while institutions from the Bank of England to UK Sport have permanent status.

The BBC charter sets out the rules under which the corporation operates, including regulation and funding, and is negotiated with the government of the day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In his first major speech as chairman, Dr Shah will say: There are more than 1,000 charter bodies, and I am not aware of any other that needs to be renewed like the BBC.

When you add in the fact that the charter renewal process takes around two years, and the BBC is also subject to a mid-charter assessment, the reality is a sense of almost perpetual government review over the BBC.

Samir Shah will say that the BBC is subject to different rules to other chartered bodies - House of Commons/PA

The last mid-term review, published by the Conservative government in January, criticised the BBC and said that impartiality continued to be an issue for audiences.

It brought in tougher scrutiny of the broadcaster, with the BBCs website and social media channels brought under Ofcoms remit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dr Shah will insist that a permanent charter is not a means of evading scrutiny, but an opportunity to bring the BBC back from the cliff edge where its very existence is called into question.

A paywall is not compatible with public service

In the speech, Dr Shah is also expected to restate his opposition to the BBC becoming a subscription service, while adding that discussions about the future of the licence fee will be approached with an open mind.

He will say: If we want a universal public service BBC, that requires a universal funding model. And we have to be realistic that ideas like ad-funding or subscription do not pass that test when it comes to the BBC public service mission.

Both introduce a commercial agenda, which means the priority becomes not how you serve British audiences, but how you profit from them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And putting some or all BBC content behind a paywall is simply not compatible with public service. It prioritises needs of the better off, and leaves behind the poorer, the more marginalised or digitally disenfranchised.

Speaking at the Leeds Conservatoire, Dr Shah will say that the BBC must go further to employ people from every walk of life, location and background, reflecting the public at large.

Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out changes to how the BBC is funded until at least 2027, when the current charter expires.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
BEDFORD, Va. (WFXR)  The Economic Development Authority (EDA) in Bedford County has announced funding for childcare providers as part of the 2025 fiscal year budget.

After submitting applications, the Childrens Lounge SML in Moneta, Blue Ridge Montessori School in Lynchburg, and The School Zone in Forest will be included in a $30,000 grant to help them better serve families in the community and increase enrollment. The EDA voted unanimously in October 2024 to move forward with the proposed funding allocations, reflecting their commitment to enhancing childcare services in Bedford County.

A dedicated committee was formed to evaluate each proposal, visit the sites, and conduct interviews with the applicants to understand their specific needs and goals, said Bedford County Economic Development Director, Pam Armstrong. Following these evaluations, all three childcare centers were approved for funding through this opportunity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Free community dinner in Roanoke to support Hanover Avenue residents

The Childrens Lounge has two locations, one in Smith Mountain Lake and another in Roanoke. They will be using the funds for staff training, playground equipment, and a portable sink.

The Childrens Lounge SML is sending our deepest gratitude for the financial support the EDA grant has awarded to our center. We are thrilled to invest the awarded funds into our teachers education, playground equipment, and the children of the community, said Alexandria Hendricks. Thank you for the opportunity that the Economic Development Authority of the County of Bedford, Virginia has extended to our childcare center.

The Blue Ridge Montessori School in Lynchburg will use the funds to obtain a Montessori Teacher Certification for a current teacher and open a new classroom for 20 new students.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are so grateful to receive this funding from the Bedford County Economic Development Authority, said Kirsten Filiberto, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Montessori School. Our mission at Blue Ridge Montessori School is to provide an authentic, high-quality Montessori education in which every child is supported in developing a love of life and learning within a safe, peaceful, and responsive community. This grant is allowing us to continue our mission with a greater impact by providing access to Montessori education for families in our community.

Get Ready to Grind, New skate park announced for Wasena Park in Roanoke

The School Zone in Forest plans on using their funds for new playground turf which will cut down on yearly maintenance costs, increase safety for children, and allow for future investment to expand the playground.

The School Zone, INC is thrilled to announce they have been chosen as one of the recipients of the Bedford County EDA Childcare Grant. This grant will allow us to upgrade our current 7,500-square-foot playgrounds ground surface, said the owner of the School Zone, Christy West. By replacing the wood chip surface with playground turf, it will provide a cleaner, safer play area for our students. We cannot express our gratitude and excitement!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

EDA officials said the initiative highlights the importance of quality childcare and how supporting families contributes to the communitys overall economic development.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
LIVE UPDATES

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Voters in Johnson County, Kansas have officially selected Democrat Byron Roberson as the new county sheriff in a tight race against Republican Doug Bedford.

BACKGROUND

After the votes were officially counted and the winners were declared in the Johnson County, Kansass August primary, it was revealed that long-time sheriff, Calvin Hayden, had been voted out and would be replaced by one of two new candidates: Democrat Byron Roberson or Republican Doug Bedford.

Unlike the months leading up to the primaries, the campaigns leading up to the general election had not been filled with as much drama or controversy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Your Local Election Headquarters: Candidates, races and results on FOX4

Roberson and Bedford each had steady races. Both held years of experience in law enforcement and laid out policies, plans and changes they hope to implement in the Johnson County Sheriffs Office, as well as the offices relationship with the community.

However, only one candidate could win, and in a historic election, Roberson won the majority vote, making him the first Black sheriff in Johnson County, Kansas history.

Democratic Candidate

Byron Roberson

With 30 years of experience in law enforcement, Roberson started his career serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve before working as an undercover narcotics officer, emergency management coordinator and SWAT team leader. He made history as the first Black police chief in Prairie Village.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While campaigning, Roberson had the support of four former Johnson County police chiefs, including former Lenexa Police Chiefs Ellen Hansen and Tom Hongslo, and former Merriam Police Chiefs Tim Burnett and Ben Hadley.

Transparency Open lines of communication between law enforcement and public Share stats, crime data, police activity, budget details, etc.

Leadership Provide program opportunities to staff that will help develop critical skills in law enforcement

Crime Prevention Connecting people in crisis to vital resources before entering justice system Reducing recidivism by providing job training, educational opportunities, and counseling to inmates before reentering society Identify and address route causes in criminal activity Partner with local departments to create a safer Johnson County

Mental Health Provide resources to officers with training on crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques



School bond up for vote to improve handful of KCK schools

Republican Candidate

Doug Bedford

Bedford served on U.S. Navy Seal Team Three and was a former undersheriff for Johnson County. He is from De Soto, Kansas, and has an extensive resume with experience in law enforcement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His work includes time serving as a Kansas State Police Officer, an agent with the Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control, and multiple roles within the Johnson County Sheriffs Office.

Goals:

Mental Health Bring programs to jails and to law enforcement to improve overall health and public safety Introduce more programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, mental health services and GED programs to jails

School Safety Add more security measures to schools

Strengthen Relationships Improve relationships between law enforcement and other state agencies through transparency and outreach Improve relationships with community by listening

Public Safety Place more resources into countys drug task force



POLL RESULTS IN THE 2024 PRIMARIES

According to poll results in the 2024 primary election, Doug Bedford won the vote unofficially by 12%, beating Sheriff Calvin Hayden 56% to 44% (23,572 votes to 18,372 votes) in the Republican race.

This solidified Bedfords spot on the November ballot against Democratic candidate Byron K. Roberson, who did not have an opponent in the primary.

WHO DID THE CANDIDATES REPLACE?

In the weeks leading up to the primary election, drama surrounded the Johnson County Sheriffs race. Specifically, this drama revolved around former Johnson County Sheriff Hayden, who was beaten by Bedford back in August.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Conversations with Johnson County sheriff candidates

Hayden was a controversial figure in Johnson County after he launched an investigation into alleged voter fraud after the 2020 election.

According to the Associated Press (AP), the former sheriff began investigations after the results of Johnson Countys 2020 General Election polls came in. The polls showed President Joe Biden as the winning presidential candidate.

The theory of fraudulent voting largely stemmed from former President Donald Trumps claims that the previous general election was stolen, leading many other officials across the U.S. to launch their own investigations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hayden also claimed to have received many tips about potential irregularities in the ballot box, however, no criminal charges were ever filed. This led the former sheriff to receive substantial backlash and national attention after providing no legitimate pieces of evidence of any fraud or voter manipulation.

To this day, state and local officials continue to refute Haydens claims, insisting the election was secure. He never ended up producing evidence of election fraud and suspended investigations in early July, blaming it on Johnson Countys destruction of 2019, 2020 and 2021 ballots in February.

However, a report from AP states that even though the destruction of the votes was over 17 months late, it is still in line with state law.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Just weeks into her term as Joe Bidens vice-president, Kamala Harris was handed a responsibility that she would later have cause to regret.

In March 2021, the president tasked her with tackling the root causes of illegal migration from Central America, placing her in the firing line as border crossings soared to record highs during her four years in office.

I gave you a tough job, Mr Biden laughed at a press conference as he made the announcement. Sitting beside him, Ms Harriss expression was inscrutable behind her Covid facemask.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Immigration would go on to become the key issue of the presidential election, and a massive liability for the Democrat.

Barely a day has gone by without Trump hammering the Biden administration for its inability to get a grip on illegal crossings and branding Ms Harris a failed border tsar.

In a YouGov poll conducted in late October, 49 per cent of those surveyed said Trump would do a better job handling immigration, compared with just 35 per cent for Ms Harris. Shortly before election day, pollster Nate Silver predicted: The border may tip the election to Trump.

Trump, after years of railing against illegal immigration, has once again managed to capture the headlines with outlandish claims and schemes to clamp down on migrant crime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ms Harris has tried to reinvent herself as the most hawkish Democratic candidate on immigration in recent memory, in an apparent attempt to contain the damage.

But she has been hamstrung by her liberal inclinations on the issue  she had mulled abolishing the immigration enforcement agency in 2020  and her dire record in office.

Telegraph analysis suggests migrants illegally crossed the border every four minutes since she became vice president, while illegal migration is 25 per cent higher than official figures indicated. Almost 250,000 migrants  a record number  were arrested by border force in December.

At the same time, the murders of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, and 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, allegedly by illegal migrants from Venezuela, have caused widespread uproar among voters. Trump has accused Mr Harris of having blood on her hands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The vice-president has attempted to distance herself from the Biden administrations record, with mixed success. Mike Madrid, an anti-Trump Republican strategist, praised Ms Harris for running on the most conservative policy platform on the border in modern Democratic history.

I dont want to suggest its been anything but a battlefield conversion for them, he told The Telegraph.

But the beauty is, you have a woman of colour, a black woman, whos leading the Democratic party out of this identity politics headlock that theyve placed themselves in.

In September, Ms Harris made her first trip to the border in three years, pledging to block those who attempted to cross into the US illegally from entering the country and imprison repeat offenders.

$650m wall

Attempting to pin the blame for illegal immigration on Trump, she said she would revive a bill sabotaged by the Republican that would limit the number of daily border crossings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its provisions mean that Ms Harris supports spending $650 million on a border wall to repel migrants.

It was a transformation for Ms Harris, who had once called the wall a vanity project, and a sign of how the immigration issue has cut through with voters. Democrats had bitterly opposed the wall during Trumps first term in the White House.

However, while polling shows Ms Harris has chipped away at Trumps advantage on immigration, the Republican has maintained a sizeable lead on the issue throughout the race.

Having provoked outrage among Democrats and liberal commentators since emerging as a political force almost a decade ago, Trump has once again cut through the news cycle with proposals Ms Harris could not or would not follow.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the sole presidential debate in September, he was widely considered to have performed worse than his Democrat rival. But he had the quote of the night when he attacked Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio.

Theyre eating the dogs. Theyre eating the cats, he claimed. Theyre eating the pets of the people that live there.

Local officials pushed back on the characterisation but Trump doubled down. What about the geese? he insisted, unruffled.

The following month, he claimed that the city of Aurora in Colorado had been overrun by Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang thought to operate out of several apartment blocks, despite the denials of the Republican mayor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He announced a crackdown on this migrant crime by using 18th-century legislation to deport gang members, while enforcing a mandatory death penalty against migrants who kill American citizens.

Those who attempted to fact-check Trumps claims  like the ABC News host Martha Raddatz  were accused of tacitly accepting foreign gangs on the streets of the US.

No other issue has managed to cut through the 2024 race like immigration.

How far Ms Harris has been able to defend herself from Trumps attacks and press home her advantage on other issues where she leads her rival, such as abortion rights, is unclear.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But whoever emerges as the winner on polling day, this election has laid bare how Trump has elevated immigration as a campaign issue and permanently shifted the debate to the Right.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Bellingham Police are investigating an attack on a transgender high school student and are pursuing possible assault and hate crime charges against the juveniles involved in the beating, which the suspects recorded and shared on social media.

Police spokeswoman Megan Peters told The Bellingham Herald that the attack, which reported about 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22, involved several teenagers.

The juvenile victim reported that the group shouted anti-trans phrases at them while they were shoved and hit. The victim was able to run away and seek refuge at (Bellingham High School) and report the assault. Investigation is ongoing, Peters said in an Oct. 23 email.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bellingham High School officials had the boy call his mother, but she said school officials did not summon police or medical aid until after she arrived.

The assault left the 16-year-old victim with facial cuts, swelling and bruises. The student now suffers frequent headaches and memory loss, his mother told The Herald in an interview Tuesday.

If I had not insisted that (school officials call 911) multiple times, they wouldnt have done it. I shouldnt have had to ask. I felt that the fact that they didnt call 911 is an absolute dereliction of their duty, Alyssa Ruben said in a phone interview.

Ruben said that she took her son to St. Joseph Medical Centers emergency department, where he was evaluated and released. Hes having a follow-up exam for possible traumatic brain injury from the attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She said her son was jumped without provocation by several boys outside a business down the street from the high school, and that surveillance video captured the stark brutality of the beating. Her son was punched, thrown against a tree, knocked to the ground and kicked in the head, she said.

She said the boys yelled anti-trans slurs and other insults in the video, which was shared with The Herald.

The (attack) lasted for multiple, multiple minutes and (my son) was hit multiple times, Ruben said.

Later, a friend of her sons found the video of the attack on the Instagram social media platform. That evidence helped authorities identify the assailants, Ruben said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bellingham Public Schools spokeswoman Dana K. Smith verified the attack in an Oct. 28 email to The Herald and elaborated on her statement in an email on Tuesday.

We are aware of an off-campus assault that happened on Oct. 22. We also assisted the student and their parent in making a report to Bellingham police, she said.

We continue our school-based investigation and continue to cooperate with the law enforcement investigation. The identity of the other individuals involved was originally unclear to school officials. As we have learned identities, we have shared that information with police. Witnesses have stepped forward, and we continue to share additional info with police. If these individuals are our students, we will also follow our district policy and procedures, Smith said.

Ruben said that the Bellingham Police detective assigned to her sons case is a tenacious investigator who is seeking felony assault and hate crime charges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Ruben is critical of Bellingham school officials, whom she feels failed to protect her son and other queer students, including another son whos already graduated.

This is not the first time weve had to deal with serious bullying within the district, Ruben said.

Ruben and her husband are working with a national organization called the Rainbow Youth Project in an attempt to change school policy regarding treatment of LGBTQIA+ students, people of color and other minorities.

Lance Preston, founder and executive director of the Rainbow Youth Project, told The Herald in a phone interview that transgender students need help and support because of discrimination and attempts to limit their civil rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Preston said his organization is hoping to force the district to take a more active role in protecting its students.

Bellingham Schools recently settled a lawsuit brought by a former student who said the district failed to protect her from sexual assaults. In June, the parents of an elementary school student sued the district over repeated sexual assaults on a school bus.

You have LGBTQ kids in that high school who are not out and will never be comfortable reporting (bullying) because they think the administration doesnt care, Preston said.

The Rainbow Youth Project logged 3,748 crisis interventions from across the country in October. His groups research shows that 84% or queer students reported bulling in the school, and one-third of those students had been assaulted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We dont want any child to feel like theyre not worthy of being safe in school, whether theyre LGBTQ or not.

Getting help

 Anyone who is in immediate danger should call 911, and those suffering a mental health crisis can call 988, according to the Rainbow Youth Project website. Contact the Rainbow Youth Project at 317-643-4888 or Admin@RainbowYouthProject.org.

 Crime tips can be reported anonymously to Bellingham Police online.

 Share information, tips, or concerns regarding a school safety issue by text message or calling 844-310-9560 or at bellinghamschools.org/safe for confidential, anonymous, two-way communication, Smith said.
Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Yoav Gallant, his defence minister, amid a row over the direction of the war.

The prime minister of Israel said that trust between himself and Mr Gallant had cracked and gaps in their approach to the year-long war in Gaza and more recently Lebanon had grown wider.

Mr Netanyahu replaced Mr Gallant with Israel Katz, the former foreign minister, after the surprise sacking, with the new defence minister expected to take a more hardline approach to Iran.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Gallant had long complained that Israel is fighting with no clear end goal, reportedly describing Mr Netanyahus aim of total victory as gibberish.

A source familiar with the issue told The Telegraph that Mr Netanyahu had decided a while ago to fire Mr Gallant but decided to announce it on Tuesday while Washington and the world media focuses on the US election.

The US is preoccupied with the elections so it was a matter of timing, the source said.]

The dismissal sparked protests across the country, including a mass gathering that paralysed central Tel Aviv.

Within hours, thousands of protesters gathered in the city, blocking its main highway and crippling traffic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The crowd, many holding blue and white Israeli flags and others blowing whistles and pounding drums, gathered around multiple bonfires.

Thousands also demonstrated outside Mr Netanyahus home in Jerusalem and elsewhere in the city.

Protesters near Mr Netanyahus residence in Jerusalem - AP

Gideon Saar will take over from Mr Katz as foreign minister as Mr Netanyahu cited a breakdown in trust between him and Mr Gallant as he was sacked for the second time in two years.

My supreme commitment as prime minister of Israel is to safeguard Israels security and lead us to an absolute victory, he said in a video statement.

In the midst of a war, more than ever, there needs to be full trust between the prime minister and the defence minister.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Unfortunately, although in the first months of the war there was trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the defence minister.

Protesters take to the streets in Tel Aviv - Shutterstock

Mr Netanyahu, who is also fighting a scandal over alleged leaks linked to an aide, added that they had disagreed on the handling of the war and grown continually apart.

I made many attempts to bridge these gaps but they kept getting wider, he said. They also came to the knowledge of the public in an unacceptable way, and worse than that, they came to the knowledge of the enemy. Our enemies enjoyed it and derived a lot of benefit from it.

Mr Gallant said he was fired over his firm belief that everyone of conscription age  18 in Israel  must serve in the IDF.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is not just a social issue  but the most important issue for our existence and our future, he said, implying Mr Netanyahu did not hold the same belief.

Mr Gallant said that the security of the state of Israel was and will always remain the mission of my life.

Mr Netanyahu is reported to have handed Mr Gallant a one-sentence termination letter in person, according to The Times of Israel.

Israel Katz, the new defence minister, is considered a hawk - Florion Goga/Reuters

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tensions between the pair have become apparent in recent weeks with Mr Netanyahu briefly blocking a visit by Mr Gallant to Washington in October.

Mr Gallant said the trip was postponed at the prime ministers request as Mr Netanyahu awaited a one-on-one call with President Biden.

Mr Netanyahu was reportedly concerned about Washingtons close relationship with Mr Gallant, who has been the USs key interlocutor as Biden officials push for more aid to be delivered to Gaza and restraint on the battlefield.

When Mr Netanyahu first tried to fire Mr Gallant in March 2023, mass protests, later dubbed Gallant night, broke out immediately in Tel Aviv. Mr Gallant had opposed Mr Netanyahus sweeping judicial reforms, which brought tens of thousands of Israelis out on the streets across the countrys major cities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a letter to Mr Netanyahu before Israel struck Iran in October, Mr Gallant is said to have complained Israel was fighting according to an outdated compass and needed to revise its official war aims.

He reportedly wrote: Significant developments in the war, especially Israel and Iran trading direct blows, raise the necessity of holding a discussion and updating the wars goals with a comprehensive look.

Mr Netanyahu is also understood to have decided to fire Mr Gallant amid growing divisions within his government over the drafting of ultra-orthodox Haredi men into the IDF.

Hard-Right members of his coalition are urging him to pass laws that would benefit Haredis who avoid military service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Gallant opposes the laws but ultra-orthodox parties have threatened to bring down the government if they are not passed.

Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, urged Israelis to take to the streets as they did last time Mr Gallant was sacked.

Firing Yoav Gallant in the middle of the war is an act of madness. Netanyahu is selling out Israels security and the soldiers of the IDF for his own political survival. I call upon Yesh Atid supporters and every patriotic Zionist to take to the streets tonight in protest, he said.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents most of those still being held in Gaza, expressed deep concern over the move and how it could affect the fate of the 101 hostages still held by Hamas.

Immediate release of hostages

We expect the incoming defence minister, Israel Katz, to prioritise a hostage deal and work closely with mediators and the international community to secure the immediate release of all hostages.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The defence ministers foremost obligation is to ensure the security of our citizens. We expect him to fulfil his duty both to the state and to the women, men and children who were kidnapped on Oct 7. Our future as a society depends on the return of all hostages and the end of this war.

However, hard-Right members of Mr Netanyahus government welcomed the decision.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, said: Congratulations to the prime minister on the decision to fire Gallant. With Gallant, who is still deeply trapped in the concept it is not possible to achieve absolute victory and the prime minister did well to remove him from his position.

Mr Katz is considered a hawk and may want to show he is tougher than Mr Gallant in dealing with Hamas and Hezbollah.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A firm believer in targeted killings as a method to weaken Israels enemies, Mr Katz is expected to push for more assassinations. He is also a firm advocate of strikes on Iran.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  With less than a day from polls reopening for election day voting, clerks across New Mexico say theyre working to maintain around-the-clock security behind another contentious election. Nearly a quarter million Bernalillo and Santa Fe county voters have already cast their ballots in this election. Whether or not someone has already voted, clerks in both those counties are emphasizing strict security measures that are keeping ballots from being tampered with. Theres no need to worry about that. There is absolutely no need to worry about that. We have the best measures in place, we lots of security you dont need to worry, said Bernalillo County Clerk Linda Stover.

Story continues below

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The New Mexico Secretary of State said it tests its information security defenses on a regular basis including the system that makes sure only one vote per registration. That system alerts staff if someone comes forward trying to vote with a registration thats already cast a ballot. When it comes to securing paper ballots and voting machines, the Santa Fe County clerk is utilizing GPS trackers with accelerometers which measure if or where a tabulator has been moved. Theres also a thermometer inside Santa Fes ballot machines that can detect any internal problems or even if a fire has sparked near a machine.

Weve actually budgeted for extra security this election so we have, while we wont have armed guards at the polling sites, we will have of course, weve worked with our sheriffs office to have more visibility around this election more awareness. We are all in a Homeland Security chat so we know if there is things in real time happening and we also have additional sit security guarding some of our sites making sure that no one is interfering with the election, said Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark.

When it comes to absentee ballots, Bernalillo County said it has over 60 volunteers opening those ballots to verify theyve been completed correctly. If they find a problem, volunteers are able to reach out to voters to see if they can address the problem before the polls close tomorrow at 7 p.m.

The county also has a way where online people can track absentee ballots that are making their way through the mail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Self-made billionaire and Atlanta philanthropist Bernie Marcus has died. He was 95.

The Home Depot is deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved founder, Bernard Marcus. To us, he was simply Bernie.

Bernie was an inspiration in many ways. He was a master merchant and a genius with customer service. Together with Arthur Blank and Ken Langone, Bernie helped create a nation of doers who could tackle any project, large or small. He loved our customers. He also loved the associates who made the company what it is today. More than anything, he deeply believed in the companys core values, particularly that of giving back. He never lost sight of his humble roots, using his success not for fame or fortune but to generously help others. In business and in charity, Bernie was unparalleled in generosity and goodwill.

[PHOTOS: Bernie Marcus through the years]

Gov. Brian Kemp posted the following statement about Marcus death.

Marcus made his fortune co-founding home improvement chain Home Depot. He was a part of making it the largest home improvement retailer in the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the man was just as well-known across the Atlanta metro as a philanthropist who donated hundreds of millions of dollars.

This is my payback to America. And Im doing it because I think if God put me on this Earth, this is one of the things I want to do with my life  is to help these kids, Marcus told Channel 2 Action News.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Marcus life is a true tale of rags to riches. He was born May 12, 1929, in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Russian immigrants.

We were poor. I grew up in a tenement, and to me, that was a palace. Thats just where I grew up. My parents were Russian immigrants. Spoke Yiddish in the house, didnt speak English, Marcus said. It was great. I had lots of kids to play with. In the tenement, all we had was kids. All kids like myself, all of us poor, were all the same, in the same boat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Marcus said one person with one of the biggest impacts on his life was his mother.

She said if you work hard, if you do the best you can, if youre honest about what you do and you believe in yourself, you can be successful. And those words stayed with me all my life, Marcus said.

And successful he was.

Marcus and Arthur Blank founded Home Depot in 1978 after they were fired from their hardware store jobs.

Nearly broke, the avid do-it-yourselfers wanted to open a super store that would sell a large amount of merchandise at great prices with a highly trained staff to help. The first two Home Depot stores opened in Atlanta in 1979.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

People were coming with trucks on a weekend. Wed see trucks in the parking lot, loading up. Why? Because they were able to buy things at a price nobody else had, quality merchandise, and thats why we kept opening stores all over the country, Marcus said.

From those two stores, Home Depot has grown to more than 2,200 stores on three continents.

Marcus served as the companys CEO from 1978 until 1997. He then became chairman of the board for the company before retiring in 2002.

He had a clear passion for giving back. Marcus used his own money  at least $200 million  to build the Georgia Aquarium.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Whenever I go somewhere, I like to stop in and see an aquarium. And when I go into an aquarium and I look at the children, and I see their wide eyes just looking incredulously at some of these creatures floating around, what else brings joy, Marcus said.

Marcus told Channel 2 Action News when the aquarium opened that the picture window that ends the ocean exhibit was one of his favorite spots.

Marcus and his wife, Billi, also created the Marcus Foundation, which focuses on Jewish causes, children, research, free enterprise and the community.

My wife Billie and I, believe that were put on this Earth, were not here a long time, and during that short time we are going to do as much as we can to make life better for other people. We just feel this, innately, Marcus said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Marcus Foundation supports the Share Initiative, which pays for treatments that military benefits wont.

Im going to do everything in my power. The Marcus Foundation will pay for expenses if the VA hospital doesnt want to pay, were going to pay, Marcus said.

Marcus said he was inspired after hearing soldiers werent getting specialized care for their injuries.

These kids deserve the best, not just half the care, not three-quarters the care, but 100 percent of the care, Marcus said.

The Marcus Foundation also donated $20 million to Grady Memorial Hospital for the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center. It provides cutting-edge treatment to stroke patients.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We believe that this hospital could end up being No. 1 in the nation. And were going to help get them to obtain that goal, Marcus said.

Marcus also founded the Marcus Institute, which provides programs for children and adolescents with brain disorders and their families.

He made a lasting impact on the retail world through Home Depot and touched countless lives through his charitable giving.

Billi and myself, we feel at the end of the day, this has been a really good day. We saved a life here, we saved a life there, and it really has come to pass where were just saving lives. Its really important to us, Marcus said.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
MCHENRY COUNTY, IL  As we head into Election Day, more than 100,000 residents have voted early or by mail in McHenry County.

Joe Tirio, county clerk for McHenry County, said that as of late Monday night, 78,093 people have voted early and 27,154 ballots have been cast by mail in McHenry County. A majority of those votes came in since Friday morning, increasing the early vote and vote-by-mail total in McHenry County from 75,345 votes Friday morning to 100,247 late Monday night, Tirio told Patch in recent days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voting behaviors have changed since the last presidential election, Tirio said.

"(The 2020 presidential election) really created a sea change in terms of voter behavior for a number of reasons, COVID obviously being one of them," he said Monday night. "Having said that, I think people have come to appreciate the convenience of voting early and by mail. I think voters are also realizing that something so important should not be put off to the last moment."



Meanwhile, election officials are still expecting a busy days at the polls Tuesday. Tirio suggests those hoping to avoid lines to head to their polling place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Polls will be open through 7 p.m. across Illinois.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can find out where your polling place is in McHenry County by visiting the McHenry County Clerk's Office. You can also take a peak at your sample ballot.

The hottest race on the ballot is the presidential election, pitting Vice President Kamala Harris against former President Donald J. Trump. There are also several local referendums and statewide propositions to be considered this election as well as congressional and senate races voters will be asked to make their selections on.

You can check your registration status on the State Board of Elections website. While the deadlines have passed to vote by mail and online, you can register to vote on Election Day by appearing at a designated location for registration and voting.

You must also be:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A United States citizen

Be a resident of the precinct for 30 days

Be 18 years of age or older

You must provide two forms of ID, one of which must show the address that they are registering from. The acceptable forms of ID include, but are not limited to:

Drivers license

Social Security card

Utility bill

Employee or student ID card

Lease or contract for a residence

Credit card

Civic, union or professional association membership card

FOID card

MORE ON PATCH

Best Times To Vote In McHenry Co., Early Voting Tallies: County Clerk originally appeared on the Crystal Lake-Cary Patch
By Chris Kirkham

(Reuters) -When Reuters reported in April that Tesla had scrapped plans for a long-promised, next-generation $25,000 electric vehicle, the automakers stock plunged. Chief Executive Elon Musk rushed to respond on X, his social-media network.

Reuters is lying, he posted, without elaborating. Teslas stock recovered some of its losses.

Six months later, Musk appears to have backed into an admission that Tesla dropped its plans for a human-driven $25,000 car. He said in an Oct. 23 earnings call that building the affordable EV would be "pointless unless the car was fully autonomous.

His latest remarks came in response to an investor asking: When can we expect Tesla to give us the $25,000 non-robotaxi regular car model?

Musk responded: Were not making a non-robo, before he was interrupted by another Tesla executive. Musk later added: Basically, I think having a regular $25K model is pointless. It would be silly.

The April 5 Reuters article reported that Tesla had abandoned plans for an all-new, affordable mass-market EV but still planned a self-driving robotaxi. Since then, Musk has increasingly touted plans for robotaxis and autonomous vehicles.

Tesla and Musk did not respond to requests for comment for this story.

On the October earnings call, Musk said that Tesla does plan a $25K car  its Cybercab, a two-door, two-seat, fully autonomous vehicle. Musk unveiled a prototype at a Hollywood-style event on Oct. 10.

Musk says Tesla will start production of the Cybercab in 2026, after it deploys fully autonomous versions of its current Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in Texas and California next year. The automaker faces steep technological, regulatory and legal challenges in delivering on Musks latest promises of fully autonomous vehicles, which echo others dating back about a decade.

An all-new affordable Tesla for human drivers had until recently been a linchpin of Teslas strategy to become the worlds biggest automaker. For several years, Tesla had a goal of producing 20 million vehicles a year by 2030, more than tenfold what it sells now and nearly double that of Toyota, the current global sales leader. In May, Tesla dropped the 20-million goal from its latest impact report on progress toward sustainability goals.

As recently as January of this year, Musk confirmed the plan for an all-new affordable EV in an earnings call. He said the next-generation vehicle would arrive in 2025 and launch a second major "growth wave, following the first wave with the release of its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in 2017 and 2020, respectively.
Photo via Getty Images

A staggering amount of money has been spent on the fight over control of the Arizona Legislature, with outside groups pouring more than $17 million into a handful of battleground races.

The spending has been fueled by a flurry of activity in the final two weeks of the election season, which saw outside spending on legislative races double. In that time, more than $8.5 million in new independent expenditures on legislative races has been reported to the Arizona Secretary of States Office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hanging in the balance is which party will hold power at the Arizona Capitol in January when lawmakers reconvene for the annual legislative session. Republicans have held nearly uninterrupted legislative majorities since 1966, but Democrats view 2024 as the best chance theyve had to reverse that.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

An Arizona Mirror analysis of independent expenditure data reveals that the infusion of outside money has created a stark advantage for Democrats in the 13 most competitive contests. Across those key races, pro-Democrat IEs totaled slightly more than $10 million, compared to $7.37 million for pro-Republican efforts.

More of that money has gone to races for the House of Representatives ($9.54 million), which has 60 members from 30 districts, than the state Senate ($7.85 million), which has 30 members from those same districts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democratic groups have outspent their Republican counterparts $5.72 million to $3.82 million on 22 House candidates in seven districts. Likewise, in Senate contests, Democrats have spent more than Republicans on 11 candidates in six races, $4.3 million to $3.55 million.

The Mirror found only three races in which outside groups spent more to help GOP candidates than Democrats: the District 13 Senate contest, the District 16 House race and the District 17 House.

Even among the battleground races, the money has been concentrated in a few contests, with the top five races accounting for nearly $10 million of that spending.

Two races attracted more than $2 million in outside spending each.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The battle for the two House seats in Chandler-based District 13 has attracted the most money from outside groups, with $2.43 million flowing into the contest. Nearly two-thirds of that  more than $1.5 million  has gone to boost Democratic newcomers Brandy Reese and Nicholas Gonzales, with about $880,000 spent trying to persuade voters to back incumbent Republican Rep. Julie Willoughby and former GOP lawmaker Jeff Weninger.

And voters in north Phoenixs District 2 have been bombarded with $2.35 million in outside spending in the Senate tilt between incumbent Shawnna Bolick, a Republican, and Democratic state Rep. Judy Schwiebert. The lions share of that spending, more than $1.3 million, has gone to help Schwiebert, with another $1 million backing Bolick.

In Senate contests, Republican spending has been largely defensive, with two candidates  J.D. Mesnard in District 13 and Vince Leach in District 17  accounting for almost $1.4 million in outside spending, about 40% of pro-GOP spending in Senate races. But Republicans have gone on the offensive in the District 16 House race, where they hope to oust Democrat Keith Seaman, outspending Democrats $800,000 to about $550,000.

The outside spending in these targeted races significantly outpaces the candidates own fundraising efforts, and by large margins in many cases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The top outside groups spending in battleground legislative races are:

Future Freedoms ($4.5 million), which is supporting Democrats

Chispa AZ PAC ($3.2 million), which is supporting Democrats

House Victory Fund ($1.8 million), which is supporting Republicans

Responsible Leadership for AZ ($1.5 million), which is supporting Republicans

Arizona Senate Victory Fund PAC ($1.4 million), which is supporting Republicans

Stand For Children Arizona ($1.1 million), which is supporting Democrats

Working Families ($1.1 million), which is supporting Democrats

The level of outside spending has increased dramatically from 2022, when a little more than $11 million was spent in battleground legislative contests. That escalation has been driven by focused spending in races that both sides see as key to controlling the legislature: In 2022, only one contest saw more than $1 million in outside spending, compared to nine this year.

The spending has largely been concentrated in suburban legislative districts, which have been key to Democratic electoral victories in Arizona in recent years, including in 2022, when Democrats captured nearly every statewide office, among them governor, secretary of state and attorney general.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the Democratic gambit pays off and the party wins control of the legislature, it will come as relief to Gov. Katie Hobbs, who has feuded bitterly with Republican lawmakers during the first two years of her term and seen much of her agenda tossed aside by a legislature whose majority isnt interested in her plans or priorities.

Corporation Commission

The only statewide offices on the ballot this year are three of the five seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission, which primarily regulates the states gas, electric and water utilities.

There has been a little more than $2 million spent on the race, all of it to help the three Democrats: Ylenia Aguilar, Jonathon Hill and Joshua Polacheck. About $1.8 million has been expended to promote their campaigns, and another $200,000 has been spent attacking GOP candidate Rachel Walden.

Nothing has been spent for or against the other two Republicans, incumbent Lea Marquez Peterson and Rene Lopez.

The vast majority of the pro-Democratic money in the race has gone to boost Aguilar, who has benefitted from more than $1.1 million in outside spending.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Bill Gatess daughter Phoebe Gates, 22, has publicly revealed who shell be voting for in the 2024 US presidential election on Tuesday, November 5.

The Microsoft co-founders youngest child recently wrote an essay for Nylon, explaining that her vote centered around the Supreme Court case Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization, which ended federal protections of abortion rights and overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade decision in June 2022.

Ive been passionate about sexual and reproductive health issues since my early teenage years, inspired by my mothers focus on gender issues around the world, the recent Stanford University graduates essay began.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

My own interest was sparked when I learned how challenging it is for young people in the US to get medically accurate and relevant information about our own bodies, but by the time the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade  gutting abortion rights and putting our health and humanity in the hands of politicians  that spark had turned into a fire.

She detailed her travels to various states, including Louisana and Mississippi, where women face more extreme abortion bans. Phoebe explained how some women have even faced fatal cosequences as a result of strict abortion bans, such as being forced to carry a nonviable pregnancy to term or pregnancies that are a result of domestic violence or rape.

There are an estimated 41 million of us Gen Zers who are eligible to vote, and we need to do so as though our lives and futures depend on it  because they do, her essay continued. Thats why I am voting for the presidential candidate who will fight for reproductive freedom: Vice President Kamala Harris.

Bill and Melinda French Gatess youngest daughter, Phoebe Gates, casts her vote for Vice President Kamala Harris (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

In addition to sharing her support for Harris, she also informed readers about specific states that have reproductive rights on the ballot, as Phoebe encouraged people to vote in favor of these protections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are also critical races for the Senate, where, if Trump is to go unchecked, he will try to lock in a Supreme Court that will last until Gen Z is middle-aged, she added. We know he will do this because he did it before when he nominated three justices intending to deliver this chaos and loss of rights we have now.

She ended her essay by recalling how she was with her mother, Melinda French Gates, when the Dobbs decision was first announced two years ago.

She saw how upset I was, and thats when she said the most important thing anyone has ever said to me: Get mad. Stay mad. But ask yourself, what are you going to do about it?

Phoebes announcement comes just a few weeks after her billionaire father reportedly donated $50m to the Harris campaign. Despite his previous apolitical stance, the tech entrepreneur said this election is different. While the donation was originally supposed to be private, he later confirmed his support for Harris in a statement to The New York Times.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I support candidates who demonstrate a clear commitment to improving health care, reducing poverty, and fighting climate change in the US and around the world, Gates said in the statement, which did not address the donation directly. I have a long history of working with leaders across the political spectrum, but this election is different, with unprecedented significance for Americans and the most vulnerable people around the world.

With more than 80 million votes currently cast, Harris is ahead in the latest national polls collated by FiveThirtyEight with a 0.9-point lead over Republican nominee, former president Donald Trump.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, center, gives remarks at a Win With Black Men rally in Annapolis on Monday, the eve of Election Day, as candidates and advocates scrambled to make their final pitches. Photo by William J. Ford.

At a mini-rally outside the State House Monday, a group of elected officials and community leaders had a message for fellow Black men: Its not too late to make their voices heard.

The event by the group Win With Black Men tried to rally support among Black male voters for Black women candidates, specifically Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and for Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, the Democrat running for U.S. Senate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Jr. (D) had a message for Black men who remain undecided on a particular candidate, or are still unsure about whether or not they will vote Tuesday.

If you care about the future of economic prosperity and mobility; if you care about building your next generation through home ownership; if you care about those who would invest in education  you have to support Kamala Harris for president. You have to support Angela Alsobrooks for Senate, Ball said.

It was just one of the last-minute events by candidates from both parties, and on the local and federal levels, as months of campaigning came down to the last 24 hours.

For those who plan to vote Tuesday, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Unlike early voting, where election officials operated 97 voting centers for a week where voters could cast ballots, voters on Tuesday have to go to their assigned precincts, based on where they live. Voters can find their precinct by looking here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Marylanders can also register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day. Would-be voters are asked to bring a document that proves residency such as an MVA-issued drivers license, ID card, utility bill or other government document with their name and address.

Just under 1 million of the states 4.2 million registered voters cast ballots in person during early voting, which ran from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31. Another 877,196 voters requested mail-in ballots, more than 600,000 of which had been returned as of Sunday night, according to data from the Maryland State Board of Elections.

Voters who have not returned their mail-in ballots can do so by mail, as long as it is postmarked by Tuesday. Any properly postmarked mail ballot will be counted as long as its delivered to the local election board by 10 a.m. on Nov. 15. Mail-in ballots can also be dropped at various drop boxes and at local elections board offices throughout the state by 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Despite the large number of voters who have already cast ballots, Nikki Tyree, executive director of the League of Women Voters, is urging patience when it comes to getting election results. She said that just because it will take time to get results, voters should not suspect mischievous actions on the part of election officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They can only count so fast. So give election results time, said Tyree, adding that it could take even longer for races that are really, really tight.

Candidates within a certain margin are entitled to a recount. They deserve to have that recount, Tyree said. If their races are that tight, youve got to give the precincts time before people start calling foul on an election result. That, I think, is probably going to be our biggest concern post-election.

But before those ballots can be counted, they have to be cast, which is what the Win With Black Men event was about. The group is part of a national movement to not only uplift Black men, but also to encourage them to become more involved the political process. Kevin Ford Jr. serves as Marylands state director.

Gov. Wes Moore (D) pointed that Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware), whos favored in her race to become that states first Black woman ever elected to the Senate. If Alsobrooks wins her race for Senate against former Gov. Larry Hogan, the Republican nominee, it will mark the first time the Senate has had two Black women serving at the same time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its Black men who are going to help to make it happen, said Moore, wearing a gray Win With Black Men hoodie for the event on Lawyers Mall. Some of the several dozen men at the event also held Black Men Support Black Women posters.

Theres been a lot of conversation about what Black men are not doing and Black men not coming home, but we want to be very clear that the truth is we are right here, Moore said. We are standing with our sisters, and the reason is because we are standing for the future.

 Reporter Bryan P. Sears contributed to this story.
To most travelers, Milwaukees biggest draw is its reputation as the beer capital of the world, where the foam flows free and German influence on brewing reigns supreme. Yet beneath the citys frothy reputation Milwaukee boasts another, perhaps lesser known, history that also starts with B.

Wisconsin Black Historical Society

Clayborn Benson III, founder of the Wisconsin Black Historical Society.

The Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum, turning 30 this year, was founded by Clayborn Benson III in 1987. While producing his documentary, Black Communities, he noted that African American historical records in the state were not well-preserved. Benson built the museum to make sure the narratives of the ancestors in Milwaukee wouldnt fade away.

The museum sits within a converted fire station thats over a hundred years old. It now serves as a home for artifacts, photos, and documents from the past. The museum depicts the struggles and triumphs of Wisconsins Black Americans that we unfortunately arent highlighted in history books. Visitors can learn about life in Wisconsin as a Black American during and after the abolition of slavery. The museum also hosts educational programming and financial literacy workshops for attendees of all ages.

Americas Black Holocaust Museum

Attendees at Americas Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee, WI.

Americas Black Holocaust Museum was founded by Dr. James Cameron, which explores the history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and shows how slavery exists to this day. Inspired by his visit to Israels Holocaust Museum in Yad Vashem, Dr. Cameron saw how Jewish people preserved their history in order to prevent another holocaust from happening again. His vision was to create the same space for Black Americans in Milwaukee that acknowledges the painful past, but also works towards a brighter future for the community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dr. Cameron believed the museum could unite the nation by displaying the truth about Black history in the United States, while reconciling during todays climate. Americas Black Holocaust Museum is a reminder that while Milwaukee is known for its beer attractions, the fabric of the community lies in places like the Holocaust Museum.

Sherman Phoenix

Sherman Phoenix in Milwaukee, WI.

The Sherman Phoenix is a story of a tragedy turned into triumph. In 2016, the fatal police shooting of an unarmed Black man named Sylville Smith turned the Sherman Park neighborhood upside down. Smiths death sparked outrage in the neighborhood, bringing violence, chaos, and fires to the local businesses.Three years later, however, community leaders got together and transformed an old bank building into the Sherman Phoenix. The marketplace is a hub for Black-owned businesses offering everything from wellness services to culinary treats.

Shops inside of the Sherman Phoenix in Milwaukee, WI.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Today, Sherman Phoenix is more than just a marketplace; its a symbol of unity. As you walk through the building, youll see families eating together, young men discussing business ventures, and vendors selling their own products with pride. The space is a living testament to how a community can turn itself around if the leaders have their hearts in the right place and are willing to put in the work to do so.

The Beer Connection: From German Roots to Black Culture

In the 19th century, Germans migrating to Milwaukee brought their rich brewing traditions to the city and produced two of the most iconic breweries, Pabst and Schlitz. The rise of Milwaukees beer industry created jobs and opportunities for Black residents, especially during the early to mid-20th century. As Milwaukees industrial sector and breweries began to expand, many African Americans who migrated from southern states during the Great Migration found work and opportunities in these industries. This laid the foundation for a stable Black working class and contributed to the economic growth of Black communities.

One shining example of how beer has contributed to Black-owned businesses is the work of MobCraft Beer. In 2022, MobCraft donated a portion of their profits to MKE Black and the Harriet Baskerville Incubation Program, which offers hands-on training in brewing to women and people of color, according to BrewBound.

Rafael Pena has spent the last decade as a travel strategist, journalist, and public speaker, dedicated to reshaping his communitys approach to travel. With a focus on transformative food experiences and luxury travel through savvy travel hacks, Pena shares his expert insights and personal experiences to help others explore the world like seasoned travelers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you enjoy our perspective on travel and Black culture, please sign up for our newsletter. You should consider joining our travel club, too. Or maybe write a piece for us about your favorite destination. In other words, lets stay connected!

Follow us on Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok or LinkedIn and subscribe to our channel on YouTube to stay ahead of trending stories in Black Travel.
Char Goolsby sat on a brown leather sofa at Carey House in Detroit's storied Boston Edison District, the home she's turned into both an operational hub to get out the vote this election season and a neighborhood campaign center for Vice President Kamala Harris.

She has been careful to keep those missions separate  running her nonpartisan get-out-the-vote efforts for Black Voters Matter in neighborhoods in Detroit and Highland Park on different days than she and her crew of volunteers run phone banks and host campaign events at Carey House for Black Women for Harris.

In a span of five days, the nonpartisan volunteer group knocked on 2,800 doors in Highland Park, and scooped up people they met who answered their doors, along with folks sitting on their front porches or waiting at bus stops there and in Detroit, helping them get registered and giving them free rides to the polls for early voting.

Char Goolsby, center, of Detroit, talks with people helping dispatch a group to knock on doors to get residents to get out and vote for the 2024 presidential election at her home in Detroit on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.

And since July 29, she's hosted 18 campaign events for Harris at her house.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"This work is so important," she said. "Everybody's vote matters."

Goolsby, 59, hopes the work she and her crews of volunteers did leading up to the election makes enough of a difference to tip the outcome of the incredibly tight race in Michigan away from former President Donald Trump and toward Harris  potentially clinching a victory not only for the first female president of the United States, but also for the first Black woman.

That's entirely possible, said Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. Support for Harris among women overall, but especially among Black women, has been building since July, when President Joe Biden withdrew from the race.

"We've seen a real commitment to her from the sororities, the Black women sororities," Walsh told the Free Press Tuesday, noting that Harris is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, one of nine historically African American fraternities and sororities known as the Divine 9.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"These women are highly, highly motivated. They were a really important part of getting Biden elected. They were a big part of (Hillary) Clinton's campaign, but I think there's an emotional connection now that's clearly an incentive about lifting her up and having her back and being there for her and identifying with her.

"We're seeing a kind of mobilizing among Black women all over the country. That is not a blip."

Fear of a 2nd Trump presidency motivates some to vote

On the day before the election, Goolsby was tired. A heated blanket warmed her lap as she answered phone calls, responded to text messages and directed the flow of people in and out of the house.

In the next room, Janifer Binion, 71, of Detroit, scoured maps spread across the tables, greeting volunteers and giving them their next canvassing assignments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since late July, Goolsby has been going nonstop, knowing that Black voters in Detroit have power to influence the outcome of the statewide election and possibly that of the entire nation.

Char Goolsby, of Detroit, talks about her thoughts on the 2024 presidential election at her home in Detroit on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.

"We've allowed our home to be open for other people who want to host events," she said. "It's been the sisters for Kamala clubhouse," said Goolsby, who also has a full-time job as a union organizer for the Service Employees International Union and struggles with lupus, an autoimmune disease that saps her energy.

"The reason I got engaged in the campaign is because of my health issues, and if I didn't have a job, I would have to buy health care through the ACA," referring to the Affordable Care Act. That makes preserving access health care a pivotal issue for her.

Another motivator for her  and for other Black women she knows  is fear.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"This is the first election where I've really been frightened," Goolsby said, "and I don't frighten easily."

She's worried that if former President Donald Trump wins the White House again, he'll implement some of the tenets of Project 2025's conservative policy agenda, empowering police departments in a way that could ultimately lead to more deadly outcomes for people of color. George Floyd died in 2020 in Minneapolis at the hands of a police officer, as did Michael Brown in 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri, and Patrick Lyoya in 2022 in Grand Rapids.

"I'm afraid for Black men because Project 2025 would grant more immunity to police departments, which turns them into what modern-day slave catchers would look like," Goolsby said.

The erosion of reproductive rights since the last Trump presidency also has her concerned: "I'm afraid of the fact that my daughter may have to register her pregnancy with the government. That's absolute insanity."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She recalls the stories her great-grandmother told her about what it was like to live under Jim Crow laws in the segregated South, and said, "I'm concerned that I will have fewer rights than my great(-grandmother) did."

Voting for Harris 'means something to ... Black women'

Despite her fears, when Goolsby thinks about all the people she and other volunteers have mobilized to vote this year, she said it gives her hope that a better America still is not out of reach.

Char Goolsby, center, of Detroit, talks with returning citizen Demerius. Allen, left, 33, of Detroit, and Christine Harris, left, of Highland Park, while addressing the group helping knock on doors to get residents to get out and vote for the 2024 presidential election at her home in Detroit on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.

"My daughter and I went to the Women's March on Washington in 2017, and I was so encouraged to see all of these women, all different kinds of women from all over the nation," she said. "I find myself encouraged when I see labor coming together, when I see community coming together, when I see women, when I see white dudes who say they are for Kamala. I'm encouraged by that. We have allies that we didn't even know we had."

Morgan Foreman is encouraged, too.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She's running for a state House seat for the first time, hoping to win her bid to represent District 33 in southern Washtenaw County. At 35, Foreman, who lives in Ann Arbor, also campaigned for Harris this election season.

"We have the potential ... to elect our first woman president in America who is also a Black woman, and that means something to me," Foreman said. "When I went to vote the other day, this guy in line was kind of hassling me. He was like, 'Well, why didn't you vote absentee if you're so busy?'

"And I said, it means something for me to vote in person, to fill in that ballot in person and place this in the ... tabulator. It meant something to me, and I think it means something to a lot of Black women.

"I work with other Black women organizers across the state, and when the top of the ticket changed, the energy changed, and we finally felt like we had hope."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They were driven in a way they'd never been before to support Harris, she said, who is both Black and south Asian, and to work hard to elect a candidate for the top office of the United States who looks like them and understands their struggles, Foreman said.

"Every door that they've knocked, every phone call that they've made, every sorority meeting, church and place where they've participated, where they've talked to people" matters, she said.

"I think that they have the power to steer the people towards Kamala. ... I think a lot of Black women in our circles also have been able to convince people who said, 'I'm staying at home' or 'I don't do politics,' we've been able to shift them to get out to vote in this election and hopefully subsequent elections."

Echoes of 2016 drive activism

Donyale Stephen-Atar, 58, of Warren, is a native Detroiter who first dabbled in politics as a student at Eastern Michigan University in the 1980s, when she was part of a movement demanding that colleges divest of investments in South Africa.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This campaign season, she's volunteering by phone banking and sending text messages to support Harris' campaign for president while also separately helping the NAACP in its nonpartisan efforts to get out the vote and help with voter education.

It's been so inspirational to see Black women rally behind Harris, she said, referencing weekly Win With Black Women national Zoom calls.

"Each week, every time I get on these calls, I am overwhelmed with emotion, the feeling of happiness," she said. "It's a lot. I can't even express it."

She's the social activism chairperson for her Delta Sigma Theta sorority's state chapter, and said the job is nonpartisan, but she has yet to meet a Black woman who supports Trump for president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I have not met one Black woman that says they were not voting for the vice president," Stephen-Atar said. "What was scary about (Trump's election in) 2016 was that we had a candidate who told you who he was. He told you he didn't respect women. He told you he didn't respect anybody who was different from him. He lied. ... And so now here we are again.

"As Maya Angelou aptly said, 'When somebody shows you who they are, believe them.'

"That's why, for so many of us, people who have never been engaged in politics before and never voted before because they did not trust the system or they thought the system really didn't work for them, those people have said, 'I'm getting up and I'm gonna do whatever I can do. If I can give money, I'm going to give money. If I can't give money, I'm going to go work. If I can do both, I'm going do it.

"I will drive people to the polls. I will call relatives. I will do whatever I need to do to make sure that we don't have a revisit of 2016. ... We don't want to go through that again."

An open door for 'Republicrats'

Though she's firmly aligned with Democrats now, during the George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush presidencies, Goolsby leaned into more conservative ideals and considered herself a "Republicrat."

"I was interested in why there weren't very many Black people in the Republican Party," Goolsby said. "It was very strategic. I just didn't feel that it was smart for African American people to only play with one set of people. It doesn't make sense not to have a seat at the table just because it's a particular group ... and it was important to me to understand what both Republican and Democratic White Houses were doing."

But once Trump entered the political landscape, Goolsby said it became far more difficult to feel as if she fit in the conservative mold.

"Now, you couldn't melt me down and pour me into what is called the Republican Party because I don't think it's the party of fiscal conservatives that they claimed to be in the past," Goolsby said. "It's not even a shell of its former self. It's just been hijacked and ruined by Donald Trump's politics, in my mind."

Harris, she said, seems willing to build bridges with people who have differing political views.

"That's another thing I like about Kamala Harris," Goolsby said. "She says, 'I'll play with anybody who wants to play.' So that's attractive to me, because we are primarily a two-party system, and we have to be willing to play with the other people or you get nothing done."

Under the divisive rhetoric that's grown increasingly more caustic in the last few election cycles, she said, "There's no opportunity to negotiate. There's no push-pull. None of that happens when everybody is committed to their tribe.

"So I like that Harris is willing to do that because that's something that I've learned in the past," Goolsby said. "Look to see where we can find some commonalities, look to see where we can play nice together, and at the same time, be able to serve all the people of this nation."

Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This story has been updated to add new information.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How Black women in Michigan have turned out the vote for Kamala Harris
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday and urged further actions to substantially increase humanitarian aid in Gaza, the State Department said in a statement.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The U.S. government said in an Oct. 13 letter Israel had 30 days to take specific steps to address the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has been pummeled for more than a year by Israel's war in the Palestinian enclave.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Aid workers and UN officials say humanitarian conditions are dire in Gaza where the war has displaced nearly the entire population of 2.3 million and led to a hunger crisis. It has also led to allegations of genocide against Israel at the World Court, which Israel denies.

KEY QUOTES

Blinken "urged further actions to substantially increase and sustain humanitarian aid  including food, medicine, and other essential supplies  to civilians across all of Gaza," the State Department said after the call.

"The Secretary emphasized the importance of ending the war in Gaza and bringing all of the hostages home, as well as charting a path forward in the post-conflict period that allows the Palestinian population in Gaza to rebuild their lives and advances governance, security, and reconstruction," the State Department said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

CONTEXT

The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on Oct. 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent assault on Hamas-governed Gaza has killed over 43,000, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Israel is also carrying out military operations in Lebanon where more than 3,000 have been killed and over a million displaced. Israel says it is targeting Lebanese Hezbollah militants.

Washington has condemned civilian deaths but maintained support for its ally.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
This election, Nebraska has been in the national spotlight multiple times, including for competitive national races and its quirky electoral vote system.

From efforts by national Republicans and former President Donald Trump to change the state's electoral vote distribution in April and September to Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats garnering energy in momentum in an otherwise bright red state, Nebraska cemented itself in the national political conversation this election.

Beyond the presidential race, voters in the Cornhusker State will also decide on three U.S. House races. two U.S. Senate seats and six ballot measures ranging from abortion access to medical marijuana legalization. Here's which races to watch in Nebraska as the election comes to a close.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nebraska Election Results 2024: Live updates, maps for every state race

People wait in line to cast early ballots or register to vote outside the Douglas County Election Commission on Oct. 24, 2024 in Omaha, Neb. Nebraska Democrats are hopeful that Omaha-area voters will choose Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris and make Omaha a 'blue dot' in a field of Republican red on the Electoral College vote map. Nebraska, unlike most states, awards one Electoral College vote to each congressional district.

Presidential election live coverage: Latest news, results on Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris

Nebraska's 2nd District Electoral vote

As the polls close on Tuesday, eyes will be on Nebraska's 2nd District as it could help give either candidate a boost in the event of a close Electoral College outcome.

Maine and Nebraska are the only states with a split vote system where electoral votes are allocated to the winner in individual districts. For example, in Nebraska, two of the five electoral votes are awarded to the candidate who wins the most votes statewide. The other three go to the winners of each of the states three congressional districts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Although the Cornhusker State is deep red, the 2nd Congressional District, which surrounds Omaha and its suburbs, has gone to Democrats twice, including former President Barack Obama in 2008 and President Joe Biden in 2020, creating the term blue dot.

Jason Brown handcrafts political signs featuring a simple blue dot, at his home in Omaha, Nebraska, on September 30, 2024. Due to the state's Electoral College distribution rule, this tiny Democratic-leaning "blue dot" of 650,000 people could have the final say.

A Trump-Vance and Don Bacon for Congress sign are posted on a Trump supporters' lawn on October 24, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska.

If Harris won the Rust Belt states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, while Trump captured the Sun Belt states of Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and North Carolina, the Nebraska vote would determine whether Harris won 270-268 or whether the race ended up a 269-269 tie.

And if the Electoral College is tied, the House of Representatives selects the winner, with each state delegation getting a single vote - a scenario that would likely favor Trump.

Since joining the race, Harris has been polling ahead of Trump in the district, leading him by 12 points in a New York Times/ Siena College poll released last week. Surrogates from both campaigns, including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff, Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have visited the district to shore up support for both candidates.

Ann Ashford, widow of former Nebraska Democratic Rep. Brad Ashford, speaks about her endorsement of Republican Rep. Don Bacon in the state's 2nd District U.S. House race during a press conference at his Omaha campaign office Sept. 30, 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: Election Day 2024: US voters at the polls to cast their ballot for president

A flip-able House seat

Another race receiving national attention in the Cornhusker state is the 2nd District's Congressional election, where Republican Rep. Don Bacon is defending his seat against Democratic challenger, state Sen. Tony Vargas. Bacon is one of a handful of House Republicans who are vulnerable in this election. His seat is one Democrats hope to flip in their path to gain control of the House.

Bacon first beat Vargas in 2022 by nearly 3 points, but in recent months, polling has swung in favor of Vargas and the race has shifted from a "lean Republican" rating earlier this year to a "lean Democrat" this fall, according to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Both candidates have raked in millions in campaign funding and hope that a presidential election year will boost voter turnout for either candidate.

Nebraska state Sen. Tony Vargas, the Democratic candidate in the state's race for the 2nd District's U.S. House seat, speaks to attendees at a rally for Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in Papillion, Neb. on Oct. 19, 2024.

For both Vargas and Bacon, campaigning in the deep purple district has placed their focus on kitchen table issues including the economy, immigration and public safety, rather than spending time highlighting wedge issues. It has been a race to the middle for both, who have rolled out their own cross-party endorsements in the last months of the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In September, Bacon announced an endorsement from Ann Ashford, the wife of late former Democratic Rep. Brad Ashford, who lost his seat to Bacon in 2016. A little over a month later, Vargas brought forward his own slate of Republican voters who supported him.

Dan Osborn, an independent running for one of Nebraska's U.S. Senate seats, talks to supporters during a campaign event in a Lincoln keno bar Oct. 20, 2024.

A Senate surprise

One of the most surprising races in the 2024 election popped up in Nebraska this fall when former union leader and independent candidate Dan Osborn closely trailed Republican Sen. Deb Fischer in multiple polls.

In a state where Republican victories are almost always a given, Nebraska is now one of the top Senate races to watch in the Nov. 5 election as its outcome could determine which party controls the upper chamber of Congress.

A recent New York Times/Siena College poll puts Osborn just two percentage points behind Fischer, 46% to 48%, with 5% of likely voters in Nebraska either undecided or refusing to answer. Other political tracking organizations, including the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, updated the contest to leaning versus solidly Republican.

FILE PHOTO: Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) speaks on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 10, 2020. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Osborn, a U.S. Navy and Nebraska Army National Guard veteran, was a little-known candidate in the state just months ago, but now poses a credible threat to Fischer's re-election. Wanting to remain truly independent, Osborn has said he won't caucus with either party in the Senate if elected and has not disclosed which presidential candidate he will vote for.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fischer, a former rancher and Nebraska state senator, is running for a third term. She campaigned minimally for most of the election year, but came out in full force against Osborn in September when his popularity popped up on the radar. Since then, national Republicans have put millions in funding into the race to discredit Osborn as "too left-leaning" for Nebraska.

A rally attendee holds up a sign during the Omaha stop on the Harris campaign's "Fighting for Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour," Oct. 5, 2024, which featured Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dueling abortion-related ballot measures

Abortion is on the ballot in states across the country, but Nebraska is the only place with dueling measures on the issue.

One of the measures sponsored by Protect Our Rights, a coalition of pro-abortion rights, including the local Planned Parenthood affiliate, would establish a "fundamental right" to abortion up to fetal viability, typically 24 weeks, and to protect the mother's life or health after that.

The other initiative known as Protect Women and Children, backed by a group of anti-abortion doctors, would ban abortion after the first trimester, with exceptions for medical emergencies, rape or incest - similar to the state's existing 12-week abortion law.

Millions of dollars have been poured into this race by both local and national organizations, including hefty funding from Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts, who is backing the Protect Women and Children measure.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which Nebraska races are getting national attention on Election Day?
By Antonella Cinelli and Valentina Consiglio

ROME (Reuters) - On the island of Sardinia, a bedrock of Italian sheep farming, breeder Michela Dessi has seen 150 of her flock die and 140 lose their lambs in the last few months due to an insect-borne disease called bluetongue that is ravaging local livestock.

Sardinia is home to three million sheep, almost double the number of people, and accounts for 40% of Italy's sheep population. The industry employs more than 27,000 people and is an intrinsic part of the Mediterranean island's cultural identity, thanks to products such as the salty "pecorino" cheese made with sheep's milk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

All of this is threatened by the viral infection, which has hit around a quarter of Sardinia's 13,000 sheep farms this year, killing 40,000 sheep and lambs, compared to just 5,000 in 2023.

"The sheep start to get sick, lame, come down with fever, and die after a few hours or days, sometimes suffocated by their own saliva," said Dessi, who has been running the family farm in the south of the island since 2007, with 600 sheep.

Other symptoms of the disease, which also affects cattle with less deadly consequences, are mouth ulcers, discharge from the mouth and nose, and the blueness of the tongue from which it gets its name.

Bluetongue outbreaks have occurred in several parts of Europe in recent months, helped by global warming, which favours the proliferation of the vector insect - but nowhere with such a devastating impact as in Sardinia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The disease, which does not affect humans or the safety of animal meat or milk, was first reported in the 18th century in South Africa and arrived in Italy in 2000.

The vehicle for the virus is a tiny 1-3 millimetre-long insect called Culicoides, which is now prospering not only in summer but also into the autumn as the Mediterranean basin becomes hotter.

"Sardinia has been particularly affected, with an exponential contagion we have never seen before" said Luca Saba, the local head of the Italian agriculture lobby group Coldiretti. "And the emergency is far from over".

FAILED VACCINATIONS

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The many strains of the virus are thwarting attempts to halt its spread through vaccination.

"There are 27 serotypes in the world and we cannot know if a different one will appear from one year to the next," said Sandro Rolesu, health director of the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sardinia.

"We were vaccinating for type 8, which was present last year, and we ended up with type 3," he said, adding that Italy will be vaccinating for type 3 next year.

Giovanni Filippini, head of the health ministry's animal welfare department, said the government is working on an emergency plan "based on predictive models that can prevent the spread" of bluetongue, but declined to provide details.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile farmers already hit by one of Sardinia's driest ever summers are counting the cost and calling on Rome for financial help.

Sardinia's agriculture chief Gianfranco Satta said the island's regional government had set aside 13.5 million euros ($14.7 million) to compensate affected farmers, but Coldiretti estimates losses as high as 25 million.

"We are on our knees and companies are closing," said Roberto Congia, an official with the Sardinian Shepherds' Movement, a local lobby group.

($1 = 0.9246 euros)

(Editing by Gavin Jones and Alexandra Hudson)
Bluffton, S.C. (WSAV) The Lowcountry coast is often viewed as a positive place, with happy people and no worries. But even the most beautiful places lose loved ones to suicide. Bluffton hosted a suicide prevention walk to spread awareness of that common stigma and to show local community members that may be struggling  you are not alone in this.

The community gathered at oyster factory park for the annual prevention walk, honoring and advocating for loved ones lost in the battle with suicide. John Tjaarda, director of the South Carolina chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says, the goal of the walk is to continue to spread awareness while also getting talks around the subject more common. The more we talk about suicide and suicide prevention, the more we break that negative stigma thats been associated with suicide and mental health and the more that we make it okay for somebody who might be struggling to reach out and ask for help, says Tjaarda.

Co-chair organizer for the walk, Mary Doyle, says suicide is happening way more often than its actually talked about. Its a very diverse community. Suicide isnt limited to any one person. Gender, race, sexual orientation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After losing her daughter to suicide three years ago, she is now organizing events, like the walk, to educate others on the warning signs, and helping loved ones look forward through hope. As hard as it is to talk about hope when youre a suicide loss survivorwhen you bring these people all together and you look around and they realize that theyre not alone, theres hope in that, says Doyle.

Mom and son, Becky and Mike Christensen, found their hope through keeping awareness alive locally after losing, her son and his brother, Kyle, to suicide. They now are co-chairs alongside Doyle  hoping to grow the walk event larger ever year. Mike Christensen says, Even if you reach one person, the goal is to reach lots. But if you reach one, youre at least essentially saving someones life. So thats why its important to keep doing this and building it.



If you or someone you know is in a crisis, dial 988  or text TALK to 741-741.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
While voting totals began pouring in from rural counties across North Carolina, one of the biggest counties in the state didnt report early voting numbers until three hours after polls closed.

The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections submitted its Election Day totals not too long after 7:30 p.m., but the number on the North Carolina Board of Elections website didnt budge for hours.

Channel 9s Almiya White learned of the difficulties, and an elections official in Charlotte said it was because they were having issues uploading the early voting numbers to the states website. An official in Mecklenburg County said the issue was with the states website.

It took a little longer than expected, but Mecklenburg Countys early voting numbers began showing up on the state website by about 10:42 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Channel 9 is reaching out to the state board of elections to learn more about the issue with updating the numbers. Well add more details in this article when theyre available.

Earlier:

Workers at the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections are preparing to start counting votes as soon as polls close.

This includes early votes cast before election day.

Board of Elections Director Michael Dickerson told Channel 9s Erika Jackson that his team will release absentee vote-by-mail numbers almost immediately.

Then the board will release early voting results, which will be around 430,000 in Mecklenburg County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The last votes to be reported will be those cast on Tuesday.

ALSO READ: What to know for Election Day in North Carolina

Representatives from every polling place in Mecklenburg County will have to drop off the results.

Dickerson said the large number of early voters and vote-by-mail ballots will help speed up the process of getting full results.

The bulk of them have already come out. Thats the great thing about this. If we can get all of those in the system, youre going to see a good big number come right off the bat. The hard part will be: How long does it take them to close? If theres a line at closing, they can still vote. How long will it take them here? Dickerson elaborated.

You will be able to vote as long as you are in line when the polls close at 7:30 p.m. in North Carolina and 7 p.m. in South Carolina.

VIDEO: What to know for Election Day in North Carolina












CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN)  With early voting finished its been a busy day for workers in Mahoning County getting equipment ready for Tuesdays in-person Election Day voting.

Crews set up voting booths at nearly 70 locations, along with more than 200 counting machines, to record each vote as its cast Tuesday, and then print out a total when the polls close at 7:30 p.m. in Ohio.

When all is said and done, Mahoning County Elections Director Tom McCabe says they are predicting a 70-75% turnout.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Weve had over 50,000 people vote early or by absentee, which really helps out when it comes to Election Day. Were expecting another 65,000-70,000 voters on Election Day, McCabe said.

There are 48 voting machines at the Canfield Fairgrounds. It takes about a week and a half to get all of them set up around the county. By the end of this week, the machines will be torn down and taken back to the countys warehouse.

Although the early vote totals could add up to about 40% of the final numbers, its too early to predict the outcomes of different races.

About 12,000-13,000 each party has cast ballots already with another 28,000 of unaffiliated voters have cast ballots, McCabe said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most voters will cast ballots Tuesday at the same locations where theyve gone the last several election cycles. If youre still not sure, its easy to learn where to go.

You can check your registration online, make sure you are registered and where you vote, or you can call the Board of Elections in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties and well direct you to the right location, McCabe said.

WKBN 27 First News is Your Election Headquarters. We have broken down polling locations in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Mercer counties.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Boeing machinists have ended their weeks-long strike, amid signs that the work stoppage had begun denting U.S. jobs numbers  and just a day before the country votes for its next president.

After rejecting a previous contract offer, on Monday just before midnight Eastern time the union reported that 59 percent voted in favor of a fresh deal that boosts employees wages and conveys other benefits, with the expectation workers will head back to production lines as soon as this week.

And its a rare bit of positive news for Boeing, which is still navigating federal probes and airline customer unrest about quality control problems with its planes. It also alleviates one labor headache for Kamala Harris, who has struggled to shore up her standing among many union rank-and-file in the waning days of her campaign for the presidency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its also welcome news for the economy, which had started to show signs of stress due to the strike. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released last week showed that manufacturing jobs declined by roughly 46,000 largely due to strike activity throughout October, BLS said. (The aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes also contributed to the lackluster jobs report.)

After rejecting a previous contract offer, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Districts 751 and W24 33,000 members, who are responsible for building Boeings aircraft on the West Coast, voted in favor of a 38 percent wage increase  up from 35 percent in its previous offer  a $12,000 ratification bonus, and a 401K match increased to 100 percent of the first 8 percent of pay.



"This contract was different, we had massive leverage this time," Jon Holden, president of IAM District 751, said while announcing the vote results. "This was a defining moment tonight, and we were able to change the past negotiations," he said.

Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su again helped broker the latest deal  which IAMs leadership endorsed. IAM rejected Boeings previous offer, with more than 60 percent of workers voting on Oct. 23 to continue their strike.

"Its time we all come back together and focus on rebuilding the business and delivering the worlds best airplanes," Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a message to employees Friday. There are a lot of people depending on us.

Though the strike is over, its likely to have residual effects for some time. Moodys Ratings last week warned that it believes the hangover from the machinists walkout at Boeing will weigh on monthly 737 MAX production next year.

A number of weeks will be needed for the workforce to complete refresher training, including on quality initiatives and recertification following the strikes resolution. We also believe the supply chain will remain a bottleneck, the ratings firm said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ortberg has also noted some growing pains were likely on the horizon.

Before the Oct. 23 vote, the CEO said the longer the strike continued, the more challenging it will be for Boeing to recover. In his first appearance on CNBC Ortberg underscored that the company will continue to focus on getting back to  delivering good airplanes all while embarking on a much-needed culture change.

When theyre back on the floor, Ill be back on the floor helping improve that relationship, he told the network last month.
Boeing Factory workers assemble Boeing 787 airliners at the Boeing factory in Everett, Washington. (File/Vince Streano/Getty Images)

The Boeing factory worker strike that has stretched nearly two months, halting airplane manufacturing at plants around the Northwest, ended Monday after thousands of union members voted to approve a new contract offer from the aerospace giant.

While the deal will not bring back a defined benefit pension program that many striking workers had hoped to revive, it does include a 38% wage increase over the contracts four-year span that would push average pay for the workers to just shy of $120,000 a year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Workers will also receive a $12,000 ratification bonus, reinstated performance pay with a 4% guaranteed annual payout, and boosted 401(k) contributions from the company.

Average annual machinist pay will rise to $119,309 under the accepted offer, from the previous contracts roughly $75,600 average, according to Boeing.

As with prior offers, the company included a guarantee to build its next commercial airplane model in the Puget Sound region. That promise is good while the contract lasts. But Boeing has no immediate plans for a new commercial airplane and is years behind schedule on its 777X manufactured in Everett.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Approval of the contract follows workers rejecting two prior offers, one before the strike began on Sept. 13 and one on Oct. 23.

Leadership of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers recommended workers approve the contract offer in the run-up to the vote, which took place on the eve of a presidential election that is consuming the attention of much of the country.

The contract was approved with the support of 59% of voting union members.

Through this strike and the resulting victory, frontline workers at Boeing have done their part to begin rebalancing the scales in favor of the middle class, Jon Holden, president of IAM District 751 and Brandon Bryant, president of IAM District W24 said in a joint statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This contract also creates a new foundation to build on for the future and that future begins today, they added. We are ready to help Boeing change direction and return to building the highest quality and safest airplanes in the world. Our members are critical to that mission.

Machinists can return to work as early as the first shift on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

They must go back by the beginning of their shifts on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The union represents about 33,000 workers who were on strike mostly in Washington and also in Oregon and California.

Negotiations grew tense at times with both sides accusing the other of negotiating in bad faith. Union leadership especially bristled after Boeing released a non-negotiated best and final offer in late September. That proposal did not receive a vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Members of Washingtons congressional delegation, business groups, and others have urged the two sides to reach an agreement.

The union has credited Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su with helping move along negotiations.

President Joe Biden issued a statement applauding the union and the company for reaching the agreement.

Over the last four years, weve shown collective bargaining works, Biden said. Good contracts benefit workers, businesses, and consumers  and are key to growing the American economy from the middle out and the bottom up.

The work stoppage has further battered Boeings already weakened finances.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last week, the company raised about $21 billion by selling stock to help shore up its balance sheet. This followed a reported third-quarter loss of $6.17 billion.

Anderson Economic Group, a consulting firm in Michigan, last week estimated that the strike had cost Boeing about $5.5 billion in lost earnings.

In October, the company said it would cut about 17,000 workers nationwide and has since indicated those plans would not change based on the outcome of the contract vote.

The aerospace giant has nearly 7,900 employees in South Carolina, where the company builds the 787 Dreamliner and parts for other aircraft.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its operations in the Lowcountry include a factory that makes engine parts for the 737 Max and 777 jets, a research and technology center, an engineering design center and a plant that makes 787 cabin parts. None of South Carolinas employees are unionized.

Boeing has not disclosed how many of its North Charleston employees might be let go, only that the layoffs would involve Palmetto State employees who arent critical to the production of the 787 or to customer support.

Boeing in recent years has seen high-profile safety lapses.

Problems with flight control systems on its 737 Max airplanes led to crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people, exposing gaps in the companys safety culture and resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And in January, an Alaska Airlines 737 flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a door panel blew out of the plane.

Workers fighting for improved pay and benefits have pointed to high executive pay. Critics also say a shift at the company over the years, toward a tougher stance with workers and suppliers, while prioritizing stock buybacks and shareholder dividends, led to some of Boeings current woes.

While the past few months have been difficult for all of us, we are all part of the same team, Kelly Ortberg, who took over as the companys CEO in August, said after workers approved the contract.

We will only move forward by listening and working together. There is much work ahead to return to the excellence that made Boeing an iconic company.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SC Daily Gazette reporter Jessica Holdman contributed to this report.

Like SC Daily Gazette, Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com. Follow Washington State Standard on Facebook and X.
Unionized Boeing workers on Monday voted to accept a contract proposal, ending a seven-week strike.

The deal increases pay by 38% over four years and gives workers a bonus for ratifying the contract.

A Bank of America analyst estimated Boeing lost about $50 million a day due to the strike.

Boeing union workers approved a labor contract proposal on Monday that will increase pay by 38% over four years and end a seven-week strike.

According to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 751, 59% of employees voted yes to the proposal. This was after Boeing union leaders endorsed the offer on Thursday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When approached for comment, the IAM pointed Business Insider to a statement it issued on Monday night.

"This contract also creates a new foundation to build on for the future and that future begins today," Jon Holden and Brandon Bryant, presidents of IAM districts 751 and W24 respectively, said in a joint statement on Monday.

"We are ready to help Boeing change direction and return to building the highest quality and safest airplanes in the world," the statement added.

The win, which also includes a $12,000 ratification bonus, comes after Boeing machinists shot down two other offers since September 13.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The first was when over 30,000 union workers voted to strike after being displeased with the 25% pay increase they were originally offered.

The second rejection was in late October. It included a 35% pay hike and a $7,000 bonus. Still, workers will not get a highly-demanded pension plan that was taken away a decade ago.

This was Boeing's fourth offer overall. The company's second offer with a 30% pay increase was withdrawn after talks broke down.

"This agreement represents a new standard in the aerospace industry  one that sends a clear statement that aerospace jobs must be middle class careers in which workers can thrive," Brian Bryant, IAM's international president, said in a statement on Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The win for Boeing means it can restart its production line as airlines continue to complain about delayed deliveries.

New Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who started in August, can also fully implement his culture turnaround plan as union factory employees return to work.

"While the past few months have been difficult for all of us, we are all part of the same team," Ortberg said in a message to Boeing employees on Monday seen by BI.

"We will only move forward by listening and working together. There is much work ahead to return to the excellence that made Boeing an iconic company," he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to a Bank of America analyst estimate, Boeing lost about $50 million a day due to the strike.

The strike also led to an announced 10% staff cut, a further delay to Boeing's 777X program, and a halt in much of Boeing's production in Seattle.

This has snowballed the problems at the already embattled planemaker, which started with a door plug blowing off a new 737 Max in January. That was followed by a safety audit, a CEO change, and at least three whistleblowers who reported quality concerns on the assembly lines.

Read the original article on Business Insider
As Americans head to the polls on Nov. 5, the FBI has announced that bomb threats targeting polling sites in multiple states appear to have originated from Russian email domains. The agency clarified that none of these threats have been deemed credible.

U.S. intelligence agencies and Microsoft have recently warned that foreign adversaries are engaging in influence campaigns to mislead voters ahead of and during the 2024 election. Both the U.S. government and Microsoft have indicated that Russia favors former President Donald Trump, while Iran supports Vice President Kamala Harris.

"The FBI is aware of bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains. None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far," the agency stated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

U.S. intelligence officials are also investigating an email account with a Russian internet domain as the possible source of non-credible Election Day bomb threats in Georgia, CNN reported.

The FBI has been cautioning the public about several misleading videos circulating on social media that contain inaccurate information about the election.

Read also: Harris or Trump  Ukraine braces for best, worst-case scenarios as US elects new president

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/USGS

Mars' magnetic field may have survived 200 million years longer than scientists had thought  crucially, long enough for it to overlap with the presence of liquid water on the surface of the Red Planet.

That's the conclusion of new research led by planetary scientists at Harvard University, who propose that magnetic-pole reversals gave the mistaken impression that Mars ' magnetic dynamo had stopped by the time large impact craters, called basins, were forming on the planet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Understanding what happened to Mars' magnetic field is vital if we are to learn the Red Planet's ancient history.

"We are trying to answer primary, important questions about how everything got to be like it is, even why the entire solar system is that way," said Harvard's Sarah Steele, who led the research, in a statement . "Planetary magnetic fields are our best probe to answer a lot of those questions, and one of the only ways we have to learn about the deep interiors and early histories of planets."

A planetary magnetic field is produced by a geodynamo effect deep inside a planet. A planet like Earth has an iron-nickel core that comes in two parts, a solid inner core and a molten outer core. When any terrestrial planet is born, its core is entirely molten, and the solid inner core grows with time. As heat leaks from the solidifying inner core, it produces convection currents that rise up through the searingly hot rotating molten outer core. These convection currents rise through a pre-existing magnetic field, sparking electric currents that induce their own magnetic field, feeding back into the pre-existing one and amplifying it. This is the geodynamo.

Related: Life on Mars: Exploration & evidence

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, inside Mars, which is roughly half the diameter of Earth, the geodynamo cooled quickly as heat leaked away and convection ceased. As it did so, the geodynamo within the Red Planet stuttered and halted. This had significant repercussions for the subsequent evolution of Mars. Without its global magnetic field, Mars could not ward off the solar wind that began stripping away its atmosphere , including the Red Planet's water, nor shield the surface from harmful cosmic rays .

Planetary scientists had thought that Mars' global magnetic field died over 4.1 billion years ago. This is because huge impact basins that were formed during a period of bombardment between 4.1 and 3.7 billion years ago do not retain any record of strong magnetism in their rocks. In the violence of an impact, ferromagnetic minerals in molten rocks can align themselves with the surrounding magnetic field and, as the rocks rendered hot by the impact slowly cool, the alignment of these ferromagnetic minerals becomes locked in, allowing scientists billions of years later to study the ancient magnetic field. Yet the evidence from Mars' largest impacts suggests that there was no magnetic field when the impacts happened.

However, Steele and her colleagues, including her supervisor Roger Fu of Harvard, think planetary scientists have misinterpreted the signs. In 2023, their analysis of sections of the famous Martian meteorite Allan Hills 84001  the meteorite that researchers in the 1990s claimed contained microfossils, which has been the subject of much dispute ever since  indicated that there was evidence for magnetic field reversals recorded by the ferromagnetic minerals within the meteorite.

Now, they've strengthened that claim with computer modeling that suggests the lack of a magnetic field recorded at the time of the formation of the impact basins wasn't because the dynamo had shut off, but rather because the magnetic field was undergoing a pole reversal. This happens on Earth every few hundred thousand years, when the north and south magnetic poles swap around; the ferromagnetic minerals aren't sure where to point, and the net result is, it looks like the magnetic field is weak or non-existent. If Steele's team is correct, then the global magnetic field on Mars didn't disappear 4.1 billion years ago, but hung around until at least 3.9 billion years ago.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We are basically showing that there may not have ever been a good reason to assume Mars' dynamo shut down early," said Steele.

Related: Ocean's worth of water may be buried within Mars  but can we get to it?

Related Stories:

 Is there liquid water on Mars today? Marsquake data could tell us

 Mars lost atmosphere to space as life took hold on Earth

 Mars: Everything you need to know about the Red Planet

Though these timeframes were all a very long time ago, the extra 200 million years could have had enormous consequences for the potential for life on ancient Mars. This is because it overlaps into the era when the surface of the Red Planet became covered in water , evidence for which has been discovered by NASA Mars rovers . With the magnetic field still in place to shield the surface, life may have had a chance to get started in a watery environment without being killed off by radiation from space .

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The possible survival of the magnetic field on Mars for longer than had been thought also has repercussions for the rate of atmospheric loss, which is still ongoing and being tracked by NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN ( MAVEN ) orbiter. Scientists are able to measure the rate of atmospheric and water loss and extrapolate back to deduce how thin atmosphere Mars' atmosphere might once have been, and how much water Mars may have had in the past. If the magnetic field didn't disappear until later, then atmospheric loss also began later, which could mean that scientists' timeline of the changing conditions on Mars might need a slight revamp.
About a dozen Donald Trump campaign aides spoke to Tim Alberta, a staff writer at The Atlantic, about how their candidate strayed from a hitherto on-message campaign to embark on a series of offensive, threatening and self-defeating verbal adventures that have left his team utterly demoralized heading into Election Day. The former presidents predictions of triumph, the reporter who has covered several Republican presidential campaigns concluded, belie a sense of panic among his subordinates that "the bottom has started to fall out" in their efforts.

In the article, campaign sources explain that Trump's newfound discipline unraveled as he succumbed to agitation over his campaign's cautious approach, advice from impatient allies like Corey Lewandowski and the aggravating itch of his natural impulses. In the space of four months, Trump's aides now fear, the former president had dragged himself from probable victory to an avoidable disaster.

Trump, however, still thinks his chances are the same are great. He does believe that hes going to win, Alberta told CNNs Erin Burnett on Monday, adding that Trump "has a pretty distorted view of political reality, I think thats been the case for quite some time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The takeaway from his conversations, he said, was that the fall campaign had "been a total train wreck of a fall campaign for the Trump folks."

Alberta's campaign observations were echoed by Wall Street Journal reporter Annie Linskey. She reported that the Election Day mood in Trumpworld has quickly turned sour.

"I've talked to some of the Trump people," Linskey told CNN, "They were flat-out optimistic a week ago. I mean, people I was talking to were saying he is the president, [JD] Vance is the vice president. There was a confidence." But, Linskey noted, "That has shifted in terms of the staff members you talk to over there."

As President Joe Biden stepped aside for Vice President Kamala Harris atop the Democratic ticket, Trump pivoted his rhetoric from attacking Biden's age and capabilities to complaining about Harris' mixed-race ancestry. Diatribes against Democrats, immigrants and other people that should have been contained to the private sphere spilled out into the open while his campaign fought against negative headlines and against each other. Even as polls edged back in favor of Trump by late October, any momentum was seemingly snuffed out by right-wing comedian Tony Hinchcliffe opening a Trump rally in New York by calling Puerto Rico an "island of garbage."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While Trump later claimed not to know Hinchcliffe, aides told Alberta that the former president had spent months courting him. He characteristically blamed the fallout on his campaign managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, who had been trying to purge "right-wing trolls" from the operation but were now accused by their boss of having "f***ed this up."

I think that there is a real fear that the bottom has started to fall out here at the worst possible moment and that they are closing in about as weak a fashion as you possibly could, Alberta said. Many aides in the Trump campaign, he added, feel like they're "crawling or limping through the tape," and they know exactly who to blame.

They "will not be upset if he loses," Alberta concluded.
Declan MacDonell, 4, suffered serious injuries in the Oct. 8 attack

GoFundMe Declan MacDonell Declan MacDonell

A four-year-old Canadian boy is still hospitalized one month after he was mauled by a dog in his neighborhood.

Declan MacDonell, 4, suffered serious injuries in the Oct. 8 attack, according to the Northumberland News.

The boy was rushed to Northumberland Hills Hospital and later transported to SickKids hospital in Toronto for nine hours of emergency surgery, the Northumberland News reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Declan continues to be a brave little fighter flanked by his incredible parents, states a GoFundMe page set up to help his parents with hospital-related expenses.

We all continue to be so grateful for your support, it continues to make an incredibly positive impact," the post read. "We are all still processing, with shock and horror, the gravity and weight of this all."

GoFundMe Declan MacDonell Declan MacDonell

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.



So far, the fundraiser has raised more than $37,000 Canadian dollars.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the post, Declan started junior kindergarten in September and has had a promising start to the school year.

The boy loves dinosaurs and when he grows up he wants to be a Paleontologist, the post read.

A Cobourg Police Service spokesperson tells PEOPLE that no charges "have been laid as a result of the police investigation."


LONDON (AP)  Brazilian police official Valdecy Urquiza will be the next chief of Interpol, the global police organization announced Tuesday.

Urquiza was elected secretary-general by a vote of Interpols general assembly at its meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, and will take up the post when the gathering ends on Thursday.

Currently Interpols vice president for the Americas, Urquiza is the first chief of the Lyon, France-based organization not to come from Europe or the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Interpol secretary-general essentially runs the organization on a daily basis. Jurgen Stock of Germany, who has held the post since 2014, is not allowed under its rules to seek a third term.

Urquiza pledged to promote diversity within the organization, saying a strong Interpol is one that includes everyone.

When we respect and elevate diverse perspectives, we get a clearer, more comprehensive approach to global security, he said.

Interpol, which has 196 member countries and celebrated its centennial last year, works to help national police forces communicate with each other and track suspects and criminals in fields such as counterterrorism, financial crime, child pornography, cybercrime and organized crime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The worlds biggest police organization has been grappling with challenges including a growing caseload of cybercrime and child sex abuse, and increasing divisions among its member countries.

Interpol had a total budget of about 176 million euros (about $188 million) last year, compared to more than 200 million euros at the European Unions police agency, Europol, and some $11 billion at the FBI in the United States.
Reuters/Vincent Kessler

Nuclear-power stocks fell after regulators voted against a deal between Amazon and Talen Energy.

The deal would permit a Talen nuclear plant to provide an Amazon data center with extra power.

Nuclear stocks have surged this year as AI data centers boost energy demand.

Nuclear-power stocks slumped on Monday after US regulators barred a plant from supplying extra power to an Amazon data center.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected the deal between Amazon and Talen Energy late last week. According to FERC Commissioner Mark Christie, approving the proposal would spark consequences for grid reliability and consumer costs.

Talen dropped as much as 8.6% on Monday, unleashing a broader downturn in the nuclear power sector. Vistra slid 6.7% at intraday lows, while Constellation Energy tanked 13%.

These firms have gained sharply as AI data centers have driven US power demand to new heights. In recent months, tech companies have come to embrace nuclear power to run these centers, fueling underlying equities.

Both Vistra and Constellation are among the top S&P 500 performers this year. In a similar fashion to Talen, Constellation reached a 20-year deal with Microsoft to power its data center in

But the FERC's decision sets a precedent that could challenge nuclear data center deals.

"FERC's decision will have a chilling effect on economic development in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey," Talen said in a statement.

According to Bloomberg, the firm was already paid $650 million in March by Amazon Web Services for a data center campus next to the Pennsylvania plant at issue. AWS also signed a long-term deal to purchase power from the plant.

Other nuclear equities also suffered on Monday, with the Sam Altman-backed firm Oklo and Nano Nuclear Energy both falling by double-digits.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(WHTM)  The polls are now open in Pennsylvania with about 9 million people registered to vote in the state that could determine who wins the presidency.

If you are heading to the polls, you have until 8 p.m. to vote or be in line. Those in line by 8 p.m. when the polls close will still be allowed to vote.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Livestream Alerts

If you are a newly registered voter in Pennsylvania, you must bring a form of identification to the polls. This includes first time voters or if you recently moved to Pennsylvania. If you are not a first time voter you do not need to show an ID.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you were recently assigned a new polling place you will need to show a form of ID.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, you may use one of the following forms of photo identification, so long as it is not expired, canceled, or revoked:

Pennsylvania drivers license or PennDOT ID card

ID issued by any Commonwealth agency

ID issued by the U.S. Government

U.S. passport

U.S. Armed Forces ID

Student ID

Employee ID

If you do not have a photo ID, you can use one of the following so long as it includes your name and address:

Confirmation issued by the county voter registration office, such as a voter registration card.

Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth

Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government

Firearm permit

Current utility bill

Current bank statement

Paycheck

Government check

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you vote by mail, your ballot must be returned to the county board of election by 8 p.m. Do not place the ballot in the mail on Election Day as it will likely not arrive on time and a postmark is not enough.

If you voted by mail you can not cast a ballot on Election Day. If you requested but did not receive a mail ballot or experienced any issues with the mail ballot, you may be able to vote by a provisional ballot.

You can check your voter registration status online. You can also contact your countys election and voter registration officials, or call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).

abc27 is Your Local Election Headquarters covering all the local races that can swing the balance of power in Harrisburg and Washington. Visit the abc27 Election Results page for all of the results including President, the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race, the U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania Attorney General, Pennsylvania Treasurer, Pennsylvania Auditor General, and your local State House and State Senate races.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

This Week in Pennsylvania

Tune in to abc27 News for more results, stories, and analysis on the biggest races in Pennsylvania.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
When I was very little I lived in America. During our time in my fathers home state of Oklahoma, he bought my English mother a nice little ladies pistol to carry in her handbag.

We later moved to upstate New York, where the snow was higher than me, and seemed to be of a very different texture to the type that fell in Britain. One day, in an effort to catch my brother before he fell, my mother tripped down the wooden stairs, and told me to go get a neighbour. She had broken several toes. An ambulance came and I remember them asking me about insurance. I was five.

Still, America was the dream  so I went back to live there when I was 20. I did all sorts of jobs. I lived in the South and I lived in New York. (Though never California  La La Land brings me out in hives.) Some of my boyfriends had guns and I would have to look after them, which sent me into a panic. Which, of course, I hid as I didnt want to appear uncool.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

My best friends kitchen had tiny holes everywhere where her cousin had shot himself up. As you do.

In Louisiana, I shared a house with a guy who was a lawyer. He was always getting up in the night to do stays of execution, as he worked on death row. In America, about 2 million people are incarcerated at any given time  making it the country with the highest prison population in the world.

The mortality rate for this, one of the worlds richest countries, is much lower than for many other lesser economies, even though they spend more on healthcare.

Why am I telling you these things? Because such issues  crime, guns, cars, the death penalty, the right to bear arms, their freedoms, an individualist rather than collective outlook  are ingrained in the American psyche. And all of these are awkward issues for British, liberal onlookers. This election is full of these primal impulses, which mystifies many in the UK.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

America is a foreign country, more foreign than we seem to imagine, so overloaded are we with their cultural imports. People think differently there. They just do. Which is why those in their ivory towers were so shocked when Kamala Harris said she had a gun and would use it  it doesnt fit the liberal-elite stereotype.

An American ex-cop once taught me to shoot. He said, if trained properly, children are safe around guns. At what age did he think they were capable of that, I asked him? Three, he said.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who has spoken openly about owning a gun, at a rally in Michigan on November 3 - AFP via Getty Images

Of course, I have been back since my 20s, covering politics in Washington, Kentucky, Texas, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Nevada. What is the sum total of my experience? America is such an entirely different country to this one, that we really must stop seeing it through this smeary British lens.

The Republicans are not the Tory Party. The Democrats are not the Labour Party. Not every Trump voter is some sort of racist idiot, not every Harris voter is some progressive headcase. Americans of all persuasions are polite, hospitable, sentimental people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When I watch the rush of reporters going in to interrogate the undecideds, the left-behinds, the dont cares of this vast country, the only conclusions to be drawn are that this election is close and it is not based on rationality, but on emotion. Vibes. Fear or hope.

Its the economy stupid  but it is also about striking a bargain between heads and hearts and purse strings and forms of patriotism that we can barely touch base with.

Vast tracts of America are now a wasteland, with little more than the odd shopping mall, homeless encampments and giant prisons built in the middle of nowhere. Then there are some of the richest cities in the world, and mind-blowing landscapes. A hugeness, an emptiness, a sublime vision of endless roads that artists and film-makers sometimes do justice to.

This election, we are told, is tribal: between two sets of people who never meet anyone who doesnt think like them. That may be so, but America contains multitudes. The pollsters only know what the pollsters get told. Many will not vote. Many want little to do with any kind of governance at all. America is still wild like that. Voter turnout is everything, and Musk, with his canvassing and voter giveaways, is finding that harder than getting rockets off the ground.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump seeks further division and Harris an impossible unity. But Trump is a diminished, bitter old man and is no friend to anyone, least of all Britain. He is already talking about a stolen election in his ever-darker ramblings.

The gender divide matters in this contest. My hope is that enough middle-aged women now go out to vote for Harris after they see that their daughters now have fewer rights than they did. My money  I have placed a few bets  is on Kamala. I think she will do it and you can all laugh at my loss when she doesnt. It will be your loss too.

As Bruce Springsteen said: I have spent my life judging the distance between American reality and the American dream.

That distance is ever larger, ever more out of reach. From this side of the pond we catch only glimpses. We, all of us, live in some imagined America, the America of the bi-coastal establishment, the America of self-congratulatory celebrities, the America of an inclusivity that does not include desperate poverty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The next president will have to live with the grim reality of much of what America has become.

The dream is no longer sustainable. The voters know it. Do the pundits? The pollsters? The politicians? We shall see.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Don and Terri Turner, who moved to Spain 10 years ago, were last seen on Oct. 29 before they were found on Nov. 2

Alex Juarez/Anadolu via Getty Flooding in the La Torre neighborhood of Valencia, Spain, on Oct. 30, 2024 Flooding in the La Torre neighborhood of Valencia, Spain, on Oct. 30, 2024

A missing British couple have been found dead in their car amid the devastating flooding throughout Spain.

According to the BBC, Don, 78, and Terri Turner, 74, were last seen in Pedralba on Tuesday, Oct. 29, before torrential rain made landfall in Valencia, Spain, and continued through Wednesday. The Guardian and The Independent also reported on the couple being found dead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They were found on Saturday, Nov. 2, after telling neighbors they were stepping out to fill their car with gas. Their daughter, Ruth O'Loughlin, hoped her parents could stay safe amid the conditions.

"We held out hope that they were still alive and maybe sheltering somewhere," she told the BBC. "We talked about mum and dad coming over here next year to spend some time with us and we just ended the call and I'm really glad I said 'I love you' and she said she loves me too."



David Ramos/Getty Images Cars piled up after floods in Valencia, Spain, on Nov. 1, 2024 Cars piled up after floods in Valencia, Spain, on Nov. 1, 2024

Related: Crowds Throw Mud at Spains King Felipe and Queen Letizia amid Outrage at Deaths Caused by Record Flooding

Her sister, Renee Turner, spoke to their dad on Monday, Oct. 28, and expected to hear back the following day. "Sometimes that's not unusual, we can go a day or so without messaging every five minutes," she told the BBC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Don and Terri's friends had called O'Loughlin to tell her of her parents' deaths. "He said 'Ruth, get your husband,' I called my husband in and he just said 'Martin, hold your wife', and said that theyd been found and they'd been found in their car," O'Loughlin recalled her parents' friends saying.

"We still don't know exactly what happened to them. The only thing we've got from this is that they were together. It's not the way you want your parents to go."

The couple moved there from Staffordshire 10 years prior because they "always wanted to live in the sunshine."

"They were together. They had great friends there," O'Loughlin told the BBC. "We got comfort in knowing that they made friends everywhere they went."

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Reuters and the BBC reported that a year's worth of rainfall hit the ground over eight hours, causing Spain's deadliest flood in three decades. The rainfall hit southern and eastern Spain, from Malaga to Valencia, according to the Associated Press.

Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Cars piled up after flooding in Spain on Oct. 30, 2024 Cars piled up after flooding in Spain on Oct. 30, 2024

Related: Police Officer Used Bed Sheets to Rescue Woman from 6-Foot-Deep Floodwaters, Watch the Video

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Spanish authorities have recovered 217 bodies as of Monday, Nov. 4, reports the Associated Press. The stormwaters overflowed the Magro and Turia river basins and the Poyo riverbed, the AP reports, leading to the riverbanks overflowing.

The water has washed away roads and railways, flooding homes and businesses, leaving people standing on car roofs or searching for higher ground in buildings.

"We are facing a very difficult situation," Spains minister of territory policies, Angel Victor Torres, said, via PBS. "The fact that we cant give a number of the missing persons indicates the magnitude of the tragedy."
Brussels is awaiting Germany's late EU budget plan for the coming years despite the coalition crisis in Berlin, European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said on Tuesday.

"We are obviously following the discussions in Germany and the German coalition concerning a medium-term fiscal structural plan and we are in constant engagement with German authorities," Dombrovskis after a meeting of European Union finance ministers in Brussels.

"We hope to receive Germany's medium-term financial plan by the end of the month," he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner did not attend the Brussels meeting and was represented by his State Secretary Heiko Thoms.

Germany's 2025 budget is however still in the works, and the 2024 budget still needs to be amended.

To ensure compliance with the EU's strict debt and deficit rules, each member country had to submit a multi-annual budget plan to the European Commission by mid-October.

Germany - like five other countries according to the European Commission - has not yet done so, arguing it needed more time to adjust its spending due to the poor economic outlook.
Two senior members of the violent MS-13 gang are among more than a dozen indicted for a series of grisly machete murders across Long Island and Queens, according to prosecutors.

Edenilson Velasquez Larin, 35, and Hugo Diaz Amaya, 36, were indicted along with 15 conspirators for murders spanning from 2016 to 2022, in which victims were hacked to death before their dismembered bodies were discarded, the US Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York announced Monday.

Larin  also known as Tiny  and Amaya  known as Splinter  are allegedly two of the highest ranking US members of the international gang based out of El Salvador and Honduras, but with organized presences called cliques across the US that are especially prevalent in Queens and Long Island.

Edenilson Velasquez Larin, 35, was indicted for murder on Monday Lucas County Sheriffs Office

The US arm of the gang is run by a group of senior members known as La Mesa, who largely organize their criminal dealings from prison. Until their arrest, Larin and Amaya were two of the last remaining members of La Mesa not behind bars, according to prosecutors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both are charged with partaking in or ordering a series of murders spanning 2016 to 2022  including one in which fellow gang member Eric Monge was shot dead in his car moments after his wife and young children walked away.

Larin allegedly ordered that Queens execution, while several henchmen carried it out.

In another incident, in 2016 in Uniondale, Larin and another gang member allegedly became friends with Kenny Reyes, an 18-year-old recently arrived from Honduras, when they came to believe he was associated with a rival gang.

A member of the MS-13 gang displays the distinctive tattoos worn by members of Mara Salvatrucha. US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York

Larin and a co-conspirator allegedly decided to murder Reyes to elevate their status in MS-13, and after luring him to the woods under the pretense of smoking weed hacked him to death with machetes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Then in 2022, Larin and Amaya both allegedly ordered the murder of fellow gang member Oswaldo Gutierrez Medrano. The 20-year-old was lured under the pretenses of receiving a promotion, but was instead hacked to pieces with machetes and knives.

Edenilson Velasquez Larin was one of the last senior members of MS-13 in America still walking free Ohio State Highway Patrol

He was dismembered and his body parts were buried in the woods, prosecutors said.

Others named in the indictment include 27-year-old Jose Fantasma Iraheta, 26-year-old Victor Curioso Lopez, 24-year-old Tito Imprudente Martinez-Alvarenga, 26-year-old Christian Pata de Chucho Leon, and 25-year-old Jose Tranquilo Aguilar.

My Office and our law enforcement partners have worked tirelessly to hold MS-13 accountable for the unspeakable harm it has done to its victims and our communities, said US Attorney Breon Peace in a statement.

As these charges make clear, our pursuit of those responsible will not be deterred by the passage of

time or by the leaders of MS-13s futile attempts to hide in the shadows, he added.
Buckshot, legendary rapper and Black Moon member, has broken his silence after footage of him being viciously assaulted in Brooklyn surfaced on social media.

The Who Got Da Props rapper, who was left hospitalized following the assault, issued a statement to AllHipHop expressing his appreciation for those who have offered their well-wishes. To all my friends, fans, and supportersthank you for reaching out during this difficult time, Buckshot began.

Recently, I was the victim of a violent assault involving multiple individuals armed with weapons, including handguns. This attack stems from ongoing disputes over my property, where I am the rightful owner but have faced issues with unauthorized occupants who escalated the situation to violence.

Buckshot Shorty

The lyricist, who called for the community to band together in an effort to make New York safer, voiced his disappointment that the assault occurred in the boroughs where he grew up and currently resides.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As someone whos been an entertainer and part of this community for over 30 years, I am deeply disturbed that such an incident could happen in New Yorka city I love and call home, he lamented. Violence like this has no place here, and Im calling on everyone to come together to make New York safer and better for all of us.

The 49-year-old continued, adding that he and his lawyers are working with local police to bring his attackers to justice. I am currently recovering from my injuries and am working closely with my legal team and law enforcement to ensure this matter is handled properly, Buckshot said.

Buckshot Shorty

We are committed to seeing justice served, and I ask for your patience and support as the legal process unfolds. Again, thank you for all the well wishes. Lets put an end to violence and help rebuild a stronger, safer New York.

According to reports, Buckshot was assaulted last Thursday (Oct. 31), in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. In a graphic clip that was shared on social media, the bloodied and bruised rapper can be seen hunched over on the ground following the attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At one point, Buckshot asks for someone to call an ambulance, with a bystander informing him that paramedics were on their way to the scene.

Buckshot Performing

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A native of Brooklyn, Buckshot made his debut alongside Black Moon on their 1993 album, Enta Da Stage, which produced the hit singles How Many MCs, Buck Em Down (Remix), and I Got Cha Opin (Remix).

The founder of the Boot Camp Clik, which introduced acts including Smif-N-Wessun, Heltah Skeltah, O.G.C., and more, Buckshot teamed up with longtime business partner Drew Dru-Ha Friedman to launch Duck Down Records during the mid-90s, which became one of the premier independent labels in Hip-Hop.

Buckshot of Black Moon performs on SiriusXMs Shade 45 Channel at the SiriusXM Studios on October 23, 2019 in New York City.

More from VIBE.com

Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
BUDA, Texas (KXAN)  The Buda Police Department warned Buda and Hays County residents to be aware of a phone scam asking victims to pay the caller significant amounts of money through bitcoin, crypto-currency, or a wire transfer.

BPD said victims report the call being from people claiming they are a part of the sheriffs or police department, and have a warrant for the victims arrest.

The caller ID will also show it is the number for the Hays County Sheriffs Office through spoofing, according to BPD. Police explained spoofing is when the caller falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Authorities reminded residents, no law enforcement agency will ever call and ask for payment over the phone. Payments for tickets, fines, or fees are collected through local courts using legitimate payment options.

BPD said if you think you may have been victimized by a phone scam or would like to report receiving a phone scam to contact the Hays County Dispatch at 512-393-7896.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Political signs line the median in Huntington, W.Va. on Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Reagan Clagg for West Virginia Watch)

As Cabell County voters took to the polls Tuesday morning, they had various issues and races on their minds.

Maggi Anderson, of Barboursville, West Virginia, said reproductive rights were her primary issue.

The most important issue for me is womens rights, Anderson said. I feel as a woman of any age, this should be one of the most important things in this election today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For her, Anderson said, voting was a way to fight for womens futures while honoring those who came before her.

Fighting for not only our rights as women right now, Anderson said. But like I said, the women that are going to come after us and to honor the women that came before us.

Gina Milum, the Democratic candidate for House District 27, of Huntington, said reproductive rights were also one of her top issues.

First and foremost, I have been activated by reproductive rights, Milum said. Even though my reproductive years are long in my rearview mirror, I have two daughters and six granddaughters. Its an important thing to me.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Debra La Pierre Sospe, of Milton, said her top issues included the economy, cost of living and homelessness.

She also said she wanted to bring the Lord back in our country, starting with our schools and the home.

She said her motivation mainly stemmed from a sense of duty.

Ive voted since I was 18, La Pierre Sospe said. Its always been my life.

Anderson said her son was her primary motivation to cast her ballot.

I feel like voting you have to do it for not only the people who are here right now, Anderson said. But for the children and the future of our country.

She said to her, the presidential race was most important, followed by the local elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

First and most importantly, the presidential, Anderson said. The local elections are all fairly important to me.

Milum said she wished the presidential election was closer in West Virginia.

Of course, everybodys biting their nails over the presidential race. I wish I felt things were closer in West Virginia, Milum said.

Milum said she focused more on down ballot races than the presidential election.

A lot of the down ballot races, especially the state senate, especially the House of Representatives, are very important for me to watch because people dont realize how much either harm or good that people in those positions can do, Milum said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

La Pierre Sospe said she looked for truth, honesty, and love for the Lord and our country when deciding who to vote for.

As for the Cabell County school levy, Anderson said it was not at the front of her mind.

I dont know much about it, Anderson said. Its not one of the issues I have dove into deeply today.

Milum lives in the portion of Huntington located in Wayne County, and cannot vote for the levy. She said she would have certainly voted yes if she was able to.

I was 100% vote no in May, Milum said. Now I am 100% vote yes in November.

Milum said she believed the pre-primary movement to strike down the levy was successful in its messaging.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The message was sent to the past superintendent, Milum said. He heard, he left, we now have new board members, we have a new superintendent, the libraries have their money, the parks have their money, and the schools have better leadership.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
California will receive $122 million in a settlement agreement with Kroger, the grocery chain and parent company of Ralphs, to resolve lawsuits over its alleged role in the opioid crisis and how its pharmacies dispensed prescription painkillers to customers.

The payment finalizes a deal the company struck last year to resolve nearly all the opioid-related claims filed against it. Kroger did not admit to any wrongdoing or liability in the settlement, but it did agree to pay nearly $1.4 billion over the coming 11 years to California and other plaintiffs.

Kroger grocery stores, which do business in 35 states, provide pharmacy services to its customers in addition to selling food and other goods. The settlement agreement calls for the company to pay $1.2 billion to state and local governments and $36 million to Native American tribes for abatement programs, in addition to roughly $177 million for attorneys' fees and court costs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the California Department of Justice, we are committed to holding entities, like Kroger, accountable for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic, Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta announced in a news release on Monday.

Thirty-three states will be eligible for the settlement payout, which still needs to be submitted to and approved by a state court judge in each state.

Under the agreement, Kroger pharmacies will monitor and report suspicious opioid prescription activity.

Read more: In Fresno County, CHP seizes fentanyl found stuffed in carne asada

"Kroger will continue to combat opioid abuse, and it remains focused on providing fresh and affordable groceries to communities across the country," a Kroger spokesperson said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While oxycodone and other addictive prescription painkillers kicked off the opioid epidemic in the U.S, synthetic drugs such as fentanyl have become the drug responsible for the most overdose deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Over the summer, the Supreme Court upset a massive settlement related to Purdue Pharma company, makers of prescription painkiller OxyContin. The justices ruled in a 5-4 vote that the proposed settlement, which would have paid $10 billion to victims, was not viable because it would have shielded the Sackler family, the billionaire owners of Purdue, from further liability even though the family did not file for bankruptcy.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
California sheriffs deputies have been forced to pay a girls family $300,000 after taking her pet goat and sending it to slaughter.

Jessica Long purchased the goat, named Cedar, in 2022 for her daughter who was enrolled in a youth development program in California.

The same year, the family entered the animal into the Shasta County District Fair junior livestock, where animals can be auctioned off for meat. Before the bidding started though, the family changed its mind and tried to tell the fairs officials the girl no longer wished to auction Cedar off.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, the Shasta Fair Association told the family that the fairs rules prohibited the pet from withdrawing from the program.

California State Senator Brian Dahle, who ran for Governor against Governor Gavin Newsom, placed the highest bid for the animal at $902. The fair got a $63 cut in the sale and was supposed to pay $838 to the girls family.

But once the goat was auctioned off, the girl could not leave his side and sobbed next to him in his pen, court documents state. Long took the goat from the fair and told officials she would be willing to pay for any losses stemming from his removal. She then took Cedar to a farm 200 miles away in Sonoma County where she thought he would be safe.

Cedar the goat was eventually taken to slaughter against the familys wishes (Advancing Law for Animals)

A manager of the fair association informed Long that if she did not return the goat she would be charged with grand theft. However, Long and her family were still the rightful owners of the animal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The mom pleaded with the manager to keep the money from the sale and let the girl have the goat but the offer was rejected Long even reached out to Dahle, whose representatives told her he would not resist her attempts to save the goat from slaughter and he waived his rights to the animal.

The mother wrote a letter to the fairs officials telling them that she could not bear to let her daughter suffer another loss after the death of three grandparents in one year. Officials did not heed her pleas.

In July, a judge granted a warrant for the search and seizure of the animal at the Bleating Hearts Farm and Sanctuary in Napa County by the Shasta County Sheriffs Department. Sheriffs deputies then drove 10 hours to Napa Valley to seize the goat from the location. When they arrived, they discovered the pet had never been in their custody.

The deputies drove to another farm, where they did not have a warrant for the search and seizure of the animal, took the pet before driving another 10 hours back to Shasta County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The goat was finally taken to slaughter. In October 2022, the family filed a lawsuit against the sheriffs deputies who seized the animal, claiming they violated the law. Two years later the family has finally won the case.

In a written statement, Advancing Law for Animals, a non-profit that represented the family in litigation, said the goats story reflects the broader issue of perceived government overreach in handling personal pets.

Unfortunately, this litigation cannot bring Cedar home. But the $300,000 settlement with the County of Shasta and Shasta County Sheriffs Office is the first step in moving forward.
By Scott DiSavino

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices edged up about 1% on Tuesday with a storm expected to cut U.S. output in the Gulf of Mexico and as the U.S. dollar weakened on Election Day with polls showing America's presidential race exceptionally close.

Brent crude oil futures rose 45 cents, or 0.6%, to settle at $75.53 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 52 cents, or 0.7%, to settle at $71.99.

"Crude oil is bid (up) on bullish supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and election fever, with a little weather thrown in for good measure," Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho, said in a report.

The U.S. presidential contest between Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris hurtled toward an uncertain finish as Americans headed to the polls.

"The (election) result might not be known for days, if not weeks, and it will most plausibly be challenged and contested," said Tamas Varga, an analyst at PVM, a brokerage and consulting firm that is part of TP ICAP.

The U.S. dollar slid to a three-week low versus a basket of other currencies as traders squared positions ahead of election results.

A weaker greenback makes oil less expensive in other countries.

The U.S. services sector accelerated to a more than two-year high in October as employment rebounded strongly, suggesting last month's near stall in job growth was an aberration.

The U.S. trade deficit surged to nearly a 2-1/2-year high in September.

Elsewhere in the U.S., energy firms in the Gulf of Mexico started evacuating workers from offshore platforms ahead of Tropical Storm Rafael, on track to strengthen into a hurricane this week. Analysts say the storm could reduce oil production by about 4 million barrels.

On Sunday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies in OPEC+ said they would push back a production hike by a month from December as weak demand and rising non-OPEC supply depress markets.

Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia lowered the price for the flagship Arab light crude it sells to Asia in December.

BUSY WEEK AHEAD

Still, risk-taking remains limited with a busy week - including the U.S. election, the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy meeting and a meeting of China's National People's Congress keeping many traders on the sidelines, said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG International, a financial firm.

"Eyes are also on China's NPC meeting for any clarity on fiscal stimulus to uplift the country's demand outlook, but we are unlikely to see any strong commitment before the U.S. presidential results, and that will continue to keep oil prices in a near-term waiting game," Yeap said.
(Getty Images)

Electronic voting machines in Cambria County are malfunctioning due to a software error, according to a court filing by the county Board of Elections.

According to a petition for emergency relief filed by the Cambria County Board of Elections about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, the issue has caused long lines and confusion and some voters left their polling places without casting a ballot.

The Cambria County solicitor did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Matt Heckel, a spokesperson for the Department of State, says they are in touch with local election administrators and said that, despite the malfunctions, voters can still cast paper ballots.

Voters are continuing to vote by paper ballot, in accordance with normal operations, while the county resolves the issue with in-precinct scanning, Heckel said. We are working with the county to resolve this technical matter and are committed to ensuring a free, fair, safe, and secure election.

The Cambria County Board of Elections has submitted a petition to the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas, asking to be allowed to keep polling places open until 10 p.m., two hours later than they were scheduled to close.

Stacy Witalec, director of communications for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, said a hearing will take place

Read more at our live blog
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Wright State Police recently donated over $1700 of food to the Raider Food Pantry.

In many counties, as many as one in four children face food insecurity. This is even true on a collegiate level.

Thats what drives the departments No Shave November initiative to grow their beads for a month each year. This years best beard says that students cant do their best if theyre hungry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Driver mistakes gas for brake, drives through Xenia business

You know that anyone thats living with any type of hunger at varying degrees, is going to come with insecurities as far as, their, their academic success. No ones going to be studying as well if theyre hungry versus not hungry and then having to worry on the back end of where that actually was coming from, said Stefan Kempf, Wright State University Department of Public Safety.

Over the last five years, Wright State Police have raised nearly $20,000 during No Shave November. Those funds are used to purchase nonperishable goods for the pantry.

The pantry serves around 100 Wright State students each month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
The Canadian government has decided to keep secret a list of some 900 alleged Nazi war criminals let into the country following the Second World War.

On Monday, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) sent letters to people and organizations who requested the release of the documents under the countrys access to information laws, saying they would be witheld in their entirety.

The Daily Beast was one of the requestors.

An excerpt from a letter from Library and Archives Canada.

For decades, Jewish groups have called for the release of the second part of the Deschenes Commission report, the result of a near two year inquiry conducted in the mid-1980s that studied claims Canada had been a safe haven for Nazis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The first part of the report, which determined that alleged Nazi war criminals were indeed admitted to and residing in the country, was released to the public in 1986.

The second part, which names names, has been kept under lock and key for nearly four decades.

Last year, the issue exploded into full-blown international scandal after Canadas parliament gave a standing ovation to a Ukrainian Nazi war veteran invited by the then Speaker of the House of Commons.

To make matters worse, this happened during a visit to the legislature by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was unaware that the 98-year-old man hed been invited to applaud forintroduced as a hero who fought against the Russiansserved in the Galicia Division, an infantry unit of the Waffen-SS.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A significant number of soldiers from the division, which comprised largely of Ukrainian volunteers, fled to Canada after the war. A handful even ended up commemorated on memorialsone monument to Ukrainian soldiers who served in the SS was removed from a cemetery outside Toronto earlier this year.

In the fallout of the Nazi applause scandal, speaker Anthony Rota resigned and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized to Zelenskyy, calling the incident deeply embarrassing.

Amid criticism from Jewish groups, Trudeau also said the government was looking carefully at declassifying records on Nazis admitted to Canada.

To that end, Library and Archives Canada launched a series of consultations earlier this year about whether to release the second part of the Deschenes report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

LAC did not consult Holocaust survivors or Holocaust scholars who advocated for its release, the Ottawa Citizen reported in September.

Polish and Jewish groups, along with the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians, called for the reports release. Other Ukrainian heritage groups, notably the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, argued for keeping it secret.

On Monday, any hope for the release of the report was dealt a devastating blow.

LAC sent an email, which was obtained by The Daily Beast, to the groups it consulted, informing them them that the government had finalized its assessment.

The email said the government would communicate the outcome of that assessment to people who requested those records later today.

An email from Library and Archives Canada to stakeholders it consulted about the release of the Deschenes Commission report.

Shortly after that email was sent, the people and organizations who had requested the documents received letters informing them the records were being witheld in their entirety.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After a comprehensive review in accordance with the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act which included targeted consultations with external stakeholders and various Government of Canada departments a decision has been made to withhold the Part II Report of the Deschenes Commission in its entirety," said Library and Archives Canada, in a statement to The Daily Beast.

LAC cited exemptions allowing it to conceal information obtained in confidence from foreign governments, that could be injurious to the conduct of international affairs, that could reveal the identity of informants, or that could threaten an individuals safety.

Leading Canadian Jewish groups told The Daily Beast they were disheartened by the decision.

The government stacked the entire process from the very beginning to ensure the outcome that it wanted, which was to continue to keep the shameful truth hidden, said Jaime Kirzner-Roberts, the senior director of policy at the Simon Wiesenthal Center Canada, in an interview. In the process, they have silenced Holocaust survivors and the victims of those who perpetrated the terrible crimes of the Holocaust.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Wiesenthal Center was one of the groups consulted by LAC, advocating for the release of the second part of the report.

BNai Brith Canada, which was among the requesters of the documents, also condemned the decision.

We are extremely disappointed, said David Granovsky, the non-profits director of government relations, in an interview. We met with ministers, were in front of a committee, we met with the Prime Ministers office. As members of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance we thought Canada would do something before the next election.

Under Access to Information Laws, requestors are able to appeal decisions not to release documents to an independent commissioner.

Granovsky, who said he has worked on the Deschenes file, said Bnai Brith intends to appeal.
A Canadian citizen pleaded guilty to voting illegally in 2016 in Orange County, Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer said in a release Monday.

Robert Soutar, 76, of Fullerton, is a legal permanent resident of the United States, but because he is not a citizen, he is ineligible to vote. Despite that, he was able to register to vote in May 2016 with no party preference and cast his vote in the primary and general elections later that year, according to voter records. Address records show he has lived in Orange County since at least 1983.

"It's done and over, and it was a mistake," Soutar said in brief interview, adding he would give no further comment on the case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Soutar's illegal voting was reported recently through Orange County's election fraud hotline, the release said.

He pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of voter registration fraud and two misdemeanor counts of voting illegally. One count of perjury, which is a felony, was dismissed. He agreed to remove himself from the voter registry and was sentenced to a year of informal probation.

There was no evidence he voted in the 2024 election, the release said.

Read more: Rancho Santa Margarita mayor admits to submitting false nominating papers, accepts plea deal

The privilege to vote is one of the most sacred rights we have as American citizens, Spitzer said in a statement. Any allegation of electoral interference will be thoroughly investigated and if there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed, we will hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When registering to vote, a person must fill out a form giving their name, address and date of birth and certifying that they are a U.S. citizen, then sign it under penalty of perjury. The Orange County registrar of voters does not independently verify the citizenship of people registering to vote, the release said.

The Registrar of Voters takes allegations of voter fraud very seriously and appreciates the work of the District Attorneys Office helping to ensure we have a fair, secure, and transparent election," the Orange County Registrar of Voters Bob Page wrote in a statement. We encourage anyone who witnesses or suspects illegal activities related to voting or any other aspect of the voting process to report these concerns immediately to the District Attorneys Election Fraud Hotline.

Last week in Orange County, the mayor of Rancho Santa Margarita suspended her campaign and pleaded guilty to falsifying paperwork to get on the ballot, days after a Fullerton City Council candidate pleaded guilty for doing the same thing  not witnessing the 30 signatures needed to become a candidate.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Eric Hafner, a fringe candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, is serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison

Getty

A man serving a 20-year federal prison sentence in New York is on the ballot in Alaska  a state in which hes never stepped foot  potentially affecting one of the most closely watched House races in the country.

Eric Hafner, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2023 for threatening public officials, was able to enter Alaskas nonpartisan primary for the state's lone U.S. House of Representatives seat after mailing an application from prison, The New York Times reported, despite having never even visited the at-large district.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Alaska, the top four primary finishers advance to the general election, regardless of party. Hafner, running as a Democrat, finished sixth, getting fewer than 500 votes. But when the Republicans who finished third and fourth in the primary dropped out, Hafner advanced to the general.

Alaska is one of the few states that uses ranked-choice voting for statewide races. So while Hafner has a minuscule chance of winning the race, he could still very much have an impact.

The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, who was somewhat surprisingly elected over Sarah Palin in a 2022 special election and defended her seat to win a full term months later.

Related: Alaska Rep.-Elect Mary Peltola Says Staying Out of 'Partisan Pettiness' Helped Her Defeat Sarah Palin

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With the House majority hanging in the balance, Democrats are desperate to hold onto the seat in their bid to retake control of the chamber, while Republicans are hoping to flip a seat they had previously held for almost 50 years.

Speaking to The New York Times, a Republican strategist in Alaska says Hafner could potentially cost Peltola  whose main opponent is GOP candidate Nick Begich III  her seat if enough people vote for him and dont rank the incumbent second on their ballot.

The chances of Eric Hafner having an impact on this election are legitimate and real, strategist Matt Shuckerow told the paper. This is an extremely tight race and every vote will count.

elections.alaska.gov Eric Hafner Eric Hafner

NPR reported that Democrats have unsuccessfully tried to have Hafner removed from the ballot. In September, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that Hafner could remain on it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

KTVF, an Alaska TV station, reported that Hafner identifies as a Democratic Socialist and that he endorsed Kamala Harris for president, which Peltola notably did not.

"Im a progressive, Ill work with Bernie Sanders and AOC to implement a better America for working class Americans, Hafner told the outlet. I support Medicare For All. I support free college. I support student loan debt relief.

Candidates do not need to live in the state in which they are running, as long as they move there once elected, the Times reported. NPR reported that Hafner has previously run for congressional seats in Hawaii and Oregon.

Hafner currently resides at FCI Otisville in Orange County, N.Y., according to prison records, more than 3,000 miles away from Alaska.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey says Hafner made threatening calls and emails to public officials in Monmouth County, N.J., where he once lived.

Hafner pleaded guilty in 2022 to one count of making threatening communications in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to extort, one count of making threatening communications in interstate or foreign commerce, and one count of conveying false information concerning the use of an explosive device. He was sentenced to 240 months in prison.

If he is miraculously elected to Congress, Hafner hopes he will be released so he is able to serve his would-be constituents.

Ultimately, if Im elected, I expect to be released immediately at that point, Hafner told NPR. Theres a federal statute under compassionate release that says you could be released for extraordinary compelling reasons. And, by golly, if Im going to D.C. to represent the people of Alaska, I think thats a very extraordinary and compelling reason.
Democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke votes in Wisconsin's 3rd CD race | Photo by Frank Zufall

Democratic 3rd Congressional District candidate Rebecca Cooke held a short press conference at Spirit Lutheran Church in Eau Claire Tuesday morning after she cast her ballot.

The parking lot of the church was packed and Cooke was enthusiastic about turnout. I think were going to see going to see some record turnout numbers here, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Several of young voters at the church said they had voted for Cooke. She was asked if the enthusiasm among younger voters was shared by older voters around the 3rd Congressional District.

Weve done a lot of work really  getting around all 19 counties throughout the congressional district, knocking on doors, communities the size of 300 people, Cooke said. So weve been doing the work outside of urban areas to really motivate people, show them that were willing to show up. Theres no community too small or too red that were not working to to get out the voting.

Asked about critical issues in her 3rd CD race against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Cooke said: I think the things that we focused on all the way along is increasing access to health care and making it more affordable, stopping wasteful spending, taking on the corporations that priced out consumers at the gas pump and at the grocery store and restoring reproductive freedoms  thats something that Im hearing about from people across the 3rd Congressional District.

The polling place was popping, Cooke added. I think people are energized to get out, to exercise their right to vote, but its still early, and so were going to be doing a lot of work throughout the day, really working to mobilize voters. Were calling into the electorate, encouraging people to get out there if they dont have a ride to the polls, helping them figure that out, and working to just, you know, pull out any barriers that might be keeping people from getting out to vote today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After voting in Eau Claire, Cooke said she was driving over to Menomonie to encourage students to vote at UW-Stout.

Theres six UW campuses and universities in this district, and we have teams throughout the 3rd CD working to energize students in particular to get out to vote, she said, so Ill be at UW Stout, then Im going to hop on the phones and talk to people that we identified as undecided voters and encourage them to get out to vote for me, because its really going to come down to a small part of the electorate thats going to be able to flip this seat.

She was asked what is the key to appealing to undecided voters.

When Im talking to people, I encourage them and remind them that Im a working-class candidate, that I grew up working class, that we need more regular voices like me in Congress, people that arent so far left or so far right, but really working to get things done for working families throughout the 3rd CD, she said. And I think when I talk to people about that, theyre excited to have a moderate voice to represent them in Congress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Several of those who voted at the church said they didnt like the negativity of the campaign, especially remarks by Van Orden, who has taken to calling his opponent Rebecca Crook.

Look, Ive run a campaign thats really authentic to myself, and I think Derrick Van Orden has sought to undermine that, Cooke said, But I think at the end of the day, people in the 3rd Congressional District know who I am, that Im somebody thats going to work to secure our border and make sure that our law enforcement has the resources that they need to keep our community safe. And when Ive been out talking on doors, and some of our communication that weve also been putting up, I think thats been really clear about where I stand on those issues.

Concerning Van Ordens charge that she supports defunding the police, Cooke responded, I support funding police fully.

Regarding why the two candidates never had a debate, and Van Ordens criticism that she was avoiding him, Cooke responded: There were opportunities for debates, but neither race could agree on a date that worked for everyone or a format that worked for everyone.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  Candidates vying for positions in our nations capitol this election cycle made their final pitches to voters on Monday.

Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin fired up her supporters at the Democratic Party of Brown County headquarters in Green Bay on Monday morning. Shes seeking a third term for U.S. Senate and finds herself locked in a competitive race with Eric Hovde.

I have been so impressed about the number of volunteers that have been so committed to doing what they can to elect Democrats up and down the ballot, Baldwin told her supporters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The appearance in Green Bay was for a canvassing event, Baldwin reminding her supporters that every vote matters in this deeply purple state.

I have been so impressed about the number of volunteers that have been so committed to doing what they can to elect Democrats up and down the ballot, she said. Im not asking for you to go out on this last day before the election and find 100 new voters, Im just asking you to find one.

Meanwhile, her opponent Eric Hovde was in Appleton touring a glassware manufacturer with U.S. Senator Ron Johnson.

Look I think its time for change, I think everybody recognizes that our country is heading in a bad direction the last four years, Hovde said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Popular brewery in Wisconsin to close as acquisition looms

He said hes confident that his messaging throughout his campaign, which has focused on bringing down costs and securing the southern border, has resonated with people in the Badger state.

He said hes enjoyed the grind of the campaign trail.

Look I feel good, Ive been running hard for nine months from morning until night, said Hovde. Yeah youre a little tired at night running all the way through the finish line but the momentum is clearly on our side, I feel really good.

Northeast Wisconsinites are also voting for the states 8th Congressional District seat, a position vacated by Mike Gallagher in the spring.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I could lose the election its entirely possible but I cant lose (in the grand scheme of things) because weve done so much good work, said Kristin Lyerly the democratic candidate for the position. Theres a path forward for me regardless. Ive been part of this community my entire life.

She is an OB-GYN who has made womens reproductive rights central to her campaign. However, she has stressed that shes well-versed on and has offered solution on a number of issues from high prices to the southern border.

On Monday evening, she was at Hinterland Brewery in Ashwaubenon with a group of volunteers making phone calls to voters.

For me its not over on Nov. 5 or Nov. 6, she said. The work keeps going because its not about the seat, its about the people, solving the problems, and making the difference.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lyerlys opponent Tony Wied is also charging hard all the way to the finish line.

Im going to bring a pragmatic approach, a problem solver approach, common sense to Washington rather than all these chaos we see right now, Wied said.

Resident in Wisconsin comes home to find stranger using their shower, arrested for trespassing

Wied said hes proud of the work hes put in throughout the campaign which began nine months ago for him and included a competitive three-candidate primary. He said hes tried to keep the campaign positive.

Weve worked very hard the last nine months to make sure were accessible, were getting out in front of people, said Wied. Were talking about solutions, and I feel that I bring solutions to the table.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both Wied and Lyerly said that they would accept the results of the election on Tuesday night.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
SUGARCREEK TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN)  A local banking company is collaborating with a community support center in Bellbrook for a canned soup drive.

The Sugarcreek Township Old Fort Bank is collecting canned soups to benefit the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Community Support Center (BSCSC) from Tuesday, Nov. 5, through the end of the year, Dec. 31.

The bank is located at 6430 Wilmington Pike.

According to the executive director and development manager for the community support center, supplies are running low as the number of families in need is growing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For more information on services, or to donate, call BSCSC at 937-848-3810 or visit its website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center was closed Tuesday afternoon, after Capitol Police arrested a man who was carrying a torch and flare gun during their security screening process.

Our officers just arrested a man who was stopped during our screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), the Capitol Police wrote in a statement online.

The man smelled like fuel, had a torch & a flare gun. The CVC is closed for tours for the day, while we investigate, the Capitol Police continued. We will provide more information when we can.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to a Capitol Police spokesperson, a man in his late 20s from Michigan drove to the U.S. Capitol. He submitted to a routine screening at the Capitol Visitor Center when police arrested him. The man had documents on him that were described as a manifesto that were referring to the war in the Middle East.

Capitol police have also tracked the suspects car near the Capitol and cleared the scene around the car as well.

Capitol Police did not release any additional information.

Congress is not in session, but the House is scheduled to meet for a brief pro forma session at 5 p.m. These sessions do not include the full lower chamber, but rather sessions where a few members meet for procedural reasons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Security has been heightened across Washington and the nation on Election Day, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warning of the high likelihood of attacks and threats on important institutions and buildings, such as the Capitol.

DHS and FBI prepared a series of bulletins in the run-up to the election, warning that domestic violent extremists are considering a range of activities to disrupt the 2024 election and peaceful transfer of power.

DVEs continue to create, exploit, and promote narratives about the election process or legal decisions involving political figures, and we are concerned that these grievances could motivate some DVEs to engage in violence, as we saw during the 2020 election cycle, reads an October bulletin from DHS crafted alongside the FBI.

There have been no other threats in Washington as of 2 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Georgia, election officials had to evacuate two polling precinct locations due to noncredible bomb threats. Voting resumed 30 minutes after the incidents.

This story was updated at 3:18 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Its a defining issue as we head into Election Day. On Tuesday, voters in a handful of states will have the chance to weigh in on how their state regulates abortion.

Arkansas is not on that list after the State Supreme Court blocked an abortion-rights initiative from appearing on the ballot this fall. That ruling left an Arkansas woman with a painful decision to make after finding out her baby would not survive outside of the womb.

Arkansas Supreme Court rules abortion amendment supporters did not meet signature requirements, wont be on ballot

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Danielle and her husband have always wanted to start a family. In 2023, they began trying for their first child. However, after a year, and finding few options in Arkansas, they turned to a fertility specialist in Texas for help.

I quit my job here and started traveling the ten hours round trip to Dallas to do fertility treatments, Danielle said.

Not long after, Danielle found out she was pregnant.

It felt great. It had paid off and we were super excited to be having a baby after a couple years of trying, Danielle said.

That joy quickly faded though, when a routine scan at 18 weeks revealed the baby did not have fluid, kidneys, or a stomach.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We were told there was no way the baby would live, Danielle said.

Even though the pregnancy was not viable, Danielle was told her only option was to carry the baby to term. Since there was still a heartbeat, under Arkansas law, she was not legally able to have an abortion in the state.

They told us what basically would happen if I could get scanned every two to three works and see if the baby had a heartbeat or anything like that, but there was nothing else they could do for me, Danielle said.

Abortion is on the ballot in 10 states. Heres where the measures stand

Thats when Danielle and her husband made the difficult decision to end the pregnancy on their own terms. The following day, they drove six hours to a clinic in Illinois to have a two-day procedure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There were protestors and people like that outside, taking an awful day and making it more awful. Inside the clinic everyone was so incredibly passionate and kind and held my hand through everything, Danielle said.

Danielle is grateful she had the financial means to leave the state for the procedure but knows not all women in her situation are as fortunate.

Almost a little bit of guilt because I had every resource possibly imaginable and so many people dont in this state and thats frustrating and upsetting, Danielle said.

More than 6 in 10 support protecting access to IVF: Poll

Following the ordeal, she and her husband made another difficult decision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its frustrating and made us decide we didnt even want to live here anymore, Danielle said.

Soon, theyll leave Arkansas and move back to her home state of Pennsylvania to start a new chapter as mom and dad.

This pregnancy was our last remaining IVF embryo and so it was our last shot so Im feeling super grateful that it worked out and we will have a baby girl in the spring, Danielle said.

In her new state, Danielle plans to continue to advocate for womens rights as she did in Arkansas.

She said she is choosing to share her story in the hopes that one day women will be able to make the decisions they need to for their own families, without the law involved.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I could have become septic and died or bled and died. Id like to think that you know my life also matters, Danielle said.

Danielle estimates she spent about $3K to travel to Illinois and have the procedure which insurance did not cover.

She said she is open to moving back to Arkansas at some point if the political climate were to change.

As it stands now, Arkansas law does not allow abortion in cases of fatal fetal anomaly like in Danielles case. The only exception is if the pregnant persons life is in immediate medical danger.

KARK 4 News reached out to State Rep. Robin Lundstrom (R-Elm Springs), who co-sponsored Arkansass abortion bill in 2019, about the current law and if she believes there should be an exception in the event of a fatal fetal anomaly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a statement, she wrote, My deepest sympathies go out to anyone having to make that difficult decision, the law provides relief in life-threatening situations. We need to provide more education for doctors as well as parents. If we need to refine the law to provide clarity, I am open to listening to what that bill would look like in a difficult situation. The state legislature passed a perinatal hospice law to help families in difficult situations.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
CARTHAGE, Mo.  Carthage Citizens United (CCU), a political action committee started in 2023, has raised nearly $36,000 according to reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

The money, donated from October 2023 until the last report was filed on October 26, came from a number of well-known Carthage citizens  most of which are members of the Carthage Water and Electric Plant (CWEP) Board of Directors, Broadview Investment Club members, or are related to them.

Mayor Dan Rife fired the entire CWEP board in the summer of 2023, touching off what has now become a yearlong battle. On one side: Rife, former city attorney Nate Dally, and former city administrator Greg Dagnan. On the other side: Members of CCU and the Broadview Investment Club.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

CCU campaigned to elect new council members because they wanted to change the citys leadership, which meant specifically getting rid of Dally, Dagnan, and Rife.

As of election day, CCU was successful in those efforts. Dally resigned, Dagnan was fired, and Rife was impeached.

Money raised by CCU was spent on the campaigns for city council members Jana Schramm, Derek Peterson, Tom Barlow, and Dustin Edge.

A large portion of the funds has also been spent to oppose the recall of city council member Tiffany Cossey. She is the subject of the first recall in Jasper County history.

508 signatures were submitted with the petition to remove Cossey saying she showed incompetence, misconduct in office, and for putting her interests above those of the city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Below, youll find list of those who have donated to CCU and how much they donated, according to the Missouri Ethics Commission reports. Youll also find a list of CCU donors who also serve on various boards in Carthage.

EDITORS NOTE  CORRECTION

The previously attached list of boards included the Boots Court Foundation. That list was inaccurate and has been removed. It was incorrectly associated with Broadview Investment Club, CWEP Board, and the Steadley Trust. We apologize for the error.

Carthage-Citizens-United-DonationsDownload

NAMES-ON-ALL-BOARDS-AND-GROUPS-with-CCUDownload

Election ballots from Carthage Ward 5 (Precinct 5) are brought to the Jasper County Courthouse for counting. The polling place for Ward 5 voters in Carthage is Fairview Christian Church.

How Did We Get Here?

This tense power struggle within Carthage city government first emerged in mid-2023, when Mayor Dan Rife fired all the board members of the city-owned Carthage Water and Electric Plant because they failed to comply with his request for financial details.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The City Council immediately reinstated the members of the board, drawing a battle line that pitted former City Administrator Greg Dagnan, Mayor Dan Rife, and former City Attorney Nate Dally against the council and backers of the CWEP board.

That was followed by criminal charges of embezzlement against former Parks & Recreation Director Mark Peterson, after Dagnan reportedly found money missing when preparing the city budget. After a forensic audit, Peterson is facing felony charges of money laundering and stealing.

Backers of CWEPs board, dotted with powerful people, including some elected officials, formed a political action committee, Carthage Citizens United, to promote candidates for the City Council who would fire Dagnan and impeach Rife.

That slate of Jana Schramm, Tom Barlow, Dustin Edge, and Derek Peterson  son of the accused former Parks & Recreation director  was elected April 2, and immediately fired Dagnan and started the impeachment of Rife, who had blocked the firing. The city attorney, the administrative assistant, the fire chief, and a few other city employees resigned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dagnan has sued the City for wrongful termination and defamation, and against CCU for tortious interference with his contract, and Rife had sued to stop his impeachment because of due process. All of this has led to legal missteps, illegally closed meetings, and rebuke by the state attorney generals office. Dustin Edge resigned from the council, and a recall election is scheduled for Cossey.

The city also received a letter from its insurer warning that coverage could be lost or diminished because terminations by the council were not following employment law.

| The Latest From Carthage City Council:

(Story Date: April 1, 2024  April 30, 2024)

(Story Date: May 1, 2024  May 31, 2024)

(Story Date: June 1, 2024  June 30, 2024)

(Story Date: July 1, 2024  August 30, 2024)

(Story Date: September 1, 2024  Present)

(Story Date: November 1, 2024  Present)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)  The case against eight men accused of looting in Washington County, Tennessee in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has been dismissed.

On Monday, the eight men who had previously been arrested and charged with either aggravated burglary or burglary appeared in court.

Court records: Employer of accused looters says he sent men to property to check damage

All eight men were arrested on Sept. 28 in the Corby Bridge Road area, where floodwaters from Helene had caused significant damage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Affidavits from deputies with the Washington County Sheriffs Office (WCSO) stated they responded to the area after a 911 caller claimed a group of Hispanic males (as described in some of the affidavits) was breaking into flood-damaged homes.

The eight men were arrested after deputies reported they were in possession of belongings from homes.

The accused men were previously identified by the WCSO as:

Kevin Noe Martinez-Lopez

Albin Nahun Vega-Rapalo

David Bairon Rapalo-Rapalo

Marvin Hernandez-Martinez

Dayln Gabriel Guillen Guillen

Jesus Leodan Garcia-Peneda

Josue Berardo Ortis-Valdez

Ersy Leonel Ortis-Valde

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Five witnesses were called to the stand on Monday, one of whom said she had gone to a friends home that had been washed away into the nearby area. That witness said when she came back to the house for the second time she felt as if things had been moved around, and three of the men arrested were seen leaving the home.

The other witnesses included responding deputies and property owners tied to the case.

However, the court found on Monday there was no proof that anything had been taken specifically from the home.

The employer of the men and owner of the property, Javier Torres, previously testified that he was out of town when the floods hit the area. He told the court at an Oct. 1 bail hearing that he had called and asked the men to go check the property they were accused of burglarizing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr. Torres testified that the Defendants were not burglarizing the property, but instead, doing what he asked them to do as their employer, an order from the bail hearing states.

A judge ruled on Monday there was no proof items in the mens possession had been in the house they were accused of burglarizing and that they were not trespassing since they had Torres permission to be on the property.

Im so glad that the truth got out, it made a lot of news, saying they were illegals, said Torres. Im so glad that everythings got out on the table and we were able to express the truth and theyre here, and we got the verdict that we needed.

The case was ultimately dismissed and the charges were dropped against all eight men.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Each of the men had previously been released after their bonds were reduced.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
On Tuesday, Americans will again cast our ballots for a woman who might be president. The first time around, this felt hopeful, and perhaps even inevitable: Hillary Clinton was a competent, highly qualified candidate running against a vulgar reality-TV host. There was really only one way the election could go.

Now, of course, we know better. But here we are again, staring down the final hours of a race that pits a would-be authoritarian who is mocked and loathed the world over against a competent, highly qualified woman who seems to have learned some lessons from the Clinton campaign. She doesnt emphasize her race or her gender. She has none of the decadeslong baggage Clinton carried as a former first lady who had been in the public eye for the better part of 30 years. Her politics are moderate. And yet, still, President Kamala Harris is far from a foregone conclusion.

Its easy to pick the Clinton campaign apart and argue over what she did wrong (Wisconsin, deplorables) or how she was wronged (James Comey, but her emails.) Its much more devastating to look at this election between that same vulgar reality-TV host and a different woman who seems to be correcting for all of Clintons perceived errors, who is running in a country in which women are being killed and maimed by conservative abortion bans, and realize that she still might lose. Former first lady Michelle Obama captured that sense of despair and betrayal just a few days ago when she gave a speech practically begging men to just care about womento care whether we live or die, to care about whether we can get the health care we need, to care whether we can plan our own futures and make our own choices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The truth, though, is that many Americans (a disproportionate number of them men) dont care. Many Americans (a disproportionate number of them men) read competence and authority into men where it doesnt exist, and either weakness or unlikability into women. And many Americans, men and women alike, simply seem to give power-seeking men the benefit of the doubt, while ratcheting the bar up impossibly high for power-seeking women.

Its not that putting a woman in the Oval Office fixes pervasive gender inequality, starts a tsunami of female achievement, or signals that the feminist movement has finally succeeded. But a Harris loss would be dark confirmation that a woman who does most things right is still at a fatal handicap, even compared with a man who does everything wrong.

Harris is not a perfect candidate. But Trump is a horrible one. He is venal and cruel, and a convicted felon. Hes boasted about sexually assaulting women and been accused of doing exactly what he bragged about (he denies it). He muses about killing his political rivals. He is a serial liar, including about the results of an American election he lost fair and square. He is so patently, obviously unfit its difficult to come up with some fresh way of describing his unfitness. So lets put it plainly: Harris is a better person. She is more temperamentally and cognitively fit for office. She is, by any reasonable measure, a far superior candidate who would make a far superior president.

And still, Harris might lose to Trump. If she does, well see another round of blame, dissecting where she allegedly went wrong. Shell be described as a little too this, too little that. I think thats a bit like examining funny-looking moles on a headless body: real things, but not the main problem.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theres a line from the writer Anne Helen Petersen that often replays in my head: I dont know how to make you care about other people. It came to mind as I read the story of 18-year-old Nevaeh Crain, who was six months pregnant and left her baby shower early to go to the ER because she was feeling so ill. After being sent home, she got sicker and went to a second ER where she was diagnosed with sepsis, a dangerous, deadly infection. Neveah Crain lived in Texas, where abortion is banned and where there are no exceptions to save a pregnant womans health. At that second ER visit, her fetus still had a heartbeat. Despite her sepsis infection, Crain was sent home again and denied the medical care she needed. By the time she went to the third ER, she was bleeding and in acute distress; still, she was given not one but two ultrasounds to confirm that there was no fetal heartbeat to be found before she was admitted to the ICU. By then, it was too late: 20 hours after her first ER visit, Nevaeh Crain was dead.

Theres also Josseli Barnica, the 28-year-old mother of a toddler who went to the hospital miscarrying at 17 weeks pregnant. The standard of care is to offer miscarrying women a procedure to empty the uterus. But in Texas, where Barnica lived, so long as theres a fetal heartbeat, those procedures are illegal. And so she was told she would have to wait until the heartbeat stopped. She waited 40 hours, during which time infection set in. She died.

There are scores of other women, too, who live in states that ban abortion and have been denied the care they need, were committed to the ICU near death, or denied safe postabortion care and died, or lost their uteruses, or had their fallopian tubes removedall preventable, but for abortion bans. There are women with much-wanted but doomed pregnancies who have been forced to carry to term, only to watch their babies die in their arms. I cannot, for example, rid my heart of the story of Samantha Casiano, a mother who was excited to have another baby, only to learn that the baby wouldnt survivebut because she lived in Texas, Casiano carried to term, gave birth, and then held her daughter Halo as she slowly suffocated to death.

I dont know how to make people care about Nevaeh and Josseli and Samantha and Amber and Amanda and Austin and so many others.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I do know that this election is about women: our bodies, our votes, our very right to be understood as people and not vessels for someone elses desires. I know there is a woman running who would do her damnedest to protect those rights, and a man running who put this whole mess into motion. I know that Harris will not be able to make abortion legal across the country but that she will work within the limits of her power to protect and expand abortion rights where she can. I know that Trump will be able to further restrict it, and that, no matter what he says now, those around him will push him to do just that. At the very least, I believe Harris cares about this issue; I believe Trump truly does not.

I dont know what to do about a country in which millions of people simply dont care about the well-being of half of the populationwhere a former first lady has to plead with men to imagine their wives bleeding out, their daughters in crisis, and where millions of men (and millions of women) will simply shrug. I dont know what to do about a country where a woman like Harris runs against a man like Trump and, as voters head to the polls, the contest remains a toss-up.

Harris winning wont magically alleviate that reality. It wont change the fact that that scores of Americans may never see a woman as good enough for the highest political office. But it will mean that enough of us did care: about decency, about merit, and about womens basic right to life.
A Cedar Rapids man is in the Scott County Jail after Davenport Police say he fired a handgun at a man at close range at Jersey Meadow Apartments earlier this year.

According to the criminal complaint, Davenport Police were called to Jersey Meadow Apartments on Saturday, May 4 for a report of shots fired. They found a man who had sustained a gunshot wound to his upper center back and had a large amount of trauma to his mouth. A single spent bullet was found nearby.

Jamal Dawson (Scott County Jail)

The complaint says that Jamal Dawson, 19 of Cedar Rapids, fired a handgun at close range to the victims upper back as he walked away. The bullet struck the victim in the spine, then traveled upwards, severely damaging his mouth and jaw. The bullet exited the victims mouth while removing teeth. The victim required surgery to repair the jaw and perform a tracheostomy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dawson was arrested on November 4. He faces charges of attempted murder, willful injury and felon in possession of a firearm. Dawson is a convicted felon and barred from having firearms; he was convicted of felonies four times in Linn County Iowa and LaSalle County Ill. between December 2023 and June 2024. He is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond and has a preliminary hearing on November 15.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
A Centre County woman died Friday after a rollover crash on a highway in southern Pennsylvania, local police and the Adams County Coroners Office said.

Mary Neale, 79, of Centre Hall, died of blunt force injuries, Adams County Chief Deputy Coroner Scott Pennewill told the Centre Daily Times on Tuesday. Her death was ruled accidental.

Two SUVs crashed about 10:30 a.m. Friday on U.S. Route 15 in Adams County, Cumberland Township police wrote in a press release. One of the vehicles rolled over, police wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The department did not immediately release additional details about how the crash occurred. An investigation is ongoing. Pennewill said both drivers were heading southbound.

Neale died at 11:38 a.m. Friday after being transported to WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital, Pennewill said. She was wearing a seat belt.

An 80-year-old Centre Hall man and a 57-year-old Lackawanna County man were also involved in the crash. Cumberland Township police Chief Matthew Trostel wrote in an email Tuesday that he believed they were also transported to hospitals for injuries from the crash.

Trostel said he had not been told of the seriousness of their injuries. First responders from at least eight different agencies assisted. The highway was closed for several hours.

Six fatal crashes were reported over the previous decade in Cumberland Township, state Department of Transportation data showed. Not including any deadly crashes in the township this year, Fridays fatal crash was the first in the township since 2020.
MAHONING CO., Ohio (WKBN)  At the pre-election meeting of the Mahoning County Board of Elections Monday, Chairman Dave Betras announced it was time to move.

I am now firmly convinced this building is useless for us. We must move this Board of Elections. It is top priority, Betras said.

Sunday was the last day for early voting. People were lined up down the sidewalk at the Board of Elections current location. Betras was most upset about the parking.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

People shouldnt have to wait for a parking space for Gods sakes, to vote in early vote. I could see them waiting in line because they get backed up but they shouldnt have to wait in their car to get a parking spot. Thats unacceptable, said Betras.

Betras did not say specifically where he would move  only that it needs to have bus service, easy access and plenty of parking.

Were done with this building. Were so done with this building, he said.

Betras was also critical of the Akron-based company ElectionIQ for not providing the ballots needed for early voting.

The law says were to use the best and lowest. Certainly, ElectionIQ was the lowest but they certainly were the worst and Ill say that on the record and they can sue me all they want. No one should hire ElectionIQ, Betras said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While Betras was critical of the vendor, he praised Director Tom McCabe and Deputy Director Melissa Wasko for hiring a new printer and getting the absentee ballots mailed.

We owe both of you a great deal of gratitude for moving as quickly as you did, for moving as decisively as you did and for remedying an otherwise huge problem that was not of our creation, Betras said.

It was also announced at the meeting that 52,000 people have already voted early or by absentee. 163,000 are registered to vote which means one-third of Mahoning County voters have already cast a ballot.

Director Tom McCabe is expecting another 65,000 to 70,000 voters Tuesday or 330 per precinct. McCabe does not expect long lines tomorrow.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  The Champaign County Sheriffs Office has received multiple reports of a scam circulating. Its one they have been warning the community about for the past couple of years.

TPD offers tips to avoid falling for scams circulating Taylorville area

The Sheriffs Office confirmed that residents have been contacted by a caller posing as someone from the Sheriffs Office. The caller has claimed the person they have reached is being held in contempt of court or that there are warrants out for their arrest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

WCIA has reported on details that similar scams have used to make their scam more convincing. The Champaign County Sheriffs Office has also issued multiple warnings about this kind of phone scam to the community, going back to 2022.

The Champaign County Sheriffs Office said they will not contact someone and ask for money in place of being arrested on a warrant. To check on the legitimacy of a call, you can reach out to the Champaign County Sheriffs Office at 217-384-1204.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
UPDATE (8:44a)  Voting locations in Champaign County are back online. Voters are now able to vote this morning normally after the earlier issues have been resolved.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  Many voters in Champaign County are not able to vote this morning after an issue that has brought most polling locations down.

The Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons confirmed to WCIA this morning that there are network issues that are preventing people from voting. He told us there is no timeline to be resolved. He states it is all polling locations.

WATCH: Ammons speaks about polling location issue below

Ammons also told us he got a call from Sangamon County that there are issues in that area as well.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He has not gotten a response to his requests from the vendor who oversees the elections.

Ammons says he has asked the States Attorney for an injunction to extend voting hours as well.

A WCIA staff member at one polling location was told by an election judge that systems are down county wide.

Many voters are reporting to WCIA that they are also unable to vote.

It is unknown when the issue will be resolved.

This is a developing story. Stay with WCIA for the latest.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
The Clay County Supervisor of Elections website is being made into a slimmed-down version in anticipation of increased web traffic on Election Day.

The change will happen at 6:30 p.m.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

According to a news release, this Election Night mode will provide faster response times for those visiting [the] website when traffic is expected to be at an all-time high.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Preliminary results will be available after 7 p.m. on Tuesday once the polls close.

Early Voting and partial Vote by Mail results will be the first to be released, followed by Election Day precinct results and Vote by Mail ballots received on Election Day before 7 p.m.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
PM Hotel Group and Sightline Hospitality have announced a merger, marking an expansion of PM Hotel Group's footprint across the US, including a debut in the Hawaiian Islands.

The merger with Sightline Hospitality expands PM Hotel Group's portfolio with 22 properties, which are either already open or set to launch in the coming months.

It will bolster the Modus by PM Hotel Group, the lifestyle hotel division of PM Hotel Group, by introducing a presence in mountain regions, along the West Coast, and into the Hawaiian market.

The transaction also brings brands such as RESET and evo Hotels to PM Hotels diverse portfolio.

RESET properties focus on nature-centric experiences, and evo Hotels offer a blend of urban comfort with outdoor activity access. These brands cater to the evolving preferences of guests looking for experiential travel options.

The new properties are in line with PM Hotels growth strategy and diversify its geographical reach into markets where there is a growing demand for alternatives to traditional hotels.

PM Hotel Group president Joseph Bojanowski said: Joining forces with Sightline Hospitality represents a significant milestone in PM Hotel Group's ongoing mission to elevate hospitality management standards. Our companies share a vision for redefining guest experiences and a dedication to operational excellence.

This partnership allows us to leverage our combined expertise, expanding our footprint from coast to coast with a diverse portfolio of distinctive properties. By uniting our people and strengths, we are well positioned to meet the evolving demands of today's discerning travellers, while setting new benchmarks for innovation in our industry.

The merged entity will operate under the PM Hotel Group name, with Sightline Hospitality's innovative approaches planned to be integrated into the companys operations.

Sightline Hospitality president Kirk Pederson said: "This merger with PM Hotel Group represents a strategic opportunity to combine our strengths and redefine the boundaries of hospitality excellence.

We are excited to integrate our unique culture, our people and expertise with PM Hotel Group's established record of industry leadership. Together, we are poised to set new standards in guest satisfaction and property management."

"PM Hotel Group merges with Sightline Hospitality to expand US presence" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Germany is to seize Calais-bound migrant dinghies in exchange for British intelligence under an agreement being drawn up by the two countries.

The country has become a central location for the storage of boats and engines transported from Turkey, ready for eventual use in Channel crossings from northern France.

However, attempts to disrupt the supply have been hampered by German rules which state it is not unlawful to facilitate illegal migration into the UK.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, said Britain and Germany were in talks about how police and Border Force officers could work round the law to increase the number of seizures and prosecutions of the gangs behind the trade in boats and motors.

She said the two governments hoped to announce a new agreement to crack down on the people smugglers before Christmas.

With help from UK intelligence, Germany has used their prevent law to seize engines from small boats - Jens Schlueter/AFP

Home Office sources confirmed this included looking to use European Union legislation or domestic laws in Germany to allow for the confiscation of the vessels as dangerous goods, disrupting the supply chain used by the people smugglers.

Sources said the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Border Force would also open up their intelligence on the gangs other activities, such as gun and drug smuggling, which could provide an alternative route to prosecutions and disrupting their illegal operations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The NCA has already provided intelligence that Germany has been able to act upon under the countrys prevent law  which allows action to be taken to prevent loss of life. The NCA has given the Germans credible information and they have acted under the prevent law to seize engines for boats.

What can be done?

Asked about the inability of the Germans to seize dinghies, Ms Cooper said: One of the things we are working with them on is exactly these issues around what more law enforcement action can be taken.

What more prosecution actions can be taken? What can be done around existing German law? What can be done around new partnerships and new arrangements?

We will set out an update on that new arrangement before Christmas. Im not going to preempt the final stages of the discussions that we have underway at the moment, but I can tell you that we are working very closely with Germany on how we substantially upgrade the action against the supply chain.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The move comes after Sir Keir Starmer said he was seeking to restore pre-Brexit security arrangements with the EU where Britain takes charge of pan-European investigations into people smugglers. He has already forged new alliances with France and Italy.

Sir Keir is looking to restore pre-Brexit security arrangements with the EU - Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street

The Prime Minister wants a new Brexit security deal with the EU so that the UK gets access to real time data about people-smuggling gangs and migrants movements across the continent.

Sir Keir is due to discuss ways to bolster the EU security co-operation plan when European leaders meet as part of the European Political Community (EPC) in Hungary on Thursday.

It came as the Iraqi ringleader of a prolific people smuggling gang thought to be behind 10,000 Channel crossings was jailed for 15 years. Mirkhan Rasoul, who is said to have run the organisation by phone from prison in France, was among 18 defendants found guilty by a court in Lille, northern France.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More than 600 migrants have reached the UK so far this month, bringing the total so far this year to 31,272, which is up 17 per cent from this time last year (26,699) but down 22 per cent from 2022 (39,929), which was a record-high year for crossings.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A cats disappearance has led to charges filed not just against the suspect in her kidnapping, but also one of the owners that was searching for her.

Muhammad Aziz  a 22-year-old Ohio State University student accused of taking Mindy the cat in a plastic bag  is facing four charges filed Oct. 29 by Columbus prosecutors, including misdemeanor petty theft, criminal damage or endangerment, and two counts of criminal mischief. In an accompanying misdemeanor case filed Oct. 31 by the State of Ohio, Franklin County Municipal Court records show Aziz is also facing a charge of abandoning animals.

Anis Mohd Zaini, a 23-year-old OSU student and Mindys co-owner, first spoke with NBC4 around the time her cat went missing from her boyfriend and Azizs shared home. A neighbors security camera caught Aziz putting the feline in a plastic bag on Sept. 27, before he left with her. When Aziz returned, he didnt bring Mindy or the bag back with him. Mindy was missing for weeks before being found 11 miles away in Dublin, thanks to her microchip.

Mindy. (Courtesy Photo/Mohd Zaini) Mindy. (Courtesy Photo/Mohd Zaini)

But Mohd Zainis boyfriend and Mindys other owner, 21-year-old Luqman Tengku, is also facing charges. Franklin County Municipal Court records show Tengku was arrested the day after Mindy disappeared, and received a count of misdemeanor assault as well as aggravated menacing. Azizs two cases indicate he was never arrested and instead received mailed summons to court for both.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tengku has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and has a jury trial scheduled for Nov. 19. Aziz has not entered pleas in either of his two cases, and has no scheduled appearances in court as of Tuesday.

Since Mindys disappearance, Mohd Zaini said shes noticed the cat has some health issues as a result of the stress, but is hoping for a full recovery.

She sleeps a lot, not eating and not playful as she used to be, Mohd Zaini said. She also has a scar on her forehead.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  A man from Chicago has been sentenced to seven years in prison after he pleaded guilty in Vermilion County to charges stemming from a police chase 11 months ago.

Malik Brown, 25, was facing multiple counts of aggravated fleeing, possession of a stolen vehicle, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Trial proceeds in OSF doctors sexual abuse case against Gibson City teen

On Monday, he pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, while all other counts were dismissed. He was sentenced immediately after entering his plea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By pleading guilty, Brown admitted to his role in the police chase that involved both Rossville and Danville Police on Dec. 7, 2023. Brown was driving a car that had stolen license plates and the chase stated in Rossville, traveled south on Illinois Route 1 and entered Danville.

According to Jacqueline Lacy, States Attorney, the chase reached speeds of 85 miles per hour on Vermilion Street and Brown ran numerous stop signs. The chase ended when Brown drove into a backyard near Harrison Park and crashed into a deck and retaining wall.

Brown and a passenger, believed to be 23-year-old David Cox, got out of the car and tried to run away. They were both caught and charged by the Vermilion County States Attorneys Office.

The case against Cox is still in the pre-trial phase, and his charges include aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and resisting an officer. His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 18.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Brown, meanwhile, will spend seven years in prison and an additional year on parole once he is released.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
CHICAGO  A Chicago police officer was shot Monday night on the South Side, sources said.

The officer was shot around 8 p.m. near the intersection of East 82nd Street and South Ingleside Avenue. Additional details of the shooting were not immediately available but sources said the officer was in critical condition.

By 8:30 p.m., squad cars blocked off much of South Cottage Grove Avenue by the University of Chicago Medical Center, where the officer was being treated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Just before 9 p.m., a man in a white coat emerged from the emergency room and gestured for a crowd of officers to follow him around the block inside the hospital.

Officers inside the hospital could be seen reacting to the situation inside the hospital.

____
(Bloomberg) -- China condemned a visit by Estonian lawmakers to Taiwan last week as a violation of the countrys claim over the island, the latest point of tension between Beijing and the Baltic region.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A five-member delegation from the foreign affairs committee of Estonias parliament made a trip to Taiwan, where they met with President Lai Ching-te and other high-level officials. The group praised Estonias improving relations with Taiwan in recent years, saying in a statement that democracies must stand together and warning of the threat of autocracies.

The Chinese embassy in Tallinn responded by saying the visit seriously violates the one-China principle embodied in the two nations bilateral relations. The government in Beijing considers the independently-governed island a rogue province.

Estonian lawmakers should be prudent in terms of Taiwan question, stop interfering into the internal affairs of China, stop sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces, so as to safeguard the overall interests of bilateral relations, the embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.

The volley follows a warning last year after Estonia said it would allow Taiwanese officials to open an office to to develop cultural and economic relations. Lithuania, another Baltic nation, triggered a diplomatic row in 2021 when it allowed a representative trade office to open.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
China has publicly unveiled the Shenyang J-35A, a land-based stealth fighter that has been under development for some time but which had previously only been seen in unofficial and frequently poor-quality imagery. While we now have a good look at the aircraft, many questions remain, especially about the Peoples Liberation Army Air Forces (PLAAF) plans for it, since the base design was previously understood to be under development primarily for export and latterly also for carrier-based service with the PLA Navy.

The first official photo of the J-35A was released today, ahead of its planned debut at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, better known as Airshow China, held at Zhuhai Airport in Guangdong province, in southern China. The show opens on November 12.

The front three-quarter view of the jet, seen taxiing, reveals several new details and sheds more light on features that were previously more hidden. It also provides a very useful comparison with earlier versions of the J-35 and FC-31, as well as with rival fifth-generation fighters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Also will have export variant J35E/J31 as I have said countless times



Here compared with FC31 demonstrator pic.twitter.com/kPAnJBRcZk  Hurin (@Hurin92) November 5, 2024

Much has been made of the similarities between the J-35/FC-31 and the U.S.-made F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, fueling claims that China copied its American counterpart or at least that it made use of stolen data to directly inform the aircrafts development. While there is no doubt that China has obtained classified data on a range of sensitive Western military programs, and the F-35 program in particular, it doesnt mean the jet was copied. In fact, China cannot copy the F-35, it is one of the worlds most complex machines. It can emulate its overall design and knock-off components and certain technologies that it can reproduce and has the data to do so, but the idea that it is a direct copy is blatantly false and a common trope when it comes to comparing foreign military hardware with U.S. designs.

Critical outright differences exist, including its twin-engines compared to the F-35s large single turbofan engine. While the F-35 was designed from the start to accommodate a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) version, this requirement is absent from the Chinese design. There are clearly many elements that were at least heavily inspired if not cribbed from the F-35, including its DSI inlets, canopy, and basic configuration. Even its official designation isnt trying to hide that reality. But overall, despite key similarities, the Chinese design is sleeker and more slender than the F-35. This is largely in part thanks to not having a STOVL requirement, but it also raises questions about its internal fuel capacity and its range, as well as the available volume for internal stores.

Above all else, just because a fighter looks similar doesnt mean it performs anywhere near the same. This is particularly true when it comes to what lays on and under the aircrafts skin  especially in terms of avionics and data fusion, sensor technology, and low observable (stealth) structures and coatings. The available engine technology is also a major factor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Maybe the best comparison to the J-35A pic.twitter.com/RVS2okIunk  @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) November 5, 2024

Notable details that we can see in the new photo of the J-35A include an electro-optical targeting system, apparently equivalent to the EOTS found on the F-35, and similarly mounted under the nose, as well as a wide-angle head-up display in the cockpit. There is also what appears to be a radar-reflective Luneburg lens below the fuselage, designed to remove the stealthy jets radar-evading qualities when desired.

The PLA has also now confirmed the J-35A designation for the land-based version of the fighter, with the carrier-based version being the J-35, and the initial prototypes having the export-centric FC-31 name. Based on that last designation, a land-based version of the jet for the PLAAF had been tentatively  and apparently unofficially  referred to as the J-31.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ever since the first two FC-31 prototypes appeared in land-based form, there had been speculation that as well as for export, a version might also be in the works for the PLAAF, likely as a lighter and more cost-effective complement to the Chengdu J-20.

The first FC-31 prototype taxis after a flight at Airshow China 2014 in Zhuhai, on November 11, 2014. JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images

The first of the FC-31 prototypes took to the air in October 2012. Like the J-35A, the FC-31 also made its public debut at Airshow China, appearing at Zhuhai in 2014.

Then followed, in 2016, a thoroughly reworked and greatly refined version of the FC-31, which we discussed in detail at the time.

Two photos of the refined second FC-31 prototype. Chinese Internet

Work on the land-based FC-31/J-31 was then seemingly scaled back, suggesting a lack of official interest and, before long, the design was significantly reworked for carrier operations, as the J-35.

A mockup of the FC-31 stealth fighter is showcased at Airshow China 2022 on November 6, 2022, in Zhuhai, China. Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images

It was only toward the end of last year that a land-based version of the fighter for domestic use came back into the frame, while progressively clearer photos of one of the prototypes appeared to reveal key features different from those found on the carrier-based J-35. It seems this prototype flew on or around September 26, 2023.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Compared to the naval version, the prototype seen in unofficial imagery toward the end of last year appeared to have a smaller overall wing surface area, a characteristic that is also found on the land-based F-35A, in contrast with the bigger wing of the carrier-based F-35C.

A comparison of the wing platforms of the first two prototype land-based FC-31 prototypes, a naval J-35 prototype, and what appears to be the land-based J-35A. via Andreas Rupprecht

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That prototype also appeared to have different landing gear, with a single nose wheel, not the twin wheels found on the naval jet. This feature can now be seen in much better detail in the photo of the J-35A released today. At the same time, the catapult launch bar is also deleted.

While there had been a previous announcement of official Pakistani plans to acquire a land-based version of the jet, todays publication of a photo of the J-35A also brought confirmation that the PLAAF is interested in getting its own examples, a significant development in itself.

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Sidhu, the Pakistan Air Force chief, at the podium, during a ceremony in January 2024 at which plans to procure the FC-31 were announced. PAF Facebook page

What we dont yet know is how far advanced the PLAAFs plans for the J-35A might be, but the aircraft as publicly revealed wears Air Force insignia on the nose, a service-style overall gray color scheme, and is emblazoned with markings on the tailfins that commemorate the services 75th anniversary. Compared to the naval J-35, the tailfins are also of a different design on the J-35A, as well as being larger.

Just translated:



The J-35 officially announced that the hanging tail 75 is painted to celebrate the birthday of the Air Force! https://t.co/3etCq6vfz3  @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) November 4, 2024

A first interesting difference between the new J-35A and the J-35 naval version is the different rudder size & configuration on the Air Force version. pic.twitter.com/LBPegP7LPX  @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) November 4, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Otherwise, its not clear whether the J-35A is a new prototype, one that has been seen before, or perhaps an earlier test aircraft that has been reworked according to PLAAF specifications. Of course, it may also be the same aircraft sighted in the latter half of last year.

As for the PLA Navys J-35, this is very clearly intended to equip its fast-growing aircraft carrier fleet. While optimized for the latest carrier Fujian with its electromagnetic catapult launch system, there are growing signs that the J-35 will also go to sea in some capacity aboard the earlier carriers Liaoning and Shenyang, which have ski-jump takeoff ramps.

J-35 (right) and J-15 (left) carrier fighter mockups on the aircraft carrier Liaoning. Chinese Internet Chinese internet via X

Turning to the PLAAF, this has so far focused on introducing the J-20, but, as we have explored in the past, complementing this heavy stealth fighter with the smaller J-35A could make a good deal of sense.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The services recent modernization has been spearheaded by the J-20 alongside the Flanker-derived Shenyang J-16 multirole fighter, as well as the lighter, homegrown Chengdu J-10. With the J-10 very likely approaching the end of its development potential and with the first of these aircraft already getting long in the tooth, the J-35A could be a very suitable replacement for the medium-weight segment of the PLAAFs fighter force.

A PLAAF J-10C fighter. PLAAF Chinese Military

The J-35A is also going to be cheaper than the J-20 to procure and operate, meaning it can be fielded in greater numbers to enhance combat mass in a way that would simply not be affordable with the bigger Chengdu stealth fighter.

There is also an industrial incentive to procure the J-35A for the PLAAF, since it will keep Shenyang engaged in building fighters and will also likely help attract export orders. After all, the South Korean KF-21 Boramae and Turkish TF Kaan programs indicate that there is a market for a medium-weight fighter with low-observable characteristics. The Chinese design also has the major advantage of being immune to the tight export restrictions that typically apply to Western designs in the same class, with Beijing likely to grant export licenses to countries that might be prohibited from buying a South Korean or even a Turkish design, especially since both use U.S.-licensed engines.

This export potential has long been the central focus of the meandering FC-31/J-35 program and it could greatly help break China farther out into higher-end fighter marketplace  especially if it is offered at an attractive price. If Pakistan does indeed order the jet it would also offset further development costs and lower production costs. If the PLAAF joins it in large numbers, the price could fall even farther.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For now, there are many more questions about the J-35A and some of these might still be answered at Airshow China once it opens next week. In the meantime, the official unveiling of the J-35A, and confirmation of PLAAF interest, a little over a year since it was first spotted, once again demonstrates the pace of development in Chinas military aerospace industries.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
By Casey Hall

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China will upgrade its free trade zones and explore investment agreements with other countries, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Tuesday, adding that opening up was a "must" to combat rising unilateralism globally.

Li told the opening ceremony of the annual China International Import Expo that as part of this effort, China would further expand foreign investment access to sectors such as telecommunications and healthcare.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He also said authorities were confident China will meet this year's growth target, saying there have been many positive developments in the economy indicating a favorable outlook. Authorities also had fiscal and monetary tools at their disposal, he added.

China's imports have slowed sharply this year as the world's second-largest economy faces strong deflationary pressures due to weak domestic demand and a long-standing property market crisis. Trade friction with the United States and Europe has also escalated.

The import expo was launched by President Xi Jinping in 2018 to burnish China's free trade credentials and counter criticism of its trade surplus with many countries.

This year's participants range from L'Oreal to Siemens and organisers say that close to 3,500 exhibitors from 152 countries and international organisations will take part. Foreign leaders attending the opening ceremony include the prime ministers of Malaysia and Slovakia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last year's fair saw $78.4 billion worth of "tentative" deals signed, its organisers previously said.

The expo has, however, been criticised by the European business chamber and others as being more of a government marketing event rather than one that yields deals.

(Reporting by Casey Hall; Writing by Brenda Goh; Editing by Tom Hogue and Edwina Gibbs)
Chinese rocket startup Cosmoleap announced it has raised more than 100 million yuan (approx. $14 million) to develop its Yueqian reusable rocket and a recovery system.

Concept footage of Yueqian in action looks remarkably like SpaceX's Starship. In fact, anyone watching Yueqian fall from the sky before it's caught by a set of mechanical "chopstick" arms might think they're suffering from deja vu.

Last month, SpaceX made history by catching Starship's first stage, Super Heavy booster rocket, out of the sky using its launch tower.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Unsurprisingly, online commenters were quick to point out the almost like-for-like resemblance with SpaceX's technology in the Chinese startup's concept.

China's new Yueqian rocket

Cosmoleap's full name is Beijing Dahang Transition Technology Company. The company was founded as recently as March 2024. It is incredibly ambitious for such a new venture to take on a project so similar to SpaceX's Starship.

However, Cosmoleap has convinced investors it has the knowledge and expertise required.

The company announced it has secured the funding through a press statement on November 1. Shenergy Chengyi, Tiangchuang Capital, Legend Capital, and a number of other investment and venture capital firms participated in the funding round, according to the release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsKo_ThXbhM&ab_channel=CNSAWatcher-Archives

Though Cosmoleap's Yueqian looks a lot like Starship in the company's render footage (above), it isn't aiming for Mars quite yet. As SpaceNews reports, Cosmoleap is developing a rocket to support satellite internet construction. Starship is also designed to deploy SpaceX's version 2 Starlink satellites.

According to Cosmoleap, the company will perform its first "Yueqian" (meaning "Leap") flight test in 2025 or 2026.

The company's animated Yueqian footage shows a rocket booster, that looks remarkably like SpaceX's Super Heavy, falling out of the sky. The Yueqian booster then performs a tower and "chopstick" capture landing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This type of landing was performed for the very first time by SpaceX with Starship on October 13.

Some online commenters took to social media to criticize the fact that Yueqian looks so much like Starship in that footage.

On X (formerly Twitter), one user said, "even the deluge [system looks the same]. They should change it up a little. Come on man."

A rocket larger than Starship

Cosmoleap's plan could be a tall order for a company that has never reached orbit before. However, it's worth noting that Yueqian will be significantly smaller than Starship.

The rocket will be 246 ft (75 meters) tall, compared with Starship's 397-ft (121-meter) stature. Yuqian will be able to carry a payload of 23,060 lbs (10,460 kg) to low Earth orbit when expendable. This will go down to 13,845 lbs (6,280 kg) when the first stage is recovered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Interestingly, though, Cosmoleap is actually planning a larger rocket than Starship. That rocket will be 413 ft (126 meters) tall. According to the company, it will be capable of carrying 100 tons to low Earth orbit, and 36 tons when reused. The company is targeting 2030 for the first launch of this new rocket. If it manages to pull that off, it would likely have the world's largest rocket in its hands.

All of this seems incredibly ambitious for such a new company. Many space companies have made large promises in the past, only to file for bankruptcy a while later.

However, Cosmoleap joins a promising ecosystem in China's private space sector. Other impressive companies include Space Pioneer, iSpace, Galactic Energy, and Deep Blue Aerospace.

Space Pioneer, for example, became the first company in history to reach orbit on its first rocket launch. As a point of reference, it took SpaceX four attempts to reach the orbit with Falcon 1.

Comsoleap will hope it can emulate the incredible achievements of SpaceX, a company it so clearly looks to for inspiration. While it looks like a massive challenge lies ahead for an exceedingly young company, China's space sector has thrown up a few surprises in recent months.
Chinas air force is set to officially debut its new stealth fighter jet, the J-35A, giving observers the first look at a highly anticipated asset that adds to the countrys fast growing military capabilities.

The fighter, an image of which was released during an air force press conference Tuesday, will appear at an air show in the southern city of Zhuhai next week, officials said.

The development of the jet is widely seen as part of Beijings bid to match the United States stealth fighter capabilities  as it pushes to modernize its armed forces and assert its military might in Asia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The J-35A is designed mainly for air combat operations and can also conduct air-to-surface attack, according to a report from a Chinese military-affiliated outlet.

If the aircraft is commissioned into operation, it would make China the second country after the US to have two types of stealth fighter jets, according to experts cited by Chinese state media.

Chinas J-20 stealth fighter entered service in 2017, officials said at the time.

Stealth fighters are those that are designed to evade radar and other monitoring to conduct missions without being detected or intercepted.

The J-35 is likely to be designed as a series and may also be used as carrier-based aircraft in the future, Chinese military expert Li Li told state broadcaster CCTV. This would greatly improve the overall strength of Chinas sea and air combat, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The fighters debut follows what analysts at Janes global open-source intelligence firm have described as Chinas bolstering of its forward theater commands with additional J-20s.

The Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force between July 2023 and this June inducted more than 70 J-20s, bringing the forces operational fleet up to approximately 195, according to a Janes report published earlier this year.

Its not clear when the new J-35A fighter would be commissioned into military use and where the fighters would be deployed.

The sparse details released about the fighter so far also make it difficult to compare with other stealth fighters, including the US F-22 and F-35.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Carl Schuster, a former director of operations at the US Pacific Commands Joint Intelligence Center, said the J-35A, which has been in development for more than 10 years, was likely intended for the PLA Navy.

The J-35 made its maiden flight in 2021, but as a derivative of an earlier prototype, it may be ready for production by early next year, Schuster said, adding that the J-35A model likely improved on that earlier design with more powerful engines.

Chinas development of stealth fighters has for years been dogged by accusations that it stole crucial stealth fighter technology from the US.

Beijing has vigorously denied those claims, which came to light with the 2015 publication by German magazine Der Spiegel of documents purportedly from US National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The J-35A is a new type of stealth fighter jet independently developed by Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), a Chinese military affiliated outlet said this week.

Chinas J-35A is not the only technology that will be on show for the first time at next weeks airshow, which takes place in Zhuhai from November 12 to 17.

The H-19 surface-to-air missile system and new reconnaissance and strike UAVs will also have their public debut, Col. Niu Wenbo of the air forces equipment department said Tuesday.

CCTV has also reported that Russias Su-57 stealth fighter would join the air show for the first time, among equipment from 49 different countries and regions that would be represented this year.

CNNs Brad Lendon and Fred He contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
By Kate Abnett

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - China has requested that countries hold talks at next week's COP29 U.N. climate summit on carbon border taxes and other "restrictive trade measures" that Beijing says are hurting developing countries, according to a document seen by Reuters.

The request raises the prospect that mounting trade tensions between major economies could disrupt this year's United Nations climate talks, which begin on Nov. 11 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

China, on behalf of the BASIC country group which also includes Brazil, India and South Africa, has submitted a proposal to the U.N. climate body (UNFCCC) to add talks on "concerns with climate-change related unilateral restrictive trade measures" to the COP29 agenda, the document showed.

The BASIC countries have been stern critics of the EU's trade-related climate policies, including its anti-deforestation law and its carbon border levy, which will impose fees on imports of high-carbon goods.

China and India have criticised the carbon border levy as protectionist, and said it unfairly penalises developing countries.

The EU says it is needed to stop European industries - which pay a fee on their CO2 emissions - from being undercut by cheap imports from countries with weaker climate policies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A UNFCCC spokesperson confirmed it had received the BASIC countries' submission.

China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Unless the BASIC countries withdraw their proposal, it will be put to countries at the beginning of COP29, when they must adopt - by consensus - the conference agenda.

Any disputes over the COP29 agenda could delay the start of negotiations and cut into the time left for countries to strike deals - including their main task, to approve potentially hundreds of billions of dollars in new funding to address climate change.

What gets on to the agenda for a U.N. climate summit can have big consequences.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An agreement to add a much-disputed agenda item on financial payments for climate-caused damage at the 2022 U.N. climate summit, led to the summit creating the world's first fund to provide this cash.

The European Union is likely to oppose the BASIC proposal, diplomats said. The EU has previously said trade issues should be discussed at the World Trade Organisation, rather than in U.N. climate talks.

A European Commission spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

The BASIC countries' submission said COP29 should hold talks on developing nations' concerns about climate policies introduced by developed countries, which affect trade.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It said countries should "collectively oppose any measures to restrict trade and investment and setting up new green trade barriers, such as unilateral carbon border adjustment measures and due diligence requirements".

(Reporting by Kate Abnett in Brussels; additional reporting by Joe Cash in Beijing editing by Andrew Gray and Alex Richardson)
RSM UK, an audit, tax, and consulting firm, has appointed Eoin Gribben as a business transformation director.

Based in Manchester, Gribben will lead the firms technology due diligence and advisory services as part of the firm's national consulting team.

Gribben has experience in technology due diligence and in the management of complex divestment programmes.

His expertise lies in assisting businesses to utilise technology to augment their value and effectively manage risk throughout various stages of a transaction.

RSM UK partner and business transformation head of Joel Segal said: Eoin brings a wealth of experience to our business transformation offering and he will play a key role leading our technology due diligence and advisory services.

This is necessary for many of our clients looking to evolve their digital, data and risk capabilities, especially in the deal context, and Im excited to see Eoin and the team help our clients assess and implement new technologies to support their strategic business needs.

In his new position at RSM UK, Gribben will be leading the business transformation team's technology deal services.

This area encompasses a range of critical services including due diligence, integration and separation support, as well as strategy and value creation.

In addition, he will focus on delivering solutions for risk and cost reduction.

RSM UK director Eoin Gribben said: Its brilliant to have joined RSM UK at such an exciting time. There is so much opportunity to help businesses better articulate and realise the value of their technology.

Im looking forward to taking our technology due diligence and advisory services to the next level, bringing the best of our experienced and authentic advice to our clients, and establishing RSM UK as the leading technology adviser in the middle market.

In October 2024, RSM UK named Alessandra Lupski Raja as a business transformation partner.

In the new role at RSM, Raja focuses on enhancing the firms finance consulting services.

"RSM UK names business transformation director" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand.




BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A 70-year-old man was killed early Tuesday when the Jeep he was driving veered into the opposite lane of Hageman Road  directly in the path of a big rig, according to California Highway Patrol.

The Jeep hit the left rear axle of the trailer being pulled by the truck then traveled into an orchard and overturned, officers said. The driver, of Roseburg, Oregon, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Please dont hurt me: Masseuse describes attempted sexual assault at clients sentencing hearing

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The other driver, of Apple Valley, was uninjured.

The crash happened at about 3:10 a.m. on Hageman Road east of Martin Avenue, according to CHP. The Jeep  which was pulling a trailer  was traveling east while the truck was heading west.

Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage

Alcohol or drugs arent believed to be involved, officers said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
Chris Pratt published an op-ed a few days before Election Day on his mother-in-law Maria Shrivers website, Sunday Paper, in which he said that hes focused less on who becomes our next president and more on making sure Americans continue to help one another regardless of the election outcome. Pratt did not publicly endorse either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump in his op-ed, which resulted in some fan disappointment on social media.

I write this now because about half of the voting population is going to be incredibly disappointed on November 6th, Pratt wrote. But for me, the question is not, Did your candidate win or lose? but rather, Will you wake up the next morning and help an old lady move?'

More from Variety

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its OK to take a moment to lick your wounds when you lose. Heck, go ahead and cry in the mirror. But if we become too paralyzed by defeat or too pompous in victory, allegiance to our team can blind us to the fact that we are fellow countrymen, he continued. How do we become a nation of honorable winners and graceful losers? It starts with remembering no matter who wins or loses, there are still going to be people who need help in this country. Find them. Be of service.

Pratt said that Americas greatest strength as a country is our unified communities, citing places of worship, Elks clubs, Rotary clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Salvation Army and in our service members.

Our strength lies in our people who step across the political aisle not just with the handshake of a good sportsman, but a helping hand to anyone in need, Pratt wrote. So, be a good sport. We need you. Our country needs you. Team Red, Team Blue, and Team Didnt Even Vote, too. Your civic duty can be uniquely exercised on November 5th, but there is an even bigger civic duty required the next day: which is to accept the results and focus instead on showing up for each other.

Pratt concluded, Check in with your neighborespecially if they voted for the other guy or girl. Ask how theyre doing. See how you can help. And while youre at it, see if they know any old ladies who need help moving.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic Park actors op-ed was published a few days after several of Pratts Marvel co-stars joined forces to endorse Kamala Harris. Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle, Danai Gurira and Chris Evans all popped up in a Harris campaign video together where the Marvel stars advocated for the future of democracy. Pratt did not appear.

Read Pratts full op-ed on Sunday Papers website.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
In South Central Fresno, weve seen firsthand how planning decisions made by our local representatives have long-lasting impacts on our environment, health, and well-being. Its well-documented that residents living in Fresnos south and southwest communities live, on average, 20 years less than our neighbors in the north.

According to the California Environmental Protection Agency, our community is among the most environmentally burdened in the state. Our extraordinarily high levels of hazardous air pollution led the California Air Resources Board to select us for a Community Air Monitoring Plan and Community Emissions Reduction Program.

But all of these plans, programs, and environmental review processes put in place by the state to protect us are meaningless when local city and county officials continue to support the decades-long tradition of zoning our neighborhoods for industrial development, no matter the costs to our lives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Opinion

And the question we get most often in response to our concerns is, why dont you move? We, and thousands of other South Fresnans, have families who have lived here for generations, weve built our homes here, raised our families here, and dedicated years of our lives to ensure our community remains standing.

But we deserve more than just to survive. We deserve a community where we can walk our children safely to school, sleep soundly through the night without noise and vibrations from heavy duty truck traffic and light pollution from warehouse facilities just outside our doors. And breathe our air and drink our water without thoughts of cancer, heart disease, respiratory illness and premature death that have touched the lives of every person in our community.

Its not just our community who deserves these rights, but all communities in Fresno. Its why we exercise our inherent right to participate in public decision-making that impacts our health and our community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those who have met with us and listened to our concerns understand why we filed a lawsuit demanding that the City of Fresno adhere to environmental laws when making long-range planning decisions. They may not agree with it, but a court did last month, ruling that the city had in fact failed to complete an adequate and legally compliant environmental review of its General Plan.

Environmental impact reports, required by state law, ensure communities understand how projects will impact their communitys future and mitigate any significant impacts on communities environmental quality and public health. The city unfortunately cut corners with its General Plan Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR), allowing developers to streamline projects without fully assessing potential impacts.

Despite extensive and detailed comments by our community throughout the nearly three year process to develop the PEIR, the city approved a legally deficient document in 2021, leaving a lawsuit as our last resort to ensure projects that would harm communities dont move forward without a clear assessment of impacts and implementation of adequate mitigation measures.

Since the court ruling, developers and even some local electeds have questioned the intentions of our community group. While not surprising, it is disheartening, and only confirms that community concerns are too easy for them to ignore unless the burden borne by communities becomes a burden to them and their interests.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are not deterred. Well keep fighting for a Fresno where industry and community concerns are considered equally and welcome collaboration with local representatives and others that wish to do so. There are many opportunities in front of us right now to build a healthier and safer Fresno beyond completing legally compliant environmental reviews. In fact, several plans are under review at present, including the Truck Reroute Study and South Central Specific Plan.

In all of our advocacy for our vision of South Central, weve never said no to economic development that protects our health and well-being. But Fresnos economic growth cannot be built on the backs of people who already suffer from the worst impacts.

This administration has an opportunity to succeed where others have failed by breaking the pattern of harmful planning decisions and adopting protections for communities near industrial projects. We believe there is a path forward that prioritizes all residents of the fifth-largest city in California, and we look forward to working with the mayor and city council to find solutions.

Panfilo Cerrillo is a member of the community group South Fresno Community Alliance.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  The focus is shifted to the Wichita Falls City Councilors after the Type B Sales Tax Corporation approves funds for the demolition of the old Falls hotel.

I know its the number one question you get, [When is] the hotel coming down?' Paul Menzies, then-Wichita Falls Assistant City Manager, said to councilors in an August 8 meeting.

The answer is soon.

The Type B Sales Tax Corporation Board of Directors will shell out the funds to demolish the old hotel along Central Freeway. The board unanimously approved up to $381,000 for the demo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wichita Co. sees roughly 42% voter turnout before election day

I think this project for a lot of folks in the community is a long time coming, Menzies said. It should be coming to fruition here in the next two months.

The city acquired the property the hotel is on in August when the council approved a settlement agreement with Wichita Falls Hospitality.

By then, theyd spent nearly a year in a lawsuit to take possession by eminent domain.

The city acquired 35 percent of the land for public park space.

What ends up being is there remains a developable piece of commercial property that remains on the tax rolls and could possibly developed in the future, Menzies told councilors in the same August meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Menzies said its unclear if the owners have any plans for their part of the property.

The city received 12 bids for the demolition job. The lowest bid came in at $373,840.

A great example of competitive bidding, Menzies said. Had a high of about $1.3 million, then you had the low, which came out to about $380,000. But you look at your second, your third bids. [$416,000] I believe, and [$475,000}. We have a lot of confidence this company can get the job done.

LIVE BLOG: First witness testifies in Anthony Pattersons trial

With this step complete the city could soon complete its goal and build a potential recreational park.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Menzies expects councilors to ratify the funding and award the contract to the lowest bidder, Midwest Wrecking of Texas, out of Fort Worth.

Councilors call the meeting to order on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. in the MPEC.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
Teresa Ranken, 59, of Lincoln, hangs up signs reminding voters of acceptable forms of identification cards needed for voting on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Sower Church in Lincoln, Neb. (Sammy Smith/Nebraska News Service)

OMAHA  Civic Nebraska on Tuesday reported confusion at several polling locations over the states relatively new voter ID requirement.

The nonpartisan voting rights group, which monitors Nebraskas elections, said that as of about noon it had received reports that poll workers at five polling places  two in Lincoln, two in Omaha and one in Bellevue  were incorrectly telling voters they could not cast a ballot if the address on their ID did not match the address on their voter registration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is an unnecessary barrier, Civic Nebraska said a media statement. Matching addresses are not a requirement in Nebraskas ID mandate.

Civic Nebraska said the reports came from its Voter Helpline and from volunteer election observers.

In most instances, Civic Nebraska said, the voters in question resorted to casting provisional ballots, known as the ballot of last resort, which will not be counted until after Election Day.

Civic Nebraska said in the news release that it alerted the Secretary of States Office about the reported concerns, and the states Election Division reminded all county election offices of actual voter ID requirements. The organization also shared posts about the confusion on social media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nebraskas voter ID mandate, enacted in April, requires voters to present a qualifying ID showing their name and photo. Poll workers must accept IDs from the federal government, including a U.S. passport; the State of Nebraska, such as a drivers license or state-issued ID; any Nebraska college or university; local governments within the State of Nebraska; U.S. military IDs or IDs for veterans; Native tribes; and patient records with photos from nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals. The law also allows for expired IDs from these institutions.

Our states poll workers are working hard under pressure, but they must not inadvertently create additional barriers to Nebraskans ballots, said Steve Smith of Civic Nebraska. While there is no evidence this is happening broadly around the state, its crucial for all precincts to be clear on this aspect of the ID mandate.

He said the organization thanks the state Elections Division for acting quickly to provide absolute clarity on this matter.

By midday Tuesday, Civic Nebraska had received about 65 calls to the Voter Helpline. It had deployed 120 trained election observers to monitor key polling places across the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For the first time, ballot count observers also were deployed in key counties.

Nebraska has 1,264,149 registered voters. The Secretary of States Office predicts participation to be about 72%.

Civic Nebraska also reported receiving a half-dozen calls related to electioneering, a common complaint on Election Day that involves wearing partisan clothing or accessories to a polling place or placing campaign signs within 200 feet of a polling places entrance. One Springfield church that also serves as a polling place had literature about one of the states abortion-related ballot initiatives within sight of the voting area.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
In this episode of Empowered Hawaii, hosts Jeff Mikulina and Kelly Simek spotlight Hawaiis inspiring climate leaders with the first-ever Climate Hawaii Leadership Awards. This celebration highlights exceptional individuals and organizations leading the way toward a clean, resilient Hawaii.

Jeff kicks off by talking with former Governor David Ige, honored as the Individual Climate Hero for his monumental commitment to Hawaiis 100% renewable energy goal by 2045. Iges forward-thinking policies have paved the way for clean energy advancements and set an inspiring example for local and global leaders alike, demonstrating the power of determined local leadership in addressing global challenges.

Kelly then connects with Shayna Doi, Marketing and Communications Manager of Hawaii Energy, a public-private partnership dedicated to making energy efficiency accessible and impactful. Shayna shares Hawaii Energys mission of empowering island families and businesses to make smarter energy choices, as well as collaborations with companies like Wet n Wild Hawaii and Highgate, showcasing how sustainable practices are taking root within Hawaiis tourism sector. These partnerships prove that businesses and conservation efforts can work hand-in-hand toward a shared goal of environmental stewardship.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The episode concludes with a conversation between the hosts and Emily Fielding, Hawaii Marine Conservation Director of The Nature Conservancy, which was honored as Innovative Climate Solutions at the Climate Leadership Awards. Emily discusses the pioneering efforts to insure Hawaiis coral reefs, a groundbreaking approach that values and protects these vital marine ecosystems. Through such initiatives, Hawaiis reefs gain financial resilience to recover from storm damage, ensuring long-term conservation.

This episode of Empowered Hawaii shines a spotlight on the vision, dedication, and action driving Hawaiis climate progress. From renewable energy to environmental stewardship, these leaders embody Hawaiis commitment to building a sustainable, climate-resilient future for the islands and beyond.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
An endangered animal that was created by cloning gave birth to two healthy offspring at a Smithsonian Institution/National Zoo center in Virginia, in what a federal agency called a conservation milestone.

Authorities indicated that techniques used in their work with black-footed ferrets could help preserve other endangered species.

Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The two ferrets were born in June to a cloned mother at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service called it an exciting research achievement that broke new ground in efforts to preserve the animals. The work could also help in preserving other endangered species, animal specialists said.

The cloned ferret mother, Antonia, gave birth after mating with a male ferret named Urchin, the federal wildlife agency announced last week. Antonia was born last year, created from preserved genetic material from Willa, a female ferret that died in 1988 without descendants.

Cloning provided the opportunity to bring the genes of an eighth founder into the existing ferret population, according to Revive & Restore, one of several organizations involved in the ferret project.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Antonia was described as the first cloned ferret to restore lost genetic variation to its species. One of her kits died, but two survived. Sibert is a female and Red Cloud is a male.

They are doing well, said Revive & Restore.

Their birth represented a critical step forward in the use of the cloning process to produce greater genetic diversity in conservation, the wildlife agency said.

Genetic diversity is vital to the healthy, long-term recovery of an endangered species, the wildlife agency said, and the cloned ferret mother showed three times the genetic diversity of the current population of endangered ferrets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Except for the clones and the new offspring, all black-footed ferrets alive today are descended from the same seven forebears, authorities said. The new process introduces genes that have not previously been represented and could be important in ensuring a healthy recovery of the species over the years.

The successful breeding and subsequent birth of Antonias kits marks a major milestone in endangered species conservation, said Paul Marinari, senior curator at the Smithsonians National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

The many partners in the Black-footed Ferret Recovery Program continue their innovative and inspirational efforts to save this species and be a model for other conservation programs across the globe, he said.

Black-footed ferrets once numbered in the tens of thousands, but they almost disappeared because of a combination of human-induced threats, according to specialists. Twice in the 20th century, they were thought to be extinct. Today, a major recovery effort is underway.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ferrets, which have been described as wiry, weasel-like and cute, once ranged throughout the North American Great Plains wherever they could find prairie dogs, on which they relied for food, specialists say. They have been reintroduced into parts of their former dwelling places in Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana and Arizona, according to animal research and conservation officials.

A variety of other conservation techniques are being used in efforts to preserve the black-footed ferret, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said.

Related Content

Trump coalition marks a transformed Republican Party

Harris defeat is a stinging verdict for the left

Crypto cash helps propel Trump, other allies to 2024 election victory
(NEXSTAR)  In the days and weeks leading up to Election Day, polling showed the race for the White House was tight. Stay up to date on all election news with The Hills 2024 Election Day Live Blog.

Multiple states, including crucial swing states, also saw record turnout during early voting periods. A week before the election, more than 41 million votes had been cast, according to the Associated Press: thats roughly a quarter of the number of votes counted in the 2020 presidential election.

If the results are close, we could hear calls for recounts like we did in 2020. Whether a recount can occur will vary from state to state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Why doesnt the popular vote determine the president?

Half of the U.S., as well as the District of Columbia, have automatic recounts. Heres what triggers them, according to the Associated Press and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL):

Alabama: Margin of less than 0.5%

Alaska: Tied race

Arizona: Margin of 0.5% or less

Colorado: Margin of 0.5% or less

Connecticut: Tied race or margin less than 0.5%, but not more than 2,000 votes

Delaware: The smaller of a 0.5% margin or less or fewer than 1,000 votes

District of Columbia: Margin of less than 1%

Florida: Margin of 0.5%

Hawaii: Margin of 100 or fewer votes, or 0.25%, whichever is larger

Kentucky: Margin of 0.5% or less

Michigan: Margin of 2,000 votes or less between the top two candidates

Montana: Tied race

New Mexico: Margin of less than 0.25%

North Dakota: Margin of 0.5% or less of the highest vote cast for that office

Ohio: Margin of less than 0.25%

Oregon: Tied race, or margin of no more than 0.2% of total votes

Pennsylvania: Margin of 0.5%

South Carolina: Margin less than 1%

South Dakota: Tied race

Texas: Tied race

Utah: Tied race

Vermont: Tied race

Washington: Margin of less than 2,000 votes and less than 0.5% of total votes

Wyoming: Margin is less than 1%

As long as 500 votes are cast in the election, Nebraskas automatic recount would be triggered by a margin of 1% or less of the votes received by the candidate who received the highest number of votes for the office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In New York, votes must be recounted if election officials find a discrepancy exists between how many people voted and the number of votes that are tabulated. According to the NCSL, a margin of less than 5,000 votes can also trigger an automatic recount.

These states do not have automatic recounts: Arkansas, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

List: Which states have cannabis on the ballot in November?

Kentucky, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Virginia do have automatic recounts, but not for the presidential race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most states will allow a candidate to request a recount. However, they may require certain margins:

Alaska: Less than 0.5%

Georgia: 0.5% or less

Maryland: 0.25% or less (voter can also make request)

Minnesota: Less than 0.25%

Missouri: Less than 0.5%

Montana: Less than 0.25% (or 0.5%, if the candidate pays)

North Carolina: Less than 0.5% or 10,000 votes

North Dakota: Margin is more than 0.5% and less than 2% of highest vote cast for a candidate in that race

South Dakota: Less than 0.25%

Texas: Less than 10% of elected candidate

Utah: 0.25% or less

Vermont: Margin is 2% or less of total votes cast, divided by number of persons to be elected

Virginia: 1% or less of total votes casts for requester and winner (5% or less for write-ins)

Wisconsin: Margin is less than 1%

Rhode Island only allows recounts in races where 100,000 votes have been cast. In those cases, the margin must be half a percentage point or 1,500 votes, whichever is smaller.

Some states  Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Wyoming, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia  will allow a recount regardless of the margin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Idaho, a candidate seeking a recount must apply with the attorney general. Any candidate can file a petition for a recount in Indiana, Oregon, and Washington, or a party official can do it on their behalf.

IRS unveils 2025 income tax brackets: Where do you fall?

Any voter in California is allowed to make a recount request in any precinct but state law does not specify details on candidates making such a request.

Candidates in Pennsylvania cant outright request a recount, but can appeal the count of any county, which could result in a court calling for a recount. Nebraska allows a defeated candidate to petition for a recount while Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire have margin requirements.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Louisiana allows recount requests if the absentee or early voting ballots cast could make a difference in the outcome. Candidates can also ask for a reinspection of polling place results or ask the courts to intervene in an election contest.

While any person with standing to contest an election can do so in Alabama, federal offices are not listed among the offices for which a recount can be collected. Illinois allows for a losing candidate to petition for a recount only if they received at least 95% of the vote of the winning candidate.

In most cases, if the requested recount swings the race in favor of that candidate, they will be reimbursed what they paid, or the state will pay for it.

State laws in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Mississippi, New York, and South Carolina do not provide presidential candidates or voters the option to request a recount. Only a court can initiate a recount of a contested election in Tennessee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Joe Kernen said Democratic Party chiefs were harvesting votes in 2000 to claim victory for Al Gore and likened the alleged effort to Donald Trump contesting the 2020 result.

The right-leaning CNBC host pushed the conspiracy theory that Democrats were vote stealers in a heated discussion on Squawk Box early on Election Day with William Daley, Barack Obamas former chief of staff, who chaired Gores campaign 24 years ago.

George W. Bush won the 2000 vote after being adjudged to have taken the deciding state of Florida by just 537 votes, but Kernen said the Democrats put the country through the same ordeal then as Trump did when he was beaten by Joe Biden in 2020.

George W. Bush beat Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election by a handful of votes.

Theres still a narrative that Al Gore won because if you were running things down there, you had two very Democratic counties, you had Miami-Dade and Broward, and you were harvesting votes and you were going to count them until you won, Kernen told Daley.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thank God the Supreme Court and courts finally stepped in for that, he added.

I was there, Kernen continued, his hands in the air and looking skyward. I remember the people looking like this, looking up at the chads heres another Democratic vote, he said, referring to the name for incompletely punched paper ballots that were at the center of the dispute over the close count.

The country didnt need to go through that, and maybe Trump put us through something four years ago, but you and everybody else put us through something back in 2000, too.

Daley insisted that was the process at the time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement



That was the process in 2020, too, interrupted Kernen. They were harvesting votes. They were harvesting votes in two Democratic counties.

Co-host Becky Quick jumped in to try and calm the debate, saying: The courts weighed in and Al Gore conceded based on what the courts had done.

Yeah, the courts said stop counting and stop harvesting, said Kernen.

Joe, Joe, Joe, said Daley.

If you would have kept going you would have won, Kernen continued, undaunted.

Thats a lie, said Daley. Absolutely untrue. Absolutely untrue. Thats not true. No one was harvesting votes. That word implies people were finding votes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you decide a hanging chad is a Democratic vote instead of a vote for George Bush, you can do that until you find enough. Five weeks, Kernen insisted.

Earlier, Quick had asked Daley if he thought either Trump or Harris would accept defeat in the 2024 presidential election. Part of the reason the system worked in 2000 was Al Gore conceded and he wishes he would have not done that, she said, and do you think either candidate will concede if its close?

If theres a recount in a certain state like there was last time, the process will work, said Daley. We went, as I said, five weeks with the chad craziness in Florida, and in the end, President Bush won when the count was stopped. Just because its very close by Saturday, lets say, where most of the votes are counted and theres a recount, that doesnt mean theres nefarious action going on.

Find the Daily Beasts coverage of the 2024 election here. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.
The National Association of Attorneys General released a joint statement ahead of Tuesdays election, reminding voters to remain peaceful regardless of the results.

Regardless of the outcome of Tuesdays election, we expect that Americans will respond peacefully and we condemn any acts of violence related to the results, the statement read. A peaceful transfer of power is the highest testament to the rule of law, a tradition that stands at the heart of our nations stability. As Attorneys General, we affirm our commitment to protect our communities and uphold the democratic principles we serve.

The coalition features 50 attorney generals from across the nation. Theyre asking all Americans to respect the integrity of the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We call upon every American to vote, participate in civil discourse and, above all, respect the integrity of the democratic process, they wrote. Let us come together after this election not divided by outcomes but united in our shared commitment to the rule of law and safety of all Americans. Violence has no place in the democratic process; we will exercise our authority to enforce the law against any illegal acts that threaten it.

The reminders come on the eve of the first presidential election since the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol.

The new Electoral Count Reform Act approved by Congress has clarified the post-election processes  to more speedily resolve legal challenges and reinforce that the vice president has no ability to change the election outcome on Jan. 6.

That act will be tested for the first time on Tuesday.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for four missing boaters near Bodega Bay in California around 6:30 p.m. Sunday following a rescue mission that lasted approximately 57 hours.

The decision to suspend a search is always difficult to make and never done lightly U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Michael L. Zapawa said in a statement. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the missing boaters during this incredibly difficult time."

Six boaters  three adults and three children  who had gone crabbing off the coast of Bodega on board a 21-foot white Bayliner boat, were reported missing around 10:20 p.m. Saturday after they failed to return to shore in Sonoma County north of San Francisco, Sonoma County Sheriff said in a post on Facebook.

The U.S. Coast Guard conducts a search operation to locate six boaters who had gone missing while crabbing off the coast of Bodega on Nov. 3, 2024 on board a 21-foot white Bayliner boat in Sonoma County north of San Francisco.

They were last heard from at about 3 p.m. and a "cell phone ping suggested the boat was last in the area of Carmet Beach," the sheriff's office said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

USCG, in a news release Sunday, said the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office alerted them about the incident around 11:40 p.m. Saturday, adding the boaters had "departed from Westside Marina at approximately 3 p.m. Saturday and were due to return by 7 p.m. the same day."

A search operation was launched and two boaters from the vessel were located Sunday morning, the USCG said, while efforts to look for the remaining individuals continued. One of the two boaters located was found alive and received medical treatment, the sheriff's office said, while the second person, a 17-year-old boy, was "pronounced deceased at the scene." Debris of the boat were also found along the coast during the search.

After searching for "approximately 57 combined hours" and covering "more than 2,100 square miles," the operation was called off Sunday.

Authorities did not detail why and how the boat collapsed and did not share further information on the other boaters. The USCG did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for an update on the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rob Dillian, a spokesperson with the sheriff's office, told USA TODAY Tuesday that while details into how and why the boat capsized are still being investigated, it is likely that rough ocean conditions with "large swells and high winds" led to the boat losing balance and ultimately capsizing.

"The Coast Guard urges all mariners, experienced or not to always check the weather conditions before heading out on the water, file a float plan and carry a working VHF radio to call for assistance," the coast guard advised in its statement.

Several agencies including multiple units of the coast guard, U.S. Air Force, the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office and the Civil Air Patrol were involved in the search operation.

Authorities have requested anyone with information on the incident to contact the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco at (415) 399-3502.

Second boat capsizes

In a similar incident, another boat with two men on board capsized near Mussel Point, south of Salmon Creek, close to where the previous accident had taken plane, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A hiker alerted authorities of the incident around 7:10 a.m. Monday, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said in a post on Facebook Monday evening.

"Sonoma County Sheriff Marine Unit was already in the area preparing to search for the boaters who went missing late Saturday night," USCG said and were able to locate one of the men on board the boat at about 7:40 a.m. The unit attempted to revive the man, but he did not survive. The search for the second man, meanwhile, continued and was suspended Tuesday morning, the USCG said in a post on X.

"The ocean conditions are dangerous right now, with large swells and high winds in the afternoon and evening," the U.S. Coast Guard said in the news release. "We advise everyone to use caution and understand the forecasted conditions."

Sonoma County Sheriff Marine Unit will conduct an investigation into this accident and Saturday nights accident, authorities said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coast Guard stops search for boaters who went missing in Bodega Bay
Former President Donald Trump capped off his third and possibly final presidential campaign with a broadside against former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. during a Tuesday morning rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Shes a crooked person, shes a bad person. Evil! shes an evil, sick, crazy bi" Trump said, stopping himself. "Oh no," he added, before silently mouthing the word into the microphone. It starts with a b but I wont say it. I wanna say it. I wanna say it.

Evangelist Franklin Graham admonished Trump not to use "foul language," the former president recalled, but Trump argued it is not a "real bad word" and "I don't use it much."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hes wrong about one thing, Trump said of Graham. It is a little better when you use the foul language.

Trump on Nancy Pelosi: She's an evil sick, crazy

B -- it start with a B but I won't say it. I want to say it. pic.twitter.com/3eukelYboO  Acyn (@Acyn) November 5, 2024

Pelosi led House Democrats throughout Trump's presidency and then his years as de facto leader of the opposition, repeatedly defying him through two impeachment processes, a government shutdown, legislative fights and a number of contentious meetings in the Cabinet Room captured on camera. Her opposition earned her the epithet "Crazy Nancy" from Trump, who on Monday called her a "bad, sick woman" and "crazy as a bedbug."

A spokesperson for Pelosi told The Independent that Trump's remarks were "just the usual projection of his own insanity."

The former President is showing himself to be increasingly unhinged and unstable," she added, repeating Pelosi's own comments Sunday suggesting that the former president was undergoing a a "cognitive degeneration."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Trump campaign fired back at those comments on Monday on Fox News, saying the only thing deteriorating is Nancy Pelosi, who is a decrepit washed up corrupt politician who America can no longer stand ... she should go back to the City of San Francisco, which she has totally destroyed, and never return.

" data-video-id="7433506191684422958" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" >
(WGHP)  Cloudy skies with a good chance of rain on Thursday.

Mostly cloudy Wednesday with morning temperatures around 60 degrees and highs in the middle 70s. Wednesday will carry a small chance for a few showers.

On Thursday, our winds will come off of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The wind flow will increase our chances for rain. Look for a 50% chance of rain with highs in the middle 70s.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Friday, a cold front will bring in drier air and slightly cooler temperatures. Under mostly cloudy skies, our highs will be in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 25%.

Mostly cloudy and cooler on Saturday with highs in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 25%.

In the Caribbean Sea, Tropical Storm Rafael could strengthen into Hurricane Rafael on Wednesday. After a possible landfall across Cuba, the system will move into the Gulf of Mexico with a possible landfall around Louisiana and Mississippi on Sunday. Some of this moisture could sneak into the Piedmont. For now, look for scattered showers on Sunday with highs in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 40%.

The Piedmont will see lower rain chances on Monday with highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 30%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tuesday, partly cloudy with lows in the lower 50s and highs in the lower 70s.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
We already know that the virus behind cold sores, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), can also infect the brain and the central nervous system, and now a new study sheds more light on how the viral attack spreads out.

Led by researchers from the University of Colorado and the University of Bourgogne in France, the study took a close look at the effects of the HSV-1 virus on the brains of mice, mapping out the different regions affected and assessing what the consequences might be.

HSV-1 can be introduced to the central nervous system through two routes  the trigeminal nerve or the olfactory nerve  although it remains unclear how the infection then spreads within the brain.

Cold sores are signs of HSV-1. ( Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

"Recently, this common virus has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, but no clear route of central nervous system invasion has been established," says neurologist Christy Niemeyer from the University of Colorado.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Identifying how HSV-1 can get into the brain and what brain regions are vulnerable is key in understanding how it initiates disease."

The team found that HSV-1 took hold in several of the brain's most important regions, including the brain stem (responsible for co-ordinating heart and breath rate, along with sleep and movement), and the hypothalamus (which handles everything from sleep and moods to appetite and hormone levels).

However, other areas of the brain remained untouched by HSV-1 antigens, including the hippocampus (the region that looks after memory and special navigation, often connected to diseases like Alzheimer's) and the cortex (linked to memory and attention).

The researchers also looked at the activity of microglia (in-house immune cells of the central nervous system) in the mouse brains, which became inflamed when interacting with HSV-1. In certain regions, these immune cells stayed busy even after the virus had gone, suggesting ongoing inflammation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the most serious cases, HSV-1 can cause encephalitis, a life-threatening condition where inflammation affects the whole brain. While this didn't happen here, the research shows there might still be damage being done.

"Even though the presence of HSV-1 is not causing full-blown encephalitis in the brain, it can still affect how these regions function," says Niemeyer.

All of this additional knowledge gives scientists a better idea of how HSV-1 infections might be related to neurodegenerative diseases  something which has been the subject of several recent studies. The new study is another useful step forward that further research can now build on.

It's been suggested that HSV-1 and microglia-related inflammation could be part of the reason why Alzheimer's takes hold in some brains, or they may have some effect on its rate of progress. With that in mind, it's interesting to see where there's overlap in the brain regions affected by both HSV-1 and Alzheimer's.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Persistently inflamed cells can lead to chronic inflammation, a known trigger for a number of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases," says Niemeyer.

"This research offers important takeaways in better understanding how viruses interact with overall brain health as well as the onset of pervasive neurological diseases."

The research has been published in the Journal of Virology.

Related News
DENVER (KDVR)  Colorado Attorney General Phil Weisers office confirmed Monday that it is investigating CBZ Management, which operates several apartment complexes in Aurora at the center of reports about gang violence.

No further information about the investigation from the AGs office was available.

2 Tren de Aragua members arrested in Aurora, linked to Texas murder

In early August, the City of Aurora shut down an apartment building operated by CBZ Management at 1568 Nome Street, citing code violations. Several other complexes operated by the company have since entered receivership.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

CBZ Management has claimed that the issues were instead caused by Venezuelan gang violence.

In October, the company issued a statement and claimed it had been trying to fix problems at its complexes in Aurora since 2023.

The company claims it made AG Weisers office aware of the issue in late June with a letter later posted on social media.

In the letter, the company alleged that gangs had taken over their properties. This claim has been denied multiple times by city officials.

Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather

The story gained national attention after FOX31 obtained video at the Edge at Lowry, another complex operated by CBZ Management, that showed an armed apartment break-in shortly before a shootout at the property left one person seriously injured.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Former President Donald Trump has mentioned the situation on the campaign trail several times, including in the national debate held between him and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump also held a rally in Aurora, during which he announced Operation Aurora, which he claimed would remove migrants who entered the country illegally and who might be involved with gangs.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
The modern world  the modern business world in particular  hates uncertainty. As I write this, the US presidential race stands upon the edge of a knife  and the slightest waft of a breeze (manifesting itself, for instance, in the ill-advised use of a word like garbage) could tip the balance. Fascinating but, almost regardless of your allegiances, potentially slightly terrifying.

If President Trump wins a second term in the White House, quite a lot of ink has been devoted to trying to divine what on Earth he might do once in office. The scarcely veiled threat to want to settle old scores has some worried  and you can count among that number multinational beverage-alcohol businesses that depend on the US for a sizeable chunk of their revenues and profits.

This is the scenario that prompted an intriguing analyst note from Bernstein, which revived Trumps self-appointed sobriquet of Tariff Man, and referenced his avowed intent to impose a blanket 10% tariff on all imports into the US, alongside a potential 60% (!) tariff on imports from China. Mexico, too, might come in for some extra punishment, thanks to its bilateral trade deficit with the US  and the impact on the already cooling Tequila boom could be sobering.

Some of the other conclusions to be drawn from this are equally obvious. The more business you do in the US, the more exposed you are to this tariff threat, assuming you import all or most of your products. If you dont sell much in the US  and the beverage alcohol big-hitter list here, barring some of the brewers, is thin  then youll be ok. And if you sell domestically produced stuff (beer, Bourbon, vodka, etc), then youll also be ok. Well, maybe. Well get to that later.

Bernsteins potential losers include Constellation Brands, which not only derives nearly all of its revenues from the US but also has to import an awful lot of its product, chiefly beer from Mexico. Others with a potential problem include Remy Cointreau (Cognac), Diageo (Scotch, Tequila) and, to a lesser extent, Campari (aided by Wild Turkey and Skyy, both US-made) and Pernod Ricard (more weighted to Asia). Id add Moet Hennessy to that list as well.

Clearly, products with a legally enforced, designated place of origin are vulnerable here. That means Scotch, Irish and other whiskies in particular (especially given the competition offered by Bourbon and other US whiskies), as well as Cognac, Champagne, Tequila you get the picture.

Ok, so assuming all of this comes to pass, what should companies do about it? Here I pity the Bernstein number crunchers because this is where it gets a bit complicated. Depending on how the tariffs are applied, the price increases necessary to absorb the extra costs might be less than expected  4.5% is the figure mentioned.
(NewsNation)  Voters in Colorado will head to the polls Tuesday to decide on a number of key races and ballot measures.

Presidential race in Colorado

US House races in Colorado

Voters in all eight of Colorados congressional districts will vote for their districts House representative. There are no open Senate seats in Colorado this election.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert won her Republican primary for Colorados 4th Congressional District after deciding not to run for reelection in the 3rd District.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She switched districts following negative press including a disturbance during a play. Boebert said she made the decision for a fresh start following a pretty difficult year for me and my family, according to Politico.

Boebert will face off againist Democrat Trisha Calvarese.

Colorado statewide ballot measures

Colorado voters statewide will be asked to vote on a ballot measure to solidify abortion protections in the state constitution. That measure would also authorize the state to use public funds to pay for abortions through government insurance providers, if approved.

Amending the state constitution requires the support of 55% of voters. Colorado state law currently allows abortions for anyone who seeks it. Abortion is legal for all stages of pregnancy in Colorado.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for grabs. These elections will determine who has control over the two chambers of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Colorado has 10 Electoral College votes contributing to the presidential race. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

In recent cycles, Colorado has favored Democratic presidential nominees. The last time Colorado went red was during former President George W. Bushs victories in 2000 and 2004.

Colorado is primarily a vote-by-mail state, but voters can visit the polls in person on Election Day. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
For the first time since wolves were released in Colorado in late December, one of those wolves made its way south of a busy Interstate 70.

That was just one of several distinct differences in an updated wolf activity map Colorado Parks and Wildlife released Sunday, just 10 days after it released the latest monthly map Oct. 23.

Until Sunday, the state wildlife agency had been releasing monthly wolf activity maps. Those movements are based off activity detected via GPS collars then highlighted by watersheds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sunday's map, which included activity Oct. 22 through Nov. 1, showed for the first time wolf movement in a watershed south of Leadville to Colorado Highway 82, which is about 11 miles south of the town.

Previous wolf activity maps indicated the animals in watersheds that extended south of I-70, but Colorado Parks and Wildlife noted each time that collared wolves had not been detected south of I-70.

This map shows wolf activity in Colorado from Oct. 22 to Nov. 1, 2024.

"Although CPW does not publicly provide location information on Colorados wolves outside of the map releases on the fourth Wednesday of every month, the agency is providing this update because this is the first time GPS data points have been observed south of I-70. This kind of wildlife activity was anticipated," the agency wrote in the news release.

Sunday's release came days after a Facebook video posted Nov. 1 of what appeared to be a wolf and that indicated it was filmed near Leadville. The actual location of where the video was filmed and whether or not it was a wolf have not been confirmed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Coloradoan sent email questions regarding the Facebook video to Colorado Parks and Wildlife to determine its validity.

The agency responded in an email: "We are aware of the video. We moved up our already planned announcement and associated interim activity map after the video appeared to ensure the broader public was informed."

Leadville is approximately 45 miles south from where 10 wolves were released Dec. 18-23.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis wrote in a letter Oct. 31 responding to wolf reintroduction concerns by Club 20, a coalition of individuals, businesses, tribes and local governments in Colorado's 22 western counties, that currently the state has individuals or loose pairs of wolves traveling 100 to 200 miles per week. He wrote in the letter that makes it "challenging to predict where wolves will be."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On June 8, a collared wolf was caught on a game camera near I-70 on the north side of East Vail Pass.

More major shifts of wolf movements unveiled in latest map

The map released Sunday also showed a significant shift in wolf movement out of the northern half of Jackson and Routt counties, including to south of Walden and Steamboat Springs, and western Larimer County.

Movement mushroomed farther west into Rio Blanco County as far as Meeker and east of Colorado Highway 9 between Silverthorne and Granby from the previous monthly map.

"Wolves are habitat generalists, meaning they can thrive in a wide variety of environmental conditions and habitats," Sunday's news release stated. "As long as prey is available, wolves can use a variety of areas."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sunday's map also continues to show wolf activity in much of an area described by Grand County ranchers as an emerging wolf hot spot over the past couple of months. That area includes the Gore and Rabbit Ears ranges between Kremmling, Toponas and Steamboat Springs and is encircled by U.S. Highway 40 and Colorado highways 131 and 134.

The state wildlife agency said previously it is monitoring nine wolves in the wild (eight adults and one pup). An uncollared fifth wolf pup from the Copper Creek pack is being monitored through sightings and trail cameras.

The public can report wolf sightings on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado wolves make major moves, including crossing I-70
It's finally over.

All but the shouting, vote-counting, finger-pointing, legal wrangling, possible rioting and attempted overthrowing  once more  of our 248-year-old democratic republic.

But that's all in the future.

Maybe.

For now, let's celebrate the end of the most vexing, mean-spirited and household-dividing presidential election in modern times, as it heaves itself across the finish line and crumples in a lousy heap.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Columnists Mark Z. Barabak and Anita Chabria look back on the rancorous path to this day and offer some thoughts on what lies ahead.

Barabak: There are very few things I can say with certainty. But I can say without doubt that most people  save members of Masochists Anonymous  are glad this campaign is mercifully done with. No?

Chabria: I feel like it's the morning after a Vegas wedding and we've tied the knot  we're just not sure with whom. As happy as I am that we have finally made it to voting day, I feel duty-bound to squash any relief out there by being clear that we still have a long way to go before we all agree on a winner.

Votes will almost certainly be challenged  sometimes fairly and sometimes nefariously  for weeks, if not months, to come.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But here's more good news: We are in the process of a free and fair election, upholding a democracy that has seemed tenuous at times these last few years. So that's a plus.

Are you feeling hopeful about anything at this moment?

Read more: Trump doubles down on hate, promising an America of pain and fear

Barabak: Not, as you suggested, that we'll all eventually agree on a winner. There are still a shocking number of deluded and misguided folks out there who believe Trump won in 2020.

Including the denier in chief who sits atop the GOP ticket.

That said, I love election day.

After all the speeches and mail pieces, all the TV ads, the debates, town halls, prime-time interviews, impromptu statements and hasty clarifications, it's finally voters' turn to have their say. Hokey as it sounds, we're reminded on this one day that the power in our political system ultimately rests with the people and the sentiments they express at the ballot box.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I make no predictions; I'm smart enough to know what I don't know, which is a whole lot. And I'm not in the habit of endorsing candidates. But I've made it pretty clear in columns over the last several years that I think our president should be someone who doesn't try to overturn a legitimate election, talk about suspending the Constitution, threaten to use the military against his political opponents, simulate oral sex at a political rally and who hasn't done and said so many awful and weird things in just the last decade that it would fill to bursting the entire internet if I kept going on.

If I'm hopeful about anything, it's that a majority of Americans will feel that things in this country have worked, if far from perfectly, then well enough since its founding that perhaps maybe we shouldn't chuck our values and grounding principles just because eggs and gas cost more than they did when the pandemic-ravaged economy was on its back four years ago.

Allow me to trot out a well-worn phrase that we hear just about every election, how this one is the most important of our lifetime. In this instance, it's true.

Chabria: I'm with you on all that. I love election day too. Because, yes, it does come down to the people and, despite the overt attempts by Donald Trump to subvert that, our will has held.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Where I differ from you is that I'm happy to loudly and proudly proclaim that I am100% pro-Harris. I actually don't have a party preference  that might surprise some (the dearly appreciated few who regularly read our Politics newsletter).

But I am at heart a policy nerd. I've written in favor of Republican legislation at the statehouse when I think it's good, and knocked the supermajority Democrats in Sacramento when they do dumb stuff, which is fairly frequently.

But, like many, I don't see this presidential election as about Democrat or Republican. There are fundamental values on the line, even beyond democracy  women's rights, civil rights, the safety of immigrants.

I bring it up because if Harris doesn't win, people need to continue this fight to push back against autocracy, even with a dictatorial-minded president in the White House. Trump may be calling this election the final battle, but it's not.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Barabak: Well stated.

Now if I can, I'd like to briefly acknowledge and give praise to our current president  remember that guy?  Joe Biden.

He essentially vowed to be a one-term president, a "bridge" to a new "generation of leaders," as he put it while campaigning in 2020. Then he yanked up that bridge up and decided, at age 81, to seek another term.

Things were going fair to middling with his candidacy until Biden's catastrophic, catatonic debate performance in June, which caused a major Democratic freak-out and resulted in his grudging departure from the ticket and endorsement of Harris.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Supposedly, Biden still thinks he would have beaten Trump, making him one of the few people on the planet to harbor that misconception.

But give credit where due. Biden spent decades of his life chasing and pining after the presidency and when he finally realized his dream, he proved quite adept at the job. It turns out there's something to be said for all that Washington experience, particularly when it comes to dealing with Congress. He achieved far more legislatively than many thought possible, given the narrow margins Democrats held in the House and Senate, and presided over an economy that, partisan carping aside, is the envy of the world.

No wonder Biden wished for and felt he deserved a second term.

Still, he walked away  albeit only after getting a healthy shove. It's rare for someone to willingly surrender power the way Biden did. If Harris wins, his selfless act will be a laudable part of the president's legacy. If she loses, out come the knives and the criticism that Biden selfishly overstayed his time in office and denied his party the chance for a competitive primary among a vibrant, fresh field of candidates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Chabria: Biden definitely earned a place in the history books  in a good way  for having the courage and commitment to the good of the country to step down.

I'll also give a shout-out  and maybe one of those oh-so-iffy predictions  to the women of America. From early voting, we know that female voters are turning out in huge numbers. Some of that may be the Dobbs Supreme Court decision that cuts women's reproductive rights, but I think it goes beyond that.

We have seen a vicious attack on women's civil rights and their place in civic life, with some on the far right suggesting women should not even have the right to vote. So my prediction is if Harris wins, it will be because women  Republican, Democrat, Christian, Black, white, brown, you name it  decided they were, to steal her slogan, not going back.

Read more: 'Wild and crazy ride': The stunning, exhausting presidential race we all just witnessed

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Barabak: Wouldnt that be poetic. In the end, it would turn out that you cant grab em by the  well, you know, and get away with it.

One last thing. I said that I make no predictions. I learned my lesson in 2016, when it turned out everything I thought I knew about politics was wrong.

But I will venture this: Nobody knows what's going to happen on this election day or who's going to win. But for the next four years, until the next presidential campaign, and forever after, there will be no end of people explaining how the outcome was clear as the dawning daylight all along.

Don't buy it.

Get the latest from Mark Z. Barabak

Focusing on politics out West, from the Golden Gate to the U.S. Capitol.

Sign me up.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
One of the committees associated with the only contested issue on Morro Bays ballot raised more-than $100,000 in donations  pouring money into the contest in the final weeks leading up to the election.

But some people question if the influx of money is a good thing.

With multiple unusually large donations coming from two out-of-state sources a month before the election, dark money may have found its way into San Luis Obispo Countys local politics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The donations are supporting the campaigning efforts of the Morro Bay Citizens Opposed to Measure A-24.

If passed, Measure A-24 would freeze the land use on the retired Morro Bay Power Plant property as visitor-serving commercial  an action that could block a new battery plant proposed to be built on the site.

With candidates for mayor and two City Council seats running unopposed, the measure was already the only item worth watching on Morro Bays ballot before big money was involved.

But can the donations be considered dark money?

Committee member Marlys McPherson defended the committees decision to accept the donations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theres no law against accepting these donations, she said. We have complied with all the FPPC rules and regulations, deadlines, everything. We have not tried to hide anything.

She explained that the donors had no say over the committees messaging or strategy.

We werent going to accept money if they were going to try to control the campaign, she said.

The Tribune looked into the campaign finances of the Morro Bay ballot measure group as a part of its Reality Check series.

Texas-based energy company Vistra Corp. applied to build a battery storage facility on the retired Morro Bay Power Plant site. Vistra public information officers Meranda Cohn and Jenny Lyon and project development manager David Yeager tour the site on April 24, 2024.

Committee accepts large donations from two nonprofit organizations

The large donations to the Morro Bay Citizens Opposed to Measure A-24 were made in the final stretch of fundraising before the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Sept. 21, the opposition committee had still raised only $19,645 in donations, mainly from retired individuals and small-business owners in the community, according to campaign finance reports.

Then, during the following two weeks, the committee raised $86,480 in monetary and non-monetary contributions, pushing its total donations to $106,125.

As a comparison, the Citizens For Estero Bay Preservation group that proposed Measure A-24 raised a total of $13,299 this year as of Oct. 19, according to the groups most recently available campaign donation filings.

Non-monetary contributions are campaign donations made in the form of goods or services instead of cash.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As of Oct. 19, the opposition committee had spent $96,886 on mailers, digital ads, graphic design and a PO Box rental, campaign finance documents showed.

The majority of that money  $91,659  was spent in a large burst between Sept. 22 and Oct. 19.

During the same time frame, the opposition committee accepted more than $40,000 in cash donations and $43,000 in non-monetary donations from two out-of-state nonprofit organizations that are not required to disclose who their donors are  raising suspicion that the funds are dark money intended to influence the outcome of the election.

One of the groups was a nonprofit organization called the Local Jobs & Economic Development Fund based in Dover, Delaware.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The group made two donations, one monetary contribution of $26,000 on Sept. 23 and another non-monetary contribution of $22,800 to pay for an in-kind description-survey two days later on Sept. 25, according to the opposition groups most recent campaign finance disclosure.

The fund is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, which is still a tax-exempt nonprofit, but is allowed more flexibility with political advocacy and lobbying than a 501(c)(3).

The Local Jobs & Economic Development Fund exists to support those who have a vision for increasing the resiliency and vibrancy of their rural communities by attracting new investment, creating new jobs and welcoming new business, its website reads.

The fund reported receiving $1.8 million in contributions, grants and gifts to the IRS in its 2022 Form 990 tax filings, a large portion of which appears to have come from the Tides Foundation, a multi-million dollar nonprofit organization financed by billionaire George Soros.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2022, the Tides Foundation donated more than $1 million to the Local Jobs & Economic Development Fund  which accounts for over half of the groups gross receipts  according to the foundations most recently available IRS tax filings.

The Local Jobs & Economic Development Fund is supported by a diverse group of donors aligned around strengthening local efforts to promote clean, low-carbon energy and local economic development, a spokesperson for the fund told The Tribune by email.

Moreover, the fund also employs a separate business owned by its own president.

Eric Heitz is the president of the Local Jobs & Economic Development Fund, according to the organizations tax filings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to Heitzs LinkedIn, he is also the co-founder and president of Down Ballot Climate Partners, a consulting firm that advises organizations and donors on how local elections can have outsized impacts on the deployment of clean energy, according to its website.

According to the organizations tax filings, the Local Jobs & Economic Development Fund paid Down Ballot Climate Partners $391,305 in 2022 for consulting and support services.

None of the board members of the Local Jobs & Economic Development Fund receive any compensation from the organization, including Heitz, even though he dedicates an average of 30 hours a week to his role as president, according to the nonprofits tax filings.

Heitzs LinkedIn does not list his involvement in the Local Jobs & Economic Development Fund.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The opposition committee was originally contacted by and collaborated with Down Ballot Climate Partners for a climate survey of the bay, but was later sent a donation by the Local Jobs & Economic Development Fund, according to committee member Marlys McPherson.

Heitz did not immediately respond to The Tribunes requests for comment.

Afternoon fog slowly covers Morro Rock, a major landmark in Morro Bay.

Meanwhile, another 501(c)4 nonprofit organization called Greenlight Action donated $15,000 to the committee on Oct. 1.

Greenlight Action also contributed four non-monetary donations that had a total value of $20,505.

The first was $7,000 of canvassing support reported on Sept. 28, followed by $340 of text banking on Oct. 2, $12,814 of canvassing support on Oct. 7 and $351 of text banking on Oct. 15, campaign finance reports said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Greenlight Action, based in Washington, D.C., was approved for federal tax exemption effective in January 2024, according to an IRS document.

The nonprofit is the sister organization of Greenlight America, a 501(c)3 that has been tax-exempt since November 2023.

We exist to support local groups and volunteers who want to get utility-scale clean energy projects built in their communities, the Greenlight America website said.

In 2023, both Greenlight organizations filed forms 990-N, which is an annual electronic notice filed by small organizations that receive less than $50,000 a year. The organizations vastly increased their fundraising the next year, bringing in more than $5 million, which will show up in its next 990, according to a statement from Greenlight America.

Greenlight America and Greenlight Action do not accept donations from clean energy developers or other industry sources, the company said in a statement sent to The Tribune.

Were proud to support the Morro Bay residents running the No on A-24 campaign to advance a clean energy future that unlocks economic growth and protects the city for generations to come, Greenlight America founder and CEO Matt Traldi said.

A partial rainbow in Morro Bay.

Are donations of that size legal?

According to state and local election law, the donations are legal because there is no upper limit for how much money ballot measure committees can accept.

Enacted in 2021, Assembly Bill 571 placed state limits on campaign contributions made to candidates in local elections for cities and counties that had not not already enacted their own contribution limit on candidates, but not on donations to ballot measure committees.

According to the City Clerk Dana Swanson, Morro Bay has not adopted a local ordinance establishing limits for campaign donations.

Committee defends decision to accept donations

The opposition committee was first contacted by Down Ballot Climate Partners sometime around May, McPherson said.

In July, Down Ballot Climate Partners distributed a survey about climate change to Los Osos, Cayucos and Morro Bay voters, McPherson said. Down Ballot asked about the battery plant in the survey and polled more voters in Morro Bay to support the committees efforts.

The Local Jobs & Economic Development Fund later submitted a report to the committee sharing the cost of the survey, McPherson said. The survey showed up as a $22,800 non-monetary contribution to the committee on its most recent campaign finance report.

McPherson said she was surprised by the size of the donation, as they didnt discuss the cost in July.

Meanwhile, Greenlight Action supported the committees canvassing efforts by sharing training materials, instructions, a script, flyers, door hangers and a data analysis application.

The cash donations came after the non-monetary contributions, McPherson said.

It came fairly late, the cash, she said. I think they needed to know if we were competent and could actually run a campaign.

The committee did not accept donations from Vistra Corp., parties that had an interest in developing the Morro Bay power plant property or the fossil fuel industry, she said.

The committee researched the mission statement and leadership of the companies before accepting the donations.

We tried to do due diligence in making sure that we were accepting legitimate donations from reputable groups, and thats what we did, she said.

Additionally, McPherson said the two companies had no say over the committees messaging.

We controlled the messaging, we controlled the strategy, they just gave the in-kind donations and the cash, she said.

The donations allowed the committee to send extra mailers to registered voters, she said.

Before the donations, the committee planned to send three mailers to every registered voter in Morro Bay. After the donation, the committee sent five mailers.

We were able to reach more voters with more materials, McPherson said.

A rendering illustrates how a proposed 22-acre battery storage plant would look at the site of the Morro Bay Power Plants old oil tanks.

What would the ballot measure do?

Texas-based energy company Vistra Corp. applied to the city to build the battery plant, which would store enough electricity to power about 450,000 homes, according to Vistra.

Last year, the Citizens for Estero Bay Preservation community group mobilized to oppose the battery plant. While touting the slogan no batteries by the bay, the group gathered more than 1,000 signatures from registered voters to place Measure A-24 on Morro Bays ballot this November.

If passed, the initiative will freeze the land use on the property as visitor-serving commercial, blocking the City Council from approving permits for the construction of any industrial project on the site  including the battery plant.

Last week, however, Vistra paused its application with the city and announced plans to apply to the California Energy Commission and Coastal Commission for project approval instead.

The Morro Bay City Council can only approve permits for projects that comply with the citys zoning laws. For the Energy Commission and Coastal Commission, however, the local zoning laws only serve as guidelines in their consideration of the project  so the ballot measure may not actually block the battery plant.

Vistra has not and will not financially contribute to the A-24 campaign or any related groups, Vistra Media Relations Manager Jenny Lyon told The Tribune.
Republican Gov. Phil Scott on Tuesday won reelection to a fifth term in the heavily Democratic state of Vermont.

The popular governor beat political newcomer Esther Charlestin, a Democrat-Progressive who is an educator, consultant, and co-chair of the Vermont Commission on Women.

Bernie Sanders won reelection to a fourth six-year term in the U.S. Senate. Sanders defeated Republican Gerald Malloy, a U.S. Army veteran and businessman.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrat Becca Balint was reelected to U.S. House in Vermonts 1st Congressional District, beating Republican Mark Coester with 65% of the vote.

Meanwhile, incumbent Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman was in a tight contest with Republican challenger John Rodgers, separated by less than 2 percentage points.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
UFC star Conor McGregor was in High Court in Dublin on Tuesday as he faces a civil lawsuit pertaining to an alleged 2018 sexual assault.

McGregor, as well as alleged victim Nikita Ni Lamhain (Hand), both were present in the courtroom as the trial got underway, according to various news outlets, including The Irish Times. Hand filed a civil lawsuit in 2021 after she claimed the UFC star and another man, James Lawrence, had sex with her against her will in December 2018 while she was intoxicated in a hotel room.

McGregor and Lawrence have denied the accusations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Judge Alexander Owens notified the 12 jurors (four men and eight women) that the trial is expected to last two weeks.

Emergency room doctor shares observations

On Tuesday, an emergency room gynecologist, Dr. Daniel Kane, who worked at Rotunda Hospital and treated Hand shortly after the alleged incident, said what he observed was "consistent with the outline of events as described by Nikita (Hand)," according to the Irish Mirror.

Kane said bruising was present in various locations across Hand's body and said he witnessed Hand shaking and crying. The jury was shown images of the bruising.

According to Kane, Hand said, "He had me by the neck. He stopped me from breathing a few times. I thought he was going to kill me."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kane also said he performed a sexual assault examination kit to collect DNA samples in front of authorities. He also retrieved a tampon that was "wedged at the very, very top."

Hand further details allegations during testimony

Hand said that, hours prior to the alleged incident, she attended a costume party at a club, drank alcohol and took cocaine. She said McGregor, whose cousin she was friends with, commented on an Instagram post of hers, asking where she was.

The comment came weeks after Hand told McGregor to give her a bottle of Proper Twelve, the UFC star's Irish whiskey brand, to which McGregor responded, "You can get whatever you want, Nikita."

As the night progressed, Hand said she contacted McGregor, they spoke on the phone, and McGregor said he'd come pick up her and her friend. At around 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., McGregor and a security guard arrived by car.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The car stopped to pick up Lawrence. McGregor exited the vehicle and came back with what he said was cocaine. Hand said she and her friend did some cocaine and were taken to a hotel, where they thought there would be another party.

The group went up to two connecting rooms. At one point, Hand said security closed the doors between the rooms, leaving her with McGregor. Hand said McGregor made verbal then physical advances on her as she tried to push McGregor away and brought up his engagement to longtime fiancee Dee Devlin.

According to Hand, McGregor said "thats how I felt in the octagon, I had to tap myself out three times, thats how I felt" as he forcibly had sex with her.

Hand alleges she doesn't have much recollection beyond that, other than being taken home in a taxi later that day. After telling her mother what happened, she went to the emergency room. One month later, she notified police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the statement of claim reported by The New York Times in 2021, Hand cited having psychological and emotional problems caused by the alleged rape, has been unable to work since May 2019 and is seeking damages of $1.79-$2.13 million for lost wages (past and future), a change of homes, and medical expenses.

The civil trial is expected to resume Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. local time (5:30 a.m. ET).

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Conor McGregor sexual assault civil trial underway: Doctor, victim testify against UFC star
A boater lost control of his vessel over the weekend and crashed into a sea wall at a Florida Keys marina, a video shared with the Miami Herald shows.

The crash happened late Saturday at the Marina Club at Blackwater Sound at mile marker 104 on the bayside of Key Largo shortly before midnight, said fishing guide Capt. Lain Goodwin, who with Capt. George Clark, Jr. are the stars of The Fish Guyz television show on the Discovery Channel.

It was The Fish Guyzs Ring doorbell camera that captured the chaos showing the small center console suddenly increase speed, race toward the dock and fly into the air after it rammed into the dock.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The crazy thing is, that sea wall is about three to four feet off the surface, Goodwin said.

A still shot from a Ring doorbell camera shows a boat airborne as it crashed into a Key Largo dock Saturday night, Nov. 2, 2024.

Daniel Roque Jr., the son of the boat owner and operator, told Local 10 that his father increased speed as winds picked up to avoid hitting other boats in the marina. But he slipped and fell onto the throttle, causing it to move even more forward, he told the television station.

No one was seriously injured in the crash. The senior Roque had one passenger on the boat who was ejected, but unharmed, Local 10 reported.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which is investigating the crash, did not immediately respond to requests for information on details of the crash.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Republicans have taken control of the U.S. Senate and are fighting to keep their majority in the U.S. House, which would produce a full sweep of GOP power in Congress alongside President-elect Donald Trump in the White House.

A unified Republican grip on Washington would set the course for Trump's agenda. Or if Democrats wrest control of the House, it would provide an almost certain backstop, with veto power over the White House.

Trump, speaking early Wednesday at his election night party in Florida, said the results delivered an unprecedented and powerful mandate for Republicans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He called the Senate rout incredible. And he praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, who dashed from his own party in Louisiana to join Trump. He's doing a terrific job, Trump said.

From the U.S. Capitol, Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, privately a harsh Trump critic, called it a hell of a good day.

Vote counting in some races could go on for days, and control of the House is too early to call.

The rally for Republicans started early on election night in West Virginia, when Jim Justice, the state's wealthy governor, flipped the seat held by retiring Sen. Joe Manchin. From there, the Republicans marched alongside Trump across the Senate map.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republicans toppled Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio, the first incumbent senator to fall, with GOP luxury car dealer and blockchain entrepreneur Bernie Moreno. They chased Democrats in the blue wall states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, where Vice President Kamala Harris strained to carry the party forward, though Democrats avoided a total wipeout as Elissa Slotkin won an open Senate seat in Michigan and Sen. Tammy Baldwin was reelected in Wisconsin.

Democratic efforts to oust firebrand Republicans Ted Cruz of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida collapsed. The unexpected battleground of Nebraska pushed Republicans over the top. Incumbent GOP Sen. Deb Fischer brushed back a surprisingly strong challenge from independent newcomer Dan Osborn.

In one of the most-watched Senate races, in Montana, Democrat Jon Tester, a popular three-term senator and dirt farmer in the fight of his political career, lost to Trump-backed Tim Sheehy, a wealthy former Navy SEAL, who made derogatory comments about Native Americans, a key Western state constituency.

All told, Senate Republicans have a chance to scoop up a few more seats, potentially delivering their most robust majority in years  a coda to outgoing GOP Leader McConnell, who made a career charting a path to power, this time by recruiting high-wealth Republicans aligned with Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He told reporters at a Capitol news conference that a Senate under Republican control would control the guardrails and prevent changes in Senate rules that would end the filibuster.

McConnell declined to answer questions about his past stark criticism of Trump or about the prospects of potential nominees in a new administration. He also said he viewed the election results as a referendum on the Biden administration.

People were just not happy with this administration and the Democratic nominee was a part of it, McConnell said.

The fight for control of the House became a state-by-state slog, much of which unfolded far from the presidential race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

House races are focused in New York and California, where Democrats are trying to claw back some of the 10 or so seats where Republicans have made surprising gains in recent years.

Other House races are scattered around the country, with some of the most contentious in Maine, the blue dot around Omaha, Nebraska, and in Alaska.

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the House "remains very much in play.

To gain control of the House, Democrats need to flip four seats from Republicans, while holding all of their own, a tall task especially in congressional districts where Trump has won.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It could come down to just a handful of seats, or as little as one, to determine House control.

Johnson voiced confidence, posting on X: Republicans are poised to have unified government in the White House, Senate, and House."

Harris ignited enthusiasm for her party when Biden dropped out of the race, and she stepped in atop the ticket, a head-spinning development barely 100 days from the election. But Democrats watched their own hopes for a sweep of Washington fizzle.

Voters said the economy and immigration were the top issues facing the country, but the future of democracy was also a leading motivator for many Americans casting ballots in the presidential election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

AP VoteCast, an expansive survey of more than 120,000 voters nationwide, found a country mired in negativity and desperate for change as Americans faced a stark choice between Trump and Harris.

This is the first presidential election since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, when Trump sent a mob of his supporters to fight like hell against the 2020 election. Many Republicans in Congress voted against President Joe Biden's victory. Congress will again be called on next year to certify the 2024 election.

Even still, the election followed one of the most chaotic congressional sessions in modern times as the Republican-led House kicked out its speaker, Kevin McCarthy, threatened government shutdowns and had difficulty conducting the basic operations of governance.

Johnson has said Republicans in the House and Senate have been working on an ambitious 100 day-agenda  cutting taxes, securing the U.S. border and taking a blowtorch to federal regulations  if they sweep the White House and Congress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump himself has promised mass deportations and retribution on his perceived enemies. Republicans want to push federal agencies out of Washington and restaff the government workforce, Johnson said, to bring the federal government to heel.

Trump is thinking big about his legacy, Johnson said.

Several states will send history-makers to the new Congress.

Voters elected two Black women to the Senate, Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, who defeated Republican Larry Hogan, the former governor, in Maryland. Just three Black women have served in the Senate, and never before have two served at the same time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And in New Jersey, Andy Kim became the first Korean American elected to the Senate. The seat opened when Bob Menendez resigned this year after his federal conviction on bribery charges.

In the House, candidate Sarah McBride, a Democratic state lawmaker from Delaware who is close to the Biden family, became the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.

What's still unclear is who will lead the new Republican Senate, as longtime leader McConnell prepares to step down from the post.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, and Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who previously held that post, are the front-runners to replace McConnell in a secret-ballot election scheduled for when senators arrive in Washington next week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Billions of dollars have been spent by the parties, and outside groups, on the narrow battleground for both the 435-member House and 100-member Senate.

If the two chambers do in fact flip party control, as is possible, it would be rare.

Records show that if Democrats take the House and Republicans take the Senate, it would be the first time that the chambers of Congress have both flipped to opposing political parties.

___

Associated Press writers Stephen Groves, Kevin Freking and Farnoush Amiri contributed to this report.
Stadler has inaugurated a new plant in Biaystok, Poland, dedicated to the production of DC power converters for rail vehicles.

This facility is set to produce over 500 units annually and is expected to create up to 250 jobs.

It will serve as a competence centre for traction power converters for the entire Stadler Group.

The Stadler Converter plant is focused on developing and manufacturing traction and auxiliary power converters, along with battery chargers for urban transport vehicles, including trams and metro systems.

Custom-made vehicles, such as rack and pinion and narrow-gauge railways, will also benefit from the plant's output.

The facility is strategically positioned to supply other Stadler production sites, contributing to the goal of having over 1,000 vehicles equipped with Stadler converters in operation by mid-2026.

Spanning 7,000m2, the plant is equipped with advanced technologies allowing for the testing of power converters under laboratory conditions that closely mimic those experienced on an actual vehicle.

The site includes production areas, a laboratory, warehouse space, offices, social rooms, and a car park.

The Biaystok facility has already welcomed close to 100 new employees and is on track to reach a workforce of up to 250.

Stadler is actively seeking candidates with diverse skills and backgrounds, particularly in construction, electrical, control, and software engineering.

There is also a demand for system engineering experts specialising in power electronics and professionals skilled in commissioning and service.

Stadler Converter operations director Wioleta Pyt said: Im very pleased that Stadler has successfully opened another plant in Poland. We are expanding the scope of our local operations to include the production of power converters, which we will supply to all production plants within the Stadler Group.

As a competence centre, we will work in Biaystok on the further development and improvement of our products. We are also planning to collaborate with local partners  suppliers of materials and services, as well as with education institutions.

We will create approx. 250 new substantive posts. The development of local competences will be particularly important to us, and we plan to work with the Biaystok University of Technology to do this.

We are proud that we can help strengthen the local labour market, developing local talent and supporting the local supply chain. We look forward to achieving these goals together with our partners in the region, added Pyt.

"Stadler opens traction power converters plant in Biaystok, Poland" was originally created and published by Railway Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
By Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans won control of the U.S. Senate with victories in Montana, Ohio and West Virginia on Wednesday, ensuring Donald Trump's party will control at least one chamber of Congress next year.

Republicans were set to hold a majority of at least 52-48 in the U.S. Senate and had added three seats to their 220-212 House of Representatives majority, though with 51 of the 435 races yet uncalled, final control of the lower chamber was yet unclear.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If Republicans ultimately prevail in the House, they would be in a position to dictate the agenda in Washington, helping Trump deliver on his promise to slash taxes and restrict immigration, for at least the next two years until the 2026 midterm elections.

The results also ensured Republicans in the Senate would be able to help Trump appoint conservative judges and other government personnel.

Republican Tim Sheehy unseated Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Tester in Montana and Republican West Virginia Governor Jim Justice won an open Senate seat in the state shortly after polls closed, taking over the seat previously held by Joe Manchin, a Democrat-turned-independent. In Ohio, Republican Bernie Moreno was projected to defeat third-term incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown.

Republicans stood a chance to widen their Senate majority further, as their candidates were leading Democratic incumbents in Pennsylvania and Nevada.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Regardless, Republicans will not secure the 60-vote majority needed to advance most legislation in the chamber.

The Senate was set to see two Black women serving simultaneously for the first time, as Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester won in Delaware, and Democrat Angela Alsobrooks won in Maryland.

HOUSE UP FOR GRABS

Republicans also won several races that could allow them to expand their 220-212 majority in the House, though the final outcome may not be known for days.

They won a Democratic-held district in Pennsylvania that includes Scranton, Democratic President Joe Biden's hometown, and picked up seats from Democrats in North Carolina, where they had redrawn district lines to their advantage, with another victory in Michigan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrats won a Republican-held seat in upstate New York and a seat in Alabama that had been redrawn to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court order to create a Black majority district.

Democrats now need to flip at least seven seats to take control of the 435-seat chamber. But their opportunities to do so were gradually diminishing, as Republican incumbents won competitive reelection races in Colorado, Iowa, New Jersey and Virginia.

In Delaware, voters made history by electing Democrat Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress.

With at least 200 seats safe for each party, the winning side will likely end up with a narrow majority that could make governing difficult. That has been evident in the past two years as Republican infighting has led to failed votes and leadership turmoil and undercut the party's efforts to cut spending and tighten immigration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tight races in the heavily Democratic states of New York and California could determine House control, and California typically takes several days to count its ballots.

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone, Howard Goller, Jonathan Oatis, Deepa Babington and Alistair Bell)
CHICAGO  On Tuesday, Democrat Eileen ONeill Burke claimed victory over Republican Bob Fioretti and Libertarian Andrew Charles Kopinksi in the race for Cook Countys next top prosecutor.

As of 9 p.m., ONeill Burke had claimed 65% of the vote while Fioretti came in with 31% and Kopinksi tallied up only 4%.

Results for key races in the 2024 Election

Tuesdays election marked the first time in eight years that voters picked someone other than Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx, who beat out incumbent Anita Alvarez in 2016 before winning in the general election. Fox was reelected in 2020 but announced that she would not seek another term in April of 2023.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Following her win, the states attorney-elect released the following statement:

I ran for this office because I had a stubborn belief that we could make Cook County safer and build a justice system that is fair and truly works for everyone. Together, thats exactly what were going to do. I am deeply honored to serve as the next Cook County States Attorney. Over the last sixteen months, as Ive met people in every corner of Cook County, one thing has become increasingly apparent to me: there is far more that unites us than divides us. Each and every one of us wants to live in a city where a mass shooting doesnt happen on a regular basis. We all want a community where people and businesses can thrive unencumbered by fear. And we all want our children to be able to play outside regardless of what zip code they live in. The best way to predict the future is to create it. Together, we are going to build something extraordinary. We can get assault weapons off our street. We can protect our communities from violence, and we can build the best prosecutors office in the country. We can measure success not based upon how many people we lock up, but on how many people we can help get turned around. The States Attorneys Office has a noble mission  to represent victims, uphold the law, and make justice accessible to everyone. This is a mission I will carry out with humility and dedication. Thank you for your trust in me, and thank you for believing in the promise of a safe, thriving Cook County. Eileen ONeill Burke

ONeill Burke, a former appellate judge, faced a challenge from Fioretti, a Democrat-turned-Republican and former Chicago alderman who had been critical of how Foxx handled the role and ran a highly visible general election effort.

When do polls close in Illinois on Election Day?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fioretti said he was running to break the cycle of crime and corruption and reestablish the rule of law.

Fioretti, who formerly worked in the Corporation Counsel Office under Mayor Harold Washington, wanted to go back to a cash bail system and eliminate the current pretrial detention program.

Fioretti said if he had been elected, he wanted to prosecute the law as written when it came to gun crime to get illegal guns off the streets and hoped to work with the U.S. Attorneys office to crack down on people who possess guns illegally.

People want safe streets, strong communities and thriving businesses, Fioretti said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Live updates: First polls close in 2024 US presidential election

Fioretti had vowed to cooperate with ICE to remove violent illegal alien criminals from our streets. He said he would have liked to investigate and possibly charge parents in cases where juveniles were participating in criminal activity as well.

Fioretti said he planned to offer any prosecutors leaving Foxxs administration the chance to return with the same title and pay they had previously if elected.

ONeill Burke argues that the criminal justice system is not working and plans to vigorously prosecute cases while seeking justice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During an interview with WGN-TV in early October, ONeill Burke spoke on how she will approach the job.

Is there mail on Election Day?

We are going to follow the law and the facts and were going to make sure that we reach out to the community to make sure that their needs and their concerns are met, but were going to be prosecuting cases, thats what our job is.

ONeill Burke said she plans to prosecute retail thefts of $300 or more as a felony, something she and Fioretti appeared to agree on.

In 2016, Foxx decided to charge most retail theft under $1,000 as misdemeanors. Fioretti said he did not support increasing the threshold and would have enforced the law as written at $300.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When it comes to pre-trial release, ONeill Burke says she plans to seek pre-trail detention in every case involving the use of an assault weapon, cases where a gun is used in a violent felony, and every time someone threatens another person with a weapon and commits a violent crime.

LIST: Election Day deals offer free food and rides

Inside the office, ONeill Burke is hoping to boost morale by creating an Education Unit, which will establish a standard for training. She will work to recruit lawyers from around the country to help with attrition as well.

ONeill Burke said she plans to create a choice protection union, which will protect access to abortion services and charge people with certain crimes if they impede on a womans right to choose a clinic nearby or elsewhere.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

John Catanzara, the president of Chicagos Fraternal Order of Police had endorsed ONeill Burke in early March, but she rejected the endorsement.

Fioretti had previously challenged ONeill Burke to a handful of debates ahead of the election, but she declined them, saying that while she respected her challenger and his commitment to public service, she was not interested in a debate.

ONeill Burke instead decided to meet with various public safety stakeholders as she appeared to gear up for the transition.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
I think having that mistake showed me that anyone could make a mistake, said Jovan Jackson. (Campaign photo)

Shortly after his release from being incarcerated in Nevada, Jovan Jackson knew he wanted to give back and help other people impacted by the criminal justice system.

His journey started months after leaving prison in 2018, when he began door knocking and phone banking for Robert Langfords unsuccessful challenge to incumbent Steve Wolfson in the Democratic primary for Clark County District Attorney.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you ask me, the most important campaign and election is the district attorneys election, Jackson said in a recent interview. The district attorney has a direct impact on how the criminal justice system operates.

Criminal reform organizers across the country have tried to elect progressive prosecutors in recent years in an attempt to change who heads the district attorneys offices. Under new leadership, they hope criminal justice systems in cities and counties can change how they go about prosecuting low level offenses and connecting people to non-punitive alternatives to jail.

Organizers didnt win during the 2018 DAs race  or an attempt in 2022 to oust Wolfson a second time  but Jackson kept advocating for reforms to the justice system.

Every election cycle he knocked doors for candidates who backed criminal justice reforms, and every legislative session he would lobby for what he believes are smarter policies that affect people impacted by the justice system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jackson, 32, is now all but assured to be a legislator himself. Hes running for Assembly District 6, currently held by Assemblywoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong, who opted not to seek re-election to run for Las Vegas City Council. He faces Republican Nephi Oliva and non-partisan candidate Walter Jones III.

The district is overwhelmingly Democratic and Summers-Armstrong was re-elected to her seat in 2022 with 81% of the vote.

With Jacksons victory, he would become the first formerly incarcerated person elected to the Nevada State Legislature.

Five formerly incarcerated people have been elected to state legislatures across the country, according to a National Criminal Justice Association tally last year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There is absolutely a need for local, state, federal representation of formerly incarcerated, Jackson said. These systems of government have constantly attacked these populations and made legislation to directly make life harder for them.

Jackson wants to end cash bail and make it easier for those released to have their records sealed. Criminal histories can often serve as a barrier to finding housing, employment and social services, which increases the likelihood of recidivism.

The Nevada Assembly Democratic Caucus didnt endorse Jackson for AD 6, one of the few races not backed this cycle. Jackson wonders if being formerly incarcerated played a role in the decision.

Leo Villalobos, the executive director for the caucus, told Nevada Current that we didnt get around to endorsing in the race, but wouldnt elaborate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When pointing out the caucus endorsed candidates who didnt even have competitive primaries, Villalobos responded that those races featured incumbents.

Yet, the caucus endorsed public defender Erica Roth for Assembly District 24, who, like Jackson, isnt an incumbent and also running in a heavily Democratic leaning district.

When I reached out to the caucus after my primary election (win) no one reached back to me, Jackson said. I dont take it personally though.

Jacksons race is also playing out as Vice President Kamala Harris is running against former President Donald Trump.

Harris, a former district attorney and California Attorney General, clinched the nomination shortly after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election and less than two months after Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts. Earlier in the year Trump was also found liable for sexual abuse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrats quickly sought to frame the race between Harris and Trump as the prosecutor versus the felon.

Both national and state Democratic groups pushed campaign materials underscoring Trump as a convicted felon.

Jackson found the contrast hurtful and undercut the work he had done since being incarcerated.

It sucks to know Im constantly being punished for something I did 10 years ago, he said.

But its not just him.

The messaging around people convicted of felons reduces a population of formerly incarcerated people to their criminal histories even when theyve served their time and have been released, Jackson said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A felon is someone who made a mistake, he said. Theyre trying to redeem himself and move past their mistakes and actually take accountability for this in their mistakes.

He said there is a clear difference between a formerly incarcerated person who sought rehabilitation, served their time and was released, and Trump.

Jackson said hes not trying to take accountability for his mistakes.

Hes not trying to serve his prison sentence or whatever, parole or probation, Jackson said. Hes not trying to own up to his mistakes. Hes trying to be a criminal.

I had to become an advocate

Jovan Jackson fills out his voter registration form. A newly implemented law automatically restores voting rights for formerly incarcerated people.

When Jackson was 23, he was arrested and charged with a felony in connection to an armed robbery of a pawn shop. Prior to that, he had been arrested for a misdemeanor DUI and felony drug possession.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jackson said the arrests were during a period of his life he was struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues.

I tried a drug, and it changed who I was, he said. I became psychotic. I became delusional. I lost sight of who I was.

He served two years for the robbery, first at High Desert State Prison and then at the Wells Conservation Camp in Elko, Nevada.

Jackson said the thing about going to prisons is its the biggest mental health treatment place in Nevada.

He got treatment, was able to rehabilitate. During his time incarcerated, he said he served fighting wildfires.

When I first got out of incarceration, I realized I was able to rehabilitate faster than most folks, because I had employment waiting for me, he said. I had a home waiting for me. I had my family waiting for me. I realized that theres a big portion of people that cant maneuver through these boundaries when they get home from incarceration. Theyre not able to get employment, or housing. I felt like I had to become an advocate for that population.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He began organizing with the Mass Liberation Project and the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada for justice reforms.

State lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 431 in 2019, which automatically restores the right to vote once a person leaves prison. The bill received bipartisan support in the Assembly but passed on party lines with only Democrats voting for it in the Senate.

When the bill went into effect in July of that year giving an estimated 77,000 people in Nevada the ability to vote, Jackson was the first formerly incarcerated person to fill out a voter registration form.

During a press conference, to celebrate the law going into effect, Jackson, flanked by Democratic lawmakers, said the bill was a step toward giving formerly incarcerated people a voice and we can vote against the people who are trying to oppress us.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jackson continued to organize and lobbied lawmakers to fix the bail system and decriminalize traffic tickets.

In 2022, Jackson unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the North Las Vegas City Council.

Though he isnt endorsed by the Assembly caucus for his race for AD6, Jackson is endorsed by the Culinary Union and the AFL-CIO, along with progressive groups like PLAN Action and Make the Road Nevada Action.

Lawmakers are expected to debate bills in 2025 that authorize sentencing boards to review lengthy sentences, known as second look laws, discharge certain medical debt for those in prison upon release, and whether to allow automated traffic enforcement.

As the state considers what justice reforms to pursue and how those laws are written, Jackson said he intends to provide representation for those impacted by the justice system, as he has done before. But this time, it would be as a lawmaker.

I think having that mistake showed me that anyone could make a mistake, he said.
Los Tigres del Norte performs at a campaign event for Vice President Kamala Harris at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on Oct. 31 in Phoenix. - Credit: Ross D. Franklin/AP

When Los Tigres Del Norte took the stage at a Harris-Walz rally in Las Vegas just before Election Day, the band channeled the frustrations of many Latino voters, providing a compelling response to Donald Trumps anti-immigrant rhetoric. The band played Somos Mas Americanos, or We Are More American, on which they insist: Im not here to wage war on you, Im a hard-working man.

Over the last several months, numerous Latino political organizations  along with the Harris-Walz campaign  have sought to harness the cultural force of Mexican music to encourage voter participation. On Oct. 31, Kamala Harris hosted concert rallies in Nevada and Arizona, featuring performances by Mexican music giants Mana and Los Tigres, aimed at energizing voters of Mexican descent in battleground states. And Los Tigres played for the campaign, opening for Christina Aguilera, in Las Vegas Monday night.

More from Rolling Stone

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These artists and public figures are trusted voices for millions of Americans, who listen to their music, follow them on social media, and are inspired by them, a Harris spokesperson tells Rolling Stone. The Harris-Walz campaign believes that by using their voices to lay out the stakes of this election, it will further encourage and mobilize Latinos to go vote.

According to data from Pew Research, 36.2 million Latinos are eligible to vote in this years election, which makes up 14.7 percent of voters in the United States. Theyre the largest-growing electorate block in the U.S. In battleground states like Nevada and Arizona, the number of eligible Latino, mostly Mexican American, voters make up more than 22 percent of the states total voting bloc.

In Arizona, Los Tigres reminded voters in Spanish to vote early for Harris in the election. It was so important for us to be present, supporting Kamala after her opponent [Donald Trump] has treated us Latinos with disdain, bajo sexto player Luis Hernandez tells Rolling Stone. Weve always made an effort to support immigrants and our paisanos who live here.

US Vice President Kamala Harris (L) meets with members of Norteno band Los Tigres del Norte before speaking during a campaign rally at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, Arizona, on October 31, 2024.

With their credibility and activism within many of these communities, Los Tigres presence on a political stage like Harris rally could be key to activating eligible voters, explains Stephanie Valencia, who leads Equis, an org dedicated to building an understanding of the Latino electorate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Artists like Tigres Del Norte open up a permission structure for people who see somebody they like and admire, and say, Oh, theyre supporting this, says Valencia. In a world with negative feelings around elections, music provides a bit of joy and optimism, and hopefully makes people more excited to vote.

With voter demographic data and the reach of Latin music  the fastest-growing genre on streaming this year  in mind, Valencia knew that musica mexicana would be an important tool to connect with the Latino electorate this year.

Mexican regional music was one of the top, if not the top mediums to reach swing voters, explains Valencia about Equis research on the subject. Not just Latino swing voters, but all swing voters, because swing voters are Latino. And Latinos are swing voters.

Thats why last month, the organization collaborated with La Original Banda El Limon to write and release a sinaloense-style corrido dedicated to Harris, describing her as la Senora Presidenta, utilizing a genre of music many Mexican Americans are used to hearing daily. On the corrido, Banda el Limons Juan Barboza tells the story of Harris rise in politics and spotlights the Vice Presidents leadership and immigrant background.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We hope that the song inspires our community to embrace our strength and to show up in a critical moment, Barboza previously told Rolling Stone of the corrido. This song reflects the values of our community and our vision for a future where our people matter.

For generations of Mexicans, corridos have been a form of telling stories and passing on information  and U.S. elections have been no exception. In 2016, the late Vicente Fernandez stepped out of retirement to release the ranchera El Corrido de Hillary Clinton, through the Latino Victory Project. And this year, accordionist Compa Camaney went viral on TikTok for composing a corrido about Trumps assassination attempt. Several other election-focused songs in Spanish, including another TikTok viral cumbia No Se Equivoque Compa have popped up on social media intending to both entertain and inform.

They hear the lyrics of a song and theyre like Oh I get that, I understand that, explains Valencia. At Equis, we say that all politics is identity politics. When you give someone an avenue to relate to a campaign or candidate, especially through culture, it opens a new way for people to connect to it.

Grita Canta Vota, another Latino-focused organization dedicated to encouraging Mexican Americans to vote via music, tapped cumbia nortena group Control for an eponymous song about the power of voting. Since it dropped in July, the track has been played on 214 Mexican-serving radio stations across the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The organization has specifically focused its attention on younger, Latino voters: Nearly 25 percent of American Gen Zers are of Hispanic descent, and every year, 1.4 million Latinos become eligible to vote, according to Pew Research. In recent months, the organization has hosted a series of live music events featuring popular Mexican music groups that resonate with Gen Z, Mexican American audiences. Stopping in battleground states including Nevada, North Carolina, and Arizona with acts such as T3r Elemento, Eslabon Armado, Banda Los Recoditos, and Lupita Infante, Grita Canta Vota aims to change the narrative that Latinos dont vote, says Bacilia Angel, who helps lead the initiative through the Includus Fund.

Mexican music will play a huge role in this election because its an audience that hasnt been completely tapped into, she explains. We are trying as hard as we can to activate the Latino sleeping giant, and Mexican music is the key to waking it up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This fall, the organization attracted over 85,000 attendees and showcased more than 40 community speakers alongside lively performances from the Mexican acts. To boost voter engagement, they also incentivized participants to check and register to vote by raffling tickets to concerts with Xavi and Besame Mucho Fest in Los Angeles, resulting in over 30,000 folks either pledging to vote or checking their voter registrations through the organizations website.

People are there to see the artist but they also learn about how they can use their voice by voting, says Angel.

All of the organizations Vota festivals have also featured an area called La Placita, or the Little Plaza, where festivalgoers are incentivized with a raffle to fill out a Loteria bingo card by visiting booths that both inform attendees about whats on their ballots and help the organization gather data about the biggest barriers to voting for people in the community. Angel says its been the kids attending the events with their parents and siblings who are encouraging their families to participate.

Were getting the word voting in the mouths of 12 and 13-year-olds, says Angel. Were trying to change the narrative about Latino voters, and that takes time. Were catering to younger people so they start voting now and continue voting for [elections] to come.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Los Tigres have supported pro-Latino initiatives like these for decades, but bassist Hernan Hernandez hopes to see more Latin music artists using their platform to advocate for their listeners in the future.

Its evident that the population of Latinos in this country is growing, and that they identify with Mexican music, says Hernan. The Latino vote is so crucial and if we, as artists with platforms can speak for our pueblo, then were going to be better represented in our government.

Best of Rolling Stone

Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Spain's eastern province of Valencia was hit hard by intense flooding last week.

The government has pledged $11 billion to help it recover, but local authorities want $34 billion.

At least 211 people were killed in the floods, according to local emergency services.

Spain said it will give about $11 billion to help restore Valencia after flash floods hammered the province last week  but local authorities there want three times that amount.

Historic, deadly flash floods  brought about by torrential rainfall  hit the area last week, killing at least 211, regional emergency services said on Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Spain's State Meteorological Agency said last week that it was the province's most severe storm since 1987.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said his government had approved $11.55 billion in loans and grants to help storm and flood victims.

However, a day earlier, the province's president, Carlos Mazon, said local authorities had asked for an initial package equivalent to about $34 billion.

"The measures will serve to rebuild, relaunch, and mitigate the effects" of the storm, Mazon told reporters.

Satellite images of Valencia province on October 25, 2022 (left), and October 30, 2024 (right). NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin

On Saturday, Valencia's Chamber of Commerce estimated that up to 4,500 businesses had suffered notable damage, with potentially 1,800 severely impacted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The floods affected many economic sectors, including agriculture, industry, and services, it said.

Automaking remains Valencia's most important industry.

Cristina del Rey, the communications director for Ford Spain, told BI last week that her company's Valencia plant had not suffered direct damage from the floods but was shut on Wednesday and Thursday.

According to a report from the Aon Spain Foundation, a private foundation that works to prevent and assist with natural disasters, the annual cost of natural disasters in Spain between 2016 and 2021, including floods, was between $940 million and $2.5 billion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Local authorities on Sunday said that the heavy rains  part of a phenomenon known as "cold drops"  had caused "unprecedented" damage to infrastructure and human life.

The provisional death toll put it among the most serious natural disasters in Western Europe in recent years. Widespread flooding in July 2021 killed more than 200 people in Belgium, Germany, and surrounding countries.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Sanchez declared Valencia a disaster area, paving the way for extra funding for local authorities.

He said about 15,000 soldiers and police officers had been dispatched to the province, as well as 287 forest brigaders, around a hundred customs officers, 44 forensic physicians, and 600 specialized vehicles for pumping, cleaning, and supplying the affected areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sanchez added that 98% of affected households now had power, and about 25 miles of roads and 46 miles of railway tracks had been repaired.

"We must continue working with more resources, more coordination, and greater effort until normality returns to all the municipalities and to all the homes affected by this tragedy," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
CENTRAL ILLINOIS, (WCIA)  Voters across the state are heading to the polls. We spoke with County Clerks in several counties this morning. Here are some of the reports as of 4:30 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY:

 Voting systems were offline, voters were not able to cast votes until the issue was resolved just before 9 a.m.

 MORE: Champaign County Polling Places Down

UPDATE: Polling places back online in Champaign County

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SANGAMON COUNTY:

 Same Day registration is slowed down, but still possible.

 They cant access information remotely, so election judges are having to call back to the County Clerks Office to pull up information there, and then relay it over the phone.

 STORY: Sangamon County Polls up and running despite server issues

EFFINGHAM COUNTY:

 County Clerk Michelle Kollmann said Effingham County has not seen any major issues with voting and that they havent experienced any outage issues in a while, despite using the same voting system services as Champaign County

 The polls are very busy right now and the number of voters at the polling stations have been steady all day.

 Voters can still vote and things are running smoothly for them overall.

 There is no current estimate for when the final results will be in for Effingham County.

IROQUOIS COUNTY:

 No outages were reported, voters were able to cast votes as normal.

 Iroquois County polling locations have seen a steady number of voters all day.

 Summary reports may begin to roll in a little after 7 p.m. and the County Clerk office is hopeful that they will have totals up around 10 p.m.

Live updates: 2024 US presidential election

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

FORD COUNTY:

 No outages were reported, voters were able to cast votes as normal.

 Ford County early voting numbers were slightly below 2020 numbers but according to the County Clerk the polls have been extremely busy today.

 Voting results will be made available once the numbers are finalized. The County Clerk estimates this will be around 9 or 10 p.m.

EDGAR COUNTY:

 The County Clerk was not available when WCIA called for comment. Well update this story when we have more information.

COLES COUNTY:

 Coles County Clerk Julie Coe says she does not know of any issues at this time with voting and things are running smoothly.

MACON COUNTY:

 No issues reported, things are going well this morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

VERMILION COUNTY:

 Vermilion County Clerks office reports no voting issues this morning affecting voting.

SHELBY COUNTY:

 Shelby County Clerks office reports no voting issues today affecting voting. All machines are working fine.

 They have no way to tell the exact voter turnout so far, but the Clerks office has been extremely busy. Theyve had well over 100 voters in the office alone.

 The Clerks office is expecting results to come in tonight. Theyre hopeful that the first precinct results will be in between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and theyre optimistic to have the totals by 11:00 p.m.

PIATT COUNTY:

 The County Clerk was not available when WCIA called for comment. Well update this story when we have more information.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  The countdown to the 2024 Election is nearly over and polling places are ready to welcome voters on November 5th.

Its our Super Bowl. Its the moment that weve been preparing for, for years, said Isaac Cramer, the Executive Director of the Charleston County Board of Elections. And those who havent voted yet, you should come on out and cast your ballot, make your voice heard.

Cramer said more than 50% of registered voters in Charleston County have already done just that during the early voting period.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So, already 151,000 people have cast their ballot. So, thats a really exciting number. So, we may see 60,000 people cast their ballot across the county which is on par of a primary election, Cramer shared.

The executive director encouraged the next wave of voters to check their sample ballot at SCVotes.gov to ensure they report to the correct polling place. For those looking to dodge the crowds, he said the 7 am opening and lunchtime tend to be the busiest.

Tomorrow, across the board in this county, were fully staffed. We have over 2,000 poll workers. Weve never had that many poll workers, so theyre going to be waiting to serve you. There are going to be teams of people, Cramer told News 2.

Berkeley Countys roughly 600 poll workers are also gearing up for the big day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are ready for tomorrows election. Weve seen phenomenal turnout in early voting, and we expect for the momentum to carry on with the voters throughout tomorrows General Election Day, said Rosie Brown, the Director of the Berkeley County Voter Registration and Elections.

Voters will have until 7pm to hop in line and make their decision in the 2024 races.

Important to note that if youre in line by 7 pm, youre eligible to vote. So, stay in line. There will be a poll worker who goes to the end of the line to be the marker, Cramer added. Do not leave that line. As long as youre there by 7pm, you can cast your ballot.

Officials said those needing to return their absentee ballot must drop it off at their county elections office by 7 pm Tuesday. They will not be accepted at polling places.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The El Paso County Commissioners Court named Debo A. Wakefield as the 2024 Veteran of the Year during its regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 4.

The honor was given to Wakefield in recognition of her extraordinary service to both the country and the El Paso community. Selected through a rigorous process led by the El Paso County Veterans Advisory Board, the Veteran of the Year award honors a former military service member whose community contributions exemplify leadership, generosity, and ongoing dedication to supporting local veterans, the County said in its news release.

Here is the rest of the Countys statement about Wakefield:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ms. Wakefields military journey began with the Womens Army Corps, where she served as a medical assistant before advancing to a surgical technician role. Over 21 years, she rose to the rank of sergeant first class, later dedicating herself as a travel nurse and heading to El Paso to continue her career. Known for her active involvement in local charities, Ms. Wakefield volunteers at food banks, collects essentials for womens shelters, and participates in scholarship fundraisers.

She is a member of the Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Club and the Silhouette Civic and Social Club. Through her work with Aloha Medical Mission, she also travels to Honduras to provide surgical support to underserved communities. As the 2024 Veteran of the Year, Ms. Wakefield will serve as El Paso Countys ambassador, representing the community and promoting the countys designation as the Veterans Capital of the USA. Throughout the year, she will engage with various organizations, supporting regional veterans initiatives and highlighting El Pasos commitment to honoring those who served.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.




Image source: Getty Images

Open enrollment is an important time of year for employees, but it's especially crucial for small business owners. That's because they have a higher level of responsibility for choosing their own health insurance.

Unlock a bonus worth $250 and pause interest into 2026  this credit card is the perfect combo! Learn more here.

Making the wrong choice during open enrollment could cost you and your business thousands of dollars. We spoke with Alex Irish, co-CEO of Catch, a tech platform that helps freelancers, gig workers, and self-employed business owners choose the best health insurance and benefit plans, about how to have a successful open enrollment for 2025.

If you're a small business owner who wants to save money on healthcare, here are a few expert tips you need to know before (or during) open enrollment.

1. Don't forget the open enrollment deadlines!

In most states, open enrollment begins Nov. 1 and ends Jan. 15, but the deadline for coverage starting on Jan. 1, 2025 is December 15, 2024. Regardless of what your current health insurance plan might be, it's essential for business owners to be aware of these deadlines.

"If you miss these deadlines, it can be very difficult to qualify for health insurance during the rest of the year," Irish said. "At Catch, we get many calls on post-deadline days from people looking for health insurance, and unfortunately there is very little that customers can do at that point. Once open enrollment ends, you'll need a Qualifying Life Event, like getting married, to be eligible to buy health insurance. "

Open enrollment is also a good occasion to find the right tools for your business finances. Our experts have rounded up the best credit cards for small business owners to help you maximize rewards, manage expenses, and stay on top of cash flow. Check out our top recommendations here to find the card that best suits your business needs.

2. Check the mail before open enrollment (or check with your insurance company)

In the lead-up to open enrollment, be sure to watch the mail for important documents from your insurance company. You might receive a letter telling you about your options to keep your current plan, choose a new plan while keeping your current insurer, or choose an entirely new insurance company.

This happened to me; my health insurance company is no longer offering the same plan that I used in 2024, but I can choose a similar (lower-premium) plan for 2025. Make sure to check your mail so you can understand your options ahead of time.
A married couple made more than a half million dollars by illegally modifying hundreds of diesel trucks through their Washington auto shop businesses  causing the vehicles to spew poisonous pollutants at levels that surpassed the legal limit, prosecutors said.

As the result of a Nov. 4 sentencing hearing in Tacoma federal court, Sean and Tracy Coiteux, the owners of Racing Performance Maintenance Northwest in Ridgefield and RPM Motors and Sales NW in Woodland, wont serve any prison time, which had been requested by prosecutors, records show.

The Coiteuxs tampered with pollution control software in at least 375 diesel trucks by having their employees perform deletes and tunes between January 2018 and January 2021, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Washington.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the couples direction, the employees got rid of pollution control systems that diesel trucks are supposed to have under federal law, and then modified the software that monitors the trucks pollution levels, prosecutors said.

The Coiteuxs deleted and tuned more diesel vehicles than any other diesel repair shop nationwide that has been charged by the United States, prosecutors wrote in court filings.

They profited off of poisoning the air, prosecutors argued.

Authorities said the Coiteuxs collected over half a million dollars in proceeds from their criminal conduct while living a lavish lifestyle in a 5,700 square foot home on a 10-acre lot, complete with an in-ground saltwater pool and hot tub.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Attorneys separately representing Sean and Tracy Coiteux didnt immediately respond to McClatchy News requests for comment Nov. 5.

The sentences

In March, Sean Coiteux pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. About two months later, a federal jury convicted Tracy Coiteux of conspiracy and 11 felony counts of violating the Clean Air Act, prosecutors said in a May 23 news release.

On Nov. 4, Sean and Tracy Coiteux were each sentenced to four years of probation under mandatory conditions and ordered to pay $10,000 fines, court records show.

As part of their sentences, they must be monitored by a GPS and remain in their homes for four months, except for certain circumstances, including work, religious or medical reasons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At Tracy Coiteuxs trial, the government brought in an expert who testified that people may modify diesel trucks for several reasons, such as to lessen maintenance costs or to increase the vehicles horsepower, according to prosecutors.

The 375 trucks the Coiteuxs tampered with were estimated to release the same amount of hazardous exhaust into the air that would be released from more than 127,500 diesel trucks complying with federal regulations, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors had argued in support of a six-month prison sentence for Sean Coiteux and that he be fined $75,000 in his sentencing memorandum, in which they wrote he increased the toxicity of the air that people who live near roads and highways have to breathe.

His decision to break the law was highly calculated, they wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to prosecutors, the Coiteuxs told their employees to avoid answering questions about illegal diesel truck modifications over the phone.

The couple also kept a memo at the front desk of their business that warned employees that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency might show up unexpectedly, according to prosecutors.

The couple told employees to not provide the EPA with information unless they legally had to, prosecutors wrote in Sean Coiteuxs sentencing memorandum.

(Sean Coiteux) told his employees that, if law enforcement ever caught on to (his business) illegal activity, he would get away with just a fine, the sentencing memorandum says. And Coiteux chose to endanger others for a simple reason: to make more money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For Tracy Coiteux, prosecutors recommended that the court sentence her to one year and one day in prison.

In her sentencing memorandum, they wrote that she continued to lie in court following her conviction in the case.

At trial, Tracy Coiteux committed perjury when she testified in her defense and attempted to portray herself as a naive bookkeeper rather than the experienced businesswoman she was. In fact, Coiteux claimed complete ignorance of the happenings of the shop she co-owned and operated for eight years with her husband, prosecutors wrote in the sentencing memorandum.

In recommending prison time for Sean Coiteux, prosecutors argued that a sentence of incarceration would be essential to deter other business owners from similarly polluting the air.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The judge who sentenced Sean and Tracy Coiteux has ordered them to serve 60 hours of community service, court records show.

On Dec. 19, a sentencing hearing will be held for the Coiteuxs businesses, which were individually charged in the case, according to court records.

Racing Performance Northwest pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act and RPM Motors and Sales pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act, prosecutors said.

Attorneys representing the companies didnt immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment.

Spa owner made nearly $1 million injecting clients with fake Botox and filler, feds say

Veteran pretending to be paralyzed got $750K in disability  but he could walk, feds say

Nursing home owner left residents in squalor instead of funding hurricane plans, feds say
David Mundt was arrested in connection with two cases of kidnapping and sexual assault in Texas and Arizona, police said

Phoenix Police Department David Roy Mundt (right) David Roy Mundt (right)

A 61-year-old man has been identified as the suspect in the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a toddler nearly 40 years ago in Arizona.

David Mundt is awaiting extradition from Texas, where he was arrested, and is facing charges of kidnapping and sexual assault for the July 1986 attack, the Phoenix Police Department said in a statement last week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Law enforcement officials responded to a Phoenix residence on the morning of July 6, 1986, to reports of a burglary and a missing child, the Phoenix PD said in the statement on Friday, Nov. 1.

The parents of the victim, who is not named by authorities, allegedly told police that they woke up to find their child was missing from their bedroom, according to the statement. The house had also been burglarized, they said.

In a video release last week, Phoenix police alleged the suspect took the child to a construction site and sexually assaulted them. The suspect reportedly fled when the toddler started crying.

The child was found around dawn by a couple delivering newspapers, per the video release. The couple notified police and the child was reunited with their family.

Gregg County Sheriff's Office David Roy Mundt David Roy Mundt

The police statement further alleges that Mundt carried out a similar attack a few years later in Texas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Oct. 28, 1992, a child in Henderson, Texas, was allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted in a manner similar to that of the 1986 attack, according to the statement.

The DNA from both cases would lead to the same suspect, but police initially did not have Mundts profile in their system to generate a match.

Earlier this year, Phoenix cold case investigators used genetic genealogy to identify and track down Mundt, according to the statement. He was arrested in August in connection with the Texas incident, before Phoenix authorities worked to obtain an arrest warrant for the 1986 Arizona attack.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

It wasn't immediately clear if he has entered pleas for the charges in Texas, or if he has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.


(PUEBLO, Colo.)  The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Colorado, a civil rights organization, won petitions for three Coloradans who were illegally imprisoned.

On Friday, Nov. 1, a Pueblo District Court determined that the City of Pueblo had violated a basic constitutional requirement and had failed to issue charging documents that would have allowed the petitioners to prepare a defense, and would have protected the three against future charges for the same offenses.

Dean Lopez, Lyrcis Martinez, and Michael Tafoya were all jailed for missing court dates in Pueblo. They were jailed under a Contempt of Court municipal ordinance that Pueblo created in 2017, which criminalized missing court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ordinance subjected people to up to 364 days in jail, even when the alleged offense that brought the person to court originally had no jail time, including offenses like loitering or standing in the median.

The citys initial defense was to claim that it could jail people for hundreds of days without providing basic constitutional protections because they were not being charged with a crime. The judge saw right through that charade. Now the city is claiming that the courts voiding of the convictions is based on a technicality, said Tim Macdonald, ACLU of Colorado Legal Director. What the city calls a technicality, we call the fundamental tenets of our liberty, the Constitution. The Court found that Pueblos actions fell far short of their Constitutional obligations.

Without the charging documents, the Municipal Court lacked jurisdiction over the cases and the convictions were void. The judge ordered all three sentences to be discharged immediately.

The Mayor of Pueblo, Heather Graham, took to Facebook where she expressed she was saddened by the decision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I am saddened that in my city, a criminal who has broken the law more than 20 times receives more empathy than every day law abiding citizens of Pueblo who are plagued day in and day out by criminal acts all over our community. These criminal acts include trespassing, theft, loitering, unwanted party and more yet the criminals receive more favor and outreach from anti-jail advocates rather than acknowledging the reckless behavior affecting every area of Pueblo. Every day, citizens call the Mayors Office and ask what is being done to address crime or if we have a plan to assist with recidivism. Then when Municipal Court, the Pueblo Police Department or another arm of the City works within its powers to address these issues, we are met with criticism. Today Judge Chostner ruled in the ACLU cases v. the City of Pueblo, that these criminals should be released on a technicality because they presumably did not receive a proper citation or notice for their contempt charges on a piece of paper. Yet, these individuals skipped court and failed to appear for years at a time, wasting City time, taxes and resources. When they finally did appear after being arrested again, they were given a verbal advisement, copies of their warrants and were represented by counsel. Then they waived their rights to trial and voluntarily plead to charges. None of that matter[s] though because they did not receive a piece of paper. Now the ACLU has come to advocate for criminals who plague this City and expects to receive support for their advocacy. Instead, Puebloans should be asking why the ACLU would be complicit with criminal behavior? Why should criminals not be held accountable and be able to continue to reoffend in our city? Does the ACLU not realize that homelessness does not equate to helplessness. Now the greater Pueblo community is left helpless with opinions and rulings like what was given [Friday]. Mayor of Pueblo Heather Graham

In most of Colorado, missing a court date results in a warrant, not a new criminal charge. In Pueblo, when a person misses a court date, non-jailable charges could turn into sentences of months or even years.

Mayor Graham claimed the individuals skipped court and failed to appear for years at a time, wasting City time, taxes, and resources.

ACLU said Lopez was unlawfully detained on a 575-day sentence in the Pueblo County Jail and served 255 days. Martinez, a transgender woman, was jailed at an all-male unit and served 190 days out of her 240-day sentence and Tafoya was sentenced to 315 days. All three individuals were in jail due to missing court dates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ACLU of Colorado will not tolerate the mistreatment of our most vulnerable residents in municipal court, ACLU wrote. We will continue to demand that municipalities uphold the civil rights of those who appear before them.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
CHICAGO  Chicago Police Department Officer Enrique Martinez was shot and killed in the line of duty Monday night on the citys South Side.

Martinez, 26, served with CPD for nearly three years, according to CPD Supt. Larry Snelling. He had been working out of the 6th District.

Martinez was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiners Office and also in a Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Facebook post Tuesday morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We lost a hero who was working to make this city safer, the post reads, in part. Officer Enrique Martinez was only 26 years old with his whole life and career ahead.

 For eternity, we honor his sacrifice! Rest easy hero. Well hold the line from here.

Man arrested for punching election judge at Orland Park polling location

Just after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Chicago police released a photo of Martinez on social media, along with a tribute:

The Chicago Police Department is mourning the loss of a courageous hero who protected our city until the very end. We stand heartbroken alongside his family and loved ones. In grief, we will #NeverForget.

Officer Enrique Martinez (Source: Chicago Police Department)

WGN has also learned that Martinez was engaged to be married and has a brother whos also a Chicago police officer.

Traffic stop

Police say at around 8 p.m. Monday, officers stopped a vehicle with three people inside in the 8000 block of South Ingleside Avenue, in the Chatham neighborhood. When officers approached the vehicle, the driver fired multiple shots, which sounded like rapid fire, according to Snelling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The shots hit an officer, later identified as Martinez, and possibly a passenger inside the vehicle, who was also killed in the incident. At least one officer returned fire.

Martinez was rushed by fellow officers to University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died.

Police said the driver who opened fire tried to drive off, hitting and injuring another officer. The driver then get out of the vehicle and ran but could not get away. The driver was taken into custody, along with the third person inside the vehicle, a passenger who was in the backseat.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

The passenger shot and killed inside the vehicle was found to be in possession of a handgun. CPD also recovered another weapon from the scene that had an extended magazine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Snelling added that the weapon was semi-automatic and also said one suspect had cut off his ankle monitor, which WGN has learned was out of Will County.

Police said Tuesday that one of the two suspects in custody has been released without charges. The suspected shooter is in custody and is expected to be charged soon.

Officials said one officer is confirmed to have fired their weapon. Investigators are still trying to determine if any other officers fired their weapons. Police confirmed the incident started as a traffic stop but would not comment on the nature or circumstances surrounding the stop.

Snelling announced Martinezs death during a press conference early Tuesday morning outside University of Chicago Medical Center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I come to you with a heavy heart, because weve lost another police officer who was out working, attempting to protect the city, and was tragically taken away from us by gunfire, he said.

 Our officers go out, and they face this type of danger every single day. And this work is unpredictable. We never know whats in store when our officers are out there trying to keep the public safe.

The full CPD press conference can be watched in the video player below:

Mayor speaks

Mayor Brandon Johnson also offered his condolences to CPD and to the fallen officers family, encouraging Chicagoans to wrap their arms around them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What we are calling for and what we anticipate and expect (is) a swift call to justice, the mayor said. To make sure that those who are responsible for this tragedy are held accountable, and individuals who continue to seek terror in our city: We will hold you accountable.

The Cook County States Attorneys Office also posted a statement on its X feed.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of CPD Officer Enrique Martinez, killed in the line of duty (Monday) night, it says. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. We (are) also wishing a swift recovery to the other officer injured in this incident.

A procession was held from the hospital to the Medical Examiners Office, as is tradition when an officer is killed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Martinez is the second CPD officer shot and killed in the line of duty this year. In April, Officer Luis Huesca was shot and killed in Gage Park while returning home from his shift.

In a city where our officers are not safe, its going to be hard for everyone else to be safe, Snelling said. That being said, our officers continue to go out there day in and day out and put their lives on the line to make sure that everyone standing here is safe.

We need to take notice of that, because we cannot continue to go down this road.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) confirmed its investigators responded to the 8000 block of S. Ingleside Ave. to investigate the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call COPAs office at 312-746-3609.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mayor Johnson issued a full statement Tuesday morning. It says:

I am deeply heartbroken that we lost a member of the Chicago Police Department yesterday. The entire city of Chicago joins me in mourning this profound loss.

Every day, the brave men and women of the Chicago Police Department risk their lives to keep our city safe, and yesterday, one of them made the greatest sacrifice.

There will be justice for the officers family. There will be justice for our city. And there will be justice for the Chicago Police Department. The whole city and I stand with the officers family and loved ones, as well as the Chicago Police Department as they endure this tragedy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I will remain in constant communication with the Chicago Police Department as the investigation unfolds, and we will provide updates as they become available.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker also issued a statement on social media, saying:

Heartbroken as Illinois wakes up to the news that CPD Officer Enrique Martinez lost his life in the line of duty last night. Thinking of his family and fellow officers as we mourn the passing of this young, dedicated officer. May his memory be a blessing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A serious injury crash has closed Plymouth Road at State Route 72.

According to the Xenia Post of Ohio State Highway Patrol, the call came in at 6:47 p.m. on a single rollover serious injury crash. The crash occurred in the 5900 block of Plymouth Road near SR-72.

The driver was taken by CareFlight to Kettering Health Main Campus Hospital, OSP says.

This story is developing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
Add Crawford and Warren County to the list of burn bans in our region.

The Crawford County commissioners have issued an outdoor burn ban for the county.

A drier-than-normal autumn has increased the risk of fire danger in many areas of Pennsylvania the commissioners action follows a request from the DCNR district fire warden.

The ban is effective for 30 days unless significant rainfall warrants canceling it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Erie County, Harborcreek Township, Borough of Platea and the Pennsylvania Game Commission have all issued their own outdoor burn bans.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
Marshall, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)  The race for Texas U.S. Senate draws national attention.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz looks to maintain his seat as Democratic Congressman Colin Allred looks to unseat him.

Well, listen, I think you can walk and chew gum at the same time. I am a principled conservative, and I dont run away from that at all, but Id also say look at my record, Sen. Cruz said.

I think the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. We have not been getting things done that we need to be getting done. We have not been delivering for Texans in a way that I think we should be, Allred said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The candidates have divided views on the abortion ban in Texas.

Its now dangerous to be pregnant in Texas, Allred said.

When the polls close check ktalnews.com for live up-to-the minute election results dashboard

The Texas law makes clear that any procedure that is necessary to save the life of a mother can be done and should be done, Cruz said.

Along with the border.

Theres one policy in particular that makes all the difference, which is, what happens when an illegal immigrant is apprehended? If the answer is, you put them on a plane, and you fly them back home, the numbers plummet, Cruz said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Physical barriers are an important part of it, and I have voted to fund them, that is something we have to have. But when we talk about border security, its about resources, personnel, and technology, Allred said.

The Texas Politics Project shows both candidates amassing millions in campaign contributions. Allred with a record $ 10 million for a Democratic candidate compared to Cruzs bank of $ 12 million.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
TotalEnergies has signed an agreement with Sinopec to supply two million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG over a 15-year period, commencing in 2028.

The deal reinforces TotalEnergies' long-term presence in China's burgeoning LNG market, which is currently the largest in the world.

TotalEnergies Gas, Renewables & Power president Stephane Michel said: We are delighted to have been chosen by Sinopec to supply two million tonnes of LNG to China, the largest LNG importing country in the world.

This new agreement demonstrates the competitiveness of TotalEnergies LNG business and allows us to continue growing our long-term sales in Asia.

The partnership, which aligns with TotalEnergies' strategy to expand its LNG operations, was solidified through a heads of agreement (HOA) and is part of a broader strategic cooperation with Sinopec.

This collaboration was initiated earlier in the year during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France.

LNG is increasingly viewed as a critical element in the transition to cleaner energy in China as it provides a solution to the variability of renewable energy sources and offers a cleaner alternative to coal for electricity generation, thereby aiding in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Sinopec Corporation senior vice-president Niu Shuanwen said: Sinopec and TotalEnergies are strategic partners. This HOA further strengthens the cooperation between the two companies in natural gas.

Sinopec is committed to building the world's leading clean energy and chemical company and will continue to promote energy transition and the clean, diversified and secure supply of energy.

This new commitment also builds on TotalEnergies' existing relationship with the Chinese energy sector.

In September, the company extended its LNG supply deal with China National Offshore Oil Corporation for an additional five years.

Under the revised terms, TotalEnergies will continue to deliver 1.25mtpa of LNG to China until 2034.

"TotalEnergies signs agreement with Sinopec to supply LNG for 15 years" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL)  Flooding from Hurricane Helene essentially wiped out CSX rails line through the Nolichucky River Gorge, and the company quickly contacted the Army Corps of Engineers about reconstruction efforts in a rugged space it shares with whitewater rafters.

A month later, some of those whitewater enthusiasts fear the company is putting the rivers recreational and environmental future at risk by removing large amounts of river rock from the channel and widened river banks.

Theyre essentially mining the riparian area, experienced kayaker Jacob Hauser told News Channel 11 as he stood on Unaka Springs Road with heavy equipment digging away in the river behind him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Where that track hoe is sitting used to be a picnic area and a beautiful stand of hemlock forest, Hauser continued. After Helene, the flood, the forest went away, the topsoil went away and we were left with a big field of ancient riverstone. They see it as an opportunity to save money on all of the many tons of rock they need to obviously repair the railroad.

Kayaker Jacob Hauser is concerned about the CSX railroad repair work, including that shown behind him at the Chestoa area of the Nolichucky River in Erwin, Tenn. Nov. 4, 2024. (Photo: WJHL)

Hauser, fellow whitewater enthusiasts and American Whitewater, a non-profit, have become increasingly concerned as theyve carefully run the river and also seen the work visible at Chestoa, at the gorges lower end. Theyve recently begun requesting detailed information from federal and state agencies about what type of permits CSX has to conduct its work.

Several documents provided to News Channel 11 show the oversight involves an alphabet soup of groups, and that so far theres no clear answer to whether an actual written permit for the work has been issued.

An Oct. 31 email from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforcement officer to Dennis Ashford, another local kayaker, pointed to the Nashville District of the Army Corps of Engineers as responsible for issuing permits for work within waters of the United States. The email said the Corps had stated CSX was verbally authorized to start the work and after the fact permitting is ongoing using their emergency permitting procedures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The email continued, saying CSX is going back in and pulling material out of the river to rebuild roads, railbeds, etc.

Ive never seen anything like this

Kevin Colburn, national stewardship director for American Whitewater, said he was profoundly concerned about what appears to be happening.

I have a lot of experience in river restoration and work in rivers, and Ive never seen anything like this happen in our country where theres this much work being done in a riverbed without a permit, he said.

(News Channel 11 learned late Monday that at least one permit for some of the work being done actually has been granted, by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Colburn said the intent is not to get into an adversarial relationship with the $64 billion company, which just last week allowed a whitewater representative and a biologist to accompany them through the gorge.

Im sure the rail companys working hard, the agencies are working hard, he said. I think theyll do a good job as far as removing their infrastructure from the river and cleaning that up, so thatll be done and done well.

Those agencies also include the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and TDEC. In a statement, the Corps said it has jurisdiction over emergency repair and recovery actions along CSXs 7-mile stretch of its Blue Ridge Sub line between Erwin and Poplar, N.C., which it said was destroyed by the Tropical Storm Helene event.

The Corps began working with CSX Sept. 30 and is working with it and the various agencies to ensure the emergency repairs to the rail line are conducted in an environmentally sensitive manner, its statement said.

Kayakers photo of rail repair work that appears to show the use of rock extracted from the Nolichucky River to repair the CSX railroad that was destroyed by Hurricane Helene. (American Whitewater)

But with rails, bridges and substructure all obliterated, CSX doesnt just have debris removal ahead of it. Colburn and Hauser said theyve seen evidence the railroad is pulling more than just the remains of ties and rails and trestles from the river.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theyre removing rock, Colburn said. Its going to change the way the river functions, the way it kind of evolves over time following the flood.

Colburn has seen major river changes around the country as the result of major storm events, but said changes to the Nolichucky and other area rivers from Helene exceed anything else hes seen.

Its a total reset, he said. Its virtually unheard of. I mean, all of the rivers in about 120-mile swath are just profoundly changed. Every rapid is different.

Colburn said he believes the Nolichuckys recreational quality could be as good or better than it was before  even potentially opening to year-round rafting  but added that what he knows of the rail work leaves him profoundly concerned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I would assume its cheaper and faster is why they would they would take locally sourced rock from the river, Colburn said. But yeah, they can bring rock from elsewhere. They can build retaining walls.

For its part, CSX said in a statement its committed to ensuring the 40 miles of rail and two bridges in this region returns to full operational capacity following historic flood damage caused by Hurricane Helene with minimal environmental impact.

The company said the project is in its early phases and that CSX plans to work within the regulatory framework to complete the repairs safely and in an environmentally responsible manner.

The company referred specific questions on permitting, particularly related to resource extraction or protection guidelines, to the Army Corps of Engineers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are working with state agencies and public officials to ensure all relevant parties are informed and included, where appropriate, in oversight processes, CSX said. The company has developed a dedicated webpage, Blue Ridge Subdivision Recovery, to its rebuilding effort in the mountains to keep stakeholders updated, reflecting our unwavering dedication to both safety and community resilience.

Whos watching the work?

While the Army Corps said it had jurisdiction and EPA noted after the fact permitting was pending, they werent the only agencies answering paddler Ashfords email inquiries.

A map showing the Tennessee section of the Nolichucky Gorge. (Photo: WJHL)

A program coordinator at TDECs Division of Water Resources, Franklin Colyer, emailed Ashford on Oct. 31, the same day as the EPAs Joel Strange. Colyer noted that CSX had notified TDEC it required coverage under the General Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit for Emergency Infrastructure Repair to replace multiple culverts, bridge replacement, and to restore upland areas that was scoured by Hurricane Helene flooding.

That permit, which TDEC spokeswoman Kim Schofinski said in an email was granted to CSX Oct. 10, authorizes stream and wetland alteration when imminent threats to public infrastructure may pose immediate danger to public health, safety or the environment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If its feasible, repairs should restore the resource to pre-emergency conditions, and the amount of fill, stream channel and bank modifications, or other impacts associated with the activity shall be limited to the minimum necessary to accomplish the project purpose, Colyers email to Ashford said.

The permittee shall utilize the least impactful practicable method of construction, Colyers email added, citing regulations. He added that CSX notified TDEC on Oct. 25 that it was still collecting field data and working with their design-build team to resolve any permitting requirements.

Schofinski said the permit authorizes replacement of one bridge and repair of culverts along a 1.2-mile stretch of rail line inside Tennessee. She acknowledged that TDEC is conducting an ongoing investigation to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental regulations.

CSX is expected to work within the general permits requirements, she added.

We need to do it in a responsible manner that doesnt damage our river

As trucks continued to haul material out of the Chestoa area behind him, Jacob Hauser said whitewater advocates werent going to look the other way. He said some of what CSX is doing, like pulling rail out of the river and drilling it into bedrock to create more robust retaining walls, is a great idea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But he said when he saw the contractor digging into gravel bars and hammering on riverstone, hauling it out and using it as fill, I reached out to American Whitewater, I reached out to (the Forest Service) to inquire, like, hey, this is going on, do they have rights and a permit to do this?

Work for CSX rebuild at the former Chestoa Recreation Area along the Nolichucky River just south of Erwin, Tenn. (Photo: WJHL)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A lot of stakeholders are now heavily involved because we do need to build the railroad back as swiftly as reasonably possible, Hauser said. But we need to do it in a responsible manner that doesnt damage our river.

Hauser said hes hoping stakeholders have a chance to team up with CSX and their subcontractors to talk about what compromises can be made, what is reasonable, what is responsible for the river and for this community.

He said in addition to concerns about riparian zones and recovering ecology, any decrease in recreational usability could cost local economies millions of dollars.

Hauser and Colburn said a recent meeting yielded what they interpreted as a verbal commitment to slow the extraction of rock.

I havent seen a change in behavior, which is concerning at this point, Hauser said, adding that he believes any change needs to be made swiftly.

This excavator behind me can fill up a tandem dump truck in a matter of two or three scoops, he said.

Theyve already removed two acres of stone, and thats just here, he added. This is going on up in State Line Shoals. This is going on on the river left side, which is actually Yancey County up in Poplar. It needs to slow down until everyone assesses and agrees upon whats the right course of action.

Hauser said he didnt want to be alarmist, and wanted to be patient and kind towards everyone.

But we will be monitoring the situation to make sure that the sensitive, very pristine sections up in the gorge are not harmed like we see here.

American Whitewaters Colburn said he believes the railroad can come back strong without jeopardizing the river.

I just hope people start talking about this and the project can slow down, he said. One of the concerns Ive heard is, if we dont do this right, it could impact this river for hundreds of years, literally.

It might slow the project down two weeks to give the public this river for the next 200 years. Many generations of people could enjoy the river as it is now if we just slow down a little bit, get the agencies involved, really understand how to protect recreation, how to protect the environment, get the public involved, and then move forward.

Colburn said hes not convinced thats the current trajectory.

Theres conversations happening, but nothing has changed with the work in the river as far as I can tell. Its still proceeding unabated.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  History was made at the Connecticut Army National Guard change of responsibility ceremony, which welcomed Chief Warrant Officer 4 Stephanie Richard at the Gov. William A. ONeill Armory in Hartford.

On Nov. 3, Chief Richard made history as Chief Warrant Officer 5 Brian Erkson celebrated the conclusion of his career.

Veteran Voices: Share a photo of Connecticut veterans

Today, we honor Chief Warrant Officer 5 Brian Erkson as he passes the mantle of responsibility to Chief Warrant Officer 4 Stephanie Richard, a capable and dedicated leader in her own right. This moment is not only a reflection of continuity in leadership but also an opportunity to celebrate the immense contributions of one leader and anticipate the tremendous impact of another, Maj. Gen. Francis J. Evon Jr, adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard said in a written statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Chief Richards new role will be critical as a subject matter expert and advisor pertaining to professional development, recruitment, promotions, and policies affecting the warrant officers.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Even with nearly a third of Connecticuts registered voters already having cast their ballots before Tuesday, towns and cities across the state saw a steady stream of voters on Election Day, pointing to the high stakes in the presidential election.

At Glastonburys Hebron Avenue School polling place, moderator Elizabeth Modugno said there was a line of about 30 voters queued up at 6 a.m., followed by heavy turnout through 8 a.m. At 9:30 a.m., traffic was still steady.

Voters Tuesday said they headed to the polls with a broad range of issues on their minds: from the economy and foreign policy in the Middle East to womens reproductive rights and others simply taking up their civic duty to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Virtually all the attention was focused on the race for the president, with an often stark divide between supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump.

Sentiment was tipped heavily toward uncertainty  and, in some cases, downright pessimism  about the aftermath of the election.

The State Elections Enforcement Commission was receiving an unusually high volume of calls Tuesday, but the calls were attributed to voter enthusiasm rather than voting irregularities. Most were from people asking where they could vote and whether it is too late to register. It was not.

I think it will be interesting to see the enthusiasm, SEEC spokesman Josh Foley said. We are receiving a lot of calls, but what that means with regard to the result, we dont know at this point. In terms of the system, the system is working pretty well.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said there had been reports of minor machine breakdowns that have been easily remedied. Most such calls pertained to older voting machines, which will be discontinued after this year.

Nine towns were debuting new machines that will be in use across the state in the future, he said. Those towns are Glastonbury, Hamden, New Britain, New Haven, Rocky Hill, Southington, South Windsor, Vernon and Wethersfield.

East of the river

In Glastonbury, Mike Bernhart, who voted for Harris, said he hoped the election would result in stability for the country and healing of political divisions.

Honestly, Im hoping that it doesnt create a massive negative change, which is my perception of one of the two directions it could go, Bernhardt said. Not that I necessarily want everything to stay the same, but continuing down the way the country has been run for 200 and however many years, the way it was always intended in the Constitution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Joe Demeo said he cast his vote for Trump, observing that the last four years under President Joe Biden have been an absolute disaster and we need Trump and Vance back in.

We already saw him as president once, and things went swimmingly, Demeo said. There would be thousands of Israelis that would be alive today and Ukrainians and Russians, if the election had gone differently. I firmly believe that.

Tim Holzman, a Democrat, said there was just one thing on his mind when he headed to the polls and that was how the war in the Middle East is affecting Gaza.

His feeling was so strong that he couldnt support Harris with his vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are some, call them, crimes against humanity taking place over there, and we are participating knowingly, Holzman said. Harris has indicated to me that she isnt going to do anything about it.

I agree with the Democrats on most of the social-type issues, Holzman said. I just cant be involved in that.

Going west of the river

Across the Connecticut River in Farmington, at the towns new high school, voters on both sides of the political spectrum expressed pessimism about the election and whether its outcome would improve the country.

Pamela Morrison-Wolf said she felt hopeless in a way.

Most important to her for this election: representation of the citizens, not special groups. Too often unique populations have said Were in charge, we have the most to gain, were going to do it, were going to make a difference but its rarely for everybody.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ralph Daily, who came to vote with his wife and children, said legal immigration was the most important issue to him.

Theyre not enforcing the laws that are already on the books. We have lots of laws in America but theyre not being enforced, he said. My wife is an immigrant but she went through the legal process, she had to jump through hoops to get here. Youve got to pay a lot of money as opposed to saying OK, you got here one way or another, youre suddenly legal. What about the people who are trying to do it legally? It doesnt seem fair.

John Baily said immigration, taxes and the economy are the most important issues to him but in the election, hes been Real disappointed. Lots of name calling. Not much in the way of what were going to do.

Across southern Connecticut

To the south, in Orange, Notre Dame of West Haven student Grayson James, 17, who was at the polls with fellow students Evan Fletcher, 18, and Nicco Nardecchia, also 18, said he has seen that the election has created division in the nation, and he sees Trump as a leader who can improve the economy and one who will be able to end illegal immigration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I know this is a huge election, James said.

But James also said he supports JD Vance even more.

Hes well-spoken; he holds himself to high standards, James said.

Also in Orange, Albert Post, 66, said he supports supports the Harris team, as he wants to see action on climate change and the environment, the protection of regulations and reproductive freedom.

The democratic principles, Post said. The government is there to help people.

MJ Shannon, who is a candidate for state representative in the 117th District, which includes parts of Orange, Milford and West Haven, said he ran in part because he wants to see more young people taking action and being engaged. He also wants to make sure LGBTQ rights are protected and that issues surrounding climate change are addressed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Coastal resiliency, flooding and habitats, he said, noting his concern for addressing affordability issues in housing and health care.

Orange Poll Moderator Mitchell Goldblatt said things ran well, and he thought the popularity of the early voting helped Tuesday, as so many people had already voted.

To the west, in Bethany, Susan Bradford was with two other women by the polling place stumping for Trump.

Hes genuine, straightforward and he does what he says hes going to do, she said.

Donna Schlann said Trump, in his first term, literally made this country great again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps not a politician, he wasnt groomed, hes not into Hollywood or in the media. Hes not part of the good old boys club. I dont care about the club either, she said.

Schlann said Trump wants to maintain American values. Hes not the scary person people make him out to be, she said.

Another woman holding a Trump flag who said she didnt want her name used because she has a local business, had a long list of problems affecting the country that she believes Trump can fix, include the  mess in the Middle East, the economy and immigration. She said Trump would bring Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who she said will make America healthy again and Elon Musk for efficiency.

She also said she doesnt like that Harris wants to change the Supreme Court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrats outside the polls were just as passionate about a Harris presidency and the need to keep Trump out office.

If he wins it will be terrifying to imagine, what the country will look like, said Fran Doba.

She said especially the people hes bringing in, like Musk, RFK Jr.

Democrat Bob Harrison said the future of the country is at stake. Project 2025 would be a nightmare, Harrison said. He said, were a country of immigrants and that makes us stronger.

Harris represents everything thats good about this country and will continue with what has made this country great, Harrison said.

In Connecticuts capital

In Hartford, at the polling place in South End Wellness Senior Center, Marissa Vazquez said womens rights and equality for all people were in her mind as she marked her ballot.

Im a woman first so Im voting for my rights, but also for equality for all people, Vasquez said. I cant stand behind a candidate who supports and says vile things about all different groups of people and is not for people like me.

While abortion and a womans right to choose is part of her thinking, Vazquez said, health care is not just about abortion, there are a bunch of things that go into womens health care. Whether you are a woman by birth or anything else, you deserve access to health care and no one should take those rights away.

Vazquez, who voted for Harris, said Election Day has left her feeling uncertain, but if Harris wins, her mood will turn positive.

Vilmeliz Moran-Rosado took the opposite view, supporting Trump because he aligns with her values on issues such as abortion.

Im a Christian, and I dont believe in a lot of stuff that they are allowing, Moran-Rosado said. They need my vote. The Bible says, its definitely about abortion, a lot of other stuff. The United States gave God its back. We cannot give God our back.

Another voter, Alberto Bodden, said he marked his ballot for neither Harris nor Trump.

Bodden said he is not happy with how the war in the Middle East and its effects on Gaza have been handled by the Biden administration. That includes the tens of billions that have been spent while our homeless people here are starving. That is unacceptable to me.

Bodden said he considers Trump a despicable man. Bodden blames Trump for the surge in deaths during the height of the pandemic and disagrees strongly with his immigration policies.

As an alternative, Bodden said he voted for Green Party candidate Jill Stein.

The change I hope for is that the Green Party will get at least 5% of the votes so they have access to funding in future elections, and not the same two-party system all over again.

Reporters Pamela McLoughlin and Edmund H. Mahony, and editors Helen I. Bennett and Kaitlin McCallum contributed to this story.

Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.
The News

Kamel Daoud became the first author of Algerian origin to win the Prix Goncourt, Frances top literary prize.

Daoud was awarded the accolade for a novel based on Algerias bloody civil war between Islamist militias and the countrys army in the 1990s.

The coveted prize usually catapults writers to fame in France and leads to hundreds of thousands of book sales  though itself is banned in Algeria, according to AFP.

This prize has a lot of meaning, Daoud told Le Monde: Its a strong signal for budding Algerian writers, those writers who are terrorized by certain political currents, who are destroyed in the cradle and who are afraid to write.
It was not so long ago that millennials were the youngest generation getting elected to public office and infiltrating the halls of power. Now, Gen Z is fast on their heels. Across the country this year, young twentysomethings have campaigned for state and federal office, in some cases against candidates more than twice their age.

But in an election cycle flooded with historical amounts of money, it hasnt been an easy time to break in.

Cheyenne Hunt, a 26-year-old law school graduate, ran for Congress in Californias 45th District but lost in the Democratic primary. She said that undoubtably the biggest challenge she faced in her race was fundraising. For so many young people, we just looked at the status quo and realized we couldnt afford to wait our turn, Hunt told me over the phone recently. Too much was at stake, too many issues that were existential. She ran on a platform of reproductive rights, addressing climate change, and creating more economic opportunities for young people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hunt, like so many of the other Gen Z candidates this year, is best described as extremely driven: Before running for office, she worked at the United Nations in the office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and was a law clerk in Sen. Amy Klobuchars office, where she said she got to work on Trumps first impeachment trial. Her primary race was against six other Democratic candidates in a district that encompasses parts of Los Angeles and Orange County, challenging the 69-year-old Republican incumbent Michelle Steel.

Hunt said she struggled from the onset, with people questioning her qualifications at every turn and suggesting she was too young to understand her constituents needs. But the thing that deeply disturbed me about this system, theres a reason why almost everyone in Congress looks the same, comes from the same background, is from the same socioeconomic status, Hunt said. Its because those people are in a situation to fundraise easily and from a personal network.

Averie Bishop, a 28-year-old law school graduate running as a Democrat for the Texas House in a district that encompasses part of Dallas, echoed that sentiment. At first, Bishop said, she thought her age would be the biggest hindrance to her candidacy, but she found that people were open to hearing her out and could sense her passion. Whats been a profoundly bigger challenge has been the cost of running a political campaign. I have been running for office for the past year, and learning what I know now, I am so disenchanted by the bureaucracy of politics, Bishop said. In Texas, there are no campaign contribution limits for state House races. So despite her rising profileBishop was winner of the 2022 Miss Texas pageant and has a gigantic following on TikTokshe is still working full time as a technology consultant. Her campaign salary couldnt cover the costs of running for office.

Bishop remains undeterred. It was mostly my dad that influenced me to run for office, she told me over a Zoom call. When I was 17 or 18 years old, he decided to run for mayor of McKinney, Texas, despite not having any money, maybe $200 in his checking account, and no college education. Her dad was a school bus driver and ran on securing better benefits for public school teachers, bus drivers, and students. He lost the race, but his courage inspired Bishop to run on a unapologetically progressive platformrestoring reproductive rights, reforming student debt, and securing better funding for public schoolsand to take on the incumbent, Angie Button, a 70-year-old Republican who has held her district since 2009.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Young candidates like Bishop dont have vast campaign networks to tap into; they are also not the types of candidates who attract deep-pocketed super PACs. This has always been the case, but the barrier to entry has gotten substantially higher with each election cycle since 2010, when the Supreme Court opened the floodgates for unlimited political spending in Citizens United. In 2024, candidates running in federal House and Senate races (as well as their various backers) have collectively spent $10 billion, according to OpenSecrets; by the end of all this, 2024 will probably top 2020, which cost $14 billion, as the most expensive election cycle in U.S. history.

The reality is, when youre young, in your 20s and running for office, you cant depend on your friends to give you money, because theyre just out of college, Ashwin Ramaswami, a 25-year-old candidate from Georgia, told me.

A graduate of Stanford University and Georgetown Law, Ramaswami used to work in cybersecurity for the federal government and is now running in one of the only competitive state Senate races in Georgia, in a district that Trump carried by 3 percentage points and Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock narrowly won in 2020. When he started his campaign, Ramaswami said he was told he would need to raise up to $1 million to be competitive. He told me in October that he had raised over $700,000, but it took blood, sweat, and tears to get there.

You have to build connections and connect with people who are already at the apex of their careers, he said, calling the race to get boatloads of cash an exercise in bridge-building. Despite bringing in an impressive amount for a first-time candidate in a statewide race, Ramaswami said that the super PACs supporting his opponent are dumping $250,000 a month into the race. Thats a level of spend he just cant compete with.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ramaswamis opponent is Republican state Sen. Shawn Still, who was indicted with Donald Trump in the Georgia election interference case. Ramaswami has handed out flyers with Stills mug shot, calling the state senator wrong for Georgia. Still has attacked his 25-year-old opponent for his age, dinging him for living with his parents. Theres a huge contrast here between someone like me, who represents the future and can really bring our community forward, versus criminals and corrupt people, Ramaswami said.

Currently, theres only one Gen Z candidate in Congress, the Florida Democrat Maxwell Frost. Nearly all of the Gen Z candidates who were running for federal office this year either lost their primary or dropped out, but many who are running for state office have managed to stay in their races. (Future Caucus, a nonprofit that works to get young people to run for office, found that younger candidates were disproportionately eliminated from their races in 2024.)

The inability of Gen Z candidates to break in is reflective of a new trend where people are generally not retiring as early as they once did, said Patrick Fisher, a political science professor at Seton Hall University. Its kind of like the baby boomers are hogging political positions, he said.

I dont think its a lack of experience that is the barrier for young candidates. I really believe its more in the line of fundraising and name recognition, Rachel Janfaza, an expert on youth voter culture and founder of the newsletter the Up and Up, told me. But having fewer young people on the ballot makes it harder to activate and engage young voters, she said. In listening sessions across the country, Janfaza has repeatedly heard young people say they dont feel like they identify with a specific political party, and thats driven by the fact that they dont see people in politics who look like and sound like and talk like them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That will eventually changeeven if the cost of campaigns and the amount of outside spending continues to tick upward. (All three Gen Zers Slate interviewed said they wanted to prioritize campaign finance reform to rein in dark money spending.) Generational change is, after all, inevitable.

When these young candidates do eventually start breaking through, they will face a whole other set of financial challenges because of what it costs to actually be a legislator. Bishop said that even if she wins, she may not be able to afford rent in Austin, let alone afford the rent I have to have here in the district to maintain my eligibility to be a state representative, she said. These are all infrastructure challenges and barriers that keep young people out of office.
NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI)  Two Newport officers were involved in a highway crash last week while transporting a new special response van back from Florida.

The officers were driving the van back to Newport from its manufacturer in St. Augustine on Tuesday when it was side-swiped by a tractor-trailer in North Carolina.

We are extremely grateful that our officers were unharmed, Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Duffy said a North Carolina officer driving behind the trailer captured the incident on dashcam.

We were very lucky that there was an officer right there, Duffy said. It goes to show that you can be doing everything right, as these officers were doing  and sometimes these bad things just happen.

RELATED: Newport police van damaged from crash in North Carolina

Duffy said it was the armored van, which is bulletproof and weighs 9,000 pounds, that saved the officers lives.

We use this van to deliver officers to high-risk situations and to rescue citizens who are caught within a high-risk situation, Duffy explained. We are able to get them out without exposure to gunfire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The nearly $143,000 van wouldve been a huge asset for the city, and although it was heavily damaged in the crash, it might not be a total loss.

Its just delayed for right now, he said. The vehicle is in North Carolina where the accident happened.

Both officers involved in the crash have since returned to Rhode Island. Duffy said the department plans to submit a request for another van once the insurance claim has cleared.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Breaking News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Davidson College facilities employee was arrested over the weekend on peeping charges, school officials and law enforcement confirmed with Queen City News.

According to Mooresville Police, 49-year-old Jeremy Michael Whitworth, of Mooresville, was charged with one count of felony secretly peeping on Nov. 2. Davidson College President Doug Hicks said in a letter to the campus that Whitworth allegedly used a camera to secretly view one or more locations in Mooresville, and investigators believe additional locations could include the institutions campus.

Credit: Iredell County Sheriff

Man charged for burglaries in Rowan County and South Carolina

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Whitworth was taken to Iredell County Jail and placed under a $10,000 secure bond with a Nov. 4 initial court date. He is out on bond, according to county jail records.

Hicks said the images were taken using a cellphone or similar portable camera in public areas and in bathrooms. He said there is much to learn, and the investigation by the Mooresville PD Criminal Investigations Division is ongoing.

Hicks outlined what the college is doing in the wake of the charges:

The employee has been placed on leave and is prohibited from entering campus, including shutting down the individuals key access, pending the outcome of the investigation.

No potential hidden cameras were found after beginning a search over the weekend; they have requested the assistance of licensed electronics experts to help search, and that team is scheduled to arrive this morning.

Campus Police, general counsel and Davidsons outside law firm are all working with Mooresville Police to gain access to the photos and determine the impact on our campus.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I am deeply sorry and angry that a member of the Davidson community has allegedly committed such actions. If any acts have taken place on our campus, it is a violation of our privacy, safety and trust, Hicks said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Nov. 5 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1605, Guy Fawkes and fellow conspirators attempted to blow up the English Parliament and failed. They were captured, tried and beheaded.

In 1854, combined British-French forces scored a decisive victory over the Russians in the Crimea.

In 1872, suffragist Susan B. Anthony, in defiance of the law, voted for the first time. She is later fined $100.

File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI

On November 5, 2017, a gunman opened fire at a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, killing 26 people, including an unborn child. File Photo by Larry W. Smith/EPA-EFE

In 1912, Democrat Woodrow Wilson was elected 28th president of the United States, defeating incumbent William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 1916, an armed confrontation in Everett, Wash., between members of the Industrial Workers of the World union and local police resulted in what's become known as the Everett Massacre.

Mario Queiroz, vice president of product management for Google, holds up the Nexus One smartphone running on the Google Android platform January 5, 2010. On November 5, 2007, Google unveiled the Android mobile operating system. File Photo by Robert Galbraith/UPI

In 1930, the first commercial television broadcast was aired.

In 1940, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was re-elected to an unprecedented third term. He won a fourth term in 1944.

An Occupy LA protester wears a Guy Fawkes mask during a demonstration on November 17, 2011. On November 5, 1605, Guy Fawkes and fellow conspirators attempted to blow up the English Parliament and failed. Britain celebrates Guy Fawkes day -- November 5 -- each year with bonfires and fireworks. But the traditional Fawkes mask has been co-opted by anti-government, anti-establishment groups across the globe. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 1968, Republican Richard Nixon was elected 37th president of the United States, defeating Democrat Hubert Humphrey.

In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first African-American woman elected to Congress, representing New York's 12th Congressional District as a Democrat. She served seven terms in office.

On November 5, 1912, Democrat Woodrow Wilson was elected 28th president of the United States, defeating incumbent William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt. File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI

In 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini denounced the U.S. Embassy in Tehran as a "center of spying and plotting." Hours earlier Iranian students seized the compound taking 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage sparking a crisis that would last 444 days and bring down the presidency of Jimmy Carter.

File Photo by Mohammad Kheirkhah/UPI

On November 5, 1940, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was re-elected to an unprecedented third term. He won a fourth term in 1944. File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI

In 1990, an Egyptian-born gunman, apparently acting alone, assassinated Meir Kahane, the U.S. native who founded the militant Jewish Defense League.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 1991, the body of British media mogul Robert Maxwell was found in the Atlantic Ocean off the Canary Islands.

On November 5, 1968, Republican Richard Nixon was elected 37th president of the United States, defeating Democrat Hubert Humphrey. File Photo by Darryl Heikes/UPI

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 1996, U.S. President Bill Clinton was re-elected, defeating Republican challenger Bob Dole.

In 2006, former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death for his role in the 1982 Dujail Massacre which resulted in the deaths of more than 140 Shitte Muslims.

In 2007, Google unveiled the beta version of the Android mobile operating system. The first commercial version of the software was released in September 2008.

In 2009, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, 39, killed 13 people, including 10 military personnel, and injured 31 others in a shooting frenzy at the Fort Hood Army post in Texas. He was found guilty and sentenced to death in 2013.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2017, a gunman opened fire at a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, killing 26 people, including an unborn child. A civilian shot the gunman, who escaped and later died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In 2018, Voyager 2 left the heliosphere and entered interstellar space, becoming the second man-made object to do so.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  Over the past year, three daycare centers in Morgantown alone have closed their doors, leaving 226 students without a provider. However, a newcomer to West Virginias childcare scene is optimistic about its future.

Morgantown Child Care, off of Green Bag Road, has officially opened its doors amid what some have called a statewide childcare crisis and is looking to train kids using the Reggio Emilia approach.

This center will be owner and director Jessica Barnharts fourth daycare, as she operates three others in Pennsylvania.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Barnhart said shes noticed a significant difference in West Virginia and Pennsylvania regulations and said that West Virginia requires a lot more qualifications for classroom staff. Barnhart currently has five employees.

Previous coverage

Other West Virginia childcare stories

Morgantown Child Cares facility is equipped to handle 52 students in total with age ranges between six weeks to school-age children.

The biggest issue childcare providers face is the lack of funding from the state, but Barnhart spoke with 12 News on how shes planning to tackle the situation.

Theres a lot of lack of funding unless you appropriately go for it in my opinion, and thats one thing that Im not afraid to do. I am all for taking as many classes and courses that I need to or going to meetings or filling out reports or observations to show that we need the funding and hopefully its there. But it is hard, its not easy so I do think that theres a lack of funding because getting it is so incredibly challenging, said Barnhart

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Morgantown Child Care is currently hiring and accepting applications for new students. You can reach out to Barnhart through the daycares website and Facebook page.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The United States Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia announced Monday that a gang member pleaded guilty to distributing a large amount of marijuana in D.C.

According to the attorneys office, on Nov. 4, 29-year-old Dartanyan Ricardo Hawkins, of D.C., pleaded guilty in connection to a drug trafficking conspiracy. He pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of marijuana.

Officials said Hawkins was a member of two street crews; Push Dat Sh*t (PDS) and Jugg Gang, also known as JG.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Toddler shot in Prince Georges County: Man charged for leaving gun unsecured

As part of his plea, Hawkins admitted to possessing a gun and using the social media platform, Instagram, to sell marijuana.

The attorneys office said court documents revealed that the PDS street gang maintained territory from the 3300 to 3500 blocks of Wheeler Road, Southeast, and operated an open-air drug market outside a market at 3509 Wheeler Road.

In August 2018, PDS allied with the street gang, JG. Officials said the combined gang conspired to use, carry, and possess guns, including matching guns, to protect themselves, drugs and money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hawkins plea is part of an ongoing joint investigation which has resulted in 23 convictions. Authorities also seized two vehicles, 35 guns, four machine guns, over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, about 60 lbs of marijuana, 41 grams of cocaine base, dozens of oxycodone pills and about $500,000 in cash.

The attorneys office said Hawkins is facing a mandatory sentence of five years in prison.

His sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2025.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
By Daniel Leussink

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor is expected to post its first profit drop in two years when it reports second-quarter earnings on Wednesday, signalling cooling demand after a run of robust earnings helped by a consumer shift away from electric vehicles.

The world's largest automaker is nonetheless expected to deliver almost $8 billion in quarterly operating profit, benefiting as drivers in several major markets opt instead for petrol-battery hybrids, which typically command higher profit margins than standard petrol cars.

Still, recent sales and production figures have indicated a modest slowdown for Toyota. It faced a delivery suspension of two models in the United States and, like global rivals, is dealing with fierce competition in China, the world's biggest auto market and one where demand for EVs has not cooled.

The Japanese automaker is expected to report a 14% year-on-year operating profit decline in July-September, to 1.2 trillion yen ($7.9 billion), according to the average of nine analyst estimates in an LSEG poll.

That would mark its first profit decrease since the same quarter in 2022. It has already said quarterly global sales shrank 4% from a year earlier and that output declined 7%.

Toyota's strategy to expand its hybrid line-up in the U.S. might make it less exposed to any reduction in EV subsidies or similar potential policy changes in Washington depending on the outcome of this week's U.S. presidential election.

Hybrids accounted for 41% of Toyota's global sales in July-September, or 1.1 million vehicles, including the luxury Lexus brand, compared to 33% in the same period last year, according to company data.

Among legacy automakers, Toyota is widely considered one of the slowest to embrace EVs. Battery-only electric vehicles made up just 1.5% of its global sales in the first nine months of the year.

Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda argued last month that an EV-only future would lead to job losses across the auto industry.

Toyota kept its full-year profit estimate unchanged when it reported earnings for the April-June quarter, forecasting a 20% decline compared to the previous financial year on expected investment in both its strategy and suppliers.

Shares of Toyota are up 3% so far this year. In U.S. dollar terms, they are up 2%, compared to a 2% drop in EV rival Tesla over the same period.

($1 = 152.1200 yen)

(Reporting by Daniel Leussink; Editing by David Dolan and Christopher Cushing)
The death toll has risen to seven in the West Bank after an Israeli military operation, according to Palestinian reports.

The Health Ministry in Ramallah said two men were killed in a drone attack south of Jenin, two other Palestinians were killed near Tubas and three in the town of Qabatiya.

The Israeli military said a drone attacked "a cell of armed terrorists" south of Jenin and that two gunmen and later a third were killed.

There were also shoot-outs with gunmen near the Israeli settlements of Alfe Menashe and Shomron, the Israeli military said.

An Israeli military bulldozer and military vehicles operate during an Israeli raid at Al-Farea refugee camp. Mohammed Nasser/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
At least six people have died due to Russian shelling in the south-eastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhya, officials said on Tuesday.

The number of injured has reportedly risen to 16, the military governor of the region, Ivan Fedorov, said on his Telegram channel.

The General Prosecutor's Office in Kiev said 20 people had been injured.

Fedorov also wrote, "A fire has broken out at the site of impact: These are the preliminary consequences of the enemy attack on Zaporizhzhya."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The attack occurred on Tuesday morning. According to Ukrainian reports, an infrastructure object in the city was among the targets hit.

Zaporizhzhya is situated only about 30 kilometres from the front line. The city is frequently shelled by Russian troops, resulting in many civilian casualties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin annexed the entire Zaporizhzhya region in the autumn of 2022 and has claimed it for Russia, although his troops do not control all of it.
Although voter fraud is rare in Wisconsin, misconceptions about the states electoral process are widespread  everything from allegations of dead people "voting" to noncitizens casting ballots.

Among nearly 3.7 million registered voters in Wisconsin, election officials reported just under three dozen cases of suspected voter fraud, including 44 instances, between the 2022 partisan primary and general elections and the 2023 spring primary election.

More recently, the Wisconsin Elections Commission found 13 cases, with 30 instances, of suspected fraud between July 1, 2023 and Sept. 12, 2024, according to an October report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Still, the Republican National Committee sent a letter to the WEC in September alleging ballots were sent to more than 1,000 ineligible voters in Wisconsin, according to Democracy Docket. The WEC refuted the Committees claims.

We examined five common claims about voter fraud in Wisconsin. Heres what we found, plus what you can do if you suspect voter fraud at your polling place:

Myth: Widespread nursing home voter fraud skewed Wisconsin election outcomes

Nursing home voter fraud in Wisconsin was scrutinized in 2020 among Republicans, who claimed that voter fraud among older adults living in nursing homes skewed the outcome of the previous presidential election, despite an independent audit and report from a conservative group showing President Joe Biden winning over former President Donald Trump.

According to Wisconsin law, people living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities can request a special voting deputy to visit their facility and assist residents with voting via absentee ballot. You can find more information about the process here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2020, election officials temporarily changed the absentee procedures. Instead of sending special voting deputies to facilities in-person, the commission said it was safer to send absentee ballots via mail to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said those changes resulted in voter fraud, and called for charges against state election officials. The Racine County district attorney declined to pursue charges.

Myth: Double voting is widespread across Wisconsin elections

In late September, 2,000 voters were accidentally sent duplicate ballots out of Madison, though a city spokesperson told the Associated Press multiple safeguards were in place to ensure that only one ballot would be counted.

Riley Vetterkind, WEC public information officer, told the Journal Sentinel that systems exist statewide to prevent instances of double voting, including required proof of residency when someone registers to vote.

This system of registration prevents voters from attempting to vote in multiple places within the state, Vetterkind said, adding that absentee ballot requests are also noted in poll books to prevent voters from also voting in-person.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There have been six cases, totaling 18 suspected instances of double voting, reported to the WEC in its latest suspected fraud report.

Municipal clerks reported 23 cases, totaling 30 instances, of individuals voting twice across the elections included in the WECs September 2023 report.

Myth: Felon voter fraud is common in Wisconsin elections

Though people voting with a felony record historically has been the most common type of voter fraud in Wisconsin, municipal clerks only reported three cases, totaling eight suspected instances, in the WECs most recent suspected election fraud report.

Municipal clerks also reported two instances of this type of suspected fraud to the WEC between June 2022 and June 2023.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A recent WEC voter felon audit, published on Sept. 7, 2023, indicated that officials referred 27 cases of felons voting to district attorneys for the 2022 partisan primary, 2022 general election, 2023 spring election primary and 2023 spring election.

In May, a 66-year-old Columbus man was charged with election fraud in Fond du Lac County for voting with a felony conviction in the November 2022 general election.

Myth: Thousands of undocumented immigrants are voting in Wisconsins elections

Posts on various social media platforms have claimed that thousands of undocumented immigrants are voting in this years election, some of which specifically cite Wisconsin.

However, the WEC has only been made aware of four alleged cases of election fraud involving citizenship since 2015.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And a nationwide study of the 2016 election found that, across 12 states and 23.5 million votes, only 30 incidents of suspected noncitizen voting were referred for further investigation.

Only U.S. citizens who show valid proof of residency can vote in Wisconsin elections.

More: No, thousands of undocumented immigrants are not voting in Wisconsin elections

Myth: Deceased people vote in Wisconsin elections

In the aftermath of his 2020 election loss, Trump made several claims that deceased people had voted in the election, with someone else casting a ballot on behalf of a deceased person.

While its true absentee ballots are sometimes sent to the homes of deceased people, especially if they died after requesting the ballot, there are systems to prevent voter fraud in these situations, according to USA TODAY. Election officials nationwide have verification procedures for absentee ballots, namely ensuring the signature on the ballot matches the voter signature on file.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Wisconsin, specifically, local clerks routinely deactivate the voter registration of deceased people using state Department of Health records, funeral home reports and obituaries, Vetterkind said. If a person is deceased according to state health records, no one can request an absentee ballot in their name, nor can they vote at the polls in their name.

Questions around dead people voting have also surfaced because Wisconsins voter registration database will occasionally show a voter with the birth date of 1/1/1900 and a registration date of 1/1/1918. No, thats not because 124-year-olds are voting.

The discrepancy exists because, in 2006, Wisconsin transferred all its voter registration records into a statewide database, according to the WEC. However, some municipalities had not recorded voters date of birth or registration date before this switch, so these default years were entered for those voters.

Myth: Citizens from other states vote in Wisconsin elections

To register to vote, residents must show proof they have lived at their Wisconsin current address for at least 28 days before the election, Vetterkind said. When registering, voters have to provide a photo ID that matches the name on their proof of residency document, and they have to provide a photo ID again when they go to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This means residents of other states cannot vote in Wisconsin because they would have had to prove they have lived in the state for at least a month. College students form a slight exception here: both students who are from another state but attending school in Wisconsin and students from Wisconsin but currently studying in another state can vote in Wisconsin.

What to do if you suspect possible election fraud

If you have any information about possible election fraud, you can file a report with local law enforcement or file a sworn complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission. State law prohibits the WEC from starting an investigation without a sworn complaint.

You can find more information about filing a complaint here.

Cleo Krejci and Quinn Clark contributed to this report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: Voter fraud remains 'exceedingly rare' in Wisconsin. Here's how many cases are reported every year

More: What election observers can and can't do at Wisconsin voting sites

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Election Day 2024: Debunking Wisconsin voter fraud myths
Shaking hands and kissing babies: former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, who is running for Congress in Tennessee District 7. talks to a future voter on Tuesday. (Photo: John Partipilo)

In addition to the 2024 presidential contest, all 99 Tennessee House members are on the ballot and half of the states 33 senators. Plus, voters are weighing three high-profile federal races  incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn faces off against Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson in one.

Two Tennessee congressional districts feature competitive races. In District 5, embattled incumbent Republican Rep. Andy Ogles faces Nashville activist Maryam Abolfazli. And in District 7, Rep. Mark Green goes head to head with former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry.

Key Events

1 month ago

What to watch in Tennessee tonight

1 month ago

Tennessee candidates make last minute bid to win voters

1 month ago

Tennessees GoVoteTN app now operating with full functionality

1 month ago

House District 45 candidates seek last-minute votes

1 month ago

Tennessee voter app experiences high user volumes, glitches

2 months ago

U.S. Senators Blackburn, Hagerty join Republicans to rally supporters in Memphis

2 months ago

FBI establishes Tennessee command post to respond to election threats

2 months ago

Tennessees GOP leaders stump for former President Donald Trump

2 months ago

Too much like reality TV. Voters ready to get to the next chapter.

2 months ago

Early voting drops 3% in Tennessee as Davidson, Shelby counties see declines

1 month ago

What to watch in Tennessee tonight

This has been updated

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tennessees 11 electoral votes are likely not in play for the presidential election, but several key races merit attention.

State legislative races to watch

The seven state House seats

Seven state House races are competitive, with Republicans defending four seats and Democrats two.

A sweep by either party wouldnt change control or supermajority status, but if Democrats have any chance of clawing themselves out of irrelevance this decade, theyll need to start flipping some seats. For Republicans, winning a Nashville state House seat would mark a significant victory, as the party dominates rural and suburban areas but has struggled in the capital city in recent elections.

The races

Nashville:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrat Shaundelle Brooke vs. Republican Chad Bobo (open seat, Democratic incumbent)

Smyrna-LaVergne:

Republican Rep. Mike Sparks (incumbent) vs. Democrat Luis Mata

Clarksville:

Republican Rep. Jeff Burkhart (incumbent) vs. Democrat Allie Phillips

Democratic Rep. Ronnie Glynn (incumbent) vs. Republican Jamie Peltz

Knoxville:

Republican Rep. Elaine Davis (incumbent) vs. Democrat Bryan Goldberg

Signal Mountain:

Republican Michele Reneau vs. Democrat Kathey Lennon (open seat)

Memphis

Republican John Gillepsie vs Democrat Jesse Huseth

Where could a surprise come from?

Watch the race between Democratic Sen. Heidi Campbell and Republican Wyatt Rampey in Nashvilles suburbs as an indicator of Republican strength. Campbell defeated a Republican incumbent in 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For Democratic performance, monitor Republican Rep. Johnny Garretts race against Democrat Alison Beale in Goodlettsville and the U.S. House contest between Republican Rep. Mark Green and Democrat Megan Barry. Close margins in these races could signal a good night for Democrats, who dont necessarily need to win these races to feel better about the partys chance moving forward.

Will Haywood County go Republican?

Davidson, Shelby and Haywood counties were Tennessees only Democratic strongholds in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

While Nashville (Davidson County) and Memphis (Shelby County) traditionally vote Democratic, Haywood County represents the last remnant of West Tennessees former Democratic base.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gov. Bill Lee narrowly won Haywood County in 2022, though Biden and Clinton each carried it by about 700 votes.

Last updated: 7:14 pm

1 month ago

Tennessee candidates make last minute bid to win voters

Maryam Abolfazli, Democratic candidate for U.S. House District 5, waves to voters at Nashville's J.T. Moore Middle School. Abolfazli faces incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Democratic candidate Jesse Huseth, who is running to unseat Rep.John Gillespie in Memphis' state House District 97, hugs a supporter. (Tennessee Lookout/ Karen Pulfer Focht)

Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, a Democrat who is running against U.S. Rep. Mark Green in Congressional District 7, gets in some late campaigning at Charlotte Park Elementary School in Nashville. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Up for her second term,.U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn made a stop in Memphis on Tuesday before heading back to Middle Tennessee for her watch party.(Tennessee Lookout/ Karen Pulfer Focht)

Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty with Rep. John Gillespie on election day, November 5, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Tennessee Lookout/Karen Pulfer Focht)

1 month ago

Tennessees GoVoteTN app now operating with full functionality

Tennessees GoVoteTN app, which experienced temporary problems as large volumes of users tried to access it Tuesday morning, is fully functioning again, according to a spokesperson for Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett.

The downloadable app is a tool voters can access to look up polling locations and view sample ballots and other information.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

High usage created temporary lag times, Hargett announced earlier Tuesday.

The GoVoteTN App is operating with full functionality. Voters can also continue visiting https://tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup/ to access trusted Election Day information.

Voters may also access a website with the same information here.

Last updated: 3:09 pm

1 month ago

House District 45 candidates seek last-minute votes

State Rep. Johnny Garrett, a Goodlettsville Republican, does some last minute campaigning on Tuesday. (Photo: Sam Stockard)

In the race for House District 45 in Sumner County, Republican Rep. Johnny Garrett and Democratic challenger Alison Beale campaigned at lunchtime outside the Long Hollow Church polling place where the wait was about two hours to cast a ballot.

Some voters were leaving the site and hoping to come back later when lines might be shorter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Beale said she felt Sumner County didnt have enough early voting locations, which made it more difficult for people to vote during the two-week period. Two early voting sites were available in Hendersonville and Gallatin, and two other temporary sites were used for a limited time.

Beale, a former teacher, said she continued pushing a message that Tennessee Democrats are the party of the people.

Im running to try to restore some humanity to politics. We need leaders who are willing to lead with compassion and genuine care for others. My message has always been that its not radical to care about people, Beale said.

Properly funding public schools, ensuring children are fed, making sure people can earn a living wage and providing women access to healthcare so their lives arent at risk are critical to the states future, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Garrett, a Goodlettsville attorney, said his message for the day was to bring out the vote amid windy conditions but good weather. He said people werent deterred despite the two-hour wait to vote at Long Hollow Church, just off Long Hollow Pike near Beech High School.

Im hearing turnout is up across the state, so Im hoping those people will vote for Trump, Garrett said of the Republican presidential candidate. I hope they vote for me, too, but thats not across the state.

He expected Tennessee to be a safe state for Trump and hoped Republicans would pick up down-ballot victories as well. Garrett predicted Tennessee House Republicans would maintain a 75-member supermajority in the 99-member body and possibly pick up a couple of seats as six posts are expected to be tightly contested.

Alison Beale, Democratic candidate for State House 45, at Long Hollow Church in Sumner County. (Photo: Sam Stockard)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last updated: 3:16 pm

1 month ago

Tennessee voter app experiences high user volumes, glitches

Tennessees GoVoteTN app, a tool to look up polling locations and view sample ballots and other information is experiencing high user volumes, creating lag times and error messages.

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett said voters may use a website instead to look up information: https://tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup

We are currently experiencing a high volume of traffic with our GoVoteTN App, resulting in longer wait times for users. We appreciate your patience as we work to resolve this issue, Hargett posted on X.

Last updated: 4:39 pm

2 months ago

U.S. Senators Blackburn, Hagerty join Republicans to rally supporters in Memphis

Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn stumps with Rep. John Gillespie, thought to be in a tight relation race, on election day, November 5, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Tennessee Lookout/Karen Pulfer Focht)

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty arrived outside a polling place at Second Baptist Church in East Memphis Tuesday morning, greeting incumbent Tennessee House Rep. John Gillespie and a small crowd of supporters adorned with Gillespie signs and Marsha stickers.

Blackburn emerged from their vehicle wearing a bright yellow blazer and carrying two boxes of donuts. She handed them out while posing for pictures with supporters and their children.

For a brief 30 minutes, Blackburn, Hagerty, Gillespie, state Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, and state Rep. Ron Gant, R-Piperton, gathered to rally Tennessee Republicans to vote.

We are all in, Blackburn said to a video camera. Remember, today, start at the top, vote for Trump, vote for me for U.S. Senate, come on down that ballot. Youve got (U.S. Rep. David) Kustoff, youve got Gillespie, youve got (state Rep. Ron) Gant. Lets win this thing.

Remember, Kamala broke it, she said, with supporters joining in for the rest of the slogan: Trump will fix it.

Hagerty said he flew in from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania early Tuesday morning following Trumps final rally in the battleground state. He said hes seen a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm and early voting turnout was extremely favorable, but it comes down to Tuesdays results.

I dont just want to see President Trump win the electoral college, Hagerty said. I think he will, but I want to see him win the popular vote, too, and thats where every Tennesseans vote will matter.

Blackburn said her campaign has been all over the state from Chattanooga to upper East Tennessee, the Tri Cities and Knoxville. Memphis was one of her stops working her way back to Middle Tennessee.

She rebuffed criticism that she has not been interacting with Tennessee constituents, citing her weekly newsletter, Facebook podcast and telephone town halls as efforts to stay in touch with people.

I have been out every single day, Blackburn said.

She refused to participate in public debates, she said, because her opponent, state Rep. Gloria Johnson, is a dishonest Democrat.

I know that I spend plenty of time talking with people and listening to people, and that is the route we chose, she said.

Blackburn said the race for her U.S. Senate seat in 2018 was aggressive, but this year, people have seen what I will do, what I have done as their U.S. Senator, listing her positions on inflation, the southern border and what she calls the Axis of Evil (Russia, China, Iran and North Korea).

Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty with Rep. John Gillespie, a Memphis Republican, on election day, November 5, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Tennessee Lookout/Karen Pulfer Focht)

Last updated: 4:04 pm

2 months ago

FBI establishes Tennessee command post to respond to election threats

The FBI in Tennessee has established a 24-hour Election Command Post to coordinate response to election-related threats.

The FBI takes all threats of violence seriously, including threats targeting those who do the critical work of administering free and fair elections throughout the U.S., a statement from the agency said.

Similar command posts have been established across the country. The Tennessee command post will assess reported threats, including election fraud, voter suppression, foreign malign influence, malicious cyber activity against election infrastructure, and threats to election workers.

The FBI in Tennessee encourages citizens to report allegations of election fraud and other election abuses directly at 615-232-7500.







Last updated: 12:32 pm

2 months ago

Tennessees GOP leaders stump for former President Donald Trump

With Election Day underway, Tennessees elected officials turn to X (formerly known as Twitter) to campaign for former President Donald Trump.

Gov. Bill Lee:

Its Election Day in Tennessee!  Proud to cast my vote for @realDonaldTrump & @JDVance to restore conservative leadership in the White House & deliver opportunity, security, & freedom for the American people. pic.twitter.com/ccktDK9ISN  Bill Lee (@BillLeeTN) November 5, 2024

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn:

Tennessee is Trump Country. pic.twitter.com/qL2yNxWDtd  Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) November 5, 2024

U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty:

Today is the day. Today, we can choose to end record-high inflation, a wide-open border, crime in our streets, and conflict abroad. If you havent already, make sure you bring your family, friends, and neighbors to vote for @realDonaldTrump and Make America Great Again! pic.twitter.com/DIq2beB9wg  Bill Hagerty (@BillHagertyTN) November 5, 2024

U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, Congressional District 2:

Today is the day we take our Country back!  Tim Burchett (@timburchett) November 5, 2024

Last updated: 11:56 am

2 months ago

Too much like reality TV. Voters ready to get to the next chapter.

At the Nashville Public Librarys Bellevue Branch, where long lines marked early voting, about 65 people had voted by 7:30 a.m., said Tom Bayersdorfer, a poll supervisor.

The library serves as the voting site for two west Nashville precincts, and Bayersdorfer said they were prepared for any volume of voters that came their way: 18 people are working election day at the small precinct with fewer than ten voting booths.

Walking out of the library after casting their votes, Daryl Rocco and Robert Stefanovich had different perspectives on the 2024 presidential election after casting their votes.

Darryl Rocco, left, and Robert Stefanovich cast their vote at the Nashville Public Library Bellevue Branch on Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo: Anita Wadhwani)

Im hopeful for Kamala and maybe some change could happen, Rocco said.

The real problems the country is facing are not going to be fixed no matter who wins, Stefanovich said. I would be happy if we could turn to the next chapter.

Both had criticisms for the role of media coverage in this years election.

Its too much like reality TV, Rocco said of the coverage. People are looking at this as if its reality TV and its not.

Rocco eschews nearly all media, turning to the Associated Press for reliable information, she said.

Last updated: 10:02 am

2 months ago

Early voting drops 3% in Tennessee as Davidson, Shelby counties see declines

More than 2.2 million Tennesseans cast ballots during early voting over the past two weeks as turnout nearly reached 46%, nearly 3% fewer than the 2020 presidential election total.

Photojournalists John Partipilo and Karen Pulfer Focht photographed early voting sites in Nashville and Memphis, even as both counties saw declines in early voting.

Anna Louderback cast her ballot during early voting at Nashville's Casa Azafran. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Voters lined up to cast their ballots on the last day of early voting at the Hermitage Branch of Nashville Library. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Luseni Kromach, holding his son Alhaji Bangle, votes at Casa Azafran in Nashville on October 17. (Photo: John Partipilo)

A line of voters looped through the Hermitage Library in Nashville during the final day of early voting. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Voters take advantage of early voting at Gaisman Park in Memphis, Tennessee.(Karen Pulfer Focht)

A woman casts her early vote at Memphiss Gaisman Park early voting site. (Karen Pulfer Focht)

Last updated: 9:27 am
Getty Images photo of voters in line.

Here is the Ohio Capital Journals Election Day live coverage round-up for the 2024 Election in Ohio. Polls close at 7:30 p.m.

Check back here for updates throughout the day, and unofficial results once the polls close.

[2024 Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.]

Ohio voters have some big decisions ahead of them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition to voting for president, Ohio voters will be asked to decide on Issue 1, a proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting that would replace politicians on the Ohio Redistricting Commission with a citizen commission.

Ohio Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is also facing a reelection challenge from Republican businessman Bernie Moreno, and three Ohio Supreme Court races will decide control over Ohios judicial branch of government. If Democrats sweep, the current 4-3 Republican court would become a 4-3 Democratic court. If Republicans sweep, the court would become 6-1 Republican.

Check out all of the Ohio Capital Journals Decision 2024 election coverage here.

For a look at national coverage from local on-the-ground reporters in all 50 states, check out States Newsroom here.

Key Events

4 weeks ago

No afternoon lines after busy in morning in Columbus Driving Park

4 weeks ago

Busy morning, but smooth sailing since lunchtime in Columbus German Village

4 weeks ago

Election protection teams present at polls, no major issues reported

4 weeks ago

After early rush, steady voting at central Columbus precinct

4 weeks ago

Long lines at some Ohio polling locations this morning

4 weeks ago

Important information on voting, voter ID, absentee ballots, and the nonpartisan voter hotline

4 weeks ago

No afternoon lines after busy in morning in Columbus Driving Park

In Driving Park, John Stewart was impatient with how much of the elections rhetoric has hinged on the cost of everyday consumer goods.

John Stewart, left, and Alex McDonald outside the Driving Park Rec Center. (Photo by Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal.)

This election is not about the price of eggs, gas, oil or anything. This election is about protecting the democracy, he said. So anybody whos not for that, they have to go. They have to be voted out, otherwise were going to lose our democracy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With a bemused grin, Alex McDonald, who came out to vote with Stewart, said he agreed with him.

Maybe not as vehemently, he noted, but yes, voting is always important  to exercise your right  and we did that.

Inside, the polling location manager explained they saw big lines first thing in the morning but it subsided sometime around 11:00 am. By 2:00 pm, she added, theyd already surpassed the full day total of ballots cast in 2022, although she was quick to caveat that was a midterm instead of presidential election.

4 weeks ago

Busy morning, but smooth sailing since lunchtime in Columbus German Village

At the Schiller Park Rec Center in Columbus German Village, Luke Mohnasky was in and out in no time. Election officials at the polling location described long lines first thing in the morning but effectively no wait since about 11:30 am. Between absentee requests, early vote, and Election Day ballots the three precincts that vote here are closing in on 2/3 turnout.

Luke Mohnasky outside the Schiller Park Rec Center. (Photo by Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal.)

Mohnasky voted in favor of Issue 1 and supported Vice President Kamala Harris for president but expressed some lingering misgivings about the candidate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im happy that I can vote for Harris-Walz, he explained, I feel like thats resistance toward bigotry and homophobia and its for womens rights. But said he also felt kind of ashamed because hes not as comfortable with Harris position on guns and foreign policy.

And so like, there was not a way to get everything I wish, he said.

Putting a button on the election season offers mixed feelings, too. On the one hand, My social media has been rough, Mohnasky said, but on the other hes had several really interesting conversations with friends and co-workers.

I feel like for whatever reason people my age have been willing to talk about it more, he described.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theyve been pleasant conversations, he added, but I think I am ready. Its tiring.

Last updated: 3:22 pm

4 weeks ago

Election protection teams present at polls, no major issues reported

The Ohio Voter Rights Coalition has been working since polls opened this morning to make sure voters have what they need and Election Day runs smoothly.

In a Tuesday press briefing, members of the coalition said the election protection hotline has already received thousands of calls since early voting began, and as of this morning, about 170 calls today.

Most of those calls were about things like polling locations and identification needed to vote, but some involved isolated technology issues at the polls, according to Collin Marozzi, deputy policy director at the ACLU of Ohio.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those calls were handled and complaints directed to the Ohio Secretary of States Office and local boards of election, who resolved the issues quickly. Contingency plans  such as backup paper ballots and secure holding receptacles for ballots in the event scanners malfunction  have been established for months.

Thankfully, the process is really working as designed, Marozzi said.

High-population counties are seeing longer lines, as is typical in those counties for a presidential general election, and the day has seen high turnout across the state, according to Marozzi.

As the polling places take in all the voters throughout the day, volunteers with the coalition are present at the polls and at a command center to take calls and questions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were casting a wide net, were in all of the counties, we are getting all of the information in and trying to resolve it all as quickly as possible, said Kayla Griffin, Ohio director for All Voting is Local.

The coalition is urging voters to take advantage of the rights in place to protect voting, including curbside voting for those with disabilities or mobility issues.

Curbside voting is available, and merely requires those wanting to vote to get the attention of a poll worker and request a curbside ballot. Jen Miller, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, recommended voters bring someone who can go inside and request the ballot.

Whats most important is that if someone has a disability or mobility challenge, they see a line, we dont want them to leave, and we also dont want them to stand in that line if thats going to cause them greater challenges, Miller said. They have the right to vote curbside and they just need to request that assistance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anyone who comes to the polls close to closing time or right when polls close at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night has the right to vote, and should stay in line until they can cast their ballot.

As long as they are in line when polls close, they will get to vote, Miller said.

Miller, Griffin and Marozzi expressed confidence in Ohios electoral system to bring about proper certification of the states votes later this month.

So far, the election protection hotline has not received any complaints about uncounted votes or questions about the integrity of the process, and there have been no reports of voter intimidation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are proud of the bipartisan operations that we have here in Ohio, Miller said. We trust that our election will run smoothly and that well be able to trust those results. Our boards of elections are hard-working community servants.

4 weeks ago

After early rush, steady voting at central Columbus precinct

Ohio voters on Election Day 2024. (Photo by Marty Schladen/Ohio Capital Journal)

Shortly before noon on Election Day, voters were trickling steadily in and out of the Milo-Grogan Community Center in Columbus, home to Precinct 01013A.

A poll worker there said that there was an early rush with sizable lines when the precinct opened at 6:30 a.m. He added that he expected a repeat as people start getting off of work in the afternoon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Formerly an industrial community just to the northeast of downtown Columbus, Milo-Grogan is now a neighborhood in transition. There remain many working-class homes, but theyre being augmented by infill development and upscale apartments.

Last updated: 12:08 pm

4 weeks ago

Long lines at some Ohio polling locations this morning

Long lines have been reported at a number of Ohio polling locations to start Tuesdays Election Day. At about 8 a.m., poll workers at Gender Road Christian Church in Canal Winchester said the line was the longest theyd ever seen at that location.

Workers said they expected to see crowds during the lunch rush as well.

As voters waited their turn, poll workers announced the check in of a first-time voter several times, eliciting applause from the room.

At another precinct on the city of Columbus near-east side, at the Model Neighborhood Facility on Broad Street, workers reported their longest lines in the early pre-work hours, and then a steady stream of voters after that.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Last updated: 12:00 pm

4 weeks ago

Important information on voting, voter ID, absentee ballots, and the nonpartisan voter hotline

A voter shows identification to an election judge. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

On Election Day, you must cast your ballot in your precinct at your designated polling place between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

If you are in line by 7:30 p.m., even if the polls close, stay in line, you can still cast your ballot.

If you do not know where your designated precinct or polling place is located, please contact your county board of elections or click here to search for your polling place online.

Voter ID

All voters will need to bring an acceptable photo identification to the poll in order to verify their identity. Click here for a list of acceptable forms of identification.

Absentee ballots

Absentee ballots returned by mail must be post-marked by Nov. 4.

If not returned by mail, absentee ballots may be personally delivered to your county board of elections. They must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5

Nonpartisan voter helpline

If you have any questions or concerns about voting, or poll worker challenges to your voting status and registration, a nonpartisan helpline has been created.

Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) to speak with a trained Election Protection volunteer in English.

The hotline also comes in different languages

Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)

Asian languages: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)

Arabic: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)

Marking your ballot

Instructions for marking and casting your ballot are posted in each polling place. If you have any questions about how to mark or cast your ballot, or if you have incorrectly marked a ballot, immediately contact a precinct election official for instructions before you continue.

Voting assistance

A voter with a physical or mental disability, or a voter who is unable to read or write, may be assisted by anyone of the voters choice, except a candidate who appears on the ballot in that precinct, the voters employer or the employers agent, or an officer or agent of the voters union. A voter may also be assisted by two poll workers (each of a different political party). No one who assists a voter may disclose any information about how that person voted. For more information about access for voters with disabilities, please click here.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Last updated: 6:38 am
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN)  The owner of a longtime musical instrument store has died.

Gerald Jerry Hauer, 91, of Centerville, died Oct. 30, according to the obituary. Jerry was the owner and president of Hauer Music in Washington Township, which his father, Michael Hauer, founded in 1937 at a different location.

In the obituary, the president is described as being an involved volunteer all across the Dayton area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While managing the business, Jerry was an ardent community leader with an insatiable spirit of volunteerism, said the obituary.

Some of the initiatives Hauer was involved in includes saving:

Dayton State Hospital (now 10 Wilmington Place)

NCRs Building 26

Wright Brothers first bicycle shop

Hauer Music posted to social media calling Jerry The Music Man of Dayton, while saying Jerrys father was also dubbed that name.

A viewing will be held for Hauer on Nov. 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Routsong Funeral Home in Kettering. On Nov. 12 at 11 a.m., Hauers funeral service will be held at Holy Angels Church at 1322 Brown St. in Dayton. Burial will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery in Kettering.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Hauer family requests memorial contributions made in Hauers name to the following:

Organization Name Send a Contribution Carillon Historical Park

Dayton History Center Click here Five Rivers MetroParks Click here Gospel Mission Gospel Mission

PO Box 1141

Dayton, OH

45401

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
DELPHI, Ind.  Richard Allen's defense attorneys called a parade of experts Tuesday to challenge some of the prosecution's strongest evidence against their client and to cast doubts on investigators' central theory about what happened to Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German after they vanished on Feb. 13, 2017.

Among the more revelatory testimonies of the day came from a digital forensics expert who told jurors that Libby German's iPhone 6S was plugged into a headphone for nearly five hours after they disappeared while hiking the Monon High Bridge trail, bolstering the defense's theory that the real killer or killers took the girls somewhere before leaving their bodies near Deer Creek.

Another expert, a psychiatrist, testified that months in solitary confinement can cause a person to become delirious and psychotic, reinforcing Allen's attorneys' assertion that the dozens of confessions he made in prison are unreliable because he was in the throes of a severe mental health crisis brought by prolonged isolation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 Nov. 4, 2024: The van returns in testimony. Jury also hears from Richard Allen's daughter, sister

The expert testimonies come on the fourth week of Allen's trial in a downtown Delphi courtroom. The 52-year-old Delphi man is facing two counts of murder and two counts of murder while kidnapping the girls. Prosecutors allege that he followed Abby, 13, and Libby, 14, on the high bridge, threatened them with a gun and forced them into the woods, where he killed them. Defense attorneys argue that Allen is an innocent man caught in a bungled investigation thats been tainted by grievous mistakes and in-fighting between federal and local law enforcement officials.

Prosecutors rested their case last week after nearly two weeks of testimonies. Defense attorneys have spent the past few days grilling law enforcement witnesses, whom they've repeatedly accused of incompetence and misconduct, and trying to establish that, contrary to previous testimony, Allen was experiencing a genuine mental health crisis when he confessed to the killings. The defense also showed jurors hours of videos showing Allen's life in prison.

The trial, which could last until Nov. 15, comes more than seven years after Abby and Libby were killed and two years after Allen was arrested.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The burden of justice: Delphi murder case jurors will face unimaginable pressure, life-changing decision

Defense's digital forensics expert: Headphone was plugged into Libby's phone for nearly five hours after disappearance

Prosecutors have alleged that Abby and Libby were killed and left in the woods around 2:32 p.m. on Feb. 13, 2017. That's when the Apple Health app on Libby's phone last logged movement. The girls' bodies, investigators have said, stayed in the woods until first responders found them the next day.

But Stacy Eldridge, a digital forensics expert hired by the defense, testified that someone inserted a headphone jack into the phone at 5:45 p.m. on Feb. 13, 2017. And "somebody removed that cable from the phone" nearly five hours later, at 10:32 p.m., Eldridge told jurors.

"I cannot think of any explanation that does not involve humans," said Eldridge, whom the defense paid roughly $24,000 for 80 hours of work examining the state's digital forensic expert's extraction of Libby's phone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A call, Snapchat photos, the video: Delphi trial offers timeline of girls' activities

Plugging a headphone in prevented sound from coming out of the device, Eldridge said, and there was an unanswered incoming call milliseconds before the cable was inserted.

Eldridge's analysis of extraction data focused on two questions: What did the Apple Health app show about the phone's movement? And why did the phone receive a slew of text messages at 4:33 a.m. the morning of Feb. 14, 2017, after hours without signal? (Indiana State Police Sgt. Christopher Cecil, the state's digital forensics expert who extracted the contents of Libby's phone, testified last month that a flood of about 15 SMS messages reached the teen's phone at 4:33 a.m.)

Eldridge's vague findings on those two questions were trumped by the revelation of an apparent plug-in of wired headphones or an auxiliary cable, which she claims to have found by delving deeper on a data point related to "audio output" that Cecil left inconclusive in two prior reports.

Two years after Delphi's Abby Williams and Libby German were murdered, their families set up photos and candles for a Community prayer remembrance at Delphi United Methodist Church 1796 US-421, on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019.

Eldridge found that the phone used no data from 5:45 p.m. on Feb. 13 to 4:33 a.m. on Feb. 14, although it seems to have been turned on that whole time. She did not know why, but AT&T records that she analyzed showed attempts to ping the phone from the cellphone tower during that timeframe failed. The signal may have been blocked, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Eldridge agreed with Cecil's findings that the phone's Health app did not log any movement between 2:32 p.m. on Feb. 13 and 4:33 a.m. the next day. But she noted it could have moved without registering steps if it were, for example, traveling in a vehicle without excessive bumps.

During cross-examination, Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland posited that Libby's phone could have wavered in and out of service without ever having moved. He asked Eldridge whether it's a realistic explanation that the phone simply came back to service at 4:33 a.m., when the phone received several text messages from friends and family members.

"That could be a likely explanation," Eldridge said.

'You need to call me now': Delphi murder trial testimony reveals text from Libby's grandmother

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Libby's phone was found on the forest floor beneath a shoe and Abby's body. McLeland asked whether the Health app would log movement if someone picked up the phone, plugged in headphones and then removed them five hours later.

"I don't know," Eldridge said.

Defense attorney Jennifer Auger later called Cecil and Lt. Brian Bunner, another Indiana State Police digital forensics expert, to the stand briefly to establish that they hadn't analyzed the audio output in depth. On cross-examination by McLeland, Cecil noted that he had done a brief Google search during a 15-minute break before his testimony and found that water or dirt could possibly register as "audio output."

Auger was incredulous at this response.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"You and the State Police have had seven and a half years to determine this information ...," Auger said, "and you're coming here after a Google search?"

"That's correct," Cecil said.

Defense expert: Richard Allen's behavior 'perfectly consistent' with effects of solitary confinement

The first and likely most compelling testimony of the day came from a Massachusetts-based psychiatrist and solitary confinement expert who told jurors that Allen's behavior and mental state while he was at Westville Correctional Facility are "perfectly consistent" with the effects of prolonged isolation.

Stuart Grassian's testimony was meant to discredit the dozens of confessions Allen made while at Westville, where he was held in solitary confinement for a little over a year. The confessions, which Allen made to prison officials, his therapist and in many calls to his wife and mother, were among the prosecution's strongest evidence against him. But his defense attorneys have alleged that the confessions were coerced because Allen gave them while experiencing psychosis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Grassian, who saw videos of Allen, examined his therapist's notes, and read transcripts of and listened to audios of calls he made from November 2022 to June 2023, told jurors that prolonged solitary confinement can cause people to be "overly delirious and confused" and for their memory of events to disappear. Stripping off clothes and smearing feces, Grassian said, is a "common side effect."

'I killed Abby and Libby': Jurors hear about Richard Allen's confessions, bizarre behavior

"You have this thick soup in your head and everything just floats and nothing makes sense at all," Grassian said.

Allen's bizarre behavior began around the spring of 2023, a few months after he arrived at Westville. He began telling his family during several phone calls that he had found God, and he later began confessing to killing Abby and Libby. As he confessed, Allen also seemed to express confusion and believed he was losing his mind.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I want to apologize to you," Allen told his wife, Kathy Allen, on April 3, 2023. "I did it. I killed Abby and Libby."

Kathy Allen seemed disturbed and unwilling to believe that her husband was capable of murder. She told him, "They've messed you up. Why would you say that?"

Special Judge Frances Gull: She has presided over many murder trials. But she may be best-known for one case.

"Because maybe I did it," Richard Allen said.

"There's something wrong," Kathy Allen told her husband. "They're screwing with you there."

Grassian said people who were in prolonged isolation tend to develop false memories that become their beliefs. In the worst cases, they can become psychotic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Defense attorney Bradley Rozzi asked Grassian if he saw "indicators of delirium" in Allen's calls to his family.

A sketch drawn Monday, Oct. 28, 2024 shows Richard Allen's defense team, Andrew Baldwin (left) and Bradley Rozzi, in front of Special Judge Francis Gull. Allen is on trial in Delphi, Indiana, on murder charges in the 2017 killings of Abigail Williams and Liberty German.

"Absolutely," Grassian said. "The inability to remember and then becoming very frightened by his inability to remember."

"This was absolutely classic," Grassian added. "There was no doubt."

Grassian defined solitary confinement as "confinement in a small cell with minimal opportunity for stimulation and limited social interaction" and described it as "an enormously lonely, helpless environment and very toxic to mental health."

Grassian also testified that those in solitary confinement are seven to nine times more likely to commit suicide than the average person. The United Nations considers 15 days of solitary confinement "to be a form of torture," he told jurors. Allen was in solitary confinement at Westville for 13 months.

State rests: Prosecutors rested their case in Delphi murder trial, but is it enough to convict Richard Allen?

One of the jurors asked Grassian if a "completely normal person can go crazy after six to 12 months in solitary."

"Absolutely," Grassian said. "I've seen it happen."

On Monday, a neuropsychologist told jurors that Allen did not fake psychotic behavior, contradicting testimony from Dr. Monica Wala, Allen's therapist at Westville. Dr. Polly Westcott testified that Allen entered Westville with a long history of depression and anxiety and was later diagnosed with dependent personality disorder. Allen's mental health problems became more pronounced and escalated to psychosis after months in solitary confinement.

Defense calls firearms expert in attempt to discredit state examiner's testimony

The defense also called Eric Warren, a Tennessee-based forensic consultant and crime scene reconstruction expert, who told jurors that the prosecution's firearms examiner's methods of testing a key piece of physical evidence recovered from the crime scene were unreliable.

Melissa Oberg, an Indiana State Police firearms examiner, testified last month that an unspent round found between the girls' bodies had been cycled through Allen's Sig Sauer, Model P226, .40-caliber handgun. Her testimony was critical in tying Allen to the crime scene. As part of her analysis, Oberg said she cycled and fired rounds through Allen's handgun, so she could compare tool markings left after firing with the markings on the round from the crime scene. She explained that because firing causes more pressure, the markings would be more distinct.

State Police firearms expert testifies: Delphi trial jurors hear from expert who tied Allen's gun to unspent round at crime scene

Allen's defense attorneys immediately called into question Oberg's methods, with Rozzi pointing out that the result of her analysis was based on examining and comparing fired  not unfired  rounds. Warren's testimony was meant to call that into question further.

"That would not be something that I would rely on," Warren said of Oberg's analysis, adding that he was "not comfortable" with the state expert's process.

Warren, who worked for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Firearm and Toolmark Identification Unit, said that because of "pressure differences between fired and unfired" rounds, comparisons should be "apples to apples, not apples to oranges."

During cross-examination, James Luttrull questioned Warren why he didn't physically examine the evidence with a microscope and prepared a report. Luttrull also pointed out that Warren's conclusions were based only on examining photographs and reading another expert's reports.

Warren also acknowledged that his lab is not accredited, although he said he believes he meets the standard for accreditation.

The jury asked Warren 15 questions, many of which were highly technical. One juror asked why Warren didn't conduct his own analysis instead of reviewing photographs. Warren said his role was to educate the attorneys and to see if the documentation supports the conclusion.

As everyone waited for court staff to gather jurors' questions, defense attorney Andrew Baldwin slung his left arm over Allen's shoulder, patting him reassuringly.

IndyStar reporters John Tufts and Sarah Nelson and content team manager Jenny Porter Tilley contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Delphi murders updates as Richard Allen's trial continues Election Day
PHOENIX (AP)  Democratic Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego, an Iraq War veteran, took an early lead over well-known former television news anchor and staunch Donald Trump ally Kari Lake in Tuesday's election for U.S. Senate.

The race in a state with a recent history of close elections is among a handful of contests that will determine how large a Republican majority Trump will work with in the Senate when the president-elect returns to the White House next year. The GOP clinched the Senate majority Tuesday night, retaking it from Democrats who held it for four years.

It is a test of the strength of the anti-Trump coalition that has powered the rise of Democrats in Arizona, which was reliably Republican until 2016. Arizona voters have rejected Trump and his favored candidates in every statewide election since then. The presidential contest was too early to call in Arizona after Trump defeated Democrat Kamala Harris in most of the seven other battlegrounds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gallego led Lake in early returns, which included a combination of mail ballots received and counted before Election Day and those cast in-person on Tuesday.

Gallego expressed confidence when he spoke to Democrats on Tuesday night in Phoenix, though the race remained too early to call early Wednesday with about a million ballots remaining to be counted.

We had a mantra on this campaign: Go everywhere and talk to everyone, Gallego said. And thats exactly what we did. We didnt take one vote for granted.

In a break with tradition, Lake and the Arizona Republican Party did not hold an election night party. She posted about results in the presidential race and shared complaints from others about the pace of vote counting in Maricopa County but did not say anything about her own race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The winner of the Senate race will replace Kyrsten Sinema, whose 2018 victory as a Democrat created a formula that the party has successfully replicated since.

Sinema left the Democratic Party two years ago after she antagonized the party's left wing. She considered running for a second term as an independent but bowed out when it was clear she had no clear path to victory.

Gallego maintained a significant fundraising advantage throughout the race. He relentlessly attacked Lake's support for a state law dating to the Civil War that outlawed abortions under nearly all circumstances. Lake moved to the middle on the issue, infuriating some of her allies on the right by opposing a federal abortion ban.

Gallego portrayed Lake as a liar who will do and say anything to gain power.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He downplayed his progressive voting record in Congress, leaning on his up-by-the-bootstraps personal story and his military service to build an image as a pragmatic moderate.

The son of immigrants from Mexico and Colombia, Gallego was raised in Chicago by a single mother and eventually accepted to Harvard University. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and fought in Iraq in 2005 in a unit that sustained heavy casualties, including the death of his best friend.

If elected, he would be the first Latino U.S. senator from Arizona.

Lake became a star on the populist right with her 2022 campaign for Arizona governor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She has never acknowledged losing the race and called herself the lawful governor in her 2023 book. She continued her unsuccessful fight in court to overturn it even after beginning her Senate campaign and as recently as last week refused to admit defeat in a contentious CNN interview.

But while visiting a polling place Tuesday, she told reporters, I will accept the results of the election" this year.

Her dogmatic commitment to the falsehood that consecutive elections were stolen from Trump and from her endeared her to the former president, who considered her for his vice presidential running mate. But it has compounded her struggles with the moderate Republicans she alienated during her 2022 campaign, when she disparaged the late Sen. John McCain and then-Gov. Doug Ducey.

She tried to moderate but struggled to keep a consistent message on thorny topics, including election fraud and abortion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lake focused instead on border security, a potent issue for Republicans in a state that borders Mexico and saw record numbers of illegal crossings during Democratic President Joe Biden's administration. She promised a tough crackdown on illegal immigration and labeled Gallego a supporter of open borders." She also went after his personal life, pointing to his divorce from Kate Gallego shortly before she gave birth. His ex-wife, now the mayor of Phoenix, endorsed Gallego and has campaigned with him.

Lake spent the last weeks of the campaign trying to win over voters who are backing Trump but were not sold on her.

Close to 4 in 10 Arizona voters said the economy and jobs are the top issue facing the country, according to AP VoteCast, a sweeping survey of more than 110,000 voters nationally, including more than 4,000 voters in Arizona. About one-quarter of Arizona voters said immigration is the most pressing issue, and about 1 in 10 named abortion.

Roughly half of Arizonas voters viewed Lake unfavorably, including about 4 in 10 who said they had a very unfavorable view of her, according to AP VoteCast. Roughly 4 in 10 voters viewed her favorably.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

About half of voters held a favorable view of Gallego, and about 4 in 10 said they had a negative view of him.

Meanwhile, Arizona had two of the closest races for U.S. House, where Republicans David Schweikert and Juan Ciscomani sought reelection in districts that voted for Biden in 2020. Both races were too early to call.

Schweikert, now in his seventh House term, faces a challenge from former three-term Democratic state lawmaker Amish Shah in Arizonas 1st District, which includes north Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and Paradise Valley.

While Republicans hold a voter registration advantage in the affluent district, it has trended toward the center as college-educated suburban voters have turned away from Trump, reluctantly voting for Democrats or leaving their ballots blank. Redistricting ahead of the 2022 midterms accelerated the trend.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Schweikert won reelection by just 3,200 votes in 2022 against a relatively unknown challenger who got minimal support from national Democrats. Shah, an emergency room doctor, emerged as the primary winner among a field of six Democrats.

In the 6th District, Ciscomani is seeking a second term in a rematch against Democrat Kirsten Engel, whom he defeated by 1.5 percentage points in 2022. The district, which includes a stretch of the Arizona-Mexico border, runs from Tucson east to the New Mexico state line.

Ciscomani, a former aide to Ducey who immigrated from Mexico as a child, calls border enforcement his top priority but has distanced himself from Trumps anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Engel, a law professor at the University of Arizona and a former state legislator, has pointed out Ciscomani rejected a major bipartisan border bill in February that would have overhauled the asylum system and given the president new powers to expel migrants when asylum claims become overwhelming.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican Rep. Eli Crane in the 2nd District, a Republican-leaning district that covers vast swaths of rural Arizona and a few exurbs of Phoenix, faced a spirited challenge from Democrat Jonathan Nez, the former Navajo Nation president. Crane, a former Navy Seal, aligned with far-right House members against former GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Of Arizonas nine representatives in Congress, six are Republicans and three are Democrats.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Abortion was a key issue in two suburban Minnesota congressional races as Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig won a fourth term and an OB-GYN doctor won an open seat to keep it in Democratic hands as well.

Craig beat Republican former federal prosecutor Joe Teirab, while Dr. Kelly Morrison, a former state senator, defeated Republican former Washington County District Judge Tad Jude to take the seat being vacated by Democratic U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips.

Im just overwhelmed with gratitude, and with an extended hand to work every single day on your behalf for what is right for the voters and constituents of the 2nd District of Minnesota, Craig told supporters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Craig will continue to represent the 2nd District, which includes a political mix of outer suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul south of the Minnesota River, and rural areas farther south that trend Republican. It had been considered Minnesotas sole swing district, but Craig won it by her biggest margin yet as she stressed her support for abortion rights. While she accused Teirab of being an anti-abortion activist, he said he'd vote against any federal ban or restrictions.

Morrison beat Jude in the 3rd District, which includes suburbs surrounding Minneapolis and has gone Democratic in recent elections. Jude also previously served on the Hennepin County Board and in both chambers of the state Legislature, where in 1972 at age 20 he became the youngest member ever elected to the House.

Craig lost to Republican Jason Lewis by less than 2 percentage points in 2016 before beating him by just over 5.5 points in their 2018 rematch. She defeated Marine Corps veteran Tyler Kistner by just over 2 points in 2020 and just over 5 points in 2022.

Craig, who was targeted with death threats and forced to move after fighting off a mentally disturbed attacker in the elevator of her Washington apartment building, staked out centrist positions on many issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Teirab, a Marine Corps veteran and son of a Sudanese immigrant, was supported by influential Republicans including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer. But despite a strong financial advantage, he lost the GOP endorsement at the district convention to anti-establishment conservative Tayler Rahm. Teirab won the primary with former President Donald Trump's endorsement after Rahm dropped out to become a senior adviser to Trumps campaign in Minnesota, but divisions between the Teirab and Rahm camps persisted.

Craig had raised nearly $7.6 million by the end of the last reporting period in September, compared with nearly $2.8 million for Teirab.

Morrison touted her leadership on abortion rights in the Minnesota Senate. Jude was an abortion opponent when he was a legislator and supports the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, which struck down the nationwide right to abortion. Morrison raised just over $2 million by September, while Jude netted just under $300,000.

Incumbents easily won the state's six other congressional races. They include Emmer and his fellow Republicans Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber, and Democrats Ilhan Omar and Betty McCollum.
Democrats have spent $175 million on broadcast TV ads messaging on abortion rights in Senate races this year as they look to repeat their victory from the 2022 midterms, when anger over the loss of those rights helped them blunt a red wave.

The combined spending by Democratic candidates and super PACs makes abortion by far the most prevalent topic in 2024 Democratic messaging, according to the ad tracking firm AdImpact, beating out health care, the economy and immigration.

That investment reflects a party that is banking on abortion rights to save its Senate majority and win races across the map  from the manufacturing towns of Ohio to the suburbs of Arizona to the ranches of Montana.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It may not be enough. The GOP needs to net only two seats to guarantee control of the upper chamber. They are well positioned to do that and remain competitive in nearly every major Senate race. But even party strategists acknowledge abortion remains a liability. Many Republicans have shifted their stance on abortion since the fall of Roe v. Wade to reflect the widespread public support for access to the procedure. But that pivot has not been clean, underscoring the difficulties that GOP candidates still face when trying to discuss it.



And Democrats have been collecting receipts.

Perhaps nowhere is this more true than in Ohios Senate race, where Republican Bernie Moreno was captured on camera openly wondering why women over 50  and thus past typical childbearing age  would care about abortion access.

Those comments, made at a campaign event in September, have exploded his bid to oust Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, drawing rebukes from members of Morenos own party, including Nikki Haley. Moreno has said his comments were made in jest but the incumbent and his allies have used them in five separate broadcast TV ads in September and October.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is a pretty devastating ad, said Betty Montgomery, a Republican and the first woman to serve as Ohios attorney general. She noted the derision in Morenos voice speaking about older women: I don't think it could hurt him. I think it does hurt him.

Bernie Moreno is very vulnerable to women, she said.

Abortion related-advertising accounted for more than 32 percent of all Democratic broadcast TV ad spending in 2024, according to AdImpact. The next most prevalent topic, character, represented only 17 percent (and $92.2 million) of broadcast ad spending, followed by healthcare at 14 percent and immigration at 13 percent.

Its a massive bankrolling of Democrats top issue  with candidates often using footage or audio of Republicans abortion flip flops against them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its almost a genocide, Republican Kari Lake says of abortion in captured audio used in a Democratic ad in Arizonas Senate race.

A huge victory for the protection of innocent life, Republican Dave McCormick says of the fall of Roe in a Democratic ad in Pennsylvanias Senate race.

With polls consistently showing voters trust Democrats far more than Republicans on abortion, even Democrats running longshot campaigns in red states, such as West Virginia, North Dakota and Tennessee, have run TV ads on the issue.

The partys messaging has been aided in some places, including Nevada, Montana and Arizona, by ballot initiatives that would enshrine those rights in state constitutions. Those measures are widely expected to pass in all three states and, Democrats hope, drive up turnout for the partys candidates as well.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Even Democratic Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, the most endangered incumbent this cycle, campaigned with the president of Planned Parenthood and aired a TV ad featuring a woman who traveled to Tijuana, Mexico to get an abortion before Roe.

Here's the motto that works for the people of Montana: Government, none of your damn business, said former Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who served as the states top executive from 2005 to 2013. Democrats and Republicans alike would agree that we don't need a government poking their nose into our private lives.



Testers allies seized on unearthed audio of his opponent, Republican Tim Sheehy, suggesting young women were indoctrinated on the issue of abortion. But while the abortion ballot initiative is popular in Montana, Tester has trailed Sheehy in polling for months.

And Democrats are well aware that many soft Republicans and independent voters may support the abortion ballot initiatives in their respective states but then also vote for Republicans for Congress or Donald Trump for president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Nevada, Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen has staked her reelection bid in large part on her support of abortion rights. Her allies have leaned heavily on audio of Republican Sam Brown suggesting that he was not in favor of changing Nevadas existing laws.

But early voting numbers in the state have Republicans feeling increasingly optimistic that abortion may not prove to be the silver bullet it was in the midterms.

I think it was a shock to voters in 22 and I'm just not sure that it's as much of a shock now, said Jeremy Hughes, a GOP consultant with ties to Nevada. I'm just not sure that it's been as galvanizing. It surely hasn't been a turnout motivator for the Democrats.
Overall, the US insurance industry is proving resilient in the face of adversity. According to Mordor Intelligence, the US life and non-life insurance markets size in terms of net written premiums was valued at $2.02 trillion in 2024. Looking forward, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.95% during 2024-2029 to reach $2.83 trillion by the end of the forecast period.

Ken Gregg, CEO of Orion180, told Reuters that the hope for a softer insurance market has vanished following Helene and Milton. Brian Schneider, senior director of insurance at Fitch Ratings, noted that price increases from reinsurers are forcing primary insurance companies to raise their rates as well. Despite these challenges, some private insurers remain committed to the Florida market, but homeowners continue to feel the pressure as they navigate an uncertain insurance landscape.

Analysts and experts predict that the recent back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton, will further worsen the situation. Analysts warn that these storms will likely lead to even higher insurance costs and stricter coverage exclusions. Marc Ragin, an associate professor of risk management and insurance at the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, expressed concerns that insurers may become hesitant to continue offering policies in Florida due to the increasing frequency of severe weather events. As a result, many homeowners are left feeling anxious about their insurance options and financial security.

Florida has faced significant challenges in its insurance market due to the impact of 4 major hurricanes in the past 4 years. On October 17, Reuters reported that homeowners contacted by Reuters in areas including both Florida coasts and the Keys are increasingly worried about rising premiums and the possibility of losing their insurance coverage altogether. Average homeowner premiums in Florida surged nearly 60% from 2019 to 2023. The state-backed insurer, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., has seen its policies increase from about 1.14 million at the end of 2022 to over 1.2 million as of June 2024, indicating a growing reliance on this insurer of last resort.

The insurance industry is currently facing significant challenges, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather events. Recent hurricanes, including Helene and Milton, have caused substantial damage in Florida, leading to billions in insurance losses.

We recently compiled a list of the 8 Undervalued Insurance Stocks To Invest In . In this article, we are going to take a look at where The Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE:TRV) stands against the other undervalued insurance stocks.

Story Continues

The insurance market is experiencing significant growth driven by several key trends that enhance its resilience despite facing catastrophic events. One of the primary factors is the rapid digital transformation within the industry, which has improved operational efficiency and customer engagement. Insurers are increasingly adopting technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics to streamline processes, personalize offerings, and enhance risk assessment.

Heres a short excerpt from our article 7 Hot Insurance Stocks To Buy Right Now that discusses this in more detail:

Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) continue to revolutionize how insurers assess risk and manage claims. AI technologies enable better data analysis and faster decision-making processes, which can enhance customer service and operational efficiency.

Overall, these trends indicate that the insurance market is poised for growth and capable of withstanding challenges, making it an attractive sector for investors.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the 8 undervalued insurance stocks to invest in, we used the Finviz and Yahoo stock screeners to find the largest insurance companies. We also reviewed our own rankings and consulted various online resources.

From an initial pool of over 30 insurance stocks, we focused on those trading at under 15 times their forward earnings as of October 25. We further narrowed down our selection by looking for insurance stocks expected to show positive earnings growth this year.

Next, we focused on the top 8 stocks most favored by institutional investors and ranked the best insurance stocks based on hedge fund holdings. Data for the hedge fund sentiment surrounding each stock was taken from Insider Monkeys database of 912 elite hedge funds. The 8 undervalued insurance stocks to invest in are ranked in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them as of Q2 2024.

Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Is The Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV) The Most Undervalued Insurance Stock To Invest In?

A woman in her car checking her insurance documents with a satisfied smile.

The Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE:TRV)

Forward P/E: 11.72

Earnings Growth: 44.20%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 38

The Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE:TRV) is a leading American insurance provider that ranks among the best insurance stocks to buy. As one of the largest writers of commercial property casualty and personal insurance in the US, the company offers a comprehensive range of coverage options for auto, home, and business insurance. Outside of the US, The Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE:TRV) company also has a strong market presence in Canada, the UK, and Ireland.

The company recently showcased its commitment to customer service, particularly in managing claims after hurricanes Helene and Milton. In its Q3 2024 earnings call, the management highlighted that The Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE:TRV) activated its national catastrophe center in Hartford, deploying hundreds of claims professionals to assist affected customers.

Financially, The Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE:TRV) reported impressive results for the third quarter of 2024. The company achieved a net income of $1.26 billion, or $5.42 per diluted share, a significant increase from $404 million in the same quarter last year. Core income also rose to $1.218 billion, driven by higher underwriting gains and net investment income despite facing some catastrophe losses. Notably, net written premiums reached a record $11.3 billion, reflecting an 8% increase from the previous year.

The companys Business Insurance segment also performed well as it grew by 9% year-over-year, generating $5.5 billion in net written premiums in Q3 2024. The Bond & Specialty Insurance segment experienced a 7% increase to $1.1 billion in premiums. Personal Insurance saw similar growth, with net written premiums rising by 7% to $4.7 billion, driven by strong renewals in homeowners insurance.

Over the past 5 years, The Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE:TRV) has grown its revenue at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%, while its net income has increased at a CAGR of 13% during the same period.

TRV can be considered cheap at current levels. It is trading at 11.72 times its forward earnings. The Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE:TRV) is anticipated to experience 44.20% earnings growth this year.

According to Insider Monkeys database of over 900 hedge funds, 38 hedge funds held stakes in The Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE:TRV) in Q2 2024. This brings TRV to the 7th spot on our list of the undervalued insurance stocks to invest in.

Overall, TRV ranks 7th on our list of the undervalued insurance stocks to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of TRV as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than TRV but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  In a critical election year, Democrats are looking to flip a once reliably Republican Louisiana congressional seat, where political boundaries were recently redrawn to form the states second mostly Black congressional district.

Five hours after the polls closed in Louisiana the question of whether Democrat Cleo Fields would win the the election outright, or if Republican Elbert Guillory would force a December runoff between the two candidates was still too early to call.

Under Louisianas open primary system  in which candidates of all parties appear on the Election Day ballot  if no candidate is the majority winner, earning one more than 50% of the total votes cast, then the two top vote-getting candidates head to a runoff that will be held on Dec. 7.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Based upon the Louisiana Secretary of State's unofficial voting results early Wednesday morning, Fields held a lead but narrowly met the threshold to avoid a runoff.

With five people on the ballot for Louisianas Sixth Congressional District, Democrats have thrown their support behind longtime politician Fields, 61. The state senator has been involved in state politics for three decades and served two terms in Congress after being elected in 1992.

Across the aisle, Republicans are looking to preserve the seat, especially in an election year where the GOP is trying to hold on to their majority in the U.S. House. The only Republican on the ballot is former state lawmaker Guillory, 80.

For nearly 50 years, only one Democrat has won the seat in Louisianas 6th Congressional District. But the districts boundaries have recently been recrafted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In January state lawmakers passed Louisianas new congressional map with a second majority-Black district, marking a win for Democrats and civil rights groups after a legal battle and political tug-of-war that spanned nearly two years.

The new 6th District boundaries stretch across the state in a narrow and diagonal path, from the state capital, Baton Rouge, to Shreveport in the northwest corner. Black residents account for 54% of its voters, up from 24% previously. Both Fields and Guillory are Black.

A lower court ruled that the new map was an illegal racial gerrymander, but in May the Supreme Court ordered Louisiana to use it in this years congressional elections  boosting Democrats chances of gaining control of the closely divided House.

Currently, out of Louisianas six congressional seats, there is one Democrat, U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, the states sole Black member of Congress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Noticeably absent from the race is incumbent U.S. Rep. Garret Graves. The white Republican announced that he would not seek reelection, saying that it did not make sense to run under the new map.

All of Louisianas six congressional seats are up for election. The five other races feature incumbents, including two of the country's most powerful Republicans  U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

Also seeking reelection are Carter and Republicans Clay Higgins and Julia Letlow. All the incumbents are facing lesser-known challengers on the ballot.
Washingtons Democratic Latino legislators and candidates condemned the state Republican Party on Monday for sending vile and offensive text messages to Spanish-speaking voters in the Yakima Valley and Tri-Cities.

The text messages, sent in Spanish on Friday, made false claims that three Democratic Latina candidates in the 14th District want to eliminate the Spanish language and support the chemical castration of your children in school without your knowledge or support.

Maria Beltran, who was targeted by the messages in her campaign against incumbent Republican state Sen. Curtis King, called them some of the most vile and offensive lies weve seen in Washington state politics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She was joined at a morning news virtual news conference by Sen. Rebecca Saldana of Seattle, Rep. Julio Cortez of Wapato and Rep. Sharlett Mena, who grew up in Tri-Cities but now represents Tacoma.

Beltran said the messages attacked her Catholic faith and Mexican heritage.

They accuse me of awful, flatly untrue things, she said. Ill read just one part of this horrific text: Maria Beltran, Ana Kennedy and Chelsea Dimas ... hate you, they hate your family, they hate God, and they hate the truth. Dont let them represent you!

Text messages sent to voters by the Washington State Republican Party on Nov. 1, 2024, call Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez a socialist and tell Spanish-speaking voters in Washingtons 14th legislative district that Democratic candidates hate you and hate God.

What the Washington Republican Party is doing is an attack on our fundamental right to vote and have fair representation, said Cortez.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These lies and hateful attacks have no place in our democracy, and I, too, call on the members of the Republican Party across the entire state to do whats right and disavow these attacks.

Also on Monday, Washington State Democrats filed a Public Disclosure Commission complaint against the Washington State Republicans, claiming libel and defamation.

The Republican candidates from the 14th District issued a joint statement Monday about the messages.

We disavow the text. Our campaigns had nothing to do with it. None of us had any prior knowledge it was being sent. It does not represent our views, said the statement from King, former Grandview Mayor Gloria Mendoza and Deb Manjarrez.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, Jim Walsh, Washington State Republican Party chairman, justified the text messages, telling the Washington Observer newsletter that he based the comments on the Democratic candidates responses to a Planned Parenthood survey about reproductive rights and transgender care using drugs known as puberty blockers.

A story by the Spokesman-Review explained that one of those drugs is a synthetic hormone also used to treat prostate, breast cancer and, in some states, to chemically castrate sex offenders.

Republicans hold three seats in the 14th Legislative District, but Democrats are eager to flip them after a federal judge redrew Washingtons map of legislative districts to give Yakima Valley Latinos a fairer shot at electing candidates of their choice.

The only incumbent running in the new majority Latino district is King, the four-term Yakima resident who was drawn out of his district but opted to move 1.5 miles away from his previous home so he could run again for the Senate seat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hes being challenged by Beltran, the Yakima Valley native whos worked most recently as a deputy director with the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

In the race for Washington House, Dimas faces Mendoza and Ruiz Kennedy of Pasco faces accountant and orchardist Manjarrez.
BRAMPTON, Ontario (AP)  A Hindu temple near Toronto where violence erupted over the weekend was the site of another demonstration this week that police broke up after they say weapons were spotted in the crowd.

Peel Regional Police said in social media updates that the demonstration in Brampton, Ontario was declared an unlawful assembly shortly before 10 p.m. Monday, after officers saw weapons within the demonstration.

Pro-Hindu groups who shared details of Mondays event suggested it came in response to Sikh separatists who protested a visit by Indian consular officials to the temple on Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police say the demonstration converged at an intersection outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple, shutting down traffic along Gore Road in both directions, before crowds dispersed by 1 a.m.

Three people were arrested and a Peel police officer was suspended after Sundays protest. Videos on social media seemed to show fist fights and people striking each other with poles on what appeared to be grounds of the temple.

In response to Mondays demonstration, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown on Tuesday shared a video of a man he accused of trying to direct violence against those of Sikh faith.

Agitators trying to incite violence need to be dealt with promptly and swiftly with the full extent of our hate laws, Brown said in a Tuesday morning post on X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Before Mondays demonstration, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had condemned Sundays violence as a deliberate attack on a Hindu temple and an attempt to intimidate diplomats.

Canada expelled six Indian diplomats last month for allegations that they used their positions to collect information on Canadians in the Sikh separatist movement, and then passed the details on to criminal gangs who targeted the individuals directly.

India, which has rejected those allegations, has long accused Canada of harboring terrorists involved in a Sikh separatist movement calling for an independent country called Khalistan. Canadian officials have said related extradition requests from India often lack adequate proof.

Relations between the two countries soured after Trudeau said last year there was credible evidence the Indian government had links to the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

Canada is not the only country that has accused Indian officials of plotting an assassination on foreign soil. The United States Justice Department announced criminal charges in mid-October against an Indian government employee in connection with an alleged foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Denver Police Department said officers are ready to respond to any violence that may occur on Election Day and beyond.

Police have been training and prepping for election season since the beginning of the year. That training has included police, fire, the sheriffs department and federal authorities. The Denver SWAT team and intelligence unit will also be monitoring activities throughout the city.

Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said all six police districts will be fully staffed during Election Day. Denver officers will be assigned to each polling station and the city and county building all day long.

Your Local Election Headquarters

Learn more about whats on your 2024 Colorado ballot

K-9 units will be deployed for continuous sweeps of polling locations to check for possible explosives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police will also be monitoring online activity for any possible threats.

The FBI will also establish command posts at every one of its 56 field offices around the country, including Denver.

Thomas said so far, there has been no indication of any planned violence in Denver.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Waco, Tx (FOX 44)  The trial in a case in which neither the suspect nor the victim was from the local area but the victims body was dumped and burned here has begun.

Testimony has begun in McLennan Countys 19th District Court in the trial of Derek Daigneault, accused in the death of 26-year-old Mandy Reynolds, whose body was found near Heston Circle in Robinson in April of 2023.

Her body was found in a brush fire police say was set after her body was dumped there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Robinson Police had identified Daigneault as a suspect early in their investigation, and found evidence to link him to the Wichita, Kansas area. Robinson investigators contacted authorities there to keep an eye out for him.

Daigneault was spotted in a vehicle reported stolen out of Texas, and when Wichita officers tried to pull him over on April 8, 2023, he sped off and rammed several police units during a high speed chase. He was ultimately taken into custody and held on a total of 15 charges in the Sedgwick County, Kansas Jail.

Man accused of choking deaf, autistic child

In January 2024, he entered guilty pleas to fleeing or attempting to elude an officers, aggravated battery, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and theft. In March, a judge in Kansas sentenced him to 111 months, or just over nine years, in prison on those charges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He was brought back to McLennan County to face the murder charges in May 2024.

Robinson Police said neither the victim nor the suspect had any ties to the area and appeared to be passing through when the body was taken to the location where it was found.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said on Nov. 4 that the agency had seen no evidence disinformation could directly impact the results of the U.S. election, despite a surge ahead of election day.

Throughout the campaign, Russia has been accused of attempting to spread false claims on a number of topics surrounding the election, including disinformation about the candidates and election security.

On Nov. 2, the FBI warned that fake videos were circulating online, likely part of a Russian-backed influence campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

U.S. intelligence agencies and Microsoft have recently warned that foreign adversaries are engaging in influence campaigns to mislead voters ahead of the 2024 election.

Both the U.S. government and Microsoft have indicated that Russia favors former President Donald Trump, while Iran supports Vice President Kamala Harris. U.S. intelligence sources said on Oct. 22 that Russian disinformation groups have also been linked to viral attacks targeting Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.

A senior Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency agency told Reuters that there was a high likelihood that disinformation campaigns will continue until the results are formally certified on Jan. 6, 2025.

Russia has a storied history of spreading election disinformation, having been at the center of disinformation efforts during the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its disinformation efforts were recently seen in Moldova where Russia attempted to sway influence, driving voters away from Moldova's accession to the European Union. Despite the efforts, incumbent pro-EU President Maia Sandu narrowly defeated pro-Russian candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo.

In early October, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said at a conference in Prague that Russia is responsible for 80% of all the foreign influence operations in the world, amounting to "four times more than the rest of the world combined."

Read also: Harris or Trump  Ukraine braces for best, worst-case scenarios as US elects new president

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(NEXSTAR)  It might sound like something out of Unsolved Mysteries but is it possible that Pres. Gerald Ford predicted a Kamala Harris win back in the 1980s? Its an interesting moment previously lost to history that resurfaced back in August when Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee.

The event  which was captured on video  happened back in 1989, when the former president visited an elementary school in West Branch, Iowa, and was posed the question by a female student: What advice would you give a young lady wanting to become president of the United States of America?

What time do the polls close in my state?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ford responded with a prediction that very well could come true soon.

I can tell you how I think it will happen  because it wont happen in the normal course of events, said Ford. Either the Republican or Democrat political party will nominate a man for president and a woman for vice president, and the woman and man will win. So well end up with a president, a male, and a vice president, a female. And in that term of office of the president, the president will die, and the woman will become president under the law, our Constitution.

Chicago, Ill, Wednesday, August 21, 2024  Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a speech as she accepts the partys nomination to be its presidential candidate at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Fords prediction doesnt account for a female having already gotten the presidential nomination (and winning the popular vote), as Hillary Clinton did in 2016. Additionally, Pres. Joe Biden is still alive.

Biden dropped out of the 2024 race on July 21, saying that while hed intended to seek re-election, he believed it was in the best interest of my party and the country that he step aside. Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee for about a month before earning enough delegate support and becoming the official nominee on August 22.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jason Kelce says hes not proud after slamming phone in viral video

In Harris acceptance speech, the VP discussed her American experience as a Black and South Asian-American daughter of immigrants. Harris said, in part: The path that led me here was no doubt unexpected. But Im no stranger to unlikely journeys On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth, I accept your nomination for president of the United States of America.

Coincidentally, Fords daughter, Susan Ford Bales, endorsed Harris just two weeks ago. Bales, a Republican, said while she doesnt agree with Harris on everything, she believes shes the right candidate for this moment. She likened the current turmoil in the U.S. to the time period when her father took the oath of office.

Bales said: Vice President Harris and I likely disagree on some policy matters, but her integrity and commitment to those same principles that guided Dad have led me to conclude that Kamala Harris should be elected 47th President of the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If elected, Harris will be the second Black president, the first South Asian-American president and, obviously, the first female president.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Donald Trump launched into a wild new attack against Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) where he mouthed the word bitch as he railed against the former House speaker.

Shes a crooked person, shes a bad person, evil, shes an evil, sick, crazy b-, Trump said, catching himself.

He then mouthed the word twice without actually saying it.

It starts with a B, but I wont say it, Trump said. I wanna say it!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The audience cheered him on.

Trump has repeatedly demonized Pelosi, recently naming her as part of what he calls the enemy from within that he has suggested could be dealt with by the military.

In 2022, a right-wing conspiracy theorist broke into the Pelosi home and attacked her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer. Paul Pelosi was hospitalized for nearly a week, but Trump and his allies have repeatedlymocked the Pelosis over the incident.

Critics slammed Trump over his newest attack on Pelosi:

I guess the first attack they incited on the Pelosi family wasnt enough.



Every day this man says something disqualifying. Shame on the GOP.  Avatar Votes Blue (@BackAvatar) November 5, 2024

I have no idea why this guy is struggling with women voters. https://t.co/8KvKA1DgoE  Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) November 5, 2024

Not the way you appeal to women, and so very gross. The women of America demand better than a candidate who speaks about other women this way. https://t.co/xDTneNA6EE  Tabi NAFO Cheerleader  (@TabiBlakemore) November 5, 2024

Trump has foolishly demeaned so many women during his lifetime and continues to do so the night before the election. Tomorrow morning, women voters get their turn whether he likes it or not!!! Vote!!!!  Johnny (@NorthstarJohnny) November 5, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Awesome thing to say when you're losing women all over. https://t.co/0bP8V9U4bK  SK Media (@SpaghettiKozak) November 5, 2024

Crowd absolutely braying for him to call her a bitch. Real classy political movement the Republicans have become. https://t.co/CdASB2STzx  J.J. McCullough (@JJ_McCullough) November 5, 2024

How's that outreach to women voters going https://t.co/5ngg1MxPvw  Thor Benson (@thor_benson) November 5, 2024

Calling Nancy Pelosi misogynistic expletives at 12:40 PM to close his campaign. https://t.co/e8yiNvoByq  Ben Meiselas  (@meiselasb) November 5, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Arent Dems the ones that need to dial down the rhetoric?  https://t.co/XyrBM49ATN  Rupert Holmes (@thebard1313) November 5, 2024

Trump had one job to win the presidency going away in the last two weeks, just read the teleprompter & he couldnt even do that in his last speech.



I cant wait for MAGA tears tomorrow.  Tom Jefferson (@SageOfTom) November 5, 2024

On Saturday, Donald Trump repeatedly called for the AG of Virginia to investigate and prosecute Nancy Pelosi.



Trump is clearly trying to rile up his MAGA base with these attacks. There hasn't been a rally in the past week where Trump hasn't repeatedly attacked Pelosi. https://t.co/QQv0w9caRq  Kelsie Taggart (@kelsientaggart) November 5, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He's spent 40 minutes just shooting the shit aimlessly and meandering in weird circles with his weird superlatives, constantly projecting, not a semblance of policy. This era needs to endhttps://t.co/uzw8PxfSj7  Chris OIIey (@chrisoIIey) November 5, 2024

Related...
A new report by Demos, in partnership with Co-op, highlights a stark reality: the UK economy loses out on 19bn annually due to insufficient social mobility in the workplace.

The report, The Opportunity Effect, outlines the economic advantages of supporting social mobility initiatives, with findings suggesting that increased workplace diversity could generate 6.8bn in tax revenue annually.

Breaking down barriers to opportunity can be a much-needed boost for the UKs economy and for business performance, said Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of Co-op.

The report equates the projected benefits to creating 540,000 new jobs, a contribution equivalent to adding a city the size of Glasgow to the economy.

The business case for social mobility

The research surveyed 500 senior business leaders, revealing that 76% believe promoting social mobility could attract and retain staff, while 71% feel it could enhance overall business outcomes.

Co-ops Khoury-Haq notes, At Co-op, weve made social mobility a core part of our strategy, explaining that this approach helps retain talent and improve productivity.

Khoury-Haq emphasises that a collaborative effort between businesses, government, and the public sector is essential: We ask that businesses, the public sector, and government work collaboratively to embed support for greater social mobility within our working cultures.

The report proposes several recommendations to promote workplace social mobility, such as expanding Skills Englands remit to include social mobility and introducing reduced business rates for social enterprises that actively support it.

These strategies could lead to a 1.8bn increase in private sector profits, according to Demos.

Public backing and policy calls

Public support for socially responsible businesses is growing, particularly among younger consumers.

According to a recent Co-op survey, 29% of consumers are more inclined to buy from businesses that promote social mobility, with this number rising to over 40% among those aged 18-34. Rt Hon.

Alan Milburn, Chair of the Social Mobility Foundation, argues that businesses should act on this public sentiment, stating, Improving opportunity in Britains workplaces is not only a social imperative but an economic one too.

In addition to these findings, Co-op is urging the Government to recognise socioeconomic background as a protected characteristic under the 2010 Equality Act.

"UK retailers set to unlock 19bn from social mobility, report reveals" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Hours before a near-full traffic clearing of Howard Universitys perimeter to welcome one of their most famous alums, D.C. police directed traffic north of Florida Avenue.

Vice President Kamala Harris campaign plans to hold an election night event on the HBCU campus on Tuesday night, and the preparations are causing headaches to some locals.

It was a little bit struggling getting to work, said Audrey while working behind the front counter of a Jamaican restaurant on the west side of the universitys campus. However, she said employees were prepared, given the events advanced notice.

(Jack Barbash/DC News Now)

Were just trying to make the best out of it, and in the midst of all of this, we get some customers too, but we dont want to be left alone at the same time, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DC traffic alert: Kamala Harris election night event to bring road closures

Inside the Potbelly Sandwich Shop next door, one employee said it took her an hour to find parking on Monday morning. She said she plans to allot two hours for Tuesdays morning commute.

Fencing, and barriers were installed along Georgia Avenue on the university's west side of campus.

Howards campus was noticeably quiet Monday morning, as students will not have in-person classes for most of the week.

Students like Michelle Fagbola took note of the beefed-up security.

Even, like, yesterday, I left for work really early, and I came back home, and theres like barricades on the sidewalk, she said.

Michelle Fagbola expressed concern about possible protests near Howard's campus

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fagbola, a freshman student from Atlanta, said the violence seen on Jan. 6, 2021, prompted an uneasy feeling about possible protestors surrounding Howard.

Speaking of the police fencing nearby, Fagbola said, I understand they are doing that to protect us, so I definitely think its a good thing, but it does make it feel very real, and very scary.

Security concerns rise across DC ahead of Election Day

Jonathon Romain of Peoria, Illinois, told DC News Now that he, his wife Nikki, and daughter Kennedy are visiting D.C. on an unrelated visit and took stock of the prep work ahead of Tuesdays event.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Just to be able to have a slight piece of history to give to our daughter in her lifetime is worth whatever inconveniences we have to experience, Romain said.

I mean, its amazing. Its an amazing experience, said Nikki.

(Jack Barbash/DC News Now)

While various Emergency No Parking restrictions have already been enacted, and D.C. police blocked several neighboring roads on Monday morning, the department said road closures in the area will be implemented starting at 7 p.m.

A map of the Road restrictions and closures that will go into effect as a result of Kamala Harris election night watch party event at Howard University. (Courtesy: The Metropolitan Police Department)

The closures will remain in effect until D.C. police and the United States Secret Service deem it necessary; however, the parking restrictions should be lifted by Nov. 10 at 6 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
As voters lined up early Tuesday to cast their ballots at the Northwest Activities Center in Detroit, a DJ kicked things off outside to energize the crowd, playing "Happy," by Pharrell Williams.

We're trying to bring excitement to voters, to get them out to vote, said Jacqueline Kapilango, who goes by DJ Asset, a volunteer with the group DJ at the Polls.

Jamiel Martin, the Michigan project manager for DJs at the Polls, said it's an effort in 11 states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Our goal is to inspire folks through the DJ's performance, to excite people to come out to vote," Martin said. He said some polling locations may have lines, so the DJs are out there to "keep the vibe upbeat."

Jacqueline Kapilango, who goes by "DJ Asset," performs at the Northwest Activities Center in Detroit on Nov. 5, 2024, as Detroiters head to the polls to cast their ballot.

Martin estimated that nearly 400 DJs were performing in Michigan and said they would "probably wind up touching ... I would say, close to 1,000 polling locations."

In Warren, Ian Garlock, 36, said he hoped to help create an upbeat atmosphere for voting as he volunteered as a DJ outside of the Fitzgerald Recreation Center on Nine Mile Road. Garlock, who lives in Ferndale, is a product manager at a software company in Detroit but took the day off to volunteer as part of the nonprofit DJs at the Polls.

He planned to head to Madison Heights to DJ from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday and then back to the same Warren location from 5 to 8 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Everyone has been super nice, Garlock said.

Ian Garlock, 36, of Ferndale, plays family-friendly music outside of the Fitzgerald Recreation Center in Warren on Tuesday. Nov. 5, 2024. Its part of a nonprofit called DJs at the Polls.

Rodney Suttles, 36, of Detroit, also known as DJ Rod Steez, volunteered at the polling location at McDonald Elementary School in Dearborn. Music, he said, is universal.

"Right now, we're in Dearborn on the border of Detroit, where we all may not look alike but we're all connected through music," Suttles said. "That's what I love to do is bring people together and have a good time. No matter what creed, religion, who you're voting for, it doesn't matter. You come out here, hear the music and forget about things for a while."

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: DJs at the Polls effort brings hundreds of DJs out across Michigan
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Request for proposals for a brand new public safety facility went out last week that would replace a nearly two-acre empty lot near Honolulus Daniel K. Inouye Airport with a multi-story, multi-functional facility.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

Its needed because our current facilities are not up to standard, said Jordan Lowe, Director of the newly established state Department of Law Enforcement. Its time to build new facilities that are safer for not only, ultimately, the community, but not only our staff, but the arrestees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The DLE is currently renting space in about five different locations around the island and is forced to use antiquated facilities and temporary spaces.

Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement partners with Microsoft for enhanced public safety

Plans for this site are ambitious. What the DLE wants for this facility includes space for administrative offices, conference room and training spaces, 9-1-1 operations, a shooting range and a 12-unit detention facility along with adequate parking. The DLE is also proposing a mental health triage to provide treatment for those arrested, should they need it.

Right now were sharing training facilities with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and quite frankly, theres not enough space to accommodate everybody right now, said Lowe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If we have state-of-the-art holding cells, its actually safer and more humane for the people that are arrested, said Lowe. And then if were able to put some type of multi-purpose training officer, again, that helps the public because were going to better train our officers before they go out on the street.

In terms of the shooting range, that is really to address the need for a law enforcement firearms qualification range, to make it indoor because, as youve seen, theres so much controversy now with public ranges and even military ranges that law enforcement uses due to environmental issues and the community concern. So this would try to address that also explained Lowe.

To pay for the construction of the facility, the DLE is asking the state for $53 million over the next two years.

Senator Glenn Wakai chairs the Senates Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee and agrees that consolidating the DLE into one location is a good idea, but chasing the multi-million dollar funding will be a challenge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I totally agree that theres efficiencies in putting all of the piecemeal parts of DLE into one location, said Wakai. Were not going to get $53 million dollars appropriated in the budget. Weve got to be creative on how were going to finance this thing.

Wakai is suggesting a public-private partnership, offering a lease buy-back program with a private developer, something similar to what is being proposed to build a new jail on Oahu.

So we ask the developer, We need a $53 million facility, and we need it in the next two years. Can you start building it soon? And we will assure you over 30 years, whatever that price point is, we will pay you X amount of dollars so we can get tomorrow what we would want to pay for in 30 years, explained Wakai.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The department anticipates selecting a developer by January and if the funding is approved, be able to build a new facility in two years.



Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
A report by inews.co.uk has revealed the Duchy of Cornwall estate inherited by Prince William after the coronation of King Charles III in 2022 is profiting from a showroom selling dirty fuel-powered vehicles, leading climate campaigners to accuse the new Duke of Cornwall of "hypocrisy."

What's happening?

According to land registry documents obtained by i, the Duchy of Cornwall purchased a giant car showroom complex in Solihull in April 2022 when it was under King Charles' stewardship. Of the 251 vehicles advertised for sale, 189 need petrol or diesel to operate.

One year after inheriting the estate, Prince William reportedly earned hundreds of thousands of pounds from the complex. (Overall, the Duchy's business brought in 23.6 million.)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cars powered by gas release around 10,000 pounds of carbon pollution every year. Along with being linked to millions of premature deaths per year worldwide, dirty fuels are the primary cause of Earth's overheating. They contribute to more intense extreme weather events, the degradation of marine ecosystems, food insecurity, and other issues.

According to the U.K.'s Department for Transport, the bulk of planet-warming pollution in the U.K. comes from transport, such as private cars, which generated 26% of such pollution in 2021.

Why is this important?

Along with King Charles, Prince William has been publicly outspoken about repairing and protecting the planet from environmentally destructive practices, as i notes.

In 2020, the Duke of Cambridge famously launched The Earthshot Prize  which awards forward-thinking innovators for developing solutions to restore nature, clean our air, revive oceans, reduce waste, and bring the climate back into balance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Critics, including former Liberal Democrat member of parliament and Home Office minister Norman Baker, have called out the Prince for profiting off the showroom and other industrial land  even as the Duchy of Cornwall estate's annual reports paint a rosy picture of sustainability.

"[It] contradicts the public image," Baker told i. "The Duchy's brochures always have a nice picture of somewhere in the countryside or some cottage on the front. They all use horrible industrial estates, ghastly places around the country. They don't publicise that, but of course, they make a huge amount of money from that."

Do you think billionaires spend their money wisely?

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind

"If you call yourself an environmentalist and consider yourself green, then that has to feed into the actions that you're taking and what you're investing in," added Elena Grice, with grassroots rewilding movement Wild Card.

What can be done about this?

The report notes that the Duchy of Cornwall intends to significantly reduce its pollution by 2032, while the estate's annual report on sustainable stewardship highlights woodland restoration projects, low-carbon construction initiatives, and more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Duchy of Cornwall isn't the only entity accused of obscuring environmentally harmful decisions while boasting about its more sustainable endeavors. In September, for example, Microsoft was accused of selling its AI services to assist the operations of major oil companies.

Accurate climate risk and pollution reporting for businesses is an ever-evolving sector, and no entity or corporation is perfect. For instance, Microsoft has also made positive headlines for its reported or confirmed investment in clean-energy projects.

Nonetheless, the discussion highlights the importance of learning how to recognize potential greenwashing, which can help consumers hold public corporations accountable via their purchasing power and support planet-friendly growth.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The District of Columbia may not be a state, but thanks to the 23rd Amendment of the United States Constitution, it is given three electors and treated like a state for the purposes of the Electoral College.

So, what does that mean when it comes to presidential elections?

According to the National Archives, D.C. is allotted three Electoral College votes for the 2024 and 2028 presidential elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DC voter registration: How to register on Election Day

The allotment is based on the 2020 Census, as are the allotments for the states, including those in the DMV.

Maryland has 10 Electoral College votes, while Virginia is allotted 13.

How old is Kamala Harris? How old is Donald Trump?

The National Archives explains that all states, except for Maine and Nebraska, have a winner-take-all policy. That means a state looks only at the overall winner of the statewide popular vote. When it comes to Maine and Nebraska, they appoint individual electors based on the winner of the popular vote within each Congressional district and then 2 at-large electors based on the winner of the overall state-wide popular vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can read more about the Electoral College and the votes that each state has here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Donald Trump, having met the delegate threshold to become his partys presumptive nominee, will face Kamala Harris in Novembers presidential election after Joe Biden dropped out of the race.

Mr Biden, 81, and his White House team initially attempted to frame the next presidential race as a choice between democracy and decency, and what they claim is Trumps threat to Americas championing of democracy and freedom, both at home and abroad.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the narrative flipped after the attempted assassination of Trump on July 13. Trump has since cast himself as a unifying figure, while Democrats faced criticism for inflammatory rhetoric over the existential threat he posed to America.

In strict policy terms, Trump, 78, wants to make the contest a referendum on the Biden-Harris administration, focusing on the issues voters say concern them most: the economy, immigration, and law and order.

As part of his pitch, Trump has invited Americans to compare his record to Mr Bidens, asking: Are you better off today than you were four years ago?

However, Trump promises not just a return to the policies of his norm-shattering first term, but a highly detailed and ambitious platform for a second White House stint.

Mass deportations of illegal immigrants, a rethink of US foreign policy and an escalation of his trade wars are all on the agenda.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump has been less definitive on some major policy positions  for instance how he would fulfil his claim to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours.

Draining the swamp

First and foremost Trump plans to test the power of the presidency beyond any of his predecessors.

Much of Trumps sweeping plans start with a root-and-branch gutting of the US government, in particular using an executive order to replace thousands of career civil servants with political appointees.

New hires would have to pass a thorough vetting of their political ideology, as well as a civil service test of Trumps own creation.

Large swathes of the Department of Justice, the FBI, would be done away with, while the Department of Education would be totally abolished.

Drill baby, drill

Trump is fond of neatly summarising his own energy policy with the chant: Drill, baby, drill.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He has pledged to reverse Mr Bidens shift towards green energy production by ending subsidies and restrictions on fossil fuel production by reopening land to extraction.

Trump has also voiced scepticism about electric vehicles, a key area of focus for Mr Biden, whose stated goal is to have half of all new cars and trucks sold in 2030 be zero-emission.

Mass deportations

Trumps hardline immigration stance is a central plank of his campaign. As well as resuming construction of his flagship wall on the US-Mexico border, Trump has vowed to deploy US troops to wage war on Mexican cartels and launch the biggest deportation and border arrest programme in American history.

He intends to revive his travel ban from several Muslim-majority countries and implement ideological screenings for immigrants from other countries.

While some of these efforts were blocked in court during his first term, he would face a considerably more conservative Supreme Court in his second. This could be critical to his effort to end birthright citizenship  automatically granted to children born in the US under the Constitution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump has also pledged to hire 10,000 new border patrol agents if he is re-elected. He has said he would sweeten the deal by implementing a 10 per cent pay rise and $10,000 signing bonus.

Trade wars

Trump has floated the idea of implementing a 10 per cent tariff on all goods imported into the US. Nations that impose tariffs on US imports would face higher retaliatory tariffs.

Trade links with Beijing would be dramatically curtailed by phasing out Chinese electric, steel and pharmaceutical goods.

Chinese companies would also face aggressive new restrictions on their access to critical US infrastructure.

Tax

Trump has suggested he could cut federal income tax if he wins the presidency. The loss of income, he says, would be compensated by levying high tariffs on the imports of foreign goods.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He has pledged to end taxes on tips, social security and overtime pay but has not outlined how he would fund the proposals. He has also said he would make interest on car loans fully tax deductible for cars built in the United States, in order to boost the domestic auto industry.

Crime

Trump has promised a tough-on-crime approach that includes going to war with progressive prosecutors in liberal areas.

The hardline stance would see an expansion of the use of the death penalty, including for human traffickers and drug dealers.

America First foreign policy

Trumps America First approach would pull back on US defence pledges to its allies, particularly Nato, with the Republican suggesting that he would let Russia do whatever the hell they want to members that dont meet the alliances spending commitments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He has opposed large funding packages to Ukraine, throwing into doubt Washingtons continued defence and diplomatic support for Kyiv, suggesting instead that he could forge a deal with Vladimir Putin to end the fighting.

Reproductive rights

While he has taken credit for the overturning of Americans constitutional right to an abortion by shaping the Supreme Court, which repealed Roe v Wade, Trump has been more moderate on abortion than many of his Republican colleagues.

After months of mixed messages, he outlined his position in a video announcement in April in which he declined to endorse a national abortion ban and said the restrictions on terminations should be left to each state to determine.

It would mean leaving in place near-total bans in some red states, while allowing California, New York and other liberal strongholds to leave in place strong protections for the procedure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump has been circumspect about his own person view on what point in a pregnancy he believes that the line should be drawn for allowing abortions, but has backed exceptions to bans for rape, incest and severe medical emergencies.

The former presidents position has been criticised by his partys conservatives, but Trump said his GOP critics should proudly get on with helping Republicans to WIN ELECTIONS, rather than making it impossible for them to do so.

He has said if he wins another term as president he will make in vitro fertilisation treatment free for Americans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Healthcare

In office, Trump routinely vowed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the signature healthcare law passed by his predecessor, which has come to be known as Obamacare.

Trump repeatedly promised to replace it with a new system that he claimed would give Americans a better deal, but the details of the plan never materialised and a bid to repeal Obamacare faltered in a Republican-held senate during his first term.

He is once again promising to repeal and replace on the campaign trail, but its a tall order: Obamacare is more widely used now than it was in 2017.

Trump has also vowed to do more to strike better deals with pharmaceutical companies for medicines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a boost to caregivers, the Republican candidate has said he would support a tax credit for family caregivers who take care of a parent or a loved one.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
(WHTM)  Election Day is November 5, but some Pennsylvanians had an opportunity to cast their ballot beforehand.

While Pennsylvania does not have in-person early voting like other states, there were ways you could cast your vote before Election Day.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

This Week in Pennsylvania

If you were one of the more than 2 million people who requested a mail ballot, you can return your ballot in person to your county board of election or a designated drop box.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Election officials say if you have not returned your mail-in or absentee ballot, youre encouraged to return it in person instead of placing the ballot in the mail.

A county board of elections must receive your ballot by 8 p.m. on November 5. Having the ballot postmarked or in the mail at 8 p.m. on November 5 is not enough. It must have arrived at the board of elections.

Pennsylvanians who have returned their mail ballot via mail can see where it is online if it hasnt arrived yet.

Residents who want to cast their ballot in person are asked not to arrive at their designated polling place until the polls open on Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What time do the polls open on Election Day in Pennsylvania?

The deadline to request a mail ballot has now passed.

In 2020, Bucks went for President Joe Biden, 52-47, when he carried the state. Four years earlier, Hillary Clinton won Bucks by a point, 49-48, while Trump won Pennsylvania.

Gov. Josh Shapiros administration had urged counties to allow every voter who was in line by the 5 p.m. deadline to submit a mail-in ballot application. Responding to criticism and misinformation on social media Tuesday, Bucks County had said every voter in line by 5 p.m. Tuesday would be allowed to apply for a mail ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In-person voting in Pennsylvania is available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 5.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
MACON, Ga. (WJBF)  A Georgia poll worker was arrested Monday for mailing a letter threatening poll workers to the Jones County Elections Superintendent, according the Department of Justice.

Nicholas Wimbish, 25, of Milledgeville, was charged with mailing a bomb threat, conveying false information about a bomb threat, mailing a threatening letter, and making false statements to the FBI on Nov. 4, one day before Election Day.

A criminal complaint showed Wimbish was serving a poll worker at the Jones County Elections Office when he reportedly had a verbal altercation with a voter on Oct. 16. The following day, Oct. 17, Wimbish allegedly mailed a letter addressed to the Jones County Elections Superintendent, purportedly from a Jones County Voter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The letter, which in contained various threatening phrases, was allegedly drafted to make it appear as if it came from the voter.

The FBI in Atlanta is investigating.

According to the DOJ, Wimbish faces the maximum penalty of 25 years in prison if convicted.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Many Americans are not thrilled with either of the two major-party candidates for president. As of Oct. 4, 2024, polls showed that 46.5% had an unfavorable opinion of Kamala Harris and 52.6% felt unfavorably toward Donald Trump.

Some of these unhappy voters are considering voting for a third-party candidate, or not voting at all. They may be thinking of those actions as a form of protest against the two-party system dominant in the United States, or against these two particular candidates.

For example, in a September poll 3.5% of Michigan voters said they planned to vote for a candidate other than Harris and Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At first glance, these choices might seem perfectly reasonable: If you dont like a candidate, dont vote for that person. But my work as a scholar of cognitive biases  systematic errors people make in their thinking  makes me fear that this option does not best serve the interests of those voters.

Instead, protest voting is in fact likely to harm the democratic process, potentially leading to the election of the candidate the majority of voters overall, and protest voters specifically, most dislike. There are several reasons protest voters might make this mistake.

How much does one vote matter?

Its clear that any one vote is very unlikely to swing the presidential election. And some might say that if one vote doesnt really matter, then voters may as well vote however they want, or not bother to vote at all. Heres why thats flawed thinking:

Suppose there are 10,000 voters in a state who feel unhappy with both candidates. But they almost surely dislike one candidate more than they dislike the other. Perhaps they disagree with some of Harris views but fear Trump. Or maybe its the other way around. They dont have to agree on why theyre unhappy about the candidates either  some who are unhappy with Harris but prefer her over Trump may think Harris is too far left, while others may think shes not enough of a leftist.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now suppose the rest of the states voters  those who are happy to vote for one of the two major candidates  are very narrowly split. Perhaps the gap is 5,000 votes. So, if the 10,000 unhappy voters do vote for one of the two major-party candidates, they can swing the election.

Again, these unhappy voters really do have a preference  they like one of the major candidates better than the other. So while each individual unhappy voter wants to keep their hands clean and not vote, they would each like the other 9,999 unhappy voters to step up and swing the outcome in favor of their preferred candidate.

Parents teach the Golden Rule to kids  do unto others as you would have them do unto you  and most people do actually believe in it and try to act accordingly. In this case, following the Golden Rule means that if youre an unhappy voter and would like other unhappy voters to hold their noses and vote for the major candidate they least dislike, you should be willing to do the same thing yourself.

But not all unhappy voters think this way. Some are led astray by their intuition and choose to protest-vote even when their own values would indicate they shouldnt.

A boycott might close a store, but its not going to prevent an election from delivering a winner. Nikolay Tsuguliev/iStock / Getty Images Plus

A boycott error

One reason a person might still think a protest vote makes sense is because of the assumption that boycotting something they dont like is an effective means of contributing to positive change.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A boycott against a person or organization you have a problem with often makes good sense. For instance, if theres a restaurant in town with a reputation for being discriminatory, or just for being slow to get the food out, dont go to it. Maybe it will close and make room for another business with better performance. Or maybe it will make some changes in hopes of growing its customer base.

But when you cast a vote, whether on Election Day or beforehand, boycotting the viable candidates isnt going to help. One of them is going to win whether you like it or not. Boycotting in this context is an example of a misapplied heuristic  a rule of thumb thats often, but not always, helpful. Boycotting here doesnt help you achieve your goal of eliminating or improving something you dont like.

Omission vs. commission

Another reason people might choose a protest vote is because of a phenomenon in which people prefer to make mistakes of inaction  omission  over making mistakes that involve taking action  commission. People feel less guilty when they havent acted directly in support of a bad outcome. But both action and inaction can be errors, and both can deliver undesired results that constitute bad outcomes.

The omission bias can help explain why some people are hesitant to get vaccinated against serious diseases: If they chose to get vaccinated and the vaccination led to a health problem, that would be a mistake of commission. Not getting vaccinated also might lead to a health problem, but that would be a mistake of omission. People tend to prefer the latter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Similarly, voting for a candidate youre unsatisfied with could feel like a mistake of commission. Not voting, or voting for a third party, risks a mistake of omission  an error often assumed to be less significant. But choosing the possibility of an error of omission over one of commission doesnt ensure you arent making a mistake  it just changes your mistake to one thats intuitively more appealing.

They are both politicians, but they are very different candidates. AP Photo

False equivalence

A final reason people might opt out of voting or choose to back a third-party candidate is that they object to the assumption that they dislike one candidate more than the other. Instead, these people claim the two main options are equally bad.

But regardless of what your actual values and policy preferences are, thats almost certainly untrue. The two candidates hold very different views on a wide range of issues, and have different records of what they have done  and not done  when in office.

People who claim the two different candidates are basically the same are misusing another mental shortcut: the human tendency to think in categories. Grouping distinct items in the same category can simplify thinking, but it can ignore substantial differences.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some people think about 1-in-10 chances and 1-in-a-million chances as both being in the category of possibilities. But theyre very different: If youre flipping a coin repeatedly, one is about equal to your chance of getting heads three times in a row, and the other is how likely you are to get heads 20 times in a row.

Seeking your most desired outcome

During the 2000 presidential campaign, I recall a friend said he wasnt voting for Democratic candidate Al Gore because he thought Gore and Republican nominee George W. Bush were equally bad. But after winning  partly because of third-party voters who cast ballots for independent Ralph Nader  Bush withdrew the U.S. from the Kyoto Protocol to limit global carbon emissions, invaded Iraq, and passed tax cuts favoring the wealthy.

All of those were actions Gore would almost certainly not have taken. The two candidates were very far from being the same, and even though my friend didnt see it beforehand, he should have been able to.

The U.S. will have a new president on Jan. 20, 2025: Trump or Harris. A third-party winner is not a real option.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In some states voters can rank candidates in order of preference, more clearly expressing their choices without wasting their vote on a candidate who cant win. People who believe it would be nice to have more choices with realistic chances of winning could work to adopt that system  known as ranked-choice voting  in their communities, or seek to adopt other methods that could eventually yield more viable options in the future. But it wont happen in time for this election.

Whether you like it or not, you face a binary choice: Vote for one or vote for the other. And please vote.

The author disclosure on this article was updated Oct. 9, 2024.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Daniel F. Stone, Bowdoin College

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more:



In the 2024 election cycle, Daniel Stone has donated less than $45 to Democratic campaigns through ActBlue.
Trump stopped himself before finishing the insult, but told the audience, "I want to say it"

During his final rally of the 2024 presidential election, former President Donald Trump hinted at a profane insult against former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Shes an evil, sick, crazy b-, Trump said, before cutting himself off.

It starts with a B," he continued out loud, "but I wont say it. I want to say it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps remarks occurred at a campaign rally held after midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The Washington Post reported that when asked about Trumps comments, his campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said Trump was planning to say braindead.

Trumps Pelosi comments were circulated widely on X and a video of his remarks was posted by Kamala Harris campaign account.

Trump on Pelosi: She's an evil, sick, crazy bi oh no. It starts with a B... I want to say it pic.twitter.com/sSnWAhrBg4  Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) November 5, 2024

Its not the first time on the campaign trail that Trump has used controversial language to refer to his critics. He nicknamed his GOP primary challenger Nikki Haley "birdbrain," and has used several denigrating phrases to describe Harris, including calling her "dumb as a rock" and reportedly calling her the R-word at a private dinner with billionaire donors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Related: President Gerald Ford's Republican Daughter Endorses Kamala Harris: 'America Cannot Regress'

KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty; John Lamparski/Getty Donald Trump, left, and Nancy Pelosi Donald Trump, left, and Nancy Pelosi

On Oct. 31, while appearing at Tucker Carlson's Live Tour, Trump suggested that former Rep. Liz Cheney face a firing squad.

Trump called Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, a war hawk before saying, Lets see how she feels about it  When the guns are trained on her face.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.

Both Cheneys, who are staunch conservatives, have been vocally anti-Trump since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, having gone so far as to endorse Vice President Harris in the 2024 election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Related: Liz Cheney Sounds Alarm After Donald Trump Suggests She Face Firing Squad: 'How Dictators Destroy Free Nations'

Doug Mills / Pool, via CNP /MediaPunch House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gestures at President Donald Trump after his 2019 State of the Union speech

Pelosi, the first and only female House speaker, is a longtime Trump critic and served as speaker during his last two years in office, when Democrats had control of the House of Representatives.

Violent rhetoric against Pelosi has previously endangered her and her family.

In 2022, a man who has cited a variety of conspiracy theories broke into Pelosi's San Francisco house looking for her. Though Pelosi was in Washington, D.C., at the time, the intruder came across her husband and brutally beat him with a hammer. The attacker is now serving a life sentence in prison.


When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

Credit: Shutterstock

Intel has spent much of the last year struggling, and one way to tell is all the reports that other major tech companies are seeking to potentially purchase the longtime chip maker. We've seen claims that tech giants like Apple have considered taking over Intel to Qualcomm mulling over an Intel purchase.

Apparently, it's enough that the United States government has taken notice as claimed in a new report from Semafor.

With Intel reporting over $16 billion in losses for this past quarter, Semafor reports that the US Commerce Department is looking at multiple avenues to bail the American company out.

CHIPS Act ... with a catch

One iteration would involve a law called the CHIPS Act funding to give Intel a cash injection, which may not actually right the ship. The CHIPS act is meant to help American tech companies that manufacture components compete with China via cash infusions. Currently, Intel is slated to receive over $20 billion in grants and low-interest loans via CHIPS.

Reportedly, Intel hasn't received any of that money due to concerns from U.S. officials that the company needs to present a "viable" turnaround plan. Supposedly, policymakers do not have the stomach for a bailout a la 2008, where the government took a direct stake in ailing companies.

Sources indicated to Semafor that initial talks among Congress people and Commerce department bureaucrats are because the government views Intel as a strategically important company that acts as a "counterweight to China" in the semiconductor space. Currently, most chips are manufactured in China. Unlike Nvidia and Qualcomm, both American companies, Intel actually produces its own chips, rather than outsourcing that work to "fabs" in places like Korea and Taiwan.

An Intel spokesperson told Semafor, "Intel is the only American company that designs and manufactures leading-edge chips and is playing a critical role to enable a globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem in the US."

Last week, Intel reported the huge net loss, which the company blamed on writedowns and "restructuring charges." Though the company did have a rosier outlook for Q4.

What about AMD?

One option that has been floated is a merger with AMD, who Intel just teamed up with on an x86 council to protect the architecture from a recent surge of ARM-based chips like Qualcomm's Snapdragon Elite.

Marvell is another tech company that was named, which is based out of California. Surprisingly, Apple and Qualcomm were not mentioned despite both being American companies and increasingly looking to bring manufacturing in-house.
In his third consecutive bid for the presidency, Donald Trump has cast the United States, yet again, as a nation in decline mired by chaos, violence, internal subversion and subjugation.

The U.S. is a garbage can, Trump says, that has been invaded and conquered by murderers, rapists, and illegal criminals and vermin with bad genes who are poisoning the blood of our country thanks to the machinations of his political foes  the enemy within. Some of these enemies  immigrants and citizens alike  are not people.

This rhetoric underlies a policy program that aims to tear apart the country at the seams.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Immigrants both with and without legal status are to be targeted for detention, deportation and denaturalization in the largest internal law enforcement project the country has ever undertaken. It will be a bloody story, Trump promises.

Political opponents and election officials, the enemy within he speaks of, will be investigated and put on trial for unspecified crimes while he will pardon those who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6 on his behalf. The military will be deployed against U.S. citizens who protest any of these actions. He even aims to suspend the 14th Amendments grant of birthright citizenship  the foundational constitutional provision that enshrines in law the truth we hold to be self-evident, that all men [and women] are created equal.

For nearly 10 years, Americans have sought to understand Trump, the intellectual currents that sustain his political rise and the MAGA movement that adores him. And theyve tried to understand why he defies what were once the normal rules of politics. Scandals, whether it be his crude and insulting statements, the many allegations of sexual assault levied against him or his naked corruption, deflect off of him. Fact-checking, which boomed as a journalism endeavor during his presidency, made little difference.

The problem that many observers have had in understanding Trump, is that they have been making a category error in trying to make sense of Trump by the normal means of fact-based interpretation. Back in 2016, the media was told by conservatives, like journalist Salena Zito and far-right billionaire Peter Thiel, to take Trump seriously, not literally. But this formula does not get to the heart of the matter. Following the Jan. 6 attack, I wrote that Trumps supporters were not taking his words either literally or seriously, they were taking them mythically.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What Trump has sought to do ever since he descended the Trump Tower escalator  whether he knew it himself or not  is to supplant our countrys national political mythos and replace it with his own new spin on a very old story.

The Electric Cord

In the U.S., our politics operate on the foundation of a number of myths that hold varying interpretations to different social groups. For example, the myth of the American Founding, that guides fidelity to the original principles set forth at the beginning of the nation in the present; and the Frontier Myth, wherein the vast lands and resources to be taken from native peoples provided a gate of escape from the bondage of the past in order to forge a new American identity and yield unending growth, as Frederick Jackson Turner wrote in 1893.

But the key to understanding what Trump means is to look at the national myth that became the national creed following World War II in the 20th century: the electric chord that bound the nation, and that has since been broken.

The most well-known words in the American national idiom are those written by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A close second might be the brief speech Abraham Lincoln made to commemorate the cemetery at Gettysburg: Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Lincolns Gettysburg Address announced a revolution in American thought. Instead of locating the founding of the country with the 1787 adoption of the Constitution, 76 years prior, he argued that the nations true founding came with the adoption of the Declaration and its principle that all men are created equal. Instead of rooting national identity in white Anglo-Saxon heritage, he rooted it in principle. In calling for a new birth of freedom, he crafted a dramatic narrative that gave significance to the action Americans should take to fulfill their countrys promise. A myth.

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal," President Abraham Lincoln said at the Nov. 19, 1863, dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg. via Associated Press

This myth denies that American nationhood and citizenship is defined by blood, national origin or religion. It is instead defined by belief in a principle  an idea  that says that all people are created equal and endowed with particular rights that exist prior to the establishment of the Constitution. Lincoln outlined this in prior speeches.

In 1858, Lincoln gave a speech in Chicago addressing how recent immigrants to the country could still be considered American. While they cannot trace their connection to the founding by blood, immigrants can look through that old Declaration of Independence and know that they have a right to claim it as though they were blood of the blood, and flesh of the flesh of the men who wrote that Declaration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That is the electric cord in that Declaration that links the hearts of patriotic and liberty-loving men together, that will link those patriotic hearts as long as the love of freedom exists in the minds of men throughout the world, Lincoln said.

Lincolns myth did not take hold after the Civil War. It took until the second World War and its aftermath for it to become gospel.

This American Creed emerged as the consensus view of American nationalism in the 20th century. It came about due to the ideological nature of the war against Nazi Germany, domestic and international pressure to resolve the oppression of Black Americans, and a push for greater integration and acknowledgement of the immigrants who had immigrated in large numbers at the turn of the 20th century.

Creedal nationalism was an attempt to explain the continuity of American institutions despite the transformation of its population, Samuel Goldman writes in his 2021 book, After Nationalism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The nation could absorb so much immigration, liberal theorists reasoned, because its essence lay in ideas rather than in blood, soil, or religious confession.

Franklin Roosevelt reflected this when he told the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1938 to Remember, remember always that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.

This national myth provided significance to the push for civil rights at home, the ending of immigration quotas and also foreign wars against supposed totalitarian foes.

Today, this myth is still expounded by politicians  although largely from the Democratic Party.

"America is an idea," President Joe Biden said in his speech announcing his withdrawal from the 2024 election. Daniel Kucin Jr. via Associated Press

America is an idea  an idea is stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator, President Joe Biden said in announcing his withdrawal from the presidential race in July.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The United States of America is the greatest idea humanity ever devised, Vice President Kamala Harris said in her closing speech on the Ellipse on Oct. 29.

It is this myth that Trump and his allies are arrayed against.

Breaking The Cord

Despite occasional strategic nods to the Declaration as the source of the countrys meaning, Trumps political career has been exemplified by a rejection of Lincolns creed. He and his allies have repeatedly sought to draw exclusionary lines on who is and isnt an American, often on veiled or not-so veiled ethnic and racial grounds, and rejects Lincolns interpretation that the Declarations principle means that all men (and women) are created equal in the entire world. His promises to undo the 14th Amendments grant of birthright citizenship, which enshrined Lincolns interpretation of the Declaration into law, is no doubt the clearest example of his desire to reverse Lincolns myth.

His own vice presidential nominee Ohio Sen. JD Vance rather explicitly took on creedal interpretations of American identity in his acceptance speech where he drew a picture of his familys cemetery plot in Kentucky.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Seven generations of people who have fought for this country, he said. Who have built this country. Who have made things in this country. And who would fight and die to protect this country if they were asked to.

Now thats not just an idea, my friends, he added. Thats not just a set of principles. Even though the ideas and the principles are great, that is a homeland. That is our homeland. People will not fight for abstractions, but they will fight for their home.

Lincolns Gettysburg address consecrates the war cemetery not for the dead, who have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. Instead, he uses it to call the living to be dedicated to ensure that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. To win the war that tested whether any nation that was conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal  can long endure.

Republican vice presidential candidate and Ohio Sen. JD Vance rebutted arguments that America is an idea in a speech that read as the antithesis of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Li Rui/Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images

Vances framing would reject this entirely. His rhetoric claims that no one will fight for abstractions and instead will only fight for their homeland. What he describes is people joined to the soil and the blood of their ancestors. And what he rejects is people joined together by their common belief in an idea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is by no means new to American conservatism. The Lost Cause ideology that emerged out of the South following the Civil War explicitly rejected equality as the basis of American identity. This rejection of equality was joined by Northerners who saw inspiration in southern anti-Black racism to oppose and restrict immigration by non-Nordic Europeans. Conservative movement thinkers also strongly campaigned against a creedal interpretation of national identity in the 20th century  instead claiming that freedom wasnt meant for all, but to be limited by a consensus made by conservative white Americans.

But this strain largely remained submerged in the conservative movement, as the coalition that came together in the Republican Party cohere around the shared goal of opposition to communism amid the emergence of the Cold War. Anti-communism was expressed through the American Creed, as the foundation of the Free World in its fight against totalitarianism and what made America exceptional among all nations.

America represents something universal in the human spirit, Ronald Reagan said in 1989 before quoting a letter he said he received from a friend. That letter read, You can go to Japan to live, but you cannot become Japanese. You can go to France to live and not become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey, and you wont become a German or a Turk.  Anybody from any corner of the world can come to America to live and become an American.

Not long after Reagans departure from the political scene and the end of the Cold War, conservatives began reversing course. Pat Buchanans culture war speech at the 1992 Republican National Convention presaged Trumps rhetoric in casting America as suffering from decadence and decline brought about by deference to Blacks, secularists, feminists, and gays and lesbians.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A cultural war was underway, Buchanan announced, that is as critical to the kind of nation we shall be as was the Cold War itself, for this war is for the soul of America. On one side he put Democrats Bill and Hillary Clinton, who supported homosexual rights, abortion on demand, women in combat units, and radical feminism. On the other were conservative Republicans, who he said still believed in the Judeo-Christian values and beliefs upon which America was founded.

Trump speaks during a Fox News town hall at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on May 3, 2020. Oliver Contreras/Bloomberg via Getty Images

In 1997, after two consecutive presidential election losses for conservatives, the National Review published an essay by editor John OSullivan called After Reaganism that explicitly rejected the American Creed.

In it, he lamented as absurd and utopian the neoconservative belief that America is not a country, but an idea  a cre[e]dal nation held together not by ethnic links, cultural sympathies, or shared historical memories, but by conscious subscription to the liberal political ideas outlined in the Declaration of Independence and entrenched in the Constitution.

Between then and Trumps emergence, something happened. The significance of the creed began to come unglued.

Once used as the ideological inspiration for Americas foreign policies aimed at spreading democracy around the world, the myth crashed aground in Iraq after George W. Bush lied the country into an ill-thought out war of choice and implemented a torture policy that violated international law. In doing so, he defied global opinion and the institutions of the 20th centurys liberal international order.

Free trade deals that promised both a new frontier of unending growth and to eventually spread democracy through open markets decimated communities across the country in rapid succession while failing to make any countrys political system more democratic.

Myths only continue to exist as myths when they hold significance for a particular social group. A political myth can be defined as the work of a common narrative by which the members of a social group (or society) provide significance to their political experience and deeds, Chiara Boticci writes in her book, The Philosophy of Political Myth.

And that becomes evident in its absence, too: Amid multiple crises and changing material conditions in the country, the American creedal myth that long sustained the country seemingly ceased to provide meaning for many Americans.

MAGA Myth And Beyond

Trump moved to fill the vacuum with a narrative of decadence, decline and civilizational collapse that he alone could fix. This apocalyptic vision mobilized supporters to believe that the end times were not just nigh, but already happening. That they needed to root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country that lie and steal and cheat on elections.

I will give you everything, Trump said in 2016. I will give you what youve been looking for 50 years. Im the only one.

This myth of decline and promise of retribution and salvation provides meaning and justification for a non-majoritarian conservatism that has lost the popular presidential vote in seven out of the last eight elections and no longer believes it can coexist with liberals. Anything is permissible in the face of such decline, including minority rule and, if need be, overturning the will of the people. The people are corrupt, wrote the Trumpist intellectual Michael Anton.

There are many native-born people who may technically be citizens of the United States but are no longer (if they ever were) Americans, Glenn Elmers wrote in a 2021 piece titled Conservatism Is No Longer Enough.

Elmers called for overturning the existing post-American order by counter-revolution and exhorted his readers to start lifting weights because strong people are harder to kill.

As they are opposed to humanity itself, they place themselves outside of the category completely, in an entirely new misery-driven subdivision, the unhuman, far-right conspiracist Jack Posobiec writes in his 2024 book Unhumans, which goes on to praise fascist dictator Francisco Franco. (Vance blurbed Posobiecs book: Jack Posobiec and Joshua Lisec reveal their plans and show us what to do to fight back.)

What does one do with vermin, the enemy within, unhumans, and people who are no longer American? The question answers itself.

The Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was the culmination of Trump's myth. His narrative of decline provided the grounding to justify violence. Brent Stirton via Getty Images

This has antecedents in the American tradition, most notably in the Lost Cause and the anti-immigration movements of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Following the Souths loss in the Civil War, southern partisans crafted a narrative of civilizational collapse caused by the efforts of Reconstruction to provide freed Blacks equal rights  including voting rights  under the law. This mythos emphasized the need for violent rebellion through vigilantism to restore a traditional way of life (white supremacy) that had been taken by an illegitimate government. It sought to idealize the social order of the Old South, and to justify a new phase of political violence to restore that order, Richard Slotkin, author of A Great Disorder: National Myth And The Battle For America, writes.The Lost Cause would provide narrative power to the establishment of the Jim Crow system, and the violence enacted against anyone who dared challenge it or, worst of all, try to exercise their legal rights.

Beyond the South, Northerners pressed a similar ideology against migrant communities, applying the anti-Black racism of the South to the increasing numbers of immigrants moving to Northern cities in search of jobs in the growing industrial economy.

Universal suffrage for freed Blacks, swarms of foreigners and women is destructive both to the purity and significance of the ballot, so no one can place any faith in that form of suffrage, Charles Francis Adams Jr. wrote in 1869.

These exclusionary narratives have been used time after time to maintain racial and ethnic hierarchies, and perpetrate human rights abuses.

Andthat is what is, again, at stake today as Trump resurrects this mythical narrative of an exclusionary state for our time.

This narrative of victimization and decline provides the grounding for the policies he hopes to enact. That includes a sweeping mass deportation campaign never before seen in the country that is aimed at legal and undocumented immigrants alike. This program will no doubt sweep up U.S. citizens into its net and violate constitutional and human rights. He has called for investigations and prosecutions of political opponents, election workers, and anyone who stands in his way. He wants to deploy the military to crush any sign of protest against his rule. And he has shown that he does not believe that Americans who do not vote for him should have their votes counted.

Trumps MAGA-dominated Republican Party [is] determined to fight for its cultural Lost Cause  [while] the prevalence of ethnonationalism in MAGA ideology threatens the solidarity of the nation as a community; its authoritarian and illiberal characters threatens to override the rules and structures that have governed democratic politics, Slotkin writes.

While Trump has provided a narrative myth to provide significance and justification for action in the face of the collapse of the countrys existing national myth, liberals have not found a new way to explain what the country should mean.

It is not that liberals or the left should jettison Lincolns myth in the Gettysburg Address. Rather, they must translate its meaning for a new generation.

The attempts to create national unity under a foreign policy of democracy promotion seen in Ukraine have failed, while the dumb, deaf and blind support for Israeli war crimes in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon have further proved the shattered nature of the liberal international order that is supposedly upheld by the worlds democracies. It is time for something different.

To counter the forces of myth propelling Trump, liberals and the left must not abandon the idea that this country is conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. They must recall that they exist in the context of all that came before, but also aim to be unburdened by what has been.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.  Barricades went up around the Palm Beach County Convention Center Monday amid heightened security measures in anticipation of former President Donald Trumps election night watch party.

Thousands of supporters, donors and others are expected to descend on the coastal city Tuesday for the event  which could go late into the night  just a few miles north of Mar-A-Lago. Watch parties in 2022 and Super Tuesday took place at Trumps posh Palm Beach club.

This election marks the first time Trump will watch presidential election returns in Florida. In 2016, he celebrated his unexpected win over Hillary Clinton in New York. In 2020, Trump watched Joe Biden end his bid for a second term in Washington, D.C.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polls show a tight race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris nationally and in the seven battleground states that will decide the election.

After casting his vote Tuesday morning in Palm Beach, Trump told reporters he is very confident he will win back the White House, adding I hear we are doing well everywhere, per CNNs Michelle Shen. He also complained about the time it might take to call the race. It wont even be close, Trump said. But its gonna take a long time to certify.

Im keenly aware that the eyes of the world will be focused on West Palm Beach this week, particularly election night, because of the decision of the former president to hold an election night event here, West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James told reporters at a Sunday press conference. We want our residents and visitors of our city to know they are safe at West Palm Beach.

Trump is holding a separate event at Mar-A-Lago and is expected to arrive at the convention center around 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, per CBS News. But CNN has reported that Trump might not make an appearance at the convention center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Security around the resort was tight Tuesday where Trump is holding a private party. Local law enforcement temporarily blocked streets for a police motorcycle-led motorcade to pass through in the afternoon. Trump supporters waving large Trump flags lined the road as it passed.

On Monday, crews erected eight-foot tall metal barriers around the downtown West Palm Beach convention venue. Local police are working with the Secret Service and Homeland Security to safeguard the area, which is expected to draw both Trump supporters and detractors.

Were going to bring a couple of correctional buses down there, which is a nice name for jail. So at the slightest inclination that things are getting ready to heat up and get out of hand, were going to stop it real early and youll come spend the night with me, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters at a Sunday press conference.

Final pitch

Trump made his final pitch to voters Monday at rallies in Raleigh, North Carolina; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a key swing state that could very well decide the election, and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We do not have to live this way. We do not have to settle for weakness, incompetence, decline, and decay, he told people in Pittsburgh.

The former president, the target of two apparent assassination attempts, also amped up violent rhetoric in the closing days of the campaign

In Phoenix last week, he said that former GOP Congresswoman Liz Cheney wouldnt be a war hawk if guns are trained on her face. Speaking behind bulletproof glass Sunday in Lititz Pennsylvania, Trump said that for a bullet to hit him in an attempted assassination, a shooter would have to shoot through the fake news, and I dont mind that so much.

Trump has also continued to claim that the only way he can lose is because of election fraud.

Fears of election violence

West Palm Beach voters Tuesday were lined up Tuesday morning in a blustery wind outside the Howard Park Community Center, just a few blocks from the convention center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dana Little said he has no idea what will happen tonight but expressed concern about the possibility of violence

Just hoping that cooler heads prevail no matter which way it goes, he said. Weve been here before and it wasnt pretty.

Little, who voted for Harris, said he suspects the outcome wont be known for a couple of days. I dont know, he said. But clearly the city is prepared and so is the sheriffs office.

Sandra Granza held a campaign sign for a county judge in the community center parking lot patrolled by a security guard just outside the 150-foot no solicitation zone. She, too, expressed concern about possible violence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think its going to be a very, very tight, very, very close race and just I hope theres no violence, she said. Americans have to worry about that possibility around elections because people have changed. They dont have the freedom to express their thoughts anymore without being judged, and it is sad.

Granza, who voted for Trump, said people have a horrible reaction when she tells them shes a Republican. I said I do not judge for your religion or what you believe, she said. Why do you react this way?

While some people are so silent in voicing their choice, Im not, Granza said. I let my family know. Fortunately, its not something we discuss at the table because people get upset.
Donald Trump will be watching the results of the 2024 election from West Palm Beach. He is expected to be at Mar-a-Lago before heading to the nearby Palm Beach County Convention Center to find out the results with supporters and campaign staff.

According to the Palm Beach Post, "An advisory sent by the campaign Monday morning, Oct. 28, did not give a reason for the choice of the convention center. The venue swap suggests the campaign is expecting a crush of not just national but international media, as well as an expanded list of attendees, including donors and supporters, for what it expects will be a victory celebration."

Palm Beach's mayor, Keith James, has issued a warning for any potential protesters. "While we don't expect or want any trouble or issues, I just want to let everyone know that if you are thinking about or planning on coming to our great city to cause problems, don't do it. It won't end well for you," James said. He added that the West Palm Beach Police Department is collaborating with the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office, Secret Service, and Homeland Security "to ensure a secure environment during the event."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said in a press conference that Trump is expected to arrive between 10:30 and 11 p.m. Bradshaw added, "There will be areas for people to congregate outside. If you're a protester and you don't like what's going on, there'll be a designated area for you to do that in. That's the area you will stay in... All in all, we're expecting a smooth evening, and we're prepared to do whatever we need to do."

He continued, "I want to bring in a couple correctional buses down there, which is a nice name for a jail. So, if at the slightest inclination that things are, get ready to heat up and get out of hand, we're going to -- we're going to stop it real early, and you'll come spend the night with me."

In 2020, Trump spent election night in Washington D.C., and in 2016, he was in New York.

You Might Also Like
Editors note: The Deseret News invited both major-party candidates to submit op-eds speaking directly to Latter-day Saint voters. You can read Vice President Kamala Harris submission here. Former President Donald Trumps campaign did not submit an op-ed. In the interest of balance and informing our audience, we are providing Trumps remarks at a virtual fireside hosted by Latter-day Saints for Trump on Oct. 13, 2024, originally reported by Suzanne Bates. His remarks have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

The Constitution is hanging by a thread  literally hanging by the thread. We cannot let that go on. And the family is really the foundation of a prosperous and good society. Theres so many things that we all agree on. But I want to just say hello to the many incredible members of the Latter-day Saints community, and thank you for allowing me even to speak today, and your prayers and your support have been incredible. Weve had tremendous relationships over the years. Weve done a lot of great work together. We had an open phone and open Oval Office with your representatives. We very much share the same ideas. Theyre God-fearing, American patriots.

We want to also get out the vote. This is very important. We have a person that is really not a good person. Shes not a good person at all. As you know, shes got a lot of ideas that are not acceptable to you and to me and to everybody. Shes called a Marxist. Shes been a Marxist. Now shes trying to change about 50 different promises, from everything to  you look at what she does with the fracking, with the banning of the fracking, and all of the other things, the confiscation of guns. All of the things that shes going to do the exact opposite of.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Amazingly, she was very nasty to Biden. Amazingly, she was the running mate, and now all of a sudden, were running against her. Biden got 14 million votes. She got no votes. And were running against her. Thats a threat to democracy.

 Were doing very well in both (Nevada and Arizona). Well pick up some additional support from the Latter-day Saints. We really have the same values. All of us are united around those beliefs. We believe that faith in God and our Judeo-Christian values are essential to a healthy American society. We believe in family. We believe in parental rights. We believe religious freedom is the foundation of all freedom. It is the absolute foundation of all freedom. And we believe in fair and equal justice under the Constitution, rule of law. And as you know, with the Supreme Court, we put in three justices, and all of the things weve done  300 or so judges, we put into the courts, and Ive been given great credit by a lot of people, but especially religious groups. They are very highly rated.

Kamala Harris gets, if she got four more years, she will continue this assault against our American heritage and against religion itself. And everything Mormons cherish and value will be open for her to do whatever she wants to do with it.

 She wants to make it even harder for Mormons to care for the poor and less-fortunate, which you do so well. No one actually does it actually like the Mormons. As a senator, Kamala interrogated Christian judicial nominees for their religious beliefs and suggested they were disqualified from holding the office because of the fact that they were religious. And just briefly and in concluding, Id like to say, we will get in and make America great again, protect religious liberty and restore free speech. We will continue to appoint great judges and justices who interpret the Constitution. We will support school choice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 I would love to have your support. Its going to be me or her, and her is just not acceptable. She is not a competent person. She is not a person of faith. And shell do everything she can to hurt Mormons and to hurt everybody else. But with that, I very much appreciate the time.  I would hope that we could get almost a unanimous vote from the Mormons. If we could, it would be great, because we have to win this election. We dont win this election, our country will never be the same.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said the Latter-day Saints for Trump virtual fireside was on Sept. 13. It was on Oct. 13.
UK intelligence has noted that Russia continues to maintain pressure on the front line in Donetsk Oblast and keeps significant forces concentrated there, which has led to their recent successes on this front.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the UK Ministry of Defence

Details: Analysts noted that Russian forces have recently made advances in several areas in Donetsk Oblast along the 20-kilometre line of contact, occupying several small settlements and advancing to a depth of 9 kilometres in some places over the past week. In early October, the Russians took control of the town of Vuhledar.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now, Russian forces have taken control of Hirnyk and claim to have captured Kurakhivka. The capture of Selydove is likely to create preconditions for threatening the city of Pokrovsk.

Quote: "Russia continues to prioritise the southern Donetsk frontlines [in reality, the line of contact runs through the centre of Donetsk Oblast  ed.] maintaining favourable force ratios in this sector, which partly explains the increased pace of Russian advances."

More details: The ministry added that despite heavy losses of personnel, Russia continues to conscript large numbers of troops to support operations in Ukraines south.

Background:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On 1 November, Estonian intelligence noted that the Russians had managed to occupy about 150 square kilometres in Donetsk Oblast over the past week.

Earlier, UK intelligence predicted problems with the use of the North Korean military alongside the Russian military.

Support UP or become our patron!
Shortly after voting in Florida, former President Donald Trump spoke to reporters about how he is feeling on Election Day and what his expectations are ahead of the final results.
More than 20 US states are ready to send National Guard troops to Washington if there are riots after the presidential election, which is taking place on Tuesday in the United States.

Source: AP news agency, citing officials; European Pravda reports

Details: National Guard representatives in two dozen states have expressed their readiness to send their forces to Washington, if necessary and officially requested in the weeks after the presidential election and before the inauguration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The agency writes that the District of Columbia has not yet made any official request for the National Guard. However, government officials are holding meetings and preparing for the possibility that violence could again engulf the US Capitol building as Congress approves the election results.

Jean-Paul Lorenzo, chief of the future operations division for the National Guard Bureau, told reporters on Monday (4 November) that it is not yet known how many National Guard troops will be needed in case of emergency.

He added that it would depend on the needs of the District of Columbia, but stressed that the National Guard Bureau and the states are already preparing for a possible request for support.

Background:

As reported earlier, new fences had been erected around the White House, the Capitol, and the residence of Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington in case of possible unrest in the coming days amid the election.

More than 80% of Americans are ready to accept the election result regardless of which candidate wins.

Support UP or become our patron!
A person was killed Monday when a motorcycle ran off a Midlands road and crashed into a utility pole, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

The single-vehicle collision happened in Clarendon County, said Cpl. Nick Pye.

A 2008 Harley-Davidson was driving east on Bloomville Road, according to Pye. Near the intersection with Bonanza Crossing Road, in the Manning area, the motorcycle ran off the right side of Bloomville Road and crashed into the pole, Pye said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The motorcycle rider died, according to Pye.

The Clarendon County Coroners Office has not publicly identified the motorcycle rider.

No other injuries were reported.

There was no word if the motorcycle rider was wearing a helmet.

Information about what caused the motorcycle to veer off the road was not available, but the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.

Through Sunday, 817 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,030 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

At least eight people have died in Clarendon County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There were 15 deaths reported in the county in 2023, DPS said.
XENIA, Ohio (WDTN)  A Xenia business closed temporarily after a vehicle ran through the building.

According to the Xenia Police Division, a vehicle reportedly drove through a store in the 700 block of West Second Street in Xenia around 1:43 p.m. Police told 2 NEWS the driver allegedly mistook the gas pedal for the brake.

As of date, neither alcohol nor drugs nor medical issues are believed to have been a factor for the crash. No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

No charges are expected to be filed in relation to the incident, according to police.

The store has reopened as of 7:20 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
Warren Buffett has taken money off the table this year by selling stock worth billions of dollars. AP Images

Investors aren't sure how to position their portfolios going into the US presidential election.

Warren Buffett signaled in Berkshire Hathaway's third-quarter earnings that he was being cautious.

The investor built a record cash pile, slashed his two biggest stock bets, and halted buybacks.

Investors are puzzling over how to play the market ahead of Tuesday's US presidential election. Warren Buffett flashed his poker hand on Saturday, revealing he amassed a record amount of cash, cut his two largest stock bets, and stopped buying shares of his own company last quarter.

Berkshire Hathaway's 94-year-old boss has refrained from endorsing either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, likely because he's worried the backlash could harm his employees and shareholders. But his conglomerate's third-quarter earnings offered fresh evidence that he's wary of heady stock valuations and eager to take some chips off the table.

Between July and September 30, Buffett's company grew its mountain of cash, Treasury bills, and other liquid investments to an unprecedented $325 billion (or $310 billion, subtracting nearly $15 billion of payables for Treasury bill purchases). Two years ago, Berkshire had less than $110 billion in cash.

The legendary investor and his team sold $36 billion in shares and only made purchases worth $1.5 billion, marking their eighth straight quarter as net sellers.

They offloaded a net $127 billion of stocks over the first nine months of 2024  more than triple the net $24 billion worth they jettisoned last year and a stark shift from the net $34 billion of stock they bought in 2022.

Notably, Berkshire pared its bets on Apple and Bank of America, its two largest stock positions going into the quarter. It sliced its stake in the iPhone maker by 60% between January and September, reducing its value from about $174 billion to $70 billion.

Berkshire also cut its holding in the banking giant by about 23% between mid-July and early October, reducing its worth to below $32 billion.

Buffett has said that buybacks only make financial sense when a stock is trading at a discount to its intrinsic value. After repurchasing $20 billion of Berkshire shares between the start of 2022 and June 30 this year, Buffett didn't buy back a single share last quarter  a strong signal that he no longer sees his company's stock as a bargain following its more than 20% gain this year to record highs.

"When the world's most famous living investor continues to sell down shares and sit on a considerable cash pile, it tells you something very important about the state of the market," Russ Mould, AJ Bell's investment director, said in a note on Monday.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  Police arrested a 23-year-old man Tuesday on suspicion of involvement in a botched art heist at a gallery in the southern Netherlands targeting four valuable Andy Warhol screenprints.

The arrest came days after thieves blew open the door of an art gallery in the town of Oisterwijk last week and stole two works from a famous series of Warhol screen prints of the former queens of the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Denmark and Swaziland that is now called Eswatini. Two more prints were left, badly damaged, in the street as the thieves fled.

In a brief statement, police did not say if the missing artworks were recovered in a string of raids in Oisterwijk and nearby towns and cities, including one in Belgium. A spokeswoman declined to give any more details.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The gallery owner, Mark Peet Visser, said the stolen works had not been found, and a restorer is assessing the two damaged prints.

Last week, Visser said video footage of the heist showed that the four prints were damaged beyond repair by what he described as amateurish thieves who had to leave two of the prints behind because they didn't fit in the getaway car.

Police said the suspect, who was not identified in line with Dutch privacy rules, was detained in Berkel-Enschot, just six kilometers (four miles) from Oisterwijk.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Citing concerns of vandalism, the Portland Bureau of Transportation announced they are implementing e-scooter restrictions in downtown Portland.

Starting at 4 a.m. Tuesday morning, PBOT said they have implemented riding and parking restrictions for the Lime and Lyft e-scooters, creating a geofence around numerous blocks in Portlands core.

The geofence goes from Southwest Harvey Milk Street in the north to Southwest Clay Street in the south, and from Southwest Broadway in the west to Southwest First Avenue in the east.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DONT MISS: Portland police chief addresses Election Day security concerns

E-scooter use has been restricted in Portland ahead of the election (PBOT)

Scooters will be able to pass around the geofence on Naito Parkway and will be able to cross the Morrison and Hawthorne Bridges, officials said.

PBOT said they will be consulting with Portland police and Portland fire about whether to keep the restrictions in place, or even to potentially expand them.

In a press conference Tuesday morning, Portland Police Chief Bob Day said the law enforcement agency has been prepping for Election Day since he was appointed as interim chief in September 2023.

Businesses in downtown Portland have been boarding up their windows nearly a week before Election Day, and PPB previously said they plan to increase state through the week out of an abundance of caution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay with KOIN 6 News as Your Local Election Headquarters for the 2024 Election.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
More than 78 million people have already cast their ballots across almost every U.S. state and Washington, D.C., In some key swing states voters are turning out in record numbers, including in North Carolina and Georgia.

Republicans are ecstatic that more of their voters are turning out. Kamala Harris campaign officials over the weekend highlighted long lines in Dem-friendly precincts around Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham and Asheville. But does it actually say anything about the outcome on Election Day?

To help answer that, we asked three POLITICO reporters and editors to weigh in.

Theres been a lot of reporting on early voting, from Donald Trump lagging with seniors in Pennsylvania to women turning out in higher numbers than men. Do you see a theme emerging or a larger conclusion to draw?

Steve Shepard: It certainly appears across the states that Republicans  who mostly sat out early voting  in person and especially by mail  in the Trump era are embracing it this year. That has the potential to boost their chances, but it's also possible they are just cannibalizing their Election Day vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With more voters casting their ballots early than were perhaps expected, it could lead to faster reporting of the results. One other effect is fewer of the drastic shifts in reporting results when different kinds of votes (in-person early votes, mail votes and in-person Election Day votes) are tallied, since there's less of a partisan split in how voters are voting.

One thing it can't tell us reliably, however, is whether it nets out to a discernible advantage for either party. We won't know that until we see who shows up Tuesday, and how they ultimately voted.

Zach Montellaro: My really, really boring answer: we really don't know what it means. There's a lot of reasons for that, but the biggest is we have no real point of comparison. As you may recall, the 2020 election was conducted in the middle of a pandemic. It dramatically changed how people voted: That was the first election in modern American history where a plurality of Americans voted via the mail, and a majority voted before Election Day. We're not in that pandemic anymore! People's voting habits are shifting now. Are early voters just people who would have voted on Election Day in the past? Or are new voters being added? My sense is that it is the former, but everyone's really just making an educated guess.

Jessica Piper: I agree with Steve and Zach. Early voting tells us who has cast ballots so far  but that doesn't tell us who is going to win. In some states, like Pennsylvania, the GOP has increased its early numbers compared to four years ago but still needs big Election Day turnout. In others, Democrats have pulled back more from their pandemic vote-by-mail habits, and will probably vote more on Election Day. We just have to be patient!

Interesting points about the pandemic. What 2020 early voting trends, if any, have carried over into this cycle?

Piper: In many states, people are still voting early or by mail more frequently than they were pre-pandemic  just less frequently than in 2020. But the partisan composition has evolved a lot, which again is why drawing conclusions about election results is so hard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Montellaro: Yup! Mail voting was a 43 percent plurality of all votes cast four years ago, up from under 26 percent in the 2018 midterms. In the 2022 midterms, mail voting was at 32 percent ... so we'll probably see it higher than a third of all voters, but not as high as in 2020. Generally, more Democrats are still voting via the mail than Republicans.

Shepard: People like the convenience of voting before Election Day after the expansion of access in 2020 more than I expected. Trump has actually campaigned on Election Day being just that: one day. But it seems like  partisan implications of that aside  it would be quite unpopular to get rid of the early or no-excuse absentee voting that has become widely available.

Is there a slice of voters who have cast their ballots early thats surprised you the most? Republicans come to mind simply because Trump had spent so much time undermining or sending mixed messages on it...

Montellaro: You're going to hate this answer, but no ... because we don't know what the early electorate means yet! Sure, in a bubble Republicans voting more is surprising ... but basically every Republican NOT named Donald Trump has been begging and pleading for Republicans to vote early.

Piper: I think the increase in Republican early voting is a success story for the party  Republicans saw Democrats' 2020 early vote banking as something that really worked in their favor, and despite Trump's mixed messaging, a lot more GOP voters cast their ballots early this cycle. GOP voters have tended to favor early in-person voting over mail where it is available, so we see a lot of variance between states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But when we've analyzed voter files, most of the Republicans who have voted early have been highly engaged voters  the kind of people who were very likely to vote in every cycle. (This is mostly true for Democrats who have voted early too.) So it's not obvious that the Republican increase in the early vote is turning out new voters, or that it will mean more Republican votes at the end of the day. We'll need to see Election Day turnout (and results of course) to know that.

Shepard: I totally agree with Zach and Jessica. But I also want to underscore that, in many of these states, we actually don't know that much about the people who've voted so far. We know a lot in a state like North Carolina, where voters must register by party, and the state maintains their race on their voter file (a requirement borne out of a history of racial discrimination across the South). But in places like Michigan and Wisconsin, where they don't have partisan registration, information is quite limited.

Piper: Jumping off Steve's point, even in North Carolina, the plurality of early voters aren't affiliated with any party. So there's just a lot we don't know!

What's been the most interesting data point or trend you've noticed this cycle on the issue?

Piper: I think it has been really interesting to see how individual voters are shifting the timing of their votes. In Pennsylvania for example, around a third of Republican voters who voted early are people who voted in-person in 2020. So during a pandemic public health emergency, they went to the polls on Election Day, but this cycle they got and returned a mail ballot, I think because the GOP's messaging that they should vote early really broke through.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On the flip side, upwards of 90 percent of Democrats in Pennsylvania who voted by mail this year also did so four years ago  and many Democrats in the state who voted by mail in the past seem to be holding off for Election Day. Anecdotally, I have talked to a few who plan to vote in person in part because they were worried about Trump and Republicans challenging mail ballots in the state. So all that is to say -- people's habits are shifting and that's interesting. But (am I sounding repetitive?) that doesn't tell us who will win.

Shepard: I've been most interested in Nevada. There's been a big increase in Republican pre-Election Day participation in the rural "Cow counties"  well above what we've seen historically  that is fueling GOP hopes that they might be able to win the state's 6 electoral votes for the first time in 20 years, or even knock off incumbent Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen. Democrats may just be waiting to surge in both the mail vote and on Election Day. Even if they do, it seems clear that the state will be closer than Joe Biden's 2-point victory there in 2020.

Montellaro: Election officials are much more proactive this cycle about communicating expectations for when ballots will be counted. Election officials have, sometimes privately and sometimes publicly, grumbled that results have never been official on election night, and it is really the media doing the projecting. That's true in the past, and it is true this year!

And yet ... officials have come to appreciate over the last four years how important it is to communicate expectations and counting speeds to the public.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  There was once a time when our personal information was private. However, in the digital age, personal information is being collected and stored more than ever before.

There are sites that provide a treasure trove of information about you and your family. Its more than just your name, address, and phone number as some sites are popping up to provide even more detailed information for deeper searches. In some cases, you have to pay or subscribe. In others, its free for the taking.

Family remembers high school senior, champion runner killed in crash

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Suzy has lived in East Tennessee for 19 years. She and her husband are retired. But she keeps in touch with friends from New Jersey where she grew up. As she was helping to plan her high school reunion, she pulled up FastPeopleSearch.com, a website that has a wealth of information.

Every five to 10 years, we gather for our reunion. We always are looking for ones we arent able to find. So this Fast People Search seemed to be a good source for us to locate our people for their addresses and phone numbers, said Suzy.

She went on to say that she found a lot more information than she expected. The thing that first drew her attention was her phone number.

The cell numbers did not have my name, nor did it have my husbands name. It had a womans name and a mans name. The womans name was out-of-state and the mans name was in-state. I had no clue who they were, said Suzy, who contacted her phone carrier. She said you are using those lines. I said, Well please tell me why those names are seen online with somebody elses name. She said, I dont understand that either.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When Suzy dug deeper, she printed pages of personal information that anyone could see once they put in a name.

That bothers me a lot because there is a lot of hacking going on, said Suzy. This is crazy. Go online and its there. Thats wrong.

Fast People Search has a disclaimer on its website that says All of the information on our website is from public record databases. Every person aged 18 and older can have a public record. This information is collected on a county, city, state and federal level. Fast People Search added that the information can also come from reporting information for magazines, warranty cards, even fishing licenses, and forms you fill out when browsing the internet.

Fast People Search, and other sites like it, offer you a way to Opt Out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I want this blocked completely, said Suzy.

Opting out of a search site like this one helps fix your privacy concerns, but it doesnt guarantee that your information wont be available elsewhere.

Investigators say East TN murder suspect lured victim to take life and identity

There are legal regulations governing the use of personal data by websites like fastpeoplesearch.com. The Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates the collection and use of consumer information. The Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act applies to the collection of data from children under 13 and imposes certain requirements on websites that collect such information.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you see your personal information on a website and want it removed, search until you find Opt-out. Its required to be available, however, it may take a few days before it disappears.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- On Monday, November 4, while Ector County Independent School District students took the day off, over 1,800 teachers joined together at Odessa High School for a district-wide staff development day where they learned how to recognize and support students who may be facing mental health challenges.

Taylor Roy, Executive Director of Guidance Counseling and Wellness with ECISD said the Mental Health First Aid Training was vital because mental health, specifically for children, has declined since the pandemic.

After the pandemic, weve noticed that a lot of our students and families are greatly struggling to cope with everyday things that are happening in their lives, Roy said. Weve had things from suicidal ideation, actual suicide attempts. Alsojust basic stress, anxiety, and ways of coping with that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The training at OHS, which was one of the biggest training events in Texas, is part of a state law in House Bill 3, which requires all educators who regularly work with students to be taught research-based training from the National Council for Mental Well-being by 2028.

The reality is one in five [children] are currently struggling with mental health or substance use. So if you have a classroom full of 30 kids, thats already six, Dalia Ramirez, Mental Health Training Specialist with Permiacare said. So automatically, do these teachers know who those six are? If nothere are some tools to get you to recognize who those six are. And of course, help for them to not fall between the cracks.

Highlighting Hope: Buckner Family Hope Center

Overall, the development day and training program, which is expected to continue in the future for teachers and staff who did not attend, was a vital learning experience.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We arent expecting our teachers to become counselors or to become mental health experts, but we do want to at least give them the resources that they know that, hey, if I see a student thats struggling with this, I know exactly who I need to call or the steps or procedures to take when that student is in crisis, or even perhaps for themselves as well, Roy with Permiacare said.

Mental Health First Aid training is offered for free by Permiacare. For more information about how to take this training, visit this website.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and is in a crisis, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
Poll worker Louis Pettiford monitors the parking lot outside the Garland County Election Commission, one of seven early voting sites in the county, on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

South Central Arkansans who voted early on Monday cited the economy and abortion as driving forces behind the way they voted, particularly in the presidential race.

We cant have another four years like what we just had, Pine Bluff voter Gary Magness said Monday afternoon outside the Jefferson County Courthouse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Magness and his wife, Margaret, said they voted for Republican former President Donald Trump. Other voters the Advocate spoke with in Jefferson, Grant and Garland counties didnt share whether they voted for Trump or Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris but said they wanted to see a lower cost of living under the next presidential administration.

Some voters said their stances on access to abortion drew them to the polls. Arkansas abortion ban, in effect since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, contains no exceptions besides a narrow one if the pregnant persons life is in danger. Harris has made the promise of restoring abortion access a primary campaign message.

She wants to stand up there and give speeches in churches, but pretty much everything that she stands for is against the godly values and the Christian values that we were built on, Margaret Magness said.

[2024 Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.]

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jefferson County voter turnout has been high, with 800 early voters by 3:30 p.m. Monday, said poll judge Bobby Parker, who has been a poll worker since 2008.

Early voting began statewide on Oct. 21, and Parker said the courthouse has seen more than 1,000 voters some days and an unusual number of people who have never voted before.

Weve probably had over 100 first-time voters this time, he said. Normally I may not see but five or six in a two-week period.

Poll workers in Grant and Garland counties said early voter turnout was comparable to previous years. Shortly before noon Monday, the Garland County Election Commission building had seen more than 200 voters, poll worker Paul Meeks said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Garland County had seven early voting sites, while Jefferson and Grant counties had one each.

About 43% of registered Grant County voters had voted by Saturday, which was similar to voter turnout in 2020, County Clerk Geral Harrison said. Voter turnout is often higher during presidential election years than during midterm election years.

Poll workers in several counties, not just the three in South Central Arkansas, have said voters most frequently asked questions are about the three proposed constitutional amendments on their ballots.

Its imperative that people read about the ballot prior to getting in here, because if theyre sitting there reading every amendment, theyre taking time, and we want [voting] to flow smoothly, Meeks said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Issue 2 would repeal a Pope County casino license and require countywide special elections for any new casinos built in Arkansas.

Jennifer Mouton of Hot Springs said she voted against Issue 2 because its already been voted on. Arkansas voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 that authorized four casinos statewide, including one in Pope County that has seen years of legal disputes over licensing and ownership.

Sandra Henry of Sheridan expressed support for Issue 2, saying she agreed with advocates for it that the community its proposed to go in should have a say. A majority of Pope County voters rejected the 2018 amendment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both Trump voters, Henry said she is a registered Republican while Mouton said she is an Independent.

How we left a person in office that is completely incapable [of leading], Mouton said, referring to President Joe Biden, thats both sides fault.

She added that she believed Harris should have instigated Bidens removal from office.

Biden initially ran for reelection but stepped aside in July, allowing Harris to assume the Democratic nomination for president.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Immigration, abortion and unity

Mouton, both Magnesses and Tonya Maxwell of Sheridan all said they were worried about illegal immigration via the United States southern border.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think that if we dont fix something with our borders, were setting ourselves up to be overtaken by any of several different countries, or several different ones coming together to overthrow us, Maxwell said.

She and her friend Barbara Mullins, also of Sheridan, both said they wanted the next president to protect Social Security and other government-provided sources of income for older and disabled Americans. They did not say which candidate they believed would do this if elected.

Both said theyre also concerned about the cost of living and the stability of local businesses, citing a grocery store that closed in Sheridan recently.

Maxwell said the question of abortion access is important to her because she is a Christian who opposes the wide availability of abortion but believes it should be allowed in special circumstances such as rape.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Supporters of abortion access submitted more than 102,000 signatures to Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston in July, hoping to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would have created a limited right to abortion. The measure would have allowed abortion in cases of rape, incest and fatal fetal anomalies.

Thurston and the Arkansas Supreme Court disqualified some of the signatures on a technicality, leaving the remaining signatures below the required minimum, so the amendment is not on Arkansans ballots.

From left: Sherman Ferguson, Reshard Marks and Camesha Marks of Pine Bluff voted early at the Jefferson County Courthouse on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

Even so, Meeks said he met one Garland County voter who arrived at the polling place expecting the abortion amendment to be on the ballot as Issue 4.

Dorothy Morris of Hot Springs said she dislikes both presidential candidates and voted for who she believes is the less bad of the two, but abortion is a high priority for her as a voter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think women should have the right to choose, and that is what I do not like about the Republicans, she said. Were going to go back to coat hangers [as tools for abortions] like we did years ago Theyre going to punish women, and its wrong.

Pine Bluff voter Camesha Marks said her vote for president was also motivated by my rights as a woman, but added that local issues on her ballot, such as the citys mayoral race and a sales tax initiative supporting public schools, were more important to her.

Loretta McCollum of Prattsville, a small city west of Sheridan, didnt cite specific policy issues as motivators. Instead she said Americans should all come together and try to make a common bond, despite differences of identity or party, for the betterment of the country, because this country needs help.

Loretta and Michaela McCollum of Prattsville voted early at the Grant County Courthouse on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

Margie Langston of Pine Bluff said both the cost of living and the divisiveness in the country concerned her.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I would love to see more unity within every race of people because thats the only way its going to work for our children, Langston said. This is more important than anything, that weve got children coming up behind us. What are we going to leave them?

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Voters heading to the polls will decide several key issues in the state and the Miami Valley.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

New Center 7 will be following the key races like the Presidential and Senate elections, as well as the local issues and levies on the ballot all day long.

Here are some of the key issues and races Ohioans will see on their ballots today:

State Issue 1:

State Issue 1 is a redistricting policy that will remove politicians from the process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It would eliminate gerrymandering, which is when politicians make district maps to be more favorable to one party or the other.

If passed, an independent commission would be created to draw Ohios maps.

The commission would be made up of five Democrats, five Republicans, and five Independents.

Previous News Center 7 coverage of this issue:

>> What is Issue One? What you need to know before casting your vote

President:

Vice President Kamala Harris is running against Former President Donald Trump.

Both candidates have been making their way through the battleground states the past few weeks and made their closing remarks over the weekend.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Former President Donald Trump was originally running against current President Joe Biden before the president announced on July 21 that he was dropping his re-election bid.

Ohio Senator JD Vance was named as Trumps Vice President Candidate on July 15. Harris named Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate on Aug. 6.

Previous News Center 7 coverage on this race:

>> President Joe Biden announces that he is dropping re-election bid

>> Heres what you need to know about VP Kamala Harris

>> Ohio Democrats vote to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President

>> JD Vance selected as Donald Trumps running mate; Trump officially nominated

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

>> I will never forget where I came from; VP candidate Vance holds hometown rally in Miami Valley

>> Kamala Harris has enough votes to become Democratic nominee

>> Kamala Harris chooses VP running mate; Tim Walz selected

U.S. Senate:

One of the biggest races in Ohio is the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Democrat Senator Sherrod Brown and Republican Bernie Moreno.

Ohios race for Senate could determine whether the Democrats hold onto that majority, or if Republicans re-take the Senate.

This years race has also been rated the most expensive in the country, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both campaigns brought in nearly $100 million combined, with Sherrod Brown pulling in $76 million and Bernie Moreno raising $22 million.

Previous News Center 7 coverage on this race:

>> Ohios race for U.S. Senate rated as most expensive in the country; following the money

>> Ohios U.S. Senate candidates visit Miami Valley ahead of election

>> Candidates make final push, polls getting ready to welcome voters on election day

Centerville Schools Levy:

Centerville Voters will be voting on a 3.9 million tax levy to benefit Centerville City Schools.

The levy was proposed for a third time after its two previous attempted levies failed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The school district has already had to make $3.5 million in cuts, including 48 staff positions.

The Centerville City Schools Superintendent said that if the levy fails, the district will have to look at other ways to save money, including possibly more cuts.

Previous News Center 7 coverage of this issue:

>> Voters reject tax levy looking to benefit Centerville schools

>> Over 40 positions to be cut at Centerville schools following failed tax levy

>> Local school board approves levy for November ballot

>> Students return to class amid staff cuts after failed tax levy in Centerville

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

>> Centerville schools propose tax levy for third time; outlines budget, staff cuts if rejected

Beavercreek Schools Bond Issue:

Beavercreek voters will be looking at a $265 million bond issue that would benefit Beavercreek City Schools.

If passed, the bond will go toward building a new high school and renovating existing buildings in the district.

If voters approve the bond, it would cost the owner of a $100,000 property about $170 per year.

The Beavercreek City Schools Superintendent says the district needs more room for its growing student population.

Previous News Center 7 coverage of this issue:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

>> Voters asked to approve money to build new Beavercreek high school this fall

>> $265M bond issue on ballot for Beavercreek voters; School district looking to build new high school

>> Beavercreek voters asked to approve $265M bond issue for new school, renovations

Montgomery County Commission:

Voters will vote on two Montgomery County Commission races.

One race is between Democrat incumbent Judy Dodge and Republican Kate Baker.

The other race was between incumbent Deborah Lieberman and former Trotwood Mayor Republican Mary McDonald.

Previous News Center 7 coverage on this race:

>> Protest started in Democrat-turned-Republicans bid to be Republican on ballot for county commission

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

>> Former Trotwood mayor to be on ballot for Montgomery County Commissioner

Montgomery County Clerk of Courts:

The race between Incumbent Republican Mike Foley and Democrat Lynn Cooper.

The clerk of courts is responsible for managing court records, maintaining the auto title division, as well as overseeing a staff of nearly 100 people and a budget of $15 million.

In July, Foley was indicted on 12 counts including seven felony counts including theft in office, unlawful use of a computer, unlawful interest in a public contract, as well as aiding the abetting of the unlawful interest in a public contract.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Previous News Center 7 coverage on this race:

>> Grand jury indicts Montgomery County clerk of courts and a Municipal Court judge

>> Leaders call for Montgomery County clerk, judges resignations following indictments

>> Suspended county judge, Montgomery County clerk of courts appear in court

>> Special commission rules Montgomery County clerk of courts can stay in office

Beavercreek Parks:

Beavercreek voters will also be looking at a levy that would benefit the citys parks.

The levy was proposed to allocate funds to hire three additional full-time employees as well as increase annual capital funds for equipment replacement, park and facility improvements, and enhancements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

For more information on what issues are on the ballot and to look at sample ballots in your area, go to the Election page on our website.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]




Its Election Day. In addition to voting in the presidential race, New Mexicans will cast their ballots for the states three congressional districts. They will also cast a ballot for one of the states two Senate seats. The New Mexico Senate race is between incumbent Democrat Martin Heinrich and Republican Nella Domenici.

View Latest Local Election Results

Presidential Election Results in New Mexico by County

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Election day is here!

While the presidential race has gotten the most attention this election cycle, Rhode Islanders have several key decisions to make heading into the polls. Voters have their first opportunity to reflect on freshman Reps. Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo. Will they be returning to Washington, D.C., for their second term?

The race between sitting Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Patricia Morgan has also heated up in recent weeks.

RI Election Results: U.S. House

Rhode Island's two freshmen Congressmen  Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo  appear to have bested their Republican opponents on their way to reelection.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As of 9:45 p.m. with 96% of polling stations reporting, Democrat Magaziner was leading his Republican challenger Steve Corvi 55.9% to 43.9% and Democrat Amo was leading GOP challenger, Allen Waters, 60.6% to 34.1% according to unofficial Board of Elections tallies. No mail ballots were yet included in either tally.

More: RI reelects Amo, Magaziner claims victory in races for US House

The battle for the Presidency

The first votes have been counted, polling places are starting to close and results will be rolling in all night and beyond as Election Day 2024 plays out Tuesday in big cities and small towns across America.

The first races of the night have been called with former President Donald Trump picking up Indiana, Kentucky and several Southern Republican strongholds. Vice President Kamala Harris has won several states in the Northeast, stretching from Vermont to Maryland.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Presidential election live results: Trump, Harris battle in pivotal swing states; see map

RI Election Results: Cranston Mayor's race

Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins is on track to win a hard-fought second term in office.

As of 8:42 p.m., Hopkins, a Republican, had 54%of the vote. His challenger, Democrat Robert Ferri, had 46% of the vote. All precincts had reported results, but mail ballots had yet to be counted.

Cranston election results: Hopkins on track to defeat Democratic challenger

RI Election Results: Pawtucket Mayor's race

Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien is on track to win an eighth term in office.

As of 8:36 p.m., Grebien, a Democrat, had 64% of the vote. His challenger, independent Nathan Luciano, had 35% of the vote. Ninety-three percent of precincts had reported results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

All nine members of the City Council are poised to win their reelection bids as well. All are Democrats and, with the exception of Ward 2 councilman Mark J. Wildenhain, did not face challengers in the general election.

Pawtucket mayoral race results: Grebien easily wins eighth term; City Council unchanged

RI Election Results: Ballot questions

Question 1: The Rhode Island Constitution will remain as is after voters opted against calling the first state-level constitutional convention in the United States since 1986. That 1986 convention was, of course, in Rhode Island.

Question 2: The latest in a series of bonds to fund new construction at state colleges won approval Tuesday. Voters endorsed borrowing $160.5 million and of that total $87.5 million will go toward constructing a new URI biomedical sciences building at its Kingston campus, and $73 million will be used to transform Whipple Hall into a dedicated home for the Institute for Cybersecurity & Emerging Technologies at Rhode Island College.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Question 3: Amid a home affordability crisis, voters gave the green light to a $120 million housing bodd. The borrowing is slated to fund $80 million in assistance for low and moderate income housing development,$10 million for community revitalization projects,$20 million for low, moderate, and middle income housing for homeownership,$5 million for site acquisition for supportive housing,$4 million for housing-related infrastructure, and$1 million for municipal planning.

Question 4: The $53 million environmental and economic development bond passed.

Question 5: Voters green-lighted spending $10 million on promoting the arts, including three specific local organizations: Trinity Rep, Newport Contemporary Ballet and the Tomaquag Museum.

More: RI voters sink constitutional convention, approve borrowing for ports, colleges and arts

Election Results: Warwick Mayor's race

Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi, an independent with a well-known aversion to party politics, is on track to win a third term in office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As of8:32 p.m., Picozzi had72.4% of the vote. His Democratic challenger, Leah Hazelwood, had19.5% of the vote. Eighty-five percent of precincts had reported results, and mail ballots had not yet been counted.

Patrick Maloney Jr., a lesser-known independent, had 7.7% of the vote.

Early election results also showed Democrats on track to win eight of nine City Council seats.

Warwick mayoral race results: Picozzi on track to win third term

U.S. Senate Race: Whitehouse vs. Morgan race results

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse took an early lead over his Republican challenger, state Rep. Patricia Morgan. in his bid for a fourth term in Washington.

Whitehouse was leading Morgan 55.4% to 44.2 % as of 8:15 p.m.on Tuesday night, according to the unofficial Board of Elections tally.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: U.S. Senate live results: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse wins reelection after AP race call.

AP Race Call: Kamala Harris wins Rhode Island

The Associated Press has called Rhode Island for Vice President Kamala Harris saying, "Harris won Rhode Island on Tuesday, giving her four electoral votes and continuing the Democrats dominance in the state. The last time a Republican presidential candidate won Rhode Island was in 1984, when former President Ronald Reagan defeated former Vice President Walter Mondale. President Joe Biden easily defeated former President Donald Trump in Rhode Island in 2020, winning more than 59% of the vote." Hillary Clinton also did well in the state, winning over 54% of the vote in 2016. Given the Democrats success in Rhode Island, presidential candidates rarely spend time campaigning in the state. The Associated Press declared Harris the winner at 8:00 p.m. EST."

More: Kamala Harris handily wins Rhode Island on Election Night. What to know.

Looking for local Rhode Island election results?

We'll report major races and developments as the break here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can also follow along at: https://election.providencejournal.com/ where we have race-by-race election results from every city and town, maps, detailed vote counts and more for Rhode Islands general election.

What about the results?

Every race is different, so it is impossible to know until polls close how long it will take to determine a winner but we should start seeing results shortly after polls close at 8 p.m.

How many electoral votes does Rhode Island have?

As the smallest state, with a similarly small population, Rhode Island has just 4 electoral votes, which will go to Harris.

When will votes cast before election day -- including mail ballots -- be counted and added to the totals?

The Board of Elections tabulates mail ballots as they come in from cities and towns, but they will not be added to the publicly reported vote total until sometime after the polls close at 8 p.m. The Board expects to count all mail ballots before the end of Tuesday -- except some late-arriving ballots cast in drop boxes on election day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Votes cast in-person before election day are also being counted as they come in and will only be reported to the public sometime after the polls close.

How has Rhode Island voted in the past?

In each of the last four elections, Rhode Island has voted for the Democratic nominee for President selecting:

Joe Biden over Trump, 59% to 39%, in 2020.

Barack Obama over John McCain, 63% to 35%, in 2008

Obama over Mitt Romney, 63% to 35%, in 2012

Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump, 54% to 39%, in 2016

-Paul Edward Parker, Journal Staff

When will we know the results?

Every race is different, so it is impossible to know until polls close how long it will take to determine a winner. But here is a rough timeline of when each type of vote will be counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early voting and day-of voting: Polls close at 8 pm Tuesday night, after which results for early and day-of voting will begin to be tabulated and released in batches

Mail ballots: Later Tuesday night, mail ballot results will be released all at once

Drop box ballots: Results from ballots dropped off in drop boxes will be tabulated and released on Wednesday

Overseas and provisional ballots: Provisional and overseas ballots, including military ballots, will be tallied on Friday and added to the total

What's happening at the Board of Elections?

The Rhode Island Board of Elections' executive director, Miguel Nunez, said Tuesday that he expected voter turnout in Rhode Island to get close to levels reached in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

"We have had heavy turnout," said Nunez said.

Mail ballots are counted at the Rhode Island Board of Elections late Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking around 4 p.m., Nunez said that vote-collection and counting in the state was running "very smoothly."

He mentioned that six tabulators had to be swapped out by on-duty technicians.

"That did not interrupt voting at all," Nunez said. "Those units do have a storage compartment that allows voting to continue ... in the event that the tabulator isn't working for a reason. Our technicians are trained in how to do that to make sure every vote gets counted."Rhode Island has 590 tabulators dispersed among 453 voting precincts, he said.

-Mark Reynolds, Journal Stafff

In Central Falls, young voters turn out

By mid-afternoon, Kelly Ochoa, the polling moderator at Calcutt Middle School on Washington Street, had already noticed a shift from the 2020 election.

In the last election we had a lot of young people registering but not enough coming to vote. This year [they are both] registering and voting, Ochoa said.

People were waiting outside Calcutt Middle School as early as 6:50 a.m. to vote. By 3:30 p.m. Ochoa estimated about 270 voters had come through the doors  many of them first-time voters.

Neto Coulibaly, 27, was one of those participating in an election for the first time. She struggled with deciding whether to vote and in the end made a last-minute decision to cast a ballot for Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.

It was a struggle because I just aligned with a lot of different things on both sides, she said.

Coulibaly, a Christian, said fellow believers avoided talking about politics, but she noticed this time around her community was more split on who they were supporting.

-Jonny Williams, Journal Staff

Neto Coulibaly was one of the many first-time voters who cast their ballots at Central Falls' Calcutt Middle School on Tuesday.

While many have painted this election as a zero-sum contest with dire consequences regardless of the outcome, Coulibaly did not fret about the result.

My hope is not in politics. My hope is in Jesus, Coulibaly said. I do hope that I contribute in a way towards a candidate who can improve the country overall, but as a whole I would say for me thats just not where my hope is.

When do polls close in Rhode Island?

Polls are opened on Election Day at 7 a.m. in every city and town except New Shoreham, where poll start at 9 a.m. p.m.

In Rhode Island, polls close at 8 p.m. in every city and town. However, you will be allowed to cast your vote if you are in line at your polling location by 8:00 p.m.

What would it take for Trump to win RI?

What would it take for Donald Trump to win Rhode Island in Tuesday's Presidential Election and claim the state's four Electoral College votes?

Beyond the obvious  he would need to get more votes than Kamala Harris  what would that look like when played out on the Ocean State's electoral map?

Conventional wisdom says that the Democrat  pretty much any Democrat  is going to win Rhode Island in a Presidential Election.

Since 2000, even when losing nationally, the Democratic candidate has won Rhode Island handily, usually by more than 100,000 votes, though Hillary Clinton's margin over Trump in 2016 was only about 45,000. Most recently, Joe Biden beat Trump by 107,564 votes in the 2020 election.

So, Trump needs to find 45,000 votes  if one uses the Clinton contest as a proxy for this year's matchup with Harris  or 107,000 votes, if the Biden election is used as a template.

Where could Trump find those votes in the True Blue Ocean State?

And analysis of recent Presidential Elections and voter registration patterns suggests three communities would be key to a Trump victory, if it materializes, with four others playing supporting roles.

The two most important would be the cities of Warwick and Cranston by virtue of relative large voting populations and being friendly to Republicans, both having more than once elected Republican mayors recently.

Although those two cities are smaller than Providence, they generally have higher voter turnout as a percentage of those registered, making their 60,000-plus registered voters each a valuable prize, even up against Providence's 111,000 registered voters.

A third key to a potential Trump victory in Rhode Island would be Coventry. Voters there cast nearly 20,000 ballots in the 2020 election, and 20% of its voters are registered as Republicans, compared to a statewide average of 14%. It is also among the lowest percentage of registered Democrats, 23%, compared to 38% statewide. Nearly 60% of Coventry voters are independent, leaving a large pool that could swing Trump's way.

Towns that could play a supporting role in a potential Trump victory include North Kingstown, West Warwick and Westerly, which have above average Republican voter registration rates and each cast some 13,000 ballots or more in the 2020 election.

One last "Democratic stronghold" that seems inconceivable for Trump to lose but win the state is Johnston, which surprisingly went in the Republican's column against Biden.

What happened the last time there was a Constitutional Convention

The last convention took place in 1986. Here's what changed as a result  and what didn't.

A two-part question asked voters to: Formally codify the governor's power to prepare an annual budget and make the speaker of the House third in the line of succession to replace the governor, after the lieutenant governor.

Civil rights issues

Shoreline access

Denying bail (judges are allowed to deny bail to people charged with drug-related crimes that carry a sentence of 10 years or more.)

Ethics and campaign finance issues

Several changes affected people with criminal records' rights to vote (or not).

Adding to the General Assembly's duties to include promoting public libraries and library services.

A two-part question asked voters to: Formally codify the governor's power to prepare an annual budget and make the speaker of the House third in the line of succession to replace the governor, after the lieutenant governor.

Here's what changed  and what didn't: As a result of RI's last constitutional convention

What is a Constitutional Convention and why is it on the ballot?

This year, Rhode Island voters are being asked to decide if the state should hold a constitutional convention.

If voters approve Question 1 on Nov. 5 there will be an election to choose 75 delegates who will meet at a time and place to be determined to recommend amendments to the constitution that would be put up for approval at another statewide election.

Taking sides: Where do RI leaders stand on constitutional convention question?

Economy, housing are top-of-mind for Providence voters

At the Dominica Manor on Atwells Avenue in Providence, an age- and income-restricted housing complex, resident Jose Moia said the most important issue in the election was who becomes president: Kamala Harris, or, not Donald Trump.

"He's saying, 'If I lose, they're cheating,' and that's not true," Moia said. "For the past four years, he's been saying the same thing."

For Moia's friends, the economy is the top issue, but Moia said it seems to be chugging along just fine. Interstate 95 is chock full of cars, the mall parking lots are full of cars, the grocery store parking lots are full of cars.

"People are buying, so what's the issue?" Moia said.

Moia, 71, said he came to the United States at 15 from the Dominican Republic, when the price of a gallon of gasoline and a New York City subway fare were about the same.

"We need change," he said. "I'm afraid of this guy."

Down the ballot, he said housing was his biggest issue, citing the housing bond.

Coming out of the same precinct was Nicholas Chace, who identified the war in Gaza as the most pressing issue.Chace wrote in his presidential vote, "Free Palestine."

"Given the electoral college, I don't feel my vote would have made a difference," Chace said, reasoning that Harris will get Rhode Island's electoral votes no matter if he votes for her or not.

Down the ballot, Chace said his most important issue was housing, as he suspects he will soon be priced out of Providence, making the housing bond an important vote.

-Wheeler Cowperthwaite, Journal Staff

Trump wins RI Soda Pop Poll

Donald Trump is unlikely to win Rhode Island, but he did win Yacht Club Sodas extremely unofficial Soda Pop Poll.The North Providence maker of sodas and seltzers released two special-edition flavors this year, Kamalas Berry Surprise and Donalds Trumpian Punch.

The Trump-themed soda won this years election by outselling its competition, Yacht Club Soda announced on Tuesday afternoon. Trumpian Punch amounted to 56% of bottles sold, while the blue Berry Surprise had 44% of the vote.The Soda Pop Poll accurately predicted the results of the 2016 election, but not the 2020 election, according to the company. Trump-themed sodas with a fruit punch flavor have now won three years in a row.

 Antonia Noori Farzan, Journal Staff

For this undecided voter in Providence, comments about Puerto Ricans made the difference

Outside the Farm Fresh building, a voting precinct in Providence, Kimberly Pena brought her son, Amir. For Pena, the biggest issue this election cycle was the economy. Well, she said that Trump would have been the better candidate for the economy.

Ultimately, she had to vote based on her morals.

For her that meant voting for Harris.

Up until two weeks ago, she was still undecided.

The comments that Trump allies made during a rally disparaging Puerto Ricans were disturbing to her and that Trump didnt apologize for the comments was disturbing.

Kimberly Pena who brought her son, Amir with her to vote.

From Puerto Rico, Pena is Hispanic and said she found the comments, especially hurtful.

The untrue things Trump said during the debate which were partially fact checked by the moderators were also a reason that she had to vote for Harris on her morals.When it came to local issues, she said that the bond bills are very important to her.By 4 p.m. she was one of the 356 people who had voted at one of the two precincts inside of Farm Fresh.

-Wheeler Cowperthwaite, Journal Staff

Complaint filed after altered sample ballots handed out at Portsmouth polling site

A complaint has been filed with the Rhode Island Secretary of State and the Portsmouth Canvassing Department is looking into reports of a group giving out altered sample ballots outside a Portsmouth polling location leading to concerns that they were being used to mislead or confuse voters.

I went to the polling location and asked them to stop it and they did, Registrar of Voters Jacqueline Schulz said. It was upsetting voters and thats the point. When I get information about voters getting upset, I address it. 

Anthony D'Ellena, a field organizer with the RIGOP who is working on Senate candidate Patricia Morgan's campaign, said that multiple voters in Portsmouth "reported being handed official Rhode Island ballots that appear tampered with to influence voter choice. These ballots already have the Democrat candidates pre-selected, while Republican candidates names are whited out."

The complaint, however, doesn't appear to be going far.

More: Complaint filed after altered sample ballots handed out at Portsmouth polling site

"The material in question is not an official ballot. Therefore there is no ballot tampering or issue requiring further action from the Board of Elections." Chris Hunter, spokesman for the Rhode Island Board of Elections, said.

Tax free overtime, immigration and LGBTQ are the issues driving voters in Warwick

Outside the Aspray Boathouse polling place in Warwick's Pawtuxet Village, Leslie Sjogren said she's voting for Democrat Kamala Harris in support of LBTQ rights.

"I'm praying that everything will be good, but I know that if the person that I didn't vote for wins, then LGBTQ and all the factions thereof are going to be in deep doodoo," she said. "And it really is scary."

Is she confident the vote will be respected, regardless of how it turns out?

"I'm praying for that," Sjogren said.

On the other side of the partisan divide, Ken Sherman, 33, said he was voting for Republican Donald Trump. "America first, I guess," he said what was behind his choice, "and generally the economy, immigration policy and foreign policy."

What does he expect if the results don't go the way he hopes?

"I mean, America always finds a way for the most part," Sherman said. "I do have concerns about the future elections. I know that's a topic that's come up a lot lately, especially considering that a lot of illegal immigrants have been imported to swing states."

Zack Matterra said he is a two-issue voter: "If you can reduce taxes and increase my Second Amendment freedoms, I'm good with that."

He said he voted for Trump and liked the Republican's idea to make overtime tax free.

"I worked 1,200 hours of overtime last year," he said.

-Patrick Anderson, Journal Staff

Poll workers are seeing a high turn out of young voters in East Providence

By about 2:30 p.m., nearly 300 people had already voted at the polling location at the Riverside branch of the citys public library.

Thats about a quarter of the registered voters in the precinct, a pretty high number considering that so many ballots this election had been cast early or by mail, said moderator Chris Gagnon.

A similar number had come out to Kent Heights Elementary School by the early afternoon, said Sam Lobel, moderator of the polling place there.

The morning had started with a line of people waiting to get in, and while things had eased off a bit, there was no point during the day without at least one or two voters.

Joanne Owen, the clerk at the Kent Heights location, said theres been more voters so far in comparison to the election two years ago. Thats not surprising. Voters tend to come out in greater numbers in years with presidential elections.

Owen said theres also been a noticeable difference in demographics, with more younger people coming out during this election.

Everythings gone smoothly, Lobel said.

The same was true at the Riverside library, said Gagnon. The only surprise: a neighborhood cat that wandered into the polling place.

-Alex Kuffner, Journal Staff

In Cranston: 'Well find a way, somehow, to make it better.'

At Daniel D. Waterman Elementary School in Cranstons Auburn neighborhood, the prospect of a second Trump presidency weighed heavily on voters minds.Ken Mangon described himself as apprehensive.I really dont want to see Trump win, he said after casting his ballot. Its crazy that its even close.Dawn and John Conneally felt optimistic after casting their votes for Harris.I was nervous but now Im feeling a little hopeful, John said. That feeling, he said, was a response to hearing Trumps remarks at his most recent rally: In my mind, Im thinking, Nobody can vote for him. Hes got a lot of people swindled, but I just think there are more smart people than there are cuckoo people.Dawn said what made her hopeful about a Harris win was my gut.

At Edgewood Highland Elementary School in Cranston, Joyce Baker said she found it uplifting to cast her vote on Tuesday because there were so many good local candidates on the ballot. Looking at the national landscape, she expressed hope that the country could overcome its division.I think human nature always has hope, she said. Thats how we are. And well find a way, somehow, to make it better. Its hard to believe the nastiness and the negativity that goes on, but I just hope and pray that turns around. Ive got my fingers crossed, as I know a lot of people do.

-Antonia Farzan, Journal Staff

Can I take a ballot with me when I leave my polling place?

Importantly, "leaving the polling place with an official ballot is a felony."

Are political signs allowed near or in polling stations?

"No campaign material [may] be distributed or posted within 50 feet of the voter entrance to the building."

Interestingly, voters can wear whatever they want, including campaign buttons, pins, shirts and they like as long as they vote and immediately leave the polling place.

"Voter opinion surveys are not allowed within 50 feet of the voters entrance."

Patricia Morgan visits polling places as campaigning draws to a close

State Rep. Patricia Morgan stopped by the polling place at the city librarys Riverside branch Tuesday afternoon to thank volunteers with her campaign for U.S. Senate.

Morgan, a Republican vying for the seat held by Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse, said shed started her day in her hometown of West Warwick and had made stops in Warwick, Cranston, Johnston, North Providence and Cranston a second time before coming to East Providence.

State Rep. Patricia Morgan stopped by the polling place at the city librarys Riverside branch

Now its up to the voters, she said. I hope theyll pick me.

As for the presidential election, Morgan, a Trump supporter, said she believes it will determine what direction the country takes.

"They really are two conflicting visions of our future, she said. This is a turning point for which way we want to go.

After stepping into the polling location to say hello to the workers, Morgan hit the road again, this time for Tiverton.

-Alex Kuffner, Journal Staff

In Central Falls, a vote for Harris cast without enthusiasm under the shadow of war

Wilfrid Manor  a public housing complex and polling place on Election Day

Javier Restrepo, a resident of Wilfrid Manor  a public housing complex and polling place on Election Day  is familiar with political violence.

Restrepo is originally from Colombia, a country where tensions between the government and guerrilla groups have simmered and boiled for decades.

So perhaps it is no surprise that what worries him the most on Tuesday is talk of a civil war. Not in Rhode Island, he clarifies, but elsewhere where people are heavily armed.

We are at a point where there could be an outbreak of irrationality, Restrepo said.

He voted for the Democratic ticket, he said, but he is not beholden to the party. In fact, he said many Latinos are disillusioned with Democratic promises on issues such as immigration reform that never seem to come to fruition.What seems to animate Restrepo the most, however, is the war in Gaza. The thought of children dying keeps him awake at night.

If you are a child, you do not have a chance to run, play or do anything, Restrepo said.

It makes no sense that the U.S. has provided military support to Israel during the conflict, he added.

He reckons Donald Trump may do a better job at ending the war in Gaza, but this is the same man  in Restrepos eyes  who may start a civil war in the U.S.

In the end, Kamala Harris seems to have won Restrepos vote, but it was cast without enthusiasm.We are not doing good. There are no other options, he said.

-Jonny Williams, Journal Staff

For some, local politics are a driving force in today's election

Sean Remington and Kira Melville showed up at the casino in Roger Williams Park in Providence to Canvas for school board candidate Night Jean.

Melville, a Providence teacher, said she was out to support the candidate after seeing the lack of transparency and dysfunction at the school district where shes a teacher.

Pawtucket residents Sean Remington (left) and Kira Melville canvas for school board candidate Night Jean in front of the Casino in Roger Williams Park.

Remington, Melville's boyfriend, set his number one priority, aside from the school district, was to get Trump out.Im definitely worried if he wins, Remington said. Fascism could take a deeper hold. This time, theyre more ideologically fascist, theres more of a plan this time, more organization.

Melville said shes been numb to politics since 2016. She most recently lived in Bangkok, Thailand for four years and is trying to be locally informed.

Are you allowed to talk on the phone while voting?

Phone calls are not allowed inside the polling place "unless for election-related purposes."

According to the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections, Only election officials conducting official election business are allowed to verbally communicate on a cell phone or other communication device within the Polling Place

Voter turnout in the primaries may have been slow, but voting in Middletown's November election is a 'game changer'

After slow days at the polls for the April Presidential primary and local primary in September, Patrick Meffert of Middletown saw today as a "game changer."

"I think there's a lot of hope out here today," Meffert said after casting his ballot in support of Kamala Harris at Gaudet Middle School in Middletown. "There's hope toward a new future. I think if Trump wins people are going to lose faith in the system. If a man with 100-plus felony charges against him can be elected what message does that send? Harris is in position to do something people have never seen before and I think she'll be the clear winner."

Christian Salveti had a different opinion.

As a person of Christian faith, Salveti said the Trump-Vance ticket better aligned with his values. He also said the same of the Republican tickets' economic plan.

"There's been a lot of divisiveness and everyone has shown a lot of emotion, but I think if everyone could be more Christian-like they'd see it doesn't have to matter that much. Economic policy, national policy doesn't have to devolve into hate," Salveti said when asked what the next couple of days could be like as the country waits for a winner to be declared.

Clerks help a voter check in at Gaudet Middle School in Middletown.

Gaudet hosted two polling precincts with one recording just under 200 voters by 11:15 a.m. The other precinct was closer to 300.

Poll moderator Nancy Sevich said about 20 people were lined up at the door waiting to vote when polls opened at 7 a.m. and a steady stream of voters followed.

"Some people have had to wait about 5 minutes to vote, but everyone has been really patient," Sevich said.

To help maintain flow, one person was stationed at the entrance to the Gaudet gym to check IDs and guide voters to the correct precinct, or let them know if they should be voting elsewhere.

"That has helped make things go really smooth," Sevich said.

-Journal Staff

Track teammates at Bryant, these two don't see eye-to-eye politically but that doesn't stop them from being friends

Bryant University students Phillip Simas Jr. and Ryan Bouke, both 19, arrived at the Mercy Mount Country Day School polling place in the same car and in so doing exemplified, in a small way, a bedrock principle of the democracy they were about to participate in for the first time:

Tolerance.

Simas would vote for Trump. His friend and track teammate, Harris.

Phillip Simas Jr. (left) and his friend and Bryant University track teammate Ryan Burke, have different political opinions but understand the importance of tolerance as they vote for a first time

Me and Ryan know that its stupid to argue about politics, said Simas, whos majoring in marketing. We respect each other and realize everyone has a right to their own opinion.

Simas said he was voting for the former president because we had a good four years, while he was in office. The economy was good. He got us through the pandemic. It worked once. Why take the risk with someone else?"

Bourke, who is majoring in politics and the law, was so disillusioned with both candidates, he said, he really didnt want to vote.

Neither of them was answering any of the questions so you have to do your own research. So I looked into it. Harris stand against climate change appealed to him, but it was his parents who really urged him to vote, he said.

He was not worried, he said, that Trump posed any real threat to democracy, even though he said the former president was partially responsible for the Jan.6, 2021 riot at the Capitol.

Despite all the chaos then, we got through it. And even if Trump wins and pulls something again, there are checks and balances in place. I think we will get through it again.

The Republic will survive.

-Tom Mooney, Journal Staff

Is there a dress code for poll workers?

Yes, there is a polling place Code of Conduct, ''including a what-not-to-wear dress rule for poll workers and the political party observers allowed to watch the action from the sidelines.

Voters can wear whatever they want, including campaign buttons, pins, shirts and they like as long as they vote and immediately leave the polling place.

But those actually working at the polls - and those known as "poll watchers" who are there on behalf of their political parties - are not allowed to "wear any political material or [seek to] influence someone's vote in any way,'' according to a handbook distributed by the R.I. Board of Elections during a recent training session.

Bristol cafe knows election day can be stressful, so they are offering 'emotional support cookies'

The Beehive Cafe in Bristol had what they hoped was a cure for Election Day stress.

In a post on their Instagram page, the cafe offered voters a free emotional support cookie anytime today.

But youll have to hurry to grab that sweet treat. The cafe, located at 10 Franklin St., is only open until 4 p.m. (As a reminder, polls close in Rhode Island at 8 p.m.)

A newly minted U.S. citizen casts her first vote with her children in mind

Milenia Sanecez, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic who was naturalized as a U.S. citizen three months ago, cast her first-ever vote for president at Rosario Hall in Providence, after a campaign that she, like so many, found Challenging. Honestly.

Shes not looking forward to the days ahead. Things are not going to be good, she said. Its going to be chaos.Thats especially if Trump loses. Hes going to make a huge deal about it because thats what he does, she said.But she only had one thing in mind in the voting booth. All I could think of was my kids, she said. Their future. Everyones voice matters.Rosario Hall, a Democratic stronghold, had 164 votes cast around 12:30.Im glad that its here so we can get through all the   said Mark Ribeiro after voting at Rosario Hall.Either way, theres going to be challenges. If it doesnt go the way Donald Trump wants it to go, theres going to be a challenge thats greater than wed like, Ribeiro said. I fear there will be violence  because of mankind. I believe that good will prevail.

-Paul Edward Parker, Journal Staff

Can I take a picture while voting?

Photographs of a voter's own ballot are allowed. Others are allowed to take photos outside the voter area , but they may not "zoom in on a voter's ballot, which would violate the voter's privacy."

-Journal Staff

In Cumberland: 'I'm not a Trump guy but...'

Cumberland Town Council candidate Ron Carlstrom

Cumberland Town Council candidate Ron Carlstrom got some campaigning help from nieces Natalie Dion and her older sister Victoria outside the Arnold Mills United Methodist Church. Im not a Trump guy, he said, but Im voting for him because the alternative is so bad. The economy and immigration: those are the big issues.

- Thomas Mooney, Journal Staff

In Central Falls at least one voter is proud to vote Democrat

CENTRAL FALLS  Leaning against the handlebars of a baby blue Schwinn bicycle outside Central Falls High School, Alfonso Matamoros, 54, says he has proudly voted for Democrats since he became a U.S. citizen some three decades ago  and this year was no different.

That does not mean he agrees with everything the party stands for. He opposes abortion, which he sees as a form of population control.

But to Matamoros voting for Donald Trump is unconscionable.

Alfonso Matamoros, 54, says he has proudly voted for Democrats since he became a U.S. citizen

He represents a culture that disguises as conservative but has a sinister side to it, he said speaking in Spanish.He worries that a second Trump presidency could augur violence against minorities but rejects the idea of a civil war breaking out.

We are hungry, we live from paycheck to paycheck, Matamoros said, adding, We have more important things to worry about than killing each other.

Most important to Matamoros are his childrens futures. Locally, he cares about better education opportunities and recreational spaces in Central Falls. To an extent, he still believes in a version of the American Dream many immigrants aspire to.

It is what we all dream about  a country where people hold the door open for you, help you cross the street. Where there are schools that treat your children with dignity, feed them and a nurse takes care of them, he said.

- Jonny Williams, Journal Staff

Polling place confusion? Providence voters forced to file provisional ballots

At multiple polling stations in Providence, a common problem for voters was being at the wrong precinct. For those in the wrong place, poll workers were allowing them to cast provisional ballots.At the Center for Southeast Asians, poll worker Brandon Brook said many people had been sent to them from other polling places but when they looked them up in the system, they shouldnt have been.Some people have been to three other places, Brook said. Weve been trying to be more sympathetic about the provisional ballots.A provisional ballot is not ideal. However, its better than people not voting at all as they get frustrated with a system that keeps them from place to place, he said.Brook estimated by 1:30 p.m. theyd already had 20 provisional ballots.

At St. Martin de Porres in Providence, it was the same issue with people coming into the wrong precinct, and instead casting a provisional ballot.

Poll workers were busy inside the Center for Southeast Asians on Broad Street, as voters piled up because the number of voting booths had been cut.

How can you find your polling place?

Voters can look up their designated polling station  and, as Election Day draws closer, view sample ballots  by logging into the Voter Information Center: vote.sos.ri.gov

- Wheeler Cowperthaite, Journal Staff

Can people watch you vote on election day?

Rhode Island allows political parties to appoint, poll checkers, runners, and watchers to play specific roles monitoring polling locations on election day, said Board of Elections Executive Director Miguel Nunez.

In the lead up to the 2024 general election, the Board of Election clarified what is and what is not allowed by these poll watchers.

The two most basic rules in the memo: "Only voters and election officials are allowed in the Railed or Enclosed Voting Area. No person(s) may willfully hinder the orderly conduct of an election."

Poll Checkers and poll Watchers are only officially recognized if they bear "proper credentials such as an appointment letter by their ward or town committee party chairperson.

Poll Watchers: Poll Watchers are the only party designees who have the right to challenge the identity of a voter, other than Election Officials.

Challenges made by Poll Watchers must be based on "good cause" and will be evaluated by the polling place Moderator/Warden. If the challenge is accepted the voter will be required to cast a provisional ballot.

Poll Watchers may not make frivolous challenges. Frivolous challenges may lead to Poll Watchers being removed from the polling place and credentials being voided. The Poll Watcher is not permitted to disrupt the voting process.

Other observers allowed outside the voting area:

Poll Checkers shall be allowed to sit for the purpose of keeping track of those who are voting.

A representative, known as a Runner, of each of the parties shall be allowed to come to their table at frequent intervals to pick up lists or memoranda.

A story of two Barrington voters: One fled the holocaust, one sees the election as a 'spiritual battle' followed by a 'purging.'

There was no common ground between these Harris and Trump voters casting their ballots at the Barrington Middle School on Tuesday.

On the one side: Harris voter Joan Milich, 88, who escaped to this country in 1947 from the Nazi regime that killed her mother in Auschwitz.

On the other: Trump voter Stewie Taylor, 62, who said: "The Lord showed me that that's the next president."

Trump voter, Stewie Taylor was guided by faith when he cast his ballot earlier today in Rhode Island

Milich said the memories of "hiding from the Nazis" were fresh in her mind as she cast her vote for Harris - and against Trump. Why? "I'm little nervous about - I can't even say the name - but about him getting in.

"I'm a little nervous because to me, growing up in France during the 2nd World War and hiding from the Nazis, this closely reminds me of what he can do, and I've lived it. I don't want to live in it again."

She fears what will happen if Trump wins, but she also fears what might happen if he loses.

Since "I became a citizen of the United States ... it's been my pleasure all these years of being able to vote. This is the first time in my life since I'm here ... I'm scared ... .We're so divided. This is not the America I came to in 1947."

Taylor said he first heard "a quiet voice" telling him to side with Trump when he first ran and now it feels obvious to him.

"What we're dealing with is a spiritual battle of good [and] evil, and there are no in-betweens with God," he said. [Is that how you see this election, as a spiritual battle between good and evil? ] "Yes," he said.

Some of the issues top of his mind: "This guy, Donald Trump, he wants to lower the [tax] rate."

Kamala Harris voters Joan and Miguel Milich stand side by side outside a polling location in RI

Also, the border: "It's very simple ... Everybody has doors and locks their homes. If you leave them open, you'll have someone in your house and you'll say, how did they get there? You left the door open. The same with the border."

Does he fear what might come next, no matter who wins?

"I'll give you some spiritual side of that," he said. "There's going to be a purging,'' which he likens to a cancer patient during chemotherapy. "When they go through the chemotherapy, it's not easy. You understand? They lose everything. They feel like they're dying ... but that's what's going to happen in America.

"If Trump wins, they're going to go through a purging. If Harris wins, there's going to be a purging, but ... it's going to be very evil,'' he said, "Our own enemy is the Americans itself. They're the ones who caused this."

- Katherine Gregg, Journal Staff

What about election observers? Or members of the public who havent registered as Poll Watchers, Poll Checkers, or Poll Workers?

Members of the public who are not there in an official capacity, known as election observers, may be present at polling places but only election officials are allowed in the voting area and no person is allowed to willfully hinder the orderly conduct of an election, according to the Board of Elections.

What about the results?

Every race is different, so it is impossible to know until polls close how long it will take to determine a winner but we should start seeing results shortly after polls close at 8 p.m.

In Cranston, the Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge serves as a polling place

Voters showed up on foot and in cars at a fast clip Tuesday at the Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge on Broad Street in Cranston.

As of 10:55 a.m., 662 people had cast ballots.

Turnout is great. Its been solid all day. Everybody is behaving themselves, Moderator Jim Bethune said as the line of voters grew to more than a half dozen.

So far, its been smooth, he said, knocking on a nearby table. He didnt expect trouble in that area this election season.

Ivan Marte wouldnt divulge which presidential candidate he would vote for, but he said he strives to impart an understanding in his 10-year-old to be open to all viewpoints.

I want him to OK with people with opposing beliefs, Marte said.

Ultimately, a lot of us want the same thing. Be open to what they have to offer, he said.

Asked if he expected there to be trouble based on the outcome, he said he is a hopeful person and prays for a peaceful transition.

Gloria Fraielli said she had cast a ballot for former President Donald Trump based on the economy and immigration.

I feel like we were in a much better place under Trumps administration, she said.

Fraielli said she doesnt think Vice President Kamala Harris is strong enough to manage and put an end to the wars in Ukraine and Israel, where thousands are being killed in intense bombing by Israeli soldiers.

If she gets in, I hope she does a much better job than shes done the last four years, Fraielli said.

She added that shes not really concerned about talk of a civil war erupting.

- Katie Mulvaney, Journal Staff

Will I need an ID to vote in Rhode Island?

Yes. Voters need to present an ID, which can be a driver's license, passport, Rhode Island Voter ID Card or another form of identification listed here: vote.sos.ri.gov/Content/Pdfs/voter_id_information.pdf

Providence poll worker says this election could have a historic turnout

At the Asa Messer Elementary School in Providence, Moderator Jonathan Lax said its the biggest turnout hes seen in years.

But what surprised him most was an emergency election plan prepared on September 27. Its the first time that hes seen anything like it since he started working the polls in 2018.

Theres a little chance well use them in the state, but it is a sign of the times, he said.

Lax said it was still early, but it seemed busier than when he worked Wayland Square in 2020, a historically high turnout precinct.

Three precincts were voting at the school and by 10:25 a.m. they had a combined total of 92 votes.

Its good its really good. Im seeing some new people working as supervisors and moderators, people are volunteering, theyre stepping up, he said.

Why is the Justice Department watching Rhode Islanders vote?

The Justice Department plans to monitor compliance with federal voting laws in three Rhode Island cities on Tuesday: Pawtucket, Providence and Woonsocket,

And the Justice Department is not the only organization planning to dispatch monitors to R.I. polling stations.

On Tuesday morning, Common Cause RI reported having 79 volunteers stationed at polling stations to watch and report any potential voting difficulties at select polling stations, including those in Pawtucket where there have been past failures to comply with posting and access requirements for Spanish-speaking voters,

The ACLU of Rhode Island has dispatched another 20 volunteers.

In a recent statement, U.S. Atty. Zachary A. Cunha said the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day on election day "to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws.

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division is specifically focused on compliance with federal voting-rights laws "that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) "to ensure that persons with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote."

"The divisions Criminal Section [also] enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion."

Reports may be made through the departments website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931. [The U.S. Attorneys Office will also be available to receive complaints on Election Day at (401) 709-5010.

Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the departments toll-free ADA information hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the departments ADA website at www.ada.gov.

Complaints related to any disruptions at a polling place should always be reported to local election officials (including officials based in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. These complaints should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

- Katherine Gregg, Journal Staff

How to check if youre registered to vote in RI

If you have forgotten whether you registered for this election, the quickest way to check whether your registration is active is by going to the secretary of states Voter Information Center website, vote.sos.ri.gov.

One of the first buttons underneath the website header is labeled View/Update My Voter Record. After clicking it, the website will load a form underneath the buttons asking you to fill in your name, birth date and ZIP code so it can locate your specific voting record. Once your information loads, you can check whether your Status is active or inactive.

What to do if you are not registered to vote

If your status reads Inactive, dont panic! There is still a way to cast a vote for president through the states same day registration process. As long as you are at least 18 years old, a citizen of the United States and a resident of Rhode Island, you will be able to register and have your vote counted.

This law also helps those who may have already registered to vote but have since moved to a different town or city within Rhode Island and missed the Oct. 6 deadline to register in their new town.

On Nov. 5, Election Day, specific polling locations in each municipality across Rhode Island will be set up to process same day registrations. To register, you will have to go to the location in the town or city in which you live.

- Savana Dunning, Journal Staff

Are you registered to vote in RI? Locations the provide same day registration

When the polls opened in Pawtucket, voters were waiting

At the St. Raphaels gym in Pawtucket, warden Cristiana Ordonez said there was a line when the poll opened and voting was pretty steady afterward. Just after 9, 51 ballots had been cast.

One of those was from Stevent Cleto, a 24-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic who has been a U.S. citizen for seven years.

Its very scary leading up to the election and what will come after, he said, attributing that to very dangerous rhetoric from one side.

If Trump loses, he fears violence from the Republicans supporters, not so much in Rhode Island, but in more contested parts of the country, as was seen in the attack on the U.S. Capitol after the 2020 election. Its not like this time theyre subtly saying it.

Cleto said he hopes, when all is said and done, America will have elected its first woman president, who he expects will do a better job than the 46 men who preceded her.

If Trump wins, Thank God we live in a democracy, and we have those checks and balances, Cleto said. Not all hope is lost. He didnt destroy the country in his last term.

- Paul Edward Parker, Journal Staff

RI State offices closed on election day

The state Department of Environmental Management is reminding Rhode Islanders that state offices, except for the Elections Division, will be closed on Election Day.

"After you exercise your right to vote, spend time outdoors by visiting your favorite Rhode Island state park, campground, or management area!," the DEM said in a Facebook post. "Dont forget your 200 square inches of solid fluorescent orange in state management areas and undeveloped state parks that allow hunting. These public lands are more than just recreational opportunities  theyre central to our environment, way of life, and economy."

The weather should cooperate with outside activities since mostly sunny skies and a high temperature of 71 degrees is forecast for Providence.

The DEM also used the post as an opportunity to pitch support for the Green Bond (Question 4), which "will help fund projects that protect our environment and infrastructure, create jobs, and enhance the spaces we love  from parks and forests to farmland and community resilience."

The DEM says voters can learn more about the bond question at www.dem.ri.gov/greenbond.

What are the key races in this years election?

Several Rhode Island cities have contested races for mayor in November. Take a look at who is running and what to know about each candidate's background and experience.

RI mayoral races: What to expect in November General Election

Question 1 on the ballot in November asked voters whether Rhode Island should hold a constitutional convention.

What to know about Question 1, which asks whether RI should hold a constitutional convention

U.S. Senate race: Whitehouse seeks fourth term amid challenge from state lawmaker Morgan

The U.S. Senate race is down to Republican state Rep. Patricia Morgan versus Sheldon Whitehouse, the three-term Democratic incumbent. Rhode Island Congressional District 1

Rhode Island's newest congressman, Rep. Gabe Amo, was officially been sworn last November, less than a week after winning the special election to replace former U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, who had stepped down to take a job as director of the Rhode Island Foundation.

Rhode Island Congressional District 1: Meet the candidates

Rhode Island Congressional District 2:

Rhode Islanders in District 2 also have a choice to make for Congressmen. The incumbent, Rep. Seth Magaziner, a Democrat, is facing a challenge from Republican Steve Corvi.

Rhode Island Congressional District 2: Meet the candidates

When do the polls open and close on Election Day in Rhode Island?

Polling hours in Rhode Island: Polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in every city and town except New Shoreham, where poll hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Whats on my ballot

You can view a sample ballot by entering your address in the Secretary of State's Voter Information Center at https://vote.sos.ri.gov/Home/PollingPlaces?ActiveFlag=2

Where can I find my polling location?

Voters can look up their designated polling station  and, as Election Day draws closer, view sample ballots  by logging into the Voter Information Center: vote.sos.ri.gov

More: Are you registered to vote in RI? How to check and what to do if you aren't

If your voter status is active, then all you have to do is to head to your polling location and vote. However, since polling locations often change between elections, it can be hard to remember where youre supposed to go to cast your ballot.

The Voter Information Center has your back covered in this case as well. After logging into the Secretary of State's website, the method for checking where to vote is as simple as scrolling down. There, underneath the Upcoming Elections section, you will find a link to a sample ballot and the location and address of your assigned polling place.Another way to check through the secretary of states Voter Information Center website is by clicking the Find a Polling Place button. Clicking it will load a form underneath the buttons that will ask you to enter your ZIP code, your town/city of residence and the number and name of your street address. Doing so will take you to a page with the information you need.

More: How to find your polling place in RI

What will the weather be like on Election Day in RI?

The weather won't provide an excuse to stay home on Election Day as Southern New England will again flirt with near-record warmth.

Expect partly sunny skies and a high of 71 degrees Tuesday in Providence.

"Clouds may be slow to depart the south coast of New England Tuesday, but there should at least be some breaks by afternoon," the National Weather Service says in its forecast discussion.

Southwest "winds increase and become gusty by late morning into the afternoon hours."

The normal high for this time of year is about 58 degrees. The record high for Nov. 5 in Providence was 75 degrees, set in 2022. Wednesday's temperature looks even warmer, with a high of 75 degrees likely in Providence.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Election Results: Polls are closed and results are coming in
Waymo recently closed a $5.6 billion Series C funding round led by parent company Alphabet and joined by a who's who of Silicon Valley venture firms. The investment boosts Waymo's overall valuation to more than $45 billion, according to Bloomberg News.

Alphabet had previously announced in July that it was pledging another $5 billion to Waymo, but was mum on the specifics, saying only that it was a "multi-year" commitment. Andreessen Horowitz, Silver Lake, Fidelity, Tiger Global, Perry Creek, and T. Rowe Price all joined the round. Waymo declined to say how much each invested.

It's Waymo's second external fundraising round, and its first since a $2.25 billion Series B in 2020 that eventually grew to $3.2 billion. The autonomous vehicle company says it will use the funds to expand into new cities and further develop its autonomous capabilities for "business applications."

Waymo is in some ways a much different company now than it was when it raised that last round. At that time, the company was still plowing headlong into an autonomous trucking effort that it has since pulled back from.

The company has instead put nearly its entire focus on its robotaxi ride-hailing service. The bet has paid off. Waymo now operates commercial robotaxi services in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, and is expanding to Austin and Atlanta. It's giving paid rides to more than 100,000 customers per week across those first three markets and offering trips to and from the airport in Phoenix. And it's operating on highways in the Phoenix and San Francisco areas.

This story has been updated to include Waymo's new reported valuation following the announcement of the funding.
Voters in Illinois can now head to the polls as part of early voting, which began Monday in each city ward and the suburbs, or fill out mail-in ballots at home to select the next president of the United States and a variety of representatives at the national, state and local levels.

Have questions about how to vote or key deadlines? Weve got you covered.

When is the general election?

Nov. 5. Polls will be open in Illinois on that day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone who is in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast a vote.

What are the major races on the ballot?

Voters in Illinois will select candidates for the following offices listed below. While there are no races for statewide office during this election, this is the first election in Chicago for the Board of Education. Not sure who your current elected representatives are? Click here and type in your address. Dont know which Chicago Board of Education district you live in? Check here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

U.S. president

U.S. representative

Illinois state senator

Illinois state representative

Illinois Supreme Court justice

Illinois Appellate Court judge

Circuit Court judge

Subcircuit judge

Chicago School Board of Education (10 members)

Cook County states attorney

Cook County commissioner

Cook County clerk of the Circuit Court

Water Reclamation District commissioner

Board of Review commissioner

What are the key dates to know?

Sept. 26 : First day that vote-by-mail ballots were sent to voters. Early voting began in many counties across Illinois, but not Chicago or Cook County.

Oct. 3 : Early voting begins in Chicago at two locations: Chicago Board of Elections (sixth floor, board offices), 69 W. Washington St., and Chicago Election Board Annex (Loop Super Site), 191 N. Clark St.

Oct. 8 : Last day for regular voter registration or transfer of registration

Oct. 9 : First day of grace period/same day registration and voting

11:59 p.m., Oct. 20 : End of voter registration online at the Illinois State Board of Elections website

Oct. 21 : Start of early voting in all 50 wards in Chicago

Oct. 31 : Deadline to request a mail-in ballot for the Nov. 5 general election

Nov. 4 : Final day of early voting

Nov. 5: Day of the general election and the latest date a mail-in ballot can be postmarked to be counted. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Who is the Tribune Editorial Board endorsing?

The Tribune Editorial Board continues its decadeslong tradition of endorsing political candidates appearing on Illinois ballots. Here are their endorsements for the 2024 election.

Am I eligible to vote?

According to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, city voters must:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Be a U.S. citizen

Born on or before Nov. 5, 2006

Live in the same precinct at least 30 days before the election

Not claim the right to vote elsewhere

Not be in prison or serving time for a conviction

According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, Illinois voters must:

Be a U.S. citizen

Be 18 years old to vote in the general election (17 to vote in a primary election)

Live in the same precinct at least 30 days before the election

How do I register to vote?

You can register online with the Illinois State Board of Elections. You can check and see if you are already registered to vote by using this lookup tool.

If you are a Chicago resident who wants to register by mail, download the Board of Elections form and return it  or mail it in  to 69 W. Washington St., sixth floor, Chicago, IL, 60602.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you live outside Chicago and want to vote by mail, you have until Oct. 31 to submit an application.

To register on Election Day or in person during early voting, you must bring two forms of identification, one of which must list your current address. Here is a list of acceptable forms of ID.

If you are registered to vote and your address is correct, then you do not need to bring your ID  though its not a bad idea to bring it in case your signature doesnt match the one on file.

Chicagos elected school board races: Everything to know ahead of Election Day

What if I moved?

You can register online using your new address  even if your Illinois drivers license or state-issued ID still displays your old address.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you moved to your current address on or before Oct. 7 (at least 30 days before Election Day), vote at the precinct polling place for your new/current address. You may update your registration and vote at your new precinct polling place with two forms of ID, at least one of which shows your current address.

If you moved within Chicago after Oct. 7 (less than 30 days before Election Day), vote at the precinct polling place for your old address.

Not sure where your polling place is? Search for it here using your ZIP code and address.

Can I see a sample ballot?

Yes. Submit your name and address in the Chicago Board of Elections voter information lookup tool to not only view a sample ballot, but also verify your voter registration and locate your polling place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Outside the city, contact your local election authority to see a sample ballot.

How and where can I cast my ballot in person before Nov. 5?

If you find yourself unavailable to cast your ballot in person on Election Day, you can vote early.

In Chicago, early voting began Oct. 3 at two locations: Chicago Board of Elections (sixth floor, board offices), 69 W. Washington St. and Chicago Election Board Annex (Loop Super Site), 191 N. Clark St. Hours are 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sundays (through Nov. 5). Weekday hours change to 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Oct. 28-Nov. 4.

Early voting expanded to polling places in each ward on Oct. 21. Heres a list of where you can vote early in each ward. Search here to find out what ward you live in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Chicago residents can vote at any early voting site regardless of what ward they live in. Not sure which location is most convenient for you? Find the closest one using this tool. The Chicago Board of Elections also will take calls from voters looking for information at its Early Voting Election Central at 312-269-7900.

If you live outside Chicago, choose a jurisdiction to find out where you can vote prior to Election Day.

Votes cast early, however, arent counted until polls close on Nov. 5.

What methods can I use to vote at my polling place?

In Chicago, voters have two ways to cast a ballot: mark a paper ballot or use a touchscreen voting machine. Both systems provide a paper trail for all ballots cast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For voters outside the city, find out what voting systems are utilized in the county where you live by using the Illinois State Board of Elections tool.

What if I need a ballot in another language?

In Chicago, voters can choose to vote in one of 12 languages on touchscreen machines: English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, Tagalog, Gujarati, Urdu, Arabic, Ukrainian, and Russian.

Voters outside the city should check their local jurisdiction for voting options by language.

How can I vote by mail?

Those who live in Chicago and want to vote by mail can do so by applying online or using the mail-in form.

Any registered voter in Illinois can request a vote-by-mail ballot. Applications for each Illinois county are available here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Illinois Election Code allows voters to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot up to five days before an election, or through Oct. 31 for the general election. But the State Board of Elections recommends applying early to make sure voters have enough time to receive and return their ballots on or before Election Day.

Where do I return my mail-in ballot?

Voters can return their ballots by mail, deliver it in person to their local election authority or drop it in a secure drop box. Check the State Board of Elections website for a list of drop box locations.

One important note: Completed mail-in ballots cannot be accepted at a polling place or early voting locations (unless drop boxes exist at those sites). Voters who attempt to do this will be offered the option of surrendering their ballot and voting in person instead.

Chicago voters can mail their ballot or deposit it at any of the Chicago Board of Elections secured drop boxes. One important note: Each ballot must include the signed and sealed ballot return envelope with the voters name on it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mail-in ballots can be returned to drop boxes at:

Chicago Board of Elections (sixth floor, board offices), 69 W. Washington St., Chicago. You can submit your ballots anytime at this site through 7 p.m. Election Day (Nov. 5).

Chicago Election Board Annex (Loop Super Site), 191 N. Clark St., Chicago. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday (Oct. 3-Nov. 5). 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Friday (Oct. 28-Nov. 4). 6 a.m.-7 p.m., Election Day (Nov. 5).

Any of the early voting sites. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday (Oct. 21-Nov. 5). 6 a.m.-7 p.m., Election Day (Nov. 5).

What if Ive already received a mail-in ballot, but want to participate in early voting instead?

If you decide to vote early in person but already received a mail-in ballot, bring that ballot with you when you go to vote in person to have the mailed ballot canceled.

I live in the city. How do I find out what ward I live in?

The Chicago City Council adopted a new map of the citys 50 wards in May 2022. Search here to find out what ward you live in. There are, however, no city elections this year.

How and where can I cast my ballot on Nov. 5?

Chicago voters have two ways to cast ballots in person: by marking a paper ballot or by using a touchscreen voting machine. Live outside the city? Then check your local jurisdiction for details.

You can bring written or printed materials into the voting booth, but you may be required to remove or cover up campaign clothing, buttons or stickers, according to ACLU Illinois.

Never take a photo of your completed ballot and post it on social media  its a felony. Take a photo of your I voted sticker outside the polling place instead.

If your voter registration record cannot be found, then you may be issued a provisional ballot.

All 50 early voting sites in Chicago  one in each ward  and the Loop Super Site will be open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day. A voter can either cast a ballot at their assigned polling place or at any of these 51 locations on Nov. 5.

Locations and hours of operation are subject to change, so check with your local jurisdiction for latest information.

How can I vote if I live outside Chicago?

Consult your local jurisdiction below for mail-in ballot and early voting information. Heres a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction look at where and when residents may vote in advance of or on the day of the general election on Nov. 5.

Locations and hours of operation are subject to change, so check with your local jurisdiction for latest information.

Suburban Cook County

DuPage County

Kane County

Lake County

McHenry County

Will County

Sources: Chicago Board of Elections; the counties; Tribune reporting
Credit: Images in illustration by Adobe Stock

DEAR PATRIOT, we have some CRITICAL news. Your FAVORITE candidate is UP in the polls but DOWN in fundraising  or is that UP in fundraising but DOWN in the polls. REGARDLESS, the race is ALMOST OVER. With just HOURS TO GO, it might feel like the campaign is reaching out toYOU personally because youre one of their most ANXIOUS supporters and they can tell that youve still got a LITTLE BIT OF MONEY remaining that you havent yet spent on THERAPY. Will you heed their CAPITAL LETTERS and DONATE your TIME, MONEY or whats left of your HAIRLINE before its TOO LATE? Or will you try to MOVE ON with your life and nurture whats left of your SANITY?

Yes, whatever happens in the aftermath of Tuesdays historic U.S. election, there is at least one thing that Americans of all political stripes can agree on: Please God, let these fucking text messages be done with.

More from Rolling Stone

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By now, we all know what it feels like A ping from your vibrating phone interrupts your day. Without you realizing it, the little dopamine centers in your brain start firing as you hope for a message about something important. Maybe its from a friend or romantic partner? Maybe a beloved family member? And then heartbreak, disappointment, and anger as you realize its yet another long screed from a desperate Nancy Pelosi or unhinged Donald Trump Jr. YELLING at you for not doing more to SAVE THE COUNTRY.

Indeed, across social media on Wednesday, people were hoping  praying, even  that these ominous, panic-inducing spam messages might finally end, posting pictures of thoughtful politicians, or even excited Oprahs, to illustrate the point.

When I finally stop getting election texts pic.twitter.com/2WILiHtGZk  Jasmine (@JasmineLWatkins) November 4, 2024

If your phone this election season has been drowning in messages that seem expressly designed to annoy and/or terrify you at all hours of the day, youre not alone. As many as 25 billion  thats billion with a b  messages have been sent this political cycle, according to one estimate, which is about 10 billion more than the 2022 midterms. And yes, at least a billion of them were probably sent to you personally  or at least it can often feel that way.

Theres a few reasons for this surge. To start, the Supreme Court in 2021 made it easier for telemarketers to send these kinds of messages without your consent by narrowing the definition of exactly what constitutes an autodialer. Basically, as long as someone is feeding numbers into the machine to dial (as opposed to the machine generating phone numbers on its own) they can spam you til their hearts content.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Additionally, political campaigns tend to favor this form of outreach because its relatively cheap compared with buying broadcast air time for ads. Text messages are also more likely to be checked immediately because of their implicit sense of urgency, unlike emails that go unread or phone calls that are left unanswered (especially among younger people).

And to get on one of these lists, its not as if you ever had to have donated previously to a political campaign. Some of your information may be in public records or voter registration lists, but there are also private brokers out there selling access to extensive databases theyve compiled on everything from your purchases to your social media activity, allowing these campaigns to target highly specific demographics and voting blocs, like Gays for Trump or childless cat ladies.

For people who live in one of the few battleground states, the barrage has been particularly intense. My mother doesnt text me as much as Donald Trumps campaign and Kamala Harriss campaign has texted me, one Philadelphia teacher told their local PBS affiliate.

The nature of election campaigning and fundraising has been so transformed by these messages that Melissa Michelson, a dean at Californias Menlo College whose research over a decade ago helped pave the way for the widespread use of this form of outreach, has been apologizing to voters for years for the monster she created  like some sort of J. Robert Oppenheimer figure, wracked by existential anguish at their invention. When they mention how many texts they get, I say, I am so sorry, I feel personally responsible, Michelson told NPR back during the last presidential cycle in 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Perhaps the messages wouldnt be so draining were they not generally written in a SCREAMING voice or a near APOCALYPTIC tone imploring you to ACT NOW in a manner that might lead you to act like STEVE CARELL in ANCHORMAN and confess that you DONT KNOW WHAT WERE YELLING ABOUT.

But as Nancy Scola wrote in a piece just last month for the Washingtonian, then they likely wouldnt be as effective on our twisted little brains that are starved for terror. While most of us say we want uplifting, positive politics, campaigns know were a bit full of it. Truth is, say those in the field, we respond more strongly to negative messaging, Scola wrote. Thats why so many texts are doom-coded.

For future elections, there are a few steps you can take to try to stem the SMS onslaught, but as this vote nears the end, all thats left to do is send our own final message to whats been a grueling, surreal, and generally maddening time in American politics: STOP. OPT OUT. DECLINE. UNSUBSCRIBE.

Best of Rolling Stone

Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
For months leading up to Election Day, Republicans and Democrats have been facing off in court over dozens of voting-related lawsuits. The ripple effects of those cases could be far-reaching. Donald Trump is already highlighting the lawsuits and rulings as a way to undermine confidence in the result if he loses. The litigation could also ultimately be part of another effort to try to reverse an election loss.

Republicans have had some legal success so far that could affect the outcome. Theyve managed to challenge voter registrations in Virginia and Arizona and restrict which mailed ballots can be counted and when in Pennsylvania and Mississippi. And the full impact of those rulings could play out in additional legal challenges over the coming weeks.

The Trump campaign strategy has been to file lawsuits early in the election cycle, before Election Day, with an eye to shape how votes are received and counted. Its a shift from 2020, when most of the barrage of Trumps legal challenges came after voting ended and continued right up to the deadly riot Trump encouraged inside the Capitol on Jan. 6. Mike Davis, who is a volunteer attorney for Trumps campaign legal team and is believed to be on a short-list to be Trumps attorney general if he wins, says the Trump campaign learned this year to launch its legal challenges earlier.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were not going to get caught with our pants down again, Davis says, speaking on the phone from Trump campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach, Fla. the day before Election Day.

Earlier this year, Donald Trump instructed the leaders of the Republican National Committee to build out a robust legal team. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley brought on the long-time election lawyer Gineen Bresso to head up the Republican partys election legal work. Steve Kenny, RNC senior counsel, is taking the lead on litigation. And David Warrington, who represented Trump during the House Jan. 6 Committee investigation, is the Trump campaigns general counsel.

Davis describes the efforts by this team ahead of the election as filing lawsuits and getting injunctions, nipping problems in the bud.

Democrats have been working to block those lawsuits and stave off last-minute attempts by some election officials to narrow how votes are counted and certified. Dana Remus, who was White House counsel during Bidens first two years as President, is heading up the Harris campaigns legal fight. Remus says that the Harris campaign has won some 20 cases since voting started in September. In court you need facts and you need evidence and the vast majority of their lawsuits are failing because they have none, Remus told reporters on Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After Election Day in 2020, Trumps team brought more than 60 lawsuits to contest the 2020 results, according to Remus,, and won one case involving 12 votes. The volume of cases does not equate to the volume of legitimate concerns, she says.

Harris legal team is working to make sure that all eligible votes are counted and that election officials with political motivations dont try to prevent or delay certification of the outcome. Thats not legal, says Remus, referring to new laws that were passed after Trump tried to reverse his 2020 loss that clarified those issues. We now have more tools to block rogue efforts to appoint fake electors and new safeguards that make it much harder to use the January 6 process to steal the election, she says.

Here are legal cases that could make a difference once the polls close.

Pennsylvanias mail-in ballots

Two recent court rulings will have an impact on how mail-in votes are counted in Pennsylvania and could be grounds for additional legal challenges about the election results. Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are in a dead heat in the state that Joe Biden won in 2020 by just over 80,000 votes. Even a minor change to how counties decide to count mail-in votes could have a big impact on the outcome.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In one last-minute ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld that if voters in Pennsylvania didnt use the secrecy sleeve for sending in their mail-in ballot, they were allowed to have a provisional ballot counted instead. Doing so requires a voter to know about the error and take the extra step to file a provisional ballot at a polling station. Republicans argued that voters shouldnt be allowed another chance to vote. Democrats and voting rights groups said that provisional ballots are designed to remedy that kind of scenario.

In a separate case, Pennsylvanias Supreme Court ruled that thousands of Pennsylvania mail-in ballots shouldnt be counted if the date on the envelope wasnt filled in correctly. That ruling will likely toss out thousands of mail-in ballots, and could impact the vote total. The decision reversed a lower court that said tossing those ballots interfered with the right to vote. Democrats and voting rights groups have argued that if ballots arrive on or before Election Day, putting the date on the envelope is unnecessary and redundant and the vote should be counted. But Republicans insisted that election instructions only allow the counting of envelopes that had been filled out with correct dates. This issue could see additional legal challenges after Election Day, especially if the results are close.

Mississippis late-arriving ballots

Republicans won a legal victory in late October when a federal appeals court ruled that Mississippi cannot count mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day. The impact of that ruling could spiral out into other states in the coming weeks. A Mississippi law had allowed ballots to be counted as long as they arrived up to five days after Election Day and were postmarked by then. The ruling was made by the Trump-appointed Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals judge Andrew Oldham. Oldham wrote that federal law requires voters to take timely steps to vote by Election Day.

The decision is likely to spark more legal challenges. Republicans want this rule to be enforced in other states that fall under the jurisdiction of the Fifth Circuit, which also includes Louisiana and Texas. Texas law allows mailed ballots to be counted if they arrive by 5 p.m. on the day after Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The decision could also add fuel to legal battles in other states that count mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day. In Nevada, where Trump and Harris are in a tight race, the state supreme court recently upheld that mail-in ballots that arrive by Election Day but dont have postmarks can still be counted. Nevada law allows mail-in ballots postmarked on or before Nov. 5 to be counted up to four days after Election Day. If the race is as close as predicted, those late-arriving ballots could face additional legal challenges.

Trumps legal team won a last-minute victory in Georgia on Monday when the states Supreme Court told Cobb County not to count ballots that arrive after Election Day. After an uptick in last-minute registrations, Cobb County election officials sent out more than 3,000 applications for mail-in ballots. But the court ruled that if any of those ballots arrive after Election Day, they will have to be set aside while legal challenges play out.

Virginias voter rolls

The U.S. Supreme Court in late October allowed Virginia to move ahead with an effort to purge its voter rolls of non-citizens using state Department of Motor Vehicles data. Democrats had argued that U.S. citizens were being caught up in the purge and that the work had started too close to the election.

Since early August, Virginia has canceled the registration of more than 1,600 voters. The changes to the voter rolls began on Aug. 7 when Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin issued an executive order telling the states department of motor vehicles to give election officials daily reports on drivers license data that officials could use to cancer voter registrations for people suspected of not being citizens.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican lawsuits trying to remove names from voter rolls have increased dramatically in recent months. Theyre largely driven by unfounded claims, spread for years by Donald Trump, that Democrats are registering undocumented immigrants to vote. A right-wing group working with close Trump advisor Stephen Miller has filed suits in Arizona claiming there were noncitizens on the state voter rolls.

American voters overseas

Republicans have tried and so far failed to block some Americans overseas from voting in Pennsylvania, Michigan and North Carolina. In Michigan and North Carolina, Republicans are challenging state laws that allow a voter to register if their parents have been residents. This provision allows service members and other Americans who turned 18 while overseas to vote in their home states. In Pennsylvania, the legal challenge is more stringent, demanding that all overseas ballots including those from military personnel and families be set aside and additional steps be taken to identify the names of the voters before the votes can be counted.

Read more: Overseas Votes Could Decide the Election

Veterans organizations have decried the Republican challenges as potentially disenfranchising thousands of military service members deployed overseas.

While the Republican effort has failed so far, additional court challenges could drag the legal fight out while votes are being counted.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Fashion has been out trying to prod Americans toward the voting booth.

Saks Fifth Avenue spelled it out, literally, with big neon Vote signs in the windows of its storied Manhattan flagship. Levi Strauss & Co. worked to get community college students to the polls.

More from WWD

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Wes Gordon and Karlie Kloss marched with about 1,000 industry executives from Herald Square to Bryant Park on the first day of New York Fashion Week in September to push voter registration, with a surprise appearance by First Lady Jill Biden.

Lets remember this next president, your next president, will likely appoint new Supreme Court justices, your next senators will confirm them, and our children and grandchildren will have to live with those consequences, Biden said. But first, you get to decide. Elections matter.

Now that the day has arrived, fashion is pivoting from get out the vote to get out the crystal ball to try to infer not just the outcome of the election, but how that outcome will shape the business landscape.

So far, nothing is certain.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrats are expected to struggle to maintain control of the Senate while the House is up for grabs and the presidency, well, who knows? At least, thats the considered take of many pundits and pollsters.

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris squared off in just one debate this election season.

What comes next hinges on whether theres a decisive win for a President-elect Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, or if theres a confusing and contested result. The stakes are as high as they get for the countrys democracy, especially given Trumps refusal to accept his last election loss and the specter of the violent Jan. 6, 2021, attack on Congress looming over the process.

The spotlight for now is mostly on the race for president.

But once that process is decided  hopefully smoothly  the White House will have to start to work with Capitol Hill, which is where, for all the bluster of the presidency, the laws that govern the U.S. are written.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the Senate and the House are in sync with the president, a lot can get done quickly  from changes to the corporate tax rate to trade deals and more.

But syncing up isnt something Washington does so often, and even when the legislative and executive branches are held by allies, the system is designed to be laborious.

Next Congress, its quite possible we see both chambers flip control, leaving us with a still-divided government, said Josh Teitelbaum, senior counsel at Washington, D.C.-based law firm Akin Gump.

Even so, Teitelbaum, who helps brands navigate evolving trade laws, said there are issues that are important to the fashion industry that could find common ground in a divided Washington. Other issues and approaches to governance will live and die by whos elected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here, some of the ideas Congress has already been kicking that are front of mind for the fashion industry.

Shein has purchased the Manchester-based online retailer Missguided.

De Minimis Rules

De minimis is one of those issues that happens to cut across party lines, Teitelbaum said, referring to the trade provision that allows individual shipments worth $800 or less to enter the country duty free.

Often referred to as a loophole in trade regulations, the de minimis rules are important to the business models of Shein and Temu, which ship goods from overseas directly to consumers, bypassing duties in the process.

The push to close that loophole has united politicians from both sides of the aisle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its about cutting off trade with China, which, in this political environment, is quite popular with both Democrats and Republicans, Teitelbaum said.

In August, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Fighting Illicit Goods, Helping Trustworthy Importers, and Netting Gains (FIGHTING) for America Act, which would bar certain import sensitive categories like textiles, apparel and leather goods from utilizing de minimis. The House Ways and Means Committee also in April introduced the End Chinas De Minimis Abuse Act, which targets the countrys outsize application of the trade rule.

Tariffs and trade remain front and center in fashion importers political priorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tariffs

Tariffs have become the unexpected hot-button issue of this years election, with Trump touting a proposed 10- to 20-percent universal baseline tariff on goods imported from all over the world. Hes also promised to raise punitive duties on China-made goods by up to 60 to 100 percent.

On Monday, the National Retail Federation said Trumps tariff plan would reduce Americans spending power by $46 billion to $78 billion annually, with consumers paying up to an additional $13.9 billion to $24 billion more for apparel to cover the duties.

If Donald Trump wins and he tries to impose higher tariffs on goods from China, he can use the existing authority that he has . . . and those tariffs still remain in place, Teitelbaum said.

Presidents dont need to wait for the green light from Congress to exercise that power; President Joe Biden has maintained the Trump-era tariffs, and recently added new duties on China-made products from other strategic sectors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But theres no support from Democrats on tariffs-for-all  and its much more unclear whether Donald Trump has statutory authority to issue an executive order to establish a universal baseline tariff, Teitelbaum said. He may have to go to Congress to seek that authority  though hes likely to at least try to get the job done through an executive order, the lawyer said.

Should Trump win the White House and the Republicans gain control of both chambers of Congress, Teitelbaum said the former president might have an opportunity to seek Congressional approval to tweak tariffs as a part of next years tax reform debate.

Should Harris take the White House, that agenda is out the window. Harris has referred to Trumps plan as an additional sales tax on American households that would raise prices on a multitude of products. She has not indicated that she plans to roll back tariffs on China-made goods, nor has she said she would raise them or implement new tariffs on other countries or product categories.

Taxes

As usual, Republicans and Democrats also have very different outlooks when it comes to taxes and its Congress that holds the purse strings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As president, Trump helped pushed through a major tax cut in 2017, which the National Retail Federation has described as very good for merchants, saving hundreds of billions of dollars that were invested in employees, infrastructure and more.

The Biden administration has since been moving in the other direction, looking to, for instance, raise corporate taxes to 28 percent from 21 percent and then use that money to invest in people and national priorities through other programs. Harris has also called on a tax on unrealized capital gains, which she refers to as a wealth tax.

Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trade Deals

Trade programs like the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and Haiti HOPE/HELP, which allow duty-free access to the U.S. market, are set to expire next September, and their fate will rest with the new Congress.

While these programs have bipartisan backing, the industry has worried for months that they will fall victim to the same dynamics that have led to the expiration of other trade programs, like the Generalized System of Preferences and the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, which lapsed years ago without renewal, Teitelbaum said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The governments inertia around AGOA and Haiti HOPE/HELP has stumped and frustrated many, but Congress needs the deadlines to create urgency, in order to act, he said. Its broadly seen as likely that AGOA will be renewed, even if it comes down to the wire and theres a divided Congress. U.S. Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and James Risch (R-Idaho) put forth the AGOA Renewal and Improvement Act of 2024 in April, signaling an appetite for movement.

China, Yes, but the Americas Too

No matter the outcome of the election, the Senate and Congress in general will remain focused on China and trade, said Rachel Kibbe, chief executive officer of American Circular Textiles, a coalition of circular textiles stakeholders advocating for domestic policy solutions. Climate, environment and sustainable elements of trade policy will not be dismissed, but run secondary to other priorities.

According to Kibbe, theres a slow but growing movement with policymakers who realize that U.S. manufacturing has environmental and sustainable advantages over global competitors, as evidenced by the introduction of the Americas Trade and Investment Act in March.

Kibbes group advised lawmakers throughout the drafting of certain provisions of the bipartisan bill, aimed at harnessing economic potential across North, Central and South America through long-term private sector development. The bill contains $14 billion in incentives for domestic circularity and innovation for fashion and textiles.

It also seeks to tackle de minimis reform through a unique approach  directing funds from closing the de minimis loophole into decarbonized domestic manufacturing, like textile circularity, rather than back to the general ledger, Kibbe said.

The Americas Act, or at least certain provisions within it, still has a fair shot, with momentum building around regional production, she said. Theres work to be done for it to advance, but if Democrats hold the Senate, wed likely see a more direct path for this kind of hemispheric trade policy. Harris has also stated a desire to improve trade relations in the region, should she win.

Eco-friendly fashion is starting to gain more attention from lawmakers.

Carbon at the Border

American Apparel and Footwear Association senior director of sustainability Chelsea Murtha said the trade group is keeping its eye on the prospect of a carbon border adjustment mechanism  a fee tacked onto imports from other countries that accounts for their carbon impact. The idea is that the penalties can up the competitiveness of domestic industry against countries that lack environmental protections and produce cheaper, more polluting products.

I think a carbon border adjustment tax is something that could be embraced in either a Trump or a Harris presidency, in part because theres the natural appeal to Democrats of dealing with climate, but Republicans have already demonstrated some interest during this Congress, Murtha said.

Several bipartisan bills have already been introduced. Coons and Cramer authored the PROVE It Act, for example, which would compel the Department of Energy along with other federal agencies to conduct an Emissions Intensity Study of covered products produced in the U.S. and compare their impact with those made around the world. The findings would help hold countries with less stringent standards accountable for their emissions output.

While this proposal and others have stagnated, Murtha believes the interest in the concept is still percolating  especially since the European Union set a precedent by introducing its own carbon border adjustment mechanism last fall. No matter the exact makeup of a chamber, or whos president, I see this having enough bipartisan appeal that it could legitimately get done, Murtha said.

And getting things done in Washington is what Congressional candidates by and large campaign on  if the politics of a nation so bitterly divided allow it.

Best of WWD

Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education has set the election dates to decide three of the boards eight seats.

During its Monday meeting, the board set Feb. 11 as the date of the primary election, if three or more candidates file for any of the three open positions. Should only two candidates file for any of the seats, or no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary, a general election would be held April 1.

The three seats up for election will be for District 1, currently represented by Carole Thompson; District 2, currently represented by Lori Bowman, who serves as the boards vice chair; and the board chair seat, currently held by Paula Lewis. The board chair seat represents the entire district.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Oklahoma City school district is the states second-largest, with about 33,000 students for the 2023-24 academic year.

More: Some state lawmakers want a bigger investigation into spending by Ryan Walters, OSDE

Lewis is in her second term as the board chair, having held the role since 2017. Before that, she was the elected representative for District 4, starting in 2016.

Bowman and Thompson each are in their first term in office, having been elected in 2021. Both District 1 and District 2 cover portions of northwest Oklahoma City.

Candidates for the three seats can file for the election between 8 a.m. on Dec. 2 and 5 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the Oklahoma County Election Board office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Carole, Lori and I are all up and will file, Lewis said during the meeting. She did not elaborate, and there was no discussion from other board members.

The board has seen turnover in three seats in the past calendar year. Dana Meister took office in February after winning the District 4 seat and Jessica Cifuentes ousted Cary Pirrong in a regular election in April and took her District 3 seat later that month. In June, the board appointed former state Rep. Mike Shelton to the District 5 seat vacated by Adrian Anderson, who had moved out of the district he represented.

The district also has a new superintendent in Jamie Polk, who ascended to that role in July after the surprise resignation of Sean McDaniel after six years in that post. McDaniel cited a dispute with a board member  still not publicly identified  as the reason for his departure. Emails obtained by The Oklahoman indicated an increasing level of disagreement over the months preceding McDaniels resignation between McDaniel and board leaders, including Lewis and Bowman, especially concerning issues regarding charter schools sponsored by the district.

Board approves longtime district employee as new CFO

Also Monday, the board unanimously approved the hiring of Sydney Ward as the districts new chief financial officer. Lewis said Ward has worked for the district for more than 17 years, most recently as its director of budget and federal programs. Ward will replace Shannon Meeks, who left the district in June amid the superintendent transition from McDaniel to Polk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Sydney knows our district well and brings with her invaluable expertise in school finance, strategic planning, and financial integrity -- qualities that will greatly support our mission to serve students, staff and our community. We are fortunate to have her on our team, Polk said in a statement.

The district said Ward will begin transitioning into this new role Nov. 18.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma City school board sets 2025 election dates for three seats
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Arkansans are heading out to the polls to cast their votes for the next president, multiple ballot issues and U.S. House seats.

The biggest contest on Tuesday is the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

VIEW THE LATEST ARKANSAS RESULTS

Shortly after polls closed at 7:30 p.m., multiple outlets called the race in Arkansas for Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other big races include all four Arkansas U.S. House seats, the Arkansas Supreme Court chief justice seat, the proposed casino amendment and state Senate & House seats.

Voting locations will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Anyone in line by 7:30 p.m. will be able to vote. For more information on voting in Arkansas, visit SOS.Arkansas.gov.

Where can Arkansans vote on Election Day?

Check the area below for all the latest Election Day updates.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
FORT LAUDERDALES, Fla.  Weve reached Election Day, the final day of voting in the 2024 presidential election after millions of Floridians already have cast their votes.

Neighborhood polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Those heading to the polls are less likely to face rain earlier in the day: The rain chances are expected to increase after 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Miami.

Many choices on the ballot

The ballot is longer than many people realize, with multiple elections and referendums.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voters will cast ballots on the presidential and U.S. Senate contests, and the abortion and marijuana referendums. And almost all voters also will make choices for members of Congress and state Legislature.

Many South Florida voters also will see sheriff, county commission, mayor, city commission or School Board contests.

Also on the ballot are several proposed amendments to the state Constitution, plus local referendums in various parts of South Florida.

Voting essentials

People must vote in their assigned polling place on Election Day. While polling places will remain open until 7 p.m., anyone who is in line at 7 p.m. is allowed to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To vote, someone must have a current, valid photo ID with a signature. The most common are Florida drivers licenses or state ID cards.

Many other forms of ID, including passports and credit or debit cards are accepted.

If the photo ID doesnt have a voters signature, the person will have to show another ID with a signature.

A voter identification card  which many people call a voter registration card  isnt needed, and isnt accepted as a form of identification at a polling place.

Whats helpful

People can bring a marked sample ballot, palm card or other information into the polling place to help you remember your choices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Broward and Palm Beach county elections office websites allow people to see customized sample ballots for their location, and people can print, mark and bring them to vote.

Its now illegal for people to bring unused mail ballots into the voting booth to use as a voting guide.

People can wear election buttons, T-shirts and other indications they support a candidate when they go to vote. Campaign attire doesnt count as illegal electioneering at the polls.

What people cant do is attempt to sway voters in the no-campaign zone or hang around in that area after theyve voted, acting as a human campaign advertisement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That means a Kamala Harris T-Shirt or a Donald Trump MAGA cap is allowed when someone is voting in a polling place, but distributing handbills for a candidate isnt.

And people may take pictures of their ballots. People arent allowed to take selfies in a polling place because they might end up having someone else in the image.

Mail ballots

Its too late for someone with a mail ballot to return it via the Postal Service and have it arrive back at the county election headquarters by the deadline, Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The county elections offices accept ballots on Tuesday. Mail ballots cant be returned to neighborhood polling stations on Tuesday, but people who choose not to use them are allowed to vote in person on Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Florida has a strict deadline for mail ballots. Any that arent in the possession of a county supervisor of elections by 7 p.m. on election night arent counted.

Theres one exception to the Election Day deadline. Overseas residents or active duty service members and their family members have extra time, as long as the ballots are postmarked by Tuesday.

Information

People can check to see if theyre registered to vote and find mail-ballot dropoff locations and neighborhood polling place locations online and by phone.

Broward County: browardvotes.gov, 954-357-8683.

Palm Beach County: votepalmbeach.gov, 561-656-6200.
Take a breath, Michigan. After today, all those political ads and bits of campaign mail and texts from bots pretending to be politicians will all be over. Well, at least until we do this all over again four years from now.

Election Day has arrived, and voters in Michigan will have the chance to play a significant role in deciding the presidential election between Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her Republican counterpart, former President Donald Trump.

And beyond the presidency, there are other significant races for voters to weigh in on  including an open U.S. Senate seat and several competitive congressional contests.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here are three things in Michigan we're keeping an eye on today, and tonight, and potentially longer, as voters head to the polls and election results begin to trickle in.

All eyes on Michigan and the presidency

Left, Former president and presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks in Michigan. Right, U.S. Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at an event in Michigan.

Michigan is cemented among the handful of swing states considered crucial to deciding the outcome of the presidency. Harris and Trump know that too, each having made multiple visits to Michigan in recent months to shore up support. Trump, in what's become tradition, held his campaign rally before the election Monday night in Grand Rapids. Harris campaigned in Michigan Sunday, making stops in Detroit and Pontiac before rallying in East Lansing. Both candidates' running mates were in Michigan Monday, too; U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio campaigned for Trump in Flint, while Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz stumped for Harris in an evening rally in Detroit.

Detroit Free Press endorsements: Picks for Michigan US House, Senate and House

Michigan, along with states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina and Arizona, will tilt the election one way or another. Polls in Michigan consistently show a razor-thin margin. The FiveThirtyEight polling average, as of Monday, had Harris leading Trump by 0.8 percentage points in Michigan. That's a coin flip.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Each candidate has staked its campaign on clear themes  Trump promises to bolster the economy, vowing to enact tax cuts and tariffs on goods produced outside the U.S. Analysts say, however, tariffs typically pass costs onto the consumer, resulting in higher prices. He's also hammered Harris on immigration.

Harris has characterized Trump as a threat to democracy, noting his continued denial of the outcome of the 2020 election. She's also gone after Trump on abortion access, pointing out Trump appointed three justices to the U.S. Supreme Court which overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, undoing decades of abortion being protected at the federal level.

Both candidates have reasons to be optimistic, as well as potential pitfalls. Election officials in Detroit noted high turnout among early and absentee voters, and in a city that's been a Democratic stronghold, that bodes well for Harris. But the Trump campaign has been embracing early and absentee voting as well, and with nearly 3.2 million combined early and absentee votes already in Michigan as of Monday, if his messaging on early voting paid off, Trump could dent some of the early voting momentum for Harris.

In Michigan, some voters in the Arab American and Muslim communities have been critical of President Joe Biden's administration's handling of Israel's military operations in Gaza. The Trump campaign has tried to court Arab American and Muslim voters in Michigan in response.

Michigan could decide control of Congress, too

Whoever wins the presidency won't be able to enact campaign promises without Congress signing off on their plans. And Michigan also plays a key role in deciding who controls each chamber when Congress starts a new session next year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For Democrats, retaining control of the U.S. Senate will be challenging if they lose one of their seats in Michigan. Longtime U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, is retiring, leaving her seat up for grabs.

Stabenow's retirement cleared the path for U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, to launch a Senate bid. First elected in 2018, Slotkin has staked a reputation of being a moderate in Congress while being a formidable fundraiser and campaigner too, running ahead of top-of-ticket Democrats in her mid-Michigan district.

She faces Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman who chaired the House Intelligence Committee during his time in Congress, which ran from 2001 to 2015.

Both parties have poured money into the Senate race. Republicans haven't won a Senate seat in Michigan since 1994, but with Trump at the top of the ticket and no incumbent Democrat in the race, it represents a pickup opportunity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Analysts at Cook Political Report currently rate Michigan's Senate race as a tossup, meaning either candidate stands a good chance at winning.

Besides the Senate contest, a handful of U.S. House races are expected to be competitive in Michigan.

In Michigan's 7th Congressional District (currently represented by Slotkin) Democrat Curtis Hertel and Republican Tom Barrett are competing in what's expected to be a very close race  Slotkin defeated Barrett by around 5.4% points in 2022, but that was a good year for Democrats throughout Michigan and Hertel doesn't have the incumbent status Slotkin had that year. Cook Political Report currently gives Barrett a slight edge, rating the district "lean Republican."

Other contests in Michigan are expected to be closely contested too, including in the 8th Congressional District, where another longtime member of Congress, U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, is retiring. State Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, and Republican Paul Junge are running for the seat, currently viewed as a "Democrat toss up" by Cook Political Report. That district is based around Flint, Bay City and Saginaw.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Michigan's 10th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, and Democrat Carl Marlinga are in a rematch of their 2022 contest, when James won by 1,600 votes in the Macomb County-based district. Like the 7th District, Cook Political Report rates the 10th District as leaning toward Republicans.

And finally, on the west side of the state, U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids, faces Republican Paul Hudson in her first reelection bid in Michigan's 3rd Congressional District. Scholten won election handily in 2022, by almost 13 percentage points, but Hudson is considered a stronger candidate than her 2022 opponent. The district, based around Grand Rapids, Grand Haven and Muskegon is Democratic-leaning. Cook Political Report has the race rated "likely Democrat."

With early and absentee voting abundant, what does turnout look like?

In 2018 and 2022, voters in Michigan embraced ballot measures that expanded absentee voting and established early in-person voting, respectively.

The results of those measures, in the Nov. 5 general election, are evident  nearly 3.2 million voters in Michigan cast a ballot ahead of Election Day. Nearly 2 million in Michigan have returned absentee ballots, and over 1.2 million ventured to early voting centers throughout the state to cast their votes, as of Monday. Sunday marked the final, and also the largest, day of early in-person voting, when 189,442 people voted at an early voting location.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The numbers, courtesy of the Michigan Secretary of State's office, represent 43.9% of Michigan's active registered voters. And more absentee ballots are likely to have been returned Monday or will be returned today, as voters have until 8 p.m. when polls close to return their absentee ballots. Around 2.4 million voters had requested an absentee ballot.

In 2020, when election officials encouraged absentee voting due to the coronavirus pandemic ongoing at the time, 3.3 million absentee ballots were submitted, accounting over half the nearly 5.6 million votes cast in Michigan that year.

With the advent of early voting in Michigan, will turnout increase as voters have another option to cast their ballot?

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Looking for more on Michigans elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

This story was updated to add a video.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Election Day 2024 in Michigan: 3 things we're watching
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  The election season has been about the candidates, analysts, polls, and issues. On Tuesday, the focus turns to the voters who will choose everything from president to legislators to school and tax issues.

These are the answers to some frequently asked questions:

How do I know if I am registered to vote?

Where do I go and when?

Can I see a sample of my ballot before I go?

The best way to find the answers is by clicking on VoterView, a section on the Kansas Secretary of States website. If you type in your name and birthdate, the website will bring up your polling place and the hours it will be open. If you are registered to vote, you can also see a ballot sample. You can also view a sample ballot at your polling site.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polls in Sedgwick County will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m., and those in most other counties will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

What if the polls close while Im still in line?

Do not leave. Stay in line  all voters who are in line when polling locations close will be allowed to vote.

What do I need to bring with me?

Kansas, voters are required by law to show photo identification when they vote in person. According to the Kansas Secretary of States office, these are documents that voters can use to meet the photo ID requirement:

Drivers license or ID card issued by Kansas or another state

U.S. Passport

U.S. Military ID

ID card issued by a Native American tribe

Employee badge or ID issued by a government office

Student ID card from an accredited post-secondary education institution in Kansas

Concealed carry license issued by Kansas or another state

Public assistance ID card issued by a government office

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The exemptions to the photo ID requirement are:

Permanent advance voters (voters with illness or disabilities)

Military and overseas voters and their spouses and dependents

Voters with religious objections who sign a Declaration of Religious Objection (Form DRO (Espanol)

Voters age 65 or older may use an expired photo ID.

The website has answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about photo IDs. Click here if you have any questions.

What should I leave at home?

Kansas has a law against electioneering. This means people cannot try to sway voters within 250 feet of a polling place.

If you have items that promote a particular candidate or ballot issue, leave them at home. That means clothing, signs, posters, stickers, and other materials. If you forget, you may be asked to remove the item or turn your clothes inside out so other voters do not see the political message.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Electioneering does not include bumper stickers on vehicles transporting voters to the polling place.

Is anyone offering free rides?

The City of Wichita says Wichita Transit will offer free rides on Election Day. The bus routes and schedule information are available at wichitatransit.org.

What should I do if I have a mailed ballot?

If you requested and got an advance by-mail ballot, it must be returned or postmarked by Nov. 5. You can return the ballot to the election office, a community-located drop box, or a box inside a polling place by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

If you are mailing it in, it must be postmarked by Nov. 5 and received at the election office by Friday, Nov. 8.

Where can I find the election results?

KSN News and KSN.com will bring you election results when they start coming in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Its finally Election Day and voters across the country and right here in western Massachusetts are going to the polls.

Where to vote on Election Day in Massachusetts

Before you go to the polls, check to make sure you are registered to vote. You can do that on the Secretary of States website or by contacting your city or town clerks office. You can also figure out where your local polling place is through that website or in person.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Massachusetts, voters are not required to show photo ID, but one may be requested to show theirs for a few reasons. If someone is voting for the first time, someone has been deemed an inactive voter, someone is casting a provisional or challenged ballot, or the poll worker has reasonable suspicion to make that request.

All registered voters have a designated polling location where you must cast your ballot. If you arrive at the polls and your name is not on the voters list, you have a few options to make sure your vote still counts.

First, check with a poll worker to ensure you are at the correct polling location. If you are, ask your poll worker to contact your local election office to confirm your eligibility. In those cases, or if you were asked to show your ID and forgot it at home, you can vote using whats called a provisional ballot.

Once your local election office confirms that youre registered, or when you bring your ID to your polling place before it closes, your ballot will be counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As part of early voting and mail-in ballots, over 1.7 million voters have already cast their ballots in Massachusetts.

If you still have a mail-in ballot, election officials are urging you not to send that ballot by mail on Tuesday. Though technically valid, Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin says ballots wont arrive in time to be counted. Mail-in ballots can be dropped off in a ballot drop box outside a municipal building or at a local election office. Secretary Galvin said you cannot drop a mail-in ballot off at a polling location.

All polling locations will close at 8 pm.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
A consortium of Westinghouse Electric Company and South Koreas Hyundai Engineering & Construction has signed an engineering services contract with Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP-Newbuild.

The contract represents the next step following the front-end engineering and design phase for the construction of two AP1000 nuclear reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant in Bulgaria.

The AP1000 reactor, central to this project, is a Generation III+ reactor that uses passive safety systems and has a modular design and a compact footprint per megawatt of electricity generated.

The first AP1000 reactor is expected to commence commercial operations in 2035.

The contract encompasses site planning for the reactors in addition to providing support for the initial licensing, permitting, project planning and operations and maintenance development.

The 12-month contract work is set to begin in November 2024.

In October, Westinghouse extended its FEED contract with Kozloduy NPP-Newbuild to support the construction of two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy site.

The extension followed Westinghouses initial FEED contract awarded in June 2023.

Westinghouse Energy Systems president Dan Lipman stated: We are pleased to extend our long-term relationship with Bulgaria, and to work closely in building two advanced AP1000 units that will bolster Bulgarias energy security.

Westinghouse has already signed memoranda of understanding with 22 Bulgarian suppliers for the project.

The Kozloduy project offers Bulgarian companies the chance to engage in the construction of 30 AP1000 units planned worldwide.

US Ambassador to Bulgaria Kenneth Merten stated: The United States fully supports Bulgarias efforts to ensure its energy security through the diversification of its energy sector. The construction of these two new reactors will both enhance Bulgarias energy security and position the country as a key energy hub for the region.

This project, using advanced American technology with unparalleled safety standards over years of safe operation, is poised to provide sustainable and secure energy for Bulgarias future.

Four AP1000 units are operational in China and two at the Vogtle site in the US state of Georgia, with eight under construction and four under contract around the world.

By 2030, 18 units based on AP1000 technology are expected to be operational globally.

The technology has also been selected for nuclear energy programmes in Poland and Ukraine, and has gained traction across Central and Eastern Europe, the UK, India and North America.

"Westinghouse signs engineering contract for reactors in Bulgaria" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
Key Events

1 month ago

McCormick sends supporters home without clear winner in Senate race

1 month ago

Perry thanks supporters with PA-10 race still undetermined

1 month ago

Supporters gather at Casey election watch party in Scranton

1 month ago

Cambria County will hand count a large number of ballots

1 month ago

Kenyatta tells supporters lots of votes to be counted

1 month ago

McCormick supporters see results roll in at election watch party

1 month ago

Washington Twp Judge of Elections ordered to stop unauthorized hand count of ballots

1 month ago

Voting uneventful in Chester County as election workers prepare for the count

1 month ago

Dont forget to ETOV before 8 p.m. wait what

1 month ago

At a Camp Hill polling place, a changing community reflects on a changing politics

1 month ago

Perry County judge orders provisional ballots be made available for disabled voters

1 month ago

Dush drops challenge to dozens of Centre County overseas mail ballots

1 month ago

Laflin Borough in Luzerne County will keep polling place open until 9:30 p.m.

1 month ago

Walz makes Election Day visit to Harrisburg

1 month ago

Northampton County Republicans sue, saying county election officials denied poll lists

1 month ago

Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta votes in Philly; Cleo the dog approves

1 month ago

Cambria County judge orders polls to remain open until 10 p.m. after countywide voting machine malfunction

1 month ago

What were watching today and why

1 month ago

Stelson making her Election Day pitch to voters in York, Pa.

1 month ago

Sneak peek: After the polls close

1 month ago

Battleground: Pennsylvanians feel the pressure, privilege of voting in the swing state

1 month ago

McCormick sends supporters home without clear winner in Senate race

GOP U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick and his wife Dina address supprters at the Fairmont Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh Nov. 5, 2025 (Photo by Abigail Hakas for the Capital-Star)

GOP U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick addressed a crowd of supporters at his election watch party at around 12:50 a.m. Wednesday after results had yet to determine the winner of his race against incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

McCormick sent supporters home with a question: Whos ready to save America?

It looks like were headed in a very good direction, he said, to cheers from the crowd.

Casey is seeking his fourth Senate term, something McCormick alluded to when he spoke of the moment election results are finalized.

We will look forward to a new agenda, a new America, and well look back on this day, today, and well say, That was the day we turned the corner, he said. That was the day we had new leadership in Pennsylvania. That was the day we got our country back on track.

The bottom line is we need leadership, we dont have it and were going to get it, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

1 month ago

Perry thanks supporters with PA-10 race still undetermined

Rep. Scott Perry (R-10th) addresses supporters in the early hours of Nov. 6 as his race had yet to be called. (Photo by Ben Wasserstein for the Capital-Star)

Shortly after midnight, with the race still too close to call, incumbent Rep. Scott Perry (R-10th District) arrived at his watch party to thank his supporters for showing up.



We knew that this was going to be a fight, and it is a fight, he said. Look, its a fight for the presidency too. Lets face it, we all expected it to be close. The good news is theres still a lot out.

Campaign members say they are waiting on a chunk of votes from York County which could come in the early morning.

As of 12:30 a.m., Wednesday, his Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson holds a four-point lead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last updated: 1:17 am

1 month ago

Supporters gather at Casey election watch party in Scranton

Several issues have inspired Rashida Lovely to support democratic Sen. Bob Caseys reelection campaign. She spent some time Tuesday night talking about his efforts to protect children and solve food insecurity and housing issues.

Rashida Lovely was among the first attendees to arrive at Sen. Bob Caseys election night watch party at the Scranton Cultural Center Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo by Patrick Abdalla for the Capital-Star)

Lovely was among the first attendees to arrive at Caseys election night watch party at the Scranton Cultural Center on Tuesday.

Safety for kids is super important, she said, touting Caseys regulatory efforts to to keep furniture from falling on children.

As a small business owner and director of operations for the NEPA Black Chamber, she sees how Caseys local connections help the community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Leaders need to understand what your needs are, she said.

As far as tonights race goes, shes optimistic.

Im pretty hopeful, she said. It might be close but I believe he will ekeek it out.

Casey is facing GOP challenger Dave McCormick. The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan ratings outlet, moved the race from leans Democrat to toss up early last month.

Shortly before midnight, as Casey was still trailing McCormick in unofficial vote tallies, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti told the diminishing crowd to go home for the night and get some rest.

She said the campaign remains confident, but that there is another long day ahead of us tomorrow.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cognetti told the senators supporters, You left it all on the field.

Last updated: 11:54 pm

1 month ago

Cambria County will hand count a large number of ballots

Voters in Cambria County experienced long lines and confusion this morning after a countywide issue led to voting machines not scanning ballots.

The issue caused long lines and delays, which led a judge to rule that Cambria County polls should stay open for two extra hours to ensure residents were able to cast their votes. While it was ultimately resolved, affected ballots will have to be counted by hand.

When ballots are returned that are not scannable for one reason or another, there are many options available to a county for how best to proceed to make sure that every voters vote is counted, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said at a press conference in Harrisburg after Cambria County polls closed. One of those is hand counting, which as you can imagine will take some time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As it stands, Schmidt said that the Department of State believes the issue was with the ballots themselves and made them unreadable by the countys scanners.

According to Schmidt, hand counts are typically done in bipartisan pairs of two, who work together to confirm the results. The process will be open to observers.

It did not affect voters ability to vote, Schmidt said

1 month ago

Kenyatta tells supporters lots of votes to be counted

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta addresses supporters at his election night watch party at the Divine Lorraine Hotel in Philadelphia Nov. 5, 2024 (Capital-Star photo by John Cole)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) spoke shortly before 10:40 p.m. at his election night party and thanked those in attendance for their support.

First of all, I just want to come and say thank you, and to also say that, like you, we recognize that theres still lots of votes to be counted, and we want to make sure that every single vote is counted, Kenyatta said.

Kenyatta told supporters that he will obviously respect the outcome of the election and was confident that after the votes are counted, hell be in a strong position.

It is going to be a long night. It might go into the morning, Kenyatta said, while telling his supporters he doesnt want to keep them all night. Im going to keep huddling with my team and making sure that we actually do hear the voice of the people of Pennsylvania.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last updated: 11:09 pm

1 month ago

McCormick supporters see results roll in at election watch party

A crowd of supporters gathered at the Fairmont Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh to watch as live results come in to determine whether Republican Senate hopeful Dave McCormick will defeat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.

David Whitcomb, a 68-year-old Republican retiree living in Butler County, said he is supporting McCormick for a plethora of reasons, including freedom of speech, illegal immigration, government spending and healthcare, something personal to Whitcomb who used to work as a professor of medicine, cell biology and physiology and human genetics at the University of Pittsburgh.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think healthcare is out of control and could use some reengineering, he said.

He said Casey has done some good things but disagreed with his more progressive policies.

He added that he felt McCormicks past as a businessman helped him understand the real world more. Casey is seeking his fourth term in the Senate, and Whitcomb said three terms in Washington is probably enough.

Whitcomb said he was not certain who would win the Senate seat, adding that it would be a tight one, but he thinks it is important that former President Donald Trump have a majority Republican Senate if Trump wins the election.

A live band occasionally played music, including a cover of Uptown Funk, interspersed with a Fox News channel covering the races nationwide. Supporters filtered in and out of the main ballroom where a bar served drinks to attendees and appetizers were distributed.

When states were called for Trump on Fox News, the crowd cheered.

1 month ago

Washington Twp Judge of Elections ordered to stop unauthorized hand count of ballots

According to an emergency petition filed in the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas, a Washington Township Judge of Elections, Vincent Manetta, announced his intention to undertake an unauthorized hand audit of ballots cast for presidential candidates in his polling place.

Even after being told by the county Election Director Marybeth Kuznik that a manual recount would violate the states election statutes, the petition says Manetta still intended to perform the hand count. The petition was filed by Kuznik.

Read the full story here

Last updated: 7:38 pm

1 month ago

Voting uneventful in Chester County as election workers prepare for the count

An election worker hands a sticker to a voter after she dropped off a mail-in ballot outside the Chester County Government Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Capital-Star/Peter Hall)

At the Chester County Government Center on Election Day afternoon, county workers were preparing for the parade of cars that would bring paper ballots and voting machine memory sticks from polling stations across the southeast Pennsylvania county to be tallied.

Flood lights and neon yellow traffic cones marked the parking lot, and county officials said a drone would orbit above as poll workers arrive to foreclose any question about the process.

But there were no major issues with election administration in the suburban Philadelphia county, which has seen a shift from being a Republican stronghold to a key area for Democrats in statewide races in recent years.

So far, everything has been a very regular operation, said Chester County Director of Voter Services Karen Barsoum, adding that aside from voter errors such as prematurely removing the receipts from ballots, there were no problems with voting machines.

So nobody was turned away for voting. No polling place was closed because of any machine issues, Barsoum said.

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-6th District) toured polling places in her district with her dog Lily on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024. (Capital-Star/Peter Hall)

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-6th District) stopped at the government center to greet volunteers and said she visited several polling places in her district, which covers all of Chester County and part of Berks County, including the city of Reading.

Really without exception, very welcoming atmosphere, very safe atmosphere, and kind of friendly and calm across the board, Houlahan said. And I think people are taking their responsibility and their opportunity to vote really seriously.

Election judges at two precincts outside the county seat of West Chester told the Capital-Star that they saw lines when polls first opened and that some voters waited 20 to 30 minutes to complete the process.

Houlahan, who is running for reelection to a fourth term, faces a challenge by Republican Neil Young, a public school teacher from Glenmoore, Chester County.

Some voters who spoke to the Capital-Star were hesitant initially, citing the increased tension in this years election. John and Donna Gimbel of West Goshen Township said they voted for Vice President Kamala Harris for president, but have experienced strong opinions in their community regarding the candidates.

They each recounted receiving unsolicited opinions on the election at a nail salon and waiting in a line at a store. Both said they were confident the election would be decided for Harris.

But that scares me a little bit because thats what we thought when it was going to go to Hillary [Clinton], Donna Gimbel said.

Houlahan said in Chester County and elsewhere election officials have gone to extraordinary lengths to erase any question about election integrity, with multiple live video feeds of the process in addition to the drone. But she said she hopes her constituents will remember that the people running the election are their neighbors.

I think thats important that people understand just how secure our voting system is and just how strong the volunteer system is that allows it to happen, Houlahan said.

1 month ago

Dont forget to ETOV before 8 p.m. wait what

Spotted in Chester County Pennsylvania this afternoon:

(Capital-Star photo by Peter Hall)

The sentiment is there, its just the execution thats a little bit off.

But polls close at 8 p.m.

1 month ago

At a Camp Hill polling place, a changing community reflects on a changing politics

Camp Hill voter Al Holliday (Capital-Star photo by Ian Karbal)

Camp Hill, and Cumberland County more generally, is one of the few parts of Pennsylvania thats been growing, according to the latest U.S. Census data. Its also been getting younger and more diverse. And what was once a reliably Republican area now has a strong Democratic footprint.

When I moved here, Camp Hill borough was controlled by the Republicans, said Al Holliday, a Democratic volunteer at the Fredricksen Library polling place who has lived in Camp Hill since 1968. I was in the vast minority.

He attributed the changes in the citys political leaning to mostly new people moving in and old people retiring  Going to Florida or wherever.

And with the changes, Holliday believes Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris has a good chance to win the Camp Hill vote. Hes hopeful shell win the state as well.

Trumps made too many mistakes, Holliday said. He was not given good guidance from his parents. No one ever said no to him.

Like Holliday, other Camp Hill voters who went to the polls on election day reflecting on the changing politics of their hometown, and the ways they do and dont reflect the divisiveness of national politics at large.

Camp Hill voter Julie Young

Rejecting extremism, I think thats gonna be the story of this election, said Brianna Labuskes, 37, who was volunteering with Holliday.

Like Holliday she remembers a time when it felt like she was virtually the only Democrat.

I wrote an op-ed against [former President George W.] Bush in high school, Labuskes, 37, said. People went up to my parents and said, she doesnt look like a Democrat..

But Labuskes left for Washington, D.C. after finishing school, and when she moved back to Camp Hill earlier this year, it was to a changing city.

Beyond defeating Trump, shes hoping to oust incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-10th District), former leader of the House Freedom Caucus and a prominent denier of the 2020 election.

She sees both Perry and Trump as extremists who demonize their political opponents. Its a style she doesnt see reflected much in Camp Hill itself.

Everyones your neighbor here  Youre gonna see a lot less of those tensions, Labuskes said. I dont think the leaders of the party represent the people.

Julie Young, 41, is also tired of what she sees as radical politics. She was volunteering at the Republican table just a few feet away from the Democrats.

I think weve really gone off the deep end on the radical social issues, Young said. Really, the majority of Americans could care less what you do in your home, who you love, what you do.

Young said both parties have what she views as radical views, whether its Democrats political correctness or Republicans abortion policies. And she doesnt like the way politicians in both parties demonize each other.

But unlike Labuskes, Young said she does feel those tensions at home. In 2019, she ran for a borough council seat, and felt she experienced hostility because of her political party.

I wasnt making it Republican, Democrat, Young said. But I was scrutinized for being a Republican. I was treated pretty poorly.

Young blames people on both sides of the aisle for the current political tensions. Shes supporting Trump, because she prefers his policies and doesnt think any one politician is capable of turning down the temperature.

Its about the whole party, Young said of her preference for Trump. Hes a figurehead.

Young believes that tensions have grown, not just in Camp Hill, but across the whole country. And the changes began before Trump had even entered the political arena.

I dont put political signs out on my lawn because I have a daughter and I dont want her to be ridiculed, Young said. I do think weve lost that civility on both sides.

Steve Voyzey, 55, another Republican and Trump supporter, said extremism and social change werent top of mind when he went to the polls. But he has observed the increased hostility between the two parties in Washington, D.C.

I think they could do a better job coming together and doing whats best for the country instead of whats best for the party, he said.

Asked if he thought Trump was capable of reaching across the aisle, he said, I like him better than what we got now.

Im not that into it, Voyzey said of politics. Heres what it comes down to: If youre happy with the last four years, you vote one way. If youre not happy with the last four years you vote the other way.

Miracle Mathis, 25, hardly paid attention to politics until she was old enough to vote, and shes never voted in an election without Trump on the top of the ticket.

Im not one to worry about it, she said about the result of the election. Im gonna vote and well see the outcome.

Mathis is voting for Harris, primarily because of her views on womens rights and abortion. But regardless of what happens, she said she wont let it stress her out.

Im concerned, but if it happens it happens, Mathis said about a Trump victory. Im still gonna be living.

Last updated: 5:02 pm

1 month ago

Perry County judge orders provisional ballots be made available for disabled voters

A judge in Perry County has made an order to ensure that disabled voters who make mistakes on their mail-in ballots can cast a provisional ballot, even if they cant reach a polling place.

The court order says the county elections board must provide provisional ballots on election day to any disabled voter who is unable to travel to a polling place, but requests one because of an error on their mail-in ballot.

It also orders Board of Election employees to provide designated agent forms, which allow someone to deliver another persons ballot in the event of an emergency.

The County Board of Elections requested the ruling after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a separate case that all voters who make mistakes on their mail-in ballots be allowed to cast provisional ballots.

1 month ago

Dush drops challenge to dozens of Centre County overseas mail ballots

A Pennsylvania vote-by-mail ballot envelope (Capital-Star photo by Peter Hall)

State Sen. Cris Dush (R-Jefferson) has dropped a challenge to dozens of mail ballot requests made by overseas voters in Centre County.

After creating anxiety for voters and wasting the time of the board of elections, state Senator Cris Dush has withdrawn his challenges to more than 100 eligible voters living abroad who are originally from Centre County, the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania said in a post on the social media platform X.

Dush did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Dushs challenges were part of a broader trend with the potential to affect thousands of Pennsylvanians. Across the state, hundreds of overseas mail ballot applications have been challenged, primarily by Republicans targeting Democratic voters.

Recently, the Chester County Board of Elections rejected a similar effort, and on Monday, York County commissioners unanimously dismissed challenges to 354 overseas ballots there.

Overseas voters include U.S. citizens living abroad, members of the military and their families.

Hundreds of other mail ballot applications from domestic voters have been challenged as well. A suspected network of right-wing activists allegedly used United States Postal Service data and state voter registration data to identify what they believed were hundreds of suspicious mail ballot requests, according to an anonymously sourced article in the conservative publication Broad and Liberty.

A larger lawsuit brought by six Pennsylvania Republican congressmen sought to have all overseas ballots set aside until the people who cast them could provide identification. The plaintiffs cited concerns about foreign interference, but the case was dismissed by a federal judge.

Some counties still have outstanding challenges to mail-in ballot applications. The Bucks County Board of Elections has announced it will hold a hearing on roughly 1,400 challenges to mail-in ballot applications on Thursday, after the election. Ballots affected by the challenge are being segregated.

Pennsylvanias election laws contain an explicit exemption to ID requirements for overseas voters, a rule intended to make it easier for military members to cast ballots.

1 month ago

Laflin Borough in Luzerne County will keep polling place open until 9:30 p.m.

A judge has granted the Luzerne County Election Bureaus request to keep the Laflin Boroughs polling place open until 9:30 p.m., an hour and a half after it was scheduled to close.

The county Election Bureau and the Board of Elections requested permission to extend voting in the location after it opened an hour and a half later than it was supposed to.

All polling places in Pennsylvania were scheduled to open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Elsewhere, in Cambria County, a judge granted permission to the election board to keep polling places open until 10 p.m. after issues with their voting machines caused long lines and delays.

1 month ago

Walz makes Election Day visit to Harrisburg

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, made an Election Day visit to Harrisburg today with his family, including his wife Gwen, meeting with supporters and volunteers at the Capitol Diner.

Walz reiterated the importance of Pennsylvania in this years election and discussed Vice President Kamala Harris qualifications for the presidency.

(Photos by Ben Wasserstein for the Capital-Star)

1 month ago

Northampton County Republicans sue, saying county election officials denied poll lists

Republican Party officials in Northampton County filed a lawsuit Election Day morning saying they have been denied a list of polling place judges and inspectors that it and candidates use to station poll watchers.

The filing said that elections office officials had ignored repeated requests to provide the list, which the Northampton County Republican Committee has provided for each election including the 2023 general election.

The filing said the complaint would be presented to the Northampton County Common Pleas Court judge on duty for election day.

A spokesperson said Northampton County officials would not have a comment until the judge rules. A spokesperson for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts said a judge ordered the parties to submit briefs by 2 p.m.

The lawsuit says the list is a public record and that county officials are deliberately withholding the information. It notes that County Executive Lamont McClure is a Democrat, as are the appointed senior government officials in the county.

The county Republican party alleges that county officials are acting in an obdurate, dilatory, vexations and partisan manner that is intended to put the party and Republican candidates at a disadvantage.

Northampton County, at the eastern edge of the state, is considered a bellwether for Pennsylvania and is closely watched in presidential elections. President Joe Biden won the county in 2020 by less than three-quarters of a point. Former President Donald Trump won Northampton County by slightly less than a point in 2016.

Last updated: 1:13 pm

1 month ago

Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta votes in Philly; Cleo the dog approves

Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (right), candidate for Auditor General, talks to a voter in Philadelphia as his husband Matthew Kenyatta and their dog Cleo observe (Capital-Star photo by John Cole)

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Democratic candidate for auditor general, made his way to the polls on Tuesday morning in Philadelphia with his husband, Dr. Matthew Kenyatta, and their dog, Cleo.

We deserve a government that works for working people. And I think today, what youre going to see is the Commonwealth come together for the common good and elect people who give a damn about working people and working families, Kenyatta told reporters after he cast his ballot. And you know, Im confident that today, not only were going to elect the Vice President to be President Elect, but Im hopeful that Pennsylvania will give me the opportunity to serve and to be in a position to watch out for working people and working families.

Although hes served multiple terms in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, this is the first time that Kenyatta is a candidate in the general election for a statewide office. He talked about what it meant for him to cast his name on a statewide ballot.

This was, you know, a moment that you certainly just try to sit in, in the significance of it, Kenyatta said. Its special to do this, to do it with my husband, my cute dog, by my side, and Im just so grateful for the people of Pennsylvania who have welcomed me into their homes, into their faith communities and to their community centers, firehouses everywhere.

In every single county, people have been open of hearing a message from a working poor kid from North Philly about how we can make government work for families here and all across the Commonwealth, he added.

Kenyatta is facing incumbent Republican Auditor General Tim DeFoor in that race. Hes also running for reelection for the 181st state House District and is the only candidate in that race.

Last updated: 12:21 pm

1 month ago

Cambria County judge orders polls to remain open until 10 p.m. after countywide voting machine malfunction

A Cambria County judge ordered election officials in the western Pennsylvania county to keep polling places open until 10 p.m. on election day after voting machines there malfunctioned.

Electronic voting machines in Cambria County malfunctioned due to a software error, according to a court filing by the county Board of Elections.

According to a petition for emergency relief filed by the Cambria County Board of Elections about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, the issue has caused long lines and confusion and some voters left their polling places without casting a ballot.

President Judge Linda Rovder Fleming issued an order late Tuesday morning granting the boards request to extend voting hours until 10 p.m. Tuesday. Any votes cast after 8 p.m. will be cast by provisional ballot, the order said.

The Cambria County solicitor did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pennsylvania Voters Decide, a coalition of more than 50 pro-voter organizations, said that due to the malfunction, machines were unable to scan voters paper ballots.

The voting systems in Cambria County require a voter-marked paper ballot to be hand-fed into a scanner, and scanning will resume as soon as the machines are functioning. All votes will be counted, and we are pleased to see the county working so rapidly to correct the issue, the coalition said in a statement.

Matt Heckel, a spokesperson for the Department of State, says they are in touch with local election administrators and said that, despite the malfunctions, voters can still cast paper ballots.

Voters are continuing to vote by paper ballot, in accordance with normal operations, while the county resolves the issue with in-precinct scanning, Heckel said. We are working with the county to resolve this technical matter and are committed to ensuring a free, fair, safe, and secure election.

The Cambria County Board of Elections has submitted a petition to the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas, asking to be allowed to keep polling places open until 10 p.m., two hours later than they were scheduled to close.

Stacy Witalec, director of communications for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, said a hearing will take place

Last updated: 12:03 pm

1 month ago

What were watching today and why

A 2024 ballot (Getty Images)

Here are the five counties Im most interested in for these statewide races:

(In no particular order): Bucks, Northampton, Erie, Lackawanna, and Cumberland.

Bucks because its the only purple county in the Philly region and is probably the county most synonymous statewide with ticket splitting. In previous elections, there have been a sizable chunk of voters who supported Brian Fitzpatrick for Congress (a Republican) and the Democratic presidential candidate at the top of the ticket. Dems usually win there by a few points, but the GOP regained a voter registration advantage earlier this year for the first time since 2007.

Northampton because its in the Lehigh Valley, the biggest swing region in the state, and its the only county in 2020 where all of the statewide candidates won. Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican, Auditor General Tim DeFoor, also a Republican, won that county, while Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, won the county as the incumbent attorney general. President Joe Biden also won there in 2020.

Erie because its also a bellwether and was the only county in 2016 that all of the statewide candidates won with former President Donald Trump, former U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, Shapiro, former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, and former Treasurer Joe Torsella winning.

Lackawanna because Biden is from there and Republicans have continued to make gains in that region with white working class voters.

Cumberland because it is the fastest growing county in the state and the increase of suburban voters there makes me think that even though its traditionally been a GOP county, Democrats continue to make gains in recent elections and will be worth watching.

Follow John Cole on X

Last updated: 11:15 am

1 month ago

Stelson making her Election Day pitch to voters in York, Pa.

Democratic Congressional candidate Janelle Stelson greets voters in York, Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo by Ben Wasserstein for the Capital-Star)

Janelle Stelson is out greeting voters on Election Day in York. The former news anchor is attempting to unseat six-term incumbent Rep. Scott Perry (R-10th District). Shes had an impressive fundraising haul, and last month, nonpartisan ratings outlet Cook Political Report moved the once safely red seat into its toss-up category.

Last updated: 10:31 am

1 month ago

Sneak peek: After the polls close

Well have live race results later from Decision Desk HQ after polls close. It looks pretty cool. Heres a preview:

Last updated: 10:01 am

1 month ago

Battleground: Pennsylvanians feel the pressure, privilege of voting in the swing state

Its been a long year for Pennsylvania voters, with intense scrutiny by national media and relentless campaign ads and near-constant visits and rallies from the candidates. The battleground state with 19 electoral votes that both campaigns view as key to winning the White House, Pennsylvania voters are keenly aware of the responsibility they carry into Election Day 2024.

We asked a cross section of Pennsylvania voters for their thoughts. Heres what they told us.

Bruce Hoechner, 64, a retired CEO who lives in Lower Makefield, said he feels uncomfortable with the idea that the race is as close as it appears to be and the possibility that Pennsylvania could choose the next president.

Bruce Hoechner of Lower Makefield (Photo by Christina Kristofic for the Capital-Star)

It seems to me, when you look at the track record of both candidates and the dysfunction of Trump, its astonishing that half the people in the United States would consider him fit to be president of the United States, he said.

I wish Kamala good luck.

Read more here

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Last updated: 9:25 am

Check back during the day for updates on Election 2024
Donald Trump has announced his latest cabinet pick, nominating Brendan Carr to be chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the body charged with regulating the US media.

Currently a commissioner with the FCC, Carr contributed to the controversial Project 2025 manifesto and was described by the president-elect as a warrior for Free Speech... [who] has fought against the regulatory Lawfare that has stifled Americans Freedoms, and held back our Economy.

He will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling Americas Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Republican has yet to announce his choice for treasury secretary and two new candidates for the position will reportedly be interviewed at his Mar-a-Lago residence on Monday: former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh and Wall Street billionaire Marc Rowan.

Howard Lutnick, co-chair of Trumps transition team, and Key Square Capital Management founder Scott Bessant were thought to be first in the line for the role but the incoming president is understood to be having second thoughts.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden announced on Sunday he had approved the use of American-made long-range missiles by Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Key Points

Donald Trump picks Project 2025 co-author to lead FCC

Trump to interview treasury secretary candidates at Mar-a-Lago

Joe Biden accused of starting WWIII by permitting Ukraines use of long-range missiles to strike Russia

Mike Johnson denies discussing Matt Gaetz ethics report with Trump

Over half of voters were surprised by Trumps win  including Republicans, new poll reveals

12:35 , Joe Sommerlad

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A majority of Americans were surprised by Trumps win in the presidential election  including 43 percent of Republicans, according to exclusive data.

A poll of 1,941 US adults by Prolific, exclusively for The Independent, found that, following months of predictions on a knifes edge, Americans on all sides ended up being surprised by the final outcome of the White House race.

Some 54 percent of people were at least quite surprised by the outcome of the election, with 14 percent of those very surprised.

A third were not very surprised, and 16 percent not surprised at all.

Heres more from Alicja Hagopian.

Over half of voters were surprised by Trumps win  including Republicans

Trump dance catches on in the NFL

12:15 , Joe Sommerlad

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

LA Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, Detroit Lions defenders Malcolm Rodriguez and ZaDarius Smith and Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley were all doing the president-elects signature move at the weekend.

Brock Bowers did the Donald Trump dance after scoring a TD. pic.twitter.com/NLMwKl2U0G  Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 17, 2024

Detroit Lions defenders Malcolm Rodriguez and Za'Darius Smith celebrate with the Donald Trump Dance  #Trump #JAXvDET #OnePride pic.twitter.com/xgOp06D1B5  Bella   (@Bella91320) November 18, 2024

For the first time in my life, the Right is cooler than the left



Jon Jones did the Trump dance last night. Calvin Ridley and his teammate do it today. Wild vibe shift pic.twitter.com/LyMJy0joqO  John Hasson (@SonofHas) November 17, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its even reached League One in England, thanks to Barnsley FC.

The Donald Trump tour has gone worldwide! Players from the English soccer club Barnsley hit the Trump dance after a goal. pic.twitter.com/re66NujG6w  OutKick (@Outkick) November 16, 2024

Heres more.

The Trump dance takes the NFL by storm

Even Matt Gaetzs dad was surprised Trump picked him for attorney general

11:55 , Joe Sommerlad

A number of the president-elects nominations to his new cabinet have raised eyebrows among political observers, but none more so than Matt Gaetz, who has been tapped to become Americas next attorney general.

Gaetz, 42, is known as a MAGA firebrand on Capitol Hill who was instrumental in the ousting of previous House speaker Kevin McCarthy.

He is also known for being the subject of a Department of Justice (DOJ) sex trafficking investigation and House Ethics Committee probe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He has never been criminally charged and denies the allegations.

Few, it seems, saw him as a likely head of the DOJ  and, it turns out, that includes Gaetzs his own father.

Even Matt Gaetzs dad was surprised Trump picked him for attorney general

CBSs 60 Minutes sparks right-wing backlash over brutal takedown of Trumps cabinet picks

11:35 , Joe Sommerlad

Host Scott Pelley began Sundays show with a monologue dissecting Donald Trumps choices for his future administration, detailing one-by-one how the likes of Pete Hegseth, Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F Kennedy Jr have no compelling qualifications and no government experience to take up the jobs theyve been nominated for.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps incoming White House Communications Director Steven Cheung took to X shortly after to claim that Pelleys segment was riddled with disgusting bias and was soon joined in his outrage by Elon Musk, Charlie Kirk and many other members of the MAGA-verse.

This is exactly why we rebuffed @60Minutes for an interview during the campaign.



Their disgusting bias & unhinged reporting are out of touch with everyday Americans who voted for President Trump.



60 Minutes is an out-dated relic of the past. CANCEL!pic.twitter.com/42bTKUsLwH  Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung) November 18, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Heres more from James Liddell.

60 Minutes sparks right-wing backlash over brutal takedown of Trumps cabinet picks

Truth Social: Trump whitewashes Covid response and leans on Republicans to fall in line

11:15 , Joe Sommerlad

Here are the latest posts from Trumps non-Elon social media feed, which find him taking a revisionist attitude towards his first administrations pandemic response and issuing a veiled threat to the GOP not to engage in any funny business.

pic.twitter.com/FmhqVbApHf  Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) November 18, 2024

pic.twitter.com/HTeSLrIF7m  Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) November 17, 2024

Trumps pick of Marco Rubio as secretary of state ignites fears of fiercer US-China rivalry

10:55 , Joe Sommerlad

Donald Trump once belittled him as Little Marco and a choke artist, only to then nominate him as his US secretary of state and describe him as a strong advocate for our nation, a true friend to our allies and a fearless warrior who will never back down to our adversaries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Florida Senators appointment as arguably the most powerful diplomat in the world will likely reshape American foreign policy towards allies and rivals alike  and dealing with Chinas continued economic, diplomatic and military rise is set to be one of his top priorities.

That Trump moved swiftly to staff his foreign policy and national security team with China hawks is an indication that relations between the two superpowers will deteriorate further, writes Shweta Sharma.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps pick of Marco Rubio ignites fears of tougher US-China rivalry in second term

RFK Jr dines on McDonalds with Trump as ex-health sec warns role is life or death

10:35 , Joe Sommerlad

The president-elects choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was pictured looking slightly awkward in the company of Don Jr, Elon Musk and Mike Johnson over the weekend as the group posed with boxes of McDonalds junk food aboard the Republicans private plane.

POV: walking by the cool kids table  pic.twitter.com/RWkw6CufKB  Margo Martin (@margomartin) November 17, 2024

That Make America Healthy Again agenda already appears to be in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, this is what one of RFK Jrs predecessors in that office, Kathleen Sebelius, had to tell MSNBC anchor Jonathan Capehart about the seriousness of the role the notorious vaccine sceptic has been nominated to:

I think that were talking about magnitudes of danger beyond erroneously making legal decisions. This is life or death. The HHS affects people from birth to their grave and is intimately connected with every state in the country. So this could be very dangerous. I think its totally disqualifying for anyone who seeks to lead the major health agency in this country and one of the leaders in the world to just unequivocally say there is no safe and effective vaccine.

That in and of itself, from the bully pulpit of HHS, could end up killing people, could end up harming children. My grandson is too young to get a lot of vaccinations yet, and having him exposed to unvaccinated people with polio and measles is a terrifying thought. Having eradicated those diseases as a major health initiative, Jonathan, I think this is absolutely terrifying and people should understand how serious it is.

Mike Johnson denies discussing Matt Gaetz ethics report with Trump

10:15 , Joe Sommerlad

The House speaker defended his call for the House Ethics Committee to withhold the release of its report on the investigation into Matt Gaetz  Trumps pick for attorney general  during a round of TV appearances on Sunday amid allegations that the former Florida congressman paid for sex with an underage girl.

"The president and I have literally not discussed one word about the ethics report, Johnson told CNNs State of the Union yesterday.

Not once.

Heres more from John Bowden.

Mike Johnson denies consulting with Trump on Matt Gaetz ethics report

Joe Biden accused of starting WWIII by permitting Ukraines use of long-range missiles to strike Russia

09:55 , Joe Sommerlad

The president has authorised Ukraines use of long-range missiles to strike hundreds of miles inside Russia for the first time, according to reports.

The decision marks a major policy shift and comes after Russia warned that it would interpret the move to permit the use of US-made missiles as an escalation.

With Biden leaving office in two months, President-Elect Trump has indicated he will limit American support for Ukraine and has pledged to end the war quickly.

His predecessors decision has already led both Donald Trump Jr and Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene to accuse Biden of attempting to start a Third World War.

The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives.

Gotta lock in those $Trillions.

Life be damned!!! Imbeciles! https://t.co/ZzfwnhBxRh  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 17, 2024

On his way out of office, Joe Biden is dangerously trying to start WWIII by authorizing Ukraine the use of U.S. long range missiles into Russia.



The American people gave a mandate on Nov 5th against these exact America last decisions and do NOT want to fund or fight foreign  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) November 17, 2024

Barney Davis and John Bowden have this report on a big call.

Biden approves Ukraines use of long-range missiles inside Russia for first time

Trump to interview treasury secretary candidates at Mar-a-Lago

09:35 , Joe Sommerlad

The Republican has yet to announce his choice for treasury secretary and two new candidates for the position will reportedly be interviewed at his Mar-a-Lago residence on Monday: former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh and Wall Street billionaire Marc Rowan.

Howard Lutnick, co-chair of Trumps transition team, and Key Square Capital Management founder Scott Bessant were thought to be first in the line for the role but the incoming president is understood to be having second thoughts, according to The New York Times.

Heres John Bowden on which man Musk favors.

Elon Musk wants this man to be Donald Trumps Treasury secretary

Donald Trump picks Project 2025 co-author to lead FCC

09:15 , Joe Sommerlad

Good morning!

Donald Trump has announced his latest cabinet pick, nominating Brendan Carr to be chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the body charged with regulating the US media.

Currently a commissioner with the FCC, Carr contributed to the controversial Project 2025 manifesto and was described by the president-elect as a warrior for Free Speech... [who] has fought against the regulatory Lawfare that has stifled Americans Freedoms, and held back our Economy.

He will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling Americas Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America.

Thank you, President Trump!



I am humbled and honored to serve as Chairman of the FCC.



Now we get to work.  pic.twitter.com/MPyL2d38kT  Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) November 18, 2024

The pundits are already looking ahead to his possible role in realising Trumps threat to revoke broadcast licences and benefiting Elon Musk.

Trump has threatened virtually all of the major American TV networks. Will he push his pick for FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, to follow up on his talk about revoking licenses from stations? pic.twitter.com/90LnTzEQob  Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 18, 2024

Brendan Carr successfully auditioned to be Trumps FCC Chairman. Was clear as day after his Fox News appearance where he indicated he would be willing to target broadcast licenses of networks Trump doesnt like. pic.twitter.com/xbEbCd5JAM  Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) November 18, 2024

Trump to name Brendan Carr--a massive champion for Elon Musk and his Starlink system--as chairman of the F.C.C. which controls orbital access by space communications companies in the US. pic.twitter.com/WS52cPopzl  Eric Lipton (@EricLiptonNYT) November 18, 2024

Were so back: How the Heritage Foundation is creeping back into Trumps sphere after months of criticism

09:00 , Rhian Lubin

After Donald Trump attempted to distance himself from Project 2025 on the campaign trail, the organization behind it kind of went dark, an official admitted.

Kamala Harris linked the Heritage Foundations Project 2025  a radical conservative 900-page blueprint for the second Trump administration, which includes proposals for shutting down the Department of Education and federal limits on abortion  to the Trump campaign.

After Democrats hit Project 2025 hard in campaign ads, the organization faced widespread backlash and had no choice but to quietly back away. Trumps campaign also publicly shunned the proposals. We did not anticipate that, a Heritage official told Politicos Playbook. And wish it didnt happen. But you know, we had to do what we had to do.

As Trump distanced himself from the document, the think tank also stopped touting it on social media. Their president, Kevin Roberts, even pushed his own book publication launch back from September to after the election.

Now the book, titled Dawns Early Light, the foreword of which is penned by vice president-elect JD Vance, has been published, and the mood seems to be changing in the group, who are creeping back out of the shadows into Trumps sphere after months of fierce criticism.

Last week in Washington D.C, the group marked the books publication with a cocktail party where one Heritage official, with a nervous laugh, told Politicos Playbook: Were so back.

Read more below.

Were so back: How the Heritage Foundation is creeping back into Trumps sphere

ICYMI: SNL skewers Donald Trumps crazy cabinet picks in brutal Cold Open

08:30 , Rhian Lubin

Saturday Night Live took a hit at Donald Trumps controversial cabinet picks in their Cold Open sketch on Saturday night.

The skit, which started by poking fun at Trump and President Joe Bidens transition meeting, took jabs at the many people who could join the president-elects cabinet come January.

Its all about surrounding yourself with the best people, comedian James Austin Johnson said, playing Trump in the sketch. And I am very vastly picking the most epic cabinet of all time. Theyre some of the most dynamic, free-thinking, animal-killing, sexually-criminal, medically-crazy people in the country.

Watch below.

President Biden and President-Elect Trump meet to discuss the transition of power pic.twitter.com/e2Q9p7icGZ  Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) November 17, 2024

Inside the Harris campaigns 15-week, $1.5 billion spending spree that has left Democrats looking for answers

08:00 , Rhian Lubin

The Harris campaign burned through $1.5 billion in a failed bid to send the vice president to the White House, and now Democrats are searching for answers after the stunning defeat.

Kamala Harriss 15-week operation splashed out on celebrity concerts, social media influencers, an Oprah town hall event, and ramped up its advertising campaign and ground game at an average cost of roughly $100 million a week, according to The New York Times.

The biggest expense, according to the outlet, was the campaigns advertising spend  including producing television and digital ads  which amounted to $494 million between July 21 and October 16.

Other costs included $2.5 million for three digital agencies that worked with online influencers and $900,000 to advertise on the Las Vegas Sphere venue, according to officials who spoke to theTimes.

It has provoked the Democratic National Committees financial chair to push for an introspective study and analysis of how the campaign racked up a total spend of $1.5 billion.

Read more below.

Harris campaigns $1.5 billion spending spree leaves Democrats looking for answers

ICYMI: Iowa pollster Ann Selzer to retire after big miss predicting Kamala Harris win in Iowa

06:30 , Rhian Lubin

Ann Selzer, the pollster behind the Des Moines Registers respected Iowa Poll, has announced her retirement just weeks after the survey incorrectly showed Vice President Kamala Harris with a 3 percentage point lead over Donald Trump in Iowa.

Just before Election Day, the poll showed Harris leading Trump 44-47 among likely voters. The news was a last minute injection of hope for Democrat voters desperate to keep Trump out of the White House.

Those hopes turned to ash on Election Day; Trump defeated Harris soundly, 56 to 43 per cent.

Selzer penned a guest column in the Des Moines Register announcing her retirement. After the poll failed to reflect reality, she called it a big miss and theorized that her poll may have energize[d] and activate[d] Republican voters who thought they would likely coast to a victory.

While Selzer is retiring, the poll will reportedly continue to operate. Gannett Media  which owns the Register  told CNN via its chief content officer Kristin Roberts that the poll will evolve as we find new ways to accurately capture public sentiment and the pulse of Iowans on state and national issues.

Pollster Ann Selzer to retire after big miss predicting Kamala Harris win in Iowa

The least qualified nominee in American history: Why Trump picked Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense

05:30 , Rhian Lubin

The second in command to the nations military could end up being a Fox News pundit who wants to launch a frontal assault against top brass, kick women out of combat, and implement Donald Trumps sweeping agenda for the worlds third-largest standing fighting force.

The president-elect has nominated Pete Hegseth as his secretary of defense, overseeing a budget of roughly $850 billion and roughly 3 million service members and personnel serving in the nations oldest-running agency while the US is embroiled in global conflicts in a period of escalating tensions.

The office was created in the aftermath of the Second World War to centralize governance of the newly renamed Department of War and the various branches of the military, writes Alex Woodward.

Read more below.

Why Trump nominated a wholly unqualified Fox News host for defense secretary

Trumps Cabinet tracker: Heres who is among the White House appointments so far

05:00 , Rhian Lubin

President-elect Donald Trump is filling key posts in his second administration, putting an emphasis so far on aides and allies who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign.

Heres a look at who hes selected so far.

Trumps Cabinet tracker: Heres who is among the White House appointments so far

Mike Johnson shares pictures from fun break at Madison Square Garden with Trump and co

04:30 , Rhian Lubin

Speaker Mike Johnson posted photos of the fun break he enjoyed as part of Trumps entourage to Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

After our long day of work & planning at Mar-a-Lago yesterday, the trip to @ufc 309 was a fun break. Great days are ahead! pic.twitter.com/YQ9TTmaXQn  Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) November 17, 2024

Pulitzer-winning Connie Shultz reflects on husband Ohio Senator Sherrod Browns Senate loss

04:00 , Rhian Lubin

Connie Schultz, the Pulitzer Prize winning columnist who spent much of her career at The Cleveland Plain Dealer shared what it was like on Election Night when her husband, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, learned that his time representing the Buckeye State was coming to an end.

Brown was one of the few remaining high-profile progressive voices left representing Ohio as the state shifted red in 2016. He took office in 2006 after he defeated now Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. His 2024 opponent, Republican Bernie Moreno, a car dealer, defeated him on Election Day.

Shultz recalled in a post on her Substack the complicated and often awkward early days of her relationship with Brown. As a columnist at a major Ohio newspaper, dating a politician raised ethical questions in the world of journalism and drew a lot of attention.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Pulitzer-winning Connie Shultz reflects on husband Senator Sherrod Browns defeat

Vivek Ramaswamy suggests Department of Education will be deleted outright by DOGE

03:30 , Rhian Lubin

Vivek Ramaswamy, who is co-leading Donald TrumpsDepartment of Government Efficiency alongside X CEO Elon Musk, hinted that the dynamic duo of government gutting are planning to delete the US Department of Education.

He told Fox News Maria Bartiromo that he and Musk were planning to make deep cuts unlike any in recent history.

Elon and I arent in this for the credit, Ramaswamy said on Sunday. But I think were gonna build the consensus to make the kind of deep cuts that havent been made for most of our history.

Bartiromo asked specifically about the Department of Education, and if Ramaswamy and Musk were planning on shutting down departments.

In response, he said: We expect mass reductions. We expect certain agencies to be deleted outright.

John Bowden reports.

Vivek Ramaswamy suggests Department of Education will be deleted outright by DOGE

ICYMI: Woman testified to House Ethics Committee she saw Matt Gaetz have sex with minor, her lawyer says

03:00 , Rhian Lubin

A woman testified in front of the House Ethics Committee that she saw Matt Gaetz have sex with a minor, according to her lawyer.

Attorney Joel Leppard represents two women who gave closed-door testimony in the summer to the committee probing President-elect Donald Trumps controversial pick for attorney general, ABC first reported.

My client testified to the House Ethics Committee that she witnessed Matt Gaetz having sex with a minor, Leppard told the outlet.

Gaetz denies any wrongdoing.

Read the full story below.

Woman testified to ethics committee she saw Gaetz have sex with minor, lawyer says

Pete Hegseth paid woman as part of NDA after she accused him of sexual assault, report claims

02:30 , Rhian Lubin

New details have emerged about the sexual assault allegation against Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps pick to run the Department of Defense.

This week, a report emerged revealing police investigated Hegseth for alleged sexual misconduct in Monterey, California in 2017.

Now, The Washington Post reports the veteran and Fox News host paid the woman who accused him of sexual assault as part of a non-disclosure agreement. Despite the payment, he maintained the encounter was consensual.

The Post, citing a statement from Hegseths attorney Timothy Parlatore, reported that Hegseth was visibly intoxicated when he encountered a woman in Monterey seven years ago.

Parlatore said in this statement that the woman contacted the police, and they concluded, the Complainant had been the aggressor in the encounter.

However, Monterey police did not confirm this to the Post.

Hegseth later agreed to pay the woman as part of an NDA because he was concerned hed be fired by Fox News, the Post reports. The NDA and payment came after she threatened to litigate further in 2020, the Post reports, citing Hegseths attorney.

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told the Post that Hegseth vigorously denies all wrongdoing.

Katie Hawkinson has the full story.

Pete Hegseth paid woman as part of NDA after she accused him of assault: report

Elon Musk says he wants super high IQ workers for DOGE  but they may not be paid

02:00 , Rhian Lubin

Elon Musk is looking for a few good super high-IQ volunteers to do the tedious work of gutting the federal government.

Musks Department of Government Efficiency  whose acronym is DOGE  is apparently recruiting unpaid volunteers from X, according to posts from the nascent agency.

A post made by the departments account said it was looking for the top 1 percent of X applicants who have a super high-IQ and are small-government revolutionaries to work 80-plus hour weeks identifying allegedly wasteful government spending.

Based on one of Musks replies, it appears these super smart government gutters wont actually be paid for their work.

Indeed, this will be tedious work, make lots of enemies, & compensation is zero, Musk wrote. What a great deal!

Graig Graziosi reports.

Elon Musk says he wants super high IQ workers for DOGE  but they may not be paid

Explainer: Will Trumps cabinet picks get approved?

01:30 , Rhian Lubin

In addition to the 15 officials Trump will choose to join his cabinet, there are hundreds of positions, including ambassadors and lower-level roles, that typically require Senate approval.

Nominees face a grilling during the Senate confirmation process as it typically requires them to submit financial disclosures and testify before a committee.

Members from both political parties get a chance to interrogate nominees about their plans for the post and their backgrounds.

The Senate committee votes on the nominee following the hearing and if it passes, it then goes to the full Senate for a vote.

However, Trump has signaled he could bypass the process via recess appointments.

Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner, Trump wrote in a social media post on X last weekend before John Thune was confirmed as the next majority leader, replacing the outgoing Mitch McConnell.

Recess appointments would allow Trump to make administration appointments without a vote in the Senate while the upper chamber is in recess. The process is not unconstitutional, and it has been done before by other administrations.

Bill Clinton made 139 recess appointments while in the White House, and Barack Obama made 32. George W. Bush made 171, ABC noted, according to the Congressional Research Service.

After beating Kari Lake, Ruben Gallego begs Democrats to ditch Ivy League advisers

01:00 , Rhian Lubin

Kamala Harriss defeat to Donald Trump was caused by many factors, and one of them was a surge of Latino support for the GOP ticket even as Democrats were confident that warnings about Trumps mass deportation plan would prevent that from happening.

Now, one of the Democrats who won on November 5 despite the underperformance of the top of his partys ticket is warning members of his party to actually listen to Latino voters if they want to win them back for future election cycles.

Ruben Gallego, the senator-elect from Arizona, said on CNNs State of the Union that Democrats too readily dismissed real economic hardships for lower and middle income Americans in favor of statistics purporting the economy to be getting better overall.

He explained to host Jake Tapper that hed seen the results of inflation in his neighborhood  people increasingly buying offbrand groceries rather than higher-quality items, and feeling the hurt in their checking accounts regardless. Gallego also pointed to credit card debt, which is at an all-time high across the United States, as evidence that many people are still suffering from residual financial stresses stemming from the Covid pandemic.

Yes, costs were going down. [But] people were still paying down credit card debt that they used, basically, to survive, he said.

John Bowden has the details.

After beating Kari Lake, Gallego begs Democrats to ditch Ivy League advisers

Trump announces warrior for free speech Brendan Carr as FCC chairman

00:38 , Rhian Lubin

Trump has announced Brendan Carr as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

Below is the president-elects full statement:

I am pleased to announce that Commissioner Brendan Carr will be Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Commissioner Carr currently serves as the senior Republican on the FCC. Before that, he was the FCCs General Counsel. I first nominated Commissioner Carr to the FCC in 2017, and he has been confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate three times.

His current term runs through 2029 and, because of his great work, I will now be designating him as permanent Chairman. Commissioner Carr is a warrior for Free Speech, and has fought against the regulatory Lawfare that has stifled Americans Freedoms, and held back our Economy.

He will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling Americas Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America. Commissioner Carr has served at the FCC since 2012, including as an Advisor to then FCC Chairman, Ajit Pai. Earlier in his career, Commissioner Carr worked as an attorney specializing in Appellate, Litigation, and Regulatory matters.

Previously, Commissioner Carr clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit for Judge Dennis Shedd. After attending Georgetown University for his undergrad, Commissioner Carr earned his J.D. Magna Cum Laude from the Catholic University of Americas Columbus School of Law where he served as an Editor of the Catholic University Law Review. Congratulations to Chairman Brendan Carr on a job well done. Lead us into a great future, Brendan!

Elon Musk wants this man to be Donald Trumps Treasury secretary

00:30 , Rhian Lubin

Donald Trumps search for someone to lead the Treasury Department continued over the weekend while one of his new close allies placed his thumb on the scale.

Elon Musk, the Twitter/X/Tesla/SpaceX CEO and top Trump booster, has been increasingly hanging around Mar-a-Lago and the president-elect himself in the days since Trumps victory in the 2024 presidential election.

Having put a considerable sum behind backing Republicans this cycle, Musk seems eager for a return on his investment  he is now publicly urging the incoming president towards one of the two men seen as finalists for the job of Treasury secretary.

On Saturday  the same day he appeared alongside the president-elect at the UFC championship at Madison Square Garden  Musk made his appeal public.

John Bowden reports.

Elon Musk wants this man to be Donald Trumps Treasury secretary

Were so back: How the Heritage Foundation is creeping back into Trumps sphere after months of criticism

00:00 , Rhian Lubin

After Donald Trump attempted to distance himself from Project 2025 on the campaign trail, the organization behind it kind of went dark, an official admitted.

Kamala Harris linked the Heritage Foundations Project 2025  a radical conservative 900-page blueprint for the second Trump administration, which includes proposals for shutting down the Department of Education and federal limits on abortion  to the Trump campaign.

After Democrats hit Project 2025 hard in campaign ads, the organization faced widespread backlash and had no choice but to quietly back away. Trumps campaign also publicly shunned the proposals. We did not anticipate that, a Heritage official told Politicos Playbook. And wish it didnt happen. But you know, we had to do what we had to do.

Their president, Kevin Roberts, even pushed his own book publication launch back from September to after the election.

Now the book, titled Dawns Early Light, the foreword of which is penned by vice president-elect JD Vance, has been published, and the mood seems to be changing in the group, who are creeping back out of the shadows into Trumps sphere after months of fierce criticism.

Last week in Washington D.C, the group marked the books publication with a cocktail party where one Heritage official, with a nervous laugh, told Politicos Playbook: Were so back.

Read more below.

Were so back: How the Heritage Foundation is creeping back into Trumps sphere

Trump accuses Iowa pollster of possible election fraud'

Sunday 17 November 2024 23:40 , Rhian Lubin

Donald Trump has slammed the Iowa pollster behind the Des Moines Registers respected Iowa Poll and accused her of possible election fraud.

Ann Selzer has announced her retirement just weeks after the survey incorrectly showed Vice President Kamala Harris with a 3 percentage point lead over Trump in the state.

A totally Fake poll that caused great distrust and uncertainty at a very critical time, Trump wrote on Truth Social tonight. She knew exactly what she was doing.

Thank you to the GREAT PEOPLE OF IOWA for giving me such a record breaking vote, despite possible ELECTION FRAUD by Ann Selzer and the now discredited newspaper for which she works. An investigation is fully called for!

Inside the Harris campaigns 15-week, $1.5 billion spending spree that has left Democrats looking for answers

Sunday 17 November 2024 23:21 , Rhian Lubin

The Harris campaign burned through $1.5 billion in a failed bid to send the vice president to the White House, and now Democrats are searching for answers after the stunning defeat.

Kamala Harriss 15-week operation splashed out on celebrity concerts, social media influencers, an Oprah town hall event, and ramped up its advertising campaign and ground game at an average cost of roughly $100 million a week, according to The New York Times.

The biggest expense, according to the outlet, was the campaigns advertising spend  including producing television and digital ads  which amounted to $494 million between July 21 and October 16.

Read more.

Harris campaigns $1.5 billion spending spree leaves Democrats looking for answers

WATCH: Biden approves Ukraines use of long-range missiles to strike inside Russia for first time

Sunday 17 November 2024 21:50 , Graig Graziosi

WATCH: Biden sends climate warning to President-elect Trump in historic Amazon speech

Sunday 17 November 2024 21:36 , Graig Graziosi

Biden sends climate warning to President-elect Trump in historic Amazon speech

Biden approves Ukraines use of long-range missiles to strike inside Russia for first time

Sunday 17 November 2024 21:10 , Graig Graziosi

Joe Biden has authorised Ukraines use of long-range missiles to strike hundreds of miles inside Russia for the first time, according to reports.

The decision marks a major policy shift and comes after Russia warned that Moscow would see the move to allow the use of US-made missiles as an escalation. With Biden leaving office in two months, president-elect Donald Trump has indicated he will limit American support for Ukraine and pledged end the war quickly once he takes office in January.

But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has campaigned for months to allow Ukraines military to use US weapons to hit Russian military targets far from its border, and retains important allies in both parties in Congress.

READ MORE:

Biden approves Ukraines use of long-range missiles inside Russia for first time

Biden insists that nobody can reverse the clean energy revolution

Sunday 17 November 2024 20:42 , Graig Graziosi

Joe Biden addressed a crowd today in Brazil, where he visited the Amazon Rainforest on his way to the G20 Summit in Rio de Janiero.

He insisted that nobody  just months before his successor President-elect Donald Trump takes office  can reverse the clean energy revolution.

I will leave my successor and my country with a strong foundation to build on if they choose to do so, Biden said. Its true, some may seek to deny or delay the clean energy revolution thats under way in America, but nobody, nobody can reverse it.

Elon Musk wants this man to be Donald Trumps Treasury secretary

Sunday 17 November 2024 20:11 , Graig Graziosi

Donald Trumps search for someone to lead the Treasury Department continued over the weekend while one of his new close allies placed his thumb on the scale.

Elon Musk, the Twitter/X/Tesla/SpaceX CEO and top Trump booster, has been increasingly hanging around Mar-a-Lago and the president-elect himself in the days since Trumps victory in the 2024 presidential election. Having put a considerable sum behind backing Republicans this cycle, Musk seems eager for a return on his investment  he is now publicly urging the incoming president towards one of the two men seen as finalists for the job of Treasury secretary.

On Saturday  the same day he appeared alongside the president-elect at the UFC championship at Madison Square Garden  Musk made his appeal public.

READ MORE:

Elon Musk wants this man to be Donald Trumps Treasury secretary

Trumps Cabinet tracker: Heres who is among the White House appointments so far

Sunday 17 November 2024 19:27 , Graig Graziosi

President-elect Donald Trump is filling key posts in his second administration, putting an emphasis so far on aides and allies who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign.

Heres a look at who hes selected so far.

READ MORE:

Trumps Cabinet tracker: Heres who is among the White House appointments so far

Donald Trump shares photos from UFC fight, of him with RFK Jr

Sunday 17 November 2024 19:08 , Graig Graziosi

Iowa pollster Ann Selzer to retire after big miss predicting Kamala Harris win in Iowa

Sunday 17 November 2024 18:43 , Graig Graziosi

Ann Selzer, the pollster behind the Des Moines Registers respected Iowa Poll, has announced her retirement just weeks after the survey incorrectly showed Vice President Kamala Harris with a 3 percentage point lead over Donald Trump in Iowa.

Just before Election Day, the poll showed Harris leading Trump 44-47 among likely voters. The news was a last minute injection of hope for Democrat voters desperate to keep Trump out of the White House.

Those hopes turned to ash on Election Day; Trump defeated Harris soundly, 56 to 43 per cent.

Selzer penned a guest column in the Des Moines Register announcing her retirement. After the poll failed to reflect reality, she called it a big miss and theorized that her poll may have energize[d] and activate[d] Republican voters who thought they would likely coast to a victory.

READ MORE:

Pollster Ann Selzer to retire after big miss predicting Kamala Harris win in Iowa

WATCH: Jon Jones gives UFC championship belt to Donald Trump

Sunday 17 November 2024 18:00 , Graig Graziosi

Mike Johnson denies consulting with Trump on Matt Gaetz ethics report

Sunday 17 November 2024 17:32 , Graig Graziosi

Speaker Mike Johnson defended his call for the House Ethics Committee to withhold the release of its report on the investigation into Matt Gaetz and allegations that the former congressman engaged in sex crimes.

Johnson appeared across the DC news circuit on Sunday as he continues to ride the waves propelling his ascent in MAGAworld; his interviews with two networks came just hours after the GOP House leader was seen alongside Donald Trumpat the UFC championship at Madison Square Garden.

On Sunday, the speaker faced expected questions about the former and soon-to-be-presidents most controversial Cabinet nomination: Matt Gaetz, the one-congressman from Florida, who was picked to be Trumps attorney general. Gaetz was once investigated by the same Justice Department he now seeks to lead for allegedly having sex with an underage girl; he has strongly denied the allegations.

READ MORE:

Mike Johnson denies consulting with Trump on Matt Gaetz ethics report

SNL skewers Donald Trumps crazy cabinet picks in brutal Cold Open

Sunday 17 November 2024 16:49 , Graig Graziosi

Saturday Night Live took a hit at Donald Trumps controversial cabinet picks in their Cold Open sketch on Saturday night.

The skit, which started by poking fun at Trump and President Joe Bidens transition meeting, took jabs at the many people who could join the president-elects cabinet come January.

Its all about surrounding yourself with the best people, comedian James Austin Johnson said, playing Trump in the sketch. And I am very vastly picking the most epic cabinet of all time. Theyre some of the most dynamic, free-thinking, animal-killing, sexually-criminal, medically-crazy people in the country.

READ MORE:

SNL skewers Donald Trumps crazy cabinet picks in brutal Cold Open

Elon Musk says he wants super high IQ workers for DOGE  but they may not be paid

Sunday 17 November 2024 15:54 , Graig Graziosi

Elon Musk is looking for a few good super high-IQ volunteers to do the tedious work of gutting the federal government.

Musks Department of Government Efficiency  whose acronym is DOGE  is apparently recruiting unpaid volunteers from X, according to posts from the nascent agency.

A post made by the departments account said it was looking for the top 1 percent of X applicants who have a super high-IQ and are small-government revolutionaries to work 80-plus hour weeks identifying allegedly wasteful government spending.READ MORE:

Elon Musk says he wants super high IQ workers for DOGE  but they may not be paid

Donald Trump, DJT Jr, Elon Musk and RFK pose with McDonalds

Sunday 17 November 2024 15:25 , Graig Graziosi

A new Donald Trump with McDonalds picture just dropped.

President-elect Donald Trump, his son Don Jr, Tesla/X CEO Elon Musk and Robert F Kennedy Jr posed for a photo together on what appears to be a private plane. In front of them are trays of McDonalds. RFK Jr, who Trump wants to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, appears less than enthused to be associated with the fast food, though he may have just been caught off guard by the camera.

A caption on the picture read Make America Healthy Again starts TOMORROW.

Make America Healthy Again starts TOMORROW.  pic.twitter.com/LLzr5S9ugf  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 17, 2024

Donald Trump fist pumps UFC crowd as president-elect joined by Elon Musk and Dana White

Sunday 17 November 2024 15:00 , Graig Graziosi

Donald Trump made a triumphant return to Madison Square Garden for the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Saturday night (16 November).

The president-elect returned to the famed venue just weeks after it played host to a controversial campaign rally.

Trump entered the stadium with Elon Musk and Dana White to rapturous applause and was seen chatting with several members of his entourage.

WATCH HERE:

Trump fist pumps UFC crowd as president-elect joined by Elon Musk and Dana White

Elon Musk says he wants super high IQ workers for DOGE  but they may not be paid

Sunday 17 November 2024 15:00 , Graig Graziosi

Elon Musk is looking for a few good super high-IQ volunteers to do the tedious work of gutting the federal government.

Musks Department of Government Efficiency  whose acronym is DOGE  is apparently recruiting unpaid volunteers from X, according to posts from the nascent agency.

A post made by the departments account said it was looking for the top 1 percent of X applicants who have a super high-IQ and are small-government revolutionaries to work 80-plus hour weeks identifying allegedly wasteful government spending.

Read more:

Elon Musk says he wants super high IQ workers for DOGE  but they may not be paid

Many of Trumps nominees for key roles are his MAGA friends. Theyve also questioned climate change

Sunday 17 November 2024 14:43 , Graig Graziosi

As President-elect Donald Trumps picks for his upcoming administration continue to roll in, many have a noticeable link - their stance on climate change.

The former president, who has pledged to drill, baby, drill, while in office for his second term, has called climate change a scam. Many of his nominees share that thinking.

This year was the warmest in Earths record, fueled by the fossil fuel industrys continued production of greenhouse gas emissions that warm the planets atmosphere. Without reductions, Earth could pass worrisome tipping points, with consequences for all of its inhabitants.

READ MORE:

Here are what Trumps cabinet picks have said about climate change

ANALYSIS: Trumps controversial cabinet picks will cost him political capital. Will they bankrupt him before he even takes office?

Sunday 17 November 2024 14:15 , Andrew Feinberg

Just over a week ago, Donald Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate to win both the Electoral College and the national popular vote since George W Bush in 2004.

And he appears to be repeating one of Bushs most infamous mistakes.

Read more:

Trumps latest cabinet picks could echo a major Bush-era post-election blunder

Watch: Progressive members of Congress brace for 'challenging' Trump fights

Sunday 17 November 2024 13:30 , Katie Hawkinson

ICYMI: Trump was convicted in his hush money case. His lawyers were rewarded with top Justice Department jobs

Sunday 17 November 2024 12:45 , Katie Hawkinson

Three attorneys central to Trumps criminal defense and immunity victory could lead the daily operations of a Justice Department the president-elect wants to upend, The Independents Alex Woodward reports:

Trumps hush money lawyers are rewarded with top Justice Department jobs
Today is Election Day.

El Paso County residents can cast their ballots in the 2024 General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters may visit any Vote Center in the county, with locations open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

No, the final day to register in Texas was Oct. 7. Check registration status and other election information on the Texas Secretary of State website.

More: El Paso County live election results

Watch live ballot count for El Paso County

Live video of ballot counting in El Paso County is available for the Nov. 5 general election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The 2021 Texas law requires any county with a population of more than 100,000 to conduct video surveillance of all areas containing voted ballots after their delivery to central counting, and to make one or more of these videos available to the public via livestream. (Audio is not required.)

Live updates will appear below.

Renard Johnson, Brian Kennedy headed to runoff in El Paso mayoral race

Renard Johnson and current West Side city Rep. Brian Kennedy are headed to a runoff election for the El Paso mayoral race.

As of 10:30 p.m. on election night, Johnson had 33% of the vote compared to 25% for Kennedy.

- Adam Powell

James Montoya wins DA race, ousts incumbent Bill Hicks

James Montoya, a Democrat, defeated incumbent Bill Hicks, a Republican, with more than 57% of the votes compared to Hicks' 42% in the Tuesday, Nov. 5, general election to become district attorney of Texas' 34th Judicial District, which includes El Paso, Hudspeth and Culberson counties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

- Aaron Martinez

Bond for medical facility narrowly winning

El Paso Countys $26.7 million Proposition B bond to build a new medical examiners facility is narrowly favored, leading 50.2% to 49.8% as more votes are counted. The bond had been slightly behind after early voting results were reported.

- Vic Kolenc

Alejandra Chavez, Monica Reyes poised for District 1 runoff

The second round of election night numbers shows Alejandra Chavez maintaining a lead in the District 1 race, but its unlikely she will reach the 50% needed to avoid a runoff with Monica Reyes. Chavez holds 38% of the vote, compared to 27% for Reyes. The next closest competitor, Tom Handy, has 21%.

- Adam Powell

AP calls race for US Rep. Veronica Escobar

Associated Press has called the race for Democrat Veronica Escobar, who is set to win re-election to the U.S. House in Texas' 16th Congressional District. Escobar, an El Paso Democrat, took an early lead and maintained it with the first round of Election Day results. She has received 60% of the vote, while Republican Irene Armendariz Jackson has nearly 40%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

- Tim Archuleta

Oscar Ugarte leads in El Paso County sheriff race

First election night totals show El Paso County Constable Oscar Ugarte, a Democrat, leading with 60% of the vote over retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Minerva Torres Shelton, a Republican, who has 40% in the El Paso County sheriff battle.

Oscar Ugarte, candidate for El Paso County sheriff, thanks his parents Gustavo and Lupita Ugarte s at a Democratic watch party at Cerceceria 19 in El Paso, Texas, on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

- Aaron Bedoya

Jose Rodriguez maintains lead in District 3 race

Jose Rodriguez, a political unknown, likely building on the fact that he shares a name with former state Sen. Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso, is holding onto a slight lead in the District 3 City Council battle. With the first round of election night totals, Rodriguez has 27% of the vote compared to 22% for his closest competitor, Deanna Maldonado-Rocha.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

- Adam Powell

Alejandra Chavez maintains lead in District 1 contest

With the first round of election night totals, Alejandra Chavez holds on to her lead in the District 1 City Council race. Chavez is currently at 38%, maintaining a strong lead over her closest competitor, Monica Reyes, who currently holds 27% of the vote. If the trend continues, the two will meet in a runoff.

- Adam Powell

Renard Johnson, Brian Kennedy remain locked in tight mayoral contest

The first election night totals show Renard Johnson and city Rep. Brian Kennedy locked in a heated battle. Building on his early lead, Johnson currently holds 35% of the vote compared to Kennedy's 25%. The latest numbers indicate the two will likely meet again in a runoff.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

- Adam Powell

Tight race unfolds in District 3 City Council race

Early voting results show a tight race in District 3. Jose Rodriguez leads with 27% of the vote, followed by Kenneth Bell and Deanna Maldonado-Rocha, each with 21%. Fabiola Arellano is close behind with 19%, and Jesse Romero has 11%.

- Adam Powell

Alejandra Chavez leads in District 1 City Council race

Alejandra Chavez holds an early lead in the race for the District 1 seat on the El Paso City Council. As early voting results came in, Chavez secured 38% of the vote, ahead of her closest competitor, Monica Reyes, with 27%. Tom Handy trails with 21%, followed by Sam Armijo with 15%.

- Adam Powell

City Rep. Cassandra Hernandez concedes mayoral race, backs Renard Johnson

City Rep. Cassandra Hernandez has conceded in the mayoral race and pledged to support Renard Johnson. She called Johnson from her election night watch party at Magnolias at Greenwood to share the news. Early voting results show a likely runoff between Johnson and City Rep. Brian Kennedy, currently at 36% and 26%, respectively.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

- Adam Powell

City Downtown arena project rejected so far

The city of El Pasos long-proposed Downtown multipurpose arena project will die if early voting sets a trend for the night.

In early results, city voters favored revoking the $128.5 million in remaining bonds for the controversial project.

The bond revocation was winning 56% to 44% in early voting returns.

- Vic Kolenc

County parks, animal shelter bonds favored

Two of five county bond propositions were winning in early voting

Early voters were narrowly in favor of using $95.6 million in bonds for proposed improvements for Ascarate Park and other county parks. Proposition A was winning 55% to 45% in early voting results.

Building a new county animal shelter with $32.7 million in bonds was strongly favored, 63% to 37% in early voting for Proposition E.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The three other county bond propositions were losing in early voting. The five bond propositions total $324 million.

- Vic Kolenc

Lily Limon leading District 7 race

Lily Limon holds steady with 42% of ballots cast in the District 7 City Council race. That equals 6,498 votes, as Chris Hernandez and Fabiola Campos-Lopez hover slightly over 20% of the vote.

"To see so many people voting tells us that we knocked on plenty of doors to get people to the (polls). We're looking to winning outright tonight, but if we need a runoff, then that's not bad either," Limon said.

Limon must finish the night with 50%-plus 1 of the vote to avoid a runoff. "She's a very dedicated individual and she'll work hard. She's just a great person and very ethical," said Marta Fierro, a resident of District 7 and supporter of Limon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

- Kristian Jaime

Veronica Escobar poised for another term in Congress

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, holds a commanding lead over Republican Irene Armendariz Jackson. Escobar has received 60% of the early vote, compared to Armendariz's 39%. Escobar has consistently defeated Armendariz in past District 16 races.

- Tim Archuleta

Renard Johnson takes early lead in El Paso mayoral race

Early voting results show a close race between El Paso mayoral candidates Renard Johnson and City Rep. Brian Kennedy. Johnson secured 36% of the early vote, while Kennedy secured 26%. Trailing the two frontrunners are City Rep. Cassandra Hernandez, who has 9% of the vote, and newcomer Steven Winters, who has 8%.

- Adam Powell

Josh Acevedo takes commanding lead in District 2 race

Incumbent city Rep. Josh Acevedo is off to a strong start in the District 2 race for the El Paso City Council. Acevedo secured 62% of the vote compared to 38% for his competitor, Isabel Ceballos-Otten.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

- Adam Powell

James Montoya takes commanding lead over Bill Hicks in DA race

James Montoya, a Democrat, is well on his way to becoming El Pasos next district attorney, early voting numbers show.

Montoya has compiled 58% of the early votes compared to 42% by incumbent District Attorney Bill Hicks, a Republican. Montoya leads by more than 25,000 votes.

Montoya is seeking the district attorney seat after a failed bid in 2020. He lost the 2020 election to Yvonne Rosales, who later resigned from the seat amid allegations of misconduct. Hicks was appointed as district attorney by Gov. Greg Abbott following Rosales resignation.

- Aaron Martinez

University Medical Center bond winning early

Early voters were strongly in favor of the county-operated University Medical Centers $397 million bond issue to build several projects at the South-Central El Paso campus and several outlying clinics.

The bond issue was winning by 63% to 37% in early voting results.

- Vic Kolenc

Polls, voting locations closed in El Paso County

Polls are now closed in El Paso County. As of 6:40 p.m., 65,000 in-person votes have been cast, according to El Paso County Elections Department.

Click here for live results.

- Aaron Bedoya

What time does voting end on Election Day?

Polls close at 7 p.m. in Texas, but some polling locations could still have people waiting in line at closing time.

By law, those voters must get the opportunity to cast their ballots. This can delay the reporting of election results. As of 5:10 p.m., 55,000 in-person votes have been cast, according to El Paso County Elections Department.

- Aaron Bedoya

When time are the election results?

Election results will be reported throughout the evening, beginning with early voting and continuing until all precincts have been counted:

7 p.m. - Unofficial Early Voting Results will be released, covering in-person early votes and mail-in ballots cast before Election Day.

9 p.m. - Unofficial Election Day Results will be reported in 45-minute intervals as precincts arrive at the Central Counting Station.

TBD - Unofficial Final Election Results will be shared once all precincts have been reported. This will include detailed reports for Early Voting, Election Day, and a precinct-by-precinct breakdown.

- Aaron Bedoya

Is there school on Election Day?

Some districts in El Paso County will be closed, including El Paso ISD, Gadsden ISD, Clint ISD, and Canutillo ISD. San Elizario ISD will have an early release.

- Maria Cortes Gonzalez

10k in-person votes cast in El Paso County

As of 8:52 a.m., 10,000 in-person votes have been cast, according to El Paso County Elections Department. Voters can cast their ballots at voting centers between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

- Aaron Bedoya

5,000 votes cast so far; 116 centers open until 7 p.m.

As of 8:00 a.m., 5,000 in-person votes have been cast, according to El Paso County Elections Department. Voters can cast their ballots at 116 voting centers between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

- Aaron Bedoya

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Who is winning the election 2024? Live results, updates, breaking news
The Washington state Capitol dome. (Washington State Standard)

Tuesday brought a wave of wins for Democrats in Washington. Democrat Bob Ferguson defeated Republican Dave Reichert in the race for governor, and all other Democrats who ran for statewide executive positions were poised to win their seats.

Three of the four conservative-backed ballot measures that threatened to roll back recent progressive policies were failing  including the one targeting Democrats landmark climate law. Democratic U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell was heading to a fifth term. And U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democrat, has a slim lead ahead of Republican challenger Joe Kent in a closely watched race in the 3rd Congressional District.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republicans had a few bright spots. A conservative-backed initiative to slow Washingtons phase-out of natural gas was narrowly passing on Tuesday night. Republican candidates in Yakima Countys newly drawn 14th Legislative District were leading their Democratic challengers. And former president Donald Trump had leads in some key battleground states late Tuesday, though the race for the White House was still too close to call.

You can find all of our election stories here and live results that will update throughout the next few days here.

Read on for a look at how it all went down across Washington on Tuesday.

Key Events

1 month ago

Not going to turn us around

1 month ago

A resounding victory

1 month ago

New faces in Congress

1 month ago

3 statewide initiatives are defeated

1 month ago

Inslee takes a victory lap

1 month ago

Upthegrove invokes Stonewall

1 month ago

Republicans react to results

1 month ago

Reichert not ready to concede

1 month ago

Fergusons victory speech

1 month ago

Harris poised to win Washingtons 12 electoral votes

1 month ago

Cheers and boos

1 month ago

Nauseously optimistic

1 month ago

Views from voters at a Seattle drop box

1 month ago

Turning out in Tacoma

1 month ago

Cowboy Kamala hats make a comeback

1 month ago

Watching for a Trump effect

1 month ago

WA voter turnout lags behind the last presidential election

1 month ago

Feels like a reality show

1 month ago

And the winners are

1 month ago

Glad that Im in Washington

1 month ago

A legislative makeover

1 month ago

One coworker convinces another to vote

1 month ago

I hate this division

1 month ago

Heading out the door

1 month ago

Calling up the Guard

1 month ago

Heated words

1 month ago

Getting out the vote

1 month ago

Not going to turn us around

Even with a Trump presidency on the horizon, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said he was encouraged by the election results in the Evergreen State, which he said should be an inspiration to the rest of the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Whatever happened in the presidential race, its not going to turn us around, Inslee said. Were not going to be slowed down in our effort for justice for our people.

The outgoing, three-term Democratic governor was upbeat about voters striking down three ballot initiatives designed to roll back progressive tax and climate policies. He also touted Democrats wins in races for every statewide executive office.

Inslee said Washington has the best duo to defend Washington State in Governor-elect Bob Ferguson and Attorney General-elect Nick Brown. As attorney general, Bob Ferguson sued the Trump administration nearly 100 times, and Brown has indicated that hes ready to engage in similar legal sparring.

Inslee said state laws already on the books in Washington would act as a bulwark against potential actions by the Trump administration that could undermine reproductive rights, protections for immigrants and LGBTQ+ people, and efforts to fight climate change.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He added that he does not believe Trump will be successful in withholding federal funding for things like health care or transportation infrastructure.

Last updated: 4:09 pm

1 month ago

A resounding victory

Architects of the states capital gains tax celebrated the defeat of Initiative 2109 this morning. The measure, which sought to repeal the tax paid by the states most wealthy, was being rejected by more than 63% of voters.

Last nights results really were a resounding victory, said House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, who first introduced a capital gains tax bill in 2011. It didnt get a hearing that session as polling of residents showed only 13% percent knew what it was, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fast forward to 2021 when Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation imposing a 7% tax on the sale or exchange of long-term assets like stocks, bonds and business interests. It currently covers gains above $262,000. Its generated roughly $1.2 billion, primarily for child care and early learning programs.

Its now survived a legal challenge that reached the U.S. Supreme Court and repelled an attempt to get the people to erase it.

Voters have really shown they want the wealthy few to pay their fair share of taxes, Jinkins said. I dont think this lesson will be lost on the Legislature in the next session.

Asked if that means the Democratic majority in the House is drawing up plans to expand the tax to cover more people or pursue new taxes, Jinkins said its too soon after the election for a discussion on revenue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She said the lesson of Tuesday is that voters will support a tax if they believe it ensures everyone pays their fair share and the money is used to fund things people need.

Last updated: 1:40 pm

1 month ago

New faces in Congress

Washington will send at least two new lawmakers to Congress next year, though their party affiliations are not likely to flip.

The 5th Congressional District in eastern Washington and the 6th Congressional District in the northwestern corner of the state both had open seats due to retirements.

As of Tuesday, Republican Michael Baumgartner had a commanding lead  almost 60% of the vote  over Democrat Carmela Conroy, who carried 40% of the vote, in the 5th District. Conroy conceded in the race on Tuesday night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Baumgartner is the Spokane County treasurer and a former state senator. He is on track to take over for Republican U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who announced earlier this year she would not seek reelection after holding the position since 2005.

The new face in the 6th Congressional District will likely be state Sen. Emily Randall, a Democrat. In Tuesdays results, Randall received 57.3% of the vote while her Republican opponent state Sen. Drew MacEwen received 42.6%.

Randall would take over for U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, a Democrat who announced earlier this year he would not seek reelection. Its the first new representative for the district since 2013.

Last updated: 1:13 pm

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

1 month ago

3 statewide initiatives are defeated

Voters have rejected three of the four statewide initiatives on Washingtons ballot.

Initiative 2117, which would have repealed the states landmark cap-and-trade climate law, was losing with 61.7% of the vote against it Tuesday night. Initiative 2109, which would have ended Washingtons capital gains tax was failing with 63.2% of voters opposed. And about 55.5% were siding against Initiative 2124, the measure to make the states long-term care program, and the tax that funds it, optional for workers in Washington.

The Associated Press called the outcomes for the three measures Tuesday night, saying each was defeated. Voting margins will change as more ballots are counted throughout the week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These are the three initiatives pushed by hedge fund manager Brian Heywood and the group Lets Go Washington.

A fourth measure, to block state and local efforts to phase out natural gas, was narrowly passing Tuesday with 51.2% of the vote.

For more on each of the initiatives, see below.

 Voters reject measure to repeal Washington climate law

 Washingtons capital gains tax survives repeal effort

 Long-term care initiative failing in early election results

 Voters show support for slowing WA natural gas phase-out

Last updated: 9:17 am

1 month ago

Inslee takes a victory lap

Ive been waiting for Bob Ferguson to take over my job for years, and hes finally here, Gov. Jay Inslee joked on Tuesday night. Ferguson, the state attorney general, won the governors race Tuesday and will succeed Inslee who is not running for a fourth term. Both men are Democrats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Even though he wasnt running for office, Inslee was still enjoying a victory lap, after crisscrossing the state to campaign against four initiatives on Washingtons ballot that sought to repeal several of Democrats signature tax and climate policies  including the Climate Commitment Act. Three of the four initiatives had heavy financial backing from hedge fund manager Brian Heywood.

Voters rejected the measures to overturn the climate law and to repeal Washingtons capital gains tax. Another to roll back the states long-term care program was failing as of Tuesday. In ballot counting so far, voters are backing an initiative to rein in state efforts to phase out natural gas.

Inslee framed the initiatives as outside operatives attempting to destroy Washingtons ability to take care of schools and senior citizens, as well as the states ability to fight climate change.

We didnt just defeat them, we thrashed them. We humiliated them. We dominated them, Inslee said of the outcomes with the initiatives. It was a tidal wave. The message to those people, those billionaires who came to our state: You should never come back.

Last updated: 12:00 am

1 month ago

Upthegrove invokes Stonewall

Dave Upthegrove was ahead Tuesday in the race to lead the states Department of Natural Resources. If he wins and becomes Washingtons next commissioner of public lands, Upthegrove would be the first openly LGBTQ+ statewide executive official in Washington. He invoked the history of LGBTQ+ people in politics in a speech Tuesday night, referencing the Stonewall riots and Harvey Milk  one of the first openly gay lawmakers in the United States.

Together, we will manage these lands, not just for some, but for everyone in Washington  for all of us who are on this journey towards equality, justice and a healthy planet now and for the next generation, Upthegrove said.

Last updated: 11:35 pm

1 month ago

Republicans react to results

Despite poor outcomes in races at the state level, Republicans at a gathering in Bellevue were upbeat about the presidential race tilting in favor of their partys nominee, former President Donald Trump.

Sparkly and colorful MAGA hats stood out in the crowd as voters watched vote counts come in.

State party chairman Jim Walsh offered this take: The political parties have shifted and, in Washington state, the republican party represents working people and families.

Washington State Republican Party Chairman Jim Walsh announces initial results of the presidential race at a GOP election night watch party in Bellevue, Wash. Nov. 5, 2024. (Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero for the Washington State Standard)

Fight, fight, fight, the crowd yelled at one point.

This country is worth fighting for our freedom, our rights, and our resources, said Pete Serrano, the Republican candidate for attorney general who was headed toward defeat on Tuesday. It is worth planting those seeds.

Republicans in the crowd at the Washington State Republican Partys election night gathering in Bellevue, Wash. Nov. 5, 2024. (Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero for the Washington State Standard)

Raul Garcia, who lost in a U.S. Senate race against Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, struck a conciliatory tone and tried to put a positive spin on the night.

Whether we win or lose we have to be committed to making Washington better and making our country better, he said. We have been pushing a message of unity and we will continue to push that.

Last updated: 12:15 am

1 month ago

Reichert not ready to concede

Democrat Bob Ferguson claimed victory in the governors race on Tuesday after the Associated Press called the contest in his favor. But Dave Reichert, his Republican opponent, wasnt ready to call it quits yet. We are not going to concede this race until the last vote is counted, he said.

We are going to stay and we are going to hold this government accountable and even more so if we lose, Reichert added, speaking during a state Republican Party gathering in Bellevue.

The crowd cheers for Washington state gubernatorial candidate Dave Reichert as he comes out to address the crowd on election night, at a state Republican Party gathering in Bellevue, Wash. Nov. 5, 2024. (Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero for the Washington State Standard)

Last updated: 12:04 am

1 month ago

Fergusons victory speech

Bob Fergusons victory speech in the Washington governors race included shoutouts to his opponent Dave Reichert, his family, and his cat.

He was wearing a lucky red tie his wife, Colleen, gave him when he first ran for office 20 years ago, he said. Ferguson, who delivered his remarks at a state Democratic party gathering in Seattle, also took a moment to plug his cat Peters Instagram page and joked that his cat has more Instagram followers than he does.

Bob Ferguson speaks to the crowd at a Washington State Democratic Party gathering in Seattle, on election night, after winning the governors race. Nov. 5, 2024. (Grace Deng/Washington State Standard)

He asked Democrats to applaud his challenger, Reichert, resulting in a tepid but polite round of clapping. I appreciate Dave Reichert stepping up and running for governor. He ran a hard-fought campaign, Ferguson said.

Overall, Ferguson attempted to strike a unifying tone.

As your governor I will center you  each and every one of you  red counties, blue counties, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, he said. You are top of my mind. Im thinking of you, Well advocate for you. Well make Washington even a greater state than it is today.

Last updated: 12:19 am

1 month ago

Harris poised to win Washingtons 12 electoral votes

Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, has won Washingtons 12 electoral votes, according to the Associated Press. AP called the race shortly after polls closed on Tuesday night.

Last updated: 8:25 pm

1 month ago

Cheers and boos

The crowd at the state Democrats election party in Seattle is getting a little rowdier: There were big cheers for Californias 54 electoral votes for Harris, followed by loud boos after NBC News, which is being projected on large screens, called Idaho for Trump.

The mood in the room is anxious, reflecting Trumps lead. But that doesnt concern Kenan Block, a 70-year-old Democrat from Seattle.

Too many Democrats are pessimists, said Block. Yeah, its close, a little nerve-wracking.

But Im convinced Americans have enough common sense, and you know why? Women, women, women, he said, gesturing toward the three women sitting with him.

One of those women, Laurie Werner, 52, also of Seattle, said she just got back from canvassing in Phoenix, Arizona, and she felt like there was a lot of energy for Harris.

I just want to stay optimistic until all the votes are counted, Werner said.

1 month ago

Nauseously optimistic

State Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad did the rounds with press at the state partys gathering in Seattle.

She said shes feeling nauseously optimistic about tonight, but very confident that the Democrats will win big statewide, including a supermajority in the state House and Senate. If Donald Trump wins, she said her upcoming birthday party may not be as celebratory  but well, then were all just in community together.

Last updated: 7:30 pm

1 month ago

Views from voters at a Seattle drop box

Tuesday evening, voters were streaming to a drop box in Seattles Capitol Hill neighborhood, depositing their ballots.

Elise Barrett said local races were the primary motivator for her to vote. For me, its most important to turn out to elections not just to big names tickets but the people who are going to be making the decisions that affect my day-to-day life, Barrett said.

One race shes paying attention to is for state auditor because of how the person in that position works to ensure fiscal responsibility and to ferret out corruption.

Corey Taylor said voting against Donald Trump was the primary reason why she came out to vote. I cant complain about it if I dont put my voice in, Taylor said.

Bo Samson was another voter who stopped by. I believe in exercising my civic duty to vote because not everyone has that right in other places so its kind of a waste to not exercise that right, Samson said.

Reproductive rights were a top issue for Carolyn Lappin.

We cant go backwards, Lappin said. If we dont have bodily autonomy and the right to our own decisions, then how can you think about other things? If youre so distracted because you dont have safety in your own body then what does the rest of it matter?

Last updated: 7:19 pm

1 month ago

Turning out in Tacoma

Hundreds of people were lined up at a voting center in Tacoma, according to Derrick Nunnally, communications manager for the Pierce County Auditors office. Its been steady all day.

When I got to work at 7:30 a.m, a couple dozen people were waiting outside our building to vote, he said.

Some sought to register and cast ballots as allowed under Washingtons same-day voting law. Others came to get a replacement for a lost ballot. Some never received a ballot and needed to get one.

What happens if people are standing in line when polls close at 8 p.m.?

Anyone in line at 7:59 p.m. will get to vote, Nunnally said. Arrive after 8 p.m. you wont.

1 month ago

Cowboy Kamala hats make a comeback

At their election night gathering in Seattle, the Washington State Democratic Party is handing out free, light-up cowboy hats, a throwback to the light-up hats and Cowboy Kamala sashes that caught national attention during the Democratic National Convention in August.

Eric Scheir and Kay Acholonu, who were delegates at the convention, came prepared with the original look, complete with a Kamala sign, the original white cowboy hats that appeared at the convention and their delegate badges.

Kay Acholonu (left) and Eric Schier (right) pose with their original Democratic National Convention regalia at Washington State Democrats election night party in Seattle. (Grace Deng/Washington State Standard)

Last updated: 6:23 pm

1 month ago

Watching for a Trump effect

U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse is a rare breed. He is one of only two Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives who voted to impeach former president (and maybe future president) Donald Trump back in 2021.

There were 10 at the time. The other eight are gone, some by choice and others defeated by Trump-backed challengers in the 2022 election cycle. One of them was Jaime Herrera Beutler, ousted in that years primary. Shes running this year for state lands commissioner.

Newhouse survived in 2022. It looks tougher this year. His opponent is Jerrod Sessler, a staunch MAGA Republican, who wants voters to know about that impeachment vote. Trump joined Sessler in a recent telephone town hall where both railed against the five-term incumbent.

Read more on the race here.

A Republican will win in the deep red 4th Congressional District in central Washington but Democratic and independent votes may be what tips the race. Sessler knows it. Read more on his strategy here.

Last updated: 5:23 pm

1 month ago

WA voter turnout lags behind the last presidential election

Ballot returns are well below four years ago.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 64.6% of ballots had been returned statewide in Washington, according to the secretary of states website. Thats more than 3.2 million ballots returned so far.

In 2020, 79.1% of ballots had been returned by this time.

Election officials still expect turnout to be around 80% once everything is counted. Thats on par with most other presidential elections, aside from 2020 and 2008, which both saw record high levels near 84%. In 2016, 78.7% of voters turned in a ballot, and in 2012, 81.3% voted.

Still, the low turnout is worrying some Democrats. Read more here.

Last updated: 5:10 pm

1 month ago

Feels like a reality show

Abdi, 31, said he believes the local elections in Washington are more important than the presidential race.

Theres so many issues that are impacting the American public and impacting me  Im seeing that a little bit more now that Im in my 30s, said Abdi, who didnt want to give his last name, as he shared his thoughts on the election at a ballot box in Seattle.

Neither candidate presidentially is really focusing on that, he added. It feels like theyre fighting one another and not thinking fully about the impact that theyre aiming to do for the nation. It literally feels like a reality show.

He called himself a recovering Democrat but said he still voted for Democrat Bob Ferguson for governor, instead of Republican Dave Reichert, because he sees Ferguson as the lesser of two evils. He believes Ferguson was a good attorney general, and considers him the more experienced candidate best suited to handle issues that matter to him, including gun violence, homelessness, housing and transportation.

As a voter, I dont want to go back, Abdi said. Reichert  I just think hes a MAGA  hes very MAGA Republican. Hes very focused on one population of Washington and it doesnt feel like thats what we need.

Last updated: 6:15 pm

1 month ago

And the winners are

Not every incumbent state legislator is involved in an expensive electoral brawl this year.

Nineteen representatives and five senators drew no opponents. Theyre just waiting until 8 p.m. to formally declare victory.

1 month ago

Glad that Im in Washington

Mahina Williams, 22, voted early, but she was at a Seattle ballot box today to accompany her boyfriend, Ty Okazaki, also 22: I wanted to make sure his [ballot] got in. Both voted for Harris.

Williams said womens rights is the biggest issue for her. I feel like ever since Roe v. Wade was overturned, its been a little scary. Im glad that Im in Washington, and at the state level, womens rights are protected. I just want to make sure more bad stuff doesnt go down.

Mahina Williams, 22, and Ty Okazaki, 22, on Election Day 2024, in Seattle (Grace Deng/Washington State Standard)

1 month ago

A legislative makeover

Theres an abundance of electoral opportunities in the state Legislature with retirements, departures and redistricting.

Democrats hold majorities of 58-40 in the House and 29-20 in the Senate. They are looking to enlarge those margins as Republicans strive not to cede any seats.

With Republican Sens. Ann Rivers and Lynda Wilson retiring, their legislative districts in southwest Washington became electoral battlegrounds.

In the 18th Legislative District, Republican Brad Benton and Democrat Adrian Cortes are dueling to succeed Rivers.

In the primary, Benton, the son of former state lawmaker Don Benton, beat state Rep. Greg Cheney, who had the endorsement of the Senate Republican Campaign Committee. When those votes were counted, Senate Republican leaders undertook a focused attack on Cortes as they didnt want to lose the seat.

Its a different story in the nearby 17th District where Republican Rep. Paul Harris is the GOP choice against Democrat Marla Keethler, mayor of White Salmon. Harris won the primary by a mere 643 votes so it may take a few days to determine the outcome.

Its one of the spendiest contests with more than $2.5 million expended by the campaigns and independent political committees entering the final week before Election Day.

Republican Sen. Ron Muzzalls duel with Democrat Janet St. Clair in the 10th Legislative District is the most expensive legislative contest this cycle. Candidates and outside forces have collectively expended nearly $3.5 million to sway voters.

This is one of the states few swing districts in which voters routinely elect members of both parties to represent them in Olympia. Muzzall won by fewer than 2,000 votes in 2020.

1 month ago

One coworker convinces another to vote

Daniel, 52, and Noah, 25, are coworkers who dropped off their ballots together in Seattle. Daniel said Noah is the reason he voted: He convinced me. He said if you dont vote, you got no room to [complain]. Noah, who voted for Harris, said he doesnt care who people vote for  as long as they vote. Daniel refused to say who he voted for.

Last updated: 4:05 pm

1 month ago

I hate this division

Bruk Alkadir, 32, a Democrat, voted for Kamala Harris because he believes shes the more unifying of the two presidential contenders. I hate this division that weve started having nowadays. I dont think theres a government that solves all our problems. If we give each other the benefit of the doubt, we live better, said Alkadir, after casting his ballot at a drop box in Seattles International District.

Last updated: 3:47 pm

1 month ago

Heading out the door

Before results start rolling in, we wanted to remind you of some of the legislative and executive heavyweights who wont be back.

Gov. Jay Inslee is stepping aside after 12 years and Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is calling it quits after six terms. The two Democrats are closing out lengthy careers in Washington politics as each served in the state Legislature and Congress before winning their current state executive jobs.

Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig is one of nine state senators we know wont be back. Billig and venerable Democratic colleagues Sam Hunt and Karen Keiser are retiring. So too are Republican Sens. Lynda Wilson, Mike Padden, Ann Rivers and Brad Hawkins.

Keiser is exiting in December, midway through her current term, so an appointment to the seat will be made after she leaves.

Meanwhile, Democrats Mark Mullet and Kevin Van De Wege will be gone too. Each opted to run for a statewide office in lieu of re-election  Mullet for governor and Van De Wege as lands commissioner  but neither made it through the primary.

There will be two more openings soon. Thats because two state senators, Democrat Emily Randall and Republican Drew MacEwen, are battling for a seat in the U.S. House, and two others, Democrat Patty Kuderer and Republican Phil Fortunato, are competing for insurance commissioner. Winners of those races will be vacating their Senate seats.

In the House, Democrat Rep. Frank Chopp, the former House speaker and arguably one of the most influential legislators in state history, is retiring.

Five Republican representatives  J.T. Wilcox, Joel Kretz, Spencer Hutchins, Bruce Chandler and Gina Mosbrucker  are also hanging up their legislative cleats.

Last updated: 4:14 pm

1 month ago

Calling up the Guard

Washington, like the rest of the nation, is on alert for potential Election Day and post-election troubles.

Theres been one high-profile incident in this state recently. It occurred Oct. 28 in Vancouver when an incendiary device damaged and destroyed hundreds of ballots in a drop box. The FBI along with local and state authorities are investigating and no arrests have been made.

Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday activated the Washington National Guard to ensure we are fully prepared to respond to any potential civil unrest or violence. They will be on standby and available to assist local law enforcement and the state patrol through midnight Thursday.

As of Monday afternoon, the Guard had received no requests for assistance.

1 month ago

Heated words

In the final lap of the election, the state GOP ignited a political firestorm with texts attacking the three Democratic candidates in the 14th Legislative District in central Washington.

This is the district which a federal judge redrew to resolve a voting rights lawsuit and it went from safely Republican to favorable for Democrats.

In sum, the party, led by chairman and state lawmaker Jim Walsh, sent text messages to about 7,500 Spanish-speaking voters on Friday alleging that the Latina Democratic candidates support the chemical castration of your children in school without your knowledge or consent.

The Spanish-language message also claimed that Maria Beltran, who is running for Senate, and Ana Ruiz Kennedy and Chelsea Dimas, who are vying for the House, reject Gods design of two genders and want to confuse your children about whether they are boys or girls.

They hate you, they hate your family, they hate God and they hate the truth, reads another line.

Democratic Party leaders and the candidates blasted the texts. Walsh didnt back down on the messages. But some Republican Party leaders and Republican Sen. Curtis King, who is running against Beltran, disavowed the texts.

You can read a full story on the furor here.

On Monday, the state Democratic Party filed a complaint to the Public Disclosure Commission alleging the GOP party violated provisions in state campaign finance law banning the use of statements that are knowingly false and libelous and might expose a person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule.

Walsh said in a statement Democratic leaders and their allies are panicking that their candidates are losing. Why? Because those candidates do not represent the values of the people and the families that live in that district, he said.

Last updated: 2:49 pm

1 month ago

Getting out the vote

As voters weighed their choices the last few weeks, Washingtons political parties were focused on getting as many people as possible to vote.

The state Democratic party held get out the vote rallies across Washington from Oct. 31 through Election Day. At each stop, elected officials rallied with party volunteers who then went out and knocked on doors or made phone calls.

At an event in Olympia on Sunday, around 50 volunteers heard from state elected officials and candidates, and two of Washingtons congresswomen up for reelection this year.

Volunteers took signs and stickers, learned how to canvas, took pictures and rallied with chants like When we fight, we win!

Washington State Democratic Party leaders and volunteers take a photo at a Get Out The Vote event on Nov. 3. (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)

As turnout lags behind four years ago, party leaders and elected officials reminded volunteers of the importance of the final push to Tuesday.

There are ballots sitting on kitchen tables right now, state Democratic Party chair Shasti Conrad said. It matters. All these conversations matter.

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell thanked organizers for the work they were doing in Thurston County, which contains some voters in the close 3rd Congressional District. The race between Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican Joe Kent is one of a handful around the country expected to decide control of the House of Representatives.

Weve got to go down there and get those precincts out, Cantwell said. Weve got to get people to turn out to vote.

Washington State Republican Party chair Jim Walsh addresses a crowd at a get-out-the-vote event on the steps of the state Capitol. It took place on a blustery Sunday in late October. (Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard)

Meanwhile, across the political aisle, a few hardy souls in the Washington State Republican Party gathered in the wind and rain a week earlier on the steps of the state Capitol for the same purpose.

We need to make people see and believe that their vote matters, party chair Jim Walsh implored the couple dozen folks in attendance. Those on hand included Republican candidates for state attorney general, state treasurer, secretary of state and the 8th Congressional District.

Walsh and Glenn Morgan, a conservative activist and founder of We the Governed, touted the practice of ballot harvesting, which is essentially helping other voters by collecting and turning in their ballots.

Our state allows ballot harvesting, Morgan said. You will make a bigger difference than you realize.

Mathew Patrick Thomas, chair of the King County Republican Party, called on those attending to get 10 friends and family members to vote, and then get 10 more.

Do not sit on the sidelines. Get excited and lets go win this thing, he said.

Last updated: 12:18 pm
It's Tuesday, Nov. 5. Election Day is here.

Millions of voters in Michigan have already cast ballots, either through absentee voting or early voting. But many more will head to the polls today to decide the presidential election, an open seat in the U.S. Senate and other races. And if you're not registered to vote, you can still register to vote today and cast your ballot before polls close.

Here's more on what you need to know  how to vote, how to find your polling place, what time polls are open and more:

What time do polls open in Michigan?

Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. local time in Michigan. If you are in line at 8 p.m., you are still permitted to vote.

Where can I find my local polling place?

You can find your polling precinct by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote. There, you can enter your address and the site will provide your polling place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Election Day, in-person voting must take place at your assigned polling place. Bigger cities and townships typically have multiple polling locations, so make sure you arrive at the correct one.

A vote here sign rests outside Osborn High School's polling place during the presidential primary in Detroit on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.

Detroit Free Press endorsements: Picks for Michigan US House, Senate and House

What should I expect at the polls in Michigan?

Once you arrive at the polls, you'll be asked to check in with local election workers. The election staff will provide you with a ballot or another option to vote if additional accommodation is needed.

You will be asked to provide a form of photo ID to vote. If you don't have an ID, you can still vote. You'll be asked to sign a form verifying your identity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here's a list of valid forms of photo ID, according to the Michigan Secretary of State's Office:

Michigan driver's license or state ID (may be expired)

Driver's license or state ID issued by another state

Federal, state or local government-issued photo ID

U.S. passport

Military photo ID

Photo ID from an educational institution

Tribal photo ID

Voter Guide 2024: Key races, what's on the Michigan ballot, more

Can I still register to vote in Michigan on Election Day?

Yes! In Michigan, you can register to vote up until polls close on Election Day at your local clerk's office with proof of residency. If you're unsure whether you're already registered to vote, you can check your registration status by visiting michigan.gov/vote. There, you can also find the address of your local clerk's office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

First, make sure you are eligible to vote. To register to vote in Michigan, you must be:

A U.S. citizen

A Michigan resident for at least 30 days by the time you vote

At least 17 years old, and be 18 by Election Day

Not currently serving a jail or prison sentence

Within 14 days of an election (including on Election Day itself), you must provide proof of residency. This can include:

Your Michigan drivers license or state ID

A current utility bill

A bank statement

A paycheck or government check

Another government document

At your local clerk's office, you can register to vote, request and return an absentee ballot on Election Day itself.

You can turn in your absentee ballot at a drop box or clerk's office until polls close

In Michigan, nearly 2 million voters had already returned absentee ballots by Monday. If you received an absentee ballot, but haven't returned it yet, there's still time to make sure your vote is counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Absentee ballots can be returned at a local clerk's office, at a secure drop box, or through the mail. But on Election Day, and within two weeks of an election, it's recommended to submit your absentee ballot either at your local clerk's office or at a drop box location to avoid any delays with the mail. Except in the city of Detroit, voters who received an absentee ballot can also fill it out and bring it to their polling place to cast it.

Voters can submit their absentee ballot at a drop box, their local clerk's office or, in communities except Detroit, their polling precinct up until polls close at 8 p.m. To find a secure drop box location, go to the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote.

What's on my ballot today?

The presidential election, between Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican nominee former President Donald Trump, has taken up much of the oxygen of the general election cycle. But there are several other important races for Michiganders to decide.

An open U.S. Senate seat : U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, and former congressman Mike Rogers, a Republican, are vying to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, in Washington.

U.S. House seats up for election: All 13 of Michigan's congressional seats are up for election, as they are every two years. A few of them are expected to be particularly competitive, including in Michigan's 7th Congressional District, where Democrat Curtis Hertel and Republican Tom Barrett are competing to replace Slotkin in Congress.

The balance of the Michigan House of Representatives: Just like in the U.S. House, seats in the Michigan House of Representatives are up for reelection every two years. Democrats currently have a 56-54 edge in the chamber but if Republicans can recapture the state House, Michigan would have split party-control of government, as Democrats currently hold the state Senate and the governor's office.

Two Michigan Supreme Court seats on the nonpartisan section : Two separate races for the Michigan Supreme Court will be decided Tuesday. One for a partial, four-year term between incumbent Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, who Democrats have backed to complete the remainder of her term, and Branch County Circuit Judge Patrick William O'Grady, nominated by Republicans. The other Supreme Court race is for a full, eight-year term, between Kimberly Ann Thomas, nominated by Democrats, and state Rep. Andrew Fink, a Republican from Hillsdale. Democrats currently hold a 4-3 edge of nominated justices on the Michigan Supreme Court.

A bevy of local races, too: Depending on where you live, you'll get to decide on local races, as well. To see what exactly is on your ballot today, go to michigan.gov/vote and click on "What's on the ballot" underneath "Your voter information."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com

Looking for more on Michigans elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan vote 2024: Your guide to polls on Election Day
New Yorkers came to the polls Tuesday in a final push fueled by a mix of anxiety, dread and a bit of cautious optimism voters in the Democratic stronghold lined up to cast Election Day ballots amid the prospect of a second term for former president Donald Trump.

Im really nervous, Nidhi Hebbar, 34, said after casting her ballot for Vice President Kamala Harris at the Brooklyn Museum on Eastern Parkway Tuesday morning. It feels like eight years ago.

Thats when Donald Trump, Queens real estate scion and reality TV star, won the White House in a surprise electoral college victory over Hillary Clinton, changing the landscape of mainstream American politics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I feel a little bit of dread  Im pretty worried about what a Trump presidency might mean, said 47-year-old David May, who also supported Harris.

Trumps increasingly ominous rhetoric, such as saying he might use the military to combat the enemy within, have escalated fears across the nation.

I cant say its a day that I feel a great deal of democratic spirit, May said. Our democracy is precarious at best.

The Brooklynite said he felt it was almost impossible to imagine Trump winning the popular vote, but worried the electoral college might tilt in his favor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I voted for democracy, and for womens rights, and rights for everybody else, said Harris-supporter Era Bani, 41, who told the Daily News she flew back from a trip to visit friends in Spain in order to vote on Election Day.

Asked how she felt the election would go, Bani said she was a little nervous, and pointed to security preparations in Washington D.C.

When they put up fences around the Capitol, you start to worry, she said.

Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building on January 6, 2021 in an effort to stop the certification of President Bidens electoral victory  an effort for which Trump himself is facing federal charges for allegedly inciting the mob.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another Brooklyn voter and Harris supporter, 40-year-old Mickey Robinson, told The News he was cautiously optimistic that the Vice President would prevail.

I think its the only right choice, Robinson said.

I have a hard time understanding why so many people are undecided when just four years ago the other candidate said we should bleach our bodies to get rid of [COVID-19,] he added  a suggestion Trump made in the early days of the pandemic that he later tried to claim was a joke.

In Jamaica Hills, Queens  not far from where the former president grew up  several New Yorkers said they were backing Trump. I voted for Trump, said Mark Nash, 69. Im concerned about the people that dont belong here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sefa Khyer, a 36-year-old Queens resident who works for the FDNY, said she was concerned about the long-term future of the economy.

I want our kids to get jobs  I dont want jobs to go outside the country, she said.

Trumps the guy.

I think hell win, she added, I have a feeling.

A few blocks south, in Jamaica, Ayesha Chowdhury, 21, said she had cast her first-ever vote for Harris.

Im nervous, she said. A lot of people are not as informed as they want to be.

Theyll be like, Oh Im gonna vote for him,' she said of Trump supporters. You dont even know why youre voting  It freaks me out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This man is scary, she continued. This man has scary thoughts and people on his side have scary thoughts. And if hes elected they will make that st come true.

Shahnoor Qurashi, a 60-year-old limo driver in Jamaica, said hed voted for Harris as well.

A lot of my friends are voting for Trump, because they say he is good for the economy and all these things, Qurashi said. But hes lying too much, and bullshting. I do not like him, he added with a laugh.

Up in Harlem, Danielle Sutton, a 27-year-old AI policy consultant, said she had a lot of fear and uncertainty going into [the election].

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sutton wouldnt share who she voted for, but said she feared another Trump presidency.

We know what [Donald Trump] is from before, she said. We didnt really think it was gonna happen, and now we really know that it might actually happen, which makes it scarier.

Back in Brooklyn, 37-year-old Sam Egendorf said that, even though he and his wife had voted for Harris, he understood those who werent voting.

Im more indifferent about this election than maybe Ive ever been, he said outside the Brooklyn Museum.

Egendorf said he supported the Biden administrations efforts to better protect consumers through the Federal Trade Commission, but he worried Harris might represent a rightward shift.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dick Cheney endorsed Kamala, Egendorf said of the hawkish former Republican veep. Its terrifying to see neocons line up behind Kamala.

One Brooklyn voter, who asked to be identified only by her first name, Tasha, said she didnt care for either candidate, and wouldnt say who she cast a ballot for.

My main objective is [just] to vote, the 57-year-old said. As a black person, we didnt always have the chance to vote  why throw my vote away?

For the latest election news: nydailynews.com/election
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Election Day is finally here, and WIVB News 4 is Your Local Election Headquarters. This page includes a rundown of the biggest races were monitoring across Western New York, organized by constituency.

Polls close at 9 p.m. If you need help finding your polling place, click here.

Our Election Results page can be found here.

President of the United States

All eyes will obviously be on the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris (D) and former President Donald Trump (R), though it could be days before we know the result. You can see a breakdown of the electoral college vote here, and see the latest national political news here.

U.S. Senate

Result: Gillibrand was declared the winner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Preview: Incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand (D) is running for another term against challenger Michael Sapraicone (R). Gillibrand has represented New York in Washington since 2009 and serves on the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Special Committee on Aging. She also chairs two subcommittees. Sapraicone is a retired NYPD detective who founded his own security firm in 2000 but has little experience in public office.

Congress

Western New Yorks three seats in the House of Representatives are up for re-election, and all three incumbents are running.

Result: All three incumbents won in comfortable margins.

NY-26

Preview: Tim Kennedy (D) seeks a full term in office after winning a special election to replace Brian Higgins in April. Higgins had represented Western New York since 2005. Kennedy faces Anthony Marecki (R), a lawyer and UB grad whose only other bid for public office was an unsuccessful campaign to become a New York Supreme Court justice in 2021. The 26th district includes the City of Buffalo and all of its first-ring suburbs and stretches up to Niagara Falls.

NY-23

Preview: Nick Langworthy (R), who won an election in 2022 to represent Tom Reeds former district, faces a challenge from Tom Carle (D). Before taking office, Langworthy was the New York State GOP Chair. Carle, a Broome County native who now lives in Fredonia, is a retired plant manager of food and beverage manufacturing, and a former human resources manager. The district includes eastern and southern Erie County in addition to the Southern Tier stretching from Lake Erie to Elmira.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meet the candidates in the upcoming NY 23 Congressional race

NY-24

Preview: Claudia Tenney (R) faces David Wagenhauser (D) in her bid for a third term in Congress. Tenney was initially elected in the 22nd district, winning in 2020 by just over 100 votes, and took over the vast 24th district following redistricting in 2022. Wagenhauser previously served as a village trustee in Brockport and also took on First Amendment issues as a lawyer. The strangely shaped district has a western border that touches the lower Niagara River in Lewiston and Porter, then makes a U-shape around Rochester, then continues up Lake Ontario all the way to the Thousand Islands.

New York State Senate

Two of WNYs five state senate districts feature races worth watching. Meanwhile, Republicans Rob Ortt (62nd district), Pat Gallivan (60th) and George Borrello (57th) are running unopposed.

63rd District

Result: April Baskin to be declared winner

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Preview: This seat was vacated by Tim Kennedy (D) in the spring when he won a seat in Congress. April Baskin (D) is running for her first statewide post after seven years in the Erie County Legislature, where she rose to the position of chairperson. She faces a challenge from Jack Moretti (R), a former state trooper who boasted an endorsement from Bills Hall of Famer Jim Kelly. The district includes the majority of Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Lackawanna.

61st District

Result: Sean Ryan reelected to state senate

Preview: Sean Ryan (D) is running for another term representing the 61st district after a rare battle between two incumbent state senators in 2022 that was set up due to redistricting. He previously represented New Yorks 60th district in state senate and was a state assemblyman from 2011 to 2021. He faces Christine Czarnik (R), a Republican committee chairwoman in the Town of Tonawanda who returned to WNY in 2020 after many years living in South Carolina. The district includes a portion of Buffalo roughly encompassing North Buffalo and the West Side down to the Elmwood Village, as well as Tonawanda, Amherst and Grand Island.

New York State Assembly

A handful of WNYs dozen Assembly districts feature races worth watching. Among the highlights:

143rd District

Result: Chludzinski pulled off an upset, unseating Wallace.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Preview: Monica Wallace (D) is running for a fifth term in a district that includes Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Depew, Sloan, and a snippet of Buffalo. A win would give her a decade of leadership for the region in Albany after a legal career as a law clerk in federal court. Her challenger in the tight district is Patrick Chludzinski (R), a first-time candidate born and raised in the Village of Sloan who boasts his public safety record as a Cheektowaga Police Lieutenant and an Army veteran. The issue of asylum seekers has often played out locally in Cheektowaga, and could be on voters minds at the polls.

142nd District

Result: Burke appeared to survive by a slim margin

Preview: Incumbent Patrick Burke (D) is seeking a fourth term but has been hammered in ads by challenger Marc Priore (R) over accusations made against Burke by his former staffers. Burke told the Buffalo News that the Assembly Ethics Committee held an investigation and determined the accusations were unfounded. Burke has been in the Assembly since 2018 and previously served in the Erie County Legislature. Priore, a first-time candidate for public office, joined the Erie County Sheriffs Department in 2008 and has risen up the ranks.

All races

Result: See all the winners here

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

139th: Stephen Hawley (R, incumbent) unopposed

140th: Bill Conrad (D, incumbent) unopposed

141st: Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D, incumbent) unopposed

142nd: Patrick Burke (D, incumbent) vs. Marc Priore (R)

143rd: Monica Wallace (D, incumbent) vs. Patrick Chludzinski (R)

144th: Michelle Roman (D) vs. Paul Bologna (R)  filling seat held by Michael Norris (R)

145th: Jeffrey Elder (D) vs. Angelo Morinello (R, incumbent)

146th: Karen McMahon (D, incumbent) vs. Deborah Kilbourn (R)

147th: Darci Cramer (D) vs. David DiPietro (R, incumbent)

148th: Daniel Brown (D) vs. Joseph Sempolinski (R)  filling seat held by Joseph Giglio (R)

149th: Jonathan Rivera (D, incumbent) unopposed

150th: Mike Bobseine (D) vs. Andrew Molitor (R)  filling seat held by Andy Goodell (R)

Erie County District Attorney

Result: Keane was declared the winner.

Preview: Michael Keane (D) has been the countys acting District Attorney since taking over for John Flynn in the spring. Keane had served as First Deputy District Attorney since 2017 and was promptly endorsed by Erie County Democrats after Flynn announced plans to step down. Keane is running against James Gardner (R), who began his law career trying cases for the DAs office and now serves as the Principal Law Clerk to Erie County Judge Kenneth Case.

Statewide Proposition 1

Result: The amendment overwhelmingly passed, according the AP.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Preview: The states proposed Equal Rights Amendment seeks to expand a section of the state constitution that relates to protected civil rights, but it has been hotly contested over disagreements about what it will do if passed. Read a breakdown from the Associated Press here.

Erie County Proposition 1

Result: The prop was rejected.

Preview: Not to be confused with the statewide measure, this local proposal relates to how the county government approves sales tax.

Cattaraugus County Sheriff

Result: Butler won with 72.9% of the vote.

Preview: Eric Butler (R) has been the acting sheriff since Tim Whitcomb retired in August and is running to be elected to the job permanently. He is a longtime member of the department who previously held the role of Undersheriff. He faces D.J. Whitmore (D), an Air Force veteran and longtime Federal Bureau of Prisons employee whose website bears the slogan, Vote for the person, not the party.

Buffalo Board of Education

Result: Scott, Zulich and Everhart appear to be the winners as of early Wednesday morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Preview: Three at-large seat on the school board are up for grabs. Six candidates are running, including two incumbents: Larry Scott (incumbent), Terrance Heard (incumbent), Adrianna Zullich, Janita Everhart, Edward Speidel, and Raziya Hill.

Latest Local News

* * *

Nick Veronica is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team as the Digital Executive Producer in 2021. He previously worked at NBC Sports and The Buffalo News. You can follow Nick on Facebook, Twitter and Threads. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
It's Election Day! Polls are open and voters are out. If you hit any snags when you vote today, share with the Enquirer at vote@enquirer.com. Provide contact information and, as possible, we'll be in touch.

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance looks back at his family while speaking to media in East Walnut Hills on Election Day. A resident of the neighborhood, Vance voted at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

Hamilton County turnout nearly 56% at midday

At about 2:45 p.m. this Election Day, close to 56% of all of Hamilton County's eligible voters had cast ballots.

That includes nearly 170,000 who had voted in person across the county's 562 precincts and close to 168,000 who had voted early or by absentee ballot, according to the county's Board of Elections website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hamilton County officials earlier predicted more than 70% of registered voters would participate this year.

Voters motivated by range of issues

The presidential race is the main draw for many Greater Cincinnati voters.

In Green Township, Laura Hollandsworth, a 68-year-old retired florist, said she and her husband, Darrell, 76, both cast their votes for Donald Trump. She cited concerns about inflation, the economy and restricting abortion as major issues driving their votes.

Trumps going to make a difference. Hes not a yes-man, Hollandsworth said.

North College Hill voter John Bucalo supported Donald Trump for president.

In North College Hill, 79-year-old John Bucalo said Trump got his vote for keeping the U.S. safe from crime and war. "I want peace in the United States," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Lockland, voter Darrell Seeley said he supported Trump for economic reasons, wanting to see lower gas and grocery prices. "The way everything's going, it seems like he has good leeway," Seeley said.

"Voter Michelle Williams, a 49-year-old pharmacist in Green Township, didnt want to discuss her vote for president. She said she hopes for less division in the country once the election ends. Even her own household was divided after she made up her mind on Monday, she said. Neither she or her husband liked the choices for president, but her husband cant stand Trump.

Lockland voter Darrell Seeley said he supports Trump for economic reasons.

I think its important to come here and make a choice, Williams said. I dont like the division in our country.

Ryan Helfrich, a 27-year-old prosecutor in Kenton County who also voted in Green Township, likewise declined to discuss his vote for any candidates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But he did say he voted for Ohio Issue 1 to create a citizens commission to redraw political districts. A political independent, Helfrich believes Republicans need their power checked when it comes to district maps.

Theyve gotten away from conservatism and need to be held accountable, Helfrich said.

Lockland voter Albert Kinnett was most interested in local races. "There may be some Republicans or some Democrats I may go for," he said. "I don't vote for parties. I vote for persons."

-- Alex Coolidge and KJ Garmong

DJs bring music to the polls

Voting is something to be celebrated, according to DJs at the Polls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The national non-partisan group dates to 2008, when founder Anton Moore, 38, began putting his background in radio to use. I wanted to create something fun. I want people to be excited about (voting). We started doing five (DJs at polling sites), then we started doing 10, and now, were doing it nationwide, he said from his base in Philadelphia.

Austin ("Zap") Larkins plays music for voters at the North College Hill Senior Center on Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When creating DJs at the Polls, Moore ultimately wanted to increase voter turnout among people of color.

DJ at the Polls' mission is to engage people of colors neighborhoods in politics. When you look at it, youre trying to build the best of both worlds. You know people love music, so now, you want to mesh music with politics to make it more fun.

Moore said support for the initiative has "blown up."

"Taraji P. Henson posted about it. Kerry Washington is talking about it," he said about both actresses. "So, just seeing people talking about it and excited about it makes me excited.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When it came to choosing Cincinnati locations, the group leaned on its mission statement to bring out Queen City voters.

We choose the locations with people of color and where people aren't really voting at," Moore said.

The group currently has 4,000 DJs who are making a difference, according to Moore. Voting increased by 3% in Virginia in 2022, he said, and close to that in Philadelphia that year.

"When you send DJs to polling locations, and you send messages letting the voters know (DJs) are going to be there, people show up.

In Cincinnati, Austin ("Zap") Larkins and Paul ("Butch") Gibson are playing music at three polling locations: North College Hill Senior Center, Lifespring Christian Church and Lockland School Annex Building.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Food trucks, dancers and radio stations were on hand at the locations as well.

-- Emily Widman

Kentucky voter told to hide Trump shirt

Northern Kentucky voter Jason Draughn said a poll worker ordered him and other voters wearing T-shirts supporting former President Donald Trump to remove them, turn them inside out  or leave without casting their ballots because it was the law.

The poll worker met Draughn as he entered the Independence Senior and Community Center off Jackwoods Parkway, after he'd waited about an hour to vote.

He was telling everybody to take off their shirts if they had Trump on them, Draughn, 47, said. He just told me it was the state law and walked away. I feel like my freedom of speech and my rights were violated. I feel my dignity was compromised. I had to take off my shirt in the middle of the polling place and turn it inside out because I am not allowed to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im not going to get out of line and stand in line for 45 minutes to an hour again. One woman took off her shirt and walked around in her brassiere and voted because they made her take off her shirt.

That should not have happened, according to the spokeswoman for Kentuckys top election official, Secretary of State Michael Adams. The spokeswoman, Michon Lindstrom, confirmed that Kentucky voters can wear candidate gear such as T-shirts into polling locations to vote as long as they just vote and leave.

In Ohio, Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued a press release last Friday to clarify Ohio's stand on Election Day attire.

"State law prohibits campaigning inside the neutral zone at a polling location (the area inside the small American flag markers)," LaRose said in the release. "Campaigning includes handing out literature, wearing certain items, or otherwise trying to get voters to support or oppose a certain candidate or issue."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Three types of attire and paraphernalia are prohibited in polling locations and their neutral zones, he said  items that display the name of a political party, display the name of a candidate, or state support or opposition for a ballot question or issue.

Slogans associated with a political party, candidate or ballot question or issue are not prohibited if they do not violate the prohibitions, LaRose said.

-- Fox 19

Church asks for signs to be removed

Midway through Tuesday morning, the pastor of Mercy Hill Church in Kennedy Heights asked volunteers to remove political signs planted next to a sidewalk outside the church.

"We don't want it to seem like our church supports one candidate or another," Ernie Bonnoitt told a group handing out sample ballots for Democrats.

He also denied their request to hold the signs beyond the 100-foot "neutral zone." Under a directive of the Ohio Secretary of State, the 100 feet from the door of polling places must remain free from any election activity that would violate state law against attempting to influence voters at polling locations.

Bonnoitt could not immediately be reached for comment requested via email and phone.

Mercy Hill recently began operating at 6312 Kennedy Ave., replacing the former Kennedy Heights Presbyterian Church there.

-- Pieper Buckley

Cincinnati Freedom Center urges 'today, vote'

Cincinnati's National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on Tuesday called on citizens to vote, no matter their choice of candidates.

In a statement signed by President and Chief Operating Office Woodrow Keown Jr., the downtown museum focused on civil rights said "there is too much at stake to sit this election out."

"We understand there is often not a perfect candidate. We understand politics can be frustrating. We understand that you may live in a state where you feel your vote may be washed out by a sea of red or blue," Keown wrote.

But races for governor, senator, representative, state legislator, county and city leaders and more "impact your community directly," his statement said.

"They impact if you can vote next year, what your children can learn in schools, what health or needs-based resources you have access to," he wrote. "Vote."

Trump calls Vance at 3 a.m.

Voting in East Walnut Hills this morning, Republican vice presidential nominees JD Vance said he had yet to speak to his running mate Donald Trump on Tuesday, but had missed a call at 3 a.m.

"I feel good about this race," the U.S. senator from Ohio told reporters. "Hopefully it goes as well for President Trump and me as it went for me a couple of years ago in the state of Ohio."

JD Vance arrives at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church to vote on Election Day.

Vance said he voted for Trump along with Republican Bernie Moreno, running to defeat Ohio U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.

"I've had a few friends who have cast our friendship aside because I wanted Donald J. Trump to win this election and the last election, and I think that's a tragedy," he said. "President Trump and I are trying to build a country where all Americans can fulfill their hopes and dreams  and that's for all Americans."

Vance voted at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in East Walnut Hills, where he maintains a home.

His wife, Usha, and children, were in attendance too.

-- Victoria Moorwood

JD Vance's wife, Usha, and 7-year-old son Ewan, stand by as he speaks to media while voting in East Walnut Hills on Election Day.

Vance celebrates his dog on Election Day

Vance started Election Day with a birthday wish for his dog  and a plug for his running mate.

Atlas turns 1 today. You know what he wants for his birthday? For you to get out there and vote for Donald J. Trump for president (and his dad for veep) pic.twitter.com/beAi96tkMV  JD Vance (@JDVance) November 5, 2024

Voters showing up in Pleasant Ridge, Kennedy Heights

In Pleasant Ridge, neighborhood residents Felicia Brown and Lee London cast ballots at 7 a.m.

They called Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris the safest choice for Americans. Brown said Harris' entire platform was worthy of her vote.

The fact shes a woman, her morals, her goals and what she's trying to do for America," Brown said.

London said Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was the worst choice. I can't see how anybody who was convicted of the crimes that he was convicted of can be president, he said. I don't want a person like that in office again."

Amanda and Melanie Thomas-Castillo also voted for Kamala Harris at the Pleasant Ridge site. The couple said they feared another Trump presidency could roll back rights crucial to their family.

We're a same-sex couple with kids, Amanda Thomas-Castillo said. Safety-wise, the rhetoric of Trump is concerning.

The couple brought their two children, both wearing Harris T-shirts, to vote with them. Trump is mean, right Van? Melanie Thomas-Castillo said to one.

Delone Cramer, voting in Kennedy Heights, said he voted for every Democrat on the ballot.

I'm just against Donald Trump and everything he stands for, Cramer said. Our principles just dont align."

Joe Creaghead, also voting in Kennedy Heights, said he supported Harris partly because she is "anybody other than Trump."

But he also said Harris, along with President Joe Biden, have been "beneficial for the American economy."

"They have more ability to reason and act in a manner more befitting to American than Trump does," Creaghead said.

Anne Schuster, who was handing out sample ballots, put voter turnout in Pleasant Ridge and neighboring Kennedy Heights at 50%, counting absentee and early votes.

-- Pieper Buckley

Voters showing up in Delhi Township

Paul Dillmore voted in Delhi Township on Election Day morning.

In Delhi Township, Paul Dillmore, a 42-year-old administrative technician for the city of Cincinnati, said he was eager to cast a vote for a friend from Oak Hills High School  Chris Lipps, who is running for judge of the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas.

Hes a good friend of mine  and a fellow Republican, Dillmore said, who added he was voting for Donald Trump for president.

He said his vote and politics were driven by economics. The price of everything went up under the Biden regime. The inflation just shot up.

Mike Cates, a retired 76-year-old postal worker, also voted early Tuesday. He was surprised at the turnout at Mount St. Joseph University where the polls opened with a line of some 50 voters.

Cates said he was happy election season was ending. He said a group of his friends who eat at McDonalds for breakfast avoid discussing politics because a couple strictly support one candidate and the rest are sick of hearing all the rhetoric.

Im keeping it a secret, Cates said about his vote. We get so tired of hearing about it (politics) we dont need to discuss it anymore. It gets old.

-- Alex Coolidge

Ohio vs. Kentucky, turnout and picks

Close to 74% of all registered Ohio voters cast a ballot in the last presidential election, with more than 53% picking Donald Trump. In Kentucky, 60.3% of registered voters turned out in 2020. More than 62% of them voted for Trump.

Ohio and Kentucky favored the same presidential candidate more often than not since 1984:

What time are polls open in Ohio and Kentucky?

Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. across Ohio. In Kentucky, voting takes place 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where to vote in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky

Here's where to find polling locations and other essential information across Greater Cincinnati:

Are schools closed on Election Day?

Cincinnati Public Schools has closed its school buildings for Election Day.

Where to find live results on election night

The west side of the Duke Energy Convention Center, located at 525 Elm St. downtown, was painted red, white and blue on Election Day morning.

There are a lot of big races on the ballot Tuesday. We'll have live results for all contested races, which you can find here:

Ohio

Kentucky

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 2024 Election: Results, live updates for Ohio races
A vote-here sign, pictured on Nov. 8, 2022, at the All Souls Church on Cliff Avenue in Sioux Falls. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Its Election Day 2024, and South Dakota polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

Registered voters searching for their polling place can find it in the states Voter Information Portal at vip.sdsos.gov/VIPLogin.aspx.

[2024 Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.]

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

South Dakotans going to the polls today should bring an accepted form of identification, such as a South Dakota drivers license or non-driver ID card, tribal ID, passport, student ID issued by a South Dakota high school or college, or any other photo ID issued by the U.S. government. Voters who do not have ID must be given the option to sign a personal affidavit swearing to their identity.

There are more than 600,000 registered voters in South Dakota, and more than 20% of them  about 140,000  had already voted early or absentee by last Friday. Some election officials are predicting turnout around 70% or higher by the time polls close, which means voters could encounter lines at polling places.

South Dakota Searchlight reporters will visit polling places today, monitor watch parties tonight, and report results as they become available after 8 p.m. Central/7 p.m. Mountain from the South Dakota Secretary of States Office. The office compiles all the results from the states 66 counties, where votes are tallied.

Meanwhile, heres a summary of whats at stake in The Mount Rushmore State.

Three presidential electoral votes

The majority winner in South Dakotas vote for president will earn the states three Electoral College votes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Candidates are Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, Republican former President Donald Trump and Libertarian Chase Oliver. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. remains on the ballot as an independent, because the deadline to withdraw had already passed when he suspended his campaign on Aug. 23.

South Dakotas lone U.S. House seat

Republican U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota is seeking reelection to his fourth term against Democratic challenger Sheryl Johnson.

Statewide ballot questions

South Dakotans are deciding the fate of seven ballot questions:

Amendment E, updating gender references: Legislators put this question on the ballot, which would update male-only references dating to statehood in the South Dakota constitution to neutral words and phrases like the governor, reflecting the modern reality that women also hold public offices. Amendment F, Medicaid work requirements: Legislators put this question on the ballot asking voters to amend the state constitution so lawmakers can consider imposing work requirements on Medicaid expansion recipients. Amendment G, abortion rights: This citizen-initiated constitutional amendment would restore abortion rights in South Dakota through the first trimester of pregnancy, with restrictions allowed in the second trimester and a ban allowed in the third trimester with exceptions for the life and health of the mother (South Dakota is one of 10 states with abortion on the ballot today). Amendment H, open primaries: This citizen-initiated constitutional amendment would change future South Dakota primary elections for governor, Legislature, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and county offices so that all candidates, no matter their party, would be placed on one ballot open to all voters with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election (in races with two winners, such as state House districts, the top four would advance). Initiated Measure 28, prohibiting taxes on human consumption items: This citizen-initiated measure is intended to remove state sales taxes on groceries, although opponents contend the measure is poorly worded and would apply to a broader array of goods and services. Initiated Measure 29, recreational marijuana: This citizen-initiated measure would legalize a limited form of adult marijuana use, possession and free distribution (a marijuana retail market would have to be considered later by the Legislature). Referred Law 21, pipeline regulations: This measure, approved by legislators and Gov. Kristi Noem last winter and then referred to the ballot by citizen petitioners, would implement protections for landowners and counties affected by carbon-capture pipelines while leaving the door open for regulatory consideration of the projects.

Other statewide races

Public Utilities Commission: Kristie Fiegen, a Republican, is running for reelection to the Public Utilities Commission against Democrat Forrest Wilson and Libertarian Gideon Oakes. The three-member commission oversees the regulation of private utility companies that provide essential services, including telecommunications, electricity and natural gas. Commissioners also consider permits for major utility projects, such as power plants, transmission lines and pipelines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Supreme Court justice retention: South Dakotas Supreme Court justices face a nonpolitical retention election three years after their appointment by the governor and every eight years after that. Justice Scott Myren is on the ballot this year.

Local races and questions

Voters may also see local races and questions on their ballot. Sample ballots are available in the states Voter Information Portal at vip.sdsos.gov/VIPLogin.aspx.

Election security

Curious about election security? Check out the Secretary of States Guide to Understanding Secure Elections in South Dakota.

Among the highlights:

South Dakota uses paper ballots; the state does not have online voting.

County auditors use tabulating machines to count votes, but the machines are not connected to the internet.

Election night results are later subjected to post-election audits in every county to ensure machine tallies are correct.

Secure.Elections.Brochure (1)

A guide to secure elections from the South Dakota Secretary of States Office.
Voters make selections at their voting booths inside an early voting site on Oct. 17, 2024 in Hendersonville, North Carolina. ( Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

Its time to choose a president. And many other candidates.

Alabamians go to the polls Tuesday to vote in what could be one of the most consequential elections in the nations history. While many races are uncontested, particularly on the State Board of Education and in the state appellate courts, many voters will have decisions to make beyond the nations chief executive.

Question about your voter registration status?

You can check your registration status on the Alabama Secretary of States website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Below is a guide to Election Day in Alabama.

When do polls open?

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Where do I find my polling place?

The Alabama Secretary of States website allows you to check voter registration and the location of your polling place. You can find it here.

What do I need to vote?

Voters must present a valid photo ID before voting. Valid forms of ID include:

Alabama drivers license (not expired or expired less than 60 days)

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency digital drivers license

Alabama Non-Driver ID (not expired or expired less than 60 days)

Alabama Photo Voter ID card

State-issued ID (Alabama or any other state)

Federal-issued ID

U.S. Passport

Employee ID from the federal government; state of Alabama; county; municipality, board or other entity of Alabama

Student or employee ID from a public or private post-secondary educational institution in Alabama or other states (including colleges, universities, postgraduate technical and professional schools)

Digital student or employee ID from a public or private post-secondary educational institution in Alabama or other states (including colleges, universities, postgraduate technical and professional schools)

Military ID

Tribal ID

What if I dont have an acceptable form of ID?

A voter who does not have a valid form of photo ID on Election Day can vote a regular ballot only if their name appears on the official voters list and they are positively identified by at least two election officials. If the voter does not have a valid form of photo ID and cannot be positively identified by at least two election officials, they are permitted to vote a provisional ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

May I receive voting assistance?

Yes. Any voter who wishes to receive assistance is entitled to it. The voter may ask anyone (except their employer, an agent of the employer, or an officer or agent of the voters union) to give that assistance. If the voter does not request a specific individual, a poll worker may assist the voter at the request of the voter.

Can I take a cell phone or a sample ballot into my polling place?

Yes. However, using the phone in the polling place should not disturb other voters or disrupt the polling place. If taking a sample ballot, do not leave the sample ballot in the polling place.

Which statewide constitutional amendment(s) will I vote on?

Theres one statewide amendment on the ballot concerning property owned by the Franklin County school system in Walker and Fayette.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, will appear on the ballot as:

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to grant certain sixteenth section and indemnity school land that is owned in fee simple by the Franklin County school system, is located in Fayette County and Walker County, and is for the exclusive use of schools in the Franklin County School System to the Franklin County Board of Education; and to provide for the distribution of any proceeds and interest generated by this land to the Franklin County Board of Education.

Vote YES to give the Franklin County Board of Education full control of the land and allow them to sell the land without the governors and state superintendents approval. Franklin County Board of Education would receive all of the proceeds from a sale or otherwise generated on the land.

Vote NO to keep the land owned by the state and are held in trust by the State Board of Education managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

What about races on the ballot?

Alabama voters will select a president; members of the U.S. House of Representatives and some state and judicial offices on Nov. 5. Most legislative and constitutional offices will be up for election in 2026. Read our voter guide here. Besides the presidential race between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump, the contested federal and state races on the ballot will be:

Alabama 1st Congressional District

(Left: Office of U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer; Right: Courtesy Tom Holmes)

(D) Tom Holmes

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

(R) Barry Moore

Alabamas 1st Congressional District runs from Mobile County to Baldwin and includes most of the southern Wiregrass. Long centered on Mobile, the district was redrawn in 2023 after a federal court ordered the state to create a second opportunity district where Black voters could choose their preferred leaders. Read more.

Alabama 2nd Congressional District

(Left: Stew Milne for Alabama Reflector: Right: Caroleene Dobson Campaign)

(R) Caroleene Dobson

(D) Shomari Figures

The 2nd Congressional District in Alabama runs from the Mississippi border through the southern Black Belt and to the Georgia line. Long centered on the Wiregrass, a federal court in 2023 approved a map redrawing the boundaries in order to create a second opportunity congressional district where Black voters could choose their preferred leaders. Read more.

7th Congressional District

(Left: Office of U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell; Right: Courtesy of Robin Litaker)

(R) Robin Litaker

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

(D) Terri Sewell

Alabamas 7th Congressional District includes parts of Birmingham and much of the western Black Belt. The districts boundaries were slightly altered in 2023 to accommodate a second opportunity district (the 2nd) to allow Black voters the chance to elect their preferred leaders. The 7th is considered solidly Democratic. Read more.

Alabama Chief Justice

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

(D) Greg Griffin

(R) Sarah Stewart

The chief justice of Alabama is a sitting member of the Alabama Supreme Court and oversees the operation of the states judicial system. Republican nominee Sarah Stewart, an associate justice on the court, faces Democratic nominee Greg Griffin, a Montgomery County circuit judge. Read more.

State Board of Education, District 5

(Left: Courtesyo Tonya Chestnut; Right: Curtesy Davis Perry)

(D) Tonya Chestnut

(R) David Perry

District 5 on the Alabama State Board of Education includes most of the Black Belt. Democratic incumbent Tonya Chestnut faces Republican nominee David Perry in the single contested race on the Alabama State Board of Education. The district leans Democratic. Read more.

What races are uncontested?

The 3rd, 4th and 5th congressional districts  represented, respectively, by Republican U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers of Saks; Robert Aderholt of Haleyville and Dale Strong of Madison  are uncontested. Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh is running unopposed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Except for chief justice, all seats up for election on the Alabama Supreme Court have a single candidate, as do all the seats on the ballot for Court of Criminal Appeals and Court of Civil Appeals. All State Board of Education seats on the ballot, save District 5, are uncontested.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Oklo (NYSE: OKLO) isn't a household name by any stretch, but the nuclear stock was popping up on investors' radars last month as it soared on related sector news.

Oklo is a development-stage company, backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and it doesn't have any revenue currently. However, nuclear energy is emerging as a favored power source among big tech companies and billionaire investors, and investors looking for exposure to nuclear energy piled into Oklo last month.

Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free 

According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, the stock finished the month up 177.6%, nearly tripling. As you can see from the chart below, the stock basically gained in two phases last month.

OKLO data by YCharts

Is nuclear the next big thing?

Oklo, which calls itself a fission technology company and is making small modular reactors, got off to a strong start in October, perhaps in the aftermath of Microsoft signing a deal with Constellation Energy to resurrect a nuclear facility at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania.

It gave up most of those gains, but then soared again starting on Oct. 14. The day after, it announced that the Department of Energy had approved its conceptual safety design report for its Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility, an important step to getting its first plant up and running.

Separately, investors cheered after Alphabet announced an agreement with Kairos Power to use small modular reactors to power its AI data centers, showing the data center industry further embracing nuclear power.

The stock surged again the next day after Amazon said it signed several deals for nuclear energy projects, including for small modular reactors.

Oklo stock continued to gain even though there was no other news out on the stock or the nuclear energy sector.

After a pullback, Oklo stock jumped again to close out the month as more investors were drawn into the nuclear story, especially as Oklo is backed by Altman and Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel.

Image source: Getty Images.

What's next for Oklo

Oklo shares have pulled back to start November after regulators blocked Amazon's deal to secure nuclear power from Talen Energy's Susquehanna power plant for a nearby data center.

After protests from utility companies American Electric Power and Exelon, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruled that the grid operator, PJM Interconnection, couldn't increase the amount of power used at Susquehanna.

The news is a reminder that there's still a lot of uncertainty in the nuclear sector, and grid reliability will take precedence as power demand grows.
The line of early voters wraps around the corner of the state Division of Election offce in Anchorage on Nov. 1, 2024. (Photo by Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)

On Election Day, polling stations are scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the first initial results should be posted online about 9:15 p.m., based on prior schedules.

In the states closest races, a winner wont become apparent until Nov. 20, when the state tabulates the results of its ranked choice elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The closest races likely will include the states U.S. House election and the ballot measure seeking to repeal ranked choice voting.

Dont forget about Adak

The lone exception to Alaskas polling station schedule is in Adak, which is in the Aleutian-Hawaii time zone, and thus is open until 9 p.m. Alaska time. Its the last polling station to close in the United States, and results arent posted until after it closes.

Carol Beecher, director of the Division of Elections, said by email that results updates will likely come on a similar schedule to 2022. That year, the first results were posted at 9:11 p.m. and were updated until shortly after 2 a.m. the following morning. Election Day results were again updated about 4 p.m. the following day.

Election Day results will include ballots cast on Election Day, plus early votes (those given at polling stations where voters present an ID) cast by the end of the day on Halloween.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some absentee votes (usually sent by mail and subject to later ID verification) will also be included, but we wont know how many  thats determined by how quickly the state review board operates.

If a mailed-in absentee ballot was postmarked on or before Election Day, state law allows it to be counted if it arrives on or before Nov. 15 (if mailed from within the United States) or Nov. 20 (if mailed internationally). Historically, most absentee ballots arrive within one week of Election Day.

Hear from the candidates themselves

Ahead of the election, the Beacon asked every candidate their positions on a variety of issues and wrote articles about key races. In addition, you can read our coverage here.

As more absentee ballots arrive and are counted, the Division of Elections is scheduled to update election results on Nov. 12 and Nov. 15.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those updates will only include voters first choices. If a race has three or more candidates and none of them have at least 50% of the first-choice votes, the Division of Elections will use ranked choice voting to determine a winner.

On Nov. 20, the last-place finisher will be eliminated, and voters who picked that person will have their votes go to their second choice. If they dont have a second choice, their ballot will be exhausted and not count for any of the remaining candidates.

The elimination process will continue until only two candidates remain, and the person with the greatest number of votes will be declared the winner.

The Division of Elections could offer an immediate ranked choice tabulation and update it as more ballots arrive, but when ranked choice voting was established by voters in 2020, the divisions then-director said that might be confusing for voters, and as a matter of policy, the division does only one tabulation.

U.S. House race result is likely to wait

That wait for tabulation could mean a wait for Alaskas close-run U.S. House election, where Democratic incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola is being challenged by Republican Nick Begich, Alaskan Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe and imprisoned, out-of-state Democratic candidate Eric Hafner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the August primary election, Peltola had more than 50% of the vote, but in the months since then, polling indicates that the race has tightened, with Begichs odds helped by the fact that two trailing Republicans  including Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom  withdrew after the primary.

Howe and Hafner arent expected to receive many first choice votes, but if the margin between Peltola and Begich remains small, their supporters second-choice votes could be decisive once tabulation takes place.

Eight candidates in the presidential election

Alaskas local elections have no more than four listed candidates, but the presidential election has eight, which makes it possible that an official winner wont be declared until Nov. 20.

Republicans have won every presidential election in Alaska since 1964, and Republican candidate Donald Trump is the overwhelming favorite to win Alaska this year as well.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With eight candidates in the race, its possible that Trump fails to exceed 50% of the first-choice votes, leaving the race to be decided until the ranked choice tabulation.

Ballot measures and judges could be decided early

Alaskas two ballot measures arent subject to ranked choice tabulation  theyre a simple up or down vote, which means that we dont have to wait until the Nov. 20 tabulation day.

Preelection polling presented to the Alaska Chamber of Commerce in October showed that Ballot Measure 1  which would increase the states minimum wage, mandate sick leave and ban mandatory political and religious meetings  has a significant lead among voters. Its expected to pass easily, and Election Day results will reveal whether that expectation holds true.

Ballot Measure 2  which would repeal the states ranked choice general election and open primary election system  is too close to predict, polling indicates. Polling earlier in the summer found that yes to the repeal was ahead, but thats changed, with no having a lead more recently. Its still within the margin of error, however.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While its possible that Election Day results will give yes or no a definitive lead, its more likely that we wont know for certain until about a week after Election Day, when more absentee ballots are counted.

Nineteen judges are also on the ballot statewide. Voters can choose to vote yes or no on whether to retain them. Its extraordinarily unusual for voters to reject a judge, but there is a campaign to evict one of them, Adolf Zeman of Anchorage, for a legal decision on the states correspondence school program. No polling is available for that election, which is one to watch on Election Day.

Will polls operate correctly?

The Alaska Division of Elections has struggled this year with a variety of missteps, including the failure to open all polling stations on time during the primary election.

Two years ago, ballots from a handful of remote towns failed to reach Juneau after Election Day, meaning that they werent counted in the ranked choice tally. Only voters first choices were considered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ahead of the general election, theres already been one significant problem: Absentee voters in three Southwest Alaska towns received the wrong ballots, and more than 90 had to revote as a result.

Will Election Day voters differ from advance voters?

Four years ago, 361,400 Alaskans voted in the 2020 presidential election. This year, Michael McDonald, a Florida-based political scientist and an expert in voter turnout, expects slightly lower turnout and about 355,000 votes cast.

Through Friday, 95,415 people had already cast ballots, representing more than a quarter of the expected total turnout. Early voting  done in person, with IDs verified on site  has set an all-time record.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early and absentee voters combined have been disproportionately Republican. Altogether, more than 33% of advance votes through Nov. 1 came from registered Republicans. Statewide, Republicans make up just under 24% of registered voters.

Registered Democrats have also been voting in unusually large numbers  they represent over 12% of registered voters but more than 17% of votes cast so far.

Election Day results will determine whether those figures represent a larger trend or not.

Conservative Republicans are likely to gain in the state Senate  but how much?

The Alaska Senate is governed by a 17-member supermajority coalition that includes nine Democrats and eight Republicans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One member of that coalition, Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, isnt running for re-election, and his seat is likely to be taken by either Republican Mike Cronk or independent Savannah Fletcher. Alaskan Independence Party candidate Bert Williams is also running.

Cronk is inclined toward a Republican-led majority, rather than the current balanced coalition, while Fletcher favors the status quo. Cronk beat Fletcher by a small margin in the August primary.

In Eagle River, coalition Republican Sen. Kelly Merrick is being challenged by Republican Jared Goecker, who also prefers a Republican-first option in the Senate. If Goecker fails to reach 50% of first-choice votes, the second-choice votes of those who prefer Democratic candidate Lee Hammermeister  expected to finish third  could push Merrick over the top.

On the Kenai Peninsula, current coalition member Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, is being challenged by Republican Ben Carpenter, who also prefers a Republican-led majority. Bjorkman led Carpenter in the August primary. A Democrat is running as a third option, and Democratic voters who prefer Bjorkman as a second option could be decisive.

If theyre close, any or all of those three races could be decided on tabulation day. A fourth race could be decided on Election Day. Sen. Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks, is being challenged by Republican Leslie Hajdukovich. Because there are only two candidates, ranked choice voting wont be involved, unless write-in votes push the first-place finisher below 50%.

Control of the Alaska House could flip or solidify after Tuesday

The Alaska House currently has 22 Republicans, 13 Democrats and five independents.

Thomas Baker, who changed his party affiliation to independent after the legislative session, is still listed as a Republican on the Legislatures website.

Those legislators are split into a predominantly Republican coalition majority and a predominantly Democratic coalition minority.

Because two Republicans arent a member of the majority, Republicans depend on the support of three non-Republicans from rural Alaska districts in order to maintain control.

If mainstream Republicans win contested elections on Tuesday, they could achieve unilateral control. If independents, Democrats and moderate Republicans win, its possible that the predominantly Democratic coalition will take back the majority it had for six years until 2022.

In Ketchikan, incumbent independent Rep. Dan Ortiz isnt running for reelection and is likely to be replaced by Republican Jeremy Bynum, who had just short of 49% of the vote in the August primary election.

That Republican gain could be balanced on the North Slope, where Baker has faced a difficult reelection campaign against two Democrats running against him. Baker had just 29% of the vote in a three-way August primary election.

Republicans are trying to oust Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, with a more mainstream challenger, Republican Jubilee Underwood. Eastman has been excluded from the House majority, and if Underwood were to replace him, it would net a seat for the current majority.

Conversely, Rep. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage and a member of the current majority, is facing a tough election against coalition-minded Republican Chuck Kopp, a former legislator seeking a return to the House. Kopp beat Johnson by more than 20 percentage points in the August primary, and the two are repeating that race on Tuesday.

Several other races are effectively head-to-head tossups entering Tuesday. In Fairbanks, Democratic Rep. Maxine Dibert is being challenged by Republican Bart LeBon, a former representative whom Dibert defeated two years ago by a small margin.

In Anchorage, Democrat Ted Eischeid beat incumbent Republican Rep. Stanley Wright by 35 votes out of more than 1,200 cast in the August primary after losing to Wright by 72 votes of 3,772 cast in 2022; theyre rerunning their race on Tuesday.

Also in Anchorage, Republican Rep. Julie Coulombe beat independent challenger Walter Featherly by just 121 votes out of more than 3,200 cast in the August primary, and both have been campaigning hard ahead of Tuesdays vote.

In South Anchorage, independent Ky Holland won a four-way August primary, but Republicans have now consolidated around Republican candidate Lucy Bauer, setting up a head-to-head race to replace incumbent Republican Rep. Laddie Shaw, who is not seeking reelection.

Other potentially close races include more than two candidates and could require ranked choice tabulation to resolve:

House District 6 in Homer, where Republican Rep. Sarah Vance is being challenged by independent Brent Johnson and Republican Dawson Slaughter

Anchorages House District 15, where Republican Mia Costello is seeking to return to the state House to fill a seat vacated by Republican Rep. Tom McKay. Democrat Denny Wells is challenging her but could have his odds spoiled by perennial candidate Dustin Darden, who is running as a Democrat.

Republican Rebecca Schwanke is likely the favorite to replace Cronk in Interior Alaskas House District 36, but she faces three opponents  Democrat Brandon Kowalski, fellow Republican Pam Goode, and Libertarian James Fields, who has suspended his campaign.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris were neck-and-neck in initial statewide results posted shortly after polls closed Tuesday night, making this year's unprecedented and unpredictable race for the White House too close to call on Tuesday evening.

Trump led narrowly, according to incomplete, unofficial results posted by the Arizona Secretary of State around 11 p.m., and had expanded his lead slightly from earlier in the night.

On the county level, initial results showed Harris narrowly leading Trump in vote-rich Maricopa County shortly after polls closed Tuesday night. Approximately 60% of Arizona voters live in Maricopa County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Maricopa County results represented 1.1 million ballots, which make up 43.43% of the countys 2.5 million voters eligible to cast ballots in the election. The county expects 2.1 million voters to turn out and estimates 700,000 ballots are left to tabulate in the coming days.

Election 2024: See Arizona election results | Live coverage on Election Day

The vote count released by Maricopa County includes ballots received by Tuesday, Oct. 29, according to the county. In-person Election Day votes will be posted throughout the evening. Voters were still voting as of 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. Polls closed at 7 p.m. in Arizona, but voters who were in line before that time were able to cast their ballots after the deadline.

Arizona is in the center of the presidential action. The battleground state has 11 electoral votes that will play a significant role in determining which candidate wins the White House.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The dramatic battle for the presidency has been marked by chaos and a list of unexpected events.

Only a handful of times in history has a former president lost and sought the White House again, or has a president stepped aside in the middle of his reelection campaign. Plus, presidential candidates running with a felony conviction are a rarity in U.S. history.

The race is a dead heat in Arizona, according to the latest public polls. Trump narrowly led Harris but the numbers were so close that either candidate had a real shot at winning the Grand Canyon State.

Voter frustrations with the economy and immigration are fueling Trumps slight advantage among Arizona voters. The former president has struck a confident tone during recent Arizona rallies, even musing on stage in Prescott Valley that he should be in the all-important swing state of Pennsylvania instead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were going to win Arizona, Trump said at an October rally in Tempe, noting that hes pleased with the early vote numbers. Were going to defeat Kamala Harris.

Harris is not far behind, though. Shes strongest on the issues of democracy and reproductive rights, and her campaign is banking on a massive ground game operation to put her over the top in a state where Democrats have made major gains during the Trump era.

This will be a very tight race until the very end. And we are the underdog, Harris told a rally crowd in Phoenix last month.

The battle for the White House was shaping up to be a 2020 rematch between Trump and President Joe Biden, but it changed dramatically at the end of June when Bidens disastrous debate performance against Trump sent Democrats into a panic. The president was pushed out by his own party in a matter of weeks. He dropped his reelection bid in July, well after the primary election was over.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That same month, Trump was nearly killed on live television when a gunman opened fire during the former presidents campaign rally in Pennsylvania. A bullet struck his ear, leaving Trump bloodied but otherwise unharmed as Secret Service agents rushed him off the stage. Hed be the target of another failed assassination attempt in September.

Harris stepped up to take Bidens place just weeks before the Democratic National Convention, holding off the high-profile members of her party with their own presidential ambitions and the possibility of an open convention. Harris had only three months to put together a presidential campaign in her new role as the nominee. She inherited Bidens campaign operations across the country, including in Arizona, which had been laying general election groundwork since February.

This story will be updated as election results are reported.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Presidential race in Arizona: Trump, Harris in dead heat
Polling stations are open across a wide area of the United States as voters choose whether Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Kamala Harris should be president for the next four years.

Voters in states including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana could begin casting their ballots as of 6 am (1100 GMT). Hour by hour more states were set to open their polling stations, with Alaska and Hawaii the last to do so.

Early voting has already been up and running for weeks in many states, allowing residents to vote in person at designated locations or by postal ballots.

US media, citing tallies from election officials and research firms, say over 75 million people have already made their choice.

In total about 240 million people are eligible to vote.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Its Election Day, and voters across New York are making their way to the polls on Tuesday.

There are some rules you may want to keep in mind, though, before heading out to cast your vote. Can you take a picture of your ballot? Or can you take a selfie at a polling site after youve cast your vote?

More News: NY Elections

Here are some dos and donts you should know:

Dos

You can wear apparel that includes general political viewpoints  unless the issue is on the ballot. Wearing something that supports marriage equality, the 2nd Amendment, or the Make America Great Again slogan wont get you in trouble, according to Kathleen McGrath, the director of public information for the New York State Board of Elections.

You can take a photo at a polling site or with a blank ballot  except if youre in New York City, which has a regulation that doesnt allow photos at polling sites, McGrath said.

You can make calls or texts as long as youre not being disruptive or invading the privacy of other voters or poll workers.

You can have someone who provides assistance enter the voting booth with you. That includes asking a poll worker for help, according to NYC Votes. Children also can accompany parents into a booth, according to McGrath.

Donts

You cant wear anything that encourages people to vote a certain way, as it violates the states anti-electioneering law, McGrath said. You wouldnt be able to wear anything that supports or is against Proposition 1. Anyone seen wearing apparel that constitutes electioneering could be asked to take it off or, in the case of a shirt, turn it inside out.

You cant electioneer within 100 feet of a polling site. Electioneering, from the New York City Basic Poll Worker Manual, is efforts to encourage voters to vote a certain way and includes distributing, wearing or carrying political literature, posters, banners or buttons or soliciting votes.

You cant take a photo of or with your completed ballot.

You cant remove a ballot from a polling site before the polls close.

You cant open the door or enter a voting booth occupied by another voter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For more information on voting in New York, you can check out the BOEs Frequently Asked Questions page.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Update: Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater confirmed Tuesday morning to the Wichita Eagle that Meghan Blubaugh is in fact the subject of an investigation into electioneering at a polling place. She was spotted wearing a campaign T-shirt printed with the name of her husband, Jeff Blubaugh, a candidate for Sedgwick County Commission, when the couple voted together at a west Wichita advance voting site last week.

An alert reader sent me a picture they took with their phone on Oct. 29 of a man who looks a lot like Sedgwick County Commission candidate Jeff Blubaugh with a woman who looks a lot like Jeff Blubaughs wife, Meghan, as they were waiting in line to vote at an advance voting site at Evangel Presbyterian Church out in far west Wichita.

The photo was shot from behind, as the woman was wearing a T-shirt that said Jeff Blubaugh on the back.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another photo taken the same time and in the same line showed two men wearing Trump hats and sneakers with his name painted on them.

All of those are a problem. State law bans electioneering close to polling places, much less inside them.

Heres what state law says on that: Electioneering includes wearing, exhibiting or distributing labels, signs, posters, stickers or other materials that clearly identify a candidate in the election . . . within any polling place on election day or advance voting site during the time period allowed by law for casting a ballot by advance voting or within a radius of 250 feet from the entrance thereof.

That seems pretty clear-cut. Jeff is definitely a candidate in the election, challenging incumbent Commissioner Sarah Lopez.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And frankly, he should know the law. Hes a former two-term Wichita City Council member and this is the fifth primary or general election hes run in since 2012.

Since late last week, The Eagle has been trying to get the local authorities to disclose the fundamentals of what went on out there that day and hitting a brick wall.

The election commissioners office and the Sheriffs Office confirmed that theres an investigation underway of electioneering at that polling place, but provided only sketchy details and on Friday denied access to the cover sheet of the report, which is information that theyre required to provide to the public.

On Monday, I called District Attorney Marc Bennett, who confirmed the investigation does involve the same photos I got from the reader. He said the case is being expedited, but wont be resolved until after the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Also Monday, the Sheriffs Office finally sent a redacted copy of the report cover with the suspects name blacked out, but Jeff Blubaugh listed as a witness.

Hes gone silent and wont return any Eagle phone calls.

Attack ad follies

Speaking of the Blubaugh-Lopez race, Republicans have been busying themselves objecting to the negative mailers that a third-party PAC has been sending out supporting Blubaughs opponent, Sarah Lopez.

The one I have on my desk at the moment is from someone calling themselves Kansans for an Affordable Future with the faces of Blubaugh and disgraced politicians Michael ODonnell, Michael Capps and James Clendenin in a peapod together.

Republicans are up in arms about this hit mail piece directed at candidate Jeff Blubaugh, which is pretty hypocritical because theyve been doing this kind of stuff themselves for years.

Republicans hate it when Democrats run their own plays against them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

ODonnell, Capps and Clendenin, you might recall, were behind the mother of all fake-ad hit pieces, when they hired actresses to read allegations of sexual harassment that were made against Republican legislators, and then claimed the comments were about former Wichita mayor Brandon Whipple, a Democrat.

And the Kansas Republican Party has put out their own hit mailer targeting Lopez (as they did in the last election).

It includes another dirty trick pioneered by ODonnell  using a cutout photo of Lopez in a Black Lives Matter T-shirt as evidence she wants to defund the police (she doesnt).

Heres the funny part: Eagle photographer Travis Heying took the photo, which the GOP has stolen from us twice  now and four years ago.

The photo the Kansas Republican Party stole from us and used in a mailer attacking Sarah Lopez . . .

If you look at the whole photo and not just what the Republicans cut out, youd see that when it was taken, Lopez was literally standing right next to Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay, praying, at a police station, during a peaceful demonstration over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The real photo of Sarah Lopez and Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay praying at a peaceful demonstration over the police killing of George Floyd. Kansas Republicans have misused this picture multiple times.

So now you know why Im not feeling particularly sympathetic towards the KSGOPs complaints about negative campaign mailers. Theyve been doing it for years and its pretty hard to take their pearl-clutching act seriously at this late date.

Misdirected mail

In about the last week, Ive gotten five mailers at my house urging me to vote for House Speaker Dan Hawkins (or against his opponent Mike McCorkle).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was kind of a surprise, because I cant vote for Hawkins. Hes running in District 100 and I live in District 94. My representative is Leo Delperdang, and theres nobody running against him.

I hadnt gotten any mailers from the McCorkle campaign (although he did drop a set by when I asked).

Three of the mailers backing Hawkins talked about how great he is, the other two were hit pieces. Which is kind of sad, because this has been one of the most civil campaigns Ive seen in years.

The last time I saw the two candidates together was when Hawkins was the featured speaker at a rally against Medicaid expansion in Plainville, which is about half an hour north of Hays.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the event, McCorkle and Hawkins chatted privately and apparently amicably for some time before the dinner. And when I spoke to them both after, we all agreed if we ever have to go to Plainville again, well carpool, because that was a long drive.

The one common factor in the Hawkins mailers Ive received is theyre all marked: Paid for by the Kansas Republican Party Inc., Mike Brown, Chair, Alan Townsend, Treasurer.

The last time I talked to Brown was when I did a story about him trying to curry favor with the Donald Trump campaign by asking Kansas Republicans to donate to Trump via the party and put Browns personal bundler account number on their checks. (Bundlers get special access and perks depending on how much money they raise).

Brown accused me of being unethical because while I identified myself as a journalist when I left him a message, I didnt do it again when he called me back. He said hell never talk to me again (oh poor me).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So in addition to his being an obnoxious blowhard, add to Browns record that hes wasting Republican donors money by sending mailers to the wrong district.

Even the most committed Republicans are saying theyve had enough of Browns antics. The party will be reorganizing after the election and the smart money is on longtime Kris Kobach sidekick/spokeswoman Danedri Herbert to replace him.

Herberts not the ideal choice. She has an annoying habit of making herself scarce when Kobach says or does something stupid, which is not uncommon.

And she co-authored a book with Dave Trabert  who runs a political group fronting for Koch Industries  defending the disastrous Sam Brownback tax experiment after it drove the state budget into a ditch and crashed Kansas credit rating (the book is $6.77 on Amazon, if youre interested).

Still, shes an improvement over Browns bellicose belligerence.

Baby steps.

Meet Trump contribution Bundler #2024027, AKA Kansas Republican Chairman Mike Brown | Opinion
Its Election Day in Georgia, where stakes and tensions are running high as voters across the state travel to the polls to decide their elected leadership.

More than half (55.5%) of Georgias registered voters already cast ballots during the states record-breaking early voting period, which ended on Friday. That includes more than 26% of Black voters in the state, who helped set a new record during the first day of early voting before falling behind the rate of voting that Democrats say they need to see to ensure a victory for Vice President Kamala Harris, who hopes to become the first Black woman elected president.

The remaining millions of voters who are expected to cast ballots between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. today will help decide the outcome of the White House battle between Harris and former President Donald Trump, as well as several congressional, state, and city posts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Georgia is one of seven battleground states expected to determine the winner of the presidential election. Polls show Trump has maintained a roughly 2 percentage point lead in Georgia, the state where less than 12,000 voters decided the outcome of the presidential election four years ago. Whoever wins will receive the Peach States 16 electoral college votes on their way to the 270 needed to secure a White House win.

The presidential matchup isnt the only major race on the ballot. Heres a breakdown of the other key elected offices, candidates, and questions voters will weigh in on, and Capital B Atlanta will keep an eye on.

Atlanta City Council, Post-3 At-Large

Five Atlanta City Council contenders are vying to fill the post-3 at-large seat vacated earlier this year by former council member Keisha Sean Waites.

The list of contenders are Black Futurists Group founder Devin Barrington-Ward, civil rights attorney Eshe Collins, business owners Amber Higgins-Connor and Nicole Evans Jones, and community activist Duvwon Robinson.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Whoever wins must help the city contend with a lineup of major issues, including its affordable housing and homelessness problems and MARTAs expansion, in addition to the looming unveiling of the public safety training center known as Cop City.

Theres a strong chance this five-way contest will end up heading to a post-Election Day runoff, since whoever wins the race is required to gain more than 50% of the vote.

How strong is public support for Fani Willis?

Embattled Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is fighting to keep her job from Republican challenger Courtney Kramer. Willis is the local district attorney who filed RICO charges last year that led to indictments against Trump and his allies for their alleged roles in Georgias fake electors scheme, an elaborate plot to overturn the results of the 2020 election here in the Peach State.

Willis has faced criticism and legal scrutiny for her handling of the Trump RICO case and her prior relationship with Nathan Wade, the former special prosecutor on the case who stepped down earlier this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Willis is expected to win reelection in the Democratic Party stronghold of Fulton County, but the race will show the level of public support as she continues to prosecute the Trump case after the election.

Update: The AP has called the district attorney race in Willis favor.

A day of reckoning for Mesha Mainor?

Georgia House Rep. Mesha Mainor (left) and Georgia Sen. Sonya Halpern (second from right) speak with constituents about the need for a noise barrier along Interstate 20 in West Atlantas Mozley Park neighborhood in September 2023. (Chauncey Alcorn/Capital B)

State Rep. Mesha Mainor, the former Democrat who switched parties last year to become the only Black Republican member of the Georgia General Assembly, is fighting an uphill battle to remain in the state legislature against Democratic challenger Bryce Berry.

Some of Mainors constituents in the predominantly Black and largely progressive state House district 56  which includes the west Atlanta neighborhoods of Hunter Hills, Mozley Park, and the West End  have told Capital B Atlanta they approve of the job shes done advocating for issues they care about, such as preventing idling CSX trains from blocking local roads and pushing for construction of a noise barrier along Interstate 20.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But some local residents, including Deborah Wright of Hunter Hills, disapprove of her switching parties and supporting a school voucher program opposed by Georgia Democrats.

We voted for her because she was a Democrat, Wright told Capital B Atlanta of Mainor earlier this year. We dont want to be represented by a Republican.

Mainor is expected to lose her reelection bid to Berry, who at age 23 would become the youngest member of the Georgia General Assembly if he wins.

Update: The AP has called the state House district 56 race in Berrys favor.

Can Jasmine Clark fend off her Republican challenger?

State Rep. Jasmine Clark, D-Lilburn, is the three-term Democratic incumbent fighting to keep her seat from Republican business owner Elvia Davila in one of the few competitive state House races on the ballot this election cycle.

Georgia state Rep. Jasmine Clark, D-Lilburn, is vying for reelection against Republican challenger Elvia Davila. (Courtesy of Jasmine Clark)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The 41-year-old Clark works as an assistant teaching professor at Emory University when shes not working in the Georgia General Assembly. She has been an advocate for giving Georgia kindergarten through 12th-grade students equitable access to AP African-American studies in opposition to Republicans looking to limit divisive concepts being taught in public schools.

Davila, whose husband was murdered in 2021, has made crime a central focus of her campaign. She is advocating for cracking down on drug dealers, battling human trafficking, and reducing violence in the local area in addition to increasing accountability for weak-on-crime prosecutors who allegedly refuse to enforce the law.

Clark is also pushing to help Democrats maintain or increase their representation in a state legislature that has been controlled by Republicans for most of the 21st century.

Update: The AP has called the state House district 108 race in Clarks favor.

The post Here Are Results of Key Races for Black Voters in Atlanta appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
More than 80 million Americans cast their ballots during the early voting period for the 2024 presidential election, and tens of millions more will head to the polls today. The race will almost assuredly be decided by the results in seven key swing states, and if 2020 is any guide, those results will come under an immense amount of scrutiny in the coming days and weeks.

Below, we have compiled a handy state-by-state primer detailing various election administration processes in the relevant battlegrounds, from regulations around absentee ballots to requirements for candidates looking to contest the results. Keep this pageand Chris Stirewalts latest newsletternearby while youre watching the election returns (or our special three-hour Dispatch Live streaming coverage).

Arizona

Illustration via The Dispatch.

Results

2020 Election: Biden 49.4 percent, Trump 49.1 percent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

2024 RealClearPolling Average: Trump 49.1 percent, Harris 46.3 percent.

Partisan Affiliations:

Governor: Katie Hobbs (D)

Lieutenant Governor: N/A

State Legislature: House: 31R-29D Senate: 16R-14D

Secretary of State: Adrian Fontes (D)

Supreme Court: Appointed, 7R-0D

Voting Timelines

Election Day polling hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early voting period: October 9  November 1

Voter ID Laws

Photo ID is required for all voters, but voters with insufficient identification can submit a conditional provisional ballot. For the provisional ballot to be counted, the voter must present a valid ID to the county recorder by the end of the fifth business day following Election Day.

Absentee Rules

Who is eligible to vote absentee: All Arizona voters can choose to vote absentee with no excuse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Deadline for when ballots need to be postmarked/received: Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

Rules about ballot harvesting: Ballot harvesting is illegal and a Class 6 felony in Arizona. However, ballots can be collected and returned by family members, household members, or caregivers.

Rules about drop boxes: Arizona allows voters to return absentee ballots to unstaffed dropboxes.

Opening and counting absentee ballots: Early ballots can be counted immediately on receipt by county election officials.

How ballots are verified: Arizona compares the signature on an absentee ballots affidavit with signatures on file for the voter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What type of ballots/voting machines are used: Arizona uses both hand-marked paper ballots and ballot-marking devices. Maricopa County uses systems manufactured by Dominion Voting Systems, Yavapai County uses systems manufactured by Unisyn, and all other counties use systems manufactured by ES&S.

Post-Election Processes and Deadlines

Ballot curing: State law requires election officials to make a reasonable effort to alert voters when ballot signatures cannot be verified. Voters have until 5 p.m. on the fifth day after Election Day to fix their ballot for federal elections.

Protesting/contesting: An elector contesting an Arizona state election must file a written statement in court within five days after completion of the canvass. The court must set a time to hear any contest no later than 10 days after a statement of contest is filed, and the court must make a judgment within five days of the hearing.

Certification: Each countys board of supervisors must meet by November 21 to conduct the canvass. Upon completion, each board must immediately send the results to the secretary of state. On November 25, the secretary of states office will complete its own canvass, after which it will certify the election results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Electors meeting: Electors will meet on December 17.

Recount Triggers

Automatic: A recount must be performed if the margin between the top two candidates is 0.5 percent or less of the total votes cast for the two candidates. The recount will start with a hand count of 5 percent of ballots submitted, and only if the margin is greater than the original count will all ballots be recounted.

Requested by campaigns: Only automatic recounts, no recount by request.

Legal Updates

Major rule changes since 2020: Arizonas legislature in February 2024 passed House Bill 2785, which changed the canvassing deadlines for county government and the secretary of state so that the state could meet the certification deadline specified in the 2021 Electoral Count Reform Act.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Recently resolved or pending litigation: Litigation concerning a 2022 citizenship verification law passed by state Republicans is ongoing in Arizona. In August 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that Arizona could enforce proof of citizenship requirements for state voter registration forms while an appeal of a lower court decision progresses. However, the court did not allow enforcement of similar restrictions on federal voter registrations.

Georgia

Illustration via The Dispatch.

Results

2020 Election: Biden 49.5 percent, Trump 49.3 percent.

2024 RealClearPolling Average: Trump 49.1 percent, Harris 47.8 percent.

Partisan Affiliations:

Governor: Brian Kemp (R)

Lieutenant Governor: Burt Jones (R)

State Legislature: House: 102R-78D Senate: 33R-23D

Secretary of State: Brad Raffensperger (R)

Supreme Court: Elected, nine nonpartisan seats

Voting Timelines

Election Day polling hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early voting period: October 15 to November 1.

Voter ID Laws

Photo identification is required when voting both in-person and via absentee ballot. Eligible forms of ID include government-issued IDs; drivers licenses; student IDs from public colleges or universities; employee IDs for employees of local, state, or the federal government; U.S. passports; military photo IDs; and tribal photo IDs.

Absentee Rules

Who is eligible to vote absentee: Any registered voter may vote absentee in Georgia but must submit an application for an absentee ballot 11 to 78 days before Election Day.

Deadline for when ballots need to be postmarked/received: County election offices must receive completed absentee ballots by Election Day for them to count. They can be returned via mail, in-person drop-off to a county election office, or via a drop box.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rules about ballot harvesting: A 2023 ruling by a federal court upheld Georgias ban on ballot harvesting, part of the states 2021 Election Integrity Act.

Rules about drop boxes: Absentee ballot drop boxes, first introduced in Georgias 2020 elections, were significantly restricted by the Election Integrity Act, although they still exist. Every county in Georgia must have a drop box, but no more than one per 100,000 voters. They also must be kept inside at early voting locations and be accessible only while the early voting location is open.

Opening and counting absentee ballots: Election workers started tabulating absentee and mail-in ballots three Mondays before Election Day, and are allowed to start counting on Election Day before polls close.

How ballots are verified: Absentee ballots are verified by a voter signature and must contain the voters drivers license or state ID number. Election officials then confirm that the ballot was signed and check the ID number against a state database. Voters with rejected absentee ballots will be informed by phone, mail, and in writing. Georgia law stipulates, The voter then has until 3 days after the election to submit voter ID in conjunction with an affidavit confirming the ballot was in fact theirs in order to cure the ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What type of ballots/voting machines are used: Georgia uses touchscreen voting machines (also known as ballot-marking devices) made by Dominion Voting Systems. After voters make their selections on the screen, the machine prints out a paper ballot for scanning and tabulation.

Post-Election Processes and Deadlines

Georgia law requires that county election superintendents, which are usually made up of multimember boards, certify all votes by 5 p.m. on the Monday following Election Day (this year that deadline rolls back one day due to the Veterans Day holiday on November 11). An October 15 ruling by a Fulton County Superior Court judge held that boards must certify votes even if they suspect fraud or error. The Georgia secretary of state must tabulate votes cast for presidential electors and present them to the governor by 5 p.m. on November 22. Candidates can file a petition to the state election board contesting the election for up to five days after election certification.

Recount Triggers

Automatic: There is no automatic trigger for a recount in Georgia.

Requested by campaigns: Candidates can request a recount if the margin of victory is less than or equal to 0.5 percent. They, or an election official, may also petition the secretary of state for a recount if there is suspicion of fraud or errors.

Legal Updates

Major rule changes since 2020: The Election Integrity Act of 2021 made a variety of changes to Georgia election law, including requiring photo ID for mail-in ballots, banning ballot harvesting, reducing the number of ballot drop boxes, and granting the state Legislature the power to appoint the state election board, which sets rules regarding elections and voting, investigates election procedures, and defines how to validate or invalidate ballots. It also shortened the timeframe in which people could request mail-in ballots, blocked officials from mailing absentee ballots to voters that were not requested, and banned people from handing out food or water to voters within 150 feet from polling locations and within 25 feet from voting lines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Recently resolved or pending litigation: In October, a Fulton County Superior Court judge blocked the state election boards September rule change requiring that ballots must be counted by hand by poll workers on Election Day. The judge ruled that the rule change was too much, too late and required more time for consideration on the merits. In 2023, a federal judge ruled that individuals could pass out food and water to voters as long as they were 150 feet away from a polling place.

Michigan

Illustration via The Dispatch.

Results

2020 Election: Biden 50.6 percent, Trump 47.8 percent.

2024 RealClearPolling Average: Harris 48.3 percent, Trump 47.8 percent.

Partisan Affiliations:

Governor: Gretchen Whitmer (D)

Lieutenant Governor: Garlin Gilchrist II (D)

State Legislature House: 56D-54R Senate: 20D-18R

Secretary of State: Jocelyn Benson (D)

Supreme Court: Elected, 4D-3R

Voting Timelines

Election Day polling hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Early voting period: October 26 to November 3 (Detroit started October 19, and Canton started October 21)

Voter ID Laws

Voters without an I.D. can sign an affidavit to receive a ballot.

Absentee Rules

Who is eligible to vote absentee: Michigan has no-excuse absentee voting, so voters may request an absentee ballot for any reason.

Deadline for when ballots need to be postmarked/received: For elections officials to count them, ballots must be received by their local clerks office or put into a dropbox by 8 p.m. on Election Dayexcept for military and overseas ballots, which must be postmarked on or before November 5 and received within 6 days after Election Day.

Rules about ballot harvesting: There are a select few people who can return a voters absentee ballot: the voter, a person in the voters immediate family or household who has been asked to do so, a mail carrier acting in an official capacity, or an election official in the jurisdiction of the voter.

Rules about drop boxes: The state gives each jurisdiction one state-funded drop box. Locales with more than 15,000 registered voters must have one drop box for every 15,000 voters, and they must be available 24 hours a day starting 40 days before the election until Election Day at 8 p.m. The drop boxes must be in a public and well-lit area and secured so that ballots cannot be stolen and so that the box itself cannot be taken.

Opening and counting absentee ballots: Michigans rules for processing absentee ballots vary by municipality. Those with 5,000 or more residents may create an absent voter counting board to begin processing votes eight days before Election Day and do so between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Smaller cities and towns may tabulate their ballots starting the day before the election during the hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The smaller jurisdictions can also enter into agreements with other municipalities to form a combined absent voter counting board, which allows them to begin their preprocessing eight days before Election Day. However, this process never includes totaling the vote count.

How ballots are verified: Authorities use signature verification to affirm a voters identity.

What type of ballots/voting machines are used: Michigan uses paper ballots, which are run through tabulators, the brand of which varies by county.

Post-Election Processes and Deadlines

Ballot curing: If a voters ballot is rejected because of a faulty signature, he can return a cure form by the Friday after Election Day, or November 8.

Protesting/contesting: It would appear theres none specified.

Certification: County boards of canvassers must certify their elections no later than two weeks after Election Day, i.e. by November 19. After that, the state board must certify the election by 20 days after the election, or November 25 this year.

Electors meeting: Electors convene on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December, this year, December 17.

Recount Triggers

Automatic: With few exceptions, the state automatically conducts a recount if the difference between the first and second-place finishers for a statewide office is under 2,000 votes.

Requested by campaigns: Any candidate can request a recount.

Legal Updates

Major rule changes since 2020: There are several changes to Michigan voting rules this cycle, thanks in large part to a ballot referendum voters approved in 2022. In implementing the measure, the legislature passed several bills that, among the most notable changes, expanded early voting, allowed municipalities to start tabulating absentee ballots earlier, mandated the use of drop boxes with security measures, and allowed voters to apply for an absentee ballot only one time before being put on a permanent list.

Recently resolved or pending litigation: The Republican National Committee launched multiple lawsuits against Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. After the two parties reached a settlement, Benson updated her guidelines to require that clerks mark on absentee ballot envelopes that they had verified a voters signature. Additionally, a judge ordered Benson days later to update her guidance to say that election workers must ensure that the number on an absentee ballot matches the number on the envelope that contains it. Previous guidance said a worker should verify the number. Later, however, the RNC suffered two losses in Michigan. First, a judge rejected a challenge to a state policy allowing spouses and children of people living overseas who last lived in Michigan to vote in the state, even if they themselves had never resided there. Next, a federal judge said a complaint from the committee, which alleged there were more registered voters than eligible Michiganders in the state, was unfounded.

Nevada

Illustration via The Dispatch.

Results

2020 Election: Biden 50.1 percent, Trump 47.7 percent.

2024 RealClearPolling Average: Trump 48.2 percent, Harris 47.6 percent.

Partisan Affiliations:

Governor: Joe Lombardo (R)

Lieutenant Governor: Stavros Anthony (R)

State Legislature: Assembly: 26D-14R (two vacancies) Senate: 13D-7R (one vacancy)

Secretary of State: Francisco Cisco V. Aguilar (D)

Supreme Court: Elected, seven nonpartisan justices. Three justices are running unopposed for reelection this cycle.

Voting Timelines

Election Day polling hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early voting period: October 19 to November 1

Voter ID Laws

Nevada voters are not required to provide an ID to cast a ballot, but they are required by state law to have their signature verified. Voters provide a signature to election officials at the polling site, which is verified against 1) the individuals signature on their voter registration application or 2) any government-issued ID a voter brings. First-time voters in the state may need to present a voter ID if their registration information does not match records with the state DMV or federal Social Security Administration.

Absentee Rules

Who is eligible to vote absentee: Every Nevada registered voter is sent an absentee ballot in the mail provided they register at least 14 days before Election Day. Voters can vote in-person regardless of whether or not they are mailed a ballot. Automatic absentee ballot delivery was initially introduced temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the law was made permanent in 2021.

Deadline for when ballots need to be postmarked/received: Voters may submit their ballot at any drop box in their county or deliver it to their county clerk up until 7 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots must be sent on or before Election Day and received by the county clerk no later than 5 p.m. on November 9. If the date a ballot was mailed is not postmarked, but it was received by November 8, it is considered eligible and will be counted.

Rules about ballot harvesting: State law allows voters to have someone deliver their ballot for them, either in-person or via mail.

Rules about drop boxes: Ballot drop boxes are required to be posted at every available early voting and Election Day polling sites and open at least during the hours of the polling site. County clerks may also choose to place drop boxes at other locations within the city.

Opening and counting absentee ballots: Election workers may begin counting mail-in ballots as early as October 21, 15 days before Election Day, and must finish counting mail-in ballots no later than November 12, precisely one week after Election Day. Ballots dropped off at drop boxes are considered mail-in ballots.

How ballots are verified: Election officials verify signatures of mail-in ballots. Election workers manually verify ballot signatures or have an electronic ballot machine do so. Only voting machines that verify signatures by taking a digital image of the signatures are eligible in the process. Signatures rejected by a machine are manually reviewed. The county clerk has the final say in whether a ballot is rejected because of failed signature verification.

What type of ballots/voting machines are used: Nevada currently uses two voting machine model types from Dominion Voting Systems, and one model from Election Systems & Software.

Post-Election Processes and Deadlines

County commissioners are required to provide an abstract of the votes no later than November 15, 10 days after Election Day, which is then certified by the county clerk. On the fourth Tuesday of November, the Nevada secretary of state and justices of the state Supreme Court will meet and review the vote tallies. After they are approved, the governor shall issue certification of the election results and declare the winner of each race. Certification of the election results is required by state law and must not be withheld, regardless of any objections to the election and election tallies.

Recount Triggers

Automatic: There are no automatic recounts in Nevada.

Requested by campaigns: Any candidate or voter in the state can request a recount.

Similarly, every Nevada candidate and voter is also eligible to submit an election complaint, except for races electing federal congressional members. Races can be contested under certain circumstances, including wrongdoing from an election board member, inclusion of illegal or improper ballots, exclusion of legal and proper votes, evidence of illegal election wrongdoing from a candidate or campaign, or presence of electronic voting machine errors. Contests of election results are prioritized in state court above all regular business of the court, and heard between five and 10 days after the contest was filed. If the court finds a different person was the rightful winner of the race, they have the authority to nullify the election results certified by the governor.The court has no authority to certify a different election winnereven if they find that candidate to have received the most votesbut can only reject the results they ruled as improper.

Legal Updates

Major rule changes since 2020: Assembly Bill 321, a measure that made permanent the pandemic-induced provision to send each Nevada registered voter an absentee ballot and outlined the process for counting absentee ballots, was signed into law. In 2023, the state passed legislation that made certain actions against election workersincluding harassment, threats of violence, and doxxinga criminal felony, meaning offenders could face the possibility of prison time. In another bill passed in 2023, Nevada lawmakers extended confidentiality protectionspreviously granted to groups including state judges and victims of domestic violenceto election workers, local officials, and state prosecutors.

Nevada also introduced a centralized voter system, officially called the Voter Registration and Election Management Solution (VREMS), that tracks voter registrations and election results statewide. Before the adoption of VREMS was signed into law in 2023, voter management was determined at the county level.

Recently resolved or pending litigation: In June, the Trump campaign, the Republican National Committee, and the Nevada Republican Party sued the state of Nevada for its decision to require ballots that were received without a postmark to be counted if they arrive no later than three days after Election Day. According to the text of the law, ballots that arrive before the deadline must be counted even if the date of the postmark cannot be determined. A state judge ruled in favor of the state of Nevada in August, and on October 28 the state Supreme Court upheld the opinion.

North Carolina

Illustration via The Dispatch.

Results

2020 Election: Trump 50.1 percent, Biden 48.7 percent.

2024 RealClearPolling Average: Trump 48.7 percent, Harris 47.5 percent.

Partisan Affiliations:

Governor: Roy Cooper (D)

Lieutenant Governor: Mark Robinson (R)

State Legislature: House: 72R-48D Senate: 30R-20D

Secretary of State: Elaine Marshall (D)

Supreme Court: Elected, 5R-2D

Voting Timelines

Election Day polling hours: 6:30 a.m.  7:30 p.m.

Early voting period: October 17  November 2

Voter ID Laws

Photo ID is required to vote, but exemptions exist for voters with religious objections to being photographed, victims of natural disasters within 100 days of the election, and voters who have a reasonable impediment that prevents them from showing an ID. Voters who dont meet the exemptions but cannot show ID may fill out an ID Exception Form and vote provisionally. These voters must present an acceptable ID at the county board of elections office by the close of business on November 14, the day before county boards of elections meet to authenticate election results.

Absentee Rules

Who is eligible to vote absentee: Any voter registered in North Carolina may vote using a mail-in absentee ballot. Absentee ballots should have been requested via an online portal or paper form by October 29.

Deadline for when ballots need to be postmarked/received: Ballots must be received by a voters county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

Rules about ballot harvesting: Only a voter or their near relative or legal guardian may mail or hand-deliver an absentee ballot. If a person needs assistance to cast an absentee ballot, the sealed envelope can be taken by any individual directly to the closest U.S. mail depository or mailbox (including a personal mailbox). This person must also sign a Voter Assistant Certification on the backside of the envelope.

Rules about drop boxes: Ballot drop boxes are prohibited in North Carolina. Absentee ballots can only be returned by mail or in person. Military and overseas ballots may be received and submitted electronically using an online portal.

Opening and counting absentee ballots: The county board of elections can only begin counting absentee ballots on Election Day at a predetermined time between 2 and 5 p.m.

How ballots are verified: Absentee ballots require photocopies of photo ID, with the same exceptions as in-person voting. Request forms for ballots also require the voters date of birth and either a drivers license number or the last four digits of the voters Social Security number.

What type of ballots/voting machines are used: All counties in North Carolina use either hand-marked paper ballots or ballot-marking devices that print votes on reviewable paper ballots. Approved voting systems are provided by three vendors: Electronic Systems and Software, Hart InterCivic, and Clear Ballot.

Post-Election Processes and Deadlines

Ballot curing: State law requires the county board of elections to notify voters of ballot defects and inform them of how to rectify the issue. Corrections must be made by 5 p.m. on the ninth day following Election Day. Specific curing procedures are determined by each county board.

Protesting/contesting: A protest against the conduct of the election must be filed in writing to a county board by a registered and eligible North Carolina voter or a candidate for nomination in the election. If the protest concerns vote counting or tabulation, the protest must be filed prior to the county boards canvass meeting on November 15. If the protest states good cause for delay in filing, it may be filed until 5 p.m. on the second business day after the county board has completed its canvass. For any protests unrelated to vote counting or tabulation, the protest must be filed no later than 5 p.m. on the second business day after the county board has completed its canvass.

Protests are heard by the county board of elections, and decisions can be appealed to the state board of elections. The state board of elections may also consider protests on its own motion, intervene in protests pending before county boards, or take any other action necessary to assure that an election is determined without taint of fraud or corruption and without irregularities that may have changed the result of an election.

Certification: Issued by county boards six days after the completion of the canvass. Upon receipt of the certifications, the secretary of state will notify the governor.

Electors meeting: The governor will instruct electors to appear in the state capitol at noon on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December next after their election, at which time the electors shall meet and vote on behalf of the State for President and Vice-President of the United States. This years meeting of electors will take place on December 17.

Recount Triggers

Requested by campaigns: A candidate has the right to demand a recount if the margin of victory is under 0.5 percent of the total votes cast

If that recount was done by machine, then a candidate can request a hand recount of 3 percent of precincts in each county selected at random. If the error rate in the sample precincts would be enough to change the results, the state will conduct a hand recount for all ballots cast.

Legal Updates

Major rule changes since 2020: A veto-proof Republican Legislature passed Senate Bill 747 in 2023, overriding Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto. The bill made various changes to state election law, including moving up the deadline for receipt of mail-in ballots and requiring 10 counties to run a pilot signature matching program on mail-in ballots. The bill also fixed a loophole that allowed some ballots attached to unverified registrations to be counted in 2020.

The 2024 election will also be the first general election in which the states law requiring photo ID to vote will be in effect. The law was initially passed in 2018, but was found unconstitutional by the state supreme court. In 2023, the court reversed its previous ruling.

Recently resolved or pending litigation: In August, the Republican National Committee and the North Carolina Republican Party sued the state board of elections and claimed it failed to collect required identification information for more than 225,000 people.. There are several other ongoing election cases in the state, including one related to absentee ballot envelope rules and another to overseas voting. However, none of these cases are likely to affect the 2024 race.

Pennsylvania

Illustration via The Dispatch.

Results

2020 Election: Biden 50 percent, Trump 48.8 percent.

2024 RealClearPolling Average: Trump 48.5 percent, Harris 48.1 percent.

Partisan Affiliations:

Governor: Josh Shapiro (D)

Lieutenant Governor: Austin Davis (D)

State Legislature: Senate: 28R-22D House: 102D-101R

Secretary of State: Al Schmidt (R)

Supreme Court: Elected, 5D-2R

Voting Timelines

Election Day polling hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Early voting period: Voters had until October 29 to vote in person by mail, a system in which voters must request a mail-in ballot from their county elections office when ballots are available, receive it, then fill the ballot out and submit it there.

Voter ID laws

First-time voters and those voting in a new precinct require ID verification to vote, which includes drivers licenses, state or federal IDs, passports, student IDs, employee IDs, firearm permits, utility bills, bank statements, paychecks, or government checks. ID is not required for other voters.

Absentee Rules

Who is eligible to vote absentee: Any voter who is out of their municipality on Election Day, or has a disability or illness preventing them from voting in person, may apply for an absentee ballot. An absentee ballot application must have been received by October 29.

Deadline for when ballots need to be postmarked/received: Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on November 5. Military and overseas absentee ballots must be submitted for delivery no later than 11:59 p.m. November 4 and received by November 12.

Rules about ballot harvesting: Returning a ballot for someone else is illegal unless a voters disability prevents them from delivering a mail ballot. The voter must designate someone in writing to deliver the ballot.

Rules about drop boxes: Counties are allowed to provide drop boxes for the submission of absentee ballots.

How ballots are verified: Absentee ballots are verified by comparing the information on the ballots return envelope with the list of registered absentee voters on file. Signature verification is not required.

Opening and counting absentee ballots: Election officials are not allowed to open absentee and mail-in ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day.

What type of ballots/voting machines are used: About 70 percent of Pennsylvania voters fill out a paper ballot by hand, which is then tabulated by a machine. Roughly 30 percent of voters use ballot marking devices, which print out a paper ballot that is then tabulated. More than half of the states counties use machines made by ES&S; others in use are made by Clear Ballot, Dominion, Unisyn, and Hart InterCivic.

Post-Election Processes/Deadlines

Ballot curing: There is no statewide ballot curing process in Pennsylvania and no state requirement for county boards to notify voters of their votes.

Protesting/contesting: Campaigns can file a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas contesting election results; other parties can submit a petition of at least 100 registered voters, of whom 20 must have signed affidavits.

Certification: County boards must send unofficial returns to the Secretary of State by 5 p.m. on November 12. The county board must then certify the returns within five days if no corrections (such as recounts) are necessary. If revisions must be made, results still must be certified by November 25. The governor then certifies the results no later than December 11.

Electors meeting: December 17.

Recount Triggers

Automatic: Recounts are triggered by a voting margin of 0.5 percent or less. Three voters in any given district may also request a recount in their precinct.

Legal Updates

Major rule changes since 2020: Pennsylvania has seen no major changes to elections laws since 2020, although there have been failed attempts to allow the pre-processing of mail-in ballots before Election Day and to count undated mail-in ballots.

Recently resolved or pending litigation: The Supreme Court declined to Republicans request to overturn a ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that allowed voters whose mail-in ballots were deemed invalid to file a provisional ballot in person on Election Day.

Wisconsin

Illustration via The Dispatch.

Results

2020 Election: Biden 49.6 percent, Trump 48.9 percent.

2024 RealClearPolling Average: Harris 48.6 percent, Trump 48.2 percent.

Partisan Affiliations:

Governor: Tony Evers (D)

Lieutenant Governor: Sara Rodriguez (D)

State Legislature: Assembly: 64R-34D Senate: 22R-10D

Secretary of State: Sarah Godlewski (D)

Supreme Court: Nonpartisan, but 4-3 liberal

Voting Timelines

Election Day polling hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Early voting period: In-person absentee voting started on October 22 and the deadline depends on locality, ending no later than November 3.

Voter ID Laws

Voters need ID to vote. If they do not have it, they can vote provisionally and bring their ID to the polling place by 8 p.m. Otherwise, they can vote provisionally and bring their ID to the municipal clerk in-person by 4 p.m. the Friday after Election Day.

Absentee Rules

Who is eligible to vote absentee: All registered voters in Wisconsin are eligible to vote absentee.

Deadline for when ballots need to be postmarked/received: Local clerks must receive ballots by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Rules about ballot harvesting: Wisconsin law implies that only voters themselves can return the ballot, with exceptions for those in the hospital.

Rules about drop boxes: Drop boxes are legal due to a recent state Supreme Court ruling.

Opening and counting absentee ballots: All ballots are processed and counted on Election Day.

How ballots are verified: Wisconsin voters must provide a photo ID when they request an absentee ballot, and they must fill out their absentee ballots in the presence of a witness. The voter and the witness must sign it.

What type of ballots/voting machines are used: Counties can choose from a list of approved technologies, but most use electronic machines.

Post-Election Processes and Deadlines

Ballot curing: Wisconsin has no curing process.

Protesting/contesting: Wisconsin does not have a contest procedure.

Certification: County boards of canvassers must meet by the Tuesday after Election Day, November 12, and give their results by two weeks after the election, or November 19, to the state elections commission, which must perform its canvass by December 1.

Electors meeting: The states electors meet the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, which this year is December 16.

Recount Triggers

Automatic: Wisconsin has no provision for automatic recounts.

Requested by campaigns: Campaigns may request recounts if the difference is 1 percent or less.

Legal Updates

Major rule changes since 2020: The states Republican-controlled legislature has attempted to enact changes, but Gov. Tony Evers has vetoed the bills they have passed. However, voters did approve two GOP-backed ballot measures in April. One banned the use of private funds in election administrationoften referred to as Zuckerbucksand the other mandated that only people designated by the state may administer Wisconsin elections.

Recently resolved or pending litigation: Conservatives had the majority of justices on the states Supreme Court in 2022, and it prohibited the use of ballot drop boxes that year. However, liberals took the majority in 2023, and the new court overturned that decision earlier this year, making the use of drop boxes legal.

Read more at The Dispatch

The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free.
Voting booths in Warren County at Ephram White Park on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

In addition to casting votes for U.S. president, Kentuckians will decide numerous races Tuesday  including two state constitutional amendments, congressional contests, legislative seats and many local offices and local questions.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. Voters who are in line to vote at 6 p.m. are entitled to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The state has already seen record early turnout. Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams said 792,476 voters cast ballots during three days of early voting and six days of in-person excused absentee voting.

More than 3.5 million Kentucky voters were registered to vote ahead of the general election.

Aside from president and vice president, the only statewide races are the two constitutional amendments  one that would specifically bar those who are not U.S. citizens from voting in Kentucky elections and another that would allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools.

Voters in eight Central Kentucky counties will be electing a new justice to the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Information such as sample ballots or polling locations can be found at govote.ky.gov.

Kentucky requires a form of photo identification to vote at the polls, although voters who lack ID are entitled to cast a provisional ballot. Accepted forms of ID are documents issued by the U.S., Kentucky or local governments; the U.S. Department of Defense or a public or private college in Kentucky. One common form of photo ID is a state drivers license.

Election Fraud Hotline

Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman asks that suspected election law violations be reported to his office through the Election Fraud Hotline at 1-800-328-VOTE or submit an online form.

The hotline is always open to receive messages, but will be answered by the attorney generals team on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Tips are reviewed and allegations are referred to the Department of Criminal Investigations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Every Kentuckian can be confident in the security and integrity of our elections, Coleman said. Our dedicated team of investigators, prosecutors and support staff is working tirelessly to protect every vote. We encourage anyone who suspects election law violations to contact the Attorney Generals Election Fraud Hotline.

The Kentucky State Board of Elections has already debunked a couple of viral claims of irregularities. A Laurel County voter uploaded a video online that appeared to show a machine switching her choice from former President Donald Trump to Vice President Kamala Harris. The board said she had corrected her selections and printed her ballot successfully and the issue was being reviewed by investigators.

On Monday, the board said a viral claim of a pre-printed mark on a Kentucky ballot currently only exists in the vacuum of social media. Screenshots of a post showing a tiny dot in a candidate selection box for Harris circulated online. However, the board said no such issue of marks had been reported to the board and the attorney generals office.

The board suggests voters experiencing issues should contact the attorney generals hotline.
Election Day is here!

The only statewide race on the ballot this year is a battle for the U.S. Senate, where incumbent U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, won a second six-year term against Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson. Meanwhile, all nine U.S. House seats are up for election this year and all 99 seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Only the even-numbered state Senate seats are up for grabs in 2024.

In Nashville, voters will decide on whether to increase the sales tax by a half-cent to fund Mayor Freddie O'Connell's $3.1 billion Choose How You Move transit improvement plan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polls closed at 7 p.m. CST.

Here are the latest developments:

Follow along for live updates throughout the day.

Green says race was his 'hardest yet,' discusses optimism for tougher border policies

Outside the Montgomery County GOP election night party, reelected U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, said the race against former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry was his hardest campaign yet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tonight feels great because this was a harder race, probably my hardest race in my time, he said. We felt itwe worked harder for this one. So, the victory is sweet.

He said Barry, who he called very courteous," had better funding, and noted that negative ads have an impact.

People have a right to run for office, and people have a right to their opinions, he said. Our ideologies are completely different. Unfortunately, you know, in Tennessee, mostly my ideology is popular.

Green expressed his hope for the slate of national elections throughout the night, as well as policies he intends to work on should GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump win.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think you'll see a huge shift, he said. And in talking to (Trump) and the folks that are around him, if he does win, there'll be immediate implementation of the policies that he had in place before, like Remain in Mexico and things like that, because that's detention and deterrence.

 Angele Latham, The Tennessean

Green declares victory

Cheering erupted for U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, who defeated former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry in the race for Tennessees 7th Congressional District, securing another term for the conservative lawmaker.

The win comes despite fierce campaigning from Barry, who is largely well-liked in the Nashville area, and pushed a heavy ground campaign across the district and raised significant funds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The district spans part of Davidson County, including North Nashville, and stretches from Montgomery County down to the Alabama border.

Green began speaking at the Montgomery County GOP election night watch party, before being interrupted by his phone ringing.

Thats Megan, he said, to the crowds laughter. Ill take that call in a minute.

Green thanked supporters and campaign managers for their work.

I have to thank the voters of this district who put their faith in me again, he said. It is humbling to know that you have this confidence in me.  Political office is an emotional challenging job.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Green went on a to speak about the dangers of texting and social media, the slow processes of the Veterans Affairs Administration, and praising the bravery of politicians in the face of lies.

Take my opponent for example, he said, to the crowds boos. Completely blatant false statements about me. I have never done as well in the stock market as she asserts. And what they are saying about my DD214? Honestly an insult to every single veteran thats ever served.

Green also spoke regarding his announcement earlier this year that he would not seek reelection, amid rumblings he was eyeing a 2026 gubernatorial bid. He quickly reversed course, launching a reelection campaign at the request of former President Donald Trump and others.

Mr. Trump said You gotta run again Mark, you gotta run again, so I said yes Mr. President, Green said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Echoing his dedication to the Republican presidential candidate, Green finished his energetic speech with Trumps infamous fist pump.

Ill tell you, this political discourse thats been going on has quite frankly pissed me off, he said, raising his fist in the air. So just like President Trump said, Im back for another one and were going to fight, fight, fight.

 Angele Latham, The Tennessean

Mayor declares victory for Nashville transit plan

It was over in an hour but more than 20 years in the making.

The mayors office announced minutes before 8 p.m. that celebration was eminent. When Mayor Freddie OConnell a few minutes later stood before an energetic crowd of supporters, donning shirts with slogans like Ask me about transit, Vote for Nashville and Immigrants Vote, the eruption of applause evoked the feeling of a World Series win for a title-drought town.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

OConnell, who ran his campaign on the prospect of improving the citys public transportation system, told reporters after the announcement that he feels this has been something thats been in progress for more than 20 years.

Now for the next generation, we will all enjoy the things we deserve: sidewalks, signals, service and safety, OConnell said in his speech, referencing the plans four primary improvement areas.

He thanked the crowd of supporters, the city and the many people on his staff who have pushed for the campaign for their help and left them with a hopeful remark.

It is still possible for us to do good, big, popular things together in extremely large coalitions, OConnell said. That is important for us to know as a city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 Evan Mealins, The Tennessean

Ogles on victory: Its about kicking butt and winning

Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, won reelection for Tennessees 5th Congressional District on Tuesday evening, celebrating his victory shortly after Democratic challenger Maryam Abolfazli conceded.

The theme of this election has been about unity and not being held back by what has been. Im just kidding, Ogles said at Stans restaurant in Columbia. Its about kicking butt and winning.

The room at Stans, a historic local restaurant and gas station surrounded by hotels and fast-food chains, packed later Tuesday evening following a donors party and included various Republican state legislators.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ogles was joined by his wife and three children in front of a cardboard cutout of former President Donald Trump donning a golden Make America Great Again hat. Trump endorsed Ogles reelection campaign.

The fate of this country is hanging by a thread. You got a Democratic Party that doesnt like the fact youre conservative, Ogles said. To be determined, but I think we win, and we win big tonight. Now we continue to pray for President Donald Trump that we take the White House, that we take the Senate, and we hold the House of Representatives.

In his victory speech, Ogles seemingly nodded to an ongoing federal investigation that resulted in the FBI confiscating his cell phone in August. The probe is believed to be related to chronic errors in Ogles campaign finance filings.

They weaponized the Justice Department against those who are outspoken. Youve seen it against Donald Trump and others, Ogles said Tuesday evening. Ill never back down, hell never back down and lord willing, hell be there with me all the way as we fight to save our republic.

 Liam Adams, The Tennessean

Abolfazli: 'We made it OK for people to believe what they believe'

While incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, held onto his District 5 seat, his challenger, Democrat Maryam Abolfazli, said she believes the support she her campaign built is just the beginning. A sense of community, purpose and hope stood out to her on the campaign trail across six counties. She said she saw people engaged in the civic process for the first time along the way.

"I'm constantly floored by what we created in this time where there are so many people scared of each other," she told The Tennessean after she conceded. "We made it OK for people to believe what they believe."

As for what's next, she said she's ready for a vacation with her young son, and to take some time to figure what her work looks like going forward.

A crowd at Henrietta Red in Nashville's Germantown neighborhood was still mingling and enjoying a spread of seafood and drinks at 9 p.m. but thinned considerably after Abolfazli's concession.

 Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean

Megan Barry concedes to Mark Green in District 7 Congressional race

Megan Barry conceded to incumbent Mark Green in a speech to supporters just after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night. She said she has not yet called Green personally, but will do so as soon as she completes her speech.

She thanked her husband, campaign staff and other supporters during her remarks, and said she was proud of the campaign she ran.

Barry also said she believes District 7 has the opportunity in the future to swing back to Democratic control.

"Not that long ago, Democrats were winning this district, and I believe we can win again," she said. "The pendulum will swing back, but not without a lot of hard work."

 Molly Davis, The Tennessean

Montgomery County GOP feeling strong with early results

With early and absentee votes tallied in Montgomery County, the crowd chanted ecstatically as the preliminary votes placing U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, in a steady lead were shown on the projector.

As the view switched to Fox News channel to show various states being called for former President Donald Trump, the shouts got even louder, with kazoos and horns adding to the cacophony.

Debra Scruggs, bedecked in a lit Trump bucket hat with a patriotic biker vest, said she was excited and hopeful that Republicans would take the lead in the local and national races.

Im feeling pretty good about it, she said, adding that the race for president looked tight.

Her husband of 45 years, Herb Scruggs, expressed confidence in Trumps victory.

We need a strong president, strong in the world, that can deal with other countries, he said. Well have him again if the deep state doesnt cheat again. They spent more money in the past four years than the country has in all 240.

Debra said those issuesforeign strength and economic concernstopped her list of key voting issues, along with abortion.

Those there are very important issues to me, she said. And Trump represents that.

The conversation was brought short with intense cheering as Aron Maberry took the stage to declare victory in his race for the District 68 State Representative seat.

Maberry was running against Democrat Scott Garfield for the open seat after the retirement of incumbent Rep. Curtis Johnson, R-Clarksville.

I want to thank everyone who has been a part of my campaignI love you so much, he said, standing son a stage surrounded by Trump banners. My father raised me to have common sense. And were bringing conservative values to Tennessee.

 Angele Latham, The Tennessean

Abolfazli says 'this is not a loss for me'

Just before 8:30 p.m. Democratic congressional candidate Maryam Abolfazli gave a speech to a jam-packed room at Henrietta Red in her race for the 5th Congressional District race against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia.

"This is not a loss for me," Abolfazli said to the crowd, explaining she believes the work they did during her campaign has pushed their effort forward to unseat Republicans representing Tennessee.

While Republicans hold a supermajority of power at the state and national level in Tennessee, she said she has not lost hope for that to change. She said she was deeply inspired by the joy, dedication and positivity that her staff, family, friends and volunteers poured into the campaign.

"Just give it time. Keep working. Keep having fun while you're working," she said. "A bigger win is on the way."

 Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean

Megan Barry trailing Mark Green after early voting

Approximately 75 people milled about Megan Barrys election watch party just before 8 p.m. Several supporters wore camo print hats in support of Vice President Kamala Harris presidential campaign. The din of voices drowned out the general election results flowing in from televisions interspersed through the party.

One supporter wore a black shirt with the words Nasty Woman printed across the front, referencing the 2016 comments made by Donald Trump about then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

I just think its a statement against how women are framed when theyre in positions of power, Jaime Hauser, 25, said about her shirt. I voted for Kamala Harris. Womens reproductive freedom is what it comes down to for me.

Hauser, who recently moved to Nashville from St. Louis, Missouri, said the Barry watch party was her first ever political event.

Im a plus one, she said. I didnt know what to expect. My friend said it will be 200 of Megan Barrys friends. Well, Im excited to meet everyone.

Multiple Metro Council members also showed up in support of Barry, including District 19 council member Tom Cash, At-large council member Burkley Allen, District 20 Council member Rollin Horton and District 32 Council member Joy Styles.

With an estimated 50% of the votes in from District 7, incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Green claimed just under 60% of the votes.

 Molly Davis, The Tennessean

A hopeful tone at Maryam Abolfazli watch party

Around 50 people had filed into Henrietta Red in Germantown shortly after 7:30 p.m. for an election watch party for congressional hopeful Maryam Abolfazli, a Democratic challenger to incumbent Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia.Anne Weber was settled in with a snack and a drink at the far end of the bustling restaurant. A local nonprofit worker, she said shed been out door knocking for Abolfazli, who is a friend of hers.Its been good for my soul in this election season, Weber said. Maryam is really a uniter, especially during this campaign when theres been so much divisiveness.Shes hopeful Abolfazli will win the District 5 seat. But if not, she said shes still encouraged by how Tennessee voters have turned out and hopes it chips away at the Republican stronghold in the state. Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean

Blackburn on win: 'We've got a busy year planned'

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessees first female senator, won a second term Tuesday. She defeated Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson.

Blackburns closest supporters gathered at the Hilton Cool Springs to celebrate her win and eagerly await results from the presidential race. Gov. Bill Lee was among the prominent figures who made an appearance at the event.

As the race was called for Blackburn, the room full of patriotic pins and Make America Great Again hats cheered.

Following the race call, Blackburn sat down with The Tennessean to discuss her vision for the next six years in Congress.

The pieces of legislation shes prioritizing when she gets back to Washington, D.C. include The Kids Online Safety Act to protect minors on social media, a bill to address pharmacy benefit managers and making 2017 Trump-era tax cuts permanent. She added that legislation in support of Israel and supporting veterans health care are important to her.

We've got a busy year planned, Blackburn said.

 Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean

Relaxed atmosphere at Columbia restaurant-gas station for Ogles

More than a couple dozen supporters of U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, gathered in relaxed fashion at Stans, a restaurant and gas station in Columbia.

The Republican congressman for Tennessees 5th Congressional District, whos expected to perform well Tuesday evening, jumped out to an early strong lead shortly after polls closed at 7 p.m. With first returns, Ogles had 8,000-plus votes while Democratic challenger Maryam Abolfazli counted more than 2,100 votes.

The first returns in that vote tally went unannounced at the Ogles events. In contrast, Maury County Republican Party representative Lana Hines announced the latest states called in favor of former President Donald Trump, whos presence is just as prominent as Ogles at the Columbia event.

Ogles received Trumps endorsement and the freshman congressman introduced articles of impeachment against Vice President Kamala Harris.

A large Trump/Vance sign sits outside Stans entrance and a cardboard cutout of Trump donning a golden Make America Great Again hat rests at the podium area where Ogles is expected to speak.

 Liam Adams, The Tennessean

Montgomery County Republicans feeling hopeful

In Clarksville, a bustling crowd filled the warmly-lit Appleton Harley Davidson stores hosting space for the Montgomery County GOP election night watch party. A sea of red hats, American flags, and in one case, a patriotically-themed popsicle print button-down swarmed into the dining hall as GOP officials set up the stage.

Montgomery County Republican Party Chair Doug Englen seemed optimistic as he helped prop up a projector to stream the Fox News Channel on the wall, calling the event a victory party.

This is a gathering place for everyone to come and look at the results, he said, gesturing to the sizable crowd packed into the room. The public is in here to see the results together  from Trump all the way down to our city council.

Englen said they anticipate being there as long as it takes.

Based on the lines at the polls, I expect we won't see the first results until about eight o'clock, he said. And then well have some victory speeches!

 Angele Latham, The Tennessean

Hopes are high in the South Gulch

Nashvilles pro-transit campaign gathered in a coworking space on the second floor of the historic Voorhees building in the neighborhood Tuesday night, feeling optimistic about their chances.

A few dozen supporters of Mayor Freddie OConnells Choose How You Move transit referendum, including Metro Council members Sandra Sepulveda and Jacob Kupin, were dispersed throughout the space by 7 p.m.

Theres an open bar and food from a few different local restaurants like Arnolds Country Kitchen. Poet Williams, the transit organizer for Equity Alliance, was sipping as he told The Tennessean hed talked to a lot of people who voted in favor earlier that day.

I really believe its going to pass, Williams said, adding that the plans focus on sidewalks is especially important to him as a way to improve pedestrian safety. I see too many people getting hit, so those sidewalks will help.

John Reed, who ran for the Metro Councils District 21 seat last election, said he thinks this election is the best shot to get a transit plan passed given the high energy surrounding the presidential race.

Were a growing city, Reed said. We need this.

 Evan Mealins, The Tennessean

Donald Trump wins Tennessee

Former President Donald Trump has won the state of Tennessee in the presidential race against Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, according to the Associated Press.

The AP made the call within minutes of Tennessee polls closing. It was an expected victory for Trump in a state that has backed the Republican presidential candidate in every election since 2000.

Tennessee gives Trump a total of 11 electoral votes.

As vote totals continue to roll in across the state, the full picture of Trump's performance in Tennessee won't be apparent until late Tuesday evening or early Wednesday. In 2020, Trump pulled just over 60% of the state's vote, with President Joe Biden receiving just over 37%.

 Melissa Brown, The Tennessean

Blackburn wins reelection, defeating challenger Gloria Johnson

Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has won reelection to a second term in the U.S. Senate, defeating Knoxville Democrat Gloria Johnson, a state representative who had hoped to capitalize on a rising national profile kickstarted by legislative expulsion hearings last year.

The Associated Press called the race at 7:02 p.m., minutes after polls closed.

Throughout her campaign, Blackburn, 72, largely ignored her opponent, opting instead to criticize the Biden-Harris administration and focus on issues animating Republican voters not just in Tennessee but across the nation: border security, transgender issues, and support for former President Donald Trump.

Johnson's loss signals a blow to Tennessee Democrats who gained new energy after attempted expulsions of three state representatives  including Johnson  last year.

Tennessee has not elected a Democrat to a statewide office since 2006.

 Vivian Jones, The Tennessean

Polls close without lines or issues

Davidson County Election Administrator Jeff Roberts told The Tennessean there were no lines as polls closed at 7 p.m. Roberts said early voting results are expected to release between 7:45 to 8 p.m. with full election results expected around 9:30 p.m.

 Craig Shoup, The Tennessean

Megan Barry energetic just before polls close

Supporters of Megan Barry gathered just after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday night at the candidate's home in the Belmont-Hillsboro neighborhood of Nashville. Jazz music played softly over the sound system.

Barry, running for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District against Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Mark Green, was energetic as the night kicked off, awaiting the first results to roll in following the closure of polls.

"My hope is that people got out today and voted," she said. "We made inroads all across this district. Our strength was in actually getting out and meeting voters where they were."

Barry also threw her support behind Nashville's transit referendum, led by the office of Mayor Freddie O'Connell.

"Nashville needs transit," she said. "My hope is that it passes overwhelmingly."

 Molly Davis, The Tennessean

Voting numbers ahead of 2020, still behind 2016

The Election Commission polls the largest 35 precincts  one in each council district  to track their numbers throughout the day.

By 5 p.m. at those 35 Nashville precincts, 21,432 voters had cast their ballots compared to 17,035 in 2020, 22,416 in 2016

 Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean

High traffic slows down GoVoteTN App

Voters looking for information on the GoVoteTN app experienced some technical difficulties Tuesday after busier than normal traffic slowed it down, said Doug Kufner, a spokesperson for Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett.

Hargett initially posted about the slow down on X, the site formerly known as Twitter. The tweet was later deleted after it was no longer relevant, Kufner said by email.

The GoVoteTN App is operating with full functionality. Voters can also continue visiting https://tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup/ to access trusted Election Day information, Kufner said.

 Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean

Voters recieve 'bogus text messages,' Secretary of State Tre Hargett says

Some Tennessee voters received a text claiming their ballots were "removed from consideration," the Secretary of State Tre Hargett's Office said Tuesday.

The text messages are bogus.

We have been notified that some Tennessee voters have received a text message stating, Your 2024 presidential election ballot has been officially removed from consideration, Hargett said in a statement. This text message is nothing more than a scam, and our office has reported it to the authorities for further investigation.

 Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean

Voters mixed on transit referendum

Next to the 100 foot buffer zone at the Watkins Park Branch Library voting site, Metro Council member Jacob Kupin passed out information on Nashville's proposed $3.1 billion transit referendum.

Voters proved mixed on the referendum. Juliana Ramsey voted against the transit referendum saying the city did not need additional buses. Susan Mee voted for transit referendum citing a growing need.

"While I don't love financing a new sales tax, we've got major structural problems that need to be addressed," Mee said.

Brynn Patterson was a wide-eyed first time voter.

Donning a Fisk University sweater, the 20-year-old college student was so excited to vote in her first presidential election, she went to the wrong precinct. When she tried to cast her vote at the Watkins Park Branch Library, she was told her precinct was a mile away at Pearl-Cohn High School.

Determined to vote, Patterson made the trip down the road and cast her ballot for the transit referendum and for Kamala Harris for president.

Meanwhile, Kupin said Metro Parks officers and Metro Nashville police officers drove through the Watkins Park area checking to ensure the safety of voters.

 Craig Shoup, The Tennessean

A serenade at the polls

Billy Staggs voted at Kayne Avenue Mission Baptist Church and in classic Nashville fashion, he brought his guitar.

After voting for Donald Trump for president and for Nashville's $3.1 billion transit referendum, he shared sounds of a song he wrote about his ex-wife called "Since you've gone."

Staggs said he voted for the transit referendum because he uses the WeGo bus services and would like to the services expanded.

"I think it's important for folks to have reliable transportation," Staggs said.

 Craig Shoup, The Tennessean

Voting continues to lag behind 2016 election

Voting continues to be up from 2020, but below 2016 numbers, Jeff Roberts, Davidson County administrator of elections, said.

The Election Commission polls the largest 35 precincts  one in each council district  to track their numbers throughout the day.

By 3 p.m. at those 35 Nashville precints, 17,681 voters had cast their ballots compared to 14,207 in 2020 and 17,933 in 2016.

 Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean

Pro-transit group yet to reveal donors as of mid-afternoon

Nashvilles pro-transit campaign hasnt cleared up financial transparency concerns raised by the state election finance registry as of about 3 p.m. on Election Day, according to Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance general counsel Lauren LaRue Topping.

Nashville Moves Action Fund has been ordered to register as a referendum committee and file a financial disclosure revealing its donors by the end of Election Day.

The groups attorney called Topping and said he was planning to file the required paperwork today, Topping said.Nashville Moves Action Fund funnels donations it receives into a political action committee, or PAC. That PAC reports all its donations as coming solely from the fund without identifying the donors who gave to the fund, allowing the group to sidestep finance disclosure laws.

 Evan Mealins, The Tennessean

Rose deploys staff to swing states as election observers

U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville, has dispatched some of his congressional staff to swing states to work as election observers, his office announced.

Tennessee is the national leader for free and fair elections. I have deployed my staff to help ensure that other states are doing their part, Rose said in a statement. I am proud to have members of my staff spread throughout swing districts across the country ensuring Americans right to vote is safe and secure. Election integrity is of paramount importance to a functioning republic, and this is one tool in our toolbox to ensure Americans can have confidence and trust in the results.

Rose, who is on the ballot for reelection today against Democrat Lore Bergman in the 6th Congressional District, said his staff were trained on how to observe elections and their administration, and will be part of the House of Representatives traditional Election Observer Program. More than 200 Republican congressional staffers are participating in the effort.

 Vivian Jones, The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell makes one last pitch

Mayor Frieddie O'Connell is making one last pitch to voters this Election Day, the last opportunity for residents to decide if they're in favor of a transit referendum.

The $3.1 billion transportation plan promises to fund improvements to the city's bus system, sidewalks, traffic signals and more through a half-cent sales tax increase.

"I hope you'll be thinking about Nashville's two futures," O'Connell said in an email newsletter.

"Fundamentally I want more Nashvillians to have the walkable neighborhood I grew up in and am lucky to live in today," O'Connell said. "I want more people to have the financial empowerment I had as a young man when I could be car-free for a while, saving up for a house instead of a car, just as transportation costs have started to eclipse housing costs for many Nashville households. And I want to reclaim 10% of my time with my family by having more green lights as we upgrade 2/3 of our traffic signals across the county."

 Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean

How Tennessee astronaut Barry Wilmore voted from space

Astronaut and Tennessee native Barry Butch Wilmore was able to vote from space where he remains on an unexpectedly extended mission.

Wilmore participated in a live video chat Tuesday from the International Space Station with Tennessee Tech University students. Wilmore, who graduated from Tennessee Tech and Mt. Juliet High School, has been in space since early June with crew member Sunita Suni Williams.

I actually voted early a couple weeks ago, so I got my ballot in and made sure mine got counted, Wilmore told the group at Tech.

Typically astronauts arrange to vote absentee before they go to space by filling out a Federal Post Card Application to request an absentee ballot, like other Americans when away from home, according to NASA.

However, Wilmore was in space for the process  printing out the Federal Post Card Application, hand signing it and using the tablet to scan. Wilmore then emailed the application to the voting clerk in his home county, a NASA representative said.

Then an encrypted, password protected ballot is sent to his secure email account in space. He filled it out, and the ballot was securely transmitted back to Earth to the county voting clerk.

Wilmore has been in space since early June when a test mission for the Boeing Starliner spacecraft experienced problems and has forced the crew to stay an estimated eight months with a return now projected for February.

 Andy Humbles, The Tennessean

Voter turnout up from 2020, below 2016 Presidential election

Voters are showing up in force.

In the first four hours since the polls opened in Nashville, numbers have surpassed those cast in the first four hours of the last Presidential election, Jeff Roberts, Davidson County administrator of elections, said by phone Tuesday. When compared to 2016, however, the numbers are down.

"It remains to be seen if that will continue," Roberts said.

Roberts said the Election Commission polls the largest 35 precincts  one in each council district  to track their numbers.

By 11 a.m. at the 35 precincts, 11,091 voters had cast their ballots in Nashville, Roberts said. In 2020, only 9,157 had cast their ballots by 11 a.m. whereas 11,475 had in 2016.

 Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean

Schools out for voting

For many students in Middle Tennessee, Election Day is an opportunity to see the democratic process up close as their parents go to vote. For others it's simply an extra day off.

Nashville's and Wilson County's public schools are closed today as many of their facilities serve as polling locations.

Teachers are spending the day on professional development while voters file in and out of the buildings.

 What's on the calendar? Schools are closed on election day, November 5. And, schools and district offices are closed November 11 for the observed Veterans Day holiday. https://t.co/BkSvcbTmgl pic.twitter.com/xvSKWI7Zik  Metro Schools (@MetroSchools) October 28, 2024

 Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean

A mom and her first-time voter

Alyssa Boyd, 20, knew she needed to vote. Growing up with a mom who minored in political science in college, politics has never been a shy topic in their household.

This is a very hot situation as far as the people going against each other. I knew it was something I had to do, Boyd said, as she proudly placed her first voting sticker on her shirt.

Both Boyd, and her mother Jacie Boyd, voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.

I am a very big fan of her policies, especially when it comes to like the child tax credit, and I just really think that she would be incredibly helpful for our economy, Alyssa Boyd said. A lot of economists have said that it was a much better plan than Donald Trump's, so that's really cool.

For Jacie Boyd, the issues extend beyond economics.

I feel like when I look at the two platforms, one of them is more about allowing autonomy, and I'm not just talking reproductive freedoms and the others very restrictive, she said. And I'm super terrified of Christian nationalism, and I kind of feel like that is where the direction is moving in that party.

 Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean

The early bird gets the first vote

As the sun rose on Nashville Tuesday Jeremiah Rice and JaNel Chase were already in their black camping chairs, the first two in line to vote at the Hermitage Library.

One of the busiest early voting precincts, the library had a line into the parking lot before 7 a.m.

I was too late the last time and learned from my mistake, Rice said. The last presidential election the line was wrapped around the building by the time I got here at 7.

Chase, who is best friends with Rices wife, said she missed the early voting period.

I knew he was going to be there early so I called and said Ill see you there, she said.Rice didnt think showing up over an hour before polls opened was a ridiculous thing to do when your civic duty is on the line.

There are other countries out there where people cant vote. People of different races, genders, he said. It doesnt matter who you vote for, people died so we can exercise our right to vote.

 Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean

When do polls open?

Polls in Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson and Montgomery counties open at 7 a.m. while in some counties they will open at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m.

WeGo rides free on Election Day

All Election Day rides on WeGo buses in Davidson County will be free, Mayor Freddie O'Connell said in a release. The transit app will provide available route directions to polling sites Tuesday.

Help curb Election Day fraud

Voters can reach the Election Day hotline at 1-877-850-4959. Those witnessing voting fraud are asked to text TN to 45995.

Tennesseans should know their elections remain secure, Secretary of State Tre Hargett said in a statement Monday. These numbers provide easy and direct access to election officials, so voters can have confidence when casting a ballot and know that any potential issue is addressed.

Is mail delivered on Election Day?

Mail carriers and other parcel services are delivering on Election Day. The USPS expects a surge in mail delivery on Election Day as it prepares to deliver ballots.

What is my polling location?

Voters must vote at their assigned precinct on Election Day.

Residents of Davidson County may use the county Polling Place Finder to identify their assigned polling location. Voters may also look up their polling location through the Tennessee Secretary of State website.

What do I need to bring to vote? What IDs are acceptable?

Voters must present an ID with their name and photograph to vote. One example of this is a Tennessee driver license. The following IDs are also acceptable, even if expired:

A United States passport

A photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

A photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government

A United States Military photo ID

A Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo

Sign up: Get election and other breaking news delivered to your email

I forgot my ID. Can I still vote?

Yes. In the case that a voter can't provide an acceptable form of ID, the voter will be issued a provisional ballot.

The voter will then have two business days after Election Day to return to the election commission office and show a valid photo ID. According to the Tennessee Secretary of State, upon returning to the election commission office, the voter will sign an affidavit and a copy of the voters photo ID will be made to be reviewed by the counting board.

Is it too late to register to vote in Tennessee?

Yes, Tennessee does not offer same day voter registration. The last day to register to vote in Tennessee was Oct. 7.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Election live updates in Tennessee: Nashville mayor declares transit win
Young tech professionals in San Francisco turn to $700 sleeping pods to beat sky-high rent

With the average rent in San Francisco hitting $4,000 a month, some residents have found a unique way to cut costs: sleeping pods.

For just $700 a month, residents can rent a pod at Brownstone Share Housing, which includes a twin bed, two fans, a mirror and a curtain for privacy. These compact living spaces allow tech entrepreneurs to live affordably in one of the priciest cities in the U.S., where the cost of living is 70% higher than the national average.

Don't miss

San Francisco  dubbed the AI capital of the world  is a dream destination for ambitious tech founders looking to create the next big start-up. But living in this tech hub is exceedingly expensive; the median home price stands at $1.4 million, while the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is over $4,200 per month.

Those costs are out of reach for entrepreneurs like Ben, who moved into a pod to save money and focus on open-source projects without the burden of high rent.

"I was living in the Presidio before and was kind of looking for cheaper options just so I could keep working on the stuff I wanted to and working on open-source projects," Ben told ABC reporters.

Are pods a smart choice for start-up founders? 

The residents of the pods aren't simply budget-conscious renters; theyre primarily tech entrepreneurs looking to make it in Silicon Valley. With a limited income and big dreams, they're opting for the $700 pods as a temporary solution. Pod resident Ruidi, a University of Illinois graduate, moved to San Francisco with dreams of changing the world.

"Almost everybody is a founder. They want to achieve something greater and build something that creates more impact for society." Ruidi told reporters.

Brownstone Share Housing has faced significant regulatory hurdles in its development. After the pods went viral in 2023, San Franciscos planning department deemed them illegal due to zoning issues. Following a year-long battle and necessary adjustments, including changes to the front entry lock, Brownstone finally secured approval on September 5, 2024.

"There was never anything illegal about the pods, James Stallworth, spokesperson for Brownstone, said to reporters. It's just that we didn't have a change of use because this building used to be [a] bank. So, we went through that process for about a year.
Nadia Ammar, 28, casts her ballot at the Salt Lake County Government Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Election Day is finally here. If you havent already cast your ballot, theres still time  but you only have until polls close at 8 p.m. tonight.

The nation will be watching with bated breath for the outcome of the bitter, deadlocked presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. But even late into the evening (or even further into the week) we may not have a clear picture of a victor, since election officials have warned results could take days to finalize.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the solidly red state of Utah, no upsets or tight races are expected for high-profile congressional and statewide races, since those are often decided during the June primary when Utah Republicans select their party nominees.

However, its possible results for Utahs state and local races may also face delays.

Utahs top election official, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson warned Monday that if the state sees long lines at even just a handful of polling places, that could delay the posting of all election night results. Polls close at 8 p.m., but election night results wont be posted until the last voter in every line has cast their ballot, Hendersons office said in a news release.

County clerks have been instructed not to publish results until every Utahn waiting in line when the polls close has had a chance to vote. Henderson said. We will keep everyone updated if there are any delays and ask for patience as our county officials administer the election.

Voters cast their ballots at the Salt Lake County Government Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Henderson also urged voters to return their ballots as soon as possible if they havent already. The vast majority of voters in Utah, which holds an automatic, statewide by-mail election, have voted by mail, but some voters wait until Election Day to cast their votes in person at polling places.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The sooner you vote, the more robust our initial results will be, Henderson said.

She also issued a reminder that Utah law sets a specific deadline for by-mail ballots: They must be postmarked no later than Monday, so if you havent already mailed your ballot as of Tuesday morning, dont. Instead, drop it off at a designated ballot drop box or hand it to a poll worker at a polling place.

Utahns can find nearby drop box locations by inputting their address on the states election website. The page will also include instructions on the closest polling locations that will be open on Election Day, for voters who prefer to vote in person.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Utah also allows same-day voter registration, so if youre not registered to vote currently its not too late to participate in this election  as long as you show up to a polling place before 8 p.m. Youll need to show identification and documents to prove your residency (visit the states election website for more information on what types of documents youll need), and youll cast a provisional ballot, which county clerks will include in results after theyve verified the corresponding voters identities.

State races to watch

Utah voters  more than half of which are Republicans, with roughly 938,000 active registered voters affiliated with the GOP compared to about 249,000 Democrats  are expected to hand the state to Trump.

[2024 Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.]

Theyll also decide whether Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson will win another four years in the Governors Office, who will replace retiring Sen. Mitt Romney in the U.S. Senate for the next six years, and who will represent the state in the U.S. House for the next two years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The states most high-profile races to watch tonight include races for:

1st Congressional District: Republican incumbent Rep. Blake Moore is being challenged by Democrat Bill Campbell and Libertarian Daniel Cottam.

2nd Congressional District: Republican incumbent Rep. Celeste Maloy is being challenged by Democrat Nathanial Woodward, Constitution candidate Cassie Eeasley, and unaffiliated candidate Tyler Murset.

3rd Congressional District: Republican Sen. Mike Kennedy and Democrat Glenn Wright are competing to take the place of outgoing Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, who is running for U.S. Senate.

4th Congressional District : Incumbent Republican Rep. Burgess Owens is being challenged by Democrat Katrina Fallick-Wang, United Utah candidate Vaughn Cook, and unaffiliated candidate Evan Bullard.

U.S. Senate: Republican Rep. John Curtis is competing against Democrat Caroline Gleich, Independent American Carlton Bowen, and write-in candidate Laird Hamblin.

Governor: Republican incumbent Cox is being challenged by Democratic Rep. Brian King, Libertarian Robert Latham, Independent American Tommy Williams, unaffiliated candidate Tom Tomeny, and write-in candidates Phil Lyman and Charlie Tautuaa.

Attorney General: Republican Derek Brown is competing against Democrat Rudy Bautista, Libertarian W. Andrew McCullough, United Utah candidate Michelle Quist, and unaffiliated candidate Austin Hepworth.

Auditor: Republican Tina Cannon is competing against Democrat Catherine Voutaz and Constitution candidate Jeffrey Ostler.

Treasurer: Republican incumbent Marlo Oaks is being challenged by Democrat Neil Hansen and Utah Forward candidate Miles Pomeroy.

If there are any surprises tonight, its possible we could see thin margins or upsets in some legislative races, with all 75 seats in the Utah House and 15 in the Senate up for reelection.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Although the Utah Legislature has long been controlled by a Republican supermajority, a never-before-seen wave of independent candidates are targeting a handful of legislative districts they see as competitive based off of independent candidate Evan McMullins run against Sen. Mike Lee in 2022.

Thirteen candidates are on the ballot as independents  as in, not affiliated with any party. And that doesnt even count candidates who have aligned with new alternatives like the United Utah Party or the Utah Forward Party. Read Utah News Dispatchs coverage about what races independent candidates are targeting.

Finally, check out Utah News Dispatchs 2024 voter guide to read statements from statewide candidates as you make final-hour decisions before you cast your vote.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Manatee County residents hit the polls by the thousands on Tuesday to vote for president and local candidates in the 2024 General Election.

The county could see a record voter turnout, too, as more than 170,000 voters took advantage of early voting methods to cast ballots ahead of Election Day, according to the Supervisor of Elections Office. As of 7:02 p.m. Tuesday, over 57,000 people have voted in person at their local precinct, according to the latest data, putting the overall turnout at 81.54%.

Tuesdays ballot features key races, including the countrys next president, local candidates and several referendum questions, including whether recreational weed will be legalized in Florida and whether local voters will extend a 1-mill tax to provide additional funding for the School District of Manatee County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 Polls are open: Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. If you are in line by 7 p.m. closing time you will be allowed to vote.

 Precincts: On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned precinct. Visit the Supervisor of Election website at www.VoteManatee.com. There, you can check your voting status, track your ballot, and find out where your assigned precinct is if you dont know where it is on Election Day. Hint: Its printed on your voter ID card, too.

 ID: You must bring a current and valid photo ID with signature with you to the precinct. These may include: a Florida drivers license or Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. United States passport. Military identification. Student identification. For a full list visit Floridas Division of Elections website.

Glover Isom and his 2-year-old son, Stephon, help Ophella Isom inside to vote at the Palmetto Youth Center on Nov. 5, 2024.

Manatee County voters hit the polls

In Palmetto and Bradenton, the presidential race was top of voters minds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its a crucial time. Its time for change, said Glover Isom, who was voting at the Palmetto Youth Center. He pushed his mother Ophelia Isom in a wheelchair so she could vote too.

I dont want Donald Trump to win. I dont think anyone should have immunity for everything, Glover said. Ophelia nodded in agreement.

I voted for Harris. I dont like Trump. I think there will be a war or something if he wins. Hes crazy, said Ronald Rogers, a 72-year-old Palmetto resident and U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Rogers said voting yes on Amendment 3 was also important to him. He said he doesnt think its right for people to be jailed for marijuana possession.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Bradenton, an 81-year-old resident named Roy, who declined to share his last name, said races up and down the ballot were important to him.

Voters outside the Palmetto Youth Center on Nov. 5, 2024.

Roy chose not to share who got his vote. But, pointing to a leg lost during his military service, he said its important for everyone to get out to the polls.

The countrys important to me, Roy said. I get to live in this country. I dont take it for granted. Thats why its important to vote.

Retired teacher Glenna Atkinson said she votes in every election, but this one has many important issues.

The Senate and House races are important, and some of the amendments. Its just amazing how many people are turning out, Atkinson said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A small line trailed out of the building at the Redeemer Lutheran Church where she voted. Atkinson said there was only one ballot machine inside and the line was much longer earlier. But the waiting voters were enthusiastic, Atkinson said.

Every time a new voter comes, they announce it and everybody says Yay! Atkinson said.

Im voting for my rights, to express how I feel, and definitely for women, said Bradenton resident Whitney Gordon, who came out to vote in support of Amendment 4.

Im ready for Trump to be back in office, said 46-year-old Bradenton resident Jade Kastner, who said she was voting for the first time.

Miami Herald reporter Howard Cohen contributed to this report.

Follow www.Bradenton.com for the latest Election Day updates.

A voter heads in to vote at G.T. Bray in Bradenton on Nov. 5, 2024.

Tamara Cornwell and other locals hold signs outside the Church of Hope in Palmetto on Nov. 5, 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A group of residents from Brookdale Palma Sola waits for their ride after voting at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Nov. 5, 2024.

A man hangs a Harris flag outside the building at G.T. Bray in Bradenton on Nov. 5, 2024.

Four Troops, one Explorer Post and one Cub Scout pack volunteered to unload the ballots as they came in after voting at the Manatee Supervisor of Elections Office on Nov. 5, 2024.

Judge Melissa Gould participates in the canvassing board as they verify signatures on mail-in ballots at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office on Nov. 5, 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Workers sort mail-in ballots at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office on Nov. 5, 2024.

Vinola Rodrigues, Jonathan Clendenon and Supervisor of Elections James Satcher watch results come in on Nov. 5, 2024.

Four troops, one Explorer post and one cub scout pack volunteered to unload the ballots as they came in after voting at the Manatee Supervisor of Elections Office on Nov. 5, 2024.

In front of the Supervisor of Elections building in Bradenton on Nov. 5, 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement
The fake bomb threats that shut down two Georgia polling sites on Election Day stemmed from a foreign state actor, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger revealed on Tuesday.

We pretty well dispelled that very quickly, Raffensperger said at a press conference. But we want to make sure everything stays safe. That was this morning, and law enforcement jumped right on that, and we knew it was coming from a foreign state actor.

Five bomb threats were called in to law enforcement officials in the state at two separate voting sites in Union City. Raffensperger added that the non-credible threats affected five to seven different precincts in the key swing state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Outside of these brief interruptions, Election Day has remained quiet, a Fulton County official said at a press conference. We remain ready and prepared to deal with any other potential disruptions.

The FBI said in a statement that it was aware of several bomb threats to voting locations across the country that originated from Russian emails, noting that none of the threats have been credible thus far.

Election integrity is among the FBIs highest priorities, the federal intelligence agency said. We will continue to work closely with our state and local law enforcement partners to respond to any threats to our elections and to protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Election Day is finally here. The presidential candidates spent their last day of campaigning storming swing states, trying to earn every last vote.

The candidates held more than a dozen rallies across five states Monday. Theyre trying to win over those undecided voters who will be heading to the polls Tuesday.

In the first votes of Election Day: a tie. The small town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire carried out its tradition of voting just after midnight.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The results give voice to what the candidates have been saying.

This could be one of the closest races in history, said Vice President Kamala Harris.

Vice President Kamala Harris spent all of Monday in Pennsylvania knocking on doors, stopping at a Puerto Rican restaurant and wrapping up the night in Philadelphia with Oprah and Lady Gaga.

The momentum is on our side, said Harris.

Former president Donald Trump finished his night in Grand Rapids, Michigan after stumping in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

With your vote tomorrow, we can fix every single problem our country faces, said Trump.

Trump told supporters to get to the polls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Look, the balls in our hand. All we have to do is get out the vote, said Trump.

His running mate, Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio.), campaigned in Wisconsin and said the stakes are high.

I want you to think about all of the American citizens who could be living a better life, said Vance.

Harriss running mate, Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), was in Detroit and said the race could come down to one group.

Women all across America are going to send a loud, clear message to Donald Trump, said Walz.

Harris will hold a watch party Tuesday night in Washington, D.C., at Howard University, her alma mater.

Trumps watch party will be in Palm Beach, Florida, where hes also expected to vote Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More than 81 million people voted early in this election. Thats about half the number of all the people who voted in 2020.

Some states reported record levels of early voting.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Election Day is here.

Voters across Florida and the rest of the U.S. will head to the polls  if they didn't mail in a ballot or vote early  today. While many of the names on your ballot depend on where you live, there are some names that are the same across the country, including the choice for the next president of the U.S.

In Florida ,there are six constitutional amendments on the ballot this year, considering new regulations around abortion, marijuana legalization, hunting and fishing in the state and more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here's what time the polls open and close on today in Florida and how to find your voting site. Unlike early voting, you must vote in your assigned precinct on Election Day.

Is today Election Day in Florida?

Yes. Today, Nov. 5, is Election Day not only in Florida, but across the U.S.

What time do the polls open and close today in Florida?

In Florida, the polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

If you are standing in line to vote by 7 p.m., you will still be allowed to vote, according to the Florida Supervisors of Elections website.

Polling times for all 50 states: What time do polls open, close on Election Day?

Where do you vote? How to find your precinct

If you didn't vote early and plan on voting today, you can't cast your vote at any polling location. You can vote only in your precinct, which is determined by your address.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To find which voting location you are supposed to vote at, go to your county's elections website and go to "voter precinct lookup" or "find my precinct."

Heres a list of each Florida county and their corresponding voter precinct lookup links, according to the Florida Division of Elections:

When is Election Day 2024?

The General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Will we know the results on election night in Florida?

Probably, and there will almost certainly be enough votes counted to project the winners. When the polls close, the already-received results will be posted. More will be added as returns come in from around the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But no state can count every vote by election night and results can change days or even weeks later. Votes that will be counted after election day include:

Ballots from absent military and citizens overseas, who have up to 10 days to get their ballots delivered as long as they're postmarked by Election Day.

Provisional ballots cast at polls by voters without proper ID or with minor errors that were later "cured" or verified to be eligible. If additional information is needed, Florida voters have until 5 p.m. the second day after the election to present it.

Ballots that were challenged and later cured and tallied.

Need to see a sample ballot?

You can see a sample ballot on your county's Supervisor of Elections' website. (see the list of websites above or go here.) The races on your ballot all depend on where you live. To see your sample ballot, go to the elections website for your county and enter your address.

What to bring with you to your polling place. What ID is needed to vote?

You'll need to bring some identification with you to vote. Acceptable forms of identification include:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Florida driver license

Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

United States passport

Debit or credit card

Military identification

Student identification

Retirement center identification

Neighborhood association identification

Public assistance identification

Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

A license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to F.S. 790.06

Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.

Your voter information card from the Supervisor of Elections office are not considered valid identification for voting.

If you don't bring an acceptable form of identification, you can still vote, using a provisional ballot. The canvassing board will determine the validity of the ballot according to state statutes.

Early voting closed in Florida on Nov. 3, for most voters

Most voters in Florida cannot vote on Monday, Nov. 4. Early voting ended on Sunday, Nov. 3 for most Florida counties, and there are some exceptions in some Gulf Coast hurricane-damaged areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early voting for Pinellas and Taylor counties was extended to Election Day due to damage and obstacles from Hurricane Milton in an executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

By state law, early voting always starts in Florida at least eight days before an election and typically ends the weekend before the election. But many counties are allowed early voting all the way up to two days before the election, on Sunday, Nov. 3.

How to look up your voter registration status in Florida

Are you registered to vote? The deadline to register in Florida has passed but you can check to make sure you're an active voter before heading to the polls.

You can verify that you're still registered and all the information is correct by going here and entering your name and birth date. Submit the form to see your voter status, address, county, voter ID number, political party and your voter status. "Active" means you are eligible to vote.

How many Floridians are registered to vote in the Nov. 5 election?

As of "book closings" on Oct. 7, there were 13,949,168 people registered to vote in the Nov. 5 election.Breakdown of the five largest groups were:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republicans: 5,499,717

Democrats: 4,421,790

No party affiliation: 3,616,170

Independent Party: 276,467

Libertarian Party: 35,964

 See breakdown of registered voters by county

Compare voter turnout so far in 2024 to 2020 presidential election

During the 2020 presidential election, according to the Election Assistance Commission, there was a 71.8% voter turnout in Florida, broken down by:

On Election Day: 1,942,102 (17.4%)

Mail-in votes: 4,546,895 (40.9%)

Early voting in person: 4,332,912 (38.9%)

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida voting on Election Day: When polls open, close, what you need
Ren Pridgeon has been working and volunteering in various capacities with elections in Raleigh, North Carolina for 48 years. (Photo: Clayton Henkel)

Arriving at John Chavis Community Center, Ren Pridgeon is one of the first faces you see. A Raleigh-Wake Citizens Association volunteer, he beams when tells you he has been poll-greeting in Raleigh for 48 years.

I worked my first election when I was 22-years-old and I just turned 70 last month. Im still doing it, Pridgeon told NC Newsline.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pridgeon has held many roles over many election cycles in Wake County including serving as a chief judge at his precinct, but on this day he was serving as an observer and encouraging people to exercise their right to vote.

Its a privilege to be able to do this. Ive seen a lot of things going on in my years, and a lot of people went through a lot of stuff so that we can be out here, so that we can vote, Pridgeon explained.

People like me, when I vote its for my kids, my grandkids because theres so many things that are on the ballot this time  reducing lunches, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, affordable housing. All those things are coming to play.

Pridgeon said hed like to see more young adults in line this Election Day exercising their right to make their voice and their choice known.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pridgeon, an unaffiliated, pro-life minister, was sporting a Kamala t-shirt and hat this Tuesday afternoon.

I dont vote party. I vote best candidate. And I see her as being the best candidate. I dont like the negativity thats being thrown into the race. I really dont like the name calling. I dont like any of that, he shared.

At 70-years-old, he said he was also moved this election by the issue of reproductive rights.

Because I can only think about my 16-year-old granddaughter. If she was molested or raped, then she should have and her parents should have a choice on whether not to continue or terminate, he said. I also know that circumstances dictate actions. And because of certain circumstances and women should have the right to the actions that they choose.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pridgeon says experience has taught him we may not know the winner of the presidential contest this evening.

Ive seen so many the presidential elections. And they used to be quick, but its so many different parameters now, especially, especially with the mail-in ballots. And what happened in in western North Carolina [with Hurricane Helene] thats going to delay some counts.

But Pridgeon said he is hopeful, always hopeful about democracy. And with any luck, Pridgeon will be back working the polls again in 2026.

Im trying to make two more years, so then I have 50 [years]. Then we pray about it.

The polls close this evening at 7:30 pm. Eligible voters can find their Election Day polling location on the state Board of Elections Voter Search page. Voters who asked for an absentee ballot, but didnt mail it in, should deliver it in person to their county board of elections office before 7:30 this evening, or simply throw it away and go vote in person at their local precinct.
Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Voters throughout the country will face all kinds of weather on election day, with snow and rain forecast for the Northwest, thunderstorms from the Great Lakes to New Orleans, tropical storm activity in Florida and record warm temperatures along the East Coast.

While most voters -- who will determine a slew of contests including the presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris -- will experience mild weather, rain gear is recommended for those standing in lines Tuesday in the swing states of Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as in northwestern Pennsylvania.

One area to watch is the southeastern United States, according to AccuWeather which announced Monday that Tropical Storm Rafael in the Caribbean Sea "has formed and will strengthen into a hurricane in the coming days."

While the hurricane will not impact the United States on election day, it could threaten Florida, Louisiana and Texas later in the week and into the weekend.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"This is going to be a very stormy and impactful week for millions of Americans," said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter. "The Gulf coast of Louisiana to Florida faces the greatest risk of tropical storm impacts later in the week and into the weekend."

In 2020, Palm Beach county residents waited in line for over 2 hours in heavy rain showers to cast their ballots in Delray Beach , Fla. For Election Day this year, most of Florida can expect a chance of showers, forecasters say. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI

For Election Day, most of Florida can expect a chance of showers. The National Weather Service in Mobile, Ala., said Monday there appears to be an "unusually large amount of uncertainty with the movement of this system later in the week."

"Those in lines outdoors waiting to vote on Tuesday will need to be prepared for the threat of lightning and heavy downpours, which could extend from portions of Louisiana and Arkansas northeastward into the middle Mississippi River Valley and Lower Ohio Valley," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski.

In 2020, Palm Beach county residents waited in line for over 2 hours in heavy rain showers to cast their ballots in Delray Beach , Fla. For Election Day this year, most of Florida can expect a chance of showers, forecasters say. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI

While Oklahoma faced flood watches on Monday, rain is also forecast Tuesday for much of the central United States, according to Accuweather, which said as much as 8 to 12 inches of rain could fall in northeast Oklahoma, southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri. Rain is also forecast in Louisiana, eastern Texas and western Arkansas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Morning rain is forecast for swing state Wisconsin, in addition to northern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota, while rain is forecast throughout the day in battleground Michigan.

For the East Coast, Election Day looks much dryer and warmer, with temperatures in the 70s -- and even into the 80s -- forecast for Washington, D.C., and New York.

Most of the West Coast is expected to be dry on Election Day, while voters waiting in lines outside in the Northwest should prepare for cold temperatures, rain and even some snow in the central and southern Rockies. Windy conditions will also make it chilly in parts of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, northeastern Nevada, northern Utah and western Wyoming.

Tuesday's weather could have an effect on voter turnout in some states, as stormy weather "discourages voting on Election Day in the United States, especially among young adults, people who don't vote regularly and voters who tend to support Democrats," according to a report last month in the Journalist's Resource.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dartmouth College professor Yusaku Horiuchi -- who has studied weather and voting in the United States -- disagreed, saying early voting, mail-in ballots and this year's divisive politics could lessen the effect of weather on Election Day.

"Given the extreme polarization of American politics, American voters may go to the polling stations regardless of the weather conditions," Horiuchi said.

Many states with early voting have reported record turnout ahead of Tuesday's election, including in North Carolina.

Other studies show voter turnout could depend on how hard it rains, according to Weathertrends360 Chief Executive Officer Bill Kirk, who said voter turnout drops 2.5% for every inch of rain, regardless of the party.
While tens of millions of early votes have already been cast, there are still millions of Americans who will be heading to the polls on Election Day. Experts predict the 2024 election will be one of the closest in history, with several key states still in contention that could determine the next president.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have been actively campaigning over the past few months in several swing states. This year, seven swing states are in intense competition: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

To win the White House, a candidate needs 270 electoral votes, different combinations from the collective total of 93 electoral votes from these swing states will ultimately determine the winner.

PHOTO: People vote at a public library turned to an early to an early voting polling station in Black Mountain, N.C., Oct. 29, 2024. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, with polling hours varying by state law. Here's an update on three of the seven swing states in the final hours leading up to the election.

In Pennsylvania, young voters ready to make an impact

Pennsylvania, with 19 electoral college votes, is considered the key to the election and many believe the winner of Pennsylvania will become the next president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In this battleground state, ABC News spoke with young voters who believe their vote could significantly impact this election. These voters have observed Harris and Trump competing often in their state.

Both candidates held many stops and rallies on Monday.

Two first-time voters, 18-year-old Isaac Gourley and Caleb Root, will be at one of Pennsylvania's thousands of polling places. They attend Redbank Valley High School in Western Pennsylvania.

They have been listening to both presidential candidates and will decide their vote based on their priorities.

(Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)

"What stuck out to me was just their -- kind of like international -- policy," Gourley said. "You know, how we talk to other people."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to a Tufts University study, about 50% of registered voters 18-29-year-olds voted in the 2020 election  an all-time high. In Pennsylvania, they turned out at a rate even higher than the national average: 54%.

"I pay attention a lot to the economy," Root said.

The rules for counting ballots in Pennsylvania indicate that it may take days to determine the winner. Mailed-in votes cannot be counted until polls open at 7 a.m. on Election Day.

Helene won't stop voters in North Carolina

Despite initial concerns, voter turnout rates in the 25 North Carolina counties hardest hit by Hurricane Helene surpassed statewide early voting averages leading up to Election Day, with more than 760,000 total ballots cast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

North Carolina and its 16 electoral votes are especially crucial in the razor-thin contest between Harris and Trump. According to the latest NYT/Siena College polling, Harris has a narrow lead over Trump in a race that remains too close to call.

In this historic election that hinges on voter turnout, both campaigns are targeting women, the country's largest voting bloc.

An ABC News/Ipsos poll shows a clear gender gap between voters. Trump is up 5 points with male voters, while Harris is up by 11 points with women.

During early voting, young women on the North Carolina State University campus marched to the polls with a pro-choice message, inviting men to join them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I'm really scared that I feel like I don't know the rights I have as a woman, Lizzie Pascal, a student there, said.

Harris leads suburban women voters nationally by 15 points overall; however, Trump has a four-point advantage among white women, according to the latest ABC News/Ipsos poll. That demographic is widely believed to have contributed to his victory in 2016.

Sandy Joiner, president of the Western Wake County Republican Club, has worked to canvass with Republican women competing for state and local seats.

"We have knocked on around 12,000 doors in our area, Joiner said. "And we have, we have knocked all the doors, so we don't have any doors left. So what we're doing now is we're knocking doors in areas that may not have been reached."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The same goals drive these women, whether they are encouraging voters to turn out in storm zones, suburbs or on college campuses. Women are likely to hold the key to determining who ascends to the White House when all the votes are counted on and after election night.

PHOTO: 'I voted' stickers are seen during early voting for the US general election at a polling station at Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Nov. 3, 2024. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)

How Michigan is a must-win for both Trump and Harris

Experts say Michigan is a must-win for both sides, which is why both candidates campaigned extensively across the Great Lakes.

Once part of the Democrats' so-called "blue wall," polling shows that Michigan -- and its 15 electoral votes -- is a tossup.

While early votes show an increase in women and young voters in college towns, one of the groups that was once solidly Democratic is no longer true blue: union members.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

ABC News spoke with Douglas King, an autoworker and UAW member for nearly 30 years. He says the economy, like for so many other Americans, is his top issue.

"I was raised to believe that the Democrats are the party of the working people," King said. "And maybe at one time they were. I don't feel that way now."

Many union leadership endorsed Harris.

In this tightly contested race, the more than 500,000 union workers are crucial for Harris; however, some of them appear to be moving away from voting for the Democratic Party. King, who voted for Barack Obama twice, has decided to support Trump for president for the third time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"People are afraid to say they're voting for Trump because Trump supporters are put in a box, that they're these hateful, racist people that are homophobic, and it's just not true," King said. "Trump has a lot of support on the plant floor."

There are cracks in the old coalition that has consistently voted for Democrats for the past 30 years. However, Trump broke through the blue wall in 2016 by narrowly defeating Hillary Clinton by roughly 10,000 votes in Michigan.

Election Day: Residents in 3 swing states gearing up for historic election originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Democrats appear unlikely to break the supermajority at the Statehouse, even as some of the most competitive races remain uncalled.

State Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, successfully defended his seat against Democrat Trish Whitcomb with a landslide victory.

In House District 39, representing Carmel, Republican Danny Lopez defeated Democrat Matt McNally by a 7-point margin in unofficial results with nearly all of the votes counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile in House District 62, representing Bloomington, incumbent Republican state Rep. Dave Hall is narrowly fending off Democrat Thomas Horrocks by about 2 percentage points with 87 percent of the votes counted.

There were plenty of Statehouse districts with elections this year, but relatively few of them were actually competitive.

Democrats placed their hope of breaking Republicans' Statehouse supermajority on just a few competitive House districts around the state. There are currently 70 Republicans in the House, and if Democrats flip four seats, Republicans would no longer have their two-thirds supermajority.

Wednesday morning, it was not yet clear if they succeeded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here are the races we've been watching in Central Indiana and across the state:

Presedential Election 2024 results: Election Day live updates as Hoosiers head to the polls to vote for president, governor

House District 39

Longtime state Rep. Jerry Torr, R-Carmel, is retiring after nearly 30 years in his seat.

Vying for his slot is Republican Danny Lopez, a Pacers communications executive, and Democrat Matt McNally, an Afghanistan war veteran. The two had been less than a percentage point apart for much of the night, but with 99% of the votes counted, Lopez beat McNally 53.7% to 46.3%.

Lopez is no stranger to Republican politics in Indiana. Now chair of the Governor's Workforce Cabinet, he used to be Gov. Eric Holcomb's chief of staff, and he also previously worked for former U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, former Vice President Mike Pence and former Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As a new candidate in 2022, McNally ran a remarkably close race against Torr, considering Torr's standing in the Statehouse. The loss by only 5 percentage points is what made this year's election one to watch in purple Hamilton County.

House District 69

Republican Rep. Jim Lucas has comfortably held his seat representing portions of Jackson, Bartholomew, Jennings, Scott and Washington counties since 2012. And he will continue to do so, winning Tuesday night over Democrat Trish Whitcomb 69% to 31%.

Lucas has had no shortage of controversies that have rattled Republican leadership, including a history of posting racist memes on social media and pleading guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the crash scene.

This election season, he's faced a challenger in Whitcomb, whose campaign is unabashedly an anti-Lucas one. She's the daughter of former Republican Gov. Edgar D. Whitcomb, former executive director of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association and previously managed Glenda Ritz's successful 2012 campaign for state schools superintendent.

House District 62

Republican state Rep. Dave Hall is seeking to defend his seat that represents all of Brown County and portions of Monroe and Jackson counties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With 87% of the votes counted as of 7:50 a.m., Hall is ahead of Democratic challenger Thomas Horrocks 51.1% to 48.9%. That's fewer than 800 votes.

Hall is a corn and soybean farmer who also owns his own crop insurance business. He won the seat in 2022 by less than one percentage point over his Democratic opponent, Penny Githens.

Horrocks is a member of the Army National Guard and a former pastor.

House District 71

Former state Rep. Rita Fleming, D-Jeffersonville, barely defended her seat in 2022 against Republican Scott Hawkins, a teacher and Jefferson city councilor who lost by less than 300 votes.

Fleming, a moderate Democrat by today's standards, stepped down before the end of her term this year. A caucus of party insiders selected Wendy Dant Chesser, legislative chair of the Indiana Economic Development Association, to fill out the rest of her term.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dant Chesser is facing both Hawkins and Libertarian Gregory Hertzsch of Clarksville but few votes have been counted in the race so far.

Indiana voter guide: Who's running for Congress, Statehouse, governor, AG and school board

Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X:@kayla_dwyer17

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Jim Lucas keeps his seat, newcomer Danny Lopez wins in Statehouse races
In the age of social media, it's tempting to snap a picture of your ballot or a selfie in the voting booth to share with friends. But in Tennessee, you should avoid taking any pictures while voting.

Other states allow voters to take pictures of their ballots, which is why you may have seen images of friends or influencers with their ballots online. But, Tennesee law prohibits any pictures or video recording inside a polling location on Election Day.

This legislation accompanies many other rules on when and how voters can use their phones at the polls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here's what you should know before casting your ballot.

People vote on the first day of early voting at the Downtown West polling location, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024.

Why can't I take a picture at the polls in Tennessee?

Tennessee Revised Code Section 2-7-142 bans "using the device for telephone conversations, recording, or taking photographs or videos" inside the polling place.

Can I take pictures outside a polling location?

Yes! Pictures and recordings are only prohibited while voters are in the room where votes are cast. So, feel free to take pictures and show off your "I voted" sticker once you leave the voting booth.

The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee is serving as an early voting site for Knox County for four days from October 28-31, 2024.

What states allow pictures in the voting booth?

Laws about taking photos in the voting booth vary widely across the United States. There are 27 states that allow voters to snap a picture of their ballot. However, each state also has its own rules on where voters can share the images.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pennsylvania

Michigan

New Mexico

Hawaii

California

Oregon

Colorado

Oklahoma

Utah

North Dakota

Kansas

Arkansas

Indiana

Kentucky

Alabama

Virginia

Rhode Island

Vermont

New Hampshire

Maine

Delaware

Idaho

Wyoming

Iowa

Minnesota

Nebraska

Washington

Can I text or make calls while voting?

The law prohibits phone calls while voters are in the room where they cast their vote. However, voters are welcome to text or use their phone in any other way, according to Jeff Roberts, administer of elections for Davidson County.

Election officials at your polling location may also ask you to silence your phone, depending on your polling location. This is not the case in Davidson County.

People wait in line on the first day of early voting at the Downtown West polling location, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024.

Can I share who I voted for?

Absolutely! Everyone has the right to share how they cast their ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On the other hand, if you don't want to disclose how you voted, that information will remain private, according to an NPR report. No spouse, family member, coworker or otherwise will know who you voted for unless you tell them.

USA Today Reporter Sam Woodward contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Can I use my phone while voting? Take a picture? Election rules in TN
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  As midnight approached, South Dakota election officials continue to count large amounts of ballots across the state.

As of 11 p.m. less than 50% of all voting precincts were reporting. Minnehaha County remains at less than 5% of votes reported, with just 5,907 ballots tallied four hours after polls closed.

State Wide Results | State Senate Results | State House Results | National Results Map

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

KELOLAND News caught up with Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson at 7:30 p.m., and despite a slow start to the ballot count, she was in positive spirits.

Republican Donald Trump wins South Dakota

Watching the four tabulation machines from the viewing area, there were many stops and a slow progression. Its ballots that have to go to resolution (ballots with questionable markings) and it just takes a while, said Anderson.

At 11:15 p.m., U.S. Sen. John Thune released a statement about Republicans reclaiming the Senate Majority.

The Biden-Harris administration has forced the American people to endure four years of high prices, open borders, and chaos on the world stage, Thune said in a written statement. Tonight, with Republicans reclaiming majority control of the U.S. Senate, we can begin to turn the page on this expensive and reckless chapter of American history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As we wait for additional results, I am optimistic that President Trump will be successful, our majority will grow stronger, and we can continue our work together to create a safer and more secure country for every American, Thune said in a statement.

3:55 p.m.

According to the South Dakota Secretary of State, theres 624,186 registered voters for the 2024 General Election. The largest county is Minnehaha County where theres 136,817 registered voters. The next biggest county is Pennington County with more than 90,000 registered voters.

At noon, Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson told KELOLAND News she expects arounds 30,000 absentee ballots to be processed Tuesday and workers hope to start counting absentee ballots mid-afternoon Tuesday.

7 a.m. polls open

There are a number of statewide races to be decided including U.S. President, U.S. House of Representative, Public Utilities Commissioner, South Dakota Supreme Court Justice retention and seven statewide ballot measures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theres also local legislative and county-wide issues in some areas of the state. Before you go to vote, find a sample ballot on the South Dakota Secretary of States website.

U.S. President

There are four candidates on South Dakotas ballot for U.S. President  Democrat Kamala Harris, Republican Donald Trump, Libertarian Chase Oliver and Independent Robert Kennedy Jr.

Economic promises from the Presidential Debate

KELOLAND News looked at both economic plans for Trump and Harris after the ABC News Presidential Debate in early September.

In 2020, Trump won South Dakota with more than 60% of the vote (62%-36%) and he won in 2016 with 62% of the vote (62%-32%).

U.S. House

For South Dakotas lone U.S. House seat, Republican Dusty Johnson and Democrat Sheryl Johnson are the two options on the ballot. Both candidates sat down with KELOLAND News to discuss issues facing South Dakota and the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sheryl said one of the reasons she decided to run was on the issue of abortion. During one of her own pregnancies, her baby had fetal abnormalities and a procedure was needed. She said she wants women to have that same care now and that the states shouldnt decide a womans choice.

I dont think womens rights should vary depending on what state they live in, she said. I dont think the state should have the power to make the decision for women on what happens to their body in their reproductive or health care decisions.

Dusty doesnt support a federal abortion ban either, however he does believe the states should make the decision on abortion access.

One of the things that Dobbs decision did is really return this power to the citizens, Dusty said. I got to admit when the left acted like the world was ending because of the Dobbs decision, I was frankly a little taken aback. I mean, what the Dobbs decision did is that we should not have nine old people in black robes make this decision. We should let the people of South Dakota make this decision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He also said he would be voting no on Amendment G, South Dakotas abortion ballot measure.

7 statewide ballot measures

Amendment E proposes an elimination of references to men regarding various state offices and, by so doing, make the Constitution more open to women and men alike. It would remove gender referenced in the constitution.

Amendment F would further amend the South Dakota Constitution so that the state government could place work requirements on many of the adults enrolled in Medicaid benefits under the expanded eligibility.

A yes vote on Amendment G would support South Dakota providing a state constitutional right to an abortion under a specific framework.

Amendment H would eliminate partisan primaries such as Democratic Party or Republican Party primaries within the state. Rather, voters would vote for whatever candidate they like in an open primary, and the top two voters would face off in the general election, regardless of which party they belong to.

IM 28, if passed, would begin the process to remove the sales tax from some items meant for human consumption.

IM 29 is a ballot measure intended to legalize adult-use recreational marijuana in the state of South Dakota.

Referred Law 21 is Senate Bill 201 which passed the State Legislature in 2024. The state Attorney General said the law allows counties to impose a $1 per foot surcharge on carbon dioxide pipelines, requires CO2 pipelines to be buried at a minimum depth and requires that business operations must be started within five years of the easement. A yes vote on Referred Law 21 would allow the bill to become law.

A poll conducted by Emerson College for KELOLAND/The Hill of South Dakota voters indicates that five of the ballot measures face an uphill battle. Check out those poll results here.

3 candidates for Public Utilities Commission

Republican Kristie Fiegen of Sioux Falls, Libertarian Gideon Oakes of Keystone and Democrat Forrest Wilson of Lead. The election is for a six-year term. Fiegen currently holds the seat. KELOLAND News Capitol Bureau reporter Bob Mercer asked each of the candidates the same questions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

3 seek election as state utilities regulator

South Dakota legislature candidates

While all 105 seats for the South Dakota Legislature are up for election, you may live in a district with only one legislative candidate.

Republicans currently hold a 31-4 majority in the Senate and a 63-7 majority in the House. Republicans are unopposed for 17 Senate seats and are guaranteed to win at least 35 House seats. Democrats on the other hand have one unopposed Senate seat and two unopposed House seats.

One Democrat, Liz Larson in District 10 in Sioux Falls, is lone candidate for the Senate and the Democratic Party is guaranteed at least two seats in the House.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The legislatures current breakdown is 94 Republicans and 11 Democrats between the two chambers.

Pipeline issue could decide GOPs legislative leaders

KELOLANDs Bob Mercer looked at how Tuesdays election could impact who will be legislative leaders for the 2025 session.

South Dakota voter numbers

As of Nov. 1, 2024, there were 624,153 total voters in the state, with 63,898 listed as inactive.

Heres the breakdown:

Republicans: 316,474 registered voters

Democrats: 145,998 registered voters

Independents: 90,374 registered voters

NPA (no party affiliation): 67,294 registered voters

Libertarians: 2,975 registered voters

Other: 961 registered voters

Election monitoring

The United States Justice Department will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in three counties on the Pine Ridge Reservation and in Minnehaha County for the Nov. 5 election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition, Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Ann M. Hoffman will lead the efforts of her Office in connection with the Justice Departments nationwide Election Day Program.

Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote

counted in a fair and free election, U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell said in a news release. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the integrity of the election process and bringing to justice those who seek to corrupt it.

On Election Day, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day to receive questions

and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws. Reports may be made through the departments website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931. The U.S. Attorneys Office will also be available to receive complaints on Election Day at (605) 838-9446.

Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the departments toll-free ADA information hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the departments ADA website at www.ada.gov.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Complaints related to any disruptions at a polling place should always be reported to local election officials (including officials based in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. These complaints should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Ever had the feeling that you cant make sense of whats happening? One moment everything seems normal, then suddenly the frame shifts to reveal a world on fire, struggling with war, climate change and political violence and upheaval.

Thats zozobra, the peculiar form of anxiety that comes from being unable to settle into a single point of view, leaving you with questions like: Is it a lovely autumn day, or an alarming moment of converging historical catastrophes?

On the eve of a general election in which the outcome  and aftermath  is unknown, it is a condition that many Americans may be experiencing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As scholars of this phenomenon, we have noted how zozobra has spread in U.S. society in recent years.

Now, in 2024, as crisis fatigue and disorientation are eroding many peoples capacity to believe that life will ever return to normal again, we believe these insights from Mexican philosophy are more relevant than ever.

Ever since the conquest and colonization of the valley of Mexico by Hernan Cortes, Mexicans have had to cope with wave after wave of profound social and spiritual disruption  wars, rebellions, revolution, corruption, dictatorship and now the threat of becoming a narco-state. Mexican philosophers have had more than 500 years of uncertainty to reflect on, and they have important lessons to share.

Zozobra and the wobbling of the world

The word zozobra is an ordinary Spanish term for anxiety but with connotations that call to mind the wobbling of a ship about to capsize. The term emerged as a key concept among Mexican intellectuals in the early 20th century to describe the sense of having no stable ground and feeling out of place in the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This feeling of zozobra is commonly experienced by people who visit or immigrate to a foreign country: the rhythms of life, the way people interact, everything just seems off  unfamiliar, disorienting and vaguely alienating.

According to the philosopher Emilio Uranga (1921-1988), the telltale sign of zozobra is wobbling and toggling between perspectives, being unable to relax into a single framework to make sense of things. As Uranga describes it in his 1952 book Analysis of Mexican Being:

Zozobra refers to a mode of being that incessantly oscillates between two possibilities, between two affects, without knowing which one of those to depend on  indiscriminately dismissing one extreme in favor of the other. In this to and fro the soul suffers, it feels torn and wounded.

What makes zozobra so difficult to address is that its source is intangible. It is a soul-sickness not caused by any personal failing, nor by any of the particular events that we can point to.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Instead, it comes from cracks in the frameworks of meaning that we rely on to make sense of our world  the shared understanding of what is real and who is trustworthy, what risks we face and how to meet them, what basic decency requires of us and what ideals our nation aspires to.

In the past, many people in the U.S. took these frameworks for granted  but no longer.

The gnawing sense of distress and disorientation many Americans are feeling is a sign that at some level, they now recognize just how necessary and fragile these structures are.

The need for community

Another Mexican philosopher, Jorge Portilla (1918-1963), reminds us that these frameworks of meaning that hold our world together cannot be maintained by individuals alone. While each of us may find our own meaning in life, we do so against the backdrop of what Portilla described as a horizon of understanding that is maintained by our community. In everything we do, from making small talk to making big life choices, we depend on others to share a basic set of assumptions about the world. Its a fact that becomes painfully obvious when we suddenly find ourselves among people with very different assumptions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In our book on the contemporary relevance of Portillas philosophy, we point out that in the U.S., people increasingly have the sense that their neighbors and countrymen inhabit a different world. As social circles become smaller and more restricted, zozobra deepens.

In his 1949 essay, Community, Greatness, and Misery in Mexican Life, Portilla identifies four signs that indicate when the feedback loop between zozobra and social disintegration has reached critical levels.

First, people in a disintegrating society become prone to self-doubt and reluctance to take action, despite how urgently action may be needed. Second, they become prone to cynicism and even corruption  not because they are immoral but because they genuinely do not experience a common good for which to sacrifice their personal interests. Third, they become prone to nostalgia, fantasizing about returning to a time when things made sense. In the case of America, this applies not only to those given to wearing MAGA caps; everyone can fall into this sense of longing for a previous age.

And finally, people become prone to a sense of profound vulnerability that gives rise to apocalyptic thinking. Portilla puts it this way:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We live always simultaneously entrenched in a human world and in a natural world, and if the human world denies us its accommodations to any extent, the natural world emerges with a force equal to the level of insecurity that textures our human connections.

In other words, when a society is disintegrating, fires, floods and tornadoes seem like harbingers of apocalypse.

Coping with the crisis

Naming the present crisis is a first step toward dealing with it. But then what is to be done?

Portilla suggests that national leaders can exacerbate or alleviate zozobra. When there is a coherent horizon of understanding at the national level  that is to say, when there is a shared sense of what is real and what matters  individuals have a stronger feeling of connection to the people around them and a sense that their society is in a better position to deal with the most pressing issues. With this solace, it is easier to return attention to ones own small circle of influence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Uranga, for his part, suggests that zozobra actually unifies people in a common human condition. Many prefer to hide their suffering behind a happy facade or channel it into anger and blame. But Uranga insists that honest conversation about shared suffering is an opportunity to come together. Talking about zozobra provides something to commune over, something on which to base a love for one another, or at least sympathy.

This is an updated version of an article originally published on Nov. 2, 2020.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Carlos Alberto Sanchez, San Jose State University and Francisco Gallegos, Wake Forest University

Read more:



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
This ballot drop box outside the Michael E. Busch branch of the Anne Arundel County Public Library is one of 280 around the state. Photo by Bryan P. Sears.

Marylands top election official said voters can be confident in the security of the states mail-in voting system, brushing back issues raised over the weekend by state Republican Party officials.

The party statement Sunday followed an incident last week when an official with the Carroll County Republican Central Committee tailed the countys election director, as she picked up ballots from a drop box and drove them back to the county election board offices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The state party letter demanded that state election officials change their chain-of-custody rules to follow a set of national best practices for collection of ballots from the states 280 drop boxes.

State Election Administrator Jared DeMarinis said the 24 local boards of election already follow those guidelines, but that there is flexibility for smaller jurisdictions.

Transportation of mail-in ballots is handled by professionals whether its postal workers, election directors, or election staff, DeMarinis said. Voters can feel confident in the transportation of those ballots back to the office under the chain-of-custody policies and procedures of the state board elections.

That same Carroll County election official who was tailed sought a peace order against the county central committee who followed her from the ballot box location to the election board offices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

State Republicans said the Carroll County incident last week highlighted potential risks of insufficient chain of custody protections over mail-in ballots.

There are serious security and integrity concerns associated with having an individual election worker transport ballots in their personal vehicle, the Republicans said in a statement. As such, the Maryland Republican Party is calling on the State Board of Elections to make changes to their ballot drop box transportation practices.

Republicans called for the state and local boards immediately alter their policies on ballot transportation to comply with these EAC (Election Assistance Commission) best practices and require that all ballots retrieved from drop boxes be monitored and transported by bipartisan teams of election workers or poll watchers.

It is critical that Marylanders have full confidence in the accuracy of the November 5th election results, and the integrity of our voting system in 2024 and beyond, Republican Party Chairwoman Nicole Beus Harris said in the statement. Accountability and scrutiny from bipartisan teams of poll watchers or workers must be present wherever it is feasible. These practices must be changed, immediately, to ensure a proper chain of custody and enhanced integrity at our states ballot drop boxes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The EAC, in a seven-page white paper, recommends the use of bipartisan teams to pick up ballots deposited in drop box. But the best practices also include language suggesting that election officials may also transport the ballots.

Each county has different challenges. The collection of ballots has to be reflective of the county environment, DeMarinis said. We have county offices where the staff is three. You have others where theres 60 or 70 people. You have to be flexible to the extent practicable for the collection.

As of Monday, more than 300,000 ballots from around the state had been returned using the U.S. Postal Service. Another 287,000 were returned using the 280 drop boxes around the state, according to DeMarinis.

For more than a month, election officials have been receiving ballots by mail or collecting them from drop boxes. To be counted, mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 5 or dropped in a drop box by 8 p.m. that same day. Any ballot returned by mail must be received in the elections office by 10 a.m. Nov. 15 to be counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DeMarinis said there are chain-of-custody procedures governing ballots that are traceable and auditable. Additionally, each party is given a list of ballot requests made by voters. Those lists are used during ballot canvassing where watchers from each party can challenge a ballot if there is a question, said DeMarinis.

The entire process is open and transparent, he said. Watchers, observers and challengers have always had access to where votes and voting has occurred. Theyre at polling places. Theyre at early voting centers. Theyre at the canvas. Additionally, the board of canvassers is made up of representatives from those political parties.

You have all these checks and balances in the system to make sure that it is safe and secure and that it is an accurate reflection of Marylands will, DeMarinis said.
As Americans head to the polls this week, they will contend with two competing realities of modern electoral politics. Voting is more secure than ever, thanks to increasingly stringent election security measures taken by state and local officials. At the same time, the persistent, ambient threats of political violence and widespread misinformation have inculcated a culture of fear and distrust for many voters.

Local authorities have beefed up security around the thousands of election centers across the country, including security fencing and rooftop snipers, additional law enforcement presence around polling places with officers wearing bulletproof vests, and heightened surveillance around ballot boxes and voting centers. The National Guard is on standby in Oregon and Washington statewhere two ballot boxes were set on fire last weekand in Nevada, in case of election-related unrest.

Going into Election Day, the highest priority is really making sure not only election workers are safe but the voters and the poll workers on Election Day are safe, said Kim Wyman, the former Washington secretary of state and former senior election security adviser for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA. So the things that youre hearing about, from bulletproof glass to panic buttons in the polling places, are designed to keep that whole experience safe and secure for everyone participating.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These actions are in large part a response to the proliferation of baseless claims of voter fraud in the wake of the 2020 election, championed by former President Donald Trump. In the run-up to this years election, misinformation about election securityincluding conspiracies promoted by foreign actorsis running rampant on social media sites, most notably X, which is owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Early voting has already been subject to disruption, from the arson of ballot boxes in Oregon and Washington state to the punching of a poll worker in Texas.

Officials anticipate that the effort to spread misinformation will only heat up over the course of what will be a tense Election Day. As Politicos Olivia Beavers reported Monday night, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, in concert with the FBI and CISA, issued a joint statement: Since our statement on Friday, the IC has been observing foreign adversaries, particularly Russia, conducting additional influence operations intended to undermine public confidence in the integrity of U.S. elections and stoke divisions among Americans. The IC expects these activities will intensify through election day and in the coming weeks, and that foreign influence narratives will focus on swing states. Russia is the most active threat.

But Rachel Orey, the director of the Bipartisan Policy Center Election Project, noted that any election interference efforts, whether domestic or foreign, havent been successful at scale. We havent seen any documented instances wherein an external group has been able to successfully either compromise an election system or significantly interfere with election operations, Orey said. That is a testament to the preparation that election officials have been putting in for the last four years.

Officials and experts are also quick to note that actors spreading misinformation and conspiracies are not reflecting the reality of voting; rather, their most potent potential effect is in warping the perception of voting. Recent polling by Pew Research Center found that while the majority of Americans are confident that elections will be run well this year, Harris supporters are more likely than Trump supporters to believe that election systems are secure from hacking and technological threats. Polling by the Bipartisan Policy Center and Morning Consult has also found that 80 percent of voters believe that their vote will be counted accurately, an increase from last year, although Democrats and independents are more likely to be very or somewhat confident than Republicans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voter confidence is stubborn, Orey explained. However, a person is more likely to trust the results of an election if their preferred candidate wins, and they can also be swayed by the rhetoric from elites. The way that people in power, the way that candidates, the way that the media talks about election outcomes, does influence how the public perceives them, Orey said. If a voter is an enthusiastic supporter of Trump and only watches conservative media, for example, they may be less likely to believe their vote will be accurately counted, regardless of the reality.

But voters should feel confident their ballots are secure, said Gowri Ramachandran, the director of elections and security in the Brennan Centers Elections and Government program. We estimate 98 percent of voters are going to vote using a paper ballot. There will be a paper record of their vote that theyre able to verify, make sure it has all the correct choices on it before they cast that ballot, Ramachandran said. The decentralized nature of American elections can also ensure that voting machines are safer from any foreign interference efforts.

However, Ramachandran continued, human error existsand that doesnt indicate anything nefarious. Small glitches can happen. Some of these ballot scanners, they can have paper jams. Theres about 130,000 polling places across the United States, she explained. But there are also resiliency measures, and the presence of minor glitches doesnt mean the overall election is not secure, she said.

Orey also emphasized that submitting a ballot via a ballot box is also largely secure, despite the incidents in Oregon and Washington. Election officials have processes in place to minimize harm should additional interference occur, Orey said. We know that voters are worried about political violence going into Election Day, but instances of political violence are isolated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The period before and after Election Day may be more at risk than Election Day itself. Rachel Brown, the founder and executive director of Over Zero, an organization that studies the interaction between communication and political violence, said that violence ahead of an election is typically intended to deter certain groups from voting, while postelection violence can be used to attempt to contest results.

We know the dates that are relevant in the process and are able to anticipate where, where that might happen. But in a close election, we could see the use of violence or intimidation to attempt to sway how the results are processed, said Brown. State executives must certify their states slate of electors by December 11, and the Electoral College results are set to be certified on January 6, 2025.

Ramachandran identified the attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters on January 6, 2021, in an effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election, as an attack on election officials, given the role that members of Congress play on that date in tabulating and confirming election results. But she also recalled the efforts to intimidate local election officials after the 2020 election, when ballot-counting centers faced protests.

Given the expected closeness of the presidential election and the lengthy period of time that some states take in tabulating results, the ultimate outcome may not be clear for days. Election officials have cautioned that this is to be expected and is not indicative of any issues or wrongdoing. Experts are also encouraging voters to stay critical of potential misinformation on the safety of voting; essentially, dont take the bait.

Do not fall for the rampant fake videos, false information, and conspiracy theories that are flooding all our social media channelsif you see something that seems unbelievable, it is probably because it should not be believed, said Kathy Boockvar, the former Pennsylvania secretary of state.
RENO, Nev.  In this swing county of Washoe, in the swing state of Nevada, intense scrutiny is focused on the election process after years of staff turmoil, denial of the 2020 results, bitter lawsuits, and criticism of how ballots are cast and counted.

But experts say that the nation's election infrastructure is strong: Even in places like this where there has been substantial turnover election officials are trained up, prepared and ready to count votes.

On Monday, they came in a steady stream, a man in a flag shirt and MAGA hat and a woman in sandals carrying a Harris-Walz sign among them, dropping off ballots and picking the next president of the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tens of millions of Americans have already voted, and tens of millions more are now casting ballots for either former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris in a nail-biter of an election.

Many election offices nationally have seen significant staff changes since 2020 after Trump challenged the results and hostility toward election workers reached a fever pitch. Federal prosecutors have arrested, charged and convicted dozens of people for making death threats against workers, and elections offices across the country have been mailed envelopes containing white powder and threats.

The day before Election Day, however, the Washoe County elections office showed no sign of its challenges, which include a complete staff turnover since 2020, and more recently, the abrupt departure of the interim registrar who said she was forced out by county officials in September. County officials declined to comment on the reason for her absence and said other staff is filling in.

Washoe County Deputy Registrar of Voters Andrew McDonald speaks to reporters on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, to discuss Election Day preparations.

"We haven't skipped a beat," said George Guthrie, a spokesman for the Washoe County elections division, citing the work of newly hired staff. "They know what they have to get done and thats what we've been doing."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A 50-state analysis by the Bipartisan Policy Center found that, even in jurisdictions that have seen turnover, election officials are well-prepared to administer the election.

The center noted that in jurisdictions with recent turnover, new chief election officials have taken the helm with an average of eight years experience in election administration.

They've also had had access to extensive training by national and state election official associations, said Tammy Patrick, chief program officer at the National Association of Election Officials.

It's not whether the election will be accurate and legitimate or whether they will administer it properly, Patrick said. I have no doubt that will happen, because there are so many checks and balances in the system.

Observers watch election workers handle ballots during early voting at the Washoe County Administration Complex in Reno on Oct. 29, 2024.

Nevada Election Results 2024: Live updates, maps for every state race

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Around Reno and across Washoe County, candidates and their surrogates are battling for votes, with billboards looming overhead and yard signs festooning medians, and back-to-back radio ads painting the other side as extremists.

Inside the elections department, partisan observers are watching processing with binoculars from within a glass-fronted observation chamber, built so that they can't physically harass workers.

And not everyone is confident in the county's process. Washoe County Commissioner Mike Clark told USA TODAY he has significant concerns about the reliability of the election, given the former registrar's abrupt departure and lack of public explanation. He called her absence "very poor timing," and called for an investigation. Clark has repeatedly raised concerns about the process by which the county sends out mail ballots and tallies votes.

Election workers sort and handle ballots during early voting at the Washoe County Administration Complex in Reno on Oct. 29, 2024.

In a sign of how heated things are, a Washoe County voting site manger used her panic button to call 911 several days ago after a voter initially refused to remove a political hat when he entered the polling site, county officials said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Workers asked the man to remove his hat and when he refused, other voters who apparently shared his sentiment "kind of ganged up" on the site manager, and she pressed the button, said Washoe County Deputy Registrar of Voters Andrew McDonald.

Eventually, he said "they calmed down and were able to vote."

In an era where any error  real or imagined  can be exploited to undermine voter confidence, Patrick said she remains concerned.

"People have been excited and enthusiastic" at the voting booths, she said. "Hopefully any issues will be limited, and they won't be severe. We know that law enforcement stands ready, and justice will be swift."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Election officials are ready to count votes, despite threats
Battleground state election officials say their offices have prepared for a swift certification process  and warn of consequences for any county officials who try to disrupt it.

Some states have already drafted legal filings and are ready to immediately head to court to force any county to certify its results if it tries not to. Others are threatening criminal prosecution for local officials who delay the process  pointing to a handful of cases already underway.

The effort to preempt county-level certification fights comes amid fears that allies of Donald Trump would try to overturn the election if he loses. The former president has ramped up attacks on the election system  particularly in the swing state of Pennsylvania  and a handful of counties have tried to refuse certifying their results in recent elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you dont certify an election at the county level, or certify a canvas, youre going to get indicted, said Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. Weve sent, on top of that, some what I would call sternly-worded letters out to folks to let them know.

Election certification had long been a publicly overlooked part of the process, with local and state officials affirming the results of the election long after the winner was known. The important but largely clerical function was thrust into the spotlight after Trump lost in 2020 and his allies desperately looked for ways to keep him as president.

In 2020, Republican members of Wayne County, Michigan, which includes Detroit, briefly voted not to certify results  under pressure from Trump himself  before abruptly changing course. In 2022, a few counties in Arizona, Pennsylvania and New Mexico initially did not certify results or did so with incomplete results.

Officials and watchdog groups fear those incidents were only a dress rehearsal should Trump lose the election Tuesday. In the last four years, more than 30 county officials have voted to either block or delay certification, according to a report from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a liberal watchdog group  with worries that many more local officials are quietly waiting in the wings to do the same in the upcoming weeks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Election officers from across the country say theyve been preparing contingency plans if a county tries to slow down certification. Top election officials in battleground states say theyve game-planned various options and warned potential defectors of consequences if they try to gum up the certification process.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said attorneys have already prepared draft legal filings to sue any county that tries to not certify.

We've got great attorneys that we're working with at the attorney generals office, who are prepared as well, who were there in 2020 and ready to go, she said. It's more about just making sure we're able to rapidly respond and are prepared to ensure that the law is followed.



Fontes told POLITICO that his office held several meetings with the governors and attorney generals offices to prepare a response.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gabriel Sterling, the chief operating officer of the Georgia secretary of states office, said in a September briefing with the Center for Election Innovation & Research, it was a myth that a single county could hold up a state  or the nation.

There are those who think they can magically hold up everything by one county  That is not going to happen, and the courts wont allow for that, he said. If needed, he said, the state would seek a court order to compel officials to certify the votes.

With the system we have in place, with the lawyers we have in place, we have game-planned a lot of this out, he added.

State election officials stress that certifying elections is a ministerial function  local election officials are duty-bound to certify results, and that it is not optional.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some of the confidence from election officials stems from the judiciary: Courts have repeatedly ordered county officials to certify their results in recent years. In New Mexico, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver sued after the Otero Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously after the 2022 primary to not certify results, citing unfounded conspiracy theories about the use of Dominion voting equipment. The state Supreme Court ordered the next day that the county certify results. Pennsylvania that year also successfully sued three counties amid a certification fight over which mail ballots to count.

This year, watchdogs and officials say, there have already been some reassuring early rulings from state courts that should make it clear to local officials that their obligation to certify is not discretionary and must be done.

A Republican member of the Fulton County, Georgia, board of registration and elections sued seeking a ruling that her duties as a board member were discretionary. She instead got the exact opposite, with a state judge declaring that certification is mandatory.

And a different Georgia judge blocked a rule instituted by Trump allies on the state board of elections that would have required county officials to conduct a reasonable inquiry  left undefined  before certifying the results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fontes, the Arizona secretary of state, tried to put a rule in the states elections procedure manual that would have allowed him to certify statewide results even if a county refused to certify  what he called the nuclear option.

The Trump-aligned America First Policy Institute sued to toss that rule out and won, with a federal judge warning in September that such a move could disenfranchise voters in those counties. Arizona appealed the decision recently, which wont impact this years election.

But Fontes described that court ruling as a pyrrhic victory because the judge was very, very direct and adamant in his ruling about saying that this is a ministerial duty and it is a statutory duty and that local officials must certify.

Benson, the Michigan secretary of state, said that although laws have been clear since before 2020 that these roles are ministerial, a sweeping voting-related ballot measure in 2022 and related tweaks to the law reaffirmed and clarified that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

State officials also point to penalties that local officials who have delayed or refused to certify have faced as a powerful deterrent.

Two county supervisors in Arizona who sought to delay certification in 2022 were criminally charged, and one pleaded guilty in October to a misdemeanor.

Election officials say that after 2020, theyre better prepared to deal with post-election challenges to the final result  regardless of who may win.

We are planning for the worst, but hoping for the best, said Toulouse Oliver, the New Mexico secretary of state. We are thinking a lot more about this in 2024 than we did in 2020.
It's Election Day, Michigan. Which means we should know the winner of the U.S. presidential race in this battleground state before bedtime, right?

Don't count on it! Or, it may depend on what time you go to bed.

Voting in Michigan this year was a kind of choose your own adventure. It was the second presidential election in which every voter had the right to cast an absentee ballot for any reason. It was the first time in a presidential election voters could cast a ballot early in-person. And on Election Day Tuesday, voters who haven't weighed in yet, have until 8 p.m. local time to head to their polling place. If you're in line by 8 p.m. you still can vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: 5 counties in Michigan that saw the most early voters

When will we know election results in Michigan?

When the polls close at 8 p.m. local time, election officials can begin reporting out unofficial election results. Four counties in Michigan's Upper Peninsula are on Central Time, while the rest of the state is on Eastern Time.

While results will start pouring in when the polls close, the outcome of any race may not be clear for awhile. It depends on how close the race is and how many voters return their absentee ballots on Election Day. Voters have until 8 p.m. Tuesday to return their absentee ballots to a drop box in their jurisdiction, their local clerk's office or their polling place where they can insert their absentee ballot into the tabulator (Detroit is the only community where voters don't have this option).

Detroit Free Press endorsements: Picks for Michigan US House, Senate and House

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2020, the Associated Press  which tracks races across the U.S.  wasn't able to call President Joe Biden as winning Michigan until 5:56 p.m. ET Wednesday, the day after the Nov. 3, 2020 election. The AP has called races before all of the votes are counted based on an analysis of the votes that have already been reported and other election data. The Free Press relies on the AP's calls.

In 2020, the AP called the Michigan presidential race for Biden less than 24 hours after the polls closed. "And so that's my rubric," Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said when asked about when voters can expect results this year during a news conference last Monday. "We know in 2020 we had two-thirds of our citizens voting from home and clerks couldn't begin processing those ballots until Election Day, and we also know it was our highest turnout ever in state history. With all of those factors and a global pandemic, we had our results within 24 hours of the polls closing. So based on that, I know we'll at least have it by then this time, right?"

Why do absentee ballots take longer to count?

Absentee ballots take longer to process than ballots cast in-person due to the additional steps involved after a voter returns their absentee ballot to verify and log the ballot, and then prepare it for tabulation.

In the 2020 election, election workers in Michigan's biggest cities could spend 10 hours the day before the election opening the absentee ballot return envelopes and check that the number on the stub attached to the ballot matched the number on the absentee ballot envelope.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But this year, a new law allowed many more communities to have up to eight days before Election Day on Tuesday to tabulate absentee ballots. It also gave every municipality the ability to tabulate absentee ballots for 13 hours on Monday.

But one big city in Michigan  Warren  won't start counting absentee ballots until Election Day. It's Michigan's third largest city and a competitive congressional district runs right through it. The city's election workers will have one day  Election Day  to count all of the absentee ballots, including those returned before Tuesday.

In 2020, misinformation experts warned that the window between the polls closing and knowing the outcome of the election could provide fertile ground for false narratives to spread and sow doubt about the legitimacy of the election process. The same could happen this year. As always, voters would do well to vet information before sharing it on social media by scrutinizing the source, seeing if you can find the same information in multiple places and researching whether a claim has been fact-checked.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Looking for more on Michigans elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: When will we see election results? What to expect in Michigan
Republicans will hold onto three U.S. House seats in Indiana that were left open by incumbents who didn't run for reelection.

All nine Indiana seats were up for election this year, and the six incumbents who did run for reelection held onto their seats. Two of them are Democrats.

This year, all of the state's U.S. House races included a Libertarian candidate for the first time since at least 2012, although the Libertarians didn't come close to winning any of the races.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

All nine races have been called based on unofficial results:

Presidential Election 2024 Results: Election Day live updates as Hoosiers head to the polls to vote for president, governor

Incumbent Frank Mrvan wins in 1st Congressional District in Northwest Indiana

Incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan won with 54% of the vote, with about 76% of the vote in as of 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The district, in Northwest Indiana, is made up of steel-belt cities like Gary and Hammond and has historically been considered a Democratic stronghold. Mrvan was elected in 2020 and then was reelected in a close race in 2022

He was challenged by Republican Randy Niemeyer, a member of the Lake County Council, and Libertarian Dakotah Miskus, who works in customer service.

Incumbent Rudy Yakym wins 2nd Congressional District in North Central Indiana

Rudy Yakym, who was first appointed to the 2nd Congressional District seat following the death of former U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski in a car accident in 2022, won reelection. Yakym defeated his opponents with 63% of the vote as of early Wednesday, with 78% of the vote reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yakym faced Democrat Lori Camp and Libertarian William Henry.

Marlin Stutzman wins 3rd Congressional District in Northeast Indiana

Republican Marlin Stutzman won the 3rd Congressional District seat in Northeast Indiana. He will take over for Republican Jim Banks, who won Indiana's open U.S. Senate seat Tuesday night.

Stutzman owns several businesses and previously served as the 3rd Congressional District representative from 2010 through 2017. With 93% of ballots counted, Stutzman won with 65% of the vote.

The race was complicated by the fact that Stutzman faced a House ethics inquiry when he announced his retirement from Congress in 2016. Media outlet Politico reported earlier this year that the House ethics committee could have the authority to bring that investigation back once Stutzman takes office again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Stutzman was challenged by Democrat Kiley Adolph and Libertarian Jarrad Lancaster.

Incumbent Jim Baird wins 4th Congressional District in West Central Indiana

Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, who was first elected in 2018, will hold the 4th Congressional District seat.

He faced Democrat Derrick Holder and Libertarian Ashley Groff. With 94% of ballots counted, Baird had secured 65% of the vote.

Incumbent Victoria Spartz wins 5th Congressional District northeast of Indianapolis

U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz will hold her seat after winning the 5th Congressional District, which includes Hamilton and other counties northeast of Indianapolis.

She survived a nine-candidate primary in May to be the Republican nominee after saying in 2023 that she would not run for reelection and then reversing that decision earlier this year. Spartz immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine in 2000 and was first elected to the seat in 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Spartz defeated Democrat Deborah Pickett, Libertarian Lauri Shillings and Independent Robby Slaughter. With 96% of the ballots counted, Spartz had almost 57% of the vote.

Jefferson Shreve wins the 6th Congressional District southeast of Indianapolis

Jefferson Shreve won the the 6th Congressional District, which includes areas southeast of Marion County. He is the founder of Storage Express and was a 2023 candidate for mayor of Indianapolis. He won a contested GOP primary for the U.S. House seat in May.

The district is currently represented by Greg Pence, who earlier this year announced he would not seek another term.

Shreve defeated Democrat Cynthia Wirth and Libertarian James Sceniak in May. With 89% of ballots counted, Shreve won 64% of the vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Indiana voter guide: Who's running for Congress, Statehouse, governor, AG and school board

Incumbent Andre Carson wins 7th Congressional District in Marion County

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Andre Carson has won reelection. He has represented Indianas 7th Congressional District, which overlaps with Marion County, since 2008.

He faced Republican candidate John Schmitz and Libertarian Rusty Johnson.

Im honored to have received the peoples support to continue serving," Carson said in a statement following his victory. "In Congress, Ive helped bring positive change to our community: Capping the price of insulin at $35 a month for those on Medicare. Securing historic levels of funding to our roads, streets and water systems. Expanding healthcare to millions of Americans."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Carson had secured 68% of the vote with 99% of the ballots counted.

Mark Messmer wins 8th Congressional District in Southwest Indiana

Republican Mark Messmer, a former state lawmaker, won the 8th Congressional District seat in Southwest Indiana. He will take over for Republican U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, who was first elected to Congress in 2010 but opted not to run for reelection.

Messmer served in the Indiana Senate from 2014 until this summer and served in the Indiana House from 2008 through 2014. He defeated Democrat Erik Hurt and Libertarian K. Richard Fitzlaff.

With 83% of the voted counted, Messmer had won 69% of the vote.

Incumbent Erin Houchin wins 9th Congressional District in Southeast Indiana

Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, first elected in 2022, won reelection. She had the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Houchin faced Democrat Timothy Peck and Libertarian Russell Brooksbank. With 75% of ballots counted, Houchin won 65% of the vote.

This story will be updated.

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Jefferson Shreve, 2 other Indiana Republicans win open US House seats
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Brian Hilt has won the race for Lyon County Sheriff, defeating the current sheriff.

Current Lyon County Sheriff Steward Vander Stoep ran against Hilt in the Primary Election in June and lost. However, due to a single vote cast for Vander Stoep as a write-in for the Libertarian Party, he was able to continue running as a Libertarian.

A panel met in September, deciding that Vander Stoep would be allowed to appear on the General Election ballot. Hilt then filed a lawsuit, saying the panel made a wrong interpretation of the law. But a judge disagreed, saying the panel, according to KIWA reporting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

LYON COUNTY, Iowa (KCAU)  There is a chance that Lyon County will see a new sheriff.

Current Lyon County Sheriff Stewart Vander Stoep (L) is facing off against Brian Hilt (R), an Iowa State Trooper.

Vander Stoep ran against Hilt in the Republican Primary Election in June and lost. Due to a single vote cast for Vander Stoep as a write-in for the Libertarian party though, Vander Stoep was able to continue his run as a Libertarian. That means Vander Stoep and Hilt are two facing off again today.

After Vander Stoep announced his run as a Libertarian, Hilt sent in an objection letter stating that Vander Stoep should not be allowed on the General Election ballot due to having received only one vote, according to the Lyon County Auditor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A panel met in September, deciding 2-to-1 that Vander Stoep would allowed to appear on the General Election ballot as a Libertarian candidate.

Hilt then filed a lawsuit saying the panel made a wrong interpretation of the law, but a judge disagreed, saying the panel, according to KIWA reporting.

Polls in Iowa close at 8 p.m., after which, votes will start being counted. Come back here for the latest results.

National Results  Balance of Power

All results for Siouxland

Siouxland Results for Iowa

Siouxland Results for Nebraska

Siouxland Results for South Dakota

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  A measure requiring Nebraska employers to provide paid sick leave to employees has passed, the AP called.

Nebraska voters voted for Initiative 436 with it taking more than half-a-million with only 86% reporting.

The measure will require Nebraska employers to offer paid sick leave to their employees for personal or family health needs. Businesses with 20 or fewer employees will have access to and use up to 40 hours of time annually.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Full- and part-time employees would earn an hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Workers would be able to use the time for personal and family illnesses.

National Results  Balance of Power

All results for Siouxland

Siouxland Results for Iowa

Siouxland Results for Nebraska

Siouxland Results for South Dakota

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  A school bond vote for Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District has failed, according to unofficial election results.

The $54 million bond would have been used to fund a three-phase plan to improve the school district.

The measure needed 60% to pass.

SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa (KCAU)  Its Election Day, and Siouxland voters will be making their choices for numerous races and measures, including for a bond for Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The measure, WB, is a $54.6 million bond for Sergeant BluffLuton Community School District. It would be the first in a three-phase plan to improve their school district. The first phase includes the construction of a pre-K through 2nd grade addition to the elementary school, as well as other upgrades at the high school.

If the referendum passes, the tax rate for residents will increase by $2.85. Thats a decrease from previous attempts, where the tax rate would increase by $4.05, the district says.

The main reason for the bond is a new facility for their K-2 students, adding on at the elementary schools north exit.

Superintendent Chad Jenzen said that the district is also looking to replace aging infrastructure at the high school, heating and cooling in part. Doing so will save the school money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So when we stop using that facility and we replace the aging infrastructure at the high school, heating and cooling and so on, weve eliminated a lot of ongoing costs for our school district, .

Each of the three phases in the plan would be voted on approximately every five years. Janzen said no additional tax increase is projected for phases two and three.

The bond needs a supermajority of 60% to pass. Polls in Iowa close at 8 p.m., after which, votes will start being counted. Come back here for the latest results.

National Results  Balance of Power

All results for Siouxland

Siouxland Results for Iowa

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Siouxland Results for Nebraska

Siouxland Results for South Dakota

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Pete Ricketts has won the race for U.S. Senate Nebraska 2-year term, defeating Preston Love, AP called on Tuesday.

Republican Pete Ricketts has won the race for U.S. Senate Nebraska 2-year term, defeating Preston Love.

The Associated Press reports that Ricketts, a former two-term Nebraska governor, defeated Democratic challenger Preston Love Jr., an 81-year-old longtime community activist in Omaha.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ricketts will serve out the remaining two years of the six-year term left vacant by former Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, who resigned in 2022.

The Associated Press declared Ricketts the winner at 9:00 p.m. EST.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KCAU)  A special election in Nebraska will decide who finishes the U.S. Senate term started by former Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, who left to become president of the University of Florida in 2023.

Former Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts was appointed to the seat and is running to finish the term. Ricketts is challenged by Omaha activist Preston Love, a Democrat. The winner will serve the final two years of Sasses term before the seat is up for election again in 2026.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nebraskas other incumbent Republican senator, Deb Fischer, is up for reelection this year in a closely contested race. That makes this the first time since 1954 that both of the states seats are up for election.

Polls in Nebraska close at 8 p.m. CST, after which votes will start being counted. Come back here for the latest results:

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

National Results  Balance of Power

All results for Siouxland

Siouxland Results for Iowa

Siouxland Results for Nebraska

Siouxland Results for South Dakota

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Election Day is here, and while Tennessee hopes to have its votes tabulated by the end of the night, many other states won't.

Shelby County had 42.44% of voters turnout during early voting, and Tennessee had 45.88% of voters cast ballots during the same period. With so many early votes, there is less of a chance for races to run past Wednesday.

State election officials are optimistic about their ability to have votes counted and election results announced either the night of the election or Wednesday morning at the latest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That stands in contrast to swing states that are critical to determining the presidential race. In Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania, election officials have said their counts wont be finished on Election Day.

Memphis Election Day: Live updates as voters head to polls across region

Election results: Latest updates from local, state, national races

States often take days or weeks to certify election results

The growth in popularity of mail-in ballots has extended the time it takes media outlets to project winners of specific races in recent years. It isnt unusual for state officials to spend days or weeks finalizing election results.

David Becker, executive director of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation & Research, told USA TODAY that counting votes has never been finalized on Election Day in any state at any time in the countrys history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The results released to the public on Election Day are mostly from that days in-person voting, along with early in-person voting and preprocessed mail ballots.

"Media outlets generally feel confident calling the race when the partial unofficial results they receive, matched with exit polling and sufficient margins, allow them to confidently project that the remaining votes left to be counted cannot exceed the margin," Becker said.

But states dont certify election results until days or weeks after Election Day.

"Some states certify the following week, some states take over three weeks," Becker said. "All results until then are unofficial and partial results."

When will Georgia results be available?

In Georgia, a new law requires the results of all early votes and early accepted ballots to be reported an hour after polls close, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told CBS News. The state allows election workers to begin counting mail-in ballots at 7 a.m. on Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That's 70%, maybe even 75% of all the vote totals will be reported no later than 8 p.m. on election night, said Raffensperger, who pointed out that overseas ballots can be received until Nov. 8.

In 2020, President Joe Biden won Georgia by about 12,000 votes. The Associated Press didnt call the state for Biden until Nov. 19, more than two weeks after polls closed. State officials certified the results on Nov. 20, 2020.

When will Michigan results be available?

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she expects unofficial results in her state to be available by the end of Nov. 6, the day after Election Day.

But that said, we will always prioritize accuracy and security over efficiency, Benson told CBS News. Understanding how much people will want those results, we're still going to make sure the process is secure and accurate before we put anything out to the public.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Biden won Michigan by about 154,000 votes in 2020. The AP called the race Nov. 4, a day after Election Day, and election officials certified Bidens victory Nov. 23.

When will Pennsylvania results be available?

Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt told NPR its unlikely a winner will be known in the state on Election Day, in part because of a state law that doesnt allow election workers to open mail-in ballots until that morning.

Schmidt warned about the potential for false and misleading information to spread while votes are being counted.

The message is please be patient, Schmidt told CBS News. Our counties are working night and day to count their voters' votes. They're doing so as quickly as they can, and with integrity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Biden won Pennsylvania by about 81,000 votes in 2020. The AP called the state for Biden on Nov. 7, four days after Election Day, and his victory was certified by state officials Nov. 24.

USA TODAY reporters Chris Mueller and Allie Feinberg contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: When will we know election results around US in Memphis, Tennessee
Incumbent Sen. Marsha Blackburn has largely ignored her challenger in campaigning while state Rep. Gloria Johnson has worked to turn her national prominence as a member of the Tennessee Three into a movement to galvanize Democrats. Blackburn secured a win in Tennessee's senate race, according to early Associated Press returns.

Blackburn, 72, is the first woman to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate. She was elected in 2018 after beating Nashville Democrat Phil Bredesen, a former governor, with 55% of the vote. Before that, she served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 16 years.

Johnson, 62, is a former educator. She was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2012. She lost in 2014 and 2016, and won again in 2018 and 2020. When Tennessee's GOP-led Senate combined Knoxville's two Democratic-leaning state House districts, they carved Johnson out of District 13. Johnson moved and won the newly created District 90 in 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Johnson is the first East Tennessean to run for statewide office since Randy Boyd ran for governor in 2018.

 Want to see all the Tennessee results? Tap here

Get results, news and analysis on your terms!

It's easy to download the Knox News app and turn on news alerts, or sign up for news alert emails and our Daily Briefing.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Election results: Here's who won Tennessee's U.S. Senate seat: Blackburn
Republican Michelle Skaff has won the race for Woodbury County Auditor, defeating current Auditor Pat Gill (D).

Skaff won with 54% of the vote (22,346).

Skaff will be the first new County Auditor in nearly 30 years.

Democratic Incumbent Pat Gill lost his seat to Republican challenger Deputy Auditor Michelle Skaff by more than 3,000 votes.

Skaff said she looks forward to serving in her new role.

Im very thankful, you know, I thank God most of all. My family, my husband Mark for helping me through this. My team, who has been supportive since January when I announced Im running, Skaff said. Im just very, very excited to assume this role. Im thankful to Auditor Gill for appointing me as deputy and I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After working with the County for 28 years, Gill said he looks back on his time as Auditor with only good memories.

I just want to thank the voters of Woodbury County for the 28 years that Ive had here, Gill said. Ive enjoyed every minute of it and if thats the way it turns out, Im not going to look back. I enjoyed every minute of it and Ill ride off into the sunset and not look back. Itll be fine.

Gill had served as the Woodbury County Auditor, Recorder, and Commissioner since 1996.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Woodbury County Auditor Pat Gill (D) is running for re-election and is facing off against one of his deputy auditor, Michelle Skaff (R).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gill has served the public during election seasons since 1996, and Skaff has assisted Gill for almost a decade.

Skaff won the primary to become the Republican nominee in June, beating current Woodbury County Supervisor Keith Radig. Meanwhile, Gill ran unopposed.

Polls in Iowa close at 8 p.m., after which, votes will start being counted. Come back here for the latest results.

Both Skaff and Gill have worked in the same office since their announcements to run in January.

Before Skaff threw her hat into the ring for county auditor, she talked with Gill about running for the position.

Weve been in the same race since January when we both announced that we were running in this race. So, yes, were going to have ups and downs in our office, but we are professional officials so we will get through it, said Skaff.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gill said something similar at the time.

Its certainly not the best situation to have, but were both professionals and well deal with it. Gill said.

National Results  Balance of Power

All results for Siouxland

Siouxland Results for Iowa

Siouxland Results for Nebraska

Siouxland Results for South Dakota

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Election Day will determine Oregons next treasurer, with two current senators seeking the role as Treasurer Tobias Read, a Democrat, leaves his office behind to run for secretary of state.

As of midnight, current state treasurer Elizabeth Steiner has 788,243 votes (49.45%) while current senator Brian Boquist has 706,668 votes (44.33%).

On Tuesday, Steiner shared the following statement before the winner of the election was officially projected by the Associated Press:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tonight, Ive broken the glass ceiling as Oregons first woman State Treasurer. I could only do this with extraordinary help from so many people over the past fifteen months  family, friends, staff, consultants, and volunteers  this is a win shared by all those who believe in the idea that every Oregonian should have the tools they need to reach financial security.

In a world where so many believe in either/or, I believe in both/and. We can find a path forward to grow our pension fund while simultaneously reducing its carbon footprint. We can protect our state lands for wildlife, water, and recreation while respecting the long heritage of our natural resources and agricultural industries. As your next State Treasurer I commit to bringing many perspectives together to find both/and solutions that will benefit people across our great state. Please join me as we work to make Oregonians the most financially secure, healthiest people in the nation.

Back in May, Sen. Elizabeth Steiner (District 17) won the Democratic primary with a 78% majority while Republican Sen. Brian Boquist ran uncontested.

The Oregon Treasury is in charge of the states investments and debt programs while protecting public assets  making the Office of the Treasurer a major fixture in business and taxpayer money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Eye on Northwest Politics

This election comes after the Oregon State Treasury released a 2023 financial wellness scorecard showing that state residents were earning more and seeing an increase in net worth, but household debt was higher than it was in 2018 while financial knowledge decreased.

Candidate Profiles

Democrat Elizabeth Steiner

You may already recognize her name, because she has served as an Oregon senator representing District 17 for Northwest Portland and Beaverton since 2011. During that time, Steiner has acted as one of the states chief budget writers since 2018  leading billion-dollar investments in healthcare, education, housing, and economic development.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Steiner wrote in her response to KOIN 6 News questionnaire that her top issues are protecting retirement funding for the many Oregonians whove served our state diligently, helping Oregonians achieve financial security, and building on savings plans to help Oregonians build intergenerational wealth.

Republican Brian Boquist

You may also recognize the name of Boquist as another Oregon senator who is currently serving District 12 representing rural Polk and Yamhill Counties. Last year, he was among several Republicans in a walkout that lasted six weeks. He is one of two senators running for different state offices after being barred from reelection for accruing 10 or more unexcused absences under voter-approved Measure 113.

He ran uncontested in the Republican primary and did not respond to KOIN 6 News inquiry for a questionnaire.

KOIN 6 News is Your Local Election Headquarters. Stay with us as we bring you up-to-date campaign coverage throughout the General Election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM)  Homeowners who live near Pennsylvania Avenue and Boardman Street on the citys southside are concerned large trees could collapse on their properties. The trees are growing along a rail line on land owned by Norfolk-Southern.

It is a danger, and it is imminent, said homeowner Brian Latham. Its really not a situation of if theyre going to fall, but when.

Large trees growing along rail line on Elmiras southside.

The big wind event we had this summer brought this tree down behind me and its root ball, Latham told 18 News as he showed us around his backyard. It came out of the ground and was up to the rail bank, far enough that the railroad was cutting the tree that evening. It must have been 65 feet tall.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The more they cut it, the more it slid downhill and came to rest against these trees here. You can see the root ball, its gigantic, Latham added. Lately, that stump back there thats about 8 or 10 feet tall was lying down, but now its standing up, which means its moved even further.

My concern is these guys can easily reach my house. Then down the line you can see the monsters that are hovering closer and closer to peoples houses, Latham said.

Latham started a petition asking Norfolk-Southern to remove the trees or cut them down to a shorter size. The petition was signed by seven other homeowners. Latham says he is not just concerned about a powerful storm like the one that hit our area in July.

A look at storm damage in City of Elmira

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I dont think we actually have to have a wind event. Im concerned more with winter being a real winter where we may have steady snow and possibly ice too. Imagine those covered in snow and ice. They could snap off at any point.

Mayor Dan Mandell says he sent the petition and a letter from the Mayors Office to the Norfolk-Southern office in Owego on October 30th. The mayor said he asked the rail company to take action before its too late. As of this publication, the mayor says Norfolk-Southern has not answered his letter.

Mayor Mandell also told 18 News the Elmira & Chemung County Commissioner of Public Works first reached out to Norfolk-Southern after a July storm brought down a tree on the rail line in the same area.

Were requesting Norfolk-Southern to get on this as soon as possible to prevent any type of property damage, or worse, any type of personal injury or even death, Mayor Mandell told 18 News.



Im going to say this: theyre being put on notice right now and they need to do something about this, the mayor continued. It falls on negligence on their part if they dont do something about it. So, they could be held liable for not taking care of the trees. As you can see several trees are in bad shape and need to come down.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A spokesperson for Norfolk-Southern told 18 News its possible the mayors letter and petition is still making its way to the right people after being mailed only a few days ago. The company says after its notified about concerns regarding trees on railroad property, the procedure is to assess the health of the tree or trees in question. If a tree is found to be rotted or sick, Norfolk-Southern works with homeowners to resolve the issue.

I want to see them removed, Latham added. I dont care if they take them off at 10 or 15 feet in height, thered be no danger then. I mean, if they were to take them off at 20 feet, thered be no danger. There wouldnt be anything left to fall in reach.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
Elon Musk and Joe Rogan branded Operation Warp Speed a crazy psyop in an Election Day eve rant.

But, it turns out that the flagship Covid vaccine policy was actually rolled out by Donald Trump.

Rogan, who endorsed the Republican for president that day, hosted Trump ally Musk on his podcast The Joe Rogan Experience on Election Day eve, with the pair speaking for almost three hours.

They entered a discussion about Covid and the vaccine rollout, which was a Trump administration initiative hailed by the former president as an incredible success.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The whole thing was f****ing crazy, Rogan said, referring to Operation Warp Speed. And everybody just went along with it.

Looney Tunes next level, Musk replied.

The psyop was fascinating to watch people step in line, Rogan said.

Thats like one of the biggest psyops of all time, Musk replied.

Elon Musk appeared on Joe Rogans podcast, branding Operation Warp Speed Looney Tunes in an Election Day eve rant (The Joe Rogan Experience/YouTube)

Of all time, Rogan agreed.

The partnership between the government and pharmaceutical companies that fast-tracked production of the Covid vaccine is actually considered one of the greatest wins of Trumps administration.

Trump told a summit in 2020 it was a historic achievement. It would normally take five years, six years, seven years, or even more, he said. In order to achieve this goal, we harnessed the full power of government, the genius of American scientists, and the might of American industry to save millions and millions of lives all over the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rogan, a vaccine skeptic, has previously clashed with leading doctors over the rollout and has been accused of pushing vaccine misinformation.

Musk, meanwhile, has previously described himself as pro-vaccine but said the world went crazy with excess vaccination with Covid and drew attention to serious side effects he claimed he suffered from the vaccine.

Another vocal critic of Operation Warp Speed is Robert F Kennedy JR, who Trump has touted as someone who would have a big role in his administration despite being a prominent anti-vaxxer.

Joe Rogan hosted Elon Musk on his podcast on November 4 (The Joe Rogan Experience/YouTube)

Trump recently announced that he would give RFK Jr free rein to do anything he wants and go wild over health, food and medicines during his potential second administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

NBC Newss Dasha Burns asked Trump at the weekend whether RFK Jr would ban any vaccinations, despite World Health Organization estimations that global immunization efforts have saved at least 154 million lives in the past 50 years.

Trump refused to give a straight answer on the matter, saying: Well, Im going to talk to him and talk to other people, and Ill make a decision, but hes a very talented guy and has strong views.

Rogan decided to endorse Trump on Monday, saying that Musk had made a compelling argument for four more years of Trump.

The great and powerful Elon Musk. If it wasnt for him wed be f***ed. He makes what I think is the most compelling case for Trump youll hear, and I agree with him every step of the way, Rogan said on Musks social network X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Musk has become a central figure in the Trump campaigns third bid for the White House, endorsing the former president in the days after the first assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. He then joined him on stage at the same site two months later.

The billionaire has established the pro-Trump America PAC, and has given at least $132m to help Trump and conservatives in congressional races this year, federal filings show.
A lawyer for Elon Musk said in a Philadelphia courtroom Monday that the winners of Musks $1 million daily prize giveaway in election swing states are not chosen at random, contradicting what Musk said when he announced the contest last month.

Legal experts told NBC News that the disclosure could have legal fallout for Musk across multiple jurisdictions under laws designed to protect consumers from deceptive practices.

This is absolutely, unambiguously illegal, Christopher Peterson, a University of Utah law professor who specializes in consumer protection, said in an email.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You cannot lawfully lie to the public about conducting a random sweepstakes, lottery, or contest and then rig the results to hand-select the winners, he said. It really is not complicated. This is just fraud; a simple, ugly fraud on the public.

He said Musk and his super PACs behavior could be both a civil wrong and a crime.

Musks America PAC declined to comment on that analysis or the views of other legal experts. Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Chris Gober, a lawyer for America PAC, made the disclosure at a hearing about the giveaways. He said that the winners are not chosen by random, as in a lottery drawing, but that the super PAC instead selects the winners based on who it believes would be effective political spokespeople.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The disclosure flew in the face of what Musk said onstage at a Pennsylvania rally on Oct. 19, when he revealed the contest to draw attention to a petition supporting free speech and gun rights.

Were going to be awarding $1 million randomly to people who have signed the petition every day from now until the election, Musk said, followed by wild applause from the audience.

The disclosure that Musks statement was not true was met with backlash on Musks social media app, X, where some users said Monday that he had deceived petition-signers or even defrauded them. To sign the petition, people are required to give their names, email addresses, cellphone numbers and mailing addresses, and they must be registered to vote in one of seven swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin.

Elon Musk awarded Kristine Fishell a $1 million check at a town hall in Pittsburgh on Oct. 20.

America PACs daily $1 million giveaway has been a key feature of Musks efforts on behalf of former President Donald Trump. Musk has spent more than $118 million to try to re-elect Trump, and he has appeared in Pennsylvania numerous times to campaign in person. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner sued Musk and America PAC over the offer, calling it an unlawful lottery under Pennsylvania law and leading to Mondays court hearing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

John Summers, a lawyer for Krasner, called Gobers disclosure a flat-out admission of liability at the hearing.

While Gober said he believed the non-random nature of the offer means it is not a lottery, legal experts said the statement could open up Musk and the super PAC to additional claims of liability under federal consumer protection law or in the seven battleground states where people have been winning prizes.

Rebecca Tushnet, a professor at Harvard Law School who specializes in the First Amendment and false advertising, said she considered Gobers disclosure to be an admission of liability.

They falsely advertised that people who never had a chance to win should participate, and participation meant providing the PAC with valuable information about voters to target, she said in an email.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Deceptive trade practices laws may be triggered by claiming random selection and then not delivering, but states may differ about exactly what conduct is covered  many limit prohibitions to conduct that relates to selling goods or services, she said.

Whether such laws apply in the circumstances around America PAC would be determined in court only if someone decides to sue. Tushnet said that she expects plaintiffs lawyers could explore class action lawsuits over consumer protection and that state attorneys general may be interested in pursuing enforcement actions, too.

George Conway, a prominent lawyer and former Republican who is a vocal critic of Trump, agreed that state attorneys general could see the disclosure as a consumer protection issue.

Typically under state law, this is actually bread and butter stuff for them, he said in a direct message. There are church raffle exemptions and such but if you are giving out a million dollars youve got to comply with some specific requirements.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A representative for the Pennsylvania attorney general declined to comment. Representatives for attorneys general in several other states did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A spokesperson for the Federal Trade Commission, which oversees consumer protection on the federal level, declined to comment.

Not all legal experts agree that action would be warranted on behalf of petition-signers.

I cant imagine any AG or the FTC getting into the middle of this very minor dust up, said David Vladeck, a Georgetown University law professor, in an email. He said that even if Musks offer of a random chance at $1 million was deceptive, it was isolated (only a few days) and unlikely to be repeated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Vladeck added that there is the separate question of whether the offer violated federal election law, which bars paying people to vote or register to vote.

Some of the criminal authorities might be concerned that there was a quid pro quo in that Musk was providing cash for people to vote for his candidate, albeit dressed up with some kind of lottery, he said. If there is going to be an enforcement action against Musk, it will be by the criminal authorities, not the FTC or State AGs.

Lorrin Freeman, the district attorney of Wake County, North Carolinas largest county, said in an email: Our office has not received any information that would give rise at this time to an investigation of Mr. Musk for conduct within the state of North Carolina that violates state law.

Jeff Sovern, a professor of consumer protection law at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, said Musks offer sounds like a fairly clear violation of the 1914 federal law that bans deceptive trade practices. He said that, under that law, conduct is deceptive if it misleads consumers who are acting reasonably under the circumstances and if theres a false statement thats material, or that matters to consumers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said a non-random contest marketed as random appears to fit both requirements.

The claim that this is random is likely to cause consumers acting reasonably to believe it is random, he said in an email. He added, It seems likely that a chance to win a million dollars would matter to many consumers.

But he said that doesnt mean the FTC would bring a case. He said that Congress hasnt given the FTC the budget to bring every case it could and that if it did bring a case, the result might simply be an order for America PAC to stop the offer  which is scheduled to end Tuesday, anyway.

Sometimes the FTC can get a financial penalty  I dont know whether that would be the case here  but I suspect that wouldnt matter much to the worlds richest man, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On the other hand, the FTC has become the federal governments foremost protector of privacy and the privacy implications of this might increase their interest in the matter, he added.

The Justice Department, which had warned Musks super PAC that its offer may run afoul of federal election law, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Elon Musk at an America PAC town hall on Oct. 26, 2024 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. - Credit: Samuel Corum/Getty Images

It was barely the afternoon of Election Day on the East Coast when Elon Musk decided, based on vague claims of high male turnout he saw online, that men would deliver Donald Trump a decisive victory in a close presidential race.

The MAGA billionaire  who has poured at least $119 million into his pro-Trump Super PAC and toured Pennsylvania in a concerted effort to flip the crucial swing state red  first shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) from an anonymous account: Hearing reports from all over the country that men are showing up in huge numbers, the user claimed. The line at my polling station here in Florida is almost all young men. The post included a meme of Trump, implying that said young men backed the Republican nominee. Musk added his own take to this anecdotal, vibes-based assessment. This is a massive sea change, he wrote.

More from Rolling Stone

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Seemingly on the basis of little besides this unconfirmed assertion from an unnamed Floridian, Musk went a step further in his next X post. The cavalry has arrived, he declared. Men are voting in record numbers. They now realize everything is at stake. The comments suggested an effort to counter the narrative that Vice President Kamala Harris could best Trump because shes strongly outperforming him with women, who have cast far more ballots than men in early voting across the U.S. (including, yes, in Florida). It is far too early to tell if male turnout could eventually eclipse female turnout, or if men are voting in record numbers, but more women than men have registered and voted in every presidential election since 1980.

Trump does have a polling edge with male voters, though not as significant as the one Harris has with women. Political observers have predicted a significant gender gap in the 2024 results in part because the female Democratic nominee campaigned on reproductive rights in a post-Dobbs environment. (It surely didnt help Trump that he is known for misogynist comments and was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil suit.) Rather than try to appeal to disaffected women, though, Trump made the rounds on podcasts and streaming channels popular with young men in an effort to turn out a low-propensity demographic that otherwise might stay home.

Since it remains an open question whether this strategy actually paid off or not, Musks early prediction was as much wishful thinking as anything else. He likewise declared on Tuesday, Good chance [New Hampshire] goes red, without pointing to any reason for thinking so. Polling averages show Harris has a comfortable lead over Trump in the state.

Musk engaged in this election forecasting on X instead of showing up for a scheduled virtual town hall for America PAC, his Super PAC. The organization did not explain why the event didnt happen, though an attempt to hold such a livestream on Monday night was cut short because of tech issues, with Musk telling followers to listen to a new interview he recorded for Joe Rogans podcast instead. America PAC did, however, repost Musks comments on X about a male cavalry coming to cast their ballots for Trump. Musk is slated to spend Tuesday evening with the candidate at Mar-a-Lago as election results come in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Apart from expressing confidence in a Trump blowout and responding with the American flag emoji to X users who wrote about why they voted for Trump (many of them women), Musk took a moment on Tuesday to post about how he enjoys eating medium-well steak for breakfast. There was no immediate indication that this resonated with male voters, and it appeared at least a few objected to that level of doneness for red meat.

Best of Rolling Stone

Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
X owner Elon Musk is planning on spending Election Night with his preferred candidate, Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Musk, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, is expected to join Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, where hell be among a small group to watch the returns come in. Trump is also expected to address supporters at his club, according to CNN.

On Tuesday afternoon, Musk posted a picture on X, saying hed just voted in Cameron County, Texas, the new home of Starbase.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Tesla and SpaceX head honcho has made no secret he prefers Trump to Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in recent months. On Monday, Musk appeared on Joe Rogans podcast to talk about the election and his support for Trump. Rogan, following what he called Musks compelling case for the Republican nominee, endorsed Trump for president.

I view this election as a fork in the road of destiny, Musk told Rogan. The reason I have been politically active this election is because if we dont elect Trump, we will lose democracy in this country and the two-party system.

Musk publicly endorsed Trump after his first assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July. Since then, hes posted on X in favor of the former president, hosted a live conversation with him on X Spaces in August and joined Trump onstage when he returned to Butler months after the shooting.

The worlds richest man has also put a lot of money into getting Trump back into the White House. Musk reported last month hed donated $75 million to America PAC, his pro-Trump political action committee; the New York Times on Tuesday reported Musks donations have since reached $119 million.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

America PACs website, which includes a picture of Musk in his dark MAGA hat, lists a handful of top priorities, including free speech, safe cities and secure borders. The PAC is focused on knocking on doors in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with a goal of getting 800,000 to 1 million citizens to vote for Trump.

Musk also recently started offering $1 million per day to registered voters who sign a petition to support the First and Second Amendments  a move that angered many left-leaning voters who called into question its legality. A Philadelphia judge on Monday ruled Musk was not doing anything illegal with the cash giveaway.

Vice President Harris, meanwhile, isnt hurting for big money donors, either.

Harris has raised more than $1 billion since replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee in July. Her backers include Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And last month, it was reported that Bill Gates donated $50 million to help Harris win the election.

The post Elon Musk to Spend Election Night With Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago appeared first on TheWrap.
MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCBD)  There have not been any specific threats targeting Election Day locally; however, tri-county election and law enforcement officials will take additional steps to ensure Tuesdays general election is safe and secure for voters.

Berkeley Countys emergency operations department will be working to respond to any potential issues that could arise.

Sheriff Duane Lewis said his deputies will be ready to respond, but only if called. State law does not allow deputies to be inside polling locations without being invited by the poll manager unless that deputy is voting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ben Webster, deputy director of emergency management in Charleston County, said the emergency operations center will be ready for anything  even for things as simple as people standing in lines that might need water.

Well, we know its still hot here in Charleston. Were seeing that today, so we have heat exposure that we need to worry about especially if individuals are in those lines for a long time, seeing that they are properly cared for. In addition to that if theres any sort of disruption throughout the election process, weve got all of our partners here to be able to respond adequately, he said.

Dorchester Countys director of emergency management, Thomas McNeal, said election officials will be based out of the countys emergency operations center so that any help, if needed, can be dispatched immediately.

That way if the polling center contacts them and needs support, they are immediately with decision-makers from the fire department, from the police and law enforcement, to respond quickly, if necessary, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

None of the officials we heard from said there were any specific threats. But the enhanced security response plan is in place, likely because of how heavy the early voting turnout was.

The preparations will begin before polls open at 7 a.m. and will continue until after polls are closed on Tuesday night.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
(Reuters) - Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday ordered a crackdown on sex in government offices after private videos leaked on social media appeared to show a senior finance ministry official having sex with several women in various places, including his office.

The government said it was taking action because the videos had denigrated the tiny Central African country's image.

Equatorial Guinea has been ruled by the same president for decades and the scandal has been shaking the government since the videos first emerged last week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Local media reports said hundreds of amateur videos had been found at the finance official's home during a raid associated with a corruption investigation. The women featured in the videos appeared to include wives of other powerful government figures and other family members, local media said.

Reuters could not verify the authenticity of the videos.

On Tuesday, Vice President Nguema Obiang Mangue ordered new measures to prevent judiciary and ministry officials from engaging in illicit acts at work, a government statement said. These included installing security cameras in all offices as well as stepped-up security.

"The executive is taking this decision following the videos of a sexual nature that have gone viral on social media in recent days and that denigrate the country's image," the state information agency said in the statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The statement said the measures were agreed during emergency meetings with the Supreme Court, attorney general and others.

It said those appearing in the sex tapes would be suspended, without providing names, while those responsible for securing the buildings in which the videos were allegedly filmed would be reprimanded for failing to do their jobs.

President Teodoro Obiang has ruled Equatorial Guinea, a nation of some 1.7 million people on the west coast of Central Africa for 45 years and is the world's longest-serving president.

(Reporting by Bernardino Ndze Biyoa and Jessica Donati; editing by Mark Heinrich)
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Congressman Eric Sorensen stopped in Peoria Sunday, to get out the vote and highlight the importance of making your voice heard.

He rallied with volunteers at the Peoria County Democrats office who went to knock on doors despite the rainy conditions.

Volunteers also made phone calls advocating for people to vote.

Sorensen said expressing your civic right to vote is expressing your voice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This goes for everyone. We need everyone to turn out. Its not just one political party. Its making sure that you get to know the person. Get to know the neighbor who is on the ballot, because those are the most important things between now and Tuesday, said Sorensen.

Sorensen will be at Bradley University and the University of Illinois Monday to encourage college students to vote.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
The City of Erie Police Department is looking into two separate homicide cases this week.

One pertaining to a man who was allegedly beaten to death on East 26th Street last week and the other involving a son allegedly assaulting his mother.

Theres been progress in both of those cases. But in the case of the man who was beaten to death and found late Wednesday night, two people have been arrested.

Homicide rates in the city this year nearly doubled last week after two deaths in Erie were ruled homicides.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Man sentenced 60 years to life for 7-year-olds death

A 31-year-old was found beaten to death in the 1000 block of East 26th Street late last Wednesday night.

Since that time, 61-year-old Jack DeFilippo and 36-year-old Leah Hardin were arrested by police on charges including criminal homicide, aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit homicide.

Police also have a warrant out for the arrest of 37-year-old Jeffery Edmond for his alleged role, but do not have him in custody.

Beyond those three, theyre looking for more.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

We are still looking for at least one more person of interest in the homicide as well as some witnesses that we observed in surveillance in the area that we would like to speak to as well, said Deputy Chief Rick Lorah, City of Erie police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a second investigation, police have arrested 40-year-old Chad Walburn, who allegedly poured gallons of water on his 63-year-old sickly mother and allegedly unplugged her from oxygen support.

She was in a coma for a week before she died.

That individual is still under arrest, although homicide charges have not been placed at this time. We still need to take a look at the completed coroners report and speak with the district attorney in this matter, but I do see charges to be amended shortly, Lorah said.

Convicted felon faces new charges three years after serving 30-year sentence

Over the past three years, the City of Erie Police Department has had a 100 percent arrest rate on homicide cases when the national average is around 50 percent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lorah attributed that to the diligent work of detectives and increasing the amount of officers at their service from 174 to 193.

Not only are the responding officers taking these calls seriously and doing their job but also the detectives involved are able to put the time and effort that they should be putting into a homicide. Thats because we have more numbers now. Were able to concentrate a little more time on these calls, he added.

Those homicides take the City of Eries total up to five this year, which is still nine short of the 14 that occurred in 2023.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  One of the ways Tennessee voters can look up their Election Day polling locations is experiencing issues with several users seeing an error message.

Doug Kufner, the Communications Director for the Office of Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett shared an updated on the issues around 2:30 p.m., saying The GoVoteTN App is operating with full functionality.

Election Day forecast: What can voters in East Tennessee expect

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He added that voters could use this website: https://tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup as well to access Election Day information.

Previously, Kufner shared the following statement with 6 News.

We are currently experiencing a high volume of traffic with our GoVoteTN App, resulting in longer wait times for users. We appreciate your patience as we work to resolve this issue. Voters needing to access Election Day information can do so by visiting https://tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup.

Error message that appeared on https://web.go-vote-tn.elections.tn.gov/ when attempting to look up voter information.

LIVE BLOG: Election news & results for East Tennessee

Polls will close at 8 p.m. across the state. To find sample ballots for every East Tennessee county, click here. 6 News will have election result here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
Estonia seeks to narrow voting eligibility in local elections to exclude Russian and Belarusian citizens in order to counter Russian influence, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told state broadcaster ERR on Nov. 4.

"Today, we agreed within the coalition council that we recommend changing the constitution as soon as possible so that citizens of aggressor countries are no longer the decision-makers in local elections," Michal told ERR.

The Baltic country, with a population of 1.3 million, has an ethnic Russian minority of around 296,000, of which an estimated 80,000 hold Russian citizenship. Estonia is also home to 3,000 Belarusian citizens.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Estonia is heading toward local elections in October 2025, with residents with foreign citizenship permitted to participate. The proposed changes would limit this right to citizens of NATO, EU, and several other countries, with Russia and Belarus excluded.

The amendment has to pass the parliament with the support of a constitutional majority, receive a presidential signature, and likely get approval from a court as legal challenges are expected to take place.

Estonia has been among Kyiv's staunchest supporters since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, providing humanitarian, developmental, and military assistance.

Between 2022 and 2024, Estonia has devoted around 520 million euros ($575 million) in support to Ukraine. This represents 1.4% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), one of the highest percentages of all Kyiv's partners.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: Ukraines victory can avert NATO-Russia clash, Estonian defense minister says in exclusive interview

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The European Union will decide on further assistance to Ukraine based on the outcome of the US elections, but Brussels broad line of support will remain.

Source: DW, citing a senior EU official speaking on condition of anonymity, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to DWs source, the European Union is "holding its breath" and waiting for the results of the US elections before deciding whether to provide additional help to Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The source added that if Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump wins and potentially decides to stop providing assistance to Ukraine, "the EUs line will remain the same as before  to support Ukraine".

"But whether all 27 members of the European Union will continue this line is another question," the EU official said.

The source pointed out that the European Union has always managed to preserve unity in this regard, but there is no unanimity among all the member states, particularly Hungary, which is opposed to the EU's decision to provide support to Kyiv and takes uncoordinated unilateral actions.

According to the official, even if Washington refuses to back Kyiv, Europe will not necessarily follow suit; on the contrary, it may decide to step up its support.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Similarly, the source stated, if the United States were to decide to engage in discussion with Russia without involving Ukrainian officials, "I'm not sure that it will convince others to do the same."

The US presidential election takes place on 5 November. Polling stations in all states have opened across the country, with Hawaii being the last to vote.

Support UP or become our patron!
The EU should have its own army, the prime minister of Luxembourg has said, amid fears Donald Trump will withdraw US security for Europe if he returns to the White House.

The first steps towards a common military could be taken by a coalition of the willing among member states, Luc Frieden said in a speech in Poland.

We need to discuss the need for a European army. One that is fully integrated and interoperable with Nato and a strong and indispensable partner to our North American allies, he said on Monday night, on the eve of the knife-edge US presidential election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russias unacceptable invasion of Ukraine has been a wake-up call, the leader of one of the EUs founding members added.

We need institutions that encourage dialogue and democracy. And they need to be backed by an ability to defend our principles. That is true in Ukraine, that is true elsewhere.

Mr Friedens intervention came as Europe, which is dependent on the US for its security, braces for a possible second Trump presidency.

European leaders are concerned that the Republican could pull out of Nato if he feels alliance members are not spending enough on defence.

They are also anxious he could cut off weapons and aid to Kyiv  and potentially force Ukraine, a candidate country to join the EU, to negotiate an unjust peace deal with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In contrast, a Kamala Harris victory would be seen as a continuance of the status quo.

Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Michigan on Monday - CJ GUNTHER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock

An EU army has long been seen as a distant prospect, due to a lack of political will from member states wary of sending their troops into action under an EU flag.

France vetoed plans that could have led to a joint armed force among the six original member states in 1954.

The EU has had multinational battlegroups of 1,500 personnel each since 2007 but these have never been deployed.

The fact that it failed in the past should not be a reason for us not to try again. Because the world we live in has changed, as has the nature of threats, Mr Frieden said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If we do not start thinking about ways to organise our common defence, we will not be strong enough when we need to defend ourselves, or our neighbours.

Emmanuel Macron, Frances president, called for the creation of an EU army after Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Since the first Trump presidency, he has also pushed for the EU to boost its ability to act independently of Washington.

However, an EU army is opposed by the Baltic nations, who fear it will undermine Nato.

The UK vetoed anything it saw as a step towards a common military when it was an EU member for the same reason.

Even if it will not be possible in the short term to make one big jump towards a European army, we can move forward step by step, Mr Frieden said as he called for closer EU integration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the beginning, we should go ahead with a coalition of the willing. A few countries that are ready to pool their sovereign rights to be more efficient in defence.

He added: Of course, each country will want to keep control over important decisions such as when to activate its army, when to send its soldiers to war.

But it is also obvious that the current situation does not offer the level of security that we need. So, we need to start thinking about a European army.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
PARIS  The European Union has started work on a next-generation combat vessel that could enter service somewhere in the 2040s, and the blocs defense ministers may sign a letter of intent to pursue the project at a meeting in two weeks, the head of the maritime unit of the European Defence Agency said.

Six EU member states are very much interested, including four with bigger navies, Jurgen Scraback, who heads the maritime domain unit at the EDA, told Defense News at the Euronaval conference here, after participating in a panel discussion about the plans.

EU countries are estimated to need at least thirty combat ships in the future, though Scraback said he doesnt believe all of those would be built within the European Combat Vessel program. The EDA official expects the program budget could exceed 20 billion ($22 billion) in 2024 prices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This new generation of vessels will be completely different from the vessels that we have now, because the naval warfare scenario is changing a lot, said Fernando Miguelez Garcia, chairman of the European Naval Industry Group (ENIG) within the European Aerospace, Security and Defence Industry Association, who was part of the panel discussion.

Design changes would likely entail having a mothership-type capability to carry drones into combat, he added.

French, UK naval chiefs urge dramatic changes in warship design

EU defense ministers in May tasked the EDA to come up with a concrete project proposal to discuss in November, according to Scraback. The agency held an initial meeting in July to gauge member states appetite, followed by a workshop in September to hammer out the high-level requirements for the future vessel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The future vessel will need to be a compact ship capable of countering a full spectrum of threats, including new ones from small UAVs to hypersonic anti-ship missiles, said Ignacio Cuartero, director of the EU Military Staff Concepts and Capabilities directorate within the European External Action Service.

EU defense ministers will meet on Nov. 19 to discuss the project, so in two weeks time, we will get a clear indication what the member states want, Scraback said. He said Spain and Italy are interested in signing on, while France is not sure yet.

Requirements for the future vessel include a reduced crew, and therefore a high degree of automation, as well as unmanned systems in a range of sizes, according to Scraback.

Based on feedback from member states, the requirement could be for a vessel with a displacement of 8,000 metric tons or more, Scraback said. Thats based on factors such as modularity, the need to embark containerized payloads as well as the ability to equip many small as well as big unmanned systems, according to the EDA official.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By comparison, Frances brand-new FDI defense and intervention frigate displaces 4,500 tons, while the displacement of the French-Italian FREMM frigates is around 6,000 tonnes. The anti-submarine warfare frigates ordered by the Netherlands will have a displacement of 6,650 tons, and Germanys future F126 frigate will displace around 10,000 tons.

The next generation of combat vessels will have to be smart ships that incorporate technologies such as artificial intelligence and a naval combat cloud, according to Cmdr. Alfonso Carrasco of the Spanish Navys plans division. Modularity will be important to allow ships to switch between tasks, Carrasco said.

Hypersonic threats will require increased automation and AI to drastically reduce reaction time, as well as interconnectivity with other vessels and drones to increase detection capabilities, according to Miguelez Garcia, the ENIG chairman, who is also representative to the EU and NATO for Spanish shipbuilder Navantia.

New directed-energy weapons such as lasers and rail guns will require different types of power generation onboard, including fast energy generation to power those weapons, he said. The future combat vessel will need to be built using new materials such as composites for stealth purposes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The European naval industry is working to define its technological capability gaps, with the next step seeing how firms can collaborate to close those gaps, according to Miguelez Garcia. The EU industry has clear gaps in areas including weapons and sensors, he said.

Companies specialized in weapons are working together to try to define the new types of armaments needed, and how to defend against those weapons, while another group is working on defining the digital architecture and the energy plan required, he said.

The EDA and member states are considering whether to make the future combat vessel a project within the EUs Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) framework, which would lock in a commitment by heads of state, Scraback said.
The European Unions anti-fraud agency opened an investigation into the possible exporting of rebranded Russian oil via Turkey into the EU, Politico reported on Nov. 5, citing two undisclosed sources.

OLAF, an investigative body of the European Union, can recommend member states to take action or launch criminal investigations as a result of its own probings.

It is very likely that Turkish ports have been accepting and then sending rebranded Russian oil to the EU using a loophole in the sanctions, an earlier investigation by Politico showed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Turkey has been long singled out as one of the main facilitators of circumventing sanctions imposed on Russia by the West over the invasion of Ukraine.

The European Union introduced a ban on importing Russian oil at the end of 2022 in its attempt to wean itself off Russian fossil fuels, granting temporary exceptions only for landlocked countries such as Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

Politicos evidence includes matching spikes in Russian import and oil export in Turkish ports and analysts pointing out that Turkey simply rebrands the Russian oil it re-exports to the EU, giving the cargo a paper that testifies to its "non-sanctioned" origin.

According to Politico, this loophole generated up to 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) in income for Moscows war chest in 2023 alone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Turkey, a member of NATO, has been pursuing a standalone Russia policy since Russias full-scale invasion began, retaining a mediator role between Russia, Ukraine, and the West.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has publicly supported Ukrainian sovereignty. Turkey has provided arms to Ukraine and, together with the U.N., brokered the now-defunct Black Sea grain corridor agreement.

Read also: Opinion: Europe must clamp down on Russian oil flows through Turkey

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Kate Abnett, Gloria Dickie and Valerie Volcovici

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -World leaders from major economies including the United States, the European Union and Brazil are planning to skip this year's United Nations climate change summit, known as COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will not attend the COP29 climate summit because of political developments in Brussels, a Commission spokesperson told Reuters on Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There, EU lawmakers are vetting the members of her new European Commission, who will lead EU policymaking for the next five years.

"The Commission is in a transition phase and the president will therefore focus on her institutional duties," the spokesperson said.

U.S. President Joe Biden will also not travel to the event, a Biden administration source told Reuters. COP29 begins on Nov. 11, a few days after the U.S. presidential election.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva already cancelled his trip to COP29 following a head injury last month.

Some, but not all, world leaders attend U.N. climate summits. At past COP gatherings, they have used their speeches to announce new CO2-cutting policies and funding, or redouble their commitment to global efforts to curb climate change.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The U.S. election is looming over this year's U.N. climate talks, where nearly 200 countries will try to agree a huge increase in global funding to meet CO2-cutting goals.

Climate diplomats say a win by Republican candidate Donald Trump - who pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement during his first presidency - could make it harder for COP29 to yield a deal for a large increase in climate funding.

Li Shuo, a climate diplomacy expert at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said what countries bring to COP29 in terms of their actions to mobilise more finance would ultimately matter more than which heads of state showed up.

"What matters most is leadership. Leaders should always be at the COP. But more important than their presence is the real commitments countries bring to the table," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

China, Japan, Australia and Mexico are also absent from the U.N.'s latest agenda for leaders' speeches at COP29.

The EU will be represented at the summit by European Council President Charles Michel and the bloc's climate policy chief, Wopke Hoekstra.

COP29 overlaps with the Group of 20 summit in Brazil on Nov. 18-19, where leaders will also discuss efforts to finance the climate transition.

(Reporting by Kate Abnett, Valerie Volcovici, Gloria Dickie; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten, Ed Osmond, Alexandra Hudson)
The World Health Organization (WHO) says it plans to evacuate more than 100 patients from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, announcing the first such operation in the embattled Palestinian territory in about five weeks.

The evacuees will include those injured in the ongoing Gaza war as well as chronically-ill patients, the WHO said.

Initially, patients will be brought to Egypt via the southern border crossing of Kerem Shalom and Israel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most are then to be flown to the United Arab Emirates, said Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative in the Palestinian territories, in a video conference. About 30 people will be transported to Romania, he added.

Since the closure Gaza's border crossing with Egypt in the southern city of Rafah at the beginning of May, only 282 patients have been brought out of the Gaza Strip, Peeperkorn said.

However, between 12,000 and 14,000 additional patients, who suffer from burns, spinal injuries, amputations or cancer, among others ailments, also need to be treated abroad, he said.

The WHO representative called on Israel to give security guarantees to enable the permanent transfer of patients, instead of occasional medical evacuations.

"We cannot continue the way we do now," Peeperkorn said.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  An Evansville man arrested on Waggoner Avenue after an overnight chase, during which he allegedly made several u-turns.

According to the Indiana State Police (ISP), on the night of November 4, at approximately 11:30 p.m., a Trooper was patrolling Green River Road near Covert Avenue when he stopped the driver of a 2016 Hyundai for not wearing his seat belt. While the Trooper was approaching the vehicle, the driver accelerated away from the traffic stop and continued east on Covert Avenue before turning south on Shoshoni Lane.

Shooting outside Evansville fire station leaves one person injured

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police say the driver allegedly made a U-turn at Pollack Avenue and drove back north on Shoshoni Lane and then east on Covert Avenue. The driver then allegedly made another U-turn near I-69 and continued west on Covert Avenue before driving south on Hicks Drive and then west on Pollack Avenue. The ISP explains when the driver turned north on Elmendorf Avenue he crashed into a ditch and fled on foot. A perimeter was established, and the driver was eventually located hiding in the 3700 block of Waggoner Avenue.

The ISP says the driver was identified as Kevin L. Moman, 31, of Evansville. Moman was arrested without further incident. When troopers searched his vehicle, they allegedly located a small amount of a suspected narcotic substance. Troopers explain further investigation revealed he had an outstanding warrant out of Vanderburgh County for a petition to revoke his probation.

Evansville man sentenced to 18 years in prison for attempted manslaughter

The ISP says Moman was transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held without bond. He is charged with:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle

Possession of a Narcotic Drug

Driving While Suspended

Outstanding Warrant (Vanderburgh County)

(Courtesy: INDIANA STATE POLICE)

Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Toddlers that are 2 and 3 years old are too young to understand words like impossible and improbable. But the concept of possibility seems to be hardwired into their brains. New research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences not only shows young children get the idea, but it demonstrates that they learn significantly better after impossible occurrences.

In a brief report titled Young children distinguish the impossible from the merely improbable, researchers say very young kids are more interested in events that are unlikely and even impossible compared to those that are likely.

The research vehicle used by Aimee E. Stahl of The College of New Jersey psychology department and Lisa Feigenson of Johns Hopkins Universitys Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences was a fake gumball machine with purple and pink hair curlers clearly visible inside it. Putting a coin in appeared to cause one or the other to randomly fall down a chute.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They compared the learning of 335 children ages 2 and 3 after nearly identical events that were equally likely, improbable or impossible. We found that children learned significantly better following impossible than possible events, no matter how unlikely.

From that, they concluded even toddlers can differentiate between the impossible and the merely improbable.

Even young toddlers already think about the world in terms of possibilities, said Feigenson, who co-directs the Johns Hopkins Laboratory for Child Development. Adults do this all the time and here we wanted to know whether even toddlers think about possible states of the world before theyve had years of experience and before they have the language to describe these mental states.

Is the train likely to be on time? Better hurry. Do you have enough milk for the recipe? Stop at the store on your way home. Probability is something adults juggle all the time. The question was whether young children make mental judgments or if those are solely born of time and experience.

The study design

In the equi-probable scenario, the visible objects in the gumball machine were a like number of pink and purple hair curlers. Inserting the coin would deliver one or the other. In the improbable condition, the machine contained many more of one type of curler than the other. There were also degrees of probability, with different numbers of each object, clear down to 39 of the purple ones and one of the pink. Impossible included all purple curlers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These were chosen because even much younger infants are surprised when the rare object is drawn from similar populations, they wrote.

There were also voice prompts, such as, Theres some purple and some pink, and thats all thats all thats in there! or Theres some purple and thats all thats in there!

The chute, though, was preloaded. So when the child inserted the coin, it was possible to get a pink curler, though the machine only contained purple. Impossible! They were also told that the rare pink curler was a blick, and were later asked to find it to see how well they learned the novel word. Those who saw the impossible could reliably pick out the blick.

Its also possible, in the video, to see their surprise: wide-eyed and slack-jawed at the mystery of how something that wasnt there came down the chute.

Why a learning boost?

The researchers found that when the children who saw only purple curlers got a pink one, they learned significantly better than the children whod gotten a more likely object. Those whod seen a pink one and got it, not matter how long the odds were, didnt get a boost to their learning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One possibility was that they would learn well from the improbable events, but even better from the impossible events, said co-author Aimee Stahl, a former doctoral student in Feigensons lab who is now an associate professor of psychology at The College of New Jersey. But what we found was that they actually dont learn from the unlikely, improbable events. They only learn if they experienced the impossible event.

Feigenson and Stahl believe that children learn after impossible events because they are searching for explanations. The improbable can surprise you, but doesnt demand an explanation. Impossible events require kids to reevaluate what they thought they knew, they said in the release.

Make them puzzle over things, the duo said.

These results are so interesting because they show that when children see events in the world that they cant explain, it instills in them a drive for information that they can use to reconcile their prior model of the world with what theyve just seen, said Feigenson. Scientifically, these findings are exciting because they suggest that humans are equipped from the get-go to think about whether things are possible or unlikely or just cant happen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Andrew Shtulman, a professor at Occidental College who didnt participate in the study, told NPR that the research bolsters findings that kids learn better when they meet the unexpected.

It elicits a level of surprise that leads to more attention, better encoding of the events, and better retention of those events later on, he said, but added that its harder for young children to distinguish improbable and impossible events without physical evidence, like the appearance of a pink blick from a container filled only with purple containers. Instead, anything that violates their expectations, they deny is possible, per Shtulman.

To boost learning, he told NPR to violate their expectations before introducing information you want them to keep.

Next, the researchers hope to explore ways that parents and teachers can make their own heightened learning moments for kids.
EVERETT, Pa. (WTAJ)  An Everett couple was jailed over the weekend after both shared different stories about a physical altercation while driving with their 1-year-old child, nearly crashing the car.

Daniel Lee Barton, 45 (Bedford County Prison)

Daniel Lee Barton, 45, and Annabele Lee Vanburen, 35, were arrested over the weekend and charged with terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and child endangerment. Vanburen was also later charged with aggravated assault after allegedly smacking a trooper across the face.

State police were called Saturday night, Nov. 2, to a home on Arnold Drive in East Providence Township for a report of a domestic altercation. Upon arrival, Vanburen told state police an argument took place in the car while Barton was driving and their 1-year-old was in the backseat. According to her account, Barton became physical, including grabbing her arm and biting her. Troopers noted in the criminal complaint that they saw what appeared to be a bruised bite mark on her arm and a bruised, swollen mark behind her ear.

Annabele Lee Vanburen, 35 (Bedford County Prison)

Vanburen also claimed that Barton tried to scare her by intentionally driving up an embankment and almost rolling the car, charges read. Vanburen then said her head still hurt and the child seemed lethargic, prompting troopers to get her to UPMC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One charged after DUI crash into children on horseback in Bedford County

According to the affidavit, Barton later returned home that night and told troopers that Vanburen was the one who got physical with him. He claimed she threatened to kill him while he was driving and began to hit him and pull his hair. He also told investigators she would pull the steering wheel and nearly caused them to drive up an embankment and crash. Troopers noted he had a scratch under his eye.

Barton also claimed that Vanburen opened the door and hung out of the car so she could kick him before he came to a stop. When he tried to get their toddler from the backseat, he claimed she would kick and punch him overtop of the child. According to the complaint, Barton told troopers Vanburen got out of the vehicle with the child and he left.

After a few hours, troopers said they went to UPMC to place Vanburen in custody. According to charges, she became loud and resisted being cuffed. Two UPMC nurses came in to assist when Vanburen allegedly smacked the trooper across the face, leading to new aggravated assault charges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Vanburen and Barton were arraigned overnight into Sunday morning and placed in Bedford County Prison.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

Bail for Barton was set at $40,000 while bail for Vanburen was set at $50,000 for the child endangerment and $60,000 for the aggravated assault of the trooper, court documents show.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Election Day 2024 is here  voters in Nevada have from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to vote.

8 News Now will bring you election results on air and online on Channel 8 and 8newsnow.com as soon as they are available

Nevadans are voting on their choices for president, U.S. Senate, U.S. House and several local races, including 10 Nevada Senate seats, all 42 Nevada Assembly seats and a new mayor of Las Vegas. The ballot also features seven questions.

In-person Election Day voting

Clark County is running 135 Election Day voting centers, which are also mail ballot drop-off locations. Locations include Allegiant Stadium, the Galleria at Sunset, Henderson City Hall, Las Vegas City Hall, the Meadows Mall, North Las Vegas City Hall and the UNLV Lied Library.

Wait times at voting centers

A web page shows the wait times at voting centers around Clark County. To view the locations and times, click here. As of 10:45 a.m., many sites have either no wait time or less than 5 minutes while a handful of others show waiting times at an hour or more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

All polls across Nevada close at 7 p.m. or until the last person in line votes. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. can vote.

LINK: Clark County voting locations

Nevada offers same-day voter registration. New voters can register and vote at any polling location with a valid Nevada drivers license or Nevada ID card. Any other form of identification, including a military ID or passport, cannot be used for same-day registration to prove your identity. An ID is not required to vote if a voter is already registered.

Mail-in ballots

Mail-in ballots can be dropped off at any voting location or any post office or mailbox. There is one location where late ballots can be dropped off until 8:59 p.m. Its at the post office at 1001 E. Sunset Road in Las Vegas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day to be counted. Signatures on mail-in ballots must match the one on file. The Clark County Election Department will notify voters if there is an issue with their signature, however, a voter must have a phone number or email on file to be notified. Voters have until 5 p.m. on the sixth day after Election Day to provide a signature confirmation, Nevada law states  with the Veterans Day holiday, that date this year is Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Link: Clark County Registered Voter Services

Voters can track their mail-in ballots on BallotTrax or the Clark County Election Departments website.

Clark County voters can see if the county has counted their mail-in ballot under the Registered Voter Services section of the election departments website. The county can also be reached at 702-455-VOTE (8683). Nye County voters can call 775-482-8134.

What are the big races?

Nevadans are voting on their choices for president, U.S. Senate, U.S. House and several local races, including 10 Nevada Senate seats, all 42 Nevada Assembly seats and a new mayor of Las Vegas. The ballot also features seven questions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nevadas six electoral votes are at stake in the presidential race. One of two Nevada U.S. Senate seats and all four of Nevadas U.S. House seats are up for grabs.

Clark County voters will also vote for seats on the Clark County Board of Trustees.

Question 1 proposes amendments to the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Should it pass, it would become law.

Question 2 revises language in the Nevada Constitution about people who receive state support. Should it pass, it would become law.

Question 3 proposes amending the Nevada Constitution to allow for open primaries and ranked-choice voting. Should it pass, it would become law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Question 4 removes language from the Nevada Constitution about slavery and involuntary servitude. Should it pass, it would become law.

Question 5 exempts diapers from certain taxes. Should it pass, it would become law.

Question 6 enshrines Nevadas existing abortion access law, which allows a woman to have an abortion until fetal viability or after if a mothers life is at risk, into the state constitution. If it passes, it will again appear on the November 2026 ballot.

Question 7 would require a voter to show ID in order to vote. If it passes, it will again appear on the November 2026 ballot.

When can we expect results?

Clark County will post early voting and mail-in ballot totals in its first Election Night totals with Election Day results coming later in the night. The county and the state will not release totals until the last polling place closes. Democratic Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar said during the June primary, there was a 10-minute wait time from when the last polling location closed to the first results going online at 8:04 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Election Night, the county will first release early voting and mail-in ballot totals. The mail-in ballot totals will be for ballots received through Monday. The county expects to release a second batch of data later in the evening with in-person Election Day results.

In the days after, the county will release results in the afternoon and evening as mail-in ballots are tabulated and as voters who need to verify their identities do so.

Nevada state law requires all mail-in ballots to be mailed and postmarked by Election Day. There is then a four-day period after Election Day when county clerks can accept the postmarked ballots and process them. If the ballot does not have a postmark, county clerks can process ballots up to three days after Election Day.

A law passed after the 2020 election allows Nevada county clerks and registrars to process mail-in ballots in the two weeks before an election. This change, and new equipment, will likely make the tabulation process faster than it was in 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Because of close margins, the Associated Press, which calls races based on vote totals and their analysis, did not call the 2020 presidential nor the 2022 U.S. Senate race until the Saturday after Election Day. The AP called the race for Lombardo the Friday after that election.

State law prohibits electioneering  the soliciting of a candidate or the wearing of political insignia  anywhere on private property serving as a voting location and from within 100 feet of a polling location on public property.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
CHICAGO  The former ComEd vice president who secretly recorded his colleagues as part of a federal corruption probe began testifying against ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan on Tuesday, the first of what is expected to be multiple days on the stand.

One of the prosecutions star witnesses, Fidel Marquezs cooperation with federal investigators provided the backbone of prosecutors allegations that Madigan and his co-defendant Michael McClain supported ComEd-friendly legislation in exchange for benefits from the utility, such as do-nothing contracts for their associates.

Marquez began working with the FBI in early 2019, after agents confronted him at his mothers home and played wiretapped phone calls of him that they said showed him committing crimes. He went on to make multiple undercover recordings of his own, both audio and video, and is expected to testify that ComEd paid Madigans favored associates hundreds of thousands of dollars for virtually no work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I know that they were brought on as a favor to Michael Madigan, Marquez testified last year in the related ComEd Four bribery trial, which ended with convictions for McClain and three others. For Madigan to see ComEd positively. So that he could perhaps be helpful for our legislative agenda in Springfield.

Marquez briefly took the stand before a lunch break Tuesday to tell jurors he pleaded guilty in 2020 to conspiracy to commit bribery. In exchange for his truthful testimony, he said, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of probation instead of prison time.

He also admitted to jurors that earlier this year he incorrectly filled out an application for a gun. When the application asked whether he was under indictment or information for a felony, he said no. On the stand Tuesday, Marquez said that was inadvertent.

He simply wanted a weapon to fend off rattlesnakes near his Arizona home, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Marquez is not facing charges related to that application, but Madigan and McClains attorneys are almost certain to use it to attack his credibility. The judge overseeing Marquezs case warned him of that earlier this year, telling him he had basically given a really beautiful piece of ammunition to Madigans lawyers.

Marquez is expected to get into the meat of his testimony Tuesday after a lunch break.

He is one of two crucial witnesses who made undercover recordings while cooperating with federal authorities. The other, former Ald. Daniel Solis, is expected to testify later in the trial about Madigans alleged efforts to use his public position to get work for his private law firm. Solis, who also testified in last years corruption trial of ex-Ald. Edward Burke, was himself charged with bribery but got an unprecedented sweetheart deal in exchange for his cooperation.

Madigan, 82, of Chicago, who served for decades as speaker of the Illinois House and the head of the state Democratic Party, faces racketeering charges alleging he ran his state and political operations like a criminal enterprise.

Both Madigan and McClain, 77, a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy, have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.

____
As a senior executive with Commonwealth Edison, it was Fidel Marquezs job to know who was working for the utility as lobbyists or consultants and what exactly it was they were doing for the money.

So when a cryptic email was forwarded to him in 2013 from Michael McClain, a longtime associate of House Speaker Michael Madigan, asking that ComEd shift a contract for one of Madigans top 13th Ward soldiers that Marquez had never heard of, he had some obvious questions.

Can you clue me in? Marquez wrote to McClain.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What he quickly learned from McClain was that ComEd had been quietly paying two Madigan associates, former 13th Ward Ald. Frank Olivo and precinct captain Ray Nice, as subcontractors through consultant Jay Doherty, even though neither had done any work for the utility.

Now, McClain wanted a third person, 13th Ward precinct captain Ed Moody, shifted to Dohertys contract too.

He explained that Ed Moody was someone who was important to Mike Madigan, Marquez testified Tuesday in Madigans corruption trial. They were being paid  as a favor to Michael Madigan.

Marquezs testimony goes to the heart of the corruption charges against Madigan and McClain, a former lobbyist whom Marquez said acted as a conduit between Madigan and ComEd, helping funnel a total of $1.3 million to a handful of the speakers loyalists from 2011 to 2019 for little or no work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One of the prosecutions star witnesses, Marquez took the witness stand Tuesday for the first of what is expected to be multiple days on the stand.

Marquez began working with the FBI in early 2019, after agents confronted him at his mothers home and played wiretapped phone calls of him that they said showed him committing crimes.

He went on to make multiple undercover recordings of his own, both audio and video, that provided the backbone for the biggest single allegation in the indictment: that Madigan supported ComEd-friendly legislation in exchange for a stream of benefits from the utility.

Marquez pleaded guilty in 2020 to conspiracy to commit bribery. In exchange for his truthful testimony, prosecutors have said they will recommend a sentence of probation instead of prison time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Tuesday, Marquez also admitted that earlier this year he incorrectly filled out an application for a gun, which he wanted to fend off rattlesnakes near his Arizona home. When the application asked whether he was under indictment or information for a felony, he said no. On the stand Tuesday, Marquez said that was inadvertent.

Marquez is not facing charges related to that application, but Madigan and McClains attorneys are almost certain to use it to attack his credibility. The judge overseeing Marquezs case warned him of that earlier this year, telling him he had basically given a really beautiful piece of ammunition to Madigans lawyers.

Marquez first testified 20 months ago in the related ComEd Four bribery case, which resulted in sweeping guilty verdicts against McClain, Doherty, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, and John Hooker, a longtime internal lobbyist for the company.

As he had in that case, Marquez began his testimony Tuesday appearing relaxed on the witness stand, speaking in a clear, loud voice as he took the jury through his decadeslong career with ComEd and the influence that Madigan had over important legislation the utility was looking to push through in Springfield.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So far, Marquezs testimony has been almost identical to what he told the jury in the ComEd Four case.

He related how ComEd had a poor relationship with Madigan in the mid-2000s after the company had given the speaker bad information regarding a merger with another utility. After that, he said, there was a concerted effort to improve their standing with the powerful Democratic speaker, an undertaking that his boss, Pramaggiore, made personal.

She would tell me how powerful Michael Madigan is, Marquez said. She would regularly ask me where Michael Madigan stood on a piece of legislation or a certain issue. She wanted to make sure that we had a very positive relationship between Michael Madigan and ComEd.

Before meetings, Pramaggiore would make small talk with Madigan about which books they were reading, Marquez said; and they both took a trip to Turkey as part of an Illinois economic delegation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They also got to know each others families, with Pramaggiores son once working under the direction of Madigans chief of staff, Tim Mapes, at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, he said.

ComEd also had inroads with Madigan through Hooker, Marquez said, a longtime ComEd governmental affairs boss who later became a contract lobbyist for the utility and was particularly close to McClain.

They often met together, they spoke to each other all the time, referred to each other as brothers from another mother, he said. Marquez also explained some of Hookers unique idioms  Hookerisms, as they were known around ComEd.

That which is understood need not be mentioned was one, Marquez said, explaining that it meant often theres not an explanation given for what, how, or why, because its understood by those in the discussion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To illustrate Madigans power, Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu had Marquez walk the jury through an episode in 2018 when the speaker allegedly gave the go-ahead to kill legislation championed by his own daughter, then-Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, that would lower electric bills for low-income people.

The utility strongly opposed it  Marquez said it would have made bills higher for people who were not low-income  but internally, there was concern about the speakers reaction.

Being the daughter of Michael Madigan, us being opposed to it and fighting strongly against it, we were concerned that this may be viewed negatively by Michael Madigan, Marquez told jurors.

In a May 2018 email, however, McClain said Madigan was OK with smothering his own daughters legislation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A friend of ours alerted me, and thereby us, to this initiative and the concept of an amendment, McClain wrote. As we all know, that was code for we can go ahead and kill it.

The friend of ours was Madigan, Marquez said.

We, ComEd, were in effect greenlighted to work against this bill, Marquez testified.

Greenlighted by whom?

Greenlighted by Michael Madigan.

The bill ultimately failed.

Marquez did tell one story that was kept out of the ComEd Four case  an illuminating power play where, according to Marquez, ComEd was told by Madigans team what to do with their own contractors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to Marquez, in 2014, Exelon executive Bill Von Hoene cornered Hooker at a Black History Month event at the Museum of Science and Industry and took him to the woodshed for having a meeting with Madigan at Saputos restaurant in Springfield without the knowledge of others at the utility.

Bill Von Hoene felt that John Hooker was acting rogue and going out on his own, Marquez said. I believed we were going to end up with John Hookers contract not being renewed.

Marquez testified that at the time, Hooker had been made a point man in Madigans litigation against fair maps advocates who wanted to remove the speakers power over redistricting. The bad blood with Von Hoene eventually got the attention of McClain, who fired off an email to Joe Dominguez, another Exelon executive, with the subject line Hooker.

Please resolve this tomorrow favorably so this is put to bed, McClains email read. Hope to have (Hooker) calling the NAACP nationally on the court cases tomorrow and we do not want any glitches.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After that, ComEd began to pay Hooker through McClains lobbying firm, Marquez testified.

Madigan, 82, of Chicago, who served for decades as speaker of the Illinois House and the head of the state Democratic Party, faces racketeering charges alleging he ran his state and political operations like a criminal enterprise.

Both Madigan and McClain, 77, a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy, have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com
On Tuesday, residents in Alabamas newly redrawn congressional district two will vote for the first time.

A June 2023 ruling by the supreme court created the new district in the Black belt, which spans from the states Choctaw county, on its western border, to Russell county, in the east, where Black people make up 48.7% of the population. The decision also preserved the only other majority-Black district in the state  district seven. Voters in district two will have the opportunity to increase their political power, a historic change that has the potential to give voters in the Black belt a representative government.

Related: Shomari Figures elected as first congressman in Alabamas redrawn majority-Black district

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For Letetia Jackson, one of the plaintiffs in Allen v Milligan, the US supreme court case that formed the new district, this election is personal, the culmination of a years long struggle.

[We wanted to] make sure that Black voters and the African American population in the state of Alabama have an opportunity to have the type of representation that our numbers support, said Jackson, who is also convener of the South Alabama Black Womens Roundtable, an organization that works to engage Black voters.

Black people make up about 29% of Alabamas population, making it the fifth Blackest state in the country, behind Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and Maryland. But Black voters within the Black belt had been pushed into different congressional districts, which prevented them from voting as a contiguous district and, ultimately, suffocated their political power.

We have seven congressional districts, Jackson said We only [had] one Black majority district, and we were advocating for at least one additional opportunity to elect another congressional member to represent our areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Following the 2020 census, in which the population of Black respondents grew, Jackson said that there was an opening to push for a more representative government. After years of lawsuits and appeals that ultimately made their way to the supreme court, the lines were redrawn, creating the new congressional district two.

On election day, after voting for a presidential candidate, district twos voters will move down ballot to vote for their representative in the United States House. They will choose between the Democrat Shomari Figures, who is Black, and Republican Caroleene Dobson, who is white. Despite its demographics, since 1823, the area has only been represented by white politicians, the majority of whom were, since the 1960s, Republicans. If Figures is elected, he would become the first Democrat to hold the position since 2008. And for the first time in the states history, two of Alabamas seven House representatives would be Black.

People are really, really excited about that position because in this area theres been very little representation that actually reflects the needs, the issues, the policies of the people who live there, she said. And so theyre excited about the possibility of being able to have someone that really knows the district and that knows the people.

Casting the vote

Jackson said that even though her district changed, no one from the elections office notified her and many other residents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And during the Super Tuesday primary earlier this year, advocates reported that more than 6,000 voters in district two received postcards with incorrect voting information. In the absence of official voter information and mobilization efforts, the South Alabama Black Womens Roundtable and other organizations are working to educate voters.

Weve seen the district voting age population increase by 49%, Rodriesha Russaw, executive director of The Ordinary People Society (Tops), said. And so these people are learning more and more about how redistricting impacts the voting process and how it impacts their daily lives.

Russaw also said that there had been an increase of harm, since the last election, specifically for Black voters. She said that 15 to 20% of the calls made to a call center that is run for the Alabama Election Protection Network were from elders who were afraid to vote. She said the feeling of anxiety was pervasive.

One thing that we found is that the voter intimidation has increased in many ways through marketing, through social media, through just everyday contact with individuals, with police officers when it comes to police brutality and violence  [its] scare tactics so Black people and people of color would not show up to the polls, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tops and other organizations are planning to deploy trusted community leaders as volunteers throughout neighborhoods to encourage people to vote and give voters a sense of comfort when they are at the polls.

They have received voter education training, are working throughout multiple counties in district two. They will be present at the polls, helping folks get off of vans and out of buses and into the polling places.

We have a really good chance to see a high [turnout] in young voters and first-time voters for this year  more than ever since the Obama election, she said. Were amped up to make sure that these trusted leaders are at the forefront and that when they get to the polls, they see these faces because we dont want them scared off by the police officers.

Jackson, from South Alabama Black Womens Roundtable, said that she had heard from many folks who are feeling enthusiastic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I will not say that its a slam dunk or that everything is going to be rosy on election day, but I do know that theres a lot of excitement in the air, she said. There are pockets of poor communities in the Black belt that no one ever generally even pays any attention to, and when you talk to some of those people, theyre excited to have an opportunity to finally get somebody who will come and speak to them and represent them.

In collaboration with other organizations, Tops is working to ensure that every county in district two has transportation to and from the polls. Transportation could prove to be key in a largely rural district, especially one in which voting locations may have changed without voters being notified.

[We are] ensuring that every particular county and district too has a means of transportation for those who maybe have disabilities or have physical impediments because we believe that equity and inclusion is a big thing, Russaw said.

Their inclusive voter engagement also extends to childcare. While talking to voters, Russaw said that organizers repeatedly heard that people had to choose between staying home with their children and going to the voting polls. This year, Tops is partnering with community volunteers to give people a safe place for their children while they go out and vote. The organizations multipurpose center will have activities for children from the morning until after polling locations close.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jackson said that multiple organizations have been working across the state to reach voters via knocking on doors, making phone calls, sending information and holding rallies and events. They have been trying to ensure that people know when, how and where to vote.

Our education and mobilization strategy throughout this process is to let voters know they need to make a plan to vote, not to just show up where they normally show up, but to make sure thats where theyre supposed to be, she said.

Tops is also using their radio station, WKCD99.1FM, to provide updated information about the election, criminal justice and reproductive justice. That station is also being used for their Bringing hope to the vote campaign, in which they aim to inspire people to vote.

People have lost so much hope, Russaw said. Weve seen the political climate change. Weve seen Covid, lost a lot of family members. The economical challenges in Alabama are not changing  minimum wage is still $7.25. People are struggling to eat and feed their kids. When were talking about engaging voters, we have to remind them that theres hope  If we continue to focus on bringing hope to people, we will find that people are more amped to cast their vote because they feel like it matters.
Two failed assassination attempts, the incumbents presidential campaign falling apart, and several major party defections later, the drama of the 2024 election is about to reach a crescendo.

On Tuesday, millions of voters are flocking to polling locations across the country to cast their votes in what is believed to be one of the most hotly-contested presidential elections in history, with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump effectively deadlocked in the national polls.

An estimated 82 million Americans  more than half of the 2020 electorate  have already voted early, according to the Associated Press.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Heres what you need to know about timings on election night (and beyond):

When do polling stations close?

People vote at a polling station in the Bronx borough of New York City on November 5 (AFP via Getty Images)

Since the very first ballot center in Vermont opened its doors at 5am ET on Tuesday morning, polling stations across all 50 states followed suit.

Poll closures also vary state-by-state from 6pm in parts of Kentucky and Indiana to 1am on Wednesday morning at the very last ballot center in Adak, Alaska.

Below is the full list of times (all in Eastern Time) when the last polls close across each state. (There are sometimes variances in timings between different counties and municipalities within a state.)

7pm: Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

7.30pm: North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia

8pm: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee

8.30pm: Arkansas

9pm: Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming

10pm: Montana, Nevada, Utah

11pm: California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington

12am: Hawaii

1am: Alaska

When to expect exit polls?

Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump vote at Mandel Recreation Center on Election Day in Palm Beach, Florida, on November 5 (REUTERS)

One of the earliest, albeit primitive, indications for who will win the White House will be the exit polls: in-person surveys of those who have cast their ballot outside polling centers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At 5pm, members of the National Election Pool can start releasing the first batch of exit poll data after the press embargo breaks. However, full exit poll results cant be released until polling closes across the entirety of individual states (listed above).

Voters are asked about the issues that matter to them most  from the economy to abortion  rather than the specific candidate they voted for. Demographic data  such as age and race  may also be collected.

Exit polls give hints as to how the night might go rather than providing a basis for projecting the result  someone staunchly pro-choice may be more inclined to vote for Harris, for example.

Despite not giving precise data about which way an individual has cast their vote, the findings are based on a much larger sample size than typical polls seen prior to Election Day.

When will we know the results?

Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, on Monday in Philadelphia (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

It took four days after Americans cast their ballots in 2020 for Joe Biden to be declared the winner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This election cycle, there are three possible scenarios for when a winner may be announced: the race is called on election night; the race is called in a matter of days; it could be weeks until a result becomes clear.

A key indicator, as ever, will be how well candidates do in the swing states  Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

While Trump and Harris are neck-and-neck across the battlegrounds, it is possible the polls turn out to be incorrect and the race may not be as close as predicted  and therefore wont take too long to call a winner.

The speed of vote counting will also impact when a vote is announced, with the counting of mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania not able to begin until Wednesday morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nevada is another state that takes longer to count the vote, with mail-in ballots postmarked on Election Day counted as long as they are received by Saturday.

If the race is as close as pollsters predict, forecasters may not be comfortable calling the race for days due to possible outstanding mail-in ballots.

As seen previously, legal challenges can further slow down vote counting.

There are allegedly over 20 voting and election cases pending across 40 states (although concentrated in the swing states), Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias told the BBC.

With the election on a knifes edge, a recount  like that seen with George Bush and Al Gore in 2000 in Florida  could also slow down the process. In the Bush-Gore case, the result was decided by the Supreme Court a month after Election Day.
Members of the absent voter election board in Dona Ana County look over ballots Election Night, Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Leah Romero / Source NM)

Tuesday is the last day for New Mexico voters to cast a ballot in elections for political offices from the Roundhouse to the White House.

Polls are open throughout the state from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone already waiting in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote. All absentee ballots must be delivered to a local county clerks office by 7 p.m. in order to be counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Then the numbers will start to roll in. In New Mexico all election results posted are unofficial.

Official results

Results from election night become official after a process of canvassing and certifying the election is complete County officials verify results, and the county board certifies the election, and sends the results to the New Mexico Secretary of State within 10 days.

The State Canvassing Board  made up of the governor, secretary of state, and chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court  meet on the third Tuesday after the election to certify the canvas and declare the official election results for state and federal elections.

How results are released

Shortly after the polls close, the Secretary of States office will release unofficial results from early voting, and precincts will start reporting counts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Just under half of registered voters cast their ballots by mail and in-person during the early election period from Oct. 8 through Saturday.

County poll workers can start verifying absentee ballots as soon as they are returned to the county clerk until five days before the election. The ballots can be inserted into vote counting machines ahead of election day, but the counts cannot actually be released until polls close on Nov. 5.

Vote counts may not completely finish on Election Day, for a few reasons.

Things that can delay results

Senate Bill 180, passed during the 2023 regular legislative session, updated several sections of the states election code. The law created an 11 p.m. deadline on election night to count absentee ballots. If there are still uncounted ballots, the absent voter election board, made up of poll workers, is required to recess. The board would then reconvene the next morning at 9:30 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This replaced the former procedure of continuing the count, often into early morning hours, until it was complete.

In every election there are usually a small number of ballots that need to undergo curing  the official term for a ballot that needs fixing by the voter in some small way to be considered complete and counted.

For example, some people forget their signature or last four digits of their social security number on absentee ballots before returning them. This process can take a few days, and counties have 10 days to address any ballots needing curing.

Finally, some races may be too close to call, triggering recounts required by law. An automatic recount is required when the margin between two candidates is less than a quarter of 1% for federal or statewide office. For other New Mexico offices, (like legislative races) the margin of less than 1% will require a recount.

What races is Source NM covering?

Source NM is covering races for president (see more below) all three congressional districts in the U.S House of Representatives, and one U.S. Senate seat, constitutional amendments and state lawmakers races in both chambers of the Roundhouse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

All of the federal races and statewide constitutional amendments are detailed in the 2024 Voter Guide.

There are four ballot questions which would amend the state constitution. This years proposals only need a simple majority vote to be approved, because they dont affect any of the constitutions sections that require a three-fourths majority to change.

There are 32 competitive races in the state House of Representatives, and 15 competitive races for seats in the state Senate.

More on the presidential race

New Mexico has been a reliably blue state in presidential races for 20 years. Democrat Kamala Harris is projected to win the states five Electoral College votes over Republican Donald Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

How New Mexicans voted for president is expected to be clear by Tuesday night.

Havent voted yet?

See the presidential candidates positions on the issues in our voter guide.

But that wont be the case in every state, particular in some where the race for president is close. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  two swing states  dont allow mail ballots to be processed until Election Day, which could cause delays for counting the results.

Source NM and the rest of the States Newsroom network will rely on The Associated Press to call the winner of the presidential race, as it has done since 1848. The AP and other news organizations call races because while the Electoral College is set up for states to pick a president, there is no federal entity to count every citizens vote.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Early vote returns in U.S. battleground states may not be a good indicator of whether Democratic candidate Kamala Harris or Republican rival Donald Trump will win, experts say, thanks to vote counting rules and quirks in several key states.

In the 2020 election, some states showed a "red mirage," in which Trump was leading on election night, before a "blue shift" saw Democrat Joe Biden overtake him as mail-in ballots favored by more Democratic voters were counted.

Experts had accurately predicted it would happen but Trump still used the shift to amplify his false claims that the election was stolen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It could happen again this week, especially in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

The opposite  a blue mirage apparently showing a strong result for Harris only for a red shift to reverse the trend - could also happen this week, especially in North Carolina and Georgia.

Trumps campaign team has said he plans to declare victory when his team believes he has crossed the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the election. That could be premature, depending on how many votes have yet to be counted and where they come from.

How it all plays out will depend on how and when the large numbers of mail-in or early ballots are processed and counted in the different states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another factor is that Democrats tend to live in more populous urban areas, where counting votes takes longer.

There are seven battleground states likely to decide the election, each with its own rules for handling and counting ballots. Here's what to expect on Election Day and beyond:

PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania did not have a clear winner in 2020 for four days after Election Day, as officials sifted through a huge backlog of mail ballots.

The state is among only a handful that do not permit election workers to process or tabulate mail ballots until 7 a.m. ET on Election Day, which means it will likely again take days before the outcome is known.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With more Democrats than Republicans voting by mail, the early results  based on in-person Election Day votes  will probably show Trump ahead, but his lead will likely shrink as more mail ballots are counted.

That pattern in 2020 prompted Trump to falsely claim fraud. This year, a new law requires most counties to announce at midnight on election night how many mail ballots remain to be counted in an effort to forestall conspiracy theories.

WISCONSIN

Like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin does not allow election officials to process or count mail ballots until the morning of the election, which means there can be a delay in reporting the results of those early votes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition, many of the state's largest cities transport mail ballots to a centralized location for processing and tabulating. That can lead to significant batches of votes getting reported all at once in the early morning of Wednesday.

In 2020, Trump and his allies falsely claimed fraud after Milwaukee, the state's largest city, reported nearly 170,000 absentee ballots around 3:30 a.m. CT (0830 GMT), giving Biden a huge spike that moved him into the lead for the first time.

That increase was expected due to the way the city processes those ballots and the fact that Democrats were more likely to vote by mail. A similar pattern is probable in 2024.

GEORGIA

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early in-person voting is popular in Georgia, where officials expected 65% to 70% of ballots to be cast at early poll locations.

Absentee or mail ballots, which may comprise around 5% of the vote, can be processed - which includes steps such as verifying signatures - starting two weeks before the election, though workers must wait until Election Day to begin counting them.

All early votes  in-person and mail  must be counted and reported by 8 p.m. ET (0000 GMT) on election night, according to state law. Officials are aiming to have all votes, including those from Election Day, tallied by midnight.

Ballots from overseas and military voters will be accepted up to three days after the election if postmarked by Nov. 5.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There were more than 21,000 such ballots requested, so an extremely close election might not be resolved until those votes are tabulated.

ARIZONA

Voting by mail is extremely popular in Arizona; nearly 90% of voters cast their ballots early, most by mail, in 2020. Election officials in Arizona can begin processing and tabulating mail ballots upon receipt, but results cannot be released until one hour after polls close.

Any mail ballots dropped off on Election Day itself cannot be processed until the polls have closed. That is often a sizable number  in 2022, those "late early" votes comprised one-fifth of all ballots in Maricopa County, the state's largest  and can take days to count.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The initial results on election night should be mostly early votes, which could favor Harris, before the numbers shift toward Trump as Election Day votes are tallied. They could move back toward Harris in the days to follow as late-arriving mail ballots are tabulated.

MICHIGAN

Since the 2020 election, Michigan has instituted early in-person voting for the first time and begun permitting jurisdictions with more than 5,000 people to begin processing and tabulating mail ballots eight days before Election Day.

Smaller jurisdictions can do so the day before Nov. 5.

Officials hope those changes will allow the state to report results more quickly than in 2020, when mail ballots could not be processed in advance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That created a "red mirage" on election night, when the state's early counts of Election Day votes favored Trump. Biden eventually surpassed Trump on the strength of mail ballots, which took longer to tally. Trump falsely claimed he was the victim of fraud.

NORTH CAROLINA

Election officials start processing and scanning mail ballots ahead of Election Day. After polls close, the first reported results will likely be mostly mail ballots as well as early in-person votes.

Election Day votes will be counted and reported throughout the evening, with full results expected by midnight.

Harris may appear to lead early thanks to mail ballots, while Trump could close the gap as Election Day votes are counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the election is as close as polls suggest, the outcome in North Carolina may remain unclear for a week or more. Absentee ballots that arrive on Nov. 5, as well as ballots from overseas and military voters, are tallied during the 10-day canvass period that follows Election Day.

In 2020, media outlets did not call North Carolina for Trump until Nov. 13, 10 days after the election.

NEVADA

Nevada's slow vote counting in 2020  news outlets did not call the state for Biden until five days after Election Day  launched countless memes, but officials say changes since then should speed up the process.

Most notably, counties were permitted to begin processing and counting mail ballots on Oct. 21.

In addition, workers can start tabulating early in-person votes at 8 a.m. PT (1500 GMT) on Election Day, rather than waiting until polls close.

But Nevada still might not get called swiftly. Mail voting has grown popular in the state, and it is the only battleground that accepts late-arriving mail ballots.

Any ballot postmarked by Nov. 5 will still be counted if it arrives within four days. Those late ballots historically favor Democrats, so a shift toward Harris could occur as votes are counted after Election Day.

(Reporting by Washington Newsroom; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Federal investigators have joined the search for a teenage girl in Maine who has been missing since September.

Stefanie Damron, 14, was last seen walking out of her house and into the woods located on the West Road in New Sweden on Sept. 23, Maine State Police said in social media posts on Tuesday and in late October.

Investigators have conducted many interviews and followed up on leads in Maine, nationally, and in Canada, state police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North and Computer Crimes Unit are investigating in collaboration with the FBIs Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team to help find the girl.

The Maine Warden Service and Maine State Police K9 Unit have searched large parcels of land near Stefanies last known location.

Authorities are asking the public for help in finding Stefanie, who is described as 5 feet tall, weighing 130 pounds, with green eyes and shoulder-length brown hair.

She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a long sleeve blue shirt, and black Harley Davidson hiking boots.

Anyone with any information about Stefanies whereabouts is urged to call Maine State Police at 1-800-924-2261 or 207-532-5400.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

New Sweden is a small town north of Caribou, near the Canadian border. The towns population was 577 at the 2020 census.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus

In the final press conference by Maricopa County before Election Day, officials stressed the importance of trusted sources and patience as the state and county once again take center stage in a divisive election.

People should remember that there will still be long lines on Election Day, Assistant County Manager Zach Shira told a room of national and international press Monday. This is normal for a presidential election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The county is anticipating long lines due in part to the two-page ballot all voters will have to cast this election, the first time ballots have spilled onto a second sheet of paper since 2006. The average ballot contains 79 races and there are more than 13,000 different ballot styles across the county due to the different local races, bond issues and propositions.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Long lines and delays in making election results available have become fodder for election conspiracy theorists, who have clung onto those issues as a way to try to delegitimize the election outcome.

As voter turnout has increased in Arizona, so has a national focus on Maricopa County, which has been at the forefront of election fraud conspiracy theories, and has had a number of high profile candidates who have made national and international headlines for promoting false claims.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Arizonas new status as a swing state has also led to increased attention from political campaigns and news media across the country. Maricopa County spokesman Fields Moseley noted Monday that the county had issued more than 650 press credentials.

Mondays press conference focused on the numbers involved in making Maricopas election work, as well as preliminary information on issues that have already been seized upon by conspiracy theorists and nation-state disinformation actors.

We will not be playing Whac-a-Mole, Schira said of how the county plans to address misinformation. He said the county intends to focus solely on issues that would impact a voters ability to vote and not every false claim that arises in the coming days.

Over the weekend, a video purporting to be a whistleblower within the Arizona Secretary of States Office was flagged as Russian propaganda; the person in the video made a number of false claims before encouraging people to protest. Other disinformation has already begun spreading about a voter database glitch that impacts approximately 218,000 voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Maricopa County Sheriff Russ Skinner said his office is on high alert for threats against election officials and election workers in the coming days, reiterating his zero tolerance for criminal activity that he spoke to last week.

County officials also took the time to address those who have sown doubt directly.

We are asking them to accept these results and move on and congratulate the winner, Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates said, alluding to candidates like Republicans Kari Lake and Abe Hamadeh, who have yet to concede their 2022 losses and have continued to use the courts to overturn the will of the voters.

Election results will start to roll in Tuesday night, but many races may not be able to be called until Wednesday, when late-arriving early ballots begin to be counted, the county stressed. While a vast majority of votes have already been counted, Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer stressed the volume of work that has been taken on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With the two-page ballot, work has doubled, leading to shifts that go through the night and into the next morning. Richer said he and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes worked one of those shifts just recently, calling it democracy after dark.

But doubling the work needed to tally votes isnt the only issue impacting election workers.

On the Oct. 7 deadline for voters to register in the state, Maricopa County received over 90,000 registrants  some registration forms were delivered in trash bags, Richer said. His office has been undertaking verifying those registrations, some of which were tied to a group run by a Mesa city councilman that is now under investigation in Pennsylvania.

Prosecutors in Pennsylvania are investigating irregular voter registration signatures tied to Field Media Corps run by Mesa Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia. His group has also been the subject of complaints in Arizona in 2023 and the Arizona Attorney Generals Office confirmed to the Arizona Republic that two complaints from Mohave and Navajo Counties have been sent to Maricopa County prosecutors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Richer said his office has admonished the group in the past, and that his office has spoken with the Maricopa County Attorneys Office about the group.

He stressed that his office is undergoing robust signature verification on early ballots, noting that they have hired additional people to assist, to ensure the integrity of the election.

Almost 1.2 million voters have already had their ballots processed and sent to tabulation, according to Richer. When election results are released at 8 p.m. on election night, he said approximately 55% of all the expected votes will have been tabulated. But those initial results will change as Election Day ballot tallies from polling sites are downloaded from tabulators and early ballots that either arrived Monday or Tuesday or were dropped off at polling sites are processed, something that takes several days to complete.

Despite what has been alleged in previous elections, there will not be a point where we stop tabulating, Schira said. In 2020, election fraud conspiracy theorists claimed that Maricopa and other jurisdictions stopped counting over the night and injected votes for Democratic candidates in the meantime. There is no evidence of this occurring.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In light of these claims and misinformation, the county has created a new blog that will be regularly updated with information on vote counts as well as explaining how the process works. County officials stressed that voters and the media check trusted sources for information regarding the election including sites like the countys Just the Facts page.

We are asking for peoples patience, Gates said. We will always pick accuracy over speed.

The county said they anticipate holding daily press conferences in the coming days as ballots are tabulated and results come in.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Voters thinking about interfering with the US election were warned not to f--- around by authorities as polls opened in one of the most tense votes in modern history.

Anybody who thinks its time to play militia: F---around and find out, a district attorney warned in Pennsylvania, a key swing state that could decide the outcome of the election.

It comes as the country is braced for possible violence, with fears of a repeat of Jan 6-style protests if Donald Trump loses. One poll worker was arrested on the eve of the vote for sending a bomb threat to election staff.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I want people to be reassured that  everybody in this city is working and has been working for months to make sure that there will be nothing tough about that experience and nothing to fear in that experience, Larry Krasner, the Pennsylvania district attorney, said.

Anybody who thinks its time to insult, to deride, to mistreat, to threaten people: F around and find out. We do have the cuffs, we do have the jail cells, we do have the Philly juries and we have the state prisons.

States like Pennsylvania have introduced a string of additional measures, including security screenings and faster ballot machines, this election to ensure public confidence in the voting process.

With its 19 electoral college votes, the battleground state is the biggest prize on offer for both parties on election day, with its outcome likely to determine who wins the White House.

The state has come under close scrutiny in recent days after Mr Krasner sued Tesla billionaire Elon Musk over his super Pacs $1 million giveaways to registered voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Monday, a judge green-lighted the cheques, which have been granted to people who sign a petition supporting the constitution, to continue through polling day.

With concerns about unrest reaching boiling point, attorney generals across the country released a joint statement on Tuesday morning urging a peaceful transfer of power.

We call upon every American to vote, participate in civil discourse and, above all, respect the integrity of the democratic process, the attorney generals from 47 states and three US territories wrote. Violence has no place in the democratic process; we will exercise our authority to enforce the law against any illegal acts that threaten it.

Polling station workers have been given additional security measures for this years election - AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

The statement came after a poll worker in Georgia was arrested on Monday and charged with mailing a bomb threat to election workers, the Department of Justice announced.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nicholas Wimbish, 25, is accused of making the bomb threat, after he mailed a letter to the Jones County elections superintendent signed off: PS boom toy in early vote place, cigar burning, be safe, the DOJ alleged.

He is also said to have threatened election officials, telling them to look over their shoulder as he had found home voting addresses for all them.

In the first hours of voting, some isolated reports emerged of problems at polling stations, including delays in getting e-poll books up and running in Louisville, Kentucky, and a power outage requiring the use of a generator at a polling location in St Louis.

In Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas in swing state Pennsylvania, two polling places faced delays opening when election judges did not arrive or showed up late.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Hamilton County, Ohio, where Trumps running mate JD Vance cast his vote, there were reports of problems with voting machines triggering delays.

JD Vance cast his vote in Ohio where they have been reports of delays at polling stations - AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The problem is understood to have been caused by a new code being incorrectly entered into the machines. After about 17 minutes, the situation was resolved.

Unprecedented steps have been taken to protect election workers and ballots across the country, with drones deployed at polling stations and election workers given panic buttons in some states to keep them safe.

Trump and his supporters have repeatedly claimed that the election voting process is being undermined, and extremist groups such as the Proud Boys have signalled they will be at polling sites.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Gov. Dan McKees office said hes now paid a powerful State House lobbyist he hired earlier this year to help him navigate the ILO investigation, amid questions about potential conflicts of interest.

McKee spokesperson Laura Hart said Monday the governor had received an invoice from Dome Consultants lobbyist William Murphy for an undisclosed amount of money, and made payment.

McKee hired the influential lobbyist, who previously served as Rhode Islands House speaker, as private counsel to advise him on how to handle a request from the attorney generals office for an interview as the three-year criminal probe into the state contract was coming to close.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Attorney General Peter Neronha announced last week that his office would not be filing criminal charges in the case.

The payment comes just days after McKee was questioned on Thursday about the business relationship and how Murphy was compensated for his work.

Ill be paying for it, McKee said during a news conference about the ILO investigation. If Im billed for the few hours [Murphy] puts in, Ill be paying it.

Hart didnt immediately know details about when the bill was sent or how much Murphys services cost. Contacted Monday, Murphy told Target 12, I am not at liberty to discuss this matter because of attorney-client privilege.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Emails and a letter to the governors office from the R.I. Attorney Generals Office  which headed the ILO investigation  show investigators were trying to set up a time for R.I. State Police to interview the governor as early as Feb. 14.

McKees top legal counsel in the governors office, Claire Richards, had told Neronhas office the governor would like to consult with a private counsel before deciding whether to participate in an interview, according to a Feb. 23 letter from assistant attorney general John Moreira.

A spokesperson said Murphy then reached out on March 19 to tell the attorney generals office that the governor wouldnt be participating in the investigation. McKee last week said it was because he didnt trust Neronha, whom the governor accused of being politically motivated.

The ties between McKee and Murphy have spurred questions on Smith Hill, as Murphy is one of the most well-connected lobbyists at the State House. Citizens Bank hired Murphy late in the session as the bank was aggressively pursuing a tax change that McKee had introduced as a budget amendment on May 10.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After initially looking like the legislation would die after getting nixed from the budget, McKee and House Speaker Joe Shekarchi announced they would pass the change as standalone legislation. McKee boasted about helping the deal get across the finish line last week on WPRO radio.

I stepped in and made sure Citizens is here, he said.

Common Cause Rhode Island executive director John Marion said McKee should have sought an advisory opinion from the R.I. Ethics Commission to get some cover for what he ultimately chose to do.

This isnt the first time McKee has had to pay back a lobbyist. McKee faced similar criticism after lobbyist Jeff Britt treated him to a free lunch at a high-end restaurant last year, and the governor eventually paid Britt back after being questioned about the meal publicly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ethics Commission executive director Jason Gramitt confirmed last week McKee never sought an advisory opinion related to Murphy, spurring Marion to question whether the governor could face repercussions from the commission down the road if a complaint is lodged.

He is not shielded from a complaint because he didnt ask for their advice, Marion told Target 12 on Monday.

I wonder why, of all the thousands of lawyers in Rhode Island, the governor hired one who happens to be a lobbyist, one of the most powerful lobbyists in the state, Marion added.

On Thursday, McKee downplayed the significance of the services Murphy provided, saying hes known the former speaker for a long time and he just sought some advice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was advice  it wasnt like weeks and weeks and weeks, he said. I reached out to him, I know him.

Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook.

Tim White contributed to this report.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
Claim:

Kentucky election officials received reports of ballots marked with a small, black dot inside the checkbox designated for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris  a dot that will supposedly invalidate ballots cast for Republican candidate Donald Trump, or other candidates.

Rating:

Rating: False

Context:

The Kentucky State Board of Elections said in a statement on Nov. 4, 2024, that "no one has yet presented a pre-marked ballot to election administrator or law enforcement" and that this "dot" rumor "currently only exists in the vacuum of social media." Further, the board spelled out fail-safe features that would help correct various ballot issues, should they arise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A rumor circulating online both on and just before U.S. Election Day (Nov. 5, 2024) claimed that Kentucky government officials received reports of ballots displaying a small, black dot in the checkbox designated for the Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. According to some posts promoting this rumor, Kentuckians voting for Republican former President Donald Trump  or any other candidate  might find their ballots voided due to the detection of black dots in two checkboxes.

In one example of this false and misleading rumor, on Nov. 4, a user on X posted (archived) a purported photo of a ballot with a black dot in the rectangle next to Harris' name. The user wrote of the image, "BREAKING: Kentucky are trying to hijack the election results by adding small dots in the Kamala box. If you select Trump, this will make your vote invalid. But if you select Kamala, this will make the dots irrelevant. Share this so more people know!!"

That post received over 200,000 views.

The Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) account on X  an account that had shared false claims in the past  reposted (archived) on Nov. 3 a screenshot of a Facebook post that users had shared by copying and pasting. Those Facebook posts read, "VOTERS, I seen this yesterday  Look closely at your ballot. If it has a small 'dot' in the Camilla [sic] box, take a pic of it and ask for another one. Any other box filled in, will make your ballot void!!!" Conservative commentator Tim Pool reposted (archived) @libsoftiktok's post, as did actor and comedian Roseanne Barr (archived).

However, the rumor that officials in the Kentucky government received reports of problems with ballots marked with small, black dots  marks that might invalidate ballots cast for Trump or other candidates  was false.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As the Kentucky Lantern reported, on Nov. 4, the Kentucky State Board of Elections issued a statement spelling out the facts, a copy of which Snopes obtained from Taylor Brown, general counsel for the board.

The statement noted, "For this election, County Clerks have mailed out over 130,000 mail-in absentee ballots. As of today, the State Board of Elections, nor the Attorney General's office, has been made aware of any complaints from Kentucky voters regarding mail-in absentee ballots having pre-printed marks in candidate selection fields."

Also mentioned in the statement were fail-safe implementations for issues Kentucky voters might experience with ballots, should any such problems arise:

The viral social media post that alleges a pre-printed dot on a Kentucky ballot shows an image of a mail-in absentee ballot as evidenced by a straight crease through the middle of the paper ballot. Every mail-in absentee ballot is sent to a voter with an accompanying instruction sheet that informs voters that if more than one candidate choice is marked in ink, the ballot will be counted if the voter circles their preferred choice. If a voter were to get a paper ballot with a pre-printed mark inside of a candidate selection field during any day of in-person voting, whether before or on election day, the voter would be entitled to spoil the pre-marked ballot and receive another "clean" ballot. A voter can do this before making any candidate selections or if their ballot is read by the ballot scanner to contain selections for more candidates than allowed, known as an "over vote."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The board further added, "As no one has presented a pre-marked ballot to election administrators or law enforcement, the claim that at least one ballot may have had a pre-printed mark in Kentucky, currently only exists in the vacuum of social media."

Readers can find the full statement on the board's website.

Sources:

Horsley, McKenna. "Pre-Marked Ballot Complaint Exists Only in 'Vacuum of Social Media,' Says KY Elections Board." Kentucky Lantern, 4 Nov. 2024, https://kentuckylantern.com/briefs/pre-marked-ballot-complaint-exists-only-in-vacuum-of-social-media-says-ky-elections-board/.

Commonwealth of Kentucky State Board of Elections, 4 Nov. 2024, https://elect.ky.gov/Documents/SBE%20Statement%20Regarding%20Ballot%20with%20Pre-Filled%20Dot.pdf.
Claim:

Vice President Kamala Harris once said: These Trumpers think we care about the constitution. We have the power now. Its time to end this. They really dont get. We will block them in the courts, we will use federal law enforcement and the military. After Joe inflicts the death blow, Ill take the reigns. They will beg me for a loaf of bread.

Rating:

Rating: Incorrect Attribution

In the months leading up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, social media users shared a quote (archived) attributed to Vice President Kamala Harris that first circulated in 2021.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The passage alleged that the Democratic nominee threatened to block her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, in the courts and to use the military against his supporters. The full quotation read:

These Trumpers think we care about the constitution. We have the power now, It's time to end this They really don't get. [sic] We will block them in the courts, we will use federal law enforcement and the military. After Joe inflicts the death blow, I'll take the reigns [sic]. They will beg me for a loaf of bread.

Examples of the claim (archived) appeared on X (archived) and Instagram (archived) in August, September, and October 2024.

(X user @EvanVokesMSc)

However, as Snopes found when we first investigated the quote in 2021, there was no demonstrable evidence Harris ever said these words. For this reason, we have rated the quote as misattributed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some of the posts claimed Harris made the alleged remarks on Jan. 21, 2021, the day after she was sworn in as Joe Biden's vice president. As part of the Jan. 20 swearing-in ceremony, Harris took the oath of office, which reads in part: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

As we noted in our previous article, there was no evidence Harris said she did not care about the constitution, nor that she would use government powers to specifically target "Trumpers," at either of her Jan. 21, 2021, recorded events. Those events consisted of briefly calling in to the Democratic National Committee's winter meeting and speaking by phone with World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

There was also no evidence Harris made the statement  or anything resembling it  on social media. Harris' official vice presidential X account, @VP, shared four (archived) posts (archived) on Jan. 21 none (archived) of which (archived) included the quote investigated here. The three (archived) posts (archived) from that date (archived) that appeared on her official @VP Instagram account also did not include any statements resembling the quote. Her personal X account, @KamalaHarris, made no posts that day, nor did her personal Facebook or Instagram accounts.

Reuters and USA TODAY both independently investigated the quote and likewise found no evidence it was legitimate. In 2021, Sabrina Singh, who was at the time the deputy press secretary for the vice president, told Reuters that Harris never said the words attributed to her.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Snopes' archives contributed to this report.

Sources:

"Biden Sworn in as President, Calls on Americans to 'end This Uncivil War' of Political Division." NBC News, 20 Jan. 2021, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-harris-inauguration-amid-covid-pandemic-d-c-lockdown-n1254732.

Democratic National Committee Officer Elections | C-SPAN.Org. https://www.c-span.org/video/?508157-1/democratic-national-committee-officer-elections. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

"Fact Check: Kamala Harris Did Not Say Military Would Be Used against Trump Supporters." Reuters, 8 Feb. 2021. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fact-check-kamala-harris-did-not-say-military-would-be-used-against-trump-suppo-idUSKBN2A81WH/.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

House, The White. "Readout of Vice President Harris's Call with World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus." The White House, 21 Jan. 2021, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/01/21/readout-of-vice-president-harriss-call-with-world-health-organization-director-general-dr-tedros-adhanom-ghebreyesus/.

"January 21, 2021." The White House, 21 Jan. 2021, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/2021/01/21/.

Kamala Harris Sworn In As Vice President | C-SPAN.Org. https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4939577/kamala-harris-sworn-vice-president. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Mikkelson, David. "Kamala Harris Didn't Threaten To Use the Military Against 'Trumpers.'" Snopes, 8 Feb. 2021, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/harris-military-against-trumpers/.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trela, Nate. "Supposed Harris Pledge to Harm 'Trumpers,' Ignore Constitution Is Fabricated | Fact Check." USA TODAY, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2024/08/22/fabricated-quote-harris-punish-trump-supporters-fact-check/74899962007/. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

"VICE PRESIDENT'S SWEARING-IN CEREMONY." The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, https://www.inaugural.senate.gov/vice-presidents-swearing-in-ceremony/. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Claim:

Melania Trumps body double appeared alongside 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump after they cast their votes in Palm Beach, Florida, in the U.S. general election on Nov. 5.

Rating:

Rating: False

As the 2024 U.S. presidential election steamed ahead, the ever-persistent "body double" rumors made a comeback. A bizarre claim went viral after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, were pictured after casting their votes in Palm Beach, Florida. Posts on X claimed the woman standing next to Trump was not his wife, but a body double.

(X user @JeffFromNJ)

The above rumor is obviously false. There is no evidence of a "fake Melania" standing next to Trump as they spoke to the media. Video footage of them walking out from the polling station and press photographs from that moment identify the woman next to Trump as his wife.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

C-SPAN footage shows Trump walking out from the polling station, Melania next to him. They then stand in front of reporters, where Trump answers questions. Melania can be seen standing quietly next to Trump at the 2:54 mark. At the 10:58 mark she smiles and nods as Trump talked about his Secret Service security. She did not speak during that time.

Getty Images also had photographs from that moment, and a close-up shows the woman next to Trump was clearly Melania. The caption stated: "Melania Trump meets with reporters after casting her vote at the polling place in the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center on Election Day, on November 05, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida."

(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

According to The New York Times, Melania also was asked a question, but she did not respond: "As the Trumps left, Melania Trump was asked whether she voted for her husband. She smirked at the question and chuckled a bit, without answering."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The rumors of her being a body double are outlandish, particularly because these images were captured right after they voted. In-person voters in Florida bring identification, or sign an affidavit of identity, or vote on a provisional ballot if they don't have identification. Anyone pretending to be Melania at the polling station would be in violation of election rules.

We've seen persistent conspiracy theories of a Melania body double during past election cycles and during the Trump administration. Even U.S. President Joe Biden has fallen victim to this claim. Our past coverage of the "body double" conspiracy theory can be found here.

Sources:

"Body Doubles Articles." Snopes.Com. https://www.snopes.com/tag/body_doubles/." target="blank">https://www.snopes.com/tag/body_doubles/.">https://www.snopes.com/tag/body_doubles/. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

"Donald Trump Remarks to Reporters After Voting." C-SPAN.Org. https://www.c-span.org/video/?539818-1/donald-trump-remarks-reporters-voting." target="blank">https://www.c-span.org/video/?539818-1/donald-trump-remarks-reporters-voting.">https://www.c-span.org/video/?539818-1/donald-trump-remarks-reporters-voting. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Evon, Dan. "FACT CHECK: Is This Melania Trump's Body Double?" Snopes, 19 Oct. 2017, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/melania-trump-body-double/." target="blank">https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/melania-trump-body-double/.">https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/melania-trump-body-double/. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Gold, Michael. "Trump Votes and Says This Will Be His Last Campaign." The New York Times, 5 Nov. 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/05/us/politics/trump-votes-florida.html." target="blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/05/us/politics/trump-votes-florida.html.">https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/05/us/politics/trump-votes-florida.html. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kasprak, Alex. "Is This Yet Another Picture of a Melania Trump 'Body Double'?" Snopes, 26 Oct. 2020, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/melania-trump-body-double-2/." target="blank">https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/melania-trump-body-double-2/.">https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/melania-trump-body-double-2/. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

"Melania Trump Meets with Reporters after Casting Her Vote at The..." Getty Images, 5 Nov. 2024, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/melania-trump-meets-with-reporters-after-casting-her-vote-news-photo/2183106961." target="blank">https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/melania-trump-meets-with-reporters-after-casting-her-vote-news-photo/2183106961.">https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/melania-trump-meets-with-reporters-after-casting-her-vote-news-photo/2183106961. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Republican Presidential Nominee Former President Donald Trump and His..." Getty Images, 5 Nov. 2024, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/republican-presidential-nominee-former-president-donald-news-photo/2183105030." target="blank">https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/republican-presidential-nominee-former-president-donald-news-photo/2183105030.">https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/republican-presidential-nominee-former-president-donald-news-photo/2183105030. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

"Voter ID Laws." NCSL. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id#toggleContent-15991." target="blank">https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id#toggleContent-15991.">https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id#toggleContent-15991. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Claim:

In Indiana, who you voted for is public record.

Rating:

Rating: False

Context:

While there are some aspects of one's voter registration available via public voter lists that vary state to state, votes for specific candidates are secret across the entire United States, including Indiana. A rumor to the contrary supposedly originated with a text message from Indiana Republican Party, but this has not been confirmed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day in the United States, a text message allegedly from the Indiana Republican Party claimed, "Voting records are public  your friends, neighbors, and family will know if you stood with Trump when it mattered most."

A screenshot of the text message was shared in a post on X with the comment, "Who you vote for is private."

Other users chimed in, including the Indiana Democratic Party, which declared the text message as "nothing more than voter intimidation from the party becoming experts at it."

Another person posted, "It's public information that a person has voted. The actual votes are private and as usual the gop [sic] is lying."

(@adamwren on X)

Indeed, while there is some information available publicly regarding a citizen's vote or voting status, their actual ballot is confidential in every U.S. state, including Indiana.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Specifics vary between states, but when a citizen registers to vote, certain pieces of their information become public record and are therefore required for disclosure in certain contexts, like political campaigns. In Indiana, the following entities are able to request access to these voter lists:

Political parties, independent candidates, a member of the media for publication in a news broadcast or newspaper, the chief justice of the supreme court and clerks of U.S. district courts for administering the jury management system, the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives, the president pro tempore and the minority leader of the senate.

However, the votes cast by any specific individual are protected nationwide. According to the Election Assistance Commission (emphasis added):

Though the price, availability, and type of data in the voter file varies by state, voter files never include information about who a person voted for in any election. This is because a voter's decision of who to vote for is private  a "secret ballot." The voter file may, however, include a voter's partisan affiliation, which elections the voter participated in, or the voter's method of voting. The list of which elections a voter participated in is referred to as a "voter history". For voters who vote by mail, this history is often updated when the ballot is received; for voters who vote in person, this history is often not updated until after the election results are certified.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition, in Indiana specifically, a person's date of birth, driver's license number, gender, telephone number, email address, voting history, voter registration ID number and the date of registration remain confidential even when a public list is accessed.

The secret ballot method of voting, also referred to as "the Australian secret ballot", was first adopted in the United States in 1888 in Louisville, Kentucky, and the state of Massachusetts, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS).

Prior to the secret ballot, voting was most often conducted by announcing one's vote verbally or via a ticket printed by the political parties and deposited into a ballot box in public view.

According to "Secrecy in Voting in American History: No Secrets There" by Donald A. DeBats, Ph.D.:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both modes of voting produced the same result: individual votes were knowable in that they could either be seen (party-tickets) or be heard (viva voice). This was the common theme of all elections in America's political history until the threshold of the twentieth century. And it made sense: in those times political choices were understood to be communal, not private, matters. Voting to advance private individual interests calls for secrecy  but public voting made perfect sense when politics was understood to be about group or communal interests.

According to the CRS' report, this lack of privacy had consequences for elections. "It made it easier for individuals engaged in vote buying to confirm that voters marked their ballots as arranged, for example, and harder for voters to shield their selections from people who might try to coerce or intimidate them into changing them."

By the end of the nineteenth century, 38 states had adopted the secret ballot. In 1950, South Carolina adopted it as well, completing the nationwide switch to the new voting method.

Snopes reached out to the Indiana GOP to confirm if the alleged text message originated from or was authorized by the party and will update this article if we hear back.

Sources:

Access to and Use of Voter Registration Lists. National Conference of State Legislatures, 7 Oct. 2024, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/access-to-and-use-of-voter-registration-lists.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Donald A. DeBats, PhD. Secrecy in Voting in American History: No Secrets There. The Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, 2016, https://sociallogic.iath.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/f%20Public%20Voting%2C%20secrecy%20historic%20%234.pdf.

Election Policy Fundamentals: The Secret Ballot. Congressional Research Service, 5 July 2024, https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN12389.

First Vote - The Australian Secret Ballot. https://firstvote.iath.virginia.edu/secret_ballot.php. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Voter Roll Privacy. Election Assistance Commission, https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/Voter_Roll_Privacy.pdf.


Claim:

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump told reporters he didnt need to tell his supporters to be non-violent if he loses the 2024 election because they "are not violent people."

Rating:

Rating: Correct Attribution

On Nov. 5, 2024, a claim circulated on social media that U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump told the press that his followers "are not violent people," and that if he lost the 2024 election, he wouldn't have to "tell them that there'd be no violence."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A post on X shared a video of the exchange, prompting other users to comment.

One person said, "We aren't the violent ones. You lunatic leftists are the ones that burned our country down!!" Another quoted the post and referred to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, saying, "#Trump continues to spread falsehoods, but we all witnessed the truth unfold live on television that day."

(@KamalaHQ on X)

The claim he made the remark is accurate, so we have rated it correct attribution. The statement shared in social media posts occurred when Trump stopped for reporter questions after voting at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, Florida, on Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A video of the impromptu news conference was available on YouTube via CBS News, with the statement in question occurring at the 00:06:15 mark as a journalist asked Trump if he would tell his supporters to be non-violent if he lost and accept the election results.

Trump responded:

I don't have to tell them that there'd be no violence. Of course there'll be no violence. My supporters are not violent people. I don't have to tell them that. And I certainly don't want any violence, but I certainly don't have to tell... These are great people. These are people that believe in no violence. Unlike your question. You believe in violence.

After giving this response, Trump moved on to another question.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This statement echoes Trump's proclamations of "no violence" following the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol, in which five people died, a direct result of Trump's refusal to accept the 2020 election results.

Sources:

- YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=Q7PT0_WwdVU. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Blackburn, Antoinette Radford, Michelle Shen, Chelsea Bailey, Maureen Chowdhury, Jessie Yeung, Piper Hudspeth. "Live Updates: 2024 Presidential Election | CNN Politics." CNN, 5 Nov. 2024, https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/2024-election-trump-harris/index.html.

"'My Supporters Are Not Violent People': Trump Speaks about Reaction to Election Result." MSNBC.Com, https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/-my-supporters-are-not-violent-people-trump-speaks-about-reaction-to-election-result-223610437616. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

"Republican Presidential Nominee Former President Donald Trump and His..." Getty Images, 5 Nov. 2024, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/republican-presidential-nominee-former-president-donald-news-photo/2183105030.


Claim:

A photo shows relatives of 2024 vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz wearing T-shirts reading, "Nebraska Walz's for Trump."

Rating:

Rating: True

Context:

The Associated Press confirmed the eight people visible in the picture are some of Walz's distant cousins.

In the days and weeks ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential elections, online users discussed a rumor claiming a photo showed some of Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz's relatives wearing T-shirts reading, "Nebraska Walz's for Trump."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Walz is U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate against former President Donald Trump, a Republican, in the 2024 election.

For example, on Nov. 3, an X user posted a meme featuring the photo with the caption (archived), "This is a fun family picture... Of Tim Walz family. Tim Walz is 'not the type of character who should make decisions about America's future. I'm 100% opposed to all his ideology.' Love, Jeff Walz (older brother to Tim)."

Other X users also posted the picture in early September. One post (archived) read, "Tim Walz's family members in Nebraska are voting for Trump," had received nearly 16 million views.

Another rumor claimed someone manipulated the image with an artificial-intelligence tool, which would mean it was circulating under false pretenses. For example, one post on X showed yellow circles and arrows on the picture that pointed to purported discrepancies in the number of fingers on some of the people's hands. That user posted (archived), "Thanks to Walz's for Trump we know this is not AI at all. It's just the Walz family is genetically predisposed to having four fingers."

While some users also questioned the bad grammar of the apostrophe on the T-shirts, others, including for example conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec (archived) and conservative commentator Benny Johnson (archived), claimed the photo showed Walz's "entire family."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In truth, The Associated Press reported the photo was genuine and that the eight people visible in the picture are all distant cousins of Walz. In other words, Posobiec and Johnson posted misinformation.

The AP's reporting cited Rod Edwards, a spokesperson for former Trump-endorsed Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster. Herbster appeared to post the photo in the early-morning hours of Sept. 4, captioning it with, "Tim Walz's family back in Nebraska wants you to know something @realDonaldTrump @JDVance #SaveAmerica."

The high-quality nature of the original image upload helped to clarify that the claims about AI and people having "four fingers" were simply due to some fingers being obscured by others.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Edwards told the AP, "The family in the picture are the descendants of Francis Walz, who was brother to Tim Walz's grandfather." He added, They're all Walzes and spouses."

The descendants of Francis Walz confirmed their relationship to Tim Walz in a text message to The Associated Press. "Shortly after Governor Tim Walz was named the Democrat Party Vice Presidential nominee, our family had a get-together. We had t-shirts made to show support for President Trump and J.D. Vance and took a group picture. That photo was shared with friends, and when we were asked for permission to post the picture, we agreed," the written statement said. "The picture is real. The shirts are real. We are the Nebraska Walz family and we are related to Gov. Tim Walz, our grandfathers were brothers. The message on the shirts speaks for itself, "Nebraska Walz's for Trump."

We reached out to Edwards to ask about the photo and will update this story if we receive further details.

KTLA.com reported the authenticity of the quotes pertaining to Walz's older brother, Jeff, who also later said it wasn't his intention for his words to influence voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For further reading, we previously reported the true story of Tim and Gwen Walz gifting a car to a next-door neighbor.

Sources:

Djordjevic, Patrick, and Rich McHugh. "Jeff Walz Clarifies Comments about Brother Tim Walz's Political Views." KTLA.com, 4 Sept. 2024, https://ktla.com/news/jeff-walz-clarifies-comments-about-brother-tim-walzs-political-views/.

Janfaza, Rachel, and Maeve Reston. "Trump Came to Nebraska to Defend Candidate Facing Sexual Misconduct Allegations, but Voters Aren't so Sure Either of Those Things Will Matter on Tuesday | CNN Politics." CNN, 8 May 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/08/politics/trump-herbster-nebraska-republican-primary/index.html.

Karnowski, Steve. "That Photo of People Wearing 'Nebraska Walz's for Trump' Shirts? They're Distant Cousins." The Associated Press, 4 Sept. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/walz-family-nebraska-trump-elelction-2f2e29586b0e9ebe094ff2cf546e1ae4.
By Bo Erickson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Seven battleground states -- Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin -- are expected to play a decisive role in Tuesday's U.S. presidential election between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump.

Here are 11 counties to watch in those states with estimated vote tallies by Edison Research at 12:00 a.m. ET (0420 GMT on Wednesday). Early results based on partial returns may not be predictive of the final vote tallies in the counties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA

Home to Phoenix, Maricopa County is key to winning the Southwestern state as it makes up about 60% of the statewide vote. In the 2020 election, Democratic President Joe Biden won this county by 2.2 percentage points, while Trump won the county by almost 3 percentage points in 2016.

In Maricopa County, Arizona, where estimates that 50% of the ballots have been counted, former President Trump won 49% of the votes tallied so far and Harris won 51%.

COBB COUNTY, GEORGIA

Democrats see the large and racially diverse Cobb County in Atlanta's northern suburbs as somewhere they could pick up the large number of votes needed to win the state. That's what Biden did in 2020 when he won the county by some 14 percentage points. In 2016, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton carried Cobb county by just 2 percentage points and lost the state to Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With an estimated 95% of the ballots in Cobb County counted, Harris was winning 57% and Trump 42%.

BALDWIN COUNTY, GEORGIA

In central Georgia, Baldwin County is much smaller than Cobb but an indicator of Black voter turnout. About 40% of voters in the county are Black. This is one place in Georgia where Biden's 2020 margin was narrower than Clinton's in 2016.

With nearly all ballots counted, Trump had won 51% of the votes and Harris 49%.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN

Home of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County saw Biden take 73% of the vote in 2020. The university is the focus of a Democratic get-out-the-vote effort for young voters. Harris' ability to match Biden's performance may be affected by frustration with the administration's policies in the Middle East.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With estimates of 70% of the ballots counted, Harris won 65% of the votes tallied so far to 32% for Trump.

WAKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina's capital, Raleigh in Wake County, has boosted statewide turnout for Democrats in recent elections. That was the case in 2020 when Biden won 65% of the vote there, still not enough to keep Trump from carrying the state.

In the county, with estimates that nearly all of the ballots have been counted, Harris had won 62% of the votes tallied so far and Trump had won 36%.

ERIE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Erie County in northwestern Pennsylvania has voted for the winner in the last four elections, including Biden in 2020, who won the county by a single percentage point. In 2016, Trump won the county by 2 points.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With estimates that 75% of the ballots have been counted, Harris won 51% of the votes tallied so far and Trump won 48%.

BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

North of Philadelphia, Bucks County in Pennsylvania is another highly competitive county due to its large population of working-class voters. Trump has made major inroads into that demographic in his eight years on the national political stage. The former president lost this county to Biden in 2020 by 4 percentage points, handing the state to the Democrat.

With estimates that 55% of the ballots have been counted, Harris won 50% of the votes tallied so far and Trump won 49%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

The suburbs of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's capital, have supported Trump in the last two elections. But Democrats could cut those gains in Cumberland County by attracting the area's growing population of white-collar workers. In 2020, Trump won this county by 11 points.

In Cumberland County, where Edison Research reports that nearly all ballots have counted, Trump won 54% of the votes tallied so far and Harris won 45%.

WAUKESHA COUNTY, WISCONSIN

The populous western suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, have been another stronghold for Trump in the past two campaigns, and the Republican won here by more than 20 percentage points each time. Voters in this county will need to support Trump at similar levels in order for the Republican to win back the state after Biden carried it in 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Waukesha County, Wisconsin, with an estimated 95% of the ballots counted, Trump won 59% of the votes and Harris won 40%.

WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN

Home to Detroit's 1.7 million residents, Wayne County, Michigan, is about 40% Black. In 2020, Biden won here with more than 68% of the vote, helping him clinch the Midwestern state.

Polls in Wayne County, Michigan, closed at 8 p.m. ET (0100 GMT on Wednesday). Edison Research has not yet reported any votes.

WASHOE COUNTY, NEVADA

In the northwestern corner of Nevada around Reno, Washoe County is less racially diverse than the Las Vegas area, but has been trending more Democratic in recent elections. Biden won this county by more than 4 percentage points in 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polls in Washoe County, Nevada closed at 7 p.m. PT (0300 GMT on Wednesday). Edison Research has not yet reported any votes.

The share of each county's vote that has been counted so far is based on estimates by Edison Research of the number of votes that are likely to be cast there.

(Reporting by Bo Erickson; Editing by Scott Malone, Deepa Babington and Jonathan Oatis)
(Reuters) -China's currency and equities will bear the brunt of a protectionist shift in the U.S. and are seen trading sensitively to the election's trade and foreign policy implications.

Investors say a win for Donald Trump, particularly if accompanied by a Republican sweep of Congress, is expected to squeeze the yuan and shares in export sectors.

A victory for Democrat Kamala Harris is likely to result in opposite trades. Here are how investors see markets moving:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DOLLAR/YUAN TO 7.3 ON RED SWEEP

China's currency is tightly managed. Still, or perhaps because of that, it is expected to fall if the U.S. hikes tariffs on Chinese goods. Analysts see it sliding to 7.3 per dollar or beyond should Trump - who promises dramatically higher tariffs - win the presidency and especially if Republicans control Congress and the White House.

In the lead up to polling day the currency has come under pressure, with exporters reluctant to sell dollars, meaning a rebound may occur if Harris wins office, driving the yuan towards 7 per dollar or below.

In the longer run the exchange rate will be driven by the large gap between U.S. and Chinese yields that is likely to persist regardless of the election result and by the trade policy actually imposed by any incoming administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

STOCKS

China's equity market is in the midst of recovering from a years-long slump as authorities promise to address weak consumption and a downturn in the real estate sector.

The election is peripheral to that but likely to drive price moves in export or sanctions-exposed sectors. Defence and telecom stocks may receive a boost from a Trump victory, said analysts at Huatai Securities, as investors seek out sectors likely to benefit from state support or those paying handsome dividends.

Textile, computer, machinery and home appliance makers would likely be sold, they said.

However, since both Democrats and Republicans are relatively united in antagonism to China and markets may not react dramatically until there are concrete policy changes announced.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

OFFSHORE ASSETS

Hong Kong stocks and U.S.-listed depositary receipts may be more volatile as they tend to be traded by foreigners and used by hedge funds who want to bet against Chinese assets.

Index futures and stocks like Hong Kong-listed China internet companies have retraced almost half their recent gains and are likely to be vulnerable if investors go short to hedge election risks.

Selling in Hong Kong could also pressure the Hong Kong dollar or widen the premium of mainland stocks against Hong Kong-listed counterparts.

(Reporting by Ankur Banerjee and Rae Wee in Singapore, Summer Zhen in Hong Kong and Reuters' Shanghai newsroom. Compiled by Tom Westbrook. Editing by Sam Holmes)
Editor's note: An earlier version of this article included incorrect information from the city regarding one of the organizations helping pay 
By Tim Reid and Sarah N. Lynch

ATLANTA (Reuters) -Hoax bomb threats, many of which appeared to originate from Russian email domains, were directed on Tuesday at polling locations in five battleground states - Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania - as Election Day voting was underway, the FBI said.

"None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far," the FBI said in a statement, adding that election integrity was among the bureau's highest priorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At least two polling sites targeted by the hoax bomb threats in Georgia were briefly evacuated.

The two locations, in Fulton County, both re-opened after about 30 minutes, officials said, and the county was seeking a court order to extend the locations' voting hours past the statewide 7 p.m. deadline.

Georgia's secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, blamed Russian interference for the Election Day bomb hoaxes.

"They're up to mischief, it seems. They don't want us to have a smooth, fair and accurate election, and if they can get us to fight among ourselves, they can count that as a victory," Raffensperger told reporters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Russian embassy in Washington said insinuations about Russian interference were "malicious slander."

"We would like to emphasize that Russia has not interfered and does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, including the United States," the embassy said in a statement. "As President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stressed, we respect the will of the American people."

Ann Jacobs, head of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, said fake bomb threats were sent to two polling locations in the state capital of Madison, but they did not disrupt voting.

A spokesperson for Jocelyn Benson, Michigan's Democratic secretary of state, said there had been reports of bomb threats at several polling locations, but none were credible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Benson's office had been notified that the threats may be tied to Russia, the spokesperson said.

An FBI official said Georgia received more than two dozen threats, most of which occurred in Fulton County, which encompasses much of Atlanta, a Democratic stronghold.

Police in DeKalb County, Georgia - another Democratic stronghold - later responded to bomb threats at eight locations, according to a county press release. Six of the locations were polling places and were evacuated. County officials were seeking an emergency order extending opening times at the voting sites.

DeKalb County police later said no bombs were found at the six voting sites.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A senior official in Raffensperger's office, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Georgia bomb hoaxes were sent from email addresses that had been used by Russians trying to interfere in previous U.S. elections.

The threats were sent to U.S. media and polling locations, the official said. "It's a likelihood it's Russia," the official said.

Adrian Fontes, the Arizona secretary of state, a Democrat who is the chief election official in the swing state, said four fake bomb threats had been delivered to polling sites in Navajo County, located in the northeastern part of the state and which includes three Native American tribes.

"Vladimir Putin is being a prick," Fontes told Reuters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump are locked in a tight race to win the White House. Opinion polls suggest the contest is too close to call.

A judge in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, extended voting hours to 9:00 p.m. after a bomb threat at a vote-counting site disrupted the process.

Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania's Democratic governor, said on Tuesday night multiple bomb threats had been investigated and none were found to be credible. He did not mention Russia.

The phony bomb threats mark the latest in a string of examples of alleged interference by the Russians in the 2024 election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Nov. 1, U.S. intelligence officials warned that Russian actors manufactured a video that falsely depicted Haitians illegally casting ballots in Georgia. Intelligence officials also found that the Russians created a separate phony video that falsely accused someone associated with the Harris presidential ticket of taking a bribe from an entertainer.

U.S. intelligence officials have also accused Russia of interfering in previous U.S. presidential elections, especially the 2016 race which Trump won against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

(Reporting by Tim Reid and Rich McKay in Atlanta and Sarah N. Lynch in Washington; Additional reporting by Nathan Layne, Ned Parker, Jack Queen and Peter Eisler; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien, Leslie Adler and Daniel Wallis)
My grandparents' vacation cabin in Lake Tahoe is the stuff of legend.

In the '90s, when my parents were just friends, my dad "accidentally" invited himself on a ski trip with my mom and her parents. It was an epic winter when the blizzards created berms as tall as the houses. By the time spring came, my parents were dating.

My grandparents' little house in South Lake Tahoe, which they bought for $113,000 in 1984, quickly became a haven for my family.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I dreamed of getting married there and taking my own kids to the cabin someday. But in May, my mom called to tell me this could be the last year we have the home.

A tax on vacation home-owners might make our place in Tahoe too costly to keep.

A measure on the ballot today proposes an annual tax on every property occupied less than 51% of the year. If it passes, second-home owners would owe $3,000 in 2026 and $6,000 every year after.

In ski towns and cities across the US, home prices have skyrocketed, and young people struggle to pay rent or buy a house. Meanwhile, the wealthy have flocked to mountain retreats where they can vacation and work from home. One of the measure's architects told BI that it will combat this trend by incentivizing second-home owners to rent to local residents, bringing down the cost of housing by increasing the available supply.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Supporters project city revenue gains of $4 million to $8 million in the first year and $10 to $20 million every year after that. The money would go toward rebuilding roads, creating more public transit, and paying the administrative costs of implementation.

Framers of the Tahoe tax measure took inspiration from Berkeley, California, which adopted a vacancy tax this year. The Hawaiian island of Oahu and the Colorado ski towns of Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge are also considering vacancy taxes.

But some say it's unclear whether the tax will actually lower housing prices for locals.

Tahoe's stunning views have drawn visitors to the basin for more than a century. George Rose/Getty Images

The opposition in South Lake Tahoe is made up of some of its institutionalized powers, including the local Chamber of Commerce, the South Tahoe Association of Realtors, and the restaurant and lodging associations. In interviews, they told BI that a tax would drive second-home owners away, depriving local businesses of their spending while having no impact on housing affordability for locals. The city's report on the economic outcomes of the tax said it may not actually incentivize homeowners to rent or sell to locals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some long-timers feel squeezed: How do they afford to live in these places, and what measures would actually fix the problem? Is it a tax  or is it, say, zoning changes that allow more homes to be built?

Similar battles over housing affordability are happening across the country. I just happen to have a front-row seat to this one.

Since the city of South Lake Tahoe was incorporated in 1965, it's been populated by a healthy mix of year-round and seasonal residents.

Middle- and upper-middle-class mountain enthusiasts from the Bay Area flocked to the city, which, with 21,000 residents per the most recent census data, is more densely populated than any other town around the lake.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This part of Tahoe has long been a relatively more affordable alternative to the ski havens of Colorado and Utah. As of October 2024, the median sales price for homes in South Lake Tahoe was $750,000, according to Realtor.com. By comparison, it was $958,000 in Park City, Utah, $1.4 million in Aspen, and $1.6 million in Vail.

"It's one of these places where you have folks from really different socioeconomic backgrounds," said Amelia Richmond, who favors the tax and leads a group of other supporters called Locals For Affordable Housing. "It's one of the reasons I think mountain towns are so cool."

But that environment doesn't exist without both year-round and seasonal residents in town. Fifty-six percent of Tahoe's 9,125 housing units are filled by renters, while 44% are owner-occupied, according to the US Census' American Community Survey.

Because Measure N will appear on the local ballot, most second-home owners directly affected by the tax can't vote. Nearly half of the property-owning population  my family included  is left watching debates over the tax play out among local residents, who are split on where they stand.

Locals are divided on the tax

Steve Teshara, who has held several roles, including CEO, at the Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, said the tax would hurt the local economy by driving out second-home owners.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He pointed to evidence from a previous measure, which banned Airbnbs and other short-term rentals in certain parts of town. That measure was also intended to stabilize area home prices and rents.

"It has an immediate effect when visitors are not able to spend as much money or when visitors just aren't here anymore," Teshara said.

The previous measure effectively reduced the supply of Airbnbs from 3,350 units in January 2018 to 2,635 units in July 2024, according to the short-term rental data company AirDNA. However, it didn't make the expected dent in housing costs, data from the Realtors' Association shows. Median sale prices continued to increase overall, from $440,000 in 2018 to $750,000 in 2024.

Heavenly Village, at the base of a sprawling ski resort, is a main shopping area in town. George Rose/Getty Images

Teshara believes the housing crisis must be solved in the long term, pointing to the local government's affordable housing construction projects. He is a fan of indirect measures currently in place, like vanpooling, which shuttles people who live further away  where prices are lower  through the mountains to work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Richmond, the pro-tax organizer, said that business from year-round residents is more important to many shops and restaurants than purchases from occasional visitors.

"How many beers do you have to buy to make up that difference when you're up just once a quarter?" she said. "Local economies are actually robust when you have a healthy middle class that can spend small amounts of money on a regular basis."

Taxing second home-owners may not make them rent to locals

The city of South Lake Tahoe conducted an independent study on the tax's economic outcomes if it were to go into effect.

The findings supported Richmond's assertion that the measure could modestly boost sales tax revenue if second homes vacated by owners were converted into permanent residences or long-term leases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the report also cautioned that the measure's impact on housing availability will depend largely on how second-home owners react if the tax is adopted  behavior that's nearly impossible to predict.

Second-home owners could sell their properties, like my family is considering. But because of current home prices, buyers would likely be people who don't see an additional $6,000-a-year expense as a deterrent. While the city could collect additional tax revenue from a wealthier population of second-home owners, that wouldn't make it any easier for locals to buy.

Homeowners could also decide to rent and become landlords instead of selling, as Richmond hopes. But that may be a longer shot, the city report found.

Based on the previous leasing programs in the area, "it appears that financial incentives are not particularly effective to motivate owners of vacant property in South Lake Tahoe to rent out their homes for longer terms," the report said.

A main street in South Lake Tahoe in 1974. Frederic Lewis/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Some second-home owners told Business Insider they would refuse to rent to tenants.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sherri Maslyar, who has owned a home in South Lake Tahoe with her husband since 2013 and visits monthly, said she heard a horror story about a neighbor's long-term tenant who defied the landlord's no-pets rule and ruined parts of the house. She said she would rather pay the tax than risk renting her home to someone untrustworthy.

"That's not what we bought the house for," she said.

Tahoe's character  and prices  have changed over the years

The median income in South Lake Tahoe grew 65% from $40,972 to $67,686 between 2000 and 2022, according to census data. In the same period, median home prices in the area ballooned by 288%, from $189,000 to $732,500.

Zillow's rent data, which only goes back to 2020, shows that typical rents in South Lake Tahoe grew from $2,101.52 in October 2020 to $2,653.05 in October 2023. The typical rent as of September 30 was $2,682.50.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The neighborhood where our family's cabin sits was once populated by eclectic A-frames and modest one-story structures, whose kitschy exteriors tended to match the eccentricities of their owners. Now, vaguely chic rustic McMansions with smooth angles and wood finishing are common.

A wood-carving shop on Emerald Bay Road is a local favorite. George Rose/Getty Images

Part of why building more houses or apartments  which might stabilize prices  has been so difficult is due to strict development laws. In Lake Tahoe, all development projects must be approved by the Tahoe Regional Planning Association (TRPA), whose primary objective is conservation, not housing construction.

Jeff Cowen, TRPA's public information officer, told BI the agency's main goals were environmental, adding that "we have to consider community impacts of our regulations." It doesn't have a stance on the tax.

One thing opponents and proponents of Measure N agree on: TRPA's mandate has made it difficult to build new housing in Tahoe to address the housing shortage. But they disagree on whether radical and rapid changes should be made to make Tahoe affordable right now.

It might be the end of Tahoe as we know it

A place that was once accessible as a seasonal destination for a middle-class family risks becoming a playground for the very rich if changes in the Tahoe market continue to make buying a home there relatively unaffordable.

I am benefiting from generational wealth stemming from my grandparents' choices, and I will always be grateful for the investment they made.

My family isn't sure what we'd do if the tax passes. One option is to rent to a long-term tenant, but we'd likely lose the freedom to come and go seasonally. Another is to sell the house.

The author's mother and grandparents on a ski trip in Tahoe, c. 1977. Amanda Yen

Either way, we'd be saying goodbye to the home as we've known it for the past four decades.

It's hard to imagine giving up my ties to a place that has such emotional value  that is very much the second home my grandparents intended it to be. And if the tax doesn't do what proponents hope it will, I'd be losing Lake Tahoe for nothing.

All I can do now is wait and see.

Read the original article on Business Insider
TELLICO PLAINS, Tenn. (WATE)  The family of a Tellico Plains High School senior and star cross-country runner is sharing her memory after she died in a car crash Saturday.

The multi-vehicle wreck happened on I-75 in Loudon County. Darrah Wiseman, 17, was killed in the crash.

Darrah was kind of a self-motivated girl. She always kind of brightened up a room. She always made you be a better person, said parents Melissa and Chris Wiseman.

Darrah Wiseman (right) and her sister Malerie (left). Darrah Wiseman Darrah Wiseman and her parents featured in a local paper. Darrah Wiseman, her parents and sister Malerie. Darrah Wiseman after qualifying for State (Courtesy of Tellico Plains High School).

Darrah was a six-time state champion cross-country runner, and had recently committed to Tennessee Tech. Her parents attributed her success to her self-discipline and mental toughness.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What she tried to instill in everybody is be a better person. Every day you have is a gift. When your two feet hit the floor, make the most of that day, her dad said.

Courtesy of Mayor Mitch Ingram.

Darrahs accomplishments have garnered high praise. Monroe County Mayor Mitch Ingram even declared June 28, 2022 as Darrah Wiseman Recognition Day in the county, after she won two states titles that year.

Her family said theyve seen support from the entire community.

Its been overwhelming. The town has just been awesome. Theyve all shared, and shes had so much love. Nobodys had a bad thing to say about her. Theyve always said she brightened a room, Chris said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The week before her death, Darrah qualified for state once again. Her family plans to attend the meet Thursday to finish what she started.

East Tennessee murder suspect previously charged with attempted murder in Alabama

Ive worked it out. Hopefully, we as a family are going to take her bib number that she qualified and won with and Im going to walk across the finish line and finish her race for her, her dad said.

Though shell no longer be on the track, shes inspired another generation of runners.

I had some parents come up to me today and say, my daughters doing track just because of your daughter. You know, and weve had people come up to us at the elementary level and said, Hey, my daughters a good runner. What do we need to do to get her there? So shes kind of set a bar and made girls dream, what I can be, you know?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 See more top stories on WATE.com

Outside of running, Darrah loved Taylor Swift and had dreams of becoming a lawyer. In addition to her parents, she leaves behind a younger sister, Malerie. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Another Tellico Plains High School student, Ruby Levinson, was in the car at the time of the crash. She is recovering in the hospital.

Monroe County Schools asked that maroon and sneakers be worn on Friday, Nov. 8 in support of Wiseman and Levinson. The school system will also collect $1 donations for Levinsons family to help with medical expenses.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
BERKELEY, California  The pro-Palestinian activism that exploded this spring at the famously liberal University of California, Berkeley has hit a lull ahead of the presidential election.

There is no trace of the sprawling tent protest that activists organized on a central campus plaza in April and May. Demonstrators can no longer block foot traffic on campus thoroughfares. And the rallies that do occur between classes rarely make front-page headlines.

Vice President Kamala Harris ascension to the top of the Democratic ticket in July ignited a wave of support that washed out dissenting voices on the left when most student activists were off campus. Since then, the national movement has not been able to pressure Democrats with the same vigor that had President Joe Biden on the ropes earlier this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It definitely is a different political moment, said Luca Dhagat, co-chair of the Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter at UC Berkeley, a group that has been involved in pro-Palestinian organizing at the university.

Neither former President Donald Trump nor Harris, who grew up in Berkeley, is centering the issue on the campaign trail, instead making their closing pitches about the economy, immigration and abortion. The war in Gaza ranks low among issues most important to voters, with 6 percent naming it their top concern in a Harvard University poll from mid-October.

Back on campus, tougher free-expression rules from university administrators and California state lawmakers have had a chilling effect on protests.

Dhagat drew a comparison to racial justice protests after the summer of 2020: When we don't see much in terms of actual change or actual improvement, people get demoralized.

Pressure from above

University administrators summertime push to ward off future encampments has made it harder to organize events that directly pressure campus leaders, multiple pro-Palestinian activists said, adding that it has also made many students fearful of facing disciplinary consequences.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ashmitha Keshavan, an activist and sophomore at UC Berkeley, said organizers have hosted literally hundreds of rallies and have seen participation dwindle over time.

People are burned out. They're tired, Keshavan added. There's no safe option that could actually mean something.



The new rules at UC Berkeley reflect a wider encampment ban reinforced this summer across the university system's 10 campuses. They also prohibit protesters from blocking major corridors like the iconic Sather Gate, where pro-Palestinian activists impeded foot traffic for days this spring.

UC President Michael V. Drake said the policy update aimed to maintain delicate but essential balance between free speech rights and campus safety. While the vast majority of protests held on our campuses are peaceful and nonviolent, some of the activities we saw this past year were not, he wrote in an August message to campuses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

State lawmakers that same month passed a suite of legislation designed to rein in Gaza protests and combat a rise in antisemitism on Californias college campuses.

The measures, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September, secured wide bipartisan support from lawmakers in Sacramento but drew opposition from the American Civil Liberties Union. In a letter to legislators earlier this year, the civil liberties group argued changing university codes of conduct would only serve to chill the speech of students.

The ongoing movement

Pro-Palestinian protests at UC Berkeley this fall have been less disruptive to university operations. But they havent been free from controversy.

A coalition of student groups hosted an Oct. 8 walkout outside Sproul Hall to support Gaza and Lebanon that attracted hundreds of supporters as well as a smaller counterprotest. A handful of signs at the event contained rhetoric endorsing violence, according to footage taken by NBC Bay Area and a report from student newspaper The Daily Californian  including one that read Israel Deserves 10,000 Oct 7ths.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rich Lyons, UC Berkeleys new chancellor, said in a video message shared with campus last week he was deeply concerned about the signs as well as reports of threats made toward protesters.

Normalization of violent rhetoric only brings us closer to actual violence, which is the antithesis of all that we stand for, he said.

Matt Kovac, spokesperson for the UC Berkeley chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, in a statement to POLITICO called the debate over the sign UC Berkeleys latest effort to divert attention from its complicity in the escalating US-Israeli genocide.

We are talking about tens of thousands of Palestinians being starved in Gaza and they want to talk about  a sign, Kovac wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kovac said activists at Berkeley have shifted their efforts more toward localized policy goals  in particular, divesting campus endowment funds from companies involved with Israel or the weapons manufacturing industry. The UC Board of Regents previously supported divestment resolutions related to the 2006 war in Sudan and South African apartheid, and in 2020 became the largest educational institution in the country to fully divest from fossil fuels, following a lengthy, student-led pressure campaign.

Pro-Palestinian activists have seen limited success on that front. The UC Berkeley Foundation, which manages the campuss endowments, established a task force to examine whether its investments follow existing ethics principles, an idea that former Chancellor Carol Christ backed in May. Activists gained additional traction in October, when UC Berkeleys student Senate voted to join a coalition of campus groups demanding UC schools divest campus endowment funds from weapons manufacturers.

This is important, Kovac said. It's bolstering our case that this is the consensus on campus.

Yet its unlikely either step will result in foundation leaders fully agreeing to protesters' demands. Christ did not agree to discuss divestment from companies based solely on connections to Israel, for example, and the task force has yet to issue recommendations.

If campus leaders did pursue divestment, they could face opposition from system administrators and state lawmakers. Mike Lee, the former president of Sonoma State University, abruptly retired in May after the California State University system placed him on leave for agreeing to pro-Palestinian protesters demands without the appropriate approvals. Those demands included a commitment to pursue an academic boycott of Israel.
A farmer has taken his own life in fear of the Governments inheritance tax raid, his son has said.

John Charlesworth, 78, was found dead at his 70-acre farm in Barnsley, Yorkshire, on Tuesday, 24 hours before the Budget.

His son Jonathan, 46, said the father-of-two ended his life after being eaten away at the prospect of his family losing the 2 million estate, which has been owned by the family since 1957, because of the Chancellors tax increase.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He told The Telegraph that hearing in advance of the Budget about Labours plans to end the practice of letting all farmers pass on estates without inheritance tax was the final straw for Mr Charlesworth, who had been caring for his sick wife.

In a message to Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, he said: I would tell them theyve killed my Dad. He didnt know the details but all the scaremongering around it beforehand frightened him to death.

He was the most kind-hearted person youd ever meet, my Dad. He wouldnt take any nonsense. He would do anything for anybody, I dont think anyone had a bad word to say about my Dad.

The battles we had guided me for the future. You couldnt ask for better really.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last week, Ms Reeves used her Budget to place a 20 per cent tax on agricultural property assets worth more than 1 million, instead of allowing them to be inherited tax-free.

Ms Reeves said the move was taken to stop wealthy people from buying up agricultural land to avoid inheritance tax but it has led to fears that scores of ordinary farmers could be forced out of business.

Concerns have also been raised about the impact the policy will have on farmers mental health.

Speaking in the Commons on Friday, Richard Tice, the Reform UK deputy leader, shared concerns that heads of farming families in their 80s and 90s are seriously considering committing suicide before this policy comes into place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Following the Budget, Luke Evans, the Tory MP for Hinckley and Bosworth, said: Farmers are one of the people who suffer the most from mental health, given the problems of having such a tough harvest.

This is a concoction thats come together under this Governments making.

Mr Charlesworth would do anything for anybody, said his son

A survey by the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, a farming charity, in 2021 revealed that 36 per cent of farmers in the UK were probably or possibly depressed, while 47 per cent were constantly struggling with anxiety.

In the wake of Ms Reevess announcement, charities advertised mental health helplines and support available for farmers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Soon after the Chancellors Budget on Wednesday, Mr Charlesworths son wrote an anonymous Facebook, which later went viral, revealing his fathers death.

The post, which The Telegraph verified, said Mr Charlesworths death was the human cost of government policy or potential government policy.

Mr Charlesworth, also known as Philip, who leaves behind six grandchildren, had acted as a full-time carer for his wife as she battled dementia.

Jonathans father bought the farm in 1957 before his son later took over.

Speaking from the family farm in Barnsley, Yorks, Jonathan added: He [John] was at a low ebb but the Budget was the final straw.

The Budget was the final straw for Mr Charlesworth, who feared the family would lose the farm

Theres no cash and theres no way of borrowing cash because we dont have the income, we still dont have the income to borrow that sort of money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was really eating at him, this Budget, because nobody knew what was going to happen. I think he just woke up in the morning and thought, you know what, the Government arent taking our farm, Ive worked too hard to keep this for not just me but my kids and my grandkids.

And I think hes just woken up in the morning and thought Im going to pre-empt the Budget, Ive had a good life, my wife is on the way out

There are two houses on the farm, with 70 acres. We theoretically, with cash, could have 2 million there. If you put a 40 per cent tax over half a million, which was mooted by some people... well its impossible, you cant do it.

My advice would be that all farmers had a week and didnt sell anything. I think that would do more than any protest in London. I think nobody appreciates what we do.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The tax raid was the final nail in the coffin for British farming, he said.

Jonathan Charlesworth described his fathers death as the human cost of government policy or potential government policy

The president of the National Farmers Union has warned that farmers want to be militant in response to the inheritance tax raid.

Tom Bradshaw, the president of the union, which represents more than 46,000 farming and growing businesses, said something has to change on the policy.

However, on Sunday, Ms Reeves defended the tax raid, arguing that the public finances were too strained to keep the existing rules.

She told BBC Ones Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: Last year, the benefits of agricultural property relief  40 per cent of the benefit was felt by seven per cent of the wealthiest landowners. I dont think that it is affordable to carry on with a relief like that when our public services are under so much pressure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And of course farmers as well rely on good public services, whether thats our NHS, our roads or our schools. That money will be put back into improving our public services and putting our public finances on a firm footing.

Cheshire police are understood to have attended the address but do not comment on non-suspicious deaths.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Former military defense contractor Leonard Fat Leonard Francis was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison for masterminding a decade-long bribery scheme that swept up dozens of U.S. Navy officers, federal prosecutors said.

U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino also ordered Francis to pay $20 million in restitution to the Navy and a $150,000 fine, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office. He was also ordered to forfeit $35 million in ill-gotten proceeds from his crimes, the statement said.

Prosecutors said the sentence results from Leonards first guilty plea in 2015 concerning bribery and fraud, his extensive cooperation with the government since then, and another guilty plea Tuesday for failing to appear for his original sentencing hearing in 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shortly before he was due to be sentenced in September 2022, Leonard cut off a GPS monitor he was wearing while under house arrest and fled the country. He was later arrested in Venezuela and brought back to the U.S. in December 2023.

Sammartino sentenced him to more than 13 1/2 years for the bribery and fraud charges plus 16 months for failing to appear, to be served consecutively.

Leonard Francis lined his pockets with taxpayer dollars while undermining the integrity of U.S. Naval forces, U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath said in Tuesdays statement. The impact of his deceit and manipulation will be long felt, but justice has been served today.

Prosecutors said Francis actions led to one of the biggest bribery investigations in U.S. military history, which resulted in the conviction and sentencing of nearly two dozen Navy officials, defense contractors and others on various fraud and corruption charges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An enigmatic figure who was 6-foot-3 and weighed 350 pounds at one time, Francis owned and operated his familys ship servicing business, Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd. or GDMA, which supplied food, water and fuel to vessels. The Malaysian defense contractor was a key contact for U.S. Navy ships at ports across Asia for more than two decades. During that time, Francis wooed naval officers with Kobe beef, expensive cigars, concert tickets and wild sex parties at luxury hotels from Thailand to the Philippines.

In exchange, officers, including the first active-duty admiral to be convicted of a federal crime, concealed the scheme in which Francis would overcharge for supplying ships or charge for fake services at ports he controlled in Southeast Asia. The officers passed him classified information and even went so far as redirecting military vessels to ports that were lucrative for his Singapore-based ship servicing company.

In a federal sting, Francis was lured to San Diego on false pretenses and arrested at a hotel in September 2013. He pleaded guilty in 2015, admitting that he had offered more than $500,000 in cash bribes to Navy officials, defense contractors and others. Prosecutors say he bilked the Navy out of at least $35 million. As part of his plea deal, he cooperated with the investigation leading to the Navy convictions. He faced up to 25 years in prison.

While awaiting sentencing, Francis was hospitalized and treated for renal cancer and other medical issues. After leaving the hospital, he was allowed to stay out of jail at a rental home, on house arrest with a GPS ankle monitor and security guards.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But three weeks before his scheduled sentencing in September 2022, he snipped off his monitor and made a brazen escape, setting off an international search. Officials said he fled to Mexico, made his way to Cuba and eventually got to Venezuela.

He was arrested more than two weeks after his disappearance  caught before he boarded a flight at the Simon Bolivar International Airport outside Caracas. Venezuelan officials said he intended to reach Russia.

The cases were handled by the U.S. Attorneys Office in an effort to be independent of the military justice system. But they have came under scrutiny.

The felony convictions of four former Navy officers were vacated following allegations of prosecutorial misconduct. Sammartino agreed to allow them to plead guilty to a misdemeanor and pay a $100 fine each.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last year, Sammartino ruled that the lead federal prosecutor in the officers case committed flagrant misconduct by withholding information from defense lawyers, but that it was not enough to dismiss the case.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Leonard Glenn Francis, a former defense contractor convicted for masterminding an unprecedented bribery and fraud scheme targeting the U.S. Navy, was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to 15 years in prison. He was ordered to pay $20 million in restitution and a $150,000 fine, the Department of Justice announced.

Francis, known as "Fat Leonard," pled guilty in 2015 to the bribery and fraud charges, but fled the U.S. in 2022 leaving his GPS ankle monitoring bracelet in a water cooler just days before he was to be sentenced. The U.S. Marshals Service told CBS News Francis was detained on an Interpol red notice at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Venezuela while boarding a flight to Cuba.

He was returned to the U.S. last year as part of a large prisoner swap deal with Venezuela. Ten American detainees were released in the 2023 deal in exchange for the Biden administration freeing Alex Saab, a Colombian-born businessman and close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who was facing money laundering charges.

Leonard Francis, also known as

In a 2015 plea agreement, Francis, the Malaysian owner of a ship servicing company in Southeast Asia, identified seven Navy officials who had accepted bribes and acknowledged paying off officials with hundreds of thousands in cash, as well as luxury goods worth millions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He supplied them with prostitutes and Cuban cigars, luxury travel, Spanish suckling pigs and Kobe beef. Officials received spa treatments, top-shelf alcohol, designer handbags, leather goods, designer furniture, watches, fountain pens, ornamental swords and handmade ship models, according to court documents.

In exchange, officers gave him classified information and even redirected military vessels to lucrative ports for his Singapore-based ship servicing company. Francis, according to prosecutors, overcharged the U.S. military by $35 million for his company's services.

Over 30 Navy officers and contractors have either been convicted or pleaded guilty to charges related to Francis' services.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino sentenced Francis to a 164-month sentence for bribery and fraud and 16 months for failing to appear, to be served consecutively.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Leonard Francis lined his pockets with taxpayer dollars while undermining the integrity of U.S. Naval forces," said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath in a statement. "The impact of his deceit and manipulation will be long felt, but justice has been served today."

Francis, 60, was initially arrested in San Diego on September 16, 2013, and remained in pretrial custody until December 18, 2017, when the court granted his request for release pending sentencing due to a medical condition, the Department of Justice said. Francis served four years and three months in custody before he was released on bond and ordered into house arrest. He remained on bond under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services for almost five years, from December 17, 2017, until he escaped.

"Mr. Francis' sentencing brings closure to an expansive fraud scheme that he perpetrated against the U.S. Navy with assistance from various Navy officials. This fraud conspiracy ultimately cost the American taxpayer millions of dollars and weakened the public's trust in some of our Navy's senior leaders," Kelly P. Mayo, the director of the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General said in a news release on Tuesday.

Trump raises unfounded concerns about voting integrity

Trump wins Florida, 3 other states; Harris wins Massachusetts, Maryland, CBS News projects

Republican Jim Justice wins West Virginia Senate race, CBS News projects
LONDON (Reuters) - The father of Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old girl who was found dead in her home in Britain, denied responsibility for his daughter's death as he gave evidence at his murder trial on Tuesday.

Sharif was found dead in August 2023 at her home in Woking, a town southwest of London, after what prosecutors say was a campaign of "serious and repeated violence".

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones told jurors at the start of the trial that Sara had suffered a litany of injuries, including burns and bite marks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Her father Urfan Sharif, 42, his wife and Sara Sharif's stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and the girl's uncle Faisal Malik, 29, are on trial at London's Old Bailey court charged with her murder.

The trio are charged with causing or allowing the death of a child. All three deny the charges against them and blame each other for her death, prosecutors have said.

Emlyn Jones told jurors earlier this month that Urfan Sharif said to police: "It wasn't my intention to kill her, but I beat her up too much."

Sharif entered the witness box on Tuesday and was asked by his lawyer Naeem Mian whether he was responsible for Sara's death. He replied: "No."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He became emotional as he was asked by Mian to describe what Sara was like, saying she was "beautiful, an angel" and that her favourite colour was pink.

Sharif accepted slapping Sara on "a few occasions" to discipline her, but denied beating her in a regular or sustained way.

Mian had said to the jury that Sharif had wrongly been painted as a "villain", rather than Batool, for slapping Sara.

Batool's case, prosecutors have previously said, is that Urfan Sharif was a "violent disciplinarian" and that she was scared of him.

The trial is expected to run until December.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin, Editing by William Maclean)
Defense lawyers say testimony from state crime lab scientist Yvonne Missy Woods played a critical role in convicting an innocent man. His case is one of more than a thousand cases now in question.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Election Day is Tuesday, and with millions of Americans casting their votes, the FBI is ramping up election security.

This operation is going to run 24/7 for the national election week, FBI Deputy Assistant Director James Barnacle said.

Barnacle says the purpose of the command post is to ensure the FBI is ready to respond.

The FBIs looking at all those threats that come in here in the command post. Were triaging that information, Barnacle said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Barnacle says the command post is already taking action.

So, weve had information coming into the FBI in the last few days. Some of it has been maybe state or local matters, and were just making sure it gets to state local officials, Barnacle said.

Election interference is already popping up in the form of fake videos on social media.

Russia, China, and Iran are seeking to influence U.S. government policy and politics for their benefit, Barnacle said.

Intelligence officials also warn that Russia and Iran could encourage violent protests in the U.S. following the election.

Around the nation, approximately 60 national guardsmen from six states have been activated by their state governors and state active-duty status for elections support, with roughly another 600 guardsmen from 17 states on standby if needed, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The nations capital is gearing up with fences and businesses are boarding up, just in case.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
The FBI said it appeared Russia was behind discredited bomb threats made in Georgia and other states on Election Day.

The FBI is aware of bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains, the FBI said in a release Tuesday.

None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far.

The announcement came after Georgia officials had to evacuate two different polling locations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We pretty well dispelled that very quickly, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said at a press conference Tuesday morning. But we want to make sure everything stays safe.  That was this morning, and law enforcement jumped right on that and we knew it was coming from a foreign state actor.

Michigan and Wisconsin polling locations also received bomb threats.

The FBI did not immediately respond to request for comment about what additional states have logged bomb threats.

Cait Conley, senior adviser to the director at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said on a Tuesday call with reporters that the U.S. is seeing a greater scope and scale of foreign influence operations in 2024 than in other cycles, calling Russia one of the most aggressive adversaries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She also gave tremendous credit to election officials who prepare for years, who put in place contingency plans, to make sure there is no loss of accessibility for voters.

CISA and the FBI have encouraged the public to turn to local election officials for the most accurate information about voting procedures.

Election integrity is among the FBIs highest priorities. We will continue to work closely with our state and local law enforcement partners to respond to any threats to our elections and to protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote. As always, we urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to state or local law enforcement, the FBI said in its release.

Russia on Tuesday denied being behind the threats, calling the U.S. intelligence assessment malicious slander.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have noticed the statement of the U.S. intelligence services accusing our country of disseminating fabricated videos about electoral violations in the United States. We view these allegations as baseless. The Embassy has not received either any proof for these claims during its communications with U.S. officials, or any inquiries regarding the narrative being promoted by the press, the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. said in a statement.

This has become an unfortunate tradition: before every election, American authorities and media descend into hysteria about Russian disinformation and interference, attempting to attribute any problems to external influence. When we ask our counterparts in the State Department and the White House about the presence of evidence in support of the accusations, we are only told something along the lines of you know everything yourself. 

Yash Roy contributed.

 Updated at 3:57 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
This story was reported in partnership with The Trace.

It was the sort of stomach-churning conspiracy youd expect to find in a dystopian neo-Nazi novel.

Federal agents this week arrested a man driven by white nationalist ideology and charged him with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction to attack an energy facility in Nashville, Tennessee. He wanted to shock the system and seed chaos.

The man told undercover agents that this is where the New Age begins, declaring that it was time to do something big  something that would go down in the annals of history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those fueled by hate and inspired to violence by racial or ethnic bias pose a grave threat to our national security, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. Thanks to brave work by the FBI, his scheme was thwarted.

It was a monthslong investigation that led to the mans arrest, one of roughly 40 domestic terror plots that the FBI foils each year. As the country braces for the results of the 2024 presidential election, though, such law enforcement efforts face an uncertain future.

Should former President Donald Trump prevail, major changes could be coming to the FBI under The Heritage Foundations infamous Project 2025  with dire consequences for vulnerable communities.

Project 2025 calls for the next Republican administration to hollow out the FBI and sap it of any independence, an aspect of the 900-page manifesto that has gone under-scrutinized. The result: Its director would report to a political functionary who may be more interested in doing Trumps bidding than in quashing the ongoing menace of white nationalism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since the racist killings at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, in 2022; a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, in 2019; a synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018; and a Black church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015, many have criticized what they see as the FBIs restrained response to this brand of domestic terrorism, even as the bureau has sought to address the issue.

When Trump was president, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that white nationalism is a persistent and pervasive threat on American soil. He broke from Trump, who had sidestepped questions about whether white nationalists present a growing problem.

The danger, I think, of white supremacists, violent extremism, or another kind of extremism is of course significant, Wray said at a House hearing in 2019.

The Heritage Foundations 900-page Project 2025 manifesto includes ending the FBIs independence and making the bureau the investigative arm of the president. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Ultimately, what Project 2025 seeks to do is consolidate executive power and grant the president more authority, said Karla McKanders, the director of the NAACP Legal Defense Funds Thurgood Marshall Institute.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is very concerning, because [when it comes to the FBI and the wider U.S. Department of Justice] you want, as much as possible, to have some distance and neutrality between political actors and individuals who are looking to enforce the law, she explained.

(The DOJ declined to comment when asked about Project 2025 and how it might affect its investigations.)

Trump has tried to downplay his connections to Project 2025, realizing how radioactive the conservative blueprint is to his reelection campaign. His transition team is reportedly drawing up a blacklist of political officials who would be shut out of a future administration, with special attention being paid to anyone with links to Project 2025.

And yet, news reports have closely tied Trump to Project 2025. In a July review, CNN found that at least 140 people who worked in the Trump administration had a hand in Project 2025. The report went on to identify nearly 240 people with ties to both Project 2025 and to Trump, covering nearly every aspect of his time in politics and the White House.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, has also drawn scrutiny for his deep affiliation with The Heritage Foundation. He wrote an effusive forward to an upcoming book by its president, Kevin Roberts, showering the policy leaders agenda with praise.

How does the FBI currently combat white nationalist violence?

To convey its political neutrality, the FBI avoids terms such as far right. The bureau doesnt track white nationalist violence as a stand-alone category either, preferring the catch-all term racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism, or REMVE.

In 2021, shortly after insurrectionists laid siege to the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election, top law enforcement officials identified REMVE as the greatest domestic terror threat.

To address that threat, the bureau monitors hate groups under guidelines established by the attorney general. Additionally, the FBI has sought to beef up reporting of hate crimes, especially since 2021. That year, tapping dozens of field offices, it launched a first-of-its-kind multimillion-dollar campaign not only to boost public awareness of hate crimes but also to highlight services for victims and avenues for reporting crimes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Though its taken more proactive steps in recent years, federal law enforcement has, on the whole, been dismissive of far-right extremist violence, particularly involving white nationalists, said Michael German, who was an FBI special agent before he became a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice. German, who went undercover to take down extremist groups, said that the FBIs enforcement priorities reflect its predominantly white male workforce.

They are not worried about white supremacist gangs coming to their neighborhoods and harming their kids, he said. They want to prioritize threats that they perceive as dangerous to the social order, rather than actual violent crimes.

This has led the FBI to hype Black identity extremism and ecoterrorism as threats, German explained, while the gang of white skinheads that beat somebody up, for instance, is just seen as a local police issue.

Under a provision of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security must provide Congress with an annual report that includes intelligence assessments and data on domestic terrorism. While the reports have been produced, the Government Accountability Office found in 2023 that theyre flawed and fall short of what the provision requires.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That same GAO report analyzed DHS data and determined that racially motivated and anti-government extremists had caused 109 deaths and 159 injuries from 2010 to 2021. By contrast, the analysis found, violent extremists motivated by concern for animals and the environment were responsible for zero deaths and injuries during the period.

The white supremacist group Patriot Front marches in Chardon, Ohio, in 2023. The FBI has viewed Black identity extremism and ecoterrorism as threats, former FBI agent Michael German says, but federal law enforcement is not worried about white supremacist gangs coming to their neighborhood and harming their kids. (Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

In 2020, a top DHS official filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that agency leadership had directed him to distort intelligence and minimize the threat of white nationalist violence and Russian election interference, while amplifying the dangers of left-wing groups. That same year, the FBI declined to take part in a congressional hearing held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland on white nationalist infiltration of law enforcement, which the bureau had flagged as a danger as far back as 2006.

The bureau refused to come, Raskin said then, claiming they have nothing to say because they have no evidence that this is a widespread problem demanding the FBIs attention.

German said that he sees signs of hope in two recent cases. In September, the DOJ arrested leaders of the Terrorgram Collective, a transnational white terror group. They were charged with soliciting the murder of federal officials and hate crimes. Prosecutors linked the group to attacks, both planned and carried out, abroad and in the U.S.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The other case is the takedown this month of a white nationalist gang, the SFV Peckerwoods, which was allegedly involved in racketeering, drug trafficking, and loan fraud. German said that he was pleased that a terrorism  rather than a violent crime  task force was behind the takedown.

Project 2025 would very quickly end cases like those targeting Terrorgram and the Peckerwoods, according to German.

Whatever progress the FBI has made over the last three years will be lost, he said, and we will go back to the way it was under the previous Trump administration, only with a clearer directive from the White House to minimize the danger of far-right extremism.

How would Project 2025 undermine these efforts?

The conservative blueprint drafted by The Heritage Foundation proposes a top-to-bottom overhaul of the FBI that would include purging it of unwanted personnel and draining it of independence thats long been a cherished norm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Project 2025 calls for Congress to get rid of the FBI heads 10-year term  designed to be a check on executive power, since the director is appointed by the president  so that Trump can fire this person at will and replace them with someone to his liking.

It would be a very scary agency if you ended up with someone whos basically the investigative arm of the president, said Asha Rangappa, a senior lecturer at Yale Universitys Jackson School of Global Affairs and a former FBI special agent. What people I think need to understand is that you would essentially have a government that resembles the mob  the president is the mob boss, and law enforcement is his muscle.

After turning the FBI, along with the wider DOJ, into a political cudgel, Trump would be free to radically shift the bureaus priorities. One of the first steps, as the architects of Project 2025 see it, would be for a Trump administration to conduct an immediate, comprehensive review of all major active FBI investigations and activities and terminate any that are unlawful or contrary to the national interest.

What are the risks to Black Americans?

For my friends, everything. For my enemies, the law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That quote by Oscar Benavides, Perus authoritarian former president, is one way to think about what a Trump administration shaped by Project 2025 might mean for public safety, according to Omar Wasow, an assistant professor of political science at the University of California, Berkeley.

If Trump were to return to the White House, the country might move from a world based in theory on equal application of the law to one thats organized around selective prosecution of Trumps avowed foes.

For Black Americans, this could mean that the DOJ or FBI stops inquiries into police departments that are seen to be violating civil rights, Wasow explained. It could also mean that their locally elected progressive prosecutor now has to tussle with the federal government  the kind of thing that comes up in Project 2025.

McKanders, with the Thurgood Marshall Institute, shared a similar assessment. She lamented that Project 2025 calls for eliminating consent decrees, which the DOJ has used to dismantle racist and violent practices within law enforcement. McKanders worries that, without consent decrees, police departments will have even less incentive to modify behavior harmful to Black communities.

Trump has long been promising to prosecute his supposed opponents  whom he prefers to degrade as the enemy within  including racial justice organizers, an October NPR review of Trumps media conferences, rallies, interviews, and social media posts found.

Vice President Kamala Harris, for her part, has stressed the importance of maintaining executive distance from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, responding to chants of lock him up at her campaign stops with some version of, Were gonna let the courts handle that.

With the election mere days away, Wasow cautioned against a status quo bias, where people believe that the country cant get more authoritarian. This is a common feeling, despite the fact that theres much evidence from around the globe that demonstrates that democratic erosion does happen  and that things really can get worse.

The people who catch hell are often the most vulnerable people. That would hit Black Americans hard, he said. And a politicized DOJ or FBI would be front and center. We would need to assume that any person who crosses Trump is at risk of being a target of the state.

This story has been updated.

The post The FBI Thwarted a Racist Terror Plot in Nashville appeared first on Capital B News.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A senior U.S. cyber official on Tuesday said her agency had not seen any major incidents reflecting foreign interference in Tuesday's presidential election despite a steady stream of disinformation aimed at disrupting the vote throughout Election Day.

As of early evening, there was little evidence of significant disruption to election infrastructure, Cait Conley, a senior official at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told reporters.

"At this point, we are not currently tracking any national-level significant incidents impacting security of our election infrastructure," said Conley, whose agency is responsible for protecting critical American infrastructure, including election infrastructure, which can include voter databases, tabulators and vote counting software.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Earlier Tuesday, the FBI warned Americans about three new fake videos that used its name and insignia to promote false information about the vote, the latest in a string of disinformation that officials expect will intensify, especially if uncertainty over the winner lingers past Election Day.

One fabricated video purporting to be from the federal law enforcement agency falsely cited a high terror threat and urged Americans to "vote remotely," while another video includes a fake press release alleging to be from the agency and claiming rigged voting among inmates in five prisons. The third fake video claimed the FBI had received 9,000 complaints about malfunctioning voting machines.

All are inauthentic, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.

Hoax bomb threats also hit a series of polling locations in three battleground states, the bureau said later Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far," the FBI said. At least two polling sites targeted by the hoax bomb threats in Georgia were briefly evacuated on Tuesday. Republican Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger blamed Russian interference for the Election Day bomb hoaxes.

"They're up to mischief, it seems. They don't want us to have a smooth, fair and accurate election, and if they can get us to fight among ourselves, they can count that as a victory," Raffensperger told reporters.

The Russian Embassy in Washington said the allegations were "baseless" and that Russia does not "interfere in the internal affairs of other countries."

U.S. intelligence agencies last week blamed Russia for a false video purporting to show a Haitian immigrant claiming to have voted multiple times in the U.S. state of Georgia. Over the weekend, the FBI warned about several other fake videos.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Later on Tuesday, a video posted to the X social media platform -- purporting to show a Wisconsin voter for former President Donald Trump being assaulted by a supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris -- was also likely Russian disinformation, a professor tracking the activity said. It had been viewed more than 30,000 times.

X has since restricted the account that posted the video, warning users of unusual activity from the account, but the video remains online.

Most of the obstacles voters faced tended to be more prosaic: long lines, paper jams, and power outages.

Slow-updating computer software delayed voters in Louisville, Kentucky, a local official told Reuters. In rural Pennsylvania, a computer software glitch meant some ballots could not be immediately tabulated, officials there said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In St. Clair County in Alabama, some ballots had to be reprinted after officials discovered some were missing local and state amendment questions, the county said on its website.

Conley urged Americans to stay on guard as the vote counting got underway.

"We do have foreign adversaries with two objectives, one to undermine the American people's confidence in our democratic institutions, and the second to sow partisan discord," said Conley. "And so we should expect to continue to see narratives around those types of objectives, both today and in the days and weeks to come."

(Reporting by Susan Heavey, Christopher Bing, Raphael Satter, James Pearson, and AJ Vicens; Editing by Andrea Ricci, Alistair Bell, Deepa Babington and Jonathan Oatis)
At noon on the eve of Election Day, the familiar mix of tourists, locals, and government workers seeking fresh air on lunch hour milled as usual in Lafayette Square, next to the White House in downtown Washington, D.C.

They were met with an unusual sight  a heavy, metal fence around 10 feet high surrounded the White House, the street in front, and a bronze statue of former President Andrew Jackson astride his horse at the center of the park.

The Secret Service's decision to erect the fence ahead of Election Day left tourists frustrated and Americans on edge at the prospect of violence or unrest in the nation's capital amid an extraordinarily tight election.

Signs on a fence erected around Lafayette Square ahead of Election Day read 'No Trespassing: Authorized Personnel Only.'

"I'm disappointed," said Rose Jones, 77, standing with her family in front of the heavy perimeter. "The kids wanted to see the White House, and now they can't see it."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jones, visiting from North Carolina, had just one day in the nation's capital. She was not the only who arrived to the square surprised to find Washington's most famous building walled off.

"We traveled a lot of time to come here, but it's not open," said Alison Carrillo, 16, in Washington with her parents, brother, and grandmother for the first time.

Visitors expressed disappointment that a fence blocked off the White House and part of Lafayette Square.

After the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by a mob supporting former President Donald Trump, "It's really understandable that they are closing here," she said.

People filtered through a few openings in an outer fence running along Lafayette Square on H St NW. Tourists peered through the inner fence, trying unsuccessfully to snap pictures through the tightly woven wire.

'That's not America'

To some, the fences were a bad omen ahead of an election that's been marked by threats of violence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"You see all the fences around here, and you wonder," said Mike Longmeyer, 64, visiting the capital from Redlands, California.

More: Trump supporters expect election fraud and violence

Construction workers worked on the presidential inaugural stands on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House.

Longmeyer said he and his wife, Teresa Longmeyer, 61, were glad to be flying home the morning of Election Day, before "anything happens." In recent years, he said, divisiveness around elections has "gotten out of hand," he said.

"That's not America," he added. "We should pass the baton to the next party and try to work together so we can have a democracy instead of civil war."

It isn't only the White House bracing for Election Day mayhem. Local news reported some businesses downtown with boarded up doors and windows, and a high fence was also erected around the Naval Observatory, the official residence of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"There will be no tolerance for violence in our city," Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference Monday. "We will not tolerate the destruction of property, and we will not tolerate threats to public safety as well as this election process."

"I feel very sad that this the state of things, to be honest with you," Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters. "But the way that I deal with anxiety is to work and to make sure that we are as prepared as we can be."

Smith said the Secret Service made the decision to erect the fences around the White House and Lafayette Square Park.

Alexandria Worley, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, said fences would also go up around the vice president's Naval Observatory residence and the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump's campaign will watch the returns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"These enhancements are not in response to any specific issue but are part of wide-ranging public safety preparations for Tuesday's election," Worley said in a statement.

Visitors sense 'some concerns' around Election Day security

Nicolas LaPere isn't leaving until after the election  in fact, he came to Washington from his hometown of Paris specifically to see it.

"It's interesting to see a city waiting for a new president," he said. "We see it with a different view."

Washington, D.C., officials put up a fenced perimeter around the White House and Lafayette Square.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To LaPere, Washington was relaxed. But the fences around the White House suggested that could change quickly.

"Maybe there are some concerns here in the city," LaPere said. "Very strange."

On the strip of Pennsylvania Avenue that runs in front of the White House, usually open to the public, construction workers milled around a multistory structure of wooden catwalks, nearly as high as the White House itself. A sign on the fence read: "Please excuse the disruption. The District of Columbia, in coordination with the National Park Service, is constructing the 2025 Presidential Inaugural Parade Reviewing Stand."

The construction of the reviewing stand is a Washington tradition dating back to a simple wooden board covered with canvas on which Abraham Lincoln stood in 1861 to review more than 20,000 troops destined for battle months into the Civil War, according to the White House Historical Association.

'Alarming'

Others visitors took a different tack  better safe than sorry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It's a good idea," said Angel Perez, who drove an hour from Maryland to see Washington's landmarks. "You got some crazy people out there, and it's probably better just to keep everybody locked in."

Still, the sight of the barricades was "alarming," said Perez, 41. "We had taken a picture here two years ago, and it was right in front of the White House, which is pretty cool. But we've never seen it like this," he said.

Longmeyer said the couple walked a couple miles around the perimeter of the White House for a better view before they gave up.

"I came to see the White House, and I think I've seen a corner of it," he said. "Taxpayers pay for that. You can't even see it."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA Today. Reach her on email at cmayesosterman@usatoday.com. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fence around White House before Election Day leave visitors anxious
WASHINGTON (AP)  A series of bomb threats across multiple battleground states and baseless claims of wrongdoing by former President Donald Trump disrupted an otherwise smooth Election Day that capped a tumultuous presidential campaign.

The bomb threats in parts of Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania on Tuesday turned out to be hoaxes, but they forced some polling places to evacuate and extend hours, and delayed the counting of some ballots.

The threats were reported throughout the day at polling locations in three metro Atlanta counties, all with large numbers of Democratic voters, and into the evening at Pennsylvania polling places and election offices where ballots were being counted. Bomb threats also were reported in Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin, according to state election officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in an evening news conference that the hoaxes posed no danger to the public  or to the election.

Every legal, eligible vote will be counted and counted accurately, and the will of the people in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be respected," said Shapiro, a Democrat.

Neither Shapiro nor Pennsylvania State Police gave details about who might be behind the hoaxes.

In Georgia's Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, 32 of 177 polling places received bomb threats and five were briefly evacuated. The polling locations were able to reopen after the threats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That just shows you the resilience of our system and our people. Were battle-tested, said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican.

The FBI said many hoax bomb threats in several states appeared to originate from Russian email domains, though federal cybersecurity officials cautioned that the culprits were not necessarily Russian.

The dramatic and troubling end to Election Day came after a highly successful early voting period, when at least half of all votes expected in the presidential election had been cast. By Tuesday, more than 84 million Americans had already voted.

Overall, the final day of voting was characterized by the same kind of routine hiccups and frustrations seen in other elections: a polling worker forgetting to bring a key; ballot printing mistakes; ballot counting machines not working.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The vast majority of problems were largely expected, routine and planned-for events, said Cait Conley, senior adviser to the director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Turnout on Tuesday was robust in many states. In Nevada, one of two western presidential battlegrounds, long lines were reported in Reno and Las Vegas. After polls closed, there was still a three-hour wait at a polling location at the University of Nevada, Reno, according to local election officials.

Despite no evidence of widespread voting problems, Trump made unsubstantiated claims related to Philadelphia and Detroit, and raised questions about election operations in Milwaukee, the biggest cities in three states crucial for deciding the presidency.

Local officials quickly knocked down the claims Trump made on his social media platform, saying there were no indications of any problems that would affect accurately tallying the vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The absence of any significant problems had not stopped Trump, the Republican nominee, or the Republican National Committee, from making numerous claims of fraud or election interference during the early voting period, a possible prelude to challenges after Election Day.

In Georgia, a federal judge rejected as frivolous a last-minute effort by Republicans to challenge Atlanta-area election offices collection of mail ballots last weekend  after early voting had ended. U.S. District Judge R. Stan Baker, a Trump appointee, said the GOP argument does not withstand even the most basic level of statutory review and reading comprehension.

Trump on Tuesday suggested he wouldnt challenge the results of the election  as long as its fair.

If its a fair election, Id be the first one to acknowledge the results, Trump said, though what meets that definition wasnt clear.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, had urged voters not to fall for Trumps tactic of casting doubt on elections.

The former president began making unsubstantiated claims about voting, ballot counting and law enforcement as Election Day voting neared its end.

He said on his social media platform that there was talk about massive cheating in Philadelphia and said law enforcement was on the way. He did not provide details, and there was no immediate indication of what he was referring to. His spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment about what he meant.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner issued a statement rejecting Trumps claims as baseless.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There is no factual basis whatsoever within law enforcement to support this wild allegation, Krasner said. If Donald J. Trump has any facts to support his wild allegations, we want them now.

Federal election security officials and Shapiro also said they had seen nothing to support Trumps claims. Officer Miguel Torres of the Philadelphia Police Department said he was unaware of any special law enforcement mobilization or any kind of incident that would require it.

One of three Philadelphia election board members, Seth Bluestein, a Republican, said on social media that Trump's comment is yet another example of disinformation. During an evening news conference, he emphasized the security of the city's vote: There is no evidence whatsoever of massive cheating, he said.

Police in Detroit were equally puzzled by another Trump post that said, Philadelphia and Detroit! Heavy Law Enforcement is there! Detroit police said there were no reported issues inside or outside of Huntington Place, the massive convention room where election workers counted ballots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Evening traffic outside the center was light with no protesters in sight. Barricades were up outside the room and escalators to and from the area were shut off. Police also reported no major problems in the citys more than 400 voting precincts.

The former president said there was a strong law enforcement presence in Philadelphia and Detroit. That was not true," Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said during an evening news conference.

In Milwaukee, election officials said they were recounting more than 30,000 mail ballots out of an abundance of caution after it was discovered that doors on the back of ballot scanners were not properly sealed. The effort, which drew the attention of Trump and the RNC, was expected to delay the count there.

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson went to the Milwaukee central count location with the chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party to observe the effort. Less than two months before Election Day, the Milwaukee election office had drawn praise from Republicans who oversee elections in the state and who had expressed confidence that it was ready.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Arizona, a hotly contested swing state, saw multiple Election Day challenges. Bomb threats targeted polling locations in Cochise, Navajo and Yavapai counties, delaying some results, and frustrated Native American voters stood in hours-long lines in Apache County. A judge ordered some polling places there to remain open two extra hours because of malfunctioning equipment and a lack of printed ballots.

Throughout the day, members of the Navajo Nation reported being turned away by poll workers after waiting for hours. Over 43,000 registered voters live on the Apache County portion of the Navajo Nation, according to court documents in the lawsuit seeking the extension of voting.

Zane James said he waited out in the cold with about 50 other voters for about 2 1/2 hours before they could cast their ballots because of a problem with the sites single printer.

It was just a mess, it was terrible, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At a polling site in Chinle, on the Navajo Nation, Amanda Woody said she didnt know how long it would take before she would be able to cast her ballot.

There is a line, but Im willing to wait, she said. Every vote counts.

___

The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Election workers sort ballots at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center on Nov. 9, 2022. Photo by John Moore | Getty Images

The pernicious claim that delayed election results are a sign of fraud only dates back to 2020, but neither Arizona nor Maricopa County have ever reported final results on election night.

Over the past 16 years, Maricopa County has reported complete results an average of 13 days after the election, with its quickest turn around at eight days in 2014 and its longest at 17 days in 2008.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes told CBS News last week that he expected results to be reported along the same timeline as usual in the state, between 10 and 13 days after the election.

Results arent considered official until theyve been certified by each countys supervisors, which must happen within 20 days after the election. After that, the secretary of state finalizes the statewide election canvass on the fourth Monday following the election.

There are many reasons that Arizonas results take so long to be reported  longer than other states with different laws  and that determining winners doesnt happen as quickly as happened in the past.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Elections in the United States are decentralized, and are run by counties in most states, meaning that a national election is really about 3,200 local elections. And every state determines when ballots can be counted, how long voters have to fix any issues with their ballot and whether mail-in ballots can be counted if theyre postmarked by Election Day, in addition to many other rules and regulations.

Because these rules vary so much from state to state, some can deliver unofficial election night results  and, later, official results  much more quickly than others.

Generally, media organizations that unofficially call races on election night for one candidate or another take pre-election polling into account, and wont make a call if polls were extremely tight because they dont want to have to take back their prediction, Michael Morley, director of Florida State Universitys Center for Election Law, told the Arizona Mirror.

Its much easier for media organizations to make those calls in states or counties where an overwhelming majority of voters are registered with one political party, or where polling has indicated a blowout. But for states like Arizona, which in the past was solidly red but has become a purple battleground state, it takes more time to determine who won.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The media organizations use complicated algorithms worked out well before the election to determine whether they can make a call without having to worry about later retracting it. Factored into those decisions are things like the percentage of votes already counted in a given race, which candidate those voters favored and how close the outcome is expected to be.

For many races in Arizona this year, including for president and several of the state legislatures more competitive districts, margins are expected to be razor-thin. Coupled with the states somewhat even spread of voter registrations with 36% registered as Republicans, 29% as Democrats and almost 34% as independents, its difficult to accurately call races on election night.

Official election results from states and counties are never reported on election night, in any state. Results that are released by counties and states after the polls close on Election Day are preliminary and incomplete, and they always have been. Arizona and Maricopa County will begin sharing preliminary results, which will include all early ballots cast prior to Election Day, at 8 p.m. on election night.

After that, ballots cast in polling places on Election Day  which are tallied immediately when a voter places her ballot in the on-site tabulator  will be added to the total. But that takes time, as the tabulators must be loaded onto secured trucks and driven to the countys election headquarters, where their data cards are downloaded into the system and verified.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Finally, early ballots that arrived on Election Day or were dropped off at polling sites are verified and counted.

Reporting official results takes more time. Votes have to be counted, but counties also must complete processes designed to ensure election integrity and accuracy, including a review of ballot chain of custody records, tabulator machine testing and hand-count audits performed by the political parties that must match up with results from the tabulators. That all has to happen before the vote totals are certified.

Additionally, voters who submitted provisional ballots on Election Day  for example if poll workers told them they werent registered but they know that they are  have until five days after the election to provide proof to the county that they are a registered voter and cure the ballot. In the meantime, election officials dont know how many of those ballots will be cured to be added to the totals.

The same goes for voters whose signatures on early ballot envelopes were flagged as inconsistent with past signatures. Theyll also have until Nov. 10 this year to cure their signature, or any other issues with their ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A new law implemented in Arizona this year requires the number of early ballots dropped off at a polling location on Election Day to be counted before poll workers can deliver the ballots to a central counting facility to be signatured-verified and tabulated.

The change, backed by legislative Republicans, some of whom have also complained about the time it takes to deliver final results, is expected to delay those results.

Additionally, in Maricopa County, where nearly 60% of Arizonas registered voters live, a lengthy doubled-sided, two-page ballot has already caused some minor delays and could mean longer lines for those who vote in person on Election Day.

Having two pages to scan compared to a single page, that doubles the scanning time, Morley said. That can very easily add up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And other issues can arise with a two-page ballot, since election workers have to make sure both pages stay together throughout processing and tabulation and mistakes could occur if, for example, a husband and wife mix up the pages of their ballots before returning them, he added.

Because around 2.5 million of Arizonas 4.3 million registered voters live in Maricopa County, delays in the county could hold up results for the entire state.

Where it started

The myth that longer ballot counting time increases the likelihood of fraud dates back to the 2020 election, when there was a huge spike in mail-in ballots spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Particularly, whats taken hold is the sentiment that, if we dont get election results on election night, somethings wrong, Nora Benavidez, spokesperson for the nonprofit organization Free Press, told the Mirror. Thats the furthest thing from the truth. Election officials are doing their best under intense scrutiny.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wait times for unofficial results released on election night increased significantly in many states in 2020 because their systems werent prepared to deal with so many mail-in ballots. Spurred on by former President Donald Trumps insistence, without evidence, that the election was stolen from him, false claims that nefarious actors intentionally delayed the results to allow time to manipulate them thrived.

In Arizona, which has allowed no-excuse early voting by mail since the early 1990s, the issue that slows down counting the most is large numbers of early mail-in ballots being dropped off on Election Day.

When early ballots are actually returned early, they can be processed, have signatures verified and be tabulated prior to Election Day. But the so-called late earlies that are dropped off on Election Day cant be processed until the polls close. That means they have to be counted, organized, signature verified and the envelope scanned to ensure that the voter hasnt already returned a ballot, all before they can be tabulated.

That process takes time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And if more people return late earlies, the process takes even longer. The number of late earlies spiked in 2022 to more than 290,000 in Maricopa County, almost 20% of the votes cast in the county during that election. Comparatively, in the 2020 election, late earlies only made up 8% of votes cast in Maricopa County.

This year, more than 400,000 late earlies could be dropped off on Election Day in Maricopa County, another significant increase from two years ago.

If the trend in late early ballots continues this year, it could contribute to longer wait times for official results. But that wait time is an indication that election workers are following the law, Benavidez said.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Louise Apodaca, bedridden due to multiple health issues, combs her hair back with her hand while discussing the stresses of organizing her own in-home care while at her apartment in a Denver Housing Authority high rise.
Kokotela, South Africa  Powering up is something most of us take for granted, but hundreds of millions of people across parts of Africa living without reliable access to electricity. An American company is working to change that, and their innovation is a contender for this year's annual Earthshot Prize, an award handed out by Britain's Prince William to highlight solutions to the climate crisis.

Like most 12-year-olds, Dimakatso Ngcobo isn't a fan of household chores. She wasn't shy about telling CBS News so as she scrubbed an old pot, a few plastic plates and two old peanut butter jars that she and her mom use as cups.

Last year, her mom couldn't afford the rent at their home in Soweto, outside Johannesburg, so they were evicted. The mother and daughter walked to the community of Kokotela, a few miles further south, to buy a tiny dirt patch of land for $200. There, they put up a new one-room home made of metal sheeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ngcobo told CBS News that while there's no running water and no toilet, what she missed the most was electricity.

Dimakatso Ngcobo, 12, looks at her phone at her home in Kokotela, South Africa, Nov. 4, 2024. / Credit: CBS News

"It is a bit hard. We don't have much. We don't afford that much," she said, adding on a more positive note: "At least the school nearby is OK, as I want to be a doctor one day."

She was also grateful for her world getting just a little bit brighter recently, thanks to the U.S. company d.light, which was created by two co-founders who met at Stanford University's school of design. The company has now connected more than 180 million people in 70 countries to a clean source of energy from solar power.

"We are very focused on making these products as affordable as possible, and the way we do that is by pay-as-you-go financing, where customers can pay 20 cents a day or 30 cents per day, similar to what they would spend on kerosene or diesel for the diesel generator," said d.light co-founder Nedjip Tozun. "But instead of literally burning away that money, they can invest it into an asset that they are going to own that is going to deliver power for many years."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

D.light is one of the 15 finalists in the running for a 2024 Earthshot Prize. Winners will be chosen Wednesday in five categories: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World and Fix our Climate. The winner in each category will be awarded 1 million U.K. pounds, or about $1.3 million, intended to help scale-up their respective projects.

William, the Prince of Wales and future British monarch, has said he took inspiration from President John F. Kennedy's 1962 "Moonshot" challenge to land a man on the moon within 10 years when he created the Earthshot Prize four years ago with the ambition of finding and elevating innovative global climate solutions. The Earthshot initiative's ambitious goal since it launched has been to repair the planet within 10 years.

The Earthshot award ceremony has come to the African continent for the first time this year, with Cape Town in South Africa playing host.

Delegates at the Earthshot awards in Cape Town told CBS News ahead of Tuesday's U.S. national election that they've been disappointed that climate change didn't emerge as a central theme in the presidential race, and they worry it could fall even further from the focus of U.S. policy conversation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

New Yorker Shantha Bloemen, CEO of Mobility for Africa, a start-up that provides green mobility services to rural women in Africa using custom-built electric tricycles and bespoke solar powered batteries, was nominated for an award this year but didn't make the finalist list. She said she was still hoping to find partners in Cape Town this week to help her scale up her company's operations.

"We need urgent action and strong political leadership to unlock the financing to combat this crisis," she told CBS News. "There are many of us with proven solutions to mitigate the worst impact on those living on the front line of the crisis, but without strong U.S. political leadership, it will be difficult to unlock the finance needed to scale quickly to succeed. Time is not on our side."

Prince William acknowledged the networking aspect of the prize initiative Tuesday at an event in Cape Town. Panel host Wanjira Mathia teased the British royal as he sat for a panel discussion, calling the prize "a large dating service to bring together climate innovators."

Earthshot Prize Youth Program member A'aron John (L), Earthshot Prize Trustee 'Tokunboh Ishmael (R) and Britain's Prince William (C), take part in a panel discussion at Earthshot+ in Cape Town, South Africa, Nov. 5, 2024. / Credit: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/POOL/AFP/Getty

"The prize is about visibility, but it's also about scale," he said. "What we hear a lot from innovators is, 'I have a solution and no idea how to scale,' and businesses and leaders who say, 'I have money but don't know where to put it.' So, that's where we created a launchpad, which is a dating service which matches the funder with the solution, and vice versa. And I think this collaboration is key  if you put all of this into one melting pot, then sparks will fly."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It's wonderful to see those many brilliant minds and changemakers in a room," he said, addressing the audience.

Back in Kokotela, south of Johannesburg, Muriel Nobela can now power her TV, radio and lights thanks to a d.light solar panel on her roof. The panel feeds electricity to an outside light and to a storage battery inside her home, and it all costs her just over $250, which she's paying off in small monthly instalments.

Her neighbor Portia Msomi had always been forced to rely on gas to cook and candles for light in the evenings. Now, it's just a flip of a switch.

Portia Msomi switches on her solar-powered light, at her home in Kokotela, south of Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 4, 2024. / Credit: CBS News

"Aha!" said Portia, giggling as she hit her new d.light switch to illuminate her home. "You see, isn't it wonderful!"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tozun told CBS News it's that kind of reaction that drives d.light's work.

"The name of our company is d.light, and that is the emotion that gets us really excited to see in our customers," he said, adding: "There are 2 billion people in the world who have unreliable electricity access, and about 750 million with no access to electricity at all, our goal is to transform the lives of one billion people by 2030."

Portia takes a lot of pride in her new solar system. With a huge amount of effort she climbed onto a large trunk to stretch her hand onto her metal roof to grab her solar panel and clean it meticulously. She told CBS News it took her only four months to pay off the $150 cost of the system.

She pointed to various neighbors' homes that had burned down in accidents involving paraffin and candle fires.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We are safe now, and have light all the time," she said.

Light and safety are important for young Dimakatso Ngcobo, too, but the 12-year-old told CBS News that being connected was one of the biggest benefits of clean power in her home. She can now indulge in her favorite activity: scrolling through TikTok and Instagram.

"And I love TV," she added. "I really love cartoons."

Her infectious laugh also helped to light up the room.

"I feel happy now," she said. "We don't have much, butI can watch TikTok and dream about my future."

End of an era for iconic moving walkways at San Francisco airport

The unintended consequences of Texas' strict abortion laws | 60 Minutes

The Novo Nordisk scientist behind Ozempic, Wegovy weight loss research
The arrival of two Su-57 Felon prototypes for the upcoming Airshow China has provided a good look at many details on Russias most advanced fighter, although the most interesting has been a first close-up view of its small wing-root weapons bays. At TWZ we have previously examined this feature as well as the air-to-air missiles that are understood to be accommodated in the bays. While long known about, the weapons bays details had remained something of a mystery and it remains unclear exactly how they function.

The photo of the Su-57 showing the starboard-side wing-root weapons bay can be seen in the tweet embedded below, together with a close-up of the same image:

Post Unavailable

The first Su-57 for Airshow China arrived at Zhuhai Jinwan Airport in South Central Chinas Guangdong province on November 3, flying from Russia with a fuel stop at Taiyuan Wusu International Airport in northern China. This aircraft is the fourth prototype, or T-50-4, coded 054 Blue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The second Felon for the exhibition  the seventh prototype, T-50-7, 057 Blue  arrived at Zhuhai in a disassembled state aboard an An-124 cargo aircraft and it will be used as a static exhibit only. The Felon is making its debut at Zhuhai, its first foreign airshow appearance.

Test pilot Sergey Bogdan in the cockpit of T-50-4 ahead of the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China 2024, on November 4, 2024. Photo by Zheng Zhigang/VCG via Getty Images VCG

The public has had unprecedented access to T-50-4, in particular, with numerous videos and photos having been posted on social media.

Post Unavailable

Post Unavailable

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many comments have been made about the supposedly poor build quality of the jet, with very many visible gaps between surfaces and prominent screws and rivets that are far from flush with the surface. It should be recalled that this is an early prototype aircraft, with a lower standard of finish than production examples and, moreover, that the Su-57 is not designed to have anywhere near the same degree of stealth as Western fifth-generation fighters. Indeed, its overall design philosophy  which is highly influenced by Russias low observable design and material science limitations  is very different, as we have discussed at length in the past.

A pre-production Su-57. The triangular, canoe-like wing-root weapons bays are visible outboard of the aircrafts engine intakes. Vitaly Kuzmin

Returning to the wing-root weapons bays, one of these was seen during the reassembly of the T-50-7 at Zhuhai. The bays take the form of triangular-section fairings that are intended for quick launch  the clamshell-like doors popping open for a missile to be released and rapidly closing, to help maintain the jets radar signature. These bays are in addition to the two large internal weapon bays that are arranged in tandem between the engines and which can carry much larger stores.

Back in 2020, the Russian Ministry of Defense published a video showing a short-range missile launch from a pre-production Su-57s wing-root bay, but no details of the bay itself could be seen.

A sequence showing the launch of an air-to-air missile from one of the Su-57s two small wing-root weapons bays. Russian Ministry of Defense Capture

The missile launch clip begins at approximately 1:19 in the runtime of the video below:

Even with the photo from Zhuhai, its still not possible to determine exactly how missiles are launched from these bays, although a trapeze mechanism, broadly similar to the one the U.S. Air Forces F-22 Raptors use to launch AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles from their cheek bays, likely extend the missile outward at an angle into the Su-57s slipstream. The missile launch video also appears to support this hypothesis. While the LOAL mode wouldnt be required if the missile can be extended on a trapeze before launch, it would still be a very useful feature to call upon.

An F-22s side weapons bay with its launch rail carrying an AIM-9X extended. U.S. Air Force

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There is no evidence that the Su-57 wing-root bay doors can close or partially close with the missile extended, similar to the novel design found on Chinas J-20.

A J-20 with a pair of PL-10 air-to-air missiles deployed on the outside of the jets side weapons bays and with the main under-fuselage weapons bay also open. via Chinese Internet

In the Su-57, each of the wing-root bays is understood to carry a single infrared-guided air-to-air missile, namely the K-74M2 (also known as the izdeliye 760) for close-air combat, produced by the Vympel missile design bureau.

The K suffix denotes a missile that is still in the development phase, with the production version of the izdeliye 760 being the R-74M2. For now, its exact service status is unclear. In early 2021, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) think tank suggested that the K-74M2 was in the final stages of testing.

As we have discussed before, the K-74M2 is optimized for internal carriage by the Su-57, with reduced dimensions and it also adds a new infrared seeker from the Russian Azov AOMZ company. Other changes over the earlier R-73 and R-74 missiles include a rocket motor with increased burn time, for longer range and a higher end game energy state. Published specifications for the K-74M2 include a maximum range of 31 miles, compared to 25 miles for the R-74, and 18.6 miles for the R-73.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Missile range figures are often dubious at best and the K-74M2s true real-world range will differ based on the flight profile of each engagement and the targets behavior, which can vary considerably. For example, if a lot of maneuvering energy is needed to reach the target, that impressive range figure could be reduced to a handful of miles.

Importantly, the K-74M2 can reportedly also be fired in lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) mode, which means the seeker head can remain concealed within the bay during the target acquisition phase. Using LOAL, the missile begins its flight under inertial control, with a datalink allowing the launch aircraft to provide target updates during missile flight, before achieving an in-flight lock-on.

Its also worth noting that, in 2019, images emerged of what appeared to be a new, compact Russian air-to-air missile, derived, at least in part, from Vympels medium-range R-77 series. Its overall size and other design elements suggested it could potentially also be intended to fit inside the Su-57s wing-root bays, although it was not the K-74M2, which was ultimately revealed to be much closer in form to the R-73 and R-74 from which it was derived.

A display of missiles at the Vympel design facility. From top to bottom, the missiles are, an unconfirmed new design , an R-74/R-74, and an R-77, as well as a gray launch rail. Anton Novodereshkin/TASS

Since then, it was reported that Russia was pressing ahead with an all-new clean-sheet short-range missile to supersede the R-73 and R-74 series, the original design of which dates back to the Cold War.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This new missile is the izdeliye 300M, also from Vympel, which is likely to be a continuation of an earlier advanced short-range air-to-air missile program, the izdeliye 300, which was canceled in the 1990s in favor of further development of the tried and tested R-73.

Its not clear whether the izdeliye 300M will also be scaled to fit the Su-57s wing-root weapons bays, but that would seem possible, provided that its development continues.

As well as the K-74M2, there are other air-to-air weapons tailored for internal carriage in the Su-57, albeit in its larger under-fuselage weapons bays, including the beyond-visual range R-77M (izdeliye 180) and the very-long-range-range (estimated at 186 miles) izdeliye 810 missiles. These are also based on existing designs, the R-77 (AA-12 Adder) and the R-37M (AA-13 Axehead), respectively.

Post Unavailable

While there is still more to learn about the Su-57s wing-root weapons bays, its meanwhile clear that Russia is busy exploring the integration of new weapons on the aircraft. This has very likely also included combat trials of weapons in Ukraine, on a more extensive basis than was the case during the Felons very brief operational, or semi-operational deployment to Syria.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The appearance of the Su-57 at Airshow China is also notable, with Russia clearly trying to drum up export interest in the fighter, which has so far secured only 76 orders from the Russian Ministry of Defense. Plans to jointly develop a version of the Felon for the Indian Air Force collapsed when India dramatically walked away from the program in 2018. Since then, the Su-57 has been pitched unsuccessfully to Turkey, while Algeria, Egypt, and Vietnam  as traditional buyers of Russian military technology  have all been suggested as possible customers. Securing a foreign customer is very likely a prerequisite for Sukhoi completing the development of the improved Su-57M version, which is planned to be fitted with more powerful engines for enhanced performance.

In the meantime, continued weapons testing is helping move the Su-57 closer to a true operational capability. Whatever way they work, it appears the wing-root bays will be a fundamental part of the Felons frontline armory, providing a valuable boost to its overall weapons capacity and possibly introducing a capable new short-range air-to-air missile in the process.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department crews were out at an apartment complex in Brookhaven early Tuesday morning after smoke and flames forced residents out of their units.

According to a spokesman for DKFR, the fire at the Hillcrest at Brookhaven Apartments on Buford Highway started around 3 a.m.

When fire crews arrived, they found smoke and fire at four of the apartments and worked to get the flames under control and out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the extinguishing efforts, DKFR had the power shut off at the complex.

Once the scene was contained, DKFR said investigators determined the fire itself started in a breezeway before spreading to four units.

Due to the fires impacts, 30 people from the four units were displaced and the American Red Cross has been called to assist them.

They are still working to determine the cause of the fire, but DKFR said it did not appear to be the result of human action.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

TRENDING STORIES:

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
BASTROP COUNTY (KXAN) Chelsea Toliver breathed a sigh of relief on Monday when she returned to find her home intact, after being forced out by the Hudson fire.

The fireburning an estimated 400 acres, at 50% containment as of Monday eveningmissed her familys home within a mile.

Chelsea Toliver and daughters stand outside of home, missed by Hudson Fire. (KXAN Photos/Timothy Holcomb). Chelsea Toliver and daughters stand outside of home, missed by Hudson Fire. (KXAN Photos/Timothy Holcomb).

I was panicked, Toliver said. I initially was just trying to figure out, like, how bad the situation is, if we needed to leave immediatelyit got a little worse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Toliver evacuated her home with her husband, two young daughters and cats on Sunday night, not willing to take any risks.

Charred ground, as a result of Hudson Fire in Bastrop County. (KXAN photos/Timothy Holcomb).

Its been in [my husbands] family since he was a baby, and theyve had two houses down right the same spot burned down before, Toliver said.

No structures were damaged as a result of the Hudson fire, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. It said the fire started at a barn or shed, leading to dozens of evacuations.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said its helicopters were assisting on Monday, dumping water on hot spots to work to get the fire fully contained.

Crews are going to work on mop up and containment activities, Kari Hines with Texas A&M Forest Service said. That means theyre working along those bulldozers to make sure that any threats to the line are as contained as possible.

As crews face the flames and smoke head on, some wonder how much longer they can live here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Every year we get threatened, Yolanda Pearson said. [This year] we lost power for a little whileI really thank everyone, like the firefighters and the medical teamsWe take things for granted.

Toliver said living in a wooded area, you expect for wildfires and stay prepared.

Its always in the back of my head, Toliver said. I have a bag full of important documents in case you know, this house is actually burned down [again].

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday warned of a "moral darkness" in the country after his dismissal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Gallant named three points of contention with Netanyahu: his demand for a deal to release the hostages held by Hamas; his call for the establishment of a commission to investigate the October 7 attacks on Israel; and his opposition to a law that would exempt many religious extremists from military service.

He also warned that Israel faces many challenges in its fight against arch-enemy Iran and its accomplices.

Netanyahu has appointed Israel Katz, who previously served as foreign minister, to succeed Gallant.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A former police officer from Michigan has been convicted of ethnic intimidation and assault and battery after an off-duty incident in Detroit.

Sign up for the News 8 daily newsletter

A Wayne County jury found 43-year-old Kevin Yudt guilty of three charges last Friday, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessels office. Yudt was a sergeant with the Westland Police Department prior to the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The charges stem from an altercation with security at MGM Grand Detroit on April 6, 2023. According to the prosecutors, an intoxicated Yudt was upset after he was denied access to the casino floor.

Yudt identified himself as a Westland police sergeant and told security, Ill be waiting for you when you come to Westland, and you will not survive. He proceeded to poke a security guard in the chest while shouting racial slurs, Nessels office said in a statement.

Yudt was reportedly fired by WPD the following month and criminal charges were filed this past May. He was found guilty on two counts of ethnic intimidation, which carry a penalty of up to 2 years in prison, and one misdemeanor charge of assault and battery.

State Christmas tree unveiled at Michigan Capitol

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

No one is above the law, and I applaud the jury for their service and commitment to justice, Nessel stated. This type of behavior has no place in our society, especially by those sworn to protect and serve. My office remains dedicated to prosecuting threats of violence and ethnic intimidation to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Yudt is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 6.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Dixville Notch's decades-old midnight voting ceremony gives the nation an early glimpse of how New Hampshire is feeling. Their votes are tallied in the wee hours of the morning, before many Americans have cast their ballots

SEBASTIEN ST-JEAN/AFP via Getty A Dixville Notch voter casts his ballot in the 2024 New Hampshire presidential primary A Dixville Notch voter casts his ballot in the 2024 New Hampshire presidential primary

Some of the very first results of the 2024 presidential election have been reported.

Dixville Notch  a tiny New Hampshire town located near the Canadian border  announced that Kamala Harris and Donald Trump tied in their local race, hours before polling places opened around the rest of the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voting began in Dixville Notch shortly after midnight, continuing the towns decades-long early voting tradition, which dates back to 1960 when Richard Nixon unanimously beat John F. Kennedy.

This year, Trump and Harris each earned three votes, reports CNN and WMUR. The town has six total registered voters for the 2024 election

Bettmann/Getty Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, residents tally their midnight votes in the 1980 presidential primaries Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, residents tally their midnight votes in the 1980 presidential primaries

Dixville Notch's unique voting tradition involves all eligible voters gathering together as polls open at midnight on Election Day. After all ballots are privately cast, they are hand-counted and the results are tallied out loud.

The results are quickly reported to the public, before many Americans have cast their ballots.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In July, Dixville Notch unanimously rallied behind Nikki Haley over Donald Trump in the Republican primary election, delivering her their six votes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The town, which once had a conservative leaning, has voted more liberally in recent years as the population has shrunk.

In 2008 they delivered 15 votes to Barack Obama and 6 votes to John McCain. In 2012 they handed Obama and Mitt Romney 5 votes each. In 2016 voters were divided, but Hillary Clinton ultimately won with 4 votes. And in 2020 the town unanimously supported Joe Biden over Trump.


Sources in Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) have confirmed that the first clash between Ukrainian forces and North Korean troops has taken place in Russias Kursk Oblast.

Source: Financial Times

Details: A senior Ukrainian intelligence official confirmed the military engagement between units of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Ukrainian military to the Financial Times but declined to provide the specifics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said the clash took place in Russias Kursk Oblast, where Ukraine controls around 600 sq. km  slightly more than the area its forces controlled immediately following this summers Kursk offensive.

Over the weekend, DIU said that Russia had armed the North Korean troops in Kursk with 60mm mortars, assault rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles, anti-tank guided missiles and shoulder-launched anti-tank rocket launchers.

DIU also stated that some North Korean soldiers had also been provided with night-vision devices and thermal imagers. A few hundred troops from North Koreas special forces have also been deployed in Kursk.

Andrii Kovalenko, Ukraines top counter-disinformation official within the National Security and Defence Council, said on Telegram that "the first military units of the DPRK have already come under fire in Kursk."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ukrainian officials and military analysts have raised questions about the quality and combat effectiveness of the North Korean troops, describing most of them as inexperienced low-ranking soldiers. "We will know soon" how well they can fight, one of the officials told the FT.

Another high-ranking Ukrainian official said that Moscow was already providing military technologies to Pyongyang to help with its missile programmes, as well as "money".

Russian leader Vladimir Putin met North Koreas Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in the Kremlin in Moscow on Monday, 4 November.

Choe said that North Korea had "no doubt whatsoever that under the wise leadership of the honourable Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian army and people will surely achieve a great victory in their sacred struggle to defend the sovereign rights and security of their state".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Putin has not confirmed the North Korean deployment but he hinted at it last month, indicating it fell under the security provisions in the treaty," the FT reported.

Previously:

Last week, US and South Korean officials confirmed Ukraine's estimate that about 8,000 North Korean troops were sent to Kursk last month to help the Russian army drive Ukrainian forces out of territory they have occupied since August.

Top Ukrainian intelligence officials said that the troops are in barracks about 50 kilometres from the Ukrainian border and are preparing to engage in hostilities within "a few days."

Background:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Earlier, the Pentagon confirmed that North Korean troops who had arrived in Russia for training had begun to move towards Kursk Oblast, with some of them already present there. According to the latest US estimate, North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia for training and combat operations against Ukraine.

CNN sources believe that some of the North Korean military may already be in Ukraine.

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has reported that in the last week of October, Russia deployed more than 7,000 North Korean army soldiers to areas near Ukraine.

Support UP or become our patron!
Election night is here, bringing Americans to the highly anticipated end of a dramatic presidential campaign as they wait for results to trickle in.

While we may not know if former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris is the projected winner by the end of the day, state results could start trickling in shortly after polls close, especially in states where it isn't a close race.

In 2020, Kentucky and Vermont were among the first states where the Associated Press called the race minutes after the polls closed in each state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If this election follows a similar pattern, we could start seeing states being called one way or the other around 7 p.m. ET.

Here is what else to know about when you can expect results in the election.

Follow live results: How to follow live election results in 2024 races for president, Senate, House and more

Election Day live updates: Follow along here for news developments

When do the earliest polls close?

Some states could start reporting results shortly after their polls close. According to 270toWin, these states are among the earliest to close:

Indiana - Polls close at 6 p.m. ET in most of the state

Kentucky - Polls close at 6 p.m. ET in most of the state

Florida - Polls close at 7 p.m. ET in most of the state

Vermont - Polls close at 7 p.m. ET

Virginia - Polls close at 7 p.m. ET

South Carolina - Polls close at 7 p.m. ET

Georgia - Polls close at 7 p.m. ET

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Local polling places may have different hours, so be sure to check with your local election officials to find out when polls close in your area.

How do I vote in the 2024 election? Your guide to polling sites, mail-in deadlines, more

When will state election results start being called?

The AP will not call races until the final polls close in that state. While Kentucky and Indiana have some polls closing at 6 p.m. ET, time zone differences mean the last polls in that state don't close in until 7 p.m. E.T.

Therefore, the earliest results could possibly come in is 7 p.m. or shortly thereafter.

When were previous presidential elections called?

In 2020, it took four days for President Joe Biden to be declared the winner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2016, Trump was declared the winner in the early hours of the morning the day after the election.

In 2000, it took 35 days to declare Republican George W. Bush the winner, the longest delay in history.

Election Day is here. Sign up for USA TODAY's On Politics newsletter to stay updated on the results.

Contributing: John Fritze, Sam Woodward

Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com, and follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are there election results yet? When to expect each state to report
Today is Nov. 27, 2023, and here's what you need to know:
First Lady Jill Biden excites the crowd during an Election Dat eve rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in Durham. (Photo: Greg Childress)

On the eve of what is shaping up to be a close and historic presidential election regardless of the outcome, First Lady Jill Biden told a small but energetic and vocal crowd in Durham that this is it and urged supporters who had not yet voted to mark ballots Tuesday for Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

There is one more day until we elect a new generation of leadership in Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, Biden said to applause.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Biden said voters must remember why they fired Trump in 2020.

Four years ago in [former President] Donald Trumps America, there was chaos and division, Biden said. He shut down our economy, a pandemic was raging and we were stuck inside wearing masks, washing off our groceries, schools were closed.

After months of campaigning, Biden said she knows supporters are tired.

But I need you to find the strength to keep going because I want you to remember 2016, the morning after the election, when we woke up and found that we had fallen short, Biden said. Let that feeling sustain you, invigorate you, keep you going.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrats cannot come up short again, she warned the roomful of supporters.

We have to work harder than weve ever worked before, Biden said. We have to meet this moment as though our democracy is on the line and as if our freedoms are at stake.

Acknowledging that most of the people attending the intimate gathering at Democratic headquarters in Durham had likely voted already, Biden told them that its important to remind those who have not about whats at stake Tuesday.

Today when youre out, lets remind people that character and temperament matter, Biden said.

Biden called Harris a calm, decisive, strong leader who has the determination and skill to bring about change. Harris, she said, is the leader that America deserves.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She urged supporters to also remind people that Harris has spent her career fighting on behalf of people.

That other guy [Donald Trump], he only cares about himself, Biden said.

Bidens visit to North Carolina, a key battleground state in the tight race, came on the heels of visits by Harris and Trump. The two spent part of the weekend in the state rallying supporters as the grueling presidential campaign winds down. Trump wrapped up his visit today [Monday] with a campaign event at J.S. Dorton Arena in Raleigh.

In North Carolina, Saturday was the last day of early voting. More than 4 million voters have already cast their ballots in a race that many observers believe is a toss-up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Biden touted Harris economic plan, saying she will work to lower costs on housing, food and prescription drugs. Harris, she said, will build the economy from the middle out and bottom up and not from the top down.

Harris has made affordable housing a key part of her campaign for president, pledging to build three million new affordable housing units during her first term. She has also pledged to create $25,000 downpayment assistance program for first-time homebuyers. First-time homebuyers who have paid rent on time for two years would be eligible for the downpayment assistance.

Biden said Harris will also protect Social Security and Medicare and protect our freedoms.

Like a womens right to make her own health care decisions, Biden said. No one has to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that the government should not be telling women what to do.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jocelyn C. Frye, president of the Washington, D.C.-based National Partnership for Women & Families Action Fund, said a Harris administration will focus on issues important to caregivers and women.

Maternal health, reproductive rights and access to abortion are all on the ballot, Frye said.

She [Harris] clearly and unequivocally has said shes going to sign any piece of legislation that comes across her desk to restore access to abortion, Frye said.

Issues such as housing, fair wages, equal pay for women, union membership and others are also on the ballot, Frye said. Harris would take office armed with solutions to those problems, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those things are critical and this election is critical, Frye said.

North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs also swung by Durham Democratic headquarters Monday to thank supporters for their efforts during the campaign. Riggs, who is seeking election to the seat she was appointed to in 2023, didnt know Biden was visiting Durham.

The vote in Durham is going to affect my election and many others statewide, so I just want to thank people for working so hard and leaving it all it all out in the field, Riggs said.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  At Oak Mountain High School, some voters are getting ready to make their voice heard for the first time. And with less than 24 hours until polls open, they are making every second count.

You guys are gonna be the superheroes that go out and fight Americas gullibility, said Susan Schwartz, AP Government teacher at Oak Mountain High School. A day before the election, students in Schwartzs class are talking about what a victory could look like for each presidential candidate.

One student, Ryan Kozlek, said its been a tense election year. You can go on social media all you want and say what you want, but the real way to make action happen is to take action, he said. And that action for a citizen is to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Schwartz said its about being an educated, not just informed- citizenry. We are informed. We have social media now. We have the internet, we are overinformed, she explained. And sometimes that information is inaccurate. In fact, were studying that today I think we need to be saying that we need to have an educated citizenry.

What to know before going to vote in the 2024 election in Alabama

And Schwartz further explained that citizenry comes with an understanding of the constitution- and what political parties can and cant do.

That involves education- and that is what has got to become our focus in teaching about elections, remarked Schwartz. And helping Americans who are already done with school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When it comes down to the issues, first time voters had a lot to say.

I know both people have said a lot of things, said Lane Falone. I dont necessarily know whats true and whats not, but we can look at the facts of the past.

It really boils down to the economy, explained Luke Butts.

Parenthood, reproductive rights, just being a woman right now in the U.S. Those are important to me. Im also concerned about the economy, said Katie Song.

The main thing Im looking at is the economy, which of course, is extremely important, remarked Hamilton Hiers.

Schwartz said she doesnt know how her students will vote, but she knows they are prepared. You will, in 10 years, tell your family, your children, your grandkids- I voted in the 2024 general election. And it was a historical election,' she said. And we call them in AP Government critical elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Schwartz said its important to check your facts and not fall for the first thing you see when it comes to the election. She said your vote is your voice, and your vote matters.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
I had never been very interested in politics, especially not in politics far from Palestine or Israel. Since starting in the field of journalism, I have mostly written stories about society and culture, the arts, social life, and sports. And I never followed the American electionsuntil 2016, when CNN asked me to produce a report about the opinion of Gazans on the presidential candidates, among whom was Donald Trump. At the time, I was worried about how I would conduct those interviews. Are there any people in Gaza who care about these elections, I wondered? But I did the research, and I found people who did. They gave me very different opinions; to my surprise, many of the people around me held great interest in American politics. I met many people who expected Trump to win, and when he did, I was surprised yet again that they had been right.

Now the Palestinian street, in Gaza in particular, is looking at the U.S. presidency as a partner with Israel in its war here. Many have similar sentiments: They want a better president than Joe Biden, who encouraged the war on Gaza and never made any progress in stopping it.

Last week, I spoke with five fellow civilians about the vote. Four of them were displaced from the northern Gaza Strip to the southern city of Khan Yunis, where I have always lived. One, Rami Aman, is from Gaza but traveled to Egypt before the war, and has not been back since. Three asked me to withhold their last names out of fear of reprisal for what they might say. Their responses below have been translated and lightly edited for clarity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We want a humane American president who cooperates in the cease-fire. We do not want a president who sends weapons to kill us. Former President Donald Trump was the reason for stopping the 2021 war and did not agree to its continuation for a long time. [Ed. note: The 2021 war in Gaza, between Israel and a coalition of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, lasted from May 6 to May 21. It occurred after Trumps term, while Joe Biden was president.] But President Biden did not contribute to the cease-fire during the current war. Instead he encouraged its continuation and was the first supporter of Israel, even when it was bombing densely populated residential areas. We know that Bidens rule will end up being regarded as the worst ever in American history.

There are [new] candidates, Trump and Harris, but I think that Harris has a policy similar to Bidens, because he encourages and supports her, and she did not mention Muslims or Palestine during her speeches. We want an American president who views Gaza as worthy of life and believes that wars should not continue in it. We do not want support for wars under the name of Israels right to defend itself. Does America encourage Israel to defend itself from children and women? There must be a fair American president.

I have no optimism with any new candidate for the American presidency. Donald Trump has made a series of hate speeches that support a policy of not allowing any Palestinians to enter America and of imposing sanctions on them. As for Kamala Harris, she is the deputy of Joe Biden, who sent the very heavy missiles that caused the destruction of thousands of homes and the killing of tens of thousands. We and the American people need a president who supports democracy and humanity. We want a president who finds a solution to this conflict, one that never makes us feel safe.

Continual wars, and this war in particular, have led to great tension in the Arab region. We want a president who does not support killing excessively, as Biden has. I and 2 million Palestinians have the same opinion: that Biden was the worst president, one who does not treat Gaza as a humanitarian area that has been besieged for more than 15 years. We need a president who wants to stop the war and rebuild Gaza so that our lives can return again, so we can live our lives like the rest of the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I hope that Trump wins the elections, despite some slightly confusing statements. But he stopped the war in 2021 [Ed. note: see note above], and he has the ability to do so again. He is a man who does not like wars and does not encourage them, so I hope he wins. I hope that he looks at Gaza with humanity and helps in its reconstruction and supports it. Wars are not a solution to end these conflicts.

We need a strong solution to this conflict in order to obtain an independent state. We have been living through successive wars since 2008. We have lived through nearly five wars [since then], and through a lot of political tensions and bombing. [But] this is the most violent war on Gaza, and it has not excluded anyone. All those affected are civilians, and we want to achieve justice for us. We want human rights institutions to work in Gaza. America is the largest country in the world, and we need its support, even as it supports Israel with weapons.

It is quite clear for Palestinian people that Harris has a challenging political relationship with the current Israeli government, so she will not have much influence on the cease-fire in Gaza if she wins the electionas Trump will. Israeli Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu until now has not responded to her attempts as vice president to reach a hostage deal with Hamas and cease-fire. So if she wins the election, Israel will deal with her administration as it deals with Bidens now: through ignoring the American request for cease-fire, though still, maybe, allowing humanitarian assistance to access Gaza. However, Trump has a very positive relationship with Netanyahu. He is a businessman who is known for his success in making deals; he is a very decisive man and can convince Netanyahu to end the war on Gaza as soon as possible. He can ask him to start preparing for the day after the war as soon as possible, because ultimately Trump is a man [who cares about] the economy. And he knows very well that the Gaza war has caused damages to American economic interests in the Middle Eastparticularly the marine economy in the Red Sea. So he will make major efforts to end this war as soon as possible.

We have to not forget that it was Trump who sponsored the Abraham Accords between Israel and some Arab Gulf states, and that he supported Netanyahu in gaining access to political dialogue with Saudi Arabia. So Netanyahu owes him a lot. If Trump becomes the U.S. president, there a high possibility that Netanyahu will listen to him and end the war on Gaza, because there are common interests between the two men.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most Gazans blame the Biden administration [for the war], because it did not use the card of stopping arms support to Israel as pressure on the Netanyahu government to stop the war. Rather, the U.S. administration continued to support the Israeli army and merely acted as a Red Cross that is concerned and interested only in the lives of Israeli prisoners. [The Biden administration] did this without imposing strong American pressure on Israel to stop the war and save the residents of the Strip from the killing and destruction machine.

So far, the Biden administration has not succeeded in its efforts to put out the fire, and the Gazans have become distrustful of it, because they know that the American position is always biased toward Israel. Perhaps Trump will be more decisive than Harris.

I dont think Bidens support for Israel is personal. There has always been clear AmericanIsraeli military, financial, and air support over the past decades. This current war on the people of Gaza is a continuation of the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and the killing of people here. [Its only being waged] under the pretext of fighting Hamas. And basically from 2008 until now, Israel has carried out all its wars and military escalations on Gaza with clear American support through all its presidents, from the era of George Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump up through the era of Joe Biden. But I believe that the American elections, regardless of the winner, will have influential results on the cease-fire and on achieving peace. This is what the propaganda of the American presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, includes.

The people of Gaza have lost confidence in the American administration. During this war, they witnessed the most hideous forms of killing, siege, starvation, and the cutting off of water and medicine. Animals ate the bodies of their children, and no one cared about their lives. But they were watching American university students and videos of the American people who rejected the war and showed solidarity with the American soldier who burned himself and died by suicide in rejection of the war on Gaza. The people of Gaza also know that the feelings of the American people are not bound by the interests of American politics.
No one knows anything. Biden was an 89 percent favorite to win in 2020 and won by a little more than 40,000 votes across the swing states. Things that seem beyond all likelihood could happen. Forecasts are for fools.

And yetthe Donald Trump era may be about to end.

An aging man may be about to become the fading face of a political movement that has lost four elections in a row: the 2018 midterms, the 2020 general, 2022 midterms andon Nov. 5the 2024 election.

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.

Trump remains a near 60 percent favourite in betting markets, where more than $3 billion has been wagered, much of it by younger men. A wave of their money have swung behind him in the past month, driving up Trumps odds of victory on Polymarket from 49 to 67 percent through October.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But now a different wave may be about to sweep across the country: a wave of women. Here are five reasons, all readily visible in publicly available data, for thinking Kamala Harris may win and soon become Americas first female president.

1. Look outside the swing states

On Saturday night a shock poll by Iowas most respected pollster suggested Harris will win the state by 3 pointsthis in a state Trump won by 8 points in 2020.

Ann Selzer, the architect of the Des Moines Register Iowa Poll, has been polling Iowa for 27 years. She has correctly estimated the final margin of victory in Iowa to within 2 points in each of the last three elections.

Her predictions of a comfortable Trump victory in 2016 and 2020 were outliers too; others thought the race was close. Her record stretches back through the Obama yearsshe called his victory in the Iowa caucuses in 2008, and his re-election victory in the state in 2012.

Photo by LEONARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images.

The poll itself neednt be correct for Harris to win. It only needs to have captured a shift in Harris favor across the Midwestone that swing-state polls in neighboring Wisconsin may be missing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This shift isnt just evident in Selzers Iowa poll. Look too to Kansas, where another long-running survey recently showed Harris doing far better than Biden did in 2020.

The Kansas Speaks survey, run by the Docking Institute since 2009, gave Trump a lead of just 5 points in the state on Oct. 31. Trump won Kansas by nearly 15 points in 2020, a margin that the Docking Institute poll correctly predicted at the time.

Both polls suggest a swing of around 10 points toward Democrats in solidly red states in Americas heartlands. And both find common cause for that swing: women.

2. It will be women who won it

If Harris wins, women will have driven her victory. She is ahead by 5 points among women in the Kansas Speaks survey (Trump leads by 15 among men).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Selzer has also pointed to a wave of female support for Democrats in Iowa, where new abortion restrictions, enacted in the wake of the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision in 2022, may have driven women blue in unprecedented numbers.

Harris leads by 35 points among women over 65 in her poll, and it is younger, female, and college-educated voters who are saying they are more likely to vote.

We are a long way from the world of Joe Rogans podcast.

Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images.

There is also nationwide evidence of a stark and unusual enthusiasm gap among women. In the previous four final election polls by NBC News, dating back to 2008, there has effectively been no difference in the level of interest men and women have shown in the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This year there is a 6-point gap. Women are almost as engaged as they were in 2020, but there has been a notable drop-off in male interest.

3. Trumps gains are greatest in Democratic states

Trump does appear to have made some gains since 2020, particularly among non-white voters, and younger ones. But those gains may be less dramatic than they appeared earlier in the campaign.

There is evidence from YouGov that Black support for Democrats is holding up relatively well: They favor Democrats by around 70 points, down from 82 points in 2020 but not down by as much as national polls have shown in the past fortnight.

Trumps gains appear to be concentrated in big Democratic states with more diverse (and younger) populations. Look at where the New York Times currently estimates he will do several points better than in 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is the big deep-blue states of New York and California, as well as Maryland, while similar gains in New Mexico and Virginia wont be enough to turn those solidly Democratic states red.

The only notable states where Trump looks to be doing materially than in 2020 are in Arizonawhere he is running around 3 points better than in 2020 and the issue of illegal immigration has weighed heaviest on Democratsand in Florida, which has been tracking ever more Republican throughout the Trump era.

4. Polls are overcorrecting for Trump, as they did in 2022

There are way too many close polls this year, as Nate Silver has argued. Pollsters appear to be herding in the swing statesi.e. artificially ensuring their results show a close election. They may also be hemmed in by a new back-dated approach to weighting results (one that Selzer doesnt deploy in Iowa).

That herding is most extreme in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, along with North Carolina and Nevada. It is less intense in Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In whose direction are pollsters adjusting the results? If they overweight in Harriss favour, they risk under-estimating Trump for a third time in a row. That could be fatal for some firms. Underestimating Harris carries no such risk.

The incentives are all pointed in one direction: overcorrecting for Trump, as happened in 2022. The red wave prophesied for that years midterms never happened. Democrats out-performed. They may do so again.

5. Congressional races are flashing blue not red

When Trump beat Hillary Clinton in 2016, the most concerning data for Democrats was lying there under the hood: swing congressional races down-ballot all began flashing red in the days before the election.

That hasnt happened this year. Democrats are narrowly favored to take the House, and analysts are moving races toward them in equivalent swing districts this time round.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Throughout the campaign media attention has focused on Democratic weaknesses compared to 2020. David Plouffe, the Obama 2008 campaign manager drafted in to help run the Harris campaign this summer, called out that focus weeks ago.

The bigger issue here, he told New York magazine in mid-October, is Donald Trumps huge struggle with women voters, college-educated voters, [and] suburban voters.

Analysts have obsessed over Harris weakness with younger voters, Black and Hispanic voters, and with young men. But the bigger story may prove to be how she has cut into Trumps margin with white voters, winning the presidency by piling up historic margins among women in a post-Dobbs America.
Regardless of who wins Tuesdays election, a key fixture of Americas political landscape for nearly a decade is set to disappear: the Trump rally.

The Donald Trump roadshow barreled into the end of its run Monday, with the former president set to close out his campaign with a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Trump, who says 2024 will be his last campaign, has held  by his own count  more than 900 rallies since announcing his bid for the White House in 2015.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Follow live politics coverage here

Equal parts tent revival, carnival attraction and political stump, Trump campaign rallies have stimulated the senses of his die-hard supporters and assaulted the sensibilities of his critics  fueling much of the countrys political discourse. And they have consistently put Trump where he prefers to be  at the center of attention.

Trump supporters at a rally in State College, Pa., on Oct. 26.

Now, as Trump wraps up his third and final bid for the presidency, he is waxing nostalgic.

Its coming to an end, Trump said in a phone interview with NBC News on Sunday. Nine years and now, you know.  There have never been rallies like that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I enjoy doing it, the former president added. Theres never been anything like it.

In recent weeks, that nostalgia has manifested itself in a change in the tenor of Trumps rallies  which have felt more retro, more 2016 campaign, more raw. At times the events have taken dark turns, such as when the former president details violent scenarios involving his perceived enemies or when a Trump supporter shouted a false, derogatory claim about Vice President Kamala Harris at one of his rallies over the weekend.

Trump also appeared to endorse violence toward journalists on Sunday, when talking about how a shooter, to get to him, would have to shoot through the fake news, and I dont mind that so much. (His campaign spokesman insisted that Trump was actually "looking out" for the media.)

But the basics of a Trump rally have remained the same through his three campaigns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Supporters wait for hours as music blares at torture-level decibels, interrupted only by the fawning remarks of warm-up speakers. Eventually, Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA plays as a walk-up song for the former president. Trump speaks for more than an hour, rambling from topic to topic  and back again  in what he calls the weave.

In 2016, Trumps rallies were an early indicator of the enthusiasm behind his candidacy that propelled him to the White House, shocking the political world and even Trump himself.

Donald Trump during a campaign event in Rothschild, Wis., in 2016.

Someday youll have to write a book and say, Why? he said Sunday in his interview with NBC News. Because everyone asks why, and Im not sure I can tell you why. Something just works.

After Trump took office, rallies became one of his aides go-to solutions to boost his spirits. Trump even held them amid the pandemic during the 2020 race  ignoring his own governments guidance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Then and now, Trump routinely makes comments at his rallies that his aides would rather he not make, and that his opponents seize upon. For his millions of supporters, Trump rallies have been a gathering place for other like-minded Americans.

Ive been following him ever since 2015, and my first rally was in February of 2016, so Im coming out to hear him, and its history, and hes always adding new remarks, and I want to be here to hear it, said Robin Cole, who turned out to Trumps rally Saturday in Greensboro, North Carolina.

I brought my brother, who hasnt been to any of these before, Trudy Delling, who said she has been to about 10 Trump rallies across the state. She said her brother is a veteran and "he's handicapped, and he wanted to come to the last one in Greensboro.

During a July rally in Pennsylvania, Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt, bringing the Republican Party together around the former president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The attempt on his life has become part of Trumps narrative at his rallies, particularly when he offers a detailed rendering of how he couldve been spending his time.

I didnt need this. I didnt need to be with you tonight, Trump told his supporters at a rally in Virginia on Saturday. I could have been standing at the beach, my beautiful white skin getting nice and tan. Being smacked, being smacked in the face by a wave loaded up with salt, salt water. And I could have said, The hell with everything. I could have had the greatest life in the world. Instead, I got missing a little piece of my ear.'

Trump at the RNC in Milwaukee on July 15, two days after an assassination attempt.

But the campaigning has also served another purpose: helping Trump pay his substantial legal bills, which he has done by using political donations  which will be harder if he's no longer running for office. Its not outside the realm of possibility that Trump could run again, even if he loses, so that he has this as an option.

The former president, his voice now somewhat hoarse before Election Day, has been holding court at his rallies longer than usual. Sometimes thats prompted his supporters to leave early. At a recent rally in Pennsylvania, some of Trumps supporters left before the end of a speech he started 90 minutes late.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theres never been anything like this, not in history, Trump told them. And its a great tribute to the love that you have for this country. And I will never forget it.

At a rally in North Carolina on Saturday night, Trump sounded wistful as he again discussed how his rallies would be winding down in a few days.

This is coming to an end. These rallies are coming to an end. Weve been doing it, think of it, for like nine years, he said, calling out super fans he recognized in the audience who had been with me through thick and thin.

Few people have watched more Trump rallies than Acyn Torabi, a senior digital editor for the liberal website MeidasTouch News. Torabi is best known for his popular Twitter account, where his clips of Trump rallies frequently go viral. He said hell still have plenty to do after Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While I would love long walks on the beach, that isnt going to happen anytime soon, he said, adding, I would actually be grateful if there was no need to do what I do. But I think whether Trump is here or not I am still going to be busy.

Trump never likes anyone to outshine him, and hes already warning that whoever the next Republican presidential nominee is wont be able to hold a torch to the size of his crowds, a metric that he cares about very much.

In four years, somebody will come down, and that persons going to be hot as a pistol. And you know what? Theyre going to draw about 300 people, Trump said Friday during a stop in Warren, Michigan.

He similarly told NBC News on Sunday that he anticipates the next nominee will get 400 people at a rally.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Trumps own crowd sizes have waned in recent days. In Macon, Georgia, on Sunday, he didnt fill the venue, and many people left while he was still speaking. In Greensboro, he didnt come anywhere close to filling the arena that his team had booked.

Trumps political career has been a family affair  his daughter and son-in-law served in the White House, and his sons and daughter-in-law have played leading roles in 2024  and his nostalgia appears to be sinking in among them, too.

Its hard to believe it is coming to an end, Eric Trump said over the weekend while thanking his fathers supporters in Pennsylvania.

We started in 2016, and we didnt know a damn thing about politics, he said. And we went out there and we fought every single day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A Trump campaign aide told NBC News that some of the OGs  the old guard, the staffers who have been with Trump since the beginning  have also been taking it in and realizing the end is coming.

Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Rocky Mount, N.C., on Oct. 30.

We better enjoy it because there wont be many more, this person said. You think its never going to end, but then it does.

A senior Trump adviser echoed the former presidents assertion that another political leader will be unable to capture the zeitgeist as he has, saying We will never see the likes of Donald Trump again after this.

At the North Carolina rally Saturday night, the former president again marveled at how his rallies had become an amazing phenomenon that he doubts will ever be repeated.

So tomorrow Im doing three rallies, and on Monday Im going to do four rallies in one day, Trump said. And then we shut it down, never to happen again.

The end of the Trump rally era is sad, he said, while promising that if elected on Tuesday, were going to have a different form of rally, a rally for our country.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Holland Lake photographed on Sept. 2, 2023. (Photo by Nicole Girten/Daily Montanan)

The Flathead National Forest last week received a special-use authorization application from the incoming owners of Holland Lake Lodge.

Eric Jacobsen, who recently submitted a purchase agreement to the Forest Service indicating his contract to buy the lodge from longtime owner Christian Wohlfeil, did not request an expansion of either the physical property or operating plan for the historic lodge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Forest Service is currently reviewing this application to determine if it meets screening criteria, including the necessary technical and financial capability to operate the lodge, according to a statement from the Flathead National Forest. The application is for continuing the existing use within the existing footprint with no proposed expansion. If the application meets the screening criteria and is accepted, an environmental analysis will begin. Before a decision is made to issue a special-use authorization, there will be an opportunity for public involvement.

Jacobsen, a private equity investor who grew up in Montana and now splits his time between Whitefish and Park City, first indicated his intent to purchase the lodge earlier this year following several years of public outcry over a proposed sale to outdoor adventure company POWDR and an accompanying expansion plan to build an additional lodge and 26 cabin structures on the property.

Holland Lake Lodge has operated for 100 years on the Flathead National Forest with a special-use permit that was last reissued in 2017.

I am not making any changes to the permit right now, Im only applying to have the permit holder changed, Jacobsen told the Daily Montanan. I can promise Ill schedule public meetings again when Im the permit holder.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Throughout the fall, Jacobsen held a series of public meetings with Swan Valley residents and nearby community members with vested interests in Holland Lake Lodge, with the goal of creating a more open process than had occurred when POWDR attempted to purchase the property. He cancelled two scheduled meetings due to confidentiality provisions in the contract.

During the meetings, Jacobsen indicated a desire to work with community stakeholders to inform his operating plan for the lodge and reiterated that as someone who had grown up in Great Falls and visited the area as a kid, he did not want to see large-scale development at Holland Lake.

I want to preserve and protect the lodge and the lodge experience in harmony with nature into the future, Jacobsen said. My objective here is not to have some developer come in and develop the property. I genuinely want to preserve it and find out how best to operate a lodge on public land where people can access it.

The application must be screened by the Forest Service to ensure Jacobsen has the necessary technical and financial capability to operate the lodge. Once the application is accepted, the agency will go through an environmental analysis for the proposed operation, which will include seeking public comment. Flathead National Forest Supervisor Anthony Botello is the authorizing official who will sign off on the final determination.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Flathead National Forest spokesperson Kira Powell said there is no timeline for how long the screening process will take, but that the agency will continue updating the public.

Whats really important to us this time is that we improve communication on this process for this go around, Powell said.
Survivors of last weeks flash floods in Valencia have started leaving the region after losing confidence that the government will rebuild their homes and protect them from future disasters.

The search for survivors in the worst storm to hit Europe in decades is continuing one week after Valencia was ravaged by torrential rain, killing more than 200 people.

A massive clean-up operation remains under way, with police continuing to search a car park in Valencia after fears bodies may be trapped in vehicles that are still submerged in water.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One week on from the devastating floods, anger is turning into despondency, leaving some residents feeling as if they have no choice but to pack up and leave.

Tobias ten Haaf pictured at a railway wreck near his home, in the district of Picanya, Valencia, Spain - Belinda Jiao

Tobias ten Haaf, a Dutch entrepreneur, lost his house in the town of Picanya, which was ravaged when the Poyo river burst its banks last Tuesday.

Located just 15 minutes from the beach and 20 minutes from the mountains, Mr ten Haaf told The Telegraph he, his Mexican-born wife and their two-month-old son were very happy living in their dream location.

But it turned into a nightmare, Mr ten Haaf said, describing the tsunami-like surge of water that drove him and his family upstairs as the ground floor was submerged by a deluge of floodwater.

The government announced a 10.6 billion (8.9bn) aid package for Valencia on Tuesday - Angel Garcia/Bloomberg

As turned out to be the case for thousands of residents, Mr ten Haaf first received a notification from the local authorities warning about flooding at 8.12pm, but by then, it was too late.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We had no signal, no way to reach emergency services, no power, and no running water. We were completely cut off; its so scary, like returning to the stone age, he said.

Mr ten Haaf, who is temporarily staying with his family at a friends place, said he is moving because he is unable to trust the authorities response to any future flooding.

Given the rising risks from climate change, this kind of natural disaster is only going to become more frequent, the businessman explained.

In the nearby town of Paiporta, where around one third of the 211 deaths in Valencia took place, Denis Borisov said he and his family would also be moving elsewhere, probably in the Valencia area.

Residents fear the worst affected towns will not be habitable again for months or even years - CHEMA MOYA/Shutterstock

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There is no way they are going to be able to make the town habitable in a year, or maybe longer, the Bulgarian-born Mr Borisov told The Telegraph.

Political blame game

The move out of Valencia by some residents comes as Carlos Mazon, the regional president, continues to face accusations that authorities have reacted too slowly in providing aid and support to citizens.

The anger that was brewing among locals came to a head on Sunday when Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister, and the king and queen, were pelted with mud during a visit to Paiporta.

Mr Mazon on Monday appeared to lay the blame on the regional water authority, which reports to Mr Sanchezs national government, for deactivating the alert last Tuesday afternoon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Jucar Hydrographic Confederation did report on falling levels in the Poyo waterway that afternoon, but the newspaper El Mundo published on Tuesday an email from the water body to the Valencian regional authority warning of an alarming surge.

The email was sent at 6.43pm, before the Poyo burst its banks and 90 minutes before public alerts were issued.

Mr Sanchez announced a 10.6 billion (8.9bn) aid package for Valencia on Tuesday.

Referring to claims that the national government is to blame for the delayed response, Mr Sanchez said: There will be a time [] to find out how to improve civil protection systems and know where responsibility lies.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Florida could see record turnout for 2024 election

Election Day is here!

Central Florida voters are making several big decisions, including state leaders, constitutional amendments, and the next president.

As millions of Floridians head to the polls on Tuesday, millions of others have already voted.

More than half of all registered voters in the state have cast their ballot. Data shows around 77% of registered voters participated in the 2020 presidential election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read: Floridas six constitutional amendments on the November ballot, explained

Florida reported an 83% turnout for the 1992 presidential election.

Several election supervisors say they are expecting things to run smoothly on Election Day because so many have voted early.

Many are wondering how many people will actually show up on Tuesday.

Read: Election 2024: Freebies you can get with your I Voted stickers

According to the state division of elections, more than 3.5 million registered Republicans have voted early in person or by mail.

Thats compared to the nearly 2.7 million registered Democrats who turned out early.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More than 1.7 million voters with no party affiliation also cast their ballots early.

Read: Elections officials expect historic numbers at Orange County polling sites Tuesday

Those voters will have a huge role to play in key races, including whether former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris wins Florida.

Channel 9 spoke with a UCF political science professor who said it looks like Republicans have a strong advantage in Florida.

See more in the video above.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA)  A Florida doctor is accused of stealing donations meant for victims of Hurricane Helene in Buncombe County.

The Buncombe County Sheriffs Office said Mark Anthony Smith, a doctor from Jacksonville, Florida, took thousands of dollars worth of donations meant for hurricane victims and sold some to a local pawn shop for cash.

Investigators said they received complains on October 25 about a man looting donations in the Swannanoa area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Community members reportedly knew a suspect named Mark was driving a U-Haul truck, according to the sheriffs office.

Deputies later found Smith in the U-Haul and found more than $12,000 in donations stolen from Hearts Hurt along with more than $2,000 in personal items belonging to the owner and operator of the nonprofit.

Smith was charged with breaking or entering, larceny after breaking or entering, obtain property by false pretense, trespassing during a state of emergency, failure to return hired motor vehicle, injury to personal property, felony larceny, failure to return rental property.

He is being held in the Buncombe County jail on $60,000 bond.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
(NewsNation)  Florida voters cast their ballots Tuesday in some important races in the 2024 election.

Presidential election in Florida

Florida US Senate race

Incumbent Republican Sen. Rick Scott is challenged by former Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell for a Senate seat. The races outcome could affect the balance of power in the Senate.

Florida races for US House

Voters will also elect 28 members to the House. Nineteen Republican and eight Democratic incumbents are seeking reelection.

Florida statewide ballot measures

Six statewide ballot measures are on the ballots Tuesday. Some measures include:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for grabs. These elections will determine who has control over the two chambers of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Florida  which carries 30 Electoral College votes  has gone red the last two presidential elections. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Early voting in Florida started Oct. 26, and polls for in-person voting will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Florida state Supreme Court races

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
State Sen. Jessie Danielson said she was deeply saddened, angry and disgusted not only by the number of preventable  and often horrific  deaths, but also by the lack of accountability that followed.
Tuesday is the last chance for voters to cast their ballots for the 2024 general election.

More than 8 million Floridians have already voted early or by mail. That number will rise as more people cast ballots on Election Day.

Florida voters will help determine the next president and will decide on other key state and local races, including U.S. Senate, county commission seats and congressional races. Theyll also weigh in on six proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution, including ones that would allow recreational marijuana and protect access to abortion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Election Day will look a little different this year in Tampa Bay and other parts of the state still recovering from two destructive storms. County elections officials have moved dozens of precincts due to damage. Pinellas County relocated 25 of its 286 precincts because of hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Heres what to know as you head to the polls.

Where do I find my polling place?

Double-check that your polling place hasnt changed due to damage from recent hurricanes. Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties have lists on their websites of polling place changes. You can also type in your address on your local supervisors website to find your polling place.

All voting locations will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. If youre still in line when polls close, you should be allowed to cast your ballot.

What should I bring with me?

Bring photo identification and be prepared to provide a signature that matches what elections offices have on file. A Florida drivers license, passport, student or military identification are all accepted.

What can I bring into my polling place?

You can bring a sample ballot or written notes with you to vote. Cellphones are also allowed. You can take a ballot selfie from the voting booth but other photography in the polling room is not permitted, including of other people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Unlike many other states, Florida voters can wear political clothing to polling locations. Guns are not allowed at polling sites.

What if I have a mail ballot?

Its now too late to mail back a ballot because they must be received by elections offices by 7 p.m. Tuesday to be counted. But you can bring a mail ballot to one of your supervisors offices to drop it off. The offices are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check your supervisors website for office locations.

Should I expect to wait in line?

Its possible, particularly at certain times of day. Dustin Chase, director of communications for the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Office, noted that ballots are multiple pages and may take time to fill out.

What if I think Im experiencing voter intimidation?

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said that poll workers at each location are assigned to handle voter concerns. The poll workers can rather report behavior to authorities. Law enforcement officers will also be near or at voting locations. There will be a lot going on behind the scenes to protect voter safety, Gualtieri said.

How do I find out election results?

Once polls close, supervisors offices will begin reporting results on their websites.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This year, all supervisors in Tampa Bay are using what Hillsborough County called an election night mode website intended to provide faster response times.

The Times will also provide live results as they come in at tampabay.com.

County supervisor of election websites

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections: votehillsborough.gov

Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections: votepinellas.gov

Pasco County Supervisor of Elections: pascovotes.gov

Tampa Bay Times reporter Lane DeGregory contributed to this report.

  

Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage

2024 general election voter guide: Over 90 local candidates on the issues: Heres whos running for office and their stances on abortion, immigration, local schools and more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Why Florida Democrats should be optimistic  and why they should be pessimistic: For the first time in a while, Democrats seem to have some juice. Is it real?

Here are the 6 amendments Floridians will vote on in November: The proposals relate to abortion, marijuana, hunting and fishing and more.

Floridas Amendment 1, explained: Partisan school board elections will appear on the ballot this election.

How Floridas Amendment 2 could affect hunting and fishing: The constitutional right to fish and hunt will appear on the ballot.

Amendment 3: Floridas recreational marijuana ballot measure, explained.

5 Tampa Bay congressional races are set. Heres whos running.

If Florida votes for abortion, marijuana, will lawmakers abide? The two amendments are opposed by Floridas Republican leaders.
Abortion rights are on the ballot in 10 states, but their presence looms especially large in Florida. Last year, Governor Ron DeSantis, with the approval of the Republican-majority state legislature, signed a six-week abortion ban into law. In response, Floridians Protecting Freedom (FPF) sponsored the Right to Abortion Initiative, which is on the ballot as Amendment 4.

The tension between supporters of the state-sanctioned ban and its opponents has heightened as the election approaches. Early this month, the Florida Department of Health sent cease-and-desist letters to local TV stations, ordering a halt to airing commercials supporting the amendment. However, a judge blocked these efforts. Amendment 4 is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted divide on abortion in the state.

And its not new. In 1986, Floridians elected Republican Robert Bob Martinez as governor. A Democrat turned Reaganite, Martinezs election marked the rise of the new conservative wave in Florida. Three years later, however, he was undone by abortion politics. He demanded the legislature enact an abortion ban, which provoked a fierce backlash that contributed to his 1990 loss.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The blowback against Martinez illuminates how politicians cant underestimate how single-issue politics transcend party affiliation. As Martinez learned, sticking to your guns and ignoring your constituents  especially on abortion  can prove politically fatal.

From the end of the Civil War to the middle of the 20th century, the Democratic Party was the party of white southerners. Segregationist white Democrats maintained one party rule over the Solid South, with Republican candidates having little chance at winning elections. Yet, beginning in the 1950s, Republicans began making inroads in the region, which accelerated with the enactment of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act in the 1960s. The GOP played on perceptions of Democrats as the party of civil rights and minority voters, as Republicans tried to convert white Southerners.

By the time Martinez was elected as the conservative Democratic Mayor of Tampa in 1979, the region was becoming highly competitive. In 1980, Ronald Reagan won all of the Southern states except for Jimmy Carters native Georgia, signaling that the GOP was ascendant in the region. After Reagans win, Republicans courted conservative Democrats like Martinez to switch parties. In 1983, the Tampa mayor visited Reagan at the White House. Noting their political similarities, Reagan encouraged Martinez to become a Republican, reminding the governor that he too was once a Democrat.

Read More: Heres Where Abortion Will Be on the Ballot in the 2024 Election

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The move made political sense for Martinez. Reagans conservative brand of politics appealed to the scores of Floridians who recently flocked to the state and had no ancestral connection to the Democratic Party. Several other conservative Florida Democratic politicians had recently changed parties in response to the state's shifting political tide..

Later that year, Martinez finally made the jump.

To many onlookers, the party switch smacked of political opportunism. Martinez wanted to run for governor in 1986, and he appeared to have a clearer path to the Republican nomination than the Democratic one. Despite such accusations, Martinez ended up beating Democratic State Representative Steve Pajcic. Surprisingly, even though it eventually became his undoing, he didnt campaign on abortion restrictions, though that had become a staple of the new conservative Republican playbook. While anti-abortion family values voters were now the base of the GOP, Martinez focused on economic issues, promising to cut taxes and trim government fat, a reference to cutting $800 million from the state budget over the next 4 years.

Martinez became Florida's first Hispanic governor and only the second Republican governor since Reconstruction. His election heralded the growing success of the GOP in the sunshine state and the revival of two-party politics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Martinezs ascendance came as the the battle over abortion raged on in the courts. While Reagan had pledged his support for a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution that wouldve banned abortion, it went nowhere in Congress. That left judges continuing to grapple with the question of how far states could go to limit access to the procedure.

In 1989, in a 5-4 decision in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Missouri statute prohibiting the use of public employees, facilities, and funds to provide abortion services with additional restrictions on doctors who provided that care. The 1976 Hyde Amendment already banned the use of federal taxpayer dollars for abortion services. But now, the Court seemed to indicate that states could go further than previously believed in limiting access to abortion.

Three weeks later, Governor Martinez announced his support for an anti-abortion law and called for an October special session of the state legislature to move forward on enacting such restrictions. He specifically called for a 20-week abortion ban.

Suddenly, Martinez wanted to put himself at the forefront of the fight against abortion. He gave an unclear answer to the New York Timess Jeffrey Schmalz when asked why. Religion could have a part in it; Im Roman Catholic. Maybe the years I taught school reinforced it. Another possibility existed, however: Martinez had failed to deliver on his promise to cut taxes and the state government budget. Instead, he had argued for increased spending to meet the needs of the states rapidly growing population. Martinez mightve wanted to distract from his flip-flop, or to court his partys religious right base.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read More: Florida's Six-Week Abortion Ban Would Limit Access Across the South

Yet, while Martinez was aligning himself with his partys base and lawmakers in other states like Illinois and Pennsylvania were moving to restrict access to abortions, he was ignoring the politics of the issue in Florida. By the time the legislature convened for its special session, polls showed that two-thirds of Floridians supported a womans right to choose. Even more ominous for Martinez: one poll showed that not only did Floridians oppose restrictions on abortion in overwhelming numbers, but only 24% would vote for Martinez again.

If there were any wavering state legislators, the 10,000 protesters who descended on the state capital, led by organizations like Gainesville Womens Liberation, to protest the proposed restrictions probably made their choice clearer.

While Martinez ignored public opinion, the Democratic-controlled state legislature had no desire to anger the voters and swiftly defeated his proposed abortion restriction bill.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was a humiliating defeat  one that dramatically weakened Martinez. The governor had fatally misread the politics of abortion. While he won renomination in 1990, veteran Democrat Lawton Chiles defeated him in the general election. The race was about more than abortion, but it played a pivotal role in Martinezs downfall. After his loss, the director of the National Abortion Rights Action League, Kate Michelman, commented, Bob Martinez has been the nations most prominent anti-choice governor and today he paid the price at the polls.

On Tuesday, Florida residents face a momentous decision whether to vote yes or no on Amendment 4. Unlike Martinez, DeSantis has successfully signed his abortion ban into law, taking advantage of conservative Republican control of the state legislature. However, the introduction of Amendment 4 underscores that the abortion debate is far from over. People will always make their voice heard, whether through protest or gathering enough signatures to put an amendment on the ballot. Whether the amendment passes or DeSantis pays a price for opposing it remains to be seen.

Yet, Martinezs experience should serve as a cautionary tale for all politicians  no amount of political posturing outweighs the fact that on policy issues, like abortion, people are determined to shape the laws and react poorly to politicians who ignore their will.

Allison Mashell Mitchell is a postdoctoral fellow at the George and Ann Richards Civil War Era Center and Africana Research Center at Pennsylvania State University. She researches 20th Century African American political history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.

Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@time.com.
NAPLES, Fla. (AP)  Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott easily defeated former Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell to win a second term Tuesday, and he will now look toward running for Senate leadership.

Scott hopes to succeed U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who is retiring as the GOP leader, but at this point is seen as a spoiler behind South Dakota's John Thune and John Cornyn of Texas. His win in Florida reaffirmed the strength of the Republican Party in the state despite ballot measures on abortion rights and recreational marijuana legalization that Democrats hoped would drive up turnout.

Scott needed a recount to win his first Senate election in 2018, but that was when Democrats had an advantage in voter registration. This year, Republicans now outnumber Democrats by about a million voters, and Scotts victory came two years after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio won in landslides.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is a team event, Scott told about 350 jubilant supporters at a Naples hotel, many of them holding Scott for Senate Majority Leader signs. Together we get to celebrate the great victory tonight.

Scott said he made his failed challenge McConnell two years ago because he believed the Senate needs change to solve the problems of this country.

Florida is the center of the Republican Party of this country, said Scott, who served as governor from 2011 to 2019. He also won those two races by less than 2 percentage points. Washington can learn a hell of a lot from what we done right here in this great state.

Mucarsel-Powell in her concession speech told subdued supporters in Miami that she was proud of the campaign she ran. She said it was an opportunity to show Democrats a new view of what they could do together. The party has been plagued by infighting and leadership issues for years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This state needs a lot of love. It needs a lot of work. Im not going to lie. But I want you to think of this, Mucarsel-Powell said. We did not win this battle, but the fight is just getting started.

About a quarter of Florida voters said they didnt know enough about Mucarsel-Powell, to have an opinion of her. The findings come from AP VoteCast, an expansive survey of more than 4,700 voters in the state. Of those who did have an opinion, about 4 in 10 said they viewed the former representative in a favorable light. About a quarter of voters viewed her unfavorably.

Voters were far more familiar with Scott, with about half viewing him favorably.

Despite Florida being considered more solidly conservative, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee insisted that Scott was vulnerable. But national Democrats were slow to invest in Florida, one of the most expensive states to buy campaign ads.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mucarsel-Powell was the first Ecuadorian American and South American-born congressional member when she was elected in 2018, but she lost her reelection bid in 2020 to U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez. She ran her campaign focused on abortion rights, gun safety and Latin American policy.

Scott won despite some dents on his political resume, including failing to earn a GOP majority two years ago after leading the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Scott also failed to upend McConnell from Senate leadership in a 37-10 vote.

For months, Scott criticized President Joe Bidens handling of immigration and the national debt. He also criticized the presidents handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Scott often met with Jewish leaders to discuss support for Israel. He also campaigned for former President Donald Trump.

__

Associated Press reporters David Fischer in Miami and Terry Spencer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report.
An online tool that allows Floridians to check their voter registration status appeared to have crashed on the morning of Election Day.

Florida politics-related social media accounts quickly lit up with reaction, with some posting photos of the error message at the Department of State's "Voter Information Lookup" page.

"An error has occurred. Please try again," it said.

The Voter Information Lookup page of the Department of State as it looked on the morning of Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024

The page was still returning an error message when an editor attempted to check his own information shortly after noon on Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a post on X that has since been deleted, Osceola County Supervisor of Elections Mary Jane Arrington said, "The statewide database is down. If you are looking to make an address change at your polling location please note it may take longer than usual due to the interruption."

Mark Ard, a spokesperson for the Department of State, which oversees the state's Division of Elections, later emailed a statement to news media that voting operations have not been impacted in any way" and "county Supervisor of Elections websites are still operable for any voter to look up their registration status."

What Ard described as the "states courtesy website is encountering record-high traffic," he said. "Any voter having difficulty utilizing the state courtesy look-up web page should go to their county SOE webpage for the same service.

Nonetheless, the outage spurred outrage from groups such as the ACLU of Florida and Common Cause Florida.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On the last day to vote in the 2024 General Election, the Florida Division of Elections voter lookup tool is down," the ACLU of Florida said in a statement sent to news media.

"... Thousands of voters are looking up their voter information and planning where to vote  this is a delay that interrupts their ability to cast their ballot," it added. "With hours left until the polls close, we must ensure that every eligible voter in Florida can participate in the democratic process.

A disclaimer on the page says in part, "This website is intended for use by a registered voter to determine his or her voter registration and voting status. It is unlawful to knowingly alter another persons voter registration information or to attempt, assist with, or otherwise commit fraud in connection with the right to vote."

Earlier Tuesday, before the page went down, Secretary of State Cord Byrd expressed confidence that the general election would go smoothly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Florida is the gold standard for elections administration, Byrd told reporters in Tallahassee. When voters go to the polls in Florida, they know their vote is going to be counted ... accurately, and its going to be counted timely. They can trust in the results. I think you are going to see, before you go to bed tonight, the results in Florida.

Polls in Florida opened at 7 a.m. local time and are set to close 7 p.m. local time. The state does not begin posting results till 8 p.m. Eastern time, when the polls close in the Panhandle, which is on Central time.

Floridians are voting in numerous races, including for president, a U.S. Senate seat, congressional and legislative seats and a wide variety of local offices. Voters also will decide the fates of six proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution.

We have a cybersecurity team in place, so we are prepared for any type of election interference, Byrd said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is now the second systems failure during a statewide election. On Florida's primary election day in August, multiple election supervisors' websites crashed after the company that supports the sites said they suffered "extraordinary stress."

More: Tallahassee software company takes 'full responsibility' for election websites crashing

This is a developing news story and may be updated. Check back later for more.

The News Service of Florida contributed. Jim Rosica can be reached at jrosica@tallahassee.com. Follow him on X: @JimRosicaFL.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida voter information webpage crashes on morning of Election Day
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Florida voters rejected an amendment to the State Constitution that would have repealed the states public campaign financing law.

A Florida provision currently provides public funds for candidates for statewide office, such as governor, attorney general, or chief financial officer.

LIVE BLOG: Tampa Bay local elections results

The James Madison Institute said the amendments supporters believe taxpayer money shouldnt be used for elections and that it would lower taxes. Critics of the amendment say public financing allows those who dont have money or fundraising capabilities to have a more equal chance at running for statewide office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Amendment 6s ballot summary reads: Proposing the repeal of the provision in the State Constitution which requires public financing for campaigns of candidates for elective statewide office who agree to campaign spending limits.

All Florida ballot amendments require 60% of the vote in order to pass.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Of all of the policies Donald Trump has pinned his election hopes on, until this week the removal of fluoride from Americas drinking water had not featured high on the list.

In the final days of campaigning, the former president might have preferred to demonstrate his strengths on immigration and the economy.

Instead, he has found himself discussing a possible reversal of the decades-old practice, hailed by some as one of the United States greatest public health victories.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The plan is the brainchild of Robert F Kennedy Jr, the former independent presidential candidate, who is set to take a leading administration role if Trump is re-elected.

It sounds OK to me, Trump said on Sunday. You know, its possible.

It was the latest example of Trumps campaign embracing the anti-vaccine campaigner, including courting him for a role overseeing the health portfolio.

Mr Kennedy dropped out of the presidential campaign in August to endorse Trump for the White House.

But owing to the late nature of his withdrawal, his name remains on the ballot in the heavily-contested swing states of Michigan and Wisconsin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While support for Mr Kennedy is low in the key battleground states, it is sufficient that he could effectively rob Trump or Kamala Harris of victory.

Tapping into the concerns of Mr Kennedys supporters and persuading them to cast their vote for him instead could provide Trump the boost he needs to get over the line.

Pollsters say these voters are generally anti-establishment and hold more unconventional views on health than the majority of people.

Mr Kennedy is a prominent critic of vaccines, and has claimed childhood immunisation can cause autism.

Last week, he said fluoride was an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A Trump-led White House would advise US water systems to remove the chemical on January 20, 2025  inauguration day  he added.

The practice of putting small doses of fluoride into American water began in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1945.

In 1962, the US Public Health Service recommended adding small amounts to drinking water to strengthen teeth.

Almost 210 million people are on fluoridated water systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions latest estimates.

The American Dental Association said the move has reduced dental decay by at least 25 per cent.

But like with mass-vaccination, fluoridation of water has long been the subject of health concerns and conspiracy theories.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These claims have not always been unsubstantiated.

Lower IQ

A US government report published earlier this year suggested consuming fluoride at twice the recommended amount is linked to lower IQ in children.

In the past, fluoridation has been linked to health conditions such as fluorosis  a build-up of the product in the teeth and bones  as well as bone cancer, impaired brain development and Downs syndrome.

Americas practice of adding fluoride to drinking water is much more substantial than many of its Western allies, such as the UK, where only 10 per cent of Britons have the mineral added to their water supply.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many European countries have also opted against or phased out artificially increasing fluoride levels in water supplies.

A 2003 study across 16 European nations found that the vast majority of people opposed water fluoridation.

Mr Kennedys concerns over fluoride in water come amid a growing sentiment in America that its citizens are consuming too many additives  and it is not the only one of his policies that the Trump campaign seems open to.

In recent years there has been somewhat of an anti-establishment backlash against products such as processed food and drink, vaccines and heavily chemically-enhanced toiletries and cleaning products.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Kennedy has said he wants to ban pesticides, seed oils and food additives.

JD Vance, Trumps running mate, seemed to echo some of these concerns when he spoke of the virtues of ditching processed foods like vegan meat substitutes on his recent appearance on Joe Rogans podcast.

Speaking to Joe Rogan, JD Vance cast doubt over Covid vaccines

On the Joe Rogan Experience, Mr Vance also cast doubt over the safety of the Covid vaccine  another key concern of Mr Kennedy.

If RFK Jr did end up in charge of health policy, it is likely to see a fundamental change to some of Americas most prominent health institutions.

In the lead-up to the election, he has suggested overhauling regulators, whom he claims are sock puppets to the pharmaceutical industry and are making Americans less healthy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other proposals are more akin to those put forward by Ms Harris, like price-caps on drugs and crackdowns on processed foods.

Backing these seemingly fringe health issues might get Trump over the line and into the White House.

But they also might set the US on a path that is much more sceptical about traditional public health expertise.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Precipitation has left the Land of Enchantment, but pockets of dense fog, as well as some freezing fog, has come in its place with cold air, high humidity, and light winds. The storm system responsible for yesterdays unsettled weather is now moving into the Great Plains over New Mexico, spiraling the clouds, as well as the precipitation, well to the northeast, but leaving behind the gloomy low-level clouds with bitter air to start on this Election Day morning with slippery conditions.

Forecast Continues Below

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Temperatures are mostly ranging from the teens to the low 40s across New Mexico, mostly below normal across the region for this time of the year, with freezing to sub-freezing morning temperatures for the first time this season for some southern areas near The Mexico border. As the past storm system moves well away to the northeast with the next one starting to impact the Four Corners later today with rain, as well as mountain snow, temperatures will eventually rise more than yesterday in the high 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and near 70 degrees from north to south in lower elevation.

As the next trough of low pressure quickly moves on in overnight into later tomorrow especially, the stronger system will then slow down, allowing for a breezy Pacific Cold front from the northwest, then a gusty backdoor front from the northeast, to start moving through, with widespread rain with rumbles of thunder in south-central areas, but with even more-widespread lower-elevation accumulating wet snow ahead as temperatures will drop even more.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
A Morris County ice cream shop is mourning the loss of a teenage employee who died in a car crash over the weekend.

Das' Creamery, in the Budd Lake section of Mount Olive, paid tribute to Cameron Ray by remembering him in a Facebook post Sunday evening. Ray, 19, was killed early that morning in a two-vehicle crash on Route 80 in Denville, New Jersey State Police reported.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the unexpected loss of our Cam," the creamery wrote in the post. "He was a force of nature  a heart full of love and kindness, and an energy that lifted everyone around him."

Das' Creamery, in Budd Lake, paid tribute on social media to Cameron Ray, 19, an employee for the past three-and-a-half years who was killed in a car crash on Route 80 in Denville Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.

Mount Olive Mayor Joe Nicastro offered his condolences to all those who knew Ray, who lived in the Flanders section of the township, in a Facebook post Monday morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Our prayers go out to the family of Cameron Ray on their loss," Nicastro wrote. "Sending you strength today and peace in all the days ahead."

Honoring a Legend, Cameron RayIt is with heavy hearts that we share the unexpected loss of our Cam. He was a force of... Posted by Das' Creamery on Sunday, November 3, 2024

Ray was traveling west on Route 80 around 5:40 a.m. Sunday when he struck the rear of a box truck parked on the shoulder of the highway, Sgt. Charles Marchan told NorthJersey.com. The driver of the truck sustained minor injuries in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Das' post highlighted Ray's "infectious enthusiasm for life," which included a strong sense of humor and a "fierce loyalty" to the shop.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"His spirit was one of boundless joy and optimism," the post read, "and he was the first to lift others up when they needed it most."

Many customers echoed the creamery's sentiments in the comments section. They recalled Ray's polite, helpful and patient customer service, and, above all, his happiness.

Das' Creamery, in Budd Lake, paid tribute on social media to Cameron Ray, 19, an employee for the past three-and-a-half years who was killed in a car crash on Route 80 in Denville Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.

"He was always the friendliest with a big smile, great to our kids, especially our 3 year old whenever we came in to Das," one user wrote.

"This kid always had a smile on his face whenever I saw him at work," wrote another. "Loved his job, his co-workers, and the customers!"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Renee Dimonda, an employee of Das', called Ray "the kindest person ever" in a comment on the creamery's post on Instagram. She was always happy whenever she was scheduled with Ray, adding that she and her co-workers considered him the best person to work with at the shop.

"When I said goodbye to go back to college this summer I didnt know it was going to be the last," Dimonda wrote. "We will miss your smile, miss how good you were at your job and miss how you could always bring a smile to anyones face."

The creamery noted that Ray was always able to brighten the spirits of everyone he encountered. Now, his loved ones are hoping his memory can lift their own spirits in the wake of his death.

"To say he will be missed doesnt begin to capture the void he leaves behind," the shop's post read. "Rest easy, dear friend. Youll live on in our hearts forever."

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Das' Creamery in Budd Lake NJ remembers employee killed car crash
As American voters head to the polls, the direction of the country, not the world, is likely to drive their decision.

But there's a reason the president of the United States is often referred to as the leader of the free world. The victor will play a monumental role in shaping consequential international dynamics --but the uncertainty swirling around the election is already having an impact on global issues.

Foreign affairs also have the potential to motivate voters in both overt and subtle ways, and in a race as tight as the contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, these issues may tip the scale.

PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands during their meeting at Trump Tower in New York City, Sept. 27, 2024. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

ABC News spoke to analyst as well as current and former officials to understand what impact the election is having on the world -- and how the world is affecting the election.

An issue that doesn't hold Americans' attention -- until it does

Even as protests over Israel's war in Gaza swell on American city streets, and even as Ukrainian flags are unfurled from porches in solidarity with the country's efforts to fend of Russia's invasion, very few Americans say these issues are a major factor in their choice for president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In fact, just 2% of likely voters this election cycle say that foreign policy is the most important issue to them, ranking it dead last out of seven topics presented to them in a poll conducted by CNN. (The economy came in first, with 41% of respondents saying it was their top priority.)

Kori Schake, a senior fellow and the director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, says that while international issues aren't usually on the top of voters' minds, they test political leaders in profound ways and have the ability to immovably shape the public's judgment.

"You can actually see it in the polling of support for President Biden, that it dropped substantially after the disgraceful withdrawal from Afghanistan. It really never recovered," she said.

Schake argues that the powerful images of desperate Afghans chasing after U.S. aircraft, clinging to the wings in the harried evacuation brought the so-called "Forgotten War" into focus and "really changed public attitude."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"President Biden and his administration billed themselves as a safe pair of hands--you're not going to have the recklessness of the Trump administration," she said, adding that the exit "really shattered that frame of reference."

PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron hosts United States Vice President Kamala Harris in Paris, Nov. 10, 2021. (Antoine Gyori/Corbis via Getty Images)

Schake also says that matters like the Israel-Hamas war, China's economic rise and Russian aggression that have become topics of kitchen table conversation may help voters draw contrasts between the candidates.

But despite the lengthy speeches and political platforms, the rhetoric of the campaign trail doesn't lend itself to nuanced explanations on their different approaches to these matters.

"Americans tend not to like complicated answers on foreign policy," Schake said. "If you have too many objectives and if they're cutting against each other, it feels like you can't succeed."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Schake argues that Biden and Harris are more likely to get tangled in these weeds. For example, she says their talking points on Ukraine are likely to include vows to give the country all the help it needs -- but also a substantial list of caveats intended to avoid escalation with Moscow.

"It sounds too complicated, too hard," Schake says.

Meanwhile, Trump takes a more facile approachfrequently claiming he would be able to resolve the conflict in a matter of hours.

"President Trump talks about things on the other end of the spectrum as so simple as to be simplistic. That's a lot more attractive to most American voters because it's not too complicated," Schake said, adding however that the reality "often has consequences that voters won't like."

A world in waiting

While the outcome of the election will determine who sits behind the Resolute desk, the election itself is already impacting international affairs as the Biden White House enters its lame duck period.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

U.S. officials acknowledge privately that the administration's response to the developments in the Middle East have been constrained in recent weeks, as it has sought to avoid fresh rebuke over its handling of the Israeli war in Gaza--a topic that has deeply divided Democrats and could hurt Harris at the polls.

Many believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is biding his time, too.

"Some argue that Netanyahu is seeking to wait out Biden, in hopes that a Trump presidency would create fewer pressures for concessions to Palestinian national aspirations. Some even charge that Netanyahu is doing what he can to create that outcome," said Jon B. Alterman, a senior vice president of the Center for Strategic & International Studies and a former State Department official.

Iran is also keeping a close eye on the election, Alterman says, and is poised to become a pressing issue for the next commander-in-chief in the immediate aftermath of the inauguration.

PHOTO: Secretary of State Antony Blinken talks to President Joe Biden as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer sits near by during a meeting of the heads of state at the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., July 11, 2024. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

"The new administration will need to establish its approach to Iran in the first weeks of the presidency, in part because Iran is likely to test the new president," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Steven Blockmans, an associate research fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies, says European handwringing over the U.S. election is bound to intensify if Trump winsbut that a Harris victory also comes with challenges for the continent.

"Europe has been slow to Trump-proof itself and will struggle to respond collectively to new security challenges, thus leaving the continent more vulnerable to malevolent actors," he said.

"A Europe-friendly President Harris would enter office as fatigue with the three-year old war in Ukraine runs high and the likelihood of shaky ceasefire deals increases," Blockmans continued. "Moreover, Harris's relative lack of foreign policy experience would likely be tested by China and Russia in other theaters, thus leaving Europe to compete for attention."

Foreign adversaries, internal divides

Experts say that although the U.S. electoral process itself is safeguarded from foreign actors, influence campaigns run by China, Iran and Russia are underway -- and likely to intensify after the polls close.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to an update from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released last month, the intelligence community "expects foreign influence actors to continue their campaigns by calling into question the validity of the election's results."

"Foreign actors are almost certainly considering the possibility of another contested presidential election," the update continues. "They will likely take advantage of such an opportunity to use similar tactics in a post-election period to undermine trust in the integrity of the election, election processes, and further exacerbate divisions among Americans."

The intelligence community has already flagged fake videos by foreign actors, including one showing men who claim to be Haitian and to have voted in Georgia -- a video produced by the Russians, a joint statement of U.S. intelligence agencies said.

Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Jenn Easterly, told ABC News' Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas last week, that all of the U.S.'s adversaries "want just two things."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"They want to undermine American confidence in our elections and trust in democracy, and they want to stoke partisan discord. They want to pit Americans against each other, and they are looking for any opportunities to create rage, and we know that enragement equals engagement," the cyber chief said.

How Harris, Trump handle foreign affairs could play in the 2024 election: ANALYSIS originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Georgia election officials had to evacuate two polling locations outside of Atlanta on Election Day after a foreign state actor called in what were eventually deemed noncredible bomb threats, according to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

We pretty well dispelled that very quickly, Raffensperger said at a press conference Tuesday morning. But we want to make sure everything stays safe.  That was this morning, and law enforcement jumped right on that, and we knew it was coming from a foreign state actor.

Raffensperger has previously accused Russia of attempting to interfere in the states elections, including through the use of videos with disinformation about election integrity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FBI said it is aware of bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which originate from Russian email domains.

None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far, the FBI wrote in a statement. Election integrity is among the FBIs highest priorities. We will continue to work closely with our state and local law enforcement partners to respond to any threats to our elections and to protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote.

According to Fulton County officials, a set of five bomb threats were called in to law enforcement officials in the morning for two polling sites in Union City, leading to police evacuating the locations to sweep them. No credible threats were found.

Outside of these brief interruptions, Election Day has remained quiet.  We remain ready and prepared to deal with any other potential disruptions, a Fulton County election official said at a press conference.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The county is seeking a court order to extend polling hours for the two locations, Etris-Darnell Senior Center and C.H. Gullatt Elementary School, from 7 p.m. EST to 7:30 p.m.

Raffensperger said Georgia is prepared to quickly deal with threats and that poll stations across the state remain safe despite the threats being called in.

All the other counties just continued on with voting unimpeded, he said. It was about five to seven different precincts that were affected in one.

Georgia is a key swing state in this election and has been a target of Russian disinformation over the past month. Raffensperger previously blamed the Russians for a cyberattack on his departments website Oct. 14.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Fulton County Police Department has responded to multiple calls regarding threats at Fulton County Polling Places since polls opened this morning, the department wrote on social media.

Disruption of the voting process is a crime and individuals found to be making disruptive threats will face charges, it added. We want to assure voters that their safety is our highest priority. Voters will see officers at all 177 polling places today. Fulton County Police Department is also coordinating with each of the law enforcement agencies within Fulton County to prevent and swiftly respond to any incidents.

The Russian Embassy in D.C. dismissed the FBI and Georgias accusations, saying they are baseless and part of an unfortunate tradition of American authorities and the media immediately blaming Moscow as a kneejerk reaction.

The Embassy has not received either any proof for these claims during its communications with U.S. officials, or any inquiries regarding the narrative being promoted by the press, it wrote in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

American intelligence officials have released multiple reports since 2016 detailing Russian efforts to spread mis- and disinformation in American elections.

The Department of Defense declined to comment.

Brad Dress contributed. Updated at 5:41 p.m. EST

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Election day is finally here, but don't expect to enjoy a sense of relief and finality anytime soon because it will likely take some time to get the final results of the local, state and national elections.

On election night in California, county elections officials must begin reporting results to the secretary of state within two hours after the polls close and they begin tallying votes.

According to the secretary of state, the first election results are typically vote-by-mail ballots and early voting ballots. In California, county elections officials may begin opening and processing vote-by-mail ballot envelopes up to 29 days before election day but such results cannot be tallied or shared with the public until all polls close on election day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Across the nation, state polling centers close at different times of the evening (local time).

Read more: Trump elected as the United States 47th president following wins in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania

What times polling centers close across the U.S.

Indiana and Kentucky are the first to close its polling centers doors at 6 p.m. local time.

States that close their polling centers at 7 p.m. local time include Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Wyoming.

In Arkansas, Ohio, North Carolina and West Virgina the polls close at 7:30 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin the polling centers close at 8 p.m.

New York's polling centers close at 9 p.m.

North Dakota closes its centers between 7 and 9 p.m.; the time depends on the location.

Once the polls close, elections officials have the daunting task of processing and verifying ballots before they begin the tally.

Read more: Vote-counting rules in battleground states complicate when a winner is likely to be named

Slowly counting ballots in California

California has the designation of being the slowest state to count and tally the ballots of its more than 22 million registered voters, which election officials attribute to the extra time it takes to ensure ballots are valid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

California has taken extraordinary steps in recent years to make sure we go the extra mile to count every eligible vote. A slow count isnt a problem, its a virtue," Russia Chavis Cardenas, voting rights and redistricting program manager for California Common Cause. "It means elections officials are doing everything they can to count every legitimate ballot fairly and accurately.

Up to 29 days before election day, county elections officials can begin processing and verifying all vote-by-mail ballots to ensure the ballot envelopes are signed and the signatures match the signatures on file.

If a voter's signature is missing or does not match the signature on file, California law requires elections officials to notify that voter and give them an opportunity to fix the problem.

No matter how long it takes election workers to process and verify ballots in preparation for tallying, the election results are not final until the Secretary of State compiles the official statewide results during the official canvass period in the 30 days after the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Even though we may not know the election winners when we go to bed, what matters most is making sure every eligible voters ballot is counted accurately, added Cardenas.

Read more: Column: This wretched campaign is over. Thank goodness. Now what?

Los Angeles County result updates come in waves

The first official results of the election will be reported on election night by Los Angeles County's Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, between 8:30 and 8:45 p.m.

The second updated results will be reported between 8:45 and 9 p.m.

The third result will be announced between 9 and 11 p.m.

All three results include vote-by-mail ballots and voter center ballots cast before election day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There isn't an exact date or time for sharing the final update with the public because it is uncertain how long it will take the county elections office to count the ballots filled out at vote centers on election day. Processing, verifying and counting those particular ballots starts at 10 p.m. on election night and continues until all ballots are counted.

You can keep tabs on the Los Angeles County election results from the county's Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's website.

Tomorrow is Election Day!  Our dedicated staff will be working around the clock to count every vote. Heres what to expect: pic.twitter.com/QceuJaeYuo  Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (@LACountyRRCC) November 5, 2024

When will the presidential race be decided?

The contest between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Trump is widely seen as nail-bitingly close, with the outcome in the hands of voters in seven swing states: Pennsylvania (19 electoral college votes), North Carolina and Georgia (16 each), Michigan (15), Arizona (11), Wisconsin (10) and Nevada (6).

Two of those states  Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  have laws that bar election officials from counting mail-in ballots before election day, which is one reason it took up to four days to project a winner there in 2020. Michigan and Nevada had similar restraints in 2020, but this year officials were allowed to start counting mail-in ballots well ahead of time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So many electoral votes are at stake in Pennsylvania, it seems likely that the presidential race wont be decided until the results in that state are clear.

Beyond that, two issues could delay results in any state with razor-thin margins on election day: provisional ballots  that is, ballots cast by people at the wrong precinct or with other technical issues  and ballots that were mailed on time by the voter but arrived after Tuesday.

As journalist Judd Legum noted in his Popular Information newsletter, the lead in each state could go back and forth between Trump and Harris, as early and mail-in ballots are counted and as late-arriving votes are added to the mix. Past patterns in early and mail-in voting may not be a good predictor of this years outcome, however: The Trump campaign publicly disparaged mail-in voting in 2020, so Democrats dominated in those tallies, but both sides have embraced it in 2024.

Read more: The Trump and Harris campaigns were heavy on podcasts. Will they make a difference?

Control of Congress

In the House, Republicans hold 220 seats and Democrats 212, with three seats vacant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Analysts say swing seats in California, Virginia, New York, Ohio and Iowa will probably determine which party ends up controlling the chamber, but the picture isnt likely to be clear until Wednesday at the earliest. For an early hint of how things are going, watch the results from Virginias 2nd and 7th districts and New Yorks 1st, 4th, 17th and 22nd districts.

In the Senate, neither Republicans (with 49 seats) nor Democrats (with 47 seats) hold a majority, but Democrats control the chamber with the help of the four independents who caucus with them.

Analysts have long predicted that Democrats would lose control of the Senate, mainly because they have to defend so many seats this year in swing or right-leaning states. Most observers expect Republicans to pick up seats in West Virginia and Montana, so control of the Senate will come down to the fates of Democratic incumbents in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Nevada, along with seats in Arizona and Michigan currently held by an independent and a Democrat, respectively. One wild card is Texas, where Republican incumbent Ted Cruz is in a tight battle with Democrat Colin Allred.

Of those races, the ones least likely to see winners projected Tuesday are Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, given state laws that prevent them from counting mail-in ballots before election day.

How can media outlets announce a winner

Media outlets can announce a victor or candidates may concede to their opponent on election night or in the days following based on semi-official results and not the final election results, according to the Secretary of State.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Note: this story contains mentions of sexual assault and pregnancy loss.

At only 21 years old, North Carolina college student Charlotte Isenberg has already gone through a pretty profound ideological shift on the subject of abortion. As a teenager, she became a prominent anti-abortion activist, but this year, she publicly came out in support of the procedure  and actually had an abortion herself. Here's her story and why she ultimately changed her mind:

When she was only 15 years old, Charlotte became pregnant as a result of sexual assault. She planned to keep the baby but miscarried. She told BuzzFeed that she took to the internet as an outlet for her trauma and grief. "For people who grew up in southeastern traditional culture like I did, you don't talk about those things with even your family a lot of the times here. So I started talking about them on social media, and I used my Twitter kind of like a diary."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But her posts didn't just connect her with other teens who had been through similar situations. Charlotte says they also drew the attention of grown-up anti-abortion activists, who she now believes exploited her story for their movement. She told BuzzFeed that, at first, their attention felt really affirming. "It gave me a target for a lot of my anger and pain, which I had no way to deal with, and it also gave me a lot of validation from adults. These were the only people in my life who were telling me that this is a horrible thing that happened to you. And also, we're proud of you, and I didn't realize that I was being exploited."

"So, for the next five years, I was like a rising star in anti-abortion spaces," she explained. "Anti-abortion leaders put a camera in my face and platformed me before millions of people on their social media and in their debates and on podcasts. And never, once, warned me about or protected me from the consequences of that sort of exposure."

When she was 20, Charlotte says she started to question some of the things people in the anti-abortion movement had told her about the procedure because someone close to her shared that they had had an abortion. "That was eye-opening for me because I'd never talked to somebody who had an abortion and who didn't feel bad about it."

Kansas City Star / TNS

Charlotte also started to realize that some of her beliefs about abortion that she had learned from other activists were blatant misinformation. She told BuzzFeed that activists had misrepresented the very rare risks of infertility following an abortion and frightened her with claims that all abortion is coerced. "It was really horrific," she reflected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"So I started talking more with the people around me about abortion and kind of unraveling these beliefs," Charlotte explained. Then, after her birth control failed, Charlotte became pregnant and realized that she wasn't ready to become a parent.

At this point in her story, Charlotte still had deep ties to the anti-abortion movement, so she told a fellow activist she was considering the procedure. Unfortunately, that person harrassed Charlotte over her decision and called emergency services on her, falsely claiming that she was actively suicidal. Charlotte was picked up by police and taken to an Emergency Room in handcuffs. Charlotte says, "I was a perfectly sane, stable, well-spoken adult who was quickly released from the ER when the psychiatrist talked to me and was like, 'This is a crazy situation. You're clearly fine.'" But the experience left her shaken and scarred.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So Charlotte ended up doing something she had publicly crusaded against for years  having an abortion and leaving the anti-abortion movement behind.

In a now-viral TikTok, Charlotte explained why she decided to share her change of heart, saying, "The anti-abortion establishment can smear me as much as it wants. I know I'm not their golden child anymore, and they're not going to pull any punches because what I'm saying is dangerous to them. And I obviously have nothing to gain from saying this all very publicly, personally, except for a lot more harassment and a lot more threats. The only reason I'm saying this is so that maybe, hopefully, it stops one more family from having to go through what we went through and maybe hopefully changes one person's mind about their hardline stance on abortion. And if I've done even that, I consider all of this worth it."

In this era of political polarization, it feels pretty rare to see people who are so willing to publicly change their minds about big issues like abortion. For Charlotte, there were two big things that held her back from admitting that she'd changed her views. She told BuzzFeed, "One thing that I extend to as a grace to people who are anti-abortion and evangelical and deeply conservative  a lot of these people are in cults. Even if they're not in 'cults' in the way that we traditionally think about them, they're still in a cult, and ultimately, they're victims who have been abused in their own capacities."

High exit costs for leaving a group are among some of the most often-cited signs of a high-control group or cult, and Charlotte certainly experienced shunning, threats, and intimidation after leaving the anti-abortion movement. She told BuzzFeed, "I got endless harassment and serious death threats that I had to report to the police, report to my college, report in my professors, and then ultimately, I left my school for a week because there was a genuine safety concern that someone would try and assassinate me. And so, that's terrifying."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But there was another reason why she didn't initially speak up when she started to change her mind. "It's embarrassing," she admitted, "and I hate to say that because I don't want to take away from the severity of the rhetoric."

Now, Charlotte is sharing her story in hopes of opening people's eyes on both sides of the abortion debate. To people who are on the fence about reproductive rights, she says, "It's going to affect the very foundations of our society when women have to live in fear of going through something like what I did. And if that can happen to me, it can happen to absolutely anyone, like, these people have no problem eating their own."

Aashish Kiphayet / Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

And she hopes that people who support reproductive freedom can extend some empathy to others who she says are being used as pawns by anti-abortion activists. "It's not just me that was initiated into this movement when I was a child. There is a seriously unspoken-about epidemic of children in anti-abortion spaces who are put on a pedestal and who are exploited."

As I learned Charlotte's story, I was really struck by two things: First, learning about someone else's lived experience with abortion was a catalyst for her changing her mind. This shows that when we speak up about what we've been through, it matters. Second, it hit me that shame and embarrassment over changing our minds, or "flip-flopping," may be a silent factor in political polarization in the US. I don't have all the answers, or even just one answer, but I think normalizing changing your mind when you learn new things could be one place to start.

What stands out to you about Charlotte's story? Have you ever completely changed your mind about a serious issue like abortion? Is there something you're a little embarrassed to admit that you used to believe in? Let's talk about it all in the comments.
A former firefighter is suing Los Angeles County, alleging he was discriminated against over his disability and endured his co-worker's homophobic harassment in the workplace.

The civil lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court lists a series of events over six years that Guilherme Guimaraes claims violated his rights under the Fair Employment and Housing Act.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said it does not comment on pending litigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2017, Guimaraes was forced to take 20 months of medical leave after he developed aplastic anemia after being exposed to toxic smoke and benzene on the job, according to the lawsuit.

Guimaraes returned to his duties at Marina del Rey, but allegedly faced difficulties with his necessary accommodations, including having a service dog and requiring a well-ventilated workplace. In February 2021, a new hire, Eric Barnett, joined the station and allegedly began making homophobic comments around his colleagues including Guimaraes, the lawsuit says.

Even though Guimaraes is straight, the lawsuit said, Barnett's comments "struck a personal chord with [him], who has a relative who is gay, making him feel particularly uncomfortable and unwelcome in the station."

Read more: Alameda County firefighter temporarily suspended for racist remarks while off-duty

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Despite complaints made about Barnett's alleged harassment, Guimaraes' suit claims Barnett faced no disciplinary measures and the conflicts between the two continued to escalate. The following month, Barnett allegedly retaliated against Guimaraes by tearing down pictures of his children in his locker, calling him a "rat" around the station and questioning the validity of Guimaraes' medical disability.

Guimaraes, originally stationed in Marina del Rey, was relocated on temporary reassignments to North Hollywood, then Agoura Hills fire stations in 2022. The suit alleges that the department's captains moved him in retaliation for speaking up against Barnett's homophobic comments.

When Guimaraes returned to the fire station in Marina del Rey, Barnett also returned and so did the harassment, he alleges in the lawsuit. In May 2024, Guimaraes found a strap-on dildo in his locker, but alleged that no corrective action was taken and he was forced to continue working shifts alongside Barnett.

Guimaraes was once more relocated in September to a fire station in Chatsworth, where he found a toy rat as he packed his belongings, according to the lawsuit. The stress from the alleged incidents and the lack of proper accountability forced Guimaraes to take a leave over stress, the suit claims.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lawsuit said Guimaraes is seeking more than $25,000 in compensation for his losses in overtime pay as well as damage to his professional career and reputation, which affect his income and retirement benefits.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  Its the final countdown to the 2024 Presidential Election.

Former Georgia Governor nominee Stacey Abrams made a stop to campaign not only to support the Harris-Walz campaign, but urging voters to get to the polls.

Its a new mission for Abrams since running for Georgia Governor 6 years ago.

She stopped in Jefferson County Monday afternoon to deliver the same message to citizens in Wrens, before coming to downtown Augusta Monday evening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The manufacturing jobs that are back in Georgia. The opportunities that are in Georgiathose are courtesy of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, said Abrams.

Voters across the Peach State have been smashing records early voting, with more than 3.6 million Georgians already casting their ballots.

More than 50,000 of those were in Richmond County, but Abrams tells supporters the job is not done.

Its not about the name on the ballotweve got to be visible because its about the person in the booth. Thats who makes the choice, Abrams said.

Both candidates sharing the same message with voters in key battleground states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While Vice President Kamala Harris spent the day in Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump held rallies in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

Richmond County Democratic Party Chairman Jordan Johnson, District 129 Representative Karlton Howard, and Senator Harold Jones were all in attendance for the event.

They all agree voting is a privilege that shouldnt be taken for granted.

People are excited about voting, they know whats at stake, were riding people to the pollsso theres no excuse, said Johnson.

I think persons who believe in Democracy will be driven to the polls without a doubt. Those who believe in the principles of the United States of America will definitely be going to the polls. Voting makes changes, said Jones. A lot of things that we do not like as far as whats happened within the state of Georgiasuch as S.B. 202 and other bills like that came because of voting. Whos in office actually does matter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is how we express ourselves. It doesnt matter who youre voting for, its just important that you go out and vote. Thats how we talk to each other, and thats how this Democracy will move forward, said Howard.

The polls are open tomorrow from 7 AM to 7 PM.

Only tomorrow, you can also vote at any precinct from 5 to 7 PM.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
LEWISTON, Maine (AP)  Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, a moderate known for defying party orthodoxy, was defending his seat in Congress against Austin Theriault, a stock car driver and Republican state lawmaker, but the race was too early to call Wednesday morning.

The matchup between Golden and Theriault is one of a handful of pivotal races with a chance to influence control of the U.S. House of Representatives during a competitive election year. It played out in the largest congressional district by area on the East Coast, a largely rural part of Maine where former President Donald Trump has proven very popular with voters.

Early Wednesday, the two were in a tight race with much of the vote yet to be counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Golden is a former Marine who is in his third term representing the 2nd Congressional District, which is typically described as a swing district. The district covers a vast part of Maine that includes a handful of small cities but is perhaps best known as the home of traditional northern New England industries such as lobster fishing and logging.

During the campaign, Golden touted his ability to work with members of either political party along with his advocacy on behalf of the lobster industry, which is the lifeblood of the regions economy.

At a time when national conversation is so often dominated by divisive politics and personalities, I feel good about running a campaign focused on the issues that matter to Mainers  our safety, our freedoms, our health care and our jobs, Golden said in a Tuesday statement.

Theriault, who was first elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2022, spent much of the campaign portraying Golden as too liberal for the district. Although Theriault had the backing of Trump, he also attempted to portray himself as a potential uniter during a divided time in Washington.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lets keep the faith and continue to pray  weve got a lot of votes yet to count, Theriault said in a social media post early Wednesday.

Golden was first elected to Congress in 2018, when he needed a ranked choice voting count to defeat Republican incumbent Rep Bruce Poliquin. Golden has since been reelected twice, including defeating Poliquin without the need for a ranked count in 2022.

Goldens victory in 2018 was the first time a member of Congress was elected via ranked choice voting. The voting method seemed unlikely to play a role in this years election because there was no third party candidate on the ballot, though write-in candidates were still possible.

Golden has held onto his seat despite Trump dominating the district in recent presidential elections. Maine is one of two states to apportion electoral votes by congressional district  Nebraska is the other  and Trump has twice won his sole New England electoral vote in Maines 2nd District.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Maines other electoral votes  two for the statewide vote and one of the 1st Congressional District  have gone to the Democratic candidate because the deep blue 1st District is based around Portland, the largest city in the state and a liberal stronghold. Golden ran campaign ads during the race about his willingness to work with Trump for the good of the 2nd District.

In the 1st Congressional District, Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree won her ninth term against Republican challenger Ron Russell and independent Ethan Alcorn.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  The U.S. Senate race between sitting Sen. Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno is coming down to the wire.

The most recent Fox 8/Emerson College poll shows Moreno leading by nearly three points. Democrats made an Election Day eve effort to energize voters at Cleveland State University, bringing one of the partys biggest voices out to lead the charge.

He has been a great senator, the 42nd President Bill Clinton said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Emerson Poll: Trump leading in Ohio; razor-thin race for Ohios U.S. Senate seat

Clinton spoke for more than 20 minutes, highlighting the importance of this Senate race and also the importance of the general election. Clinton said Brown was one of his most trusted former colleagues in the Senate during his time as president.

If you want all our kids to live and prosper, youve got to vote for Sherrod Brown, Clinton said.

Many other Democrat voices also spoke in support of Brown, including State Rep. Joyce Beatty, State Sen. Nickie Antonio and more.

I believe that he has and that he will continue to deliver for us in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sherrod Brown has delivered to this city and cities throughout Ohio and rural areas throughout Ohio, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne said.

Congresswoman Shontel Brown, also up for re-election, voiced her support for her cousin.

Right now, the fate of the U.S. Senate hinges on the state of Ohio, she said.

This Senate race has quickly surpassed the $500 million mark between both campaigns, making it one of the most expensive in U.S. history.

You see these ads on TV? Theyre proven by neutral fact checkers  every single one of them to be a lie. You know that. Ill win, Brown said. But when you stand up, when you stand up to billionaires, when you stand up to these interest groups, they come after you. We knew that would happen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

FOX 8 News is Your Local Election Headquarters

Clinton urged voters to exercise their right to vote.

One of the things I kind of respect about the hard right is they never give up, Clinton said. Theyre just like an old flea that just keeps coming back, no matter how many times you swat it. They never give up, so you should never give up.

Polls on Election Day open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. in Cuyahoga County. More than 62,000 people voted early in Cuyahoga County, and more than 155,000 voted by mail, according to data from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is moving his financial services firm from Columbus to Dallas.

Ramaswamy, a Cincinnati native, cofounded Strive Asset Management in 2022 on the premise that many of the nation's biggest asset management firms were more concerned about progressive issues than performance when it comes to where they invest.

"When Strive launched in 2022, nearly every major corporation bent the knee to (environmental, social, governance investing)," Ramaswamy said in a statement last week announcing the move. "Just two short years later, the national environment has changed dramatically, in no small part due to Strive's efforts."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The statement did not specify whether Ramaswamay plans to personally move to Texas as well. A message seeking comment on Ramaswamy's personal plans was not immediately returned.

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is moving his asset management firm from Columbus to Texas.

The firm already has $1.7 billion under management.

Ramaswamy has become a popular figure in conservative circles and has written several books including "Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam."

He announced his run for the presidency in February 2023, but dropped out after the Iowa Caucuses when he finished fourth.

Strive argues that Blackrock, Vanguard and State Street use client funds to advance ideologies that some don't like, such as fighting climate change and ensuring representation for women and minorities on corporate boards.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As part of the move to Dallas, Ramaswamy's firm is starting a wealth management business that includes integrating Bitcoin into portfolios.

The company expects most of its Columbus-based staff to relocate to Dallas over the next few months.

"Ohio was the perfect place for Strive to launch its business and we couldn't be more thankful for the partnerships we built here over the past two years," Strive CEO Matt Cole said in a statement. "From a business perspective, Texas was the right decision for Strive's headquarters, but we will of course continue to serve our Ohio customers and provide them the ability to invest with our unapologetically pro-shareholder company."

mawilliams@dispatch.com

@BizMarkWilliams

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ramaswamy moving his Columbus investment advisory business to Dallas
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A former U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officer was sentenced Monday for recklessly pursuing two motorcyclists in 2020, hitting one of them with his car and fleeing the scene.

The U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) said 47-year-old Thomas Smith will spend 21 months in prison for violating the motorcyclists civil rights.

Shortly after 11:30 p.m. on June 20, 2020, Smith was supposed to be conducting security checks at Congress members homes in Georgetown when he began pursuing two motorcycles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

USCP policies prohibit vehicular pursuits outside of the Capitol grounds unless there is an emergency or a supervisor approves the pursuit. Despite this, Smith conducted the pursuit without such approval, the USAO noted.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Capitol Police officer indicted on civil rights charge

According to court documents, he followed behind the motorcycles at a high rate of speed without his emergency lights on before swerving and hitting one of the cyclists.

Smith caused the driver to crash, knocking him into the air before he hit the asphalt roadway, court documents described.

Smith swerved around the motorcyclist, who lay in the roadway, and fled the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

USCP policies require officers to notify a dispatcher, supervisor and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) if a crash occurs while on duty outside of Capitol grounds.

At no point after crashing into the mans motorcycle did Smith notify anyone. He also did not take any action to get the driver medical help.

The motorcyclist was hurt in the crash, suffering abrasions to his face, head, arms and knees, and a possible concussion and seizure, according to court documents.

After the collision, Smith tried hiding his involvement in and responsibility for the collision by swapping out the damaged USCP sedan with a USCP SUV. He logged a false entry into the USCP record system while doing so, marking that he conducted his required dignitary check and that it appeared secure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He also falsely logged that he had been assigned the SUV the whole evening and claimed he began his shift at 10 p.m., not 6 p.m.

Election Day: DC Metrobus, rail detours in place

When asked about the crash, Smith told a USCP Sergeant that he did not know there was a crash and had been driving the SUV the whole night.

This defendant recklessly pursued two motorcyclists, struck one of them with his car, left the victim unconscious on the asphalt, fled the scene and then switched out his cruiser and filed no report in an attempt to cover up his violent misconduct, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a news release, in part.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After serving his sentence, Smith will undergo 24 months of supervised release, 40 hours of community service and have to pay restitution of $4,455.

He pleaded guilty on Oct. 18, 2023, to deprivation of rights under color of law.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Gov. Tony Evers address a group of about three dozen members of the Jefferson County Democratic Party on Election Day. (Henry Redman | Wisconsin Examiner)

In Fort Atkinson, more than three dozen members of the Jefferson County Democratic Party  as well as a few joining from the neighboring Dodge and Walworth counties  packed into the small county party office to welcome U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Gov. Tony Evers before kicking off some last minute canvassing.

Full of excitement at the prospect of electing Democrats Melissa Ratcliff and Joan Fitzgerald to its seats in the state Senate and Assembly (both in attendance at the event) after years of Republican representation under the old legislative maps, the Democrats from a rural county nearly mid-way between the urban centers of Madison and Milwaukee said they were expecting wins on Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think our country has weathered the storm, and grown in the process, Fort Atkinson Democrat Jim Marousis says.

Baldwin is running for re-election in one of the countrys most closely watched Senate elections, with Democrats needing her to win in order to retain control of the chamber.

We are the battleground state, Baldwin told the gathered group of supporters. We will decide, most likely, who the next president is, what party controls the United States Senate, what party controls the House of Representatives. All could be decided right here in our state.

At the beginning of Baldwins remarks, the crowd sang happy birthday to Evers, who is celebrating his 73rd birthday on Tuesday. Evers touted the work Baldwin has done in Wisconsin to secure supplies for the state during the COVID-19 pandemic and convince the federal Small Business Administration to provide loans to northern Wisconsin businesses last winter when a lack of snowfall shut down many winter recreational activities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Evers said that the ground game of Wisconsin Democrats is going to make the difference for the party up and down the ticket on Tuesday, adding that he was hopeful the party would win control of the state Assembly.

People all across the Wisconsin Democratic Party are doing the things that make the difference, he said. Wisconsin has the best ground game. Nothing compares to here.

With about five hours until polls close on her second re-election campaign, Baldwin said she was optimistic at her chances.

As of the time that early voting started two weeks ago, and certainly my travels today give me great hope and optimism, she told the Wisconsin Examiner. I feel like we have the momentum. I feel like people are stepping up to volunteer. Some have never volunteered before, and its not necessarily easy to go knock on a strangers door. And also the news of new registrations leading up to Election Day is heartwarming. Im hearing early readouts now from the clerks in various communities about really motivated voters. So anyways, Im feeling great.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
After a trial judge took the rare step of admitting she used the wrong legal standard when ordering the disclosure of documents in an insurance dispute, the Colorado Supreme Court on Tuesday wondered whether it would be overstepping by issuing guidance in the appeal.
The Fort Worth Independent School District is expanding its pre-K partnerships by launching a new model where a nonprofit organization will oversee a network of child care centers serving some of Fort Worth ISDs youngest students.

Neighborhood PreK, the new program and nonprofit which is affiliated with Child Care Associates, is slated to begin in the 2025-26 school year and provide working families with child care options beyond traditional school hours. The 3- and 4-year-old students will be dually enrolled in the districts public pre-K program and the child care center. Officials said the program also hopes to serve local child care providers by improving their economic sustainability, which would strengthen the overall early childhood education system.

Eligible child care centers must have a 3- or 4-star rating with the Texas Rising Star program, which are the highest rankings for the states quality rating and improvement system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our goal is to ensure that every child in Fort Worth is prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond, Fort Worth ISD Interim Superintendent Karen Molinar said in a statement. This partnership addresses the existing unmet need in school-based prekindergarten programs by integrating community-based childcare options, providing more flexibility for families and better supporting their diverse needs.

Credit was given to the Tarrant County Blue Ribbon Action Committee on Child Care for bringing the program forward in collaboration with Child Care Associates. The committee, spearheaded by Mayor Mattie Parker, formed in early 2022 with a focus on investing federal COVID-19 relief dollars into child care and early childhood to address issues exacerbated by the pandemic. One of the committees original goals was to create a mixed delivery system for children up to 5 years old, where pre-K could be accessed in community settings in addition to elementary schools.

As a long-term goal, the partnership will also focus on ensuring that all students are reading at grade level by third grade, setting them on the path to academic success and lifelong learning, according to district and child care officials.

Amity Halstead, executive director of Neighborhood PreK, told the Star-Telegram students will be assessed three times a year through the Circle Progress Monitoring System to measure where students are at in their early reading skills. Additionally, students will have access to early intervention services when needed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were thrilled about this new partnership and the opportunities it creates for early childhood education in Fort Worth, Halstead said. This collaboration really paves the way for lifelong success for our children, and we couldnt be happier.

The Fort Worth ISD school board recently approved Neighborhood PreK as the coordinating hub between the district and local child care centers, but a final agreement must return to the board for the program to officially begin. It remains to be seen how many child care providers could participate in the program and how many children could be served.

The partnership is seeking Senate Bill 1882 funding from the Texas Education Agency, which incentivizes districts to contract with open-enrollment charter schools, higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations or government entities. Fort Worth ISD already utilizes this funding for its Leadership Academy Network partnership with Texas Wesleyan University, which helped improve struggling schools through an extended school day, extra tutoring for students and additional support for teachers.

A more comparable program to Neighborhood PreK which utilizes Senate Bill 1882 funding is Austin ISDs pre-K partnership with United Way for Great Austin, which has been in place for five school years. More than a dozen child care providers participate in the program.

The recent announcement of Neighborhood PreK comes after a similar program came to fruition this school year between the district and Child Care Associates known as PreK Today. Across five local Head Start locations, 153 children who are ages 3 and 4 and already enrolled in the federal program, which provides child development services to low-income families, and can also dually enroll as Fort Worth ISD students. Halstead, of Neighborhood PreK, also oversees the PreK Today program and noted that they will operate separately.
Republican presidential candidates (L-R), former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and North Dakota governor Doug Burgum participate in the first debate of the GOP primary season hosted by FOX News at the Fiserv Forum on August 23, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Fox News might be the network where the biggest group of Americans say they get their news, but those same people are much more likely than most other Americans to say that their favorite news source isnt part of the mainstream media, according to a poll that was released last week.

It might sound contradictory that viewers of the most-watched network are more likely to say its not mainstream media, but thats the case, according to the poll, published Friday by the Pew Research Center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Between Sept. 16 and Sept. 22, Pew asked nearly 10,000 adults where they most often got their political news. Of the 8,000 unique responses, 13% said Fox, followed by CNN at 10%. Foxs share had remained stable compared with a similar poll conducted in 2021, while CNNs had dropped by four percentage points.

They were followed by local TV at 6%, ABC at 5%, then NBC, NPR, MSNBC and CBS at 3%. The New York Times was the only newspaper getting more than 1% percent, with 3% of respondents saying it was their go-to for political news.

As a sign of the balkanizing media landscape, 32% of respondents named a main political news source that wasnt among the top 10.

Another question in the survey gave a hint of the kind of programming viewers see on Fox.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When asked whether their favored news source is part of the mainstream media, just 61% of those who prefer Fox said it was. That compares to 96% for the New York Times, 88% for NBC and MSNBC, 85% for ABC, 84% for CNN, and 82% for CBS.

NPR listeners were more likely to see themselves as a breed apart, with 69% who prefer it saying it was part of the mainstream media.

Another result might indicate that some people might define mainstream media as something other than news organizations that adhere to a common set of standards. Of the group saying that local TV was their go-to, just 57% said their sources were part of the MSM.

The survey also confirmed that the Fox audience skews older than its counterparts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Older adults are much more likely than younger adults to name Fox News: 22% of those ages 65 and older say this is their main source for this news, compared with just 5% of adults under 30, it said.

The survey also asked what medium people used to get their news. Thirty five percent said TV, 21% percent said from news websites and 20% said from social media.

Perhaps predictably, respondents 65 and older were a lot more likely to get their news from TV, 63%, than those aged 18 to 29, 10%. Nearly half of the latter group said they primarily get their news from social media.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Fox News anchor Bret Baier was at dinner in New York on Sunday night, at an Italian haunt favored by The Five co-host Harold Ford Jr.

Baier was grabbing dinner with Ford and fellow Fox contributor Alex Castellanos, when they heard a familiar voice approach the table.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I turned around and Alec Baldwin and his wife [Hilaria] walked up, and he said, I just want to introduce myself. I really enjoyed playing you,' Baier recalls. Baldwin, of course, portrayed Baier on Saturday Night Live just two weeks ago, spoofing the Fox anchors interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.

He was lovely, his wife was lovely. We had a nice little chat, Baier continued. And I said, Harold, why didnt you take a picture? He said, Come on, were bigger than that, and I said, Im not bigger than that, I would have liked that picture.

Only in New York, he added with a laugh.

Baiers interview with Harris may well emerge as a defining moment of the 2024 election season. On Fox Corp.s earnings call Monday morning, Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch called it out, saying that it set a new bar for political interviews with its 9 million viewers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the SNL parodies also underscore the extent to which eyes will be on Fox News on Tuesday night and in the hours and days beyond. Fox is by far the most watched cable news channel, and one of the most watched TV channels, period. Its lineup of conservative opinion shows, panel shows like The Five and programs like Baiers have major influence and impact, and how they approach election night will be felt across the media and political ecosystem.

Sitting in a ground floor studio at Foxs New York headquarters Monday, Baier and his election night co-anchor Martha MacCallum expressed confidence in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that they will deliver compelling TV, even if the outcome remains uncertain for some time. They also acknowledged the sense of dread and anxiety the country is feeling that comes with an event with such high stakes.

This is an emotional story for Americans. People have been stressed about this election, and I think they trust us, MacCallum says. We have been erring on the side of over-explaining the stuff that were looking at, so that people  we know theyre walking by, theyre watching for 20 minutes and theyre coming back again  we want to make sure that we go through it so that it is actually useful to them.

Can we hope that its gonna end on election night or the next morning? Can we just maybe put it out there in the universe, either way it goes? Baier quips.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Of course, Fox, like all the other networks, is preparing in the event that the race continues through Wednesday, Thursday or beyond.

Weve dealt with close, close elections before, you can imagine things that happen. You can imagine places that have questions about their ballots, or that they stop counting, or some candidate declares victory before weve called the race, Baier says. So we have a game plan, we have a blueprint, roughly, but again, we roll with the punches.

If it does drag on, youve just got to cover it, he adds. Weve done that before, and it is in that vacuum that bad things sometimes happen, and you have to cover all that, too. And so you have to get your mindset past tomorrow [Election Day] and Wednesday morning.

But first, election night. And Fox has no shortage of made-for-TV tools that it plans to roll out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During a technical rehearsal Monday, anchor Bill Hemmer was testing out his touchscreen Bill-board, and his new augmented reality data visualization capabilities, which will look to viewers at home like the votes from a state are floating in the middle of the studio.

A giant video chandelier was lowered from the ceiling, giving anchors new ways of showing data tickers, while prerecorded video of New Yorks 6th Avenue played behind the anchor desk on an enormous two-story screen.

One of my favorite new toys that Bill Hemmer has is the one that shows you North Carolina, for example, and how far blue it was in, say, the last four elections, and the two times that it crosses over into red, just barely over the line for Trump. Same thing in Arizona, MacCallum says. When you look at how small some of these changes are, Wisconsin has been decided by a handful, a few thousand votes in the last couple of elections. So I think that really shows people what a heavy lift it is in some of these states to get from one side to the other to win them.

Indeed, Fox News, like many others, intends to pull back the curtain somewhat on how and why it makes calls, something top of mind for many in the media business after 2020, when the channels call of Arizona  made well before anyone else  became a news story in and of itself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think we learned a lot, Baier says. Especially if its close and its a really late night, and were waiting on some states, we are in the mindset of lifting the curtain and taking them to the people that are looking at the data and having them on and saying, Why are we not able to make this call specifically? and then have that person say to Bill, Go to so and so county, and then we can see it visually as the data decision desk person is saying, Heres where we are, were stuck with this.

I think thats another thing weve learned over time, is the more we show, the more transparent we are, I think the better it is for the viewer, Baier adds.

Were very data driven, were watching the news as it unfolds, we understand the importance of just pacing things for the viewers and taking them through it step by step, MacCallum says. We have a lot of amazing new graphics that I think are going to make it even more clear, things that pop up and show you the heavy population concentration around Philadelphia, for example, and how it went last time.

Were just keeping track of everything thats going on and trying to convey it to our viewers in a way that puts it in context and tells them the story, she adds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But after the votes are counted and the election is certified, the story will continue, and that is something that both Baier and MacCallum are already thinking about.

MacCallum says she wants to know more about the inner workings of the Biden White House in the wake of the presidents disastrous June debate, which ultimately led to his exit from the race.

I think were going to learn a lot about the Biden White House story and what happened after that debate, and how that shift really happened with her moving into that nomination, MacCallum says. I think theres really so much of that story still to be told.

And Baier is holding out hope that the winner, be it Trump or Harris, will put in real effort to try and unify the country. He wrote as much in an op-ed Monday, and underscored it in the conversation with THR.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think the after-story is about bringing the country together, because theres some families that cant even talk to each other at Thanksgiving dinner, Baier says, adding that he wrote the op-ed just to put it out there that unity  no matter who wins  really needs to be our message.

I think it will be the tone and tenor once you get a winner and covering it as we cover anything else in a respectful, fair way, he says. But that message of bringing the country together, I think, is going to be important, not just for us to project, but for the candidates themselves to talk about, because the countrys divided.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
PARIS (Reuters) - France's foreign minister will travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Wednesday seeking to press Israel to engage diplomatically to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon after the U.S. presidential election is over.

"The United States plays an essential role in ending the Israeli-Arab conflict," Jean-Noel Barrot said on France 2 television when asked whether a win for former President Donald Trump could boost Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"We are alongside the U.S., notably on Lebanon, to propose peace formulas to ensure a lasting peace in the region."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Paris and Washington pushed for a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in September, but those efforts fell through.

Since then, Washington has done little to raise pressure on Israel to end its operation in Lebanon.

Barrot said Paris would work with whoever won Tuesday's vote. He pointed to former U.S. Republican President Ronald Reagan's suspension of some weapons deliveries to Israel after its 1982 invasion of Lebanon as an example of how Washington could still do more.

"The war has lasted far too long and the use of force must give way to the use of dialogue and diplomacy," Barrot said.

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Ros Russell)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  The City of Knoxville announced that free downtown parking on nights and weekends will continue under the citys updated parking plan.

People can learn more about the plan at the Council Workshop on Thursday, November 7 at 4 p.m. in the Main Assembly Room of the City-County Building. On their Facebook page, the city said this plan would make parking easier and more efficient.

Apartment complex planned for downtown Knoxville to feature affordable units

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Downtown Knoxville has grown significantly with more businesses opening over the past few years. Because of this, the city began working on a strategic plan for downtown parking in 2023, and they sought input from the public. In May, a report from Walker Consultants, which the city partnered with to conduct the survey, shared several recommendations for parking changes. One of the notes in the report said there has been a negative net operating income in the parking system over the last five years.

At the time, Mayor Indya Kincannon said it could take some time before anything was changed.

We want to be slow and steady and consider our approaches, Kincannon said in May. We dont want to be hasty but we also know that our city is growing and we have a lot of activity, particularly in the study area downtown.

Crews fight major fire at campus of historic Knoxville College

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is unknown what recommendations from the report will be included, if any, in the updated plan, which has not yet been released to the public.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
Prisoners have better access to dentists than millions of law-abiding patients, The Telegraph can disclose.

Convicts, including those in high-security jails for murder, rape or paedophilia, are able to get standard NHS dental care as quickly as the same day, and are also exempt from paying.

Inspection reports reveal prisons housing some of Britains most notorious criminals, including Belmarsh, Pentonville, and Frankland, offer routine and urgent dentist appointments within weeks, if not the same day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, just 52 per cent of the British public have an NHS dentist, according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, which also revealed that 97 per cent of patients without a dentist who tried to get an NHS appointment in September were unable to.

Campaigners complained that prisoners in these so-called dental deserts were more likely to receive NHS treatment than those on the outside.

The majority of the public, including those who have retired, also have to pay a minimum 26.80 for a routine NHS check-up, if and when they get one, while prisoners are exempt from paying, along with under-18s and pregnant women.

Dentists say there are also better incentives for them to do prison work, which is outsourced to private firms free of NHS contracts and targets, and they can get paid more than they would working for the health service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In last weeks edition of The Telegraphs Diary Of a Secret Prisoner  dispatches from an inmate at a Category B prison  the author described their new access to a dentist as a major perk of jail.

After years of searching for an NHS dentist, I have finally found a very good one in prison, they wrote.

Belmarsh prison in south-east London is one of the highest security jails in Britain. Convicts serving time there have included Charles Bronson, once labelled Britains most dangerous man, and Abu Hamza, the fundamentalist preacher convicted of terrorism, as well as Michael Adebolajo, who murdered soldier Lee Rigby, and Ali Harbi Ali, who murdered Tory MP David Amess.

An inspection in June by the HM Inspectorate of Prisons said of the prisons dental provision that waiting times were good, with most people getting an initial assessment within seven days and ongoing treatments within a similar timeframe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Urgent appointments were quicker if needed and prisoners received treatments including dentures, root canal work, scales, fillings, and promoting oral health with six sessions a week. There was also a fortnightly session for complex cases to reduce hospital escorts, it said.

The service is provided by Prisoner Centred Dental Care, which also works in six other prisons, including Wandsworth and Brixton.

Care reasonable even in failing jail

In Wandsworth, an inspection in July found failings were evident in almost all aspects of the prisons operation but dental care was considered reasonable.

Despite the widespread violence, use of illicit drugs, security concerns, and officers celebrating suicides, the prison typically ensured inmates were given a routine dental appointment within seven weeks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In HMP Verne on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, which has the nickname Paedo Alcatraz because of housing hundreds of sex offenders and paedophiles including Gary Glitter, inmates were seen within two weeks of requesting an appointment, according to a report from an inspection in July.

HMP Vernes dental services are outsourced to Time for Teeth, which provides dental care to 75 different prisons across England, including Pentonville in north London, where waits are two to six weeks.

Dennis Reed, the director of over-60s campaign group Silver Voices, said government priorities were warped.

It really exposes that in many parts of the country there isnt any NHS dentistry at all. There may well be prisons that get NHS dentistry in areas which are NHS dental deserts  a little oasis in the middle of a whole area, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its completely warped priorities, and that needs to change. There are loads of areas where there is no way that you can sign on for an NHS dentist and thats the reality thats facing most people today.

Last month, more than 100 people queued from 2.30am to register at an NHS dentist in Warrington, with similar scenes captured in Bristol earlier this year.

The latest NHS data shows that just 40 per cent of adults had seen an NHS dentist in the two years ending June 2024, and only 56 per cent of children had received a check-up in the previous 12 months.

Analysis by the Labour Party for 2022-23 revealed that 100,000 children and adults had gone to A&E with tooth decay or dental cavities, and 4.75 million people had been denied an appointment with an NHS dentist in the previous two years.

The Government has pledged an extra 700,000 urgent appointments each year, but last Friday the British Dental Association (BDA) wrote to the Treasury asking for clarity about how these will be funded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The union told Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, that the Budget is set to significantly add to the financial pressures [dental practices] face, whether they offer NHS, private or mixed care and that cost increases will have an impact on access to NHS dentistry.

Incentives greater for dentists

Prison dental care is commissioned by NHS England and typically outsourced to private providers that specialise in prison dentistry. The result is that the incentive for dentists  both NHS and private  is greater than for standard NHS work, with more flexible hours, better pay, and fewer targets.

The NHS is obliged to provide the same level of care as to the wider public, but while wait times and the quality of care varies in jail, all prisoners have free access to dentists and standard treatments.

Dentists working in the private sector can earn as much as 50 per cent of a treatment bill depending on the contract negotiated with their practice, often amounting to as much as 500 a day. Their rate varies according to seniority, experience, clinic and location.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Remuneration for NHS dentists tends to be much lower, with an average rate of 17 per treatment and the expectation of performing 25 to 30 of these units of dental activity, according to consultancy Dental Elite.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wholly private dentists can expect to earn more than 140,000 a year, according to job website Prospects, compared with the salary of between 47,653 to 101,923 of NHS dentists.



Eddie Crouch, the chair of the BDA, said: Officials are mandated to offer prisoners an equivalent level of service to the public. With access so poor both behind bars and on the high street theyve certainly achieved that.

He added: Underfunded and overstretched, prison dentistry is the wider NHS in miniature. Where a very high needs population can face very familiar waiting times.

Prisoners across the 122 jails in England and Wales are also exempt from paying under Government rules, which means fillings, dentures and other procedures are all paid for by the taxpayer. All these treatments can cost NHS patients hundreds of pounds.

In HMP Oakwood, routine waits were less than four weeks but patients experiencing pain were able to see a dentist within one working day; in Buckley Hall prison there were virtually no waits to access assessment and support.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile in HMP Frankland in County Durham, a high-security jail housing Wayne Couzens, the former Metropolitan Police officer who is serving a whole life order for the kidnap, rape and murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everard, inmates can expect to be seen on the same day for urgent appointments or if they are in pain.

Inspections of other prisons found delays in dental care provision. Concerns were raised in HMP High Down about the waiting times for accessing a dentist, although an inspection earlier this year found good progress was being made on bringing these down.

HMP Wakefield, nicknamed Monster Mansion for housing some of Britains worst criminals, had good care but with waits of up to five months for a check-up, according to its most recent inspection.

Prisoners often considered higher-need

Other inspections did not report on dental care at all.

Prisoners make up less than 1 per cent of dental work each year and are often considered higher-need patients, with a greater proportion requiring urgent care.

A Government spokesman said: This Government is committed to rebuilding NHS dentistry, but it will take time.

We will start with an extra 700,000 urgent dentistry appointments to help those who need it most, and reform the dental contract to encourage more dentists to offer NHS services to patients.

An NHS spokesman said: As commissioners for prison healthcare, NHS England is legally tasked with ensuring dental care is provided to patients in prison. The NHS recognises that there is a lot of work to do to boost every day NHS dental care right across the country and thats why we are working with the Government on measures to boost access, such as incentivising dentists to work in underserved areas.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
PARIS  The pace of change in maritime warfare requires Western navies to innovate faster and work more intimately with industrial partners to defeat evolving threats, the heads of the French and U.K. navies said.

Navies can no longer count on ships staying relevant over their 40-year lifespan, and weapon systems will change dramatically over such a period, French Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Nicolas Vaujour said at the Euronaval industry conference outside Paris on Monday. Weapon systems may need to be adapted as frequently as every year, requiring ship architecture that allows for systems to be plugged in and changed when needed, Vaujour said.

We have to build adaptable by design, Vaujour said. You must build the ship to be adaptable during 40 years, which is quite tricky.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Navies from the U.S., China and Russia, as well as France and the U.K., have been testing maritime weaponry ranging from swarming drones and lasers to hypersonic anti-ship missiles and rail guns in the past three years, while progress in artificial intelligence has allowed for increasingly autonomous unmanned vehicles.

France eyes aircraft carrier, frigate order in 2025 spending plan

Generational technology change is happening much faster than the time it takes to construct a ship, meaning navies need to implement new capabilities far quicker than the speed at which we can build a hull, according to Adm. Sir Ben Key, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff of the U.K.s Royal Navy.

So you have to detach the operational capability from the platform thats going to take you there, Key said. That is quite a mindset change for us.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ukraine has been using missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and seagoing drones to deny Russia access to much of the Black Sea, despite having little navy to speak of. In the Red Sea, Yemens Houthi rebels have targeted commercial vessels with drones and ballistic missiles, prompting freight traffic from Asia to Europe to reroute around Africa.

If you stay with your old doctrine, you will be dead very rapidly, Vaujour said. What we saw in the Red Sea is that we have to adapt very quickly our system.

The response of the French and British navies to the Houthi threat showed how learning accelerated when the urgency was understood, according to Key.

Both navies worked with MBDA to improve missile performance and software, and learning time had to be dramatically reduced, because this was no longer a science project being done in the sea off Toulon or in the waters off Plymouth, Key said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lesson was that forces need to be much sharper about focusing on the factors that really matter, rather than seeking a perfect solution that will be late, according to the British admiral. That will be a challenge, because weve been brought up in the pursuit of perfection, and actually, we havent got time for that, Key said.

Maritime warfare is experiencing a moment similar to the end of the Age of Sail, when engineers and deep-gunnery specialists became more important on board than the master of sail, according to Key. Going forward, key crew on board will be those able to tap into digital opportunities and needs, the British navy chief said.

Were living through kind of one of those moments of really significant change in the way we have to think about the application of power at sea, or maritime power, Key said.

For the French, one lesson from the Red Sea was that facing a constant threat is really hard on crews, and the navy probably needs more people on board, according to Vaujour. We make the bets to reduce the crew, and I came back from that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Systems will be used in ways outside of their design, and crews need a lot of innovation bias to come up with untested solutions, according to Vaujour. He cited the use by the French frigate Alsace of a helicopter to shoot down a Houthi drone in March, a scenario that had been tested just weeks earlier in Toulon.

Speeding up innovation will require closer cooperation with industry, according to both admirals. The French navy in coming weeks will start to bring industry engineers on board, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, to help industrial partners understand the onboard needs and to accelerate innovation, Vaujour said. The admiral is also considering having a vessel dedicated for cutting-edge applications.

As the pace of equipment development accelerates, the U.K. navy is looking to its industrial partners to provide training, as well as for more risk sharing between both sides, Key said.

What were seeing in the Black Sea, what were seeing in the southern Red Sea, the speed of development that were seeing by some of the navies further afield, requires us to have a much more agile mindset about the way we develop our capabilities, Key said.
Colorado voters have rejected Proposition 131, the proposal to establish open primaries and ranked-choice voting for statewide races.
The U.S. Navy has partially reversed course on its controversial plans to decommission the last of its Ticonderoga class cruisers by 2027, with three of the ships now set to continue serving further out toward the end of the decade. The new decision regarding the Ticonderogas is part of an ambitious Navy-wide strategy that includes a call to substantially increase the readiness of warships and other key assets within the next three years. This also follows the announcement last week that 12 of the oldest Arleigh Burke class destroyers will see their service lives extended.

The Navy announced the life-extension plans for the USS Gettysburg, USS Chosin, and USS Cape St. George, yesterday. There are six more Ticonderoga class cruisers in service now that are still slated for decommissioning in the next two years.

The Ticonderoga class cruiser USS Gettysburg. USN

The new decision adds 10 years of cumulative ship service life from fiscal year 2026 to 2029, according to a Navy release. All three cruisers received extensive hull, mechanical and engineering, as well as combat system upgrades as part of an extended modernization program.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is worth noting that USS Cape St. George, which is also the youngest still-serving Ticonderoga (commissioned in 1993), is actually still going through this upgrade process and is expected to return to the fleet sometime in the current fiscal year, which started on October 1. The modernization program includes improvements to the ships Aegis Combat System, a new AN/SPQ-9B radar and upgrades to the existing AN/SPY-1B, an updated SQQ-89A(V)15 sonar suite, modifications to the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) arrays to expand their capabilities, and a host of other work, according to Navy budget documents.

The USS Cape St. George, another one of the three Ticonderogas that are seeing their service lives extended. USN

The Navys original plan was to put 11 of its Ticonderogas through this upgrade program, with the modernized ships then serving into the 2030s. However, growing costs and delays, coupled with worsening cracking and other structural issues, had led it to reassess those plans. In 2022, the service announced its intention to decommission all of the remaining cruisers  including ones right in the middle of being upgraded like Gettysburg and Chosin  by 2027. Two other modernized Ticonderogas, the USS Vicksburg and USS Cowpens, were decommissioned earlier this year. The entire modernization program has already cost the Navy billions of dollars.

As already noted, the Navys original decision to send the Ticonderogas into mothballs was highly controversial. Beyond the sunk cost of the upgrade work, there continue to be serious questions about capability and capacity gaps, which the service has downplayed for years. Each Ticonderoga has 122 Mk 41 VLS cells. For comparison, Flight I and II Arleigh Burke destroyers have 90 Mk 41 cells, while more recent Flight IIA and III ships in that class have 96. The planned decommissioning of the Navys four highly in-demand Ohio class guided missile submarines, which can loaded with up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles apiece, before the end of the decade has only compounded concerns about dwindling missile launch capacity service-wide.

Its interesting to point out here that USS Chosin was chosen to be the ship at the center of a test last month of the Transferrable Reload At-sea Method (TRAM) system for restocking Mk 41 VLS cells on ships at sea, which you can read more about here. Whether or not TRAM enters widespread service, at-sea reloading capabilities have emerged as a critical need for the Navy, especially in the context of planning for a potential future high-end fight, such as one in the Pacific against China.

An empty missile canister is transferred to USS Chosin as part of a test of the Transferrable Reload At-sea Method (TRAM) system in October 2024. USN Eric Osborne

The Ticonderogas were also designed from the outset as air and defense command and control platforms. The ships feature substantial capabilities in that regard that notably leads them to continue to be central components of Navy carrier strike groups. The services stated plan is for new Flight III Arleigh Burkes, of which it currently has one, to take over this role. Questions have been raised in the past about the long-term viability of this maxed out subclass of Burkes serving in this capacity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Navy is working toward a true successor to the Arleigh Burke, currently referred to as DDG(X), but the first of those new warships is not expected to enter service until 2032 at the earliest. Previous plans for a direct replacement for the Ticonderogas evolved into the Zumwalt class of stealth destroyers, of which the Navy ultimately acquired just three. There continues to be ambiguity around the expected roles and missions of the Zumwalt class ships, as well as their overall future.

A graphic from 2022 depicting a notional DDG(X) design and its features. USN

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As a former cruiser Sailor, I know the incredible value these highly-capable warships bring to the fleet and I am proud of their many decades of service, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said in a statement about the life-extension plans for the Ticonderogas. After learning hard lessons from the cruiser modernization program, we are only extending ships that have completed modernization and have the material readiness needed to continue advancing our Navys mission.

The Navy is facing larger hurdles when it comes to increasing its overall fleet size, as well as maintaining the warships and submarines it has now. Its new Constellation class frigates are also mired in delays, cost growth, and other issues, as you can read more about here. With all this in mind, just last week, the service also announced it would be extending the service lives of a dozen more Flight I Arleigh Burkes into the 2030s to help maintain overall operational capacity.

Earlier this year, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, unveiled a new service-wide navigation plan, also known as Project 33, which included a prominent goal to be able to surge deploy 80 percent of all naval vessels and combat aircraft, if required, by 2027. We are shooting for very high, very tough stretch goals here, and I know that, but the only way were going to get there [is] if you set those goals that high, Franchetti said in September.

The new change in plans for the Ticonderoga class is significant. At the same time, the fact that just three of these still highly capable cruisers are getting a relatively short reprieve, and at a high cost, underscores the significant challenges the Navy still faces in meeting its very ambitious readiness and operational capacity goals.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
After a set of threatening calls at Fulton County polling locations were made early on Election Day, the Fulton County government says each was investigated and no active threats were found.

Polling locations at Etris Community Center and Gullatt Elementary School in Union City were closed for roughly 30 minutes Tuesday morning as the threats were investigated.

As a result, the Fulton County Department of Registration & Elections will seek a court order to allow these polling places to remain open for the same period as the temporary closure, officials said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

RELATED STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At a news briefing on the threats, Fulton County officials said five non-credible bomb threats were reported, causing the two Union City locations to be evacuated temporarily.

A spokesman for Fulton County Schools also said there have been four total sites identified as having received a bomb threat through the 9-1-1 system, all of which have been deemed non-credible. Fulton County Schools Police Department is coordinating with local law enforcement.

Fulton County Schools are scheduled for a remote learning day.

During a morning briefing on elections, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said the reports of threats at polling locations were of Russian origin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Before leaving the podium at the end of the briefing, Raffensperger said The Russians are not our friends, anyone who thinks they are has been misled.

The Fulton County government promised to remain vigilant throughout the day.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
The foreign ministers of the G7 countries, along with those from three key allied nations, expressed their serious concern on Tuesday regarding the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia. They are currently collaborating on a coordinated response to address this situation.

Source: a statement issued by the ministers, published on the website of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported by European Pravda

In addition to G7 members  the United States, Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, and the EU  the statement was also endorsed by South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ministers voiced "grave concerns regarding the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia, potentially for the use on the battlefield against Ukraine".

"Several thousands of DPRK troops have been deployed to Russia. The DPRKs direct support for Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, besides showing Russias desperate efforts to compensate its losses, would mark a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific peace and security," they said.

They strongly condemned the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including Russia's "unlawful procurement" of North Korean ballistic missiles, and called on North Korea to cease its assistance to Russia in its aggressive actions.

The ministers also said they are "deeply concerned" about the potential transfer of technologies related to nuclear weapons or ballistic missiles to North Korea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine and stated that they are working with international partners to formulate a "coordinated response to this new development".

Background:

On 1 November, US House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner asserted that the United States and NATO allies should consider to "attack directly North Korean troops" if they are present in Ukraine and engaged in combat alongside Russia.

Defence Intelligence of the United Kingdom indicated that North Korean troops involved in fighting against Ukraine would encounter interoperability issues with Russian forces and their equipment.

On 4 November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that there are already 11,000 North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia's Kursk Oblast, yet no corresponding response has been forthcoming from Western partners.

Support UP or become our patron!
Collage by Liz Coulbourn

On September 11, the progressive Australian senator Fatima Payman approached the parliamentary podium in Canberra. To the sigmas of Australia, she began, directing her address to an oft-forgotten segment of our society  the youngest cohorts of Australian citizens, Gen Z and Gen Alpha  I say that this goofy-ahh government have been capping.

Drawing from the online language of memes and slang better known as brainrot, Payman stumbled through a scathing and often cringe-worthy attack on the countrys prime minister, Anthony Albanese, calling his administration a party of yappaholics and disparagingly saying he sometimes seems like the CEO of Ohio. In between discomfiting brainrot-isms, Payman encouraged young people to consider the countrys housing issues and Albaneses plans to ban social media for teens under a still-to-be-determined age. Though some of you cannot yet vote, she concluded, I hope when you do, it will be in a more GOATED Australia, for a government with more aura.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I first encountered Paymans speech toward the end of a middle-school journalism class I teach every Thursday in New York City. Five 11-year-olds gathered around my desk with a school-assigned Microsoft laptop, talking excitedly about showing me something funny. As we watched, each student jokingly yelped in embarrassment as Payman talked of gyatts and services and catching a dub with the bros on Fort.

Brainrot, they explained to me, was more a series of ironic jokes than a language, reliant on nonsense. My students made it clear that Payman, well-intentioned though she may have been, was putting absurdism where it didnt belong  and she wasnt speaking to the needs of Gen Alpha like she thought she was.

Back on the first day of my class, I had each student draw the front page of a newspaper and write a short fictional news story. As I sifted through the pile of assignments at the end of the day, I came across a turtle periodical, a newspaper all about the fictional Turtletown; a Skibidi Toilet chronicle, an ode to the popular YouTube series that features a mans head emerging from a dilapidated toilet; and a magazine entitled Brainrot News Channel.

On the cover of this last one, the student had included headlines, complete with matching illustrations, about Charli XCXs Brat and a fight between 100 Kung Fu Pandas and 1,000 Skibidi Toilets. Inside, though, the student had written a short story about a man slogging through his accounting job: Another [soulless] screw in the ever-growing machine of capitalism. Here was an 11-year-old with a vocabulary far superior to mine as a teenager and a curious, if not worrying, sense of doom. Perhaps, to the younger generation, Brainrot isnt just ironic jokes but a way of dealing with the intensity of our world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the US 2022 midterms, less than half of 18- to 24-year-olds  my Gen Z peers  were registered to vote, a statistic I believe is reflective not of apathy but of an atrophying trust in the merits of American democracy. Although members of Gen Alpha are currently under the age of 15, they will become one of the most vital voting cohorts over the next decade. My question, as I survey various members of Gen Alpha, is this: Are they inheriting Gen Zs political pessimism? And, if they are, what could that mean for the future?

Born between 2010 and 2024, Gen Alpha is largely made up of children of millennials and, often, the younger siblings of Gen Z'ers. Globally, more than 2.8 million Gen Alphas are born every week, and by 2025, it is expected they will number more than 2 billion  which would make them the largest generation in the history of the world, according to a study done by McCrindle Research. Gen Alpha is also a distinctly digital generation, living alongside smartphones and tablets, video games, driverless trains, and autonomous cars.

Digital [defines their] point of connection, says Mark McCrindle, who is credited with inventing the term Generation Alpha. He underscores the empowering nature of this group's access to diversity of thought, via the internet, while emphasizing how global awareness can stir feelings of defeatism. They have access to some leverage and influence beyond their years, and they're a bit more aware of what's happening around the world because of the technology, he explains, [but] they consume a lot of content that is dire in its outlook, from climate change discussions to geopolitics to just economic uncertainty.

Each of the students I speak to, named pseudonymously to protect their privacy, expresses worry over the current political climate in the United States and, ultimately, the possibility of compromise. People are seeing in black and white, mostly, not really contributing to each other, Chris, who is 13, tells me. Lately, a lot of people in my school have been kind of negative about [politics], mostly because they think that if we continue the way we're handling situations now that we'll never be able to fully run this country properly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gen Alpha is growing up in an era of unprecedented politics: the rise of Trumpism and the dissolution of faith in facts; mounting fears over the urgent and irreversible effects of climate change; and the extreme isolation of the Covid lockdowns, during which most of Gen Alpha was in elementary school. They have watched many members of their older peer group, Gen Z, protest the war in Gaza, grapple with ongoing mis- and disinformation, and fight for a voice in discussions about issues like gun control and abortion.

Hannah, who is 11, says that, although I am asking about her views, she doesn't feel like politicians do the same during their appearances, like when they go on television. It's mostly just big politicians debating about stuff and being, like, 'What's gonna happen for the future generations, huh?' Well, what you don't know, you're not gonna know because you're not asking them, she tells me, before sharing a horrific and unfortunately all-too-common story about a shooting threat at her school a few weeks ago. There was a picture posted on social media of a gun, and then my school  plus a bunch of other schools  were pointed with the middle finger next to it, and it said, Stay on your toes, she recalls.

Hannah continues, Everyone was leaving. It was crazy chaos. Parents were getting worked up. Kids were crying, calling their parents. [I] think they should be focusing more on helping kids out of this and, like, coming to an agreement about gun control so that people will not be scared.

Everyone's really scared about that because that could happen to us, says 13-year-old Maya, referencing a similar story. I feel like everybody's really scared about what either [of the presidential candidates] would do about gun control. I feel like our safety [is] being ignored. Regarding the election, Maya adds, It keeps getting worse and worse, and I feel like we need to fix it right now.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Phoebe, who is 12, says the recent presidential debate didnt seem like it was fitting the needs of our generation as much as the needs of generations before us. They should reach into the future a little more and think about [how] what they're doing now might affect us in the future.

In speaking with each of the kids, it becomes clear to me that those who use social media frequently feel more pessimistic than those who do not. I don't think this means we should necessarily over-regulate online access, but that we should offer young people structured and supported avenues to grapple with complex societal issues and build critical-thinking skills.

According to Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, the Newhouse director of the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University, todays young people have a greater knowledge of and desire to play a larger role in government than past generations. She attributes this, in part, to the way the pandemic fundamentally altered how youth interact with policy.

What the pandemic has done to these younger generations, being the people that were usually in school at the time and therefore very, very impacted by the pandemic, is that they actually saw kind of a good, bad, and ugly of the local offices, Kawashima-Ginsberg explains. There's a keen awareness among young people, more sophistication around examining government's accountability to the people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To combat a loss of faith in government among younger generations, Kawashima-Ginsberg believes, localizing global issues is crucial. People need to support these young people to show them what they can be doing to connect with an issue and actually be taking action, she says. If it's climate change, there are probably ways in which supportive adults can show, Sure, you can't save the polar bears from a melting iceberg, but here's something sort of related to climate change."

Kawashima-Ginsberg adds, "[We need to create] local ecosystems where libraries, election offices, the schools, and the community mentors are involved in thinking about how young people can be welcomed and supported in civic life.

It makes sense that the generation growing up right now is dealing with a new kind of pessimism. We need to find a way to effectively engage their precarious hopefulness. That is how we create a United States with more aura.

Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

Want more U.S. government coverage?
This campaign season has seen a new generation running for seats in the Georgia legislature.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Ashwin Ramaswami has recently been delivering a lot of speeches.

I tell folks that people who are Gen Z are going to outlive most other people in the room, Ramaswami told Channel 2s Berndt Petersen.

The 25-year-old is one of them.

Now, old enough to run for the Georgia State Senate, challenging incumbent Shawn Still. Its part of this political seasons youth movement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are five Generation Z candidatesborn from 1997 to 2012running for seats in the Georgia legislature. Thats why some are invoking the words proclaimed by President John F. Kennedy before their parents were even born.

The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans, President Kennedy said during his inaugural address in 1961.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Has the torch been passed, Berndt Petersen asked.

No, Alicia Hughes said.

Hughes is with the Emory University School of Law. She says Gen Z, sometimes known as Zoomers, has taken the torch.

Leaders dont wait for someone to Christen them as leaders. Leaders are born, Hughes said.

They are the youngest generation of American adults, with 70 million of them in the world. A 2024 survey found that 20% would consider running for office.

You dont ask for permission to do it. I say no guts, no glory, Hughes said.

Ramaswami is encouraging his generation to go for it.

For people like me, its not about the next two, three, or four years. Its about the next three, four, five decades, the candidate said.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  News 5 is your Local Election Headquarters, and this article is your one-stop destination for information on the 2024 general election.

Want to skip to the information you care about the most? Use the index below. News 5 will update this page with live election results after 7 p.m.

Index

Live Updates

6:20 p.m.: WKRG News 5s Live Election Results page is published and available for viewing! Find the results for all elections affecting our coverage area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

(12 p.m.): Today is election day and WKRG News 5 reporters are covering what is happening locally on this historic day.

WKRG News 5s Chad Petri is at the Regency Church of Christ polling location where he said there has been a robust turnout with the second big wave of voters as people rush to fill out their ballots on their lunch breaks.

He said that there have been about 2,000 people who have voted at the location alone and officials say it is a bigger turnout than some previous years. Election officials think the presidential election and the Alabama District 2 races are driving the crowds.

News 5s Kathryn Bruch has been spending the morning talking to first-time voters at the University of South Alabama. Students say they voted because they know the importance of the civic duty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another local polling location, the Herbert & Fanny Meisler Senior Center has also been seeing voters this morning. Officials say more than 1200 people have voted at the location and that the turnout is the biggest they have ever had at the facility.

In Florida, there has been a steady stream of voters at the Pine Summit Baptist Church in Pensacolas Bellview Community

Sights from the Polls

Shomari Figures (D), a District 2 congressional candidate, cast his ballot this afternoon in the 2024 general election.

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  Shomari Figures, the Democratic candidate in the District 2 congressional race with Caroleene Dobson (R), has cast his ballot. Heres a photo of him at the polls this afternoon.

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WKRG)  News 5s Taylor Boysen visited the Family Ministries Center in Fairhope, another polling location for the 2024 general election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There, voters said they have waited for an hour and a half to two hours.

Voters waiting in line outside the Family Ministries Center in Fairhope. (Taylor Boysen, News 5)

FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG)  Baldwin County Probate Judge Harry DOlive described the countys voter turnout as exceptional.

He said there are lines at nearly every polling location.

In Foley, voters are getting through the process in under an hour, but lines are expected to grow as more people get off work.

If in line when polls close at 7 p.m., you can still vote.

Voters wait in line in Foley. (Debbie Williams, News 5)

SILVERHILL, Ala. (WKRG)  News 5s Christina J. Harris visited the Silverhill Community Center, another polling location for the 2024 general election. Heres a look at the line on Tuesday afternoon.

Voters wait in line at the Silverhill Community Center. (Christina J. Harris, News 5)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  News 5s Summer Poole visited Our Savior Catholic Church in Mobile, another polling location for the 2024 general election. Heres a look at the Tuesday morning line.

People line up outside Our Savior Catholic Church in Mobile during the 2024 general election. (Summer Poole, News 5)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WKRG)  Caroleene Dobson, the Republican candidate in the District 2 congressional race with Democrat Shomari Figures, has cast her ballot. Heres a photo of her at the polls this morning.

Caroleene Dobson (R), a District 2 congressional candidate, waits in line to cast her ballot during the 2024 general election.

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG)  News 5 is on the scene as the Gulf Coasts registered voters cast their ballots for the 2024 general election. Here are some sights from the polls.

The line of people waiting to vote at the Summerdale Community Center extends a block and a half. (Debbie Williams, News 5)

Voters wait in line to cast their ballots at the Lillian Community Club in Baldwin County. (Lee Atherton, News 5)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

General Voting Information

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  Millions of people are heading to the polls on Nov. 5, but there are a few things everyone should know ahead of casting their ballot.

Polls are scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

To vote you must be 18 or older and be registered to vote.

Hand-in absentee ballots were due by Monday, Nov. 4, but mail-in absentee ballots are due by noon on election day.

Voters may wear campaign buttons or T-shirts with political advertisements to polling places but may not loiter or leave campaign material.

Sample ballots can be carried into the voting booth, but voters are asked not to leave the sample ballot at the polling place.

Voters are not required to vote on constitutional amendments or all races on the ballot.

Cell phones are allowed inside the polling place but should not disturb other voters or the polling place.

Mobile County Public Schools will have a virtual learning day on Tuesday, as multiple schools will serve as polling places.

Why cant you wear your political gear to the polls?

Where do I vote?

There are 80 voting precincts in Mobile County, and 322,402 people are registered to vote in the county.

In Baldwin County, there are 207,582 registered voters and 59 voting precincts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To find your polling place, go to the My Voting Information tab on the Alabama Secretary of State website.

The My Election Day tab on the Mississippi Secretary of State website will allow you to enter your home address and find your polling place.

Florida voters can go to the Florida Division of Elections website to find their polling places.

Below is the number of polling places compared to the number of voters in each county.

County Number of Voting Precincts Number of Voters Mobile County, Ala. 80 322,402 Baldwin County, Ala. 59 207,582 Escambia County, Ala. N/A 28,230 Conecuh County, Ala. 8 9,817 Monroe County, Ala. N/A 16,354 Clarke County, Ala. 29 19,146 Washington County, Ala. 19 13,787 Greene County, Miss. 13 7,649 George County, Miss. 21 15,683 Escambia County, Fla. 79 212,723 Santa Rosa County, Fla. 41 142,061 Okaloosa County, Fla. 52 149,581

What do I bring to the polls?

Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida require voters to bring a form of identification to the polls to vote.

Forms of identification include:

Valid drivers license

Valid non-drivers license

Valid U.S. passport

Valid federal-issued ID

Valid employee ID from federal government, state, county government

Valid student ID

Valid military ID

Valid tribal ID

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Which states do not require an ID to vote in-person?

Who am I voting on?

Former President Donald Trump (R) and Vice President Kamala Harris are top candidates for president of the United States. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci/David Yeazell)

The main election happening Tuesday is the presidential election, which will be on the ballot for everyone in the United States.

Voters will have multiple candidates to choose from in each state, but the leaders of recent polls include former President Donald Trump (R) and current Vice President Kamala Harris (D).

There will also be county offices up for grabs.

Harris and Trump make their final pitches to voters

Alabama

Multiple seats are up for grabs in Alabama. The District 1 congressional race is between Republican Barry Moore and Democrat Tom Holmes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrat Shomari Figures and Republican Caroleene Dobson are on the ballot for the District 2 congressional race.

Other seats being voted on throughout the state include the U.S. House District 7 seat between Robin Litaker (R) and Terri Sewell (D), Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice with candidates Greg Griffin (D) and Sarah Stewart (R), as well as the Alabama Board of Education District 5 seat between David Perry (R) and Tonya Chestnut (D).

Florida

Florida voters will choose between Ben Everidge, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D), Feena Bonoan, Rick Scott (R), and Tuan Nguyen for the states U.S. Senate seat.

Other races in Florida include the District 1 Congressional seat (Democrat Gay Valimont vs. Republican Matt Gaetz), the State Senate District 1 race between Republican Don Gaetz and Democrat Lisa Newell, as well as the State House District 1, 2, 3, and 4 seats.

Mississippi

In Mississippi, voters will decide on the state congressional race between Roger Wicker (R) and Ty Pinkins (D), the District 4 Congressional seat with candidates Craig Raybon (D) and Mike Ezell (R) and the Supreme Court Justice for District 2, which is between nonpartisan candidates Dawn H. Beam and David P. Sullivan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other races in Mississippi include the Court of Appeals Judge for District 5, School Board member for District 3 in George County and School Board member for District 3 in Greene County.

Sample Ballots

Mobile County

Mobile-SampleDownload

Baldwin County

BaldwinSampleDownload

Clarke County

Clarke-SampleDownload

Conecuh County

Conecuh-SampleDownload

Escambia County, Ala.

Escambia-SampleDownload

Washington County

Washington-SampleDownload

Greene County

11.5.24-sample-ballot-1Download

George County

sample-ballots-for-Nov-5-2024Download

Escambia County, Fla.

bender_fullpg_sample_ballots_general_10.24.24_rev3Download

Santa Rosa County

100-G26.2Download

100-G2.1Download

100-G1.2Download

100-G1.1Download

Okaloosa County

09_30_2024-General-Sample-Ballot-BookletDownload

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court seemed sympathetic last week to the idea that trial judges, under the current rules for criminal cases, cannot restrict defense attorneys from investigating postconviction claims their clients raise when at least one of the claims has merit.
GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCBD)  State and local leaders met to discuss the next steps for the International Paper Mills employees on Monday.

The International Paper Mill announced they are closing down the plant in Georgetown by the end of this year. This is expected to impact nearly 700 employees.

Georgetown County said their first priority is working on getting the mills workers new employment.

Hundreds to lose jobs after International Paper closes Georgetown mill

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were focusing on people right now, were working on re-employment opportunities, Jackie Broach, public information officer of Georgetown County, said. Of course there are effects beyond the people who have lost their jobs, and thats significant  there were about 700 of them, but they also have families who work for other employers. Some of them are our employees, some of them are from the school district, some of them work for Tidelands. Were wanting to keep these people in our community.

In an effort to offset the hit the local economy is expected to feel next year, local businesses are looking to hire the mills workers. Currently, Tidelands Health has around 200 jobs open that require either a high school diploma or an associates degree.

Some of these positions are easy to transition from their industrial background into healthcare, Jeremy Stephens, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Tidelands Health, said. I know that might seem a little intimidating, but I spent 15 years in manufacturing, and I work in healthcare now, it can be done. So, we want to help them understand what types of positions we have, what the requirements are, and then we really want to partner with Horry-Georgetown Technical College to do some training.

The college is offering free classes for people to get an associates degree, which is also in partnership with Tidelands Health. The company is open to working with those employees, who may be interested, to learn new skills.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, healthcare is not the only option. Many of the businesses around Georgetown asked to be included in the upcoming job fair.

We have lot of employers who have reached out with offers like that. They want to absorb some of these employees, people who have been loyal employees for many years. Again, we really just dont want to lose these families, we want them to be able to stay here in Georgetown County and continue to be valuable members of our family.

This week, SC Works will be at the mill working with employees to update their resumes and job search skills. On Nov. 21 and 22, the job fair is expected to be held at the Howard Center.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
ATLANTA  Political operatives in Georgia are trying to divine who is heading into Election Day with an advantage in their state.

Each side sees reason to be optimistic based on the early voting data. Republicans point to the robust turnout in rural parts of the state as a sign that Donald Trump will win. Democrats say theyre reassured by the high turnout in the Atlanta suburbs and the record number of Black voters who participated in early voting.

But despite each sides attempt to spin the early voting data in their favor, everyone acknowledges that the race for the state remains on the knifes edge. Cut through the bluster and talking points, and what remains is an electorate still coming to grips with Georgias newfound swing state status.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are in a very competitive race. The early vote numbers have things I think both Democrats and Republicans can point to as good signs, said Lauren Groh-Wargo, CEO of Fair Fight, the liberal voting rights group founded by former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.

Republicans say they are going into Tuesday with an upper hand thanks to a potential small  but crucial  change in their coalition. While they failed to defeat Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) in his 2022 reelection, Georgia GOP officials are encouraged by the gains they say theyve made with Black men in the years since, and the work theyve done to encourage low-propensity voters to participate in the 2024 election.

If the Democrats are building a house to elect a candidate, what they really need to do as the foundation is get that 30 percent [of Black voters]. And theyre just not getting it, said Josh McKoon, the chair of the state Republican Party. Im not saying its not a competitive environment and it wont be close, but Im much happier being in my position.

In a sign of the states competitiveness, both candidates made visits to Georgia over the weekend, using some of their last few hours on the campaign trail to encourage people to turn out on Tuesday.



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Speaking in downtown Atlanta on Saturday, Vice President Kamala Harris urged people to show up on Tuesday. We need everyone in Georgia to vote, she said. Gov. Tim Walz, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and former President Bill Clinton also held events in the state over the weekend. Former President Donald Trump, meanwhile, hosted a rally in Macon on Sunday evening, telling supporters they were on the one yard line. Sen. JD Vance also held a rally in Atlanta on Monday.

A record-setting 4 million Georgians participated in early voting, which ended on Friday  meaning that about 55 percent of voters have already cast their ballots going into Election Day.

Georgians do not officially register with a party, which can make it difficult to predict the early voters choices. Even comparing this years early vote to data at the same point in 2020 wont help much: Some people shifted their voting patterns during Covid-19, and the GOP emphasized early voting much more heavily this cycle.

Both sides recognize the limits of reading too much into the early vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I go back and forth with myself, said Adrianne Shropshire, the executive director of Black PAC, when asked whether there were warning signs for Democrats in Georgias early voting data. We hear from people about when they plan to vote, and lots of people say they are planning on voting on Election Day. So in some ways the comparisons to 2020 are not necessarily that helpful.  This is not 2020, when people were like, Im not leaving my house.

Still, Democrats say that although the race remains incredibly close in Georgia, they feel confident. More Black voters  a voting bloc that has historically backed Democrats by wide margins  voted early compared to 2020 and the electorate so far has been dominated by women. Harris officials, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said the story of Amber Thurman  a young Georgia mother who, according to a ProPublica report, died following complications from an abortion pill after she could not get timely medical care under the states new abortion laws  had reverberated across the state and was a motivating issue for women across Georgia, especially in the suburbs.

The full picture of how much trouble (if any) Democrats may be in with Black men wont come into view until Tuesdays results are in. But Democratic officials have acknowledged that there is more work to be done in Georgia and beyond to shore up support among traditionally Democratic voting blocs that have drifted towards Republican candidates in recent cycles. Republicans, for their part, are counting on this nascent racial realignment to keep Georgia competitive.

I really thought four years ago, 10 years ago, that once we hit that tipping point in 2020 when the Dems had a slight win, that Georgia would flip and the pendulum wouldnt necessarily swing back, said Brian Robinson, a Republican strategist in Georgia. But part of why Republicans remain competitive here is that in the last eight years, youve seen a diversification of the Republican coalition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Although many Georgians have already cast their vote, that didnt ease the anxiety that impassioned voters on both sides of the aisle were feeling going into the election week. Georgias newfound status as a swing state was still taking some getting used to, they said.

I feel kind of nauseous. My anxiety has been through the roof, said Ketra King, 32, as she stood in the Atlanta Civic Center parking lot on Saturday for the vice presidents final rally in the state. Im trying to figure out what my plan is for election night, if Im going to sleep the night away or what. Im really nervous.
The Fulton County District Attorneys Office said the federal court sentencing last week of a man who made menacing phone calls to District Attorney Fani Willis and Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat is just one of several factors leading Willis to enact special security precautions for her staff this election week.

Has your office received recent threats in connection with the election? Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne asked Willis.

My office has received recent threats. I never know what causes them, Willis said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Willis said shes electing to take stringent security precautions in the three days following Election Day Tuesday for her staff, some of whom are prosecuting a controversial election interference case involving the 2020 presidential election.

Some people are very angry about the upcoming election. Not only my own election, but the presidential election, and so well just say that tensions are very high, Willis said.

She told Winne that her staff gets no vote on some of the safeguards.

An email she says went to everyone who works for the District Attorneys Office said: If you are not in court this Wednesday  Friday, it is a violation for you to come into the office. For safety reasons, we want to keep our footprint as small as possible. We will have an investigator walking all our work sites hourly to make sure you are not here.

RELATED STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

My lawyers and investigators and legal assistants, theyre very dedicated to the work and so sometimes they want to come in just to make sure there prepared for court, Willis said.

The email, sent out Monday also said: Tomorrow no one who is coming to work at the FCDAs office shall wear any office paraphernalia and you should keep your Fulton County DAs office identification concealed.

Those members of my staff that do come in are mainly going to be investigators that are armed police officers, so theyll be here to offer extra support around the courthouse, Willis said.

The email said: This week we will be a 5% in-person office for the last three days of the work week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That means about 95% of the staff is to work remotely Wednesday through Friday.

I need the investigators that are here escorting those that are still having trials to the courtroom back to their cars. Were going to take extra steps to keep that staff that absolutely has to be here safe, Willis said.

Willis suggests her office will also come down hard on any lawbreakers interfering with the current election in her jurisdiction, regardless of party.

If someone should threaten a poll worker, thats gonna be a problem. And theyre gonna be indicted for threatening a poll worker. If someone should interfere with someone going to vote, thats going to be a problem, Willis said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A DAs office spokesman told Winne that he knows of no threat specifically tied to the election but there have been a lot of recent threats in general.

He said staff members who have court Wednesday through Friday are required to provide detailed information to two investigative supervisors, as well as another step that Willis does not want to be made public.
Georgia election officials expect to report results from millions of voters within an hour after polls close on Tuesday.

Counties across Georgia must report data on early and absentee voting to the Secretary of State by 8 p.m.

Counties are expected to be ready to tabulate the vast majority of those early votes as soon as the polls close at 7 p.m.

Come eight oclock tomorrow night, we may have a very good picture of what the results might be, Georgia Deputy Elections Director Micheal Barnes said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Georgia Secretary of States Office said 4,004,588 voters have cast ballots either by voting early or absentee by mail. That accounts for 55.3% of registered voters in Georgia already voted.

State law allowed county election officials to start processing absentee ballots, batch them, and scan them two weeks ago. They cannot tabulate them until after the polls close.

Election officials can start working on early in-person votes when polls open at 7 a.m.

Starting at 7 p.m., they can put those memory cards in for tabulation.

RELATED STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Really the big dumps will come early as opposed to late. At least thats our anticipation, Barnes said.

Thats a big difference from 2020 when late-night counting and reporting of absentee ballots in major counties caused controversy.

In that election at the height of the pandemic, more than 1 million Georgians voted by absentee ballot.

This year, just a fraction of that number is voting absentee, and changes to the law allow for earlier processing of those ballots.

We had such a large amount of mail-in absentees that had to be processed. And thats what lingered into the late overnight hours, Barnes said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Paulding County Elections Director Deidre Holden took Channel 2 investigative reporter Justin Gray behind locked doors at the countys election management system to see how votes are tabulated.

The locked room contains scanners for absentee ballots and a desktop computer that is not hooked up to the internet.

Memory cards and backup tape logs are delivered in sealed packages by teams of two from each polling place and entered into the tabulation computer.

Theres a chain of custody. Those memory cards are the key component to this election. And we guard those with everything we have, Holden said.

The State Election Board passed a rule in September that would require poll workers to hand count the paper ballots at the polling locations. A judge blocked that rule in October.
As millions of voters cast their ballots for the White House and members of Congress on Tuesday, officials across the country reported relatively few disruptions and no violence  although they had to grapple with a number of bomb threats and disinformation campaigns that officials said were aimed at undermining trust in the election.

Some of the bomb threats made on election day appear to be linked to Russian actors, officials in multiple swing states said. The threats, which experts described as evidence of increasingly aggressive actions by foreign powers trying to influence U.S. elections, were an additional burden on election officials who were already prepared Tuesday to address any normal technical problems to keep polls open.

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said four polling locations in Navajo County received hoax bomb threats. Fontes emphasized that officials "have no reason to believe that any of our voters or any of our polling places are in any sort of jeopardy."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We also have reason to believe, although I wont get into specifics, that this comes from one of our foreign enemies, namely Russia," Fontes said.

Russian officials denied any involvement.

In Fulton County, Ga., officials said they received bomb threats at 32 of the 177 polling places, resulting in brief closures at five of them. In Indiana, text messages sent to voters falsely claimed that friends and family could see whom people voted for. And the FBI warned that faked video clips were circulating on the internet telling Americans to "vote remotely" because of a terrorist threat.

In most polling locations across the country, voting that began days or weeks ago with mail-in ballots continued smoothly on Tuesday, according to reports. But several incidents highlight the reality of recent U.S. elections, where intelligence officials warn that foreign actors such as Russia and Iran are looking to influence outcomes and undermine voter confidence, and election officials are facing increased threats from an increasingly divided electorate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more: Trump elected as the United States 47th president following wins in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania

"Everything we were seeing then [in 2016 and 2020] is being supercharged," said Brian Levin, founder of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino. "What you're seeing now is a harbinger of the future."

In Georgia, a key battleground state that went for Democrats in 2020, Fulton County Director of Registration and Elections Nadine Williams said officials received five bomb threats Tuesday morning, including two incidents that forced officials to briefly shut down polling locations. The threats proved to be noncredible.

The two locations, Etris-Darnell Senior Center and C.H. Gullatt Elementary School, both in Union City, closed for about 30 minutes. Officials were already seeking a court order to keep the two locations open 30 minutes longer to make up for the time they were closed, Williams said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some of the bomb threats, reported in multiple states, appeared to have originated from Russia, officials said.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger confirmed in a news conference the incidents in his state appeared to be linked to Russia. In a CNN interview, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said bomb threats received there were also linked to Russian actors, but officials said they were undeterred.

"Georgia is not going to be intimidated," Raffensperger said. "Russia has picked on the wrong Georgia."

In Pennsylvania, another battleground state, polling places in at least three counties received bomb threats and had to be evacuated briefly. But Gov. Josh Shapiro told reporters that investigators had found no credible threat to the public.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Maine State Police also confirmed "swatting" calls  pranks designed to prompt law enforcement to respond to a reported emergency  were made to schools in that state Tuesday, similar to other calls made across the country, but did not comment on their origin.

Read more: FBI, swing-state officials allege Russians behind bomb threats at U.S. polling stations

Levin said that while previous efforts by foreign countries to influence the election might have focused on sowing division online, the possibility of bomb threats being made on polling locations pointed to an expanding threat of how outside powers are looking to affect the election.

"The Russians are undermining the integrity of election by every means, fake stories, fake videos, and threats to dissuade voting," said Brian Jenkins, senior advisor to the president of Rand. "It will continue beyond election night and all the way to the inauguration."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The purpose, he said, is weakening whomever is in the White House.

"The U.S. is in an information war," he said.

The FBI confirmed that several threats made at polling locations across the country appear to have originated from Russian email domains. The agency did not specify how many threats have been received, but said the states affected by these threats were Georgia, Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Meanwhile, election officials are still grappling with internal threats while trying not to interrupt voting.

Officials arrested a 25-year-old Georgia poll worker Monday after he allegedly made a bomb threat to election workers last month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nicholas Wimbish allegedly had a verbal altercation with a voter on Oct. 16 and, later that evening, mailed a letter to the Jones County superintendent purporting to be from a "Jones County Voter."

The letter alleged that Wimbish had "give[n] me hell" and that Wimbish  who was the actual writer of the letter  was "distracting voters from concentrating." The letter said that workers should look over their shoulder, threatened to "rage rape" female workers and claimed to have left a bomb at an early voting location.

Read more: Forget election night answers: Why it could take a while to get final results

In Ann Arbor, Mich., a 25-year-old man was charged with sending a threatening communication after he allegedly threatened to carry out an attack if former President Trump won the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Isaac Sissel allegedly claimed to have stolen an AR-15 and threatened to attack a Christian, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

And in Indiana, some voters reported receiving a text message telling voters that "voting records are public" and that friends, neighbors and family will know whom they voted for.

Records on whom someone votes for are private. Only the fact that a ballot was cast is considered public information.

The Indiana Democratic Party called the incidents "nothing more than voter intimidation."

In Washington, D.C., U.S. Capitol Police officers arrested a man who was stopped during screening at the Capitol Visitor Center. According to police, the man was carrying a lighter, a flare gun and fuel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The incidents come as U.S. intelligence officials warned that foreign adversaries are continually trying to influence U.S. elections, stoke division and undermine confidence in the elections. Those efforts, officials said, are expected to increase in the coming days.

"These activities will intensify through election day and in the coming weeks, and that foreign influence narratives will focus on swing states," the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, FBI, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said in a joint statement. "Influence actors linked to Russia in particular are manufacturing videos and creating fake articles to undermine the legitimacy of the election, instill fear in voters regarding the election process, and suggest Americans are using violence against each other due to political preferences."

Read more: Georgia judge rejects GOP lawsuit trying to block counties from accepting hand-returned mail ballots

As voting got underway, the FBI warned that its name and insignia were being used in two fake news clips, including one that falsely claimed the agency was urging people to vote remotely because of a terrorist threat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A second video, which included a fake FBI news release, also alleged that five prisons in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona had rigged votes from inmates and colluded with one of the political parties.

"This video is also not authentic, and its contents are false," the FBI said in a statement. "Election integrity is among our highest priorities, and the FBI is working closely with state and local law enforcement partners to respond to election threats and protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote."

Voter interference and influence campaigns have become a growing concern since the 2016 presidential election season.

According to a recent Gallup poll, 57% of Americans say they are confident that the votes for the presidential election will be accurately cast and counted, but also found that Republicans have increasingly become more doubtful, with only 28% of Republicans having faith in the accuracy of the election.

Some of the threats emerged days before the election.

On Sunday, the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office in Georgia said it had been made aware of social media posts warning that members of the Ku Klax Klan and other white supremacists from North Carolina were planning on attacking people up until the presidential inauguration in January.

"The message states that they are plotting against blacks and especially black women," the statement read.

Sheriff's officials said they had been in contact with the FBI, Georgia Bureau of Investigation and other agencies, and believe the threat was false.

"Violence or threats of violence WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!" Rockdale County Sheriff Eric J. Levett said in the statement. "We will take this serious as we do all crimes."

The department did not state where or how the messages originated.

Levin said the foreign interference attempts, many of which originate from but are not limited to Russia, appear to focus on divisions and fears that are already present.

"This foreign interference now is really one that is surfing on the coattails of divisions that are already here domestically," he said.

Asked for comment Tuesday, the Russian embassy directed The Times to Russian remarks from top officials in which they denied involvement. The embassy had also released a statement last week saying Russia does not interfere in U.S. elections, as if anticipating such allegations on election day.

Before every election, American authorities and media descend into hysteria about Russain disinformation and inference, the embassy wrote. Russia has not and does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, including the U.S.

Read more: Russian actors made fake video depicting mail-in ballots for Trump being destroyed, FBI says

Since losing the 2020 election, Trump has cast doubt on the integrity of the election process, falsely claiming he lost the White House to Joe Biden because of voter fraud.

Multiple lawsuits in states across the country disputing the results were tossed out, and some of the lawyers who pursued those cases have been sanctioned.

Trump has continued to cast doubt on the election this year and has continued to sow doubt on election day.

Addressing his campaign staff from his headquarters in West Palm Beach, Fla., Trump on Tuesday questioned computers used in polling places and the possibility that a winner might not be declared Tuesday night.

A winner might not be immediately known until all ballots are counted across the country in what is believed to be a tight race.

"That's a little scary when they say, well, what are they doing?" Trump said, questioning why the results might not be immediately known. "You're going to be watching to make sure there's no cheating, right?"

The concerning threats come along with some of the technical issues that voting officials sometimes face during an election.

In Cambria County, Pa., officials said a software malfunction kept some voters from scanning their ballots, causing confusion and long lines.

Polls were set to close at 8 p.m., but the Pennsylvania Department of State announced a court order allowed polling places in Cambria County to stay open until 10 p.m.

Staff writer Hannah Fry contributed to this report

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A poll worker in Georgia is suspected of writing a bomb threat in an attempt to frame a voter he had an altercation with at the polls, according to court documents.

Nicholas Wimbish, 25, a poll worker from Milledgeville, Georgia, was arrested on Monday Nov. 4 and was charged with mailing a bomb threat, conveying false information about a bomb threat, mailing a threatening letter and making false statements to the FBI, according to a press release FBI Atlanta Public Affairs emailed USA TODAY.

Wimbish worked at the Jones County Elections Office in Gray, Georgia, around 88 miles southeast of Atlanta.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FBI Atlanta Field Office is investigating the incident. If found guilty, he could face up to 25 years in prison.

Wimbish is set to make his initial appearance in court on Tuesday Nov. 5.

USA TODAY has reached out to Wimbish's attorney but has not heard back yet

Election 2024 live updates: Trump, Harris in historic battle on Election Day

Georgia Election Results 2024: Live updates, maps for every state race

What happened?

The Jones County Elections Office received a threatening letter, which was typed, on Oct. 22, 2024, via USPS, according to court documents acquired by the USA TODAY. It was addressed by hand to the Elections Superintendent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The return address stated a Jones County Voter sent the letter, which was postmarked in Atlanta,Georgia, on Oct. 18.

Wimbish is believed to have written the letter the day after he allegedly got into a verbal altercation with a voter, who was not identified, after they complained that Wimbish and another poll worker were distracting voters waiting in line for early voting with their conversation.

Wimbish Googled his name the same night as the altercation and later Googled nearby post offices at nearly 1 a.m. the next day.

"Based on my investigation, I believe that Wimbish conducted the Google search on his own name to confirm what information was available about him and other poll workers online," James Maxwell, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, wrote in the criminal complaint filed against Wimbish. "I believe that Wimbish wrote the letter pretending to be [the voter,] because the letter references Wimbish and [the other poll worker] 'distracting voters,' the same complaint that [the voter] voiced the day before the letter was dated."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The day after the letter was received, Wimbish told the FBI the disgruntled voter he had an altercation with wrote and mailed the letter.

On Monday, the same day as the arrest, the FBI searched through Wimbish's personal computer and found a document that referenced a BOOM TOY that was dated Oct. 18, according to court documents. They also found the letter in the computer's print spooler.

PS boom toy in early vote place, cigar burning, be safe, stated a handwritten note included with the letter.

Election 2024: Man faces felony charges after punching Illinois poll worker in face, police say

What did the letter say?

The letter referred to Wimbish as a "young liberal woke idiot," and accused him of trying to "influence peoples votes in line."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The letter stated that the sender was "on the hunt" for the poll worker Wimbish was talking to at the time of the incident. It mentioned two other female poll workers as well and accused one of "f-cking up my ballot."

"Your woke liberal should look over their shoulder I have to do whatever it takes for [unspecified candidate] to win Georgia," the letter stated.

The letter was signed by a Jones County voter," court documents state.

PS boom toy in early vote place, cigar burning, be safe, was on a hand-written note included with the letter.

A "boom toy," could refer to an explosive device, while a cigar burning might refer a delayed fuse ignitor, according to Maxwell.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This story has been updated to clarify when the poll worker was arrested.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Georgia poll worker Nicholas Wimbish charged over alleged bomb threat
MACON, Ga. (WRBL)  Monday, a Georgia poll worker was arrested for allegedly making a bomb threat against election workers.

According to the United States Attorneys Office Middle District of Georgia, Nicholas Wimbish, 25, of Milledgeville, Georgia, was serving as a poll worker at the Jones County Elections Office when he allegedly had a verbal altercation with a voter on Oct 16. The next day, after conducting an online search to find out what public information was available about himself, Wimbish mailed a letter to the Jones County Elections Superintendent, and allegedly drafted it to appear as if it came from a voter. The letter contained threats against election workers.

The criminal complaint against Wimbish states the content of the letter threatened Wimbish and other election workers. Saying they, should look over their shoulder, that I know where they go, that I know where they all live because I found home voting addresses for all them, and that the young men will get beatdown if they fight me and will get the treason punishment by firing squad if they fight back.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The letter also contained threats of sexual assault against women election workers. Threatening to rage rape the ladies and warned them to watch every move they make and look over their shoulder.

The letter ended with a handwritten note reading, PS boom toy in early vote place, cigar burning, be safe.

Wimbish is being charged with mailing a bomb threat, conveying false information about a bomb threat, mailing a threatening letter and making false statements to the FBI. If he is convicted, Wimbish could face up to 25 years in prison.

The United States Attorneys Office Middle District of Georgia says, this case is part of the Justice Departments Election Threats Task Force. The group was formed in order to address threats of violence against election workers in June of 2021.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FBIs Atlanta field office is investigating the case.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. (WSAV)  A Georgia poll worker in Jones County was arrested Monday for allegedly mailing a letter threatening poll workers with a beatdown, rape and a bomb threat, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Nicholas Wimbish, 25, of Milledgeville, was serving as a poll worker at the Jones County Elections Office on Oct. 16 when he had a verbal altercation with a voter, the DOJ said. Later that day, they said that Wimbish looked up what information about himself would be publicly available online.

The following day, Oct. 17, Wimbish mailed a letter addressed to the Jones County Elections Superintendent, purportedly posing as a Jones County Voter and complained about himself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The letter was allegedly drafted to make it appear as if it came from the voter, the DOJ said.

Wimbish said in the letter that Wimbish had give[n] me hell and that he was conspiring votes and distracting voters from concentrating. The letter threatened that Wimbish and others should look over their shoulder, that I know where they go, that I know where they all live because I found home voting addresses for all them, and that the young men will get beatdown if they fight me and will get the treason punishment by firing squad if they fight back.

The DOJ also said that letter threatened to rage rape the ladies and warned them to watch every move they make and look over their shoulder. The letter concluded with a handwritten note, PS boom toy in early vote place, cigar burning, be safe.

Wimbish is charged with mailing a bomb threat, conveying false information about a bomb threat, mailing a threatening letter and making false statements to the FBI, according to the DOJ.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FBI Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. (WSAV)  A Georgia poll worker was arrested Monday for allegedly mailing a letter threatening other poll workers with rape, a beatdown and a bomb threat.

Nicholas Wimbish, 25, was working at the Jones County Elections Office on Oct. 16 when he had a verbal altercation with a voter, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

The next day, Wimbish mailed a letter to the county elections superintendent, written to appear as though it came from the voter he had argued with, the DOJ said in a Monday press release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The letter said, Wimbish had give[n] me hell, according to the DOJ.

Ohio sheriffs lieutenant who said he will not help Democratic Party supporters apologizes

Wimbish allegedly made other complaints about himself, claiming that he was conspiring votes and distracting people from concentrating.

The letter also said that Wimbish and other poll workers should look over their shoulder and that he would beatdown the young men if they fight me. Additionally, the letter threatened to rage rape female poll workers and concluded with a handwritten note, saying, PS boom toy in early vote place, cigar burning, be safe, according to the DOJ.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wimbish has been charged with mailing a bomb threat, conveying false information about a bomb threat, as well as mailing a threatening letter and making false statements to the FBI.

The FBI Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The parties and the trial judge treated an expert witness as an expert all along, even though they seemingly forgot to designate him as one in front of the jury
By Nate Raymond

(Reuters) - A Georgia poll worker was arrested on Monday on U.S. charges that he sent a letter threatening to bomb election workers that he wrote to appear as if it came from a voter in the presidential election battleground state.

Federal prosecutors said Nicholas Wimbish, 25, had been serving as a poll worker at the Jones County Elections Office in Gray, Georgia, on Oct. 16 when he got into a verbal altercation with a voter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The next day, Wimbish mailed a letter to the county's elections superintendent that was drafted to appear as if it came from that same voter, prosecutors said. The letter complained that Wimbish was a "closeted liberal election fraudster" who had been distracting voters in line to cast ballots, according to charging papers.

Authorities said the letter, signed by a "Jones county voter," said Wimbish and others "should look over their shoulder" and warned that people would "learn a violent lesson about stealing our elections!"

Prosecutors said the letter ended with a handwritten note: "PS boom toy in early vote place, cigar burning, be safe."

Wimbish was charged with mailing a bomb threat, conveying false information about a bomb threat, mailing a threatening letter, and making false statements to the FBI, prosecutors said. A lawyer for Wimbish could not be immediately identified.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Georgia is one of seven closely contested states expected to decide the outcome of Tuesday's presidential election match up between Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

Concerns about potential political violence have prompted officials to take a variety of measures to bolster security during and after Election Day.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Georgia's Supreme Court reversed a lower court's ballot extension in the swing state Monday, ruling that 3,000 absentee ballots -- which were sent out late in Cobb County -- will only be counted if they are received by Election Day.

Monday's ruling reversed a lower judge's decision that originally gave voters an extension to Nov. 8, the same deadline for overseas ballots, after Cobb County elections officials missed the ballot mailing deadline.

Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration Chairwoman Tori Silas blamed faulty equipment and a late surge in absentee ballot requests for the delay.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The American Civil Liberties Union and the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit Friday to extend the deadline to Nov. 8.

On Monday, the higher court ordered the Cobb County Board of Elections to count only those votes received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

The court also ordered elections officials to notify affected voters of the change and to "keep separate" any absentee ballots received after Election Day, but before Nov. 8, "in a secure, safe and sealed container separate from other voted ballots."

Georgia is a critical battleground state in Tuesday's presidential election between Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Huge election integrity victory in Georgia. Democrat-run Cobb County wanted to accept 3,000 absentee ballots after the Election Day deadline. We took this case to the Georgia Supreme Court," Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley said in a statement Monday.

"We just got word that we won the case. Election Day is Election Day -- not the week after. We will keep fighting, keep winning and keep sharing updates," Whatley added.

The ACLU also released a statement, urging voters -- impacted by the ruling -- to vote in person on Election Day.

"Because of this ruling, we urge all affected voters to prioritize vote in person on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024, if at all possible," the ACLU said. "If a voter has their absentee ballot but cannot vote in person on Election Day, they should hand deliver that ballot to their county elections office as soon as possible."
Georgias highest court on Monday ruled that thousands of Cobb County voters who received their ballots late will not have their votes immediately counted if their ballots are received by officials after Election Day, a decision that sided with national Republicans.

The Georgia Supreme Court said that those ballots, which Cobb County officials admitted they failed to ship out on time, must be set aside pending further litigation if they arent returned by Tuesday at 7 p.m., the deadline under existing state law and the time polls close in the state.

A Cobb County judge previously extended the deadline until 5 p.m. on Friday  the same receipt deadline for uniformed and overseas voters  as long as the ballots were postmarked by the close of polls on Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Republican National Committee (RNC) and Georgia Republican Party appealed that decision directly to the states highest court, arguing that Georgia law plainly requires that all absentee ballots must be returned on the day of the election.

The Superior Courts deviation from the Legislatures instruction is baseless, lawyers for the state and national Republicans wrote. The Plaintiffs claim a burden on their right to vote, but the Georgia Constitution does not guarantee a right to vote by mail. Voters still have many options to vote, including by voting in person or delivering their absentee ballots in person.

Georgias American Civil Liberties Union, which brought the initial lawsuit on the behalf of three affected voters, urged other affected voters to instead cast their ballots in person or deliver their absentee ballots by hand to county election officials by the updated deadline.

If neither is an option, we urge voters to immediately send their ballot back to the county via overnight delivery, if possible. Only as a last resort, should voters simply mail their ballots, the group said in a press release. Unfortunately, there are voters who will not be able to access the remaining options and will not have their voices heard in this election as a result of this ruling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Georgia Supreme Court ordered the Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration to notify the affected voters of their Election Day deadline by email, text message and a public announcement on the boards website.

The panel also noted that the ruling does not pertain to voters casting ballots under the federal law for uniformed and overseas absentee voters.

Three of the panels nine justices dissented but did not explain why. A fourth justice was disqualified from the case. The other five ruled in the RNCs favor.

Georgia is a critical battleground state that could help sway the outcome of the presidential election. President Biden beat former President Trump by 14 percentage points in Cobb County in 2020 and ultimately won the state by a narrow margin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 Updated at 5:34 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A woman from Georgia who operated as a money mule in a large real estate wire fraud scheme was sentenced to jail time and probation in Ventura County late last week, the Ventura County District Attorneys Office said.

Jasmine Shante Faniel, 39, participated in a scheme where scammers gain access to real estate transactions by impersonating trusted parties like escrow officers, real estate agents and title representatives, among others, the DAs Office stated in a release issued Monday afternoon.

This fraud typically occurs through sophisticated computer scammers operating outside the U.S. who compromise emails between the parties, officials said. Once fraudsters gain access to the transaction, they target buyers closing fees, sellers proceeds, lenders funds and even commissions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ralphs parent company to pay CA $122M in opioid settlement

The legitimate parties in the transaction send funds to the money mules after they are deceived through intercepted or manipulated emails, the DAs office elaborated. The money mules, said to be low-level participants in the fraud, receive the stolen funds and launder them to individuals higher up in the scheme who are typically located outside of the United States.

In the case of Faniel, she was found to have opened multiple bank accounts in her home state under the name Teresa Dennis in March 2023. She used those accounts to accept and launder the funds stolen from a Ventura County family attempting to purchase their first home, authorities said.

Jasmine Shante Faniel as seen in a booking photo released by the Ventura County District Attorneys Office.

The native of Conyers, Georgia  a city in the Atlanta metropolitan area  received the funds from another co-defendant, Abdoul Aziz Bah, and subsequently transferred most of the money to a bank account in Nigeria, where it was laundered through international auto auctions, the DAs office release stated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Investigators said she only retained a small portion for herself.

The investigation in this case determined both defendants acted as money mules and that they received the stolen $201,000 from the victims and then laundered it, authorities said. During the investigation, $33,500 of the victims stolen money was traced to an account in Georgia in Faniels false name, Teresa Dennis.

Live updates: Election Day 2024 is here

Bah was sentenced to one year in jail and two years of probation in late September, authorities said. He was also ordered to pay full restitution to the victims; he had already paid $5,000 in restitution before his sentencing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Faniel pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property over $950 and money laundering on Sept. 26. Following her plea, the Ventura County District Attorneys Office Real Estate Fraud Unit obtained a court order requiring the funds to be returned to the victims. As of Tuesday, $38,500 has been recovered and returned.

She was sentenced to nine months in jail followed by two years of formal probation.

The Ventura County District Attorneys Office Real Estate Fraud Unit was assisted in the investigation by the Ventura County Sheriffs Office Fugitive Unit, which completed the extraditions of the defendants from Georgia.

Officials remind homebuyers to always verify wire transfer requests by calling a known member of the transaction to confirm the request is valid before ever wiring funds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A district court in the country of Georgia nullified the election results in 30 precincts over voting secrecy violations, RFE/RL's Georgian service reported on Nov. 4 amid widespread allegations of a rigged vote.

The news comes as Georgia's pro-EU opposition refuses to recognize the claimed victory of the ruling Russian-friendly Georgian Dream party, which sparked large-scale protests in Tbilisi.

The Tetri Tskaro district court ruled that the voting method used in dozens of stations in the southern towns of Tetri Tskaro and Tsalka violated the secrecy of the vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The voters had to mark the ballots with a marker in such a way that during a subsequent ballot counting by a machine, their choice was visible. The presiding judge also pointed out that the district election commission did not address the complaint appropriately, indicating some level of manipulation or interference.

While this represents only a small number of polling stations across the country, the authors of the complaint  Georgian Young Lawyers' Association  said the ruling sets a precedent for better protection of voting secrecy rights.

"We welcome this decision, emphasizing its importance for a fair and democratic electoral process," the group said.

The Central Election Commission can appeal the ruling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While official results said that Georgian Dream won almost 54% of the vote, opposition leaders and international observers pointed to a large number of cases of suspected intimidation, ballot stuffing, and vote buying.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Oct. 27 that the Georgian parliament will approve the government despite the opposition's protests, while the opposition called on international leaders not to recognize the results.

Georgian Dream has been accused of democratic backsliding and of leading the South Caucasus country back into the Kremlin's orbit. The adoption of the controversial "foreign agents" law earlier this year also led to widespread protests and subsequent violent crackdowns by the police.

Shortly after the election results were announced, the European Commission said that the process of Georgia's accession to the European Union had been suspended, underscoring the growing chasm between Tbilisi and the West.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: Opinion: Rigged elections have stolen Georgias European future

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has warned that a shortfall in funding for 2025 could leave the country's military critically underfunded.

Pistorius told dpa on Tuesday that the German military, or Bundeswehr, needs around 58 billion ($63 billion) in 2025 to quickly close capability gaps. "As things stand, we will be allocated around 52 billion", he said.

"That means we will be short of almost 6 billion next year," the minister added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Speaking amid tense negotiations between Germany's coalition partners over the country's budget, Pistorius called on the government to face up to its responsibilities and agree on sufficient funding for the country's defence capabilities.

The minister said he understands that the range of tasks facing the government is exceptionally large.

"However, I have the feeling that some of the players are not aware of the seriousness of the situation or that they believe they can overcome these really big challenges with tactical games," he said.

Due to the funding gap, around 100 Bundeswehr projects cannot be carried out and the procurement of equipment is to be postponed, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the minister, this affects the next instalment of the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, urgently needed ammunition and the development of long-range precision weapons.

Pistorius said that thanks to a special fund of 100 billion for the Bundeswehr, "an unusually large number of projects have been launched unusually quickly."

However, after 30 years of neglect, the Bundeswehr's equipment is still far from complete, he said.

"We are now at a crucial point," he added, warning that military gaps were widening again despite threats increasing.

"History is looking over our shoulders, so to speak," he said, adding that the current defence threats should not be played down.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pistorius said that while conducting disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks and spying on critical infrastructure, Russia was rearming and would soon have around 1.5 million troops.

Moscow has moved to a war economy and is investing at least 6% in armaments and defence, the minister added.

"Russian industry produces more weapons and ammunition in three months than the entire European Union does in a year. And we have to expect that Putin is willing and ready to use his armed forces ... That is the reality we are facing," Pistorius said.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited a Ukrainian border region on Tuesday at the end of a two-day visit to the country.

Baerbock was shown a command post at the three-way border between Ukraine, Russia and Belarus by the head of the National Border Service, Lieutenant General Serhiy Deyneko.

A central task of the border guards is to detect attack drones as soon as possible and shoot them down if they cross the border.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dejneko showed Baerbock numerous types of drones and the remains of a downed Iranian-designed Shahed drone.

Call for more international support

Earlier, Baerbock called on international partners to provide more support for Ukraine, as she visited a memorial to the victims of Russian atrocities in the village of Yahidne, north-east of the capital Kiev.

Baerbock said the memorial reminds people "what Russian occupation means: inhumanity, terror. Things that no one in this world would want to experience."

"We, as political leaders in Europe, should also have the strength internationally to continue to give Ukraine financial and humanitarian support," she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops occupied Yahidne. The Russians held more than 350 residents captive from March 3-31 in the basement of the village school, which was the occupiers' headquarters at the time.

The youngest hostage was six weeks old, the oldest 93 years old. A total of 77 children and young people were held, including five babies. Ten elderly people died in captivity.

According to the public prosecutor, seven people were shot by the Russian occupiers.

Baerbock's visit the area was briefly disrupted by an air raid warning in the historic centre of the city of Chernihiv. At the time she was being shown a UN project in the city. She had already seen a youth centre destroyed during a rocket attack at the beginning of the invasion in February 2022.

On Monday, Baerbock met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and pledged an additional 200 million ($218 million) to support Ukrainians during their third winter of war.

erman Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (C) visits a command post with Lieutenant General Serhij Dejneko, head of the National Border Guard Service. Jorg Blank/dpa
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock paid a visit to the village of Yahidne in Chernihiv Oblast, where hundreds of locals were imprisoned in the basement during the first few weeks of the Russian occupation.

Source: ntv, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Annalena Baerbock arrived in Ukraine on her eighth visit since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.

Quote: "This place makes it crystal clear... What does the Russian occupation mean? Inhumanity, terror, things that no one on this planet would want to go through," Baerbock said in Yahidne.

Photo: dpa

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the Russian occupation of the village in 2022, Russian soldiers detained 350 inhabitants, including 5 babies, in a school basement. Ten elderly people perished, and seven others were shot.

"And when we remember the suffering that took place here, our mission today is to work continuously to ensure that people throughout Ukraine can one day live in peace again," Baerbock said.

Ukraine should be provided with "support for defence and self-defence, as well as for the liberation of territory that remains under occupation," she stated.

Background:

On Monday 4 November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Kyiv, during which the parties discussed military support and investments in Ukraine's defence.

According to Zelenskyy, he spoke with Baerbock about "military support, investments in Ukraines defence, and the challenges we face ahead of winter".

During the visit, Baerbock announced the allocation of 200 million in additional winter aid to Ukraine.

Support UP or become our patron!
The Iranian judiciary has given a new explanation for the death of German-Iranian citizen Jamshid Sharmahd, saying that he was not executed but died before his death sentence was carried out.

"Jamshid Sharmahd was sentenced to death and the sentence was set to be carried out, but he died before the sentence was carried out," said judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir, according to a report by the judicial portal Misan.

The spokesman did not provide any further details on Sharmahd's death last week, which has provoked a strong reaction from Berlin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Germany announced the closure of all Iranian consulates-general, and the affected officials have been ordered to leave the country. Tense diplomatic relations have reached a new low in the wake of his death.

Misan is the official news agency of the Iranian judiciary, and announced Sharmahd's execution on Monday last week. It is not clear why the account of Sharmahd's death has changed over a week later.

No details have been released about the whereabouts of his body.

The Foreign Office in Berlin said that "his death has been confirmed to us by the Iranian side. We are appealing to the Iranian government to hand over the body to the family."

Sharmahd was sentenced to death in spring 2023 on terrorism charges. The German government, relatives and human rights activists vehemently rejected the accusations against him.
Colorado maintained its customary blue tint in Tuesday's election, voting for the Democrats in statewide races and leaving the dominant party with majorities in the General Assembly and the state's congressional delegation.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  A learning experience abroad will create a lifetime of memories for four medics hailing from Kassel, Germany.

Thanks to the decades-old Virginia Beach Emergency Medical Services Exchange Program, the group of Red Cross paramedics and EMTs will be able to tour hospitals, police, fire, rescue stations and even historical sites in Virginia for the next two weeks.

Mondays tour was lead by Virginia Beach EMS paramedic Laura Grabarczyk, who traveled to Germany through the program, in which she saw many similarities and differences in the lifesaving services.

The main difference that we saw was there are doctors that go to the EMS calls, Grabarczyk said. We have that in Virginia Beach, but very little. They also have ventilators and a lot of different medications that we have.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As part of the program, the group is currently staying at Gerbers home before traveling to their next stops in the Commonwealth.

They get to meet my whole family and my dog, all my friends and everything, Grabarczyk said. So, yeah, its been really great getting to have them here. Weve been trying to get some American meals. We got them Halloween candy because they dont celebrate Halloween in Germany. 

At Station 14 in Virginia Beach, the medics were able get a birds-eye view of an American style ambulance and equipment. Luisa Hornschuh with the German Red Cross said what they find most fascinating is the multiple roles paramedics play here in Virginia Beach.

Theyre allowed to do everything on their own, Hornschuh said. For example, a cardiac arrest cell  we need to call a doctor for a special medication. And so, they are really allowed to do everything on their own. Its impressive because its so much to know.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Over the next two weeks, the German medics will go on to tour Richmond, Fredericksburg, Blacksburg and Bristol, Virginia.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on international partners to provide more support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia, during the second day of a visit to the country on Tuesday.

Baerbock made the comments at a memorial to the victims of Russian atrocities in the village of Yahidne, north-east of the capital Kiev.

Baerbock said the memorial reminds people "what Russian occupation means: inhumanity, terror. Things that no one in this world would want to experience."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The suffering of the people of Yahidne is "a mandate for us to work continuously to ensure that one day all people in Ukraine will be able to live in peace again," said Baerbock, adding: "Then we, as political leaders in Europe, should also have the strength internationally to continue to give Ukraine financial and humanitarian support."

During the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops occupied Yahidne. The Russians held more than 350 residents captive from March 3-31 in the basement of the village school, which was the occupiers' headquarters at the time.

The youngest hostage was six weeks old, the oldest 93 years old. A total of 77 children and young people were held, including five babies. Ten elderly people died in captivity.

According to the public prosecutor, seven people were shot by the Russian occupiers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Baerbock's visit the area was briefly disrupted by an air raid warning in the historic centre of the city of Chernihiv. At the time she was being shown a UN project in the city. She had already seen a youth centre destroyed during a rocket attack at the beginning of the invasion in February 2022.

On Monday, Baerbock met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and pledged an additional 200 million ($218 million) to support Ukrainians during their third winter of war.
Germany's three coalition parties continued a series of crisis talks on Tuesday in an attempt to secure a consensus on economic policy and the future of the coalition amid an intensifying risk of government collapse.

The coalition is due to hold a formal committee meeting on Wednesday, but the three parties remain deeply divided over next year's budget and the steps required to fix the country's ailing economy.

These divisions came to a head over the last few days after a policy paper by Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) was made public on Friday, in which he demanded a fundamental "reorientation" of the government's economic policy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The fallout from the paper raised speculation that the government could imminently collapse, forcing new elections.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats (SPD) said on Tuesday he thinks it is still possible for his government to agree on common positions.

The focus must be on "moving forward together," the chancellor said during a meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Berlin.

But FDP politicians made it clear that they expect the measures proposed in Lindner's paper to be implemented. These include an end to the solidarity surcharge to finance rebuilding the former East Germany, an extra tax on high earners, as well as an immediate moratorium on any new business regulations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lindner also called for Germany to back away from ambitious national climate targets, and instead rely on EU-wide climate targets.

There is considerable resistance to this within both the SPD and the Greens.

FDP faction leader Christian Durr called on the other coalition parties on Tuesday to make a "real change of direction."

"Major reforms also require major strength. The question is whether the coalition is willing to muster this strength together," he said.

Economy Minister Robert Habeck of the Greens called for perseverance from the government partners, saying it would be the worst time to let the coalition collapse in view of the US presidential election and the war in Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Habeck said he thought an agreement on the 2025 budget was possible, and that the Greens had already made concessions, calling on his coalition partners to compromise as well.

Two further meetings are planned for Wednesday, involving Scholz, Habeck and Lindner, as well as state secretaries, according to information from government sources.

Opposition calls for clarity

The leader of Germany's main opposition party, the Christian Democrats (CDU) called on the government to clarify the future of the coalition.

"The population is completely bewildered by what is happening in the German government," Friedrich Merz said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We hope that the coalition will now come to a decision as soon as possible: either it will pull itself together and try to govern decently for at least the last 10 months of this legislative period. Or it breaks up and clears a path for new elections," he added.

Merz made it clear that if the government fails, new elections would be the only option, ruling out the possibility of the CDU entering a government coalition.

The chairman of the parliamentary group of the CDU's sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), Alexander Dobrindt, also warned the SPD against considering a minority government.

Merz said that the CDU would however continue to support anything that would improve the situation of the German economy and jobs in Germany.

Populist parties call for new elections

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) on Tuesday called for early elections in view of the government divisions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The sooner there are new elections, the better for our country," AfD leader Alice Weidel said.

"Germany needs a government that stops the economic crash of our country and does not deal primarily with itself in endless therapy sessions," Weidel added.

BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht meanwhile said that the government could not expect the public to tolerate "a year of pre-election campaigning."

Brussels awaits German budget plan

The federal budget for 2025 is not the only one hanging over the German government.

To ensure compliance with the European Union's strict debt and deficit rules, each member country had to submit a multi-annual budget plan to the European Commission by mid-October.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Germany - like five other countries according to the European Commission - has not yet done so, arguing it needed more time to adjust its spending due to the poor economic outlook.

European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said on Tuesday that Brussels is awaiting Germany's late EU budget plan despite the ongoing government crisis.

"We are obviously following the discussions in Germany and the German coalition concerning a medium-term fiscal structural plan and we are in constant engagement with German authorities," Dombrovskis after a meeting of European Union finance ministers in Brussels.

"We hope to receive Germany's medium-term financial plan by the end of the month," he added.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) and Rolf Muetzenich, Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) wait for the start of the SPD Bundestag parliamentary group meeting. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Robert Habeck, German Vice-Chancellor, Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection and party leader of Alliance 90/The Greens (Bundnis 90/Die Grunen), attends a meeting of the Greens parliamentary group in the Bundestag. Alina Grunky/dpa
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday he thinks it is still possible for his government to agree on common positions, amid tense negotiations between the three coalition parties.

The focus must be on "moving forward together," the chancellor said during a meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Berlin.

Regarding the government's ability to find a way forward, Scholz said "it is about feeling committed to the country, not about ideology."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It is possible, and everyone must work on it now," he added.

Doubts have grown in recent days about the centre-left coalition's future after the three parties presented policy papers with sometimes conflicting positions as part of a long-running debate on economic policy.

Scholz, a Social Democrat, is holding a series of crisis talks with his coalition partners, the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats, ahead of a formal coalition committee meeting on Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Gideon Saar, previously a minister without portfolio, as the new foreign minister.

His predecessor, Israel Katz, is replacing Yoav Gallant, dropped by Netanyahu who said their trust was broken.

Katz as the new defence minister was an unexpected choice, with many seeing Saar as the most likely candidate for the job. He is widely seen as Netanyahu's rival within the right-wing conservative governing party Likud.

In 2019, he ran against Netanyahu in internal elections for the party leadership, but lost. He left Likud the following year and founded his own party. In the last government under Netanyahu opponents Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, Saar was justice minister.
A 16-year-old Gilbert teenager who admitted to burning down a barn full of classmates on July 3 will not face time in custody, after a juvenile court commissioner overseeing the disposition hearing rendered judgment on Nov. 4.

Instead, the boy will serve one year of "intensive" probation, plus other sanctions.

After more than an hour of testimony, Commissioner Keelan Bodow said these crimes were the most serious she had ever made a decision on in juvenile court. The girls had minutes to flee before the Morrison Ranch barn was fully engulfed in flames. It burned to the ground quickly, causing $1 million in losses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Earlier, Bodow heard statements from victims of the barn fire and the juveniles family and supporters who explained why the boy should remain with his family to be rehabilitated.

In October, the teen admitted to arson, aggravated criminal damage and four accusations of endangerment with risk of imminent death.

Bodow ordered the teenager to one year of intensive juvenile probation rather than the standard probation that was recommended. That entails more oversight and communication between the teen and probation officer, she said. A limit on the teens access to social media was another sanction.

If the teen earns it over time, the probation oversight could decrease, she noted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Bodow also took the recommendation from John Lewis, the father of one of the victims, and ordered the boy to complete 40 hours of mandatory community service with fire victims or burn victims' organizations. The teen was also ordered to complete two workbooks and submit them to the courts by the beginning of next year.

The commissioner also banned the teen from communicating with another boy who was accused of arson in juvenile court for the barn fire but denied the accusations. The court also barred the 16-year-old from communicating with half a dozen other Gilbert teens who were present for the fire.

If the boy violates any of the terms of his probation, he could face 120 days of deferred detention and 20 weeks of deferred juvenile electric tracking system.

What happened at the Gilbert barn that night?

Wearing ski masks, the group showed up at the barn and yelled obscenities at the girls inside, police, prosecutors and parents said. The boys threw one firework and then fled. Ten minutes later, they returned, tossing a second larger "mortar" into the barn that sparked the fire and burned it down, along with everything inside, according to police and court records.

Advertisement Advertisement

Parents of the girls have said the attack was motivated by revenge after some of the girls snubbed some of the boys. The incident was the most serious of a series of attacks, threats and intimidation tactics stretching back three years at homes and shopping centers in the area, parents said.

The Arizona Republic is not naming the arrested boys because they are being prosecuted as minors in the Maricopa County Juvenile Court. A motion to transfer the case to adult court failed.

A restitution hearing is scheduled for Jan. 24. The second teen charged in the case will be in court on Dec. 6 for an adjudication hearing.

Parents of the girls in the burned Gilbert barn argued for stricter sanctions

Kelly Lewis, one of the victims mothers, told The Arizona Republic she would have preferred a harsher penalty for the teen in light of the commissioner's observation about the severity of the crime.

Advertisement Advertisement

High school student Lauren Lewis was inside the barn when it caught fire. She testified on Nov. 4 that the boy's actions affected her the night of and months later.

Lauren called the barn their dream hangout spot. Before her, Lexi Jones and eight other teens drove over to the Jones barn they had a bible study session and were planning on wrapping up the night watching a movie.

It was pitch black in the barn until Lauren saw a flash of red light coming from the mortar firework. She and Lexi Jones went outside and saw the group of teens wearing bandannas and ski masks covering their faces and yelling at Lexi, telling her to close her legs and other words she wouldnt repeat in court.

She said when the second mortar minutes later was thrown into the barn and it was engulfed in fire she was in a state of panic. She described how quickly the fire grew and how she could have lost her life and others if they had moved any slower.

Advertisement Advertisement

You got very lucky, she said in court to the juvenile.

Since the fire, she said shes been having a hard time dealing with panic attacks, not wanting to get out of bed and struggling to keep up with her grades.

Ill never be the same person I was, Lauren said. She asked Bodow not to give the teen a slap on the wrist.

Lexi Jones offered similar testimony.

When the group of boys first arrived at the barn, Lexi said she begged them to leave her alone and to leave her house.

During parts of her statement, she held back tears recalling the night. She said she was scared for her life and had no idea how to act while the barn burned down.

Advertisement Advertisement

She said shes lost friends since the fire because she wanted the teen to be held accountable and have consequences for the delinquent acts.

His action wasnt little and it would leave damage for a long time, she testified.

Barn fire case echoes handling of 'Gilbert Goons' teen violence

The two boys facing accusations in juvenile court remain the only two accused in the July 3 arson attack.

It follows a pattern in teen violence cases in Gilbert that has left many residents critical of how seriously police and prosecutors have responded to the barn fire and, before it, assaults by the "Gilbert Goons." The handling of the Goons' cases led to community protests and calls for Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg's resignation.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Goons recorded blitz-style attacks on teens in parks and parking garages, outside fast-food restaurants and at house parties that went unchecked by police for more than a year. A December investigation by The Arizona Republic first tied the Goons to the fatal beating of 16-year-old Preston Lord at a Queen Creek Halloween party in 2023.

Gilbert was the nexus of the attacks, which also occurred in Mesa, Chandler and Pinal County. Authorities did not begin making arrests in Goon attacks until after The Republic's report. Only then, they reopened shelved cases and launched new investigations.

Similarly, Morrison Ranch residents were grappling with their own band of teenagers. Many criticized the Gilbert Police Department's response to the boys' behavior as inadequate.

One day after The Republic published an account of the fire and parents' concerns, Gilbert officials said police had made 14 arrests, 37 citations, 57 written warnings and 70 traffic stops related to teen behavior in Morrison Ranch.

Advertisement Advertisement

Soelberg repeated the statistics at a Town Council meeting that day. He went on to mislead the public and town leaders by falsely claiming the news report was littered with "numerous inaccuracies." Those included omitting information reporters had asked for several days before the article appeared but were never given before publication.

The Republic has yet to receive any police reports documenting any of the 14 arrests more than two months after requesting them.

Teens family and friends show up in droves to plead for rehabilitation, not punishment

In juvenile court on Nov. 4, the accused teens grandfather, along with a family member and family friend argued that the boy was in a good home where he could be rehabilitated.

The teens grandfather told The Republic, it was no fun to hear" Bodow's comment about the seriousness of the crime. He said he believes his grandson understands the gravity of the crimes and he will be there to make sure the teen follows the probation terms.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Republic is not naming the juveniles grandfather to protect the identity of the 16-year-old.

A woman who lived with the teens family for two years spoke in court about her unique perspective.

She said she came from a home with an alcoholic father and a mother who committed suicide and the teens family took her in. She said being in their home was a breath of fresh air and that they were loving but harsh when needed.

She said the parents are not blindly ignoring the teens actions.

The teens parents also spoke during the hearing and said their son never intended to hurt or kill anyone with his actions and they were careless.

The mother said she was truly sorry for all that the Jones family had lost in the fire. She reiterated her son had taken responsibility for the delinquent acts and understood the gravity of it.

The father said he hopes this will be a springboard to make a real positive change in (his sons) life and in the community.

The teen declined to speak in court.

His lawyer, Adam Ashby, told the court the people who testified, who wrote character letters and showed up to show her the teen has a support system that can help him be rehabilitated.

Bodow gave her decision and said in juvenile court it's not about punishing but rehabilitation.

Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek and can be reached at maritza.dominguez@arizonarepublic.com or 480-271-0646. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @maritzacdom.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gilbert teen gets 1 year of 'intensive" probation for barn arson
By the time Jessica Long learned where her 9-year-old daughters beloved pet goat was, it was too late to save him.

Sheriffs deputies had seized the goat, named Cedar, in 2022 while he was staying at a Northern California farm. They delivered him to Shasta County fair officials, who claimed that the county owned the goat, court documents say.

Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cedar was later slaughtered, according to the documents, and the family sued county officials.

Now, Shasta County and its sheriffs office will pay $300,000 to Longs family as part of a settlement agreement. The deal, approved by a U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California judge Friday, is the first step of the Long family moving forward, said Vanessa Shakib, the familys attorney.

We cant get justice here because Cedar can never come home, Shakib, co-founder of the nonprofit Advancing Law for Animals, which specializes in animal law, told The Washington Post. But whats important is that we make sure that this never happens again to another family and that government officials understand that animals are not property. They are family members.

Christopher Pisano, an attorney representing Shasta County and its sheriffs office, said Cedars theft was reported to law enforcement before two deputies retrieved him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They did nothing other than enforce the law, said Pisano, who added that his clients agreed to a settlement because they didnt want to go to trial. He said he didnt know who contacted law enforcement or what happened after the seizure.

Long bought a white-and-brown Boer goat for her daughter, identified as E.L. in court documents, in April 2022. The girl named him Cedar, and she fed and walked him for nearly three months as a family pet, according to the Longs 2022 complaint.

In June 2022, Long and her daughter exhibited Cedar for potential buyers at the Shasta District Fairs junior livestock auction in Anderson, California, according to the lawsuit. On the auctions final day, the girl decided that she could not bear to lose Cedar. But fair representatives said withdrawing was prohibited, the lawsuit alleges.

Cedar, who was about 7 months old, was auctioned off for $902. Fearing the goat would be slaughtered for his meat, Longs daughter cried and refused to leave the animal to fair officials, the lawsuit says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Long took her daughter and Cedar home, telling fair representatives that she would pay for any financial losses her decision caused, according to the lawsuit. Worried her Shasta County neighbors would be upset, Long took Cedar to a farm in Sonoma County, California, more than 200 miles away, where she thought Cedar would be safe, according to the lawsuit.

Later that June, a livestock manager at the fair called Long and demanded she return Cedar, according to the lawsuit. The next day, Long sent a letter to the fair that said that three of her daughters grandparents had died within the past year and that she couldnt bear the thought of her also losing Cedar, the lawsuit says.

Melanie Silva, chief executive of the district fair, told Long in response that making an exception for you will only teach [our] youth that they do not have to abide by the rules that are set up for all participants, according to an email provided to The Post by Longs attorneys.

The next month, a sheriffs detective applied for a warrant to search a Napa County farm that had posted a plea on Instagram to spare Cedars life, after his boss asked him to investigate, according to court documents. A magistrate approved the warrant, the lawsuit says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Two sheriffs deputies drove to the farm, about 150 miles south, but Cedar wasnt there, the lawsuit says. They continued on to another farm, in Petaluma, California, and found Cedar, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit accused the deputies of not having a warrant to search the property, but Pisano told The Post that they didnt need one because an employee at the farm handed over Cedar.

Long and her family were out of town at the time, and when she texted the Petaluma farms owner later that month, she learned that Cedar had been confiscated, according to court documents.

Cedar was slaughtered near the end of July 2022, court documents allege. Long filed a lawsuit against sheriffs office employees the next month, alleging that they violated her and her daughters right to due process and their right against unreasonable search and seizure.

In March 2023, Long added more defendants, including Shasta County and the Shasta District Fair & Event Center, which Long said retrieved Cedar after sheriffs deputies seized him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Longs case against the Shasta District Fair & Event Center is ongoing. The California attorney generals office, which is representing the fair, referred interview requests to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which oversees the fair. The state agency did not respond to a request for comment Monday.

Shakib said she and Longs family still have questions about Cedars final days, such as who asked law enforcement to seize him, who killed him and where his remains are.

This was a terrifying and devastating event that weighs on the family even now, she said.

Related Content

Trump coalition marks a transformed Republican Party

Harris defeat is a stinging verdict for the left

Crypto cash helps propel Trump, other allies to 2024 election victory
The News

Welcome to the Global Hot List, our subjective, dynamic ranking of the races and political developments you should be paying attention to right now, compiled by world elections expert Brad Glasser.

This week: A history-making vote in Botswana, Macrons worst poll ever, and finally, a year of US election uncertainty draws to a close.

At Semafor, our team will be tracking the election tonight and David Weigel has already compiled a list of bellwethers counties to watch.

The List

1. USA  Deep breath

2024s election stands out as one of the most uncertain in American history heading into the day of voting. The polling average, the swing states, the betting markets: everything is even, although a late Iowa poll from political guidestone Ann Selzer jolted Harris supporters with a sense of confidence. More than ever, political observers should try to tune out the incredibly loud noise  and just wait for actual results.

2. Botswana  History made

For the first time ever, the Botswana Democratic Party lost a general election. The left-wing, opposition UDC alliance won a majority in legislative elections, while the BDP was reduced to just 4 seats in parliament. The Botswana Democratic Party has governed since former president Seretse Khama led the nation to independence in the 1960s, but suffered steep erosion over high unemployment and allegations of corruption. Incumbent president Mokgweetsi Masisi congratulated his opponent on his victory, saying it was a good campaign.

3. France  Congratulations?

Macron, somehow, is still seeing his worst polling ever with just under three years left in his presidency. A poll from Verian-Epoka put Macrons approval at just 17%, the worst recorded in his presidency. Macron has faced sharp criticism over a governing deal that requires tacit agreement from Marine Le Pens nationalist party in order to persist in power. France wont hold its next election until 2027, when Macron will be term-limited.

4. Mozambique  Into hiding

Mozambiques opposition runner-up Venancio Mondlane is in hiding, and claims to have been the target of an assassination attempt. Following an election critics have decried as rigged in Mozambique, campaigners against the government have been targeted, including an advisor of Mondlane who was killed along with another opposition party figure weeks ago. The government has also instituted Internet restrictions in the midst of the post-election unrest. Mondlane says assassins tried to kill him in South Africa after he fled Mozambique for fear of being persecuted or killed by the state.

5. Moldova  No influence

Despite a Russian influence campaign, Moldovas pro-EU president won a landslide re-election victory. Thanks to diaspora ballots and votes from the capital Chisinau, President Maia Sandu will return to office easily, defeating a former top legal official associated with the pro-Russia PSRM party. Moldova is investigating allegations that Russia meddled with the conduct of a referendum on EU membership held last month through an online disinformation campaign.

6. Japan  Steady now

Japanese voters chose to revoke the LDPs majority government  but would still prefer the party to remain at the helm, according to a poll. Japans election has plunged the nation into greater political instability than its seen in over a decade, and early reports indicated that opposition parties had reservations about renewing the LDPs term in government. However, a poll shows that Japanese voters may be hesitant about handing over the keys to the second-place Constitutional Democratic Party, as any opposition coalition would require a large and unwieldy tent of forces to guide the country. The new prime ministers Cabinet approval ratings may be tumbling, but voters still want him to hang on.

7. UK  That was fast

UK Labours electoral honeymoon is already over, as a new poll shows the Tories in first for the first time in years. Placing a point ahead with 29%, the Tories already appear to have completely undone the momentum that characterized the last years of Labours term in opposition. The survey was also taken prior to the election of Kemi Badenoch as the Conservatives new leader, which could further shore up their support in the near-term, even as Badenoch has been criticized as a radical within the party.

8. Uruguay  Conspiracy theorists

A conspiracist party that campaigned against the New World Order has won seats in Uruguays thinly divided legislature. Sovereign Identity, which will enter the Uruguayan National Assembly for the first time following this election, was founded in 2022 by Gustavo Salle, formerly an activist with an environmentalist animal rights party. The party has spread misinformation and conspiracy theories on a host of issues, including vaccines, which Salles daughter  a newly-elected legislator herself  recently blamed for causing a bus crash.

9. Singapore  Rare vulnerability

Singapores ruling party is facing strain before the countrys next legislative vote in 2025. The Peoples Action Party has governed for Singapores entire history, but opposition forces are looking to put up a historic fight in next years election following a term for the government that has seen rare political events, including a corruption scandal and a handover of power. Even the incoming new prime minister, Lawrence Wong, is suggesting that defeat is possible. Wong has suggested that a policy reset aimed at widening the social safety net is on the horizon for his administration.
The Republican National Committee on Monday sued the city of Milwaukee, alleging that its election commission unfairly limited poll watchers at three early voting locations in Wisconsin.

The RNC lawsuit claims the commission intends to limit poll watchers on Election Day, but the commission denied that anyone was arbitrarily limited from observing polls.

The Milwaukee Election Commission refutes the claims made by the RNC. Despite the [commission] maintaining open communications with the RNC, including meeting as recently as last night, it seems that filing a lawsuit was their goal all along, Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Paulina Gutierrez said Monday in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Observers may be subject to reasonable limitations, Gutierrez said, but at no point was the Republican Party denied the presence of observing during the in-person absentee voting period, nor will they be denied that presence on Election Day.

Poll workers are different from watchers  workers administer elections, while watchers merely observe and can raise challenges  but an abundance of unruly watchers swarming already inundated workers is a recipe for delay and disruption. In Wisconsin, observers must follow rules set by the commission.

In-person absentee ballot voting began in the state on Oct. 22 and ended on Nov. 3.

The RNC alleges that watchers of in-person absentee and early voting were restricted at three early voting sites  American Serb Hall, Good Hope Branch Library and the Capitol Drive Voting Center  in Wisconsin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At some of these centers, the RNC claims that the commission allowed there to be only one watcher per political party despite there being space for far more observers. Such a limitation instills distrust and causes a lack of voter confidence in our electoral process, according to the RNC lawsuit.

Wisconsins chief inspector decides the conditions for observers and makes that decision based on a number of factors, including space available.

The RNC lawsuit emphasizes that the inspector and commission are obligated to create numerous areas for observers at polling centers, not just one area.

During the 2020 election, Wisconsin was one of several states that became a hotbed for Donald Trumps fake electors scheme and the Stop the Steal movement. This year, Wisconsin Watch and ProPublica joined forces to assess the situation for 2024 and found that right-wing strategists have led a significant push to recruit thousands of poll workers who align closely with Trump.

Related...
As of Wednesday, 78,085 ballots have been submitted in El Paso County in the general election.
Voters in Austin may need to bring an umbrella and rain boots as they head to the polls for Election Day.

Forecasts are hinting at potential rain that could dampen wait lines at polling places Tuesday. Its best to plan ahead and not let the weather dampen your civic duty.

Heres an hour-by-hour update on what the weather could look like throughout Election Day in the Austin area.

What is the weather in Austin on Election Day? See hour-by-hour forecast

According to the National Weather Service, Tuesday looks like a mostly cloudy day with some anticipation for rain in the morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polling places in Texas for Election Day are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

Here is our breakdown of what the weather could be like during the day and evening.

Time (in Central Time) Degree Precipitation chances 6 a.m. 63 (mostly cloudy) 15% 7 a.m. 62 (cloudy) 8% 8 a.m. 63 (cloudy) 6% 9 a.m. 64 (cloudy) 14% 10 a.m. 66 (mostly cloudy) 10% 11 a.m. 66 (partly cloudy) 4% Noon 67 (mostly sunny) 0% 1 p.m. 69 (sunny) 0% 2 p.m. 70 (sunny) 0% 3 p.m. 72 (sunny) 0% 4 p.m. 71 (sunny) 0% 5 p.m. 70 (sunny) 0% 6 p.m. 66 (clear skies) 1% 7 p.m. 65 (clear skies) 1%

How to prevent delays while voting at the polls

If you encounter a delay at the voting booth, here's what the Brennan Center For Justice suggests:

Check your registration status and polling location before voting.

Understand your Texas rules before heading to the poll.

Try to go to the polls early.

Pay attention to your voting machine.

What are some issues that can delay voting?

Several factors can delay voting or even discourage voting.

Here are some of those barriers, according to Carnegie Corporation of New York and Brennan Center For Justice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voter ID requirements

Lack of language access

Long lines

Machine failure

Polling place closures

Gerrymandering

Cyberthreats/attacks

Reduced voting hours

Reduced early voting dates

What do I need to bring to vote on Election Day 2024?

According to VoteTexas.Gov, the following is a list of acceptable forms of ID required to vote in the Nov. 5 election.

Texas driver license

Texas election ID certificate

Texas personal ID card

Texas handgun license

U.S. citizenship certificate with photo

U.S. military ID card

U.S. passport

Those who are unable to present one of the forms of ID listed above may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the polls and present an alternative form of ID. That could be a utility bill, bank statement, government check or voter registration certificate.

What are my voting rights?

As stated on the Texas secretary of state website, the following are your rights to vote in Texas:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A ballot with written instructions on how to cast a ballot.

Ask the polling place official for instructions on how to cast a ballot (but not suggestions on how to vote).

Cast your vote in secret and free from intimidation.

Receive up to two more ballots if you make a mistake while marking the ballot.

Bring an interpreter to assist you as you qualify to vote if you do not understand the English language.

Help to cast your ballot if you cannot write, see the ballot, or understand the language in which it is written.

Report a possible voting rights abuse to the Secretary of State (1.800.252.8683) or to your local election official.

Cast a provisional ballot if your name does not appear on the list of registered voters.

Vote once at any early voting location during the early voting period within the territory conducting the election.

File an administrative complaint with the Secretary of State concerning violations of federal and state voting procedures.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin weather: See hour-by-hour rain forecast on Election Day
Welcome to the Belleville News-Democrats last-minute voter guide for Election Day 2024.

Along with the presidential election, there are races for U.S. congressional seats, state legislators and county offices on todays ballot.

Heres a Q&A about voting today:

Where can I find the views of local candidates running for office?

The BND asked over 50 metro-east candidates in contested races to complete a candidate questionnaire so voters can learn more about their positions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can find this Voter Guide at bnd.com.

All ballots include advisory referendums about election interference, income taxes and reproductive health care. Also, voters in Madison and Clinton counties will see a nonbinding ballot question about whether a new state should be created by counties outside of Cook County.

What time will the polls open and close in southwest Illinois on Tuesday?

Polls will open in St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, Clinton, Washington and Randolph counties at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Can I vote in Illinois if Im in line when polls close?

Yes. All voters in line by 7 p.m. will be able to cast their ballot. Voters must visit their assigned precinct.

Can I still mail in my ballot today?

Yes, but the ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 5, and arrive within 14 days, which would be Nov. 19.

When can I put my mail-in ballot in a drop box?

It must be dropped off by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Where can I find my polling place?

Check your voter registration card. If you dont have that card, you can go to the Illinois State Board of Elections website, click on the Information for voters tab on the upper left and then click on Registration/polling place lookup. Then type in your ZIP code and street address to see your polling place.

What if I see something that concerns me at a polling place?

The Illinois State Board of Elections recommends that you speak with an election judge at the polling place. In St. Clair County, you can call the county clerks office at 618-825-2366 to report a concern. You also can send an email to VoterIntegrity@stclaircountyil.gov. In Madison County, call the county clerks office at 618-692-6290 or send an email to elections@madisoncountyil.gov.

Can I drop off my mail-in ballot at an Illinois polling place?

No, but you can vote at your polling place if you surrender the mail-in ballot to election judges.

Can I still vote today if Im not registered?

Yes. Several sites in the metro-east offer grace period registration, but you must register and vote in the same visit. Check with your local election authority about the location of where you can do this.

If I have a physical disability, how can I get help at my polling place?

You can go to the polling place with a companion who can help you complete a ballot if the person signs an affidavit.

Whats the weather forecast for Tuesday?

The National Weather Service forecast calls for rain and possibly a thunderstorm before noon and then a chance of rain between noon and 4 p.m. The chance of precipitation is 90% and the high will be near 70.

Where can I get election results?

Go to bnd.com on Tuesday night to get results from across the region. You can also help with our coverage on Election Day by sharing your voting experience, questions and tips via email at Election2024@bnd.com.
One of the classic blunders of punditry is to write about politics right before the election. So, lets look at what politics might be like after the election. One prediction is easy: Expect a lot more political inconsistency and hypocrisy.

The term  realignment  gets used and abused a lot, because people have agreed to use it without agreeing on a definition . Traditionally, realignments are said to have occurred when majority and minority parties switch places. Starting in 1932, FDR pulled black, working-class and immigrant white voters into the Democratic Party, making it the majority party for generations. Its a sign of how massive that coalition was that its been shrinking since the 1960s without Republicans ever becoming the clear majority party, though the story gets complicated with the rise in voters calling themselves independents.

For the last 20 years, the parties have essentially been tied , and it seems unlikely that will change anytime soon. But theres still a whole lot of realigning going on. Donald Trump has accelerated the trend of the white working class fleeing the Democrats. Meanwhile, college-educated and suburban voters have moved significantly toward the Democrats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more: Bomb-sniffing dogs, metal detectors and snipers: Authorities prepare for election interference, unrest

In other words, while the parties are stuck in a logjam, the coalitions making up the parties are changing dramatically.

And thats where the inconsistency and hypocrisy come in. Parties reflect the interests of their electoral coalitions. You can see signs of the adjustments all over the place. Republicans such as JD Vance are sounding a lot like anti-war Democrats from 20 years ago, railing against warmongers, chicken hawks and neocons. Democrats havent changed as dramatically, but they are far more comfortable talking about American global leadership and the importance of our alliances than they used to be.

Parties also reflect their candidates, which is why the party of philandering Bill Clinton now talks a lot about good character while Republicans fawn over Trumps alpha dog  manliness .

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more: Final polling before election, including in Iowa of all places, paints uncertain picture

Democrats have been far more consistent on abortion, because in a post-Roe environment its a winning issue. But Trump has moved the GOP toward a de facto pro-choice position, denouncing heartbeat bills while also insisting that states should be free to do what they please on abortion.

Neither party is coherent  or good, in my opinion  on trade and industrial policy, but Trump has definitely made the GOP more protectionist and dirigiste than at any point in my lifetime. Given the movement of rank-and-file members of private labor unions toward the GOP its not hard to imagine a new partisan divide between public and private-sector unions.

The most interesting change might be on the issue of democracy itself. I dont mean the arguments about Trumps pernicious election fraud lies (the sorts of lies once associated with left-wing Democrats like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.), but the broader debates about the electoral college and so-called voter suppression.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more: Trump's culture of retribution has swept through American life

For decades, both parties shared the flawed assumption that higher voter turnout mostly benefited Democrats in national elections; Democrats had the opposite view in big-city elections . Voter ID laws and tighter restrictions on early and absentee voting were seen as a way to make sure that high-propensity voters  that is, disproportionately Republican, college-educated suburbanites who could be relied upon to vote  were overrepresented, and low-propensity voters  Black, Latino and rural non-college educated white voters  were underrepresented. The overheated rhetoric about voter suppression or election integrity was unjustified. But the dynamic was real, because the electoral calculation was real.

After 2016, many Democrats doubled down on the claim that the electoral college was racist or undemocratic, which was itself remarkably hypocritical given their previous boasts that Democrats had a near- lock on the electoral college  thats how the phrase  the blue wall  originated. Bragging about your advantage in the electoral college only to call it racist and undemocratic when it works against you is not a great look.

The Harris campaign has relied on high-propensity voters while the Trump campaign has leaned heavily on low-propensity men. Assuming these trends are real and that they become the new normal, it will be interesting to see whether the parties switch their rhetoric about democracy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Again, Im writing before the many states start counting votes: Imagine a scenario in which Harris wins the electoral college but loses the popular vote and the hypocritical switcheroo that could cause. Suddenly, Democrats might be hailing the wisdom of the founders and Republicans might be denouncing the electoral college as a rigged and racist relic.

@JonahDispatch



If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The city of Birmingham and Birmingham Region Health Partnership have launched the Good Jobs Birmingham Healthcare Recruitment Campaign and accompanying employment website.

The campaign, launched in October, is the result of a grant awarded as part of the American Rescue Plans Good Jobs Challenge to build a pipeline of skilled healthcare workers.

The Birmingham Region Health Partnership consists of Central Six AlabamaWorks!, Prosper Birmingham, STRIVE Birmingham, UAB, the Womens Foundation of Alabama and more. Those organizations work to provide training and offer career pathways alongside the areas healthcare employers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those looking for jobs in the healthcare industry are encouraged to visit the new website and apply. The goal of the campaign is to ultimately employ a 1,000 people in critical positions within the healthcare sector. Specifically, the campaign is focused on marginalized communities who have historically been excluded from opportunities within the industry.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
Satellite pictures of Ukraine's defence facilities, which have been shown on updated Google maps, were taken over a year ago and are publicly available.

Source: press service of Google in a comment to Ekonomichna Pravda

Quote: "These satellite images were taken more than a year ago and come from widely available sources  we intentionally do not publish recent imagery of conflict areas. We take requests like these very seriously, and are in touch with Ukrainian officials," Google said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Following a recent Google Maps update, several photographs of Ukrainian army facilities appeared on the map. The company decided to remove the images, but only after a huge public outrage over the situation arose.

"We asked them to fix it fast, but they were out for a weekend. It did not concern them. All the while Russians were already actively spreading these images," said Andrii Kovalenko, Head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation at Ukraines National Security and Defence Council.

After that, according to Kovalenko, Google representatives said they were already working to correct the situation with images showing the location of military systems in Ukraine.

Support UP or become our patron!
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  A former Kansas attorney generals successful political comeback in Tuesdays election kept an open U.S. House seat in Republican hands while the only Democrat in the states congressional delegation won reelection.

Republican Derek Schmidt won the 2nd Congressional District seat held by retiring two-term Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner. Schmidt, who served three terms as attorney general, was coming off a narrow loss in the 2022 governors race. He defeated Democrat Nancy Boyda.

Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids won her fourth term by defeating Republican Prasanth Reddy, a doctor and former vice president of two medical research companies. Most of the districts voters are in suburbs that have been friendly to Davids.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the states two other districts, Republican Reps. Tracey Mann and Ron Estes won reelection comfortably.

Schmidt celebrated at a barbecue restaurant in his southeastern Kansas hometown of Independence and pledged to work on inflation and border security and to fight what he called the nanny-state mentality of the federal government.

Weve got to push back against this notion that people on the East Coast are going to decide here in Kansas how we use our farmground, what cookstove we use to make our supper, what kind of car were supposed to drive by 2035, Schmidt said in an interview with WIBW-TV.

Democrats have held the 2nd District seat previously, but not since Boyda served a single, two-year term and lost her race for reelection in 2008. LaTurner won both of his two terms by about 15 percentage points and would have likely cruised to victory again, but he announced in April that he wanted to spend more time with his young children.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After wishing Schmidt well in a statement, Boyda said: For the sake of our democracy I can hope that the next Congress will get serious about governing and set aside the divisive posturing that has been tearing us apart.

Schmidt and the three incumbents seeking reelection all had big fundraising advantages over their opponents. Schmidts total of $1.2 million would be relatively modest for a hotly contested race, but that was five times as much as the $235,000 Boyda raised  and her figure included loans of more than $105,000 to her campaign.

Schmidt is often affable in public, and he worked early in his career for two moderate Republicans, U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker and Gov. Bill Graves, before serving in the state Senate and being elected attorney general in 2010. Thats created lingering distrust among hard-right Republicans.

But Schimdt easily won a five-person primary this year  partly because former President Donald Trump declared in a social media post that Schmidt was An America First Patriot and, HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the 3rd District, Davids gained national attention when she unseated a Republican incumbent in 2018 as a Native American, lesbian and former mixed martial arts fighter. Republicans try to portray her as among the most liberal members of Congress. Her vocal support of abortion rights has helped her in her district, and shes positioned herself as a business-friendly and pragmatic centrist.

I want to make sure that were doing what we can to start getting past all this partisan bickering, the partisanship, the awful rhetoric, she told supporters during an election night watch party in the Kansas City area.

The key to a 3rd District victory is heavily suburban Johnson County, the states most populous county. Trumps support has waned there since his victory in the 2016 presidential race, hurting Republicans, while Davids margins of victory have grown over time.

Davids raised $5.7 million for her reelection campaign  more than three times the $1.8 million the challenger raised while putting $87,000 of his personal funds into his campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Reddy congratulated Davids in a statement but added, "The values we campaigned on remain, and this is not the end of our fight.

Mann raised $1.4 million and Estes, almost $2.1 million, and neither of their Democratic challengers reached $100,000.

The 1st District that Mann represents includes the liberal northeastern Kansas enclave of Lawrence, home to the main University of Kansas campus. However, Lawrences influence cant match the GOPs strength in the rest of the district, the states western third and much of central Kansas. Mann is a former Kansas lieutenant governor whos had no trouble winning his two previous terms.

His Democratic opponent was Paul Buskirk, an academic counselor and adviser for student athletes at the University of Kansas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The 4th District of south-central Kansas is centered on Estes hometown of Wichita, and hes a former two-term state treasurer. Hes held the seat since winning a special election in 2017 to replace Mike Pompeo, who was appointed by Trump to be CIA director and later U.S. secretary of state.

His Democratic opponent was Esau Freeman, a painter and union leader who is best known for advocating the legalization of marijuana.
The former campaign manager for a North Carolina Republican running to oversee public education in the state is no longer facing cyberstalking charges for allegedly snapping covert photos of a woman she then accused of being a Hamas sympathizer.

The Wake County District Attorneys office has reportedly dropped its case against Jennifer Sloan Rachmuth, who until June oversaw Michele Morrows bid for state schools superintendent, who was arrested Sunday over the bizarre incident at a suburban Raleigh supermarket.

Rachmuth is known for her incendiary online posts, according to local Fox affiliate WGHP , which first reported on her arrest. On Monday, Rachmuth told The Independent that she had been informed the charges would soon be thrown out; WGHP viewed court records on Tuesday confirming this.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police say Rachmuth, 54, took pictures of an employee in the bakery department who was wearing a keffiyeh, a black-and-white Bedouin scarf that has become a symbol of support for the Palestinian people.

Went to @HarrisTeeter in Holly Springs and saw this Hamas sympathizer, Rachmuth wrote in an October 31 post on X. When I asked her why she was wearing a keffiyeh, the store manager told me to leave!!

Jennifer Sloan Rachmuth, a fomrer GOP operative, was charged with one count of cyberstalking (Holly Springs Police Department)

On Sunday, Rachmuth was arrested by the Holly Springs PD and hit with one count of cyberstalking over the X post, which were made for the purpose of terrifying, harassing or embarrassing the supermarket employee, according to a warrant viewed by WGHP.

Today I was arrested for making this post 4 days ago, Rachmuth posted on social media. I believe the North Carolina Democratic Party is involved. I will fight this and continue to fight against antisemitism on campus and in the public square. @HarrisTeeter and @kroger have been put on notice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In an email on Monday, Rachmuth told The Independent that authorities told her she was charged improperly and that the district attorney would be getting the case dropped.

I will be taking steps to ensure this travesty doesnt happen to others, Rachmuth said, without elaborating on why she thinks Democrats are to blame.

Morrow is a homeschooling advocate whose teaching experience consists of little more than a stint with a Christian homeschooling co-op, according to The Intercept .

Editors Note: This article has been updated to reflect that the charges against Rachmuth have been officially dropped.
Immigration is consistently one of the top three concerns for people in polls. Its impact on the economy, the welfare state, and crime is enormous. So youd think there would be a strong drive in government to provide the most detailed, thorough information possible to inform the public debate. Unfortunately that doesnt happen.

Instead there is a gap at the heart of one of the most important areas of government. Think about data like the amount of tax paid according to national origin. This is obviously very useful for guiding immigration policy, as wed much rather have people from countries who tend to pay lots of tax rather than people who pay very little.

Some of those low paid immigrants might be doing valuable work but they are likely a net cost to the taxpayer, whether because they receive benefits or because they help push up prices in our tightly constrained housing market, or because they use public infrastructure like roads or hospitals. Without that data, people cannot make informed judgement about immigration policy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The same is true when it comes to welfare costs, which help establish whether migrants are a net cost by allowing us to compare how much tax they pay to how much taxpayer money they receive. Yet the Department of Work and Pensions has announced it will no longer publish these statistics.

Another important area is crime, where the Home Office declines to collect data on the nationality of people who they arrest. They do collect data on whether those people are here legally but they refuse to publish it. The Ministry of Justice publishes data on how many foreign nationals are in prison but wont say whether any of them are repeat offenders.

In some cases civil servants may not want to collect data for fear of what they will find but in other cases it seems to be bureaucratic inertia over the complicated and expensive process of joining up disparate databases. But many European countries already collect this sort of detailed data, which connects together data from every department, and is often able to track migrants and their descendants over several generations.

Studies like that from countries like Denmark and the Netherlands have shown a significant divide between immigrants from developed countries like Japan and the USA compared to those from Africa and the Middle East. On average a Japanese immigrant to Holland provides 250,000 more in tax than they cost. However, an immigrant from the Horn of Africa costs an extraordinary 600,000 more on average than they contribute.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Similarly the Danes were able to show that in 2022, while 15.2 per cent of the population was made up of immigrants or their descendants, they made up 29.7 per cent of those convicted for crimes, including a disproportionate number of rapes and robberies. When the government decides who should be allowed to immigrate to Britain, we should want them to make sure that those coming here dont pose a threat to the British people.

This isnt about demonising immigrants. On the contrary, more data should enable a more dispassionate debate. If immigrants to Britain really are very fiscally beneficial or commit little crime, then pro-immigration advocates should want to be able to prove that. Its the absence of information which produces so much rancour.

Instead, this is about understanding how immigration is changing our society and helping the Government to make better-informed choices on immigration policy. The Government should commit to being honest with the British people  and publish the data.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Former President Donald Trump goes on stage to talk about his presidential campaign and the importance of turning out the vote in Michigan at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan before the polls open on Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Donald Trump has run for president of the United States three times as a Republican  and all three times hes ended the campaign in Grand Rapids, Michigan on the eve of Election Day.

Except this time, there was a two-hour delay before the former president took the stage. So Trump ended up speaking to the crowd of thousands past 2 a.m. Tuesday, just five hours before polls all over the battleground state opened.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And the 2024 campaign has been a long one, Trump said, but its love  the love in every rally he speaks at  that propels him forward.

This isnt my campaign. This is your campaign. This is a great campaign. Its now, its nine years weve been fighting side by side every second, Trump told the Grand Rapids crowd. Theres love in this room. I think theres love in the whole country. I think its a much bigger movement than we even understand.

Kent County, where Grand Rapids is located, is a pivotal area for elections in Michigan, Trump explained. And with his support there, hes confident he will win, unless Democrats cheat.

Trump reiterated his false claims from his failed run for president in 2020 that the election was stolen and there was mass voter fraud that put President Joe Biden into office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They have to cheat, and they do, and they do it very well, Trump said. When you have open borders, transgender everything, high taxes  you have men playing in womens sports, you have to cheat. Who the hells going to approve that stuff?

And Trump said he wants swift election results.

We want the answer tonight, he said.

More than 3 million people as of Monday night had voted in Michigan either through early in-person voting or absentee voting. Trump railed against early mail voting after his loss in 2020, but has begrudgingly changed his tune, although hes still blasted the process on multiple occasions.

Supporters of former President Donald Trump wait in line for a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Nov. 4, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Supporters of former President Donald Trump wait in line for a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Nov. 4, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Supporters of former President Donald Trump wait in line for a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Nov. 4, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Supporters of former President Donald Trump wait in line for a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Nov. 4, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Supporters dance to music in the late hours of Nov. 4, 2024 at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan as they wait for former president Donald Trump to address the crowd. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Supporters dance to music in the late hours of Nov. 4, 2024 at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan as they wait for former president Donald Trump to address the crowd. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Supporters dance to music in the late hours of Nov. 4, 2024 at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan as they wait for former president Donald Trump to address the crowd. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Supporters dance to music in the late hours of Nov. 4, 2024 at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan as they wait for former president Donald Trump to address the crowd. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Former President Donald Trump talks about his presidential campaign and the importance of turning out the vote in Michigan at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan before the polls open on Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Former President Donald Trump talks about his presidential campaign and the importance of turning out the vote in Michigan at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan before the polls open on Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Donald Trump Jr. speaks in support of his father former President Donald Trump at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan before the polls open on Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mayor of Hamtramck Amer Ghalib speaks alongside former President Donald Trump and members of the Trump family at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan before the polls open on Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Eric Trump speaks in support of his father former President Donald Trump at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan before the polls open on Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Trump touted his allies with Arab Americans, a community Harris faces challenges with over the Biden administrations Israel policy. During the February Democratic presidential primary, more than 100,000 voters in Michigan voted uncommitted over Biden, largely because of the war in Gaza.

Amer Ghalib, the mayor of Hamtramck, which has an all-Muslim City Council, said his endorsement of Trump broke the wall of fear and silence for Arab American and Muslims to seek out alternative allies in politics after Democrats have chosen arrogance, pointing at Harris handling of Gaza protesters at her rallies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

My message to my fellow Arab and Muslim Americans, your votes in the swing states will change the face of America, and your votes will decide the future of America, Ghalib said.

At her last rally in Michigan at Michigan State University on Sunday night, Harris vowed that she would end the Hamas-Israel war if shes elected president.

The GOP event also featured former U.S. Rep Mike Rogers (R-White Lake), whos running against U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) for U.S. Senate, and former state Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte), whos facing former state Sen. Curtis Hertel (D-East Lansing) in the 7th Congressional District.

Trump talked about various interactions hes had over the years with different people talking about the economy, manufacturing jobs, electric vehicles and more, adding that he will not be getting on any flights with donor Elon Musks SpaceX anytime soon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I would not want to be on that sucker. I dont care how good Elon is, Trump said.

While going through his greatest hits from the last decade, Trump took the opportunity to take a swing at former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who launched an inquiry in 2019 that led to the first of Trumps two impeachment.

Shes a crooked person. Shes a bad person. Evil. Shes an evil sick, crazy B, Trump said as attendees loudly completed the word, calling Pelosi a bitch.

I wont say it. I want to say it, he added.

Trump also brought some of his children on stage to talk about the presidential campaigns over the last decade. The overall message from the Trump family was that its not just three campaigns, its a movement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I will be on the stage till the end of Earth with you because I truly believe in you, said Eric Trump, Trumps second-oldest son, who campaigned in Wyandotte in late October. I believe in what youre doing for this country and what youre doing for our children. And you are going to save democracy in the United States, and youre going to keep peace in the world.

Donald Trump reiterated his position that Harris is relatively unknown outside of being part of the Biden administration. But Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., said his father has shown the country exactly who he is.

Its on you to reclaim what is yours, Your country, Trump Jr. said, encouraging attendees to pester their neighbors and loved ones to go to the polls. It would be an honor for me, for you guys, to show the same amount of resolve that this man showed on July 13 when he took a bullet to the face and came back defiant.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
A trio of federal judges in recent weeks cut back the number of claims that could proceed to trial in lawsuits stemming from police use of force during the protests in downtown Denver four years ago.
ATHENS (Reuters) - A Greek court on Tuesday ordered the pre-trial detention of a 31-year-old man on terrorism-related charges over an Athens apartment blast which killed a man and hurt a woman last week, legal and police sources said.

The bomb exploded as it was being made, police have said, linking the incident with anti-establishment guerrilla groups. So far three people face charges in the case.

The newly detained man, who has an arrest record in Germany, testified on Friday and has been charged with setting up and participating in a terrorist group and with illegal possession of a gun and explosives, among other charges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He denies any wrongdoing, his lawyer George Kakarnias said.

"His only involvement is that he had a pair of keys for the flat, he has nothing to do with the acts described in the charges," Kakarnias told Reuters.

On Monday, police arrested a 30-year old Greek woman who is a Swiss resident. She will respond to charges this week. The 33-year-old woman who was injured in the Oct. 31 blast and is now being treated in an Athens hospital is also under arrest.

Police, who found guns, bullets, notes and laptops in the flat and have analysed CCTV footage, believe that the group, including the 36-year old man who was killed, had been planning an attack on Oct. 31. The target remains unknown.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It was a monstrous bomb made of condensed explosive material," Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis said on Monday, suggesting that the group aspired to revive guerrilla violence.

Several self-proclaimed anarchist guerrilla groups, declaring war on all forms of government, emerged in Greece after the 2002 dismantling of its deadliest group "November 17".

Bomb and arson attacks against politicians, police, judges and businesses were frequent during Greece's 2009-18 debt crisis. They have abated in recent years but still occur.

(Reporting by Yannis Souliotis and Renee Maltezou; Editing by Gareth Jones)
This story has been updated to clarify when Landsman deleted his tweet.

Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman's post Tuesday on the social media site X announcing that he voted caused a bit of an Election Day ruckus.

When asked by The Enquirer, Landsman's campaign said the tweet was an accident.

Landsman's Republican opponent, Orlando Sonza, brought the deleted post to light Tuesday morning. Landsman and Sonza are fighting for Southwest Ohio's 1st Congressional District seat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The screenshot posted by Sonza showed a picture of Landsman and his family with the text "We voted!" Alongside the picture was the screenshot of a tweet from pro-Donald Trump media personality Alexandra Lains that said "What are we wearing tomorrow? Sorry it's my first Civil War."

This kind of rhetoric from an elected official on Election Day is exactly why we need new leadership in this district.



I will always respect voters no matter who they choose to vote for.



Lets restore the values of Duty Honor Country for #OH01 TODAY. pic.twitter.com/7Nc1IL2YK3  Orlando Sonza (@OrlandoSonza) November 5, 2024

Sonza's slammed Landsman for the tweet.

"This kind of rhetoric from an elected official on Election Day is exactly why we need new leadership in this district," Sonza wrote in his post on X.

Prior to Sonza's tweet, Landsman deleted the post and reposted the picture of his family and him and the "We voted!" proclamation. The Civil War tweet was gone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Enquirer reached out to Landsman and campaign staff. Campaign spokeswoman Jenna Kaufman responded in a statement that a campaign staffer who posted the photo accidentally uploaded a second picture.

"She fixed it," Kaufman said in the statement texted to The Enquirer. "Sonza knew it was an accident but couldn't help himself. He didn't have a tweet of himself voting in (the 1st Congressional District) since he lives in (the 8th Congressional District)."

Republican Orlando Sonza(left) faces Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman in the 1st Congressional District race

This referenced Sonza's residence in Springfield Township, which is in the neighboring 8th Congressional District. Federal law doesn't require members of Congress to live within their district boundaries, just within the state. Sonza at the start of the campaign pledged he'd move into the district "when we win."

"Plus, why would we tweet out something about civil war from a Trump supporter?" Kaufman said in the statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Landsman, a Democrat from the Mount Washington neighborhood of Cincinnati, has served as the representative for Ohio's 1st Congressional District since 2022 after he unseated longtime Republican lawmaker Rep. Steve Chabot. Sonza, a Republican from Springfield Township north of Cincinnati, heads the Hamilton County Veterans Service Commission.

Landsman and the Democrats hold an edge in the district, which Biden won by 8.5 percentage points in 2020.

(This story was updated to add a video.)

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why did Landsman's post on X about voting cause a controversy?
ANN ARBOR  In a final push to get out the vote among students at the University of Michigan, two of the state's Democratic heavyweights  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell  spoke at a rally in Ann Arbor on Monday night that also included down-ballot candidates in Tuesday's election and actor Josh Gad, who voiced the animated snowman Olaf in Disney's "Frozen" movies.

They took the stage at Rackham Auditorium just hours before the polls opened, telling a crowd of roughly 400 students and other supporters that there's too much at stake to sit out this election or to think their work is done once they've cast their ballots.

"The whole world is watching this state, and ... we've got a huge opportunity, and with that opportunity comes a responsibility," Whitmer said of Michigan, which is among a handful of swing states where the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is considered a toss-up.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke to a crowd of college students and other supporters on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the Rackham Auditorium at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Whitmer, who wore a navy blue Michigan Mom sweatshirt, urged students not only to vote, but to continue working to get others to the polls until they close at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"You're still supposed to keep it up," she said. "I know it's late in the term. Exams are happening. I get it."

But, she added: "When young Michiganders show up, we win. And we are going to win tomorrow, right?"

U-M students could hold the key to a Harris victory in this election, said Dingell, who lives in Ann Arbor and represents Michigan's 6th Congressional District.

Detroit Free Press endorsements: Picks for Michigan US House, Senate and House

'You're 25% of our population and 100% of our future'

In 2016, Trump won Michigan over Democrat Hillary Clinton by just 10,740 votes, which allowed him to claim Michigan's electoral votes and ultimately, the presidency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In that same general election, Dingell said, "40,000 people didn't vote just in Ann Arbor," which had a population of about 119,000 in 2023, according to Census Bureau population estimates. Nearly one-quarter of the city's population are U-M students.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, speaks to a crowd of students at Rackham Auditorium at the University of Michigan on Nov. 4, 2024, urging students to get out the vote.

"There are people you know: your housemates, your dorm mates, your classmates, your family, your friends," Dingell said. "Please make sure that everybody you know goes and votes because it's our democracy that's at stake.

"My life's in your hands. You're 25% of our population and 100% of our future."

More: Michigan voter guide: Key races in the 2024 election

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: Trump returns to Grand Rapids to make final pitch to voters ahead of pivotal Election Day

Dingell warned that Trump is a threat to democracy and to the safety of Arab Americans, as well as journalists, political foes, and others he has dubbed "the enemy from within."

"You are the young people that have got to stand up against this hatred, ... against vitriol and against violence. And you have a choice in this election," she said.

Across the state in Grand Rapids on Monday night, Trump also made his final appeal to Michigan voters at Van Andel Arena, painting a grim picture of an America with a faltering economy and a worsening border crisis if his bid for the presidency fails.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"All we can do is keep winning, that's all. Win, win, win," he said, adding that if he is elected to a second term "your paychecks will be higher, your streets will be safer and cleaner, your communities will be richer," as he ushers in a "golden age."

Back in Ann Arbor, Gad said he flew to Michigan from California for the election eve event, hosted by U-M's College Democrats and Students for Harris.

"Hi, I'm Olaf and I like sane candidates," Gad said, drawing applause. "I'm raising my kids to lead with empathy, kindness, love and respect. Why can't we expect that from the leader of the free world? Shouldn't we want that? Don't we deserve that?

Actor Josh Gad, who is known for playing Olaf in Disney's "Frozen movies, speaks to a crowd of students Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the University of Michigan's Rackham Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as part of an Election Eve event to rally young voters.

"I don't want to live in such an ugly place where people who say such wretched things about other human beings are rewarded. I'm tired of people being scapegoated. I'm tired of everybody being othered. I'm tired of the hate. I'm tired of the vitriol. I like more hugs."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gad, a self-proclaimed Miami Dolphins fan, had two predictions: "The Lions are going to win the Super Bowl ... and we're gonna elect the first female president."

"History has its eyes on you, Michigan," he said, referencing a line from Lin Manuel Miranda's hit Broadway musical, "Hamilton."

"It's got its eyes on you. ... You get the chance to be the superheroes in this story. You get the chance to save us. You get to create a history in which I can look at my daughters and say, 'You see that? ... You can be president one day.' "

Detroit Free Press staff writer Arpan Lobo contributed to this story. Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Free Press.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Looking for more on Michigans elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gretchen Whitmer, Debbie Dingell, Josh Gad speak at rally in Ann Arbor
(WGHP)  A victory in North Carolina helped to propel former President Donald Trump to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris, but much of North Carolinas Council of State has gone to the Democrats.

Attorney General Josh Stein prevailed over Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-NC) will succeed Stein as attorney general after defeating fellow Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC). However, it is still unclear who will succeed Robinson as lieutenant governor with the race still too close to call.

In the state superintendent race, Republican Michele Morrow fell to Democrat Mo Green.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can follow the live results of some of North Carolinas most important races below. You can find a complete list of North Carolina election results here.

Follow the Liveblog below for the latest updates on the election in the Piedmont Triad and North Carolina.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
(NewsNation)  New Hampshire voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

Presidential race in New Hampshire

Governor race in New Hampshire

In addition to casting ballots for the White House between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, New Hampshire voters will vote for the states governor as well as for two U.S. House of Representatives seats.

Republican and former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte is facing Democrat Joyce Craig, the former Manchester mayor. The two will vie for the office after the states Republican Gov. Chris Sununu announced in 2023 that he would not seek re-election after taking office in 2017.

US House race in New Hampshire

In the race for the two U.S. House seats, Democratic Rep. Christopher Pappas will seek a fourth term against challenger Russell Prescott. Prescott is a former executive councilor who announced his run for Congress in 2023.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrat Maggie Goodlander, a deputy assistant attorney general with the U.S. Department of Justice, will face Lily Tang Williams. The Republican is the co-chair of the New Hampshire Asian American Coalition.

The two will vie for a seat left vacant by longtime Democratic Congresswoman Annie Kuster, who announced she would not seek re-election after serving six terms in Washington.

Statewide ballot measure in New Hampshire

New Hampshire voters will also consider a constitutional amendment that will increase the mandatory retirement age for judges in the state from 70 to 75 if approved.

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polls close in Nevada at 7 p.m. local time.

New Hampshire  which carries four electoral votes  is known for its independent leanings but only one Republican presidential candidate has won the state since 1992. President Joe Biden defeated Trump in the state by 7 percentage points in 2020.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Finally.

After months of contentious political ads, thousands of fundraising tweets and hundreds of flyers thrust into mailboxes, Election Tuesday is here.

The forecast calls for a beautiful, balmy day for hitting the polls to make selections for school boards, city councils, Congress and, of course, president of the United States. (Our 757 Votes election guide has all the details on local contests.)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., though anyone standing in line at 7 can vote. Virginia also allows in-person voter registration throughout the day so eligible voters can still have their say Tuesday.

What Virginia voters need to know to cast a ballot Tuesday

Follow us at pilotonline.com and dailypress.com for updates throughout the day.
Hampton University students crowded into the Phoebus High School polling location in Hampton on Tuesday to complete their same-day voter registration and cast provisional ballots.

The students arrived in university shuttles, which were dropping students off every hour starting at 9 a.m., according to a flyer produced by HUs Office of Student Involvement and Leadership. The students overwhelmed the precinct, which had to add four additional workers  bringing the total workers to 15  to manage the overflow, according to Barbara Shipley, chief of the precinct.

Shipley said that despite the break in busing from 12-2 p.m., they still could not clear the line, adding that the rush had been going on all day. There were two lines: a line of about five registered voters at a time on one side and an enormous and growing line of same-day registration voters which were seemingly all HU students, according to Shipley.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Honestly we had no concept of what the day was going to be because there were so many early voters, Shipley said. This is a great turnout, were excited to see them all and were working the lines as fast as we can.

Students were filling out their paperwork in line which for some took as long as two hours and 40 minutes as of 3 p.m. The waiting students filled the three cafeteria-style tables just inside the main entrance of the school and the line continued back into the hallway. When a poll worker instructed the students to stretch the line out further to be more organized, it stretched nearly to the end of the hallway that curled from the main lobby to an exit.

Students said many classes were canceled in honor of Election Day. Shipley, reading a text from an HU official, said students who showed proof of having voted would be excused from classes.

This is Shipleys third presidential election as a poll official at Phoebus and ninth election overall. She said shes never seen anything like what she saw Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

HU students Seth Lewis, 20, a sophomore from Chicago studying music recording technology, and Amber Turner, 19, a sophomore from New Jersey studying psychology, voted together on Tuesday after the two-hour process of registering same-day. Lewis said he thinks the reason so many students came out to vote was the social-political climate and students realizing that the effects of the election would soon become part of our everyday life.

Shipley said that as of 5 p.m., 413 regular ballots had been cast alongside more than 400 provisional ballots though many more students were still in the line that continued to snake far back into the hallway. The shuttle would continue to drop off students until polls close at 7 p.m.

Virginia Department of Elections Commissioner Susan Beals said during a media briefing she had heard reports of long lines at college campuses across the state, with students being encouraged to use same-day registration and cast provisional ballots. She said those localities would be deploying extra election staff members and supplies to those precincts and told voters to stay in line.

Even if the seven oclock hour passes, they will process you, and they do want you to vote, she said. So, please, do not get out of line.

Staff writer Trevor Metcalfe contributed to this report.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The 6 News Team is heading to polls throughout the viewing area to check in with voters and election officials. Follow this story for updates from the Mid-Michigan community.

Check out this primer on where to go and what to expect if you are casting your ballot in person today. Heres where you might run into a 6 News Digital reporter filing live updates to this story through the course of the day:

Clinton County

DeWitt

DeWitt Township

Eagle Township

Eaton County

Grand Ledge

Delta Township

Potterville

Windsor Township

Ingham County

Lansing

East Lansing

Leslie

Meridian Township

Onondaga Township

Jackson County

Blackman Township

Summit Township

Jackson

Rives Township

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can share your photos and videos from the election, and view those submitted by other viewers, here:

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
The 2024 presidential election has already delivered some remarkable, unexpected moments. A sitting president dropping out of the race. A former president becoming a convicted felon. Multiple assassination attempts. The list goes on and on.

With polls indicating an astonishingly close race, another extremely unlikelybut not impossibletwist has been floated by some observers: a tie in the Electoral College. If Donald Trump and Kamala Harris each wind up with 269 electoral votes instead of one candidate crossing the 270 threshold required to win, then the U.S. will be treated to its first contingent election in almost 200 years.

In that event, it will fall to Congress to choose the next president. Lord help us.

What is a contingent election?

A contingent election is what happens when no candidate wins an outright majority of electoral votes. That could theoretically happen for a few reasons, including a third party winning enough electoral votes to prevent another leading candidate reaching 270, or if so-called faithless electors choose to break their pledge to vote for their partys nominee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It can also happen in a straight tie between two candidates.

Under the provisions of the 12th Amendment, the House of Representatives would then choose the president. Each state delegation would be given a single vote to cast for their preferred choice out of the three candidates with the most electoral votes. Whoever receives 26 votes or more would become president.

Its also worth noting that Washington, D.C., which is allocated three electors in the Electoral College, wouldnt get a vote in a contingent election because its not a state.

A newly elected Congress would vote in such a scenario, according to the Congressional Research Service . As such, the outcome of congressional races would have a major impact on the vote for the president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Going into the 2024 election, Republicans enjoy majority control of 26 state delegations. Democrats have the majority in 22, while Minnesota and North Carolina are tied.

Decisions, decisions...

Exactly how state delegations would choose to cast their single vote for president is unclear. They would not be legally obligated to vote for whichever candidate had won the national popular vote or even the candidate whod won the most votes in their state.

While the House chooses the president, the Senate would choose the vice president. Each senator would be allowed to cast one vote for their choice from the two vice presidential candidates with the most electoral votes. Whichever candidate gets 26 or more votes in the Senate vote wins.

Because the president and vice president would be chosen in separate votes, its possible that candidates from opposing parties would be elected. For instance, if the Republicans and Democrats retain their respective control of the House and Senate, that could result in Donald Trump returning to the White House with Tim Walz as his vice president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other strange outcomes are possible. A contingent election would take place right after the new Congress meets to count and certify electoral votes on Jan. 6. If House state delegations fail to elect a president by Inauguration DayJan. 20then the vice president-elect would temporarily act as president.

In the event that the Senate is also hopelessly deadlocked and does not elect a vice president by Inauguration Day, then the House speaker would act as president until a vice president or president are chosen.

Unprecedented? Not exactly

Again, a contingent election remains unlikelybut it has happened before. Since the 1804 ratification of the 12th Amendment, there have been two such elections.

In 1824, four presidential candidates won Electoral College votes. Andrew Jackson had the most99but fell short of the 131 required at the time for a majority. The resulting election in the House resulted in Jacksons rival, John Quincy Adams, being elected president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Just 12 years later, in the 1836 race, another contingent election occurred, but only to elect the vice president. Virginias electors became faithless, refusing to cast their 23 Electoral College votes for Richard M. Johnson, the running mate of Martin Van Buren, even though Van Buren had won the election. A contingent election in the Senate led to Johnson being elected as vice president anyway.

Find the Daily Beasts coverage of the 2024 election here. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.
Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and longtime local talk-radio host. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter.
After the violence and unrest that followed the 2020 election, one of the biggest questions surrounding the 2024 campaign is: can we expect a repeat?

Donald Trump is yet to concede in the last election, and has already said he is unlikely to admit defeat this time.

The former president has already laid the groundwork for election-rigging claims, arguing the only way Kamala Harris can win is by cheating.

Lawsuits make sweeping claims

Voting rights activists say they are braced for efforts by Trumps allies to challenge the results, perhaps even as ballots are still being counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Their preparations match the highly organised operation on the other side, including lawsuits filed in swing states by the Republican National Committee and Trump acolytes.

Some of the lawsuits have made sweeping claims that some election officials are not vigilantly monitoring their voter rolls, or are allowing people who are ineligible to vote on them.

While many of the filings have already been dismissed, they have served a secondary purpose in generating publicity and creating a narrative that undermines public confidence in the democratic process.

There have also been some court victories for Republicans. In Virginia, governor Glenn Youngkin has been granted permission to forge ahead with removing suspected non-citizens from the voter rolls following an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Sowing doubt among voters

The seeds of doubt over the integrity of the White House race have already been sown, with Trump and prominent allies spreading claims of widespread voter fraud for months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump has homed in on the must-win state of Pennsylvania in particular, claiming last week that the state is cheating and getting caught at large-scale levels rarely seen before.

The 78-year-old did not specify how the state was cheating, or provide any evidence with Pennsylvanias state law prohibiting the opening or counting of ballots before election day.

He has focused on Lancaster County, after officials there said they were investigating a batch of 2,500 voter registration applications for possible fraud.

Theyve already started cheating, 2,600 votes. Every vote was written by the same person. It must be a coincidence, Trump said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is unclear what the nature of the potential fraud may be, or whether it involves any actual ballots, but officials note that far from providing evidence of cheating it in fact shows the system is working.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk, Trumps most prominent backer, has used his social media platform X to amplify claims that immigrants could be casting ballots illegally.

Foreign actors have also joined the effort, with a video purporting to show Haitian immigrants illegally voting in Georgia later identified as Russian disinformation.

Electors refusing to certify

The claims of suspicious activity, as well as the lawsuits already filed by Trumps supporters, could also offer a pretext for local officials to try to refuse to certify the vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The process of certifying the result was once routine, often-overlooked bureaucratic election business carried out by officials with low profiles.

These officeholders came under intense pressure from Trump and his allies in 2020 not to certify the results. While those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, Republicans have expended significant energy on installing loyalists into those positions.

It has paid dividends: according to the watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, at least 35 officials who refused to certify elections since 2020 will have a role over certifying the vote this election.

Those refusing to certify the result will undoubtedly face legal challenges.

Will there be another Jan 6-style riot?

The chaos over the 2020 election culminated with a pro-Trump mob storming the US Capitol on Jan 6 2021 in an attempt to halt Congresss certification of Joe Bidens victory.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some of those who led the mob belonged to the Proud Boys, a Right-wing group known for violent confrontations with police and Leftist campaigners.

Members of the Proud Boys have suggested in Telegram groups that they plan to return to the streets if Trump loses.

A poem, posted in the group of an Ohio chapter of the Proud Boys that was reviewed by The Telegraph, calls for fellow members to fight.

The time has come, citizens stand tall, it reads. This woke mentality it must fall!/Their evil ways have come to light/The American Proud Boy is here to fight!

A string of polls have found a significant majority of Americans fear the 2024 race will also be violently contested.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police and the military are bracing for widespread civil unrest and barriers have been erected around key sites in Washington, DC, including at the Capitol, the White House and Kamala Harriss residence.

Authorities are anticipating major protests across the country with the National Guard put on standby in Washington, Oregon and Nevada to deal with riots.

Asked about the prospect of a repeat of the violent scenes if he loses the White House race again, Trump told Time Magazine earlier this year: I think were going have a big victory and I think there will be no violence.

But when pushed, he said: If we dont win, you know, it depends.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
With the presidential race on a knife-edge, it is possible that the election could end in a tie.

There are 538 electoral college votes on the line, so if each candidate takes 269  an unlikely scenario, though not impossible  there will be no clear winner.

This could also happen if a third-party contender wins enough states to prevent Ms Harris or Trump reaching the required margin of 270 electoral votes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, this scenario is even more unlikely, with other candidates polling vastly below the margin where they could win a single state.

What happens if theres a tie?

If both candidates take 269 electoral college votes, then the election is resolved by Congress in what is known as a contingent election.

The House of Representatives decides on the next president, based on the three candidates who received the most electoral college votes.

The House of Representatives decides on the next president if there is a tie - MANDEL NGAN/AFP

A delegation from each state casts a single vote for the candidate of their choice. A majority of states  26  is required to select the next president.

Meanwhile, the Senate decides who becomes the vice-president of the two candidates who received the electoral college votes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Each senator casts a single vote, and whichever candidate reaches 51 votes is declared the winner.

What would this mean in practice?

The fact that Congress is likely to vote along party lines means that the winners of a contingent election will depend on the down-ballot races in November.

If the Democrats maintain control of the Senate and win the House, then Ms Harris and Tim Walz will almost certainly be elected.

By the same token, if the Republicans take the Senate and keep the House, then Trump will likely return to the White House, with JD Vance as his vice-president.

This also means that there is a possibility of the Republican and Democrat tickets being combined.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the current Congress, with a Republican House and Democratic Senate, this would theoretically result in a Trump-Walz administration.

Has it ever happened before?

In the 1800 presidential election, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr both received 73 electoral votes, producing the only tie in US history.

The House of Representatives tied in a series of votes as the nation hovered on the brink of civil war, before finally picking Jefferson as the third US president.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The wait is over, folks.

Or is it?

Yes, today is Election Day, when millions of Americans across the country will cast ballots in national, state and local elections. Tens of millions of Americans have already voted early or by mail. But we may not know the results of some of those races  particularly the presidential election  for days, depending on how close they are.

Consider this your guide to how and when well know who the next president of the United States is.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The timeline: Georgia will be the first of the swing states to close its polls, at 5 p.m. MT (7 p.m. ET). North Carolina follows at 5:30 p.m. MT, Pennsylvania at 6 p.m. MT and Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin at 7 p.m. MT. Our Pacific time zone neighbors in Nevada wont close their polls until 8 p.m. MT.

The stage: Vice President Kamala Harris watch party will be in Washington, D.C., at Howard University, her alma mater. Ill be there, reporting as returns come in. My colleague Dennis Romboy will be at the watch party of former President Donald Trumps campaign in West Palm Beach, Florida. Both candidates are expected to speak at some point Tuesday night, though acceptance or concession speeches may not come tonight, based on how close the race is. (In 2020, Trump declared victory on election night, though the race was still too close to call. He went on to lose the election.)

The predictions: Anyone who says they know how this will end is lying. Polls show razor-thin margins, and any of the battleground states could swing either way. Nate Silvers election forecast shows a toss-up. The so-called worlds most accurate economist predicts Trump will win. The so-called election Nostradamus predicts Harris. FiveThirtyEights polling aggregator shows Trump ahead in three swing states, Harris ahead in two and a tie in two  and the margin is not larger than 2 percentage points in any of them.

At least one on-the-ground oracle is willing to make a last-minute forecast: Nevada Independent founder and editor Jon Ralston  whos never incorrectly predicted a presidential winner in his state  thinks Harris will take Nevada, 48.5% to 48.2%.

Katherine Kitterman holds her 2-year-old son, Ethan Roberts, as he places her ballot in a drop box outside of the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Kitterman said that she brought her son with her so that he can see her voting and follow her example as an adult. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Could any states beyond the battlegrounds matter? Trump spent the weekend campaigning in New Mexico and Virginia and claimed he would turn both blue states red. Polling shows Harris leading comfortably in both. Meanwhile, in Iowa, the gold-standard Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll shows Harris up by 3 percentage points  a shocking reversal that the Trump campaign quickly denounced as a fluke.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The methodology: How will we know when there is a winner? Teams from news outlets, from The Associated Press to Fox News, will be poring over election returns and exit polls from each state. When it is clear there is no path for a candidate to win, these outlets will call the race for the winner.

That process looks something like this: In the months leading up to the election, race callers for major news outlets familiarize themselves with each states procedures for counting votes and the laws regulating the electoral system. Members of APs Decision Team, for example, know before polls close how each county and congressional district in their state has voted in past elections, the states past results for voting by mail and early in-person voting, and the states history of counting votes  how many are counted after polls close and how many are counted in the days after.

Some outlets utilize exit polls or other survey resources to call the race. During the 2024 Republican presidential primary, AP called several states within minutes of polls closing, thanks to its AP VoteCast system, which uses a probability-based survey to gauge election returns  often faster than the states report them.

As the election results pour in, the outlets do not project or forecast the winner  they declare a victor when it is clear there is no path to victory for other candidates. Fox News, whose 2020 show was the most-watched election night coverage in cable news history, angered Trump by becoming the first network to call Arizona for Biden that cycle; this year, the outlet has tweaked its models to take into account votes by type, such as mail-in votes versus in-person votes, Axios reported. Its the race callers, not the anchors or reporters, who make the calls  and Fox plans to make that clear to viewers this time around. I think that we will have a much clearer way of demonstrating why they were able to make that call this time around, said Martha MacCallum, a co-anchor on Tuesdays Fox broadcast.
David Plouffe, a senior adviser to Kamala Harris campaign, on Monday night said their camp thinks Harris can win all seven swing states.

Plouffe, who previously served as Barack Obamas 2008 election campaign manager, said its important that Harris has multiple pathways to reaching the 270 electoral votes required to win the election.

And just a couple hours ago reviewing all the early vote data, what were projecting for Election Day, how we think undecideds are breaking, we have a credible pathway to all seven states tomorrow night to go into Kamala Harris column, Plouffe told Erin Burnett on CNN. But we believe theyre all going to be close.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Right, but you think you can win all seven? Burnett replied, to which Plouffe answered: Yes.

Recent polling from the seven statesArizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsinpaints a picture of an extremely close race. But there are some positive signs for Harris, with Burnett asking Plouffe about a prediction from Nevada election expert Jon Ralston that Harris would narrowly win the Silver State.

Weve liked what weve seen, Plouffe said of Nevada specifically. I mean, listen, what I think has largely been overstated in some of the analysis or coverage or cheerleading is, hey, Theres a lot more Republicans voting early than there were in 20. Yeah, of course: Trump told them not to vote in 20 early, in a feat of, like, epic political malpractice.

Plouffe said that many Democrats who voted early four years ago, particularly by mail, now want to vote on Election Day instead. When we look at the folks who voted so far, Democrats, Republicans, but particularly that very important group of voters that are not affiliated, we think that that adds upas long as we do our job tomorrowto a state that we can win, he said. But narrowly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He added that there could be a real upside surprise for women if women comprise a slightly larger part of the national electorate than they have historically, but the Harris campaign is nevertheless being very conservative and assuming Donald Trump will do a tremendous job with turnout.

But I think in my personal view, Plouffe said, Theres a better chance that were surprised tomorrow by Kamala Harris doing better, particularly with women voters than what we saw in 16 and 20 where Trump overperformed some of the data.

Find the Daily Beasts coverage of the 2024 election here. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Election Day is on Tuesday and both candidates are making a final push to voters in battleground states.

On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris visited our area.

28/22 News Reporter Julie Dunphy was there when Harris spoke to hundreds in the Electric City earlier Monday evening.

Vice President Harris started her crisscross of Pennsylvania on Monday in Scranton, a final push less than 24 hours until the polls open.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Vice President Kamala Harris touched down in NEPA Monday less than 24 hours before the polls open.

Are we ready to do this? Were ready to get out the vote? Were ready to win? Harris asked.

Harris kicked off her Get Out The Vote canvass in Scranton with supporters gathering at Montage Mountain Resorts.

Hopefully the new President of the United States, said Plains Township resident Nina Cinti.

Support for Vice President Harris to make sure she gets elected President tomorrow, said Kristen Shermanski from Jessup.

Security measures in place at Luzerne County polling places

Inside the ski lodge, a crowd of roughly 200 people made up mostly of local campaign volunteers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This opportunity came up because we were knocking on doors every Wednesday, bunch of teachers and I were doing the Women Wednesdays for Kamala, Cinti explained.

The Democratic Nominee shared a story about the first office she ran for and her intentions for building a better community.

About building coalitions about reminding people we all have so much more in common than what separates us there is power in that, Harris stated.

This is a final push for the Harris Campaign with Pennsylvania and its 19 electoral votes hanging in the balance.

Pennsylvania being such a pivotal state. I think its really really important to talk to everybody. You know make sure they know that tomorrow they need to get out and vote if they havent already and we could be the decision-maker for this election, Shermanski added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

From there, Harris traveled to Allentown with stops in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

The final push was on the eve of Election Day.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
Vice President Harris on Monday night delivered her final pitch to voters in Philadelphia, leaning into the image of herself as an underdog as her fast-tracked campaign against former President Trump reaches its conclusion.

Philadelphia, you ready to do this? Are we ready to vote? Are we ready to win? Harris asked the crowd. Its good to be back in the city of brotherly love where the foundation of our democracy was forged. And here at these famous steps, a tribute to those who start as the underdog and climb to victory.

The election eve rally took place at the Philadelphia Museum of the Arts on the citys famous Rocky Steps. The vice presidents campaign has leaned into her image as an underdog against Trump since she became the Democratic nominee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

America, we started this campaign 107 days ago and from the beginning, ours has not been a fight against something. It has been a fight for something, she said.

Tonight, then we finish as we started  with optimism, with energy, with joy, she added.

As of Monday night, Trump and Harris are tied in Decision Desk HQ/The Hills aggregate polling, both polling nationally at 48.4 percent.

Harris didnt say Trumps name during her final remarks and she has avoided using his name in rallies for the past few days on her last stops to critical battleground states. She alluded to Trump on Monday night, however, saying that instead of stewing over an enemies list, I will spend every day on your behalf working on my to do list.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ive spent my life fighting for people who have been hurt and counted out, but who never stop believing that in our country, anything is possible. I have lived the promise of America and today, I see the promise of America is everyone who is here. In all of you. We are the promise of America, she said.

The crowd, which was made up of 30,000 people, held up red and blue USA signs. Pennsylvania carries the prize of 19 electoral votes and is considered the most critical battleground state to win.

One more day, just one more day in the most consequential election of our lifetime and the momentum is on our side, Harris said.

The race aint over yet and we must finish strong and this could be one of the closest races in history. Every single vote matters so let me ask you, who here has a plan to vote? she said, to yells from the crowd.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris finished her remarks just minutes before midnight on Election Day.

Before her speech, Oprah Winfrey, joined on stage by 10 first-time voters, issued a stark warning before rapper Will.i.am sang his new single, YES SHE CAN.

If you are watching or hearing me right now and you havent already, you have got to vote, Oprah said. We dont get to sit this one out. If we dont show up tomorrow, it is entirely possible that we will not have the opportunity to ever cast a ballot again.

Harriss husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, spoke before Oprah.

Over these 15 weeks, America has gotten to know, admire and trust the Kamala that I love, he said. Youve seen her step up. Thats what she does, wherever shes needed, however shes needed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lady Gaga sang God Bless America and then introduced Emhoff.

Tomorrow, women will be a part of making this decision, Lady Gaga said. Now, Pennsylvania, its your turn. The country is depending on you. So tomorrow, lets make sure all your voices are heard.

In Pennsylvania, Trump has a 0.8 percentage point lead over Harris, leading with 48.8 percent of the vote compared to her 48 percent, according to Decision Desk HQ/The Hills aggregate polling.

Harris spent the day on Monday traversing Pennsylvania, traveling to Allenton and Pittsburgh for rallies earlier in the day. She also knocked on doors and visited a Puerto Rican restaurant in Reading, Pa.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
PHILADELPHIA  Vice President Kamala Harris gave her final appeal to voters in Pennsylvania with the last rally of her presidential campaign.

Harris spoke from the famous Rocky steps  a tribute to those who start out the underdog and climb to victory  in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum, an iconic location known for the eponymous film that represents an underdog beating the odds. Her star-studded closing rally, featuring celebrities including Lady Gaga and Oprah, capped off an extraordinary and whirlwind 106-day campaign that began in late July.

America, it comes down to this: just one more day in the most consequential election of our lifetimes, and the momentum is on our side, Harris told supporters. Our crowd has tapped into the ambitions and the aspirations and the dreams of the American people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At Harris first rally as a candidate the day after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, hordes of relieved, energized and hopeful Democrats packed into a high school gym in West Allis, Wisconsin, with makeshift merchandise and aspirations of electing the first woman president. Harris returned to Milwaukee on Friday for a get-out-the-vote rally where she was introduced by rapper Cardi B and invigorated the crowd and promised to once and for all turn the page on an era of politics defined by former President Donald Trump.

Harris and Trump barnstormed battleground states for a final time on Monday, making a series of stops in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan. On Monday evening, the Harris campaign produced a simulcast of rallies featuring running mate Tim Walz and other surrogates and musical performances in battleground states around the country.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, on November 4, 2024. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Trump held rallies in Raleigh, North Carolina; Reading and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Meanwhile, Harris made appearances across Pennsylvania, including in Scranton, Allentown, Pittsburgh and ended the night in Philadelphia. Trump won Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state, by some 40,000 votes in 2016; Biden flipped it back by 80,000 in 2020.

The Harris campaign rapidly scaled up an expansive ground game, telling reporters on a call Sunday that over 90,000 volunteers have helped knock on 3 million doors in battleground states. In her swing through Pennsylvania on Monday, Harris herself knocked on doors in Reading.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Heres the thing about all of us: We like hard work, Harris said in her stump speech. Hard work is good work. Hard work is joyful work. And make no mistake, we will win.

The campaign did an amazing job reaching voters in Wisconsin, said Myra Edwards, a voter at Harris Milwaukee rally.

They are penetrating in the most expert way, she said. Its hard to imagine who they havent reached.

Sue OMalley-Sheehan, who had spent the weekend canvassing in the Philadelphia area, said the mood on the ground was energetic.

It was reaffirming all the excitement, she said at the Monday rally. There was an electricity of positivity in the air.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While Harris tone was celebratory and forward-looking, Trumps message was darker, consistently chaotic and marked by often-racist and sexist, false and rambling tangents. He referred to Harris as  incompetent, blaming her for the state of the country in often apocalyptic terms. Trump described the United States as an occupied country, overrun by violent undocumented immigrants, buckling unsustainable high costs of living caused by poor leadership and on the brink of a nuclear World War III.

Former President Trump pumps his fist as he walks off stage at the end of a campaign rally in Reading, Pennsylvania, on November 4, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Tomorrow you have to stand up and tell Kamala that you had enough, you cant take it anymore, Trump said in Raleigh on Monday, encouraging the audience to vote. I mean what a terrible job  what they have done to our country. And youre going to say that to her. Youre going to say, Youve done a terrible job, youre grossly incompetent. Were not going to take it anymore. Kamala, youre fired. Get the hell out of here.

Harris will spend election night at her alma mater of Howard University in Washington, D.C., while Trumps campaign will host its watch party at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, near his home at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

Harris said that from the start of her campaign, it has not been a fight against something but a fight for something  a fight for a future with freedom, with opportunity and with dignity for all Americans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We finish as we started: with optimism, with energy, with joy, she said. Knowing that we the people have the power to shape our future and that we can confront any challenge we face.

The post Harris leans into symbolism of the victorious underdog on eve of election appeared first on The 19th.

News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter.
Sometime in the next 36 to 96 hours, the United States will know who its 47th president will be. Polls between Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and former Republican President Donald Trump, are close, and both have been criss-crossing key states to make final appeals to voters.

What has largely stopped, however, are scheduled TV appearances by either. TV news outlets are still covering speeches and rallies, but  aside from a Harris cameo on Saturday Night Live on Nov. 2 (which was followed by NBC giving Trump equal time in two sporting events the following day, per FCC rules)  Harris and Trump have concentrated on in-person events rather than TV studios in the past two weeks.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Prior to that, however, both candidates took part in a number of media interviews and town halls with voters, along with one debate (plus another for vice presidential nominees Tim Walz and J.D. Vance). None of the media sit-downs came anywhere close to the debates, but several of them gathered sizable audiences of their own. Below is a breakdown of the biggest among them in the final two months of the campaign.

All ratings figures below are same-day tallies from Nielsen from Aug. 26-Nov. 2 and include initial airings only so as to compare like to like as much as possible. The events below include planned appearances only, not news coverage of campaign events.

Debates

Harris and Trump, Sept. 10: A June debate between Trump and President Joe Biden was watched by 51.27 million viewers, on the low side for a debate. Bidens poor performance led to increased calls for him to end his re-election campaign, which he did in July. He endorsed Harris to lead the ticket, and Democrats fell in behind her. The first  and only, as it turned out  debate between Harris and Trump drew 67.14 million viewers across 17 broadcast and cable outlets, above the historical average of 59.2 million for such telecasts.

Walz and Vance, Oct. 1: The two nominees for vice president faced one another in a CBS News-produced debate that delivered 43.15 million viewers on 15 networks. Thats about 7 percent below the average for past VP debates  and 25 percent below the audience for then-Vice President Mike Pence and Harris in 2020.

Single Candidate Appearances

Here are the eight biggest interview and town hall appearances, ranked in descending order.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Special Report With Bret Baier (Harris), Oct. 16: The vice presidents interview with Fox News anchor Baier drew the largest audience of any campaign interview after the end of the Democratic National Convention. The half-hour interview averaged about 7.8 million viewers, with Baiers full show that night coming in at 6.7 million  more than twice its usual average.

The First Interview: Harris & Walz, Aug. 29: CNNs interview with Harris and Walz a week after the Democratic convention  at a time when the media narrative was that Harris didnt do enough media interviews  brought in 6.31 million viewers, the channels largest audience since the June debate (which it produced).

60 Minutes (Harris), Oct. 7: The long-running CBS News program invited both Harris and Trump for interviews, but the latter dropped out (and later complained about the way 60 Minutes edited Harris segment). Airing on a Monday instead of its usual Sunday spot, the episode averaged 5.7 million viewers for the hour, and slightly more (5.97 million) for its first half when the interview with the vice president aired.

Gutfeld! (Trump), Sept. 18: Trumps first appearance on Greg Gutfelds late night-in-spirit (but primetime by definition, as it airs at 10 p.m. ET) Fox News show brought in 4.89 million viewers, the biggest audience in the shows nine-year history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hannity (Trump), Sept. 4: A town hall with the Republican nominee on Sean Hannitys Fox News show drew 4.42 million viewers, making it the biggest of several town hall programs in the post-convention period.

CNN Town Hall (Harris), Oct. 23: The vice presidents appearance with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and Pennsylvania voters came in at 3.33 million viewers.

The View (Harris), Oct. 8, and Fox News Town Hall with Harris Faulkner (Trump), Oct. 16: Both shows aired in the late morning on their respective dates, and both averaged about 3.1 million viewers.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
As Americans head to the polls on Nov. 5, Ukraine is nervously watching the elections being held by its top Western ally as the outcome could determine the countrys fate in its fight against Russias almost three-year-old full-scale invasion.

The two candidates' pre-election positions on continuing to support Ukraine with weaponry are in such stark contrast that some experts estimate whoever emerges victorious will impact whether Kyiv stays in the fight or is choked of supplies to the point of capitulation.

Vice President Kamala Harris, 60, the Democratic nominee, says she will stand by Kyiv until Ukraine prevails in this war, and that if her opponent were in the White House, Russian President Vladimir Putin would be sitting in the Ukrainian capital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Republican nominee, former president Donald Trump, 78, recently blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the war starting and has repeatedly said without detail that he will have the war settled on or before inauguration day if he wins.

As Russia continues to make gains on the battlefield, Ukrainian officials are reportedly growing more despondent about the future course of the war, with fears the election outcome could leave them fighting Moscow with little or no help from the U.S. or forced into a peace deal on unfavorable terms for Kyiv.

Best-case scenario for Ukraine

Evelyn Farkas, executive director at the McCain Institute, a U.S.-based think tank named in honor of the late Republican senator John McCain, said the best-case election scenario for Ukraine is a full sweep by Harris and her Democratic party, taking the White House and both chambers of Congress.

Under that scenario, the U.S. is able to provide reliable assistance to Ukraine in a more than timely fashion  it pays sufficient attention to Ukraine, not just with financial resources and weaponry, but it really figures out how it can help Ukraine achieve victory, Farkas told the Kyiv Independent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both the Senate and House are up for grabs in the election, the outcomes of which will determine how much any sitting president is able to accomplish.

Whether Harris is ready to go all-in for Ukraine remains to be seen. But if her campaign statements of support for Kyivs fight against Moscow are any indication, she is likely to continue a policy of diplomatic and military support for the war-torn country.

U.S. Senator Mark Kelly and Congressman from New York Gregory Meeks, the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, both told the Kyiv Independent they expect Harriss approach to Ukraine to be similar, although not identical, to Presiden Joe Bidens.

The Biden-Harris administration has put the defense of Ukraine on the same level as avoiding World War III, which has been defined by the fear of escalation with Russia, Ivo Daalder, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, told the Kyiv Independent.

Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, arrives for a Univision town hall at the Cox Pavilion at UNLV in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. on Oct. 10, 2024. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Kremlin has repeatedly rattled the nuclear saber since the start of its full-scale invasion as a way of deterring support for Ukraine. The fear of Russias reaction is largely believed to be behind Washingtons delays in delivering certain weapons like HIMARS and F-16 fighter jets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Who Harris picks for her secretary of state  the countrys top diplomat  and as national security advisor will undoubtedly shape her policies toward Russian aggression in Ukraine and across Europe. The Harris campaign has not made any of its potential cabinet picks public pre-election.

In the running for secretary of state are reportedly CIA Director William Burns, Senators Chris Murphy from Connecticut and Chris Coons from Delaware, both Democrats, and former Republican Senator Jeff Flake from Arizona; Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the current U.S. ambassador to the UN; Samantha Power, current head of the U.S. Agency for International Development; and Pete Buttigieg, the current U.S. transportation secretary, Politico and NBC News reported.

All of the potential picks for state secretary would likely back a continued policy of high support for Kyiv. Secretaries of state often look to cement their legacy with bold foreign policy decisions. But as many of the candidates already work for Biden, they may well stay the policy course with the war in Ukraine.

All of the potential picks for state secretary would likely back a continued policy of high levels of support for Kyiv.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The cautious approach from the current White House has largely been blamed on Biden and Jake Sullivan, his national security advisor.

Should Harris win, her policy toward Ukraine could be heavily influenced by Sullivans replacement. The vice presidents current national security advisor, Phil Gordon, is widely rumored to be her top pick to take on the role.

Daalder believes that a Harris-Gordon team on the foreign policy front could be an opportunity for change.

Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shake hands during a meeting in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Sept. 26, 2024. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

To the extent that Gordon and Harris are not as fully bought into the (fear of escalation) perspective as Biden was, there's a better opportunity for change under Harris and Gordon than there would be under a continuation of Biden, said Daalder, who has known and worked with Gordon for decades. He added that the two are less likely to be as opposed to kickstarting NATO membership for Ukraine than Biden has been.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

From the F-16s to not providing ATACAMs, HIMARS, to not being able to strike deep inside Russia with the Storm Shadow, that's all Biden. There's no one else in the administration who is as tied to that, he said.

Still, in October, Harris dodged a question on Ukraines NATO membership, saying Washington will address that if and when it arrives at that point.

Regarding a potential Harris presidency with Gordon as national security advisor, Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, said he believes the pair would be a net positive for Ukraine overall.

(Gordon) knows Europe well. (Harris) on the campaign trail talks about her seven meetings with Zelensky all the time. Those, I think, are good signs, Michael McFaul, currently a professor of international studies at Stanford University and the co-founder of the Yermak-McFaul Expert Group on Russian Sanctions, told the Kyiv Independent in an interview published on Nov. 3. The expert group is led by Andriy Yermak, Zelenskys chief of staff.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think the transition to a new Harris administration might be more like other transitions where you get new people with new ideas  I hope that those people will be ones that understand the importance of defeating Putin's army in Ukraine, McFaul said.

Introducing official

merch from the Kyiv Independent

Shop now

U.S. support for Ukraine in its now almost three-year fight against relentless Russian grinding assaults depends on whether Ukraine retains the will to fight, said Reno Domenico, head of Democrats Abroad in Ukraine.

The U.S. is not going to support Ukraine if Ukraine doesnt want to fight, he told the Kyiv Independent.

Trump  A worst-case scenario for Ukraine?

Even if Ukraine retains the will to fight, fears abound that a potential Trump presidency could spell the end of the war on unfavorable terms for Kyiv.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition to deriding aid to Ukraine and blaming Zelensky for the invasion, Trump has repeatedly said he would bring a swift end to the war  even saying he could do so in 24 hours, without providing any details or plans. His VP pick, JD Vance, has said he doesn't care what happens to Ukraine.

What worries Kyiv and its allies around the world is that any quick resolution to the war would invariably involve massive concessions to Putin, including the ceding of some 20% of occupied territory to Russia and the abandonment of Ukraines aspirations to join the NATO military alliance.

After the former president met with Zelensky in New York this September  their first in five years  the Republican nominee said there would be a rapid deal to end the war if he won the election but that it was too early to say how he would do that.

Of concern in Ukraine and beyond is also Trumps repeated claims that he has a good relationship with Putin and the close contact the two maintain.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: Boosting US support for Ukraine proves difficult in final pre-election push

We know what Trump is going to do, Domenico said. He has stayed in constant communication with Putin, his friend.

Trump has reportedly spoken with Putin as many as seven times since leaving the White House, according to renowned journalist Bob Woodwards latest book.

Billionaire Elon Musk, whos been campaigning vigorously for Trump and whose satellite company Starlink has aided Ukraines Armed Forces, has also reportedly been communicating with Putin and other Kremlin officials since late 2022, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On the contrary, Harris said she refuses to meet with Putin for peace talks unless Ukraine is present at the table.

Trump has sought to present his friendly relations with Putin as an advantage in negotiating with him to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. But McFaul, the former ambassador to Russia, warns that giving Putin what he wants as part of any potential peace deal would only make him want more.

Trump coming to power and signaling that he's going to reduce or eliminate assistance to Ukraine, that's going to embolden Putin. He's going to think my enemy is now weaker. That this is a time to go for more, not less, McFaul told the Kyiv Independent.

U.S. Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump dances during a campaign rally at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona, U.S. on Oct. 13, 2024. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

I just fear that Trump fundamentally doesn't care about Ukraine. He still fundamentally does care about his personal relationship with Putin; he's been very consistent in his support for Putin, McFaul said.

Trumps response to Russian aggression, as well as the other global risks present in the world, namely North Korea and Iran, depends on his team, Farkas, of the McCain Institute, said.



"I just fear that Trump fundamentally doesn't care about Ukraine. "

A team made up of Trumps former National Security Advisor Robert OBrien or former State Secretary Mike Pompeo would understand the threats facing the U.S. and its allies around the world, according to Farkas.

In addition to OBrien, the list of candidates for possible state secretary under Trump reportedly includes Richard Grenell, former acting Director of National Intelligence and ambassador to Germany in Trumps first administration; Bill Hagerty, Republican senator from Tennessee; Marco Rubio, Republican senator from Florida, and Mike Waltz, congressman from Florida.

Another factor contributing to concerns that Ukraine could be left on its own to fight a much larger enemy is Trumps cozy relationship with Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is also friendly with Putin and openly against aid to Ukraine. Trumps possible return to the White House is only expected to further embolden Orban.

The two have met on multiple occasions, including once in July in Florida at Trumps Palm Beach Mar-a-Lago residence almost immediately after the Hungarian leader met Putin.

Following the meeting, Orban endorsed Trumps candidacy in the election, and in a tweet called the visit his peace mission 5.0, writing: "We discussed ways to make #peace. The good news of the day: hes going to solve it! referring to the war in Ukraine.

Read also: The road to Republican US support of Ukraine continues through evangelicalism

During his first term in office, Trump took a hammer to the U.S.s transatlantic relations and threatened to pull the U.S. out of NATO. Largely in response, the U.S. Congress approved legislation in 2023 that would make it impossible for any president to withdraw the U.S. from NATO without approval from the Senate or an Act of Congress.

One of the lawmakers to spearhead the move was Senator Rubio, one of Trumps potential picks to head the State Department.

However, Trumps former national security advisor John Bolton, who has distanced himself from his former boss, said on Nov. 3 that U.S. withdrawal from NATO under a second Trump administration is a real possibility.

It would be a catastrophic mistake for the U.S. to withdraw from NATO, but it's a real possibility in a second Trump Administration. It would be a terrible blow to American and broader Western interests worldwide, Bolton tweeted.

If Trump wins back the White House, it is expected that Ukraine will further realize the extent of its dependence on America, and as a result, Europe will increasingly be on the receiving end of requests for aid.

Congressman Meeks says that should Trump win, its critical for Ukraine that Democrats retain control of the House. Even if Harris wins, shell likely struggle to get Ukraine aid through Congress, which is currently split with Democrats in control of the Senate and Republicans atop the House.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky (L) and Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump (R) meet in New York during the President of Ukraine's visit to the United States on Sept. 27, 2024, in New York City. (Uliana Boichuk/Novyny LIVE/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Then-U.S. President Donald Trump (L) chats with Russia's President Vladimir Putin as they attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit in the central Vietnamese city of Danang on Nov. 11, 2017. (Mikhail Klimentyev / SPUTNIK / AFP via Getty Images)

(It is) critical that Democrats win back control of the House  which has the power of the purse  so we can deliver critical support to Ukraine without the delays and obstructions caused by extremist MAGA Republicans, Congressman Meeks said in a statement to the Kyiv Independent.

There are others who have sought to assuage fears of Trumps possible return to the White House and what that could mean for Ukraine.

Boris Johnson, the former British Prime Minister whos been one of Kyivs loudest advocates, remains hopeful that a Trump presidency wouldnt spell the end of American support for Ukraine.

I hear what people say, I am very concerned, but I believe on the basis of what Trump has done in the past, that he will be robust, Johnson, who discussed Ukraine with Trump in July, said in an interview with CNN. He referenced the Javelin missiles Trump approved for Ukraine in 2017.

For this instinctive reason I cannot believe that a guy who is so passionate about his country, about making America great again will want to kick off his next presidential term by basically allowing the Soviet empire to be great again, I cant believe that he will allow that to happen.

Read also: 14 essential Kyiv Independent stories about the US presidential election

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Voters in Colorado Springs are poised on Nov. 5 to decide once and for all if recreational marijuana sales will be permitted locally  though possibly only in limited areas  or banned by charter.

The resident-backed Citizens for Responsible Marijuana campaign proposes authorizing the sale of retail cannabis in municipal boundaries, allowing only the citys approximately 90 existing medical marijuana shops to also opt into selling marijuana recreationally.

An estimated $10 million to $15 million in revenues would support public safety, mental health services and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment programs for veterans.

At the same time, a City Council-backed question proposes prohibiting recreational marijuana stores in the city charter, effectively banning them from operating locally.

Voters would only be able to change city charter through another public vote.

If both questions passed, which is unlikely, city attorneys said the charter amendment would take precedence.

In 2022, the last time residents decided on recreational marijuana sales, 57% of voters said no.

In that same election, residents in Palmer Lake and Cripple Creek legalized recreational marijuana sales in those municipalities. Recreational marijuana is also sold in Manitou Springs, Denver, Pueblo and other cities across the state.

Those opposed to authorizing retail cannabis sales in Colorado Springs have touched on the potential harms of marijuana and the importance of keeping it out of the hands of underage users.

Featured Local Savings

They have also said outlawing recreational marijuana sales could further solidify Colorado Springs designation as the permanent headquarters of Space Command.

Federal and local officials last summer announced the command would remain in Colorado Springs, ending a years-long fight by Colorado officials to keep it from moving to Huntsville, Ala.

Supporters who want to authorize retail sales have pushed back against claims about its potential health risks while also touting its economic benefits for marijuana retailers and the community as a whole.

Before residents could cast their votes this fall, the City Council appears to have preemptively limited where recreational marijuana shops may operate in the city, if retail sales are ever authorized.

In late September, the council voted to prohibit facilities that sell recreational cannabis from operating within 1 mile of K-12 schools and residential child care and drug or alcohol treatment facilities.

Proponents of recreational sales and other city leaders who did not support the zoning ordinance said it de-facto bans retail marijuana sales because shops will be limited to operating only on the citys east side. A city-provided map showed how the current locations of all medical marijuana shops in Colorado Springs do not comply with the 1-mile buffer rule.

Supporters of the 1-mile buffer said it will better keep marijuana away from underage users.

The citizen-backed campaign instead proposes prohibiting recreational marijuana shops from operating within 1,000 feet of schools and other facilities.

Though discussion at recent public meetings operated under the understanding that the 1-mile buffer will take precedence over the zoning requirements in the resident-backed question, the City Attorneys Office has not yet been able to provide a clear answer.

The Planning Department would need to evaluate each request for a new license to ensure compliance with zoning and licensing requirements in the city code, city spokesman Max DOnofrio said in late September.
The unpredictable and razor-close US presidential election culminates on Tuesday with voters across the deeply divided country deciding whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump should be sent to the White House in January.

Harris, the sitting Democratic vice president, and Trump, the Republican former president who is seeking a second four-year term, spent the final frenetic weeks of the campaign making their case to voters in the seven critical states that are likely to decide the winner.

Pollsters say neither of the candidates in the battleground states - Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada and Arizona - have a meaningful statistical lead, amplifying the sky-high uncertainty as the race hurtles to the finish line.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Either Trump or Harris could still comfortably win if the polls are off and several of these states are won by one or the other candidate.

But legal and political analysts warn there is a high likelihood that it could be days, or even weeks, before the next president is known if exceedingly tight races become mired in ballot recounts and legal fights.

Leaders around the world, not least in Europe, will be watching carefully. The US presidential election has an immense impact globally, with the United States playing a key role when it comes to international hotspots such as Ukraine, the Middle East, and Taiwan, as well as in influential bodies such as the NATO military alliance.

Around 240 million people are eligible to vote in the election, which will also decide the make-up of the two houses of Congress: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Which party controls those will have a major impact on the policy agenda of the incoming president.
Its very possible that Vice President Kamala Harris could win the presidency after a campaign heavily focused on abortion rights and pledges to pass federal protections. Pro-choice ballot measures may pass multiple states in what some people are gleefully referring to as Roevemberif only, for some, to sell merch. But its also looking increasingly likely that multiple all-trimester abortion clinics, which between hype-filled campaign seasons remain the safety net for people turned away elsewhere, could shutter in the next few months. These potential closures include at least one facility set to close by the end of the year; what will follow is a disastrous ripple effect for the clinics that remain. So, yes, if Harris wins, the nation will have averted the likeliest avenues to a threatened national abortion ban. And yet, weeks after a historic Roevember, there could be more people denied abortions than ever before.

This is the paradox of the first presidential election after the Dobbs decision: Record numbers of people say they support abortion rights, and pro-choice candidates and statewide amendments have raked in huge sums of money. But because of a lack of investment in the actual infrastructure of abortion care over decades, the electoral victories we may be on the verge of celebrating wont prevent clinics from closing their doors. And the closures could come at a time when state bans are pushing abortion-seekers ever later into pregnancy and limiting care for people who get devastating fetal diagnoses.

There are thought to be seven all-trimester clinics in the entire country. DuPont Clinic, an all-trimester provider in Washington, D.C., said it has lost more than $500,000 since July 1 after national groups put strict caps on patient funding. Karishma Oza, DuPonts director of care coordination, said if that rate of loss continues and they dont get support to close the funding gap, the clinic will have to close by the end of the year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Even though technically the clinic is a for-profit, we were never profitable, Oza said of the clinic, which opened in 2017. But now with these cuts, we are going from pay period to pay period.

December 31 is weeks before Inauguration Day, and even if Harris were to pull off the huge upset of a Democratic trifecta, it would take months to pass federal protections that overturn state bans and reduce the pressure on clinics like DuPont. Even so, that kind of legislation doesnt help them pay off their debts.

Clinics like DuPont are going on the record about their balance sheets to sound the alarm and call for donors to help preserve meaningful access. Oza urged foundations that care about reproductive rights and have emergency funding available to give directly to all-tri clinics or local abortion funds. Im not trying to scare people, but it is very real that clinics will need to shut down if we cant recuperate some of the losses that weve incurred, she said.





These clinics financial devastation is an upstream consequence of the National Abortion Federation and Planned Parenthood capping patient funding at 30 percent of their bill instead of 50 percent. The changes have left local abortion funds unable to fill the gap; as a result, patients are getting pushed to seek care later in pregnancy when procedures are more expensive. It has also meant patients showing up for appointments missing thousands of dollars. Remarkably, Oza said that some of the reproductive healthfocused foundations theyve recently spoken to hadnt heard about the NAF cuts and resulting budget crisis. People need to know that this is happening, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DuPont doesnt turn away people who show up to their appointments without the means to pay, but offering discounted care over the last four months has put them on the brink of closure. DuPont has established a new 501(c)3 arm called the Lavender Fund, in order to accept charitable donations. It has since received gifts from both individuals and family foundations, but those donations havent closed their half-a-million-dollar budget gap.

Dr. Diane Horvath, co-founder and chief medical officer of Partners in Abortion Care in College Park, Maryland, said that before the NAF cuts, some of their patients qualified for 100 percent procedure funding because they were unhoused or they were an adolescent seeking care. Ninety-plus percent of our patients receive at least some kind of charitable assistance to pay for their care, she said. The financial hit from NAF was so great that she had to consider in September whether to give staff layoff noticesuntil the clinic received a grant that provided a few months of breathing room. Partners also sent a fundraising plea to its email list of supporters who, just two years ago, came through with funding to help them defray their startup costs.

Now, they have to figure out how to survive before the money runs out. Horvath expressed optimism that Maryland lawmakers could increase the amount Medicaid health insurance reimburses providers for abortion care, and the clinic is considering starting its own 501(c)3 abortion fund, following DuPonts example. Shes determined to stay open because she knows that once clinics close, they may never reopen: Staff move away, and office space gets rented by new tenants. The financial barrier to reentry is really, really significant.

Horvath summarized whats happening as a squeeze. The care is very expensive to provide, were getting a smaller portion of the fee covered by the funds, and the local funds are all being bled dry because they arent getting those rage donations anymore, Horvath said. Were all kind of in a really tenuous placeeven the clinics that have been around the longer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dr. Warren Hern opened Boulder Abortion Clinic in Colorado back in 1975. He said the combination of Dobbs and the funding cuts this summer has been a national catastrophe. More abortion bans are in effect than ever before, and there is less financial help available. By the time they actually get to somebody, theyre too late to have an abortion in that place, and then they wind up at offices like mine, Hern said, and more and more patients have multiple medical complications. Its increasingly difficult to make it all work. If I didnt own the building, wed be out of business, he said. (Notably, neither DuPont nor Partners own their space; they rent.) Herns clinic also recently set up its own abortion fund.

CARE Clinic in Bethesda, Maryland, is the last option for people in the United States because it offers care later than any of the other providers. Pia Yoacham, an assistant clinic administrator, said that before the NAF cuts, it wasnt uncommon for patients to walk in short anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000but she could often get the money from abortion funds in a matter of hours. Now if those patients show up without their full balance, the clinic is taking hits of several thousand dollars. Like DuPont, they dont turn people away over money, and they have long helped people who didnt meet NAFs eligibility, which is based on federal poverty levels. Even recently, they had a patient with three jobs who wasnt eligible because she made too much money, she said. Its like, how can you not qualify?

While Yoacham said she couldnt speak to the clinics larger financial picture, its unclear how long they can sustain the current landscape. At any organization, youre going to hit a point where youre like, OK, do we need to let people go? Do we need to stop seeing certain gestations? she said.

To Yoacham, any reduction in care would be heartbreaking. CARE sees clients with fetal anomalies, sexual assault survivors as young as 12 years old, and people from Europe, Africa, and Australia. Our clinic is quite literally the last stop for most of these women, Yoacham said. She basically cant hear no. No means that she has to be forced to become a mother.





If even one of these all-trimester clinics closes, the strain would be felt nationwide. Oza pointed to real-life experience during the height of the Covid pandemic when another D.C.-area provider closed for a week. We couldnt schedule all of the patients who needed appointments over that week, she said, and that was before the Dobbs ruling. During a different stretch when another clinic was closed, Oza said they had to refer people across the country for care. It really does have a ripple effect.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And any closures could also affect people with wanted pregnancies, as data suggests that, post-Dobbs, more of them are being forced to deliver babies that wont survive.

A paper published last month in JAMA Pediatrics found that infant mortality has increased nationwide since the Dobbs decision. There are about 250 more infant deaths per month, and about 80 percent of the additional deaths can be attributed to congenital anomalies. The hypothesis is that more people are being forced to give birth to babies that wont survive. (Earlier research found higher rates of infant death in Texas after its ban took effect in September 2021; this data suggests the 21 state bans are having an impact nationwide.)

Horvath said people should be able to choose whether or not they want to give birth and get neonatal palliative care. But if thats not whats right for you and your family, being forced to continue your pregnancy where your baby is going to be sick enough to die is barbaric.

Elizabeth Bastias-Butler, director of clinical services at DuPont, said regardless of the reason people need all-trimester care, a lot of them arent familiar with why people need it in the first place. Thats often something that we hear from patients. I never knew this was a possibility, or I never thought Id be here until I needed you all, and Im glad that youre here, she said. And it would be devastating to not be there for patients.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bastias-Butler said that if Harris wins, the challenge facing abortion providers wont go away. (If Trump wins, things will obviously get worse.) People need to donate to their local funds and support access because, even in a Harris administration, the reality is what it is on the ground right now, she said. A fear that we have is that people will think, Oh, everythings OK! Its going to be fine. And the need is so immediate that that is not the case.

While there is a fundraising campaign for independent clinicsthat is, nonPlanned Parenthood providersthere was no dedicated fundraising effort for all-trimester clinics until earlier this fall. Fund Later Care is a block-grant program started in September to distribute both individual donations and philanthropic grants to all-tri clinics. Its a collaboration between Patient Forward, an advocacy group for later abortion-seekers, and Midwest Access Coalition, or MAC, a practical support organization. The coalition is trying to raise $5 million by the end of the year, but theyre about 25 percent of the way to their goal.

MAC executive director Diana Parker-Kafka said protecting these clinics is crucial because they provide urgent, necessary, complex health care for people who cant afford it, the majority of whom are already parents. The national funding cuts have created a domino effect that lands at these clinics, and while reproductive rights philanthropists have historically been resistant to paying for direct services, let alone later abortion care, now is the time to step up or to lose these providers, likely for good, she said. And that doesnt change if Harris wins. We cant be complacent, Parker-Kafka said.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT)  A 19-year-old man was arrested in connection to a drive-by shooting in Hattiesburg.

Police said the shooting occurred near the intersection of West 4th Street and Oliver Avenue on October 14.

Hattiesburg woman charged with hitting ex-boyfriends girlfriend with car

According to investigators, the suspect fired several rounds from a moving vehicle in the direction of a person, but the person was able to escape without being struck.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Upon further investigation, police issued an arrest warrant for Nicklois Lashun Wesley, 19, of Hattiesburg, for the shooting and for multiple auto burglaries that occurred in Hattiesburg.

Wesley was arrested without incident by Hattiesburg police on Friday, November 1 in the 1800 block of Country Club Road. He was booked into Forrest County Jail on the following charges:

One count of aggravated assault: use of a deadly weapon

One count of trafficking in stolen firearm

Five counts of auto burglary

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
(NewsNation)  Hawaii voters cast their ballots Tuesday in some important races in the 2024 elections.

Presidential race in Hawaii

Hawaii US Senate race

Voters will elect one member to the U.S. Senate and two members to the U.S. House.

Incumbent Democratic Sen. Mazie K. Hirono  who first took office in 2013  seeks re-election against Republican challenger Bob McDermott, a former state representative.

Hawaii races for US House

In the House, Democratic Rep. Ed Case is vying for another term in the 1st district against political newcomer Republican Patrick Largey.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democratic Rep. Jill Tokuda is seeking reelection in the 2nd district. She faces Republican newcomer Steven Bond.

Statewide ballot measures in Hawaii

Hawaii voters have two statewide ballot measures to consider. One initiative would remove the states power to ban same-sex marriage. Another would change how district court judges are appointed and confirmed.

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for grabs. These elections will determine who has control over the two chambers of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Hawaii  which has four Electoral College votes  has voted blue in the last six presidential elections. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early voting in Hawaii started on Oct. 22, and polls open at 7 am and close at 7 p.m. local time Tuesday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Hawaii voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballot in the presidential election after a closely fought contest between Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and Republican former President Donald Trump. Also in the mix are several down-ballot races and a ballot measure that would remove limitations in the state constitution on same-sex marriage.

Democrats have historically dominated the Aloha State, electing only two Republican governors and three GOP representatives in its 65-year-old history. That trend is expected to hold steady.

In Hawaiis U.S. Senate race, Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono is seeking a third term, facing Republican Bob McDermott and two third-party challengers. Democratic Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda are also defending their seats in Hawaiis two congressional districts, covering urban and suburban Honolulu and neighboring islands. All three incumbents are expected to win by comfortable margins.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some local races, however, are grabbing attention. The Hawaii Island mayoral race between incumbent Mitch Roth and Kimo Alameda is expected to be close. Roth, a former county prosecutor, has the support of private-sector unions, while Alameda, a former health center executive, is backed by public-sector unions. Key issues in this race include affordable housing, homelessness, and infrastructure improvements.

Hawaii Election Results 2024: Live updates, maps for every state race.

A campaign poster for Hawaii state Rep. Lisa Marten is seen in Lanikai, Oahu.

The race for seats on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Board of Trustees is also significant. Six candidates are vying for three seats on the board, which directs resources to Native Hawaiian communities, impacting areas like education, business support, and community programs.

Hawaiis state Legislature is also set for a shakeup, with at least 11 new members expected due to retirements and primary upsets. One major upset came when longtime House Speaker Scott Saiki lost to progressive Kim Coco Iwamoto, potentially signaling an ideological shift in Hawaiis Democratic Party.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voters will also weigh in on two proposed state constitutional amendments. One would remove the legislatures power to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples, and the other seeks to align judicial appointment processes for district court judges with higher courts for consistency.

More: Hawaii is one of the bluest states in the country. But it wasn't always that way.

Officials eye improved voter turnout

In recent years, Hawaii has struggled with low voter turnout, hitting a record low in August. Just 32.1% of registered voters statewide  269,912 out of 839,618  participated in the primary election, marking the lowest turnout since Hawaii gained statehood in 1959.

However, turnout for the Nov. 5 general election is set to top the numbers from Aug. 10. In late October, county clerks had already received 226,646 ballots across the four counties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rex Quidilla, who serves as election administrator for the City and County of Honolulu, told USA TODAY that he believes that excitement from the presidential race will attract more voters up and down the ballot.

Election officials greet residents at a Kane'ohe District Park voter service center.

Well, you know, its encouraging in the sense that were doing much better than we did in the primary. We set a record for the lowest participation in the primary (in state history), Im not going too far out on a limb by saying that we always expect the generals to do much better than the primaries.

Quidilla noted that officials will not begin counting ballots until after voter service centers close around 7 p.m. local time. He expects that results will come in around 11 p.m. HST.

Voters weigh in

Echoing Quidillas sentiment, early voters at Kaneohe District Park on Oahu expressed enthusiasm for the general election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jeremy Jatas, a 40-year-old business owner from Windward Oahu, said he was motivated to vote for Donald Trump, though he expressed less interest in other races. He identified the economy as a priority.

Being an older adult with a family, you know, my views on things are a lot different now, Jatas said. I feel like voting can make a difference, especially with my kids future. Im not thinking about myself anymore.

Voters head to the polls at Mililani Middle School in Mililani, Hawaii on November 4, 2008.

Minerva Cordeiro, 60, also from Windward Oahu and working in construction, declined to specify her chosen candidate but highlighted immigration as her main concern.

I think we have an obligation to our country, to do our part. This only happens four years at a time, Cordeiro said. Im an immigrant (from the Philippines). I swear thats why I became a citizen, because I wanted to vote, and I wanted to be thankful.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Georgi Decosta, a 49-year-old small business owner from Kaneohe, shared that shes voting for Kamala Harris, citing the preservation of democracy as a vital issue.

I dont think (Donald Trump) has any guidelines and rules, so I just worry about if he would get in, if he would ever leave office at this point, Decosta said. (Im worried about) him following the rule of law, and the peaceful transition of power which we saw did not happen last time.

Jeremy Yurow is a politics reporting fellow based in Hawaii for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at JYurow@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter @JeremyYurow

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hawaii election: What to expect on state's key issues, candidates:
LIVE RESULTS

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Associated Press has called the race for Missouri U.S. Senate and the results show Republican Senator Josh Hawley as the winner for yet another term.

BACKGROUND

After a dramatic campaign season, Americans took to the polls Tuesday to vote for their next state and national representatives. In Missouri, specifically, one of the more high-profile races on this elections ballot was between incumbent U.S. Missouri Senator Josh Hawley and Democrat opponent Lucas Kunce.

Kunce and Hawley were each very outspoken opponents of each other throughout their campaigns, and on Thursday, Oct. 31, their differences truly came to light at the only live debate between the two candidates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Your Local Election Headquarters: Candidates, races and results on FOX4

During the debate, both prospective senators criticized the other and addressed topics that had been widely contested among Americans, specifically Missourians. However, many of those perspectives were blanked under a slew of accusations, insults, and redirection.

So, here are a few key things to know about the two candidates that landed on Missouris ballot, and the views of Missouris elected U.S. Senator, Josh Hawley.

Republican Candidate

Josh Hawley has served as the senator for Missouri since 2022 and was previously the states attorney general. He grew up in Lexington, a small town in rural Lafayette County, and graduated from Stanford University and Yale Law School.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to Hawleys campaign, the senator has been a leading champion in Congress for working families. He has been an outspoken proponent for greater protections for kids online, has served as an attorney in many cases against the Supreme Court, and serves on the Senate Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Energy and Natural Resources, and Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Lucas Kunce campaigns with Adam Kinzinger in Kansas City

Views:

Reproductive Health Supports Missouris abortion ban and the rights of the states to determine reproductive policies Supported 2022 bill banning abortion in U.S. after 15 weeks, with the exception of rape, incest or mothers health Supports national right to IVF access

Illegal Immigration Introduced bill giving states federal authority to enforce immigration laws Sponsored bill capping refugee admissions, limiting family-sponsored immigration, and ending diversity visa program

Russia-Ukraine Does not support continued funding or congressional aid to Ukraine if Congress does pass a bill that compensates Missourians for their declining health problems after they were exposed to radioactive waste near St. Louis

Israel-Hamas Supports Israel  believes it has a right to defend itself Supports takedown of Hamas

Gun Control Supports Second Amendment Hasnt openly discussed implementing restrictions for guns



Democratic Candidate

Jefferson City native Lucas Kunce is a Marine Corps veteran who attended Yale University and the University of Missouri-Columbia Law School. He served in Iraq during the War on Terror and was on active duty for 13 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kunce was on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon where he worked with the National Security Council, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, FBI CIA and many other agencies. After being hired at the Pentagon, Kunce wrote on his campaign website, I spent the next three years taking part in, building, or leading interagency arms control delegations and advocating for our countrys national security in intense negotiations. I had the opportunity to draft our countrys policy and deliver it internationally, building allied coalitions at NATO and the OSCE.

4 The People: Debate night in Missouri recap

Views:

Reproductive Health Pro-choice stance  supports Amendment 3 Wants to vote to codify Roe v. Wade if elected in U.S. Senate Hopes to ensure access to IVF in U.S. by requiring health insurance providers to cover treatments

Illegal Immigration Wants to fund Border Patrol to stop fentanyl crisis in U.S. Supports funding more judges to process cases

Russia-Ukraine Isnt opposed to providing funding to Ukraine to keep American soldiers out of war on European soil

Israel-Hamas Supports Israels defense against Hamas but openly speaks against the killing of civilians in Gaza Supports cease-fire agreement to bring hostages home and protect Gaza civilians

Gun Control Supports Second Amendment Believes there should be more background checks, age restrictions and gun safety training Supports stricter penalties for gun-related crimes



Who was leading the polls before the election?

As of election eve, a poll from The Hill showed Hawley in the lead at 52.6% and Kunce at 44.5%. The results were based on 12 polls released between late January to late October.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Faith leaders on different sides of abortion rights in Missouri

In each of the 12 polls listed on the website, Hawley was declared the winner by more than 3 points.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
ST. LOUIS  A Hazelwood man appeared in U.S. District Court on Monday to be sentenced for production of child pornography.

Prosecutors with the Eastern District of Missouris U.S. Attorneys Office said Antjuan Potts, 27, was first charged in St. Louis County in 2023 with child rape.

The first victim told a county police detectives that she met Potts when she was 14 and had sexual contact with him. Potts recorded that encounter and used a social media account to share videos of that encounter with the victim.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The victim told police Potts was in a similar relationship with another juvenile.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Breaking News

When police interviewed Potts, he admitted having sex with both juveniles and recording the incidents on his phone.

Potts had sex with two other minors. A 15-year-old said Potts sexually assaulted her in 2020. Potts claimed the incident was consensual. He also had intercourse with a 14-year-old in 2021. That victim told investigators shed been drugged and sexually assaulted.

Potts previously pleaded guilty in August to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Monday, Judge John A. Ross sentenced Potts to 24 years in federal prison.

You have caused a tremendous amount of harm, Ross told Potts, referring to the four victims.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  She led Healthy Savannahs journey for 17 years, Sunday the community celebrated and thanked Paula Kreissler at a tribute honoring her retirement.

State Representative Edna Jackson presented a proclamation thanking Kreissler for her service. As Kreissler passed the baton to new executive director Armand Turner, she said shes thankful.

WSAVs Tina Tyus-Shaw with the history of Healthy Savannah.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the year 2006, I had a massive heart attack while I was attending a conference in Memphis. The way that I had that heart attack, other people were having heart attacks, strokes, suffering from high blood pressure, obesity and all kinds of things, former Mayor Otis Johnson said.

And thats when Healthy Savannah was born, when Mayor Johnson expressed his vision. He knew he couldnt entrust it to just anyone, it had to be a visionary with passion, grit and a commitment to serving others.

In steps Kreissler.

I think Paula saw the vision and what could happen, Johnson said. And being the leader that she is, she just took it almost like a personal crusade and helped to bring together people of all stripes and sizes. And she has created a magnificent organization.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And even from a young age, this little girl who grew up on a dairy farm in southwest Missouri lived healthy.

And thats where I grew physically fit initially right? Kreissler said.

That early lifestyle would later inspire the movement that saved the lives of so many people at risk of chronic illnesses. She also raised awareness that helped prevent illness in healthy people.

Cause I read this book called Sugar Blues, and it basically said sugar is poison and thats when my whole life changed, Kreissler said. I started self educating myself and went ahead and started learning things about being healthy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She would go on to share that knowledge with all who would listen.

One of the things that I admired about her was she would always tell me, I didnt need to eat this and I didnt need to eat that because I was over 200 pounds, Rep. Jackson said. And she was determined that she was going to get this weight off of me. And Im happy to say she was very successful.

Executive Director Lizann Roberts said, That was kind of the genesis of Healthy Savannah getting its legs and then really growing into the organization that it is today.

Its an organization that has accomplished so much including a landmark citywide smoke free policy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Former Mayor Otis Johnson, he was in office, and we were able to pass a very strong smoke-free air ordinance in this city, Kreissler said. Our deaths and death rates due to heart attack and heart disease plummeted in Chatham County. Were still the best in the Coastal Health District. And it s just amazing that worked because smoke free air impacts all of us.

Ask those whose lives she touched and they will tell you shes a priceless jewel.

People say old people are just so friendly here and she brings that to the table so Im just so happy for her, Jackson said. Continue to travel, but dont forget about Savannah. She has to be here to keep us all comfortable about what we are eating and correcting us when we are doing the wrong thing.

Roberts said, Joy for the work she does. Shes really a great ambassador for our community. Love is another. Paula has a deep abiding love for our community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Johnson said, She has done a great job of developing young leadership across the organization. And that means that the organization will continue to thrive and to grow into areas that we cant even envision right now. And she has carefully mentored Armand, and I applaud Paula for her choice.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  Up to 6 inches of rain fell Monday in parts of southern Missouri, prompting flash flooding in several rural areas and endangering a levee near a lake.

More heavy rain was in the forecast for much of the state through Wednesday, including for the St. Louis area. The National Weather Service office in suburban St. Louis said flash flooding could be worsened by fall leaves clogging drains and culverts in some places. Several counties in southeastern Missouri were under a flash flood warning.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Map: U.S. Presidential Election Results

St. Francois County Emergency Management said in a Facebook post Monday afternoon that a levee near Iron Mountain Lake was in danger of failing and residents living nearby were urged to evacuate. The evacuation was not mandatory. A shelter was opened at the Bismarck Senior Center.

In nearby Reynolds County, authorities warned that rivers and creeks were rising fast. In Bloomsdale, volunteer firefighters rescued two men after they tried to drive through water on a flooded road. It was among several rural areas where water rescues were reported.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
El Paso County has made use of its new partnership with the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management multiple times in recent weeks, as the county Clerk and Recorder's Office called out hazardous-materials first responders to help clear concerning ballots.

El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker said that his office called the Colorado Springs Fire Department hazmat unit twice to clear ballots mailed in for the 2024 general election.

One ballot received Saturday had a small capsule attached that turned out to be a GPS tracker. Schleiker said his office was concerned about the capsule potentially being filled with a hazardous material prior to hazmat determining it was a tracker.

He said that the tracker was likely put on the ballot due to "misinformation," but that the small change in thickness on the ballot shut down tabulation machines. The incident took about two hours to resolve.

"They want to track their ballot, but at the same time they are able to sit there and do that a number of different ways," he said.

Another ballot mailed earlier was covered in urine, according to Schleiker. Previous elections have seen similar incidents with urine and blood. Those ballots, if filled out, must still be counted, he said.

Schleiker said Colorado Springs police were notified of the incidents and that the voters who tampered with their ballots have been issued summons for misdemeanors related to interfering with the election process.

Hazmat services are only part of the emergency preparedness response that the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management is coordinating for the election this year.

Featured Local Savings

Meredith Nichols, PPROEM deputy director, has opened an emergency coordination center to bring up-to-date information to partner agencies, including area law enforcement and Colorado Springs Public Works.

A day out from the election, Nichols said Monday that things have been smooth-sailing.

"We're steady," she said. "There hasn't been anything major we need to push through."

A major part of the response will be passive monitoring by law enforcement. She said that partner agencies  which include the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and Colorado Springs-area municipal police departments  are walking the "fine line" between ensuring election safety and avoiding the perception of intimidation at the polls.

"They won't be right there the whole time," she said.

Neighboring Pueblo County activated its Emergency Operations Center on Monday in anticipation of the election. The EOC, run through the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, opened a day earlier than usual for this presidential election, according to coordinator Joshua Johnson.

Even so, he stressed that the mid-level emergency coordination was just a precaution.

"As of right now, we have not heard of anything," he said. "We are not expecting anything."

The Teller County Sheriff's Office announced in a joint news release Oct. 31 with Teller County commissioners that additional deputies would be on patrol Election Day.

"Their sole role will be to protect and preserve the peace of all Teller Countys residents and their property," read the release.
By Praveen Paramasivam

THULASENDRAPURAM, India (Reuters) -With sacred chants, ringing of bells and offerings of flowers and bananas, a Hindu priest in Kamala Harris' ancestral village in southern India conducted prayers on Tuesday for her victory in the U.S. presidential election.

The temple ceremony in Thulasendrapuram, in the state of Tamil Nadu, was organised by local villagers and attended by more than a dozen of them and a few tourists.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris' maternal grandfather P.V. Gopalan was born more than a century ago in Thulasendrapuram before migrating to the state capital Chennai. He was a high-ranking government official at the time of his retirement.

After lighting incense, the priest ended the prayer pronouncing "Kamala Harris should win", as he offered vermilion powder and ash to those attending.

At the temple, Harris' name is engraved on a stone that lists public donations, along with that of her grandfather. Outside, Arulmozhi Sudhakar, a local politician, erected a banner on Tuesday, wishing "the daughter of the land" success in the election.

"She is one of us. She will win," said Sudhakar, a representative of a local village body. "Once she wins, we will offer special prayers (on Wednesday) and also donate food at the temple."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sudhakar also painted "Best Wishes for Success" on the mud floor in front of her thatched-roof home a few kilometres (miles) from the temple.

The village received global attention four years ago, when its residents prayed for victory for Harris' Democratic Party in 2020 before celebrating her inauguration as U.S. Vice President by setting off firecrackers and distributing food.

The prayers in Thulasendrapuram on Tuesday attracted a handful of tourists, including two American and one British woman wearing "Kamala Freakin Harris" shirts and chanting "Go Kamala!"

"I am very pro-Kamala, so I wanted to experience her native village," said Devony Evans, a Chennai-based expat who said she voted for Harris and is from Seattle, Washington. "It was important for us, as women, to come ... to honour her."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris, who was born to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father who both immigrated to the United States to study, visited Thulasendrapuram when she was five and has recalled walks with her grandfather on the beach in Chennai.

"My mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, came to the United States from India at 19. She taught me and my sister, Maya, about courage and determination," Kamala Harris said on X on Tuesday.

The results of the election may not be known for days after Tuesday's vote as opinion polls show Harris and her Republican opponent Donald Trump virtually even.

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Thulasendrapuram; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
On Nov. 5, voters across the U.S. cast final ballots that will decide national, state and local races.

In New York, polls are open until 9 p.m. Tuesday. We'll have live updates throughout the day with the latest election news you need to know.

Be sure to download the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin app and turn on breaking news alerts to get the latest updates on your phone.

You can also sign up for news alert emails and our Daily Briefing newsletters. Subscribe to support our coverage and have full access to our analysis in the weeks ahead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Live updates: Broome County Election Day 2024

Where to find election results 2024 for Binghamton and surrounding counties

Polls in New York will close at 9 p.m. and we will post the election results on these pages and below as they become available:

President, vice president results in New York

U.S. Senate race in NY: Results

Molinaro, Riley results: U.S. House 19th District

Lupardo, OKeefe: NY Assembly results

Town of Union supervisor results

Rathmell, Strawn: Binghamton City Council results

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton NY election results 2024: How Broome County voted
Election Day is finally here, but that hasnt stopped Kamala Harris and Donald Trump from rallying in key swing states in their final push to sway undecided voters.

As polls open across the country, heres a look at what each candidate and their running mates are planning  from hitting the ballot box to hosting watch parties  as their respective campaigns come to a close.

Kamala Harriss Election Day schedule

Vice President Kamala Harris is in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Democratic presidential nominee Harris, who voted via mail-in ballot in California, is spending the day in Washington, D.C., where shell continue speaking with key voter groups, including women, young voters and communities of color.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Radio interviews: Harris will participate in seven radio interviews in the battleground states of Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, Michigan and Arizona throughout the day.

D.C. watch party: The vice president will host a watch party at her alma mater, Howard University, where shell join supporters to watch the results come in. She would become the first U.S. president to graduate from a historically Black college and university if elected.

Donald Trumps Election Day schedule

Former President Donald Trump will vote in Palm Beach, Fla. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

Trump is expected to vote in Palm Beach, Fla. today, where he and his team are spending Election Day.

Palm Beach watch party: Trump will host his own watch party at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, where he's expected to give remarks later in the evening. In the meantime, he'll be watching results come in from Mar-a-Lago with family and other guests including Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., CNN reports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more: Yahoo News live election updates

What about their running mates?

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz:

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will head to Pennsylvania. (Morry Gash/AP)

The Democratic vice presidential candidate will attend a political event in Harrisburg, Pa., in a final push to mobilize voters in Pennsylvania.

D.C. watch party: Later in the day, Walz will join Harris for the election night celebration at Harriss alma mater, Howard University.

Ohio Sen. JD Vance:

Ohio Sen. JD Vance casts his ballot in Cincinnati on Election Day. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fresh from a Monday night rally in La Crosse, Wis., the Republican vice presidential candidate cast his vote in Cincinnati on Tuesday morning. He reportedly has no public events scheduled.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56)  As Americans across the nation head to the polls to make their voices heard Tuesday. Candidates running for office are using every last second to get their votes.

But in Kentucky, many people have already cast their ballots.



Kentucky saw a record-breaking turnout for early voting this year and expects that number to grow. Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams said nearly 800,000 people have voted in the 2024 general election, taking advantage of early voting, absentee ballots, and in-person absentee voting.

Of the more than 656,000 Kentuckians who showed up to the polls to vote early on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, nearly 53% were registered Republicans, 40% were registered Democrats, and about 7% were considered independent or other.

MORE POLITICAL NEWS:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many of those people waited over an hour to cast their ballot and those long lines could continue into Tuesday. Adams expects a record-breaking turnout, north of 60%, and said turnout will likely be higher than in 2020 due to the removal of many deceased voters from the rolls.

My gut is were going to see roughly another million and a half people vote tomorrow. Im thinking were going to have a turnout of somewhere north of what we had last timea bit of an uptick. We had 2.1 million voters vote in the 2020 general election; I think well be more like 2.3 this time, said Adams.

Even with such a high turnout expected, Adams said he is confident Kentucky ballots will be counted quickly and accurately. He anticipates the presidential race to be called shortly after 7 p.m. when polls close in the western part of the state.

State election officials are expecting it to be a busy day for the voters and volunteers who will fill polling locations across Kentucky for 12 hours. For many of you, this wont be your first time voting but there are some important things to remember before heading to the polls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For starters, everyone planning to vote must be registered. The only other thing youll need is a valid form of ID. Each voter does have a specific polling location they are assigned but in Lexington, the public libraries are also open for any voters. With expected turnout to top more than 60% by the end of the day, if you still need to vote, give yourself plenty of time to do so.

Voters FOX 56 talked with said that so far, the process for them has been smooth and quick. Most voters decided to head to the polls today because of long wait times due to early voting last week.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

The lines were so long for early voting. So thats why we decided to just come here really early today so we didnt have to wait in line, said Lexington voter Lori Folio.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We still waited in a little line, but it wasnt bad, added Michael Folio.

It was quick and easy. Showed your ID, verified your name, date of birth, and address, signed your name, and got your ballot. The ballot took maybe five minutes at most, said Lexington voter Isaac Sebourn.

Adams said he does not anticipate any challenges with such a high turnout and will be ready to act if needed.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

I encourage Kentuckians to do what they have done, which is to ignore these performers and social media gadflies and get your information from your election officials. Obviously, weve got a pretty good press shop here. We had stuff fast when it comes out, and its false, but you can ask your county clerk and your poll workers as well, said Adams.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and as long as you are in line when they close, you can still cast your vote.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
When Patty Hightower threw her hat in the ring for the Escambia County School Board District 4 seat in 2004, she never expected to remain in the post for 20 years.

She faced an incumbent school board member along with two other candidates. Hightower  the only woman in the race  handily won the seat with 68% of the votes and never faced opposition again in four subsequent elections.

Its truly been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of District 4 and Escambia County, said Hightower, a woman whose name has become synonymous with education for over two decades. I made it my mission to serve as a school board member  responsibly and be that voice parents need.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hightowers last day is Nov. 18. Carissa Bergosh will take over the District 4 seat.

Hightower and her husband, Jimmy, moved to Pensacola in 1976, when she was six months pregnant with her first child, Andy. She had taught at elementary schools in Alabama and Texas, and at colleges in Georgia.

After Andy's birth she planned to take a three-month break and go back to teaching. However, Hightower could not find a job  so she became a stay-at-home mom. Once Andy started kindergarten at Cordova Park Elementary, she began volunteering with the schools PTA and in the classroom.

After son Patrick came along the family moved to the Scenic Heights Elementary School zone, and Hightower began working as a secretary for Sally Lee, then president of the Escambia County Council of Parent and Teacher Associations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I then started looking at things from the county level and started having that aha moment of realizing not everyone has the ability to advocate for their child the way I have been able to advocate for my child, recalled Hightower, who eventually became Escambia County Council PTA president. She later was the Florida PTA secretary and president.

In 2004, after serving at the local and state PTA level, Hightower said she was considering her next step.

At that time, we had a school board that was a little bit dysfunctional. There was some gnashing of teeth between the board and the superintendent, and my church read the book, The Purpose Driven Life. I thought, OK, maybe, this is what I am supposed to do now. I will run and if I dont win, there is another plan and I would just have to figure out what it was, she said.

Since winning that election, Hightower has served with four superintendents  Jim Paul, Malcolm Thomas, Tim Smith and currently, Keith Leonard. Shes also worked with numerous school board members and realizes that her 20-year-tenure will be among the longest due to the new term limit law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Escambia superintendent performance: Escambia Interim Superintendent Keith Leonard just got his first review. Here's how he did

When asked how many graduations she has attended, Hightower estimated at least 140 along with numerous other functions such as awards ceremonies, band events, school expos and more.

People would ask me how I sit there through all of that (graduation ceremonies), and I say, That what its all about! You start them in kindergarten, and you build on that. Then when they graduate, its an accomplishment, Hightower said.

Sometimes, they dont really realize it, but you see it kind of as they are walking across the stage. You see that smile or that uncertainty in their eyes and in their face. I just find that to be one of the joyful moments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lara McKnight, whose four children attended District 4 schools, described Hightower as a very approachable representative.

I've reached out to Patty as my school board representative on countless occasions over the last 20 years and she has always been responsive and willing to listen, McKnight said.

Whether I was voicing concerns, seeking answers to questions, or looking for guidance, Patty has been patient, informative and level-headed. She is a kind and caring person who has served our kids with compassion and our community with honor. I know she's probably tired of hearing from me by now, but I'm exceedingly grateful for her years of dedicated service.

District 5 representative Bill Slayton, who served on the school board with Hightower for four terms, is also retiring. Thomas Harrell, who was elected outright in the August primary, will replace Slayton the school board.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Patty and I have been working together on the board for 16 years, but we have known each other much longer than that, said Slayton, who has served the school district for 52 years as faculty, administrator and school board member.

We communicated a lot back and forth and we always found mutual common ground. We both made decisions based on what was best for all the students.

Over his 36-year career as a faculty member and administrator, Slayton was the band director at Tate High School for 17 years, spent approximately five years as the music and fine arts director for the school district, served as assistant principal and principal at Woodham High School for about 12 years and principal at George Stone Technical College for two years.

I felt that after 16 years on the school board, it was time for someone else to take reins. I always tried to make my decision in cooperation with the school superintendent and if there were differing opinions, I met with him one-on-one to discussed it, Slayton said, adding he is most proud of the school districts academic achievements and in building and updating facilities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Should party matter on school board? What does partisan election mean? School board members and Florida Amendment 1

Hightower agrees with Slayton on the academic strides, adding she is most proud of school district employees and the work they have done with students.

There are also so many of these people I want to maintain contact with because they have become amazing friends, she noted.

Hightowers first action following retirement is a 29-member family cruise to the Caribbean around Thanksgiving.

Ive not gotten that far to plan, and Im too young to be president, she said with a laugh, noting that home projects, visiting grandchildren and mentoring are on her list.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After Nov. 18, Slayton plans to not have a schedule at all  but of course, spend time with family.

My wife, Judy, and I will do the things that we always wanted to do  travel and visit places, he said, adding his wife was also an Escambia County School District teacher for 35 years  two years at Booker T. Washington High and 33 years at Tate High.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Patty Hightower Bill Slayton leaving Escambia County School Board
WAIKIKI, Hawaii (KHON2)  Hotel workers from Hilton Hawaiian Village ratified their new contract on Monday, Nov. 4, putting an end to a 40-day strike.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

On Saturday, Nov. 2, UNITE HERE Local 5 announced the union and Hilton Hawaiian reached a tentative contract deal for more than 1,800 workers.

Hundreds of Maui healthcare workers set to strike Monday morning

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The strike initially began in late September with housekeepers, front desk agents, restaurant workers and more walking off the job at 5 a.m.

Union workers were fighting for proper staffing and wage increases to keep up with Hawaiis cost of living.

Workers at the Hilton Hawaiian Village have led all of us to an important and historic victory that puts hospitality workers and this community one step closer to making one job enough a reality. Cade Watanabe, Financial Secretary-Treasurer

According to the union, the fight is far from over as they have yet to achieve settlements with Hyatt, Kyo-ya and Marriott for more than 3,200 other hotel workers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Advocating for better conditions and pay together is central to Hawaiis history. With this agreement, both sides showed a dedication to raising the quality of life for Hawaiis working families, said Mufi Hannemann, HTA Board Chair.

Hilton Hawaiian Village workers are expected to return on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 4 a.m.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

In a statement, Hilton Hawaiian Village said they are pleased to reach a new labor agreement and look forward to welcoming their team members back to work.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Police announced Monday that a felony hit-and-run suspect is now in custody for crashing into a street takeover crowd in Anaheim and severely injuring two teens.

Investigators identified Hassan Hamid Ali as the driver of the black Dodge Charger that was captured on video striking several pedestrians at the intersection of Orangewood Avenue and State College Boulevard around 2 a.m. Friday.

Leading up to the crash, the footage shows the Charger loudly performing a series of donuts and burnouts at high speeds, narrowly missing the crowd on the sidelines.

Drivers performing burnouts and donuts during a street takeover in Anaheim on Nov. 1, 2024. (Southern Counties News) The suspects black Dodge Charger narrowly misses bystanders as he looped around at high-speeds in Anaheim on Nov. 1, 2024. (@05irvin) The moment the suspect plowed into a crowd of bystanders, trapping two people underneath the car on Nov. 1, 2024. (@05irvin) Bystanders lifted the vehicle to rescue the two young men trapped underneath the car during an Anaheim street takeover on Nov. 1, 2024. Drivers performing burnouts and donuts during a street takeover in Anaheim on Nov. 1, 2024. (Southern Counties News) Drivers performing burnouts and donuts during a street takeover in Anaheim on Nov. 1, 2024. (Southern Counties News) The suspects black Dodge Charger narrowly misses bystanders as he looped around at high-speeds in Anaheim on Nov. 1, 2024. (@05irvin) Drivers performing burnouts and donuts during a street takeover in Anaheim on Nov. 1, 2024. (Southern Counties News) The suspects black Dodge Charger narrowly misses bystanders as he looped around at high-speeds in Anaheim on Nov. 1, 2024. (@05irvin) Drivers performing burnouts and donuts during a street takeover in Anaheim on Nov. 1, 2024. (Southern Counties News)

As Ali continued spinning out, at one point, he lost control and struck several bystanders at the center of the intersection, trapping two 19-year-olds underneath the car.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The car moved forward and the rear passenger side could be seen lifting up as the wheel rolled over one of the bystanders.

Videos on social media showed people trying to lift the vehicle to rescue the young men, one of whom looked bloodied and barely conscious.

The injured teens were rushed to the hospital with major injuries, but authorities confirmed they remained in stable condition on Friday night.

2 teens killed, 1 hospitalized in suspected DUI crash in Southern California

As the crowd attacked the involved vehicle, the driver was able to flee the scene on foot amidst the chaos before police could arrive.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anaheim police said investigators identified and arrested Ali within three days of the incident, and booked him for a felony hit-and-run as well as an exhibition of speed.

Police say the investigation is ongoing, and ask anyone with information to contact the department at 714-765-1900 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Home Depot co-founder and philanthropist Bernard "Bernie" Marcus has died at 95, the home improvement chain announced Tuesday.

"The entire Home Depot family is deeply saddened by the death of our co-founder Bernie Marcus. We owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to Bernie. He was a master merchant and a retail visionary," Atlanta-based Home Depot said in a statement. "But even more importantly, he valued our associates, customers and communities above all. He's left us with an invaluable legacy and the backbone of our company: our values and culture."

He died on Monday at his home in Boca Raton, Florida, surrounded by his family, a company spokesperson said.

Home Depot co-founders Bernard

The billionaire, a major donor to Republican politicians, accumulated his fortune by starting The Home Depot with Arthur Blank in 1978, with the two building the hardware store into a giant retail chain that now operates 2,300 stores and employs more than 500,000.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Marcus was the CEO of Home Depot until 1997 and served as its chairman until he retired in 2002. Bank retired from Home Depot in 2001 after serving as president, CEO and co-chairman.

Marcus had a net worth of $7.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

An outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump, Marcus and his spouse contributed $7 million to committees backing Trump's 2016 campaign and nearly $8 million to Republicans in the 2018 midterms. As of September, he gave more than $1.8 million to back Trump in the current cycle.

Marcus in 2022 told the Financial Times he was worried about the future of capitalism, telling the newspaper he faulted "socialism" in America for people not wanting to work. "Nobody gives a damn. 'Just give it to me. Send me money. I don't want to work  I'm too lazy, I'm too fat, I'm too stupid'."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He founded the Jerusalem-based Israel Democracy Institute in 1991, and in 2003 gave $250 million to the state of Georgia to finance its aquarium in Atlanta.

Born in 1929 to Russian Jewish immigrants in Newark, New Jersey, Marcus grew up poor. He wanted to become a doctor but instead trained to become a pharmacist, graduating from Rutgers University in 1954.

In addition to his wife, Billi, Marcus is survived by three children.

End of an era for iconic moving walkways at San Francisco airport

The unintended consequences of Texas' strict abortion laws | 60 Minutes

The Novo Nordisk scientist behind Ozempic, Wegovy weight loss research
HOOVER, Ala. (WIAT)  The Hoover Police Department announced it is participating in No Shave November to raise money and awareness for The Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation.

The Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation is an organization that comes to the aid of families with terminally ill children. They provide families with emotional support, meals, house cleaning, lawn care and financial assistance with paying bills when necessary.

Birmingham city councilman arrested for DUI

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Every dollar donated goes to relieving families of day-to-day menial tasks. To donate, click here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
This election was always going to be a tough game of defense for Senate Democrats, seven of whom are campaigning against heavy political headwinds in pro-Trump or battleground states that the former president has won in past elections.

The seat currently held by Sen. Joe Manchin (a longtime Democrat who recently switched to independent) is all but assured to go red, notching Republicans at least one flipped seat. But in deep red Montana and slightly less red Ohio, Trump allegiance hasnt guaranteed an easy road to victory for Republicans.

Polls show the Ohio contest as a true toss-up as Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown battles MAGA-aligned businessman Bernie Moreno. And in Montana, GOP challenger Tim Sheehy has a slight lead over Democrat Sen. Jon Tester, but only by an average of 5 points according to 538  a far cry from the states average 18-point lean for Trump (also according to 538).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thats due in large part to the profiles Tester and Brown cut in their states. Images of Tester atop a tractor on his farm are not just every-six-year gimmicks for re-election in a rural state. And neither is Browns pro-union commitment to the dignity of work, embodied by his ever-present canary pin gifted by a steelworker.

To further assert their independence, Tester and Brown have sought to distance themselves from national Democratic figures, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, while staying mostly mum on Donald Trump.

Brown, in a recent interview with me, noted: I dont really care what the presidential candidates are talking about.

If these seats can be held, its ticket-splitting voters who will likely get them there  the question is how many of them are out there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There will be enough, Brown said after an event in the Mahoning Valley, an area that Democrats held until Trump turned it red. Brown has managed to win some of these key counties in the past.

I say this, and its not a cliche, that people dont see politics  I dont see politics  as left to right, he said.

Talking with Ohio voters in Lorain County, outside Cleveland, at least one voter, Julianna, told me she saw it the way Brown did. Shell be voting Trump for president and Brown for Senate.

In Butte, Montana, our NBC News team met 27-year old Tim Combo on the second floor of the Western States Carpenters Union hall. I came up here to vote for Jon Tester, he said. And I am going to vote for Donald Trump, as well.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In five other key Senate contests  Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  Democrats have broadly been able to hold Republicans to toss-ups. The Cook Political Report currently classifies Arizona and Nevada as leaning Democratic.

And in Texas, a rare possible pick-up opportunity for Democrats, Rep. Colin Allred is making a true go of it against GOP Sen. Ted Cruz, though his Lone Star Senate campaign remains a long shot.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee doesnt seem too worried, with a top official confidently telling NBC News that Ohio will be the 51st seat, giving Republicans the majority. Still, Brown, for one, exudes the kind of optimism that only comes from having outperformed political dynamics before.

Im gonna win, Brown said. Because of people like this that have stood up for the public, and stood up for workers, and stood up for consumers, and stood up for a cleaner Lake Erie, and stood up for all the things that, that people just want a shot in life.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
It is unclear who the bones belong to and how long they were there before they were found

Google Maps Penn Treaty Park in Philadelphia, where human bones were found by the Delaware River on Sunday, Nov. 3. Penn Treaty Park in Philadelphia, where human bones were found by the Delaware River on Sunday, Nov. 3.

Two human leg bones were recently found at a Philadelphia park, although authorities are still trying to figure out who they belong to and what might have happened to them.

Around 5 p.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 3, a passerby told police they saw two bones near the Delaware River at Penn Treaty Park, according to CBS affiliate KYW-TV and USA Today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police said the bones were "located in a grassy, rocky area along the parks waterline."

The medical examiner later determined that the remains were leg bones and that they washed up from the river, according to KYW-TV and ABC affiliate WPVI-TV.

Although officials say they bones appear to belong to an adult, additional information remains unclear, KYW-TV reported.



Related: Human Remains Discovered by Hiker in Utah Canyon: 'We Don't Know Exactly How Long They've Been There'

Philadelphia Police Inspector D F Pace said there no clothing was found near the bones, and that authorities are not sure how they wound up in the river, or if a crime occurred.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pace also told local NBC affiliate WCAU that the individual had seemingly been dead for some time

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

At this point now its just a matter of conducting a forensic examination and trying to determine who these bones might belong to, Pace explained.

The Philadelphia Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.

Related: Human Remains of At Least 3 People Found Near Minn. Lake Believed to Be Hundreds of Years Old

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Penn Treaty Park is where Pennsylvania founder William Penn is believed to have signed a treaty of peace with the local Lenape tribe under an elm tree in 1683, according to VisitPhilly.com.



The park opened in the Fishtown neighborhood 1894, though the tree fell in 1810.
BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (PIX11)  Authorities are seeking the publics help after human remains were found in a sump on Long Island Monday morning, police said.

Officers found the remains near Fifth Avenue and Bancroft Road in Brentwood at around 10:55 a.m., according to the Suffolk County Police Department.

The medical examiner will determine the identity and cause of death, officials said. No other information was immediately available.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Detectives are asking anyone with information to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Legacy Alliance Outreach, a re-entry program in Modesto that helps once-incarcerated people adjust to life outside of prison, has registered around 270 of them to vote in this years presidential election.

Since the passage of state Proposition 17 in 2020, people who were convicted of felonies and released with or without bail are now able to cast ballots..

Michael Baldwin, the founder and executive director of Legacy Alliance Outreach, is also voting for the first time after being incarcerated for 26 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ill probably be one of the happiest people in the voting line, because I think that sometimes we take those types of obligations for granted, the 53-year-old said.

From the left, Luis Perez, Jesse Cecena, Michael Baldwin, Esther Narango, Darnell Green and Michael Patton outside Legacy Alliance Outreach in Modesto, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. All are voting for the first time.

Proposition 17 passed with 59% approval of California voters, restoring voting rights for parolees with felony records.

Michael Whitelaw, 36, was convicted of a felony when he was 18 years old.

I was always under the impression you couldnt vote if youre a felon, so I was just enlightened that I could, he said.

Baldwin said he has worked hard to register people who otherwise wouldnt have known they could vote. Legacy Alliance Outreach plans to secure transportation to the polls Tuesday so the new voters can cast their ballots.

Michael Whitelaw at the Legacy Alliance Outreach in Modesto, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Whitelaw, 36, was convicted of a felony when he was 18 years old. He is voting for the first time this election.

Joshua Hilburn said he felt anxious and excited about voting for the first time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im happy because I get to vote, I never thought I would be able to, he said. It just surprised me that California has given a person the opportunity to step up and have their voice heard for once in the country.

Michael Patton said he is looking forward to voting for the first time but doesnt know what to expect.

Ever since Ive been working on myself and my recovery, Im trying to do all of the normal people things, you know, he said. Im trying to learn new experiences and things Ive never done in life, and this is one of those things.

Darnell Green is from west Modesto and said what he is most looking forward to are the City Council races.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im looking forward to seeing who will at least do something for the community and be actively participating in overseeing the community, he said.

Esther Narango got out of prison in May and is one of the many voters going to the vote center Tuesday.

Its a whole new experience knowing were allowed to vote being on parole, which really surprised me, she said. I mean, if were paying taxes, we should be able to vote.

Baldwin said he felt like he was raised not to vote.

I wasnt supposed to vote, I wasnt supposed to care about that stuff, he said. Until I started learning and studying and realized that the more I dont care about that, the more of those decisions are made for me, and theyre not usually made in my best interest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sammy Provencio said getting to vote has helped him feel part of the community. Thats why its important that formerly incarcerated people get that chance, he said.

This is a country of democracy, you know, we get to choose and we get to pick, he said. This is my first time voting for measures like for infrastructure and city schools and supervisors and electing mayors.

Lorenzo Vargas went to prison when he was 20 years old and just got out July 2. Hes now 63 and said he was originally hesitant to vote because he wanted to make sure he could do his homework on the candidates and measures.

This is my country and Im embracing it, Vargas said. Ive been given another opportunity and I want to do the best I can to make the right choices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jesse Cecena was in prison for 44 years, hes now 63 years old. By the time he turned 18 and would be eligible to vote, he was already incarcerated.So now I can get that opportunity, something that I thought I would never have an opportunity to do, Cecena said. I didnt believe that my voice mattered, then today I see that it does matter.

Michael Baldwin, founder and executive director of Legacy Alliance Outreach in Modesto, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. He and other formerly incarcerated people are voting for the first time.

Esther Narango at Legacy Alliance Outreach in Modesto, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Narango got out of prison in May and is one of many people in the Legacy Alliance Outreach re-entry program that will vote for the first time in this election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement
Over the course of three days, the Grovetown Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force targeted online predators in the Augusta area as part of "Operation Mask Off."

During the operation, which ran from Thursday through Sunday, undercover agents and investigators engaged more than 1,200 individuals via the internet and cellular apps, of which 208 verified adults expressed a desire to meet for sexual activity, according to a news release from GPD.

Despite being told multiple times they were conversing with a "child," 43 individuals said they wished to travel to meet for sex, offering payment in exchange, according to the release. Of the 43, 12 indicated they were traveling to pre-arranged meeting locations provided by investigators.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Three individuals followed through with their plans and traveled to the meeting locations, where instead of a "child," they were met members of the Grovetown Police Department and arrested, according to the release.

Taken for a ride: Grovetown woman claims Uber driver hit her with car after aggressive ride

According to authorities, those three individuals include:

Jose Polidecto Lemus, 41, was determined to be in the country illegally and an ICE detainer was placed on him.

Clinton Chad Wilson, 42, of Louisville, Georgia.

Do Nhut Minh, 25, of Pearland, Texas.

Lemus, Wilson and Minh are each charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children and were committed to the Columbia County Detention Center, with additional charges forthcoming, according to the release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition to the custodial arrests, warrants were obtained for Willie Hines Jr. of Spartanburg, South Carolina for sexual exploitation of children after he was positively identified during the chats, according to the release. Hines is also wanted in Gwinett County for similar charges.

"This is an ongoing investigation and additional charges and arrests are anticipated as other individuals are identified," according to authorities. Multiple electronic devices and three vehicles were seized as part of the operation.

GPD confirmed the Army Criminal Investigations Division assisted in the investigation, though it is unclear if any of the suspects are current or former military personnel.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Grovetown authorities make multiple arrests in child predator sting
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Although the job doesnt come with much power and control, the lieutenant governor serves a specific purpose as second in command to the Governor.

One important job of the lieutenant governor is to serve as the president of the state Senate and a member of the State Board of Education, as well as the Capital Planning Commission, the State Board of Community Colleges, the State Board of Economic Development, and the chair of the Energy Policy Council. They also serve as acting governor if the governor leaves the state, resigns, dies, or is otherwise removed from office.

It is the only official in North Carolina tasked with responsibilities in both the executive and legislative branches of the state government. Despite this, the officer is not able to cast a vote in the Senate, except to break a tie.

Who are the candidates?

Hal Weatherman, Republican candidate for North Carolina Lieutenant Governor, speaks at a rally Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Roxboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Hal Weatherman is a husband, father of three, and a native North Carolinian. Weatherman is a former chief of staff to former NC Lt. Governor Dan Forest and former U.S. Representative for North Carolinas 9th congressional district Sue Myrick. He is the founder and president of the Electoral Education Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to advancing election integrity efforts. This is Weathermans first run for public office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Weatherman earned an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and a masters degree from Wheaton College.

In the March NC GOP primary, Weatherman won with the majority vote for Lt. Governor nominee against Jim ONeill.

North Carolina Sen. Rachel Hunt

Democratic nominee Rachel Hunt is currently a member of the North Carolina State Senate. She was elected in November 2022 to represent the 42nd district, based in Mecklenburg County. Prior to this, she served two terms in the North Carolina House. She worked as an attorney for Families in Transition from 1994 to 2006 and operated a domestic violence shelter, according to her interview with The News & Observer.

Hunt is a mother of two and the daughter of former four-term NC Governor Jim Hunt. She has a degree in English and political science from UNC-Chapel Hill, a juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law, and a certificate in college counseling and education from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2023, when she announced her candidacy for lieutenant governor she stated that she is running to bring honor and integrity back to the office since current Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson ascended to the post in 2021.

Hunt beat out democratic nominees Ben Clark and Mark H. Robinson in the primary election.

Key Issues

Abortion Rights & Healthcare

Weatherman supports a heartbeat bill, prohibiting abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Additionally, he wants to simplify the adoption process and incentives for those who adopt. He supports emergency pregnancy clinics for women in crisis.

On top of supporting Medicaid expansion, Hunt supports protecting reproductive rights as well as access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare. As someone who advocated for women, children, and families while working as an attorney, Hunt wants to eliminate disparities in maternal care and make healthcare affordable.

Economy

Weatherman says one of his primary goals as lieutenant governor would be to remove the stigma of working in trades. He is an advocate for the North Carolina apprenticeship program and wants to give tax incentives to participating companies. Weatherman sees the value and importance of the rural parts of the state. He plans to redirect state contracts to local businesses, particularly in 75 rural counties. Additionally, he supports investing in infrastructure like ports and cold storage to transition North Carolinas agriculture from a local to a global market.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As a small business owner, Hunt plans to prioritize small business growth and job creation while increasing the minimum wage. Hunt also wants to stand with rural North Carolina by encouraging economic opportunities and access to quality education.

Public Safety

Weatherman is in favor of having armed school resource officers in each and every North Carolina elementary, middle, and high school, saying There is no excuse for this not currently being the case. He is also an avid supporter of the Second Amendment.

In Hunts plan for keeping our communities safe, she plans to support common-sense red flag laws that curb gun violence and keep guns out of the hands of children. Red flag law is a gun law that permits a state court to order the temporary seizure of firearms from a person deemed a danger to themselves or others. She adds that she supports law enforcement efforts, and fostering collaboration for a secure, nurturing environment for all families.

Education

Both candidates are in support of public education, but Weatherman emphasizes that he is in support of school choice, saying that education funding should follow the child to any education choice that parents decide. As a State Senator, Hunt voted against defunding public schools and sending taxpayer dollars to private schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
A custom-designed program thats thought to be the first-of-its-kind in the nation to pique the interest of high school students to consider careers in the mental health field launched this semester in Colorado Springs as an experiment that seems to be proving its hypothesis.

With the COVID-19 pandemic realization of how depression, anxiety, loneliness and social isolation can affect childrens lives, juniors and seniors want to learn about the industry and how they can envision themselves as part of it, said Neesha Lenzini, health science pathways coordinator for Colorado Springs School District 11.

In its initial stages it was going to be 25 students, but we had so much interest we have 35 in the cohort, she said.

A $300,000 grant from the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration is funding the new Diversified Minds Mental Health Institute through June 2026. The inaugural group includes students from schools in District 11 and Harrison School District 2.

With a desire to help meet the profession's lack of diverse workers, organizers worked to eliminate all possible barriers for marginalized populations to participate, Lenzini said.

For example, all institute students receive free transportation and lunches to once-monthly classes that are held in different locations. Also, application requirements prioritized motivation and commitment over academic standards. And a few 20-year-old students from opportunity schools have been admitted.

Positions in the field are also diverse in nature.

Created with Diversus Health, one of the largest nonprofit behavioral health providers in the region, the curriculum includes students being introduced to the many jobs in the sector.

In addition to counselors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers, employees work in legal, accounting, marketing, purchasing, billing, contracting, human resources and other operations departments that support delivery of behavioral health services, said Katie Blickenderfer, chief clinical officer at Diversus.

The fledgling mental health career-development program also provides credentialing through a suicide prevention awareness program and Mental Health First Aid training, networking, opportunities for concurrent enrollment and certification, and guidance on college tracks and beginner-level jobs.

After the program ends in April, Lenzini said students can seek entry into the workforce in such positions as front desk receptionist, initial intake, behavioral health assistant, peer specialist (particularly with applicable personal experience), marketing assistant, crisis phone response, and internships and apprenticeships.

Theres a lot where they can get their foot in the door, Lenzini said, and as they get degrees, they could work for Diversus or other agencies, the Department of Human Services, school districts and organizations.

As students develop essential leadership and workforce skills, and learn about mentoring others, the final session next spring will feature mock job interviews and resume building to launch them into the next phase of their lives, Blickenderfer said.

The program is meant to change the conversation around mental health in our schools and community, she said.

Featured Local Savings

Theres always been a stigma around mental health care in general and accessing care if youre struggling, Blickenderfer said. COVID helped bring forth mental health issues and made it more OK for people to ask for help.

But the workforce isnt matching the number of people in demand for the care, and now we almost have to debunk the stigma around being a mental health care provider and what it means to be in the field.

A Sept. 12 presentation at D-11s Roy J. Wasson Academic Campus, which houses several alternative education programs, drew more than 100 students who learned about mental health myths and easy ways to destress, such as taking a walk, mindful eating, calling a friend and other intentional actions to create a positive experience for yourself.

Practicing laughter yoga was an audience favorite, Blickenderfer said, as laughing is a natural way to increase feel-good endorphins and dopamine in the body.

Students began the exercise by forcing themselves to laugh, inspired by peers who stood in front of the large group and made silly faces and gestures.

Soon, Blickenderfer said, the forced laughter transitions to real laughter and becomes a proven healing agent for the mind.

We saw amazing things because they get to be in a safe space with kids that probably would never sit in a room with each other because they come from different walks of life, Lenzini said. Creating a cohort and pathway for mental health creates safe support spaces so they can thrive, succeed and spread that to other students.

The course began and will end with a survey to help gauge its effectiveness.

As an aspiring teacher, I want to be knowledgeable in mental health to help students, one participant wrote.

Im very interested and passionate about having a career as a mental health advocate/therapist, another student wrote. I believe that this would help me become closer to my goals.

Another student said, I enjoyed the sessions. I liked the fact that everyone got involved even if it was just them saying their name and what occupation they would like to pursue.

School engagement and other positive influences mean 60.5% of youth in the U.S. are flourishing, according to The State of Mental Health in America 2024. But 39.5% are not. One in five youth had at least one major depressive episode in the past year, the report states, and more than half of them, nearly 3 million youth, did not receive treatment.

Nearly one in four adults experienced a mental illness in 2021-22, according to the report. Yet there was only one mental health care provider for every 350 people in the U.S.
Heavy rains from Hurricane Helene caused record flooding and damage on Sept. 28 in Asheville, North Carolina. The city is home to the only abortion clinic and high-risk obstetrics center in the western part of the state. (Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

Since Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina in late September, the full spectrum of reproductive health care in the region has been in precarity, from treatment for high-risk pregnancies to abortion care. Western North Carolinas only abortion clinic is still closed, and third-trimester, high-risk pregnant patients have been transferred out to hospitals across the state, health care workers told States Newsroom.

Dr. Bhaskari Burra is an Asheville-based OB-GYN who works at the only high-risk obstetrics center in western North Carolina. Shes also a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The clinic had to close after the storm and wasnt able to fully open back up until the middle of October, Burra said: Were already in a maternity care desert in this area and that sort of further ostracized people from accessing care on the outpatient side.

Asheville is the seat of Buncombe County. But six nearby counties  Alleghany, Clay, Graham, Madison, Mitchell and Swain  have no hospitals or birth centers that offer obstetric care, according to the March of Dimes.

On the inpatient side, folks who are high risk and already hospitalized prior to the storm were transferred to other facilities in the east, including hospitals in Chapel Hill, Charlotte and Greenville, North Carolina. Some patients were even transferred to Greenville, South Carolina.

Mission Hospital in Asheville had no running water for four days, according to AVL Watchdog. Burra said the labor and delivery unit was open for emergencies and people who could not evacuate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Imagine if youre postpartum, if youve had a C-section and you also have an abdominal incision to care for  and obviously a baby to care for. That is impossible to do without access to clean water, Burra said, adding that they encouraged new mothers who could to evacuate.

Even though Burras clinic is fully operating now, theyre still dealing with the effect of the storm, more than a month after landfall. I think well be seeing the ramifications of this from a patient standpoint for a long time, she said.

Ash Williams, a member of Mountain Area Abortion Doula Collective, echoed that sentiment.

People were really talking about the impact of the storm two weeks ago, and now some of that support and attention is dwindling, but there are still people that are really impacted and needing support, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its unclear when Planned Parenthoods Asheville Health Center will reopen, but staff hopes to resume abortion services soon, said Molly Rivera, the organizations regional spokesperson.

The clinic has been closed since the storm landed in Asheville on Friday, Sept. 27, she said. Patients were rescheduled to affliate clinics in Charlotte and Winston-Salem. Telehealth appointments for birth control and gender-affirming care were not interrupted by the hurricane, Rivera said.

But telehealth appointments for medication abortion are not available. Even though a federal judge struck down several restrictions on medication abortion in June, North Carolina law still requires patients to fill out informed consent paperwork in-person.

North Carolina has been under a 12-week abortion ban since July 2023, but the state is still considered an access point in the Southeast, where most abortions are illegal. With the clinics closure, Tennessee patients were especially affected, Rivera said. Major parts of Interstate 40 between Tennessee and North Carolina were damaged by the storm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Patients from out of state seeking abortion can turn to abortion funds. But since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade more than two years ago, fund operators say donations have dwindled.

In July, the National Network of Abortion Funds  Carolina Abortion Fund is a member  announced it would cover 30% of abortion costs, down from covering half of the costs, States Newsroom reported.

Williams said his group helps fill in the gaps in abortion access in the western part of the state, and for people in Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee who need abortions. But after the storm, the collective decided to focus on people who needed abortions in their region, he said.

A national organization called Elevated Access that flies people across the country to get abortions recently sent a plane full of supplies  emergency contraception, period products, pregnancy tests and gender-affirming care products  to Asheville to help with relief efforts, according to Williams and Mike Bonanza, the groups executive director.

The storm made people outside of the affected area want to support abortion access with funding. We were able to raise money to support the people that were needing care, and we did see a little bit of an influx of funding during the storm, Williams said. But similar to how it goes after a ban and a restriction, people will sometimes donate a lot of money to abortion funds. And then weeks later, were seeing those things dwindle and die down. That is kind of what were noticing now.
A law meant to stop voters from registering at the polls with a scuba diving card and an Amazon box has claimed its first victims: legitimate Idaho voters.

As the Idaho Statesmans Ian Max Stevenson reported, dozens of people have been prevented from voting this year because of a law passed by the Idaho Legislature in 2023 limiting what qualifies as valid ID to establish identity.

The valid forms of ID to vote in Idaho are a current Idaho drivers license, an Idaho identification card, a passport or federal ID, a tribal identification card, or an enhanced or concealed carry weapons license.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The law eliminated student IDs and photo IDs from the list of valid forms of identification.

Concealed carry license, yes. Student ID, no.

That means people who have recently moved to Idaho and still have their valid drivers license from another state are getting turned away.

Its worth pointing out that the new law likely would disproportionately affect recent transplants from California, who tend to be Republican voters.

Seniors who have moved into a senior living facility and no longer have a valid drivers license also are seeing problems.

It feels like I am denying legitimate citizens who have proved residency the ability to vote because of this strict ID requirement, Ada County Clerk Trent Tripple told the Statesman.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One of the bills sponsors was Rep. Brandon Mitchell, R-Moscow, who said there was a flaw with same-day registration that would allow me to vote with a scuba diving card and an Amazon box.

Democrats went along with it, ostensibly because it included the stamp of approval from Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, a Republican who is respected and trusted by people from both sides of the aisle.

The bill, House Bill 340, passed 59-4 in the House and 23-12 in the Senate with little to no debate in either chamber or in committee.

While the main focus of the bill was getting rid of student IDs as a form of identification, no mention was made of the effect it would have on new residents who still have their out-of-state licenses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mitchell himself testified that only 120 people used a student ID to register to vote in the previous election, a minuscule number. But the Republican Partys obsession with illegal voting based on Donald Trumps big lie that the 2020 presidential election was rigged and stolen has no bounds, regardless of how many legitimate voters they disenfranchise along the way.

The bill was passed in 2023 but is probably coming to light now because of the heavy turnout for the presidential election.

So where was the education campaign to remind voters that their out-of-state licenses would no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification?

Its another stark reminder that legislators  and apparently the secretary of state  need to do a better job of forecasting the negative impacts of their decisions.

Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members Greg Lanting, Terri Schorzman and Garry Wenske.
Juan Santos-Quintero Jr. has spent the majority of his adult life in prison. Throughout his adolescence and into his early adulthood, the Idaho Falls resident was in and out of the correctional system until a 2018 incident that left a Bingham County Sheriffs deputy injured earned him a life sentence with the possibility for parole.

In 2023, five years into that sentence, Santos-Quintero beat another prisoner, 26-year-old Junior Garcia, to death. Santos-Quintero and Joshua Pedroza were indicted in September 2023, with Santos-Quintero being convicted of first-degree murder nearly a year later.

To Ada County Prosecutor Katelyn Skaggs, Santos-Quinteros extensive criminal record demonstrated that hes a fundamentally violent person who would  whether in custody or not  endanger whatever community he lived in. Skaggs, during Santos-Quinteros Monday sentencing, asked for a life sentence without the option for parole, while the 28-year-olds defense attorneys argued that their clients traumatic childhood and untreated mental health issues weighed toward him having a chance to get out of prison with a more lenient 30-year sentence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fourth District Judge Steven Hippler  who called Garcias torturous beating gruesome and disturbing  agreed with the prosecution. He gave Santos-Quintero life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In short, the defendant is a danger to anyone around him and the court believes that that will be the case for the rest of his life, Hippler said in court Monday, adding that Santos-Quinteros behavior indicated that no measure the court takes can protect the community, other than keeping him from the community.

Unfortunately, I cant protect other inmates and guards from him, he continued. Santos-Quintero is expected to pay roughly $7,500 in restitution for Garcias funeral costs and a $5,000 fine.

Santos-Quinteros defense said the sentence removes the state parole commissions ability to consider whether he could eventually be rehabilitated and released from prison with enough programming.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It breaks our hearts to have a court sentence someone so young to fix life without the opportunity of parole, Amy Mitchell, who works for the Ada County Public Defenders Office, told the Idaho Statesman after Mondays sentencing.

It effectively writes his entire life for him, she added.

I wish nothing but the worst for you

On the afternoon of June 14, 2023, Garcia, Santos-Quintero and Pedroza were outside in the Idaho Maximum Security Institutions recreational area when the attack occurred. This wasnt some sort of frenzied attack, Skaggs said during Santos-Quinteros trial. This was Mr. Santos-Quintero kicking the victim again, and again, and again, as Garcia lay flat and defenseless on his back not lifting a finger.

Santos-Quintero kicked Garcia 45 times during the beating, at one point dragging Garcias unresponsive body so that Garcias head was up against a metal object. Images presented during the trial showed Garcia lying next to a cage in the recreational area, with his face covered in blood.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For Eddie Garcia, Garcias younger brother, the death of his brother flipped his life upside down. He said in a statement read by Skaggs during the sentencing that he remembered asking himself how someone could inflict so much damage on another person and the utter shock in learning that Santos-Quintero was the one whod beaten him. The men were childhood friends and Garcias family took Santos-Quintero in when he was struggling with his home life.

I remember you wearing my brothers clothes. I remember you eating our food, and we never batted an eye, because thats what you do when someone is in need, Eddie Garcia said in the written statement. Even when we didnt want to, we took you in as one of our own, because thats what my brother wanted.

Eddie Garcia added that Santos-Quintero would have to answer to God for his crimes, a sentiment echoed by the rest of Garcias family, many of whom attended Mondays sentencing. Yecenia Diaz Rodriguez, Garcias sister, said shes dealt with stress, depression and anxiety since her brothers death.

I wish nothing but the worst for you. It may sound wrong, but youre nothing but a waste on this world, Diaz Rodriguez said in a prepared statement. You should be the one dead and not my brother.
The Idaho Supreme Court dismissed an appeal Tuesday evening from prisoner Thomas Creech, which would seem to clear yet another hurdle for the state to end the life of its longest-serving member of death row next week.

But that plan was complicated earlier in the day when a federal judge said at a hearing that he would issue a stay of execution for Creech, because the states high court had yet to rule on the appeal, which relied on similar legal arguments. Creech was scheduled to be put to death Nov. 13 after a prior attempt to do so earlier this year failed.

U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow, a senior judge from the District of Arizona, told the courtroom that it was necessary to wait on the Idaho Supreme Courts ruling before the federal case could move forward. Snow, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, subbed in on Creechs three active federal appeals because of potential conflicts of interest for Idahos federal judges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im not going to rush justice in a case like this, Snow said at the hearing, which Creech attended by phone from Idahos max prison south of Boise. Even if the (Idaho courts) opinion came down today, I would be inclined to stay this matter for at least 20 days.

On Wednesday morning, he issued the stay, which extended the deadline for all legal filings in the case to Nov. 29. A hearing for oral arguments would be expected to follow, plus time for Snow to issue his decision in the case, and push out the possibility of a new execution date for Creech even further.

Because the Supreme Courts ruling was issued just a week before Creechs scheduled execution, a stay is necessary to allow the parties to fully brief, and for this court to fully consider the arguments, Snow wrote in the order.

Idaho Department of Correction spokesperson Sanda Kuzeta-Cerimagic told the Statesman by email Tuesday that prison officials were aware of the verbal stay, but were awaiting the judges written order to take any action. On Wednesday afternoon, the prison system issued a public notice that Creech was returned to his cell on death row and execution preparations were suspended.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Idaho Attorney Generals Office, represented at the hearing by LaMont Anderson, the states chief capital deputy attorney general, opposed the issuance of a stay. A stay, or pause, meant the standing death warrant for Creech, obtained Oct. 16, would exceed its 30-day expiration date, Anderson acknowledged to the court. Creechs death warrant would expire on its own terms, the prison systems notice read.

Creechs attorneys with the nonprofit Federal Defender Services of Idaho have alleged in the case that a second attempt to execute Creech would violate his constitutional rights, including against cruel and unusual punishment. Creechs attorneys with the State Public Defenders Office appealed a similar case to Idahos high court.

An Idaho district judge dismissed the case in September. Creechs state public defenders appealed to the Idaho Supreme Court, where it awaited a decision from the five justices for more than a week.

Justice Cynthia Meyer wrote the courts opinion, which affirmed the lower state courts decision. Concurring were Justices Robyn Brody and Gregory Moeller. Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan wrote a separate concurrence, joined by Justice Roger Burdick.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

State Public Defender Erik Lehtinen declined to comment on the courts ruling, citing ongoing litigation.

Creechs state public defenders have a separate appeal using the same legal arguments now before the justices, and have asked for a state-level stay of execution. The federal stay pushed the deadline for those legal filings to Nov. 15.

Prosecutors provide no comment

At the federal hearing, both Anderson and attorney Mary Spears, who represented Creech in court Tuesday, said they were surprised the Idaho Supreme Court had yet to issue its ruling. While earlier denying a stay of execution in that case, the justices also said they would decide it based only on legal briefs rather than hold a hearing for oral arguments.

The Federal Defender Services of Idaho declined a Statesman request for comment Tuesday, and did not immediately respond Wednesday after Snow issued his stay order.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Creech, 74, is Idahos longest-serving death row prisoner, and will have been imprisoned for 50 years as of Thursday. Creech has been convicted of five murders, including three Idaho victims, and prosecutors suspect he committed several others across the western U.S.

This death warrant obtained by the Ada County Prosecutors Office was the 13th since Creech was sentenced to death in 1976. It scheduled his execution by lethal injection for Nov. 13.

Creech survived a planned execution by lethal injection in February. After about an hour, the prisons team was unable to locate a suitable vein to establish an IV for the lethal chemicals, and state prison leadership called it off. Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts and Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador attended as state witnesses at the failed execution.

Creech became the first prisoner in Idaho to survive an execution, and just the sixth in modern U.S. history to survive one by lethal injection, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Through her office spokesperson, Bennetts, who won reelection Tuesday, declined to comment and directed the Statesman to the AGs office because it is handling the federal case. At an election party Tuesday night, Bennetts told a Statesman reporter she had yet to review the state Supreme Courts ruling, so could not speak to it.

Repeat requests for comment from the AGs office have received no response.

Reporter Sarah Cutler contributed reporting.
WACO, Texas (FOX 44)  A new event will enhance awareness of and celebrate Indian and South Asian culture throughout the Waco community.

The Asian Leaders Network (ALN) has announced its inaugural Diwali (pronounced duhvaalee) Festival on Wednesday, November 6. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wacos Bridge Street Plaza, located at 200 E Bridge Street. This is a vibrant Festival of Lights, presented in collaboration with the Waco Downtown Farmers Markets (WDFM) Wednesday Night Market.

ALN Waco is excited to partner with WDFM to uplift Wacos local small businesses and artists while enriching the diverse cultures in the community. The ALN says that as a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, its mission is to co-create community among Asians and Asian-Americans in the Greater Waco area by celebrating and preserving arts and culture.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

ALN says Diwali is widely celebrated throughout India and South Asia for its symbolism of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. It is a time for reflection, renewal and the celebration of lifes blessings, fostering unity and bringing communities together in a spirit of love and harmony.

Event organizers say the festival will feature live performances, including local and Texas-based

Bollywood Fusion Dance and South Asian A Cappella music, starting at 5:30 p.m. Local Indian and South Asian student organizations will also be in attendance, such as the Baylor Indian Subcontinent Student Association (ISSA) and Baylor Gateway to India (GTI).

Baylor Taal, Baylor Universitys Competitive Bollywood Fusion Dance Team, will perform alongside Virtual Arts for Humanity (VAH) and other local student groups, showcasing talented South Asian performers from across Waco and Texas. Festival attendees are encouraged to join in a variety of activities, including ALN bingo and exciting raffle giveaways starting at 5 p.m.

Event organizers say families will have the opportunity to enjoy Diwali-themed arts and crafts, making it a delightful experience for all ages. There will be over 15 additional vendors at the Diwali festival, many of which are Asian-owned or led small businesses and community organizations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Diwali Festival is free and open to the public. For more information, you can visit ALNs website at asianleadersnetwork.org.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Three incumbents are going to keep their seats in Missouris 4th, 5th and 6th Congressional Districts in the 2024 General Election.

Missouri 4th

The Associated Press has declared U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-4) the winner of Missouris 4th Congressional District. This will be his second term in Congress.

Alford was a TV news anchor at FOX4 who has served on the House Armed Services Committee, House Agriculture Committee and House Small Business Committee. His opponent, Jeanette Cass, worked 30 years with the United States Postal Service.

Missouri 5th

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-5) has been declared the winner of Missouri Congressional District 5 for the 11th election season. He beat Republican Sean Smith, a District 6 Jackson County Legislator.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cleaver is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services, chairing a subcommittee for housing, community development and insurance. Hes also a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Prior to serving in Congress, Cleaver II served 12 years on the Kansas City Council between 1979 and 1991 before he was elected as the citys first African American mayor, holding that office between 1991-1999.

Smith, Cleavers opponent, has served as a chairman on the committee overseeing Jackson Countys 911 operations and was the first Republican to announce a bid against Cleaver back in 2023. He was elected to the Jackson County Legislature in 2022.

Missouri 6th

The Associated Press called the race for Missouris 6th District representative, declaring U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-6) as the winner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rep. Graves is looking to serve his 13th term in the 6th Congressional District and beat out Democrat Pam Ray in the 2024 general election.

Graves is the Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and also serves on the House Committee on Armed Services.

Prior to serving in Congress, he was elected to both the Missouri State House and Senate in the 1990s.

This was Mays first time running for any office. Shes lived in various part of the district, including Clay and Platte County and currently lives in St. Joseph. Shes a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
FORT WAYNE, Ind.  Indiana's next U.S. Senator is Republican Jim Banks.

The Northeast Indiana Congressman, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, was winning his race by 20 percentage points near midnight Tuesday. His was among the first races in the state called at 7 p.m.

Banks led Democrat Valerie McCray claiming 59% of the vote compared to McCray's 39%, with 85% of the vote reported statewide. In addition to McCray, Banks also faced Andrew Horning in the race to replace Republican Mike Braun who vacated the seat in his run for governor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Banks celebrated his victory at the Allen County Republican Party's election night event in Fort Wayne where he thanked his family and supporters.

I dont take this lightly," Banks said in remarks after the race was called. "This is an incredible honor. But tomorrow, we roll up our sleeves and we get to work. And it is my prayer and my hope that tonight we will send Donald Trump back to the White House, the greatest president of my lifetime.

The 2024 U.S. Senate race was an unusual election that generated little attention despite being a top-of-ticket race this year. Banks was considered the front-runner in the U.S. Senate race for nearly the entire 2024 election cycle after he launched his campaign in January 2023.

McCray, a clinical psychologist from Indianapolis, and Horning, a perennial Libertarian candidate from the town of Freedom, could do little to compete with Banks campaign war chest and name recognition from his elected experience in Congress and the Indiana state senate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

McCray was the surprise winner of the states Democratic U.S. Senate primary in May. Even with the loss Tuesday, she made history as the first Black woman to win a major partys nomination for U.S. Senate in Indiana.

"We did something big, we fought this fight with no money at all," McCray said in remarks at the Indiana Democratic Party's election night event in Indianapolis.

The dominant Banks win, though, led to an upbeat mood at the Allen County Republican Party's election night event, where Banks celebrated his victory and a live band swapped the lyrics of Kool and the Gang's "Ladies Night" to "Jim Banks' night."

Banks, who turned 45 this year, will serve a six-year term in the Senate and join Republican U.S. Sen. Todd Young representing the Hoosier State. He will likely be among the youngest members of the U.S. Senate, where the average age is currently 64 years old.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Election Day 2024 live updates: Hoosiers head to the polls to vote for president, governor

Banks was elected in 2016 to represent Indiana's 3rd Congressional District and has been considered a rising star in GOP circles, with an influence that continues to grow, especially following Tuesday's win. The congressman is close with Trump and the former president's family and has vowed to be Trumps conservative fighter in the Senate, supporting the former presidents economic and immigration policies.

The congressman voted in Columbia City Tuesday and said he spent the morning of Election Day taking a long walk around the community where he grew up, including the trailer park where Banks was born and spent his early years.

Today, he said he saw the trailer park dotted with Trump signs. Outside one home, a mother sat with her two young sons, whom Banks said reminded him of himself and his brother, Chad.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"These are the people that were fighting for, Banks said of the woman and her children in his election night remarks. These are the people who arent just having a hard time making ends meet; theyre getting further and further behind because of the policies of the radical left and what theyve done to this country in the last four years.

Republican leaders congratulate Banks

Congratulations poured in for Banks from across the state after the race was called.

Young, the senior senator from Indiana, in a post on X said he looked forward to working with Banks "in the years ahead on issues important to Hoosiers and our national security."

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb in a post on X commended Banks' "long history of strong public service" to Indiana.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"His work ethic, knowledge and leadership will be desperately needed in our nation's capital," Holcomb said in the post.

Randy Head, the Indiana Republican Party chairman, in a statement said Banks claimed a "decisive victory."

"As Indiana's next Senator we can count on Jim Banks to continue fighting for us and make sure our voice is represented in congress," Head said in the statement.

Live election results for Indiana U.S. Senate

IndyStar reporter Bradley Hohulin reported from the Allen County GOP Election Night party in Fort Wayne. IndyStar reporter John Tuohy reported from the Indiana Democratic Partys event in Indianapolis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Republican Jim Banks wins Indiana's open U.S. Senate seat
(NewsNation)  Indiana voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election, including the race for governor.

Presidential race in Indiana

Indiana is a term-limited state, meaning Gov. Eric Holcomb is not eligible for reelection after serving eight years.

Republican Sen. Mike Braun rose to the top of the GOP ticket after defeating five other challengers in the primary election. Braun is running against former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

US Senate race in Indiana

With Braun entering the race for governor, Republican Rep. Jim Banks, Democrat and clinical psychologist Dr. Valerie McCray and Libertarian Andrew Horning are in the running for his Senate seat.

Race for Indiana Attorney General

In another statewide race, incumbent state Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita, is challenged by Democrat Destiny Wells, a combat veteran and attorney who ran unsuccessfully for Secretary of State in 2022.

Statewide ballot measure in Indiana

Indiana voters have one ballot measure to consider this Tuesday. If approved, it would remove the Superintendent of Public Instruction from being sixth in line to succeed the governor. The position, last held by McCormick, no longer exists.

US House races in Indiana

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for grabs. These elections will determine who has control over the two chambers of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early voting began Oct. 8. Polls will open at 6 am and close at 6 p.m. local time on Election Day. Indiana holds 11 electoral votes and has been reliably red.

The Hoosier State  which carries 11 Electoral College votes  is typically a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. The last time it went blue was in 2008 for former President Barack Obama.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's Supreme Court set aside on Tuesday an order that banned Islamic schools in the country's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, providing a breather to thousands of students and teachers.

In March, the Allahabad High Court had scrapped a 2004 law governing the schools, called madrasas, saying it violated the constitutional tenet of secularism, and directing that all their students be moved to conventional schools.

By setting aside the March order, the Supreme Court allowed the 25,000 Muslim schools to operate in the northern state, however, providing relief to 2.7 million students and 10,000 teachers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The act is consistent with the positive obligation of the state to ensure that the children get adequate education," Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said in court.

There was no immediate comment from the state government in response.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which also governs Uttar Pradesh, has been converting hundreds of madrasas into conventional schools in the northeastern state of Assam as well.

Muslims and rights groups have accused some BJP members and affiliates of promoting anti-Islamic hate speech and vigilantism, and of demolishing properties owned by Muslims.

Modi and the BJP deny religious discrimination exists in India, saying they work for the development of all communities.

(Reporting by Tanvi Mehta; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Credit: raaxon_

A Spanish influencer has been caught deliberately covering himself in mud before filming a news segment in flood-decimated Valencia.

Ruben Gisbert was on Sunday filming in Valencia for Horizonte, a news programme directed and presented by veteran Spanish journalist Iker Jimenez, when he knelt down to coat his legs in dirt before a live broadcast.

But the influencer and lawyer was caught by an onlooker filming the broadcast from a building above. The video was shared on social media and met with scorn.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Valencia is still recovering from the worst flash flooding in modern history after being met with a years worth of rain within eight hours last week.

At least 217 people were killed as the flooding ravaged south-eastern Spain. The number of people still missing remains unknown.

Mr Gisbert, who describes himself as a practising lawyer and freedom revolutionary, defended the action on social media, arguing that he was ensuring continuity so his appearance would match an earlier shot.

Im not a reporter and Im not used to making live connections, he added in a later apology for his stupid mistake.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Jimenez also responded to the clip saying he never asked the influencer to dramatise something.

I cannot count on him, he has failed me. I was shocked when they sent him to me, he said in a video posted online.

The broadcaster said Mr Gisbert would not be allowed to contribute to the programme again after his despicable stunt that had undermined their coverage of the devastation.

The Telegraph contacted Mr Gisbert for comment but he did not immediately respond.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
KENOSHA COUNTY, Wi.  An investigation is underway after an inmate was found dead at the Kenosha County Jail Pretrial Facility early Sunday morning.

The Kenosha County Sheriffs Office said at around 1:40 a.m., a correctional officer found an inmate responsive but still breathing in his cell. Medical staff were immediately called to help, but the inmate was no longer breathing when they arrived.

Medical staff performed CPR and requested additional help from the Kenosha Fire Department, but despite their efforts, the inmate was pronounced dead at around 2:20 a.m., according to investigators.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Man arrested for punching election judge at Orland Park polling location

The sheriffs office said the inmate was a 38-year-old man from Illinois who had been in the Kenosha County Jail since Oct. 12, 2024. His identity has not been released as authorities are working to notify next of kin.

The preliminary investigation, according to officials, suggests the inmates death is not suspicious and did not involved any use of force by correctional staff.

The Racine County Sheriffs Office has been assigned to lead the investigation under an agreement between them and the Kenosha County Sheriffs Office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
(FOX40.COM)  An investigation that began in the United Kingdom resulted in the arrest of a Sacramento teacher on Monday night, according to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office.

The 52-year-old man was allegedly found to be in possession of child sexual abuse material and was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on a $50,000 bail.

Hours after booking the man posted bail and has been released from custody.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The sheriffs office said several overseas law enforcement agencies alerted the sheriffs office and Homeland Security Investigations about the suspected teacher.

Due to the suspects long history of being in close proximity to children, especially in a position of trust, Detectives are concerned there may be unreported victims, the sheriffs office writes.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
One of the internet's oldest mysteries has finally been unraveled.

For nearly twenty years, a mysterious song captured from the radio in Germany has puzzled internet detectives.

The song, referred to as "The Most Mysterious Song on the Internet" by those who searched for it, has finally been found.

The song is "Subways of Your Mind" by the band FEX.

Most mysterious song

A 17-year-old internet mystery was solved on November 4, 2023, when "The Most Mysterious Song On The Internet," a tune whose title and artist had confounded internet users since 2007, was finally identified.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

User marijn1412 from the /r/TheMysteriousSong subreddit takes responsibility for the find.

Through archival research in German newspapers, he discovered FEX, a band that won a talent contest in Bremen in September 1984. Their music was described as a blend of rock, wave, and pop influences.

The story of "The Most Mysterious Song on the Internet" begins in the 1980s.

Around 1984, individuals in Germany captured a song from a radio station. While not verified, its widely believed that the radio station was NDR1 and that the program was Musik Fur Junge Leute, meaning Music for Young People.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The sibling of the individual who made the cassette shared a digital version of the song on various forums in 2007.

She was eager to learn everything she could about the song, but it didnt receive much recognition.

Throughout the years, different individuals encountered the mystery and tried to assist, but progress was limited.

Hunt begins

In 2019, Reddit became engaged in the situation. A user named Gabgaskins shared the song across 44 various music subreddits, leading to the establishment of r/TheMysteriousSong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qus5eOALnMY

Later that year, the song drew the interest of YouTuber Just Whang, who created a video discussing it. This drastically increased the search activity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Over the years, the detectives employed various strategies to locate the song. They located the previous presenter of Musik Fur Junge Leute, but he could not assist.

Even Rolling Stone covered the search. Investigators created a Discord server, analyzed various song versions from multiple sources, and documented numerous leads.

There have been scams, incorrect alerts, and numerous unproductive leads.

For several months, the inquiry into the song has concentrated on Horfest, a yearly event that highlights local musicians and is backed by a public broadcaster in Hamburg.

The community created a compilation of numerous bands from that period that might have performed at the festival and started reviewing the list.

Finding the song

Finally, the Redditor marijn1412 ultimately cracked the case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As per marijn1412, about two weeks ago, he stumbled upon an old article in the Nordwest Zeitung, a local newspaper in Germany.

The piece discussed a group named FEX hailing from Kiel, which triumphed in a talent competition in Bremen during [September] 1984, and their sound was characterized as Rock infused with Wave and Pop elements, marijn1412 mentioned.

Marijn1412 mentioned that he knew one of the individuals, Michael Hadrich, from an article in the Nordwest Zeitung where he was listed as a member of a band named Phret during Horfest 83.

I managed to get in touch with him and asked him if he still had some old material from those bands. He then sent me some of the songs he made with FEX and Phret... and lo and behold, one of them was titled Subways Of Your Mind, marijn1412 said on Reddit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When marijn1412 identified the song, he contacted Hadrich to clarify the circumstances. Hadrich was unaware that their song had gained fame online as a piece of lost media.

He instructed marijn1412 to keep everything discreet while he reached out to the other band members. The song had been registered with GEMA, a German organization for musicians, and Hadrich granted marijn1412 permission to make it public.


In the midst of a heated US presidential election, an unlikely predictor has emerged: Moo Deng, the internet-famous pygmy hippo.

She lives in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), three-month-old Moo Deng predicts that Donald Trump will defeat Kamala Harris in Tuesday's US presidential election.

Moo Deng, which means "bouncy pork" in Thai, has garnered significant attention on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Reportedly, the baby hippos adorable antics have taken the internet by storm, spawning memes, merchandise, and even business activities.

This hippo was presented with two fruit bowls, each labeled with the names of the presidential candidates. Moo Deng was left to select independently from the two presented fruit bowls.

And guess what? Moo Deng made a choice! She opted for the "Trump" bowl, sparking a wave of amusement and speculation on social media.

However, don't take Moo Deng's fruit pick too seriously. It's just a lighthearted take on the current election fervor. Ultimately, the public vote will determine the outcome.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Monday, the zoo posted this fresh video of Moon Deng on its official Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DB8uXi_vG2J/

Fun take amidst election drama

After all the election drama, Moo Deng's fruit-picking was a much-needed cuteness.

Many social media users perceived the zoo's event as a refreshing respite from the contentious presidential campaign, often marked by violent speech, misogynistic attacks, and dissemination of misinformation.

This video is better than all of the election coverage happening in the USA right now. Bless Moo Deng, Jona, and all of the people at this zoo, commented one of the Instagram users on the video post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump represents the Republican party, while Harris is the current US vice president from the Democratic party.

Both have been embroiled in a close race for the presidency. Opinion surveys show a deadlock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHsVhyGohDs

The species is at risk

From her adorable videos to her unexpected role as a "political pundit," this pygmy hippo symbolizes joy and positivity.

Moo Deng species is scientifically known as Choeropsis liberiensis. The species is native to West Africa.

These adorable pygmy hippos face extinction, with only a few thousand left in the wild.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies pygmy hippos as endangered. With an estimated global population of 2,000-2,500 individuals, they face threats like habitat loss and poaching.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Moo Deng has captured the hearts of people worldwide. Reportedly, Moo Deng is pretty popular in the United States.

She won 93 per cent of the votes in an unofficial presidential poll conducted in September by The Tonight Show, followed by Harris with 4 per cent and Trump with 3 per cent, SCMP reported.

Moo Deng's fame has drawn criticism from PETA, the animal rights organization that condemned captive breeding last month.

However, the Thailand wildlife authorities stated that Moo Deng and the other animals at the zoo receive exceptional care with their well-being prioritized.
STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR)  Over a hundred people had gathered for a homecoming party in Stillwater over the weekend when bullets started flying.

The Stillwater Police Department was called White Barn Estates around 1 a.m. Sunday morning after receiving a call saying someone had been shot.

Officers were out on a very hectic scene. Several people were trying to leave the the big party that was going on there, said Lieutenant TJ Low. Officers were able to determine that there was four other additional gunshot victims, as well as a few others that were injured just from trying to get away from the scene or shrapnel from like broken glass, stuff like that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police said the four people shot were taken to a local hospital and treated with non-life-threatening injuries.

The shooter ran from the scene.

I know that there was people that were taking pictures like videographers at the party that our detectives are working with to try to get some of that footage to maybe to get a suspect or suspects pictures from that, said Low.

Students on campus said homecoming weekend in Stillwater is usually safe for everyone.

Okemah officer arrested for DUI after allegedly wrecking truck

Im pretty surprised that there was a shooting just because its a college town. I mean, you typically dont hear stuff like that happening in a college town, said Gavin Fields

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Students said the parties near campus can become more risky with the amount of people that will attend.

If you had a party with like 100 people and you dont know all of them, you dont know what their intentions are, said Fields.

Knowing some of the victims were current OSU students has left their classmates on edge with questions.

Ive never heard of it happening. But I am interested in knowing more about it, who was involved, said Fields.

OSU Officials sent News 4 the following statement:

Oklahoma State University is aware of an off-campus shooting early Sunday morning that involved victims who are OSU students. We are thankful the injuries were not life-threatening and are reaching out to our students to provide support and resources. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Stillwater Police Department. Oklahoma State University

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Investigators on Monday evening arrested a Sacramento school teacher with a long history of being in close proximity to children, who is accused of possessing child pornography.

Mark Stephen Sirard, 52, of Sacramento was arrested on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office announced Tuesday morning.

Sheriffs officials said Sirard was booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail, but he was released from custody a few hours later after posting a $50,000 bail bond.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Sacramento County District Attorneys Office filed a criminal complaint against Sirard on Oct. 22. Hes scheduled to appear for his arraignment hearing Wednesday afternoon in Sacramento Superior Court.

An investigation in the United Kingdom led to Sirards arrest. Sheriffs officials said UK authorities and other law enforcement authorities overseas handed over information to U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Sheriffs Office.

The sheriffs Internet Crimes Against Children and Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes teams investigated Sirard and arrested the teacher on Monday.

Due to Sirards long history of being in close proximity to children, especially in a position of trust, detectives are concerned there may be unreported victims, sheriffs officials said in a news release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sirards LinkedIn profile identifies him as a teacher at the Sacramento City Unified School District from September 1999 to the present. The Sheriffs Office did not include in its news release the name of the school where Sirard worked.

A 2022-2023 parent and student handbook for Leonardo da Vinci School lists Sirard as a seventh- and eighth-grade language arts teacher. Leonardo da Vinci School on Joaquin Way in Sacarmentos Hollywood Park neighborhood is a TK through eighth-grade campus.

Al Goldberg, a spokesman for Sacramento City Unified School District, confirmed Sirard worked as a seventh- and eighth-grade English language arts teacher at Leonardo da Vinci School, and Sirard has worked for the school district since 1999.

Goldberg said Sirard hasnt worked on a school district site since May, when law enforcement officials informed SCUSD of their investigation of Sirard. He said the teacher was immediately placed on administrative leave.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Sheriffs Office notified the school district on Tuesday that Sirard had been arrested, Goldberg said. Sirard remains on administrative leave.

The news is deeply disturbing as our highest priority as a school district is to protect our students and staff from harm on our school sites, school district officials said in a message sent to parents of Leonardo da Vinci School students. As we continue to cooperate with law enforcement, we remain fully committed to taking every necessary step to protect and support our students.

Investigators asked anyone with information relevant to this investigation into Sirard to call the sheriffs Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force at 916-874-3002.
(Bloomberg) -- Colombias most significant constitutional change in three decades will be done in an investor-friendly manner that wont blow out the budget deficit, according to two key advisers behind the plan.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The reform would dramatically increase transfers from the treasury to regional governments. However, aides to Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo argued this will be fiscally neutral since the central government will shrink as cities and provinces take on more of its spending responsibilities.

Were the law to be approved in its current form, transfers from the central government would rise more than half to 39.5% of central government revenue by 2040. Fears that this is unsustainable contributed to a selloff in Colombias sovereign bonds and currency in recent days as investors fret it could further widen the deficit with the government already struggling to meet its fiscal targets.

These concerns are unfounded, Cristo advisers Daniel Castellanos and Carlos Prada said Friday during an interview at Bloombergs office in Bogota.

It deeply hurts me that the bill is being attacked, saying that it undermines fiscal sustainability, said Castellanos, a former executive at Colombias banking association. This bill could have defects, but thats not one of them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The true goal of this reform is to overhaul Colombias highly centralized government structure, Castellanos said. It would be the most important amendment since the nations constitution was passed in 1991, he said.

The bill is expected to be approved before the end of the year, since it now only needs to pass in the Lower House, where President Gustavo Petros government has a majority. If that happens, congress would then have two years to discuss another bill detailing new responsibilities for regional authorities.

Castellanos and Prada said it that regional governments could play a greater role in regional road maintenance, the provision of drinking water and assistance to victims of conflict.

The country is going to change its organization as a state, said Prada, a former official at Colombias Planning Ministry and its statistics agency. We are proposing that the central government shrinks and the regions grow.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Credit Rating

Castellanos said the government has failed effectively to communicate the bills benefits, including to investors who are sensitive about the fiscal outlook.

If Colombias credit rating deteriorates and everyone expects a fiscal crisis, then let them anticipate it for the right reasons, he said. This is not contributing to that crisis.

Finance chief Ricardo Bonilla has called on lawmakers to curb the costs of the bill and extend its implementation over a longer period.

The constitutional change doesnt require Bonillas approval. However, congress will also need to pass a supplementary law laying out which responsibilities regional governments would assume, and the the ministry could potentially veto this if it believes it to be fiscally reckless.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
(NewsNation)  Iowa voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots for several pivotal races in the 2024 election, including several House seats.

Presidential race in Iowa

US House races in Iowa

In the states 3rd Congressional district, Republican incumbent Rep. Zach Nunn is seeking a second term after winning his seat by less than 1% in 2022. The race between Nunn and veteran Lanon Baccam provided Democrats with their best chance to flip a seat in a district that includes some of the states more urban areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the battle for Iowas 14th Senate District, Democrat Sarah Garriott is looking to hold her seat after she successfully flipped it in 2022. Garriott is challenged by Mark Hanson, a Dallas County Supervisor.

In Iowas 1st Congressional District, incumbent Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks faces Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan in a rematch. National Democrats have been funneling money into Bohannans campaign after she lost by just 7 points to Meek in 2022.

Statewide ballot measures in Iowa

Iowa voters will also weigh in on two proposed constitutional amendments. One proposal seeks to prohibit state and local governments from allowing noncitizens to vote.

Another measure asks voters to change the state constitution about succession plans should a sitting governor die, resign or be removed from office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for grabs. These elections will determine who has control over the two chambers of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

After Democrats claimed the state in presidential elections in 2008 and 2012, Iowa has gone red for former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. The state carries six Electoral College votes. The winner of the presidential race needs 270.

Early voting started in Iowa on Oct. 16. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time Tuesday.

Iowa judicial races

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Election Day is here and Iowa voters are casting their ballots in the presidential, congressional, state legislative, and local races. There are also judicial retention and constitutional amendments on the ballot.

Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on November 5th, 2024. If you are in line to vote when the polls close you will be allowed to vote.

If you arent certain where your polling place is or you think it may have changed since the last election, you can find out the location on the Iowa Secretary of States website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dont forget to bring a form of identification to your polling place.

If you are not registered to vote, Iowa does allow Election Day voter registration. Youll go through the process at the polling place for your current address. Youll need to prove who you are and where you live to register. For more information check the ID requirements here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
Voters cast ballots under twinkling lights near the bar at Carper Vineyard and Winery near Norwalk on Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Most Iowans vote in churches, community centers, libraries and the like. But Iowans in two central-Iowa precincts got to cast their ballots in slightly more festive surroundings: wineries.

I think its quirky and fun, said Dani Wolf, who works at the Summerset Winery in rural Indianola, the site of Warren Countys Lincoln #3 polling place.

The polling place at the Summerset Winery in rural Indianola had slightly different furnishings than typical polling places in Iowa. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Voters drive past a dormant vineyard and walk past the tasting room bar and gift shop to get to the polling place, in a large event space in the back of the building. Behind the voting screens, two wine barrels form a table with a refrigerated tapper behind it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

No one was drinking mid-afternoon on Tuesday  and no one was voting, either.

Poll worker Teresa VanRaden said the precinct is small and a lot of people voted early. As for the novelty of voting at a winery? Its just like voting anywhere else, she said.

At the Linn precinct in rural Norwalk, twinkle lights crossed overhead as voters cast their ballots at the Carper Vineyard and Winery. Yeah, its different  go get a drink on the side, voter Troy King, 50, said after voting.

No drinks were being served over the noon hour, but a few more voters were casting ballots.

Its not Napa Valley, but more Iowans may be voting in wineries in the future. There are over 100 wineries in the state and more than 1,200 acres of vineyards, according to the Iowa Wine Growers Association.
An Ipswich woman was arrested for shoplifting 48 items totaling $4,800 in merchandise from Lululemon in Boston over the weekend, police said.

Kaitlyn Mclean, 37, was charged with Larceny over $1,200 following her arrest on Saturday, police said. She pleaded not guilty to the charge in court on Monday.

Mclean also had an active shoplifting warrant at the time her weekend arrest, police said.

At about 8:18 p.m. p.m. Saturday, officers responded to the area of the Lululemon store at 776 Boylston St. for a shoplifting in progress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Officers were given a description of a female suspect who had stolen thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, police said. Officers learned that the suspect left the store and was entering the nearby Dicks Sporting Goods store.

Officers found the suspect, later identified as Mclean, who immediately dropped the items upon seeing officers, police said.

Mclean was handcuffed and officers recovered 48 stolen items, which was later determined to be valued at approximately $4,812.94, police said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  An Iranian official claimed Tuesday that Iranian-German prisoner Jamshid Sharmahd died before Tehran could execute him  directly contradicting the country's earlier announcement he had been put to death.

The comment by Asghar Jahangir comes after Germany shut down all three Iranian consulates in the country over Sharmahd's death, leaving only the embassy in Berlin open. Germany later disputed Jahangir's remark.

Even Iranian reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has criticized Germany's response to Sharmahd's death as tensions remain high between Tehran and the West over its rapidly advancing nuclear program and the ongoing Mideast wars.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The judiciarys Mizan news agency quoted Jahangir as saying, Jamshid Sharmahd was sentenced to death, his sentence was ready to be carried out, but he passed away before implementation of the sentence.

He did not elaborate. Jahangir's remarks were made to the state-affiliated Quds newspaper after a weekly news conference, when journalists typically buttonhole the spokesman into answering questions he didn't take from the podium.

Germany's Foreign Ministry, reacting to the official's comment, said, His death was confirmed to us by the Iranian side.

Jamshid Sharmahd was abducted by Iran and held for years without a fair trial, in inhumane conditions and without the necessary medical care," the ministry said. Iran is responsible for his death."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Germany added it was "lobbying the Iranian government to hand over his body to his family.

The State Department in the U.S., where Sharmahd once lived, said Sharmahds death at the hands of the Iranian regime was tragic and senseless.

We condemn Irans deplorable abuse of political prisoners as well as its record pace of executions and will hold the regime accountable for these human rights violations, it said in a statement. Iran carried out at least 166 executions in October alone, the most recorded in a single month by the Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights since it began tracking executions in 2007.

Jason Poblete, a lawyer representing Sharmahd's family, told The Associated Press that the conflicting comments from Iran were deeply concerning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This inconsistency raises serious questions about the circumstances of the death and the transparency of the Iranian system, Poblete said. The family has been urging the German and U.S. authorities to investigate this matter to ascertain the truth, ensure accountability thoroughly and reunite Jimmy with his family in California.

Iran had said it executed Sharmahd on Oct. 28. He was 69.

Iran accused Sharmahd, who lived in Glendora, California, of planning a 2008 attack on a mosque that killed 14 people  including five women and a child  and wounded over 200 others, as well as plotting other assaults through the little-known Kingdom Assembly of Iran and its Tondar militant wing.

Iran also accused Sharmahd of disclosing classified information on missile sites of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard during a television program in 2017.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His family disputed the allegations and worked for years to seek his freedom. Germany, the U.S. and international rights groups have dismissed Sharmahd's trial as a sham. Amnesty International said the proceedings against Sharmahd were a grossly unfair trial because he had been denied access to an independent lawyer and the right to defend himself.

However, the group also noted that Sharmahd ran a website for the Kingdom Assembly of Iran and its Tondar militant wing that included claims of responsibility for explosions inside Iran, though he repeatedly denied being involved in the attacks.

Sharmahd was apparently kidnapped while on a layover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2020. His family received their last message from him on July 28, 2020.

Its unclear how the abduction happened, but tracking data showed that Sharmahds cellphone traveled south from Dubai to the city of Al Ain on July 29, crossing the border into Oman. On July 30, tracking data showed the phone traveled to the Omani port city of Sohar, where the signal stopped.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Two days later, Iran announced it had captured Sharmahd in a complex operation. The Intelligence Ministry published a photograph of him blindfolded.

In the time since his execution, Germany shut the consulates. It's a diplomatic tool Germany seldom uses and signals a major downgrade in relations with Tehran.

However, Iran has responded by criticizing Germany and the West, including Pezeshkian, who campaigned on a promise of getting sanctions on the Islamic Republic lifted.

When someone, who has slaughtered dozens, is executed, they say you do not observe human rights, Pezeshkian said.

___

Associated Press writer Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed to this report.
DUBAI (Reuters) - Two French citizens detained in Iran since May 2022 are in good health and being held in good detention conditions, Iran's judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said on Tuesday, according to state media.

Last month, France's foreign ministry said the conditions that three of its nationals were being held in by Iran were unacceptable.

"According to the relevant authorities, these two people have good conditions in the detention centre and are in good health, so any claim regarding their conditions being abnormal is rejected," Jahangir said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The spokesperson was referring to Cecile Koehler and Jacques Paris, who he said were arrested on charges of espionage and will have their next court hearing on Nov. 24.

Jahangir did not mention the third French national detained in Iran. French media have disclosed only his first name, Olivier.

In recent years, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.

Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Peter Graff)
(SOUTHERN COLORADO)  The FOX21 News Storm Team is monitoring the next winter storm that is set to come to Southern Colorado Tuesday night, Nov. 5, and last through Saturday, Nov. 9. There are several inconsistencies in the models so here is what we know as of Monday, Nov. 4.

Storm timing

We are confident that a winter storm will come to the area Tuesday night and it will be a multiple-day event.

At this time, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch Tuesday night through Wednesday for parts of the Pikes Peak Region and parts of the Sangre de Cristos. The Weather Service typically issues a Winter Storm Watch when winter storm or blizzard conditions are possible within the next three days but the timing, intensity or occurrence may still be uncertain.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for parts of Las Animas and Huerfano Counties due to difficult travel conditions that are expected Monday night for the earlier in the weeks storm.

Storm location, path, and energy are key to how this plays out

As of Monday night, the Storm Team is still looking at inconsistencies with our forecast models as to where the storm will start, how the storm will evolve energetically, and the path of the storm. As the image above shows, two of the many models we use to forecast, the European model and the American model are quite different in all the criteria.

The start

Both models agree that the storm will move into the state on Tuesday, Nov. 5. As the first photo for each model shows, there will be snow in Western Colorado and the High Country Tuesday morning, and then move into Southern Colorado later that night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, the European model shows the pressure change and energy of the storm is a little stronger than the American model which can mean the difference between stronger winds as the storm comes in and can mean a slight difference in the amount of snow coming in during this period.

The path of the storms and how it evolves

Heres where things could get interesting, the path of the storm is everything here in Southern Colorado. Typically if a system starts too far north, it could mean a more potent storm for the high country, the Denver Metro, and the Northeastern portion of Colorado than for Southern Colorado. If a storm moves to the south of the state, it could mean a more potent storm for the Southern Mountains and Southern Colorado than for the Denver Metro. If the storm moves too far south or north, it means not a lot happens.

As the second image in the group in the model comparison shows, the European model shows a more southern and more energetic path and it tends to linger longer near the Four Corners region. The American model is less energetic as it moves to the south of Colorado and moves through the state at a faster rate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the storm follows a path similar to the European model that could mean a higher impact storm. If the storm follows the American model that could mean a lesser impactful storm.

How the storm ends

You know what they say, its not over until its over. In the last slide of the comparison, the two models differ wildly on how this storm wraps up. Both models indicate that this storm will finish in what appears to be a heavy snowfall event on Friday into Saturday.

Which state gets the heavy-banded snowfall event? The American model shows that the storm doesnt turn into a heavy snowfall event until it reaches Kansas on Saturday. If the storm does what the European model says it does. that could mean this storm brings very heavy and somewhat slushy snow Friday night into Saturday in Colorado.

Snow totals and impacts

As we discussed above, there is so much that plays into how much snow we get in the region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When models do not agree, there can be differences in how we forecast how much snow we get in an area. You can see below in the first image comparison for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, the main difference is European model is predicting a heavier amount of snow for the mountains while the American model is predicting less for the mountains Tuesday night into Wednesday.

This is most likely due to the fact the European model is predicting a more Four Corners centered storm and is more energetic than the American model.

Theres also a stark difference in what the models think is going to happen the entire duration of the storm. What I mean by stark difference is the American model indicates a total of 3 inches for some parts of El Paso County by Saturday while the European model shows a foot of snow. You can compare for yourself below.

Please note, that these totals are for the entire period of Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Not what you see on your front lawn when you wake up Wednesday morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Stick with us through the storm

The forecast for this storm will change as we continue to get model updates. Model updates can occur every one, three, six, and 12 hours depending on the model.

The Storm Team will continue to update you on what happens online, on air, and on our mobile app. The best way to stay in the loop is to download the FOX21 News app. You can download it now on the App Store and Android Store.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Her Instagram profile describes her as an actress, filmmaker and farmer. The Roman-born daughter of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini, two titans of 20th-century cinema, Isabella Rossellini made her first film in Los Angeles at age 25  directing a documentary about an Italian animal herder-turned-bodybuilder. She has gone on to star in projects including 1986s Blue Velvet and 1992s Death Becomes Her, wrote the quirky 2005 short My Dad Is 100 Years Old and wrote and directed the Sundance Channel series Green Porno. Here, she discusses her latest role, as Sister Agnes in the psychological thriller Conclave (released by Focus Features); her ex, Martin Scorseses priesthood aspirations; and why she wont drive in L.A.

Q: Is your new film Conclave your first role playing a nun?



A: I played Athena in [1997 NBC miniseries] The Odyssey. I played a goddess, but this is the first time Ive played a nun. Ive been downgraded from goddess to nun.

Q: I read that you attended Catholic school.



A: In Italy, most people are Catholic, so my grandmother went to church and was practicing, but not many other people in my family. We went to the church school partially because the nun schools were girls only. You dont want to send the girls with the boys when theyre teenagers. The boys overwhelm them, and they have sex. The nuns dont have a family, so they have time to tutor you. They can keep an eye on you and encourage you.

Isabella Rossellini in "Conclave" Photo courtesy Focus Features

Q: Is it true that your friend Mr. Scorsese planned to join the seminary?



A: Scorsese wanted to be in the priesthood, but he got married five times, so he failed at that one! You can see in his films there is a societal concern. He didnt become a priest, but hes searching deep into human hearts to see what dictates us to be good or bad. Is it our nature or our choice?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Q: Your character Sister Agnes operates in the shadows.



A: We were supposed to be shadows. The nuns are not submissive. They cannot speak but they can give glances that freeze you. When I speak, its a bomb  and I have that beautiful line: I know my role is to be invisible; nevertheless God has given me eyes and ears, and that tells all.

Q: How was filming in Rome?



A: [Co-stars] Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow are very good friends. Stanley knows Rome even better than me. I took him to one restaurant that he didnt know anything about, a restaurant run by nuns. Its called LEau Vive, which translates to holy water. I went there with my mother; Ingrid Bergman was very well-known and she couldnt really go out without people talking with her and asking for autographs and asking for papa [her father, Roberto Rossellini]  and the nuns hardly knew who she was. They serve food and they sing, and so I went with John and Stanley to astound them with this secret of Rome.

Isabella Rossellini in "Conclave" Photo courtesy Focus Features

Q: Where do you hang out when you come to Los Angeles?



A: I go see the [Los Angeles County] art museum thats being made bigger. I dont drive in Los Angeles. Im afraid, so Im grateful the museums are together, including the Academy film museum. They had a small Casablanca exhibit and we lent them mothers diary. The Getty is on the opposite end and its beautiful. Hollywood is so enormous. Its terrifying to be on the highway in Los Angeles if youre not used to it.

Q: Back in New York youre running a farm?



A: Now, I live on a farm of about 30 acres that includes a bed-and-breakfast. Anybody can make a reservation to stay and were open to visitors on Fridays, but the rest of the time its closed because we have to work. I curated the collection of animals, and I have a friend who curates the vegetables. We deal with heritage breeds of animals. I have a masters degree in animal behavior and psychology so I deal with that. We promote biodiversity, but people come to walk around and have the feel of nature.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Cross-examination of the victim in a sexual assault and child pornography case involving a Providence middle school teacher got underway Monday.

The bail hearing for Joseph Gannon, 50, began last Tuesday. Gannon was charged with one count of first-degree sexual assault and one count of producing or transferring child pornography in September.

Booking photo of Joseph Gannon.

Gannon has been held without bail since his arraignment on Sep. 23. (No plea was entered at his arraignment, as is typical with felony charges in district court.)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A judge once again did not allow cameras to record the proceedings, but allowed reporters to take notes.

On Monday, the victim explained that she was a 15-year-old high school freshman when she and Gannon  her former middle school science teacher  allegedly began a sexual relationship that would last three years.

She said after communicating over email and phone that summer, it wasnt long before he started asking her sexually charged questions and they eventually made a plan to meet up. She said he picked her up from her Providence home and took her to his house in Warwick where they had sex.

The victim explained that what began as meeting up a couple of times a month increased to meeting a couple of times per week, adding that Gannon drove her to and from each location.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gannon would pick her up near where she attended high school in Providence, according to the victim, and he would drive her to various parks, parking lots or a hotel to have sex.

In court on Monday, the victim was shown what prosecutors said was a redacted still image from a video that she said Gannon had recorded of her engaging in sexual activity. She said she was 16 years old at the time.

She also told prosecutors that Gannon purchased sexual toys for her prior to them meeting up to have sex, and also gifted her clothing and lingerie. The victim said she felt the gifts were given in an attempt to reward her.

When she recounted several graphic encounters to the court, she told prosecutors that she was scared to tell Gannon about the times she felt uncomfortable, but would continue to meet up with him because he was still her only outlet to vent about trouble she was having at home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The victim previously testified that she was suffering from physical abuse by a family member. She said Gannon did not report the abuse or offer his help, but she leaned on him to vent about the situation.

The victim said she was about 18 years old when she had a realization about the relationship.

This isnt right, she recalled.

She told the court that when she was 18, she asked Gannon to give her back all of the photos and videos he had taken of her, but he told her no because theyre made for him.

The victim said she wanted them back because she was a child in the images and videos, she no longer wanted him to have them, and she was also worried that hed show them to other people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Earlier this month, police searched Gannons home and took four cell phones, four hard drives, a PC, an iPod and 13 iPads, three of which were labeled as Providence city property. Police also seized a safe that contained several documents, including Gannons teaching certificate.

The victim said she made the choice to report Gannon on Sept. 19, two years after the end of their relationship, because of her goal to become a social worker. (Gannon was arrested at Nathanael Greene Middle School one day after she went to police.)

I feel it wouldnt be right for me to go into that profession if I didnt do this, she said on Monday.

And, just the realization that hes a bad person, she added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gannons defense attorney tried to establish that the relationship the victim had with the defendant when she was between the ages of 15 and 18 was not forced on her, and that Gannon never threatened physical violence if she didnt comply.

The victim told Gannons attorney that while Gannon never threatened her with violence, she felt forced in a way because of Gannons disappointment if she wasnt interested in engaging in sexual acts with him. She reiterated that she continued to talk and meet up with him because he was someone she vented to.

Cross-examination is scheduled to resume on Wednesday afternoon.

Gannon was placed on paid administrative leave following his arrest, but on Oct. 16 was suspended without pay, according to Providence Public Schools spokesperson Jay G. Wegimont.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Tensions in the Middle East are now expanding into Syria.

Israel said its troops conducted a ground raid there Sunday to capture someone they accuse of working with Iran.

This comes amid pressure from the U.S. and other allies for Israel to reach ceasefire deals in Gaza and Lebanon.

We, of course, will support Israel in their defense, said Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder during a briefing Monday. We believe Iran should not respond to Israels retaliation if they choose to do so.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Pentagon ordered more warplanes and Navy ships to the Middle East to maintain the U.S. presence there and deter any more conflicts from erupting. Israel has also ramped up airstrikes against Iranian-backed terror groups in Gaza and Lebanon.

We have great concerns about the humanitarian toll, said U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Miller said the department is even more worried about the crisis in Gaza after Israel announced Monday it ended its agreement with a key U.N. agency, UNRWA.

Right now, there is no other way to distribute aid, Miller said.

UNRWA provides food, water, health care and education amid the Israel-Hamas war. Israel passed new laws last month to stop UNRWA from operating in Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We opposed the passage of the law in the first place, Miller said.

Israel accuses the agency of being a terrorist front for Hamas, but UNRWA defends its neutrality. U.S. officials still have not said what, if any, consequences Israel could face for ending the agreement.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to offer Hamas hostage-takers in the Gaza Strip millions of dollars for the release of each hostage and a safe withdrawal with their families.

Israeli government sources confirmed the report, broadcast by Channel 12, to dpa.

But Hamas representative Taher al-Nono described the offer as a "farce" in a conversation with dpa and said hostages would only be released with an agreement that would end the war, lift the blockade on Gaza and allow for the reconstruction of the embattled coastal strip.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Of the approximately 250 people abducted from Israel during the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, 2023, some 100 are still being held in the Gaza Strip, although many are thought to have died.

Their relatives accuse Netanyahu of having blocked an agreement on their release while he in turn blames Hamas.

Some 1,200 people were killed by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attacks on southern Israeli communities last year. Israel responded by pounding Gaza with airstrikes and launching a ground offensive into the coastal territory, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians and reducing most of Gaza to ruins.

Seven killed in West Bank

The death toll later rose to seven in the West Bank after an Israeli military operation, according to Palestinian reports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Health Ministry in Ramallah said two men were killed in a drone attack south of Jenin, two other Palestinians were killed near Tubas and three in the town of Qabatiya.

The Israeli military said a drone attacked "a cell of armed terrorists" south of Jenin and that two gunmen and later a third were killed.

There were also shoot-outs with gunmen near the Israeli settlements of Alfe Menashe and Shomron, the Israeli military said.

The already tense situation in the West Bank has deteriorated significantly since the start of the war in Gaza.
Dozens of towns and villages in Lebanon have suffered severe levels of destruction as part of Israel's offensive against the Hezbollah militia, the state-run Lebanese news agency NNA reported on Tuesday, citing its own sources.

NNA reported that entire streets or neighbourhoods in 37 towns have been obliterated. The report stated that 40,000 houses and apartments have been destroyed, with the southern region of the country being particularly affected.

At least 29 villages have been "completely destroyed" by Israel, in a 120-kilometre strip across the south of the country from the Naqoura region in the west to Shebaa in the Hasbaya district in the east, Mohamed Chamseddine, research director at the Lebanese polling institute Information International, said in an interview with the Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Israeli military emphasizes that it only targets buildings used by Hezbollah, the Shiite militia allied with Iran, as hideouts or weapons depots.

Since the beginning of the Gaza war last year, Hezbollah has regularly fired rockets from southern Lebanon into northern Israel, forcing tens of thousands of Israelis to leave their homes.

Following almost a year of cross-border exchanges, Israel ramped up its campaign against Hezbollah to facilitate the evacuees' return, launching a ground offensive in Lebanon in October and intensifying its airstrikes across the country.

The conflict has had a devastating impact on the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, with more than 800,000 people having been displaced within the country due to the attacks, according to the United Nations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The UN observer mission, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), stationed in the south of the country has also reported severe destruction of Lebanon's infrastructure.

Some roads have become impassable, according to a statement by the UN peacekeepers. Peacekeeping forces are clearing debris and repairing roads to ensure safe supply routes to their bases, they said.

Israel intercepts drone by Dead Sea

Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force shot down a hostile drone near the symbolically significant Masada fortress by the Dead Sea, according to the armed forces.

Sirens sounded in the morning at the popular archaeological site on the south-western shore of the Dead Sea after a drone entered Israeli airspace from the east, they said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Iranian-backed Shiite Islamic Resistance in Iraq later claimed responsibility for at least six attacks on Israel during Tuesday, including "a vital target" in the south of the country, which is likely to be Masada.

Militias in Iraq allied with Iran have repeatedly carried out drone attacks on Israel in recent weeks and months.

The ruins of the Masada fortress, which are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, are an important testament to Jewish history in the region.

WHO to evacuate 100 patients from Gaza

In Gaza, where fighting between Israeli forces and the Palestinian extremist group Hamas continues after more than one year of war, the World Health Organization (WHO) is set to evacuate some 100 patients on Wednesday, in the first such operation in about five weeks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The evacuees will include those injured in the Gaza war as well as chronically-ill patients, the WHO said.

Initially, patients will be brought to Egypt via the southern border crossing of Kerem Shalom and Israel.

Most are then to be flown to the United Arab Emirates, said Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative in the Palestinian Territories, in a video conference. About 30 people will be transported to Romania, he added.

Since the closure Gaza's border crossing with Egypt in the southern city of Rafah at the beginning of May, only 282 patients have been brought out of the Gaza Strip, Peeperkorn said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, between 12,000 and 14,000 additional patients, who are suffering from burns, spinal injuries, amputations or cancer, among other ailments, also need to be treated abroad, he said.

The WHO representative called on Israel to give security guarantees to enable the permanent transfer of patients, instead of occasional medical evacuations. "We cannot continue the way we do now," Peeperkorn said.

Four killed in West Bank

Four Palestinians have been killed during Israeli military operations in the north of the occupied West Bank, Palestinian sources said.

According to the Health Ministry in Ramallah, two men died in a drone strike south of Jenin. Two additional Palestinians were reported to have been killed near Tubas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Israeli army announced that "a cell of armed terrorists" was attacked with a drone south of Jenin.

Jenin is considered a stronghold of militant Palestinians in the West Bank.

The already tense situation in the West Bank has significantly worsened since the massacre by Hamas and other Palestinian extremist groups, which resulted in 1,200 deaths on October 7, 2023, and the consequent start of the Gaza War.

Since then, according to the Health Ministry in Ramallah, 738 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank due to Israeli military operations, armed confrontations and attacks by extremists.
By Steven Scheer and Nidal al-Mughrabi

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, citing a "crisis of trust", and replaced him with close ally Israel Katz to lead the country's war in Gaza and Lebanon.

Netanyahu's critics accused him of putting politics ahead of national security at a time when Israel is bracing for Iranian retaliation to its Oct. 26 airstrikes on the Islamic Republic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After Gallant was fired, protesters in Israel blocked highways and lit bonfires on roads, police said.

The prime minister named Gideon Saar as the new foreign minister in place of Katz.

Gallant and Netanyahu, both in the right-wing Likud party, have clashed for months over the objectives of Israel's 13-month-old war in Gaza against Palestinian militant group Hamas. But the timing of Gallant's dismissal was a surprise, and came as Israel's ally the U.S. held its presidential election.

Israel's campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon have entered new phases following the killing of top commanders in both Hamas and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Netanyahu said Gallant has made statements that "contradict the decisions of the government and the decisions of the cabinet". In response, Gallant said: "The security of the state of Israel always was and will always remain my lifes mission."

Katz vowed the return of Israel's hostages from Gaza and destruction of Hamas and Hezbollah.

"I accept this responsibility with a sense of mission and holy fear for the security of the State of Israel and its citizens," Katz said on social media platform X.

As foreign minister, Katz barred U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month from entering Israel over what he described as a failure to condemn an Iranian missile attack and antisemitic and anti-Israel conduct. In September, he rejected proposals from the U.S. and France for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Reports appeared in September that Netanyahu, under pressure from far-right coalition partners, was considering firing Gallant.

Gayil Talshir, a specialist in Israeli politics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, believed the last straw for Netanyahu came this week when Gallant issued 7,000 draft notices for ultra-Orthodox Haredi men, angering those in the government who oppose conscription.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, a minister in Netanyahu's coalition government, praised Tuesday's decision, saying Gallant was "deeply trapped in the conception" that it "is not possible to achieve absolute victory".

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said on X, however, that "firing Gallant in the middle of a war is an act of madness."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Washington, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said Gallant had been an important partner and that it would continue working collaboratively with Katz.

Gallant rose to the rank of general during a 35-year military career.

France's foreign minister will travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Wednesday, a day after U.S. elections, to press Israel to engage diplomatically to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.

NORTHERN GAZA AIRSTRIKES

Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli forces issued new evacuation orders in the northern Gaza Strip and carried out military strikes which Palestinian medics and media said had killed at least 35 people since Monday night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Acting U.N. aid chief Joyce Msuya said on X that Israeli military ground operations in northern Gaza had left Palestinians without the essentials to survive, forced them to flee for safety multiple times, and cut off their escape and supply routes.

An airstrike late on Monday damaged two houses in the town of Beit Lahiya, killing at least 20 people, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA and Hamas media said.

Ten were killed in central areas of the Palestinian enclave - six in separate airstrikes on Gaza City and the town of Deir Al-Balah, and four in the town of Al-Zawayda around midnight on Monday, medics and health officials said.

At least five others were killed in an Israeli strike on a house in Jabalia north of Gaza City, medics said later on Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Israeli military said, without giving details, that its forces had "eliminated terrorists" in the central Gaza Strip and Jabalia area. Israeli troops had also located weapons and explosives over the past day in the southern Rafah area, where "terrorist infrastructure sites" had been eliminated, it said.

Later on Tuesday, Israeli planes dropped leaflets over Beit Lahiya ordering residents who have not yet left their homes and shelters housing displaced families to quit the town completely.

"To all those who remained at homes and shelters, you are risking your lives. For your safety you have to head south," said the leaflet, which was written in Arabic.

Palestinians said the new attacks and Israeli orders for evacuations were aimed at emptying areas to create buffer zones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Israel says the evacuations are meant to keep civilians out of harm's way as its troops battle Hamas fighters.

More than 43,300 Palestinians have been killed in more than a year of war in Gaza, health authorities in Gaza say.

The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ali Sawafta, Additional reporting by James Mackenzie in Jerusalem, Emma Farge in Geneva, Humeyra Pamuk, Matt Spetalnick, Michelle Nichols and Idrees Ali in Washington, and Jaidaa Taha; additional writing by Rod Nickel; Editing by Timothy Heritage and David Gregorio)
By James Mackenzie

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Yoav Gallant knew he was living on borrowed time as Israel's Defence Minister after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's first attempt to sack him last year failed in the face of some of the biggest protests ever seen in Israel.

Netanyahu backed down that time, but relations between the two have never recovered and they wrangled constantly as the war in Gaza has ground on into its second year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There have been regular rumours that he was on the way out but he refused to go, remaining a thorn in Netanyahu's side as he argued for a hostage deal in Gaza and clashed with other parties in the coalition over drafting members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community into the military.

In a televised statement after he was sacked on Tuesday, he said Israel was navigating through the fog of battle and "moral darkness", calling for a return of the hostages, a draft law for the ultra-Orthodox and a commission of inquiry into the failures of Oct. 7, 2023. He ended the statement with a military salute.

Like the prime minister, Gallant's career was scarred by the events of Oct. 7, when Hamas-led gunmen killed about 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, and seized more than 250 hostages in an attack on communities around Gaza.

He has said that both he and Netanyahu should be investigated, touching on widespread criticism of the prime minister in Israel for not accepting responsibility for one of the biggest disasters in the country's history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He has clashed repeatedly with the hardline pro-settler parties led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who was one of the first to congratulate Netanyahu for sacking him.

Just as hawkish as Netanyahu when it came to fighting Hamas and hunting down its late leader Yahya Sinwar, Gallant declared at the start of the war that the price Gaza would pay "will change reality for generations". He described Israel's enemies as "human animals" and said Israel was imposing a total blockade on Gaza, with a ban on food and fuel imports.

As the war has gone on, however, he has appeared more ready to end the fighting than Netanyahu, engaging more visibly with the families of the hostages still held in the enclave, and arguing weeks ago that the time had come for a deal to bring them home.

He has dismissed Netanyahu's insistence of total victory over Hamas as "nonsense" and repeatedly urged him to produce a plan for running Gaza after the war. At the same time, he has rejected any suggestion the Israeli army could stay as an occupying power, to the anger of those like Ben-Gvir and Smotrich who have said they would like to resettle Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But both he and Netanyahu face the threat of an international arrest warrant over the campaign in Gaza - which has destroyed the enclave and killed more than 43,000 Palestinians - following a request from the International Criminal Court's prosecutor in May.

That possibility has caused outrage in Israel but the issue of responsibility for the military and security failures that allowed the Oct. 7 attack to happen has been behind much of the tension in Israeli politics since then.

LIFE'S MISSION

After a 35-year career in the military that began in a naval commando unit, Gallant rose to the rank of general before going into politics a decade ago and becoming defence minister when Netanyahu returned to power at the end of 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Highly regarded by the U.S. administration and other foreign allies of Israel, he never appeared relaxed in the world of party intrigue, appearing more comfortable talking to soldiers in the front line, dressed in one of the black uniform-like shirts he adopted at the start of the war.

"The security of the state of Israel was, and will always remain, my life's mission," he said in his first statement after the news of his dismissal.

With Israel now engaged in a multi-front war - in Gaza, with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, and potentially with Iran itself - the timing of the dismissal has faced heavy criticism.

Gayil Talshir, a specialist in Israeli politics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said that after the disputes with Netanyahu and the recent tensions over the conscription law, it was clear Gallant would be sacked at some point.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It was just a question of timing. And the timing, on the eve of another possible attack by Iran, is the worst you could have expected," she said.

The tensions with Netanyahu go back to at least the middle of last year, when Israel was split over a drive by Netanyahu to curb the powers of the Supreme Court, with huge weekly protests against a move critics saw as an assault on democracy.

As the protests mounted, Gallant broke ranks and spoke out against the plan, which he said was causing such deep social divisions that it endangered national security.

That prompted Netanyahu's first attempt to dismiss him, a move he abandoned after hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in a spontaneous wave of protests that shut down the country.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie; Additional reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Educational institutions in Israel that "identify with terrorist activities or organizations" can now be stripped of their funding, according to a new law passed on Tuesday.

The parliament in Jerusalem, the Knesset, passed the corresponding bill in its final reading.

The legislation also stipulates that teachers who have been convicted of terrorist offences or who publicly express support for terrorist attacks will be immediately dismissed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lawmaker Yosef Taieb from the ultra-Orthodox Shas party said: "We will not allow teachers who support terror to teach in the State of Israel."

A total of 55 out of 120 members of the Knesset voted in favour of the bill, while 45 voted against it. The opposition had delayed the vote on the controversial proposal with a filibuster for nearly 14 hours.

The explanation for the bill mentioned a "phenomenon that mainly affects schools in East Jerusalem." Israel captured and later annexed the Arab-dominated eastern part of Jerusalem in 1967.

Around 20% of Israel's 10 million inhabitants are Arabs.

However, the Jewish-Arab organization Sikkuy-Aufoq, which advocates for equality for all citizens in Israel, described it as a "destructive law" aimed at the "persecution of teachers." The initiators, they asserted, wanted to "intimidate and silence teachers."
BEIRUT (Reuters) - At least one Israeli airstrike hit an apartment building in a beach town south of Beirut on Tuesday, Lebanese state media said, as other deadly strikes hit scattered locations across the country and armed group Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel.

The attack on the beach town of Jiyyeh left a massive smoke column billowing out of an apartment building. It was not immediately clear if the strike was an assassination attempt, and no evacuation warning was given before it was carried out.

The Israeli military and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been exchanging fire for over a year in parallel with the Gaza war, but hostilities have escalated over the last six weeks. More than 3,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, most of them since late September, according to health authorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Israeli strikes on Tuesday also killed five people near the city of Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley, including two killed in a strike on a car, according to Lebanon's health ministry.

Lebanon's state news agency said on Tuesday that it estimated Israeli air strikes and widespread detonation of homes had destroyed more than 40,000 housing units in the country's border region.

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily, Editing by William Maclean)
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dismissed his popular defense minister, Yoav Gallant, in a surprise announcement that came as the country is embroiled in wars on multiple fronts across the region. The move sparked protests across the country, including a mass gathering that paralyzed central Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly been at odds over the war in Gaza. But Netanyahu had avoided firing his rival before taking the step as the world's attention was focused on the U.S. presidential election. Netanyahu cited significant gaps and a crisis of trust" in his Tuesday evening announcement as he replaced Gallant with a longtime loyalist.

In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and defense minister, Netanyahu said. Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the defense minister.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the early days of the war, Israel's leadership presented a unified front as it responded to Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. But as the war has dragged on and spread to Lebanon, key policy differences have emerged.

While Netanyahu has called for continued military pressure on Hamas, Gallant had taken a more pragmatic approach, saying that military force has created the necessary conditions for at least a temporary diplomatic deal that could bring home hostages held by the militant group.

In a late-night news conference broadcast on national TV, Gallant said that he had disagreed with Netanyahu over three main issues: the need to end controversial exemptions from the military draft for ultra-Orthodox men, the urgent need for a hostage deal and the need to establish an official commission of inquiry into the political and security failures of Oct. 7, when Hamas militants stormed into Israel and killed 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage. Israel estimates that about 100 hostages remain in captivity, only about 65 of them still alive.

With military service compulsory for most Jews, Gallant said that drafting the ultra-Orthodox was both an issue of fairness and security at a time when Israel faces so many challenges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said a hostage deal was needed as quickly as possible, when they are still alive and said there will be no forgiveness for neglecting them. And he said a full investigation into the events of Oct. 7 was the only way to ensure the government would learn the proper lessons. Netanyahu has rejected calls for an inquiry, saying it should only take place when the war is over.

Gallant ended his statement by honoring the soldiers serving in the army and those who have died in the wars. He held up his hand and saluted as he walked away from the podium.

Many of the families of the hostages, along with tens of thousands of people who have joined anti-government protests, accuse Netanyahu of scuttling a deal in order to maintain his hold on power.

Netanyahu's hard-line partners have threatened to bring down the government if he makes concessions to Hamas, raising the risk of early elections at a time when the prime minister's popularity is low. This week, authorities announced the arrest of a Netanyahu aide on suspicion of leaking classified information to foreign media that gave the prime minister political cover as hostage talks fell apart.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Firing Gallant in the middle of a war is an act of madness, opposition leader Yair Lapid said on X. Netanyahu is selling Israels security and the Israeli army soldiers for a disgraceful political survival.

Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, whose largely ceremonial office is meant to help unify the country, called the dismissal the last thing Israel needs.

The grassroots forum representing hostage families said Gallants dismissal is a direct continuation of the efforts to torpedo the abductee deal.

Within hours, thousands of protesters gathered in central Tel Aviv, blocking the city's main highway and crippling traffic. The crowd, many holding blue and white Israeli flags and others blowing whistles and pounding drums, gathered around multiple bonfires. Several thousand people demonstrated outside Netanyahu's home in Jerusalem and elsewhere in the city. Protesters gathered and blocked roads in several other spots across the country, and Israeli TV stations showed images of police scuffling with protesters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The dismissal comes at a delicate time. Israeli troops remain bogged down in Gaza, over a year after invading the territory in a war that has killed over 43,000 Palestinians, including tens of thousands of civilians, and caused widespread destruction, while Israeli ground troops are pressing ahead with a month-old ground invasion against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have been killed in the fighting.

Israel also has clashed with Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, and is facing the possibility of another strike by Iran. Iran has vowed to avenge an Israeli strike that came in response to an Oct. 1 Iranian missile attack, itself a reprisal for earlier Israeli attacks on Iranian-linked targets.

On Monday, Gallant announced he had sent out thousands of draft notices to young ultra-Orthodox men. The system of exemptions for religious men has bred widespread resentment among the secular majority, and Israel's Supreme Court has ordered the government to scrap the system. Netanyahu, whose governing coalition depends on ultra-Orthodox parties, has not yet implemented the order.

Channel 13 TV said Netanyahu had also taken advantage of the U.S. election, when American attention is focused elsewhere, to dismiss his rival.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The White House on Tuesday declined to comment on the firing but called Gallant an important partner on all matters related to the defense of Israel.

As close partners, we will continue to work collaboratively with Israels next minister of defense," the White House National Security Council said.

Gallant, a former general with a gruff, no-nonsense demeanor, has emerged as the most popular figure with the public in Israel's wartime government. Gallant has worn a simple, black buttoned shirt throughout the war in a sign of sorrow over the Oct. 7 attack and developed a strong relationship with his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

A previous attempt by Netanyahu to fire Gallant in March 2023 sparked widespread street protests against Netanyahu. He also flirted with the idea of dismissing Gallant over the summer but held off until Tuesday's announcement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Israel Katz, his replacement, currently serves as foreign minister and is a longtime Netanyahu loyalist and veteran Cabinet minister. Katz thanked Netanyahu and pledged to lead the security establishment to victory in the wars against Israels enemies.

Katz, 69, was a junior officer in the military decades ago and has little military experience, though he has been a key member of Netanyahu's Security Cabinet over the years. Gideon Saar, a former Netanyahu rival who rejoined the government in September, will take the foreign affairs post.

Netanyahu has a long history of neutralizing his rivals. In his statement, he claimed he had made many attempts to bridge the gaps with Gallant.

But they kept getting wider," he said. Our enemies enjoyed it and derived a lot of benefit from it.

___

Associated Press writers Eleanor H. Reich in New York and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed reporting.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, saying he has lost confidence in him, according to a statement from the prime minister's office on Tuesday.

He is to be replaced by Foreign Minister Israel Katz.

"Although there was trust in the first months of the war and the work was very fruitful, this trust between me and the defence minister has unfortunately been broken in recent months," Netanyahu wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said Gallant had made decisions and issued statements that contradicted the decisions of the cabinet.

Gallant issued his own statement. "The security of the State of Israel has always been and will always be my life's work," he said.

It is not the first time that Netanyahu has dismissed him, though he reversed the decision in April last year. Gallant criticized controversial judicial reforms but there were mass protests after he was sacked.

Members of the opposition criticized Netanyahu's move.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said dropping Gallant in the middle of the war an "act of madness" and he called on Israelis to protest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Take to the streets," echoed Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Labour Party, in a post on social media platform X. Hundreds immediately followed the call in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, according to the Times of Israel.

"Politics at the expense of national security," said the leader of National Unity, Benny Gantz, a former member of Netanyahu's now-defunct war cabinet.

His dismissal was welcomed by ultranationalist politician Itamar Ben Gvir, national security minister, who said winning the war with Gallant was impossible.

There were reports in the past that Gallant opposed plans for a major military operation in Lebanon, though these were supported by the military and Netanyahu also at least appeared to back the plans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gallant called for more diplomatic efforts and an attempt to reach an agreement with Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah as well as a ceasefire in Gaza.

Netanyahu appointed Gideon Saar, previously a minister without portfolio, as the new foreign minister.

The appointment of Katz as defence minister came as a surprise to some who had seen Saar as the most likely candidate for the job.

Israel has been fighting for more than a year on several fronts, against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel has also been attacked by pro-Iranian militias in Syria, Iraq and Yemen and is now also in open conflict with Iran itself and bracing for a possible counter-attack from Tehran.

The fighting began after the massacre in Israel on 7 October 2023 carried out by Hamas and other extremists from the Gaza Strip, in which 1,200 people were killed and around 250 kidnapped.
A line of voters runs out the door and outside the building at Woodland Methodist Church in Pike Road, Alabama on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Alabama is one of a handful of states where all in-person voting takes place on Election Day. (Jemma Stephenson/Alabama Reflector)

Alabamians lining up to vote on Tuesday morning cited many reasons for coming out to cast their ballots.

In interviews with more than two dozen voters in central Alabama and outside Huntsville, supporters of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump often cited the economy as a top issue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican voters tended to cite immigration as a major concern for them. Democratic voters frequently cited reproductive rights as the reason for their votes.

Specific statewide turnout numbers were not available early Tuesday afternoon.

Turnout is good from what we are hearing from the counties we have been talking to, Laney Rawls, a spokeswoman for the Alabama Secretary of States Office, said early Tuesday afternoon. But as far as percentages are concerned, we do not have that.

About 63% of registered Alabama voters cast ballots in the 2020 election, according to the Secretary of States Office. In percentage terms, the largest state turnout for a presidential election in the last 38 years was in 1992, when 76% of registered voters cast ballots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The St. Clair County Probate Judges office said in a statement early Tuesday afternoon that some ballots in the county were printed without state and local amendments listed on them. The office said corrected ballots were being printed and delivered to affected polling places, but said longer than normal wait times are to be expected.

The Probate Court staff is diligently working to address these issues to ensure all voters are able to vote on all ballot measures, the statement said.

Voters wait in line at Farley Community Church on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Huntsville, Ala. (Eric Schultz for Alabama Reflector)

Trump voters

James Pickutt of Pike Road, voted for Trump, saying he was most concerned about the future direction of the country.

You can look at what he did before, and you can look at the current administration, he said. And its like, Okay, which one do you want? And so I thought, Well, we did better under him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Katherine Steadman, a realtor from Owens Cross Roads, said she voted for Trump because I want to make sure we have a future for our children.

I feel like the country has been going the wrong way, she said. A lot of things have been a little crazy with the younger generation and I wanted to have my say.

Jerry Dillard, a retiree from Pike Road, said his vote for Trump was not about the candidate but the policies he advocated, saying he was concerned about open borders and the economy.

Ben Schrimsher of Owens Cross Roads, who voted for Trump, also said the economy was his top issue.

Hes got a record, he said. Hes proven his record the last time he was in office  in comparison to Kamala Harris, I think hes the better option.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

John West of Montgomery, who works for a medical supply company, voted for Donald Trump because of economic values.

The way I look at it is, you look at the four years you did before, prices were lower, gas was lower, mortgage rates were lower, he said. It is basic economics for me.

Other Trump supporters, like Suzie Stallings of Owens Cross Roads, who works in the health care industry, cited both the economy and immigration.

I think hes going to get us back on the path to keeping the illegal immigrants out of the country and keeping us safer, she said. I think we are better off financially with his economic plan.

A voter takes a photo of the Vote Here sign at Alabama A&M University after voting at Elmore Gym Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Huntsville, Ala. (Eric Schultz for Alabama Reflector)

Harris supporters

Harris supporters also said the economy was important to them, but also cited other issues, from health care policies to their opposition to Trump. Brenda Morris, a school librarian from Pike Road, said abortion rights and health care access were her key concerns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Her issues are aligned with some of the issues that Im concerned about, he said. Weve closed some of the rural hospitals, and more hospitals are going to be closed because we did not get federal money. So yes, thats why Im voting for her.

Health care and abortion access were also on the mind of Jennifer Heathington, a retired software engineer from Owens Cross Roads.

Youre going to tell me when and what I can do with my body, she said. That can lead to other things most of the time. Its a smokescreen for something else. After a while, I cant take this medicine for diabetes because of my skin color, or my age, or because Im a woman, so I cant do that. So what else does it lead to? So, it needs to end here.

Galen Gorham of Notasulga, a student at Tuskegee University who voted for Harris, said reproductive rights were her most important issue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you have health issues, and a baby is risking your life, sometimes those steps have to be made, and people are dying because they cant get the care that they need, she said. And I just really dont like that, being a woman.

Linda Bassett, a retiree from Montgomery, said Harris was for all people, economic wealth and values.

Health insurance is number one, she said. They have a cap on insulin, and I am a diabetic, a $35 cap. That is important to me, health insurance.

Jennifer Carmichael, an attorney from Owens Cross Roads who voted for Harris, said she was concerned about the future of the country.



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I believe we should have multiple parties and a variety of viewpoints, and I think Kamala Harris respects that, she said. Even though there are some issues that I actually agree with the Republican Party about, I think that the rhetoric and dialogue and approach that the Republican Party has taken just undermines the sanctity of the system.

Some voters also reflected on the potential to make history.

Weve had a Black president before, but never a woman, and as a young person in America whos Black, I feel like its not something you see often, said JaKiya Pickens, a student at Tuskegee University casting her first vote. And then she seems to support everything we support. I feel like well be taken care of as the American people, not just the rich white males, but everyone.\

This story was reported by Ralph Chapoco; Alander Rocha; Jemma Stephenson and Megan Plotka. It was written by Brian Lyman. Updated at 1:16 p.m. with statement from the St. Clair County Probate Judges Office about ballot issues at certain precincts.


Cruise giants Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and MSC each own ultra-luxury cruise lines.

I've been on their brands' Silversea, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, and Explora's ships.

Here's how they compare in amenities, food, cabins, and 2025 itineraries.

Almost every cruise ship has a pool, buffet, and casino.

Only a few flex complimentary caviar and $600-a-day prices.

The industry giants Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, and MSC flaunt giant amusement-park-like ships. But if you don't have kids or prefer quieter vacations, the four companies also operate smaller ultra-luxury brands, replacing on-board roller coasters with afternoon tea and sparkling wine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I've been on the ships of their four high-end counterparts: Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, and Explora. Here's what you should know about each and how they compare, from dining to cabins.

Silversea's Silver Ray: A modern resort with local cuisines

In June, Silversea invited me to spend five complimentary nights on its newest 54,700-ton ship, Silver Ray. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Royal Caribbean Group's Silversea operates 12 ocean and expedition vessels and launched its newest ship, Silver Ray, in June.

The ship accommodates 728 guests and looks more like a modern luxury hotel than a traditional cruise. Think neutral interiors with contemporary pops of color, glass elevators with ocean views, and an Instagram-worthy pool deck.

Silver Ray is 801 feet long and 54,700 gross tons, markedly larger than Silversea's previous ships. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Silversea's SALT, sea and land taste, program brings the itinerary's regional cuisines into the cruising experience. On Silver Ray, this includes cooking classes, a restaurant and bar with rotating menus, and food-focused excursions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you're not craving local bites, other complimentary restaurants include American, Italian, grill-your-own meat, and jazz-and-tapas options.

The Japanese restaurant is free for lunch but not dinner. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Not all meals are complimentary  the French, Japanese, and SALT Chef's Table dinners start at $80 a person. (At least the eight bars and lounges are free.)

You can spend your days sipping wine at the secret library, attending a guest lecture, or simmering in the sauna.

At night, enjoy cover bands and guest entertainers.

Spa access is complimentary, although treatments cost extra. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As for accommodations, Silver Ray's 364 suites range up to 1,324 square feet. Even the smallest 357-square-foot options have marble bathrooms, walk-in closets, pillow menus, and butlers.

The ship plans to sail around South America, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean next year. The cheapest seven-night itinerary from Callao, Peru, to Valparaiso, Chile, starts at $4,300 a person.

The fare includes WiFi, alcohol, and access to the spa. Guests can opt for a pricier package with flights and excursions.

Regent Seven Seas' Seven Seas Grandeur: Classic luxury

Regent Seven Seas invited me on a three-night "christening sailing" for its year-old Seven Seas Grandeur. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' Regent Seven Seas launched its sixth vessel last year.

The Seven Seas Grandeur accommodates 744 guests and has a classic luxury feel, complete with a traditional pool deck and $6 million worth of art, including a custom Faberge egg.

The Seven Seas Grandeur ship has 503 chandeliers. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

It's a great option for travelers who enjoy the finest foods. Unlike Silver Ray, none of the seven restaurants have upcharges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Truffles, caviar, lobster, or foie gras are on almost every menu, including the pan-Asian, French, and American steakhouse venues.

Head to the Italian outpost for risotto with mushrooms. If you're pickier, there's a restaurant with a customizable menu.

Pan-Asian Pacific Rim serves options like vegetarian pad thai and fried lobster. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

During the day, travelers can have afternoon tea at one of the four bars and lounges, break a sweat at the bocce court, or pay for a cooking class.

In the evening, live music and song-and-dance shows entertain guests.

Afterward, enjoy a nightcap on your balcony. Grandeur's 373 cabins, ranging from 307 to 4,443 square feet, all have balconies, walk-in closets, L'Occitane toiletries, and mini-bars.

Seven Seas Grandeur's concierge suite has a balcony, walk-in closet, and bathroom with a separate tub and shower. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ship plans to spend the next year in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Europe. A seven-night roundtrip voyage from Miami to Mexico and Central America starts at $4,300 a person.

Excursions, alcohol, spa facilities, and WiFi are included. Like its rival, Regent Seven Seas' all-inclusive upgrade includes flights, transfers, and chauffeur credit.

Explora Journeys' Explora I: An elegant ship with high-end shopping

Explora Journeys invited me to spend one night on the ship in 2023. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The European MSC Group-backed Explora Journeys launched last year with Explora I.

Its nascence and international background don't make it an unusual contender. Instead, the vessel mixes Seven Seas Grandeur's traditional layout with Silver Ray's contemporary feel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The decor is elegant, the spa serves crystal-infused water, and the shops (specifically the Rolex store) are pricey. At 814 feet long and accommodating 922 guests, it's also the largest ship on this list.

Explora I has four pools. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Like the Seven Seas Grandeur, Explora I's guests can pay for a cooking class. If you'd rather not work for your food, there are six restaurants, including pan-Asian and European steakhouse options.

Dine at the French restaurant for a tuna tataki tart, or head to the Mediterranean eatery for a plate of grilled octopus.

Avoid the Italian if you're on a tight budget  the seven courses cost an additional $190 a person.

Explora I's buffet has seafood items like grilled lobster tails. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Travelers can spend sea days sipping on cappuccinos and sunbathing around the five pools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At night, they can mingle at the Lobby Bar, one of 12 bars and lounges on the ship. The overhead Steinway piano provides the perfect melodic backdrop for cocktails and conversations.

Explora I's Lobby Bar looks like a hotel bar. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Explora I has 461 cabins ranging from 377 to 3,014 square feet. Expect heated bathroom floors, butlers, walk-in closets, and Dyson hairdryers.

The ship plans to spend 2025 in the Caribbean and Europe. A seven-night roundtrip voyage from Miami to the Caribbean and Mexico starts at $3,225 a person.

Drinks, spa access, and WiFi are complimentary.

Seabourn's Seabourn Quest: A dated ship with exciting itineraries

Seabourn invited me aboard the Seabourn Quest for a few hours in late October. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Carnival Corp's Seabourn operates expedition and ocean vessels. The 13-year-old Seabourn Quest accommodates 458 guests and is its second-oldest ship, evidenced by the low ceilings, passe furniture, and traditional layout.

Thankfully, it doesn't compromise on dining  all eight food and beverage venues are complimentary, from sushi and cocktails in the club lounge to porterhouse steaks at the Mediterranean restaurant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pick at a seared fish filet in the main dining room or indulge in a caviar snack before bedtime.

The Mediterranean restaurant serves branzino and a 32-ounce Tuscan-style porterhouse steak. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

During the day, travelers can take a dip off the ship's marina, attend a guest lecture, or hit the putting green. At night, they can catch live music or try a new board game.

Seabourn Quest's 229 cabins range from 295 to 1,182 square feet and include walk-in closets and personalized in-suite bars. Unfortunately, a handful don't have balconies.

Seabourn Quest has amenities like a putting green and shuffleboard. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Forget the Caribbean and Europe  Seabourn Quest plans to spend 2025 in Alaska, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. It's not scheduled for a seven-night itinerary, but the cheapest six-night Alaska and Canadian voyage starts at $4,000 a person.

Read the original article on Business Insider
JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Jackson County Sheriffs Office dispatchers received a call around 5:45 Monday morning.

The concerned neighbor claimed a suspicious person, armed with a rifle, was walking around a yard on Wonder Road just outside of the Marianna city limits.

At which time deputies responded, and they were able to make contact with the suspicious person. And they determined quickly that the person had a long gun, a rifle. And the three deputies on scene attempted to de-escalate, obviously, immediately, and even used non-lethal force in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, Jackson County Sheriff Donnie Edenfield said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Deadly deputy-involved shooting under investigation

Edenfield did not specify what type of non-lethal force the deputies used. They claim the suspect then raised his rifle in the direction of the three deputies.

And in fear of their lives and the safety of others, deadly force was used. And, of course, immediately the three deputies began life-saving measures, performing CPR on the man, but they were unsuccessful. So unfortunately, he was pronounced dead, Edenfield said.

No one else, including the 3-deputies, were hurt.

Theyre going to be good. I spoke to them and their families so that was one first things I did was make sure they were ok, Edenfield said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Former Correctional officer found guilty of smuggling meth into state facility

Theyve been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol, pending the outcome of the investigation. Because deputies were involved, the sheriffs office turned over the investigation to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Sheriffs officials say they will release the name of the man who was killed, once his family has been notified. They have not yet completed that task.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
JACKSON, Mich. (WLNS)  Dozens of voters in Jacksons Ward 2, precincts 2 and 3 have expressed surprise and frustration to learn their polling locations had been moved from Boos Recreation Center.

City Spokesman Aaron Dimick says the center has not been used as a polling location for two years.

An election volunteer helps a voter determine where he has to travel from the Boos Recreational Center to his correct polling location in Jackson. (WLNS)

Registered voters were sent a letter about the change a while ago, Dimick wrote in a text message to 6 News. Its also updated on our website and newsletters. While some may not have received the message, we definitely got the word out about the change.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

First-time voter Brooke Trusty, 18, says she was confused and annoyed to arrive at Boos Recreation Center, only to learn she would be voting at another location.

This is where the website told me to go, she says. The website she referred to was the Michigan Secretary of States website which provides registered voters with polling locations based on their name and address.

By 3:45 p.m. at least 50 voters turned up to vote at Boos.

Ward 2, Precinct 2 voters are now casting ballots St. Johns United Center for Caring, 801 S. Mechanic St. in Jackson.

Ward 2 Precinct 3 voters are now casting ballots at St. Johns Parish Center, 711 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One political campaign volunteer here at Boos, who didnt wish to be identified, tells 6 News hes met with voters who had traveled to the polling location by bus and another who traveled by Uber.

A large vinyl sign greets visitors in the parking lot on one side of the recreation center. The other side of the building does not have such a sign and the notice to voters is in handwriting on a large sign posted on the door of the recreation center.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
MSNBC/The Beat

Find the Daily Beasts coverage of the 2024 election here. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.

Democratic strategist James Carville said Monday that Donald Trumps campaign smells like a loser.

Carville, who predicted late last month that Vice President Kamala Harris would win, explained to MSNBCs Ari Melber one reason why hes sure about that outcome.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Because Ive worked on so many campaigns, I have a lot of experience on losing campaigns, and I know what they feel and look like, said Carville, a strategist for Bill Clintons successful 1992 campaign, and also for the ill-fated presidential bids of John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, and Colorado Sen. Michael Bennett four years ago.

Kamalas campaign is not losing. Its more unified, he told The Beat anchor, whereas Trump is trying a new message every other day, his people are finger-pointing, [and] theyre all blaming each other already.

Carville acknowledged that he may not have the same access to information as some pollsters out there, before adding: But I do know smell when I smell it. And his campaign has the smell of a loser, to me.

Harris' camp, on the contrary, has more energy and more unity going into it, and I place great value on that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Later in the segment, Carville invoked a centuries-old proverb while arguing that the conservative-majority Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade is a major factor boosting Harris' chances: Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

They feel disrespected. They feel like the Dobbs decision is an insult to them, he said. I think theres a lot of scorned women out there. I really do.
Chinese book reading classroom opens at university in Mongolia

Xinhua) 08:53, November 05, 2024

ULAN BATOR, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Book Reading Classroom at the Mongolian University of Life Sciences was inaugurated here on Monday.

"All of our teachers and students are delighted that the Chinese Book Reading Classroom has opened at our school. We hope this classroom will help us learn more about China," said Gonchigdorj Enkhbayar, vice director of the university, at the launch ceremony.

Xue Ming, deputy editor-in-chief of the Inner Mongolia People's Publishing House, spoke at the opening ceremony about the Inner Mongolia Publishing Group's commitment to strengthening cultural exchanges under the framework of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation with neighboring countries.

He said that the Chinese Book Reading Classroom will undoubtedly yield positive results in fostering cultural exchanges and mutual learning between the two countries. Additionally, it will provide new impetus and contribute to mutual assistance, friendly relations, and win-win cooperation.

The Chinese publishing group donated more than 800 Chinese books across over 400 categories, including traditional culture, science, agriculture, medicine, literature, and dictionaries, to the reading classroom.

Chinese Book Reading Classrooms have been gradually established in major universities in Mongolia since 2019, aimed at showcasing and introducing Chinese culture to Mongolian readers. Currently, there are six such classrooms.

The opening of the reading classroom at the Mongolian University of Life Sciences is part of a series of activities titled "Feel China," co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth of Mongolia, and the Information Office of the People's Government of China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
JD Vance branded Kamala Harris trash in his final pitch to American voters  appearing to forget the Republican fury over President Joe Bidens comments where he appeared to call Donald Trumps MAGA loyalists garbage.

As Trump toured the must-win swing states of North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan on the final day of his presidential campaign, the Republican VP candidate held a rally in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday evening.

He admonished Harris, calling her disrespectful and condescending, before labeling her trash.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In two days, we are going to take out the trash in Washington, DC, Vance said to a cheering crowd.

And the trashs name is Kamala Harris.

The Ohio senators snub comes after garbage bizarrely became a late buzzword in the election.

At Trumps Madison Square Garden rally late last month, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe sparked outrage for making a racist joke about Puerto Rico, referring to the US territory as a floating island of garbage.

The incident sparked backlash against the Trump campaign.

JD Vance branded Harris trash during his Atlanta, Georgia, campaign rally on Monday (EPA)

Then Biden, while responding to Hinchcliffes remarks on a call with Latino voters, appeared to also call Trumps supporters garbage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Vance hit out at Bidens remarks on Monday.

Our message to Kamala Harris is very simple: the citizens of this country, they are not garbage for thinking that youre doing a bad job, Vance he said.

The citizens of this country are not racist for thinking that you ought to close down that damn southern border. The citizens of this country are not garbage for wanting to be able to afford groceries in a nice place to live.

Vance made similar remarks during a campaign speech in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Sunday.

None of our fellow citizens, whatever their politics, are garbage for thinking that Kamala Harris has done a bad job, he said. In just two short days, were going to take out the trash in Washington DC.

Tony Hinchcliffe made racist remarks at Trumps campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on October 27 (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Both Biden and Hinchcliffe have since faced backlash for their remarks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The president and the White House claimed Biden was labeling the rhetoric at Trumps rally garbage  and not Trumps supporters.

Harris, meanwhile, tried to create space between herself and his comments, telling reporters in Washington DC last week: I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for.

Similarly, Trump tried to distance himself from Hinchcliffes comments, telling Fox Newss Sean Hannity: Every time I go outside I see somebody from Puerto Rico. They give me a hug and a kiss.

However, he also tried to capitalize on Bidens apparent gaffe, dressing up in an orange high-visibility vest and clambering into a MAGA-branded garbage truck before a rally in Wisconsin last week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

How do you like my garbage truck? Trump asked reporters. This truck is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden.

The stunt came despite Trump repeatedly calling the entire US a garbage can in several campaign rallies in recent weeks.
Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance on Monday  the eve of the 2024 election  faced backlash for describing Democratic candidate Kamala Harris as trash.

Vance went to great lengths during a campaign rally in Atlanta to paint former President Donald Trumps MAGA movement as inclusive and loving as he urged voters not to nix longtime friendships with or shun family members who vote the wrong way on Tuesday.

Vance then undid all that posturing, though, as  in a reference to President Joe Bidens since-clarified statement that Trump supporters are garbage  he listed why Trump fans arent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our message to Kamala Harris is very simple, Vance said. The citizens of this country are not garbage for thinking youre doing a bad job. The citizens of this country are not racist for thinking you ought to close down that damn southern border. The citizens of this country are not garbage for wanting to be able to afford groceries and a nice place to live.

Then he concluded, But in two days, we are gonna take out the trash in Washington, D.C. And the trashs name is Kamala Harris.

Watch from the 32-minute mark here:

The comment went viral on X, formerly Twitter.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) wrote, Not too sure that Republicans going from calling Puerto Ricans garbage to calling a woman garbage is the whiz-bang political chess move they think it is.

Not too sure that Republicans going from calling Puerto Ricans garbage to calling a woman garbage is the whiz-bang political chess move they think it is https://t.co/TNd1JuOZFS  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 5, 2024

Michael Steele, the former chair of the Republican National Committee, meanwhile, asked Vance if it was really his closing message of the election campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im curious, how do you explain your behavior and your words to your children? Steele added. Family values much? Its been amazing to watch your ambition drive you to become the very things you once said about Trump.

This is your closing message @JDVance? Im curious, how do you explain your behavior and your words to your children?family values much?

Its been amazing to watch your ambition drive you to become the very things you once said about Trump. https://t.co/Wu7SrosmoA  Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) November 5, 2024

Others agreed, calling it jaw-dropping and the kind of language you use when youre losing.

JD Vance: We are going to take out the trash in Washington DC, and the trashs name is Kamala Harris.



This is the kind of language you use when youre losing. pic.twitter.com/nFev0KZK01  Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) November 4, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a disgusting, jaw dropping moment, a screaming and angry JD Vance calls Vice President Kamala Harris trash. pic.twitter.com/NN9dnmP1tT  Mike Sington (@MikeSington) November 4, 2024

Trash is what JD Vance sees when he looks in the mirror, not when he looks at Madam Vice President Kamala Harris. Trash is what he came from and all he'll ever be. So on Tuesday, let's vanquish him to the dustbin of all the other loser VP never-will-be's. https://t.co/4h4hBf1Skcpic.twitter.com/HFc9fZOaSz  Reecie @BlackWomenViews (@ReecieColbert) November 4, 2024

JD Vance is ending this hateful campaign in the most angry and misogynistic way possible. What a weird, nasty SOB.pic.twitter.com/fubiq9VSjL  Jon Cooper  (@joncoopertweets) November 4, 2024

I cant imagine his spouse or his children being proud of him.



As a mother, absolutely appalled.



pic.twitter.com/2AO7drUZ0n  MARIA TERESA KUMAR VOTE EARLY  (@MariaTeresa) November 4, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

BREAKING: After a week of pearl clutching over garbage comments taken out of context, JD Vance straight up calls Kamala Harris trash. Theres no disputing what he meant to say here. Wheres the outrage from MAGA? pic.twitter.com/yRlLoLTN2k  Trumps Lies (Commentary) (@MAGALieTracker) November 4, 2024

Related...
Should former President Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. JD Vance win the presidential election, Vance's wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, would become the second lady of the United States.

Usha Vance has traditionally stayed out of the spotlight, working as a litigator at a national law firm until recently.

Here's what we know about her.

Usha Vance, right, appears with her husband, Sen. J.D. Vance, and their children during a August 2023 tour of the Dairy Products Building at the Ohio State Fair.

How did J.D. Vance and his wife meet?

Vance and his wife, Usha, 38, have been married since 2014 and have three children: Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The pair met at Yale Law School, which they both attended. Their wedding took place a year after they graduated.

Where is Usha Vance from?

The New York Times has reported Usha Vance is the daughter of Indian immigrants and grew up in the San Francisco area.

What is Usha Vance's educational background?

Usha Vance has her undergraduate degree in history from Yale University, according to her LinkedIn profile. She also has a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Cambridge.

While at Yale Law School, she worked on the Yale Law Journal and participated in the school's Supreme Court Advocacy Clinic, the Media Freedom & Information Access Clinic, the Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project and the Pro Bono Network, according to her LinkedIn.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Where did JD Vance go to college? Vice presidential candidate has multiple ties to Columbus

Usha Vance worked as a law clerk for both the Supreme Court of the United States, working for Chief Justice John Roberts, and the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, working for Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Usha Vance, wife of Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance (R-Ohio), listens while he speaks on Sept. 5, 2024, in Phoenix.

What does Usha Vance do now?

Mrs. Vance had worked as a litigator for Munger, Tolles and Olson LLP, a national firm based in San Francisco. She chose to leave her job in the wake of her husband's vice-presidential nomination, according to a statement from the firm.

"Usha has been an excellent lawyer and colleague, and we thank her for her years of work and wish her the best in her future career," the statement said.

Where does Usha Vance stand politically?

According to Ohio voter registration records, Usha Vance registered to vote in Ohio in 2018.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Records show she pulled a Republican primary ballot in the 2022 election. She has not voted in Hamilton County since the 2022 General Election, including the 2024 Ohio presidential primary, according to the Hamilton County voter list.

Usha Vance's previous voting history shows she voted as a Democrat at least once while living in Connecticut.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Usha Chilukuri Vance: Who is JD Vance's wife?
(NewsNation)  New Jersey voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

Presidential race in New Jersey

US Senate race in New Jersey

In addition to voting in the race for the White House between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, New Jersey residents will also elect a new U.S. Senator and will also vote a full complement of House seats.

New Jerseys Democratic Rep. Andy Kim faces Republican challenger Curtis Bashaw for a seat left open when Sen. Bob Menendez resigned after he was convicted on federal bribery charges and acting as an agent for the Egyptian government. If Bashaw is successful in winning the seat, he will become the first New Jersey Republican to do so in more than 50 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kim has served three terms in Congress while Bashaw is new to politics after working as a hotel developer.

US House races in New Jersey

Of interest among New Jerseys U.S. House races is in the states 8th Congressional district, where Rep. Rob Menendez, the son of the former U.S. Senator, will face Republican Anthony Valdes. Menendez was never accused of any wrongdoing in connection with his father. Menendez was first elected to the House in 2022 after serving on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey board of directors. Valdes works as a building inspector for New Jerseys Department of Community Affairs.

The 9th district seat is open after after the death of Democrat Bill Pascrell Jr., who died in August. Democrats elected state Sen. Nellie Pou to replace Pascrell on the ballot. She will face Republican Billy Prempeh in the election.

While voters in several local jurisdictions across the state will consider various ballot measures, there are no statewide initiatives in the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Polls close at 8 p.m. in New Jersey. New Jersey hold 14 electoral votes and has been a reliable Democratic stronghold, voting blue in the past eight presidential elections. President Joe Biden defeated Trump by 16% in the state in 2020.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Voters at the Bridgewater Senior Citizens Center in Bridgewater on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Ed Murray for New Jersey Monitor)

Though nearly 2 million New Jerseyans had already cast a ballot by the time polls opened at 6 a.m., many more flocked to the polls Tuesday to have their say on the final day of voting in the 2024 general election.

At the Westfield Armory in Union County, Karolina Kierzkowski, 42, voted straight down the line for all Republicans on the ballot in the 7th Congressional District: Donald Trump for president, Curtis Bashaw for U.S. Senate and Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. for Congress.

Im in line with the values Trump and his party represent: safety for my family, a strong future for the U.S., and reviving the economy, said Kierzkowski, a data statistician. For me, safety is the most important issue of all.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kierzkowski, who immigrated to the United States from Poland, has some concerns about Trumps stand on pulling back from NATO and his positive relationship with a Vladimir Putin-led Russia. Yet her belief about the link between immigration policy and safety decided her vote, she said.

I went through a valid process, and it should be fair for all of us. The mass onboarding of immigrants into this country is not safe. There should be vetting of peoples values, Kierzkowski said. The rest of the Republican ticket also aligns more with my conservative, Christian values and what I want for my family.

In Jersey City at Frank R. Conwell P.S. No. 3, Dan and Holly Feldman both voted for all Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Dan Feldman called Tuesday an important election, while Holly Feldman said they thought of their 10-month-old daughter when they chose their vote for the top of the ticket.

We want to make sure that women are heard and respected, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Asked who she thinks will win the race for the White House, Holly Feldman said, Feels like it could go any way.

Voters in Burlington County faced long lines Tuesday as county officials unveiled new voting machines to some voters for the first time. Law librarian Eric Berg said he went with his wife to a Delran polling place at 6:15 a.m. and didnt wrap up until 7:45. Usually it takes them no longer than 10 minutes to vote, he said.

The new machines  which Berg used for the first time to cast a ballot in Junes primaries  require multiple confirmations from the voter, who must then bring the printed paper ballot to a scanner to finalize. Berg said he thinks this slowed things down, though other Burlington County voters reported no delays in voting.

Berg said he thinks it might have been easier for the county to introduce new voting machines during a lower turnout election than a presidential race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I dont know why this couldnt have been done last year or waited until next year, he said.

Burlington County spokesman Dave Levinsky said the countys old machines had reached the end of their useful life and the new machines create a voter-verifiable paper record that allows for an increased level of security.

While there is naturally still an adjustment for the new machines, we believe the long lines are largely the result of the incredible turnout. While we had some technical issues at some locations when polls opened this morning, those issues were resolved with technical support, Levinsky said.

A woman exits a polling place in Westfield on Nov. 5, 2025. (Mark Bonamo for New Jersey Monitor)

Everything from the economy to bodily autonomy drew voters to the polls at the municipal building in East Amwell, a rural township in the southeastern corner of Hunterdon County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im just glad this ones over with. This is one of the most awful , disgusting political campaigns in history, in my opinion, because one of the candidates is truly despicable, said Peter Elston, 73. I think Trump belongs in jail. He doesnt belong on a presidential ticket, and I just cant understand how anyone could support him, considering hes a criminal. I voted for Harris because Trump has to be stopped.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Find the Daily Beasts coverage of the 2024 election here. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.

Podcaster and MMA commentator Joe Rogan endorsed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on the eve of Election Daynetting Trump a huge endorsement from the popular podcast host hours before voting begins.

Rogan made the endorsement while reposting Mondays episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, which featured a nearly three-hour interview with billionaire Elon Muskwho has become one of the loudest and most prominent Trump supporters since endorsing him in July.

The great and powerful @elonmusk.

If it wasn't for him we'd be fucked. He makes what I think is the most compelling case for Trump you'll hear, and I agree with him every step of the way.

For the record, yes, that's an endorsement of Trump.

Enjoy the podcast pic.twitter.com/LdBxZFVsLN  Joe Rogan (@joerogan) November 5, 2024

He makes what I think is the most compelling case for Trump youll hear, and I agree with him every step of the way, Rogan said in a post on X , the social media site Musk purchased in 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For the record, yes, thats an endorsement of Trump, he added.

Rogan did not endorse the former president during the interview with Musk, but spoke glowingly of the Republican nominee with the SpaceX CEO.

Trump sat down for an interview with Rogan on Oct. 25. His vice presidential pick, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, also went on the podcast last week.

Rogan tried to book an interview with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, but the vice presidents campaign was reluctant to sit down with the podcaster for his typical interview length, which can sometimes run as long as three hours at his Austin, Texas, studio.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The former president almost immediately addressed the endorsement at his rally in Pennsylvania alongside former Fox News host Megyn Kelly, thanking the podcast host and complimenting his reach.

I have some more big news, Megyn, Im just getting this right now, Trump told the crowd in Pittsburgh. So somebody thats very, very respected asked me to do his show two weeks ago, and I said, Why not? And to me its very big because hes the biggest there is I guess, in that world by far, somebody said the biggest beyond anybody in a long time and his name is Joe Rogan and hes never done this before. Thank you Joe. Thats so nice. And he doesnt do that.

He tends to be a little bit more liberal than some of the people in this room, Trump told the crowd of supporters. I had a lot of fun, he was amazing.

Rogan previously expressed some admiration for the Democratic nominee and even praised her campaign strategy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They did an amazing job from the moment Biden drops out, forcing Biden to drop out, Rogan said in a September podcast episode after the presidential debate. Whatever theyre doing, whoevers writing those speeches, getting her to deliver them, coaching hershes nailing it.
Joe Rogan has endorsed Donald Trump for president.

The powerful podcaster tweeted out his endorsement on Monday night, after posting the full-length clip of the latest episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, which features a conversation with billionaire oligarch Elon Musk.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The great and powerful @elonmusk. If it wasnt for him wed be fucked. He makes what I think is the most compelling case for Trump youll hear, and I agree with him every step of the way, Rogan tweeted on X. For the record, yes, thats an endorsement of Trump. Enjoy the podcast.

Also on Monday night, Musk, in a post on X, canceled a planned pro-Trump town hall Q&A and directed his followers to his conversation with Rogan.

Rogan had previously been a vocal supporter of third party candidate, and longtime JRE guest, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., although he never officially endorsed him for president. On Aug. 8, said that Kennedy was the only one that makes sense to me. The following day, Trump attacked Rogan on Truth Social, writing, It will be interesting to see how loudly Joe Rogan gets BOOED the next time he enters the UFC Ring??? MAGA2024.

On Aug. 23, Kennedy dropped out and endorsed Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There was speculation that Rogan would endorse Kamala Harris and the podcaster worked hard to get both candidates to appear on JRE, with both campaigns open to the idea as they pushed a strategy to appear on more podcasts rather than solely commit to traditional sit-down interviews with newspapers and TV networks.

On Oct. 26, Trump appeared on JRE, and had a long and rambling three-hour conversation with Rogan. Harris hasnt appeared on JRE, although Rogan claimed efforts were made. Last week, he issued a rare statement about the behind-the-scenes negotiations for a podcast guest, posting a comment about why Harris hasnt appeared on his show.

Rogan said Harris team wanted Rogan to fly out to New York to interview the presidential candidate, and that their interview would be restricted to one hour.

For the record, the Harris campaign has not passed on doing the podcast, Rogan said in a comment on X. They offered a date for Tuesday, but I would have had to travel to her and they only wanted to do an hour. I strongly feel the best way to do it is in the studio in Austin. My sincere wish is to just have a nice conversation and get to know her as a human being. I really hope we can make it happen.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Popular podcaster Joe Rogan has officially endorsed Donald Trump for president  not that it comes as much of a surprise.

Rogan announced his backing of Trump, coming a day before Election Day on Nov. 5, in posting an impromptu episode of podcast with Elon Musk, the mega-billionaire and ardent Trump supporter.

More from Variety

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On the podcast, Musk makes what I think is the most compelling case for Trump youll hear, and I agree with him every step of the way, Rogan said in a post on X, which is owned by Musk. For the record, yes, thats an endorsement of Trump.

In a June 2021 episode of his show, Rogan had expressed alarm about Trump in the wake of the former presidents supporters attacking the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 in an attempt to disrupt the certification of President Bidens election. One of the reasons why I think [Jan. 6] is important is because it highlights the reasons why a guy like Donald Trump is so fucking dangerous, Rogan said at the time. Because a guy can incite a bunch of morons to do something really fucking stupid.

In the post on X, Rogan called the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX The great and powerful @elonmusk and wrote, If it wasnt for him wed be fucked. Musk donated about $75 million to America PAC, the pro-Trump group he helped form this summer.

Thank you for your endorsement, Joe Rogan  A great honor! Trump wrote on X. In 2020, Rogan had endorsed Bernie Sanders for president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump appeared on the Oct. 25 episode of Rogans podcast, and his running mate JD Vance recorded an episode with the comedian/podcaster that was released Oct. 31. Rogan had said the campaign of Democratic VP Kamala Harris offered to make her available for an interview, but only for one hour and Rogan would have had to travel to her instead of recording it at Rogans Austin, Texas, studio.

In August, Rogan was targeted by a backlash among Trump supporters over Rogans comments praising Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Rogan had said about RFK Jr. that Hes the only one that makes sense to me  prompting Trump to lash out, writing in a post on Truth Social, It will be interesting to see how loudly Joe Rogan gets BOOED the next time he enters the UFC Ring??? Rogan subsequently said he was not endorsing RFK Jr. for president. Rogan added in a post on X, I also think Trump raising his fist and saying fight! after getting shot is one of the most American fucking things of all time.

On Mondays podcast, Musk told Rogan that if the Dems win this election, they will legalize enough illegals to turn the swing states, and everywhere will be like California Vote like your future. depends on it, because it does. This is the last chance.

Musk also noted that women are outpacing men in early voting by a substantial margin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Men need to get out tomorrow and vote, Musk said. You should be picking up all your friends and getting to the polls.

Musk opined that electing Trump, who attempted to overturn the 2020 election results, was crucial to preserving democracy in America. I view this election as a fork in the road of destiny, he told Rogan. The reason I have been politically active this election is because if we dont elect Trump we will lose democracy in this country and the two-party system.

Musk, wearing an Occupy Mars T-shirt, said Democrats are doing all the things that theyre accusing Trump of doing. The sheer number of hoaxes that the Democrat party is pushing, over and over again, is insane You cant claim to be good if youre pushing hoaxes that have been debunked thoroughly. When even Snopes says its a hoax, and you still push it, like the fine people hoax, what the flying fuck?

Musk was referring to Trumps remarks in August 2017 in which he said about the violence between white nationalist groups and alt-left protestors in Charlottesville, Va., that there were very fine people on both sides and said that there was blame on both sides for the violence. As noted by fact-checking site Snopes, Trump did not explicitly call neo-Nazis and white nationalists very fine people (and he actually said during the same press conference that they should be condemned totally); Trump said he was referring to many people in that group other than neo-Nazis and white nationalists.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last month, during Rogans three-hour discussion with Trump, the former president said his biggest mistake during his time in the White House was hiring bad people, or disloyal people. Trump repeated unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 election, which he lost to President Biden, was rigged. When Rogan asked him if he was going to release evidence proving the election was stolen, Trump moved on to another subject.

In an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast a few days later, Rogan discussed his positive impressions of Trump. The problem with the Trump stuff is just that the people look at the inflammatory things he says, the crazy shit, and they define him by that, Rogan said. You also have to remember, this is a very bizarre combination of an entertainer and a businessman Hes like a comedian, man. He says funny shit.

Rogan also marveled at the fact that Trump didnt take a bathroom break while recording the interview. This is whats crazy, Rogan said. Like the podcast was three hours long. The guy didnt pee before the podcast. He didnt pee after the podcast. He just left.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
In the final Last Week Tonight episode before Election Day, host John Oliver made a last-minute plea for hesitant pro-Palestinian voters to cast their ballot for Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that she will be easier to hold accountable than former President Donald Trump when it comes to the U.S. role in Israels ongoing attacks on Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon.

With just one day left in the presidential campaign, the Democratic nominee continues to struggle to earn the trust of voters who strongly oppose the Biden administrations nearly unconditional military and diplomatic support for Israel  specifically in Michigan, a crucial swing state with large Muslim and Arab American populations.

First, let me say I wish Harris had done more to reach out to you, beyond sending Bill Clinton to basically scold you this week, Oliver said in Sundays episode, referring to the former presidents incendiary speech in Michigan, where he defended Israeli military strikes that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians.

Some pro-Palestinian voters hoped that Harris would do more to reach out to Palestinian Americans after she replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee. But with the vice president publicly claiming that her stance on Gaza policy would essentially be unchanged from Bidens, many Democratic voters who support a free Palestine are on the fence about whether to continue backing their partys chosen candidate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What I have endorsed is that people come out and vote, to not sit on the sideline, regardless of all that has unfolded and happened to you directly or indirectly, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud told Democracy Now. What I can assure you is that sitting on the sideline will accomplish nothing.

And so, Ive called on people to vote their moral conscience, Hammoud said. To go out, to at least begin with the local ballot questions, the local elections, and then work their way up to the ballot as they get to that presidential question.

Oliver pointed to the positions of some Muslim and Arab American leaders with the so-called Uncommitted movement, who organized a protest vote during the primary election which gained so much traction that the movement sent at least 30 delegates to represent the pro-Palestinian vote at the Democratic National Convention, although they were denied a speaking slot.

The movements leaders declined to formally endorse Harris after she didnt meet with them to discuss potential policy changes, nor would she meet with Palestinian families in Michigan whose loved ones have been killed in Gaza. Yet they vehemently warned the movements followers against casting their ballot for Trump or a third-party candidate, such as Jill Stein, the Green Party nominee who has won noticeable support from some pro-Palestinian voters after hinging her campaign on calling out Israels attacks on Gaza with U.S. weapons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The push for Palestinian human rights will never be easy. But with a second Trump presidency, both civilians in Palestine and our antiwar movement here in our country will suffer, Uncommitted co-founder Abbas Alawieh said in a Friday ad mobilizing Michigan voters against the Republican candidate.

 Trump's in Dearborn today, spreading lies aimed at Michigan's Arab and Muslim communities. Help raise $50K to make sure Uncommitted Democratic primary voters in Michigan see this anti-Trump ad before Tuesday's election: https://t.co/FL81KcSw1Ppic.twitter.com/KG6VbGb3fD  Waleed Shahid  (@_waleedshahid) November 1, 2024

Oliver echoed that sentiment, highlighting Trumps cozy relationship with right-wing leaders in Israel and his stated plans for the future of Palestinian enclaves, as well as proposals in the right-wing presidential transition blueprint, Project 2025, that threaten aggressive action in the U.S. against pro-Palestinian protests. On top of that, the late-night host stressed that a Trump reelection will reverberate far beyond four years in the White House if he is again given the opportunity to appoint U.S. Supreme Court justices.

Some of the Uncommitted leaders have stressed that they are voting for Harris because she can be more easily pressured to change policy positions. Georgia state Rep. Ruwa Romman recorded a TikTok post last month saying that she voted for the Democrat in her crucial swing state as a promise that I and those who stand with me will not stop demanding the end of mass slaughter and violence everywhere.

Harris told reporters on Sunday in Detroit that she is honored to have the support of some Arab American leaders but that she knows the community is not a monolith.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are many issues that are the issues that all Americans face and then, of course, some that are specific to what is happening in Gaza, she said, repeating the messaging from her campaign and the current White House that the U.S. is committed to a cease-fire deal, the return of hostages, the security of Israel and the self-determination of Palestinians.

Wayne County Deputy Executive Assad I. Turfe is interviewed Oct. 23 in Dearborn, Michigan. The Lebanese American politician is among the few Arab leaders in the swing state to have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Carlos Osorio via Associated Press

The Biden administration is still approving weapon sales to Israel, despite about two-thirds of Harris voters believing the U.S. should not provide unrestricted assistance to the military if the Israel Defense Forces continue to indiscriminately harm civilians in Gaza and Lebanon,according to a poll released Monday by the Arab American Institute.

Here is how I look at it: The struggle for justice isnt just about what happens on Election Day, Oliver said. Its a fight waged constantly day in, day out  in protests, on the street, meetings with legislators and in the thousand small actions that cumulatively move the government forward, an inch at a time.
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL)  Students at Jonesborough Elementary School treated their families and local veterans to a concert on Monday evening during a Veterans Day Celebration.

The schools 1st and 2nd-graders along with the 5th through 8th grade chorus classes performed a selection of music to honor those who have served in the United States military.

Jonesborough Elementary Schools music teacher Rachel Day told News Channel 11 that learning the songs meant also learning about the different branches of the military for the students.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The program was meant to highlight all of the branches of the military and to give them honor for the service that they have done, she said. Also, to have our students realize what is a veteran and what that entails. And we talked in class about that before this program, about what a veteran is and why we are honoring them for their service to our country.

Day said shes proud of her students, as theyve practiced the performance for more than a month, and those with members of the military in their families got a chance to share what they know with their peers.

It makes me proud because theyre doing the things that weve learned in class. Theyre singing, theyre proud of themselves, theyre proud of the people that are here watching them and their country and just instilling the importance of what a veteran is to us and to our freedom in this country. So prideful is definitely at the top of my list.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
JOPLIN, Mo.  The man who admitted to stealing a statue from outside the Joplin Public Library may not end up going to prison.

PREVIOUS: JPD arrest man in stolen library statue theft

Larry Hart, 57, was in a Jasper County courtroom this morning for a sentencing hearing.

Larry Hart.

Judge Gayle Crane sentenced Hart to seven years in prison, but under the provision he complete a 120-day treatment program.

At the end of that program, the court will determine if Hart will be placed on probation or must complete his prison sentence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A week ago, Hart pleaded guilty to one count of stealing.

PREVIOUS: Joplin man pleads guilty to stealing library statue

That charge was filed after surveillance video captured Hart cutting a statue from a ground mount outside the entrance of Joplin Public Library. He then used a dolly to wheel it away.

That statue was donated by the Kiwanis Club and was valued at 5,300 dollars.

It was replaced back in May thanks to donations from James and Barbara Hicklin and Debra and David Humphreys.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Carmen Lampe Zeitler and John Zeitler honored a late friend who was very politically active, and wore buttons that read "Josh Sent Me" to their polling place in Des Moines. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Iowa Capital Dispatch is talking to voters at polling places around the state.

DES MOINES  Carmen Lampe Zeitler and John Zeitler walked out of the polling area at Central Presbyterian Church on Grand Avenue this morning proudly wearing buttons that read Josh Sent Me.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lampe Zeitler explained the buttons were in honor of a friends son, Josh Riggle, who died recently at a young age.

Hed be really pissed that he couldnt vote in this election, Lampe Zeitler said and spoke about Riggles political activism.

Lampe Zeitler said Riggles mother made the buttons and gave them out to her late sons friends and family.

So we should all go vote and tell them Josh sent us, Lampe Zeitler said.

She said she would have voted regardless, and opened up her jacket to reveal a t-shirt endorsing Kamala Harris. Lampe Zeitler said she also voted for Lanon Baccam in the congressional race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Poll workers at precinct 40 for Des Moines said the traffic was heavy early in the morning from about 7 a.m. until 7:45 a.m. and that there had been a steady flow of people coming in to vote all morning. Marianne Monday-Edsill said everything has just been swimming, for poll workers thus far into the day.

Staci Williams said it was incredible to vote for a woman. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Staci Williams, who voted for Harris in the presidential race, said she was encouraged by the amount of people at the polling place.

Im cautiously optimistic, Williams said. I think if theres a really strong turnout, it will lean Democrat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Williams said the attacks on womens freedoms and on LGBTQ populations are some of the issues that are most important to her.

Ralph and Donna Rieck voted today in Des Moines to protect the democracy. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

It was incredible, Williams said when asked about getting to vote for a female presidential candidate. Hopefully a different outcome than the last time I got to vote for a female.

Donna and Ralph Rieck said they voted because its part of their duty and its something theyve done for 50 years.

The couple declined to share who they voted for, but said they were registered Republicans.

(Were) not happy with whats going on in the fighting and the ugliness thats in this race, Donna Rieck said and said its the first time she has felt this way towards her party.

We have to keep the democracy together, Ralph Rieck said about whats most important to him as a voter.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Tim Alberta, a staff writer at The Atlantic, said Monday that some of Donald Trumps own staffers feel resentment and disgust toward the GOP presidential nominee and are pessimistic about his prospects amid the chaotic way hes ended the race.

As of a few weeks ago, people close to him were still pretty bullish on his prospects, Alberta said on CNN Monday night. Im not sure thats the case anymore. I think that there is a real fear that the bottom has started to fall out here at the worst possible moment, and that they are closing in about as weak a fashion as you possibly could.

Alberta summed it up in a social media post Monday: Hard to overstate how terrible morale is inside of this campaign  and how much anger/resentment is felt toward the candidate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a separate interview with MSNBCs Nicolle Wallace, Alberta reported that, for months, he has spoken to senior Trump campaign aides who have seemed to feel uneasy about the former president  who has grown increasingly hateful, erratic and unhinged in the final stretch of the race.

Re: my comments on CNN and MSNBC this evening... yes, there are Trump staffers who no longer much care whether he wins or loses. Not exactly breaking news. Hard to overstate how terrible morale is inside of this campaignand how much anger/resentment is felt toward the candidate.  Tim Alberta (@TimAlberta) November 5, 2024

He cited one specific conversation he said he had with a Trump campaign staffer recently, around the time John Kelly said he believes his onetime boss to be a fascist. Kelly, Trumps former chief of staff, also said the ex-president had praised Adolf Hitler to him multiple times.

The campaign staffer said, I just dont know, you know, how much longer I can put up with this, according to Alberta.

There is a fatigue and exhaustion, and at times, I think, it would be accurate to say, a disgust, for some of these people that has set in, Alberta added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He also recalled a conversation in which a pretty high-ranking Trump person admitted there was a very small part of them that hopes he loses.

I will probably go to my death bed still thinking about that conversation, Alberta said.

Even among the people who have poured their blood, sweat and tears into trying to elect this man for the last couple of years, Nicolle, they know that ... something is off here.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Over the weekend, Alberta published a feature in The Atlantic about the Trump campaigns recent weeks, shedding insight on its ruthless, restless final days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He is the author of the 2019 book American Carnage: On the Front Lines of the Republican Civil War and the Rise of President Trump.

Related...
A Jefferson County judge has denied a motion to extend polling hours after severe technical issues caused hours-long voting delays in Louisville Tuesday morning.

The Kentucky Democratic Party and Kentucky American Civil Liberties Union had filed a motion in Jefferson Circuit Court asking to extend polling hours to make up for the delays.

According to the request, significant county-wide delays began almost immediately and the electronic poll books crashed approximately every 3 minutes for the first three and one-half hours of voting. Voters waited as long as 2 1/2 hours to vote at one location, according to an affidavit by a county clerk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Eric Haner denied the motion just 30 minutes before polls were set to close in Kentucky Tuesday.

Haner ruled that the request did not establish that anyone in Louisville had been denied the right to vote, and the polling locations did not close.

KDP Executive Director Morgan Eaves said in a statement: We are extremely disappointed by this ruling given the extensive technical issues in Jefferson County, which caused some voters to wait in line for more than three hours. Polling locations across Jefferson County were functionally closed. These disruptions werent just unacceptable  they deprived Kentuckians of the fundamental right to vote.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg had joined the chorus of those encouraging Jefferson County and the state Board of Elections to keep the polls open longer and provide all available accommodations to ensure that everyone gets a chance to vote in this important election Tuesday morning after widespread voting problems earlier in the day in the heavily Democratic city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, the Jefferson County Clerks office responded to WDRB with a statement: We have no intention of keeping polls open later than 6, and we would appreciate if the mayor would refrain from telling us how to do our job. We take this very seriously, and we are very confident that everyone will be able to vote by 6pm today.

The Kentucky Republican Party filed an opposition to the motion and said there is no statutory authority or Kentucky case law that permits a poll location to be kept open past 6 p.m.

The only authorized body to change the voting hours is the Kentucky General Assembly.

This same issue was addressed in the November 2023 election when a Jefferson County Board of Elections attempted to keep the polls open due to interruptions caused by a gas leak.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At that time, the Kentucky Court of Appeals found there was no legal grounds to keep the polls open later.

Most polling places in Kentucky close at 6 p.m. Eastern. If voters are in line at 6 p.m., you can stay in line to vote.
State health inspectors "shall" be able to conduct surprise inspections of the Oklahoma County jail, even if they disrupt the troubled facility, after District Judge C. Brent Dishman dismissed the county jail trust's case asking that they be forbidden access on demand.

The ruling came Tuesday at the start of a hearing that never got to the merits of arguments by the trust, formally the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority, against unannounced inspections conducted by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The trust wanted the judge to ban the inspectors.

Health inspectors showed up at the long-troubled jail on June 25 and again July 9 but were turned away. Heath Commissioner Keith Reed ordered the jail, formally the Oklahoma County Detention Center, on July 15 to permit the surprise inspections or face administrative penalties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a nutshell, the trust's attorneys said that statutes that say health inspectors "shall have access" don't mean "unannounced access" and that jail administration had offered to reschedule inspections to give it time to reassign staff to escort inspectors and gather records.

They also said that imposing administrative penalties against the trust for "failing" inspections  based on inspectors being denied entry  would be unlawful, among other things.

The jail has had more than 40 deaths since the trust took it over on July 1, 2020. Six people have died in the jail this year, the most recent on Sept. 26.

A yearlong investigation by The Oklahoman found the jail had become one of the deadliest in the United States. The state's multicounty grand jury last year said many of the deaths were preventable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In dismissing the trust's case against the Health Department, Dishman said, "I'm going to base my ruling on language that says 'shall.'"

County jail administrator Maj. Brandi Garner speaks earlier this year at the Oklahoma County Detention Center in Oklahoma City.

Jail CEO Brandy Garner was in the courtroom. She was visibly shocked by the ruling and had no comment. Trust Chairman Joe Allbaugh had no comment. Brian Maughan, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, had no immediate comment.

Health Department spokesman Erica Rankin-Riley said, OSDH is grateful for today's ruling and looks forward to the full and final resolution of this case as it works to protect and improve public health for all Oklahomans.

The Health Department's separate case against the jail trust remains pending before the Oklahoma Supreme Court. No hearing had been set for that case as of Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Health Department is asking the Supreme Court to do the exact opposite of what the trust asked of the judge. The trust wanted surprise jail inspections banned.

In the district court case, Assistant District Attorney Lisa Erickson Endres tried to argue that the Health Department was being inconsistent by going to the Supreme Court with the district court case pending.

"Why are they asking the Supreme Court to hear a case they want to be dismissed in district court?" she asked. The judge said the Supreme Court case was irrelevant to the case in his court.

In both cases, District Attorney Vicki Behenna's office is representing the trust. The Health Department is represented in both cases by attorneys in Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Staff Writer Richard Mize covers Oklahoma County government and the city of Edmond. He previously covered housing, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com, starting in 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com.You can support Richard's work, and that of his colleagues, by purchasing a digital subscription to The Oklahoman. Right now, you can get 6 months of subscriber-only access for $1.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Judge OKs Oklahoma Health Department right to surprise jail inspection
(Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA  Following a more than five-hour hearing Monday, Philadelphia County Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta ruled that Elon Musks America PAC can continue to give out $1 million prizes, rejecting a lawsuit by Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who claimed that the giveaways are an illegal lottery.

America PACs attorneys argued that since the winners were not chosen at random, the giveaways to registered voters were not a lottery, which was at the heart of Krasners argument.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Musk announced on Oct. 7 that the PAC would pay Pennsylvania registered voters $47 to sign its petition in support of free speech and gun rights. The amount offered later increased to $100. At a rally in Harrisburg for former President Donald Trump on Oct. 19, Musk announced those who signed the petition and were registered to vote in Pennsylvania and six other swing states in the presidential election would be eligible to be chosen to win $1 million.

Election law experts have told the Capital-Star that the sweepstakes likely violates a federal law against paying people to register to vote.
Federal judges denied two states requests to bar the Justice Department (DOJ) from dispatching lawyers to monitor adherence to federal voting rights laws on Election Day.

Missouri and Texas asked federal courts to keep DOJ lawyers away from their polls. Missouris attorney general and secretary of state said any monitoring would displace state election authorities, and Texass attorney general contended that Texas law alone determines who can monitor voting in Texas.

The DOJ announced its intent to send poll monitors to 27 states in a press release Friday, asserting the agency regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country. The agency plans to monitor one city in St. Louis and eight counties in Texas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In its opposition to Missouris request, the Justice Department pointed to a settlement it reached with St. Louis reached regarding a separate matter, compliance with the American Disabilities Act, in the final days of former President Trumps administration.

The DOJ identified architectural barriers at polling places to people with disabilities, and as part of the citys settlement with the agency, its Board of Election Commissioners agreed to let the Justice Department monitor for compliance  including on Election Day.

U.S. District Judge Sarah Pitlyk found that Missouri did not reach its burden of showing that the state would face irreparable harm if the Justice Departments monitors watched over the citys polls.

In practical terms, the expected harm is monitoring by two individuals at one polling place to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as contemplated by an agreement that has been in place for several years, and as already done at least twice without incident, Pitlyk wrote in a late Monday ruling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Texas, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk early Tuesday ordered the DOJ to verify the agency would not send observers to poll locations in Texas while also denying issuing the restraining order.

The Court cannot issue a temporary restraining order without further clarification on the distinction between monitoring and observing on the eve of a consequential election, Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, said in the ruling.

Texas and the DOJ appeared reached an agreement on the matter before Kacsmaryks ruling.

The Justice Department said that its election monitors would remain outside of polling and central count locations, would be subject to Texas election law within 100 feet of those locations and would not interfere with voters attempting to cast their ballots. The Lone Star State withdrew its motion for a temporary restraining order.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DOJ will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in several other states, including several jurisdictions in the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Neither Missouri nor Texas are considered battleground states.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Remember, what happens in the booth, stays in the booth.

Julia Roberts advert  for the liberal Christian group Vote Common Good  has provoked an immediate backlash out here in the United States. Perhaps worse, it has become a joke amongst women, with that trite little slogan parroted across many a bar top in the shrill tones of a 1950s wife. Because thats essentially what the 30-second commercial released last week is making female voters out to be.

As two women are shown entering a polling booth, they both glance conspiratorially at one another before secretly voting for Kamala Harris. Meanwhile, the Oscar-winning actress narrates: In the one place in America where women still have a right to choose, you can vote any way you want and no one will ever know. All together now: Remember, what happens in the booth stays, in the booth. When, as they leave the polling centre, one womans husband asks Did you make the right choice?, she chirps, Sure did, honey.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Republican rage has been most entertaining, what with Donald Trump declaring his disappointment in Roberts (in time, shell get over it) and the influential conservative Charlie Kirk declaring the advert so gross. Shes coming in with her sweet husband who probably works his tail off to make sure that she can go, you know, and have a nice life and provide for the family, and then she lies to him, he fumed, seemingly oblivious to the fact that women are now allowed to work  on occasion even working their tails off.

Brilliantly, several Grand Old Party commentators have also declared that lying to your husband about voting for Harris would be way worse than having an affair.

What nobody has pointed out is that theres plenty of secret ballot box action in the other direction. Just the other day my Uber driver in LA was telling me how sick to death she was of people assuming that as a black woman shed be voting for Harris. Its so patronising! I actually secretly voted for Trump, the woman confided, adding that she cared more about the spiralling cost of her weekly shop than feminist ideals. Then theres the New York friend of mine  the one who has been pouring scorn over Trump for the past 15 years  who has just voted for him, again, in secret. Youre literally the only person Ive told, she told me after two glasses of wine. And you have to promise never to tell a soul.

Hey, what happens in the booth stays, in the booth.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
JUNIATA COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Another county in the central Pennsylvania area is implementing a burn ban amid the dry weather.

Starting Thursday, Nov. 7, a burn ban is in effect for all of Juniata County, meaning that open fires, such as burning garbage, are prohibited until further notice.

At least ten fire chiefs in the county went to the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, who then in turn wrote a recommendation for the county.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The burn ban is expected to remain in place through Nov. 30, and that could be extended by the county commissioners with a recommendation from the district forester.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Morning Weather Forecast

Violators can face a fine of up to $100 for their first offense, $200 for a second and $300 for a third.

Other Midstate areas, including all of York County, have put a burn ban in place due to the dry weather increasing chances of a fire.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (KRQE)  Jury selection began on Monday in the trial involving the man accused of shooting and killing Alamogordo Police Officer Anthony Ferguson in July 2023.

According to investigators, Ferguson was running after Dominic De La O when he shot Ferguson in the face. The pursuit began after De La O was initially pulled over for reportedly driving at night with no headlights. He was then arrested, charged for the murder of Ferguson, and was ordered by a judge to stay behind bars until trial.

Story continues below

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jury selection in the state trial is expected to continue, and the trial is estimated to last seven days. Prosecutors plan on calling 32 witnesses in the trial.

Investigators found out the shotgun De La O had in his possession was altered with a pistol grip, and the barrel was sawed off. Officials said that gun was provided by 31-year-old Jonah Apodaca, who was recently sentenced to six years in federal prison.

De La O also faces federal charges of possession of a firearm not registered with the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record, and possession of a firearm not identified by a serial number. That trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 26, 2025, according to the Department of Justice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Behavioral and mental health professionals at Kaiser Permanente are continuing to walk the picket lines throughout Southern California this week.

On Monday, workers at Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center in Kearny Mesa started picketing at 8 a.m. and continued until 2 p.m. They joined other workers in similar movements happening across the state, including Kaisers Los Angeles, Fontana and Anaheim medical centers.

Fighting for a cure: Thousands of people walk to raise awareness and money for type 1 diabetes research

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The strike, organized by the National Union of Healthcare Workers, continued Tuesday morning in Riverside, Woodland Hills, Irvine and Baldwin Park.

NUHW began the strike on Oct. 21, shortly after the health system submitted a three-page document to the California Department of Managed Health Care, notifying the department of the possibility of a strike.

In a statement posted to its website on Oct. 25, Kaiser Permanente said, in part, The union has been slow-walking negotiations and creating theatrical disruptions, despite the strong proposals Kaiser Permanente has put on the table. We ask NUHW to engage productively at the bargaining table to reach an agreement.

Kaiser added that it remains committed to negotiating in good faith until a deal is done. Its proposals include an 18% wage increase over the four years of the workers contracts, a fully subsidized retiree medical plan, $3,000 in tuition reimbursement for mental health professionals on top of the amount offered to all Kaiser employees and others.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This isnt a plan, its a recipe for mass appointment cancellations, just like what we saw in Northern California, said Sal Roselli, the president emeritus of the union representing Kaiser mental health professionals in Northern and Southern California, in a press release Monday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump made their final pitches to Americans on Monday night ahead of Election Day.

Harris delivered her speech at the Philadelphia Museum of the Arts, while Trump held a rally at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Harris projected an image of optimism as she delivered her final campaign speech in Philadelphia on Monday night, stating she was offering the United States the opportunity to turn the page on the past decade of divisive politics led by Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Democratic nominee did not, however, mention Trump's name during her speech at the Philadelphia Museum of the Arts, as she continued to position herself as the underdog in the race.

She spoke from the steps made famous by the Rocky film, stating they are a tribute "to those who start as the underdog and climb to victory."

Former President Donald Trump speaks, seen here at a rally in Madison Square Garden last month, took aim at Vice President Kamala Harris and other political adversaries in his final campaign pitch in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Monday night. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

She noted there was only one more day left "in the most consequential election of our lifetime."

"And the momentum is on our side."

Harris said it is time for a new generation of leadership at the helm of the United States, and "I am ready to offer that leadership as the next president."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We have an opportunity in this election to finally turn the page on a decade of politics that has been driven by fear and division. We are done with that. We are done. We are exhausted with it," she said.

"America is ready for a fresh start. Ready for a new way forward, where we see our fellow Americans not as an enemy but as a neighbor. And we are ready for a president who knows that the true measure of a leader is not based on who you beat down but based on who you lift up."

She spoke the eve before Americans head to the polls to select their next president in an extremely close race.

In her final pitch to the voters, she leaned into her experience as a prosecutor, asking the public that if they elect her president that nothing will stand in her way as she fights on their behalf.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Instead of stewing over an enemies list, I will spend every day on your behalf working on my to do list, full of priorities to improve your lives," she said, vowing to bring down the cost of living, ban corporate price gouging and make housing and child care more affordable, as well as cutting taxes for workers, the middle class and small businesses.

She also reiterated her statement that her campaign has not been a fight against a cause, but a fight for one -- specifically a fight for a future with freedom, opportunity and dignity.

"Our campaign has brought together people from all corners of this nation and from all walks of life, united by our love for our country and our faith in a brighter, stronger and more hopeful future that we will build together, and tonight, then we finish as we started. With optimism, with energy, with joy, knowing that we the people have the power to shape our future, " she said.

"Generations of Americans before us lead the fight for freedom. And now the baton is in our hands."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump arrived on stage at the rally at 12:15 a.m. more than two hours after its scheduled start time as he returned to Grand Rapids on the eve of Election Day to close out his campaign as he had previously done in 2016 and 2020.

"It's unbelievable. Think of it. This is it. This is the last one that we're gonna have to do," he said.

Michigan is a key swing state, which Trump carried in 2016 on his road to the White House but went to his opponent President Joe Biden in 2020, helping the Democrat secure his election win.

"Grand Rapids, it's been a special place," Trump said. "Remember 2016? We were given a 3% chance, we came to Grand Rapids, I said 'how the hell are we going to lose?'"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump said his campaign was "in very good shape" but urged voters to "just assume" that the race between he and Harris was "sort of even" calling for voters to head to the polls.

"To make you feel a little guilty, we'd only have you to blame," Trump said, referring to the potential to lose the race.

Throughout the speech he took direct aim at Harris, calling her a "radical left lunatic who destroyed San Francisco."

"If you vote for lying Kamala, you will have four more years of misery, failure and disaster our country may never recover from. I don't believe that our country can take any more of this," he said.

Trump also lashed out at various other political adversaries, calling former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., "an evil, sick person," referring to Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., as "an unattractive guy, both inside and out" and dismissing his former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly as "dumb as a rock."
Vice President Kamala Harris campaign did not admit defeat even as Donald Trump took the stage to declare victory in the presidential election early Wednesday.

Harris planned to address supporters and the nation Wednesday at Howard University in Washington, D.C., the site of her planned election night party.

Late Tuesday night, her campaign sought to temper fears over weak early returns, reminding Democrats in a memo that the closeness of the race is exactly what we prepared for.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The memo, sent by Harris campaign manager Jen OMalley Dillon noted, While we continue to see data trickle in from the Sun Belt states, we have known all along that our clearest path to 270 electoral votes lies through the Blue Wall states. And we feel good about what were seeing.

The campaign emphasized higher-than-expected Election Day turnout in Philadelphia, along with ballots yet to be counted in Democratic strongholds like Detroit and the Wisconsin counties of Milwaukee and Dane. Dillons memo urges supporters to finish up what we have in front of us tonight, get some sleep, and get ready to close out strong tomorrow.

The campaign said Harris will address the country later on Wednesday. Trump declared victory at his own rally in West Palm Beach just after 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.

We still have votes to count. We still have states that have not been called yet. We will continue overnight to fight to make sure that every vote is counted, that every voice has spoken, said Cedric Richmond, Harris campaign co-chair. So you wont hear from the vice president tonight but you will hear from her tomorrow.Richmond said Harris would return to Howard on Wednesday not only to address her supporters but to address the nation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

News of the memo came as supporters at Harriss election night party began quietly trickling out of the Yard at Howard University just before midnight.

Im still hopeful, but Im a little bit disappointed that so many people turned out to vote for someone who doesnt seem to care about everybody, said Valda Johnson, 59, a Democratic voter from northern Virginia.

Its depleting and it makes me feel that our country hasnt changed very much, she said. I just think that were still not ready for a woman to run the country, and I think its really gender discrimination. Shes far more qualified. She has the experience.

With millions of votes still left to be counted, including in critical swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin, the race seemed to swing in Republican candidate Donald Trumps favor with his victories in North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania key battlegrounds. The former president was also leading in early returns in the Rust Belt just after midnight.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris has not made an appearance at the party, and her campaign has been mostly silent as the votes roll in.

Johnson, a Howard alum like Harris, left the watch party because she didnt think the race would be decided Tuesday night.

I think people dont think its going to end tonight. I think youre gonna have counting into hours after midnight, Johnson said. Theres not gonna be the party that maybe they thought would happen tonight.

Princess Charles, a 26-year-old who works at a political firm in Washington, D.C., said the early results reminded her more of the 2016 election, when Trump won handily in a race that was decided on election night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think in 2020 after the first blow, we got smarter, and we didnt undermine his campaign, she said. Its unfortunate, though, to see how much the people are easily swayed by foolishness, the propaganda, the reality show tactics and not the reality that people are actually facing.

Earlier the candidate made her final case to voters in a series of radio interviews Tuesday.

I think this is an inflection point, Harris told a radio host in Atlanta. This is the moment where we have two very different visions of the future of our nation. And mine is focused on progress. Mine is focused on investing in the ambitions and the aspirations and the dreams of the American people.

Polls show the race between Harris, a Democrat, and Republican former President Donald Trump are locked in a close race for the presidency. The two candidates and their surrogates have focused their efforts on a handful of swing states that will determine who enters the White House next year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris campaign is hosting an election night watch party at Howard University, her alma mater, in Washington, D.C.

The first office I ever ran for was freshman class representative at Howard University, and to go back tonight to Howard University, my beloved alma mater, and be able to, hopefully recognize this day for what it is, is really its full circle for me, the candidate said Tuesday.

Harris has often spoken about the important role the historically Black college played in her life, including her decision to become a lawyer.

How will college students vote? Swing state poll shows big gap between Harris and Trump

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As results started to roll, the party at Howard was underway, with the crowd watching returns on giant projectors and at times dancing while a DJ played hits by artists like Beyonce, Megan Thee Stallion and Michael Jackson  though there was a big boo from the crowd when CNN called Texas for Donald Trump just after polls closed in that state.

As he nervously checked Georgias election updates, Mark Long of Washington D.C. said he was very excited to be there supporting Harris after knocking doors for her.

This is the 152nd anniversary of the first woman who ever voted in America, and she got arrested for it. Whoever wins tonight will be sworn in on Martin Luther Kings federal holiday. I dont think I serve a God that would do that wrong in a time like this, he said.

The 58-year-old spent a few years living in Los Angeles and said he admired Harris from her time as a Bay Area prosecutor and as California attorney general. Ive always respected where shes been on principles, fighting for the little guy. You always felt like you had an internal champion in her, he said.I definitely know Im going to witness history, Long said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republicans vow to bar federal election monitoring in key states. What do monitors do?

An Oakland native, Harris has already made history as the first woman of color to hold the vice presidency and hopes to become the countrys first female president.

Though she had a Jamaican father and Indian mother, Harris largely avoided talking about identity politics on the campaign trail, choosing instead to focus on kitchen-table issues like the economy, housing costs and reproductive freedom.

She spoke often during the campaign about being raised in a middle-class family, her mothers excitement at purchasing a home after saving for years, and working summer jobs at McDonalds to earn spending money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris worked as a prosecutor in Alameda County and San Francisco before winning the election as San Francisco district attorney in 2003. She later won elections as California attorney general and U.S. Senator before becoming President Joe Bidens vice president in 2021.

Harris has been criticized for not staking out strong positions on polarizing issues or changing her tone. For example, she opposed legalizing recreational marijuana in 2010, but supported it nearly a decade later. She also took heat from communities of color for dubbing herself Californias top cop and later styling herself as a reformer.

Harris got a late start in the presidential race after Biden stepped down in July following a disastrous debate against Trump and concerns about Bidens ability to beat him.

Biden withdrew from the race on July 21 and immediately endorsed Harris, allowing her to quickly consolidate support from other Democrats.

Her elevation to the top of the ticket was met with relief and hope by many in the party, particularly young voters. She received a historic jolt in fundraising and has far outraised Trump this election cycle, though polls show the race virtually tied in a handful of crucial swing states.
If the polls are to be trusted, the 2024 presidential election will be decided by razor-thin margins: somewhere in the agonizing space between Hillary Clintons 2016 defeat and Joe Bidens 2020 victory. Since August, pollsters have consistently shown a dead heat in the seven swing states that will almost certainly decide the election. Pennsylvania, the most likely tipping-point state, has been the tightest of them all, with most poll aggregators giving either candidate a lead of less than half of a percentage point.

Given the possibly existential ramifications of a Donald Trump victorya purge of the civil service, the deportation of millions, the weaponization of government against his imagined enemiesthe tightness of the 2024 race is causing blood pressures to spike among Kamala Harriss supporters. Its also the source of bafflement, considering Trumps increasingly batshit behavior on the campaign trail: How could an election between a sane vice president and an insane fascist be this close?

But theres another way of looking at it: The fact that this race is essentially a coin flip is a miracle. Had Joe Biden not stepped aside and endorsed Harris in late July, he would have lost reelection. I dont even feel compelled to explain why, as Bidens certain defeat to Trump may be the one thing that everyone in Washington agrees on. Instead, Democrats now have an even shot at stopping himand, by extension, halting the rise of American authoritarianism. In the excruciating hours ahead, that should be a source of comfort, if not relief.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One can quibble with the campaign Harris has chosen to runand I have quibbled plentybut she has done something extraordinary over the past 100 days, taking a race that Democrats were going to lose and making it winnable. In the early spring, when it was becoming clear that voters considered Biden incapable of serving a second term, Harrisan unpopular vice president whose only national campaign, in 2020, had been a short-lived disasterwas viewed with immense suspicion at best. Before Bidens meltdown in his only debate against Trump this cycle, many worried that Harris would do even worse than Biden if she became the nominee.

After that meltdown, however, it was obvious that Harris was the only plausible replacement for Bidenand that, given the risk (and indeed likelihood) of a Trump landslide, any Democrat was preferable to the sitting president. There was not time for a conventional primary. Any effort by the Democratic National Committee to stage an accelerated one would have created division and controversy when the party simply couldnt afford it. Harris, flawed though she may be, had to be the pick. While she has not run a perfect campaign by any means, she has exceeded expectations and quieted most of those who doubted her ability to unite the party.

Harris entered the race as the unpopular vice president of a deeply unpopular incumbent president. Today, more voters view her favorably than do notan astounding accomplishment in contemporary politics. Perhaps most impressively, she now polls roughly evenly with Trump on the question of who voters think is best equipped to manage the economy, which was perhaps Bidens biggest weakness after his age. She has run a competent and at times exceptional campaign, handily winning her only debate with Trump and pushing a disciplined message: She cares about ordinary people, Trump is unfit to serve another term, and its time to move on from the Trump era (and, more subtly, the Biden one too).

Harris is not a generational politician. As I have written, she is not even a particularly different candidate from the one who crashed and burned in the 2020 primary. She is overcautious and too fond of bromides; her political instincts can be wobbly; its still not entirely clear what principles guide her foreign or domestic policy. But she has run about as impressive a campaign as you could expect any Democrat to run given the extraordinary situation that she found herself inor that, more accurately, Biden put her, his party, and the country in by refusing to drop out of the race earlier.

If Harris loses, pundits will focus on a number of decisions: her choice of running mate, her reluctance to break with Biden, her muddled message to young and Arab American voters disgusted by her administrations support for Israels destructive war in the Middle East, her overcautious approach to both messaging and policy. But the fact remains that Harris gave Democrats a chance they did not have before. That is an accomplishment in and of itself, no matter the outcome of the election.
Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is planning to spend election night at her former university in Washington DC, she told KDKA radio.

"I will be at my alma mater, at Howard University," she said.

Before that, Harris plans to have dinner with her family, with many of her relatives visiting, she said.

Howard University is one of the historically black colleges in the US that still mainly attracts black students.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris said she would talk with people throughout Election Day and keep on reminding them to vote.

She also called on people to vote in several posts on social media platform X, saying, "Today, we vote for a brighter future."
A Kansas City man has been charged in a shooting in Westport that left five people injured and damaged several local businesses on Oct. 9.

Jerome A. Washington, 29, is charged with attempted robbery, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon for his role in the shooting, court records show.

Washington and four others were wounded in the shooting, with Washington and two others facing critical injuries. He is one of five suspects police have identified in the shooting, according to court documents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The shooting occurred at Westport Media Collective, 315 Westport Road, according to court documents. City officials permanently closed the unlicensed event space, which featured recording booths for rent, on Oct. 15.

Kansas City police officers responded to the 300 block of Westport Road around 8 p.m., where they discovered Washington and two others in the surrounding streets with various gunshot wounds. One of the other victims was found in a parking lot just north of Westport Media Collective, according to court documents; another was found shot in the chest on Westport Road.

All three were transported to a local hospital, where two other victims also presented with injuries related to the shooting, according to court documents.

During interviews with Kansas City police detectives, three of the victims said they regularly recorded music at Westport Media Collective. When they arrived for a recording session Oct. 9 with the on-site producer, five men armed with AR-style rifles were also in the studio, according to court documents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When two of the victims went to a different area of the space, the five suspects  led by Washington  are accused of attempting to rob the third victim at gunpoint, according to court documents. When the remaining victims returned, one of them exchanged gunfire with the suspects, later passing the gun to another victim to continue exchanging fire, court documents show.

Security camera footage captured at the scene shows four of the suspects, including Washington, flee in a white Chevrolet sedan after the shooting. After the suspects left, the injured victims helped each other exit the building, and two of them collapsed nearby.

After leaving in the Chevrolet, Washington was later found on the ground at a nearby intersection, according to court documents. Detectives primarily identified Washington from the video footage, according to court documents.

In his interview with detectives, Washington said that he was outside the building when he was shot, and that he does not remember anything else. Court records did not specify whether, or how, the fifth injured person was involved with the shootout.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Washington was previously charged with robbery, motor vehicle tampering and possession of a firearm, according to court records. The shooting happened in front of multiple witnesses and damaged the neighboring storefront at Pop! Vintage Furniture and Accessories, as well as at least one parked car.

Several others affiliated with the Westport business community had registered complaints about Westport Media Collective in the past, Lucas shared on social media earlier this month.

Washington is not eligible for bond, according to court records. His next court date has not yet been set.
(NewsNation)  Kansas voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

Presidential race in Kansas

Voters across Kansas will determine whether Republicans can maintain the veto-proof supermajority they have held in the state Legislature since 2010.

Democrats are attempting to gain three seats in the statehouse, which would prevent Republicans from having the power to override any vetoes coming from the desk of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

US House races in Kansas

In Congress, two-term Republican Rep. Tracey Mann seeks reelection against Democratic challenger Paul Buskirk, an academic adviser to students and student-athletes at the University of Kansas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

District 2 will welcome a new representative after Republican incumbent Rep. Jake LaTurner announced he will not seek reelection Derek Schmidt, a Republican who previously served as Kansas attorney general, will face Democrat Nancy Boyda, who previously held the seat between 2007 and 2009 before she was defeated in her run at a second term.

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Early voting began in Kansas on Oct. 16. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local times. Kansas carries six electoral votes and has been a Republican stronghold in presidential elections dating back to 1964. Candidates need 270 votes to win the presidency.

In 2020, former President Donald Trump defeated President Joe Biden in Kansas by 16 percentage points.

Judicial positions in Kansas

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Cameron Mott and Martha Heavilin, with Rubin between them, said during a playground visit to Lecompton that both felt a strong commitment to participating in voting Tuesday. Mott, a Republican, voted for Democrat Kamala Harris for president. Heavilin, a Democrat, said it was important to stand up for abortion rights. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

LECOMPTON  Paola resident Cameron Mott, a registered Republican for more than half a century, paid special attention to the 2024 election cycle.

His attentiveness wasnt anchored in city council, county commission, state legislative or congressional contests dotting the Tuesday ballot. He was primarily invested in outcome of the presidential showdown between Republican Donald Trump, who prevailed in 2016 and lost in 2020, and Democrat Kamala Harris, the vice president who stepped into the void created when President Joe Biden withdrew under pressure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I voted for Harris, and Im a registered Republican since 1972, he said. Its just Trump. He was a total disaster. He wasnt qualified and never should have been president. I never saw any behavior that was presidential.

Mott voted by advance ballot and was relaxing on Election Day at a Lecompton playground with Spring Hills Martha Heavilin and her 2-year-old son, Rubin. Voters flowed in an out of the nearby polling station in Lecompton, just a stones throw from Constitution Hall that played a role in the Bleeding Kansas crisis over slavery.

Heavilin, a registered Democrat since 18 years of age, said she was dedicated to exercising her right to vote. That sentiment acknowledged every vote mattered regardless of outcome, she said. In this election, Heavilin said, she thought it was important to cast a vote for U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the Democrat who serves the 3rd District covering Johnson, Anderson, Franklin and Miami counties and half of Wyandotte County in the Kansas City area.

I was keen to keep Sharice Davids in office, Heavilin said. I find her incredibly responsive to people. I tend to vote blue, but I have two children. The last pregnancy got a little scary at the end. For any woman to be pregnant and want to end that pregnancy for valid reasons and not be able to is scary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Abortion took center stage in the reelection campaign of Davids, an advocate for abortion rights. She was challenged by Republican Prasanth Reddy, a physician endorsed by the Kansans for Life PAC.

In the 2024 election cycle in Kansas, voters will determine the 125 members of the Kansas House and 40 members of the Kansas Senate. The state will elect four members to the U.S. House, including at least one newcomer because U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner decided not to seek reelection in the 2nd District. In addition, Kansans were asked to make decisions on local ballot issues, city and county commission races and judicial retention decisions.

Brent Smith of Lenexa said he split his ticket by voting for Harris for president, but Republicans for Congress and the Legislature. Smith said hes a fiscally conservative independent voter and has never cast a ballot for Trump. Smith said Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are a better fit.

Brittany Nicholson and her son, Darrius Comeaux, cast their ballots for Kamala Harris for president Tuesday at the Roeland Park Community Center. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)

Project 2025 and Trump

In Johnson County, the presidential election also loomed large as issues from abortion to border security and democracy itself were on voters minds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Brittany Nicholson, 38, joined her son Darrius Comeaux, 20, as he voted for the first time. Nicholson cajoled Comeaux into posing for a photo as they left the Roeland Park Community Center, both having voted for Harris for president.

Democracy, Nicholson said. That was really the most pressing issue for me.

Nicholson said she also was concerned about Project 2025, a wide-ranging policy document published by a conservative think tank. While Trump has denied involvement in producing the document, many former Trump staffers contributed to it. Nicholson said she likes that Harris has proposed helping first-time homebuyers with up to $25,000 toward a down payment.

Calley Saye, 47, said she voted a straight Democratic ticket. She said she cant stand Donald Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think he is the worst thing thats ever happened to our country, Saye said, and I would really like to see someone decent in office. And Im excited about having a female president.

Saye said while the presidential race was her biggest concern, she was excited to cast her vote for down-ballot Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Davids. Saye said she felt strongly that women should have the right to seek an abortion.

Its kind of sad that were going back in time, Saye said.

In August 2022, Kansas voters unexpectedly rejected by a wide margin a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution that would have nullified a Kansas Supreme Court decision that identified a fundamental right in the states Bill of Rights granting women the right to end a pregnancy. This constitutional right remained in Kansas after repeal by the U.S. Supreme Court of the landmark precedent of Roe v. Wade that granted abortion rights nationally.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Lawrence, Adela Solis took a break from work to outline reasons it was important for Kansans to express themselves at the ballot box. She took the opportunity to vote on local ballot questions about reforming the size and management structure of the city commissioner. She voted on a measure that would dedicate tax dollars to housing issues.

But it was the diminishing of abortion rights across the United States that served as a decisive motivator.

The fact that women are moving backwards, Solis said. And that there are some men out there who think thats okay. Its so egregiously awful. I thought Puritanism ended.

Tiffany and Noah Strain cast their ballots for Donald Trump for president Tuesday at the Roeland Park Community Center. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)

Skepticism about Harris

Abortion was similarly top-of-mind for voters who selected Trump for president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hannah Lackamp, 22, voted for Trump in Lenexa with abortion on her list of concerns. She voted for him four years ago in the first presidential election after she turned 18.

I dont want to kill babies, Lackamp said. Thats kind of like my biggest thing.

Tiffany and Noah Strain, both 30, walked to the polls in Roeland Park with their four children and cast ballots for Trump and down-ballot Republicans, driven primarily by their opposition to abortion.

We value life, Noah Strain said.  If you dont value that sort of life at that level, then everything else just doesnt really matter.

Beyond that, they said, the former president was better for the economy. Tiffany Strain said its difficult to know what Harris policies are other than opposing Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some things that really bother me about (Harris), she said, are that shes really into the pathos arguments. Its all about feelings. Its all about how she sounds rather than the actual things shes talking about.

The couple said they voted for Evan McMullin in 2016, who waged a write-in campaign, because they were skeptical of Trump. But Trumps four years in office persuaded them to vote for him in his first reelection bid in 2020.

Keith and Sandy Carnes on Tuesday morning outside the White Auditorium in Emporia, where they had just cast their votes. Both said they were primarily interested in the presidential election rather than state or local races. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector)

In Emporia, after Sandy and Keith Carnes cast their votes at White Auditorium, Keith Carnes said he voted Republican all the way.

I did it because I dont want another four years like this, Carnes said. We need a change.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sandy Carnes said there was no disagreement in their household over politics and that she also turned out to vote for Trump. But, she said, she would accept the choice voters make, no matter who wins.

Whatever the results, I will support them as best I can, she said.

Rezty Felty, a 58-year-old Tonganoxie resident, shows off Kamala Harris-themed nails after voting. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Leavenworth County vibe

In Tonganoxie, voters left polling cubicles inside the Sacred Heart Catholic Church proud of doing their civic duty. There were expressions of anxiety and optimism about outcomes on Election Day.

Rezty Felty, 58, said this election felt particularly important. A regular voter and almost 30-year resident of Tonganoxie, Felty had a set of Kamala Harris-themed fingernails for the occasion.

Because we had one side that seemed to be pulling for the whole country and another side that seemed to be dragging us into fascism, Felty said.

Sue Hicks, 60, expects to retire soon and about worries about economic slippage. She said she voted for Trump because Im not better off than I was four years ago. She said high property taxes and an income that doesnt stretch as far as it used to were factors in her presidential decision, but would welcome a feeling of hope in American politics.

Nicole Martin, 51, felt similarly. She said the rising cost of living and illegal immigration informed her votes.

I need my stocks to go up, she said. I need my food to go down. I need my gas to go down.

Loren Harrell, 28, said reproductive rights and rights for fellow LGBTQ+ community members were top of mind when voting for president.

Those were the kind of big things for me, but I know in this area Im a bit of an outlier, Harrell said.

Some of the voters in the Leavenworth County community of about 6,000 people said they voted to represent their conservative values while others voted to keep certain candidates out of office.

Sarah Dunkle, 21, is a first-time voter. She came to the polls with her mother, 63-year-old Robin Thompson, and she said she was proud to be able to represent a younger generation.

Thompson was most interested in the presidential race, but Dunkle said she made sure to pay attention to local races too.

Its important to me whos going to be running the country, Thompson said.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is offering prizes for deer samples in their ongoing Shoot for Samples giveaway.

Following a discovery of Zombie Deer disease in Breckenridge County, the department is inviting hunters statewide to submit samples from legally harvested deer for a chance to win one of five prizes.

Officials say the giveaway will run until January 20, 2025. A winner will be selected from each of following regions in Kentucky:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bluegrass

Northeast

Southeast

Green River

Purchase

Prizes are said to include gift cards valued between $500 and $1,000, along with an Elite Carbon Era bow.

Hunters play a crucial role in helping us understand the distribution and prevalence of CWD by collecting samples to submit for testing, says deer program coordinator Joe McDermott. This giveaway shows our appreciation for their efforts, and were grateful to our sponsors for making it possible.

For more information on the Shoot for Samples giveaway visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wilderness Resources website here.

Courtesy of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Eyewitness News. Everywhere You Are.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
KENTUCKY (FOX 56)  Kentucky saw a record-breaking turnout for early voting this year, and before more voters head to the polls on Tuesday, candidates running for office are using every last second to meet with them.

They said its important to encourage everyone to make their voice heard.

The 88th House District incumbent Cherlynn Stevenson spent election day eve going door to door asking people for their vote. She said shes reached more than 31,000 homes this election cycle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We cant just always assume that everyone lives in the political bubble that we do, and we need them to recognize that tomorrow is a super important election, that polls are open from six to six, where they can go to vote, said Stevenson.

Read more of the latest news in politics

Her opponent Vanessa Grossl also believes in the power of meeting voters face-to-face. She spent the day in Fayette and Scott counties educating people on what it would mean to vote for her.

Were ready for change in this district, said Grossl. And were ready for someone that will have a voice at the decision-making table.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

State officials said taking initiative is what it takes to get people to the polls.

I cant tell you how many folks when you show up at their door actually appreciate that, said Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman. And respect the fact that youre willing to show up face-to-face with them and allow them an opportunity to talk to you about the things that they care about.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Stevenson and Grossl said they hope to see a great turnout regardless of who people vote for. Both said theyre advocating for policies that will work to make Kentucky a better place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Public schools, womens health, health care, public safety, all of those good things, said Rep. Stevenson.

To live a life worth living, added Grossl. To have a good job. To be able to afford groceries, a little gas for their car, maybe a vacation. We want that for every single Kentuckian.

Polling locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
(NewsNation)  Kentucky voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

Presidential election in Kentucky

US House races in Kentucky

In Congress, Republican incumbent Rep. James Comer faces Democratic challenger Erin Marshall, who said she was inspired to seek political office due to Kentuckys ban on abortion.

In District 2, Republican Rep. Brett Guthrie is challenged by Democrat Hank Linderman, a self-employed recording engineer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democratic incumbent Rep. Morgan McGarvey is seeking reelection against challenger Mike Craven in the 3rd District.

Republican incumbents Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Harold Rogers are running unopposed in Kentuckys Congressional District 4 and 5, respectively.

Statewide ballot measures in Kentucky

Residents across Kentucky will vote on two potential constitutional amendments, including one that has created controversy surrounding public funding for education.

Amendment 1, if approved, would prohibit noncitizens from voting in Kentucky elections.

Amendment 2 allows the state to fund charter and private schools, which are referred to as common schools in Kentucky.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Early voting in Kentucky for the general election is Oct. 23 to 30 for in-person absentee voting with an excuse. For in-person absentee voting without excuse, voters cast their ballot from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Kentucky, which carries eight Electoral College votes, has been a Republican stronghold in presidential elections since the 1950s. Only former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton have turned the state blue. Candidates need 270 votes to win the presidency.

Former President Donald Trump collected 62% of the vote statewide in 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Once the polls begin to close Election Day, all eyes will turn to the swing states across the country counting votes in the presidential race. And within those states, there are a handful of counties that could hold the keys to the outcome.

Here's a look at some of the key counties to watch across the seven presidential battleground states, ordered by the state's final poll closing time (in Eastern Standard Time).

Georgia (7 p.m.)

Chattooga: One of NBC News' seven communities to watch as part of the 2022 "County to County" project, this northwestern county is rural and has a significant chunk of evangelical voters. Even though then-President Donald Trump lost the state in 2020, his support here grew.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cherokee and Forsyth: The suburbs and exurbs around Marietta tell a different story, one of reliably Republican communities drifting away from the party in recent years. Mitt Romney won more than 80% in Forsyth in 2012, but Trump won just two-thirds of the vote there eight years later.

Gwinnett and Cobb: It's no doubt much of the discussion election night will center on the Atlanta suburbs. Democrats have run up the score here in recent elections and likely need to keep the double-digit margins up to win again.

North Carolina (7:30 p.m.)

Anson: In addition to running up their margins in big cities, Democrats also need to mobilize voters in the rural South, particularly Black voters. In 2020, Joe Biden won this county by only 4 points over Trump, while Hillary Clinton carried it by 13 points in 2016. If Vice President Kamala Harris is struggling to match Biden's margins with Black voters, that could cost her here.

Henderson: South of Asheville, this county is among those in the federal disaster zone in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in late September. While Trump won this county easily in 2020, his share of the vote dropped 3 points between 2016 and 2020 (from 62% to 59%), and he wasn't able to hit the 63% Romney got in 2012. Trump could help defend against the Democratic push for an upset here by finishing closer to the GOP's 2016 or 2012 marks. Nikki Haley outperformed her state vote share here in March's Republican presidential primary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nash: East of Raleigh, Nash has been decided by razor-thin margins in the past few presidential elections (Trump won it in 2016 while Biden won it in 2020). It's also home to a competitive congressional race.

Wake: Home to Raleigh in the fast-growing Research Triangle, Democrats have been building up their leads here and will need to continue to do so if they want to flip North Carolina.

Pennsylvania (8 p.m.)

Bucks: One of the key collar counties in the Philadelphia suburbs, it's one where, as Dave Wasserman, senior editor and elections analyst at The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter (and an NBC News Decision Desk contributor), notes in a recent analysis is "Trumps best opportunity to make progress in the Philly suburbs" because of a higher share of non-college-educated whites.

Erie: Smack dab in the middle between Buffalo and Cleveland, this blue-collar swing county (north of Pittsburgh on Lake Erie) backed Trump in 2016 by 2 points before Biden won it by 1 point in 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lackawanna: This Scranton-area county swung away from Democrats from 2012 to 2016 before shifting back a bit in 2020 (Barack Obama +28, Clinton +3, Biden +8). The 2024 margin here might be telling as to whether Biden, a Scranton native, was uniquely able to stem the Democratic erosion.

Northampton: Northampton has served as one of the best bellwether counties in recent memory, picking the presidential winner for decades.

Arizona (9 p.m.)

Maricopa: The massive focus on Maricopa isn't a surprise, considering it's home to more than half the state's residents. Democrats have made gains here as they've made the state more competitive by bringing moderate Republican and Hispanic voters into their coalition. While Trump won it by 3 points in 2016, Biden won Maricopa by 2 points four years later.

Michigan (9 p.m.)

Kent: Home to Grand Rapids, Romney won this once-reliable Republican county with 53% of the vote in 2012. Trump narrowly won it in 2016 with 48%, but Biden flipped it four years later with 42%. If Trump can make Kent look more like 2016 or 2012 again, he could be in for a good night in the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wayne: An obvious point of emphasis for both campaigns, as the county is home to Detroit and will be a proving ground for how Harris can perform with Black and Arab American voters. Neither Clinton nor Biden could match Obama's 2012 mark of 73% there.

Grand Traverse: Home of Traverse City, this wealthy area of northwest Michigan has been trending toward the Democrats. Trump would like to reverse that trend this go-around.

Wisconsin (9 p.m.)

Dane: Home to Madison and the University of Wisconsin, this county is all about the Democratic intensity in highly educated college towns. Biden netted 181,327 votes over Trump here in 2020  up from Clintons 146,422 in 2016. And that Democratic gain helped the party flip Wisconsin in 2020, given that Biden won the state by just 20,000 votes.

Ozaukee: North of Milwaukee, its the "O" in the "WOW" counties, the nickname for the three suburban counties in the state that have served as an ancestral home for Republicans. Bidens 43% there in 2020 was the best a Democrat performed there since 1964, as Ozaukee and Waukesha have drifted a bit away from the GOP in recent years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Washington: The only county of the three "WOW" counties in which Trump increased his vote share between 2016 and 2020, Washington is pushing back on the trend that's affected its neighboring counties. Trump needs to hold firm here and make sure any slippage in the suburbs elsewhere doesn't take hold in Washington.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Besides the presidential race and deciding wholl control Congress, Tuesdays election will feature numerous important races involving LGBTQ+ candidates. At least 668 out candidates will appear on ballots nationwide, up from 574 in 2020, according to the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. Heres a look at some of the key races. All the LGBTQ+ candidates mentioned here are Democrats.

Support The Advocate's journalism. Find out how you can contribute here.

Sarah McBride

Sarah McBride is running to be the first out transgender member of Congress. She is running for Delawares sole seat in the U.S. House, succeeding Lisa Blunt Rochester, who vacated the post to run for U.S. Senate. McBride, facing Republican John Whalen III, is heavily favored to win in the majority Democratic state. In 2020, McBride was elected to Delawares state Senate, becoming the first out trans state senator in the nation.

Julie Johnson

Julie Johnson, a lesbian who has been in the Texas House since 2019, is seeking a seat in the U.S. House from the states 32nd Congressional District, which encompasses a suburban area near Dallas. She would be the first out LGBTQ+ person to represent a southern state in Congress. She would succeed Colin Allred, a Democrat who is running for U.S. Senate in an effort to unseat virulently anti-LGBTQ+ Republican Ted Cruz. Johnson is up against Republican Darrell Day and Libertarian Kevin Hale, but the district is predominantly Democratic, so she is likely to win.

Emily Randall

Emily Randall is running to be the first out LGBTQ+ person to represent Washington State in Congress, and she would also be the first LGBTQ+ Latina in that body. Randall, a lesbian whos currently a state senator, is running for U.S. House from Washingtons Sixth Congressional District, which is in a coastal area west of Seattle. The incumbent, Democrat Derek Kilmer, is not seeking reelection. Again, the district is heavily Democratic, so Randall is expected to beat Republican Drew MacEwen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Evan Low

Evan Low is out to be the first LGBTQ+ Asian American elected to Congress from Northern California and the second nationwide. He would join his Southern California counterpart, Mark Takano, whos seeking reelection. Low, a gay man of Chinese heritage, is a member of the California Assembly and was previously a City Council member and mayor of Campbell, Calif. Hes running for U.S. House from the 16th Congressional District, centered on Silicon Valley. Hes in a close race against a fellow Democrat, former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. Under Californias system, the top two vote winners in the primary advance to the general election, regardless of party. The general election victor will succeed Democrat Anna Eshoo, who is retiring. Low has the endorsement of the California Democratic Party and Gov. Gavin Newsom, among others.

Malcolm Kenyatta

Malcolm Kenyatta is running for auditor general of Pennsylvania, and if elected, he would be the first out statewide elected official there. The auditor general has the duty of conducting audits of state spending to assure taxpayer dollars are used properly. Kenyatta, a Black gay man, has been in the Pennsylvania House since 2018, representing a Philadelphia district, making him the first out Black LGBTQ+ state legislator there, and hes also running unopposed for reelection to the House. If he wins both races, he says hell resign his House seat and commit to a full term as auditor general. For the latter position, hes up against Republican incumbent Tim DeFoor, who was Pennsylvanias first Black statewide elected official, and three minor-party candidates.

Tammy Baldwin

Wisconsins Tammy Baldwin, the nations first out U.S. senator, is running for reelection in a tight race against Republican challenger Eric Hovde, but she has a slight edge. Baldwin, a lesbian, is a Wisconsin native and former state and county legislator, and Hovde, while also a native, has questionable ties to the state  he is CEO of a bank in Utah and has a home in California. However, hes denounced Baldwin for having a partner, Maria Brisbane, whos in the financial services industry, even though Baldwin doesnt directly regulate that industry, and for sharing a home with Brisbane outside Wisconsin. The ads hes run on the subject, however, seem to be an appeal to homophobia. Baldwin is seeking her third term in the Senate, and before that, she was the first LGBTQ+ person elected to the U.S. House while being out from the get-go; others, such as Barney Frank, had come out while already in office.

Lisa Middleton

Lisa Middleton is seeking to become Californias first out trans state legislator. She is running in the states Senate District 28, located in the Southern California desert. She is currently a member of the Palm Springs City Council and has been mayor there, as the position rotates among council members. Shes challenging Republican incumbent Ochoa Bogh in a race that could be one of California's closest.

Aime Wichtendahl

Iowa could also elect its first out trans state legislator. Aime Wichtendahl, a bisexual trans woman, is running for Iowa House from District 80 in the eastern part of the state. Wichtendahl is a member of the Hiawatha City Council, where she was the first out trans elected official in Iowa, and her Republican opponent, John Thompson, is a political newcomer. The incumbent, Democrat Art Staed, is vacating the seat to run for state Senate. Among registered voters, the district has a slight majority of Democrats.

Molly Cook

Molly Cook, a bi woman whos a registered nurse and health care activist, won a special election in May to become Texass first out state senator. She was elected to fill out the term of John Whitmire, who vacated the District 15 seat to take office as Houston mayor. That term runs only to the end of the year, however, so now Cook is running for a full four-year term in the Senate. Shes up against Republican Joseph L. Trahan, but shes favored to win because the Houston district is heavily Democratic and LGBTQ+  it includes the gayborhood of Montrose.

For information on even more LGBTQ+ candidates, visit the LGBTQ+ Victory Funds website.
The result of the election hinges on seven swing states and the 93 electoral college votes they represent.

Donald Trump is hoping that voters enthusiasm for his dynamic economic policy and tough on immigration stance is enough to get him over the line.

But sweeping abortion restrictions in many Republican-controlled states could see enough female voters switch sides and make Kamala Harris Americas first female president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2020, the battleground states were won by a margin of three percentage points or less.

This time around, it is on track to be one of the closest elections in modern US history.

By 7pm EST (midnight GMT), voting will have finished in six states, including Georgia. By 8pm, 19 states will have joined them and exit polls will be published. At 9am, polls in Arizona, Wisconsin and Michigan will have closed. By midnight, we should have a far clearer picture.

Here are the key races where the election will be decided:

Arizona (11 votes in the Electoral College)

Formerly solidly-Republican, demographic changes turned the state of Arizona blue four years ago.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But while the Democrats hope that abortion will bring enough women to the polls to retain the state, concern about immigration across Americas southern border has emerged as the key issue for voters in Arizona, which could help Trump.

A fiercely competitive race between Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake could decide who controls the US Senate.

Latest Polling: Trump 49 per cent Harris 45 per cent according to New York Times/Siena.

Key Issues: Immigration and abortion.

Declaration times: One hour after polls close or, if earlier, when all precincts have reported.

In 2020 AP reported the results at 10.02 pm EST (3.02am GMT) on election day and declared Joe Biden the winner at 2.51am.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voting history: 2012 Romney (Republican), 2016 Trump (Republican) 2020 Biden (Democrat)

Georgia (16 votes in the Electoral College)

Georgia is a reliable barometer of how the nation will vote, since the very earliest days of the United States.

From the election of Andrew Jackson in 1828 to Joe Bidens triumph in 2020, the winner of Georgia has normally taken the presidency.

Trump was prosecuted over his attempt to overturn his 2020 defeat in the state. After asking Brad Raffensperger, Georgias Secretary of State, to find 11,780 votes that would mean he beat Mr Biden.

Among the Democrats, there are fears that support for the party among African-American voters is weakening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Latest Polling: Harris 48 per cent, Trump 47 per cent according to New York Times/Siena.

Key Issues: The economy and border control.

Declaration times: Because the states election board requires votes to be hand-counted  as well as by machine  it is unclear when the result will be announced. Mr Raffensperger, expects to announce the winner by Thursday.

In 2020, AP first reported Georgia results at 7.20 pm ET (12.20am GMT) on election day and declared Mr Biden as the winner at 7.58 pm EST on Nov 19, more than two weeks later.

Voting history: 2012 Romney (Republican), 2016 Trump (Republican) 2020 Biden (Democrat)

Michigan (15 Electoral College votes)

The manufacturing powerhouse helped secure Trumps victory in 2016 and flipped back to blue in 2020 as Biden beat his Republican rival by just under three percentage points.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The state is split between its Democratic stronghold in Detroit and rural Republican heartlands.

Early vote data in 2020 showed the Democrats far ahead, but the results narrowed as more were counting. This election looks set to be similar.

Michigan could now slip from the Democrats grasp because of Israels war on Hamas in Gaza.

With the result on a knife edge, the Harris campaign fears that enough Arab-American, and Muslim voters could defect to the Greens candidate Jill Stein to tilt the state race in Trumps favour.

They say Ms Harriss continuation of Bidens Gaza policy is too supportive of Israel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Latest Polling: Harris 47 per cent Trump 47 per cent according to New York Times/Siena.

Key Issues: Economy, abortion, immigration and the Middle East.

Declaration times: State officials expect it will take until Friday to announce the winner.

In 2020, AP first reported Michigan results at 8.08 pm EST (1.08am GMT) on election night and declared Mr Biden the winner at 5.58pm the following day.

Voting history: 2012 Obama (Democrat), 2016 Trump (Republican) 2020 Biden (Democrat)

Nevada (Six Electoral College votes)

Despite the Democrats winning the last three presidential elections in the state, Nevada is regarded as a political bellwether.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With Reno and Las Vegas dominating the states economy, low-paid hotel and restaurant workers could swing the election.

Both Trump and Ms Harris have pledged to stop taxing tips  which account for a substantial proportion of their income.

Along with abortion, immigration has emerged as a key issue in a state in which 19 per cent of people were born outside the US and 9 per cent of the workforce does not have legal status.

Latest polling: Harris 49 per cent Trump 46 per cent according to New York Times/Siena.

Key Issues: Economy, immigration and abortion.

Declaration times: Because Nevada will accept postal votes sent by Nov 3, it could take 10 days for the result to be known.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2020, AP first reported Nevada results at 11.41 pm EST (4.41am GMT) on election night and declared Mr Biden the winner at 12.13pm EST four days later.

Voting history: 2012 Obama (Democrat), 2016 Clinton (Democrat) 2020 Biden (Democrat)

North Carolina (16 Electoral College votes)

This purple state was the only battleground to go red in 2020, with Trump taking it by just 74,000 votes.

But the Democrats almost took it because of the states black voters turning against Trump.

The Democrats once again will be relying on a high turnout among African-American voters to try to turn the state blue.

The once safe Republican state has emerged as pivotal to the election, much to the alarm of the Trump campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Over the past 50 years, North Carolina has only backed a Democratic presidential candidate twice  Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Barack Obama in 2008.

The Democrats chances have been enhanced by the popularity of Roy Cooper, the governor, who was tipped as a running mate for Ms Harris before she chose Tim Walz.

The state legislatures decision to impose a ban on abortions after 12 weeks is believed to be having a significant impact among women voters.

If only a small number of voters defect to Ms Harris on the issue, Trump will face an uphill battle holding onto the state he won by a whisker four years ago.

Latest Polling: Harris 48 per cent Trump 46 per cent according to New York Times/Siena.

Key Issues: Crime, Social Security (pensions and other benefits) and abortion.

Declaration times: Up to 80 per cent of the vote could be announced soon after the polls close at 7.30 pm local time (12.30am GMT). But it could take another nine days for postal votes to be counted and the result declared.

In 2020, AP first reported results at 7.42 p.m ET (12.42am GMT) on election day Nov 3 and declared Trump the winner at 3.49 pm 10 days later.

Voting history: 2012 Romney (Republican), 2016 Trump (Republican) 2020 Trump (Republican)

Pennsylvania (19 Electoral College votes)

Conventional political wisdom in the US says that the road to the White House runs through Pennsylvania.

In a Rust Belt state that has suffered badly with manufacturing jobs being shipped offshore, Trump will hope his promise to revive the economy will prove a vote-winner.

Mr Biden took it by just one percentage point in 2020 and this time around it is up for grabs, hence why both candidates have lavished it with visits.

Some analysts believe Ms Harris made a costly mistake in not selecting Pennsylvanias popular governor Josh Shapiro as her running mate.

Abortion is also a key issue which Trump has attempted to bat off by insisting reproductive healthcare laws should be left to individual states.

Latest Polling: Harris 48 per cent, Trump 48 per cent according to the New York Times/Siena.

Key Issues: Crime, Social Security (pensions and other benefits) and abortion.

Declaration times: With around half the electorate voting by mail, it will be a long wait for the result. At best the majority will be counted by Friday, but it could take even longer.

In 2020, the AP first reported results at 8.09pm ET (1.09am GMT) on election day and declared Mr Biden the winner at 11.25 am four days later.

Voting history: 2012 Obama (Democrat), 2016 Trump (Republican) 2020 Biden (Democrat)

Wisconsin (10 Electoral College votes)

Once a safe Republican state, Wisconsin tilted towards the Democrats in 2012 and the presidential races since have been tight.

Four years ago, Mr Biden won the state by 0.7 per cent.

Social security has emerged as a major issue in Wisconsin, with Democrats accusing the Republicans of wanting to cut benefits including Medicare, the subsidised health programme for older Americans.

Like many other states, abortion is high on the priority of voters.

But it is crime and gun crime which has caused considerable concern, with Milwaukee rated as one of the worlds most dangerous cities.

Latest Polling: Harris 49 per cent, Trump 47 per cent.

Key Issues: Social Security (pensions and other benefits), crime, guns and abortion.

Declaration times: Although postal votes will not be counted until election day, the outcome should be known on election night or by the following day.

In 2020, the AP first reported Wisconsin results at 9.07pm ET (2.07am GMT) on election day and declared Mr Biden the winner at 2.16pm the following day.

Voting history: 2012 Obama (Democrat), 2016 Trump (Republican) 2020 Biden (Democrat)

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
(NewsNation)  All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for grabs on Tuesday with about two dozen being highly competitive and prone to flips.

This election will be crucial for both parties who are battling for the balance of power.

The GOP has a narrow majority in the House with 220 seats over the Democrats who held 212 and three seats being vacant prior to Tuesdays election.

Republicans had taken back the House by a slim margin during the 2022 midterm elections, flipping key seats in Washington, New York and California.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 15 House races in 2022, winners came out on top with fewer than 2 percentage points and this year seven of those races were rematches between incumbents and the same challengers.

While there were hundreds of races, just a tenth of the races were deemed competitive, according to the Cook Political Report.

Twenty-five were considered toss-ups with 11 of the seats held by Democrats and 14 by Republicans, and 17 races were rated as either leaning Democratic or leaning Republican.

Watch as real-time results fill in the tracker below for crucial House races:

Alaska

At-Large Congressional District

Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola squares off against Republican challenger Nick Begich.

Arizona

1st Congressional District

Republican U.S. Rep. David Schweikert is seeking his eighth term against Democratic challenger Amish Shah, a doctor and former lawmaker.

California

13th Congressional District

Republican freshman U.S. Rep. John Duarte is locked in a rematch from 2022 against Democrat challenger Adam Gray. Duarte, a farmer and businessman.

22nd Congressional District

Republican U.S. Rep. David Valadao faces Democratic California Assemblyman Rudy Salas in a rematch from 2022.

27th Congressional District

Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia faces Democratic challenger and former NASA chief of staff George Whitesides.

41st Congressional District

Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert was challenged by Democrat Will Rollins, an attorney in a rematch from 2022.

45th Congressional District

Republican U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel faces Democratic challenger and attorney Derek Tran.

Colorado

8th Congressional District

Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo is defending her seat against Republican challenger Gabe Evans, a former police officer and veteran of the U.S. Army and Colorado National Guard.

Iowa

3rd Congressional District

Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn and Democratic challenger Lanon Baccam are facing off in Iowas most contested House race.

Maine

2nd Congressional District

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden is defending his fourth term against former NASCAR driver and Republican challenger Austin Theriault.

Michigan

7th Congressional District

Democratic U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin elected to leave the office to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow left two former state lawmakers, Democrat Curtis Hertel, Jr., and Republican Tom Barrett to battle for the seat.

8th Congressional District

Democratic state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet and Republican Paul Junge are facing off for a seat vacated by six-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Dan Kildees retirement.

Nebraska

2nd Congressional District

Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon is locked in a rematch with Democratic state Sen. Tony Vargas.

New Mexico

2nd Congressional District

Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez entered a rematch with Republican challenger Yvette Herrell.

New York

4th Congressional District

Republican U.S. Rep. Anthony DEsposito is challenged by Democrat Laura Gillen, an attorney.

17th Congressional District

Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler is facing off against Democrat Mondaire Jones.

17th Congressional District

Freshman Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro is facing a challenge from Democrat Josh Riley, whom Molinaro defeated in 2022 for the congressional seat.

North Carolina

1st Congressional District

Freshman Democrat Rep. Don Davis is challenged by Republican and retired Army Col. Laurie Buckhout.

Ohio

13th Congressional District

Democratic U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes is facing Republican challenger Kevin Coughlin, a business executive.

Oregon

5th Congressional District

Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer is looking to hold onto her seat against Democratic challenger Janelle Bynum.

Pennsylvania

7th Congressional District

Three-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild is up against Republican state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.

8th Congressional District

Six-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright was up against Republican Rob Bresnahan, a first-time candidate and developer who runs a family construction company.

Virginia

7th Congressional District

Democratic U.S. Rep Abigail Spanberger, did not seek reelection in preparation for a planned run for the governors office. That left the seat open to two new contenders, Republican Derrick Anderson and Democrat Eugene Vindman. Both are veterans turned lawyers.

Washington

3rd Congressional District

Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez faced a rematch against Republican Joe Kent, who she narrowly defeated in 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

NewsNations Jeff Arnold contributed to this story.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
As Michigan voters head to the polls this Election Day, some parents may want to make the trip a family outing.

Here's what to know:

More: Election Day 2024 in Michigan: Where to vote, how to register, poll hours, more

Can I bring my kids to the polls?

Yes, children under 18 can come with their voting parents to polling locations on Election Day, according to Michigan law.

More: Can you vote straight ticket in Michigan? What to know on voting in 2024 election

Why should I bring my kids to vote?

Introducing children to voting at an early age can instill a sense of civic repsonsibility, according to Amira K.S. Barger, diversity, equity and inclusion consultant and an adjunct professor at California State University, East Bay, in an article for EdSource, a nonprofit newsroom covering equity in education.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"As children engage with topics affecting their communities  through school, social media, and peers  they may prompt discussions that lead parents to consider new perspectives," according to the article. "Bringing children to the voting booth reinforces this process, offering them hands-on exposure to democracy, sparking meaningful questions, and fostering family engagement, especially in marginalized communities where awareness and representation are vital."

Three-year-old Zamaree Tucker stands underneath a voting booth next to Maiya Bunting, 5, inside the Detroit Fire Department Engine 17 Ladder 7 station during Election Day in Detroit on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Parents should also inolve their kids in voting because it's an opportunity to reinforce the idea that girls' thoughts and opinions matter, accoording to Girl Scouts of the United States of America. It can leave a lasting impression, help them feel more like an active participant in the election and become an engaded citizen.

And they don't even have to be your kids to take them to the polls.

Angela Benander, chief communications officer for the Michigan Department of State, said a Wexford County high school government teacher took his class to watch him vote, so they could see how the process works.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.

Free Press reporter Darcie Moran contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Can you bring kids to vote? Why you can, and might want to, take them
As Ohio voters head to the polls this Election Day, some parents may want to make the trip a family outing.

Here's what to know:

Can I bring my kids to the polls?

Yes, children under 18 can come with their voting parents to polling locations on Election Day, according to Ohio law.

Why should I bring my kids to vote?

Introducing children to voting at an early age can instill a sense of civic responsibility, according to Amira K.S. Barger, diversity, equity and inclusion consultant and an adjunct professor at California State University, East Bay, in an article for EdSource, a nonprofit newsroom covering equity in education.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"As children engage with topics affecting their communities  through school, social media, and peers  they may prompt discussions that lead parents to consider new perspectives," according to the article. "Bringing children to the voting booth reinforces this process, offering them hands-on exposure to democracy, sparking meaningful questions, and fostering family engagement, especially in marginalized communities where awareness and representation are vital."

Parents should also involve their kids in voting because it's an opportunity to reinforce the idea that girls' thoughts and opinions matter, accoording to Girl Scouts of the United States of America. It can leave a lasting impression, help them feel more like an active participant in the election and become an engaged citizen.

A line had already formed at Blue Ash Recreation Center in Blue Ash, Ohio when polls opened at 6:30 a.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Some parents in the Greater Cincinnati area stressed the importance of exposing their kids to the voting process in a weekly column published in the Enquirer during the 2018 midterm election.

"The privilege to vote in our country is something we instill in our children ... Ever since our children were little we have taken them to the polls and hopefully, if available, they have participated in Kids Voting. Every two years we have an Election Night party. We also watch the election returns together at night. It is a great time to teach them about our democracy, geography, statistics and our political system," columnist Julie Pile wrote.

Detroit Free Press reporter Darcie Moran contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Can you bring your kids to vote in Ohio? What to know
Staff at King County Election headquarters are focusing on accuracy and ballot safety on Tuesday ahead of the big count at 8 p.m.

Each ballot is scanned for issues, sorted, documented, and then counted as part of a nine-step process that ensures accuracy for all 1.4 million registered King County voters.

King County Elections Chief of Staff Kendall Hodson said they had a significant early voter turnout that will help them get through the ballots quickly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We already have 900,000 ballots so far, its roughly a 60% turnout so far, that is more than we thought, Hodson said.

The ballots will be coming in on trucks all day and likely into the night as people cast their last-minute votes.

On Tuesday, the ballot boxes will be heavily monitored to ensure every voter and ballot is protected from any hecklers.

Hodson said its important people know they are taking this important day seriously.

First and foremost, voters should have complete confidence at dropping their ballot at boxes. Theyre 1,000 pounds worth of steel with different safety features. Our drivers will get them multiple times today they wont be in there long, Hodson said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you are dropping off your ballot on Tuesday, then your safety is top of mind as well.

This is the most coordination we have ever seen, between election agencies and local law enforcement and federal agencies to show us what to keep an eye out for, Hodson said.

And once they are here in the building? Ballots cant be harmed.

We have 24/7 security at our headquarters and badge access just to this floor. We have a secure second floor in and out with a badge. We have the ballots stored in a secured room where you need a fingerprint to get in those rooms, Hodson said.

On Tuesday night, processed ballots will shoot through the counting machine, eventually revealing who Washington chose as president and governor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theres a lot of anxiety around this election, but folks shouldnt have anxiety about what we do here, Hodson said. Our team has been doing this for years theyre professionals who are ready and able and excited to do this work.

Election workers say we will see initial results coming in within minutes of that 8 p.m. ballot box closing deadline, but the election results wont actually be legally certified in 17 days.
EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated to include additional details about a candidate.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  KGET sent the candidates running for the Bakersfield City Council Ward 6 seat a questionnaire hoping to get answers to some basic questions  an introduction to voters in the district.

We asked each candidate several questions:

Name

Age

Hometown; City you reside in

Tell us about your family.

Give us a brief educational history

Party registration; How long have you been registered with that party?

Give us a brief career history

Why are you running for this office?

How long have you lived in the district?

Describe your political philosophy

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Below are responses from the candidates running for the Bakersfield City Council Ward 6 seat.

Imelda Ceja

17 News reached out to Ceja multiple times for a response to this questionnaire, but they have have not responded.

Tom Webster

Age: 49

Hometown, place of residence: I was born in Bakersfield and currently live in The Oaks.

Family: Married with three kids.

Educational history: Graduated from West High and UC Berkeley.

Career history: I worked in the Bay Area during the Dot Com era and went into construction/facilities after that. I moved back to Bakersfield in 2010 and started my own business, got married and have since worked in communications and IT for a few companies including the City of Bakersfield.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

History of elected service: I currently serve as a Trustee for the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District.

Length of residence in the district: I grew up in Ward 6. I moved back here 14 years ago.

Why are you running for this office?: I am driven by a genuine commitment to enhancing the quality of life in our community. My service on the Panama-Buena Vista school board and involvement with Critters Without Litters underscore my dedication to public service and civic engagement. As a former webmaster for the City of Bakersfield and small business owner, I have the practical expertise to drive meaningful change. I was born and raised in Bakersfield and went to Castle, Actis and West High. I want to preserve the neighborhood that has always been my home.

Vision and Goals: My vision for Bakersfield is rooted in optimism and progress.

Economic Development: I aim to foster a thriving local economy by supporting entrepreneurship and small businesses.

Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements: I advocate for equitable infrastructure investments to ensure that Ward 6, the vibrant heart of our community, receives the attention it deserves.

Animal Welfare and Pet-Friendly Initiatives: I am committed to promoting responsible pet ownership and providing resources to reduce the stray animal population in our city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Political philosophy: I believe that people should have the freedom to do what they want and government should provide support and build our communities.

Zachary Bashirtash

Age: 34

Hometown, place of residence: Bakersfield, Laurelglen

Family: Wife, three children ages 8, 9, 10

Educational history: Bakersfield High School, Taft College

Career history: Director of operations for Bakersfield Mazda and Bakersfield Mitsubishi, 18 years in the automotive industry.

History of elected service: planning commissioner city of Bakersfield

Party registration: Republican. 16 years.

Length of residence in the district: Ten years

Why are you running for this office?: As a lifelong resident of Bakersfield, a dedicated business owner, husband, and father, I am running for City Council to make Bakersfield safer and more prosperous. Our City Councils main responsibilities include ensuring police and fire protection, maintaining safe neighborhoods, repairing streets, and fostering commerce to create jobs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our streets are in poor condition. We need to prioritize repaving heavily trafficked streets and highways that everyone relies on daily.

We must take aggressive steps to retain and hire more police officers. Public safety is paramount, our police force and fire departments must be adequately resourced to protect our community.

As a manager of local businesses, I understand the challenges our community faces. The homelessness crisis is a top issue. There are better solutions than allowing people to live on our streets. They should be held to the same standards as other citizens. This crisis is a blight on our city, and law-abiding taxpayers and families deserve better.

My vision for Bakersfield is one where families thrive in a safe, economically robust environment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I will continue to fight the good fight for this city and I ask for your support and vote.

Political philosophy: My political philosophy is grounded in doing the right thing, accountability, and collaboration. I believe that local government must serve the people with transparency and integrity, making decisions that prioritize the best interests of the community. As a lifelong resident of Bakersfield, I have a deep understanding of our citys unique challenges, from public safety to the homeless crisis, and Im committed to addressing them with practical, results-oriented solutions.

Additional comments: I love Bakersfield.

Johnny Olaguez

Age: 35

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hometown, place of residence: Born in Modesto. Parents relocated to Bakersfield in 1997. Raised in southwest Bakersfield. Currently resides in Laurelglen.

Family: Engaged to Cynthia Valdez. Recently became a father.

Educational history: Graduated from Golden Valley High School 2007; attended UCSB from 2007 to 2011. Studied Math and Physics but chose to leave my academic path to pursue entrepreneurship and business.

Career history: Founder of Lukaflo.com, 2011  2016; Founder of Higgs Fleet Services, January 2022  January 2024; Founder Olaguez Inc, 2017  current

Party registration: Independent, 8 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Length of residence in the district: four years

Why are you running for this office?: I am a lifelong resident of Bakersfield, a proud graduate of Golden Valley High School (Class of 2007), and for the past 10 years, Ive owned and operated a local business. Bakersfield is a city rich in resources and defined by the hard work of its people. What we need now are competent community leaders who understand the city, can adapt, and guide us toward a future shaped by emerging technologies. Leaders who arent afraid to hire those smarter than themselves  because true progress comes when we work together toward growth.

My focus as a candidate will be on increasing opportunities in technology, auditing city

departments to eliminate wasteful spending, addressing homelessness, tackling pollution

(without harming businesses or their bottom lines), and continuing efforts to beautify Bakersfield.

With my background in product engineering, venture capital, software, government contracts,

public policy, and transportation, I believe I am the best candidate for Ward 6 and the most

qualified representative for our city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bakersfield needs someone who can address the issues of the past in order to better guide us into the future. Through innovation, we can create new jobs, improve the quality of life, and open doors to new opportunities for residents. We need policies that encourage local businesses and community investments, increase access to information, and ensure clear, transparent communication with elected officials to address the concerns of all residents.

Political philosophy: While JFK was right when he said, Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country, it is the duty of civil servants to ensure that there is always an open line of communication between citizens and their representatives for that statement to truly resonate. It is vital that contractors are treated with respect, dignity, and paid on time. Residents should feel protected by law enforcement, with reasonable response times. Equal access to resources, grants, and greater transparency within public works projects would give real meaning to JFKs words. However, this cannot happen if we continue down the same path. We can do better  and we will, as a community.

Lets represent the people. Lets have open dialogues and ensure that every citizen has a voice and feels heard. By addressing the issue of transparency, we can create more jobs and help lift those who are struggling, particularly in light of rising housing costs and a lack of employment opportunities. As someone who once lived in his car, I understand the importance of job creation. We must also tackle the homelessness issue  a problem that, despite the money being spent, remains unchanged after all these years. Its time for us to move forward together, toward growth.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Today is Election Day, and while many Michiganders have long since cast their absentee ballots or voted early, some will still go to the polls.

Check if you are registered to vote in Michigan or if your voter registration is current here .

Find your polling place here , even if you think you know where it is.

It may move on Election Day. You can preview your ballot here.

Are you still unsure of what to do? Do you have any questions? Well answer some frequently asked ones below. You can find more information from the Michigan Department of State here. If you have any further questions, refer to your local clerk.

What if Im not registered to vote or my registration isnt current?

If youre not registered or your voter registration isnt current, you can still register and vote on Election Daythough you must go to your local clerks office. Find your local clerk here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To register to vote, you must fill out a voter registration application at your clerks office and provide proof of residency.

Acceptable proof of residency documents include:

Michigan drivers license, state ID, or U.S. Passport

A utility bill

Insurance documents (health, car, home, etc.)

A bank or credit card statement

Financial aid or school enrollment documents

A lease agreement

A paycheck or other government check

Other government document

Other documents, such as business cards, packages or parcels received by mail, or a club or membership card will not suffice as proof of residency.

To vote, you may either request an absentee ballot and vote at your clerks office or go to your polling place to vote if time allows. If you are eligible to vote and in line at the clerks office by 8 p.m., you can register to vote and cast an absentee ballot.

What do I need to bring to the polls?

If you do not need to register to vote, all you need to bring to the polls is a photo ID if you have one. You do not need to bring your voter registration card, but you can refer to it for useful information. If you do not have a photo ID, you can still cast a ballot but you must sign an affidavit saying you dont have one. Your ballot will still be counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Acceptable forms of photo ID include:

Drivers license or state ID card issued by Michigan or another state

U.S. passport

Military photo ID card

Student photo ID card from an educational institution

Tribal photo ID card

Local or county-issued government ID

Concealed Pistol license

Michigan has an automatic voter registration law, meaning that when a registered voter updates their voter registration address, their drivers license or state ID is also updated.

What can I wear or bring to the polls?

Michigan law forbids wearing or bringing election or campaign-related clothing or accessories to a polling place. Open carry and concealed carry of firearms is allowed or not allowed depending on your polling place. See further guidance here.

What if I need a ride to the polls?

Plenty of nonpartisan organizations are offering free or discounted rides to the polls. Lyft and Uber are offering discounted rides to the polls on Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Greater Lansing, CATA, EATRAN, and Clinton Transit are offering systemwide free rides now on Election Day. Simply inform your driver that you are going to register or vote, and your ride is free. More details here.

Find more specific information on how to get to the polls on Election Day here.

What if I dont make it to the polls on Election Day?

If an emergency or other unexpected circumstance happens that stops you from reaching the polls, you can request an emergency absentee ballot. Your emergency must have happened at a time that made it impossible to apply for a regular absentee ballot, and you must submit your request in writing no later than 4 p.m. on Election Day.

Emergency circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A sudden illness

A death in the family

Being arrested

You can find more information from the Michigan Department of State here, and stick with 6 News tomorrow on air and online for the latest on the election.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA)  Election Day is now one more sleep away.

While many may be excited to participate in the election on the last day of voting, there are some state laws Floridians are going to want to be mindful of.



As Americans cast their votes early or on Election Day, many like to show their participation on social media, some even taking a selfie.

In states like Georgia and North Carolina, ballot selfies are illegal. Here in the Sunshine State, you can participate in this trend, but there are exceptions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Secretary of State Cord Byrd explained the definition of a ballot selfie in the state of Florida.

Voters cannot take video or photographs inside the polling place, except for their own ballots, Byrd said. When we say ballot selfie, we really mean just an image of the ballot itself. You should not be capturing either your face or someone else.

What about what you wear to polling locations? Can voters wear gear that supports their specific candidate like former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris?

Youre allowed to wear whatever you happen to be wearing at the polls, said Mark Earley, supervisor of elections of Leon County. You can certainly have names of candidates and things like that. But the key is, no advocating for the candidate while youre in the voting area. Youre in there to vote, and youre out immediately afterwards and move out of the 150-foot range,

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Earley added to the list of dos and donts.

Do vote. Dont vote twice, Earley said. And really, dont listen to the misinformation out there. If youre hearing things that make your jaw drop, say, how can that be true in America today? Its probably not true.

If voting Tuesday, be sure to bring your photo id and signature, sample ballot, cellphones are allowed in the polling room, but no photos or videos can be taken except of your ballot itself.

When in doubt use your local supervisor of elections as your trusted source for any further questions.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
(Elena Sunagatova/ iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Its here: Election Day 2024. Virginia has 11 congressional districts, and all of them will elect representatives today. One of Virginias U.S. Senate seats is also on the ballot.

In addition, today Virginians will elect their local leaders statewide, and help select the next president of the United States.

Theres also a proposed amendment to Virginias constitution to weigh in on, and each voter will answer whether the real property tax exemption that is currently available to the surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action should also be available to the surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty.

What you need to know:

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. You can still vote if youre in line at closing time.

Still need to register to vote? You can do it at your local polling place and vote right after, via provisional ballot. Find more details on same-day voter registration here.

Youll need to show an acceptable form of identification to vote at the polls. You can show your Virginia drivers license, whether its expired or not. Other forms of ID will work too; find the full list here.

There have been over 1,600 people purged from Virginias voter rolls in recent months, including some eligible voters. Think you might have been mistakenly purged? Heres what to do.

Representatives from the Department of Justice will be monitoring some Virginia polling places on Election Day, in Hanover, Henrico, Loudoun, and Prince William counties as well as the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Theyll be on the look out for possible voter rights violations.

More than 2.29 million Virginians have already cast their ballots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

States Newsroom, the Virginia Mercurys parent organization, has over 200 journalists on the ground covering elections around the country today, including the Mercurys team. Well post live election results tonight as they come in. Keep up with all of our coverage today on our Decision 2024 elections hub.
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

HARRISBURG  Whether you cast your ballot in person or by mail on Nov. 5, you want to make sure your vote counts.

The best way to do that is to know your rights.

Here are key state and federal protections for Pennsylvania voters, covering everything from prior criminal convictions, to getting a provisional ballot, to dealing with disruptions at a polling place.





If youre in line by 8 p.m., you have the right to cast your ballot

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line by the time the polls close at 8 p.m., you have the right to vote.

You have the right to vote without being intimidated

Voter intimidation is illegal under both state and federal law, and these laws also protect election workers. If you believe someone is trying to intimidate you at the polls, you have recourse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Intimidation includes explicit physical or verbal threats, interrogation, and being photographed or recorded. A fuller list of intimidation tactics covered under the law is on the states website.

If you are subjected to intimidation, or if you witness it, you should report it to your county election office, either online or by finding the phone number for your county board of elections. You can also call the Pennsylvania Department of States voter hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).

Once complaints are received, the Office of Attorney General can investigate and prosecute voter intimidation.

Many Pa. voters do not need to present ID at the polls

Different states have different rules around voter identification.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Pennsylvania, only first-time voters at a given polling location need to present ID (thats a federal law). If you have voted at your polling place before, you do not need to show ID in order to vote.

If its your first time voting at your polling place, you will need ID. This identification can include a state-issued drivers license or ID card, passport, or some other document that includes both the name and address that matches your voter registration. A full list of acceptable IDs is available on the states website.

If you are told youre required to present ID but do not have it, you can either go home, get ID, and return to the polling place, or you can cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot is used when poll workers have questions about a voters eligibility.

Anyone can request a provisional ballot. You will fill out, seal, sign, and date the ballot in your polling place, turn it over to the poll workers, and receive a receipt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Provisional ballots will be tabulated after county workers finish counting all other ballots, and they will pay special attention to making sure you are eligible to vote. This includes confirming that you havent voted already, that you live in Pennsylvania, and that you are properly registered to vote. In very close elections, results can come down to these ballots.

You can see whether your provisional ballot was accepted by visiting the states website, which has a ballot search function. You will need your provisional ballot identification number, which will be on the receipt you got at your polling place.

You have the right to assistance at your polling place

If you are a voter who requires assistance, you have the right to bring someone of your choice to help you, as long as they are not your employer, union representative, or a judge of elections. Voters eligible for assistance include those who need translation in a language other than English, literary assistance, and more.

If it is your first time receiving assistance, you may be required to complete a declaration (available in 10 different languages), but voters do not need to be designated as assistance permitted in the pollbook to receive help.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You also have the right to refuse assistance.

You have the right to accessible voting if you have a disability

In Pennsylvania, every polling place must have at least one accessible voting system. Depending on your polling location, this may be the same machine that is used by all voters, or it may be a different machine with special features such as audio, tactile keys, and other assistive technology. You can look up the accessible voting system in your county in advance.

You can also look up your polling location here to make sure the building itself will be accessible. If you are not able to access your polling location, you have the right to vote via an alternative ballot until polls close.

If you changed your mind about voting by mail, you have options

If you applied for a mail ballot but, for whatever reason, no longer wish to vote using it, you have options.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you have the mail ballot and both of its envelopes on hand, you can bring it to your assigned polling place, ask a poll worker to spoil it, and then you will be permitted to vote in person normally.

If you lost or did not receive your mail ballot, you can still go to your polling place to cast a ballot, but instead of voting normally, you will be instructed to fill out a provisional ballot.

If you decide to complete your mail ballot, drop it off at your county election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Every county election office has different hours of operation, so make sure to double check the hours ahead of time. Many counties also have satellite offices or drop boxes where ballots can be returned. You can find a list of dropoff locations and hours here.

Do not mail your ballot at this point. It must be received by your county by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Told you cant vote, but think thats wrong? You have rights

Youve arrived at what you think is your polling place, and the workers are telling you your name isnt in the pollbook.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

First, make sure the worker has the right spelling and that you are in fact at the right polling place for your address (sometimes they move). You can find your correct polling place using this Department of State tool.

If you still are not permitted to cast a ballot, you can request a provisional ballot. Once you cast one, county workers will receive the ballot and scrutinize whether you are eligible. If it turns out that you are, your vote will be counted.

You can often vote with a criminal conviction

The only criminal record that will keep you from voting in Pennsylvania is a conviction for violating the Pennsylvania Election Code within the past four years, or a conviction for a felony for which you are still incarcerated.

If you are on probation or parole in Pennsylvania, you are permitted to vote. You can also vote if you have a previous felony conviction but are no longer incarcerated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you are in jail awaiting trial, incarcerated for a misdemeanor, under house arrest, or living in a halfway house, you can vote only by absentee ballot (if youre in a halfway house, you must use a previous or future address).

The deadline to apply for a mail ballot has passed, as has the deadline to register to vote.

You can find more information on voting with a record via the Department of State and the ACLU of Pennsylvania.

If you moved but didnt update your address, you can likely vote

If you moved within Pennsylvania less than 30 days before the election, you should vote at the polling place that corresponds to your old address.

If you moved longer ago but havent gotten around to updating your voter registration yet, you can still vote using the old address for one election. But after that, you must update your address.

Can I snap a photo of my ballot or take a selfie at my polling place?

You voted and now you want to snap a celebratory photo to share on social media. Is that allowed?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pennsylvania law prohibits letting your ballot be seen by other people with the apparent intention of letting it be known how he is about to vote.

However, recent guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of State says that you can take a ballot selfie, but recommends that voters who want to take a picture of themselves voting take care that they not disclose the selections of voters other than themselves.

Guidance from the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office also recommends that voters wait until after they leave the polling place to post ballot selfies on social media.

For general voting and election resources, check out Spotlight PAs 2024 Election Center. We have candidate guides for auditor general, attorney general, treasurer, and U.S. senator. We also have a quiz for each row office  auditor general, attorney general, and treasurer  to help you figure out which candidate best aligns with your values.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Still have questions? You can reach out to your county election office for answers. Find contact information for your local county on the Pennsylvania election website. You can also try Spotlight PAs election assistant.

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
Its whats on nearly everyones mind this weekwho will win the 2024 presidential election, and when will we know?

Theres not a clear-cut answer to either question, but historyand insider info shared with the Daily Beast from Kamala Harris campaignsuggests we may not have a declared winner for days, or potentially weeks, after polls close Tuesday night.

States will publish unofficial results Tuesday evening that news networks and the Associated Press will use to project winners and call the race in most states. Election officials in the seven swing statesPennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Nevada, and Arizonaare already pleading with voters to be patient, however, as ballot-counting wont be completed on Election Day.

Could We See a Repeat of 2020?

Four years ago, the AP declared that Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump on Saturday, Nov. 7four days after polls closed nationwide. The days-long delay in declaring a winner was largely due to Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That trio of states will likely have the nation waiting on edge yet again, says a chart compiled by the Harris campaign that was shared with the Daily Beast. It says Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, and Florida will have near-complete election results by 10 p.m. EST on election night, which could be a good barometer for how things are looking for either candidatevia margin of victoryeven if those states are not expected to be flipped.

The chart from Harris team then projects that most results from Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan will be in on Election Day before midnight, and that Wisconsin will join that list by 6 a.m. EST on Wednesday morning. In the same time frame, the campaign projects that Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada will still only have partial results published.

The campaign notes that tens of thousands of provisional ballots cannot be legally counted until Friday in Pennsylvania, which is overwhelmingly considered to be the most-important swing state for both Trump and Harris.

Its not just Harris campaign who is warning of a long wait. Derek Tisler, an expert on election administration and security at the Brennan Center for Justice, told NPR this week that, at the least, voters can expect a similar timeline to 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tisler also noted that, with polls suggesting a tighter race than four years ago, its possible the elections winner wont be known for weeks. He suggested this might happen if results in a tipping-point state are within a few thousands votes.

What Factors Might Hold Up the Election Count?

Why the long wait? Legal restrictions on when officials can begin processing mail-in ballots in key states was the main culprit in 2020, with Tisler sharing theres been no major shiftsaside from in Michiganthatd suggest there will be drastic change in how quickly votes will be tabulated this time around.

So when we talk about processing ballots, were talking about mail votes, he told NPR. And mail votes take longer to count because there are all these steps that election workers need to perform before theyre actually able to count those ballots.

Most states allow for mail-in ballots to be tabulated before Election Day.

Those checks incudes the need to confirm a voters identity and eligibility, like is done at an in-person polling booth. Those counting mail-in ballots will also have to check for damage to the ballot before it can be inserted into a scanner and counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Michigan was proactive in changing its state law that allows it, like most states, to process mail-in ballots before Election Day. That is still not the case in Pennsylvania and Nevada, however, and delays should be expected.

Arizonas state law allows for mail-in votes to be processed before Election Day, but it has especially long ballots this election that are expected to slow things down. The Washington Post reports that ballots in Maricopa County, the states most populous, are two pages long this year, which will require vote tabulators to unfold and feed twice as many pages into voting machines, which is more laborious and could lead to an increase in paper jams.

In Nevada, mail ballots without a postmark that arrive by Friday are counted and those with a postmark are allowed to arrive by Saturday and still count. Thats starkly different than most states, which require mail-in ballots to arrive by Election Day, and could cause major delays should the election be as close as polling suggests.

Dangers of a Drawn-Out Election Count

Tisler said this waiting game could turn dangerous if either sidewhether it be voters, partisan media, the candidates, or their proxiestry to fill that information vacuum by pushing false claims or declaring victory prematurely.

Everyone is really desperate to learn anything more about something that they are deeply passionate about, he said. But the problem is, until those votes are actually counted, theres really no new information to provide to these people...I encourage everyone to have patience. And again, understand the reason were waiting for results is because election processes are designed to prioritize accuracy and security.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  On Tuesday, Harrison County residents will vote on the countys school levy, which will give Harrison County Schools around $35 million each year through the 2030-2031 school year.

If passed, about two-thirds of the levy money would go to providing supplemental salary and benefits to school employees. Advocates for the levy say that this is important for making salaries competitive and retaining teachers. They also say that this is not a new levy, and is a 7.5% reduction compared to previous ones.

This is absolutely not a new levy. Weve had it since 1955 and so I just really appreciate Harrison County citizens for supporting the school system for as long as they have. Harrison County Superintendent Dora Stutler said. Weve been able to do a lot of things that surrounding schools cant do, and those are the things that we can provide with levy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Heres how many Democrats, Republicans early voted in West Virginia

To give a rough idea of the impact of this levy on an individual taxpayer, someone with a $100,000 house would pay $376.10 each year to the levy. If they had a car valued at $50,000, they would pay another $376.10.

Along with salaries, the levy money would also go to providing students resources, such as free textbooks and lunch as well as access to extracurricular activities and sports. Advocates of the levy say that loss of the money would be devastating to the community.

It would be disastrous if this levy failed, Mark Defazioa member of Citizens for School Levysaid. He argued that the levy supports activities that bring the community together, such as the arts and sports, and that it helps the school system participate in the local economy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some members of the public have criticized the levy over the past year amid a large-scale consolidation project involving multiple Harrison County schools. After the vote to consolidate was passed this past April, residents such as Jeanessa Thompson, the mother of a student attending the soon-to-be-closed Liberty High School, voiced their frustrations and said they plan to vote no on the levy.

Stutler said that based on her meetings throughout the community, she believes the levy will pass. If it does not, there will be another chance to put the levy on the ballot in May 2026.

You can find the full levy and a sample ballot inside 12 News voter guide for Harrison County by clicking here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
LIVE RESULTS

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Democrat Melesa Johnson has officially declared victory in the race for Jackson County Prosecutor against Republican Tracey Chappell, making her the first Black female prosecutor in Jackson County history.

BACKGROUND

The spot for Jackson County Prosecutor has been open since Jean Baker announced she was not running for re-election.

Now, after Tuesdays vote, Democrat Melesa Johnson will be taking her place and serving the county for the next four years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Heres everything you need to know about Johnson before her term begins:

Melesa Johnson

Johnson was raised in Jackson County and earned her degree from the University of Missouri School of Law. She joined the Jackson County Prosecutors Office in 2014 and practiced what she called transformative justice.

She is Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas director of public safety and oversees Partners for Peace, a citywide anti-violence strategy.

As a native of Kansas Citys Oak Park neighborhood, Johnson says she will use her platform to focus on victim support and advocacy, violence prevention and community engagement, among other issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to her website, Johnson hopes to establish new violence prevention and intervention programs as Jackson County prosecutor. She wants to expand support for COMBAT, a program that collaborates with neighborhood groups to prevent drug use and violence. Additionally, she would like to charge fentanyl distributors and increase access to data analysis on cell phones.

Johnson says she wants to improve witness protection and advocate for victims. She also hopes to create a new property crimes division and host training between detectives and prosecutors. To reduce case dismissals, she would address evidentiary insufficiencies. Johnson has also said she wants to form an inclusive office that reflects the communitys diversity.

Who was her opponent, Republican Tracey Chappell?

Chappell received a law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and was a senior assistant county counselor for Jackson County.

She became the first woman to serve as the City of Blue Springss Head Prosecutor and a managing partner at the first all-female law firm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Her primary focus was on crime in the community and corruption within state and local agencies. Specifically, as a defense attorney, Chappell worked to prosecute attorneys who violated ethics laws.

Chappell claimed that her six common sense priorities would have transformed Jackson Countys criminal justice system.

Those areas of focus included prosecuting violent offenders, prosecuting property crimes, protecting the rights of victims, engaging the community and law enforcement to reduce crime, reestablishing trust and transparency in the prosecutors office and expanding mental health courts.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
(NewsNation)  Voters will likely not know the outcome of the presidential election come election night or even for days depending on how close the race gets in critical swing states, political experts say.

It took nearly five days before the race was called by major news organizations for President Joe Biden in 2020 due in part to states being overwhelmed with increased mail in ballots during the pandemic.

Some states have updated laws to help expedite that process to avoid a 2020 repeat, but many others remain on the same timeline, which could still stretch final tallies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

13 Senate races that will determine the balance of power

While we have a national election, its not administered nationally, Shawn Donahue, a political science professor at the University at Buffalo, told NewsNation. Elections are run or conducted at the state and local levels, so that means that we have a lot of variation.

How long before we know the results of the presidential election?

Several variables will affect the timeframe on an apparent winner, including how close the race is, the amount of mail-in ballots and how quickly electors can start counting, Donahue said.

The biggest factor is how close the election is because if its tight, we will need to wait for every vote to be counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have been polling neck-and-neck according to Decision Desk HQ/The Hill election forecasts.

Another determining factor is how the candidates do in key swing states because this will shape the path for each to get to 270 electoral votes, Drew McCoy, the president of NewsNation partner Decision Desk HQ, said.

If one candidate takes the early battleground states like North Carolina or Georgia thats certainly an early indication, not a guarantee, that theyre going to have a better night, he said.

Margins are really important and those key states are the ones were going to watch, he said. The better possibility is that we know something by Wednesday, but theres certainly still a large possibility that it will take a couple days.

States have moved up timelines

Delays during the 2020 election occurred due to higher mail-in ballots which took time to tally but since then, several states including Nevada, North Carolina, Arizona, Michigan and Georgia have moved up timelines to start counting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2020, more than 43% of votes were mailed in as the coronavirus pandemic led states to greatly expand mail-in balloting and early voting, according to a federal report.

This took days and as a result, most states updated or changed laws to allow for a head start on preparing mail-in or absentee ballots before election day, according to the Center for Election Innovation & Research.

In Michigan, lawmakers passed rules to allow absentee ballot counting up to eight days before the election and in Nevada officials can begin counting mail ballots on Oct. 21.

Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the NewsNation app. Download it here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pennsylvania doesnt allow offices to begin opening mail-in ballots until 7am on Election Day so it could take a longer time to finish.

But Donahue says there likely wont be as many mail-in ballots this time around which means results will be quicker than they were in 2020.

Some states where early numbers could emerge are North Carolina, Michigan, and potentially Wisconsin where officials can get a head start, Donahue said.

But well have to see what the volumes are and if counties actually start doing that in the morning, or do they wait till the polls close, he added.

Delays may happen in Nevada and Arizona which typically dont move as fast on counting, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its nothing particularly nefarious. A lot of the states in the West dont have that much in-person Election Day voting, and it just takes them a while to get through the ballots.

Election officials publish unofficial results after the polls close on Election Day. Those results will fluctuate as in-person, mail-in, provisional, overseas and military ballots are counted.

Could candidates cause delays in election counting process?

Legal challenges by either candidate would not delay the counting process, but it could take the certification process closer to its deadline, Donahue said.

Under the Election Reform Act of 2022, each state must issue a certificate of ascertainment, which contains a final certified vote tally, no later than Dec. 11, six days before the Electoral College meets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As election day draws closer, Trump has revved up claims that if he loses the election, its due to cheating, and has vowed to mount legal challenges.

Abortion measures on ballots in record number of states

Theyre going to cheat. They cheat. Thats all they want to do is cheat, and when you see this, its the only way theyre going to win, Trump said during a rally in Wisconsin, reported The New York Times. And we cant let that happen and we cant let it happen again.

During the 2020 election, delays in counting due to mail-in ballots were used by Trump to fuel false claims that the election was stolen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As a result, counting will be even more careful this year, John Mark Hansen, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, said in an email to NewsNation.

This year, there may be a tendency to do the count even more carefully because of all the misinformation Trump is spreading about fraud. Caution means there could be more widespread delays  but not because anything nefarious is happening.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Know your rights, polling place rules before casting your vote

(NewsNation)  Voter intimidation and confusion over election rules have caused a stir at polling sites throughout the country.

Safety remains a top priority for election officials manning the polls, but several instances of reported violence and conflict have made headlines in recent weeks.

An altercation Wednesday in South Carolina reached a boiling point when an Orangeburg County poll worker hit a voter wearing a Lets Go Brandon hat in the face after a verbal dispute became physical, The State newspaper reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Heres which counties will decide the 2024 election

In Florida, a Donald Trump supporter is accused of using a machete to threaten a pair of Kamala Harris supporters campaigning outside a polling place.

A conflict grew violent in October, when police arrested a man accused of assaulting a 69-year-old election worker in San Antonio, Texas.

Meanwhile, two ballot drop box fires raised concerns in the Pacific Northwest.

Heres what to know before heading to the polls.

What is voter intimidation?

Federal law says that no person  shall intimidate, threaten, coerce  any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of (that) person to vote or to vote as he may choose.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many states have their own laws governing voter intimidation.

Examples may include aggressively questioning voters about their citizenship, criminal record, or other voting qualifications, someone falsely presenting themselves as an elections official, spreading false information about voter requirements, and displaying false or misleading signs about voter fraud, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Know the rules

Campaigning isnt allowed inside polling places, but it may be allowed outside  from a certain distance.

In some states, those rules extend to the clothes people wear when they vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Minnesota, for example, bans campaign T-shirts, buttons or literature which relate to specific candidates, official political parties or ballot questions on the ballot that day.

You can check your states potential restrictions here.

What to do if you experience voter intimidation

Anyone experiencing voter intimidation can report it to The Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (682-8683) or 888-VE-Y-VOTA (839-8682).

The U.S. Department of Justice Voting Rights Hotline also takes reports at (800) 253-3931 or its TTY line at (877) 267-8971.

Voters can also direct reports of intimidation to local and state officials. That includes poll workers, county clerks, elections commissioners, elections supervisors, and state boards of elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump stumps in battleground states in final push ahead of election

What about poll watchers?

Watchers are appointed by political parties, candidates or ballot issue groups to observe some portion of the election process without interfering in the voting process, according to the Election Assistance Commission.

Watcher duties vary under state law but largely include keeping track of voter turnout for their parties and making sure that the election rules are being followed.

Poll monitors usually arent allowed in the area that includes voting machines or booths or the area immediately around the poll workers tables.

What if someone challenges my voter qualifications?

Almost every state has laws concerning voter challenges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In most states, a person has the opportunity to prove their eligibility in front of the officials deciding the challenge. Those could be poll workers, a board of elections, the board of canvassers or another election official, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

Challenged voters may need to swear an oath, prove their identity, attend a hearing, or produce a witness. Many states allow the challenges to go before boards or courts.

Some states resolve challenges on the spot, while others may require the challenged voter to cast a special ballot. The validity of that ballot would be determined either at a hearing or during the canvassing process.

In some states, voters who dont satisfy the challenge can request a provisional ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can learn more about your states processes here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
(NewsNation)  You made your choices, filled out your ballot and got your I Voted sticker. How do you know if your vote was actually counted?

Depending on how you voted  in person, by dropping a ballot in a drop box, or sending it off by mail  and which state you live in, your vote may be counted in a different way and on a different timeline.

If you voted in person, your vote is oftentimes recorded right in front of you on an electronic machine or with a paper ballot reader. However, in some states, theres an extra hand count thats required after. Arizona now requires polling locations to hand count some of the ballots cast before reporting results this election cycle, PBS reports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you vote by mail or by dropping off your ballot, you can also track when its counted in many cases. Vote.org has a state-by-state list of how you can track your ballots status, from when its mailed out to when its received and tabulated.

How can a candidate win the popular vote but lose the election?

Some states even offer the option to get text notifications. California, for example, will update you by text or email as your ballot moves through the election process.

Which states allow mail-in voting?

Dating back to the Civil War, mail-in voting has been an institution of U.S. elections. The frequency of mail-in voting increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Every state allows mail-in voting, but the degree to which varies.

Polls show Trump, Harris in a dead heat

All-mail elections occur predominantly on the West Coast. This means constituents will receive a ballot at their residence and can mail in their ballots, or vote in person.

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington all allow mail voting under all circumstances. The only other state in the nation to have such practices is Vermont. Washington, D.C. also allows all-mail voting.

Twenty-eight states have a no-excuse absentee policy, meaning voters dont need to explain themselves to receive a mail-in ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These include Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Which states dont allow mail-in ballots?

All states allow absentee voting, but a worthy excuse must be provided in the following states:

Alabama: Out of county, illness/disability, caregiver, working during voting hours, student living outside of the county, election worker, incarcerated (not convicted of moral turpitude), aged 65+, caregiver, military service, religious beliefs/practice.

Arkansas: Out of county, illness/disability, caregiver, uniformed services member.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Connecticut: Out of county, illness/disability, caregiver, election worker, armed forces member, religious beliefs/practice.

Delaware: Out of county, illness/disability, caregiver, working during voting hours, religious beliefs/practice, armed forces member.

Indiana: Illness/disability, caregiver, out of the county, work, religious reasons, aged 65+, election worker, armed forces or public safety officer, serious sex offender, state address confidentiality program.

When does early voting begin in my state?

Kentucky: Out of county, illness/disability, caregiver, state address confidentiality program, elderly age.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Louisiana: Out of county, illness/disability, caregiver, state address confidentiality program, elderly age, military forces, aged 65+, involuntary confinement, incarceration, jury duty, religious practices.

Is USPS prepared for the 2024 election?

Mississippi: Out of county, illness/disability, aged 65+, work, caregivers, incarceration for a non-disenfranchising crime.

Missouri: Out of county, illness/disability, religious beliefs/practices, election worker, essential worker, incarceration, state address confidentiality program.

New Hampshire: Out of county, illness/disability, caregiving, work, religious beliefs/practices, incarceration, state address confidentiality program, protected by domestic violence protective order.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

South Carolina: Out of county, illness/disability, caregiving, work, aged 65+, incarceration, armed forces.

Tennessee: Out of county, illness/disability, caregiving, work, aged 60+, reside in a nursing home, religious beliefs/practices, election worker, jury duty, military member.

Texas: Out of county, illness/disability, work, expectant within three weeks before or after Election Day, incarceration.

West Virginia: Out of county, illness/disability, work, state address confidentiality program, incarceration, first responder.

How are mail-in votes counted?

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, in 31 states voters must sign an affidavit on their ballot envelope which helps ballot workers verify their signature against their voter registration record.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump vs. Harris: Where they stand on issues that matter to voters

Ten states require a copy of personal identification or the ballot to be notarized or have a witness signature  Alabama, Alaska, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.

Ten other states  Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, Nebraska, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming  plus Washington, D.C., verify that a signature is on an absentee, but do not verify the signature itself.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Election day is almost here. For those not voting early or mailing in their vote, what do you need to know before you head to the polls on Tuesday?

Transportation

Local transit providers are doing their part to make sure you can get to the polls to vote. Both CityLink in Peoria and Connect Transit in Bloomington will be providing free rides on election day.

According to a CityLink Peoria Facebook post, they started offering free rides for voters on Saturday and will continue to offer them through election day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Connect Transit will also be offering zero-fare rides on Tuesday. Connect Transits Marketing Manager, Mark Huffman, said they hope they lessen the barriers for Bloomington-Normal residents getting to the polls.

Where to vote?

Voters unsure where they should go to vote can look up their polling location on the Illinois State Board of Elections Website.

Voters in Peoria County can take advantage of open polling, which lets voters in Peoria County vote at any of the countys 55 polling places instead of being limited to assigned polling locations.

In March, Elizabeth Gannon, Executive Director of the Peoria County Election Commission, said that the open polling is made possible thanks to the countys On-demand ballot printing system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polling locations should be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Central Illinois election commissions seeing increased walk-in early voters

Where to see the results?

Those who want to see the election results of contested races will be able to see them on our Local Election Headquarters page.

Local results can also be seen on your countys election commissions websites.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
BOSTON (WWLP)  The countdown is on for when polls open Tuesday morning, and 22News is working for you to make sure you know all of your rights as a voter.

Ballot question refresher with 22News

As voters prepare to make their voices heard, many are asking the question: What do you do if you arrive at the polls and your name is not on the voters list?

You still have some options to make sure your voice is heard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

First, check with a poll worker to make sure you are at the correct polling location.

If you are, ask your poll worker to contact your local election office to confirm your eligibility. In those cases, or if you forgot your ID at home, you can vote using a provisional ballot. Once your local election office confirms that you are registered, or when you bring your ID to your polling place before it closes, your ballot will be counted.

Secretary Bill Galvin is Massachusetts election overseer. He is urging voters not to mail their mail-in ballots this close to the election because they may not make it in before the November 8th cut-off date.

The mail is the perilous way, the drop boxes are better at this point. Or, bring it into the election office. You cant bring it to the polls, said Galvin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What if youve cast your vote already but have since changed your mind? Secretary Galvin says voters do NOT have the right to change their votes once they are turned in.

Now you suddenly decide you want to change your mind on one of the ballot questions. Too late! You voted, youre gone, thats it, said Galvin.

Polls are open until 8 p.m. tomorrow, and everyone who is in line before then will be permitted to cast their votes, no matter how long it takes. If you have any questions or need disability accommodation at the polls, you are allowed to ask poll workers for assistance.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  The Knoxville Police Department (KPD) said a 15-year-old Bearden High School Student was charged with threatening to commit mass violence at the school.

KPD said detectives learned of the students verbal threats around 7:30 on Monday, November 4. According to the KPD, detectives investigated the threats and consulted with the Knox County District Attorneys Office. Officers then responded to the students home where he was taken into custody and charged with threat of mass violence.

Tennessee Homeland Security agents and the Knox County Sheriffs Office assisted with the investigation.

This is a developing story. Download the WATE 6 News app or sign up for our email alerts for updates.

Lawyer warns of consequences for students making school threats

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Several students in Knox County have faced charges relating to threats this year. In October, an eighth-grade Gresham Middle School student was charged with making a threat of mass destruction. During the first five weeks of Knox County Schools year, over a dozen students were arrested for making threats towards a school.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
The Kremlin has criticized the presidential elections in Moldova, situated between Ukraine and the EU country Romania, as unfair and undemocratic.

"They were full of electoral manipulations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

He complained that hundreds of thousands of Moldovans living in Russia had been denied the opportunity to vote. In contrast, he claimed that the Moldovan diaspora in the West could vote, which had impacted the result.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the presidential election in the country, which is torn between the West and Russia, the pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu won.

Sandu secured a little over 55% of the votes cast. Her challenger, Alexandr Stoianoglo, received almost 45% but was leading with the votes cast within the country itself.

The republic of Moldova, which is also an EU candidate country, had accused Russia of massive election interference and spoke of organized voter transports, particularly in the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria.

Peskov dismissed these accusations. He stated that there is no evidence for these allegations.
Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman of Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin, has questioned the legitimacy of Moldova's presidential election, claiming Maia Sandu could not be deemed the country's president.

Source: Russian Kommersant, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Peskov said that the elections in Moldova were neither just nor fair, but were full of manipulation.

Quote: "As for Ms Sandu, you know that she is not, as far as we understand, the president of her country, because in the country itself, too, the majority of the population did not vote for her. And we see a very, very divided society."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to him, the Russian side can "objectively judge these elections" on the example of Moldovan citizens who voted in the Russian Federation.

Peskov said that due to the fact that Moldovans in the Russian Federation "were not given the opportunity to use their vote," the election results "cannot be considered transparent".

It is worth noting that the Moldovan authorities opened only two voting stations in Russia  both in Moscow. At each of them, 4,999 voters out of the possible 5,000 cast their vote.

Peskov also said that the residents of Transnistria "are not inclined to in any way support" the current leadership of Moldova.

Background:

The pro-Russian Party of Socialists of Moldova, which nominated Alexandr Stoianoglo in the election, stated that it would not accept the results of voting in foreign polling sites. The socialists referred to Stoianoglo as the "real winner".

Former Moldovan President Igor Dodon, the socialists' leader, referred to Sandu as "the president of the diaspora".

According to the vote count, Sandu was re-elected for a second term, overcoming the socialist candidate Stoianoglo by more than 10%; at foreign polling sites, more than 80% of voters voted for Sandu, although Stoianoglo received the most votes within Moldova.

Support UP or become our patron!
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia on Tuesday denounced Moldova's weekend election as unfair and said it did not see the winner, Maia Sandu, as the legitimate president of the country.

Pro-Western Sandu defeated a former prosecutor general backed by a traditionally pro-Russian party in a vote marred by allegations of election meddling by Moscow, which the Kremlin denied.

Official results showed that Sandu had won thanks to strong backing from Moldovans voting from overseas. Within the country's borders, she lost by a narrow margin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov delivered a scathing attack on the conduct of Sunday's election at his daily briefing with reporters.

He said hundreds of thousands of Moldovans living in Russia had not been allowed to vote - unlike Moldovans living in the West, whose votes were critical to Sandu's victory.

"These elections were neither democratic nor fair," Peskov said.

"As for Ms. Sandu - you know that she is not, in our understanding, the president of her country - because in the country itself, the majority of the population did not vote for her, and we are talking about a very, very divided society. These contradictions will certainly continue," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russian's Foreign Ministry earlier described the Moldovan contest as "the most undemocratic election campaign in all the years of Moldovan independence".

U.S. President Joe Biden congratulated Sandu on her victory though, saying Russia had failed to "undermine Moldovas democratic institutions and election processes."

The Moldovan people, he said, had "chosen to pursue a path aligned with Europe and democracies everywhere".

Sandu wants to steer Moldova towards membership of the European Union, but the small country, bordering Ukraine and Romania, has struggled to escape Russia's orbit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It relies heavily on Russian gas, and Russia maintains troops in a breakaway region that split from the rest of Moldova as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
Johanna Neumann was 8 when she witnessed a mob of local citizens and Nazis vandalizing the Bornplatz Synagogue in Hamburg. They were shouting and throwing stones at the marvelous glass windows, as she later said in an oral history interview. Other students at the Jewish school nearby described a mountain of prayer books and Torah scrolls lying in the dirt on the street, desecrated and set aflame.

It was 1938, five years after Adolf Hitlers reign began. The Bornplatz Synagogue, a grand neo-Romanesque building, was one of the countrys largest. Now it stood desecrated, one of hundreds of Jewish institutions damaged or destroyed in the state-sponsored pogrom on Nov. 9-10. That day came to be known as Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, a euphemism referring to the many windows shattered.

Hundreds of Jews died from the attacks, and up to 30,000 Jewish men were sent to concentration camps. Blaming Jews for the violence, the Nazi government fined the community an impossible-to-pay 1 billion reichsmarks. In Hamburg, the Jewish community was forced to sell the damaged synagogue, which was soon demolished.

Over the past few years, the location of this former landmark has become the site of controversy as residents debated whether and how to rebuild the old synagogue, which would demolish the memorial standing there today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As a scholar of German-Jewish history, and the ways it is remembered, I believe the plan touches an open nerve: how Germany grapples with the need to memorialize the past, while also supporting a revitalized Jewish community today. For some, rebuilding the old synagogue is a sign of Jewish life returning to flourish in the city; for others, rebuilding the site is an erasure of past trauma.

Road to remembrance

Germanys reckoning with the Holocaust, and the responsibility to commemorate the victims, is a long and winding process. In the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust, most Germans turned inward, mostly focusing on their own hardships, and did not dwell on the suffering of Jewish victims.

Catalysts for change included Adolf Eichmanns trial in Jerusalem in 1961 and the Frankfurt Auschwitz trials in 1963-1965, in which 22 camp staff were tried. Witness testimony and widespread media coverage increased awareness of the atrocities at the concentration camps and death camps. The broadcasting of the American miniseries Holocaust in 1979 made the past present in every West German living room. Local activists also began to uncover Jewish histories in Germanys small towns.

A symbolic moment in Germanys reckoning was the 50th anniversary of the November Pogrom. The 1988 commemorations were marked by a wave of events in both West and East Germany, including an opening ceremony for a Jewish museum in Frankfurt. The chancellor of West Germany, Helmut Kohl, was in attendance  a sign that attention to Jewish life and history was becoming part of a deliberate policy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By 1988, the Bornplatz Synagogue had been mostly turned into a parking lot. One could walk through and easily forget that a center of Jewish life once stood there. But the city of Hamburg marked the 50th anniversary by unveiling a new memorial on the site. Designed by the local artist Margrit Kahl, a mosaic floor depicts the outline of the destroyed synagogue and its dome.

CC BY-SA The mosaic is a deliberate blank in an otherwise bustling part of Hamburg. Minderbinder/Wikimedia Commons

According to architectural historian Alexandra Klei, Kahls memorial was one of the first of its kind to mark an empty space in the city an object of remembrance. It now serves as an intentionally open gap in an otherwise bustling university area.

Soon after, the square was renamed in honor of Joseph Carlebach, the synagogues last rabbi, who was deported to Jungfernhof concentration camp near Riga. He was murdered in a mass execution in a forest nearby in March 1942.

An old-new building

In Hamburg, members of the Jewish organization that serves as the official representative to city and state institutions envision rebuilding the old synagogue  a way of revitalizing Jewish life in the same space where it once flourished.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The idea gained traction in 2019 after an antisemitic attack in a synagogue in Halle, a city in central Germany, on Yom Kippur. An online petition in support of rebuilding received more than 107,000 signatures, as well as the support of Christian leaders and local politicians.

Other synagogues have been built on the sites of destroyed ones in other German cities, such as Dresden and Mainz. These buildings were intentionally designed to look modern, never to be mistaken for the originals destroyed in the Holocaust. Nor were they displacing a significant memorial.

In Bornplatz, by contrast, the community imagined building a replica of the original, even at the potential expense of Kahls work.

Rabbi Shmuel Havlin signs a poster that says, No to anti-Semitism  Yes to the Bornplatz Synagogue after a ceremony in Hamburg in 2020. Christian Charisius/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

Several dozen intellectuals, both Jewish and non-Jewish, strongly opposed this idea, arguing for the power of empty space to send a message. Rebuilding a replica synagogue on top of the memorial, they contended, would erase the memory of the destruction, as if the November Pogrom never happened.

Whose Judaism?

Whether to fill the space with an old-new building isnt all that is up for debate. The synagogue controversy is about Jewish life in Germany today, argues Hamburg sociologist Suanne Krasmann, and about the kind of Judaism that should be memorialized.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After the Holocaust, the fall of the Soviet Union and the reunification of Germany, the demographics of the Jewish community in Germany radically changed. Today, the overwhelming majority of the roughly 100,000 people affilliated with the Central Council of Jews in Germany are immigrants from the former Soviet Union or their descendants.

In Hamburg, the main Jewish community is led by Rabbi Shlomo Bistritzky of Chabad, an Orthodox denomination with no historical roots in prewar Germany. By contrast, critics of the Bornplatz Synagogue reconstruction point out that the city has an important place in the history of Liberal Judaism and the Reform movement. Historian Miriam Rurup, for example, drew attention to the sorry state of the former Poolstrae Temple, that movements first purposefully built synagogue.

Fragments of painted glass panes have been found on the site of the synagogue during an investigation by the Archaeological Museum of Hamburg. Franziska Spiecker/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Past is present

Despite the objections, the Hamburg assembly unanimously voted in 2020 in favor of rebuilding. The following year, a feasibility study concluded that the project would indeed have to relocate Kahls memorial, or build over it entirely.

At the same time, the report noted, We cannot restore the historic Bornplatz Synagogue. The Bornplatz Synagogue was annihilated by the Nazis. The new synagogue will not be the same as the 1906 building; the past cannot be rebuilt as if nothing happened.

The project is years from completion, as is a potential Jewish museum. It is unclear what form they will take. Eighty-six years after the November Pogrom, Germany is still working through its past; Hamburgs psychological landscape remains marked by an invisible under construction sign.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Yaniv Feller, University of Florida

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more:



Yaniv Feller was a Dr. Gabriele Meyer/ZEIT-Stiftung Bucerius fellow at the Institute for the History of German Jews in Hamburg over the summer of 2024.
Supermarket chain Kroger has finalized a nearly $1.4 billion agreement to settle the majority of the claims made by states, counties and Native American tribes that accused the company of helping fuel the opioid epidemic.

Payments are expected to begin early next year. The amount includes up to $1.2 billion for state and local governments where it operates, $36 million to Native American tribes and about $177 million to cover lawyers fees and costs.

The agreement in principle was first announced last fall, and a coalition of 30 bipartisan attorneys general said their states had signed on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kroger is one of the countrys largest grocery chains, operating stores in 35 states.

The finalization of this settlement, originally reached in September 2023, will deliver over $1.2 billion in support of opioid abatement efforts nationwide while resolving nearly all the outstanding opioid-related claims against the company, a Kroger spokesperson said in a statement.

The company previously said the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing or liability

In addition to the monetary payments, Kroger has agreed to injunctive relief that requires its pharmacies to monitor, report, and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lawyers representing the plaintiffs said the settlement marks another significant step in holding each company involved in the opioid epidemic accountable and ensuring essential resources are delivered to communities across the country.

There have been thousands of lawsuits filed against drug distributors, pharmacies and wholesalers for contributing to the opioid crisis. Over the past eight years, communities have settled for more than $50 billion.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Tuesdays Top Stories

Tuesdays Five Facts

[1] New Mexico Election 2024: Voter information, Voting locations  Its Election day. Polls will be open Tuesday, November 5 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to voting in the presidential race, New Mexico voters will cast a ballot for the states three congressional districts and for one of the states two Senate seats. Ballots also include bond questions and other measures.

[2] Reporter sues City of Albuquerque over fees for public records requests  The city is facing a class action lawsuit, accusing the city of violating its law on how it charges people for electronic public records requests, also known as IPRAs. Arizona reporter Patrick Hayes, who used to work in Albuquerque, filed the suit. The lawsuit claims Hayes submitted an IPRA request last year and was charged $0.50 per page for 474 pages, resulting in a fee of $237. According to city law, the city may charge for the actual cost of downloading and sending files via email. A city spokesperson sent this statement The City has not received this lawsuit; we will review it when we do. In general, the City does not charge per page for electronic files.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

[3] Foggy and drier weather before wet & wintry storm  Precipitation has left the Land of Enchantment, but pockets of dense fog, as well as some freezing fog, has come in its place with cold air, high humidity, and light winds. As low pressure quickly moves in overnight into later tomorrow we may see even more-widespread lower-elevation accumulating wet snow ahead as temperatures will drop even more.

[4] Uber and Lyft offering discounts on rides to polls  Two major rideshare companies are making sure everyone can get to the polls to vote. Lyft says riders can enjoy a 50% discount of up to $10 by entering the code VOTE24 between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. Uber is also offering a 50% off of rides for users who use the new Go Vote tile on the app to book a ride.

[5] ABQ BioPark hippo celebrates 51st birthday  Moe the hippo celebrated his 51st birthday Monday with his care team, his mate Karen, and his daughter Matilda. Zookeepers got him his favorite fall food, a pumpkin. Moe has outlived the median life expectancy of hippos by 14 years.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Las Vegas election worker claimed she was attacked at a bus stop. The 8 News Now Investigators have learned Metro Police are investigating her claims, and both Clark County and the Nevada Secretary of States office are looking into the matter.

We can confirm that an incident did occur regarding a temporary election worker at a bus stop, a county spokesperson wrote in an email to the 8 News Now Investigators Monday. We are still looking into this isolated incident.

Brandi Lapriore said she was waiting at a bus stop on Eastern Avenue near Bonanza on the evening of Oct. 26 when a man initially asked her when the bus was expected to arrive and then tried talking about politics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He was like, So did you see the podcast with Joe Rogan and Donald Trump? I was like, Nope, Im not interested,' Lapriore told the 8 News Now Investigators. I said, I dont even talk about politics at work. Its not something that we discuss.'

Lapriore said the man then asked her questions about the Constitution. After Lapriore repeatedly asked him to leave her alone, she said he attacked her.

Brandi Lapriore, a Las Vegas election worker, claims she was attacked at a bus stop on Oct. 26 (Brandi Lapriore) Brandi Lapriore, a Las Vegas election worker, claims she was attacked at a bus stop on Oct. 26 (Brandi Lapriore)

He, like, walked towards me and chest bumped me, and then he started just punching me, just punched me in the face twice and then I hit the ground and he stepped on my knee, Lapriore told the 8 News Now Investigators.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The man then boarded a bus and Lapriore called 911, she said. Metro Police responded and Lapriore later learned the man called 911 to report that she had attacked him which she insisted is a lie.

Ive never seen him before. I havent seen him since, Lapriore told the 8 News Now Investigators.

Lapriore said she believed the man began talking to her because she was wearing her bright orange election t-shirt which reads, Dont lose your voice. Vote!

A law which went into effect in 2023 made it a felony to attack, threaten or intimidate an election worker. The law specified the crime does not need to take place at a polling place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I hope he does have some consequences that he will have to face, Lapriore said.

Lapriore purchased an electric bike to avoid riding the bus. She also said she hopes her story is a reminder that election workers are just trying to do their jobs.

I hope that people realize that you dont need to target people just because of what they do, she said.

The 8 News Now Investigators reached out to Las Vegas Metro police about Lapriores claims.

To reach investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, email vmurphy@8newsnow.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Prosecutors are asking a judge to revoke a Las Vegas Metro police sergeants bail after detectives found additional child pornography in his possession while he was released from custody, according to documents obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators.

Prosecutors also filed two new child pornography-related charges against Kevin Menon, 42, Monday.

While out on bail in this case, defendant has been found  yet again  to be in possession of over 300 additional images of children being sexually violated, exploited and put on display for defendants prurient sexual interests, prosecutors wrote in a document filed Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Attorneys for Las Vegas sergeant facing charges say he was one of Metros best officers

Some images included children under the age of five, according to prosecutors.

It is incredibly difficult to look at the images he kept on all of these devices showing children  little girls  being sexually assaulted and exploited, prosecutors wrote.

Menon already faced two previous child pornography-related charges in his second criminal case.

A grand jury indicted Menon for 13 charges related to an alleged scheme that resulted in individuals, mostly Black men, being detained on the Las Vegas Strip as Menon worked in plain clothes along with uniformed officers. Menon posted a $27,000 bond to remain out of custody after his Aug. 30 arrest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Video shows Las Vegas police officers arrest one of their own

On the day of his first arrest, Las Vegas Metro police executed a search warrant at Menons North Las Vegas home. Detectives found approximately 200 images of child sexual abuse material on two laptops, according to prosecutors.

On Oct. 23 as Menon headed to a court appearance for his first case, police took him into custody at the Regional Justice Center in connection with the new charges. Detectives executed a second search warrant at Menons home.

Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Nadia Wood set bail at $100,000 cash with a condition of high-level electronic monitoring. Menon posted bail and was released from jail on Oct. 26.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In court documents filed Monday, prosecutors said detectives found a flash drive inside a backpack in Menons garage on Oct. 23. The device contained 19 child sexual abuse material images, nine images considered age difficult, meaning the individuals in the images may or may not be underage, and 166 child erotica images, according to prosecutors. Detectives also found a laptop which contained 54 child sexual abuse material images, 90 age difficult images, and 54 child erotica images, prosecutors wrote.

Detectives found approximately 200 images of child sexual abuse material on two of Menons laptops, according to prosecutors. (LVMPD) Prosecutors said detectives found a flash drive inside a backpack in Menons garage on Oct. 23. The device contained 19 child sexual abuse material images, nine images considered age difficult, meaning the individuals in the images may or may not be underage, and 166 child erotica images, according to prosecutors. (LVMPD)

Defendant was feloniously in possession of these images he saved on these devices while out on bail during the pendency of this case, prosecutors stated.

Prosecutors filed the motion to revoke Menons bail in the first case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The facts underlying the instant case  in which defendant used his badge and position of authority while at work to illegally arrest or otherwise violate the rights of a dozen or so individuals (virtually all of whom were African American males) and directed officers to falsify arrest reports  shows a complete disregard for the safety of the community defendant was once entrusted to protect, prosecutors wrote.

In a character letter submitted in a previous court document by Menons defense team, Menon pointed out he is a 42-year-old bi-racial first generation American, has a history of volunteerism starting at the age of 14, and had been selected by Sheriff Kevin McMahill to participate in a law enforcement program overseas.

Menon claimed he was the only recruit in history to also teach while in the academy, he later became an instructor teaching search warrant preparation and execution classes, and a quote of his, with the will of a warrior, but the heart of a guardian, was placed on banners.

I served in specialized units, including the gang unit, central intelligence, and counterterrorism sections, Menon wrote. On 1 October, I was assigned the acting-sergeant of my squad in the gang unit, and was awarded a medal of honor for my actions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Menon was promoted to rank of sergeant in 2023, is fluent in four languages and has working knowledge of three more, and had previously converted to Judaism, he wrote.

Menon stated he has been married to his wife for 10 years and hopes to be father of at least two kids with her.

Prosecutors addressed Menons character letter.

What he conveniently overlooks is the fact that he currently stands charged for crimes he committed while wearing the badge, prosecutors wrote. Clearly, defendants definition of making Las Vegas a safe community by introducing child pornography onto devices in his possession is a far cry from states definition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Menon saved child pornography on a laptop he used for work, according to prosecutors.

Menon also claimed he attended Harvard College in his character letter. Prosecutors said they found a fake Harvard transcript on Menons device and that according to a representative from Harvard University, they found no records to indicate Menon was admitted to Harvard College or Harvard Medical School.

Prosecutors said they found a fake Harvard transcript on Menons device and that according to a representative from Harvard University, they found no records to indicate Menon was admitted to Harvard College or Harvard Medical School. (LVMPD)

This (Un)Talented Mr. Ripley schtick that he has put on for the court, officers at LVMPD and others, is exactly that  a con, prosecutors wrote.

A hearing in the first case is scheduled for Nov. 6.

A preliminary hearing in the second case is scheduled for Nov. 7.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After his arrest, the department placed Menon on leave with pay and his police powers were suspended pending an investigation. The department has since stopped paying him.

To reach investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, email vmurphy@8newsnow.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Melonie White was a young mother of a baby boy, a stylish lover of fashion and on an inspired search for a new career when her body was found strangled and lifeless.

White was 27 years old when hikers found her body near Lake Mead National Recreation Area, around 10 miles east of Las Vegas, on August 27, 1994. Nearly 30 years to the day she was killed, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department identified Whites suspected killer as Arthur Joseph Lavery using DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy. He died in 2021, according to police.

After Whites body was found, an autopsy ruled the cause of her death as homicide with evidence of strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head, according to police. She had been strangled with a ligature, bludgeoned and dragged by a car into the desert wash, police said. At the time of the investigation, police tracked down multiple leads, but no suspect was ever identified. The case went cold.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For decades, her grieving family was left with no answers and a devastating desire for the truth.

In 2010, cold case detectives recovered additional items and sent them for DNA testing, leading to the DNA profile of a male suspect. But a suspect was not identified until 2021 with the assistance of the Las Vegas-based nonprofit Vegas Justice League. The nonprofit paid for the costs of sending the case to a laboratory that used DNA testing and genetic genealogy to successfully identify Lavery as the suspected killer.

Crowdfunded crime solving

Founded in 2020 by entrepreneur Justin Woo, the Vegas Justice League  and his nationwide initiative Project Justice  has helped solve 41 cold cases across the country, including nine murders in Las Vegas. The initiative provides the funding for forensic genetic genealogy, a law enforcement technique that uses DNA analysis and genealogical research to identify suspects in criminal cases or Jane Doe victims whose identities were never determined.

Arthur Lavery - Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Funding for the cases comes from donations from the six members of the Justice League, including Woo and his wife, Lydia Ansel, as well as donations from the community. Once enough money is raised for a case, the nonprofit alerts law enforcement, who then send the case to a lab that specializes in forensic genetic genealogy such as Othram, a Texas-based laboratory that works exclusively with law enforcement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On August 26, 2024, about three years after law enforcement sent the case to Othram, Whites suspected killer was finally identified.

Its nice to have closure on this, Walter White, Melonies brother, said in a news conference on October 22. The effect of her death really shattered my mother. That was probably the biggest ongoing thing for our family was that my mom was just absolutely destroyed, it took a long time for that to get back to kind of a normal situation.

Whites other younger brother, Jason White, also spoke during the news conference and recalled the day he learned his sister had been killed. He was an Arizona State University student and it was the Friday before he started his semester when he received the call that shattered their family.

I just want to say how grateful we are to the officers of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for never giving up on finding Melonies killer, Jason White said while choking back tears.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were very, very grateful for the contributions of the Vegas Justice League whose donation for DNA testing by the police allowed the police to crack the case. We will always miss Melonie and believe that the solving of her murder will help bring a measure of peace to her and all of us.

Las Vegas Homicide Lieutenant Jason Johansson also thanked the Justice League for their unwavering support in helping provide our community, friends, and family with the assistance in solving case investigations.

It is their support that has directly led to the closure now of nine cold cases that would have never been solved without their assistance, Johansson said.

Putting the puzzle together

Vegas Justice League has also funded the ongoing DNA testing for at least 82 other ongoing cases. It costs about $7,500 per case, Woo says, pointing to the million dollar sequencing machines used for testing and the staff of geneticists and researchers who then help put all the puzzle pieces together.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have every belief that every case will be solved, but sometimes it takes a long time, months or even years, with the research theyre doing, Ansel told CNN.

Investigators use genetic genealogy to solve cold cases by using suspect DNA collected from a crime scene, analyzing it, and converting it into a raw data file. The suspects DNA file is then uploaded to databases like GEDMatch, which is used by people who send in their genetic DNA testing kits to discover their ancestry and find relatives.

GEDMatch analyzes the suspects DNA data files and locates people who uploaded their DNA data files to the website and are related to the suspect. A genetic genealogist then builds out an extended family tree of the person who uploaded their DNA to try to locate where in the family tree the suspect is.

Investigators then collect DNA from members of the extended family until DNA from a relative matches the DNA found at the crime scene, leading to an arrest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The new and powerful forensic method has spread widely among law enforcement investigators over the past few years. It has been used to crack some of the countrys most frustrating cold cases, most notably the arrest of the Golden State Killer in 2018. Joseph James DeAngelo was arrested in 2018 in a Sacramento, California, suburb on suspicion of being the man who killed 12 people and raped more than 50 women in the 1970s and 1980s.

Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft, alongside the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, honored the Vegas Justice League with a key to the Las Vegas Strip for their efforts in solving cold murder cases. - Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

The idea for Vegas Justice League started when Woo learned about Othram and saw that they were crowdfunding for cases. Woo decided he would sponsor one, which ended up solving the case of Stephanie Isaacson, a 14-year-old who was abducted on her way to school, sexually assaulted and beaten to death in 1989.

It started off as just trying to help our local community, Woo said. When we did the first one, we didnt know what was going to happen. It took seven months. But when we saw the results, the amount of impact that we could have, we just couldnt stop and made it our mission.

The nonprofits work has not gone unnoticed. The Vegas Justice League was presented with a key to the Las Vegas Strip in honor of their efforts in solving cold murder cases on October 30 at a ceremony where the LVMPD was also in attendance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Behind every unresolved murder case is a family that never stopped mourning or yearning for justice. While solving a case will not heal the deep wounds of their loss, it can provide a sense of closure. Ansel believes thats the goal theyre striving to achieve.

Its such a mix of feelings, where you feel devastated with them over the loss of their child who will never come back, Ansel said. But then you feel gratitude that they got answers and some kind of ending to this sometimes 30, 40 year nightmare.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  The last day of early voting resulted in long lines and extra dedicated voters in Pulaski County on Monday, as the nation headed into the Tuesday election.

The line at the Pulaski County Regional Building wrapped around the building, going down the block to 2nd Street throughout most of the day. Voters had different reasons for coming Monday, rather than Election Day. Some said they wanted to avoid bad weather Tuesday, while others said they hoped the line would be shorter Monday than Tuesday.

Where can Arkansans vote on Election Day?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

No matter the reasoning, voters emphasized the importance of casting their ballot and letting their voices be heard.

Weve had plenty of people bleed and die, give their life for the process, voter Robert Calhoun said. Its not a perfect process, but we as Americans, if we all participate, we can make it better.

Record-breaking early vote, Pulaski County focuses on secure voting system

Another voter, Emory Malone, said the process still excites her as a young voter.

I have my own beliefs about who should be voted into office, but I would rather whos voted into office be a representative that everyone that everyone thinks or that the actual population believes, Malone said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As of Monday morning, officials said more than 780,000 people had early voted in Arkansas, adding that for the same time, more than 106,000 of those come from Pulaski County.

Statistics show lower early voter numbers in Arkansas for 2024 compared to 2020

In 2020, approximately 755,000 voted early.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Thousands of mail-in ballots in the battleground state of Pennsylvania have been targeted for rejection as part of a last-minute campaign that has set off alarms for voting rights groups and exasperated local election officials.

The effort  which appears to be spearheaded by just a handful of individuals  is seeking to toss out ballots from overseas voters and to challenge the eligibility of people who, at some point, had requested to have their mail forwarded to another address.

More than a dozen counties received these challenges, according to CNNs outreach to local and state officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some election boards already have set aside the complaints as meritless, but they come as officials are scrambling to carry Tuesdays consequential election in a state that could determine the outcome of the race for the White House.

Its going to make voters nervous and its creating totally  frankly  BS work for election boards when theyre trying to do an important job, said Ari Savitzky, a senior attorney for the ACLU.

In some counties, the challenges were filed minutes before the Friday deadline for such objections. Bucks County, for instance, received nearly 1,200 challenges to overseas voters about 15 minutes before the 5 p.m. deadline Friday deadline, according to county spokesperson Jim OMalley.

Challenges filed in Bucks County  which includes Philadelphias northeastern suburbs  were all filed by Pennsylvania state Sen. Jarrett Coleman, OMalley said. Coleman also filed 519 challenges to overseas voters in Lehigh County, according to Tim Benyo, that countys elections chief.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Coleman, a Republican who represents parts of both counties, did not return CNNs request for comment. A fellow state Republican senator, Sen. Cris Dush, filed challenges to 77 voters in Centre County; his office declined to comment.

A statement from the office of Pennsylvanias top election official, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, described the bad-faith mass challenges as a coordinated effort that were based on theories that courts have repeatedly rejected.

At least 3,000 Americans abroad who applied to vote by mail in Pennsylvania had their ballots challenged. Hundreds of mail voters were also targeted with challenges that appear to have been assembled using US Postal Services database for people who have requested a change of address.

Republicans and outside conservative groups have launched legal assaults against overseas ballots in multiple battleground states, including Pennsylvania, after Democrats touted efforts to turn out citizens who live abroad.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Though the overseas vote has long been associated with military voters, civilian expats overseas now outnumber those voters. In the 2020 presidential election, there were more than 28,000 overseas voters in 2020 in Pennsylvania  a state that President Joe Biden won by fewer than 90,000 votes.

Counties moving quickly to resolve challenges

Chester County disposed of the 212 challenges filed last week based on US Postal Service data at a Friday hearing where several individuals who had been challenged confirmed their eligibility to vote in Pennsylvania, with some citing their current status as students at out-of-state colleges or graduate schools.

In Lycoming County, the mail ballots of 71 overseas voters were challenged by Karen DiSalvo, who previously represented a group of Republican congressmen from Pennsylvania that filed an unsuccessful lawsuit seeking more stringent verification procedures for overseas ballots. Pennsylvania officials said that the lawsuit risked disenfranchising tens of thousands of overseas voters, including those in uniform.

In an email to CNN, DiSalvo said she had filed the challenges against non-military members overseas who had applied for mail ballots but were not registered to vote in the county.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Washington and Beaver counties, a total of 265 mail ballot applications were challenged by Charles Faltenovich, who sits on the steering committee of PA Fair Elections, which says it aims for secure elections in the state and was involved in the overseas ballot lawsuit in Pennsylvania.

Faltenovich told CNN his challenges were not connected to the group and that he targeted applicants who indicated on their ballot application that they are currently and indefinitely out of the country and that they are not a member of the military.

While states can enforce voter registration requirements for overseas citizens, Pennsylvania law doesnt appear to explicitly address this category of voters, said Michael Morley, an election law expert at Florida State University. And federal law makes clear that these voters have the right to continue voting in the state they last resided in when they lived in the United States, he added.

In the absence of a registration requirement that applies to (overseas voters), election officials are required to fill their timely submitted absentee ballot requests, Morley said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The deadline for county election boards to resolve these challenges is November 8, which is when the Lycoming County Board of Elections has scheduled its hearing on the challenges filed there. If a voter is disqualified, her or she has the option to appeal in Pennsylvania court, as does a challenger whose challenge is rejected.

DiSalvo told CNN she will likely appeal the challenges in court if they are rejected by the county board.

CNNs Danya Gainor contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
If Kamala Harris wins the presidency, one aspect of her campaign that will be highlighted will be her support from Never Trumpers, the group of Republicans who want to ensure that the former president never makes it back to the White House.

In the election of 2024, these figures have been some of the most vocal in making the case that this isnt a normal election cycle, that democracy is at stake. Proof enough is that many of them will be casting their ballots for a Democrat for the first time.

More from Deadline

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Adam Kinzinger is one of the them, having spoken at the Democratic National Convention and appeared on the campaign trail for Harris. Steve Pinks The Last Republican is backstory of how Kinzinger, a staunch conservative, got to that place. The documentary offers some key, behind-the-scenes moments as the Illinois congressman, along with Liz Cheney, were made outcasts in the GOP as they joined the January 6th Committee, investigated Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election and revealed bombshell details in hearings during 2022.

The project was a career turn for Pink. In the documentary, Kinzinger makes clear that he is a fan of Pinks Hot Tub Time Machine, the 2010 sci fi comedy that has become a cult classic. But Pink also has been expanding into other genres, including the romance drama The Wheel (2021). Upcoming is a psychological thriller starring Jermaine Fowler, James Morosini and Pauline Chalamet, among others.

Pink first approached Kinzinger in the fall of 2021, when he was already a Republican pariah, and on the first day of shooting, the congressman found out that a new redistricting map essentially meant that his House Republican career would be over.

Deadline spoke to Pink about the making of The Last Republican, how he earned Kinzingers trust, and how he found himself in the midst of one of the most momentous political moments in recent memory.

DEADLINE: This documentary was quite an evolution in your career. In the movie, Adam Kinzinger even mentions one of your past works, Hot Tub Time Machine.

STEVE PINK: A lot of the filmmakers that I love, from Sydney Pollack to even Adam McKay today, have been able to explore different genres. And so I started my thinking about other things I wanted to do, first with a movie called The Wheel, which went to Toronto about four years ago. It was this little romantic drama that we did during Covid. I thought the challenge of making a little romantic drama would be quite easy, actually, but it turned out to be incredibly challenging, just in terms of how I move camera.  So when the idea of doing a documentary came up, I had a familiarity be able to capture the things that are going on around me without a giant crew.

DEADLINE: I would think one of the bigger challenges was earning Adam Kinzingers trust. How did you approach him and and how did that come about?

PINK: We have a company called the Media Courthouse Documentary Collective that my good friends started. Because Im a political junkie, the idea of doing a political subject was really intriguing. Our founder Kevin Morris had known Adam and introduced us, and my first reaction, which Ive said many times in the press, was, Please no. I couldnt be less interested in documenting the life of a Republican, because Im a far left progressive. But in really getting to see Adams courage in the face of January 6th, to stand up against Trump and his own party, and pay the consequences of that in the form of losing his job and his friends and family members  he was obviously an incredibly intriguing subject.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I was more interested in what he was experiencing in real time  how do you go from a near leadership position in the Republican caucus to a pariah, and what were the consequences of that to your family and your friends and your career and all those things? And I think he was interested in that. I did also say to him that I thought he would be a terrible documentary subject were it not for the fact that he had been so courageous. And I got a laugh out of him that day because its not something you say to someone, but I think we had real common ground because of Hot Tub. I was shooting with him one day, kind of thinking of myself as this important political documentary filmmaker of a very important political subject. And were walking up to his apartment in DC, and Im following him with the camera, and hes like, Oh, by the way, I loved Hot Tub Time Machine. And I was like, You love Hot Tub Time Machines? He said, Yeah, I really love Hot Tub Time Machine. Thats my favorite movie.  So suddenly we had this common ground because we had these obviously opposing political views. That opened up our friendship and he trusted me more to follow him around.

DEADLINE: Did it take a while for him to get used to the camera following him around?

PINK: The more they trusted me, the more access I got, and the more comfortable [Kinzinger and wife Sofia] both became with the camera being in their space, and also answering questions. At first, all of their answers when I was around were very formal. So they almost felt like it was a journalist following them around for a news segment, which has a very different vibe. So the more

they trusted us, the more they gave us access, and the more they came became comfortable that, just with time, and getting to know me and me getting to know them. And I tended to stay out a little way. I tended to be a fly on the wall, and would pick my spots to ask them questions. But the other way I experienced making the political documentary is by trying to be invisible in the space, so that they started to feel like I wouldnt put any burden on them at all. I wouldnt ask them any questions.

DEADLINE: Did you run into problems with the January 6th Committee giving you access?

PINK: Not problems, but it took a long time for us to get permission. We had to get permission from Bennie Thompson, the chairman. We didnt actually know whether or not we were going to be the Jan 6th hearings with our camera until two weeks before.

DEADLINE: One thing I really thought the documentary captured so well was there was much suspense over whether the hearings would fly or not.

PINK: That was an unexpected part of the documentary that we captured. [They] didnt know if they would be able to pull it off, in what form, whether it would get any attention from the media. It was far from clear that it would become the kind of summer event that it became.

DEADLINE: What surprised you about kind of the end of this story, where Kinzinger leaves Congress?

PINK: Well, it was bittersweet, because all of these things were happening at once for Adam. Theres this extraordinary moment where the ending of the Jan 6th hearings were concluding at the very moment of his entire congressional career. And then he had to just change and then go down to his packed car with all of his things from his former DC apartment and drive out of town. He was part of this extraordinary event that was happening in real time to just driving away in his packed car out of DC.

DEADLINE: Did it surprise you that he got to where he is? He spoke at the Democratic Convention. Hes endorsed Kamala Harris.

PINK: Hes consistent in his views. He has truly held beliefs. He doesnt waver that much for that from them. And when it came to his determined view of Jan 6th and his own party and Donald Trump, in terms of the future of the country, that is something that is fundamental for him. So I think he became a natural choice as a spokesperson for country over party. So at the moment, youre saying, Its not politics anymore. Its the preservation of democracy. I think that people recognized that he was a kind of singular champion in that regard, because he gave up everything to do it. There are plenty of Republican congressmen that are still in Congress who probably hate Trump and havent said a damn word because they dont want to lose their jobs. I find that to be cowardice, and so does Adam. But its not like theres a bunch of them out there whove been in his outspoken as Adam and sacrificed as much as he did.

DEADLINE: Given your political views, how much did you get in arguments just over issues with him?

PINK: All the time. I tend to be a little belligerent. I havent interacted with that many lawmakers. So its like, heres this expert in politics, right? He was a Republican congressman, and my views are so diametrically opposed, I wanted to battle test them. I wanted to hear what a conservative politician really felt about all these issues that are really important to me. I found out quick that we, in fact, did disagree vehemently. We argued, but the more we did it, the more it became the material that helped us bond as as friends, as opposed to the obstacle that prevented us from being friend. It had a paradoxical effect, because the more I got to know him, the more I realized he had a good heart and was operating in good faith, and he knew I was too.  So that I learned a lot in terms of how to disagree with people who have opposing political views. That became kind of what the film in way becomes about. It starts as a Profile in Courage, and then becomes a movie about the importance of civil discourse.

DEADLINE: What do you think his future is?

PINK: Thats a hard question for me to answer. I think he has a bright future.  Hes such a committed guy, I think he will be a force in American politics, if he chooses to be one. At the end of the film, theres this thing that becomes really revelatory, this moment where he realizes he might have lost the thing that he cared about most, which had nothing to do with courage.Theres this notion that he was really courageous, but the thing he really lost was his optimism. The thing that kept him going, this desire to serve. That was his fear. His fear wasnt losing his job, his fear was that he lost his desire to serve and his kind of optimistic view of the world, and his fight is against cynicism. When he revealed that in my interview, I was astounded. I was like, Oh, thats what the movie is actually about. Its not Profile in Courage about a guy who did all these brave things. Its actually a movie about a guy who suddenly realizes he might have lost the thing that was most important to him, and that was his desire to serve, and his fight against cynicism.





Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Any forthcoming return of container shipping to the Suez Canal seems even more unlikely.

After orchestrating a years worth of missile and drone attacks on ships sailing through the Red Sea, the Houthis have vowed to maintain the onslaught until Israel ends its military offensive against Hamas and Hezbollah.

More from Sourcing Journal

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Referring to the attacks as part of a wider naval blockade, Houthi armed forces spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a televised address that the Yemen-based militant group will target all ships belonging to, or linked to, or heading to [Israel], and that this blockade will continue until the aggression stops and the siege on the Gaza Strip is lifted and the aggression on Lebanon stops.

The lack of a timetable tied to the conflict has given the container shipping industry plenty of incentive to stay away from the region entirely for as long as possible. Maritime research consultancy Drewry isnt expecting full-scale Suez Canal transits to resume until 2026.

As part of their upcoming vessel-sharing alliance, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are already putting off any return to the Red Sea for their Asia-to-Europe network. The ocean carriers will opt to continue rerouting ships around southern Africas Cape of Good Hope for their primary voyage when their cooperation officially kicks into gear in February. Maersk said it sees no return to the Suez until well into 2025.

According to intelligence information gathered by the Houthis, Saree claimed that many Israeli-affiliated shipping companies are trying to sell assets, transfer their properties to other companies or register them in the names of new parties to avoid getting attacked.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In response, Saree said the Iran-backed rebel group will not recognize any ownership or flag changes, warning that all vessels affiliated with Israel will be subject to more attacks.

While the Yemeni faction has long claimed that the attacks are in protest of the Israel-Hamas war, the assault has been largely indiscriminatereaching vessels unaffiliated with Israel. This has led some members with ties to the U.S. Department of Defense to believe that the attacks are unrelated to the Middle Eastern conflict, bringing into question whether the Houthis would stop their assault if Israel called for a ceasefire.

The Houthi spokespersons message came shortly after a Wall Street Journal report said the group had been supplied with targeting dataand later satellite datafrom the Russians. According to that report, U.S. officials have raised concerns that Russia could provide the Houthis with anti-ship or anti-aircraft missiles.

As of Nov. 4, there have been 129 reported maritime incidents in the waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula since the first Houthi attack last November, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ongoing attacks have harmed the economy of Egypt, with foreign minister Badr Abdel Aati telling International Maritime Organization secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez that the Red Sea crisis has cost the country $6 billion in revenue.

In July, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) had revealed that it saw revenue dip more than $2 billion in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

As of late October, container shipping consultancy Clarksons said there was a 70 percent drop in Suez traffic in gross tonnage compared to 2023 average levels. This drop is even further exacerbated in container shipping, which saw a 90 percent decline.

Air travel, for now, could see impacts from the ongoing chaos in the Red Sea. Air France suspended flights over the waterway after one of its flight crews from Paris to Madagascar reported a luminous object at high altitude while flying near Sudan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Sunday, a bipartisan group of six U.S. senators led by Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), wrote a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to immediately re-designate the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

The group has been listed as a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) since January in the wake of the attacks, three years after the militant groups FTO status was first revoked in 2021.

The senators argue that designating the Houthis as an FTO would impose meaningful costs on them and degrade their ability to commit acts of terrorism.

Relisting the Houthis as an FTO would make individuals or entities providing material support to the group liable for criminal prosecution and considered Tier III terrorists subject to sanctions and a travel ban, open up economic tools to target the Houthis weapons procurement networks and manufacturing capabilities, provide a legal right of action to U.S. victims of Houthi terrorism, and ban Houthi members from obtaining a visa or entering the United States, said the letter. Moreover, relisting the Houthis as an FTO would not inherently disrupt the delivery of international aid to Yemeni civilians.
Extreme rainfall has hit regions of Spain this week, leading to flooding and evacuations in Malaga, the Costa del Sol and Valencia. The national weather office has placed both Malaga and Catalonia on the highest alert, with strong rain expected to last until at least Friday November 14.

The tourist resorts of Marbella, Velez and Estepona are expected to bear the brunt of the extreme weather phenomenon known as a Dana. On Wednesday, homes in the town of Benamargosa were decimated after a river burst its banks, while in the city of Malaga, services at the main hospital were severely reduced as a result of flooding.

Last week, Catalonian authorities warned visitors and locals not to travel to the region, and Barcelona, unless strictly necessary.

Credit: claudiasarten/X, taleofyone/X, tatispiers/X

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It comes after Valencia suffered one of the deadliest floods in Europe this century, with 217 confirmed deaths. Shocking footage showed piles of cars being dragged away by the flood-water.

Rescue workers continue to search through the rubble amid fears that the death toll could rise, while protesters have called for the regional president, Carlos Mazon, to step down.

Here is everything you need to know about travelling to Spain if you already have plans to visit the country.

Where are the floods in Spain?

Catalonia, in north-eastern Spain, and the Malaga region in the south, are both currently under high alert for very strong to torrential rainfall and flooding. Overnight, more than a months worth of rain fell in parts of Valencia, incuding 110mm in Alcudia de Veo, 99mm in Suera and 88mm in Chiva.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Parts of the Andalusia region and the Balearic Islands are on orange alert, which signals a significant meteorological event with a degree of danger for normal activities.

The Valencia region has been the worst affected by the rainfall. On October 29, at a weather station in Chiva, the equivalent of a years worth of rainfall was recorded in just eight hours.

The province of Huelva, on the south-western tip of Spain, was also hit by torrential rain earlier this month. Jerez Airport reported 114.8mm of rain in 24 hours  a record.

Efforts to stem the impact of flooding continues across Catalonia - Anadolu

Other parts of Europe have been badly hit by flooding this year, particularly in mid-September, when a weather system brought record rainfall in Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, Romania and Hungary.

How have the floods affected Valencia?

The flooding in Valencia has been devastating. At least 217 people are confirmed dead and tens of thousands of soldiers have been deployed to the area to search through the rubble. The region is still recovering from the weather event.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The tragedy is one of Europes worst flooding disasters on record. In 1967, at least 500 people died in Portugal. The local government has been criticised for failing to issue a sufficient warning ahead of the disaster.

How have the floods affected Barcelona?

Barcelona suffered considerable rainfall earlier this month, and footage shared on social media showed the terminals and car parks at El Prat Airport experiencing severe flooding.

Credit: SERCatalunya/X

As a result, more than 70 flights were disrupted and the local authorities warned people in the region to avoid travel unless strictly necessary. The clean-up has begun, but more rainfall is expected this week.

What is the weather forecast for the next week?

The Met Office shows warm, dry conditions for Malaga and Barcelona over the next week, although this may change. Those hoping to travel to the regions affected should be aware that the clean-up process will take some time.

My flight has been cancelled  what are my rights?

If your flight has been cancelled, regardless of the notice period, you will be eligible for alternative transport. The airline must get you to your destination as soon as possible, if that is what you desire. If there is an alternative flight on your day of travel, your airline is obliged to book you on to it  regardless of whether it is on a different carrier.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is, however, unlikely that you will be eligible for compensation, as the extreme weather is a meteorological event outside of the airlines control.

Are Spains airports open?

Dozens of flights have been cancelled due to the rainfall. Spanish airport authorities have asked that those flying out of Malagas airport and El Prat Airport in Barcelona to check with their airline before they travel. It would be wise to brace for delays.

Are transport systems running?

Bus services to and from Malaga were suspended on November 13. Most trains to Malaga have also been cancelled, while trains between Malaga and Barcelona are severely delayed. Two metro lines in Malaga have been suspended or partially closed.

Is it safe to visit Spain right now?

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has updated its travel advice to read: Severe weather and flooding is affecting many areas along the Mediterranean coastline of Spain. In particular, many parts of the Valencia region and Castilla La Mancha continue to be severely affected by recent flooding. Journeys may be affected. Check the latest weather warnings from Spains meteorological office before you travel and follow instructions from local authorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, there are no formal government warnings against travelling to Spain. This means that if you have a holiday booked to Spain, it is likely to be going ahead unless you have heard otherwise from your airline or tour operator.

Will I be insured if I visit Spain?

Simon McCulloch, the chief commercial officer of the travel insurance company Staysure, said: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has updated its travel guidance, advising travellers to stay informed of local conditions and to follow the advice of local authorities. However, at this stage, there is no advice against travel to Spain, so if you decide to cancel your trip, its unlikely youll receive a refund from your holiday provider or from your insurer. We therefore recommend contacting your holiday provider to explore the available options.

This article was first published on November 5 and has been revised and updated.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)  Laurel Lee (R) has won reelection for Floridas 15th Congressional District, defeating Pat Kemp (D), according to the Associated Press.

The Associated Press declared Lee the winner at 7:57 p.m. EST.

Live updates: 2024 US presidential election

This district encompasses three Tampa Bay counties  eastern Hillsborough and parts of Pasco and Polk. The area serves cities including Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, and Lakeland.

Laurel Lee (R)

Congresswoman Laurel Lee is currently serving the 15th Congressional District and ran for her second term.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to Lees website, she previously served as Floridas 36th Secretary under the DeSantis Administration from January 2019 through May 2022. During her term, she worked on the states elections infrastructure and cybersecurity defenses.

Lee is focusing on several issues including backing law enforcement, lowering taxes, improving education, revitalizing energy independence, supporting veterans, and fighting for Second Amendment rights.

Laurel is focused on bringing common-sense solutions to Washington that will encourage job growth, limit government overreach, secure our borders, and bolster our economic and national security, her website said.

Tampas Alessi Bakery political cookie poll predicts a landslide victory

Pat Kemp (D)

Congresswoman Patricia Pat Kemp has more than three decades of public service in District 15 under her belt, according to her website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kemp previously served as Hillsborough County Commissioner, preserving Bay area lands, increasing funding for schools and transportation, and funding millions for solar panels on public libraries.

Kemp promised to address several issues including restoring reproductive freedom, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, expanding healthcare access, lowering energy and housing costs, and protecting the environment.

We must work together to restore reproductive freedom and protect Social Security, Kemp said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Law enforcement officials say they're prepared to deal with unrest on Election Day, but expect the threat to continue in the days that follow.

"It is more likely that in the aftermath of the election results and the counting of the Electoral College votes, that individuals who believe that the election was rigged, stolen, or unfairly decided could decide to conduct lone offender or lone wolf attacks in response," said Javed Ali, the former senior counterterrorism coordinator at the National Security Council and now an associate professor at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

"The two attempted attacks against former President Trump this summer suggest the potential for this remains high, and detecting the signs of an individual's radicalization or mobilization to violent action remains amongst the most difficult challenges for federal, state, and local law enforcement here in the United States."

How to watch ABC News live coverage of 2024 election results.

Election workers across the country are being bombarded with threats and law enforcement agencies nationwide are dedicating "substantial resources" to ensure public safety during the election, a new threat assessment obtained by ABC News says.

PHOTO: Workers erect anti-scale fencing and other security measures around Howard University, Nov. 3, 2024, in Washington. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

The document, transmitted Monday by the New York Police Department Intelligence Bureau, encapsulates the full picture of threats to Election Day, including the risk of physical violence and disinformation generated by foreign governments. Potential targets include "election personnel and government officials, campaign offices, as well as voting-related sites, infrastructure, and technology," the assessment said.

Follow the latest election-related security issues and legal challenges.

A Capitol Police intelligence assessment released earlier this month and obtained by ABC News warns of a heightened threat to government officials and election-related sites, increasing "the likelihood of violence and civil unrest around the 2025 Electoral Vote Certification and the Presidential Inauguration."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The report released earlier this month says that threats rose significantly after Election Day four years ago and Capitol Police anticipates that trend will repeat in 2024.

Capitol Police reported a surge in social media posts alleging that the election will be "stolen." It noted that foreign influence efforts to spread conspiracies to undermine, manipulate, and tamper confidence in the electoral process "could exacerbate existing political tensions."

The FBI on Tuesday said there have been bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains. None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far, the FBI said.

In Washington, D.C., where Vice President Kamala Harris will have her election night rally at Howard University, the Metropolitan Police Department says there are no credible threats for election week, but that MPD is "fully activated" with help from neighboring Virginia and Maryland.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MORE: DHS report warns violent extremists pose threat to election workers and voting process

The National Guard Bureau is tracking multiple states and providing support to state agencies during the election, a bureau official said.

As of Tuesday morning, 252 National Guard members were activated in 15 states, and another 87 were on standby in three states and Washington, D.C.

PHOTO: Pedestrians walk past metal security barriers on a street leading to the White House in Washington, Nov. 4, 2024, in advance of election day. (Ben Curtis/AP)

In addition, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the cyber arm of the Department of Homeland Security, is tracking threats against election officials, a top CISA official told ABC News.

"As a nation, this is something that we should absolutely condemn and disavow and is fundamentally un-American," Cait Conley, who is in charge of CISA's election security portfolio told, reporters on a call.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MORE: DC warns of potential for violence and election uncertainty ahead of Jan. 6

Election officials in battleground states are operating under heightened security.

Arizona

Four polling locations in Navajo County, Arizona, received unsubstantiated bomb threats that Secretary of State Adrian Fontes says his office has reason to believe are from Russia, but that hasn't been confirmed.

"I don't know that I'm at liberty to reveal anything more than my solid suspicion grounded in information that I don't know that I can share yet," Fontes said.

No polling locations were closed because of the threats, Fontes said.

Georgia

Two voting locations in Fulton County, Georgia, which encompasses the Atlanta area, were evacuated Tuesday morning for about 30 minutes after officials there received five "non-credible" bomb threats, Elections Director Nadine Williams said. The county is working on going to court to extend the hours for those locations, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"All polling sites are secure with an active security presence," Williams said.

On Monday, the Justice Department charged a poll worker in Jones County, Georgia, with sending a letter threatening to bomb an elections office last month.

PHOTO: Palm Beach police officers remove political signs near Mar-a-Lago, the residence of former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images)

Nicholas Wimbish, 25, allegedly sent the threat after he had a verbal argument with a voter on Oct. 16, prosecutors said.

The following day, he mailed a letter to the Jones County elections superintendent purported to be from the unidentified voter saying Wimbish had "given me hell" and was "conspiring votes" and "distracting voters from concentrating."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The letter said Wimbish and others "should look over their shoulder" and that the "young men will get beatdown if they fight me" and "will get the treason punishment by firing squad if they fight back."

Wimbish faces several charges including mailing a bomb threat, conveying false information about a bomb threat, and making false statements to the FBI. He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

Michigan

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said election officials there are "prepared for anything."

"I'm really again hopeful that we'll see a peaceful Election Day, both during the voting process and after the polls close, but we are prepared for anything, and we have multiple partners and even have done scenario-planning exercises all across the state to be ready for anything that could transpire." she said. Her office has about 100 people throughout state "in case anything occurs," and they are ready to work with law enforcement and the state attorney general's office to either "deescalate or mitigate" any situations that come up.

PHOTO: A woman is checked by a security officer as Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump and former U.S. first lady Melania Trump are expected to vote at Mandel Recreation Center, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (Marco Bello/Reuters)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

North Carolina

In North Carolina, the state's elections director pled for a peaceful transfer of power and for people to accept the results.

"Please treat others with dignity and respect," said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the state's board of elections."

Pennsylvania

And in Pennsylvania the Philadelphia district attorney issued a stern warning.

"Anybody who thinks they are going to play those games in Philadelphia, you're going to do it in bad faith -- I got no problem with doing it in good faith -- but, if you're going to do it in bad faith, there is an election court, there are judges, they have orders and, those orders are going to say, in essence, 'Get out of the polling places,'" DA Larry Krasner said. "Anybody who doesn't get out, you're going to be arrested."

"F around and find out," he added.

ABC News' Matthew Seyler contributed reporting.

Law enforcement agencies prepared for unrest beyond Election Day originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The lawyer for a jailed senior Haiti policeman accused of planning the assassination of a motorcycle driver with alleged gang ties is demanding his release from jail.

Mario Delcy filed the request to Investigative Judge Brunet Salomon on Monday on behalf of Haiti National Police officer Livenston Gauthier, the former head of the police substation in Tabarre, where the U.S. Embassy is located. Gauthier, 52, was arrested more than a month ago with a senior police inspector, Jean Claude Aime, and two informants after Haitis judicial police accused them of carrying out an extrajudicial killing on the day U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the country.

The polices so-called evidence, when stacked against testimony from people named by Gauthier who can vouch for his alibi, doesnt hold up, Delcy said in court documents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After the questioning of all the people who had their names mentioned wrongly or rightly in this drama, Delcy wrote, Gauthier is still kept in detention for a crime he did not commit and that he could not not have committed because of his work and responsibilities on the day of this murder and the interviewees testified without a shadow of a doubt.

A 27-year-veteran of the Haitian National Police, Gauthier is known as one of the beleaguered forces key fighters in its war against armed gangs. His highly controversial Sept. 13 arrest and questionable imprisonment come as Haiti finds itself in the throes of a fresh round of deadly, coordinated gang attacks and as Prime Minister Garry Conille comes under scrutiny for the hiring of a U.S. based multinational security contractor, Studebaker Defense Group, to help in the fight against gangs without the knowledge of the ruling Transitional Presidential Council.

READ MORE: A key police veteran in Haitis gang wars, senior cop is now fighting for his freedom

Livenston Gauthier, left, a 27-year-veteran of the Haiti National Police, speaks to Roger Lamartiniere, the then-head of the Croix-des-Bouquets police station. In 2022, both men had worked together to stave off control of the eastern region of Port-au-Prince by violent gangs.

According to the Haitian national polices 16-page investigative report obtained by the Miami Herald, 25-year-old Hubert Colo, known as Bouki, was sitting on his bike at a taxi stand near St. Damien Pediatric Hospital in Tabarre when a green Isuzu pick-up truck bearing the inscription POLICE in yellow pulled up and forced everyone to scatter. Four armed hooded individuals, dressed in black, got out of the truck and fired several bullets at Colo, killing him on the spot and injuring a woman. Police did not provide a motive for Colos killing, but they said it was an extrajudicial police killing. Several cops claimed that Colo was the subject of a police investigation and was killed due to his ties to gang leader Vitelhomme Innocent, who is accused of carrying our recent attacks in Tabarre and is the subject of a $2 million FBI bounty .

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police say a cousin of Colo, Rony Charles, identified the vehicle as Gauthiers.

Several sources, however, told the Herald that it was impossible for either Gauthier or his vehicle to be at the scene of the crime, which took place at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 5. At the moment of the killing, the police commissioner was escorting Blinkens motorcade from the U.S. Embassy to the base of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission near the capitals main airport. Exclusive video obtained by the Herald, and cited by Delcy in his court document, show Gauthiers green pickup at the front of the secretarys motorcade as it arrived at Gate 7 of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport at 4:40 p.m. that day.

Despite the new evidence and testimony from several police officers who were in the motorcade that day, Gauthier has remained in jail, still dressed in his police uniform, along with his alleged co-conspirators. After his initial arrest Gauthier was held in police isolation for nearly three weeks and then transferred to a jail cell at a police station even though a court ordered his immediate release after finding his arrest and prolonged detention to be illegal.

The case has raised questions about how the Haiti National Police, under new command as it tries to stop violent gangs targeting neighborhoods and even U.S. embassy armored vehicles, investigates and treats its own officers. It has also raised questions about a possible police cover up, while reigniting concerns about the use of excessive use of force and extrajudicial killings by the Haitian police, a practice the U.S. government, the United Nations and human-rights groups have long denounced.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One of the police informants who is being accused of shooting Colo told a human-rights group that on the day of the killing not only was he with Gauthier during the time of Colos death but after they returned from dropping off Blinken, he joined cops assigned to the very police agency, the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police, that carried out the investigation. They were accompanied, the informant said, by the same prosecutor, Carl Giovanni Aubourg, who is now opposing their releases from jail and forwarded the case against them an investigative judge for criminal charges.

Solomon, the investigative judge, has heard from several police officers, including one of the heads of the Departmental District Ouest region of metropolitan Port-au-Prince, Xavier Seide. Seide, who arrived at the judges offices on Friday with armored vehicles and surrounded by cops, referred questions from the Herald to a police spokesman, saying he could not discuss an ongoing investigation.

Solomon has not said if he will release Gauthier or drop the case against him and the others.
Providence-based attorney Max Wistow speaks at a press conference April 5, 2024. To his left is Jonathan Savage, a top public sector litigator who specializes in construction law. Both were tapped by Gov. Dan McKee to lead the states legal effort in the ongoing Washington Bridge saga. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

One of the lead attorneys behind the states lawsuit against the 13 companies that worked on the westbound Washington Bridge is no longer on the case  just one day after firms requested the lawsuit be dismissed.

Max Wistow, the Providence attorney hired by Gov. Dan McKees administration in April to make the case, withdrew due to professional reasons, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronhas office announced Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wistows firm has been replaced with Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, a Washington, D.C. firm that secured over $650 million from defendants in the water quality crisis in Flint, Michigan.

Savage Law Partners, which was also contracted by the state in April, remains on the case.

It would have been our preference that he remain as part of the litigation team, but we respect his decision and are grateful that he agreed to remain in the case until we secured replacement counsel, office spokesperson Timothy Rondeau said of Wistow in a statement Friday.

My administration is grateful to Max Wistow for the groundwork he has already put in place, and we look forward to this work continuing with Cohen Milstein law firm, McKee said in a statement Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wistow led the states effort to recover approximately $61 million from the now-defunct 38 Studios, run by former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling. The ill-fated video game company accepted $75 million in loans from the state of Rhode Island in 2010 to relocate from Massachusetts, only to lay off all its employees and declare bankruptcy two years later.

Wistow, along with Providence attorney Jonathan Savage, set the groundwork for the Washington Bridge case from April through early August, before Neronhas office took the lead role.

The lawsuit was officially filed Aug. 16 and alleges a sweeping set of contract breaches and negligence on the part of contractors the state claimed for decades failed to detect or report structural problems ahead of the bridges sudden closure last December.

The announcement of Wistows departure occurred one day after the contractors named as defendants asked the Providence Superior Court to throw out the states case, claiming McKees administration is using the case to shift blame.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The States blame game is political and without a supportable legal basis, the filing from the Barletta/Aetna joint venture states.

Responses to the motion have not been filed as of Monday.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
An early voting sign sits outside of the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council building at 321 Virginia St. W in Charleston, W.Va., on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. (Leann Ray | West Virginia Watch)

More than a quarter of registered voters in West Virginia cast their ballots for the general election in person during the early voting period, according to data from the Secretary of States Office.

Per the data  which includes all ballots cast in person through Saturday, the last day of early voting  more than 310,400 West Virginians voted in the weeks and days leading up to Election Day, which is Tuesday. The early voting data is preliminary and could change once results are finalized by county clerks and the Secretary of States Office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nearly half of the states in-person early voters  about 46% of them  are registered as Republicans. Almost 30% of early votes cast in person were by Democrats and about 19% were from independents.

Monongalia County saw the highest rate of early voter turnout of all 55 counties in the state, with 37% of registered voters there voting before Election Day, according to the data. Of those voters, about 39% were Democrats, nearly 37% were Republicans and 22% were independents.

McDowell County had the lowest turnout in the state for early voting, with just 815 people  about 7% of all registered voters in the county  casting their ballots before Election Day.

Statewide, 19 counties had more than half of their early in-person votes cast by registered Republicans. Alternatively, the highest turnout rate for Democrats came in McDowell County, where nearly 47% of people who voted early in person were registered as Democrats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The highest turnout rate for Republicans came in Grant County, where nearly 77% of all in-person early voters were registered Republicans. The lowest turnout rate for Republicans was in McDowell County, where about 27% of early voters were Republicans.

For independent voters, turnout rates were highest in Jefferson County, where about 28% of those who voted early in person were not registered with a party. Pocahontas, Hardy and Morgan counties followed Jefferson, with about 26% of their early in-person voting coming from unaffiliated voters, according to the data.

Absentee voting

The above early voting data does not include those who voted by mail with absentee ballots. In West Virginia, only certain people are eligible to vote by mail, including those who are away on military duty or travel, first responders unable to vote in-person because of emergency calls and people who have mobility issues or illness, as well as people confined in jails who have not been convicted of a crime.

According to the Secretary of State, about 26,300 absentee ballots were requested for the general election, equating to a little over 2% of all registered voters in the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To date, 82% of those who requested absentee ballots have returned them. The last day to return an absentee ballot was Monday, meaning the return rate could grow as counties report more to the Secretary of States Office.

Of the ballots returned as of Monday, nearly 44% were from Democrats while 37% came from Republicans. Independent voters accounted for about 15% of all absentee ballots so far returned to the state.

Absentee voting was most common in Calhoun County, according to the data, where nearly 6% of registered voters so far have returned absentee ballots to their county clerk.

Polls are open for the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. To find your polling location, check your registration, view a sample ballot and more, visit https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Pages/GoVoteWV.aspx.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

West Virginia Watch will be covering Tuesdays election in full. Check out our 2024 general election voter guide before casting your ballot to learn more about the candidates and the positions theyre running for.

Be sure to bookmark and follow our Decision 2024 page for updates and results throughout Tuesday and in following days.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
RAMALLAH (Reuters) -At least seven people were killed on Tuesday during an Israeli military raid and airstrikes on the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Five of the seven people were killed in two separate Israeli attacks in and near the city of Qabatiya, while the two others were killed in the Tammoun area, the ministry said.

The Israeli military said its aircraft had targeted a group of gunmen and that its forces had arrested 60 militants.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Islamic Jihad's armed wing, Al-Quds Brigades, said its fighters had clashed with Israeli forces in both Qabatia and the Tamoun areas.

Violence has surged in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, with almost daily sweeps by Israeli forces that have involved thousands of arrests and regular gunbattles between security forces and Palestinian fighters.

(Reporting by Ali SawaftaEditing by Peter Graff and Gareth Jones)
A string of break-ins on 82nd Street and Indiana Avenue have left several businesses and restaurants with broken windows and machines early Monday. Lubbock police have confirmed these incidents are connected.

Rachel's Restaurant, 3416 82nd St., posted around 6:41 a.m. Monday that the restaurant was damaged overnight Sunday into Monday.

"As if it wasnt hard enough for us small businesses right now, someone decided to destroy our restaurant in search of cash, we are guessing," the restaurant stated on social media. "Now we have tons of damages to our building that we need to repair, but nonetheless please stop by and dine in with us or pick up some food, we would greatly appreciate it as we have to pay for these repairs now."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rachel's was only one of at least six, according to LPD. While LPD did not name the businesses, several of the impacted locations called for support on social media.

"Early this morning Ralphs Records, Bricks & Minifigs, Rachels and Ravis (and more I dont know about) all got broken into," Ralph's Records stated on social media. "We were lucky, not sure how everyone else turned out. So, if you are in the neighborhood, go support your local business that had some cruddy luck!"

The current list of confirmed impacted businesses include:

Rachel's Restaurant.

Ralph's Records, 3322 82nd St.

Bricks & Minifigs, 8004 Indiana Ave.

A restaurant at 8004 Indiana Ave.

A barber shop in the 3400 block of 82nd Street.

A nail salon in the 3400 block of 82nd Street.

No arrests had been made as of Monday.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: 6 Lubbock businesses hit in burglary spree, includes Rachel's
Evana Skayki will turn two years old in the coming days. But rather than celebrating her birthday with her family at home, she is resting on the second floor of Geitaoui Hospital in Beirut.

She is heavily bandaged after suffering for severe burns in an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese village of Dier Qanoun al-Nahr.

"Evana will be two years old in four days. We brought her a new doll as a birthday gift. She has been in a hospital bed suffering from burns since a month. She is starting to recover but she still needs a long journey to heal," said her veiled mother, Fatima Zayoun.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Evana was playing with her sister on the balcony of their apartment building when an Israeli raid ripped through structure next door.

Both suffered severe burns. They stayed for few days at a local hospital in the south Lebanon and then she was transferred to Geitaoui hospital which specializes in treating people with burns injuries.

Israel began carrying out airstrikes and ground attacks targetting Hezbollah posts and their residential areas in September.

Israel says it aims to drive the Iran-backed Shiite militia Hezbollah from its border areas to allow residents to return.

"The hospital is now hosting 23 people suffering from various level of burns caused by Israeli air raids. Nine of them have severe burns and rest at the intensive care unit (ICU). Most of the injuries come from south Lebanon," said Tony Zaaiter, a nurse at the hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The hospital has received dozens of burn cases since mid-September," Zaaiter added.

He said that the hospital has also received many cases following the coordinated pager blasts that wounded hundreds of Hezbollah militants.

Thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to Hezbollah exploded in September. Hezbollah and Iran blamed the brazen attack on Israel.

At least 39 people were killed and around 3,000 were injured, some of them seriously. The victims were mostly Hezbollah members.

In a room next to Evana, 11-year-old Mohamad Ibrahim is recovering after an Israeli air strike on the village of Ain al-Dilb, near the port city of Sidon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Mohamad was injured and suffered from burns in the air strike on the building were living in at Ain al-Dilb," said Ihsan, Mohamads mother.

"More than 50 people were killed in the strike," she added.

Evana Skayki, who will become two years old within four days, sleeps near dolls she received as a birthday presents in a bed at the Geitaoui Hospital in Beirut. Evana suffered from severe burns due to an Israeli air strike that targeted her southern Lebanese village of Dier Qanoun al-Nahr. Marwan Naamani/dpa
(Bloomberg) -- A bevy of retail trading platforms have warned users that they could face disruptions on Tuesday as the US election roils markets.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

eToro warned extreme conditions could trigger circuit breakers. Trading 212  one of the biggest day trading apps in Europe  cautioned users that some trading venues may impose temporary trading suspensions to stabilize markets. Freetrade, a London-based trading platform, is also planning to send users warnings about the expected volatility.

With polls not closing in some states until well into the New York night, its likely that the volatility will bleed into overnight sessions and last through the trading day on Wednesday, some firms warned. That comes as markets brace for another surprise, with the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England both poised to make rate announcements on Thursday.

Investors should be prepared to expect sharp market movements up and down and difficulties executing trades, said Alexander Campbell, a spokesman for Freetrade. For retail investors feeling caught up in a whirlwind of geopolitical and economic noise, its essential that they stick to their investment strategy.

Still, such warnings are often standard cautionary notes that brokerages send at times of expected volatility, according to two people who work at trading firms. Those market-making firms arent seeing significant trading disruptions currently, they said, asking not to be identified discussing the information publicly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Charles Schwab Corp. and Interactive Brokers Group Inc. both said they had not sent out any warning messages.

We dont expect to have any issues at this point in time, a spokesperson for Greenwich, Connecticut-based Interactive Brokers said. Weve seen heavy trading volumes on the exchange with over 50 million presidential contracts traded today.

The rise of commission-free trading apps has given way to a whole new class of day traders that have become an important force in markets around the world. For instance, retail investors make up more than a quarter of the volume in the booming world of zero-day stock options.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Theres new information on an abuse investigation in Lincoln County Tuesday.

Over the last 24 hours, authorities have removed nearly 50 cats and dogs, along with four children from a rural home. The suspects in the case include the Finance Officer for the City of Lennox.

State Wide Results | State Senate Results | State House Results | National Results Map

A report of possible child abuse led a Lincoln County Deputy to a rural Lennox home on Monday afternoon. When the deputy went inside, the investigation expanded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was discovered, very obviously, that the house was not in a good living condition, Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Swenson said. And through that investigation, we discovered 40 plus animals in the house and not good living conditions for the family, especially the kids.

Authorities tell KELOLAND News the four children who lived in this home are now in a safe place.

You know, that was our primary concern with this investigation to get those kids out of that injurious environment, Lincoln County States Attorney Tom Wollman said.

Two adults  Clint and Heidi Ihnen  face felony child abuse charges. Theyre also charged with more than a dozen counts of animal neglect.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Monday in court, the judge set both of their bonds at $500 cash.

And further, they were ordered to work with the Humane Society to capture or take into the Humane Society custody any animals that were still outside of the residence that werent able to be seized last night, Lincoln County States Attorney Tom Wollman said.

Theres some aggressive dogs in there so we just, were just taking our time to get it done. But theres some dogs that have injuries and its just a sad situation, Swenson said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Heidi Ihnen was back at the house, assisting someone in a hazmat suit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ive never seen anything like this in my career, Swenson said. Its you know, I have two dogs and thats a houseful for me to think. Theres in the upper 40 or 50 animals in this house, at this residence, is just unheard of.

If convicted, they could face up to ten years for each count of child abuse.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
While composing the weekend before Election Day, my hope was to find reassurance that, whoever wins, its not the end of representative democracy, which Benjamin Franklin called, a republic, if you can keep it.

Some feel 2024 is the nastiest presidential campaign ever. Long before TV and its fifteen second sound bites, this distinction would fit 1884s election of Democrat Grover Cleveland over Republican James Blaine. Bipartisan mudslinging and personal vilification marked the Democrats first return to the White House since their southern base seceded in the early 1860s. Cleveland lost to Republican Benjamin Harrison in 1888, but won again four years later, marking the only time a president served nonconsecutive terms.

An earlier example from the 1820s featured fierce opposition to Andrew Jackson with equally intense support. In 1824, Jackson led three rivals with 99 electoral college votes but no majority. John Quincy Adams followed with 84. As the 12th Amendment required, the U.S. House chose the winner, selecting Adams. Accusing corruption, Jackson roared back to victory in 1828 as head of his new Democratic Party, which he duly rewarded with patronage and other spoils of victory. Notorious for Indian Removal policies, Old Hickory was a polarizing, demagogic leader rivaling anyone today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The closest presidential election ever? In 1876, ten years after the Civil War, Republican Rutherford Hayes edged Democrat Samuel Tilden 185 to 184. Three southern states claimed 19 disputed electors for Tilden, but delivered Hayes enough to win. Amid accusations of fraud, violence and chicanery on both sides (deja vu?), it took four months to sort out.

Was a deal cut? Did Hayes become president by agreeing to withdraw federal troops from the defeated southern states, ending Reconstruction? Did Republicans merely steal back what had been stolen from them? The Solid South was solid Democratic 110 years thereafter until Republicans Operation Switch (1986) created a more competitive, two-party South.

Amazingly, a span of eighty years from Warren Harding to Bill Clinton (1920-1996), provided frequent landslide victories for each party. Republicans won ten times and Democrats ten times, usually with margins of 300-400 electors or more. Franklin Roosevelt, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan reached margins exceeding 500. Only once (John Kennedy over Richard Nixon, 1960) was the margin less than 100, which stirred accusations of cheating.

Voters suddenly hit the brakes in 2000, with a contested five-elector squeaker for George W. Bush over Al Gore. Since the advent of social medias echo chamber, only Barack Obama has won with slightly more than 100 electoral margin. Twenty consecutive elections with comfortable margins for all but one, followed by seven consecutive close outcomes, could be telling us something.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now, if Vice President Kamala Harris receives 226 electoral votes from 19 reliable blue states and Washington DC, and former President Trump gets 219 electors from 24 conservative states, it all comes down to seven swing states with 93 electors up for grabs. If Trump wins all four sunshine battlegrounds (AZ, GA, NC and NV) with 49 electors, he gets 268. If Harris takes 44 electors from all three blue wall battlegrounds (MI, WI, and PA), she wins 270-to-268.

What if Trump somehow manages to eke out just one District vote from Maine (one of two states that split their electoral vote) for a 269-to-269 tie? For the second time in history, the U.S. House would choose the president, casting one consensus vote per state. Unless Harris takes the blue Omaha district.

Our Constitutions separation of powers, with built-in checks and balances, will likely be tested. The worst that can happen is if either party wins unified control of the White House, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Temptation to outlaw the Senate filibuster would be irresistible. This could produce wild pendulum swings of unchecked power. Next month, we might take a closer look at that.

For now, lets all just take a deep breath. Weve been here before.

Jim Martin, a Republican, was N.C. governor from 1985-93. He is a regular contributor to our pages.
Maskot

As we await the results of the 2024 presidential election, LGBTQ youth are feeling distraught about what the next four years may hold. According to the Trevor Project, the organization's crisis services saw a nearly 200% increase in election-related calls on November 3 and 4 as compared to the few days prior, as LGBTQ youth report that they're experiencing significant anxiety around the outcome.

Young people reaching out to the Trevor Project's crisis services about election-related distress reported feeling anxiety, fear, and confusion, according to a news release from the organization. For Jaymes Black, Trevor Project CEO, these calls are upsetting, but not surprising.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While alarming, we are not surprised to see that the wave of anti-LGBTQ+ politics of the past few years continue to harm young peoples mental health, Black said in the release. Ninety percent of LGBTQ+ young people said recent politics negatively impacted their well-being and, transgender youth have been disproportionately impacted  with new research showing anti-transgender policies increased suicide attempts among transgender youth by as much as 72%.

As the organization's research shows, LGBTQ youth have reported that the wave of anti-trans bills in legislatures across the country is eroding their mental health. In 2024, there have been more than 660 anti-trans bills introduced across the U.S., many of which are aimed at young people. Of those 650, 45 have passed, according to the Trans Legislation Tracker. These laws have forced young people to flee their home states to access necessary health care, and made many more feel unsafe. After Oklahoma teen Nex Benedict died following an attack in a school bathroom, experts linked anti-trans laws to a rising tide of anti-LGBTQ sentiment, which poses real threats to LGBTQ youth.

Previous polling from FOLX HEALTH found that 9 in 10 of the 1,500 trans people surveyed believe that this election will have a major impact on access to healthcare for LGBTQ people nationwide, and 92% felt anxiety about it. The majority of respondents said they'd experienced negative mental health outcomes as a result of the political discourse.

As of October 9, ABC News reports that the Trump campaign and other Republican groups spent $21 million on anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ ads. At rallies, former president Donald Trump has spread lies about transition-related surgeries that he falsely claims are happening in schools, and has promised to restrict, among other things, access to gender-affirming care. Vice President Kamala Harris has promised to follow federal law around gender-affirming care, saying it's a decision between a patient and a doctor. Some have called out the Democrat's relative silence around transgender rights, particularly in comparison to the GOP's loud denouncements. Other advocates have noted that Harris's law-based approach is appropriate.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post/Getty Images

This post originally appeared on The 19th.

Voters in three progressive states are heading to the polls to vote on marriage equality. California, Colorado and Hawaii all have ballot measures that would codify the right of people of all genders to marry under state law.

That might sound like deja vu: The Supreme Court granted same-sex couples the right to marry nationwide in its historic Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015. But many LGBTQ+ rights advocates have worried about the vulnerability of marriage equality: Some Supreme Court justices have expressed an interest in overturning the landmark ruling in legal opinions, and the court overturned its own precedent on abortion with the 2022 case Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These three states are the first to bring the question of marriage equality to voters after Obergefell. Most states (35 total) still have a constitutional ban or a statute outlawing same-sex marriage. While the 2015 Obergefell decision currently supersedes those bans, they would come back into play if the Supreme Court ever revisited its 2015 decision (three, including Hawaii, are technically unenforceable).

Two years ago, Congress passed the Respect for Marriage Act, which forces states without marriage equality laws to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples married in other states. That means that at least in some parts of the United States, marriage equality cannot be made illegal.

This year, the GOP removed language in the Republican platform specifying that the institution was reserved for a man and a woman, a move meant to signal that if elected, Donald Trump and his allies would not seek to undermine marriage equality. But advocates remain nervous given the GOPs appetite for other anti-LGBTQ+ policies, such as bills blocking gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

As such, some states have been moving to enshrine protections at home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Marriage has been many things throughout history, but for queer people, its always been about more than just a legal union  its been a defiant act of love and resistance, Jax Gonzalez, political director at One Colorado, said in a statement.

California

California passed Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage, in 2008. Now, LGBTQ+ advocates are hoping the state will pass Proposition 3, which would overturn that 2008 law.

The law has been blocked since 2013 due to a separate Supreme Court ruling that determined Prop 8 was unconstitutional. But any law that would overturn the 2015 ruling would ostensibly overturn the 2013 ruling too.

As of 2023, 71 percent of Americans support marriage equality, according to Gallup. So equality-loving Californians are eager to solidify this right once and for all.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here in California, we believe the ability to marry the person you love, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation, is a fundamental right, said state Sen. Toni Atkins, a longtime LGBTQ+ advocate, in a statement. During a time when our civil rights are under attack by courts and state houses across the nation, we cannot afford to wait to enshrine marriage equality in Californias Constitution  the time to act is now.

Colorado

Colorado has been a critical state for LGBTQ+ families fleeing anti-transgender legislation in search of a safe and supportive environment. That may make its push to remove its constitutional ban on marriage equality that much more pressing.

Voters heading to the polls have the opportunity to vote on Amendment J, which would strike down constitutional language limiting marriage to only a union of one man and one woman.

Jax Gonzalez, political director at statewide LGBTQ+ organization One Colorado, said that codifying marriage equality is not just about love, but legal rights and dignity.

What the Most Anti-LGBTQ Election in Decades Means for Trans People

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After a flood of transphobic legislation, the stakes are even higher than you think.

Marriage also gives us legal decision making power, and access to information about our medical care, Gonzalez said in a statement shared with The 19th. As a transgender person with a transgender partner, it is incredibly important to me that I am able to access the freedom to marry to ensure we can both receive adequate medical care.

Hawaii

Hawaii voters also have an opportunity to vote down their constitutional same-sex marriage ban this November. In 1998, voters backed Section 23 of the constitution, which states that the legislature shall have the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples.

Advocates are hoping for a new answer in 2024. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Hawaii since 2013.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rep. Adrian Tam, told Civil Beat last year, that he is constantly reading the states constitution as a gay man.

But for me it is saddening to see how discriminatory Section 23 is. Its a constant reminder that the constitution does not fully represent me right now over that one sentence.

Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for them.'s weekly newsletter here.

Originally Appeared on them.
The Heritage Foundationthe same group that dreamed up Project 2025has a plan that is ostensibly intended to fight antisemitism called Project Esther. The proposal suggests that the federal government go after virulently anti-Israel, anti-Zionist, and anti-American groups, which it calls the Hamas Support Network. The plan suggests using immigration laws, counterterrorism laws, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a law successfully used against organized crime.

Project Esther suggests using these methods to pursue, among others, Jewish Voice for Peace, a leftist, anti-Zionist Jewish group. It does not address white supremacy or antisemitism from the right. It accuses American Jews of complacency. A dozen groups came together to make Heritages National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, but only one of them, the conservative Coalition for Jewish Values, is Jewish. Heritage is not alone in a fight against antisemitism that attacks and overlooks Jews: As the Forward has noted, the America First Policy Institutes writings on antisemitism include the charge that Christians are certainly the larger target to woke ideology. (Again, this was in a policy paper on antisemitism.)

In a way, Project Esther offers a neat encapsulation of what Donald Trump is offering American Jews for his second term: policies and pronouncements that claim to be in the name of Jews but wont actually benefit us, and will likely cause us harm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jews have, for the past 100 years, overwhelmingly voted for Democratic presidential candidates. Still, there are some (including Trump) who believe he will fare better this year because of Israel and fear of rising antisemitism. If that is true, it will be deeply disappointing. By every metric I can see, hes lying when he talks to and about Jews. Hes not going to be the best friendor even a nice casual acquaintanceto Jews in the United States.

Trump has tried to position himself as the candidate who is tough on antisemitism. This is difficult to take seriously, given that he could not make it through an event on fighting antisemitism without preemptively blaming Jews for his potential electoral loss. He has also repeatedly said that Jews who do not vote for him are disloyal and need to have their heads examined, conditioning our worth as citizens and as Jews on our support for him. And he has pushed racist and xenophobic rhetoric and ideology that is entangled with antisemitism. This is before we get to some of his greatest antisemitic hits from before this election, like when he dined with Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes in 2022, or when he said there were very fine people among those chanting Jews will not replace us in Charlottesville at the 2017 Unite the Right Rally, or even before that, when he hired Steve Bannon to be his chief strategist in the White House. (Bannons site, Breitbart, ran multiple columns that were accused of being antisemitic; he himself described it as the platform of the alt-right.)

But even if we were to suspend disbelief and pretend that he is indeed committed to fighting antisemitism, his approach to doing so makes Jews less safe, not more. This is true of leftist Jews or Jews involved in pro-Palestinian movements. But it is also true more broadly: Liberal democracys protections like the freedoms of speech, assembly, and religion cant keep American Jews safe if leaders use American Jews safety as a pretense to dismantle liberal democracythe preservation of which is the most important issue to American Jews this election, according to multiple polls.

Trumps partys platform currently includes deporting pro-Hamas radicals (most of whom are U.S. citizens). But Trump, we know, hates criticism. He reportedly mused about having protesters shot back in 2020. I find it unlikely that the policies Trump puts in place to crack down on protests and speech in the name of Jewish safety would not be used to silence criticism of his government more broadly, including when that speech and action is by Jews.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some American Jews, meanwhile, will be voting for Trump because they believe he is better for Israel. Israelis overwhelmingly prefer Trump. But Trumps offerings on Israel are policies that arguably make Israelis less safe, too.

I gave them Golan Heights. I gave them the Abraham Accords. I recognized the capital of Israel and opened the embassy in Jerusalem. And most importantly of all, I terminated the Iran nuclear deal, which was the worst deal ever made in the history of Israel, in the history of the Middle East, Trump said at an event in September. But after Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal (which more American Jews supported than opposed), Iran resumed uranium enrichment and expanded its stockpile of nuclear fuel; today, Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than it was when he left the deal. And if the logic of the Abraham Accordsdiplomatic agreements in which Arab nations recognized Israelwas to normalize relations with Israels Arab neighbors without Israel resolving its conflict with Palestinians, thus bringing safety and security to the region for Israelis, it seems clear that that logic was flawed: The Abraham Accords are in place, but Hamas devastating attack on Oct. 7 of last year was the worst in the countrys history, and Israel is now engaged in a multifront war with its neighbors.

Its true that Trump has said Joe Biden is holding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu back. Its true, if Trumps former ambassador David Friedmans new book is any indication, that Trump might be more aligned with Israels far right on annexation of the West Bank. Its true that his secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, reversed U.S. policy and declared that Israeli settlements werent necessarily inconsistent with international law. But as the Israel Policy Forum has outlined, to date, West Bank settlements have made Israelis less secure, not more so. Settlements have increased, not decreased, violence against Israelis. I do not doubt that there are American Jews for whom being pro-Israel means only sympathizing with Israelis, and not with Palestinians, and for whom even Bidens policy of continuing to arm Israelas the death toll of Palestinians in Gaza grows to more than 40,000, as a million people in Gaza are at risk of starvation, and as Netanyahu proves generally uninterested in a cease-fire dealis not supportive enough. But we have seen by now that giving Netanyahu and the Israeli far right what they want and giving Israelis what they need for sustained secure existence are not the same thing.

Then there is the issue of reproductive rights, which may not seem like an issue thats of specific interest to Jewish voters, but is. Thats true of both abortion and in vitro fertilization. According to the Jewish Fertility Foundation, 1 in 6 Jewish couples grapples with infertility, higher than the national averageand Trump running mate J.D. Vance voted against a Senate bill to protect IVF. Trump, despite calling himself the father of IVF, also admitted he didnt know what it was until Alabamas attack on the practice. Abortion, meanwhile, is the second most important issue to Jewish voters, per the Jewish Democratic Council of America. The Supreme Courts Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade has resulted in 14 states banning abortion, and the threat of a nationwide ban under Trump and a Republican Congress is real. These are infringements on access to health careand an infringement on religious liberty for Jews. As the National Council of Jewish Women has pointed out, Jewish law does not state that life begins at conception, or that a fetus is alive. Jewish voters, in short, care more about access to abortion and fertility treatments than average votersand the Trump-Vance ticket is a threat to them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

No matter how much Trump says he is good for the Jews, he is a promoter of antisemitism, undermines Israelis security, and is a danger to the two issues many Jews themselves say they care about most: democratic norms and reproductive rights.

To put it another way: In 2015, Trump told the Republican Jewish Coalition, Look, Im a negotiator like you, folks; were negotiators. This room negotiates perhaps more than any room Ive spoken tomaybe more. Here, he was playing on the antisemitic trope of Jews as shrewd, stingy businessmen. Still, I hope that there is a degree to which he was right. That American Jews are able to evaluate whats being offered to us in this election and make a good choice about what well offer in return. Hes trying to pass off antisemitism as protection. Whats on offer here is an insulting, dangerous deal, one that benefits Trump and his cohortnot Jews. Its one that I hope we are clear-eyed enough to turn down.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.  Lines were still very long Monday as people voted early. Polls closed at 5 p.m. for voters in Jackson County, but if you were still in line at that time, you still should have been able to vote.

Some voters waited in line for more than two hours at the Fleming Meeting Hall on Woods Chapel Road.

Missouri early voting numbers soar along with Hawley, Kunce campaigns

Jackson County Election Board Director Tammy Brown had to tell one woman to go to the back of the line around noon, Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What you just saw has not happened at this point, Brown said, talking about the cutting in line argument FOX4 witnessed. Weve had some cranky ones, but that is not generally what happens in these lines. Everybodys been very friendly and very happy.

Monday, the Jackson County Election Board had just two locations for people to vote early in person, the Independence Absentee Annex on the Square and the Fleming Meeting Hall. The Ranger-Rec Building in Lees Summit was not open Monday.

Weve always only had one because weve never had the turnout to garner more satellites, Brown said when asked why just two early voting locations were open Monday. We just dont. Our people do not generally vote early.

2024 was the first presidential election where Missourians could vote in person without an excuse up to two weeks before Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With the contentious abortion issue being on the ballot, we couldnt ask a church to use their gym, she added. We cant ask a school to give us two weeks, but if you look around Eastern Jackson County, there is not a huge amount of buildings that we could have used for satellites.

Tuesday, there will be 125 polling locations where people vote in the Jackson County Election Board, so why would someone vote on Monday?

Im going to be back at college St. Louis, Jackson County voter Saira Ali said when asked where shes going to be on Tuesday.

Lenexa man charged for killing wife, son during police standoff

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jackson County voter Denise Scott will be back at work Tuesday.

I was off today, Scott said. So I said, Let me hurry up and get out here and exercise my right.'

Driving up, the line to vote inside the meeting hall looked more like a tailgate than it did people trying to vote.

It moved very smoothly, everybody was pleasant, Jackson County voter Linda Henderson said. The weather held out until we got to the door, and it started sprinkling.

Brown says the lines to vote will be shorter Tuesday because there will be 125 locations throughout the Jackson County Election Board where residents cast their ballots as opposed to just two. She says theyll likely have more early polling locations in 2028, when people vote in another presidential election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
The Erie County clerk said despite the ballot fiasco, everything else for Tuesdays election is running smoothly.

The machines and ballots have been tested.

Making your vote count in Erie County  Heres what to know for Election Day

And unlike other counties in Pennsylvania, Erie County has more than enough poll workers who have been trained and are ready to help.

However, the county clerk is reminding voters to pack their patience and remember the poll workers are not to blame for what happened with the ballots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dave McCormick speaks via video call at local Republican candidate rally

So treat them with some respect and some kindness, and most people do, but just know, be a little extra patient tomorrow, because the lines may be longer, said Erie County Clerk Karen Chillcot.

The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Regardless of how long the lines are, if you are in line by 8:00 p.m. you will be able to cast a ballot.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
GREENVILLE S.C. (WSPA)  The Blind Horse Saloon is having a liquidation auction Saturday, November 9 after its closing was announced in May due to South Carolinas liquor insurance requirements.

According to Terry Hester Auction Services, around 2,000 pieces are to be sold at the live auction. These items range from neon signs to mounts, bars and equipment, rare porcelain signs, autographed pictures of music stars and even the dance floor.

Hester laughed when he said, If you see something you like, just keep your card up and youll buy it if you keep it up long enough.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said from the thousands of people who have walked through the front door over the past 30 years of business, he hopes some can take home a memory. Hester said he spoke with a young woman whose parents met at the Blind Horse Saloon.

Hopefully thats what were going to have, said Hester. Just a lot of nostalgic people and a lot of people who are just coming to buy some memories.

Hester said there are many pieces people have already called about, including a rare porcelain sign.

The 7260 inch is rare, explained Hester. Its double-sided porcelain, so it has created a lot of interest for us. Ive had a lot of calls and thats probably going to be the premier item of the auction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other items being auctioned off include metal signs, vintage car tags, two ATMs and lighting and speaker systems.

Auctioneers said with the variety of items here, there is something for everyone. The live auction starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. for buyers to check in and view the items beforehand.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
People emerge from the Besse Building after casting their ballots in Albion, Maine on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. (Photo by Michael G. Seamans/ Maine Morning Star)

Its Election Day, Mainers.

With important races up and down the ballot, Maine Morning Star has details on everything you need to know, such as same-day voter registration and where candidates stand on key issues like immigration, energy and education.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This story will be updated throughout the day with developments from our reporters who will be visiting polls and watch parties throughout the state. And this evening well be covering results from Maine, as well as the national election after polls close, so be sure to check back in. You can also check our Voter Guide for additional information before and after you cast your vote.

Key Events

1 month ago

With King ahead, ranked-choice race for Maines US Senate seat not yet called

1 month ago

Mainers vote to reform campaign finance, open path for Supreme Court to weigh in

1 month ago

Candidates wait for every vote to be counted in Maines too-close-to-call 2nd District race

1 month ago

Harris and Trump split Maines congressional districts

1 month ago

Pingree proves victorious for another term representing Maines 1st District

1 month ago

CD2 challenger Theriault said hes cautiously optimistic were going to pull this off

1 month ago

Gov. Mills: How the hell does Pennsylvania have so many counties?

1 month ago

Harris wins Maines 1st Congressional District

1 month ago

UMaine student volunteers register new voters

1 month ago

The polls start closing and an exhausted nation awaits an answer. Who will be president?

1 month ago

Maine Democrats knocked on more than 80,000 doors in recent days

1 month ago

Maine GOP chair predicts a great night for Maine, and for America

1 month ago

Donald Trump picks up three states

1 month ago

Kamala Harris takes Vermont

1 month ago

Mainers can likely expect results tonight, unless races headed to ranked-choice run-offs

1 month ago

University of Southern Maine students participate in mass walk to the polls

1 month ago

Maine early voting numbers far surpass previous years

1 month ago

Portland voters reported hour+ wait times

1 month ago

Maine Secretary of State said school shooting hoax sought to deter voting

1 month ago

Maine State Police says active shooter threats not credible

1 month ago

Maine election officials say they are prepared, confident in voting integrity

1 month ago

Volunteers report enthusiastic support for red flag law initiative

1 month ago

How did we get here?

1 month ago

Whos on the ballot?

1 month ago

Not too late to register to vote

1 month ago

Find your polling place

1 month ago

With King ahead, ranked-choice race for Maines US Senate seat not yet called

It is not yet clear if U.S. Sen. Angus King will return to Capitol Hill as the four-way U.S. Senate race remained too close to call, as of 3 a.m. Wednesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At that time, the former Maine governor had more than 52% of the vote, which would be enough for him to secure a victory in the ranked-choice race, but with 69% of the vote counted, the race had not yet been called by the Associated Press.

Republican challenger Demi Kouzounas had 33.8%, while Democrat David Costello and independent Jason Cherry had 10.6% and 2.5%, respectively, as of 3 a.m.

Read more here.

1 month ago

Mainers vote to reform campaign finance, open path for Supreme Court to weigh in

Mainers voted on Tuesday to place limits on donations to political action committees that independently spend money to try to support or defeat candidates  teeing up a path to get the U.S. Supreme Court to reassess some campaign finance regulations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The citizen referendum, which received 74% of voter support with 62% of votes counted as of 2:20 a.m. Wednesday, asked, Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office?

The ultimate goal of those behind the question, however, is to get the high court to rule that PACs should be regulated.

Read more here.

1 month ago

Candidates wait for every vote to be counted in Maines too-close-to-call 2nd District race

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden meets with voters during an October campaign event in Eastport, Maine. (Photo courtesy of campaign)

The result of the race for Maines 2nd Congressional District that drew national attention was too close to call as of 2 a.m. Wednesday morning.

With 60% of the vote counted, incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden had 50.18% of the votes compared to the 49.5% earned by his challenger, freshman state lawmaker Republican state Rep. Austin Theriault, according to the Associated Press.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a message posted just before 2 a.m., Theriault said that the race is not over.

Lets keep the faith and continue to pray  weve got a lot of votes yet to count, he wrote on social media. Lets continue the fight tomorrow and lets win this thing!

Shortly after the polls closed, Golden issued a statement saying that amid a divisive political landscape he felt good about running a campaign focused on the issues that matter to Mainers  our safety, our freedoms, our health care and our jobs.

As we wait for every ballot to be counted, I want to thank Maine voters for turning out to participate in the greatest democracy the world has ever known, he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more here.

1 month ago

Harris and Trump split Maines congressional districts

While the final presidential results are not yet clear, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump each won at least one of Maines electoral votes by each securing a congressional district.

Unlike every other state but Nebraska, Maine splits its electoral votes. Two are awarded to the candidate who wins the overall popular vote and then each congressional district awards one to the candidate who secured the most votes in that district.

The Associated Press called the race in Maines southern district for the Democratic nominee at roughly 10:50 p.m. Harris had 65.7% of votes to former President Donald Trumps 31.6%, with 15% of votes counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Just before 2 a.m. Wednesday, the race for Maines 2nd Congressional District was called, with Trump earning 53.8% of the vote to Harris 43.9%, with 59% of votes counted.

In 2016, Trump won the 2nd District 51% to 41%. Four years later, he won the district 52% to 45%.

As of 2 a.m. Wednesday, the AP had not yet called the overall winner in Maine, though Harris was heavily favored.

Read more here.

1 month ago

Pingree proves victorious for another term representing Maines 1st District

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree after winning her ninth term representing Maines 1st Congressional District on Nov. 5, 2024. (Jim Neuger/Maine Morning Star)

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree will keep the seat she has held since 2009 representing Maines 1st Congressional District after a landslide win in Tuesdays election.

Pingree received 59.8% of the vote with 45% of the vote counted, the Associated Press announced Wednesday. The race used ranked-choice voting since the congresswoman faced two challengers  Republican Ron Russell and unenrolled independent Ethan Alcorn.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more here.

1 month ago

CD2 challenger Theriault said hes cautiously optimistic were going to pull this off

Austin Theriault, Republican candidate for Maines 2nd Congressional District, poses for a picture with supporter Zach Wood during an election watch party at Hollywood Casino Hotel in Bangor on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. (Photo by Michael G. Seamans/ Maine Morning Star)

Addressing supporters at roughly 11:15 p.m., Austin Theriault said that hes cautiously optimistic that were going to pull this off.

The Republican, who is challenging 2nd District U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, said its going to be a long night ahead, with a few hours to go before a winner is declared.

I feel confident about where we are right now, he told the crowd assembled at Hollywood Casino in Bangor. We really want to fight for rural Maine, thats what this campaigns been about.

Last updated: 12:40 am

1 month ago

Gov. Mills: How the hell does Pennsylvania have so many counties?

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills at a watch party in Portland after the polls closed on Nov. 5, 2024. (Jim Neuger/Maine Morning Star)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Just before 11:30 p.m., Gov. Janet Mills thanked those at the Democratic watch party in Portland for staying the course and supporting Democratic candidates up and down the ballot.

I know many of you are exhausted, Mills said. So many of you have been out canvassing for weeks and months, many of you putting things up on social media, making phone calls, phone banking all around the state and working for our terrific Democratic candidates, from city council to state Legislature to Congress to the presidency.

And right now, were all watching TV, and Im going, How the hell does Pennsylvania have so many counties?' she joked.

Results are going to take a while, Mills said, and encouraged attendees to get some rest and recuperate from the campaign season.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And, keep the faith, Mills added. Were going to know a lot more in the morning.

Mills also said she is optimistic they will maintain Democratic majorities in the Maine House of Representatives and Senate. Im very hopeful about keeping many of those seats, and maybe gaining one or two here and there, Mills said.

Last updated: 11:50 pm

1 month ago

Harris wins Maines 1st Congressional District

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the American Federation of Teachers 88th National Convention on July 25, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Montinique Monroe/Getty Images)

While the final presidential results are not yet clear, Vice President Kamala Harris won at least one of Maines electoral votes by securing the 1st Congressional District.

The Associated Press called the race in Maines southern district for the Democratic nominee at roughly 10:50 p.m. Harris had 65.7% of votes to former President Donald Trumps 31.6%, with 15% of votes counted.

Unlike every other state but Nebraska, Maine splits its electoral votes. Two are awarded to the candidate who wins the overall popular vote and then each congressional district awards one to the candidate who secured the most votes in that district.

It remains to be seen who will clinch the popular vote and the 2nd Congressional District, which Trump secured in 2020 and 2016.

Read more here.

1 month ago

UMaine student volunteers register new voters

Maggie Tucker, a student at the University of Maine at Orono, volunteered to help register people to vote on Election Day. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star)

At the flagship campus in Orono, many University of Maine students helped register new voters as Maine saw high same-day registration numbers across the state. At the Collins Center for the Arts, Rob Glover, an associate professor of political science, was joined by several students and other volunteers helping voters register before they cast a ballot.

Maggie Tucker, a 19-year-old student, said her motivation for volunteering was wanting to be civically engaged in the first presidential election shes eligible to vote in. By hour three of her 6-hour shift, she registered some people she recognized from campus, which made her feel like she was part of the community, she said.

It was a steep learning curve learning how to register voters, but once I figured it out, it went smoothly, Tucker said.

It feels like Im doing something important.

1 month ago

The polls start closing and an exhausted nation awaits an answer. Who will be president?

The 2024 presidential election result hangs in the balance as election workers across the United States tally ballots that will determine whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump earn the necessary prized Electoral College votes.

Trump maintained a lead in the race, with The Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ as of about 8 p.m. Eastern projecting wins for Trump in Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. Decision Desk also projected a Trump win in Missouri.

Both sources have projected Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont for Harris.

Read more coverage from States Newsrooms DC Bureau here.

Last updated: 1:14 am

1 month ago

Maine Democrats knocked on more than 80,000 doors in recent days

Chair of the Maine Democratic Party Bev Uhlenhake opens the partys Election Day watch party in Portland. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Chair of the Maine Democratic Party Bev Uhlenhake opened the partys watch party in Portland by saying, Tonight, it feels really really good to be in a room full of Democrats.

In the last four days, volunteers for the Democratic Party knocked on more than 82,000 doors and made more than 456,000 phone calls, Uhlenhake said.

I just want to thank our volunteers, because you are all the ones who lead with your values as you talk to folks We are a better state because of the conversations youve had, Uhlenhake said.

As results come in, Uhlenhake added that there is reason to celebrate whether clarity is achieved on the outcome of races tonight or not, because weve got so much good that has happened over the last year.

Last updated: 9:26 pm

1 month ago

Maine GOP chair predicts a great night for Maine, and for America

Speaking with Maine Morning Star at the Hollywood Casino in Bangor, Maine GOP chair Joel Stetkis predicted its going to be a great night for Maine, and for America.

We are on the verge of saving our country and saving our state, Stetkis said before any Maine election results were announced. Republicans were gathered in Bangor, awaiting results from the Maine 2nd Congressional District race. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jared Golden is facing a challenge from freshman state legislator Austin Theriault in one of a handful of U.S. House races that national Republicans are hoping to flip to gain control of the chamber.

Stetkis also said that the party doubled the numbers of early voters for Republicans from last election.

1 month ago

Donald Trump picks up three states

By 7:45 p.m., the Associated Press called three states for Donald Trump. The former president picked up 23 electoral votes early on from Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Read coverage from the Indiana Capital Chronicle, Kentucky Lantern and West Virginia Watch.

1 month ago

Kamala Harris takes Vermont

By 7:00 p.m. Tuesday  just moments after polls closed  the Associated Press called the state for Kamala Harris, granting the Democratic nominee three electoral votes.

Read the Vermont Diggers coverage here.

1 month ago

Mainers can likely expect results tonight, unless races headed to ranked-choice run-offs

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows visits the polls at Bangors Cross Insurance Center on Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star)

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows visited about a dozen polling places throughout the state Tuesday.

Everywhere we go, weve seen some great lines, she said at her penultimate stop in Bangor at the Cross Insurance Center. And in some ways, we like lines on Election Day because that means voter turnout is strong.

On top of that there were nearly 45% more early voters than the 2016 presidential election, the last comparable year as the 2020 presidential race occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on anecdotal evidence, same-day voter registration numbers also appeared strong this year, which contributed to what she said was a good turnout. But its too early to tell if previous turnout records could be broken, she said.

Maine led the country with 62% turnout in 2022, and was third in 2020.

Votes in Maine get counted at polling places on election night, and clerks have two business days to report results to the Secretary of States office. Clerks may release reports to media, Bellows said, which means theres a good chance Mainers may have some idea of whom voters elected tonight.

That being said, if [the 2nd Congressional District] comes down to ranked choice tabulation, then its going to be several days, maybe even a week before we have final determination of a winner in that district, she said, referring to both the presidential and congressional races.

1 month ago

University of Southern Maine students participate in mass walk to the polls

Freshman Kaylee Hersom, joined one of several walks to the polls at University of Southern Maine on Tuesday designed to help students exercise their civic duty.

Organized in partnership with Maine Students Vote, a local non-partisan non-profit that promotes youth civic engagement, Hersom attended the final walk on the Gorham campus at 4 p.m.  alongside university president Jacqueline Edmondson and first dog Elbow  following walks earlier in the day at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Brandon Rogers-Reed, coordinator of student engagement and leadership at USM, said the walks were open to all students, some of whom voted early but wanted to participate in the action.

Its an important cause, said Hersom, who said she decided to join even though shed already voted by absentee ballot in her home state of North Carolina, which is considered a swing state for the presidential race. .

Hersom, who is 19 years old, cast her vote for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris because she felt Harris aligned most with her policy preferences, notably reproductive freedom and LGBTQ+ rights.

As a first-time voter, Hersom said she was nervous about the process when she first received her ballot but ultimately found the instructions to be straightforward and had experience accompanying her parents to the polls in previous elections.

Hersom, and a few of her friends who had also cast absentee ballots noted that when voting by mail, they didnt get an I voted sticker. Theyre hoping the Gorham polling place will offer them one so they, too, can show their community that they exercised their right to vote.

University of Southern Maine students head to the polls on Nov. 5, 2024. (Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)

Last updated: 4:07 pm

1 month ago

Maine early voting numbers far surpass previous years

The number of early voters in Maine was nearly 45% more than the 2016 presidential election, the last comparable year as the 2020 presidential race occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, the Secretary of States office reported 373,841 early voting ballots were returned, compared with 258,457 in 2016.

1 month ago

Portland voters reported hour+ wait times

Voters wait in line outside the Portland Expo Center. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)

Lines of voters extended outside the Portland Exposition building Tuesday. This morning, voters reported hour-plus wait times. Waits have shortened this afternoon, though those waiting to also do same-day voter registration are seeing steeper wait times than those who registered prior to voting.

Last updated: 3:09 pm

1 month ago

Maine Secretary of State said school shooting hoax sought to deter voting

The Maine Secretary of States office confirmed that voting itself was not interrupted, although in South Portland there was a temporary pause on people going in and out of the building.

These criminals were trying to interrupt our election and thanks to the smart work and preparation of our law enforcement and election officials, voting has continued and the hoaxes did not succeed, said Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.

Maine Secretary of State spokesperson Emily Cook underscored that there was never any danger to the public but that people should make sure if they havent already voted to get out and do it now, saying the hoax was meant to deter people from voting.

Cook said other than this, its been a very smooth day with strong turnout across the state.

Read more here.

1 month ago

Maine State Police says active shooter threats not credible

In response to various crisis lines receiving threats Tuesday morning of armed individuals on multiple school campuses around the state, the Maine State Police issued a statement saying the reports are not credible.

According to spokesperson Shannon Moss, the state police are working with our various partners and can confirm these initial calls were swatting incidents intended to provoke an emergency response.

There is presently no known threat to the students, staff or public at this time, Moss continued. The Department of Public Safety encourages law enforcement and school leadership to continue to use due diligence when reviewing any new potential threats.

According to the Portland Press Herald, at least eight high schools went into lockdown in response to the calls, which been confirmed in Portland, South Portland, Lewiston, Oxford Hills, Scarborough, Bangor, Gorham and North Berwick.

1 month ago

Maine election officials say they are prepared, confident in voting integrity

Searsport deputy clerk Jennifer Rich took on the part time role, which she joked has become a full-time job as Election Day nears, because she wanted to assess for herself the security of Maines election process.

A retired middle school math teacher who said shes never been one for political parties, Rich helped run early voting in the seaport town. She greeted voters  often people she already knew by name  as they entered the town office decorated with American flag signs and pillows. She runs regular checks on the voter tabulation machine, which she pointed out does not connect to the internet, and ensured all ballots were accounted for by each days end.

After seeing the process firsthand, Rich said she wants her community to have faith in the election system  or volunteer to see for themselves.

Across the state, election officials like Rich have long been preparing for the Nov. 5 election, overseeing early voting since Oct. 7 and preparing for Election Day itself. These officials detailed days filled with trainings, issuing absentee ballots, processing early ballots as theyre returned in preparation to run totals when polls close, preparing supplies and fielding voter questions  which many said they view as a particularly crucial part of their role amid concerns about election integrity nationwide.

You can read the rest of this story here.

Last updated: 12:45 pm

1 month ago

Volunteers report enthusiastic support for red flag law initiative

Volunteer Johanna Sorrell talks to voters about the effort to put a red flag law on Maines ballot. (Photo by Lauren McCauley/ Maine Morning Star)

Biddeford resident Johanna Sorrell is among the 500 volunteers at polling places Tuesday for a campaign to put a red flag law on Maines ballot. She said after the 2023 mass shooting, shes finding lots of enthusiastic support, particularly from people in law enforcement and the military. She said she even spoke to someone who was a first responder in Lewiston.

The issue of gun reform can be triggering for many people, she noted, apologizing for the pun. But once you get past the word salad and explain what the rule does, many people come around. People say, no and then they say yes, Sorrell said.

By 10:30am she had collected over 2800 signatures from her post at Biddeford High School.

You can read more about the initiative here.

Last updated: 11:41 am

1 month ago

How did we get here?

States Newsrooms Shauneen Miranda looks at some of the unprecedented events that have rocked this presidential race as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump sprint to the finish line in the hopes of securing the nations highest post. You can read about some of the highs  and lows  of the historic 2024 presidential campaign here.

Last updated: 11:32 am

1 month ago

Whos on the ballot?

Maines ranked-choice 2024 presidential ballot. (Photo by Maine Morning Star)

Tuesdays ballot will include the presidential race largely between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, but voters will also have the chance to select candidates for other federal, state and local offices.

In Maine, there are three other federal races at stake, but voters will only see two on their ballot. Every voter in the state will have the chance to weigh in on the U.S. Senate race between independent incumbent Sen. Angus King and his three challengers: Republican Demi Kouzounas, Democrat David Costello and independent Jason Cherry.

There will also be a U.S. House race on every ballot, but voters in the 1st Congressional District will be deciding whether to give Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree another term, while 2nd District voters will be deciding the same fate for Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Jared Golden.

Pingree is facing two challengers  Republican Ron Russell and unenrolled independent Ethan Alcorn. Golden is up against Republican Austin Theriault, a freshman state legislator and former NASCAR driver. Unenrolled write-in candidate Diana Merenda will not appear on the 2nd District ballot but has launched a campaign in protest of the war on Gaza.

The contest between Golden and Theriault is among the races being watched nationally as it could tip the scales for which party controls the U.S. House.

Because third party candidates will appear on Maines presidential ballot, the race will use ranked-choice voting. These candidates include Libertarian Chase Oliver, Jill Stein of the Green Independent Party, and Cornel West of the Justice for All Party.

Continuing down the ballot, every seat for the Maine Legislature is up for reelection Tuesday. Voters will weigh in on candidates for both the Maine Senate and House of Representatives. Here are the races we are keeping a close eye on and why.

If you live in one of the 28 House districts and two Senate districts with only one candidate running, you wont have to wait until the polls close to see who will be representing you in Augusta next session.

There will also be five statewide referendum questions to decide on.

Question One will ask voters if they would like to limit contributions to independent political action committees in Maine. There will also be three bond questions: one focused on research and development, one on trail improvements and the third on restoring historic buildings. Finally, Question Five will ask voters to decide whether the state should adopt a new flag based on the already ubiquitous Pine Tree Flag design.

To find what is on your specific ballot  such as local referendum questions and municipal candidates  you can enter your address on the Vote 411 website.

This post was updated to include more information about third party candidates.

Last updated: 11:56 am

1 month ago

Not too late to register to vote

If you havent registered to vote, its not too late. You can register at your city hall, town office or polling place. All you need is an ID and proof of residency, such as a utility bill.

People who are unhoused may register to vote, even if they dont have a traditional address. Instead of residency documentation, they can provide a physical description of their residence to their municipal clerk under oath.

1 month ago

Find your polling place

The Maine.gov website offers a voter information lookup feature to find polling places and a sample ballot.

Enter your home address to search for your unique information. Polls open between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. You can find specific hours for your location on the Upcoming Elections page on the Maine secretary of state website.
Voters came out strong on the first day of voting seen here and didn't let up. Four million people had already cast a ballot before the polls even opened on Election Day. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder (October file photo)

More than half of active Georgia voters have already cast a ballot, but many more will have their say today on the final day of voting in the Nov. 5 election. As one of seven swing states at play, the nations eyes are on the Peach State to see whether Georgians will hand the states 16 electoral college votes to Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump. But voters are also electing state legislative representatives and local officials and settling tax-related ballot questions. Follow along here for updates throughout the day and night.

Key Events

2 months ago

Georgia Democratic party chair U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams says results could be late

2 months ago

DeKalb County precincts latest to receive Georgia bomb threats

2 months ago

Georgia GOP chair confident in Trump victory as polls close

2 months ago

Potential Georgia bellwether Fayette County shows signs of trending bluer

2 months ago

Federal judge backs Georgia courts rejection of GOP bid to block weekend absentee ballots

2 months ago

North Fulton County is reliable GOP turf, but Harris and Stein also score votes

2 months ago

Georgia secretary of state blames bogus bomb threats on Russians

2 months ago

Will fast-growing Forsyth County continue its leftward slide?

2 months ago

Steady stream voters head to the polls in Clayton County, where turnout had been lagging

2 months ago

Can Republicans still run up the score in vote-rich Cherokee County?

2 months ago

Its here! Georgians head to polls as Election Day arrives at last in a battleground that could decide who wins the White House

2 months ago

Georgia Democratic party chair U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams says results could be late

The mood was festive at the Democratic Party of Georgias election night watch party as hopeful but anxious Democrats watched the results trickle in from across the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The crowd continued to build inside a ballroom at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta after most polls closed in Georgia. Cheers could be heard when Vice President Kamala Harris was shown in the lead in other states on large screens broadcasting CNN.

U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams speaks at the Democratic Party of Georgia. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder

Around 8 p.m., Congresswoman Nikema Williams, an Atlanta Democrat who also chairs the state party, took the stage to celebrate the end of a hard-fought campaign while cautioning supporters that they may not leave the party tonight knowing who won.

I want to remind everyone to stay patient while our democracy is at work tonight and over the next couple of days, Williams said. We may not know the results of this election for a few days, yall, and thats OK. We want accuracy.

Were counting every vote and ensuring that everyones voice is heard. The most important thing is to keep the faith and know that our democracy is strong, she added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She also told supporters that she expects former President Donald Trump to declare himself the winner, regardless of the results.

But yall, weve seen this show before, and now its on repeat, especially here in Georgia, and were not going to fall for it, she said.

Last updated: 9:28 pm

2 months ago

DeKalb County precincts latest to receive Georgia bomb threats

Several DeKalb County polling places became the latest target of suspected bomb threats on Election Day, following a day of bogus threats state election officials blamed on Russian sources.

DeKalb County reported at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday that law enforcement was conducting bomb sweeps at five voting precincts. Since then, the five polling places have reopened to voters and will stay open later than the statewide 7 p.m. closure of polls on election night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The targeted DeKalb voting sites are: New Bethel AME Church in Lithonia; New Life Community Center in Decatur; North DeKalb Senior Center in Chamblee, Reid H. Cofer Library in Tucker and Wesley Chapel Library in Decatur.

Every asset that we have will be deployed to ensure that every citizen who wants to vote will be given that opportunity and every vote cast will be counted, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said in a statement.

Several other polling places in Georgia also remained open past 7 p.m. after bogus bomb threats caused brief interruptions.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told reporters Tuesday afternoon that the bogus threats came from Russia, pinning their motive on a desire to destabilize America.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Fulton, voting hours were extended to 7:45 p.m. at Northwood Elementary School and Etris Darnell Community Center. Court ordered extensions kept the doors open late at several other Fulton and Gwinnett County polls.

2 months ago

Georgia GOP chair confident in Trump victory as polls close

Josh McKoon speaks at a Protect the Vote event in Alpharetta in June 2024. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

A hotel ballroom in Buckhead was mostly empty about a half hour before Georgia polls closed at 7 p.m. except for some reporters and a whole lot of chairs. Soon, it will be filled with the GOP faithful hoping for a win for former President Donald Trump.

Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon said hes optimistic about todays results.

It looks like the trend that was established during early voting has continued, he said. Were seeing very strong performances in rural Georgia counties, in exurban counties around Atlanta and other major metro areas around the state, so Republican turnout looks solid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

McKoon said he disagrees with the ruling of the federal judge who rejected his partys attempts to block weekend absentee ballots.

The judge and I see this differently, he said. I dont think that it is fair or just or perhaps not even legal to, on the final day of voting, for county employees to make a decision in Fulton County that, hey, Republican turnouts great, lets open the doors for Saturday and Sunday voting.

McKoon said he expects Georgias results will come in early. Unlike 2020, he said he doesnt think the loser will put up a fight.

I believe that President Trump is going to win by such a margin that it will take it out of any kind of legal challenge or recount territory, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

2 months ago

Potential Georgia bellwether Fayette County shows signs of trending bluer

Fayette Countys Liberty Baptist Church served as an Election Day polling place for the Nov. 5 2024 general election. Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder

Fayette County resident Chinte Palm said he does not spend much time immersed in politics, but he was inspired to vote on Tuesday afternoon for Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Palm, a first-time voter casting his ballot at the Liberty Baptist Church polling location in Fayetteville, said he plans to watch the election results as they are reported on election night.

I know I dont want to vote for Donald Trump, the 46-year-old said. I do understand the Republican Party. And I do appreciate some of their ideas on how they move forward on things. I just dont think Trump is the guy.

Fayettevilles Chinte Palm after voting for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fayette County had one of Georgias strongest early voting turnouts, as 68% of voters cast ballots before Election Day.

Politicos have been closely watching Fayette as a potential bellwether county in Georgia. The county has been trending bluer than in the recent past, and in 2022, GOP U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker won in the suburb south of Atlanta by just 487 votes.

Fayettevilles Jason Jacob also cast an Election Day vote for Harris, saying he believes Harris is more suitable for the powerful position than Trump.

Im an independent, and first of all I vote on the person based on integrity and honesty. Thats one thing I do, said the 60-year old retired military veteran. I voted for Kamala Harris because shes more honest and and I can believe what comes out her mouth more than the other guy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jacob said he was following his routine Tuesday of waiting to vote until the day of the election. The voting process Tuesday was as quick and smooth as previous elections at the Liberty church precinct.

Jacob said there was a notable sense of tension around the community because of the uncertainty about who will win the presidential contest.

I watched a lot of the news and in this election is kind of crazy, he said. Its very tight and very crazy.

2 months ago

Federal judge backs Georgia courts rejection of GOP bid to block weekend absentee ballots

A federal judge has rejected the GOPs second attempt to block absentee ballots dropped off over the weekend in metro Atlanta counties from being counted, according to the nonprofit legal news site Lawfare.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Republican National Committee and the Georgia Republican Party filed the suit Sunday in the U.S. District Courts Southern District of Georgia in Savannah after striking out in a Fulton County courtroom.

The lawsuit targeted Democratic-leaning counties where local election officials accepted absentee ballots over the weekend, specifically Chatham, Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clarke and Clayton counties. The Republicans argued that counting these ballots would result in disparate treatment of Georgia voters.

But Judge Stan Baker, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, shot down those arguments, saying it would deprive voters of their rights.

Even more concerning, I would only be invalidating votes from the select counties that plaintiffs have cherry-picked based on nothing more than the past political preferences of the citizens in those counties, he said, according to Lawfare.

The conflict over the ballots started Saturday, when GOP officials cried foul. But Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who is a Republican, said over the weekend it was legal for local election offices to accept absentee ballots after polls closed for in-person early voting Friday. A Fulton County judge agreed, rejecting the first lawsuit challenging the ballots in Fulton County.

2 months ago

North Fulton County is reliable GOP turf, but Harris and Stein also score votes

Fulton County is Georgias largest county and gives Democrats a huge number of votes, but Republicans can still run up the score in Fulton, particularly in the countys more conservative north.

Joe Moriarty, who works in the film industry, recently moved to Atlanta, but came back to vote for Harris at Crosspointe Church near where he grew up in Roswell.

I think some people in the suburbs, they think that the other guys looking out for them, when in reality, I dont think thats the case, he said. The way people talk, I think they relate more to Trump around here, but if youre actually looking at the facts, then I think shes more on the nail about what needs to be done.

Joe Moriarty. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

Moriarty said his top concerns were the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and reproductive rights.

That should be a pretty general right for everybody, and for some reason its still being debated. It should just be a universal right for everybody, just to have control over your own body and your own choices, he said.

But not all left-leaning Roswellians voted for Harris  20-year-old Jillian T., who asked that her last name not be published, said she cast her first presidential ballot for Green Party candidate Jill Stein.

She said the tipping point was the war in Gaza.

I voted for Jill Stein because I dont think that either of the other candidates, Harris or Trump, will be good for the economy or the war in Palestine, she said.

I dont like that both Trump and Harris are united in support for Israel, so thats kind of what tipped the scales for me, she added.

After successfully fighting to keep socialist Claudia De La Cruz and independent candidate Cornell West off the ballot, Georgia Democrats are hoping young Palestine supporters like Jillian will hold their nose and vote for Harris, but Jillian said shes resigned to four more years of Trump.

I dont really like him as a person, he kind of rose me the wrong way, she said. It wont be the end of the world if he wins because he cant run again, but it would be a little disappointing.

Jay Smith. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

Team allies are counting on voters like attorney Jay Smith, who said Trump is his man.

Im real concerned about inflation, the price of food and living expenses going up, he said. Im concerned about immigration policies under the existing administration. I havent heard Kamala Harris articulate any real differences in how she would go about running things from President Biden. And I do continue to be concerned about national security in some of the issues were seeing outside the United States, and I think its important for the U.S. to have a firmer approach to matters and more energy on the international stage.

Leila Singletary took an unusual path to Trump. She said it started in 2016, when she was a backer of Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Democratic socialist who ran for president as an independent.

Singletary said she became disillusioned with the Democratic Party and the media after she said Sanders was treated unfairly in the primary.

I witnessed what happened to Bernie, and I discovered the corruption of the media. I watched the Bernie blackout on liberal media, on MSNBC. I watched when he had a huge rally in California and they didnt cover it, and how they covered Donald Trump incessantly, but I wasnt interested in Donald Trump. And thats all I could hear about from them, she said.

Sanders has endorsed Harris and argued that Trumps right-wing policies would be dangerous for the nation, but Singleton said her primary issue is foreign policy, and she believes Trump would be more likely to keep the nation out of war.

Last updated: 4:37 pm

2 months ago

Georgia secretary of state blames bogus bomb threats on Russians

Some polling places in Georgia will stay open past 7 p.m. after bogus bomb threats caused brief interruptions.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Gwinnett County was also targeted after non-credible bomb threats caused two Fulton County precincts  Etris Community Center and Gullatt Elementary in Union City  to close for a short duration during the morning.

Raffensperger told reporters Tuesday that the bogus threats came from Russia, pinning their motive on a desire to destabilize America.

Georgia is not going to be intimidated. Russia has just decided they picked on the wrong Georgia. They need to pick on the other one in the Black Sea, because were not going to be intimidated, he said this afternoon.

As of mid-afternoon, more than 700,000 people had voted Tuesday in Georgia, Raffensperger said.

At that rate, the state is on track to have more than 1.1 million ballots cast today. Thats on top of the 4 million people who voted before Tuesday.

That could put the total voter turnout at around 5.15 million when its all said and done tonight, he said. That would be higher than the turnout in the 2020 presidential election when President Joe Biden narrowly defeated former President Donald Trump by less than 12,000 votes.

Thats really what the big news should be, he said of the voter turnout.

Georgia is expected to be one of the first battleground states to start posting election results tonight.

Last updated: 3:30 pm

2 months ago

Will fast-growing Forsyth County continue its leftward slide?

Forsyth County is in a similar situation as its neighbor to the west, Cherokee County, but with even faster population growth.

From 2000 to 2019, Forsyth saw its population grow from under 100,000 to just over 228,000, the fastest growth in the metro area, fueled by demand for high-paying tech jobs in Atlanta and north Fulton County. Residents are among the highest-educated and best-paid in the state, according to the Atlanta Regional Commission.

The growth has also changed the countys demographics  it went from 92% white in 2000 to about 70% today. At 5%, the portion of Black Forsyth residents is far lower than the states average of about 33%. The county is home to thriving Asian communities, and Asian Americans make up about 22% of Forsyth County compared with less than 5% statewide.

Ram Gopal in Forsyth County. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

In 2012, just over 80% of Forsyth County residents voted for Republican Mitt Romney. In 2016, Trump earned 71%, and in 2020, the portion had fallen to about 66%. Turnout reached 69% in early voting here, and poll workers said turnout was moving steadily throughout the morning and early afternoon, with a line of more than 50 people waiting as soon as polls opened.

By lunchtime, the harmonic hum of electric cars backing into and out of parking spaces echoed through the fall haze in front of Calvary Chapel in southwest Forsyth. About a mile away from the polling place, a big electric billboard touts Trumps endorsement of billionaire tech CEO Elon Musk.

Gas station worker Ram Gopal said if the rest of the county is anything like him and his associates, Forsyth will go ruby red this year.

Everybody wants him to win, he said. You know, the incumbents, these Democrats, there is a border issue, policy issues, the wars, everybodys talking about that. So everybody wants Trump back in.

Pamela Garner in Forsyth County. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

Pamela Garner said not everybody feels that way. Garner, who works for the Treasury Department, said she proudly cast her vote for Harris.

For me, its a historical moment, again, as well as the Obama campaign, she said. I believe in a lot of things that she said shes going to do for this country, and its about time we get somebody in there who can do what we need them to do, rather than just say anything just to get in office.

Garner said shes hopeful Harris will be able to pull off a win if turnout is high.

Its very close and thats the scary part to me, she said. Its very close for both of them, for Harris and for Trump. I think she has a good chance of pulling it out, if everybody gets out and votes.

2 months ago

Steady stream voters head to the polls in Clayton County, where turnout had been lagging

Clayton County is one of the core metro Atlanta counties that Democrats count on in statewide races but heading into Election Day, the countys 46.5% turnout was lagging the statewide average during early voting.

The Clayton County Library System headquarters is one of several dozen local polling places open Tuesday for Election Day. Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder

Clayton County, a predominantly Black county home to about 300,000 residents that is just south of Atlanta, was among the strategic campaign stops for Vice President Kamala Harris, who visited a local church last month while her husband and sister stumped there a week later.

The push for a higher turnout for Election Day received a boost Tuesday morning as a consistent stream of voters arrived at the polling station inside the Clayton library system headquarters.

Local resident Tommie Dunmore was one of the Harris-Walz supporters to cast their ballot at the Jonesboro library.

We need to make a change in this world, Dunmore said. Get the violence off the streets. Im worried about high prices. We need to get back to just living life in Gods word.

The 57-year-old followed her normal routine of waiting until the day of the election before voting at her designated precinct. She said it was a quick process for her to fill out her ballot Tuesday.

A poll worker at the Clayton County library said he has been encouraged by the consistent turnout throughout the morning, especially the number of young and first-time voters.

Destiny Sparks, 27, and daughter Sincere stand outside a Clayton County polling place after Sparks voted in the Nov. 5, 2020 election. Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder

Destiny Sparks, a new Georgia resident from Virginia, voted for the first time Tuesday since moving to Clayton County two years ago.

She declined to say how she voted in the presidential race but said she was concerned about immigration and the economy.

Im concerned about the state of the economy, the high groceries, the high rent, just the cost of living every day, said the 27-year old. Im really hoping things get better for us. Because I, you know, its sad how we live now almost feels like a third world country.

Dunmore said the time is now for a woman to be elected the next president of the United States.

Its time for a woman, Dunmore said. She can do the job, and I believe she will do the job well.

Last updated: 12:58 pm

2 months ago

Can Republicans still run up the score in vote-rich Cherokee County?

Cherokee County, the northern border of what is considered metro Atlanta, is a prime spot for Georgia Republicans.

Its a mostly white county, and while southern Cherokee has become largely suburban as the population of Atlanta continues to spread outwards, the north end of the county is still relatively rural.

James Nicholson. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

That adds up to a county with a relatively high population and a high portion of Republican votes for the taking. In 2020, Cherokee gave just under 100,000 votes to Trump, or just under 70% of all its ballots.

Thats down slightly from the 72% who voted for Trump there in 2016 and the 78% who voted for Mitt Romney in 2012, but as one of the richest single sources of Republican votes in the state, GOP operatives have been hoping to run up the score here.

And theres reason to believe that they have been successful. Cherokee boasts a 62.6% turnout rate in early voting, above the states already high average 55.6%.

But Democrats are also seeking to activate blue voters within the Republican stronghold. The county party announced events featuring big Dem names like Stacey Abrams and Sen. Jon Ossoff during early voting.

The voters trickling in and out Tuesday morning at the Lodge at Deer Run precinct said newcomers may be bringing their politics with them but they still see Cherokee County as solidly red.

Jamie Price. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

Its definitely shifted blue as I think people of a Democratic nature have decided to move elsewhere because they havent liked the Democratic policies where theyre coming from, and unfortunately, theyre bringing it here, said a 17-year resident and Trump supporter who asked not to be quoted by name.

Jamie Price, a 20-year resident who works in sales, said hes not worried about Cherokee flipping blue any time soon.

I think its pretty strongly red, just because of my friends and the people I know and my acquaintances, he said. Im a salesman, and I drive all around this area and the people I talk to and run into all the time are Republican.

James Nicholson, a 30-year-plus Cherokee resident, said voting for Trump was an easy choice for him.

Law and order is important, he said. A secure border is required, two things proven by this last administration and previous Democratic administrations.

2 months ago

Its here! Georgians head to polls as Election Day arrives at last in a battleground that could decide who wins the White House

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and his offices Chief Operating Officer Gabriel Sterling (left) say election systems are secure and ready for Election Day. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder (file photo)

Tuesdays closely watched Election Day begins before sunrise, with Georgia poll workers opening doors at 7 a.m. for voters expected to play an important role in settling the presidential election contest between former President Donald Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as dozens of other local, state and federal elections.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger estimated Monday that more than 1 million Georgians could vote in person Tuesday at one of the states 2,200 polling locations. In comparison, about 800,000 people voted during a pandemic on Election Day in the 2020 general election headlined by the presidential contest between Trump, then the Republican incumbent, and Democratic challenger Joe Biden.

Raffensperger said that state and local officials have worked hard over the past several years to improve Georgias elections, including through the updating of election rules to enhance transparency and confidence in the electoral process. He promised to keep fighting to tamp down disinformation distributed by hostile actors to cast doubt on Georgias election system.

What we do know is that Gov. Kemp, myself, our General Assembly, and thousands of election workers have worked every day to defend every legal vote, Raffensperger said. In the next few days, you may see some extra drama from fringe activists.

Raffensperger characterized Georgia elections as easy to vote and hard to cheat, a common mantra among state leaders responsible for election administration.

Our systems are secure and our people are ready, he said. Your local election officials will work around the clock tomorrow to ensure everything runs smoothly.

The first round of reported results on election night will come from a state early voting record four million voters who cast ballots in-person at polling places and via absentee ballots prior to Tuesday. Changes to Georgias election law mean that the results of absentee ballots turned in by Monday will be released to the public within an hour after the polls close Tuesday.

Georgia was at the center of the Trump campaigns efforts to overturn the election results in 2020, even after three vote tallies confirmed Bidens narrow win and attempts to challenge the results in court were unsuccessful.

This year, Harris-Walz and state and national Democratic party organizations have been preparing in case Trump and his allies file lawsuits challenging the legitimacy of the election results in several battleground states.

A Harris official told reporters last week that her campaign expects Trump to declare victory on election night, even if the result is still uncertain.

Gabriel Sterling, chief operating officer for the Georgia secretary of states office, said the majority of the statewide unofficial results should be available to the public within a couple of hours of the polls closing Tuesday.

He warned, however, that thousands of ballots are still pending, which could decide a tight presidential race or many down ballot contests around the state.

Sterling said it would be easier to declare the winner with a difference of 50,000 votes between the presidential candidates, but a repeat of the tight 2020 election would take longer. Biden defeated Trump by fewer than 12,000 votes in Georgia in 2020.

This is a tight election. I want to make sure that all the Harris supporters and all the Trump supporters who cant possibly imagine the person that they hate winning, it might happen, Sterling said.

Counties with larger numbers of mail-in ballots will benefit from the early start of processing absentee ballots. Voters in Georgia have until 7 p.m. to return their absentee ballots to county election workers.

State law allows county officials to begin tabulating mail ballots at 7 a.m. on Election Day, which means that a large number of absentee ballots and mail-in early in-person votes will be included in the initial votes reported on election night.

More than 344,000 absentee ballots had been returned statewide as of Monday afternoon.

Among the final votes to be counted will be a number of ballots cast by Georgians living overseas and deployed military service members, whose mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday and arrive by Friday in order to be counted.

The other two buckets of votes that can be there from Tuesday to Friday are the provisional votes that can be verified, and then also absentee ballots that can be cured, Sterling said last week.

Election officials encourage voters to check their specific precinct information on the states My Voter Page website before heading to the polls Tuesday.
Heres what to know about Election Day in South Florida on Tuesday. This live feature will be updated through the day.

Voters cast their ballots at Miami-Dade County Fire Station #44, 7700 NW 186 St. in Miami on Nov. 5, 2024.

What to know right now

A poll worker helps a voter during the General Election in Miami-Dade County at the Miami Beach Fire Station #4 on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Miami Beach, Fla.

 Polls are open: Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. If you are in line by 7 p.m. closing time you will be allowed to vote.

 Precincts: On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned precinct. Visit the Supervisor of Election websites in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties. There, you can check your voting status, track your ballot, and find out where your assigned precinct is if you dont know where it is on Election Day. Hint: Its printed on your voter ID card, too.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 ID: You must bring a current and valid photo ID with signature with you to the precinct. These may include: a Florida drivers license or Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. United States passport. Military identification. Student identification. For a full list visit Floridas Division of Elections website.

 Need help? Listing of all of Floridas Supervisor of Elections offices with links to contact them is at MyFloridaElections.com.

 In Miami-Dade call 305-499-8444 or visit Miami-Dades website at www.miamidade.gov/global/elections/home.page.

 In Broward call 954-357-7055. Or visit Browards website at browardvotes.gov/.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 In Monroe, the Florida Keys elections office offers an online portal at www.keyselections.org to answer voting questions.

 Voter guide: Miami Herald voter guide lists the candidates and issues, includes endorsements from the Editorial Board, and even offers tips on what you can bring to the polling place. (Is it OK to bring a sample ballot or wear a political slogan?).

Voters cast their vote during the General Election in Miami-Dade County at the Miami Beach Fire Station #4 on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Miami Beach, Fla.

Where the candidates voted

Former president Donald Trump voted in his adopted home state, Florida, in Palm Beach County. Hes awaiting results from his Mar-a-Lago estate, according to reports.

Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly cast her vote by mail-in ballot, CBS Austin reported.

State website went down

Some Florida voters found error messages when they went to the states website to check their voter registration status Tuesday morning, according to the Associated Press. A spokesperson for Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd confirmed the states online Voter Information Lookup tool went down and was experiencing technical issues Tuesday morning. Said spokesperson Mark Ard: Were working to resolve it. Were providing alternative websites and locations for voters to find their voter information, their precinct.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can check your voter registration status, find your precinct and polling place by going to your county Supervisor of Elections website. You can find your Floridas Supervisor of Elections office with its contact link at MyFloridaElections.com. That site lists all 67 counties.

 In Miami-Dade call 305-499-8444 or visit Miami-Dades website at www.miamidade.gov/global/elections/home.page.

 In Broward call 954-357-7055. Or visit Browards website at browardvotes.gov/.

 In Monroe, the Florida Keys elections office offers an online portal at www.keyselections.org to answer voting questions.

What Floridas I Voted stickers look like

One activity voters seem to enjoy at the precinct after they cast their ballot is securing an I Voted! sticker to their clothing. Floridas 67 counties each make a different fashion statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last fall a hand-drawn, flag-waving manatee design by Manatee High School freshman Lauren Holbrook was a Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County contest winner, NPRs WUSF reported. Her design was chosen for the 2024 election season, including the General Election on Nov. 5.

Heres a look at a few of this years designs.

Manatee High School freshman Lauren Holbrooks I Voted sticker design was a Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County contest winner and appears on Manatees I Voted stickers for the 2024 election season, NPRs WUSF reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A voter holds up an I VOTED! sticker after casting his ballot on the last day of early voting inside North Dade Regional Library on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The Hillsborough County I Voted sticker design on Nov. 5, 2024.

The Sarasota, Florida, I Voted sticker design for Nov. 5, 2024.

Never too early to learn about voting

After getting a tour of voting precincts 601 and 608, Elizabeth Reyes, 12, hugged her mother Christine Reyes at the Coral Gables Country Club on Election Day on Tuesday.

Elizabeth was a poll worker during a mock election at her school, Henry S. West Laboratory School in the Gables.

 AL DIAZ

Wind advisory, rain in forecast

A surfer watches waves crash against the jetty at the Bal Harbour Lighthouse on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Bal Harbour, Fla. Rip current risk remains in effect through Thursday evening according to the National Weather Service in Miami.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Election Day in Miami opened with a wind advisory warning of gusts up to 40 mph through 1 a.m. Wednesday.

East winds are expected at 20 to 30 mph Tuesday with gusts up to 40 mph in coastal Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, according to the National Weather Service in Miami. Some of these gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects like potted plants and yard furniture. Tree limbs could snap and a few power outages may result, forecasters said.

The weather service increased rain chances from a 50% forecast a day earlier to 60% during polling hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The percentage bumps to 70% around 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. when youre home watching results come in from swing states.

Slippery surfaces

Be mindful of potential hazards on wet surfaces. A voter said she slipped and fell on her way out of Precinct 669 in Little Havana on a video posted to X around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the clip she said she told poll workers at Iglesia Adventista del Septimo Dia on 862 SW Fourth St. that she almost slipped coming up the stairs on her way inside to vote. She said she asked them to place a second caution cone to warn that the walkway may be slippery.

Mop it up or do something because its not right, she said in the video after she had fallen on her way back out after voting.

When she exited, she said she fell. Her leg slipped and swept backward  the same leg that was injured in a December car accident, she said. A photo on the X post shows her on the ground.

My husband literally called it the death slide just seconds before this lady fell trying to exit after voting, Dani Rivera wrote on her X post.

Warning: Video contains explicit language

1/2 Horrible, unsafe ramp at Miami-Dade precinct 669 in Little Havana. My husband literally called it "the death slide" just seconds before this lady fell trying to exit after voting. A @DisabilityRtsFL poll watcher witnessed it as well. pic.twitter.com/Al9EJBSaRZ  Dani Rivera (@MiamiSeda) November 5, 2024

1/2 Horrible, unsafe ramp at Miami-Dade precinct 669 in Little Havana. My husband literally called it "the death slide" just seconds before this lady fell trying to exit after voting. A @DisabilityRtsFL poll watcher witnessed it as well. pic.twitter.com/Al9EJBSaRZ  Dani Rivera (@MiamiSeda) November 5, 2024

Who led the Early Voting race?

About 50% of Floridas registered voters cast their ballots in the first two weeks of early voting, according to Florida Division of Elections data and registered voters data analyzed by the Miami Herald on Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Monday mornings data shows that even though registered Democrats had submitted more vote-by-mail ballots, registered Republicans had almost 845,000 more votes  a number that includes both early voting and vote by mail  than Democrats. In total, over 8 million people had already voted through Sunday.

MORE: Half of Floridas registered voters have already voted. See which party has the lead

 ANA CLAUDIA CHACIN

Democratic candidates, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, left, and unincorporated Miami-Dade voters dance to the sounds of the Bahamian Junkanoo band during a festive visit to the polls at the Joseph Caleb Center during the Souls to the Polls event on the last day of early voting on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024 in Miami, Florida.

The presidential race

Vice President Kamala Harris (left) and former President Donald Trump (right) are the Democrat and Republican, respectively, candidates for president in the 2024 General Election on Nov. 5, 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The presidential race tops your ballot. The race is razor-thin according to polls with each lead candidate generating strong opinions among voters.

Aaron Matthew Anderson, a 32-year-old California native and registered Republican living in South Florida, voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 election. The self-described businessman who said he hopes to raise a family one day affirmed he did so again while casting his vote last week during the early voting period at the Aventura Branch Library. He one-thousand percent believes that he should keep the money he makes.

The government is not going to be the one feeding my children, clothing my children and taking care of their needs  I am, Anderson said. Kamala wont only further hurt the economy, but use our hard-earned money to try and solve world problems before problems are solved at home. Cant water somebody elses grass before your own.

For Claudia Quintana, a 52-year-old Colombia native, registered as an independent, the 2024 election will be her first time voting since she became a U.S. citizen last year. As an immigrant, she said she strongly values immigrant rights and educating people on what immigrants contribute to the country.

Although she considers her culture more conservative and traditional, she said, I would be betraying my people if I voted for someone like Trump who talks about us and treats us like we are less than human.

Quintana voted for Kamala Harris with the hope that the vice president will stand up for immigrants and women in the country and internationally. I hope she can prove to everybody that women can do it!

 PAU SALINAS ZEPEDA, University of Miami Communication School student

Miami Beach resident Jr. Lilchin poses with a I Voted! sticker after be voted at the Miami Beach Fire Station #4 on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Miami Beach, Fla.

Whats on your ballot?

A voter wears her I Voted sticker after she cast her ballot Tuesday morning at Miami-Dade County Fire Station #44, 7700 NW 186 St. on Nov. 5, 2024.

Heres how the names in that race will appear on all ballots statewide since the presidential contest is open to all voters unlike district-only races.

U.S. PRESIDENT

 Donald J. Trump / JD Vance

 Kamala D. Harris / Tim Walz

 Chase Oliver / Mike ter Maat

 Claudia De la Cruz / Karina Garcia

 Randall Terry / Stephen Broden

 Peter Sonski / Lauren Onak

 Jill Stein / Rudolph Ware

UNITED STATES SENATOR

 Rick Scott

 Debbie Mucarsel-Powell

 Feena Bonoan

 Tuan TQ Nguyen

 Ben Everidge

Read the Editorial Boards endorsement

KNOW MORE: Here are the candidates and races South Florida will vote on for the general election

Voters arrive and depart at the Coral Gables Library during early voting on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024.

Need to know more about whats on the ballot in addition to the U.S. presidential and senate race?

 Get a rundown of the six state constitutional amendments on the Florida ballot, including abortion and marijuana. There is much interest among voters in these amendments so here is a quick listing with links on each for more details.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

 No. 1: Partisan Election of Members of District School Boards

Read the Editorial Boards endorsement

 No. 2: Right to Fish and Hunt

Read the Editorial Boards endorsement

 No. 3: Adult Personal Use of Marijuana

Read the Editorial Boards endorsement

 No. 4: Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion

Read the Editorial Boards endorsement

 No. 5: Annual Adjustments to the Value of Certain Homestead Exemptions

Read the Editorial Boards endorsement

 No. 6: Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement

Read the Editorial Boards endorsement

 Learn about the local candidates and races in South Florida.

 Hear from the candidates themselves as they answer Herald questions.

 Read the endorsements and recommendations from the Miami Herald Editorial Board.
Polls in Texas have closed at 7 p.m., but anyone in line at a voting location by that time still has the right to cast a ballot.

Tarrant County saw few reports of problems on Tuesday, when more than 141,000 people voted as of 5:30 p.m. About half of Tarrant Countys registered voters had cast their ballots before Tuesday, during in-person early voting and by mail.

Besides the presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Tarrant County voters are casting ballots for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House, the Texas Legislature, the state Supreme Court and a number of county posts, including sheriff and county commissioners.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Heres the latest from across Fort Worth and surrounding areas.

Tarrant County voting wait times

Here is a map of the voting wait times for Tarrant County. Tap on the polling location to see the last time the wait time was updated. Source: Tarrant County

Open

Arlington police report overnight vandalism at polling site

The Arlington Police Department informed Tarrant County officials just after midnight Nov. 5 that an individual had thrown an unspecified object through a window of the citys subcourthouse on East Abram Street. Officers also found the words Free Palestine scrawled in spray-paint nearby; the department has launched an investigation into the incident.

Tarrant County says the polling site opened its doors on time and welcomed voters without a hitch.

Federal poll monitors to stay outdoors after Texas lawsuit

The Department of Justice agreed the night before Election Day to keep its poll monitors outside voting stations in Texas after the states attorney general sued the agency over its oversight efforts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ken Paxton and his peers in several other Republican-led states filed lawsuits against the federal government in an attempt to keep Justice Department election overseers from entering polling sites, portraying a routine election security measure as disruptive federal overreach.

The Biden-Harris Administrations lawless intimidation campaign infringes on States constitutional authority to run free and fair elections, Paxton said in a Nov. 4 statement announcing the lawsuit. Texas will not be intimidated and I will make every effort to prevent weaponized federal agencies from interfering in our elections.

The Justice Department had announced Nov. 1 that it intended to dispatch personnel from its Civil Rights Division to voting locations in 86 jurisdictions across 27 states, including Texas.

The practice dates to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Justice Department tasks lawyers and support staff (not law enforcement agents) with documenting and curtailing any voting rights violations at the polls  whether it be intimidation, discrimination, or failure to adequately accommodate voters with special needs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Paxton has long advocated for more scrutiny of Texas polling places. As Republican officials contested the results of the 2020 presidential election, Paxton argued before the Texas Supreme Court that counties must allow civilian poll watchers into voting sites to observe ballot counting.

What voters were saying at the polls Tuesday

A steady stream of people were in and out of the Tarrant County Subcourthouse in Arlington around 7:30 a.m. They reported wait times of around 10 to 15 minutes but said the process was efficient.

Mikki Robinson told the Star-Telegram that the most important issue to her this election is womens reproductive rights. She believes some of the candidates hold extreme positions that would move our country backward.

I just think were at a major turning point in our society, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Chris Mallon said he always votes on election day, so thats why he waited until Tuesday. He also thought the lines would be shorter.

The economy is the main one, he said about important issues. Border security is also top of his list.

Tristan Branks expressed confidence that the election will go smoothly, and said he wants to make sure the United States remains a democracy and sticks to the principles it was founded upon.

Poll workers at St. Stephen Methodist Church in Arlington said there had been virtually no line, and 41 people had cast their ballot as of 8:10 a.m. They were having trouble with one of the machines, but had called to get it replaced.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

H.B. Wise, one of the election judges, said hed expected a line out the door. He thinks in spite of the slow start they might see 300 people vote at that location on Tuesday.

The Elzie Odom Athletic Center in northeast Arlington saw a heavier turnout, with a reported 483 people having voted as of 9:30 a.m. Election judge Monica Moore said things had been uneventful with no equipment issues. The line at 7 a.m. stretched around the front of the building, but only a handful of people were waiting to get in by 10 a.m.

We just pray mostly for our country

Greg Carey, chair for Republican Precinct 2316, stood on the grass in front of the center displaying a large Trump 2024 banner to passing vehicles. He told the Star-Telegram that he had gotten positive responses, with motorists honking or giving him a thumbs up.

Carey believes that border security is one of the most pressing issues at stake in the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We just pray mostly for our country to be put back on track for the benefit of all, he said.

Kim Martinez showed up to campaign for Texas House District 94 candidate Denise Wilkerson. She was also offering voters a list of Democratic candidates down the ballot. Martinez told the Star-Telegram that people are often well informed about presidential candidates, but not other positions on the ballot.

The local stuff affects us so much, she said.

Zayna Arif and two friends came to the polls to support Texas House District 92 candidate Salman Bhojani. Arif, 18, believes its important for young people to get involved in campaigning and voting, and she wants to make sure that her values are represented.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voting gives you a voice, she said.

All machines are up and running at the Grapevine Public Library after a problem early Tuesday morning, a Tarrant County spokesperson said. The issue led to long wait times but was resolved.

Early voting totals in Tarrant County

More than 635,000 people voted early in person in Tarrant County.

In-person early voting ran from Oct. 21 through Nov. 1. During the 12-day period, Tarrant County saw 635,162 in-person early voters, according to unofficial daily tallies from Tarrant Countys election department. Another 24,649 people voted by mail between Sept. 25 and Nov. 1.

In-person early voting turnout accounts for about 48% of all registered voters in Tarrant County. When you add in mail-in ballots, about 50% of Tarrant Countys registered voters had cast ballots as of Nov. 1.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The final day of in-person early voting on Friday, Nov. 1 drew the largest number: 64,170 people.

Voters across the state are heading to the polls to make their picks for president and U.S. Senate.

An average of recent polls from fivethirtyeight.com puts former President Donald Trump, a Republican, ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, by about 7 points.

The polling average shows a tight race for U.S. Senate between incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican, ahead of U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, a Democrat, by about 3 points. Both were recently in North Texas as they make their final appeals to voters.

Tarrant County residents will also vote on U.S. House representatives, who theyd like to see in the Texas Legislature and county officials, including county commissioner and sheriff.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WGHP)  North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein has been elected the states next governor.

The Democrat defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson on Tuesday.

His victory maintains Democratic leadership of the chief executives office in a state where the GOP has been in recent control of the legislature and the appeals courts.

Watch: Republican Mark Robinson speaks after Democrat Josh Stein wins North Carolina governors race

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Stein will succeed Democrat Roy Cooper, who was term-limited from seeking reelection. Stein is a former state senator who was first elected attorney general in 2016.

The son of a prominent civil rights lawyer, he will be North Carolinas first Jewish governor. Democrats have resided in the governors mansion in Raleigh for all but four years since 1993.

Robinson released the following statement on Tuesday night:

Theres no doubt tonights results werent what we wanted. While I am disappointed for all of our grassroots volunteers and supporters who worked tirelessly for this campaign, we can all hold our heads high. Despite hundreds of millions of dollars in attack ads against us, we ran a clean and hard-fought race focused on a better future for North Carolina. Despite tonights results, there is much more work for us to do. I look forward to finishing my term as lieutenant governor to keep our focus on the issues that matter to the people of our state. In the next few months in office, we will keep working to improve education and career training, and to deliver even more much-needed relief to those affected by Hurricane Helene in the western part of our state. Thank you to the people of North Carolina. I never imagined that a former factory worker who grew up poor in Greensboro could go on to serve as the first black lieutenant governor of North Carolina  a role that is the honor of a lifetime. Mark Robinson

Background

With North Carolinas current Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper facing his term limit, the race for the governors mansion quickly became an expensive and highly publicized battle. Sitting Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a Republican, and Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat, surged to the front of the pack.

Robinson

Elected lieutenant governor in 2020, the Greensboro native and relative newcomer to politics gained traction among conservatives for his firebrand rhetoric and passionate oration. While his campaign raised less than his Democratic opponent, millions were spent on both sides in the highly competitive race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In October, Robinson sued CNN and Greensboro-based musician Louis Love Money for defamation after a series of articles that accused him of frequent consumption of pornography as well as referring to himself as a black NAZI on a porn forum in the early 2000s.

Mike Ross

Mike Ross of Gaston County worked as a financial planner before entering the race for the governors mansion and winning the March 2024 Libertarian primary. He is campaigning under the platform message Fire the Uniparty, opposing the current two-party structure that dominates U.S. politics. He is a staunch advocate for governmental transparency, according to Ballotpedia survey questions.

Vinny Smith

Representing the Constitution Party is former naval officer Vinny Smith, who the North Carolina Constitution Party website describes as a co-founder and co-owner of NC Esports Academy where they provide year-round STEM Camps, Technology Programs, and Esports Teams for youth. He has also written several books.

Smiths website outlines his policy with a focus on opposing abortion, advocating school choice and abolishing property tax.

Josh Stein

When former North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper won his race for governor in 2016, Democrat Josh Stein succeeded Cooper as A.G. Now, he hopes to succeed Cooper as governor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Stein announced his run for governor in early 2023, ahead of the other candidates on the field. Stein polled as the frontrunner in the election for much of the election cycle, sometimes polling above Robinson by double-digit points.

He was hit with a cease-and-desist by Robinsons campaign for what they described as deceptive advertising, which was also an accusation leveled against him when he won attorney general over Forsyth County District Attorney Jim ONeill.

Wayne Turner

The Green Party did not hold a primary election in North Carolina in March, instead rally behind Wayne Turner as their pick.

Turner, a former engineer, wrote in a BallotPedia survey response regarding his key messages, Our system of representative democracy no longer works for the majority of the population.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Asked about the governors most important responsibility, Turner said, The greatest responsibility of the office is to be aware of the conditions that the people of the state experience on a daily basis, and to communicate these conditions to the public and to the legislature.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
San Angelo ISD voters will cast their ballots on Election Day regarding Proposition A, a voter-approval tax rate election that will impact how the school district is funded.

For more information about Proposition A, watch the recap of KLST-TVs Proposition A Special.

Election Night Live Blog

Concho Valley Homepage staff will bring you live updates  including up-to-the-minute results and local watch party reactions  as election results come in. Watch this page for updates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
Election Day in Iowa is over. Look back through this live blog for a recap of our Election Day coverage.

How many Iowans voted?

Nearly 74% of registered voters voted in November's general election, with 1.66 million Iowans casting their votes, according to unofficial results from the Iowa Secretary of State's Office. Just one county, Story, had not reported its full results as of 1 p.m. due to a voting machine error that resulted in a hand count.

State data shows 2.3 million Iowans were registered to vote in Tuesday's election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The turnout is higher than in 2016 but lower than the record set in 2020.

 Sabine Martin

Ankeny's mayor was elected supervisor. What happens next for the suburb's leadership.

Ankeny will soon begin the process of finding its next mayor after the city's current leader was elected Tuesday to be a county supervisor.

Ankeny Mayor Mark Holm won the District 3 seat on the Polk County Board of Supervisors to represent Altoona, Ankeny and a portion of unincorporated Polk County, according to unofficial results. Holm, who lives in Ankeny, has served as the city's mayor for three years and was on the Ankeny City Council for 10 years.

The Ankeny City Council will have 60 days from Holm's departure to decide whether to appoint a new mayor or hold a special election for a candidate to serve the remainder of his term.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 Phillip Sitter

Washington County results expected by noon

Counting has resumed in Washington County and results are expected by about noon, according to elections administrator Liz Torres-Potter.

Its the last remaining county to report in the 1st Congressional District, where Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks has declared victory. The Associated Press has not called the race and unofficial results show a .2% difference between her and Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan.

 Marissa Payne

Republicans expand control of Iowa Legislature

Republicans appear poised to grow their majorities in the Iowa Legislature yet again after a strong showing Tuesday night, expanding what were already historically large majorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While some races had not yet been called as of 1 a.m. Wednesday, House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, took the stage Tuesday night at the Iowa GOP's election night watch party in Des Moines to declare victory.

Grassley said Republicans had defended all the incumbent House Republicans running for reelection.

Read the full story.

-- Stephen Gruber-Miller

Republican Jon Dunwell re-elected to Iowa House District 38

Republican incumbent Jon Dunwell defeated Democratic challenger Brad Magg in the race for Iowa House District 38.

Dunwell, 58, received 55% of the vote. Magg, a 38-year-old rural entrepreneur, had 44%, according to the Associated Press.

More: Republican Jon Dunwell defeats Brad Magg for Iowa House District 38

1st District still undecided

Overnight brought no new clarity to the race between Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Democrat Christina Bohannan. Miller-Meeks declared victory last night, but with 97% of the votes in, the Associated Press has not yet called the race. The incumbents leads by 0.2% in the unofficial results.

Republican incumbent Dennis Guth wins Iowa Senate District 28

Incumbent Dennis Guth defeated journalist Cynthia Oppedal Paschen in Tuesday's general election to claim the Senate District 28 seat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Associated Press called the race with four of five counties reporting. Guth prevailed with 71.2% of votes, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State's office. Story County had not yet tallied its votes as of midnight Tuesday due to an issue with ballot machines.

Republican Jesse Green re-elected to Iowa Senate District 24

Incumbent Sen. Jesse Green, a Republican from Boone, was reelected to Senate District 24 Tuesday. The Associated Press called the race with four of five counties reporting.

More: Jesse Green secures another term in Senate District 24 in Boone, Greene and Guthrie counties

Green received 64% of the 30,482 votes cast, according to the Iowa Secretary of State's website. Liston secured 36% of the vote. Story County had not yet tallied its votes as of midnight Tuesday due to an issue with ballot machines.

Miller-Meeks declares victory: race not called

Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is narrowly leading Democrat Christina Bohannan and declaring victory in their rematch in Tuesday's election in a race for Iowa's 1st Congressional District, one of the most competitive in the nation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks declares victory in 1st District: race not called

With about 97% of the vote reported as of 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, Miller-Meeks has the edge with just under 50% of the vote, according to unofficial results. Bohannan is behind by one-tenth of a percentage point.

The Associated Press has not yet called the race.

-Marissa Payne

Sarah Trone Garriott declares victory in tight Iowa Senate race in District 14

Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott declared victory Tuesday night over Republican Mark Hanson in her bid to seek a third term in the Iowa Senate in a race separated by only a handful of votes.

Trone Garriott is the incumbent representing Iowa Senate District 14, which includes Waukee, Adel, Van Meter and parts of Clive and West Des Moines in Dallas County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: Sarah Trone Garriott claims victory in Iowa Senate District 14 in race too close to call

She claimed victory online at about 11 p.m., writing on social media, "Thank you to all who helped us win this race!"

With 99% of the vote in, Trone Garriott and Hanson both were at 50%, separated by 19 votes, according to the Iowa Secretary of State's office.

-Philip Joens

Mike Pike has slight lead over incumbent Nate Boulton in Iowa Senate race

Only 43 votes separated Republican newcomer Mike Pike and Democratic incumbent Nate Boulton in a race too close to call Tuesday night for Iowa's Senate District 20.

Pike, 48, of Des Moines, captured 49.96% of the vote, just a 0.13% advantage over Boultons 49.83% in a race that also included 66 write-in votes out of a total of 31,303 ballots cast, according to unofficial results Tuesday night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: Republican newcomer Mike Pike holds 43-vote edge over incumbent Nate Boulton in Senate race

If the results hold up in favor of Pike, Boulton said he would ask for a recount.

-Kevin Baskins

Iowans overwhelmingly pass two constitutional amendments

Iowans voted to pass two constitutional amendments at the ballot box, making language changes to the state's age and citizenship requirements for voting and seeking to clarify instruction in the law for the gubernatorial line of succession.

Both of the constitutional amendments got overwhelming support from Iowa voters.

More: Iowans pass 2 constitutional amendments on ballot, on voting age, gubernatorial succession

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The first amendment on changes to voter age and citizenship requirements in the Iowa Constitution received 77% of the vote for passage.

The constitutional amendment on gubernatorial succession received 81% of the votes for passage.

Voters had the last say on whether the states constitution would be altered, but the process to amend it started years before. The constitutional amendment had to be approved by two consecutive two-year sessions of the Iowa Legislature before it went on the ballot, including other processes.

-Sabine Martin

Pollster J. Ann Selzer: 'Ill be reviewing data' after Iowa Poll miss

Renowned Pollster J. Ann Selzer said Tuesday she would be reviewing her data to determine why a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll released just days before the election produced results so far out of line with former President Donald Trump's resounding victory.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump handily won Iowa for a third time, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris by 14 percentage points with more than 90% of the vote counted  a sharp contrast to Saturday's Iowa Poll that had Harris leading by 3 points.

More: Pollster J. Ann Selzer: 'Ill be reviewing data' after rare Iowa Poll misses Trump victory

"Tonight, Im of course thinking about how we got where we are," Selzer, president of Selzer & Co., which conducts the Iowa Poll, said in a statement.

"The poll findings we produced for The Des Moines Register and Mediacom did not match what the Iowa electorate ultimately decided in the voting booth today. Ill be reviewing data from multiple sources with hopes of learning why that happened. And, I welcome what that process might teach me."

Zach Nunn defeats Lanon Baccam in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District

Republican Zach Nunn has won a second term representing Iowa's highly competitive 3rd Congressional District race over Democratic challenger Lanon Baccam.

More: Republican Zach Nunn defeats Lanon Baccam, wins reelection bid in Iowa's 3rd District

The Associated Press called the race for Nunn at about 11:20 p.m. With just over 93% of precincts reporting, Nunn held 51.1% of the vote to Baccam's 48.9%, according to the AP.

-Stephen Gruber-Miller

Republican Bill Gustoff leads in Iowa House District 40 race

Republican state Rep. Bill Gustoff was ahead late Tuesday night in the race for Iowa House District 40, where he was looking to stave off a challenge from Democrat Heather Sievers.

With an estimated 99% of the vote in, Gustoff had secured 51% of the vote, according to unofficial results. Sievers lagged with 49%.

The Associated Press had not yet called the race.

-Marissa Payne

Iowa Supreme Court Justice David May, other judges on track to be retained

All Iowa judges up for retention votes Tuesday, including Supreme Court Justice David May, appeared on track to receive new terms based on unofficial results Tuesday evening.

Under Iowa law, judges are appointed by the governor and then subject to periodic retention elections. All Iowans can vote on appellate judges, while district judges appear on ballots in their respective districts. In Tuesday's election, voters were asked whether to retain dozens of state judges, including four judges on the Iowa Court of Appeals and one Iowa Supreme Court justice, May.

More: Iowa Supreme Court Justice David May, other judges on track to be retained, results show

It was the first retention vote for May, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2022. In his first two years on the court, May has been involved in a number of high-profile cases, most notably ruling in favor of Iowa's six-week abortion ban.

-William Morris

Zach Nunn leading Lanon Baccam in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District

With more than 90% of the vote counted, Republican Zach Nunn is leading in Iowa's highly competitive 3rd Congressional District race over Democratic challenger Lanon Baccam, as of 11:11 p.m.

Nonpartisan election forecasters rated the district a toss-up, and a pre-election Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll found a plurality of likely voters in the 3rd District favored a Democratic candidate for Congress over a Republican, 48% to 41%.

More: Republican Zach Nunn leading Lanon Baccam in reelection bid in Iowa's 3rd District

Nunn, a former state senator and state representative from Bondurant is no stranger to tight races after narrowly winning his first term in 2022 by just over 2,000 votes, or half a percentage point, over former Democratic U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne.

The 3rd District covers 21 counties in central and southern Iowa, including the cities of Des Moines, West Des Moines, Winterset, Osceola and Ottumwa.

Bohannon leads Miller-Meeks with 17/20 counties reporting

Democrat Christina Bohannan is leading Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in their rematch in Tuesday's election in a race for Iowa's 1st Congressional District, one of the most competitive in the nation.

With 17 of 20 counties reporting as of 10:37 p.m., Bohannan leads with about 51% of the vote, according to unofficial results. Miller-Meeks is behind with about 49% of the vote so far.

The Associated Press has not yet called the race.

Democratic and Republican groups have poured millions of dollars into the contest, targeting it as potentially influential in deciding which major party controls Congress.

After a failed 2022 bid to deny Miller-Meeks a second term, Bohannan, a 53-year-old University of Iowa law professor, is trying again to unseat the incumbent, a 69-year-old ophthalmologist and Army veteran.

The 1st District spans 20 counties including the cities of Iowa City, Davenport, Burlington and rural southeastern Iowa.

-Marissa Payne

Republican Mark Holm wins Polk County supervisor in Ankeny, Altoona

Republican Mark Holm has won the election to represent District 3 on the Polk County Board of Supervisors.

More: Republican Mark Holm wins Polk County supervisor seat in Ankeny, Altoona

Holm secured 53.82% of the votes with all 34 precincts reporting, according to unofficial results from the Polk County auditor. Democratic opponent Kim Hagemann received 45.99% of the votes, the unofficial results show.

-Virginia Barreda

It started right here in Iowa: Iowa GOP takes credit for Trumps success

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird credited Iowa for starting former President Donald Trump on a path to victory thanks to his overwhelming win in the Iowa Caucuses in January.

We are just so excited about whats happening all across this country, Bird told the Iowa GOPs election night watch party in Des Moines. And were not going to let anybody forget it started right here in Iowa.

Bird said Trumps 30-percentage point win in Januarys caucuses put him on a path to success.

Were going to take some credit here in Iowa for the Iowa Caucuses, arent we? she said. Because President Trump had an unprecedented win in the Iowa Caucuses. He won them bigger than anybody ever had, and that launched him back to the White House, right where we need him.

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig praised Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republicans in the Iowa Legislature for working as a team to deliver GOP wins in Iowa.

Ive been saying it all fall: Arent you glad you live in the state of Iowa? he said as the crowd cheered.

Naig said the 2024 election has been about fundamentals like border security, fighting inflation, energy security and food and agriculture security.

Democrats want to remake our country, he said. Republicans want to save our country. We want to preserve our country. And I want to thank you for what youve done to ensure that weve got more of those Iowa values showing up at the courthouse, the statehouse and Washington, D.C.

-Stephen Gruber-Miller

Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack: Bob Ray (R) is smiling at Lanon Baccoms race  even though Baccoms a Democrat

For former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, the 2024 3rd Congressional District race is reminiscent of the 1998 campaign when he was considered the underdog.

He's running against an incumbent, the current Secretary of Agriculture said after making a brief appearance at the Iowa Democratic Partys election night event. That's not an easy thing to do, and I think people probably didn't think he had a chance when he started. But like me in 1998, it's been a little train that could and he just kept working at it.

Vilsack, who is admittedly a numbers guy, was hesitant to make a prediction. But he knows a little something about winning here in Iowa, he said, so he was anxiously awaiting more of the Polk County vote totals.

He needed about a 30,000-vote margin in Polk County, Vilsack said. I think he's going to be pretty doggone close, and I think we've had a pretty good turnout here.

Have patience, he said, theres going to be a few more anxious moments.

Vilsack was particularly proud that Baccam -- who previously worked under the secretary at the USDA and is personal friends with the secretarys family -- was able to share his personal story on the trail.

People got a chance to understand and know who he is: Dedicated to this country and to the state, really dedicated to service, in large part because of the story of his family coming here as one of the Tai Dam families, Vilsack said. It's not just a Lanon story. It's an Iowa story. It's our story of a state that opened up its heart, its communities, its churches, its businesses to these families.

And I don't know where Bob Ray is tonight, but I suspect he's up there looking down on all of this and I think he's smiling -- even though Lanon is a Democrat, Vilsack added.

I think he's pleased to see that his legacy is reflected in a young man running for Congress and being accepted by thousands, tens of thousands of Iowans today.

-Courtney Crowder

Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson reelected to Iowas 2nd Congressional District

Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson was declared the winner of Iowas 2nd Congressional District, according to projections by the Associated Press.

Hinson won with 57.1% of the vote on election night against Democratic opponent Sarah Corkery, who won 41.6% of the vote, and no-party candidate Jody Puffett, who earned 1.3%. The race was called by the AP at 10:07 p.m.

More: Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson wins third term in Iowas 2nd Congressional District

The 2nd District includes Waterloo, Dubuque and Mason City in the northeastern corner of the state.

-Kate Kealey

Democrat Rep. Heather Matson reelected to Iowa House District 42

Incumbent Democratic Rep. Heather Matson was reelected to serve Iowa House District 42 in southern Ankeny for a second term.

More: Democratic incumbent Rep. Heather Matson keeps seat in Ankeny's Iowa House District 42

Matson, 48, who is self-employed, won a close race with 50.4% of the vote against Republican challenger Heather Stephenson, who got 49.6%, according to unofficial results.

-Sabine Martin

Republican Ryan Weldon leads in Iowa House District 41 in northern Ankeny

(This story was updated to add new information and correct that there is not yet a declared winner.)

In a close race, Republican Ryan Weldon is ahead of Democratic incumbent Rep. Molly Buck for Iowa House District 41 in northern Ankeny.

Earlier results showed Buck won the seat but did not include vote counts from a machine in one precinct. As of 9:50 p.m., Weldon, 40, has 50.24% of the vote, according to unofficial results. Buck has 49.60% of the vote.

More: Republican Ryan Weldon leads in Iowa House District 41 in northern Ankeny

The Associated Press has not declared a winner in the race.

Donald Trump soundly defeats Kamala Harris in Iowa presidential race

Former Republican President Donald Trump has once again cruised to victory in Iowa, tallying his third presidential win in the Hawkeye State  this time over Vice President Kamala Harris.

In the end, it wasn't close.

More: Donald Trump cruises to victory in Iowa presidential race over Kamala Harris

The Associated Press called the race at about 9:40 p.m. According to partial results released by the Iowa Secretary of State, Trump led Harris 55% to 43% with 37 counties reporting.

-Brianne Pfannenstiel

Republican Randy Feenstra wins big in Congressional race

Republican incumbent Randy Feenstra won Iowas 4th Congressional District, according to the Associated Press.

The sitting U.S. representative beat out Democrat Ryan Melton in Iowas most conservative district.

Feenstra held a lead of 74.27% of the vote to Melton's 25.36% at 9:45 p.m., according to partial, unofficial results.

More: Randy Feenstra defeats Ryan Melton in Iowa's Fourth Congressional District

-Kate Kealey

The Des Moines Registers wrong! Iowa GOP chair declares victory for Trump after NBC race call

Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann took a victory lap at the Iowa GOPs election night watch party, celebrating NBC News calling Iowa for former President Donald Trump. The Associated Press has not yet called the race in Iowa, as of 9:37 p.m.

Kaufmann took the opportunity to slam the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll, which was conducted days before the election, that found Vice President Kamala Harris leading Trump, 47% to 44%, within the polls margin of error.

Ann Selzers wrong! The Des Moines Registers wrong! Donald Trump just won Iowa! Kaufmann shouted.

Kaufmann said the polls result energized Republicans.

The Iowa Poll is considered a gold standard. From 2008 through 2020, the poll accurately predicted the winner of the presidential race in Iowa. In 2004, the final Iowa Poll found Democrat John Kerry leading Republican George Bush by 5 percentage points. Bush went on to win Iowa by less than 1 percentage point.

-Stephen Gruber-Miller

Democrat Matt Blake beats GOP incumbent Brad Zaun in Iowa Senate race

In this year's most expensive legislative race, Democrat Matt Blake, a former Urbandale council member, defeated Republican incumbent Sen. Brad Zaun in Senate District 22.

More: Democratic challenger Matt Blake upsets Republican incumbent Brad Zaun in Iowa Senate race

Blake, 36, won 52% of the vote, with Zaun at 47% in the Nov. 5 election. Senate District 22 represents Urbandale and Johnston, a district split among 15,543 registered Republicans, 16,007 Democrats and 14,641 independents as of Nov. 1.

-Donnelle Eller

Rep. Molly Buck defeats Republican challenger in Iowa House District 41

Democratic incumbent Rep. Molly Buck will serve another term representing Iowans who live in northern Ankeny in House District 41.

Buck earned 50.09% of the vote to Republican challenger Ryan Weldon's 49.76%, according to unofficial results from the Polk County auditor. They're separated by just 65 votes, unofficial results show.

More: Democratic Rep. Molly Buck secures second term in Iowa House District 41 in Ankeny

She will serve her second term in the Iowa House.

-Sabine Martin

Follow results from across the country

Results continue to flow in from across the country as the polls close in more states. Follow the latest national updates from our partners at USA TODAY or explore our interactive maps at DesMoinesRegister.com/Results.

Some Story County ballots being taken to Auditor's office for counting after issues at precincts

There were 13 precincts with issues counting ballots today throughout Story County.

The ballots that were unable to be counted at precincts are being brought to the Auditor's office by a bipartisan team to run them through a counter. There is no estimate on the number of affected ballots.

-Celia Brocker

Republican Jill Altringer wins Polk County Supervisor District 2 seat

Republican Jill Altringer has won the election to represent District 2 on the Polk County Board of Supervisors, narrowly defeating Democratic challenger John Forbes.

More: Jill Altringer narrowly defeats John Forbes to win Polk County supervisor District 2

Altringer clinched 50.42% of the votes with all 39 precincts reporting, according to unofficial results from the Polk County auditor. Forbes got 49.39% of the votes, the unofficial results show.

-Virginia Barreda

Iowa House District 43 race called for Eddie Andrews

Incumbent Republican Rep. Eddie Andrews has won a third term in Iowa House District 43, which covers Johnston and parts of Urbandale and Saylorville.

With all 11 Polk County precincts reporting, Andrews got 50.92% to Democratic challenger Tiara Mays-Sims' 47.47%, according to Tuesday's unofficial poll results. Independent Brett Nelson received almost 1.5% of the votes.

-F. Amanda Tugade

More: Incumbent Republican Rep. Eddie Andrews wins reelection for Iowa House District 43

Polls are closed

Polls for the 2024 election are now closed in Iowa. If you are still in line, don't leave. All voters have the right to stay in line as long as it takes to cast a ballot.

You can track results live at DesMoinesRegister.com all night.

 Kate Kealey

Democrats, riding wave of adrenaline from the Iowa Poll, believe Iowa is in play

Democratic Party leaders in Iowa have been riding a new wave of adrenaline since the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll showed Vice President Kamala Harris with a 3-point lead over former President Donald Trump.

The results, which marked the first time a Democrat led a Republican in the presidential race in Iowa this cycle, may have sent shockwaves through the world of political pundits  but the numbers matched the mood volunteers were feeling at voters doors, said Jennifer Konfrst, the Iowa Statehouse minority leader.

More: Iowa Democratic Party leader feeling 'nauseously optimistic' as election night begins

We knew things felt good on the ground up until the Iowa Poll; the Iowa Poll just reflected what we've been hearing, Konfrst said. It was even better news than we expected, but we still felt like things are heading our way in this state.

As the election drew closer, Konfrst targeted her voter outreach to persuasion voters, registered Independents and people that need convincing, she said. Over and over, she said she heard from those voters that reproductive freedom was a top issue and that Iowas six-week abortion ban went too far.

I heard a phrase at the door so many times this year, which was: This isnt the Iowa I grew up in, she said.

With the White House up for grabs, the presidential election naturally takes up much of the attention, but local leaders said they have been just as focused on securing victories in key congressional races as well as tight statehouse contests.

Though Iowas two statehouse chambers are controlled by Republicans and the state has swung toward Trump twice, Konfrst believes Iowa is not a lost cause when it comes to bringing balance back.

Tonight feels like a crossroads election where the pendulum has swung too far to the right and Iowans are going to try to begin the process of correcting, whether that means huge, huge wins tonight or just progress, she said.

I think that we need to recognize, and national folks need to recognize that Iowa is in play.

 Courtney Crowder

Early morning issues in Madison County fixed, according to officials

Madison County reported a problem in one precinct in Truro with voter check-in, when technology problems made it difficult for poll workers to know what ballot to give voters.

But those early morning problems were fixed, according to Madison County Auditor Shelley Kaster.

-Lee Rood

Polk County residents cast their vote, hope for unity

While standing in line to vote at the Polk County River Place, Charles King is weighing who he will vote for in the presidential race. He has traits he appreciates and opposes in both candidates.

King does know his biggest issue is womens rights and legalizing cannabis use.

I have my own beliefs as far as abortions go, but I feel that a woman should have the right to choose what she does with her body, King told the Register while waiting in line to vote Tuesday evening.

While Harris appeals to him for womens rights issues, but Trump appeals to King because he speaks his mind.

Regardless of if you agree with anything Trump says, disagree with anything Trump says, Trump is one of those people who lives like I live, King said. He dont give a damn. If he feels a certain way, he is going to say it. So that is one thing about Donald Trump that I do respect is that he just doesnt care.

For Matthew Campbell Jr., 60, he believes Trumps style causes instability, which is why he said he is voting for Vice President Kamala Harris.

I dont trust Donald Trump, having been a four-year service man myself serving the country, I dont trust him to be in charge of our military, Campbell said having served in the U.S. Air Force.

Womens rights are another issue driving Campbell to vote for Harris. After seeing how the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Campbell said he is fearful of what could happen next with another Trump presidency.

As a Republican, Alexandria Stratton appreciates Trumps appointments to the Supreme Court and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. She told the Register she hopes to see federal action similar to Iowas six-week abortion ban.

Even though Stratton and Campbell are voting for different candidates, they each shared a hope for unity regardless of the elections outcome.

I just pray for peace, no matter how this comes out, Campbell said. There is going to be a winner there is always going to be a loser.

 Kate Kealey

Ceiling falls in polling place in Black Hawk County before polls open, no injuries reported

Jill Higgins was nervous to work her first presidential election as chairperson for Black Hawk County elections. Before voters even started flowing into the University of Northern Iowa Commons to cast their ballots, Higgins faced an unlikely roadblock, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch.

A part of the ceiling in the ballroom at the polling location caved in. Luckily, it happened before polls opened and nobody was hurt, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch.

Even with the ceiling falling in, Higgins told the Iowa Capital Dispatch her experience as chairperson has been awesome as she witnessed many students vote for their first time.

Would I do it again? I would, I would, the more I do it, I know the more comfortable Ill feel, Higgins told the Iowa Capital Dispatch. Yeah, its an anxious time, right? But its fun, and its exciting to see all these students here, and, you know, giving some high fives and students are really excited, and thats whats great."

 Kate Kealey

Polls close in an hour

Iowan voters have less than an hour until polls close at 8 p.m. for the 2024 general election. If you are currently in line, don't leave. All voters have the right to stay in line as long as it takes to cast a ballot.

For those heading to the polls, you can find your precinct or polling location on the Iowa Secretary of State's website.

Make sure when you come to the polls, you have proof of identification. That includes:

Driver's license

Out-of-state driver's license or non-operator ID

U.S. passport

U.S. military ID or veteran ID

Iowa voter identification card

Tribal ID card/ document

Student IDs issued by an Iowa high school or college also serve as proof of identity.

Your proof of residence may be required if you are updating your address or registering to vote on Election Day.

 Kate Kealey

Voting issues reported in Montgomery, Mills counties in Iowa

The election triggered a sprinkling of other complaints across the state.

In Montgomery County, Auditor Jill Ozuna, a Republican, was accused of removing a Democratic ballot counter, Joey Norris, after he raised questions about how some ballots were being treated.

Ozuna declined to comment, saying she was too busy to talk on Election Day.

In Mills County, workers were unable to print out declaration of eligibility forms from voter check-in tablets, according to a news release from County Auditor Ami Petersen.

Poll workers used written eligibility forms instead.

This in no way affected the ability to vote or the ability to verify if a customer is eligible to vote, Petersens release said. The situation was fixed within an hour.

 Lee Rood

Iowa Democratic Party leader feeling nauseously optimistic

With about two hours until polls close at 8 p.m., Rita Hart is feeling nauseously optimistic.

Theres a lot of butterflies going on, the Iowa Democratic Party Chair said as CNN blared the first of many Key Race Alerts to come this Election Night. Were feeling positive, but we never know until the counting is done.

Hart, who voted early in Clinton County, spent much of Tuesday deploying teams to last-minute door knocks, phone banks and emergency responses at polling places. As someone who lost by six votes when she ran for Congress in 2020, she understands the importance of getting out every single vote.

We've got two races right here, these congressional races, that could come down to as close as that again, Hart said of the 3rd Congressional District race between Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn and Democrat Lanon Baccam and the 1st Congressional District race in which incumbent U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is facing challenger Democrat Christina Bohannan.

That's why we're saying right now the polls are open till 8 o'clock, Hart said. Make sure you are doing everything you can to get there yourself, or to get somebody that you know that has not voted yet, get them to the polls because it could make all the difference.

 Courtney Crowder

Complaint: Auditor Rob Sand acted unethically in handing out pizza to early voters Monday

Delivered lunch slices to MASSIVE lines of Iowa voters today! Get out and VOTE tomorrow visit https://t.co/2xdAWzpRN1 to make a plan! pic.twitter.com/ak6D5HuEC7  Rob Sand (@RobSandIA) November 5, 2024

A Republican political consultant filed a formal complaint Tuesday against state Auditor Rob Sand alleging unethical  and potentially criminal behavior  after Sand handed out pizzas while people were voting early Monday at the Polk County Election Office in downtown Des Moines.

The complaint from M. Luke Martz of Riverfront Strategy Group cites Iowa law that prohibits anyone from treating voters at a polling place or nearby.

Sand posted photos of himself to X with pizza outside of the Polk County Election Office on Monday, the last day of early voting.

I gave hungry voters Little Caesars pizza," Sand told the Register. "If I wanted to treat them, I wouldve bought Caseys.

Read the full story.

 Lee Rood

When do polls close in Iowa?

Polls will close 8 p.m., Central time in Iowa. If you are in line when polls close, you may still cast a ballot.

You can find your precinct at voterready.iowa.gov. Iowa also has same-day registration for new voters or if your information has changed.

 Brian Smith

How many electoral votes do Iowa, other states have?

Iowa voters will contribute six votes to the Electoral College.

A total of 538 electoral votes are up for grabs on Election Day and a presidential candidate needs to reach at least 270 votes to win.

Each state is awarded Electoral College votes based on how many members of Congress it has. The smallest states like South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming only get three votes. California has the largest number of Electoral College votes at 54. Although Washington D.C. does not have any members of Congress, it still receives three Electoral College votes.

 Brian Smith

More: What is the Electoral College? What to know for Election Day 2024

Voters cite the future of democracy as a top concern

The future of democracy in the United States is a key factor in voters decision at the ballot box, according to an AP VoteCast poll, mirroring findings reported in the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll.

The Associated Press survey of more than 110,000 voters nationwide found that about half of survey respondents reported democracy as the most important factor informing their votes.

The final Iowa Poll, released on Saturday, found 51% of those who prefer Vice President Kamala Harris listed the future of democracy as their top issue as well.

As for respondents who favored former President Donald Trump, the future of democracy came in third after inflation and the economy, as well as immigration, respectively. Of those who preferred Trump, 11% said they were thinking about the future of democracy in their decision to vote for him.

APs poll found high prices, abortion and the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border followed in importance for respondents. Four in 10 voters said high prices were the main driver of their vote, according to AP.

 Kate Kealey

More than 125,000 Election Day ballots cast in Polk County

Some Iowans are reporting long lines at polling places on Tuesday. A few counties are releasing preliminary turnout numbers.

Polk County is already seeing a higher Election Day turnout than it did in 2020, but many voters that year chose to vote absentee due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Polk County voter turnout*: 125,635 voters, as of 4 p.m. (Compared to 118,128 total Election Day voters in 2020 and 145,405 Election Day voters in 2016)

Black Hawk County voter turnout*: 23,687 voters, as of 4 p.m. (Compared to 25,807 total Election Day voters in 2020 and 37,963 Election Day voters in 2016)

Johnson County voter turnout* : 26,690 voters, as of 3 p.m. (Compared to 23,264 total Election Day voters in 2020 and 35,681 Election Day voters in 2016)

Scott County voter turnout*: 33,779 voters, as of 4 p.m. (Compared to 29,001 total Election Day voters in 2020 and 45,527 Election Day voters in 2016)

(* Note: Numbers are only in-person Election Day voters. Absentee numbers are not included)

Iowa has always had strong voter participation, but the state reached record levels in 2020.

2020 Iowa voter turnout: 1,001,573 voted absentee and 698,557 people voted on Election Day for 75.7% participation

2016 Iowa voter turnout: 934,219 voted on Election Day and 647,152 voted absentee for 72.7% participation.

(2016 and 2020 percentages were updated)

 Kate Kealey and Lee Rood

Additional voting machine helps Beaverdale cut down wait times

Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald said his employees delivered a second voting machine to a Beaverdale precinct Tuesday afternoon to cut down on wait times.

As of 3 p.m., he said, about 1,600 people had cast ballots Tuesday at the First Church of the Open Bible, located at 2200 Beaver Ave. He said more residents are voting there than on previous election days. His employees brought a second machine to the location around 2:15 p.m.

Turnouts been very heavy, Fitzgerald said. In the past, its worked out. This time, we should have had a second machine all day. We didnt.

He added that his office received reports about problems with the first machine at the location, which voters are still using. He said the machine is accurately counting and reading ballots. But voters are struggling to get the machines to pull in their ballots in the first place. Fitzgerald does not know what technical problem caused the hiccup.

Citing a precinct chair, Iowa Capital Dispatch reported that the ballots are 1.5 millimeters too wide for the machines. Fitzgerald refuted that report, saying the chair would not be in a position to know the proper dimensions for a ballot.

People are fired up, Fitzgerald said. People are overly sensitive. They should be. Theres a lot going on. Anytime people see something, they should say something. We appreciate that.

 Tyler Jett

Story County will count ballots by hand

Story County vote watchers could be in for a long night.

Voting machines inside some precincts didnt work Tuesday, and local political party leaders said election workers must count ballots by hand at those sites after polls close at 8 p.m.

Story County Auditor Lucy Martin said machines did not read certain ballot styles at about 12 of the countys 45 polling locations.

We dont know why, she said. The ballots were tested. The machines were tested.

Read the full story.

Republicans have submitted more early votes

Of the 675,464 Iowans who voted early, roughly 40 percent  or 267,103  were registered Republicans, according to the most recent data from the Iowa Secretary of States office.

Registered Democrats accounted for 38 percent of early voters, while Iowans registered with no party or a third party made up the remaining 22 percent.

 Cooper Worth

Ballot misspelling

Some Polk County ballots contain a typo in the wording of a proposed constitutional amendment regarding the gubernatorial line of succession, where "until" was misspelled as "unitl." The corrected spelling should be posted in all the voting booths, and the Iowa Secretary of State has said it's not an issue.

 Cooper Worth

Spending time in the waiting line

The line at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines marks the wait time via a handwritten paper towel on the floor.

Long lines have been consistent so far this Election Day.

At the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines, where two Dallas County precincts are located, wait times were noted via handwritten paper towels scattered throughout the facility. One of the notes notifies voters of an hour-long wait until they can reach the voting booths.

 Cooper Worth

Early voting totals

Over 650,000 Iowans voted early before Election Day, according to the most recent data from the Iowa Secretary of State's office.

Here are the early voting totals for some of the state's largest counties as of 7 a.m. Nov. 5.

Polk: 88,320 Linn: 50,352 Johnson: 45,420 Scott: 42,438 Dallas: 25,731 Black Hawk: 24,912 Dubuque: 24,225 Woodbury: 20,898 Story: 17,862

 Cooper Worth

Voters brave the rain and lines to cast their votes

Polls in Iowa opened at 7 a.m., and lines started to form shortly after. At Ankeny First United Methodist Church at 710 NE 36th St., nearly 100 people filled the church hallways by 7:30 a.m.  escaping the rain outside and waiting to vote.

One Ankeny resident, De Taper, was among the first in line at the church when the polls opened. Taper, 70, said she voted for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris for president.

"I'm sick of the negative rhetoric from [Donald Trump]," Taper said. "The Republican candidate has too many criminal cases going on for me to vote for him."

Another voter, Kayla Dang, was unsure whether she would vote in this election. Dang, 22, was eager to vote for the first time in 2020 but said her enthusiasm to vote in 2024 had diminished.

"I told my friends I wasn't going to vote, and then after, they were all basically shaming me for it, so I was like, 'You know what, they're right,' so here I am," Dang said.

Dang said she voted primarily for Democratic candidates this election, including for president.

"My views align more with Kamala Harris than Donald Trump," she said.

John Wehr, 54, voted on election day instead of an earlier date because he wanted to take his time researching the candidates.

"I'm an independent, and I wanted to get all the facts and assess each candidate's policy and character before rushing into a decision," he said.

Wehr said foreign security and financial stability were his top issues going into election day. Other voters, like Bryan Schwartz, 42, were more concerned with energy prices and immigration.

Schwartz, a Republican, said that while he voted for Donald Trump to be president, he would accept the election results even if his preferred candidate didn't win.

"I feel like in the state of Iowa, elections are done very well, and I feel like my vote is safe and secure, and I'm 100 confident in the process no matter the outcome," he said

 Cooper Worth

Voting difficulties in Story County

Some voting machines in Story County did not work Tuesday morning, according to KCCI.

Poll workers at those locations told voters to place their filled-out ballots in a bin, the news station reported. The Story County Auditors Office will request a recount for ballots at those locations.

County Auditor Lucy Martin did not immediately return the Des Moines Registers call or email, seeking additional information. An Ames Tribune photo journalist said poll workers did not use the voting machines at Bethesda Lutheran Church on Northwestern Avenue when he photographed the location Tuesday morning.

The Register is tracking reported problems at polling locations around the state Tuesday. Residents who encounter problems can contact the Register. Until 3 p.m., contact investigative reporter Tyler Jett at 515-284-8215, tjett@registermedia.com or tjett@proton.me. After 3 p.m., contact watchdog reporter Lee Rood at 515-284-8549 or lrood@registermedia.com. She also accepts messages on X @leerood or on Facebook at facebook.com/readerswatchdog.

 Tyler Jett

When do the election results come out?

Election laws vary by state. This can impact when states report results on Election night. Some states don't allow absentee processing to start until Election Day like in Wisconsin or Pennsylvania.

So when can Iowa voters expect Election Day results? Unofficial results are expected late this evening; results will be certified as official in the coming weeks.

What did the final Des Moines Register/ Mediacom Iowa Poll show before Election Day?

President: Kamala Harris has a 3-point lead over Donald Trump in the most recent Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. It's the first time a Democrat has led a Republican for president in Iowa this election cycle.

The most recent Iowa Poll released Saturday reported that Harris leads Trump in Iowa 47% to 44%. Since March, likely Iowa voters in the 2024 general election have been polled four times about which presidential candidate they plan to vote for in the election. When President Joe Biden was still in the race, Trump had garnered an 18 percentage point lead by June. Harris narrowed this gap in September, showing 4 points behind Trump.

Congressional Races: Democrats are now preferred in two of the four congressional races. Democrats hold an advantage in Iowa's 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts, while Republicans still hold a lead in the 2nd and 4th districts.

 Kate Kealey

Iowa's 3rd Congressional District: Incumbent Zach Nunn faces off against Democrat Lanon Baccam

Iowans residing in the 3rd Congressional District will either reelect Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn or send Democrat Lanon Baccam to Congress. The latest Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll showed voters in the district preferred a Democrat to a Republican by 7 percentage points. That is a swing from September's Iowa Poll where voters preferred a Republican by 8 percentage points.

Nunn is looking to maintain his seat in the U.S. House after winning Iowa's 3rd District in 2022. He has made immigration and the economy top priorities in his campaign. He also served in the Iowa Senate from 2018 to 2022 and the Iowa House of Representatives from 2014 to 2018.

Baccam has worked within the U.S. Department of Agriculture under former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack. He is a combat veteran and the child of Laos immigrants who came to Iowa in 1980. He has used his family's immigration story heavily on the campaign trail as part of a pitch to unite Iowans.

Iowa's 3rd District covers 21 counties in central and southern Iowa including Des Moines, West Des Moines, Winterset, Osceola and Ottumwa.

 Kate Kealey

What are the constitutional amendments on Iowa ballots?

There are two constitutional amendments on the ballot this election.

One lowers Iowa's voting age from 21 to 18 years old to coincide with the U.S. Constitution. The amendment is a procedural change because the state must abide by the federal voting age of 18. The measure also proposes changing the language at the beginning of the amendment from Every citizen of the United States to Only a citizen of the United States.

For more information regarding the voting age and citizenship amendment in Iowa, check out this article by the Registers Sabine Martin.

The second proposed amendment clarifies the line of succession if a governor leaves office. It makes clear that the lieutenant governor would assume the role of governor and be empowered to appoint a new lieutenant governor.

For more information about Iowa's constitutional amendment on gubernatorial succession, check out this article by the Registers Stephen Gruber-Miller.

 Cooper Worth

Iowa's 1st Congressional District: Incumbent Mariannette Miller-Meeks faces repeat challenger Christina Bohannan

Iowa's 1st Congressional District race figures to be one of the closest high-profile races on Election Day.

Incumbent Mariannette Miller-Meeks and challenger Christina Bohannan will face off for a second straight election after the Republican bested the University of Iowa professor and former state representative by more than 20,000 votes in 2022.

Miller-Meeks is seeking her third term in office. In her first run in 2020, she squeaked out a victory over Democrat Rita Hart by just six votes in what was then the state's 2nd Congressional District.

The Republican incumbent has focused her campaign by leaning on her record in Congress. In contrast, Bohannan has prioritized reproductive rights, criticizing Iowa Republicans and Miller-Meeks for policies she deems harmful to women.

For more information about the candidates on the ballot for Iowa's 1st district, check out this article by Iowa City Press-Citizen's Ryan Hansen.

 Cooper Worth

What's on your Iowa ballot?

When you go to vote on Nov. 5, the top of your Iowa ballot will feature known names such as former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris along with their running mates. But as you make your way down the ticket, some races and candidate names may become less familiar.

Not only will 2024 Iowa general election ballots include two proposed constitutional amendments, but some counties also face ballot measures for multi-million dollar bonds for local projects.

Take a look at what's on your ballot.

 Kate Kealey

Judicial retention: Why are judges on the ballot in Iowa?

Iowans will decide whether nearly 70 judges, including a Supreme Court justice, will keep their jobs. While Iowa's judges are appointed, they are required to periodically face voters for retention. If a justice is removed, the governor would appoint a replacement.

This year's slate includes Supreme Court Justice David May, four Iowa Court of Appeals judges, and 64 district and associate judges. The latter will only appear on ballots for voters in their districts.

Justice May's retention has caught a lot of attention this election cycle after he joined the 4-3 majority of conservative justices that allowed Iowa's six-week abortion ban to take effect earlier this year. May was appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in 2022, and now voters can say whether he should remain in his seat.

More: 13 Iowa races in the 2024 election we're watching

District and appellate judges serve six-year terms, while Supreme Court justices serve eight-year terms.

For more information about Iowa judges up for reelection, check out this article by the Registers William Morris.

 Cooper Worth

Polls are open

It's Election Day and polling places in Iowa opened at 7 a.m. this morning. Voters are assigned a polling place within their communities. To find your polling place, visit voterready.iowa.gov or your county auditor's website.

If you plan on voting in person today, you have to be in line before polls close at 8 p.m.

 Cooper Worth

How to register at the polls on Election Day

Iowa does allow voters to register to vote on Election Day at the correct polling location that corresponds with the voter's address. To do so, the voter must prove their identity and address. A valid Iowa driver's license with the voter's current address can meet both requirements.

Other forms of proof of ID include:

Iowa non-operator ID

Out-of-state drivers license or non-operator ID

U.S. passport

U.S. military or veteran ID

ID card issued by an employer

Student ID issued by Iowa high school or college

Tribal ID card/document

If your driver's license does not have your current address, or if you're using an ID without an address on it, you will also need to provide proof of residency.

The following documents (in paper or electronic form) can serve as proof of residence provided they are dated within the last 45 days:

Residential lease

Utility bill (including a cellphone bill)

Bank statement

Paycheck

Government check or other government document

Property tax statement

 Kate Kealey

Are ballot selfies legal in Iowa? Can I wear campaign gear? What's allowed on Election Day

Election laws vary by state, making it at times difficult to keep up and remember what the protocol is every year.

Aside from registering and bringing your ID, here are other election rules to know before you head to the polls, which are open 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., in Iowa.

 Kate Kealey

What's on your ballot in Iowa?

At the top of a ballot will be the presidential race, but from there most races will vary depending on where you live in Iowa. Iowa tickets will have a front and a back, so voters should remember to turn their ballots over to ensure they vote for all their applicable races.

All four of Iowa's U.S. representative seats are up for election. Iowa House and Senate races will also appear on the ballot. Candidates and races will vary depending on where the voter's registered address.

Voters will also decide whether to retain Iowa Supreme Court Justice David May and various local judges up for retention.

There will also be two constitutional amendments for Iowans to either approve or deny. A number of county positions such as auditor, sheriff and supervisor will be on the ballot depending on the residence of a voter.

 Kate Kealey

Where do I find my polling place in Iowa? Here's how to find your precinct.

You can find your precinct on the Secretary of State's website, voterready.iowa.gov, by entering your ZIP code and address.

 Cooper Worth

How to report problems at the polls on Election Day in Iowa

If you witness questionable activity or have issues while at the polls, visit the Iowa Secretary of State's website on Election Security or call the office's voter hotline at 1-888-SOS-VOTE.

Poll watchers will be present across the nation for the general election. These non-government employees can observe parts of the election process, including looking at eligibility slips and challenging a voter's qualifications. However, they are restricted in what they can do during the election, such as being unable to handle ballots and voting equipment, solicit votes for candidates, or interrupt or talk to a voter while in line or while the voter is approaching the polling place.

Des Moines Register investigative reporters Tyler Jett and Lee Rood will be monitoring election day for any voting problems.

Jett can be reached from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at:

Email: tjett@registermedia.com

Phone: 515-284-8215

Social media: @LetsJett on X

He also accepts encrypted messages at tjett@proton.me.

Contact Rood from 3-11 p.m. at:

Email: lrood@registermedia.com

Phone: 515-284-8549

Social media: @leerood on X or on Facebook at Facebook.com/readerswatchdog.

Be sure to include your name and contact information so they can get back to you.

 Cooper Worth

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Election Day 2024: Republicans expand control in Iowa
For the latest election information after polls close in Kentucky, including results, visit here.

Election Day voting problems in Kentuckys largest  and bluest  city prompted calls for election officials to keep polls open late in Jefferson County.

Polls are scheduled to close at 6 p.m. local time across the commonwealth. If you are in line by 6 p.m., you will be allowed to vote no matter how long it takes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

5:45 p.m.: A Jefferson County judge has denied a motion to extend polling hours after severe technical issues caused hours-long voting delays in Louisville Tuesday morning.

The Kentucky Democratic Party and Kentucky American Civil Liberties Union had filed a motion in Jefferson Circuit Court asking to extend polling hours to make up for the delays.

But Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Eric Haner denied the motion just 30 minutes before polls were set to close in Kentucky Tuesday.

Haner ruled that the request did not establish that anyone in Louisville had been denied the right to vote, and the polling locations did not close.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

4:30 p.m.: As voting in Kentucky headed into the final hours on Tuesday, several people at Lexington Traditional Magnet School cast their ballot quickly and without lines.

One voter, Mequita Craig, voted for Kamala Harris for president. She had her daughter in tow, and she said one of her major priorities was womens rights and funding for senior health care.

Craig said she did not want anyone to be able to tell her what access to health care she could or could not have  especially when it came to abortion access.

If my daughter is 16 years old and gets pregnant, I shouldnt have to take her four states away if she needs an abortion, Craig said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another voter, Grant Koepke, said his primary focus when casting his vote was the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He cast his vote for third-party candidate Jill Stein, although he admitted she was unlikely to become the nations leader.

But, it was better than the two major parties, he said.

There is no legitimate choice, he said. If (former President Donald Trump) gets elected, Israel is getting bombed. If (Harris) wins, Israel is getting bombed.

Meshawn Gragston brought her son, who cast a vote for the first time. That, she said, was the only thing to which she was looking forward on Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While Gragston would not disclose who won her vote, she said the whole election threw her for a loop.

The candidates have changed, and the policies have been all over the place, she said. I just cant keep up.

In Pulaski County, David Ramsey, a 42-year-old disabled Army vet and Science Hill resident, said he voted for Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver. Ramsey said he used to be a registered Republican but is not a registered Libertarian.

Im really not for either of the other two, he said of Trump and Harris.

He said Harris did not provide enough specifics during the campaign about policies she would pursue, and Trump seems too cozy with billionaires.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Isaac Sanders, 49, of Somerset, is also an Army veteran who said he was voting for Harris for the protection of the country.

I think we need new all around, he said.

William Martin, 41, of Eubank, a registered Republican, voted for Trump.

The economy and illegal immigration were his main concerns.

The economy is so bad right now, and also immigration, he said. Hopefully if Trump wins hell start to steer everything back in the right direction.

Charles A. Carrender, of Science Hill, 53, works at Walmart, and is registered independent. He said he voted for Stein because he believed she is the most qualified.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His top issue was inflation, and he believed Stein would do more to address that concern.

Carrender said he didnt see Harris as leadership material, and she didnt make a compelling case hat she would do a better job than Biden.

He cited several reasons he doesnt support Trump, including his threat to put high tariffs on Chinese goods, his treatment of women and the fact that he was convicted of a sexual crime and multiple felonies.

Trumps my nightmare come back to life, he said.

3:30 p.m.: There were 280 Election Day calls to the Kentucky Voter Fraud Hotline including 138 from Jefferson County, where widespread technical problems delayed voting across the city of Louisville and apparently sending some voters away before they could cast a ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the Attorney Generals office, many from Louisville were related to voting machines.

The hotline will be staffed at least until 7 p.m. on Election Day and can take calls even afterward.

Calls so far this year have eclipsed those in the 2016 presidential election year, when 216 were received from 59 counties on Election Day. The Attorney Generals office received 330 complaints in the 2020 general election cycle, including those received on, before and after Election Day.

2:45 p.m.: The Kentucky Democratic Party and Kentucky American Civil Liberties Union filed a motion in Jefferson Circuit Court asking to extend polling hours in Jefferson County after severe technical issues caused early morning voting delays, according to a news release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the motion, significant county-wide delays began almost immediately and the electronic poll books crashed approximately every 3 minutes for the first three and one half hours of voting.

An affidavit by the clerk of a polling precinct at Hartstern Elementary said voters waited as long as 2 1/2 hours.

Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaws office sent an employee to reboot the system around 9:30 a.m., when they were finally able to process voters normally, according to the affidavit.

KDP Executive Director Morgan Eaves said in a statement: After receiving numerous reports of technical issues causing severe delays and infringing on Kentuckians constitutional right to vote, we immediately filed a motion to request that the Jefferson County Clerks Office extend polling hours until 8 p.m. ET. We will use all legal means necessary to ensure that every single Kentuckian eligible to vote has the ability to do so.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

2 p.m.: Election Day calls to the Kentucky Voter Fraud Hotline hit 214 by 1 p.m., with more than half of them coming from Jefferson County.

According to the Attorney Generals office, there were 112 calls so far from Jefferson County with many related to voting machines.

There were so far 15 calls from Fayette County, according to the Attorney Generals office.

1:30 p.m.: Fayette County has not experienced technical issues but has seen a surge in voting that is expected to continue as the workday ends, according to a spokeswoman for Clerk Susan Lamb.

We are just swamped at all the locations, with lots of calls to phone banks checking on registrations, said Meredith Watson.

12:30 p.m.: Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg posted on social media that he was encouraging Jefferson County and the state Board of Elections to keep the polls open longer and provide all available accommodations to ensure that everyone gets a chance to vote in this important election after widespread voting problems earlier in the day in the heavily Democratic city.

However, the Jefferson County Clerks office responded to WDRB with a statement: We have no intention of keeping polls open later than 6, and we would appreciate if the mayor would refrain from telling us how to do our job. We take this very seriously, and we are very confident that everyone will be able to vote by 6pm today.

The Kentucky Lantern reported that the ACLU of Kentucky is exploring all options, including litigation, to ensure every eligible voter in Jefferson County can access the ballot box today. ... We encourage anyone impacted by todays breakdown to call the Voter Protection Hotline 866-Our-Vote.

11:30 a.m.: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said in a news conference that, as of 10 a.m., there were 156 calls from 32 counties on Election Day across the commonwealth to the election fraud hotline.

Many of the calls came from Jefferson County, he said.

He said its frustrating that there were problems in Jefferson County but the calls and online reports also show the system works.

Coleman said the issues in Louisville on Tuesday regarding polling delays have been resolved and he is encouraging any voters who had to leave to return to vote.

This morning in Jefferson County, there were multiple issues in multiple polls, technical issues, my understanding is these have all been resolved, Coleman said. I encourage those who were frustrated, who left, to return to the polls.

How to vote

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Registered voters will need to show photo ID or be known personally by an election official who must sign an affirmation.

Voters can cast their ballots at Lexington Public Librarys Northside Branch in Lexington, Ky., on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Acceptable forms of ID include your drivers license, military ID, college ID or Kentucky government ID. Other forms of ID are accepted with signed statements.

You can look up your polling place at govote.ky.gov.

A voter walks into Kirklevington precinct at Tates Creek Middle School, Tuesday, November 7, 2023 in Lexington, Ky.to cast their ballot for the 2023 statewide general election.

Its time to vote in 2024 General Election. How to find your Kentucky polling place

How to report voting problems

If you see election problems, you can report them on the Voter Fraud Hot Line at 800-328-VOTE or online at ag.ky.gov.

There were 357 pre-Election Day calls from across the state, including 19 from Fayette County.

Coleman said that a team of state, federal and local law enforcement and constitutional officers is working to provide free, fair and secure elections in the commonwealth.

We want to show Kentuckians that we take election integrity seriously, Coleman said on Tuesday.

He said they can help get voters to the correct information and to debunk false information about voting problems as well.

Coleman said that he had purposely called the hotline at 6 a.m. on Saturday to see if he would get voicemail; instead he got a senior elections official in person.

Many calls to the hotline involved procedural or legal questions, but some involved electioneering (candidate or issue advocacy too near the polling place) or allegations of campaign violations, vote buying/selling, voter intimidation and people attempting to vote more than once.

In Fayette County, there were four pre-Election Day calls about campaign violations, three about electioneering, and five involving or from an election official.

There were complaints in 12 Kentucky counties involving voting machines before Election Day.

The attorney generals office does not release specific information about ongoing investigations, but allegations of a vote-switching malfunction in Laurel County were investigated and deemed unfounded.

And, despite a viral social media post, there was no complaint to the Kentucky election board involving a pre-marked ballot.

9:45 a.m.: The Kentucky Attorney Generals election fraud hotline received 110 Election Day complaints by 9 a.m. including seven calls from Fayette County. The calls in Lexington were related to election officials, procedural and legal questions and absentee ballots.

A voter cast his ballot in the 2024 general election as he holds a little girl at Lansdowne Elementary School, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Lexington, Ky.

Voters line up to vote in 2024 general election at Liberty Elementary School, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Lexington, Ky.

Jefferson County, which experienced delays involving electronic poll books used to verify registration, had 68 calls including 41 involving voting machines and 10 involving procedural questions. Other complaints included allegations of a non-citizen voter and a person voting more than once.

At 9:30 a.m. Kentucky Secretary State Michael Adams spokeswoman Michon Lindstrom said: I am being told by ES&S the issue has been resolved. The delay was caused by the epoll books not being backed up early enough to be ready at 6 am. This only affected Jefferson County. Im being told the lines are moving more quickly.

9:15 a.m.: Around the state, lines were long in some places but moving. In Science Hill, there was a steady stream of voters but no issues by mid-morning.

Voters took to social media to report high turnout in Bardstown and Bowling Green as well.

Anderson County Clerk Jason Denny, a Republican, said turnout there was 41.2% when the day started (from early voting) and had climbed to 51% as of mid-morning. Turnout on Election Day had been heavy but there had been no problems.

Its actually been a smooth morning, he said. He projected the turnout would reach 70 to 75%.

Anderson County is one of a few in the state to offer drive-through voting. The drive-through location had four lanes. Denny said in the past, 60% of voters used the drive-through.

8:15 a.m.: Adams office says voting across Kentucky so far has been pretty smooth.

Spokeswoman Lindstrom said there were some early morning lines in Louisville because the electronic poll books were turned on right at 6 a.m. which took a little time to get them running. Aside from that its pretty smooth.

Louisville Public Media reported that it took some voters there more than an hour to vote because of technical delays of 30 minutes or more.

Adams posted on social media that they expected all poll books in Jefferson County to be fully operational by 8:30 a.m.

Jefferson County voters: we are aware of the delay in getting e-pollbooks up and running in some voting locations. We expect them all to be fully operable by 8:30am.  Michael Adams, KY Secretary of State (@KYSecState) November 5, 2024

7:45 a.m.: In Fayette County, early voters in some locations found lines but voting was mostly smooth and quick, even with multiple items on the ballot.

Voters line up to vote in 2024 general election at Liberty Elementary School, Tuesday, November 5, 2024 in Lexington, Ky.

Voters cast their ballots in the 2024 general election at Lansdowne Elementary School, Tuesday, November 5, 2024 in Lexington, Ky.

Meredith Watson in Fayette County Clerk Susan Lambs office, said after normal start-up hiccups such as machines not turning on properly, all polling places are up and running.

The only issues weve had is that lines at some polling places are very long, Watson said. Center Point Church and Tates Creek Library both reported long lines, she said.

Lines are just going to be long everywhere today. Ask folks to hang in there, Watson said. If you have a different address on your ID than on your voter registration then they have to manually check it. Weve got everyone manning the phones. So please be patient.

A line formed before the polls opened for general election voting at Central Baptist Church off Nicholasville Road on Wilson Downing Road near Fayette Mall on Nov. 5, 2024. Four precincts are voting at this location this year.

A baby boy checks out voters as they cast their ballots in the 2024 general election at Lansdowne Elementary School, Tuesday, November 5, 2024 in Lexington, Ky.

All precincts are open as well as polling places inside Lexington Public Libraries again today.

Some locations reported lines of voters waiting before the polls opened: There were people out the door at 5:20 a.m., said Ron Merrifield, a poll worker at Lansdowne Elementary where they had over 100 voters in the first hour. But things slowed after the rush hour.

Kingswood precinct in downtown Lexington just off Delaware also had more than 100 voters in the first hour, with a line beginning to form just after 7 a.m.

Polls are across Kentucky for Election Day voting from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Whats on the ballot in Lexington, Kentucky

With the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on the ballot, turnout was expected to be high.

Also driving Kentucky voters to the polls: two proposed constitutional amendments. One would reiterate that non-citizens cannot vote. The other would allow public tax dollars to go to private schools.

Early voting in Kentucky began last week but the vast majority of voters were headed to the polls Tuesday.

You may also vote on Congressional races, but no U.S. Senate seat in Kentucky is being contested this year. Several Kentucky House and Senate races are up for grabs.

In Fayette County, city council seats also are on the ballot, as well as a proposed tax to fund parks.

The line to vote in the 2024 general election at Tates Creek Elementary School stretched outside the main door at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Heres how Kentucky voters can locate sample ballots, candidate info for 2024 election

Guia de votacion temprana para Lexington: Fechas importantes y otra informacion

Kentucky voters will see 2 amendments on their 2024 ballots. Heres what they mean

The line to vote in the 2024 general election at Tates Creek Library stretched almost to Walden Drive at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Can voters wear campaign gear at the polls in Kentucky? What electioneering laws prohibit

What were those machines in the viral Kentucky voting video? And how do they work?

Laurel Co. pulls ballot-marking machine after viral video claims Trump vote went to Harris

Turnout prediction

Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams said that, based on heavy early voting, a record number of votes could be cast.

Adams said that including absentee ballots received and three days of early voting last week, 792,476 Kentuckians voted already, more than twice the number who voted early in 2023.

Wondering who to vote for? Heres a roundup of Herald-Leader endorsements for Nov. 5 | Opinion
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  It is officially Election Day in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley and residents are heading to the polls on the final day of voting, casting their votes for president and many local races.

The presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump tops ballots as the biggest contest.

Where to vote in Northwest Arkansas and River Valley

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other races include Arkansas U.S. House seats, the Arkansas Supreme Court chief justice seat, Issue 2 (also known as the proposed casino amendment), along with state Senate and House seats.

In Arkansas, voting locations are open until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Anyone in line before 7:30 p.m. will still be allowed to vote.

KNWA/FOX24 will be providing live updates throughout the day. Follow along below:

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
The polls have closed across South Mississippi and the vote is being counted this Election Day.

Our team of reporters visited polling places across the Coast, providing up-to-the minute coverage of todays races. Now we bring you the latest from the local election and races across the state and nation.

For up-to-the-second results from state and national races of note, click here..

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the latest results

11:22 p.m.: As we await the final results from the presidential race and other races of interest, click here for up-to-the-second results from The Associated Press. Thanks for following along.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harris captures Virginia, Hawaii

10:57 p.m.: Vice President Kamala Harris captured Virginias 13 electoral votes and Hawaiis 4 electoral votes, according to The Associated Press. The victory pulls Harris to within 21 electoral votes of Donald Trump and sets up a fight to the finish, where it appears Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin will determine the presidency.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Republicans to control U.S. Senate?

10:50 p.m.: Republicans have secured control of 50 U.S. Senate seats, according to The Associated Press. The GOP now needs only to add one more Senate seat, or to capture the presidency, to control the legislative body.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ga. official: Trump has insurmountable lead in state

10:45 p.m.: The Macon Telegraph reports Georgia Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger declared an insurmountable lead for Donald Trump over Kamala Harris in the state, adding he expected no further election updates.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harris wins New Mexico

10:35 p.m.: Kamala Harris captured New Mexico and its 5 electoral votes, according to The Associated Press. The victory cuts Donald Trumps Electoral College lead to 230-192 as the eyes of the nation increasingly are focusing on the remaining battleground states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gulfport attorney leads for MS Supreme Court seat

10:30 p.m.: Gulfport attorney David P. Sullivan has pulled ahead of incumbent Dawn Beam in the race for District 2, Place 2 on the Mississippi Supreme Court. With 84% if votes counted, Sullivan had 170,510, or 54.5%, to Beams 142,348, or 45.5%.

Anita Lee

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harris picks up Oregon

10:25 p.m.: Vice President Kamala Harris put a small dent in Donald Trumps big electoral lead with a victory in Oregon, according to The Associated Press. The victory cuts Trumps lead to 230-187.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First battleground race called

10:20 p.m.: The Associated Press is projecting that former president Donald Trump will win North Carolina, capturing the Tar Heel States 16 electoral votes. This is the first of the seven battleground states that most prognosticators believe will determine the winner. Trumps lead has risen to 230-179.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harris narrows the gap

10 p.m.: Kamala Harris picked up two big electoral states, securing Washingtons 12 votes and Californias 54 votes, according to The Associated Press. The AP also awarded Idahos four votes to Donald Trump. That leaves the former president with a lead of 214-179 as we get to the point of the night where we wait on the seven states that prognosticators believe will decide the winner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Score 2 more for Trump

9:45 p.m.: Rumors of Kamala Harris strength in Iowa proved to be greatly exaggerated. Donald Trump again captured the state and its 6 electoral votes, and added the 6 electoral votes from Kansas, as well, according to projections from The Associated Press. That leaves Trump with a commanding 210-113 lead, as Kamala Harris picked up a single electoral vote from Maines 1st District.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Incredible race in South MS

9:45 p.m.: The race for the Mississippi Court of Appeals District 5 Position 2 seat is almost impossibly close, with two-thirds of the vote in. At the moment, Ian Baker leads with 34.3 percent of the vote, while Amy St. Pe has 33.3 percent and Jennifer Schloegel has 32.5 percent. In a race this close, a runoff seems all but certain. The competitors, though, are still to be determined.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump leaves the stage following a rally at Dorton Arena in Raleigh on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, one day before Election Day.

Is this the red wave?

9:30 p.m.: The New York Times presidential forecast is showing an 83% chance that Donald Trump recaptures the presidency, possibly sweeping all seven of the states considered too-close-to-call entering the night. Additionally, Nate Cohn of the Times wrote The race for the national popular vote is a true tossup. Trump has run well all over the country. If that trend continues in California and New York, where the vote count is still early, theres a distinct chance he could win it.

Tim Thorsen

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harris captures D.C.

9:30 p.m.: Kamala Harris, facing what is beginning to look like a steep climb to the presidency with Donald Trump outperforming predictions across the nation, captured Washington D.C. and its 3 electoral votes. Trumps lead now stands at 198-112 and there is a very real chance that he not only captures the electoral vote, but the popular vote, as well.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trump, Harris keep climbing

9:10 p.m.: Donald Trump added two more states to his ledger, while Kamala Harris added one more, according to The Associated Press. Trump picked up Utah (6 electoral votes) and Montana (4), while Harris added Colorado and its 10 electoral votes. The additions leave Trump with a 198-109 advantage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell reacts after winning reelection during an election watch party at Grand Magnolia in Pascagoula on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell keeps seat

8:55p.m.: Republican Mike Ezell has been elected to a second term in the U.S. House, defeating Democratic challenger Craig Raybon, according to The Associated Press.

Mary Perez

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trump wins Missouri

8:53 p.m.: Donald Trump captured Missouri, according to The Associated Press. The victory adds 10 electoral votes to the former presidents tally, giving him a 188-99 lead over Kamala Harris.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trump adds 1 to his lead

8:45 p.m.: Donald Trump added one electoral vote to his total, capturing the 3rd District in Nebraska, a state which awards its 3 electoral votes by district. The win adds to Trumps lead, which now stands at 178-99.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump leaves the stage following a rally at Dorton Arena in Raleigh on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, one day before Election Day.

Trump picks up two big wins, adds to lead

8:15 p.m.: Donald Trump captured Ohios 17 electoral votes and the 40 electoral votes from Texas, according to The Associated Press. That takes the former presidents Electoral College lead to 177-99 over Kamala Harris. Importantly, none of the states considered too-close-to-call have been won by either candidate.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Big shift as more polls close

8 p.m.: Donald Trump and Kamala Harris each added to their electoral vote total, with Trump picking up five states and Harris picking up one. Trump was declared the winner of the following states by The Associated Press: North Dakota (3 electoral votes), South Dakota (3), Nebraska (2), Wyoming (2) and Louisiana (8). Harris added New York and its 28 electoral votes. Overall, Trump now holds a 120-99 lead. A reminder: 270 electoral votes are needed to secure the presidency.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harris cuts into Trumps lead

7:35 p.m.: Kamala Harris was declared the winner of Delaware (3 electoral votes) and Illinois by The Associated Press. With the states three electoral votes, Donald Trumps lead is now 101-71.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trump, Harris win more states

7:30 p.m.: Donald Trump extended his Electoral College lead to 101-49 over Kamala Harris in the most recent reporting from The Associated Press. Trump added Arkansas to his list of wins (6 electoral votes), while Harris added New Jersey (14).

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wicker wins another term in U.S. Senate

7:10 p.m.: Republican Roger Wicker has won re-election to the U.S. Senate, according to the Associated Press. Wicker defeated Democrat Ty Pinkins in the race.

Anita Lee

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trump wins MS, takes 95-35 lead

7:05 p.m.: Ten more states have been projected by The Associated Press, including Mississippi. States awarded to Donald Trump include: Oklahoma (7 electoral votes), Tennessee (11), Mississippi (6), Alabama (9), South Carolina (9) and Florida (30). States called by The Associated Press for Kamala Harris include Massachusetts (11 electoral votes), Rhode Island (4), Connecticut (7) and Maryland (10).

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Polls closed in MS, Hurricane Rafael forms

7 p.m.: Polls have closed across Mississippi, and the process of reporting results can begin. Additionally, in non-political news, Hurricane Rafael has formed in the Caribbean Sea.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trump wins West Virginia

6:30 p.m.: The Associated Press has declared former president Donald Trump has won West Virginia, pocketing four electoral votes and increasing his lead over Vice President Kamala Harris to 23-3.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trump 19-3

6 p.m.: The first round of polls have closed in the east and The Associated Press has declared Donald Trump the winner in Indiana (11 electoral votes) and Kentucky (8 electoral votes). The AP has also declared Vice President Kamala Harris the winner in Vermont (3 electoral votes). To win the presidency, 270 electoral votes are required. For the latest results in the presidential race, click here.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The line at the West Jackson County Safe Room was significantly shorter at 4:45 p.m. than it was at 7 a.m., when it wrapped nearly all the way around the building.

4:45 p.m. was the right time

4:45 p.m.: The line at the West Jackson County Safe Room took 25 fewer minutes to get through late Tuesday afternoon than early Tuesday morning. The line wrapped nearly all the way around the building this morning, and took more than 45 minutes to get through, depending on the first letter of your last name. This afternoon, it took 20 minutes or fewer. Additionally, there were no lines in Harrison County at the Frank Gruich Community Center, the Lopez Quave Public Safety Center or First Baptist Church on Popps Ferry.

In Hancock County, there was no line at Diamondhead City Hall. Poll workers said 1,160 people had voted as of 5:20 p.m. and over 200 had voted early through absentee. There are 2,620 registered voters in the precinct.

Tim Thorsen, Hannah Ruhoff and Martha Sanchez

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Former Circuit Clerk Connie Ladner retired in 2023 but still signed up to work as a poll manager Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at the Lyman Community Center in Gulfport.

She retired, but she didnt quit

5 p.m.: Connie Ladner worked for 40 years in the office of the circuit clerk for Harrison, Hancock and Jackson counties, serving her last eight years as the circuit clerk responsible for administering general elections.

She retired at the end of 2023.

So what did she do this election day? Well, she worked the election. This time, Ladner served as a poll manager at the Lyman Community Center in Gulfport.

Its still in my system, she said, but the good part is, I dont have the stress of preparing for all this. But I still have the enjoyment of participating in the process.

Anita Lee

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MS Secretary of States update

4:45 p.m.: One precinct in the state opened late on Election Day, according to a report from Secretary of State Michael Watson, and some voting machines temporarily went down. Polls close at 7 p.m., but any voter in line at that time can cast a ballot. County election officials will begin tabulating ballots at the closing of the polls, the report said. For questions or issues, call 800-829-6786 or email ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov or visit YallVote.ms.

Mary Perez

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An 18-wheeler temporarily blocked Touriel Road, just south of the busy voting precinct at the Lyman Community Center in Gulfport (background). A tow truck lifted the rear wheels of the 18-wheeler from a ditch, freeing the driver to continue his route and unblocking one of the northbound lanes of U.S. 49, which runs in front of the center.

Truck blocks road near busy precinct

4 p.m.: As the end of the workday neared, a voter line built at the Lyman Community Center in Gulfport.

Just before the line started building, an 18-wheeler was fortunately cleared from Touriel Road, which sits just south of the center. The trucks rear wheels got stuck in a ditch when the driver turned onto Touriel, blocking that road and a northbound lane of U.S. 49. The driver said he was headed for a tractor supply business.

As vehicles backed up on the highway, a tow truck driver lifted the rear of the truck back onto Touriel, clearing drivers and voters to return to the business at hand.

Anita Lee

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anita Seymour (front) brought her grandchildren to the Donal Snyder Community Center in Biloxi to vote for the first time. Casting ballots with her were grandchildren DeShawn Donaldson (left), 19, granddaughter Angelina Donaldson (center) 18, and son Timothy Seymour.

First-time voters glad they cast ballots

3:15 p.m.: Anita Seymour always says, If you didnt vote, dont complain.

She has instilled in her grandchildren the importance of voting and was happy that she was able to accompany two of them to cast their first ballots on Tuesday.

I had a little bit of anxiety, but it was quite fun, said 18-year-old Angelina Donaldson. She said she was worried that voting would be like a test, but it wasnt at all. Her brother, DeShawn Donaldson, 19, also voted for the first time.

I told them somebody died to gi ve them that right, So you better go vote,  Seymour said.

Her son, Timothy Seymour, also voted with the family at the Donal Snyder Community Center in Biloxi.

Anita Lee

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sherry Tyson, left, and Patricia Jefferson, right, are outside the West Biloxi Library, where Tyson voted Tuesday afternoon. Jefferson, her caretaker, lives in Gulfport and plans to vote there after work.

Gulfport voter visiting three precincts

2:45 p.m.: Patricia Jefferson of Gulfport plans to vote later today but has already been to the polls twice. Jefferson is a caretaker who was working Tuesday. She had already taken one client to vote when she and a second client, Sherry Tyson, headed to the West Biloxi Library so that Tyson could vote. Both were drawn by the presidential election but also think its important that citizens exercise their right to vote.

I advise everybody to vote, Jefferson said. Its important.

Poll manager Rachel Atkins said a line formed outside the library before the precinct opened, but voters have not encountered lines for most of the day. Instead, its been steady, with about 25% of registered voters having turned out. Thats about average, poll workers said, although they expect to be busier later in the day.

Anita Lee

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minor problems in Harrison County

2:30 p.m.: Harrison County Circuit Clerk Justin Wetzel said there were some minor jams of ballots in machines Tuesday morning. Those have all been worked out, he said, and the machine shows when each ballot has been counted. He originally expected a turnout of 60% to 65% of the registered voters, he said, but judging from the lines hes seeing all over the county and into the afternoon, he now thinks the turnout will be even higher.

Mary Perez

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Calm before the storm

2:30 p.m.: The Harrison County Good Deeds Community Center in north Gulfport is largely empty this afternoon. Poll workers, though, expect business to pick up as people get off of work. There have been no issues at the site and 231 votes have been cast, of the 1,154 registered voters there.

Margaret Baker

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Big turnout in DIberville

2:15 p.m.: DIberville Civic Center, one of the largest precincts in Harrison County, has seen high turnout today according to poll manager Eugene LaCaze.

At about 1:30 p.m. the precinct had seen 2,196 voters, he said, or about 24% of registered voters for the precinct. According to LaCaze, there was a long line for the polling location this morning, but by 1 p.m. things had calmed down.

Things seemed calmer in general this year in comparison to 2020s presidential election, said LaCaze, who has run the precinct since 2008. He dealt with heated voters and constant long lines in 2020.

Outside the precinct, down by the street, people waved signs for candidates, including David P. Sullivan and his wife Stefany Sullivan. Sullivan is running for Mississippi Supreme Court.

Its great to be here in my home city waving at people, Sullivan said.

Hannah Ruhoff

Around 12:50 p.m, poll workers at the First United Methodist Church in Long Beach said about 22 percent of the 4,000 registered voters there had cast their ballots.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More than 1,000 votes at Long Beach church

1:30 p.m.: At the First United Methodist Church in Long Beach, a steady stream of voters have been casting their votes since 7 a.m. Around 12:50 p.m, Poll workers said about 22 percent of the 4,000 registered voters there had cast their ballots.

Margaret Baker

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I voted stickers await those who completed their ballots at the St. Martin Community Center in Jackson County Tuesday morning. A big turnout is reported across the state, with few problems at the polls.

Statewide Its steady, its crazy

1:15 p.m.: No major election issues in the three Coast counties have been reported to the Secretary of States office, said communications director Elizabeth Jonson.

Large turnouts are being reported across the state, she said, with only a few incidents.

Most of the problems are about voters wearing clothing with campaign logos, which is prohibited, and political signs being too close to the polls. There also was a report of poll workers at Casey Elementary School in Jackson placing ballots inside boxes instead of voting machines.

Its steady, its crazy but it seems to be good, she said.

Mary Perez

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Very busy morning in St. Martin

12:30 p.m.: Voters in St. Martin lined up as early as 5:30 a.m., according to Jack Eleuterius, the bailiff at the St. Martin Community Center polling location. He says this morning until around 9:30 the line was wrapped around the building, which is also home to the St. Martin library.

So far, he says theyve had no issues and as of noon they had seen around 1,000 voters, which according to Eleuterius is above average. By noon, the pace was much slower with no line but he says after 3 p.m. he expects the line will pick back up.

Hannah Ruhoff

Poll worked at the St. Martin Community Center polling location check voters in Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Problem in Pennsylvania

12:20 p.m.: According to FOX News, a Pennsylvania judge approved a petition to extend voting hours until 10 p.m. ET after a malfunction prevented voters in Cambria County from scanning their ballots.

Elections officials emphasized that no one who wishes to cast their ballot will be turned away and that all votes will be counted. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley urged voters to stay in line and cast their ballots regardless of the delay.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lines stretched across the parking lot Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Orange Grove Community Center, but had disappeared by midday.

Calming down at Orange Grove

12:15 p.m.: Lines stretched across the parking lot at Orange Grove Community Center in Gulfport on Tuesday morning.

Precinct manager Dian Lee said she believes turnout has been outpacing four years ago and the mornings rush was a big indicator why.

I think the line went all the way out to Dedeaux Road, Lee said.

Voters were still entering the building at a steady pace around midday. The noon count for the location that covers the Orange Grove community and much of Dedeaux Rd. was at 1,160 ballots.

Lee said she expects another significant line in the evening and hopes it goes as smoothly as the mornings, which didnt produce any issues.

Scott Watkins

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cant Florida do anything right?

Noon: The Miami Herald reports Some Florida voters found error messages when they went to the states website to check their voter registration status Tuesday morning, according to the Associated Press. A spokesperson for Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd confirmed the states online Voter Information Lookup tool went down and was experiencing technical issues Tuesday morning. Said spokesperson Mark Ard: Were working to resolve it. Were providing alternative websites and locations for voters to find their voter information, their precinct.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have more faith in this election than Ive had in any, Diamondhead poll manager Debra Cwiklik (right) said Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Never seen anything like this

11:45 a.m.: The rush in Diamondhead started early. Election workers found voters sitting in lawn chairs outside the Diamondhead Community Center precinct before it opened at 7 a.m., poll manager Debra Cwiklik said.

By 11 a.m., 2,400 people had voted on Tuesday at the precinct, according to Cwiklik. The precinct also recorded over 1,500 absentee ballots before Tuesday.

Ive never seen anything like this, said Cwiklik, who has worked in three presidential elections.

Voters came in waves, but the lines were not long. Election workers let 15 people inside at a time during the morning rush, and the precinct started to grow busy again before lunchtime. Cwiklik said some voters were coming in from the nearby golf course.

The precinct had reported no problems Tuesday morning. Cwiklik said one woman walked in wearing a political shirt, which is prohibited, but the woman turned her shirt inside out at election workers request.

I have more faith in this election than Ive had in any, Cwiklik said.

Martha Sanchez

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A child plays under the voting table Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Pascagoula.

Action heavy in Pascagoula

11:30 a.m.: There have been 467 ballots cast at First Presbyterian Church in Pascagoula, and officials say the precinct usually doesnt have that many total votes for a city election.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Election Day voters wait in line Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at the Fountainbleau Community Center in Jackson County.

Heat-related problems in Jackson County

11:15 a.m.: A moderate line of voters waited outside in the sun around 11 a.m. at Fountainbleau Community Center in Jackson County.

Rick Lucero, the bailiff at the Fountainbleau location, said that the wait depended on the voters last name. The line for voters with last names starting with A, B and C had been moving slower, averaging about a 40 minute wait while the line for all other last names was moving quicker.

Lucero said the location has been busier than he expected. Due to the outdoor wait, he said theyve had to call an ambulance a few times for heat-related injuries, but other than that Lucero said theres been no issues at the polling location.

Tell everyone to come down and vote, he said.

Hannah Ruhoff

Suzette Ezell (left), the wife of U.S. Rep. Mike Ezells greets voters Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, along with Eamon Mohiuddin at the Fountainbleau Community Center in Jackson County.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first four hours of Election Day have been smooth at the Sue Ellen Recreation Center in Moss Point.

All clear in Moss Point

11 a.m.: Nows a good time to vote at the Sue Ellen Recreation Center in Moss Point, with lines that arent too long. Its a good turnout, election officials report, with 320 ballots cast by 10:45 a.m.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mid-morning on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, there was no line to vote at the old Lopez Elementary School in Biloxi. Poll workers say theyve had no problems, so far.

Easy in-and-out in Biloxi

11 a.m.: Poll workers at the old Lopez Elementary School in Biloxi report no problems as voters trickled in. At 10:50 a.m., 541 people had cast votes at the election site.

Margaret Baker

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1/2 Horrible, unsafe ramp at Miami-Dade precinct 669 in Little Havana. My husband literally called it "the death slide" just seconds before this lady fell trying to exit after voting. A @DisabilityRtsFL poll watcher witnessed it as well. pic.twitter.com/Al9EJBSaRZ  Dani Rivera (@MiamiSeda) November 5, 2024

Of course theres a problem in Florida

10:50 a.m.: From the Miami Herald: Be mindful of potential hazards on wet surfaces. A Florida voter said she slipped and fell on her way out of Precinct 669 in Little Havana on a video posted to X around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. In the clip she said she told poll workers that she almost slipped coming up the stairs on her way inside to vote. She said she asked them to place a second caution cone to warn that the walkway may be slippery.

Mop it up or do something because its not right, she said in the video after she had fallen on her way back out after voting. When she exited, she said she fell. Her leg slipped and swept backward  the same leg that was injured in a December car accident, she said. A photo on the X post shows her on the ground. My husband literally called it the death slide just seconds before this lady fell trying to exit after voting, Dani Rivera wrote on her X post.

Howard Cohen, Miami Herald

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was no line at 10 a.m. at the Hancock County Courthouse in Bay St. Louis on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

You can walk right up in Bay St. Louis

10:30 a.m.: There was no line to vote at the Hancock County Courthouse in Bay St. Louis, which election workers said was normal at the smaller precinct. They said just after 10 a.m. that 49 people had voted at the precinct on Tuesday  39 women and 10 men.

Janis Harmon, an election worker there, was working her first race in Mississippi. She recently moved to Bay St. Louis from New Jersey, where she said she served 10 years as an election worker. She said she is driven to serve in part because her family has deep roots in the military.

Ive always had a love of country, Harmon said.

Martha Sanchez

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Orderly and respectful in Ocean Springs

10:15 a.m.: A line snaked out the door and around the side of the Ocean Springs Civic Center as voters waited to place their votes. Nancy Wilson, a poll watcher with the Democratic Party said that voters have been waiting between 45 minutes to an hour to vote. Despite the wait, Wilson said she hasnt seen any problems.

Ive been very impressed with this particular voting precinct, Wilson said. Its been orderly and people have been respectful as it should be in a Democratic society.

Wilson says that as a poll watcher her responsibility is to report into the DNC every hour on how the precinct is doing. To be a poll watcher, Wilson says she had to be certified and she has a responsibility to be present but not engage with voters and not say anything political.

Bo Vaughn, who was in line to vote, said she had been waiting about 20 minutes, but she was expecting to have to wait.

Its a gorgeous day to have a choice and a vote that counts, she said.

Hannah Ruhoff

The first three hours of Election Day saw no problems at the Ocean Springs Civic Center, with voters waiting patiently Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, to have their say.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter Dias of Vancleave wore a Trump hat and shirt to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Ive had people attack me in Lowes and Walmart, he said.

Extra machines in Vancleave

10 a.m.: About 200 people were in line when the North Vancleave precinct in Jackson County opened at 7 a.m. Extra voting machines were brought in to handle the anticipated crowd. Election officials said more people voted in the first 15 minutes than vote in a 12-hour primary election. By 10 a.m. 450 people had voted and the line was short.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Voters line up as early as 4 AM to cast their ballot at the War Memorial Building, 220 N. Maple Street, Mooresville N.C. on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

The view from N.C. & Georgia

9:45 a.m.: The teams at the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer and Macon (Ga.) Telegraph are all over events in North Carolina and Georgia. Those two states are critical in Donald Trumps and Kamala Harris bids to capture the presidency. Sun Herald subscribers can also access their content.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Swinging the swing states?

9:30 a.m.: Our friends at the Miami Herald report that an analysis from the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University showed young voters in 2022 had a major impact in swing states, shifting some of the key Senate battles. Could they do the same in the 2024 presidential election? College students are usually allowed to vote in either their hometown or where they attend school, according to Vote.org. Its why some students in battleground states plan on casting their vote in their college state, ABC News reported.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trump vs. Harris: What to watch

9:15 a.m.: We love Mississippi, but our six electoral votes arent likely to be the determining factor in whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris is the next president of the United States. These are seven states that are likely to be the difference in the top race on the ticket. If youre tracking presidential results tonight, these are the states to watch.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was smooth sailing Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, for voters at the City Court building in Pass Christian, Mississippi.

Quick line in the Pass

8:30 a.m.: A line to vote stretched outside the City Court Building in Pass Christian around 8 a.m., one hour after polls opened in Mississippi. But the process ran smoothly, and most voters were in and out within 20 minutes.

Martha Sanchez

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The early morning line to vote at the West Jackson County Safe Room stretched around the building Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Long lines in Jackson County

8:15 a.m.: Voters who lined up at 7:15 a.m. encountered long lines at the West Jackson Safe Room. The line, which wrapped around the building, took 46 minutes to get through. Voting officials reported no problems, despite the heavy early morning turnout.

Tim Thorsen

It took early morning voters nearly an hour to get through the line Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at the West Jackson County Safe Room in Gulf Hills, Mississippi.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No matter what happens today, 12 hours from now, you'll be less afraid to answer your phone and maybe slightly less annoyed by commercial breaks.

Happy Election Day everyone.

Godspeed to us all.  Scott Maxwell (@Scott_Maxwell) November 5, 2024

Its time. Go vote.

7 a.m.: The polls are open across Mississippi in Election 2024. Youve got 12 hours to get to your polling place and vote. And once youre done ... and polls close ... click here for the latest updates from races across the state and nation.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What you need to know

6:30 a.m.: Were a half-hour away from the opening of polls across Mississippi. If you have any last minute questions before you vote, here is everything we will be voting on today. And what do you need to bring? Here is a list of IDs you can use to vote  including a Mississippi pistol/revolver ID.

 Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8 million Florida votes already in

6 a.m.: Weve still got an hour before the polls open in Mississippi, but more than half the vote is already complete in Florida. Utilizing absentee and early voting, the Miami Herald reports about 50% of the states registered voters have already cast their ballots, according to Florida Division of Elections data and registered voters data analyzed by the Miami Herald.

Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trump vs. Harris: Its a tie

5:45 a.m.: The first official votes of the presidential campaign are in. And if the rest of the day is anything like this, were in for a long night. The six citizens of Dixville Notch, a remote unincorporated township in New Hampshires North Country region, cast their ballots at midnight. The final tally? Former President Donald Trump and Vice-president Kamala Harris each finished with three votes.

 Tim Thorsen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Absentee ballot update

5 a.m.: A large turnout is predicted by circuit court officials in the three Coast counties, based on the number of absentee ballots already cast.

(Tuesday is) going to be some very long lines, said Harrison County Circuit Clerk Justin Wetzel. Hes sent lots of extra equipment to the precincts to help alleviate some of the lines, he said, and asks the voters to be patient.

To find your polling place, check here.

The count for each county is:

Hancock County: 3,674 absentee ballots issued, 3,546 received Thats a record, said Circuit Clerk Kendra Necaise. In the 2020 presidential election, 3,419 absentee ballots were received. The first day of absentee voting, nearly 70 people came to the office, she said.

Harrison County: 14,633 ballots issued, 14,085 received Thats slightly less than the 16,292 absentee ballots received in 2020, Wetzel said, when medical marijuana was on the ballot.

Jackson County: 7,486 absentee ballots were received, said Circuit Court Chief Deputy Valerie Damazio, with mail-in ballots still coming in. The absentee voter turnout usually is indicative of what its going to be at the polls, she said . Although this years absentee vote was lower than in 2020, Weve had a big turnout, she said, as people lined up to vote early.

The Resolution Board in each county can begin processing absentee ballots at 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Secretary of States office.

Most of these are scannable ballots, Damazio said.

Election officials in each county can tabulate the ballots beginning at 7 p.m., when the polls close.

 Mary Perez
Minnesotans have been taking to the polls to cast their votes for president, congress and state lawmakers on Tuesday.

The polls close at 8 p.m. across the state, with results starting to filter in throughout the evening.

Follow our live blog for the latest updates from Minnesota and the situation at the national level.

View the original article to see embedded media.
It is Election Day in South Carolina, and voters around the state are heading to the polls to weigh in on pivotal contests up and down the ballot.

Voters will decide whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump will become the nations 47th president.

Additionally, each of South Carolinas seven U.S. House of Representatives seats is up for election.

Control of the state legislature is also up for grabs, with all 170 seats in the General Assembly 124 in the House and 46 in the Senate on the ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some voters will also cast ballots for county sheriff, circuit solicitor, probate judge, coroner, school board, and a host of other local contests.

Polls close at 7 p.m. and results are expected to come in shortly after.

Follow live updates from Election Day here:

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
Bluffton lines up early

Even after a dramatic peak in early voting turnout, poll workers at H.E. McCracken Middle School welcomed about 100 voters lined up outside the building when the precinct opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to poll clerk Bill Brady. With four voting machines instead of the usual nine, the voting location easily handled the initial surge and the steady trickle of voters that followed, experiencing no technical problems in the process, he said.

At 2 p.m. Tuesday, a few voters filed in and out of H. E. McCracken Middle School in Bluffton to cast their ballots.

Toni Ambrosini, a paraprofessional at May River High School, said she showed up to vote for the future of her children and grandchildren, citing her concerns with the economy and the southern border. When it comes to local elections, she said she is proud of the leadership in Bluffton and Beaufort County, but that the two bodies can do even better with the right people elected. She was not in support of the 1% sales tax referendum, saying that the county should learn to allocate its existing funds more efficiently.

- Reporters Chloe Appleby and Evan McKenna, Nov. 5 at 2:30 p.m.

Port Royal turnout brisk

By 10:30 a.m., the polling place at Port Royal Town Hall had a steady stream of voters waiting to cast ballots. Earlier in the morning, 40 people were waiting to vote when the doors opened.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

- Reporter Karl Puckett, Nov 5 at 11 a.m.

Voters cast ballots Tuesday morning at the Port Royal Town Hall.

Adding in the Tuesday live voting totals, overall turnout climbing

As of 11 a.m., 17,455 votes have been cast on Tuesday alone. This number accounts for 57% of the overall turnout, which includes both Election Day votes and early voting; early voting represents 45% of the total turnout, Elections Director Marie Smalls said.

- Reporter Isabella Douglas, Nov 5 at 11a.m.

Three Hilton Head polling locations await the lunchtime rush. Morning turnout light.

Poll workers at three mid-island polling places including the Hilton Head Library, Hilton Head Presbyterian Church and the School for the Creative Arts on Bus Dr. all reported a slower than expected turnout in the morning wave of election day voting. At the church, one of the poll workers said, we had 22 people when the doors opened and since then its been a trickle. The other two places echoed similar sentiments and all pointed to the effectiveness of the early in-person voting offered by the county.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

- Senior Editor Robert York, Nov 5 at 11a.m.

No lines seen at two polling locations in Buffton

No waiting to vote in the General Election at the Bluffton Branch Library on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in greater Bluffton.

While there was steady in and out foot traffic there were no lines outside to vote in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at the Buckwalter Recreation Center. A voter leaving said he walked right in and out, just after the noon hour in greater Bluffton.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Drew Martin, Nov. 5 at 1:40 p.m.

Will Tuesdays weather be a factor in outcomes in Beaufort County or South Carolina elections results?

Tuesdays weather forecast from the National Weather Service in Charleston shows a 40 percent chance of showers, mainly between 8am and 1pm with a high near 78. With the polls open from 7a.m. to 7p.m., will the possibility of rain in the middle five-hour stretch on election day have an affect on voter turnout?

Generations of news reporters and academics have studied this question for decades and many news organizations have woven the subject of inclement weather into a standard buffet item on the election news menu.

There are a few caveats in this debate and two of them probably disqualify South Carolina and Beaufort County from having outcomes influenced by the weather.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Reason one: If weather is a factor, several pieces of research shows it is primarily a factor (if at all) in swing states. Polling shows that the Palmetto State may be many things, but a presidential swing state its not.

Reason two: Much of the study of the impact weather has had on election results happened before the wide deployment of early voting. With two weeks to get to the polling places before the traditional election day, many voters have the luxury of not only waiting for good weather but also knowing when the lines will be shortest. In Beaufort County, the early voting program resulted in nearly 60,000 ballots being cast representing not only the largest number ever but also a substantial amount of the eligible electorate.

Finally, the question of what localized weather timing has on down ballot municipal elections issues including selection of the next Mayor of Beaufort, the penny sales tax and some council races.

Predicting the weathers impact on local races is just about as easy as predicting the weather in the Lowcountry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

- Senior Editor Robert York, Nov 5 at 7a.m.

Where to get a sample ballot and what to bring with you on election day?

Polling places are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m Tuesday. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

If youd like to see the ballot youll use to vote on Election Day, the South Carolina Elections Commission has you covered.

In fact, the agency recommends you get a sample and prepare to vote. Education means less time in the voting booth.

You can check a sample ballot at your MyscVOTES.

Its as simple as entering your name, date of birth and last four digits of your social security card. Oh, and clicking the box to ensure youre not a robot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You may also reach out to your County Voter Registration Office for help with a sample ballot scvotes.gov/contact/county-voter-registration-election-offices.

The Elections Commission also recommends making sure you have a photo ID (SC Drivers License, SC DMV ID Card, SC Voter Registration Card with Photo, Federal Military ID, or US Passport).

You can get a photo ID at DMV or your county election office and if you cant do that the commission says, You may vote a provisional ballot after signing an affidavit stating you have a reasonable impediment to obtaining a Photo ID.

Reporter Lyn Riddle, Final published Nov. 1 at 10a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nearly 60,000 Beaufort County Voters took advantage of the new early voting process

Early voting is occurring at a record-setting pace across the county for late October and early November thanks to a new way the Board of Voter Registration and Elections is offering ballots thats been a big hit with residents.

Early voting is offered over a two-week no excuse period  as opposed to voting on just the traditional election day. The process differs from the absentee voting. That process allows residents to receive a ballot in the days preceding the election, but they must provide acceptable excuses such as an illness or age.

The pace of no excuse early voting has Marie Smalls, who heads the Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections, excited about this years voter turnout.

Residents enter the early voting center at the St. Helena Branch Library Friday morning.

As of 1 p.m. Friday, 56,855 people, or 40% of the countys 141,221 registered voters, had voted already in the election, Smalls said, which is the highest percentage of early voting in the county since at least 2008.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have record number turnout, Smalls told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet. Thats a change from what happened before in the other previous elections.

Early voting was introduced in the mid-term election in 2022 and accounted for 20% of the turnout, according to the county. But this election is the first time early voting is being tested on a large scale during a presidential election  and a nail-biter to boot with Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump virtually tied in national polls in the dwindling days of the campaign. A bevy of federal, state and local races and a $950 million transportation referendum are ramping up interest as well.

While early voting is just two-years old, Smalls says the presidential race of 2020 provides somewhat of a comparison to this years early voting pace. In 2020, in-person absentee voting was higher than usual because restrictions on who could vote absentee were dropped due to the coronavirus pandemic. That year, in person absentee voting was 33,591 compared to the 56,855 people who had early voted as of 1 p.m. Friday.

- Reporter Karl Pucket, Posted Friday, Nov. 1: 1p.m.

Resist the urge to take a photo of your ballot - it could get expensive

If youre tempted to take a photo of your ballot in a voting booth in South Carolina, dont. Its illegal and could land you in jail, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SLED is cautioning voters against taking a ballot selfie, or a photo of their ballot, as doing so is against the law in South Carolina, punishable by a fine or up to a year in jail, according to a news release.

Under South Carolina law, voters are prohibited from taking photos of their ballot and sharing that photo or allowing their ballot to be seen in any way, the release said.

South Carolina voters are not allowed to use a camera inside the voting booth, the release said.

- Reporter Javon L. Harris, Posted Friday Nov.1 at noon

Candidate and issue Q&As

Herbkersman faces Owens in District 118 election: Experience vs. change on key local issues

Hilton Head and Daufuskie island state house candidates address ferry concerns, share stances ahead of election day

Newton and Creech face off in South Carolinas District 120 election.

Ward 3 Hilton Head candidates stand on opposite sides of penny sales tax

Hilton Head council races at a glance

State House District 124: Incumbent Shannon Erickson of Beaufort is facing a challenge from Melinda Erickson of Port Royal.

Tom Davis and Gwyneth Saunders are the candidates in state Senate District 46 which includes most of southern Beaufort County.

The Nov. 5 ballot will ask Beaufort County residents to decide a 1% sales tax to fund transportation improvements

Q&A: Heres how Beaufort mayoral candidates would address growth and Waterfront Park

Four candidates fighting for two jobs on the Beaufort City Council. Heres where they stand

Michael Rivers and Shelley Gay Yuhas are running in House District 121

Editorial Boards endorsement of South Carolina races

This opinion piece contains all 30 of the races the editorial board researched and wrote
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT)  Tuscaloosa County residents will have the opportunity to vote on a local amendment that would reverse a 1947 amendment that has prevented some from voting in certain elections.

Local Amendment 1 on the ballot reads as follows:

Relating to Tuscaloosa County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to provide, effective for the school year commencing in August 2025, that territory subject to the jurisdiction and control of the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education would only include territory within the corporate limits of the City of Tuscaloosa, and territory outside of the corporate limits of the City of Tuscaloosa would be subject to the jurisdiction and control of the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education or any other city board of education outside of the corporate limits of the City of Tuscaloosa, if applicable. (Proposed by Act 2024- 163)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you plan on voting on this ballot item, state Rep. Ron Bolton (R-Reform) said make sure youre looking at the one that states local amendment because there will be a state amendment on the ballot, too.

Weve just been working really hard to get these residents down there their right to vote in their elections, and we just appreciate peoples support for this one, Bolton said.

First time voters get ready to hit the polls in Alabama

Right now, an area of residents on Sanders Ferry Road and Black Warrior Road live within the Tuscaloosa County limits. Their property taxes, however, go to the Tuscaloosa City School System and not the countys school district.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nearly 80 years ago, the amendment was passed as a business incentive for the Goodrich rubber plant, Graddy Bobo said.

The amendment created the special tax district that Bobo found out he was zoned in during the 1980s.

Its taxation without representation, Bobo said.

Bobo and other residents in the special tax district have found themselves in a limbo because of that 1947 amendment.

Theyre not allowed to vote on the city school board elections or the county elections, Bolton said.

If the amendment passes after Tuesdays election, residents like Bobo will get their voice back.

Were down here in no mans land, and this will rectify that, Bobo said. This will put us back in the county, where we should be.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Their property taxes would go to the countys school system. New students would be zoned for the county as opposed to the citys schools.

Current city school students living within the special tax district would not be affected if Local Amendment 1 passes.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP)  As fire departments work to control brush fires burning across Massachusetts, residents are strongly urged to help prevent these fires. In addition to this, many communities are asking people not to burn anything at all outside to lower the risk.

It is certainly one of the driest situationsand most hazardous situations Ive seen in my career, says Agawam Fire Chief Alan Sirois. Brush fires continue to burn hundreds of acres across the state.

As of Monday morning, some are close to being fully contained in western Massachusetts, and nearby in Worcester County. However, the Fire Chief in the town of Spencer says residents are not adhering to the burning ban to help prevent these fires. Spencer fire crews were called to 6 outside fires this past weekend from people burning leaves and trash.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Agawam Fire Department has been assisting crews in Monson to control the brush fire there, caused by improper disposal of embers from a bucket of ashes. They are being caused by just carelessness or negligence on the part of people burning in their backyard, adds Chief Sirois. Agawam joins many other communities enforcing stricter outdoor burning restrictions.

Chief Sirois emphasizes the importance of public safety, Our main goal with this ban is to keep people safe. This is a public safety matter. We want people to be informed and we want them to be educated on what the hazards are. Under Massachusetts Law, residents in violation of an open burn ban could face fines of up to $500 plus the cost to suppress a fire.

James B. Winston, a Lawyer with James B. Winston Law Offices, told 22News, After all many departments have to bring in firefighters on overtime which can be very costly for a community to put out a fire. Theres also the possibility of imprisonment up to one month.

Massachusetts residents are strongly encouraged to contact their local fire department if they have any questions about their communitys open burn ban. MassDEP says open burning season runs from January 15 to May 1st, and is only allowed on days when both air quality and fire safety conditions are acceptable.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  On Monday night, citizens in St. Paris voiced concerns at a village council meeting regarding a proposal from the mayor that could leave the village without police.

This isnt the first of the police trouble the village has dealt with.

This summer, St. Paris Police Chief Eric Smith was arrested for carrying an open firearm and allegedly refusing to put it away during the Champaign County Fair. He was charged with obstructing official business and criminal trespassing. However, the case against him was dismissed last week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Village of St. Pariss City Council has proposed to dissolve their citys police department. They say it would be more cost-effective to contract officers from the Champaign County Sheriffs Office.

Centerville small business announces closure

However, at the meeting it was made clear the community does not share these sentiments. Community members filled the councils champers to near capacity.

When public comments began, people expressed frustration at what they saw as a lack of support for their local police.

Council members argued that there wasnt enough funding to support the villages own police department. They say bringing in the Champaign County Sheriffs Deputies was a way to cut back on costs and still receive law enforcement coverage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meeting attendees, including the St. Paris Police Chief Eric Smith, explained that enough funding was possible if proper action was taken to keep their police department around.

People shared that long response times from sheriffs deputies and not having law enforcement present would cause more problems in the future.

Its minor stuff thatll grow big. Theres no reason to not have a police department. We have to have a police department, said Nelson and Jane Faulkner.

No decision was made tonight. However, it seems clear the Village of St. Paris wants to see its police department stay and receive funding and ongoing support.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN)  New polls show Republican Bernie Moreno ahead of current Ohio Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown.

Data shows Moreno is expanding his lead on Brown, but not all voters are convinced this is how the race will turn out.

A new poll from The Hill and Emerson College shows Bernie Moreno up by three points against Sherrod Brown for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Poll shows razor-thin race for Ohios US Senate seat

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Among undecided voters, the margin in Morenos favor is even larger, showing 59 percent in support and Brown with 40 percent. The combined poll has more up four points going to Election Day.

This is a highly anticipated race for Ohio voters, as it has become one of the most expensive senate races in history. Ad impact reports candidates have spent an estimated $500 million.

Some voters say they do not believe the polls accurately show candidates local support.

I think polls are becoming less and less reliable in general. I also always hope the polls wont discourage people from turning out when its a landslide. You think, I dont need to show up, but I dont trust the polls. They might be right, they might be wrong. Vote either way, said Anne Greer, Springfield voter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voters are also concerned that data is unreliable in polls.

Polls are taking on greater and greater newsworthy worthiness. But in some ways, I think theyre becoming less reliable. Got a lot of young voters who dont necessarily get captured in polls, said Greer.

Springfield residents also say issues like reproductive rights and immigration are most important in this election.

One man did not want to be shown on camera but told 2 NEWS, people are not happy with local issues surrounding the influx of Haitian migrants in the city.

A lot of people are offended. People who have lived here for quite a while arent getting the resources that a lot of immigrants are getting, said an anonymous Springfield resident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jason Baker, Clark County Board of Elections director, says the county is prepared for a large voter turnout this year.

Was your 2024 election ballot received? Ohio voters can check here

To me, its all about logistics. Is planning. Its preparing and just scheduling and executing, said Baker.

Based on participation in the 2020 election, Clark County expects at least 40,000 local voters this year.

Well, back in 2020, we had over 70% turnout, roughly 70 to 73%. Were expecting the same, if not a bit higher, said Baker.

Polling places open at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
COLUMBIANA CO., Ohio (WKBN)  A Columbiana County wildlife officer was recognized in Columbus for his life-saving actions earlier this year.

After a child was hit by a riding mower in July, Officer Jesse Janosik was the first responder to arrive and jumped into action. Now, he is the recipient of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Directors Valor Award.

Officer Janosik is a hero for his actions while helping to save the life of a child, said ODNR director Mary Mertz. We are forever grateful to Officer Janosik for his service to his community and to all Ohioans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The department said his actions greatly affected the childs survival and he demonstrated many outstanding qualities, including courage, calmness, clear-headedness and bravery.

Janosik began life-saving measures, communicating all the while with Columbiana County dispatch, relaying critical information about the situation, including the activation of a medical helicopter.

He also delegated duties to others on the scene and cared for the childs wounds until emergency medical technicians arrived. Finally, he assisted the Columbiana County Sheriffs Office after the child was transported.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
The United Kingdom has been unable to retrieve its weapons from floating armories offering weapons and accommodation for guards defending Russian oil tankers, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 5.

As Russias oil exports increased to India following EU sanctions, so did the number of its vessels traveling through the dangerous Suez Canal and Red Sea, driving up demand for armed guards who temporarily travel on the ships until they pass the dangerous zone.

The guards use the floating armories for weapons storage and accommodation, Bloomberg explains.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As sanctions ramped up, the U.K. withdrew the permits for these vessels, but the weapons stored on them were not returned to a licensed depot, the outlet writes.

The vessels serving as armories were transferred to a Singapore-based company, remaining in use by the security firms providing their services, using British weapons to protect sanctioned Russian oil exports from pirates.

Since the change of domicile by the companies owning the vessels, the U.K. has been unable to determine where the weapons are and been unable to retrieve them, Bloomberg reported, citing an undisclosed source familiar with the matter.

Fossil fuel exports are one of the key sources of revenue for Russia's federal budget, helping to sustain Moscow's all-out war against Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the Western countries have imposed massive sanctions against the Russian economy since the outbreak of the all-out war in 2022, Moscow has managed to avoid many restrictions through intermediaries and shell companies.

Russia is also aided in sanctions evasion through its allies, including China, Iran, and North Korea.

Read also: Sanctions for show: Russian oil sales to China, India single main driver of Ukraine invasion

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Voters wait Tuesday morning outside St. Paul United Methodist Church in Louisville, where three precincts in the Highlands area vote. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Deborah Yetter)

LOUISVILLE  A Jefferson Circuit judge has denied an emergency request that polls in the county remain open until 8 p.m. because of technical breakdowns in Tuesdays election that caused hours-long delays in voting at some precincts.

The order by Judge Eric Haner comes just 30 minutes before polls are scheduled to close at 6 p.m. and follows a lawsuit filed by the Democratic Party of Kentucky, joined by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky. It is the constitutional right of every eligible voter in Kentucky to cast their vote in the election, said Corey Shapiro, ACLU legal director.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The decision capped a flurry of legal activity that began after reports of significant delays in voting at some Jefferson County precincts amid major turnout for the election with the presidential race at the top of the ballot.

In a four-page order, Haner said the plaintiffs failed to show anyone was denied the right to vote since at no time did any of the polling places close.

Haner also said the request to keep the polls open two hours later was disproportionate to anything that occurred.

And, Haners order said the Kentucky Constitution grants the General Assembly, not the court, the power to establish hours for an election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But he used the order to remind the public that anyone waiting at the polls by 6 p.m. has the right to vote.

The Kentucky Democratic Party initially filed a lawsuit, asking that voting hours in Jefferson County be extended to 8 p.m. to allow more time for voters after computer problems caused delays in Tuesdays election.

The lawsuit, filed in Jefferson Circuit Court, alleges system crashes of e-poll books used to verify identities of qualified voters in precincts caused significant delays of up to three hours or more when the polls opened at 6 a.m.

The e-poll books crashed dozens, perhaps hundreds of times, causing delays that forced some people to leave without voting, said the lawsuit filed against Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw, a Republican who oversees elections in the county.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It asked the judge to order Holsclaw to keep the polls open an additional two hours to allow Jefferson County residents more time to vote.

Post on X. (Screenshot)

Kentucky law requires all voters in line by 6 p.m.  when polls officially close  be allowed to vote, but they must be present at the precinct.

A spokeswoman for Holsclaw did not immediately respond to a request for comment but her office dismissed a similar proposal from Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, a Democrat, earlier Tuesday.

Greenberg had asked on X, formerly Twitter, for Holsclaw to consider extending voting hours. But her office rejected that option in a response posted by WDRB news anchor Hayden Ristevski.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have no intention of keeping the polls open later than 6, and we would appreciate if the mayor would refrain from telling us how to do our job, it said.

We are very confident that everyone will be able to vote by 6 p.m. today, it said.

At least two groups, the Democratic Party and the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, said Tuesday they were considering emergency lawsuits to give Jefferson County residents more time to vote with the presidential election at the top of the ticket.

After three days of historic levels of early voting, unfortunately the burden now falls to voters to find more time in their schedules to be able to cast their ballots, said ACLU legal director Corey Shapiro. We encourage all voters to stay in line so that their voices may be heard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Beth Thorpe, communications chair for the Louisville Democratic Party, said Democrats planned legal action after hearing reports of voters waiting two hours or longer, some of whom had to leave.

One included an emergency room physician who waited two hours before having to leave for a 12-hour work shift, which means she will be unable to get back to the polls in time to vote.

We have been collecting stories, Thorpe said. What is unquantifiable is how many people have left who are not going to be able to come back.

In an affidavit, Logan Gatti, chairman of the Louisville-Jefferson County Democratic Party, said his office had received hundreds of reports of people saying they had been unable to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The reports consistently indicated that voters experienced wait times of up to and exceeding three hours, he said in an affidavit filed with the lawsuit.

After the ruling Kentucky Democratic Party Executive Director Morgan Eaves said the judges decision not to extend voting hours was disappointing given the extensive technical issues in Jefferson County, which caused some voters to wait in line for more than three hours. Polling locations across Jefferson County were functionally closed. She also said that instead of fighting for Jefferson County voters, the Republican Party of Kentucky argued in opposition to giving people more time to vote.

Michon Lindstrom, a spokeswoman for Secretary of State Michael Adams, a Republican, said the issue appeared to affect only Jefferson County and was related to equipment not being fully backed up before polls opened at 6 a.m.

The issue has been resolved, she said in an email.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Delays in computer equipment used to check in voters and verify their identity appears to have caused the delays, Thorpe said.

The problem appeared to be linked to efforts to back up the system before the polls opened with the names of the thousands of people who cast ballots through early voting. Nearly 800,000 Kentuckians took advantage of early voting, Adams said.

At St. Paul United Methodist Church in Louisvilles Highlands, which houses several voting precincts, voters waited in a growing line Tuesday morning as workers tried to usher them through the process.

Computer problems, said one election worker as he checked in voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At a couple of Louisville polling locations, the technical problems seemed to have been resolved by early afternoon.

Poll worker Clint McKay said poll workers at the Beechmont Community Center in South Louisville were frustrated with trying to reboot the voter ID machines when the polls opened at 6 a.m. The issues lasted until about 10 a.m. or 11 a.m., he said.

I was just impressed by how understanding and patient everybody has been, McKay said. I havent heard anybody that left in frustration. McKay said a few people decided to vote later in the day after hearing news reports of issues when the polls first opened.

Read the Kentucky Democratic Party lawsuit

KDP Complaint and Motion for Injunction

Liam Niemeyer contributed to this report.
LANSING  When former President Donald Trump announced that the last event of his campaign for the White House would once again be held in Michigan, on Monday night in Grand Rapids, he was following a tradition that predates his own 2016 campaign.

Michigan has been an 11th-hour campaign stop for presidential candidates for decades, though no candidate other than Trump has chosen Michigan to put an exclamation mark on a campaign three consecutive times.

In 1988, Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis even held a predawn Election Day event at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, shortly before the polls opened at 7 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump's Monday night rally at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids is a sign of the enduring importance of Michigan on the presidential map, even while the number of Electoral College votes the state can award has shrunk steadily from 21 in 1980 to 15 today.

In 1976, both then-President Gerald Ford, the Republican candidate, and Democratic challenger Jimmy Carter held their final campaign events in Michigan.

Presidents George Bush, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter talk to the media Thursday morning at the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids in 1997.

Related: What do I need to vote in Michigan? How to check your registration, what to bring to polls

Related: What's open and closed on Election Day? Offices, banks, stores, post office, more

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Detroit Free Press endorsements: Picks for Michigan US House, Senate and House

Ford concluded his campaign in Grand Rapids. Carter, feeling confident enough to take on Ford in his home state, made his final push in Flint, at the former IMA (Industrial Mutual Association) Auditorium.

"What you do in the next 24 hours will make a difference in Michigan," Carter said in his Michigan speech on Monday, Nov. 1, 1976, the Detroit Free Press reported. "It will make a difference in the nation."

Ford still won Michigan, but Carter won the election with 297 electoral votes.

In 1980, Carter made a Monday night stop at Detroit Metropolitan Airport for an election-eve speech to Michigan supporters, only to see Republican challenger Ronald Reagan win in a landslide, with Michigan included in his 489 electoral vote total.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 1988, the year Dukakis chose to campaign in Michigan on Election Day, Republican nominee George H.W. Bush held a Monday campaign event in Southfield, one day earlier.

And in 1992, Democratic challenger Bill Clinton stopped at Detroit Metropolitan Airport as part of a nine-state blitz the day before the election. During that visit, the Free Press quoted Clinton's wife, Hillary  who in 2016 would face criticism for taking Michigan for granted during her own presidential bid  as saying the couple had spent so much time in the Mitten State that "people asked whether we were going to vote there."

In 2000, Democratic Vice President Al Gore, on his way to a historic and razor-thin loss to Republican George W. Bush, made an 11th-hour pitch for votes at a UAW union hall in Flint the day before the election, before visiting a church in the city's north end.

The Free Press reported that at the union hall, Gore said, prophetically, that Tuesday "may be a long night."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2004, Democrat John Kerry was in Detroit on the Monday before the Tuesday election, holding an event at Joe Louis Arena with Motown recording icon Stevie Wonder.

Kerry, on his way to being defeated by Bush, didn't leave Michigan until 7 p.m. that night, though he still had three more stops to make in Ohio and Wisconsin.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Before Trump, Michigan popular late stop for presidential hopefuls
A local family grocery operation known for its natural-foods selection as well as deli is changing hands after decades of operation.

Marlenes Market & Deli, 2951 S. 38th St. in Tacoma and the brands store in Federal Way are being acquired by the Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins grocery chain of California for an undisclosed sum.

Raymond Martherus, director of marketing for Lassens, confirmed the sale with The News Tribune on Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said via email, The owners of Marlenes were interested in the next chapter of their journey, but wanted this well-established, longtime staple of the community and a large part of their legacy to continue.

Lassens intends to keep the Marlenes name on the stores, and Martherus added that Lassens would officially take ownership on November 13.

The biggest change to come after Nov. 13 is that the stores will be closed Sundays, according to Martherus.

Marlene Beadle, the grocerys founder, worked at a natural health food store in Federal Way before purchasing it in 1976 and ultimately changed the name to its current moniker. The grocery moved to a two-story storefront, the former REI building, near I-5 in Federal Way.

A memorial for Marlene Beadle, founder of Marlenes Market and Deli, was on display at their Federal Way store in 2019. Beadle died following a six-year battle with cancer.

She further expanded Marlenes by adding the Tacoma location in 1996 and in 2014 expanded the Tacoma store another 3,000 square feet. The sites have both been family operated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Beadle died in 2019 at age 85 after battling cancer.

How the deal came together

Beadles daughter Lisa Gebhardt is general manager and CEO of Marlenes and its two locations. She told The News Tribune in an interview Monday that the deal came together pretty quick this fall.

Weve been in business 48 years, Gebhardt said, and we were looking toward what we needed to do in the future with our family.

Gebhardt said a friend had heard Lassens was considering an expansion in the Pacific Northwest, and we found that they were going to be a great fit for to keep Marlenes going.

Marlenes Market & Deli in Federal Way in 2019. The grocer, with a store also in Tacoma, is being acquired by a California natural foods grocer.

Martherus said via email that Lassens felt it was a good fit to continue what Marlene had started as we too are a family owned and run business  started in 1971 as a woman-owned business.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Oda Lassen was nearly 53 when she launched the grocery, which now has 11 locations in California. Lassen, who came to the United States from Denmark with her husband in the early 1950s, passed away in 2013.

The two women followed similar paths into the natural-food business. In the late 60s, Beadle read Lisa Clarks Stay Younger Longer and soon became a booster of healthy, natural foods. She eventually went to work in the natural-foods retail sector.

Lassens passion was already in place when she first started working in a health-food store. In 1971 she opened her own storefront, emphasizing organics, fresh juices and vitamins.

Like Marlene, our founder Oda Lassen also knew the value of providing wholesome foods, organic produce and natural supplements to her community, Martherus wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That was a really important parallel for us when we discovered (the similarities), Gebhardt said. Marlene started the business in 1976, their mom also started in the 70s, and these two women were pioneers in the natural-food industry.

While current Marlenes employees at the stores will stay on, Gebhardt said the family is retiring.

We were ready for a new chapter in our lives and are ready to spend time with family, including our dad, who needs care, Gebhardt said.

Were proud of the legacy that Marlene and our family built over the years, she added, and we are looking forward to doing our own shopping at Marlenes and watching it continue to grow.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As for Lassens, They know how important Marlenes is to the community and what weve built as Marlenes legacy, Gebhardt said. If a customer comes in, theyre going to see the same thing that they always see. The same employees, our same products.

Asked if the family had any final message for customers, Jennifer Lehman, Gephardts sister and finance director for Marlenes, offered one:

Keep shopping at Marlenes, folks!
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  As the temperatures go down, the pallet homes go up at Pomona Park in Greensboro. The homes provide temporary shelter for people experiencing homelessness during the winter months. This year, there will be even more beds available.

The setup at the park is slightly different this year. All of the pallet homes are in the same spot on the ball field, but there are two RVs on the outside of the fence. Each one is 45 feet long and filled with eight bedrooms and two full bathrooms with showers.

The layout is really different in the RV-style trailers, so we are looking forward to seeing if that will fill a different void in the community of people experiencing homelessness. For example, it has a bunkbed style. There are certain rooms that have higher-level beds that require stairs to get into the unit. We will take all of those things into consideration, said Kristina Singleton, the executive director at the Interactive Resource Center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The IRC provides programming for the people living inside.

You work with a case manager, you fill out information and we take the highest need level first, and we go from there, Singleton said.

They have started the referral process and expect all 87 beds in the RV and pallet shelters to be full this winter.

A lot of the folks that stay here are already working, and it is really hard once you get a job to keep a job through the winter if you are sleeping outdoors. Just having a place you can lock the door, a place to put your things, a place that you can sleep at night, take a shower for the next day to get ready, Singleton said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For the first time this year, the bathrooms, showers and RVs will be connected to the citys water and sewer lines.

Last year, every time we had to get it serviced, $400 each time once or twice a week, said Troy Powell, Greensboros neighborhood impact manager.

There is also a new transformer in place to keep up and keep the heat on all winter.

The transformer that gives the power to the project was already operating at 114%, so it was already over, Powell said.

Each year, the pallet homes are stored, cleaned and put up the exact same way.

Going on year three, they are in great condition, so we anticipate following that same process and preserving them. I hope that they can last 10 years. Maybe more, Powell said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As long as the need continues, the city plans to continue and expand the program. Next year, they plan to use four RVs instead of two.

Of course, we are always hoping for permanent supportive housing. We want more longer-term answers, but until we can have that, this is such a great program in the meantime, Singleton said.

The rest of the pallet homes will be up by Thursday, and final inspections will happen Friday. On Saturday, the first group of residents will move into their temporary homes. They will stay up through the winter months and come down in the spring.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (KRQE)  A new powerline transmission will soon offer Los Alamos National Laboratory extra support for supercomputing. The electrical power capacity upgrade project will place a 14-mile-long transmission line through the Caja del Rio, west of Santa Fe to the south side of the lab.

2024 New Mexico Ski Swap coming to Expo New Mexico

The laboratory said the current power supply is projected to run short in 2027. The project needs this power in order to run its supercomputers that support the national security mission and nuclear weapons, said Stephanie Stringer, Deputy Manager for Business, Security & Mission at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

LANL said that without the added power supply, these missions could be relocated outside of Los Alamos taking jobs out of New Mexico.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Local officials have announced that a missing swimmer was found dead in the St. Marys River on Tuesday afternoon.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The St. Marys Police Department reported the man missing around 11 a.m. Tuesday morning. He went missing around the Borrell Creak boat dock.

Brantley County, The Camden County Sheriffs Office, Camden County GA Marine and Dive Unit, Georgias Department of Natural Resources, St. Marys Fire Department, and Camden County Fire Rescue helped search for the swimmer.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Many local businesses also provided food and water to the crews on the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The police department reported the man dead at 1:57 p.m.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
(NewsNation)  Louisiana voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

Presidential race in Louisiana

US House races in Louisiana

Voters will cast ballots in all of Louisianas six U.S. House of Representative districts.

Louisianas Congressional district map was challenged in court earlier this year. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in May the state must use a map that made the 6th district a majority Black district  the states second such district.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, a Republican who has served the 6th district since 2015, announced he would not seek reelection after the district was redrawn.

Four Democrats and one Republican are running in the crowded race to replace Graves.

In Louisiana, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote to get elected. If no candidate does so, the top two vote-getters advance to a run-off election in December.

In other races, Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise is seeking his ninth term in Congress against Democrat Mel Manuel, a transgender, nonbinary advocate for abortion and LGBTQ rights.

Democrat Rep. Troy Carter is the incumbent in the 2nd district facing four challengers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is challenged by fellow Republican Joshua Morott in the 4th district. Republican Rep. Julia Letlow faces a pair of challengers in the 5th district.

Statewide ballot measure in Louisiana

Louisiana voters will decide on one ballot measure Tuesday to determine how off-shore federal funds from alternative energy should be allocated.

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Early voting began on Oct. 18 in Lousiana and polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m local time on Election Day.

Lousiana carries eight electoral votes. It has routinely voted Republican in presidential elections since World War II, except in 1976 for Jimmy Carter and in 1992 and 1996 for Bill Clinton.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2020, voters elected former President Donald Trump over President Joe Biden by 20 percentage points.

Presidential candidates need 270 Electoral College votes to be elected.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  On Tuesday, Loves Travel Stops announced Judy Love, a beloved philanthropist and co-founder of Loves Travel Stops, died at the age of 87.

Loves Travel Stops, Co-founder Judy Love, Image courtesy Loves Travel Stops

Judy and her late husband, Tom Love, were instrumental in building their family-owned business, Loves Travel Stops, which they founded in 1964 with a $5,000 loan.

According to Loves, Judys financial acumen and dedication allowed her to assist with the companys growth serving in multiple roles in the companys expansion into 42 states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Judys legacy of philanthropy is set to move forward through her children, Greg, Laura, Jenny, and Frank, as well as her nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Our mother, Judy Love, was the heart and soul of our family, said the Love Family. She cared deeply for us and those who worked alongside her and Dad. Her tenacity, strength, and focus will guide us forever. She taught us the importance of hard work, honesty, and the joy of giving back. While we will miss her dearly, her spirit will live on through the countless lives she touched.

Forever etched in Oklahoma minds with widespread admiration Judy Love was born 1937 in Chicago to Ed and Ruth McCarthy. Her family relocated to Oklahoma City in 1942. Judy graduated from Bishop McGuiness High School and Central Catholic High School.

Loves Travel Stops, Co-founder Judy Love, Image courtesy Loves Travel Stops

While attending Oklahoma State University in 1956, she met Tom Love and they married on December 26, 1960. Together, they leased an abandoned service station in Watonga in 1964, which grew to 40 stores in eight years. From these beginnings, the Loves Family of Companies was started. In 1975 Judy, took a step back from work at Loves to pursue interior design. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Oklahoma in 1981, followed by a masters and later established her design firm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Close friend and former broadcaster, author, and public official Jane Jayroe-Gamble says.

Judy Love was an extraordinary woman with a huge heart for others and an inexhaustible joy of life, said Jayroe-Gamble. Her passion for family, friends, community, and the Catholic Church inspired many. Judy and Tom were a partnership made in Heaven, and their successful business reflects their hard work, dedication, and generosity. As we mourn her loss, lets celebrate her remarkable life, positive spirit, gifts of encouragement, and significant impact on our world.

Former Oklahoma First Lady Cathy Keating co-chaired the fundraising campaign with Judy to build the recently opened Love Family Womens Center at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. Keating recalled Judys community impact saying, Judy was devoted to her Catholic faith and the charitable organizations affiliated with it, said former Oklahoma First Lady Cathy Keating. She lived her life with courage, determination, and humility. She and her husband, Tom, were a united front in raising their remarkable family and growing their successful business. Judys compassion for others knew no limits, and the impact of her kindness and generosity is immeasurable. I will miss her terribly.

Judy served on many non-profit boards in Oklahoma City and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2010 among many other honors throughout the State of Oklahoma including the Notre Dame Club naming her the Woman of the Year for Oklahoma.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We mourn the passing of Judy Love, a remarkable leader and visionary whose impact on our city and the state of Oklahoma will be felt for generations to come. As a co-founder of Loves Travel Stops, Judy not only revolutionized the travel and convenience industry but also exemplified the spirit of community and philanthropy. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and her dedication to creating jobs and supporting local economies have left an indelible mark across Oklahoma. Her contributions extended far beyond the business realm, as she was a tireless advocate for education, health, and the arts, enriching the lives of many. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and the countless individuals whose lives she touched throughout her extraordinary journey. Judy Love will be greatly missed, but her spirit and impact will live on in the thriving communities she helped build. Chad Warmington, President & CEO State Chamber of Oklahoma

I join with my fellow Oklahomans in expressing condolences to the family of Judy Love. She was an extraordinary woman who truly reflected the best of our state through her generosity and dedication to her fellow Oklahomans. Hers was indeed a life well lived, and our state is better for her life and service.  OK Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Judy Love, a woman whose unwavering generosity, integrity and passion for helping others will forever resonate within our state. Judy, and her late husband Toms contributions to Oklahoma went far beyond their incredible success in business. Her dedication to giving back to her community transformed lives and uplifted countless individuals through causes she championed. The Loves commitment to giving back through their charitable giving left a profound impact on Oklahoma. Through her visionary donations, Judy played a pivotal role in strengthening institutions that remain as lasting legacies of her belief in the power of community. Her legacy of kindness will continue to serve as an inspiration for generations to come. On behalf of my wife Maressa and I, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Love family and to everyone fortunate enough to have known Judy Love. Greg Treat, OK Senate Pro Tem R-Oklahoma City

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
In October, I went to Croatia for the first time for 10 days.

I noticed certain perks and drawbacks of visiting at the end of the country's peak season.

Though I enjoyed myself, I wish I'd done more research beforehand.

In October, I traveled to Croatia for a 10-day getaway. I was craving the beach, sun, and a change of scenery from monotonous city life  and Croatia seemed like the solution.

Croatia has become a popular destination in Europe, especially following the popularity of HBO's "Game of Thrones," which was partly filmed in its scenic old towns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More tourists are arriving, too: The Croatian Bureau of Statistics said 1.7 million tourists arrived in May this year, a 21% increase from 2023. Last year Croatia also joined the Schengen Area, a zone in Europe with no internal border controls.

I stayed in Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Split and took day trips to other cities along the Adriatic Coast.

While the trip was worth the long flight, I realized along the way that I hadn't done enough research beforehand. Here are six things I wish I'd known.

1. Choose accommodations wisely

Be prepared to climb lots of stairs in Dubrovnik. Erin Liam

Coastal cities like Dubrovnik have hilly terrains and countless flights of stairs to conquer. An Airbnb I had assumed would be a short walk from the main bus station turned out to be at the top of a hill. Lugging my bag up what felt like endless flights of stairs was a full-body workout.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Staying in a less touristy area was more peaceful. But since most attractions are near the Old Town, staying closer to the city center and closer to ground level would've been more convenient and comfortable.

2. Increase your travel budget

While most meals were pricey, the author found an affordable local takeout restaurant in Trogir. Erin Liam

I booked my trip to Croatia assuming that daily expenses would be similar to countries like Italy or Hungary. I was wrong.

Croatia adopted the euro in January 2023, abandoning its previous currency, the kuna. The country also has the second-highest value-added tax in the European Union: 25%, the same as in Denmark and Sweden. On average, my meals cost about 15 euros.

Though I wasn't surprised that people have to pay to enter public toilets, I didn't expect that most entries would cost 1 euro  half the price of a cup of coffee in a nearby cafe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are ways to see the city on a budget. We signed up for pay-as-you-wish walking tours, bought day passes to take the public bus and see attractions, and stayed in affordable guest houses that cost about $50 a night. We also explored outside tourist hot spots to try food targeted at locals, which I found to be more authentic and wallet-friendly.

3. The beaches are beautiful  but water shoes are crucial

The author was surprised to learn that some shores in Croatia are full of pebbles. Erin Liam

The temperature in early October ranged from 63 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, so it was mild enough to chill on the beach and bask in the sun.

Croatia has some of the most beautiful beaches I've seen. The waters were crystal clear, and I was excited to dive in. But I learned the hard way that Croatian beaches aren't sandy. Most shores were rocky and pebbly, and I didn't pack water shoes.

Going barefoot was too painful, so I wore my sandals. It worked just as well, though I did end up with funny tan lines on my feet.

4. Visiting in off-peak season has its pros and cons

Stari Grad was quiet and empty when the author visited in October. Erin Liam

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Croatia gets most of its tourists during the summer. When I visited in October, its old towns were still brimming with tourists. But some locals told me the crowds were still smaller than in the summer.

I noticed that some attractions were also cheaper. The entrance ticket for Krka National Park costs 40 euros in the summer but only 20 euros in the shoulder months. In winter, the price drops to 7 euros.

But visiting during the off-peak season also meant many services were on a break. On a day trip to Stari Grad, we were surprised to see most shops closed, with signs on their doors saying they'd reopen next June.

Visiting during this time of the year also meant that chartered bus or ferry services were less frequent. As it turns out, the charm of walking around a nearly empty town can only last so long when the next bus back is at 10 p.m.

5. Spend more time in Split instead of Dubrovnik

Krka National Park is an hour and a half from Split. Erin Liam

If you plan to go to the popular coastal cities of Split and Dubrovnik, spend more time in the former.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I spent three days in Dubrovnik and five days in Split. This balance felt right. Dubrovnik has beautiful beaches and architecture, but I could see the effects of tourism: Prices were slightly higher, and its iconic Old Town thronged with tourists and rubber-duck shops.

Split is a great springboard for day trips. While there, I took public transport to nearby towns like Omis and Trogir. I also spent a day exploring Skradin and Krka National Park, just an hour and a half away by bus.

Split is also a bigger city, so it was easier to find budget-friendly food options.

6. Watch 'Game of Thrones'

The author visited Dubrovnik's Old Town, a popular filming location for "Game of Thrones." Erin Liam

Lastly, I regret not watching HBO's "Game of Thrones." During walking tours, the guides would point out where iconic scenes were filmed. Cersei's walk-of-shame scene, for example, was filmed at the Jesuit Stairs in Dubrovnik's Old Town.

As other visitors marveled at its medieval architecture and fortresses, I wished I'd watched the show so I could see the city in a new light.

Read the original article on Business Insider
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  El Paso County commissioners heard a presentation during its meeting on Monday, Nov. 4 about the County Jail population.

According to the presentation, data shows a decline in federal inmates since 2019 while showing an increase in state inmates in El Paso County jails. The presentation also showed that there could be a lack of federal funding because of this increase.

There hasnt been a decrease in the federal population. Theres just a decrease in the amount of people we can hold here. And in El Paso, because we dont have the capacity, so that impacts us, Joel Bishop, the county executive director of justice and community support, said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Downtown jail and the El Paso County Jail Annex combined can house 2,592 inmates.

The presentation also showed that there are nine factors adding to the increase of state inmates:

Bookings

State policies and legislation

Law Enforcement

Jail infrastructure upgrades

Mental health

Pretrial and probation violations

Administrative practices

Courts

District attorney practices

County officials add that they work closely with law enforcement to make sure the local jails dont reach maximum capacity.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
On the final Sunday before Election Day, CNNs Dana Bash sat down with Sen. Tim Scott and presented the South Carolina Republican with a good question about Donald Trumps pre-election message: You think its OK to spread false rumors about fraud and undermine the integrity of the election, regardless of what happens? the State of the Union host asked.

Scott, in his role as a Trump surrogate, responded, The liberal media has done a better job of spreading misinformation than any candidate I have seen so far.

This was, of course, utterly insane. In fact, if the senator were genuinely interested in those spreading misinformation, I might refer him to the man hes trying to put in the White House. The Washington Post reported on the final pre-election campaign rally held by the Republican Partys nominee for the nations highest office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Donald Trump, speaking at his final campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is repeatedly claiming, without evidence, that Democrats will cheat during Tuesdays election. In the weeks leading up to the election, Trump and his allies have set the stage for disputing the results of the election if he loses, despite having no evidence of widespread fraud. Hes doing so again onstage.

Earlier in the day, reporting from an event in Pennsylvania, The New York Times added, Trump is once again trying to sow doubts about election results, making unfounded accusations that Democrats would rig the election, based on his debunked lies that they did so in 2020. Theyll try, and they are trying, Trump told his supporters. You know that.

Those who keep an eye on the former presidents rhetoric know that the final day of pre-election campaigning was not an aberration. The GOP candidate has spent every day of late trying to preemptively delegitimize the 2024 election for the most obvious of reasons: Trump realizes that he might lose, so hes laying the groundwork now so that he can discredit a possible defeat.

We can say this with some certainty because its precisely what hes done before.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Just as notably, hes getting plenty of help. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, whos never met a conspiracy theory he didnt like, was on Fox News over the weekend falsely accusing Democrats of cheating. The Washington Post recently published an unsettling analysis that found, Nearly half of Republican candidates for Congress or top state offices have used social media to cast doubt on the integrity of the 2024 election ... highlighting a pervasive effort within the GOP to undermine public trust in the vote ahead of Nov. 5.

The party is getting backup from predictable sources. The Post also reported, More than two dozen popular podcasts have aired claims preemptively casting doubt on the integrity of the 2024 election, disseminating unsubstantiated claims on a popular medium that operates largely outside the view of tech industry monitors.

Meanwhile, reality-based officials have tried to promote facts. When Trump lied about Pennsylvanias system of elections, local officials pushed back. When he lied about balloting in Georgia, locals pushed back again.

But if recent history is any guide, Republican voters will believe Trump and his allies over the evidence and those telling the public the truth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Weve already seen some of the consequences of such tactics, and theres every reason to be concerned about a sequel. NBC News reported on the latest from the Proud Boys: As Donald Trump yet again tells his supporters he can lose Tuesday only if theres massive voter fraud and as he ramps up violent rhetoric about Democrats and other enemies, members of the far-right group that put more boots on the ground than any other at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, say theyre mobilizing.

Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Given Vice President Kamala Harris emphasis on reaching out to independents and disaffected GOP voters, it wasnt too surprising when the Democratic campaign launched a Republicans for Harris initiative early on. What is surprising is just how successful its been.

Republicans for Harris has turned into a credible powerhouse as the 2024 race unfolded, backed by former members of Congress, governors, mayors, state lawmakers, cabinet secretaries, White House staffers, Republican National Committee chairs, and even a former Republican vice president who probably never dreamed hed be backing a Democratic presidential candidate.

But two days before Election Day, Harris picked up some new support from an unexpected former Trump administration official. HuffPost noted:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

John Mitnick, who was general counsel of the Department of Homeland Security under Donald Trump, on Sunday called the Republican nominee a would-be autocrat and fascist in a lengthy social media thread warning fellow conservatives who are considering voting for Trump. I was a senior, Senate-confirmed appointee in the Trump administration. I saw it from the inside. It was a chaotic disaster. I am also a lifelong conservative, a former Republican nominee for Congress, and a former White House Counsel, Mitnick wrote on X, formerly Twitter, in a 13-part thread.

Just so were all clear, Mitnick isnt exactly the kind of Republican whos earned a RINO label. Among other things, the guy served as the Heritage Foundations chief legal officer.

But he nevertheless went online on Sunday to warn the American public about his partys presidential nominee. Trump is reckless, angry, vengeful, and narcissistic, and he has no respect for the Constitution or the rule of law, Mitnick wrote as part of a lengthy online thread.

He added, [Trump] is not a conservative; rather, he is a would-be autocrat and fascist motivated exclusively by his personal self-interest. If you think he cares about you or your family, I assure you that he does not. He cares only about himself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mitnick went on to explain that the United States did not go completely off the rails during Trumps first term because there were just enough senior officials who served as guardrails.

In a second term, he explained, there will be no guardrails.

You wont escape the disastrous effects of his policies (e.g., tariffs) on the economy, global instability and damage to national security resulting from his admiration for foreign dictators, or the chaos, lawlessness, and persecution that he promises, Mitnick added. No one will.

The former Trump administration official concluded:

I disagree with Kamala Harris on many issues, but she will respect our constitutional system and the rule of law, and she will support our international alliances and allies. She has also pledged to appoint a Republican to her Cabinet. I respectfully urge you to join me and many other conservatives and Republicans in voting for Kamala Harris. Its time to close the book on Trump and rebuild a truly conservative party based on respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, and each other.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I realize that some in the GOP, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, want to know what the hell these anti-Trump Republicans are thinking, but what Americans are witnessing is an extraordinary display of patriotism from current and former officeholders, each of whom is putting country above party.

Whats more, lets not overlook the fact that these same Republicans are taking a risk: They know, just as we all know, that Trump believes in using the levers of power to retaliate against those on his enemies list. Its entirely possible that Mitnick and many like him will feel the former presidents wrath if he returns to power.

But with the nations future on the line, theyre doing it anyway.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Last week, just days before Election Day, the right-wing activist group Citizen AG filed lawsuits in federal courts in Arizona and Pennsylvania, alleging that each of those states secretaries of state had not maintained their states voter registration rolls in compliance with the National Voter Registration Act. Each complaint asserts the respective state failed to make the required reasonable effort to remove the names of ineligible voters from the official lists of eligible voters because of death, criminal convictions, changes in residence, or voters own requests.

Citizen AG, which is legally known as the 1789 Foundation, Inc., sees its mission as both ensuring that states inspect their voter rolls and remove ineligible voters prior to election day and assisting those counties who have not done so on their own volition by deploying registered voters to mount challenges to others registrations county-by-county. And the number of voters impacted by this purported failure is hardly small. In Arizona, Citizen AG estimated Secretary of State Adrian Fontes had not removed over 1.2 million inactive and ineligible voters who failed to respond to confirmation notices and did not vote in two subsequent federal elections; in Pennsylvania, they claimed that number was closer to 278,000 voters.

Why then, especially given how close this election is expected to be in Arizona and Pennsylvania, did Citizen AG wait so long to file its suits? After all, other, similar cases were brought by the Republican National Committee last March, yet in Michigan and Nevada, the GOP lost, as I noted less than two weeks ago. Similarly, although the Arizona court did order Fontes to make available to Citizen AG certain voter roll maintenance records, Citizen AG was denied the emergency relief it sought in both Arizona and Pennsylvania  orders that would have forced each state to remove hundreds of thousands, if not over a million in Pennsylvania's case, voters from their rolls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The secretaries of state responding to these lawsuits say Citizen AG is misinterpreting data. For example, in the Pennsylvania case, Secretary of State Al Schmidt argued there is not a one-to-one correlation between the notices his office sends to voters who have appeared to move and voters themselves. Rather, Pennsylvania counties often send more than one notice to the same voter, he explains. He also notes that Citizen AG assumes the number of inactive voters is static, without appreciating that it changes every day to reflect events ranging from deaths to re-registration.

One can only guess the real reason Citizen AG belatedly filed these suits, but one possibility is that they never expected to win. Rather, they might have filed these suits more for their out-of-court utility. Specifically, I can envision a universe where after the election, Citizen AGs filings  which are not themselves indicia of the merits of a lawsuit, much less their likelihood of success  are circulated and touted as evidence of voter fraud if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the presidential election in either of these states. Indeed, by touting the purported significance of the data attached to Citizen AGs filings, Trump supporters could blame any Harris victories on a pool of ineligible voters  maybe even noncitizen voters  and the Democratic officials who were warned that their rolls were flawed but refused to take action. (Citizen AG founder Ryan Yoder did not immediately respond to my requests for comment.)

The significance of this kind of data for those complaining of voter fraud and/or ineligibility is all the more important when one remembers the 60-plus lawsuits filed by Donald Trumps campaign or other Republican entities and candidates after the 2020 election. Again and again, those lawsuits complained of voter machine error and/or deliberate misconduct, but without any proof beyond vague witness declarations or technical data that did not reflect what it was promised it would reveal. This time, rather than relying on ballot manipulation, GOP candidates, surrogates and organizations have coalesced around a different supposed bogeyman: the ineligible voter. And Citizen AGs misuse of the states own data compilations, which include, as the Arizona judge concluded, hypothetical calculations based on two-year-old data, could end up starring in post-election narratives, if not in new lawsuits.

Of course, the lawsuits could have been genuine, last-ditch attempts to stop what Citizen AG believes is unlawful conduct. But something tells me we could see their allegations in circulation again as soon as later this week.



















This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Earlier this week, former Biden White House counsel Dana Remus told reporters during an on-the-record call that the volume of litigation filed by Republicans should not be seen as confirmation of the validity of their claims. Rather, as in 2020, when Donald Trump and allied candidates, campaigns and organizations lost more than 60 lawsuits, she told those listening that she remains confident in our courts.

It would be easy to be cynical about the federal judiciary at this juncture. After all, the presidential immunity decision rendered by the Supreme Court last July  which could result in the decimation of Trumps federal election interference case, even if he loses the election  left even some of the courts most ardent defenders speechless. But the first vindication of Remus prediction came last night  and from an unlikely source.

Now-federal district court judge Sarah Pitlyk, who serves in St. Louis, was one of the more controversial nominees of Trumps presidency. A former clerk to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, she faced significant opposition as a nominee for two principal reasons. First, the American Bar Association gave her a not qualified rating due to her lack of trial or real litigation experience. Second, she was, as The Washington Post noted when she was confirmed, lambasted by reproductive rights advocates not only for her antipathy to abortion rights but for her vigorous opposition to both surrogacy and IVF.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But last night, faced with a motion for emergency relief from Missouris Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey, Judge Pitlyk sided with his opponent: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. Specifically, Missouri sought to prevent federal poll monitors from entering its polling places, arguing that their presence would violate Missouri election law. After ordering a prompt response from the Justice Department, Pitlyk swiftly denied the temporary restraining order Bailey sought.

Why? Because the poll watchers were specifically agreed to as part of an ongoing settlement between the City of St. Louis and the Justice Department to remedy obstacles to voting for disabled city residents and to ensure they have fair and full access to the polls.

In her short order, Pitlyk reasoned that [t]he harms to persons with disabilities that led to the Settlement Agreement and the presence of federal observers are documented and uncontested, whereas the harms that the State of Missouri anticipates are speculative  a defect underscored by the fact that similar observers have been present at least twice and their presence apparently went unnoticed. Ultimately, she ruled that the federal interest in enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act, in the absence of any non-speculative threat to election integrity, should prevail.

Will other conservative judges nominated by Trump hold the line and uphold the law? Stay tuned.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
As Election Day got underway in Georgia, a handful of polling locations in Fulton County were temporarily evacuated after receiving bomb threats. The threats, fortunately, werent credible. As for who was responsible for making the threats, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger briefed news organizations on the developments.

We identified the source, the Republican official told reporters, and it was from Russia.

The comments didnt come as too big of a surprise. The New York Times reported:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials are warning that Russia is intensifying its already robust effort to subvert confidence in the presidential election on Tuesday by manufacturing false videos and promoting phony allegations of fraud in swing states to stoke division and sow fear.

While the statement from the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said other countries might also target Americans with misinformation, Russia is the most active threat.

Around the time officials issued that warning, CNN reported, An American social media influencer said he was paid $100 by a pro-Kremlin propagandist to post a fake video of Haitian immigrants claiming to vote in the US presidential election.

And while that report hasnt been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly did confirm to MSNBC late last week that the video in question was Russian-produced and specifically designed to go viral and undermine American confidence in the security and the integrity of our election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If at this point youre thinking, It sure does seem as if Ive seen a lot of headlines like this lately, its not your imagination.

Remember the recent viral video that showed someone tearing up ballots in Pennsylvania? It was from Russia.

How about the smear video targeting Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz? It was from Russia.

The same day as those revelations, The Washington Post reported on a Republican operative whos allegedly working directly with Russian military intelligence to pump out deepfakes and circulate misinformation that targets Vice President Kamala Harriss campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A month earlier, federal prosecutors alerted the public to alleged Russian payments to prominent far-right media personalities.

Theres a reason that U.S. intelligence agencies have spent the last several months repeatedly warning the American public that Russia is implementing a broad range of influence efforts targeting the U.S. elections.

As for why, exactly, Moscow would be so eager to help the GOPs ticket (again) Donald Trump told supporters late last week that the United States should have never gone into Ukraine  a curious assertion given that the U.S. has zero troops in Ukraine. It was a statement suggesting that the former president might believe it was a mistake for the U.S. to extend military support to our Ukrainian allies.

Two weeks earlier, the Republican blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for Russias invasion of his country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The comments came just days after the former American president refused to say whether hes had multiple, secret conversations with Putin since leaving the White House, though he added, But I will tell you that if I did, its a smart thing.

Which came on the heels of allegations that the former Republican president, while in office, secretly sent Covid-19 testing equipment to Vladimir Putin at the height of the pandemic, even as people in his own country struggled to gain access to such resources. (While Trump denied the allegations, the Kremlin  to the extent that its statements have merit  said Trump did, in fact, send Covid tests to Moscow.)

Which came on the heels of Trump refusing to say whether he wants our Ukrainian allies to prevail in the war against Russia.

Which came on the heels of Trump denouncing U.S. efforts to combat Russian misinformation campaigns, going so far as to characterize Russia as a victim.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Which came on the heels of the GOP candidate talking up the possibility of lifting U.S. sanctions against Russia.

Which came weeks after Trump publicly congratulated Russia over a historic prisoner swap.

Which came on the heels of the Republican pointing to Putin for validation to justify his position on Ukraine.

Which came on the heels of the former American president celebrating the fact that Putin was echoing his talking points about the 2024 election and Trumps multiple criminal indictments.

Which came on the heels of Trump telling a Mar-a-Lago audience how smart Putin was for invading a neighboring country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Which came on the heels of Trump describing Putins invasion of Ukraine as genius and part of a wonderful strategy.

Which came on the heels of years worth of Trump kowtowing, genuflecting and repeatedly showing abject weakness toward his Russian ally.

Is it any wonder why Moscow is reportedly going to considerable lengths to shape the outcome of the 2024 race in favor of Trump?

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

* The final PBS News/NPR/Marist poll found Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump nationally, 51% to 47%, among likely voters. (Click the link for additional information on the surveys methodology and margin of error.)

* At his final campaign event in Arizona, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance told supporters, [H]ere in our movement, we love every citizen of this country. Just 35 seconds later, the Ohio senator described Harris as trash.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

* At his final campaign event in Pennsylvania, Trump celebrated the Green Party and its presidential nominee, Jill Stein, for helping Republicans. The former president in reference to Stein, Ive never met her, but she may be one of my favorite politicians.

* On a related note, Green Party leaders in Europe urged Stein to end her campaign in the hopes of preventing a Trump victory. We now know, of course, that she ignored the appeals.

* Trumps closing ad falsely accuses Algerian boxer Imane Khelif of being a man. Shes a woman.

* On a related note, NBC News reported that a Trump campaign ad declaring America can make a comeback under the GOP nominee relies on images taken overseas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

* The Republican presidential hopeful complained over the weekend that its tough for a GOP candidate to win the national popular vote, which seemed like a rather unsubtle hint that Trump expects to lose the popular vote.

* A day later, Trump held an event in North Carolina, where he looked for Senate hopeful Dave McCormick, which mightve made more sense were it not for the fact that McCormick is running in Pennsylvania.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
During Vice President Kamala Harris speech at the Ellipse last week, the Democratic candidate turned her attention to the very near future. In less than 90 days, either Donald Trump or I will be in the Oval Office, she said. On Day One, if elected, Donald Trump would walk into that office with an Enemies List. When elected, I will walk in with a to-do list, full of priorities on what I will get done for the American people.

It was a good line, which was well received, but it also touched on an underappreciated point: What exactly should Americans expect from these candidates on their first day in the Oval Office?

A couple of days after delivering her Ellipse remarks, for example, Harris pledged to sign a Day One executive order that would eliminate unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs. This is a policy measure touted by, among others, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and it has a lot of progressive support.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A day later, the vice president also talked to reporters about unveiling, on her first day, an economic package focused on bringing down costs, specifically on housing.

As for Trump, The Washington Post found that the former Republican president has presented to voters more than 200 Day One promises  he plans to be quite busy, evidently  and the list includes:

Steve Vladeck, a constitutional law expert at Georgetown University Law told the Post, A lot but not all of what Trump says he wants to do on day one is going to be illegal or impractical. But even the illegal stuff might go into effect for some time, and he might actually succeed in pushing the law in his direction.

Inauguration Day 2025 is 76 days away. Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
The 2024 presidential election is one of the most important  if not the most important  in the countrys history. Today the American people will decide if they will surrender their power to Donald Trump, a man who admires Vladimir Putin and Adolf Hitler and has promised to be the countrys first dictator, or if they will instead choose Vice President Kamala Harris, a defender of democracy and believer in American greatness.

If enough lost Americans and an antiquated Electoral College put Trump and his MAGA movement back in the White House, it will be the signed death certificate of American democracy. The stakes are that high. These are not normal times in America. These abnormal times have made Trump and Harris not just politicians.

As I have repeatedly warned here at Salon for more than eight years, Trump has long been a symbol more than he is a man. Trump is the countrys first White President. In that role, Trump is and continues to be the leader, figurehead and symbol of a decades- and centuries-long White male power restoration project that seeks to give White Christian men as a group (and rich white men specifically) de facto unlimited power over every aspect of American society.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps symbolic power is also religious: His MAGA followers and other cultists increasingly view him as some god or prophet, a tool of destiny, who is divine and may even have supernatural powers.

Trumps symbolic power is also violent. He gives permission to his MAGA followers and other Americans to be increasingly violent and to engage in other antisocial behavior. Trump himself has repeatedly, and publicly, threatened his and the MAGA movements enemies and the left and enemy within with prison or death. Trump, like other conservatives and Republicans, has also attempted  and mostly succeeded  in monopolizing the great symbolic power of the American flag, guns and the Christian cross.

As a symbol (and human being and candidate), Vice President Harris is almost the exact opposite and antithesis of Trump and his MAGA movement. This collision of symbols and their meaning in this historic moment is one of the main reasons why the 2024 election is so combustible.

Trump is 78 years old; Harris is 60 years old. Trump is a man; Harris is a woman. Harris is Black and South Asian; Trump is a White man. Trump is the first sitting or former president to be convicted of felonies; Harris is a former prosecutor and attorney general. Trump is an authoritarian and a fascist; Harris is a fierce defender of Americas democratic institutions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But there is much more going on in this duel of symbolic power.

Harris personhood, body and life experience as a Black woman holds the specific weight of history, oppression, violence and yes, struggle and triumph. Trump, as a White man, also possesses great meaning and power in the symbolism and historical meaning of his body and power. White and male are not the universal I or the baseline of humanity and normal. These are specific group identities that have an origin, history and meaning.

Harris is a child of and heir to the Black Freedom Struggle and the long civil rights movement. She is the countrys first Black Vice President. She graduated from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), educational institutions created during Reconstruction and that continue to be a central part of the Black public sphere and civil society. On election night, Harris will be at Howard University, her alma mater. Harris would also be the first president-elect to celebrate their victory at a historically Black college or university.

Trump, the MAGA movement and the larger white right and neofascist cause view Black peoples votes and equal citizenship rights, and multiracial democracy more broadly, as illegitimate and fraudulent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris is an American citizen. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Jamaica and India. Trump and the MAGA movement and the large white right view nonwhite immigrants as poison in the blood of the nation. Moreover, Trump and the other fascists and racial authoritarians believe that the United States is a garbage can because of nonwhite immigrants like Harris parents.

Trump and the MAGA people believe in the White supremacist antisemitic conspiracy theory-lie that globalists and elites and other enemies within are importing nonwhite immigrants to replace white people.

To protect White America, Trump and the other MAGAfied Republicans, conservatives and the larger white right want to change the United States Constitution to end birthright citizenship as a way of ensuring that white people are the largest demographic group. One of their main goals is restoring such laws as the Immigration Act of 1924 (The Johnson-Reed Act) that de facto prohibited immigration from nonwhite countries. If Johnson-Reed had still been in place Harris parents would not have been able to immigrate to the United States. Part of this white supremacist racial project involves making whiteness a prerequisite for citizenship and national belonging as established by the Supreme Court in the infamous Ozawa and Thind cases.

Harris is married to Douglas Emhoff, a white Jewish man. The MAGA movement and the larger white right want to return the country to an era when interracial marriage was illegal. Trump has also made antisemitic comments suggesting that Jewish Americans who do not support him are traitors who will be collectively punished by his regime for their disloyalty. During a recent interview, Trump agreed with a right-wing radio host who said that Imhoff is a bad Jew.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris opportunities, career and rise to power were made possible by the womens rights and feminist movement(s). Specifically, by the Black and brown women and their white allies who worked against the white supremacist elements in those social movements.

In total, Harris body, identity, personhood and the meaning of those identities in American society are both racialized and gendered. To view Harris identity as primarily being that of a woman  which is a great error in much of the writing and analysis of the 2024 election by the mainstream news media and its largely white commentariat  is to ignore the very specific and unique experience and struggles of Harris specifically as a Black woman and as a woman of color more broadly.

As many experts have emphasized, the experiences and struggles of white women, especially white middle and upper-class white women, are not universal to all women. Womanism, Third World, Queer and other forms of feminism are an attempt to intervene against the centrality of whiteness in the (white) American and Western feminist project.

To that point, in the landmark volume, This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color, Cherrie L. Moraga Gloria Anzaldua speaks this truth: We are challenging white feminists to be accountable for their racism because at the base we still want to believe that they really want freedom for all of us.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

The Combahee River Collective Statement of 1977, several of whose contributors would also have their essays and other writing featured in This Bridge Called My Back, offered this still much-needed intervention:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We believe that sexual politics under patriarchy is as pervasive in Black women's lives as are the politics of class and race. We also often find it difficult to separate race from class from sex oppression because in our lives they are most often experienced simultaneously. We know that there is such a thing as racial-sexual oppression which is neither solely racial nor solely sexual, e.g., the history of rape of Black women by white men as a weapon of political repression.

Political scientists and other experts have shown that Trumpism and the MAGAfied Republicans and the larger conservative movement are fueled by hostile sexism and misogyny. One of their main policy goals is to take away the reproductive rights and freedoms of women. Ending Roe v. Wade is just the beginning of the right-wings plans to make women second-class citizens and a type of chattel, the property of their husbands, fathers and the other men in their lives. Mens domination and control over women and their bodies and agency is a defining feature of fascism and other forms of authoritarianism such as the MAGA movement.

During an excellent interview last week with Lawrence ODonnell on his MSNBC show, author and journalist Isabel Wilkerson explained the great symbolic weight and meaning  and stakes  of the 2024 election and questions of national identity in the following way:

When we look at this when people look at this as an election or only as an election, then it doesn't make sense. When you look at this as an existential crisis over what the country will be, then it begins to make sense. People are not voting against their own interests; they're voting for the interests that matter most to them. And for many, many Americans as we saw on January 6th, this means maintaining their position at the very top of the American hierarchy, [and] at the top of the American caste system with all the rights and privileges that accrue to that. [T]hat is not something that maybe is in the best interest of the planet or the country, but that is the best interest of the people as they ascertain it for themselves.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wilkerson, summoning W.E.B. Du Bois famous analysis of what he termed the psychological wages of whiteness, then explains why poor and working-class white Americans would support public policies that would cause them financial and economic and other harm:

[W]hat unites them is that they are both voting for their caste in this society. Caste is an arbitrary graded ranking of human value in society, and it's what determines the rights and privileges [and] who will be protected by the authorities and who will be attacked by the authorities. [T]his system has been in place for 248 years. We were forged in revolution and in civil war. We should not be the least bit surprised at the enduring divisions that we are seeing right now. And this is rising up in part because of the demographic shift that we are facing as a country. The 2020 census found that for the first time in American history, the historical majority in this country, white Americans, that group is the only group whose numbers fell for the first time in American history. The existential crisis that we're facing as a country and what we are tasked with having to do is to figure out a way to imagine what we could be as a nation even if the demographics are not the same. [It is] this sense of dread, the sense of fear is what's driving so much of what we are seeing.

On Election Day, the American people are making a choice between two candidates who represent radically divergent possibilities and futures for American society. With Trump, they can choose some of the worst parts of the countrys past and his MAGA threat to make America white again. Or the American people can choose a better present and future by supporting Vice President Kamala Harris and doing what will be the hard work required to renew and immunize our democracy against authoritarianism and the systemic, institutional and cultural failures that vomited out such antidemocratic and fake populist energy. The 2024 election and the choice between the candidates and symbols, Trump and Harris, is also a test of the American peoples morality and character. What type of people and nation are we? Most importantly, what type of nation and people do we want to be? We will soon find out.
MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA)  Mahomet Planning and Zoning officials are potentially looking to add another business to their growing town. Now, the possibility of a travel center is on the table.

A Travel Center of America facility with parking spots for 100 trucks and 80 cars would be located on a 12-acre site north of I-74. It would be off of the Prairieview Road exit across the street from the Circle K, according to a village administrator.

Patrick Brown said the project would cost the developer roughly $10 million and create about 100 jobs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here are some of the new businesses coming to Mahomet this year

Probably, property taxes could bring in $150,000  $200,000 a year to taxing bodies. The school receives close to 60% of that, he said. The school could see as much as $100,000 a year from property taxes from that property.

The travel center would include a repair shop, convenience store and three fast food restaurants.

The Planning and Zoning Commission is meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the project idea. From there, it is expected to move onto the Village Board where they will vote and finalize the next steps.

Construction would start in the spring and Brown said the goal is to have it open within a year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Voters cast early ballots, registered to vote and picked up an absentee ballots on Oct. 31 at Sanford City Hall. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)

Searsport deputy clerk Jennifer Rich took on the part time role, which she joked has become a full-time job as Election Day nears, because she wanted to assess for herself the security of Maines election process.

A retired middle school math teacher who said shes never been one for political parties, Rich helped run early voting in the seaport town. She greeted voters  often people she already knew by name  as they entered the town office decorated with American flag signs and pillows. She runs regular checks on the voter tabulation machine, which she pointed out does not connect to the internet, and ensured all ballots were accounted for by each days end.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After seeing the process firsthand, Rich said she wants her community to have faith in the election system  or volunteer to see for themselves.

Across the state, election officials like Rich have long been preparing for the Nov. 5 election, overseeing early voting since Oct. 7 and preparing for Election Day itself. These officials detailed days filled with trainings, issuing absentee ballots, processing early ballots as theyre returned in preparation to run totals when polls close, preparing supplies and fielding voter questions  which many said they view as a particularly crucial part of their role amid concerns about election integrity nationwide.

And, all of that has meant long hours.

Brunswick town clerk Fran Smith has worked 37 days straight, she said as of Monday, and she anticipates shell get to 41 days before being able to take a day off.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But, Smith clarified, I am not special.

Smiths routine for Election Day will also be reminiscent of many other election workers across the state, she explained, with a 4 a.m. wake up to get to her polling site by 5:30 a.m. at the latest before polls open at 7 a.m. She anticipates working until at least midnight, and then being back at work at 7 a.m. on Wednesday to get the official count to the Secretary of States Office, which is due within two days of the election.

Maines elections are run by municipalities, and people like Rich and Smith who know their community well. This is a more hyper-local structure than most of the country, where elections are often run at the county level.

My goal is to get people to vote, Smith said. How people choose to vote is a personal choice, but we prepare so that we can make the voting process as easy for every voter to ensure that every vote counts.

Officials detail election procedures and protections

Some Mainers have concerns about their votes counting, including Erin Larsen, a Republican who voted early in Sanford.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most Mainers (60%) are confident the upcoming presidential vote will be counted accurately but over a third (35%) disagreed, according to a survey of 1,036 residents conducted by Colby Colleges Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs, the Maine Community Foundation and Rockland-based research firm Public Engagement Partners.

There are a lot of eyes on the election process, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said, from the voters themselves, to election officials like Rich and Smith, to outsiders serving as poll watchers.

Maine has incredibly strong chain of custody protections around ballots, Bellows said.

My goal is to get people to vote. How people choose to vote is a personal choice, but we prepare so that we can make the voting process as easy for every voter to ensure that every vote counts.

 Fran Smith, Brunswick town clerk

As Rich mentioned, the voter tabulation machines are never connected to the internet, Bellows said. She went on to explain, when a voter makes an absentee ballot request, that application is received and approved by the clerk, who then ties the application back to the Central Voter Registration System.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Clerks mark when a ballot is issued and then record the date its received as well as whether its been accepted. Another basic protection, Bellows said, is that absentee ballots must be in an envelope signed by the voter in order to be accepted. Voters can also track their own ballots through the states online absentee ballot tracking system.

In Sanford, considered a swing city, with three Republicans and one Democrat representing it in the state Legislature, the types of questions election workers are fielding also have to do with some recent structural changes.

After much debate, the city council voted in August to switch from three wards to a single, centralized location for voting.

Supporters cited challenges finding enough poll workers for three wards and the long hours worked by the volunteers they did have. They also argued the consolidation would prevent confusion for residents trying to figure out where they need to vote. On the other hand, opponents raised concern about longer lines and travel times for voters, with some going so far as saying the change could suppress turnout.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Research has found that living farther from a polling place and being assigned to a new polling place can reduce in-person voting on Election Day, but that that is largely offset by voters opting to cast more early in-person and mail ballots.

Sanford city clerk Sue Cote, who first proposed the change, said shes seen at least 100 people per day at city hall during the early voting period, either voting early in-person or picking up an absentee ballot.

Watching early voters head in to cast their ballots on Oct. 31, Ed Comier, a former warden from one of the consolidated wards, remarked, this is democracy, manifest.

Folks dont see all of the work that leads up to the day, let alone on the day itself, Comier said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The election crew in Sanford, as is the case for towns across the state, includes people of various political persuasions. Or, like Rich from Searsport, have no party allegiance.

At 42 years old, Comier said hes among the younger crowd of election workers. He hopes others around his age or younger will volunteer their time in future years to help with the heavy lifting, physically, but also to understand how the process works for themselves amid increasing election security concerns.

We are your neighbors, Comier said. Were your school teachers, nurses, dental techs. Id hope our word goes farther than someone from outside the state or in D.C.

Unsubstantiated, non-citizen voting claims

This election cycle, unsubstantiated non-citizen voting claims have ramped up, including from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican state lawmakers in Maine joined the chorus in October after the Maine Wire, a website owned by conservative think tank Maine Policy Institute, published an article alleging six noncitizens are registered to vote in Maine by comparing voter rolls against self-reported status on medical records, which the website has refused to turn over to the states constitutional officers.

Noncitizen voting is illegal at both the state and federal levels. Studies from across the country have found noncitizen voting to be extremely rare.

Bellows previously told Maine Morning Star the unsubstantiated claims of noncitizen voting set the stage to eventually cast doubt on the Nov. 5 election results.

It does seem to be part of a larger pattern around the country where certain partisan operatives are making these accusations about noncitizen voting to decrease trust in our elections, Bellows said, and lay the groundwork to challenge results if they dont win.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Monday, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey joined 50 other state attorneys general in calling for a peaceful transfer of power regardless of election results.

A focus on election worker safety

Safety on Election Day is also a concern for Maines constitutional officers as well as election workers. Rich from Searsport said it scares her that people approach Election Day ready for a fight.

Threats and harassment of poll workers have grown across the country since the 2020 presidential election, when then-President Trump spread lies that hed won reelection. Maine has seen a few threats of physical violence against municipal clerks since, and in 2022, the state Legislature made threatening election workers a Class D crime.

Clerks across the state participated in a de-escalation training provided by the Secretary of State this year, in partnership with the Cyber Security Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI, Bellows said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bellows office also conducted a statewide briefing for law enforcement about what to expect on Election Day and the laws at the polling places.

The Maine State Police is fully prepared to respond and provide support to election workers across the state if needed, but local communities manage their own preparations, said Shannon Moss, public information officer for the Maine Department of Public Safety. There will be additional Maine Capitol Police Officers on-duty at the State House through the weekend, Moss said.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
As of Monday afternoon, Barcelona is under an extreme danger red alert warning after intense rainstorms inundated the city, flooding the airport and causing chaos on roadways. The announcement comes just six days after intense flooding in Valencia claimed the lives of more than 200 people.

Catalonias regional government has issued an urgent warning to citizens to avoid travel and to stay away from rivers, waterways, and storm drains. In footage heartbreakingly similar to that out of Valencia last week, cars could be seen being swept away in the deluge.

BARCELONA FLOOD ALERT



Sant Boi de Llobregat: Flash flooding reported, multiple streets underwater.



Take necessary precautions and stay informed.



Location: Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain pic.twitter.com/feWikeznbQ  Weather monitor (@Weathermonitors) November 4, 2024

On Monday, dozens of flights out of Barcelonas El Prat Airport were severely delayed or altogether canceled after water flooded the runway and surrounding grounds, even making its way into the terminal as passengers were forced to wade through ankle-deep muck.

El Prat airport in Barcelona, Spain this morning... pic.twitter.com/shfO56ckaV  Volcaholic  (@volcaholic1) November 4, 2024

One shocking clip showed the airports entrance almost entirely submerged underwater.

The main access road to Barcelonas airport underwater



The floods have gotten worse as residents rush to get out of town.



RT pic.twitter.com/kgD2uQrrvY  Moh Musthafa Hussain (@musthafaaa) November 4, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Barcelona airport flooded as rain alerts issued 



Authorities issued rainfall alerts for barcelona just days after flash floods devastated parts of the Valencia province  https://t.co/FLyibfD9B1 pic.twitter.com/WRSkdlMFBw  Sky News (@SkyNews) November 4, 2024

 - Barcelona is on red alert for "extreme danger" due to flooding at the airport that has resulted in flight cancellations.



Catalonia's regional government has warned of "continuous and torrential" rain in and around the Barcelona metropolitan area, just six days after pic.twitter.com/Jc7flktmBq  The Informant (@theinformant_x) November 4, 2024

Highways in Catalonia have been closed due to flooding, and all regional trains services have been temporarily suspended. Aemet, the countrys meteorological agency, issued a red warning across Barcelonas coastline denoting extreme danger, warning that cumulative rainfall will reach 180 liters (47 gallons) per square meter over the course of 12 hours.

The platform of the Virrey Amat metro stop, flooded by the rains in Barcelona. They don't let people take the metro for fear that people will get electrocuted. Because of the water that falls from the ceiling through the cables. pic.twitter.com/7ITB2ezAF0  I (**).:* (@Mia31370841) November 3, 2024

The rain is expected to last until about 2 p.m. local time. Officials do not expect that the flooding and devastation will be as severe as what Valencia endured last week.

 Extreme Danger Red Alert for Barcelona, Spain with more rain on the way and flooding begun. Spain is still dealing with the catastrophic floods that happened in the Valencia region. 8 million people were told not to travel on roads, etc unless strictly necessary. El Prat pic.twitter.com/0nvMizLOZ4  SputnikSpreader (@VasBroughtToX) November 4, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement
Signs directing voters at the Flathead County Election Department pictured on Oct. 29, 2024. (Micah Drew for the Daily Montanan)

Its finally Election Day and polls in Montana opened at 7 a.m. However, a majority of registered voters will be staying home.

As of Monday night, there were 792,440 registered voters in Montana and more than 54% of those voters have already cast their ballot by mail or voting early in-person. The Montana Secretary of States office showed that county election offices had received 431,636 absentee ballots before Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Friends, family, and neighbors across the state have ensured their voices will be heard in this historic election, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen said in a Monday press release.

During the last presidential election cycle, Montanans cast 612,075 votes, the highest number of votes cast in the states history, with a voter turnout rate of 81.33%, a 30-year high according to data from the Secretary of States Office.

Montana will set a new general election record if just 50% of registered voters who have not yet cast a ballot show up to the polls today.

The large quantity of early voters in the state mirrors a nation-wide trend. The Washington Post reports that more than 81.9 million Americans had already cast their ballots as of Monday, trailing only 2020 when many states expanded opportunities to cast ballots during the pandemic. South Carolina, Delaware, and Connecticut reported exceeding their 2020 early voting numbers, while six others reported being in the 90th percentile.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While Montana allows any active voter to register for an absentee ballot to vote by mail, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 98% of voters opted to vote by mail. In 2024, 68% of registered voters requested absentee ballots. Absentee voters can also deliver their ballot in person to a polling place or election office on Election Day.

Montana allows qualified citizens to register to vote on Election Day as long as they are in line at a polling location before 8 p.m.

Poll locations in Montana are required by law in most cases to be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., though smaller polling locations may be open from noon to 8 p.m.

Montanans choosing to cast their votes in person can review the hours and location of their polling place online at VoteMT.gov/voter-info, Secretary Jacobsen said. Winter weather is forecasted on Election Day, so make a plan, drive safe, and join the hundreds of thousands of Montanans in choosing the leaders of our great state and nation.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A man with a lengthy criminal record has pleaded guilty to robbing a Grand Rapids credit union back in August.

The mid-afternoon hold-up occurred Aug. 16 at Lake Michigan Credit Union on Leonard Street NE at Plymouth Avenue NE.

Man charged for bank robbery in northeast Grand Rapids

Police say Jeffrey Ahlan Dale implied he had a weapon. He was arrested later that day.

Dale appeared in a Kent County courtroom on Monday  his 63rd birthday, where he pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. In exchange for his plea, additional charges were dismissed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Kent County Prosecutors Office has also agreed to dismiss a separate felony case for possession of methamphetamine.

At the time of the robbery, Dale was on parole for a 1994 robbery which sent him to prison for three decades. He got out of prison in January of 2023.

Dale remains in the Kent County jail. He will return to court for sentencing in January.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
The 77-year-old Alabama man on trial for the 1988 murder of an 11-year-old girl in Lawrence was found not guilty by a jury in Lawrence District Court Tuesday, the Essex County District Attorneys office told Boston 25.

Marvin McClendon, a 77-year-old man from Alabama, was arrested in 2022 for allegedly killing Melissa Tremblay, more than 30 years after the girls death. In September 1988, the Salem, New Hampshire girl was found beaten and stabbed in a Lawrence railyard.

The non-guilty verdict ends McClendons second trial for the girls murder. The first trial ended in a mistrial when the jury became deadlocked.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2022, the Essex County District Attorneys office said the evidence recovered from Tremblays body was instrumental in identifying McClendon as the suspect.

DA says 34-year Lawrence murder mystery solved

Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker said his office was disappointed by the result.

While disappointed with the verdict, the efforts of our prosecutors and law enforcement in this case were extraordinary, said Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker. I recognize the work and dedication of the jury during their long deliberations in this case. My thoughts are with the family of Melissa Ann Tremblay, who have suffered greatly due to the crime that took her life.

Suspect in 1988 stabbing death of 11-year-old Lawrence girl appears in court

During the trial, prosecutors urged the jury to convict the Alabama man by arguing that he was left-handed, like Melissas killer and unlike his other family members. But McClendons lawyer told the jury the evidence against McClendon was circumstantial and did not go beyond a reasonable doubt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
OLATHE, Kan.  A Lenexa man now faces capital murder charges in the death of his wife and son.

Todd Donovan, 53, is being held on a $2 million bond. Hes accused in the deaths of Sheila and Tyler Donovan, over the weekend. A neighbors dog was also killed.

We will work very, very, hard with our crime lab and our police department to make sure that we get justice for all the victims in this case, Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Donovan made his first court appearance Monday in a Johnson County courtroom.

Historic Kansas City-area drive-in theater closing

We have two fatalities that are involved, and then we also have the cruelty to animals charge. Because of the serious nature of two first degree murder charges, we thought it was appropriate to get that kind of bond, Howe said. Because two individuals lives were taken, it does make this eligible for a capital murder case. Thats something that we dont take lightly and its something that will take a considerable period of time working with the Lenexa Police Department before we ultimately make that decision.

Howe, says Donovans case is eligible for capital murder charges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are prepared and ready to accept appointment on this case, if the court is inclined to do that at this time, a representative with the Death Penalty Defense Unit said.

A group called the Death Penalty Defense Unit spoke up at Mondays first appearance, with hopes of representing Todd Donovan. The Judge allowed the unit has been provisionally appointed.

As far as the appointment of counsel, we are the only option under state law, a representative with the Death Penalty Defense Unit said Monday to the judge.

Friday night, Lenexa police responded to the report of an armed disturbance in the 7900 block of Hallet. Once they arrived, they heard multiple gunshots coming from the area of the residence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Before officers continued up to the house, they stopped, initiated conversation with this individual. At this point, set up a perimeter and began negotiating for that person to come out, Danny Chavez, with Lenexa police said. At that point, we still didnt feel comfortable making the decision to go into the home to try arrest him, based on the amount of gunfire that we already been exposed to earlier in the evening.

Communication with the man lasted two hours, before it stopped.

Chavez says the department utilized technology to assess the situation, such as drone and robots.

Donovan was eventually taken into custody just before 2 a.m. Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Multiple firearms were recovered from the scene, along with two deceased individuals. The two victims were discovered when officers went to take Donovan into custody.

LPD says no officers fired any weapons. Theres also no known history of domestic violence with the suspect and his family, according to the Lenexa Police Department.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

Donovans next appearance is set for November 13.

The DAs Office says Donovan should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA)  A man has been arrested after police said he stole thousands of dollars of unique and antique weapons from a business following Hurricane Helene.

According to Asheville Police Department, officers were called to a business on Patton Avenue on the evening of September 28 for a breaking and entering. At the business, officers said they found where a person has broken into the business via a basement door and stolen multiple items, including historic 1886 Winchester rifles and more than two dozen custom made knives.

The items were valued at $70,000, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Friday, after more than a month of investigation, officers located and arrested Michael William Plummer, 55, in connection with the break in.

Plummer is charged with breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, trespassing during an emergency and possession of burglary tools. He was taken to the Buncombe County Detention Center and given a $10,000 bond.

Plummer is the latest person Asheville Police have accused of looting businesses following Hurricane Helene passing over the area.

In October, police announced two arrests connected to break-ins in the Biltmore Village area.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
A 24-year-old Tennessee man has been arrested and charged with allegedly plotting to use a weapon of mass destruction in a neo-Nazi-inspired plot to destroy an energy facility near Nashville, the Justice Department announced Monday.

Skyler Philippi allegedly planned to attack Nashville's power grid with a drone armed with explosives after conducting extensive research into how such an attack could serve to "shock the system," as he reportedly relayed to one FBI confidential source who became aware of his plotting, prosecutors said.

The FBI first began investigating Philippi in June after a confidential source who was in touch with him reported to the FBI his alleged desire to commit a mass shooting at a YMCA near Columbia, Tennessee, according to the complaint.

PHOTO: Prosecutors say Skyler Philippi is seen conducting a test site of a drone in this photo, which was included in a federal complaint. (U.S. Department of Justice)

Philippi allegedly repeatedly espoused his adherence to white supremacist and accelerationist ideologies which promote the idea that a destabilizing terrorist attack on something like the nation's energy sectors could serve to incite unrest that leads to civil war, according to prosecutors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I definitely want to hit Nashville, like one hundred percent, I want to get Nashville," Philippi allegedly said in one meeting recorded by the undercover agents, according to the complaint. "I also know Louisville pretty God damn well, since I lived there. I spent about five months scouting out every single place [power station] and even coming up with a game plan to hit it as fast as I could. I had whole maps made, printed out on paper, to actually do that."

MORE: Maryland woman sentenced to 18 years for racist plot to attack Baltimore power stations

In September, Philippi and undercover FBI employees drove to an electrical substation he had researched previously and, while in transit, Philippi allegedly ordered what he believed would be the equivalent of C-4 explosives from the informants, according to the complaint.

During the recon mission, the undercover agents recorded Philippi stating, "Holy s---. This will go up like a f-----' Fourth of July firework," according to the complaint.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Saturday, Philippi allegedly met up with the undercover agents to test fly the drone and conduct the attack, according to the complaint. The complaint includes a photograph that prosecutors said shows Philippi conducting the test flight of the drone.

The agents supplied Philippi with pipe bombs allegedly ordered by the defendant that contained an inert substance so they would not detonate, according to the complaint. Another photo included in the complaint shows a masked person prosecutors said is Philippi, along with two FBI undercover agents, showing off the pipe bombs and an explosive device.

PHOTO: What prosecutors say are suspected explosive devices are seen in a photo that was included in a federal complaint. (U.S. Department of Justice)

Before going to the site of the operation, Philippi participated in a "Nordic ritual," during which he allegedly said "This is where the New Age begins" and that it was "time to do something big" that would be remembered "in the annals of history," according to the complaint.

Once at the site of the operation, as the undercover agents moved to their assigned positions as lookouts, Philippi allegedly powered up the drone with an explosive device that he believed had an active C-4 attached to it, according to the complaint. He was then taken into custody, prosecutors said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MORE: FBI foils alleged ISIS-inspired Election Day terror plot by Afghan national

"As charged, Skyler Philippi believed he was moments away from launching an attack on a Nashville energy facility to further his violent white supremacist ideology -- but the FBI had already compromised his plot," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. "This case serves as yet another warning to those seeking to sow violence and chaos in the name of hatred by attacking our country's critical infrastructure: the Justice Department will find you, we will disrupt your plot, and we will hold you accountable."

Philippi is charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, the DOJ said.

He had an initial court appearance on Monday and has been temporarily detained, court records show. A preliminary and detention hearing has been continued to Nov. 13.

ABC News has reached out to Philippi's attorney for comment.

Man arrested in alleged neo-Nazi-inspired plot to destroy Nashville energy facility: DOJ originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A man has been arrested in connection with a HAZMAT investigation in Everett.

According to the City of Everett, a State HazMat team in protective gear was called to 51 Gledhill Avenue in Everett to search and secure the premises in response to reports of an individual disposing of chemicals related to the manufacturing of illicit narcotics at multiple locations around the city.

Everett Police arrested Alexander Yaksic, 33 of Everett on a on federal probation warrant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Everett Police and Fire currently have the area cordoned off and the public is urged to stay clear of the area until it is rendered safe by first responders, the city wrote on Monday afternoon. There remains no immediate threat to the public and the Everett Public Schools have been notified. A traffic management plan was put in place to safely coordinate the dismissal of Everett High School.

Hours before, in the early morning, Boston 25 News saw a crew in protective gear handling another potential hazardous materials scene in Everett, just a half-mile away, off Mount Washington Street. Officials did not confirm whether the two are related.

City officials did not share any details on what the chemicals or narcotics were.

Its scary that its that close to your home, said Licia Commito. You start thinking of all the what ifs. You just have to be thankful that it was uncovered and that nothing bad happened, and we can just move along.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The incident is under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man is in custody and facing open murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old who was found in a car, according to police.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported that they were able to identify Keyun Watts, 25, as the suspect who allegedly shot a man near South Decatur Boulevard and Sobb Avenue, south of Patrick Lane.

Man dead after found shot inside vehicle in southwest Las Vegas valley

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Oct. 5, LVMPD officers responded to the reports of the shooting and found a vehicle crashed into a fixed object with a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds inside. The man was identified as Elvin Sejdinovic, 22.

Police said he was taken to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

On Monday, Nov. 4, officials located Watts and arrested him. LVMPD said he was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on charges of open murder with a deadly weapon.

Under a plea deal in 2022, Watts pleaded guilty to felony robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime. The robbery charge was dropped after he completed two years of probation in July 2024, according to court records.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He is due to make an initial appearance in court on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Nazir Ali admitted that artificial intelligence was used to create the post about the parade in Dublin, but insisted he and others were not attempting to scam attendees

arturmartins/X Thousands of spectators gather for Halloween parade hoax in Dublin Thousands of spectators gather for Halloween parade hoax in Dublin

The man behind the viral AI website that listed a fake Halloween parade leading to thousands of people gathering along the streets of Dublin on Thursday, Oct. 31, says it was just a mistake."

Nazir Ali, owner of the website MySpiritHalloween.com, told Wired in an interview published on Nov. 1 that this was just a mistake and insisted he and others who work on the site are not scammers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He admitted that ChatGPT was used to help them write the article in question, but not in its entirety. He claimed artificial intelligence was involved in about 10 to 20 % of the articles development, while we were 80 % involved.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

We apologize to our Irish brothers, Ali told the outlet. We are highly disappointed, highly embarrassed, and honestly, we are feeling bad.

The Halloween parade was said to be organized by Macnas, according to CBS News. The Irish theater company had previously staged a yearly Halloween parade in Dublin beginning in 2013, but there was none planned for this year, per The Independent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ali told the BBC that a writer used a listing from a previous parade when creating the post, and was "unaware" that the parade was not occurring.

Guven Ozdemire/Getty/Stock Image Aerial view of Dublin Aerial view of Dublin

The website owner claimed the intentions of those who work on MySpiritHalloween.com are very pure, and suggested they tried their best to produce authentic content.



"No one in Ireland informed us that this parade was not going to happen, he said, per the BBC. If they told us before the evening we would have removed it.

Ali said the listing was changed as soon as they learned of the mistake. "We even wrote this has been canceled, but it was too late," he told Wired.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ali did not have a direct answer when the outlet asked if the websites content creators will continue to rely on AI to assist them with their work. But he admitted they should double check and triple check their work moving forward.

We don't actually want to mislead any of our Irish brothers, Ali said before reiterating, This was just a mistake.

Related: Mom's 'Last Minute' DIY Halloween Costume for Her Daughter Goes Viral: 'I Was Blown Away' (Exclusive)

Ali told Wired that MySpiritHalloween.com, which he expects MySpiritHalloween will be deranked on Google as a result of the debacle, has only been operating for about three months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The website generates revenue by posting about holiday events around the globe, and according to the owner, it makes money through Google Ads and affiliate marketing, and creators only work about three or four months out of the year.

Police, meanwhile, were able to clear the streets of Dublin after crowds formed for the non-existent parade.


BARDSTOWN, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Nelson County Judge has ruled that one of the men facing charges in connection to the disappearance and death of Crystal Rogers will be tried separately.

Court documents state that Brooks Houck, Rogers former boyfriend, Steven Lawson, and his son, Joseph Lawson, have each been charged with complicity to commit murder and complicity to tampering with evidence in connection to the Bardstown mothers disappearance.

RELATED | Crystal Rogers trial moved outside of Nelson County

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On March 13, the Commonwealth filed a motion that would consolidate the jury trials. Prosecutor Shane Young argued that the charges arise from the same series of actions between the three men and that a joint trial would ensure the jury was given a complete picture of what allegedly occurred on July 34, 2015, and the involvement of each defendant.

The facts and evidence surrounding the crimes they are accused of committing are identical, overlapping, and would be admissible if they were tried together or separately, Young said.

On Tuesday, a Nelson County judge ruled that Steven will be tried separately, and his testimonies mentioning another defendant will be redacted to other person.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ruling stems from what the judge called Stevens wildly inconsistent and ever-evolving testimonies of what occurred leading to Rogers disappearance.

The Court finds that Houck and J. Lawson would suffer undue prejudice if the jury would hear S. Lawsons grand jury testimonies but not his interviews, the ruling reads. As a result, this court has no choice but to sever S. Lawsons trial from his codefendants. Otherwise, if there were any convictions from a joint trial, those convictions could be subject to reversal.

However, Houck and Joseph will be tried together, according to the ruling.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Josephs representation has filed several motions to secure a separate trial, but the judge claims that Houcks statements have never implicated him and is unable to find evidence of undue prejudice.

Stevens trial will continue as previously scheduled for Feb. 10, 2025.

Joseph and Houck will appear in court on Dec. 5 to set a date for their jury trial.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
An Ohio man is accused of fatally shooting another man outside a Tacoma cargo warehouse Friday.

Prosecutors charged Darryl Fletcher Banks III, 23, with first-degree murder Monday. Banks claimed 26-year-old Demarcus McComb of Dayton, Ohio, was trying to kidnap him prior to the shooting, according to court documents.

A plea of not guilty was entered on Banks behalf during his arraignment Monday. Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner Philip Thornton set his bail at $1.5 million, court records show.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This was nothing short of an execution, Pierce County deputy prosecuting attorney Dalton Smith said during the hearing.

Charging details

Tacoma officers were dispatched at about 11 a.m. to the 1500 block of East D Street for a shooting. While en route, a 911 call came in from Banks claiming he was responsible for the shooting. He stated that McComb tried to kidnap him, according to charging documents.

Banks told officers when they arrived that he did not have any weapons and they could pat him down, prosecutors wrote. He was arrested and allegedly confirmed that he was involved in the shooting.

McComb was found dead at the scene. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the right side of his head and some apparent wounds to his midsection, prosecutors wrote. Officers found a Glock handgun and shell casings nearby.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His cause of death was officially determined to be from multiple gunshot wounds. McCombs manner of death was listed as a homicide, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiners Office.

Banks reiterated that he believed he was being kidnapped and that he allegedly used the victims handgun to kill him. He also said that none of this was planned. Prosecutors wrote that Banks gave a somewhat rambling statement when asked what led up to the shooting.

Banks claimed McComb owed him money. He said the victim sent him threatening texts, and Banks also claimed McComb was being aggressive towards him. Prosecutors noted that Banks did not say anything about McComb pointing a gun at him or assaulting him.

One of the people working in a guard booth at the warehouse said she saw McComb and Banks arriving in the area in a semi-truck. The victim drove them there, and they got out of the truck together, prosecutors wrote. At one point the witness spoke to Banks and said he needed to wear a reflective vest. In response, Banks laughed her off.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The witness said McComb and Banks were a little angry towards each other when they first arrived but were not seen openly arguing, prosecutors wrote. Right before the shooting, she allegedly saw Banks approach McComb outside his truck and pull out a handgun. McComb raised his hands to block his face before he was shot.

It is not known if Banks has criminal history out of Ohio or any other state.
The branches of a small pine tree are bent over with snow near Shoves Chapel at Colorado College in 2022.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  A 41-year-old man died Monday morning after being buried under hot asphalt while trying to repair his dump truck in Mississippi, authorities said.

The victim, identified as Darrell Sheriff, was a private contractor who was picking up a load of asphalt at AJ Materials in Jackson when his vehicle malfunctioned around 10:30 a.m.

Sheriff was underneath the truck working on a hydraulic line when the tailgate opened and asphalt fell on him, the Jackson Police Department said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police Chief Joseph Wade said some people at the scene tried to help him to no avail.

Its very horrific. Its very tragic, Wade told reporters during a Monday afternoon briefing.

The police chief also offered his condolences to the victims family.

I talked to some of his family here on scene. They said he was a good man, a hardworking man, just trying to make a living, and thats just the synopsis of so many people here in the city of Jackson, Wade said. Lets keep his family uplifted in prayer.

Wade said the investigation is ongoing, but Sheriffs death appears to be accidental.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
IRON COUNTY, Mo.  A 66-year-old man was pronounced dead Monday afternoon after he attempted to drive across a flooded bridge and later drowned while going downstream in Ironton.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the man was driving a 2007 Ford Taurus before 2 p.m. Monday afternoon when he attempted to cross the bridge going westbound on County Road 42 at Knob Creek.

Flash floods in St. Louis area lead to road and polling place closures

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Reportedly, as the man attempted to cross the flooded bridges in his vehicle he was swept off by flood water and floated about a half of a mile down a stream before coming to rest.

The man was later pronounced dead by drowning in the flood, and MSHP said next of kin has been notified.

Parts of southern Missouri received up to six inches of rain Monday afternoon, which prompted flash flooding in several rural areas. Nearby authorities warned residents that rivers and creeks were rising fast and many water rescues were reported.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  A man was found fatally shot on the front porch of a Birmingham residence Monday.

According to Birmingham Police Department Sgt. LaQuitta Wade, at around 12:12 p.m., officers were dispatched to the to a call of shots fired in the area. While en route, the call was updated to a person shot.

Birmingham city councilman arrested for DUI

At the scene in the 1600 block of Fifth Street North, police found a man on the front porch of a residence unresponsive and suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service personnel pronounced the man dead. The BPD later identified the man as Amauria Caffey, 20, of Birmingham.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wade said the preliminary investigation shows a verbal argument happened. Shots were then fired that fatally wounded Caffey.

There is no one in custody in connection to the case. Those with information on the shooting are urged to call the BPD at 205-254-1764 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD)  A man is headed to a state prison after pleading to sexually abusing a relative in Calhoun County.

John Hendrickson, 59, was sentenced Monday to between 17 and 40 years in prison, according to the Michigan Attorney Generals Office.

The AGs Office said Hendrickson abused a relative, who was a child at the time, between 1999 and 2007 when he lived in Leroy Township near Battle Creek. He most recently lived in Bellaire, north of Kalkaska.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hendrickson was charged in January.

I am grateful for the courage of the victim who came forward, years after suffering multiple alleged assaults, to pursue accountability for her attacker, Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement when the charges were issued. These charges reflect the significant harm inflicted throughout her childhood. I hope all victims of childhood sexual assault know my department is available to them, to be heard in a victim-centered and trauma-informed way, and that criminal charges remain possible even years after the criminal activity transpired.

Hendrickson pleaded no contest in August to four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in the case. Three first-degree CSC charges out of Allegan County and one more out of Calhoun County were dismissed under the terms of a plea agreement.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
At a press conference about the arrest of Jeffery Michael Kelly, Tempe Police highlighted their work with Silent Witness which led to an individual in the community to recognize the car. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror

A man already indicted for shooting at a local Democratic National Committee Office is facing new charges related to allegations that he posted anti-Democratic signs outfitted with razor blades and bags of white powder attached to them.

Jeffrey Michael Kelly, 60, was arrested for his alleged involvement in four separate incidents of political violence. Police have tied him to a series of shootings at a Democratic National Committee office in Tempe, as well as placing the razor-blade and powder-laden anti-Democratic signs in nearby Ahwatukee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Prosecutors said they believe he was allegedly planning a mass casualty event in Arizona. A search of his home revealed 120 guns, 250,000 rounds of ammunition, body armor and a grenade launcher, they said in court documents filed last month.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Kelly is accused of shooting at the Democratic office on three different occasions between Sept. 16 and Oct. 6. He initially used a C02 powered gun before escalating to .22 caliber firearms, according to Tempe Police.

Over the course of the three shootings, he fired more than 20 times, causing damage to the building late at night, according to the Maricopa County Attorneys Office. Police were tipped off that Kelly might have been involved after they released photos of his vehicle, which had been spotted near thefts of Democratic yard signs in 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After they began watching Kelly, they saw him placing signs that read Dems kill Jews, Dems Lie and Never Harris, referring to Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. The signs had razor blades and bags of white powder attached to them with the message biohazard and F*** you! Play stupid games win stupid prizes! Guess the poison.

Kelly was indicted on terrorism charges last month for the incidents involving the DNC office, but had not yet faced an indictment for the signs police saw him put up. The newly obtained grand jury indictment shows that he has since been indicted for four counts of unlawful use of a biological substance or radiological agent, a class 2 felony.

The indictment notes that Kelly placed a simulated infectious biological substance at multiple locations with the intent to terrify, intimidate, threaten or harass. The four counts are for each of the signs Kelly placed along the roadway in Ahwatukee.

Kelly is being represented by an attorney who uses a gun range that Kelly also frequents and has represented militia members before. During Kellys initial appearance, attorney Jason Squires argued that Kelly is a sportsman who owns a multitude of firearms, adding that they were all legally obtained.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Arizona Mirror found a LinkedIn profile that appears to belong to Kelly in which he said he worked for Honeywell. His attorney said he held top secret clearances for his job until 2020.

Kelly has also posted unfounded conspiracy theories on a Facebook page found by the Mirror. As far back as 2014, Kelly was amplifying the debunked and racist birtherism claims about former President Barack Obama.

On Jan. 6, 2021, while rioters were storming the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the election for former President Donald Trump, Kelly changed his Facebook banner to a Stop The Steal logo, the movement that pushed unfounded claims around the 2020 election results.

He also posted frequent pro-gun memes, including an Islamaphobic one, and his profile picture is an edit of the infamous photo of Kathy Griffin with the severed head of Donald Trump but replaced with Biden and captioned this is still funny right?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Department of Homeland Security has warned that election deniers connected to the far-right may attempt to bomb drop boxes or commit other acts of violence in the coming weeks.

A probable cause statement against Kelly disclosed that he is also under two separate federal investigations. Among the evidence police uncovered are Google searches Kelly allegedly performed looking up the address of the DNC office. The police also noted that Kelly has finances and resources to conduct further acts of terrorism and frequently travels across state lines.

The grand jury indictment also notes that Kelly has a large sum of money and access to lots of guns and ammo as the rationale behind a $500,000 cash bond. Kelly also has a $500,000 cash bond related to the terrorism charges making his total cash bond $1 million.

Kellys attorney claimed he did not own the vehicle at the center of the case, however, it was found on Kellys property, where it was covered in blankets. Police said it had been recently cleaned. Police also found two expired out-of-state license plates that were seen on the vehicle fleeing the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kelly also reportedly researched silencers and additional modifications for his weapons.

During their investigation, Tempe police found spent ammunition in Kellys trash that matched the caliber of rounds fired at the DNC office.

Kelly is set to appear in court on Nov. 5.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A man wanted on murder charges out of Charlotte was arrested Tuesday in eastern Tennessee.

According to the Washington County Sheriffs Office, 45-year-old Henry Centeno Renteria was arrested at a residence 8 miles north of Johnson City and is being charged with fugitive from justice. He has an active warrant for first-degree murder from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police from an alleged incident on March 16.

Washington County deputies took Renteria into custody and transported him to the local jail. He is being held without bond pending extradition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Renteria is scheduled to appear in Washington County General Sessions Court on Nov. 6.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)- A Youngstown man was arraigned Monday on a felony breaking and entering charge and a theft charge.

According to court records, James Van Tasel, 30, pleaded not guilty to breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony and theft, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Police were called to a hotel on Clarkins Drive in Austintown on Monday shortly before 4 a.m.

Police were told that the door to the maintenance room of the hotel was pried open, ransacked and that some items were missing. Police said that Van Tasel was identified on hotel security cameras leaving the maintenance room with a chainsaw.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police said Van Tasel was located at a nearby gas station and was brought back to the hotel.

Reports said Van Tasel gave a utility knife and a chainsaw to police and he was taken into custody.

Van Tasel is in the Mahoning County Jail on $4,000 bond. He has a preliminary hearing on November 13 at 9 a.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
A 43-year-old man accidentally shot himself in the buttocks at a gas station in Washington and told authorities a stranger did it, police said.

Now hes the one in trouble, police said.

A witness reported the shooting at about 3:15 p.m. Nov. 3, the Kent Police Department said in a Facebook post.

The clerk told authorities a gun fell from the mans pants as he gathered items from the shelves, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He picked up the gun and tried to stuff it back into his waistband but struggled, police said. Thats when he started to fiddle with the weapon and then dropped to the floor, police said.

He left the store after shooting himself, got into a vehicle and was driven to a hospital in Auburn by his girlfriend, police said.

The Ferndale man told officers he was shot by someone as he walked out to the gas station parking lot, but the video footage showed otherwise, police said.

His girlfriend turned over the gun to authorities, police said.

Police said they learned the man had prior felony convictions, making it illegal for him to possess a gun. The gun had also been stolen, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The man was transferred to a hospital in Seattle for surgery. He hasnt been booked into jail yet, but he faces three felony charges, police said.

Police advise the public to keep guns in holsters and if an accidental shooting happens, wait for medical help.

Kent is about a 20-mile drive south from Seattle.

Burglary suspect gets butt whipped by victim twice his age, Florida sheriff says

71-year-old kills neighbor in shootout over loud animals, Texas cops say

Woman calls 911 for pizza, then man found trying to rape her in field, Florida cops say
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA)  An Asheville man was sentenced to serve an active term at the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections after an unpaid $40 debt led to the shooting of a 68-year-old man last September.

The Buncombe County District Attorneys Office said Terrence Lamont Burt Jr. was sentenced to serve 65 to 90 months in jail after pleading guilty to felony discharging weapon into occupied dwelling and felony assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to inflict serious injury.

7NEWS previously reported that on September 6, 2023, officers responded to the 40 block of Mount Clare Avenue in Asheville just after 10:45 p.m. following a report of a gun discharge. Once on scene, officers found a 68-year-old man suffering from four gunshot wounds and began treatment until EMS arrived to take the victim to Mission Hospital in critical condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Upon further investigation, officers learned the shooting followed an argument over an unpaid, $40 debt from a drug transaction.

The victim was discharged following life-saving treatment. The did not wish to participate in the case against Burt.

A release stated Burt Jr. admitted to the shooting to investigators and expressed remorse. The gun used was never recovered.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Upon arrival, responders found the man at the rear of the property submerged but conscious

Woodstock Fire and Rescue District/Facebook Authorities rescued a man pinned by a tractor following a bridge collapse in Illinois on Nov. 3, 2024 Authorities rescued a man pinned by a tractor following a bridge collapse in Illinois on Nov. 3, 2024

Following a bridge collapse on the property, authorities rescued a man after he was trapped under a tractor in an Illinois creek for more than 30 minutes.

Woodstock Fire-Rescue District said in a news release on Facebook that authorities were notified about a water rescue on Sunday, Nov. 3, around 3 p.m. local time in the unincorporated town of Woodstock, located northwest of Chicago.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the response, emergency crews heard about a man who was pinned by a tractor on the property. Upon arrival, according to the news release, responders found the man at the rear of the property, submerged but conscious.

Related: 11-Year-Old Boy Rescued After Being Trapped Between Boulders for 9 Hours: The Incident Quickly Escalated

Firefighters quickly lifted the tractor to free him, and he was immediately transferred to an awaiting ambulance. A medical helicopter was requested, and the patient was transported to the landing zone at Northwood Middle School, 2121 N. Seminary Ave, authorities said in a news release.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Woodstock Fire and Rescue District/Facebook Man rescued by Illinois authorities on Nov. 3, 2024 Man rescued by Illinois authorities on Nov. 3, 2024

Authorities also added that the victim was later airlifted to a local hospital, saying he sustained serious injuries from the collapse and entrapment, and severe hypothermia due to water exposure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Related: Officer Smashes Through Windshield to Save Woman Just Seconds Before Car Becomes 'Fully Engulfed in Flames'

A hazmat response was launched after fluids were leaking from the tractor, per authorities, and a crew responded by placing "absorbent materials in the creek to prevent fuel or other fluids from dispersing into the waterway."

Related: Teen Girl Was Stranded in Flooded Car by Hurricane Helene Until Deputies 'Sprung into Action' for Rescue: See Video

The tractor was taken out of the creek by 6:00 p.m, authorities said, per the release.

The Woodstock Fire-Rescue District did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.


NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  A man who shot a New Haven police officer in 2022 will spend 20 years in prison, a judge decided on Monday.

Jose Claudio, 38, threatened a woman with a gun in the Fair Haven section of New Haven in Sept. 2022.

The following month, New Haven Police Officer Chad Curry saw that a car struck a utility pole at Chapel Street and Blatchley Avenue. Claudio ran off, and Curry followed him in his police cruiser. During the chase, Claudio took out a handgun and fired multiple shots into the windshield of the police car.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Claudio shot at Curry nine times, injuring the officer in his left ear area and his right shoulder. Claudio was arrested on Oct. 8, 2022. Claudio, a convicted felon, was also banned from owning firearms.

Curry was present at the sentencing, according to an announcement. He remains on light duty, and still has a projectile lodged in his shoulder.

Claudio pleaded guilty to attempted murder, assault on a public safety official, first-degree threatening and two counts of criminal possession of a firearm.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Police have arrested a man who smelled of fuel and was carrying a flare gun into the US Capitol on Election Day.

The 28-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday afternoon as he entered the building through the Capitol Visitor Center. He had a torch, flare gun and lighter in his jacket as he tried to enter.

Our officers just arrested a man who was stopped during our screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), the US Capitol Police wrote in a statement. The man smelled like fuel, had a torch & a flare gun.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Authorities later revealed the man drove to Washington, DC from Michigan. Authorities found papers on him, which they are still investigating, the US Capitol Police said in a press conference after the arrest. He told police he planned to deliver these documents to Congress.

These documents included a manifesto that discusses the war in the Middle East, The Hill reports.

A man was arrested on Election Day after trying to enter the Capitol with a torch and flare gun (AP)

Police tracked down the mans vehicle roughly one mile away from the Capitol building soon after his arrest.

Our investigators tracked the suspects previous movements and located his vehiclewhich was just cleared, Capitol police added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Congress is not in session this Election Day.

Meanwhile, the nations capital city is on high alert as voters cast their ballots to decide the 47th president.

Officials have placed security fencing outside the White House and downtown businesses are boarding up their windows amid fears of political violence.

Workers board up a Devon and Blakely location near the White House, in Washington DC ahead of the presidential election (AFP via Getty Images)

Large metal fences have also appeared around government buildings including the Treasury Department and near Vice President Kamala Harriss residence. Metropolitan Police Department officers are also monitoring key areas in DC and polling locations out of an abundance of caution.

The Independent has contacted the US Capitol Police for more information.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Elsewhere, violent threats are already streaming in. Georgia polling centers have been targetted by bomb threats of Russian origin, their secretary of state said on Tuesday morning.

Two polling stations had been evacuated in Union City and Fulton County due to the threats. Secretary Brad Raffensperger said officials were investigating but they do not believe they were viable.

Weve heard some threats that were of Russian origin, he said during a press conference. I dont know how to describe that thats viable, we dont think they are, but in the interest of public safety, you always check that out.
CANTON, Miss. (WJTV)  Canton police are searching for a man whos wanted in connection to a shooting and cyberstalking.

Police said Miguel Warren is wanted for three counts of felony cyberstalking. They said hes a person of interest for a shooting that occurred on September 14, 2024.

Warren is considered to be armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can contact the Canton Police Department at (601) 859-2121.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
Gray Media has reportedly laid off newsroom employees at several of its smaller market TV stations, including KEYC in Mankato.

The Mankato Free Press reports that around 12 newsroom employees have been laid off. The company declined to specify which news staff or exactly how many were let go. Staff were notified of the layoffs on Friday, just days before Tuesday's election.

KEYC and Gray TV did not respond to a request for comment from Bring Me The News.

Mankato City of Mankato, YouTube

On Monday, the station posted a message on its site outlining changes to its newscasts. KEYC's Morning News Now will now broadcast the program produced at KTTC in Rochester.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Changes are also coming to its noon and weekend newscasts.

"Viewers in both Rochester and Mankato will now see a regionalized morning and noon newscast that prioritizes local First Alert Weather forecasts, overnight breaking news, and important information from our respective communities," the station wrote, adding that KEYC and KTTC journalists and meteorologists will work "closely with their counterparts" to include "local content" in newscasts.

Additionally, KEYC will add a news broadcast on weekend mornings, and the noon broadcast will soon expand from 30 minutes to a full hour. However, those broadcasts will originate from the Rochester station.

Related: Former Walz student hosts postcard painting sessions at her art studio to support candidate

Its daily newscasts at 5, 6, and 10 p.m. will continue to be produced in Mankato. However, the Mankato Free Press says that "it appears all but one news reporter has been laid off."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

KEYC will continue to produce "Kato Living" and its local polka music show, "Bandwagon," the longest continually running music program in the nation.

KEYC, which has been on the air with various affiliations since 1960, was purchased by Gray Media in 2019. The company has not confirmed the number of stations that were part of its cutbacks days before the election, but some reports are putting the number at more than 12 stations.

The layoffs come just months after Alpha Media announced sweeping layoffs at radio stations throughout southern Minnesota, including four stations in Mankato.

Related: Alpha Media lays off radio and news staff at multiple southern MN stations
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  One Marine veteran is again hanging out in the clouds for seven days to raise money for veterans.

Scott Burns is on day four of camping out 13 feet above the ground, hes the founder of Seven Days for the Troops.

Its something crazy and unusual. People tend to talk about it and it gives people a different way to give and gives them a unique opportunity to give, Founder of Seven Days for the Troops Scott Burns said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Burns, a Mississippi native was in the Marines from 1991 to 1995 in which he was stationed in Jacksonville.

I got an injury when I was in and it had led to 22 surgeries on my left ankle, which led to an amputation about 13 years ago, Burns said. And because of that injury, I wore out the right leg. And two years ago, I had the right leg amputated due to an infection that I got following a surgery.

Now, Burns raises money for veterans by camping out in a tent 13 feet in the air for seven days.

Click the above video to see more.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
(NewsNation)  Maryland voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election, including some that could affect who controls Congress.

Presidential race in Maryland

US Senate Race in Maryland

In a key U.S. Senate race, former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan is seeking federal office against Democratic challenger Angela Alsobrooks.

Hogan, who received an endorsement from Donald Trump, has vowed not to vote for the former president. Alsobrooks found herself in hot water after a media report alleged she had taken advantage of tax breaks she was not qualified to receive.

US House races in Maryland

Also up for grabs is Marylands District 8 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives where incumbent Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, faces Republican challenger Cheryl Riley, a public relations executive.

Statewide ballot measures in Maryland

Maryland voters will also decide on a ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to establish a right to reproductive freedom, which is defined as the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue or end ones pregnancy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anti-abortion advocates complained that the word abortion was not included in the ballot question language although the question raises the issue of the right to have an abortion performed.

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Early voting started Oct. 24 in Maryland. Polls are open from 7 a.m to 8 p.m. local time on Election Day.

Maryland  which carries 10 Electoral College votes  has remained a solid blue state since the formation of political parties around the time of the Civil War. The last time the state went red was 1988 for George H.W. Bush.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Candidates need 270 Electoral College votes to win the presidency.

In 2020, the state voted for Joe Biden, who outpaced Trump by a 65% to 32% margin.

Judicial races in Maryland

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  As Marylanders hit the polls on Tuesday, they are keeping an eye on the tight race for the U.S. Senate seat between Prince Georges County executive Angela Alsobrooks and former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.

This is the right thing to do, I believe especially as Black people, you got to exercise that right to vote, said voter Cornelius Williams.

Williams and many others woke up early Tuesday morning to cast their ballot for this years election at First Baptist Church of Glenarden.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We need new leadership, we need a new vision, noted voter Darrell Smith.

According to the latest poll from The Hill, Alsobrooks is leading at 53.6%, with Hogan polling at 38.8%. At the start of November, Alsobrooks had a 14-point lead on Hogan.

Whos going to stand up for you? That one is a really, really tough race to call, but Im looking forward to seeing the results of that, said Williams.

Voters hope that whoever wins the Senate seat will address concerns like education and the high cost of living.

Im also worried about the basic things price of housing, price of groceries, stuff like that, and I believe those things can be addressed with the right people in office, Williams said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Angela Alsobrooks, Larry Hogan: What to know about Maryland US Senate candidates

Early Tuesday morning polls from the Hill showed Hogan was still behind, polling at 40.6%, with Alsobrooks at 52.7%

According to the Hill, although Hogan was one of the most popular governors while in office, a Republican has not held a Senate seat in Maryland since 1980.

Ive focused on trying to bring people together, trying to avoid both extremes of either party. I know people say that theyre down, and theyre counting us out. Ive always been the underdog, Hogan said during a campaign event earlier this week.

The race is expected to be closely watched. Both candidates have strong support and experience in Maryland politics.



Ive been all across Maryland meeting with Marylanders where they are and I can tell you that I understand their concerns, I understand their cares, I know exactly who we are fighting for, said Alsobrooks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voting locations close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. To find your voting site, visit Marylands Board of Elections website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
A significant portion of Marylands workforce, encompassing cashiers, cooks, health aides, child care providers, office staff and more, live just one emergency away from financial crisis even though most of them are working full-time, according to the United Way's report on ALICE - Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed - workers. Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images

What would you do if, despite working full-time, you didnt earn enough to cover the basics?

What would you do if, after buying groceries and covering the rent, you had to decide which expenses to delay? Your choices: an essential car repair, a vital doctor appointment, or safe, nurturing child care. Do you fix the car so you can get to work on time? Do you finally see the doctor, preventing your health issue from spiraling into a medical crisis? Or do you ensure your child is left in safe and dependable hands?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These are just some of the questions faced by ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families every day, and the questions that every voter should be considering as they cast their ballot in this years presidential election.

According to the Maryland United Way ALICE Report, these impossible choices are faced daily by 52.5 million households across the United States, including nearly 930,000 households in the State of Maryland.

ALICE households work hard, but cannot afford basic necessities, like housing, food, child care, digital access and transportation. A significant portion of our states workforce, encompassing cashiers, cooks, health aides, child care providers, office staff and more, live just one emergency away from financial crisis, even though most of these workers have full-time employment.

Whats more, in many cases families find themselves living as ALICE due to workforce and economic forces outside their control like the COVID-19 pandemic, the Key Bridge collapse or other natural disasters. Even households with well-paying jobs can experience financial hardship due to rising costs of living, or after an unexpected, major expense.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hundreds of thousands of workers in Maryland currently live below the ALICE threshold, including 36% of retail salespersons, 49% of cashiers and 12% of the states registered nurses. These individuals contribute essential services to our communities but often face financial instability because their income has not kept pace with the high cost of living in the state.

Despite Marylands low unemployment and seemingly positive economic indicators, there is a deep crisis when 39% of households cannot make ends meet.

Those living as ALICE experience a wide variety of stressors, ranging from being unable to find suitable child care to not having access to essential, reliable transportation. In Marylands rural areas, access to transportation and dependable digital infrastructure is critical to those seeking new career opportunities, access to medical care, and opportunities to seek more suitable housing.

Parents who cant find high-quality and affordable child care may end up paying more than their family budget allows, leaving them vulnerable to emergency expenses, or may seek less costly care, which may not prepare the child for a school setting and could incur health and safety risks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Families living as ALICE represent a significant portion of our community. They are our neighbors, our co-workers, and our friends. They live in our communities, and they play a vital role in our society, yet often face systemic barriers that prevent them from thriving.

As we approach the 2024 election, it is crucial for candidates and policymakers to discuss the needs of ALICE households  and for eligible voters to consider the needs of ALICE families as they cast their ballot. Our Maryland State Association of United Ways stands united in our vision for healthy, thriving communities and will work around the clock to tackle challenges in housing, child care, transportation, food, digital access and more that impact hundreds of thousands of households.

Policy change is a powerful way to break down longstanding barriers and enact real change  and in our democracy that change always begins at the ballot box.
With the outcome of the presidential race in Maryland all but certain, Republicans and Democrats alike have been hitting the road to get out the vote in the neighboring battleground state of Pennsylvania. Photo from pa.gov.

By Robert Stewart

Comptroller Brooke Lierman is a prominent Democrat in Maryland, but lately she has been going next door to campaign  in Pennsylvania.

Its the battleground state in the country, said Lierman. Its my duty as an American who believes strongly that this is the most important election in my lifetime to get out, to make sure people have the information they need to vote, and to share with them why Im supporting Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The true-blue state of Maryland doesnt present much of a contest for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, as she runs for president against former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee. But Democrats and Republicans alike want to make a difference in the election, so theyre leveraging their location to help out just a few miles north.

Lierman isnt the only Marylander politicking in Pennsylvania lately. Gov. Wes Moore has spent time stumping for Harris in several battleground states, including Pennsylvania, and local activists are organizing bus trips northbound.

Republicans who live close to the Pennsylvania border have been out working north of the border for Trump as well.

We have been facilitating contact between the ground game in Pennsylvania and those interested in assisting up there as far as rallies, door to door, phone calls, etc., said Jeff McBride, chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Harford County, in an email to the Capital News Service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

[2024 Voter Guide: The candidates and tools you need to cast your vote.]

Harford County borders Pennsylvania and has consistently voted Republican, according to CNS analysis of the past 50 years of presidential elections.

Some are working directly with the arm of the Trump campaign that focuses on swing-state deployment, McBride said. Others are teaming with local central committees in all areas of Pennsylvania, from Lancaster, Oxford, York, Hanover and as far as Pittsburgh.

For the Harris campaign, the Democratic National Committee hosted several trips from Maryland to Pennsylvania over the weekend.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When people canvass in swing states they add a greater number of people to get out the vote efforts  a tactic that is more personal and may be more effective.

Generally speaking, in-person contacts are the most effective means of outreach and get-out-the-vote efforts, said Candace Turitto, a political scientist at the University of Maryland.

She thinks prominent political officials can impress potential voters.

It would certainly stand out to me if a prominent governor or senator knocked on my door and personally asked me to vote, said Turitto.

Pennsylvania is one of the key swing states both parties hope to win. The Keystone State helped Trump win in 2016 and Preisdent Joe Biden in 2020. Both 2024 presidential candidates held rallies there over the weekend.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For Lierman, the work is about being active instead of anxious. She said she has always loved knocking on doors and helping with efforts to get out the vote.

At the end of the day, said Lierman, weve got to run through the tape and leave no stone unturned to preserve our democracy, support women and our health and ensure were creating economic opportunity for all.
BOSTON (AP)  Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren won a third term in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, further cementing her role as a key progressive voice in the state and on Capitol Hill.

Warren fended off a challenge from Republican John Deaton, an attorney who moved to the state from Rhode Island earlier this year. Deaton tried to portray the former Harvard Law School professor as out of touch with ordinary Bay State residents.

Warren cast herself as a champion for an embattled middle class and a critic of regulations benefitting the wealthy. She has remained popular in the state despite coming in third in Massachusetts in her 2020 bid for president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Warren first burst onto the national scene during the 2008 financial crisis with calls for tougher consumer safeguards, resulting in the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Warren told supporters gathered in Boston on Tuesday evening that she was grateful down to my toes.

More than once we have reminded people that government can be harnessed to work  not just for the wealthy and well connected  but that we can actually make government work for the people, Warren said.

Warren said she was happy being a teacher, researcher and self-described policy nerd and hadnt considered running for public office until her first bid for the Senate in 2012.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I moved from being only a policy nerd to becoming a policy nerd and full time-fighter to give everyone in our commonwealth and our country a fighting chance to build a future," she added.

Warren began the day casting a ballot at an elementary school a short walk from her Cambridge home.

Warren had worked to get Kamala Harris elected president but said she has also reached across the partisan divide and would continue to do so.

Deaton voted Tuesday morning at a regional high school in his hometown of Bolton. He released a statement Tuesday evening acknowledging the tough challenge he faced.

Im blessed to have escaped the poverty of my childhood and achieved the American Dream." he said. When you come from that kind of life, when you get to run against one of the most powerful and influential people in Washington and hold your own on the debate stage  that only happens in America.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2012, Warren defeated Republican Scott Brown, who was elected after the death of longtime Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy to serve out the last two years of his term. Six years later, she easily defeated Republican challenger Geoff Diehl.

During the campaign, Deaton likened himself to former popular moderate Republican Massachusetts governors like Bill Weld and Charlie Baker, and said he did not support Donald Trumps bid for a second term as president.

Although the candidates have taken similar stands on some issues, they tried to sharply distinguish themselves from each other.

Both expressed sympathy for migrants entering the country but faulted each other for not doing enough to confront the countrys border crisis during a debate on WBZ-TV. Both said they support abortion rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Warrens popularity failed to translate when she ran for the White House in 2020. After a relatively strong start, Warrens presidential hopes faded in part under withering criticism from Trump who taunted her over her claims of Native American heritage.

She ultimately finished third in Massachusetts, behind Joe Biden and Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders.
(NewsNation)  Massachusetts voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in pivotal races in the 2024 general election, including some that could affect who controls Congress.

Presidential race in Massachusetts

US Senate race in Massachusetts

In a U.S. Senate race, Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren will face Republican challenger John Deaton, who is seeking federal office for the first time.

Deaton, a cryptocurrency attorney, beat out two fellow Republicans in the September primary election to advance to face Warren. Democrats fare well in Massachusetts, and Warren supporters have gone after Deatons residency.

US House races in Massachusetts

All nine of the commonwealths Democratic representatives are seeking re-election for another two-year term.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Only two of the nine, Rep. Stephen Lynch who represents the 8th District, and Rep. Bill Keating, 9th District, face Republican challengers.

In the state legislature, where Democrats control both the House and Senate, there are 54 contested House races and 14 seats in the Senate being challenged.

Three of the eight seats on the Governors Council  which acts on pardons and commutations and confirms judicial nominations and gubernatorial appointments  are up this year as well.

Statewide ballot measures in Massachusetts

Massachusetts voters will consider a long list of ballot questions this election. One measure, Question 4, would legalize psychedelic substances like psilocybin mushrooms if approved.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another, Question 5, would increase the pay of workers who receive tips, reaching the state minimum wage level by 2029.

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Polls are open in Massachusetts from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m local time on Election Day. Early voting started Oct. 19.

Massachusetts  which carries 11 Electoral College votes  is a Democratic stronghold in the presidential race. The last time the state turned red was in 1980 for Ronald Reagan. Candidates need 270 votes to win the presidency.

In the 2020 election, Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by a 66% to 32% margin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
A copy of "The Bluest Eye," by Toni Morrison, sits on a shelf in the Juneau Public Library downtown on August 7, 2024. The book was taken from school library shelves in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District after parent and community complaints in 2023, but must be returned before the start of the 2024-2025 school year. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District will pay $89,000 to settle a lawsuit that challenged the districts decision to unilaterally remove several books from school libraries.

The settlement was disclosed Thursday in online court records.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The decision came two months after a federal judge ruled that the district improperly removed more than four dozen books from school libraries amid parental complaints about their content.

Other parents sued the district after the removal, which included well-known books like Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye and Kurt Vonneguts Slaughterhouse-Five, took place without an organized review process.

Plaintiffs were represented by the Alaska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Northern Justice Project, a civil rights firm.

By the time Judge Sharon Gleason ruled in favor of plaintiffs by issuing a preliminary injunction order, the district had already performed a review process that restored 49 of 56 removed books.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As part of the settlement, the plaintiffs have agreed to not challenge the remaining book removals.

The seven removed books are:

Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman

You: A Novel by Caroline Kepnes

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Verity by Colleen Hoover

Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah Maas

Court of Silver Flames by Sarah Maas

The lawsuit had been scheduled to go to trial next year, and in a statement published Friday, the district said the cost of the settlement was worth avoiding trial.

The Board and the District have decided to pay the Northern Justice Project and the ACLU $89,000 now to end litigation that would have cost much more than that to defend through trial, the statement said in part.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It said the removed books were criminally indecent and that had the case gone to trial, it would have prevailed.

Savannah Fletcher, attorney for the Northern Justice Project, said that the judges preliminary injunction made it clear that plaintiffs were favored, had the case gone forward.

I think it really set a clear tone and a clear path for us to reach a resolution with the school district. And thats really what everyone wanted, too, because these kids were so brave, these parents were very brave to participate in this, and no one wanted to drag this out longer after getting that really decisive win, she said.

She said she was particularly struck by the courage of Mat-Su students who testified under oath during court depositions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I just want to underscore how brave they were. This includes a middle schooler. This includes younger high schoolers who had to be questioned by an attorney on the record. And Im really proud of how they stepped up, she said.

As part of the settlement, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District does not have to admit fault.

We hope that the Mat-Su Borough School District  and other school districts in Alaska that might be considering attempts to ban books  understand the gravity of unconstitutional censorship and its legal consequences. We hope that the school district will focus its energies on educating students rather than trying to suppress ideas, said Ruth Botstein of the ACLU.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
McLennan County, TX (FOX 44)  Around 75,000 residents in McLennan County have voted. This is roughly 46 percent of Wacos entire population.



In order to make sure voting goes as planned, election poll workers will be in strict communication with the McLennan County Election Administration Office.



We try to make sure that the sites that are going to be busy are appropriately staffed, have the right amount of equipment, etc.., says Election Administrator Jared Goldsmith.



According to Goldsmith, the Elections Office hopes to have every vote counted by around midnight on Wednesday.



Every election is unique and presents its own challenges. So, were going to be working diligently throughout the evening to make sure we get the results posted in a timely manner, says Goldsmith.



Voting takes time, and Election Day will be busy with long wait times. Plan to get to the polls early and remember to check voting requirements ahead of time.



Well either have a poll worker who will be out there watching the line at the end of the day. Well try to bring the line inside so that way well know exactly where the line ends, says Goldsmith.



McLennan County Elections Administration is planning on overestimating how many voters will come to make sure they dont run out of ballots.



We look at past turnout and thats kind of what we gauge how many ballot, pieces of paper to send out to the polling location, says Goldsmith.



Remember to make sure your name and address on your voter registration matches your name and address on your ID before hitting the ballot box.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
Bernie Marcus, who co-founded The Home Depot with Arthur Blank, has died at the age of 95.

Marcus and Blank started the home improvement chain in Atlanta in 1978.

The former CEO was active in the company until 2002, and was a political and philanthropic donor.

Bernard Marcus, the co-founder of Home Depot, has died at the age of 95.

The company confirmed Marcus' death on Tuesday. Along with Arthur Blank, Marcus opened the first two Home Depot stores in Atlanta in 1979.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Marcus served as CEO from the company's inception until 1997, and he was active in the company until 2002. "We owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to Bernie," a Home Depot spokesperson said.

Here's how Marcus and Blank built Home Depot.

Marcus was born in 1929 in Newark, New Jersey.

New York Daily News Archives

He was the youngest of four siblings, and they and his Russian Jewish immigrant parents lived in a tenement when he was growing up.

"My parents, an immigrant couple struggling to make ends meet in Newark, taught me that generosity was a universal imperative no matter one's station in life," he told the Atlanta Business Chronicle. "You gave  if not from your wallet then your time and talent. It's why I was serving on boards of nonprofits when I couldn't find two nickels to rub together."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Marcus dreamed of becoming a doctor, but ended enrolled in a pharmacy program at Rutgers University in New Jersey instead.

Rutgers University. Ross Lewis/Getty Images

Marcus said he would earn extra money during those years by selling freezers door-to-door, graduating in 1954.

After college, he worked several manufacturing and retail jobs, rising to corporate leadership at Handy Dan Home Improvement, where he met Arthur Blank.

Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank. Getty Images

The now-defunct Los Angeles-based company fired Marcus, then the CEO, and Blank during a corporate restructuring in 1978. The pair would remain lifelong friends, even as their lives and opinions diverged.

After the two were fired, Marcus and Blank founded Home Depot in 1978, with Marcus serving as the company's first CEO.

The pair in Home Depot aprons. Rob Kinmonth/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The first two Home Depot stores opened in the metro Atlanta area in 1979 and were the first one-stop-shops for DIY home improvement.

The concept wasn't an immediate success.

A Home Depot in Atlanta. Home Depot

Marcus and Blank lost half the money they invested in the company during the first year the stores were open, according to Bloomberg.

But the company caught steam, and Home Depot went public in 1981.

Now, more than 45 years after its founding, Home Depot has more than 2,300 stores in North America.

A shopper and Home Depot worker. AP/Elaine Thompson

The company now employs over 465,000 workers and made nearly $153 billion last year, making it the 23rd largest US firm by revenue, and nearly twice the size of its nearest home improvement rival, Lowe's.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Marcus served as CEO until 1997, and remained Chairman until 2002.

Marcus. Richard Drew / AP Images

In retirement, he became active in philanthropic causes, contributing to numerous medical foundations and initiatives in the Atlanta area.

Marcus and his wife Billi were married for more than 45 years.

Billi and Bernie Marcus. Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The couple gave more than $2 billion to more than 400 nonprofits, according to the Atlanta Jewish Times.

Their $250 million donation helped open the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta in 2005.

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Nicholas Widener for Insider

They also joined Warren Buffet's Giving Pledge in 2010, committing to donate all of their wealth during their lifetime.

Marcus also ramped up his donations to Republican politicians, donating $64 million to political causes over the years.

Marcus was a prominent Republican donor. Ric Feld, Evan Vucci/AP Images

Marcus was a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, and gave to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Sen. John McCain, according to data from the Federal Election Commission.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Marcus sparked a boycott of Home Depot in July 2019 after telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he would once again financially support the president in 2020.

Marcus. Barry Williams/Getty Images

Marcus said that while he didn't agree with Trump's every move, the president still "produced more than anybody else."

Marcus again sparked controversy in 2022, saying that "nobody works, nobody gives a damn" anymore because of "socialism."

Marcus on Fox Business. Fox Business

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I'm worried about capitalism," he told the Financial Times. "Capitalism is the basis of Home Depot [and] millions of people have earned this success and had success."

"Nobody works, nobody gives a damn," he said. "'Just give it to me. Send me money. I don't want to work  I'm too lazy, I'm too fat, I'm too stupid.'"

In January 2024, he decried "the woke generation," saying their "laziness" makes them bad business leaders.

"I certainly don't want to see the woke generation coming up, especially the leaders," he said, following the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"They're recommending spending more money on climate control when we don't have it. We've already overspent. And if anything, climate control has caused most of the problems we have today," he added.

Marcus died at his home in Boca Raton, Florida, on November 4 at the age of 95.

Rick Diamond/WireImage/Getty Images

He leaves behind a fortune worth roughly $7.5 billion, according to Bloomberg.

"I want to live to be 100 because I want to be in a position to give it away to those things that I really believe in," he told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Editor's note: Taylor Nicole Rogers and Ben Tobin contributed to previous versions of this story.

Read the original article on Business Insider
On the eve of the election, amid a bitter chill, Marisela Olvera, a member of the Culinary Workers Union, rapped on doors in North Las Vegas to make her pitch.

The 12-year employee of Trump International Hotel Las Vegas was trying to get out the vote  not for her employer, former President Trump, but for his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.

"Kamala Harris has risen from the bottom and has achieved everything she has achieved, being a prosecutor, being vice president, and now perhaps the future president," said Olvera, 52. "I don't want to miss out on being part of this history. And I want my children to see that it doesn't matter if you are humble, it doesn't matter where you come from, the important thing is that you were born in a privileged country, like the United States, where by working and fighting you can achieve whatever you want."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more: Your last-minute survival guide to voting on election day: California polling places, races, issues, food, sanity

Olvera emigrated from the Mexican state of Guanajuato when she was 14, joining her parents in Salinas, where her father was a bracero. She moved to Las Vegas in 2010 with her two sons, and was hired at the Trump hotel two years later.

Now, despite being unable to vote herself, she is part of an expansive ground operation led by her union to drive up turnout for Harris in Nevada, a swing state that  depending on how things go elsewhere  could determine the election.

Polling has showed the race in a dead heat in Nevada, but also in six other swing states. Both campaigns have been trying to finish strong with turnout operations and door knocking right up until the polls close.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Olvera was out canvassing on Monday night, along with Beatriz Oceguera, 47, who works as a guest room attendant at the Wynn and believes Harris  and her policies to expand affordable housing and help first-time home buyers  will help her secure a more financially stable life for her and her four kids.

"I believe Kamala Harris has a plan," Oceguera said, her hair pulled back in a bun.

Olvera was back out to canvas more on Tuesday  to continue doing the work she's been doing since September.

Olvera got her start as a housekeeper and early on made around $13.25 an hour. She recalled making less than $800 over a two-week period, which she put toward bills, rent, food and healthcare. She had to get another job cleaning offices at night, and on days off she cleaned houses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"There was no union back then," she said. "The work was really, really heavy."

Olvera fought to unionize Trump's hotel, with that campaign launching in mid-2015, around the time Trump announced his first candidacy for president.

"He said he wanted to make America great. We told him it needed to start at home with his workers," Olvera recalled. They secured their first union contract in 2016.

Olvera has since moved up the ranks at the hotel to housekeeping inspector, a role in which she oversees the work of a team of around 45 housekeepers. In September, she took a leave of absence, which is allowed in her union contract, to help campaign for Harris.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Olvera stressed that she's "really happy" to work at the hotel.

Read more: A Trump win could spell major changes for California's drinking water, RFK Jr. says

"I have overcome a lot there, but I have also overcome a lot thanks to having a union that's always supported us," she said. She added that she was grateful that in this country, there's "freedom of expression."

Olvera said she won't talk badly about her employer, but did acknowledge what she saw as differences between the candidates. She said Harris has a plan for the economy and for the working class.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"If were being honest, Republicans are thinking about the people who make more money," she said.

"Im worried about the economy, healthcare. I'm worried about people who dont have the same benefits I do through the union."

Olvera's sons, now 33 and 30, asked if she was scared to be campaigning against her employer.

"I told them, 'No,'" she said. "They were worried, but they know that their mom has never been afraid. Nothing is achieved with fear."

"If Kamala wins, her triumph is our triumph," Olvera said. "And if not, we have the satisfaction that we gave it our all."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Times staff writer Kevin Rector contributed to this report.

Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Tori Gantz

This story was written by Teen Vogue's 2024 Student Correspondents, a team of college students and recent graduates covering the election cycle from key battleground states.

Some Arizona youth leaders have recruited people to help safeguard voters at the ballot box in the event of any physical or verbal attacks that occur on election day.

Militia movements and armed non-state actors stormed the streets during the 2020 election cycle, eventually consolidating in the January 2021 right-wing riot at the U.S. Capitol. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) project says far-right extremists resumed public operations in its aftermath and says Arizona boasted most far-right activity of any state that year because of high rates of vigilantism and enlistment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Abolitionist organization Arizona Democracy Resource Center coordinated election protection training over the past several months to build a paid participatory defense team called the Democracy Defense Front, which does not rely on law enforcement agencies. The organization, which has trained its volunteers in non-violent de-escalation and conflict resolution tactics, will deploy defenders to polling locations in counties across the state to support voters who may experience threats or intimidation. This expanded effort is part of its program to envision what it describes as a people-focused system of governance that transcends elections and builds beyond tomorrow.

To distinguish themselves from voters, poll workers, observers and political parties at polling locations, organizers will wear Beyond Tomorrow T-shirts.

Tori Gantz

People most impacted by community and state violence face the greatest level of voter intimidation and active attempts to suppress the right to vote, communications organizer Fernanda Ruiz Martinez said during a virtual education session on polls and election threats. The Democracy Defense Front is one tactic we use to confront this. We are coordinating training and capacity building to enable our community to provide nonpartisan safety and security, knowing that only we can keep us safenobody else. Ruiz Martinez pointed to recent findings from the Department of Justice that the Phoenix Police Department has engaged in excessive force, unlawful arrests, racial discrimination and more, as reasons why many locals are distrusting of state and local authority figures.

Tori Gantz

ACLED believes extremist group mobilization has declined nationally since 2023 with falloff accelerating this year. Yet, neo-Nazi and white nationalist groups dont fit the trend as they have expanded chapters locally over the past two years. For now, data on extremist groups and demonstration trends gives little indication that 2024 will see a repeat of the patterns that characterized 2020, a September ACLED report found. Still, that is not to say there is little risk of political violence in 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An Arizona Democratic Party field office in Tempe that was targeted with gunfire closed last month. And Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake told a crowd of followers in April to strap on a Glock ahead of the 2024 campaign. Election administrators are trying to blunt any swatting calls that crop up during the election by taking steps like sharing their home address and that of key election sites with law enforcement, Politico reports. Ahead of election day, concrete barriers, chain-link and steel security fences were set up to reinforce the election center of Arizonas most populous county, Maricopa, according to Votebeat Arizona.

On recent Arizona Democracy Resource Center calls, Ruiz Martinez, 23, gave potential defenders a primer on recent political challenges in Arizona and taught folks a brief history of organizers like Fannie Lou Hamer, who fought against the institutions of racism and Jim Crow. This just proves that voter intimidation, it's not new, Ruiz Martinez said.

At conflict scenario training sessions in South Phoenix, Ruiz Martinez showed attendees how to recognize anti-government groups, such as the Proud Boys, that could potentially show up at election centers.

Co-executive director of the Arizona Democracy Resource Center, Guadalupe Mabry Torres, is thinking about the trauma that exists for our grandparents and our parents and the experiences that they've had with these systems, specifically with immigration and police violence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think it's so important for this program to exist because a lot of us are, sometimes, the first generation to have people to vote in our family and that's radical, she said. I'm really grateful to see young folks, especially young Black and Latinx folks, show up and do this work and break those barriers that have existed to our people participating in democracy.

Tori Gantz

Tori Gantz

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mabry Torres and her siblings created the Beyond Tomorrow program to provide skill sets to people who live this life and who are in our communities, to be able to de-escalate situations and to be able to participate in democracy in this particular way, Mabry Torres says. The organization also runs a legal clinic that helps people who were formerly incarcerated get their right to vote restored. We're expanding on to beyond elections - beyond today, tomorrow and in the next 20 years - to be able to hold space for continued community.

Election Day 2024: How Young Voters Plan to Spend Election Day

From organizing activities on campus to volunteering to help others get to the polls.

This role is not for everyone. It requires open-mindedness, adaptability and a belief that we keep our community safe, Ruiz Martinez told Teen Vogue. Some people are not equipped to handle certain types of stress, or they're just easily triggered by different actors that we cannot control. And that's something that we tell our defenders. When defenders confirm their commitment, they get plugged into the Defense Fronts control center through an encrypted communications channel, where they will send dispatches from polling places for legal advice or bail services.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

General intern Natalie Alexandra Romero Ortiz, 16, shared the job opportunity with her family and friends. As they went through the training, they were really saying, Oh, this opened my eyes. Because I didn't think people were like this when it came to voting, I thought it was like you just do it and you're good, Romero Ortiz said. In addition to responders, the Arizona Democracy Resource Center will have staff providing nutritional and communications aid.

Romero Ortiz hopes that more young people will join their future initiatives. Community safety is not just [for] elections, Romero Ortiz said. It's year-round.

Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

More great activism coverage from Teen Vogue:
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  This time of year, the Spirit of Springfield in partnership with the Mayor of both West Springfield and Springfield, is prepping the Memorial Bridge to hang its one-of-a-kind holiday halos.

35th Annual Puerto Rican Flag Raising in Springfield

For the first time in 22 years, the Memorial Bridge will be dark this holiday season. The light poles along the bridge are essential to hang the holiday halos, custom-made specifically for the Memorial Bridge.



Over the last year, city and state officials realized a handful of historic light poles were removed. With Memorial Bridge being owned by the state, MassDOT is the source of the answers, but not communicating.



When our electrician communicated with them because we were going to start they said they were going to be taking some more down, shared Judy Matt, President, of Spirit of Springfield.



And wed like to see them get replaced as soon as possible for public safety number one, shared Mayor Sarno.



22News contacted MassDOT twice in the last few days and they have not responded to our inquiry. There are a total of 44 light poles along the Memorial Bridge and its unclear as to when all of them will be reinstalled.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Matt adds, Well my understanding is within the next year they are going to be removing 12 more and I guess my only question to them is if you know they are coming down, why dont you have replacements ready to install?



More questions continue to arise, as an explanation is missing for why these lights were removed and why the project was not communicated to the City of Springfield and West Springfield.



The bottom line was after checking with everything we would have only been able to put lights on a total of four of them, shared Judy Matt, President, of Spirit of Springfield.



The Memorial Bridge holiday tradition will not take place this season. The City of Springfield and West Springfield hope to get more communication on this state project over the coming weeks, to bring a beloved tradition back to Baystaters in the winter of 2025.

The timeline for how long it will take to install these historic light poles is also unclear. Weve taken further action by reaching out to the MassDOT board of directors and the Massachusetts secretary of transportation.

22News will continue to keep you updated on the timeline of this project, including when and if MassDOT returns our inquiries.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
The Memorial Human Rights Protection Centre said that after the attack on a Russian Guard convoy in Chechnya on 24 October, men were detained en masse to be sent to war against Ukraine. [The Chechen Republic, also known as Chechnya, is a federal subject of the Russian Federation; the Ukrainian parliament has recognised it as the temporarily Russian-occupied territory of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria  ed.]

Source: Memorial

Quote from the human rights activists: "Security forces in Chechnya are carrying out cleansing operations after the attack on a Rosgvardia convoy on 24 October. Men are being detained to be sent to war."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Details: According to the human rights activists, on 26 October, Rosgvardia and Interior Ministry officers began to conduct door-to-door visits, checking documents and taking men fit to be sent to war to police stations for the slightest violation of the rules and regulations in force in Chechnya. There, their phones were confiscated, and if information was found on them about visits to Telegram channels opposing the Chechen authorities, they were immediately detained.

According to Memorial, the detainees were offered a choice: to go to the front or face criminal proceedings.

It is reported that hundreds of people were detained in the Grozny district of the republic (the convoy was attacked near the village of Petropavlovskaya in the Grozny district). At the same time, their relatives do not want to say anything for fear of worsening the fate of their loved ones.

However, the human rights activists were able to learn in detail about at least one such case. It is about a resident of the town of Argun, where "cleansing" began on 31 October.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the week, the security forces came to the home of 42-year-old Rizvan Batyrov, who has a disability and lives with his 82-year-old mother, four times. During the second visit, the man and his mother were taken to a police station, where Batyrov's passport and phone were taken away. Later, they were both released.

During the last visit, on 3 November, the security forces beat the man, took him to a police station, and told his relatives that something illegal had been found on his phone. It is noted that the man is still detained, and it is currently unknown what is happening to him.

The human rights activists say that Batyrov "seems to be a healthy and strong man", and the reason he was detained is that "they want to send him to war".

Memorial also suggests that the attack on the Rosgvardia convoy could have been organised by the security forces themselves in order to carry out "cleansing operations" and gather people to send to war against Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Background: On 24 October, it was reported that a Rosgvardia convoy was attacked in the Grozny district of Chechnya, leaving one of the soldiers dead and injuring another. The attackers disappeared.

Support UP or become our patron!
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Even though its November, the fight against breast cancer continues in western Massachusetts.

Monday night, the local Men Wear Pink Ambassadors from the American Cancer Society teamed up with Maxs Tavern in Springfield to host a guest bartending event.

This initiative aimed to raise awareness and funds towards their goal of $25,000 to support cancer research and patients. Stephen Morelli with the American Cancer Society tells 22News, To make sure people get early screening, and better treatments available for people if they do face that unfortunate news. Learning you have cancer is one of the most difficult times in your life, and we want to be there for the cancer patients.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Maxs Swing Lounge will hold its grand opening party on November 14th. Proceeds from that event will also go towards the American Cancer Society.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  A Michigan man will serve more than 12 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute meth in Monongalia County.

Shakur Jones, 25, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to 151 months (12 years and seven months) in federal prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to a release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.

Shakur Jones

Jones pleaded guilty on those charges back in August. According to the release, Jones was a meth, cocaine base and fentanyl supplier for a drug trafficking conspiracy in Monongalia County. During the investigation, more than a kilogram of meth was found in a Morgantown residence and a photo of 10 pounds of prepackaged meth was found on Jones phone, the release said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Man accused of throwing chair at officers during foot pursuit through Morgantown Mall

Also in the case, Nolan Eickleberry, 27, of Morgantown; John Thomas 46, of Morgantown; and Dorian Myles, 26, of Detroit, Michigan have pleaded guilty. Eickleberry was previously sentenced to 87 months (Seven years and three months), and Thomas and Myles are still awaiting sentencing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
The number of families that are using invitro fertilization is growing by the year, but so are the concerns about protections for the process and its many steps with laws targeting abortion.

Channel 2s Candace McCowan spoke with one mother who is concerned about growing her family.

Ive always hoped for something like that, to have a large family that has a little bit of crazy going on but was going to be there for each other, Laura Baston said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Baston had a daughter but then struggled after with a miscarriage and then ectopic pregnancy. Both required D&Cs or surgery to remove the pregnancy.

Thats when Baston turned to in vitro fertilization, or IVF, and Dr. Bonnie Patel at the Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine.

IVF or other fertility treatments work through saving more eggs and bringing more sperm and eggs together to create more embryos, those embryos then have to be frozen in order to be transferred into a uterus at a later time, Patel said.

According to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, its a process that produced more than 2,300 babies in Georgia in 2021.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But recently, there have been concerns.

The number of panicked calls we get after the heartbeat bill passed and the Supreme Court decision in Alabama was staggering. Patients were really worried, Patel said.

MORE STORIES FROM 2 INVESTIGATES:

Georgias heartbeat law makes abortion illegal after a heartbeat is detected or at 6 weeks. An Alabama Supreme Court decision that ruled frozen embryos were unborn children also caused some to worry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Normally, patients should have two to three embryos frozen in order to give themselves a shot at one live birth, Patel said. So, if there is a bill that assigns personhood to these embryos, does that include frozen embryos? The vast majority of which will never be used or not be viable, may harbor genetic abnormalities.

Eventually, Alabama passed a law protecting IVF.

In Georgia, House Speaker John Burns has a resolution to protect IVF that hasnt been voted on.

But Baston is worried. She got pregnant with twins through IVF after her egg split.

But her joy was short-lived when both heartbeats disappeared.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I went into my doctors appointment and there was nothing, Baston said. I had to walk around feeling like a coffin for my kids because this was not something that I wanted in any way. This is the worst thing I could have thought of.

Baston is concerned that if there are more pregnancy complications, she might not get the help she needs if that need is an abortion.

Who gets to decide when the mothers life is threatened? What are those criteria? Baston said. That should be completely the call of the doctor.

McCowan reached out to Burns about his resolution but did not hear back.

As for IVF, its an expensive process. But more and more companies are offering reproductive benefits to help cover those costs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Patel and Boston want people to talk about the IVF process more, so more people understand the many nuances and steps it takes to produce the live births theyre aiming for.

Georgia Democrats also proposed a measure to protect IVF in Georgia, but that didnt go anywhere.

IVF is becoming more and more popular as the average age for first-time childbearing is now over 30.




(NewsNation)  Voters in New Mexico will cast their ballots Tuesday in some key races in the 2024 election.

Presidential race in New Mexico

US Senate race in New Mexico

Incumbent Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich will face businesswoman and Republican challenger Nella Domenici in his bid for a third term in the U.S. Senate.

Heinrich has had a long career in public office, serving two terms as a senator, two terms in the U.S. House and a four-year term as an Albuquerque city councilor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Heinrichs Republican challenger, Domenici, is the daughter of former U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, who served from 1973 to 2009 and was the last Republican elected to the U.S. Senate in New Mexico.

US House races in New Mexico

Voters will also elect three candidates to serve in the House from each of the states congressional districts.

The biggest of the three will be in the states 2nd Congressional District, where Democratic first-term congressman Gabe Vasquez will go head to head in a highly competitive race against former Representative Yvette Herrell, the Republican he defeated two years ago.

Vasquez flipped the district, which extends from the U.S. border with Mexico to Albuquerque, to Democratic control in 2022 under newly drawn congressional boundaries that divided up a major oil-producing region of New Mexico among three districts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

New Mexicos 2nd Congressional District has flipped red to blue and back since it was established in 1969. Vasquez is seeking to be the first Democratic congressman reelected in 40 years, reported NPR.

The two have clashed on the border crisis as well as on reproductive rights.

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election. These elections will determine who has control over the two branches of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

New Mexico last voted for a Republican president in 2004, and though former president Donald Trump tried his hand at turning New Mexico red last cycle, Biden won in 2020 by roughly 10 points.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

New Mexico has 5 Electoral College votes contributing to the presidential race. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Early voting started in New Mexico on October 8, and polls for in-person voting run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, is the deadline to register in person to vote.

Statewide ballot measures in New Mexico

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  New Mexico State Police and the Cannabis Control Division (CCD) have cleared more than 100,000 pounds of illegal Marijuana plants outside of Farmington.

Two volunteer-run art spaces in Albuquerque look to rebuild after weekend fire

In June 2024 CCD performed a compliance check into NNK Equities at 23 Road 6940 in Waterflow, NM and it was determined NNK exceeded its allotted plant count. A second complaint was received for a large grow at 3658 US 64 in Waterflow, NM and a portion of the property was leased to NNK Equities. NMSP was assigned to assist and the CCD began the process of revoking NNK Equities cannabis license due to numerous violations. In August 2024 NNK Equities license was revoked.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On September 30 a temporary restraining order was granted to the CCD, giving law enforcement the authority to destroy cannabis at both properties. On October 16, multiple agencies worked together to eradicate the cannabis at both properties. NMSP says the total weight of cannabis plants destroyed was approximately 170,000 pounds

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
A Miami Beach commissioner brought a mariachi band to City Hall on Monday to serenade the citys legal team, days after its attorneys successfully defended the City Commissions controversial decision to rescind a ballot question on a tax for homeless services.

Commissioner David Suarez, who proposed rescinding the referendum just days before the Nov. 5 election and after 20,000 residents had already cast their ballots, said in a post on social media that he personally treated the City Attorneys Office to the surprise celebration.

Day in and day out, they fight tirelessly for truth, justice, and transparency to protect the best interests of our city and its residents, Suarez wrote. I feel its important to recognize the dedication of these civil servants, who could be earning far more in the private sector  but consciously chose to serve OUR community instead.

Suarezs post shows the five-person mariachi band performing while City Attorney Ricardo Dopico and about a dozen staffers looked on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The social media post doesnt mention the recent lawsuit regarding the ballot question, in which a judge sided with the city on Friday. But sources who witnessed the performance said their understanding was that Suarez was thanking the attorneys in part for their victory in that case.

After the band played and Suarez spoke, Mayor Steven Meiner also came into the City Attorneys Office to offer his gratitude, according to sources who were present.

In response to a text message seeking comment, Suarez told the Miami Herald: I find it comical that the Miami Herald is interested in reporting office gossip as tabloid news.

David Suarez, Miami Beach Commissioner

After this story was first published, Vice Mayor Alex Fernandez, who voted to keep the referendum on the ballot, expressed opposition to the mariachi celebration in a post on X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While legal victories are always welcomed, celebrating at this time is highly inappropriate, Fernandez wrote.

Fernandez added that city officials should be focused on assisting approximately 50 people who were transported from a shelter in Miami to a hostel in South Beach on Friday, a move Fernandez has condemned as political retaliation.

My focus remains on ensuring these individuals receive the compassionate, supportive services they depend on, he wrote. I am grateful to our City Manager [Eric Carpenter] and his dedicated staff for acting with professionalism to prioritize the well-being of the unhoused over celebrations.

The mariachi performance was the latest twist since the citys decision Wednesday to rescind a referendum that a different group of city commissioners had voted in July 2023 to place on the ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Thursday, a group of Miami Beach voters sued the city, calling the decision shocking, unprecedented, and unlawful. But after an emergency hearing Friday, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Antonio Arzola ruled in favor of the city, saying the voters had not suffered irreparable harm and that restoring the ballot question would only lead to further confusion.

Miami Beach Deputy City Attorney Henry Hunnefeld defended the citys position in court, squaring off against Jerry Greenberg of Gelber Schacter & Greenberg, the law firm of former Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber.

READ MORE: Court rules in favor of Miami Beach, says votes on homeless tax wont be counted

In another dramatic turn Friday night, the city of Miami transported more than 50 people from the Camillus House shelter to a hostel in South Beach, catching Miami Beach leaders off guard and leading some to accuse Miami officials of using people experiencing homelessness as pawns to seek political retribution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The city of Miami denied that the move was political, saying it was a result of failed negotiations over the cost of shelter beds.

On Friday night, roughly 50 homeless people were sent to stay at the Bikini Hostel at 1247 West Ave. in South Beach.

At the Miami Beach City Commission meeting last week, Suarez called the ballot question a manipulation and said it was purposely engineered to mislead and take advantage of taxpayer money. He also said he had been unaware that the item was on the ballot until September.

After the meeting, Suarez wrote in an email to residents that rescinding the ballot question was an achievement that underscores the power of truth, transparency, and resilience.

In a true David vs Goliath fashion, myself, alongside Commissioners [Joseph] Magazine, [Kristen] Rosen Gonzalez, and Mayor Meiner, stood firmly against a heavily-funded push from billionaire developers and lobbyists seeking to impose an additional 1% homeless restaurant tax on our city, Suarez wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meiner cast the deciding vote, saying he was not pleased to rescind the referendum so close to Election Day but that he staunchly opposes the 1% food-and-beverage tax to support the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust and local domestic violence shelters.

On Monday, Meiner sent an email to constituents about his decision with the subject line, Its Never Too Late To Do Whats Right.

I have consistently voted for and firmly believe that the money is better spent staying in Miami Beach and not an additional tax sent to an unelected County Trust for which we have no authority or decision making input, he said.

READ MORE: Miami Beach officials rescind ballot question on homeless tax. Votes on it wont count

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Suarez, Meiner and other city officials have championed a hard-line enforcement approach for the citys homeless population, including arresting people who sleep outside and decline a shelter bed. They have also sparred with the Homeless Trust and its chairman, Ron Book, over requests for funding.

Still, some city commissioners balked at Suarezs proposal. Commissioner Tanya Katzoff Bhatt called it an unholy, terrible precedent to set, while Fernandez said he believes homelessness is a regional issue and that the proposed tax would go toward creating needed housing.

Were not leading with compassion if were not creating avenues for housing, Fernandez said.

The tax would have been collected on all food and beverage sales at businesses that sell alcohol for on-premises consumption and have gross annual receipts above $400,000. Facilities in hotels and motels would have been exempt, following a state law that allows for the tax.

Miami Beach is one of three cities in Miami-Dade County that does not impose the tax, along with Bal Harbour and Surfside. The tax is on the ballot Tuesday in Bal Harbour.
The top investigator in Miami-Dade County government, Inspector General Felix Jimenez, wants another four years on the job but says he cant get a response from the County Commission.

In a memo last week, Jimenez said the commissions chair, Oliver Gilbert, for months has not responded to Jimenezs request for a vote on a four-year contract extension for his post overseeing the 42-person staff of the Inspector Generals Office.

The office investigates alleged wrongdoing in county contracting and played a role in the probe of a county commissioner, Joe Martinez, who was arrested on corruption charges in 2022 and is currently on trial.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This past August, to comport with the custom of my predecessors, I provided notice to the Chair of the impending expiration of my contract and my interest in seeking reappointment, Jimenez wrote in the memo. I have received no communication or information.

Gilbert did not respond to requests for comment from the Miami Herald. As chair of the 13-member elected board, he holds authority over what legislation makes it to the commission agenda for votes. Gilberts two-year term as chair ends later this year.

County commissioners appointed Jimenez, a former homicide investigator, to his $262,000-a-year job in 2020 after the retirement of his predecessor, Mary Cagle. Jimenez had worked for the Inspector General since 2009 before taking over the agency.

His original contract expired Saturday. Jimenez remains employed, but without the security of a contract as he oversees investigations and reviews of county contracting that can put him at odds with Gilbert and other members of the commission.

Jimenez declined an interview but said in a statement: I stand by the independence of this office as it was created by the board. The independence against political interference.
(NewsNation)  Michigan voters will cast their ballots Tuesday in one of the most closely watched states this election cycle, with Senate and House races that could impact the balance of power in Congress.

Presidential race in Michigan

US Senate race in Michigan

One race that has garnered interest is Michigans U.S. Senate seat, which is up for grabs since Democrat Debbie Stabenow announced she would not seek a fifth term.

Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman and FBI agent, will face former CIA officer and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who has represented central Michigan in Congress since 2018.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Slotkins seat in the U.S. House representing Michigans 7th District will match Democrat Curtis Hertel against Republican Tom Barrett in a race many pundits consider to be a toss-up. The race is one of 13 House seats up for grabs, four of which are expected to be closely contested.

US House races in Michigan

Republican U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman is seeking his fifth term representing Michigans 1st Congressional District. Bergman, who has defeated four straight Democratic challengers in the district, will face Callie Barr, who worked as an attorney before deciding to make a run at Congress.

In the states 10th Congressional District, GOP U.S. Rep. John James will face former judge and Democratic challenger Carl Marlinga in a rematch of a 2022 race that was among the closest in the U.S.

Democrat Hillary Scholten, who is seeking a second term, is being challenged by Paul Hudson in another battle that experts expect to be close.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Early voting in Michigan began Oct. 26. Polls close at 8 p.m. local time on Election Day.

Michigan is considered part of the blue wall, a set of states that have typically voted for Democrats in presidential elections since 1992.

Michigan  which carries 15 electoral votes  voted for Democrats in six straight presidential elections between 1992 and 2012 before former President Donald Trump claimed the state in 2016 by defeating Hillary Clinton by 0.2%. President Joe Biden defeated Trump in 2020 by 2.8%, keeping Michigan a wild card for this years election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Michigan State Police | Susan J. Demas

Multiple bomb threats have been reported at voting precincts in Michigan, with all of them deemed to be non-credible.

The FBI urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to state or local law enforcement, or submit tips at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.

That was the word from Michigan secretary of state spokesperson Angela Benander during a 3 p.m. media briefing on the status of voting across the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Can confirm that we have had reports of some bomb threats at a few polling locations. They were all investigated and confirmed to be non-credible, said Benander. As far as Russia ties, we have been notified that that is what they believe has happened, that theyve come from Russia, that theyre swatting attacks, and that they are all non-credible. And theres no concern for safety at those polling places because theyve been cleared by MSP (Michigan State Police).

Benander could not provide specific locations or how many precincts were affected.

Similar bomb hoaxes were also reported at precincts in Georgia, as well as Maine, with the FBI issuing a press release.

The FBI is aware of bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains. None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far, stated the release Election integrity is among the FBIs highest priorities. We will continue to work closely with our state and local law enforcement partners to respond to any threats to our elections and to protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MSP spokesperson Shanon Banner told the Michigan Advance that these threats are being taken seriously.

In Michigan, voters can have confidence that all levels of government  local, county, state and federal  are working together to safeguard polling and other election-related locations. Well be continuing to monitor for any safety concerns throughout the day, said Banner.

Meanwhile, a precinct in Northville had to be relocated following a gas leak. Benander said that as soon as Bureau of Elections became aware of the issue at Precinct 1 at the Community Center on Main Street, and were notified that the precinct had to be closed, they worked immediately to contact the local clerks office, work with the precinct, and relocate to Hillside Middle School until the issue is resolved.

Otherwise, Benander said their field team reports indicate solid, steady, enthusiastic, voting across the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lots of happy people, lots of happy voters except for the ones that didnt get stickers. But as we mentioned earlier, those will be available at Secretary of State branch offices for people to pick up starting tomorrow because the  offices are closed for the state holiday, which is Election Day, said Benander.

As for updated numbers, as of 3 p.m., there were 3,379,252 total votes received, including absentee and early votes. That represents 46.3% of active Michigan registered voters.

However, that number does not include voters casting ballots in-person today.

Benander said that they have so far received 2,164,803 absentee ballots, which is 92% of the total that were requested.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She also said that 58,466 of those absentee ballots were returned just since polls opened this morning at 7 a.m.. Also, same day registrations stood at 9,612.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has warned Michigan residents that cases of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, are on the rise.

The MDHHS is urging residents to stay up to date with their vaccinations.

Between 2017 and 2019, Michigan averaged 596 cases of whooping cough each year. There have already been 830 confirmed or probable cases reported to MDHHS this year as of Oct. 28.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to an MDHHS press release, case numbers from across the state have surpassed last years reports.

Whooping cough presents much like the common cold in its early stages. It can take five to 10 days for symptoms to appear after exposure and sometimes longer.

Babies and young children may not cough, but they may have pauses in their breathing (called apnea), which can make their skin look bluish or cause shortness of breath.

More severe symptoms can manifest as uncontrolled coughing fits.

Whooping cough is a common infection in the U.S. Infants are at higher risk of experiencing complications associated with the illness. The median age of cases in 2024 is 13 years and 75% of these cases have been in people under the age of 18.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Vaccinations continue to be our top line of defense against the spread of pertussis, said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. Adding, With a declining rate of immunizations, we are unfortunately seeing a rise in pertussis and other vaccine-preventable diseases statewide. We encourage all Michiganders to stay up to date with their immunization schedule.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends pertussis vaccine for infants, children, adolescents, and people who are pregnant. CDC also recommends a dose of pertussis vaccine for adults who havent received a dose as an adolescent or adult.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
By Daniel Becerril and Lizbeth Diaz

TAPACHULA, Mexico (Reuters) - A caravan of approximately 3,000 migrants set off on Tuesday from southern Mexico, headed toward the United States on the day when U.S. voters were deciding between U.S. presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Immigration has been a key issue in the U.S. election campaign.

Before heading northward, the migrants gathered in Tapachula, the capital of the southern Chiapas state, carrying banners with messages such as "NO MORE MIGRANT BLOOD" and images of the Virgin of Guadalupe, an important religious and cultural symbol in Mexico, according to Reuters witnesses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We want U.S. authorities to see us, to see that we are people who want to work, not to harm anyone," said Honduran migrant Roy Murillo, who joined the caravan with his two children and his pregnant wife.

In recent years, several caravans with people hoping to enter the United States have attempted to reach the U.S.-Mexican border, traveling in mass groups for safety. Most have dispersed along the way.

"I'm afraid to travel alone with my family. Here, the cartels either kidnap you or kill you. ... That's why we're coming in the caravan," Murillo said.

Murillo recounted his unsuccessful attempts to secure an asylum appointment through a mobile app developed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tapachula, a mandatory crossing point for tens of thousands of migrants, has become one of Mexico's most violent cities in recent months, with migrants frequently targeted by organized crime, according to official data.

"I feel suffocated here. That's why we decided to leave," said 28-year-old Venezuelan migrant Thais, who spoke on condition that her surname not be used due to safety concerns.

She joined the caravan with her husband and 3-year-old daughter.

"I wish Mr. Trump and Ms. Kamala would see that we are human beings, that we want to live and support our families," she added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voters cast ballots on Tuesday in the race between Vice President Harris, a Democrat seeking to become the first female U.S. president, and Trump, a Republican immigration hard-liner aiming to regain the presidency.

(Reported by Daniel Becerril in Tapachula and Lizbeth Diaz in Mexico City; Writing by Sarah Kinosian; Editing by Will Dunham)
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  Polling locations in South Carolina are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and temperatures will fluctuate over that time. 7 a.m. temperatures will be in the mid and upper-60s at the beach and low-60s inland. Temperatures will peak during the afternoon in the mid and upper-70s, and when polls close it will be in the low-70s. It is more humid this week so take some water if you are voting during the midafternoon.

More moisture will also correspond to partly sunny skies and an isolated, light shower is possible similar to yesterday. Most of the spotty showers will stay to our west. Low temperatures for tonight will be more than 15 degrees above average in the low and mid-60s.

Wednesday will be partly sunny and very mild as a cold front approaches. Scattered showers will be likely Wednesday night and more widespread Thursday especially overnight and early Thursday morning. We dry out Friday and into the weekend.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We continue to watch the tropics. Tropical Storm Rafael is stronger and more organized. Tropical storm warnings are up for Jamaica and hurricane warnings for the Cayman Islands and west/central Cuba.

Rafael is moving northwest at 13 mph and winds are sustained at 60 mph. It is forecast to become a hurricane early tomorrow morning. Peak intensity is expected to be 90 mph and a Cat 2 is not out of the question. Once in the Gulf of Mexico, it will move west/northwest, but a landfall in the United States is still expected, but there is disagreement between GFS and European models.

The European (white) takes this directly west and into Mexico, whereas the GFS in black moves it into Alabama.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
(NewsNation)  Mississippi voters headed to polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

Presidential race in Mississippi

US Senate race in Mississippi

In addition to casting ballots in the race for the White House between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Mississippi residents will vote on several key offices, including in the race for the U.S. Senate where Republican incumbent Roger Wicker is looking to be re-elected.

Wicker has served in the Senate since 2007 and will face Democratic challenger Ty Pinkins, a civil rights attorney and retired U.S. Army officer and combat veteran.

US House race in Mississippi

In other national races, Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson is seeking a 16th term in Mississippis District 2 seat. Republican challenger Ron Eller is seeking to flip the seat after unsuccessfully running for the 2nd District nomination in 2022. He earned a spot on the ballot after winning a run-off election in the Mississippi primary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly faces Democrat Dianne Black in District 1. Fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell is seeking a second term representing District 4 and faces Democrat Craig Raybon.

Republican U.S. Rep. Michael Guest will also appear on the ballot representing Mississippis 3rd Congressional District but will run unopposed in the general election.

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Polls close in Mississippi at 7 p.m. local time. The state holds six electoral votes in the presidential election.

Mississippi has been solidly Republican since 1980 after flipping to red after last voting for a Democratic presidential candidate in 1976. Every Republican candidate has garnered at least 50% of the vote in the state since 2000, including in 2020 when Trump defeated President Joe Biden in the state by nearly 17%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
"It appears to be an accidental death at this particular time," Jackson Police Department said of the Monday, Nov. 4 tragedy

WJTV 12 News/Youtube A man has died after being 'buried under hot asphalt' A man has died after being 'buried under hot asphalt'

A man in Mississippi has died after being "buried under hot asphalt" in what police have called a "tragic" accident.

On Monday, Nov. 4 at around 10:30 a.m. local time, Jackson Police Department (JPD) officers were called to AJ Materials, located in the 1000 block of E. McDowell Road, Chief Joseph Wade said in a press conference shared on Facebook.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Upon arrival, they located a individual who had been buried under a hot asphalt," Wade told reporters of the man, who is believed to be a private contractor.

Alamy A stock photo of a City of Jackson Police car A stock photo of a City of Jackson Police car

It appeared to be some type of malfunction with his dump truck, the vehicle that he was there to pick up asphalt with," the police chief explained, adding that as the man tried to "fix" the vehicle, it "unloaded" the hot material "onto him."

Per the Associated Press the man has been identified as Darrell Sheriff. He was 41.

Calling the incident "horrific" and "tragic," Wade said in the press conference that his "heart goes out to his family."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He told reporters that he'd spoken to some family members at the scene who had said the contractor was "a good man, a hard-working man."

Getty A stock image of a truck unloading asphalt A stock image of a truck unloading asphalt

"Such a horrific, horrific situation that happened and transpired here this morning," Wade said, sharing that the man's family members were "hurt" and "traumatized and rightfully so."

The police chief confirmed an investigation was ongoing, but added that "it appears to be an accidental death at this particular time."

There was some individuals on scene who tried to help him, Wade recalled in the conference. They said he tried to fight to make it through those injuries, but they were just too enormous for him to survive.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With the holidays coming up, to lose this gentleman, who was out here just trying to make a living, the officer told reporters. Theyre really hurt, but were going to be here to support them and uplift them in prayer."

When asked what it was like working on such an incident, Wade said, "It was horrific. It was horrifying, and it's something that you do not want to see."

"Seeing him was one thing, but actually talking to the family members and their hurt, their pain, their shock... this Monday morning, people are just going to work, they don't want to hear about a family member who has lost his life, as they stated to me, just simply trying to make a living," he added.

Jackson Police Department didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  A Tucker man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for enticement of a minor on the Choctaw Indian Reservation.

Man shot, killed on Bowers Street in Jackson

According to court documents, Antonio Deron Wallace, 36, used the internet to entice a minor under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity. Wallace was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2021, and pled guilty in March of 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Choctaw Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Mississippians went to the polls on Tuesday to vote in the 2024 General Election.

At many polling locations, there have been long lines and long wait times. In Hinds County, polls have been running smoothly. Voters said the election will shift the trajectory of the country for the years to come.

Live updates: 2024 US presidential election

A lot of dynamics going on in the world right now that has a lot of folks concerned. And so, I just encourage, get out and vote, regardless of who it is, be heard, said one Hinds County voter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its a lot going on that needs to be changed for the next four years, if we decide to vote in the right way, said another Hinds County voter.

Voters said theyre concerned about womens rights and the economy.

Voters line up at a Jackson polling precinct to cast their ballots in the 2024 General Election. (WJTV) Voter casts ballot at polling precinct in Jackson, Miss., during 2024 General Election. (WJTV) Voter casts ballot at polling precinct in Jackson, Miss., during 2024 General Election. (WJTV)

In Rankin County, the voting process was smooth at Crossgates United Methodist Church.

So many people have fought for us. I just want to be a voice for the young people. You know, to encourage them. You need to literally pull your pants up and get on the streets. Our people have fought for this for years and decades and centuries, even for us to be able to cast a vote, said Shellie Thomas, who lives in Brandon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As of 3:30 p.m., the Secretary of States Office has received numerous reports of high traffic at polls across the state via their Elections Hotline (800-829-6786).

There were minor reports of:

Campaign paraphernalia being worn in some precincts

Voting machines temporarily being down

A late-opening precinct

User error operating ExpressVote machines

Polls close at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, but any voter in line at 7:00 p.m. is legally entitled to cast a ballot. Officials said county election officials will begin tabulating ballots at the closing of the polls.

For questions or to report issues, call the Elections Division at (800) 829-6786, email ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov, or visit YallVote.ms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  FOX4 is keeping track of numerous races locally, across both Kansas and Missouri, and nationally as voters look to choose a new president.

In addition to keeping track of local and regional races on our elections page, you can also get a county-by-county breakdown specifically for Missouris U.S. Senate seat, a race between incumbent Josh Hawley, Democratic challenger Lucas Kunce, Libertarian W.C. Young, Better Party candidate Jared Young, and Green party candidate Nathan Kline, in the graphic below:

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
(Getty Images)

Months of campaigning and TV ad wars will come to a close Tuesday, as Missouri voters head to the polls to pick their next member of Congress, the state legislature and nearly every statewide office.

The Independent tried to answer some of the questions you may have about voting in Missouri.

What time do polls open?

Polls across the state open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Voters in line by 7 p.m. are entitled to cast a ballot.

Where do I vote?

Before you head out the door, check your voter registration and polling location at GoVoteMissouri.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some local election officials said the states website has the most up-to-date information on the new polling sites. Others recommended going directly to the countys website or calling local officials instead. The GoVoteMissouri.com website will also provide the information you need to contact your local election authority.

How do I find out whats on the ballot?

Local election authorities provide sample ballots, which voters can study, fill out and bring with them on Election Day to use as a guide. They are typically posted on your countys website. Researching your ballot ahead of time will help cut down on the time you spend at the polls, and local election officials are encouraging voters to do this.

What are acceptable forms of ID to vote?

Registered Missouri voters will need a photo ID issued by Missouri or the federal government in order to vote.

If you do not have any of these forms of identification, but are a registered voter, you may cast a provisional ballot. Your ballot will count if you return to your polling place on Election Day with a photo ID, or the signature on your provisional ballot envelope is determined by your local election authority to match the signature on your voter registration record.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you cast a provisional ballot, you will receive a stub from your provisional ballot envelope with instructions on how to verify that your provisional ballot is counted.

Accepted forms of photo ID for Missouri include:

A non-expired Missouri drivers license or a state ID

A non-expired military ID, including a veteran ID card

A U.S. passport or another form of photo ID issued by the U.S. government or the state of Missouri that is not expired

Can I wear a T-shirt with my candidates name on it?

Missouri election law prohibits wearing political apparel to the polls, advocating for a candidate or issue within 25 feet of a polling place, or taking photos of ballots.

Who can I call if I need help?

Voters may call the Secretary of State hotline at 1-800-669-8683 with any questions or to file a complaint with the the agencys elections division.

A nonpartisan election protection hotline (866-OUR-VOTE) will also have volunteer lawyers ready to answer questions on election day.
KSNF/KODE  We continue our look at Missouri ballot questions tonight with Amendment Three.

Amendment Three allows access to care for Missouri women, including survivors of rape and incest, and amends the total abortion ban in Missouri, said Susan Wagner, Jasper Co. Democratic Central Comm. chair.

Since 2022, Missouri has only allowed abortions in cases of medical emergency.

Ballot language for Constitutional Amendment Three says it would quote remove Missouris ban on abortion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The medical decisions for women should be their own, their families and their medical practitioners, those are the people that should be in charge of a womans health care, and not the government, said Wagner.

The question is likely the most controversial on the ballot, showing up in the many campaign signs for and against  and including advocates near election sites.

That decision is not a return to Roe v Wade. The language is very broad. It will put into our most fundamental document, code, the codification of erosion of parental rights, liability protections, said Mo Sen. Jill Carter, (R).

The ballot language also touches on contraception and requiring the government not to discriminate in funding involving those providing or receiving abortions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This will have no legislative oversight once and if this is codified. So if you do see something, theres no mitigation for any of these negative consequences on the part of the legislature. So again, once its put in place, its very hard to change it, said Carter.

Amendment Three is on Tuesdays general election ballot.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
KSNF/KODE  On Tuesday, Missouris next secretary of state will be chosen.

Jay Ashcroft is another state official at the end of his term limit, meaning 2025 will see a new top election official.

Tonight, we introduce you to two of the candidates for that office.

One of those candidates is Democrat Barbara Phifer.

Currently serving as a state representative, Phifer says some Missourians dont have access to a DMV, making it difficult, if not impossible, to get a photo ID.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One idea shes put forward is setting up mobile DMV units, similar to ones being used in other states.

Phifer believes its the states responsibility since state law requires a photo ID to vote.

Her opponent is Republican State Senator Denny Hoskins.

He says if elected, election security will be at the top of his to-do list.

One of the things I want to do is lead a robust effort to audit the voter rolls in the state of Missouri, said Denny Hoskins, (R)-Candidate for Secretary of State.

Hoskins says similar efforts in other states make it a worthwhile endeavor in the Show Me State.

We saw in the state of Texas they found one million ineligible voters on the voter rolls, including 6,500 non-citizens, said Hoskins.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

National Public Radio reviewed the Texas numbers and clarifies that 457,000 of those voters were deceased.

6,000 were convicted felons who could no longer vote.

6,500 were flagged as non-citizens.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another 463,000 were put on a suspense list because county election offices had questions about residency.

The remaining 200,000 either said they had moved or didnt respond.

Joining Phifer and Hoskins on Tuesdays ballot will be Green Party candidate Jerome Bauer and Libertarian Carl Freese.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The Jefferson County Senior Services Division is hosting The MMRF Multiple Myeloma Community Connect event on Thursday, Nov. 14.

Odessa Woolfolk honored with human rights award

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation partnered with NOWINCLUDED to set the stage for a day dedicated to empowerment, community, and enlightenment. The event will take place at Bill Harris Arena, located at 2337 Bessemer Road. Its scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with complimentary breakfast, lunch, and local vendors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Multiple myeloma is a rare cancer that impacts plasma cells in the bone marrow. It has shown a higher prevalence in African-American people. For more information, click here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
A mom called 911 and said someone had killed her 5-year-old son in her apartment in Alaska, police said.

But that wasnt the case, police said.

Cedar Mae Sarten, 43, called authorities at about 10 a.m. Oct. 14, the Fairbanks Police Department said in a Nov. 4 Facebook post.

She told dispatch her son had been harmed by someone and was dead, police said.

Sarten said she had last seen him alive at about 1 or 2 a.m. as he was falling asleep, police said. She told authorities she tried to call 911 the previous night but the call would not go through, according to the release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police responded to the apartment and discovered the child dead on his bed. A 20-pound kettlebell weight covered in blood was also found near the bed, police said.

There was also a knife on the bed and another on the floor with a significant amount of blood throughout the apartment, police said.

Sarten was found with many lacerations on her wrists, forearms, neck and head that appeared to be self-inflicted wounds, police said.

She was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said.

Initial autopsy results confirmed the child had died from blunt force trauma to his head, police said. He was also found with injuries from a sharp object.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There were no records of a 911 made the night before, police said.

Sarten has been formally charged with first-degree murder in the killing of her child.

As of Nov. 5, shes still getting medical treatment, police told McClatchy News by email.

Son tells cops his mom was kidnapped, but hes accused of killing her, AZ deputies say

Agitated man kills 72-year-old roommate at care facility, California cops say

Dad kills wife in front of 13-year-old daughter, then kills her too, AK officials say
(NewsNation)  Montana voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

In addition to casting ballots in the race for the White House between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Montana residents will vote for several key offices including governor and the US. Senate.

Presidential race in Montana

US Senate race in Montana

Three-term Democratic Sen. Jon Tester will try to fend off a challenge from Republican Tim Sheehy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sheehy, a 37-year-old businessman and former Navy Seal, will attempt to flip the Senate seat for the Republicans. The Minnesota native moved to Montana in 2014 and founded the aerial firefighting company Bridger Aerospace.

Montana governor race

Incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte will seek re-election after becoming the states first GOP governor in 16 years in 2020. Gianforte is being challenged by Democrat Ryan Busse.

US House races in Montana

In Montanas 1st District, Rep. Ryan Zinke is seeking re-election against Democrat Monica Tranel, an attorney.

Montana State Auditor Troy Downing faces Democrat John Driscoll in District 2 for a seat previously held by Rep. Matt Rosendale, who is not seeking re-election.

Statewide ballot measures in Montana

Voters will consider three ballot measures to amend the state constitution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One measure, if approved, would protect abortion rights to the point of fetal viability  which the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says is typically around 24 weeks.

A pair of ballot measures would change how Montanas elections operate, including an amendment to create a single primary where the top four vote-getters advance to the general election, regardles of party. Another measure would mandate that certain races must be won by a majority of votes, not a plurality.

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Polls close in Montana at 8 p.m. local time

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Montana  which carries four electoral votes  has been a reliably Republican state in the presidential election. The last time the state went blue was for former President Bill Clinton in 1992.

Trump has won convincingly in the state both times he has appeared on the ballot and defeated President Joe Biden in the state by 16 percentage points in 2020.

Other statewide Montana races

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Election Day preparation has been months in the making, and with just hours to go before polls open Tuesday morning, the Montgomery County Board of Elections has been putting the final touches on everything.

With early in-person voting ending Sunday, the board met Monday to make sure everything was ready to go. The board expects to serve 150-160,000 voters across the 143 polling stations serving Montgomery County on Tuesday.

Was your 2024 election ballot received? Ohio voters can check here

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Throughout the day, election officials have been setting up and testing voting machines, as well as finalizing poll worker rosters and responsibilities. More than 1,600 poll workers will be on duty for at least a portion of the voting, which runs from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

The Montgomery County Board of Elections reported a record 60,000 early voters for this election season, which is about 30% of the countys eligible voters. The board said this record turnout could have a big impact on election day.

I think that tomorrow will be a lot lighter because of the people that showed up early, said board member Thomas Routsong. And so when we kind of relieve the polls, that takes a lot of the passion. It makes it quicker, easier for them to get through the line.

The board wants to remind voters again to bring a valid photo ID to the poll, whether its an Ohio drivers license, state ID or passport. The ID being expired was one of the most common problems during early voting, according to the board.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) said it was called to a home Monday morning after someone reported they killed their mother.

Shortly before 10 a.m., MCPD officers were dispatched to a home in the 19400 block of Olie Tree Way. There, they found a womans body lying outside of the home.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Former US Capitol Police officer to spend nearly 2 years in prison for crashing into motorcyclist, fleeing scene

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The suspect was arrested without incident.

MCPD said the womans body was taken to the Medical Examiners office for an autopsy, which will determine the manner and cause of death.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
For all the concerns about a tumultuous process that could leave Americans waiting for days to learn who its next president would be, news outlets instead experienced an election night that hewed close to tradition.

Fox News Channel declared Donald Trump had reclaimed the presidency at 1:47 a.m. on Wednesday. Broadcast networks and The Associated Press had Trump on the precipice of returning to the presidency when he took the stage in Florida at 2:25 a.m. to declare victory. This is, I believe, the greatest political movement of all time, Trump said onstage at his victory party in West Palm Beach.

His opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, would speak later Wednesday morning, her campaign manager said, dispersing a crowd that had gathered to celebrate her at Howard University.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Broadcast, cable news networks, digital news sites and one streaming service  Amazon  covered the count steadily into Wednesday morning. Many of their journalists had warned viewers that determining the winner could be a protracted process that could take several days, like it had in 2020.

Yet from the first hints provided by exit poll results shortly after 5 p.m. Eastern time, the election night story moved methodically in Trump's direction. The dam broke at 11:18 p.m. on Tuesday, when the AP called the first of seven battleground states, North Carolina, for the former president.

Networks forge forward quickly

The networks moved quickly into the post-mortem stage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This looks a lot more like 2016 to me than 2020, NBCs Chuck Todd said, a reference to Trumps victory that year over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Fox News Channel pointed to exit poll results that showed Trump making gains among young voters and Latinos. The Biden-Harris people pushed them into Trumps open arms, said Foxs Dana Perino, a former White House press secretary under President George W. Bush.

Maybe, Fox News' Brit Hume said, it's time for his enemies to stop it.

In his speech, Trump praised his running mate, JD Vance, for going into the enemy camp for interviews on places like CNN and MSNBC. He absolutely obliterated them, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hours earlier, when the first exit poll results showed the unpopularity of President Joe Biden and Americans with a dim view of where the country was headed, CNNs Chris Wallace said that it would be a miracle if Harris could win with that. His colleagues, Dana Bash and Audie Cornish, warned him of jumping to conclusions that Harris would be blamed for that, but Wallace sounded more prescient as the night progressed.

She was trying to do something as a sitting vice president that had never been done before  succeed an unpopular president, Todd said.

Analysts question the element of race

Former Sen. Claire McCaskill, an NBC News analyst, said the element of race could not be discounted. Some Americans were more comfortable with President Joe Biden, a white man, than Harris, who was attempting to be the first woman of color to be elected president, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Can you imagine a woman of color acting the way Donald Trump acted  even for one day? CNN analyst Van Jones said. The kinds of stuff that he said, the kinds of stuff that he did, the way that he would insult people. If you're a person of color, you don't feel like you have the freedom.

Trump had a license to just be a fool, just to be an obnoxious ass ... and he gets to be president, Jones said.

Due to remarkably close pre-election polls, the outcome was considered a mystery that could take many days to resolve. In his last pre-election prediction, statistician Nate Silver said it was no better than a coin flip, giving an ever-so-slight edge to Harris.

The New York Times' predictive Needle judged the contest a toss-up in the beginning of the evening, leaning slightly toward Trump. But it moved steadily in Trump's direction, to the point where the Times by midnight judged Trump with a 90 percent likelihood of capturing the presidency again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Also by midnight, CNN's count had Trump leading Harris in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin  the so-called blue wall that was central to her strategy for victory.

It's not mission impossible for Harris to come back and win Pennsylvania, CNN's John King said, looking over voter statistics. But it's becoming mission improbable. Within two hours, CNN awarded Pennsylvania to Trump.

For much of the night, the journalists who stood before magic boards  King, Bill Hemmer on Fox News Channel, Steve Kornacki on MSNBC  took up much of the airtime with granular reports on results. State-by-state, county-by-county, they showed numbers where Trump was outperforming his 2020 campaign and Harris lagged behind Bidens results.

If anything, the networks relied too much on their numbers czars than on their reporters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To have results was a relief

The presence of actual results were a tonic to news organizations that had weeks  and an excruciatingly long day of voting  to talk about an election campaign that polls have repeatedly shown to be remarkably tight. They tried to extract wisdom from anecdotal evidence.

Dixville Notch is a metaphor for the entire race, CNNs Alyssa Farah Griffin said, making efforts to draw meaning from the tiny New Hampshire community that reported its 3-3 vote for Harris and Trump in the early morning hours.

Former NBC News anchor Brian Williams, during his one-night leading Amazon's streamcast appearance, had one unexpected guest in the California studio where he was operating. Puck reporter Tara Palmeri was supposed to report from Trump headquarters in West Palm Beach but was denied credentials to attend by the former president's team.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita described her as a gossip columnist in a post on the social media site X. Palmeri told Williams she had accurately reported some anxiety within the Trump camp about who was voting early.

Neither Axios nor Politico would immediately confirm reports that some of their reporters were similarly banned, and the Trump campaign did not immediately return a call for comment.

___

David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder.
A Carver man has pleaded guilty to his involvement in an oxycodone conspiracy, the U.S. Attorney said.

Michael Atwood, 37, pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston on Oct. 31 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills, U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said Monday.

U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for March 2025. Atwood was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023 along with five co-conspirators.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Between approximately November 2023 and June 2023, Atwood obtained oxycodone pills from co-defendant John Campbell that he redistributed to others, Levy said. The amount of oxycodone pills that the defendant obtained from Campbell ranged from hundreds to more than a thousand at a time.

On July 12, 2023, during a search of Atwoods residence, investigators seized approximately $63,000 in cash.

Campbell pleaded guilty in September and is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 15, 2025.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $1 million.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation, which identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States, officials said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
NORTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Ahead of the 2024 Election, campaigns made their last ditch effort to win over voters, especially on TV in almost every single commercial break.

In many cases, scathing 30-second attack ads back-to-back ending with a candidate endorsing the message. But not all Americans are being treated equally in terms of how many ads they are seeing.

Election Breakdown: Josh Stein, Mark Robinson vie for North Carolina governors seat

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

North Carolina, along with the other swing states, is being flooded with political ads. Its estimated that almost $4 out of every $5 spent on the Presidential Election has gone to just the seven swing states. And despite the rise in social media over the last three election cycles, the majority of campaigns are still heavily relying on television ads to get their message across.

We are a state that splits our ticket. We are a state that has tight elections. Add all of that up and what that means is lots of ads, full mailboxes, and text messages are full. The volume is up in North Carolina, Chris Cooper, a Political Science professor at Western Carolina University, said.

Right now, Democrats look to have outspent Republicans for overall ad space, but together the two parties are breaking records. More than $10 billion was spent, more than half of which on broadcast ads.

Part of it is, it is harder to change. When it comes to TikTok or social media, its a lot easier to skip past it to get off of it. If it is a television, you are more likely to see that ad, to get their message in their perspective, Cooper said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Campaigns use ads to tell the story of their candidate- who they are and what they stand for or against. Those who craft those ads say a lot goes into it.

We are testing both before the ad even runs, so we are testing to find the message that works and with what audience. We develop the creative base of that and then if we have the opportunity, we actually run tests beforehand to see if the message in its art form actually works as opposed to a written message, The President of the American Associations of Political Consultants (AAPC) Larry Huynh said.

Billionaire Mark Cuban talks presidential candidates economic plans, argues support for Harris

the AAPC is a bipartisan trade group made up of professionals who help run campaigns. Huynh says while the broadcast has historically been the legacy mechanism to reach voters, spending on digital platforms continues to grow. This cycle, what we have done very differently in my campaigns, is we have used creators and influencers in a way that we did not do two years ago.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Whether or not an ad campaign works is ultimately decided at the polls. But political experts say they do have the ability to move the needle, especially in swing states like North Carolina. They really do make a difference. Now, we are not talking 5 percentage points, 10 percentage points, or anything like that  but at the margin, ads do make a difference, Cooper said.

AdImpact, an intelligence company that tracks ad data, estimates that more than $5 billion has been spent on broadcast ads, $1.9 billion on cable, and $1.2 billion on digital ads.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Nearly 2.2 million New York City voters had already cast their ballots in this years presidential race as of 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to the citys Board of Elections.

More than 1 million New Yorkers went to the polls on Tuesday alone, while nearly 1.1 million took advantage of early voting from Oct. 26 through Nov. 3  the highest number of early voters ever recorded, the BOE said.

Another 200,000 mail-in ballots from across the five boroughs will be counted in the Election Day tally. The polls close at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More than 3 million New Yorkers cast their ballots in the 2020 presidential election, while around 2.7 million did so in 2016. There are more than 5 million registered voters in the city.

The day started with a steady stream of voters at polling stations across the city, including in Brooklyn, where Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, New Yorks top Democrat on Capitol Hill, said hes confident Vice President Kamala Harris will be elected president.

Shes the candidate talking about helping average folks, with lowering their costs, with getting better housing, with making sure the tax system is fair, Schumer told reporters after casting his vote at Public School 321 in Park Slope. Donald Trump spends all his time criticizing other people, talking about who his enemies are, saying hes not going to trust the results of the election. Its an obvious choice for the American people: One person who cares about the American people, the other whos consumed with his own ego.

Schumer, whose party leads the Senate with a razor-thin 51-49 majority, said hes also cautiously optimistic hell retain the majority in the upper chamber, and that the House will flip into Democratic hands as well.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A year and a half ago, everyone said we had no chance of winning the Senate. Now were right in the hunt, he said.

There are six battleground House seats in New York that Democrats are hoping to win. None of them are in the city, and five of them are currently represented by Republicans.

Some polling sites in Queens experienced glitches Tuesday morning, with machines at several locations rejecting ballots. BOE officials reassured voters that all votes cast would be counted, and the technicians were fixing the issue and inspected other polling places across the borough as a precautionary measure.
(WHTM)  More than 86% of Pennsylvanias mail ballots have been returned to their county board of elections.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, there have been 1,912,676 ballots returned as of 7 p.m. on November 5.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Livestream Alerts

More than 1 million of those returned ballots were sent by registered Democrats and more than 629,000 returned by Republicans, though officials note that does not necessarily mean guaranteed votes for either party.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you still have a mail ballot, do not place it in the mail and instead hand deliver it yourself to an official drop box or your county board of elections.

Ballots must be returned to the county board of election by 8 p.m. on November 5 or else they will not be counted. Postmarks for November 5 will not be enough to ensure your vote counts.

If you plan to vote in person, Pennsylvanias polling places are open until 8 p.m.

abc27 is Your Local Election Headquarters covering all the local races that can swing the balance of power in Harrisburg and Washington. Visit the abc27 Election Results page for all of the results including President, the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race, the U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania Attorney General, Pennsylvania Treasurer, Pennsylvania Auditor General, and your local State House and State Senate races.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

This Week in Pennsylvania

Tune in to abc27 News for more results, stories, and analysis on the biggest races in Pennsylvania.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
While Election Day is finally here, more than 83 million people have already cast their ballots.

Election Day was trending on the busy side, with roughly half of the 161.42 million registered voters still heading to the polls.

In Georgia, one of seven key swing states, long lines were forming outside polling stations, officials said, despite more than 4 million people in the Peach State having already voted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Fulton County, Georgia's most populous county, which includes the city of Atlanta, nearly 30,000 people had cast their in-person ballots by 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, a little more than three-and-a-half hours after the polls opened at 7 a.m., said Nadine Williams, the Fulton County director of registration.

PHOTO: A woman votes at a polling station in Smyrna, Georgia, on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

All polling sites are secure with an active security presence," said Williams, adding that the county had received five "non-credible" bomb threats Tuesday morning, two of which prompted the evacuation of voting locations for about 30 minutes each.

"Outside of these brief interruptions, Election Day has been quiet, with minimal issues reported and we remain prepared to address any misinformation or additional disruption to ensure a smooth experience for all voters today," Williams said.

Of the 83 million voters nationwide who have already cast ballots, 45 million did so in person while 38 million mailed in ballots, according to the University of Florida Election Lab. About 37.7% of the early votes were cast by registered Democrats while 35.9% of Republicans voted early, according to the lab.

PHOTO: Voters line up to cast their ballots at The Church at Brook Hills on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. (Vasha Hunt/AP)

In the 2020 presidential election, 66% of eligible voters cast ballots, the highest of any national election. President Joe Biden beat Trump 51.31% to 46.85%, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This election is expected to be even closer than 2020.

MORE: Harris has cut into Trump's lead on the economy

An ABC News/Ipsos poll released Saturday showed Harris with an overall three-point advantage over Trump among likely voters nationwide, 49% to 46%.

Both Harris and Trump have spent the last week of the campaign barnstorming in battleground states, fighting tooth and nail for every last undecided vote. On Monday, the candidates engaged in a sprint to the finish line, holding multiple rallies in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

PHOTO: A dog looks on as people vote at a polling station in New York City on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. (Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images)

In a sampling of nine states, including the battleground states of Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, 54% of the early voters were women and 43.8% were men, according to the lab. The largest block of early voters, 39.4%, were 41- to-65-year-olds, while voters over 65 represented 34.5% of the early vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Younger voters -- 26 to 40 years old -- made up 17.5% of the early vote, while 8.7% of voters 18 to 25 cast early ballots, according to the lab.

Some states like North Carolina, another key swing state, have shattered records for early voting.

PHOTO: People vote at a polling place on Election Day in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 5, 2024. (Elijah Nouvelage/AFP via Getty Images)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More than 4.4 million voters have cast early ballots in North Carolina, 4.2 million of them in person, according to the lab. The North Carolina Board of Elections said the number of early voters broke a record, surpassing the 3.6 million early votes cast in the 2020 election, officials said.

In the swing state of Pennsylvania, at least 1.8 million people voted early via mail-in ballots, according to the Florida Election Lab, which reported that 55.7% of the earlier voters were women and 32.8% were men.

Early voting in Georgia began on Oct. 15, and more than 3.7 million people voted in person, while another 265,648 cast mail-in ballots, according to the lab. A breakdown of the early voters showed 55.7% were women and 43.5% were men, according to the lab.

MORE: Election security updates: Voting hours extended in Pennsylvania county after tech issues

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In other battleground states, Michigan saw 3.2 million voters casting mail-in ballots, 55% women and 44.9% men; 2.3 million cast early mail-in ballots in Arizona, 40.8% of whom are registered Republicans and 32% Democrats, according to the lab.

In Nevada, another swing state, a little over 1 million voters cast early ballots, including 543,271 who voted in person and 556,062 who sent in mail-in ballots, the lab reported. Of those who voted early in Nevada, 37.5% were Republican and 33.7% were Democrat, according to the lab.

And in the battleground state of Wisconsin, 1.5 million people voted early, including 949,157 who cast in-person ballots and 561,616 who cast mail-in ballots, the lab reported.

ABC News' Olivia Rubin contributed to this report.

More than half of registered voters have already cast their ballots: Officials originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The 2024 presidential election has seen a higher number of women casting their ballots early, especially in Florida.

If voter enthusiasm prior to the election is any indication, were going to have historical voting records in the state of Florida, Political Analyst Tara Newsom said.

Amendment 3: Closing arguments on recreational marijuana legalization

As of Friday, more than 6.6 million people had already voted, according to turnout data from Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. About 3.6 million of those voters are women, compared to about 3 million men.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Women are really flexing and showing their strength, Newsom said. I think Amendment number four really draws people out for not only the right to abortion, but the right to womens health care. And women might be coming out in droves, but we know that men will too.

At the University of Tampa, many students said this election is the first time they have been able to vote.

Several students said womens issues are driving them to cast their ballot.

Theres a lot of issues right now with the election regarding women and our rights and so I think thats really important for every woman to go and vote because youre voting for your own rights and women in the future, said student Jackie Teixeira.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Probably the most important one is the right to have control over what happens to my body, student Samantha Relkin said. Its scary how close it is in the polls. I think its really interesting, but Im happy that of all elections, this is the first one that I can vote in because I feel like its important to have our voices heard.

For others, its who is at the top of the ticket.

I feel like this is a very close race so I feel like every vote counts, and I think its important to go and cast your vote, student Anna Baucom said. I think theres a lot of issues with the border right now so I think thats a very important thing to vouch for and that needs to be changed.

I feel like Kamala Harris has more stuff that aligns with what I believe in, said student Ciara Eddington.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Newsom said a higher turnout of women voters could impact some of the issues on the ballot.

This is going to be one of those pivotal elections where individuals dont just vote top down the same party. Theres going to be a lot of movement on the ballot. Its a two-page ballot and were seeing issues motivate voters way more than the candidates, Newsom said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Much is at stake in the upcoming November election including several important positions in North Carolina such as the selection of a new state superintendent between Michele Morrow and Mo Green.

Here is everything you need to know in the race.

Who is Mo Green?

A native of New York City, the 57-year-old Democratic nominee received a Bachelors degree and a law degree from Duke University. Green is the former Guilford County Schools Superintendent and before that stint, he worked for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools serving as chief operating officer and deputy superintendent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Guilford County is the third largest district in the state. Green then became the executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, a foundation that supports various causes including public education.

He is married with two children.

Who is Michele Morrow?

A native of Nashua, New Hampshire, the 53-year-old Republican nominee moved to North Carolina and attended South Meck High School before enrolling at UNC-Chapel Hill, graduating in 1993 with a nursing degree, according to her campaign websites bio.

She is married with five children.

What are they campaigning on?

The two candidates faced off in a debate last week in Southern Pines with both stating respective goals for schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the debate, Green attacked Morrow for some of her past social media posts. Shes the one that actually calls for people to be executed when she doesnt believe them. This is the person who has called for the public execution of Barack Obama.

Morrow said she wants to know more about how money is being spent and plans to audit individual districts and programs.

NCAE demands superintendent candidate stop using apple-shaped campaign materials

Its time for us to ensure that every student and every teacher is protected inside the classroom as well as out and thats one of the reasons why Ive put as the top priority that were going to make our schools the safest buildings in the state, Morrow said.

School safety

On school safety, Green said school resource officers are needed in schools, but mental health counselors need to be prioritized. He also pointed to physical safety features like increasing cameras and metal detectors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Morrow said she plans to create a statewide SRO program ensuring each school has at least two SROs, adding that when she won the primary she created a school safety advisory council to look at best practices across the country.

Who are they replacing?

Catherine Truitt is the current superintendent and previously served as senior education advisor for former governor Pat McCrory. Truitt was defeated in her bid for re-election by Morrow for the Republican ticket.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
UPDATE (9:00 p.m.)  Mortons Board of Trustees voted unanimously to demolish the former site of Morton Terrace HealthCare & Rehabilitation Centre on East Queenwood Road.

Construction Services Manager Stanley Gruber spoke after the meeting, saying its time for the building to be demolished.

Theyll end up tearing down the buildings and theyll remove all the slabs and trees on the site. The building is old, and it has not been maintained very well, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Triple A Asbestos will also remove the asbestos currently inside the building.

Also unanimously approved were a $10,000 pay raise for Mayor Jeff Kaufman and an item limiting homes to one driveway.

MORTON, Ill. (WMBD)  The village of Morton could see changes to a nursing home, driveways and salaries after Monday nights meeting.

In the proposed meeting items, the village board has different tasks on the agenda, and they all involve money, whether its spending it or making it.

Nursing home

The former site of Morton Terrace HealthCare & Rehabilitation Centre on East Queenwood Rd. in Morton has bids for its demolition. But there is something the village has to take care of first.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What once held the rehabilitation centre has Asbestos Containing Material (ACM). The village has hired Triple A Asbestos to remove it.

The agenda packet states, total time and material for this project shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) without further approval of the Corporate Authorities.

4 bids were submitted for the demolition of the former nursing home, and was awarded to the lowest bidder, River City Demolition whos quote totaled $411,200.60.

The project is expected to take place within the next 60 days.

What to know before you vote on Tuesday

Increased salaries

The village president Mayor Jeff Kaufmans salary is being proposed to be increased from $10,000 per year to $20,000 per year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Board members would pass this amendment if they believe that, as the language in the ordinance states, the Village President has assumed responsibilities for administering the economic development efforts of the Village of Morton to attract and facilitate new business development within the Village of Morton.

The village board is also seeking an internal economic developer who, if the amendment passes, would receive $14,000 per year.

Driveways

If the amendment passes, two driveways will no longer be allowed to be constructed in Morton.

The language for the proposition reads, No more than one driveway per dwelling unit shall be allowed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for lots of a width of one hundred fifty feet or more, one circular drive per lot is allowable, provided that the total driveway width of both openings does not exceed twenty-four feet and that any one opening does not exceed twenty-four feet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Houses that go against the driveway width would be grandfathered in.

The meeting takes place at 7 p.m. at Village Hall.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
Chelsey Nelson, 33, moved from Seattle to Australia in 2021.

She pays up to 45% of her income in taxes but was able to buy a $1 million house.

She says she feels better off financially in Australia than in the US.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Chelsey Nelson. It has been edited for length and clarity.

In 2019, I met the man who'd become my husband at a hospital in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. It made for a great story but a logistical challenge. Aiden was Australian, and I lived in Seattle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We traveled to be together for the next few years when we could. After COVID-19 shut down the world, we were apart for 10 months, each stuck in our home country.

We looked at our options. For Aiden to move to the US, we'd need to get engaged, which we weren't quite ready for. Plus, there would be a period of time when he wouldn't be able to work.

On the other hand, I could move to Australia on a partner visa without being engaged or married. I'd be able to work immediately. So in 2021 I packed my bags and moved to Brisbane, Australia, a city I'd never been to.

I pay much higher taxes here

One of the biggest differences financially is the tax rate. We pay 37% in taxes on our income up to 190,000 Australian dollars, or about $120,000, and 45% on anything over that. Back home in Washington state, there's no state income tax, and we'd only be taxed at 24%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hearing I'd be paying up to 45% was shocking, but I can see where my tax dollars are going here in Australia. I have Medicare, so I don't have to worry about unexpected medical costs. It's not entirely free, though  I pay $1,300 annually for additional coverage because I'm over 30.

There are smaller benefits, too. Recently, my city reduced the cost of all public-transit rides to 50 cents. I know my tax dollars are at work whenever I take the train, bus, or ferry.

Saving for retirement is easier

Back in the US, I had to ask companies I worked for whether they offered a 401(k) retirement plan, let alone a company match. In Australia, all companies are required to contribute 11.5% of an employee's salary to a superannuation retirement account. So if you're offered a $100,000 salary, you earn $111,500 when you invest in retirement savings. Even if you work part time or don't save any additional money, your employer must set aside that money.

That sets Australians up to have something when they retire. I already have about $35,000 in my retirement account here.

Housing prices are very high, but we don't pay property tax

I paid over $1 million for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house that's about 15 minutes outside the city. It's nothing special  a postwar cottage in the style that the state's known for. The price felt comparable to Seattle but higher than much of the US.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One benefit is that we don't pay property taxes. We paid a one-time stamp tax of $36,000 when we bought the house. I figure if we stay here for five years, we'll break even on the amount we would've paid in property tax in the US. Plus, it's predictable  we own the home without worrying about rising property-tax rates. That's something I see my mom stress about back in Washington.

I'm still not sure about having kids

I'm on the fence about having kids, for financial and career reasons. I worry that if we have a child, it will set my career back.

Here in Australia, Medicare would cover the birth and medical costs. Even though Aiden and I each make six figures, we'd receive a small government stipend for childcare. Still, I feel like we couldn't afford two children with all the costs of school and sports.

I have way more time off

One of the best parts of working in Australia is the amount of time I have off. I get four weeks of vacation and two weeks of sick time, which can also be taken to care for someone else. I get 10 paid public holidays, so I have an additional two weeks off, and my company also gives me my birthday off.

There's also unpaid leave: I took 4  weeks off earlier this year for my wedding, and my boss is encouraging me to take another three at Christmas.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Solid Rock Church in Market Common is moving, made apparent by the sign being taken down and movers loading trucks with church items on Tuesday afternoon.

John-Paul Miller is the former pastor of Solid Rock and has been embedded in controversy after his wife, Mica Miller, committed suicide in late April. Following her death, people accused John-Paul Miller of abusing her and causing her death, which he has repeatedly denied.

On Tuesday afternoon just after 1 p.m., movers were carrying items such as food and organizational equipment out of the church.

Movers carried church equipment from Solid Rock Church into trucks on Tuesday afternoon. The church has been embroiled in controversy since Mica Miller, the wife of former Pastor, John-Paul Miller, committed suicide in April. Emalyn Muzzy/emuzzy@thesunnews.com

Charles Randall, who oversees the church, said he did not want to comment on why the church was moving.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Solid Rock Church sign had also been taken down. Its unclear where the church is moving to. Solid Rock bought a nearby property in 2023 to build a larger church. Construction has not begun for the new building.

Jay Bingham, better known as Jesus Jay and one of the many protesters who have been at the church since Mica Millers death, said movers showed up around 11 a.m.

The move comes less than a week after the FBI searched John-Paul Millers home. FBI officials have not shared what they were searching for. The Sun News requested the search warrant and incident reports from the search but have not received the documents.

Why have protesters gathered outside the church?

Shortly after her death, Mica Millers family alleged that John-Paul Miller abused Mica, which John-Paul Miller has denied. The story became popular among true crime circles, leading to the case gaining national attention.

Protestors line up outside of Solid Rock Ministries church in Market Common shouting Justice for Mica. Mica Miller, the wife of pastor John-Paul Miller, died from apparent suicide on April 27, 2024 but accusations of domestic abuse and theories about the nature of her death are wide spread on the internet and on social media. July 14, 2024. JASON LEE/JASON LEE

Mica Millers death was ruled a suicide. Security footage showed her buying a gun at a Myrtle Beach pawn shop before driving to a state park in Robeson County, North Carolina. She called 911 and asked them to find her location because she was planning to kill herself and wanted her family to find her body. She was then found floating in a river.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

John-Paul Miller said Mica Miller struggled with mental health problems and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dependent personality disorder. He alleged her family was not supportive of her mental health and encouraged her not to take her medications, he told The Sun News in an exclusive July interview.

The family lawyer, Regina Ward, said Mica Miller had no mental health problems until she started dating John-Paul Miller.

Her death has sparked debate and true crime podcasts and speculation on social media. Protesters asking for justice for Mica Miller have been outside the Solid Rock Church this summer and were at Millers home during the FBI search.

In July, John-Paul Miller and Mica Millers family ended their legal battle by reaching a settlement in which both parties agreed to end current litigation and to not file future lawsuits.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Micas family previously went to court to gain control over her estate, as she had filed to legally separate from John-Paul at the time of her death. Later additions were added because the house John-Paul and Mica lived in is now church property.

The Francis family filed a lawsuit against Solid Rock and John-Paul Miller for the property the church owns, including the land the church sits on and where it plans to expand.
(Bloomberg) -- Venancio Mondlane, the independent Mozambican opposition presidential candidate who fled the country after last months disputed elections, plans to return this week as the gas-rich nation faces growing unrest.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mondlane, whos called for a week of demonstrations and strikes culminating in a protest on Nov. 7, said he left the southeast African nation last month in fear of his life, but hell be back to lead his supporters in a march on Maputo, the capital.

This is the proper time for revolution in Mozambique, Mondlane said by phone from an undisclosed location. If we mobilize thousands and thousands of people there, millions of people, I believe that even the army will march with the people. I feel it, and I believe it will happen.

Mozambique has been on edge since official tallies showed ruling party candidate Daniel Chapo garnered almost 71% of the votes cast on Oct. 9, an outcome Mondlane said was rigged to deprive him of victory. The former lawmakers legal adviser and a senior member of a small party that backed him were gunned down before the results announcement, exacerbating the tensions.

The electoral process was criticized by international observers, while the government urged anyone with grievances to follow due legal process and allow the courts to handle any disputes. Mondlane and the Podemos party that backs him have challenged the outcome with the Constitutional Council, which needs to verify the results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At least 11 people died during demonstrations last month, with police using teargas and live ammunition, according to advocacy group Human Rights Watch. Rioters have blocked roads in parts of the country and torched at least one police station, as well as the offices of the ruling party, Frelimo, which has held power since 1975.

The unrest intensified on Monday, with protesters blocking the main highway connecting the Maputo port with neighboring South Africa. The key transit route for ferrochrome, which is used to make stainless steel, was reopened on Tuesday.

Adriano Maleiane, the finance minister and prime minister, was cited by state-owned Radio Mocambique as saying the economy was at risk of collapse if the demonstrations dont stop. Veronica Macamo, Mozambiques foreign minister, met with the diplomatic corps on Monday and called for help to restore stability.

The authorities have opened criminal proceedings against Mondlane in the wake of the violence and restricted use of the internet and social media that hes used to direct the protests via live streams that have attracted millions of views. Its unclear if he will be arrested if he does return home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A qualified forestry engineer and evangelical church pastor, Mondlane said he traveled overland to South Africa after the police fired teargas at an impromptu press briefing he held in Maputo on Oct. 21. He made his way to Johannesburg and then on to a secret hideout in another country because he suspected he was under surveillance.

An influential group of Catholic bishops called for talks and suggested that consideration be given to the formation of a government of national unity.

Mondlane said hes open to dialog, but his participation is conditional on the authorities restoring what he said was the real election outcome. He also wants the government to commit to building 3 million houses within five years for young people, and starting a $500 million fund to finance their businesses.

The majority of young people in Mozambique have nothing to lose, he said. They dont have jobs, they dont have houses, they dont have hope.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While Mondlane said hes been contacted by emmisaries of former presidents Armando Guebuza and Joaquim Chissano about engaging in negotiations. While Mondlane said he wouldnt accept any personal position in the government, he would be open to negotiating roles for other opposition party officials.

--With assistance from Carla Canivete.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
WHITESVILLE, Ky. (WEHT)  In Daviess County, students at Whitesville Elementary School got an early start to celebrating veterans, with a special program this morning. Hundreds of students gathered to sing and showcase what theyve learned about how people in their community have fought for their freedom.

Nearly 400 students joined together to celebrate the sacrifice of the worlds military. In the crowd was Chapel Tinius, also known as Ms. Kentucky 2024.

Kentucky calls on hunters for deer sample giveaway

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She says its the first Veterans Day assembly shes been apart of, and recognizing the impact of veterans can sometimes be as simple as sharing family stories. She says the assembly is a testament to time being a valuable piece of what we can do to share our gratitude.

especially when it comes to our veterans. I mean, they wrote a blank check to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their life. They did this for people they dont event know and that always just blows my mind, says Tinius.

Students were an instrumental part of the program: everything from getting their first taste of leadership to overcoming the fear of singing their first solo.

I felt really nervous. When I saw my parents and everybody else up there, I felt a little better about it. Veterans are really special. They love us, and they protected our country, says Grayson Rogers, who sung the a solo during the program.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ms. Kentucky is the granddaughter of not one, but two, World War II veterans.



She says her maternal grandfather worked as a doctor who brought medical assistance to underserved communities, and the other a triple amputee.

Due to the land mine explosion, he lost both of his arms and full mobility in his left leg. Then, he received the purple heart. When I was seven, he actually entrusted me with that purple heart. As I grew up, I saw firsthand the physical impacts that it could take, says Tinius.

Tinius says its nice to know education on veterans is still going strong. She stayed after the assembly to play her violin for fourth and fifth graders. She taught them about their individual superpowers when it comes to serving the community.

She says talent, plus desire to help others, equals superpower.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They can write letters. They can sing songs. They can do all those good things. They can continue to make a difference in our lives and the lives of our veterans every single day, says Tinius.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
NBC News correspondent Jacob Soboroff had an unexpected run-in live with Paul Rudd at the Temple University polls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Paul Rudd just showed up, Nicole, because he heard the line was so long, Soboroff joked to Deadline: White House anchor Nicole Wallace, filming his live shot on-air.

The Avengers actor handed out waters to first-time voters, who had waited in line for over two hours at the university polling place. Soboroff asked the star what brought him out to the swing states polls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I just wanted to give people water. Theyre waiting in line for a long time, Rudd said with a smile. Its a wonderful thing that all of these young people are out voting.

The anchor pressed Rudd on how he felt about the 2024 election, and The 40-year-old Virgin actor deflected the question, saying, I feel good about handing out some waters.

We wanted to come out and tell these students that theyre doing really great things, he added.

Later, Soboroff interviewed a first-time voter in line about what drove her to the polls for the 2024 race  and even snapped a picture of the student and Rudd as she accepted a free water.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Watch the live exchange here:

Paul Rudd for #ElectionDay MVP giving out water bottles to people in line at Temple University in Philly #Vote pic.twitter.com/AxOymE431P  Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) November 5, 2024

This is not the first time Rudd has gotten involved politically. In 2020, the Marvel actor hosted a Q&A Zoom call with Vice President Kamala Harris. Rudd was joined by his co-star Zoe Saldana at the fundraiser, where viewers could donate to Democratic candidates across the country and involved in the presidential election.

Some of Marvels Avengers assembled to endorse the Harris-Walz ticket less than a week before Election Day, though Rudd didnt join this particular group. In a video posted to Robert Downey Jr.s Instagram, members of the Avengers  including Downey, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Danai Gurira, Chris Evans and Don Cheadle  called for Americans to #AssembleForDemocracy.

The post MSNBC Correspondent Bumps Into Paul Rudd Live at Pennsylvanias Polls | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  News 4 caught up with a southeast Oklahoma City family who survived an EF3 tornado on Sunday thats left their home in desperate need of repairs.

News 4s John Hayes interviewed Jennifer Mancheva during a live broadcast Sunday morning outside of her home. Her neighborhood, just west of Southeast 89th Street and Sooner Road, took a direct hit from the tornado. At the time, Mancheva described the storm as sounding as if something exploded, and in the later hours of the morning it was hard to wrap her head around the full extent of the damage.

When theres so much damage, you cant take it all in at once, said Mancheva.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mancheva allowed News 4 crews into her home on Monday to survey the full extent while her and her husband sorted through their belongings and cleaned.

Most of the damage is centered around the second floor. The roof of the home has been ripped off in several places, including over two rooms, an attic, part of the kitchen and part of the garage. A large amount of rain throughout Sunday caused a significant amount of damage that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair according to Mancheva.

Tornado damage on Jennifer Mancheva and Peter Manchevs property. KFOR.

Tornado damage on Jennifer Mancheva and Peter Manchevs property. KFOR.

Tornado damage on Jennifer Mancheva and Peter Manchevs property. KFOR.

Tornado damage on Jennifer Mancheva and Peter Manchevs property. KFOR.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tornado damage on Jennifer Mancheva and Peter Manchevs property. KFOR.

Were all here, said Mancheva. Were all struggling to get the same thing kind of done.

Manchevas husband, Peter Manchev, fled to the United States decades ago after fleeing Bulgaria. The couple met while serving in the U.S. Air Force and say the home was a dream come true.

Born, raised and educated, said Manchev. When I was 17, escaped.

Both Manchev and Mancheva say their favorite place actually wasnt inside of the house, it was their backyard.

It wasnt perfect, said Manchev. It was kind of natural and thats what people liked.

That backyard, as of Monday, littered with debris from their own property and others. Some of their patio furniture is wrapped up in trees, and other items have been thrown onto their neighbors property.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This was our playground, said Mancheva. This is where we like to come out and do our thing.

A loud boom: OKC residents thankful to be alive after early morning tornado

They also say a small shed they had was picked up and hurled on to a roof. A secondary and larger shed they own wasnt damaged, but was shifted out of place. Their eight-foot tall fence was torn apart, along with several trees on their property.

Oh theres my other cushion, its in his backyard, said Mancheva while leading News 4 around her backyard and looking for any furniture that could have survived.

Manchev says as difficult as this chapter has been for him and his wife, theyve been finding silver linings to get them through it with support from their neighbors and complete strangers. They said theyve been offered just about everything they could need from yard help, to food and water. Theyre temporarily staying elsewhere until they figure out their next steps.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theres a couple of minutes and then you know, I weep a tear or two and its like, okay, you know what, youre getting a remodeled house, said Mancheva.

Manchev says he feels grateful to be an Oklahoman, and that neither his family or their neighbors lost their lives in the storm. Roads are still difficult to navigate, debris is still scattered in places it shouldnt be and power is out for a lot of homeowners in the area; but everyone is alive.

Its not the place or tornado that makes the place, its the people and this is what we like about Oklahoma, said Manchev.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
VAN CORTLANDT PARK, the Bronx (PIX11)  The severity of the recently issued drought watch was evident on Monday in the woods on the east side of Van Cortlandt Park, New York Citys third largest park.

Four brush fires were fully in flame during the morning rush hour, causing traffic delays on the Major Deegan Expressway, which runs right next to the inflamed wooded parkland. It showed that the citys longest stretch without significant rainfall in generations can be dangerous.

More Local News

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The scenes around the scorched areas were bleak: there were charred trees and stumps, gray ash covering acre after acre. Some of the burnt, fallen branches continued to smolder long after the initial fire response call had gone out at around 7:45 a.m.

One major challenge in fighting the flames was that there are no fire hydrants in or near the brush fires. FDNY Deputy Chief William McCormack, who supervised the fire response, explained how the mission was handled.

Weve had crews rotate out from filling up their tanks and then coming back, he said.

FDNY tanker trucks had to bring in water from the closest hydrants, fighting the flames until they ran out of their water supply, only to have another, full tanker truck take over and relieve the engaged tanker. Then the process repeated, over and over again, for about five hours, until the flames were mostly out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lack of water access certainly made it challenging to get the fires under control, but the main issue, here and generally, is the weather, which helped to let the fire ignite in the first place.

Drought watch: New Yorkers use 1 billion gallons of water a day

The possibility [for fires] is high right now because we are in dry season, Chief McCormack said at a press availability near the scene. A cigarette thrown from the highway could start a brush fire. Were starting to see them a lot more in the city right now.

Orville Thomas, a local resident who regularly hikes through the woods where the fires ignited, said that he knows the risks firsthand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Be mindful that there are a lot of dry leaves, he said, while walking through the woods on Monday, and you could start a fire just like that, he said, snapping his fingers.

Just outside of the park, on its eastern end, Arman Imran, a local resident, and a friend were taking a smoking break, while leaning on Imrans car. They said that, as smokers, theyre well aware of the fire risk, and take steps to reduce it.

If you want to be smoking, or barbecue or other things, said Imran, you have to do [it] outside, not go inside.

Not smoking or doing anything involving flame inside the park is not only dangerous, Imran said, it can generate harmful smoke and flying embers that threaten homes like his, near the edge of the park.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kevin Kiernan, who said that hes been a regular visitor to the park for years, talked about how dry it is now.

I havent seen it this bad in a while, he said while walking his daughters dog.

That message was the centerpiece of a news conference at City Hall on Monday. There, Mayor Eric Adams and commissioners of a variety of city agencies elaborated on the drought watch that the mayor has declared.

It means that reservoirs that serve the city, and are supposed to be 75% full at this time of year, are less than 66% full, they said. It shows why New Yorkers are being asked to save water now.

The fires also show the danger of low precipitation over the autumn season, so far. In addition to the four brush fires in Van Cortlandt Park, there was one more in parkland in Upper Manhattan on Monday, according to fire officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Yet another virtual political event on Elon Musks X, once known as Twitter, has gone down in flames.

On Monday evening, the night before Election Day, the tech billionaire had hoped to host a virtual town hall for America PAC, the Super PAC he created this year to support the 2024 campaign of former President Donald Trump. Instead, he was stymied by glitches after the call started more than 20 minutes late, with about 200,000 users listening. The host and moderator, who was not introduced and did not identify himself, welcomed four callers in a row to ask questions of Musk, only to be greeted each time by dead air.

Moving on now to Cadillac, Michigan, the host said when attempting to connect with the third of the four callers. Weve got Caleb on the line, I hope. Caleb, are you there, sir? He was not.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After a fourth failure, the unnamed host read what the caller had apparently wanted to ask: Simple question, are we gonna win? Musk replied, Well, I think if people vote tomorrow, were definitely gonna win. He then hurriedly explained he was quitting the call and moving to his own Spaces audio channel on X. Lets cancel this, given there seem to be some technical challenges, um, and I will, uh, revert to just doing an X Spaces call. Thanks, everyone. If you want to just do some Q&A, just join X Spaces. Thanks, everyone.

Musks own X Spaces event lasted just a few moments, during which generic hold music played. He did not speak on the call and ended it before any conversation got underway. Soon after that, he posted on X: Instead of a town hall Q&A tonight, I recommend listening to this discussion about the election I had today with Joe Rogan. Musk had also promoted his latest appearance on Rogans popular podcast  which welcomed Trump and running mate Sen. J.D. Vance as guests in recent weeks  in his brief comments during the botched America PAC town hall, saying the conversation was about the future of America. (Rogan also endorsed Trump on Monday night when promoting the Musk episode.)

After he flaked out on the public Q&A, Musk stayed on X to share election shitposts, fear-monger about immigrants and birth rates, and highlight clips of himself on Rogan, where he had made time to discuss the recent euthanizing of an OnlyFans models pet squirrel after it bit an investigator with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Musk and other extremely online MAGA loyalists raged about the incident all weekend, apparently in the belief that it might somehow influence the outcome of the election in Trumps favor.

The glitches and garbled audio quality that swiftly concluded the America PAC event on Monday night are nothing new at X. Musk hosted Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis primary campaign launch as a Spaces call in May of 2023  then, this August, held an interview with Trump on the same platform. Both talks were marred by delays and tech problems, with Vice President Kamala Harris campaign mocking the latter incident as the work of self-obsessed rich guys [] who cannot run a livestream in the year 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Musk has another America PAC virtual town hall scheduled for noon on Election Day. Whether he can fix the issues with X before then remains to be seen, but seeing as hes failed to do as much in the past year and a half, he might want to try an app owned by anyone else.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone

Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Elon Musk scrapped a political town hall on X shortly after it started Monday blaming technical difficulties.

The virtual event on the eve of the election is just the latest in a series of town halls Musk has used to urge voters to support Donald Trump. But this event, taking place on his own platform, started around 20 minutes later than scheduled and only went downhill from there.

A moderator on the call supposedly had four callers waiting on the line to put questions to Muskbut each time they were called on, no one answered. The unidentified moderator passed along what was apparently one of the callers questions, asking simply if were gonna win?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Well, I think if people vote tomorrow, were definitely gonna win, Musk answered, before adding: You know what? I think lets cancel this given thethere seem to be some technical challenges.

Elon Musk cancels his tele-town hall because of technical issues  pic.twitter.com/GPhw6BThdC  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 5, 2024

The Tesla CEO said he would instead host a Spaces event on X. That event began right after the town hall but apparently had no audio and lasted just one minute, according to CNN . Musk then appeared to abandon the enterprise altogether.

Instead of a town hall Q&A tonight, I recommend listening to this discussion about the election I had today with Joe Rogan, Musk wrote in a post which included the video of his appearance on Rogans podcast.

The scrubbed town hall isnt the first political event to go off the rails on the platform formerly known as Twitter. In May 2023, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis decided to announce his ill-fated presidential campaign on X alongside Muskwho once announced that he would vote for DeSantis in 2024. The event was plagued with glitches and delays, prompting mockery from Trump .

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Then in August 2024by which time both DeSantis and Musk had bent the knee to the former presidentTrump got his own taste of Xs technical issues. The Republican nominees Spaces interview with Musk was similarly delayed, with Musk claiming a cyberattack was taking place and agreeing with another X user who suggested Democrats might be to blame.

Find the Daily Beasts coverage of the 2024 election here. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.
Elon Musk joined a chorus of conservative social media accounts boosting claims Google was providing users with information on how to vote for Kamala Harris but not her rival.

The tech billionaire reposted a tweet from the account of a graphic designer called DogeDesigner, claiming Google shows a Where to Vote section with a map for Kamala Harris, but not for Donald Trump. The post also falsely claimed Google is the top donor to the Democratic party. (The investment firm Bain Capital donates more, according to OpenSecrets.)

Are others seeing this too? Musk asked his more than 200m followers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He responded to another similar post with an inquisitive, eyebrow-raised emoji.

The implication was clear. Musk, the richest man in the world and owner of X, who has spent over $132m backing Trump and other conservative causes this election, seemed to be suggesting a tech giant was trying to influence the election.

Are others seeing this too? https://t.co/mlwRY08hgo  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 5, 2024

Google quickly responded to the claims.

The where to vote panel is triggering for some specific searches bc Harris is also the name of a county in TX, the company wrote on X, of Musks home base of Texas. Happens for Vance too bc its also the name of a county. Fix is coming. Note very few people actually search for voting places this way.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is now fixed, the company later explained, prompting Musk to answer, Thanks for the clarification.

The exchange seems not to have convinced some in Musks online orbit.

Valentina Gomez, a 25-year-old Republican who briefly went viral for a series of homophobic remarks in the course of an unsuccessful Missouri Secretary of State campaign, claimed in response to Musk, This is a BS lie and theyre rushing to fix it because we caught them interfering in an election for the Democratic Party.

Google quickly clarified that the claims reposted by Musk were misunderstandings of search results in Harris County, Texas (The Joe Rogan Experience)

Critics allege it is Musk who is attempting to have undo influence over the election.

In late October, a lawsuit from Philadelphias district attorney accused the billionaire of running an illegal lottery scheme by giving swing state voters who signed a Musk PACs petition supporting conservative causes the chance to randomly win $1m in a daily prize drawing.

The where to vote panel is triggering for some specific searches bc Harris is also the name of a county in TX. Happens for Vance too bc its also the name of a county. Fix is coming. Note very few people actually search for voting places this way. pic.twitter.com/P8xSxcJmLa  News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) November 5, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In court on Monday, a lawyer for the PAC admitted the winners of the drawings were not randomly selected, but rather deliberately chosen to be paid spokespeople for the group.

Lawyer Chris Gober told a judge in Philadelphia on Monday that there is no prize to be won at all, and that recipients instead must fulfill contractual obligations on behalf of the PAC.

Musk argues the prize isnt related to turning out Republican voters for Trump but rather gathering backers of a petition in support of the Constitution of the United States, and in particular, freedom of speech and the right to bear arms.
A Pennsylvania judge on Monday declined an effort by the Philadelphia district attorney to stop Elon Musks America PAC from doling out cash prizes to registered voters.

The judge's injunction means Musk's PAC will be able to do one last giveaway on Tuesday, the last day of the offer.

The America PAC giveaway has promised million-dollar checks to some voters and $47 and $100 payments to other registered voters who signed a political pledge in swing states. It was advertised as a lottery-style giveaway through Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner sued Musk and America PAC last month, alleging that the giveaways were an illegal, unregulated lottery, but at a hearing Monday, America PAC attorney Chris Gober said it wasnt a lottery because winners arent determined by chance.

The PAC picks winners who effectively serve as spokespeople, and they then earn $1 million for doing so, Gober said.

If that is the case, attorney John Summers argued on behalf of the city in his closing argument, its one of the great scams of the last 50 years.

Krasner, appearing in court as a witness, argued that Musks giveaway was instead a data grab, obtaining voters personal information with the promise of a potential prize.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Musks lawyers defended the effort as free speech, with attorney Andy Taylor calling the DA's lawsuit a dreadful violation of constitutional rights.

They also argued that because the contest was ending Tuesday  with a $1 million prize going to someone in Michigan, not Pennsylvania  and that thousands of checks were already in the mail, the Pennsylvania case was moot.

Musks legal team delayed this hearing last week, filing to move the case to federal court. The case was then remanded back to state court, allowing Monday's hearing to go forward.

The lawsuit, a civil matter, does not preclude the state from pursuing criminal charges against Musk or America PAC in the future. During Monday's hearing, Krasner testified that evidence he had reviewed in an ongoing criminal investigation indicated to him that the awards were supposed to be doled out at random  which America PACs Director Chris Young said was not the case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dustin M. Slaughter, a spokesperson for Krasner, said after the judge's ruling: A lot of truth came out of court today, and it was jaw-dropping. Stay tuned.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Rep. Jeff Jackson is projected to be the next North Carolina Attorney General.

Jacksons opponent, Rep. Dan Bishop, offered his concession during a speech just after 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Jackson is an Afghan war veteran and National Guard attorney. He decided against seeking reelection to Congress because redistricting placed him in a heavily GOP district.

Bishop accused Jackson of being soft on crime and antagonistic to police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jackson called Bishop too extreme for the job. A Republican hasnt been elected to the post of attorney general in North Carolina since 1896.

Earlier coverage:

Looking to break a streak

North Carolina hasnt had a Republican attorney general since 1896, but Bishop is hoping to change that.

His big focus is crime, and he talks about restoring law and order to the state.

As for his resume, he spent about 30 years in business litigation before joining the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners. He eventually went on to the North Carolina General Assembly and was instrumental in HB2, the controversial bathroom bill. Then in 2019, the conservative lawmaker won the U.S. House District 9 special election, and hes been in Congress ever since.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

ALSO READ >> 2 candidates vying for NC attorney general have similar backgrounds

Now, hes hoping to be the states top lawyer.

As Attorney General, Im going to work very tightly, collaborate tightly with law enforcement, DAs and sheriffs and other law enforcement leaders across the state to restore law and order, Bishop said.

Up-and-comer

Jackson became especially popular on social media by directly reaching out to voters, especially younger ones.

Hes a 22-year military veteran who served in the Army in Afghanistan before going to law school at the University of North Carolina. He started his law career as assistant district attorney in Gaston County, and he served eight years in the North Carolina Senate, representing Mecklenburg County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jackson was elected to Congress, but new district maps effectively drew him out of re-election this year.

Donovan asked how hed be different if voters elect him instead of Bishop.

I treat this job as something that should be done in a non-partisan way, Jackson said. I score in the top five percent for most bipartisan members of Congress, my opponent is in the bottom five percent. Theres a big difference in just how we are as people.

Jackson believes the race will be close and could be decided by a one-point difference.

>>Channel 9 is keeping an eye on the race and well update this article with more details from each campaign when available.

VIDEO: Board of elections prepares for results in Mecklenburg County
Two Bloomington City Council members rebuked Deputy Mayor Gretchen Knapp after she suggested the members were engaging in nepotism-like behavior when they asked for raises in the citys planning department.

Council members Kate Rosenbarger and Hopi Stosberg had co-sponsored an amendment to the citys salary ordinance to try to change the way some planning department employees were being compensated.

Members of the administration of Mayor Kerry Thomson said the proposal, which city leaders discussed in a special meeting on Wednesday, was inappropriate, came at the wrong time and possibly jeopardized the entire salary ordinance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Raising wages: Bloomington to spend $3M to raise police officer pay

Knapp said Rosenbarger and council member Matt Flaherty might have ulterior motives for proposing and supporting the changes.

I'm sorry that I have to point out for the benefit of the public, that one reason perhaps why councilmember Rosenberger is so interested in this department is that her sister (Beth Rosenbarger) was the former assistant director until a few months ago, and that person was also council member Flaherty's wife.

Council members offended by deputy mayor's comments

The comment drew immediate criticism from Flaherty.

Speculating about the motivations of other people and the rationale in their positions is not appropriate. It is out of order, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I also resent that assertion, Flaherty said. Lost a lot of respect for the deputy mayor just now, unfortunately.

Rosenbarger fired back later.

Bloomington City Council member Kate Rosenbarger said Deputy Mayor Gretchen Knapp's comments on Oct. 30 were "nasty."

I do hope no one else in this professional setting is treated as nasty as that. I dont think that was OK, she said.

Knapp, when asked Thursday whether she could provide any evidence to support the allegations of possible nepotism-like behavior, said via email, Nothing that I can share as proof.

Rosenbarger said via email Friday, I have worked with five deputy mayors. I have never seen a deputy mayor impugn the integrity of council members like I experienced Wednesday from Deputy Mayor Knapp.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Flaherty said via email he had nothing to add other than to point out he did not work on or sponsor the amendment in question, but did say Knapp's accusations were "baseless and inappropriate.

Department employees appeal mayor's proposed salaries

Rosenbarger said during the meeting she sought the changes in part because of the high number of appeals filed by the planning department regarding proposed salaries for 2025. The Thomson administration received 50 appeals from city departments regarding job classifications, and 30% of those came from the planning department.

Rosenbarger and Stosberg also questioned why the Thomson administration approved one of the appeals  and moved up the bicycle and pedestrian coordinator's position by several levels  but disregarded the others.

During the public comment period, long-term planning department employee Jackie Scanlan, development services manager, said the department has not had a full staff in years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our department is not being monetarily valued appropriately, she said.

Urban planning is a real field, and we would like to be treated as one, Scanlan said.

Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith said, "The job grades are messed up in planning and transportation. I think thats clear.

Knapp said the Thomson administration was continuing to evaluate compensation across all departments and planned to make appropriate changes next year.

This is not the end of the process, she said.

Rosenbarger said she was sorry that Scanlan felt she had to tell people that planning is a profession. Rosenbarger said her father worked as city planner for 47 years and said she was proud of the work her sister did for the city of Bloomington and is now doing for other communities.

Council informed amendment threatens raises

Rosenbarger and Stosberg withdrew the amendment to the salary ordinance after Thomson said her legal counsel advised her that legislative bodies in Indiana cannot increase employee salaries that have been set by the mayor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the council adopted the salary ordinance with the amendment from Rosenbarger and Stosberg, Thomson said the salary ordinance might violate state law. In that case, the city next year might have to stick with current salaries, meaning employees would get no raises.

The city council unanimously adopted the salary ordinance  without voting on the Rosenbarger/Stosberg amendment. The ordinance covers city employees, including members of the AFSCME union  but not the members of the police and fire department unions, whose raises were approved separately.

Just before the council voted, about five hours into the meeting, Bloomington City Clerk Nicole Bolden expressed her dismay at what she witnessed that evening.

"I have been horribly disappointed by the dog whistles, the impugning of peoples motives, characters, capacity, competence, intelligence that have happened this evening and other evenings by members of the administration, by members of council. I think we can all do better," she said.

Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington council clashes with deputy mayor over salary ordinance
The cleanup after record-breaking rainfall in Roswell, New Mexico, continued more than a week after the deluge. An early damage estimate from the town's mayor put the price tag at $500 million, per U.S. News & World Report. The devastating flooding killed at least two people.

What's happening?

As detailed by WGXA News, nearly half a foot of rain fell on Roswell in one day during a mid-October flooding disaster that prompted the deployment of the New Mexico National Guard.

Many other agencies jumped into action, including the New Mexico State Police, the City of Roswell Police, Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue, and Chaves County Sheriff's Office. The Guard brought in several tactical vehicles capable of driving in 4-feet-deep water.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We've worked all night and continue to work with swift water rescue teams and other partner agencies to help our fellow citizens get to safety," said Major General Miguel Aguilar, the New Mexico National Guard's adjutant general, per WGXA News.

The National Guard rescued at least 309 people, according to the Oct. 21 report. Some drivers were forced to wait on top of their vehicles after the historic flooding inundated roadways. Every road that led to and from the city was closed at one point, per the reporting. The Roswell Air Center canceled flights due to debris from the flooding. Those displaced by the flood were able to seek shelter at the Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds.

Why is the historic Roswell flood important?

Our overheating planet is supercharging the world's water cycle, causing heavier extreme precipitation events.

Climate Central, a nonprofit organization made up of an independent group of scientists and communicators that researches the impacts of a warming world, reports that extreme daily rainfall has become more frequent since the 1980s in the U.S.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The nonprofit analyzed 150 locations across the country and found hourly rainfall intensity has risen by 13% on average since 1970.

"As the climate has warmed over recent decades, the most extreme precipitation days have become more intense across the U.S.," the analysis says. "As precipitation extremes intensify, the wettest days each year bring increasing flood hazards. And this intensification trend has been widespread."

Climate Central estimates that the air can hold an extra 4% of moisture for every 1 degree Fahrenheit of warming, which increases the chances of heavier downpours, like the one Roswell endured, that contribute to the risk of flash floods.

Costs from increasingly expensive flooding disasters led one major insurance company in California to stop offering flood insurance beginning in early 2025.

What's being done about extreme precipitation events?

A move away from dirty energy sources that produce heat-trapping gases to renewable energy options will help bring Earth's climate back into balance. Breakthroughs with technology like the Hadley FloodSAFE House, a modular-designed home that comes equipped with a jack system that lifts the house when waters rise, can also assist with mitigating flooding impacts.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hundreds of National Guardsmen from 18 states and Washington, D.C., have been activated or are on standby on the eve of the U.S. presidential election, according to a defense official.

The official told Military.com that Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, North Carolina, New Mexico, Wisconsin and Washington state have all activated small numbers of National Guard troops on state orders, around 126 service members in total.

Additionally, Guardsmen from Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Washington, D.C., are also on standby. Oregon has some Guardsmen activated as well as on standby.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read Next: Live Election Updates: Governors in Several States Place National Guard on Standby

Many of those deployed are "cyber specialists" and civil support teams, the official added, detailing that there are no specific state orders for military law enforcement -- although some are on standby.

The 2024 election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump has been highly divisive, with U.S. intelligence agencies warning of potential violence and unrest as Americans cast ballots and the vote is counted. Those warnings have partly centered on the threat of extremists driven by election fraud conspiracy theories similar to those pushed by Trump following his 2020 loss.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Neither state nor Pentagon officials have suggested that these activations and standbys will run past the week of the election.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's top spokesman, said that "another 600 Guardsmen" were on standby if needed. He also told reporters that the activations and standbys were a routine practice.

"The National Guard has ongoing and long-standing relationships with local, state and federal agency partners, and has assisted with national special security events like Election Day and Inauguration Day for many years," Ryder added.

Requests by state governors to keep their Guardsmen prepared ahead of Election Day began last week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Washington state, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee activated his state's National Guard on Friday "in the event they are asked to support local law enforcement and the Washington State Patrol during election week," a statement from his office detailed.

A letter from Inslee to the state's adjutant general requesting the Guard activation said that "an incendiary device was set off in a drop box in Vancouver, Washington, damaging or destroying hundreds of ballots" on Oct. 28, adding "the potential for further violence and illegal activity" prompted his call.

Additionally, last week, Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo's office also issued a statement saying that "60 total members of the National Guard will be activated on standby status and stationed in Nevada National Guard facilities in both Carson City and Las Vegas."

Notably, Nevada is considered one of seven swing states in the 2024 presidential election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Oregon's Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek also told the Oregon Capital Chronicle news outlet that attempts to intimidate voters are "un-American and will not be tolerated," but her state's National Guardsmen are also standing ready.

Related: Lawmakers Ask Armed Services Committees to Keep Governors' Authority over National Guard
The National Park Service (NPS) has issued its first-ever Directors Order focused on nation-to-nation consultations with Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, a move aimed at strengthening relationships and ensuring Tribal voices are central in federal decision-making regarding park resources.

The new order codifies existing policies while expanding the NPSs Tribal engagement. NPS Director Chuck Sams, the first Indigenous person to lead the agency, said in a press release, This is one more step we can take to prioritize our relationships with Tribes, ensuring Tribal leaders and the people they represent have a consequential seat at the table.

The Directors Order outlines guidelines for consulting with Tribes, including respecting Tribal sovereignty, recognizing the importance of Indigenous narratives, and ensuring that natural resources are seen as cultural resources. It calls for early and frequent communication with Tribes when the NPS is considering actions that might impact Tribal lands or resources.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The order is part of a broader shift within the federal government to support Tribal self-governance and co-stewardship of federal lands. In 2022, the NPS, along with other federal agencies, introduced guidance to strengthen Indigenous co-stewardship of federal lands and waters,.

The NPS has made strides in co-stewardship with Tribes, including 109 formal agreements across the country. In Arizonas Grand Canyon National Park, for example, 16 affiliated Tribes now collaborate on storytelling efforts and Indigenous craft sales at historic locations like Desert View Watchtower. Similarly, Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve has worked with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes to enhance park displays with Indigenous perspectives.

Another milestone occurred at Grand Portage National Monument in Minnesota, where the park celebrated 25 years of co-management with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, demonstrating the success of long-term partnerships in land stewardship.

Since 2021, the NPS has directed over $77 million to support Tribal historic preservation initiatives, along with $10.4 million in grants for the repatriation of Native American cultural items under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). In December 2023, the NPS updated regulations under NAGPRA, strengthening Tribes role in reclaiming ancestral remains and sacred objects.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Additionally, the NPS has signed 27 new agreements with Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and launched a study on the Indian Reorganization Period, aiming to broaden understanding of Indigenous history and identify potential National Historic Landmarks.

About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
Jon Tester needs to defy political gravity in Montana to win reelection, and early returns for a key demographic dont bode well for him.

The Montana lawmaker is the most vulnerable Democratic senator running for reelection this year, and his seat is the linchpin for Republicans to take control of the Senate. He currently trails Republican challenger Tim Sheehy in the polls. But Montana is a small-population state, and one way he could change the calculus is with high turnout from Native Americans, who tend to vote overwhelmingly Democrat and make up about 6.5 percent of the states population.

But as of Sunday evening, majority-Native counties Glacier, Big Horn and Roosevelt were trailing the rest of the state in the rate of returned absentee ballots. While the return rate has slowly increased throughout the last week, Glacier County  home of the Blackfeet tribe  has consistently trailed the states average by about 13 percent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I was hoping that wed have a bigger turnout by now, Glenda Hall, an organizer and member of the Blackfeet tribe, said last week. Turnout in Glacier County plummeted in 2022 after steadily increasing for nearly a decade. Some experts guessed it was a lack of funding to do the hard work of turning out this population  but the war chest is full this year and numbers are still down.



The lack of enthusiasm is surprising for some organizers, who say that some Native voters are motivated by derogatory comments made by Sheehy, who said in September that members of the Crow tribe were drunk at 8 a.m. and said without evidence that Native Americans threw beer cans at him. It's something that Tester went out of his way to hammer Sheehy for during the states lone televised debate between the two candidates.

Hes kind of making enemies in Indian country, Hall said. Sheehy's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Tester himself came to the Blackfeet reservation last week to drum up support, bringing along Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. Last year, his campaign committed more than $1 million to an initiative intended to get native voters out to the polls. And nonprofits that promote voter turnout among Native Americans in the state like Four Directions Native Vote and Western Native Voice were gearing up for a final push through the weekend.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Tester campaign told POLITICO over the weekend that they are proud to see unprecedented voter enthusiasm and early voting in many Tribal communities across Montana.

But in Montana, and especially on Native reservations, the hurdles to voting are immense. Driving to the early voting locations can mean 40, 70 or even 140 miles round trip in many majority-Native counties  a major investment of time and money in communities where poverty rates are well above the national average. At this late stage, even absentee ballots must be hand delivered or risk not arriving by the Election Day deadline.

Voter information is also hard to come by. The Glacier County government website still displayed information coming soon on its elections services page as of Monday. Cell phone reception and internet service are spotty even in town, making digital campaigns and get out the vote efforts difficult.

On the reservation  we're just trying to survive through the day, said Celisa Jefferson, Western Native Voices Montana field director and a member of the Crow tribe. Voters would rather spend gas money on grocery and school runs than on driving to a satellite voting office, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Organizers have spent the final days in Glacier County getting out voters for Tester, and included some motivational gimmicks. Hall has plans with Blackfeet advocate One Who Rides His Horse East  also known as Tom Rodgers  to put an ice cream truck on the streets with a recording of voter information playing on its loudspeaker. Organizers plastered billboards with calls to vote in Native languages. And Rogers bought a bison that will be awarded to the Montana tribe with the highest voter turnout numbers.



But Bret Healy, who works with Four Directions, said turnout would be higher if they had more early polling locations. The Fort Peck tribe is suing Roosevelt and Valley counties over the dearth of late registration and early voting sites, which the tribe says violates the precedent set by a court case from 2014.

So Healy and other organizers are busily driving voters across Roosevelt and Valley counties. Last week, Healy estimated there were as many as 500 people waiting to vote in Poplar, Mont. who would need to drive 40 miles round trip to the county seat of Wolf Point in order to cast an early ballot.

Not all indications in Indian Country are dire, though. Three organizers working in different parts of the state told POLITICO theyve seen larger turnout at early satellite voting locations on tribal land than in past years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Numbers that are coming in are a lot higher than in previous elections on the Northern Cheyenne and Fort Belknap reservations, said William Snuffy Main, an organizer and member of the Gros Ventre tribe and the Fort Belknap Indian community. Ft. Belknap is in Blaine County, which returned 77 percent of its absentee ballots as of Sunday evening  higher than the state average.

Still, activists worry about accounts of native voters receiving incorrect voting information from poll workers  often regarding absentee ballots. Jefferson reported that Native voters were turned away from in-person voting on the Rocky Boy reservation and in Yellowstone and Rosebud counties because they had already requested an absentee ballot. Native voters in Roosevelt county earlier this week said they received similar information about absentee ballots at the county elections office in Wolf Point that led them to believe they could not vote in person.

But state law clearly allows voters who received absentee ballots the ability to cast a provisional vote in person if they choose.

A recent Montana State University poll, which Rogers said he believes takes Native voters more into account, showed Tester and Sheehy tied. But the low turnout of 2022 could haunt Tester again this time around.

It's really, really hard to get Indians to vote, said Main. I don't know why.
When the founders of the United States designed the Constitution, they were learning from history that democracy was likely to fail  to find someone who would fool the people into giving him complete power and then end the democracy.

They designed checks and balances to guard against the accumulation of power they had found when studying ancient Greece and Rome. But there were others in North America who had also seen the dangers of certain types of government and had designed their own checks and balances to guard against tyranny: the Native Americans.

Although most Americans today dont know it, there were large centralized civilizations across much of North America in the 10th through 12th centuries. They built massive cities and grand irrigation projects across the continent. Twelfth-century Cahokia, on the banks of the Mississippi River, had a central city about the size of London at the time. The sprawling 12th-century civilization of the Huhugam had several cities of more than 10,000 people and a total population of perhaps 50,000 in the Southwestern desert.

The ruins of these constructions remain, more than 1,000 years later, in places as far-flung as Phoenix, St. Louis and north Georgia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The American Colonists and founders thought Native American societies were simple and primitive  but they were not. As research has found, including my own, and as I explain in my book, Native Nations: A Millennium in North America, Native American communities were elaborate consensus democracies, many of which had survived for generations because of careful attention to checking and balancing power.

Powerful rulers led many of these civilizations, combining political and religious power, much as monarchs of Europe in later centuries would claim a divine right to rule.

In the 13th century, though, a global cooling trend began, which has been called the Little Ice Age. In part because of that cooling, large-scale farming became more difficult, and these large civilizations struggled to feed their people. Elites began hoarding wealth. The people wanted change.

Casa Grande, an adobe castle that was home to the rulers of the Huhugam, as seen in 1892. photoCL 215 (112), Huntington Library

Spreading out

The residents of North Americas great cities responded to these stresses by reversing the centralization of power and wealth. Some revolted against their leaders. Others simply left the cities and spread out into smaller towns and farms. All across the continent, they built smaller, more democratic and more egalitarian societies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Huge numbers left Cahokias realm entirely. They found places that still had game to hunt and woods full of trees for firewood and building, both of which had declined near Cahokia due to its rapid growth.

The population of the central city of Cahokia fell from perhaps 20,000 people to only 3,000 by 1275. At some point the elite left as well, and by the late 15th century the cities of Cahokias realm were completely gone.

Encouraging engaged democracy

As they formed these new and more dispersed societies, the people who had overthrown or fled the great cities and their too powerful leaders sought to avoid mesmerizing leaders who made tempting promises in difficult times. So they designed complex political structures to discourage centralization, hierarchy and inequality and encourage shared decision-making.

These societies intentionally created balanced power structures. For example, the oral history of the Osage Nation records that it once had one great chief who was a military leader, but its council of elder spiritual leaders, known as the Little Old Men, decided to balance that chiefs authority with that of another hereditary chief, who would be responsible for keeping peace.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another way some societies balanced power was through family-based clans. Clans communicated and cooperated across multiple towns. They could work together to balance the power of town-based chiefs and councils.

The archaeological remains of the Cahokia mounds are in Collinsville, Ill. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

An ideal of leadership

Many of these societies required convening all of the people  men, women and children  for major political, military, diplomatic and land-use decisions. Hundreds or even thousands might show up, depending on how momentous the decision was.

They strove for consensus, though they didnt always achieve it. In some societies, it was customary for the losing side to quietly leave the meeting if they couldnt bring themselves to agree with the others.

Leaders generally governed by facilitating decision-making in council meetings and public gatherings. They gave gifts to encourage cooperation. They heard disputes between neighbors over land and resources and helped to resolve them. Power and prestige came to lie not in amassing wealth but in assuring that the wealth was shared wisely. Leaders earned support in part by being good providers.

Calm deliberation

The Native American democracy that the U.S. founders were most likely to know about was the Iroquois Confederacy. They call themselves the Haudenosaunee, the people of the longhouse, because the nations of the confederacy have to get along like multiple families in a longhouse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In their carefully balanced system, women ran the clans, which were responsible for local decisions about land use and town planning. Men were the representatives of their clans and nations in the Haudenosaunee council, which made decisions for the confederacy as a whole. Each council member, called a royaner, was chosen by a clan mother.

The Haudenosaunee Great Law holds a royaner to a high standard: The thickness of their skin shall be seven spans  which is to say that they shall be proof against anger, offensive actions and criticism. Their hearts shall be full of peace and good will. In council, all their words and actions shall be marked by calm deliberation.

The law said the ideal royaner should always look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view not only the present but also the coming generations, even those whose faces are yet beneath the surface of the ground  the unborn of the future Nation.

T'ata Begay, of the Choctaw/Taos Pueblo Nations in Oklahoma, gets her son, Okhish Homma Begay, 2, who is of the Navajo and Chocktaw/Taos Pueblo Nations, ready for a performance on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2024. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Of course, people do not always live up to their values, but the laws and traditions of Native nations encouraged peaceful discussion and broad-mindedness. Many Europeans were struck by the difference. The French explorer La Salle in 1678 noted with admiration of the Haudenosaunee that in important meetings, they discuss without raising their voices and without getting angry.

Politicians, government officials and everyday Americans might find inspiration in the models of democracy created by Native Americans centuries ago. There was an additional ingredient to the political and social balance: Leaders looked ahead and sought to protect the well-being of every person, even those not yet born. The people, in exchange, had a responsibility to not enmesh their royaners in less serious matters, which the Haudenosaunee Great Law called trivial affairs.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Kathleen DuVal, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Read more:



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kathleen DuVal does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
New NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is confident that the United States will remain in the defence alliance, even if Donald Trump becomes the 47th president of the United States.

Rutte, in an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF on Monday evening, said he believes the US and presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris stand behind NATO.

The interview comes as US voters head to the polls to elect a new president. More than 75 million citizens have already voted, but the remainder of the some 240 million eligible voters need to cast their ballot on Tuesday for it to count.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also the security of the US, the NATO chief said, adding that a president must ensure that their country is safe.

Rutte said that both candidates are aware that the security of the US is closely tied to NATO.

Statements by Trump in the past had raised doubts about whether the US, under his leadership, would fully adhere to the alliance's commitment to mutual defence. Trump even threatened at times to withdraw the US from NATO.

Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister, took over the role of NATO secretary-general on October 1 and on Monday was in Berlin for his inaugural visit to Germany in that capacity.

Rutte has a reputation for being particularly adept at handling Trump and reportedly has had a comparatively good relationship with him. During a meeting in 2019, Trump said that he and the then-Dutch premier had become friends.
MANILA (Reuters) - A security grouping in Southeast Asia similar to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is not possible at present given diverging interests and alliances in the region, the Philippines' Defense Secretary said on Tuesday.

Asked about the prospect of a NATO equivalent in Southeast Asia, Gilberto Teodoro told a security forum that ASEAN's complex "dichotomies and divergence in country interests" would make it challenging to set up a unified military alliance."For example, we have a pre-ASEAN defense alliance with the United States. We continue to build alliances with like-minded countries," he said in a security forum in Manila.

"Other ASEAN countries have built alliances with China."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The remarks come after Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, prior to taking office, had floated the idea of establishing an "Asian NATO", a proposal that has gained no traction and was rejected by the United States and India.

Japan's foreign minister later said such an idea was not aimed at countering a specific country, when asked if it had China in mind. Teodoro said he would rather ASEAN recognised that China was "overstepping" in the South China Sea. There have been recent clashes over territorial claims with the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.

China and U.S. ally the Philippines have been at loggerheads over a series of confrontations near disputed areas in the South China Sea. Manila has accused China's coast guard of aggression and Beijing has said it is responding to what it calls repeated provocations and territorial incursions.

"Getting some principles or some reactions regarding the expansive activities and admittedly illegal activities of China in the South China Sea is a very good first step, and that's what we should be working on," Teodoro said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Philippines has called on Southeast Asian leaders and China to urgently speed up negotiations on a code of conduct for the South China Sea, to manage differences and reduce tension.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that Beijing's claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis, siding with the Philippines which brought the case. Beijing has rejected the ruling.

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty and John Mair)
FORT DEFIANCE  Printer issues and shortages of provisional ballots on Navajo Nation have left some voters waiting in line for three hours and others leaving their polling sites, especially in Apache County.

Tim Hardy, a Navajo Marine veteran, emerged from voting at the Fort Defiance Chapter House, noting that he had waited three hours to cast his ballot. Aware that many others also were waiting, he said he decided to skip voting on the propositions and focused solely on voting for the presidential candidates.

"Right now it's chaos," Hardy told The Republic. "They are way behind, and it's getting worse. I just went straight to Trump and Harris and I voted for Harris. The line is getting longer and people are getting frustrated and they are leaving. The elderly have been standing there ... you have to get them chairs."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Donna Holyan and her mother, Ella Wauneka, also waited in line for three hours to vote. They mentioned that inside the voting location, there were only two voting booths, and the approximately 200 paper ballots available had already been used up.

"I got tired standing there," Wauneka said. "I needed to sit down."

Holyan said they had never experienced this type of wait before. She, too, saw people getting frustrated and leaving.

"They said they had 200 emergency ballots from this morning, but they went fast," Wauneka said. "So we were like, 'They should've had more.'"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Efforts were underway by Navajo Nation officials to try to extend voting hours.

Election 2024: See Arizona election results | Live coverage on Election Day

Issues at polls only occurring in Apache County

Navajo voters wait to vote outside of the Fort Defiance Chapter House in Apache County where voting issues persist on Nov. 5, 2024.

Katherine Belzowski, an attorney for the Navajo Nation Department of Justice, said Apache County was experiencing technical problems with its polling equipment, particularly the printers.

The issues affect the printing of ballots. Although the problems have been identified and efforts were underway to fix them, some solutions were not holding up, she said: Some printers produced only a few ballots before breaking down again.

"The county is trying to address that, but in the meantime, while that issue is being addressed, people are having to vote on emergency paper ballots that the county has as backup," Belzowski said. "But those are being depleted because of so many voters coming in."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The remaining option is the accessible voting machine, known as the ExpressVote machine, which is designed for out-of-precinct voters. However, in some locations, it has become the only available way for voters to cast their ballots. Printing ballots from this machine takes time, leading to extended wait times, and people are leaving before casting their ballot.

"All the polling locations are being impacted, some more than others," Belzowski said. "We've been told this is the only county in the whole state that is having this problem."

Navajo Speaker Crystalyne Curley, who was visiting communities in Apache County, noted that the issues began almost immediately after the polls opened. The initial problem involved the ballot printers, which were only printing sections related to propositions and not the presidential candidates, she said.

"We are unsure how many ballots were submitted that way," Curley said. "Another issue is a lot of people are filling out provisional ballots. There are not enough copies at all of our polling locations. We don't know how many of these emergency, provisional ballots were on hand  we're told up to 50-100 ballots but polling places have already run out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We don't have an expected amount of time of when more ballots will be delivered."Curley said she spoke with Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and he assured her the state was making an effort to deploy IT teams to address the problems in the community.

However, as Belzowski noted, while the issues might be temporarily resolved, they often reoccur shortly after.

"Apache County has experienced issues with ePollbooks and printers this morning," Fontes said. "Technical teams are addressing these problems, and most voting sites are now operational. Remaining challenges are being addressed with support from our office as we assist in troubleshooting."

Stay in line and vote, Navajo Nation leaders say

Curley and other Navajo Nation leaders were urging people to stay in line and not leave before voting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Curley and Belzowski noted that no similar complaints have been reported from other counties, such as Navajo or Coconino.

Curley mentioned that prior to the election, they were assured the process would run smoothly. She said she had not received any updates or information from Apache County since then. "Navajo voters are always a threat in these big elections," Curley said. "Knowing we have the numbers and voices to do so, to make a huge decision or we can sway a vote, we've been talking about this within our own council that we have to make sure everything goes smoothly.

"We were getting reassurance it was going to go smoothly. In the back of my mind, I already knew something would happen."

Curley urged voters to stay and cast their ballots, emphasizing the importance of remaining in line. She mentioned that some voters expressed to her they had to rely on rides to reach the polling site and couldn't afford to wait much longer, which might force them to leave.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The wait may be long, but we have to make sure that no one gets turned away," Curley said. "I know they are getting impatient and angry and cold. I know some said they caught a ride to the polls and can't wait that long. It's a lot of things going on, but we are encouraging people not to give up."

She also reminded voters to make sure they took their identification cards to the polls, and if they were in the system and registered, then they had the right to vote.

Belzowski also urged people to remain in line and not leave without voting. She emphasized that voters had the right to address registration issues until 7 p.m. Tuesday, although she had been told some people were not given the chance to address them at the polls earlier. "We are trying to address that issue as well as the tech issue," Belzowski said. "We are trying to let people know to call the county recorder's office to fix their registration. They can do that up until 7 p.m."

Holyan said she and her mother got in line at 9 a.m. to vote, but by that time, all 200 emergency ballots had been used. As a result, they had to wait the three hours to use one of the two voting machines available for voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We need our voices heard," said Holyan as to why she and her mom stayed in line to vote.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Navajo Nation reports long lines, major voting issues in Apache County
NORTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Two familiar faces are running to serve as the North Carolina Attorney General.

Both Democratic U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson and Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop are lawyers and prolific fundraisers. Each has argued that his rival is too radical to become the states top law enforcement official on Nov. 5.

Currently, the position is held by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein, who is running against outgoing Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson for the states highest seat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrats have dominated the AG seata Republican hasnt been elected as attorney general since 1896even as the GOP has performed well for decades in other statewide races. In both 2016 and 2020, Stein won by fewer than 25,000 votes over his Republican opponent.

So what does the state AG do?

The attorney general is charged with representing the state in court and defending the work of locally elected district attorneys in appeals of criminal cases. AGs also make legislative recommendations to the General Assembly and in the past have sued specific industries for damages, including tobacco, drug and social media companies.

Final Emerson swing state polling shows Harris, Trump deadlocked in NC

The two candidates and their allied PACs are expected to have spent at least $31 million combined on television and online advertising during the general election campaign, according to data from AdImpact, which monitors campaign spending.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The North Carolina race is among the most closely watched of the 10 attorney general elections taking place across the U.S. The position, joked to stand for aspiring governor, has been a stepping stone for gubernatorial bidsoutgoing Gov. Roy Cooper was attorney general for 16 years.

Who are Jackson and Bishop?

Jackson, 42, is an Afghan war veteran who enlisted post-9/11 and a National Guard attorney who was elected to Congress in 2022. His congressional district covers parts of Mecklenburg and Gaston counties. His term ends in January 2025.

As for education, Jackson earned a bachelors and masters degrees in philosophy from Emory University, as well as a J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He has amassed a large following on social media for explaining politics. Jackson previously served as an assistant district attorney in Gaston County and as a North Carolina State Senator.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The job is fundamentally about being a shield for people against those who mean them harm, Jackson said in a recent interview. Ive spent my entire career doing that as a soldier, as a prosecutor. Thats why I want to be attorney general.

Bishop, 60, a longtime commercial litigation attorney, former Mecklenburg County commissioner and state legislator, joined Congress in 2019. A North Carolina native, his congressional district covers multiple counties, including Rowan, Union, and part of Cabarrus. His term ends in January 2025.

Bishop also went to Chapel Hill, graduating with a bachelors in business administration and a J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Bishop, a strong Trump supporter, downplayed Jacksons legal history as an assistant prosecutor and highlighted what he calculates as his own 400-plus appearances in state and federal courts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What I have had is extensive and complex experience with the judicial system in North Carolina, Bishop said in an interview. He has not had anything like that career.

Some western North Carolinians to vote in temporary polling tents on Election Day

Jackson said that if hes elected, he will work to counter the fentanyl overdose epidemic and combat scammers now using artificial intelligence techniques to fool consumers.

Bishop accused Jackson of having an extensive record of being soft on crime and antagonistic to police. He said what North Carolina needs is the restoration of law and order, and that he would work to reel in what he considers liberal-leaning district attorneys who arent doing so.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jackson and Bishop served together in the state legislature, where Bishop shepherded a 2016 law that banned cities from enacting new anti-discrimination ordinances and required transgender people to use public restrooms that correspond with the sex on their birth certificate.

Jackson didnt seek reelection to Congress this fall after the General Assembly redrew legislative maps and placed him in a heavily GOP district.

Jackson and his allies have also pointed out Bishops endorsement of Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson for governor, especially after a CNN report alleging that Robinson made explicit racial and sexual posts on a pornography websites message board. Robinson has denied the allegations.

Asked whether he remains comfortable endorsing Robinson, Bishop said hes focused on winning the attorney generals race and that whatever issues involve the governors race are between Mark and the voters. But Jackson said its absurd that Bishop cant bring himself to say a single critical word about Robinson.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Earlier this month, Bishop filed a defamation lawsuit against Jacksons campaign and others, alleging that at least some of them are to blame for a political survey asking if a voter would be more or less likely to vote for Bishop if he represented people who stole money from the elderly. Bishop says he has never represented such people. Jacksons campaign has suggested the lawsuit will be unsuccessful.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
In the only race this year for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court, the Republican challenger has accused sitting-justice Democrat Allison Riggs of behaving unethically by advertising her general support for reproductive rights. Judicial neutrality and independence are important, but Justice Riggs sharing her views was an equally important service to voters, consistent with both judicial and democratic values.

Campaigning for judicial office is a walk on a narrow balance beam. Voters need enough information about candidates to cast informed ballots, but judges earn and maintain public trust by following the law and refraining from pre-judging disputes that might come before them. So how much should judicial candidates share about themselves, their values and their views of constitutional rights? If we are to ensure an informed electorate, voters deserve to know more than just their party affiliation.

The North Carolina Code of Judicial Ethics prevents candidates from speaking on the merits of pending cases, but does not, and should not, prevent judicial candidates from telling voters who they are, what they stand for and how they would approach unsettled areas of law. This is especially true as previously-settled federal constitutional rights are increasingly decided by state high courts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The courts approach to these rights has real-life consequences for North Carolinians. Take the state constitutional right to a sound basic education, which has no parallel in the U.S. Constitution. Under then-Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, the NC Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling ordering a multi-billion-dollar transfer of funds from the General Assembly for the purpose of providing every student a sound, basic education. After current-Chief Justice Paul Newby took the helm in 2023, a new Republican majority prevented the courts order from taking effect, leading to continued stalemate on funding for public schools. In two other cases, the court overturned recent decisions and held that our state constitution provides no protection against partisan gerrymandering while weakening protections against racially discriminatory voting restrictions. It would have been instructive to hear candidates perspectives on the importance and scope of these rights during their campaigns.

In the contested campaign advertisement, Justice Riggs states that as women we should be in charge of our own reproductive health care, but our rights are at risk. She reminds viewers the North Carolina Supreme Court would likely determine the constitutionality of a state abortion ban. Voters might find this information instructive, given that her opponent, Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin, joined an NC Court of Appeals opinion, since withdrawn, declaring that life begins at conception, a perspective with significant implications for access to birth control, IVF, medical care following miscarriages and abortion.

Judge Griffin criticized Justice Riggs statements as unethical, and Republican state Sen. Buck Newton complained about her ad to the Judicial Standards Commission. That complaint was quickly incorporated into Judge Griffins own attack ad.

In past election cycles, judicial candidates shied away from sharing their perspectives on the scope and significance of our constitutional rights. This reticence does voters a disservice. Deep political conflicts over constitutional vision have always existed in our country. Often, they end up being decided by courts. As the North Carolina Constitution reminds us, its authority is ultimately democratic. All political power is vested in and derived from the people, it says. All government of right originates from the people and is founded upon their will only. When judges have to choose between dueling visions of constitutional rights the people should have the last word.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For voters to exercise our constitutional responsibility, we deserve to know where judicial candidates stand on our rights. We should not vote with less information about the judges than U.S. senators have about the judicial candidates they are asked to confirm. With increasing controversies coming to our courts, we need to know what candidates think. We should thank, not condemn, those who illuminate the stakes of these elections in meaningful ways.

Emily Coward is director of the Inclusive Juries Project and Jedediah Britton-Purdy is the Raphael Lemkin Distinguished Professor of Law at Duke University School of Law.






(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

More than 2.53 million Ohioans voted early in the election, according to data from the Ohio Secretary of State as of Monday afternoon.

This is a combination of in person early voting and returned absentee ballots, totaling 2,532,260. Early voting ended Sunday. There are more than 8 million registered voters in Ohio  meaning almost a third of the states voters have already cast their ballots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polls are open for Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can find your local polling location here.

More than 1.5 million Ohioans voted in person and 995,482 Ohioans have returned their absentee ballots. At least 87% of Ohioans have returned their absentee ballots as of Monday. Absentee ballots must have been postmarked by Monday and be received by Saturday. Absentee ballots are counted and tabulated first on election night.

Six percent of early voting was done via a ballot drop box.

The overwhelming majority of those who voted early are unaffiliated with either party, accounting for more than 1.37 million votes. More Republicans (707,741) voted early than Democrats (447,656). More than 5.7 million registered Ohio voters are unaffiliated as of May 10, according to the Ohio Secretary of State.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Early voters skewed older. Slightly more than a million voters 65 and older either voted absentee or early in person.

Ohio has 5% more new 18 and 19 year old voters registered to vote this year compared to 2020, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University.

The state Senate race between Republican Bernie Moreno and incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown ranks as the number two Senate race in the country where young people can have a major influence on election results, according to CIRCLEs Youth Electoral Significance Index.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Over in the House, Ohios 13th Congressional District between incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes and Republican Kevin Coughlin ranks as the ninth House race in the country where young people can have a major influence on election results, according to CIRCLE.

Cuyahoga County had the highest number of both absentee ballots requested (178,155) and returned (156,233), giving it an 88% return rate.

Belmont County has the highest absentee ballot returned rate with 92%. Seven counties had a 91% absentee ballot return rate: Gallia, Huron, Coshocton, Brown, Carroll, Muskingum and Jefferson. Delaware County had the lowest absentee ballot return rate with 82%.

Franklin County had the most early in person ballots cast with 127,124, followed by Hamilton County with 95,976 and Cuyahoga County with 62,572.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This years numbers for early in person and absentee voting are down compared to the 2020 election during the COVID-19 pandemic where nearly 2.2 million Ohioans voted absentee and more than 1.3 million Ohioans voted early in person, according to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission.

Voters going to the polls on Tuesday must have a photo ID to vote in person. This could be a valid Ohio drivers license, a U.S. passport, a military ID, an Ohio ID card, an interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV, an Ohio National Guard ID card or a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on X.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
(NewsNation)  Nebraska voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

Presidential race in Nebraska

US Senate race in Nebraska

In addition to casting ballots in the race for the White House between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Nebraska voters will decide on two U.S. Senate races and on five ballot initiatives.

Both Nebraska Senate seats are up for grabs. Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer is attempting to hold the seat for her party for a third term amid a stiff challenge from independent Dan Osborn, a Navy veteran.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts is facing 81-year-old Democrat Preston Love, Jr.

Ricketts was appointed by Gov. Jim Pillen in 2022 after former Sen. Ben Sasse resigned to become the University of Florida president.

Preston Love, Jr. is seeking to become the first Democrat since 2006 to be elected to a U.S. Senate seat representing Nebraska.

US House race in Nebraska

In this House, Republican Rep. Mike Flood seeks re-election against Democratic challenger Carol Blood in the 1st district.

In District 2, Republican Rep. Don Bacon is seeking his fifth term against challenger Tony Vargas and in District 3, Republican Rep. Adrian Smith, who has held the House seat for nearly 18 years, faces Daniel Ebers.

Statewide ballot measures in Nebraska

Voters will decide on two competing ballot measures to amend the state constitution regarding abortion. One measure would ban abortion after the first trimester, except in cases of rape, incest or for the safety of the mother.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The other would guarantee the right to an abortion until fetal viability,  which the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says is typically around 24 weeks.

Other ballot measures, if approved, would allow for the medical use of marijuana while another would require employers to provide paid sick leave for their workers.

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Polls close in Nebraska at 8 p.m. CT and 7 p.m. MST for an election in which the state holds five electoral votes, which are split.

Since Nebraskas electoral votes are split, both candidates have a shot at getting at least one. In 2020, President Joe Biden collected one vote from the district including Omaha known as the blue dot, while Trump gained the other four votes from the rest of the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
DENVER (KDVR)  Police and the U.S. Marshals Service Colorado Violent Offender Task Force arrested an Omaha, Nebraska homicide suspect in Westminster on Monday.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, 22-year-old Dak Lam was arrested shortly after 8 p.m. at a home near West 136th Avenue and Huron Street.

Lam was wanted by the Omaha Police Department on a felony arrest warrant for first-degree murder in the Oct. 12 death of Keah Paljor, 21. Omaha officers responded to a 911 call about a shooting on that date near 29th and T streets. When officers arrived, they found Paljor suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lam was identified as the suspect and a warrant for his arrest was issued on Oct. 15.

Red Rocks postpones concert ahead of Wednesday snowstorm

Two days later on Oct. 17, the U.S. Marshals Services Metro Fugitive Task Force developed information that indicated Lam may have fled Omaha and traveled to the Denver metro.

After weeks of investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service noticed a black rental Ford Taurus sedan with Nebraska license plates pull up at a Westminster home that belonged to a family member of Lams.

Investigators obtained a search warrant and contacted the Westminster Police Departments SWAT team to assist. Lam was safely taken into custody and booked into the Adams County Jail where he awaits extradition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The success of this arrest represents a culmination of extensive cooperative investigative efforts between the U.S. Marshals Metro Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force, Omaha Police Department, Westminster Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Lakewood Police Department, Boulder Police Department, Douglas County (CO) Sheriffs Office, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, said the U.S. Marshals Service in a press release.

If anyone has information on this case or any other cases handled by the U.S. Marshals Service, tips can be submitted directly or anonymously online.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
The News

On the most important news day in years, the upper echelons of The New York Times are navigating the impact of an internal contract dispute between one of the papers labor unions over issues including in-person work.

On Monday, hundreds of unionized tech employees at The New York Times announced that they were going on strike over a failure to reach a deal for a new contract. The Tech Guild accused management of attempting to stand in the way of measures to ensure pay equity for nonwhite staff (as Semafor previously reported, the Times disputes this), and said that paper has not moved far enough on proposals to increase pay, ensure continuation of remote work, and require management to have strong reasons to fire staff. The Guild also said it has remaining concerns about several other issues, including Times proposals for subcontracting work.

The impact will be immediately felt among election junkies constantly refreshing the Times on election night. In a series of posts on Tuesday, the Times chief political analyst Nate Cohn acknowledged that the papers famed election needle would likely not be fully functional on election night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The papers union announced the threat of an election day strike in September, with its leadership saying it raised the potential early in order to negotiate with the paper. Susan DeCarava, the president of the New York NewsGuild, told Semafor that the Times had not been willing to negotiate since the strike began, and that at this point the ball is in their court.

The company has had endless opportunities to reach an agreement with us and avert a strike. They did not take those opportunities, DeCarava said. The last communication we had with the company, we said: We are available to bargain at any time. You let us know. And it has been two days of silence. We dont have another bargaining date. It is not as if they did not know this was coming. We have been saying from the beginning: We need to get a deal by election week.

DeCarava also said that the union was concerned that if it agreed to a contract without sufficient just cause language, the paper would attempt to remove similar just cause from the Times editorial contract.

The union has continued to hold its ground on a refusal to return to in-person work for staff hired for jobs that were initially remote. It noted employees had accomplished the goals of building dynamic products remotely, and that the papers own tech management wasnt in the office, pointing out that the Times chief technology officer works remotely.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For its part, Times leadership has attempted to cast the union as selfish over its willingness to disrupt coverage on the most important news day of the year. In a note shared internally on Sunday, Times management said it offered a 2.5 % guaranteed annual wage increase (in addition to merit raises), a minimum 5 %pay increase for promotions, and a $1,000 contract ratification bonus, as well as a series of remote work-friendly opportunities.

We look forward to continuing to work with Tech Guild to reach a fair contract that takes into account that they are already among the highest paid individual contributors in the Company and journalism is our top priority, Times SVP Danielle Rhoades Ha said in a statement. While we respect the unions right to engage in protected actions, were disappointed that colleagues would strike at this time, which is both unnecessary and at odds with our mission.

In a note to staff on Monday first reported by Semafor, publisher AG Sulzberger said that he found it troubling that the Tech Guild would try to block this public service at such a consequential moment for our country.

Hundreds of you have worked with care and diligence for months  in many cases, years  to provide our fellow citizens with the most trustworthy reporting and results to navigate this fiercely contested election and its aftermath, he said. I am sorry that this action by the Tech Guild was designed to put all of this work at risk. We did not need to reach this point. Were committed to getting to a contract that both rewards our tech colleagues and keeps us on a financially responsible path  one that allows us to maintain our focus on advancing our journalistic mission. I believe our current offer reflects both goals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Guild said it believes in the Times mission, and its not attempting to stand in the way.

I dont know who is calling the shots over there, but frankly the message were all getting is that AG would rather burn the house down than pay the people who built it,DeCarava told Semafor.

And that is outrageous. And that is a disservice to the readership and a disservice to the workers. Its so cynical for them to attempt to frame this as somehow we are neglecting our duty. We believe in the mission of the Times, thats why they do the work that they do. They could go work at a tech company and get paid a hell of a lot more. Its outrageous that they allowed this to happen.





Maxs view

The Tech Guild has accomplished its goal of maximizing attention on an otherwise technical contract negotiation. The union has distracted the papers management, and on a day that eyes are trained on news, the guild has made a national news story out of bargaining.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the strike is a gamble, which DeCarava acknowledged that the Guild had hoped to avoid. If key functions of the New York Times break and wreak havoc on election night, will engaged Times readers blame the papers management, or will they believe the staff was unreasonable for not accepting managements latest proposal? And after election day passes, will the Guilds moment of maximal leverage may have passed, leaving management believing theyve called the unions bluff?

When I first reported on this story in September, the papers leadership told me that it was legitimately concerned by the idea that the Guild would go on strike. But it also spent the last two months preparing for the possibility that managers would have to operate the Times on its biggest traffic day without most of their technical staff. Despite protestations from Sulzberger and others in leadership, both the paper and the union seem to agree that the continuation of the strike demonstrates managements view that it can survive an election day without the unionized tech employees.

In other ways, this weeks strike seems like yet another acknowledgement of the way in which Times leadership is increasingly willing to play hardball with left-leaning staff within the paper. On Sunday, I reported on an internal newsroom meeting in which the papers editorial masthead pushed back against criticism of its coverage of Donald Trump from the left. Asked about whether internal and external criticism from liberals influenced the papers coverage, executive editor Joe Kahn was resolute. I dont think theyre very interested in the hard work that everyone in this room is doing. Theyre not interested in genuinely revelatory fact-based reporting that helps people navigate the most polarized issues of our time, Kahn said of the critics.

During past work stoppages such as the December 2022 walkout, the NewsGuild united the occasionally warring internal factions within the Guild and decisively won the messaging battle among others in the news business. This time around, Times management has also been more willing to go on the PR offensive, sharing some of what it saw as the more esoteric proposals put forward by the Guild over the course of bargaining. While the Guild and management had come to agreements on some of the issues before the strike, the prior existence of the proposals themselves has been enough evidence for skeptics that the unions demands were unreasonable.

Notable

The Timess Nate Cohn explained in detail why the needle might fail without technical support.

The Timess stock is sharply down this week after revenues and subscriptions fell short of expectations, leading to gloating in the New York Post.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for the second time on Tuesday, citing a "crisis of trust" between the two amid Israel's ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Netanyahu said he had no remaining trust in Gallant while Israel is still at war. He appointed Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz to take over the position, while Gideon Saar will succeed Katz.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that he fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

"The security of the State of Israel was and will always remain the mission of my life," Gallant wrote on X after the announcement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The news, and the timing, of the announcement came as a surprise to some allies.

One U.S. official said the decision to fire Gallant is concerning, especially in the middle of two wars, while Israel is preparing to defend against a potential attack from Iran. The official said there are questions about the reasons for Gallants firing and about what is driving the decision.

Gallant spoke regularly with his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Since Oct. 25, the pair talked four times, according to the Pentagon.

Netanyahu first fired Gallant in March of 2023 after Gallant raised concerns over a judicial overhaul that sparked widespread protests and dissent in the country, only to reinstate him when he backed down from instituting the judicial reforms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rifts developed over the course of the war between the prime minister and Gallant, who demanded in May that Netanyahu clarify his strategy before restarting a military push into some parts of Gaza.

Gallant also said he would not agree to establish a military government in the enclave. In a May interview on Israeli TV, Gallant said Netanyahu should publicly commit that Israel will not get involved in establishing a government in Gaza, if it succeeds in eliminating Hamas. The job should fall to Palestinians and "international actors," he said.

The Hostages' Families Forum, which represents many families of 101 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, expressed "deep concern" about Netanyahu's decision to fire Gallant and how it could "affect the fate" the hostages.

"We expect the incoming Defense Minister, Israel Katz, to prioritize a hostage deal and work closely with mediators and the international community to secure the immediate release of all hostages," it wrote in a statement on Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The National Security Council referred USA TODAY to the Israeli government on "personnel decisions."

Contributing: Francesca Chambers, Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Netanyahu fires Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing trust 'crisis'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, replacing him with Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday, amid longstanding public acrimony between Gallant and Netanyahu even as Israel has been engaged in a multifront war against Iran and its terror proxies.



In a video statement, Netanyahu said, Unfortunately, while in the first months of the [war] there was trust [between him and Gallant] and very fertile work, in recent months the trust was eroded between me and the defense minister.



Netanyahu cited significant gaps between the ministers views on how to run Israels concurrent wars, which were accompanied by statements and actions that went against government and cabinet decisions.



I made many attempts to bridge these gaps, but they widened. They came into the publics awareness in unacceptable ways, and worse than that, the enemy came to know about it, Netanyahu said.



In his own statement, Gallant said, the security of the State of Israel always was and always will remain [his] lifes mission.



As defense minister, Gallant had built close ties with senior U.S. defense officials, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Gallant had become the Biden administrations primary channel to the Netanyahu government in recent months, due in large part to frayed ties between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden.



A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said, Minister Gallant has been an important partner on all matters related to the defense of Israel. As close partners, we will continue to work collaboratively with Israels next Minister of Defense. We refer you to the Israeli government for more information on its personnel decisions.



Netanyahu has long had a tense relationship with Gallant, firing the defense minister in March 2023 after Gallant made a public statement opposing the governments planned judicial reform. Netanyahu later walked backed the move, following widespread protests that broke out in the hours after the initial reports that Gallant had been fired.



Netanyahu came close to dismissing Gallant in September, but held off after a coordinated attack, believed to have been carried out by Israel, in which thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to members of Hezbollah exploded, incapacitating broad swaths of the Iran-backed terror groups membership.



Gallant has criticized Netanyahu for not having a clear day after plan for Gaza, and for not pursuing a hostage deal more aggressively.



Moshe Emilio Lavi, brother-in-law of Omri Miran who has been held hostage in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, said that hostages families found an ally in Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, who warned the government was compromising Israels security before Oct 7  a reference to Gallants opposition to the governments judicial reform.



Gallant gave a sober view of the hostage crisis yet vowed to prioritize their release. Today, Prime Minister Netanyahu fired him for political reasons as war rages on. Despite his failings, MoD Gallant served as a moderating force in a government filled with reckless, extremist ministers and a Prime Minister facing three indictments, with associates under investigation, who hasnt always prioritized the nations interests over his own, Lavi wrote on X.



A Netanyahu loyalist, Katz is expected to cooperate with the prime ministers vision for the war. As foreign minister, Katz became known for posting AI-generated imagesmocking anti-Israel leaders including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Though Katz has a large power base within Netanyahus Likud party, he has mostly used it as a lever of pressure on the prime minister to advance himself to more senior ministerial positions.



Gideon Saar, who served as minister without portfolio after joining the cabinet in September to bolster the war effort, will replace Katz as foreign minister. As the wars in Gaza and Lebanon move to less-intensive phases, Saars elevation to a senior portfolio could enable him and his party to remain in the coalition fold. Zeev Elkin, who like Saar is a former Likud minister and onetime Netanyahu confidante, is expected to receive a cabinet post, as well.



Netanyahu said that the move adds to the stability of the coalition and the government, which are important at all times, especially in days of war.



The coalition needs extra support to survive at this time, because of major internal disagreements over a bill that would remove the greatest penalty for young Haredi men who do not enlist in the IDF. Several Likud lawmakers and Saars party have said they would vote against the bill.



National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir supported the firing, saying that Gallant was still a captive of the conception that we cannot reach total victory.



Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz posted on X that this was politics at the expense of national security.



Former Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman posted on X that this is a banana republic and argued that if a defense minister can be replaced in the middle of a war, it is also possible to replace a prime minister who failed in his duties and neglected national security.



Several activist groups advocating for a hostage deal and calling for Netanyahus ouster called on Israelis to protest in the streets of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and beyond. Demonstrators blocked the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv and clashed with police.




Benjamin Netanyahu has offered a new deal to Hamas that would see Israel pay $1m for each of the remaining Oct 7 hostages and allow their captors to leave.

The Israeli prime ministers plan would involve his countrys military guaranteeing safe passage out of Gaza for the Palestinians holding Israeli hostages.

An Israeli official said the hostage-takers and their families would be allowed to leave Gaza and avoid capture or punishment under the agreement, with the Israeli government paying millions for the hostages.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The initiative was put in motion following Sundays security cabinet meeting, at which the hostage situation was discussed.

Hamas has not yet responded to the initiative, first revealed by the Israeli broadcaster Channel 12.

Benjamin Netanyahu has faced intense pressure from Israelis to bring home the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on Oct 7 - David Goldman/AP Photo

It comes after the terror group turned down a proposal put forward by Egypt that would have seen a two-day ceasefire declared in Gaza if they had agreed to return four Israeli hostages.

Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said Hamas once again refused to release even a limited number of hostages to secure a ceasefire and relief for the people of Gaza.

Taher al-Nunu, a Hamas official, told AFP that the idea of a temporary pause in the war, only to resume aggression later, is something we have already expressed our position on. Hamas supports a permanent end to the war, not a temporary one.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, David Barnea, the director of Mossad who heads the Israeli negotiations team, reportedly told the families of hostages that the chances of reaching a deal are slim.

We still havent got any response from the mediators, neither for the Qatari proposal nor the Egyptian one, in any official capacity, so its best to wait. Right now the chances for a deal are very slim, he said, according to Channel 12.

It follows the arrest of Eli Feldstein, Mr Netanyahus spokesman, who is accused of leaking sensitive intelligence documents from the IDF.

Mr Feldstein, 32, who failed a security background check before entering his role last year, allegedly leaked a story suggesting Hamas was not interested in reaching a ceasefire deal. The scandal sparked an intense debate in Israel over Mr Netanyahus role in the affair.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, lashed out at the prime minister, saying he has no influence or control over the bodies he leads.

He added: If thats true, hes ineligible, hes not qualified to lead the State of Israel in the most difficult war in its history.

Menahem Mizrahi, the head of Rishon Lezion magistrates court, said at the weekend that the leak posed a serious risk of harm to state security and to information sources.

The court added that the leak could have caused damage to the ability of defence bodies to achieve the goal of freeing the hostages.

On Monday, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that another four suspects had been arrested, all of whom served in the IDFs Intelligence unit.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, an Israeli official confirmed to The Hill.

Netanyahu and Gallant have clashed publicly over the course of the more than yearlong war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and escalating conflict on multiple fronts against Iranian-backed proxies in the Middle East.

Netanyahu, who announced his decision late Tuesday local time, said he was firing Gallant due to trust issues and gaps between them in the management of the war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and defense minister, Netanyahu said in a statement. Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the defense minister.

Gallant issued his own statement in which he vowed that the security of the state of Israel always was, and will always remain my lifes mission.

Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, has reportedly been nominated by Netanyahu as Gallants replacement.

Netanyahu until now had held off on firing Gallant, a popular official who helped lead widespread street protests against the prime minister in March 2023 against judicial reforms. Gallant was fired at the time and rehired two weeks later.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the relationship between the two continued to sour, with Gallant criticizing Netanyahu for failing to put forward a vision for the Gaza Strip after Israel defeated Hamas, and failing to reach a cease-fire deal to release hostages held by Hamas. They also clashed over the role of ultra-Orthodox men in the Israeli army  a key segment of Netanyahus ruling political bloc.

In a speech delivered Tuesday night, Gallant pointed to some of these issues as the reason for Netanyahu firing him.

My removal from office is the result of disagreement on three issues, he said, bringing up his belief that ultra-Orthodox Jewish men must serve in the army; the moral obligation and responsibility to return the hostages, and saying a third issue was a push to investigate the failures in Israels security, intelligence and political establishment that resulted in the country being caught so off-guard on Oct. 7 when Hamas launched its attack.

I have said this in the past and I repeat  I have been responsible for Israels defense establishment over the past two years  for it its successes and failures. Only shedding light on the truth and conducting an investigation, will enable us to draw conclusions and build our capabilities to contend with the challenges ahead of us, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Netanyahu has shown a remarkable ability to survive politically in the face of numerous scandals, from delaying an investigation over the failures of Oct. 7 until after the war, holding tight a fragile coalition of controversial and far-right lawmakers, and pushing to delay his personal testimony in a corruption trial that predates the war.

During my years in the IDF, In training and in operations, on the ground, above and in the water, I learned an important lesson  in dark environments, we must navigate in accordance with our [moral] compass, Gallant said.

And in our case, when the fog of war is heavy, and a moral darkness befalls us, I hold onto this Compass. It is my hope that in addition to the IDF, which operates in accordance with the values of this compass, so will too, our elected leaders.

This announcement is not entirely surprising. There were several signs it was coming, said Brad Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Such leadership changes in the midst of war are not ideal, but national leaders sometimes conclude such changes are necessary. Israel has some momentous decisions ahead.

Gallant was viewed by Israelis as a steady hand and enjoyed more favorable ratings than Netanyahu, according to polls.

Gallant has been a symbol of the war effort and a symbol of decency, modesty and iron will during the war, Seth Frantzman, a Middle East security analyst based in Israel, wrote on the social platform X.

He always wore black after October 7, an embodiment of the empathy and tragedy of October 7 and mourning the losses. He was willing to meet with and face the victims in the communities, he continued, referencing criticisms against Netanyahu for delaying meeting victims of the attacks and families of hostages.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gallant also spoke frequently with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, even as tensions reached boiling points between Netanyahu and President Biden.

Netanyahus decision to switch up Israels defense minister on the day of the U.S. election also amplifies questions about the U.S.-Israel relationship during Bidens lame-duck administration, as well as the next one; Netanyahu is widely seen as preferring a return of former President Trump rather than a Vice President Harris victory.

Gallants firing occurred shortly after Israel carried out an attack against Iran that dismantled key areas of its air defense and struck military sites. Biden urged Netanyahu against more provocative attacks on Iranian nuclear sites or oil facilities.

Irans supreme leader has still vowed to further retaliate against Israel, part of a back-and-forth since April that has drawn in the U.S. to help defend Israel against Iranian missiles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Israel has recently revived military operations in the northern Gaza Strip aimed at rooting out the disparate Hamas fighters looking to regroup. The U.S., the United Nations and aid groups have decried the siege as worsening an already unbearable humanitarian crisis.

Gallants ouster also comes amid intense U.S. efforts to secure a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, in which Netanyahu is reportedly making security demands that are unacceptable to Lebanese leaders.

Gallant participated in a meeting last week in Jerusalem with Bidens top envoys working on the Lebanon cease-fire deal, Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein.

Updated at 5:38 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(NewsNation)  Nevada voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

Presidential race in Nevada

US Senate race in Nevada

In addition to casting ballots in the race for the White House between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Nevada voters will decide on a U.S. Senate race and a list of ballot initiatives.

Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen will seek re-election against Republican challenger Sam Brown.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rosen unseated Republican former Sen. Dean Heller in 2018.

Brown is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and finished as the runner-up in the 2022 Republican primary for the Senate race.

US House races in Nevada

Four U.S. House races will also be decided as Rep. Dina Titus, D-District 1, Rep. Mark Amodei, R-District 2, Rep. Susie Lee, D-District 3, and Rep. Steven Horsford, D-District 4, all face challenges for re-election. According to the Cook Political Report, only Lees race against Republican Drew Johnson, is expected to be competitive.

Statewide ballot measures in Nevada

In addition to deciding who fills various political offices, Nevada voters will weigh in on several ballot measures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Among them is a constitutional amendment to protect a womans right to an abortion before fetal viability  which the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says is typically around 24 weeks.

Another measure would require Nevada residents to present photo identification when voting or verify their identity through a social security number or drivers license when voting by mail.

Nevada voters will also decide whether to establish an open top five primary and ranked choice voting.

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Polls close in Nevada at 7 p.m. local time for an election in which the state holds six electoral votes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nevada is known as a bellwether state in recent presidential elections.

In all but two elections over the past five decades, Nevada has only twice sided with the candidate who did not win the presidency (1976 and 2016).

In 2020, President Joe Biden defeated Trump in the state by 2.5 percentage points.

Judicial races in Nevada

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
A Nevada politics expert has predicted that Vice President Harris will narrowly clinch the Silver State in the 2024 presidential election.

Jon Ralston, the CEO and editor of The Nevada Independent, said in a Monday piece for the outlet that the vice president will garner 48.5 percent of the vote and former President Trump will garner 48.2 percent in Tuesdays election.

The key to this election has always been which way the non-major-party voters break because they have become the plurality in the state, Ralston said in the piece highlighted by Mediaite. They are going to make up 30 percent or so of the electorate, and if they swing enough towards Harris, she will win Nevada.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ralston said that those voters are going to choose Harris, adding that he will tell you why: Many people assume that with the GOP catching up to the Democrats in voter registration that the automatic voter registration plan pushed by Democrats that auto-registers people as nonpartisans (unless they choose a party) at the DMV had been a failure for the party.

But I dont think so. There are a lot of nonpartisans who are closet Democrats who were purposely registered by Democrat-aligned groups as nonpartisans. The machine knows who they are and will get them to vote, he continued.

Nevada is an important swing state that Harris or Trump might need to capture to secure the White House in the 2024 election.

Harris is currently behind former Trump in an average of Nevada polls from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ by 1.7 points, with the former president garnering 49.2 percent support to the vice presidents 47.5 percent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Silver States own Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) said races are always tight in Nevada in an interview on Sunday.

Its a swing state, she told CBS Newss Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation. Theyre always close. Its always within the margin, and thats why it is important you get out and talk to voters, and you dont take anyone for granted.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar (D) is expressing optimism the state could avoid a repeat of 2020, when it took until the weekend for media outlets to project President Biden as the winner of the key battleground.

We reviewed the Nevada statutes; we found that we had some opportunity to increase the efficiency of the way that things ran, Aguilar said in an interview with The Hill Monday night.

After the final voter casts their ballot in Nevada on Tuesday night, Aguilars office expects to release a first batch of results that includes all ballots received prior to Election Daymore than 1 million, state data shows, a majority of registered voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Once they cast that ballot, they want to know what is happening. And also, the less time we make people wait, the less dis- and misinformation there is out there, said Aguilar, who took office last year.

Even so, Aguilar acknowledged the possibility that projecting a winner could take time, just as it did in his election when media outlets didnt project him as the victor until four days after Election Day.

Nevada is one of several swing states that polls have shown remains razor-tight. The Decision Desk HQ/The Hill election forecast predicts former President Trump has a 55 percent chance of beating Vice President Harris in the state.

That slim margin raises the possibility that it may again be days before media outlets have enough confidence to make a projection, despite Nevada officials hoping to report most results within hours of polls closing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Under state law, mail ballots with signature issues can be cured through early next week. Officials must also count mail ballots received until Saturday if they were postmarked by Election Day. Ballots that show up through Friday are assumed to be valid, even without a proper postmark.

Republicans have unsuccessfully filed lawsuits this cycle, challenging both the Saturday deadline and the assumption of validity for non-postmarked ballots.

Though those efforts have failed, the Republican National Committee recently found success in its appeal challenging how Mississippi similarly accepts mail ballots received after Election Day. Some legal observers expect the Supreme Court will eventually be called on to decide the issue nationally.

Its an opportunity to be sure were including everybody as much as possible in Nevada, Aguilar said of the states deadline.



Nevada is a 24/7 economy, he continued. It is a working community. We have people who work on the strip 24/7, and we need to ensure that were including them in the process. Also, we have tribal communities that are in really rural areas, and sometimes it takes some time to get to a drop box or to get to a mailbox.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Going into Election Day, Aguilar said some unexpected issues always pop up. But things seemed to be going smoothly so far, he said.

Throughout the day, I expected a little bit more commotion, and its been very quiet, he said.

Tuesday, however, will be the biggest test yet.

Here we go, Aguilar said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  NewsChannel 9 was given exclusive access to Governor Kathy Hochul as she got her closest look at the I-81 construction site.

The governor toured work happening at the southern interchange, where the current I-481 meets the current I-81 south of Downtown Syracuse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This area is being transformed with the brand new roundabout built on Brighton Avenue, which eventually will be the start of Business Loop 81 headed toward the city.

Governor Hochul got meet workers assigned to the project as part of the State DOTs Hire Local Initiative, a goal that 15% of the work is done by targeted groups of workers.

Every company awarded a construction contract needs to have proven to the state that it can fulfill the local hiring requirements.

Workers specifically requested include people who live in the neighborhood and zip codes that have historically been negatively impacted by the I-81 viaduct and people whove had previous barriers to employment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hailey Thomas, a member of the Onondaga Nation, is one of those sought-after workers. She not only follows in her fathers footsteps as an ironworker, she wears his hard hat to work.

Get to carry him around with me every day, she said.

Gene Barfield is a single father who grew up on Syracuses south side. Hes also honoring his fathers memory by this job, because his dad helped build I-81 decades ago.

Now, Im taking it down, said Barfield.

The smartest [people] are going into the building trades because we have so many projects, Governor Hochul told NewsChannel 9. Were building this and then Micron for the next 20 years, great jobs, great opportunity. So, literally a transformation of Central New York.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

People interested in applying for I-81 project jobs can visit the I-81 Viaduct Project website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
The NHS is paying doctors up to 200,000 a year in overtime as part of efforts to clear backlogs, an investigation has found.

Many of the doctors are thought to have part-time contracts with the NHS, allowing them to work significant amounts of overtime for rates exceeding 200 an hour  more than four times normal pay.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, told the BBC: I dont think the rates are acceptable. Every penny that goes into the NHS needs to be well spent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The BBC News investigation obtained figures from 41 hospital trusts about overtime spending in 2023/24. More than half were found to be paying some consultants over 100,000 each in overtime.

The health services overall overtime bill hit almost 1 billion in 2023/24, up from 512 million 10 years ago, the investigation found. Some of the rise was because more consultants were employed.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust paid four consultants from its medicine speciality more than 100,000 in overtime payments. One earned just over 208,000 in overtime for 128 days work. During those shifts, their pay averaged 188 an hour.

The trust said that in common with most NHS trusts, it had to rely on overtime payments to manage waiting lists and to cover rota gaps and vacancies. Officials said covering strikes had also placed it under added strain.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Medway NHS Foundation Trust paid three radiologists more than 150,000 in overtime, one of whom earned more than 200,000. The trust said shortages in this field meant it had to pay premium rates, sometimes on a scan-by-scan basis.

Nationally, average basic pay for consultants was around 118,000 during the same year. Since then the senior medics have been given a pay award which has boosted their earnings by up to 20,000.

The Government has pledged to clear waiting list backlogs, with the total currently standing at more than seven million. Last week crack teams of medics began being sent to areas with high levels of worklessness as part of efforts to bring down waiting lists.

It came as Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, announced an extra 22.6 billion would be spent on NHS running costs, along with more than 3 billion for capital funds over two years, and said cutting waiting lists would be a priority.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Labour previously said its plan depended on staff working evenings and weekends, meaning overtime would be paid. However, the investigation shows vast sums are already being made by senior doctors.

One senior NHS source told the BBC: Consultants hold all the cards  they know we cannot make progress on the backlog without them.

The source added that consultants were in a pretty unique position compared to other staff because their contracts meant they could opt out of weekend work and then charge whatever their hospital was willing to pay for overtime.

They said it was not in the British Medical Associations (BMA) interests to renegotiate these outdated contracts, which are more than 20 years old.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What worries me is that the overtime costs are going to keep increasing with the need to tackle the backlog, and this will breed resentment among other NHS staff who often work overtime for little more, the source added.

BBC News used Freedom of Information requests to hospital trusts and data supplied by NHS England to reveal what consultants working beyond their contracted hours were costing the NHS. Overall, it found that six in 10 consultants worked beyond their contracted hours, with an average extra pay of more than 27,000 a year.

NHS Frimley Health Foundation Trust paid two consultants in its endoscopy department, which provides internal examinations, more than 180,000 each in overtime.

The trust said: Were focused on ensuring we always provide value for money  and anything we spend is in proportion with the benefit it brings to our patients.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

NHS Humber Health Partnership, which runs five hospitals, paid three consultants between 185,000 and 240,000 in overtime. Kate Wood, the organisations chief medical officer, said the overtime spending had helped fund extra operations at weekends to reduce waiting lists.

We assess the costs of these shifts against the risks of not having cover, she told the BBC. We have put patient safety first as that is our key focus. This is not something that is unique to us.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust paid three consultants more than 100,000 in overtime, including one who earned more than 198,000.

Stephen Collman, the trusts managing director, said it was trying to reduce premium payments where possible, but the need to cover sickness absence and vacant posts meant to keep services running safely and effectively meant it had no option.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some hospitals said overtime rates had been driven up over the past year by the particularly high rates the BMA had told its consultants to ask for to provide strike cover. It created a new expectation of what they should get, one official told the BBC.

The BMA said the NHS would not have to rely so much on overtime were it not for staffing shortages.

Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta, the BMA consultant co-leaders, said: Unfortunately, a declining workforce in crisis and spiralling patient demand  which has led to sky-high waiting lists  means that extra hours of work are essential to get the job done.

They said much of the overtime was done during unsocial hours, adding that these were highly-trained and experienced professionals and it was reasonable for them to value their time at appropriate rates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Danny Mortimer, of NHS Employers, which represents hospitals on employment issues, said: In light of the difficult financial position of the NHS, health leaders are trying to bear down on extra-contractual premium pay rates. However, he told the BBC there were no easy solutions because consultants played a critical role in tackling waiting lists.

An NHS England official told the corporation that the use of agencies, which could be even more expensive, was falling.

An NHS spokesman said: Additional hours, including weekend and evening work, is important if we want to provide the best possible care for patients who need it round the clock as well as helping to bring down waiting lists.

While our consultants work in a competitive market, we want staff to choose to do their additional work for the NHS, and they obviously need to be properly remunerated for that extra work where it is considered necessary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were reducing staff costs elsewhere in the NHS, including through significantly reducing agency spend, which has been cut by over 500 million in the last two full financial years and is down further this year, while also working to increase the number of full-time doctors working for the NHS.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, and Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, have said that cutting waiting lists is a priority for the Government - Leon Neal/Getty Images Europe

Mr Streeting said: I can tell you there are plenty of other ways money could have been spent so we have to make sure every penny going into the NHS is spent wisely.

We needed a change of mindset, and that is what we are doing  we are transforming the NHS through reform, better-planned care and a better relationship with the medical professions. It is reasonable that you get paid more for overtime, but not this much more.

Incentives do have a place  this Government was elected on a mandate of investment and reform, and that is what we are going to do.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesman said: The Government is immensely grateful for the critical role NHS consultants play in our health service, and the Health and Social Care Secretary has been clear he is determined to work with all NHS staff, including consultants, to rebuild the health service and fix the foundations as part of our 10-year health plan.

We took immediate action to get a deal agreed with the resident doctors. This will reduce the need for consultants to work additional hours and ensure for the first winter in two years, NHS hospitals will be free of strikes so they can focus on caring for patients and cutting waiting lists.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Niagara Falls man was sentenced Monday to 25 years in state prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree manslaughter, the Niagara County District Attorneys Office announced.

According to officials, 24-year-old Rohmelo Lewis killed Cortez Galmore during a robbery on May 3, 2022. Galmore had recently relocated to Niagara Falls.

Two other people involved in a string of robberies previously entered guilty pleas and were sentenced for their roles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

21-year-old Isaiah Christian was sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter and first-degree robbery. 20-year-old Shawn Bomberry was sentenced to two years for second-degree attempted robbery. He was not involved in the incident resulting in Galmores death, officials said.

Lewis pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, first-degree robbery and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Latest Local News

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  Nigerian authorities released Tuesday 29 children who have been detained for over two months and potentially faced the death penalty for their alleged participation in protests against the countrys record cost-of-living crisis following growing calls for their release.

The children, aged 14 to 17, looked excited and full of life as they waved to cameras after their release at a court in the capital, Abuja, where they stood trial. It was a stark contrast to when they were first brought to the court looking malnourished and dressed shabbily, with some collapsing out of exhaustion.

They were among more than 70 people facing charges of destruction of property, mutiny and treason, which carries the death penalty, after the August protests that shook the country and culminated in security operatives killing some demonstrators and arresting hundreds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ado Abdullahi, whose two sons were among the detained minors, said they never participated in the protests in their home state, Kano, and were running errands when they were arrested and taken to Abuja.

The police just came and took them," Abdullahi told The Associated Press as he waited for them to get home after their release.

Another parent Ikililu Sani said his son, Habibu, was at the time retrieving his motorcycle from a repair shop when he was arrested.

There had been no news of the childrens detention until their arraignment, sparking outrage and renewing concerns over deteriorating human rights in Africas most populous country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Under rising pressure from activists, Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu ordered their release on Monday and ordered an investigation of law enforcement agents involved in the arrest and prosecution of the children.

The police earlier defended their actions, but said Monday night it started an investigation into allegations the minors were mistreated while in custody.

Lawyers and activists urged the Nigerian government to see to the welfare of the children and provide them with educational support. The children's release is only "the first step in the right direction," said Marshal Abubakar, one of their counsels.
North Carolinians gather en masse outside the North Carolina General Assembly to demonstrate in support of progressive policies. (Photo: Clayton Henkel)

If youre like most people, youre probably breathing a heavy sigh of relief at the conclusion of the 2024 election season. If nothing else, an end to the pins-and-needles stress and the constant blitz of electronic ads and mailers will be something that everyone will celebrate.

Indeed, just about every person of every belief system can be forgiven if they yearn for a few moments of normalcy in which, at least for a brief while, politics takes backseat to lifes ordinary pursuits.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And yet, the hard truth is that little will actually be resolved by this weeks outcomes. While it obviously matters a great deal who will control the levers of political power at all levels, the challenges confronting our state, nation and planet, along with the duty of caring and thinking people to stay active and engaged, will remain.

Much as we all might wish that a new chief executive would be able to wave a magic wand and make all manner of societal problems disappear, this is obviously a fantasy.

In truth, the elections conclusion is the beginning of a new period of action in which the policy challenges that the candidates have debated so fiercely over the last several months must now be addressed. Come January (and maybe even sooner), elected officials in Washington and Raleigh will need to grapple with dozens of huge, even existential issues.

Topping the list, of course, is the rapidly worsening global climate emergency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As Hurricane Helene reminded North Carolinians yet again a few weeks ago in terrifying fashion, there is no place to hide from climate change; extreme weather and its often-devastating impacts will impact everyone in one way or another in the years ahead.

And notwithstanding the nonsense mouthed by those who claim the concept of human-induced global warming is some kind of hoax (as an aside, these deniers never explain why thousands of scientists  many of whom themselves enjoy driving gas guzzling vehicles, eating beef, and keeping their own homes and labs well-air conditioned  would want to perpetrate such a hoax), the need for urgent policy action isnt going anywhere.

Indeed, its a bitterly ironic aspect of this debate that one of the top concerns of so many climate change deniers  mass human migration  is also one of its most visible and worrisome impacts.

As the planet warms, the human population grows and expanding swaths of once habitable land are lost to rising oceans and drought and desertification, the pressure on people to seek refuge and new homelands will only increase.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And so it is that, regardless of who assumes high office in 2025, the urgent need for action will remain.

And given the fact that government at the federal level promises to remain closely divided in the near term, the policy battles  be they over efforts to build on the current administrations commitment to combating climate change or new proposals to abandon them  will be all-hands-on-deck affairs.

The same will be true with respect to a raft of other unresolved policy issues. The list includes:

The ongoing global assault on freedom and democracy in which authoritarian dictators and regimes are waging wars of aggression and undermining human freedom

The rapid and unjust accumulation of wealth by a handful of global billionaires  some of whom possess more power and influence than entire nations

The grinding poverty that still afflicts huge shares of the U.S. and global populations

The continuing effort by forces of the political right to roll back decades of progress in matters of human rights and racial, ethnic and gender equality

The need to expand and reap the benefits (and limit the negative impacts) of technological advances like artificial intelligence

The nations aging population and its implications for the economy, health care, and Social Security

The debate over reproductive freedom and whether the nation will continue to try and turn back the clock

The ongoing battle to preserve public education and the separation of church and state as core components of American life

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In short, as overwhelming as it may often seem, one of the responsibilities that comes with living in the present era is the need to be an engaged citizen. Americans of today may not have to make the herculean sacrifices that it took to survive civil and world wars like their forebears, and many millions of us may enjoy creature comforts and conveniences our ancestors could have scarcely imagined. But if we hope to leave a world to those who follow that holds any resemblance to the one that the fortunate among us enjoy now, we cannot leave it to the invisible hand.

Elections are of enormous importance, but the task of maintaining a working democracy in the 21st Century is a 365-day-a-year job. Tomorrow, the work begins anew.
ELKINS, W.Va. (WBOY) More than a week after some students and community members of Elkins Middle School began showing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, emergency officials say the air in the area is safe.

Randolph County Schools announced Tuesday afternoon that students will return to in-person class on Wednesday, Nov. 6. However, the Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic Region (EPA) will continue to conduct air quality testing on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Randolph County Emergency Management announced Tuesday that no unsafe levels of contaminants were detected at Elkins Middle School during a 24-hour monitoring period by the EPAs Emergency Response Division. This testing was done between the evening of Oct. 31 and the evening of Nov. 1.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Prior to the testing, multiple emergency response teams performed air quality tests at Elkins Middle School and found no trace of a carbon monoxide leak. EPA officials then deployed lab-grade equipment to gather additional air quality samples from both the school and its surrounding area.

The release said that the EPAs test did not detect carbon monoxide at Elkins Middle School or its surrounding community. The tests also did not detect any elevated levels of methylene chloride or any other chemicals of concern in any of the 16 samples collected.

Previous Coverage

Despite the favorable results, the EPA will continue to perform tests this Tuesday and Wednesday. The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health and the Center for Threat Preparedness are also evaluating factors that contributed to the spike in reported carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms through the collection of health-related data.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I want to reassure parents that there is not an imminent threat for our students at Elkins Middle School, Randolph County Schools Superintendent Dr. Shawn Dilly said. Our federal, state, and county experts are actively assessing public health data and conducting research to provide the most accurate information. Based on the most recent data, parents should not worry about whether its safe to send their children back to school.

In the nearly two weeks since students began to report symptoms, five different teams have conducted sweeps and evaluations of Elkins Middle School including the West Virginia Fire Marshal and the West Virginia Army National Guard. The test results of Tuesdays and Wednesdays tests are set to be publicized early next week.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
Several non-credible bomb threats that briefly disrupted voting at twelve Georgia polling places originated from Russia, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told reporters Tuesday.

Weve heard some threats that were of Russian origin. I dont know how to describe that thats viable  we dont think they are, but in the interest of public safety, we always check that out, and well just continue to be very responsible when we hear about stuff like that, Raffensperger said. We identified the source, and it was from Russia.

Theyre up to mischief, it seems, and they dont want us to have a smooth, fair and accurate election, he added. Anything that can get us to fight amongst ourselves - they can count that as a victory.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Raffensperger, a Republican, did not elaborate on how exactly state officials determined the bomb threats came from Russia.

The non-credible threats caused the temporary closure of polling places at the Etris Community Center and Gullatt Elementary in Union City, just outside of Atlanta, according to Fulton County Police. Union Citys population is nearly 90% Black, according to the US Census Bureau.

Fulton County announced that five polling places affected by the bomb threats will have their hours extended.

Robb Pitts, chair of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, told CNN earlier he did not anticipate any potential delayed poll closings would impact the countys ability to swiftly report results this evening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A total of 32 bomb threats were made against the five polling places, Fulton County Police Chief W. Wade Yates said.

Two Gwinnett County election precincts sharing the same physical space will remain open until 7:58 p.m. ET after briefly closing Tuesday due to a received threat, Joe Sorenson, Gwinnett County spokesperson, told CNN.

The precincts in Gwinnett County were evacuated for approximately an hour while the bomb threat, which was deemed non-credible, was investigated.

Five additional polling places in DeKalb County were temporarily closed around 5 p.m. on Tuesday due to bomb threats and their voting hours were extended. These threats also appeared to originate from Russia, according to Raffensperger.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DeKalb County police said they did not find any bombs at any of the threatened polling places.

An FBI statement said it was aware of the threats but did not address their source.

Election integrity and protecting our community is our highest priority, and the FBI is working closely with state and local law enforcement partners to respond to election threats and protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote, the FBI said in a statement.

The statement said the bureau has no information to indicate the threat is credible.

One voter, Michael Osborne, said he believed something was wrong the moment he pulled up to his Union City polling site Tuesday morning and spotted EMS and police vehicles around the building. An officer told him and other voters they couldnt enter the site to vote because of a bomb threat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They had to remove all the workers, they couldnt let anyone in until they assessed the threats, said Osborne.

Osborne said the delay at the Etris Community Center was roughly an hour, and voters were forced to wait outside until law enforcement officers cleared the building.

Three voters were mid-vote when it happened and probably about 25 people in line, said poll watcher Evette Reyes.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Isabel Rosales, Mounira Elsamra and Denise Royal contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Community First Coalition (CFC), a nonpartisan network of over 25 organizations, voiced its concerns about the dangers of big money in local politics in a press conference held Monday morning, Nov. 4 in front of the El Paso County Courthouse.

Retired political science professor and CFC founder, Kathleen Staudt, said four of the eight mayoral candidates have raised considerable amounts of money in this election  some of them through loans to themselves. But one of them has raised almost $1 million, which is twice as much as what previous mayoral candidates have done.

Staudt, along with Oscar Martinez and Carmen Rodriguez, also founders of CFC, analyzed big donors and the benefits gained in the book titled Who Rules El Paso? Private Gain, Public Policy, and the Community Interest (2020).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the book, Donations for one of the previous mayors totaled $400,000, a third of which came from a small number of wealthy donors who invested large amounts not only in his election but also in some council representatives campaigns, heavily dependent on a smaller number of big donors rather than on a larger cross-section of people making smaller donations.

For the current election, amounts raised for one mayoral candidate are double the amounts that mayors raised in previous elections. Staudt did not single any candidates out by name.

The special dangers of that amount of money have to do with PACs, political action committees, that are out of town, that are in Central Texas. One of them is called Protective Serve and is not a law enforcement PAC. The other one is called Project Red Texas. The purpose is to flip local government to Republican rule, Staudt said.

Staudt said El Paso can pride itself in having a nonpartisan election, voting for the best person and not for the political party. However, when theres big money, the donors can expect and ask for some special favors such as tax breaks, corporate welfare and special subsidies that the community doesnt enjoy but have to pay for.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This means that residential taxpayers are burdened with higher and higher property taxes.

Over the last few years, Justicia Fronteriza, a grassroots organization, collected over 11,000 signatures in a petition drive to put caps on campaign contributions. Council representatives refused to pass an ordinance. Campaign finance caps are in place in the better-governed cities of Texas, read a news release sent by CFC.

CFC said Justicia Fronteriza leaders went back to most council representatives about support for a $1,000 cap on individual donations and a $5,000 cap on PAC donations. Yet a majority of the eight council representatives said they would not support such an ordinance.

CFC is aiming for the next council to put some checks and balances in place to create a more level playing field.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
A voter fills out a ballot using a touch screen device during the first day of early voting in Burleigh County at the Bismarck Event Center on Oct. 24, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

North Dakota could be on its way to a historic voter participation rate based on early voting turnout and potential Election Day vote totals, Secretary of State Michael Howe said Monday.

More than 182,000 ballots had been cast in North Dakotas election as of 3 p.m. Monday, according to the Secretary of States election results portal. That total includes more than 96,000 people who voted early in person and nearly 86,000 total mail-in and absentee ballots received before Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To me, it signals enthusiasm, Howe said.

A long line formed for the final day of early in-person voting at the Bismarck Event Center on Nov. 4, 2024. (Amy Dalrymple/North Dakota Monitor)

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, more than 273,000 North Dakotans voted through the mail or in person ahead of Election Day. In 2016, nearly 135,000 residents cast their ballots before Election Day.

We average 63% turnout for a presidential election and typically about 60% of the total vote happens on Election Day, Howe said. What we wont know until tomorrow night is, what are the voting habits? Are we having our same set of voters, but they are just choosing a different method by voting early? Or are we bringing in people who maybe havent participated before, or havent participated in a while?

Howe said the record for statewide voter participation is 69% set during the 1984 presidential election. He added presidential races usually garner more votes than the congressional midterm elections. In addition, ballot measures involving abolishing assessed-value property taxes and recreational marijuana may have inspired more voters to turn out, and turn out early. Howe also said the open governors race and open U.S. House seat may encourage more participation as well.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

North Dakota has 594,140 eligible voters, according to the Secretary of States Office.

Seven North Dakota counties conducted early in-person voting including multiple locations in Cass County.

We heard record turnout, a very, very large turnout almost every single day of early in-person voting that they offered, he said.

Howe said the state Republican Party encouraged early voting during this election, which was a departure from some candidates messaging in previous elections, and the Democratic-NPL Partys early voting push could have added to the states increased early in-person vote totals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mary Tintes, board vice president for the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, said the nonpartisan organizations main goal is to educate voters on the candidates, statewide ballot measures and how to participate. She added the group has seen an uptick in membership in recent months and new League of Women Voters chapters starting in North Dakota.

The volunteer efforts have been fantastic, Tintes said. I think weve seen a real increase, which is great.

She also credits the different election authorities across the state for making it easier to participate in the election.

I hope people recognize that voting is not a chore, Tintes said. Its not a privilege. Its a right. Its a basic right that we all should cherish and exercise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

[2024 Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.]

The Secretary of States Office will begin publishing unofficial results on its website at 8 p.m. Central, Howe said. State law allows election officials to begin processing mail-in ballots the Friday before Election Day. Officials dont begin tabulating the ballots until after the polls close.

Howe said he doesnt anticipate any problems with the U.S. Postal Service after it instituted an extraordinary measures campaign in October to ensure every ballot mailed on, or before, Nov. 4 had the necessary postmark. During the June statewide primary, a handful of counties reported absentee ballots with missing postmarks.

Howe also praised county election officials, volunteers and all election workers for helping the state setup and conduct elections in accordance with state law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They are a fantastic bunch of people and we could not run an election without those folks, or our volunteer poll workers, too, Howe said.

This story was updated with the number of eligible North Dakota voters.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
(Bloomberg) -- North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast in a further ratcheting up of tensions just hours ahead of the US election as concerns continue to build over Pyongyangs deepening ties with Russia.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The missiles were fired from an area south of Pyongyang in North Hwanghae province toward waters off its east coast, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said. At least seven missiles flew around 400 kilometers (249 miles) with a maximum altitude of about 100 km, Japanese Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani said. Theyre believed to have splashed down in waters outside Japans exclusive economic zone, he added.

The firing of the missiles comes a day after Pyongyangs foreign minister met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, adding to concerns over strengthening military ties between the two nations and the implications for the war in Ukraine.

Following the latest launch, South Koreas military said it has heightened its defense stance and is sharing information with the US and Japan to analyze the details. Pyongyang usually doesnt comment on its missile firings until the following day.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been trying to raise the profile of his nuclear and missile programs as the US readies for a presidential election that could impact how Washington deals with Pyongyang and the strength of its support for Ukraine. On Friday, North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that stayed airborne for a record time, potentially allowing Kim to load heavier warheads to deliver a nuclear strike to the US mainland.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris is seen largely sticking to the current direction of security policy and an ironclad commitment to defend South Korea if she wins, a stance she underlined in a recent op-ed published by Yonhap News.

A Donald Trump victory could lead to a change in tack on dealing with Pyongyang. The former president scaled back major joint drills with South Korea when he was in office as he tried to negotiate directly with Kim in talks that ultimately broke down. During Trumps tenure, Kim continued to modernize his missile arsenal, develop new nuclear warheads and increase his stockpile of fissile material.

Trump has also questioned why the US is spending so much to support Kyiv and has said he could end the war in 24 hours by getting Russia and Ukraine to negotiate. Harris has pledged to keep up US support for Kyiv for as long as needed.

Pyongyangs actions are gaining increasing international attention following Kims decision to send troops to Russia to help the Kremlins assault on Ukraine, a development that has raised fears over an escalation of the conflict. In Moscow, Putin met with the visiting foreign minister from North Korea, Choe Son Hui, on Monday, according to the Tass news agency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Choe said during a meeting with her Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on Friday that North Korea will stand with Russia until the day of victory.

North Korea is dispatching about 10,000 troops to Russia, with the US and its allies trying to dissuade Pyongyang from engaging in direct fight with Ukraine.

Kyiv said Monday it attacked North Korean troops for the first time since they were sent into Russias Kursk region where the Ukrainian forces have made gains this year. The US said it couldnt confirm reports of North Korean combat engagement.

In return for sending troops, theres a high chance that North Korea will seek cutting-edge technology transfers from Russia  including technology related to tactical nuclear weapons, ICBMs, reconnaissance satellites and ballistic missile submarines, South Korea has said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Seoul has also warned for months that North Korea may carry out a nuclear test around the time of the US election. In September, North Korea released its first photos of a facility to enrich uranium for atomic bombs, showing Kim touring a plant at the center of a program that has been a point of friction with the US for more than 20 years.

On Sunday, the US flew a B-1B bomber for joint drills with fighter jets from South Korea and Japan in a show of force after North Koreas ICBM launch. Pyongyang bristled at the training and vowed to continue bolstering its nuclear capabilities as the one and only choice to defend itself under the current security situation.

(Adds more details on stances of US presidential candidates, recent trilateral drill)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
SEOUL, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- North Korea fired a salvo of short-range missiles into the East Sea on Tuesday, South Korea's military said, just hours before Americans were set to head to the polls for the U.S. presidential election.

South Korea's military detected several short-range ballistic missiles launched from the area of Sariwon, a city south of Pyongyang, at around 7:30 a.m., the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a text message to reporters. The missiles traveled roughly 250 miles before splashing down in the sea between Korea and Japan.

"Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches, and is maintaining a full readiness posture while closely sharing information related to North Korean ballistic missiles with the U.S. and Japanese authorities," the JCS said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The launch comes five days after Pyongyang fired its new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile, a nuclear-capable weapon believed to have the range to reach the entire continental United States.

The solid-fuel ICBM flew for 86 minutes and reached an altitude of more than 4,500 miles -- both records for a North Korean missile. It remains to be seen whether Pyongyang has the atmospheric re-entry vehicle technology to successfully deliver a nuclear payload, however.

South Korean officials have said in recent weeks that the North may be looking to send a signal to the United States during election season, perhaps hoping to demonstrate its weapons technology as leverage in any future negotiations with Washington. Seoul's Defense Intelligence Agency told lawmakers last week that North has also completed internal preparations for a nuclear test at its Punggye-ri site.

Concerns also continue to mount over North Korea's growing military cooperation with Russia, including the reported dispatch of troops to aid in Moscow's war against Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

U.S. State Department Matthew Miller said Monday that as many as 10,000 North Korean troops had made their way to the frontline area of Kursk -- an increase from the 8,000 troops estimated by Washington on Thursday.

At a meeting in Seoul on Monday, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed alarm over the possibility of Russia sharing missile and nuclear technology with North Korea.

"We are closely monitoring what Russia provides to the DPRK in return for its provision of arms and military personnel," they said in a joint statement, using the official acronym for North Korea. "We are ... deeply concerned about the possibility for any transfer of nuclear- or ballistic missile-related technology to the DPRK."

On Sunday, the United States, South Korea and Japan staged a combined air drill in response to the North's ICBM launch. The trilateral exercise mobilized a U.S. B-1B bomber and fighter jets from the allies over waters east of South Korea's Jeju Island.

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, condemned the drill in state-run media on Monday, calling it "absolute proof of the validity and urgency of the line of building up the nuclear forces."
North Korea conducted a short-range ballistic missile launch hours before US Election Day.

Data shows that North Korea ramps up its missile and military activity around US elections.

North Korea's provocations stir up trouble for the US and its allies.

North Korea fired off multiple short-range ballistic missiles just hours before Election Day in the US and just a few days after an intercontinental ballistic missile launch.

Research has shown that Pyongyang typically engages in provocations, such as displays of its prohibited missile program, around US elections, stirring up a certain degree of trouble. The latest provocations come as North Korea draws closer to Russia and amid confirmations that thousands of North Korean troops are aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Tuesday, North Korea launched several ballistic missiles toward the East Sea/Sea of Japan, South Korea's military said. Japan also confirmed the launch, with its defense ministry saying the missiles were believed to have landed in the sea shortly after launch.

The launch came on the heels of a test of North Korea's newest intercontinental ballistic missile believed to be capable of striking the US mainland. The missile, identified as the Hwasong-19, is a massive solid-fueled missile.

The ICBM launch, which was directly overseen by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was met by a joint US-South Korean-Japanese drill, which included the involvement of a US B-1B supersonic bomber. The exercise drew criticism from Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, who accused the US and its allies of engaging in aggressive and dangerous actions toward North Korea.

North Korea's missile launches didn't necessarily come as a surprise to the US and South Korea, the latter of which said that Pyongyang was likely to engage in provocative military displays ahead of the US election.

North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles on Tuesday, South Korea and Japan said. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

Past Korea research has suggested that North Korea prioritizes such showcases around pivotal moments for Washington, such as presidential elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A report by Victor Cha, a leading Korea expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the former director for Asian Affairs on the White House's National Security Council, shows patterns in North Korean behavior around US elections.

Over the course of 32 elections since 1956, the report found that the provocation window has narrowed over time  meaning "North Korean provocations have clustered increasingly closer to US presidential and congressional midterm elections." That trend has been especially evident, the 2020 report said, in the last few elections.

Cha wrote that "the average window for a North Korean provocation bracketed around all US national elections (i.e., before or after)," under Kim Jong Un, is 4.5 weeks. That is a much tighter window than the world saw during the rule of his predecessors.

Notably, these numbers don't include the 2018 midterm election, "where there was a prolonged and anomalous period of no provocations as a result of the Trump-Kim Singapore summit," the CSIS Beyond the Parallel report said. During former President Donald Trump's first term, his priorities in US-North Korean relations were focused on negotiations and denuclearization, which ultimately failed after a 2019 summit in Vietnam.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There have been three instances where North Korea has engaged in a provocation on the same day as an election: the 1978 midterm and the 1980 and 1996 presidential elections.

The CSIS study also notes that there could be "multiple causes," including scientific, military, and domestic reasons, for North Korea's timing of its launches and military actions, but the clustering is still significant and aligns with assessments from the US and its allies.

North Korea's nuclear program is a major concern for South Korea. Earlier this year, North Korea formally removed language related to "peaceful unification" of the two Koreas in government doctrine. Kim Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

North Korea's missile launches come on the heels of confirmation that it has sent approximately 10,000 troops to Russia to aid Moscow's forces in its war in Ukraine. The US confirmed the presence of the troops late last month after South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence agencies reported the soldiers were training at Russian military bases.

Pyongyang's decision to send troops is part of a strengthening partnership between North Korea and Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim held several high-profile meetings on North Korean military assistance to Russia, which included an arms deal, and North Korean ammunition, including artillery ammo and missiles, has been documented in use in the war in Ukraine.

Experts remain concerned about what North Korea could be receiving in return for its support for Russia, which some American officials and analysts have suspected could be advanced military technology for satellites and nuclear submarines, as well as support for Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs.

Read the original article on Business Insider
North Korea test-launched several short-range ballistic missiles on Tuesday morning, neighboring South Korea and Japan said.

South Korea's military "has detected and is analyzing several short-range ballistic missiles launched into the East Sea" from North Korea at around 7:30 a.m. local time, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed to ABC News.

"Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches and is maintaining a full readiness posture while closely sharing information related to North Korea's ballistic missiles with the U.S. and Japanese authorities," the military said.

PHOTO: A TV screen shows a report of North Korea's multiple short-range ballistic missiles with file footage during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Lee Jin-man/AP)

The launches come days after a trilateral military exercise run by the United States, South Korea and Japan, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kim Yo Jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister, called those exercises "another clear behavioral explanation of the most hostile and dangerous aggressive nature," according to the Korean Central News Agency, a North Korean state media service.

Kim Yo Jong said those exercises also justified North Korea's nuclear strategy, stating they prove "the legitimacy and urgency of the line of strengthening nuclear forces that we have chosen and are implementing," according to KCNA.

U.S. military officials said on Tuesday they were aware of the North Korean launches, along with the test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile last week. The Indo-Pacific Command in a statement called the launches "destabilizing acts."

MORE: North Korea ICBM launch intended as message to 'rivals,' Kim says

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, or territory, or to our allies, we continue to monitor the situation," the statement said. "The U.S. commitments to the defense of [South Korea] and Japan remain ironclad."

Japans Ministry of Defense said the multiple short-range ballistic missiles were all believed to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. The missiles were launched toward the northeast from North Koreas west coast between 7:30 a.m. and 7:39 a.m., the ministry said.

The missiles flew about 400 km, or 250 miles, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

South Korea's military detected the missiles upon launch, then tracked, and monitored them, while sharing relevant information with the U.S. and Japan. Detailed specifications were being analyzed, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

PHOTO: Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to journalists following North Korea's latest missile launches, at his office in Tokyo Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)

Several of the missiles fired on Tuesday were estimated to have reached a maximum altitude of about 62 miles, Japan said. No damage to ships or aircraft was reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Japans Ministry of Defense in Tokyo vowed to remain vigilant, to continue to gather information and to monitor the situation closely.

As Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba entered his just before 9 a.m., he told reporters, No information on damage has been confirmed at this time. In response, I have issued instructions to provide information to the public and remain vigilant.

ABC News' Ellie Kaufman contributed to this report.

As North Korea test-launches missiles, leader's sister says country sees 'urgency' in building military might originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Seoul  North Korea fired a salvo of short-range ballistic missiles early Tuesday, Seoul's military said. It was Pyongyang's second launch in days and it came just hours before Americans were set to vote for a new president.



The nuclear-armed North last week test-fired what it said was its most advanced and powerful solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). That was Kim Jong Un's first weapons test since he was accused by U.S. and Ukrainian officials of sending soldiers to help support Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

North Korea, which has denied the deployment, is under growing international pressure to withdraw its troops from Russia, with Seoul warning Tuesday that thousands of soldiers were being deployed to front-line areas, including the Russian region of Kursk, which Ukrainian troops pushed into months ago.



Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launch of "several short-range ballistic missiles" at around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday (5:30 p.m. Eastern, Monday) into waters east of the Korean peninsula. The missiles flew approximately 248 miles and Seoul's military said it had tracked the launch in real time while sharing information with Tokyo and Washington.

A man watches a television showing a news broadcast using file video of a North Korean missile test, at a railway station in Seoul, Nov. 5, 2024, after the North test fired a salvo of short-range ballistic missiles early that morning. / Credit: ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty

"In preparation for additional launches, our military has strengthened surveillance and alertness," it added. Seoul was set to get more U.S. help in monitoring the North's missile launches, meanwhile, with the State Department in Washington announcing Monday the approval of a new military aid package worth almost $5 billion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That package includes the potential sale of airborne early warning and control systems to South Korea, with the approval of four E-7 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft, 10 jet engines, and other systems and support elements, at an estimated total cost of $4.92 billion.



The early warning and control aircraft, known as Wedgetails, would enable South Korea to detect missiles and other threats more swiftly and from greater distances than ground-based radar systems.



"This proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea's ability to meet current and future threats by providing increased intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and airborne early warning and control capabilities," the State Department said. "It will also increase the ROK Air Force's command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) interoperability with the United States."

On Sunday, South Korea, Japan and the United States conducted a joint air drill involving a U.S. B-1B bomber, South Korean F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets, and Japanese F-2 jets, in response to the ICBM launch. Such joint drills infuriate Pyongyang, which views them as rehearsals for invasion.

In this photo provided by the U.S. Air Force via the South Korea Defense Ministry, U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers, F-16 fighter jets, South Korean Air Force F-15K fighter jets and Japanese Air Force F-2 fighter jets fly during a trilateral military drill at an undisclosed location, Nov. 3, 2024. / Credit: U.S. Air Force/South Korea Defense Ministry/AP

Pyongyang called its latest launch "a direct response to the trilateral aerial exercises over the weekend," Han Kwon-hee of the Korea Association of Defense Industry Studies told AFP. "Given it was a salvo of short-range missiles, the North is indicating that it not only has long-range missiles capable of reaching the U.S., but also short-range ones to target all bases in South Korea and Japan."



Kim Yo Jong, sister of the country's leader and a key spokesperson, called the U.S.-South Korea-Japan exercises an "action-based explanation of the most hostile and dangerous aggressive nature of the enemy toward our Republic."



In a statement carried Tuesday by the official Korean Central News Agency, she said the drill was "absolute proof of the validity and urgency of the line of building up the nuclear forces we have opted for and put into practice."



Seoul has long accused the nuclear-armed North of sending weapons to help Moscow fight Kyiv and alleged that Pyongyang has moved to deploy soldiers en masse since Kim signed a mutual defense deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.



"More than 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, and we assess that a significant portion of them are deployed to front-line areas, including Kursk," Jeon Ha-gyu, a spokesman for the South Korean Defense Ministry, said Tuesday.

Seoul, a major weapons exporter, has said it is reviewing whether to send weapons directly to Ukraine in response, something it has previously resisted due to longstanding domestic policy that prevents it from providing weaponry into active conflicts.



With its recent testing spate, "Pyongyang is showing that its contribution of weapons and troops to Russia's war in Ukraine does not curtail its military activities closer to home," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "On the contrary, cooperation with Moscow appears to enable blatant violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions."



On Monday, Robert Wood, U.S. deputy ambassador to the U.N., slammed the North's advancing ballistic missile program and said Russia and China were preventing the U.N. from holding Pyongyang to account.



Beijing and Moscow "have repeatedly shielded the DPRK, contributing to the normalization of these tests and emboldening the DPRK to further violate this Council's sanctions and resolutions," he said, referring to the North by its official name.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Speaking Tuesday in Moscow, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said the North's missile tests were a justified reaction to U.S. "provocations," according to Russia's state-run TASS news agency.

End of an era for iconic moving walkways at San Francisco airport

What Colonial Williamsburg may teach us about politics today

The unintended consequences of Texas' strict abortion laws | 60 Minutes
Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) and three key allies have expressed "grave concerns" over North Korea's military deployment in Russia and are working on a "coordinated response," according to the joint statement published on Nov. 5.

Besides the G7 members, including the U.S., Japan, Italy, the U.K., Germany, France, Canada, and the High Representative of the European Union, the statement was also signed by South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

"Several thousands of DPRK troops have been deployed to Russia. The DPRK's direct support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, besides showing Russia's desperate efforts to compensate its losses, would mark a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific peace and security," the statement read.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It would be a further breach of international law, including the most fundamental principles of the U.N. Charter."

The ministers condemned in "the strongest possible terms" the deepening of the military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, including Russia's "unlawful procurement" of North Korean ballistic missiles.

The ministers also expressed concern over potential transfers of nuclear or ballistic missile-related technology from Russia to the DPRK.

"We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to support Ukraine as it defends its freedom, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. We are working with our international partners for a coordinated response to this new development," the statement read.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

North Korea has deployed 11,000 troops in Russia's Kursk Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 4.

On the following day, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that the first clashes between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and North Korean soldiers had already taken place in Kursk Oblast.

According to Zelensky, Russia has confirmed to the West the involvement of Pyongyang's forces in the war.

Read also: Editorial: When casting your vote in the US, think about Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  A U.S.-led statement approved by 10 of the 15 U.N. Security Council members Tuesday condemned a recent North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile launch and called on Pyongyang to return to negotiations and abandon its missile programs.

The statement follows a series of recent North Korean missile launches, including the test Thursday of the countrys newest ICBM that is designed to reach the United States.

The 10 Security Council members said that launch  in addition to more than 100 North Korean ballistic missile launches since 2022  violates multiple Security Council resolutions prohibiting the North from using ballistic missile technology and jeopardizes international peace and security.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies also decried last week's launch in a statement Tuesday, saying North Korea continues to advance its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities and to escalate its destabilizing activities. The G7 is Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the U.S.

At the United Nations, U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood read the statement to reporters surrounded by diplomats from the nine other nations that signed on  Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. They were joined by representatives from three countries that will join the council in January  Denmark, Greece and Panama.

Five Security Council nations didnt support the statement  Russia, China, Algeria, Mozambique and Guyana.

In the statement, the 10 council members said the United States sought the required approval of all 15 council members for a press statement condemning the ICBM test and calling for North Korea to adhere to the Securitiy Council's legally binding sanctions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the statement said two countries  identified by council members as North Koreas allies Russia and China  refused to join the denunciation of Pyongyangs actions.

The 10 members stressed that all council nations are obligated to implement sanctions on North Korea, urging all the nations on the Security Council to abide by that responsibility, maintain international peace and security, and uphold the treaty banning the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

While Russia and China were not named, the statement appeared aimed especially at Russia, which has reportedly received munitions and troops from North Korea for its war against Ukraine.

At a Security Council meeting Monday, the U.S. and its allies sparred with Russia, China and North Korea over Pyongyang's ICBM tests and troop deployment to Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ukrainian officials said Tuesday that their troops engaged North Korean units for the first time in Russias Kursk border region, which Ukrainian forces occupy.

The Security Council imposed sanctions after North Koreas first nuclear test explosion in 2006 and tightened them over the years, seeking  so far unsuccessfully  to cut funds and curb its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The last sanctions resolution was adopted by the council in December 2017. China and Russia vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution in May 2022 that would have imposed new sanctions over a spate of ICBM launches and have blocked any council action since then.
(FOX40.COM)  Several Northern California law enforcement agencies worked together to arrest 15 people accused of selling fentanyl and other dangerous drugs in the area.

From Nov. 1-2, the Folsom Police Department led an undercover operation called Folsom Blues to catch alleged drug dealers. Law enforcement said they used marketplaces and social media applications to arrange narcotic transactions. Those who showed up to a meetup location for drug sales were arrested.

El Dorado County supervisor John Hidahl passes away

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other law enforcement agencies that participated in Folsom Blues included the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office, Sacramento County District Attorneys Office, Citrus Heights Police Department, Sacramento County Probation, El Dorado County Sheriffs Office, Placer County Sheriffs Office, Placer County Probation, Roseville Police Department, Placer County District Attorneys Office, the California Highway Patrol, and Homeland Security Investigations.

The operation resulted in 15 arrests and the seizure of over $15,000 in cash, hundreds of pills, and other illicit drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines, according to FPD. Detectives also recovered nearly 350 grams of fentanyl, enough to kill the entire population of Folsom two times over.

Large propane tank knocks out attempted murder suspect in Placer County

FPD said all arrestees received the Watson advisement, which formally warned the alleged drug dealers of the dangers of fentanyl and informed them that they could be charged with murder if they sold drugs laced with fentanyl to someone and that person died as a result.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some arrestees remain in custody, however, FPD said most were released on bail or on their own recognizance.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  One of the biggest days of the year is finally here, millions of Americans cast their vote today. 10 On Your Side is Your Local Election Headquarters, we have the latest information you need to know.

WAVY.com Live Election Results

Starting at 6 a.m. in Virginia and 6:30 a.m. in North Carolina, voters made their choice not just for president  but also for the House, Senate and local races in the area.

Live blog of events starting at 4 p.m.:

9:25 p.m.: Donald Trump is projected to win the Presidential Election in North Carolina.

9 p.m.: Jennifer McClellan, Bobby Scott, and Robert Wittman are all projected to win their respective races for the U.S. House of Representatives.

8:45 p.m.: Kamala Harris is projected to win the Presidential Election in Virginia.

8:20 p.m.: Tim Kaine is projected to win re-election to the U.S. Senate.

8:15 p.m.: Josh Stein is projected to win the Governor race in North Carolina.

Just into the newsroom 10 On Your Side Cheyenne Pagan is in Hampton where the Chief Officer of Elections for the voting precinct where Hampton University student cast their ballot says the precinct received about 400 same-day voter registrations before 4 p.m. today.

7:30 p.m.: Polls in North Carolina are closed. Two voting precincts in Elm City and Morganton have been extended until 8 p.m. because of delays this morning.

7:15 p.m.: The first two states have been called. Harris is projected to win Vermont and Trump is projected to win Kentucky. See all election results on our Live Election Results Page .

7 p.m.: Polls in Virginia are closed.

6:16 p.m .: Latest numbers reveal 89,000 votes have been cast in Virginia Beach.

10 On Your Side Brett Hall is in Richmond with Sen. Tim Kaine. Doors for Kaines watch party just opened.

6 p.m. : 83,000 votes were cast in Virginia Beach, about 73% of total voters.

10 On Your Sides Andy Fox is covering the Missy Cotter Smasal camp and 10 On Your Sides Chris Horne is on site at Jen Kiggans camp.

4 p.m.: Virginia Beach voter registrar states 74,000 people have voted as of 3 p.m., amounting to about 58% of voter turnout.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voter Guide: November 2024 General Election

Coverage from earlier in the day

10 On Your Sides Raven Payne was in Virginia Beach, where a line could be seen forming ahead of the polls opening.

WAVY photo

One of the voters in line said they had been there since 3:30 a.m.

I wanted to vote early, I didnt want to stand and wait, Bill Cunningham said. It seem to be a good time to do it. Ive been here since 3:30 a.m.

Not even an hour after polls in the Commonwealth opened, several voters reported issues at the Phoebus Branch Library in Hampton. The registrars office confirmed with WAVY 10 that there was a jam causing the issue. Voters at the branch were told to put their ballots in the emergency drop or to wait until the issue was resolved. As of 7 a.m., the issue was resolved.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some voters WAVY spoke to were happy the issue was resolved, but some were confused as to how that could even happen on such an important day.

My concern is, this is Election Day, Cassandra Mitchell said. This is a very important election, why would you only have one box?

Many voters brought their kids to the polls, including Virginia Beach resident Jennifer Mosely, who told WAVYs Raven Payne about the importance of showing her daughter the process.

Im raising a generation of kids that are gonna be living with the decision we make today, and Im gonna make sure its a good one, Mosely said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Moselys daughter said that even though she cant vote yet, shes watching closely.

Hopefully whoevers president will make good decisions for our country, she said.

Jen Kiggans, the Republican incumbent for Virginias Second Congressional District, cast her ballot Tuesday morning, speaking with 10 On Your Side about the hotly contested seat. She is running against Missy Cotter Smasal (D) and Robert E. Reid, Jr. (I).

This seat is always going to be a tough fight, Kiggans said. Its not a red or blue district, its a purple district. But, we really work to appeal to the common sense voter out there. We listen to them, we listen to the issues they care about, and thats the campaign we run and the message we send for almost the past two years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Smasal cast her ballot at John B Dey Elementary School around 9 a.m. and spoke to WAVY 10 about the differences between herself and Kiggans.

The contrast could not be more stark, Smasal said. I will protect reproductive rights, [Kiggans] has voted 13 times to attack reproductive freedom. I will work for a strong local economy. [Kiggans] has failed to deliver any results because shes focused on extremism and a culture war in D.C. Its time to turn the page from the chaos and focus on better results for coastal Virginia.

WAVY.com Candidate Profiles

According to an analysis from NBC, over 2.2 million Virginians have already cast their ballots, and over 4.4 million North Carolinians have cast their ballots. NBCs final poll shows former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris neck and neck, both getting support from 49% of registered voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Political analyst Joel Rubin tells 10 On Your Side it is likely we will not know who wins by the end of Election Day.

Joe Biden got 303 electoral votes to 232 for Trump in 2020, Rubin said. And we didnt know officially for four days who won the election.

Polls in Virginia closed at 7 p.m., and polls in North Carolina closed at 7:30 p.m.

Check back for election updates throughout the day.

Your Local Election Headquarters on WAVY.com

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
On 4 November, Ukraine's Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications issued updated figures regarding the monuments and cultural infrastructure damaged or destroyed by Russia.

Source: Ukraine's Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications

Details: According to the regional military administrations and the Kyiv City Military Administration, 10 sites were damaged in October. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Russians have damaged or destroyed 1,179 cultural heritage sites and 2,109 cultural infrastructure locations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the Culture Ministry, the affected sites include 120 that are of national importance, 990 of local importance, and 69 newly discovered sites.

Some sites in Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts have been damaged more than once. Further damage has been reported in Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Cultural monuments have been damaged or destroyed in 18 oblasts and the city of Kyiv, the ministry said.

The report also emphasises that the count is not final because virtually the whole of Luhansk Oblast and substantial areas of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Kherson oblasts are still under temporary occupation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russian troops are also said to have damaged 368 cultural infrastructure sites (such as cultural venues, libraries, museums, art galleries, theatres, concert halls, parks and zoos).

Sites in Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia and Luhansk oblasts have sustained the most damage.

On 28 October, Russian troops used aerial bombs to attack the centre of Kharkiv. One of them struck the House of State Industry (Derzhprom), a modernist architectural landmark of national significance.

On 4 November, Kharkiv City Council representatives held an online meeting with the head of UNESCO in Ukraine, Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi. They discussed redoubling efforts to put not only the Derzhprom building but the entire architectural ensemble in Freedom Square on the UNESCO World Heritage List. "The organisation is ready to help the city with a fast-tracked procedure for adding the site to the World Heritage List," said Yuliia Zhurska, Deputy Head of the Department of International Cooperation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Derzhprom is currently on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

UNESCO has confirmed that as of 16 October 2024, 457 Ukrainian cultural heritage sites have been damaged since 24 February 2022, including 143 religious sites, 231 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 32 museums, 33 monuments, 17 libraries, and an archive.

Support UP or become our patron!
NEW YORK  On the eve of a historic presidential election thats being painted by the Democratic Party as a battle for the soul of the nation, New York Mayor Eric Adams on Monday encouraged New Yorkers to vote and said he is limited in what he can say about the race by legal concerns.

Adams has upset fellow Democrats over the past few weeks by declining to disavow former President Donald Trumps sympathetic comments toward him in light of his indictment on federal corruption charges. Hes also said its wrong to call the GOP nominee a fascist, a position that runs counter to arguments being made by the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Asked Monday if he had been campaigning for Harris or other candidates, Adams replied that he was always doing something to move this city forward.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In response to a separate question of whether he had any last-minute message to rally voters in support of Harris, the mayor gave a short answer:

Get out the vote.

I made clear who I endorsed, and who I endorsed is who Im voting for, the mayor said on his plans for tomorrow, though he did not mention Harris by name. The mayor attended the Democratic National Convention and endorsed Harris in July.

Adams explained his comments Monday, saying his lawyers told him he cant do much campaigning for the Democratic nominee and that he is being as outspoken as he can be in support of her.

I dont know how much more enthusiasm you need from me, Adams said at his weekly press briefing, seeming exasperated. The mayor said he avoids electioneering from the podium, because of advice he received from his lawyers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

My legal team said, Eric, heres what you do and you cant do, Adams said. And I have to make sure I do it correctly. So youre damned if you do, damned if you dont.

A spokesman for the mayor did not clarify what legal guidance the mayor was referring to.

In August, then-chief-counsel Lisa Zornberg chided reporters for asking the mayor about the presidential campaign.

Its an inappropriate question for this forum, Zornberg said at the time. And what Im saying is based on advice that we have been given and guidance from the Conflicts of Interest Board, its about anything thats purely about someone elses campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Zornberg, who resigned two weeks before the mayor was indicted, cited later in a statement a COIB rule that prohibits elected officials from using taxpayer resources to benefit political campaigns.

Adams messaging leading up to the election has run counter to most Democrats. While most have leaned into the idea that Tuesdays election is a high-stakes battle with the future of the nation at stake, Adams has called for the temperature of the election to be taken down a notch.

Trump has twice come to the defense of the mayor in recent weeks, with Trump telling the mayor earlier this month at the Al Smith dinner they both were persecuted by President Joe Bidens Justice Department but that hes confident he would win.

Adams has pleaded not guilty to charges he abused his position of power to solicit and receive illegal straw campaign donations from Turkish nationals in exchange for favors and influence.

_____
On the eve of a historic presidential election thats being painted by the Democratic Party as a battle for the soul of the nation, Mayor Adams Monday encouraged New Yorkers to vote and said he is limited in what he can say about the race by legal concerns.

Adams has upset fellow Democrats over the past few weeks by declining to disavow former President Donald Trumps sympathetic comments toward him in light of his indictment on federal corruption charges. Hes also said its wrong to call the GOP nominee a fascist, a position that runs counter to arguments being made by the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Asked Monday if he had been campaigning for Harris or other candidates, Adams replied that he was always doing something to move this city forward.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In response to a separate question of whether he had any last-minute message to rally voters in support of Harris, the mayor gave a short answer:

Get out the vote.

I made clear who I endorsed, and who I endorsed is who Im voting for, the mayor said on his plans for tomorrow, though he did not mention Harris by name. The mayor attended the Democratic National Convention and endorsed Harris in July.

Adams explained his comments Monday, saying his lawyers told him he cant do much campaigning for the Democratic nominee and that he is being as outspoken as he can be in support of her.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I dont know how much more enthusiasm you need from me, Adams said at his weekly press briefing, seeming exasperated. The mayor said he avoids electioneering from the podium, because of advice he received from his lawyers.

My legal team said, Eric, heres what you do and you cant do, Adams said. And I have to make sure I do it correctly. So youre damned if you do, damned if you dont.

A spokesman for the mayor did not clarify what legal guidance the mayor was referring to.

In August, then-chief-counsel Lisa Zornberg chided reporters for asking the mayor about the presidential campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its an inappropriate question for this forum, Zornberg said at the time. And what Im saying is based on advice that we have been given and guidance from the Conflicts of Interest Board, its about anything thats purely about someone elses campaign.

Zornberg, who resigned two weeks before the mayor was indicted, cited later in a statement a COIB rule that prohibits elected officials from using taxpayer resources to benefit political campaigns.

Adams messaging leading up to the election has run counter to most Democrats. While most have leaned into the idea that Tuesdays election is a high-stakes battle with the future of the nation at stake, Adams has called for the temperature of the election to be taken down a notch.

Trump has twice come to the defense of the mayor in recent weeks, with Trump telling the mayor earlier this month at the Al Smith dinner they both were persecuted by Bidens Justice Department but that hes confident he would win.

Adams has pleaded not guilty to charges he abused his position of power to solicit and receive illegal straw campaign donations from Turkish nationals in exchange for favors and influence.
LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11)  A New York State trooper who was shot last week on Long Islands Southern State Parkway has now been suspended without pay, officials told PIX11 News.

Trooper Thomas Mascia, 27, is being investigated over inconsistencies in his story, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.

More Local News

Mascia was patrolling the parkway last Wednesday night when he came across what he believed to be a stranded motorist, officials said during a news conference. Mascia got out of his patrol vehicle and approached a black sedan parked on the left side of the roadway, which is when he was shot in his right leg, officials had said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The trooper fled to his car, where he gave himself first aid, according to officials. The black sedan fled the scene, officials said.

According to audio reviewed from broadcastify.com, Trooper Mascia called in the shooting just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, saying, Shots fired! Shots fired Im hit. Westbound southern state right before exit 17. Telling a dispatcher, I think my kneecaps broken Im bleeding pretty good in the leg. Got a tourniquet on.

He then proceeded to give a description of the alleged gunman he says shot him, which State Police terminated a manhunt for Monday.

Mascia was released from a local hospital on Friday. A $10,000 reward was offered for any information on the shooting that could lead to an arrest and conviction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The NYSP also released a statement about the investigation into the shooting, saying in part, State Police is conducting an investigation into the circumstances involving Trooper Mascia that was reported on October 30th.

On Monday night, high-profile defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman confirmed to PIX11 News that he has been hired to represent Trooper Mascia. He told PIX11 News I am still in the process of gathering facts myself. Nothing to offer beyond that at this time, unfortunately.

Lichtman says that his client has not been arrested or charged at this point.

As first reported by the Albany Times Union, sources confirmed hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash was discovered inside the Mascia family home in West Hempstead Monday during a search of the property, along with a cache of guns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A Batavia man was charged with DWI and weapon charges after police said he had drugs and a firearm in his car.

(Photo/New York State Police)

The New York State Police was called to Lewiston Road to check on a man who was slumped behind the wheel of his vehicle. An investigation uncovered suspected meth, drug paraphernalia, an AR-15-style rifle with a threaded barrel, and 22 rounds of ammo.

It was further alleged that the suspect, 42-year-old Jefferson D. Butler, was intoxicated. He was arrested without incident and taken to Genesee County CAP.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Butler has been charged with DWI, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and drug paraphernalia.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
A polling location in Jefferson City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

If the 2020 presidential election is an indicator, determining who the next president will be may not be clear on election night.

Local election officials as well as Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said that voters should be assured that elections in Missouri are secure even if vote counting takes time.

I trust our elections, Ashcroft said. I was on the ballot in August, I lost, and sadly I trust that I lost.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It could take days after polls close before the final results become clear. The same is true for control of the U.S. House and Senate and other close contests.

The reasons are largely procedural.

Accurate vote counting takes time.

According to Ashcrofts office, there were just under 4.4 million registered voters in the state who could potentially cast ballots in this election. Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon said 134,000 voters are registered in the county.

In addition to counting this volume of votes, legal challenges, audits and recounts can also extend the period needed to determine the outcome.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Election officials, like Lennon, caution Americans to be patient. What might look like delays are part of the normal process and not a sign of something nefarious.

We do also remind people that Election Day results are still considered unofficial because there is still a certification process that has to happen, Lennon said.

Lennon said this certification process includes things like confirming provisional ballots and counting military and overseas ballots that must arrive by 12 p.m. Friday, as allowed under state law.

Even when enough votes have been counted to allow media outlets to project a winner, those results are not final or official. They still need to be certified by election officials, a process that usually occurs over several weeks following Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The official certification deadline for presidential electors in Missouri is Nov. 20, and Dec. 10  the second Tuesday of the month  for other federal offices.

These dates, as well as the rules and procedures for how elections are conducted, vary by state. To Lennon, this is a strength of the system.

It is part of the way that we are decentralized in elections in this country. Overall, I feel that it makes us stronger because we have so many local election officials that are conducting the election in their own communities, Lennon said.

Ballots cast by voters on Election Day are tabulated relatively quickly, usually by machine, but even those results need to be double-checked. In Missouri, counties must recount by hand votes from 5% of polling locations as a check that counting by machines was correct.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are 60 polling places in Boone County for this election, Lennon said. Three polling places will be selected at random and recounted to meet the 5% requirement.

Mailed absentee ballots can take longer to count. Each ballot must be reviewed for accuracy and to ensure that it comes from a legitimate voter. The process of removing the ballot from the envelope, confirming its validity and preparing it to be counted, either by hand or machine, takes time.

Some states prohibit officials from beginning this process before Election Day, all but guaranteeing that the count will be extended. In Missouri, absentee ballots are prepared and placed in a secure ballot box beginning five days before the election. They are not counted until the polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Two battleground states, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, prohibit the opening, preparing and counting of ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day. Results from these states may take more time than other presidential battleground states as a result.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are other factors that could lead to a longer wait for final results.

Most states, including Missouri, require mailed ballots to be received by the close of polls on Election Day. However, a few states, such as Nevada, California and Maryland, allow ballots to arrive several days after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.

Some states give voters a few days to cure or fix errors on their mail ballots so they can be counted. This is not the case in Missouri, but for national races outside the state, this can make a difference.

Close races can also trigger automatic or candidate-requested recounts or attract legal challenges that can drag the contest out even further.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This complicated and extended counting process can lead to false claims of election fraud or interference, as was the case in 2020. In that election, it took four days for The Associated Press to unofficially declare Joe Biden president. The votes were not officially certified until weeks later, as is normal procedure.

Despite this, former president Donald Trump demanded that the counting be stopped hours after the polls closed, and declared himself the winner, falsely accusing Democrats of finding ballots to manipulate the outcome.

We dont want them to find any ballots at 4 oclock in the morning and add them to the list, Trump said. As far as Im concerned, we already have won it.

But what Trump and his allies were denouncing was the normal vote-counting process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Officials had warned repeatedly that the count would take time, especially with the expanded use of mail balloting by Democrats during the pandemic. That created what became known as a red mirage favoring Trump on Election Day, something that disappeared once all the votes were tallied.

As secretary of state, Ashcroft is the man in charge of securing and certifying the results of the election.

Missouri leads the nation in making sure we have accessibility, security and credibility, Ashcroft said. Its easy to vote, its hard to cheat, and if you do well come after you so that when all is said and done we can all understand the results are what the people of the state desire.

This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online.
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Police and election officials in Rhode Island and Massachusetts are beefing up security efforts ahead of Election Day.

R.I. Secretary of State Gregg Amore told 12 News that state police will be on standby and some communities will have law enforcement presence at polling places.

The police are on high alert during Election Day, Amore said. The state police are on high alert, our friends at the Fusion Center understand that this is a tense time. And so, everybodys prepared to respond if they have too.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

RELATED: How many people voted early in RI, MA?

Amore emphasized that safety is on top of mind when it comes to the states elections.

Many communities have higher police details for Election Day, Amore explained. Many have enhanced those police details compared to last election or the election before, but not every polling place has a police officer. Again, the locals decide on that.

One community that used money awarded by the Secretary of States office to improve cybersecurity for this election is East Providence.

Mayor Bob DaSilva said there will also be police details regularly checking polling locations throughout the day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ive generally have never had poll workers come to me and say, Hey, Id feel better if I knew police are coming around,' DaSilva said. Ive had it happen this time around, and just to be on the safe side, we will have extra presence.

READ MORE: Where do I go to vote on Election Day?

New Bedford police are taking it a step further and will have an officer at every polling place throughout the day.

Chief Paul Oliveira said at a press conference on Wednesday that police will have extra patrols throughout the day if need be.

Better lighting will be added at polling places that were deemed to dark last election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Officers will also be enforcing rules banning political signs or messaging within 150 feet of a polling place, Oliveira said.

NEXT: Justice Department to monitor voting compliance in RI

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
MSNBCs Nicolle Wallace said JD Vance messed up in a major way when he insulted Vice President Kamala Harris as trash on the eve of Election Day.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday, the Republican vice presidential nominee said that in two days, were going to take out the trash, and the trashs name is Kamala Harris.

On MSNBC soon afterwards, Wallace watched the clip three times in a row.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Oh my god, she said after the first time. Can I see that again?

Forgive me. One more time, she said after the next.

After watching three times, she told viewers, In my humble view: lights out.

Women. You can disagree with us, weve actually learned to take it for our whole careers all the time in every form, but you call us trash? she continued. Oh, oh, oh. You just effed up in a way that Ive never seen in my political life  and I worked for Sarah Palin.

Vance and his running mate, Donald Trump, have alienated women during the 2024 campaign by making and amplifying sexist and creepy comments, and campaigning with misogynists.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump has also attempted to rewrite his record on reproductive rights, after paving the way for extreme abortion bans to be enacted across the country.

The former president is still dealing with the fallout, particularly in the key swing state of Pennsylvania, after a comedian at his New York City rally late last month called Puerto Rico an island of garbage.

While condemning the racist themes at the rally, President Joe Biden appeared to call Trump supporters garbage. While he later clarified he was referring to the rhetoric, Trump and his allies have seized on the moment to tell their supporters Biden thinks of them as trash.

Related...
(NewsNation)  Voters in Ohio will cast their votes Tuesday in some key races in the 2024 election.

Presidential race in Ohio

Ohio was once considered a battleground state but, in recent election cycles, has leaned more to the right. Trump took Ohio in 2020 with 53% of the votes.

Trumps running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance hails from the state which makes chances even higher for the former president to score a hat trick.

US Senate race in Ohio

Three-term Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown will be defending his seat in Republican-leaning Ohio against GOP businessman Bernie Moreno, who had won the Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trumps endorsement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Ohio Senate race is one of the tightest and most closely watched races of the 2024 election, barring only a few other races including the race to the White House.

US House races in Ohio

Voters will also elect 15 candidates to serve in the House from each of the states congressional districts.

One of the most hotly contested seats will be in Ohios 13th District where Democratic incumbent Emilia Sykes will face GOP contender Kevin Coughlin, a businessman and former state legislator.

Sykes is one of a handful of Black representatives to represent a majority-white district, which was redrawn to focus on Akron instead of its previous anchor in Youngstown, reported Akron Signal. The 13th District is considered the most competitive district in Ohio.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ohios ninth district is also highly competitive as Democratic incumbent Marcy Kaptur fights to keep her seat against state GOP Rep. Derek Merrin, who hails from rural Lucas County.

Ohio voters will also weigh in on Issue 1, which would change the way the state draws district maps for Congress, the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate.

Ohio statewide ballot measure

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election. These elections will determine who has control over the two branches of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Ohio has 17 Electoral College votes contributing to the presidential race. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early in person voting in Ohio started on Oct. 8, and timings for polls for in-person voting vary by day but many election offices have extended timings.

Judicial races in Ohio

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
A voter shows identification to an election judge during primary voting in Lordstown, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

Ohio voters are expressing confusion over ballot language written by opponents of Ohio Issue 1, so to be clear: A Yes vote establishes a new citizens redistricting commission. A No vote keeps politicians on the current Ohio Redistricting Commission in charge.

Yes vote

If Issue 1 passes, a 15-member citizens redistricting commission will be created to redraw the maps for Ohio Statehouse seats and U.S. Congressional districts beginning with the 2026 election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The commission would be made up of five Republicans, five Democrats, and five independents.

The citizens on the commission would be chosen by a bipartisan panel of retired judges, who would vet the commission candidates for conflicts of interest, throwing out those who currently holdsor previously held political office, been appointed to a federal, state or local office, or served as a political lobbyist.

Like a jury, such a commission lacks conflict of interest and is tasked to render an unbiased outcome, Sam Wang, of the Princeton, NJ-based Electoral Innovation Lab, stated of the citizens redistricting process proposed in Issue 1.

After a map has been adopted by the commission, any court challenges would go to the Ohio Supreme Court, who would review and approve or reject the maps.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

[2024 Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.]

The amendment proposal has pledged transparency throughout the process, with public hearings and map-drawing happening in the open for public review and scrutiny.

Under the proposal, the amendment would counter gerrymandering by requiring proportionality as part of the map-drawing process, meaning the commission would have to create districts that matched Ohio voter preferences from recent elections.

Even those who support the amendment have said that would mean the state would still lean more Republican than Democratic, but the margins would not be as large as in maps created under the current process, led by the all-elected-official Ohio Redistricting Commission. Supporters of the measure say the new redistricting model would allow for more competitive districts, leading to more responsive elected officials, more representation and more voter engagement.

No vote

Voting no on Issue 1 would mean the process as it stands now would continue. As it currently stands, the Ohio Redistricting Commission holds the power when it comes to Ohio Statehouse maps, and they are the authority on Ohios U.S. Congressional map if the state legislature cant come to an agreement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ORC is made up of the state governor, secretary of state and auditor, along with four lawmakers: one individual each appointed by the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, the Senate Minority Leader and the House Minority Leader. The makeup of the commission that created the last six Statehouse maps and two congressional maps starting in 2021 included five Republicans and two Democrats.

The Ohio Supreme Court also reviewed the maps for the Ohio Redistricting Commission when they were challenged, and rejected five of the six Statehouse maps as unduly partisan and unconstitutional. Both congressional maps were also rejected as favoring the Republican Party in a way that did not reflect Ohio voting trends.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

The current system requires three public hearings for proposed maps, but does not require map-drawing to take place in public. In one instance, the Ohio Supreme Court suggested the hiring of two independent mapmakers after rejecting a third attempt at Statehouse maps, and a live-feed of the mapmakers was established.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After six days, with mapmakers making $450 per hour, their map was ultimately not taken up by the Ohio Redistricting Commission, and a slightly revised version of a map previously rejected by the state supreme court was approved along party lines.

Those who were on the ORC, specifically Gov. Mike DeWine and Auditor of State Keith Faber, have acknowledged that the current method needs some changes, and that the maps that came out of the ORC could have been improved.

Faber told a gathering of the Columbus Metropolitan Club in October that the current system doesnt work very well, it was designed not to work very well, it was designed to compromise.

However, DeWine, Faber and others, including Senate President Matt Huffman, say the proposed amendment is not the solution, mainly because the parameters set for drawing maps would not improve any redistricting efforts, according to the ORC members. DeWine and Faber have argued proportionality and competitiveness cant happen in tandem, and the parameters would force an outcome, rather than create fair maps.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DeWine has gone so far as to say that whether or not Issue 1 passes, he plans to push the legislature in their next session to introduce the redistricting method used in Iowa.

What Im not going to say is never, never, never will I ever do that, Im not going to say it, DeWine said in July when asked if he would still push for the Iowa plan if Issue 1 passed. What I hope happens is that we can defeat this in the fall  and I will push and I will do whatever I can to lead so that we end up with something thats better than what we have now.

DeWine said he wants put the measure to voters in a future election.

Ohios polls will remain open on Tuesday until 7:30 p.m.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
PRICEVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  An Ohio man was arrested for dangerous drug trafficking and nationwide warrants Monday.

On Nov. 4, the Priceville Police Department said they arrested 38-year-old Steven Ramone White from Cleveland, Ohio during a traffic stop.

Man arrested for strangling someone in Guntersville

The department said around 11:30 p.m., officers stopped a vehicle on I-65 southbound near mile marker 331 for improper lane usage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

PPD said once officers approached the occupants of the vehicle, a narcotics field investigation began.

As a result of the narcotics investigation, a quantity of fentanyl and marijuana was found inside the vehicle.

White was in the car and during the initial stop, he gave a false identity to officers.

Officers determined that White was a violent fugitive from justice with multiple active nationwide extradition warrants in multiple states for rape, kidnapping, sexual assault, importuning, compelling prostitution and aggravated assault.

 News 19 is Your Local Election Headquarters! Click here for more election coverage 

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

White was arrested and additionally charged with trafficking fentanyl, second-degree possession of marijuana and using a false identity to avoid/hinder prosecution.

White was taken to the Morgan County Jail where he is being held without bond and waiting a judges order.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
As Election Day crept up, voters have been rather loud inpublicizing who theyre voting for. But in some cases, shouting out their candidate of choice went loud and wrong...enter John Rodgers.

Rodgers, a sheriffs office lieutenant in Clark County, Ohio, recently shared in a series of posts on Facebook that he would only help those in need if they voted Republican.

According to WHIO-TV, one of the posts read, I am sorry. If you support the Democrat Party I will not help you and The problem is that I know which of you supports the Democratic Party and I will not help you survive the end of days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More from WHIO-TV on the statement released by the Clark County Sheriffs Department:

It is understood that while these comments are highly inappropriate, they in no means reflect the Clark County Sheriffs Office delivery of service to ALL our community and does not reflect the mission and values of the Sheriffs Office. The community has a right to be upset over the actions of Lt. Rodgers and he, as well as the Sheriffs Office in general, will have to work even harder to replenish the trust of members of our community, the statement read in part.

Due to his actions, Rodgers received a written reprimand for violating the departments social media policy. But, he will continue to remain on duty. In an investigative file obtained by WHIO-TV, Rodgers blamed the posts on sleeping aids he was prescribed by his doctor.

He wrote to his supervisors, I do not remember writing these posts or deleting any posts. He explained that the sleeping aids, cause some of my communication to be out of character which is a documented side effect.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a statement to the Springfield News-Sun, Mike Young, Clark Countys chief deputy, said, Weve been in this battle over the last few months, with the attacks on the Haitian community and other immigrants, and we protect peoples rights and we dont support the conduct to the contrary. I cant go back in time and take that post away; the lieutenant made the post and he has received consequences for that.

Rodgers has since deactivated his Facebook account and apparently stopped taking the sleeping aids, according to the News-Sun.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose talks to reporters. (Photo by Susan Tebben, OCJ.)

In a final message ahead of Election Day, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose reminded voters about basic procedures like bringing a photo ID and what to expect as returns begin rolling in on Tuesday night.

Despite holding the briefing to keep voters informed, LaRose refused to allow the Ohio Capital Journal to attend in person. This story was reported via an Ohio Channel livestream.

Election Night reporting

[2024 Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.]

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

LaRose said the state will report 100% of our Election Day unofficial vote total, but also warned the races too close to call wont be settled until the official canvass three weeks later. He proposed a hypothetical race in which one candidate held a 60,000 vote lead but there were 300,000 outstanding absentee or provisional ballots.

By definition, that race is not over, LaRose insisted. Numerically speaking, there are still enough votes that could change the result of that election. And so its important that we report that properly, that Ohioans understand how that works.

According to the tally on Ohios early vote dashboard, there are more than 152,000 outstanding absentee ballots. If a race is too close to call, LaRose said, it is going to be a wait before we can release the results. Thats not us delaying or waiting arbitrarily, its us following the law.

Its an important warning because in recent elections former President Donald Trump and his supporters have seized on delays to make allegations of fraud.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Center for Election Innovation and Research Executive Director David Becker explained while Trump wanted to stop the count in Pennsylvania last presidential election because he was ahead, he wanted officials to keep counting in Arizona where he trailed.

I think we should expect to hear especially from former President Trump, since hes done this before, that where hes behind, hell say, continue the count, and where hes ahead, hell say, stop the count, Becker said. But thats not how it works. We have a total number of ballots, and we dont stop until we count all of the ballots.

As for the chances of some county election officials delaying certification over real or perceived fraud, LaRose downplayed the possibility.

If there were some, LaRose said, and to be clear, there are not  I go to dozens of boards of elections every month, Ive been all over the state visiting boards, Ive heard no inclination whatsoever that anybody would be even thinking about that  but if they would, then again, there are legal remedies to compel public officials to do their job.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

LaRose noted as well that the first wave of results will be made up of absentee ballots  both those cast early in person and those sent through the mail or returned to drop boxes. Its a provision that makes processing results far quicker on election night, and that officials in battleground states like Pennsylvania had urged their lawmakers to put in place. Pennsylvania state lawmakers didnt take them up on that.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Election Day procedures

Polls will open on Election Day at 6:30 in the morning and close at 7:30 at night. As always, if people are in line when the polls officially close, theyll still be allowed to vote so they should not leave line.

LaRose took a victory lap after winning a handful of voting related legal challenges. Voting rights groups took him to court arguing recent policy changes could make voting harder for those helping family members and recently naturalized citizens.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In both cases, the court allowed LaRoses changes to remain in place.

The secretary also warned voters not to wear clothing at a polling location that could be perceived as advocating one candidate or another. State law prohibits campaigning at a polling location, and county boards sought guidance from the secretary on where to draw the line.

LaRose explained clothing with a candidates name or statements like vote for or vote against are clearly out of bounds. But a voter showing up in a T-shirt with the local high schools mascot on it doesnt amount to campaigning for a levy: Thats getting ridiculous, right?

All the same, he argued, some clothing makes a clear statement even if its indirect. He pointed to people at showing up at GOP campaign events over the weekend in garbage bags or reflective vests related to various garbage comments in the news last week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But LaRose said election workers are not interested in creating a scene.

So, if somebody insists on wearing that clothing, were going to write their name down, turn it over to the county board of elections  which could choose to pursue prosecution because it is a crime  but were not going to keep that person from voting, certainly.

Theyre going to cast their ballot, he went on, theyre going to get their I Voted sticker, and theyre going to be on their way.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
A sheriff's office in Springfield, Ohio is facing backlash after a lieutenant said on Facebook that he would not help Democrats.

Lt. John Rodgers of the Clark County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook recently that he wanted proof of whom someone was voting for before helping them, according to the Springfield News-Sun.

"I am sorry. If you support the Democrat Party I will not help you," one of Rodgers' since-deleted posts read, according to local station WHIO-TV. Another post stated "The problem is that I know which of you supports the Democratic Party and I will not help you survive the end of days."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rodgers has since deleted his Facebook account and apologized for his comments.

The sheriff's office did not immediately reply to USA TODAY's request for comment Monday.

Rodgers blames sleep medication for 'out of character' claim

Rodgers told the Springfield News-Sun that he takes medication to help him sleep and that causes him to make "out of character" phone calls, texts and statements.

An internal investigative file revealed that he insisted his comment was a "documented side-effect" of a prescribed sleep aids, WHIO-TV reported.

"I do not remember writing these posts or deleting any posts," Rodgers wrote to supervisors, according to the station.

Rodgers has apologized to the Clark County community, his coworkers and his family. He also vowed to stop taking the sleep medication.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I know I cannot apologize enough, and my apologies may seem empty, but I will continue to apologize as long as necessary, Rodgers wrote in a letter he shared with WHIO-TV. "I know it will be difficult for the public to trust me, but I will do everything in my power to start mending that trust. I apologize from the bottom of my heart and want to ensure our community I will always serve to the best of my ability and strive to do better. I want to ensure the citizens in our community that I have always treated everyone with dignity and respect no matter our differences and will strive to show them I can do better."

Homes along S. Yellow Springs Street in Springfield, Ohio, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. The area has attracted national attention after conservative figures, including former President Donald Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance, spread debunked claims that Haitians in the community were stealing and eating people's pets.

Sheriff's office calls Rodger's posts 'highly inappropriate'

The Clark County Sheriff's Office has called Rodgers' posts "highly inappropriate," WHIO-TV reported, and say that they don't reflect the office's "delivery of service to ALL our community and does not reflect the mission and values of the sheriffs office."

"The community has a right to be upset over the actions of Lt. Rodgers and he, as well as the sheriffs office in general, will have to work even harder to replenish the trust of members of our community," the sheriff's office said in a statement sent to WHIO-TV.

The sheriffs office is located in Springfield, Ohio, which garnered national attention after former President Donald Trump made unfounded claims that Haitian migrants in the city are stealing and eating pets during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a News Nation interview last month, Trump said he would deport Haitian migrants in Springfield who have legal residency if elected.

"Springfield is such a beautiful place. Have you seen what's happened to it? It's been overrun. You can't do that to people. They have to be removed," Trump told the outlet.

Springfield officials have refuted the depiction of the city.

Sheriff tells residents to 'write down' Harris supporter addresses in September

Rodgers' comments come two months after an Ohio county sheriff took to social media to seemingly request the addresses of homes with front yard signs supporting Harris.

In a Sept. 13 Facebook post, Portage County Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski said what he would do if Harris defeats Trump in the presidential election.

Homemade signs on a home in support for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in the 2024 election in rural Tipp City, Ohio on Sept. 23, 2024.

"When people ask me...What's gonna happen if the Flip - Flopping, Laughing Hyena Wins?? I say...write down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards," Zuchowski wrote in the Facebook post. "Sooo...when the Illegal human 'Locust' (which she supports!) Need places to live...We'll already have the addresses of their New families...who supported their arrival!"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While Zuchowski, a Republican who is up for reelection on Tuesday, did not make any overt threats in the post, some residents voiced concerns over a sheriff listing addresses based on political beliefs.

"That sort of doxxing, sanctioned by a gun-toting man with a badge, is downright scary," Kent resident Bob Springer wrote in a September complaint he filed with the federal Department of Justice.

Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY and Amanda Garrett, Akron Beacon Journal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ohio sheriff's lieutenant who said he won't help Democrats apologizes
(WKBN)  Voters in Ohio and Pennsylvania will cast their ballots for the 2024 General Election by in-person voting on Election Day, early in-person voting, or by absentee ballot.

When is Election Day 2024?

Election Day is November 5.

What time are the polls open in Ohio?

Polls are open in Ohio from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can find your polling place online.

Am I registered to vote in Ohio?

The deadline to register to vote in Ohio has already passed and it was on Oct. 7. You can check your voter registration online.

What is on my ballot:

You can see what issues and candidates are on your ballot by county online at the Ohio Secretary of State website.

Early voting information:

You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 8 and Nov 3. Early and in-person voting began Oct. 8 and includes the two Saturdays and the two Sundays before Election Day. Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Ohios site to find where to vote early.

Ohio absentee ballot information:

The postmark deadline for ballots returned by mail is Nov. 4. If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections office by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can track your absentee ballot in Ohio online.

November 9 is the last day for boards of elections to receive non-UOCAVA (overseas) absentee ballots (returned by U.S. mail) that have been postmarked on or before November 4. UOCAVA absentee ballots must be received (by mail) by boards of elections by this date to be counted.

What is a provisional ballot?

A provisional ballot is cast by the voter and eligibility will be determined at a later date. Once eligibility is verified, the vote is counted.

In Both Ohio and Pennsylvania, you can cast a provisional ballot for many reasons such as:

Your name does not appear on the official poll list for that precinct, or an election official asserts that you are not eligible to vote or is unable to determine your eligibility;

You are unable to provide photo identification.

Your name appears on the official poll list for that precinct as having already requested an absentee ballot

Your name is marked on the poll list or signature book with a notation that certain registration mailings have been returned as undeliverable

Your voter registration has been challenged

Your signature, in the opinion of the precinct officers, does not match the signature on your registration form.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
(Bloomberg) -- Oil edged higher as the tight US presidential election looms over global markets while a tropical storm threatens production from the Gulf of Mexico.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

West Texas Intermediate rose 0.7% to settle near $72 a barrel. The price had earlier risen as much as 1.7% before paring gains and even briefly turning negative. Brent advanced 0.6% to settle above $75.

Tropical Storm Rafael is threatening disruptions at US offshore oil and natural gas platforms, with its path on target to affect about 1.7 million barrels of daily output. Chevron Corp. shut in its production in the US Gulf while Shell Plc is evacuating some non-essential personnel in the area.

Injecting more uncertainty, polls suggest the race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris remains close. The outcome is likely to reshape US trade, foreign, security and climate policies and may hold far-reaching consequences for commodity markets.

A second Trump administration is expected to be more welcoming to the US shale industry and more skeptical of renewables. Separately, RBC Capital Markets LLC has said such an outcome may shift foreign policy and bring the possibility of tighter sanctions against Iran, but looser curbs on Russian oil flows.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The current US administration hasnt enforced any sanctions, said Amrita Sen, director of research at consultant Energy Aspects Ltd. In fact, its encouraged people to buy Iranian oil because thats what keeps prices down. Just enforcing Iranian sanctions would be enough to take 1 million barrels off of the market.

The US benchmark has lost more than 10% since the end of June on disappointing Chinese demand and rising supply from the Americas, a trend that prompted the OPEC+ alliance to push back a plan to restore production. Saudi Arabia lowered oil prices for buyers in Asia for December, a sign that sluggish demand in China is outweighing tensions in the Middle East.

To get Bloombergs Energy Daily newsletter into your inbox, click here.

--With assistance from Alex Longley.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Editors Note: The video above first aired in September.

ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Ector County Sheriffs Office continued its efforts this week to put a stop to oil field related thefts, which have been on the rise in recent years. Detectives made an arrest after investigators recovered more than $200,000 worth of stolen equipment.

According to ECSO, on November 4, investigators discovered that 34-year-old Tomas Rubio Medrano was in possession of stolen oilfield equipment valued at $209,800. Medrano reportedly admitted to stealing the equipment and was arrested on one count of Theft of Property, a second-degree felony. He remained in the Ector County Law Enforcement Center as of Tuesday afternoon on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

ECSO said the stolen property was recovered and the investigation is ongoing.

Its an issue that has kept ECSO and its Oilfield Theft Taskforce busy for years and Sheriff Mike Griffis said illegal immigration has contributed to the rise in oilfield related crimes, as well as violent crimes.

We recovered a million dollars worth of (stolen oilfield) equipment from a Cuban individual out west of town. Construction equipmentweve had murders that have been committed by individuals from other countries that are here illegally. And we are not going to put up with it. Were going to hunt you down, Griffis said. A country with no borders is no country at all. This is not a political issue; this is a safety issue for the American public. We dont care who you are or where you came fromif youre coming over here to cause trouble, youre going to see one of these guys with a badge and youre going to find yourself in handcuffs.

While law enforcement agencies all over the country have reported a spike in crime related to illegal immigration, ECSO Lieutenant Richard Dickson said the Permian Basin is a prime target for oilfield related theft and its something he and his team will continue to investigate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its a growing problemas the oil field gets busier, the thefts increase also. Theyre stealing crude oil, theyre stealing copper, theyre stealing equipment, theyre stealing pipe. Anything thats necessary to produce oil in the Permian Basin is a target for thieves, Dickson said in an interview this year.

United States Congressman Tony Gonzales said he hopes to tackle a rise in oilfield-related thefts with his Protect the Permian Act legislation.

Everyone was in a silo dealing with this issue, knowing about it, hearing about it, especially if youre from that area, he said. But for us that live and work in the Permian Basin, its been a topic that has been growing.

Congressman Gonzales says 2024 has brought an increase in thefts from oilfields prompting him to introduce the legislation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the congressman, the bill would create tougher penalties for those who commit oilfield theft, while making more help available to local governments actively combating it, ultimately helping them tackle what Gonzales calls a very complex issue.

But if you got a federal grant that said, This one agent, this one deputy, their sole job is to help combat oil theft, well, now, all of a sudden, youve put the resources towards it, he said.

Area oilmen said passage of the bill and others like it would bring some much-needed relief to those working in the oilfield.

Thats the hardest thing for us to do is to be able to quantify the amount of oilfield thefts. said Matt Coday of the Oil and Gas Workers Association. A lot of people are very concerned about going to work  Am I going to be attacked today? Is it my company going to be hit? And so, theres a lot of fear going on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
(NewsNation)  Oklahoma voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

Presidential race in Oklahoma

In addition to voting in the race for the White House between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Oklahoma residents will also be voting on various U.S. House races as well as two ballot measures, including one that involves non-citizen voting.

US House race in Oklahoma

Republican Rep. Kevin Hern, who has presented Oklahomas 1st Congressional District since 2018, will face challenger Dennis Baker, who is of Euchee tribal descent and is a member of the Muscogee nation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican Rep. Josh Brecheen, who was first elected in 2022, will face Brandon Wade in District 2. Fellow Republican Rep. Tom Cole (District 4) and Rep. Stephanie Bice (District 5) will also face contested races.

Oklahoma statewide ballot measures

Oklahoma voters will also consider a state constitutional amendment to prohibit non-U.S. citizens from voting in Oklahoma elections. Although no municipalities in Oklahoma currently allow non-citizens to vote, the constitution does not specifically outlaw it.

Polls close at 7 p.m. local time in Oklahoma, which holds seven electoral votes.

Oklahoma has been a Republican staple since 1948 and has only voted for one Democratic presidential election since. Trump defeated President Joe Biden in the state by 33 percentage points in 2020.

Other statewide races in Oklahoma

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
One Oklahoma lawmaker is proposing ending straight-party voting in future elections. (Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.)

Oklahoma is one of the last few states with the option to vote straight-party on the ballot, but one Democrat wants to change that.

Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, is pressing the Republican-controlled Legislature to end a long-held option that allows voters to simply check a box to select all candidates of a specific political affiliation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Straight-party voting encourages a lack of engagement, said Kirt, who is expected to become the Senates new minority leader when lawmakers convene in February. When Oklahomans can vote without having to know the candidates or what they stand for, thats a problem.

Kirt said officials can do a better job increasing access to candidate information and encouraging more engagement in elections to help Oklahomans choose a preferred candidate instead of relying on the single-punch option.

But some say ending straight-party voting is going to be a tough sell.

A little less than half a million voters  about 42% of them  checked the straight-party option on the ballot in the 2022 election, said John Wood, University of Central Oklahoma public administration professor. Of those about 70% were Republican and a little less than 30% were Democrat, Wood said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Straight-party voting often benefits the political party in power, Wood said. He said its often the party in control that wants straight-party voting because it helps them stay in power.

About 34 years ago, Oklahoma Democrats held the majority, and some members of the party argued the straight-party option was important to seniors who might be frail and frustrated by a long ballot, while many members of the Republican party, who were the minority at the time, were against it, Wood said.

He said critics of the system argue that it causes people to be blinded by their own party at a time when people see those of the opposite political party as the enemy. Wood said when people see the other party as lesser, there is more fighting across party lines and no compromising or listening to those of the opposing party.

There are six states with the option for straight-party voting on the ballot. They are Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma and South Carolina, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In other states like Texas, supporters argued that eliminating the voting method would slow down the process and make lines longer, said Brett Sharp, a UCO professor of political science and public administration. A state law passed in 2017 abolished the option in Texas. Democrats opposed the move.

Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, said straight-party voting may benefit those who feel most accurately represented by the Republican Party platform and find the option to be useful.

He said some people believe the straight-party option makes voting more convenient, although he realizes there is a counter-argument that voters should take time and scrutinize each of the candidates.

But he said eliminating it from the ballot would remove a voting option that many people prefer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Editors note: This story was produced through a reporting partnership between Oklahoma Voice and the University of Central Oklahomas journalism program.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Its officially Election Day in Oklahoma. This election includes the presidential election, where voters will select their choices for the next U.S. president.

Across the state, voters will weigh in on two statewide referendum questions that ask about public infrastructure districts and citizenship to vote.

Other races on the ballot depend on where you live. Some voters will have referendums for school funding, plus elections for local offices like mayor or state representative.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its expected that all Oklahoma-only races will be decided tonight, but the presidential election may not be called until late Tuesday night, if not in the morning.

Here's what to know about voting in Oklahoma today and what races and questions you should expect to see on your ballot:

What time do polls open?

Polling places open at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Lines are typically their longest just before and after work hours and during lunch hours, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board.

If you arrive at your polling place and are in line by 7 p.m., you can still vote in the election as long as you do not leave the line. This includes if you are lined up outside the polling place and have yet to go in.

Where do I vote?

Oklahomans have designated polling places to vote and there are dozens across the OKC metro.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To find your polling place, go to the OK Voter Portal at okvoterportal.okelections.gov.

There, enter your first and last name and date of birth to find your specific polling place, as well as to see sample ballots, upcoming elections and more.

What do I need to bring to vote?

All in-person voters will need to provide proof of identity in one of the following ways:

A valid photo ID issued by the federal, state or tribal government

A voter identification card

Sign an affidavit and vote a provisional ballot; if the information on the affidavit matches official voter registration records, the ballot will be counted after Election Day

Who is on the ballot?

Several races are on the ballot and throughout the state. To find names and information regarding each candidate, go to oklahoman.com/news/elections.

What is on my ballot? Can I see a sample ballot?

If you want to see a sample of your ballot on Tuesday, the OK Voter Portal allows you to preview the ballot. To do so:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Enter your name and date of birth, then press "Find Me."

Under the Voter Information section, press "Sample Ballots" to jump to that section

View your sample ballot for the upcoming election as a PDF or webpage.

What are the local, state races?

Oklahomas local races include the Corporation Commissioner race between Libertarian candidate Chad Williams, Republican candidate J. Brian Bingman and Democratic candidate Harold D. Spradling.

For the judicial races, click here to see each candidate running concurrently and not in opposition to each other.

What do the state questions mean?

There are two Oklahoma state questions to vote on in this election cycle, tackling different topics.

Oklahoma State Question No. 833

State Question 833 is a legislative referendum, meaning it was put on the ballot by the legislature rather than an initiative petition by citizens. It would add Section 9E to Article 10 to the Oklahoma Constitution, which would "permit the creation of public infrastructure districts to provide support, organization, operation, and maintenance of services."

Oklahoma State Question No. 834

Also, a legislative referendum, SQ 834 would change Article 3, Section 1 of the Oklahoma Constitution to say "only" citizens of the United States are qualified to vote in the state. This section of the constitution currently says "all" citizens of the United States are qualified to vote.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma election today: Where to vote, hours, who is on the ballot
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  As a swing state, Michigan has been in the spotlight for months leading up to the presidential election.

The purple state is considered key territory for both Republicans and Democrats to earn enough electoral votes to claim the White House. Within state lines, Kent County in particular will grab lots of attention for its identity as a bellwether.

Over the last three elections, whichever candidate won Kent County also won Michigan and the election. But how did a traditionally conservative territory like Kent County shift into tossup terrain that translates to a Michigan win?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What happens to your absentee ballot after your clerk gets it

Whitt Kilburn, a political science professor at Grand Valley State University, believes population surge and development in Grand Rapids and its suburbs are the main reason for the shift.

Traditionally, Kent County has been a Republican-leaning county, and its sort of dominant political culture has been in the spirit of Gerald Ford through Reagan-Bush conservatism, but that started to change right around the (Barack) Obama years, Kilburn told News 8.

The numbers illustrate that. Approximately 362,000 ballots were cast in Kent County in the 2020 presidential election, more than double the number cast in the 1972 presidential election (175,461).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think thats also the time when you heard people in Grand Rapids talking about how much the city had changed and how much the downtown had been developed, Kilburn said. It just felt like Grand Rapids was becoming sort of a newer, more vibrant place. I think that was reflective of the fact that theres migration into the county.

The Kent County Clerks Office still has old paper records from the countys past elections, including these 20th century binders. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) A group of binders hold the results and data from every election held in Kent County between 1992 and 2001. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) The final tally of the votes cast in Kent County for the 1992 presidential election. George H.W. Bush won the county with 47.5% of the vote but lost Michigan and the election to Bill Clinton. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

In 2008, Barack Obama was the first Democrat in a presidential election to win Kent County in more than 40 years. Before that, Kent County was solidly red.

AI may try to keep you from voting. Dont fall for it

In 1972, Richard Nixon beat Democrat George McGovern 59.2% to 38.5%. Hometown candidate Gerald Ford did even better in 1976, more than doubling Jimmy Carters ballot total: 67.2% to 31.3%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republicans held solid majorities throughout the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. The lone blip was the 1992 election, where George H.W. Bush took just 47% of the vote compared to 33.5% for Bill Clinton, offset by a strong independent run from Ross Perot (17.8%).

(WOOD TV8 illustration)

While Obama won reelection in 2012 and Michigans electoral votes, he lost Kent County to Mitt Romney by nearly 8 percentage points (53.3% to 45.6%). Joe Bidens win in 2020 was a milestone in its own right. With a 51.9% to 45.8% victory over Trump, it was the first time a Democrat had received more than half of the vote since Lyndon Johnson won reelection in 1964.

But we are now solidly in the post-Obama era and Kent County remains firmly moderate. Are those changes now rooted in the countys voting trends or are there other factors at play?

Kilburn believes Trumps position atop the Republican Party has kept Kent County purple.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump, for the most part, has been pretty clear. He rejects Reagan-Bush conservatism, and you can extend that back to Ford as well  pillars of moral traditionalism, commitment to free trade, commitment to strong military alliances, Kilburn said. MAGA conservatism is presented to voters as an alternative and (its) an alternative that is radically different from those ideas of conservatism.

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Michigan on Election Day

Age and education trends are also pushing the electorate further to the left. A 2019 analysis by the Pew Research Center shows 41% of American voters with a college degree tend to lean toward Democrats compared to 29% for Republicans. In 1996, sides were flipped: Only 22% of college grads leaned toward Democrats compared to 27% for Republicans.

Turnout among younger voters has also risen in recent elections. The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement reported that 50% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 voted in the 2020 presidential election. That number is up from 39% in 2016. In Michigan alone, voters aged 18 to 29 sided with Biden over Trump by a 62% to 35% margin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As the urban core of the city continues to develop, and its attracting more young people into the state, or at least the young people who, again, went to college here and stay within the region. Those voters tend to be Democratic, so I think that sort of tilts the county back toward the Democrats, Kilburn said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
BRUNDIDGE, Ala (WDHN)  An arrest has been made in a Brundidge shooting.

According to Brundidge Police, on Monday, November 4, officers responded to the 700 block of North Main Street after receiving a call that a person had been shot.

Police say the victim, who has not been identified, survived and is recovering.

After an investigation, officers arrested Edward Boykins of Brundidge and charged him with one count of attempted murder.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a release, DPD Chief Sam Green thanked the Pike County Sheriffs Office, the Pike County District Attorneys Office, the Troy Police Department, and the Alabama State Troopers who assisted in the investigation.

Stay with WDHN for updates.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY)  With Election Day less than 24 hours away, the Oneida County Board of Elections are sharing some reminders for those people planning to go to the polls on Tuesday, November 5.

The Board of Elections also announced that the 27,669 Oneida County voters that turned out to vote early is the highest in the countys history. The Board has also reported that so far, almost 37,000 voters have already cast their ballots, with almost 9,000 of the 13,000 mail-in ballots returned.

The Board of Elections are reminding people that all poll sites will open at 6 am on Tuesday. They will close at 9 pm, however, any voter in line at closing time will be entitled to cast a ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you are assigned to the Mohawk Valley Community College poll site in Utica, you have the option of using their Voter Drive-Thru, which allows you to directly drive up to the Alumni College Center entrance to cast your vote. Voters may find their designated polling site and their registration status by visiting the Oneida County Board of Elections website. Sample ballots are also there for your specific polling place.

If your name cannot be found in the poll book, or you have recently moved, requested a mail-in ballot or other registration issues, you may still vote using an affidavit ballot. You may also obtain a court order to cast your ballot by calling the Oneida County Board of Elections at the number below. According to the Board of Elections, they have already received a record number of requests for court orders, and anticipate more on Election Day.

Voters who requested a mail-in ballot can turn them in at the Board of Elections office in Utica or at any poll site in Oneida County on Election Day. You are reminded to ensure your ballots are postmarked by Tuesday, November 5. The Board of Elections must receive mailed ballots by the close of business on Tuesday, November 12. Military and overseas ballots will be accepted until Monday, November 18.

All mail-in ballots received before Election Day will be counted in the initial tally at 9 pm on Tuesday, along with all early votes. If you wish to follow along with Oneida Countys numbers, you may do so on the Board of Elections website, or go to Central New York Votes 2024 at CNYHomepage.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you have any questions about elections in Oneida County, need an affidavit ballot or need assistance, you may contact the Board of Elections at 315-798-5764 or email at BoardofElections@ocgov.net. You may also visit their office, located on the third floor of Union Station on Main Street in Utica.

Be sure to stay with Eyewitness News on Election Day for all the Local Races and Numbers That Matter To You!

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com.
Young soldiers in the Chinese navy have been warned that becoming addicted to online gambling is as bad as being possessed by demons.

The Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) also warned its young soldiers to be wary of the risks of online dating, which could make them an extremely easy target for criminals.

Distinguish carefully and keep some distance when making friends online [and] never lose sight of your principles and make random friends with netizens, the soldiers were warned in an article published on the PLA Navys official WeChat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It comes as Beijing fears that its young soldiers, who make up a growing number of its armys personnel, are becoming heavily influenced by the internet.

To raise awareness around the issue among young soldiers, a naval aviation unit created comics detailing online traps the soldiers could fall into, which include gambling.

In these comics, the soldiers are warned they could be tricked and end up falling into an endless abyss of debt.

China is making an effort to discipline its military after President Xi Jinping said the PLA faces deep-seated internal problems - Florence Lo/REUTERS

Soldiers were also warned against using games that required covert and unpredictable VPNs (virtual private networks), which have become increasingly popular as young internet users in China try to access banned content on the internet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The increasing use of VPNs has coincided with a huge spike in the popularity of online gambling in China.

Gambling is illegal in most parts of China but online betting sites are thought to generate around one trillion Yuan per year (around 108 billion) in wagers placed by mainland residents, according to Xinhua, a state-owned news outlet.

Deep-seated internal problems

In addition to the act of gambling itself, soldiers were warned to remain vigilant about the apparent hidden dangers associated with push notifications from trojan apps or gambling websites.

It is important for military personnel to cultivate good online social habits, avoid harmful social apps, and be discerning when engaging in online relationships, the soldiers were told.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The warnings reflect the Chinese governments effort to discipline the PLA, which Chinese President Xi Jinping said faced deep-seated internal problems.

President Xi has carried out numerous military inspections in recent weeks - Liu Fang/Xinhua News Agency / eyevine

The Chinese government has struggled to enforce the ban on gambling in the countrys mainland. In 2018, it banned all online poker applications, meaning app stores had to remove all related applications.

But as more rules were brought in technology companies were able to bypass bans using gambling setups designed to evade detection.

These are increasingly prevalent in rural communities, including in Shanxi and Anhui, according to local media reports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In February, 19 people were arrested in Zhuji City, in the eastern Zhejiang province, for operating an illegal mobile casino close to a graveyard.

Under Chinese law, those who are caught taking part in gambling can be jailed for up to 15 days and fined 3,000 yuan (325). Meanwhile, organisers of such illicit outlets can be jailed for up to 10 years.

The focus on gambling in the army comes after Beijing launched a series of drives to root out suspected corruption from within the army, including by removing top leaders.

Li Shangfu, the former Chinese defence minister, was expelled from his party for a serious violation of party discipline and the law, which was reported to have been linked to corruption.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Several top leaders from the PLAs rocket force, which is in charge of Chinas nuclear programme, have also been expelled over suspected corruption.

In recent weeks, Mr Xi has carried out close inspections of the rocket force and airborne troops. In an inspection on Oct 9, he urged the rocket force to improve their strategic deterrence and combat capabilities.

He also carried out another inspection of airborne troops on Monday and Tuesday of this week, emphasising the need to strengthen their military training and combat readiness.

Chinas military attempts to project an image of power, including launching drills around the democratically governed Taiwan and deploying patrols in the South China Sea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It recently emerged that Chinese scientists linked to the PLA have been using software developed by Meta, Facebooks owner, to develop artificial intelligence (AI) for the countrys military.

Researchers from the Academy of Military Sciences, the Chinese armys research division, have been using the technology giants AI product  known as Llama  to fine tune software for military means, academic papers suggested.

Metas AI products are open source, which means they are free for anyone to download and experiment with.

While Meta prohibits their use for military, warfare, nuclear industries or espionage, there is not much it can do to practically enforce its rules once they are downloaded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A June research paper seen by the news agency described military scientists using Metas Llama to create a chatbot they called ChatBIT. The bot was optimised for dialogue and question-answering tasks in the military field, the research said.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
It's Election Day, with hundreds of thousands of Floridians heading to the voting booth throughout the day.

But about those who already voted and are trying to accomplish their errands today, such as heading to the bank or grocery shopping?

While today is not a federal holiday, many wonder if banks, post offices, schools, and shipping services are open on Election Day. Here's what to know in Florida.

Is Election Day a state holiday in Florida? Are government offices closed?

Florida does consider Election Day a public holiday, according to its state statutes. However, most government facilities are still open and residents do not get mandated time off to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Florida lists the following as legal holidays:

Sunday , the first day of each week.

New Years Day , Jan. 1.

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. , Jan. 15.

Birthday of Robert E. Lee , Jan. 19.

Lincolns Birthday , Feb. 12.

Susan B. Anthonys Birthday , Feb. 15.

Washingtons Birthday , the third Monday in February.

Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day , the fourth Thursday in March.

Good Friday , the Friday before Easter.

Pascua Florida Day , April 2.

Confederate Memorial Day , April 26.

Memorial Day , the last Monday in May.

Birthday of Jefferson Davis , June 3.

Flag Day , June 14.

Independence Day , July 4.

Labor Day , the first Monday in September.

Columbus Day and Farmers Day , the second Monday in October.

Veterans Day , Nov. 11.

General Election Day , the first Tuesday in November.

Thanksgiving Day , the fourth Thursday in November.

Christmas Day , Dec. 25.

Shrove Tuesday, sometimes also known as Mardi Gras, in counties where carnival associations are organized to celebrate the same.

Are Florida government offices open on Election Day?

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, state offices are open and operating during normal hours.

Are Florida schools open on Election Day?

All public schools, colleges, and universities in Florida are open at their regular hours.

Are banks in Florida open on Election Day?

Branches of Bank of America, Truist, PNC, Capital One, Wells Fargo and other banks will be open their regular hours on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other banking services, such as ATMs and online banking, should also be available on Election Day.

Is the post office open on Election Day? Will mail be delivered in Florida?

Yes, post offices will be open and mail will be delivered on Tuesday, as Election Day is not a federal holiday.

Are shipping services, like UPS and FedEx, in Florida open on Election Day?

Yes, UPS and FedEx pickup and delivery services will be available on Election Day, and their stores will be open.

Contributing: Gabe Hauari, USA Today

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Election Day in Florida: See what is open and closed for today
CSRA (WJBF)  Beginning Thursday, October 31st and ending Sunday, November 3rd, the Grovetown Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, conducted Operation Mask Off aimed at targeting on-line child predators in and around the CSRA.

During the operation, undercover agents and investigators were engaged with over 1200 individuals, via the internet and cellular apps, of which 208 verified adults expressed a desire to meet for sexual activity.

Despite being advised multiple times that they were conversing with a child, 43 individuals stated that they wished to travel to meet for sex, offering payment in exchange.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Of that 43, 12 indicated that they were traveling to pre-arranged meeting locations provided by the investigators.

Three individuals followed through with their plans and traveled to the meeting locations, where instead of a child they met members of the Grovetown Police Department.

The following three individuals were arrested after traveling to meet the child:

Jose Polidecto Lemus H/M 41yoa Virginia (in country illegally)

Clinton Chad Wilson B/M 42yoa Louisville, GA

Do Nhut Minh A/M 25yoa Pearland, TX

Jose Polidecto Lemus

Clinton Chad Wilson

Do Nhut Minh

Lemus, Wilson, and Minh were each charged with one count of Sexual Exploitation of Children and committed to the Columbia County Detention Center, with additional charges forthcoming.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lemus was determined to be in the country illegally and an ICE Detainer has been placed on him as well.

Multiple electronic devices and three vehicles were seized as part of the operation.

In addition to the custodial arrests, warrants were obtained for Willie Hines, Jr. of Spartanburg, SC for the charge of Sexual Exploitation of Children after he was positively identified during the chats. He is currently also wanted in Gwinett County for similar charges

This is an ongoing investigation and additional charges and arrests are anticipated as other individuals are identified.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
In November 2000, the Electoral College count deadlocked. For 36 days, George W. Bush and Al Gore clashed legally and politically. The Supreme Court ultimately helped Bush win.

America managed this struggle peacefully  beyond one Florida dustup, the Brooks Brothers Riot, when several dozen Republicans in khaki shoved a bit during a recount.

Today, America needs a petition drive affirming our willingness to accept this elections outcome, no matter who wins  and promising to protest any irregularities peacefully. Even those convinced their side will never go violent should affirm this sacred principle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Petitions have a proud history.

Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton garnered a mind-boggling 400,000 signatures denouncing slavery before the Civil War. In 1982, a 6 million-person petition helped Martin Luther King, Jr.s birthday become a national holiday. More recently, change.org helped 19 million demand racial justice after George Floyds murder.

True, many Americans fear this election is the worst ever, that democracy is at stake and that their opponents cheat. Similarly, Jimmy Carter called the 1988 campaign the worst campaign Ive ever seen in my lifetime, while the New York Mirror reported there seems to be just one opinion about the 1852 campaign: It is disgraceful to the country.

A century ago, Republicans accused liberal Democrats, especially Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt, of imposing a dictatorship. And when Martin Van Buren lost his reelection bid to the inexperienced William Henry Harrison in 1840, one Democrat, Dillon Jordan, wrote: Truth and justice and our sacred Constitution lay prostrate and bleeding at the foots of fraud and falsehood.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These historical resonances dont make any particular critique untrue  just familiar. Some of todays fury fits a broader cycle of managed conflict followed by acquiescence and reconciliation, culminating on Inauguration Day.

Elections are adversarial. But by demanding restraint, democracy asks citizens to respect the process  and the results.

Yet with this election so close, as rhetoric escalates, threats of violence loom.

Were in a bad cycle. In addition to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, at least 19 were killed during the summer 2020 George Floyd protests, causing $2 billion in damage. And after campuses erupted over an issue 6,000 miles away, the academic intifada could boil over if Donald Trump wins.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While creating their own melodies, campaigns often echo past candidates too. While Donald Trump and Kamala Harris evoke that polarizing, three-time Republican nominee, Richard Nixon, in different ways, both could learn one common patriotic lesson from him.

Trump reminds many of Tricky Dicks snarling, conspiratorial, rhetoric. One critic called Trump a smaller, weaker Richard Nixon.

Meanwhile, Kamala Harriss good vibes campaign evokes 1968s New Nixon campaign. Blaming the nations volatility on the Democrats, Nixon promised to bring us together again.

When accused of being too vague, Nixons campaign highlighted position papers addressing 167 issues. The New York Post urged Nixon to make it an even 170 by adding Vietnam, the cities and civil rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Whatever Nixons flaws, he respected the electoral process. In 1960, Nixon would have beaten John Kennedy if as few as 14,000 voters out of a record 69 million switched sides  or, as some speculated, had fewer corpses voted in Chicago and Dallas.

Privately, Nixon complained, We won, but they stole it from us. Nevertheless, on Jan. 6, 1961, Vice President Nixon duly certified the electoral vote, explaining: In our campaigns, no matter how hard they may be, no matter how close the election may turn out to be, those who lose accept the verdict and support those who win.

Similarly, on Dec. 13, 2000, an equally bitter Vice President Al Gore proclaimed, Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the courts decision, I accept it. Conceding, Gore offered to meet George W. Bush to heal the divisions of the campaign.

Quoting Sen. Stephen Douglass concession to Abraham Lincoln that Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism, Gore affirmed the honored institutions of our democracy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

True, todays social media-marred polity roots too many Americans in one set of truths, one over-arching narrative, while riling us up daily. And Americans are increasingly cocooned, politically, culturally and socially, avoiding people who vote differently. Moreover, Donald Trump is a uniquely polarizing leader.

Still, after Election Day, Americans must still live together and move forward in a treacherous world. We need calls  and petitions  for unity, civility and democratic legitimacy as passionate as every partisans denunciations of Harris or Trump.

After all, in a democracy, patriotism means loving your country because of its politicians sometimes, but despite its politics, always.

Gil Troy is the author of nine books on the American presidency, and the author of To Resist the Academic Intifada: Letters to My Students on Defending the Zionist Dream,

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
As the U.S. election nears, China appears to have little preference between Trump and Harris. Their main difference lies not in the fundamentals of their China policy, but in how they might carry it out.

Chinas approach could be summarized as calibrating its strategies to account for the leader in the Oval Office in the areas of economy, foreign policy and Taiwan.

Generally, China would likely prefer Harris to win. If Harris were elected, she would probably continue Bidens approach, promoting a targeted de-risking or decoupling strategy in trade and technology, tightening export controls and investment reviews concerning China, and accelerating supply chain realignment among allies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But like Biden, Harris would likely not pursue complete decoupling from China. Given Chinas deep integration into the global economy, decoupling would be nearly impossible without significant repercussions for both sides.

The West is highly dependent on globalized supply chains, with China as a crucial part, while many Western countries rely heavily on the Chinese market. Losing access to Chinas market would be economically intolerable for many Western industries, and even the prospect of such a loss would cause substantial economic shocks.

As a result, Harris is not seeking to upend globalization entirely; in areas deemed low-risk, she would likely continue cooperation with China.

Trump, meanwhile, also cannot afford the impact of a complete economic decoupling from China now. However, he is expected to be more assertive in defending U.S. economic interests.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump has indicated plans to impose tariffs as high as 60 percent on all Chinese goods, disregarding any countermeasures from China. This approach, which Harris is unlikely to adopt, would deal a significant blow to China, particularly as it aims to expand exports amid ongoing economic challenges.

Furthermore, Trumps disregard for climate change would possibly mean a shift in U.S. energy policy, potentially reducing support for renewable energy. This would negatively impact Chinas solar and photovoltaic industries, which rely heavily on exports to the rest of the world.

When it comes to China policy, the two parties share a rare consensus: countering the Chinese Communist Party and safeguarding U.S. national interests.

If elected, Trump would likely revive his America First approach, deprioritizing alliances. China could leverage this stance to expand its global influence, advancing a multipolar world order and offering economic incentives in exchange for political alignment. Many countries, wary of Trumps America First policies, might be more receptive to Chinas views and, in some cases, gravitate closer to Beijing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, in the long run, an America First policy could be beneficial for the U.S. if done right. Globalization has significantly hollowed out U.S. manufacturing, and Americas reliance on allied nations for critical manufacturing has weakened its dominance.

The U.S. must offer substantial benefits to allies to keep them aligned in diplomacy and other policy areas, which is costly. With Americas rising national debt, sustaining this kind of foreign policy model is becoming increasingly challenging. From this perspective, strengthening the U.S. domestically is essential for regaining its power on the world stage.

On Taiwan, China likely views both Trump and Harris with mixed feelings.

Trumps stance on military intervention is less direct than Bidens. Biden has repeatedly stated that the U.S. would intervene militarily if China took action against Taiwan. Trump, however, has never made such a clear stance, instead suggesting Taiwan should pay the U.S. for protection and threatening a 150-200 percent tariff on China if it invades Taiwan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is uncertain whether Harris would follow Bidens approach to Taiwan. Harris has generally been more restrained on the issue of military support for Taiwan. In an October 60 Minutes interview with CBS, she declined to discuss hypotheticals when asked if the U.S. would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion but said she would ensure that Taiwan has the capability to defend itself.

From an operational standpoint, like other countries that interact with the U.S., China would prefer the U.S. to be more predictable. Bidens predictability is close to 100 percent, and Harris would likely continue this trend. In contrast, Trumps policies are harder to foresee. This unpredictability could work to the U.S.s advantage in a conflict with China.

If Harris follows Bidens path, focusing on de-escalation, her administration would likely adopt a reactive rather than proactive stance on conflicts. This approach, as seen in Bidens handling of the Ukraine crisis, involves clearly defining U.S. limits (such as no ground troops) and offering drip-feed aid during much of the war period, which has reduced the effectiveness of support.

In contrast, Trump, if he chooses to act, may prefer decisive measures with immediate impact. In a potential Taiwan Strait crisis, Trump would likely respond more quickly and decisively  if he decided to act militarily. However, whether he would choose to act remains a significant question mark.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Simone Gao is an independent journalist. Her website is zoomingin.tv.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Whoever wins the presidential contest today, Americans  Republicans, Democrats and independents  should accept the results of the election, which will be safe, secure, transparent and trustworthy.

Former President Trump, the only president in U.S. history who has refused to acknowledge the results of a presidential election, claims that Democrats can only win if they cheat, and has even insisted he would have carried California in past elections if not for fraud. As in 2020, Trump continues to disparage mail-in voting, falsely suggesting one-fifth of mail-in votes in Pennsylvania are fraudulent and insinuating the U.S. Postal Service loses ballots.

We dont need a repeat of this horror film, nor of the violence that followed on Jan. 6, 2021. As President Obama said at the Democratic National Convention, We have seen that movie before, and we all know that the sequel is usually worse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to multiple reports, Trump intends to declare the race stolen from him before the vote counting is complete  just as he did on Election Night 2020, when he falsely announced, Frankly, we did win this election.

The 2024 Trump campaign playbook is also revealed in the record number of pre-election lawsuits. While lawsuits from both parties are typical in every cycle, GOP efforts, led by the Republican National Committees eerily entitled Election Integrity Unit, focus heavily on cases lacking legal merit, seemingly intended to erode public confidence in election integrity.

Democrats cannot entirely absolve themselves from contributing to the diminishing distrust in our elections. Congressional Democrats raised objections to certifying the Electoral College in 2000, 2004 and 2016, not due to serious concerns with election administration, but solely as a political stunt at the expense of sewing doubt for political gain. While these examples are de minimis compared to the scale of Donald Trumps election conspiracy in 2020, the seeds of uncertainty were thus sown in the political soil.

The truth remains: Our elections are safe, secure, transparent and trustworthy. In fact, Trumps own Department of Homeland Security declared the 2020 election to be the most secure in American history. The 2024 election will likely be even more secure, with paper ballots used in 98 percent of voting jurisdictions and with every vote in battleground states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Are you listening, Elon Musk? We are already using paper ballots almost universally.

Beyond high-profile lies about our elections, why is it so hard for Americans to believe our elections are secure and trustworthy? Part of the challenge lies in the complexity of our decentralized system. We dont have a single national election for president but rather 50 state elections for electors, spanning 10,000 jurisdictions across the country.

In 2020, states adapted hastily to the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing expanded vote-by-mail options. This shift led to counting delays and a red mirage effect, whereby Election Day votes counted first temporarily showed Trump in the lead.

Some states with close results in 2020 improved their election processes  much like Florida did after the 2000 Bush v. Gore debacle. Florida set the gold standard with bipartisan changes that included ballot standards, expanded early voting, increased access to absentee ballots and faster vote counts through pre-processing  meaning that mail-in ballots are verified and prepped for tabulation before Election Day and even counted before the polls close.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Michigan has improved its election administration in the last four years, introducing early in-person voting and laws to expedite absentee ballot processing, improvements that should increase confidence in the results. In Georgia, record turnout has accompanied efforts to streamline voting and expedite counts, despite attempts by a partisan Election Board to slow down counting.

But in states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where absentee ballots cant be processed until Election Day, delays are likely. Arizona permits mail ballot drop-offs until 7 p.m. on election night, which could delay counting.

North Carolina faces the greatest challenges thanks to a new GOP-backed law that could slow result reporting and more restrictive absentee ballot deadlines that, combined with Hurricane Helenes impact, could create a turbulent post-election period. In a worst-case scenario, think of Florida in 2000.

Election officials from both parties are urging patience. If the election is as close as the polls suggest, we may not know the outcome for a few days. This is not a flaw in the system but a feature of its design.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A harder truth is the real possibility of violence. Election workers nationwide have received death threats. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, has been outspoken about the need to protect election workers while Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, a Republican, describes the election tabulation center in Phoenix as a fortress.

It will get loud and it will get uncomfortable, Richer recently told me about potential post-election turmoil, noting that his office has deployed more security resources than are really reasonable, including drones.

Yet there are also bright spots in this election cycle. We are not in a pandemic, and states have made efforts to speed up vote counting. Although Pennsylvania has not passed legislation to allow earlier processing of mail-in ballots, updated counting rules and new equipment may accelerate results.

Perhaps most uplifting is the emergence of trusted bipartisan leaders in key swing states, who are standing by to observe the elections and vote counts, and verify the integrity of each states election administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Arizona, this group includes former Gov. Jan Brewer (R) and State Rep. Daniel Hernandez (D); in Wisconsin, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes (D) and former Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen (R), with similarly influential bipartisan partnerships in six additional swing states including Georgia, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Hampshire.

Americans can and should have confidence in our elections. Yet as we brace for counting the votes, Arizonas Maricopa County Recorder, Stephen Richer told me that to minimize the violence, I would ask leaders to be judicious in their remarks, adding, I know thats not really the hallmark of politics these days.

Fortunately, in eight critical battleground states, leaders have emerged to do just that and to instill confidence in an electorate that, regardless of who wins, will still accept the results of the election  the bedrock principle that must continue in furtherance of our nearly 250-year experiment in representative government.

Margaret Hoover is the executive producer of the PBS documentary Counting the Vote and an advisor to the Democracy Defense Project.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In the powerful revival of the musical Ragtime at the New York City Center theater, the female lead, played by Caissie Levy, stops the show with a song titled Back to Before. With words filled with emotion in each phrase, she sings of the pain of making progress in a deeply divided and bigoted turn-of-the-century America. As I absorbed the song, I could not help but think of Donald Trump and the corrupt message he has brought in the election.

Trump is, of course, a man with a criminal and moral record. He has four indictments charging some 91 felonies, 34 of which have resulted in guilty verdicts. He has boasted about groping women and been found liable for violating one. He has shared national security secrets with unauthorized individuals, tried to overturn an election, fraudulently misrepresented his net worth to his lenders and allegedly cheated on his taxes as well as all of his wives.

Nothing evinces Trumps amorality as much as his chilling remark after being told that his own vice president was in danger of being lynched by a mob he had set loose on the Capitol: So what?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Americans have heard what Trump has said in his own words. He believes he has the authority to terminate rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution. Using the military, hell implement the largest domestic deportation operation in American history. He would give those who attacked the Capitol in the deadly Jan. 6 riot pardons because they are being treated so unfairly. He would tell Vladimir Putins Russia to do whatever the hell they want to NATO allies that, in Trumps view, dont pull their weight.

He wouldnt give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate, which virtually all schools have in place to prevent deadly childhood diseases such as diphtheria, measles and polio. He speaks about his political opponents and media critics as the enemy from within and believes they should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard or, if really necessary, by the military. He has suggested that retired four-star Army Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, deserves execution.

He has vowed to appoint a prosecutor to go after President Biden and his family. He has said he will order the Justice Department to investigate every radical district attorney and attorney general in America and that the media will be thoroughly scrutinized for their knowingly dishonest and corrupt coverage, because they are the enemy of the people.

He has used Nazi rhetoric in saying immigrants are vermin who are poisoning the blood of our country. He has said some migrants are not people. He has vowed to deny federal aid to states controlled by Democrats. He has threatened to blow Iran to smithereens. He has announced he will unilaterally jettison the Constitutions guarantee of birthright citizenship. He has previewed his desire to be a dictator  but only for one day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We may need many things in America, but one thing we dont need is a dictator.

Americans have heard the warnings from Trumps former aides, such as retired four-star Marine Gen. John Kelly, tapped by Trump to be both his White House chief of staff and secretary of Homeland Security. Kelly has said Trump meets the definition of fascist and certainly prefers the dictator approach to government. Gen. Milley  the same Gen. Milley whom Trump wants to execute, formerly the nations top soldier  called Trump fascist to the core. Retired four-star Marine Gen. James Mad Dog Mattis, whom Trump appointed secretary of Defense, said he makes a mockery of our Constitution.

Some partisans once argued that aides such as these would offer guardrails against Trump carrying out his malignant designs. This time, there would be no such guardrails from the sycophants and cultists around him, nor from a MAGA-dominated Congress (if elected with him). Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is so extreme he would take away our health care as he fantasizes about a no ObamaCare future.

And dont count on the Supreme Court to hold the line against Trump either. The far-right justices seem to think everything he does in office is immune or presumptively immune from criminal prosecution. In short, they have held that Trump is effectively above the law. And, make no mistake about it, if he gets the chance, he will appoint more judges ideologically in tune with his deranged political vision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were it not for his MAGA base or the uneasy feeling that Vice President Kamala Harris is unknown and untested  a new kid on the block  Trump could be easily dismissed as more boring than dangerous. We have heard all of his nonsense before. He is a broken record, a Borscht Belt comedian where you know all the jokes, a liar who has cried wolf too many times, a smear without the bagel.

Trump is weird. He wants to be in our bedrooms. He wants control of womens bodies. He stands ready, willing and able to turn us into an autocracy. He will ban or curtail abortion throughout the country  and maybe birth control and IVF fertilization as well. He will bring down the economy with a national sales tax on imported goods, which will likely start a trade war with an economically declining China and increase the cost of imported goods to the American consumer.

Is Trump a fascist wannabe? Robert Paxton, the foremost American academic expert on fascism, said, Its bubbling up from below in very worrisome ways, and thats very much like the original fascisms, Paxton said. Its the real thing. It really is. In an online column appearing Jan. 11, 2021, Paxton had written that the invasion of the Capitol removes my objection to the fascist label. Trumps open encouragement of civic violence to overturn an election crosses a red line, he went on. The label now seems not just acceptable but necessary.

The American people should not want to go back to before. Ragtime portrays progressive battles won in the early years of the last century. Some might be excused for being fooled by Trump in 2016, but they must not be fooled again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

James D. Zirin, author and legal analyst, is a former federal prosecutor in New Yorks Southern District. He is also the host of the public television talk show and podcast Conversations with Jim Zirin.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
During the barrage of anti-trans ads that the Trump campaign ran in the run-up to the election, some people pointed out that the ads may not be persuading likely voters, and others called the strategy a distraction from more important issues. But the ads are in keeping with the anti-trans sentiment that former President Donald Trump displayed when he was in office  when his administration proposed or passed anti-trans rules in nearly every federal department  and suggest that trans people should expect a second Trump administration to do as much as it can to restrict gender-affirming care.

With the right-wing media in a full court press, the conservative base goes wild for transphobic content, and conservative politicians have responded in kind. At the Conservative Political Action Conference last year, Daily Wire host Michael Knowles got onstage and declared that conservatives must eradicate transgenderism, meaning trans people. He was just the most vitriolic speaker at a conference where nearly everyone took swipes at the trans people who make up just 1% of the population.

Given the attention rhetoric like this has gotten, its no wonder the Trump campaign and other conservative groups have spent millions on those anti-trans ads. But what does it mean for the future of trans people in America?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During Trumps first term, when trans issues werent nearly as front and center as they are now, his administration proposed or passed anti-trans rules in nearly every federal department. We should expect that and more in a potential second Trump term.

Beyond the trans athlete issue, the most serious potential Trump intervention into trans lives is in our health care. Trump has promised to ban trans teens from accessing puberty blockers and hormonal treatment. Trump himself has repeated wild and false ideas that children are getting sex change operations at school, as obviously false as that claim is. On the campaign trail, Trump has said he would punish doctors who provide gender-affirming care. Under my leadership, this madness will end, he said in a video just a few months after announcing his campaign.

Gender-affirming surgery is rarely performed on those under 18 years old, and if it is, its usually top surgery, or removal of breasts from trans guys. Bottom surgery is generally not performed on minors, in schools or in hospitals.

In conservative Florida, the governments anti-trans health care stance has bled into restricting adult care, as well. A second Trump administration, like the first one, would be likely to make serious attempts to restrict access to gender-affirming care for trans adults.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In October 2018, Trumps Health and Human Services Department proposed and later implemented a rule that redefined how Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act is interpreted, effectively shutting trans people out of the sex-based nondiscrimination protections that every other American enjoys. This was later rolled back to protect us again under President Joe Biden, but look for Trump to act early again to flip it back and once again allow health care providers to turn away trans people.

The Trump administration also took steps to restrict coverage of gender-affirming care on Medicare and Medicaid and has promised that in a second term, taxpayer dollars would not be used to pay for such treatments. This is important not just for retired and poor trans people, but also for private health insurance carriers, which look to what the government covers as guidance for their own coverage decisions.

Beyond the executive branch, a Trump win and an accompanying Republican-controlled Congress would be likely to try to nationalize the anti-trans efforts that were previously undertaken at the state level. Over the last several years, hundreds of anti-trans bills have been proposed and passed in red states.

We should expect all this and more in a second Trump administration. I worry about my friends. Heck, I worry about myself, being a lefty MSNBC columnist under a president who has promised to use the military to attack political enemies after an election in which my identity was made to be one of his top targets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Vice President Kamala Harris might be largely reluctant to make a full-throated defense of trans people, but the next four years would be significantly more survivable under her than Trump. I hope your trans friends come to mind as you enter the voting booth on Tuesday. We need a president who respects and protects us.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
While the president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) recently expressed high appreciation for the United Nations cooperative relations during the commemoration of UN Day, a troubling incident unfolded 3,000 kilometers away from The Hague in Kazan, Russia. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, smiling and bowing his head, shook hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the very person the ICC seeks to arrest.

This meeting raises significant moral concerns, epitomizing a blatant disregard for the Ukrainian children who have been forcibly deported amid Russias war against Ukraine  charges for which Putin is wanted by the ICC. Beyond the emotional implications, this encounter undermines the principles that the UN itself should uphold.

As I argued on EJIL: Talk!, the European Journal of International Laws blog, in 2013, the UN adopted guidance to regulate meetings between UN Secretariat staff and individuals subject to arrest warrants issued by the ICC. According to these guidelines, there should generally be no meetings between UN officials and persons subject to ICC arrest warrants. In a joint statement, Truth Hounds and several other Ukrainian NGOs extensively analyzed this legal framework and demonstrated a lack of justification for such a meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Moreover, UN principles unequivocally establish that there should be no ceremonial meetings with or standard courtesy calls to individuals subject to ICC arrest warrants. The same holds true for receptions, photo opportunities, and attendance at national day celebrations. The photo from Guterres and Putins meeting speaks for itself.

Read also: Editorial: When casting your vote in the US, think about Ukraine

A 2004 agreement between the UN and the ICC also requires the UN to refrain from any actions that could impede the ICCs and the prosecutors activities or undermine the authority of their decisions.

How can we expect, in the words of the ICCs president, to work toward strengthening the rule of law at the international level and bringing accountability and justice for all, if representatives of international organizations disregard these written rules?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Guterres personal meeting with Putin does not strengthen the rule of law or bring accountability and justice. Instead, it undermines public perception of the ICCs authority and suggests a normalization of contacts with potential war criminals at the international level.

As professor of international law Sergey Vasiliev noted, What grand humanitarian strategy may have guided the UNSG to shake the hand of Putin and bro-hug (Belarusian dictator Alexander) Lukashenka?

On Oct. 24, the ICC found that Mongolia failed to cooperate in the arrest and surrender of Putin when he visited the countrys capital in September. Guterres reckless actions clearly do not foster a more serious attitude among states regarding ICC arrest warrants. Will ICC authorities comment on Guterres actions? Time will tell.

"What grand humanitarian strategy may have guided the UNSG to shake the hand of Putin and bro-hug (Belarusian dictator Alexander) Lukashenka?"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The disregard or negligent attitude of UN officials toward the principles of the UN and international law appears not to be an isolated incident. In May 2023, the UN Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, traveled to Moscow to meet another ICC suspect for war crimes against children  Russian Commissioner for Childrens Rights Maria Lvova-Belova. Gamba issued only a general statement, claiming that any guidance provided by the UN has been properly followed in the case of this visit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) meets with Russian Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova outside Moscow, Russia, on Feb. 16, 2023. (Mikhail Metzel/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

As Ryan Goodman, a founding co-editor of the international law blog Just Security, noted, the meeting faced extensive criticism from human rights groups (including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International) and scholars of international criminal law and humanitarian law.

Despite this backlash, the ICCs annual report on its activities for 2022-2023, submitted to the UN General Assembly (UNGA), did not even mention the Gamba-Lvova-Belova meeting. The 2023 annual report from the Secretary-General on the UN-ICC relationship did not address the meeting or justify its necessity. The only relevant information noted was that the UN continued to refrain from actions that might undermine the Court's activities or the authority of its decisions.

The problematic aspect is not limited to the meetings themselves, which the guidance allows in extreme circumstances; it extends to the apparent lack of accountability in justifying these visits. To the public, it seems the UN treats such meetings casually and carelessly. Instead of fostering open discussion and providing proper justification, UN representatives hide behind general remarks about compliance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: Opinion: Pennsylvanias Ukrainian community could swing the state in the upcoming election

Without a proper response, those involved will feel free to engage in further meetings with ICC suspects without adequate explanation. It is high time for all stakeholders to swiftly react to the Guterres-Putin incident.

First, it is essential to establish whether the UN Office of Legal Affairs, as per the 2016 Best Practices Manual for United Nations-International Criminal Court Cooperation, informed the ICCs prosecutor and the president of the Assembly of States Parties about the Guterres-Putin meeting in advance. This letter should substantiate why the meeting was deemed necessary and should be made public to allow society to understand the rationale behind it.

Second, Guterres, as Secretary-General, must explain the reasoning for his meeting with Putin, and a detailed public statement should follow, along with a confidential briefing to the Office of the Prosecutor General.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Third, in such instances, the president of the ICCs Assembly of States Parties should engage with Guterres to seek explanations. The Assembly should also invoke UN-ICC Article 15(2) to request an explanation from Guterres regarding any breach of cooperation in line with the UN Charter and the Rome Statute.

The UN Secretary General declined Ukraine's invitation to the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. He did, however, accept the invitation to Kazan from war criminal Putin. This is a wrong choice that does not advance the cause of peace. It only damages the UN's reputation.  MFA of Ukraine  (@MFA_Ukraine) October 21, 2024

Finally, the ICC and the Office of the Prosecutor should react to the meeting, as it undermines the credibility of the ICCs decisions. According to Article 18 of the UN-ICC Relationship Agreement, the Office of the Prosecutor should request any information obtained during Guterres meeting with Putin that may be useful for the investigation.

By taking these steps, alongside a strong reaction from human rights organizations and international law scholars, a more thorough consideration of any contact between UN officials and individuals wanted by the ICC can be achieved. These measures will ensure adherence to the guidance on contacts with persons subject to ICC arrest warrants and the UN-ICC Relationship Agreement.

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

Submit an Opinion

Introducing official merch

from the Kyiv Independent

Shop now

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Theres a lot of misinformation and disinformation trying to sow doubt in our election process, but remember there are protections in place along with thousands of volunteers in place to ensure our elections are safe and secure. As you vote Tuesday, here are 6 things to know when it comes to counting ballots and certifying the election in Wisconsin:

Elections in Wisconsin are run locally by 72 county clerks, more than 1800 municipal clerks and more than 12,000 Wisconsinites who serve as poll workers. We have one of the most decentralized election administration systems in the nation. Interference would have to entail widespread coordination across multiple systems run by different people. Wisconsin law requires that every vote cast has a paper record, so that there is a verifiable source of each and every vote. Wisconsin uses approved, certified voting machines that are routinely tested. These machines? Not connected to the internet. Observers from all political parties keep an eye on the ballots, and a team of trained poll workers never lets the ballots leave their sight as they are transported to a secure counting location. Media outlets make their calls based on unofficial election results that each county reports after polls close. Smaller counties with less votes to count can report their unofficial results sooner than counties with more votes to count. The official final election results take place in 3 stages: Counting: On election day by election workers with bipartisan teams of election inspectors overseeing the process; Canvassing: In the weeks following election day, vote totals are compiled and checked at the municipal, county and state levels. -So triple checked; Certification: About a month after election day, the Wisconsin election commission examines results from each county and reports the official election results.

We have another confusing state referendum question on ballot

One more election in 2024, and one more referendum on your Wisconsin ballot. Yes there is a fifth and final statewide referendum and its just as confusing as the previous four. This question, similar to the others, is asking to change the wording in our state constitution. Whats different this time is that nothing functionally changes if the referendum passes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thats because the question is about preventing any future attempt at allowing noncitizens to vote in Wisconsin despite the fact that, today, noncitizens are not allowed to vote in any election in Wisconsin. Nor is there any legislation proposed that would allow them to do so.

Read more: Wisconsin will vote on a referendum question Nov. 5. Like others, it's confusing.

Wisconsin finally has new election maps. Don't forget down ballot races.

With the presidential race sucking up so much oxygen, news about Wisconsins most consequential state legislative election in over a decade, has been suffocated.

After a 13-year battle for fair maps, Wisconsin is finally free from one of the most extreme partisan gerrymanders in the country. But that story and the fact that there is a chance that Democrats could flip the state Assembly, doesnt seem to be cutting through the noise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So while the presidential and, to a lesser degree, the U.S. Senate race dominate the ads you see and the news you consume, I implore you to check your ballot, do your research on every race thats on there and vote down the ballot.

Learn more: If you want a better Wisconsin, don't skip the state legislative seats on ballot

Here's why we may not know who is president election night

Come election night, were all going to have to resist the urge to know conclusively who won or at least a couple of days. Because, just like in 2020, there is a distinct possibility that there will be no clear and immediate winner on Nov. 5.

I know a lot has happened since our last presidential election, but try to remember how long it took us to get a decision in 2020. We didnt have an election night, we had an election week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Given the closeness of the2024 race and the record number of people who voted early, you should prepare for the possibility that it will take days for a winner to be called. Everything good is worth waiting for and democracy is good, even if the results arent what youre hoping for.

More: Desperate for election to be over? Too bad we'll have to wait days for results.

Feeling anxious about the election? You're not alone being stressed.

I dont remember feeling this awful in the lead-up to the 2020 election. Ever since President Joe Bidens doomed debate in June, the weight of this election and the news cycle that amplifies it, has taken a toll on my mental health  and, apparently, lots of others.

The American Psychological Associations annual Stress in America survey found that, as of August, politics was the leading cause of stress for seven out of 10 adults across party lines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ive felt as though Im moving through the different stages of grief despite nothing being lost, or won, yet. Still, its not just stress and anxiety over the prospect of my presidential candidate losing or which party will control the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives after Nov. 5.

Its a deeper sadness and frustration about the whole stinking mess: The state of our media, our division and distrust, all seemingly insurmountable problems that will still be there regardless of who wins.

More: Election anxiety is plaguing Americans. Especially in swing state Wisconsin.

Kristin Brey is the "My Take" columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Opinion: Everything up and down the election day ballot in Wisconsin
Nashville-Davidson County voters, we have a turnout problem that only citizens who have not yet cast ballots can solve on Election Day.

We are trending toward worse voter turnout in 2024 than in 2020. But there's still time to go to your precinct Tuesday and make your voice heard at the voting booth.

This is about citizens doing their minimal civic participation duty of voting and this is a consequential election. But the numbers do not demonstrate the level of urgency Nashvillians showed before.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2020, former President Donald Trump ran for re-election against former Vice President Joe Biden, who eventually won. Now, Trump wants his old job back and faces Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced Biden on the presidential ticket.

What is it about this year? Is it a lack of enthusiasm for the candidates? Frustration with messages from ads, political news, misinformation? Or something else?

Who will win key races in Nashville and Tennessee? - Formstack

Voter registration is up, but turnout so far is way down

While Tennessee is not a swing state, every vote here still counts and there's more to pick than just president. There's members of Congress, the legislature and the transit referendum.

Ronda Walter makes her selections as she votes in the primary election at the Ruby Major Elementary School polling location on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.

In 2020, nearly 65% of Davidson County's 480,894 voters cast ballots in the election, according to the Davidson County Election Commission.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Today, the commission reports there are 530,477 eligible, registered voters. That's a 10% increase in voter registration.

Voter Guide: Who should I vote for? Check out everything about election 2024 in Tennessee

However, early voter turnout was down 13% from four years ago, per the Tennessee Secretary of State's office.

In addition, absentee ballots made about 34,000, or 11%, of the votes for Trump and Biden in Nashville.

So far, 8,743 absentee ballots have been registered in Davidson County although they can be received by mail until Election Day. Nevertheless, making up that deficit is improbable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In total, early and absentee voting amounted to 52% of votes in 2020. That fell to 42% in 2024. What are we thinking?

The solution to turning this around is for folks literally to vote with their feet. Lines may be long, but this is important. Show up, get your "I Voted" sticker, treat your fellow voters with respect and thank a poll worker.

David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. He is an editorial board member of The Tennessean. He hosts the Tennessee Voices videocast and curates the Tennessee Voices and Latino Tennessee Voices newsletters. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or find him on X at @davidplazas.

If more Nashville-Davidson County voters do not make it to the polls on Election Day,

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fewer Nashville-Davidson County voters cast ballots early in 2024 compared with the presidential election four years ago.

In 2020, a substantial number of voters cast absentee ballots because of the COVID pandemic

Early voter turnout for Nashville-Davidson County lagged in 2024 compared with 2020.

voters cast ballots, a decrease of 13.32% from four years ago.

Four years ago, nearly 53% of voters cast their ball

Meanwhile, the latest statistics from the Davidson County Election Commission that there are more than 500,000 registered voters in Nashville. It's possible citizens are waiting to come out in force on Election Day Tuesday.

On Election Day 2020, nearly 65% of

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Opinion: Voter turnout is down in Nashville, but we can do better
Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Amazon and Stitcher .

Over the last few weeks of the 2024 election, people have started leaving Donald Trumps rallies early and hes struggling to fill the stadiums hes consistently sold out over the course of his nearly decade-long political career.

Its unclear what, exactly, the new development means for Trumps chances in Tuesdays electionbut The New Abnormal co-hosts Danielle Moodie and Andy Levy are hoping its the final sign that people are finally getting tired of the former presidents shenanigans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I want to believe it is saying that people are sick of his s--t and over it, Moodie said.

My God, lets hope that the majority of people in this country are as sick of his st as we are, Levy added.

Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Google Podcasts , Stitcher , Amazon Music , or Overcast .

Then, a conversation with Survival of the Richest: Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires author Douglas Rushkoff about Elon Musk and the increasingly weird obsessions of the ultra-wealthy.

There was a repeating sort of motif in the book that really struck me: It was the need and desire that these guys all have, not to improve current existing situations or communities, but to start with a blank slate and create their little utopian/dystopian worlds, Levy said. And this seems to apply to, whether its Peter Thiel and his seasteading, Elon Musk wanting to get to Mars, or any of the other projects we talk about.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Plus! Katherine Stewart, author of The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism , joins the program to discuss the rise of the Christian right and its wholehearted embrace of Trump.

Find the Daily Beasts coverage of the 2024 election here. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.
I was asked to join a group run by the U.S. government called the Political Instability Task Force in 2017, nearly 30 years into a career that involves thinking and writing about political violence. One of the task forces goals was to come up with a model to help the government predict what countries around the world were likely to experience political instability and violence within the next two years.

It turns out that two factors were highly predictive. The first was whether a countrys government was an anocracy. These types of governments are also called partial or weak democracies, illiberal democracies, electoral autocracies or hybrid regimes, meaning they have some combination of democratic and authoritarian elements.

The second factor was whether voters in these anocracies had formed political parties around race, religion or ethnicity, rather than ideology. So rather than joining a party because you are conservative or liberal, you join a party because you are Black or white, Christian or Muslim, Serb or Croat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more: Opinion: Much of the world is terrified by another Trump presidency. Here's why

If a country had these two features, the task force considered it at high risk of political instability and/or violence within the next two years and put it on a watchlist.

Based on this model, where is the United States?

Democracy in the United States has weakened since 2016. It was downgraded on the Center for Systemic Peaces democracy scale for the first time that year after international election monitors deemed our 2016 election free but not entirely fair. It was downgraded twice after that, most recently at the end of 2020, after a sitting president refused to accept the outcome of an election and actively tried to overturn the results, for the first time in U.S. history. By December 2020, U.S. democracy was officially considered an anocracy using the task forces definition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The two main parties in the United States have also become increasingly divided by race and religion. Today, African Americans, Latinos, Jews, Muslims and atheists vote predominantly for the Democratic Party, while white people and evangelical Christians vote overwhelmingly for the Republican Party. Based on the task forces model, at the end of 2020 the United States came dangerously close to having the two features putting it at high risk of political violence. A few weeks later, the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol occurred.

Read more: There's a new reason your neighbors bought a weapon  gun culture 3.0

The United States democracy score has improved slightly since then, but only because former President Trump left office voluntarily and was succeeded by an administration committed to democracy and the rule of law. Our political institutions and democratic safeguards remain as fragile as  if not more so than  they were on Jan. 6, 2021. Now, the fate of our democracy rests heavily on who occupies the White House, which is a deeply concerning reality.

People have been asking me whether there will be violence again after this years election, especially if Trump loses. If Trump loses, violence will almost certainly occur, and thats because the United States has all the conditions that make election violence likely: winner-take-all elections, deeply divided parties who distrust each other, and one party that has been primed to believe that the election must have been stolen if they lose.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In this scenario, violence could start with protests over the election results and quickly escalate into riots. Far-right militias might join in, first targeting those they see as traitors within their own party. They would likely expand their attacks to include Democratic Party leaders, election officials, law enforcement and anyone upholding the law. Minority groups living in swing states and in blue cities within red states would be at high risk, including Jewish residents in the suburbs of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, African Americans in places like Detroit and Latinos in Tucson.

Read more: Opinion: Jan. 6 was just a start. Vigilantes are expanding, and legalizing, their attacks

If Trump wins, the immediate aftermath is likely to be less violent. Democrats havent been groomed to see a Kamala Harris loss as evidence of cheating, nor have they been encouraged to use violence if Trump prevails. Additionally, the left has far fewer militias ready to take up arms. However, violence from the left is likely to grow if Trump solidifies his power and either cancels future elections or rigs the system to ensure he cant lose again.

In the long run, a Trump victory is likely to spark more violence for two key reasons. First, history shows that groups permanently shut out of political power are the most likely to rise against the government. Trump has told people they wont have to vote again if he wins. If he followed through on that and the GOP maintained white voters power even after white people became a minority of the electorate, many groups would increasingly resent their lack of representation, a recipe for violence. Second, violence often breaks out when peaceful protests face harsh government crackdowns  and Trump has signaled a willingness to use military force against Americans who demonstrate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What can we, as individuals, do to prevent or contain violence? If Trump is defeated, the weeks and months that follow will likely see angry extremists and aspiring autocrats lashing out, spreading fear and warning of impending disaster. They will try to create chaos, aiming to make average Americans panic in the face of threats, bomb scares and even assassination attempts. Their goal will be to intimidate us into submission and then convince us that only strongmen can restore order.

Our job is to not panic. We will need to be tough and resilient in the face of these intimidation strategies, to not allow the fear and violence to tear us apart during what I think will be a temporary and containable storm.

If Trump wins and takes steps to dismantle institutions, we will need to become more active. First, we will need to fight with every legal means at our disposal and prepare for peaceful resistance. Most Americans have no experience with sustained protest and will need to learn what works, what doesnt work and how to use their voice to take back their political power.

As we finally close out a tempestuous campaign season, its important for Americans to know that peaceful protest can be a powerful tool for removing autocrats  but only if citizens are ready to act when the moment demands it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Barbara F. Walter is a professor of international relations at UC San Diego and the author of How Civil Wars Start: And How to Stop Them.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Like a horror movie villain, the red mirage is back for a sequel.

Four years ago, Donald Trump used the fact that Republican-leaning ballots cast in person on Election Day were counted quicker than Democratic-leaning mail ballots to prematurely declare victory, setting off a sequence of events that led to the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol.

In the key state of Pennsylvania, that underlying dynamic  which led to the red mirage of a Trump win on election night giving way to a blue shift as Democratic votes were counted  is still in place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Due to opposition from Republican state lawmakers, Pennsylvania has not updated its laws to allow for faster counting of mail-in ballots. With Trump and Kamala Harris tied in the polls in the battleground state, that means it could take awhile for the winner to be known, adding to the uncertainty. A number of election models point to Pennsylvania as the state most likely to decide the presidential race.

From a legal standpoint, theres nothing wrong with this. A ballot counted right after polls close is worth exactly the same as a ballot counted the next morning, and election administrators would rather get the vote total right than get it faster.

But the delay could give Trump an opening to argue to his supporters that the election is being stolen, as he did in 2020.

Pennsylvania bars officials from opening and processing mail ballots before Election Day. In other states, the laborious process of checking signatures, removing ballots from envelopes and stacking them to be counted can be started in the days prior, allowing the votes to be counted almost as fast as  or even faster than  ballots cast on Election Day itself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the past, that wasnt a big concern because voters from both parties were equally likely  or unlikely  to vote by mail.

But Trumps attacks on mail-in voting in 2020 have had a lasting effect, leading Democrats to be much more likely to vote by mail than Republicans. The GOP has made a big push to convince its voters to swamp the vote by casting a ballot early this year, with intermittent support from Trump, but that appears to have had mixed results so far.

Data from the University of Florida Election Labs early voting tracker for the 25 states that report early voters party registration showed that, as of late last week, about 39% of total votes had been from Democrats, 36% from Republicans and 25% from independents and third parties. Whats more, results from the six states that also report early voters by gender  Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, North Carolina and Virginia  showed that about 54% of the votes were from women, 44% men and 2% unknown.

Given the gender gap in Harris favor, that could mean the early vote is even more heavily in her favor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The red mirage phenomenon was detailed in a 2020 study by the data firm Hawkfish, which is funded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and has done work for the Democratic National Committee.

Trump, who has claimed that his losses in everything from the Emmys to the 2016 Iowa caucuses to the national popular vote were only due to fraud, has again made baseless claims about the 2024 election. He recently posted on Truth Social that [r]eally bad stuff with elections was going on in Pennsylvania and claimed without evidence that rampant Cheating and Skullduggery took place in the 2020 election.

Harris told NBC News that her campaign is prepared for the possibility that Trump may prematurely declare victory.

We will deal with election night and the days after as they come, and we have the resources and the expertise and the focus on that as well, she said.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Presidential campaigns typically spend plenty of time strategizing and staging a closing message, the final bid for support and an ending appeal for your vote.

Donald Trump? He's a meandering mess drawing his reelection campaign to a close with a rambling litany of grievances and say-it-out-loud fantasies about violence for his perceived enemies, including the news media.

Vice President Kamala Harris must be thrilled by all this. She's been working on a rigidly scripted message of unity and optimism. Trump is offering her a perfect contrast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I don't know who wins this race. But I know Trump sounds like he knows he's losing. That's why he's ramping up lies about voter fraud again. It's also why he wishes to see violence against journalists. He always needs someone to blame because Trump could never conceive of accepting responsibility for his own fate.

Trump finishes campaigning by doing what he does: Lying and sowing violence

Former President Donald Trump campaigns for reelection on Nov. 1, 2024, in Warren, Mich.

Trump tossed away his typical rally script on Sunday during a stop in Lititz, a little Pennsylvania burg about 63 miles west of Philadelphia. He mused about the ballistic glass now erected to protect him during outdoor rallies after a failed assassination attempt in another small Pennsylvania town in July.

I have this piece of glass here, Trump told the crowd before veering toward violence. But all we have really over here is the fake news. And to get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news. And I dont mind that so much.

Opinion: RBG would never agree with Trump on abortion. Just ask her granddaughter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One of Trump's supporters was killed during that July attempt on his life, while two others were wounded. And here was Trump openly wishing for gunfire to rake through the crowd. This is his closing message.

Trump's campaign staff reacted the only way they know how  by wrapping a lie in a blanket of outrage. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung claimed that the boss was speaking "brilliantly" about the July shootings, and that what he said "has nothing to to with the media being harmed." Trump, Cheung claimed, was really talking about protecting the media.

In short, Cheung claimed that what we all heard was not what we all heard. Imagine a job where you have to demand detachment from reality every single day.

Trump uses lawsuits and misdirection to avoid being asked tough questions

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump listens to media personality Megyn Kelly speak at his reelection campaign rally in Pittsburgh on Nov. 4, 2024.

This sort of absurd deflection and media bashing is on brand for Trump and his campaign in the closing days of the race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump last week told a rally crowd in Wisconsin that, if elected president again, he would serve as a protector of women, "whether the women like it or not." This is how a guy found liable for sexual assault in a civil trial talks about women?

Harris, who has made restoring access to abortion a centerpiece of her campaign to contrast with Trump's nominating three U.S. Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, pounced on the creepiness of Trump's statement, calling it "offensive to everybody."

Opinion: In an unpredictable election, one thing is certain  Trump will lie about it

That's not a helpful narrative for Trump. His campaign needed to change the subject. So Trump sued CBS News because that network's news show "60 Minutes" aired an edited version of an interview with Harris last month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That is as frivolous as it gets, but Trump, who chickened out of appearing on the show, had been complaining about it regularly and now could use a doomed-to-fail legal action to say, "Hey, look over here!"

Trump threatens Liz Cheney, then distracts by attacking the news media

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, left, and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., campaign on Oct. 3, 2024, in Ripon, Wis.

Need another example? You may have heard how Trump on Thursday openly wished for a violent end to former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, a Republican who has urged voters in her party to back Harris.

Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Trump told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson about Cheney. Lets see how she feels about it, you know, when the guns are trained on her face.

Again, Trump opened the door and Harris rushed right in, condemning what he said, while saying "this must be disqualifying" for the presidency. It's not, of course. It's standard fare now from Trump. His campaign later insisted his words were taken out of context.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So, that thing we all heard? Trump's camp must insist you detach from that reality and unhear it. And maybe they'll wave something shiny to distract you.

And just like that, on Friday, Trump opened a new front for his war on the news media, filing a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, accusing The Washington Post of making "in-kind contributions" to Harris' campaign because of how the newspaper markets its journalism.

Another heap of nonsense. Trump won't win this fight. But it gives him something to talk about that maybe changes the subject from how dead he wishes Cheney could be.

We all know what Trump has said. Trust in that when you vote.

If you haven't already voted, I hope you go to the polls on Election Day and cast your ballot. When you do, think about the rhetoric you've been hearing in this final week of the campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sure, Harris' allegiance to prepared remarks can sound stale, especially when she hits the same notes over and over. But try to imagine her wishing aloud for violence against Trump or his campaign. I just can't hear it.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

But Trump? That's easy to hear because we've heard it all before and we're going to hear it some more. If Trump really feels the race slipping away, his rhetoric will call more and more to the violence, even as his campaign scrambles to post up legal distractions while insisting that he didn't just say the thing we all heard him say.

Trust your hearing. Use it to inform your vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Follow USA TODAY elections columnist Chris Brennan on X, formerly known as Twitter: @ByChrisBrennan

You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Opinion: Trump threatens violence on Cheney, media. Vote accordingly
(NewsNation)  Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris only have a few hours left to make their final appeals to voters ahead of the election. With 270 electoral votes needed to win, each candidates path to victory appears distinct.

Key states and poll closing times

The first crucial presidential election results will emerge from Georgia when polls close at 7 p.m. ET, with election analysts watching Forsyth County in suburban Atlanta for early signs of Trumps strength among affluent voters.

North Carolina follows shortly after, with Nash County serving as a key indicator. The working-class region, with its 40 to 45% Black population, could signal whether Harris successfully mobilized Black voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

4 potential paths to victory in the 2024 election

The 8 p.m. ET rush of results positions Pennsylvania as the potential decider, with Erie County serving as the states traditional bellwether. Eries results have accurately predicted the statewide winner in the past two presidential cycles.

By 9 p.m. ET, Michigan takes center stage, particularly three counties surrounding Detroit and Kent County near Grand Rapids. Trumps decision to end his campaign in Grand Rapids  as he did in previous races  underscores the regions importance in securing moderate Republican voters.

Election experts predict a winner could emerge between midnight and 4 a.m. Eastern. Early results from Georgia and North Carolina, expected by 9:30 p.m., could provide strong indicators of the national outcome.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both states efficient vote-counting systems typically deliver 80% of results by early evening, potentially offering clear signals of voter trends before the slower-counting Midwest states report their totals.

Where Trump and Harris stand on issues that matter to voters

Trump and Harris paths to victory

Harris faces a mathematically simpler path, needing only to defend traditionally Democratic states to reach 270 electoral votes. She could win without either North Carolina or Georgia if she maintains the Democratic Midwest firewall.

Trumps route proves more challenging, requiring him to flip at least one traditionally Democratic state. While showing strength in Arizona, he needs either Pennsylvania or a combination of Michigan and Wisconsin plus Arizona or Nevada to secure victory.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
In 2016, in her presidential campaign against Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton prophesied, In a single term, the Supreme Court could demolish pillars of the progressive movement, and as someone who has worked on every single one of these issues for decades, I see this as a make-or-break moment. Trump, of course, was elected and proceeded to appoint three justices to the Supreme Court, thus positioning a conservative-majority Supreme Court to rubber-stamp the most arrant conservative nonsense. And top of that Republican wish list was overturning the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade.

Now, in 2024, were seeing what happens when womens bodily autonomy is threatened and stripped away. Were seeing a striking gender gap when it comes to support for Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump, with early voting polls showing a 10-percentage-point gender gap. And when we look at the policies Trump has helped enact versus the promises Harris has pledged, its no mystery why.

Before Roe was struck down, and seemingly as a trial run, in 2021 Texas passed Senate Bill 8, which made abortion after six weeks illegal in Texas. The Supreme Court had a chance to stop the law on the shadow docket. The justices declined, a harbinger of things to come. A year later, the Supreme Court overturned the law that codified abortion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A sea of trigger laws written for this eventuality followed; some red states banned abortion as quickly as they could. Republicans wrote bills that banned abortion broadly, with little or no cutout for the life of the woman. The idea was simple: make doctors afraid to treat. Texas courts have several times rejected requests to provide specificity about the health exception.

In Louisiana not only can you not get an abortion; you may struggle just to get first-trimester pregnancy care. We were stunned by just how much regular medical practice for pregnant people has been disrupted, Michele Heisler, the medical director of Physicians for Human Rights, told NPR. Elsewhere in the country, things are looking similarly bleak. According to a 2023 report from The New York Times, All told, more than a dozen labor and delivery doctors  including five of Idahos nine longtime maternal-fetal experts  will have either left or retired by the end of this year. Medical care for women is under threat, and it extends far beyond whats traditionally discussed as abortion, especially by Republicans who demonize an entire category of lifesaving health care.

After Roe was overturned, a lot of us were sure this would mean women would die. We were told we were being hysterical. But the SB 8 effect was real. According to Nancy L. Cohen, president of the Gender Equity Policy Institute, Theres only one explanation for this staggering difference in maternal mortality. All the research points to Texas abortion ban as the primary driver of this alarming increase. And it wasnt just pregnant women who died. Infant mortality also increased by about 13%, according to a study from Johns Hopkins, which also stated, This suggests that SB 8 was driving this increase in infant mortality. Its now three years later. Women have died.

In the one election since the fall of Roe, the 2022 midterm election, there was warning of a red wave, projecting that Republicans planned to compensate for Joe Bidens 2020 victory.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Republicans underperformed, and Democrats kept the Senate and almost kept the House. Two years later, conservative pundits wishcasted that women have gotten over losing that constitutional right. But evidence supports the theory that if anything, women are more enraged than ever.

Women voters, as Justice Samuel Alito said in the Supreme Court opinion that overturned Roe and took away a constitutional right women had had for half a century, are not without electoral or political power. Alito likely didnt mean that statement as a rallying cry, but it seems like a lot of American women took it as such.

If Harris wins the election, it will be because women rejected Trumpism. It will be because they rejected the cruelty, the stupidity and the brazen misogyny of the MAGA reality. And it will also be because a near-flawless candidate ran a near-flawless campaign.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
In 2022, Russia launched long-range strikes deep into Ukraine, confident that Ukraine could not retaliate in kind. By 2023, that situation changed. Ukraine received medium-range HIMARS rockets from the U.S., Storm Shadow and SCALP cruise missiles from the U.K. and France, and developed long-range attack drones of its own.

These rockets, missiles, and drones, used in shrewd combinations, have allowed Ukraine to strike Russian railways, roads, munitions stockpiles, maintenance facilities, storage warehouses, and fuel depots. As a result, Russia is finding it much harder to sustain and support its front-line forces.

Even so, Russia retains some real advantages. The countrys vast size has allowed it to move logistics support further to the rear, making resupply to the front line slower but still feasible. This geographic advantage means Russian weapon factories, major arms stockpiles, fuel refineries, and air bases are largely protected from regular attacks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Additionally, Russia receives dual-use supplies from China and other foreign supporters. These materials, valuable to both civilians and the military, have been less affected by sanctions. Russian logistical losses can often be offset by external sources.

Read also: Opinion: Putins drone strategy shows the cracks in Russias war machine

Lastly, Russias industrial capacity allows it to repair much of the damage from Ukraines limited air strikes. While these repairs may be crude, they are often effective. Repairing industrial infrastructure does divert resources away from civilian needs, affecting the Russian populace. However, this burden hasnt yet led to significant public opposition to the war.

Operationally, Ukraines current air campaign is focused on oil and petroleum supplies, munitions storage, and air bases used by strike aircraft and bombers. These strikes aim to deny Russia ultimate victory, but so far, Ukraines attacks have been too infrequent to achieve this goal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Strategically, Russia appears intent on continuing the war regardless of the costs in blood and treasure. Given this, an alternative strategy would be to redirect Ukraines air campaign toward punishment. In Russian military terms, this would involve a "Strategic Operation for the Destruction of Critical Infrastructure"  designed to pressure the population into ending the fight by making daily life unbearable.

Such attacks, however, are reminiscent of outdated air power theories from the 1920s, have questionable effectiveness, and can violate the laws of war, as seen in Russias attacks on hospitals in Syria and Ukraine.

More modern thinking favors targeting the leadership of a society rather than its people. This approach, though somewhat messily, worked in the 1999 Kosovo War. It is increasingly important now, as denying Russia victory outright seems unlikely. Instead, Russian leaders must be convinced it is in their best interest to end the war.

Ukraines new 700-km-range Hrim-2 ballistic missile and 400-km-range Neptune-derived cruise missile are entering service, both with warheads far more powerful than Ukraines current drones. These missiles, combined with an increasing number of long-range drones, will allow more frequent and damaging strikes. However, Ukraine must continue to prioritize targets that offer the most strategic impact.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The current approach of targeting supply chains could be enhanced by taking a systems approach and choosing which level of war the attacks might be best focused at.

At the operational level, Ukraine could concentrate on disrupting the resupply of Russian front-line forces, particularly when they are under pressure, such as during a Ukrainian offensive.

Read also: Opinion: Pennsylvanias Ukrainian community could swing the state in the upcoming election

At the strategic level, Ukraine might aim to shorten the war by targeting critical manufacturing hubs that support Russias military, keeping in mind that these could be repaired or replaced.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the grand strategic level, the goal would be to cripple Russias national economy by damaging key industries that are difficult to replace. This strategy could carry over into the post-war period, diminishing Russias power.

Alternatively, these new weapons could prompt a deeper rethinking of Ukraines air campaign. NATOs success in Kosovo provides a model, as its airstrikes targeted dual-use infrastructure, creating widespread inconvenience, undermining morale, and persistently wearing down the population. Simultaneous strikes against the ruling elites property weakened their will to war. Together, these efforts achieved a strategically significant result.

A similar campaign against Russia would be difficult to execute and would likely require support from offensive cyber operations, diplomatic pressure, and tightened sanctions. Nonetheless, the possibility of helping to end the war is enticing.

Ultimately, Ukraine faces a choice: either enhance its air campaign to deny Russia victory or shift to a strategy of punishment to compel Russia to end the war. Neither option will be easy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

Submit an Opinion

Introducing official

merch from the Kyiv Independent

Shop now

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
On the second day of in-person early voting in Texas, a Tarrant County man posted a video on social media claiming his voting machine switched his presidential vote to the other candidate. Election officials let him vote again and the system worked. The man almost certainly erred the first time he voted, according to state officials. And yet his public claim of vote switching could have encouraged people to go to that polling station to protest.

Its a scenario we may see several times before this election is behind us. In the heightened political tensions, such claims could result in denunciations, protests and violence.

Humans run polling stations and election offices, and they can make mistakes. Voters can also make mistakes. In addition, voting machines sometimes break down and software can act glitchy. Not every mistake and not every human error is a conspiracy to steal the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So, before anyone goes public with stolen election claims, they need to reach out to election officials. If something did go wrong, there may be a perfectly good explanation, including human error or a misunderstanding.

Yes, election fraud does happen, but so do false and erroneous claims of election fraud. Theres an old joke that goes something like, Economists have predicted nine of the past five economic recessions. Similarly, there are a lot more claims of election fraud and stolen elections than have actually occurred.

Consider Donald Trumps assertions that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. That has led to his supporters threatening and even assaulting poll workers and election officials, including Republicans who supported and voted for Trump.

The Wall Street Journal has reported on precautions being taken in Arizona, one of the swing states that could decide the election. Steven Richer, a Republican and the outgoing election recorder for Arizonas Maricopa County, says that 10 long-time employees on his 140-person staff have resigned for safety reasons. And many of his 3,000 volunteer workers were scared off after their cars were surrounded by angry Trump supporters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Journal adds, Across the state, election workers have gone through active-shooter drills and learned to barricade themselves or wield fire hoses to repel armed mobs. At the ready are trauma kits containing tourniquets and bandages designed to pack chest wounds and stanch serious bleeding.

Those claiming the election was stolen say there was no way Arizona would vote for a Democrat for president, even though it had two Democratic senators and currently has a Democratic governor and had a Democratic governor from 2003 to 2009.

And Arizona is not alone. For example, the Journal writes, In Colorado, death threats from election deniers have led some county clerks and election officials to have bulletproof vests on hand.

Had proof of widespread 2020 election fraud emerged one might understand the anger. But no one has proven that the election was stolen, even after some 60 lawsuits and numerous state recounts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And yet everyone is on edge, fearing this years losers will react violently, whether Republicans or Democrats  recall that Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election and Stacey Abrams in Georgias 2018 governors race have continued to claim their elections were stolen.

Democrats have poured fuel on the election-denying fire by opposing nearly all recent state election integrity laws and by denouncing reasonable practices like requiring voter IDs, which can make it harder to cheat.

Some state practices add to the skepticism. Swing states Wisconsin and Pennsylvania dont allow mail-in ballots to be opened and counted until Election Day, which could delay their results for days, raising suspicions of cheating.

But its also true that some people will likely try to commit fraud. Pennsylvania election officials are investigating potential fraud in voter registration applications in three counties. To be clear, these are not votes cast, as Trump has been saying. Theyre applications to register to vote. Even so, everyone would feel better if the Keystone State would adopt some election best practices, as Florida has done.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Whats a concerned voter to do? First, be a responsible observer to ensure the voting process in your area is working correctly. Second, if you see something concerning, talk to an election official. There may be a good explanation.

Third, if that doesnt work, reach out to the investigative reporters at local TV or radio stations. They have the expertise and resources to get answers.

Election fraud does occur, but be careful about attributing to conspiracy what can just as easily be attributed to incompetence or stupidity.

Merrill Matthews is a public policy and political analyst and the co-author of On the Edge: America Faces the Entitlements Cliff. Follow him on X@MerrillMatthews

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
As the United States reaches yet another Election Day, its worth a reminder that although casting a ballot is easy for most, voting is still too hard for many Americans. It all depends on the state, or sometimes even the county, in which you live. And it shouldnt  and doesnt  have to be this way.

Consider the case of Arizona. As the result of a long and still ongoing legal dispute, if you registered to vote this summer using a form that the federal government produces to be used around the country, you would be allowed to vote in federal elections, but not in Arizona state or local elections, unless you also provided papers proving your citizenship.

That rule also applied to anyone who tried to register using the state of Arizonas own voter registration form  until the U.S. Supreme Court got involved. Following the courts August ruling, adults trying to register using Arizonas form would not be allowed to vote in any election without showing government officials their citizenship papers. These confusing and arbitrary rules were put in place ostensibly to prevent noncitizens from voting. But the reality is that noncitizen voting is very rare in the U.S., and not a problem on a scale that affects election outcomes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Or consider Texas. Forty-two states, including many deep-red states, allow voters to register online. Online registration is a sound process that cuts down on errors, because voters are more likely to type their own name and address correctly than an election worker is reading off a paper form. Online registration also doesnt lead to voter fraud, unlike paying people to collect registrations in person, which occasionally does lead to problems.

But Texas does not allow most people to register online. And a recent investigation by The Texas Tribune and Votebeat found that many Texans paper applications are being rejected for no clear reason. They filled out the paper application form, mailed it, gave it to a volunteer deputy registrar, or even went to their county office to drop it off  and still werent successfully registered, writes Votebeats Natalia Contreras.

Another recent survey by Votebeat and Spotlight PA found that 36 counties in Pennsylvania notify voters of certain technical defects in mail-in ballots and give the affected voters a chance to cast a valid ballot; 28 counties do not. So many of the voters who made errors in those 28 counties simply will not have their ballots counted.

But why does the difficulty of voting depend upon where you live? The answer is that we have a hyperdecentralized system of running elections in the U.S. We dont run a single election or even 51 elections (for each of the 50 states plus Washington, D.C.). We instead run over 8,000 simultaneous elections, often on the county level.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Whats more, the U.S. Constitution says very little about how elections are to be run. The Constitution does not even affirmatively guarantee anyone the right to vote  it only bars certain forms of discrimination in voting, such as on the basis of gender, age or race. The rules that govern our elections are a mix of federal, state and local laws. And even on the state level, power over elections is dispersed among the legislature, governor, election administrators and local officials.

Federal law does provide some backstops, such as rules that require states to allow voters to register for federal elections using a federal government form, and the Voting Rights Act, which bars certain forms of discriminatory voting practices.

But we would do a lot better if Congress created more uniform rules for running our federal elections, such as mandating that states allow online voter registration and requiring a robust period of in-person or by-mail early voting so that eligible voters have ample opportunity to exercise this important democratic right.

If Congress were ambitious, it could even couple a system of automatic voter registration for all eligible voters with a national, nondiscriminatory set of voter identification rules. Such a change would ease the enfranchisement of eligible voters and lower costs for campaigns that would no longer have to put tremendous resources into registering voters. It also could bolster the confidence of those who worry about fraud in our system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Unfortunately, its hard to see how this kind of system could pass with bipartisan support in our current polarized climate. But such a change would actually bring us more in line with other advanced democracies around the world. Indeed, while many Americans think of the United States as a leader in many areas, its approach to voting rights is nothing to be proud of.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
The tyrannical rulers of the anti-West Axis of Evil  Russia, China, Iran and North Korea  have a stake in Americas Election Day. They are hard at work pursuing their shared goal of undermining and defeating America, from without and from within. The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine are the present arenas for military confrontation that is indirect  so far.

Though no U.S. troops are on the ground in either place, the flow of arms and material resources to Americas allies and partners has become an increasing financial drain and a distraction of diplomatic and political attention.

Former officials and other national security experts have complained that weapons sent to Ukraine are weakening our ability to help defend Taiwan from an attack by China, which they see as a greater threat to U.S. national security than Russia. Taiwan is a critical supplier of computer chips not only to the U.S. but to the world economy. And its strategic location as part of the first island chain that lies between China and the open ocean makes it a vital target in Beijings expansionist drive in the Indo-Pacific.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yet, two years into the defense of Ukraine, some of the same experts who said it was a lower security priority than Taiwan now argue that even Taiwans defense is too costly and too dangerous because it risks direct conflict with China.

The rationale for extreme caution reinforces the enemies expectation that the West will eventually wilt as it did when Russia invaded Georgia in 2008, when it seized Eastern Ukraine and Crimea in 2014, and when it failed to deter Russias fully expected third invasion of a neighboring country in 2022. They believe Washington and its allies will not continue to bear the burden of policing the Free World even though only a U.S.-led coalition can meet the challenge. The United Nations as presently structured, with two of the worlds evildoers wielding veto power, cannot carry out its self-declared mission to take effective collective measures  for the suppression of acts of aggression.

On the political front, the aggressors main target of opportunity is todays U.S. presidential election. As they have done for more than a decade, Americas adversaries have intervened with misinformation and disinformation campaigns. They seek to influence voters to support candidates and policies favorable to the foreign powers aims. More importantly, over the long run, they strive to sow domestic disunity and chaos among the American people and undermine their faith in our democracy.

The America-haters are united in the latter objective, pitting Americans against one another, even though their respective national interests may sometime diverge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2024, members of the Axis favor different presidential candidates. Russia, given Donald Trumps long-stated admiration for Vladimir Putin, clearly wants the former president back in the White House. Iran, on the other hand, would like to have a Kamala Harris administration that would continue the Biden-Harris policies of accommodating Irans interests.

While Trumps one-day plan to end the Ukraine conflict would force Ukraine to concede some territory to Russia, Trump has made clear that he would be tough on Iran. Beijing also favors Harris because of Trumps past hostility toward China during the pandemic, when he felt compelled to state that he had not been somehow been duped by Xi Jinping.

Whoever the next president is, he or she needs to make a fresh start with the new Congress on foreign policy decisions and national security funding. With the election about to be behind us, past positions, mistakes and political posturing must be put aside and the incoming administration must come to grips with the new reality that a formidable group of enemies has gathered and is actively colluding to bring down the United States. We have long been in Cold War II and are at the beginning of World War III unless U.S. leaders take the measures needed to halt the downward cycle.

North Korea has already unexpectedly opened a new front in the war against the West by injecting itself as a participant in the existing conflict in Ukraine. Within weeks of Pyongyang and Moscow signing a mutual defense pact in June, the Biden administration warned that any North Korean troops joining Russias invasion of Ukraine would quickly become cannon fodder. Yet, four months later, when the North Korean contingency is actually upon us, the surprised administration is only now beginning to consult with NATO allies about an effective response. President Biden needs quickly to coordinate with President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO allies to stop North Korea before it sees a green light to go further with its reckless action.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris as vice president can be expected to support that decision if Biden makes it. Trump, whether he will be Bidens successor or not, needs for once to rally around the flag when a foreign policy is sound and support an administration that is not his own  just as Democrats need to leave politics at the waters edge if Trump returns to office.

The American people vote today, and have an important role to play in thwarting the enemies malevolent plans for this country. We must quickly begin to heal, not exacerbate, the grievous wounds that the two major political parties have visited on the country during this terrible political season and for years before. That will be difficult if the election results are as close as the polls indicate, but all citizens must do their part to defeat Americas real enemies.

Joseph Bosco served as China country director for the secretary of Defense from 2005 to 2006 and as Asia-Pacific director of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief from 2009 to 2010. He is a nonresident fellow at the Institute for Corean-American Studies, a member of the advisory board of the Global Taiwan Institute and member of the advisory board of The Vandenberg Coalition.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Even in its last moments, Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, made this election about women in the most blatantly ugly waystheir sexism on grotesque display. In doing so, the two men brought into harsh focus why women, and anyone who cares about women and their rights, must vote for Kamala Harris.

Late Monday, Trump said of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Shes an evil, sick, crazy... Trump said, then breathed the words bi... before stopping himself. Oh no, Trump said, before mouthing words in to microphone. It starts with a b but I wont say it, he added. I wanna say it, he interjected. I wanna say it. The New York Times previously reported how Trump called Harris bitch repeatedly in private (his campaign denied it).

Brought on by Trump to be a hatchet man, up until Monday night Vances standout campaign moments were his childless cat ladies comment, and making up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets. On election eve, he upped the ante on Trumps garbage man metaphor and called Harris, trash, eliciting this response from MSNBCs Nicolle Wallace.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

JD Vance you just f'ed up in a way Ive never seen in my political life and I worked for Sarah Palin, the former GOP operator said.

Earlier Monday, when a rally-goer shouted that Harris should be put in the ring with Mike Tyson, who had a reputation for pummeling opponents, Trump ran with the idea, tantalizing the crowd with how interesting that would be. Previously, he vowed, incredibly creepily, to protect women, whether they like it or not. He even said former congresswoman Liz Cheney should have guns trained on her face.

Women watching this spectacle in the campaigns final days are not titillated. Theyre repelled. And if Harris wins this election, its because they turned out in record numbers.

JD Vance, left, and Donald Trump, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. July 20, 2024.

The shy Harris voter whos a woman is a real thing, and if the Democrats hold the White House, it will be thanks to her. She has seen her right to accessible abortion taken away from her, sanctioned by a Trump-shaped Supreme Courtwith possibly much worse to come when it comes to her reproductive rights. Shes everywhere. Shes someones mother, wife, sister, and well know in a couple of days if we read the early signals right, that she exists in sufficient numbers to keep a felon out of the White House.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And if Harris wins by more than a couple points, pollsters will say, What have we missed?

They missed that women are turning out in bigger numbers, says Jim Kessler with Third Way, a progressive centrist group. He did the numbers for me. In the seven swing states, the female to male early vote is 55 percent female to 45 percent male.

Male anger is a lot more vocal. MAGA males are loud dudes. They make a lot of noise and make their presence known, says Kessler. A lot of the Harris-supporting women are in the suburbs and towns and making their noise at the ballot box. Theyre not carrying signs.

The weekend release of the highly regarded Iowa poll suggests late-breaking deciders, the so-called double haters, were breaking for Harris, a sign that Harris had broken through with a little help from Trump, whose rhetoric was dark and dangerous as he veered off script.

Buttons in support of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign are pictured at the Gloo Factory in Tucson, Arizona, U.S. July 25, 2024.

The New York Times/Siena poll released Monday also had good news for Harris, showing she had a modest lead in enough of those swing states to win enough electoral votes to claim the presidency, though its close enough that her lead is within the margin of error.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Like most polls it assumed an electorate of roughly 52 percent female and 48 percent male with a huge gender gap. Kamala Harris is winning women by 15 points and Donald Trump is winning men by 15 points. They would cancel each other out, but if women are 53 percent of the vote at least, she wins, says Kessler.

This is the post-Roe vote, and Kesslers bet is that the pollsters model doesnt take that into account. In a way it should be obvious. In every election since Roe was overturned in 2021, women have voted their opposition.

The question before us in 2024: Does the fury of women only make a difference in states where Roe is on the ballot? In Ohio, a red state that Trump should win handily, voters approved new constitutional protections for abortion a year ago.

Cautioning that this is anecdotal, Kessler says his wife was in Ohio, a red state, and saw a sticky post-it note in a public place that said, Your vote is secret. You dont need to tell anybody.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those sticky notes are popping up in places women frequent: restrooms, dressing rooms, even on packaging of female-centric drugstore items. Groups organized on Facebook, including one dubbed, Cat Ladies for Kamala, are behind the reminders that amplify what Liz Cheney said when she was campaigning with Harris. You can vote your conscience and not ever have to say a word to anybody.

Kamala Harris, left, with Liz Cheney during a rally at Ripon College on October 3, 2024 in Ripon, Wisconsin.

Actress Julia Roberts entered the fray with her narration of a pro-Harris ad of two women conspiring to secretly vote counter to what their husbands were doing. The MAGA crowd took offense at such a personal insurrection.

Cheney predicts that millions of Republican women will quietly cast their secret ballot for Harris in the privacy of the voting booth.

We wont know its real until the election, Kessler cautions, but the early vote is 60 percent of the total vote in 2020, when we were in the middle of a pandemic. Seventy-three million people have already voted, which is much higher than 2016, when Hillary Clinton lost to Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If shes winning women by 15 and more women show up than men, she wins. Jim Kessler

Bottom line: Women traditionally turn out slightly more than men. If shes winning women by 15 and more women show up than men, she wins.

If theres an historical analogy to whats happening with women today, it is 1992 when women fueled by anger at the way an all-male panel of male senators demeaned Anita Hill for bringing sexual harassment charges against a candidate for the Supreme Court turned out in record numbers to elect a record number of women senators (4).

They made their point even though Clarence Thomas was seated and remains on the Supreme Court more than thirty years later.

Whatever the outcome of this election, women are making their case for themselves and all of us.
When polls opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, Jenny Heim was number 53 in line, ready to cast her vote in an election for the first time.

Heim, a senior at State High, is one of the many first-time voters across Pennsylvania to cast a ballot in one of the nations most competitive swing states this election cycle. The importance of her vote was not lost on Heim, especially as recent polls show the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in a dead heat.

I think that especially youth voters have a big impact, she said, standing in line at her precinct at Fairbrook United Methodist Church. And I think its really exciting that a lot of us get to vote this election, because its such a big election, and Pennsylvania is such a swing state this election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pennsylvanias status as a swing state has brought major attention from both campaigns, with both Harris and Trump holding rallies in Pittsburgh on Monday. The nationwide focus on the state led many out-of-state Penn State students to register in Pennsylvania rather than their home states.

First-time voter Jenny Heim casts her ballot at Fairbrook United Methodist Church on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Out of the 20 first-time voters the CDT spoke to at Penn States polling location at the HUB-Robeson Center, half said they made sure to register in Pennsylvania where they felt their vote would have the most impact.

Lily Collins, an out-of-state student, said the pressure on Pennsylvania voters makes the opportunity to cast her ballot a little more exciting.

Ive been really looking forward to getting to exercise this right, and to be able to do it in such a monumental way in my first election feels really cool, Collins said. Im really happy to be a part of history in that way.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many students said their professors moved classes online or canceled them altogether for Election Day, following Faculty Senates guidance that encouraged professors to offer asynchronous classes on Tuesday to allow students to vote or work the polls without having to worry about attending in-person classes.

Voters line up at the HUB-Robeson Center on the Penn state campus on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Although many voters on campus said they felt the impact was vital, the ways first-time voters received their information on candidates differed greatly. Some said they watched the presidential debates or interviews, some got their information through the news or through ad campaigns, and one voter said they formed their opinion from videos and influencers on TikTok.

Johan Acevedo-Gonzalez, 18, said he consulted several sources to make up his mind about each candidate, along with using surveys and quizzes to show what candidate fit his personal values and policy issues.

I try to definitely go to those non-partisan websites, like government websites, some of them, would you like tell you a little bit about what each candidate has to offer, Acevedo-Gonzalez said. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos from both sides of people who are very pro one way and pro the other way. Just to hear what those biases sound like on both sides.

Friends and Penn State students Marlo Jae Lewis, Kendyl Bidinost and Lily Collins put on their I voted stickers after voting at the HUB-Robeson Center on the Penn State campus on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Marlo Jae Lewis, a PSU freshman who cast her ballot for Harris, said shes glad she made the cut-off for this election. She turned 18 in October and said she views the results of the election as potentially life-changing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Getting to have a say in that is really, really important, especially as someone whos going to school and as a young woman, Lewis said. I think for me personally, this election means a lot.

Mia Humphreys, a freshman first-time voter at PSU who voted by mail for Trump earlier this fall, said the youth vote is much more powerful than people realize.

I think a lot of this generation feels like our vote doesnt matter, but I feel like we can really change the tide of the election, she said. Theres so many young people that are able to register about this year and I think that they need to realize that we really are important, and our opinions matter.

For many first-time voters, the ability to actively participate in the democratic system has given them a renewed sense of purpose when engaging with politics. Freshman Kendyl Bidinost said in previous years shes felt on the outside looking in on election results. Although she is still nervous about the outcome of the election, shes happy with her ability to participate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It feels different because typically, you would just watch the results, but now youre actually part of the results, like you actually changed the results, Bidinost said. I no longer feel helpless watching the election results.

A voter stops to take a photo of her voting sticker as she leaves the State College Municipal Building on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement
Vice President Kamala Harris held her final rally of the campaign Monday night, 106 days after President Biden dropped out, with a heavy dose of celebrity, trying to bring back the joy that characterized her early weeks on the trail.

At a Philadelphia rally outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, by the steps where Rocky Balboa ran in the "Rocky" movie franchise, she implored a raucous crowd to make a plan to vote.

"One more day, just one more day in the most consequential election of our lifetime," she said. "And momentum is on our side."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The rally was intended as a show of force  bringing celebrity firepower to the biggest city in the most important swing state that was also the birthplace of American democracy. It featured Fat Joe, Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, the Roots, will.i.am and Oprah Winfrey.

Read more: At end of a long campaign, Harris and Trump spend bulk of final day in crucial Pennsylvania

The event was part of a simulcast that stretched more than four hours across multiple cities, including Las Vegas and Phoenix. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addressed a crowd in Milwaukee. Sugarland performed in Raleigh. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke from Detroit, where Jon Bon Jovi also performed.

"You don't know who you voting for?" said Fat Joe, who introduced a musical number by fellow Puerto Rican Ricky Martin in a Philadelphia speech that criticized former President Trump for having a comedian who insulted Puerto Ricans during his rally last week. "You gotta be kidding me at this point."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lady Gaga performed a soulful version of "God Bless America" and spoke about empowering women, revving up the crowd. Winfrey brought 10 first-time voters on stage and asked several why they cast their votes.

"We are voting for healing over hate," Winfrey said.

The mood was celebratory but Democrats are tense. Polls show a toss-up race with Pennsylvania, the biggest of the seven battleground states, nearly even as well.

"Everyone's a little bit high-strung, which is understandable," said Sara Grimaldi, 22, who has been working on youth voter engagement for a feminist group throughout the campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She came to do some last-minute outreach and to release some of that anxiety with Lady Gaga, she said. "Screaming, when you're stressed out, helps."

Read more: Voting last minute in the election? Here's what to know

Democrats are hoping their ground game, two years in the making, will push Harris over the top. The campaign said about 110,000 volunteers have worked in the state since Harris took over atop the ticket from Biden three months ago, and were on track to knock on 5 million doors.

Tal Tigay, a 43-year-old real estate developer, came with her 12-year-old daughter, Nina, and their friend Ella, also 12. Tigay had taken Nina to a Hillary Clinton rally eight years ago to see the first female presidential candidate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Unfortunately, we didn't win that one, but it was important for my daughter to be here in this moment," Tigay said.

Violet Perloff, a first-year student at George Washington University in Washington, rescheduled a test and came home on the train so she could celebrate voting for the first time. She brought a bejeweled "Harris" sign that she made in her dorm room.

"I had the opportunity to show my support," she said. "So I was like, I want to do it. I want to come out and show that I care about my rights and I care about the future of this country."

Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Oprah Winfrey delivered a damning final warning about the dangers of a second Donald Trump term at Kamala Harriss last rally of her presidential election campaign.

The veteran talk show host joined the vice president at her star-studded Philadelphia rally on Monday night, marking the last of her five campaign stops in the must-win swing state Pennsylvania on Election Day eve.

After pop star Lady Gaga sang a rendition of Irving Berlins God Save America, Oprah arrived on stage and delivered her final pitch to Americans to vote, warning that democracy may hang in the balance if Trump is re-elected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You have got to vote. And listen, I know some of you are feeling burnt out and bruised and maybe inconsequential. Nothing could be further from the truth. Every single vote, every one is going to matter, the media mogul said.

If we dont show up tomorrow, it is entirely possible that we will not have the opportunity to cast a ballot again.

Oprah warned that America stands on the precipice of danger and claimed that those reluctant to vote for a presidential candidate risk relinquishing their control to an authoritarian regime.

Oprah Winfrey speaks during Harriss campaign rally outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Monday in Pennsylvania (AP)

And let me be very clear: if you do not make sure that the people in your life can get to the polls, that is a mistake. Deciding not to decide, that is most definitely a vote to let other people control your future, she continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are voting to save ourselves from this precipice of danger where we now stand.

All the anxiety and fear you are feeling, youre feeling that because you sense the danger. And you change that with your vote.

Oprahs warning comes as Trump has ramped up his authoritarian rhetoric during his campaign and hinted that, if he wins the 2024 race, he would make it so that Americans never need to vote again.

Harris poses with Winfrey at rally as she makes final pitch to voters (AP)

In late July, after Harris rose to the top of the Democratic ticket, Trump told a Christian audience in Florida they should get out and vote, just this time, adding that you wont have to do it any more, if he wins on November 5.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A chorus of Democrats branded the statement terrifying while Trump surrogates brushed off the remark as a joke.

The GOP presidential nominee also called for the deployment of the military last month to handle radical left lunatics, branding his political opponents as the enemy from within and calling for their imprisonment.

Both Harris and Trumps longest-serving chief of staff John Kelly have condemned the former president as a fascist who could rule as a dictator, with the vice president last week rebuking Trump as a wannabe dictator and a petty tyrant.

Trump gestures to the crowd at his last rally Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the early hours of Tuesday morning (REUTERS)

Equally apprehensive doomsayers in Trumps camp have also claimed that a Harris win will take away voters rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump megadonor and likely cabinet member Elon Musk sat down with Joe Rogan on Monday as the podcaster finally announced his endorsement of the former president.

If Trump doesnt win this is the last election, Musk said.

I think youre right, Rogan chimed in. I think a lot of people are waking up and realize  that have been lifelong Democrats like I cant do this anymore.

Musk added: You and I used to be Democrats.

Its nuts, its nuts, Rogan added.

Musk made similar comments last month as he joined Trump on stage at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally, claiming that this will be the last election if the Republican candidate doesnt win.
Originally appeared on E! Online

Youre gonna hear them roar.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris held her final campaign rally on Nov. 4, one day before the 2024 election, where she is facing off against republican candidate, former president Donald Trump. And when she stepped out onto the stage outside Philadelphias Museum of Art, she was joined by an A-list celebrity entourage.

One of the biggest names of the evening was Oprah Winfrey, who was joined onstage by 10 first-time voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What you can do for yourself and what you can do for everyone and everything you cherish is vote, the media mogul, clad in a white suit, said. If you are watching or hearing me right now and you haven't already, you have got to vote. And listen, I know that some of you are feeling burnt out and bruised and maybe inconsequential. Nothing could be further from the truth every single vote everyone is going to matter.

The evening also saw performances from a number of stars, including Katy Perry, Jon Bon Jovi, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga.

More from E! Online

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For Katys part, she performed via livestream from Carrie Blast Furnaces in Pittsburgh, singing her songs Dark Horse, Part of Me and Firework.

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

"Four years ago, I became a mother, the Grammy winnerwho shares daughter Daisy Dove, 4, with partner Orlando Bloomsaid following her performance. She is the reason I am voting for Kamala Harris. I know she will protect my daughter's future and your children's future."

Gaga, meanwhile, performed a moving rendition of America the Beautiful and her song Edge of Glory before sharing a message on the power of women in this election.

Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images

For more than half of this country's life, women didn't have a voice, she said. Yet we raised children, we held our families together, we supported men as they made the decisions. But tomorrow women will be a part of making this decision.

The 38-year-old continued, Today I am holding in my heart all the tough tenacious women who made me who I am.

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
(NewsNation)  Oregon voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

Presidential race in Oregon

US House races in Oregon

In addition to voting in the race for the White House between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Oregon residents will also be voting on a critical U.S. House race that could determine which party holds the majority.

In the states Congressional 5th District, Republican first-term Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer will face Democratic challenger Janelle Bynum.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bynum is seeking to move to federal office after serving four terms in the Oregon House of Representatives.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas faces a rematch of her 2022 election when she is challenged by businessman Mike Erickson.

Statewide ballot measures in Oregon

Voters will also consider a list of ballot measures Tuesday, including one to allow the state House of Representatives to impeach statewide officials.

Another measure would establish ranked-choice voting in the state, which allows voters to rank the candidates rather than choose one.

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polls close at 8 p.m. local time in Oregon, which holds eight electoral votes after previously having seven.

After voting strictly Republican through 1984, Oregon has gone blue in every presidential election since 1988. President Joe Biden defeated Trump by 16.5 percentage points in 2020.

Other statewide races in Oregon

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
DECATUR  One month after putting a proposed natural gas use tax on the backburner, the Decatur City Council has turned the heat up, approving a compromise proposal that will net the city much-needed revenue while proving palatable for the small, but influential group of businesses it would hit.

The council voted unanimously Monday to approve the $.0425 per therm use tax, which will impact about 200 utility customers who receive their natural gas from companies other than Ameren. These include industrial giants Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Primient.

Due to a loophole, these customers currently do not pay the city's existing 4.25% utility tax as the 35,000 to 40,000 residential and commercial customers who receive their natural gas through Ameren do.

Under the amended proposal, tax liability for manufacturers would be capped at the first 40 million therms, a level that only ADM and Primient currently reach. The original proposal called for those companies to pay a reduced albeit uncapped rate of $.0225 per therm.

City Manager Tim Gleason said that ADM and Primient each use about 70 to 80 therms annually. He said the tax would generate similar revenue to the original proposal, which was estimated at about $4 million.

The implementation date was also pushed back from Jan. 1 to April 1, thus giving businesses time to prepare for the financial impact.

Debbie Dice, plant manager for Primient, acknowledged that the compromise was not perfect, but told the council that she appreciated the city's willingness to listen.

"We believe this is the best possible outcome, even though it does still have the potential to create some hesitation with Primient's investments in Decatur in the future," Dice said.

Along with city staff, stakeholders that negotiated the compromise included the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Manufacturer's Association and ADM and Primient.

The issue was going to come to a head one way or another.

By the end of the year, city officials will have to plug a $3.5 million deficit in the current year's budget  a product of overspending American Rescue Plan funds on demolitions  while figuring out how to fill a $4.2 million deficit in Gleason's proposed 2025 budget.

And council members were growing impatient. Last meeting, Councilman David Horn requested that the original "use" proposal be placed on the agenda for this meeting. This was supported by Councilmen Dennis Cooper, Ed Culp and Pat McDaniel. That proposal, however, was removed from the agenda in favor of the new compromise language.

Horn said that his legislative maneuver was "the catalyst for the collaborative negotiations which took place in less than one week to get the ordinance that we have here today."

Councilwoman Lisa Gregory, however, said that was not how it happened. Without mentioning his name, she criticized Horn for making the motion with "no knowledge of any of the work that was taking place behind the scenes."

"I think it's important for us to remember that just because the City Council can pass a measure that impacts others doesn't mean it's the right thing to do, particularly given there were no earnest conversations that had taken place," Gregory said of the original proposal.

She called the one that passed Monday "an example of what occurs when we work together collaboratively."

Property tax levy to increase

In other news, the council gave Gleason the green light to move forward with a 7% increase in the city's portion of the property tax levy  a decrease from the 9% recommended by city staff.

This would represent a request of about $16.9 million, or about a $1.1 million over this year's levy. But, it would be about $316,000 less than Gleason's original ask.

The actual tax levy will not be adopted until next month, but the council needed to approve an estimate with at least 20 days notice to comply with the state's truth in taxation law.

The owner of a home valued at $135,000, the median price in Macon County, would likely pay about $20 more annually on the city portion of their property tax bill.

The council landed at 7% after rejecting a 9% hike as too steep but acknowledging that a 5% increase, which would essentially just capture the growth in property values, was too low to keep up with funding for critical city services.

"We're going to have to pay the piper sooner or later," McDaniel said. "And instead of gigantic increases, let's do it gradually."

Gleason, who returned for his second stint as city manager in May, joked that "got back here just at the right time." It is the first budget cycle in three years in which the city does not have use of federal American Rescue Plan funds to make investments in infrastructure and neighborhood revitalization initiatives.

Decatur's top administrator is also seeking to hire 15 new positions, including seven in the police department, along with boosting the salaries of city employees.

"This is a great community to live in, but I've got to have a competitive salary in order for me to be able to recruit and then tell our story about the benefit package that we offer as an employer, and then also the opportunities and the cost of living in this community," Gleason said.

But, much of that will require more revenue.

The city's share of the property tax bill is typically about 15%. The largest share goes toward the school districts. Council members said they were cognizant of the cumulative effect if all taxing bodies ask for more.

"It's frustrating because that's what's going to happen," said Councilman Chuck Kuhle. "We're going to maybe have a little increase, but then you add them all together, and then it's a big increase."

Final approval is likely in December.

Water pipeline approved

The council approved a $1.17 million contract with Decatur-based Burdick Plumbing and Heating to construct a pipeline connecting water from the sand and gravel pit formerly owned by Vulcan Materials Company, which is just west of the Lake Decatur dam, to the city's South Water Treatment Plant.

The city purchased the pit more than two decades ago to provide a supplemental water source in times of drought.

While the city currently has a floating pump system to move water to the treatment plant, it cannot be utilized all the time, thus limiting the amount that can be pumped.

With the project, city staff estimates that the amount pumped from the pits can be increased from 1.45 million gallons per day to 2 million gallons per day. This would reduce the city's supplemental water shortage by about 8%.

The council approved the measure 6-1, with Horn the lone "no" vote.

The city has been aggressive in recent years in shoring up the city's water supply in hopes of improving resiliency during peak drought conditions.

Another project in the pipeline is the possible acquisition of Lake Tokorozawa. Installing permanent pumping and piping systems to the treatment plant would cost $11.7 million. It would reduce the supplemental water shortage by 29%.

The city is also exploring improvements to the DeWitt well fields that could reduce the shortage by another 20%. The city purchased the property during the drought of 1988.

Tillamook deal revised

The council voted unanimously to approve an amendment sweetening the redevelopment agreement the city inked last year with Tillamook County Creamery Association.

The Oregon-based, farmer-owned dairy cooperative is a few months away from opening its extensively-renovated plant at 757 N. Morgan St. The facility, once home to Prairie Farms, will be Tillamook's first outside of its home state.

Per the agreement approved by the council last year, the city covered the $400,000 cost of Tillamook's demolition of a vacant warehouse at 805 N. Morgan St. just north the facility.

Under the amended agreement, the city will reimburse Tillamook for decorative fencing along their western and northern property lines. The expense is expected to be between $100,000 and $150,000 and will come out of the Near North tax increment financing district.

The city will also cap Tillamook's building permit fees at $100,000. The company's fees without relief would likely exceed $300,000, according to city staff.

The company's investment in the property has run upwards of $67 million, which is about $15 million more than initially expected.

"They have paid over $200,000 in building permit fees so far," said Deputy City Manager Jon Kindseth. "There are still permits that are still outstanding, and so we would be rebating back those amounts paid in excess of $100,000."

Ice cream production is expected to begin in January.
Oregon voters rejected Ballot Measure 117 Tuesday night.

The 2023 Oregon Legislature referred the measure to voters asking whether they want to adopt ranked-choice voting for the nomination and election of the president of the United States, members of Congress, and Oregon's governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, and labor commissioner.

Instead of voting for a single candidate, voters would rank candidates in order of preference.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the measure is approved, every ballot cast starting in 2028 would count as one vote for the candidate ranked highest. If a candidate earned the majority of votes in that initial "round," the election would be over.

If no candidate earned more than 50% of votes, the candidate with the fewest votes would be eliminated and votes that had been cast for them would be allocated to the next highest-ranked candidate. A new round would begin and counting would continue until one candidate earned a majority.

Benton County began using ranked-choice voting in 2020 for county seats with a minimum of three candidates. Only the Benton County Commissioner race qualified. In Corvallis, the City Council in 2022 approved ranked-choice voting for City Council and mayoral races. Portland voters are using ranked-choice voting to elect city councilors.

Voters in Maine approved ranked-choice voting in 2016 and it was used for the first time in primary elections in June 2018. Alaskans narrowly approved ranked-choice voting in 2022, but are voting Tuesday on whether to repeal it and open primaries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon Measure 117 on ranked-choice voting fails
Multnomah County officials have observers at each ballot box in hopes of preventing more attacks like the one on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024 in southeast Portland. (Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Gov. Tina Kotek issued a reminder against election violence on Tuesday, saying any attempts to undermine the election will be stopped.

In an email to the Capital Chronicle, spokesperson Roxy Mayer said any voter intimidation or criminal acts aimed at undermining the election would not be tolerated and that the governors office is closely monitoring the situation, working with local, state and federal agencies to ensure Oregonians can safely vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Portland has a history of election violence. Last week, an arsonist attacked a drop box outside Multnomah County Elections offices in southeast Portland before dawn. Only three ballots were damaged but could still be counted. A drop box in Vancouver was also attacked, and hundreds of ballots were destroyed because the fire suppressant there didnt work. That was the second ballot drop box attack in Vancouver last month.

Police believe all three attacks are connected. Security footage obtained by OPB show a dark-colored Volvo pulling up to the Portland drop box, with the suspect spending about 30 seconds attaching an incendiary device to it. The car speeds away, smoke spews out of the box and it burst into flames but was quickly extinguished by fire suppressant inside the box. Police suspect an unidentified man in his 30s or 40s was responsible

Police in Portland are on alert Tuesday  and will be throughout the week  for any unrest over the results. Kotek can deploy the Oregon National Guard if needed, Mayer told the Capital Chronicle, but has not activated them yet.

They are trained and ready to support local and state law enforcement if they reach their capacity to respond and they request National Guard assistance, just as they do for wildland fire, floods or search and rescue support, the statement said. Should the Oregon National Guard be activated, the role and number of troops would be determined according to the needs requested by law enforcement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The governors office is working with other government and community leaders to promote a peaceful election.

On Monday, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management activated the states emergency center, which acts as a central hub for various agencies during any violent or disastrous events. The center is coordinating with tribal, local, state and federal authorities and acts as an information-sharing hub to maintain situational awareness throughout Tuesday and manage resources on the ground.

Oregon State Police, Secretary of States Office, Oregon Department of Justice and Oregon State Fire Marshal are among the agencies active in the emergency center and are in a heightened state of alert to respond to any potential disruptions.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Public defenders often spend months preparing for trials only to have charges against their clients dismissed at the last possible moment. (Getty Images)

Despite recent reforms to the states public defense system, Oregonians still dont have access to justice. Right now, there are still over 3,600 Oregonians who are facing charges but do not have an attorney, including over 150 held in jail without access to an attorney. This is an affront to our constitutional guarantee of legal representation for all.

Public defender offices like mine are necessary because nearly 80% of all people facing charges in Oregon cannot afford an attorney. Until recently, state contracts for public defense services incentivized high caseloads that left little time spent working for clients. Like all of us, public defenders want a safe and thriving community. We are committed to public service and justice and will not tolerate past practices that fail our clients and community members.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The stakes are incredibly high. For most Oregonians, even 24 hours in jail can be destabilizing. Being convicted of a misdemeanor could mean serving up to a year in jail, and often also leads to job loss, separation from children, loss of housing, and disrupted access to health care. The cascade of negative consequences can lead to a downward spiral instead of a pathway to justice.

For every client, a public defender should be more than a warm body. Public defenders review hundreds of pages of material and forensic reports, and analyze hours of video, cell phone and computer data, and various forms of digital evidence. We independently investigate the accusations against our clients, sometimes wait hours to visit with our clients when they are held in jail, and communicate with their loved ones. This work takes time, and is necessary and foundational. When an attorney is assigned over 100 cases at a time, as many are, it becomes impossible to provide adequate and responsible representation for all of the people we serve.

Due to decades of disinvestment, Oregon ranks nearly last in providing adequate public defense. In the last two years, state legislators have made significant reforms which have started to make a difference. However, we have more work to do to ensure everyone has adequate legal representation. State elected leaders can address the long standing inequities in the criminal legal system through smart investments to support the recruitment, training, and retention of public defenders.

The states criminal legal system suffers from high turnover rates in nonprofit public defense offices. A recent survey revealed that our offices lost 65 attorneys since July 2023 alone  a turnover rate of 24.6%. Defenders cite unsustainable caseloads, job stress, burnout, and non-competitive salaries as reasons for leaving. When experienced attorneys leave, it creates a vicious cycle for the public defenders who stay, severely impacting our overall ability to handle serious cases and train new recruits.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nonprofit public defender offices have always served as the primary training ground for new lawyers in this challenging area of the law. Law school simply does not prepare students for the work of a public defender. Oregons nonprofit public defenders understand this and invest heavily in training and supporting newcomers. We must develop a strong public defense workforce to meet Oregons overwhelming need.

Importantly, public defenders, prosecutors, and judges all have roles to play in ensuring our limited resources arent depleted by unnecessary case filings. Right now the system is stymied by fast and loose charging practices, poor settlement offers, massive underutilization of treatment courts, and inequitable access to diversion options and dismissal programs.

Public defenders spend months preparing for trials only to have charges against their clients dismissed at the last possible moment. We are not using scarce public resources wisely, locking up an attorneys limited time preparing for a trial that could have been resolved months prior. Not only is this frustrating for the citizens involved, it adds to the frustration and overwhelm, forcing lawyers away from public defense work.

We cannot have a fair, efficient, and just legal system for all without sustaining enough qualified public defense attorneys. By addressing the root causes of unreasonable caseloads and high turnover, and ensuring standards of ethical representation required of lawyers, we can strengthen our public defense system and uphold the constitutional rights of all Oregonians.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregonians weighed in on five statewide ballot measures that dealt with impeachments, officials salaries, ranked-choice voting, corporate minimum taxes and unions for those in the legal cannabis industry.

By 10 p.m. three of the ballot measures were called by the Associated Press  the impeachment of elected state officials, the corporate tax hike and ranked choice voting.

Below is a quick overview of each ballot measure and what the early vote totals show.

Measure 115

Voters approved this measure.

The only way to remove statewide elected officials for various conduct is by recall election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Measure 115 will amend the state constitution to allow the House of Representatives to impeach statewide elected officials in the executive branch  including the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, and the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries  for malfeasance, corrupt conduct in office, willful neglect of constitutional duty, felonies and other high crimes. The measure requires a two-thirds vote from the House to send an impeachment resolution to the Senate. The Senate would need a two-thirds vote to convict the official on trial.

Measure 116

Under current law, salaries for certain officials are set by a statute and can only be changed through legislation.

Measure 116 would amend the state constitution to establish the Independent Public Service Commission to determine salaries for certain officials. The commission would determine salaries for the governor, state treasurer, attorney general, BOLI commissioner, judges, state lawmakers, and district attorneys. Salaries determined by the commission would not be subject to review by the legislature, governor, or other state officials. Commission membership would exclude state employees, lobbyists and immediate family members of the officials.

Measure 117

Voters rejected this ballot measure

Measure 117 would have given voters, beginning in 2028, the option to rank candidates in order of preference  also known as ranked-choice voting. Under this system, the candidate who receives the fewest votes is defeated and the votes for the defeated candidate would go to a voters next highest pick. This continues until a candidate receives a majority of votes. The ranked-choice system would have applied to elections for president, United States senators and representatives, the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, and BOLI commissioner. Additionally, the measure would have required the Secretary of States office to establish a program to inform voters on ranked choice voting and would have allowed local governments to implement the voting style.

Measure 118

Voters overwhelmingly rejected this measure.

Measure 118 would have increased the highest corporate minimum taxes in order to give Oregonians an annual rebate. The measure would have increased the corporate minimum tax for Oregon sales exceeding $25 million and would have eliminated the minimum tax cap of $100,000 for $1 million in sales.

Measure 119

Measure 119 would require cannabis retailers and processors to remain neutral in their communications to employees from labor organizations about bargaining rights. Current law gives employees the right to collectively bargain, however, this measure requires cannabis businesses to have an agreement with a labor organization that at minimum requires the business to remain neutral. If cannabis businesses violate the rule, the measure would allow the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission to impose fines or licensing and certification penalties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The Orient Express is preparing for its first launch in decades  a luxury sleeper train in Italy.

Dubbed La Dolce Vita, the new Orient Express trains will start operating in Spring 2025.

The revival comes as rich and aspirational consumers prioritize luxury travel over goods.

There's an old saying that goes, one person's loss is another's gain  and the same can be said for industries.

As luxury brands struggle due to economic instability, declining consumer confidence, and a slowdown in key markets such as China, another luxury sector is thriving: travel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Brought to a standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic, as demand for luxury brands was nearing an all-time high, luxury travel is on the up and up as wealthy and aspirational consumers prioritize experiences over goods.

"People are going overseas, and much more experiences are open to them," Amrita Banta, managing director of luxury insights firm Agility Research & Strategy, told Business Insider. Ultra-high-net-worth Chinese consumers have also caught the travel bug, she said, and are increasingly spending in other countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Japan.

The good times are expected to continue as McKinsey & Company analysis estimates that global spending on luxury leisure hospitality will grow to $391 billion in 2028, a 10% jump from 2023.

Travel agent Julia Carter, founder of the luxury travel agency Craft Travel, said unique experiences are higher on the priority list of wealthy vacationers than ever.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"People want things that are curated to them," Carter said. "They don't want cookie-cutter experiences, they don't want to go somewhere where everything feels like it could be AI-generated."

This shift in consumer spending habits may be hurting luxury brands, but it's a means for the Orient Express, a once-defunct train service, to stage a comeback.

Back from the dead

Launched 140 years ago by Belgian engineer Georges Nagelmackers, the Orient Express was a luxury sleeper that, at its peak, had trains running from Paris to Istanbul.

The brand became so embedded in popular culture that it inspired Agatha Christie novels and, in recent years, Hollywood movies starring Dame Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As the draw of slow train travel gave way to speedier options like planes and high-speed railways, Orient Express's golden era ended. It made its last direct trip between Paris and Istanbul in 1977 before a brief revival with pared-back service in the early 1980s.

The Orient Express first ran in 1883. Buyenlarge/Getty Images

That was pretty much the end of the line for the Orient Express  until now.

In partnership with Italian luxury hospitality group Arsenale, the Orient Express is poised for a comeback, opening two new hotels in Italy and six brand-new luxury sleeper trains dubbed La Dolce Vita.

From spring 2025, La Dolce Vita trains, which accommodate up to 62 passengers in deluxe and suite cabins, will run across 10,000 miles of track around 14 regions of Italy, including Sicily.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ticket prices start at 3,500 euros ($3,800) for a one-night itinerary in a deluxe cabin.

The luxury of exclusivity

The timing couldn't be more aligned with consumers prioritizing travel experiences over luxury goods and with the rise of what Samy Ghachem, general manager of La Dolce Vita, calls the "slow cruising" experiential travel trend.

"You saw a big uptick as soon as COVID was over, Japan exploded, and people were like, 'OK, now let's step out of our comfort zone. Let's go to Asia, let's go to Africa, let's start to do things,'" Ghachem said, adding that tapping into that curiosity and desire to slow down is what La Dolce Vita encapsulates.

Itineraries on La Dolce Vita Orient Express start at $3,800 for a one-night stay. Courtesy of Orient Express Italy

Unlike cruise travel, luxury train travel is also more exclusive, another top priority among wealthy travelers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"People want the luxury of space and privacy," Craft, the luxury travel agent, said. "They don't want to be forced into lines and queues and having to take pictures with thousands of people around."

"When you talk about luxury cruising, you're talking about 12,000 passengers," Ghachem said. "On our trains," he added, "it's much more intimate."

While the company's short-term focus is primarily on Italy, it's also preparing to launch its first sailing superyacht in 2026 and luxury sleeper trains in other regions, including the Middle East.

If anything, the Orient Express's revival supports what Ghachem says is one of the biggest trends in luxury travel: "People want to come back from vacation with a story."

Read the original article on Business Insider
HAWORTH, Okla. (KFOR)  The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is offering a reward for more information in a 2020 homicide.

Leiann Gaulden. Image courtesy OSBI.

On October 11, 2020, the McCurtain County Sheriffs Office were notified of the suspicious disappearance of 51-year-old Leiann Gaulden.

LOCAL NEWS: One person injured following shooting in Moore

Officials say Gaulden was from Haworth, Oklahoma, and was last seen riding her bicycle on October 9. Four days later, Gaulden was found dead in the Red River near McCurtain County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the OSBI, the McCurtain County Sheriffs Office requested the bureaus help with the investigation. Gauldens cause of death was later determined to be a gunshot wound.

The OSBI is offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person responsible. Contact the OSBI at tips@osbi.ok.gov or 1-800-522-8017.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
From left, Gabe Vasquez and Yvette Herrell, right, are in a hotly contested races for New Mexico's second congressional district. (Courtesy of campaigns)

LAS CRUCES  Rep. Gabe Vasquez won reelection in a tight race early Wednesday, according to The Associated Press, marking the first time voters in the swing district have sent a Democrat to Congress for a second consecutive term.

I am grateful for the trust that our voters have placed in me and pledge to help every constituent that I represent, Vasquez said in a statement. It is that devotion and love of country that drives me to do this work. Thank you, New Mexico, for the opportunity to serve you again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican challenger Yvette Herrell conceded the election in a message on social media, writing that the the results werent what we hoped for, and thanked the members of the district.

A campaign official for Herrell, spokesperson Paul Smith, said in a message to Source NM that Herrell would accept the results.

Neither Vasquez nor Herrell appeared publicly at election events Tuesday night as results rolled in.

The sprawling 2nd Congressional District stretches from Albuquerque to the borders with Arizona on the west and Texas and Mexico to the south. It has flipped from Republican to Democratic four times in the past decade, and both candidates running to represent it have held the seat before.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Poll workers counting absentee ballots adjourned at 11 p.m., as per state law, the Dona Ana County Clerks office posted on social media. Precinct results from Election Day will continue to be tabulated into the night, but counts for absentee ballots will resume at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The race was a rematch after Vasquez eked out a 2022 victory by 1,200 votes, just a difference of 0.7% Polling showed this race was likely to be just as close. As of 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, Vasquez had a lead over Herrell by more than 10,000 votes, with 80% of precincts reporting in.

Vasquez, 40, had prior stints as a student journalist and newspaper reporter before his work in politics for Sen. Martin Heinrichs office and election to the Las Cruces City Council.

Growing up on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, Vasquez said, uniquely informs his position on one of the top concerns for both political parties: immigration. But hes skeptical that Congress will address the issue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Comprehensive immigration reform is going to be really tough to do, he said Tuesday in his office in downtown Las Cruces. We havent done it since the Reagan era, I dont think were going to do it anytime soon.

Congress also needs to focus on codifying the right to an abortion, Vasquez said. He points to a planned $10 million reproductive healthcare facility coming to Las Cruces. It will help women in southern New Mexico, but without a nationwide right to abortion, New Mexico will continue to have to help patients from neighboring Texas and other states that have banned the procedure.

If you take a radical approach on any issue that can never pass Congress, youre doing a disservice to your constituents, Vasquez said. When we can make incremental progress on any issue  like immigration or the economy or abortion  its better than making no progress at all.

Herrell, 60, is a realtor, business owner and legislative analyst, according to her bio. She was also a state representative for the Alamogordo area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Herrells campaign did not respond to a request for an interview.

This is Herrells fourth time running for the 2nd District seat. In 2018, she lost to Democrat Xochitl Torres Small, a former water attorney. Torres Small won the seat by 1.8% or just over 3,700 votes. Herrell at the time made claims, without evidence, of voter fraud. In their 2020 rematch, Herrell won handily, by more than 19,000 votes.

Donald Trump, during a last-minute appearance in Albuquerque in late October, gave Herrell a shout out.

Vasquezs win made a clean sweep for Democrats in the state.

In New Mexicos other two congressional races, Democrats had much easier paths to victory. Rep. Melanie Stansbury defeated Republican Steve Jones, and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez won versus the GOPs Sharon Clahchischilliage, according to calls by the Associated Press at 10:04 and 10:05 p.m. Tuesday, respectively.

Fisher reported from Santa Fe.
DENVER (KDVR)  Election Day officially began on Tuesday, but according to the Denver Elections Division, over half of Denver residents cast their votes early.

Colorado is known to have some of the highest voter turnout in the country and makes up some of the tens of millions of votes already cast throughout the U.S.

By the end of Nov. 3, the Colorado Secretary of State said that 2,092,035 people returned their ballots, marking over half the 4,027,830 active voters in Colorado. Meanwhile, Denvers voter turnout is about the same as the entire state.

Your Local Election Headquarters

Learn more about whats on your 2024 Colorado ballot

As of Monday night, the citys election division said that nearly 52% of Denvers 472,546 active voters cast their ballots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While over half of Colorados active voters have already returned their ballots and its too late to mail in your ballot, theres still time to vote.

In Colorado, you can still register to vote on Election Day. To get your vote in on time, either head to a nearby polling center or drop off your ballot.

If youre heading to the polls, make sure to know your voting rights and polling rules before you cast your vote.

Colorado election resources

Every active registered voter in the state will receive a ballot in the mail. Voters can choose to mail in their ballot, return it to a drop box, or vote in person.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ballots must be received by county clerks offices by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56)  While the eyes of many were glued to the race for the White House on Election Day, those in Lexington closely watched the race for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council.

Six of the 12 races for a council seat were contested this election, meaning voters had an immense say in whether or not their district stayed the course or opted for change.

Heres a look at the results of the contested elections in the Fayette County Districts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 ELECTION RESULTS | See full Kentucky election results here

District 1: Tayna Fogle vs. Tyler Morton

Incumbent Tayna Fogle lost her seat to challenger and former aide Tyler Morton.

Morton proved to be a popular candidate in the primary and secured his first term by earning 58% of the votes on a platform based on growth, inclusivity, and accountability.

In March, Fogle was arrested and charged following what police described as a disorder at the AT&T Store on Richmond Road after the manager asked her to leave and Fogle refused.

RELATED:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those charges were later dropped.

District 4: Brenda Monarrez vs. Emma Curtis

Incumbent Brenda Monarrez was unable to hold her seat on the city council, ousted by challenger Emma Lee Curtis by just over 300 votes, according to election results.

Curtis is the first openly transgender woman to be elected to the city council. She said she hopes to create a safer and more accepting community for her neighbors.

We are tired of the politics of bigotry, of anger, of pettiness, of division. The team sports the US versus them. We are ready to move this city forward together, Curtis declared to an applauding crowd.

RELATED:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In September, Curtis joined a list of women accusing Louisville Representative Daniel Grossberg of sexual assault and harassment.

YOUR LOCAL ELECTION HEADQUARTERS | Read more Ky. election coverage

Districts 2, 5, 7, 12

The four other races that were up for grabs for the council in Districts 2, 5, 7, and 12 went as follows:

District 2: Shayla Lynch (63.38%) defeated Jacques Wigginton (36.62%)

District 5: Liz Sheehan (60.49%) defeated Meredith Price (39.51%)

District 7: Heather Hadi (45.48%) was defeated by challenger Joseph Hale (54.52%)

District 12: Hilary Boone (63.75%) defeated Chad Walker (36.25%)

Districts 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11

As mentioned, the final six candidates for the Urban County Council are uncontested, although voters do have the option to write in a candidate should they choose to:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

District 3: Hannah LeGris (incumbent)

District 6: Denise Gray (incumbent)

District 8: Amy Beasley (will replace outgoing councilmember Fred Brown)

District 9: Whitney Baxter

District 10: Dave Sevigny

District 11: Jennifer Reynolds

Elections Results

FOX 56 News is Your Local Election Headquarters and will have up-to-the-minute results of all races this Election Day on air, online at FOX56News.com, and on the FOX 56 News app.

Camille Hantla contributed to this story.

Matthew Duckworth contributed to this story.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Vaping and substance use in schools became a hot topic during a recent meeting at the Kentucky Department of Educations Commissioners Student Advisory Council. One of the members includes a student from Owensboro High School.

Program consultants discussed data and information gathered from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey with the students.

According to the YRBS, the percentage of high school students who have used an electronic vapor product at least once was reported at its highest in 2019 at 53%. A decrease to 41% was recorded in 2023.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The data collected was used to establish a connection between mental health, suicide and substance use.

The upperclassmen in the council shared their thoughts on how younger students have been exposed to these substances.

Khoa Ta, a student from Owensboro High School, says resources at their school has helped students become more informed.

My district has specific vape boxes where you can dispose of vapes without getting in trouble or just being able to remain anonymous at the same time which I think is an amazing place to start, says Ta. They actually have (anti-vaping) pamphlets right next to it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other topics discussed were how students relied on vapor products as a quick fix and highlighted the importance of presenting an alternative coping mechanisms for students.

The 2023 YRBS was completed by 1,925 students in 48 public high schools and by 1,481 students in 37 public middle schools in Kentucky.

The entire council meeting is available to view here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
As days went by and dirt, dog waste and grime piled up in the Produce Hotel in Skid Row, Jermaine Staley broke into the janitorial closet. The 78-year-old tenant spent four hours over an afternoon last week sweeping staircases and common areas and he was finishing by mopping the lobby. Sweat glistened on his head and pooled on his undershirt.

They aint got no soap, said Staley, who has lived in the building for 27 years. I had to use my own soap.

Staley and other tenants said the Produce had deteriorated over the previous two weeks since the building had been sold out of receivership to Beverly Hills developer Leo Pustilnikov. Upon taking control of the Produce and 16 other supportive housing buildings he acquired in a $10-million deal, Pustilnikov sharply curtailed janitorial and security services.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tenants in multiple buildings said their incoming landlords changes have led to filthy shared bathrooms, constant trespassers and growing fears of violence. Fuschia Hayes, a resident of the Senator Hotel since 2020, said the reduced security has allowed drug dealers to cycle in and out and squatters to fill empty rooms.

The buildings just nastier now, said Hayes, 30.

Read more: Why Leo Pustilnikov is buying 1,500 Skid Row apartments and wants to build thousands more

The rapid diminishment in quality of life described by residents represents another setback in city leaders attempts to provide long-term stability to one of the regions largest portfolios of homeless housing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Eighteen months ago, with nonprofit owner Skid Row Housing Trust on the verge of collapse, Mayor Karen Bass and other city leaders pushed the buildings into receivership. The sale of 17 former trust properties to Pustilnikov this fall was supposed to end the saga.

Bass said she was absolutely concerned about service cuts in the buildings.

We want to make sure that in all of the housing people are safe, theyre cared for, theyre getting the services that they need, Bass said at a news conference in Skid Row last week.

Pustilnikov said the level of third-party security and maintenance services he inherited at the buildings  24/7 armed security with two guards on duty overnight and daily janitorial shifts at many buildings  was financially unsustainable, costing more by itself than buildings annual rent revenues. Security coverage, he said, now consists of night shifts during the week and additional shifts on the weekend.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pustilnikov said hes planning to spend millions to install cameras and expand trash rooms to more efficiently handle the issues.

Instead of simply wasting money to create the appearance of safety, we are investing real money into creating a sustainable, safe and clean environment for tenants, Pustilnikov said.

Ricky Johnson, 65, looks at bags of garbage that have not been collected for days at the Produce Hotel on Skid Row in Los Angeles on Oct. 30, 2024. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Many tenants in the buildings are elderly, disabled, mentally ill or addicted to drugs. The makeup of the residents is a result of the regions system for prioritizing the most vulnerable and troubled people for permanent housing. Pustilnikov said his top priority is ensuring tenants receive the social services theyre entitled to, which he said will do more to improve conditions than anything else.

The best way to increase resident safety is to make sure that everyone receives the services they need, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Following years of revolving leadership and a broken financial model for operating single-room occupancy hotels , the trust announced its impending failure in early 2023. At the time, the trust owned 29 buildings in and around Skid Row with a total of 2,000 units, though a quarter of them had been deemed uninhabitable.

Read more: The end of Skid Rows cheap hotels? L.A. leaders want to replace last-resort homeless housing

Fearing what they called a humanitarian crisis, the city agreed to pay nearly $40 million to finance the receivership , during which more than 800 city code and habitability citations were fixed per recent court filings. The city expects to receive at least $7 million of its money back through the sales proceeds.

Established nonprofits took on 11 of the properties, mostly those newer and in better condition, leaving 18 in limbo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Known for a series of high-profile development proposals in Beverly Hills, Redondo Beach and other wealthy communities , Pustilnikov, 39, seemed an unlikely purchaser. His attempt alongside two other investors a decade ago to build a downtown real estate portfolio failed and ended in litigation . Three single-room occupancy hotels owned by the trio  buildings similar to those in the trust portfolio  were left nearly empty and Pustilnikov had problems with oversight and financing for other low-income properties in the neighborhood.

Pustilnikov has said his motivation for buying the trust buildings stemmed from a desire to help solve the regions homelessness crisis and that his experience downtown gave him insight in operating troubled buildings. City officials have expressed confidence in Pustilnikovs ability to restore them.

Pustilnikovs bid of $10 million for 17 properties  consisting of about 1,200 units  was approved in August and sales began closing a month later. The final former trust building was sold to a separate investor group.

Read more: Beverly Hills is dragging its heels on a development with affordable apartments. The governor says: Build it

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Residents said that problems mounted when the security and janitorial services were reduced. At the Produce last week, hallway floors were covered with a layer of dust while trash piled in corners. One resident showed a reporter a photo of a trash fire taken earlier in the week in the building. Another had a video of a half-naked trespasser from that morning in the laundry room. The tenants complained of bug bites and a growing roach problem.

This is our home, said Diane Zendezas, 74, who has been in the building since 2010. We just want to get rid of the filth.

Pustilnikov said that the Produces janitor quit without providing notice two weeks ago. A new one is starting this week, he said, and hes hired a vendor for weekend trash pickup.

Johnson points to the site of a recent trash fire at the Produce Hotel. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Tenants at the Produce and other buildings said the situation has been especially disheartening because circumstances had improved during the receivership. At the Senator, Hayes said, the building was getting repaired, tenants were seeing caseworkers more frequently and overall there was a growing sense of order.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now, a month after Pustilnikov took over, broken showerheads have gone unrepaired, a shared kitchen has become unusable and fights among tenants are more frequent, she said.

Its scary how quickly everything went down, Hayes said.

Pustilnikov said the Senator has heightened security coverage compared with the rest of the portfolio because of safety issues caused by existing tenants.

Residents at two other Pustilnikov properties, the Boyd and Lincoln, expressed similar concerns to The Times about worsening conditions.

Mark Loranger, CEO of Chrysalis, the nonprofit janitorial contractor under the receivership, said that he was saddened but not surprised to hear about the state of the buildings after the firms departure. Properties with shared kitchens and bathrooms need constant servicing, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This requires daily attention, hourly attention, Loranger said. I know thats costly. But thats what it takes.

Loranger said Chrysalis wanted to stay on under Pustilnikov but the new owner informed him that he would be providing his own maintenance.

Under the receivership, security costs at each building were about $33,000 per month, the largest line item in the budget. Janitorial expenses ran from about $7,000 to $17,000 a month depending on the building.

Pustilnikov said the price tags were too high, especially since he believed problems were more structural. Refuse is piling up, he argued, because the properties dont have large enough trash rooms; safety is a heightened concern because residents dont have sufficient social services.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wasting money to provide a false sense of security or on outsourced janitorial services that didnt have space to dispose of waste while failing to provide the actual services that can help save lives is dangerous, Pustilnikov said.

Overall, he said that the transition has been at times chaotic. Property management staff he intended to retain left without warning, he said, and he needed to install new keys, computers, phone lines and other infrastructure at many locations.

Based on the condition of the buildings we received, it is impossible and foolhardy to suggest that they could be completely turned around in weeks, Pustilnikov said.

Read more: Taxpayer rescue of Skid Row's largest landlord nears $40 million

City housing officials said theyre aware of resident concerns in the buildings and are inspecting the properties weekly. Regulatory agreements between the city and Pustilnikov require him to provide weekday janitorial services at the Produce and four other properties that require more extensive repairs.

Sharon Sandow, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Housing Department, did not directly respond to a question about whether officials believe Pustilnikov is violating the contract. She said that the city was closely monitoring the properties and will take immediate action if conditions are found to be substandard.

We are vigilant about making sure that the owner does what he agreed to do in order to provide safe, stable housing to residents at the Produce and the other buildings, Sandow said.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(The Hill)  Pnut, an Instagram-famous squirrel that was seized and euthanized by New York state, has entered the political fray, with Republicans saying its killing is representative of Democratic overreach.

Our government will let in 16,000 rapists, they will let in 13,000 murderers, they will let in 6,00,000 criminals across our border, but if someone has a pet squirrel without a permit, they will go in there and kill the squirrel, Donald Trump Jr. said at a rally over the weekend. That is the Democrat party. Thats where they will go. Thats their overreach.

Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) also told a crowd at the same rally that former President Donald Trump was fired up about the death of the squirrel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He was like, You know, is it really the case that the Democrats murdered the Elon Musk of squirrels?' Vance said.

New York carried out a raid at Mark Longos home, which is near the border with Pennsylvania, after numerous complaints about the squirrel, according to The Associated Press. Longo had rescued the squirrel seven years ago.

The state euthanized the squirrel and the raccoon to test them for rabies after reports that they had bitten someone. Longo questioned the decision, saying that Pnut had not bitten anyone.

Honestly, this still kind of feels surreal, that the state that I live in actually targeted me and took two of the most beloved animals on this planet away, didnt even quarantine them, Longo told the AP. They took them from my house and just killed them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Hill has contacted New Yorks Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for comment.

Harris, Trump split vote in tiny Dixville Notch

Longo has started a GoFundMe to memorialize PNut and Fred, the raccoon who was also euthanized. The funds will be donated to Pnuts Freedom Farm, which tirelessly rescues and provides care for vulnerable animals.

Their lives were a testament to the importance of compassion and kindness toward all creatures, and we are committed to honoring them by continuing this vital work, Logo wrote. Support will empower us to demand accountability from the DEC and advocate for a more compassionate approach to wildlife management.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Elon Musk and Laura Loomer, both Trump supporters, have also criticized the government for killing the animal.

The government should not be allowed to barge into your house and kill your pet! Thats messed up, Musk wrote on the social platform X. Even if it is illegal to have a pet squirrel (which it shouldnt be), why kill PNut instead of simply releasing him into the forest!?

Bill Ackman, the CEO of Pershing Square, who gained fame in the aftermath of protests on elite college campuses tied to the Israel-Gaza conflict, also weighed in on the killing, saying that next, theyll take your children.

Musk also equated a vote for Trump with a vote for Pnut, and his post has been viewed more than 35 million times.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Pnut, an Instagram-famous squirrel that was seized and euthanized by New York state, has entered the political fray, with Republicans saying its killing is representative of Democratic overreach.

Our government will let in 16,000 rapists, they will let in 13,000 murderers, they will let in 6,00,000 criminals across our border, but if someone has a pet squirrel without a permit they will go in there and kill the squirrel, Donald Trump Jr. said at a rally over the weekend. That is the Democrat party. Thats where they will go. Thats their overreach.

Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) also told a crowd at the same rally that former President Trump was fired up about the death of the squirrel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He was like, You know, is it really the case that the Democrats murdered the Elon Musk of squirrels?' Vance said.

New York carried out a raid at Mark Longos home, which is near the border with Pennsylvania, after numerous complaints about the squirrel, according to The Associated Press. Longo had rescued the squirrel seven years ago.

The state euthanized the squirrel and the raccoon to test them for rabies after reports that they had bitten someone. Longo questioned the decision, saying that Pnut had not bit anyone.

Honestly, this still kind of feels surreal, that the state that I live in actually targeted me and took two of the most beloved animals on this planet away, didnt even quarantine them, Longo told the AP. They took them from my house and just killed them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Hill has contacted New Yorks Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for comment.

Longo has started a GoFundMe to memorialize PNut and Fred, the raccoon who was also euthanized. The funds will be donated to Pnuts Freedom Farm, which tirelessly rescues and provides care for vulnerable animals.

Their lives were a testament to the importance of compassion and kindness toward all creatures, and we are committed to honoring them by continuing this vital work, Logo wrote. Support will empower us to demand accountability from the DEC and advocate for a more compassionate approach to wildlife management.

Elon Musk and Laura Loomer, both Trump supporters, have also criticized the government for killing the animal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The government should not be allowed to barge into your house and kill your pet! Thats messed up, Musk wrote on the social platform X. Even if it is illegal to have a pet squirrel (which it shouldnt be), why kill PNut instead of simply releasing him into the forest!?

Bill Ackman, the CEO of Pershing Square, who gained fame in the aftermath of protests on elite college campuses tied to the Israel-Gaza conflict, also weighed in on the killing, saying that next, theyll take your children.

Musk also equated a vote for Trump with a vote for Pnut, and his post has been viewed more than 35 million times.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Republican state senator withdrew Tuesday every one of his challenges that sought to toss out the mail ballot applications from dozens of overseas voters, a process that left some upset, stressed and disappointed.

Pennsylvania Sen. Cris Dush, R-Brookville, withdrew all 77 of his last-minute challenges before the Centre County board of elections could even consider the merits of his argument. The board met Tuesday afternoon and was joined by other local elected officials and voters.

Dushs challenges targeted federal voters, people who are living overseas indefinitely. They may only vote in federal contests such as the presidential race. The challenges alleged applicants were not registered and were therefore not eligible to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Holding what looked like nearly a ream of paper, Centre County elections Director Melanie Bailey told Dush the county had proper documentation for each of the voters. Dush appeared surprised and then withdrew his challenges.

If youve got all that for them, then I can withdraw this, Dush said as some Democrats in attendance chuckled or shook their heads.

Sen. Cris Dush, R-Brookville sings the national anthem at the Donald Trump rally at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania posted on the social platform X that Dushs attempt created anxiety for voters and described it as a waste of time.

One voter who had his application challenged said he believed the process demonstrated how poorly this whole system is working out in the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jennifer Haag, a former Centre County resident who lives in Italy, said during the public hearing that she does not appreciate what this senator has been doing.

Thomas Bierly, another former Centre County resident who had his application challenged, wrote in an email to the Centre Daily Times that Dush should view us as assets to Pennsylvanias future rather than discouraging civic participation.

Some of the strongest language came from Connor Lewis, president of the Seven Mountains AFL-CIO, who looked at Dush and repeatedly said the challenges were an embarrassment and a disgrace.

He did not do his due diligence before he wasted taxpayer time and undermined and attacked the very foundations of our democratic process. He did not do his due diligence before doing that, Lewis said. As a state senator elected to represent us, Cris Dush went off half-cocked and decided to attack our democracy because he didnt do his homework.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was not clear if the challenges targeted a specific political party. Centre Countys spokesperson said that information was not immediately available.

More than 4,000 challenges were filed in at least 14 of Pennsylvanias counties, ranging from a dozen in nearby Clinton County to 1,110 in Philadelphia suburb Bucks County.

Gov. Josh Shapiros administration had criticized the challenges as mass-produced, bad-faith efforts meant to undermine confidence in the election.

Witold Walczak, legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, previously said in a statement that people who filed the challenges were either profoundly ignorant of longstanding law or intent on creating confusion and undermining trust in elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dush filed his challenges about an hour before the Friday deadline. All three members of Centre Countys board of elections, including Republican Steve Dershem, seemed exasperated that the challenges came at the eleventh hour.

Board Chair Amber Concepcion, a Democrat, also said the challenges have a chilling effect on voters.

A copy of one challenge letter obtained by the CDT included bold lettering that described the potential of years in jail and thousands of dollars in fines for violators of state law.

I was concerned about the effect particularly on the voters whose votes were being challenged, Concepcion said. And that it could create fear that by exercising their Constitutional right to vote that they could somehow accidentally or inadvertently make an error that could land them in legal trouble. I think thats just not the right way to treat American citizens who are trying to exercise their right to vote.

Centre County Commissioner and board of elections Chair Amber Concepcion speaks at a press conference at the countys Satellite Elections Office on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024.

Each challenge required a $10 deposit, though it was not clear who paid the county. Dush would only say the challenges were filed by a friend whom he declined to name. He said he planned to reimburse her either personally or through his campaign funds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dush also defended waiting until the last minute to file his challenges, saying he waited until the final voter registrations were entered into a state registry. On more than one occasion, Dush also said we when discussing the filing of the challenges.

This is difficult. This is hard, board member Mark Higgins, a Democrat, said after the hearing. And when you have people out to break the system when its already difficult, well, you heard the comments from the citizens.

State College Mayor Ezra Nanes offered the most passionate defense of voters during the hearing, saying he received frantic communications from some Centre County residents.

We are with you. You are a member of this community. You have not been forgotten, Nanes told those who attended the hearing in-person or via Zoom. Your voice and your vote count. We are happy that you have been heard today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He later added: I think the impact on our fellow Americans is powerful. I dont want us to lose the fact that they were hurt by this. The people I had communications from were deeply wounded because they care about this country and this community.

Pennsylvania has 19 electoral votes, the most of the countrys seven battleground states. Democratic President Joe Biden won the state in 2020, defeating Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump by about 80,000 votes.

Polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Those who are in line by that time are eligible to cast their ballot.

Thank you all for being here to support the democratic process, Nanes said. Its a big day. Lets all be Americans together and finish this out.
EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU)  Pennsylvania American Water is asking customers to reduce nonessential water use due to the drought watch declaration.

The release states that on November 1, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental announced the drought watch declaration.

PA Water says they are asking residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce their nonessential water use by at least 10 to 15 percent, approximately 11 to 16 gallons per day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our sources of supply are currently adequate to meet the needs of our customers, as we

vigilantly monitor our drinking water sources, we want to mitigate the potential for more severe conditions that could lead to stricter conservation measures in the future, stated Jim Runzer, Vice President of Operations for Pennsylvania American Water.

Woman found dead after incident at Target in Muncy Twp.

These are the following counties that are provided service through PA Water:

Adams

Allegheny

Beaver

Berks

Bucks

Butler

Chester

Clearfield

Columbia

Cumberland

Dauphin

Fayette

Indiana

Lancaster

Lawrence

Lebanon

Luzerne

Montgomery

Monroe

Northampton

Northumberland

Pike

Schuylkill

Washington

York

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are many water conservation resources in the Wise Water Use section on the PA Water website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  An Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza killed at least 20 people, mostly women and children, Palestinian officials said Tuesday, as Palestinians fled Israels assault. Some said they had hardly eaten, with aid cut off for weeks to the most isolated and heavily destroyed part of the territory.

Israel has been waging an offensive in Gazas northernmost end for weeks, saying it is targeting Hamas militants who regrouped in the area.

The U.N. has said Israel hasnt allowed food and other supplies into the area north of Gaza City since the assault began, even as tens of thousands of people remain there. That has drawn rebukes from the Biden administration, which has warned that U.S. laws might force it to curb military aid to Israel if more aid is not allowed in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The strike late Monday hit a home where several displaced families were sheltering in the town of Beit Lahiya, near the border with Israel, according to Hossam Abu Safiya, the director of the recently raided and barely functioning Kamal Adwan Hospital, which received the casualties.

The Israeli military said it targeted a weapons storage facility from which a militant had operated, and that numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians.

The dead included eight women and six children, according to a list provided by the Gaza Health Ministrys emergency service. Separate strikes elsewhere in Gaza early Tuesday killed another 10 people, according to health officials.

Dozens of Palestinians trickled out of Beit Lahiya on Tuesday  mostly women and children  dragging rucksacks and satchels with belongings. They entered Gaza City on a street where every building had been completely flattened or heavily damaged.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We came barefoot. We have no sandals, no clothes, nothing. We have no money. There is no food or drink, said Huda Abu Laila.

We are hungry. Hunger has killed us. We were under siege for one month without water or food, the gaunt elderly women continued, before erupting in tears.

Um Nidal Abu Laila, another woman fleeing Beit Lahiya, said there were bodies of Palestinians killed in the assault lying in the streets. No one is able to retrieve them, she said.

Gazas civil defense agency said it had received reports of people trapped alive under the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli troops in Beit Lahiya, but it was unable to send teams to rescue them. It said the military has prevented its teams from operating in the area for the past two weeks. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said there are no ambulances currently operating north of Gaza City.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Two elderly patients, one who was battling cancer, died as they tried to leave Beit Lahiya as they waited to cross an Israeli military checkpoint, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.

The military has ordered the complete evacuation of Beit Lahiya, the nearby town of Beit Hanoun and the urban Jabaliya refugee camp. Still, the U.N. estimated last week that around 100,000 people remain there even after tens of thousands fled the past month, the latest wave of displacement within the besieged territory. Around 90% of the population of 2.3 million have fled during the 13-month-old war, often multiple times.

The army has returned to several areas of Gaza multiple times after previous operations, as Hamas continues to carry out hit-and-run attacks on troops and fire occasional rockets into Israel.

The three hospitals serving the area have been largely inaccessible because of the fighting, and ambulances have stopped operating. Israeli troops raided Kamal Adwan Hospital last month, saying Hamas militants were sheltering there, allegations denied by Palestinian health officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The offensive has raised fears among Palestinians that Israel is implementing a surrender-or-starve plan for northern Gaza proposed by former generals, in which civilians would be ordered out, aid would be cut off and anyone remaining would be considered a fighter.

The Israeli military has denied receiving such orders, but the government has not said whether it is adopting part or all of the plan.

Early Tuesday, an Israeli strike hit a house in the Tufah neighborhood in Gaza City, killing two children and their parents, according to the Health Ministrys emergency service. Two other children were wounded, it said.

In the central town of Zuweida, a strike hit a tent where a displaced family was sheltering, killing four people, including a mother and her two children, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah. Another strike hit a house in Deir al-Balah, killing two people, the hospital said. An Associated Press journalist counted the bodies at the hospital morgue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Israeli military says it only targets militants and accuses them of hiding among civilians. It rarely comments on individual strikes, which often kill women and children.

The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, taking another 250 people hostage. Around 100 captives are still inside Gaza, about a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Israels retaliatory offensive has killed over 43,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its toll but says over half of those killed were women and children.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Natalie Melzer in Tel Aviv, Israel contributed.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Rich and extensive native american history courses all the way through the Panhandle. The prime climate, along with the abundance of water and animal life allowed native americans to thrive in this area for millenniums.

Then Europeans began settling here in the 1500s creating a competition for the land and its resources.

And in the last four centuries their villages, burial mounds, and culture were erased by cities and highways.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Election Day Countdown: Key stats on Bay County turnout

Its not like there were a bunch of burial mounds. There werent. And so thats why I guess they felt that they could use those mounds for the roads. So much of what we had here was destroyed. And so we really dont have the evidence to go back and really do the research that we could have done, Owner of Native Spirit Museum and Gallery in Historic St. Andrews Ben Liggins said.

Liggins says its important to understand those who lived before us.

Conquering another nation is never a good thing for the people that live there. But we had such a rich culture of people here that knew how to work the land and honor the land and take care of the land. And theres a lot that we could learn from that, Liggins said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Liggins is one of two people selected to give a historical presentation at city hall later this month for Native American Heritage Month. Ronald Scott will also speak.

Scott is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a Vietnam veteran.

Native Americans have been part of America since before America, and we fought for this country. Were still fighting for this country. We love our country and that freedom, we go joining the military so we could fight for this country. And were all warriors, Scott said.

Scott says he was destined to be a warrior, his father served, and his daughters and sons have continued the tradition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theyve all served in the war and 60% of all races of Native American races, usually sign up to go to the military. A lot of them are trying to get a better way of life travel. And they love their country. They want to serve their country and become part of that community. Scott said.

Jackson County deputy involved shooting

Scott will speak twice this month at city hall, focusing on the code talkers, mostly Choctaw, who helped win World War I & II by speaking their native tongue.

So even though they try to make us quit our language. They still needed our language to help win the war, World War I, and also in World War two. So thats what Im proud of. So thats the reason I keep trying to retain a language that the great spirit gave us, Scott said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To learn more about Native American history and culture, check out the free presentations at the Panama City Halls Rotunda this month.

Ron Scott will speak on Friday, November 8th, and November 22nd at 10 a.m., and Ben Liggins will speak on November 17th at 9 a.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A party promoter was arrested Friday in connection with an October shooting on the 600 block of Clinton Street, near Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo police announced.

Chuka Ibezim, 23, of Buffalo was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal nuisance.

At 2:30 a.m. on Oct. 26, police responded to a shooting call at a party. Officials said police learned upon arrival that a 15-year-old female victim was brought to a hospital in a civilian vehicle. A 26-year-old male victim was also brought by civilian vehicle to ECMC at the same time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An investigation found that Ibezim allegedly hosted the event where the shooting occurred without a permit, police said. The city posted a cease and desist order at the location of the shooting the next day to prevent more unpermitted events.

Further investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.

Latest Local News

Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
PATERSON  The Police Department on Friday ordered officers to stay out of 23 bars and liquor stores in the city, places that law enforcement officials said are allegedly involved in illegal activities.

The off-limits directive covered officers off-duty hours, saying they should enter the listed business only in the line of duty. Any officers who go to those business on their own time would face discipline and an Internal Affairs investigation, officials said.

The order was issued less than a month after Paterson Police Officer Valentin Torres was charged with committing crimes at one of the bars on the list, the Mancora Lounge, when he went there during off-duty hours. But officials said the off-limits order already was in the works before that incident happened in late August.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Story continues below photo gallery.

The Nov. 1 memo from Officer in Charge Isa Abbassi gave a definition for those establishments where officers shouldnt go: Any premises operating legitimately, but due to a history of repeated crimes or offenses having been committed nearby, recent criminal intelligence or a history of or a potential for police misconduct, or to avoid the appearance of impropriety by members of the department.

Several Paterson police officers, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said they understood the purpose of the order but questioned whether their rights were being violated.

Abbassi, a retired New York City police chief, said his former department had a similar directive. When asked about the officers rights to go where they want when they are not working, he said, More is expected of those officers, who are sworn to protect and serve the public.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They have to adhere to high standards of integrity and professionalism, Abbassi added.

The Paterson Policemen's Benevolent Association declined to comment on the order.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Off duty Paterson NJ police must avoid these bars, liquor stores
Paul Rudd made a surprise appearance at universities in Pennsylvania to hand out water to students waiting in hours-long lines to vote.

While reporting live from Philadelphias Temple University, MSNBC National Correspondent Jacob Soboroff spotted the Ant-Man and I Love You, Man star and sprinted over to him.

More from Variety

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hey, Paul, Im on live with Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC! Soboroff said before asking the actor what brought him out to Pennsylvania voting lines.

I just wanted to give people water, Rudd said. Theyre waiting in line for a long time, and its a wonderful thing that all these young people are out voting.

When Soboroff told Rudd that some people have waited up to two hours to vote, Rudd said, Thats impressive.

Weve been doing lots of stuff today here in Pennsylvania, Rudd said. We wanted to come out and tell these students theyre doing really great things.

Soboroff then asked Rudd how he felt about the election, prompting Rudd to laugh and say, wryly, I feel good about handing out some waters!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Soboroff left Rudd and continued to interview voters, stopping to talk to a first-time voter, a young Black woman, who said it wasnt hard to make up her mind. Its been ready to go, out the gate, she said. I didnt need to hear people talking in my ear.

Rudd then appeared behind them. Want a water from Paul Rudd? Soboroff asked. Yes, I do! she exclaimed, and handed her phone to Soboroff so he could take a photo of the two of them.

Based on photos posted to X, Rudd also showed support for students waiting to vote at Villanova University, which is located less than an hour from Temple. During the 2020 election, Rudd made headlines for handing out cookies to people standing in the rain while waiting to vote in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Election Day is in full swing, and with so much at stake, it's no surprise that some polling locations are experiencing super long lines.

MSNBC

Well, during a live broadcast at Temple University in Philadelphia, MSNBC's Jacob Soboroff interrupted his own reporting because Paul Rudd appeared in an effort to help make that wait time a little easier on people.

MSNBC

"I just wanted to give people water. They're waiting in line for a long time, and it's a wonderful thing that all these young people are out voting," Rudd said.

Paul Rudd handing out waters in line

A close-up of the waters in Paul's hands

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MSNBC

Earlier in the broadcast, Soboroff interviewed multiple students who noted that they'd been waiting in line for over two hours to vote. Rudd, who was carrying a bunch of bottled waters in his hands, said he was super impressed by how long people were determined to stay in line.

MSNBC

Rudd also revealed that he's been traveling to different polling locations throughout Pennsylvania, a key battleground state, saying, "We've been doing lots of stuff today here in Pennsylvania, and, yeah, we wanted to come out and tell these students they're doing really great things."

Paul Rudd handing out waters in line

After parting ways, Soboroff started speaking with a first-time voter who was ecstatic to cast her ballot, and Paul Rudd reappeared to hand out more waters. "You want a water from Paul Rudd?" Soboroff asked. "Yes I do! Yes I do!" exclaimed the young voter.

MSNBC

She then asked for a selfie, which Paul Rudd happily agreed to, and Soboroff took the picture during his live broadcast.

MSNBC

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And this was Nicolle Wallace's face the entire time while watching all of this unfold. Love.

MSNBC

Good on you, Paul Rudd! And good on you to everyone else who voted today!
Two rescued animals, Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon, were euthanized after being confiscated from a rural New York home by officials last week.

According to The Associated Press, Mark Longo, a resident of Pine City, New York, had rescued both Peanut (also known as Pnut) and Fred and they lived in his home until they were taken away by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Peanut the squirrel had become famous on social media, per USA Today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Longos Instagram account for Peanut, @peanut_the_squirrel, has over 700,000 followers, the squirrel also had followers on other platforms such as TikTok.

These followers glimpsed the animal sporting tiny hats, doing tricks and nibbling on waffles clutched in his little paws, per The Associated Press.

Last Wednesday, the animals were taken from Longos home by the Department of Environmental Conservation, per the AP.

The DEC showed up in my house and issued me a search warrant for a squirrel and a raccoon, Longo said, according to Newsweek. They raided my house as if I was a drug dealer or something. It is the most shocking thing I have ever seen or witnessed in my life.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to The Associated Press, the agency had received reports that wildlife were being kept illegally and potentially unsafely.

In New York, it is illegal to keep young wildlife as pets, it often results in abnormal attachment to humans, per USA Today.

The DEC said, After release, some return to places where people live, only to be attacked by domestic animals or to be hit by cars. Some become nuisances getting into stored food, trash cans or dwellings. And some may be thrust as unwelcome intruders into the home range of another member of their species, according to USA Today.

On Friday, both animals were euthanized.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The statement from the department said the squirrel and raccoon had been euthanized to test for rabies.

A person involved in the confiscation investigation was bitten by the squirrel, per USA Today.

Longo began caring for Peanut seven years ago, after his mother got hit by a car. He had also been working to certify the squirrel as an educational animal, per The Associated Press.

Fred the raccoon was dropped on Longos doorstep a few months ago. He and his wife were planning to release Fred into the wild after they helped him recover from injuries.

Honestly, this still kind of feels surreal, that the state that I live in actually targeted me and took two of the most beloved animals on this planet away, didnt even quarantine them. They took them from my house and just killed them, Longo said according to The Associated Press.

How Peanut the squirrel became part of the presidential race

At a rally in North Carolina on Sunday, former President Donald Trumps running mate JD Vance, said that Trump was Fired up about the squirrels death, per Newsweek.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The same government that doesnt care about hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrant criminals coming into our country, doesnt want us to have pets, its the craziest thing, Vance said according to the BBC.

Elon Musk, who has endorsed Trump, wrote on X The government should not be allowed to barge into your house and kill your pet! Thats messed up. Even if it is illegal to have a pet squirrel (which it shouldnt be), why kill PNut instead of simply releasing him into the forest!?

The government should not be allowed to barge into your house and kill your pet! Thats messed up.



Even if it is illegal to have a pet squirrel (which it shouldnt be), why kill PNut instead of simply releasing him into the forest!? https://t.co/2m9Gi5QpUT  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 3, 2024

Reactions on social media

Since the confiscation and death of Peanut and Fred, many people have taken to social media platforms such as Instagram and X in response the animals being euthanized.

Many people on social media are outraged that this happened, here are some of the posts about Peanut and Freds deaths on X.

I feel so sorry for this guy. The government came and took his squirrel Peanut, which hes owned for 7 years, and another pet raccoon and euthanized them both, for no apparent reason.



Peanut was the mascot for his animal non-profit and had a social media following of over a pic.twitter.com/5EfoOKqelE  aptain organ (@CaptainMorganTN) November 2, 2024

I dunno who needs to hear this , but the Federal Government has no right to enter your private property and murder your pets. Zero. They need to be sued.  Saibra (@Saibra33) November 4, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  The Mahoning County Coroners Office Tuesday identified a man who was killed late Saturday after he was hit by a car on Poland Avenue.

The man has been identified as Jeffery Ebright, 47.

Police said Ebright was killed after he was hit by a car about 10:50 p.m. Saturday in the 2100 block of Poland Avenue. He died later at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

WKBN Breaking News

The driver of the car that collided with Ebright and a passenger were not injured.

Charges have not been filed. Police are still investigating.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  A 20-year-old man Pell City man was killed in a motorcycle crash on I-20 Monday night, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reports.

Caleb Saltsman was fatally injured when the Honda CBR1000RR he was riding left the road and hit a ditch. The crash happened around 6:45 p.m. in the city limits of Pell City.

What to know before going to vote in the 2024 election in Alabama

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Saltsman died at the scene. Troopers with the ALEAs Highway Patrol Division are investigating the crash.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
Several counties across Pennsylvania and Arizona are investigating batches of improper voter registration forms submitted by an Arizona-based firm in recent weeks.

There is no evidence the forms led to any fraudulent ballots being cast, but former President Trump has latched onto the revelations, telling his supporters Pennsylvania is cheating.



Officials have tied back the disputed applications to Field+Media Corps, a left-leaning firm run by Mesa, Ariz., Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia that also does work with nonpartisan voter registration organizations.

Heredia told The Hill he hasnt been contacted by officials in any of the counties that have flagged his groups work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are proud of our work to help expand access to voting through voter registration efforts that registered voters from all parties, Heredia said in an email. We would hope that if the Recorder had this information, that we would be proactively contacted by his office. If we are contacted, we would work with local officials to help resolve any discrepancies to allow eligible people to vote.

On Monday, Maricopa County, Ariz., became the latest area to announce issues with the companys submitted forms. The county, which spans the Phoenix area, is the swing states most populous area.

Recorder Stephen Richer (R) said at a Monday press conference that Field+Media Corps played a significant role in the 90,000 voter registration applications dropped off on the state deadline.

It is a group that we have worked with before, and we have admonished them to please, please, please submit better voter registration forms, Richer said. To please do more quality control.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The company took down its website late last week.

We do our best to have applicants complete the entire form to turn in to the Recorders office, if we have incomplete forms by law we still turn them in to their office, turning in all forms we collect, Heredia said. At the end of the day, we take pride in our work and we believe in the power of voter registration to strengthen our elections.

The scrutiny in Arizona followed confirmation last week from Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry (D) of apparent attempts to submit fraudulent voter registration forms in Berks, Lancaster, Monroe, and York counties.

These attempts have been thwarted by the safeguards in place in Pennsylvania. We are working every day with our partners to ensure a fair, free, and safe election, her office said in a statement. The investigations are ongoing, and offenders who perpetrated acts of fraud will be held accountable under the law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Henrys statement came as several Pennsylvania district attorneys announced that they were investigating mass drop-offs of voter registration forms.

Officials in Lancaster County initially announced they were reviewing roughly 2,500 voter registration forms due to potential fraud. Ray DAgostino, the vice chair of the countys board of commissioners, said at a Monday meeting that 57 percent of those have been verified, 17 percent have been identified as fraudulent and the remaining 26 percent are still being investigated.

A good number of those are still suspected of being fraud, but its a very painstaking process, obviously, to go through this, DAgostino said.

At a rally last week, Trump misstated the nature of the investigation and falsely claimed fraudulent votes had been cast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theyve already started cheating in Lancaster. Theyve cheated. We caught them with 2,600 votes. No, we caught them cold, Trump said.

In Monroe County, District Attorney Michael Mancuso (D) said the board of elections referred nearly 30 irregular documents to his office, most of which were submitted by Field+Media Corps. So far, Mancusos office said 16 applications submitted by the company have been determined to be fraudulent.

The specific fraudulent character of these applications involve forged signatures, often with incorrect or incomplete identifying information, Mancusos office said in a statement.

The York County district attorneys office confirmed to The Hill the potentially fraudulent forms it is investigating were also submitted by the company.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Pennsylvania court has extended voting in Cambria County from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday due to issues scanning ballots.

The court order said all ballots past 8 p.m. will be cast as provisional ballots.

The Cambria County Board of Elections said all completed ballots will be counted by the board.

The board had filed a petition saying the software used in the Electronic Voting System had a malfunction on Tuesday, which prevented voters from scanning their filled-out ballots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The malfunction caused voter confusions, long lines of voters, and many individuals left the polling locations without casting a ballot, said the petition. The Cambria County Board of Elections said it wanted to ensure all voters were given an opportunity to vote and asked for the extension. This extension was granted.

In a statement to a local NBC News affiliate, the Cambria County commissioners said they had taken measures to ensure IT specialists look at the software issue.

There is a process in place for issues of this nature, the board said. All completed ballots will be accepted, secured and counted by the Board of Elections. The County Board of Elections has express voting machines at precinct locations to continue allowing voting electronically, while still allowing hand ballots to be cast.

Cambria County Commissioners said voters shouldnt be discouraged from voting at their precincts.
(NewsNation)  Voters in Pennsylvania will cast their votes Tuesday in some key races in the 2024 election.

Presidential race in Pennsylvania

US Senate race in Pennsylvania

Democrat incumbent Sen. Bob Casey Jr. is challenged by Republican rival David McCormick in a race that is likely to affect which party controls the Senate.

Casey is Pennsylvanias longest-serving Democrat in the Senate. He is seeking a fourth term in what he calls his toughest reelection challenge yet.

US House race in Pennsylvania

Voters will also elect 17 candidates to serve in the House from each of the states 17 U.S. districts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Several competitive races were being hard fought with Democrats defending their 9-8 advantage in the states 17-seat delegation.

Six-term Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, who has been a longtime supporter of former President Donald Trump, has been a perennial target for Democrats in a Republican-leaning district around the cities of Harrisburg and York. He will be facing a challenge mounted by Democrat Janelle Stelson, a longtime local TV news anchor who is a household name in the area who faced her own

In Pennsylvanias first district, four-term Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick will be defending his seat from Ashley Ehasz, a former Army helicopter pilot he beat in 2022 by almost 10 points.

Three-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild and six-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright are also facing stiff challenges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Challenging Wild in her Allentown-area 7th District seat is state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie. Wild outraised Mackenzie almost 7-to-1 through June 30.

Challenging Cartwright is Rob Bresnahan, a first-time candidate and developer who runs a family construction company.

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election. These elections will determine who has control over the two branches of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Pennsylvania has 19 Electoral College votes contributing to the presidential race making it one of the key swing states. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early voting dates in the state vary by county and early voting ended on October 29.

Oct. 29 was also the last day to request a mail-in ballot, and a county election office must receive the ballot by 8 p.m. on November 5 for it to be counted. Polls close at 8 p.m. local time on Election Day.

Other statewide races in Pennsylvania

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
(WHTM)  A State Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania announced that an inmate was found deceased in his cell last week.

Inmate Shaun Harden, 45, was found unresponsive in his cell on November 1, 2024, according to Joseph Terra, the superintendent of the State Correctional Institution at Phoenix in Montgomery County.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Breaking News Alerts

Terra said prison staff immediately responded and provided life-saving measures until facility medical personnel arrived. Harden was pronounced deceased at 6:29 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Terra says Harden was serving a 4-to-10-year sentence for Aggravated Indecent Assault Of A Child on a Greene County conviction. He arrived at SCI Phoenix on October 31, 2024.

State Police are currently investigating the incident. The Montgomery County Coroner will determine the official cause of death.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
A Pennsylvania judge on Monday, 4 November allowed Elon Musk to distribute US$1 million a day to voters.

Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The day before the US presidential election, lawyers for Musk's pro-Trump organisation America PAC tried to convince Judge Angelo Foglietta that the billionaire's contest was not an "illegal lottery", as the top prosecutor of Philadelphia had claimed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

America PAC's lawyers and director, Chris Young, said that the group distributed funds based on who would be the best spokesperson for its pro-Trump agenda, despite the billionaire's assurances that the winners would be randomly chosen.

Musk has already allocated US$16 million to registered voters who qualified by signing his political petition.

His group, America PAC, announced the winner from Arizona on Monday and said the final winner from Michigan would be announced on Tuesday, Election Day.

America PAC launched the contest on 19 October. It is open to registered voters in seven key states - Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - who have signed a petition pledging to support free speech and gun rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On 28 October, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, filed a lawsuit to block the Pennsylvania contest, arguing that the payments are similar to an illegal lottery with unclear rules. Krasner said in court that he would also seek financial sanctions.

Judge Folletta rejected Krasner's request in a short written order and said he would present his reasoning later.

Musk's lawyer, Andy Taylor, accused Krasner's office of trying to restrict Pennsylvanians' rights by preventing them from signing the petition.

"They're trying to restrain citizens of Pennsylvania from signing a free speech and right to bear arms petition," Taylor said in his closing statement.

Background:

Musk has become an outspoken Trump supporter and promoted the former president on his social media platform X (Twitter) this year.

Federal records show that Musk has given nearly US$120 million to Trump.

Support UP or become our patron!
A Pennsylvania judge on Monday refused the Philadelphia district attorneys request to block daily $1 million giveaways from Elon Musks pro-Trump super PAC in the lead-up to the election.

Judge Angelo Foglietta refused to block the giveaways in a one-page order with no explanation. He said he would detail his reasoning in writing separately.

The decision comes just one day before Election Day, the final day that America PAC plans to hand out a $1 million check to a registered swing state voter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Musks lawyer Chris Gober argued at Mondays hearing that the super PAC does not choose winners at random but rather for their potential as spokespeople, seeking to contradict Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasners (D) accusation that it is running an illegal lottery.

The $1 million recipients are not chosen by chance. We know exactly who will be announced as the $1 million recipient today and tomorrow, Gober said, according to The Associated Press.

He also noted that America PACs final giveaways will go to registered voters in Arizona and Michigan and will not impact Pennsylvania.

The super PAC launched the giveaway in late October. Registered voters in seven swing states, including Pennsylvania, who signed the PACs petition supporting free speech and the right to bear arms were eligible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

America PAC has handed out 16 checks worth $1 million each so far, with four going to registered voters in Pennsylvania.

Krasner sued Musk and his super PAC last week, accusing them of running an illegal lottery under Pennsylvania state law and asking the court to put the giveaways on hold ahead of the election.

The Philadelphia district attorney said Monday he would also seek financial penalties against Musk and America PAC, according to Reuters.

Musks lawyers attempted to move the case to federal court. However, U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert rejected the request Friday, sending the case back to state court and allowing a hearing to proceed before Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX was not at Mondays hearing. Musk has played a key role in supporting former President Trump, whom Musk endorsed in July. His super PAC has been central to the Trump campaigns ground game in swing states.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania  Republican Rep. Scott Perry was one of Donald Trumps top congressional allies in the effort to overturn the 2020 election. But this year, even his Democratic challenger says her message about upholding democracy was not the main point of her campaign in this increasingly suburbanized  and competitive  district.

While there are some people who are still all cranked up about Jan. 6, it has evolved, said Janelle Stelson, the Democrat looking to unseat Perry in this central Pennsylvania district. She said food, gas, housing and health care costs were the everyday things that resonate more with people than Jan. 6, even though nobody likes that and didn't want their votes overturned.

Like other Democrats, Stelson used the Jan. 6 riot as one plank in a broader message, wrapping democratic norms into an argument about Republican extremism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its a strategy that has continued to evolve in the years after the 2021 Capitol riot. Democrats from Kamala Harris to candidates further down the ballot have focused on abortion rights and the economy, but theyve also recognized the power of issues of upholding democracy to energize their base and peel off moderate Republicans who may be disaffected with their party.

National polling typically shows preserving democracy as the top issue for voters  or one of the top, next to topics like the economy. And the partisan divides are stark: A recent national Gallup survey found that Republicans are more likely to list the economy as a top issue, while Democrats say democracy. If a Democrat is relying solely on democracy messaging to get those crossover votes, that message might not resonate.

Harris highlighted former Trump chief of staff John Kellys comment that Trump is a fascist and held her closing message rally on the Ellipse last week  an intentional contrast with Trumps speech before the Capitol riot in 2021 at the same site. But much of her advertising focuses on her background, abortion rights and the economy.



Affordability and abortion rights were the two top issues for local voters in Pennsylvanias 10th District, Stelson said in an interview at her campaign office. The third: broken Washington, a broader idea about polarization, extremism and congressional gridlock. That includes  but is more than  concerns about the attack on the Capitol and Trumps and Perrys efforts to subvert the election results, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a recent ad, she noted that Perry spread the nutty conspiracy theory that Italian satellites rigged the last election  a line that is sandwiched in between calling him a lying career politician and warning that hell raise taxes and cut Social Security. In her closing statement during her only debate with Perry, she called him out for being investigated by the FBI and accused him of wrongdoing, saying that you dont ask for a pardon if you havent done anything wrong. (Perry has denied seeking a pardon.)

Perry played a pivotal role in pushing for an eleventh-hour leadership change at the Justice Department to help facilitate Trump's effort to subvert the 2020 election results when the department's leaders balked at promoting false claims of voter fraud. Perry's phone was seized by the FBI in August 2022 as part of an investigation into those efforts, but there's no indication he is a target of any criminal probe.

In the debate with Stelson, he said he is not under investigation and it is a falsehood  that is a propagation by my opponents on the left that is often parroted by the mainstream media.

Perrys campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In conversations with voters in Perrys district, very few of those who said theyre supporting Stelson proactively brought up democracy as a top issue, instead saying abortion and cost of living are more top-of-mind. When asked whether democracy is a motivating factor, they said it is  though it pales in comparison to other topics.

Perrys supporters, meanwhile, brushed it off.

We dont want to hear about Jan. 6 anymore, said Terri Binette, whos backing Perry. Nobody wants to stay there. What good will that do?



That divide is the problem with trying to rely on democracy messaging to win in this type of district, said Craig Snyder of Republicans Against Perry: Opinions about Jan. 6 are baked in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I don't think people are looking at how they vote for Congress, really, in terms of, Is this person going to save or hurt democracy? he said. Those issues matter, he added, but theyre less effective for persuading swing voters, especially when Perry hasnt been charged with a crime. It's not like there's this looming cloud over his head related to Jan. 6. There was at one point, but nothing's come to pass, and so I just don't think that's going to be the primary motivator for the swing voters.

Heading into the midterms, Democrats grappled with just how effective messaging on democracy would be as they went up against scores of candidates who echoed unfounded claims about the 2020 election being stolen.

Many of those election deniers ended up losing their elections. But while some Democratic candidates did lean into democracy messaging, it had been largely overshadowed by voter outreach concerning abortion-rights in the aftermath of the Supreme Court overturning Roe.

In 22, I think everyone was like, What the hell just happened? said Brian Lemek, executive director of Defend the Vote, a group backing what it considers pro-democracy candidates, including Stelson. It just had to set in for people, and we really did have to kind of understand and appreciate the real threat here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Perry won reelection in those midterms by about 8 points, though Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro won the district that year. Democrats are bullish that Stelson, a former longtime TV anchor who entered with more established name ID than a typical first-time candidate, can block Perry from a seventh term. She proved to be a strong fundraiser, and outraised and outspent the incumbent. In a sign of GOP concern, national Republicans have come to Perrys aid, dropping millions on advertising in the race. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Majority Whip Tom Emmer came to the district to stump for Perry in recent days, following a visit in the district from Speaker Mike Johnson.

If Stelson wins, it wont be because of solely what transpired after the 2020 election. And other candidates are taking the same approach.

In Wisconsins 3rd District, which Trump won in 2020, Democrat Rebecca Cooke is looking to unseat Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who attended the Jan. 6 rally but never entered the Capitol that day. She, too, has said that it is not the only focus of her campaign because voters consistently raise concerns about being able to afford necessities like groceries.

Democrat Lucas Kunce, whos running against Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), has occasionally mentioned the incumbent pumping his fist to encourage protesters that day, but hes also said that Jan. 6 is just one piece of the puzzle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Even on the presidential level, Harris is balancing how she messages on democracy. Some Democrats expressed concerns that she should spend the final stretch of her campaign boosting her biography rather than solely hitting Trump.

During her rally on the Ellipse last week, she mentioned the word democracy only once.

Kyle Cheney contributed to this report.
Pennsylvania State Police are looking for a missing teenager from Washington County.

State police said Saniyah Gates, 17, ran away from her house on Oct. 11. She was reported missing on Oct. 29.

Gates could be near Allegheny Commons, East Ohio Street and Northview Heights in Pittsburgh, state police said.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
When Traci Siegel opened her email on Sunday, she was shocked to learn that her vote in the presidential election might not count.



Siegel, who lives in Israel, voted absentee in her home state in Pennsylvania, as she had many times before, in accordance with federal law requiring states to allow Americans who live abroad to vote for federal office via their last county of residence. But this year, someone she does not know paid $10 to appeal against her vote.



The Dauphin County Board of Elections received a challenge to your absentee ballot, the countys Director of Elections Christopher T. Spackman wrote. The challenge argues that a provision of the Pennsylvania Election Code takes precedence over the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.



Siegel was informed that she could appear in person at a hearing in the state capital of Harrisburg  though she is in Israel  on Friday, three days after the election.



When I first received the challenge, I felt attacked and helpless, Siegel told Jewish Insider. My whole life I assumed voting was a basic right, and that someone could pay a mere $10 to take that away from me seemed crazy.



American Democrats in Israel referred JI to a statement from VoteFromAbroad.org, an informational website run by the Democratic Party, saying that the organizations voter protection unit is working with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and citing 3,600 PA abroad ballots [that] are being challenged in nine countries by individuals (on behalf of [Republican presidential candidate Donald] Trump).



The challenged ballots are not only affecting Democrats. Republicans Overseas Israel told JI that some Pennsylvania voters who sought their help in submitting ballots also had their votes challenged.



Media reports in recent days have said that the challenges come from Trump supporters claiming voter fraud, and last week, a Harrisburg court dismissed a lawsuit by six Republican members of Congress that could have undermined the process of voting from abroad. Mark Zell, vice president of Republicans Overseas Israel, said he had been concerned that these efforts would impact Pennsylvania voters from Israel.



Pennsylvania is widely viewed as a must-win state in the presidential contest, and even a small number of ballots being disqualified could affect the states results. In 2020, the winner of the presidential race in Pennsylvania was not known until four days after the election. Litigating challenges to ballots in Pennsylvania may also draw out the states ballot-counting this year, too.



Whats going to happen with these is that, because theyve been challenged, now theyre going to be set aside, and they wont be included in the count at first, Ari Savitzky, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU, said on Tuesday. After local election boards decide later this week whether they will reject the challenge, the people who challenged the ballots then have two more days to appeal the decision.



Because federal law is crystal clear here, I have every reason to expect that these folks ballots will eventually be counted, but unfortunately, theres going to be delay in that because of this abuse of this challenge process, Savitzky added.



The challenge against Siegels vote was submitted by Aimee Lighty, a licensed therapist in Pennsylvania with a very small and apolitical social media footprint, according to the email Siegel received from the Dauphin County Board of Elections. Lighty did not respond to messages from JI about the challenge, but her name has been connected with at least one other challenged ballot.



Lightys challenge of Siegels ballot appears to be consistent with what the ACLU described as mass-produced challenges that claim voters should not be allowed to vote because they are outside in the United States and are not registered to vote in Pennsylvania, according to a letter from the ACLU to Pennsylvania county solicitors.



The ACLU noted that nearly 50 years ago, Congress enshrined overseas U.S. Citizens continued right to vote in the district in which they last lived, but only for federal elections  While these voters may not be technically registered to vote in Pennsylvania for purposes of state elections, federal law indisputably protects their right to vote for federal offices.



The proper course of action for any county receiving mass challenges to these federally qualified overseas voters is to summarily reject the challenges as both procedurally and substantively deficient, the ACLU wrote.



The Pennsylvania State Department told The New York Times that the challenges were made in bad faith and are based on theories that courts have repeatedly rejected in an attempt to undermine the confidence in the Nov. 5 election.



Many of the challenges were submitted by Pennsylvania state Sen. Jarett Coleman, an attorney named Karen DiSalvo who represented the Republican members of Congress in their lawsuit, and Charles Faltenovich of a group called PA Fair Elections, a CNN report found.



About 500,000 U.S. citizens live in Israel, according to the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. Trump is the most popular presidential candidate in Israel by a wide margin, according to recent polling, and voting patterns by Americans in Israel are expected to reflect that view. Representatives of both parties in Israel have told JI that Republican candidates received most of the votes from Americans in Israel in recent decades.



In September, Trump posted on his Truth Social website that the Democrats are getting ready to CHEAT! The Republican candidate claimed, without evidence, that his opponents planned to submit overseas ballots without any citizenship check or verification of identity, whatsoever. (Foreign interference?)



Methods of verifying absentee votes vary by state, but most require a Social Security number or valid state drivers license, as well as a valid signature checked against voter registration.



Days after Trumps post suggesting Democrats abroad sought to commit voter fraud, the Trump campaign released a video in which the candidate appealed to U.S. citizens living in Israel to vote for him because no one in history has ever stood with Israel and the Jewish people like I have. In addition, Trump released a video appealing to overseas voters worldwide, promising to end double taxation on U.S. citizens living abroad.



Efforts to get out the vote in Israel continued through Tuesday, with Family Research Council and prominent Evangelical pastor Tony Perkins campaigning for Trump with settler leader and Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan in Hebrew and English, emphasizing opposition to a two-state solution ceding the West Bank, the biblical heartland where most of the stories in the Bible occurred.



Jewish Insider senior national correspondent Gabby Deutch contributed reporting.




WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Tuesday that Yoav Gallant, whom Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired as defense minister on Tuesday, has been a "trusted partner," and said it will continue to work closely with Israel's next defense minister.

"America's commitment to Israel's security remains ironclad and the U.S. Department of Defense will continue to work closely with Israels next Minister of Defense," Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder said in a statement.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Leslie Adler)
A planned data transfer conducted ahead of the Defense Health Agency's transition to new Tricare contracts resulted in 16,000 beneficiaries being dropped from the Pentagon's personnel system, causing a temporary loss of health care benefits.

Officials announced Friday on the Tricare website and in emails to affected personnel and retirees that they were "inadvertently dropped" from the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS, during a planned transfer of beneficiary enrollment information.

According to the Defense Health Agency, an incomplete file contributed to the loss of data during a scheduled monthly upload, affecting 16,000 retirees and family members from the Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or Public Health Service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read Next: Live Election Updates

The Coast Guard sent an alert Saturday saying personnel officials were working with the Defense Manpower Data Center to resolve the issues, estimating that it would take 48 to 72 hours to fix.

They emphasized that the problem would not affect benefits eligibility or coverage and that patients would be reimbursed for any expenses incurred during the outage.

"We regret the inconvenience and uncertainty this outage has caused," Coast Guard officials wrote in an email to members and retirees. "We appreciate your patience as our teams work to resolve this situation as fast as possible."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Defense Manpower Data Center and DEERS Support Office announced they had restored eligibility for most beneficiaries by Sunday.

"The outage was brief, lasting only 48 hours," DHA spokeswoman Karen Roberts said.

The Defense Health Agency undertook a multi-day enrollment freeze from Oct. 25 to Oct. 28 to upgrade software, perform maintenance and begin the transfer of beneficiary enrollment information to TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the contractor that will assume responsibility for the Tricare West Region beginning Jan. 1.

In 2017, the last time Tricare consolidated its regions and changed contractors, the enrollment freeze took more than three weeks and resulted in thousands of beneficiaries being dropped.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A DHA official told Military.com that they hoped to prevent some of the issues seen in 2017 by starting the data transfer in October rather than December and ensuring that any DEERS transactions attempted during the blackout period would be held in a "pending" status for later updates in the DEERS database.

"There should be no noticeable delays in referrals, authorizations or other transactions," DHA spokeswoman Brenda Campbell said in a statement Oct. 22.

In her statement, Roberts reiterated that the issue was not tied to "contract transition activities."

"This was due to a data transfer between the Coast Guard and DMDC [Defense Manpower Data Center]," Roberts said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Monday, Coast Guard officials said the DMDC had restored "99% of our retired community's Tricare eligibility" and would work this week to address the remaining cases.

They advised all members to check their DEERS status and eligibility by going to the milConnect website. Those who need emergency medical assistance or urgent care while they aren't listed as eligible in the system should go get care, keep all receipts and records, and contact their Tricare regional contractor for reimbursement, they added.

"Due to the brief nature of the outage, and because it was over the weekend, it's unlikely there will be billing disputes. Any issues should be addressed by beneficiaries contacting their Tricare contractor," Roberts said.

Tricare's new regional contracts will begin Jan. 1. Starting New Year's Day, Humana Military will continue managing the Tricare East Region, but TriWest Healthcare Alliance will take over the West Region and add Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin to its area of responsibility.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Through Dec. 31, if Tricare beneficiaries want to change their primary care manager if they are in Tricare Prime or switch their Tricare plan as the result of a qualifying life event, they should call Humana Military at 800-444-5445 if they live in the East Region or Health Net Federal Services at 844-866-9378 if they live in the current West Region.

If they wish to switch plans between Tricare Prime and Tricare Select during Open Season, which runs from Nov. 11 to Dec. 10, they should call Humana in the East Region and TriWest Healthcare Alliance after Nov. 11 in the West Region.

Related: Tricare Enrollment Freeze Coming, But Officials Say Contract Transfer Will Avoid Headaches of 2017 Change
Public records laws in many states, including Arizona, make personal information about voters and their voting habits available to the public.

That explains why you may have received a letter in the mail from that includes your name, address and voting history, and advising you that the organization, the Center for Voter Information, will track whether you voted in the 2024 presidential election. But can they see who you voted for?

Here's what to know about who can see your voting record and whether you can make yours private.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For all the late-breaking news about Election Day 2024 in Arizona, follow azcentral.com's live blog.

Can people see who I voted for?

According to the bipartisan National Conference of State Legislatures, voter names, addresses, party affiliations and voting history are public information. This information may be viewed by candidates, political parties and the general public.

But while your participation in elections is public information, who you voted for is not. Whether you voted is a public record. The candidate you voted for is private information.

Can I make my voter record private?

According to Maricopa County, some people are eligible to make their voter records private. These include law enforcement officers, corrections officers, public defenders, prosecutors and people who have received orders of protection, among others.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Individuals who apply for personal information redaction can keep their name, address, telephone number and precinct number off the public record.

Internal drama. Voting challenges. Last-minute lawsuits. Get the political news you need with the Republic Recount newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Can people see who you voted for? What you need to know
As Americans turn out to the polls on Tuesday to vote, AI startup Perplexity is launching an election information hub, powered by data from the Associated Press, to provide live updates on the results.

We want to do our part to support an informed electorate, the company announced Friday, so weve built the election hub on Perplexitys answer engine: an entry point for understanding key issues, voting intelligently, and tracking election results.

The hub will cover the U.S. presidential election and senate and house contests at both the state and national level. Youll be able to ask about a variety of election-related topics such as voting requirements, how to find your polling place, and poll times, per the company, as well as receive detailed, AI-summarized analysis on ballot measures and candidates, including official policy stances and endorsements.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Perplexity is relying on a curated set of the most trustworthy and informative sources, specifically from the AP and Democracy Works (which also powers Googles election search results). We selected domains that are non-partisan and fact-checked, including Ballotpedia and news organizations, a Perplexity representative told The Verge. Were actively monitoring our systems to ensure that we continue to prioritize these sources when answering election-related queries.

Perplexitys election efforts are unique among its chatbot peers. OpenAIs ChatGPT will not answer election-related queries, instead directing users toward the AP and Reuters for information. Both Googles Gemini and Anthropics Claude similarly refuse to engage with questions on that topic, likely in order to avoid the potentially embarrassing and damaging hallucinated responses that continue to plague todays generative AI models.

A July study from the Center for Democracy and Technology, for example, found that more than a third of responses to 77 election-related questions asked of AI chatbots contained incorrect details and misinformation.

Perplexity itself is currently being sued by News Corp over allegations of massive copyright violations and that the companys chatbot had scraped news, opinions, and analysis directly from the Wall Street Journal and New York Post, both of which News Corp owns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The publisher also claims that Perplexitys AI routinely hallucinated facts in its replies, sometimes citing an incorrect source, and other times simply inventing and attributing to Plaintiffs fabricated news stories.

Perplexity has also been accused of willful infringement of Forbes content and has been sent cease and desist letters from both The New York Times and Conde Nast over its sticky-fingered behavior.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner (D) issued a warning against voter interference at a press conference Monday.

I want people to be reassured that, when they get up tomorrow to go vote  if they have not voted already  that everybody in this city is working and has been working for months to make sure that there will be nothing tough about that experience and nothing to fear in that experience, Krasner said.

But I also want to be clear. Anybody who thinks its time to play militia: Eff around and find out, he continued. Anybody who thinks its time to insult, to deride, to mistreat, to threaten people: Eff around and find out. We do have the cuffs, we do have the jail cells, we do have the Philly juries and we have the state prisons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Krasners words come with one day remaining in the 2024 presidential race and his city set to possibly play a key role in whether Vice President Harris or former President Trump clinch the presidency. Trump is barely leading Harris in the Keystone State, up by only 0.7 percentage points, according to an average of polls from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ.

The Philadelphia district attorney also said Monday that if someone is going to try to turn an election into some form of coercion, if youre going to try to bully people, bully votes or voters, youre going to try to erase votes, youre going to try any of that nonsense  were not playing.

Eff around and find out, he continued.

Last week, Krasner sued tech billionaire Elon Musk and his pro-Trump super PAC, America PAC, due to their daily $1 million giveaways to swing state voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Philadelphia District Attorney is charged with protecting the public from public nuisances and unfair trade practices, including illegal lotteries. The DA is also charged with protecting the public from interference with the integrity of elections, Krasner said in a statement.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
PHILIPPI, W.Va. (WBOY)  The man accused of shooting and killing another man at a park in Philippi in March has been indicted by a Barbour County Grand Jury.

Michael Mussi

Michael Mussi, 26, of Elkins was indicted on Monday on one count of murder, use or presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony and four counts of wanton endangerment involving a firearm.

Mussis indictment comes after an incident on March 15 where he allegedly shot and killed Tanner Talbot, 23, of Belington at Blue and Gray Park before fleeing the scene in his truck and leading law enforcement officers on a multi-county manhunt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mussi was arrested the following day, and officers said they learned that Mussis motive behind the shooting was due to Talbott having been in an intimate relationship with Mussis wife. Mussis case was brought before a Barbour County Magistrate the following week where it was determined that his case would be sent to a grand jury.

Man accused of throwing chair at officers during foot pursuit through Morgantown Mall

Also indicted on Monday was Brian Randall Watson, 41, who received the following charges:

Brian Watson

15 counts of third-degree sexual assault

One count of third-degree sexual abuse

16 counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian

Eight counts of soliciting a minor via computer

One count of soliciting a minor via computer with an overt act to engage in sexual activity with a minor

Two counts of soliciting a minor by means other than a computer

One count of use of obscene matter with intent to seduce a minor

Four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In October 2023, the West Virginia State Police launched an investigation into Watson after receiving a tip regarding an ongoing relationship between him and a minor. Troopers found multiple Snapchat messages between Watson and a teenage victim that alluded to an ongoing relationship between the two, as well as several photographs, according to court documents.

Watson was charged again in March 2024 after an investigation revealed that while at his home, Watson allegedly gave a 14-year-old victim alcohol and other controlled substances. The victim told child advocacy officials that during these incidents, Watson touched her inappropriately while on a couch, including under her clothing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
Police officers fatally shot a man who they say pointed a gun at them after a brief police chase that ended in a crash on Monday night in south Phoenix.

A pair of patrol officers were dispatched around 10 p.m. to the area of 15th Avenue and Chipman Road about a home invasion call, according to police. The caller, police said, had told dispatchers a man armed with a handgun was forcing his way into the home. Arriving officers saw a pickup truck with the person they thought was the suspect inside leaving the area, according to police.

The officers, police said, turned on their lights and sirens but the pickup's driver continued to flee and crashed his vehicle into a short block wall near 15th and Wier avenues, about two blocks north of the reported break-in.

Police vehicles are seen Nov. 5, 2024, in the area of 15th and Wier avenues in Phoenix where police say the night before a man pulled his gun out and they fatally shot him.

The man driving the pickup stepped out of the truck with a gun in hand, leading officers to order him to stop and drop the firearm, according to police. But the man ran toward a house, police said, and upon reaching the driveway, raised a gun toward the officers, whereupon they fired their handguns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jaurigui Martinez, 32, lives a couple of houses from the shooting. He was headed out when he noticed police activity in the area and took video showing police sirens as a male officer is heard shouting before gunfire is heard.

Sometime after 10 a.m., a Chevrolet Silverado was being taken on a flatbed truck from the area. Lydia Lucero, 49, lives nearby and said the truck appeared to have been up in the middle of 15th Avenue after slamming into the wall of a corner house.

A Chevrolet Silverado is transported on Nov. 5, 2024, from the area of 15th and Wier avenues in Phoenix where police say the previous night a man pulled out a gun and Phoenix police officers fatally shot him.

Officers gave the man medical aid until Fire Department personnel arrived and determined he died, according to police. The man, who was found by authorities to be the home invasion suspect, was not identified by name, but police said he was in his early 40s.

Detectives recovered two handguns from the man and a rifle from inside the truck, according to police.

(This story was updated to add a video.)

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police fatally shoot man suspected of home break-in
LAS VEGAS (AP)  In the swing state of Nevada, the U.S. Senate race and most House races were too early to call early Wednesday.

The Senate campaign pits Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen  a former computer programmer and synagogue president  against Republican Sam Brown, a retired Army captain whose face is still scarred from injuries he suffered in Afghanistan.

Nevada was among the battleground states that drew outsized attention from the presidential candidates. But the Senate race drew little notice, though Rosen emerged as the favorite.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The first-term Rosen has outspent Brown by more than 3-1 in the contest, positioning herself as a nonideological senator who delivers for her home state on issues like broadband internet access and a high-speed rail connection with Southern California. Brown, who was awarded the Purple Heart, has campaigned on his biography and the state's cost-of-living crisis, particularly acute in working-class Nevada. He's had trouble gaining traction, though a last-minute infusion of GOP money in late October came as Republicans, cheered by strong turnout for their party in early voting, hoped Brown could upend expectations in the race.

He hasn't really articulated a case for why we should get rid of Rosen, and Rosen has done a really good job of positioning herself as the prototypical Nevada senator, said David Damore, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Damore added that since Nevada became a state in 1864, only five of its incumbent senators have lost bids for reelection. Most have behaved like Rosen, positioning themselves as nonpartisan leaders who deliver for the state.

There's a history of longstanding, moderate senators who have dominated Nevada politics, Damore said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rosen won in 2018 when the prior senator who'd occupied that role, Republican Sen. Dean Heller, veered sharply to the right in response to attacks from Donald Trump for not supporting the then-president adequately. The state's other senator, Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto, narrowly won reelection in 2022 with a similarly centrist, low-profile campaign against a Trump-backed candidate.

Nevada voters were divided over how they view Rosen and Brown, according to AP VoteCast, an expansive survey of more than 3,600 voters in the state.

Half of voters viewed Brown in an unfavorable light, but nearly the same number of voters viewed him positively. Rosen scored about the same with voters. Nearly half held a favorable view of the senator, and about the same number viewed her unfavorably.

Trump endorsed Brown in the state's primary, but his political career predates Trump. Brown tried to run for a statehouse seat in Texas in 2014 before moving to Nevada in 2018 and unsuccessfully competing in the 2022 Republican primary to challenge Cortez Masto.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Brown in 2008 was grievously wounded by an improvised explosive device during a Taliban ambush of his unit in southern Afghanistan. He left the Army in 2011 after 30 surgeries and years of recovery, founding a business to help veterans get medical care. Brown's face remains seriously scarred and has become central to his campaign ads.

As a U.S. senator I will proudly stand alongside Donald Trump to make America affordable, safe and strong again, Brown said at the Republican National Convention this summer.

Rosen has hammered Brown over his stance on abortion, saying he'd vote for a national ban if sent to Washington, D.C.

Abortion until 24 weeks of pregnancy is protected in Nevada by a 1990 state law. Voters on Tuesday approved a measure to enshrine the right to abortion until viability, which is after 21 weeks, in the state constitution. It must pass again in 2026 to go into effect.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Brown describes himself as pro-life and contends he never filled out a 2022 questionnaire that states he opposes exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the mother. Brown and his wife Amy sat down for a joint interview with NBC News earlier this year describing an abortion she had before the two met.

Meanwhile, Rosen kicked off her reelection earlier this year with an ad in which she states: Six years ago I promised to do what's right for Nevada, not my party leaders.

The Nevada race was among a handful of close contests that will determine how large a Republican majority President-elect Trump will work with in the Senate. The GOP already clinched the Senate majority in the 2024 general election, retaking it from Democrats who held it for four years.

Nevada has three Democratic-held House seats that could be competitive, but Republicans are significant underdogs in all of them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They did a horrible job of recruiting, Damore said of the state Republican party, which has been taken over by hardline pro-Trump activists.

Several key state House races were also too early to call early Wednesday.

Democratic Rep. Dina Titus, who has represented Nevada's 1st Congressional District for more than a decade, again faces a challenge from retired Army Col. Mark Robertson. Titus defeated Robertson in 2022 by nearly 6 percentage points. Her district is reliably blue, covering Las Vegas and portions of the city's suburbs of Henderson and Boulder City.

In the 3rd Congressional District, widely considered the state's most competitive, Democratic U.S. Rep. Susie Lee is trying to defend her seat from Drew Johnson, a conservative policy analyst. The district includes a large swath of the culturally diverse Spring Valley neighborhood in Las Vegas, but also more rural areas in Clark County, which is the state's most populous.

Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, is looking to keep his seat in Nevada's sweeping 4th Congressional District that covers downtown Las Vegas and deep-red rural counties including Nye, Mineral and Esmeralda. He faces a challenge from former North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee, now a Republican after switching parties and running an unsuccessful primary campaign in 2022 for governor.
LAHAINA, Hawaii (KHON2)  As the Lahaina community weighs in on how theyd like to see their town rebuilt, many said they want to see utility poles placed underground to help avoid a future wildfire.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

Different types of power poles have already gone up. HECO said they are temporary, but a source said companies are buying parts to rebuild poles above ground.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Due to the amount of life lost here obviously now this place becomes a concern, said Shaun Saribay, Kuhua Camp resident.

Assistance available as Lahaina rebuilds

Camp added several people died in front of his home, trapped in cars and unable to escape due to downed trees and power poles.

The census from the entire community is they want the powerlines to be put underground and that was the same ask and demand back in 2018 when those fires hit, said Paele Kiakona, Lahaina resident.

Hes been part of a working group to create a plan for Lahainas energy future but also understands the cost associated with burying lines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One source told KHON2 that burying the utility lines would cost nearly ten times more than replacing them above ground. They added the rock beneath the land poses extreme challenges and chances of finding iwi kupuna throughout the former royal capital are high.

As much as we want it underground, we understand how long that process can take and I dont think for the sake of that we would want to hold up the rebuild of people coming back to Lahaina and rebuilding their homes.

Governor Green says reignition caused Lahaina wildfire

Saribay knows not everyone will agree with how Lahaina is rebuilt, but he wants to see more evacuation routes with wider roads so history does not repeat itself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a verbal statement, HECO said the new poles are rated for regulated safety standards and higher wind gusts. The new poles will also meet the immediate needs of customers who are rebuilding until a long-term plan is determined.

The poles being installed are also hardened with a protective fire mesh. This is all part of Hawaiian Electrics ongoing fire safety strategy.

Life of the Land looks at energy issues from a technical and financial standpoint. It said most fires in Hawaii are not typically caused by the utility company and burying all the lines on Maui would cost $7 billion.

Transmission lines in just the Lahaina fire zone would cost $2 billion, and compare that to how much MECO and everybody in the county paid for electricity last year which is $443 million, so its nearly 20 times the yearly budget, explained Henry Curtis, Life of the Land Executive Director.

As homes are rebuilt in different areas across Lahaina, he added it would make sense for HECO to start underground work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We want to make sure this doesnt happen again so we cant just forget about what the community wants to be our underground. We should work on that in the near future, Kiakona said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
The popular appeal of fast fashion seems unstoppable, judging by Shein's annual revenue in its third-biggest market, at a time when environmental advocates are calling into question the whole industry. According to a public filing by the company, which was relayed by Reuters, Shein saw a 38% increase in revenue in the U.K. last year.

What's happening?

Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein recorded 1.55 billion ($2 billion) in revenue from its British operations in 2023. Ahead of a potential listing in London  which, according to Bloomberg, could value the firm at 50 billion ($64.9 billion)  this figure is making more than one head spin.

"Is this the price we are willing to pay for throwaway clothes?" Maxine Bedat, head of New Standard Institute, which pushes for fashion to evolve more sustainably, asked on LinkedIn. "Or will every one of us that works in this industry  start getting real and work toward collective action to require that we as an industry operate within planetary boundaries?"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The global fashion industry makes a significant contribution to the changing climate, which is especially devastating in countries that the sector relies heavily on for primary manufacturing, such as Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam.

And Shein, by sending ultra-cheap parcels to customers worldwide, has become what Bedat describes as the "leading trash fashion player."

Why does opposing fast fashion matter?

Bedat noted fast-fashion groups like Shein are now recording pollution levels rivaling those of major airlines. In numbers, the industry makes up for 3% to 8% of total heat-trapping pollution, and that figure could increase by some 30% by 2030, according to McKinsey's estimates.

By producing enormous volumes of clothing made of low-quality materials requiring dirty-energy sources  polyester is a thread made from plastic, which is itself made from oil and gas  fast fashion also drives waste and pollution. Studies show that many people dispose of their clothes within a year, so it is no surprise that at least 100 million tons of garments end up in landfills annually, according to Earth.org.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Like Greenpeace's Digital Engagement Specialist Eliot Pryor wrote last March: "Today's trends are tomorrow's trash."

Setting aside the ecological perspective, the fashion sector relies on affordable labor. In the past, Shein has denied accusations of employing cheap or forced labor; the company, however, admitted it had found two cases of child labor at its suppliers last year.

What should the government do about the fast fashion industry?

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind

What can be done to fight its impacts?

Between the commerce of secondhand clothes booming, new European rules for fashion producers to pay to recycle textiles, the development of chemical-free fibers, and biomaterials, the sector does not lack solutions to reduce its environmental impact.

"California has set up the rules for the auto sector. We can do the same, we can pass the Fashion Act, but we all have to step up and demand it together," Bedat concluded. "I am asking  I am begging  for bravery and moral leadership."

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Polish authorities said Tuesday that a series of parcel-borne arson attacks against logistics providers in Poland, Germany and Britain were test runs for a campaign targeting transatlantic flights from Europe to the United States and Canada.

Russia's GRU military intelligence agency is believed to be behind the attacks as part of a coordinated campaign of hybrid attacks, according to Western security officials with Polish Prosecutor Katarzyna Calow-Jaszewska revealing four people had been arrested as of the end of October amid Europe-wide investigations.

She alleged a plot by foreign intelligence agents to ship within the European Union "camouflaged explosives and dangerous materials," such as magnesium, in parcels that subsequently spontaneously combust or explode.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Blazes broke out in July in a container as it was being loaded onto a U.K-bound DHL aircraft at Leipzig, Germany, at a transport firm near Warsaw, Poland, and at Minworth in Britain's midlands.

The package in the U.K. incident was said to be an "incendiary" device with The Guardian reporting that counter-terrorism police were investigating whether Russian agents were behind a device secreted in a parcel that ignited at a DHL warehouse after arriving by air from Lithuania.

"The group's goal was also to test the transfer channel for such parcels, which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada," Calow-Jaszewska said in a statement.

The head of Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, has said it was only through good luck that the flight out of DHL's Leipzig-Halle Airport logistics hub was delayed that the device caught fire on the ground and not mid-air.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That device, also thought to have arrived via Lithuania, was a case of "suspected Russian sabotage," according to BfV chief Thomas Haldenwang.

The blaze at Jablonow outside Warsaw took Polish firefighters two hours to bring under control indicating it may have been a magnesium-based fire -- known for being notoriously difficult to extinguish, particularly on board airborne plane.

A report in Monday's Wall Street Journal said the package in the Leipzig incident contained electric massage devices that were booby-trapped with a highly flammable magnesium-based compound

DHL has since beefed up security around its European operations

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MI5 head Ken McCallum last month said that since Britain had begun helping Ukraine repel invading Russian forces with weapons, training and financial assistance, Russian agents operating outside Russia had stepped up "arson, sabotage and more dangerous actions" which they had conducted with increasing recklessness.

Russia, which is also suspected of involvement in other attacks this year on warehouses and railway networks in European Union member states Sweden in the Czech Republic, denies all responsibility.

WSJ quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying the sabotage claims were typical of the type of groundless allegations the Western press leveled against Russia.

"These are traditional unsubstantiated insinuations from the media," he said.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Columbus police have identified the victim of a fatal shooting over the weekend that left one man dead.

On Monday, police identified Treh D. East, 29, as the man who was found shot early Sunday morning on Columbus east side. According to police, the shooting was reported on the 3300 block of East 5th Avenue just after 5:45 a.m. East was pronounced dead at the hospital at 6:21 a.m.

Awil Salah Mohamed, 30, has been arrested in connection with the shooting. He surrendered to police on Sunday without incident and was given a $1 million bond in Franklin County Municipal Court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police said an altercation between Mohamed and East led to the shooting.

Mohamed is next scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 13. He is currently being held in Franklin County Jail on a murder charge.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
There was at least one case of electioneering near a polling place in San Luis Obispo County on Monday, Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano confirmed to The Tribune.

Paso Robles Police Department Chief Damian Nord additionally confirmed to The Tribune on Tuesday that an incident did occur at the polling place at the Paso Robles City Library.

A truck with political signs was parked at the library with a driver inside, Nord said. City and library staff reported the truck, and an officer asked the driver to leave. The driver complied and was not cited, Nord said, but was given a warning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Electioneering, or campaigning for a political party, is prohibited within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place under California state law.

This includes asking a person to vote a particular way, displaying a candidates name, image or logo  including signs and clothing  providing materials for or against a candidate or ballot measure, circulating petitions or blocking access and loitering near ballot boxes.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  The Chicopee police are seeking the publics help locating a woman reported missing nearly three months ago.

According to the Chicopee Police Department, 31-year-old Erika Higgins was reported missing on August 6th and her last known location was on September 10th heading to New Haven, Connecticut. Her family said Erika has no associations in New Haven.

Holyoke police seek publics help in locating missing man

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police say she may be in Chicopee, Holyoke, and West Springfield. Erika is described as approximately 56 tall, approximately 165 pounds, with blue eyes, shoulder-length brown hair, and tattoos on her left and right hand, right forearm, and left shoulder.

If you have seen Erika or know of her whereabouts you are asked to contact the Chicopee Police Department Detective Bureau at 413-594-1740.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
A local councillor for the far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was shot in the jaw on Tuesday when police tried to arrest him over an alleged plot to mount a Nazi-inspired coup.

Kurt Hattasch, a councillor in the town of Grimma in Saxony, was operated on in hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound during an early-morning raid.

The councillor confronted police with a gun, leading to an officer firing two warning shots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Hattaschs injuries are not said to be life threatening and an investigation is under way into the circumstances of the injury.

The AfD politician was one of eight men arrested as part of an investigation into an alleged neo-Nazi terror cell.

Federal prosecutors say that the men, all in their early twenties, formed a group called the Saxonian Separatists, who had allegedly made military preparations for the collapse of society.

The men set up their organisation in late 2020 in the expectation that German society would fall apart in a so-called Day X, the prosecution service said.

Members engaged in weapons training and planned to seize control of parts of east Germany, which they allegedly wanted to ethnically cleanse of undesirable groups of people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They stocked up on military equipment including camouflage suits, combat helmets, gas masks and protective waistcoats, the prosecution added, and were inspired by National Socialism.

Two further suspects in the case are members of the AfD, though not serving politicians, according to a report by the political magazine Der Spiegel.

The eight suspects have been named as Kurt H, Karl K, Kevin M, Hans-Georg P, Kevin R, Jorg S, Jorn S and Norman T.

Officers guard a house after arresting eight suspected members of a far-right group in Dresden - Matthias Rietschel/REUTERS

AfDs local chapter in Saxony, which German intelligence agencies describe as extremist, has distanced itself from the suspects.

We only know about this incident from the press reports. Our party stands firmly on the ground of the free democratic order, Andreas Harlass, an AfD spokesman, told the German Press Agency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

German police have uncovered several prepper cells in recent years.

The groups are often characterised by bizarre, esoteric belief systems and fantasise about reinstating an aristocratic system similar to the Kaiser era.

In one case, an elderly woman was accused of being the ringleader of a terror cell plotting a monarchist revolution.

The cell allegedly wanted to kidnap the countrys health minister and attack the electricity grid to spark a civil war and restore the Prussian monarchy.

In a separate trial, a minor aristocrat who is said to have been obsessed with QAnon-style conspiracy theories, had made plans to storm the German parliament and install himself as head of a new government.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The BBC has been accused of misrepresenting the views of the police watchdog in a controversial documentary about the shooting of Chris Kaba.

The 24-year-old gangster was shot dead by Sgt Martyn Blake, a Metropolitan Police marksman, as he tried to ram his way out of a roadblock in September 2022.

During a Panorama special, broadcast on Monday, Sal Naseem, the former London regional director of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), suggested the decision to launch a murder investigation had been taken amid fears over public disorder.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The comments outraged the Police Federation, which has pledged to look into the revelation further.

A still from police video of the incident that led to the shooting of Chris Kaba

But in a strongly worded statement, issued after the broadcast, the IOPC criticised the BBC and said the comments from Mr Naseem did not represent the organisations position.

An IOPC spokesman said: We are disappointed that the IOPC was not asked to participate in the BBC Panorama documentary, and the views expressed by former regional director Sal Naseem do not represent the official views of the organisation.

Mr Naseem left the IOPC before the investigation was completed  he did not make the decision to begin a criminal investigation or to refer to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is wrong to suggest that our decisions in this case were influenced by any external pressures. They were based solely on the available evidence and the legal thresholds we are required to apply.

In the documentary, Mr Naseem also said: A police officer can only use lethal force when its absolutely necessary, adding that he did not think that appeared to be the case at the point when the weapon was fired.

The IOPC spokesman went on: Our role was not to determine whether Sgt Martyn Blakes actions were justified. It was to investigate, impartially, all the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the decision to use lethal force  this involved a detailed investigation involving careful consideration of a significant amount of evidence. Ultimately, it was the jurys decision to acquit Sgt Blake, which we completely respect.

Chris Kaba, arrowed in blue, was accused of shooting a man in the legs in a London nightclub in the days before his death - Crown Prosecution Service

Following the trial at which Sgt Blake was acquitted of Kabas murder, it emerged that Kaba was a core member of one of Londons most dangerous criminal gangs, which has put a 10,000 bounty on the head of the police officer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The BBC has come under fire for broadcasting the Panorama programme while there is a threat to Sgt Blakes life, and while the officer still awaits the outcome of a potential gross misconduct investigation.

Utter lack of balance

Matt Cane, the general secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: Police officers will be stunned  but perhaps not surprised  about the utter lack of balance in the BBC Panorama documentary aired last night over the death of Chris Kaba.

We say again the ramifications of this case remain widespread; police officers should not have their livelihoods, and their liberty, put at risk for performing what unequivocally, in this case, was his lawful and appropriate function.

We note that the documentary revealed how, following the shooting, the Independent Office for Police Conduct launched what was a politicised homicide investigation against our colleague.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And we can assure our members that this revelation will be subject to further scrutiny.

Chris Kaba was a dangerous criminal, and this must never be ignored. Sgt Martyn Blake acted within the law that evening and within his police training on that day. He will always have the full support of the Metropolitan Police Federation.

An aerial view of the scene of Chris Kabas shooting in a street in Streatham, south London, where his car was penned in by police vehicles - UKNewsinPictures

The IOPC spokesman went on: We are now reviewing our original decision prior to the trial that Sergeant Blake should face a gross misconduct hearing, and will be taking into account the evidence examined in court and further representations from the Metropolitan Police Service.

A BBC spokesman said: The programme was clear that the decision to send a file to the CPS was made following an assessment of the evidence, and that the decision had been made by the IOPC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The programme was also clear that Sal Naseem was not speaking on behalf of the IOPC but that he had been the regional director at the time Chris Kaba was shot and the IOPC was called in to investigate.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
More than a hundred current and former Western officials and policymakers have issued an open letter in which they call on European countries to prepare for different outcomes of the US presidential elections and to avoid imposing a deal with Russia on Ukraine.

Source: the open letter cited by European Pravda

Details: The signatories believe that with the approach of the US elections, Ukraine and its allies are facing a "twin strategic danger".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They believe that the first danger is that an incoming Trump administration will attempt to impose a deal with Russia detrimental to Ukraines interests and to European security.

"This would leave Ukraine adrift from NATO and the EU, in a condition of fake neutrality  and Europe with a destabilising geopolitical greyzone in the heart of the continent," they believe.

The second danger, according to the open letter, is that an incoming Harris administration will "continue with the policies of stasis and red lines, which have to date withheld the capabilities with which Ukraine could win the war".

"In this scenario, the fatalism of key European governments who refuse to believe Ukraine can win, and are tempted to commit  at best  only to the bolstering of NATO defence in response to a Ukrainian defeat, could become decisive within the alliance, while damaging its credibility," the letter goes on to argue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The letters signatories believe that in both cases there are clear parallels with the 1938 Munich Agreement. It would be a "false peace achieved through European acquiescence in the dismembering of a sovereign state", they argue.

However, a third course is possible, the open letter states. It can lead to Ukraines survival as a sovereign state and Russias defeat.

Moreover, they believe that the inevitability of Russias victory is a myth, and Ukraine can still win.

"The course of action we propose is, for a coalition of willing nations within NATO to commit to enhance military and financial support to Kyiv and to recommit to the aim of a sovereign Ukraine within its borders recognised by international law, focused around a clear strategy and theory of victory," the letter concludes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Among the letters signatories are representatives of the UKs Royal Air Force, the French Navy, former Estonian President Toomas Ilves, former Latvian Defence Minister Artis Pabriks, Social Democratic Party of Germany foreign policy expert Michael Roth, German Green politician Anton Hofreiter, and others.

Background:

Over the course of the past two weeks, US presidential candidate Donald Trump made a series of contradictory remarks about Ukraine and whether the US will support it in its resistance against Russian aggression. After a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in late September, Trump said he supports a "fair" peace for Ukraine, but did not say which solution to end the war between Russia and Ukraine would be regarded as such.

At the same time, Trump also spread disinformation about most Ukrainian cities being razed to the ground and implicitly accused Zelenskyy of having started the full-scale invasion.

Presidential elections are underway in the US today, on 5 November, with results from the first polling station, the village of Dixville Notch in New Hampshire, already released.

Support UP or become our patron!
Krzysztof Gawkowski, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of being ungrateful and of trying to drag Poland into war with Russia.

Source: Krzysztof Gawkowski in an interview with Polish radio station Radio Zet, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Gawkowski said he thought that the Ukrainian government, and in particular President Zelenskyy, are treating Poland unfairly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It seems to me that the last words President Zelenskyy uttered are inappropriate for a politician who owes a lot to Poland. [Poland has given Ukraine] equipment and taken care of its citizens; Poland is Ukraines great friend and a transport hub. I thought in cases like that one ought to be grateful, not nitpicky," Gawkowski said.

He mentioned President Zelenskyys calls for Poland to shoot down Russian missiles and drones in Ukraine.

"Zelenskyy wants Poland to shoot down missiles over Ukraine, meaning he wants Poland to join the war, meaning he wants Poland to go to war against Russia I disagree with such calls," Gawkowski said.

He continued that he was under the impression that "Ukraine and the Ukrainian president have forgotten how Poland has treated [Ukraine] and how much help we have offered since 2022."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When asked where the Ukrainian governments statements were coming from, Gawkowski said that they were a result of a lack of understanding of what "the situation in Ukraine would have been like if it wasnt for Polish peoples open hearts".

"What I expect from Ukraine, and, first and foremost, from its president  and I was recently in Kyiv  is appreciating that they have a friend who helped them in difficult times, and not criticising this friend when they realise they want more," said Gawkowski.

Background:

On 31 October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine still hopes to obtain Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets from Poland, but Warsaw has not yet approved the transfer of the aircraft to Ukraine.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski said the Polish government has "made a proposal for a defence loan" to Ukraine.

On 25 October, Polish media reported that Polish President Andrzej Duda has said Poland will not transfer weapons purchased from South Korea to Kyiv.

Support UP or become our patron!
Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski has expressed regret that Ukraine has not made progress in the exhumation of the victims of the Volyn tragedy by November, despite its promise. [The Volyn (Volhynia) tragedy was a series of events that led to the ethnic cleansing of the Polish and Ukrainian populations in 1943 during World War II. It was part of a long-standing rivalry between Ukrainians and Poles in what is now Ukraine's west. Poland considers the Volyn tragedy a genocide of Poles  ed.]

Source: Sikorski in an interview with Polish news channel TVN24, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Sikorski said that his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha had promised progress on the issue of exhumation by All Saints' Day, traditionally celebrated on 1 November.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Quote from Sikorski: "I have to say that I am disappointed... [Time] has passed, and there is no progress."

More details: The Polish foreign minister stressed that "the only thing Poland needs" is Ukraine's consent to resume the exhumation process, which was suspended in 2017.

"We believe that burying the bodies of even enemies according to the Christian rite is part of the European cultural code. And Ukraine seems to agree with this, as it allowed the exhumation of 100,000 Wehrmacht soldiers who came [to its territory] as invaders [during World War II]," Sikorski concluded.

Background:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Recently, the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory announced that it plans to include work on the search and exhumation of Polish remains in Rivne Oblast in 2025, responding to requests from Polish citizens.

Although the statement does not specify who sent the request, European Pravda previously published an article on an appeal by Karolina Romanowska, the chair of the Polish-Ukrainian Reconciliation Association, regarding the village of Uhly in present-day Rivne Oblast.

The move towards Warsaw comes against the backdrop of Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha's visit to Poland, where he participated in the Warsaw Security Forum and met with several Polish officials.

Support UP or become our patron!
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ)  Once a household name for her role as a news anchor in Johnstown, Amy Bradley is now in the spotlight as a tough contender for the Pennsylvania House Representative seat for the 72nd District  a seat held by incumbent Frank Burns (D) for the past 16 years.

Bradley said Burns longevity in the position doesnt intimidate her and is the exact reason she feels the people of Cambria County are ready for a change.

Having been in the business community for the past seven years, I was concerned about the relationship between my opponent and the business community, and I just really strongly believe we can do better as a community. So thats what led to me jumping in, Bradley said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rep. Frank Burns reflects on political journey ahead of election

If elected, Bradley, who has been endorsed by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, would flip the last remaining Democrat held seat in a historically blue county following the county switching to red in 2020.

I think people are also kind of sensing the divisiveness and hoping that when this election is over, people can collaborate, work together and kind of move forward, Bradley said.

Even though shes a political newcomer, Bradley said her previous professional experience as a spokesperson and president of the Cambria Region Chamber, which works to bring new jobs to the area, are what make her an ideal candidate for the representative seat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think the job is going to be a continuation of what I do now, which I just love, which is getting out, talking to people, getting to know our businesses, getting to know our nonprofits, getting to know communities an people hearing whats important to them and then doing everything I can to work on their behalf, Bradley said.

While the race is close, Bradley feels confident that her main campaign strategy, door knocking, has let people get to know her well enough to have faith that shell advocate for the things that matter most to them, like jobs, education and safety.

I think people just want to live the American dream and, you know, have a safe neighborhood and see their kids stay and thrive and, you know, see their business or their jobs, you know, do well, Bradley said.

Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters.

Tune in to WTAJ News tomorrow night for live election coverage of this race and others.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
A broad swath of the California electorate is expected to cast ballots in this election, although some voters are concerned about the prospect of one of the presidential candidates not accepting the outcome, according to a new poll released Tuesday.

Presidential elections historically draw a far greater turnout than off-year elections, and 2024 is bound to be no different. The election is expected to turn out the usual participants: older, white people; homeowners and those with higher education or income levels.

But the election is also expected to draw turnout from lower propensity voter groups  including at least 65% of renters, voters of color and those with lower education or income levels, according to the poll conducted by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by The Times.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The results show that the California electorate has become larger and more diverse with increasing percentages of voters of color engaging in the process," G. Cristina Mora, the institute's co-director, said in a statement. "Younger Latino and Asian Americans seem to be making much more of an impact, as their voting engagement has increased significantly in each presidential election since 2016.

Read more: Poll: If Trump wins the White House, Californians want their next senator to fight back

The UC Berkeley poll, conducted in English and Spanish from Oct. 22-29, surveyed 4,838 registered voters in California, most of whom had either cast a vote already or were considered likely to vote. Mark DiCamillo, director of the poll, said he expected to see high turnout again in this election, though he doubted it would reach 2020's record levels, when almost 18 million Californians cast ballots.

"The fact that Trump was the president, it really stimulated Californians to vote ... to try to get him out," DiCamillo said. "It really wasnt so much the strength of Joe Biden, it was about Donald Trump. People, at least from California, wanted to get him out of the office."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Californian to lead a major party's presidential ticket in decades, will almost certainly win the state. But the UC Berkeley Institute found in recent polling that Harris has a 22-point lead over Trump in California, down from Biden's 29-point margin four years ago.

"I dont see the same kind of fervor," DiCamillo said.

California voters are also facing what comes after election day with some trepidation. In another IGS poll released Tuesday, 64% of those surveyed said that if Harris wins, they don't believe Trump will concede. Two in three California voters said they expected Harris would concede if Trump wins.

Trump's continued denial of his 2020 defeat has cast doubt about how he will handle the upcoming election results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris voters are almost certain  9 in 10  that Trump would not concede but Harris would. Trump's supporters are more mixed, with 44% believing that he would admit defeat, 20% thinking he would not and 36% saying they arent sure. If Harris lost, 32% of Trump supporters in California believed Harris would admit defeat, compared with 37% who said she would not and 31% who are unsure.

Read more: Final polling before election, including in Iowa of all places, paints uncertain picture

Prior to this election, Berkeley IGS pollsters had never asked voters whether they expected a candidate to accept the election's outcome, DiCamillo said.

"It wasnt even considered an issue," he said. "But since 2020, its now an issue and its mainly because of Donald Trump."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wearing an "I voted" sticker on his sleeve, Juan Molina, 61, of Santa Ana said he doubted Trump would accept the results if Harris were to win.

Theyre laying the groundwork to contest the results, said Molina, who works in real estate appraisal. Trump knows that hes going to lose.

Molina said it was routine for him to vote early. He came to the Orange County Registrar of Voters to vote in person on Monday because he had work Tuesday and would not have time for crowds.

Berkeley polling also found that an overwhelming majority of Californians opted to mail their ballots or drop them off ahead of election day. Just 14% of Californians will vote in person on Election Day, the poll found. Republicans are more likely to choose in-person voting  22% compared with just 8% of Democrats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Republican Party has made a major push to encourage its members to vote early, reversing its course from four years ago when Trump decried mail-in voting as fraudulent, leading to his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. Trump's message this year is to make the turnout "too big to rig." DiCamillo noted that mail-in voting has steadily increased.

"People really like voting this way," he said, adding that early voting allows people to review election materials and research ballot measures and candidates in real time, rather than having to remember everything in the polling booth.

About 83% of the nearly 27 million adults in California who are eligible to vote are registered.

In her latest report on California's voter registration, Secretary of State Shirley Weber said a record 22.6 million Californians are registered to vote, which is 548,211 more than four years ago. Democrats make up 45% of registered voters, Republicans 25% and no party preference 22%. The number of Republicans in the state ticked up slightly compared with 2020  by about 1 percentage point, the secretary of state report showed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Times staff writer Angie Orellana Hernandez, in Santa Ana, contributed to this report.

Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A campaign sign urges voters to vote no on Question 1, which asked voters if Rhode Island should hold a constitutional convention. A sign supporting Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz is in the background. The Rhode Island Democratic Party opposed Question 1. (Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current)

Rhode Island voters are likely to reject a ballot question asking if the state should hold a constitutional convention for a fourth straight decade, a pre-Election Day poll from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) suggests.

The survey of 753 likely Rhode Island voters last week found 47% planned to vote against the ballot measure  19 percentage points higher than what the UNH Survey Center found in its previous poll in September when 28% of respondents said they would vote no.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A little over a third  34%  of those surveyed between Oct. 29 and Nov. 2 said they would vote in favor of holding a convention, which is down four percentage points from September. The remaining 18% were undecided, down 15 percentage points from the prior survey.

UNHs pre-election poll has a margin of error of 3.9%.

Just over half  54%  of those surveyed ahead of the general election said they had heard a little or a lot about the once-in-a-decade ballot measure, while 61% said they understood the question.

Thats a good sign theres been more clarity, University of Rhode Island Political Science professor Emily Lynch said in an interview Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What could be helping voters make up their mind, she said, is that Rhode Islands two major political parties have started to firm up their own stances to Question 1 on the statewide ballot  something theyve only started to do in the last couple months.

Those who are interested in politics and are paying attention  they may be be looking at these endorsements, Lynch said.

The first article of the constitution of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations as adopted by the convention, assembled at Newport, September, 1842. (Library of Congress)

Rhode Islands convention question goes on the ballot in years ending in the number four. Voters rejected ballot questions seeking to convene one in 1994, 2004 and 2014. Changing the states constitution doesnt require a convention. The Rhode Island General Assembly may also propose constitutional amendments during any election year.

The last convention in the state was held in 1986. Rhode Island was the last U.S. state to hold a constitutional convention.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Democratic Party made its stance official Sept. 25 after sending out an email titled WATCH NOW: REJECT QUESTION 1 produced by Rhode Island Citizens for Responsible Government  the coalition of 37 labor and civil liberties organizations that has spearheaded the campaign against a constitutional convention since its formation in late July.

The coalition claims that a constitutional convention opens the path for well-funded special interest groups to roll back many of the states civil liberties and reproductive rights.

But so far, nearly all spending has come from the coalition, according to filings made with the Rhode Island Board of Elections.

As of Monday, Rhode Island Citizens for Responsible Government has spent over $134,000 toward digital and radio ads, along with mailers and campaign organization services. The group has received nearly $150,000 in donations from labor unions and civil rights groups such as Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi issued statements and an op-ed column opposing Question 1 in the past two weeks. Shekarchi warned dark money could flow into the state to try and influence what amendments would go before voters. (Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)

The anti-convention coalition has also received support from such prominent Latin American figures such as Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera and General Treasurer James Diossa  who rallied against the measure on Oct. 25 at an event at the Latino Policy Institute in Providence. A day earlier, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat, issued an op-ed column arguing against holding a convention. Shekarchi and U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse issued joint statements urging Rhode Islanders to reject Question 1.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Much like the coalition, Shekarchi warned that dark money would flow into the state to try and influence what amendments would go before voters.

Outside groups would treat Rhode Island as a test case in an attempt to cement these issues into the constitution of any state, Shekarchi wrote. We must not allow our constitution to be sold to the highest bidder.

About 51% of Democrats polled by UNH said they plan to vote against the convention question; 30% planned to vote in favor of Question 1, while the remaining 19% were undecided.

The only spending in favor of a convention cost a little over $5,000 and was spent by former Rhode Island Republican National Committeeman Steve Frias. He produced a video tying the convention to the ongoing closure of the westbound Washington Bridge in Providence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Your car isnt the only thing stuck, a female voice says over a shot of bridge traffic. We cant move forward unless we vote yes on Question 1.

The video was shared by the Rhode Islands Republican Party on Oct. 30, the day after the party went public on X to voice its support for the convention, saying that the measure could bring transparency to state government. The GOPs post cited potential outcomes of having a convention such as proposals to establish an inspector generals office, a line item veto on the budget and term limits. All proposed amendments passed by convention delegates must go before voters.

If there is a push to change the status quo, it would come from those who have less power in the state, Lynch said.

Republican voters remain split on the issue, according to UNHs pre-election poll  39% said they would vote yes, while 40% planned to reject holding a constitutional convention. The remaining 20% of GOP voters surveyed were undecided.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Should a majority of Rhode Islanders vote to move ahead with a convention, the state would have to set up a special election to select 75 convention delegates to represent each district in the House of Representatives. Delegates would then gather, debate, negotiate and approve a set of amendments that would appear on the ballot for the 2026 general election.

Cost estimates for the convention range between $2.6 million and $4.6 million, which includes an estimated $1.3 million toward a special election to select the 75 convention delegates.

Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in all cities and towns, except for Block Island, where polls open at 9 a.m.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
NEW YORK (PIX11)  New York City poll workers make hundreds of dollars on Election Day, according to the Board of Elections.

The employees are paid $250 on Election Day and receive a stipend for any training they attended beforehand, according to the BOE. The positions are election inspectors, interpreters, and even 17-year-old poll workers.

More News: NY Elections

Election inspectors are required to live and be registered to vote in New York City. Interpreters must be U.S. residents 18 and older who live in New York City but do not need to be registered voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump has dominated headlines for months, voters will be asked to decide on much more than who should be the president of the United States.

The polls close at 9 p.m. in New York City.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Polling locations have restrictions in place to ensure that there is a fair voting process on Election Day.

There is a 150-foot no-solicitation zone outside of every polling location. There are blue cones set up outside that zone that is monitored by election workers.

61st annual Florida Seafood Festival boosts Franklin County economy

If someone violates that zone with campaign signs of inappropriate behavior, poll workers will contact local code enforcement or law enforcement. Bay County Supervisor of Elections Nina Ward said voters should go to the precinct, vote, then leave.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There will be no hanging out in the polling room. So once you vote, youre asked to go ahead and leave, clear the area. Again, we will be monitoring that. 150-foot zone right outside the location so that there is no soliciting going on, Bay County Supervisor of Elections Nina Ward said.

Candidates are not allowed to campaign outside of the polling location or question people as they come in to vote.

No campaigning should be going on within that 150-foot zone from each polling location door, Ward said.

21 states prohibit voters from wearing campaign merchandise to the polls, but wearing election apparel is not illegal for Florida voters. It is prohibited for election workers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bay County Displaced dogs look for a home at Alaqua Animal Refuge

In Florida, voters can wear whatever they want to wear to vote. Now, there is restrictions on what our election workers can wear. But as far as voters, they can come in and whatever, Ward said.

There is no photography or videography allowed within the polling room, with one exception. Voters are allowed to take a picture of their own ballot.

No selfies are allowed in the polling room.

They want to take a selfie or have their picture taken while theyre voting. But we encourage them to just wait till they step outside. They can take a picture right outside the door, Ward said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There will be an election deputy on duty at the door of the precinct.

The Bay County Supervisor of Elections office will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Make sure you are election ready by carrying a government issued photo ID.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
Its Election Day, and that means many Americans are out exercising their civic duty to vote for the next president of the United States: Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump.

In just three hours, the first set of polls will shut down, meaning results are already on the horizon for this history-making election.

Whether youre in Pacific, Eastern, Central or Mountain Time  or even outside the lower 48  the time is now to vote. Check out every state and its poll times, below.

Alabama

Polls in Alabama will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. A reminder that the state runs on both Eastern and Central time zones.

Alaska

Polls in Alaska are open between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time; the state runs on both on the Alaska time zone and the Hawaii-Aleutian time zone. Is also has the latest poll closures.

Arizona

Polls in Arizona will be open between 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. MST.

Arkansas

Arkansas polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. CST.

California

Polls in California will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. PST.

Colorado

Colorado polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. MST.

Connecticut

The polls in Connecticut will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

Delaware

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST in Delaware.

District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.)

Washington, D.C., polls will be open from 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST.

Florida

Polls in Florida will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

Georgia

Polls in Georgia wil be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

Hawaii

Hawaii voters can head out to the polls starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m. HST.

Idaho

Polls in Idaho will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. The state is covered by two different time: Pacific and Mountain Time.

Illinois

Illinois polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST.

Indiana

This state is also split between two different time zones  CST and EST. Polls close at 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Iowa

Polls in Iowa will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST.

Kansas

Kansas polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST.

Kentucky

Kentucky works off two different time zones in the state, which are EST and CST. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Louisiana

Louisiana polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST.

Maine

Polls in the state will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. However, in towns or cities with fewer less than 100 people, polls will officially close once every registered voter has submitted their ballot.

Maryland

Maryland polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. EST.

Massachusetts

Polls in Massachusetts could open at 5:45 a.m., but they are required to be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

Michigan

Polls in Michigan will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

Minnesota

Minnesota polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST.

Mississippi

Polls in Mississippi will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST.

Missouri

Polls in Missouri will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST.

Montana

Polls in Montana will be remain open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. MST. However, those who live in polling districts with fewer than 400 registered voters could see polls open up as late as 12 a.m. The polls will close once all voters have made their choice.

Nebraska

Nebraska is covered by different time zones and each has different poll openings and closures. For folks on the MST side of the state, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., while those on the CST side can make it to the polls between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Nevada

Polls in Nevada will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Most of the state operates under PST.

New Hampshire

Polling hours will depend on municipality, but registered voters can get to the polls by 7 p.m. EST.

New Jersey

Polls in New Jersey will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

New Mexico

New Mexico polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. MST.

New York

New York polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.

North Carolina

Polls in North Carolina will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 EST.

North Dakota

Poll periods differ for each county in the state. For your specific poll times, click here.

Oklahoma

Polls in Oklahoma will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST.

Oregon

Oregon polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. The state is covered by both PST and MT.

Pennsylvania

Polls in Pennsylvania will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

Rhode Island

Polls in Rhode Island will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST

South Carolina

Polls in South Carolina will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

Tennessee

Polling times vary by county. Click here for your specific location.

Texas

Texas is split between two time zones  MST and CST. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

Utah

Polls in Utah will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. MST.

Vermont

Vermont polls will depend on municipality, and could open between 5 a.m to 10 a.m. EST. Polls will close up at 7 p.m. EST regardless.

Virginia

Poll times in Virginia will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

Washington

Every voter is mailed their ballot in the state, and they have to be dropped off in a ballot by 8 p.m. PST.

West Virginia

Polls in West Virginia will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST.

Wisconsin

Polls in Wisconsin will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST.

Wyoming

Wyoming polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT.

The post When Do the Polls Close in Each State on Election Day 2024? appeared first on TheWrap.
Whether you're planning on voting in person on Nov. 5 or you're curious about when election results will start pouring in, we gathered the polling hours for every state in the country

Getty Ballot box Ballot box

The 2024 general election has arrived, and states will soon begin tallying up the votes. Election results will not be reported by each state until their polling stations have closed, in an effort to not influence people's decisions.

If you are planning on voting in person on Nov. 5, or you're just curious about when election returns might start coming in, here are the polling hours for every state  including when polling stations open and when the polls close.

Alabama

Alabama is covered by both the Eastern and Central time zones. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on Election Day.

Alaska

Alaska is the state with the latest poll closures relative to the rest of the country. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since Alaska is in both the Alaska time zone and the Hawaii-Aleutian time zone, the latest poll closures will be at 1 a.m. Eastern.

Arizona

Polls in Arizona, a potentially pivotal swing state, will be open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, or 9 p.m. Eastern.

Arkansas

Voting opens at 7:30 a.m. Central time and closes at 7:30 p.m.

California

The state with the largest number of electoral votes, Californias polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific, meaning on the East Coast votes won't be reported until after 11 p.m. Eastern.

Colorado

Polls in Colorado will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mountain time.

Connecticut

Connecticuts Election Day hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.

Delaware

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern on Election Day in Delaware.

District of Columbia

Washington, D.C. voters will be able to vote on Election Day between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern.

Florida

Florida, which has leaned Republican in recent elections, is one of the larger Electoral College prizes. Polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern on Election Day.

Georgia

Just as it was in 2020, Georgia is considered one of the closest swing states in the country. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern on Election Day.

Hawaii

In Hawaii, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local time, meaning that on the East Coast, returns wont be reported until after midnight.

Idaho

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time in Idaho  another state covered by two time zones, Mountain and Pacific.

Illinois

Polls in Illinois, a state with a large number of electoral votes, will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central.

Indiana

Indiana is among the states with the earliest poll closures on election night. Polls will be open in the Hoosier State from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. While most of Indiana is in the Eastern time zone, parts of the state are in Central time.

Iowa

Iowa polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central.

Kansas

Polls in Kansas will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central on Election Day.

Kentucky

Just like Indiana, a state it borders, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time in Kentucky. About half the state is in the Eastern time zone, while the other half is in the Central time zone.

Louisiana

Louisiana polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central time on Election Day.

Maine

In Maine, where Electoral College votes are split by House districts, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern, however in municipalities with fewer than 100 people, polls will be closed after every registered voter has cast a ballot.

Maryland

Polls in Maryland will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Eastern on Election Day.

Massachusetts

Though municipalities can choose to open polls as early as 5:45 a.m. Eastern, polls in Massachusetts are required to be open from as late as 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Michigan

A state that helped swing the 2016 and 2020 elections, Michigan will again be one of the most-watched states in the nation. Polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.

Minnesota

The home state of Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, Minnesotas polling places on Election Day will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central time.



Mississippi

Mississippi polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time on Election Day.

Missouri

Polls in Missouri will be open for 13 hours on Election Day, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time.

Montana

Polling places in Montana will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain time, except in polling districts with fewer than 400 registered voters, which can be opened as late as noon and must close if all registered voters have cast a ballot.

Nebraska

The second state with split electoral votes, Nebraskas polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for parts of the state located in the Central time zone and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the parts that use Mountain time.

Nevada

Nevada is another potentially pivotal swing state and will have open polls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on Election Day, making it the latest of the expected swing states to close its polls relative to the rest of the country. Nevada is almost entirely in the Pacific time zone, meaning it won't start reporting results until 10 p.m. ET.

New Hampshire

New Hampshires polling place hours vary by municipality but will not close before 7 p.m. Eastern.

New Jersey

Polls in New Jersey on Election Day will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.

New Mexico

New Mexicos polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mountain time.

New York

The fourth-largest electoral prize in the country, New Yorks polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern.



North Carolina

Expected to be one of the closest swing states in 2024, North Carolinas polls will be open on Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern.



North Dakota

North Dakotas polling times vary by county, according to the Secretary of States Office. Hours for individual polling places can be found here.

Ohio

Once a tipping point state, Ohio, the home state of GOP vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance, will have its polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern.

Oklahoma

Polls in Oklahoma will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central.

Oregon

Oregons polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Most of the state is in the Pacific time zone, though a portion of the eastern side of the state is in the Mountain time zone.

Pennsylvania

The state most likely to decide the winner of the election, Pennsylvanias polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.

Rhode Island

Polls in Rhode Island will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.

South Carolina

Polls in South Carolina open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Eastern time.

Tennessee

Tennessees polling place hours vary by county.

Texas

Polling places in Texas, the state with the second most electoral votes, are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Most of the state is in the Central time zone, though three counties in the far west part of the state observe Mountain time.



Utah

Utahs polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain time.

Vermont

Depending on the municipality, polling places in Vermont can open between 5 and 10 a.m. Eastern. All polling places will close at 7 p.m.

Virginia

In Virginia, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.



Washington

Polling hours vary in Washington, a state where every voter is mailed their ballot. Ballots must be dropped off in a ballot box by 8 p.m. Pacific time on Nov. 5.

West Virginia

Polls in West Virginia are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern.

Wisconsin

Polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central time in Wisconsin, one of three key Rust Belt swing states.



Wyoming

Wyomings polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mountain time.


(WHNT)  Polls are now closed across the Tennessee Valley for the 2024 general election.

With polls closing across Alabama and Tennessee, counties have begun to count votes.

Now that votes are being tabulated, News 19 is looking at results from across the Tennessee Valley.

 News 19 is Your Local Election Headquarters! Click here for more election coverage 

Election Results

General Election Results

Franklin County Results

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jackson County Results

Lauderdale County Results

Limestone County Results

Madison County Results

Marshall County Results

Races we are watching

There are 13 contested races and three local amendments on the ballot in different North Alabama counties. Your Local Election Headquarters will have crews all over the Tennessee Valley giving you updates from courthouses and campaign parties!

Well be following the results as they come in for commission races in Madison, Marshall, Limestone, Franklin and Jackson counties. You can find out more about those races below:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voters at the polls in Jackson, Lauderdale and Marshall Counties will see local amendments on their ballots, and well be following along as the votes are counted to see if those are passed or rejected.

Learn more about the local amendments below:

Lauderdale County Local Amendment 1

Marshall County Local Amendment 1

Jackson County Local Amendment 1

There is also a statewide amendment, which appears on every ballot in Alabama for the 2024 general election, even though the measure is focused on the Franklin County school system.

You can learn more about Alabama Amendment 1 here.

Madison County Turnout

Madison County Probate Judge Frank Barger said local voters surged to the polls when they opened Tuesday morning. He said by 11:30 a.m. 28 percent of registered voters in the county had cast ballots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Barger said turnout overwhelmed some polling locations, with lines expected and longer wait times.

The judge said the surge of voters has varied in recent elections, sometimes bringing large turnouts at Lunchtime or the early evening.

As of 4 p.m., 43 percent of Madison County voters have cast ballots, Barger said. He expects turnout to be around the 65 percent range, similar to the 2020 general election.

Barger also stressed that if any voters are still in line at 7 p.m. when the polls are set to close, they will be allowed to cast their votes.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  On 2024s Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, polling locations were busy all day with voters weighing in on local ballot measures, local candidates, and the President of the United States. As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, more than 790,000 people had voted statewide, including those who voted early and sent in absentee ballots.

The lines to vote remained busy all day. News 13s Marilyn Upchurch visited polling locations throughout Albuquerque to speak with voters. Its a right and a privilege, said one local voter, Ralph Padilla. Its an honor to come out here and elect our leaders, our officials, and the way our government is to be run.

Abby Flores, another local voter, said, I want to be a part of the decision-making process. So, we take our time, we study our voter guides, and we make decisions that we think will help all of Albuquerque, not just ourselves.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

How The 2024 Election Could Reshape New Mexico Politics

New Mexicans not only cast their votes for President, but also for Senate and congressional seats, county officials, bond measures, and more. As of 3 p.m., 63% of Bernalillo Countys 465,000 registered voters had cast their ballots, totaling over 36,000 votes. Bernalillo County Clerk Linda Stover hopes to see 60,000 to 70,000 voters at the polls today, which would bring the total Bernalillo County turnout to 70% of registered voters.

Weve been excited during early voting because theres been lines off and on during the day. That was exciting, but this morning, before polls even opened, we had lines waiting to get in, Stover said.

In 2020, during the last presidential race, almost 70% of New Mexicos voters cast their ballots, but Stover said the pandemic played a big role in that large voter turnout; four years earlier, in 2016, New Mexicos voter turnout totaled about 62%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For New Mexicos live election updates, click here

I know a lot of people will say, Oh, it doesnt matter. Its just one vote, but in the grand scheme of things it does matter, adding it all in, said local voter Denise Crespin.

It is too late to mail in an absentee ballot, but anyone who still needs to submit their absentee ballot can take it to a voting center before 7 p.m. Everyone in line to vote by 7 p.m. will be able to cast a ballot.

Voters can participate in same-day voter registration throughout the close of polls. The same-day registration system was down earlier Tuesday morning, but Stover says the system is back up and running.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For New Mexico voting locations and information, click here

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
While dairy farmers may be considering sustainability-focused solutions such as cover cropping, conservation tillage, and best management practices for manure application and manure-based products, a key part has been missing to help them: real-world data.

The Dairy Soil and Water Regeneration (DSWR) project was initiated by Dairy Management Inc. and the Soil Health Institute to fill these gaps and help farmers make informed decisions on new product and market opportunities as they continue their legacy of caring for the environment. Food companies also see the potential for incorporating DSWRs data and findings into their sustainability plans, and that will help keep dairy top of mind with consumers who are making purchase decisions based on our industrys commitment to the environment.

DSWR is a robust undertaking with 17 unique projects taking place on working dairy farms or research institutions nationwide. The project is supported by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, which awarded $10 million, and companies like Nestle, Newtrient, and Starbucks, which matched funds.

The project studies the effects of implementing soil health management practices on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water and soil quality improvement, and agronomic factors such as forage yield and quality.

We are fortunate to work with renowned research partners including Cornell University, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, the University of California-Davis, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, the University of Vermont, and USDAs Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research team.

Early results

We are at the halfway part of the project, which launched in 2021 as an undertaking focused on forage production practices that could help achieve the industrys 2050 environmental stewardship goals.

A first phase of the project included a benchmark soil survey of five dairy regions, and that has been completed. The survey investigated how management practices such as conservation tillage and cover cropping affected four different soil quality indicators. The results are still being analyzed, but in general, the survey showed that soil health indicators like soil organic carbon responded positively to conservation practice changes. This may potentially offer opportunities to participate with confidence as carbon and ecosystem markets develop.

The second phase includes intensive sampling, which is ongoing. Some results are beginning to be shared at scientific meetings and on-farm field days. A preliminary result that may be of interest to farmers is that crop yields were initially higher with conventional tillage practices compared to the soil health management systems and reduced tillage. This yield drag is common when making abrupt management practice changes. Yield reductions between systems were smaller by the third year, and although harvest results are not known at this point, they appeared visually to be similar in terms of yield for 2024. Further research will offer a better understanding of this trend.

Another interesting finding is that the application of dairy manure compost in a California almond orchard has had a significant mitigating effect on the release of nitrous oxide emitted from the soil. Additionally, greater soil microbial respiration suggests that compost treatments boost microbial activity.

The intensive data collection and sampling is providing a high-quality data set that is specific to dairy production and will ultimately be used to improve crop and environmental system models, which will assist producers with making good management decisions.

Our team is excited about the back half of our DSWR journey, knowing well likely discover new research opportunities, and thats the beauty of it. You never really finish researching, which benefits dairy farmers who need quantifiable data to validate practices that will help them make decisions with greater confidence and that are good for their bottom line.

To learn more about DSWR, visit www.dairysoilwater.org or contact me at victor.green@dairy.org

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2024

October 31, 2024
(Bloomberg) -- The predictions-betting platform Polymarket has been paying US-based social media influencers to promote election betting on the site  even though its barred from letting anyone in the country use the tool to place wagers, including on Tuesdays presidential race.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In September, Polymarkets senior director of growth, Armand Saramout, canvassed for sponsorship deals with US influencers, according to outreach messages seen by Bloomberg News.

Over the last few weeks, Instagram pages with large followings have been posting Polymarket-sponsored content under hashtags such as #PMPartner and #PolymarketPartner. The majority are meme pages with account names like @moist, @hoodclips, and @historyinmemes, while others are personal finance influencers such as Eric Pan of @ericnomics.

Subscribe to the Bloomberg Daybreak podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen.

A Polymarket spokesman confirmed US outreach, but said it was not intended to spark trades from US visitors. Weve reached out to influencers on both sides of the aisle to promote our data and drive traffic and eyeballs to polymarket.com, where 99% of visitors consume news and never place a trade, he said in a statement. But some US trades are nevertheless getting through  a behavior encouraged by the influencers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Xavi Fahard, based in California, helps runs Instagram meme page @sarcasm_only. The account, which has 16.6 million followers, reaches a majority millennial female audience, Fahard said. A few weeks ago, they were connected to Polymarket through agencies and have since entered into a multi-post deal with the betting platform.

An ad is always going to have substantially less engagement than our actual organic posts, Fahard said. But compared to other ads, the Polymarket ones perform around the same, if not better.

In October, Polymarket was in the process of conducting fresh checks to verify that big spenders on its website are based outside of the US, according to a person familiar with the matter. US traders arent allowed to use the platform, which has seen a surge in bets favoring Donald Trump to win the presidential election.

Polymarket blocked US traders following a $1.4 million settlement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which said it was operating without the correct licensing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Scrutiny of Polymarkets US political markets rose significantly in October, thanks to a handful of accounts that spent millions of dollars worth of crypto on bets in favor of Trumps return to the White House. A company spokesperson said they had investigated and did not believe the owner of the accounts was attempting to manipulate the market, but that they had agreed not to open more of them.

The person behind the US-based Instagram account @trustfundterry, who asked not to disclose his real name to avoid harming his relationships, said he had worked with Polymarket for years. The company often shared a Google Drive with suggested content which he regularly posted in return for a fee.

Polymarket never told him that the content should be tailored for a non-US audience, or asked that he mention that trades shouldnt take place in the US, he said. Few of the sponsored content posts from other accounts include such disclaimers.

On Monday, a day before the election, @trustfundterry posted a picture of Trump with a 60.5% share against Harris, with a map of the majority of US states painted Republican red. @Polymarket traders have Trump with an edge to win it. Hes leading in PA which is the key to the election ... Who do you think takes it? The post included graphics showing a Trump lead in six key swing states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polymarket encouraged him to add memes to the posts, including the one on Monday, according to the account owner. They just want engagement and conversation  the goal is to get eyeballs, he said.

Election polls, meanwhile, show Trump and Kamala Harris in a tight race with no obvious winner.

Polymarket has sought to position itself as a more reliable alternative to the polls, marketing itself as the most accurate way to track & forecast the election in Facebook ads. But the companys crypto-trader-heavy user base  a Trump-friendly demographic  could be skewing its results.

In addition to partnering with US-based influencers, Polymarket owner Blockratize Inc. spent an estimated $269,875 on election ads targeting millions of people in the US on Facebook and Instagram over the past seven days, according to Metas ad library.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ads asked viewers whether they were voting for Trump or Harris, telling viewers: dont trust the polls  trust the markets.

Of those 47 advertisements, 22 depicted Trump alone, showing odds for the former Presidents win shooting ahead of his rival. One asked: Did serving French fries win Trump the election?

Where Trump and Harris are shown together in ads, Trump was shown to be ahead. None of the advertisements showed Harris alone.

A spokesman disputed a Trump leaning. Any suggestion that Polymarket caters to a single party or demographic hasnt been paying attention to the rapidly shifting market odds over the course of this campaign or to our distinctly nonpartisan and transparent approach to prediction markets, he said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

--With assistance from Sarah Frier.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
By Joshua McElwee

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis on Tuesday paid a home visit to Emma Bonino, a veteran politician who successfully campaigned in the 1970s to legalise abortion in Italy, bringing her a bouquet of roses and chocolates.

A photo posted by Bonino on social media showed them both sitting in wheelchairs on her sun-drenched terrace in Rome.

Bonino, 76, was released from hospital last month after suffering from respiratory and heart problems. Last year, she said she had recovered from an eight-year battle with lung cancer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Francis, 87, has himself been dealing with occasional health issues.

He has frequently expressed opposition to abortion, calling it "murder" and tantamount to "hiring a hit man". But he has also struck up relationships with several anticlerical Italian figures.

Bonino was first elected to the Italian parliament in 1976 as a member of the anti-establishment Radical Party, which pushed passage of a law to legalise abortion in 1978, later confirmed by a national referendum in 1981.

A human rights and social justice champion, she was also a member of the European Commission in the 1990s and served as foreign, trade and EU affairs minister in Italian centre-left governments of the 2000s and 2010s.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Francis was seen stopping in at her apartment in central Rome after a morning visit to the nearby Pontifical Gregorian University. The Vatican press office confirmed the pope's visit, but said it would not provide further details.

In her social media post, Bonino praised Francis' "extraordinary humanity" and said he had called her "an example of freedom and resistance". He also brought her roses and chocolates, she said.

As he was leaving Bonino's home, Francis was asked by a La Repubblica journalist how the politician was doing.

"Very well," he replied, according to a video published by Italian media outlets.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee, editing by Alvise Armellini and Angus MacSwan)
ROSE BUD, Ark.  Rain in the forecast is a moove in the right direction for cattle farmers.

According to Henry Caldwell with Union Rock Cattle Company in Rose Bud, the late October and early November rain prevented some of the wheat his cows will graze from drying out and dying.

Its almost too late for it to grow much, but it will keep it alive for when it is warm enough, Caldwell explained.

Prolonged drought could impact wildlife in the Natural State

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On other farms, the timing of the rain is not a blessing but a potential problem according to Johnathan Kubesch, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture extension forest specialist.

For our row crop guys, its rough because it makes their harvest so much more difficult, so often when we are giving crop damage reports after a storm, the grass guys are saying keep the spigot on. The row crop guys have a little bit different opinion, Kubesch stated.

In July and September, rain and wind from Hurricanes Beryl and Francine threatened harvests.

Caldwell said Beryl produced an additional hay crop in Arkansas, and without it, they would have half of the hay currently available. It will be needed because the drought already caused a switch from grazing which normally waits until December.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Drought conditions impact Little Rock businesses, locals

Once cooler temperatures settle in, the growth cycle will reset, and the focus will shift toward growth, hoping Arkansas can go next year without any worry of drought.

A farmer, a cattleman, they always plan on next year being better, but dont always (be) the case, Caldwell said.

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture said since the 1970s, the rule of thumb has been droughts are expected to happen three out of every 10 years.

Francines approach has Arkansas farmers hurrying to harvest ahead of storm

According to Drought.gov, 2024 is the fourth year in a row Arkansas has experienced some form of drought.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
ST. LOUIS  A bracelet inscribed with the name of a prisoner in the Vietnam War brought two strangers together Monday.

This is the bracelet, and the date on there is the date that his plane was shot down, Joan Nazzoli said.

She met the man behind the name on her bracelet for the first time.

These are not, as you know, flashy bracelets. It was the idea; it was the thought; it was the blessing that went with it, Retired Col. John Clark.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The journey for the two all started when Nazzoli bought a POW bracelet in college.

The names on themits what made them very personal. We would look at each others bracelets (and say), Oh, whose name is on yours?' Nazzoli said. She wore the bracelet a couple of years then tucked it away for decades.

Map: U.S. Presidential Election Results

I had just recently found this POW/MIA bracelet that I had from 1970. So I thought, Im going to stop in and look at the POW Museum and talk to someone about the bracelet,' Nazzoli added.

Clark spent six years in a POW camp after his plane was shot down in 1967. He received several POW bracelets from strangers over the years, with each bracelet with his name letting him know people back home were waiting for his return.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This was a sign of solidarity of the American people with the prisoners of war, Clark said. This person had blessed me with their prayers and offerings and their willingness and commitment to put it on and wear it, regardless of who their friends were or what they thought or anything else.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
A Lottery player in Los Angeles struck it big by matching five numbers during Monday nights Powerball drawing.

The winning numbers were 6, 18, 33, 48, and 53, with a Powerball of 21.

According to the California Lottery website, the lucky ticket worth $161,556 was sold at Teddys Liquor Store at 2112 S. La Brea Avenue in the Mid-City neighborhood.

Only the Powerball number was missing from the ticket, keeping the unidentified winner from hitting the full $63 million jackpot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Powerball drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 7:59 p.m.

Powerball tickets can be purchased for $2 at a local Lottery retailer or a Lottery vending machine.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
This article was first published in the State of Faith newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each Monday night.

Over the next few weeks, as the country grapples with whatever happens on Election Day, religious leaders, like other community leaders, will do their best to keep the peace and help us all move forward together.

And also like other community leaders, religious leaders will make some mistakes. Theyll tell jokes that fall flat, overshare about how theyre feeling and rely too often on assumptions instead of listening to their flocks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I feel confident about these predictions because I know that religious leaders are humans. Theyre often very thoughtful, kind humans, but even thoughtful, kind humans stumble over their words and say or do the wrong thing.

Edward Berger, the Academy Award-winning director of the new movie Conclave, shared a similar observation when I spoke with him about how his film portrays Catholic priests.

I was worried that the movie made priests seem a bit too human and flawed; he said that was the point.

When youre in Rome and you look out the window with your espresso in your hand and you see a priest walking down the street and a nun drinking coffee and a bishop smoking on the corner, you realize that theyre just humans. Theyre like you and I, Berger said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He continued, They have a certain job that theyre good at hopefully and they can give us advice in this job, but they still have their weaknesses. They still have their doubts. Theyre still afraid. Theyre still sad.

His words are bouncing around my head as I think of pastor friends who will have to help their congregations make sense of and recover from a stressful election season.

As they guide others through healing friendships or facing their political fears, theyll be wrestling with the same emotions themselves.

And so if youre planning to pray for the country this week, consider praying for religious leaders, too. Even after Election Day is over, they have much work left to do.

Fresh off the press

The world watched her fail. Then, she showed the world how to keep going

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Perspective: How should Hollywood handle religion?

Kids in this city went trick-or-treating on Halloween for the first time in 86 years

4 takeaways from a first-of-its-kind report on sexual abuse in the Catholic Church

Person of the week: the Rev. Michael Curry

The Rev. Michael Curry wrapped up his nine-year term as presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church last week and handed off the duties to the Rev. Sean Rowe.

The Rev. Curry, who was the first Black presiding bishop in the history of the Episcopal Church, will be remembered for his calming presence during the chaotic early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, his willingness to regularly call out racism and his memorable sermon on love during Prince Harrys 2018 wedding to American Meghan Markle, according to Religion News Service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His retirement plans include getting a dog, Religion News Service reported.

In 2017, when the Rev. Curry was in Salt Lake City to meet with leaders of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, I spoke with him about faith and politics.

What Im reading...

The Washington Post recently offered a fascinating look at life in Ukraine amid fighting with Russia by zooming in on how the war has changed Ukraines version of The Bachelor franchise.

Comedian Jim Gaffigans wife, Jeannie Gaffigan, penned an essay for America magazine about why, even as a Catholic who opposes abortion, shes voting for Vice President Kamala Harris. Jim Gaffigan shared the story on X, along with a joke about his own efforts to avoid political conflict.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ahead of Election Day, The Associated Press explored what life is like at a church located just steps from a swing states capitol building.

Odds and ends

Eighteen months after it was released, I finally dove into the first season of The Diplomat, a Netflix drama about the diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Great Britain  and U.S. foreign policy more broadly  that stars Keri Russell. As I was enjoying the twisty plot, I stumbled on a video from the State Department exploring how well the fictional show captures the work of real-life diplomats.
A healthcare policy professor believes that strict abortion laws enacted by Republican states have made pregnant women "untouchables"  and have resulted in their deaths.

Nevaeh Crain was 18 years old when she died on October 29, 2023. She was pregnant at the time, was suffering from a fever, vomiting, weakness, and intense abdominal pain.

Within 12 hours, Crain  a Texas resident  had visited two hospital emergency rooms, and was blocked from receiving life-saving treatment both times, according to a report by ProPublica.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At her first stop doctors diagnosed her with strep throat, but did not address her abdominal pain. A doctor at a second hospital confirmed that she was suffering from sepsis, a potentially deadly reaction to infection. Doctors told her that the six-month-old fetus she was carrying had a heartbeat and dismissed Crain from the hospital.

She went a third hospital, where an obstetrician insisted on performing two ultrasounds to "confirm fetal demise," according to a nurse's note. After the ultrasounds, she was finally placed in intensive care.

It was too late; by the time she was receiving appropriate treatment, Crain's blood pressure had tanked and her lips had turned "blue and dusky," according to a nurse's account.

Her organs failed, and she died at 18.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Candace Fails, Crain's mother, told ProPublica that she cannot understand why doctor's refused to treat her daughter's situation like an emergency, but Sara Rosenbaum, a health and law police professor emerita at George Washington University has a theory.

She was a pregnant woman in a Republican state with strict abortion laws.

Pregnant women have become essentially untouchables, she told ProPublica.

In Governor Greg Abbott's Texas, abortion bans threaten healthcare professionals with prison time if they perform medical interventions that end a fetal heartbeat. While the law does allow for exceptions for lie-threatening conditions, doctors told ProPublica that the murky legal waters surrounding the issue have warped the way their colleagues treat pregnant women.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For example, they say that pregnant women  like Crain  are bounced from hospital to hospital because health providers are reluctant to provide treatments that could land them in the crosshairs of a conservative prosecutor, according to doctors who spoke with the outlet.

They described treatment time wasted debating the merits of treatment and creating air-tight documentation, fearing what might happen to them if they become the subject of a criminal complaint.

That has left pregnant women unable to trust the advice they're receiving from healthcare providers.

Am I being sent home because I really am OK? " Dr Jodi Abbott, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University School of Medicine told ProPublica. "Or am I being sent home because theyre afraid that the solution to whats going on with my pregnancy would be ending the pregnancy, and theyre not allowed to do that?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While federal law prohibits emergency room doctors from withholding lifesaving care, Texas has fought hard to change the interpretation of its law. Greg Abbott's Texas has warned doctors that it's state law supersedes the Biden administration's guidance on the federal law.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit in 2022 arguing that the federal guidance "forces hospitals and doctors to commit crimes" and that it was an "attempt to use federal law to transform every emergency room in the country into a walk-in abortion clinic."

The lawsuit was upheld as it moved through federal courts overseen by Donald Trump-nominated judges, until US District Judge James Wesley Hendrix  also a Trump appointee  sided with Paxton.

Earlier this year, the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit upheld the ruling. The Biden administration has appealed the ruling to the US Supreme Court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Violating the state law can land health providers in prison for a maximum of 99 years.

This threat of life-shattering consequences has pressured doctors into walking on egg shells and wasting precious time needed to treat a patient, critics say. Case in point: the nurse who ordered two ultrasounds to confirm "fetal demise" before Crain was moved to intensive care.

This is how these restrictions kill women, Dr Dara Kass, a former regional director at the Department of Health and Human Services, told the outlet. It is never just one decision, its never just one doctor, its never just one nurse.

Health providers at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas and Christus Southeast Texas St Elizabeth, the facilities where Crain was treated, did not answer requests for comment from ProPublica.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Independent has asked the providers for comment.

ProPublica compiled Crain's medical records and asked a collection of doctors to review the information. All of the doctors who reviewed Crain's information said she never should been allowed to leave after her first hospital visit.

"She should have never left, never left," Elise Boos, an OB-GYN in Tennessee, said after reviewing the information.
Juniper Bryson, 21, has been charged with sale or purchase of a child

Harris County Jail Juniper Bryson. Juniper Bryson.

A Texas woman is under arrest after she tried to sell her baby on a Facebook group to several people looking to adopt, authorities allege.

Juniper Bryson, 21, was booked into jail on Wednesday, Oct. 30, according to online records from the Harris County Sheriffs Office.

The investigation began in late September, days after Bryson reportedly contacted a family member inquiring about anyone interested in potentially adopting her then-unborn baby, Click 2 Houston and ABC 13 reported, citing charging documents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bryson allegedly posted in a Facebook group where birth mothers connect with families interested in adoption, claiming that she was located in Houston but was willing to travel to hand over the baby, authorities said in the charging documents.

Investigators said this post was made on Sept. 22, per ABC 13.

Several people responded to Brysons post, including one couple that decided to travel overnight from Louisiana to Houston to be with her, investigators said.

Bryson allegedly asked the couple for money for food, and they sent her $25, per investigators, ABC 13 reported. A few hours later, she allegedly asked for $150.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The couple eventually turned around and went back to Louisiana, but it wasn't clear if they explicitly rejected her request for the money.

"If the baby wasn't worth $200 to them, then screw all, Bryson allegedly said, per court records, though it wasnt clear who she said that to or in what context.

Bryson allegedly told her family member that she needed the money "to move into an apartment so I can work a job and get (my daughter) back, or a cheap down payment, or any car to get to different places to DoorDash. Nothing crazy at all," per court records cited by ABC 13 and The Houston Chronicle.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Wendy Williams, who also responded to Brysons alleged Facebook query, paid for Bryson's transportation to the hospital on Sept. 23 when she went into labor, ABC 13, which spoke to Williams, reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the hospital, however, Bryson was still waiting "for the highest bidder," reports Click 2 Houston, citing police.

Williams ultimately learned about Bryson's alleged plan to sell the baby after several people on social media flagged the issue to her, ABC 13 reported. Williams said she was confused because payment had never been discussed. She reported Bryson to authorities, and Bryson revoked her custody of the newborn, she said, according to the outlet.



Bryson has been charged with sale or purchase of a child, online jail records show.

It wasn't immediately clear if she has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on her behalf. She is being held on a $30,000 bond.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.


Fall always welcomes more cases of lameness in dairy herds. Anecdotally, it can be associated with long days of standing on concrete in the summer and additional wet hoof scenarios caused by sprinklers intended to cool cows. Even in facilities that dont have barns and cooling, foot troubles can rise with more standing time from fly and heat pressure.

Whatever the scenario, Ohio States Jason Hartschuh would suggest that lameness in the herd can be prevented with thoughtful planning and the right tools.

The Ohio State University extension field specialist detailed his three keys for good foot health in a recent Buckeye Dairy News.

Barn hygiene practices, such as preventative hoof trimming and regular alley scrapping, are critical for hoof health, but these practices also need to include the regular use of a footbath with a disinfectant to control foot rot and digital dermatitis, he detailed.

Regular trimming and scraping

The University of Wisconsin-Madisons School of Veterinary Medicine recommends preventative trimming every four to six months. In high-risk animals, the vets suggest trimming or at least inspecting those cows hooves every three to four months. Ideally, lactating cows would be trimmed sometime during the first 60 to 150 days in milk and again before dry-off.

As for the regular scraping suggested by Hartschuh, it depends on the facility. He recommends two to three times per day if possible with continually mechanical scraping being ideal.

The final critical component of herd foot health according to Hartschuh is properly maintained and utilized footbaths.

The foot bath should be a minimum of 10 feet long, he detailed. The solution depth in the foot bath should be 4 inches.

Additionally, he recommended a 24-inch-wide footbath with solid walls rising at least 3 feet on each side. Further, he favored a bath with one side that could be removed in case a cow fell. When considering frequency of footbath use, Hartschuh suggested three times a week with the bath solution being effective for 150 to 350 cow passes.

The right solution

Finally, Hartschuh discussed footbath solution options.

Copper sulfate is the best option due to its antibacterial properties and the hardening effect on the claw horn at a cost of about $42 per cow per year with four uses per week, he explained. Formalin also kills bacteria and hardens the claw horn. Treatment concentrations of formalin should be maintained at 3% to 5% with caution to not exceed 5% due to risk of chemical burn.

Zinc sulfate has efficacy in controlling digital dermatitis at a concentration of 5% to 20% zinc sulfate, he continued.

With those options in mind, Hartschuh reminded readers to choose the one that was the best fit for the goals of the farm.

Utilizing proper footbath practices will help keep cows walking to the feedbunk and milking parlor, he concluded.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2024

October 28, 2024
Americans will chose their next president on Tuesday. Eyes will be glued on the results of a handful of states where polls show former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris separated by less than the margin of error.

Utah is far from being a swing state, but the battle for the White House has hung over the biggest statewide and congressional elections in Utah as candidates have been asked to weigh in on the personalities and issues that underly the national debate.

The Republican Party nominee for president, who is expected to win the Beehive State by 30 percentage points, has been a near-constant feature of Utahs election season: from the U.S. Senate race  where Rep. John Curtis relied on his pragmatic approach to Trump in a bid to replace outspoken Trump-critic Sen. Mitt Romney  to the gubernatorial race  where Gov. Spencer Cox put his Disagree Better mantra to the test with an endorsement of Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As Utah voters watch Trump and his Democratic opponent, Harris, rack up Electoral College votes on Tuesday night, they can also keep an eye out for how the states favored Republican candidates fare and how they respond to the presidential election results.

Here are the biggest Utah races to follow and how the candidates have incorporated presidential politics into their bid to represent their home state.

Amanda Stewart, from Salt Lake City, drops off her and her husbands ballots outside of the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Races to watch in Utah

U.S. Senate:

Republican Rep. John Curtis of Utahs 3rd Congressional District is running for the open seat against Democratic candidate Caroline Gleich to replace Sen. Mitt Romney.

During a televised debate, Curtis rebutted criticisms from his left and right alleging that he is either too beholden to Republican extremism or not pro-Trump enough.

Curtis pointed to his seven years in Congress as evidence that he supports Trump when the president acts in line with Utah values and opposes Trump when he conflicts with those values.

Third-party candidates include Independent American candidate Carlton Bowen and write-in candidate Laird Hamblin.

3rd Congressional District:

Republican state Sen. Mike Kennedy will face Democratic candidate Glenn Wright for an open seat to represent southeast Salt Lake County, most of Utah County and all of eastern Utah.

During their debate, Wright alleged that pro-Trump lawmakers cant be trusted to vote independently and called on Kennedy to denounce Trump for racist and hate-filled conduct.

Kennedy argued that partisan labels can hinder problem solving. Identifying lawmakers with their party leader contributes to the dysfunction of Congress, Kennedy said.

Governor:

Gov. Spencer Cox will face off against Democratic state Rep. Brian King for a second term following a contentious primary election where he defeated state Rep. Phil Lyman .

King used the debate stage to argue that Coxs sudden endorsement of Trump after Julys failed assassination attempt conflicts with Coxs Disagree Better initiative.

Cox said his endorsement shows he can work with the president to unify the country despite their many disagreements. Kings attitude amounts to a dismissal of Trump voters in Utah, Cox said.

Third-party candidates include Independent American candidate Tommy Williams, Libertarian candidate J. Robert Latham, unaffiliated candidate Tom Tomeny and write-in candidate Phil Lyman.

Other races:

Rep. Blake Moore of Utahs 1st Congressional District is running against Democratic candidate Bill Campbell .

Rep. Celeste Maloy of Utahs 2nd Congressional District is running against Democratic candidate Nathaniel Woodward.

Rep. Burgess Owens of Utahs 4th Congressional District is running against Democratic candidate Katrina Fallick-Wang .

Republican candidate Derek Brown, Democratic candidate Rudy Bautista, Libertarian candidate Andrew McCullough and United Utah Party candidate Michelle Quist are running for Utahs open Attorney General position.

Tyler Carters dog Arty watches from the backseat as Carter drop off his ballot outside of the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

What do the polls tell us?

Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics polls conducted less than a month before the Nov. 5 general election found Trump leading Harris in the Beehive State by more than 30 percentage points, 61%-30%. This trend applies to other statewide races polled by the Deseret News between Oct. 15-19.

Senate:

Curtis  55%

Gleich  20%

Bowen  4%

Unsure  21%

Governor:

Cox  51%

King  19%

Williams  4%

Latham  3%

Tomeny  2%

Unsure  22%

When will we know the results?

County clerks will report their first batch of results after every individual waiting in line to vote in-person has done so.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While polls are schedule to close at 8 p.m., this instruction from the state Lieutenant Governors Office could result in a delay before results are published from every county.

More than 90% of Utah voters have historically cast their vote by submitting a mail-in ballot to the U.S. Postal Service or a secure county dropbox.

Mail-in ballots must be deposited in a dropbox by 8 p.m. on Election Day or receive a postmark stamp from a post office on or before Monday, Nov. 4, in order to be counted.

The last day to register to vote online was Oct. 25. Utahns can still register to vote at the polls on Election Day.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  The country braces for who will be the next Commander-in-Chief. The current vice president or former president. With all eyes on the swing states who will decide.

I see voters standing together to defend freedom. This moment has to be about so much more than partisan politics, said Vice President Kamala Harris.

We got to get our country straightened out or were not going to have a country, alright. Thats all, said former president Donald Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican Congressman Mike Johnson looks to be reelected and maintain his House Speaker role.

Im the son of teen parents in Shreveport and a disabled firefighter. Many of us believe that this is the most important election of our lifetime, Johnson said.

Louisiana will send another U.S. House Representative to Congress through the new District 6 that was decided by the Supreme Court. State Senator Cleo Fields endorsed by the Louisiana Democratic Party.

Ive operated and have worked with governors who are Democrats who are Republicans. Whats important is that I deliver for the people of the district, Fields said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Louisiana GOP endorsing former State Senator Elbert Guillory.

In two years a lot of damage can be done. It needs to stop. It needs to be stopped very quickly, Guillory said.

A contentious race in Texas for U.S. Senate. Republican Senator Ted Cruz looks for reelection against his democratic challenger Colin Allred.

We have not been delivering for Texans in a way that I think we should be, Allred said.

I am a principled conservative, and I dont run away from that at all, Cruz said.

Plus countless races across the Arklatex that will determined local politics will all be covered here at your Local Election Headquarters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
The Prince of Wales is kicking off the second day of Earthshot Week with a special guest

Prince William took an early morning stroll beneath South Africa's iconic Table Mountain on Tuesday, Nov. 5, setting the stage for his Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town.

The 42-year-old royal was joined by Australian TV personality Robert Irwin, son of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin and a global ambassador for the Earthshot Prize. They walked in a group through Signal Hill, a scenic overlook above Cape Town, to spotlight the urgent need for biodiversity conservation. The Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, joined them for the final part of the walk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the stunning park that forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom World Heritage Site, William engaged with rangers, conservationists, firefighters, mountain rescue volunteers, biodiversity experts and youth advocates. This unique area, known for its rare and endangered plant species, is essential for global biodiversity. William spoke with the local experts about the critical work they do to protect the region's rich flora and fauna, balancing preservation with accessibility for residents and visitors alike.

Related: Prince William Is a Beacon for Worldwide Environment Mission, Says Robert Irwin (Exclusive)

Chris Jackson/Getty Prince William and Robert Irwin on their walk at Signall Hill, near Cape Town, South Africa on Nov. 5 Prince William and Robert Irwin on their walk at Signall Hill, near Cape Town, South Africa on Nov. 5

The walk and conversations underscored William's commitment to environmental stewardship just before the Earthshot Prize awards on Nov. 6, where hell honor groundbreaking efforts to heal the planet.



At the top of the walk, a viewpoint over the suburbs of Cape Town and the South Atlantic ocean below, the Prince was then taken to meet a group of youngsters from the Mayine Afrika E Foundation which promotes mental and physical wellbeing in their community of Nyanga.

Chris Jackson/Getty Prince William and Robert Irwin on their walk at Signal Hill, near Cape Town, on Nov. 5, 2024 Prince William and Robert Irwin on their walk at Signal Hill, near Cape Town, on Nov. 5, 2024

Founder Bathandwa Just B Diniso told him how they use outings to the Mountain and parks to encourage appreciation of nature and caring for it. She tells PEOPLE, He was so chilled! Hes a cool guy. There was no need for [the children] to panic. I wasn't! Thats because I could see with the way he interacts with the people.



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She adds, He was asking us what we do and what the vision is. Our vision is to raise children who are going to wake up on a daily basis inspired, motivated and eager to learn. We introduce the children to the parks and nature. Once they understand nature they can take care of it.

GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/POOL/AFP via Getty Prince William talks Australian conservationist and Earthshot Prize Global Ambassador Robert Irwin and Mayor of the City of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis at Signal Hill, South Africa, on Nov. 5 Prince William talks Australian conservationist and Earthshot Prize Global Ambassador Robert Irwin and Mayor of the City of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis at Signal Hill, South Africa, on Nov. 5

The mountain, the parks, nature are helping. He said he loves it and he wanted to find out from the children could they work, do they see opportunities and would they be able to volunteer and what do they think of conversation. They said we need to take care of this.

At the end of their walk, they were met by the Mayor of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis. He tells PEOPLE, He commented on the beauty of the mountain and the park.



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both days what struck me is how genuinely interested and engaging he is. I obviously meet a lot of foreign dignitaries, but he strikes me as one thats genuinely interested in the issues that hes working while hes here and very, very engaging, he added. It is clearly from the heart, and I was very impressed.



The mayor added that having the prince visit was a boost to the area.

Its really wonderful and valuable for Cape Town to have the eyes of the world drawn to our fair city because of the Earthshot Prize, and were really grateful to the prince and the palace for choosing Cape Town this year, he said.

Chris Jackson/Getty Prince William meeting the young people from Mayine E Afrika at Signal Hill, South Africa on Nov. 5 Prince William meeting the young people from Mayine E Afrika at Signal Hill, South Africa on Nov. 5

Irwin and the prince  who wore a shirt by EcoAlf and a green jacket by British company Rapanui  have been allies in the fight for the planet for several years. Inspired by his late father, Irwin, along with his sister Bindi Irwin, 26, and the rest of their family, passionately support their animal conservation foundation, Wildlife Warriors, and work to protect endangered species through Australia Zoo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last year, Irwin called William a real beacon to everyone in the conservation field.

Its hard to put into words just how massive Earthshot is for wildlife conservation, for climate action, for the world. For Prince William, who has such a great platform, to lend his voice, his resources into creating positive change is such a refreshing, wonderful thing to see. I applaud what he is doing, he tells PEOPLE.

For his second outing on Nov. 5, Prince William met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the presidents official residence in Cape Town. The visit highlighted an important facet of Williams role on this mini-tour: his soft-power diplomacy, an extension of the work that he, his father King Charles, and other senior royals undertake on behalf of the U.K. government.

Related: The Future King and the President! Prince William Joins President Joe Biden in Boston

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

William's spokesman noted that similar high-level meetings, like his meeting with President Biden during the Earthshot Prize event in Boston in December 2022 and his meeting with Singapores president last year, have become a "golden thread" in his Earthshot visits.

GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/POOL/AFP via Getty Prince William with Park Manager for Table Mountain National Park Megan Taplin (L) and other rangers at Signal Hill in Cape Town on Nov. 5, 2024 Prince William with Park Manager for Table Mountain National Park Megan Taplin (L) and other rangers at Signal Hill in Cape Town on Nov. 5, 2024

Antony Phillipson, the British High Commissioner to South Africa, emphasized that William's visit represents the highest level of engagement between the two nations and "connects the narrative" from King Charles' first state visit as monarch two years ago.

Related: Behind the Scenes of Prince Williams Earthshot Prize: Singapore Took It Up a Notch, Says Photographer

We very much see this as a follow up to the state visit of November 2022 which we continue to see here as a very historic moment through the UK and South Africa, as the first state visit hosted by His Majesty the King, he added.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Also attending the meeting were U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and South African Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola, underscoring what Phillipson described as a really important bilateral relationship.


The Prince of Wales spoke on a panel at Earthshot+ during his second day in Cape Town, South Africa on Nov. 5

GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/POOL/AFP via Getty Earthshot Prize Youth Program member A'aron John (L), Earthshot Prize Trustee 'Tokunboh Ishmael (R) and Prince William (C), Prince of Wales, take part in a panel discussion at Earthshot+ in Cape Town on Nov. 5, 2024 Earthshot Prize Youth Program member A'aron John (L), Earthshot Prize Trustee 'Tokunboh Ishmael (R) and Prince William (C), Prince of Wales, take part in a panel discussion at Earthshot+ in Cape Town on Nov. 5, 2024

Prince William continued his visit to Cape Town, South Africa by taking part in a panel discussion for Earthshot+ on day two of his visit

On Nov. 5, the Prince of Wales stressed the importance of young people when it comes to environmental solutions and saving the planet

We have to invest in them as we do Mother Nature, as well, the royal said of young minds with innovative solutions

Prince William made it clear that, when it comes to saving the planet, investing in young minds is critical.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the Prince of Wales, 42, took part in Earthshot+ during his second day in Cape Town, South Africa, where the fourth iteration of his Earthshot Prize Awards will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 6. At the Earthshot+ event, the prince met with world-leading experts to take part in impactful conversations about multiplying the impact of his Earthshot Prize.

Earthshot+ was attended by global leaders in the environmental space and zoomed in on world-changing African innovations, celebrated the role of youth leaders in the space and discussed how to best support emerging solutions to scale. Prince William took part in a fireside chat during the session and took part in a panel discussion alongside Earthshot Prize Trustee Tokunbuh Ishmael and young climate leader Aaron John, who took part in the inaugural Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Program this week, which kicked off on Nov. 4, Williams first day in Cape Town.

Phil Noble - Pool/Getty Prince William, Prince of Wales takes part in a panel discussion during Earthshot+ at Portside Tower on Nov. 5, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa Prince William, Prince of Wales takes part in a panel discussion during Earthshot+ at Portside Tower on Nov. 5, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa

Related: Prince William Arrives in South Africa to Kick Off Earthshot Prize Week  With a Selfie!

The panel discussion was moderated by Earthshot Prize Council Member Wanjira Mathai.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

John, who is from Nigeria, told the panel were so buzzed during Earthshot Week.

It is [our] audacity that will actually help us to make a difference, John said.

Prince William praised the excitement he felt the day prior when he visited with young leaders like John. The energy and the enthusiasm and the brilliance in that room was spectacular, and I fed off it too, he said.

Its wonderful to see that many brilliant minds and enthusiasm and energy and changemakers all in one room. When I founded the Earthshot Prize, it was around trying to find solutions and to scale these solutions as fast as possible to make an impact, the Prince of Wales continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He added The Earthshot Prize was also set up as an antidote to the despair, the desperation that surrounded conversations about the environment.

Chris Jackson/Getty Prince William, Prince of Wales poses with young climate activists in front of the iconic Table Mountain at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Program on Nov. 4, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa Prince William, Prince of Wales poses with young climate activists in front of the iconic Table Mountain at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Program on Nov. 4, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa

Related: Earthshot Prize Finalists Praise Prince William's Vision in Cape Town: A 'Coalition Builder'

Its allowing young people hope and a platform to channel their urgent optimism to deliver solutions. They are the ones I want to give the platform to ... and take it where they feel its going to be most useful and to see it as something that provides a better future for them and their families, Prince William said during the panel discussion.

John added, This is the birthplace of innovation, and we can see a lot of innovation coming now. Theres resilience, theres culture and theres success.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Earthshot Prize  founded by Prince William in 2020  announced it has brought in $112 million in support for prize winners and finalists in the last four years, helping them grow and find markets for their innovations.

Earthshot uses what it calls its matchmaking platform Launchpad to mobilize investors, donors and corporations to accelerate breakthrough solutions chosen from the pool of Earthshot Prize nominees. This year, for example, it helped 2022 winner Notpla, known for its seaweed-based alternatives to single-use plastics, with its investment round.

Launchpad, Prince William said at the Nov. 5 panel, puts people together with the corporations and finance that can help.

The award ceremony gives visibility to the finalists, but the prince said when they looked at the scale and the impact, Launchpad really made a difference. It is like a dating service that matches the finder with the solution and vice versa, Prince William said of the service, adding, Collaboration is key. If you put all this in one big melting pot then sparks will fly in a good way.

Aaron Chown - Pool/Getty Prince William, Prince of Wales attends Earthshot+ at Portside Tower on Nov. 5, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa Prince William, Prince of Wales attends Earthshot+ at Portside Tower on Nov. 5, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The areas gaining the most attention in Cape Town are making fashion greener by promoting next-generation materials, building sustainable food systems to achieve zero food waste, supporting Africas transition to electric mobility, championing youth innovators and advocating for biodiversity in nature.

Scaling impactful solutions is at the heart of what The Earthshot Prize does, Earthshot Prize CEO Hannah Jones said in a Nov. 5 statement. The continued successes of the Launchpad, Earthshot+, as well as the new Ninety-One Accelerator and the GIBS School Executive Leadership Program, are all testaments to our commitment to fostering innovation and driving meaningful change.

We are proud to support these incredible innovators and look forward to seeing their solutions make a lasting impact around the world, she added.

GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/POOL/AFP via Getty Prince William (C), Prince of Wales, speaks during a panel discussion at Earthshot+ in Cape Town on Nov. 5, 2024 Prince William (C), Prince of Wales, speaks during a panel discussion at Earthshot+ in Cape Town on Nov. 5, 2024

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Prince William concluded the Earthshot+ panel, telling those in attendance, Ive been fortunate enough over the years to get to know Africa and what an amazing continent it is. The breadth of diversity  not only in people and culture, but landscape  really helps. Theres everything here the world needs right now to understand the solutions but also the difficulties its facing. And meeting some of the best young brains and the best solutions yesterday gives optimism that these guys and girls can change our future. And we have to invest in them as we do Mother Nature, as well.
ILLINOIS (WCIA)  The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is recognizing adoptive parents during the month of November.

Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed November Adoption Awareness Month, in recognition of the thousands of families across Illinois who have adopted over 19,000 children in the past decade.

U of I alum wins NY Marathon womens wheelchair race

We have all heard the expression about giving our children roots and wings to grow into successful adults, Illinois DCFS Director Heidi Mueller said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mueller said that DCFS wants to recognize the important role that adoptive parents play during Adoption Awareness Month.

We especially want to lift up and thank adoptive parents across Illinois who give children in need roots by ensuring connections to community, including racial, ethnic and cultural identities; and their wings by reminding them that they will always have a safe, supportive and loving family to come home to, no matter what, Mueller said.

Last year, over 2,000 Illinois children were adopted. But, as of Monday, there were still over 18,000 children waiting to be adopted.

IL organization makes college more accessible through application workshops

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DCFS said that adoption is a lifelong commitment. They offer supports to families in the form of reimbursement for attorney fees and court costs, a monthly subsidy, a medical card and other benefits.

DCFS also said that becoming a foster family first is a good beginning step to understand the needs of a child before making a life-changing decision.

Courtrooms across Illinois will open their doors to finalize adoptions during a special Adoption Day celebration. The celebrations will be held on Nov. 22 in Chicago and Marion, Nov. 23 in Rockford and Dec. 27 in Edwardsville.

For more information on how to become an adoptive parent, visit dcfs.illinois.gov.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
An influential US blogger who supports presidential candidate Donald Trump has revealed that he received US$100 from a Russian propagandist for publishing a fake video of Haitian immigrants allegedly voting in the US presidential election.

Source: CNN

Details: The blogger said that the payment was one of several he received from "a registered Russian agent" to post on social media ahead of the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The pro-Trump influencer writes posts on platform X (Twitter) and has an account @AlphaFox78. He is an American who lives in Massachusetts. The Haitian immigrant claims in his fake video that he will vote at least twice in the state of Georgia for Vice President Kamala Harris.

The Secretary of State of Georgia refuted this recording. He said that everything in the video was fake  it was made by Russian influencers using Russian actors.

The blogger said that he had been paid US$100 by Russian propagandist podcaster Simeon Boikov, known on the Internet as AussieCossack. An individual aware of the situation confirmed to CNN that several payments had been sent from Boikov to the blogger in Massachusetts.

Documents reviewed by CNN show that Boykov is a registered foreign agent for Russia in Australia, where he works for Russian state media, posting online in English and Russian.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Boikov is known to have recently been granted Russian citizenship and is currently seeking asylum at the Russian consulate in Sydney. He has a history of publishing pro-Kremlin disinformation. An investigation by CNN found that Boikov had played a certain role in Russian disinformation campaigns, including those aimed at the 2024 US presidential election.

Sources in the US and European intelligence told CNN that the Russian disinformation network produces staged propaganda videos that are later promoted by US influencers on social media.

Background: On Tuesday, 5 November, the US presidential election is taking place. Americans are choosing between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris.

Support UP or become our patron!
An American social media influencer said he was paid $100 by a pro-Kremlin propagandist to post a fake video of Haitian immigrants claiming to vote in the US presidential election. The payment was one of several the man said he received from the propagandist- a registered Russian agent - to post on social media in the run-up to the election.

The pro-Trump influencer, who uses the @AlphaFox78 handle on X, is an American man living in Massachusetts, CNN has learned. He agreed to speak to CNN about the posts on condition of anonymity.

The account, which has a history of posting right-wing memes in support of former President Donald Trump, was the first to post the now-debunked video that purportedly showed a Haitian immigrant claiming he would vote at least twice in Georgia for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Georgia Secretary of State said everything in that video was faked, from the actors to the ID cards, and was produced and disseminated by Russian influence actors.

In phone and text interviews with CNN over multiple days, the person behind the account, which has amassed more than 650,000 followers on X, said he posted the video without fact-checking the claims made in it.

I dont have any idea where it came from or anything - Im just the guy who shared it, he said.

The man said Simeon Boikov, a Russian propagandist podcaster known online as AussieCossack, offered him $100 to post the video, which he agreed to. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to CNN that multiple payments were sent from Boikov to the Massachusetts man.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Documents reviewed by CNN show that Boikov is a registered foreign agent for Russia in Australia, where he works for Russian state media, writing and posting online in English and Russian.

Boikov, who was recently given Russian citizenship and is seeking asylum in the Russian consulate in Sydney, has a history of posting pro-Kremlin disinformation. A previous CNN investigation found that Boikov has played a role in Russias disinformation campaigns, including ones targeting the 2024 US presidential election.

But his exact role and where he sits inside the disinformation networks hierarchy, remains elusive.

The working relationship between AlphaFox and Boikov which has not been previously reported, reveals yet another means in which Russia has attempted to inject disinformation into the 2024 presidential election. US and European intelligence sources previously told CNN that Russias disinformation network produces staged propaganda videos that are later promoted by American social media influencers.

Simeon Boikov is seen in a video taken in the Russian consulate in Sydney where he is currently seeking asylum. - From Simeon Boikov

Much as a legitimate business would rely on a popular influencer to boost its sales, Russian operatives are also targeting online figures to leverage their highly engaged followers, according to Darren Linvill, a disinformation expert and co-director of the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There is a reason marketing companies and political campaigns both use social media influencers to promote their messages, they do it because it works, Linvill told CNN. The digital world has become the real world, and people trust social media influencers like they trust their real-world friends.

Boikov, and an associate based in Russia, did not respond to CNN requests for comment. AlphaFox said that Boikov explicitly told him not to speak to CNN and has since blocked him on the platform Telegram.

The FBI did not comment on the payments. The Russian and Australian Foreign Ministries did not respond to CNN requests for comment.

The price of disinformation: $100 a pop

On their social media accounts, both Boikov and AlphaFox have repeatedly shared narratives that the US intelligence community has determined originated with a Russian disinformation network dubbed Storm-1516.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

AlphaFox said the staged Georgia video wasnt the first time he was paid to post content on his X account. On roughly 10 other occasions, Boikov paid him $100 to post memes and videos on the account, he said.

It started with memes, and it seemed innocent, he told CNN.

When Boikovs requests then shifted to posting election-related videos, like the fake Georgia voter fraud footage, I didnt think anything of it, he said.

He insisted to CNN he did not know Boikov worked for Russian state media.

A post from AlphaFox78 on X that the US intelligence community determined originated as a Russian influence operation. - From AlphaFox78/X

AlphaFox sent CNN cropped screenshots that he said showed him questioning Boikov about the authenticity of the video before he posted it. But Boikov purportedly responded that he had no reason to doubt the videos authenticity and that some big accounts have posted it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

My guard was down because its just sharing memes, AlphaFox said, repeatedly justifying his posts to CNN by saying he didnt realize what he was getting himself into.

After speaking with CNN, AlphaFox deleted the post, which at the time had generated more than 2.6 million views.

He also admitted he was paid to post content that targeted Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, claiming that the couple had tipped off embattled musician Sean Diddy Combs ahead of Homeland Security raids. The US intelligence community has since determined that the claim originated as a Russian influence operation.

Deleted videos message lives on

AlphaFox said he was remorseful for sharing Russian disinformation, and adamant that he was the one who was tricked.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

People need to be more vigilant when they share things, he told CNN. I never wanted to misinform anyone.

AlphaFox believes himself to be just the guy who shared a disinformation video. But that role is key to Russias plan to disrupt the US election, according to Linvill, the disinformation expert.

Real people have become important vehicles of Russian disinformation. Its not all about fake accounts anymore, Linvill said. Storm-1516 has been successful because it takes advantage of the trust users have in influencers they have followed for years.

While AlphaFox removed the fake Georgia video the following day, after it had been viewed more than half a million times on X, various forms of the video continue to be shared on social media platforms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As Americans cast their ballots in the presidential race, election officials like Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger have been forced to dedicate resources to knocking down disinformation like the video posted by AlphaFox.

As Americans, we cant let our enemies use lies to divide us and undermine our faith in our institutions - or each other, Raffensperger said in a statement calling the video likely a production of Russian troll farms.

Despite the foreign influence efforts, AlphaFox continues to post on X, including about the 2024 election, and the posts continue to receive significant attention, some with millions of views.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Today is Election Day, and its expected to be a busy day at polling places across Michigan.

Local clerks throughout the state have been working hard to make sure the process goes smoothly. Even so, theres always a chance that something could go wrong  a tabulator could malfunction, or a polling place could run out of ballots.

Michigan Voter Information Center

News 8 spoke with county clerks about some common Election Day problems and how they would be solved. The bottom line: Clerks will make sure that you get to vote, no matter what issues may arise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dont leave the precinct until youve voted, because there are protections in place, Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck said. We will ensure that you have the ability to cast your vote and make your voice heard, no matter what.

Table of contents:

WHAT IF THE TABULATOR BREAKS?

Certainly, tabulators are pieces of machinery. That can absolutely happen where we have some sort of a mechanical malfunction, Roebuck told News 8. Theyre thoroughly tested before Election Day, but its certainly a reality that something could happen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In that scenario, Allegan County Clerk Bob Genetski said his office would work to replace or fix the tabulator.

We would drive one of the spare tabulators that we have from the county seat out to the township or city hall where the tabulator had gone down, Genetski said. If it appeared to be a maintenance problem that could be fixed, we would contact our vendor. And theyve got teams that are actually deployed throughout the area, so they would be able to pop in and fix that.

In the meantime, because we vote on paper ballots  which Roebuck described as the ultimate receipt for voters  theres a simple solution.

If (the tabulator) is down, there is what we call the auxiliary bin, where voters can actually just place their fully voted ballot, Roebuck said. Its essentially a secure bin thats attached to the tabulator. So the tabulator sits on top of a bin where all the ballots go. And theres a separate compartment within that bin that is sealed up, and that is where any voted ballots would go in the event that the tabulator was not able to count them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

No delay despite paper jam at Kent County voting site

Later, once the tabulator was working again, the ballots in the auxiliary bin would be counted by a bipartisan team.

Theres always a Republican and a Democratic election inspector whose job it would be to reinsert those into a tabulator once the tabulator was working, Roebuck said.

Back to table of contents

WHAT IF MY POLLING PLACE RUNS OUT OF BALLOTS?

Its not a likely scenario, both Genetski and Roebuck told News 8.

An ounce of prevention goes a long way. And weve got local clerks who are encouraged to order 100% of their registered voter list, Genetski said. Now, weve never had 100% turnout in any jurisdiction, but if youre ordering 100% of the ballots, you could technically accommodate 100% of the voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Still, its theoretically possible that a polling place could run out of ballots. Many newly registered voters could show up to vote in person, or many people who were issued absentee ballots could decide to spoil those ballots and vote in person instead.

Theres a number of scenarios that sometimes can result in fewer ballots than voters being available to a precinct, but the best strategy for that is always, always, always to plan ahead, Roebuck said.

Election Day: Michigan goes to polls in tight presidential race

He explained that Ottawa County and certain other Michigan counties have the ability to print more ballots themselves.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If we realize were getting to a point where ballots are low and were still at a point on Election Day where we anticipate additional voters, the county will actually print essentially emergency stock of ballots and deliver them to the precinct, he said.

In Allegan County, Genetski told News 8 that if a local clerk noticed that ballots were running low early in the day, the county could contact its ballot vendor  which is in Michigan  and turn around a new set of ballots very quickly.

He said people could also use the voter assist terminal.

The voter assist terminal is a disability-accessible device for those voters who might not be able to grip a Sharpie marker or a pen to fill in a ballot, or who might have a visual disability and might need that ballot read to them, Genetski explained. That prints a ballot on just a standard 8.511 sheet of paper, so that could be used without having any extra ballots hanging around.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

How election officials are securing Grand Rapids ballot drop boxes

Roebuck said Ottawa County could also use an on-demand ballot printing device or, in the worst-case scenario, photocopy a blank ballot and let the voter use that. A photocopied ballot would later have to be duplicated and then tabulated.

The bottom line is we would always, always, always ensure that the voter is able to cast a vote, Roebuck said. Even if it comes to extraordinary measures.

Back to table of contents

WHAT IF MY POLLING PLACE HAS THE WRONG BALLOTS?

Again, county clerks say this shouldnt happen.

All of our election inspectors are trained to inspect the ballots the morning of the election, before Election Day in fact starts, to make sure the appropriate ballots have been delivered to the appropriate place, Genetski said. So ideally, thats discovered well before the polls even open.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Roebuck told News 8 that a mistake like this would be caught immediately, because each voting machine is programmed for a specific precinct.

So in other words, if youre in Precinct 1 and somehow, accidentally, Precinct 2 ballots were delivered to the polling location, were going to know that with the first voter that walks through the door, he said. Because that tabulator will not process that ballot.

Who are poll watchers and what can they do on Election Day?

In this scenario, the county clerk would be able to correct the mistake and distribute the correct ballots.

It hasnt happened since Ive been in office in Allegan County, Genetski said. Our local clerks are really the strength and the backbone of making sure that our elections are well-run, and theyve got pretty good checklists to get through to make sure that things like that are checked out and taken care of.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Back to table of contents

WHAT IF I USE A SHARPIE TO MARK MY BALLOT AND THE INK BLEEDS THROUGH?

This isnt a problem at all, according to Roebuck. If the Sharpie bleeds through the paper, your choices wont be affected.

The target area (scanned by the tabulator) is not in the same place on the front page as it is on the back page (of the ballot), he said. So if youre experiencing bleed-through, its not going to affect any votes, because the target area on the other side of the ballot is in a different spot.

In fact, he said, Sharpie is considered the best method for marking a ballot.

Because that ink is going to dry almost instantaneously, he explained. And if you are scanning that ballot through a tabulator, theres going to be no residue from the ink that remains on the scanner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Therapist offers advice to manage election anxiety

Roebuck said that if pencil or slow-drying ink is used, some ink could transfer to the scanner.

Over time, over multiple hundreds of ballots being cast, that can actually cause the scanner to malfunction and essentially would have to be cleaned and could delay the voting process, he said.

Back to table of contents

WHAT IF PEOPLE ARE CAMPAIGNING TOO CLOSE TO THE POLLING PLACE?

Anyone has the right, the ability to campaign at a polling location, hold a yard sign, pass out flyers, sell Girl Scout cookies, whatever they would like to do, as long as they are 100 feet away from the door to the building, Roebuck said. So it has to be 100 feet away from the entrance or exit  any entrance or exit to the building itself.

If youre concerned that someone is campaigning too close to the building, you should report that to the election workers inside.

The clerk or the chairperson of the election inspectors would then go out and address that individual, encourage them to get back, Genetski said. Most of those interactions are polite, respectful, and weve just got some enthusiastic candidates that need some polite reminders.

Roebuck added that voters can also call their local clerks if theyre concerned. And if theres any threat to safety, they should call the police.

Back to table of contents

WHAT IF ITS 8 P.M. AND I STILL HAVENT VOTED?

If you are in line at the correct polling place by 8 p.m. on Election Day, you will be able to vote.

But if you try to get in line after 8 p.m., or if you are in line at 8 p.m. at the wrong polling place, you will be out of luck.

What happens to your absentee ballot after your clerk gets it

Michigan law prevents us from keeping the polls open past 8 p.m. unless we have a court order to do so. And thats a really rare situation, Roebuck said. If you are in line at 8 p.m., youre totally fine, but you would have to be in line at the polling location where you need to cast a ballot.

You can find your polling place at michigan.gov/vote.

Back to table of contents

WHAT IF I DONT HAVE AN ID?

Youre asked to bring a photo ID, like a drivers license, to the polling place on Election Day. But if you dont have one, theres another option.

Heres how it works, according to Genetski. When you  or any voter  enter your polling place, you will fill out an application to vote, which includes your name and address. Workers will check this information against the registered voter information thats recorded in the poll book and make sure they match.

At this point, if you dont have a photo ID, youll be able to sign an affidavit explaining that you dont have one, and the election inspector will sign as the witness. Then you will be able to cast your ballot, Genetski told News 8.

A very small percentage of Michigan voters use this option. In the November 2020 election, about 11,400 of nearly 5.6 million voters signed an affidavit rather than showing photo ID.

Elon Musk, Jocelyn Benson feud: Does Michigan have more voter registrations than eligible voters?

Lying on the affidavit is perjury, which can be punished by up to five years in prison, a fine up to $1,000 or both.

Back to table of contents

WHAT IF SOMEONE HAS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AT A POLLING PLACE?

Genetski said in a previous Allegan County election, someone had a heart attack at a polling place.

The person was given medical attention, 911 was called and the person was taken to the hospital, he said.

While that was happening, Genetski said voters were kept outside very briefly, so they couldnt enter the polling place for a short time.

But it opened back up, I would say within the hour, and voters were able to continue processing their ballots, he said. I believe in that case, the city manager even met people at the door, and if they were unable to vote during that time frame, he took their names and called them and let them know when the precinct was going to reopen again.

Back to table of contents

WHAT IF I DISCOVER IM NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY?

Michigan offers same-day voter registration, including on Election Day, so youre not out of luck. But if you need to register to vote on Election Day, youll have to visit your local clerks office to do so.

Make sure to bring current Michigan drivers license or valid ID to make that process go a little quicker, Genetski advised. And then, in that case, the clerk will register you right there.

Your Local Election Headquarters

After youre registered, youll have two options to vote.

You then have the option of either casting an absentee ballot with the local clerk, or taking a registration receipt that she or he will give to you, Genetski said. And you can bring that (receipt) into the precinct and then cast an in-precinct ballot like any other voter.

Roebuck recommended that you check your voter registration ahead of time by visiting michigan.gov/vote. You can also find a sample ballot there.

Thatll just help everything go more smoothly on Election Day, Roebuck said.

Back to table of contents

WHAT IF I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT SOMEONES BEHAVIOR OR POTENTIAL FRAUD?

You can report any concerns you have to election inspectors at the polling place, your local clerk and your county clerk. If theres any threat of violence, you should call the police.

In addition, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Michigan recently announced a hotline that can be used to report voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election workers or election fraud.

The local hotline is 616.808.2140, and hotline staff can also be reached through the districts website. Complaints can also be made directly to the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division online or at 800.253.3931.

Back to table of contents

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are calling on five southern states to explain how they are keeping constituents from being ripped off by insurance companies.

As communities across the Southeast begin repairing the damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we must ensure that they are not further victimized by insurance companies refusing to fairly pay out claims, Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) wrote, in a letter co-signed by Democratic Florida Reps. Jared Moskowitz and Maxwell Frost.

The letters to the governments of Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida come as the onslaught of the two hurricanes this fall exposed gaping holes in the nations flood insurance coverage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those gaps, as well as the increasing withdrawal of insurance companies from areas at risk of natural disaster, represent a weak point in the systems of municipal finance that serve as the lifeblood for cities and towns across the U.S., and threaten to drive them into economic death spirals if home insurance fails.

On a smaller scale, losing insurance coverage before a storm  or having claims denied after  can wipe out the life savings of homeowners, leaving them with a totalled house they can neither sell nor afford to repair.

So far, insurers in the state of Florida alone have already denied 37,000 claims in the aftermath of Milton and Helene  or 10 percent of the total number that have been submitted, Newsweek reported

And September reporting by CBS News uncovered widespread allegations by former insurance industry claims adjusters that the companies they worked for had previously altered their reports to avoid paying out claims to Florida homeowners.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Separate reporting by The Washington Post found that Florida homeowners received payouts 45 to 97 percent lower than the damages estimated by field adjusters after Ian.

In a sense, the House Oversight lawmakers acknowledged in their letters, such issues in the insurance industry are nothing new. There is a decades-long pattern of bad actors in the insurance industryboth large and small insurersshortchanging customers in the wake of natural disasters, the members wrote to the governments of the five states.

But they emphasized that risk of nonpayment of coverage consumers paid for was particularly urgent as climate change drives up the number of billion dollar disasters, and as hurricanes reach further inland and higher elevations.

In particular, they flagged three potential methods by which insurance buyers could be defrauded  and called on the states to specifically collect documents on them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

First, the lawmakers wrote, there are cases in which an insurance company revises the damage amounts logged by a field adjuster by more than 90 percent  the type of distortion reported on by the Post and CBS.

Then, they continued, there are cases in which claims are cut by more than 10 percent on the basis that they are flood damage  a form of insurance that few Americans have, and virtually none of those who took significant damage during Helene  rather than wind damage, which is commonly covered.

Finally, the members called on state regulators to audit the guidance that insurance companies were giving to employees and contractors about how to process  and when to deny  claims.

In contrast with the actions called for in the letter, Florida has sought to tackle the rising costs  and widespread de-insurance  in its insurance sector by targeting not insurers practices, but those of homeowners who take legal action against them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The states Republican-dominated legislature has pointed to post-storm lawsuits by homeowners  rather than ever-more-expensive homes in the way of worsening storms  as the prime cause of the states rising prices.

In 2023, the state legislature passed a sweeping bill making it harder for homeowners to sue their insurance companies

Many Republicans are more broadly skeptical of the idea that climate change plays any role in rising insurance prices. In a June Senate hearing, Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) blamed the rising prices on stimulus spending, including climate legislation, per the Georgia Recorder.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
More than 8 million voters in Florida have cast their ballot, with millions more casting their vote today during Election Day.

But what happens if your registration or identity is questioned when you arrive at your voting precinct? Youre allowed to ask for an explanation and cast a provisional ballot.

Wondering what that is? Here's what you need to know about casting a provisional ballot in Florida.

What is a provisional ballot in Florida? Here's what it means for Florida voters

According to Florida Statute 101.048, a "provisional ballot" is a voting method for a voter whose eligibility is in question or if their voting or registration status cannot be verified at their polling site.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That county's canvassing board will examine each provisional ballot to determine if the vote will be counted.

As for why someone would vote with a provisional ballot, the Collier County Supervisor of Elections says one of the most common reasons voters must vote a provisional ballot is not providing proper identification at the polls.

Other reasons may include voters who registered after the voter registration deadline for that particular election or voters who are not registered to vote in the state of Florida.

Do all states offer provisional ballots?

All states have been required to use provisional ballots since 2002 due to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) becoming law.

Does a provisional ballot count?

Yes, but only if it is determined you are registered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If it is determined that the person was registered and entitled to vote at the precinct where the person cast a vote, the canvassing board will then compare the signature on the "Provisional Ballot Voters Certificate and Affirmation" with the signature on the voters registration. If it matches, they will count the ballot.

Florida Statues share that provisional ballot may be counted only if:

The signature on the voters certificate or the cure affidavit matches the electors signature in the registration books or the precinct register; however, in the case of a cure affidavit, the supporting identification listed in subsection (6) must also confirm the identity of the elector; or

The cure affidavit contains a signature that does not match the electors signature in the registration books or the precinct register, but the elector has submitted a current and valid Tier 1 form of identification confirming his or her identity pursuant to subsection (6).

What happens when you vote with a provisional ballot?

Once voted, the provisional ballot will be placed in a secrecy envelope and sealed in a provisional ballot envelope. The provisional ballot will be deposited in a ballot box.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"All provisional ballots must remain sealed in their envelopes for return to the supervisor of elections. The department shall prescribe the form of the provisional ballot envelope," the state statutes explain. "A person casting a provisional ballot has the right to present written evidence supporting his or her eligibility to vote to the supervisor of elections by not later than 5 p.m. on the second day following the election.

How do I know if my provisional vote was accepted?

Within 30 days of Election Day, the Supervisor of Elections office will notify those who voted via a provisional ballot of the status of their vote.

What happens if a provisional ballot is rejected?

MIT's Election Lab says if the voter wasnt registered for the election they voted in, the ballot will remain in the secrecy envelope and will not be counted.

How to check if you are registered to vote in Florida

The deadline to register in Florida passed last month but you can still check to make sure you're an active voter before heading to the polls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can verify that you're still registered and all the information is correct by going here and entering your name and birth date. Submit the form to see your voter status, address, county, voter ID number, political party, and voter status. "Active" means you are eligible to vote.

Where do you vote? How to find your precinct

If you didn't vote early and plan on voting today, you can't cast your vote at any polling location. You can vote only in your precinct, which is determined by your address.

To find which voting location you are supposed to vote at, go to your county's elections website and go to "voter precinct lookup" or "find my precinct."

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida provisional ballot: It's meaning if you have to vote with one
David O'Shields, right, chairman of the state Board of Education, delivers his report during a meeting of the board on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, while state Superintendent Ellen Weaver, center, looks on. (Abraham Kenmore/SC Daily Gazette)

COLUMBIA  Seven books must be removed from the library shelves and classrooms of South Carolinas public schools, while three classics can stay, the state Board of Education decided Tuesday.

The decision was the first time the board considered whether to remove or keep books under a new regulation banning books that contain sexual conduct. Board members voted unanimously in line with recommendations from Department of Education staff and a committee that reviewed the books last week.

Books reviewed by the board

Schools can keep the following on shelves:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Schools must remove the following:

The board is still considering:

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Source: S.C. Department of Education

Instead of waiting for parents to challenge the books locally and appeal districts decisions, committee members asked department staff to review 11 total books that had already faced local opposition or came up during public hearings for the regulation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That created some strife among board members, who said they felt the regulation was meant to create a way for parents to appeal local school board decisions with which they didnt agree. The state board should stick with that decision and not choose any more of its own books to review, said Board Chair David OShields.

The dissonance is, is it top-down, is it bottom-up, is it both? said OShields, who is also superintendent of Laurens County School District 56.

The goal was to give educators more guidance through example, said board member Christian Hanley, who requested the review as chair of the committee. The staff members who made the list included 1984, To Kill a Mockingbird and Romeo & Juliet to assuage concerns that they would violate the regulation, he said.

Teachers have called the rule vague, saying it confuses what they can or cant use in classrooms. The regulation does not define sexual conduct on its own, but instead ties it to a portion of the states obscenity law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some of the books that board members considered further muddled the waters, some critics said. They pointed to passages of 1984 in which two characters have sex, questioning why that didnt violate the regulation.

Voting to retain 1984 creates a vague and unpredictable standard that is impossible for teachers and administrators to meet, said Josh Malkin, an advocacy director for the state American Civil Liberties Union.

The difference, Hanley said, is that the books pulled from shelves have multiple, express, extensive, graphic or detailed descriptions of sexual conduct. Mentioning or referring to sex, as is the case in To Kill a Mockingbird and Romeo & Juliet, isnt enough to ban a book from shelves, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The sexual passages in 1984 are not so descriptive as to violate the regulation, Hanley said, though he added that they come close.

When reading this book  and Ive read it more than once  it is almost as if George Orwell anticipated the South Carolina Legislature would pass their definition of sexual content, because he went right up to the line but never crossed it, Hanley said.

Board members dont have to read the books they are voting on, which also raised concerns with some critics. Reading the whole thing isnt necessary, since a single sex scene, regardless of context, would violate the regulation, Hanley said.

No one needs to read an entire Playboy Magazine cover to cover to determine it contains pornography, Hanley said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Agency employees did verify that all the books were available in at least one school library in the state, and they pulled the passages directly from physical copies of the book, said Robert Cathcart, a policy adviser.

Still awaiting a decision is Crank by Ellen Hopkins. The committee delayed a vote on it after hearing from people who said the 2004 novel helped them deal with methamphetamine addiction. That was the point of the book, which Hopkins based on her daughters struggle with the drug, Hopkins said in a statement.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  Puerto Rico awaited election results late Tuesday that will be historic regardless of which of the two top candidates in the lead wins.

If Jenniffer Gonzalez of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party wins Tuesday's election, it will mark the first time in the islands history that the party secures three consecutive terms.

If Juan Dalmau, who is running for Puerto Ricos Independence Party and Citizen Victory Movement, wins, it will be the first victory for a candidate outside of the two main parties that have dominated the islands politics for decades. If he comes in second, he will also make history as the first third-party candidate to do so.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As of late Tuesday, Gonzalez had 40% of the votes and Dalmau had 32% with 73% of precincts reporting, according to partial results released by Puerto Rico's State Elections Commission.

Until the last vote is counted, no one here can claim a victory, Dalmau said.

Trailing Gonzalez and Dalmau was Jesus Manuel Ortiz, who conceded defeat as his Popular Democratic Party came in third for the first time in a general election.

Javier Jimenez of Project Dignity, a conservative party created in 2019, conceded earlier after coming in fourth.

Voters began celebrating certain results early, with some clutching brooms as they talked about cleaning house and others cheering around a car fitted with a coffin on top.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Earlier on Tuesday, thousands of voters across the U.S. territory stood in long lines clutching umbrellas, undeterred by heavy rain.

I feel that for the first time, there is an opportunity for change, said Jorge Hernandez, a 24-year-old arts student as he waited to cast his vote. The bipartisanship is losing strength. I have faith that there can be real change.

For decades, the New Progressive Party and the Popular Democratic Party would receive at least 90% of all votes, but that began to change in 2016. Newer parties are attracting more voters given Puerto Rico's economic and political turmoil while a younger generation is decrying corruption, persistent power outages and a lack of affordable housing, among other things.

Education, health and public safety also were on voters' minds as they marveled at the long lines despite the rain.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I've never seen it like this, said Nadja Oquendo, a 62-year-old retiree.

Faviola Alcala, a pro surfer, said she was voting for the first time and was thrilled to see the line at her polling station.

I love it, she said, adding that she wants a break from Puerto Rico's two main parties and more opportunities for young people.

Among the voters who stepped out despite the rain was reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny, who has derided the pro-statehood party and made a brief appearance at Dalmau's campaign closer.

I trust that we the people of Puerto Rico will make the right decision for the future of our people, he told reporters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Delayed results

Long lines were reported at several polling stations given malfunctioning voting machines and other issues, including power outages.

Some voters turned on their phone's timers to see how long they stood in line while others munched on snacks as a street vendor cried out, "Cold water! Cold water!"

Ommy Gonzalez, a 25-year-old bartender who was voting for the first time, carried a fold-out chair and a water bottle.

I'm very excited, he said. Obviously we want something different for the people.

Gonzalez said he wants a stronger economy and education system and denounced persistent political corruption: Stop taking money and misspending it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Several voters said they were surprised at how quickly minority and new parties have become serious threats to the stronghold the two main parties have had on Puerto Rico's politics.

I didn't see this happening so early on, but I'm glad, said Giulianna Abreu, a 33-year-old publicist.

Long lines persisted after the official closing of polls at 5 p.m. local time Tuesday, and people already in line were allowed to vote. Results could take days. In 2020, it took officials four days to release preliminary results.

Dalmau, however, said he believed results for the governorship would be ready by late Tuesday: We are hopeful that this country will take a historic step."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Puerto Ricos State Elections Commission is still counting more than 220,000 early and absentee votes, with counting starting more than two weeks later than usual. Jessika Padilla, the commissions alternate president, said some 40% of those votes had been counted as of Monday.

This validation process is one that we are not going to take lightly, she said.

More than 5,000 inmates out of some 7,400 total also have voted, although its unclear how many of those votes have been counted.

Officials also are still receiving allegations about electoral crimes, including from people who said they received confirmations for early voting when they made no such request.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A status question and a symbolic vote

On Tuesday, voters also were asked for a seventh time about Puerto Ricos political status. The nonbinding referendum offers three options: statehood, independence and independence with free association, under which issues like foreign affairs, U.S. citizenship and use of the U.S. dollar would be negotiated.

We're going to work to give our people equality, said Jenniffer Gonzalez of the pro-statehood party.

Party officials have long noted that despite being a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico receives unequal treatment when it comes to Medicaid, Medicare and other federal programs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Statehood obtained 56% of votes followed by independence with 32%, the first time that option clinches second place in referendums that included that choice. More than 111,000 ballots were left blank.

Regardless of the outcome, a change in status requires approval from the U.S. Congress.

Some voters on Monday said that statehood is the only thing that will help pull Puerto Rico out of its slump.

In addition, Puerto Ricans on Tuesday can support Kamala Harris or Donald Trump in a symbolic vote if they wish. While Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, those on the island are not allowed to vote in U.S. presidential elections.

Harris obtained 73% of symbolic votes versus 27% for Trump.

____

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
"I Voted" stickers are displayed at a Richmond polling place during the 2022 midterm elections. (Graham Moomaw/Virginia Mercury)

Lynchburg resident Nadra Wilson was trying to be proactive this summer by renewing her drivers license months ahead of its December expiration. As a longtime voter and Virginia resident of almost a decade, she never suspected she would be removed from the states voter rolls due to a paperwork error and caught up in a voter purge program that has booted 1,600 from voter lists and drawn two lawsuits.

When people fail to indicate citizenship status on Department of Motor Vehicles paperwork, or initial a box indicating theyre not a citizen, that information used to be sent monthly to the Department of Elections to send to local registrars, who sort it out with people. Now, under Gov. Glenn Youngkins Executive Order 35, that information is sent daily. Registrars send notice to impacted voters, who receive it by mail and are supposed to respond within 14 days of its postmark.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was surprising for Wilson to receive a letter informing her that she had to prove her U.S. citizenship or have her voter registration canceled. It was also frustrating, since the September-dated notification letter didnt make it to her until October because it had previously been sent to an older address. By then, she had been purged from voter rolls.

This is all very concerning, she said.

Ultimately, she was able to go to her local registrars office to resolve matters and cast her vote early, but worries that others in her shoes may not have been able to do the same, in light of the ongoing lawsuits.

Youngkins order to ramp up voter data reports from the DMV to the State Department of Elections from monthly to daily fell within a 90-day quiet period in the federal National Voter Registration Act law. Two lawsuits challenged this in court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Plaintiffs in the lawsuits and civil rights groups stressed that the purges affect both longtime citizens whod made paperwork errors as well as those whod become naturalized citizens since their last DMV visit.

After a federal court granted a preliminary injunction  ordering Youngkins administration to reinstate purged 1,600 voters and halt continued purges  the United States Supreme Courts conservative majority granted Virginia Attorney General Jason Miayres request to block the lower courts order.

Chesterfield County resident Rina Shaw, whod also been briefly removed from rolls over paperwork errors like Wilson, said the situation has been worrying for me.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When obtaining her learners permit, shed forgotten to indicate her citizenship status. After calling her local registrar her registration has been restored because they said they had made a mistake and she was able to vote last week, she explained.

She also disagrees with the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in the purge case.

Its like they basically threw out rules, she said of the National Voter Registration Acts quiet period. They were just like, you know, to hell with that.

People who were caught up in the voter roll purge may utilize same-day registration and a provisional ballot to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its what longtime Richmond resident Eric Terrell is going to do, although it wont be as easy as the mail-in ballot hed planned for due to his disabilities.

Though a lifelong Richmonder, hed moved earlier this year into the senior living facility where he lives now. Hed also updated his address through the DMV and his mistake of not checking the citizenship box is what kicked him off the rolls. When his mail-in ballot never came, hed reached out to local officials to learn what went wrong.

Terrell said that he was highly pissed when he found out, but hes come to accept the situation. He plans to take an Uber to his polling location on Election Day and said that hes grateful same-day registration exists to resolve the matter.

Though Wilson didnt end up needing to take the same-day registration and provisional ballot route, she said that shes glad others have that option.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Provisional ballots, another option for same-day registrants, are most often used in instances where someone forgot to bring their ID card or other form of identification, as well as when people utilize same-day voter registration. Virginia Public Access Project also has a tool to lookup a polling place based on someones address even if they arent technically registered yet.

Henrico Countys registrar Mark Coakley said that in most cases where provisional ballots are used, as long as people are able to show identification they dont need to follow up with their registrar. Should someone decline the day of or not have identification on them at the time they vote, they can come back to their registrars office before noon on Friday.

For provisional ballots, he said that registrars are able to research if someone is a citizen in order to count their ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If they were canceled or not registered, provisional ballots are a fail-safe method, Coakley said.

In the meantime, he stressed that anyone voting on Election Day should remember if youre in line before 7 p.m., you will get to cast your ballot.

The Department of Justice will be monitoring six Virginia localities on Election Day for possible voter rights violations and offering additional guidance for voters in the commonwealth and beyond.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
A purple county in the middle of a swing state may be a dream for presidential candidates, but the reality of being a campaigns most desired item  a possibly undecided voter!  is a nightmare for the residents of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Voters here are hammered by political ads from all sides, and many are happy it will finally come to an end on Tuesday.

Its been insane, says Wendy Hanley, a 49-year-old resident of Bensalem, as she leaves a polling place at a high school in the town. Thats all we get in the mail. Phone calls, texts, TV.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

People are coming to our door constantly, she adds.

A passerby, who also just cast their vote, overhears the conversation and agrees: They gotta stop all that sh**! he shouts.

The road to the White House runs through counties like Bucks, which often flip between candidates and are used as signposts to determine who could win the race.

As The Independent drove into Bensalem, a township of some 63,000 people just 20 miles outside of Philadelphia, digital billboards were showing ads for Kamala Harris followed seconds later by ads for Donald Trump.

Doormats were filled with paper flyers and residents phones are regularly sent text messages from both campaigns. Even the lawn signs appeared to be split down the middle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The town, which is more than 60 per cent white, sits not far from the Delaware River that divides Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The streets are lined with colonial-style homes, many of which are still decked out with Halloween decorations.

Kamala Harris attends a rally in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, last month (EPA)

Pennsylvania is the biggest electoral vote state among the seven swing states, with campaigns vying for 19 electoral votes. A victory there means a candidate would only need to win over two other swing states to secure the 270 electoral votes to win the whole election.

An estimated $1.2bn has been spent on ads in Pennsylvania, according to ad-tracking firm AdImpact  the first time in US history that a single state has seen more than $1bn in ads.

You watch a TV commercial and its for one candidate, and then the next commercial is about the same candidate but against them. Back to back, Andrea Erickson, a 45-year-old nurse who moved to Bensalem from Philadelphia some years ago, tells The Independent after she casts her vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What makes Bucks County so valuable is the make-up of the voting pool. Party registration is almost evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, and non-college educated white voters (the largest voting bloc in the country) make up about half of the electorate.

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro described Bucks County as the swingiest of all swing counties in the swingiest of all swing states.

Biden won here by four points in 2020  by just over 17,000 voters. If Harris is unable to meet that margin, it could be an early warning sign for her chances of winning the state  and therefore the presidency.

Living in a purple county can make conversations between neighbors difficult at election time, especially for a small business owner like Cory Derricks, who doesnt want to turn away customers from her hair salon due to politics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its been hard trying to talk to people, she says outside a Bensalem polling station. I have to watch everything I say. I try to just listen.

She cant wait for election season to be over, and the spotlight to be off them.

Today I didnt even want to put the TV on because Im just tired of listening to it, she adds.

Gladys Ajiri, who headed to the polls with her husband, says everyone in her house has been bombarded with non-stop political advertising  including her daughter who is not old enough to vote.

The other day she said to me: Mom, these people are driving me crazy! Thats how I feel too, she says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They hijack your phone. Its not like they text once  I got a text from the same person 20 times since summer, she says.

She also notes that the constant barrage wouldnt change her mind anyway.

Its policies that matter, she says. Most of us already know who were going to vote for.

Bucks County residents might be over it and their inboxes full, but they take their role as the decider of the nations fate very seriously.

I just hope we made the right choice, Hanley says with a nervous laugh.
Queen Camilla, the wife of Britains King Charles III, will be sitting out a number of scheduled events so that she can recover from a recent illness.

In a statement on Tuesday, Buckingham Palace said the queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, but did not provide further details about her condition.

As a result, her doctors have advised a short period of rest, forcing her to pull out of several royal engagements this week, including this years opening of the Field of Remembrance at Londons Westminster Abbey on Thursday. Those in attendance typically plant a poppy to honor those who have lost their lives in the armed forces.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Camilla will be represented instead by the Duchess of Gloucester.

The queen apologizes to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result of the cancellations, the palace said, but she very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekends Remembrance events as normal.

In the meantime, the 74-year-old will be resting at home under medical supervision.

The last time Camilla missed a week of engagements for health reason was in February 2023, when she tested positive for COVID, BBC reported. It was the second time she contracted the virus, having previously had it in February 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

News of the queens latest medical issues comes a week after she returned to the U.K. from a weeks-long trip with King Charles. They traveled to Australia and Samoa with a stopover in India on the way back.

The king himself is still undergoing treatment for cancer which was diagnosed back in February, though his care was paused during his time abroad. Prior to the trip, his aides told the BBC that his health is on a positive trajectory.

Back in March, Kate Middleton revealed her own cancer battle, telling viewers in a personal video the news was a huge shock for her and her family. In September, she confirmed she had completed chemotherapy, but noted that her path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.
The Queen is resting up at home under the care of her doctors for the rest of the week

Aaron Chown - Pool/Getty King Charlse and Queen Camilla in Apia, Samoa on Oct. 26, 2024 King Charlse and Queen Camilla in Apia, Samoa on Oct. 26, 2024

Queen Camilla is shifting her schedule this week after falling ill with a chest infection.

On Nov. 5, Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen, 77, would be represented by Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester at the annual Field of Remembrance event at Westminster Abbey on Thursday, Nov. 7.

It's understood that Queen Camilla will not attend the commemoration as she is sick with a chest infection, and has been advised by doctors to take a short period of rest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The update means that the Queen will clear her work calendar for the next few days, and will no longer co-host a Buckingham Palace reception alongside King Charles for medalists for Team Great Britain that competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games, scheduled for Nov. 7.

Toby Melville-Pool/Getty Queen Camilla and King Charles in Apia, Samoa on Oct. 25, 2024. Queen Camilla and King Charles in Apia, Samoa on Oct. 25, 2024.

While the Queen regrets that last-minute change in plans, it's understood that she hopes to recover in time to join the royal family for the Remembrance events happening this weekend. For generations, the British royals have honored lives lost in war on Remembrance Sunday, Nov. 10 (the day before Veteran's Day in the U.S.) by appearing at The Cenotaph war memorial in London.

Though Kate Middleton is not fully back to royal work after announcing on Sept. 9 that she completed chemotherapy treatment, it emerged then that the Princess of Wales hoped to join her family at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday as well.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Aaron Chown-WPA Pool/Getty Queen Camilla and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester at a Buckingham Palace event on Feb. 22, 2024. Queen Camilla and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester at a Buckingham Palace event on Feb. 22, 2024.

In the meantime, Queen Camilla is resting up at home under the care of her doctors. Later this week, Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester will represent her by appearing at the Field of Remembrance. The tradition will continue for its 96th year, inviting veterans and the public to plant a poppy to honor those who lost their lives in the Armed Forces.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Queen Camilla is patron of the charity The Poppy Factory, which supports members of the Armed Forces and their families as they seek employment. On Thursday, Birgitte, who is a full-time working royal and married to Queen Elizabeth's first cousin Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, will be there in her stead.

Queen Camilla and King Charles, 75, recently returned from a nine-day tour of Australia and Samoa, his first trip to a Commonwealth realm of his royal reign as he continues treatment for cancer.
NAGS HEAD, N.C. (WAVY)  The Nags Head Police Department issued a warning on social media saying it has received a higher call volume for sick raccoons.

A biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission who is working with police confirmed some of those raccoons tested positive for distemper.

Distemper is a viral disease that can infect both domestic dogs and wild animals such as foxes, coyotes and skunks. The disease is spread when animals have direct contact with body fluids or droppings from an infected animal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

10 On Your Side spoke with animal experts when dead raccoons were found in Virginia Beach in July. The experts advise pet owners to make sure your pets vaccines are up-to-date.

The post from the Nags Head Police Department also warned to keep children away from sick raccoons because, as the disease progresses, the animals can become aggressive if you get too close.

To discourage raccoons from coming into your yard, you can:

Feed pets indoors or bring their bowls inside overnight

Ensure garbage cans are closed and secure

Put garbage cans in a closed garage or shed

If you have a compost pile, make sure it is covered in bins

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Nags Head, if you see a sick raccoon in your yard, contact the police department. You can also contact your local Animal Control department. If the raccoon is dead, police advise to bury it deep enough that pets will not dig it up.

For more information about raccoons and other wildlife, you can contact the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission on their website or by calling 866-318-2401.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
KSNF/KODE  On Tuesday, Missourians get to decide who will be the states financial leader for the next four years.

Tonight we take a look at two of the candidates asking for your vote for state treasurer.

More Democrats have held the office of state treasurer since Missouri became a state in 1821.

Democrat Mark Osmack says if elected, he wants to focus on giving back the money the state owes taxpayers in the form of a tax refund.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He also supports increasing pay for Missouri Army National Guard soldiers and Highway Patrol officers sent to U.S.-Mexico border.

Osmack faces incumbent Republican Vivek Malek, whos was appointed to the office in 2023.

He says if voters send him back to Jefferson City, one priority will be making sure the states investments remain secure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have done that in the last two years, making sure our money is not, the taxpayers money is not invested in bad initiatives, and our retirees money is out of China, said Vivek Malek, (R)-Candidate for State Treasurer.

Another of his top goals is centered on illegal immigration.

To make sure that we are not funding the illegal immigrants in Missouri. That money needs to go for Missourians who are US citizens, said Malek.

Malek, who was born in India, became a U.S. citizen in 2017 and has said he (quote) did it the right way  the legal way.

Joining Osmack and Malek on Tuesdays ballot will be Libertarian John Hartwig and Green Party candidate Reagan Haase.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Some of the closest races to watch on Election Day will be in Central Indiana, though two seats in Southern Indiana are also competitive. (Getty Images)

Today is the final day of voting for Hoosiers after more than a year of debates, advertisements, fundraising, polls and endorsements. If you havent already cast your ballot, here are the races youll be seeing.

Indiana is a reliably red state and will likely cast its electoral college votes for former President Donald Trump, a Republican, who is running against Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

[2024 Voter Guide: The candidates and tools you need to cast your vote.]

But races further than down the line could still yield surprises, with several Democratic hopefuls vying to upset the Republican trifecta of power.

The GOP has led the Hoosier State for two decades and currently holds a supermajority in both legislative chambers as well as the governors office. Changing the balance of power in the House would only require Democrats to flip four seats  mostly those in Central Indiana  but means theyd have to retain all their current seats, including a competitive district along the Ohio River.

Supporters also point to favorable polling that shows a narrowing race between the two leading gubernatorial nominees, which has attracted unanticipated funding from national players.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read on to see what the stakes are for this Election Day.

Statewide races

Every reputable poll puts U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, a Republican, ahead of Democrat Jennifer McCormick, as summarized by FiveThirtyEight. But national Democratic party leaders point to their own poll placing McCormick within striking distance of Braun, who has just a three-point lead. That poll was weeks ago, though.

Another sign of a potentially tight race: about $2 million in donations from their respective governors associations, which typically dont interfere in safe races.

The Republican nominee has two additional factors working against him: his controversial running mate Micah Beckwith and Libertarian gubernatorial nominee Donald Rainwater. But he does have a Trump endorsement on his side.

Indianas 2024 governor candidates, Libertarian Donald Rainwater, Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Republican Mike Braun. (File photos)

Beckwith, a self-described Christian nationalist, has rankled some Hoosiers with anti-LGBTQ comments and characterized the female-led Democratic ticket as having a Jezebel spirit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rainwater, on the other hand, had unprecedented success during his 2020 gubernatorial run. He presents enough of a threat that Republican party officials approved attack mailers calling Rainwater a deadbeat loser, citing unpaid child support from nearly two decades ago. Rainwater has said that the financial troubles are largely resolved.

Such momentum hasnt carried over to the two other statewide races: one for the U.S. Senate and another for attorney general.

Current U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, the Republican nominee to succeed Braun in the Senate, was comfortable enough with his presumed lead to pass on the debate and has largely stayed quiet, aside from his typical tweets.

He faces Democrat Valerie McCray and Libertarian Andrew Horning this Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Republican, has a challenge from Democrat Destiny Wells.

Polling favors Rokita and neither candidate has attracted the same national attention  in terms of national funding  as the governors race. However, Sabatos Crystal Ball rates the race as Likely Republican, acknowledging the controversial actions of Rokita that might turn away voters.

Most recently, Rokita signed onto an effort to verify the citizenship status of nearly 600,000 registered voters and he has been reprimanded by the Indiana Supreme Court for his comments about Dr. Caitlin Bernard, a doctor who made national headlines after she performed an abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim.

Bernard was fined by the states medical licensing board for publicly sharing that story. The states highest court is still considering various other complaints against Rokita related to his in-office conduct.

Other Election Day races

Further down the ballot, both major parties are eyeing several competitive seats around the state and pouring in their financial resources.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Over one-third of seats in the 100-member House are uncontested, meaning that only one candidate will appear on the ballot. In the Senate, where only half of the 50 positions are up this Election Day, nearly half of those seats, or 48%, are uncontested.

On the Senate side, party dollars for Republicans have been directed toward incumbent Senators Scott Baldwin, of Noblesville; Cyndi Carrasco, of Indianapolis; and Aaron Freeman, of Indianapolis.

The three Central Indiana lawmakers will be up against Democrats Joel Levi, Suzanne Fortenberry and Katrina Owens, respectively. Democrats are unlikely to break the Republican supermajority in the Senate, where the minority party holds just ten seats  seven short of the minimum needed to gain power.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The House Republican caucus spent more than $1 million in the month of October, over half of which went to just two seats: Clark Countys Scott Hawkins and Rep. Dave Hall, of Jackson County.

Hawkins lost his 2022 bid for the Jeffersonville seat by a few hundred votes while Halls margin of victory that cycle was just 74 votes.

Hawkins will face Democratic Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser, who was sworn in after former Rep. Rita Fleming stepped down after the May primaries.

Democrat Thomas Horrocks is challenging Hall for his seat, which includes parts of Monroe County and all of Brown County.

House Republicans have also dedicated resources to Rep. Becky Cash, of Zionsville, and Hamilton Countys Danny Lopez. The Democratic challengers in those races are Tiffany Stoner and Matt McNally, respectively.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lopez and McNally are vying to succeed Rep. Jerry Torr, a Republican who retired earlier this year. Another General Assembly retirement has created a potential opportunity for Democrats: the seat of former Rep. Donna Shaibley, a Republican.

The two men competing to be her successor are Democrat Josh Lowry and Republican Hunter Smith.

Another race to watch could include Republican Sen. Mike Young, who has long served the residents on the west side of Indianapolis and will appear on the ballot against Jessica McCormick, a Democratic City-County Councilor.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  If youre heading out to the polls Tuesday morning, you might need an umbrella!

Were seeing shower chances through at least some of the morning hours as a low pressure system continues to push to the east.

We should see those showers clearing out through the early afternoon with a drier afternoon to follow. Its still going to be chilly, though, with highs only in the upper 40s/low 50s. We might even see some late day clearing before sunset!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Youll will want to pack the rain gear if youre going to vote earlier in the day and will need the heavier jackets and sweatshirts if youre heading out to the polls later in the day.

Thankfully, though, were not going to see any records broken for the day in the temperature department, with the record high temperature set the last time we voted for president in 2020. The high temperature that year reached 79 degrees,

On the flip side, the 1936 election, on Nov. 3, 1936, set the record for the coldest high temperature, only reaching 24 degrees as Franklin D. Roosevelt won reelection.

The coldest low temperature for any Election Day in Sioux City was set 132 years ago during the Nov. 8, 1892 election in which Grover Cleveland defeated Benjamin Harrison, who was up for reelection.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The warmest Election Day low temperature, though, was recorded on November 5, 1918, which was not a presidential election year.

Well also add the 2024 election to days with precipitation in Sioux City. Only 41 percent of elections featured precipitation, and even less  just 17 percent  have recorded snowfall.

The most precipitation recorded in Sioux City on an Election Day, 0.38, was back in 1916, when Woodrow Wilson was narrowly reelected for a second term. The average precipitation for Election Day in Sioux City is 0.02. There is a possibility we can get close to the 0.38 however, so we will keep an eye on it for Election Day.

The most snowfall ever recorded in Sioux City on Election Day was a bit more recent. That was during the 1990 midterm elections, when 3.4 of snow fell.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Recently though, Election Day has been drier and milder. The last time there was snow at the polls was the Nov. 7, 2000 presidential election, in which George W. Bush narrowly defeated former vice president Al Gore.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So, as you can see, Sioux City and Siouxland have seen all types of weather and all temperatures, from frigid to summer-like on Election Day. This year, it looks to be a fairly average year weather-wise!

National Results  Balance of Power

All results for Siouxland

Siouxland Results for Iowa

Siouxland Results for Nebraska

Siouxland Results for South Dakota

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Editors Note: The above video accompanied coverage of this suspects case from October 2022.

RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP)  An inmate at the Randolph County Detention Center has been charged after allegedly assaulting an officer on Friday.

According to a media release, David James Alexandro Rosales, 28, of Randleman, assaulted an officer and was charged with felony assault causing physical injury to a detention employee.

David James Alexandro Rosales (Randolph County Sheriffs Office)

Rosales was given no bond. He appeared in court on Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rosales has been incarcerated since Oct. 11, 2022 for the murder of his roommate Katie Marie Bishop.

Before he did that, officers said he rammed his roommates car into a car that his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend were in.

A crash report provided by the Asheboro Police Department at the time indicated that Rosales was driving a Hyundai owned by Katie Marie Bishop. The Hyundai apparently rammed into the victims Honda from the rear right corner and then hit the other car again on the passenger side.

Rosales was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, assault with the deadly weapon, assault on a female, communicating threats and injury to personal property.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the Randleman Police Department, after Rosales was taken into custody, he had told officers he had murdered Katie Bishop and her body was in a closet in the apartment they both lived in. Asheboro police then requested that the Randleman Police Department assist them and locate Bishop.

Man facing multiple charges after injuring officer during Eden traffic stop, police say

When officers with Randleman police got to Reece Court, no one answered the door and officers entered the apartment through a window. Officers found Bishops body in a closet, as Rosales had said. Police say that it initially appears that Bishop had been stabbed and beaten with a blunt object.

No motive was provided and the relationship between Rosales and Bishop is unknown, other than the fact that they lived together.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
House Democrats will challenge the election results if Donald Trump succeeds this time around at any of the unlawful tactics he tried in 2020, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said.

We will not go along with any fraud. Were going to stand up for a fair and honest election, as we always have, he told the Daily Beast.

The congressman pointed to the former presidents 2020 election-denial playbook, specifically highlighting Trump ordering Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find 11,780 votes, as fraud that would necessitate challenging the election results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He also flagged the GOP presidential nominees plot to force state legislatures to nullify and overthrow the popular vote and impose a slate of counterfeit electors.

What if there is an official who says, OK, I will go ahead and concoct 11,780 votes and then we certify that?, Raskin continued. That would be a problem. That would be something that we would try to work out.

Should that occur, the leading House Democrat vowed that the party would avail ourselves of every state law remedy that exists.

If we need to go to federal court, we would go to federal court, and if we need to, you know, challenge it further along, we would do it, but were not going to accept the election fraud that Donald Trump is openly broadcasting now, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The congressmans candor veers from statements made by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who dismissed the likelihood of an organized effort to fight the election results in September.

Raskin, however, who led the second impeachment against the former president in 2021 and has long been a vocal critic of Trump, accused the GOP presidential nominee of setting the stage for the Big Lie Round 2.

Donald Trump is telling people in this election that hes going to declare victory regardless of what happens, he explained.

Throughout his campaign, Trump has alleged the election is being stolen, falsely claimed states were adding more days to the election, and that non-citizens are voting. Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee and other GOP-aligned groups have filed a several lawsuits in swing states disputing voter rolls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Maryland statesman began sounding the alarm about the former presidents alleged corrupt intentions to interfere in the electoral process in the months leading up to Election Day. In early October, he accused Trump of doing whatever he can to interfere, pointing to manipulating electoral college counts in Nebraska or manipulating the vote count in Georgia or imposing other kinds of impediments.

And, just days before the election, he told Bill Maher, Were not going to allow them to steal it in the states, or steal it in the Department of Justice or steal it with any other election official in the country.

His remarks prompted criticism from a number of House Republicans, including fellow ranking member of the House Oversight Committee Rep. James Comer (R-KY), who hailed him as the ultimate hypocrite and claimed he was sowing seeds of doubt in Americas free and fair elections. On Monday, MAGA ally Steve Bannon even dubbed Raskin the head guy in in the anti-Trump movement.

Raskin, however, dismissed the right-wing backlash as ridiculous and a authoritarian tactic to attack people

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We think it is time for Donald Trump and his entourage to put away all of the threats to individuals and their threats to the American constitutional process, he told the Daily Beast. And we should get back to having free and fair elections where the parties support the elections, rather than try to undermine them.

Find the Daily Beasts coverage of the 2024 election here. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.
Its been mere weeks since Hurricanes Helene and Milton walloped the American South in rapid succession, and the affected regions have hardly had enough time to recover, rebuild, and reconfigure the infrastructure of daily life (e.g., power, water, shelter, internet, and cell service) into working order againnot least thanks to all the conspiracy theorists and anti-government vigilantes. But the election cycle continues to move, and by Tuesday, voters in hard-hit states like North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia will be expected to have cast their ballots, no matter their current plight or conditions, and how harshly the storms have scrambled local election offices themselves.

Needless to say, these are also battleground states necessary for a victory in either partys column, and the subsequent targets of voter-turnout efforts, opportunistic liars, and emergency governmental resources at both the state and federal level. And anyone assisting has to ensure voters are safe and properly informed not just for the sake of the Electoral College, but for all the essential lower-level races: city and county officials, state jurists, members of school boards and utility commissions.

So, on the eve of this weeks existentially important Election Day, how are these hurricane-ravaged, democratically concerned Americans faring?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Right after the rains from Helene pummeled Western North Carolina in early October, and after residents ensured that family and loved ones were accounted for, officials got right to work prepping the state for early voting, which kicked off on Oct. 17. This was badly needed if a free and fair election were to happen in the state, as more than one-fifth of the states voters claim to have experienced a lot of impact, according to an Elon University poll.

Early last month, North Carolinas government implemented recommendations from the State Board of Elections that offered more voting flexibility to the 25 counties deemed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be disaster areas. Such adjustments, which also had to be approved on a county-by-county level, included allowing polling places to accommodate voters from different precincts, sending notification letters to people whose normal voting sites needed to be relocated, dispatching crews to personally bring absentee ballots to voters, and granting said voters the ability to mail in early ballots to a different county than the one theyre registered in.

All the efforts seemed to help quite a bit: According to Blue Ridge Public Radio, a record-breaking 4.2 million North Carolinians cast their ballots during the early-voting period, with turnout from the disaster areas outpacing the rest of the state. Notably, the Elon poll had also found that 20 percent of North Carolina voters said they are more likely to vote because of Helene, with just 2 percent saying they were less likely to do so.) These reempowered voters included Republicans who blamed the Biden-Harris administration for the slow recovery, climate-conscious environmentalists, and voters upset enough by Donald Trumps conspiratorial responses to the hurricane to consider a ticket switch. So far, GOP voters are slightly ahead of registered Dems in early-voting tallies.

While plenty of urban liberals and younger college students live (and vote) from ravaged cities like Asheville, the number of requests for absentee ballots in the surrounding, redder areas far exceeded those coming from Asheville. As for in-person early-voting places: The western part of the state managed to keep 75 of its 80 planned sites operational.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are still troubling signs for North Carolinian democracy. At those polling sites themselves, one of the key remaining obstacles may be the states new voter-ID requirements, which went into effect after the last presidential cycle. Elon Musks America PAC, which is attempting to make up for Trumps lack of durable canvassing infrastructure in North Carolina, was accused of sending workers out to knock on doors even as Helene was approaching, putting them in danger. Some congressional Republicans called for the state to just hand its 19 electoral votes to Trump, due to the sheer wreckage. And some precincts in the eastern part of the state are reporting multiple attempts at voter intimidation. Were still on the razors edge.

Like North Carolina, the twice-battered Sunshine State has seen surges in early-voting turnout, thanks to state-approved flexibility measures when it comes to mail-in ballots and in-person sites. These applied to the 13 counties most ravaged by Helene, which saw dozens of polling places and plenty of mailboxes wrecked by the rainstorms. With more heavy showers set to hit Florida this week, the early tallies may provide the most reliable gauge as to how a somewhat-tightening Senate race may shake out, where incumbent Rick Scott hopes to fend off Democratic challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.

One potentially decisive factor there: youth rage and subsequent turnout. A Florida Atlantic University poll, pre-hurricanes, found that most Floridians were keeping candidates climate change records in mind when deciding their vote. After Helene and Milton, anger over the state GOPs risible climate denialwhich persists even as this already-historic hurricane season threatens to send yet another storm Floridas wayappears to be fueling younger voters, first-time voters, and door-knockers, according to a report from the Guardian:

The movement is pronounced among younger and first-time voters, whom advocates say have been registering and voting early in unprecedented numbers.

Jayden DOnofrio, chair of Florida Future Leaders, said canvassing efforts by his group and others have spurred record-breaking early turnout on several campuses including Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University and the University of Miami, with students fired up by the climate debate.

There was a video of a meteorologist in south Florida who ended up crying on air. A number of my friends, who are not political, sent me that video saying, like, Hey, pretty insane, dude. What the hell is going on over here?  he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Of course, universities are also facing the obstacles posed by Floridas DeSantis-era voting restrictions, with longer wait lines appearing at college campuses than at precincts with older (and more Republican-leaning) voters. While Scott only leads his Democratic opponent by a few points, Trump still holds a commanding lead among Floridas majority of Republican voters. And his top-ticket presence may be what matters most.

Helenes impact in Georgia wasnt nearly as extensive as it was in the aforementioned states, but it still could well make a difference: Most of the areas hit went for Trump in 2020. But those counties are likely to turn it around, according to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger; even though election equipment testing and poll-worker training was paused, none of the technology was damaged, per the state government. Some post offices were affected, though, which necessitated a change in approach to the surrounding constituencies.

This is Georgias first presidential election under the new voter-suppression laws passed by the state right after 2020, the year that saw a Democrat win the states electoral votes for the first time since 1992. With fewer drop boxes and absentee-ballot options available to Georgians, most engaged residents have turned to early voting in personand have already been shattering records.

In addition, because Georgia is a state full of climate-concerned Americans who often dont always head to the polls, organizers are working to encourage these folks to make their voice heard, reaching into deeper neighborhoods in the state and pointing to the effect of Helene as a hopefully galvanizing force. Kamala Harris is likely going to depend on those voters, as the presidential race here is very, very tight. (On a national scale, the youth-focused climate advocacy group the Sunrise Movement claims to have contacted 4 million voters across battlegrounds like North Carolina and Georgia.)

That doesnt mean voting difficulties werent at play. Civil rights groups attempted to sue the Peach State into extending its voter-registration deadlines after Helene, only to lose in court to the same state government officials that had passed those voter-suppression laws back in 2021. Voters in Cobb County who didnt receive their absentee ballots in time have also been denied an extended timeline for submission, following a last-minute decision from the Georgia Supreme Court.
Burleigh County Auditor-Treasurer Mark Splonskowski, left, conducts a public test of county voting equipment with Rep. Karen Karls, R-Bismarck, chair of NDGOP District 35, observing on Oct. 28, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Bob Henderson, the director of information technology in Cass County, called it one of the most important but most tedious parts of election preparation  testing the machines that tabulate the votes.

Before voting begins, the vote tabulators are fed a test deck  a group of ballots that is filled out before the election to make sure machines get the correct vote total.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Similar tests are done in every county across the state before the machines are used.

Bob Henderson, the director of information technology for Cass County show a controller that people with disabilities can use to navigate the electronic voting machines. The county also has headphones for the voting machine so the hearing impaired can listen to voting options on the ballot. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

The North Dakota Monitor observed the public demonstrations Cass and Burleigh counties did of voting equipment leading up to the election.

It went as it should go, Mark Splonskowski, auditor-treasurer for Burleigh County, said of the test. It counted it correctly and then we zeroed it out and made sure it was at zero when we were done.

Henderson and other Cass County election officials demonstrated how the voting machines work and answered questions about the election process on Oct. 25 at a Fargo warehouse where the county stores its election equipment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nathan Hansen, who works in the countys finance office, fed ballots into the machine by hand, just as a voter would, unless a voter asks for help from an election official. Some of the ballots are intentionally mismarked, such as voting for two candidates in the presidential race, to make sure the machine flags those kinds of mistakes for voters so they can get a new ballot to fix the mistake if they want to.

The machine will also flag races that are skipped or where the voter does not vote for the maximum number of candidates, such as voting for only one candidate for state House of Representatives when voters can select two.

Voting already has been taking place for weeks in North Dakota by absentee or mail-in voting and early in-person voting.

Cass County, North Dakotas most populous county, runs more than 500 ballots through each of the more than 60 voting tabulators before they are given the stamp of approval.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The number of test ballots is determined by the number of contests. A county or precinct with fewer races will have fewer scenarios to test for.

During the Burleigh County test, Splonskowski demonstrated how the machine wont allow multiple ballots to be inserted at the same time. He added the height and width specifications of the ballots must match the requirements of the machine.

Rep. Karen Karls, R-Bismarck, chair of NDGOP District 35, also viewed the Burleigh County election equipment test.

It seems pretty straightforward, Karls said of this years test.

Cass County employee Nathan Hansen feeds a test ballot into a vote tabulation machine in Fargo, North Dakota, on Oct. 25, 2024. Looking on during the public demonstration is Cody Schuler of the North Dakota American Civil Liberties Union. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

She said she comes to the test every election cycle because some of her voters have concerns about election security.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are election deniers out there, and so I ask the questions and hopefully get the answers that take care of the problem, Karls said.

Splonkowski said election officials and state lawmakers have tried to get ahead of election integrity questions.

What I want is an informed electorate, Splonskowski said. I want informed legislators, so they know how the process works, so that they can understand it better. If there are to be improvements made, you cant make improvements unless you already know how it works.

All ballots cast in North Dakota are paper ballots, whether filled in manually or with a touchscreen. Henderson calls the touchscreen a digital pencil that transfers the voters choices to a paper ballot. The voter can review that ballot before submitting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

[2024 Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.]

Henderson emphasized that neither the touch screen nor the vote tabulators are connected to the internet. Flash drives or data sticks are used to physically take results from the machine to the auditors office, but the paper ballots are put into sealed containers for potential verification.

Cody Schuler, advocacy manager of the American Civil Liberties Union in North Dakota, observed the Cass County demonstration.

The ACLU is among the groups that monitor voting sites and take reports of irregularities. The ACLU partners with the League of Women Voters on voter access issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If folks feel their rights are being violated, or if there are long lines and want to report things that might be hindering peoples accessibility to the polls, those are the kind of things that people need to self-advocate for, but the ACLU and our partner organizations across the nation do that and were active here in North Dakota, Schuler said.

Voters also can report issues to either of those groups, the county or to the secretary of state.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Two election observers watch election workers at the Milwaukee Election Commissions warehouse south of downtown during the August primary. The post-election period in swing states, including Wisconsin, will be closely watched as local officials certify results. (Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline)

Recent sweeping changes to how the nation handles election results should prevent a repeat of the near-constitutional crisis four years ago.

For months, former President Donald Trump has been laying the groundwork to challenge the results, claiming that noncitizens are voting in droves and swing-state election officials are cheating. Republicans could use those false allegations to refuse to certify election results or submit alternate slates of electors to the Electoral College.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Trumps actions four years ago led to state and federal action: Swing-state officials have reinforced that the certification process is mandatory, and Congress has passed a law clarifying certification rules and procedures to prevent a repeat of Jan. 6, 2021.

Although the Trump team likely has plans to challenge the election results if he loses, those plans will fail, said David Becker, founder and executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, a nonpartisan organization that advises local election officials nationwide.

The guardrails are in place, Becker told reporters in a conference call last week. The counties will certify, the states will certify, the governors will ascertain, the electors will meet, and Congress will count the electoral votes as they were cast.

Much of the anxiety from election officials and experts in the post-election period involves the certification of election results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After voters cast their ballots and local election officials count them, the results are not yet official.

Local bipartisan panels  known as boards of canvassers  meet to ensure that the number of ballots cast and the number counted match. If they do, the board certifies the results. If there are discrepancies in the count, local election officials can be called in to clarify mismatched numbers.

The administrative process has long been accepted as mandatory and not subject to the whims of the local board members. If races are tight, automatic recounts are triggered in some states. Candidates can also go through the courts to contest results. But the certification process is not designed to be the venue to challenge results.

There is no legitimate way for a county or a state to refuse to certify results when they exist. But that doesnt mean the people wont try.

 Wendy Weiser, Brennan Center for Justice

However, Trump and his allies have argued that the process is discretionary and that local board members have the right to refuse to certify an election in which they suspect widespread voter fraud or bureaucratic errors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They have the ability to ask questions about the results, to dig deeper, to ask for some feedback because theyre putting their name on the results as having certified them, Michigan state Rep. Luke Meerman, a Republican, said in an interview.

Over the past four years, local canvassing board members in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and other states have refused to certify certain local elections, but they were swiftly met with successful legal challenges and, in some cases, criminal charges.

We know were going to see rogue local election officials who are poised to refuse to certify results, probably in multiple places at once, said Wendy Weiser, vice president for democracy at the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice.

There is no legitimate way for a county or a state to refuse to certify results when they exist, Weiser said. But that doesnt mean the people wont try.

State protections

Trump is now preparing his voters and local officials who support him to reject the outcome if he loses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the past month, the former president has claimed that Pennsylvania is cheating at large scale levels rarely seen before. Trump-aligned groups are also targeting local officials in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin with print ads in industry journals saying the officials dont have to certify results, ProPublica found.

We really see the kind of dedicated attack against the system, and against voters themselves, as a clear preface for further political partisan games after everybody has voted, said Sylvia Albert, democracy and representation policy counsel for the voting rights group Common Cause, on a call with reporters last week.

Refusing to certify results would be one of the main pathways to overturn the presidential election. But courts and top state officials have confirmed that certification is mandatory.

In case after case in recent years in which a local board member balked or made allegations of fraud, either state officials or a court has stepped in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Michigan, the board of canvassers in Delta County initially refused to certify election results in a local race in May, after the two Republican canvassers objected. One said, without evidence, that she suspected there was wrongdoing in how the election was run.

The Michigan Department of State, led by Democrat Jocelyn Benson, then sent a letter to the county officials reminding them that their duty to certify is mandatory, after voters approved a constitutional amendment specifying that requirement in 2022. If they didnt certify, the letter warned, the county would be liable for substantial costs associated with state officials traveling to the county to complete the process. The local officials changed course and certified the election.

A Fulton County, Georgia, judge last month ruled that local election boards are legally bound to certify election results, thwarting a GOP board members refusal to certify this years primary. The board member, a Republican, has appealed the ruling.

Also last month, the Georgia Supreme Court for now left in place a lower court decision that blocked the State Election Boards last-minute efforts to change rules around the voting process. In an action that drew national attention, one of those rule changes would have given local election boards more discretion in the certification process, potentially leading to refusals to certify races and creating chaos.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And in Cochise County, Arizona, a Republican supervisor last month pleaded guilty to charges stemming from her refusal to certify the 2022 midterm election.

The swift reaction from state officials should give voters confidence, said Catie Kelley, the senior director of policy and strategic partnerships at the Campaign Legal Center, a bipartisan nonprofit.

They are being very proactive and making sure that the local folks know what the law is, Kelley said in an interview with Stateline, and making it clear what the expectations are for the folks who are certifying at the county level.

Congressional protections

Not wanting to rely on the good faith of an official, such as former Vice President Mike Pences unwillingness to go along with Trumps 2020 election plot, a bipartisan coalition in Congress pushed through the Electoral Count Reform Act in 2022. The law changed a statute that had been on the books for 135 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The law now clarifies that governors  not state legislatures  are the leaders who are tasked with certifying their states electors for the Electoral College. Immediately, that change lowers risk of trouble this year, since the governors of the seven critical swing states are either Democrats or Republicans who have rejected fake elector schemes.

The law also sets a new timetable for certifying election results. In this election, states must finalize that work by Dec. 11. The Electoral College will meet on Dec. 17, and Congress will finalize the election on Jan. 6. Those tightened deadlines add pressure on localities to certify results.

Finally, the law raises the threshold for objecting to the certification from one U.S. House member and one senator to objections from 20% of the members in each chamber in order to trigger a debate. And the law clarifies that the vice presidents role in the process is ceremonial.

The election could still be overturned, however, if majorities in both chambers of Congress and the state legislatures in swing states refuse to certify the election, triggering a contingent election, in which each state delegation gets a single vote for president. Although the new Congress gets sworn in on Jan. 3, Republicans would likely have the edge in the state count.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In an online panel last week hosted by Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias, U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat and member of the select committee on the Jan. 6 attack, said he has confidence the new federal law will prevent efforts to overturn the election.

We will be able to defend against any form of mischief that arises, Raskin said.

Raskin also said that Congress was better prepared for potential violence than it was four years ago. Security has been a key focus of state and local election officials since the last presidential election, and theyve invested in new protections for their offices.

In swing states with Republican-led legislatures, such as North Carolina, officials are confident local elections will be certified.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Even if they were to do some shenanigan at the legislature, the governor still has the right to send them to D.C., Democratic Secretary of State Elaine Marshall told Stateline. Im sure theres some devious mind that might think of something, but I think weve got a reasonably tight process here in the state.

Legal obstacles

But even with these protections, the Trump campaign and its lawyers have bombarded the courts with lawsuits challenging the validity of election procedures. Further lawsuits after the election could challenge the results or the constitutionality of the Electoral Count Reform Act.

Whether courts  including the U.S. Supreme Court  would agree with the Trump team is unclear.

Last week, the high court sided with Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin in a dispute over his executive order that purged 1,600 alleged noncitizens from the voter rolls. Immigrant and voting rights groups, along with the U.S. Justice Department, opposed Youngkin, arguing eligible voters could lose their voting rights close to the election.

What were seeing now is not so much litigation designed to legitimately clarify the rules, said Becker, of the Center for Election Innovation & Research. But were seeing litigation designed to set the stage for claims an election was stolen later. That would have the effect of increasing the amount of distrust in the system.

Republican lawyers might lean on an argument in post-election lawsuits  one they put forward in 2020  that could embolden state legislatures to assign slates of electors that differ from the popular vote of their state. However, the core of that legal theory was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2023 court case Moore v. Harper.

The independent state legislature theory the Supreme Court eviscerated holds that state legislatures can, without sway from courts or the governor, make election law. By that doctrine, they could select an alternative slate of electors for the Electoral College.

GOP lawyers are still using it in cases, including a recent one involving provisional ballots in Pennsylvania. Even though the Supreme Court rejected the theory, it could still play a role in challenging the Electoral College Reform Act.

In the coming weeks, as election certification makes its way through local boards of canvassers, Congress and the courts, its important that voters remain mindful of the information they take in during the likely long process, said Rachael Dean Wilson, managing director of Alliance for Securing Democracy, a nonpartisan initiative at the German Marshall Fund think tank that aims to bolster democratic institutions.

Disinformation will be widespread, meant to divide people in a stressful time, she said.

The post-election period is going to be chaotic, she said. While youre packing your patience to know the results of the election, you have to be patient with our system to work itself out.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.
Two election observers watch election workers at the Milwaukee Election Commissions warehouse south of downtown during the August primary. The post-election period in swing states, including Wisconsin, will be closely watched as local officials certify results. (Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline)

Recent sweeping changes to how the nation handles election results should prevent a repeat of the near-constitutional crisis four years ago.

For months, former President Donald Trump has been laying the groundwork to challenge the results, claiming that noncitizens are voting in droves and swing-state election officials are cheating. Republicans could use those false allegations to refuse to certify election results or submit alternate slates of electors to the Electoral College.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Trumps actions four years ago led to state and federal action: Swing-state officials have reinforced that the certification process is mandatory, and Congress has passed a law clarifying certification rules and procedures to prevent a repeat of Jan. 6, 2021.

Although the Trump team likely has plans to challenge the election results if he loses, those plans will fail, said David Becker, founder and executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, a nonpartisan organization that advises local election officials nationwide.

The guardrails are in place, Becker told reporters in a conference call last week. The counties will certify, the states will certify, the governors will ascertain, the electors will meet, and Congress will count the electoral votes as they were cast.

Much of the anxiety from election officials and experts in the post-election period involves the certification of election results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After voters cast their ballots and local election officials count them, the results are not yet official.

Local bipartisan panels  known as boards of canvassers  meet to ensure that the number of ballots cast and the number counted match. If they do, the board certifies the results. If there are discrepancies in the count, local election officials can be called in to clarify mismatched numbers.

The administrative process has long been accepted as mandatory and not subject to the whims of the local board members. If races are tight, automatic recounts are triggered in some states. Candidates can also go through the courts to contest results. But the certification process is not designed to be the venue to challenge results.

There is no legitimate way for a county or a state to refuse to certify results when they exist. But that doesnt mean the people wont try.

 Wendy Weiser, Brennan Center for Justice

However, Trump and his allies have argued that the process is discretionary and that local board members have the right to refuse to certify an election in which they suspect widespread voter fraud or bureaucratic errors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They have the ability to ask questions about the results, to dig deeper, to ask for some feedback because theyre putting their name on the results as having certified them, Michigan state Rep. Luke Meerman, a Republican, said in an interview.

Over the past four years, local canvassing board members in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and other states have refused to certify certain local elections, but they were swiftly met with successful legal challenges and, in some cases, criminal charges.

We know were going to see rogue local election officials who are poised to refuse to certify results, probably in multiple places at once, said Wendy Weiser, vice president for democracy at the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice.

There is no legitimate way for a county or a state to refuse to certify results when they exist, Weiser said. But that doesnt mean the people wont try.

State protections

Trump is now preparing his voters and local officials who support him to reject the outcome if he loses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the past month, the former president has claimed that Pennsylvania is cheating at large scale levels rarely seen before. Trump-aligned groups are also targeting local officials in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin with print ads in industry journals saying the officials dont have to certify results, ProPublica found.

We really see the kind of dedicated attack against the system, and against voters themselves, as a clear preface for further political partisan games after everybody has voted, said Sylvia Albert, democracy and representation policy counsel for the voting rights group Common Cause, on a call with reporters last week.

Refusing to certify results would be one of the main pathways to overturn the presidential election. But courts and top state officials have confirmed that certification is mandatory.

In case after case in recent years in which a local board member balked or made allegations of fraud, either state officials or a court has stepped in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Michigan, the board of canvassers in Delta County initially refused to certify election results in a local race in May, after the two Republican canvassers objected. One said, without evidence, that she suspected there was wrongdoing in how the election was run.

The Michigan Department of State, led by Democrat Jocelyn Benson, then sent a letter to the county officials reminding them that their duty to certify is mandatory, after voters approved a constitutional amendment specifying that requirement in 2022. If they didnt certify, the letter warned, the county would be liable for substantial costs associated with state officials traveling to the county to complete the process. The local officials changed course and certified the election.

A Fulton County, Georgia, judge last month ruled that local election boards are legally bound to certify election results, thwarting a GOP board members refusal to certify this years primary. The board member, a Republican, has appealed the ruling.

Also last month, the Georgia Supreme Court for now left in place a lower court decision that blocked the State Election Boards last-minute efforts to change rules around the voting process. In an action that drew national attention, one of those rule changes would have given local election boards more discretion in the certification process, potentially leading to refusals to certify races and creating chaos.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And in Cochise County, Arizona, a Republican supervisor last month pleaded guilty to charges stemming from her refusal to certify the 2022 midterm election.

The swift reaction from state officials should give voters confidence, said Catie Kelley, the senior director of policy and strategic partnerships at the Campaign Legal Center, a bipartisan nonprofit.

They are being very proactive and making sure that the local folks know what the law is, Kelley said in an interview with Stateline, and making it clear what the expectations are for the folks who are certifying at the county level.

Congressional protections

Not wanting to rely on the good faith of an official, such as former Vice President Mike Pences unwillingness to go along with Trumps 2020 election plot, a bipartisan coalition in Congress pushed through the Electoral Count Reform Act in 2022. The law changed a statute that had been on the books for 135 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The law now clarifies that governors  not state legislatures  are the leaders who are tasked with certifying their states electors for the Electoral College. Immediately, that change lowers risk of trouble this year, since the governors of the seven critical swing states are either Democrats or Republicans who have rejected fake elector schemes.

The law also sets a new timetable for certifying election results. In this election, states must finalize that work by Dec. 11. The Electoral College will meet on Dec. 17, and Congress will finalize the election on Jan. 6. Those tightened deadlines add pressure on localities to certify results.

Finally, the law raises the threshold for objecting to the certification from one U.S. House member and one senator to objections from 20% of the members in each chamber in order to trigger a debate. And the law clarifies that the vice presidents role in the process is ceremonial.

The election could still be overturned, however, if majorities in both chambers of Congress and the state legislatures in swing states refuse to certify the election, triggering a contingent election, in which each state delegation gets a single vote for president. Although the new Congress gets sworn in on Jan. 3, Republicans would likely have the edge in the state count.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In an online panel last week hosted by Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias, U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat and member of the select committee on the Jan. 6 attack, said he has confidence the new federal law will prevent efforts to overturn the election.

We will be able to defend against any form of mischief that arises, Raskin said.

Raskin also said that Congress was better prepared for potential violence than it was four years ago. Security has been a key focus of state and local election officials since the last presidential election, and theyve invested in new protections for their offices.

In swing states with Republican-led legislatures, such as North Carolina, officials are confident local elections will be certified.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Even if they were to do some shenanigan at the legislature, the governor still has the right to send them to D.C., Democratic Secretary of State Elaine Marshall told Stateline. Im sure theres some devious mind that might think of something, but I think weve got a reasonably tight process here in the state.

Legal obstacles

But even with these protections, the Trump campaign and its lawyers have bombarded the courts with lawsuits challenging the validity of election procedures. Further lawsuits after the election could challenge the results or the constitutionality of the Electoral Count Reform Act.

Whether courts  including the U.S. Supreme Court  would agree with the Trump team is unclear.

Last week, the high court sided with Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin in a dispute over his executive order that purged 1,600 alleged noncitizens from the voter rolls. Immigrant and voting rights groups, along with the U.S. Justice Department, opposed Youngkin, arguing eligible voters could lose their voting rights close to the election.

What were seeing now is not so much litigation designed to legitimately clarify the rules, said Becker, of the Center for Election Innovation & Research. But were seeing litigation designed to set the stage for claims an election was stolen later. That would have the effect of increasing the amount of distrust in the system.

Republican lawyers might lean on an argument in post-election lawsuits  one they put forward in 2020  that could embolden state legislatures to assign slates of electors that differ from the popular vote of their state. However, the core of that legal theory was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2023 court case Moore v. Harper.

The independent state legislature theory the Supreme Court eviscerated holds that state legislatures can, without sway from courts or the governor, make election law. By that doctrine, they could select an alternative slate of electors for the Electoral College.

GOP lawyers are still using it in cases, including a recent one involving provisional ballots in Pennsylvania. Even though the Supreme Court rejected the theory, it could still play a role in challenging the Electoral Count Reform Act.

In the coming weeks, as election certification makes its way through local boards of canvassers, Congress and the courts, its important that voters remain mindful of the information they take in during the likely long process, said Rachael Dean Wilson, managing director of Alliance for Securing Democracy, a nonpartisan initiative at the German Marshall Fund think tank that aims to bolster democratic institutions.

Disinformation will be widespread, meant to divide people in a stressful time, she said.

The post-election period is going to be chaotic, she said. While youre packing your patience to know the results of the election, you have to be patient with our system to work itself out.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.
A criminal set free from jail under the SNPs early release scheme was back behind bars within 12 hours after allegedly getting drunk and committing an assault.

A mentoring expert who supports inmates said the man was now facing a new long-term jail sentence after he was released with no support, after social work plans were torn up due to him being given just three days notice that he was to be let out.

Meanwhile, it can also be revealed that prison governors stepped in to block the release of more than a quarter of criminals who qualified for the scheme due to the risks they posed to others or themselves.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The SNP ordered the early release of hundreds of prisoners earlier this year under emergency measures designed to ease overcrowding in Scotlands jails, with 477 benefiting between June and July.

However, the Scottish Tories said the new revelations, reported on Tuesday in the policing and justice magazine 1919, exposed the recklessness of the policy.

Governors veto releases

There were 648 inmates eligible for early release, as they were serving sentences of under four years and had 180 days or less left to serve.

However, in 171 cases, prison governors used a veto to keep them behind bars due to public safety fears.

Malcom Paul, mentoring services manager at training provider Heavy Sound, which operates a prison-based programme, told of the case of a released prisoner being back behind bars within 12 hours due to a lack of support.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Social work had set up a plan for him getting out, got him accommodation, and then he got released early which offset all the plans that were already in place, Mr Paul said.

Nobody could pick him up [from the prison] so he got his brother to pick him up, who never turned up on time. He ended up just going away and drinking.

He ended up getting put somewhere to stay and ended up assaulting one of his neighbours and is now looking at a long-term prison sentence. He was back in prison within 12 hours.

SNP ministers said they had no other choice but to implement the early-release policy, following a spike in prisoner numbers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, John Swinney, the First Minister, admitted last month the plan had not solved the problem of overcrowding.

According to the most recent figures, there were 8,253 prisoners in Scottish jails on Sept 16, higher than the target of 8,007 and just 95 fewer than there were when the early release scheme was announced.

SNP disconnected from public

Last month, it emerged that 57 of the 477 inmates released early had allegedly reoffended and been returned to jail.

Liam Kerr, justice spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: These astonishing stats lay bare the recklessness of the SNPs early release scheme.

The fact that prison governors felt compelled to use their power of veto in a quarter of cases is proof of the risk posed by so many of the offenders the SNP are intent on releasing on to Scotlands streets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The SNPs reliance on failed early release schemes demonstrates just how disconnected they are from the public, who expect offenders to serve meaningful sentences.

The Scottish Government said the number of prisoners who were blocked from being released early was in line with its estimates that a veto would be used in a quarter of cases.

A spokesman added: All the prisoners who were eligible for emergency release were no more than 180 days from their scheduled release, and indeed 65 per cent were already within 90 days of their original release date.

We worked closely with the Scottish Prison Service, and other partners, to ensure that appropriate pre-release planning took place prior to release, in line with an individuals immediate needs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Post-release support was available for those released during the process, and included support with access to housing, healthcare, and welfare.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  It was a record-breaking year for early voting in Trumbull County.

In Ohio, there was no voting on Monday as the states early in-person voting period ended. People could vote early from October 8 through Sunday.

The number of people who cast their ballots in Trumbull County during that timeframe was higher than any previous election.

Great turnout, its wonderful to see, said Stephanie Penrose, director of the Trumbull County Board of Elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the voting period, more than 23,000 people voted at the county board of elections. Its about 3,400 more than the 19,500 people who voted early in the previous presidential election.

We had about an hour-and-a-half to two-hour wait yesterday, there was so many people here, Penrose said.

Election officials believe total voter turnout in the county this election will be about 75%.

Penrose offers some advice if youre planning to head to one of the countys 52 polling locations on Tuesday.

They have to have a valid Ohio photo ID  either your drivers license, state ID, passport or military ID  and it would be helpful to be aware of the people and issues that are on your ballot so maybe it doesnt take as long and the bottleneck is not at the booth, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Penrose reminds voters to head to their polling location, not the board of elections, on Tuesday. She also asks people to have patience since it is expected to be busy.

I think there will be some lines and I think the ballot is so long, that its going to take people a few minutes to vote. So everybody needs to be patient with the staff and fellow voters, she said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
BEIRUT (AP)  The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on Tuesday launched an international emergency appeal asking donors to provide resources for Lebanon during the Israel-Hezbollah war.

IFRC also called on all parties to protect paramedics in the conflict that has left thousands of people dead and wounded, many of them over the past six weeks.

Jagan Chapagain, the secretary-general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, told The Associated Press in Beirut that needs are just growing so fast. He met with officials and toured shelters housing people displaced by the conflict.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The IFRC said its emergency appeal for 100 million Swiss Francs ($115.8 million) is aimed at helping Lebanon and the Lebanese Red Cross through the ongoing conflict.

The 13-month war between Israel and Hezbollah has killed more than 3,000 people, wounded over 13,000 in Lebanon. Hundreds of thousands of the displaced are staying in shelters around the small nation that is passing through a historic economic crisis.

In northern Israel, 68 soldiers and 41 civilians have been killed since October 2023, according to the prime ministers office. More than 60,000 people have been displaced from their homes.

The conflict dramatically escalated on Sept. 23, with intense Israeli airstrikes on south and east Lebanon as well as Beiruts southern suburbs, leaving hundreds dead and leading to the displacement of nearly 1.2 million people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Chapagain said people staying in community centers around the country need hygiene kits, non-food items, blankets and heaters as winter approaches. He added that even if the hostilities stop, it will take time for things to go back to normal and that is one of the reasons why the IFRCs emergency appeal goes for two years.

The global community needs to come together to find a political solution to the challenges this region has been facing for decades, Chapagain said.

He said that more than 30 staff and volunteers globally have already been killed this year and dozens injured adding that many other organizations have also lost members of their staff.

This is something unheard of many years ago, he said about the 30 deaths, adding that among the countries where paramedics suffered most are Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and Sudan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Lebanon, 17 members of the Lebanese Red Cross have been wounded since the conflict began while carrying out their rescue duties in different parts of Lebanon. Three of the 17 paramedics were wounded twice, according to IFRC.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems are protected, said Chapagain.
LIVE RESULTS

BREAKDOWN

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.  The Associated Press has declared Democrat Sharice Davids as the winner of Kansas Congressional District 3 against Republican Prasanth Reddy.

BACKGROUND

Republicans expected a former Kansas attorney generals political comeback in Tuesdays election to keep an open U.S. House seat in GOP hands while the party faced a tougher challenge in trying to oust the only Democrat in the states congressional delegation.

Republican Derek Schmidt sought the 2nd Congressional District seat held by retiring two-term Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner. Schmidt, who served three terms as attorney general, was coming off a narrow loss in the 2022 governors race and faced Nancy Boyda, making her own comeback bid as the last Democrat to hold the seat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Your Local Election Headquarters: Candidates, races and results on FOX4

In the 3rd District in the Kansas City area, Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids faced Republican Prasanth Reddy, a doctor and former vice president of two medical research companies. Most of the districts voters are in the suburbs and have been friendly to Davids.

In the states two other districts, Republican Reps. Tracey Mann and Ron Estes were expected to win reelection comfortably.

Democrats have held the 2nd District seat previously, but not since Boyda served a single, two-year term and lost her race for reelection in 2008. LaTurner won both of his two terms by about 15 percentage points and would have likely cruised to victory again, but he announced in April that he wanted to spend more time with his children.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Schmidt is often affable in public, and he worked early in his career for two moderate Republicans, U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker and Gov. Bill Graves, before serving in the state Senate and being elected attorney general in 2010. Thats created lingering distrust among hard-right Republicans.

But Schmidt easily won a five-person primary this year  partly because former President Donald Trump declared in a social media endorsement post that Schmidt was An America First Patriot and, HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!

In the 3rd District, Davids gained national attention when she unseated a Republican incumbent in 2018 as a Native American, lesbian and former mixed martial arts fighter. Republicans still lump her in with the most liberal members of Congress. Her vocal support of abortion rights helps in her district, but shes also positioned herself as a business-friendly and pragmatic centrist.

The key to a 3rd District victory is heavily suburban Johnson County, the states most populous county. Trumps support waned there since his victory in the 2016 presidential race, hurting Republicans. However, Davids margin of victory grew.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more Politics stories from FOX4

The 1st District that Mann represents includes the liberal northeastern Kansas enclave of Lawrence, home to the main University of Kansas campus, but its influence cant overcome the GOPs strength in the rest of the district covering the states western third and much of central Kansas. Mann is a former Kansas lieutenant governor whos had no trouble winning his two previous terms.

His Democratic opponent was Paul Buskirk, an academic counselor and adviser for student athletes at the University of Kansas.

The 4th District of south-central Kansas is centered on Estes hometown of Wichita, and hes a former two-term state treasurer. Hes held the seat since winning a special election in 2017 to replace Mike Pompeo, who was appointed by Trump to be CIA director and later U.S. secretary of state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His Democratic opponent is Esau Freeman, a painter and union leader who is best known for advocating the legalization of marijuana.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
The farmers rally in London on Tuesday was met by a wave of support from Telegraph readers, some of whom travelled cross-country to attend the protest, including non-farmers.

Since the protest, readers have got in touch to describe how their family farms will be affected, with concerns they could have to stop farming altogether. Many were fearful that they would have to sell their land to foot the bill when relatives die.

The UKs farming community was left reeling after Labour announced that farmers will lose their inheritance tax (IHT) exemption.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Agricultural property relief (APR) has historically allowed farmland to be passed between generations tax-free. However, Rachel Reevess inaugural Budget has capped that amount at 1m despite Labours pre-election assurances to farmers.

James Robinson: This isnt going to be a one-and-done rally

James Robinson had hoped to pass down the family farm to his teenage son

James Robinsons cattle farm has been in his familys care since 1926. Mr Robinson, 52, was hoping to celebrate the farms 100th birthday in two years, but now with Labours new inheritance tax, he is not certain their farm will make it.

The future of Mr Robinsons farm remains uncertain, however, he is not going down without a fight. He made the journey to Whitehall on Tuesday to participate in the NFU rally.

I spent the bulk of the day in Church House talking to NFU staff and listening to Tom Bradshaw speak. He spoke very well and was clearly emotional as the toll from his efforts, and his team showed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Robinson says there was a definite undercurrent of distress and resentment at the rally as many people continue to grapple with their new reality.

He said, Some people were very emotional and clearly struggling to compute what was happening and many could not comprehend what they had done wrong to be singled out in such a vindictive way.

Mr Robinson was grateful to have the opportunity to spend an hour with his Conservative MP, Mims Davies, along with a handful of other farmers from his constituency.

It was good to hear from local farmers who had travelled up to Westminster from my constituency of East Grinstead, Uckfield & our villages today at Church House - discussing the Government's iniquitous IHT bombshell & the wider concerns for their sector & securing our long term pic.twitter.com/u7knoKdHEH  Mims Davies MP (@mimsdavies) November 19, 2024

He said, She was very understanding and supportive and had sound words of advice about the parliamentary system and what was possible and not possible [in terms of] what it would take for a Government U-turn to happen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, Mr Robinson remains concerned for his livelihood. Despite the NFUs hard work, the Government appears unwilling to listen or engage, something Mr Robinson calls very foolish.

This isnt going to be a one-and-done rally  it is a battle of wills and as farmers are some of the most stubborn, resilient and resourceful people in the country this will run and run until there is a change to the policy.

As for the future of Mr Robinsons farm: If there are no changes to the current policy the future looks very bleak for our business. We would probably be forced to stop farming.

When he spoke to The Telegraph previously in the wake of the Budget, the farmer said he was shell-shocked and evaluating what our options are  Sir Keir Starmer has been on the record at farmers meetings saying that he was going to back farmers and understood our problems. We were led to believe that he actually meant it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Robinson is certain that the Chancellor added the IHT to the Budget at the 11th hour. He says, Labour hasnt thought this through in the slightest. Its like they had been looking at other things to do for the Budget, and instead, theyve gone for the easy target. To him, it feels personal, as if Labour wanted to shaft farmers.

He continued: Theres not a farm in England that isnt affected. Labours intent was probably to protect the family farm, but they are so ignorant that they completely made a hash of it.

Mr Robinson would like to continue farming for at least another 20 years and had hoped to pass down the family farm to his teenage son. But now, hes not certain thats possible.

Richard Smith: Many family farms will be forced to sell land just to cover these taxes

Richard Smith, a fourth-generation farmer from the Cotswolds who runs a 7,000-acre farm, was amongst the estimated 20,000 people who gathered in London.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Reflecting on the event, he said: It was heartening to see so many farmers and members of the public coming together to support us.

There was a chap who came from Birmingham, completely unrelated to farming, but he was there because he didnt agree with the principle of the situation. People travelled from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and all over England to show solidarity.

Mr Smith has two boys, aged six and eight, who are both very interested in farming. My youngest lives and breathes tractors and farm life. When I told him I was going to London, he was angry at the thought that the Government might stop him from taking over the farm one day.

He even wanted to come with me, but I thought it was best he stayed in school. Even at his age, he understands whats at stake.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Smith expressed frustration with Labours lack of understanding of the widespread impact this would have on the country.

He said: I cant get my head around that theyve come to the conclusion this is going to affect so few people. I dont know anyone who wont feel the impact.

Although Mr Smith was happy farmers came together to show the strength of our support and how much we can accomplish on short notice, he remains unsure if the change will happen. To him, it doesnt seem like Labour are willing to consider changes to the Budget.

He said: Many family farms will be forced to sell land just to cover these taxes, triggering even more tax liability. Its a vicious cycle that risks destroying working farms.

Richard Shepherd: Labour is treating farmers as if they are stereotypical land owners

Richard Shepherd, 57, said Labour has taken away his daughters opportunity to take on the family farm - RICHARD SHEPHERD

When Richard Shepherd, 57, left school in his early 20s his family owned just 30 acres of land. Over several decades Mr Shepherd strategically bought hundreds of acres to establish what is now his familys 285-acre arable crop farm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The North Yorkshire native owns the farm with his 84-year-old mother and 90-year-old father, the latter of whom still proudly ploughs the land.

A lot of families are probably assuming that Labour will be out in five years and theyll dodge this bullet, but I dont think Im going to dodge IHT. Take into consideration the age of my parents and theres a good probability that I will get hit by it.

Mr Shepherd calculated that his inheritance tax bill will be somewhere in the region of 300,000 when his parents die. The only way hell be able to generate such a large sum of money is through a land sale. This is why he says the agricultural property relief is so essential to farmers.

Farming is quite different to other businesses. Were cash poor, but theres a good amount of money tied up in the land. Its not something youre planning to sell  at least not intentionally  so youre just acting as the custodian of the land. You work it for your time and try to improve it, but then you pass it on to the next generation.

Were not some multimillion-pound conglomerate. Were just some little farms. Reeves is just basically robbing us. I feel like Im being fleeced, like Ive been mugged.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Like Mr Robinson, Mr Shepherds future is uncertain. He remarks: I dont know what Im going to do. My daughter is only 14, so we havent told her about the situation yet. The truth is Reeves is going to steal my lifes work as the custodian of our small farm and with it my daughters opportunity to take up the challenges as the next generations custodian. She will be snubbed out even before she leaves school.

Im not sure Im going to encourage my daughter to go into farming. Its too hard. For her to spend her whole life working for something just to have it taken from you like this is utterly soul-destroying.

The last thing any farmer needs is to be hit with a bill like this just because theres been a change of name on the door at Downing Street.

Jamie Blackett: This is not socialism it is crony capitalism

Jamie Blackett at Dumfries station, ready to head to London for the protest - JAMIE BLACKETT

Jamie Blackett, a sixth-generation family farmer from Dumfries with 1,200 acres, felt both optimistic and determined after joining Tuesdays protest in London.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I came back feeling very optimistic that the whole farming community is pulling together, and were not going to back down, he said. There might have to be some escalation  hopefully not  but this can be resolved quickly. If the Government thinks well just go quietly, theyve got another thing coming.

Mr Blackett emphasised the importance of maintaining public support while considering the next steps.

Not annoying the general public is very important in my view, he said. Farmers could stop taking sewage cake onto farms or refuse to allow military training on private farmland, which would put the Army in a difficult position.

It would be counterproductive to withdraw snow plough services, as we dont want to upset local communities. But there are a lot of things farmers do that if we stopped, the Government would have to find someone else to do.

He also stressed that the issue extends beyond farming to all family-owned businesses because of the changes in the Business Relief Policy (BRP) from April 2026. Its not just farmers affected. This is about every family-owned business, he said.

We hope that going forward, more people from other sectors  like hauliers and other family enterprises  will join us in our protests.

Mr Blackett urged the Government to reconsider. We want to carry the public with us, and the last thing we want is to inconvenience them. But we wont back down, he said.

The Government needs to be big about this, admit it made a mistake, and do a U-turn before any damage is done.

Mr Blackett also highlighted the human cost of the proposed changes on working-class people. It is not people like me who will be hurt by this, but it is some of the poorest in rural society who are now not going to get odd jobs, such as laying hedges or dry-stone walling, because all of my money is going towards paying for life insurance to cover the IHT costs that will be inflicted on my son if I cant live for the next seven years.

This is not socialism, it is crony capitalism.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Following an almost three-week operation, the remains of two Navy aviators killed when their EA-18G Growler crashed near Mount Rainier are set to return to their families.

Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans, 31 of California, and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, 31 of California, died when their jet crashed Oct. 15 east of Mount Rainier during a routine training flight, according to the Navy. They had departed Naval Air Station Whidbey Island prior to the crash.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of two beloved Zappers, Cmdr. Timothy Warburton said in an announcement on Oct. 20 . Our priority right now is taking care of the families of our fallen aviators, and ensuring the well-being of our Sailors and the Growler community. We are grateful for the ongoing teamwork to safely recover the deceased.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The wreckage was spotted at an altitude of about 6,000 feet in a remote, steep, heavily wooded area Oct. 16. The Navy, local law enforcement and partner agencies reached the spot where the plane crashed on Oct. 18. Recovery operations began soon after.

Evans and Wilemans remains will return to their homes from Dover Air Force Base the week of Nov. 4, according to NAS Whidbey Islands Mike Welding in an email.

Wileman is set to return to her home in Oak Harbor at about 7 p.m. on Monday, he said. Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home is inviting the Oak Harbor community to show their support for Wilemans arrival, according to a Facebook post.

Evans will return to her home in Anacortes on a later date during the week, Welding said. Her arrival will be a private affair, per her familys wishes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The families of both LT Wileman and LCDR Evans wish to express their gratitude for the gracious support from the local and surrounding communities these past weeks, Welding said.

During their 2023-24 deployment, Evans and Wileman were among the few women to fly combat missions over land during operations into Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen, according to a story posted on Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

The story described them as two trailblazing aviators who touched many people on the flight deck and beyond.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, according to a Navy spokesman on Monday.
The Bonus Army March is a forgotten footnote of American history.

It involved as many as 30,000 mostly unemployed veterans who converged on Washington, D.C. in the spring and summer of 1932 to demand an early cash payment of a bonus they were promised for their volunteer service in World War I.

The bonus was due in 1945, but the Great Depression created financial panic across the country, and the WWI veterans wanted their money sooner rather than later.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When the U.S. Senate refused to pass a bill to make the payments, many of the veterans returned home. But the great majority remained and set up camps and occupied buildings near the Capitol  much to the dismay of local police, who tried to evict the demonstrators from their makeshift campgrounds.

A riot ensued, leaving two demonstrators dead and dozens injured.

At that point, on July 28, 1932, the police asked for federal help. In a written statement, President Herbert Hoover deployed his Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, to settle the matter.

In order to put an end to this rioting and defiance of civil authority, Hoover wrote, I have asked the Army to assist the District authorities to restore order.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MacArthurs orders were to secure the buildings and contain the protesters by surrounding their campsite in Anacostia Flats located near the Capitol.

But as MacArthur would do throughout his career  most notably in Korea when his disobedience resulted in his firing  he exceeded his orders.

Late that afternoon, historians have written, nearly 500 mounted cavalry men and 500 infantry soldiers, with bayonets drawn, were accompanied were accompanied by six tanks and another 800 local police officers to Anacostia Flats. It didnt take long before the protesters were chased out of the city and their encampments burned to the ground.

Aides to MacArthur would later say he never received the orders to simply contain the Bonus Army.

After his troops had ousted the Bonus Army, General Douglas MacArthur, left, stands with his second-in-command, Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower. Getty Images

The Bonus Army March was one of the few times in American history when the U.S. military was used to shut down a massive demonstration of peaceful protesters. The debacle also came to symbolize Hoovers perceived callousness toward the unemployed during the Great Depression and led to his defeat by Franklin Roosevelt in the 1932 presidential election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What the military response did not do was deter the Bonus Army demonstrators for long.

The fight for bonus checks

At the end of the First World War in 1918, the U.S. government wanted to provide bonus pay to the soldiers who volunteered to fight in the American Expeditionary Force.

The volunteers were given certificates promising a bonus in 1945. Under the agreement, each veteran would receive US$1 for every day served at home, and $1.25 for every day served overseas. According to the World War Adjusted Compensation Act, a maximum of $625 plus compound interest per veteran was set.

Members of the Bonus Army are shown eating their lunches beside their tents in this May 12, 1932, photograph. Bettmann/GettyImages

But by the winter of 1931, many veterans, like most Americans, were desperately in need of cash.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Starting in Portland, Oregon, about 300 of them decided to travel to Washington to make their case to the government. Their journey gained national attention and prompted other veterans to travel to Washington as well. As time went on, families began to join the men.

Congressional gridlock

The Bonus Army became a problem for Hoover and congressional leaders as local authorities grew tired of an estimated 30,000 people camping out in their streets and squatting in city buildings.

But faced with a shrinking federal budget and precarious national economy, neither Hoover nor Congress wanted to authorize further depletion of the national treasury. Estimates were as high as $2.3 billion for the federal government to pay the bonuses.

In this June 16, 1932, photograph, thousands of Bonus Army demonstrators are cheering for U.S. Rep. Wright Patman, who demanded immediate payment of their promised bonuses. FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Bonus marchers tried to pressure congressional leaders by having veterans in the waiting rooms of the offices of each member of the Ways and Means Committee, which oversees the federal budget. But they were losing the public relations war turning against them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By that time, rumors spread by opponents of the marchers were flying among congressional leaders and military officials about the unsanitary conditions at the camp, as well as possible communist infiltration.

When the bill to pay the bonus was defeated in July 1932, an estimated 8,000 Bonus Army marchers were at the Capitol. With that many angry men surrounding the building, local police feared potential violence.

But instead of launching a violent attack, the marchers began singing My Country Tis of Thee and America the Beautiful as they walked back to their camp.

Use of military force

On July 28, 1932, the local and federal governments decided that time had run out for Bonus Army demonstrators.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Around 11 p.m., MacArthur called a press conference to justify his actions.

Had the President not acted today, had he permitted this thing to go on for 24 hours more, he would have been faced with a grave situation which would have caused a real battle, MacArthur told reporters. Had he let it go on another week, I believe the institutions of our government would have been severely threatened.

In this 1932 photograph, a group of men huddle near the ruins of their Bonus Army camp. Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With MacArthur in command, shacks were set on fire, and even the tents loaned by the National Guard were destroyed. Tanks and soldiers blocked several bridges in order to prevent people from re-entering the city.

Images of children and women driven out by tear gas and flames shocked and appalled the American public when they were published by newspapers across the country.

Despite their apparent defeat, Bonus Army veterans continued to push for early payments.

Four years later, in January 1936, Congress passed the long-stalled Bonus bill that called for payments of nearly $2 billion to the mostly men who volunteered their services during World War I.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Congress overrode Roosevelts veto and paid the veterans an average of $580 per man, which was slightly less than the $600 they would have received had they waited until 1945.

Today, the Anacostia field is a largely overgrown meadowland and only has one very small sign marking that the Bonus Army was ever there.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Shannon Bow O'Brien, The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts

Read more:



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shannon Bow O'Brien does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  With less than 24 hours until polls open, election officials are getting ready for Tuesdays vote, finalizing last-minute preparations.

Were in the process of having the machines delivered to the polling locations with all the proper equipment to make sure that the keys are in the right hands, and those folks are at the venues. All the locations will be prepared for the commissioners in the morning, said Orleans Parish Elections Commissioner Darren Lombard.

New Orleans nonprofit canvassing neighborhoods to share importance of voting

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polling places could see long lines so residents are advised to head to the polls early. Voting starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 8 pm.

Louisiana law requires in-person voters to bring proof of identification.

If for some reason you dont have an ID, if you lose it or you leave at home or whatever the case may be, you can ask the, the commissioners for what they call the voter identification affidavit, said Lombard.

This Louisiana sailors got games for every room in the house

If youre uncertain of your voting eligibility, federal elections allow provisional voting. Its an alternative voting method when you cant confirm your eligibility or be verified at a polling site. If you happen to show up at the wrong location, you can also vote provisionally.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In recent years voter fraud has been a highly contested topic, but Lombard is reassuring Louisianians that theres no reason for concern.

We never have a problem. As far as the national scene goes, we have always ranked consistently in the top 10 as far as having the cleanest elections in the country. So, we dont have those issues, said Lombard.

Nearly 77 million Americans have already cast their ballot.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A South Jordan man was found guilty of possessing child pornography on Monday, marking his third such conviction.

Daniel David Egli, 50, was found guilty of possession of such material on Monday, Nov. 4, by a federal grand jury. Egli was convicted two times previously, once in 2004 and again in 2010, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Utah.

Suspect in custody after officer-involved incident in Sugar House

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the evidence presented during the trial, Egli violated his terms of supervised release and possessed pornographic material, which led to the June 2022 federal charge.

The U.S. Attorneys Office said during a routine check with his parole officer, authorities found an unauthorized laptop computer and phone, and those devices were seized from the home.

In May of 2021, a warrant for Eglis arrest was issued and a search of his residence found more unauthorized devices in his home.

Further investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Intermountain West Regional Computer Forensic Lab of the electronic evidence demonstrated that Egli had accessed, viewed, and possessed nearly 500 images of child sexual abuse material, which led to the June 2022 federal charge, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This case was one of several that was part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

The project is part of what the Attorneys office says is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Eglis sentencing is scheduled for February 27, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in Salt Lake City.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Northport residents await their court appearances at the Northport Public Safety Building in Northport, Ala., on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. A recent report found that Alabama's method funding criminal justice makes it difficult for crime victims to collect restitution. (Will McLelland for Alabama Reflector)

A recent report found that Alabamas method of funding its criminal justice system may affect the ability of crime victims to receive compensation.

The report is a project of Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice in collaboration with University of Alabama Birmingham; Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation and the 10th Judicial Circuit, which includes Birmingham.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The brief, published in August, builds on earlier work that found Alabamas reliance on fines and fees to fund courts is inefficient and creates hardship for people living in poverty. But researchers also concluded that the inefficiencies complicate efforts to get payments to crime victims.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Very often, people know the person they owe restitution to, it might be their grandmother, it might be their moms friend, said Leah Nelson, a researcher who worked on the report. They know they are paying toward their fines and fees, and yet the person is telling their mom or telling them, You know, I am not seeing any of that money.

With declining collections dating back a decade, the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission, which has long been funded through fines and fees, has begun seeking funding from the Legislature to help pay for operational costs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the briefs authors, the inefficiencies stem from how the state distributes the fines and fees it collects. District attorneys and the courts get priority, while agencies that assist crime victims come after.

Researchers said that instead of following a formula, the funds go out in a cascading structure. Priority entities receive the bulk of the collections. After they receive a share, payments will shift to other agencies and priorities, including victim restitution.

The report cites a fee known as the D999 Collections Fee, which imposes a 30% charge on accounts that are overdue for 90 days. According to researchers, that money is split between district attorneys and the courts.

The priority system picks winners and losers, Nelson said. The collection fee is the winner, and the victims are the losers. They are owed restitution, but they are typically the last thing on the priority list by default.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Incarcerating people for outstanding court debt is even more costly, with the report citing that it could cost as much as 115% of the amount collected.

And then there is the Crime Victims Compensation Commission, which is number 17 on the priority list, Nelson said.

The policy brief aligns with other research that found that fines and fees hurt those in poverty, particularly people of color, who are not able to pay back their debt because they simply do not have the means to pay.

According to the brief, about 60% of those identified as indigent had paid nothing toward the fines and fees that were owed, while another 18% managed to pay the balance off completely.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think the fact that most people pay zero dollars for their debt is really significant, Nelson said. It indicates that there is a problem with the collections process and probably the impositions process.

The compliance rate for those the court did not consider indigent is slightly better, with about 30% of those having not paid anything toward their fines and fees while 45% had completely paid what they owed.

Black Alabamians comprised the majority of those classified as indigent, researchers said.

The report states that indigent defendants faced more financial penalties than those who were not. The average legal financial obligations (LFO) for those in the system come out to more than $900, but the average is higher for people who are Black as opposed to whites.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In fact, the people who were found indigent owed more than those who were not, Nelson said. And that is really troubling, because the court has gone through the trouble of finding these people who could not afford a lawyer. But then somehow those people end up owing more money than people who were not found to be indigent.

Researchers said an additional penalty on accounts that are 90 days or more overdue contributes to the disparities.

The net effect is that people are not able to pay off their obligations, that individuals who are Black and indigent were more likely to default on their LFOs, and that fines and fees debt is more concentrated in communities of color within Jefferson County.

When you think about collection rates, we do not do a good job of collecting on those things, said Peter Jones, an associate professor of political science and public administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. And on the cost side, how much money the government has to spend to collect these dollars, it is also very costly. You have to track folks, send out reminders, do all these things, oftentimes for just a few hundred dollars, so the government ends up, in a lot of ways, spending as much or sometimes more money to collect the fines and fees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other reports have found similar inefficiencies in other states. A report published in 2019 by the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonprofit law and public policy institute, found that counties in both Texas and New Mexico spent more than 41 cents of every dollar in revenue attempting to collect from fines and fees.

Some of the inefficiencies stem from the court and how slowly they have adopted technology that eases the collection process.

A lot of times, jurisdictions do not talk to each other, so if you have multiple cases, it is difficult to see where you owe and how much you owe across those cases, Jones said. Even if they want to pay fines and fees, they can find it very difficult to make the payment.

Aside from that, courts may never realize the gains on the fines and fees they impose.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is one of the most inefficient ways because, for many people who owe fines and fees, they simply do not have the ability to pay, so it is like trying to get blood from a stone, said Lauren Jones, legal and policy director for the National Center for Access to Justice at Fordham Law School in New York.

New Mexicos legislature eliminated all post-adjudication fees for adults in criminal court in 2023, ending their reliance on fines and fees to keep courts operating. According to a report from the Vera Institute of Justice, the state joined California as the only two states in the country to have eliminated such fees.

Lauren Jones also said that other states have resorted to similar measures that, at least, reduce the burden on low-income residents.

A report from the NCAJ pointed to Illinois, where judges use guidelines to reduce fines and fees that are levied on pre-set percentages indexed to the federal poverty line.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Such practices are not available in Alabama, which leaves many low income residents vulnerable.

People say Look, I am choosing between food and a debt that I am never going to finish paying,' Nelson said. I choose food.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR)  Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) Commissioner Jackie Bray outlined efforts to protect voting rights and ensure public safety for the 2024 elections.

James specifically highlighted an election hotline to report anything suspicious at the polls. We know that there are those out there who might try to get people to stay home and stay quiet this election. Voter suppression efforts and misinformation are not new, she said. Individuals use scare tactics, intimidations, and threats to basically deny individuals their fundamental right to vote.

Voting rights FAQ

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The hotline should stay open through November 6, James said. The number is (866) 390-2992. Or, you can file a complaint on electionhotline.ag.ny.gov. Your right to vote is Constitutional, and I will not let it be challenged or threatened no matter who you are voting for or how you choose to vote, whether by mail at your early voting site or in person on election day, she said.

Monroe County Election officials even suggested calling 911 if you see something urgently wrong at a polling place.

Your Local Election HQ

Hochul said the state stands ready to tackle any problems that threaten a smooth and secure voting process. New York invested $140 million in state and federal funds to modernize voting infrastructureincluding new e-poll books, anti-virus software, and updated measures concerning cybersecurity and artificial intelligencealongside $11 million more in county-level funds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Dozens of towns and villages in Lebanon have suffered severe levels of destruction as part of Israel's offensive against the Hezbollah militia, the state-run Lebanese news agency NNA reported on Tuesday, citing its own sources.

NNA reported that entire streets or neighbourhoods in 37 towns have been obliterated. The report stated that 40,000 houses and apartments have been destroyed, with the southern region of the country being particularly affected.

At least 29 villages have been "completely destroyed" by Israel, in a 120-kilometre strip across the south of the country from the Naqoura region in the west to Shebaa in the Hasbaya district in the east, Mohamed Chamseddine, research director at the Lebanese polling institute Information International, said in an interview with the Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat published on Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Israeli military emphasizes that it only targets buildings used by Hezbollah, the Shiite militia allied with Iran, as hideouts or weapons depots.

Since the beginning of the Gaza war last year, Hezbollah has regularly fired rockets from southern Lebanon into Israel, forcing tens of thousands of Israelis to leave their homes.

Since the start of October this year, Israel has been conducting a ground offensive in Lebanon against Hezbollah, with the aim of enabling Israeli citizens to return to their homes in the north of the country.

However, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon is worsening. According to the United Nations, more than 800,000 people have been displaced within the country due to the attacks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The observer mission, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), in the south of the country has also reported severe destruction of the countrys infrastructure.

Some roads have become impassable, according to a statement by the UN peacekeepers. Peacekeeping forces are clearing debris and repairing roads to ensure safe supply routes to their bases, they said.

Heavy smoke billows from an Israeli air strike that targeted area in the southern Lebanese town of Khiam. Marwan Naamani/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

People inspect the wreckage of a restaurant that was targeted by an Israeli strike on the ancient city of Baalbek, amid ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Stringer/dpa
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  U.S. Representative for Tennessees sixth district, John Rose, deployed members of his team to swing districts around the country to ensure safe and secure elections, he announced Tuesday.

Roses staff members are playing a role in the Election Observer Program, which deploys congressional observers to sites across the country to record on-the-ground information.

FBI speaks on plans to keep voting safe in Nashville

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tennessee is the national leader for free and fair elections. I have deployed my staff to help ensure that other states are doing their part, Rose said in a Tuesday press release. I am proud to have members of my staff spread throughout swing districts across the country ensuring Americans right to vote is safe and secure. Election integrity is of paramount importance to a functioning republic, and this is one tool in our toolbox to ensure Americans can have confidence and trust in the results.

Roses staff members are among 200 congressional staffers signed up to participate, representing over 60 Member and Leadership offices and 12 committees and subcommittees.

How weather can impact an election day

Rose added that if you see something suspicious, you can call his office at (202) 225-4231.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

News 2 will have all the latest election information. Follow along online and on-air.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Republicans are challenging seven Democratic-leaning counties in Georgia, including Chatham County, after they accepted absentee ballots past Fridays deadline.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) and Georgia Republican Party Inc. are suing the counties in federal court, alleging they are breaking the law, in a 21-page suit filed Sunday, Nov. 3.

The legal action comes a day after a state judge ruled allegations that blue stronghold Fulton County was breaking the law through their continued acceptance of the ballots were unfounded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lawsuit claims boards of election in Chatham, Cobb, Fulton, Clarke, Dekalb, Clayton, and Gwinnett Counties violated the equal protections clause of the 14th Amendment by allowing absentee ballots to be counted after early voting ended, on Friday, Nov. 1.

The group filing the lawsuit says the counties actions create unfair voting opportunities for people based on where they live.

They say those in counties where offices were not open this weekend are less likely to cast effective votes because they have fewer days to do so.

Chatham County allowed ballots to be counted into Monday, Nov. 4.

Tamieka Atkins with Cobb County-based voter engagement group ProGeorgia tells News 3 the focus needs to be on the voters, who are innocent in this process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

My initial thoughts are lets start with the voter, says Atkins, Ultimately these are voters that requested an absentee ballot within the time frame, and the Georgia Supreme Court have allowed the collection these ballots.

She also says although the optics of the lawsuit are not good, there is a silver lining: it is a reflection of the sizeable early-voter turnout in our state.

People want to get deep into the lawsuit, says Atkins Theres been several lawsuits since 2021. I think it shows the strength of Georgians that is in this election theres an appetite, theres an interest, and theres an excitement.

According to the Georgia Secretary of States office, early voting had a 55.3% turnout this year .. With over 4,004,588 people casting their ballots either absentee or early voting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
A Republican candidate for the Indiana House of Representatives was arrested on the eve of the election on Monday after being accused of violating a protection order.

Jim Schenke, 57, a delegate for the states 26th House district, was booked into Tippecanoe County Jail after police received a complaint late that he had allegedly contacted an individual on Facebook who has a protection order against him, according to The Lafayette Journal and Courier.

Tippecanoe County Chief Deputy Terry Ruley said officers received the complaint at 8.35pm on Sunday and, after investigating, concluded there was probable cause to make an arrest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Schenke was duly arrested at his Wabash Township home on Monday on a preliminary charge of invasion of privacy.

He was booked into jail in the early hours of Monday morning but subsequently paid a $250 cash bond to secure his release.

According to the state registry, the politician, who is seeking to represent West Lafayette, currently has two protection orders against him: one from a local attorney and their staff. Schenke, meanwhile, has a protection order against a person living in his neighborhood.

Schenke resumed campaigning on his release from jail and took to Facebook to deny the allegations against him, claiming he is the real victim.

Indiana Republican political candidate Jim Schenke (in mugshot) was arrested on Monday November 4 (Tippecanoe County Sheriffs Office)

For anyone who cares about honesty I have been accused of violating a protective order, Schenke wrote on the social media platform.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In truth I have a protective order against the sociopath that has been stalking and menacing me for months.

In response to questions from one of his followers about the post, Schenke wrote: Ever seen the movie Pacific Heights? Ive got a protective order against a guy like the Michael Keaton character.

Keaton plays a psychotic con-artist in the 1990 psychological thriller of that name.

The Independent has contacted Schenkes campaign for further comment.

Schenke, who is running against incumbent Democrat Chris Campbell and hoping to become the first Republican to represent the district in six years, made headlines last month when he was accused of driving a campaign motor vehicle into a street light while uninsured. The charge was later dropped on October 22.

He has also been hit with a civil charge by the Tippecanoe County Election Board for allegedly failing to include adequate political disclaimers in his campaign adverts.
The News

Former US President Donald Trump voted Tuesday in Palm Beach, Florida, as Americans across the country decide whether to cast their ballots for him or Vice President Kamala Harris.

The Republican candidate said he was feeling confident, and that he believed he went in with a very big lead today, an apparent nod to early signs that many more Republicans appear to have voted early in this election than did in 2020, although no vote counts have been released.

Asked by reporters whether he would accept defeat should Harris win, Trump said he would be the first one to acknowledge it, but, he caveated, only if the election was fair.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump added that if he lost, he believed there would be no violence, because his supporters are not violent people.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has donated an estimated $120 million to help elect Trump, will spend election night at Mar-a-Lago, The New York Times reported, and will be part of a small group of people watching the results along with the former president.

The Times reported that Trump was hosting several parties for his donors at Mar-a-Lago Tuesday night, and will later address a gathering at the Palm Beach Convention Center.

Know More

When asked by reporters whether he had voted in favor of a ballot measure to institute a six-week abortion ban in Florida, Trump pivoted, reiterating that states should decide on abortion rules, and that Republicans did a great job in overturning and ending the federal right to abortion.

Trump also criticized the fact that some counties use voting machines instead of paper ballots, which, he said, might slow down results in some key swing states. They use these very expensive computers in Pennsylvania, they wont have an answer till two or three days from now. I think its an absolute outrage, if thats the case, he said. In 2020, some of Trumps allies and conservative media outlets suggested without evidence that some voting machines had been tampered with to deliver votes to Joe Biden  claims that led to multiple legal challenges and the departure of long-time Fox host Tucker Carlson from the network.
Republicans have scored another ballot box victory in a crucial swing state.



The Georgia Supreme Court sided with the Republican National Committee and the states Republican Party in a decision that overturned efforts to extend the absentee ballot deadline in Cobb County.

Last week, Cobb Elections announced that more than 3,000 absentee ballots had been mailed out after the state required deadline. Three residents filed suit to get their ballot acceptance deadline extended, as there was no other choice.



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cobb Superior Court Senior Judge Robert Flournoy found this to be sensible, extending the deadline for votes to be counted until Friday, November 8, so long as ballots were postmarked by Election Day. But the Georgia Supreme Court overruled him on Thursday, ruling that county election officials can only count ballots received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

The decision puts nearly 3,000 ballots at risk of going uncounted. Ballots received late will be separated and kept, until further order of the Court.



The Southern Poverty Law Center and American Civil Liberties Union, which represented the voters impacted, are urging Cobb residents to vote in person if they can. Only as a last resort, should voters simply mail their ballots. Unfortunately, there are voters who will not be able to access the remaining options and will not have their voices heard in this election as a result of this ruling, the SPLC wrote.
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Tuesday marks a pivotal election day, and emotions are running high. 28/22 News Kathryn Oleary took to the streets of Scranton to hear how people are feeling about Tuesday.

People across our area are feeling everything from optimism to nervousness

As the countdown to Election Day winds down, you can feel both nerves and excitement in the air, especially for first-time voters eager to participate

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im feeling a bit anxious, a little nervous, Im excited though cause its my first time that Im going to be able to vote so well see how it goes, said New Jersey resident Alyson Rymas.

Im a little bit anxious but Im excited to vote tomorrow, you know. Im excited to go out and participate in democracy its gonna be nice, said Tyler Guidetti from New Jersey.

Some voters say theyre just eager to see the outcome of one of the most pivotal elections.

Harris campaign visits Lackawanna County day before election

Im excited cause I know its like a super pivotal election. Im trying to see what policies people are really like I guess supporting, but at the end of the day, everyone has their own opinions so Im excited for a new chapter in the country, said New York resident Matthew Campbell.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On the other hand, some expressed nervousness and anxiety about what Tuesday could bring.

You know things going on in our country. Its very hot right now so I think this is an important event and so Im a little anxious but Im hopeful, said Adriana Valentin from New York.

Very anxious and hopefully itll be a great outcome for the good of the country, said Greenridge resident Helene OMalley.

28/22 News asked each person if they feel the country is moving in the right direction, regardless of the election outcome, and opinions were split.

I do, I do, I think our country will eventually pick up and everybody will be ok, Pamela Reed from Scranton said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Absolutely not, I think theres a lot of chaos and destruction and I really hope that this here will guide us to a more safe environment, said Scranton resident Shyann Patel.

I honestly think that does depend on the election. I think what happens is going to make a big wave, Valentin added.

Polls open on Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.

After 8:00 p.m., no other ballots will be accepted.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
ST. LOUIS  Political signs being stolen out of peoples yards has become a recent problem on both sides.

One nonpartisan group confirms theyve seen a spike in the incidents. Residents weigh in on the issue, hoping its an issue the thieves will soon outgrow.

In Missouri, stealing political signs is a Class 4 election offense.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Jon Ralston, the editor of the The Nevada Independent and an expert on politics and elections in the Silver State, predicted Kamala Harris would win the swing state with razor-thin marginsif the Democratic candidate can overcome a substantial early voting lead by Republicans.

In 2022, Ralston correctly predicted Republican Joe Lombardo would win the gubernatorial race against Democratic incumbent Steve Sisolak. He also correctly predicted Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto would win her reelection bid in the same election. Like the 2024 election, the polls had the candidates in both races neck-and-neck until election day.

Ralston also correctly predicted Nevada would swing for the Democratic presidential candidate in both 2016 and 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Tuesday, Ralston predicted Harris would prevail with 48.5% of the vote, while former President Donald Trump would win 48.2%. This scenario would be a significantly closer election than the 2020 race, when Biden won Nevada by over 33,000 votes, according to data from the Nevada Secretary of State.

Recent polling seems to align with Ralstons prediction, showing the two candidates in a dead heat the weekend before Election Day, according to FiveThirtyEights polling aggregator .

However, Harris has to overcome a substantial Republican lead after Nevadas early voting period ended last Friday. In the last few elections, Democrats have dominated early voting in Nevada, building what Ralston called a firewall in the party stronghold of Clark Countythe states most populous county and home of thousands of Democrats in urban Las Vegas.

But this election cycle, Republicans embraced the process. In a remarkable reversal from past elections, registered Republicans returned over 45% of all early voting ballots, according to the most recent data from the Secretary of State. Registered Democrats only made up 27.7% of early voters, while independents and other parties made up 26.8%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Ralston predicted that Harris will start closing this gap as more mail-in ballots from Clark County arrive in the next few days. She will then have to rely on winning independent voters and in-person turnout to prevail on Election Day.

Nevadas seven electoral votes are crucially important to both campaignsif they win there, they only need to win in one of the other tossup states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina, or Georgia to prevail.

Ralston also predicted Democratic incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen would prevail against her Republican challenger, Sam Brown. Most recent polling shows Rosen with a comfortable lead against Brown, a relatively recent Texas transplant.

Ralstons predictionand his sterling track recordhave drawn comparisons to a recent poll published in the Des Moines Register by veteran local pollster J. Ann Selzer, which showed Harris winning the Midwestern state by three points.

Most polling throughout the election cycle has shown Trump continuing his dominance in Iowa, but Selzer accurately predicted his wins in 2016 and 2020. In the last presidential election, she accurately predicted Trumps seven-point lead in the Hawkeye State, despite national polls showing margins much closer.
In his final push to help get Donald Trump elected, former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pleading with his supporters not to vote for him.

RFK Jr remains a threat to the Republican candidates chances because he remains on the ballot Wisconsin and Michigan despite pleading with authorities to remove him when he backed Trump. Given how close the election is expected to be in swing states, every vote counts - even ones cast for the former independent Kennedy.

Dont vote for me. If you want to see me in Washington, DC, VOTE FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP, Kennedy wrote in a post on X on Tuesday, hours before polls closed around the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kennedy, who withdrew his independent campaign for president in August to endorse Trump

RFK Jr. has joined Trump on the campaign trail since dropping out of the presidential race (Getty Images)

This is a kind of election interference [Democrats are] trying to deprive the American public of their  You know Im not running for president why would they want a candidate on the ballot who is not running for president and its election interference theyre trying to confuse the voters, Kennedy told Fox News on Sunday.

The former candidate and anti-vaxer said hes concerned about his name remaining on the ballot in battleground states like Michigan and Wisconsin because it could impact Trumps performance.

Emerging as a fringe candidate who promotes health-related conspiracy theories, Kennedys campaign immediately appealed to a faction of Americans who also support Trump  posing a problem for the Republican nominees campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The two candidates eventually chose to team up and Trump offered Kennedy a role on his presidential transition team. The former president has also teased a potential formal cabinet position for Kennedy related to healthcare.

Don't vote for me. If you want to see me in Washington, DC, VOTE FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.  pic.twitter.com/7LOqWNMWYf  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) November 5, 2024

But because Kennedy had already submitted paperwork to appear on the ballot in Wisconsin and Michigan, per state laws he was legally required to remain on it. Despite his legal challenges, judges in both states agreed he did not have the grounds to remove his name and it would cause chaos too close to the election.

Already, more than one million voters in Michigan had returned absentee ballots that featured Kennedys name. In Wisconsin, it was more than 858,000 absentee ballots.

Kennedy has found himself at the center of various controversies including admitting to killing a bear and dropping it off in Central Park ((AP Photo/Alex Brandon))

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court formally ended Kennedys challenges to remove his name, rejecting to intervene in his emergency request.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Despite multiple judges weighing in on the issue, the former presidential candidate has continued to allege Democrats have purposefully kept his name on the ballot in order to confuse voters and potentially take votes away from Trump.

Only official election results will determine just how impactful Kennedys suspended campaign will be on Trumps active campaign.

The Republican and Democratic Parties often discourage third-party candidates from running because they can take votes away from the major candidates. In 2016, famously, Green Party candidate Jill Stein contributed to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clintons loss.
(NewsNation)  Rhode Island voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in several important races.

Presidential race in Rhode Island

US Senate race in Rhode Island

One race features Democrat incumbent Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who is seeking re-election for a fourth term in the U.S. Senate against his Republican opponent state Rep. Patricia Morgan.

US House races in Rhode Island

Both Democratic U.S. House incumbents seek re-election. In the 1st Congressional District, Rep. Gabe Amo faces challengers Allen Waters, a Republican and career investment consultant, and Christopher Reynolds, an independent. The last time a Republican won this seat was in 1992.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Amo won the seat in a special election last year, becoming Rhode Islands first Black representative in Congress.

In the 2nd Congressional District, Rep. Seth Magaziner is challenged by Republican Steven Corvi, a college lecturer.

Statewide ballot measures in Rhode Island

Rhode Island voters will also decide on five statewide initiatives on their ballots. One of the measures proposes $160.5 million in bonds to improve higher education facilities.

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for grabs. These elections will determine who has control over the two chambers of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rhode Island is a blue wall state, meaning voters have typically voted for Democrats in presidential elections since 1992. Four Electoral College votes will go to the presidential race. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Early voting in Rhode Island started on Oct. 16 and ran through Nov. 4. All polls for in-person voting on Election Day run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. except for New Shoreham, which opens at 9 a.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
RICHMOND, R.I. (WPRI)  The town of Richmond will be issuing a precautionary boil water advisory on Thursday.

The town said there will be planned storage tank repairs that are required by the Rhode Island Department of Health. There is reportedly no known contamination.

Letters and emails have been sent to water customers, and restaurants will also be contacted by the Health department.

The town said the order will be in effect through at least Nov. 12, once the water is tested and safe to drink.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Residents seeking additional information can call Northeast Water Solutions at (401) 667-7463 ext. 101 or click here.

NEXT: Richmond police sergeant remembered as a great person to have on your team

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  In a closely watched race, incumbent Sen. Rick Scott battled it out with former Democratic congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell to maintain his seat in the U.S. Senate.

By 8 p.m. on election night, Scott had won over 50% of the vote, with more than 4 million Floridians choosing to reelect him to his seat.

The outcome of the race will have major implications when it comes to the balance of power in the Senate as Democrats have previously held a slim majority.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Heated Florida U.S. Senate race enters final days

An upset victory for Mucarsel-Powell, who in 2018 became the first Ecuadorian American and first South American born woman elected to Congress, would have helped her party maintain control of the chamber.

However, with Scotts win, Republicans moved closer to regaining control.

Mucarsel-Powell served in Floridas 26th Congressional District until 2021, when she lost her reelection to Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez.

The former congresswomans campaign was centered around womens access to healthcare and protecting the environment, as well as reducing the cost of living and gun violence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, Scott criticized Mucarsel-Powell for her voting history showing support for aid for migrants, often referring to her as a socialist during the heated race.

Scotts bid for a second term puts him in a position to succeed U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnel, who is stepping down as the Senate Republican leader.

The senator worked as a healthcare executive before running for governor in 2010. He served two terms as the 45th Governor of Florida, and then was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2018 after narrowly defeating incumbent Democratic senator Bill Nelson.

His message has focused on the economy and rising prices during Joe Bidens presidential administration, with Scott proposing a 12-point plan to rescue America.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mucarsel-Powell also took her own shots at Scott while on the campaign trail. In an attack ad released in the final days of the race, she criticized Scott for his leadership over a healthcare company that was fined $1.7 billion after a Medicare and Medicaid fraud investigation.

Altogether, the candidates raised nearly $70 million to battle it out in the Sunshine State.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
NTT DATA, a global leader in digital business and IT services, today announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with Google Cloud to accelerate the adoption of cloud-based data analytics and generative AI solutions for customers across key markets in Asia Pacific.

By combining NTT DATAs technology and industry expertise and client base of large enterprises with Google Clouds best-in-class data analytics, AI and cloud capabilities, the partnership will empower enterprises to spearhead innovation, enhance operational efficiency and agility and propel their business. With co-innovation at the core of this partnership, NTT DATA and Google Cloud aim to develop cloud-based data and AI solutions tailored to industry-specific needs. By using NTT DATAs existing industry blueprints, best practices and cloud solutions on Google Cloud, the partnership will deliver customised solutions and implementation expertise to businesses in healthcare, life sciences, financial services, insurance, manufacturing, retail and public sector.

The extended partnership also introduces a dedicated NTT DATA Google Cloud Business Unit, to develop joint solutions focused on data analytics and GenAI and augmented support for applications and modern infrastructure, cybersecurity and SAP on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). For effective implementation of the solutions, this partnership will boost NTT DATAs in-house expertise in Google Cloud technologies with advanced training and certification programs. NTT DATA will hire and upskill sales, pre-sales and delivery professionals on Google Cloud, equipping them to effectively sell, build, secure, migrate and deliver joint solutions to benefit customers. NTT DATA currently has 2,600 Google-certified engineers in 50 countries and plans to certify at least 1,000 more in the APAC region.

According to Gartner, Inc., worldwide end-user spending on public cloud services in 2024 is forecast to total $679 billion and is projected to exceed $1 trillion in 2027. GenAI deployments across organisations will further fuel the growing demand for modern cloud infrastructure, highlighting the importance of this strategic partnership launched in APAC, with plans for global expansion.

John Lombard, Chief Executive Officer, NTT DATA, APAC, added, This expanded partnership brings together NTT DATAs expertise in digital transformation and deep-rooted understanding of APACs diverse markets with Google Clouds unparalleled AI and cloud innovations. This isnt just about adopting new technologies; its about reimagining whats possible for businesses in the AI age. Our partner ecosystem is a cornerstone of our growth strategy, and this collaboration with Google Cloud is expected to grow our cloud business in APAC by 10x+ in 3 years.

Karan Bajwa, Vice President, Google Cloud, APAC, commented, "Customer confidence is paramount to deliver on their digital transformation aspirations, and NTT DATAs comprehensive portfolio, coupled with a deep understanding of evolving customer needs across Asia Pacific, perfectly complements Google Cloud's AI leadership and innovative solutions. Together, we're not just providing technology, we're building trust and delivering exceptional outcomes for customers as they accelerate their digital transformation journeys."

Charlie Li, Senior Executive Vice President, Global Head of Cloud and Security Services, NTT DATA, Inc. said, Our expanded partnership with Google Cloud is a significant step forward in delivering innovative solutions that address the industry-specific challenges our customers are facing. By combining NTT DATAs unique full-stack transformation portfolio with Google Clouds next-generation technologies, we are poised to accelerate our clients digital modernization priorities, particularly in areas like cloud, GenAI and cybersecurity.

As generative AI relies heavily on high-quality data for training and insights, robust data analytics capabilities are essential for successful deployments. With NTT DATAs technologies and Googles data analytics, NTT DATA enabled a major retailer to grow 22% in digital inquiries and increase occupancy by 85% through efficient use of extracted API data.

For more such business case studies and information about the partnership and Google Cloud, please visit: Cloud | NTT DATA
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  All Riverdale School District schools are closed Tuesday following bomb threats at both the high school and grade school, officials said.

According to authorities, the district received an email with a bomb threat at around 5 a.m. Tuesday morning.

VIDEO: Security footage shows Vancouver ballot box explosion

Riverdales schools and other Riverdale districts across the country were listed as targets for bombs, officials said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Following the threats, the district activated safety protocols and announced they were canceling school for the day.

School officials said they are working with Portland police as well as the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office to look into the credibility of the threat and make sure that the buildings are safe.

More information is expected to be released when available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Editors note: This story contains threatening messages that some readers may find offensive.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Riverview woman pleaded guilty to sending messages that included Palestinians in Tampa must die, among other threats, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Andrea Rubiano, 49, pleaded guilty to transmitting a threat in interstate commerce and making false statements to a federal agent, according to the DOJ. She faces up to 10 years in prison.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Rubiano sent threats to 12 Palestinian families in Florida in October 2023, according to the DOJ. The profanity-filled messages included things like They are trash and should die first, In the mosque we are going to behead them and drag them alive like rats ******* Palestinians with their wives and children.

The woman also reportedly sent a victim an Israeli flag, two images of an apparent public demonstration, 12 Palestinian flag emojis, 23 skull-and-crossbone emojis, 10 Star of David emojis, seven lit cannonball emojis and five rat emojis, according to the DOJ.

Rubiano admitted to lying to a special agent during her first interview, officials said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As part of the plea agreement, officials said Rubiano admitted to the finding that she intentionally selected Palestinian Americans and/or Arabic individuals as the objects of her threats based on their actual or perceived race, religion, national origin, or ethnicity.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Indiana was notably absent from a statement on behalf of participating attorneys general from 51 states, territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia that called for a peaceful Election Day across the nation.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Republican seeking re-election and facing opposition from Democrat Destiny Wells, is one of the few state attorneys general who did not sign the letter. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Montana Attorney Austin Knudsen also are absent.

A spokesperson for Rokita's office said in a statement that the Indiana Attorney General's Office supports the peaceful transfer of power, but passed on signing the bipartisan statement because "it's completely tone deaf."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"(The letter) fails to acknowledge the constant overheated rhetoric from the Left and two assassination attempts on President Trump. It's missing important context and is leading to the wrong conclusion that Trump alone is the problem on this issue when that couldn't be further from the truth," the AG's spokesperson said.

The National Association of Attorneys General released the statement Tuesday on behalf of a bipartisan coalition led by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Oregon Attorney General and NAAG President Ellen Rosenblum, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach.

Election Day live updates: Hoosiers head to the polls to vote for president, governor

Regardless of the outcome of Tuesdays election, we expect that Americans will respond peacefully and we condemn any acts of violence related to the results, the statement says. A peaceful transfer of power is the highest testament to the rule of law, a tradition that stands at the heart of our nations stability. As attorneys general, we affirm our commitment to protect our communities and uphold the democratic principles we serve.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The coalition called on every American to vote and respect the integrity of the democratic process.

Let us come together after this election not divided by outcomes but united in our shared commitment to the rule of law and safety of all Americans. Violence has no place in the democratic process; we will exercise our authority to enforce the law against any illegal acts that threaten it.

Contact IndyStar investigative reporter Alexandria Burris at aburris@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @allyburris. Politics reporter Kayla Dwyer contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana's Rokita missing from statement calling for Election Day peace
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Respiratory illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 spread more commonly in the fall and winter months ahead, and doctors in central Ohio are already sending a warning to parents about the growing number of cases they are seeing of RSV.

However, new guidance on the vaccine for the virus could help drive those numbers down.

Its very typical this time of year for all age kids, said Dr. Misha Yajnik, a Pediatrician with OhioHealth. The younger kids are the ones that are more susceptible to getting sick.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Despite the recent string of above average temperatures, Dr. Yajnik said the number of RSV patients shes beginning to see is rising.

The virus can often lead to wheezing and respiratory distress. While older kids tend to fight it off like a common cold, its children one-and-under that are most at risk.

The younger ones, they get that inflammation, that breathing difficulty. (Its) a little bit harder to manage, and those are the ones we end up seeing getting hospitalized, Dr. Yajnik said.

For years, strict guidance only saw the vaccine administered to premature babies, and those with the highest health-risk factors. But now, for the first time, the antibody shot is approved for kids of all ages.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Typically, the recommendation is within two weeks of giving birth, said Dr. Yajnik, who explains the vaccines antibodies will transfer from the mother to their unborn fetus. If not, the babies can start getting that as soon as theyre born.

While your kid may have been vaccinated for RSV in the past, doctors say previously vaccinated children may still need another shot.

Its not something that stays in your system for a whole year. So, if you are in a certain high-risk populationespecially babies that are premature or have any kind of lung disorder at birth, then we do want to offer it again in the following season, Dr. Yajnik said.

But the same guidance holds true not just for children, but for the elderly population as well. Individuals 65-and-up, particularly those with other health conditions, are among those most-at-risk for severe cases of RSV.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The vaccine can serve as another layer of protection against the increasing number of multi-virus illnesses since COVID-19.

And though hesitancies surrounding vaccines remerged during the pandemic, Dr. Yajnik assures its safety and efficacy for parents with questions about the shots ingredients and side effects.

Parents are trying to make the best decisions for their kids in all aspects, and especially with vaccines. Im a huge proponent of asking questions, come talk to me, read the right resources, Dr. Yajnik said.

Dr. Yajnik also says any parents with questions about whether the RSV vaccine is appropriate for their child, should contact their pediatrician.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  RTS unveiled a wrapped bus to honor military veterans Monday.

The bus, set to appear in the Veterans Day parade on Saturday, will be in service throughout the month of November.

In 2020, RTS launched a program with the Veterans Outreach Center offering free bus rides to military veterans. To date, the VOC has given out approximately 2,000 passes to veterans, and RTS has given over one million rides.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We know that a lot of services veterans use cant be accessed without the transportation to get there, and transportation shouldnt be their barrier to a successful transition home. This partnership is about more than just rides. It really means that our veterans are able to come home and thrive, VOC Executive Director Laura Heltz said.

If you are a veteran looking to get a bus pass, click here or visit the Veterans Outreach Center.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Rudy Giuliani was spotted Tuesday pulling into a polling place in a Mercedes convertible the same car he was ordered to surrender to the election workers he defamed in 2020.

The lawyers of the two election workers Giuliani was convicted of defaming said in a court filing Monday that Giuliani has yet to transfer any property into the Receivers custody, and that he and his legal team have refused or been unable to answer basic questions about the location of most of the property subject to the receivership.

Some of the items Giuliani has been ordered to give the election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, include his Yankees memorabilia, his New York City penthouse, and the 1980 Mercedes convertible which was once owned by Hollywood legend Lauren Bacall.

Rudy Giuliani shows up to Trumps polling station in the Mercedes convertible he was ordered to surrender to Georgia poll workers for defaming them, acc to the driver.https://t.co/iA8D5vVL5m pic.twitter.com/UU5CswnMQQ  Alex Rogers (@arogDC) November 5, 2024

The items are part of a nearly $150 million judgment against Giuliani. A judge ruled on Oct. 22 that Giuliani had one week to turn over his cash and assets, but Freeman and Moss lawyer said that they have yet to received any of the items in question. They were granted access to the penthouse on Oct. 31, only to learn that Giuliani had moved virtually all of its contents out approximately four weeks ago  something that neither Defendant nor Defendants counsel had bothered to mention.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lawyer added that they were told the car was in Florida but not where it was garaged. The former Donald Trump lawyer went to a polling location in Palm Beach, Florida the same Trump voted at.

A spokesman for Giuliani told NBC News that Freeman and Moss were trying to leave Giuliani penniless and homeless and denied that Giuliani was being evasive.

Mayor Giuliani has made available his property and possessions as ordered. A few items were put into storage over the course of the past year, and anything else removed was related to his two livestream programs, the spokesman said.

Find the Daily Beasts coverage of the 2024 election here. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Incumbent Mayor Kirk Watson has received a majority of votes, but the margin of whether he will win or head to a runoff is too close to call as of Wednesday.

A candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff. The margin is close enough as of Wednesday morning that official results  which include mail-in, military and overseas ballots  will need to come in before that determination can be made. All ballots must be counted by Nov. 18.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson has 50.01% of the overall vote as of the early morning hours of Nov. 6.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those additional ballots could push Watson into a runoff with Carmen Llanes Pulido.

Watson released a statement Wednesday, acknowledging the race is not quite over. Watson wrote hed received 50.1% of the vote, as of Wednesday morning. KXANs numbers show Watson currently has 50.01% of the vote.

While todays news is all about what happened nationally last night  and well all need some time to wrap our heads around it  Ive still been getting lots of nice calls and texts with congratulations on earning enough votes to get right back to work in the mayors office. Unfortunately, Ive had to let folks know that there are still some chickens hatching. As of now, the vote tally has us with 50.1%, but we learned in the very early morning hours that there are still a few thousand uncounted provisional and mail-in ballots, and we dont yet know exactly when well have a final total. What we do know  and knew from the beginning  is that with five candidates in our race, it would be extraordinary to win without a run-off. We also know that our campaign did great, earning over 100,000 more votes than the second-place finisher. Thats more votes than were cast in all of Travis County on Election Day  a huge margin. But, its not over until its over  and its not quite over. Were obviously hopeful that the final tally will keep us on top of 50%, but if it turns out we have a run-off race, you can be sure that were 100% ready to go. Well let you know as soon as we do. Watson statement

Carmen Llanes Pulido also released a statement Wednesday acknowledging the tightness of the race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The race remains incredibly close, with the incumbent avoiding a runoff with just a few dozen votes, and thousands of ballots still awaiting analysis. Official results havent been declared, and a runoff is still very much on the table. We may not have a final answer for a few daysor even early next weekas counting wraps up. Well keep you updated as soon as we know more about whats next. In the meantime, please remember to take care of yourselves and stay connected with loved ones. Enjoy this beautiful weather. These are challenging times, and your well being matters. Thank you all for your support and commitment to building a better future for our communities. Llanes Pulido statement

There are five people on your ballot to become Austins next mayor.

See updated results throughout the night below after polls close at 7 p.m.

Why are we voting for mayor of Austin again?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If it seems like you just went and voted for Austin mayor, youre right. You did.

Watsons term was only two years  instead of four  because Austin voted to move its mayoral elections to run concurrently with presidential ones. This will be the first mayoral election that aligns with that change.

This list of candidates is in the order you will see them on your ballot.

Carmen Llanes Pulido

Carmen Llanes Pulido, candidate for mayor of Austin. (Photo courtesy: Carmen Llanes Pulido campaign)

On Jan. 23, Carmen Llanes Pulido announced her intentions to run for Austin mayor.

According to a release from her campaign, Llanes Pulido has been a leading voice in underserved Austin communities working with GAVA (Go! Austin/Vamos! Austin) and as a member of the planning commission.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Llanes Pulido is the executive director for GAVA.

One-on-one with Austin mayoral candidate Carmen Llanes Pulido

Many Austinites from diverse backgrounds have asked me to step up and run for office, Llanes Pulido said in the release. There is a real craving for honest representation and common-sense solutions. People see a lack of transparency and a genuine problem with the influence that wealthy special interests wield. We need leadership that listens to the needs of people from all ends of the economic spectrum.

You can read more about Llanes Pulidos platforms in our sit down with her here.

Jeffery L. Bowen

On Aug. 19, the final day to file to be on the ballot, Bowen threw his name in the hat. He told KXAN he made the call after seeing Jennifer Virdens post about not running for office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im behind. But you know what? Nothing ventured, nothing gained, he told KXAN.

Bowen is a veteran  he served more than 20 years  and now owns a small business doing consulting, project management and other miscellaneous projects. Hes Council Member Mackenzie Kellys appointee to the board of adjustments and is vice president of the Austin Neighborhoods Council.

Candidate Jeffery L. Bowen sat down with KXAN City Hall reporter Grace Reader at one of the homes hes working on as part of his business. (KXAN photo/Grace Reader)

He was also one of the plaintiffs on the CodeNEXT lawsuit, which undid the citys overhaul of its land development code  and a lawsuit that followed which undid several land development code changes that followed.

Honestly, when I was asked about what my feelings wereif I wanted to join the lawsuit, I said, Yeah, sign me up. I had a problem with the fact of the city wanting to take away my protest rights and also violating state law, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can read more about Bowen and his platforms in our one-on-one with him here.

Doug Greco

Doug Greco (Photo courtesy: Aryel Muse)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Feb. 5, Doug Greco also announced he was running for the position.

According to a release, Greco served as the lead organizer and executive director for Central Texas Interfaith for 12 years and stepped down just prior to his announcement.

One-on-one with Austin mayoral candidate Doug Greco

In his announcement, Greco pointed to his work on LGBTQ rights under State Rep. Gina Hinojosa and as director of programs at Equity California. Greco is also openly gay, his release said.

Im running for Mayor because Austin needs a leader who will stand up for working people and against big money at City Hall and unchecked corporate power in politics overall. Despite Austins wealth and unprecedented growth, working people continue to be pushed out of the city and out of the middle class, Greco said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can read more about Greco and his platforms in our one-on-one with him here.

Kirk Watson

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is officially running for reelection, he announced in April.

FILE: Austin Mayor Kirk Watson (KXAN photo/Ed Zavala)

Watson served as mayor from 1997-2001 and took office again in early 2023. The mayor will serve two years, instead of four because Austin voted to have its election run concurrent to the presidential one. It means the national stage will play a bigger role in Austin politics moving forward.

Get things done: Austin Mayor Kirk Watson officially announces run for reelection

Weve made such great strides, but I want a full term of four years, Watson said. When I came in, I think there was a general feeling and understanding that city hall wasnt taking care of peoples basic needs in the city, and I think now the general understanding is that its on track and its doing those kinds of things.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can read more about Watsons policies in KXANs sit down interview with Watson.

Kathie Tovo

Former Austin City Council Member Kathie Tovo officially announced her intent to run for the seat in mid-January.

Kathie Tovo (KXAN photo/Grace Reader)

Tovo served on the city council from 2011 to 2023 as an at-large member of the council and later for District 9.

Former City Council Member Kathie Tovo announces run for Austin mayor

Im still committed to these same progressive values: equity, honest government and standing up for women, workers, immigrants and our LGBTQIA+ community. You can also count on me to fight against bad plans like the I-35 expansion and the States attacks on our local freedoms.

This campaign will be about engaging with Austinites throughout the city to craft a vision where every Austinite has the opportunity to succeed and thrive, Tovo said in her announcement.

You can read more about Tovos platforms in KXANs one-on-one with her here.

There are also several Austin City Council seats up for grabs. You can see a list of all candidates below:

Election Day is Nov. 5.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Russia was responsible for sending two incendiary devices to DHL logistics hubs in Germany and the United Kingdom in July as part of a wider sabotage campaign to possibly start fires aboard aircraft bound for North America, a Western security official told NBC News.

The Wall Street Journal first reported on the suspected plot.

Polish authorities have arrested four people and are searching for two more in connection with the case, according to government officials and Polish media.

The DHL Air Hub, the air freight center at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany on Aug. 30.

DHL said in an email that it is aware of two recent incidents involving shipments in our network and that it is cooperating with investigators.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration said it has bolstered air cargo screening over the past several months.

A U.S. official said federal authorities remain vigilant against threats to aviation and air cargo systems and added, At this time, there is no current active threat targeting U.S.-bound flights.

The White House National Security Council and the CIA declined to comment.

German and British authorities have said they were investigating suspected Russian sabotage in two incidents in July. A package en route to an aircraft exploded at a DHL logistics center in Leipzig before a scheduled flight. Also in July, a package burst into flames at a DHL center in Birmingham, England.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The packages included electric massagers that contained a magnesium-based flammable substance, the Western official said.

Polands national prosecutors office said the saboteurs goal was to test the transfer channel for such parcels, which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada.

Last month, Thomas Haldenwang, the head of Germanys domestic intelligence service, told German lawmakers that it was sheer luck that one of the booby-trapped packages caught fire on the ground and not during the flight of the plane. He said the incident was a particularly great danger. 

U.K. counterterrorism police investigating the incident declined to comment on the DHL cases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In recent months, U.S., British, German and other European officials have accused Russia of organizing an increasingly aggressive sabotage campaign aimed at undermining and disrupting Western assistance to Ukraine.

The attempted sabotage has included a plot to bomb or set fire to military bases in Germany, attempts to hack and disrupt Europes railway signal network and the jamming of GPS systems for civil aviation, according to European and British authorities. The physical sabotage efforts have coincided with a concerted disinformation campaign by Moscow to weaken political support for Kyiv in the West, officials say.

The director of the U.K.s MI5 domestic intelligence agency, Ken McCallum, said is a speech on Oct. 8 that Russia has turned to private intelligence operatives and criminals to do their dirty work.

Russias GRU military intelligence service in particular is on a sustained mission to generate mayhem on British and European streets: Weve seen arson, sabotage and more. Dangerous actions conducted with increasing recklessness, McCallum said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russia has repeatedly rejected allegations from Western countries that it is orchestrating a sabotage campaign in Europe.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that international media very often publish vague misinformation, which is never supported by any reliable data. This, I think, is one of such fakes, Russian state media reported.





This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Russia has been blamed for a series of bomb threats that disrupted voting in a key US election swing state.

Two polling stations in Georgia were temporarily closed after five received bomb threats that state officials described as mischief of Russian origin.

State and federal authorities were on high alert as millions of Americans headed to vote in a close-run contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The White House and Capitol in Washington were fortified in anticipation of political violence, while some states put the National Guard on standby to quell protests.

The Capitol was closed for public tours after police arrested a man who smelled like fuel seen carrying a torch and a flare gun through security.

The Capitol was closed off after an arrest - News Agency Germany/Shutterstock

Police in Philadelphia said they had received reports of people physically blocking the entrance to a polling location.

Brad Raffensperger, Georgias secretary of state, said a series of bomb threats in the Atlanta area were not credible and blamed Russian interference.

Theyre up to mischief it seems, he said. They dont want us to have a smooth, fair and accurate election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FBI also warned that two viral videos purportedly from the agency, urging Americans to vote remotely because of terror threats and voter fraud, were not authentic.

Speaking from Palm Beach, where he cast his own ballot, Trump said there would be no violence after the result, and promised to concede the contest to Ms Harris if she wins and if its a fair election.

If I lose an election, if its a fair election, Im going to be the first one to acknowledge it, he said. And  I think its been fair.

Rudy Giuliani, Trumps former lawyer, told The Telegraph he had seen no sign of cheating, but added: I know anything is possible with crooked Democrats.

Rudy Giuliani predicted a win for Trump - Julian Simmonds for the Telegraph

Trump also said he had run the best campaign of his life and was confident of victory. He said he would not stand for a fourth time if he lost, and would leave politics sad and very fulfilled.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Asked whether he would call for calm among his supporters should he lose, Trump said: I certainly dont want any violence. Of course therell be no violence  my supporters are not violent people.

Ms Harris, speaking ahead of an appearance at Howard University, her alma mater, said she had not been distracted by personal attacks by her opponent during the campaign.

She told a local radio station in Philadelphia her presidential run was about uplifting people and giving them access to opportunity.

More than 75 million Americans voted early in this years election, with some swing states including Michigan expecting record turnout. State officials said they were planning to keep polling stations open to keep up with demand after early queues surpassed expectations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both campaigns raced to get their supporters to the polls, expecting a close result in several of the key battlegrounds.

In Pennsylvania, a Trump-supporting campaign group founded by Elon Musk sent an emergency squad to correct the mail-in ballots of Republicans whose votes had been rejected.

Mr Giuliani, the former mayor of New York who served as one of Trumps top lieutenants after the 2020 election, told The Telegraph: I am as confident as I have ever been [of a Trump win] ... except I am very nervous.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Two telecommunications bodies - one representing telecoms consumers and the other industry participants - have lambasted Australia's second largest telco Optus after consumer and competition watchdog the ACCC announced it was taking the telco to court for alleged sales misconduct.

The ACCC announced last week that it is taking court action against Optus as a result of alleged unconscionable dealings with 429 individual consumers.

The cases primarily occurred in two Optus stores in Darwin, with some cases also in Mount Isa and in other stores nationwide.

Luke Coleman, CEO of Communications Alliance, which represents telecoms service providers and other industry players, did not mention its member Optus directly but left no doubt as to the body's stance.

"Unconscionable conduct in sales - particularly to vulnerable customers - is unacceptable behaviour," Coleman said.

"The court proceedings announced by the ACCC are a clear reminder that telcos are subject to strong direct regulation with the possibility of heavy penalties, in this case through the Australian Consumer Law."

However, Coleman stopped short of acceding to calls for tighter telecoms industry regulations.

"Calls for additional direct regulation as a result of todays announcement miss the point: existing laws are working exactly as they should," he said.

"Australian regulators are tigers with teeth - they have strong enforcement powers, and they are not afraid to use them.

"Even with these laws in place, industry is taking further action to strengthen consumer protections around sales practices.

"Communications Alliance is currently updating the Telecommunications Consumer Protection (TCP) Code including a new section focussed on responsible sales practices, with consumer remedies and claw-back of sales incentive payments when mis-selling is identified."

Meanwhile the message from the consumer side of the industry was somewhat stronger.

Carol Bennett CEO of telecoms consumer advocacy body ACCAN savaged Optus for its alleged sales misconduct and, in contrast to Comms Alliance, called for tougher consumer regulations.

"Consumers around the country will be feeling angry and betrayed at the news that Optus have allegedly taken advantage of consumers, predominately First Nations, regional consumers, consumers with a disability, and low-income consumers, in a display of gross misconduct," Bennett said.

"As we have stated, this court case should spur fundamental changes in the way our sector is regulated.

"If the ACCC allegations are proven in court, there is no doubt that significant reforms are needed to reinforce consumer protections and strengthen the powers and penalties available to the communications regulator."
(Bloomberg) -- Russias seaborne crude exports plunged in the latest week, with the biggest decline since early July dragging down the four-week average.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Weekly flows dropped by about 530,000 barrels a day in the period to Nov. 3, as Russia made no shipments from the Arctic port of Murmansk and just one from Novorossiysk on the Black Sea. Four-week exports fell by 90,000 barrels a day, extending their decline for a second week, despite major ports on the Baltic and Pacific coasts operating near peak levels.

The drop in cargoes from Novorossiysk mirrors a four-day gap in the loading program; such periods often indicate maintenance at a port or on the pipelines serving it. The slump in Arctic shipments may simply be a reflection of scheduling, with three tankers loading the previous week and four more at, or very close to, Murmansk fjord by the end of the most recent period.

Russias primary refining rate rose sharply in the final week of October, as seasonal maintenance passed its peak. That likely reduced the volume of crude available for export.

Indias Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri says his country, already the largest market for Moscows seaborne crude, can further boost oil imports from Russia if prices are right, adding that there had recently been a small decline, with other sources becoming more competitive. Russia now provides 38% of Indias crude imports, he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The drop in shipments came as the OPEC+ group of oil producers, which Russia leads alongside Saudi Arabia, delayed for the second time a plan to start adding back some of the supply it has cut in recent years. Moscow will have to wait until at least the start of next year to enjoy a rising production target, though that could be postponed again.

Crude Shipments

A total of 29 tankers loaded 21.11 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to Nov. 3, vessel-tracking data and port-agent reports show. The volume was down from 24.97 million barrels on 32 ships the previous week.

Daily crude flows in the week to Nov. 3 slumped by about 530,000 barrels to 3.02 million, the lowest in six weeks. The drop was driven by lower flows from the countrys Black Sea and Arctic ports, which more than offset higher shipments from the Pacific.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Less volatile four-week average flows also fell, dropping for a second week to average 3.32 million barrels a day, down by 90,000 from the period to Oct. 27.

Crude shipments so far this year are about 50,000 barrels a day, or 1.4%, below the average for the whole of 2023.

One cargo of Kazakhstans KEBCO crude was loaded at Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea and one at Novorossiysk on the Black Sea during the week.

Russia terminated its export targets at the end of May, opting instead to restrict production, in line with its partners in the OPEC+ oil producers group. The countrys output target is set at 8.978 million barrels a day until the end of December, after a planned easing of some output cuts was delayed for a second time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Moscow also pledged to make deeper output cuts in October and November this year, then between March and September of 2025, to compensate for pumping above its OPEC+ quota earlier this year.

Export Value

The effect on the Kremlins oil income from the drop in flows was boosted by declines in the price of Russian crude, which together pushed the gross value of Moscows exports down by about $250 million to $1.35 billion in the week to Nov. 3.

Income fell with a slump in weekly-average prices for Russias major crude streams adding to the effect of the lower export volume. The price drop was in line with broader declines for oil after Irans energy infrastructure was spared in Jerusalems retaliation for the missile barrage that the Persian Gulf nation launched against Israel at the start of last month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Export values at Baltic ports were down week-on-week by about $2.30 a barrel. Prices for Black Sea loading Urals and key Pacific grade ESPO fell by about $1.90 compared with the previous week. Delivered prices in India were down by a similar amount, all according to numbers from Argus Media.

Four-week average income slipped to about $1.53 billion a week, from $1.57 billion in the period to Oct. 27.

On this basis, the price of Russias shipments from the Baltic and Black Sea in the four weeks to Nov. 3 was down by about $0.80 a barrel from the period to Oct. 27. Prices for key Pacific grade ESPO were lower by about $0.30 a barrel.

Flows by Destination

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Observed shipments to Russias Asian customers, including those showing no final destination, edged lower to 3.03 million barrels a day in the four weeks to Nov. 3. Thats about 6% below the average level seen during the recent peak in April.

About 1.3 million barrels a day of crude were loaded onto tankers heading to China. The Asian nations seaborne imports are boosted by about 800,000 barrels a day of crude delivered from Russia by pipeline, either directly, or via Kazakhstan.

Flows on ships signaling destinations in India averaged 1.27 million barrels a day, down from a revised 1.58 million for the period to Oct. 27.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Indian figures, in particular, are likely to rise as the discharge ports become clear for vessels that are not currently showing final destinations. Most of those heading from Russias western ports through the Suez Canal end up in the south Asian nation.

The equivalent of about 140,000 barrels a day was on vessels signaling Port Said or Suez in Egypt. Those show up as Unknown Asia until a final destination becomes apparent.

The Other Unknown volumes, running at about 320,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to Nov. 3, are those on tankers showing no clear destination. Most originate from Russias western ports and go on to transit the Suez Canal, but some could end up in Turkey. Others may be moved from one vessel to another.

Two Aframax tankers, Cankiri and Sakarya, are signaling their destinations as OPL Morocco, suggesting they may transfer their loads into a VLCC when they arrive there in the coming days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At least nine tankers that have loaded cargoes at Russias Baltic ports since Oct. 22 remain anchored off Ust-Luga showing no destination. Similar delays have been seen from time-to-time in the past.

Separately, Greek navel exercises that have been running since May, forcing most ship-to-ship cargo transfers out of the Laconian Gulf and nearby waters, are due to end this month, unless they are extended again.

Russias seaborne crude exports to European countries have ceased, with flows to Bulgaria halted at the end of last year. Moscow also lost about 500,000 barrels a day of pipeline exports to Poland and Germany at the start of 2023, when those countries stopped purchases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Turkey is now the only short-haul market for shipments from Russias western ports, with flows in the 28 days to Nov. 3 unchanged at about 290,000 barrels a day.

NOTES

This story forms part of a weekly series tracking shipments of crude from Russian export terminals and the gross value of those flows. The next update will be on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. Those are shipments made by KazTransoil JSC that transit Russia for export through Novorossiysk and Ust-Luga and are not subject to European Union sanctions or a price cap. The Kazakh barrels are blended with crude of Russian origin to create a uniform export stream. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has rebranded its cargoes to distinguish them from those shipped by Russian companies.

Vessel-tracking data are cross-checked against port agent reports as well as flows and ship movements reported by other information providers including Kpler and Vortexa Ltd.

TK TK If you are reading this story on the Bloomberg terminal, click for alink to a PDF file of four-week average flows from Russia to key destinations.

--With assistance from Sherry Su.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
With the U.S. presidential campaigns in full swing, so are Americas foreign adversaries.

As we speak, they are working around the clock, deploying information operations aimed at interfering in US elections. Russia, in particular, is sowing chaos and undermining American citizens faith in their institutions, democracy, and leadership, with only one end goal in mind: weakening Americas position as a global leader.

Admitting there is a problem  an information war being conducted by Moscow  is a necessary first step to push the American people to recognise that this is a serious foreign threat. But it is not enough. Washington must push back and put its adversaries on the defensive.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to U.S. intelligence, Russia is the predominant threat to US elections. The Kremlin views this so-called information confrontation as central to its broader struggle with the United States and Vladimir Putins push for a multipolar world. In pursuing that goal, Russian operatives have been using old Soviet-era strategies to deepen divides on controversial issues like racial tensions, abortion, gun control, or immigration. Russia has also promoted separatist movements, as seen in Texas and California, by amplifying secessionist narratives and civil unrest in order to destabilise the US. Putin is also looking to weaken American support for Ukraine.

Moscows strategies have evolved considerably. This is evident in Russias approach during the 2020 US presidential election, where it shifted from tactics like releasing hacked information, as seen in 2016, to laundering narratives through prominent Americans and U.S. media organisations. An FBI affidavit from September 2024 reveals further adjustments in Russias campaign, showing that Moscow now employs domains impersonating legitimate media and enlists influencers globally to amplify its messaging.

While foreign interference in US elections is not new, this election cycle has introduced a more sophisticated form of meddling: leveraging artificial intelligence and deepfakes. Just last week, European intelligence services obtained Russian documents, outlining how a former U.S. marine and deputy sheriff was working for Russian military intelligence, creating deepfakes and pushing disinformation about Vice President Kamala Harris. US officials have also found evidence that Russia was behind a fake video of mail in ballots for Donald Trump being destroyed in Pennsylvania. These discovery comes amid growing evidence that Russia is using AI as part of its Doppelganger operation to influence the November election.

Washington has been successfully exposing Russias information operations, a step in the right direction, but this is not enough.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russia employs a hack and leak strategy, which they pair with influence operations, revealing a distinct approach to information security that contrasts with the U.S. They integrate both technical parts, like pipeline shutdowns or device surveillance, with psychological operations, as part of their broader information security doctrine. To counter this, the U.S. should consider a more comprehensive strategy that merges technical and psychological parts aligning its information security practices with the Kremlins multifaceted approach.

The commander of US Cyber Command has identified information operations as foundational for the Department of Defense moving forward. He is right. Russia has adopted a strategy of swarming  essentially, overwhelming  the United States in the information space. Today, the right response should allow Washington to go on offense and adopt a swarming strategy, overwhelming Russias information space by flooding the enemy population with vast amounts of information to lure Russias intelligence services into addressing the new influx of information and the potential ensuing social upheaval, rather than focusing on conducting offensive operations against the U.S.

Washington should enhance its perception management in the Department of Defense to secure information superiority. To effectively counter Russian tactics, US defense and intelligence agencies should adopt strategies based on the Soviet concept of reflexive controlinfluencing adversaries subtly to steer them toward choices that favour US interests. Washington should infiltrate Moscows decision-making process, prompting outcomes that are aligned with American objectives in the information space.

While Russia is considered the predominant threat in the information space, China and Iran are catching up and, according to US intelligence, are also actively working to undermine US elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Without a strong response, Moscow will persist in its attacks, exploiting vulnerabilities in U.S. information space. It is past time for Washington to adopt a proactive stance and return the favour for Moscows influence operations.

Dr Ivana Stradner is a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington DC

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Russia does not recognize incumbent Moldavan President Maia Sandus recent election victory, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the pro-state Kommersant news outlet on Nov. 5.

"She is not, as far as we understand, the president of her country because, in the country itself, the majority of the population did not vote for her," Peskov said.

Pro-EU Sandu won on Nov. 3 by a margin of about 55.3% to 44.7% despite what she called an "unprecedented" election interference backed by Moscow.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Russian-friendly Party of Socialists, who supported Sandu's opponent Alexandr Stoianoglo, also announced on Nov. 5 that they do not view Sandu as legitimately elected and will not recognize her as president.

Igor Dodon, Sandu's Kremlin-backed predecessor and the Socialist chairman, accused the president of "brazen manipulations" and said that she was elected only thanks to diaspora votes. The party plans an appeal to the Constitutional Court and the Central Election Committee regarding alleged "violations by authorities."

The election saw a record turnout among the Moldovan diaspora. Some 327,000 votes were cast from abroad, of which over 80% were for Sandu.

At home, the incumbent president received 48.67% of the vote, compared to 51.3% won by former Prosecutor General Stoianoglo. The country of 2.5 million saw a 54% turnout.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Moldovan authorities, independent observers, and officials from the EU and the U.S. pointed to a malign influence campaign involving criminal networks and political groups tied to Russia. Moldovan lawmakers claimed that Moscow spent millions of dollars backing Stoianoglo.

Sandu has long insisted that the real opponent to her government and Moldova's European path is the Kremlin, which has been waging a hybrid war designed to push Chisinau back into Moscow's orbit in what Sandu described "a fraud of unprecedented proportions."

Read also: Sandu wins in Moldova despite unprecedented Russian interference

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Bloomberg) -- Russia is increasing its efforts to manufacture and disseminate phony videos and bogus information to undermine the legitimacy of the American election and exacerbate already deep divisions, US intelligence agencies warned late Monday  hours before Election Day.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These efforts risk inciting violence, including against election officials. We anticipate Russian actors will release additional manufactured content with these themes through Election Day and in the days and weeks after polls close according to a joint statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.

The agencies also said that Iran posed a threat to election integrity and had conducted malicious cyber activities to compromise former President Trumps campaign.

Earlier: Rumors, Lies and Disinformation: A Lot of Crazy in US Election

Late last month, intelligence officials said Russian operatives were behind a fake video supposedly showing someone tearing up ballots in Pennsylvania.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Over the weekend, the Russian Embassy in Washington denied, in a statement on Telegram, that it had anything to do with videos that falsely appeared to show voting fraud. We view these allegations as baseless, the embassy said in the statement.

The amount of content created and spread by operatives working for US adversaries has increased in the 2024 election compared to previous ones, according to David Salvo, managing director at the German Marshall Funds Alliance for Securing Democracy and Malign Autocratic Influence. Russia and Iran are also using a greater variety of tactics this time, with use of AI and American influencers, he added.

In the period between Election Day and inauguration day, Russia and Iran are likely to amplify domestic actors calling for violence and to use this particular vulnerability of political extremism to try to galvanize Americans to come out and protest violently, Salvo said.

Earlier Monday, Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency told reporters that we are in an election cycle with an unprecedented amount of disinformation, including disinformation being aggressively pedaled and amplified by our foreign adversaries at a greater scale than ever before.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We cannot allow our foreign adversaries to have a vote in our democracy, she added.

--With assistance from Katrina Manson.

(Updates with Savlo comment, starting in sixth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Russian forces are launching about 10 times as many Shahed-136 drones against Ukraine as they did last fall, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram Monday.

Moscow has ramped up drone strikes on Kyiv and the rest of the country, while decreasing the use of more powerful and harder-to-intercept cruise and ballistic missiles, the Kyiv Independent reported. We must fully counter them, Zelensky said following the meeting with top Ukrainian officials.

Post Unavailable

On Nov. 3, the Ukrainian Air Force said that Russia attacked with one Kh-59/69 guided air missile from the airspace of the Kursk region and 96 Shahed drones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, as they increase their use of Shahed drones, the Russians are stockpiling missiles and have begun to use more decoys, according to Ukrainian military and political analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko.

In total, over the past month, the enemy used 84 missiles of various types, which is almost two times less than in September (151), he stated on Telegram. At the same time, 15 were intercepted (versus 48 missiles in September).

Last month, the Russian occupiers did not carry out massive missile strikes on Ukraine  as, in general, in September, he noted. But there were regular single strikes  with frequent use of Kh-59/69 and 9M723 missiles.

During October, not a single launch of the 9M728 Iskander-K OTRK [cruise missile] was recorded, while the enemy regularly used the 9M723 Iskander-M/KN-23 OTRK [ballistic missiles], Kovalenko added, noting that there was a similar pause in the use of Kh-101/555 air-launched cruise missiles and the Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But this does not mean that the Russian occupation forces have run out of them, but indicates their accumulation, he posited.

Russia is very likely saving its missiles for massive attacks on Ukraines already-imperiled electrical grid during the cold winter months when they will have the most effect on morale.

Post Unavailable

Zelensky pointed out that there are a large amount of foreign components in these drones.

Such a massive number of Shaheds requires over 170,000 individual components that should have been blocked from reaching Russia, Zelensky commented. They come from companies in China, Europe, and Americalots of small but constant contributions to Russias terror. This ongoing supply chain highlights, yet again, the urgent need for the world to step up export controls on special components and resources, he added. Russia must not be allowed to circumvent sanctions that were imposed long ago in response to this war. Sanctions must increase and be effective. Every scheme to bypass sanctions is a crime against people and the world. These very schemes also enable Russia to strengthen regimes in Iran and North Korea. This is a global threat, and only global, unified pressure can overcome it.

Post Unavailable

Last month, Russians used 2,023 Shahed drones as well as those of an unspecified type on civilian and military facilities in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff claimed on Telegram last week. Of them, 1,185 were destroyed/suppressed by Ukrainian defenders and another 29 UAVs left the controlled airspace of our country. In general, since the beginning of 2024, the enemy launched 6,987 attack UAVs on the territory of Ukraine. Mostly enemy drones targeted the civilian and critical infrastructure of Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While having 29% of all long-range one-way attack launched at Ukraine this year fired in the past month is a stunning figure, Kovalenko suggested that number also included some decoys.

The professionalism and skill of the servicemen of the Defense Forces saved thousands of lives of our people from the Russian air terror, to protect hundreds of homes of Ukrainian citizens and important state objects from destruction, the General Staff explained.

Post Unavailable

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Overnight into Monday, Russia launched 80 Shaheds, according to Ukrainian Member of Parliament Lesia Vasylenko.

This is just one night guys, she emphasized.

Post Unavailable

Several videos have emerged on social media showing recent Shahed attacks on Ukraine. The following video shows one flying over Kyiv on Nov. 2.

Post Unavailable

This one purports to show a Shahed being intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses over Kyiv.

Post Unavailable

In September, Ukrainian air defenses shot down a Shahed attack drone that was fitted with the SpaceX companys Starlink equipment, the Ukrainian Defense Express news outlet reported.

Starlink can be needed by the enemy in order to transmit intelligence, for example, collected by radio equipment regarding the positions of Ukrainian air defense, the publication surmised. Or, in the case of equipping the drone with cameras  images. And thanks to Starlink, the Russian Federation can use Shahed as an extremely long-range [drone] with the possibility of reconnaissance, due to an additional camera, and defeat even moving targets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The use of enhanced Shaheds to hunt and kill even moving targets far behind the front lines is something we first discussed back in February.

We contacted SpaceX for comment and will update this story with any pertinent response provided.

Post Unavailable

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As we previously reported, Russia is using densely packed waves of Shaheds to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. Now one of Russias new long-range Gerbera drones, likely serving as a decoy during a mass Shahed drone attack, was captured on video being intercepted by a Ukrainian drone.

Like the Shahed, the new drone has a relatively large delta wing, although with prominently cranked leading edges. Rather than vertical stabilizers on the wingtips as on the Geran, the Gerbera has a conventional single vertical tailfin, located just ahead of the single pusher propeller driven by an internal combustion engine.

Post Unavailable

Czech-supplied Mi-24V Hind helicopter gunships in Ukrainian service have reportedly been hunting Shahed drones for the last few months. The Hinds have been downing them with 12.7mm rotary cannon fire. The following image shows one sporting nine drone air-to-air kill marks. While Ukraine is turning to helicopters, drone-hunting planes and mobile drone-hunting teams, it is still forced to use a large amount of precious missile interceptors in these drone waves, something that is in finite supply.

Post Unavailable

Ukraines State Security Bureau (SBU) detained a 72-year-old scientist from Kharkiv who helped the Russians to improve Shahed drones, the agency announced on Telegram.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Counter-intelligence of the Security Service detained an enemy henchman who worked for the military-industrial complex of the Russian Federation in Kharkiv, SBU claimed. He turned out to be a 72-year-old scientist-mechanic who, on the order of the Rashists, developed drawings for the improvement of Shahed-type kamikaze drones. In particular, he worked on the modernization of engines and catapult installations.

According to the investigation, the suspect remotely transferred technological developments to his acquaintance, the general director of one of the Russian machine-building plants, which produces units for drones.

Since 2023, that company has been closely cooperating with the Russian company, which is engaged in the production of shock drones of the Shahed type, which the Russians label under the name Geran-2.

The suspect used e-mail and a popular messenger to communicate with Russian accomplices. At the same time, he disguised cooperation with the occupiers under the guise of preparing scientific papers in the field of UAVs, SBU avered. As the investigation established, the scientist involved in the project worked with his former student, who fled from Kharkiv Oblast to the Russian Federation at the beginning of the full-scale war. There he got a job at the Moscow University of Technology, where he develops drones for the Russian Armed Forces.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the search, computer equipment, a mobile phone and flash drives with evidence of subversive activities in favor of the Russian Federation were seized from him, according to SBU.

The suspect is in custody. He faces 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

Initially, Russia received its Shahed drones from Iran. Last month, Ukraine said it hit a warehouse storing about 400 Shaheds that exploded in the attack, according to Radio Liberty.

Earlier this year, we told you about the new factory in Russia producing Shaheds. The increasing waves of these drones used to attack Ukraine may be an indication of that facilitys output. What remains unclear is what components are still be sourced through Iran and if Israels air strikes would hamper the delivery of those subsystems if they are indeed still coming from Iran.

The Latest

On the battlefield, Russian forces continue to press deeper into Ukrainian defenses. The latest Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessment offers details about these advances.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kursk Oblast: Russian forces reportedly recently advanced in the main Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast amid continued fighting on November 3. Speaking to reporters Monday afternoon, including from The War Zone, the Pentagons top spokesman Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Russia hasnt made any significant gains in Kursk.

Kharkiv Oblast: The Russians continued limited offensive operations northeast of Kharkiv City near Vovchansk and Hatyshche (northwest of Vovchansk) on November 2 and 3 but did not advance.

Luhansk Oblast: Moscows troops recently advanced west of Svatove and northwest of Kreminna amid continued offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line on November 3. Geolocated footage published on November 3 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced on the eastern outskirts of Andriivka (west of Svatove) and in northern Terny (northwest of Kreminna), according to ISW.

Donetsk: Russian forces recently launched a battalion-sized mechanized assault southeast of Siversk and marginally advanced. Geolocated footage published on November 2 shows Ukrainian forces repelling a Russian battalion-sized mechanized assault involving around 120 Russian servicemen, seven tanks, 13 infantry fighting vehicles (BMPs), and two MT-LB amphibious armored personnel carriers northeast of Vesele and south of Ivano-Darivka (both southeast of Siversk), ISW reported. The geolocated footage indicates that Russian forces marginally advanced in the areas northeast of Vesele and south Ivano-Darivka. Russian forces reportedly continued assaults in Chasiv Yar and south of Chasiv Yar near Predtechnyne on November 2 and 3 but did not advance. They also continued offensive operations north of Kurakhove near Novoselydivka, Novodmytrivka, and Kreminna Balka; northeast of Kurakhove near Hostre, Vovchanka, and Illinka; and east of Kurakhove near Maksymilyanivka. Russian forces recently advanced northeast and northwest of Vuhledar amid continued offensive operations on November 2 and 3. Geolocated footage published on November 3 also shows that Russian forces seized Katerynivka (northeast of Vuhledar) and advanced towards a bridge east of Yelyzavetivka (northwest of Katerynivka), ISW explained.

Zaporizhzhia Oblast: Russian forces reportedly marginally advanced during localized ground attacks in western Zaporizhia Oblast on November 3.

Post Unavailable

The first North Korean troops have already come under fire in Russias Kursk region, Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation department at Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, stated on Telegram Monday.

He provided no details or any visual proof. Ryder on Monday said he could not corroborate that or the veracity of an image showing a North Korean soldier reportedly killed in action in Kursk which you can see below.

This photograph shows a North Korean soldier killed fighting Ukrainian troops in Russias Kursk region.

There are about 10,000 North Korean troops currently in Kursk, Ryder said. Thats an increase from the 7,200 Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraines Defense Intelligence Directorate, told us were there last week. Pyongyang, as we were the first to report, has sent some 12,000 troops to aid Russias fight against Ukraine, according to Budanov.

In another sign of the burgeoning Moscow-Pyongyang relationship, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in the Kremlin on Monday, Moscow announced.

Choe has been in Russia for a week and has pledged that North Korea would stand by Russia until its victory in Ukraine, according to The Moscow Times.

President Putin received the foreign minister of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Choe Son Hui, the Kremlin said in a statement, publishing a video of the pair shaking hands ahead of talks.

That statement comes on the heels of one Choe made last week, saying: From the very beginning of the war, our esteemed comrade Kim Jong-un instructed us to consistently and powerfully support and assist the Russian army in their holy war.

Post Unavailable

The presence of so many North Korean troops in Russia has sparked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to call for greater intelligence sharing with South Korea.

There is only one conclusion, Zelensky said he told South Korean President Yun Seok-yeol on Sunday. This war is internationalized and goes beyond the borders of two states.

In addition, the two leaders agreed to strengthen the exchange of intelligence and expertise, to intensify contacts at all levels, including the highest, in order to develop an action strategy and a list of countermeasures in response to escalation, Zelensky stated.

In addition, he called for both nations to involve mutual partners in cooperation. Within the framework of this agreement, Ukraine and the Republic of Korea will soon exchange delegations to coordinate actions.

Last week, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Russian forces have trained the North Korean soldiers in artillery operations, unmanned aerial vehicle operations and basic infantry tactics to include trench clearing.

The Kremlin, he added, has also provided these [North Korean] troops with Russian uniforms and equipment, and all of that strongly indicates that Russia intends to use these foreign forces in frontline operations in its war of choice against Ukraine.

Make no mistake, Austin posited. If these North Korean troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would make themselves legitimate military targets, the secretary said.

Just days after complaining that Ukraine has received only 10% of the military aid promised by allies, President Volodymyr Zelensky offered some positive news on that front.

There are important developments in the matter of supply from partners for the front  we are recording an increase in supply according to support packages, Zelensky said Monday on Telegram. The results in the supply of artillery became better.

Post Unavailable

Zelenskys latest comments on foreign aid came after the Pentagon on Friday announced additional security assistance. This is the 69th tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021 under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA).

Among many other items, the package, which has an estimated value of $425 million, provides 200 Stryker armored vehicles. That doubles the previous U.S. commitment.

The capabilities in this announcement include:

Munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS)

Stinger missiles

Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) equipment and munitions

Air-to-ground munitions

Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)

155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition

Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles

Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems

Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers

Small arms and ammunition

Medical equipment

Demolitions equipment and munitions; and

Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.

A Stryker armored fighting vehicle drives down the street on August 30, 2024 in the Kursk region of Russia. (Photo by Oleg Palchyk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) OLEG PALCHYK WWW.PALCHYK.ONLINE

U.S.-donated Bradley Fighting Vehicles have proven their value on the battlefield, destroying enemy vehicles and positions and protecting occupants from incoming fire. The video below shows one Bradley firing a munition from it dual-tube BMG-71 TOW (Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wireless-Guided) missile launcher in Kursk.

Post Unavailable

However, another U.S.-donated Abrams M1 main battle tank was captured by the Russians. As you can see in the video below, it was largely intact. According to the Oryx open-source tracking group, this is at least the second Abrams captured by Russia. That figure could be higher because Oryx only tabulates losses for which it has visual confirmation. Of 31 Abrams provided to Ukraine, at least 16 have been destroyed, damaged, damaged and abandoned, or captured, Oryx reports.

Post Unavailable

Ukraines defense industry is making significant strides toward domestic weapons production, with plans to manufacture its own cruise and ballistic missiles by mid-2025, said Oleksii Petrov, the director of the Ukrainian enterprise Spetstechnoexport, the Ukrainian Euromaidan Press reported. The company specializes in export and import of military and dual-purpose products and services globally.

Petrov revealed that flight tests of these weapons are already underway.

Post Unavailable

A Ukrainian Ukrainian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter is seen in the following video launching eight U.S.-made GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) at Russian positions. The Russians were preparing an attack at the time, according to the Ukrainian Sunflower Telegram channel which posted the video.

Post Unavailable

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the U.S. and allies against allowing Ukraine to use donated weapons deep into Russia. More than just permission, Putin said it would require satellite data and other intelligence sources that Ukraine does not have.

Naturally, well have to appropriately respond to that, he said, according to Russias South African Embassy. How exactly, where and when  its still too early to say. But of course our Defense Ministry is thinking about it, and will offer various options.

Post Unavailable

Canada, meanwhile, is pushing for Western allies to allow Ukraine to use its donated weapon deep into Russia.

Speaking in Montreal following the conference on Ukraines Peace Formula, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly expressed support for Ukraines use of Western long-range weapons against targets in Russia, Ukrinform reported on Monday.

We agree with the use of long-range weapons by Ukraine on Russian targets, Joly said, emphasizing that this capability was necessary for Ukraines self-defense.

Canada currently does not provide Ukraine with long-range missiles, the publication noted.

Post Unavailable

A key U.S. provider of drones to Ukraine is facing a serious supply chain issue due to Chinese sanctions.

Skydio, the USs largest drone maker and a supplier to Ukraines military, faces a supply chain crisis after Beijing imposed sanctions on the company, including banning Chinese groups from providing it with critical components, Financial Times reported. Skydio is rushing to find alternative suppliers after Beijings move, which also blocks battery supplies from its sole provider, according to the publication, which cited people familiar with the situation. The drone maker has sought help from the Biden administration. Chief executive Adam Bry last week met US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and held discussions with senior officials at the White House.

Post Unavailable

Suffering heavy battlefield losses, Russia is charging its convicting citizens of weaseling their way out of service at numbers unseen in nearly a decade, according to the U.K. Defense Ministry (MoD).

Convictions on treason charges in Russia are at the highest level in at least nine years, the MoD explained. There have been more convictions in the first six months of this year than all of 2024, MoD explained. Similarly, there has been significant growth in convictions under criminal articles relating to extremism and terrorism, the MoD added.

Post Unavailable

There are unconfirmed reports of the crash of a Russian Su-34 Fullback that killed its crew.

Eternal flight, stated the Russian Dont_Stop_War Telegram channel.

The channel blamed a malfunction, not enemy fire.

Su-34, Technical malfunction, it suggested.

The War Zone cannot independently verify that claim.

Post Unavailable

In May, Sweden announced a military aid package to Ukraine that included its entire fleet of PvB 302 tracked armored personnel carriers (APC). They are armed with a 20-mm automatic HS804 cannon and a 7.62 mm Ksp 58 machine gun.

On Friday, the Ukrainian Ground Forces announced those vehicles are now in service and offered an assessment of their performance. They lauded its comparatively easy handling and ability to maneuver over rough terrain.

.

Zelensky chided the White House for releasing what he said was confidential information about a request for Tomahawk Land Attack cruise missiles.

Tomahawk: It was confidential information between Ukraine and White House, he said. How to understand these massages? So, it means, between partners there is no confidential things!

Post Unavailable

Zelensky also said India can play a role in ending the war.

It should only be in accordance with our format, because the war is on our land. We have a platform  the Peace Summit, Zelensky told The Times of India in an exclusive interview.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi can influence the end of the war, he added. Today, neutrality means support for Russia.

Post Unavailable

Polands Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosaw Sikorski shot back at Zelenskys criticism that Warsaw wasnt supplying Kyiv with the full tranche of promised MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters or shooting down missiles over his country.

In proportion to GDP, Poland has done more for Ukraine than any other country, Sikorski told reporters. Russia is also threatening us and not everything is possible.

A day earlier, Zelensky complained that Poland was not living up to its commitment to provide the Fulcrums.

We agreed on this, but after that, did Poland give us the planes? No. Was there another reason? Yes, Zelensky said without providing further details, according to the Kyiv Independent.

Zelensky added that Ukraine has constantly asked Poland to shoot down Russian missiles flying in its direction, particularly to protect the gas storage facility in the town of Stryi in Ukraines Lviv Oblast, located nearly 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of the Ukrainian-Polish border, the publication added.

We do not have the appropriate number of (air defense) systems to protect the gas storage facility. What about the Poles? Are they shooting it down? No. The Poles said we are ready to shoot down if we are not alone in this decision; if NATO supports us.

Post Unavailable

Meanwhile, Poland has started building defensive lines on the border with Russia as part of the East Shield initiative, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Nov. 1.

Presented this May, the program aims to fortify Polands borders with Belarus, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, the Kyiv Independent reported. It includes a mix of new physical barriers, modern surveillance systems, and infrastructure development.

The program is part of NATOs eastern flank joint regional defense infrastructure plan that Poland is carrying out with the Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, the publication reported. Warsaw allocated a total of 10 billion zoty ($2.5 billion) to strengthen the borders with Russia and Belarus to deter aggression.

Post Unavailable

Russia is running out of tanks, according to the German Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) newspaper.

The open source platform Oryx comes on a total of 3505 battle tanks that have been destroyed, damaged or left behind since the beginning of the war, the publication noted. That is more than four times as many tanks as France, Great Britain, and Germany have in their stocks together.

Russia can only produce about 225 new tanks per year (2024-2025), FAZ reported. Satellite imagery analysis of 16 Russian tank depots shows its reserve stocks diminishing, from about 6,300 in 2021 to about 3,600 by the middle of this year.

Russia is increasingly using older tank models, posited FAZ. Some T-54 tanks (post-WW2 design) have been seen at the front. Modern T-90 tanks are no longer visible in storage depots.

The appearance of the T-54s on the battlefield is something we first reported in April 2023.

Post Unavailable

A Russian company claims to have developed the first portable drone interceptor fired from a rifle-like device. The video below shows an operator using the systems sensor to guide it to the target drone. Its not clear what advantage this gun-like system has instead of just hand-launching the drone, but the guidance system could help with engaging drones at night.

Post Unavailable

In another iteration of drone-on-drone warfare development, a Ukrainian first-person view (FPV) drone is seen in the following video dueling with and eventually destroying a Russian drone unsuccessfully trying to evade it with an onboard detection system.

Post Unavailable

Ukraine is developing technology to allow aerial drones to fly in synch, Herman Smetanin, Ukraines Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, announced last week on Telegram.

Together, the Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine with Brave1, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Digital, the General Staff, the National Guard conducted demonstration tests of new Ukrainian developments  swarms of drones and guided munitions, Smetanin announced.

All told there were 17 producer teams, seven of which presented their developments in drone swarm technology, 10  guided munition, he said. These solutions were at different stages of readiness and showed different approaches to problem-solving.

While this office is working on several products, quality must come first, Smetanin proffered. Defense must supply the military with innovative solutions that the Defense Forces really need now and in the near future. The most effective, up-to-date products designed for the conditions in which military operations take place.

Post Unavailable

There are claims that Ukraine is using FPV drones equipped with magnetic mines to attack Russian vehicles at a distance of between 12km and 15km (7.4 miles to 9.3 miles).

They land on the side of the road and are detonated by a magnetic contactless sensor, according to the Russia No Context Telegram channel. The Russian Bukhanka truck seen in the video below was lucky that it drove fast enough.

Post Unavailable

In order to better take down Russian Orlan reconnaissance drones, the Ukrainian drone engineering company Vinnytsky Bdzholy announced the completion of government testing for their new FPV drone, the Flamingo VB140. It is an interceptor designed to defend Ukrainian airspace from Russian reconnaissance drones like Orlan, according to the official Ukrainian United24 media outlet.

The VB140 Flamingo is capable of operating up to 4.5 kilometers (nearly 15,000 feet) in altitude with a range of up to 50 kilometers (more than 31 miles), company CEO Andriy Oleksyuk claimed.

Post Unavailable

The Ukrainian 128th Separate Mountain Assault Transcarpathian Brigade released a compilation video of its FPV drones destroying Russian tanks, armored personnel carriers, trucks and infantry during a reportedly unsuccessful assault attempt.

Post Unavailable

A battle between a Russian drone and a Ukrainian drone using a net capture device can be seen in the following video. It shows the Ukrainian drone approaching the Russian one and then firing a net in Spiderman fashion. The DoD is looking at a similar system for domestic drone defense.

Post Unavailable

In yet another effort to keep drones from destroying their armor, Russia is beginning to use steel cables on its tanks that are placed in such a manner that the drones shaped charges detonate before causing any real catastrophic damage. The cables resemble dreadlocks.

Post Unavailable

A U.K.-donated Brimstone truck-mounted anti-armor system is seen in the following video firing three of its precision-guided munitions at the Russians. It is unclear how many targets were engaged or the level of damage, if any, was caused. As we previously reported, this system emerged on the battlefield early in this conflict and the latest video shows Ukraine continues to rely on it.

Post Unavailable

Satellite images confirm damage caused by a Ukrainian drone attack that struck a military training facility in Chechnya late last month. The raid, which appears to be the first of its kind to hit the southern Russian republic, is one of the longest-range drone strikes that Ukraine has attempted. The target was a special forces training center, but the attack also carries significant symbolic value, due to the high level of support of local strongman Ramzan Kadyrov for Russias war in Ukraine.

A comparison of those images taken before and after the attack by American Enterprise Institute senior media associate Brady Africk shows the extent of the damage.

Post Unavailable

A few weeks back, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry posted a video of one of its tanks pummeling a Russian armored personnel carrier at close range. Another view emerged in which one of the Russians inside that vehicle recounted being abandoned by his comrades and later rescued by Ukrainians.

Post Unavailable

Rare video of a U.S.-donated Switchblade 600 loitering munition in action was released. It purportedly shows one striking a Russian Tor-M2 air defense system.

Post Unavailable

Likely frightened by the sound of an approaching Ukrainian drone, a Russian soldier ended his life by suicide. Warning, the following video is extremely graphic.

Post Unavailable

And finally, the warm days of summer are already giving way to Ukraines harsh winter. The following video shows the first snowfall in the Kharkiv region.

Post Unavailable

Thats it for now.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Russian and pro-Kremlin figures launched an information campaign on 4 November to discredit the victory of incumbent Moldovan President Maia Sandu in the presidential election.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: The Moldovan Central Election Commission (CEC) confirmed on 4 November that Sandu secured 55.35% of the vote, defeating her Kremlin-aligned opponent, Alexandr Stoianoglo. Numerous world leaders extended their congratulations to Sandu on 3-4 November, with international observers largely praising the election process despite Russian attempts to influence the results against Sandu.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pro-Russian opposition groups and officials sought to undermine Sandus victory: the Moldovan Socialist party labelled her "an illegitimate president", pro-Kremlin Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor claimed on Russian state TV Rossiya-24 that the opposition had "evidence" of widespread falsifications favouring Sandu, and pro-Kremlin former Moldovan president Igor Dodon told TASS that Sandu only won due to diaspora votes.

The Russian information space, including Russian milbloggers, echoed these claims, asserting that the election was controlled by "European bureaucrats" and that Moldovans lacked control over the outcome.

ISW previously reported on Russias systematic efforts to meddle in the Moldovan election to obstruct Moldovas EU referendum and Sandus victory.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 4 November:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russian and pro-Kremlin actors launched an information operation on 4 November to discredit incumbent Moldovan President Maia Sandus victory in the Moldovan presidential elections.

Georgian civil society and opposition resumed peaceful demonstrations on 4 November against the highly contested 26 October Georgian parliamentary elections, calling for continued resistance and further investigations into large-scale voting irregularities.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Sistema project released an investigation on 4 November detailing Russia's initial 2022 demands for Ukraine's total capitulation, further supporting ISW's long-standing assessment that Russia has never been willing to engage in good-faith negotiations with Ukraine on any terms but its own.

Russian drone and missile strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure in summer 2024 reportedly significantly impacted Ukrainian electrical generation capacity compared to March 2024, though it is unclear whether Russia had been able to inflict significant further damage on the Ukrainian energy grid since.

The Kremlin-awarded founder and director of the prominent Rybar Telegram channel and social media project attempted to falsely portray himself as a non-Kremlin actor in the Western media and confirmed the Kremlins efforts to establish "media schools" abroad.

Russian authorities arrested Rosgvardia's Deputy Head of Logistics Major General Mirza Mirzaev for bribery on 3 November.

Russian forces advanced near Novy Put, Kursk Oblast.

Ukrainian forces advanced in Kharkiv Oblast, while Russian forces advanced on the Kupiansk, Kreminna, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Vuhledar fronts.

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues efforts to form a cadre of loyal military journalists to control the pro-war Russian information space and centralise control over Russias war coverage.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russia launched at least 4,300 Shahed-type attack drones and similar UAVs imitating Shaheds against Ukraine between August and October 2024, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

This number represents a sharp rise compared to earlier months, when 1,133 Shahed-type drones were launched over Ukraine from May to July.

October also marked a record-high month for Russias drone deployments with over 2,000 drones launched. President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies to apply more sanctions against the providers of components used in Russian drones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"This volume of 'Shahed' drones means over 170,000 components that should have been blocked from reaching Russia," Zelensky said in his evening address on Nov. 2. "Microchips, microcontrollers, processors, and many other parts are essential for enabling this terror."

"All of these are supplied to Russia from abroad, unfortunately, from companies in China, Europe, and Americaa multitude of small but significant contributions to Russias ongoing terror," Zelensky added.

Between August and October, Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 3,063 of 4,300 drones, achieving a success rate of 71% through coordinated defense efforts. During the same period, the Air Force also reported that 1,052 drones, or 24% of those launched, were "locally lost," vanishing from radar  presumably due to electronic warfare measures or other disruptions.

The General Staff noted that only five percent of Russian drones reached their intended targets during this time frame, although drones shot down by air defenses can still cause damage or destruction upon falling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russia has launched tens of thousands of cheap but effective Iranian-designed Shahed-type drones against Ukraine since the fall of 2022.

Read also: Ukrainian GPS spoofing for repelling drone attacks could indirectly affect smartphone clocks, General Staff says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Reuters) - Russia launched a Soyuz rocket early on Tuesday carrying two satellites designed to monitor the space weather around Earth and 53 small satellites, including two Iranian ones, Russia's Roscosmos space agency said.

The Soyuz-2.1 launch spacecraft, which lifted off from Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome, carried two Ionosfera-M satellites, which will become part of the space system for monitoring the Earth's ionosphere, the agency said.

The ionosphere, where Earth's atmosphere meets space, stretches roughly 50 to 400 miles (80 to 644 km) above Earth's surface, according to information provided on NASA's website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Each Ionosfera-M satellite weighs 430 kg (948 lb) and its working orbit is at an altitude of 820 km (510 miles), according to Interfax news agency.

The system will include in total four of the Ionosfera-M satellites. The next two devices are planned to be launched in 2025, Roscosmos reported.

Among the 53 small satellites are two Iranian satellites, the Kowsar, a high-resolution imaging satellite, and Hodhod, a small communications satellite, as well as the first Russian-Chinese student satellite Druzhba ATURK.

Russia in February launched into space an Iranian research satellite that will scan Iran's topography from orbit, Iran's state media reported at the time.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Russia is expected to intensify attempts to undermine the U.S. vote on election day with a focus on swing states, U.S. intelligence agencies said in a statement on the eve of the election on Nov. 4.

U.S. citizens are heading to the polls on Nov. 5 as the country chooses between Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and her Republican challenger, former President Donald Trump.

"Since our statement on Friday, the IC (Intelligence Community) has been observing foreign adversaries, particularly Russia, conducting additional influence operations intended to undermine public confidence in the integrity of U.S. elections and stoke divisions among Americans," a statement by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the FBI read.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The IC expects these activities will intensify through election day and in the coming weeks, and that foreign influence narratives will focus on swing states."

U.S. intelligence has previously warned that Russia seeks to undermine the Democratic ticket by spreading disinformation online and other malicious methods.

In the most recent statement, the agencies said that "Russian influence actors" recently amplified an article falsely accusing U.S. officials of planning an electoral fraud across swing states.

Pro-Russian actors have also reportedly posted a video falsely depicting a plot involving fake overseas ballots and changing voter rolls to favor Harris.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a separate example reported the same day, a pro-Trump online influencer that goes by the handle @AlphaFox78 on X told CNN he was paid $100 by pro-Russian propagandist Simeon Boikov to post fake videos of Haitian immigrants claiming to vote.

The Georgia Secretary of State said the content of the videos was entirely fake.

U.S. intelligence also accused Iran of "malicious cyber activities" aimed at undermining Trump's campaign.

The election result can have a profound impact on the Russia-Ukraine war. While Harris pledged to continue supporting Ukraine in its struggle, there are fears that Trump would seek to cut a deal with Moscow, even at the cost of painful concessions on Ukraine's side.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: Harris or Trump  Ukraine braces for best, worst-case scenarios as US elects new president

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
GUEST OPINION: The Australian Governments Future Made in Australia policy is gaining momentum, promising a clean energy future and revitalising local manufacturing. But as with any ambitious endeavour, the path forward comes with challenges, from climate change and escalating geopolitical risks to an ageing population and a productivity slump. The question remains  can Australia truly harness these challenges to lead in the global clean energy race?

The real opportunity lies in embracing automation  a driving force that can turn these challenges into catalysts for innovation and growth. Automation, particularly integrated with artificial intelligence, offers a powerful lever to enhance productivity, streamline operations and unlock efficiencies that are critical to achieving Australias clean energy goals. Agentic AI is the next frontier of AI innovation because it possesses the intelligence and judgment to autonomously plan and execute intricate workflows. This is not just a vision for the future; its a practical approach that is already being realised across industries worldwide.

Government-led momentum

The Australian government recognises the strategic importance of AI-powered automation in accelerating the local clean energy sector, with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources highlighting these technologies as a key player in enabling better management of the nations environment and resources. This is further supported by the recent $3.2 million investment from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) in AI-powered solar projects, which follows a government commitment in May to use funds from the National Reconstruction Fund, the Industry Growth Program and a clean energy fund to support the growth of Australias automation industry.

Yet despite these government initiatives, the potential for AI-powered automation remains largely untapped in Australia.

Unlocking the potential of automation in clean energy

AI-powered automation offers far reaching benefits that extend beyond efficiency gains. It enables precise data capture and reporting for Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) compliance, as well as streamlines production lines, and enhances supply chains.

Through the capabilities of automation, Australias journey towards a sustainable energy future can be fast tracked by revolutionising the way organisations create more efficient and eco-friendly business practices. Here are three key areas where AI-powered automation can make a significant impact.

1. Optimising energy use with automation

AI-powered automation can improve energy use by streamlining processes that require significant manual labour. For example, automating tasks such as invoicing, customer communication, metre reading and data extraction can help enterprises manage resources more efficiently, which minimises their energy waste. By reducing human errors and speeding up data handling, automation leads to more accurate energy consumption tracking, which is important for sustainability efforts. Global environmental solutions company, Siram Veolia, is one example of how an enterprise is implementing automated technologies to ensure the efficient management of energy and waste.

2. Automating solutions reduce carbon footprints

Companies typically begin their automation journeys with process mining, which gathers data from existing processes to create visual workflows. This allows them to pinpoint inefficiencies, identify bottlenecks, and uncover opportunities to eliminate waste. By analysing the current state of operations, businesses can streamline workflows and implement automation more effectively.

Automation can also reduce carbon footprints by decreasing computing energy, saving paper by restricting excessive printing, automating and streamlining supply chain operations and optimising purchase orders and invoice processes.

3. Supporting ESG reporting and compliance

AI-powered automation tools can streamline ESG reporting by automatically collecting and analysing data from an organisations supply chain in near real time. This level of automation gives teams deeper insights into their ESG footprint, allowing them to identify areas needing improvement. Additionally, it ensures ESG reporting is both accurate and compliant with regulations, promoting best practices in sustainability.

One example of this in action is a major global furniture retailer, which has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2030. To achieve this, the company implemented guidelines for responsible use of robotics and the ethical management of data and digital technologies, ensuring that automation contributes to its sustainability goals.

Through embracing AI-powered automation, Australia can achieve its sustainability goals, create new jobs and power up the clean energy and manufacturing sectors. The future of the nations energy landscape is bright, and with the right technologies, it can also be sustainable, resilient and globally competitive.
Russia carried out a drone attack on Kharkiv on Nov. 5, targeting the site close to a residential area, local authorities reported.

Two women, aged 56 and 72, were injured and received medical treatment at the scene, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

The attack, carried out at around 5 p.m. damaged a five-story apartment building. Its windows on the second, third, and fourth floors were smashed. Cars near the building were also damaged, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The emergency services are continuing to work at the scene.

Located less than 30 kilometers from the Russian border, the northeastern city of Kharkiv has suffered relentless Russian attacks over the past two years of Russia's full-scale war.

In recent months, Moscow has intensified aerial strikes, often targeting densely populated neighborhoods.

A Russian attack on Oct. 28 damaged the Derzhprom building (the State Industry Building), a historic landmark that has been under enhanced UNESCO protection since 2022.

On Nov. 3, Russia attacked another residential neighborhood in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kharkiv, injuring at least 15 people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: Kharkivs historic Derzhprom skyscraper becomes latest victim of Russian bombardments

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

A Russian attack against the city of Zaporizhzhia on Nov. 5 killed at least six people and injured at least 23, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.

Russian forces reportedly targeted an infrastructure facility, starting a fire. The full extent of damage is being determined.

Authorities warned about a possible ballistic missile strike at around 9:10 a.m. local time, after which several explosions were reported in the city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Zaporizhzhia, the regional center of the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast, is a common target of Russian attacks. Some 710,000 residents lived in the city before the outbreak of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Artillery supplies from partners for Kyiv have increased, Zelensky says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian attacks against Ukraine wounded three people over the past day, regional authorities reported on Nov. 5.

Russia launched 79 Shahed-type drones and other drones overnight, as well as guided bombs and two Kh-59/69 aerial missiles. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 48 drones over eight regions while 30 drones were "lost," and one flew back to Russia, the Air Force said.

Both Kh-59/69 missiles launched by Russia were reportedly shot down on approach to Odesa Oblast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Russian military attacked Kharkiv's Shevchenkivskyi district overnight with guided bombs, injuring two women aged 39 and 40. In another attack on Kharkiv, a house was damaged, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

In Kherson Oblast, Russian strikes damaged four houses, a gas pipeline, and a garage, injuring one person, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported on his Telegram channel.

In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, 13 houses were damaged across 11 villages as a result of the attacks, regional authorities reported.

The Russian military attacked the Kutsurub community in Mykolaiv Oblast four times with first-person view (FPV) drones, Governor Vitalii Kim reported on his Telegram channel. No casualties were reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: Overstretched Ukrainian forces struggle to contain Russian advance as US elections loom

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Moscow city court on Tuesday rejected an appeal against a 12-and-a-half-year prison sentence by U.S. national Robert Woodland on drugs charges, the RIA news agency reported.

Woodland was sentenced in July after partially confessing to the charges.

(Reporting by Reuters)
Russian troops shot dead six captured Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office reported on Nov. 5.

Reports of murders, torture, and ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war are received regularly by Ukrainian authorities.

Russian forces captured on Oct. 23 three Ukrainian soldiers during an offensive on the town of Selydove and then shot them unarmed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A few days later, on Nov. 1, during an assault on Ukrainian lines in the Pokrovsk direction, Russian soldiers killed three more Ukrainian prisoners of war, shooting them, the Prosecutor General's Office said.

The Prosecutor General's Office stressed that these actions violate the Geneva Conventions and qualify as an international crime.

The Security Service of Ukraine is conducting a pre-trial investigation into the incident in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

Then-Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, on Oct. 15, called the killing of Ukrainian servicemen in captivity a "deliberate policy" of Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have information about the killing of at least 93 Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian soldiers, the head of the War Crimes Department in Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office, Yurii Belousov, said on Oct. 4.

Some 80% of the cases of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war were recorded in 2024, but the trend began to appear in November 2023, when "there were changes in the attitude of Russian military personnel towards our prisoners of war for the worse," Belousov said.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, both countries have frequently exchanged prisoners. The most recent swap occurred in mid-October, with each side bringin back 95 prisoners.

Read also: Editorial: When casting your vote in the US, think about Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
MOSCOW (AP)  A Russian rocket on Tuesday blasted off successfully to carry a pair of Iranian satellites into orbit, a launch that reflected growing cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.

The Soyuz rocket lifted off as scheduled from Vostochny launchpad in far eastern Russia and put its payload into a designated orbit nine minutes after the launch. It was carrying two Russian Ionosphere-M Earth observation satellites and several dozen smaller satellites, including the two Iranian ones.

Irans two satellites, named Kowsar and Hodhod, were the first launched on behalf of the countrys private sector. In 2022, a Russian rocket launched an Iranian Earth observation satellite called Khayyam that was built in Russia on Tehrans order, and in February Russia put another Iranian satellite named Pars-1 into orbit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tuesday's launch comes as Russia and Iran have expanded ties in various spheres. Ukraine and the West have accused Tehran of providing Moscow with hundreds of exploding drones for use on the battlefield in Ukraine and helped launch their production in Russia. The Iranian drone deliveries, which Moscow and Tehran have denied, have allowed for a constant barrage of long-range drone strikes at Ukraines infrastructure.

Moscow and Tehran are planning to further bolster their ties with a comprehensive strategic partnership that is set to be signed during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkians planned visit to Russia. The date for that visit hasnt been set yet, but the Kremlin said it could happen soon.

Tuesdays successful launch of the Iranian satellites atop a Russian rocket follows a series of failed launches suffered by Irans civilian space program in recent years. There have been five failed launches in a row for the Simorgh program, a satellite-carrying rocket.

A fire at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in February 2019 killed three researchers, authorities said at the time. A launchpad rocket explosion later that year drew the attention of then-President Donald Trump, who taunted Iran with a tweet showing what appeared to be a U.S. surveillance photo of the site.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the same time, a separate Iranian space program run by the countrys paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has seen successful launches from a military base outside of Shahroud, some 350 kilometers (215 miles) east of the capital, Tehran. However, satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press show Israel likely bombed the site during its Oct. 26 retaliatory strike on Iran.

The U.S. intelligence communitys worldwide threat assessment this year said Irans development of satellite launch vehicles would shorten the timeline for Iran to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile because it uses similar technology.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles can be used to deliver nuclear weapons. Iran is now producing uranium close to weapons-grade levels after the collapse of its nuclear deal with world powers. Tehran has enough enriched uranium for several nuclear weapons, if it chooses to produce them, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has warned.

Iran has always denied seeking nuclear weapons and says its space program, like its nuclear activities, is for purely civilian purposes. However, U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA say Iran had an organized military nuclear program up until 2003.
Russian forces captured and executed six Ukrainian military servicemen during the week beginning 23 October.

Source: Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine

Quote: "Reportedly, on 23 October 2024, at 17:17, Russian forces captured three Ukrainian servicemen during an offensive against positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the town of Selydove, Donetsk Oblast. Shortly afterwards, the occupiers executed the unarmed prisoners of war."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Details: On 1 November 2024, at 14:00, during an assault on Ukrainian fortifications also on the Pokrovsk front, Russian forces captured another three Ukrainian soldiers, who were subsequently killed with automatic weapons.

The Prosecutors Office stressed that the killing of prisoners of war constitutes a severe violation of the Geneva Conventions and is classified as a grave international crime.

Support UP or become our patron!
On the evening of 5 November, the Russian army launched an artillery attack on the city of Ochakiv in Mykolaiv Oblast, injuring a child and a woman.

Source: Vitalii Kim, Head of Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "This evening, the Russians fired artillery at Ochakiv. A 13-year-old girl and a 39-year-old woman were injured. All necessary medical treatment is being provided."

Details: A residential building caught fire as a result of the shelling. The fire has been put out.

Support UP or become our patron!
The Russian military is training North Korean soldiers who have been deployed to Russias Kursk Oblast how to use various types of combat drones.

Source: Andrii Kovalenko, Head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation at Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, on Telegram

Quote: "The Russians are training DPRK military and officers in modern warfare. They will use them in combat. DPRK soldiers in Russian military uniforms, in Russian units in Kursk Oblast. They are being taught how to use FPV and reconnaissance drones, as well as the principles of using Lancet drones."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Details: Kovalenko said that the Russians also plan to send Russian UAV instructors to Pyongyang to train the military.

Background:

Earlier, the Pentagon confirmed that North Korean troops who had arrived in Russia for training had begun to move towards Kursk Oblast, with some of them already present there. The latest US estimate indicates that North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia for training and combat operations against Ukraine.

CNN sources believe that some of the North Korean military may already be in Ukraine.

Ukrainian intelligence stressed that in the last week of October, Russia had deployed more than 7,000 DPRK soldiers to areas near Ukraine.

Ukrainian intelligence sources told the Financial Times that the first military clash between Ukrainian soldiers and North Korean troops took place in Russias Kursk Oblast.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russias Foreign Ministry has renamed its former Department of Pan-European Cooperation to the Department of European Problems, the pro-state news outlet Kommersant reported on Nov. 2.

Russia has strained its relationship with the West following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, facing heavy sanctions and an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for President Vladimir Putin over the kidnapping of Ukrainian children.

"Changes in geopolitical realities," such as "the obvious degradation of multilateral cooperation structures in Europe," led to the renaming, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told Russian pro-state news agency RBK.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In another sign of deteriorating relations, Russia announced the suspension of its participation in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly earlier this year.

Moscow also blocked access to more than 81 European media outlets, including the Kyiv Independent, as a response to the decision of the Council of the EU that banned access to four key Russian state-run or controlled media outlets: Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, and Izvestiya.

Read also: Russias first peace offer in 2022 was all but Ukraines surrender, leaked documents show

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  Safety, security, and transparency are all top of mind for elections officials as more than a million North Carolina voters are expected to head to the polls on Election Day.

Nearly 4.5 million voters already cast their ballots in North Carolina. State Elections Director Karen Brinson-Bell said the early voting within the election has gone smoothly so far. Still, with a tense political atmosphere across the country, she asked everyone to consider their fellow voters and those working the polls on Election Day.

Aside from some long lines in some locations, very few voters had any issues, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Please treat others with dignity and respect, Brinson-Bell continued. State and federal laws forbid intimidation or interference with voters. It is also a crime to interfere with election officials carrying out their duties.

Brinson-Bell said officials are focused on safety and security at polling places and county elections offices.

Law enforcement cannot be stationed at polling places in North Carolina, but they can be on hand, Brinson Bell said. Weve done training with them.

We have worked with our federal partners to conduct safe assessments, [which are] physical security assessments at all the county offices, she continued. There are some offices that have installed panic buttons. Others needed to reconfigure their entry space to create a protective barrier between the workers and the public area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Precautions will continue after election day.

[We] make sure law enforcement is aware of the level of threat we could face, particularly as a battleground state with so much attention on us, Brinson-Bell said. What weve done is to prepare as best we can and consider it more of an insurance policy we hope we never have to exercise.

Brinson-Bell wants the public to know that election officials will maintain transparency and people can observe their process.

We encourage people to come watch those sample hand-to-eye counts we do to verify the tabulators have tabulated correctly, she said. Come to the canvass meeting and learn how we present the results to the board members and prove these elections have been conducted accurately and fairly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The North Carolina State Board of Elections said it offers these 10 tips for voting on Election Day:

Go to your assigned polling place on Election Day Find your sample ballot Bring your photo ID Voter registration is not permitted on Election Day Absentee ballot drop-off is permitted at their county Board of Elections office until polls close on Election Day Voting in-person is permitted if you requested an absentee ballot, but did not cast it Voters in need of assistance may bring an eligible person to help them State and federal laws forbid intimidation or interference with voters Election results will be posted on the state boards website Peace at the polls is expected

Polls open Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 a.m. Anyone in line by 7:30 p.m. can vote. If you have not returned an absentee ballot, it is too late to mail it. Bring it to your county Board of Elections or vote in person.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  It may not quite feel like Christmas yet, but its already time to spread cheer for one nonprofit organization.

The Salvation Army of Pekin and Peoria held a joint kick-off for this years Tree of Lights campaign at Northwoods Mall on Monday, the nonprofits biggest fundraiser of the year.

Peoria is looking to raise $2 million, while Pekin is looking to raise $168,000.

Jen Klobnak is the Christmas Committee Chair for Peoria and said the demand is high for the services they provide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The need is there in terms of meals and shelter and paying for utilities, she said.

Salvation Army installs 29-foot Christmas tree outside Northwoods Mall

The funds go toward essential services for the Salvation Army, and Pekin Committee Chair Matt Deverman thanked the central Illinois community for their support over the years.

Whether it be the food pantries, housing for the homeless, childcare, family services, all those items couldnt exist without the support of our communities, he said.

Donations were announced at the kickoff event, with both Peoria and Pekin at 18% of their fundraising goals already.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Tree of Lights started 36 years ago, and the Peoria campaign alone has raised more than $30 million since 2005.

You can donate to the Peoria campaign here and the Pekin campaign here.

The Tree of Lights campaign runs through the end of January.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
We learned last week that in 2017, Justice Samuel Alitoapparently bored with the drab black robes of a U.S. Supreme Court justicedonned the ceremonial attire of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George upon being granted a knighthood from the monarchical religious-military order. Given Alitos infatuation with far-right European aristocrats like Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, perhaps his enthusiasm for knighthood is understandable. But the circumstances add to a growing pattern of Alitos disregard for the U.S. Constitution and rule of lawespecially as it applies to him. Like a modern-day Louis XIV, its clear that Alito believes himself to be untouchable, embodying the Sun Kings famous declaration: letat, cest moi.

Alitos choice to become a knight in the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, an order led by fringe Italian monarchists, is not mere eccentric cosplay, although it is certainly also that. Knighthoods bestowed by princes are, to put it mildly, well outside the everyday experience of most Americans. After all, the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George is not comparable to more familiar fraternal societies like the Knights of Columbus, or Catholic lay orders like the Knights of Malta. Among other key distinctions, the Constantinian Order is attached to a crown, and its Grand Master is a would-be king. It is what is known as a dynastic order of chivalry; that is, an order under the patronage of a royal family. Knighthoods like Alitos were historically conferred by monarchs in reward for loyalty or service to the crown.

Today, some defunct European dynasties maintain their chivalric orders as a lingering vestige of the power they once held. The Bourbon-Two Sicilies family, who knighted Alito in 2017, havent ruled southern Italy for more than a century. But in the alternate universe of the Constantinian Order, their majesty is very much intact. Led in the U.S. by self-described monarchists who actively seek to restore their Bourbon prince to the throne, the Constantinian Order seems to exist above all to keep the lost monarchy alive: allowing a would-be king to exercise his hereditary privilege in a miniature kingdom of loyal subjects, and allowing those he deems worthy to bask in the royal glow.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By contrast, the American republic was founded on an explicit rejection of monarchy and nobility, which the framers viewed as inimical to principles of equality and equal justice under the law. The framers also recognized that titles, gifts, and other emoluments could be used by foreign monarchs and states to gain influence in the U.S. government. This is why the Constitution places explicit limits on executive power, and why the foreign emoluments clause of the Constitution prohibits officersincluding Supreme Court justicesfrom accepting these things without explicit approval from Congress.

Alito didnt just join a club. He accepted a high honor from a foreign prince and made a lifetime commitment to that princes sacred militia. Like every other American, Samuel Alito is free to practice his faith as he wishes, and there is a long history of anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States that has unjustly questioned the loyalty of Catholic Americans and their ability to hold public office. Alito, however, accepted a knighthood and swore an oath to an order that seeks to restore monarchic powerand does so by investing that power with the highest religious authority. The Americans running the Constantinian Order in the U.S. subscribe to a throne and altarstyle monarchism. According to a leading monarchist revered by these knights, throne and altar monarchy sees the church as the animating principle of society that confers legitimacy and authority upon the King via  ceremonies of state, while the monarch exercises power with a God-given authority. This is the type of monarchy embodied by Prince Carlos Bourbon ancestor, that very same Louis XIV who ruled by divine right and sought absolute power.

Alitos investiture ceremony clearly belongs to this throne-and-altar universe: A bishop declared him a knight at the command of His Royal Highness Prince Carlo; the ceremony concluded with a Latin prayer for the strong, pious, prudent and tireless ruler of this sacred Order; and the orders militaristic paraphernalia and imagerythe capes, swords, and motto, in hoc signo vinces (in this sign you will conquer)all evoke an actual history of using military force against non-Christians (or infidels, as the orders website puts it). Five years before authoring the inflammatory decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, Alito joined an organization whose ideology aligns religion, political authority, and the force of law.

This knighthood did not happen in a vacuum. Alito joined in monarchist, militaristic pomp on the eve of the first anniversary of Donald Trumps election to the presidency, at a time when the white supremacist violence of the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville was still fresh. The far-right authoritarianism resurgence of that time has not abated since. Instead, the intervening years have witnessed these ideologies filter into the mainstream, with the U.S. at the forefront of democracys global battle for survival. In the U.S. and abroad, the theo-monarchical worldview is ascendant among prominent political leaders on the New Right, like J.D. Vance, Peter Thiel, Steve Bannon, and the coalition of powerful forces behind Project 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Importantly, Alitos ideological fundamentalism is expressed in the outcomes of his judicial rulings, which have categorically advanced not only his far-right religious views but also his commitments to an unchecked, monarchical executive power that would have been anathema to the framers. Following decades of trenchwork by Alito and his allies in the right-wing legal movement to advance the concept of a dominant unitary executive, this worldview catapulted into the spotlightand our constitutional lawin this years 63 ruling in Trump v. United States, when, 248 years into the American experiment, the courts purported originalists invented the concept of absolute presidential immunity, giving the U.S. president the powers of a monarch.

Alitos judicial activism and air of impunity are merely the visible signs of a rot that goes much deeper than a single beknighted justice. All of this falls against the backdrop of a Supreme Court majority that is rightly suffering historically low public faith in its legitimacy following a rash of transparently partisan decisions like Dobbs and Trump v. U.S., as well as unprecedented corruption scandalswith Alito often at the centerthat Chief Justice John Roberts has been wholly unwilling to police. When the framers carefully designed our system of separated powers and drafted provisions like the foreign emoluments clause, the tyranny they were aiming to forestall looked a lot like this.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR)  Sangamon County polling locations are open, despite issues with a third-party computer vendor called Platinum.

Platinum servers are having problems that are effecting several counties across Illinois, including Champaign County. All polling locations were down this morning according to Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons because of issues with the Platinum server. Ammons confirmed that all polling locations are now back up and running.

While Sangamon uses the Platinum product, all polling locations have paper ballots and applications printed, so they do not need to remotely access ballots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The current issue with Sangamon County lies with same day voter registration. While it is still possible to register at all polling locations today, it will be a slower process than usual. To register the voter, election judges are having to call the county clerks office and relay information about the voter over the phone because of the server issues.

Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray is encouraging anybody who needs to register on election day to go to the county clerks office.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
A South Carolina teacher has filed a lawsuit against the Spartanburg County Sheriff, alleging an accusation that she did not report a child told her she was raped was false and the office put the information on Facebook nonetheless.

Joy Allen, who has been a teacher in South Carolina since 1995, was a teacher at Clifdale Middle when the allegation against her was made.

There is no record in Spartanburg County court records that show she was ever charged with failing to report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Allens lawsuit called the Sheriffs Department negligent, careless and reckless in posting the allegations that damaged her personal and professional relationship.

She has incurred expenses to defend herself against the false allegations and has endured embarrassment and humiliation, emotional distress, mental anguish, irreparable damage to her reputation.

The lawsuit stems from the Sheriffs Office reporting that a student who attended Clifdale Middle from August 2021 to February 2024 said she told Allen she had been sexually assaulted by another student.

On Feb. 7, 2024 the student told the school resource office at Daniel Morgan Applied Technology Center, who alerted authorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The student said she had made the accusation twice to Allen and that Allen said the alleged assault was too old, the sheriffs office reported.

When deputies interviewed Allen, they said she acknowledged not reporting the allegation and that she believed she had not violated any laws, the sheriffs office said.

Allen, of Chesnee, was licensed as both a teacher and special education teacher by the South Carolina Department of Education in 1995 and as a guidance counselor in 2017.
The National Weather Service says rain and thunderstorms will continue in southeastern Wisconsin Tuesday evening, though tornadoes are no longer expected in an updated Election Day Forecast.

High winds, with a few gusts of up to 40 to 45 mph, are still possible within some of the isolated stronger storms, according to the NWS Milwaukee office.

Gusty conditions remain ahead of a cold frontal passage into this evening, with a line of showers and a few embedded storms along this front. A few of these storms may be strong with gusts of 40-45 mph. Showers and storms will exit to the east this evening. #wiwx #swiwx pic.twitter.com/y9ar0dV7ZS  NWS Milwaukee (@NWSMilwaukee) November 5, 2024

Fueled by a cold front, a system heading east across Wisconsin has brought showers Tuesday as voters cast their ballots throughout the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Milwaukee, scattered showers are forecast through Tuesday night, with a 50% chance of precipitation. Showers are expected to end around 8 p.m., according to the NWS.

Polls close statewide at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

3:30pm Update: The main area we're watching is currently in south central WI and tracking east. The tornado threat appears to be diminishing, but some strong wind gusts in the 30-40mph range are still possible as this line moves through. #wiwx pic.twitter.com/dSmxWK8uKY  NWS Milwaukee (@NWSMilwaukee) November 5, 2024

Waters in eastern Wisconsin counties along Lake Michigan, including in Milwaukee County, are under a Small Craft Advisory through at least Wednesday morning and a Gale Warning through at least Tuesday evening.

Wednesday is expected to be mostly cloudy with highs in the mid-50s and minimal winds.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Scattered showers, high winds expected Tuesday night in Milwaukee area
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, 6:50 P.M.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  Local 5s Kaitlin Corbett reports the doors open in ten minutes, and the food for Wieds supporters is hot and ready for consumption.

The Cougars have done a sound check and are also ready to go.

All green lights with a potentially big night for Republican Tony Wied.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, 5:45 P.M.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  Local 5s Kaitlin Corbett is reporting that the live entertainment for tonights event at the Legacy Hotel is beginning to set up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican Tony Wied invited The Cougars, a local band, to provide some live entertainment during the campaign party. Servers at the Legacy Hotel are also setting up the bar and buffet.

Were just under 75 minutes until doors open to the public.

Local 5s Kaitlin Corbett will continue to provide updates for all developments within Tony Wieds election headquarters.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, 11:00 A.M.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  Republican Tony Wied, a Green Bay native and political newcomer, is vying to represent Wisconsins 8th Congressional District, facing off against Democrat Dr. Kristin Lyerly.

Endorsed by former President Donald Trump, Wied is running on a platform that emphasizes economic reform, border security, and a reduction in government spending.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A businessman with over 30 years of experience, Wied previously owned Dino Stop gas stations in northeast Wisconsin, which he sold in 2022.

His campaign highlights his business success, commitment to hard work, and dedication to the people of northeastern Wisconsin, which includes Brown, Calumet, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, and Winnebago counties.

On Election Night, Wied and supporters plan to gather at the Legacy Hotel in Green Bay, anticipating a close race in the district.

Local 5 News will provide real-time updates on this article for all developments regarding Tony Wied.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
(The Hill)  Students around the country are getting mock elections, nine-week campaign courses and field trips to the polls, where many high school seniors will vote for their first time on Tuesday.

Principals and teachers find election years are a great opportunity to educate students about the importance of their civic duty and how to have meaningful discussions with those who disagree with them.

Katie Law, principal of Arapahoe Charter High School, a small Wyoming school of only 50 students that primarily serves Tribal communities, is looking forward to taking her six 18-year-olds to the polls on Tuesday during the school day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have a polling place here on campus, actually, so we might stop there first, where its a little quieter so they can fill out their forms without stressing out too much about it. But then Ill take them to other polling places around the county to just kind of people-watch and see, Law said.

I try to get ahead of them a little bit so I can tell some of the other people that I see, Hey, I got some first-time voters. And so when the kids come in and they get, like, that excitement from other people that are there voting like, Congratulations on your first time voting, she added.

Pundit predictions for 2024 elections: Who will win?

Law then provides a first-time voter sign for students to take a picture with before she takes them to lunch and Starbucks after their trip.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She said she wants to make Election Day special because if you can keep these traditions going, then youre always going to be engaged. Youre always going to be informed and let your voice be heard.

An analysis from Tufts University found 41 million Gen Z Americans will be able to vote in the election between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, with estimates that more than 8 million of them are first-time voters.

Larger schools cant always be quite as hands-on, but they, too, are embracing the democratic spirit.

We dont have any really big, specific plans for Election Day. The vast majority of our students are under 18, so were not going to let a lot of people go, like as a big release event. But what we have done is start back before the primary season, back in the winter time, we had some school-wide voter registration drives, said Matt Haney, principal of Mount Desert Island High School.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Haneys school also offered a special one-quarter Election Year course this year, which he said covered not just the presidential election, but state politics, local ones and some of the congressional pieces.

But we also, as a school, try to spend a lot of time talking about civil discourse and how we go about agreeing and disagreeing, he added.

Erin Hollis, an 18-year-old at Mount Desert Island, said she plans on voting after the school day is over on Tuesday.

This is my first time voting. I turned 18 in September. [] Im looking forward to it. Im definitely, you know, because I get to vote this year, Ive been a lot more active in learning about this election, said Hollis, who has taken her schools AP U.S. History course and is currently in its AP Government and Politics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A group of 17-year-old students from Mount Desert Island spoke to The Hill about their experience talking about political subjects in class, emphasizing the tension of discussing politics in the current climate but also speaking highly of the environment the school created to disagree with other students and teachers respectfully.

I think a lot of people became, at least our age, became very politically active after the 2016 election when we were in fourth grade. So I think we really became very politically conscious about the candidates, and specifically about the candidates this year, a lot earlier than I think a lot of kids typically would, or maybe typically should. But Ive definitely noticed that most kids in the school come into classes with, like, a very fixed opinion on, like, who they would vote for, who they are voting for, and they definitely talk about it  like Ive never had a teacher like stop us from sharing our political views, said Cecilia Blackett.

Trump-Harris loser to face political upheaval for party

The students praised their teachers for how they handle controversial topics in class and teaching us the language that we can use and not just, like, how to just throw our opinions out, but how to really have an educated opinion, Blackett said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And those teachings can have an impact at home as well as in the classroom.

I also grew up in a very political household, said Mahala Cooper, another 17-year-old student. My mom and dad are very strong about their political views, and during quarantine, all of us would have a lot of arguments about like Trump and stuff like that. And I guess having those conversations with my parents just really grew our relationship over time, because we did disagree a lot, but now, over time, we respect each other a lot more and our views and since Im more educated, I can understand what different views they have and policies they believe in.

A recent ABC News/Ipsos poll found Harris leads Trump by 14 points among young voters, with broader national and swing-state polls showing the two candidates essentially tied.

Shelagh McLoughlin, a social studies teacher at Mount Desert Island, will be taking classes to the polls so students can see what the process is like, regardless of if they are old enough to vote this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im excited about it. Its one of my favorite trips to bring students on because its like that eye-opening moment that theyre looking around with, you know, big eyes, McLoughlin said.

And students say theyre grateful for all the opportunities to learn about the election this year.

I think were really lucky at this school that we get a place to talk about politics, said senior Olivia Mitchell.

Because Ive always kind of felt the same way about political stuff, but now I really feel like Im educated more on how the system works and how voting works. I didnt really know much about that before this year, she added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Even for students who are nowhere near the age to vote, schools are ensuring they get a taste of what it will be like one day to participate in the political system.

Kristy Zaleta, the principal of Rogers Park Middle School in Connecticut, said her faculty held a mock election with their 900 students, giving kids as close to a real-life experience as they could manage by setting up polling stations in classrooms.

Where the battleground states stand as Election Day dawns

To go into the polling station the students had, like, a pretend security guard to make sure that they were not, you know, hassling people standing in line. They were waiting in line. They came in. They went with their registration card that they were given. They went up to the polling station, so that we had kids working there, looking for their names. They highlighted their names, or they cross them off that they had voted. They took little ticket they had, and they sent them to the next station where they were voting and they were given a sticker, Zaleta said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris won the middle schools vote 53 percent to 47 percent.

Zaleta emphasized the need for keeping discussions civil.

We want to teach people how to disagree agreeably, and so its OK if you and I have a different thought about a policy or a different opinion about a topic. We have to respect each others opinions, she said.

I think its to the credit of the teachers who have been really mindful about making sure that all voices are heard and that its OK to disagree, but we do it in an agreeable way, she added.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Florida Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott talking to reporters and supporters outside La Teresita restaurant in Tampa on Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

Rick Scott has never won a statewide election by more than 1.2 percentage points, but hes maintained a consistent lead over his Democratic challenger, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, throughout this election cycle.

So when he made a campaign stop at La Teresita, a Cuban eatery in West Tampa on Tuesday, the Phoenix asked him if he was more confident going into tonight than was the case when he ran for governor in 2010 and 2014, or against Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2018  a race so close it required a recount to decide the winner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Scott said he doesnt trust polls.

Theres never been a poll that said I was supposed to win, and we won, he said. In 10, I was supposed to lose. In 14, I was supposed to lose. In 18, I was supposed to lose  by big margins, by the way. And we won.

That was well before the great Republican migration took place, with the GOP now holding its biggest lead in voter registrations over Democrats (by more than 1 million voters) in the history of the state.

And surrounded by other Republicans like U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Hillsborough County state Sen. Jay Collins, Scott sounded downright giddy that Election Day 2024 could be duplicative of what happened two years ago, when Ron DeSantis won his re-election bid by 19 points and county commissions in both Hillsborough and Pinellas flipped red.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Look at whats happening: Hillsborough is turning red. Pinellas is turning red. Miami-Dade is turning red. We have a chance to win in Palm Beach County, Scott said. We have a great opportunity to really change the direction of this country. People want a change. Theyre fed up with this stuff. Were up in D.C. Its a swamp. Its not fair to you guys. Its not fair to the voters. Theyre not getting what theyre voting for.

Scott initially told the crowd gathered around him outside the restaurant that assuming that I can win this race, he would devote his attention to winning the race to lead the Republican Senate caucus, as his bitter rival, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, has previously announced he would step down from his leadership role after the election.

The Phoenix asked Scott if he thought he had a chance against the two Johns also in the race: Idahos John Thune and Texas John Cornyn. Scott used the opportunity to bash McConnell.

Ted Cruz and I have the only competitive races to defend, he said about the Texas Republican who is also running for re-election. McConnell hasnt helped us at all. In fact, in the last three weeks McConnell has trashed Trump and me. Thats crazy.

Leadership challenge

Scott challenged McConnell as GOP Senate leader following the 2022 midterm election, which infuriated McConnell, who said that Scott did a poor job of running the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), according to a just published book called The Price of Power.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im going to win, Scott said Tuesday when asked by the Phoenix about his chances for the Senate Leadership position. But of course, he cant run for that race unless he defeats Mucarsel-Powell tonight.

Meanwhile,Mucarsel-Powell conducted her last press call with reporters on Tuesday from South Florida, where she said she intended to visit polling locations to make her final pitch to voters.

Believe it or not, there are still people that, for whatever reason, may be undecided, she said on a Zoom call. So, its important for me to answer questions that they may have.

Given the Republicans registration advantage, any chance Mucarsel-Powell has of stunning the political world and knocking out Rick Scott is going to have to come from nonparty-affiliated voters, she acknowledged.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mucarsel-Powell has trailed Scott in virtually every major public opinion survey throughout this election cycle, but the gap between the two is less than 5 percentage points, according to the RealClearPolitics average. Thats a considerable improvement over Val Demings performance in 2022, when she lost to Republican incumbent Marco Rubio by more than 16 points.

Im extremely proud of how far weve come, she told reporters. This is a race that so many people dismissed from the very beginning. No one thought that this could be possible. And here we are today within the margin of error where we will see what happens, but I can tell you optimistically that across the state people have had enough and they have been joining this movement so that we can send Rick Scott to retirement.

Pharmacist (and registered Republican) Tarzina Khondaker speaks with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in St. Petersburg on Oct. 3, 2024. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

Lack of investment

With Democrats fighting to keep their majority in the U.S. Senate, the Florida contest was essentially dismissed by the aligned outside groups that traditionally have invested heavily in Florida elections. The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee spent just over $1 million in the contest, POLITICO Florida reported last week. The Phoenix asked Mucarsel-Powell what she might have done differently if she had received more financial resources.

Of course, when you have more resources  maybe you could have invested in a stronger ground game, she acknowledged.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Senate campaigns usually rely on the coordinated campaign, she said, adding, I didnt rely on anyone in this race, and I think thats obvious when you look at where we are right now. The moment I decided to run it was to run for Florida, it was independent of whether someone would come and save us or not. We need to work on this ourselves. We need to rely on the people and the resources that we have right here, and weve been able to do that. So, lets see what happens today.

The polls close at 7 p.m. tonight, with the first statewide results expected to come in after 8 p.m.
Voters make selections at their voting booths inside an early voting site in Hendersonville, North Carolina, on October 17, 202. Credit - Sue GerritsGetty Images

Though eyes are laser-focused on the 2024 presidential election, which could elect the first female President of the U.S., thirty-four Senate seats are also set to be contested this Election Day.

Control over the chambers of Congress could help or hinder the President-elect from setting forth their agenda for the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrats currently control the Senate by a slim majority, thanks to the four independent senators that caucus with the blue party. Of the 100 seats, 47 are held by Democrats, and 49 by Republicans.

But there are a series of highly-watched Senate races in states like Texas, as House Rep. Colin Allred fights to unseat Senator Ted Cruz, and in Montana, where three-time incumbent Sen. Jon Tester is up against former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy, who is backed by former President Donald Trump.

The Associated Press will call states based on their Decision Teams rigorous counting of the votes. Some results might not arrive on Nov. 5.

See the map below for the Senate election results.

You can follow TIMEs election coverage here.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Voters around South Carolina will visit their polling locations today to cast ballots in the general election. In addition to local races, this year the presidential office and a state constitutional amendment will be on the ballot.

Like other states, South Carolina has steps in place to address any potential issues, irregularities and illegal activity on Election Day. If you notice something unusual at your polling place, heres what you should know.

Dont wait to file a report

Even if you dont know whether youve witnessed something against South Carolina voting rules and regulations, the staff at your polling place can confirm whether activity is suspicious or illegal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The person seeing it or reporting it doesnt have to be 100% sure if it is a crime or not, or an irregularity or not, said South Carolina State Election Commission public information officer John Michael Catalano. They can just ask a poll manager, so the poll manager can help them and determine whether its an issue or not.

Poll workers are also best-equipped to address issues immediately for problems like:

Issues with voting equipment, including ballot-marking devices

A person campaigning or displaying campaign materials within 500 feet

A person carrying a gun or another weapon

A person using a camera or phone, including for a ballot selfie

Thats really the main message behind this is just that if you do see something, dont wait to report it to your party or to the media or to the state election commission after the fact, Catalano said. The best thing to do is to report it to a poll manager immediately, so they can investigate and see if there is anything that needs to be corrected or changed or fixed or reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If poll workers cant assist you, or you dont agree with the action they take, you can also reach out to your countys voter registration and elections office or the South Carolina Election Commission. These offices cant offer a response as quickly as a poll manager, but can review the situation.

Reporting election crimes

While South Carolinas State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) cant intervene immediately, it has a public hotline for reports of possible election fraud and other election law violations.

If you want to report an election crime, you can do it to SLED, because Election officials dont have authority to investigate crimes or put charges on anyone, Catalano said. We dont have law enforcement authority, but what we can do is call law enforcement if necessary.

Potential witnesses should submit documentation supporting their allegations by email to 4SCVote@sled.sc.gov or by mail at Post Office Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can also call the election fraud hotline at (833)4SC-VOTE or (833)472-8683 and, once supporting documentation has been received by email or mail and reviewed by staff, SLED will follow up with you.

Legal accommodations

One potential activity that voters might identify as suspicious is another voter receiving help in the voting booth. However, while only the voter can make the selection and mark their ballot, people who need accommodations because of a disability can get some assistance.

They are allowed to be there to help the voter navigate the ballot and answer any questions from the voter, Catalano said.

The voter can get help from a poll manager or inform the poll manager they brought another person to assist them. Voters can bring anyone to help except their employer, an agent of their employer or an officer or agent of their union.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voters who have disabilities or are 65 years or older can also legally vote from the curbside. These dont need disability parking placards and can stay in their cars until poll managers monitoring the curbside voting area come.

However, other people cant be in the car while the voter is casting their ballot, unless the voter requires assistance.
GEORGIA (WJBF)  Senator Reverend Warnock launched a new, NON-PARTISAN web page to field firsthand voting stories that highlight what went right and what can be done better in future elections.

The new Voter Story Portal allows Georgians to share their personal voting experiences in the 2024 general electionwhether they found the process seamless, faced challenges, or simply want to share their experience.

By sharing your voting experience, youre helping to build a more resilient democracy where our children, and our childrens children, can continue to vote, volunteer, and even run for office in free and fair elections, said Senator Reverend Warnock. Remember, your vote is your voice, and your voice is your human dignityand your voice is just as important now as it is during election season.

Senator Warnocks new Voter Story Portal, located on his official Senate website, seeks to gather insights directly from Georgians.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voters can submit firsthand accounts of their journey to the polls, helping to build a resilient democracy rooted in transparency and accessibility for all. The initiative reflects Senator Warnocks commitment to ensuring that every eligible Georgians voice is valued and that each experience contributes to future free and fair elections.

The web page invites voters of all backgroundsregardless of party affiliation or voting historyto participate. By sharing their stories, Georgians have the chance to support the ongoing fight for a secure, accessible voting system that will benefit generations to come.

This page is NOT intended to address individual voting challenges and issues; if someone is experiencing any issues with voting, they should contact their local election office at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/county-election-offices.

Access Senator Warnocks voter story page HERE.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
While most eyes are fixed on who is about to enter the White House this election, voters are also casting ballots for Congress.

Control of both chambers hangs in the balance  with 34 seats in the Senate and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives up for grabs.

Alignment between the executive and legislative branches empowers the incoming president to implement the agenda that got them elected. Division often means gridlock.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Senate is composed of 100 senators, two for each state. Directly elected since 1913, roughly a third of all seats are up for re-election every two years.

Going into this years election, the Democrats narrowly controlled the Senate by 51 to 49.

But Republicans were widely tipped to turn the tables, with their opponents and allied independents defending in 23 contests to the GOPs 11. The vacancy left by West Virginia senator Joe Manchin, a longtime Democrat who registered as an independent in May, is also likely to be filled by a Republican.

The balance of power in the Senate is key: it alone has the power to confirm presidential appointments to the most senior leadership positions in the federal government, including Supreme Court justices, ambassadors, commissioners and executive branch officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Designed to exert stabilising influence over the legislature  members being elected to 6-year terms rather than the two years for those serving in the House of Representatives  they also provide advice and ratify treaties.

Any new bills sent to the President for their signature must also be passed by majority vote.

The Republicans, meanwhile, had a majority in the House of Representatives heading into the 2024 cycle, albeit by a slim 220 to 212 margin  equivalent to just 1.8 percentage points.

Divided among the 50 states of the union according to population, each congressman or woman speaks for some 550,000 Americans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While their primary function is lawmaking and scrutinising the work of government, they also enjoy exclusive powers to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials and even, in the event of an Electoral College tie, elect the president.

There are also six non-voting members of the House, representing the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the US Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.

According to the latest state-level polling model by YouGov, the Democrats went into the election with a 58 per cent chance of wrestling a majority from the Republicans, albeit coming out with an even smaller lead of 219 to 216.

If this comes to pass, and the GOP takes the Senate in turn, it would be the first time that both chambers flipped to the opposing party.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
North Korea has fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, the South Korean military said on Tuesday.

North Korea launched the missiles at about 7:30 am (2230 GMT Monday) from the western province of North Hwanghae, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported, citing the general staff in Seoul (JCS).

The JCS did not initially specify the number of missiles launched.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The office of Japan's prime minister also sent an alert about a "suspected ballistic missile" launch.

The launches come less than a week after Pyongyang tested what it claims to be a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with "ultra-powerful offensive means."

It also comes as US voters go to the polls to elect a new president. More than 75 million citizens have already voted, but the remainder of the some 240 million eligible voters need to cast their ballot on Tuesday for it to count.

UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from testing ballistic missiles of any range. Such missiles can be equipped with a nuclear warhead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tensions have risen on the Korean Peninsula after Pyongyang significantly expanded its missile tests over the past two years, while sharpening its rhetoric against the United States and South Korea.

North Korea has also strengthened its military cooperation with Russia, with the US estimating as many as 12,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia already.
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  Businesses and academia committed to making New York State a leader in energy storage gathered in Binghamton recently to share ideas and collaborate.

New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology consortium, or NY-BEST, held its Fall conference at the DoubleTree Hotel as part of Binghamton Universitys Battery Week activities.

New Energy New York and the National Science Foundation Upstate Energy Storage Engine sponsored the gathering of about 300 people for panel discussions and speeches from the likes of Nobel Laureate and BU professor Stan Whittingham who is credited with inventing the lithium-ion battery.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

NY-BEST Executive Director Bill Acker says Upstate New York and the rest of the country is in a race with China for market share in the growing energy storage sector.

The energy storage industry is going to create hundreds of thousands of jobs. Its going to transform not just the energy sector, but also the economy. We have the opportunity, here in New York, to take advantage of that and build back the economy in order to create these great jobs here in New York that support the clean energy sector, said Acker.

Both Engine and NENY have been actively working on a talent pipeline for the industry, coordinating tours of manufacturing and engineering businesses for teens and establishing a Battery Academy which has already enrolled more than 1,300 people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
Stumping for Vice President Kamala Harris in North Carolina, former President Barack Obama took a break from discussing the presidential election to focus on a local race in which hes admittedly self-interested  state superintendent of public instruction.

Why does the former president feel personally invested in who leads schools in the Tar Heel State? For starters, Republican Michele Morrow, who is running against Democrat Maurice Mo Green, called for Obamas public execution four years ago. During the same period, she took to social media to support executing other public figures, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Hillary Clinton, Sen. Chuck Schumer and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.

The Republican candidate has been spreading conspiracy theories and thinks I should face a firing squad, Obama said at an October 25 rally in Charlotte, referring to Morrows repeating of QAnon propaganda. We cant have somebody saying just crazy stuff, running your school system, purchasing textbooks, allocating resources for our kids, he continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A representative for Morrow did not respond to The 19ths repeated requests for comment, but the candidate has previously described her remarks about Obama as a joke. Her seeming embrace of political violence  she attended a January 6, 2021, rally close to the U.S. Capitol  has concerned some moms in her neighborhood in Cary, North Carolina. The same goes for her vilification of teachers and LGBTQ+ people in ways that imply these individuals are threats to children. The concerns about Morrow, however, extend beyond her divisive rhetoric. The mother of five has been a registered nurse and homeschool teacher but never held public office or worked as a licensed educator. In contrast, Green is the former superintendent of Guilford County Schools and former general counsel and deputy superintendent for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, two of the states largest districts.

Still, the race is neck-and-neck, with the Obama-endorsed Green leading Morrow by just 2.5 percentage points, according to a survey of 600 likely North Carolina voters conducted by the polling firm Cygnal from October 12 to 14 with a margin of error of 3.99 percent. Another poll shows Morrow with a 1 percentage point lead over Green.

Campaigning with the motto Make Education Great Again, a twist on former President Donald Trumps Make America Great Again, Morrow has routinely criticized the states public schools and expressed support for vouchers that would divert funding away from them, a policy stance backed by Trump and Project 2025, a blueprint for the next Republican presidential administration. Green, though, has pitched himself to voters as a leader who supports public education and has the experience to oversee the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, which includes more than 2,500 public schools and a roughly $11 billion budget. The state superintendent also serves as secretary and lead officer of the State Board of Education, which Morrow wants to abolish just as Trump plans to dismantle the Department of Education.

As Harris and Trump face off in a presidential race thats become a dead heat, the Green-Morrow matchup is just as close and contentious. It is a microcosm of how the culture wars are playing out in classrooms nationally, with Democrats expressing support for educators, public schools and equity and inclusion as conservatives push to privatize education while sowing distrust in public schools by characterizing them as radical left indoctrination centers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Given Morrow and Greens starkly different views on public education, the winner of the state superintendent race could shape schooling in North Carolina for years to come, Green contends.

I do believe that the very soul of public education is on the ballot this November, and I also believe that its going to take champions of public education to meet this moment, Green said. That certainly includes things like the funding of our public schools, but it goes beyond that to where I see the direction of our public schools going, particularly if my opponent is elected.

Morrow has described the public school system as an absolute cesspool of evil, lies and deception, he pointed out. Moreover, the private school vouchers she backs would not only siphon funding from public education but make it more difficult for public schools to provide students with a wide range of resources, he said. Like scandalized Republican gubernatorial candidate Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, Morrow also supports the state rejecting federal education funding; North Carolina received nearly $1.7 billion in federal monies for the 2023-24 school year.

So I do believe that we have reached a moment where this is no longer simply about two candidates running for office who believe in public education but maybe have different ways of approaching it, Green said. North Carolina is faced with a candidate who, if elected, would actually be trying to dismantle our public education system. This is a critical moment for North Carolina and for public schools in North Carolina.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Although Morrows controversial statements have garnered national headlines, many voters simply dont know about her past remarks or policy stances, which is why Green and his supporters believe the state superintendent race remains so close.

Its really important for voters to understand the enormous policy consequences of electing extremists, said Shaun Harper, a professor of education, public policy and business at the University of Southern California. Those candidates radical viewpoints could negatively affect the lives of thousands of students. . . . This is one of many ways in which partisan politics lead to harmful policymaking.

At a minimum, Green said, the state superintendent of public instruction should be an advocate for public education. On her website, Morrow said that she attended public school and that her five children attended public, private, and homeschool over the past 20 years, explaining that she homeschooled them when the system didnt meet [their] needs.

Susan Book, a disability education advocate and parent of a ninth grader with autism, has similar concerns about Morrow. Book first encountered Morrow three years ago at Wake County school board meetings, where she said Morrow opposed masks in schools to stop the spread of COVID-19. When President-elect Biden said in 2020 that he would have all Americans in masks, Morrow responded on social media: Never. We need to follow the Constitutions advice and KILL all TRAITORS!!! #JusticeforAmerica. In 2022, Morrow unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Wake County Board of Education. Despite that setback, she beat incumbent state Superintendent Catherine Truitt during the Republican primary election in March with support from organizations like Moms for Liberty, a parental rights group that has been characterized as extremist by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

None of the problems that Michele Morrow is talking about are actual real problems in our schools right now, Book said. So that alone poses a danger. Her absolute ignorance of how our schools work poses a real danger.

That includes Morrows suggestion that students in special education classes be separated from other youth because they cannot compete with them. Federal law requires students with disabilities to be included in the general learning environment as much as possible. Moreover, Morrow has used a term that is widely considered offensive and outdated to describe students with intellectual disabilities.

Its so frightening that in terms of children with disabilities, she has talked openly about how maybe they dont need to be in the classroom with their peers, Book said. She did use the R-word at a PTA debate. You should never even use that word. I cant even say that word out loud, and it rolled off her tongue as if it was nothing. That tells me something about her character. She does not respect every child, and shes going to represent our entire state?

Ashley Reynolds, the mom of a queer ninth-grader in Cary, said that Morrow does not represent her childs needs. The candidate suggested in a September post on X that the + in LGBTQ+ stands for pedophilia, outraging both members and supporters of that community. Morrow also said that Green would not keep children in the state safe because he was proudly endorsed by LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality North Carolina. She criticized him for opposing the states Parental Bill of Rights, legislation signed in 2023 requiring parents to be informed before their children alter their names or pronouns. LGBTQ+ advocates say the law could lead transgender and nonbinary youth to be outed to families who may not be gender affirming. Morrow has also expressed concern that some educators are groomers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Her idea that the schools can brainwash your child into being queer or transgender is extremely out of touch with whats going on, Reynolds said. The idea that you can change somebody in that way just shows her complete lack of knowledge and education on that topic.

Reynolds said her son worries that Morrow will eliminate programs that help queer kids or otherwise infringe on their rights if elected. He is bracing himself for what Morrow plans to do, all while taking in anti-LGBTQ+ attack ads associated with the Trump campaign, Reynolds said.

LGBTQ+ youth at schools with a high number of anti-LGBTQ+ policies reported higher rates of suicidal ideation in the past year (55 percent), compared to their LGBTQ+ peers at schools with fewer (43 percent) or no anti-LGBTQ+ policies (35 percent), according to a study of 18,000 youth released in August by the The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that works to prevent suicide among LGBTQ+ youth.

We saw 13 anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed last session. Three of them became law. This is all very devastating to our young people, said Eliazar Posada, executive director of Equality North Carolina. Were sending out a message saying that who they are is wrong, who they are is not what is welcomed in our state, in our communities, and we know that, based on information from the Trevor Project, how much even introducing a bill hurts the mental health of our young people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Having a candidate for state superintendent of public instruction engage in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric only makes it harder for young queer people trying to cope in an often hostile world, Posada added.

Renee Sekel, a deputy director with the North Carolina chapter of Red, Wine & Blue, an organization that provides suburban women with the tools to politically organize in their communities, said that she has a host of concerns about Morrow. They range from Morrows support of rejecting federal funding for North Carolina schools to her statements about marginalized youth. In a nutshell, Sekel said, Morrows education policy amounts to subtraction.

Its about reserving education for the kids that she believes are worth it, said Sekel, who lives in the same area of Cary as Morrow, Reynolds and Book. Thats not gay kids, Black kids, English language learners or disabled kids.

Even if a far less controversial candidate were his opponent, Sekel said that she would still support Green because he has experience running a large school system. He also served as executive director of the Z. Reynolds Foundation, a nonprofit that works to improve North Carolinians quality of life, with a particular focus on affordable housing, education and the environment. Morrow lacks comparable experience, having never served in an executive role at a company, organization or school system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Electing novices to roles in which they will make decisions about millions of dollars in education spending is reckless, said Harper of the University of Southern California. Its even more dangerous when those candidates racist, sexist, homophobic and transphobic perspectives result in policies that undo decades of progress for local communities and our nation more broadly, he said.

Green said that he decided to run for state superintendent because he wants to use his career in education to effect change. Hes concerned that public schools have been woefully underfunded and educators dont receive the respect and pay they deserve. Student achievement is also a policy priority for him.

Im going to do everything I can to be sure that every child in North Carolina receives an excellent public education, he said.

The post She made a joke about Obamas execution. Now shes running to lead North Carolina schools  and could win. appeared first on The 19th.

News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter.
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano hopes to keep her seat during Tuesdays election. She is running against Carl Ritchie, the former Mount Pleasant police chief.

Sheriff Graziano said she was calm and feeling great about the race while at Drayton Hall Elementary School on Tuesday afternoon where she shook hands with poll workers and thanked them for their hard work.

Graziano said she was proud of the campaign she has run over the last several months, and said that as sheriff, she had a lot of success, and her vision to make the community a safer place is what shes hoping to carry into her next term if re-elected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The last four years are really about making Charleston better today than it was yesterday. And thats kind of been the theme of my administration and the goal going forward, she said. I really havent come off that message, I havent strayed from it- I have been very focused on our community.

She added that policing and law enforcement is some of the toughest work you could ever do, but said its highly rewarding.

Meanwhile, Republican candidate Carl Ritchie is hoping to expand his law enforcement leadership to serve all of Charleston County as sheriff.

He is currently serving as a councilman for the town and said he has served the public and country for more than 40 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While Ritchie voted early, he spent much of the day at several polling places to make his final appeal to voters. He has been campaigning for just over a year and recently laid out a five-point plan to improve conditions at the Al Cannon Detention Center if elected sheriff.

I have a proven record of public service. Over 40 years of serving not only my country but my town as a police officer for over 33 years including being a police chief, and currently serving as a town council member- so the whole public service thing is just in my DNA. Its just what I enjoy doing, I enjoy serving others and protecting others, he said.

Click here to see local election results when the polls close at 7pm.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
DES MOINES, Iowa  One of the shooters in the deadly drive-by shooting at East High School was sentenced to life in prison on Monday.

Alex Santiago Perdomo, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, was sitting in the back, drivers side seat of a Ford F-150 when he fired a gun into a crowd of people outside of East High School in March 2022. The shooting resulted in the death of 15-year-old Jose Lopez, and critically injured Kemery Ortega and Jessica Lopez Torres.

In 2023 Perdomo pled guilty to first-degree murder and since then has been in custody at the State Training School in Eldora.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the Polk County Attorneys Office, during a sentencing hearing on Monday the chaplain of the State Training School and Perdomos juvenile court officer testified that Perdomo had significantly progressed during his time in custody, including graduating high school and serving on the student council and as a peer role model.

Story Archive: Deadly drive-by shooting at East High School

The victims also provided victim impact statements during the hearing. Lopezs mother, Deborha Perez, addressed Perdomo directly during her statement.

I cannot forgive and forget and be proud of what you are doing, Perez said. You had a lot of time to change your mind. You shot eight times. The first shot, you could have changed your mind. You decided to keep going.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Perdomo was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He is eligible for parole because he was a minor at the time of the shooting. Perdomo could have faced probation due to a judge previously waiving him to youthful offender status. He was also ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to the estate of Jose Lopez.

Below is a summary of those charged and their dispostitions:

Nyang Mai Chamdual, 17, pled guilty to first-degree murder. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18, 2025 after he turns 18.

Romeo Perdomo, 19, pled guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Octavio Lopez Sanchez Jr., 19, pled guilty to second-degree murder and two counts of willful injury. He was sentenced to 70 years in prison.

Daniel Hernandez, 20, pled guilty to one count of second-degree murder and two counts of willful injury causing serious injury. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison.

Henry David Valladares Amaya, 20, pled guilty to one count of second-degree murder and two counts of willful injury causing serious injury. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Manuel De Jesus Buezo, 19, pled guilty to one count of second-degree murder and two counts of willful injury causing serious injury. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Braulio Damien Hernandez-Salas, 19, pled guilty to two counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Kevin Isidro Martinez, 18, pled guilty to two counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Gumaro Marquez-Jacobo, 20, pled guilty to accessory after the fact, person ineligible to carry a dangerous weapon, and providing a pistol or revolver to a person under 21. He was given a four-year suspended sentence.

Latest Metro News:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  A community center and another building were damaged after shots were fired in one of Wisconsins most populated cities late Friday night.

Officers responded to the scene on Manor Drive in Madison around 9:30 p.m., where shell casings were recovered. Although a birthday party was in progress at the time, no injuries were reported.

The Violent Crime Unit is investigating, and no arrests have been made.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Election Day: we will have a pretty quiet day with a mostly cloudy sky and a few stray showers in the afternoon and evening. If you want to avoid any rain, vote early in the day. It will stay breezy and warm with highs in the upper 70s.

On Wednesday, tropical moisture from what will be Hurricane Rafael will stream into east Alabama. Combine that with a cold front moving across Alabama. This will spread showers and a few storms to areas mainly east of I-65, including Birmingham. Otherwise, it will be cloudy and warm with highs in the lower 80s.

Thursday will be a drier day as the front stalls over South Alabama. We will be mostly cloudy with just a small chance for a shower. High temperatures will be around 80.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fridays forecast through the weekend will depend on what Rafael in the Gulf decides to do. It is forecast to be at least a Category 1 hurricane in the SE Gulf on Wednesday afternoon and will be moving northeast. The models are spread across the Gulf with this system, so there is a lot of uncertainty. Rafael is forecast to weaken in the Gulf due to strong wind shear, dry air, and cooler sea surface temperatures. It also depends on the strength of the tropical system and trough that pulls it north. However, it will still be a rainmaker for the area it eventually makes landfall.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Friday plan for a mostly cloudy day with scattered showers. High temperatures will be in the upper 70s.

Weekend Outlook: Our forecast will depend on where Rafael will track. Please expect many changes in the forecast before this weekend. We will see some rain from the tropical system, but it is too early to say how much. Plan for Saturday to be mostly cloudy with scattered showers. The highs will be in the middle 70s.

Sunday will be mostly cloudy with a few showers and highs in the 70s. If Rafael tracks over Alabama, we will have a lot more rain this weekend. Please check back for updates.

Tracking the Tropics: Tropical Storm Rafael has formed in the south-central Caribbean. It is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Wednesday morning. On Wednesday, the track takes it NW across western Cuba and into the SE Gulf.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Once in the Gulf, Rafael is expected to battle strong wind shear, dry air, and cooler waters. This will help to weaken the system from a hurricane back to a tropical storm later this week.

Forecast models are uncertain of the track due to the steering patterns and strength of Rafael. Right now, they take it toward Louisiana as a weakening storm, but anywhere from the Louisiana Coast to the Florida Panhandle could see Rafael.

Alabama Impacts: If Rafael takes a path further north and east, like the GFS model has consistently shown, beneficial heavy rain would be likely across Alabama. If Rafael stays further south and west like the European model suggests, rainfall would be more limited across the state. Well have a better idea which solution is most likely after the storm passes over Cuba.

Be sure to follow the CBS 42 Storm Team:

Follow Us on Facebook: Chief Meteorologist Dave Nussbaum, Meteorologist Michael Haynes, Meteorologist Alex Puckett, and Meteorologist Jacob Woods.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
(NewsNation)  Las Vegas is known as Sin City, but it could just as easily be called Solar City thanks to the millions its investing in sustainability initiatives.

A recent BBC report highlighted the citys push to go green, including everything from water conservation and waste management efforts to solar power projects.

Driving the vote: Hispanic voters in Nevada crucial in election

By 2030, 50% of Nevadas electricity is expected to be generated from renewable sources thanks to a 2019 bill passed by the state legislature.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As of 2023, renewable energy resources accounted for nearly 40% of the electricity generated in the state. In Las Vegas, even the glitzy, energy-hungry resorts have crossed the 40% threshold, Marco Velotta, the citys sustainability officer, told the BBC.

Las Vegas has come a long way in a short amount of time, Velotta said. Sustainability has become a part of the citys overall story.

WATCH: Las Vegas bids farewell to the Tropicana with spectacular celebration, implosion

Las Vegas is now second in the US for solar capacity per capita, behind only Honolulu. Major companies like MGM Resorts International have recently announced plans to build their own solar array.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sin City could be called Solar City, Steffen Lehmann, professor of architecture and urbanism at UNLV, told the BBC.

In 2023, Resorts World Hotel announced it was powered entirely by renewable energy sources just two years after opening.

But theres still room for improvement across the Las Vegas strip, Lehmann pointed out.

Although Resorts World presents impressive sustainability figures, it stands as an anomaly among the Strips hotels, many of which perform poorly in terms of environmental responsibility, Lehmann said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  There have been a record number of homicides in Sioux Falls this year; 13 with the most recent one just last week.

KELOLAND News takes a look back at the cases and which ones remain unsolved.

Sioux Falls recorded its first homicide of 2024 in March. Edward Brinkley is accused of shooting 28-year-old Richard Sowers in a downtown apartment.

23-year-old arrested for indecent exposure near Empire Mall

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In June, police arrested Justin Rackley.

Hes charged with murdering three people identified as Daniel Kemnitz, Kellie Reaves and Michael Thompson.

Authorities are only saying that it happened at a backyard party around a fire pit in southwest Sioux Falls.

The citys fifth homicide was in August. Court documents say a 13-year-old boy shot and killed his cousin with a stolen gun.

The suspects mother, Savannah Randle was arrested on charges of accessory to manslaughter.

Also in August, someone shot and killed 29-year-old Joshua Allen at Dunham Park. No arrests have been made yet in that case.

In September, someone opened fire on a mobile home in northwest Sioux Falls, killing 27-year-old Tanisha Bruguier who was inside.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are no arrests in that case either.

Later that same month, police arrested Dylan Farmer. Hes accused of shooting and killing Casey Shawn Edward Shaffer after someone reportedly told Farmer that Shaffer had touched a boy.

On Sept. 22nd, officers were called to 12th and Cleveland where they found 64-year-old Michael Colvin had been severely beaten. He later died of his injuries.

Police arrested Robin Swallow last week and charged him with murder.

In October, a father and son were shot and killed outside this southwest Sioux Falls gas station.

Police say it was a case of justifiable homicide.

Just last week an aggravated assault case turned into a murder investigation.

John Mitchell is accused of beating 49-year-old Carie Coyle so badly that she was hospitalized in critical condition. She later died of her injuries. Mitchell is now accused of murder.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Also last week police arrested Jimmie Ledbetter Jr. for first-degree murder.

Police say Ledbetter strangled his wife Angie, who had recently filed for divorce.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
The small Balkan country of Bosnia and Herzegovina has faced particular energy challenges for years, complicated by corruption and ecological threats. Bosnian filmmaker Zlatko Pranjic teamed with Danish co-director Nanna Frank Mller for a troubling look at the toxic fallout of a chronic polluter, the ArcelorMittal steel plant near Zenica.

The result, the doc The Sky Above Zenica, won Ji.hlava Film Festivals Testimonies section, focused on films that take on urgent contemporary issues, which this year screened docs that inform and inspire on subjects ranging from pollution to climate change by way of Nixon-era archival discoveries and advance research on insects.

More from Variety

As the filmmakers put it, with the fall of the communist regime in the former Yugoslavia, predatory capitalism invaded Bosnia and Herzegovina and ArcelorMittal, the largest global steel producer, shows the repulsive face of ruthless subordination to profit to the people of the Balkan state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As their film captures, the factory belches pollution into the sky with fumes containing toxins at levels hundreds of times higher than current permissible standards. Meanwhile, state and local agencies fail to act despite floods of protests.

Pranjic says they decided to follow a key protester and members of a local environmental organization over the course of several years, to draw attention to the fatal consequences of unregulated production.

Samir Lemes, the main protagonist, is my childhood friend, says Pranjic, and Zenica is my home town, which I left in the middle of the Bosnian war. Twenty-five years later, I saw a Guardian article describing unprecedented pollution in the town, telling the story of a small group of activists gathered in Eko Forum and headed by professor Lemes. I proposed that Nanna join me in my return to Zenica with the intention to do the film.

The project was daunting: the powerful steel company seemingly has strong influence in the area and has shown little interest in accommodating outsiders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We wanted to give voices to those who could not be heard, the people of Zenica, Pranjic says. We wanted to give human faces to the subjects of negative statistics. We wanted the audience to connect with people of Zenica on a human level. At the same time, we wanted to examine the relationship between democracy and corporate power in so-called transitional societies.

Coming back to the town after 25 years, reconnecting with the old friends, being accepted and understanding new social and economic dynamics in interaction with new political tendencies was the biggest challenge for me.

Mller was determined to make the doc more than an unregulated pollution story, she says.

Right from the beginning, we wanted to portray the lives of the people in Zenica through being present with them over time. We wanted to do so in order to invite the audience into the reality of our protagonists, to connect with the story on a deeper level.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sustaining the project over seven years was the greatest challenge, she says. Eko Forums activism involved urging the institutions in power to change their practices and attitude towards the steel corporation. The process was slow and we could not foresee the outcome of their activism but since we were working with a story in which the audience is emotionally invested in the protagonists, we needed to stay with them and follow through to the very end of their journey.

The filmmakers also knew gaining access to the steel plant would be difficult at best.

As the audience follows Lemes, says Mller, We wanted the camera to follow his journey and as such we would ask for permission to film wherever he would go. In the case of the steel plant we were rejected several times.

Eventually, they came to think of the steel company as something out of Franz Kafkas The Castle, says Moller, where you cannot enter. By the end of the filming process however, we succeeded in filming a representative from the steel plant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Putting together the mountain of material was just as daunting, say the filmmakers.

As Mller says, In the film, we insist on telling the story through characters and scenes happening naturally in front of the camera based on the circumstances and inner lives of the protagonists.

Connecting their inner lives with the shifting social and geopolitical forces of the conflict was the focal point of the editing process, she says. Conveying the information that you may usually read in a newspaper through dramatic scenes was the challenge and joy of working with this film.

Raising the profile of protesters was a more achievable goal, say the filmmakers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When they started filming, Mller says, Lemer and Eko Forum were coming out of a period where they were part of protests around Zenica but had come to the realization that protesting may get the attention of the media and people in general, but it does not lead to actual change  at least not in their case.

The film then documents the group taking on a different approach, gathering evidence for a legal case.

The documentation has been key because, despite visible signs of serious violations of existing ecological regulations, and multiple cases of cancer among residents, the movement lacked hard data and reliable, independent information sources.

The lessons learned could have benefits for all, say the filmmakers. As Mller says, I believe that our film can serve as an inspiration for other civic movements as to how to gather evidence for change, leading to positive results.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini recently rejected all four requests from Slovak citizens wishing to join Ukraine's armed forces, Slovak media source TASR reported on Nov. 3.

Pellegrini emphasized that unauthorized foreign military service constitutes a crime subject to prosecution in Slovakia.

This decision also reflects his alignment with Prime Minister Robert Ficos stance against military support for Ukraine and contrasts with the policy of Pellegrini's predecessor, Zuzana Caputova, who had approved similar applications.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This Slovak policy differs from neighboring Czechia, where President Petr Pavel has permitted 60 Czech citizens to serve with Ukrainian forces.

Ukraine's International Legion was launched at the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, attracting foreigners who volunteered to defend Ukraine.

Citizens from over 50 countries have joined the unit since the start of the full-scale invasion, including military veterans from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, Europe, and beyond, Ukraine's military intelligence said.

Read also: Ukraine, Lithuania to produce drones, electronic warfare under new memorandum

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A 23-year-old Army sergeant who served on the temporary Gaza pier mission earlier this year died last week from injuries sustained in non-combat duties during the mission.

A spokesperson with 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, confirmed the Oct. 31 death of Sgt. Quandarius Stanley from his injuries.

Stanley was critically injured in May when high winds and heavy seas damaged the pier, causing four Army vessels to become beached, The Associated Press reported. Two other service members also were injured but later returned to duty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Three U.S. troops on Gaza pier mission sustain non-combat injuries

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley, Capt. Shkeila Milford-Glover, command spokesperson told Army Times in an email statement today.

The two other soldiers sustained minor injuries. Stanley was treated at an Israeli hospital before being moved to Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, in June.

Officials did not share details of the injuries that Stanley succumbed to last week.

Sgt. Quandarius Stanley was an instrumental and well respected first line leader in the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary, especially during the mission to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, said Col. John Eddie Gray, brigade commander. We will continue to provide support to his family during this difficult time. Our entire unit mourns alongside his family.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The transportation brigade is out of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

The massive pier project was hampered by unexpected bad weather and security issues, as well as persistent safety issues involving Israeli forces that prompted aid agencies to halt distribution of the supplies out of fear of being injured and killed.

The Defense Department formally pulled the pier from the Gaza shore on June 28 and declared an end in mid-July to the mission to bring aid into the territory besieged by the war between Israel and Hamas.

The Gaza floating pier operated for nearly three weeks delivering 19.4 million pounds of aid to residents, according to Pentagon officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Stanley served in the Army from July 2020 until he was medically retired due to his injuries Oct. 25, officials confirmed.

The sergeants awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(NewsNation)  South Carolina voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in several important races.

Presidential race in South Carolina

US House race in South Carolina

Seven U.S. House seats are up for grabs, the majority featuring Republican incumbents seeking re-election.

Rep. James Clyburn is the only Democratic incumbent vying for re-election. The 31-year congressman faces four challengers for his seat in the 6th Congressional District: Republican Duke Buckner, Alliance Party candidate Joseph Oddo, Libertarian Michael Simpson and United Citizens Party candidate Gregg Marcel Dixon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

South Carolinas 3rd Congressional District is the only race without a returning candidate. Democrat Bryon Best, Republican Sheri Biggs and Alliance Party candidate Michael Bedenbaugh are running in this race, all of whom are political newcomers.

There are no open U.S. Senate seats.

Statewide ballot measure in South Carolina

South Carolina voters will also decide on one statewide ballot measure. The South Carolina Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment would prohibit state and local governments from allowing noncitizens to vote. It is already illegal at the federal level for noncitizens to vote in a US election.

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for grabs. These elections will determine who has control over the two chambers of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

South Carolina, a red state, has nine Electoral College votes for the presidential race. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Early voting in South Carolina started on Oct. 21 and ended Nov. 2. All polls for in-person voting on Election Day run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- Voters across South Carolina will head to the polls Tuesday to weigh in on the race for the White House, the U.S. House, state legislature, and a slew of local contests.

South Carolina is not a battleground state; its nine electoral votes for president are almost certain to go to former President Donald Trump. He carried the state by double-digits in the past two presidential elections and South Carolinians have backed a Republican in 13 of the last 14 elections.

MAP: Here are the reddest and bluest counties in South Carolina

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Even still, South Carolina voters face choices in a host of races further down the ballot that could prove consequential.

Each of the Palmetto States seven seats in the U.S. House is up this year and at least one newcomer will join the congressional delegation after U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R) opted not to seek reelection in South Carolinas deeply-red 3rd District.

Sheri Biggs is heavily favored to defeat Democrat Byron Best in that race, which would make her the second woman in South Carolinas federal delegation.

Closer to home, Republican Nancy Mace faces Democrat Michael B. Moore in the Lowcountrys 1st District. Mace cruised to victory in the GOP primary and could do so again, due in part to a federal court ruling that allowed the 2024 election to be held under a contested map that was designed to make the seat safer for Republicans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrat Jim Clyburn, who has represented the 6th District since 1992, faces a familiar opponent in Republican Duke Buckner. Third-party candidates Gregg Marcel Dixon and Joseph Oddo are also vying for the seat.

All 170 seats in the states General Assembly  124 in the House and 46 in the Senate  are also up for grabs Tuesday, but more than half are uncontested or were virtually decided in the June GOP primary.

Republicans will look to build on a dominant 2022 performance in which the party flipped eight seats to gain a two-thirds supermajority in the House. They only need to pick up one seat on Tuesday to gain the same advantage in the Senate.

Democrats, meanwhile, aim to hold onto the Senate seats they already have and gain a few in the House by capitalizing on momentum at the top of the ticket.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voter Guide: What to know for the Nov. 5 general election

Among the races to watch is the state Senate race between Democrat Ed Sutton and Libertarian Kendal Ludden in the newly created District 20. The district was moved from Richland to Charleson following the 2020 census to account for faster population growth in that area and now encompasses parts of West Ashley.

House District 110 in downtown Charleston is another race to watch as first-term incumbent Tom Hartnett (R) squares off against Democrat John Moffett. The district has remained in Republican control despite some recent turnover, but it is still considered a toss-up in Democrat-leaning Charleston County.

Lowcountry voters will also make decisions further down the ballot that could shape local politics for years to come.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano (D), the first woman and openly gay person to be sworn in as a sheriff in the state, is in a tough reelection fight with Republican Carl Ritchie, the longtime former Mount Pleasant police chief.

The race has stepped into the national spotlight in recent weeks as Graziano is locked in a bitter battle with Nancy Mace over the agencys handling of immigration enforcement.

Voters in Dorchester County will elect a new sheriff, marking the first change in leadership at the sheriffs office in over a decade. The race is between Democrat Charles T. Frederick III and Republican Sam Richardson, the current deputy chief.

If Richardson wins, he would be the only Black Republican sheriff in South Carolina.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ballot selfies and campaign merch: What is and isnt allowed at SC polling places

Some voters will also decide who controls the solicitors office, the coroners office, and county school boards, as well as a handful of other local offices.

Polls across South Carolina are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on November 5. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you can remain in line until you vote.

News 2 will provide the most up-to-date election results in real-time once polls are closed. You can find them on counton2.com beginning at 7 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
(NewsNation)  South Dakota voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in several important races.

Presidential race in South Dakota

US House race in South Dakota

The Mount Rushmore States single congressional seat is open, and incumbent Republican Dusty Johnson has his eyes on a fourth term against Democratic political newcomer Sheryl Johnson, of no relation.

South Dakotas U.S. House primary election was canceled because both parties had only one candidate who filed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are no open U.S. Senate seats.

Statewide ballot measures in South Dakota

South Dakota voters will also decide on seven statewide ballot measures, including four constitutional amendments.

Some of the measures propose:

Changing male pronouns in the state constitution to gender-neutral terms

Imposing a work requirement on Medicaid-eligible people who have not been diagnosed with a physical or mental disability

Providing a state constitutional right to an abortion with limitations by trimester

Legalizing recreational marijuana

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for grabs. These elections will determine who has control over the two chambers of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

South Dakota, a red state, will have three Electoral College votes for the presidential race. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Early voting in South Dakota started on Sept. 20. All polls for in-person voting on Election Day run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  South Dakotans will decide whether to adopt gender-equal officeholder references in the South Dakota Constitution and if the state can require work requirements on enrollees for Medicaid expansion.

State Wide Results | State Senate Results | State House Results | National Results Map

Those questions are Amendment E and Amendment F, respectively, on voters 2024 ballots.

Both Amendment E and Amendment F were brought in front of voters at the request of the state Legislature.

What is Amendment E?

The constitutional revision proposes to eliminate references to men regarding various state offices and, by so doing, make the constitution more open to women and men alike.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

South Dakota voters elected the first woman as governor in 2018 when they chose Republican Kristi Noem. Four years after taking office, Governor Noem opened the 2023 session of the Legislature by raising the issue of gender equality.

A Yes vote on Amendment E would adopt changing the South Dakota Constitution for gender references.

A No vote on Amendment E would leave the South Dakota Constitution as it is.

What is Amendment F?

Voters in 2022 approved putting the Medicaid eligibility expansion into the South Dakota Constitution by a solid margin statewide.

The Legislatures Republican supermajorities put Amendment Fs work requirement on the 2024 ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

South Dakota voters are now being asked whether they want to add the work requirement. A Yes vote would further amend the South Dakota Constitution and let the state government ask the federal government to impose a work requirement for most people making between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level, havent been diagnosed as being physically or mentally disabled, and receive Medicaid benefits under the expanded income eligibility. A No vote is against putting that option in the constitution.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Wednesday, November 5, 1980  44 Years Ago

Its the day after Election Day. Ronald Reagan is set to remake the country after a decisive win over President Jimmy Carter and Ocean County voters declare they do not want to be a part of South Jersey.

Ocean County votes against secession from New Jersey

TOMS RIVER - A majority of Ocean County voters yesterday elected not to join other New Jersey downstaters in their campaign to establish Americas 51st state  South Jersey.

The county rejected secession by a vote of 67,990 to 46,863, while a majority of voters in five other southern counties responded yes when asked if they wanted to secede from New Jersey. Those counties were Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the vote was non-binding and carries no other legal weight, a total of 51% of voters across all six counties were in favor of the much-talked-about notion.

Its a very clear message to our Trenton government and our governor, said Joel Jacovitz, chairman of the Committee to Free South Jersey.

Deputy Mayor Joel Jacovitz of Egg Harbor Township gets a victory kiss from his wife, Pam, after voters across six counties in southern New Jersey elected to secede from the Garden State and establish South Jersey as Americas 51st state on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1980.

Jacovitz, who is deputy mayor of Egg Harbor Township in Atlantic County, has been the movements most vocal proponent.

We know that wed probably be better off being our own state, he said last night.

Reagan landslide mandate to turn U.S. around; Carter offers full support in transition

WASHINGTON - Ronald Reagan is heading for the White House on the crest of a conservative tide that swept Republicans to major gains in Congress and gave the president-elect a mandate for his promises of a tougher America abroad and less government at home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

President Carter congratulated Reagan and pledged his administrations fullest support and cooperation in bringing about an orderly transition of government.

I am not frightened by what lies ahead, Reagan told a victory celebration at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, promising to tap that great American spirit.

Highlands Police make arrest in theft of patrol car

HIGHLANDS - Borough police have apprehended an individual in connection with the early morning theft of one of their patrol cars, but have refused to identify the suspect or comment on what charges were filed.

The unknown person is accused of stealing the police car from the Twin Lights Tavern on Bay Avenue, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Officers went to the bar in response to a fist fight between two patrons, when the vehicle disappeared about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The patrol car was discovered about an hour later on top of cinder blocks near the corner of Seadrift Avenue and Marine Place. The vehicle had sustained some front-end damage.

Malaise over Carter proves disastrous for Monmouth County Democrats down-ballot

FREEHOLD - Jimmy Carters unpopular presidency has left the Monmouth County Democratic Party in shambles.

President Carter proved to be a greater disaster for local Democrats than Richard Nixon was for the GOP in 1974.

When the votes were counted last night, Democrats appeared to have lost two seats on the Board of Freeholders, which they had gained in the wake of the Watergate scandal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More devastating to Monmouth Democrats, voters unseated Sheriff Paul Kiernan, the Democrat who had appealed to voters of all political persuasions since 1965.

Carter was never popular in Monmouth County. Gerald Ford received more votes here in 1976 and Carter placed second to Ted Kennedy in the June Democratic primary. But hardly anyone expected Democrats to fare so poorly in the local races.

An estimated 80% of the countys registered voters cast their ballots on Election Day; the lowest turnout for a presidential contest since 1948, when county voters picked Republican Thomas Dewey over Democratic incumbent Harry Truman.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Asbury Park Press NJ archives for Nov. 5
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

Credit: Boeing Space

'The U.S. military's highly secretive X-37B space plane just got a little less mysterious.

In a rare show of openness about the space plane's operations, Boeing and the U.S. Space Force released a statement last month explaining that the X-37B would soon begin a series of "aerobraking" maneuvers to begin lowering its orbit and safely disposing of unnecessary hardware before it comes down for a landing on Earth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This week, Boeing Space released a video detailing how the aerobraking procedure will work and why the X-37B is performing it. In the video, a Boeing representative said the maneuver will help Boeing change the X-37B's altitude and "safely dispose of the service module components in accordance with recognized standards for space debris mitigation."

a spacecraft with two stubby wings flies above a blue-and-white planet with an orange glow surrounding it

Typically, when satellites change orbit, they execute one or more burns using their onboard thrusters. This requires propellant, however, meaning each satellite can only perform a limited amount of burns before needing to be refueled or brought out of orbit. Aerobraking, on the other hand, uses the friction of Earth's atmosphere to help guide a spacecraft to a new orbit.

"When we aerobrake, we utilize atmospheric drag to effectively step down our apogee one pass at a time until we get to the orbital regime that we want to be in," said John Ealy, a Boeing engineer, in the company's video explaining the X-37B's aerobraking. "When we do this, we save enormous amounts of propellant, and that's really why aerobraking is important."

Boeing's video about the aerobraking maneuver shows the aircraft-like X-37B changing its attitude, or the direction in which it faces relative to its orbital direction, so that its flat "belly" points forward as it orients its nose up, facing away from Earth below it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the animation, the broader, flatter underside of the space plane glows orange from the heat generated as it encounters the drag (a type of friction) produced by Earth's atmosphere, which slows it down.

a spacecraft with two stubby wings flies above a blue-and-white planet with an orange glow surrounding it

U.S. Space Force leadership praised the X-37B team for attempting such a novel maneuver. "This first of a kind maneuver from the X-37B is an incredibly important milestone for the United States Space Force as we seek to expand our aptitude and ability to perform in this challenging domain," U.S. Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said in a statement last month. "The success is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the team."

The X-37B's most recent mission, known as OTV-7 (for "Orbital Test Vehicle-7"), saw the space plane launch atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time, which put the space plane on a highly elliptical (or oval-shaped) orbit at an unknown altitude.

RELATED STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 US Space Force's 1st official painting shows military space plane intercepting adversary satellite

 SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launches mysterious X-37B space plane for US Space Force after delays

 Space Force's mysterious X-37B space plane to attempt new 'aerobraking' maneuvers in orbit

Like all other X-37B flights, little is known about the OTV-7 other than that the flight is testing the effects of space radiation and "space domain awareness" technologies, presumably meaning new tech to help the U.S. Space Force keep an eye on orbital traffic and what other spacecraft are doing in Earth orbit.

"X-37B missions have continuously advanced our nation's space capabilities by testing new technologies that reduce risk and inform our future space architectures. Mission seven is no different," Holly Murphy, program director for Boeing's Experimental Systems Group, said in the video.
ORLANDO, Fla.  SpaceX sent up 6,000 pounds of cargo on a resupply mission to the International Space Station on Monday night with the rocket boosters return trip bringing a sonic boom to parts of Central Florida.

A Falcon 9 on the CRS-31 mission lifted off from Kennedy Space Centers Launch Pad 39-A at 9:29 p.m. EST.

The first-stage booster made its fifth flight, having notably flown two human spaceflight missions with Crew-8 in March and Septembers Polaris Dawn flight as well as two Starlink missions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It then made a recovery return back on land at nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations Landing Zone 1 about eight minutes after liftoff.

SpaceX had earlier warned that one or more sonic booms may be heard in Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Indian River, Seminole, Volusia, Polk, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties.

The cargo Dragon is making its fifth resupply mission to the ISS, and is slated to arrive after about a 13-hour flight, docking Tuesday at 10:15 a.m.

While attached, SpaceX will be trying out a new reboost capability to see if it can successfully raise the altitude of the ISS, something normally taken care of by Russian Progress cargo vehicles. The test reboost follows similar test boosts performed by Northrop Grummans Cygnus cargo module in the past few years. SpaceX won the contract to eventually take on the role of removing the ISS from orbit through a special spacecraft built on Dragon technology, an endeavor not slated until after 2030.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It will remain attached to the ISS until December when it will return for a splashdown back on Earth, possibly one of the final times a Dragon spacecraft lands off the coast of Florida before SpaceX shifts Dragon recovery operations back to California in 2025.

Among the 6,000 pounds of food, supplies and equipment are some new experiments.

They include the solar wind Coronal Diagnostic Experiment, some Antarctic moss to observe the effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity on plants, a device to test cold welding of metals in microgravity, and an investigation that studies how space impacts different materials.

The spacecraft will dock with the ISS at the recently vacated parking spot on the front-facing port of the ISS Harmony module. Four of the seven crew currently on board the ISS had climbed on board the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom on Sunday to move it to the space-facing port on Harmony and make room for the cargo modules arrival, an operation that took less than an hour.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Dragon shuffle was of note as it marked the first time NASA astronauts have flown on board both Boeings Starliner and SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft. Thats because among the four crew on board Freedom were not only the two members who flew up to the ISS in September, but also the two NASA astronauts of the Crew Flight Test that had arrived to the ISS on Boeings Starliner back in June.

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were left behind on the ISS when NASA opted to send the Starliner back to Earth in September minus its crew for safety reasons, are now officially part of the SpaceX Crew-9 crew, in addition to being members of Expedition 72 on the ISS.

They took the two seats on Crew Dragon Freedom that they will use when they finally get to return to Earth next February.

The CRS-31 launch adds onto the already record-breaking year on the Space Coast, marking the 75th from all launch providers. SpaceX has flown 70 of those, with United Launch Alliance having flown the other five.

It was the 19th launch from KSC for the year with the other 56 from among the pads at Cape Canaveral.

_____
After its historic booster landing, SpaceX is preparing for another daring test. Elon Musks SpaceX may attempt an orbital refueling test using two Starships in March 2025.

In-orbit refueling is crucial for deep space missions to the Moon and Mars. It allows refueling spacecraft in space, extending its range and payload capacity.

If all goes out as planned, this successful in-orbit refueling would demonstrate Starships capability to undertake long-duration missions to the Moon and eventually Mars.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kent Chojnacki, Deputy Manager of NASA's Human Landing System program, revealed the testing plans in a recent interview with Spaceflight Now.

However, SpaceX has not given any official announcement for the test.

Propellant transfer

NASA's Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable lunar presence. SpaceX's Starship is a key component of this mission.

The Human Landing System (HLS) Starship is a lunar lander variant of SpaceX's Starship spacecraft designed to transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon's surface and back.

Reportedly, NASA granted SpaceX a $4.05 billion contract for the development of two human-rated Starship vehicles for landing astronauts on the lunar surface.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Starship HLS will carry the first astronauts to the Moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The crewed lunar landing is expected to happen in September 2026 near the lunar South Pole, a region rich in water ice, and other valuable resources.

Moreover, this mission will mark a historic milestone as it will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon.

In this March testing, two Starship vehicles will be launched into low Earth orbit, separated by a three to four-week interval. The two spacecraft will rendezvous, dock, and perform a propellant transfer.

Following the propellant transfer, the two Starships will undock and re-enter Earth's atmosphere.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Once youve done that, youve really cracked open the opportunity to move massive amounts of payload and cargo outside of the Earths sphere, Chojnacki stated in the interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tdn5zwqUR0

Crucial for a lunar mission

In-flight refueling will facilitate the development of long-term cryogenic fluid management technologies, crucial for establishing a sustainable lunar presence and human missions to Mars.

SpaceX plans to launch a fleet of eight to sixteen Starship tankers into low Earth orbit to support the lunar mission.

As per Gizmodo, the tankers are expected to transport roughly 100 to 150 metric tons of liquefied oxygen and methane before docking at a larger fuel station.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After docking with the orbiting depot, the Human Landing System Starships 1,200-ton fuel tanks will be refueled, preparing it for the final leg of its journey to the lunar surface.

SpaceX has made significant strides in recent months.

In a breathtaking display of engineering prowess, the colossal 232-foot-tall (71 meters) Super Heavy booster gently descended towards its designated launch tower, where it was deftly caught.

On the other hand, the upper stage of the Starship vehicle successfully executed a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean. To support the Artemis missions, the Human Landing System component of the Starship upper stage must be capable of performing a precise soft landing on the tricky and crater-filled lunar surface.
By David Latona and Charlie Devereux

PAIPORTA/MADRID (Reuters) -At least 89 people remain missing after deadly floods in eastern Spain, the regional judicial authorities in Valencia said on Tuesday, and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was earmarking 10.6 billion euros ($11.6 billion) to help victims.

The number includes only those who have been reported missing by family members that have also provided personal information and biological samples to allow for their identification, the Superior Court of Justice of Valencia Region said in a statement. It added that there could be more cases of people who have disappeared whose details have not yet been registered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More than 200 people were confirmed to have died after heavy rains last week caused waterways to overflow, creating flash floods that surged through suburbs south of the city of Valencia, sweeping away cars and bridges and flooding properties and underground car parks.

"There are still missing persons to be located, homes and businesses destroyed, buried under the mud and many people suffering severe shortages," Sanchez said in a press conference in Madrid earlier on Tuesday. "We have to keep working."

At least 217 people died in Valencia, Castile-La Mancha and Andalusia, but only 133 have been identified so far.

The court said coroners had performed 195 autopsies and that 62 bodies were still pending identification. Spain's national guard on Tuesday asked relatives of people missing to provide DNA samples to identify bodies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A research vessel from the national scientific body CSIC will reach Valencia on Nov. 9 to help in the search efforts, the Science Ministry said on Tuesday. The vessel has technology to obtain detailed images of the seafloor and explore hard-to-reach areas, it said. There have been suggestions that some of the missing people could have been swept down rivers and out to sea.

The aid will include 838 million euros in direct cash to small businesses and freelance workers affected by the disaster and 5 billion euros of state-guaranteed loans. The national government will finance 100% of the clean-up costs incurred by local governments and half of the repairs to infrastructure, Sanchez said.

More than 100,000 cars were damaged by the floods, Sonia Luque, coordinator of the Network of Road Assistance Companies (REAC), said, while damages to businesses in towns hit by floods could rise to over 10 billion euros.

'IT'S A TSUNAMI'

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hector, a police inspector speaking in Paiporta, one of the worst-hit neighbourhoods, said he had experienced plenty of flooding in nearby Alicante but nothing like this.

"This isn't a flash flood - it's a tsunami," Hector, who declined to give his last name, said.

In the face of criticism and anger at the slow response to the disaster, Sanchez said the government had deployed nearly 15,000 police and military to help clear flood-affected areas, along with hundreds of forestry officials, forensic scientists, customs agents and heavy machinery to clear roads and rubble.

Defending the government's response, Sanchez said he had not called a state of emergency, which would have given Madrid control of the crisis, because it would have been less efficient.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said personnel had been ready to be deployed from the first minute but had required the approval of the regional government run by the conservative People's Party.

Valencia's regional leader Carlos Mazon said on Monday the delay in warning people was caused by the Hydrographic Confederation of Jucar (CHJ), which measures the flow of rivers and ravines for the state, cancelling a planned alert three times.

The CHJ fired back that it does not issue flood risk alerts, which are the responsibility of Spain's regional governments.

($1 = 0.9175 euros)

(Reporting by Charlie Devereux, David Latona. Additional reporting by Emma Pinedo and Jesus Aguado, editing by Inti Landauro, Aislinn Laing, Sharon Singleton and David Gregorio)
Spain is to distribute 10.6 billion ($11.5 billion) in aid to those affected by the devastating flash floods that killed more than 200 people and wreaked havoc in the country's east last week, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday.

The aid package, which will include direct payments to households and businesses, was "only a first step," Sanchez said.

One week following the historic floods, large parts of the more than 60 affected municipalities in the eastern Valencia region remain devastated and roads blocked, despite clean-up efforts kicking into high gear.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rubbish, broken furniture and piled-up cars could be seen everywhere on images broadcast by public broadcaster RTVE and other media outlets.

The official death toll from the floods was slightly revised downwards on Tuesday, from 217 to 215, with the vast majority killed in the Valencia region.

However, authorities warn that the figure is expected to rise further, as many people are still reported missing.

The search for them is focussed on underground car parks and other flooded underground facilities such as tunnels and passages.

Authorities fear that some victims may have been washed into river estuaries or the Mediterranean, broadcaster RTVE reported. A naval amphibious ship has been deployed to support the search and rescue efforts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The smell is still very bad here," said an RTVE reporter in Paiporta, not far from the provincial capital Valencia. Paiporta, home to some 27,000, has been among the hardest hit with around 70 killed.

Vehicles stuck in the mud in the Ribarroja industrial park after the passage of a weather phenomenon known as a "cold drop" or "dana". Jorge Gil/EUROPA PRESS/dpa

Cars that were washed away by the violent storm stand on the tracks after the passage of a weather phenomenon known as a "cold drop" or "dana". Rober Solsona/EUROPA PRESS/dpa
Spain is to distribute 10.6 billion ($11.5 billion) in aid to those affected by the devastating flash floods that killed more than 200 people and wreaked havoc in the country's east last week, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday.

The aid package, which will include direct payments to households and businesses, was "only a first step," Sanchez said.

One week following the historic floods, large parts of the more than 60 affected municipalities in the eastern Valencia region remain devastated and roads blocked, despite clean-up efforts kicking into high gear.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rubbish, broken furniture and piled-up cars could be seen everywhere on images broadcast by public broadcaster RTVE and other media outlets.

The official death toll from the floods was slightly revised downwards on Tuesday, from 217 to 215, with the vast majority killed in the Valencia region.

However, authorities warn that the figure is expected to rise further, as many people are still reported missing.

The search for them is focussed on underground car parks and other flooded underground facilities such as tunnels and passages.

Authorities fear that some victims may have been washed into river estuaries or the Mediterranean, broadcaster RTVE reported. A naval amphibious ship has been deployed to support the search and rescue efforts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The smell is still very bad here," said an RTVE reporter in Paiporta, not far from the provincial capital Valencia. Paiporta, home to some 27,000, has been among the hardest hit with around 70 killed.

Residents there and in other almost completely destroyed villages said more help was needed. A man interviewed by RTVE said there were rats on the street, while others wept and railed.

Paiporta's mayor, Maribel Albalat, pleaded for "more heavy machinery," saying it was "very difficult to cope with the chaos."

As the search for more victims continued, concerns arose whether the 10.6 billion in aid promised by the central government would be enough to deal with the aftermath of the floods.

The Valencia regional government had demanded aid worth more than 30 billion on Monday, an amount that roughly corresponds to the region's entire annual budget.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  While the city of Grand Rapids was filled with people checking out all of the displays of ArtPrize earlier this fall, Charles Homeyer was focused on a different kind of canvass.

He and his wife spent time at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum helping eligible residents register to vote. Its something Homeyer, who now lives at the Clark Retirement Community, cares deeply about  and he has for a long time.

He said the first time he voted in a national election was the 1968 presidential election. Since then, its been a tradition for him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I do have a great passion for voting, personally and for all of us, he said. Ive done a lot of canvassing. Ive walked a lot of neighborhoods in Grand Rapids. And when I was canvassing a few years ago, it stands out for me because one fellow looked really disinterested and said, I cant believe people still do that. And I thought, What a pity. What a shame.'

Where voting stands in Michigan before Election Day

Homeyers view on the importance of voting stems back even further to his time in college at Brown University in Rhode Island.

In 1963, Homeyer said he heard Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. give his iconic I Have a Dream speech in Washington D.C. More than 60 years later, Homeyer still gets chills from those powerful words.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, speaks to thousands during his I Have a Dream speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington on Aug. 28, 1963. (AP Photo/File)

I had no background in that, nor did my family, in anything voting rights, civil rights, freedom movement, nothing, he said. But his speech was just it just grabbed me. I was riveted by it. I had never heard such powerful rhetoric from a contemporary public person.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Homeyer was going into his sophomore year at Brown when he first heard the speech and became more involved on campus in the civil rights and freedom movements. Several of his peers made the trip south to march alongside King in 1965.

Gwen Walz campaigns at Black churches in Grand Rapids

In 1966, he and a group of his classmates made a journey to rural Alabama, just a few miles west of Selma. For a week, the group lived in a Black community and worked to ensure all eligible residents there were registered to vote.

Its one of the focuses of the new book, Guardians Of The Vote: History, Heroes, and the Legacy of Voting Rights, which was published by Homeyers daughter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In hindsight, Homeyers journey is considered admirable and even brave. But that wasnt the case in 1966. He said there was opposition to what his group was trying to do even before it left for Alabama.

We would stand in the student union with old literature about these issues and other students would come by and make disparaging remarks. I remember somebody looking at us and saying, I dont know how someone could care that much,' he said.

Homeyers father was not looking forward to the trip. When he found out that the group would be staying in a poor rural area that had no running water, no phone service and a communal outhouse, he called the trip communist  about as bad as something could be in the 1960s, Homeyer said.

His fathers friends also had opinions on the matter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some of his friends, I remember actually saying to me, You know, going down there to work with them and register them to vote isnt going to help you when the race war starts,' Homeyer recalled.

It was just a year following the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibited racial discrimination in elections.

Trumps campaign road again ends with rally in Grand Rapids

Homeyers group went door to door for days, speaking with the residents and working to help make sure their voices were heard. That goal has stuck with him all these years. He hasnt stopped working to try and get people to exercise their right to vote. Its something he doesnt take for granted, even if constant political advertisements can be overwhelming.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Be grateful that we can do this, he said. Theres a lot of noise around it and its easy to become tired of it and kind of turn away and I think its OK to turn off the TV sometimes  thats actually probably healthy  but not to turn off your gratitude.

Charles Homeyer.

Homeyer also knows that there are people who choose not to vote because they dont see change overnight or every four years. His answer was a quote from American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr: Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime. Now 80, Homeyer hopes his votes and his work registering others to vote leaves the country in better shape for future generations.

Be patient. Keep the faith. Its a long process, he said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
MADISON, Wis. (WTVO)  November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and thanks to genetic testing and new, cutting edge treatment, a 68-year-lung cancer patient with a grim diagnosis is out of hospice care and is back to her passions of hiking and traveling the world.

From hiking in national parks to just walking their dog in the morning, Diane and Scott Althaus enjoy spending time in nature. That all changed in December 2019, when Diane was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer.

Ive had many steps to this, many unfortunate steps, Diane said. I had heart failure in 2020 and in 2022 I was placed in hospice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dianes cancer had also spread to other parts of her body.

My oncologist at the time said, Theres nothing more we can do for you. Devastating. Absolutely devastating.

Still in hospice, Diane was then re-evaluated by Dr. Nataliya Uboha, an oncologist involved in cancer research at UW Health. What the re-evaluation found was that Dianes cancer carried a genetic mutation, one that could be manipulated to slow the spread of the disease.

The good thing about this mutation is that there are drugs that can go after this mutation and turn this mutation off, Uboha said. And I realized when I looked at Dianes case, she never truly received therapy that went after that mutation effectively.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Diane is now taking an oral medication that targets a mutation in a gene called B-RAF, which can cause normal cells to become cancerous. She has occasional pain but for the most part, shes back to traveling and enjoying time with Scott and their children.

Last fall, a year ago, we took a two-week trip, a Mediterranean cruise from Italy to Spain, she said. And then, last May, we went to Yosemite with our two daughters.

Diane and Scott have also taken trips to Canada and New York.

At times, youre thinking, Oh, Im going to have a quiet weekend. And then all the sudden she wants to go somewhere, and away we go, Scott said. We are doing it while we can.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dr. Uboha cant be sure what will happen in Dianes case in the future but she hopes her current treatment will stop the cancer from mutating.

Her quality of life has been great, Uboha said. She isnt dealing with difficult side effects anymore, and now she has more time and energy to do what she loves.

Diane says shes never lost hope that an effective treatment would give her a new chance at life.

Dont ever give up, Diane said. You never know whos around the next corner to help you.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
UPDATE (Nov. 6, 2024, 6:00 a.m. ET): This piece has been updated to reflect NBC News' projection that Donald Trump has defeated Kamala Harris to reclaim the White House.

Whats the best advice Donald Trumps criminal defense lawyers could give him at this point?

Win the election.

The Electoral College results could determine whether the Republican presidential nominee spends the next several years in the White House or in courtrooms fighting to fend off prison terms. Indeed, if Trump wins, his criminal caseload would almost certainly be cut in half.

Follow MSNBCs live blog for the latest updates and expert analysis on the 2024 election.

Heres where his four prosecutions stand, starting with the federal cases that are effectively on the ballot.

Classified documents and obstruction case

In July, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case in which the former president was accused of unlawfully retaining national defense information after he left office and obstructing the investigation into his actions. The Trump-appointed judge reasoned that special counsel Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed, and Smith is appealing the cases dismissal. Whoever loses at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals could appeal to the Supreme Court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the case could be gone by February if Trump, who pleaded not guilty in all of his criminal cases, takes office in January. The GOP presidential hopeful said hed fire Smith in two seconds if he wins. The former president, who issued clemency to assorted cronies when he was in office, could also attempt a legally untested self-pardon. And the Justice Department has a policy against charging and prosecuting sitting presidents that could also come into play.

Even if Trump loses the election and Cannons dismissal is reversed on appeal, the cases fate is shaky so long as she presides over it. While theres a good chance that the appeals court reverses the dismissal and the Supreme Court allows that reversal to stand, its less likely (but still possible) that the appeals court assigns a new judge to handle it. Thats despite the Florida judges Trump-friendly actions to date and the possibility that a President Trump could seek to promote her to higher office.

Federal election interference case

Trumps other federal case is being handled by a judge whos arguably Cannons opposite: Obama appointee Tanya Chutkan. The main wrinkle in that one  if Trump loses and cant dismiss it  is the Supreme Court ruling from July that granted the former president broad criminal immunity. That not only narrowed the case accusing Trump of illegally trying to subvert the 2020 election he lost to Joe Biden, but also leaves unclear how much of Smiths case can make it to trial.

Thats because the high courts Republican-appointed majority laid out a vague test that eliminated some aspects of Smiths case, but left it to Chutkan to decide how much of the rest of the case survives. Whatever the District of Columbia judge decides could ultimately be appealed back to the justices before any trial goes forward. So while Cannon is the murky factor in the documents case, the Roberts Court hovers over this one.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On that note, another case handed down by the justices last term, narrowing obstruction charges for Jan 6. defendants, could also help Trump, whos charged with obstruction in two of the four counts in his D.C. indictment.

Georgia election interference case

The Supreme Courts immunity ruling could likewise narrow Trumps state election interference case  but were not even there yet. That ones been tied up on a pretrial appeal, in the defense effort to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. If Willis and her office are kicked off the case, then when and even whether it gets assigned to a new office or prosecutor is an open question.

And even if Willis wins the pretrial appeal and Trump wins the election, dont expect a sitting president to stand trial in state court, either. That issue hasnt been litigated, but Trumps Georgia lawyer, Steve Sadow, has signaled that hes prepared to argue the matter on constitutional grounds.

Even if Trump loses and Willis stays on the case, dont expect a Georgia trial to go forward against Trump any time soon. On top of immunity and other issues that still need resolution, there are several co-defendants remaining on the racketeering indictment, which raises its own complications.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Adding yet another wrinkle is that one of those co-defendants, former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, has a pending petition at the Supreme Court, in which hes attempting to move his charges to federal court. That issue extends beyond Meadows, because other co-defendants are seeking the same relief, including Trump-era environmental lawyer Jeffrey Clark. (Meadows and Clark have pleaded not guilty.)

Meadows petition is due for consideration during the justices private conference on Friday, so we could soon learn whether the court is taking that one up. It takes four justices to grant review.

New York hush money case

Finally, theres Manhattan. In May, Trump was convicted of falsifying business records for covering up the reimbursement of hush money paid to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The adult film star claimed she had sex with Trump years earlier, which he denied.

Sentencing in that state case has been delayed, most recently to Nov. 26. But first, Judge Juan Merchan is set to rule Nov. 12 on whether the guilty verdicts can stand in light of the Supreme Courts immunity decision. Even though Trump wasnt convicted in New York for official acts taken as president, his lawyers argue that evidence used by prosecutors to convict him nonetheless runs afoul of that ruling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps lawyers have also signaled that they would immediately appeal an adverse immunity decision, potentially all the way to the Supreme Court. So regardless of whether Trump wins the election, his sentencing in New York could be further delayed due to that possible appeal. In any event, incarceration isnt mandatory in this case, which involves the lowest-level charges by law among Trumps four prosecutions.

But the fact remains that his best defense across all his cases is an election victory.

Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in Donald Trumps legal cases.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
WEBSTER GROVES, Mo.  KVC Missouri and St. Louis Childrens have teamed up to try and open the facility in the middle of a residential neighborhood. But first, the city would have to rezone the land.

People stood along the walls and sat on the floor as the Webster Groves City Hall chambers were filled with residents, wanting to discuss a proposed behavioral health hospital Monday evening.

One in six children have experienced a mental health disorder, mental health professional Wendy Orson told the Plan Commission during public comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Michael Garcia lives directly across the street from the proposed location.

We are very adamant that this is not the right place to build a hospital of that magnitude, he said.

The hospital, proposed by KVC and St. Louis Childrens Hospital, would be put in a residential neighborhood surrounded by homes.

Monday night, the planning commission considered a new traffic study for the area. It says the new hospital would have 77 inpatient beds and 196 staff members. An outpatient center could serve up to 48 children per day. Enrollment at the current school could go up from 90 to 130 students. The traffic study says this will have a minimal impact during peak hours.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

2 deaths reported in south St. Louis County flooding

It adds capacity for care and does so in a calm community environment, Orson said.

Garcia and others have safety concerns other than traffic, though.

Webster Groves Police have been called to this location more than 80 times over the last two years. They say residents routinely escaped the property when it was being run by a different company.

Its just the nature of the business. Theyre doing great work, but it has inherent risks, Garcia said.

In a previous statement, Childrens and KVC said suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-14 year olds in Missouri, and the area has fewer than half of the behavioral health beds needed for our children.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

KVC and Childrens have made updates to its safety plan. Police and fire departments will now get the facilitys safety training manual, as well as quarterly meetings with both. Additionally, medically stable patients will be transferred with private ambulances through a secured entrance.

We as a broader St. Louis community must prioritize the untapped potential and the necessity of care to those who need it the most and not be dissuaded by past negative experiences, another speaker who works in the mental health field said.

The city council will still have a chance to vote on the rezoning at a future meeting.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
The News

LAGOS  Elon Musks internet service provider Starlink is halting new sign-ups in Africa, citing a demand surge in the continents biggest cities.

Starlink is working to increase Internet capacity in dense urban areas in Africa as fast as possible, Musk wrote on X, though adding that the company retained significant capacity outside of city centers.

The pause means Starlink kits will be temporarily unavailable for purchase. That appears to be the case in Kenyas capital Nairobi and other counties, according to local media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since launching in Nigeria last year, Starlinks Africa presence has grown to 15 countries. It added Botswana and Ghana in August.

In June, Kenyas telecoms regulator ranked Starlink as the 10th largest internet service provider with 0.5% market share, or about 8,000 subscribers. Starlink has more than 23,000 users in Nigeria.

Know More

Starlinks Africa rollout has not been without resistance from local telecoms companies and concerned regulators.

Safaricom, one of Africas largest telecommunications providers, asked Kenyan officials in August to tighten licensing requirements for satellite-based internet providers. The company whose share of the market for internet service providers stands at 36% said Starlink should be required to partner with local mobile network operators.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other kinds of challenges have been raised elsewhere. Cameroon banned the import of Starlink kits in April, accusing the company of operating without a license. Last month, Nigerias telecoms regulator restrained the companys ability to raise prices without prior approval.

Kenyas regulators have allowed Starlink to operate freely, with President William Ruto lauding the company in September as being good for competition in the country.

The View From South Africa

South Africa, the country where Musk was born, remains a major holdout for Starlinks Africa ambitions, but President Cyril Ramaphosa appears keen to have Musk investing in the country. Ramaphosa praised the billionaire for being so successful and youre investing in a variety of countries, I want you to come home and invest here.

Investment rules mandate 30% Black ownership of information and communication technology companies but a government minister recently suggested that Starlink could get an exemption.

Giving millions of South Africans access to broadband would therefore constitute one of the biggest empowerment programs the South African government has ever undertaken, Communications and Digital Technology Minister Solly Malatsi said. The telecoms regulator published a document to review the licensing process for satellite services.
A Philadelphia prosecutor has been failed to stop tech billionaire and Trump supporter Elon Musk from continuing his controversial distribution of money to voters.

A state judge in Pennsylvania on Monday rejected the request for an injunction, US media reported. The decision is largely symbolic, as the daily allocation of $1 million to one person each day ends on Tuesday, election day.

Musk had announced that until the election, he would give away $1 million daily to a registered voter in particularly contested US states. He handed over the first million-dollar cheques in Pennsylvania. The state could be particularly important because it has 19 electoral votes. To win the presidential election, 270 electoral votes are needed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner accused Musk and his organization America PAC of running "an illegal lottery." Krasner argued that Musk's contest violates a Pennsylvania law requiring all lotteries in the state to be state-regulated. Musk's side countered that there was no random allocation. The individuals receiving the money were paid for their ambassador role for the Political Action Committee or PAC.

The initiative targets registered voters who sign a petition dealing with freedom of expression and "the right to bear arms." It was launched by Musk's organization America PAC, which supports Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

According to US election law, it is against the law to pay citizens to vote or to register to vote. Musk has said that the million-dollar gift is intended to draw more attention to the petition. Critics, however, see a problem in the fact that only registered voters can participate. It could be interpreted that the money provides an incentive to register. The US Department of Justice has issued a warning.
Mail-in ballots became a popular COVID-era choice for voters, and in 2024, they are driving turnout in Vermont.

As of Monday morning, the Secretary of States Election Division has received nearly 196,000 ballots since early voting began September 21. Secretary of State, Sarah Copeland Hanzas says this may be true for a few reasons, such as convenience and voters taking the time to research their options.

Is it too late to register to vote in Vermont?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When youre in the voting booth on Election Day, you sometimes feel a little bit rushed, she says, and you know there are people who like to be able to stop and consider and think, and look up some of the candidates.

Vermont has made it easier to vote by mail by sending ballots to all active registered voters. As of October 1, some 505,000 Vermonters were registered to vote.

Copeland Hanzas says the state is confident in the security of mail-in ballots security. The state has been working closely with town clerks to keep track of when ballots are sent out and received, she says. And voters that show up to the polls without the ballot that was sent to them, they will be asked to sign a form to confirm they have not already voted by mail.

Vermont launches its first-ever online voter guide ahead of November election

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But to save time and to save resources, we ask people to BYOB  bring your own ballot  on Election Day, said Copeland Hanzas.

Copeland Hanzas says, while it has mostly been smooth sailing, there have been a few errors with mail-in ballots not reaching the right voters. But, she says, this can be avoided by voters updating their mailing address online or by contacting their town clerk. If you have received the wrong ballot, she says to send it back unopened to the town.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
After floodwaters recede, search-and-rescue crews depart, and volunteers move on, survivors of natural disasters are often left picking up the pieces, many times with little aid or support.

Often, this recovery process spans years, with individuals and families struggling to regain a sense of normalcy.

This has been the reality for thousands in Eastern North Carolina who endured the devastating effects of Hurricanes Matthew and Florence in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Many have spent years without a permanent home, and uncertainty looms for those still waiting on promised assistance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The state program tasked with rebuilding homes of natural disaster survivors now faces a critical need for additional funding.

And in the meantime, housing aid for many Eastern North Carolina storm survivors will be paused and contractors wont be allowed to begin work.

If history is any indicator, residents in Western North Carolina affected by the remnants of Hurricane Helene, which brought historic flooding to the region, are likely to face a long and challenging recovery.

David French and Marianne Williams pose for a photo at the New Bern-Craven County Public Library on Sept. 10, 2007.

Still waiting for a home to be rebuilt

Around 5:18 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2018, as French was making pizza, the power went out. Water from Hurricane Florence, which made landfall at Wrightsville Beach the following morning, had crested at neighbors windows. By nightfall, floodwaters breached the doors of their home, pouring in from all sides. It was everywhere, French said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Seeking refuge, French and Williams spent the night in the attic. The following morning, they found a 150-year-old pecan tree had fallen onto the roof, impacting the attic but not harming them. Though the storm had subsided and much of the water had receded, their home  located in New Berns Historic District  had suffered extensive water damage, with about a foot of water having entered, and was uninhabitable, French said.

A pecan tree fell on Marianne Williams home during Hurricane Florence.

Although the house itself, built in the 1960s, isnt historic, its location within the district would cause future delays in the rebuilding process, French said. Rebuild NC, a state agency created in 2018 by the GOP-led legislature and overseen by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, initially proposed a design that didnt meet district requirements.

French and Williams initially stayed with neighbors and relatives but soon needed a more permanent solution. In November 2018, they moved into a small house in New Bern.

With limited flood insurance, they had to rely on other aid. With assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, they managed to cover rent and storage costs for their belongings, but that support ended in March 2020, after FEMA stopped providing housing assistance. They also received help from the NC Hope Program but still struggled financially, French said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Toward the end of 2020, they learned about Rebuild NC from a friend. The state received $236.5 million for Hurricane Matthew and $542.6 million for Hurricane Florence from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Rebuild NC manages these funds.

HUD approved the states spending plan for both hurricanes in 2020, with the Homeowner Recovery Program application period  the program French and Williams applied for  running from June 2020 to April 2023.

For a while, it seemed French and Williams would have a smooth journey with Rebuild NC: They applied for aid in December 2020 to replace Williams home and were accepted within a month. However, progress stalled during the inspection phase of the Rebuild NC program, and Williams never saw her home rebuilt.

It has put my cousins and my lives on hold, and sadly, Marianne never got to return to her old life or anything resembling it, French said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As her trustee, French continues to push for the construction to be completed.

Rebuild NCs challenges

Rebuild NC has faced criticism for delays in delivering aid to survivors.





As of Oct. 30, Rebuild NCs homeowner recovery program has helped 2,803 families return to rebuilt, resilient housing, according to Rebuild NC spokesperson Janet Kelly-Scholle. And the agency is finishing 115 homes a month on average, Coopers office added.

However, 1,523 families accepted into the homeowner recovery program are still waiting, each at different stages of the eight-step application process.

Steps 1 through 3 (intake, eligibility determination, and duplication-of-benefits review) have no applicants, while:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

five applicants are in step 4 (inspection and environmental review).

46 applicants are in step 5 (award determination).

684 applicants are in step 6 (contracting and bidding).

788 applicants are in step 7 (construction).

Its unclear whether these applicants will see their homes rebuilt.

Kelly-Scholle told The News & Observer in early August that the agency anticipates having all awards in the hands of homeowners by the fall of 2024.

But asked in mid-October for the status of that funding and whether Rebuild NC was still on track to aid all those still waiting, Kelly-Scholle said all funds had been obligated, or committed to homeowner applicant projects in the process who are not yet back in their homes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Asked what would happen to those waiting and whether all would be served, Kelly-Scholle said due to the continually fluctuating costs associated with construction, NCORR is working to assess the outstanding needs of remaining applicants and communicate them to legislative and federal appropriators.

Now, Rebuild NC is in need of more funding.

Members of the Greenville Fire Department swift water team go house to house following Hurricane Florence checking flooded homes along Cedar Street on Saturday morning September 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C.

Request for more money

In late October, lawmakers passed a bill providing an additional $604 million for Hurricane Helene relief in the state. This relief package, signed into law by Cooper, included an additional $30 million for Rebuild NC.

In a funding proposal for Western North Carolina aid published prior to the bills passage, Cooper recommended an additional $175 million in state appropriations for the homeowner recovery program.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This funding is needed immediately to avoid stopping work on in-progress homes, says Coopers proposal.







GOP officials rebuked that request.



Senate leader Phil Berger said in a news release that Rebuild NC informed the legislature this week that due to financial mismanagement, it had blown through its entire budget of $650 million, even as 1,600 victims of Hurricane Florence remain without permanent housing.

U.S. Sen. Thom Tilliss office also criticized the Cooper administration, saying that for the last six years, he had been warning that Cooper and Rebuild NC were dropping the ball on distributing disaster relief to victims, with the last-second announcement of a staggering $175 million shortfall confirming concerns were justified.

It is scandalous that the Cooper Administration has failed thousands of North Carolina families, many of whom are still living in hotel rooms and still have no relief from storms that hit our state as long as eight years ago, said Tillis in the news release.

Rebuild NC told The N&O in an email Monday  through spokesperson Kelly Scholle  that in 2018, the state requested $1.1 billion from Congress in funding for housing through federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) in connection with Hurricane Florence but received only $542 million.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Recognizing that the Congressional appropriation was well short of the need, and that the program weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, rising construction costs, labor shortages, and other challenges, NCORR requested an additional $175 million in state appropriations to complete the program, Rebuild NC said.

The $30 million recently allocated will aid in that goal, the agency said, but without additional funding the state would pause projects that are in steps 4 through 6 of the application process. That includes all 684 projects in Step 6, the contracting and bidding phase. Some of the projects in that phase already have a general contractor, but a notice to proceed that authorizes the contractor to begin work will not be issued.

Kelly-Scholle said no projects in the construction phase, step 7, would be paused.

Cooper spokesperson Jordan Monaghan said that recovering from natural disasters requires a long-term commitment from state, local, and federal leaders and that the long-term need for additional funds has been identified since the programs inception in 2018.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

North Carolinians need their elected leaders to understand the true cost of storm recovery and see these recoveries through to completion, he said.

Reports show pace of spending in NC

While all funds have been obligated, not all have been spent.

Of the $542.6 million received for Hurricane Florence, $497.3 million has been disbursed. Rebuild NC has until Aug. 17, 2026, to spend these funds and anticipates closing out this grant ahead of the 2026 deadline, said Kelly-Scholle.

Of the $236.5 million received for Hurricane Matthew, $231.7 million has been disbursed. Rebuild NC has until Aug. 15, 2025, to spend these funds and anticipates closing out this grant this year, Kelly-Scholle said.

HUD reports previously labeled North Carolina as a slow spender, but the most recent reports from October show its on pace, with most Florence and Matthew funds having been drawn. Its unclear if HUD will issue reports related to the new funding shortfall. The N&O has reached out to HUD seeking information.

Case held up

Williams died in October 2022, nearly two years after she and French submitted their initial application to Rebuild NC. During those years, French said, they were passed between multiple caseworkers and were eventually assigned a contractor, Shepherd Response, in November 2023. But the anticipated date for their homes rebuild kept being extended.

It became a refrain, give us three more months, give us three more months, French said.

With recent news about Rebuild NC needing more money, it makes you wonder about the money to complete their house. Are those funds there?

French said they were often kept in the dark on the status of their application, with updates only coming after he reached out to high-level officials within Rebuild NC, as well as state politicians and leaders. The last time he heard from Rebuild NC about work on his house was about a year ago. He said he hasnt heard from his contractor since August 2024, when he spoke at a historic preservation meeting regarding his homes design.

Shepherd Response owner Kyle Aulet said Frenchs home is a challenging project and that the floor plan  provided by the state  does not meet the historic preservation standards. Shepherd Response has attended four meetings and worked closely with the state engineer but the historic preservation has not approved the plan, preventing the issuance of a building permit, Aulet said

Were still pursuing every avenue to try to push this thing through, Aulet said.

Asked about future resolutions, Aulet said the timeline depends on decisions on the government side, noting that his team is working with the state to explore options, such as rehabilitating the existing structure or creating a completely new, customized floor plan that meets the historic preservation requirements. When asked about the last communication with French, Aulet said, Weve probably spent hundreds of hours on this case, adding that weve gone to four of these meetings with him.

Asked about French, Kelly-Scholle said in an email Monday that due to privacy protection laws, Rebuild NC could not comment on details on his case. but that many of the most challenging homeowner cases are still in-process and NCORR is working to find solutions for those cases.

Living out of boxes

And while French and Williams waited, they struggled financially, often relying on Williams Social Security benefits and help from friends and family, French said. While they were stuck in the inspection phase, they were not eligible for temporary relocation assistance from Rebuild NC, which is generally provided after a contractor is assigned.

Financial struggles included trying to meet mortgage payments, despite having entered a loan modification agreement to prevent foreclosure about a month before Florence hit. French  as Williams trustee  was then tied to a loan on an uninhabitable home, he said.

After Williams died and he was no longer her full-time caregiver, French, 59, tried to reenter the workforce. I was even looking at McDonalds and places like that  but theyre not hiring people over 50, he said.

Most recently, French was living in an apartment  with rent paid directly by Rebuild NC  while most of his and Williams belongings stayed in a storage facility.

However, due to delayed payments to the landlord by Rebuild NC, French said his lease was not renewed, and he had to move in early October.

Hes now in another apartment  paying rent using a stipend program under Rebuild NC  but has no certainty on when or whether his home will be rebuilt. French says he is struggling to get the stipend payments on time, affecting his ability to meet rental obligations.

I just want to go home. My life is in flux, said French.

Ive been living out of boxes going on six years now. You cant decide on anything because you dont really know whats happening.
On Tuesday night, all eyes will fix on about seven swing states likely to decide the outcome of the electoral college result in this years presidential election.

Kentucky isnt one of them.

But there are still dozens of races in the Commonwealth worth watching. Some could change the flow of legislation, others might reinforce the states Republican leanings or put a dent in the GOPs growth narrative over the last several decades. Some will tell us more about specific regions of the state, and even more could test the strength of politicians with potential statewide ambitions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Excluding local government elections in Lexington, which are well-covered in the Herald-Leaders voter guide, here are a handful of the results you should be paying attention to and analyzing as the votes roll in Tuesday night.

Presidential Election

Few people are holding their breath about where Kentuckys eight electoral college votes are going. Former President Donald Trump has won the state by 30 and 26 percentage points in the past and expects an easy victory once again.

But, given that the top of the ticket affects down-ticket voter behavior, its still important for the politics of the state in elections this year and moving forward.

Trump has staked an essentially unprecedented claim on rural communities in the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2020, Trump won every single Kentucky county except Fayette and Jefferson. He won all but one of those (Franklin) by double digits, and all but 14 (so, 104 counties) by more than 30 percentage points. Not all of those counties are predominantly rural, but most of them are.

The median counties in terms of presidential margin, Carter in the East and Breckenridge in the West, went for Trump by 53 and 52 percentage points.

The vast majority of those 118 counties showed either little change between 2016 and 2020 in their support for Trump or moved slightly towards the Democrats.

But Jefferson and Fayette saw big swings and carried the states shift from +30 Trump to +26. Jefferson, home to Louisville, went from backing Hilary Clinton by 13.3 points to Biden by 20. Fayette, which is about two-fifths the size of Jefferson swung from 9.5 to 21 points for the Democratic presidential nominee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If youre looking for representative county results early in the night before the statewide totals come in, check out Madison and Boyle counties. Both have registered county-level results within a point or two of the statewide totals for president and governor since 2019.

Eastern Kentucky Democrats: Doom or Daylight?

The gradual  and then, in 2016, all of a sudden  demise of the Eastern Kentucky Democrat has been an ongoing trend for years.

Political observers of this trend will get a read into how its going on three different levels come election night.

Rep. Ashley Tackett Laferty, D-Prestonsburg, is the on-paper favorite against Republican Brandon Spencer for House District 95. Shes outspent him, she beat him by nearly 20 points in the 2022 election and shes proven herself as the most consistent electoral odds-defier in the region; Trump won her home county by about 50 percentage points in 2016 and 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Laferty is the most conservative Democrat in the House, and it isnt particularly close, though the Republican Party of Kentucky has attempted to link her to Communism. She has weathered a Trump wave before, but Republicans are hopeful that the gravitational pull of Trump will flip one of the last seats left in the region; Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, who ran unopposed in 2022 is the only other Eastern Kentucky Democrat serving in Frankfort. If Laferty loses, its a bad sign for Democrats who want to keep a presence in the Appalachian part of the state.

In Senate District 29s madcap write-in race (more on that later), Democrats have largely coalesced around Justin Noble, a Knott County attorney with a common name in the region, to replace the late senator Johnnie L. Turner. Scott Madon, who has the backing of the Senate Republican caucus as well as the Turners surviving family, appears to be the favorite, however.

This is, to put it straightforwardly, a weird election. Straight ticket voting wont count. Voters have to remember the name of the candidate well enough to write it out. Campaign timelines have been crunched. Whatever the result, its hard to attribute to any overarching trend. Still, its a place where Democrats could get four years of representation in a region thats been icy to them since Turner beat the similarly-named Johnny Ray Turner in 2020.

Another race of interest in the region is Rep. Chris Fugate, R-Chavies, defending his House District 84 seat against Democratic challenger Zack Hall. Fugate, a popular local pastor who previously served as a state trooper, is a heavy favorite and theres little reason to believe that he wont win again. He took office in 2016 when several other Eastern Kentucky Republicans helped flip the House with an audacious 26-point win over the Democratic incumbent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Hall is the first Democratic challenger running a professional campaign in six years. If he gets within single digits of Fugate for House District 84  including the conservative ancestral Democratic counties of Breathitt, Perry and Owsley  while Trumps on the ballot, theres reason for Democrats to believe theyve essentially hit rock bottom in the region and can move on up from there. If Fugate wins by as much or more than he has in previous years (48 points in 2020 and 38 in 2022), then its back to the drawing board for Democrats in the region, even in districts like the 84th, which Gov. Andy Beshear won by 12 percentage points last year.

Local Interest

Its not the primary cycle for local county elections in Kentucky. Most county judge/executives, the all-important county equivalent to a strong mayor format, get elected during midterms.

But still, there are lots of interesting under-the-radar local fights across the state.

High on that list is the local ballot initiatives related to medical marijuana. Read more about those in our coverage from reporter Aaron Mudd. There are lots of measures on the ballot and lots of places that have already opted in or out; know where your county stands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A couple mayoral elections loom large.

Bowling Greens race for mayor features an incumbent in Todd Alcott versus a former Democratic state representative in Patti Minter, a professor at Western Kentucky University. In a recent debate, Minter hit Alcott on response to the historic 2021 tornado and the citys lack of a Fairness Ordinance, protecting LGBTQ citizens from discrimination; Alcott, in turn, flexed recent developments in the city, including downtown revitalization and a riverfront project.

Whoever wins will have significant sway over one of the fastest-growing communities in the commonwealth.

Another mid-size Kentucky city is electing a mayor in a race that could prove close is Owensboros mayoral race. Mayor Tom Watson advanced with the most votes from the primary, with around 35 percent, but Pam Smith-Wright garnered 32 percent. The general election pits them head-to-head.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Also, in Shelby County, voters are being asked if they want to cede more than 900 acres of land to neighboring Spencer County. According to a story from WDRB, GIS mapping tools recently discovered that more than 200 voters were registered in Spencer County, paying Spencer County taxes and sending their kids to Spencer County schools who were actually Shelby County residents. The measure would officially put those residents back in the county they thought they were in for years.

A Senate Scramble - the race for the 29th

Its history. Its also a heck of an interesting race.

Madon is the nominal favorite and Noble is the one getting the most Democratic support. But that doesnt make either of them a shoo-in.

Things could easily get weird. In fact, they already have.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Willie Crase, a former candidate for judge executive in Floyd County who is now running as a Republican, has been running a vigorous campaign. That includes one supporter who waved a sign at a busy intersection in a full-body gorilla suit.

The four candidates who have aired television ads on WYMT, the regions primary broadcast news source, are Crase, Madon, Noble, and Leonard Hendrickson.

Here are the ads for Senate District 29, the write-in campaign to replace the late Sen. Johnnie Turner. First up: Leonard Hendrickson.



"Do you see any of our industrial parks filled with factories? Hell no."



Also encourages voters to vote for anyone but Scott Madon. pic.twitter.com/4lfiPt65vK  Austin Horn (@_AustinHorn) November 4, 2024

Crase, who is one of several Floyd County candidates, emphasizes first and foremost in his ad that hes a pastor.

Hendrickson, a retired coal operator, is running out of the Knott County community of Pine Top. His ad asks voters if they see prosperity around them and implores them to vote against the political machine represented, he argues, by Madon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His pitch is simple.

I love God, coal and Donald Trump, and I believe in telling it like it is, Hendrickson said.

Hendrickson was dinged by the Mine Safety and Health Administration in 2006 when a worker at one of his sites was killed in an accident because management failed to ensure the ground control plan was being followed and that adequate examinations were being conducted to identify and correct hazardous conditions.

An ad for Noble makes an interesting political argument, promising to viewers that they have the power to elect a pro-public education, pro-labor candidate if they stick together. Significantly more candidates are self-identifying as Republicans in the race.

Willie Crase is making sure we know hes a pastor (and now a Republican) pic.twitter.com/4kkcJRtbtx  Austin Horn (@_AustinHorn) November 4, 2024

Other ones to watch out for include former WYMT anchor and attorney Tanner Hesterberg, who is tying himself to a law proposed in the wake of the highly publicized murder of Amber Spradlin in Floyd County; Tyler Ward, a Letcher Countian who is running digital ads comparing himself to Trump; and Valerie Horn, a highly decorated community activist in Whitesburg.

Justin Noble flexing his Democratic endorsements and the prospect of a pro-public education candidate (most are presenting themselves as conservatives) if we stick together. pic.twitter.com/PuRftmPTZH  Austin Horn (@_AustinHorn) November 4, 2024

Sixth Congressional District

Longtime U.S. Rep. Andy Barr doesnt have much left to prove, politically speaking.

Hes won the Central Kentucky-centric Sixth Congressional district by wide margins in 2020 and 2022. He beat a massive influx of money and a strong Democratic candidate in Amy McGrath in 2018. The seat has been in Republican hands since Barr knocked off former congressman Ben Chandler in 2012.

In 2022, the first cycle under the newly-configured district  which shed Franklin County and added parts of Central Kentucky more loyal to Republicans  Barr beat Democratic challenger Geoff Young by 29 percentage points. But that result may have been an outlier. Young did not get the support of Beshear or the Kentucky Democratic Party, both of whom he has sued several times. In 2020, with the slightly more Democrat-friendly district, Barr still beat injury attorney Josh Hicks by 17 percentage.

Against Democrat Randy Cravens, who hasnt raised a significant amount of money but has the support of state Democrats, Barr has the opportunity to flex his muscle again.

Alternatively, the district has the opportunity to say its either trending bluer, or at least less committedly red, than the story of the last two elections would tell us.

So, two factors are worth testing in this race: Barrs popularity and the districts shade of red.

Fayette County, the districts anchor, has grown to become just as Democratic-leaning as the states bluest bastion in recent history, Jefferson County. In the districts old configuration, Democrats once saw it as only a matter of time before they could regain control and claim a second of Kentuckys six congressional districts.

If Cravens does relatively poorly  say, loses by a margin not much better than Young  then Republicans will sleep well for a while. If not, Democrats could hatch a plan to run a higher-name ID, better-funded candidate in 2026.

Why 2026?

Barr has given no public indication of wanting to pursue this path, but hed immediately be on the shortlist of Kentucky Republicans who could replace Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, who is 82. Barrs congressional campaign had about $3.8 million on hand as of last month  all of which can be redirected to a hypothetical Senate bid  not to mention hundreds of thousands parked in other affiliated groups and his extensive fundraising history.

Barr seems committed to serving on the House Financial Services Committee, and has committed to gunning for chairman, but with Democrats slightly favored to retake the House and GOP competitor Rep. French Hill, R-AR, raising gobs of money, the chairmanship may not materialize.

If he went for it, that would leave the Sixth Congressional District open and in for its first big race since 2018. The Barr-Cravens result would provide a benchmark for that (still hypothetical) scenario.

Louisville suburbs

If theres one battleground area in the state, its the band of suburban Louisville nestled between the Watterson Expressway and Gene Snyder Freeway.

Republican Reps. Emily Callaway, Susan Witten, Ken Fleming, Jared Bauman, Jason Nemes and Democrat Rachel Roarx are all playing defense  thats House Districts 37, 31, 48, 28, 33 and 38. Each is a Beshear double-digit district that didnt skew too hard for either Biden or Trump in 2020; all 12 candidates across those districts have raised a significant amount of money, too.

According to elections analysis website Daves Redistricting, Witten is the Republican holding the most Democratic-leaning district in the state  and that calculation doesnt even factor in Beshears 25-point win there. She and Fleming are the only Republicans currently holding districts won by Biden in the 2020 election.

If Witten and Fleming both win, it is almost assuredly a good night for Kentucky Republicans in Frankfort, particularly those who want to remain strong in the states suburban areas.

On the flip side, both losing their seats would give a spark to Democrats anxious for a big gain in the statehouse.

If candidates like House GOP Whip Jason Nemes or representatives Callaway and Bauman lose or even get very close to losing  whose districts straddle the southern and Eastern edges of the county  it could be a sign of a major shift in the state.

What could be the deciding factor if it is such a good night for Democrats? Jared Smith, Democratic political operative and cohost of the Kentucky Politics Weekly podcast, has an idea.

I will say this to the Louisville suburban Republicans: if they lose, I firmly believe abortion will be the reason they lost, Smith said.

The Supreme Court of the United States decision in mid-2022 striking down the abortion rights protections established in Roe v. Wade triggered Kentuckys near-total ban on abortion. Though the nation writ large saw a backlash to this decision in favor of the Democrats  a majority of the high court was appointed by Republican presidents  the effect wasnt really felt in the House, where Republicans trimmed the Democratic minority from 25 to 20.

However, Beshear ran against the states ban in his five point win last year and Harris campaign has fixated on the issue. It could loom larger in the minds of suburban voters, particularly moderate Republican women, than in previous years  at least thats what Democrats are hoping.

If Roarx loses and the others hold, its an undoubtedly bad night for Democrats in Louisville, and potentially Kentucky. It would show that Kentuckys suburbs are still, by and large, red.

The geography of Amendment 2

Theres a reason one of Protect Our Schools KYs first commercials featured an Eastern Kentuckian.

The group leading the charge against Amendment 2 is hoping that rural communities, particularly in the states East and West, will vote against the amendment. Local school districts anchor these communities  both from an economic and identitarian standpoint  in a way that isnt the case for many suburban and urban places.

A strong result for the campaign in those areas would go against what the amendments biggest detractors, elected Democrats, have faced for several years.

While Democrats are, generally speaking, at the levers of the no side and Republicans steering the ship on yes, the amendment has no D or R by its name. Its got the full opposition of perhaps the only widely popular D politician in the state in Beshear.

On the other hand, the yes on 2 movement is hoping that it fares well in cities for a Republican-backed initiative. Public school struggles in Louisville, in particular, are well-documented.

Either way, the results on the map Tuesday night may challenge your priors on what communities are willing to support Democrat-backed and Republican-backed campaigns.

If positive for the no side, the results could provide a roadmap for Democrats hoping to gain an edge. The last big no effort, on 2022s anti-abortion rights Amendment 2, did so for Beshear. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman has, more than once, hinted at a similar takeaway from a positive result against this amendment for Democrats moving forward.

Trading jabs in suburban Lexington

Similarly to Louisville, the interesting races for the statehouse in Lexington are on the margins of the urban center. House District 45, the race between Thomas Jefferson and Adam Moore, and House District 88, Rep. Cherlynn Stevensons race against Vanessa Grossl, both straddle neighborhoods along Man O War Boulevard.

They also include more red sections of surrounding counties: Jessamine in the 45ths case and Scott in the 88th.

The result in these precincts will show whether or not Fayette Countys suburban voters are in sync with those living within the bounds of New Circle Road or if theyre different kinds of voters altogether, more tepid to the Democratic brand.

They would also be career-defining for any of the candidates. A win would launch Jefferson, Moore and Grossls political tenures and could catapult Stevenson into the role of House Democratic leader.
(NewsNation)  Americans hoping to cast ballots in Tuesdays general election but have not yet registered to vote can do so on Election Day depending on where they live. However, others may be locked out because they missed their states registration deadline.

Twenty-three U.S. states and the District of Columbia provide for same-day voter registration, according to state election guidelines. Yet, in places where residents can wait until Nov. 5 to cast their ballot for former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris, state and federal offices, and a host of ballot initiatives after registering to vote when they arrive, the rules vary.

Meanwhile, 26 states, including several swing states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania still prevent unregistered voters from casting last-minute ballots despite calls to give unregistered voters more time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Latino vote in the limelight as the electorate shifts

The only U.S. state where these rules do not apply is North Dakota, where residents are not required to register to vote. However, to be eligible to vote, residents must have called the state home for at least 30 days, state officials say.

With Trump and Harris in a neck-and-neck race for the White House, heres what voters in states across the country, hoping to cast ballots on Election Day, need to know and what they need to do to get registered and have their vote matter.

States that allow same-day voter registration

California: The California Secretary of State allows for same-day voter registration (conditional voter registration) for those who miss the deadline. Residents are required to register and vote at their respective county election office or their designated polling place. Voters must be 18 years of age, a California resident, cannot be serving a sentence in state or federal prison, and cannot be found incompetent to vote by a court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Colorado: The Colorado Secretary of State allows residents to register to vote and cast a ballot on Election Day at a designated voter service and polling center in their county of residence. Residents must have a Colorado drivers license or state ID from the Colorado Department of Revenue or provide the last four digits of their Social Security number.

Connecticut: The Connecticut Secretary of State allows for same-day voter registration between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. at a designated location in a residents home city. Residents are required to provide proof of identity and residency.

The net worth of richest Congress members

Hawaii: The Hawaii Office of Elections allows for same-day voter registration, which takes place at voter service centers. Voters must be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Hawaii to register to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Illinois: The Illinois State Board of Elections allows residents to register and vote on the same day. Residents are required to provide two forms of identification, one of which must include a residents current address. These forms of ID can include a utility bill, bank statement, government check, rental lease, and a postmarked piece of mail delivered to the current address.

Iowa: The Iowa Secretary of State allows residents to register and vote at their designated polling place. They must provide a valid drivers license or other piece of identification with a residents current mailing address displayed.

Maine: The Maine Secretary of State allows residents to register to vote before they cast their ballot at their designated polling place. Voters must be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, and a Maine resident. Residents will be required to provide a drivers license, state ID, or the last four digits of their social security number.

Maryland: The Maryland Board of Elections allows residents to register and vote on the same day at their designated polling place. Residents must provide a valid form of identification that includes their current mailing address.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Michigan: The Michigan Secretary of State allows residents to register to vote on the day of the election by visiting their local clerks office. Residents will be required to provide proof of their identity with proof of residence.

Voting box

Minnesota: The Minnesota Secretary of State allows residents to register and vote at their polling place on the same day. Residents must provide a valid piece of identification that includes a current mailing address.

Montana: The Montana Board of Elections permits residents to register to vote and vote on the same day through 8 p.m. on November 5. Residents must visit their county elections office and must be at least 18 years of age, lived in Montana for 30 days before the election, and not currently incarcerated for a felony. Residents will be required to provide a valid drivers license, photo ID, or the last four digits of their social security number.

Nevada: The Nevada Secretary of State allows residents to register and vote on the same day at their designated polling place. Residents must provide a valid drivers license, state ID, and Tribal ID cards. Military ID cards will not be permitted for proof of identity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

New Hampshire: The New Hampshire Secretary of State allows residents to register to vote and vote on the same day at their designated polling place. Residents will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, age (drivers license or government-issued ID), and one piece of identification with the voters current mailing address.

New Mexico: The New Mexico Secretary of State allows residents to register to vote and vote on the same day at their respective county clerks office. Residents will be required to provide a photo ID that includes the voters current mailing address.

Driving the vote: Nebraskas electoral system divides voters

Utah: Utah election officials allow residents to register to vote and vote on the same day at their designated polling place. Voters will be required to provide two forms of identification to register to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Vermont: The Vermont Secretary of State allows residents to register to vote and vote on Election Day. First-time registrants will be required to take the Voters Oath and must provide proof of ID including a valid photo ID, current utility bill, bank statement, or another government document.

Virginia: The Virginia Board of Elections permits residents to vote through a provisional ballot after they register to vote on the day of the election at their designated polling place. Voters will be required to show a valid piece of identification to register.

Washington: The Washington Secretary of State allows residents to register and vote as long as they do so by 8 p.m. on the day of the election at a local voting center. Voters will be required to provide a valid ID to register to vote.

Washington, D.C. The District of Columbia Attorney General allows residents to register to vote and vote on Election Day. Voters must do so at their designated polling place and must show proof of residency within the District of Columbia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wisconsin: Wisconsin election officials allow residents to register to vote and vote on the same day at their respective polling places. Residents will not be required to provide identification when they register to vote, but because of the states photo ID law, residents must provide a photo ID before casting their ballot.

Wyoming: The Wyoming Secretary of State allows residents to register to vote and vote on Election Day at their designated polling place. Voters will be required to provide a valid drivers license, state ID, passport, Tribal ID, university student ID, military card, or other government-issued ID that provides proof of identity and Wyoming residency.

States that do not permit same-day voter registration

Alabama: The Alabama Secretary of State requires residents to register to vote 14 days before any election.

Arizona: The Arizona Secretary of State requires residents to register to vote 29 days before any election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Arkansas: The Arkansas Secretary of State requires voter registration applications to be postmarked 30 days before any election. Those who have applied for registration should confirm they are registered before Election Day.

Delaware: Delaware election officials require residents to register to vote on the fourth Saturday before any primary or general election. In 2022, the Delaware Supreme Court ruled that same-day voter registration in the state is unconstitutional. The ruling came after state lawmakers passed a bill that would have amended the state constitution to allow for universal voting by mail and same-day voter registration, the Associated Press reported.

Florida: The Florida Secretary of State requires residents to register to vote 29 days before any election. In 2022, a proposed initiative that would have same-day voter registration on the ballot failed to end up going before voters.

Georgia: The Georgia Secretary of State requires residents to register to vote 30 days before any election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Indiana: The Indiana Secretary of State requires residents to register to vote within 30 days of the general election.

Kansas: The Kansas Secretary of State requires residents to register to vote within 45 days of the election. Voters can receive a president-only ballot and vote on election day, but they must complete a voter registration form by noon the day before the election.

People leave after voting in the Atlanta suburb of Sandy Springs, Ga., on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, the first day of early in-person voting in Georgia. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

Kentucky: The Kentucky Board of Elections requires residents to register 29 days before the general election.

Louisiana: The Louisiana Secretary of State requires residents to have their voter registration postmarked within 20 days of the election if registering to vote online and 30 days before any election if registering by mail or in person.

Massachusetts: The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth requires all voters to be registered within 10 days before any election.

Mississippi: The Mississippi Secretary of State requires all residents to be registered to vote within 30 days of any election.

Missouri: The Missouri Secretary of State requires residents to be registered to vote by the fourth Wednesday before any election.

Nebraska: The Nebraska Secretary of State requires residents to be registered to vote by the third Friday before any election.

Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the NewsNation app. Download it here.

New Jersey: The New Jersey Secretary of State requires all residents voting in the 2024 general election to be registered by October 15.

New York: The New York State Board of Elections requires all voter mail-in and in-person voter registrations to be received by October 26 for residents to participate in the general election.

North Carolina: While the North Carolina Board of Elections allows for same-day voter registration for early voting  which runs through November 2  the state does not allow residents to register to vote if they are casting ballots on the day of the general election. To register to vote the same day during early voting, residents must have a state identification number from their state-issued drivers license or must have proof of the last four digits of their Social Security number.

Ohio: The Ohio Secretary of State requires residents to be registered to vote within 30 days of any election.

A election volunteer offers voters an I Voted sticker after casting their ballot on Super Tuesday, at the Ranchito Elementary School polling station in the Panorama City section of Los Angeles, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Super Tuesday elections are being held in 16 states and one territory. Hundreds of delegates are at stake, the biggest haul for either party on a single day. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Oklahoma: The Oklahoma State Election Board requires all residents to be registered within 25 days of any election.

Oregon: The Oregon Secretary of State requires all residents to be registered to vote by 11:59 p.m. on the 21st day of the month before any election.

Pennsylvania: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires all residents to be registered to vote within 15 days of any election.

Rhode Island: The Rhode Island Department of State requires all residents to be registered to vote within 30 days before any election. Despite efforts to push for statewide legislation that would allow for same-day voter registration, the 30-day requirement remains in place.

South Carolina: The South Carolina Election Commission requires residents to be registered to vote by the 30th of the month prior to any election.

South Dakota: The South Dakota Secretary of State requires all residents to be registered to vote 15 days before any election.

Tennessee: The Tennessee Secretary of State requires all residents to be registered to vote 29 days before any election.

Texas: The Texas Secretary of State requires all residents to be registered to vote within 30 days of any election.

West Virginia: The West Virginia Secretary of State required all residents wishing to vote in the 2024 general election to be registered by October 15.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
The Osceola County Supervisor of Elections reported an issue with the Floridas voter database Tuesday morning.

Shortly after 10 a.m., Mary Jane Arrington posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) that Osceola County voters looking to make an address change could face delays.

Her post read, The statewide database is down. If you are looking to make an address change at your polling location please note it may take longer than usual due to the interruption.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

READ: Election 2024: Polling locations open around Central Florida for Election Day (live updates)

Channel 9 spoke to Arrington, who said as of around 11:30 a.m., a state official was on site in Osceola County working to resolve the issue.

Arrington said it was her understanding that only a few Florida counties were impacted by the technical issue.

She added that it only affected registered voters who needed to report a change of address.

READ: Florida could see record turnout for 2024 election

A spokesperson for the Florida Dept. of State released the following statement:

Voting operations have not been impacted in any way. The county Supervisor of Elections websites are still operable for any voter to look up their registration status. The states courtesy website is encountering record-high traffic. Any voter having difficulty utilizing the state courtesy look-up web page should go to their county SOE webpage for the same service.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will open its doors to the public on Monday, Nov. 18, with an open house focused on in-demand careers in healthcare.

Breast cancer screening bill sent to Healey

The Allied Health Careers Exploration Night, scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., invites anyone interested in learning about career opportunities in health to explore the wide range of programs available at STCC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The open house is designed to be a hands-on experience, allowing visitors to interact with state-of-the-art training equipment and observe live demonstrations at STCCs SIMS Medical Center, a nationally recognized patient simulation facility. Faculty, staff, and current students from the STCC School of Health and Patient Simulation will be available to answer questions, lead tours, and provide insight into various health-related career paths.

Christopher Scott, Dean of the School of Health and Patient Simulation, encourages everyone from high school students to current STCC students considering a career change to attend. Were opening our doors to anyone interested in exploring our programs and learning about career opportunities in the health field, said Scott. This is a terrific opportunity to see if the healthcare field is a good fit.

Visitors will have the chance to explore a variety of STCCs health career programs, including:

Dental Assistant

Dental Hygiene

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Fire Science

Foundations of Nursing

Health Information Technology

Medical Assistant

Nursing

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant

Radiologic Technology

Respiratory Care

Surgical Technology

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Additionally, STCC offers courses such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, and Patient Care Technician. These programs are designed to provide students with hands-on training and a strong foundation to enter healthcare roles that are currently in high demand.

The open house event comes as tuition-free community college has become accessible for eligible state residents under the MassEducate and MassReconnect programs, which cover the full cost of tuition and fees for qualifying students.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
On the night of the 2000 presidential election, as the counting began in a tight race between Texas Gov. George W. Bush and incumbent Vice President Al Gore, it all came down to Florida. And then, all hell broke loose.

Director Jay Roach and writer Danny Strong captured the stakes and the personalities that drove that strange moment in Recount, the Emmy-winning 2008 HBO movie starring Denis Leary, Kevin Spacey, Bob Balaban and Laura Dern. Instead of Stop the Steal, the rally cry in 2000 for Bush supporters was Stop the Recount.

More from Variety

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The events in Recount were in some way a rehearsal for January 6, Roach says. It proved that there was potential to physically disrupt an election.

As the nation braces for what will surely be a long night of waiting for election returns, its eye-opening to revisit the chaos that ensued for five weeks while Bush and Gore went to war over how the votes were counted (and recounted and not recounted) in Florida.

Electile Dysfunction, Daily Variety declared in its Nov. 9, 2000, edition.

A quarter-century ago, the onset of the Bush v. Gore legal fight felt as unprecedented and unsettling as the events of the 2024 presidential campaign have been for so many this year. There have been so many efforts to undermine our faith in elections since then, Roach says. Its depressing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After the major TV networks called Florida for Bush shortly before 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 7, 2000, Gore made the traditional congratulatory phone call to his Republican opponent. But as the night went on, CNN, CBS and others did an about face and briefly called Florida for Gore. By 3 a.m., most outlets put Florida back in the too-close-to-call column. In the interim, Gore made another call to an incredulous Bush to retract his concession. Bewildered voters who went to bed that night thinking Bush had won decisively were shocked to see the bleary-eyed faces of Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings and Bernard Shaw the next day acknowledging that the early exit polling data had been misleading.

From Nov. 8 through Dec.12, two small armies of lawyers and political strategists went to work, fighting over every tiny detail of the recount process in three key Florida counties. James Baker, who served as Secretary of State during the first Bush administration, led the charge for the Bush. Warren Christopher, who had been Secretary of State during the Clinton administration, was the public face of Gores battle.

If you want to explore the roots of our political moment now, [the 2000 election] has endless riches to mine, says R.J. Cutler, the veteran filmmaker who was behind the landmark documentary feature on Bill Clintons quixotic 1992 presidential campaign, The War Room.

Gore was saying let the process play out. Democrats were being overly dignified and playing by the old rules. Republicans were rewriting the rules and masterfully manipulating them in the way we now see magnified 100 times, Cutler observes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

RELATED CONTENT: James Baker Gives Variety His Review of Recount

There was a daily stream of news conferences, with each side trying to pack as many American flags into the frame as possible  as parodied in the moment by Saturday Night Live.

There was the Brooks Brothers riot in a Miami government office that played out live on cable news. There was Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris (played with verve by Dern in Recount) with her brass button suits and big Designing Women energy. And there was Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor getting cranky during oral arguments about the lack of uniform standards for ballots and how they are handled. Why isnt the standard the one that voters are instructed to follow, for goodness sakes? I mean, it couldnt be clearer, a frustrated OConnor observed.

Laura Dern plays embattled Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris in the 2008 HBO movie Recount

One of the key questions came down to determining voter intent on tens of thousands of Florida ballots that had hanging chads  not fully detached from the ballot  or had dimpled chads, aka ballots that were barely indented on a selection. Until November 2000, nobody in America knew those tiny pieces of paper had a name.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During those five weeks of uncertainty, the mainstream news networks were bloodied and bruised after the premature call and flip-flopping on Florida. Meanwhile, the political pressure around the legal rulings in the case was so strong, the nations high court broke with its tradition of barring electronic recordings.

The Supreme Court released the full audio recording of the Dec. 1 oral arguments barely 15 minutes after the 90-minute hearing concluded. The recording aired in its entirety across major TV and radio news outlets, with photo enhancements from the news networks to help viewers follow who was speaking when.

Social media platforms would not take root in the U.S. for another decade, and the introduction of the iPhone was still seven years away, but the quick turnaround of the audio from the hearing made Americans feel the rush of momentous events happening in real time. It was an early glimpse of the dizzying pace of breaking news to come.

With the 2000 election, what you saw was the power of political theater playing out every day on TV, says Cutler. The thing I remember most was that the Bush folks basically started acting like he had won.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the context of present-day fears about political violence, a milestone in the 2000 election imbroglio came on Nov. 22, when hundreds of mostly male protesters barreled into Miamis Stephen P. Clark Government Center to protest Miami-Dades ongoing recount of votes. There was shouting and general mayhem, punches were thrown and some local Democratic and election officials were chased around the building. The riot did interrupt the recount process  which would eventually be put on ice by the Supreme Court ruling. It became known as the Brooks Brothers riot because many of the attendees were conservative young men in khakis and button-collar shirts. Over time, it would be revealed that the gathering was not an impromptu protest but an organized effort by local officials that had the fingerprints of veteran GOP operative Roger Stone.

The legal jousting over the recounts went on for what seemed an eternity  with key decisions bouncing around between Florida state and federal courts. Finally, on Dec. 9, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay mandating that all recounts stop. Bush would be certified as the winner of Florida by a margin of 537 votes  razor-thin but enough to secure the prize of 25 electoral college votes needed to claim ultimate victory.

Three days later, the high court outlined its rationale with its 61-page ruling in Bush v. Gore. The counting of votes that are of questionable legality does in my view threaten irreparable harm to petitioner, and to the country, by casting a cloud upon what he claims to be the legitimacy of his election. Count first, and rule upon legality afterwards, is not a recipe for producing election results that have the public acceptance democratic stability requires, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in concurring with the majority opinion penned by Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

In his dissent, Justice John Paul Stevens sounded the alarm of the high court doubting the capacity of state judges to make the right calls on how to handle recounts. Time will one day heal the wound to that confidence that will be inflicted by todays decision, Stevens wrote. One thing, however, is certain. Although we may never know with complete certainty the identity of the winner of this years Presidential election, the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the Nations confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Roach and Strong let a few years pass before they started to work on Recount. The passage of time gave them appropriate perspective. The stakes were so high, and the real story was so suspenseful, Roach says.

As storytellers and citizens, Roach and Strong knew the gut punch of the film would come at the end with Gores concession speech. The nations fin de siecle election nightmare ended for good on Dec.13, 2000, when Gore spoke to the nation in a televised address. He acknowledged that he disagreed with the Supreme Courts decision but would accept it given the nations need for closure.

I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless his stewardship of this country, Gore said. Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road. Certainly, neither of us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it has ended, resolved, as it must be resolved, through the honored institutions of our democracy. While there will be time enough to debate our continuing differences, now is the time to recognize that that which unites us is greater than that which divides us. While we yet hold and do not yield our opposing beliefs, there is a higher duty than the one we owe to political party. This is America and we put country before party; we will stand together behind our new president.

Bush also gave a brief address of his own that night and struck a conciliatory tone that would be hard to imagine coming from the more pugnacious wing of the GOP these days. Our nation must rise above a house divided, Bush said. Americans share hopes and goals and values far more important than any political disagreements. Republicans want the best for our nation, and so do Democrats. Our votes may differ, but not our hopes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Roachs view, the lesson from the extraordinary events captured in Recount is clear. Democracy needs losers, he says. When losers dont concede, the result very often is violence.

(Pictured top: Pro-Bush protestors outside the Miami-Dade election office on Nov. 22, 2000)

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Government has been told to stop using the term shoplifting to describe theft from the high street, as peers warn it trivialises a serious offence involving organised criminal gangs.

Lord Foster of Bath, the chairman of the House of Lords justice and home affairs committee, has urged the Home Office, the police and other agencies in the criminal justice system to start using the expression shop theft to describe stealing from stores.

Writing to Dame Diana Johnson, the policing minister, Lord Foster said the committee of peers was concerned that use of the historic term shoplifting is outdated, not least due to the rising involvement of organised crime, and is trivialising the severity of the offence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said this was because shoplifting was still viewed as a petty or victimless crime, despite having a devastating effect on the high street.

The call for officials to stop using the phrase shoplifting comes as part of a series of recommendations by the Lords committee, which recently held an inquiry into high street crime.

It follows months of warnings from shops over soaring incidents of theft, with retail crime rates at their highest level on record.

According to official figures, there were 443,995 incidents of theft from shops recorded by police in the year to March 2024, up 30pc on a year earlier.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, retail leaders claim that this is well below the actual rate of crime.

The British Retail Consortium estimates that there are 17m incidents of shop theft every year, costing retailers almost 2bn every year.

Retailers are spending an extra 700m on extra security in an attempt to deter criminals.

Last week, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, vowed to crack down on organised crime and end low-value shoplifting.

The Government is bringing in new laws to make it a stand-alone offence to assault a retail worker and repeal rules which essentially decriminalise theft of items under 200.

However, writing in The Telegraph on Tuesday following the release of the recommendations, Lord Foster said there was more to do.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said the Government should introduce new rules for selling items online anonymously to stop people from stealing from shops and re-selling products.

Lord Foster said there was more to do to educate the public over the impact of retail crime, saying the people had a responsibility when deciding where to buy goods.

He said: A useful mantra applies: If it is really cheap and too good to be true, then it is probably stolen.

The House of Lords committee also recommended that new laws be brought in to regulate the safe and ethical use of facial recognition technology, which increasingly is being used to crack down on high street crime.

Shop theft is not a victimless crime

By Lord Foster of Bath, chairman of the House of Lords justice and home affairs committee

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shop theft has been much in the news recently. It even features in the opening sequence of Have I Got News for You.

But despite what some offenders have sought to suggest, it is not a victimless crime. Last year it cost 2bn and has had a devastating impact on the retail sector leading to higher prices which impact individuals, families and communities.

With police struggling to deal with the problem, the vast majority of the estimated 17m annual incidents of shop theft go unreported. And shop theft is increasing with one major retailer reporting a 44pc increase in the last 18 months coupled with a 35pc rise in violence and abuse of shop workers.

These are the key findings from a recent inquiry by the House of Lords justice and home affairs committee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Once upon a time, the thought of someone shoplifting brought to mind someone pinching a packet of sweets or stuffing an item up their jumper  anti-social behaviour but not very serious. It was treated as a petty or trivial crime and sometimes with some sympathy for those who took goods out of a perceived need to feed themselves or provide for their family.

This is an outdated understanding of the problem.

Today, shop thieves go about their activity brazenly, no longer trying to hide their illegal activities. Moreover, shop theft is now also associated with increasing levels of violence and intimidation against retail workers. This impacts on local communities in ways beyond the direct economic costs associated with the problem.

There is no doubt that many vulnerable individuals are pushed towards stealing from shops because of factors like alcohol or drug dependence, or because of difficult individual circumstances.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But behind a large proportion of shop theft there is now an elaborate network of organised crime, ranging from small-scale local networks to large criminal gangs involved in sophisticated criminal enterprises and operating at a national or international level and selling stolen goods at venues like car boot sales and online.

Yet, until recently, little action has been taken. Retailers often dont bother reporting shop theft. Firstly, because they dont believe the police will take action, with one retail chain claiming the police didnt turn up to 70pc of reported crimes.

Secondly, because the reporting procedure is cumbersome taking around 30 minutes which, especially for small retailers, is time they cant afford.

Clearly changing the perception of shop theft as trivial, streamlining the reporting process, enhancing data collection and improving confidence in the police is vital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pegasus, a relatively new scheme to achieve some of these, has been established as a partnership between retailers and the police aimed at building up a better picture of the organised criminal networks involved in retail crime.

We welcome this initiative, in particular the efforts of the retailers themselves to organise and take action and we believe the Home Office should commit to funding the initiative for at least a second year.

However, we feel that the Pegasus definition of organised crimewhich includes only activity which operates across two or more police force areas  does not capture the smaller-scale gangs and criminal networks which operate at a more localised level and should be changed.

The law as it stands also undermines efforts to tackle the problem. Legislation was introduced in 2014 aimed to make it easier to deal with low-value shoplifting by way of fixed penalty notices rather than dragging people through the courts. Unfortunately, this has not worked in the way intended.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In fact, the consequence of this legislation has been that the theft of goods under the value of 200 is effectively decriminalised, with many involved in retail crime believing they have licence to steal.

The Government recognises that shop theft is a serious problem and has indicated its intention to repeal the 2014 measures. This should be achieved as soon as possible.

Scotland has introduced a stand-alone offence of assaulting a retail worker which has led to 60pc of those accused being arrested. In England and Wales the figure is just 10pc. So, we welcome government plans to bring England and Wales in line with Scotland.

But there is more to do. We acknowledge the pressures on police resources but we believe that the urgency of the situation relating to shop theft requires immediate action within the existing police staffing levels and our committee has made its recommendations to the minister for policing.

Our first and most important recommendation addresses the fundamental point of how shop theft is defined in the first place. We believe that shoplifting is a term which trivialises the nature of the crime, and it should not be used by the Government, the police, or other agencies in the criminal justice system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Recognising that addiction is often a factor driving criminal activity, we call for better community-based drug and alcohol treatment to tackle the large impact that offenders with drug and alcohol addictions are having on the levels of shop theft.

The reporting system should be improved, and it can be done as illustrated by a trial in Sussex reducing reporting time from 30 to two minutes. But we also want to see the introduction of a retail flag system within the Police National Database to improve data collection. All police forces should sign up to these systems.

The Committee also recognises that  as with Pegasus  tackling shop theft needs the input of the private sector. Across the country, Business Crime Reduction Partnerships play an important role.

But accreditation to a national standard should be compulsory. Privately-funded and voluntary initiatives to tackle retail crime should operate in conjunction with the police  not to take on a police role themselves.

Our Committee has taken a longstanding interest in the use of new technologies in the justice system, such as the role of facial recognition technology in combating crime. This is now a key tool in identifying prolific offenders.

However, we feel that the Government should legislate to regulate the safe and ethical use of these technologies to ensure that the rights of members of the public are protected. There is a particular need to ensure that private companies using facial recognition technology for crime prevention measures are doing so in accordance with best practice.

There is also the issue of online market places, which are increasingly used to sell goods stolen from shops. Regulations should be introduced to make it harder to sell goods anonymously.

Finally, there is the issue of public awareness. The link between the retail crime and the stolen goods market needs to be publicised. The public has a responsibility to take care when deciding how and where they buy their goods. A useful mantra applies: If it is really cheap and too good to be true, then it is probably stolen.

Theres no silver bullet to ending shop theft. But our report argues for making it a higher priority and offers some ways to improve the way it is tackled.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)  Voter turnout has been steady through Election Day in Sioux Falls. Counties outside of Sioux Falls have also reported good turnouts.

Minnehaha County started running absentee ballots through one of the tabulators as of 4:25 p.m. Tuesday.

State Wide Results | State Senate Results | State House Results | National Results Map

In Brown County in Aberdeen auditor Lynn Heupel said as of 5:10 p.m. Tuesday, 60% of the countys registered voters, including active and inactive, had voted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

My goal was 80% for this election, Heupel said. With about two hours before polls close, Brown County could hit that percentage.

Heupel said the county had received more than 8,710 absentee ballots. As of about 5:10 p.m., the county had about 7,525 in-person voters. Brown County has 25,780 registered voters, according to the South Dakota Secretary of States Office.

Heupel credits the turnout to the presidential election but also to the interest in the seven ballot measures.

At around 5 p.m. in McCook County, auditor Geralyn Sherman said the voter turnout was good.

The county has six precinct sites. Sherman said there were 762 absentee ballot requests which is a record. The record does not include the requests do not include the COVID pandemic voting year of 2020, which was unusual, Sherman said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

McCook County has 3,987 registered voters, according to the Secretary of State.

At noon, Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson told KELOLAND News she expects arounds 30,000 absentee ballots to be processed Tuesday and workers hope to start counting absentee ballots mid-afternoon Tuesday.

First we have to run one more test on the tabulators, Anderson said during Midday in KELOLAND.

She said she is expecting a very long night at the county administration building.

Weve had a lot of long nights leading up to today, Anderson said. She reminded voters to check voting information on the Secretary of States website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

KELOLAND News was at multiple polling locations throughout Sioux Falls Tuesday. There were waits as long as a half hour at some polling locations.

At the Faith Baptist Fellowship church near 57th Street and Minnesota Avenue, find three different precincts and it has been busy.

More than 225 people had voted by 9 a.m. at the Eastside Baptist Church in eastern Sioux Falls, while there were more than 160 voters at the Eastside Lutheran Church by 11 a.m. Tuesday.

There were more than 450 voters at the Westminster Presbyterian Church by 11 a.m. Tuesday.

There were more than 900 voters voting at precinct 01-10 at Life Change Church as well as an additional 1,129 voters from precinct 01-17 as of 5:30 p.m.

Line for Precinct 01-17 at Life Change Church Line for Precinct 01-17 at Life Change Church

Sunnycrest United Methodist Church saw more than 500 voters for precinct 01-06 as of noon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Parish of St. Michael saw more than 525 voters as of 12:30 p.m. for precinct 03-09

Trinity Baptist church saw more than 350 voters as of 12:30 p.m. for precinct 05-21.

There were more than 366 voters out of around 2,300 voters for precinct 05-02 at the downtown as well as 750 voters for precinct 05-01 at First Lutheran Church by 5:30 p.m.

Secretary of State Monae Johnson told South Dakota Searchlight she estimated up to 75% voter turnout this election.

As of Nov. 1, more than 141,500 absentee ballots had been turned in with more than 113,895 absentee in-person ballots being cast.

This story will be updated throughout Tuesday with voter turnout information and reaction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  North Carolina counties affected by Hurricane Helene saw among the highest early voting totals in North Carolina, according to state elections officials.

All of the counties affected by the deadliest storm in state history had at least a 50% turnout, with many exceeding 60% turnout. According to voter registration data, nearly all of those western N.C. counties lean Republican or are heavily Republican. Theyre also largely rural in nature, with smaller populations.

WNC in-person early voting up from 2020

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think certainly making the effort, the boards of elections across the 25 counties, (and) the voters have responded, said Michael Bitzer, a political science professor at Catawba College.

Queen City News asked Bitzer how perceptions of the federal response to the damage in western North Carolina may be affecting the turnout and the eventual overall vote.

This is going to be an election decided on the knifes edge, he said. And if voters are thinking, I missed early voting, I didnt get an absentee by mail, should I really show up to vote on Election Day, make the effort. Literally, in some contests, we could see a very narrow margin of victory being determined by ultimately who shows up.

Misinformation and misperceptions are something federal authorities said they have been approaching head-on since Helene made its way through the mountains of western North Carolina. Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell addressed the topic while updating the agencys recovery efforts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the beginning of this event, it was at a level Ive never seen before, and we still see some of it here and there, she said. We still see some different rhetoric about FEMA hasnt been on the ground time. And, you know, having me come explain exactly what our role is, I think makes a big difference.

Federal authorities believe misinformation was behind an incident several weeks ago in the region that involved a man allegedly making threats to FEMA workers in Rutherford County, which led to a brief and temporary suspension of FEMA activities region-wide.

Trump makes more debunked claims about FEMA as he visits storm damaged North Carolina

Queen City News asked Criswell about any help that the agency may be providing to help with Tuesdays elections in those areas. She noted that election efforts are being left to the respective local and state election agencies, with FEMA only assisting in an indirect capacity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If they had a need for some assistance as it relates to the storm damage, then we would be able to support either bringing in a temporary facility or a generator, said Criswell.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  While many have been at the polls voting on Tuesday, those under the age of 18 were also getting a lesson on Election Day.

Seventh and eighth-graders held a mock election in Boardman. Theyve been learning about the election process and the candidates and were able to cast their votes. Students also voted for candidates running in their student government elections.

Theyre using an online platform called, Kids Vote Ohio. History teacher Vince Carnevale said the goal is to instill confidence in the students.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were trying to instill in them at an early age this is what you have to do in order to vote. You become educated and then win or lose, we accept the results and we continue on and support the president or the vice president or whoever it is that we are voting for in that election and then we move on to the next one, Carnevale said.

Around 560 students registered a month ago for their mock election. Results should be in by the end of the school day.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
More than 28 million members of mixedimmigration status households in the United States are at risk of deportation or family separation if mass deportation policies, such as those supported by former President Donald Trump, are enacted next year, according to a report from FWD.us, an immigration advocacy organization. Mass deportation is already known to carry a steep economic toll. The moral cost may be just as high.

Roughly 11.3 million U.S. residents and 2.4 million lawful permanent residents live in a mixed-status household, which is defined as at least one undocumented person living with at least one U.S. citizen, green card holder, or other lawful temporary immigrant. Undocumented residents include those with protections such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

The cost of Trump's proposed mass deportation plan could reach nearly $1 trillion due to the decline in labor and federal tax revenue. Earlier this year, Trump promised to end TPS for Haitian immigrants, and in 2020, he attempted to terminate DACA, which the Supreme Court blocked (though the program is still facing legal challenges).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A fact sheet from the American Immigration Council (AIC), a pro-immigration nonprofit, notes that U.S. citizens who are the children of undocumented immigrants have a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and severe psychological distress following the detention or deportation of a parent. The detention or deportation of a family member is also associated with higher rates of suicidal thought, alcohol use, and aggression among Latino adolescents, according to a study cited by the AIC.

Mass deportation continues to have high support despite the moral costs of separating families. An August 2024 poll from the Pew Research Center found that 56 percent of registered voters either strongly or somewhat favored "enforcing mass deportations." In the same poll, however, 61 percent of registered voters said that undocumented immigrants should be allowed to "stay in the country legally, if certain requirements are met."

Some have attributed this discrepancy to voters being confused about the issue while also wanting some action. The potential moral and economic costs of mass deportation are numerous and complicated, and they could range widely depending on the specific plan.

A working paper from the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE), an economic policy think tank, examines the potential economic effects of mass deportation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It describes two scenarios: "a low-end estimate based on President Dwight D. Eisenhower's deportation of 1.3 million persons in 1956 under what was officially called 'Operation Wetback' and a high-end count based on a Pew Research Center study that estimated approximately 8.3 million workers in the US were unauthorized in 2022."

Both would hurt the U.S. economy. The low-end scenario, involving the deportation of 1.3 million undocumented workers by 2028, would lower GDP by 1.2 percent below baseline projections. The high-end scenario, which would see 8.3 million undocumented workers deported, would reduce GDP by 7.4 percent compared to the 2028 baseline.

Michael A. Clemens, a senior fellow at the PIIE and economics professor at George Mason University, points out that similar effects have already been felt due to mass deportation within recent memory.

Clemens tells Reason that "mass deportations under [Barack] Obama caused permanent reductions in jobs available for natives: every 100 deportations caused the permanent elimination of 8.8 jobs held by native workers, county-by-county." This was due to the decrease in immigrant consumers and fewer business owners investing their capital in lower-skilled and more labor-intensive industries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If Trump achieves 3 million deportations per year, this "would mean 263,000 fewer jobs held by US native workers, compounded each additional year that mass deportations continue," according to Clemens.

Anti-immigration politicians who support mass deportation efforts like Operation Wetback ignore how pro-immigration policies offset that initiative's economic costs, per Clemens. For instance, the Bracero Program, which was started under President Franklin D. Roosevelt and continued under Eisenhower, increased the number of lawful, temporary, and employment-based visas for Mexican workers. This shifted "mutually beneficial international labor supply from the black market to lawful channels," wrote Clemens.

Mass deportation is expensive and morally corrupt. Rather than proposing blanket plans that don't fix the immigration system, the government should look to a better solutionmaking legal immigration more feasible.

The post Study: Mass Deportation Could Put 28 Million People at Risk of Family Separation appeared first on Reason.com.
Nov. 4 (UPI) -- A new study indicates what researchers describe as an ongoing "stubborn mistrust" in science among the American public as it relates to COVID-19 vaccines.

The study, conducted by researchers from the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health in Spain, looked to shed light on overall public trust in the science of COVID-19 vaccines and its effect on vaccine acceptance in the United States from 2021 to 2023.

"This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and health communicators as they continue to navigate the ongoing challenge of global vaccine hesitancy," the study's senior author, CUNY SPH Dean Ayman El-Mohandes, said Monday in announcing the findings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Data shows roughly one-third of the study's U.S. respondents consistently expressed a general mistrust in the science behind COVID-19 vaccines from 2021 through 2023.

In 2021, it found 36% of people mistrusted vaccines. But that went down a year later in 2022 to a little more than 32%, only to bounce up again to a little more than 36% again in 2023.

It further found that while levels of trust fluctuated only slightly over that time period, the results were lower than global averages reported in previous studies

According to researchers, higher trust levels were associated with male respondents, those with university degrees and people with above-median income levels.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Our findings underscore the critical role of trust in science during public health crises," says ISGlobal Postdoctoral Fellow Trenton M. White, who was the study's lead author.

It outlines that individuals who lost a family member or close friend to the virus were "significantly more likely to trust vaccine science and accept vaccination." And those who experienced a loss within the past year were "nearly four times more likely to trust the science compared to those who did not experience loss," research shows.

However, the proportion of the U.S. population that expressed trust in science "remained almost constant," ranging from 64-67% over the three years covered in past studies.

White says the fact that personal loss due to COVID-19 was associated with trust levels "highlights the need for public health communications to be sensitive to the emotional impact of the pandemic," he stated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As far as racial preferences, the study revealed while COVID-19 vaccine acceptance "varied significantly" between White and non-White demographics, it did not find a significant correlation between racial backgrounds and trust in science.

"Although we did observe somewhat less trust in science among Latino respondents," researchers say.

An irrational fear of COVID-19 vaccines has spread into other vaccines such as the one for the flu, with new information indication that fewer than two in five U.S. adults (38%) say they will definitely get a flu vaccine.

Meanwhile, trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an information source was "significantly correlated" with both vaccine acceptance and future booster uptake, researchers said. And a trust in science was a "strong predictor" of vaccine acceptance and a willingness to receive recommended boosters shots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But researchers emphasized that "maintaining and enhancing public trust in vaccination programs requires strengthening trust in health communication from public sources," in particular the CDC.

Experts have suggested that future strategies surrounding public health consider the "diverse socio-economic and educational backgrounds" of American citizens in order to "effectively build and maintain trust in science-based solutions."
SUMTER COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL)  Deputies with Sumter County Sheriffs office and officers with the Americus Police Department recovered several stolen firearms during a search warrant.

The warrant was executed Nov. 1 after officers tracked down a stolen dirt bike to a residence on First Montgomery Street in Americus, Georgia. In addition to recovering the bike, deputies say an arrest was made for theft by receiving stolen property.

The Sumter County Sheriffs Office said it has not released to identity of the person arrested for investigative reasons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the Sumter County Sheriffs Office on Friday, Nov. 1 Sumter County Deputies responded to several Entering Auto or other motor vehicle with intent to commit theft or felony calls on Lakeshore Avenue, Highway 19 North and Parkers Mill Creek Road. During the commission of one of the crimes, a dirt bike was stolen. Deputies spotted two dirt bikes at a local gas station, one of which matched the description of the stolen bike.

Deputies say when they approached drivers of the bikes they fled. While searching for the bikes, deputies obtained video from a gas station where the bikes were first seen. Information was then obtained from a witness directing deputies to a residence on First Montgomery Street in Americus.

According to Sumter County Deputies, they arrived at the residence and located the stolen bike. After identifying the driver of the stolen bike, a warrant was obtained.

Americus police and Sumter County deputies secured the area and the residence was then searched. The sheriffs office says they recovered several stolen items including stolen weapons.

According to the sheriffs office some of the recovered property has been returned to the rightful owners.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Authorities say more charges are pending and other arrests are soon to come.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Superdry boss Julian Dunkerton is locked in a row with his Cotswold neighbours after they criticised his tatty renovations to a hotel.

The co-founder and chief executive of the high street fashion brand has irritated some Cheltenham residents by refusing to dismantle 16 marquees that were erected in front of the property during the pandemic.

The local planning authority has so far thwarted the 59-year-olds attempts to turn the eyesore tents into permanent structures. In 2022, it ruled that they should be dismantled, citing the impact on views of the Grade II-listed buildings behind.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In response, Mr Dunkerton has lauded his investment in the area, crediting the 50 million he has spent in his hometown as having transformed Cheltenham into a bustling hub.

The businessman is the director of the Lucky Onion Group, which owns the No. 131 hotel on the towns Promenade shopping street, runs Dunkertons Cider at Dowdeswell Park on the outskirts, and has revamped the George Hotel in its centre.

Critics have described the tents as an eyesore - Cheltenham Civic Society

Cheltenham Civic Society, which aims to protect the architectural and historical aspects of the spa town, previously described No. 131s tents as tatty.

Andrew Booton, the societys chairman, said: The tents obscure the view of three of Cheltenhams finest Grade II* listed buildings and we now think they are affecting the towns reputation and overall attraction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A ruling is expected from the Planning Inspectorate early next year on Mr Dunkertons appeal of the enforcement notice ordering the removal of the temporary tents.

The Superdry boss has twice had planning permission refused in his bid to replace the marquees with a terrace made of glass and ironwork or a metal pergola with a retractable roof.

On the councils planning portal, one resident described the marquees as an eyesore which spoil the vista.

Another said: The temporary structures around these Grade II listed buildings may well have been necessary during the Covid epidemic, however, it is surely time to return to some degree of normality.

An artists impression of the plans for a permanent structure outside the hotel - No. 131

Undeterred, Mr Dunkerton has appeared determined to forge ahead with efforts to make the marquees permanent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An architectural drawing of the plans was published on the hotels Instagram account last week.

In an accompanying statement, he said: The importance of seeking approval for our proposal should not be underestimated.

It saves around 100 jobs for local people and enables us to create something unique and distinctive for the town.

Making the terrace of No. 131 a permanent feature ensures the venue itself is economically viable and allows us to plan for the future, bringing more investment into Cheltenham.

In another statement, people behind the venue praised Mr Dunkerton and his wife for rejuvenating the area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It said: With over 50 million invested locally, Julian Dunkerton and his wife, Jade Holland Cooper, have transformed Cheltenham into a bustling hub, employing hundreds and attracting numerous guests and locals each year.

Mr Dunkerton sold around 50 million of his Superdry shares in February 2016 to bankroll his divorce settlement - Superdry/PA

Mr Dunkerton was previously married to Charlotte Abbot, with whom he has two children, and lived in a 3.25 million farmhouse near Cheltenham.

In February 2016, he sold around 50 million of his Superdry shares to bankroll his divorce settlement before meeting his current wife that year.

Ms Holland Coopers eponymous fashion brand boasts famous admirers, including Claudia Winkleman and the Princess of Wales.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In January, Superdry recorded a 23.5 per cent decline in revenue in the six months to November, with losses widening to 25 million.

In response to administration concerns, an overhaul of the company was initiated, which included rent reductions on underperforming stores, equity raising and its delisting from the London Stock Exchange.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
On Sept. 10, during the presidential debate hosted by ABC News, Republican candidate Donald Trump told an obvious lie. While attempting to malign the immigration policies of his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump claimed that Haitian immigrants in Ohio had been kidnapping and eating residents household pets. In Springfield, theyre eating the dogs. The people that came in. Theyre eating the cats, Trump said. Theyre eatingtheyre eating the pets of the people that live there.

They werent, of course, and debate moderator David Muir quickly jumped in to try to set the record straight. Although Trumps claim had gained credence in right-wing social-media circles in the days preceding the debate, Muir noted that ABC News had consulted the city manager of Springfield, Ohio, who attested that there have been no credible reports of specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community. Undaunted, Trump continued to press his point, insisting that the people on television say their dog was eaten by the people that went there.

Again, the Springfield city manager says theres no evidence of that, said Muir.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Well find out, said Trumpand, in the days and weeks to come, we certainly did. In the immediate aftermath of the debate, the mainstream medias fact-checking platforms sprang into action. At PolitiFact, Jeff Cercone assigned Trumps assertion a Pants on Fire rating on the sites Truth-o-Meter, noting that the claim appears to stem from an unverified secondhand Facebook post. At the Washington Posts Fact Checker, Glenn Kessler noted that Trump is referencing a ridiculous social media hoax and said there is no evidence that Haitians are doing this. FactCheck.org, the Associated Press, Reuters, NPR, the New York Times, CNN, and many other outlets offered similar fact checks of Trumps risible claim; each of these outlets deemed it categorically false.

Pretty much all of these rebuttals conformed to the tone, style, and structure that have become the standard format for journalistic fact-checking in the internet era. The fact checks established the claim in question; offered evidence-based explanations for its falsity, in the form of unequivocal denials from local officials; traced the claim back to its origins (unverified social-media posts); and put it in the context of the broader rhetorical trends that have made immigration such a polarizing and racially charged political issue. They did all this in neutral editorial voices, clearly meant to promote the appearance of objectivity; they showed their work to make clear that their judgments werent just matters of opinion. The various fact checks rebutted Trumps pet-eating lie quickly, clearly, and convincingly, in a manner designed to reach and persuade people across the political spectrum.

And that should have been thatexcept, for roughly half the country, it wasnt. The fact checks did not seem to make much difference to either Trump or his followers willingness to assert and believe an obvious lie. If anything, the mainstream medias clear and uniform refutation of Trumps claim seemed to serve as evidence that it was actually true, and that, once again, the left was conspiring to conceal the truth and sabotage Trumps campaign. In the days and weeks following the Sept. 10 debate, Trump and his surrogates refused to back down from the Haitians are eating pets canard. Their defiance seemed to embolden many Trump supporters from around the country, who barraged Springfield, Ohio, with menacing phone calls and dozens of bomb threats. One week after Trumps pet-eating lie had been convincingly debunked, a YouGov poll found that a majority of Trump supporters deemed it to be true, while only 5 percent of Trump supporters found it to be definitely false.

When, in the distant future, liberal-arts robots sit down to write the official history of this dangerously stupid political era, they may well use the Haitian pet-eating saga to illustrate the extent to which the 2020s were so very epistemically fucked. Consider: A dumb, racist rumor was born on social media. The countrys most consequential political figure then vaguely and viciously asserted the rumor as fact, thus giving his fans and followers permission to do the same. And despite the combined efforts of the worlds best-resourced and most scrupulous journalistic organizations to rebut itdespite the great care these groups took to investigate the claim, to show their work, to avoid the appearance of bias, and to package their output to appeal to as many people as possiblemost of Donald Trumps supporters continued to insist that his inept lie was actually true.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This same conflict between fact-checking and fiction has played out countless times over the past decade, to the detriment of pretty much everyone except the transparent charlatan who is, for the third consecutive election cycle, the Republican presidential nominee. Over and over again, Trump and his cohort will tell an obvious lieabout Haitians eating pets in Ohio, or blue-state doctors performing post-birth abortions, or rigged voting machines and the 2020 election, or any number of other things, take your pick. They offer no credible evidence to support what theyre saying; indeed, they almost seem to flaunt the flimsiness of their claims. The mainstream media then tries to refute these claims using evidence, logic, and linear argument. Then, generally without even bothering to read or consider these counterpoints, the Republican electorate dismisses them with cries of fake newsand then, three hours later, everyone does it all again.

The presidential election is now here, and the fact that the very fate of American democracy somehow once again hinges on its outcome is in itself proof that what journalists are doing to combat political misinformation and separate fact from fiction largely isnt working. No matter how much proof the media musters about Donald Trumps lies, crimes, and derelictions, no matter how eloquent the cases pundits make about his manifest unfitness for office, no matter how hard journalists try to document their processes and present their work in compelling ways, half the country continues to demean and disregard their efforts while choosing instead to trust real-estate hucksters, YouTube supplement salesmen, disheveled podcast conspiracists, and countless other unreliable sources that barely even bother to appear credible.

For a decade now, and with extra-special urgency amid Trumps political reemergence over the past year or so, journalists have made the same arguments, deployed the same formats, and issued the same sorts of rebuttals, all under the presumption that at some point the sheer weight of accumulated evidence has to break through the walls of denial that Trumps supporters have built up to shield themselves from apology and accountability. But the breakthrough never comes. The lies keep getting worse. And the media keeps relying on methods and formats that clearly no longer suit this desperate moment. What we in the media doand dont dowith this indisputable fact will change everything about the moment ahead, no matter who wins this presidential race.

Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos and others have speculated that one way to regain the trust of skeptical conservatives and combat their charges of mainstream-media bias is for journalistic outlets to work even harder to promote the appearance of objectivity. To that end, the Post last week announced that it would not endorse a candidate in this years presidential election. In an op-ed headlined The Hard Truth: Americans Dont Trust the News Media, Bezos implied that this step is but one of many that the Post will take in its efforts to persuade its haters that the newspaper is actually worthy of their trust.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This strategy is viable only if you also believe that all the people shouting about media bias a) are doing so for rational reasons, and b) are willing to be persuaded otherwise. But if the appearance of extreme objectivity is all that it takes to bridge the journalism trust gap and appease the Trumpist right, then why havent the various stand-alone fact-checking platforms already unlocked this achievement? After all, these platformsneutral to a fault, and almost pathologically scrupulousalready are what Bezos apparently wants the Post to become. They stick to the facts, they take on politicians of all stripes, they show their work, and they offer little if any institutional voice. The fact-checkers already attempt to be all things to all people, and half the people still choose to disregard their work whenever that work conflicts with their political preconceptions.

Stand-alone online journalistic fact-checking has been with us now for at least six presidential election cycles. (Factcheck.org was launched in 2003; PolitiFact and the Washington Posts Fact Checker both launched in 2007.) In 2012, for the Columbia Journalism Review, I sat in on a PolitiFact editorial meeting and saw firsthand how systematically the fact-checkers there rendered their judgments, and how seriously they took their mission.

As long as the fact-checkers have been handing out Pants on Fires and Pinocchios, people have challenged their verdicts and questioned their methodologies. Most of these critiques have generally been sour grapes from political actors who dont appreciate being called out on their bullshit. But even back in 2012, there were those who realized that the fact-checkers efficacy relied on the publics willingness to accept their authority. What if it turns out that when the press calls a lie a lie, nobody cares? then-Atlantic editor James Bennet asked in a 2012 piece about the relative unscrupulousness of Mitt Romneys presidential campaign. In the intervening 12 years, Bennets question has only become more relevant.

And over the past year or so, I have come to regard online fact-checking platforms as perhaps the foremost symbols of journalistic impotence in the Trump era. Your PolitiFacts and your Fact Checkers and such are the most well-intentioned websites in the world. Their missionsbasically, to serve as neutral, credible platforms for evaluating the relative truth and falsity of statements and rhetoric across the political spectrumare laudable and entirely uncontroversial. Their output is voluminous, their methods are clear, their integrity is evident, and their impact appears to be negligible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Despite the fact-checkers best efforts to appeal to everyone by sticking to the facts, half the country seemingly pays no attention at all to their work, and the other half just gets frustrated that the fact-checkers inherent view from nowhere can sometimes lead them to falsely equate picayune Democratic exaggerations with the fundamental moral rot that infects the heart of Trumpist Republican politics. Heres my favorite recent example of this sort of unhelpful pedantry:

We need a total and complete shutdown of "fact checking" until our we can figure out what is going on pic.twitter.com/KR7VG96b7s  Steven Lemongello (@SteveLemongello) August 23, 2024

The screenshot in the above post was excerpted from an August PolitiFact piece checking the accuracy of Kamala Harris acceptance speech, in which the outlet graded as Mostly False Harris claim that Donald Trump plans to create a national anti-abortion coordinator and force states to report on womens miscarriages and abortions. Why did PolitiFact deem this statement to be mostly false? What Harris describes is Project 2025. Although the 900-page policy manual makes such recommendations, it isnt Trumps plan, the outlet wrote, noting that while the Heritage Foundation got input from dozens of Trump allies while preparing the document, Trump and his campaign have repeatedly said they were not involved in the project and Trump is not listed as an author, editor or contributor.

But what this deeply unconvincing rebuttal omits is any acknowledgment of the plain fact that Donald Trump lies all the time, about everything, and that only a naive fool would take him at his word about anything. The fact check is amnesiac insofar as it does not acknowledge the clear pattern of deceit from the man whose denial it takes at face value. Donald Trump falsely shouts Fire! in a crowded theater, so to speak, every day of his life. That context is absolutely necessary when evaluating anything he says. So why does it sometimes feel like the fact-checkers are unwilling to provide it?

Reporters laboring under a mandate of objectivity can sometimes feel pressured to pretend that Americas two main political parties share a baseline legitimacy. This false equivalence does both journalists and readers a great disservice. The Democrats today are just a typical political party: Sometimes their leaders tell the truth, sometimes they lie, sometimes they exaggerate. Their incidental exaggerations are categorically different than the foundational lies told every day by their opponents on the Trumpist right. While every honest observer knows this, the baseline neutrality that undergirds fact-checking prevents the fact-checkers from saying so; moreover, it requires them to pretend not just that each party is equally apt to lie to voters, but that the scope, intent, and implications of these lies are somehow functionally equivalent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But thats just not the case. Trump and his cohort lie constantly, about pretty much everything. They do this with relative impunity, because over decades the right has conditioned its core voters to mistrust and disregard the mainstream media. Plus, to an extent, I suspect that these core voters sort of like it when their politicians lie to them. Many right-wing voters are all too happy to commit to asserting fiction as truth, as long as that fiction flatters their personal and political biases.

Let me try to put this more succinctly. The American right has been captured by a self-dealing cadre of liars and crackpots determined to make epistemic war on journalists, scholars, and anyone else whose pesky adherence to facts and logic might hamper the implementation of their rancid political project. Pointing out these true things does not count as media biasand, conversely, pretending that the Trumpist right is normal does not count as objectivity. It is only Potemkin objectivity: empty, unconvincing, and ultimately wielded in service of something awful.

The fact-checkers specifically, and omnibus journalistic outlets more broadly, have failed our current moment in large part by neither acknowledging nor confronting the epistemic disparities between left and right in the Trumpist era. The seeds of these failures were planted decades ago, at the dawn of online fact-checking, when scholars and news innovators still believed that new media might be a boon to both journalism and democracyand almost no one was willing to entertain the proposition that the internet might actually make everything worse. Unfortunately, the internet did not bring about a new age of reason. Instead, it hollowed out newsrooms while privileging callow plutocrats who smarmily inform us that civility and neutrality will cure the crisis that they and their peers created.

The new-media outlets founded in more hopeful times must do more to adjust to the realities of the dark future we ended up with. Logic and reason do not drive the Trumpist right, and rationality is not what is motivating their mistrust in the mainstream media, and it is folly to think that doubling down on a commitment to principles that these people have already rejected is all it will take for news organizations to win these people back. If these people can be persuaded at all, they will be persuaded not by neutrality, but by narrative. Trump and his useful idiots are very good at offering their followers narratives of conspiracy and decline that purport to explain the state of the world. The media must find better ways to roll their individual callouts of Trumpist deceit into clear, compelling counternarratives that lay bare the broader pattern.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Perhaps, in a PolitiFact-free world, the Trump-Harris split would be 6040 instead of 5050. It is probably unfair to say that these platforms arent working at all just because they arent working as well as they could be working. And it is definitely not my intention to portray these outlets as the whole problem. The whole problem, instead, is the editorial mindset that pretends that maintaining false balance will somehow help make America become normal again.

But we might as well be honest about that desperately false hope, too. Because all signals indicate that the fever isnt going to break. The irrationality that motivates so many on the right isnt going to subside. The unkempt podcasters wont lose their audiences; the racist memes wont fall out of fashion; the people who think that 5G wireless is a Democrat plot to scramble their brains arent going to suddenly sober up and start taking their cues from Ezra Klein. A Trump loss this week week will only beget another Trump campaign next time, or, at best, a candidate who is directly influenced by Trump. The world we are living in is the world we are stuck with, at least for the foreseeable future. It is well past time for the media to stop wringing its hands over appearances and to get down to doing the honest, clear-eyed, uncensored work that this world needs.
(NewsNation)  The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether a disputed Louisiana congressional map that includes two Black-majority districts should be redrawn.

The court announced Monday it will consider the appeal of a lower court decision in January, meaning that Tuesdays general election will use the states current map. The Associated Press reported the current map favors Democrats, especially in the partys efforts to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Supreme Court ordered Louisiana to use its current map for the election in May. A three-judge panel previously ruled Louisianas current map sorted voters primarily on race, a practice known as racial gerrymandering.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Election denial concerns rise as officials prep for polling threats

The changes to the map continued to reflect five white districts that lean Republican and only one Black-majority district even though nearly a third of Louisianas population is Black, the AP reported.

CBS News reported that the upcoming Supreme Court hearing will be at least the third time that the congressional map has been legally challenged since voting lines were drawn out following the 2020 census.

A federal district court ruled that the map, which was drawn by Republican lawmakers, likely violated parts of the federal Voting Rights Act that prohibits election practices that deny certain residents the right to vote based on race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The second Black-majority district begins in the northwest corner of the state near Shreveport and extends 250 miles toward Baton Rouge, Scotusblog.com stated.

However, the current map was legally challenged by a group of voters who describe themselves as non-African American, Scotusblog.com reported. The lawsuit states that the map violates the U.S. Constitutions 14th Amendment and discriminates against the group, NBC News reported.

According to the lawsuit, the states purpose in drawing out the map was intended to segregate voters based entirely on their races and create two majority-Black voting districts and four majority-non-Black districts without regard for any traditional redistricting criteria.

What Election Night trends could provide early clues on results?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The AP reported that two state congressional maps have been blocked by lower courts over the past two years and that the U.S. Supreme Court has weighed in on both occasions.

Louisana Solicitor General Benjamin Aguinaga wrote in court filings that the state is stuck in an endless game of ping-pong that needs to be resolved, according to NBC News.

The Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that the map, including two Black-majority districts, would be used in elections moving forward. While the court will hear arguments in the case in January, a ruling is not expected until sometime next summer, according to The Hill.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
The symbol of justice adorns one of the doors to the Nebraska Supreme Court. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  A ruling Friday by the Nebraska Supreme Court is raising concerns that some criminal offenders might have to return to a county jail to serve out more days behind bars.

That, some officials said, would be an expensive endeavor for counties and one that could exacerbate overcrowding in local jails, though one prosecutor said the impact will be limited.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The states highest court, in a rare, 4-3 split decision, ruled Friday that county jail inmates must serve 15 days on every separate conviction before any good-time reductions can be applied to their confinement.

Several counties, including at least Lancaster and Hall Counties, now calculate good time (a reduction in a sentence for good behavior) contrary to Fridays ruling. They read the state law to mean that inmates must serve 15 days on their entire jail sentence, which possibly covers several separate convictions.

That results in a shorter stay in jail than if the 15 days of so-called hard time must be served on each conviction.

Lancaster County Public Defender Kristi Egger called the ruling shortsighted because it did not explain how county jails should respond to the decision. If it means some defendants have to return to jail for a few more days, Egger said that could lead to increased overcrowding in county jails, such as Lancaster County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Egger cited a pointed dissenting opinion written by retiring Chief Justice Mike Heavican, who wrote that it took a Sisyphean attempt by the majority to conclude that state law required the 15 days behind bars for every separate offense before getting good time.

If significant work must be done to discover whether a statute is unambiguous, that statute is probably ambiguous, Heavican wrote.

If a statute is ambiguous, the rule of lenity dictates that an issue be decided in favor of a defendant, he said.

Apples and oranges

The attorney who argued the case before the Supreme Court said Monday he doubts whether Fridays ruling will require anyone to be hauled back to jail, as happened a decade ago,when the state corrections department miscalculated the release date of dozens of inmates, requiring several to return to prison.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Travis Rodak, who argued the case for Box Butte County, said Fridays case and what happened in the state prison system in 2014 were like comparing apples and oranges.

I dont see this impacting a lot of current cases, Rodak said.

For one thing, he said, there arent many offenders who are serving consecutive sentences for two totally different crimes. Its more common for offenders to serve sentences concurrently  and such concurrent sentences are unaffected by Fridays ruling.

In an email, Kearney County Attorney Melanie Bellamy, president of the state county attorneys association, said she was glad the Supreme Court had clarified the good time issue, adding that it would be up to each individual county, working with local courts and law enforcement, to comply with the Mullins v. Box Butte decision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Longtime Hall County Public Defender Gerald Piccolo said he expects his county to explore returning some people back to jail to finish out the extra days they didnt serve, based on the Supreme Courts ruling. He added, however, he wouldnt do that if he was running the jail because of the expense involved in tracking down those people and housing them.

The case argued before the Supreme Court involved Samuel Mullins, now 35, who pleaded no contest to resisting arrest in December 2022 and then to domestic assault in January 2023. Those were two separate misdemeanor offenses.

In Box Butte County, the state law was interpreted to mean that the two separate offenses required two separate stints of 15 days in jail before good time reductions could be applied.

Countys interpretation appealed

Bell Island, a defense attorney who represented Mullins, appealed the countys interpretation as being wrong. The Nebraska Defense Attorneys Association, represented by Lincoln lawyer Spike Eickholt, joined the case, arguing that the 15-day wait should be applied to the sum of all sentences to be served.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The unsigned majority opinion on Friday agreed with the arguments raised by Rodak, who argued that common sense, legislative intent, and public policy would seem to dictate that convictions for separate offenses, unless ordered to be served concurrently by the Court, must have separate and independent sentencing calculations.

The court majority concluded that it was unnecessary to depend upon legislative materials such as committee reports or floor debates and to scour such legislative materials to determine if state law concerning county jail good time calculation was ambiguous or not because the statutory language appeared clear.

That prompted disagreement from Heavican  who retired as of Oct. 31  as well as a separate dissent written by Justice Jonathan Papik and signed by Justice Stephanie Stacy.

Egger, the Lancaster County public defender, said the ruling did a disservice by not looking at legislative discussion and lawmakers attempt to standardize criminal sentences across the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At a time when the jails are full and the cost of housing people in custody is higher and higher, and when it is obvious that Legislature was trying to do something to give appropriate credit where credit was due by changing the good time statute, the majority opinion in Mullins misses the mark, Egger said.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Kansas City, Missouri man faces charges in connection to a shooting in Westport last month that left five people injured.

Jackson County prosecutors have charged Jerome Washington with first-degree attempted robbery, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm.

KCPD officers responded to the shooting on October 9 in the area of W. 40th Street and Westport Road.

Four of the victims were reported to be men and one was reported to be a teenage boy. All of the victims were taken to a hospital in critical but stable condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android

A court date for Washington has not been set at this time.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  One of three men charged in an East Side shooting death last month pleaded not guilty Tuesday at his arraignment in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Magistrate Dominic DeLaurentis continued the $1 million bond set for Andre Bailey, 40, who entered not-guilty pleas to charges of murder and aggravated murder.

His case was set for a Jan. 6 trial date before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bailey, along with Vincent Marbely, 59 and Eddie Winphrie, 41, are charged with the Oct. 18 shooting death of 24-year-old Reynaldo Hernandez. Hernandezs body was found at a cemetery at Liberty Road and Wardle Avenue hours after police responded to a shooting call at a nearby Bott Street home.

When police arrived at the home, there was no body there, but there was evidence that someone had been shot and severely wounded.

Marbley and Winphrie have yet to be taken into custody.

Three men who were charged with tampering with evidence in the case were also arraigned today. Daniel Ramsey, 42, Richard Lightner, 40 and Sean Jones, 35, all pleaded not guilty. Their bonds of $15,000 were also continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Their cases were also assigned to Judge Krichbaum.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
An advisor to Lithuanias president is demanding NATO action after claims emerged that the country was the nexus of a Russian sabotage plot to attack U.S. and Canada-bound aircraft by shipping camouflaged incendiary devices on them. This marks the latest in a series of allegations regarding Russian sabotage plots in Europe.

The Presidency confirms that Russian military intelligence is behind the transport of incendiary packages, Lithuanian presidential adviser Kestutis Budrys told the Lithuanian Ziniu radio station on Tuesday. We are telling our allies that its not random, its part of military operations. This requires a NATO response.

Budrys was referring to a recently divulged Russian plot that originated in Lithuania over the summer, according to Reuters. The scheme, in which German officials say a plane crash was narrowly avoided, is believed to be part of an effort to bring the war home to Ukraines Western allies.

Post Unavailable

Explosive parcelscaused fires in courier depots in Britain, Germany and Poland in July, the Polish Gazeta Wyborcza daily newspaper reported last month, Reuters noted on Tuesday. Officials say disaster was narrowly avoided when one of the packages ignited in a courier depot in Germany before it could be placed on a plane.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Western security officials say they believe that two incendiary devices, shipped via DHL, were part of a covert Russian operation that ultimately aimed to start fires aboard cargo or passenger aircraft flying to the U.S. and Canada, as Moscows steps up a sabotage campaign against Washington and its allies, according to The Wall Street Journal, which broke the story Monday.

European security officials have linked suspected Russian operatives to a plot to smuggle incendiary devices onto a cargo plane in Germany, in what investigators believe may have been a trial run for future attacks targeting North America-bound aircraft, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

An international probe that began after one of the devices caught fire prematurely in July determined that the plotters also sent packages without the flammable contents to U.S. and Canadian addresses, in an apparent test to see if the parcels could be successfully delivered, the publication reported, citing European security officials.

Polish authorities say four people were charged in connection with camouflaged explosives that detonated during land and air transport in the U.K. in July, according to ABC News, citing a statement from the countrys prosecutors office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The groups activities consisted of sabotage and diversion related to sending parcels containing camouflaged explosives and dangerous materials via courier companies to European Union countries and Great Britain, which spontaneously ignited or detonated during land and air transport, the Polish prosecutors office said in a statement. The groups goal was also to test the transfer channel for such parcels, which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada.

Western officials believe the fires originated in electric massage machines containing a magnesium-based substance, the BBC reported.

Post Unavailable

As the Post proffered, this scheme is being seen as a provocative and particularly dangerous escalation in an alleged sabotage campaign directed by Moscow against NATO countries helping Ukraine defend itself against a Russian military invasion.

Who ordered it remains unclear. Three European security officials told the newspaper that it is unknown whether this was directed by the top of the Kremlin or by lower-level intelligence officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Overall, there many questions that still need to be answered about this bizarre plot and its perpetrators. Top among them is why would Russia take such a risk? What is the ultimate objective? How does potentially killing large numbers of people in the air or on the ground advance Moscows ambitions while still avoiding a direct conflict? Above all else, what is the evidence that this actually came from the Russian government? Having parcels exploding on civilian aircraft carrying cargo could have major repercussions during a time of war, where those logistical capabilities would be critical and disruptions would have major battlefield impacts, but such timing doesnt seem to fit with the operations observed.

Whatever the case may be, government and civilian officials are paying attention.

We are aware of two recent incidents involving shipments in our network, a DHL official said in a statement. We are fully cooperating with the relevant authorities to protect our people, our network and our customers shipments.

The U.S. continues to be vigilant against threats to the aviation and air cargo systems, a U.S. official told The War Zone, citing the 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment. We work closely with industry to take steps to protect against any potential threats whenever they emerge. At this time, there is no current active threat targeting U.S.-bound flights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We continually adjust our security posture as appropriate and promptly share any and all relevant information with our industry partners, to include requirements and recommendations that help them reduce risk, a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official said in a statement. Over the past several months, as part of a multi-layered security approach, TSA worked with industry partners to put additional security measures for U.S. aircraft operators and foreign air carriers regarding certain cargo shipments bound for the United States, in line with the 2021 TSA Air Cargo Security Roadmap. We greatly appreciate the cooperation and collaboration with industry as together we work to ensure the safety and security of air cargo.

TSA

Canadian officials say they are aware of the plot and are concerned about its implications.

The Government of Canada is aware of and deeply concerned with Russias intensifying campaign, from cyber incidents and disinformation operations to sabotage activities, Zarah Malik, a spokesperson for Public Safety Canada said in a statement to The War Zone. Canada has expressed this concern directly to Russian officials and unequivocally stated that any threat to the safety and security of Canadians is unacceptable.

While there is no imminent threat to Canadians at this time, Canadian national security and law enforcement agencies are working in close cooperation with our allies on this serious matter to keep Canadians safe, Malid added. The Government of Canada will continue to monitor the situation very closely and will take whatever action is necessary to protect Canadians.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russia denies being behind acts of sabotage, according to the BBC. But it is suspected to have been behind other attacks on warehouses and railway networks in EU member states this year, including in Sweden and in the Czech Republic, the network noted.

There have been other suspicious incidents of sabotage in Europe.

As we reported in August, Norway revealed that one of its most strategic air bases was the target of sabotage. That announcement came as other European NATO air bases  namely in Germany  reported incidents  one of which remains unexplained.

A critical communications cable associated with Evenes Air Station in northern Norway, home of F-35A fighters, was reportedly cut in an act of sabotage. (Norwegian Air Force)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There were also reports about troubling drone activity over critical infrastructure. These incidents came amid increasing warnings about nefarious Russian activity on the continent, part of an apparent wave of hybrid warfare as the conflict in Ukraine further stokes East-West tensions.

While there is no evidence at the moment that Russia is behind the incidents in Norway and Germany, this all came as NATO has increasingly warned of the risk of an expanding campaign of sabotage, including cyberattacks, across Europe, in a new wave of hybrid warfare masterminded by Russia.

In the last few months, there has been a spike in reported incidents of this kind, suspected to be connected to Russia, if not orchestrated directly by Moscow. As well as Germany and Norway, these incidents have been reported in other NATO countries including the Czech Republic, Poland, and the United Kingdom.

In July, intelligence officials expressed concern about possible sabotage attacks by Russian-backed actors so acute it saw U.S. military bases across Europe placed on a heightened state of alert, for the first time in a decade, according to CNN.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Beyond the question of what Russias goals would have been for such a flagrantly escalatory operation is if NATO will respond to this provocation and how. This clearly depends on what evidence actually exists that the Russian government was involved and to what degree. Considering its own sensitivities to escalation, it is possible that the alliance could take a wait-and-see approach.

Though this plot seems to have been disrupted before anyone was hurt, such actions in the future could prove devastating and they could be used to cripple logistics at a time when they are needed most.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Police have arrested a man suspected of stealing a beloved pet from the familys own yard in broad daylight.

The pet, a rescued tortoise who has been with its family for about five years, is still unaccounted for, the family says.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the suspect in the brazen theft in Panorama City was apprehended Monday around noon at an undisclosed location.

One of the pets owners confirmed that the tortoise had not been located despite the arrest and urged the public to keep an eye out for it.

A family from Panorama City is pleading for the return of their stolen tortoise, which was taken on Nov. 3, 2024. (Family photo)

Video shared with KTLA showed the suspect, who remains unidentified, reaching into the front gate of a home on Brimfield Avenue around 3 p.m. Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The man, whom the tortoise owner called heartless and evil, can then be seen flipping the reptile onto its shell and removing the animal from the yard; he is then caught on camera violently attacking it.

Burglar breaks into home, spends the night after trashing it: police

Jennifer Tapia said that she and her family keep their tortoises outside regularly. After not being able to find the missing tortoise in their yard, they viewed security footage and discovered the vicious act.

Its sad to know that this is happening in our community and that someone could do this to an animal, Tapia said.

The family has a second tortoise that was uninjured. Anyone with information about the missing tortoise is urged to contact local police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
During his visit to Kyiv this week, Swedish Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin announced a package of support of 100 million Swedish kronor (approx. US$9.33 million) for civil protection in Ukraine.

Source: Swedish government on Tuesday 5 November, as reported by European Pravda

Details: During the visit, Bolin signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, and presented the new package of civil support for Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The package includes two patrol vessels, 24 cars, a minibus, a heavy truck, and personal protective equipment delivered by the Swedish coast guard, as well as 40.000 protective masks with filters purchased for Ukraine.

The package, which still needs to be authorised by the Swedish government, is supported by a three-year financial program for Ukraine worth 75 billion Swedish kronor (approx. US$9.33 billion), which the Swedish government agreed to in May 2024.

Furthermore, under the terms of the Memorandum, the Swedish Coast Guard will be working with Ukraine's State Border Guard Service and State Emergency Service to exchange experience and training.

"Sweden will continue to support Ukraine as long as necessary," said the Swedish Minister of Civil Defence in Kyiv.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In September, the Swedish government announced a new package of military support to Kyiv totalling more than 400 million, including the possibility of training Ukrainian pilots on Gripen fighter aircraft.

Support UP or become our patron!
MALMO, Sweden (AP)  A Swedish court sentenced on Tuesday a far-right politician to four months in jail for two counts of incitement against an ethnic group after making hateful comments at political rallies two years ago.

The Danish-Swedish 42-year-old man, who was not named but has been identified by Swedish media as Rasmus Paludan, founder and head of the Danish nationalist anti-immigration party Stram Kurs, had been previously convicted and sentenced by a Danish court on a similar charge, the Malmo District Court said.

In 2022, Paludan made his offensive remarks directed at Muslims, Arabs and Africans during protests that he led in the southern city of Malmo in 2022, the court said. He also burned a copy of the Quran, Islam's holy book, on at least one occasion. In response, a violent wave of riots swept the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some observers also say Paludans actions may have momentarily risked Swedens chances of joining NATO after increasing political tensions with Turkey. Sweden joined the alliance in March this year.

The court in a statement Tuesday said Paludan's remarks against Muslims cannot be excused as criticism of Islam or as political campaign work.

Chief Councilor Nicklas Soderberg, the courts chairman, said: It is permitted to publicly make critical statements about, for example, Islam and also Muslims, but the disrespect of a group of people must not clearly cross the line for a factual and valid discussion."

He added that during the Malmo rallies in April and September 2022 there was no question of any such discussion, and that Paludans public statements only amounted to insulting Muslims."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The court took particular interest in whether the politician knew the protests were filmed and published on Facebook. Paludan had said that he wasn't aware of it but the district court disagreed and said his actions at the gatherings would be downright illogical if he didnt know about the publication on Facebook.

Paludan, a lawyer by profession, told Swedish media outlets that he wasnt surprised by the verdict.

It was expected. We will appeal, the Swedish newspaper Expressen cited him as saying.
A mysterious text banker has been targeting progressive voters in swing states with messages about Kamala Harriss policies on Israel.



According to reporting by the Forward, Pennsylvania voters have been receiving anonymous text messages promising that Vice President Harris will always stand with Israel. The texts, which came from a number with a Virginia area code, appear to be targeting pro-Palestinian voters in the state.



Twitter screenshot Arno Rosenfeld @ArnoRosenfeld: Anonymous messages, some coming from someone calling himself "Avi," appear to be trying to depress turnout for Harris among progressives in Pennsylvania (with link of article preview: Anonymous texts to Pennsylvania voters suggest Harris is duplicitous on Israel)

The Kamala Harris campaign has been running conflicting ads about where she stands on Israel, one of the messages sent on Sunday read. It is just what she has to do to be able to win.



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The text included a screenshot of a CNN article about how the Democrat would amplify different parts of her message on Gaza and Israel in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Another included a link to a Times of Israel article describing how Harris plans to keep arming Israel.



Voters in Michigan received similar texts last week. Former Axios reporter Sam Robinson obtained messages sent to Detroit voters encouraging them to stand up against Hamas and all radical terrorists in Gaza.



Though it is not entirely clear if the efforts are connected, as all the messages are anonymous and not tied to any particular organization, the Michigan and Pennsylvania texts included strikingly similar language.



Moreover, voters in both states reported receiving texts from someone named Max, and many messages shared a link to the same story: an NBC news article from August on Harris telling pro-Palestinian protesters I am speaking now.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As the Forward noted, the messages overall bear a resemblance to ads targeting Michigan and Pennsylvania voters put forth by the Future Coalition PAC funded by Elon Musk and Mitch McConnell. That super PAC is running digital ads portraying Harris as a hawk for Israel in areas in Michigan with large Arab and Muslim voters, while attacking Harris on her anti-Israel policies in ads to Jewish voters in Pennsylvania.



The Verge reported Tuesday that the texts most likely came from a company called Wonder Cave based in North Carolina, which works with digital advocacy and fundraising group Twenty Manor. Over the past year, Twenty Manor has received $33,000 from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) for text messaging and more than $12,000 from former Representative Tulsi Gabbards leadership PAC, Defend Freedom, for digital consulting.

This story has been updated.
By Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan must show it is determined to defend itself no matter who wins the U.S. presidency on Nov. 5, Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Tuesday as the U.S. election campaign entered its final hours.

Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for the U.S. presidency and neck and neck in the polls with Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris, has made comments on the campaign trail that Taiwan should pay to be protected and also accused the island of stealing American semiconductor business.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democratically-governed Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has faced a sustained military pressure campaign from Beijing over the past five years, including four major rounds of war games in the past two years.

"No matter who is elected (as U.S. president), we have to let them understand that Taiwan has the determination to defend itself, and the importance of Taiwan's economic security and strategic geopolitical position," Koo told reporters on the sidelines of parliament.

He said the government's position was to continuously strengthen its self-defence capabilities.

"We take the attitude of maintaining regional peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait to let the world see Taiwan's value, whether in terms of economic security or Taiwan's strategic geopolitical position, so that the world can see the important value of Taiwan," Koo said, when asked was he nervous a new Trump administration would abandon the island.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An internal Taiwan security memo, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, said China has recently launched a renewed propaganda campaign trying to stir up fears the island would become a "sacrificial piece" because the United States is likely to change its support for Taiwan after the vote.

"The reality is that regardless of the election outcome supporting Taiwan has become a consensus," the memo added.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office, which implied last week that Trump as president could "discard" Taiwan, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

While the United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, Taiwan has also made developing its own weapons systems a priority, like missiles and submarines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Taiwan has no formal defence pact with the United States, as Asian neighbours Japan and South Korea do, since Washington terminated a previous treaty with Taipei in 1979 when it switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing.

However, some Taiwanese military personnel do train in the United States, including F-16 fighter pilots, and Taiwan's government has said small numbers of U.S. forces are on the island in a training role.

Taiwan has reported an uptick in Chinese military activities as the U.S. election has approached, including China staging long-range air force drills into the Pacific passing through air space to the island's south.

Taiwan received strong backing from Trump's administration during 2017 to 2021, including arms sales, which have continued under the government of President Joe Biden.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee; Editing by Michael Perry)
(Bloomberg) -- Top Taiwanese officials moved to ease concern about the potential fallout if Donald Trump returns to the White House, making a case that the technology restrictions promised by the former US president against China would outweigh the risks to the island.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Listen to the Heres Why podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen.

The prospect of Trumps victory in this weeks election is a worry for Taipei given the Republican nominee in the past cast doubt over the US commitment to defend it from Beijing. But other policies championed by Trump toward China hold some appeal for Taiwan.

The head of the archipelagos National Development Council, Liu Chin-ching, described the proposed technology curbs as potentially having more pros than cons for Taiwan. Such restrictions are likely to prompt more Taiwanese companies to shift production back from China and redirect export orders to local manufacturers, he said.

When asked by a lawmaker on Tuesday about Taiwans preparations for the US election results, Liu said that while the island might also face a 10% tariff on its goods, the impact would be limited, as most suppliers in Taiwan are primarily doing contract manufacturing serving the US clients.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A Trump victory could make a bigger difference for Taiwan than a win by Vice President Kamala Harris, according to Liu, though he said Taiwan is prepared for various outcomes.

Responding to lawmaker questioning, Taiwans Economic Affairs Minister Kuo Jyh-huei said he expected Harris would likely continue the Democratic Partys policies on Taiwan.

Kuo acknowledged that Trump could introduce measures that might prove harmful for Taiwans semiconductor industry. But Taiwan will have strategies in place to respond, and the impact will not be as severe as some anticipate, he said.

China claims the self-governing democracy is its territory, and has threatened to seize the island by force if needed. Current US President Joe Biden has repeatedly vowed to defend Taiwan in the event of an unprecedented attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In an interview with CBS Newss 60 Minutes, Harris hewed closer to the traditional US policy of strategic ambiguity while saying its important to help Taiwan defend itself.

Trump has been less supportive, telling Bloomberg Businessweek earlier this year that Taiwan stole the USs chip business. He also called for the island to pay more for defense and noted the challenges of defending it from Beijing. Taiwan is 9,500 miles away, Trump said. Its 68 miles away from China.

In a subsequent interview with Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait last month, Trump didnt answer directly when asked if American troops would defend Taiwan if China invaded.

--With assistance from Adrian Kennedy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

(Adds context and Biden, Harris and Trump comments on Taiwan from eighth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
By Laurie Chen

BEIJING (Reuters) - China will work with the U.S. on the basis of mutual respect, it said on Wednesday as Donald Trump closed in on victory in the presidential election, but strategists said Beijing was bracing for bitter superpower rivalry over trade, technology and security issues.

"Our policy towards the U.S. is consistent," foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press conference in Beijing, when asked how Trump returning to the Oval Office would affect U.S.-China relations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We will continue to view and handle China-U.S. relations in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful co-existence and win-win cooperation," she added.

Chinese strategists however said they expected more fiery rhetoric and potentially crippling tariffs from Trump, although some said his isolationist foreign policy could give Beijing a vacuum to expand its global influence.

"Beijing anticipated a close race in the U.S. election. Although Trump's victory is not China's preferred outcome and raises concerns, it is not entirely unexpected," said Tong Zhao, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

"The Chinese leadership will likely strive to maintain an appearance of a cordial personal relationship with Trump, while intensifying efforts to project China's power and strength."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University in Beijing, said Trump's victory "may pose a relatively large challenge to Sino-U.S. relations" based on his campaign policy proposals and actions in his previous term.

"Due to Trump's high unpredictability, I think it is difficult for China to say that there is a fully formed plan to do "x" when Trump comes to power. It also depends on what policies the Trump administration implements."

TRUMP TARIFF THREAT

Trump has proposed tariffs on Chinese imports in excess of 60% and ending Chinas most-favoured-nation trading status, and analysts say the prospect of a trade war has rattled China's leadership.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

China sells goods worth more than $400 billion annually to the U.S. and hundreds of billions more in components for products Americans buy from elsewhere.

"Beijing is particularly wary of a potential revival of the trade war under Trump, especially as China currently faces significant internal economic challenges," said Zhao.

"China also expects Trump to accelerate the decoupling of technologies and supply chains, a move that could threaten China's economic growth and indirectly impact its social and political stability."

In response, China is likely to intensify its push for greater technological and economic self-sufficiency, while feeling more pressure to bolster economic ties with countries like Russia, he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Going forward, Beijing would likely be drawing up a list of clear bargains and interest tradeoffs that it could float with Washington, in hope that it can focus on its much needed domestic economic concerns whilst Trump's attention is occupied elsewhere," said Brian Wong, assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong who studies grand strategy.

GLOBAL POWER VACUUM

China is likely to shore up ties with the Global South, Europe and Northeast Asian countries in the event of a Trump win, given his "transactional, isolationist, anti-globalist and anti-multilateral foreign policy", said Wong.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached a rare rapprochement last month, while Beijing has tentatively reached out to the new Japanese administration this autumn following years of strained relations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"China expects the second Trump administration to further disengage from international agreements and commitments, creating opportunities for China to expand its influence in emerging power vacuums," Zhao added.

Trump has unnerved democratically governed Taiwan by saying it should pay Washington for its defence and that it had taken U.S. semiconductor business.

"The Biden administration applied high-pressure tactics to China on Taiwan, with U.S. troops stationed in Taiwan and even giving weapons to Taiwan ... in a huge break with the former Trump administration's Taiwan policy," said Shen Dingli, an international relations scholar in Shanghai. Washington last month approved a US$2 billion arms sale to Taiwan.

"Trump is not too likely to give Taiwan the same support in future."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

(This story has been corrected to change the time element in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Laurie Chen, Antoni Slodkowski, Liz Lee and Larissa Liao; Additional reporting by Eduardo Baptista; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
All demands for an end to the war in Ukraine must be directed solely at Russia and any discussions of concessions to Moscow are dangerous, Margus Tsahkna, Estonias Minister of Foreign Affairs, has stated.

Source: European Pravda, referencing a column by Tsahkna on ERR, an Estonian media outlet

Details: Tsahkna noted that calls for peace are becoming increasingly common.

Quote: "This is a dangerous trend, signalling that the Wests confidence in itself has wavered. Our hesitations, or even the slightest hints at concessions, only encourage Russia to continue on its aggressive course."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Details: Tsahkna recalled the Munich Agreement, which merely delayed the world war. He emphasised that the world now finds itself "in a moment very similar to 1938", but noted that it is still possible to avoid the mistakes made at that time.

Quote: "The Munich decisions of 1938 must serve as a lesson and a warning that concessions to an aggressor and Chamberlain-like aspirations for peace at any price will not bring lasting peace. Attempts to buy stability by feeding the freedom of other countries to an aggressor are doomed to end in disaster for all, as the aggressors appetite will only grow."

Tsahkna stressed that there is not even the slightest indication that Putin has abandoned his imperial ambitions or truly desires peace. Therefore, the mere suggestion of potential concessions or giving up Ukrainian territories is extremely dangerous  the aggressors appetite will only increase, giving it time to "catch his breath, regroup, and continue the bloodshed".

Tsahkna insisted that a just and lasting peace can only be guaranteed if the aggressor retreats to its borders, is held accountable for the crime of aggression, and compensates for the damage inflicted by the war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The losses for the aggressor must be clear. It must emerge from the war in a worse condition than when it started it The only path to peace is Russias withdrawal from Ukraine and the preservation of Ukraines borders. All calls for an end to the war must be directed towards Moscow alone," Tsahkna stated.

Background:

A recent discussion in Rome between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte focused on "allied support for Ukraines legitimate defence".

According to Meloni, "the shared goal remains to create the best possible conditions for a just peace" and "the coordinating role that NATO can and must play to help Ukraine look to the future".

Support UP or become our patron!
Late in the evening before the Tarrant County Commissioners Court session scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5, Precinct 2 Commissioner Alisa Simmons was notified that her Republican colleagues would not be attending.

With three of the courts five commissioners not present, the session would not reach quorum. A county spokesperson announced the meeting was canceled on Tuesday morning.

Simmons doesnt believe their absences are a coincidence. She thinks they intentionally broke quorum to avoid addressing items on the agenda that would have cast Sheriff Bill Waybourn in a negative light on the day he is up for reelection.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Waybourn faces Democratic challenger Patrick Moses in the race for Tarrant County Sheriff in the Nov. 5 general election.

Several agenda items related to the Sheriffs Office would have highlighted issues around Waybourns inept leadership and runaway spending, Simmons said in a press release.

Lets be clear, this is an effort to sidestep accountability and shield Waybourn from answering tough questions from the public, she said.

Representatives County Judge Tim OHare and Gary Fickes did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Tracey Knight, Manny Ramirezs spokesperson, said the commissioner had to miss court for personal reasons and called Simmons accusation that the absences were an intentional move to break quorum absolutely absurd.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In her press release, Simmons pointed to agenda items related to hiring outside legal counsel in the case brought by the family of Anthony Johnson Jr., who in July sued the county and the jailers involved in the altercation that led to the Marine veterans death.

The county commissioners have so far hired five outside attorneys to represent jailers in the case, approving up to $150,000 for their services.

The agenda also included an item seeking approval of more than $16 million in funding to renovate the countys Law Enforcement Training Center, and a briefing on a Department of Justice report on conditions in the jail that Waybourn presented in October.

A Sheriffs Office spokesperson said it would seem unusual for him to attend any meetings on election day due to his own responsibilities as a law enforcement official and as a candidate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Conducted by consultants contracted by the DOJs National Institute of Corrections, the report does not constitute an official approval of jail conditions by the DOJ, Simmons said.

Proclaiming that the Department of Justice had investigated jail operations and cleared the jail of any wrongdoing is just misleading, Simmons said in a phone interview.

The following disclaimer prefaces the report: Points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Simmons has called for the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division to look into the issue of in-custody deaths in the jail, which was not addressed in the report. Other prominent Tarrant-area Democrats, including Precinct 1 Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks and U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, whose district covers much of Fort Worth and some of Arlington, have also called for the Civil Rights Division to inspect the jail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thats who I want in here to take a look at all that, not somebody that comes in and says it smells good because you knew they were coming and you mopped your floors  before they got there, she said. No, we want a civil rights investigation into the jail, and thats not what has occurred.

Signs posted on doors at the Tarrant County Administration Building in downtown Fort Worth ahead of the meeting, notified of the cancellation. However, Brooks and Simmons met to officially record the lack of quorum.

Citing his seniority in the court in the absence of the county judge, Brooks questioned the legality of canceling the meeting without first calling the roll to establish the lack of quorum.

I know that there has been a notice sent out that todays commissioners court meeting has been canceled, but there is some question, at least in my mind, about whether or not there is sufficient authority in the local government code and in the Open Meetings Act to cancel a duly scheduled meeting of Commissioners Court, Brooks said. So out of an abundance of caution, just to make sure that we are all the way legal in everything that we do, Im going to call to order this meeting of commissioners court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The meeting was adjourned after the lack of quorum was established.

Asked after the meeting about the legality of the attempt to cancel the meeting ahead of time, County Administrator Chandler Merritt told the Star-Telegram that it was a legal matter and he would have to discuss it with a county attorney.
PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD)  The Tazewell County Clerk and Pekin city officials showcased their polling locations ADA improvements Monday morning.

Thanks to a $120,000 grant, a new sidewalk, ramps, and handicapped parking were added to the Pekin bus barn polling location.

That money comes from the Illinois State Board of Elections. $63,000 was spent on the improvements at the bus barn.

Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman said these improvements will allow everyone to cast their ballots without obstacles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If an individual who has a disability cannot comfortably make it easily into the facility, that could be the distraction, the obstruction that blocks them from being able to vote. And we dont want that. We want them to not have any detriments blocking their access, but rather an easy time of getting to our polling locations, and casting that vote, said Ackerman.

What to know before you vote on Tuesday

The remaining money will go to improving the remaining polling locations, and to purchase more vote here signs.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
Tarrant County Colleges child care center and laboratory school for students on its Northeast Campus in Hurst abruptly closed recently amid state and local investigations. After parents have voiced their confusion over the decision in recent weeks, Chancellor Elva LeBlanc says she acknowledges the frustrations that were caused by the closure but described it as a necessary decision.

TCCs Childrens Center Laboratory School shut its doors on Oct. 11 after college officials gave parents only a few days notice of the decision. Parents said they were told verbally about the closure on Oct. 8, and then received a letter from LeBlanc on Oct. 9 reiterating it. LeBlanc added that college officials also would be taking appropriate personnel actions, apologized for the inconveniences caused by the abrupt closure, and stated the college would be workshopping its approach to early childhood education. The decision came within two weeks of the Childrens Center announcing the celebration of its 50th anniversary.

As a result of the information brought to our attention, it is clear that some operations do not align with the standards of respect, care and professionalism that TCC demands. This is deeply concerning and will be addressed, LeBlanc wrote. We intend to re-envision our approach to early education, re-evaluate the purpose of a laboratory school, and restructure our preparations for early childhood professionals to meet job demand. An advisory group will help inform our efforts.

Parents Jenny Zheng and Jason Dziuk say an Oct. 4 incident involving their son was being cited as the reason for the college to close down the center. At a college Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 17, LeBlanc said information brought to the colleges attention on that same date led to the decision. Board members also went into a closed session to discuss personnel matters related to the Childrens Center but took no action when they returned to the meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dziuk and Zheng push back on the notion that the early October occurrence led to the school closing because a state investigation had barely begun when college officials announced the closure. On the night of Monday, Oct. 7, the same day Dziuk was shown footage of the incident by college police, he and Zheng got a call from the Department of Family and Protective Services saying an investigator was assigned to review the incident. It was the following day, Oct. 8, when parents were told by college leadership that the closure was happening in a few days.

That was before the investigation by the state had even started. They had assigned someone just the night before They ripped everything  these kids entire world away (and) turned 20 families lives completely upside down, Dziuk said.

Additionally, Zheng and Dziuk said the incident was exaggerated when described by Childrens Center staff in a written incident report.

According to the report provided to the Star-Telegram by Zheng and Dziuk, the couples son was lying on a cot during naptime when a teacher told him to stop making noise, and then pulled his cot from under him, causing him to fall on the floor. Zheng and Dziuk disputed that their son was lying on a cot and said he was lying on a mat, adding that it was an exaggeration to say he had fallen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He was laying on his stomach and tapping his toe boxes of his shoes against the floor, so not loud by no means. But the teacher did a zero tolerance approach to it, and she got upset with him (and) seemed to visibly lose her temper. She pulled his mat out from under him, Dziuk said.

The report then said the teacher told the couples son again to stop making noise, and then grabbed his arm and pulled him across the carpet to a different area before holding the childs arms for an extended amount of time until he cried. Zheng and Dziuk said the video shows their son was moved to the teachers desk area after being placed on his butt, and the teacher held his forearms in a similar manner to when you see a couple holding hands right in front of their faces. They also said their son did not cry.

It doesnt seem like he recalled any of it, and he doesnt seem like he was bothered or troubled or anything, Zheng said.

Zheng and Dziuk say the several positive experiences their son and family have had during their time at the Childrens Center from last school year and the beginning of this school year outweighed this incident. So much so that the couple has been advocating for the Childrens Center to reopen by starting an online petition and canvassing on various campuses.

Jason Dziuk campaigns on Oct. 17 at the colleges Trinity River campus in downtown Fort Worth for Tarrant County Colleges Childrens Center Laboratory School to be reopened.

It was, hands down, the best of seven schools that we have attended full or part time (for) our boys. It was the most academic, and we were happy to be putting in 2 hours of driving time per day to get our boys to attend, Dziuk said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dziuk said he was told by a detective with the college police department that they were not planning to take action on the incident. Police asked if Dziuk and Zheng wanted to press charges, which the couple said they did not. LeBlanc told the Star-Telegram the college police departments investigation was still ongoing.

Salina Sunga, a parent who had two children who attended the Childrens Center, described the staff as family away from family and said getting your child placed there was like the lottery.

Sunga was among parents who were skeptical of the reasons behind the closure. She was concerned about the opening of two other child care centers on other TCC campuses, and the possibility of a private entity opening up another operation at the Northwest Campus.

Child Care Associates, one of the largest child development programs in North Texas, has partnered with TCC to open two centers at the colleges South and Northwest campuses in 2025. Kara Waddell, CEO and president of Child Care Associates, declined to comment, stating she had not been in contact with TCC officials. LeBlanc said theres no connection between the Childrens Center closing and the two pending child care centers coming to fruition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sunga said shes frustrated by the vague explanations behind what happened.

The program or Childrens Center no longer met the standards of TCC. Well, what standard did they not meet up to? What was missing? Why not fix it? Sunga said.

None of this was taken lightly, says chancellor

In a phone call with the Star-Telegram, LeBlanc said the closure was unfortunate, and she felt badly for the impacted families as a mother and grandmother herself. She noted that parents were provided with a list of other child care centers in the area and were reimbursed for their October payments.

None of this was taken lightly. Everything was taken very, very, seriously, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There was more than one incident that led to the closure, she said, with another one happening at the end of May. It appeared to be a one-time personnel issue that was handled at the time.

When we had an incident again a few months later, that along with other information that came to our attention, prompted that we needed to look at this more closely. There were some serious red flags that we needed to look at, which led to shutting it down, LeBlanc said.

When asked if she made the decision to close it, LeBlanc said she engaged several of her staff members, including the interim president of the Northeast Campus and the vice president of academic affairs, to review the information they were given, and they collectively agreed to close the Childrens Center.

The focus of the laboratory school is for the adult students who want to be professional child care providers or early childhood teachers (to learn) how to interact and work with young children. As a result of that, the laboratory school is closed two months during the summer, a week at Thanksgiving, two to three weeks during the winter holiday, a week in the spring, several Mondays during the academic year. The families knew up front that they needed alternatives, LeBlanc said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The students who worked at the Childrens Center and school as part of their curriculum pivoted to child care centers off campus, which have been traditionally utilized alongside the Childrens Center by Tarrant County College students enrolled in the child development program, LeBlanc said.

For the teachers, Dziuk said there was no pay, no severance, no relocation, no placement, no anything. When asked about what happened to the Childrens Center staff, LeBlanc said she was unable to comment on personnel matters.

In LeBlancs Oct. 9 letter to parents, she said the closure would allow the college to reassess how it approaches early childhood education, re-evaluate the purpose of a laboratory school, and restructure our preparations for early childhood professionals to meet job demand.

She added that an advisory group would contribute to this initiative and told the Star-Telegram she and her staff are still in the due diligence process of choosing members for it.

Investigations

There are a few ongoing investigations into the Childrens Center being conducted by the Department of Family and Protective Services, Tarrant County College Police Department and an internal investigation by the colleges human resources department, according to LeBlanc.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The involvement of Texas Health and Human Services Commission  which oversees child care licensing and standards  and the Department of Family and Protective Services  which investigates reports of abuse or neglect at child care operations  appears to overlap.

The centers public inspection records on HHSCs website show four citations dated on Oct. 8, which included notes stating:

A child was forced to sleep by the caregiver who inappropriately disciplined the child.

Director did not ensure that employees comply with the standard, a second incident regarding inappropriate discipline occurred in period of 4 months.

It was observed a caregiver pulling a child by the arm as redirection.

A caregiver did not demonstrate competency and self-control when redirecting a child.

The state standards connected to these notes and observations were found to be deficient through a DFPS investigation, according to the records. A DFPS spokesperson told the Star-Telegram that the agency sends its findings from investigations of child care operations to HHSC. A HHSC spokesperson said the agency had received DFPS findings related to an incident reported on or around Oct. 8.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

HHSCs findings, as a result from the DFPS investigation, are pending and will be posted to our website when it is final, according to the spokesperson, who added that there are no other active HHSC investigations at the center.

Zheng and Dziuk said they were in contact with an investigator from DFPS, who told them notification of the closure of the investigation was being delivered by mail soon.

In regards to the college notifying state officials of the closure of the Childrens Center, a HHSC spokesperson confirmed the college notified them on Oct. 8 that they were voluntarily ceasing operations and closed on Oct. 11, 2024.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz is expected to keep the Texas seat in the U.S. Senate, NBC projected Tuesday.

Texas voters decided between Cruz and Democratic Congressman Colin Allred.

Democrats held a narrow majority of the Senate at 51 to 49, including independent senators who caucus with the Democrats. That flipped to Republican control Tuesday.

This race drew national attention and national dollars as Democrats looked for Senate wins to maintain control of the chamber.

See updated results throughout the night below after polls close at 7 p.m.

In the third fundraising quarter alone, Allred raised over $30 million, and Cruz raised over $21 million. Allreds campaign has raised more than $68.7 million since the start of the Senate race. Tallying up all his fundraising accounts, Cruzs team has taken in over $40 million in campaign donations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polling in late October showed Cruz had a four-point lead over Allred. The survey by The New York Times and Siena College showed that Cruz had 50% support to 46% for Allred.

Allred and Cruz met in Dallas for their only debate less than a week before the start of early voting.

During the debate, Allred emphasized his work across political lines and tried to contrast his approach with that of Cruz.

Longhorn Ballroom near downtown Dallas, site of tonights watch party for Colin Allred (KXAN Photo/Josh Hinkle) Longhorn Ballroom near downtown Dallas, site of tonights watch party for Colin Allred (KXAN Photo/Josh Hinkle)

Ive been the most bipartisan Texan in Congress, Allred said. Im the exact opposite of Sen. Cruz, whos the most extreme senator in the United States Senate, maybe the most extreme in the last 30 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cruz used part of his opening statement in that debate to favorably compare Allreds story to that of his own father, who immigrated to the United States from Cuba. But he quickly cast Allred as someone bad for Texas.

Were doing an awful lot right in the state of Texas. Colin Allred wants to change that, Cruz said, adding, I want to keep Texas, Texas.

Cruz has served in the Senate since 2013 while Allred has served in the U.S. House since 2019.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
SAN MARCOS, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  The San Marcos community is mourning the loss of a 16-year-old who did not survive after being hit by a car last Thursday morning, not too far from San Marcos High School where she was a student.

The San Diego Sheriffs Department says the incident happened Halloween morning around 6:30 a.m.

A car was reportedly heading north on Rancho Santa Fe Road approaching San Marcos Boulevard when the teen crossed the roadway and was struck. She was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver stayed on scene and cooperated. The investigation is ongoing, but drugs or alcohol are not believed to have played a role.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The teen was identified as Yoltzin Hernandez.

The Hernandez family shared a GoFundMe Monday, saying Yoltzin was left brain dead and they were left in the unimaginable position of making the heart-wrenching decision to let her go.

They also shared Yoltzin was an incredible person who was always there for the people she loved.

The support from the community was evident as messages and donations poured in. Within just a few hours, the fundraiser well-surpassed its goal.

Some local residents have raised concerns about the busy intersection. City leaders are listening.

San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones shared this statement:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The entire community is grieving the passing of this student, a 16-year-old, whose bright future was cut short in the recent tragic incident near San Marcos high School. On behalf of the city Council, city officials and our residents, we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and school community.

We understand the communitys concern for roadway safety. We are still evaluating all aspects of this incident, but we can share that preliminary information indicates this accident did not happen in the intersection, rather it took place mid-block of Rancho Santa Fe between San Marcos Boulevard and Lake San Marcos Drive. The traffic data shows that there have been no other pedestrian accidents in this location in more than a decade.

San Marcos High School is providing counseling for students who need it. The Sheriffs Department is still asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident or captured it on dash cam to call the San Marcos Sheriffs Station.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
(NewsNation)  Tennessee voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in several important races.

Presidential race in Tennesee

US Senate race in Tennesee

Tennessees first female U.S. senator is seeking a second term. Republican incumbent Marsha Blackburn, first elected in 2018, will defend her seat against her Democratic opponent, state Rep. Gloria Johnson.

The last time a Democrat won this seat was in 1988.

Blackburn has long been a top Republican ally of former President Donald Trump, earning his endorsement and helping craft the GOPs policy platform for him this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Previously, Blackburn was a U.S. representative from Tennessees 7th Congressional District for 16 years. Before election to Congress, she served as a member of the Tennessee State Senate for four years.

Blackburns challenger, Johnson, started her political career on the state level,\ too. Johnson has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 90 since 2022, and before that, she represented Tennessees 13th District since 2018. Previously chair of the Knox County Democratic Party, Johnson is simultaneously running for U.S. Senate and reelection to the state House.

Johnson gained recognition last year after she and two other state representatives began chanting with a bullhorn on the state House floor in solidarity with nearby protesters who were calling for gun control legislation. Dubbed the Tennessee Three, they later faced expulsion hearings. Johnson, who is white, was spared, while her fellow Democrats, who are Black, were expelled.

Three independent candidates also qualify for the ballot for U.S. Senate: Tharon Chandler, a farmer; Pamela Moses, a justice and equality activist; and Hastina Robinson, an EMT.

US House races in Tennessee

All nine U.S. House seats from Tennessee are open with Republican incumbents running in eight of the districts. The solo Democratic incumbent is Rep. Steve Cohen in the 9th Congressional District, facing Republican opponent Charlotte Bergmann.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One House candidate was the subject of an FBI investigation. Rep. Andy Ogles, who seeks reelection to the 5th Congressional District, had discrepancies on his campaign financial disclosures, resulting in the FBIs seizure of his phone. The representative amended his financial disclosures last month to reflect a $700,000 line of credit, a Tennessee news outlet reported.

There are no statewide ballot measures to vote on, but voters may see some initiatives locally. In Shelby County, where Memphis is located, ballots will ask voters whether they support firearm regulations, including prohibiting carrying a handgun without a valid handgun carry permit and prohibiting the commercial sale of assault rifles except to law enforcement, military and other government agencies.

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for grabs. These elections will determine who has control over the two chambers of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Tennessee, a red state, will have 11 Electoral College votes in the presidential race. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early voting in Tennessee started Oct. 16 and ran through Oct. 31. All polls for in-person voting on Election Day run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty with Rep. John Gillespie, a Memphis Republican, on election day, November 5, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Tennessee Lookout/Karen Pulfer Focht)

A contested race for Memphis District 97 state House seat has drawn the attention of Republicans and Democrats alike.

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty arrived at one polling place to encourage voters to keep John Gillespie, the districts two-term Republican incumbent, in the legislature. His challenger, Memphis business owner Jesse Huseth, has received support from a national Democratic fundraising committee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Huseth visited the poll at One City Church Tuesday after working from 4 a.m. to 7: 30 a.m. that morning. He and his supporters knocked on doors until 5 p.m. Monday night, he said.

We have folks on phones right now calling folks to get out to vote, he said, pausing to greet and thank a voter exiting the poll for voting. Were just going to meet folks at the polls and thank them for doing their civic duty.

Huseth said voters have been really thankful to see a real competitive race, and people just feel like they have something to vote for on the down ballot, which I think that helps turnout all the way up. I dont believe in the idea that your top of ballot drives downward. I think you should be driving down upward.

Supporters gathered at One City Church for both Huseth and Gillespie said the location amassed a line of about 20 voters before the doors opened at 7 a.m., with a steady stream trickling in and out throughout the morning.

Democratic candidate Jesse Huseth with supporters at a Memphis poll. (Tennessee Lookout/Karen Pulfer Focht)

Just after 9 a.m., Gillespie and his supporters gathered outside of Second Baptist Church with other Republican state legislators awaiting Blackburn and Hagertys arrival.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gillespie said he has no regrets from his first two terms in office, and said his sponsorship of the truth in sentencing law, which requires people convicted of certain felonies to serve their entire sentence with no parole eligibility or good behavior credit, is a point of pride. Opponents of the law, including criminal justice advocates and the American Conservative Union, said removing those incentives would hamper anti-recidivism rehabilitation efforts and increase prison populations.

Gillespie said crime is the only thing thats keeping Tennessee back, and hes focused his political career on it.

We have to get Memphis under control, and the only thing I keep hearing is crime, crime, crime, and nothing else really matters, he said Tuesday.

Both Gillespie and Huseth support the institution of safe storage rules for guns in vehicles (Gillespie signed on as a co-sponsor to a bill to do just that, but it died in April) and both are against Tennessees permitless carry law (Gillespie was one of five Republicans in the state house to vote against it in 2021, and Huseth has said he would fight to repeal it).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But they differ in opinion on the three gun-related questions on Memphis ballots, none of which could go into effect without state approval.

Huseth said the referenda will give state lawmakers direct input from voters on how they feel about these things.

Gillespie on Tuesday said the referenda are useless and a waste of money, because theyll be challenged, and theyll cost the taxpayers.

They also differ sharply on schools, with Gillespie supporting school choice vouchers while Huseth is staunchly opposed.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX






A Tennessee man dedicated to white supremacist ideology faces federal charges in an alleged plot to blow up a Nashville energy facility, an attack that if successful could have left thousands without power three days before the US presidential election, the US Justice Department said Monday.

Skyler Philippi, 24, was arrested Saturday when he believed he was moments away from launching a drone armed with explosives at an electric substation in Nashville, according to an agency news release. Hes charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility.

Philippi appeared in court Monday and is due back November 13, court records show. At the governments request, a federal magistrate has detained him without bond until that hearing. An attorney for Philippi told CNN Tuesday he couldnt comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Philippis plan was an attempt to further his white supremacist ideology  but the FBI had already compromised his plot, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in the news release.

This case serves as yet another warning to those seeking to sow violence and chaos in the name of hatred by attacking our countrys critical infrastructure: the Justice Department will find you, we will disrupt your plot, and we will hold you accountable, Garland added.

Americas electrical sector has been on alert after a flurry of physical attacks and vandalism on its infrastructure in 2022. Some threats came from people espousing racially or ethnically motivated extremist ideology to create civil disorder and inspire further violence, the FBI said even before threats grew more acute.

Philippi told a confidential source in June he wanted to commit a mass shooting at a YMCA facility in Columbia, Tennessee, a federal criminal complaint alleges. The following month, Philippi introduced the idea for the energy facility plot to another confidential source, it says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Philippis conversations with undercover agents, he said he had studied previous power grid attacks by accelerationists, who adhere to a white-supremacist belief that the existing state of society is irreparable and that the only solution is the destruction and collapse of the system, the complaint states. But he concluded attacking the electric substations with rifles would not cripple the substations, the complaint says, noting he looked at two previous firearm attacks in North Carolina.

Philippi previously had noted if eight or more power stations were attacked, it would cripple the United States power supply, according to the complaint.

In a July text exchange with a confidential source, Philippi said: if you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high economic, high tax, political zones in every major metropolis, according to the complaint.

Philippi admitted to previously being affiliated with White supremacist groups that call for the eradication of Jews and people of other races, so to create an all-white homeland, documents showed, the complaint alleges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With undercover FBI agents posing as accomplices, Philippi in September allegedly conducted a reconnaissance of the substation, the complaint states. He also ordered explosive materials from undercover agents and discussed plans for disguises.

Undercover agents on Saturday went with Philippi to the site where he planned to carry out the attack and acted as his lookouts while he attached explosives to the drone in the back of his car, the complaint alleges. Philippi wore a homemade shirt with a German phrase used by people who believe in neo-Nazi ideology, it says.

Minutes before the planned attack, law enforcement agents arrested Philippi.

Domestic violent extremists have increasingly shared tactics with each other on using guns to attack electric power stations in a move that likely escalates the threat to US critical infrastructure, according to a Department of Homeland Security bulletin obtained last year by CNN.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Electric utilities have always taken substation security seriously, primarily because of safety, Patrick C. Miller, CEO of Oregon-based Ampere Industrial Security, which works with utilities to boost their security, told CNN in 2023.

What hasnt been considered as much, until recently, has been firearms, ballistics, drones and other threats from outside of the substation fence, Miller said, adding it takes some planning and investment to move to a more secure posture.

In late 2022, gunshots fired at two North Carolina power substations left 45,000 homes and businesses without power, and separately two men were arrested in the alleged shutdown of four Washington state substations. In 2020, a drone crashed near a Pennsylvania power substation in what was likely an effort to damage or disrupt the electric equipment, federal law enforcement said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)  Attorney generals representing 30 states, including Tennessee and Virginia, announced on Monday the completion of a settlement with Kroger for the grocery chains role in the opioid crisis.

Kroger settled with the coalition of states to the tune of $1.37 billion.

Darius Rucker to perform Wagon Wheel at Saturdays ETSU football game

Tennessee will receive up to $42.9 million for opioid abatement, according to a news release from Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmettis office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares stated in his own release that Virginia would receive up to $29.4 million for opioid abatement.

Kroger operates 116 stores in Tennessee and 123 in Virginia, according to the attorney generals. The Virginia total also includes Krogers subsidiary, Harris Teeter.

Both states expect payments to begin early in 2025.

Todays settlement with Kroger represents another significant step in Tennessees fight against the opioid epidemic, a statement from Skrmetti reads. By holding accountable those who contributed to this epidemic, Tennessee will obtain settlement funds to address the harms inflicted by opioid abuse on families and communities across the State.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This settlement provides the commonwealth with vital funds that will go towards preventing, reducing, and treating addiction in our communities, Miyares stated. I commend my Consumer Protection team for their diligent work in securing over $29 million for Virginia.

Kroger also agreed to injunctive relief requiring its pharmacies to monitor, report and share information about suspicious activities tied to opioid prescriptions.

The entire settlement can be read online.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)  Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT) has named Pete Mann as the new chief of the universitys police department. Chief Mann was officially sworn into service by TAMUT President Dr. Ross Alexander in a ceremony on Friday, November 1, 2024.

Mann began his law enforcement career in California before moving to Texarkana in 2007. He worked for the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department and the Texarkana Texas Police Department before helping to establish the Pleasant Grove ISD Police Department, where he served as Chief for three years. Prior to his career in civilian law enforcement Mann served as a Security Policeman for the United States Air Force.

10 new deputies sworn in by Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are excited to announce that the university has hired Pete Mann to serve as its next Chief of Police, said Texas A&M University-Texarkana President Dr. Ross Alexander. The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and guests is always our first priority. As a career law enforcement officer Chief Mann brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role, and we look forward to his leadership on campus.

One of the things that has struck me over the years about TAMUT is how everyone who works here speaks of what a great place it is to work, said Mann. That and being part of an institution in the midst of such amazing growth were very intriguing to me. Starting with Dr. Alexander, I have been made to feel extremely welcome and I look forward to working with the TAMUT team.

TAMUT Police Department officers maintain the safety and security of the university 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In 2023, the university earned Best Practices re-accreditation through the Texas Police Chiefs Association. The lengthy and thorough accreditation process takes place every four years and has been earned by fewer than 200 of the states 2,800 law enforcement agencies.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Jessie Clifford Brown, 42, was found guilty of murder in the 2015 death of John Allen Franco

Gregg County Jail Jessie Clifford Brown Jessie Clifford Brown

A Texas man was sentenced to 40 years in prison Friday, Nov. 1, for killing his stepdaughters ex-boyfriend who threatened to show a nude photo of her.

Jessie Clifford Brown, 42, was found guilty of murder in the 2015 death of John Allen Franco, KLTV reported.

Franco, 24, was discovered about 10 p.m. on May 20, 2015, in his truck in a ravine in Liberty City with a bullet wound to his head.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He died at the scene.

A woman inside Francos vehicle told police that a blue truck drove past them prior to the shooting, and then stopped on the side of the road, per the Longview News-Journal, citing an arrest warrant. Three men got out of the truck and walked towards them. She said Franco drove off and the men followed. When Franco stopped at one point, one of the men jumped out of the truck and ran towards their vehicle.

When the shot was fired, Franco, who was the driver, had the vehicle in reverse, Gregg County First Assistant District Attorney Stacey Brownlee tells PEOPLE. And when he was shot, either because he was injured, and had some type of reflex or intentionally put the truck in reverse, it drove off into the ravine.

After the shooting there were quite a few names that were called in, potential suspects that were called in and a lot of rumors, says Brownlee. The investigator ran those rumors down, trying to check to see if anyone matched the descriptions of the initial suspects, did cell phone forensics, and basically we ran out of leads.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

However, in 2017, a witness came forward and told authorities that Brown and two other men were involved in the shooting, according to the News-Journal, citing an arrest warrant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One of the men allegedly told police that Brown wanted to assault Franco because Franco had threatened to show nude photos of (Browns) stepdaughter, per the warrant.

They were trying to get a phone from Franco and on the phone were inappropriate pictures of Jessie Brown's stepdaughter, Brownlee says. Part of their outing that evening was to get the phone from Franco, who had previously dated Brown's stepdaughter.

Brownlee says Franco had sent a text to Brown with a nude photo of his stepdaughter, which prosecutors believe amounted to a threat to send such photos of her.

Brown was arrested on Oct. 18, 2018.

We are just grateful for citizens that are willing to step forward regardless of the cost, because that's what it takes to solve crime, says Brownlee.


The Elephant Butte Reservoir near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico stores Rio Grande water to be distributed to irrigation districts in Southern New Mexico and far West Texas. (Photo by Martha Pskowski / Inside Climate News)

DENVER  When Judge D. Brooks Smith traveled from Pennsylvania to Colorado, he passed over the 98th Meridian, the longitude line separating the water-rich East from the arid West.

This story was first published by The Texas Tribune, in partnership with Inside Climate News. It is republished here with permission.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The former chief judge of the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals left a land of rushing rivers and ample rainfall in western Pennsylvania to gather facts in a case called Texas v. New Mexico Supreme Court over water rights from the Rio Grande.

Now a senior judge in the Third Circuit, Smith is serving as a special master to advise the U.S. Supreme Court on what is one of the longest-running disputes over dwindling water in the West, which also involves the federal government.

Smith traveled for a five-hour status conference last week at Denvers federal courthouse involving attorneys representing the states, the federal government and several intervenors known as friends of the court.

At issue is the water Texas and New Mexico are entitled to under the Rio Grande Compact, signed in 1938 to allocate the waters of the Rio Grande between the states. Texas brought the current lawsuit against New Mexico in 2013, alleging that farmers pumping from groundwater wells in southern New Mexico were diverting water that the compact allocates to Texas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The states reached a proposed settlement agreement in 2022 out of court. But the federal government opposed the deal. The Supreme Court then ruled in June that the case could not be settled without the federal governments consent. Now the states and the federal government must resolve their disagreements to avoid going to trial in federal court, and Smith has ordered the parties to return to mediation no later than Dec. 16 in Washington, D.C.

The outcome of Texas v. New Mexico could fundamentally change how groundwater is managed in the Rio Grande basin in New Mexico and far west Texas, both for the agricultural industry and cities like Albuquerque and Las Cruces, in New Mexico, that pump water from aquifers. It will also be a bellwether for how deeply the federal government can intervene in inter-state water conflicts, which are likely to increase as drought and aridification grip the western United States.

[The United States] is going to have to take some sort of action to get a handle on groundwater over-pumping, said Burke Griggs, a professor of water law at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. They really do want to keep the case alive.

Groundwater pumping complicates water sharing agreements

The Rio Grande forms in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado before flowing south through New Mexico to the Texas border. By the turn of the 20th century, disputes over Rio Grande water were brewing between farmers in southern New Mexicos Mesilla Valley and those in El Paso and neighboring Ciudad Juarez in Mexico.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To address these concerns, Congress extended the Reclamation Act of 1902 to the Rio Grande in 1905 through the Mesilla Valley and El Paso. This allowed the Bureau of Reclamation, the federal agency responsible for water management and dam building in 17 Western states, to undertake the Rio Grande Project, which included construction of the Elephant Butte Dam in New Mexico and irrigation infrastructure downstream.

Once completed, the Bureau of Reclamation began delivering water stored at Elephant Butte to two new irrigation districts: New Mexicos Elephant Butte Irrigation District, and the El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1 in Texas.

Further complicating matters, the U.S. and Mexico signed a treaty in 1906 committing the U.S. to providing 60,000 acre feet of Rio Grande water to Mexico at Ciudad Juarez annually.

Agricultural fields line both sides of the Rio Grande between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez. The Rio Grande Compact determines how much water reaches Texas from the Rio Grande. (Photo by Omar Ornelas / Inside Climate News)

Meanwhile, over the ensuing three decades, farmers in Colorados San Luis Valley and along the Rio Grande near Albuquerque were using more and more water for irrigation. Texas farmers worried this could jeopardize their irrigation water; an agreement was needed to ensure the water wouldnt be all diverted upstream.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thus, in 1938, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado signed the Rio Grande Compact, designating how much water Colorado must ensure would reach New Mexico, which in turn had to ensure a fair share of water would reach Texas.

A deep drought gripped the region in the 1950s. With less river water available for irrigation, farmers began to drill wells and pump groundwater.

Hydrologists now understand that wells drilled into the aquifer can reduce the flow of water into connected streams and rivers, and New Mexico state law evolved to manage groundwater and surface water together. The state was a pioneer in understanding this connection, according to Fred Phillips, emeritus professor of hydrology and environmental science at New Mexico Tech in Socorro, New Mexico.

However, the Rio Grande Compact was put together long before that all happened, he said in an interview. It was entirely based on surface flow measurements, and nowhere in the compact is the effect of pumping even considered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When the Bureau of Reclamation releases water from Elephant Butte and Caballo Lake in New Mexico, it must travel roughly 100 river miles to the Texas-New Mexico state line. Texas brought the suit in 2013, arguing that groundwater pumping in this stretch of New Mexico siphoned off water destined for Texas under the Rio Grande Compact. The United States and Colorado later both became parties to the lawsuit.

In 2022, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado proposed a consent decree to settle the case.

The states wanted to install a new water gauge at the Texas-New Mexico border on the Rio Grande, which would measure Texas share of water.

Water begins to flow down the channel of the Rio Grande near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico after being released from Caballo Lake on March 8. These water deliveries are at stake in the Texas v. New Mexico Supreme Court case. (Photo by Martha Pskowski / Inside Climate News)

Under the agreement, southern New Mexico would receive 57% of the water released from the upstream reservoirs and Texas 43%, accounting for drought and groundwater pumping. The states proposed calculating water deliveries based on whats known as the D2 period between 1951 and 1978, when significant groundwater pumping had already begun.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the federal government opposed the agreement. Its attorneys argued the deal did not reflect the United States treaty obligation to deliver water to Mexico, the Bureau of Reclamations role in water deliveries and its contracts with the irrigation districts. The federal government advocates for a return to a 1938 baseline for water deliveries, before the advent of widespread groundwater pumping.

In June, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to reject the consent decree, ruling that the states cannot reach a settlement without the federal government.

That Texass litigation strategy has since changed, such that it is now willing to accept a greater degree of groundwater pumping, does not erase the United States independent stake in pursuing claims against New Mexico, Justice Ketanji Jackson wrote for the majority.

We cannot now allow Texas and New Mexico to leave the United States up the river without a paddle, she wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Justice Neil Gorsuch delivered the dissenting opinion.

Where does that leave the States? After 10 years and tens of millions of dollars in lawyers fees, their agreement disappears with only the promise of more litigation to follow, he wrote.

Gorsuch added that the decision could also hinder future cooperation between states and the federal government in water disputes.

I fear the majoritys shortsighted decision will only make it harder to secure the kind of cooperation between federal and state authorities reclamation law envisions and many river systems require, he wrote.

How to manage a declining river

Washburn Universitys Griggs, the author of a forthcoming paper in the Idaho Law Review on the case, said many water law experts were surprised when the Supreme Court rejected the consent decree.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

States that settle water disputes are now going to think twice, he said. Its a real wrinkle we havent seen before, where a non-party to a compact can intervene and then block a settlement.

Griggs said that settlements are preferable in these inter-state water disputes because expert attorneys can craft the agreements.

Do we want to leave the water future of millions of Westerners in the hands of nine Eastern justices? he said. You want negotiated settlements that are done by the level and talent of the lawyers involved in this case.

But he acknowledged that the Supreme Courts ruling is legally understandable because the Bureau of Reclamation has a clear role in executing the Rio Grande Compact.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thomas Snodgrass, a Justice Department attorney representing the Bureau of Reclamation, articulated this role in his presentation to Judge Smith. He said that the bureau must release more water because of New Mexicos failure to regulate groundwater pumping.

Simply put, groundwater pumping is not sustainable, Snodgrass said.

The New Mexico Pecan Growers, the City of Las Cruces and the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, among those filing amicus briefs, have sided with the states but technically are not parties to the case.

The Albuquerque water authoritys attorney warned against the federalization of groundwater and said the federal governments position could be disastrous for existing groundwater permitting in New Mexico.

Griggs argues in his forthcoming paper that the United States does not trust New Mexico to protect the irrigation rights of the Elephant Butte District. If New Mexico has a shortfall of water to send to Texas, the state could cut back allocations to the Elephant Butte District.

The Elephant Butte and El Paso irrigation districts have filed amicus briefs that support the United States in the litigation.

These surface irrigators see that their days are numbered  regardless whether theyre in Texas or New Mexico  if groundwater pumping continues, Griggs said.

Meanwhile, farmers who rely predominantly on groundwater favor the states consent decree because it does more to protect existing groundwater pumping.

The conflict between surface irrigators and groundwater irrigators is such an important theme to this case, Griggs said.

Phillips, the hydrologist at New Mexico Tech, emphasized the contribution of climate change and drought to the water constraints on the Rio Grande. He pointed out that Elephant Butte Reservoir has been at low levels for years and is unlikely to refill as it once did. Climate change contributes to decreased snowmelt in the mountains of Colorado and increased evaporation at the reservoir.

The Bureau of Reclamation began releasing water from the Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico on March 8 for the irrigation districts downstream. (Photo by Martha Pskowski / Inside Climate News)

The system was sustainable under the climate conditions of the early 20th century, he said. But with the effect of global warming, the balance between consumption and replenishment has shifted.

Scientists predict that within 50 years, New Mexico will have 25% less water available in rivers and aquifers. A 2022 paper modeled climate change scenarios for water availability at Elephant Butte. The authors projected that the volume of water released from the reservoir would be 10% lower between 2021 and 2070 compared to 1971 to 2020.

Whatever agreement is arrived at needs to have provisions for how its going to be implemented in the case of a steadily declining water supply, Phillips said of the ongoing case.

What happens next?

Oct. 23 was Smiths first in-person hearing since the Supreme Court appointed him special master. His predecessor, Judge Michael Melloy, retired last year.

Attorney Stuart Somach, representing Texas, proposed the trial begin as early as April 2025. However, the lead attorney for the United States said that they would need more time to prepare.

The parties also discussed a site visit to the Rio Grande in 2025 so that Smith could see the river and irrigation infrastructure. The attorneys reminded the judge that water is not reliably flowing in the river below Elephant Butte until June.

In ordering the Washington mediation in December, Smith indicated that if the case goes to trial, he is inclined to hold it in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.

Smith, who has a reduced caseload as a senior status judge, said he would continue his own education on the Rio Grande, first by reading Paul Horgans 900-page history of the river. He quipped that he hoped to live long enough to finish the book and to see the end of the case.

I hope, he said before adjourning court, we can reach an end to this odyssey.

Reporting supported with a grant from The Water Desk at the University of Colorado Boulder.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  On Monday, the Texas Supreme Court rejected an emergency motion from the Travis County Republican Party (TCRP) that aimed to force the Travis County Clerk to replace election officials at polling sites on Election Day after the party alleged there was an imbalance of Democrat and Republican poll workers.

Going forward, other remedies may be available if the countys alleged violations of law can be established through a judicial process that is not hampered by the time constraints and practical considerations that limit this Courts options on the eve of the election, the ruling said.

The same motion was denied last week by the Third Court of Appeals, after the court dismissed as moot, generally meaning there is no longer an issue to resolve.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

TCRP appeals decision to the Texas Supreme Court after denial to replace poll workers

In a news release last week, the TCRP alleged nearly a quarter of polling sites in the county do not have any Republican alternate judges and half of the sites do not have any Republican polling workers for the morning or evening shifts.

The release also said the TCRP sent the county clerks office a list of 900 names of qualified Republican volunteers in June. The party alleged only 72 Republicans were selected for the 306 total clerk positions.

The accountable thing to do is to have a Republican and a Democrat at the polls and no, you are not going to know who they are, they are not going to wear a red or blue hat, but again those of us paying attention we need to know what to tell our voters, Andy Hogue, the communications director of the Travis County GOP told KXAN Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

KXAN has reached out to the TCRP for an updated statement after the Texas Supreme Court ruling was released and will update this story when we hear back.

Meanwhile, a statement from Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado said, I am pleased that two separate courts have considered and concluded the lawsuits filed by the Travis County Republican Party. Im incredibly proud of our bipartisan election team for their ongoing commitment to ensuring an open and accessible election for every eligible voter in Travis County. Now, it is time to focus on Election Day, and I look forward to delivering the results to Travis County tomorrow night.

Dylan McKim contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The Tom Green County Sheriffs Office has requested the publics help in locating a man who was involved in a pursuit on Oct. 31.

According to the sheriffs office, the suspect is identified as 30-year-old Landon Beatty. An image provided by the agency depicts Beatyy as being a white male with tattoos near his left eye and on his neck.

The sheriffs office said that Beattys last known addresses were 3554 Clearview Drive and 207 Milton Street, both of which are located in San Angelo. The agency believes that he drives a black 2020 Ram pickup with a license plate of TX-VHB4553.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

TGSO asks anyone with information about the whereabouts of Beatty to contact it at (325)-655-8111.

A mugshot of Landon Beatty used on Nov. 11, 2024, in relation to him being wanted for his involvement in a pursuit.

An image of the vehicle the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office believes Landon Beatty to be driving.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
UNION COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  In the shop, mask on, and music blaring is how youd find Air Force veteran Chris Belk. Its where does what he loves, which is welding.

Sometimes I go into the shop, its like whatever I was thinking about worrying about it, it stays outside, said Belk.

Its a mechanism he uses to cope with his anxiety.

It takes everything outside and it just straight to making what Im working on, he explained. Im not thinking about anything else.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Belk joined the Air Force in 2000.

I was living at home, 25, Belk said. I was like somethings got to change, so I decided to join the Air Force.

He described his role as similar to that of customer service.

Support for like the operation squadrons, making sure that their email, their phones, their radios, their actual network was up and running, said Belk.

Belk said during one of the training simulations, he had an anxiety attack.

It was you go out in the desert, and you would train for like a chemical attack, he explained. I first got diagnosed with what was called gas mask anxiety because putting the gas mask on and Im claustrophobic, so it felt like I couldnt breathe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Because of that, Belk was put on a profile which made him non-deployable.

He said he worked with a therapist to get help.

There was a center to help people, you know, mental issues and stuff, Belk said. And then I, I got cleared and then two days after I got cleared, I deployed.

Which Belk described as a shock.

It was Operation Iraqi Freedom and then Operation Enduring Freedom and I was over in Oman supporting both of those operations, said Belk.

Belk said he had three separate anxiety attacks while overseas.

I came back and I had I continued to have anxiety attacks. So I got put on a profile again and I went back to life skills, talking to a therapist, he explained. And this wasnt just gas mask anxiety. It was just anxiety in general.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After that, Belk was medically discharged.

He said hes grateful he had the support of his wife to fall back on.

We were in the Air Force together and she stayed in, Belk said. She had our son in 2006 and I was a stay-at-home dad for 13 years.

Belk said he eventually got into making metal art and found it was a great coping mechanism for his anxiety.

It just goes straight to this. I mean, just the wheels are turning and how can I how can I make his ears? he explained.

Belk said hes made 50 to 60 pieces.

Some hes sold, others he plans to donate.

I was like, man, I think that would be really cool, to make a yellow jacket sculpture for the high school here and donate it to them, said Belk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He wants to donate the artwork to honor the hard work of the schools student-athletes.

Belk said creating art is a passion project, one that doubles as an anxiety aid.

He said he doesnt see himself slowing down any time soon.

Chris Belk, Thank You for Your Service.

To nominate a veteran like Belk to be featured in our Thank You for Your Service series, click here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Lancaster County's top election official blasted a "shameful and unAmerican" video posted to social media over the weekend by a member of the Nebraska Republican Party who erroneously identified a young voter returning his mail-in ballot to a Lincoln drop box as a "ballot mule."

In a statement Monday, Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen said the young man captured in the video  which showed him riding a skateboard, placing a ballot in the drop box at Eiseley Branch Library and snapping a selfie  was voting in his first presidential election and took a photo to capture the milestone.

The Election Commission investigated the incident and identified the first-time voter after Elliott Bottorf, the co-chair of the Nebraska GOP's election security subcommittee, posted the innocuous scene to the social media website X on Saturday, claiming without evidence that the voter was a ballot mule, a conspiratorial term for people who are paid to illegally drop off ballots into drop boxes, in a post that had garnered 1.4 million views by noon Monday.

In his statement, Wiltgen called Bottorf  who he did not name  "a member of a malicious conspiracy theorist group" that is "spreading false and misleading information to deceive the public and undermine confidence in our elections."

Wiltgen, a Republican who was appointed to head Lancaster County's Election Commission by Republican Gov. Jim Pillen last year, said the commission's staff grew concerned about the voter's safety when commenters on Bottorf's post and subsequent posts spreading the misinformation threatened to harm the young man. He said the commission contacted Lincoln Police, who reached out to the voter.

"It is shameful and unAmerican to intimidate and threaten anyone for exercising their right to vote," Wiltgen said, later calling on Bottorf to "remove the post and apologize immediately."

Even before Wiltgen's statement, the Lancaster County Republican Party had combatted the misinformation on X, telling followers in a social media post to "calm down" and noting the young man pictured in the video was confirmed to be a first-time voter returning his mail-in ballot.

At first, Bottorf refused, sowing further doubt without evidence. In a series of posts, he showed a close-up screenshot of the blurry video and claimed the voter was dropping off a "stack" of ballots. He also called for the voter to be publicly identified.

But hours after Wiltgen called on Bottorf to apologize and delete the post, he walked back the post Monday morning but did not remove it from X.

In a tweet, Bottorf said it was "heartening to learn that this young voter was simply 'casting his first ballot in a presidential election,' a milestone worth celebrating. Its always a pleasure to see young adults engaging in their civic duty."

Bottorf also seemed to defend his initial post in Monday's follow-up post, calling it "a mark of our times that concerned citizens feel the need to keep watch over every aspect of the electoral process to protect the sanctity of the vote."

In an email to the Journal Star, Bottorf said he did not take the video of the skateboarding voter but "simply reshared what had been sent and previously ignored by election officials." He also said he is not associated with the unnamed group that Wiltgen labeled a conspiracy theorist group, calling those comments defamatory.

"Since when is exercising the First Amendment and answering the call for 'watchfulness in the citizen' etched on our state Capitol a crime?" Bottorf said.

His posts came as former President Donald Trump, who blamed his 2020 defeat on false claims of widespread election fraud, is spending much of the final stretch of his latest presidential bid trying to discredit the legitimacy of this years election.

At a Sunday rally in Pennsylvania, Trump said his political foes are "fighting so hard to steal this damn thing." At other weekend rallies in Virginia and North Carolina, he accused Democrats of "cheating."

The former president and his allies have produced no evidence of widespread fraud or Democratic attempts to rig this election or the one in 2020, which Trump lost to President Joe Biden.

His rhetoric has nonetheless helped sow doubt in America's elections, including in Nebraska, where voters in 2022 approved a change to the state's constitution to require voters to show photo identification before casting a ballot in elections going forward.

Even after the state's voter ID law took effect this year and repeated assurances from state election administrators that Nebraska has the gold standard in election integrity, Republican state lawmakers have still questioned the state's election security, including the allowance of "no-excuse" early and mail-in voting.

Election integrity remains a platform issue for the Nebraska GOP. The party's website claims the "move to mail-in and drop-box voting in Nebraska has undermined the integrity of our electoral process."

Nebraska law has since 2005 allowed for counties with fewer than 10,000 residents the option to conduct all-mail elections, and 11 counties have switched to the mail-only format in the years since, mostly in 2018 and 2020, the Flatwater Free Press reported. Nearly 80% of voters in the 11 rural counties backed Trump over Biden in 2020.

The Nebraska GOP did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  With voters heading to the polls for the last day of early voting, they will be deciding on a topic thats been discussed for years. Whether or not to have a casino in Pope County.

Passage of Amendment 2 would revoke the casino license for Pope County that was granted after Arkansas voters decided in 2018 to allow four casinos to be built around the state.

Pope County casino debate continues at the polls as voters focus on Issue 2

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Issue 2 would also require future casinos approval by a county vote before issuing a license.

On Monday, both sides made their appeals to voters before election day.

Hans Stiritz with Local Voters in Charge said they want voters to choose to vote for the passage because they believe those living in the county directly impacted by having a casino should have the final vote.

This is about voters rights and community rights to determine what happens in their own communities, Stiritz said.

Those voting against Issue 2 hope the Pope County casino is built, multiple contractors and those against the issue held a press conference on Monday on why theyre not for the amendment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

CDI Contractors CEO Mark Beach says his company has an interest in it because they are the construction manager for the job, and he believes the casino would be a positive thing.

Its not about local control, its about killing the casino in Pope County, Beach said. Its not every day you get a $300 million project in your community that has a thousand construction jobs.

Group claims fraud in anti-casino petition drive, sues Secretary of State Thurston in Arkansas Supreme Court

State Senator Bart Hester said his vote is a simple one as he plans to vote for Issue 2 because he would prefer not to have the casino and believes those living in the community should have the final say.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We support business, the constitution of Arkansas, we also support the ability to change it, the people of Pope County do not want casinos, Hester said.

Those on the other side who are against Issue 2 say some local voters want the casino. Arkansas Trucking Association president Shannon Newton says there are benefits.

Theres economic development but theres also the revenue that contributes to the overall health of the economy of the state, Newton said.

Both sides had different opinions over the wording of the issue and if they thought it was confusing.

It was a confusing issue, Beach said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Confusion is in the eye of the beholder, Stiritz said, We hold that what we drafted Issue 2 as straightforward on the issue as we could get.

Both men also disagreed over the potential economic impact the casino could have on the community. Yet, both sides agree in how they would like voters to read Issue 2 and vote on the matter.

Arkansas secretary of state approves casino ballot measure, marijuana proposal gets more time to gather signatures

Election Day in Arkansas is on Tuesday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  According to a new flood hazard map by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, thousands of homes in Honolulu now fall within a flood zone. Its a designation that could require many to carry flood insurance.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

In spring 2018, Jamie Ramirezs Niu Valley home saw between two to two and a half feet of water due to flooding.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Like dozens of others in Aina Haina, Ramirez was devastated by the flood. He is grateful he had flood insurance because he lives in a flood zone.

Heavy downpours hit Hawaii Island, shelters opened

FEMA, DPP and DLNR recently updated its flood insurance rate map for Oahu with the proposed changes impacting thousands of homeowners and businesses.

The most important zones on those flood maps are also what are called special flood hazard areas, said Eric Simmons, FEMA mapping.

What doughnuts and elections have in common

They said they have a 1% chance of flooding every year. Anyone in the special flood hazard area would be required to carry flood insurance if they have a federally backed mortgage or loan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are approximately 172,000 parcels on Oahu. Currently, 15,000 parcels are located within special flood hazard areas, explained DPP planner Mario Lee.

When the aloha spirit is embraced, communities thrive: Kumu Brad Lum breaks it down for us

Lee said the revision would bump the number up to 18,700.

KHON2 met with Richard Lim, whose home now falls within the proposed flood zone and asked how he feels about having to buy flood insurance.

I think it should be voluntary because something is their house, its their responsibility, said Lim.

Ramirez sees it differently.

It is important to have if you are in low-lying areas because otherwise you have nothing else. The other insurance dont kick in so you need to have it, Ramirez added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The good news is the FEMA program allows homeowners in those areas discounted flood insurance.

Property owners have been receiving a 10% discount in their flood insurance premium for the past three years, said Lee.

The proposed flood map is still preliminary and FEMA is asking for community input. More information on the upcoming forum can be found on FEMAs Flood Map Service Center.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Thousands of opposition supporters gathered outside of Georgia's parliament on Nov. 4 for the second consecutive Monday, protesting the Oct. 26 election, which they allege was rigged with Russian assistance to favor the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Demonstrators waved Georgian and EU flags, demanding new elections under international oversight and an investigation into alleged voting irregularities.

Key opposition figures, like Badri Japaridze from the Lelo Strong Georgia Coalition, declared they would boycott parliament and hold continuous protests until their demands are met.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The protests come amid growing dissatisfaction with Georgian Dream, which critics accuse of authoritarian tendencies and aligning with Moscow at the expense of EU aspirations.

Amid the protests, which were closely monitored by riot police, opposition leaders called on the West to withhold recognition of the election results.

European election observers reported a divisive election environment with incidents of bribery, double voting, and intimidation.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Oct. 27 that the Georgian parliament will approve the government despite the opposition's protests.

Tbilisi's adoption of the controversial foreign agents law earlier this year also sparked mass demonstrations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shortly after the election results were announced, the European Commission announced on Oct. 30 that the process of Georgia's accession to the European Union had been suspended.

Although Georgia received EU candidate status last December, the accession process has been "de facto halted due to the course of action taken by the Georgian government since Spring 2024," the European Commission's statement read.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
As Americans across the nation cast their votes for the next president of the United States, voters in Rochester, New York are celebrating with a powerful tradition: placing "I voted" stickers on the gravestone of famous suffragette Susan B. Anthony, paying homage to her contributions to securing the vote for all citizens.

The tradition, which took off in earnest during and after the 2016 election when Hillary Clinton faced Donald Trump, seems appropriate again in a year when Americans could see the first-ever woman elected to the White House.

Anthony's famously defiant act of voting in the 1872 election has inspired female voters in the 150 years since she gathered a group of like-minded women in front of her Madison Street home and marched them to a nearby polling place.

The gravestones of Susan B. Anthony and her sister Mary in Mt. Hope Cemetery are covered in plexiglass to protect them. Each presidential election, scores of people visit the site to add their I voted stickers to the headstones.

She was arrested two weeks after casting her vote, as suffrage for women would not come until the 19th Amendment was ratified into the U.S. Constitution in 1920. Even then, Black women and Black Americans in general did not receive universal, federal voting rights and protections until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anthony famously had a friendship with suffragette, anti-lynching and early civil rights activist Ida B. Wells, who was documented as having challenged Anthony's exclusion of Black citizens in the fight for the women's vote.

Anthony's home, which is now also a museum and polling station, and her grave in Mount Hope Cemetary have become places of pilgrimage for historically disenfranchised voters, especially Rochester-area residents. The Susan B. Anthony Museum & House first became an organization back in 1945, but the dream of becoming a place where people can cast their votes picked up after early voting came to New York in 2020.

This year, Anthony's home became an early voting location for the first time, reported Rochester's Democrat & Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Sue Radio of Rochester voted early and came to the gravesite of Susan B. Anthony in Mt. Hope Cemetery, to add her sticker to collection there Oct. 29. The gravestones of Susan B. Anthony and her sister Mary are covered in plexiglass to protect them.

New York Election Results 2024: Live updates, maps for every state race

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"At the heart of Susan B. Anthony's being was this idea that this democracy could succeed," museum president Deborah Hughes told the D&C. "And to her, it had to be a government of, by and for the people  for all people. She spent her lifetime working to get more of the people to the ballot box."

The museum saw about 1,400 voters during the first weekend of early voting, the outlet reported.

And, as usual, Anthony's grave was already well on its way to being covered in "I voted" stickers just a few days into early voting. In 2016, as many as 12,000 people visited Anthony's final resting place to honor her work and mark the first time they could cast a vote for Clinton, the first female major-party presidential candidate for president.

The tradition has continued strong since then, with Cemetery manager Jarod Terrell telling the Democrat & Chronicle that he expects to see up to 14,000 visitors through Election Day this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those still planning to make the pilgrimage to place their sticker on Anthony's grave can expect to see cemetery workers and police there today helping to manage long lines and a possible hours-long wait.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Election tradition: Voters put stickers on Susan B. Anthonys headstone
Three people were hospitalized after a fire erupted at a home in Rye, NH.

On Tuesday, November 5, around 1:20 a.m., Rye Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the area of 1595 Ocean Blvd. for reports of a building fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed a home, that was under construction and unoccupied, fully engulfed in flames.

A neighboring home, that was occupied at the time, was also engulfed in flames due to strong wind patterns, fire officials said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Firefighters immediately made entry into the occupied home and were able to safely rescue three residents. Crews then made an aggressive attack on the fire and were able to stop the spread of the flames from traveling to other properties.

All three residents of the nearby home were transported to Portsmouth Hospital, and have since been released.

There were no other injuries to report.

Crews remained on scene monitoring for hotspots and waiting for additional equipment to arrive to do a final extinguish of the scene.

The occupied home has been declared uninhabitable, and all three residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An underground propane tank was also affected by the fire, officials said. The tank is currently in stable condition, but firefighters will remain on the scene to monitor the tank until it loses its contents as a precaution.

There are no immediate concerns to the community.

Residents should expect Ocean Boulevard to remain closed or obstructed through Nov. 5.

Mutual aid was provided by the Portsmouth, Seabrook, Hampton, North Hampton, Greenland, New Castle, Kittery, Newington, Newmarket, and Stratham Fire Departments.

I am immensely proud of the crews who initially responded and acted quickly and aided in the rescue of three residents, said Chief Cotreau. This incident emphasizes the importance of our mutual aid partners in assisting during serious incidents. We are extremely thankful to everyone who assisted in this fire. This was a strong job done by all.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The fire remains under investigation by Rye Fire and Rescue and the New Hampshire State Fire Marshals Office.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The last time the polls were this close heading into election day, it was 1976 and Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter was trying to unseat the incumbent President Gerald Ford.

Pollsters are calling Tuesdays contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump a virtual dead heat, with Harris leading Trump by just one point nationally, 49 to 48, in the New York Times polling aggregator.

Famed pollster Nate Silver described the race as closer than a coin toss, while Frank Luntz said it will all come down to voter turnout.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Almost 50 years ago, Carter and Ford were locked in a similarly tight battle, with the Gallup Poll showing Ford leading Carter 49 percent to 48 percent among likely voters. In the end, Carter won by more than 2 percentage points and beat Ford 297 to 240 in the electoral college.

The final @NateSilver538 forecast gives Kamala Harris a 50.015% chance of winning #Election2024.



Chances no greater than a coin-flip. https://t.co/WrQ76kxh5W  Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) November 5, 2024

Before that, in 1960, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon also faced off in an anxiously close race. Going into the election, Kennedy also led Nixon by just one point in the Gallup poll, 49 percent to 48 percent.

In the end, Kennedy managed to defeat Nixon by just 0.17 percent of the vote, or about 112,800 votes out of more than 68.3 million cast, though the Electoral College results werent even close.

Interestingly, the closest election in historyGeorge W. Bushs 2000 victory over Al Goredidnt have such dramatic polling numbers. On election day, Bush was leading Gore by a comfortable 3 percentage points, 46 percent to 43 percent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He ultimately carried by the election by just 537 votes in Florida, winning the Electoral College but losing the popular vote, after the Supreme Court famously blocked a Florida recount.

Find the Daily Beasts coverage of the 2024 election here. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Record numbers of early voters flocked to the Franklin County Board of Elections before Election Day, with 245,477 votes cast so far, including mail-in ballots already returned.

Through yesterday, we voted 127,000 voters here in person, which is a phenomenal number, Aaron Seller, spokesman for the Franklin County Board of Election, said. In 2020, we did 117,000; 2016, we voted 83,000 people here.

He thinks the turnout will continue onto Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Election security, results focus of Secretary of States office

With the numbers that were having, I just, I cant imagine that its not going to be a big day tomorrow, Sellers said. We usually have 40% vote before Election Day, 60%, on Election Day. So a majority, still a majority of people will vote tomorrow. Even with all the fantastic numbers that we have.

The lines for early voting on the last day, Sunday, exceeded any barriers the Board of Elections had erected. Thousands of people started lining up at 9:30 in the morning Sunday before polls opened at 1 p.m.

I havent seen anything like that in, you know, 17 years that Ive, that Ive been at the Board of Elections, and, you know, ultimately, all everybody that was in line got to vote, Sellers said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Everyone in line at the time polls close gets to cast their vote.

We were here until about 745 yesterday voting everybody that was in line at 5, Sellers said.

Some voters waited for three and a half hours to cast their vote on Sunday. Those wait times wont be replicated on Tuesday, however.

Depending on when you go, there may be some lines, but it would look nothing like what, what folks saw yesterday, whether it was on the news or on social media, Sellers said.

There are 302 polling locations in Franklin County, so all 350,000-plus expected voters will be spread out. Sellers said there will still be lines at times throughout the day, so if you want to avoid the lines, you should choose your time wisely.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Vote with pride: Share your I Voted selfies

Brian Mead, Director of the Licking County Board of Elections said, Busiest is normally right when they open at 6:30, well have people outside waiting for about a half an hour to get in, Brian Mead, director of the Licking County Board of Elections, said.

Six-thirty until about 8 (a.m.), there is sort of a rush between 8, 9, that thats when it starts going down, Mead added. Then it picks back up the lunch hour. So, its a good time [to vote] around 9. Also around 2. From 4 (p.m.) to 7:30 (p.m.), you know, itll be continuous for the folks coming after work.

Licking County has 27 polling locations. Mead said he expects 50,000 voters spread across those locations on Tuesday. Two trends Mead noticed this election were fewer absentee ballots than in 2020 and more registered Republicans voting early.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Know your rights, polling place rules before casting your vote

He attributes the drop in absentee voting to the 2020 election being during COVID.

Polls open statewide at 6:30 a.m. and will be open until 7:30 p.m. Anyone who is in line to vote at 7:30 p.m. will be permitted to cast their vote.

Voters who need to return their absentee ballots must do so at their countys board of elections, not their voting precinct.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Election Day is just around the corner, and many Arizonans have already turned in their early mail-in ballot to make their voice heard in this year's critical election cycle.

Some Arizonans, however, will opt to physically travel to a voting center to cast their ballot. Those in-person voters will have to make sure they know what time they could arrive to a voting center.

It's especially important to understand Election Day hours if you have a work schedule that could interfere with your ability to vote. Some people have jobs that won't let them off until late in the evening, so it's a good idea to understand voting hours.

Advertisement Advertisement

Here's information about when the polls close, and what to do if the polls close while you're in line.

Election 2024: See Arizona election results | Live coverage on Election Day

When do polls close in Arizona?

Polls in Arizona close at 7 p.m.

If the polls close while I'm in line, what should I do?

If the polls close while you are still in line to vote, don't leave. As long as you are in line at 7 p.m., you have a right to cast your ballot.

Valley will see lines on Election Day. Experts say the key is keeping them moving

How to find your polling place in Arizona

To find voting locations, check your county elections website or go to my.arizona.vote. Maricopa County voters may use locations.maricopa.vote, and Pima County voters may use pima.gov.

Advertisement Advertisement

Arizona Republic reporter Sasha Hupka contributed to this article.

Arizonas at the center of the political universe. Dont miss a moment. Sign up for Republic Recount, azcentrals weekly election newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What time do the polls close in Arizona? Here's what to know
(NewsNation)  On Election Day 2024, Americans across the country will cast their ballots in races ranging from local school boards to the presidency. As voters head to the polls, heres a guide to when polling places close in each state.

Keep in mind that initial results may begin to be reported shortly after polls close, though final tallies often take longer, especially in close races. Some municipalities within each state may have slightly different hours, so its always best to verify your specific polling locations hours in advance.

When will we know the results of the presidential election?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Knowing when the polls close, helps to understand when results may be called out.

Alabama

Polls close at 7:00 PM Central Time

Alaska

Polls close at 8:00 PM Alaska Time for most of the state

Polls close at 7:00 PM Hawaii-Aleutian Time for Aleutian regions

Arizona

Polls close at 7:00 PM Mountain Time

Exception: Navajo Nation follows Daylight Saving Time

Arkansas

Polls close at 7:30 PM Central Time

California

Polls close at 8:00 PM Pacific Time

What to expect on the NewsNation website and app on election night

Colorado

Polls close at 7:00 PM Mountain Time

Connecticut

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time

Delaware

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time

Florida

Polls close at 7:00 PM ET for those in the Eastern Time Zone

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polls close at 7:00 PM CT for those in the Central Time Zone

Georgia

Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern Time

Hawaii

Polls close at 6:00 PM Hawaii-Aleutian Time

Idaho

Polls close in Northern Idaho and District 1 at 8:00 PM Pacific Time

Polls close in Southern Idaho and District 2 at 8:00 PM Mountain Time

Illinois

Polls close at 7:00 PM Central Time

Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the NewsNation app. Download it here.

Indiana

Polls close at 6:00 PM ET for those in the Eastern Time Zone

Polls close at 6:00 PM CT for those in the Central Time Zone and Districts 1 and 8

Iowa

Polls close at 8:00 PM Central Time

Kansas

Polls close at 7:00 PM CT for those in the Central Time Zone

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polls close at 7:00 PM MT for those in the Mountain Time Zone and District 1

Kentucky

Polls close at 6:00 PM ET for those in the Eastern Time Zone

Polls close at 6:00 PM CT for those in the Central Time Zone and Districts 1 and 2

Louisiana

Polls close at 8:00 PM Central Time

Maine

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time

Maryland

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time

Massachusetts

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time

Michigan

Polls close at 8:00 PM ET for those in the Eastern Time Zone

Polls close at 8:00 PM CT for those in the Central Time Zone and District 1

Minnesota

Polls close at 8:00 PM Central Time

Mississippi

Polls close at 7:00 PM Central Time

Missouri

Polls close at 7:00 PM Central Time

Montana

Polls close at 8:00 PM Mountain Time

Nebraska

Polls close at 8:00 PM Central Time

Nevada

Polls close at 7:00 PM Pacific Time

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Are ballot selfies illegal?

New Hampshire

Polling times vary by municipality but most polls close around 7:00 PM Eastern Time

New Jersey

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time

New Mexico

Polls close at 7:00 PM Mountain Time

New York

Polls close at 9:00 PM Eastern Time

North Carolina

Polls close at 7:30 PM Eastern Time

North Dakota

Polls close at 7:00 PM CT for those in the Central Time Zone

Polls close at 7:00 PM MT for those in the Mountain Time Zone

Ohio

Polls close at 7:30 PM Eastern Time

Oklahoma

Polls close at 7:00 PM Central Time

Oregon

Polls close at 8:00 PM PT for those in the Pacific Time Zone

Polls close at 8:00 PM MT for those in the Mountain Time Zone

Pennsylvania

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time

Rhode Island

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The net worth of richest Congress members

South Carolina

Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern Time

South Dakota

Polls close at 7:00 PM CT for those in the Central Time Zone

Polls close at 7:00 PM MT for those in the Mountain Time Zone

Tennessee

Polls close at 7:00 PM Central Time

Texas

Polls close at 7:00 PM CT for those in the Central Time Zone

Polls close at 7:00 PM MT for those in the Mountain Time Zone and Districts 16 and 23

Utah

Polls close at 8:00 PM Mountain Time

Vermont

Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern Time

When does early voting begin in my state?

Virginia

Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern Time

Washington

Polls close at 8:00 PM Pacific Time

Washington, D.C.

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time

West Virginia

Polls close at 7:30 PM Eastern Time

Wisconsin

Polls close at 8:00 PM Central Time

Wyoming

Polls close at 7:00 PM Mountain Time

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
COOK COUNTY, Ill.  A Tinley Park man was hit with gun and kidnapping charges following a Halloween standoff with authorities that lasted nearly 17 hours, the sheriffs office said.

Jason Soltis, 54, was taken into custody early Saturday morning after authorities heard a single gunshot and gained entry to the home on the 17900 block of South Harlem Avenue in the suburb south of Chicago.

Once inside, officers found two females. One appeared unharmed and another was bound at the ankles and wrists, a release from the Cook County Sheriffs Office said. Both females were transported to a local area hospital for medical evaluations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

No injuries resulted from the gunfire, officials said.

The barricade situation began shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. Officials took Soltis into custody at about 3:30 a.m Friday.

Soltis appeared in court Monday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne was kicked out of the voting center at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix on Tuesday morning for violating the 75-foot perimeter that is intended to ensure only certain categories of people are in the polling area.

Arizona law limits polling places to select groups, including voters who have not cast their ballots, election officials, political party monitors, voter assistants and minors accompanying voters. Violating the perimeter restrictions is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Horne, 79, was not there to vote  he said he was collecting signatures for his 2026 reelection campaign. Hes seeking a fourth term as state superintendent after serving two consecutive terms from 2003-11 and returning to office in 2023. Horne also served as Arizona attorney general from 2011-15.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Horne said he did not realize he was within the 75-foot perimeter and immediately stopped asking for signatures when somebody informed him. He only collected a few signatures before leaving the restricted area, he said.

Horne said he remained on site outside of the perimeter after being directed away from a line of voters. He described being within the perimeter as a "very short temporary mistake."

A video obtained by The Arizona Republic captured a poll worker shooing Horne away from a line of voters. He was collecting address information from a voter at the time, he said. The video shows him taking a few steps and turning his back to the line, then continuing to write information on a clipboard.

The poll worker approached him about 30 seconds later and asked him to leave again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In reply, Horne said he was "just finishing writing something down, damn it." As he started to walk away, he said, "I'm not electioneering."

The poll worker told him he was not allowed to be there because he was not voting or working. Horne repeated he was not electioneering before disengaging from the poll worker and continuing to walk away.

Horne told The Republic he thought he was entitled to finish writing the voter's address down before he forgot it. He'd been collecting signatures at another location earlier this morning without fuss, he said. He needs 10,000 signatures to qualify for the 2026 ballot.

Arizona law defines electioneering as knowingly and intentionally expressing support for or opposition to a candidate, measure or political party that appears on the ballot for that election with the intent to influence or compel another person's vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Reach the reporter nicholas.sullivan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tom Horne kicked out of polling site where he was gathering signatures
For those hoping to register at the last-minute before Tuesday's election, it's too late.

That means you won't get to cast a ballot on any of the state and local races or for president.

In Davidson County, voters will not only decide on several large state races, like the Marsha Blackburn and Gloria Johnson U.S. Senate ticket, but they'll also be voting on Nashville's $3.1 billion transit referendum, which will fund improvements to the city's bus system, sidewalks, traffic signals and more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

All voters heading to polls Tuesday should bring their driver's license or a photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. College student IDs are not acceptable.

Is it too late to register for Tuesday's election?

Voters needed to register no more than 30 days prior to the Nov. 5 election. The election commission office will process by-mail voter registration forms that were postmarked at least 30 days before the election.

You can find the downloadable application here.

How to register to vote in Tennessee

Prospective voters can print a voter registration application and either mail it or hand-deliver it to your county's election commission. The application can be found at the secretary of state's website.

Who is eligible vote?

To register to vote in Tennessee, you must be a citizen of the United States, 18 years or older before the date of the next election and a resident of Tennessee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you were convicted of a felony, eligibility to register and vote depends on the crime you were convicted of and the date of your conviction. To learn more about restoring you voting rights, visit the secretary of state's office website.

How to tell if you are registered to vote?

If you are curious about whether or not you are registered, you can check your status by visiting https://tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup/.

Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Is it too late to register to vote in Tennessee?
Polling guru Nate Silver has revealed his final prediction model for the 2024 presidential election  and has concluded the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is literally closer than a coin flip.

In Silvers model, Harris won the Electoral College in 50.015 percent of the 80,000 simulations, giving her a razor-thin lead.

The race is literally closer than a coin flip: empirically, heads wins 50.5 percent of the time, more than Harriss 50.015 percent, Silver wrote on his Substack page on Tuesday morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When I say the odds in this years presidential race are about as close as you can possibly get to 50/50, Im not exaggerating, he said.

Silver added that Harris did not come out as the victor in 39,988 simulations (49.985 percent) and of those, 39,718 were outright wins for Trump.

The remaining 270 simulations resulted in an Electoral College tie, Silver said, adding that he would usually only run 40,000 simulations.

Nate Silver has shared his final polling model for the election (Silver Bulletin/Substack)

This is my fifth presidential election  and my ninth general election overall, counting midterms  and there has never been anything like this, Silver said.

Silver said his model is a direct descendant of the FiveThirtyEight election forecast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Sunday, the election guru said that any momentum Trump had in October had petered out in November.

We will very likely go into Tuesday night with the race being truly a toss-up, not leaning or tilting toward Trump, he added.

Silvers modelling shows the race between Harris and Trump is closer than a coin flip (AFP via Getty Images)

The prediction model comes days after a shock new poll from the Des Moines Register and Mediacom in Iowa found Harris leading Trump in the state, with 47 percent to 44 percent.

Trump won Iowa in both 2016 and 2020 and the state  which has six electoral college votes  was considered a likely Republican win.

In response to that poll, Trump lashed out during a Sunday rally, calling it suppression. They suppress, and it actually should be illegal, he insisted.

Polling from Emerson College told a very different story and put Trump ten points ahead of Harris in Iowa.
Opposition can be a thankless task, especially when the Government has a huge majority. Criticisms and new ideas fall on deaf ears while shadow ministers struggle for recognition.

It falls to Kemi Badenoch, the new Conservative leader, to get her partys voice heard when most voters are no longer listening. To that end her choice of shadow cabinet is important both to signal her desire to unite the party after years of fractious squabbling and to set out a direction of travel over the next four or five years.

Unlike William Hague in 1997, Mrs Badenoch has the advantage of facing a Government that has so far shown itself to be hapless and mendacious. Its first four months have been riven with mistakes, controversies, internal power struggles and wretched communication. The Budget last week demonstrated that Labour had reverted to type as the champion of the public sector over all else.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Chancellors attack on small businesses, on farmers and millions of others struggling to make a living was a defining moment for the Government and Mrs Badenoch can exploit it to the full.

The clear blue water that all Tory leaders look for is now a veritable ocean. In selecting her new frontbench team she has had less talent to choose from after the party lost more than 250 seats in its worst result for 200 years. Some former ministers who survived, like new shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel, will add experience to Kemis team  but others, including Jeremy Hunt, do not want a post.

The job of those who are left will be hard and loyalty to the leader will be crucial. It was the electorates frustration with years of dysfunction inside the Tory party that cost it so dear at the election. It must not be repeated.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Nothing is certain in life except death, taxes and  this Election Day, at least  the spread of mis- and disinformation.

In recent weeks, U.S. voters have encountered a seemingly unending deluge of hoaxes, half-truths and out-and-out lies, many of them fabricated by U.S. adversaries and then amplified on engagement-hungry social media platforms such as X.

If recent presidential contests offer any hint, the fire hose of falsehood is likely to intensify on and after Tuesday, as a razor-tight election provides fertile soil for often unfounded rumors to ricochet around the internet. And spies, hackers and influence peddlers linked to China, Iran and Russia could unleash a new wave of disinformation and manipulation tactics, seeing it as their last chance to sway the U.S. electorate to their preferred candidate  or simply corrode Americans faith in their democracy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Complicating it all, of course, is a worry far closer to home: that former President Donald Trump will follow the same playbook he used in 2020, declaring victory before the outcome is clear and discrediting the results if he loses. Unlike four years ago, hell also have MAGA mega-donor Elon Musk to help amplify his claims to potentially hundreds of millions of voters on X.

We are in an election cycle with an unprecedented amount of disinformation, including disinformation being aggressively peddled and amplified by our foreign adversaries at a greater scale than ever before, CISA Director Jen Easterly, who was speaking broadly about election threats, told reporters on Monday.

Here is POLITICOs guide to help you, the voter, weather the coming storm of disinformation.

Elections arent easy to hack

State-backed cyber sleuths, cybercriminals and hacktivists have all claimed to hack various parts of the U.S. election system over the years. The good news is that their bark is much bigger than their bite.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The machines that are used to cast and tabulate votes on Election Day are not connected to the internet, and almost all produce some type of paper backup. That means three things: It is hard to hack voting machines, more difficult still to flip enough votes to steal an election, and nearly impossible to pull it all off without getting caught.

State-backed foreign hackers targeting the election, the U.S. intelligence community has said, have therefore settled on a different strategy: exaggerating the impact of relatively minor attacks to shake Americans confidence in their democracy.

Overloading county websites with junk traffic or leaking non-public voter registration data can cause headaches for election officials. But its not going to rattle the foundations of U.S. democracy.

It would not be possible for a bad actor to tamper with or manipulate our voting system in such a way that it would have a material effect on the outcome of the presidential election, certainly not without being detected, Easterly said in the call with reporters Monday.

Minor errors are common. Conspiracies arent.

Polls may open late. The computers used to check in voters can stall. And officials in some precincts may be slow to report the count.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The explanations are rarely the stuff of Netflix spy thrillers.

Election officials are people  and people make mistakes, said Ben Hovland, a commissioner at the Election Assistance Commission, an independent federal agency that helps with election administration issues.

Poll workers somewhere may misplace their keys or plug something in wrong. Sometimes, a county can temporarily lose power or internet access through no fault of its own.

Running an election with nearly a million poll workers is an undertaking like nothing else, said Hovland. Within that there are errors, there are things that pop up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While that might seem obvious, minor Election Day hiccups like that often become fodder for conspiracy theories, whipping the internet into a rage-filled frenzy.

Hovlands advice? Take a pause before you believe (and spread) salacious news on election day. It may not be nefarious. It may just be part of the challenge of conducting an enormous election all across the country, he said.

Be patient with the results

Water is wet, grass is green, and election night results are  we repeat  unofficial.

OK, try as we might, its unfair to expect America (or the media) to end their election night infatuation with Steve Kornacki. But one of the best antidotes to election hoaxes is still a little dose of patience.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrats and Republicans have different preferences about how and when to vote, and key jurisdictions across the country have their own rules about how late they can receive and begin processing vote-by-mail, absentee, overseas and provisional ballots. Election night returns can therefore offer a misleading sample of the full vote  like when the count of mail-in votes, which historically lean Democratic, helped erase Trumps early lead in several states in 2020.



Also be wary of those who say a slow count itself betrays a problem: Unlike in other countries, the ballots in each U.S. presidential election include dozens of other races, making it far more tedious to tabulate the results.

"Accurately counting millions of ballots takes time and it is important to be patient," the National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors said in a statement Monday.

The statement also reminded Americans that close races could require a recount or be audited to double-check the results. "We implore all Americans to understand these processes are normal and done in accordance with state and territorial law," the statement continued.

Distrust and verify

Haitian immigrants did not vote multiple times for Vice President Kamala Harris in Georgia, and poll workers in Pennsylvania did not destroy ballots for Trump, though a pair of videos that went viral in the last 10 days would have you think otherwise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both were fabrications of Kremlin influence actors, the U.S. intelligence community has said, and late Monday, it released a new statement calling out additional influence operations from Russia.

More could be on the way soon.

Americas adversaries likely learned lessons from the political turmoil that engulfed the U.S. after Election Day in 2020, senior U.S. intelligence officials told reporters last month. That means Russia, China and Iran are likely to amp up their efforts to spread lies and even incite violence between Election Day and inauguration.

One key defense is to refer any pressing questions to your local officials. The bottom line when it comes to mis- and disinformation is that voters need to go to the source, and the source is your local and your state election officials, said Marci Andino, the senior director of the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center.

But more blunt remedies might be worth exploring, too  like giving yourself a break from social media for a bit.
(Bloomberg) -- New Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch appointed former leadership rivals including Mel Stride and Robert Jenrick to her shadow cabinet, in an effort to unite the UKs fractured opposition party.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Stride, a Tory moderate and former work and pensions secretary who was knocked out early in the leadership contest won by Badenoch, will be shadow chancellor. Priti Patel, the first candidate to be eliminated, was named shadow foreign secretary, while Robert Jenrick, ex-immigration minister and runner-up to Badenoch, was handed the role of shadow justice secretary.

Tom Tugendhat and James Cleverly, who was also leadership candidates, were not named in the line-up.

Listen to the Bloomberg UK Politics podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen.

The appointments come days after the Conservative Party announced Badenoch had won the ballot of grassroots members to take over from former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who led the Tories to an historic defeat in Julys general election. She now faces the challenge of bringing together a party that is deeply divided after 14 years in power that included Brexit and the pandemic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Badenoch played to the right wing of the party in her leadership bid, promising a smaller role for the state and a focus on cutting migration to the UK. Keeping fellow right-wingers such as Jenrick and Patel onside will help seal her image as a champion of the right, and stave off rival breakaway groups.

But while appealing to the right was enough to win Badenoch the final vote among party members, who tend to be more right-leaning than Conservative MPs and the wider electorate, she will now need to keep the moderate factions among the partys 121 MPs in line, as well as try to win back voters who defected to more centrist parties.

Other appointments included:

Chris Philp as shadow home secretary

James Cartlidge as shadow defense secretary

Claire Coutinho as shadow secretary for energy security and net zero

Andrew Griffith as shadow business and trade secretary

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Placing the likes of Stride in her shadow cabinet could help Tory centrists feel they still have a political home, though many will be watching for policy commitments which were thin on the ground during the leadership race.

Jenrick has vowed to pull the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights, and his new role could give him the chance to continue with that project  though Badenoch said she will only support the policy if it can be shown to produce meaningful results in bringing migration down.

As home secretary under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Patel oversaw the creation of the Tories controversial plan to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda. The policy was dropped by the incoming Labour government.

--With assistance from Ellen Milligan and Alex Wickham.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Ever since Trump got into politics, it feels like each election cycle is as divisive as the one prior. The 2024 election cycle hasn't been different in that sense, but it does feel like the hate-filled rhetoric has been amplified.

Jrlphotographer / Getty Images

The tried and true Trump supporters have, unfortunately, been continuing to push wild conspiracy theories as fact and attempting to cope with the idea that Trump could possibly lose the election to America's first Black and South Asian woman president.

Brandon Bell / Getty Images

If we're being honest, this isn't anything new, and Republicans have touted some ridiculous arguments online and in real life that have underlined the dangers of Trump's second term. In fact, these talking points have not only divided Americans but friends and family, too.

Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images

I recently asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell me some of the wildest things their Republican friends and family members have said. Here are their responses:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

1."'Ignore the facts'  my father-in-law to my husband."

sportycaptain44 Andrew Merry / Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

2."'But Trump is a good President! He made us money!!'

clumsypunk354 Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

3."My conservative sister was complaining about SoCal schools requiring Critical Race Theory in the curriculum. I asked her what she thought they were teaching. She answered that they were teaching white kids to feel guilty about being white."

"I suggested she Google systemic racism, although I highly doubt she will ever do that. She believes since poor white kids like us have been able to succeed, that means any poor person of any race can do the same if they just want to badly enough. *Sigh*" sassytrash784 Medianews Group / MediaNews Group via Getty Images

4."That liberal schools are giving students litter boxes in bathrooms to use."

mellowunicorn40 Natasha Zakharova / Getty Images

5."My uncle was insisting to me that the Queen of France laughs at Biden and only respects Trump. I did not mistype that. He said the Queen of France."

patrisiabb13 Photo Josse / Corbis via Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

6."That Kamala Harris is a 'call girl.'"

uncalum Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images

7."Anyone who thinks any city in the US has LITERALLY burnt to the ground due to protests is absolutely lost at this point. My father tried to tell me that Portland was 'wiped off the map' when the riots and CHAZ happened, so naturally, I was like, 'What the f*ck is wrong with you?'"

Two people sit on grass. A person holds a sign reading

Aerial view of a cityscape featuring a river, numerous bridges, and a mix of tall buildings and greenery

Allison Dinner / AFP via Getty Images, Joe Sohm / Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

"You can see pictures of Portland, OR RIGHT NOW, and youre trying to make a point about something that didnt happen, hasnt happened, and wont happen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He also thinks J6 was 'Antifa,' although if you think about it for more than three seconds, youd realize why that is an absurd statement. For one, even leftists celebrated when Biden was elected, so why would they protest? For two, if it was about optics and making the right wing look bad, how the hell is a relatively small group of LEFTISTS, who are notoriously horrendous at organizing en masse, going to pull something like that off? Thats not even adding CONVINCINGLY?"

dazzlingcat585

8."It sounds like a cliche now, but during Trump's first term, after some minor perceived victory, they said, 'YES! We're fighting the good fight buddy!' I asked, 'What fight was that?'"

"Without a single facial expression, they said, 'The one that puts white people back on top.' I pointed out how shamelessly racist that is, and they said back, 'No, it isn't because they don't deserve this country anyway.' I reiterated that is exactly what racism is, and they just gave a very childish, 'No, it isn't!' Total indoctrination!"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anonymous, Oklahoma

9."I told my grandmother (84, German immigrant who married a soldier who fought in Korea and Vietnam) that I was surprised that the fact that Trump is a draft dodger didnt bother her, considering my grandfathers history. She got upset and said, 'And you dont think Kamala isnt?! She absolutely dodged the draft, but she lied about it!'"

"I tried to calmly explain that A) Kamala is a woman and, therefore, would not have been drafted then, and B) she was not alive for the draft, which only upset my grandmother more. So, she asked me why I wasnt voting for Trump, and I said, 'As a victim of sexual assault, I can not support a man who behaves like Donald Trump.' She said, 'What sexual assault?' And I answered honestly, 'I was molested when I was young and raped two years ago.' Her response? 'Oh, boo-hoo! My brother used to punch me in the face, you need to get over that sh*t!' All because I said I didnt like Donald Trump as a person. Also, her brother never punched her in the face, they were best friends." Anonymous, Alabama Megan Varner / Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

10."My friend said that Kamala is a secret lizard person and is here to take over Earth."

Anonymous, New York

11."She was LITERALLY arguing that Biden controlled the weather."

"My mother-in-law posted an article right after Hurricane Helene hit about a $90 million federal grant being awarded to start a lithium mining operation in a city that was decimated by the storm. Her caption was, 'WAIT, $90 MILLION TO MINE THE LAND BUT NOWHERE NEAR THAT TO ACTUALLY HELP THE AREA?!' Someone quickly pointed out that the article was from 2023... she then pivoted and argued that, regardless, the destruction was all a government scheme just so they could have their way with the land. She was LITERALLY arguing that Biden controlled the weather." Anonymous, Georgia Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

12."I heard my grandfather (94) say last week that, and I quote, 'transgenders are taking our school children and sacrificing them to Satan for their changing ritual.' (Btw Im trans myself) Wild sh*t goes down in the remote places of PA; it isnt called Pennsyltucky for nothing, lol."

Anonymous, Pennsylvania

13."A co-worker told me he set his AR-15 on his front porch by itself for 3 hours, and it didn't kill anyone. This was in an attempt to prove that guns don't kill people. This is not the first time I've heard a similar argument, so I'm guessing it is something the NRA or other MAGA types think is a winning statement."

Anonymous, Mississippi Netflix / Via tenor.com

14."'I would rather have a rapist as president than Hilary Clinton' as he was sitting at a table with multiple women, one of whom was a rape survivor."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anonymous, Indiana

15."My dad has said, among other things, that January 6th was the fault of Capitol security and the DC police because they should have just known it was going to happen and chose not to prepare for it."

"And that both sides are the same and all Trump ever did was 'listen to his advisers.' And that every egregious thing Trump has said or done has some counterbalancing act of equal outrage from Harris, which he can never name." Anonymous, Kansas Samuel Corum / Getty Images

16."That McDonald's puts aborted fetuses in their burgers."

Anonymous, Maryland The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

17."My future son-in-law and I were discussing what BS it was that Republicans said slaves got benefits. When my brother-in-law stated, 'They werent slaves because their own people sold them to us.' It took everything we had not to laugh."

Anonymous, Wisconsin

18.And finally, "'Democrats drink baby blood to stay young.'"
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Some towns in the Tri-State are offering free rides to the polls for Election Day 2024.

Huntingburg

Officials say Huntingburg Transit is offering free rides to the voting polls on November 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Evansville

Evansville is partnering with METS and AARP Indiana to provide free bus rides on Election Day. Officials state on November 5, residents will be able to ride a METS bus at no cost to one of the 22 polling places in Evansville, thanks to a sponsorship by AARP Indiana.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Daves Taxi out of Evansville is also offering free rides for people to go vote on Tuesday.

Where to go to vote in the Tri-State for Election Day 2024

Owensboro

Owensboro Transit System will waive public transit fees on Election Day, November 5, 2024.

Henderson

Officials say the city of Hendersons mass transit system (HART) will be offering free rides to select voting locations on November 5.

City officials say free rides will be offered to the following voting locations:

Bend Gate Elementary: The shuttle will run from 6:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m.

Chase Fulcher Archery Training Center: The shuttle will run from 6:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m.

Jefferson Elementary: The shuttle will run from 6:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m.

Presbyterian Church of Henderson: The shuttle will run from 7:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Toyota Motor Corporation has collaborated with Joby Aviation, a U.S. company focused on creating electric air taxis for commercial passenger transport, to successfully carry out Joby's inaugural international exhibition flight.

This milestone marks a significant step forward in developing advanced air mobility solutions.

This event took place earlier this week at Toyotas Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Shizuoka, Japan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The flight near Mount Fuji showcased Jobys emissions-free aircraft's low noise levels and marked nearly seven years of collaboration between the two companies.

During this period, Toyota has aided Joby by offering insights from its vast automotive manufacturing and technology expertise.

Toyota's first air taxi

Toyota engineers now work side-by-side with the Joby team in California.

A Joby production prototype electric air taxi flying in Shizuoka, Japan. (Photo: Joby Aviation)

In 2023, the two companies signed a long-term agreement for Toyota to supply key powertrain and actuation components for producing Jobys aircraft.

"Our first overseas flight marks a significant milestone on our journey towards making clean air travel an everyday reality, said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We share Toyotas vision for the future of mobility and are honored to have had the opportunity to present a glimpse of that future through our flight in Japan.

A wide range of stakeholders gathered at the test facility for an event to celebrate the exhibition flight and historic milestone, including Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, and representatives of Japans Civil Aviation Bureau.

At the event, Hiroki Nakajima, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Toyota Motor Corporation, said, Air mobility has the potential to change our sense of distance and time, and open a future with the new option of air mobility that will further enrich the lives of many people.

Toyota is committed to deepening our collaboration with Joby and we will continue to work together to realize our shared dreams, he continued.

5-seater with 200 mph speed

Jobys electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at up to 200 mph speeds.

A Joby production prototype electric air taxi in Shizuoka, Japan. (Photo: Joby Aviation)

It offers high-speed mobility with zero operating emissions and a fraction of the noise of helicopters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This new mobility service aims to reduce traffic congestion, minimize environmental impact, and provide transportation solutions for urban and rural regions.

It demonstrates the potential to address various transportation challenges in Japan and worldwide.

Joby was founded in 2009 and has since completed thousands of test flights, including exhibition flights from the iconic Downtown Manhattan Heliport in New York City.

This news comes weeks after Toyota committed to investing an additional $500 million in Joby to support the certification and commercial production of the Companys electric air taxi.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The additional funds will bring Toyota Motor Corporations total investment in Joby to $894 million and include plans to establish a manufacturing alliance to support the first commercialization phase.

The investment will be made in two equal tranches and is contingent upon obtaining standard regulatory approvals and meeting specific conditions.

This includes the finalization of collaborative and commercial agreements.

Additionally, certain conditions must be finalized for the second tranche, including the terms of a strategic alliance focused on commercial manufacturing.
Jena Griswold, Colorado secretary of state, announces an investigation into voter fraud in Mesa County during a press conference at her Denver office on Oct. 24, 2024. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

A one-day trial over whether election machines in 34 Colorado counties should be shut down took place in Denver District Court on Monday, a day before the general election.

Decision 2024: On-the-ground election coverage in Colorado and by local reporters in all 50 states. Fair. Fearless. Free.

At issue was a massive leak of hundreds of election equipment passwords, which were inadvertently exposed for months on the website of the Colorado secretary of state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Judge Kandace C. Gerdes, at the end of a hearing that began shortly after 1:30 p.m. and lasted well past 5 p.m., heard witness testimony and opening and closing remarks from the two sides before announcing she would review the material before her and issue a written order in due course.

Plaintiffs argued that election computers in affected counties were at risk of being compromised and should not be trusted to produce accurate election results. They want the court to order hand counts in those counties.

Theres a security risk and theres not enough time to figure it out, Gary Fielder, attorney for the plaintiffs, said.

The lawsuit was filed Friday in Denver District Court by the Libertarian Party of Colorado; James Wiley, the Libertarian candidate for Colorados 3rd Congressional District seat; and Hannah Goodman, the Libertarian Party state chair and the Libertarian candidate for Colorados 4th Congressional District seat. Jena Griswold, the Democratic secretary of state, and Chris Beall, the deputy secretary of state, are the defendants.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Griswold, as well as Republican and Democratic election officials throughout Colorado and other election experts, have expressed confidence that the Colorado general election Tuesday remains secure.

Griswold acknowledged Oct. 29 that the passwords were hidden but accessible on a spreadsheet posted online. The leak involved Basic Input Output System  or BIOS  passwords, which provide access to the basic functioning of a computer system. Griswold said shed known about the leak starting Oct. 24, but county clerks, who administer elections throughout the state, werent informed about it until five days later.

In a press release Monday, the secretarys office offered new details about the leak of passwords. The office said the passwords were exposed starting June 21, meaning they were accessible online when Colorados June 25 primary election took place. More than 600 hundred passwords in 63 of the states 64 counties were exposed, but the secretary determined election equipment in 34 counties were affected by the leak, since some of the exposed passwords had already been updated and were not listed on the spreadsheet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Colorado officials said Friday that state employees had completed the process of updating passwords on election equipment in affected counties.

The press release said the secretary of state first learned of the leak from a voting machines vendor.

Shawn Smith testifies he found the leak

The leak was revealed publicly in a mass email from the Colorado Republican Party, which said it learned of the leak after an unnamed person sent to the party an affidavit attesting to how the person discovered it.

That person turned out to have been Shawn Smith, a Teller County election conspiracist and retired Air Force colonel who was a key witness for the plaintiffs in the trial Monday. Smith testified that he discovered the exposed passwords after he downloaded on Oct. 23 a spreadsheet posted on the secretary of states website that contains an inventory, which the secretary is required to maintain, of voting system components used throughout the state. He said he has downloaded the Excel document 30 to 40 times as part of his election integrity activities. But the next day, he noticed the passwords for the first time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On the 24th I noticed that there were hidden worksheets at the bottom of the page. You can right-click on the active, visible worksheet  you can select unhide, it would pop up with a list of hidden worksheets.

He located a column labeled BIOS passwords with the passwords listed.

Smith runs an election integrity organization, Cause of America, for Mike Lindell, the former President Donald Trump ally who has long been vocal in baselessly denying the results of the 2020 election.

In 2022, Smith suggested Griswold should hang for election fraud. A Colorado Newsline investigation that year revealed that he was part of the pro-Trump mob that clashed with police during the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Plaintiff witness Clay Parikh, a cybersecurity expert who also has ties to Lindells election-denial activities, testified that the leaked passwords present a serious security breach.

Asked by Fielder if there is now a possibility of compromising the voting system in Colorado, Parikh responded, Theres a very high likelihood, given the amount of time the passwords were exposed and the vulnerabilities of the overall system.

But Beall in his testimony, though he acknowledged the leak was significant, rejected the suggestion that a person in possession of the leaked passwords could change the operation of election systems.

There is fundamentally no way that a password disclosure could be exploited in our scenario, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is due to the layers of security in place around election administration in the state, he said.

State election officials have said that a person must be physically present to gain BIOS access, and election equipment is required to be kept in a secure environment. Ballots in the state are cast on paper, which can be audited after an election to ensure accuracy.

LeeAnn Morrill, first assistant state attorney general, who represented Griswold and Beall during the trial, said, We do not think there is any factual or legal basis for this court to award the extraordinary and unprecedented relief that the petitioners seek.

It cannot be overstated the chaos that would come from shutting down voting system equipment, Morrill argued. Far from protecting the election, she said, it would instead inject unknown procedures at the last minute that petitioners have essentially made up and asked the court to order.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

All active registered voters in Colorado receive a mail ballot. Ballots were sent out starting Oct. 11. As of midday Monday, more than 2 million of the roughly 4 million active registered voters in the state had already returned their ballot.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Hurricane Rafael formed in the Caribbean Sea Tuesday evening with surging winds that forecasters say will soon weaken, turning the system into a only a rainstorm this weekend if it reaches the United States at all.

The storm was spinning closer to the Cayman Islands Tuesday night, with 75 mph winds that make it a Category 1 hurricane. It is forecast to reach Cuba on Wednesday as a Category 2 storm, and the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday night.

Its path beyond that is unclear.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The National Hurricane Center said Tuesday night it was increasingly likely that Rafael would shift northwest and away from South Mississippi. But the agency still warned it was too early to know how the storm could impact the Gulf Coast.

Forecasters have spent much of this week debating two storm tracks that show vastly different landfalls. One track shows Rafael could move into the western Gulf toward Mexico. Another says it could turn north toward Louisiana, Mississippi or Alabama. The National Hurricane Centers forecast lies in the middle: It shows Rafael would slow down in the Gulf and near Louisiana late Sunday.

Tropical Storm Rafaels predicted track shifted slightly west on Tuesday evening.

Theres a chance this thing might just fizzle out completely by the time it reaches the U.S. Coast, if it reaches the U.S. Coast, James Spann, an Alabama meteorologist, said in a recorded Tuesday morning briefing. There is a huge spread in models.

What does Rafael mean for South MS?

The National Hurricane Center asked Gulf Coast residents to watch the forecast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rafael is strengthening for now, fueled by a warm Caribbean Sea, and low winds in the atmosphere. The National Hurricane Center said it could rapidly intensify through Wednesday.

Cooler water and strong atmospheric winds in the Gulf of Mexico will tear at Rafaels strength later this week.

Rafael will be a rainmaker, wherever it nears land in the Gulf, Spann said in the briefing. This will not be anything especially dangerous.

Confidence in the forecast five days out is so low that meteorologists are uncertain whether rain will douse the South at all. The National Hurricane Center said the forecast will become clearer in the next few days.

But the storm has already forced one event to reschedule in South Mississippi: Gulfport announced it would push the annual Gumbo Fest to January, instead of this weekend.
The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Rafael formed in the Caribbean on Monday, and is forecast to intensify into a hurricane as it heads north toward the Gulf of Mexico.

As of the NHCs 7 p.m. EST advisory, Rafael was located about 150 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica, and 370 miles southeast of Grand Cayman moving north-northwest at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend out up to 105 miles from its center.

A hurricane warning is already in effect for the Cayman Islands and a tropical storm warning is in place for Jamaica. A hurricane watch is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas and the Isle of Youth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A tropical storm watch is in effect for the lower and middle Florida Keys from Key West to west of the Channel 5 Bridge as well as the Dry Tortugas.

On the forecast track, the system is expected to move near Jamaica during the overnight period, be near or over the Cayman Islands late Tuesday, and approach Cuba on Wednesday, forecasters said. Steady to rapid strengthening is forecasted and the system could become a hurricane on Tuesday.

Rainfall totals could reach more than 9 inches over Jamaica and Cuba through mid-week, and then spread north into Florida and adjacent areas of the southeast United States in the latter half of the week.

Storm surge is projected to range from 1-3 feet in the Dry Tortugas and 1-2 feet in the lower Florida Keys.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Forecast models have shifted more to the west since the weekend with the center of the storm entering the Gulf of Mexico still as a Category 1 hurricane, and now growing to a Category 2 hurricane with 100 mph winds by Thursday, but losing steam before landfall likely along the Texas or Louisiana coast, although the western Florida panhandle remains within the cone of uncertainty.

When the system reaches the Gulf of Mexico, the model solutions diverge, which appears to be due to differences in the steering patterns and vertical depth of the storm, forecasters said in the official storm discussion. The NHC track forecast is largely an update of the previous one and remains close to the various consensus models. However, it should be noted that the track forecast over the Gulf of Mexico is of low confidence.

The National Weather Service in Miami forecasts more than 2 inches of rain on Tuesday evening for parts of South Florida with windy conditions. The NWS in Melbourne said 1-2 inches are likely Wednesday for Central Florida.

Tropical storm conditions are possible in the Lower and Middle Florida Keys beginning late Wednesday or Wednesday night, forecasters said. It is too soon to determine what, if any, impacts Rafael could bring to portions of the northern Gulf coast. Residents in this area should regularly monitor updates to the forecast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The NHC also continued to track a potential system that could form north of the Caribbeans Leeward Islands in a few days.

Some slow development of this system is possible towards the latter part of this week as it moves generally westward over the southwestern Atlantic, forecasters said.

The NHC gives it a 20% chance to develop in the next seven days.

And what had developed into Tropical Storm Patty lost its tropical characteristics as it continued its speedy path toward Spain in the far eastern Atlantic.

In the NHCs final 10 a.m. advisory Monday, the remnants of Patty were located about 585 miles east of the Azores moving east-northeast at 17 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It will still bring significant rainfall to parts of the Iberian Peninsula with up to 5 inches in portions of Portugal and western Spain.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has now produced 17 named storms, with 10 of the systems having grown into hurricanes, three of which have struck Floridas Gulf Coast.

The official hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.

_____
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  Tropical Storm Rafael has formed in the Caribbean Sea, becoming the seventeenth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

The storm is quickly strengthening and already showing signs of an eyewall structure with intensified thunderstorm activity near its center.

Recent reports from the U.S. Air Force Hurricane Hunters indicate sustained winds have reached around 45 miles per hour and satellite imagery shows improving organization with the storms structure.

Rafael has slightly shifted to the northeast of its previous track and is currently moving north at about 9 mph. A turn to the northwest is forecast for later tonight, with the projected path bringing the storm close to Jamaica tonight and across western Cuba on Wednesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Once the system reaches the Gulf of Mexico, forecast models are split on the potential path of the system due to differing steering patterns, leading to lower confidence in its track.

The storms structure is improving as low wind shear, high moisture, and warm sea surface temperatures favor continued intensification.

Forecast models suggest steady to rapid strengthening, with a nearly 40% chance of a 35 mph increase in wind speed within the next 24 hours. However, as it nears the central Gulf later this week, increased wind shear, drier air, and slightly cooler waters are likely to weaken it.

Its rare for hurricanes to make landfall in the United States in November. In fact, its only happened four times on record  in 1861, 1935, 1985, and 2022. Of those four hurricane, only one, Hurricane Kate in 1985, made landfall on the Gulf Coast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While its too early to determine Rafaels exact impact on the northern Gulf Coast, residents are advised by the NHC to closely monitor forecast updates. The storm will also bring heavy rainfall to portions of Florida and parts of the southeastern U.S. by mid-to-late week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Donald Trump has claimed there is massive cheating taking place in the presidential election, hours after saying he would only accept the result of the vote if it was fair.

The former US president posted on his Truth Social account on Tuesday afternoon:

Philadelphias district attorney responded saying there is no factual basis whatsoever to Trumps claim of cheating.

Larry Krasner said: The only talk about massive cheating has come from one of the candidates, Donald J. Trump. There is no factual basis whatsoever within law enforcement to support this wild allegation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have invited complaints and allegations of improprieties all day. If Donald J. Trump has any facts to support his wild allegations, we want them now. Right now. We are not holding our breath.

Trumps claim sets the scene for what Democrats fear will be another contested election if Kamala Harris is declared the winner, after Trump refused to accept the result in 2020.

Republicans have claimed a variety of instances of voter fraud at this election, including claims of voters being turned away from polling stations during the early voting period and some electronic voting machines malfunctioning.

Casting his vote in Palm Beach, Florida, earlier on Tuesday, Trump said: If I lose an election, if its a fair election, Im gonna be the first one to acknowledge it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At that point the former president said that he thought that the election had been fair, despite legal challenges and thousands of lawyers on both sides.

Asked whether he would call for calm among his supporters if he lost, Trump said: I certainly dont want any violence. He added: Of course therell be no violence; my supporters are not violent people.

Rudy Giuliani, Trumps former lawyer, told The Telegraph he had seen no sign of cheating, but added: I know anything is possible with crooked Democrats.

Rudy Giuliani warned anything is possible with crooked Democrats - Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

It comes after Kamala Harris took part in a series of local radio interviews in key battleground states as the Democrats mounted their final push to get voters out to polling stations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Addressing slurs her opponents had levelled against her, including Trump calling her a low-IQ individual, Ms Harris said their insults were meant to distract her, adding: Im not going to get distracted by that noise.

Nate Silver, one of Americas top polling analysts, has said that the race is closer than a coin flip, with his election model predicting Ms Harris would win by a narrow margin.

Trump said on Tuesday that he felt very confident after a great campaign.

I think it was maybe the best of the three, he said. We did great in the first one. We did much better in the second one. But something happened, and this was the best, I would say.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He added he would not stand for a fourth time if he lost, and would leave politics sad and very fulfilled.

Kamala Harris, pictured with husband Doug Emhoff, shrugged off personal attacks - AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Despite Trumps promise to respect the result of the election, federal authorities have been making preparations for civil unrest in swing states and in Washington, DC.

In some states, the National Guard has been placed on standby to quell protests, while elsewhere police have been given training on dealing with riots.

Trump has repeatedly claimed the 2020 election was stolen and has been indicted on charges of election interference in Georgia for his alleged attempt to overturn the result in that state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A separate case in Washington accused him of defrauding the American people over his denial of the result and alleged involvement in the Jan 6 riots at the Capitol.

On Tuesday, Trump called for the US voting system to return to paper ballots, after issues with voting machines during this cycle and amid claims from his supporters that computers used in 2020 were central to a conspiracy to steal the result for Joe Biden.

We have too complicated a process, he told reporters. If we had a piece of paper watermarked, you know that paper is more sophisticated now than computers.

Its watermarked paper, you cannot...its unbelievable, what happens with it. Theres nothing you can do to cheat.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
If youve spent time on social media lately, youve surely encountered the argument that Kamala Harris and Democrats have squandered way too much time and resources on attacking Donald Trump as a sexual predator, dangerous madman, and wannabe fascist dictator. In this telling, the Democrats obsession with Trumpwith the civic emergency he poses and with his thoroughly debased character and temperamenthas led the party to neglect addressing the economy, and its costing them support with the American voters who will Actually Matter in this election.

Theres one complication with this theory, however: Its wrong. The Harris campaign and the Democratic Party have poured immense amounts of resources into economic messagingto the tune of well over $200 million, according to figures provided to me by AdImpact, which tracks political advertising. Harris and the Democrats have actually outspent Trump and Republicans on ads about the economy by around $70 million, according to the firm.

This should begin to flip the script on our understanding of this election. Rather than Democrats taking their eye off the economic ball due to their obsession with Trumpor with reproductive rights, as another version of this theory has itwhat if Trump actually got caught napping on the economy, due to his campaigns hubristic certainty that he cant lose the argument over it? This can be the case even if Trump ends up winning, as it will still be true that Harris largely closed the gap with Trump on the economy to near paritya remarkable achievement that is partly fueled by these huge expenditures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At my request, AdImpact tallied up the total spending on all ads that are in some sense about the economy or the candidates economic agendas. I asked for all spending by the two campaignsand by the parties and all major super PACs and other associated groups aligned with the campaigns on both sidesfrom July 21, when President Biden dropped out of the race, to the present.

The results are striking. In that time period, the Harris campaign and all allied organizations spent an estimated total of nearly $225 million on such ads about the economy, AdImpact found. By contrast, the Trump campaign and its allied groups spent just over an estimated $155 million.

If Harris does win this election, these expenditures should inform what Democrats and liberals conclude from the outcome about how to do politics going forward. They suggest that its possible to campaign against the civic menace Trump poses and talk about the economy at the same time. Indeed, both these things together might be essential in defeating the broader threat that Trump represents, in that they appeal to different constituencies in the anti-MAGA coalition.

A look at the ads that Harris and Democrats are currently running on the economy in the races final daystracked and provided by AdImpactdemonstrates how they are speaking to many different elements of this coalition in unappreciated ways.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One spot leads with Trumps vow to persecute his enemies, then pivots to a point-by-point series of promises on Harriss economic agenda: Curb corporate price gouging, lower housing costs, cut middle class taxes, and protect social insurance for the elderly. This appears aimed partly at suburban voters, including right-leaning ones, who have deep reservations about Trumps temperament and character but still feel seduced by Trumps economic promises and need to be reassured that Harris is economically on their side.

Another ad, from the super PAC Future Forward, features a two-time Trump voter lamenting Trumps tax cuts for the rich and extolling Harriss plans for middle-class tax cuts. Another spot shows a steelworker hitting the same themes. Still another ad from the Harris campaign features a similar message coming from a farmer in western Pennsylvania. These ads reach out to Trump-supporting working-class voters whose allegiance to Trump and the GOP is soft. Note how theyre targeted at somewhat different micro constituencies: both industrial workers and farmers in the Midwest.

Yet another ad from Harriss campaign appears aimed at nonwhite working-class voters tempted by Trumps economic message: It talks emotionally about the hardships of working-class life, slams Trumps policies as a giveaway to billionaires, and hits corporations for price gouging on basic necessities. And this spot promising to target price gougers is aimed at that same constituency.

Its sometimes said that the Democratic Party has lost touch with its populist roots. Thats true in some ways. But ads like those abovewhich emphasize Trumps allegiance to the billionaire class, shady special interests like corrupt landlords, and price-gouging corporationsshow that Harris and Democrats have been employing a lot of populist appeals that have gone largely unnoticed by the media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The pro-Harris coalition has quietly but aggressively drawn an economic contrast with Trump using populist messaging, Sawyer Hacket, a senior adviser to the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, told me. Under the radar, theyve fought the economic battle to a draw.

As David Weigel reports at Semafor, its a mostly untold story that, while the news cycle chases after Trumps latest outrageand the Democratic response to itall these ads about the economy are grinding away in the swing states, day after day. As Weigel also reports, many of the stump speeches from Harris and her surrogates are also focused on the economy, even as attacks on Trump suck up the media attention.

That $225 million has gone into Democratic ads about the economy underscores that dynamic. But it also challenges a deeper theory of our politics that lies behind claims that Democrats are overly focused on Trumps personal excesses (or reproductive rights, in other iterations of the tale). According to this theory, the voters who will decide the presidential race view the searing social tensions and hatreds that Trump has unleashed and his depraved moral character with relatively little concern.

Democrats, goes this theory, have fixated on those things at their peril. As a result, the party is neglecting the authentic material concerns of working-class voters, which Trump is exploiting with populist bombast aimed squarely at those concerns. However demagogic it all may be, its filling a void left open by Democrats, putting him on the cusp of victory yet again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

All these ad expenditures call this into serious question. Instead, if the election goes well for Harris, it will demonstrate that holding the forces of rising authoritarianism at bay requires appealing to numerous voter groups spanning the center-left and center rightand that a multiplicity of messages is required to reach them.

For instance, right-leaning independents and moderate Republicansespecially affluent suburbaniteswho have supported GOP economics all their lives might need to be nudged into Harriss camp by reminders of Trumps fondness for violence, authoritarian threats, sexual predations, and open boasts about taking reproductive rights away from half the population. Those voters might respond more to those things than, say, working-class voters who are more motivated by nostalgia for the good pre-Covid economy, and thus need more direct populist reassurances.

The threat posed by Trump and his MAGA movement thrives on the deep pain and trauma resulting from enduring the Covid catastrophe; totalitarian-style movement propaganda falsifying his own economic failures and the largely successful recovery under his successor; and a massive, durable support base thats energized by his naked authoritarian cruelties and unmoved by his degeneracy and criminality. It requires a large, diverse coalition to defeat that threat, and assembling that coalition has required both economic and anti-authoritarian appeals alike.

This election remains a toss-up, and none of this is to suggest that the Democratic Party has solved its problem with working-class voters. But if Harris does win, a recognition of the need to combat growing authoritarianism with a broad, multiracial, cross-class, economically diverse, pro-democracy, pro-rule of law, pro-choice, and pro-human-decency coalition will be a key reason why.
(Bloomberg) -- For Donald Trump, the outcome of Tuesdays election is about more than winning the White House  it may shield him from criminal prosecutions.

Most Read from Bloomberg

With his victory, Trump, 78, minimized any risk of spending years behind bars. Instead, Trumps defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris sets the stage for the president-elect to dismiss the federal charges and reinvigorates his push to quash a pair of state cases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Listen to the Heres Why podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen.

Trump can wield the vast powers of the US presidency to shut down the federal prosecutions, because he will have ultimate authority over the Justice Department. Although he cant order state prosecutors to drop cases, Trump could attempt to delay them indefinitely.

The most immediate legal threat to Trump is a Nov. 26 sentencing by a New York state judge in the so-called hush money case  the only one thats gone to trial so far. Trumps win gives his legal team fresh arguments to try to cancel the sentencing and have the case tossed out entirely.

Trump has denied wrongdoing in all of the cases that state and federal prosecutions have brought against him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hush-Money Case (New York State)

In May, a New York jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to former adult-film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg alleged the payment was part of a scheme to influence the election by keeping tabloid stories from being published.

New York state judge Juan Merchan delayed the sentencing until after Tuesdays election. Trump has asked to have the verdict tossed out, arguing the trial included evidence that shouldnt have been allowed under a new US Supreme Court immunity standard.

In July, the high court held that former presidents are largely immune from criminal charges stemming from official conduct while in office. Merchan said hell rule by Nov. 12 on Trumps immunity argument.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With Trumps win, the judge could call off the sentencing to avoid concerns around the president-elect appearing in criminal court and the case could be adjourned until Trumps term is over. In light of the election win, Trumps lawyers will probably also fight have the verdict tossed out.

Federal Election Fraud Case (Washington)

Special Counsel Jack Smith in August 2023 charged Trump with conspiring to reverse the 2020 election results and inciting a deadly riot at the US Capitol.

Trump argued that hes immune from prosecution because he was president, a fight that made it all the way to the Supreme Court. While the justices broadly sided with Trump, they sent the case back to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan to decide if it could move forward under the courts new immunity standard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Smith, seeking to keep the case alive, in August filed an updated indictment that removed some details that could be impacted by the SCOTUS ruling, but included the same claims against Trump.

Now, Trump will likely direct his attorney general to shut down the case. Trump also told a conservative podcaster hed quickly fire Smith.

Federal Classified Documents Case (Florida)

Smith in June 2023 charged Trump with dozens of counts of retaining national security documents after leaving the White House and repeatedly obstructing US efforts to get the records back.

US District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case in July after ruling that Smiths appointment was unconstitutional. The Trump-appointee determined that Congress hadnt given Attorney General Merrick Garland authority to appoint a private citizen as a special counsel. The government has appealed, arguing the ruling veered from decades of legal tradition upholding the work of special prosecutors in high-profile criminal cases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As with the election fraud case, Trump can quickly move to have the prosecution dropped by the Justice Department. That would prevent the appeals court from being able to reinstate the case as the government is currently seeking to do.

Election Fraud Case (Georgia State)

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in August 2023 filed her own case against Trump over the 2020 election based on Georgia state law. The Georgia prosecution accused more than a dozen Trump backers, including lawyer Rudy Giuliani, of participating in a scheme that violated state racketeering law.

The case has also been put on hold until an appeals court resolves whether Willis should be removed because of a romance with one of the prosecutors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps lawyers will likely seek to have the case tossed out on grounds that continuing to prosecute Trump would interfere with his constitutional duties.

(Updates with election win throughout.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WFLA)  Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke to reporters in Florida after casting his ballot in the 2024 election.

On Tuesday, the former president voted at a polling location in West Palm Beach alongside his wife, Melania.

Live updates: 2024 US presidential election

I feel very confident, the former President told reporters.

Trump added that if voters used paper ballots, voter ID, and proof of citizenship, it would be over in one day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He criticized the state of Pennsylvania, saying the very expensive computers theyre using wont yield the results for two or three days.

I think its an absolute outrage if thats the case, Trump said.

Tampas Alessi Bakery political cookie poll predicts a landslide victory

In the interview with reporters, the former President also added that his supporters are not violent people and that he certainly dont have to tell them to not be violent since theyre great people and dont believe in violence.

Wrapping up the interview, Trump was asked if this would be his last campaign.

I would think so, he told reporters. Sad and very fulfilled. I think were going to have a very big victory today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another clip shows the former President urging Republicans to remain in line to vote while adding that Democrats can leave.

Trump concluded his statements by saying if he loses the election, If its a fair election, that he would be the first person to acknowledge it, before referencing both sides being lawyered up.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Getty Images

Sign up for The Agenda  Thems news and politics newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Thursday.

Somehow Donald Trumps campaign has decided that the best way to close out a contentious presidential race is by rehashing baseless accusations about Olympic gold medalist boxer Imane Khelifs biological sex.

On November 2, the Trump campaign released a minute-long ad entitled We Fight, in which a gravelly-voiced narrator claims that, four years ago, Americans took a wrong turn by electing Democratic President Joe Biden. As evidence of this so-called downfall, the ad features a clip of Khelif at this years Olympic Games as the narrator intones, Men could beat up women and win medals. The ad also includes anti-immigrant dog whistles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you somehow missed the transphobic nonsense that tainted the Paris Olympics, a quick recap: After Italian boxer Angela Carini forfeited her match against Khelif, a loud subset of right-wing trolls and anti-trans activists  including J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk  baselessly and falsely claimed that Khelif was secretly transgender. In August, Khelif filed a harassment claim in France in which she named Musk, Rowling, and other public figures as part of a cyberbullying campaign against her.

The GOP Is Doubling Down on Anti-Trans Ads. Democrats Rebuttals Are Abysmal

Democratic candidates are dodging the question at the heart of right-wing anti-trans discourse: Will you protect trans rights or not?

Im not saying that there arent many, many reasons to criticize the U.S. government. But I would wager that drudging up a months-old harassment campaign rooted in transphobia against an Algerian boxer isnt a pressing issue for most  or any  American voters. Does Trump really want to court even more legal trouble than he already has?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As bizarre as the inclusion of Khelif in an American presidential campaign ad is, Republican candidates attempting to weaponize transphobic fearmongering is nothing new. An October New York Times analysis of AdImpact data found that Republicans have spent over $65 million on anti-trans campaign ads since the beginning of August and the Trump campaign had already spent $15.5 million on anti-trans ads in just three weeks.

Yet based on polling data, anti-trans ads are unlikely to help Trump win over undecided voters. An October 9 Gallup poll asked voters to gauge the importance of 22 issues, such as the economy, immigration, and what types of Supreme Justices candidates would pick. Of those issues, transgender rights ranked last.

Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here.

Originally Appeared on them.
It was Donald Trump's presidency that brought Lester Blount to Palm Beach County.

Blount was a U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to then-President Trump's protective detail at Mar-a-Lago, dubbed the "Winter White House" during the New Yorker-turned-Palm Beacher's term in the Oval Office. Soon after Trump lost his re-election bid four years ago, Blount retired.

But he chose to make a new home in the Palm Beaches, where he established a security business.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I just decided, 'Hey, I am going to move here,' " he said. "That's how it all started, at Mar-a-Lago."

And that's how it also started for many thousands of others who have resettled in Palm Beach County, drawn here to varying degrees by the spotlight Trump's nearly decade-long political career has focused on this slice of South Florida.

In the process, Palm Beach County has seen seismic demographic, economic and political changes  a transformation unlikely to reverse, regardless of the outcomes of Tuesday's election.

"President Trump has been a game-changer without question in Palm Beach County," said Peter Feaman, a four-decades-long resident who is a leader in the Republican Party. "In terms of economy, in terms of tourism, people coming here because President Trump lives here and people leaving here because President Trump lives here. And that has turned things around."

Trump presidency, 2024 campaign put spotlight on Palm Beach County

The impact wasn't so predictable, and certainly not discernible until Trump won the 2016 presidential election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That Thanksgiving, President-elect Trump arrived in Palm Beach  toting with him an entourage and drawing both supporters to streetside demonstrations and the focus of an international press corps. The same occurred when he spent that year's Christmas and New Year's holidays at his private club, where he wrote his inaugural speech.

While president, Trump made 30-plus trips to Palm Beach.

He brought world leaders, national political figures and MAGA celebrities with him on Air Force One. Often he arrived at the golden hour, with a radiant sunset shining on swaying palm trees as various parts of America were digging out of blizzards.

President Donald J. Trump shakes hands with FAU student, Dey'sha West, Miramar as the Florida Atlantic University Pep Band performs on the lawn of Trump International Golf Club before attending the President's annual Super Bowl watch party at the club in West Palm Beach on Feb. 2, 2018.

In 2019, Trump changed his residency to Florida from New York.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After leaving the White House in January 2021, which Trump said he regretted doing in a rally speech in Lititz, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Nov. 3, Mar-a-Lago meta-morphed from a venue principally booked for the most glamorous charity balls of the social season to the hub for the Make America Great Again movement's political events, including the Trumpettes fan club galas and other parties, ultra-right documentary premieres and candidate fundraisers.

Partisanship aside, Kelly Smallridge, president & CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, said in an interview early this year that Trump's presidency brought a "panache and appeal and glamour that is very exciting" and that has carried over in the past three years.

"I could not begin to pay for the amount of coverage and publicity that we got," said Smallridge. "I don't care what your politics are. Palm Beach is on a map that it's never been at before. No matter what news station you turn on, our county was that backdrop."

Palm Beach County transforms from blue bastion to battleground

The most dramatic change has been felt in the political arena.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the outset of the 2016 presidential election year, Palm Beach County Democrats enjoyed an advantage of 114,260 registered voters over Republicans. As the 2024 election year comes to a close, that gap has been whittled to 42,784.

The county GOP flexed its political muscle in the 2022 midterm election by winning key commission races that gave the party a majority on the dais  the first time since 2006. Plus, the statewide Republican candidates, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, carried the county by double-digit margins.

Hosting world leaders at Mar-a-Lago isn't new for President Donald Trump, shown here in February at Palm Beach International Airport with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, first lady Melania Trump and the prime minister's wife, Akie Abe.

Feaman, who is a Florida representative on the Republican National Committee, said "there's a lot of factors in play" that have fueled the shift. One is demographics, as the population of liberal U.S. transplants and domestic New Deal stalwarts that dominated politics here have passed and have been replaced by more conservative newcomers.

Feaman recalls that when he first arrived in the county in 1983, Democrats tightly controlled the voting bastions of Kings Point and Century Village. Not so anymore, as now those communities boast Republican clubs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I've lived here for 41 years and what's happened in the last eight years has been nothing less than astounding," he said. "Forty years ago, that would have been unheard of."

Chinese president Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan wave as they arrive at the Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., Thursday, April 6, 2017. The president will meet with President Donald Trump for a two-day summit at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach. (Joe Forzano / The Palm Beach Post)

On election night, Feaman and county Republicans will be watching closely to see if they maintain their majority on the county commission and hold on to a key Florida House seats, including in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton districts. But the race they will be watching most closely across the county is the high-powered race for state prosecutor to replace outgoing State Attorney Dave Aronberg.

"That's a bellwether. If we win that, Katie bar the door in terms of continuing change from blue to red in Palm Beach County," said Feaman. "It's going to be interesting not just nationally, but also locally in Palm Beach County."

Donald Trump supporters wait at the intersection of Southern Blvd. and Parker Ave. for the former President's motorcade to pass by carrying him to the Palm Beach International Airport April 3, 2023. Trump is departing Florida for Manhattan ahead of his arraignment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tax reform, post-COVID remote work also factors

Economists and others cite different catalysts, including the 2017 tax reform bill signed into law by Trump, which ended the federal income tax break for people living in states that levy their own income taxes. Another pull factor has been the post-pandemic remote work trend that allowed people to move here with their higher salaries.

U.S. Census estimates suggest the county grew by nearly 43,000 people between 2020 and 2023. Those newcomers brought significant spending power with them. A study by the Washington, D.C.-based Economic Information Group found the county gained $7 billion in adjusted gross income between 2020 and 2021 alone.

The surge in affluence in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach has kept the two municipalities in a Top 5 list of the fastest-growing areas for accumulating millionaire residents. Between 2013 and 2023, the two localities separated by the Intracoastal posted a 93% increase in millionaires.

Donald Trump attends a farmer's roundtable event at Bedner Farms west of Boynton Beach on October 24, 2016.

But they also concede the "Trump effect" phenomena  as one business recruiter termed it in early 2017  has also been a factor in Palm Beach County's population and financial boom.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Real estate developers building residences in West Palm Beach say the presence of global media for Trump appearances also promotes the county's image as a destination for living and working.

Al Adelson built The Bristol luxury condominium in West Palm Beach, a 25-story tower on the Intracoastal Waterway that set the mark for the most expensive condo ever built in Palm Beach County. Adelson now is planning to build The Berkeley, another West Palm Beach high-rise on the western edge of downtown along Clear Lake.

Adelson said Palm Beach already was known as an "exclusive and beautiful destination" before Trump became president. But having the country's leader live and often work in Palm Beach County has been influential in changing "the whole Palm Beach area," including West Palm Beach.

Adelson noted, however, that having any president or former president is a boost to their local community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I never knew about Rehoboth Beach until (President Joe) Biden started going there," Adelson said. "(Former President John) Kennedy made Hyannis Port pretty famous."

President Donald J. Trump and first lady, Melania, view the Florida Atlantic University Pep Band on the lawn of Trump International Golf Club before attending the President's annual Super Bowl watch party at the club in West Palm Beach, Florida on February 4, 2018. (Allen Eyestone / The Palm Beach Post)

Tourism expert labels it the 'Trump bump'

Some business experts think that Trumps presence in Palm Beach County is a steady but continued boost for its economy.

President Donald Trump greets a crowd of supporters after arriving on Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport on Tuesday. [RICHARD GRAULICH/palmbeachpost.com]

Milton Segarra, president of Discover The Palm Beaches, the county's tourism marketing arm, said he doesn't believe the county's recent strong hotel performance is only a function of Trump's presence, but he acknowledged that it likely does provide an added boost.

"Every time you have Mr. Trump coming to his house, it will impact some hotels," Segarra said. "With everything surrounding the candidates and the apparatus required and (people) needing places to stay, obviously it will have some impact."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Peter Ricci, director of the hospitality and tourism management program at Florida Atlantic University's College of Business, said there is a correlation between Trump's presence here and overall visitor numbers for the county.

Former President Donald Trump walks to the ballroom for his press conference at Mar-a-Lago on October 29, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida.

For example, hes convinced the countys hotel occupancy rate experienced a Trump bump in August and September when Trump spent more time than normal here during the off-season. In the past, he would often live in his Bedminster, New Jersey residence in the off-season.

Traditionally, those are the slowest months of the year when it comes to Palm Beach County hotel stays. But hotel occupancy in August was 60%, up 3.4 percentage points from the same time in 2023, and nearly 58% in September, up more than 6 percentage points from the same month in 2023, Ricci said.

When Trump is in town, we have Secret Service and private aviation pilots," Ricci noted, plus more people in general.

"We have more visitors than we normally do this time of year. There are campaign events, and his campaign headquarters is here," Ricci said. "That means (campaign officials) are eating in restaurants and renting cars. Its just good for the county."

Even when Trump isn't in town, Mar-a-Lago, Trump's residence and private club in Palm Beach, is packed with events year-round, Ricci said. This includes political fundraisers during the summer and the slow months of fall when the club isn't typically as busy as it is during the winter months.

"Theres something in the water, and Ive lived here too long to say its an anomaly," Ricci added. "I call it the Trump bump."

Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: How Trump's decade in political spotlight has changed Palm Beach County
WASHINGTON  For Donald Trump, Tuesdays election has come to this: Its either the White House or the Big House.

If he wins, the coup-attempting former president, already a convicted criminal, will be able to postpone his Georgia and New York state prosecutions until he is no longer in office. As for his two federal cases, he would be able to make them disappear forever by simply ordering his attorney general to dismiss them.

Those will be dismissed on Jan. 20. Both of them, said Ty Cobb, a former Trump White House lawyer and onetime federal prosecutor who thinks his old boss deserves prison time. Theres a compelling interest for the country to deter this treasonous bullshit and the mishandling of sensitive information.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump himself confirmed he would end the federal prosecutions by firing special counsel Jack Smith in an interview last month with pro-Trump radio host Hugh Hewitt. Its so easy  I would fire him within two seconds, Trump said. Smith has headed the election interference and classified documents investigations.

The New York and Georgia cases, meanwhile, would at best go into hibernation, lawyers said, because courts have ruled that presidents must have the ability to carry out their duties under the Constitution, notwithstanding state legal cases.

The state cases, because of the supremacy clause, nothing much will occur, said Karen Agnifilio, a former prosecutor in Manhattan. He can be sentenced in New York state, but he will not get anything that bleeds into his presidency. So maybe community service? A fine? Nothing?

A Trump victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris would mark the first time in American history that voters have put a literal criminal into office. Among former presidents, only Richard Nixon even came close to facing charges for his attempt to cheat in the 1972 presidential election and his subsequent attempts to cover it up. He was preemptively pardoned by newly sworn-in Gerald Ford days after Nixon resigned from office in 1974.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump, in contrast, already faces three active criminal cases against him: in state court in Georgia, for his attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss there; in federal court in Washington, D.C., for his actions leading up to and during his Jan. 6, 2021, coup attempt; and in New York state court, for falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 hush money payment to a porn star days ahead of the 2016 election. There was a second federal prosecution, in South Florida based on Trumps refusal to turn over secret documents he took with him to his Palm Beach country club upon leaving the White House, that was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon. Smith is appealing to have those charges reinstated.

The New York case would be his most immediate threat, should he lose. A New York City jury in May found him guilty on every count. Sentencing is now set for Nov. 26.

Though it is a white-collar crime and Trump is still legally a first-time offender, Judge Juan Merchan can consider Trumps lack of remorse, the seriousness of the crime  intended to sway the 2016 presidential election  as well as Trumps multiple violations of Merchans gag order forbidding the former president from attacking witnesses and court officers in the case.

In this courtroom sketch, former President Donald Trump smiles at the jury pool on April 15 in Manhattan state court as he is introduced at the beginning of his trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 election. Jane Rosenberg/Pool Photo via Associated Press

Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts and should be treated like any other American. He should be sentenced as scheduled, said Norm Eisen, a former lawyer in the Barack Obama White House who later worked for the U.S. House during Trumps first impeachment for trying to extort Ukrainian authorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Under New York guidelines, Trump could face 16 months to four years in prison at his sentencing, but Merchan will almost certainly allow Trump to remain free until he has exhausted his appeals.

The Georgia case, in which Trump and multiple co-defendants have been indicted on a variety of charges, including racketeering and conspiracy, is currently bogged down in pre-trial motions. If Trump wins the election, he would likely get a stay of proceedings until he is no longer in office. If he loses, the cases probably would not get to trial for a year, at least.

Both the Georgia case and the two federal cases, unlike the New York conviction, bring with them the possibility of substantial prison time if he is convicted on the most serious charges.

The racketeering charge in Georgia, for example, carries a minimum five-year sentence, while the conspiracy charges in the federal case are punishable by a decade or more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cobb says that if Trump loses, the Jan. 6 case could come to trial by late 2025 or early 2026, depending on how quickly the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the inevitable appeal Trump will make arguing he is immune even under the revised indictment in that case. The high court this summer ruled that a president is immune from prosecution for all official acts, which led Smith to bring a superseding indictment that dropped some allegations regarding Trumps demands of his own Department of Justice for help in overturning the 2020 election.

The federal prosecution in South Florida is currently before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. That court previously overruled and strongly criticized Cannon for a ruling that benefited Trump.

Cobb said that in both federal prosecutions, Trump would reasonably get six to nine years in prison under the sentencing guidelines if hes convicted.

He will go to jail, assuming three things: One, he doesnt win. Two, he lives long enough. And three, she doesnt pardon him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cobb said it would be good for the country for Harris to do so, making him a non-issue rather than keeping him in the national headlines for years to come. It would also be good for the Republican Party, he said, which could move past Trump and return to some level of normalcy.

The reality is that without Trump, the Republicans would have 60 senators and 240 members of the House, he said.

Its unclear whether Harris, once a prosecutor herself and then the elected attorney general of California, would entertain that idea were she to win. Im not going to get into those hypotheticals, she told NBC News when asked about it last month.

Related...
Donald Trump on Tuesday morning used one of the final media appearances of his presidential campaign to deliver a vital message to the American people: Fox News is giving too much airtime to Oprah Winfrey.

The Republican nominee spoke to reporters on Election Day as he and his wife, Melania, cast their votes at Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump launched into a tirade against Fox News after being asked about a comment Winfrey made. On Monday night at Kamala Harris rally in Philadelphia, the TV mogul warned: If we dont show up tomorrow, it is entirely possible that we will not have the opportunity to ever cast a ballot again.

Well, I think its ridiculous, Trump said of Winfreys remarks. Oprah, I was on her last show or one of her last shows, and they picked the biggest people and all of that, and made a big deal. And actually, Im disappointed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think Oprahs become a major divider in our country and I think frankly she should be ashamed of herself, he continued. And you know who else should be ashamed? Fox. Because Ive seen Oprah on Fox about 50 times making the same statement. And I think its a disgrace what Fox does cause everyone thinks Fox is so pro-Trump. Theyre not pro-Trump at all. Theyve put Oprah on all morning long.

He continued his tirade by saying he knows Winfrey well and mentioned the funeral of television executive Roger King, whom Trump described as Oprahs mentor.

Oprah chose the location, Trump said. She said, Mar-a-Lago is the most beautiful place. Would it be possible to have Rogers funeral at Mar-a-Lago in the ballroom? We did it. The only time Ive ever had a funeral there. And I think Oprah should be ashamed of herself to say that. She should be ashamed.

Trump also claimed that Oprah had once wanted to run with me as the vice president, referring to a letter she wrote to him in 2000 that concluded: Too bad were not running for office. What A TEAM!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And now she goes and makes statements like that, Trump said Tuesday morning. Shes a divider. And Barack Hussein Obama is a divider too.

Find the Daily Beasts coverage of the 2024 election here. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.
Donald Trump ended his 2024 campaign rallies with a bang early on Tuesday morning in Grand Rapids, Michigan, describing his not-so-subtle feelings about former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The former president was speaking after a consecutive day of rallies on Monday; his appearance in Michiganhe spoke after midnightwas his last stop before voters take to the ballot box.

Shes a crooked person, shes a bad person. Evil! shes an evil, sick, crazy... the former president said, then breathed the words bi... before stopping himself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Oh no, Trump said, before silently mouthing words in to microphone. It starts with a b but I wont say it, he added. I wanna say it, he interjected. I wanna say it.

Trump on Nancy Pelosi: She's an evil sick, crazy

B -- it start with a B but I won't say it. I want to say it. pic.twitter.com/3eukelYboO  Acyn (@Acyn) November 5, 2024

Trump noted evangelist Franklin Graham had warned him against using foul language, but defended himself claiming I dont use much" and its never a real bad word.

Hes wrong about one thing, Trump said of Graham. It is a little better when you use the foul language.

The comments were an heightening of the rhetoric used by the former president about Pelosi. Earlier Monday, at a rally in North Carolina, he described her as a bad, sick woman. Shes crazy as a bedbug.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A spokesperson for Pelosi told The Independent that Trumps North Carolina comments are just the usual projection of his own insanity.

The former President is showing himself to be increasingly unhinged and unstable, a spokesperson said.

It comes after Pelosi ripped into Trump in an interview with MSNBC on Sunday, claiming the former president is suffering from cognitive degeneration.

I think what the ex-president just said is further indication of his cognitive degeneration, Pelosi said.

.@TeamPelosi on Trumps violent rhetoric at PA rally: I think that what the ex-president just said is further indication of his cognitive degeneration He cant last as president for four years with his brain deteriorating at the rate that it is. pic.twitter.com/gRJ5qNZ4iR  Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) November 3, 2024

Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to Pelosis comments to Fox News on Monday, describing her as decrepit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The only thing deteriorating is Nancy Pelosi who is a decrepit washed up corrupt politician who America can no longer stand, Leavitt said. She should go back to the City of San Francisco, which she has totally destroyed, and never return.

Trumps relationship with female voters will be tested at the ballot box after the 78-year-old said he will be the protector of women, whether they like it or not, along with numerous insults towards his female opponents, including Democratic rival Kamala Harris.
In a fierce race for the White House, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and GOP rival former President Donald Trump lavished Michigan with attention, making the battleground state a frequent stop on the campaign trail as they rallied supporters ahead of Election Day Tuesday.

Their running mates followed in their footsteps as frequent visitors to the Mitten state too.

Michigan is one of several swing states that could decide who wins the presidency.

Number of Michigan visits

Harris spent 16 days in Michigan this election year. She made four of those stops before President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and she launched her last-minute presidential campaign. Her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz spent 10 days campaigning in Michigan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On the Republican side, Trump spent 17 days campaigning in Michigan this year, and his running mate Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance spent 12 days stumping in the state.

A look at the popular stops

Wayne County  Michigan's most populous county and its most diverse  saw the greatest number of candidate stops. The county is home to Detroit and a Democratic stronghold although it has red pockets, particularly Downriver.

Kent County saw the second-highest number of candidate visits. Kent County is its own battleground in a battleground state. Since 2008, every presidential candidate who won Kent County ultimately won Michigan, except Mitt Romney in 2012. Trump carried Kent County on the way to his upset Michigan win in 2016, defeating Hillary Clinton by around three percentage points. With Harris on his ticket, Biden flipped the county four years later, beating Trump by six percentage points in 2020.

Oakland County is Michigan's wealthiest county, and it was another frequent stop for the presidential candidates and their running mates. Trump held his first campaign rally in Michigan this year in February at an airport hangar in Waterford where his supporters stood in sub-freezing temperatures to see him. Oakland County is also where Harris held an event with Republican former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney in a quest to court conservative voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Macomb and Saginaw counties were also popular stops this year on the campaign trail in Michigan. Trump won Macomb County  home to the so-called "Reagan Democrats"  in both 2016 and 2020. Trump won Saginaw County in 2016 but Biden won it in 2020. Since 1992, the presidential candidate who won the county has also won statewide.

While the candidates crisscrossed Michigan, no presidential or vice presidential candidates stopped in the Upper Peninsula.

Election eve rallies

Carrying out a Trump tradition, the GOP presidential nominee returned to Grand Rapids again this year for an election eve rally. That's where Trump also finished his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. Walz held a competing late-night rally Monday at Detroit's Hart Plaza that featured musical performances by the Detroit Youth Choir, Jon Bon Jovi and The War and Treaty.

Staff writers Paul Egan and Arpan Lobo contributed to this report

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.

Looking for more on Michigans elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Harris, Trump visited Michigan often during White House bids
The first US election results have been announced in the small village of Dixville Notch in New Hampshire, and it's a tie.

Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump tied with three votes each, as announced on a handwritten board shortly after midnight (0500 GMT). The voter turnout was 100%.

Polling stations opened at midnight (0500 GMT) in the village near the Canadian border, which has kept up the tradition since 1960. Since there are only six registered voters, the counting process is quick. US television broadcast the vote and count live.
The Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump has once again set false expectations regarding the vote count for the US election, insisting on a result on election night.

"We want the answer tonight," the 78-year-old said at his final rally in Grand Rapids in the highly contested swing state of Michigan.

Trump had already stirred up sentiment in previous days with unsubstantiated allegations of electoral fraud.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Republican is running against Democrat Kamala Harris, and it is shaping up to be a close race.

It is considered unlikely that the election result will be determined within a few hours after the polling stations close. Postal votes, in particular, delay the counting process in some states.

Following the 2020 presidential election, Trump declared himself the winner on election night and called for a stop to the vote count when he was temporarily ahead of his then-challenger Joe Biden.

He has refused to acknowledge his election defeat in 2020 to Biden to this day. There are fears that Trump might repeat this strategy.
In his final rally before Election Day, Donald Trump brought out a KKK sympathizer to hype up his Grand Rapids, Michigan, crowd.

Just after 1 a.m. EST Tuesday morning, Trump invited Brian Pannebecker, the founder of Auto Workers for Trump, onstage to speak. Pannebecker, a longtime Trump supporter, was outed by Politico in 2015 for praising David Dukes My Awakening: A Path to Racial Understanding in a 2001 Amazon review, and for calling President Barack Obama a race hustler who was trying to benefit from racial tension and animosity, in a 2015 Facebook post.

Pannebecker praised Trump at his last campaign rally and predicted that 65 percent of United Auto Workers members in Michigan would vote for Trump and he would carry suburban Macomb County. The county was key to Trumps victory in the state in 2016, and Pannebecker said, shouting, Were gonna carry Michigan again!

A speech from Brian Pannebecker (@BryPannebecker) of Michigans Auto Workers for Trump at the final Trump Rally tonight in Grand Rapids. If this doesnt get you fired up to vote for Trump tomorrow I dont know what will. pic.twitter.com/CHobMT5rTL  Conservazoomer (@Conservazoomer) November 5, 2024

Trump and Pannebeckers relationship goes back to that 2016 campaign, with Trump meeting with the Michigan native back then even after the news of his David Duke praise was revealed. Pennebecker has been an active campaigner for Trump during this election, making regular appearances at Trumps rallies in Michigan and being dubbed Trumps go-to Michigan auto worker by the The Detroit News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Pannebecker is exaggerating how much support Trump is getting from autoworkers. The UAW endorsed his opponent, Kamala Harris, in July, drawing the ire of Trump. On one of JD Vances visits to Michigan earlier this month, several people in the crowd for his speech wore Auto Workers for Trump T-shirts but werent autoworkers at all. On October 15, Trump even belittled autoworkers, saying their jobs were so easy children could replace them.

As a battleground state, Michigans election results are expected to be very close and could be a bellwether for who wins the presidency. The question is whether autoworkers in the state, a key voting constituency, will vote based on the UAWs endorsement and Democrats pro-labor record or go with glib promises from Trump and Pannebecker.


In 2019, I interrupted private equity emperor Stephen Schwarzman as he addressed several hundred of his and my Yale classmates at our 50th-year reunion dinner under a great white tent on the college's Old Campus.

"That's enough, Steve, You've dispossessed tens of thousands of Americans out of their homes," I announced in my stentorian, second-bass Yale Glee Club voice, rising from a seat at a table not far from the dais, where Schwarzman was holding forth self- indulgently about a donation he'd made.

"Well, it looks like someone has had a few too many," Schwarzman responded  somewhat lamely, I thought. But more than half of my classmates in the room leapt to their feet and applauded him as I turned my back to them and sauntered out into the night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An hour later, I returned and learned that more than a few classmates had felt as I did but hadn't done much more than squirm.

They knew that Schwarzman and another Yale alumnus, Steve Mnuchin, the future treasury secretary, had indeed foreclosed on properties whose residents had been hoodwinked into over-leveraging their purchases in ways that doomed their ownership, as I recounted in the New Republic a few months after confronting him.

After my outburst that evening, our class website carried a frank discussion of the incident. Schwarzman didn't join in; Id been criticizing his premises and practices since 2017 in the Washington Monthly, Dissent and other venues, and I criticized him with renewed purpose days after the 2020 election here in Salon.

The question matters now as never before. You might think that Ive had my say by now about Schwarzman. I'd be glad to see others take up the torch of remonstrance and dissent. Fortunately, Financial Times writer and American editor Edward Luce has come close to doing just that in his Oct. 23 column, headlined "What Croesus Wants From Trump." Luce sees Schwarzman as an American Croesus, horrifically influential in politics as in finance, like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and other billionaires.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More tellingly still, historian Christopher R. Browning, writing in the New York Review of Books, describes how wealthy, reactionary German elites anticipated that they'd be able to profit from, but also control, Adolf Hitlers alarming if erratic demagoguery. That's pretty much what some American billionaires, including Schwarzman, Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, think they can do with Trump after they've secured his election.

If they "elect" Trump, they'll regret it, as I've warned since writing the Salon article referenced above. Yet they may feel vindicated even if Trump loses narrowly to Harris but his acolytes erupt in litigious, violent and protracted fashion. I'm glad to report that Yale School of Management professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld has now assembled 20 former CEOs of major American corporations who endorse Kamala Harris, as he and Doug Parker, former CEO of American Airlines, have explained on CNBC and in Fortune Magazine. But Schwarzman isn't one of them.

Schwarzman's and my alma mater has been riven like this before  long before our own years there in the 1960s: In 1860, before the Civil War began, some Yale students and alumni, including John C. Calhoun  Southerners deeply invested in slavery  packed up their bags and left New Haven, breaking from Northern classmates who would defend the Union and abolish slavery.

Some of the nascent Yale abolitionists who stayed loyal to the Union were capitalists-in-training and by inheritance who were already profiting indirectly from slavery. Yet they also concluded that slavery was morally wrong and that a Southern slaveocracy's secession and success would cripple the republic, not to mention their own dignity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What will today's Ivy League alums, caught now in what Yale Law School professor Daniel Markovits dubs "The Meritocracy Trap," decide about Americans' submission to our own approximation of what Harvard political theorist and classicist Danielle Allen describes as "The Road to Serfdom"  the casino-like financing, the vicious political demagoguery and the caste-like inequities that Trump, a corrupt Supreme Court and a paralyzed Congress have all but normalized?

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Kamala Harris may not be an Abraham Lincoln who'll crush the worst of it, but the rest of us need to stop normalizing our submission to finance and corporate marketing which, especially since the Citizens United ruling, has deranged public debate in consequence of Schwarzman and others' Croesus-like interventions in free speech. We need to intervene in other ways, not only by voting against Trump but by reconfiguring our priorities and habits as investors and as citizens.

No one has said it better than the 19th-century social theorist and economist  and inveterate social-justice warrior  Henry George, who, in "Progress and Poverty," warned that "forms are nothing when substance has gone ... and a government of universal suffrage and theoretical equality may, under conditions which impel the change, most readily become a despotism. For there despotism advances in the name and with the might of the people.... There is no unfranchised class to whom appeal may be made, no privileged orders who in defending their own rights may defend those of all.... [It] was the middle classes who broke the pride of the Stuarts; but a mere aristocracy of wealth will never struggle while it can hope to bribe a tyrant."

So now, too? Trump, Schwarzman, Musk and the rest would have it so. And so, at least according to polls, will half the American electorate. May more of us than of them say otherwise.
Donald Trump was warned by his aides not to attack Michelle Obama on the campaign trail after the former first lady harshly criticised him.

Mrs Obama said Trump was a small man trying to make himself big by exploiting pain and anger and fear in a speech on Saturday.

It follows similar comments about the Republican candidates gross incompetence and obvious mental decline as the former first lady abandoned her when they go low, we go high mantra.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump raised Mrs Obamas insults at one of his final rallies before election day during an appearance in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Michelle hit me, he told supporters. I was so nice to her, out of respect, I was so nice. She hit me the other day.

He re-enacted a conversation he had with his advisers about the former first ladys jibes, referring to the aides as my geniuses.

I was going to say to my people: Am I allowed to hit her now? he told the crowd. They said, Take it easy, sir. Sir, take it easy. My geniuses, they said, Just take it easy.

Trump said he asked his team: What do you mean, she said bad about me, I cant hit back? to which they replied: Sir, youre winning, just relax.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Id actually love to hit back, he continued, but added: Ive always treated her very nicely.

Mrs Obama remains one of the Democrats most popular figures and has lent her star power to Kamala Harris in the last fortnight as the US vice-president looks to shore up her sizeable majority among female voters.

The warnings from Trumps advisers came as the data suggests women have far outpaced men in early voting, triggering alarm within the Republicans inner circle.

Trump has surrounded himself with a small and professional team of advisers in stark contrast to his free-wheeling 2016 campaign. It is led by two respected strategists, Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, who for months have run a disciplined, message-focused campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, as the polls tightened following Ms Harris entry into the race, insiders have revealed that Trump has become increasingly agitated and his aides have found it more difficult to rein in his off-script remarks.

Personal attacks

The Harris campaign was quick to share a clip of Trumps comments on social media, quoting the former president saying: Am I allowed to hit her now? Id love to hit her back.

It is not the first time Trump has confessed to struggling with personal attacks, reportedly telling advisers over the summer that he struggled not to retaliate against political opponents because he felt so much hostility towards them.

The former president has repeatedly been advised by his advisers to focus on bread and butter issues such as the economy and immigration, which data show appeals to more voters than the ad-hominem slurs which delight his base.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In August, he retaliated to barbs made by Mrs Obama and her husband, the former president Barack Obama in their addresses to the Democratic national convention.

The Democratic power couple repeatedly ridiculed Trump, who succeeded them in the White House in 2017, in televised primetime speeches in a marked shift from their previous entreaties to Democrats to avoid denigrating opponents.

Mrs Obama accused Trump of ugly, misogynistic, racist lies, while her husband mocked Trump for having a weird obsession with crowd sizes while making a crudely suggestive hand gesture.

Trump hit back at the couple for taking shots at him during a rally, and argued it justified his own behaviour on the campaign trail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He impersonated his campaign advisers warnings to him, adding: Do I still have to stick to policy?

At his rally in North Carolina on Monday, Trump polled the ladies of North Carolina for whether he should continue to heed his aides advice.

Oh, you say hit back, Trump told the crowd. Id actually love to hit back. But well hold it a little while.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
A federal judge in Georgia threw out a lawsuit Tuesday from the Republican National Committee, which claimed that several counties had illegally accepted absentee ballots in person over the weekend.

The Southern District of Georgias chief judge, Stan R. Baker, said that Republicans complaint that ballot drop boxes could not be open past the end of the early voting period lacked a basic level of statutory review and reading comprehension.

Baker, a Donald Trump appointee, said that Republicans were blatantly attempting to tip the scales of this election by discriminating against [counties] less likely to vote for their candidate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another Georgia judge had already rejected the lawsuit, which targets ballots delivered in the Democratic stronghold of Fulton County, on Saturday.

During an emergency hearing Saturday, Judge Kevin M. Farmer of the Superior Court of Fulton County dismissed Republicans allegations, citing a provision in Georgia law stating that absentee ballots can be returned until the end of voting on Election Day, according to The New York Times.

Republicans also claimed that collecting ballots over the weekend had prevented poll watchers from monitoring election offices while ballots were being turned in. During the hearing, Nadine Williams, director of Fulton County elections, explained that poll watchers were allowed at polling stations but had never been allowed in county offices, according to The Guardian. Williams later clarified that the process should be open to the public.

On Tuesday, Baker said that Republicans so-called concerns about poll watchers were a red herring, and that weekend hours have been part of the election process for years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps campaign, alongside state and national Republicans, sent letters to Athens-Clarke, Chatham, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties demanding that officials keep ballots received after Friday separate from the rest, in anticipation of legal challenges.

A second lawsuit filed in Savannah targeted the other five counties.

Nearly 700,000 Georgians have already cast their ballots, according to an afternoon update from Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who said that at this rate, there are likely to be 1.1 million ballots cast in the state by the end of the day, for a total of more than 5 million votes from the state.

A total of 105 absentee ballots were returned in person to election offices in Fulton County on Saturday.
PITTSBURGH (Reuters) -Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump warned on Monday that, if elected, he would punish Mexico and China with tariffs unless both governments moved to stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

At a campaign rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Trump said he would move quickly to crack down on drug trafficking along the southern U.S. border with Mexico and that he would use tariffs.

"We will immediately stop the drugs pouring across our border," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump said he would impose tariffs on goods from Mexico of 25% and would do the "same thing to China" for exporting fentanyl to Mexico.

"Every damn thing that they sell into the United States is going to have like a 25% (tariff) until they stop drugs from coming in. And let me tell you something, those drugs will stop so damn fast that your head will spin," Trump said.

Trump, at his rally, also spoke extensively about his pledge for the mass deportation of migrants from the United States if he is elected on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Costas Pita; Editing by Sandra Maler)
The working class may love Donald Trump, but Trump doesnt love it back. This is a point Ive tried to emphasize throughout the campaign season.

Three Trump judges this year issued injunctions backing a campaign by Trumps new best friend, Elon Musk, to dismantle the National Labor Relations Board, the only federal agency that adjudicates disputes between labor and management. Trump wants to scale back overtime coverage from the current four million workers to a stingy one million. (Thats what he tried to do when he was president.) For seven yearsappropriately, the length of a biblical plague!Ive wondered whether working stiffs who support Trump harbor some sort of death wish. Just last week Trump carried on like a lunatic because he thought something was wrong with his microphone (even though it appeared to be working just fine). You want to see me knock the hell out of people backstage? said this tribune of the proletariat. So  stupid.

Now Trump is weighing his choices for labor secretary if he wins, and the top contenders, reports Lauren Kaori Gurley in The Washington Post (citing three people involved in discussions) include Andrew Puzder, the former chief executive of CKE Restaurants (Hardees, Carls Jr.).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ill retire to Bedlam.

If the name Andrew Puzder strikes a familiar ring, thats because Puzder became the first Trump Cabinet nominee (of three) to fail to clear Senate confirmation after Politico posted online video of his first wife, Lisa Fierstein, telling Oprah Winfrey, in a 1990 program titled High Class Battered Women, that Puzder threatened to see [her] in the gutter if she made public allegations that he physically abused her.

Two years earlier, Fierstein had stated, in a petition seeking $350,000 in damages, that Puzder assaulted and battered me by striking me violently about the face, chest, back, shoulders and neck, without provocation or cause. As a result, Fierstein continued, she suffered bruises and contusions to the chest, back, shoulders and neck and two ruptured discs and two bulging discs. The judge denied the damages on the grounds that a previous divorce agreement had settled all Fiersteins existing claims against Puzder.

In retrospect, its amazing that Trump ever nominated Puzder, for labor secretary or anything else, given that the wife-beating allegations had been known publicly since 1989. But Puzder denied the charges, and Fierstein retracted them as part of a child custody agreement. Fierstein reaffirmed the retraction in an email to Puzder shortly before his nomination. You were not abusive, she wrote, and hinted that the allegations were her divorce lawyers idea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Probably because of that email, the press mostly let sleeping dogs lie. But within hours after Politicos Marianne LeVine (now a Washington Post reporter) uploaded the Oprah footage to Politicos website, Puzder withdrew his nomination. (The reason I remember all this so well is I edited Politicos coverage, and later detailed this whole saga in The New York Review of Books.)

The Oprah video was very damning. Fierstein wore a disguisea wig and dark sunglassesbut otherwise she seemed perfectly calm and rational. Noting that Puzder had at the time of their marriage been a public figureco-chair, in Missouri, of an anti-abortion gubernatorial task forceFierstein told Oprah:

Most men who are in positions like that dont leave marks. The damage that I sustained you cant see. Its permanent damage, but theres no marks, and there never was. They dont hit you in the face. Theyre too smart.

The wife-beating allegations were the most Gothic knock against Puzder, but his nomination was already in trouble when the Oprah tape surfaced. On Puzders watch, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration found health and safety violations in more than half its inspections of the fast-food restaurants his company owned, according to two researchers at the Century Fund. Puzder opposed raising the minimum wage even to $10.10, writing in 2014, If government could transform unskilled entry-level positions into middle-income jobs, the Soviet Union would be todays dominant world economy. Five years earlier Puzder had sanctimoniously fired his housekeeper when he found out she was undocumented, yet he didnt pay her state and federal employment taxes until after his nomination. Andrew Puzder fails every test for a labor secretary, the nonprofit Economic Policy Institute concluded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After he withdrew his nomination, Puzder became a full-time Trump sycophant, a role he continues in to this day. After Robert Kennedy Jr. endorsed Trump, Puzder penned a Wall Street Journal op-ed arguing, absurdly, that the younger Kennedys views were more in tune with John F. Kennedys than Kamala Harriss were. On Fox Newss website, Puzder wrote that Trump would spur economic growth by cutting taxes, slashing growth-killing regulations, and incentivizing domestic energy production. Many of those regulations would be at the Labor Department! On National Reviews website, Puzder wrote that Trumps idiotic plan to not tax tips had the income-enhancing benefits of a minimum-wage increase without the riskssuch as reduced working hours, automation and job displacement, or business closures. Apparently Puzder thinks a pay raise for entry-level workers wont Sovietize the economy provided the government pays for it.

Puzder is a good MAGA soldier. Hes also just about the worst possible candidate for labor secretary. Would any candidate who cared about working peopleor about protecting women whether the women like it or notgive Andrew Puzder a second thought? Of course he wouldnt.
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP)  Donald Trump is refusing to say how he voted on Florida's abortion measure  and getting testy about it.

The former president was asked twice after casting his ballot in Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday about a question that the state's voters are considering. If approved, it would prevent state lawmakers from passing any law that penalizes, prohibits, delays or restricts abortion until fetal viability  which doctors say is sometime after 21 weeks.

If its rejected, the states restrictive six-week abortion law would stand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The first time he was asked, Trump avoided answering. He said instead of the issue that he did a great job bringing it back to the states. That was a reference to the former president having appointed three conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court who helped overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 2022.

Pressed a second time, Trump snapped at a reporter, saying they "should just stop talking about that.

Trump had previously indicated that he would back the measure  but then changed his mind and said he would vote against it.

In August, Trump said he thought Floridas ban was a mistake, saying on Fox News Channel, I think six weeks, you need more time. But then he said, at the same time, the Democrats are radical while repeating false claims he has frequently made about late-term abortions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition to Florida, voters in eight other states are deciding whether their state constitutions should guarantee a right to abortion, weighing ballot measures that are expected to spur turnout for a range of crucial races.

Passing certain amendments in Arizona, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota likely would lead to undoing bans or restrictions that currently block varying levels of abortion access to more than 7 million women of childbearing age who live in those states.

___

This story has been corrected to reflect that Trump told a reporter to stop talking about that, not stop talking about it.
Donald Trump said he does not want any election-related violence as his contentious campaign for the presidency against Kamala Harris was in its final hours on Tuesday.

"My supporters are not violent people. I dont have to tell them that. And I certainly dont want any violence. But I certainly don't have to tell them that - these are great people," he said in response to a reporter's question at a polling site in West Palm Beach, Florida where he cast his vote.

Trump said he he feels "very confident" he will serve a second term in the White House once all the votes are counted.

"It looks like Republicans have shown up in force, so we'll see how it turns out," he said.

Trump said he ran a "great campaign" and had no regrets.

As supporters waited, a cardboard cutout of Donald Trump was placed on the sidewalk outside the event on the last day of campaigning in the 2024 election. Supporters of Former president Trump lined up outside the PPG Paints Arena to hear him speak. Timothy Wolfer/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56/AP)  The Associated Press called Kentucky for former President Donald Trump just after polls closed in western Kentucky.

Trump won Kentucky for the third consecutive election on Tuesday, adding eight electoral votes to his tally.

The Republican nominee for president has won Kentucky in every election since Democrat Bill Clinton carried the Bluegrass State in 1996.

Kentuckys most powerful Republican, Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, once called Trump morally responsible for the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. But in a remarkable turnaround, McConnell endorsed Trumps bid to return to the White House.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 ELECTION RESULTS | See full Kentucky election results here

During Trumps term, the two worked together to pass a tax cuts package and to put three conservative justices on the Supreme Court.

The Associated Press declared Trump the winner at 7 p.m. EST.

FOX 56 News is Your Local Election Headquarters and will have up-to-the-minute results of all races this Election Day on air, online at FOX56News.com, and on the FOX 56 News app.

Previous story:

Voters in Kentucky headed to the polls Tuesday to weigh in on many races and measures, including the presidential race.

Secretary of State Michael Adams reported a record number of early voters, with 225,696 Kentuckians casting votes on Halloween alone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kentucky has consistently voted for Republican presidential candidates by double digits since 1996, which is the year it voted Democratic for Bill Clinton.

The Hill predicts that former President Donald Trump has about a 99% chance of winning Kentucky in 2024.

As Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris face off, the winner will receive Kentuckys eight Electoral College votes.

An Emerson College and The Hill poll released Monday shows Trump with an edge in Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, while Harris has a lead in Michigan. Both candidates are tied in Nevada and Wisconsin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A candidate needs a majority of 270 electoral votes to become the next president of the United States.

FOX 56 News is Your Local Election Headquarters and will have up-to-the-minute results of all races this Election Day on air, online at FOX56News.com, and on the FOX 56 News app.

The Hill contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
Evelyn Farkas, head of the McCain Institute  a U.S.-based think tank named after the late Republican Senator John McCain  fears the return of Donald Trump as president of the U.S. would be the worst-case scenario for Ukraine.

The best-case scenario for Ukraine would be a full sweep by the Democratic party, with its candidate Vice President Kamala Harris taking the White House and its legislators gaining a majority in both houses of the U.S. Congress, she told the Kyiv Independent in a recent interview in Kyiv.

Farkas is a prominent American national security advisor who has served in a variety of roles in prior U.S. administrations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2012, she was appointed deputy assistant defense secretary for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia under President Barack Obama.

She served in this role when Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014 and annexed the Crimean Peninsula, later orchestrating a war in the far eastern Donbas region that preceded Russias full-scale invasion launched in early 2022.

The Kyiv Independent sat down with Farkas in the Ukrainian capital days before the Nov. 5 U.S. elections to discuss their potential outcomes for Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Bidens legacy in the war, North Koreas involvement in the war, and the newly-formed axis of evil.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The Kyiv Independent: Whats the best-case scenario for Ukraine in the U.S. election?

Evelyn Farkas: I think the best-case scenario is Kamala Harris wins, we have a House and a Senate that are controlled by Democrats, and we are able to provide reliable assistance to Ukraine in a more than timely fashion. My hope is that she turns out to be like Harry Truman, a surprise kind of realist hawkish type president, which is possible as she's a prosecutor. She's said tough things, she said I know how to deal with people like (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and (President of the People's Republic of China) Xi Jinping.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There's a chance that she could end up being that person. The fact that she's taking Liz Cheney, (the elder daughter of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and a Republican politician who opposes the partys presidential nominee Donald Trump) and others into her coalition gives me hope that those are people she's going to have to listen to and maybe she'll even put them in a position of responsibility.

The best case scenario is also that we pay sufficient attention to Ukraine, not just with our financial resources and our weaponry but that we really figure out how can we help Ukraine achieve victory. But also in peacetime so that Ukraine becomes a stronger democracy.

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. on Nov. 4, 2024. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images)

Audience members listen as Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the closing rally of her campaign at the base of the iconic "Rocky Steps" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. on Nov. 5, 2024. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

We can't let the need for democratic progress impede our obligation to help Ukraine win. We have to balance all of these things, but simultaneously press forward on all fronts.

On the war, I think we need to take some more risks ourselves. We used to have people in uniform in the country during the war (between 2014-2022 before the start of the full-scale invasion). When I was in the Pentagon, we had trainers at the Yavoriv (training base in western Ukraine). There's no reason why we can't send people here from NATO countries to help in the rear. We should because the Ukrainians don't have enough manpower and women power. Training, logistics, and all things in the rear  those are all things we should be helping the Ukrainians with.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And then, of course, weaponry. The problem for the U.S. is that we also have a big debt and deficit and so there will be pressure on the overall spending but there will also be a lot of pressure to spend more in the defense realm in general to deter China and to help other allies like Israel. I don't really see any way out of spending on defense, whether it's directly for the U.S.s defense or indirectly to help allies and partners who help provide a shield against all the bad guys. And that's just the best-case scenario, Harris.

The Kyiv Independent: There is a narrative among some that President Joe Bidens administration has been supportive of Ukraine, but they haven't done enough. They've been too cautious, too afraid of escalation. Would you say that has been an adequate handling of this crisis?

Evelyn Farkas: No! Going back to when I was in the Obama Administration, there were budget constraints. We were told how much money we had, and within that amount of money, we had to provide assistance for Ukraine. Ukraine came in with its list, that (at the time) included F-16s. (Former Ukrainian President Petro) Poroshenko wanted those too. And we couldn't do those things because we had a budget.

That was in the early days. We didn't know how it was going to unfold. By the time the Biden Administration came in, it was clear what was going on even without the full frontal invasion. In fact, the question was, what was Putin going to do next? Because it wasn't working, because the war, as he had designed it, had not achieved the objective that he thought it would. So, therefore the full frontal invasion became for him a necessity. So I think anyone could have recognized that he wasn't going to keep it frozen forever if he wanted to achieve dominance over Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think the Biden Administration should have given more to Ukraine earlier, and certainly when we saw the troops massing in April of 2021. I mean its ridiculous. From that moment on we should have either quietly  it's hard for us to do anything quietly because we do have to get Congressional approval  but still, we could have done a lot more to beef up their defenses and maybe that would have deterred Russia.

I've advocated for all kinds of things  a no-fly zone, F-16s  we could have done any of those things at various points in time. We never took the initiative. We were always reactive rather than proactive and that's through all the administrations.

The Kyiv Independent: Where do you think that comes from with these administrations?

Evelyn Farkas: I think once they're in the White House, they start thinking about the worst-case scenario and that they could be responsible. That's when the nuclear topic comes up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

President Obama just didn't want to be responsible for a nuclear war. He just couldn't rule it out. (At the time) we explained why providing Javelins wouldn't be escalatory, but it wasn't convincing to (Obama) and then it popped up again with Biden. I don't know what intelligence they have that I didnt. Certainly, during the Obama Administration, I didn't have any intelligence that  and I had access to very sensitive intelligence  indicated that Putin was going to use nuclear weapons in any scenario, not that I can recall.

Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on during his meeting with participants of the Russia International Exhibition-Forum while visiting the All-Russian Exhibition Center in Moscow, Russia, on July 8, 2024. (Contributor/Getty Images)

We know that his nuclear doctrine says that if the existence of the (Russian) state is in danger, then Putin can use nuclear weapons. I guess you could draw a line from that to comments from Putin saying that it's existential for Russia that they keep Crimea, for example.

So then under the Biden administration, I can't rule out that there wasn't some reason why. There have been hints that there was some (reason). Theyre always looking for whats happening at nuclear facilities, to see if anything is moving, and possibly, they got alarmed at one point.

The Kyiv Independent: Are there people in Washington who have the appetite for something like sending trainers or helping with logistics, especially with a Harris administration?

Evelyn Farkas: I think so  I think we should take the risk and that there would be an appetite for it if you had a president leading and making the case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I also think we shouldn't be afraid of doing something like establishing a no-fly zone for Ukraine, helping maybe open an airport in Lviv, for example, with our capabilities. Because, number one, we've done it with Israel. Yes, Iran's not a nuclear power, but they're close and North Korea is now involved. And, you better bet your bottom dollar they're a nuclear country.

One of our Ukrainian interlocutors said: The Russians know what they want and they have partners who will deliver what they want. We know what we want but we don't have partners that will deliver what we want.

The Kyiv Independent: About North Korea. To the whole world, this seems like an extremely escalatory move. And it does seem like the U.S., the Biden Administration rather, is reacting with remarkable caution.

Evelyn Farkas: It's ridiculous. It's terrible. It's outrageous.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They're probably having a muted reaction because they're making the mistake of looking at what it means militarily. Yes, militarily, I don't think the North Koreans are going to win the war for Russia. In fact, it's probably going to blow back in the faces of the Russians and the North Koreans.

Already, there's been some reporting by CNN in particular that the North Korean rumor mill is out. I'm sure South Korea has used all its means to get the word out to North Korea that their sons are being sent to Russia, not to do an exercise, which is what they told the troops.

It wont change anything militarily, but diplomatically and in terms of the signals it sends that we don't respond, it's horrible because it really is an expansion.

It really is as if we're one more step into World War III. The new leader of Hezbollah said we're in a global war. He spelled it out. We are the only ones who are like, No, no, we're not in a global war, which is insane. And when I say, 'we,' its not just us Americans, but the Europeans as well. People, pull yourselves together.

Introducing official

merch from the Kyiv Independent

Shop now

The Kyiv Independent: Theres whats now being called this axis of evil including North Korea, Russia, Iran, and China. As this group forms, is the West not taking it seriously?

Evelyn Farkas: I think the U.S. is taking it seriously. We know that we are the strongest economic military-political power in the world, and with our allies and partners in Europe and Asia and then the Middle East, we can prevail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But that doesn't mean we should be relaxed because these guys have all kinds of asymmetric means and they can make various moves where they can prevail in the short run to seek an advantage. We can always come roaring back. I don't think that's changed.

It's just like World War I and World War II. If they probe, if Putin decides the sabotage operations indicate that we're weak, that NATO is a paper tiger, and then decides to make an incursion into (NATO member) Estonia, and we do nothing, we don't invoke Article 5, he will think then that he's won. We cant allow that to happen.

Eventually, we'll be at war with Russia. I don't see any other way because he's not going to stop. We're gonna have to stop him.

The Kyiv Independent: So looking at Trump, do you think that he and his team understand these risks that you just laid out?

Evelyn Farkas: First, you have to answer the question of who his team is.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If it's Robert O'Brien, who was his national security adviser, does he understand how the world works and what the threats are? Robert O'Brien is still in the circle. And so is Mike Pompeo, former U.S. secretary of state (in Trumps first presidency). He understands the risk. He did some, I think, reckless things diplomatically by negotiating with the Taliban and getting nothing in return, but he does know what he's doing.

There will be some other people like that in the administration with real national security experience, who know what's going on and can see the stakes.

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump walks on stage during a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Nov. 5, 2024. (Kamil Krzaczynski / AFP via Getty Images)

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump looks at supporters as he walks on stage during a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, US on Nov. 5, 2024. (Kamil Krzaczynski / AFP via Getty Images)

There are some other people in that category, like Elbridge Colby who is senior in the Trump ranks, who say that China is the real risk and we should ignore Russia.

It's ridiculous. Russia is China's pawn. Russia is being used by China, from the Chinese perspective, to weaken us. China loves this. And once they see Putin getting his way, theyll see were distracted, and theyll turn to take Taiwan. We don't know what Xi Jingpings time frame is, but we can't be complacent about that either.

The Kyiv Independent: So it does depend on Trump's team but would you say then that his rhetoric around the elections is populist? Or do you think he and (his vice presidential nominee) J.D. Vance, particularly reflect these views?

Evelyn Farkas: Who knows what their views are. Trump's view is he wants to do everything he can to help Putin because for whatever reason he likes these strongmen. He's fascinated by him in particular.

And so it will take all the will and the fighting of the people under him to maintain the existing policy of support for Ukraine and opposition to Russia's autocratic agenda.

J.D. Vance is empty. He just goes with the flow, and who knows? If Trump passes from the scene, he could suddenly become interested in helping Ukraine. Hes a cipher because he lacks principles, from my perspective.

The Kyiv Independent: Is there concern that Trump feels that he learned his lesson from his first term, when he had people around him who acted as guard rails, constantly blocking things, and that he may be thinking, not this time. I'm going to put people in who are going to do the extreme stuff. That's the fear. Would you say that's a fair assessment?

Evelyn Farkas: Absolutely. He's gonna pick all the yes men.

Kash Patel, for example, is a guy who also seems to have no principles, only wants power and has a sense of grievance like Trump, so he's willing to do whatever it takes to make Trump happy.

The Kyiv Independent: And how do you think that will affect foreign policy with respect to Ukraine?

Evelyn Farkas: They'll do whatever Trump says. Trump says, let's get out of NATO. They'll try.

The Senate did pass a piece of legislation in the aftermath of Trump's last attempt saying that the Senate has to ratify withdrawal. But he doesn't care about the rule of law. Congress might say, well you have to keep spending money on NATO, but he wont care. He could cause a whole constitutional crisis/meltdown.

The Kyiv Independent: What can the Biden administration do in these last months to support Ukraine and what do you expect from the next Ramstein format meetings of allies on providing weaponry to Ukraine?

Evelyn Farkas: There's an understanding that Ukraine has a small window, regardless of whoever wins, but certainly if Trump were to win.

So in the worst-case scenario (Trump winning), Biden is going to want to cement his legacy and he's going to want to help Zelensky as much as possible in the last days of his term. But even if Harris comes in, I think he will be motivated to cement his legacy.

I understand they are talking about what they can do to respond to (Zelenskys) victory plan. I think they are looking at NATO invitation and the modalities of that.

I would want him to number one, remove the restrictions (on Ukraine using Western-provided long-range missiles for deep strikes into Russia). I would be shocked if they didn't tell the U.K. that Ukraine could use its Storm Shadows.

But I think that we also should  and there's a decent chance that we also will, a more than 50% chance  lift the restrictions on the long-range capabilities. They're holding back right now. They have a specific fear right now, that's not fear of Putin's escalation necessarily, but the fear of something going awry and negatively impacting (Harris) election.

And where are the Patriot (missile systems) they committed in May? They need to accelerate the provision of assistance, they need to bring trainers and put them here in Kyiv. They need to put people in to help with logistics. They need to consider providing some air support to protect civilians. We can just say, We're not getting involved in the war. We're protecting civilians. We're protecting the airport.

Its also important to push toward the resolution of the conflict, push to return things to normal. Clearly, the administration also has to have a conversation with the Ukrainians. We're thinking maybe about a unity government because it's still impossible to hold elections.

One, because the (Ukrainian) Constitution prohibits it, but also because it would be so expensive, like, five billion dollars, so hard to do credibly, and would leave some people disenfranchised.

And also the money. Its really important to unfreeze that money (a $50 billion loan from profits of frozen Russian assets abroad) so that Ukraine has funds. And if Ukraine puts in place reforms, if they address the structural problems that lead to corruption, it will be a wealthy country.

Read also: 14 essential Kyiv Independent stories about the US presidential election

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Bloomberg) -- Before the trading day starts we bring you a digest of the key news and events that are likely to move markets. Today we look at:

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump win beneficiaries

Money wall wavers

Realtys reality check

Good morning, this is Ashutosh Joshi, an equities reporter in Mumbai. Nifty futures are little changed, suggesting a flat start for local stocks. Theres caution as investors await the outcome of a tight US Presidential elections. The Feds rate decision later this week will also be closely watched. For now, Mondays selloff, which pushed the Nifty below the crucial 24,000 mark, has left investors on the edge.

Auto, solar, chemicals stocks eye Trump win

Shares of auto ancillaries, solar panel producers, and chemical makers are facing a tough time right now as earnings outlook for these industries take a hit. However, there may be a reprieve, depending on the verdict of the closely contested US Presidential elections. JM Financial suggests that if Donald Trump wins, it could give these industries a boost. Trumps plan to raise tariffs on Chinese companies would allow Indian firms to price their exports to the US more competitively, creating a potential an opportunity growth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Money walls strength put to the test

The common belief that the abundant local liquidity can offset any amount of foreign investors selling pressure is facing a reality check. Recently, local institutions have slowed their buying activity, and in fact, were net sellers during Fridays symbolic Muhurat trading session. Although mutual fund managers arent immediately concerned about a drop in inflows from monthly investment plans, theres concern that further declines in the stock market may turn the virtuous cycle of rising inflows and stock prices to a vicious one  with falling stock prices leading to outflows.

Perils of overownership haunt realty stocks

Real estate stocks were the worst performers on Monday, with the sector index tumbling 3%. Since reaching a record high in June, the index has now shed 15%. Even though major developers posted strong September-quarter numbers, investors seem to have two big concerns. First, theres worry that the property market might not be as insulated from economic slowdown as hoped. Second, institutions already hold 21% to 36% stakes in the top five real estate companies, so theres uncertainty about where the next wave of big buyers will come from.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Analysts actions:

Jindal Stainless Rated New Buy at Anand Rathi Securities

Lupin Raised to Add at HDFC Securities; PT 2,440 rupees

Pfizer Ltd Raised to Buy at Systematix Shares & Stocks

Three great reads from Bloomberg today:

OpenAI Wants To Become For-Profit Company

Big Take: How the World Is Prepping for a Trump or Harris Victory

Hedge Fund Basis Trade Faces Scrutiny as Regulators Mull Probe

And, finally..

Global funds net sold more than $10 billion worth of Indian shares in October, swayed by a combination of pricey valuations, slowing economy and a renewed interest in Chinese equities. As foreign outflows picked up pace, the benchmark NSE Nifty 50 Index lost 6.2% in October, its worst monthly performance since March 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Article first published: Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, 4 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, 1 p.m. ET

The National Hurricane Center's 1 pm Tuesday advisory reported that Tropical Storm Rafael is 70 miles southwest of Montego Bay Jamaica and 150 miles east-southeast of Grand Cayman, with maximum sustained wind of 60 mph. Its moving at 14 mph to the northwest.

"... the storm is expected to move away from western Jamaica this afternoon, and be near or over the Cayman Islands this evening and tonight, and be near or over western Cuba on Wednesday." meteorologists observed. "Steady to rapid intensification is expected during the next 24 to 36 hours, and Rafael is expected to become a hurricane as it passes near the Cayman Islands with further strengthening before it makes landfall in Cuba."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

YESTERDAY (Monday):

Yesterday, the system strengthened into a tropical depression, eventually receiving a name - Tropical Storm Rafael. It later progressed to a tropical storm with sustained winds of 60 mph. A hurricane warning has been issued by forecasters for western Cuba and isle of youth.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:

- Cayman Islands

- Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, and the Isle of Youth

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

- Jamaica

- Cuban provinces of Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus, and Ciego de Avila

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

- Lower and Middle Florida Keys from Key West to west of the Channel 5 Bridge

- Dry Tortugas

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

- Cuban provinces of Camaguey and Las Tunas

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area.

Interests elsewhere in Cuba, the Florida Keys, and the southern Florida Peninsula should monitor the progress of Rafael.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in the Cayman Islands by this evening and are also expected in western Cuba and the Isle of Youth on Wednesday. Tropical storm conditions are expected in Jamaica for several more hours and are expected in parts of west-central Cuba and the lower and middle Florida Keys on Wednesday and Wednesday night. Tropical Storm conditions are possible farther east in central Cuba on Wednesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

RAINFALL: Heavy rainfall will impact areas of the Western Caribbean through early Thursday, particularly across Jamaica and the Cayman Islands into southern and western portions of Cuba. Rainfall totals between 3 to 6 inches are expected, with isolated higher totals up to 10 inches anticipated across areas of higher terrain, which could lead to areas of flash flooding and mudslides.

Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected for the Lower and Middle Florida Keys.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Rafael, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at3.shtml? Rainqpf

STORM SURGE: Minor coastal flooding is possible in Jamaica tonight. Storm surge could raise water levels by 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels in the Cayman Islands on Tuesday, and could raise water levels by as much as 6 to 9 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds along the southern coast of Cuba in the Hurricane Warning area, including the Isle of Youth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The combination of a storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...

Dry Tortugas...1-3 ft Lower Florida Keys...1-2 ft

TORNADOES: A few tornadoes are possible Wednesday over the Keys and southwesternmost Florida mainland.

SURF: Swells generated by Rafael are expected to affect much of the western Caribbean during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Source: National Hurricane Center

This article was generated by the South Carolina Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes information from the National Hurricane Center and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom. We are experimenting with this and other new ways of providing more useful content to our readers and subscribers. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com.
Two of televisions biggest names broke through days of silence from their networks about the bombshell tapes revealed by the Daily Beast in which Jeffrey Epstein speaks about his relationship with Donald Trump.

Rachel Maddow on MSNBC and Jimmy Kimmel on ABC both spoke of their shock at the tapes, with the late-night host complaining that they had not been widely covered by other outlets.

A tiny snippet of the tapes were first disclosed last Thursday by the author Michael Wolff, and on Saturday the Daily Beast published recordings in which Epstein made extraordinary claims about his friend of a decade.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The convicted pedophile suggested intimate knowledge of the West Wing. He alleged that Trump liked to cuckold his best friends, that Trump first made love with Melania Trump on Epsteins Lolita Express plane, called Trump a serial cheat who boasted about f---ing Black girls, and claimed without evidence that Trump had had an affair while in the White House. The tapes were made two years before Epsteins death in a federal jail cell, when he spoke to Wolff as a source for his bombshell international bestseller, Fire and Fury. Wolff said Epstein showed him a cache of pictures of Trump with topless young women in his lap.

Such dramatic claims about the character of a presidential candidate on the eve of a campaign would normally be expected to be taken up immediately by major television networks, particularly given the light they cast on Trumps largely unexplored relationship with one of Americas most notorious sex offenders.

Rachel Maddow, the biggest star on MSNBC, used a segment on Monday night to break NBCs wall of silence on the Epstein-Trump tapes, saying it was one of three October surprises.

But instead they were greeted by silence, despite being highlighted by leading Democrats, including Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), a frequent guest on CNN and MSNBC who posted on X, Trump is all over the Epstein files.

The wall of silence lasted until the very eve of the election, when first MSNBCs Maddow and then ABCs Kimmel spoke about them on air Monday night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On MSNBC, Maddow listed what she termed October surprises, comparing the tape to the revelation that Trumps former chief of staff John Kelly and the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, said Trump is a textbook fascist, and to the Iowa poll that put Harris three points ahead in the deep-red state. Both have received blanket coverage on liberal-leaning MSNBC and other networks.

In April 1997, Trump and Epstein went to the Victorias Secret Angels party together in Manhattan. Outside Trump posed with Belgian model Ingrid Seynhaeve.

The Beast can disclose that Maddow spoke out despite an NBC News standards ruling not to report on the tapes. The networks standards unit had warned its staff that the tapes were DNU, meaning Do Not Use, and said they could not be mentioned until there was an attempt to listen to the entire, unedited, version of the recording to note what was omitted. Wolff has said he has 100 hours of recordings.

Notably, MSNBC has not posted the segment in which Maddow talks about the tapes on X so far Tuesday.

On ABC, Kimmel, who is not bound by news standards, spoke freely about his shock at the recording and hinted at the silence that surrounded the Beasts bombshell.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We heard a bombshell audio tape in which Jeffrey Epstein says he was Trumps closest friend and shares a bunch of crazy stories. This barely moves the needle, Kimmel said. Remember when Mitt Romney went down because he put a dog carrier on the roof of his car? We just got 100 hours of Jeffrey Epstein saying he and Trump were BFFs; I didnt even get an alert about it on my phone.

Wolff disclosed in a post on X that the tapes had previously been offered to most major broadcast outlets, adding, That includes networks, streaming platforms, cable channels. I say most rather than all because after a while, working down the obvious candidates, the effort seemed clearly unproductive and not likely to yield a different response anywhere else.

While television has ignored the tapes, the most subscribed-to commentator on Substack, the historian Heather Cox Richardson, highlighted them to her 1.6 million subscribers and to 2 million Facebook followers. Google interest in Epstein, and particularly in the term Epstein-Trump, has also increased significantly since the Daily Beast first reported on the tapes existence on Nov. 1.

The Daily Beast has reached out to NBC News for comment.
Millions of Americans will tune into any one of the cable news and network channels to find out whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris won the presidency. But can theyand will theytrust who they say won?

Misinformation and disinformation over this years coin-flip presidential raceoften propagated by Trumphas spurred multiple television networks to be more transparent about how they call elections.

TV networks and news services are trying to reinforce the aura of truth that has typically surrounded their election callsbefore it took a bludgeoning by Trump in 2020.

All for one, one for all

Most of the mainstream television networksABC, CNN, CBS, and NBCare part of the National Election Pool, a consortium that receives local election results, exit polling data, and voter surveys from research firm Edison Research and on-the-ground stringers. Each networks own decision desks, comprised of analysts experienced in polling and political science, then independently reviews the data to project the winner of each state, with such projections varying depending on when a states polls close, when a state counts its vote, and the differing opinions of each networks analysts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A notable exception to the NEP is Fox News, which broke away from the group in 2017 to rely on the Associated Press' VoteCast product that helps it examine the electorate. It was Fox News early controversial call that Trump would lose Arizona in 2020 that helped portend his eventual electoral failureone that would set him on his quest to try and overturn the 2020 election. Trump has repeatedly attacked the network over the call, and Jared Kushner tried calling Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch to get them to reverse it. (Murdoch did not.)

Whatever the result is this week (and whenever it comes), the networks have made clear it doesnt matter who projects the election firstonly whos accurate.

Calling the election is treacherous territory, Rick Klein, ABC News' political director and Washington bureau chief, told the Los Angeles Times. I think very few viewers know or care who projects a state first, but every viewer should care that they are projected right.

NBC

NBC News viewers will be greeted by familiar faces in Lester Holt, Savannah Guthrie, and election guru Steve Kornacki, and the latter told The New York Times he plans to sleep at his desk if needed to be ready for the daylong slog to the results. NBC has also published multiple articles, including one co-written by director of elections John Lapinski, detailing how it calls elections, where it gets its voter data from, and how thats used to determine the presidency.

Steve Kornacki, appears on

Projecting a winner means that the Decision Desk has determined that the trailing candidates cannot catch the leader and that the leading candidate will win the race, wrote Lapinski, head of exit polling Stephanie Perry, and senior elections analytics manager Charles Riemann. This determination is made through a comprehensive analysis, and the Decision Desk only projects a race when it is certain of the outcome.

CBS

CBS News coverage will be spearheaded by Norah ODonnell in her last hurrah before she pivots to a floating special projects role at the network. CBS plans to air its Data Desks findings of each state in real time (whether as a ticker-tape or another format is unknown), executive director of elections Anthony Salvanto told KOLD, whether a state is a toss-up, or its leaning toward one candidate, and ultimately, a projection.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Relying on the data it receives from the NEP alongside its own precinct reporters, its hoping to get its viewers as accurate a glimpse of the swing-state state of play as possible.

Norah O'Donnell on the new set of CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 16, 2022.

The thing is, transparency, Salvanto said. Youre going to see what we see at the Data Desk as we see it, so when I show you the breakdown of a state like Arizona, Im going to show you county by county how the vote is breaking down and where its coming from.

It will also have its 20-person CBS News Confirmed team fact-checking reports regarding alleged election malfeasance, according to The New York Times.

ABC

David Muir will lead the networks coverage, with presidential debate partner Linsey Davis, Martha Raddatz, and Jonathan Karl joining him, among others. The Disney-owned news operation will also rely on its NEP data, and it has broadcast a series, Protecting Your Vote, that profiled election workers dedicated to maintaining the elections safety. It will also have a Ballot Watch team that will monitor election integrity, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Having the anchors front and center could potentially roil the former president, who has attacked Muir as a lightweight and Davis as terrible since the debate.

CNN

CNNs coverage will be led by Anderson Cooper and Jake Tapper. John King will also again man his famous Magic Wall, which will get a bit of a facelift, political director David Chalian told Vanity Fair.

Anderson Cooper, April 11, 2024 in New York City.

CNN is also sending its own reporters and producers to polling precincts to be in touch with election officials, according to the network. But CNN has also deployed anchors like Jake Tapper to emphasize in the press how the election may not end on Tuesday even if the polls are closedand if Trump tries to declare a preemptive victory. Nobody has any idea how this is going to end, he told Vanity Fair.

MSNBC

NBCs cable sister will host its Avengers-style roundtable spearheaded by Rachel Maddow, Nicolle Wallace, Chris Hayes, Stephanie Ruhle, and Lawrence ODonnell, among others. While the network does not independently call electionsthats NBC News decision desktheyll still have Kornacki hopping over to MSNBCs broadcast to break down election results. Kornacki, an NBC and MSNBC political correspondent, will also appear in yet another Kornacki Cam on Peacock that offers rolling footage of him as he breaks down each states results (which should hopefully satiate all Kornacki fans needs).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fox News

Fox News coverage will slot Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum back in the anchor seats to lead the nights events. Decision Desk chief Arnon Mishkin told Politico last month his teams mandate was to focus on the numbers, and focus on whos going to win, and let us know, even if its results irritate its traditionally GOP baseas his early and correct Arizona call in 2020 did to Trump.

As outlined above, Trump repeatedly attacked the network over the call, and Jared Kushner tried calling Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch to get them to reverse it. (Murdoch did not.)

I dont feel any sort of pressure like, Call it our way. Make our audience happy, Mishkin said of the 2024 election.

Martha MacCallum, left, and Bret Baier host FOX News Channels

What will change, he later told Axios, was how the results get delivered. Mishkin said Fox News anchors werent as prepared to discuss the results that emerged from his desk in 2020, necessitating a change this time around.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think that theres going to be a much greater focus on making sure that when we make a call, that call is made by the right anchor, Mishkin said. Weve adjusted some of our communication systems to make sure that happens.

NewsNation

Other networks will rely on different methods. NewsNation, a cable network home to ex-CNN and Fox News stars like Chris Cuomo and Leland Vittert that caters to centrist viewers, will partner with Decision Desk HQ to help declare election results. Chris Stirewalt, the Fox News political director who was pushed out after the Arizona call, will help make sense of the numbers to its viewers.

Stirewalt told Forbes transparency was the networks top priority for election night, with plans to show those working to make the election calls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There they are. You can see them. Here they are on camera. This is who they are. This is their track record, Stirewalt said. You can and you can watch what theyre doing. And I think that is a more transparent and more frank way to do this. But the implication, of course, is that I dont get to be part of the fun. And I find that annoying.

Amazon

Jeff Bezos shopping-turned-streaming venture will also make its news debut on Thursday with an election-night special anchored by Brian Williams. The program, titled Election Night Live with Brian Williams, will feature commentary and reporting from various panelists like ex-Fox News and CNBC star Shepard Smith, Puck reporter Tara Palmeri, former White House correspondent Jessica Yellin, and Democratic political analyst James Carville, among others.

Brian Williams attends the

Williams told Deadline he will rely on Reuters for data, which itself relies on the National Election Pool data provided by Edison Research. But he wouldnt go any further. Our methods will be revealed when folks tune in, he told Deadline.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are going to try to make this quite different while of course bearing down on the fundamentals, Williams added. We have no idea where the story will take us. We will do our due diligence and we will stick the fundamentals, and I think deliver some voices that cover all bases.

The Associated Press

The Associated Press has called elections in the U.S. since the 1800s, relying on a team of vote reporters, or stringers, at local county precincts to report data back directly from election officials alongside its in-house VoteCast product. AP executive editor Julie Pace told CNN it planned to deploy 4,000 stringers this year to help report the scene on the ground at locations, all in an effort to combat election misinformation.

Youre going to see us do a lot more to pull back the curtain on now leading into the election, on what were looking at, as we are going to be looking at the vote and calling races and then coming out of those race calls, how we did it, Pace said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Not that Trump will be so easily swayed by any explanation.

The former president and election-denier-in-chief has laid the groundwork both for casting doubt in the election, and in the networks that help call it.

Trump boosted false claims in September that ABC News colluded with Harris campaign to boost her performance during their only presidential debate, and he sued CBS last week for $10 billion in damages over its 60 Minutes interview with the vice president. He has also repeatedly suggested each NEP networks broadcast license be revoked over coverage hes disagreed with. (The Federal Communications Commission chairwoman last month denounced his requests as attacks on the First Amendment.)

Trump has even flip-flopped on Fox News in the last month, making multiple appearances on the network while simultaneously attacking it for not broadcasting his false diatribes on the 2020 election. If you even mention the fact that theres cheating in an election, they turn you off, Trump told a crowd in Pennsylvania on Sunday. I mean, this is supposed to be one of our brave, very brave networks. I wont mention which, but you could imagine.
A lawmakers accusation that Twitch has seen an amplification of antisemitism since last years Hamas attack on Israel has put the streaming platform at the center of mounting scrutiny over its handling of content related to that war.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., wrote a letter to the Amazon-owned platform last week, a copy of which was obtained by NBC News, calling for a probe into one of its top political creators, Hasan Piker, claiming many of his videos contain antisemitic rhetoric. A handful of streams are linked in the footnotes of the letter, including brief clips in which Piker is seen issuing his support for Palestinian people and criticizing Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Piker told NBC News that many of the videos cited in the letter were taken out of context. He noted that in many of the videos being called out by Torres, Piker was criticizing the Israeli government, not Jewish people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Members of Congress frequently write letters in which they call for probes into different matters, though not all turn into investigations. Still, the letter marks one of the more high-profile callouts of the popular streaming platform over content regulations related to the Israel-Hamas war.

In recent years, Twitch has become a hub for political punditry. Creators stream debates over political issues regularly, and some politicians  including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz  have made appearances on the platform to discuss politics, sometimes while also playing video games. However, unlike other social media platforms, in the last year Twitch has largely averted controversies involving Israel and Gaza.

But critics of the platform  including Torres  have argued that hate toward Jewish people has prevailed in the last year, despite Twitchs community guidelines which do not permit behavior that is motivated by hatred, prejudice or intolerance.

When asked for comment, a Twitch spokesperson referred NBC News to a Nov. 1 blog post from Twitch CEO Dan Clancy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There is no place on Twitch for racism, hatred, or harassment of any kind, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, Clancy wrote in the blog post, addressed to the Twitch community, adding that the platform works hard to ensure that our community is a safe place.

Piker, who has amassed 2.7 million followers on Twitch, said that the attacks on the platform are unjustified.

Theyre just trying to take down Twitch in its entirety for the crime of not punishing me, Piker, who is known online by his usernames HasanAbi and HasanTheHun, told NBC News in an interview, in response to Torres letter.

The Turkish-American streamer said hes been doxxed and swatted by bad actors on the platform, referencing alleged instances in the past which he said made him contemplate leaving Twitch.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Piker said hes actually combated antisemitism for his entire public broadcasting career, which dates back to his time on the progressive YouTube show The Young Turks, created and run by his uncle Cenk Uygar.

You have to just clip stuff in 15-second increments about complex geopolitical situations to be like, See, he means the exact opposite of what hes saying,'" Piker said of the clips in Torres' letter.

The criticism of Piker came the same month Twitch was accused of disabling sign-ups for the platform from some users in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The platform issued an apology on Oct. 20, writing that it had temporarily disabled sign ups with email verification in Israel and Palestine after Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel in order to prevent uploads of graphic material related to the attack and to protect the safety of users.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sign-ups to the platform were not entirely disabled, according to Twitch, as users could choose to sign up with phone verification. However, the platform said it inadvertently  did not re-enable email verification sign ups for either region.

We deeply regret this unacceptable miss, and the confusion it has caused, the platform said. Weve fixed the issue, meaning all affected users can sign up with email verification.

That same week, Twitch issued a 30-day ban to a group of streamers, many of whom are Arab, for hateful conduct during their panel discussion at TwitchCon in San Diego in September.

Streamers CapriSunnPapi, Fr0gan, Raffoulticket, DenimsTV and Vio discussed which popular streamers on the platform could and could not use the Arabic term of endearment habibi, which translates to my love. Their list placed pro-Israel streamers on the bottom and Arab streamers on the top. They were ranked from Arab to loves Sabra, an American and Israeli-owned hummus brand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ngl Im gonna take a few days off and Im going back live and ranking hummus just to prove a point. #hummusgate, CapriSunnPapi wrote on X.

Raffoulticket, who is Jewish, called critics of the panel so anti semitic Im the one who made the list on 'who can say habibi' and they try and spin this as Frogan ranking people from Arab to Jew, adding the the critics should keep Jews out of their mouths.

DenimsTV retweeted author Jake Steinberg who, while referencing Piker, wrote he was  genuinely grateful to have as competent of a jewish ally as hasan so prominently online.

NBC News has reached out to the creators who were temporarily banned for additional comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While there was no blowback initially at TwitchCon, online criticism grew in October when streamer Ethan Klein, host of the H3 Podcast on YouTube, posted a video titled Twitch Has a Major Problem," where he said he felt the panel was kinda Arab good, Jew bad.

Ive been suspecting Twitch has an antisemitism problem, Klein, who is Jewish, said in his Oct. 18 video on YouTube, which mentions the TwitchCon panel.

3/ @Twitch must learn from this situation and improve how they address antisemitism and hate on their platform, which is an ongoing and significant challenge.



We encourage Twitch to take meaningful action, such as collaborating with the platform's Jewish community, providing  ADL (@ADL) October 21, 2024

The Anti-Defamation League, a nonprofit founded to track antisemitism and other injustices, also weighed in on Oct. 21, writing in a statement that it spoke with Twitch staff after becoming aware of several concerning incidents.

Twitch must learn from this situation and improve how they address antisemitism and hate on their platform, which is an ongoing and significant challenge, the ADL wrote in a post on X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The organization, which has faced criticism over what some view as pro-Israel advocacy and bias, said it encourages Twitch to take meaningful action, such as collaborating with the platforms Jewish community, providing staff, streamers and moderators with antisemitism training, and updating how they review programming for their live events.

Fr0gan defended the panel and the commentary about the Habibi list in a post on X on Oct. 19, writing the tier list was who has habibi pass which is a meme tier list we did with a variety of creators.

the whole basis of my podcast ayyrabs with capri and raff is that we are all arabs from different religious backgrounds  i am muslim, capri is christian, and raff is jewish. sabra hummus is objectively the worst hummus to exist and is the unfortunate standard of hummus in the us, Frogan added.

Also in October, Twitch issued a 14-day suspension to an account run by Zack Asmongold Hoyt after he made comments about the death of Palestinians in Gaza, saying they come from an inferior culture.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hoyt posted a video response walking back the comments. He also posted a statement on X on Oct. 14, writing, in part, Of course no one deserves to have their life destroyed even if they do things or have views I find regressive.

Ill do better, he added.

In Pikers opinion, Twitch is the social media platform that has done the best job at weeding out bad actors and keeping its personalities from promoting hateful material.

In 2021, Piker was temporarily kicked off Twitch for using a derogatory term for white people. He said hes also been warned by the platform when hes crossed the line for showing certain content, like Houthi music videos. The Ansarallah group, a group of Yemeni rebels commonly known as Houthis, is designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. Department of State.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Piker described Twitchs application of its terms of service as rigorous, in his opinion. He has a large presence on other platforms, including on YouTube, where he has 1.42 million subscribers, and on TikTok, where he has 925,000 followers.

Its actually one of the most stringently applied TOS systems on any platform, Piker said. I am a content creator. Im very familiar with all these platforms. Twitch has the best terms of service, right, because they actually apply their term service.

In his letter, Torres asked Twitch to stop popularizing those who popularize antisemitism and floated a possible congressional probe.

Congress has been scrutinizing the amplified antisemitism that has taken hold in the wake of October 7th, he wrote. Just like no person is above the law, no company in Americanot even Twitchis above Congressional oversight.

Over the weekend, Twitch appeared to quietly roll out a new warning label for streams discussing broader political and sensitive social issues. That includes discussions about elections, civic integrity, war or military conflict, and civil rights, the platform said.

Labeling will still not be required for streams containing informational or educational content that aim to share knowledge in a neutral, fact-based manner, rather than engaging in any kind of advocacy for an issue or candidate.

In his blog post, Clancy, Twitchs CEO, reiterated the companys hateful conduct policy, which forbids behavior that is motivated by hatred, prejudice or intolerance.

"Millions of streamers, with a wide variety of views and perspectives, spend time on Twitch," he wrote. "We recognize that some content, while allowed on our service, may be objectionable to some members of our community. The views shared by streamers on Twitch are not the views of Twitch nor are they my personal views."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Two additional cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in Britain, national health officials said Monday, less than a week after the first case was announced to the public.

The two new cases are household contacts of the first case, an unidentified person who had recently traveled to African nations, which have been experiencing community spread of the Clade Ib mpox strain.

The two new patients are receiving specialized care at Guy's and St. Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust in London, the UK Health Security Agency said, while informing the public that risk to the general population remains low.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Mpox is very infectious in households with close contact and so it is not unexpected to see further cases within the same household," Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at UKHSA, said in a statement.

"We are working with partners to make sure all contacts of the cases are identified and contacted to reduce the risk of further spread."

We can confirm 2 additional cases of Clade Ib mpox. The affected individuals are household contacts of the first UK case. The risk to the UK population remains low. Read the news story here: https://t.co/3j7TBjmeyG pic.twitter.com/4wrhkU4gPp UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) November 4, 2024

With the confirmation, Britain now has three confirmed cases of the Clade Ib mpox strain, which is not the same virus responsible for Britain's mpox outbreak of 2022. As of July of that year, there were 1,517 confirmed cases, with a high proportion of those infected being London residents, primarily men who had had sex with other men.

This new strain was first reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo last year, and has since spread to nonendemic countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 45,674 suspected cases of mpox throughout the continent this year, though fewer than 9,300 cases have been confirmed. There have also been 1,014 related deaths.

Cases have also been diagnosed in Thailand, Sweden and Germany.

In mid-September, Britain purchased more than 150,000 doses of mpox vaccine from Bavarian Nordic in preparation for possible Clade Ib mpox cases.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT)  Voters will cast their ballots for Mississippi Supreme Court justices on Tuesday, November 5.

In District 2, which includes the Pine Belt and Gulf Coast, incumbent Dawn Beam is being challenged by Attorney David Sullivan.

Beam has served on the court since 2016. She said shes passionate about improving child welfare. Beam serves as the co-chair for the Childrens Justice Commission.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ive worked with the legislature to try to improve the laws that govern our courts, so that we can protect children. Also, Ive worked with judges and communities throughout the state to build collaborations around the court. Judges need tools in their tool chest. We want to keep kids in their homes, if at all possible, and bring resources into that home, she said.

Hub City Transit waives fares on Election Day

Beam considers herself a strict constitutional conservative. She said shes always fair and just in her rulings.

Our oath says that we administer justice to the rich and the poor. And so, its imperative that we make sure that everybody has access to the courtroom. Our Pledge of Allegiance says, Justice for all. If you dont have access to the courts, you dont have justice for all, Beam stated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sullivan is a public defender and a municipal judge in DIberville. Hes the son of former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Mike Sullivan.

I spent a great deal of time at the court, and I had a front-row seat on seeing how things were supposed to be done at that level. And I learned a lot about what goes on behind the scenes and behind closed doors that most people would never gain an understanding of, Sullivan said.

Hes practiced law for 30 years as a criminal and civil attorney. Sullivan said hes committed to helping solve mass incarceration in Mississippi by providing rehabilitation for non-violent criminals.

The vast majority of people that I encounter in the system from all three sides, as a prosecutor, a defender and a judge, are people who have severe mental health problems that are self-medicating with street drugs, and they get into a self-perpetuating cycle where they can never break free, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mississippis judicial races are nonpartisan.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
Work is underway on I-40 to have two lanes back open to drivers by News Years Day. (Photo/NCDOT) Work is underway on I-40 to have two lanes back open to drivers by News Years Day. (Photo/NCDOT) Work is underway on I-40 to have two lanes back open to drivers by News Years Day. (Photo/NCDOT) Work is underway on I-40 to have two lanes back open to drivers by News Years Day. (Photo/NCDOT)

HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA)  State officials said two lanes of I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge may be back open by New Years Day.

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Pigeon River washed away the eastbound lanes of I-40 after Hurricane Helene hit the area.

A contractor was hired to complete a stabilization project on the westbound lanes of the interstate.

The projects completion, NCDOT said, should allow room for cars to go 40 miles per hour on one lane in both directions of the road, in a nine mile stretch over the gorge in Tennessee and North Carolina.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are working to open I-40 when it is safe, and it will be tight conditions for everybody, said NCDOT Division 14 Engineer Wanda Payne. But if everybody is patient, everybody can get through.

The stabilization project will also allot enough space for contractors to work on long-term repairs in the next few years.

Opening one lane in both directions reestablishes critical connectivity for the transport of good and services to and through mountains, Payne said. Like many things in our area, it will not be like it was for a long time, but it will be better than weve had in recent weeks.

But how will crews make the temporary repairs?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

NCDOT said crews are installing soil-nail walls on swaths cut by the flooded river. Long rods will be inserted into bedrock below the road and adding grout to bond the rocks and the rock. Concrete will the be sprayed on the cut face to hold the rods in place and create a solid wall.

Then, crews will add a concrete safety barrier to five miles of remaining westbound lanes in North Carolina.

The wall will divide east and westbound traffic from the double-tunnel to the Tennessee state line.

Only a four mile stretch of I-40 in Tennessee has a two-lane pattern for local traffic.

Long-term construction plans for the interstate are still in the works.

Interstate 40 at mile marker 4 in Haywood County, N.C., October 2, 2024 (From: NCDOT)

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  Two Romanian nationals were indicted on federal charges in Syracuse of financial institution fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Radu-Lucian Grigoras, 45, and Gheorghe Nistor, 42, allegedly installed skimming devices and pinhole cameras in ATMs from April through at least August of this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The devices captured and stored customers debit card information and the camera recorded them entering their PIN numbers.

The pair then would return and put the stolen information from the skimming device on other cards, which they used to fraudulently withdraw money.

Grigoras and Nistor also allegedly carried out this scheme in other states, along with New York, including Kansas, Missouri and Pennsylvania.

Both defendants face two fraud counts and two identity theft counts. The fraud counts each carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The identity theft charges carry a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The charges also carry a term of supervised release of up tot 5 years after the prison sentence is completed.

As of now, these charges are still only accusations.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
CHICAGO  Two people died Tuesday after being shot by a disgruntled ex employee of a Navy Pier subcontractor, Chief of Patrol Jon Hein said during an afternoon press conference.

The victims, both adult men, were shot shortly before 1:30 p.m. near a loading dock area on the north side of the pier at 600 East Grand Avenue that is not accessed by the public, Hein said.

The men were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where they were pronounced dead. Police said the victims were 47 and 51 years old.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hein said during a 4:30 p.m. press conference that authorities had identified a person of interest they were actively seeking.

Navy Pier Chief Operating Officer Brian Murphy said a lockdown alert was immediately sent to the piers 70 tenants through an internal communications system after the shooting. That shelter-in-place order has since been lifted.

At no time did we feel that anyone from the public was in danger, he said, adding that his thoughts were with the employees who just came to work today.

Both Hein and Murphy called the shooting isolated.

The pier is clear now. The pier is safe, Hein said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Two men were fatally shot Tuesday afternoon at Navy Pier by a gunman who authorities believe was a recently terminated worker.

Speaking with reporters at the pier, Chicago police Chief of Patrol Jon Hein stressed that authorities did not believe the suspect posed a danger to the public, though the shooter remained at large as of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

This was an isolated incident with a disgruntled ex-employee, Hein said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The gunman, thought to have been terminated Oct. 14, had sought out two employees around 1:20 p.m. in a loading dock and nearby administrative office at the far end of the pier and fired multiple shots.

The two men were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where they died. Their identities werent immediately released.

Hein offered few details about the investigation into the slayings, saying only that authorities were actively seeking a person of interest.

Navy Piers Chief Operations Officer Brian Murphy said the facility went on lockdown and notified all tenants of the building of the shooting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Once we were able to determine that the offender had left the property, we were able to open back up, he said.

Hours after the shooting, red crime-scene tape blocked the entry to the loading dock at the far end of the pier and one officer advised another be careful of that blood as she left the entryway.

Cars exited the parking lots alongside the north end of the pier as construction workers were milling around a crane at the piers far end. A commander directed the news media to move away from the crime scene.

People were coming and going from the piers main hall even as police still clustered at the entrance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Navy Pier is considered one of the citys main tourist attractions downtown, drawing nearly 9 million visitors annually, according to the venues website.

Philadelphia visitors Bob and Bobbi Ann Kane, who were staying at the piers Sable Hotel, were upbeat as they strolled the pier Tuesday afternoon, despite the startling nature of the shooting.

At the time of the shooting, Bob Kane, 62, was visiting McCormick Place, while Bobbi Ann, 61, who had just stepped out of their hotel room, realized businesses were closing unexpectedly. Then she saw SWAT officers walking past her and heard a shelter-in-place order, prompting a call to her husband.

I was worried, Bob Kane said. I couldnt get here (quickly) enough. So I didnt know what to do. Then when I got here, I couldnt get in. The couple was reunited after the roughly two-hour lockdown.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another out-of-town visitor, Trent Halasek, of Cincinnati, said he was wandering through the piers sprawling structure and made a quick stop at the Ferris wheel before exiting to find police.

Then two of the police officers got out of the car, ran to the back, he said. Then I was like, What on earth is going on?' More cars pulled up and he saw officers in SWAT gear entering the building.

After a few minutes of panic, Halasek said the situation calmed. Its a bit surreal, he said. You never think youre going to be somewhere where that happens.
In a forlorn stretch of high desert outside Mexico City, a dozen migrants trudged along beside a set of railroad tracks, hoping to jump on a freight train that would take them closer to the United States. They said they were only vaguely aware of the U.S. presidential election  which was a just few days away  and their role in it.

I dont know much about American politics, said Santiago Marulanda, 38, who had traveled from Venezuela with with his wife and two children and hoped to make it to California. Whoever wins, wins. But I know this: Whoever the victor, things wont be easy for us as immigrants.

Migrants wait to load buses in a border patrol holding area below the Camino Real International Bridge near Eagle Pass, Texas, in September 2023. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Illegal immigration has been one of the biggest issues in the presidential race. Former President Trump has vowed to deport millions of people he routinely describes as "invaders" and "criminals"  and Vice President Kamala Harris has pledged to reduce illegal entries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more: Migrants play 'the asylum lottery' on controversial U.S. government app

Trump has a big mouth, but he doesnt scare me, said Kevin Ociel Canaca, 25, who is from Honduras and was planning to go to Houston.

He said he had been living and working there until being deported last year, leaving behind a son, now 3.

If youre a migrant, youre going to suffer whoever is president," Ociel said. "Even if you work hard, someone is going to want you kicked out of the country. That doesnt stop us.

Hundreds of migrants walk in Eagle Pass, Texas, in September 2023 to a U.S. Border Patrol area to be loaded into vans and transported to a processing center. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Record numbers of asylum seekers arrived at the U.S. border during the first three years of the Biden administration. In June, the president imposed tough new restrictions on asylum that dramatically reduced the number of migrants entering the country  an achievement that Harris has touted in her campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Under intense pressure from Washington, Mexican officials have aided that effort, intercepting northbound travelers on roads and trains and in airports. In the first eight months of the year, Mexico detained nearly a million migrants, more than double the total during the same period in 2023.

Rather than deporting these migrants  the majority of whom are from Latin America  Mexican authorities have transported most of them to the country's far south, near the Guatemalan border.

Undeterred, many simply turn around and renew their northbound journeys, dodging criminals, crooked cops and Mexican immigration agents.

"The Mexican migra has detained us multiple times, taken away our cellphones, beat us up, and sent us back to the south," said Yancarlis Caldera, 29, one of hundreds of migrants camped out in a squalid tent city outside the colonial-era Roman Catholic Church of Santa Cruz and Solitude in Mexico City.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She and her partner left Venezuela in September, leaving three children behind.

"I've been all over Mexico at this point," she said. "I now know Mexico better than my own country."

Read more: Migrants from around the world have made this stretch of California the top place to enter the U.S. illegally

Migrants and asylum seekers gather in a makeshift camp near Jacumba Hot Springs, Calif., in May after crossing the border through rocky, mountainous terrain. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Many squatters in the tent city log in each day to the U.S. government app CBP One in hopes of securing an asylum appointment at the border and being allowed into the United States. Appointments are limited, and it is common to try for weeks or months without success.

The daily quest has taken on increased urgency for many migrants as the U.S. election has approached. Trump has vowed to scrap CBP One.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"What will we do if CPB One is gone?" asked Caldera, standing in front of her tent, which was covered with a black plastic tarp against the rain. "No one here is going back to Venezuela. There's nothing for us there. We will get to the United States one way or another."

A group of nuns distribute food to migrants resting along the train tracks in Huehuetoca, Mexico, in May 2023 as they look to board a freight train heading north, the day after U.S. pandemic-related asylum restrictions called Title 42 were lifted. (Marco Ugarte/Associated Press)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That was also the sentiment among people interviewed along the train tracks north of Mexico City, where migrants have long hopped rides north on the freight network known as La Bestia. The hundreds who once gathered by he tracks have diminished since the Mexican crackdown, but several groups were still trying their luck.

"We've been waiting for months for an appointment through CBP One," said Dinorah Lopez Rojas, 25, who had traveled from Guatemala with her brother, husband an an uncle. Appointment or not, all were determined to make it to the border and eventually Southern California.

"Yes, we've heard that there may be deportations after the elections in the United States," she said. "But I'm not sure about the candidates. I just hope we don't get sent back after risking so much."

As an oncoming train rumbled in the distance, Lopez and her family picked up their luggage in hopes that it would stop or slow down so that they could clamber aboard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Special correspondent Cecilia Sanchez Vidal contributed to this report.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The Defense Department announced Monday that a retired major general with decades of service will take over next year as the new director for the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies.

Maj. Gen. Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum will become director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, starting in early 2025.

DKI APCSS is a Defense Department institute dedicated to scholars and practitioners focused on the Indo-Pacific region. It opened in September 1995 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The institute "builds resilient capacity, shared understanding and networked relationships among civilian and military practitioners and institutions to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific," according to the DKI APCSS' website.

Retired Rear Adm. Pete Gumataotao "departed the Center this last summer after more than six years of distinguished service as director," said the Defense Department.

Vares-Lum has served as president of the East-West Center -- a national educational institution for the United States, Asia and the Pacific islands -- since January 2022. During her service in the U.S. Army, she received the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal.

"Maj. Gen. Vares-Lum's leadership as president of the East-West Center and her 34 years of service in the U.S. Army provide her with the vision and experience needed to be a transformational leader at this vital DoD institution in the Indo-Pacific region," the Defense Department wrote in a statement Monday, as East-West Center announced Vares-Lum would be leaving in a post on X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"EWC president Suzanne Vares-Lum announced to EWC community this morning that she will be leaving the Center at the end of this year to accept an official appointment as head of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies."

EWC President Suzanne Vares-Lum announced to EWC community this morning that she will be leaving the Center at the end of this year to accept an official appointment as head of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies. Read more:https://t.co/RyMTKHbOaN pic.twitter.com/k4Ur8LDWMo East-West Center (@EastWestCenter) November 4, 2024

"It is with a heavy heart that I will be moving on from the East-West Center, whose amazing staff and community have made my time here some of the most professionally and personally rewarding of my life," Vares-Lum wrote Monday.

"Making the decision to depart this great institution was very difficult, but ultimately I believe this new appointment is the best opportunity for me to draw on my cumulative experiences toward making a positive impact on our region."
Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Early voting tallies show Republicans have secured 78 seats to 35 for Democrats as of 9 p.m. EST with at least 218 needed to win a majority in the House of Representatives.

Some states will know their respective election results by the end of Tuesday night while others might take another week to determine closely run races for the U.S. House of Representatives.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., might win another term in the House and as House Speaker if the GOP retains the majority in the House of Representatives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the Democratic Party wrests control of the House from the GOP, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., could become the nation's first Black speaker of the House.

The makeup of the 119th U.S. Congress will be decided on Election Day on Tuesday with several races expected to be close.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., is running for a seat in the U.S. Senate, vacating Michigan's 7th congressional district. Democrat Curtis Hertel and Republican Tom Barrett are vying for the district's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. File Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

There are 468 seats in Congress that are on the ballot Tuesday, including all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Several House seats are open and even more are considered toss-up contests.

Republicans hold a 220-212 majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, though in-fighting between factions of the party has stuttered its ability to pursue some of its policies. The political makeup of the House will be crucial for the incoming president to plot out their goals for their first two years in office.

Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., holds a piece of glass which he carries with him, as members share their recollections on the first anniversary of the assault on the U.S. Capitol in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2022. Kildee is not seeking reelection on Tuesday. File Pool photo by Mandel Ngan/UPI

Alaska: At-large seat

Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, is running for re-election for Alaska's at-large House seat. She was elected in 2022, receiving 55% of the vote to win by a 10-point margin.

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., speaks with reporters after a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 29, 2023. Bacon is seeking reelection against Democrat Tony Vargas, a member of Nebraska's state senate, for Nebraska District 2. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Peltola's challenger from the Republican Party, Nick Begich, ran against Peltola and former Gov. Sarah Palin in 2022. Alaska ran its first ranked-choice voting election during the midterms and Begich was eliminated in the second round of voting after receiving 24.5% of the vote. Palin received 26.3% in that round.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Peltola was elected to the state legislature in 1998 at 24 years old. She served in the legislature until 2009. She was the executive director of the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission in 2022 before entering the race to succeed Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, who had died in March of that year.

In the U.S. House, she serves on the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. She has received endorsements from Alaska's Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and the Alaska Federation of Natives.

Begich is a native of Anchorage and the founder of a tech company called FarShore Partners. He served as the board director for the Matanuska Telecom Association, co-chair of the Alaska Republican Party finance committee and is the former president of the MTA Foundation Board.

Begich is the grandson of Nick Begich Sr., a former U.S. lawmaker who disappeared during a flight aboard a twin-engine aircraft in 1972. The plane and its four occupants were not found.

Michigan District 7

Michigan's District 7 House seat is open due to Rep. Elise Slotkin, D-Lansing., running for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Contending for her vacant seat are Democrat Curtis Hertel and Republican Tom Barrett.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Barrett challenged Slotkin in the 2022 midterm election. Slotkin won that race with 192,809 votes to Barrett's 172,624, an edge of about 51% to 46%.

Hertel and Barrett are former state senators. Hertel served at the state capitol in Lansing, Mich., representing the 23rd district from 2015 to 2022 when he reached his term limit. He also served as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's director of legislative affairs, was a policy analyst for the state's Department of Community Health from 2004 to 2005 and was on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners from 2001 to 2008.

Barrett served in the state senate from 2019 to 2022. He was on the appropriations committee and the subcommittee on community health and human services, the committee on energy and technology and was an analyst for the Michigan Department of Treasury. He was elected to the state legislature in 2015 and served two terms in the House.

Barrett is a veteran of the U.S. Army. The former helicopter pilot retired from the National Guard in 2022 after 21 years of service.

Michigan District 8

Rep. Dan Kildee is not seeking re-election in District 8, leaving the seat open. The Democrat was elected to the U.S. House in 2022, but he held office as an elected official for more than 40 years after being elected to the Flint, Mich., Board of Education at 18 years old in 1977.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Vying for Kildee's vacant seat are Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet, Republican Paul Junge and several third-party candidates. Junge challenged Kildee in 2022. Kildee earned more than 53% of the vote and won by more than 30,000 votes.

This is Junge's third attempt to be District 8's representative in Congress. Slotkin defeated him in 2020 by about 3%. Prior to that, he was part of former President Donald Trump's administration, working with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services external affairs department. He has been endorsed by the former president.

McDonald Rivet represents Michigan's Senate District 35, serving her first term. She is a former executive director of Michigan Head Start Association, a nonprofit organization that advocates for education access for vulnerable children and families. She was also the vice president of Michigan Future Inc., president and CEO of Greater Midland Inc., and served as a commissioner for her hometown Bay City, Mich.

Colorado District 8

Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Colo., is finishing her first term in the U.S. House and seeks re-election in Colorado's District 8. She is running against Republican Gabe Evans

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Caraveo was elected to office after narrowly defeating Republican Barbara Kirkmeyer in 2022. Caraveo won by less than 2,000 votes and one percentage point.

The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Caraveo is a pediatrician who was elected to the Colorado legislature in 2019. She served one term before campaigning for the U.S. House. She serves on the committees on agriculture and science, space and technology.

Evans served with the U.S. Army and National Guard for 12 years as a helicopter pilot. He is also a former police officer with the Arvada, Colo., Police Department.

In 2022, Evans was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives, receiving about 63% of the vote in that race. He is on committees on energy and environment, judiciary and legislative audit.

Pennsylvania District 17

Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., seeks re-election in Pennsylvania District 17, facing a challenge from Republican Rob Mercuri.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Deluzio is finishing his first term in office after defeating Republican Jeremy Shaffer in the midterm election in 2022. Deluzio received more than 53% of the vote.

Deluzio served in the U.S. Navy and has been deployed three times. He is an attorney who worked for the Brennan Center for Justice's voting rights and security teams following his years on active duty.

As a member of the House, Deluzio's committee assignments include the committee on armed services and on transportation and infrastructure.

Mercuri is a U.S. Army veteran who did two tours in Iraq. He has a business degree from the University of Massachusetts and is a former senior vice president of risk and finance for PNC Bank.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2020, Mercuri was elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He has served two terms as a state legislator. During that time he has served on the education and finance committees.

Iowa District 1

Iowa's District 1 House race is the second in a row between incumbent Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Democrat Christina Bohannan. Miller-Meeks was re-elected for a second term in 2022 after receiving 162,947 votes to Bohannan's 142,173.

Miller-Meeks won a historically close race in 2020 to ascend to the U.S. House, defeating Democrat Rita Hart by six votes. Hart contested the result for several months before conceding.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During her tenure on Capitol Hill, Miller-Meeks has been a member of the committee on energy and commerce and the committee on veterans' affairs.

Miller-Meeks served in the U.S. Army as a nurse and ophthalmologist for 24 years. She began a private ophthalmology practice in 1997. In 2014, she was appointed as the director of the Iowa Department of Public Health. She remained in that position for four years. In 2018 she was elected to the state senate.

Bohannan is completing her first term in the Iowa Legislature representing House District 89. She is a law professor and faculty senate president at the University of Iowa and a former engineer with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Nebraska District 2

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., is seeking a fifth term in office representing Nebraska District 2. His opponent, Democrat Tony Vargas, is a state senator and former school teacher. These candidates also faced each other in the 2022 midterm election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bacon won in 2022 by a count of 112,663 votes to 106,807. He won the rural Sarpy and Saunders counties by about 7,000 votes. Vargas won Douglas County by about 5,000 votes. The county seat of Douglas County is Omaha.

Bacon has been in the U.S. House since 2017. He succeeded Democrat Brad Ashford who served one term. Prior to Ashford, Republicans held the seat from 1995 to 2014.

Bacon is an Air Force veteran who served for 29 years. He specialized in electronic warfare and intelligence and was deployed four times to the Middle East. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and Committee on Armed Services.

Vargas is completing his second term in the state senate after being elected in 2016. He serves on eight committees, including appropriations, the executive board and the legislative oversight review special committee.

Complaints have been filed against both candidates for alleged campaign finance violations. Bacon is accused of using official U.S. House letterhead for campaign-related activities.

A Federal Elections Commission complaint against Vargas by the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust argues that a fellowship program Vargas took part in should have been disclosed as a political donation.

Neither complaint has been resolved.

Colorado District 3

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., is vacating her district seat to run for office in a district that has historically favored Republicans, leaving Colorado District 3 open. Boebert won a tightly contested race in 2022 over Democrat Adam Frisch, beating Frisch with 163,839 votes to 163,293.

Boebert will instead run in District 4. That district was won by Republican Greg Lopez in 2022. He received 100,095 votes and his closest competitor, Democrat Trisha Calvarese, received 59,013.

Vying to fill Boebert's District 3 seat are her 2022 opponent Frisch and Republican Jeff Hurd.

Frisch is a business owner and former member of the Aspen City Council. He served on the council for eight years before running for mayor in 2019. He has also served on the Pitkin County, Colo., Financial Advisory Board. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Frisch became a part-time substitute teacher.

Hurd is an attorney running for office for the first time. He won his Republican primary in June by more than 11,000 votes.

Transgender win

Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender person elected to Congress when she won the state's only House seat on Tuesday.

McBride, a Democrat, defeated Republican challenger John Whalen III. Her electoral victory was reported by NBC News, CNN and the Delaware News Journal.

"Tonight is a testament to Delawareans: That here in our state of neighbors, we judge candidates based on their ideas and not their identities," McBride said in her victory speech.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The search is on for an unregistered sex offender who was convicted of attempted promoting prostitution.

Investigators believe Yulian Fu could be anywhere between Columbus and Cleveland, partly because her last known address is in Franklin County.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Fu has failed to register with the sheriffs office for nearly two years, and the service is hoping for a break in the case like the one his team received when tracking a homeless man.

Investigators had no leads and no information until a recent Warrant Watch helped them find that suspect, who they said went into a mans home, attacked him, and slammed him into a wooden table. The victim spent a week in the hospital with a collapsed lung.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ryan Burlison was arrested last week when a tip from an NBC 4 viewer led investigators to his location.

We ran the story, somebody sees the story, they give us a starting point, U.S. Marshal Michael Black with the Southern District of Ohio said. They give us a tip, a location where they spotted this individual, that gives us a starting point which led us to be able to apprehend him and get him off the streets.

And now Black hopes that will happen with this weeks Warrant Watch suspect, Yulian Fu.

His teams are working a case originally out of Cuyahoga County, but has central Ohio connections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fu is a registered sex offender who was known to live in Franklin County. The 55-year-old is now charged with failure to verify address, something she hasnt done since March 2022.

Court documents show Fu was convicted of attempted promoting prostitution.

Could be, possibly, a human trafficking situation, Black said. Promoting prostitution could go a variety of different ways. Both those charges could lead us to want to get her off the streets as quickly as possible.

Fus last known address was on the 1200 block of Lincoln Road in the Grandview Heights area.

Anyone with any information on Fus whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals Office by clicking here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The United States renewed its call on Israel to take action against violent, illegal settlers on Monday after Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank were shot at when they attempted to put out nearly two dozen vehicles that were set ablaze.

The Biden administration has been trying to get the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to act on settler violence targeting Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank, which has spiked amid the Middle Eastern country's war against Hamas in Gaza.

Overnight, it was reported that settlers set fire to 20 cars owned by Palestinians in the West Bank city of al-Bireh and fired at those who attempted to put out the blazes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Videos of the aftermath posted online, but not verified by UPI, show numerous parked vehicles on a street destroyed, some reduced to essentially charred, gray frames.

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters during a regular press briefing Monday that the Biden administration was "deeply concerned" by this and other recent settler attacks targeting Palestinians, as well as attacks preventing Palestinians from harvesting their olive crops during the ongoing crucial economic olive harvest season.

Palestinians inspect their burnt vehicles at the site where Israeli settlers attacked in Al-Bireh near the West Bank city of Ramallah, on November 4, 2024. Photo by Alaa Badarneh/EPA-EFE

"It is critical that the Government of Israel deter extremist settler violence and take measures to protect all communities from harm, in accordance with its international obligations. This includes intervening, preventing and stopping such violence," Miller said.

"It is further incumbent upon the relevant authorities to do everything possible to de-escalate tensions and hold all perpetrators of violence against civilians equally accountable -- no matter the background of the perpetrator or the victim."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

UPI has contacted the Netanyahu's office for comment.

Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territory and the establishment of settlements there are widely viewed as illegal under international law and have attracted repeated criticism and condemnation of the United Nations and the wider international community.

Amid Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, greater attention and criticism have been directed at Israel over its occupation of the West Bank as it is a growing flashpoint of violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

According to an update from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, between Oct. 7, 2023, when the war began, and Thursday, there have been nearly 1,600 attacks by Israeli settlers targeting Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last month, it documented nearly 270 such incidents, resulting in nearly 60 Palestinians injured by settlers and property damage, including more than 1,000 olive trees burnt, felled or vandalized.

The Biden administration has described this violence as being an obstacle to achieving a two-state solution and has turned to using sanctions as a way to pressure Israel to do something about the problem.

Since February, the United States has blacklisted 14 people and 13 related entities in response to settler violence.

Miller said he did not have additional sanctions to announce on Monday, but that this recent attack is similar to previous ones that did lead to designations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We certainly will be looking at this one, as we have looked at others, to see first of all if the Government of Israel takes steps to impose accountability, and if they don't, what we might do on our end to take action," he said.

Along with the United States, Britain and Canada have also imposed sanctions against violent settlers.
Nov. 5 (UPI) -- The Republican Party is poised to wrest control of the U.S. Senate from the Democrats, flipping key seats in Ohio and West Virginia on Tuesday.

Ths shift in balance of the 100-seat U.S. Senate was projected by ABC, NBC and CBS.

Senate Republicans claimed victory on X, simply stating they had achieved a majority in the chamber.

"Ready to fight for you," it said.

Incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, has lost to Republican Bernie Moreno in the second Senate seat flipped Tuesday night. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI Senate Republican Majority  Ready to fight for you. Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) November 6, 2024

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice won his state's open Senate seat Tuesday night, flipping it for Republicans, after former Sen. Joe Manchin decided not to run for re-election. Justice, 73, beat Democrat Glenn Elliott, the former mayor of Wheeling. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

With the apparent victory, leadership of the chamber is expected to be up for grabs among the GOP members, as its current Senate chief, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, announced he would be stepping down earlier this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Current Senate majority leader, Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York, is expected to become minority leader.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, won a third term Tuesday night and retained his Senate seat following a tight race against Democratic challenger Rep. Colin Allred. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

The power shift in the chamber was fueled by Republicans flipping two seats, one in Ohio and the other in West Virginia, on Tuesday.

Republican Bernie Moreno won in Ohio, ousting Democrat incumbent Sherrod Brown, according to NBC, CNN and The New York Times.

Democrat Angela Alsobrooks won the open Senate seat for Maryland on Tuesday night, beating former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican Gov. Jim Justice of West Virginia, meanwhile, won the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Manchin, who decided not to run for re-election.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas also beat his challenger in a tight race as he won a third term, while Democrat Angela Alsobrooks won her Senate race in Maryland, according to NBC, CNN and The Wall Street Journal.

Incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., is facing a tough challenge from Republican Tim Sheehy, who currently holds 56% of the vote for Montana's Senate seat compared to 42.4% for Tester. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

The results of these key Senate races will play a major role in the next president's ability to achieve key policy goals before the 2026 midterms.

Longtime incumbents Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Rick Scott were easily re-elected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A total of 34 Senate seats were up for grabs on Tuesday.

Ohio

Republican Bernie Moreno has unseated Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, in the second seat flipped in favor of Republicans on Tuesday night, according to NBC, CNN and The New York Times.

Unofficial election results with 99% of precincts reporting show Moreno won 50.23% of the vote at 2.785 million ballots as of early Wednesday. Brown had 46.38%, or 2.571 million votes.

Brown had been seeking re-election in a state that has voted Republican in the last two presidential elections. Moreno, who was endorsed by Donald Trump, was running for Senate for the second time after dropping out of the race to succeed Republican Rob Portman in 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Portman's seat was won by vice presidential candidate JD Vance.

Brown has served in the U.S. Senate since 2007. In 2018, he was re-elected with 2.3 million votes, about 53% of the vote share, over Republican Jim Renacci. He serves on the committees on finance; veterans' affairs; banking, housing and urban affairs and agriculture, nutrition and forestry.

Moreno is the owner of a chain of car dealerships in the Cleveland area, as well as in Massachusetts and Florida. His businesses have been sued for wage theft, with allegations of not paying overtime and commissions, on as many as a dozen occasions.

West Virginia

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, flipped the state's open seat Tuesday night, according to NBC News, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, after Manchin decided not to run for re-election. Justice, 73, beat Democrat Glenn Elliott, the former mayor of Wheeling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Unofficial election results with 52 of 55 counties reporting show Justice won 70% of the vote share, or 454,854 votes, to Elliott's 26.3%, or a little more 171,000.

Justice is the 36th governor of West Virginia, elected in 2016. He is a former billionaire who amassed his fortune by inheriting a coal mining business from his father.

That fortune has greatly declined since 2018, as U.S. energy production has moved away from coal. Justice's financial downturn led to one of his biggest assets, The Greenbrier Hotel, to face foreclosure due to unpaid debts.

The Justice Companies ultimately reached an agreement with the capital company that purchased the debt to avoid the resort going up for auction for the time being.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Manchin, a one-time Democrat turned independent, announced he would not campaign for re-election last year, saying in a statement that he will instead travel the county to "see if there is an interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together."

Manchin was elected in 2018 by a three-point margin over Republican Patrick Morrisey. The state has otherwise favored Republicans in recent years. Former President Donald Trump received more than 68% of votes in the state in the last two general elections. Republican candidates have received 51% of West Virginians' votes since 2000.

Manchin gave Elliott his endorsement in April before West Virginia's Democratic primary, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel reported.

"The character of the candidate we choose in the Democratic primary is crucial for achieving the results West Virginians need in Washington," Manchin said in a press release. "Character is one of the most important factors for our state's success."

Texas

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who was seeking re-election for his third term in the Senate in a tight race with Rep. Colin Allred, won Tuesday night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With 74% of the vote counted, Cruz holds 53.5% of the vote to Allred's 44.1% as the race was called for Cruz by NBC, CNN and The Wall Street Journal.

"The results tonight, this decisive victory, should shake the Democrat establishment to its core," Cruz said Tuesday night in a speech to supporters and his campaign in downtown Houston.

"To all those who didn't support me, you have my word that I will fight for you, for your jobs, for your safety and for your constitutional rights," Cruz added.

Cruz was elected to the Senate in 2013, succeeding Republican Kay Bailey Hutchinson. Following a failed campaign for the Republican nomination for president in 2016, he has become a supportive voice for Republican presidential candidate Trump in the Senate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cruz won re-election narrowly in 2018, receiving 50.9% of the vote to Democrat Beto O'Rourke's 48.3%.

In 2020 he launched "Verdict with Ted Cruz," a conservative podcast focused on political and social issues. It is a weekly program with 267 episodes.

Cruz serves on the Senate committees on foreign relations, rules and administration, the judiciary and commerce, science and transportation.

Maryland

An open Senate seat, up for grabs in Maryland after Democrat Ben Cardin announced he would not seek re-election, has been called in a win for Democrat Angela Alsobrooks. Maryland's seat has been held by the Democratic Party since 1977.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With 76% of the vote counted Tuesday, Alsobrooks holds a 51.8% margin over former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan with a 45.7% margin in a race that has been called for Alsobrooks by NBC, CNN and The Wall Street Journal.

In 2018, Alsobrooks became the first Black woman to be elected as the executive for Prince George's County, the second-largest county in Maryland. County executives in Maryland are the head of their county's executive branch of government.

Alsobrooks was the county's youngest state attorney and was the first woman elected to that position. Prior to that, she was an assistant state attorney for the county and specialized in domestic violence cases.

Montana

Democratic Sen. Jon Tester is facing a significant challenge, seeking re-election in Republican-leaning Montana, in his race against Republican Tim Sheehy.

With just 6% of the votes counted Tuesday night, Tester holds 42.4% of the vote to Sheehy's 56%.

Tester has served as Montana's senator since being elected in 2007, despite Republican presidential candidates winning the state in every cycle since 1992. In 2018, Tester received 253,876 votes, about 50%, to win his re-election bid over Republican challenger Matt Rosendale. Rosendale received 235,963 votes.

Tester serves on the committees on appropriations, veterans' affairs; Indian affairs; banking, housing and urban affairs and commerce, science and transportation. He is a third-generation farmer that tends the land his grandparents farmed more than 100 years ago.

Sheehy is a former U.S. Navy SEAL Officer who has been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and South America. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 2008 and is a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient. In 2014 he founded Bridger Aerospace, described as an aerial firefighting and aerospace company based in Belgrade, Mont.

Michigan

Longtime Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow is not running for re-election after 24 years in office.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who is seeking to maintain Stabenow's seat for the Democratic Party is carrying 47.2% of the vote, with 29% of the vote counted shortly after the polls closed. Her Republican opponent, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, now holds a 50% margin.

Slotkin is completing her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Michigan District 7. In 2021, she was one of 15 Democrats to not vote for Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for House speaker.

"In the spring of 2018, before I was elected, I made a commitment to my constituents not to support Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House," Slotkin said in a statement. "I believed then as I do now, that it is time for new leadership on both sides of the aisle in Washington. And that's how I have voted."

Slotkin serves on the committees on agriculture and armed services. She is a former CIA analyst and worked for President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama's administrations as a national security staff member.

Rogers was Michigan's District 8 representative in the House from 2001 to 2015. He is a U.S. Army veteran and a former special agent with the FBI. As a lawmaker he served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and was chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

Arizona

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's seat is open as the Democrat-turned-independent is not seeking re-election.

With 49% of the votes counted Tuesday, former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, who is representing the Republican Party, currently holds 45.8% of the vote in her race against Democrat and District 3 Rep. Ruben Gallego, who has 52.5%.

A Republican has not won a Senate election in Arizona since 2016 when the late John McCain won re-election in a landslide. In 2018, Sinema was elected as a Democrat, receiving more than 1.1 million votes and 50% of the vote share.

Lake has been among the more vocal critics of the results of the 2020 Presidential Election and maintains the position that former President Trump's loss was illegitimate, despite a lack of evidence. She has also continued to question and challenge her gubernatorial loss to Democrat Katie Hobbs in 2022. She lost her appeal.

Lake is a former news anchor for FOX 10 Phoenix. She left the Republican Party and voted for Democrats John Kerry and Barack Obama in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections. She returned to the Republican Party in 2012.

Gallego is in his first term in the U.S. House. He serves on the committees on armed services and natural resources.

Gallego is a U.S. Marine veteran and was a member of the Arizona Legislature from 2010 to 2014. During his military service he was deployed to Iraq as an infantryman.
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)  The University of Illinois is warning residents to avoid areas around Neil Street now.

According to an Illini-Alert sent out by the University, there is a flooding hazard at the Neil and Kirby viaduct and the Neil and St. Marys Road viaduct.

WEATHER NOW: Wet & windy conditions expected through Tuesday afternoon

The alert was sent out around 8:45 p.m. on Monday night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Students and community members are asked to avoid the area, and to take an alternative path if possible.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- Students studying cyber security at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock are one step closer to applying what theyve learned in a real-world environment. Its all thanks to a recent grant from the Arkansas attorney generals office.

Cameron Jackson is a student at UA Little Rock who is studying cybersecurity. He said what hes learning now, hell soon be able to apply hands-on because of the grant.

Officials monitoring threats to U.S. elections

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The funds will be creating the Cyberspace Operations Research and Education Center, also known as Core.

Professor Sandra Leiterman said the school will use the space for students to learn about real-world examples of cyber protection.

Whether it be a small business, a municipality or rural health care, Leiterman said. Were really going to be able to build up the cyber security education for them.

Jackson said this comes at a time when people are at their most vulnerable.

People put their personal information out there all the time and they dont understand that there are threat actors who will use that against you, Jackson said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

23andMe agrees to $30M settlement over 2023 data breach: How much could users get?

The grant aims to develop Arkansass future cyber security workforce, but Jackson said it will also create a chance for students to connect with the community.

It gives all of us the opportunity to teach them what we have learned and its a perfect reflection on UA Little Rock and the cyber security program where were able to go out into the community, Jackson said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
(Bloomberg) -- The UKs fiscal watchdog has accused Treasury civil servants of breaking the law by withholding information before the March budget, raising the stakes in a blame game over who was responsible for hiding a multi-billion pound shortfall.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Office for Budget Responsibility Chairman Richard Hughes told a Parliament committee on Tuesday that Treasury officials were aware of about 9.5 billion ($12 billion) of unfunded commitments that they didnt disclose during the budget-drafting process. That was something that under the law and under the act they should have done, Hughes told the Treasury Select Committee, referring to 2011 legislation creating the OBR and subsequent measures.

The accusation deepens the intrigue over the fiscal black hole that Labour Party officials say was left for them by the outgoing Conservative government after the general election in July. While Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has cited the surprise deficit to justify raising taxes by far more than outlined in the partys campaign manifesto, she has so far directed the blame at her Tory predecessor, rather than the civil servants who now work for her.

Treasury Committee Chair Meg Hillier said during the hearing on Tuesday that the possible legal breach was certainly an area for us to probe further. James Bowler, whose position as Treasury permanent secretary puts him in the eye of the storm, is slated to appear before the same committee on Wednesday alongside Reeves.

Hughes told members of Parliament that relations between the OBR and the Treasury had always been good, but were based on trust. That system very clearly broke down, he said. Were moving from a system of trust to a system of Trust, but verify. We want to make sure the failure of oversight that happened back in March doesnt happen again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Reeves claimed to have found what she said was a 22 billion fiscal hole after taking office on July 5. The surprise deficit became her principal reason for raising taxes by some 40 billion in her own budget last week, the biggest single tax-raising event since 1993.

Reeves acknowledged on Sunday that she had been wrong to promise not to raise taxes during the election. I didnt know everything, she told Sky News. When I arrived at the Treasury just under a month after I said those words, I was taken into a room by senior officials at the Treasury and they set out the huge black hole in the public finances beyond what anybody knew about at the time of the election.

Although an OBR analysis published alongside last weeks budget rejected the 22 billion number, it found that around 9.5 billion had been known and left undisclosed in the budget presented by then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in March. Treasury officials have an obligation to provide the OBR with the information it needs to forecast properly, and by their own admission the Treasury did not provide the OBR with all information available to them, the budget watchdogs analysis said.

Hunt has repeatedly rejected the claim that he hid any spending gaps. When Reeves announced the 22 billion hole on July 29, Hunt responded in Parliament that she had had privileged access to Bowler since January and that all spending estimates are signed off by the most senior civil servants  the accounting officers  in every department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If she is right, will she ask the cabinet secretary to investigate those civil servants for laying misleading estimates? Hunt asked. Speaking in Parliament last week, then-Conservative leader Rishi Sunak denounced the 22 billion fiscal hole as a false justification by Reeves to support her agenda.

The Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 states that the OBR has a right of access (at any reasonable time) to all government information which it may reasonably require for the purpose of the performance of its duty and is entitled to require from any person holding or accountable for any government information any assistance or explanation which the Office reasonably thinks necessary for that purpose.

Hughes, who previously worked in the Treasury, told MPs on Tuesday that he believed every British public servant does their utmost to obey the law. There was a systemic failure in putting together the last forecast, Hughes said. And potentially a misunderstanding of expectation on both sides on what needed to be provided.

(Updates with Jeremy Hunt comments in 10th paragraph.)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Weapons legally exported from the United Kingdom are being used to guard Russian oil tankers, and the British authorities are unable to do anything about it.

Source: Bloomberg

Details: In July 2023, the UK revoked the licences of MNG Maritime, a company operating three arsenal ships: Genesis, Antarctic Dream, and Siam, due to its provision of armed guards for the sanctioned fleet of Russian oil tankers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Following the revocation, the weapons (totalling hundreds of units) were meant to be returned. However, this did not happen, as MNG Maritime was swiftly acquired by the Singaporean company Sinbad Navigation.

Due to the change in ownership and jurisdiction, the UK has been unable to pinpoint the exact location of the weapons and has lost the legal right to seize them.

Meanwhile, Sinbad Navigation has been actively collaborating with Russian tankers, providing security services for Sovcomflot, a Russian state-owned shipping company.

Sinbad Navigation is not subject to sanctions, and the services it provides do not technically breach any sanctions. However, the company has become an essential player in enabling Russia to sustain its oil trade despite these restrictions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Around 20 years ago, due to a surge in piracy off the coast of Somalia, the presence of armed guards became a mandatory condition for insuring cargo vessels. Although piracy incidents have significantly decreased (from 400 in 2010 to 60 in 2023), a new threat has emerged in the form of attacks by Yemeni Houthis.

Shipping companies rely on specialist security firms that store weapons on arsenal ships. Typically, three or four armed guards board a tanker and, after navigating through high-risk areas, return to their vessel via inflatable boats. The cost of such a service exceeds US$4,000 each way.



Support UP or become our patron!
The immense international consequences of who becomes the next US president can make it seem unfair that only US citizens can vote and the rest of the world doesn't have a say.

The United States plays a key role when it comes to Ukraine, the Middle East, China, Taiwan, NATO and the trans-Atlantic alliance. For one thing, Washington - with its $916 billion military budget for 2023 - far outspends both its friends and foes.

So what is the likely effect around the world of whether Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Kamala Harris moves in to the White House?

Ukraine - two vastly different views

Some of the sharpest differences between Harris, the vice president and Democratic nominee, and Trump, the former Republican president, are their policies toward Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris' views on Ukraine are generally in line with those of outgoing President Joe Biden. She has committed to continued support for Ukraine, has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky many times and accused Russia of "crimes against humanity."

Addressing Trump in her only debate with him, she said if he were president, "Putin would be sitting in Kiev right now."

As a long-time critic of US spending on Ukraine, Trump's comments indicate he would break with Ukrainian support. At a campaign rally in September he dubbed Zelensky the "greatest salesman on Earth," saying that every time he speaks with Biden, the Ukrainian leader walks away with billions in military aid.

Trump claims, without evidence, that if he were president there would not have been a war, but that if he is re-elected he could end it "in one day." He has blamed Ukraine in part for the conflict.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump's running mate JD Vance is even harder on Kiev. His plan to end the war calls for Russia to keep the Ukrainian territory it has conquered and prevent Ukraine from joining NATO - not dissimilar to what Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded.

Both support Israel, but what about the Palestinians?

It often seems that Harris and Trump are trying to outdo each other with statements about their support for Israel.

Harris, whom Trump has tried to denigrate with statements saying she "hates Israel," has come out as a strong supporter of the Jewish state.

She warned Iran, after Israel's recent retaliation against its arch-enemy for an Iranian attack on Israel on October 1, not to escalate the conflict.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Her husband is Jewish and she is familiar with Jewish customs and culture.

In a statement following Israel's assassination of Palestinian Islamist Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar, Harris said "justice has been served" but went on to call for an end to the war, a release of the hostages and for the Palestinian people to "realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination."

Harris has had to contend with an increasingly vocal left wing of her party that has demonstrated and lobbied for the US to cut military aid to Israel and end the war.

Trump is generally seen as a strong supporter of the Jewish state. During his previous term he moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, to the fury of many Palestinians. But he has openly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has said Israel needs to "finish the job" of the war quickly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For all of Trump's talk about how much he loves Israel, he has also made statements critical of Jews that some have labelled anti-Semitic.

The bull in the China shop?

When it comes to China, both candidates have focused on the economy and trade. Trump has come out with a controversial proposal to slap "beautiful" tariffs not only on China but on other economic partners - saying he will impose 10-20% tariffs on all imports and some 60% on Chinese goods.

Critics from the national security think tank, the Center for Strategic & International Studies, question whether the president has the authority to impose such tariffs, but believe there "appear to be few practical or legal barriers" to Trump pushing them through.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Harris has condemned the plan, saying it would drive up prices, costing US residents up to $3,900 annually.

For her part, the former senator from the high-tech state of California accuses China of stealing intellectual property.

The Biden-Harris administration subsidized some domestic high-tech production while keeping some $360 billion of the previous Trump administration tariffs and adding some of their own.

International institutions on edge: NATO, EU, UN

Expect a Harris White House to continue policies promoted by Biden, with strong ties to European allies and NATO.

Trump, on the other hand, could reverse a lot of these policies. He has long been a critic of NATO, claiming that many European members are free-riders who don't pay their way, relying instead on US taxpayers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At a February campaign rally he said he would "encourage" Russia "to do whatever the hell they want" to NATO countries that are not spending enough on defence.

He has flirted with taking the US out of the defence alliance, though the national security publication Lawfare writes that "formal exits from the alliance have been barricaded" via legal means. Still, it says a "quiet quit" whereby the US disengages, is possible.

Above all, Trump is perhaps best known internationally for his "America First" agenda.

During his administration he withdrew from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Trump's successor Biden reversed those moves.
Key developments on Nov. 5:

Umerov confirms first battles between Ukrainian and North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast

Ukrainian Legion in Poland reportedly receives over 500 applications in a month

North Korean military involvement in Russia's war to be met with 'coordinated response,' G7 foreign ministers say

'Zelensky wants to drag Poland into war with Russia,' Polish deputy PM claims

The first clashes between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and North Korean soldiers have already taken place in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed on Nov. 5 in an interview with South Korean TV channel KBS.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

North Korea deployed 11,000 troops in Kursk Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the day before, citing Ukraine's intelligence report.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of the counter-disinformation department at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, also claimed on Nov. 4 that the first North Korean soldiers stationed in this area have come under fire.

"We are identifying clashes with North Korean forces, but we believe there will be more fighting in the next few weeks, and we will continue to analyze and revise accordingly," Umerov said.

The clashes were small-scale, according to Umerov.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The minister added that the DPRK soldiers were "disguised as Buryats" (an Asian people group inside Russia's borders) and mixed with Russian soldiers, so all the identities need to be checked to confirm the exact number of their losses and prisoners.

Kyiv expects five units of 3,000 people each to be deployed along the 1,500-kilometer front line. This will bring the total number of North Koreans involved in the war to 15,000.

The Russian border region has seen heavy battles since Ukraine launched a cross-border offensive in early August. Moscow has deployed North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast to reinforce lines there while its most experienced units continue advancing in Ukraine's east.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that if Ukraine had permission to use Western long-range weapons on Russian territory, it could preemptively target "every camp" in Russia where North Korean troops are gathering.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to Zelensky, Russia has confirmed to the West the involvement of Pyongyang's forces in the war.

Read also: Ukraine struggles to contain Russian advance in Donetsk Oblast as US elections loom

Ukrainian Legion in Poland reportedly receives over 500 applications in a month

The recruitment center of the Ukrainian Legion in Poland has received over 500 applications in a month from Ukrainians living in 30 countries, Ukrinform reported on Nov. 5, citing the center's officials.

The legion was unveiled in July as a volunteer military unit made up of Ukrainian men living in Poland and trained by the Polish Armed Forces. The first volunteer recruitment center was opened in October at the Ukrainian consulate in the eastern Polish city of Lublin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The unit is part of an effort to replenish the ranks of Ukraine's military as the all-out war with Russia goes on for over two and half years.

Most applications came from Poland and Czechia, but Ukrainians living in the U.K., Ireland, the U.S., and Canada also submitted requests, Ukrinform wrote. While the center's officials believe that not all applicants will end up signing a contract, they deem the turnout to be a good first result.

The legion will allow Ukrainians to join the fight while being able to return to Poland after completing their service. Under martial law instituted in 2022 after the start of the full-scale war, Ukrainian men aged 18-60 are not permitted to leave Ukraine without permission.

The U.N. estimates that 6.7 million Ukrainians were driven abroad as a result of Russia's all-out invasion. This is in addition to a sizeable diaspora living in Europe, the U.S., Canada, and elsewhere since before 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The first volunteers are expected to sign a contract before the end of the year and begin training in Polish training grounds. Around 90% of the applicants were men, and roughly 80% had no previous military experience, Ukrinform reported.

Read also: Editorial: When casting your vote in the US, think about Ukraine

North Korean military involvement in Russia's war to be met with 'coordinated response,' G7 foreign ministers say

Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) and three key allies have expressed "grave concerns" over North Korea's military deployment in Russia and are working on a "coordinated response," according to the joint statement published on Nov. 5.

Besides the G7 members, including the U.S., Japan, Italy, the U.K., Germany, France, Canada, and the High Representative of the European Union, the statement was also signed by South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Several thousands of DPRK troops have been deployed to Russia. The DPRK's direct support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, besides showing Russia's desperate efforts to compensate its losses, would mark a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific peace and security," the statement read.

"It would be a further breach of international law, including the most fundamental principles of the U.N. Charter."

Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) and three key allies have expressed "grave concerns" over North Korea's military deployment in Russia and are working on a "coordinated response," according to the joint statement published on Nov. 5.

Besides the G7 members, including the U.S., Japan, Italy, the U.K., Germany, France, Canada, and the High Representative of the European Union, the statement was also signed by South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Several thousands of DPRK troops have been deployed to Russia. The DPRK's direct support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, besides showing Russia's desperate efforts to compensate its losses, would mark a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific peace and security," the statement read.

"It would be a further breach of international law, including the most fundamental principles of the U.N. Charter."

Read also: As Russian losses in Ukraine pass 700,000, Putin runs low on non-mobilization options

'Zelensky wants to drag Poland into war with Russia,' Polish deputy PM claims

By asking Poland to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky is attempting to get Warsaw involved in the war, Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said in an interview with Radio ZET on Nov. 4.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gawkowski's comments came amid a growing diplomatic spat between Kyiv and Warsaw, revolving around the Polish support for Ukraine as well as historical grievances.

"Zelensky wants Poland to shoot missiles over Ukraine, which means he wants Poland to enter the war, which means he wants Poland to be at war with Russia," said Gawkowski, who also serves as the digital affairs minister for the co-governing Left coalition.

"By these statements, Zelensky wants to drag Poland into the war with Russia."

Zelensky recently criticized Poland for not yet providing its remaining MiG-29 fighter jets despite previous agreements.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The president also said he had "constantly asked" Poland to shoot down Russian missiles flying in its direction, particularly to protect the gas storage facility in the town of Stryi in Ukraine's Lviv Oblast, located nearly 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of the Ukrainian-Polish border.

Russian drones and missiles have previously entered Poland's airspace during attacks on Ukraine but have never been intercepted by the Polish military. Poland's allies advised the government to exercise restraint when dealing with unidentified airspace violations, according to Warsaw.

"I feel that the last words that came from President Zelensky are unworthy of a politician who owes Poland a lot," Gawkowski reacted.

"The equipment that was transferred, the citizens who were taken care of... Poland is a great friend of Ukraine, a transport hub. It seemed to me that in such situations, you say 'thank you.'"

Poland has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine on the world stage, campaigning for Kyiv to receive all the required weaponry to win the war that Russia had begun. It has also provided Ukraine with around $3.5 billion in military aid since 2022 and hosts close to 1 million Ukrainian refugees.

Yet, bilateral relations are far from perfect, with the two countries sharing long-standing unresolved grievances. Some of the recent disputes centered around the resolution of the Volyn massacre carried out by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army against Poles during World War II in 1943-44.

Gawkowski was not the only Polish official to respond to Zelensky's criticism. Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski commented that his country has done more for Kyiv "than any other nation."

"We're trying to help, but we're also a front-line country. Russia also threatens us, and not everything is possible," he added.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Russians attacked Ukraine with two Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missiles, guided bombs and 79 drones on the night of 4-5 November.

Source: Ukraines Air Force

Details: The Russians launched missiles from the Black Sea toward Odesa Oblast, attacked Kharkiv Oblast with guided bombs and deployed Shahed drones and drones of unspecified types from Russias Bryansk, Kursk and Orel.

Anti-aircraft missile troops, aircraft, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups from the Air Force and Ukraines defence forces were involved in repelling the aerial attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As of 08:30, it was confirmed that two Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missiles and 48 Russian drones had been downed in Odesa, Kyiv, Sumy, Poltava, Zhytomyr, Cherkasy, Chernihiv and Khmelnytskyi oblasts.

Thirty Russian drones disappeared from radar in various Ukrainian oblasts and one returned to Russia.

Support UP or become our patron!
Kyiv's air defence systems were responding to Russian Shahed drones on the morning of 5 November.

Source: correspondent of Ukrainian Pravda; Ukraine's Air Force

Details: An air-raid warning was issued in the capital at around 06:00.

The Air Force reported that drones were flying along the reservoir towards Vyshhorod and Kyiv.

Updated: Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that air defence was responding in the Obolonskyi district. He also urged residents to stay in shelters.

Background:

The Russians launched attack drones on Ukraine on the evening of 4 November.

Air defence systems in Kyiv Oblast responded twice during the night of 4-5 November.

Support UP or become our patron!
There may be disruptions in the operation of smartphone clocks due to electronic warfare (EW) used to repel Russian air attacks, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on Nov. 5.

Users in Ukraine have begun to experience more frequent automatic time changes on their smartphones due to the activation of electronic warfare systems during air raid alarms.

Electronic warfare systems attempt to steer Russian drones in the wrong direction during the attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This practice is called GPS spoofing or GPS simulation, and it involves manipulating or deceiving a GPS receiver by transmitting fake GPS signals. The receiver then obtains an incorrect location.

Since modern smartphones determine the time zone based on the their geolocation, this can lead to automatic clock switching when GPS spoofing is in effect.

In recent days, Ukrainian users on social media have posted screenshots of their location on map apps showing up inside Russian territory.

"It is advisable to disable the automatic time update mode in the phone and take into account that the accuracy of satellite navigation systems may be disturbed during the announcement of air alerts," the General Staff said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russia attacked Ukraine with over 900 bombs, almost 500 Shahed drones, and around 30 missiles over the week, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the morning of Nov. 3.

Zelensky also said that Russian forces launched over 2,000 Shahed-type drones at Ukraine in October.

Yet, Russia continues to avoid sanctions through the use of sanctions evasion networks and shell companies. Russia is also aided in sanctions evasion through its allies, including China, Iran, and North Korea.

Read also: Editorial: When casting your vote in the US, think about Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraines Cabinet of Ministers has added security and defence forces facilities, as well as mobile operators, to the list of entities exempt from power outages until 1 June 2025.

Source: Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1260

Details: The updated list of critical infrastructure facilities granted priority power supply now includes:

 facilities of security and defence forces that command military units;

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 electronic communication equipment and communication network structures, as per separate lists.

The previously listed facilities retain their priority power supply. These include:

 critical infrastructure facilities listed in the Critical Infrastructure Register, with a connected capacity of at least 100 kW;

 settlements located within 20 km of the borders with the Republic of Belarus and Russia.

Background: Some frontline areas of Ukraine are not subject to power cuts due to the serious humanitarian challenges and risks to the lives of local people.

Support UP or become our patron!
Ukrainian journalist and documentary filmmaker Nataliia Humeniuk has been shortlisted for the International Press Freedom Awards.

Source: website of the competition organiser Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Details: The national Georgiy Gongadze Prize noted that Nataliia Humeniuk co-founded and managed Hromadske International and Hromadske TV for five years.

In addition, she founded the Public Interest Journalism Lab, which she currently heads.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Humeniuk is an active participant in The Reckoning Project, an international project that documents war crimes.

The data collected in the course of journalistic investigations can be used in trials of those who committed war crimes during the Russo-Ukrainian war.

The Reckoning Project conducted and published the results of one of the first investigations into the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia.

Following this, in March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian ruler Vladimir Putin and Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova.

"The journalist has made several documentaries and books. Nataliia is the voice of Ukraine in such publications as The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Rolling Stone and Die Zeit," the Georgiy Gongadze Prize added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Background:

Earlier, Nataliia Humeniuk received an international award from the Free Media Awards for her coverage of Russia's war against Ukraine, and was also a laureate of the Hanns-Joachim Friedrichs International Prize.

Reporters Without Borders is an international non-governmental human rights organisation that annually recognises journalists and media for exceptional contributions to protecting or promoting press freedom around the world.

RWB has consultative status with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

The competition jury consists of leading journalists and defenders of freedom of speech from around the world. They choose the winners in three categories: Courage, Influence and Independence.

This year's shortlist includes 18 journalists and journalist teams, two news agencies and five photojournalists from 22 countries.

The award ceremony will take place on 3 December in Washington, DC.

Earlier, Ukrainian war photographer Kostiantyn Liberov won the Bayeux Calvados-Normandy Award at the annual competition.

Support UP or become our patron!
The first unit of the Ukrainian Legion will begin training at one of the training grounds in Poland by the end of 2024.

Source: European Pravda, citing Ukrinform

Details: The recruitment centre said the first volunteers will sign contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the centre's base in Lublin in 2024. After signing, they will be sent to one of the training grounds in Poland for further training.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Contracts can be signed for either a specified term of three years or until the end of the martial law.

Training will not take place at the Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian Brigade base; instead, instructors from NATO countries will conduct the training at designated locations. Following this initial training, soldiers requiring further instruction in their chosen specialisation may undergo additional preparation at other training grounds.

Under a bilateral agreement, the Ukrainian side will provide the legion volunteers with military uniforms and medical supplies, while Poland will supply the necessary infrastructure, equipment, and weapons during the training period.

Discussions are still ongoing regarding whether Poland will assume full responsibility for equipping this volunteer unit with its own equipment and weapons for their subsequent deployment to Ukraine in the combat zone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"There was a preliminary agreement with the Polish side, but this issue is still being resolved," stated a representative of the centre, adding that the Ukrainian side is counting on maximum support from Warsaw.

As of early November, it was reported that over 500 applications had been submitted to the Ukrainian Legion in Poland from 30 countries around the world.

Background:

On 2 October, Polish National Defence Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that the number of Ukrainians volunteering for the Ukrainian Legion in Poland has been extremely low.

By the end of the month, Piotr ukasiewicz, Poland's Charge d'Affaires in Ukraine, announced that the country is prepared to train Ukrainian recruits, but Ukraine must first gather sufficient personnel.

Support UP or become our patron!
The recruitment centre in Lublin, Poland, has collected more than 500 applications to join the Ukrainian Legion in the past month. Among the applicants are Ukrainians who live in the UK, the US and 28 other countries.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Ukrinform

Details: Representatives of the recruitment centre, which has been operating since the beginning of October at the Consulate General of Ukraine in Lublin, said that over 500 applications had been received over the past month from Ukrainian citizens living in 30 countries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The centre's staff consider this a good result, noting that this is only the beginning of their work.

A centre representative, who is responsible for moral and psychological training and conducts direct interviews with Legion candidates, said that most applications come from Ukrainians living in Poland or Czechia.

Nonetheless, he said, applications also come from geographically distant regions, such as the UK, Ireland, Canada and the United States.

He emphasised that 90% of applications were received from men and 10% from women. In terms of age, about half of the applications were received from young people under 25.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"When it comes to military specialisms, young people are more likely to declare their desire to join assault units or become UAV operators. Older people are inclined to positions close to their specialisms in civilian life, for example, in logistics units," the centre's representative said.

The representative also noted that applications had been submitted by different people, from students willing to take academic leave for military service to older people who have worked abroad, for example, as building workers or lorry drivers.

Women are usually interested in medical specialisms.

"But there are also those who were interested in becoming a sniper," said the centre's employee, adding that there are no restrictions on the choice of military specialism.

Background:

On 2 October, Polish National Defence Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz reported that the number of Ukrainians who had volunteered for the Ukrainian Legion in Poland was extremely low.

On 24 October, Piotr ukasiewicz, Poland's Charge d'Affaires in Ukraine, said that his country was ready to train Ukrainian recruited soldiers, but Ukraine must first gather enough people.

Support UP or become our patron!
The first clashes between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and North Korean soldiers have already taken place in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed on Nov. 5 in an interview with South Korean TV channel KBS.

North Korea deployed 11,000 troops in Kursk Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the day before, citing Ukraine's intelligence report.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of the counter-disinformation department at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, also claimed on Nov. 4 that the first North Korean soldiers stationed in this area have come under fire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We are identifying clashes with North Korean forces, but we believe there will be more fighting in the next few weeks, and we will continue to analyze and revise accordingly," Umerov said.

The clashes were small-scale, according to Umerov.

The minister added that the DPRK soldiers were "disguised as Buryats" (an Asian people group inside Russia's borders) and mixed with Russian soldiers, so all the identities need to be checked to confirm the exact number of their losses and prisoners.

Kyiv expects five units of 3,000 people each to be deployed along the 1,500-kilometer front line. This will bring the total number of North Koreans involved in the war to 15,000.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Russian border region has seen heavy battles since Ukraine launched a cross-border offensive in early August. Moscow has deployed North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast to reinforce lines there while its most experienced units continue advancing in Ukraine's east.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that if Ukraine had permission to use Western long-range weapons on Russian territory, it could preemptively target "every camp" in Russia where North Korean troops are gathering.

According to Zelensky, Russia has confirmed to the West the involvement of Pyongyang's forces in the war.

Read also: As Russian losses in Ukraine pass 700,000, Putin runs low on non-mobilization options

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, and health officials with the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) are working to improve lung cancer screening rates in the state.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 234,580 new cases of lung or bronchus cancer will be diagnosed in 2024, with more than half of those patients expected to be diagnosed with the disease within a year. In Mississippi, officials the early diagnosis rate is only 26.4%.

National Diabetes Month: Mississippi ranks second for diabetes prevalence

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute (CCRI) recently received a QUILS (Quality Implementation of Lung Cancer Screening) grant. According to officials, this initiative will provide nearly $1.8 million over four years to improve lung cancer screening rates in Mississippi/

Registration is now open for the free lung cancer screening event on Saturday, November 9 for qualifying uninsured and underinsured participants. Screenings will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the CCRI located in the Jackson Medical Mall.

Appointments are required for this screening event. To determine eligibility and schedule an appointment, please call 601-984-LUNG (5864) and select option 1.

Close

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
A UN special rapporteur has warned Iran that she is monitoring the case of a woman who was arrested after stripping down to her undergarments to protest about an assault she alleges she was subjected to for not following the countrys notoriously strict hijab laws.

Human rights groups and activists called on Iranian authorities to release the woman, whose whereabouts have been unknown since her arrest over the weekend.

The incident triggered outrage among Iranian dissidents two years after thousands of women took to the streets in protest following the brutal death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I will be monitoring this incident closely, including the authorities response, Mai Sato wrote on X. She shared a video that showed the woman sitting and walking around the university campus in her underwear.

Another video shared widely on social media showed her being detained by security forces and forcibly put in a car.

Rally in Paris in support of an Iranian woman who stripped off clothes at an Iranian university (REUTERS)

Irans security forces reportedly assaulted the woman and tore off her clothes inside Tehrans Islamic Azad University science and research branch on Saturday for not following strict hijab rules.

Local daily paper Hamshahri reported on its website, citing an informed source, that the woman has severe mental problems and, after investigations, she will most likely be transferred to a mental hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Farhikhtegan, a newspaper affiliated with Azad University, claimed that she had been admitted to a mental health facility.

In a video circulated by state media, a man identified himself as the womans husband and claimed that she is a mother of two and suffers from mental health issues.

Activists have accused Tehran of routinely sending women protesting the headscarf law to psychiatric facilities to discredit them.

Iranian authorities systematically use involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation as a tool to suppress dissent, branding protesters as mentally unstable to undermine their credibility, said Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Amir Mahjoub, director general of public relations at Islamic Azad University, said: Following an indecent act by a student at the science and research branch of the university, campus security intervened and handed the individual over to law enforcement authorities.

The motives and underlying reasons for the students actions are currently under investigation.

Her arrest has triggered a backlash against the Iranian regime for throttling dissent using familiar techniques previously used by authorities to clamp down on female protesters.

The French foreign minister on Tuesday told broadcaster France 2: I hail the courage of this young woman who demonstrated her resistance and turned herself into an icon for the womens struggle in Iran.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Following his statement, the Iranian embassy in Paris claimed the womans initial indication showed she was suffering from family problems and a fragile psychological condition.

The protester was a seventh-semester French language student with no prior history of mental health issues, according to the Iran Wire news website.

Jailed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi issued a statement from prison, describing the womans body as a symbol of rebellion, anger, and resistance, Iran International reported.

Ms Mohammadi said women pay the price for their defiance but do not bow to force, as she called for the students release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The hashtag Science and Research Girl has been trending on social media, with people sharing art and statements in solidarity with the woman.

Iranian women rebel against everything that has imprisoned them. They rebel against everything that invites them to silence, wrote activist Hamed Esmaeilion in Arabic.

             .            .             .#__#



    . pic.twitter.com/ztt2OCWvOw  Hamed Esmaeilion (@esmaeilion) November 3, 2024

Amnesty Internationals Iran unit called on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the student.

A growing number of women are defying the strict hijab laws in the country by discarding their veils since the death of Amini.

       

  #__#__ pic.twitter.com/gRZdRO6Zez  Sanaz Bagheri (@sanazcartoon) November 2, 2024

Twenty-two-year-old Amini died after being detained by the morality police for not wearing her hijab correctly. Her death became a tipping point, sparking unprecedented protests that became associated with the slogan Women, life, freedom and lasted for three months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More than 500 people were killed in a months-long security crackdown that followed, while over 22,000 were detained.

However, media reports indicate that nothing has changed since the protests, and scattered photos and videos have surfaced showing women and young girls being roughed up by officers.

In October 2023, Iranian teenager Armita Geravand was injured in a mysterious incident on Tehrans metro while not wearing a headscarf. She later died in hospital after falling into a coma.
UNION COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  A Union County woman will spend 35 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting an infant.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilsons Office, Brittney Campbell pleaded guilty on Monday to one county of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

In January 2021, investigators at Greenville County Sheriffs Office received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding someone sharing child sex abuse material online.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Child sexual abuse materials, or CSAM, is a recent term adopted to describe certain instances of child abuse in lieu of terms like child pornography, as pornography implies a child was a consenting participant in the materials produced.

As part of the investigation, the sheriffs office searched a home in Greenville County, seizing several computer-related items, including a hard drive containing 13 images of child sex abuse material of an adult woman and a male infant.

Investigators said they also found Campbells cell phone data backed up to the hard drive, and other images proved she was the woman in the photos with the infant.

When approached by state investigators, Campbell reportedly identified the baby in the photos and admitted to sexually assaulting him on two occasions at a home in Greenville County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition to her prison sentence, Campbell will also have to register as a sex offender and will have lifetime GPS monitoring when she is released.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Following a Budget in which not a single scrap of meat was thrown in the direction of the young, the Labour Party has decided to rub salt in our open wounds.

An extra 285 in tuition fees, or nearly 900 over the course of the average three-year degree, which will balloon when the astronomical rates of interest are added on, will be paid from next September.

This will put more bright students off university, as it did in 2012, when fees tripled from 3,000 to 9,000 and applications dropped by 8pc.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is yet another example of a government which is happy to say that it supports investment and growth, but is reluctant to prove it.

Labour promised to make the system more fair and equitable before the election  and as recently as July ruled out changes. But it has gone back on its word just months later.

And while consecutive governments of both colours continue to target students as cash cows unable to escape, the bill for the state pension triple lock continues to grow.

Pre-election, Sir Keir Starmer jumped at the chance to match the promise from the Conservatives that he would keep the triple lock  which means pensions rise by the highest of wages, prices or 2.5pc  although he did not go as far as to promise a triple lock plus like the Tories.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The state pension cost 110.5bn in 2022-23, and the Office for Budget Responsibility expected this to grow to 124bn for the last tax year.

The astronomical cost of the triple lock is set to hit 20bn a year by 2045. Current estimates put it at about 10bn a year. Of course, the Treasury recoups some of the cost of the state pension via income tax but the burden on the working age people is still enormous.

Our rapidly ageing population means that we are going to become ever more reliant on a smaller number of taxpayers, who will need to be well-educated and properly trained to stay competitive internationally.

Removing tuition fees entirely across the UK would cost 11.2bn per cohort, according to an analysis done earlier this year by London Economics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By my maths (I only got a C at A Level), the cost of abolishing student loans entirely and the cost of the triple lock are roughly the same.

But while the burden of the triple lock on taxpayers is only going to increase, thanks to an ageing population and an overly generous uprating system, the bill to cover tuition fees is unlikely to rise anywhere near as much.

With falling numbers of new students, this would be almost guaranteed.

Proper investment in degree apprenticeships and workplace training  for students like my younger brother, who would much prefer practical experience to three years of pretending to go to the library  could start to bring down youth unemployment rates, which at the moment make for alarming reading.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But instead, Sir Keir Starmer has restricted funding for the most sophisticated apprenticeships, and is looking to reduce the minimum term to less than a year.

Syphoning the money going to service the triple lock to invest in students and the young more generally would be popular with Labours core voters. It would also be an optimistic signal for the future  and the start of an answer to our demographic time bomb.

The thousands of pensioners who are getting more than 100,000 a year out of the NHS or civil service pension scheme do not need the state pension to jump every year. Just as they didnt need the winter fuel allowance.

Some would argue that they dont need the state pension, either. We already means-test student loans, why not pensions?

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)  Urbana High School students are about to cast the first ballots of their lives.

Five local organizations and the City or Urbana are sponsoring a Walk to the Polls for UHS students and the community on Election Day. This will take place at 10:30 a.m.

Mayor Diane Marlin, as well as the Urbana High School Tiger Marching Band Drumline, plan on attending the walk as well. It will take place on the south side of the Urbana Free Library.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

County Clerks provide Tuesday AM voting updates

Were so excited to join with our newest 18-year-old voters to make their first voting experience exciting and fun, said Terry Maher, head of ILVOTE of Champaign County. Were also encouraging the public to join in our walk, too.

At the library, refreshments will be available. The polling station at the library is on the north side of the building at the Elm St. entrance.

The schedule of the walk is as follows:

10:30 a.m.  Meet at Urbana High School Door 1 to gather and take photos

10:35 a.m.  Community leaders and PTSA Student Ambassadors will share a few words, the line for the walk will form following this

10:45 a.m.  Walk to the Urbana Free Library with UHS Tiger Marching Band Drumline (about 0.8 miles)

11:00 a.m.  Arrive at the Urbana Free Library for a group photo, then vote (all Champaign County polling locations are universal polling locations)

11:15 a.m.  Walk back to UHS

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The five organizations sponsoring this event are ILVOTE of Champaign County, When We All Vote of Champaign County, League of Women Voters of Champaign County, UHS PTSA and Urbana Park District.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
South Korea is cleared to buy four Boeing-made E-7 airborne early warning and control aircraft, often referred to as the Wedgetail, for nearly $5 billion under a foreign military sale the State Department approved Monday.

The purchase would also include 10 CFM56 jet engines  eight installed on the Wedgetails and two more spares  countermeasures and missile warning systems to help defend the aircraft, GPS navigation systems, transponders, and radio systems.

The E-7 provides airborne battle management and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, allowing operators to scan battlefields and track movements of friends, foes, and civilians. The Australian air force already flies the Wedgetail, and the U.S. Air Force wants to buy up to 26 of them to replace its aging E-3 Sentry AWACS fleet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

State said selling the Wedgetails to South Korea would improve the major allys security, and support the United States foreign policy goals and national security objectives. The Wedgetails would improve South Koreas intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and airborne early warning and control capabilities, and improve how the South Korean air force interacts with the U.S. military.

Officials wrote that South Korea will have no difficulty folding the Wedgetails into its fleet, and that the $4.92 billion sale would not alter the basic military balance in the region, verbiage commonly found in similar congressional notifications of proposed weapon sales.

Unlike the E-3s rotating radome, which takes a full 10 seconds to complete a rotation and refresh its view of the battlefield, the E-7s advanced Northrop Grumman-made sensor will be able to fix its gaze on one or several targets and refresh its view rapidly.

Boeing officials told reporters in 2023 that ability to stare allows E-7 operators to have a continually updating picture of how targets are moving. That becomes particularly important when tracking high-speed or supersonic aircraft, which can move a mile or two in the time it takes an E-3 sensor to fully rotate.

E-7s are built from modified 737-700 airframes, which are first made by Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas. Boeing takes the 737 tube to its facility in Renton, Washington, where it strengthens the infrastructure to bear the weight of its multirole electronically scanned array, or MESA. Boeing also adds stronger landing gear and wings with greater lift capability.
(Bloomberg) -- US exchange-traded funds investing in Bitcoin recorded their highest daily net outflow to date as markets brace for Election Day.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The group of 12 funds managed by the likes of BlackRock Inc. and Fidelity Investments shed $579.5 million on Monday, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The outflows come as digital-asset traders prepare for a period of heightened volatility in the immediate aftermath of the US election.

The contest between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic rival Kamala Harris looks to be going down to the wire, leaving investors across asset classes planning for market upheavals. During campaigning, Trump took an avowedly pro-crypto stance, while Harris, in a measured approach, pledged to back a regulatory framework for digital assets.

The biggest changes for mid-longer term crypto policy and direction wont be seen until after the week has passed and seats around the president are filled or maintained, Paul Howard, senior director at crypto market maker Wincent said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bitcoin rose 2.3% to $68,621 as of 6:36 a.m. Tuesday in London. The digital asset reached an all-time high of $73,798 in March, aided by inflows into the US ETFs. The original cryptocurrency has rallied more than 60% so far in 2024, outperforming assets like stocks and gold.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Election Day voting in the US was in its final hours on Tuesday as the country braced for a potentially contentious - and lengthy - count of the results to find out whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump won the extremely tight presidential contest.

The outcome of the race between Harris, the Democratic vice president, and Trump, the former Republican president, remained a toss-up as voters cast their ballots, with 270 electoral votes needed to win.

For months, the two candidates' campaigns have focused on the seven swing states that will almost surely decide the election: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

About 80 million US citizens voted early - either in person or by mail - before Election Day even dawned, including Harris.

Trump meanwhile cast his ballot at a Florida polling site on Tuesday, where he said Republicans were turning out "in force" and that he felt "very confident" he will serve a second term.

Harris, who would be the first woman to become president, encouraged people to vote as she called into radio stations on Tuesday, including in Pennsylvania. Its 19 electoral votes could be the key to determining who wins.

The vice president once again tried to win over Republicans who may be weary of putting Trump back in the White House.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Touching on one of the chief issues of the campaign, she told radio station KDKA the US had "a broken immigration system" but she would "fix it."

"We are finishing this campaign as we started: with optimism, with energy, and with joy," Harris said separately on social media.

Harris said she will have dinner with her family at her Washington residence before leaving to spend election night at Howard University, the city's historically black college that she attended.

Trump, according to US media, will watch the results come in at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Trump says supporters 'are not violent people'

Anxieties were running high as a tumultuous election season came to a close.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On January 6, 2021, a far-right mob of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol to try and stop the certification of the results of the 2020 election after Trump refused to concede defeat to the winner, Joe Biden.

Trump said on Tuesday that he did not want to have any election-related violence.

"My supporters are not violent people. I dont have to tell them that. And I certainly dont want any violence. But I certainly don't have to tell them that - these are great people," he said.

If he loses to Harris, there are fears that Trump, a convicted felon, will once again refuse to concede. Democratic party officials say they are also prepared for him to declare an early victory - as he did in 2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The flood of disinformation that has spread on social media has also fed into what has been a volatile campaign.

The FBI issued an Election Day warning regarding videos that falsely purport to be from federal law enforcement officials.

One of them is about alleged terrorist threats at polling stations while another is about supposed electoral fraud by inmates of five prisons. The videos are not authentic and are spreading lies, the agency said.

But despite the heightened concerns about violence, with few exceptions Election Day was proceeding largely peacefully.

Bomb threats caused voting to be interrupted in Georgia and other places.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FBI said the threats appeared "to originate from Russian email domains" but that none of them appeared to be credible.

Three US intelligence agencies warned on Monday that Russia could try to influence the vote.

Election result could take days - or weeks

Either Trump or Harris could still comfortably win if the polls are off and several swing states are won by one or the other candidate.

But legal and political analysts warn there is a high likelihood that it could be days, or even weeks, before the next president is known if exceedingly tight races become mired in ballot recounts and legal fights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The first polling sites will close in Indiana and Kentucky at 6 pm (2300 GMT), followed an hour later by a wave of states that include closely-watched Georgia.

First results from central and western states, including Nevada and Arizona, will come late in the night.

People cast their ballots inside a polling station during the 2024 US Presidential election. Probal Rashid/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
WASHINGTON (WDVM)  U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man with a torch and a flare gun at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) on Election Day.

Police said in a post around 1:35 p.m. that officers had arrested the man, who smelled like fuel, after he was stopped during the screening process.

The CVC closed for tours for the rest of the day.

U.S. Capitol Police said that officers were investigating this situation. No further information was immediately available.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Live updates: 2024 US presidential election

As The Hill reports, Congress is not in session. The House is scheduled to meet for a brief pro forma session at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday. These sessions do not include the full lower chamber, but rather sessions where a few members meet for procedural reasons.

Security has been heightened across the District of Columbia as the Department of Homeland Security warned of the high likelihood of attacks and threats on important institutions and buildings on Election Day.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN)  U.S. Department of Justice election monitors were spotted in San Marcos on Election Day after a back-and-forth battle between the agency and the State of Texas.

Two Department of Justice election monitors were seen in San Marcos on Election Day 2024. (KXAN photos/Kevin Baskar).

On Friday, the DOJ said it would send staff from its Civil Rights Division to 86 jurisdictions in 26 states. Eight of those jurisdictions included Texas counties, and Hays County is part of one of those jurisdictions.

Texas withdraws request to block U.S. Justice Department from monitoring states elections

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After the DOJs announcement, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson responded with a letter, stating the monitors were not allowed inside Texas polling places or central county stations.

On Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a lawsuit against the DOJ, looking to block the federal monitors from entering polling places. The state later withdrew that request, after DOJ agreed its monitors would stay outside of polling locations within 100 feet of where voting is taking place.

KXAN witnessed two monitors on Election Day outside of a polling location in San Marcos with clipboards, watching voters and taking notes. They confirmed with KXAN reporter Jala Washington that they were affiliated with the DOJ. They did not provide specifics as to why they chose San Marcos as one of their monitoring locations.

The Hays County Elections Office did not provide a comment on the monitors being sent to its area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The DOJ election monitors really look out for any violations against the Voting Rights Act, and so theyre looking for voter intimidation, communities of color, areas being impacted more than other polling locations, [and whether] there are other voting issues that might be going (on), Joyce LeBombard with the League of Women Voters of Texas said.

Monitoring polling locations on Election Day isnt new. The DOJ regularly sends its monitors out across the country during major elections.

The process has been modified by the U.S. Supreme Court, which now requires the agency to get permission from state and local jurisdictions to be present. Otherwise, a court order is required.

The DOJ gets input from all kinds of organizations, and they did ask us for some input about where there might be issues happening, LeBombard said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The DOJ hasnt disclosed specific polling locations where its monitors will be. Hays County said it wasnt told those specifics either.

Its just another level to show that our elections are safe, that we have monitors, both at the local, state and federal level, all over the country, LeBombard said. And its countrywide.

On Monday, Paxton said he deployed an Election Day Rapid Response Legal Team in major counties throughout the State to monitor day-of election activity and address litigation arising from the election, as necessary.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The election that will shape the future of America is now just hours away.

Donald Trump faces Kamala Harris in the 2024 race for the White House after Joe Biden pulled out of the race following his disastrous first debate with Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since then, the Democrats and Republicans have traded blows and barbs.

But the wait is almost over.

When is the US election?

The US election will be held on Tuesday, Nov 5 2024.

The winner will serve four years in the White House starting from their inauguration on Jan 20 2025.

Voters will be electing not just a president, but Congressional candidates for seats in the House of Representatives and the US Senate.

What are the key battleground states ?

The road to the White House effectively runs through a few critical battleground states, which play an outsized role on election day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The states are typically divided, and flip between Democrat and Republican with a narrow margin of victory.

Pennsylvania, and its 19 electoral college votes, has proved to be a critical state in the last few presidential elections, and 2024 will be no different.

Trump will also have to flip Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin and Nevada, which Mr Biden narrowly carried in 2020 to win the presidency.

Florida and Ohio, once considered marginal, have been safe Republican territory in recent elections. However, nothing is set in stone.

What happens on election day ?

The majority of voters go to the polls and ballots are counted. Many people may have already cast their vote ahead of time using the postal voting system or early voting.

What time do polls open?

The times vary from state to state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But, generally, they all open between 6am and 7am.

What time does polling close?

Votes are counted in each state after their respective polls close. Poll close times vary from state to state but generally begin from around 7pm local time.

The range of time zones across the US means that on the east coast, ballots will have been tabulated while voters in states like Alaska and Hawaii are still making their way to the polls.

On the night, polls will close at different times across the United States, usually on the hour.

As soon as this happens, a state can be called by the US news networks for either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This will take place only when the networks are confident that a candidate will win the state.

For those states that traditionally vote solidly Republican (such as Wyoming and Oklahoma) or Democrat (California and New York), it is likely to happen almost the moment the polls close, before a single vote has been officially counted.

But where the race is expected to be close, in so-called swing states such as Arizona, Georgia or Pennsylvania, the networks will want to wait until most votes are actually counted and reported before making a projection.

Because of this, some states might not be called for Ms Harris or Mr Trump for hours, possibly days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2020, Pennsylvania was the state that gave Joe Biden enough votes to guarantee he would be president, but it was not called for Mr Biden by most of the US networks until the Saturday after the election - a wait of four days.

A total of 270 electoral votes are needed to win the US presidential election.

Each state is allotted a fixed number of electoral votes (EVs), based roughly on the size of its population.

Whoever wins the popular vote in a state also wins all of that states EVs (with two exceptions, Maine and Nebraska, which are explained below).

Your hour-by-hour guide

In all cases, the time given is when the last polls close in each state, according to the AP news agency, and all times are GMT.

Nov 6, 12am

Donald Trump should be off the mark when polls close in three traditional Republican strongholds: Indiana (which is worth 11 electoral votes), Kentucky (eight) and South Carolina (nine).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kamala Harris will pick up the safe Democratic states of Vermont (three EVs) and Virginia (13).

Polls also close in the first of the swing states: Georgia (16 EVs).

Joe Biden won this state narrowly in 2020, but the result was confirmed only after several days of counting and recounting.

If the outcome in Georgia is close again, as is likely, it could take a similar wait before the winner becomes clear.

Kamala Harris in Georgia over the weekend

12.30am

West Virginia (four EVs), a safe Republican state, should be called quickly for Trump.

Ohio (17 EVs) used to be a swing state - Barack Obama won close contests here in 2008 and 2012 - but since 2016 it has trended towards safe Republican territory and should be called for Mr Trump reasonably promptly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By contrast, North Carolina (16 EVs) has become a swing state at this election, with opinion polls suggesting either candidate has a chance of victory.

As such, the winner might not become clear for some time.

1am

A flurry of projections is likely when polls close in more than a dozen safe states.

Ms Harris should pick up the Democrat-leaning states of Connecticut (seven EVs), Delaware (three), Illinois (19), Maryland (10), Massachusetts (11), New Hampshire (four), New Jersey (14) and Rhode Island (four), along with the District of Columbia (three).

Mr Trump ought to see Alabama (nine), Florida (30), Mississippi (six), Missouri (10), Oklahoma (seven) and Tennessee (11) added to his tally.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Maine does not have a winner-take-all policy for its four electoral votes; rather, it allocates two votes to the winner within each of its two Congressional districts and two to the winner of the overall state-wide popular vote.

In 2020, Joe Biden won the two state-wide votes and one of the district votes, giving him three of the four votes up for grabs, while Donald Trump won the other district vote.

Polls are also due to close in another of the swing states, Pennsylvania (19 EVs).

The state was solidly Democrat until Mr Trump won it narrowly in 2016, before Mr Biden took it back in 2020.

Due to the huge number of postal and early votes cast, which will need to be sorted and counted, the outcome in Pennsylvania is not likely to be known for some considerable time.

1.30am

Polls close in Arkansas (six EVs), another strongly Republican state.

2am

A rush of safe states should deliver a sizeable number of electoral votes for both candidates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kansas (six EVs), Iowa (six), Louisiana (eight), North Dakota (three), South Dakota (three), Texas (40) and Wyoming (three) are all likely to be called fairly quickly for Mr Trump.

Ms Harris ought to collect Colorado (10 EVs), Minnesota (10), New Mexico (five) and New York (28).

Nebraska, like Maine, does not have a winner-take-all policy and instead splits its electoral votes - in this case, allocating three votes to the winner within each of its three Congressional districts and two to the winner of the overall state-wide popular vote.

In 2020, Joe Biden won one of the three district votes, while Donald Trump won the other two plus the two state-wide votes, giving him four of the five votes up for grabs.

Polls also close in three swing states: Arizona (11 EVs), Michigan (15) and Wisconsin (10), all of which - if the outcome is close - could take days to be decided.

Barack Obama visited Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Saturday - Spencer Platt/Getty

Mr Biden won all three of these states in 2020, while Mr Trump picked up all three in 2016.

3am

Mr Trump will add two more states to his tally when polls close in the safe Republican states of Montana (four EVs) and Utah (six).

Polls also close in the last of the swing states, Nevada, where six EVs are up for grabs - though as with the other battlegrounds, it could be hours, if not days, before the winner is known.

Nevada has been won repeatedly by Democrats in recent decades, but opinion polls suggest the result this year is on a knifes edge.

4am

Ms Harriss numbers will get a boost when polls close in three very safe Democratic states: California (54 EVs), Oregon (eight) and Washington (12).

Idaho (four EVs) should be called for Mr Trump.

5am

Polls close in another safe Democratic state, Hawaii (four EVs).

6am

Alaska is the last state to conclude voting, and its three electoral votes should be called for Mr Trump.

But there is every likelihood that the overall winner of the election still wont be known, given the time it will take to count all the ballots in all the swing states.

If there has been a landslide for either Ms Harris or Mr Trump, then some news networks might be tempted to name a winner by now.

If it is shaping up to be a close contest, get ready to wait days, if not weeks, for the identity of the next president to be confirmed.

When do we get the election results ?

The winner of the election will likely not be projected for days. Even then, the results are not properly finalised for months. However, states and the whole election result are typically called long before final votes are counted.

In 2020, the result was called for Joe Biden four days after the November 3 ballot, after Pennsylvanias result was confirmed. The state provided Biden with 20 electoral college votes, taking him over the 270 required to win. In 2016, Hillary Clinton conceded to Trump the morning after the election.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Polls have closed in most of the US while voting continues in some Western states as tens of millions of American voters went to the polls Tuesday to choose the countrys next leaders.

The voting process, officials said, has been going smoothly, even with issues caused by non-credible bomb threats from Russia that disrupted voting in several states.

Some counties in battleground states have started processing mail-in ballots amid high turnout, with officials predicting results will be ready later in the night or Wednesday. But in other locations, polls will stay open later because of the disruptions during the day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Several bomb threats at a few Michigan and Georgia polling places caused delays in the vote as security officials cleared the locations.

The threats appear to originate from Russian email domains, the FBI said midday Tuesday. None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far.

Wisconsin also received threats apparently aimed at disrupting voting, a US official said. In addition, there were unsubstantiated bomb threats made to four locations in Navajo County, Arizona, and state officials have reason to believe that the threats originated in Russia, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said Tuesday afternoon.

Multiple bomb threats have also been made to polling locations and municipal buildings across Pennsylvania in the evening, but so far there is no credible threat to the public, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on Tuesday night. Pennsylvania state officials are investigating with the FBI.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One bomb threat prompted the temporary evacuation of a building in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where voting services are located. Voters were being redirected to nearby locations, according to Josh Maxwell, chair of the Chester County Board of Elections.

As in all elections, issues with voter eligibility, logistical problems, ballot functionality and vote-counting are being scrutinized closely Tuesday, especially amid former President Donald Trumps false claims of mass election fraud.

Trump posted on social media Tuesday before the polls closed baselessly claiming there was cheating in Democratic-heavy Philadelphia. The citys district attorney, Larry Krasner, said there was no factual basis whatsoever within law enforcement to support these wild allegations.

Extreme weather and other temporary infrastructure disruptions had been reported in parts of the US, but there hadnt been any national-level significant incidents impacting the security of our election infrastructure, said Cait Conley, a senior adviser at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The issues so far are largely expected, routine and planned-for events, Conley added.

Several states are seeing heavy, if not record, turnout. Michigan was already seeing record voter turnout, on track to match its highest election turnout on record, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson told CNN on Tuesday afternoon.

Georgia is also on track to surpass 2020 turnout, state officials said. In Pennsylvania, voter turnout exceeded expectations, with some precincts having to replenish their supplies of ballots, two officials told CNN.

In Nevada, Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar created a website for voters to cure their ballots by verifying their signatures so the ballots can be counted. His office is seeing a trend of younger voters needing to cure their mail ballots and is texting them in part because young people tend to not answer their phones, making it harder for them to be contacted, Aguilar told CNN. The deadline is November 12.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, election workers had finished opening and scanning over 50% of the roughly 64,000 mail-in ballots returned, officials said mid-afternoon. All the mail-in ballots should be counted by midnight.

Also in Pennsylvania, Allegheny County workers have removed the initial batch of mail-in ballots in the warehouse from their envelopes and are now processing mail-in ballots that have been received Tuesday, according to the county executives office. Results will not be posted until after 8 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee will rerun about 30,000 absentee ballots through tabulating machines out of an abundance of caution after finding evidence that the doors on its tabulating machines had not been closed properly, city spokesperson Jeff Fleming said. The problem was caused by human error, not tampering.

And vote tabulation of early ballots is going slower than expected in Maricopa County, home to a majority of battleground Arizonas voters, a county official told CNN. The first release of 1.1 million to 1.2 million ballots, which will be at about 10 p.m. ET, will encompass only votes through October 29.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After the first drop, the county will post its next batch of votes, which includes those cast on Election Day, on Wednesday, said the official. The slower count stems from this years ballot being two pages, which is double the amount of paper to process.

And 15 polling locations in a handful of Georgia counties will stay open past 7 p.m. ET, including a dozen because of the bomb threats. Voting was also extended in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, following a bomb threat at the Clearfield County Administrative Building, where votes were being cast.

Non-credible threats, weather among issues

In Union City, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta, there were several non-credible bomb threats that caused the temporary closure of two polling locations, according to Nadine Williams, Fulton County Registration and Elections Director.

A voting location housing two polling precincts in Gwinnett County, Georgia, was also evacuated for about an hour because of what police call a bomb threat, according to the Gwinnett County Police Department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voting was also temporarily suspended at five polling places in DeKalb County, Georgia, due to bomb threats as police performed sweeps at those locations.

Michigan authorities also received threats to polling locations initially deemed serious in nature but found not to be credible after investigation by law enforcement, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel told CNN.

The threats in Michigan and Wisconsin were also sourced to Russians, a US official said.

In addition, bad weather in various parts of the US could cause some challenges for people attempting to vote. Heavy rainfall flooded roadways and caused thousands of power outages in several states, while thunderstorms and damaging winds were predicted in other locations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There were also some minor reported issues that caused voting delays.

Voting time was extended in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, after a software malfunction disrupted voters abilities to scan their ballots, the Office of County Commissioners said. The countys top election official, Scott Hunt, told CNN the malfunction was caused by a printing error, and new ballots are on their way to polling places. The ballots that were already cast but could not be read by the machine will be hand-counted, he said.

A polling place in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania  a conservative-leaning county near Scranton  will be opened for an additional 90 minutes this evening after election workers were delayed in opening the voting site Tuesday morning.

Yet for most people, voting was a simple process. At the Millersville Municipal Building polling location in Pennsylvania, a Republican voter named Janice told CNN the process to vote was quick and easy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Despite these issues, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro predicted Tuesday that counting the vote wont take nearly as long as it did in 2020, when counting in the Keystone State  and calling the election  stretched through the Saturday after the election.

Meanwhile, voters in Apache County, Arizona, encountered faulty voting machines and some were turned away before they could cast ballots on Election Day, with voting issues the worst weve ever seen it, Navajo Nation Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Katherine Belzowski told CNN. Some voters in Apache County were encountering wait times of over two hours because of the difficulties, and locations were running out of back up provisional ballots during the machine outage.

Voting integrity

The majority of voters are at least somewhat confident that this election will be well run, regardless of which candidate they support, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey.

Election officials across the US have pledged to uphold the integrity of the vote and urged voters not to be misled by conspiracy theories.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here in Georgia, it is easy to vote and hard to cheat, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Monday. Our systems are secure and our people are ready.

Benson in Michigan warned voters to be cautious of foreign bad actors that will try to distract from the secure elections process.

Dont fall for it, Benson said at a news conference Tuesday. We know that they will use all sorts of misinformation and other tactics today and in the days ahead to create chaos, confusion, fear, division and sow seeds of doubt about what is a very clear, transparent and secure election process.

The 2024 election has already featured allegations from Trump and other Republicans that the vote is rigged. Trump has made repeated false claims that Democrats are cheating in the election, and hes twisted isolated problems with voting in an effort to prime his supporters to believe the election is not legitimate if he loses.

He has alleged that voting by noncitizens is a widespread problem, that theres no verification for overseas or military ballots, that election officials are using early voting to commit fraud and that massive swaths of mail-in ballots are illegitimate. The claims are incorrect and baseless.

Broadly, US elections are an extraordinary undertaking: In 2020, more than 161 million voters cast ballots that were counted across 50 states, the District of Columbia and five US territories, at a total of 132,556 polling places and with the aid of 775,101 poll workers, according to the US Election Assistance Commission.

Federal elections are also largely decentralized, as local jurisdictions have the primary responsibility of tabulating, reporting and certifying results.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Isabel Rosales, Denise Royal, Sean Lyngaas, Ryan Young, Danny Freeman, Yahya Abou-Ghazala, Katelyn Polantz, Jim Sciutto, Sara Murray, Tierney Sneed, Danya Gainor, Evan Perez, Emma Tucker, Edward-Isaac Dovere, Sarah Boxer, Brian Todd, Casey Tolan, Pamela Brown, Michael Conte, Jason Morris, Kara Scannell, Jim Acosta and meteorologists Elisa Raffa and Mary Gilbert contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for more aid for the Gaza Strip in view of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the territory more than a year into the war.

Blinken "discussed the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza" in a phone call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, according to a statement by US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

"The Secretary reviewed actions Israel has taken to date and urged further actions to substantially increase and sustain humanitarian aid  including food, medicine, and other essential supplies  to civilians across all of Gaza," Miller said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Blinken also stressed the importance of ending the war in the Gaza Strip and bringing home all hostages abducted from Israel, as well as enabling the Palestinian population to rebuild their lives.

The conflict began after Hamas and other extremists from the Gaza Strip attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting up to 250 on October 7, 2023.

Israel then launched a massive retaliation, which the Gaza authority says has resulted in more than 43,000 deaths and over 100,000 injuries, according to figures by the Hamas-run health authority.

The figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. However, a third of them are children and youths under 18, according to the authority.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Israel has come under international criticism given the high number of civilian casualties and dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Blinken also spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Atty about the situation in Gaza and the broader Middle East.

"The Secretary noted that Hamas has once again refused to release even a limited number of hostages to secure a ceasefire and relief for the people of Gaza," Miller said.

According to Israeli newspaper The Times of Israel, Egypt had recently put forward a proposal under which Hamas would release four Israeli hostages in exchange for around 100 Palestinian prisoners. During an initial 48-hour ceasefire, a longer-term ceasefire would be negotiated.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for more aid for the Gaza Strip in view of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the territory more than a year into the war.

Blinken "discussed the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza" in a phone call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, according to a statement by US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

"The Secretary reviewed actions Israel has taken to date and urged further actions to substantially increase and sustain humanitarian aid  including food, medicine, and other essential supplies  to civilians across all of Gaza," Miller said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Blinken also stressed the importance of ending the war in the Gaza Strip and bringing home all hostages abducted from Israel, as well as enabling the Palestinian population to rebuild their lives.

The conflict began after Hamas and other extremists from the Gaza Strip attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting up to 250 on October 7, 2023.

Israel then launched a massive retaliation, which the Gaza authority says has resulted in more than 43,000 deaths and over 100,000 injuries, according to figures by the Hamas-run health authority.

The figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. However, a third of them are children and youths under 18, according to the authority.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Israel has come under international criticism given the high number of civilian casualties and dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Blinken also spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Atty about the situation in Gaza and the broader Middle East.

"The Secretary noted that Hamas has once again refused to release even a limited number of hostages to secure a ceasefire and relief for the people of Gaza," Miller said.
US intelligence has warned that Russia might spread fake materials to destabilise the situation in swing states during todays US presidential election, increasing the risk of violence.

Source: joint statement by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), as reported by European Pravda

Details: The statement says that US intelligence agencies have been "observing foreign adversaries, particularly Russia, conducting additional influence operations intended to undermine public confidence in the integrity of US elections and stoke divisions among Americans" since Friday, 1 November.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They expect these activities to intensify throughout election day and in the weeks to come, and that foreign influence narratives will focus on swing states.

"Russia is the most active threat. Influence actors linked to Russia in particular are manufacturing videos and creating fake articles to undermine the legitimacy of the election, instil fear in voters regarding the election process, and suggest Americans are using violence against each other due to political preferences," the joint statement reads.

These efforts risk inciting violence, the agencies added, including against election officials.

"We anticipate Russian actors will release additional manufactured content with these themes through election day and in the days and weeks after polls close," the statement also says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Iran also remains a significant foreign influence threat to US elections, according to the statement.

Voters are advised to seek out information from trusted, official sources, such as state and local election officials.

Background: Presidential elections are underway in the US today, 5 November, with results from the first polling station, the village of Dixville Notch in New Hampshire, already released.

Support UP or become our patron!
The presidential election has started in the United States. The results from the first polling station, the tiny village of Dixville Notch in New Hampshire, are already available.

Source: European Pravda, citing CNN

Details: The settlement, located along the US-Canadian border on the northern tip of New Hampshire, opened and closed its polling station just after midnight, following a tradition that dates back to 1960.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Four Republicans and two undeclared voters took part in the vote. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump received three votes each.

Traditionally, all eligible voters in Dixville Notch gather at the now dormant Balsam Hotel to vote in secret.

The votes are counted after each ballot and the results are immediately announced. This happens several hours earlier than anywhere else in the United States.

Voters in Dixville Notch have supported the Democratic candidate in the last two presidential elections. In 2020, they unanimously cast five votes for President Joe Biden, and in 2016, Hillary Clinton received four out of seven votes. Two were for Trump and one for Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In January, four registered Republican voters and two independents took part in the Republican primary, casting six votes for former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

Support UP or become our patron!
By Brad Brooks, Gabriella Borter and Nathan Layne

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (Reuters) -A security fence rings a Las Vegas building where a Nevada county tabulates votes. An Arizona sheriff has his department on high alert to guard against potential violence with drones and snipers on standby. The National Guard has been or will be activated in 19 states so far to help maintain peace.

As a tense America votes on Tuesday for either Republican Donald Trump or Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris for president, concerns about potential political violence have prompted officials to take a variety of measures to bolster security during and after Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many of the most visible moves can be seen in the battleground states that will decide the presidential election, states like Nevada where protests by Trump supporters broke out after the 2020 election.

This year, a security fence rings the scene of some of those protests - the Las Vegas tabulation center.

A defense official said on Monday that Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin and Washington state have current National Guard missions while Washington DC, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia have troops on standby.

In Arizona, a similar metal fence has been erected at Maricopa County vote tabulation center in downtown Phoenix, a flashpoint in 2020 for rigged election conspiracy theories and threats against election officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

County Sheriff Russ Skinner said his department will be on "high alert" for threats and violence and he has instructed staff to be available for duty.

"We will have a lot of resources out there, a lot of staff, a lot of equipment," he added, noting deputies will use drones to monitor activity around polling places and snipers and other reinforcements will be on standby for deployment if violence appears likely.

He said "polarization" becomes more intense in the days after the election so law enforcement will remain on heightened alert and "there will be zero tolerance on anything related to criminal activity".

Concerned about the potential for protests or even violence, several Arizona schools and churches that served as voting centers in the past will not serve as polling stations this year, a local election official told Reuters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

CHURCH BUILDINGS

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), which has over 400,000 members in Arizona, has offered several polling locations to fill the gap.

A dozen or so community leaders from across the state and from various political backgrounds and cultures have formed a committee to focus on stemming political violence, according to member Jane Andersen, an LDS church member and Protecting Democracy Specialist for Arizona at Mormon Women for Ethical Government.

The group says it is ready to tap into a broad network, including faith leaders, who can help spread factual information to counter misinformation-fueled unrest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the battleground state of Michigan in 2020, Trump supporters descended on the downtown Detroit convention hall and began pounding on windows as the counting of absentee ballots carried into a second day. Yellow bicycle racks this year lined both sides of the boulevard on which it sits.

Visitors must go through metal detectors and about 15 police officers are patrolling the cavernous hall. Daniel Baxter, Detroit's chief operating officer for absentee voting and special projects, said police also are on the roof and surrounding the building. Eight days of early pre-processing of mail-in ballots have passed peacefully, Baxter said.

Peter Simi, a sociology professor at Chapman University in California who has researched threats against public officials, said the worst scenario would be Trump losing and not conceding defeat.

Rather than a repeat of the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters, he said conflict could be "dispersed, diffuse events across multiple locations" that would be more difficult for law enforcement to address.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Precautions stretch beyond the battleground states. Oregon and Washington state authorities have said they have activated the National Guard. Some storefront windows in Washington, DC and elsewhere have been covered by plywood.

Back in Las Vegas, Faviola Garibay surveyed the security fence around the linen-colored building where Clark County officials tabulate the votes and where voters such as her can drop election ballots.

"The fencing, the presence of police here, it seems secure," she said. "I feel safe voting."

(Reporting by Brad Brooks in Las Vegas, Gabriella Borter and Peter Eisler in Phoenix, Arizona, Nathan Layne in Detroit and Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico; Editing by David Gregorio and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
(NewsNation)  Voters in Utah will cast their ballots Tuesday in some key races in the 2024 election.

Presidential race in Utah

US Senate race in Utah

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney announced that he was not running for reelection last year, leaving his seat wide open.

Republican Rep. John Curtis will square off against Democrat Caroline Gleich, an environmentalist who is the underdog in a deeply red state.

Utah has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1970, and voters in the state typically favor moderate Republicans, like Romney and Curtis, in statewide elections. Curtis is the longest-serving member of Utahs House delegation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The winner in November will succeed one of Washingtons most outspoken Republican critics of former President Donald Trump.

US House races in Utah

Voters will also elect 4 candidates to serve in the House from each of the states congressional districts.

Curtis bid to replace Romney is leaving an empty seat in Utahs 3rd Congressional District, which covers southern and eastern Utah and including the cities of Orem and Provo.

The spot is being fought for by Republican Mike Kennedy and Democrat Glenn Wright.

Kennedy, a physician and lawyer from Utah County, represents Utah Senate District 21. Wright is a veteran and served on the Summit County Council.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

GOP Rep. Celeste Maloy, who is endorsed by Trump, is running to keep her seat in Utahs 2nd Congressional District against Democrat Nathaniel Woodward, a family law attorney.

Both have tried to stand out as the more rural-friendly candidate while courting voters.

The 2nd District, which groups liberal Salt Lake City with conservative St. George and includes many rural western Utah towns, has not been represented by a Democrat since 2013.

Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox is also vying for reelection. While several individuals from smaller parties mounted a fight, his biggest opponent is Democratic state Rep. Brian King.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election. These elections will determine who has control over the two branches of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Utah has 6 Electoral College votes contributing to the presidential race. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Early voting started on October 15 in many Utah counties, with timings and dates for each location varying.

Statewide ballot measures in Utah

Other statewide races in Utah

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Utah will receive around $45 million for opioid abatement as part of a settlement with Kroger.

Along with 30 state attorneys general, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes announced on Monday a $1.37 billion settlement with Kroger, a giant national grocery chain that owns and operates the Smiths and Smiths Marketplace stores in Utah. The settlement comes after Reyes filed a lawsuit in state court alleging Kroger was the largest buyer and dispenser of opioids in Utah from 2006 to 2014.

The state said in that time, Kroger bought and gave out more than 140 million dosage units of oxycodone and hydrocodone. The release announcing the settlement gave Price in eastern Utah as an example  a city with around 8,000 people. A store there bought enough oxycodone and hydrocodone over seven years, the state said, which is enough to give each person in the community 71 pills.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the suit, the state also claimed Kroger had policies which gave bonuses to pharmacists for how quickly and how many prescriptions were filled, including for controlled substances.

This recovery, combined with others the Utah AGs Office has helped lead across America, now exceeds $500 million in settlement funds, said Reyes. These dollars will help liberate many caught in the cycle of addiction and prevent another generation of Utahns from ever becoming dependent on opioids in the first place.

Reyes said he was proud the team was able to lead with bold litigation to benefit all of America but most importantly to protect so many Utah families affected by this tragic crisis. He said the funds from this settlement will be used to protect and help Utahns.

This is a great result for Utah and our AG team as we press forward on the front lines against those who contributed to the plight our communities face, said Douglas Crapo, director of the Utah Attorney General Office Division of White Collar & Commercial Enforcement. While our team continues its work to force those responsible to fulfill their legal and ethical obligations to the public, this settlement is an example of our efforts being fruit.
A 51-year-old local resident has been sentenced to five years in prison in Uzbekistan for mercenary service in the Russian forces. The convict signed a one-year contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence to avoid responsibility for attacking his employer.

Source: Gazeta.uz, an Uzbekistani news outlet

Details: A court in Uzbekistans Fergana Oblast convicted 51-year-old Alisher Khalikov, who came to the Russian city of St. Petersburg in search of work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In November 2023, he beat his employer, who did not pay him his salary, and was then detained by the police. Right in the police station, under threat of criminal prosecution, he signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Quote: "The lawyer who came to defend him at the police station offered him a drink, and he agreed. Then the lawyer explained that beating was a crime punishable by up to five years in prison and suggested that he take part in the war against Ukraine to avoid responsibility."

Details: After two months of training, he was sent to the battlefield and crossed the Ukrainian border on 4 February. In the first minutes of his participation in the fighting, the convoy of military equipment he was in came under attack from a drone. Khalikov was seriously injured and taken to hospital in Moscow.

After his discharge, he was dismissed from service and offered Russian citizenship, which he refused and returned to Uzbekistan. He was paid 800,000 roubles (just over US$8,000) for signing the contract and sustaining an injury.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On 4 July, Khalikov returned to Uzbekistan. He was found guilty under Article 154.1 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (enlisting in the military service, security, police, military justice bodies or other similar bodies of foreign countries) and sentenced to five years of imprisonment.

Support UP or become our patron!
Poll workers help students check-in at the Virginia Commonwealth University Commons Tuesday morning just after 9 a.m. (Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury)

Editors note: This story was reported by Charles Paullin and student journalist Katie Farthing in a special Election Day collaboration between The Virginia Mercury and VCU Capital News Service.

RICHMOND, Va.  On Tuesday morning, outside the Virginia Commonwealth University polling location on the second floor of the Student Commons, several students shared their same-day voter registration experiences and the top policy issues driving their choice between presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Reproductive rights, housing and economic policy were among the young voters chief concerns.

Many students use same-day voter registration and provisional ballots

TriVonda Mines, the chief officer of elections at the VCU Student Commons polling location, the largest precinct in the area, saw a steady flow of voters since the 6 a.m. start, but noted it had not been as busy as previous presidential elections. She expects around 1,800 to 2,100 votes Tuesday, she said, and anticipates at least 300 of those to be provisional ballots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A problem with provisional ballots on college campuses is that students often mix up their residency and home address. Students in residence halls must put their residence address, not their home address, in order to have their vote count in the district, according to Mines. The Commons polling location included a separate area designated for provisional ballots, a ballot used when a voter cannot confirm proper identification or forgot to register in advance.

VCU students using same-day registration are given a provisional ballot and told to vote in a separate area to avoid mixing of ballots from already registered voters. (Katie Farthing/Capital News Service)

Jyson Willow, a senior interdisciplinary studies student at VCU, voted using a provisional ballot because he forgot about the registration deadline. Willow moved to the Richmond area over a year ago and still doesnt have a Virginia license, so he was unable to register online beforehand.

I think it was stressful, just because of the amount of people that were having to do it today, Willow said.

Willow said he was glad voting via provisional ballot was easy because choosing a presidential candidate is stressful.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its almost like picking the lesser of two evils, because I dont necessarily align perfectly with one party, Willow said.

Caitlin Przywara, a senior information systems student at VCU, also voted using a provisional ballot because she did not originally plan to vote and thought she had missed her chance to do so.

It actually went by pretty fast, Przywara said. We didnt know if we could register, we thought it was too late.

After casting their provisional ballot, voters have until Friday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. to provide valid identification, after which the local electoral board decides which provisional ballots will be counted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Truesdale, the chief election officer at the George Washington Carver Elementary School, anticipated a majority of provisional ballots. The elementary school is a polling location for two upperclassmen residence halls at VCU.

The Institute of Contemporary Art is a polling location for one VCU residence hall and Chief Officer of Elections Brooks Braun noted a steady flow of voters and anticipated around 60 provisional ballots by the time polls close.

Student voters focused on reproductive health care, housing, economic policy

Many of the college students interviewed shared that they voted for Harris, because her policy positions most closely resemble their own.s

Along with being an advocate for womens rights, Yurida Martinez, a freshman, said the Harris housing policy plan to provide a $25,000 downpayment for first-time homebuyers appealed to her.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Vanessa Lemus, a graduate student, agreed and added, I really like the credit for first-time homebuyers.

Im already 26 years old, so (homeownership) is something I want to do in the future, in a couple of years, Lemus said.

Lemus, who identifies as queer, said Trumps proposed policy that would expand corporate tax cuts would only help if youre making six figures or more. That, and Trumps rhetoric disparaging immigrants and others, dissuaded her from voting for him.

Throughout his presidency, the last time he was president, and throughout the campaign, he really just kind of used harmful rhetoric toward different marginalized groups, Lemus said. Not only that, but (Trump) has allowed for people that are voting for him to feel like its ok to do as well.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Przywara did not vote in the 2020 election, but chose to this year because of her dislike for Trump.

Weve already seen what Trump has done, Przywara said. Its gonna be different, if she (Harris) does become President.

The sparse support for Trump Tuesday, Lemus said, is on trend for a liberal campus in an urban center of the state that reliably votes Democratic.

This is a very liberal campus, a very eccentric, collective campus where you have a lot of different types of students coming from different backgrounds, different places, Lemus said.

Advocates say same-day voting tears down barriers for student voters

Same-day registration across Virginias college campuses has been huge, said Will Winters, state director for NextGen America, a non-partisan advocacy group focused on youth voting. The Virginia legislature passing its same-day registration law in 2020, which took effect in 2022, has torn down a lot of barriers to voting, for students, he said. That expanded access leads candidates to engage with young voters more, Winters said, and makes it easier for all citizens to participate in the democratic process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theres a lot of people that dont think about elections til the last second. We see all these ads and we look at polls, but theres a lot of people in this country that are paying attention to other things, Winters said in a phone interview from the campus of University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. If somebodys moved to a different apartment, maybe theyve changed cities for a job, same-day registration helps just make that really easy and available for those people to still have a say in our democracy.

Winters declined to share how many people NextGen America has registered, but said Millenial and Gen Z voters are going to have a huge voice this year. This years turnout, he said, is stemming from the high-profile national election, and comes after the groups work with young voters in 2023 ahead of Virginias pivotal General Assembly election where all 140 seats were on the ballot. The group did outreach in Blacksburg, home to Virginia Tech, and the Hampton Roads area, which hosts several universities including Norfolk State and Christopher Newport universities.

It just seems, generally, students are engaged, Winters said.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Long Bridge view from the Potomac River. (izanbar/Getty Images)

Members of the congressional delegation from Virginia would like to see the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, reauthorized when it ends in less than two years.

The BIL has fueled internet access expansion and funded several transportation and environmental projects in Virginia, including financially supporting the Long Bridge Projects expansion and cleanup efforts at abandoned mine lands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The law expires on Sept. 30, 2026, leaving a reshaped Congress and new presidential administration to consider its reauthorization.

Under President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the BIL was signed into law on Nov. 15, 2021, authorizing $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure spending with $550 billion targeted for new investments and programs over six years, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

We have just entered the fourth fiscal year out of a five-year package, so its not too soon to be talking about what comes next, said Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to the media during the Oct. 15 groundbreaking of the Long Bridge Project in Arlington.

What weve had in this bipartisan infrastructure package is a level of investment that weve not had in my lifetime, clearly very much needed, especially when you talk about a 100 year-old asset like Long Bridge and thousands of cases like that around the country, he added. So we need to, I think, take all of the successes and learn from the experiences of the last few years, and it will very much be one of the biggest things on Congress plate in just about a year from now.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the groundbreaking ceremony, lawmakers laid out how the act has helped and advocated for the law to be reauthorized.

Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, D-Prince William, said the Long Bridge expansion was an example of how the law continues to impact Virginians and makes good on the promise of investing in our communities.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, said reauthorizing the law would help address some unmet needs for rail, highways and airports in the commonwealth.

If we just keep all the folks who voted for it last time and add in all the members of Congress who didnt vote for it, but have shown up in ribbon cuttings across the country during the last five years, well have an 85% passage, Warner said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is also a catch-up for crumbling infrastructure that was allowed to languish and be neglected for a long time, said Congressman Gerry Connolly, D-Fairfax.

Some lawmakers have had a change of heart concerning BIL.

U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, had voted against the policy, initially criticizing how much of it was new spending or just reauthorizations of approved funding. Yet, he touted his role in securing a $1.6 million federal grant benefitting the Piedmont Planning Districts Commissions Route 122 Regional Corridor Plan, which was funded under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Griffith explained the contradiction by saying once its passed into law, I would be failing to do my job if I didnt then advocate for those federal monies to come to the 9th District, in a September interview with the Mercury about his campaign for re-election in the Southwest Virginia-based district.

Transportation

Lawmakers and industry leaders in transportation are excited about the future of public transit after millions in BIL federal funding have been dedicated to projects across the commonwealth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Danny Plaugher, executive director for Virginians for High-Speed Rail, said the federal governments $16 billion investment nationwide for rail is making a huge difference, eclipsing an earlier record of $2 billion.

In October, Virginia celebrated the groundbreaking of the Long Bridge expansion project after the commonwealth was awarded $729 million. Once completed, the bridge that connects Washington D.C. and Virginia, will allow for more freight and passenger rail service separation.

The Long Bridge rail crossing over the Potomac River. (Washington D.C. Department of Transportation/ Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation)

The current two-track system, widely considered a choke point, has negatively impacted travel times. The plans include expanding to a four-track corridor and constructing approximately 1.8 miles of improvements to rail and pedestrian bridges.

Plaugher said the two largest federal investments for rail before the Act were $74 million in 2009 and $100 million for the Franconia-Springfield Bypass last year. The bypass is an elevated rail bridge south of the Franconia-Springfield station that separates passenger trains from the existing freight tracks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, across rail and transit services, Plaugher said Virginia has aggressively sought grants for bridge repairs, rail improvement, and safety projects.

Both the railway and transit side have been very aggressive in pursuing opportunities for those competitive grants, and we have also been very successful, Plaugher said. And so I think we should be proud of our elected and appointed leaders for ensuring that Virginia gets its fair share, and that good things are happening.

According to USDOT, Virginia is expected to receive $1.2 billion under the law to improve its public transportation options.

Other investments for Virginia include approximately $386 million for infrastructure development for airports, about $106 million per year over five years to support the expansion of an electric vehicle charging network in the commonwealth, and along with grant opportunities, earn a portion of $2.5 billion.

Energy & environment

The legislation had a significant impact on environmental issues as well, and is assisting the commonwealth in tackling outdated pipes, supporting electric grid programs and cleaning up abandoned mine lands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Along with the release of incremental amounts of funding for Virginia to upgrade water and gas infrastructure, the BIL provided over $50 million in October to replace those lines in the state.

Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $35.1 million is headed to Virginia to replace lead drinking water pipes, in line with an administrative rule to identify and replace those lines across the country within 10 years. The announcement comes after the EPA awarded $94 million to Virginia in February to upgrade drinking water, and wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

About $15.7 million out of the U.S Department of Transportations Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, or PHMSA, is going toward replacing 13.25 miles of aging gas mains with polyethylene and cathodically protected steel coated lines in Richmond.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Although environmentalists are critical of maintaining fossil fuel infrastructure, PHMSA said the funding will reduce 22.26 metric tons of methane, the most potent climate change causing greenhouse gas, annually by eliminating leaks.

The Camp Creek Landslide in Pound. (Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury)

Under the BIL, funding for energy efficiency programs, including those that insulate buildings to conserve how much energy is needed for heating and cooling, meter upgrades and clean school buses are coming to Virginia.

But a larger $85.4 million investment is coming out of the U.S. Department of Energy Grid Deployment Office, to test a battery storage device connected to the Iron Mountain data center in Manassas.

Data centers, the energy intensive warehouses storing internet processors, are proliferating in Virginia, prompting electricity generation sources to be built, including natural gas-run facilities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Through the Grid Resilience and Innovative Partnerships, or GRIP, program, the awarding to Iron Mountain will help explore how a data center can operate on the battery storage device to reduce how much demand on the electric grid and generation sources, both of which are maintained in Virginia through ratepayer funds.

And while doling out almost $400,000 to the city of Norfolk for its Coastal Storm Risk Management project, including a floodwall planned to deal with increasing storm surges the state is facing, the BIL also supercharged the Virginia Energy departments effort to clean up abandoned mine lands, or AMLs in Southwest Virginia.

Virginia Energy had received about $3 million to $4 million annually since 1981 to clean up mine lands, but the BIL increased the coffers by $23 million over the next 15 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The AML program exists to clean up mine lands coal companies left unreclaimed, or remediated, before the 1977 Surface Mine Reclamation Act, which now requires sites to be reclaimed, meaning returned to their natural states or revamped for future economic opportunities. Dangers, such as a landslide in Dickenson County, can result from improper irrigation at AMLs if reclamation doesnt happen.

The increased funding is expected to allow Virginia Energy to reclaim 70% of its inventory of abandoned mines it has found since 1981. Thatll lead to the creation of more than 1,000 jobs, the agency said.

If Congress considers reauthorizing the law, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, predicted his colleagues could debate turning the act into a longer term investment.

Six years is going to prove to the American public, and I hope to Congress, of course its worthwhile, Kaine said. So my prediction is when we have the reauthorization vote, its going to be by a bigger margin than the first one.

Editors Note: This story was corrected to say the Camp Creek Landslide happened in Dickenson County.



SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
(Bloomberg) -- The region of Valencia is asking Spains central government for rescue funds to help with rebuilding after floods last week destroyed homes and left more than 200 dead.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Valencian government agreed to ask Madrid for 31.4 billion ($34.2 billion), regional President Carlos Mazon said on Monday evening. The package will include aid for reconstruction of homes and the purchase of vehicles, he said.

Valencia is still dealing with the aftermath of floods that killed more than 200 people, with hundreds more still missing. Streets are covered with mud and more than 100,000 cars were hit by the floods, according to initial estimates. The storm has been one of Spains worst natural disasters in living memory.

The regional government hasnt updated the death toll since Nov. 1. The latest figure provided by the national government was 217, which includes three people killed in neighboring regions.

Rescue work is ongoing and the central government, led by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has said its still too early to determine the damage. On Saturday, Sanchez announced Spains biggest peacetime deployment of military and security forces to the flood-hit region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The central government on Tuesday is expected to announce a financial relief package that will include income tax moratoriums for flood victims. The natural disaster insurance agency is also processing requests for compensation from victims, although it hasnt released any figures.

The insurance agency handles natural disasters so that insurers arent left footing the bill. The cost of insured losses are expected to be well above 1 billion, according to initial estimates by Morningstar.

The regional administration in Valencia is led by a center-right party thats the biggest group Sanchez faces in the national parliament. Amid the disaster and anger about the authorities response, theres been bickering between the central and regional governments, with conflicting accounts over how alerts and rescue efforts have been managed.

Valencias regional government has so far pledged 250 million of aid. Meanwhile, Spanish billionaire Amancio Ortegas foundation on Monday announced a 100 million donation for flood victims.419739102

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Monday, the neighboring region of Catalonia was hit with storms that flooded streets and suspended train services. The most intense rains ended in the evening, according to that regions government.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
The Vatican hired an artist who had previously worked on designs for sex toys to create its new mascot, it has emerged.

Simone Legno has designed a mascot called Luce  the Italian for light  for the 2025 Holy Year Jubilee.

The Italian artists mascot is a young girl dressed in a yellow rain jacket and Wellington boots with a crucifix around her neck and a pilgrims staff in her hand.

The figure, inspired by Japanese cartoons, was officially unveiled at a press conference last week by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the organiser of the special year of pilgrimage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The archbishop underlined the mascots connection to pop culture, so loved by our young people, and said her large, luminous eyes were a symbol of the hope that is borne in the heart of every pilgrim.

A factsheet about the mascot prepared by the church

But critics are asking whether the Vatican was aware that Mr Legno had previously worked on merchandise linked to Gay Pride events and a line of Lovehoney sex toys, including the mini bullet vibrator and the massage wand vibrator.

The artists varied professional past has enraged some conservative Catholics, who are already deeply critical of Pope Francis and his efforts to reform the church and make it more inclusive.

They say gay rights and sex toys are not in keeping with the Catholic Churchs core values.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ten million artists in Europe, and the Vatican picks this one. Its not an accident, one critic commented on the Catholic Vote website.

Another said: How could they not have known about his other work? When you hire someone, you look at their past work to see if you like their style and if they can actually do what they claim.

A simple Google search pulls up pornographic cartoons drawn by this guy. Are you kidding? We have a corrupt hierarchy.

As well as Luce, Simone Legno has designed a sex toy

Peter Kwasniewski, a traditionalist Catholic commentator, described the artist as a moral degenerate whose past work was quasi-pornographic.

He claimed the 11 years of Pope Franciss papacy had been marked by the increasingly shrill defence of the indefensible, the waving aside of evils that cry out to heaven for vengeance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Legno, an acclaimed artist who has worked for brands including Hello Kitty and Marvel, said when the designs were unveiled that it was an immense honour to have collaborated with the Vatican.

The figure, inspired by Japanese cartoons, was officially unveiled at a press conference last week by Archbishop Rino Fisichella

I could never have imagined that I would bring my humble artistic contribution, pop culture, kawaii culture, to the Holy See. I am extremely grateful to the Dicastery for Evangelisation for opening its doors to my art, he wrote on Instagram.

He later said he had come in for criticism for his past work, adding: Im getting flak from all over. There are people whove called me a homophobe because Ive worked with the Vatican, while others are calling me a Satanist because 10 years ago we collaborated with a line of sex toys.

The Vatican jubilee is a huge event for the Catholic Church, held roughly every 25 years. It is expected to bring around 25 million tourists and pilgrims to Rome.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Well, here it is: Election Night 2024. Millions of Americans have already cast their ballots, and it might take a few days to learn who the next president will be. But tonight, the polls will close on one of the most unpredictable elections in recent history. An election that was posed to be a rematch between two elderly men who had faced off in 2020 turned into one defined by assassination attempts and a surprise change at the top of the Democratic ticket.

As always, its impossible to decode what precisely will happen and who will win by how much. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. But there are always indicators.

A few weeks ago, Inside Washington broke down House races to watch that might show who wins the whole thing. In the same vein, because of the electoral college, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump need to focus on specific counties in each of the seven swing states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Without further ado, here are the seven most important counties to watch on Election Night if you want an early sense of whos going to win overall.

Maricopa County, Arizona

Of all of the swing states, Arizona might be the state where Trump has the best chance. Even though he trashed favorite son John McCain, his numbers still look good. But if he is to win Arizona, he will need to make sure he cuts into Harriss lead in Maricopa County.

The home of Phoenix, Maricopa is McCain country. Trump narrowly won it in 2016, but it flipped to Joe Biden in 2020.

Its full of the old-school Republicans and independents. It also has plenty of high-income earners in places like Paradise Valley, which has a median income of $221,333.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As Democrats become the party of high-income earning white voters, Harris will need to run up the scoreboard here. But also expect this county to decide Arizonas Senate race between Ruben Gallego and pro-MAGA election denier Kari Lake.

Erie County, Pennsylvania

All eyes are on Pennsylvania. Harris held her final rally on Monday evening in Philadelphia, where she needs to maximize turnout from Black voters. She also campaigned in Allentown, home to a large Puerto Rican population, after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made a joke at Trumps rally calling it a floating island of garbage.

But both Harris and Trump campaigned heavily in Erie, a classic white working-class county that had hollowed out in recent decades thanks to factories closing. Trumps mad-as-hell populist rhetoric resonated with voters there but Scranton Joe pro-worker approach won over Eries voters last time around.

John Fetterman and Josh Shapiro performed well there in 2022. Meanwhile, Trumps running mate JD Vance hails from Ohio, which is right on the border with the county.

Waukesha County, Wisconsin

When Harris held a series of events in the Blue Wall with Liz Cheney, her decision to hold an event in Waukesha did not fall out of a coconut tree. One of the WOW Counties, alongside Ozaukee and Washington County, Waukesha has historically been a bastion for white conservatives. But as a heavily suburban county, its slowly shed Republican voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2008, John McCain won about 62 percent of the vote. But in 2020, Trump won 59.7 percent of the vote. In a state that Biden only won by 20,682 votes, those small margins matter.

Other places to watch include Milwaukee, where Harris must run up the scoreboard with Black voters; Dane County, home of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and therefore plenty of college students; and Brown County, where the Green Bay Packers play and where Trump held his garbage truck stunt.

Oakland County, Michigan

Plenty of people have wondered whether Michigans Arab American population will deliver the state to Trump, given the Biden-Harris administrations unconditional support for Israel during Netanyahus war in Gaza. They may, but Arab Americans make up a sliver of the population.

Whether that happens or not, Harris  or Trump, for that matter  will have to do well in Oakland County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Oakland includes some of the white upper-class suburbs of Detroit. In 2016, Hillary Clinton barely got a majority of the vote there when Trump won Michigan. Biden built on her lead when he put Michigan back in the Democratic column.

Almost a third of voters in the 2024 Republican primary voted for Nikki Haley instead of Trump. If Arab Americans do wind up sitting out this election or even voting for Trump, Harris will need to make it up in places like Oakland and Macomb Counties, or shes toast.

Clark County, Nevada

Followers of The Nevada Independents editor Jon Ralston may also know Clark County as the Democratic Firewall. Thats because Democrats, largely buoyed by the work of late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, have built their party machine around maximizing turnout in the county that includes Las Vegas.

The states Culinary Union Local 226 engages in an aggressive door-knocking and voter turnout operation. By contrast, much of the rest of the states other more rural counties are vote banks for Republicans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The GOP have done better at maximizing early voter turnout this year. The Covid-19 pandemic battered the states economy and it has the second-highest unemployment rate in the country, after the District of Columbia. It also has a large Latino working-class population  just the type of voter Trump has courted in recent years.

Forsyth County, Georgia

When Fox News held its womens town hall with Trump last month, it chose to have it in Forsyth County for a reason.

The heavily white county has long been a Republican stronghold. It also has a darker history, given that after Reconstruction, it kicked out its Black residents and the Ku Klux Klan operated openly there as late as 1987.

But in recent years, it has slowly diversified and even though it remains staunchly Republican, Democrats have cut into Republican margins.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other places to watch include the Black Belt of Georgia in the southern part of the state that helped elect Raphael Warnock and the suburbs of Atlanta.

Union County, North Carolina

Just like how Republicans have wanted to flip Nevada for years, Democrats have not quite figured out how to win North Carolina again since Obamas 2008 victory. But if it does finally flip, it will be because of places like Union County.

The Bulwarks Daniel McGraw broke down some fascinating statistics about Union recently. North Carolina has seen an influx of northerners moving in from out of state and Union epitomizes this shift. Located just east of Mecklenburg County, which houses Charlotte, in 2010 it had only 201,292 residents. As of 2023, that number hovers around 256,452, according to the US Census Bureau.

In 2016, Clinton won only about 32 percent of the vote. In 2020, Biden won about 37 percent of the vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition to Union, watch Cabarrus County, just north of Charlotte, which shifted significantly to the left in 2020. And keep an eye on the Piedmont Triad, where Trump campaigned heavily, and Robeson, which he won twice after it had voted Democratic for more than a century.

For Harris, see how well she does not just in the Triangle that houses colleges like the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University and Duke, but also the northeastern Black counties.
(NewsNation)  Voters in Vermont will cast their ballots Tuesday in some key races in the 2024 election.

Presidential race in Vermont

US Senate race in Vermont

Three-term Senator Bernie Sanders is running for reelection in a state that has long supported one of the Senates most liberal and outspoken voices.

Sanders is an independent. He was a Democratic congressman for 16 years and still caucuses with the Democrats.

The 82-year-old progressive will battle Republican Gerald Malloy, a businessman and Army veteran. Malloy has positioned his campaign around pushing back on policies Sanders has worked on.

US House race in Vermont

Voters will also elect one candidate to serve in the House from the states at-large congressional district.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democratic Rep. Becca Balint, Vermonts first woman and first openly gay person to represent the state in Congress, is running for a second term.

She faces Republican Mark Coester, a small business owner with a background in fishing, logging and maple syrup industries. Coester won both the Republican and Libertarian Party nominations for the seat.

During a debate, the two candidates disagreed on nearly every topic, including climate change, foreign policy and the role of the federal government in addressing rising health care costs and solutions to the affordable housing shortage, reported Vermont Public Radio.

Other third-party candidates are also vying for the House seat: Green Mountain Peace & Justice Party candidate Jessy Diamondstone and independent Adam Ortiz.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election. These elections will determine who has control over the two branches of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Vermont has 3 Electoral College votes contributing to the presidential race. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Early voting in Vermont began on September 21 with varying timings for each location. All polling locations will close at 7 p.m. local time on Election Day.

More statewide races in Vermont

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Republican Gov. Phil Scott on Tuesday won reelection to a fifth term in the heavily Democratic state of Vermont.

The popular governor beat political newcomer Esther Charlestin, a Democrat-Progressive who is an educator, consultant, and co-chair of the Vermont Commission on Women. Also on the ballot were independents Kevin Hoyt and Eli Poa Mutino and minor party candidate June Goodband.

In his reelection campaign, Scott, 66, urged voters to pick what he calls commonsense legislators who he said will work with him to make Vermont more affordable and stop the increasing taxes and fees from the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This election was about one basic question: Can you, your aging parents, your grandparents, your kids, your grandkids, your neighbors, afford to live and thrive in Vermont if we dont make a course correction on the path set by legislative leaders over the last two years? Scott said in his victory speech. He said the answer, based on some of the election results, appears to be no.

Vermonters voted and sent a clear message. They voted for balance. They voted for moderation. They told us they cant afford the direction were going and they want lawmakers to set clear priorities, focus on the needs of all working families, small business owners, communities large and small, he said.

Scott has clashed with the Democrat-controlled legislature over spending and initiatives, vetoing eight bills this past session. In response, the Legislature overrode six of those vetoes in June.

A former legislator and business owner, Scott has been a critic of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump  and on Tuesday said he voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat. Scott said he was compelled to choose country over party, as he had done four years ago when he voted for Democratic President Joe Biden.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Vermont has grappled with two consecutive summers of severe flooding, a housing shortage and a rise in people experiencing homelessness, as well as increasing property taxes to pay for schools and concerns about public safety with an increase in gun violence and drug-related crimes.

Charlestin, 34, has said Vermont needs new leadership is needed and said the state is worse off than it was in 2017 when Scott took office. A former member of her towns selectboard, Charlestin is a first generation Haitian American.

Charlestin has said Scott is wrong to blame the states current circumstances on legislators who are only in session part-time.

Is Vermont in a better place than it was eight years ago? When I think of property taxes, health care, housing, affordability, the answer is clear and its no, she said during the debate. So after eight years its clear that Vermont needs a new direction and one that truly works for all of us, not just those at the top, but also the middle and low income, everybody.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She was endorsed by former Gov. Howard Dean, current Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman and Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak.

Scott has faced pressure this fall from municipal leaders, advocates and lawmakers after new caps imposed by the legislature to scale down the pandemic-era motel voucher program for the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness took effect. The households will be eligible for motel housing again in the winter starting on Dec. 1.

Scott said the caps came from the Legislature in its budget proposal and $10 million was allocated to provide more emergency shelters and the administration doesnt think thats enough. He said in October that the state was working to set up three family shelters in Waterbury, Williston and Montpelier but advocates say the response didnt come soon enough.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy, Utah police said in response to the death of Eduardo Gutierrez-Nava, 35

GoFundMe Eduardo Gutierrez-Nava (right) Eduardo Gutierrez-Nava (right)

The body of a man from Cedar City, Utah, who went missing last week has been found by authorities following a deadly motorcycle incident.

In a news release shared by the Cedar City Police Department on Friday, Nov. 1, authorities confirmed marine veteran Eduardo Gutierrez-Nava, 35, was reported missing on Tuesday, Oct. 29, and last seen on his motorcycle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the time, the search for Gutierrez-Nava concentrated on the east side of Cedar City in the foothills and mountains, the police said, per the release.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Cedar City Police Department shared an update confirming the death of Gutierrez-Nava, whose remains were found on State Route 14, just east of Cedar City. His motorcycle was also found at the site.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.



Related: Couple Dies in Motorcycle Crash, Leaving 2 Daughters Behind: They Would Do Anything for Each Other

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Preliminary investigations indicate that the victim may have lost control of his motorcycle, resulting in a fatal crash, the police stated.

Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy, the statement continued. The Utah Highway Patrol is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.



According to the St. George News, Gutierrez-Nava was last seen riding a dark silver Ducati street motorcycle on the night of Monday, Oct. 28. He was later reported as missing when he wasnt present at his job.

Iron County Search and Rescue, which was involved in the search for the victim, said in a Facebook post that the three-day operation involved about 50 people, as well as a number of drones, ATVs, trucks and helicopters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Related: 3 Killed, Including 2 U.S. Navy Sailors, in California Motorcycle Accident

Our deepest condolences go to the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy, the Iron County Search and Rescue team wrote, adding, We are also very grateful to all those who took time out of their lives to assist us in these search efforts.

A GoFundMe was established on behalf of Gutierrez-Navas family, which, as of Tuesday, Nov. 5, has raised $9,500.

Eddie is remembered as a dedicated father, an honored Marine, and someone deeply cherished by his family and friends. The funds raised will go toward covering funeral expenses to support Eduardos family and his young son, the description read.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Related: Sweethearts Who Were About to Get Engaged Die in Tragic Motorcycle Crash: They Were 'Infatuated,' Family Says

PEOPLE contacted the GoFundMe organizer for additional information on Tuesday, Nov. 5.


BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS)  The Bluefields have more ties than those that meet the eye.

City of Bluefield, West Virginia Manager, Cecil Marson and Town Manager of Bluefield, Virginia, Andrew Hanson, were both special forces officers in the US Army, although in different groups. The two first met and started working together in Iraq.

Veterans Voices: The Girl Scouts and a local waste site team up to properly retire flags

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The way their deployment was set up, one of their groups would alternate with the other. One would work 6 months and then take 6 months off, giving way for the other group to take over.

All the work they would do for 6 months, they would transition with us. We would spend a month together in the interim and you know, This is what is going on. These are they key things that are going on. This is who we are working with. This became a very habitual relationship, so we got to be pretty close after that, said Marson.

Marson and Hanson were separated by just a year between their graduations from the qualification courses  Hanson graduated in 2000 and Marson in 2001.

The two would cross paths several times after their retirements from the Army, with their next place of shared work experience being at Fort Bragg.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Usually, I might be in a job and Cecil might come in after me or Cecil might be in a job and I would come in after him. That transitioned through to our final job together. I was in a job from 2016 to 2018 and then Cecil replaced me as the garrison commander of West Point, said Hanson.

Veterans Voices : 2023 Fall Honor Flight Preview

Transitioning with Andy, you know, he had such a good intrinsic understanding of the place because he had been to school there and then, of course he ran the place. So, it was very helpful for me. It made the transition to take the job over pretty simple, added Marson.

Every job they worked offered different components that would prepare Marson and Hanson for city and town managerial roles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Marson would come back to his home state of West Virginia to live and was later hired as the manager of the City of Bluefield. In his role, Marson frequently collaborates with the Town of Bluefield.

In 2023, the Town of Bluefield Manager role became open. Once Marson caught word of this vacancy, he could not think of a better man for the job than his friend Hanson, who would end up getting the job.

Veterans Voices: Local commissioner attributes Marines for life success

Thank God it worked out and I thank God for the citizens of Bluefield, Virginia, but also for us on the West Virginia side to have such a good man across the border and I am very happy to have a confidant that I can talk to about the work and the day-to-day [and] try to make things better for everybody, said Marson.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is great to have a mentor in Cecil for all the work he has done and navigating all the civilian-side governmental organizations to help with grants and to help with funding. It is wonderful to have him across the line and to give our support to Bluefield, West Virginia because we are really one and the same community, [there] just happens to be a line in between us, said Hanson.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Big juicy burgers. Sizzling steaks. Breakfast combo meals and coffee.

Veterans Day is coming up and celebrated each year on Nov. 11 to honor those who served in the U.S. military.

Across metro Detroit, many restaurants are ready with deals to honor current and former military members.

The day that honors those who served began in 1919 as Armistice Day. Veterans Day marks Nov. 11, 1918, as the date  the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month  when fighting ceased and World War I ended. The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Veterans Day, many restaurants, coffee shops, fast-casual eateries and other food and drink establishments thank those who served with deals for veterans. Also included are active-duty U.S. military. At many places, offers are for a free or discounted meal. This year, some places offer deals for more than one day.

Most restaurants offering deals and specials for Veterans Day require proof of service. Some specials are offered during certain times on Veterans Day. Most do not include tax and gratuity.

And in the non-restaurant category, veterans and active military can watch free movies on Monday at all Emagine Theatre locations in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Tickets must be purchased at the theater's box office.

Here's a sampling of what's being offered on Veterans Day. Be sure to check hours of availability.

Achatz Handmade Pie/Pie Collective by Achatz

A selection of pies at Achatz Handmade Pie Co.

Veterans get a free slice of pie at all Achatz Handmade Pie Co. and Pie Collective by Achtaz stores. Locations are in Armada, Beverly Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Chesterfield, Livonia, Madison Heights, Oxford, Shelby and Troy.

Applebee's

For the 17th year, a complimentary dine-in-only lunch or dinner is offered at Applebee's nationwide. Choose from more than six entrees, including a classic bacon cheeseburger, a 6-ounce top sirloin, chicken tenders platters, double crunch shrimp, Fiesta Lime chicken, Oriental chicken salad and three-cheese chicken penne. Veterans also receive a $5 card to redeem for a meal to use within three weeks. The offer is for any veterans or active duty military.

Bar Louie

Bar Louie's craft burgers are free to active and retired military on Veterans Day.

Free to all active and retired military veterans is a selection of Bar Louie half-pound craft burgers on a brioche bun. Bar Louie's craft burger menu features its Blazin' Burger, Bacon Cheddar, Chipotle BBQ or the Chef's burger. The offer is for dine-in only at participating locations.

Biggby Coffee

Veterans receive a free, 16-ounce brewed coffee. You will need a coupon, which will be posted to Biggby's social media and via its e-wards program.

Big Boy

Free breakfast buffet for veterans is offered from opening hours until 1 p.m. on Monday at participating locations. The buffet includes breakfast items such as pancakes, bacon, sauces, eggs and waffles.

BJ's Brewhouse

Veterans receive a complimentary Chocolate Chunk Pizookie when dining in. Veterans receive a coupon for a free appetizer of their choice. More than a dozen are offered, redeemable between Nov. 12 and Dec. 31, 2024. Locations are in Livonia, Sterling Heights and Taylor.

Blind Owl Restaurants

A free entree for veterans is offered at Blind Owl Restaurants in New Baltimore and Royal Oak. The offer is for dine-in only.

Bob Evans

Bob Evans offers several deals for Veteran's Day.

A free breakfast meal is offered to all veterans and active duty members. The offer is for dine-in only. Ten farm-fresh breakfast items such as its Country Biscuit breakfast or Brioche French Toast are offered all day.

Bubba's 33

A free meal is offered from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for veterans and active military. Or you can get a voucher for a future visit, according to its website.

Buddy's Pizza

Offered all year, veterans and active service members receive 15% off their bill for dine-in at all full-service locations.

Burger One

A free classic cheeseburger meal is offered at all seven metro Detroit Burger One locations. The meal includes fries and a drink. Burger One locations are in Ann Arbor, Centerline, Dearborn Heights, Farmington, Southgate, Warren and Westland.

Buffalo Wild Wings

A free order of 10 boneless wings and fries is offered for veterans and active military. Offer is for dine-in only with valid ID and at Buffalo Wild Wings GO locations.

Carrabbas

Carrabba's restaurants Veteran's Day deals span several days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

From Friday through Sunday, veterans and active military who order an entree for dine-in, receive another entree for free to take home. On Veterans Day, a complimentary dine-in appetizer or dessert paired with a soft beverage for veterans and active-duty military with ID. Service members and first responders receive 10% off on any visit year-round.

Condado Tacos

Condado Tacos has deals for National Taco Day.

A free taco if offered to any service member at all locations in several states. There are four locations in metro Detroit. The offer is valid any through year-end.

Denny's

Active and retired military receive a free Denny's iconic Original Grand Slam, with two buttermilk pancakes, two strips of applewood smoked bacon, two pork sausage links and two eggs at participating restaurants. The offer is valid for dine-in only from 5 a.m. to noon.

Dunkin

All active and retired military receive a free doughnut of choice. Offer valid in stores only and limit one per guest while supplies last.

Eddie Merlots

Eddies Prime Cheeseburger with fries is free for all veterans and active military. The offer is valid for dine-in only while supplies last. Eddie Merlot's is located in Bloomfield Hills.

Fords Garage

The American Standard burger at Ford's Garage is one of the free offerings for Veteran's Day.

The spot inspired by Ford Motor Co. offers veterans one free American Standard burger or one entre up to $15. In metro Detroit, locations are in Dearborn and Novi.

Hamlin Pub

From open to close on Veterans Day, Hamlin Pub offers veterans a 20% discount on their meal. The offer is valid at all nine Hamlin Pub locations.

IHOP

IHOP offers veterans and active military two specials for Veteran's Day.

A free stack of red, white and blue pancakes or pancakes combo meal is offered 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for dine-in only at participating IHOP restaurants. The offer includes two buttermilk pancakes with glazed strawberries, blueberry topping and whipped topping or its combo of two eggs, hash browns and a choice of two strips of bacon or two pork sausage links.

Logans Roadhouse

Logan's Roadhouse All American burger is one of the free entrees for Veteran's Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A free meal from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday for dine-in only. Choose from a select menu of items, including the All American Cheeseburger, chicken tenders, chopped steak, barbecue grilled pork chop, steaks tips and sides.

McDonald's

All veterans with valid ID receive a free breakfast combo meal at participating McDonalds. The offer includes menu items such as its Egg McMuffin or Bacon Egg Cheese Biscuit served with a hash brown and any size soft drink, tea or coffee.

National Coney Island

This iconic and second-generation family-owned metro Detroit chain of coney island-style restaurants is honoring active and former military with free coneys. The offer is valid for dine-in only at participating National Coney Island locations, including Detroit Metropolitan Airport's Evans Terminal. There's a limit of 2 coneys per person.

Olga's Kitchen

Veterans get a free Olga's Original on Veterans Day.

For Veterans Day, Olgas Kitchen offers a free Original Olga. The offer is valid for dine-in only all Olgas Kitchen and Olgas Fresh Grille locations.

Pilot

A free meal up to $12 for veterans and active service members and their families. Offer valid at with the Pilots myRewards Plus app at participating Pilot, Flying J, and One9 Fuel Network travel centers.

Red Robin

Veterans and active military receive a complimentary Red's Big Tavern Burger served with a choice of its bottomless side including their steak fries, chips, steamed broccoli or side salad. This year is Red Robin's Buy a Vet a Gift Card program where guests can purchased gift cards to be donated to local veterans organizations, according to a news release.

Sheetz

This gas station and convenience store chain recently entered the metro Detroit market with its first location at 33380 Wick Road. in Romulus. On Monday, veterans and active military receive a free half-turkey sub and regular-size fountain drink at any location. Sheetz, based in Altoona Pennsylvania, plans more Michigan locations, including Warren, Eastpointe and Ypsilanti.

Starbucks

A free tall (12-ounce) hot or iced brew coffee for veterans, military service members and military spouses at participating U.S. Starbucks locations. Starbucks is also donating $200,000, shared evenly, to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project to support the Veteran and military communities.

Sullivans Steakhouse

Sullivan's Steakhouse signature angues burger and fries is free for veterans on Veterans Day.

Sullivans signature Angus burger with fries is free for veterans and active military on Monday for dine-in only. In downtown Detroit, Sullivan's Steakhouse is on the ground floor of the Westin Book Cadillac on Washington Boulevard.

Texas Roadhouse

A free meal complimentary meal to veterans and active-duty military. Choose from a select menu of entrees, including a 6-ounce sirloin steak, country fried chicken, pulled pork served with two sides and a soft drink, tea or coffee.

The Big Salad

Veterans receive a free salad at this build-in-your own specialty salad concept. Offered at The Big Salad locations in Grosse Pointe, Owosso and Woodhaven. The Big Salad also offers a selection of pre-designed salads, soups and sandwiches.

Tim Hortons

Veterans can get a free doughnut at Tim Hortons on Veteran's Day.

A free classic doughnut is offered inside restaurants at participating U.S. locations. The offer is not valid for digital orders, pick up or delivery.

Twin Peaks

Free lunch to active and retired military from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. Offer is valid for a select menu at participating locations. For info: twinpeaksrestaurant.com.

Wendy's

Free breakfast combo during its breakfast service hours, no purchase required. Choose from sausage egg and cheese English muffin, breakfast Baconator, or its Honey Buddy chicken biscuit combo. The combos come with a small order of seasoned potatoes and a drink.

White Castle

White Castle serves its sliders in patroitic packaging for Veteran's Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Veterans and active duty service members receive a free individual, combo meal or breakfast combo meal. On Veterans Day White Castle will also serve its sliders in a patriotic package featuring 50 white stars on a navy-blue background.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Veterans Day 2024: Restaurants offer deals, discounts, free meals
Election Day is here. For some voters, its already a nightmare.

Shantae Martin is a lifelong Virginian who cast her first ballot for Barack Obama. But the 37-year-old recently found out through a notice in the mail that her voter registration had been canceled, supposedly because shes a noncitizen.

I was confused, to be honest. I was born and raised in Woodbridge, Virginia, so youve got everything about me and now youre saying that Im an alien, she told NBC4 Washington. Why would you let me vote before and not now?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Martin is one of 1,600 Virginians who have been kicked off voter rolls since August, swept up in Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkins controversial purge.

We didnt expect wed be doing this fight right now, and its targeted, Solomon Ayalew, the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia chapter director for African Communities Together, an immigrant rights organization thats challenging the program, told Capital Bs Christina Carrega. When you look at the rolls and who was purged, a lot of them are recently naturalized, a lot of them are Black and brown.

While 1,600 may seem small, he added, the point isnt the number  its the fact that this is happening at all.

Fortunately for Martin, Virginia is a same-day voter registration state. This means that qualified residents can register and vote in one fell swoop (in Virginia, they can even do this on Election Day). If this purge had happened in a state where theres a waiting period, those who had been wrongfully purged may have been forced to sit out the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This incident reminded me of a piece of advice that a friend casually gave me a few weeks ago: Double-check your voter registration status to make sure that there are no shenanigans going on. The National Conference of State Legislatures has a handy interactive map illustrating which states have same-day voter registration that I recommend you check out.

But registration status isnt the only thing you need to think about as you head to the polls. Below is a brief guide laying out three other things to keep in mind as you prepare to cast your ballot and make your voice heard.

Maybe rethink what youre wearing

At an elections journalism fellowship I participated in over the summer, the head of the Detroit branch of the NAACP joked about how, after Harris ascended to the top of the Democratic Party ticket, his wife was dressed from head to toe in Harris merch.

When his wife goes to vote, however, shell have to leave her merch at home. The swing state of Michigan bans voters from wearing to the polls any material that directly or indirectly makes reference to an election, a candidate, or a ballot question.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Michigan is hardly the only state with prohibitions. To allow people to vote in peace, states outlaw electioneering, or advocating for a specific party or candidate, within a certain distance of a polling place.

In many states, this includes apparel  badges, buttons, banners, and so on  that might indicate your political preference.

I highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the NCSLs page on electioneering restrictions near polling places before you decide to make a political fashion statement at the ballot box.

Know how to report threats

As I wrote in September, election workers are on high alert, fearing the rising abuse that theyve been confronted with since the 2020 presidential election, when former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that Democrats rigged the contest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But voters also should be careful this election season. About 70% of local election officials believe that the threat of violence is a greater issue now than it was in 2020, according to a survey from New York Universitys Brennan Center for Justice published in May.

Before you head to your designated polling place, figure out your options for reporting threats or disturbing behavior. You can call the Election Protection coalitions hotline (866-OUR-VOTE) or the U.S. Department of Justices voting rights hotline (800-253-3931). But you might also have state-specific options.

The electoral battleground of Pennsylvania, for instance, has launched an election hotline, operated by its Department of State. You can call (877) VOTESPA to report threats of violence, or you can submit a complaint online.

And in North Carolina, another swing state, advocates are boosting the poll presence of Black attorneys, in case a voter is concerned about something and wants to turn to a trusted community messenger for help.

Think twice about taking that selfie

Its a completely understandable impulse: Youve just participated in one of our countrys most sacred acts  voting  and now you want to snap a quick selfie with your ballot to mark the occasion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But is that allowed? Well, it depends on the state youre in.

In dozens of states, including California and Virginia, you can take a photo with your ballot. In three states  Arizona, Florida, and West Virginia  youre only permitted to take a photo of your absentee or mail-in ballots, and you must do so at home. In other states, including Texas and South Carolina, photos are out of the question, period. Then, there are a handful of states where the rules arent obvious.

USA Today has a great breakdown of all the states selfie policies.

Be sure to check your local voting regulations or consult with your local election officials before you do something that incurs a fine or some other kind of penalty. Even in states where you can snap that selfie, there may be rules about when you can share your photo.

The post Vibe Check: What Every Black Voter Should Know for Election Day appeared first on Capital B News.
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

Credit: Bernard Barron / AFP / Getty Images

Thousands of Vietnamese people have illegally entered the UK, according to a people smuggler who said that arranging such crossings from Vietnam is a "lucrative business".

Speaking to a BBC reporter, the people smuggler claimed there was "no trafficking involved" and the increasing numbers of people leaving Vietnam for the UK are doing so voluntarily. However, many of them travel under false promises "about the realities and opportunities" for jobs in the UK and many do eventually find themselves trafficked into work for gangs, said the broadcaster.

How many Vietnamese people are crossing the Channel?

The number of Vietnamese people making illegal crossings into the UK has "surged" this year, said Infomigrants. In 2023, there were 1,306 Vietnamese arrivals by sea, but the first half of 2024 alone has seen 2,248 cross the Channel. Government data from May indicated immigrants from Vietnam had become the "single largest group crossing the Channel illegally", said ITV News, the first time that has ever been the case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most of them are "notably young, many just teenagers", said The Guardian. But while the numbers crossing on boats has increased dramatically, the numbers arriving from Vietnam is not new. Rather, people-smuggling gangs have switched to using "boats rather than the back of trucks" due to tighter "surveillance and policing at ports" brought in after Brexit.

"The so-called surge or change in patterns we might see now is not due to changes happening now," modern slavery expert Mimi Vu told the newspaper. "It can take months, even years, to get from Vietnam to the UK."

Why are they leaving Vietnam?

For the most part, to find better employment. Many who travel west go to "seek better lives and to wire back money" to their families in Vietnam, considering the dangerous crossing worth the risk, said The Guardian.

"Failing businesses and debts" were cited as push factors for many migrants, said the BBC. A migrant awaiting passage to the UK near Dunkirk told the broadcaster: "Life in Vietnam is difficult. I couldnt find a proper job. I tried to open a shop, but it failed. I was unable to pay back the loan, so I must find a way to earn money."

How do they get to the UK?

Smugglers take advantage of Vietnam's "diplomatic relations between their country and the countries from the former Soviet bloc" to get people into Europe, said Infomigrants.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With Russian visas now harder to obtain, many are now seeking legal work visas from Hungary (sometimes using forged documents), which are then used to travel through Europe to the French coast.

Speaking to an undercover Sky News reporter, another smuggler said "nobody would actually work" in the countries issuing the visas. "It's just a ruse to get into Europe and eventually the UK." Trafficking gangs have exploited a variety of routes to bring migrants into the EU, including student visas for "study programmes in Malta".

Once migrants reach the French coast, the traffickers then arrange a crossing, which is carried out by "one of the Kurdish gangs that control the small boat crossings", said the BBC. This kind of travel from Vietnam to mainland Europe and on to the UK can cost "between $15,000 (11,570) and $20,000 (15,470)".

What happens to them when they arrive?

If they successfully make the crossing over the Channel, those migrants without families or friends already in the UK are often put to work by the smuggling gangs who meet them on the other side, usually "in nail bars, or more rarely in cannabis farms", said Infomigrants.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many are also "coming to work in the sex industry", said The Times. Women now make up more than three-quarters of arrivals, many bringing "a significant amount" of contraception with them.

The previous UK government had confirmed it was in talks with the Vietnamese authorities to try to reduce the number of people making the journey, as well as with Hungarian officials over the issuing of work visas allowing Vietnamese migrants to enter the Schengen zone.
The View host and former White House staffer Alyssa Farah Griffin has revealed she voted Democrat for the very first time in the 2024 US presidential election.

During the talk shows Election Day episode, which aired on Tuesday (November 5), Farah Griffin  who served as director of strategic communications during former president Donald Trumps administration  publicly shared that she cast her vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Farah Griffin, 35, began the segment by explaining her reasoning for voting for the Democratic presidential candidate. Four years ago today, I was in the White House with Donald Trump on election night, the former press secretary for the Department of Defense said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I was there standing next to one of his cabinet officials when Arizona was called for Joe Biden, and when it became increasingly clear that he was gonna lose, she continued. I believed he deserved to lose that night. At that point, I thought he hadnt fought to win the election, but I thought the next four years would be the Republican Party rebuilding and becoming something I could believe in and turning the page on Donald Trump  and it didnt do that.

Farah Griffin then announced that for the first time in my life, I voted for a Democrat, as both her co-hosts and the studio audience erupted in applause. Sara Haines, Joy Behar, and Sunny Hostin all clapped for Farah Griffin, while Whoopi Goldberg remained stoic in her chair.

Former Trump administration official Alyssa Farah Griffin reveals she voted Democrat for the very first time (ABC/The View)

I consider my vote on loan to her, the ex-Trump aide continued. Im worried about the direction Donald Trump will take this country and I take my own warning seriously. What I saw is very real.

The View co-host said she was simply searching for a candidate whos a kind and decent person who will bring this country together. Although Farah Griffin admitted she doesnt agree with a lot of [Harriss] policies, she explained that her reason for supporting the Democrat was to focus on a brighter future.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think the best thing for the country and the future of the Republican Party is that Donald Trump loses and Kamala Harris is elected, Farah Griffin concluded.

"For the first time in my life, I voted for a Democrat."@AlyssaFarah Griffin on her decision to vote for Kamala Harris: "I think the best thing for the future of the country and the future of the Republican Party is that Donald Trump will lose and Kamala Harris is elected." pic.twitter.com/NZR5FxYQmq  The View (@TheView) November 5, 2024

Before joining the ABC daytime talk show, Farah Griffin served as special assistant to President Trump from October 2017 to September 2019 and press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence. She was then appointed press secretary for the Department of Defense and director of media affairs. In April 2020, she joined the White House as director of strategic communications.

However, Farah Griffin has been an outspoken critic of Trump since the January 6 attack on the US Capitol building, for which she blamed Trump and suggested he should resign. Since joining The View in July 2022, the political commentator has also declared that she will never vote for Trump again.

Farah Griffin is the latest of Trumps former allies and cabinet members whove declined to endorse the Republican nominee in his reelection campaign. Earlier this year, former vice president Pence refused to endorse his ex-running mate in the 2024 election. Meanwhile, former defense secretaries Chuck Hagel and William Cohen; former CIA directors Michael Hayden and William Webster; and former Trump administration officials Miles Taylor and Olivia Troye are among the list of 100 prominent Trump officials who claimed he was unfit to serve again as President, or indeed in any office of public trust.

In October, just weeks before the election, former chief of staff John Kelly claimed Trump met the definition of a fascist. A group of 13 former aides later backed Kellys comments in an open letter, highlighting the danger of a potential second Trump term. Farah Griffin was among the former Trump administration officials who signed the letter.
By David Latona and Horaci Garcia

PAIPORTA, Spain (Reuters) - Vigilante groups, angry at authorities' response to Spain's worst flood disaster in decades, have taken to the streets of the Valencian suburb of Paiporta to prevent what they say are widespread robberies and looting after dark.

The informally organised groups of stick-wielding locals are patrolling one of the worst-affected areas, where more than 60 out of at least 217 victims of the disaster died.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Martin, 19, told Reuters that he and his friends were taking the law into their own hands because they believed police were not carrying out their duty to maintain public safety.

"We're patrolling because we don't want our neighbours to feel the insecurity they've been feeling the past few days due to various robberies," he said. "People have already lost enough."

Public anger has mounted over what residents say was a slow and insufficient response by authorities, which led to King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez being pelted with mud during their visit on Sunday.

Six days after the torrential rains, the street lights on most of Paiporta's rubble-strewn streets do not work. Foul-smelling, stagnant water remains ankle-deep, concealing hazards such as uncovered manholes or damaged cables.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Speaking at a press conference in Madrid on Tuesday, Sanchez paid tribute to the work of the national police and civil guard.

"I remember at the first moments of this emergency there was talk of looting," Sanchez said. "Today fortunately we are observing that this looting is falling to absolutely marginal figures. More than 170 people have been detained."

National police have shared footage of seized items, mostly sportswear such as high-end running shoes.

Spain has now sent almost 15,000 police and armed forces personnel from all over Spain to the Valencia region to help clear up after the disaster.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A police spokesperson told Reuters the director general of Spain's national police force, Francisco Pardo Piquero, would give a press conference at the government headquarters later on Tuesday in which he would address looting, among other topics.

Some of the volunteers on patrols wore T-shirts emblazoned with far-right symbols or said they belonged to "patriotic" groups. Others denied having extremist ideologies and accused the media of manipulating public opinion against them.

Reuters did not witness any encounters between alleged criminals and the vigilante groups.

"We're carrying tools for safety and wearing head torches so that when they see us coming, with a bit of luck they'll run away," said Zaida Puerta, 21, holding a hoe.

(Reporting by David Latona and Horaci Garcia; Editing by Charlie Devereux and Sharon Singleton)
Two men were arrested in Michigan on Election Day: one man was allegedly sending threatening communications and spoke of killing Donald Trump to authorities during an FBI interview, and the other man  who feds claim boasted of his extremist ties in his communications  for vowing to injure or kill members of an unnamed political action committee.

The FBI and Justice Department announced the arrests on Tuesday afternoon.

According to authorities, Michigan man Isaac Sissel, 25, was arrested and charged with sending threatening communications on Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FBI said in court records that the social media site Reddit had voluntarily reported disturbing messages from a user with the name ShootUpTrumpRally, who also went by similar monikers like WillShootTrumpSoon and PlanningToShootTrump.

Authorities said they were able to identify Sissel by tracking his IP address back to the University of Michigan. According to court records, the FBI National Threat Center in West Virginia received an anonymous threat on its website on Nov. 2.

The threat stated: I shall carry out an attack against conservative christian [sic] filth in the event trump wins the election. I have stolen ar1 and a target I refuse to to name so I can continue to get away with my plans. Without a specific victim or ability to find the place I hid the gun, theres not a thing the FBI can do until I complete the attack.

The FBI said it responded to the message by asking about access to weapons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I already have that shit, a reply read.

Authorities said they were able to track the message back to Sissels phone and then interviewed him at a Travelodge motel in Canton on Monday.

No firearms, ammunition or other similar equipment were found, but agents said that wasnt surprising because Sissel had claimed that he hid the gun.

During the interview, Sissel allegedly remarked that Trump was a threat and a piece of shit and that he believed Trump should have been assassinated.

Sissel said that he wouldnt kill Trump, but if he knew someone was going to assassinate Trump that it was his (Sissels) duty not to intervene, an FBI affidavit states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Though authorities located Sissel in Ann Arbor, he allegedly told them that he had access to firearms while living in Washington state but not while in Michigan. The FBI said it does not appear that he has maintained a consistent residence and that Sissel had IDs from New York and Washington.

Sissel was in Michigan on the same day Trump had a rally in the state.

After his arrest on Tuesday morning, Sissel made his first appearance before a magistrate judge, and records show he is currently detained. His next court date will be Nov. 7 at 1 p.m.

Elsewhere in Michigan, authorities arrested and charged Jackson resident Christopher Pierce, 46.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An FBI affidavit reviewed by HuffPost Tuesday shows that Pierce is accused of sending two online messages on Oct. 2 threatening to injure or kill people associated with a political action committee. The PAC is not named in court records.

Prosecutors said that Pierce used a readily identifiable Gmail account to send messages to the PAC. In the field to enter his name on a message form sent to the PAC, Pierce allegedly wrote: Your worst fucking nightmare.

The message vowed to find each and every one of your fucking organizees [sic] and seemed to suggest that he may be a member  or at least sympathetic to  the far-right Three Percenters network.

Im a member of that American patriotfucking three bitch. And we will turn you motherfuckers inside out. Ive already managed to locate one of your callcenters [sic]..You will shut this shit down or we will shut it down for you permanently, the message continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It also called Vice President Kamala Harris Kamala Harrisis, a reference to the terrorist network Isis.

A separate electronic communication Pierce is accused of sending in October vowed that the Americanpatriot three were trained killers who were trained by Uncle Sam and that the PACs call centers have been located.

Dont make these boys and girlsgo [sic] to work, Pierce allegedly wrote.

The FBI said it interviewed Pierce at his home in Jackson on Oct. 30, and he was generally hostile to agents as he spoke to them through his front screen door.

Agents said they read Pierces messages back to him, but he stated he did not see the emails as threatening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Prosecutors noted in a criminal complaint that this isnt the first time Pierce has been involved in allegedly making threats.

On June 29, 2022, the FBI alleges that Pierce used an Instagram account with the user name pierce_overheard_door to lash out at a witness who testified publicly before the now-defunct House select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Court records do not name the witness, but the date of Pierces alleged post would suggest he was referring to witness Cassidy Hutchinson, a former assistant to Donald Trumps onetime chief of staff, Mark Meadows.

Hutchsinon delivered explosive testimony to the Jan. 6 committee, including revelations that the former president knew that rioters were armed but believed they wouldnt hurt him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The June 29message from Pierce cited by prosecutors declared that what comes next would make January 6th look like a Sunday stroll through the park and that Hutchinson was committing career suicide.

Where exactly in the world does she think shes gonna be able to hide from one of the worlds [sic] wealthiest men in his army? Because theres not a politician in this country that would come within 100 miles of this bitch now! You cant be trusted! And we all know what happens to snitches, Pierce allegedly wrote.

FBI agents said they interviewed Pierce at his home in September 2022 about those messages. Agents claimed they also asked Pierce about a comment he made suggesting there would be no 2024 election. In response, Pierce allegedly told agents that he was trying to emphasize an ongoing movement encouraging voters not to cast a vote at all.

He stated that the federal government was fake and illegitimate anyway, which, he opined, was why the FBI was at his door to intimidate him, an FBI affidavit states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During that same interview, the agents said they warned Pierce that making threats could lead to criminal federal charges. Pierce allegedly responded that soon the country will descend into civil war.

It is unclear if Pierce has retained an attorney. He was released on bond of $10,000 and appears in court next on Nov. 26.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel told CNN Tuesday afternoon that the state has received threats that are serious in nature as polling is underway but that none were deemed credible.

Related...
Social media users, including actress Roseanne Barr and a Republican National Committee official, are circulating a quote attributed to Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland in which he claims we wont be certifying the election if Donald Trump wins. The quote is fabricated.

On Monday evening, an X user with more than 150,000 followers tweeted: BREAKING: Jamie Raskin said, Let folks cast their votes for Trump if thats their choice. But mark my words, we wont be certifying the election. He might win, but well ensure he doesnt step foot in the Oval Office. The post, which includes a photo of Raskin but does not link to a news story or other potential source of the quote, has received 7.2 million views as of Tuesday afternoon, less than 24 hours after it was posted.

Republican National Committee official Harmeet Dhillon, who currently leads the Arizona GOPs Election Integrity Team, responded to the quote, and tweeted, Isnt this an insurrection? Actress Roseanne Barr tweeted the quote to her 1.4 million followers, adding the quote is from the people who say we are a threat to democracy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Odds are quite high this is provocation meant to result in violence in order to justify doing exactly what hes saying, Republican New Hampshire state legislator Mike Belcher tweeted in response. Consider everything theyre going to be throwing at you designed to elicit a certain reaction from you.

Vote today to piss off this insurrectionist Jamie Raskin, right-wing internet personality Rogan OHandley, whose DC Draino X account has more than 1.8 million followers, tweeted on Tuesday.

Raskin responded to the tweet in a post and stated he had not said anything of the sort. This fictional quote is 100% fabricated, Raskin tweeted on Tuesday from his official congressional X account. Its one more lie in the stream of right-wing lies designed to undermine our election. Despite this actionable libel and all the disinformation, America is having a free and fair election and Congress will certify the winner.

In addition to Raskins denial, The Dispatch Fact Check could find no instances of the quote appearing in any news stories or social media posts. While the quote that is going viral is fabricated, Raskin has a history of calling into question Trumps eligibility for office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Earlier this month, Raskin told Axios that if Trump won a free, fair and honest election, then we would obviously accept it, when asked whether he would consider objecting to the electoral votes cast in the 2024 race. However, he added the former president is doing whatever he can to try to interfere with the process, whether were talking about manipulating electoral college counts in Nebraska or manipulating the vote count in Georgia or imposing other kinds of impediments.

In December 2023, Raskin defended Colorado and Maines decision not to allow Trump to appear on the ballot, arguing the former president is disqualified from holding public office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Donald Trump is in that tiny, tiny number of people who have essentially disqualified themselves, Raskin said live on CNN. Well, thats the rules of the Constitution, he added.

The text of that section reads:

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Supreme Court took up the Colorado case and in March ruled in an unsigned opinion that only Congress, not the states, had the authority to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Shortly after oral arguments in Trump v. Anderson but before the ruling came down, Raskin spoke on the issue at a bookstore in Washington D.C. Last night, I was most worried about the Supreme Courts prospective imminent abdication of its very clear duty to disqualify Donald Trump from the ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, and what that might mean if their decision says that its really up to Congress on January 5 or January 6, 2025, to disqualify him at the counting of the Electoral College votes, which really could lead to something akin to civil war, he said.

Later, at the same event, Raskin accused the Supreme Court of misinterpreting the Insurrection Clause, which he said the court was just disappearing with a magic wand as if it doesnt exist.

They want to kick it to Congress so its going to be up to us on January 6, 2025, to tell the rampaging Trump mobs that hes disqualified and then we need bodyguards for everybody in civil war conditions, Raskin said. All because the nine justicesnot all of thembut these justices who  simply do not want to do their job and interpret what the great 14th Amendment means.

The Dispatch Fact Check has reached out to Raskins congressional office for comment and clarification on his current views regarding congressional certification of the 2024 presidential electors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

Read more at The Dispatch

The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free.
As Election Day drew close, the candidates in the 2nd Congressional District have brought out big political names to help them make their cases to voters.

The race is one of a few close races nationwide that may determine which party controls the House of Representatives  and recent polls suggest the race will be very close. With that in mind, the leaders of both parties in the House have been to Hampton Roads in the last week.

On Monday night, House Speaker Mike Johnson came to Virginia Beach for incumbent Congresswoman Jen Kiggans. He opened the Red, White and Blue Rally for Kiggans on the lawn beside the Ballyhoos restaurant and bar Monday night and was joined by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Attorney General Jason Miyares and former governor and senator George Allen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kiggans accused her Democratic challenger, Missy Cotter Smasal, of running a misinformation campaign based on lies and falsehood without citing specific statements, while she said shes based hers on truth, integrity and honesty.

Kiggans said the biggest problem she has with the Biden-Harris administration is the lack of prioritizing the Department of Defense and those who serve in the military. She said shes running for the families of those who were on an extended deployment on the USS Eisenhower to support Israel.

We have to focus on their quality of life issues, their pay and compensation, their housing, their health care, their child care and their spouse employment, Kiggans said.

Youngkin said the Biden administration unleashed chaos on the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A weak America invites chaos, but let me tell you, Donald Trump and Jen Kiggans will fix it, Youngkin said. Jen Kiggans is going to stand strong for Virginia and stand strong for America.

757 Votes: The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press 2024 election guide

Johnson began his speech by taking a video of the crowd he said hed send to Trump. Johnson said the Democratic Party has now become a party of actual Marxists seeking to move the country towards communism.

Were in a battle right now between a group of people who dont revere the founding principles of the country, they want to replace them, he said. Were going to defend the founding principles of the country and the reason were going to win is because we have people like Jen Kiggans in the battle with us.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last week, Cotter Smasal was joined by the man who hopes to succeed Johnson as speaker  House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries  in an event at Virginia Wesleyan University.

Do you know that your vote can protect reproductive rights, that your vote can protect voting rights, and that your vote is essential to protecting our beloved democracy? Cotter Smasal said, 13 News Now reported.

Jeffries described Cotter Smasal, a former Navy surface warfare officer and former small-business owner, as exactly the type of person that should be serving in the United States Congress.

Former President Barack Obama on Monday recorded an auto-call urging the public to vote for Cotter Smasal, saying, This year your vote is more important than ever and adding that if the Democrats can flip the majority in the House, they will fight to lower costs, protect reproductive freedom, and move our country forward.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The latest poll from Christopher Newport Universitys Wason Center for Civic Leadership shows Kiggans with a 1-point lead in the Republican-leaning district. Kiggans has 46% support among likely voters compared to Cotter Smasals 45%.

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com
(NewsNation)  Virginia voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

Presidential race in Virginia

US Senate race in Virginia

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, who is seeking a third term to maintain Virginias Senate seat for the Democrats, will face off against Republican challenger Hung Cao, a retired Navy captain.

US House race in Virginia

At the U.S. House level, all five of Virginias congressional incumbents face challenges including Republican Rob Wittman (1st District). Wittman is facing Democrat and former American Civil Liberty Union attorney Leslie Mehta.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican Jen Kiggans (2nd District) is seeking a second term in what has been a swing district within the state and is set to face fellow Navy veteran Missy Cotter Smasal.

In the 5th District, Virginia State Sen. John McGuire is hoping to keep the traditionally red district for the Republicans in his race against political newcomer Democrat Gloria Witt.

Statewide ballot measures in Virginia

Voters will also consider a proposed constitutional amendment that would change the language in the constitution that provides property tax exemptions for veterans and spouses. If approved, the wording in the amendment would say that a soldier died in the line of duty rather than being killed in action.

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day. Virginia has 13 Electoral College votes and remained reliably Republican between the 1952 and 2004 presidential elections before shifting to the Democrats between 2008 and 2020. Biden defeated Trump in that election in the state by 10%.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
The state Capitol. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)

 Virginia reaches $29 million opioid settlement with Kroger.  WDBJ

 Irvo Otienos mom weeps on his grave after hearing cases likely to be dropped.  Richmond Times-Dispatch

 Virginia constitutional amendment could expand property tax exemptions for military spouses.WAVY

 Roanoke lags state, nation in most health outcome data.Roanoke Times

 Convicted killer clown arrested in Virginia released from prison for the murder of her husbands then-wife.  The Virginian-Pilot

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
(Getty Images)

LINCOLN  A virtual listening session is to be held Friday, Nov. 8, on housing programs administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

The 10:30 a.m. session, hosted by the DED, is to capture feedback, insight and ideas pertaining to the agencys housing programs.

This is an opportunity to share your housing development perspective and experience to help identify ways in which programs and processes can better address the growing need for affordable housing in Nebraska, according to a flier by the DED.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Registration is required by 5 p.m. Wednesday to participate, it said.

DED spokeswoman Kate Ellingson said a variety of programs could be discussed during the session and it is not limited to any particular ones.

Other in-person listening sessions were held Oct. 22 (in North Platte and Kearney) and Oct. 23 (in Lincoln and Omaha).

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Voters at Anchorage City Hall wait in line to cast their ballots on Monday, the day before Election Day. City hall, in downtown Anchorage, was one of the designated early voting sites in the state's largest city; however, it is not an Election Day polling site. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Across Alaskas sprawling distances and for Alaskans living temporarily out of state, there are multiple options for casting ballots. Alaska is a no-excuse state for absentee voting, meaning anyone who wants to vote absentee may do so. Alaskans are also able to vote outside their precincts and legislative districts, although there may be some extra paperwork required to do that.

Election Day procedures

Need help on how to vote? Read the Alaska Beacon 2024 Voter Guide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Election Day, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Election Day procedures are explained by the Alaska Division of Elections. To validate their eligibility, voters need to bring a voter identification card, drivers license, state ID, other photo ID, passport or even a hunting or fishing license. If those identifiers are not available, voters can present a current utility bill or paycheck, government check or bank statement or any other government-issued document, as long as those show the voters addresses, according to the division.

Where to vote

Registered voters can locate their precincts through the Alaska Division of Elections website.

Schools are commonly used as polling sites, and the states two largest school districts have made special arrangements for Election Day that ensure that students will not be filling buildings. In the Anchorage School District, it is a designated distance-learning day, and in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, it is a professional development day for teachers.

Absentee in-person voting

For people who are not in their home precincts or do not know where their precincts are located, there are other Election Day options.There are several sites within the state that fully accommodate voters who are casting ballots outside of the designated precincts and legislative districts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the five Alaska Division of Elections regional offices: in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, Wasilla and Nome. Another all-comers polling site is at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Also open on Election Day are polling sites at the University of Alaska student union and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Wood Center. In the North Slope oil field area, voters can use a polling site at Prudhoe Bays Service Area 10 Camp Building 8.

These polling sites have ballots corresponding to every legislative district in the state. While in-person absentee voting is available elsewhere, only the Division of Elections offices, the airport and the university and Prudhoe Bay sites have ballots for every state House district.

Questioned ballots

Voters who show up at precincts but find that they are not on the list of eligible voters can still cast ballots, as long as they submit some additional identifying information. Their ballots are kept separate and classified as questioned, meaning they are provisional and will be reviewed later to ensure voter eligibility.

Eligible voters who cast questioned ballots will have their votes on statewide contests counted, but whether their choices in legislative races count will depend on the precinct location. Out-of-precinct voters will be given ballots for the legislative district to which the precinct belongs. If voters submitting questioned ballots are in the correct district, their legislative choices will count even if their ballots are cast in the wrong precinct.

Voting by mail

Alaskans intending to vote by mail should have received their ballots at least 10 days prior to the election. The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot was Oct. 6; applications had to be postmarked by then.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Returned ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, though the U.S. Postal Service has advised voters around the nation to mail their ballots earlier. If you are mailing your ballot on Monday or Tuesday, go inside a local post office and ask to have it postmarked by hand. In Alaska, most mail is automatically postmarked in Anchorage or Juneau, so a ballot mailed elsewhere in the state may not be postmarked for several days.

Because of the size of the envelope, ballots returned by mail must have two first-class postage stamps, according to the division.

Absentee ballots must arrive within 10 days of Election Day to be counted in Alaska, or within 15 days if they are mailed from outside the United States.

There is an option to bypass the mail system. Completed absentee ballots may be dropped off at any polling location. Polling sites have drop boxes specifically for that purpose.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There is also an option, albeit a little-used one, to vote by fax or electronically. However, any voters wanting a ballot sent to them by fax or email had to have the request submitted to the division by 5 p.m. Alaska time on Monday. Absentee ballots may not be returned electronically.

Voters needing assistance

Voters with physical disabilities are entitled to assistance at polling locations. That means those voters can be accompanied by a helper, as long as that person is not a candidate, your employer, an agent of your employer, or an agent of your union, the Division of Elections website says. Voters needing such assistance can also get it from workers at polling places.

The Division of Elections, according to its website, provides magnifying viewers for the visually impaired and voting tablets with magnified text and audio ballots for those who need them to vote.

Polling sites are required to be fully accessible to the disabled, even if that means installation of temporary amenities like wheelchair ramps and easier-to-use doorknobs. Alaska election officials in the past have fallen short of those legal requirements, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

When is it over?

Polls in almost all of Alaska close at 8 p.m. Alaska Standard Time, or midnight Eastern Standard Time, which puts the state in a tie with Hawaii for the latest closing time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What if there are still crowds at poll-closing time? Stay put, the Division of Elections advises. If voters are in line by 8pm, they should stay in line. Election officials will process all voters who are in line by 8 pm, Michaela Thompson, the divisions operations manager, said by email.

There is one exception to the 8 p.m. Alaska Standard Time closure.

Adak, the nations westernmost municipality, is on Hawaii-Aleutian time, one hour behind mainland Alaska. There is only one precinct on the islands, at Bob Reeves High School, but it has the distinction of being the last U.S. precinct to close in the election. That precinct is open until 8 p.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Time, which is 1 a.m. Wednesday morning Eastern Standard Time.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
A driver drops off a ballot at a drop box in Parker on June 28, 2022. (Carl Payne for Colorado Newsline)

More than 2 million Coloradans have already cast their ballots in the 2024 election. If youre eligible to vote, its not too late to join them.

Decision 2024: On-the-ground election coverage in Colorado and by local reporters in all 50 states. Fair. Fearless. Free.

Up and down the ballot, theres a lot at stake. Coloradans will award the states 10 electoral votes in the race between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump. At the state level, voters will decide whether to give Democrats supermajorities in the Colorado General Assembly and weigh in on a list of ballot issues ranging from abortion rights to a sweeping elections overhaul.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The polls in Colorado will close at 7 p.m. today. Any eligible Colorado voter can make their voice heard before then.

If youre an active, registered voter who received a ballot in the mail, its too late to return it by mailing it back. Instead, place it in a secure ballot drop box or take it to a voter service and polling center. You can enter your address and find a list of nearby drop boxes and polling places on the Colorado secretary of states website.

If you are a registered voter but did not receive a ballot, you can still vote by visiting an in-person polling center before 7 p.m. You can also choose to vote in person even if you received a mail ballot and have not yet returned it. Coloradans who vote in person must provide identification; a list of valid forms of ID is available here.

Its not too late to register to vote and cast your ballot in the 2024 election. Colorado has same-day voter registration for all eligible voters. You can register online or by visiting a polling center before 7 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Not sure if youre registered? Coloradans can check their voter registration status at the secretary of states website.

Whats on your ballot

In addition to the presidential election, Coloradans will elect representatives from each of the states eight congressional districts, with both parties looking to secure a narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

[2024 Voter Guide: Congressional candidates and ballot measures.]

All 65 seats in the Colorado House of Representatives, along with 18 of 35 state Senate seats, are also up for election. Colorado Democrats are looking to protect their two-thirds supermajority in the House and pick up another seat to give them the same level of control in the Senate. Dual supermajorities would give Democrats more authority to override vetoes, change floor rules and refer constitutional amendments to the ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other state offices up for election this year include district attorneys in all 23 of Colorados judicial districts; three of nine seats on the University of Colorado Board of Regents; four of nine seats on the State Board of Education; and eight of 15 seats on the Denver-area Regional Transportation District.

Coloradans will also decide the fate of 14 different statewide ballot measures, including seven amendments to the state Constitution.

Read more about the candidates and ballot measures in Newslines 2024 voter guide.

Checking the status of your ballot

Colorados BallotTrax service allows voters to monitor the status of their mail ballot via phone, email or text notifications. Voters can also check the status of their 2024 ballot at any time by entering their registration information on the secretary of states website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On average, about one to two percent of mail ballots in each election in Colorado are rejected because of a signature discrepancy or other issue. Voters whose ballots are rejected should receive a BallotTrax notification or a letter from their county elections office, which will include the steps they need to take to cure the problem and ensure their ballot is counted.

Colorados TXT2Cure program allows voters to fix signature discrepancies using their smartphones. If a voter is notified of a discrepancy, they can text the word Colorado to 2VOTE (28683) and click on the link they get as a reply. They will then be taken through the steps to verify their signature and identification.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. While millions of voters in Michigan have already cast their ballots thanks to absentee ballots and the early-voting period that wrapped up Sunday, many more Michiganders will flock to the polls throughout Tuesday.

If you're one of those voters, here's what you need to know, including how to check your voter registration status, what you need to bring to the polls and more.

Am I registered to vote in Michigan?

If you're unsure if you're already registered to vote, you can check your registration status online at michigan.gov/vote.

Can I still register to vote in Michigan on Election Day?

Yes. In Michigan, you can register to vote up until polls close on Election Day at your local clerk's office with proof of residency. If you're unsure if you're already registered to vote, you can check your registration status by visiting michigan.gov/vote. There, you can also find the address of your local clerk's office.

Who is eligible to vote in Michigan?

To register to vote in Michigan, you must be:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A U.S. citizen

A Michigan resident for at least 30 days by the time you vote

At least 17.5 years old, and be 18 by Election Day

Not currently serving a jail or prison sentence

Within 14 days of an election (including on Election Day itself), you must provide proof of residency. This can include:

Your Michigan drivers license or state ID

A current utility bill

A bank statement

A paycheck or government check

Another government document

At your local clerk's office, you can register to vote, request and return an absentee ballot on Election Day itself.

What time do polls open in Michigan?

Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. local time in Michigan. If you are in line at 8 p.m., you are still permitted to vote.

What should I expect at the polls?

Once you arrive at the polls, you'll be asked to check in with local election workers. The election staff will provide you with a ballot or another option to vote if additional accommodation is needed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You will be asked to provide a form of photo ID to vote. If you don't have an ID, you can still vote. You'll be asked to sign a form verifying your identity.

Here's a list of valid forms of photo ID, according to the Michigan Secretary of State's Office:

Michigan driver's license or state ID (may be expired)

Driver's license or state ID issued by another state

Federal, state or local government-issued photo ID

U.S. passport

Military photo ID

Photo ID from an educational institution

Tribal photo ID

What's on my ballot in Michigan? Key races, where to find sample ballot for 2024

Where can I find my local polling place?

You can find your polling precinct by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote. There, you can enter your address and the site will provide your polling place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Election Day, in-person voting must take place at your assigned polling place. Bigger cities and townships typically have multiple polling locations, so make sure you arrive at the correct one.

Looking for more on Michigans elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What do I need to vote in Michigan? How to check registration
Early voting in Sedgwick County is over, so if you havent cast your vote, youll have to do so at your assigned polling place on Election Day.

There have been several ways to vote throughout Kansas election season: in person early, in person on the day or through a mail-in ballot.

Mail-in ballots have a deadline to apply and have to be returned in person by Election Day or via mail, postmarked by Nov. 5 and received by Friday, Nov. 8. But what if you requested a mail-in ballot but changed your mind? Can you choose to vote in person instead?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Kansas, those who requested a mail-in ballot can still vote in person, but they will be given a provisional ballot at a polling place to make sure they only vote once.

Voters who vote through provisional ballots will receive guidance on how to make sure their ballot was counted. Provisional ballots will be considered at the county canvass and will be kept in a sealed envelope by election officials until they determine that the voter is qualified to vote.

According to Sedgwick County, there are multiple reasons why someone would be required to cast a provisional ballot. In the mail-in ballot case, the reason would be that the voter was listed in the registration book as an advance voter.

Other reasons include:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voters name is listed different in their registration

Voters address is different then the address theyre registered under

Voter is unable to show their ID to poll workers (the voter will have to provide a copy of their ID to the election office before the county canvass)

Sedgwick County polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. You can find your polling place by entering your first and last name as well as your date of birth on the Kansas Secretary of States VoterView website.

As long as youre in line by 7 p.m., you can cast your vote.
Election Day is finally here.

The polls in South Carolina will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., during which time, registered voters can cast their ballots for the U.S. president and a host of other state and local offices.

But how familiar are you with voting in the state? For many, this will be their first time voting. While for others, it has been many years since they decided to enter a polling place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In any case, heres a last-minute refresher course on how to navigate South Carolinas modern voting system and cast a ballot, according to the South Carolina Election Commission.

How to vote in SC
While over 1.1 million Minnesotans have cast their ballot early this election, millions more are expected to vote on Election Day.

Polling places will be open across Minnesota from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, and any eligible voters in line by 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Voters can find their polling place at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us and view a sample ballot here.

Under the law, all voters have the right to take off work to vote without losing pay, personal leave or vacation time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Minnesotans with a felony conviction may also legally vote, following a change to Minnesota law adopted in 2023.

Credit: Joe Nelson

All voters may register to vote in person at their polling place on Election Day.

Information for absentee voters

Voters who mailed their ballots early are advised to confirm their ballot was received using the Minnesota Secretary of State Office's tracking tool here.

Voters whose ballots have not been accepted as of Tuesday morning are advised to vote in person, as voters are allowed to vote in person as long as elections officials haven't received and counted their mail ballots.

"Voters are given ballots as long as the City has not received and counted mail ballots from them," a press release from the City of Minneapolis explains. "Any uncounted mail ballots from people who have voted in person will be cancelled and not counted (even if election officials receive it later)."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voters who've completed an absentee ballot but have not mailed it yet can drop their ballot off in person at their designated elections office or secure drop box no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office.

It's important to note that absentee ballots can not be dropped off at polling places. Minnesota voters can find where they can deliver their ballot here.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Did you cast your vote in the 2024 General Election but did not get an I Voted sticker? Or perhaps you voted by mail and accidentally tossed the sticker that came with your ballot into the garbage.

The good news is youre not out of luck and you can still get your coveted I Voted sticker.

LIST: Election Day deals offering free food, discounted rides, and more

Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman told ABC4.com that voters who are missing their sticker can visit any polling location to get a replacement. Utahns can also swing by her office at the Salt Lake County buildings located at 2001 South State Street.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Chapman said they have a few different options available for voters including the standard red sticker featuring Utahs silhouette over the o in voted. Also available is the new mountains sticker featuring a gradient red mountain against a blue background that is found in pamphlets sent with the mail-in ballots

If neither of those stickers strikes you as appealing, Chapman said her office still has a few of the Utah Women I Voted stickers that were available in the 2020 election.

ABC4 also reached out to several other County Clerks in Utah asking if replacement stickers were available but have not heard back at the time of publishing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
A year-old voter identification law in Idaho has made it more onerous for some residents to register to vote, preventing dozens of voters in Ada County from voting in this years election so far.

Ada County Clerk Trent Tripple told the Idaho Statesman on Monday by phone that he estimates upwards of 100 people so far in Ada Countys early voting have been unable to register to vote because of the new requirements. Election Day is Tuesday; Idaho allows same-day voter registration.

It feels like I am denying legitimate citizens who have proved residency the ability to vote because of this strict ID requirement, Tripple said. He said hes seen the problem affecting people who have recently moved into a senior home, or others who have recently moved to Idaho from another state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They really want to vote and they just dont have the ability to do that, even though they can prove their citizenship and their residence, he said. Thats the hurdle Ive seen has been artificially built now.

In 2023, Idaho lawmakers passed House Bill 340, which changed a range of voter documentation requirements, including removing student IDs as a valid form of identification at the polls. The new law also allows voters to obtain a free ID from the state if they do not have a drivers license. The law requires registering voters to meet a two-pronged documentation requirement: prove their identity and prove their residency. One of the changes is that the state now only accepts valid Idaho drivers licenses, whereas previously voters could register with an out-of-state drivers license along with documentation proving they now reside in Idaho, Tripple said.

Without a passport or another form of federal photo ID, an out-of-state license or expired Idaho license is not sufficient. And a resident who has moved into a senior-living facility must re-register because of the address change but may not have an active license.

I dont think not having a current Idaho drivers license should be the impediment to them voting, Tripple said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For some residents, the problem could be solved by getting an Idaho drivers license. For instance, a voter who has a copy of their birth certificate, an out-of-state drivers license and proof of residency (a rental agreement, pay stub or bank statement with their current address, etc.) has the documentation needed to get an in-state drivers license. But if they only realized the problem in the past few days, they likely were out of luck  the DMV in Ada County operates by appointment only, and, as of Monday night, was booked out for more than a week past Election Day. (However, residents of any county are allowed to go to any DMV office in the state, and some accept walk-ins.)

The intent behind some of the legislators that pushed this  was to simplify and standardize (the process), but were now seeing that this isnt as simple as some people thought it would be, said Tripple, who is a Republican.

The bills sponsors were Rep. Brandon Mitchell, R-Moscow; Rep. Joe Palmer, R-Meridian; and Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane.

McGrane told the Statesman by phone that, We are anticipating this could be a challenge for some voters (on Election Day), specifically who moved to the state recently.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said that in 2023 he initially supported and helped draft a different bill, House Bill 126, which made similar voter registration changes but would have still allowed residents to register to vote using an out-of-state drivers license. That bill did not pass and was replaced with House Bill 340, which removed the out-of-state IDs. McGrane supported House Bill 340, too. He said he thinks the state should accept out-of-state drivers licenses to prove a persons identity, because they have already gone through a similar process in another state. But he said some lawmakers have different opinions about what are the obligations for someone when they move to Idaho, and how quickly they should be expected to get a new ID card.

There are some who feel like if you want to be an Idahoan, you need to take certain steps, he said. I think that can easily be a reasonable debate that continues.

McGrane said that the Idaho Transportation Department has issued hundreds of free ID cards, and that the state is working to balance election security and access to the ballot box.

We warned legislators.  They passed the law anyway

After House Bill 340 and another voting law passed in 2023, the voter advocacy groups Babe Vote and the League of Women Voters sued the secretary of state, arguing that the changes infringed on residents voting rights. In April, the Idaho Supreme Court affirmed a lower courts decision denying the groups contentions. A federal judge in September upheld the states laws in a separate lawsuit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sam Sandmire, a spokesperson for Babe Vote, told the Statesman by phone that she was not surprised that some residents have been affected by the law.

At voter registration events held by Babe Vote on college campuses in recent weeks, Sandmire said, between 20% and 35% of people who tried to register could not do so because of these new laws.

We knew from other states that when you put restrictions on the types of IDs that can be used to register and/or vote, that some legally eligible voters become unable to vote, she said. We warned legislators in testimony before they passed the law that this would be an issue. They passed the law anyway.

In response, McGrane said the dismissal of both lawsuits reflects the thoughtful nature weve taken with the changes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mitchell and Palmer did not respond to requests for comment.

This is definitely voter disenfranchisement, Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, told the Statesman by phone. By making technical rules and not providing the staff to address the issues they are preventing Idahoans from voting.

Tripple said that some of the people initially turned away during early voting may have returned later with a current passport, but he expects the number of people affected by the recent law and left unable to vote will grow throughout Election Day.

Whats really disheartening is they stand in line for two hours, then they get to the front and they realize they dont have what they need to register to vote, Tripple said.
VIRGINIA  With polls open and voters casting their ballots for president and other races, Virginia's election commissioner briefed reporters Tuesday on recent removals from voter rolls, a wrong ballot issue at one polling place and more.

The Virginia Department of Elections and Election Commissioner Susan Beals held two Election Day briefings to provide an update on voting statistics and any issues at polling sites. Another briefing will be held at 9 p.m. Tuesday, two hours after polls close. Beal said voters in line by 7 p.m. at their polling place will be able to vote.

For full coverage of the election in Virginia, go here.



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As of the 10 a.m. briefing, the state's election department was aware of one error at a polling place. At the Gilpin Court (Precinct 310) in Richmond, Beals said election workers gave 11 voters a federal-only ballot. The issue has since been resolved. Beals said the voters cast a federal-only ballot but did not get to complete a new ballot, because only one ballot could be submitted to the machine. The commissioner was unaware if the ballot was a presidential-only ballot or had all federal races.

The City of Richmond's electoral board notified the Virginia Department of Election that they had an emergency meeting to remove the precinct chief at Precinct 310. A replacement took over to oversee the precinct.

"Our registrars and our electoral boards are constantly surveilling their precincts," said Beal. "They're visiting them in person to make sure that if any issues occur, that they address them immediately."



In light of the Supreme Court ruling that Virginia can remove about 1,600 voters from the rolls, the commissioner discussed how the process works and what citizens removed from the rolls can do.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Beals said the voter roll removal process begins when a resident does a Virginia DMV transaction and self-declares they are a non-citizen. The resident either checks a box that indicates they are not a citizen or provides legal documents indicating they are a non-citizen, and that information is sent to the Department of Elections.

The Virginia Department of Elections compares that information to the registered voter list and notifies local registrars to process any voter roll updates. Beals said the local registrar contacts the impacted person and gives them a chance to affirm their citizenship if they made an error at the DMV.

The person is notified by mail and given 14 days to affirm the citizenship. If the voter does not respond, they are notified by mail that their registration is cancelled because they are not a citizen.

"We want every eligible voter in Virginia to vote," said Beals. "This is a process that has been in place since 2006. It has been managed and processed the exact same way by every administration since 2006, when the law was enacted. Nothing has changed in the way that that process is managed by the department."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Beals said the voter removal process ceased on Oct. 14. Same-day registration at the resident's precinct is an option for residents who believed the voter registration cancellation was done in error.

As of Nov. 1, Beals said Virginia has a record 6,374,437 voters. More than 2.3 million Virginians have already cast ballots through early voting, which includes more than 1.8 million in person and over 443,000 mail-in ballots.

Over 126,000 mail-in ballots sent to voters have yet to be returned to their local registrars. Mail-in voters have until 7 p.m. Tuesday to turn in their ballots in person or by drop box, or have it postmarked by Tuesday and received by noon on Friday.



Beals noted that overall mail-in voting has declined compared to 2020, which she attributed to voter concerns about voting in person during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, more voters using the mail-in ballot method are returning their ballots directly to the registrar's office or by drop box.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We have not heard specific examples of people having delays in getting their mail back," Beals said. "Most voters are being very diligent about checking and making sure that their ballot has been received, which they can check online and see that it's been received by the office."

Although Virginia has a voter registration deadline, same-day registration is offered to allow voters to cast a provisional ballot.

Beals said 16,557 people have done same-day registration leading up to Election Day and she expects more registrations will come in Tuesday. Voters must go to the precinct in which their home is located to do same-day registration.

Taking a question from a reporter about Hampton University busing students to the polls, Beals said college towns may have long lines. She said numerous students have turned out to do same-day registration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We have heard that there are long lines in some localities that have universities and colleges as a lot of those students have been encouraged to same day register today," said Beals. "We have been in touch with those localities, and in every case, they are deploying more officers of election and supplies to those universities, to those precincts on their campuses. And what we would just encourage everyone to do...is please make sure you stand stay in line. Even if the seven o'clock hour passes, they will process you."

Beals assured voters that voting in the Nov. 5 election is secure.

"In terms of security and concerns about security, we have been meeting for many months with our state and federal law enforcement partners to plan for today," said Beals. "We've had several meetings where we've run through various scenarios to make plans. I can't speak any further to specifics, but there's been a lot of planning and forethought that has gone into today, and we're very confident that we're going to have a safe and secure election in Virginia."

Voters can check their polling place through the Virginia Department of Elections citizen portal. Results will start to come in after polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday on the Virginia Department of Elections website. On the results page, voters can check the "voting method" option to see a breakdown of early voting, mail-in, Election Day and provisional voting. Breakdowns of voting methods by precinct will be available within seven days, Beals said.

Voter Roll Removal, Ballot Mixup: VA Election Issues originally appeared on the Old Town Alexandria Patch
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  Voters are lined up across New York City to cast their ballots before the polls close at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

By 6 p.m. Tuesday, 2.19 million New Yorkers had already voted in the 2024 election in person and by mail, according to the New York City Board of Elections.

More News: NY Elections

Many weighed in on the presidential and local races before Election Day. In all nine days of early voting, 1,089,328 people cast their ballots in person across New York City, according to the Board of Elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its only slightly lower than the early voter turnout in 2020, when over 1.1 million people voted ahead of Election Day.

On Tuesday, polls opened at 6 a.m., and within just nine hours, over 800,000 people made their choices at polling locations across the city.

Brooklynites were the most likely to stand in line before Tuesday, with 345,840 votes cast early. As of 6 p.m., over 300,000 more voters had voted in Brooklyn, the citys most populous borough.

Election Day Vital Voters Guide 2024

The city has distributed 396,422 mail-in ballots to voters in all five boroughs, over 250,000 of which had been returned by Tuesday, according to the citys Board of Elections. Across New York state, nearly one million additional voters have requested mail-in ballots ahead of the election, NBC News reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

New York City had just over 60% of registered voters cast their ballots in the 2020 presidential election, amounting to just over 3 million votes.

Election officials are expected to start releasing results when the polls close at 9 p.m.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Around 5:30 a.m., Hayet Rida, a 35-year-old who lives in the Loop and became a U.S. citizen last week, was waiting in a line with about two dozen other voters outside of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners Super Site Tuesday.

Ive lived here for 17 years, and I feel like all the laws and stuff applied to me, but Ive never had a say in anything, so to me, (voting) was a big deal, Rida said near the corner of North Clark Street and West Lake Street.

About half an hour later, thanks to the help of about 8,000 election judges and other poll workers, nearly a thousand voting locations opened across the city. Chicago residents can vote at their assigned precinct polling place or at any of the 51 vote centers across the city. All locations will close at 7 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pre-Election Day weekend and the eve of the election saw massive lines in parts of Chicago and the suburbs. Marisel Hernandez, chair of the election board, encouraged people to vote during the middle of the day, when there is not much wait time or no wait time at all. Chicago residents can find out more about the election on Chicago Board of Election Commissioners website.

This is the big presidential election where we routinely see over 1 million registered voters cast their ballots, Hernandez said. Many voters have waited until this day to vote, so there may be some lines, and we urge everyone to have patience and show some kindness.

Max Bever, public information director at the election board, said the board hoped that the rain and concerns about long lines wont discourage people from voting.

Aidan Graham, 24, of Lakeview, was also waiting in line outside the Super Site before it opened. He said he tried to vote yesterday but didnt want to wait in a two-hour long line. Graham wasnt bothered by Tuesdays rain because he brought an umbrella to help him perform his civic duty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think trying to get your voice heard is probably a good thing, Graham said.

Hernandez said more than 300,000 Chicagoans voted early, including about 36,000 on Monday. The city had more than 265,000 vote by mail applications and about half of those have been returned, Hernandez said.

Traditionally, about 70% of the citys registered voters participate in presidential elections, she added.

Thats been true for the last six presidential elections, and we expect that, and maybe more, today, Hernandez said.

Rida, the new U.S. citizen, said she has been eagerly waiting for Election Day and wanted to be the first in line. But even arriving a half an hour before polls opened, she was about 10th.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rida, who is from Ghana, said the two issues on her mind were womens rights and immigration.

I think immigration will always be big because that applies to me, and I have friends and family who are also being affected by immigration laws, Rida said.
Fake FBI videos are circulating containing misinformation about Election Day.

The bureau on Tuesday warned about two videos that make false claims about terror threats and voter fraud. One fake video claiming to be from the FBI said that there is a high terror threat and urged people to vote remotely, while a different video included a fake FBI press release claiming a rigged voting process in five prisons in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona.



In a statement, the FBI said that both videos are not authentic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Attempts to deceive the public with false content about FBI threat assessments and activities aim to undermine our democratic process and erode trust in the electoral system, the FBIs statement read.



Tuesdays FBI warning follows a statement from the FBI and two other intelligence agencies Monday that they expect foreign actors to intensify influence operations through election day and in the coming weeks, particularly in the contested states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The agencies warned about threats from Russia and, to a lesser extent, Iran.

Misinformation and conspiracies have been rife during this election, often helped along by influential personalities who should know better. Just a few days ago, Elon Musk spread a fake election video that purportedly showed a Haitian immigrant claiming to have voted multiple times in Georgia and encouraging others to do the samedrawing a rebuke from Georgias Republican secretary of state.



Last week, Trump spread a false claim about fake voter registrations in York County, Pennsylvania, and has already tried to sow doubt in the electoral process with a lawsuit over alleged voter intimidation in the state. Earlier this month, Musk recycled debunked claims about fake voting machines at a rally in the Keystone State.



Even after polls close on Tuesday, final vote counts and certifications are likely to continue for days and possibly weeks afterward, creating opportunities for bad actors to spread rumors and conspiracies. The question is whether this misinformation will persuade people to act rashly and commit crimes, or if the results are accepted by the majority of the public to ensure a peaceful transition of power.


Crowds of voters in the Rock Hill region headed out just after dawn Tuesday to polling sites eager to cast ballots for either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump.

At Ebinport Elementary School, Georgette Martin was at the school right before 7 a.m. when the polls opened. She was midway in the line.

Martin said its always important to vote.

Thats usually what I do, she said. I vote early.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Stacey Rogers brought her son to the school so he could witness the voting process.

I wanted to let my voice be heard, she said.

Voters also waiting in a line that snaked around the Applied Technology Center building Tuesday, with voters consistently walking in.
(Bloomberg) -- Voters who signed up for Elon Musks million-dollar voter giveaway are suing the Tesla Inc. chief and his America PAC, claiming entrants were misled about how winners were picked.

Most Read from Bloomberg

A day after surviving a legal challenge in Pennsylvania, Musks daily sweepstakes was hit Tuesday with fresh claims in federal courts in Texas and Michigan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jacqueline McAferty of Arizona alleged she never would have signed the America PAC petition and handed over personal identifying information if she knew the winners werent picked at random and she had no chance of taking home $1 million. In reality, the winners werent picked at random, but were carefully selected to be spokespeople for the pro-Donald Trump political action committee.

Musk and the PAC defrauded McAferty and others by seeking their political support on the billionaires social media platform X, encouraging people to sign a petition calling for free speech and the right to bear arms with the chance to randomly win $1 million, according to the proposed class-action complaint she filed in Austin.

The America PAC was giving away $1 million every day in the lead-up to Election Day, but Musks lawyer revealed at a court hearing on Monday in Philadelphia that the giveaway wasnt random. Rather, the PAC picked registered voters from swing states to be public spokespeople for the committee, often based on their personal stories, and required them to sign employment contracts, a treasurer for the committee testified.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner sued Musk and the PAC in a bid to stop them from peddling an unlawful lottery, which he said lulled Philadelphia citizens to give up their personal identifying information and make a political pledge in exchange for the chance to win $1 million.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pennsylvania Judge Angelo Foglietta rejected the DAs request on Monday to halt the contest.

In her Austin case, McAferty is seeking an undisclosed amount of damages and an order requiring Musk and the PAC to destroy her information.

The Michigan case was filed by Robert Anthony Alvarez, who identified himself as a state resident supporting Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Alvarez said he signed the petition to support free speech and gun rights and believed he had a chance of winning $1 million because the sweepstakes was promoted as a nonpartisan giveaway.

A closer look at the recipients of the $1 million prize show a clear pattern: that the selection not only is not random, but is a targeted process that eliminates anyone who is not a Republican or vocal supporter of Donald Trump, according to the complaint filed by Alvarez.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Musks lawyers didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Texas case is McAferty v. Musk, 24-cv-01346, US District Court, Western District of Texas (Austin). The Michigan case is Alvarez v. Musk, 24-cv-01174, US District Court, Western District of Michigan.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Music and dancing marked Election Day morning in Detroit as voters stood in lines across the city to cast their ballot.

As autumn leaves fell, Detroiters milled in and out of polling locations on Tuesday, a consequential day in the battleground state of Michigan  the culmination of back-to-back campaign stops as presidential candidates sought votes in a tight race. Abortion and the economy were among the issues top of mind for Detroiters who made their way to the voting booth. Overwhelmingly, though, Detroit voters said they want to see Vice President Kamala Harris elected and they are hopeful of seeing that outcome.

Wendy Robinson, 66, of Detroit, signs in with Poll Worker Shanice Nelson, of Detroit, to cast her vote at the voting precinct at Pasteur Elementary in Detroit on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Robinsons voting precinct changed and had to go somewhere else to vote.

For lifelong Detroiters like Lauryn Allen, it would be monumental" if Harris becomes president. She waited in line for more than half an hour at the Northwest Activities Center, but that didnt matter for the 27-year-old. Its exciting because a line means people are voting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It's humbling because I have that chance, the opportunity to have a voice, and at one point, my ancestors didnt, Allen, who lives on the west side of Detroit, said after casting her ballot shortly after polls opened at 7 a.m.

Allen said she expects to stay up all night for the results. In 2016  the first presidential election she voted in  she recalls sitting in her dorm room in the quiet of her campus after Donald Trump won. This year, however, she anticipates a different outcome. She's not even thinking about the alternative  a Trump presidency  she said.

Now, me being back home and me just feeling so energized and happy and excited for the future, I believe that when it gets closer to midnight and through the night, I'll be excited, versus in 2016, I was like 'oh, no,' she said.

When Shanel Adams voted for Harris, she unexpectedly teared up. Though she doesn't agree with all of Harris' and the Democratic Party's policies, this particular vote mattered for Adams, as a fellow alum of Howard University, a historically Black institution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I did get emotional because I think I just see that little girl in me who would have loved that example and I do think that means way more than I think we're giving it credit," Adams, 33, of Detroit, said.

Five-year-old Maiya Bunting stands underneath a voting booth next to Zamaree Tucker, 3, inside the Detroit Fire Department Engine 17 Ladder 7 station during Election Day in Detroit on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Adams, who grew up in Detroit, said she faced pushback when she decided to attend Howard University instead of going to a predominantly white institution because she was considered smart. But going to Howard changed her life.

"It made me know that it was important to take care of your community. So, seeing Kamala at such a high level now, it just shows me that our institutions do matter and coming back to your community, you can end up being somebody powerful like her," Adams said.

Adams is a middle school teacher in Detroit and so she was also attuned to education-related ballot questions, like who is running for the school board. Voting for Adams is a significant act  a right African Americans had to fight for, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Just voting for a person of color is great, but voting for a woman that's a person of color, it has special significance for me because even in little ways in my life, I think I'm still fighting for my voice to be heard just because I am a woman, and to just see her at a national stage, it does inspire me," she said.

Cameron Collins, who at 19 years old voted for the first time, also sees his vote as a privilege. Although voting at the booth felt like the mock elections he would do in school, the moment still felt surreal.

"Our votes do matter," he said.

Enthoni Shorter said he is voting for his future daughter and his family. For him, that means access to abortion  a decision which, he said, should be left to women.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Trump will probably take us 10,000 steps back. That's how I look at it," Shorter, 28, of Detroit, said.

Collins, who has sisters and nieces, echoed a similar sentiment and said women should have control of their own bodies.

Both men spoke outside of the Northwest Activities Center, where Jacqueline Kapilango, who goes by "DJ Asset," played music, energizing voters with songs like "Happy" by Pharrell Williams just after 7 a.m. She's a volunteer with DJ at the Polls, a group that partners with community organizations and local DJs to perform at polling sites.

"We're trying to bring excitement to voters, to get them out vote. This is (an) important time in our history, and we just want to support that through music," Kapilango said.

Jacqueline Kapilango, who goes by "DJ Asset," played music, energizing voters with songs like "Happy" by Pharrell Williams just after 7 a.m. outside the Northwest Activities Center on Nov. 5, 2024. She's a volunteer with DJ at the Polls, a group that partners with community organizations and local DJs to perform at polling sites.

The momentum was also alive over at the Pasteur Elementary School, a polling location where people danced as another DJ performed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Over at First Congregational Church in Midtown, Andrew Burks-Wright said a Harris win would restore his faith in the country. The doctoral candidate at Wayne State University said he is feeling cautiously optimistic, but still worries about the prospect of another Trump presidency.

"I know that, for that whatever reason, millions of American voters are not holding the same values that I do. I'll carry on. Life will go on. I will start thinking more seriously about getting out of the country. I have some options in mind," Burks-Wright, 50, said.

It's time for change, said 77-year-old Linda Morrow. As she cast her ballot, she found herself sweating because it felt like history in the making, as she voted for someone who could be the first woman elected president.

"If we can raise presidents," said Morrow, "we can be president."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @NushratR.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit residents show out on Election Day: 'Our votes do matter'
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has stated that bomb threats at two polling stations, which led to temporary suspensions, were linked to Russia.

Source: European Pravda, citing a statement made by Raffensperger at a press conference in Atlanta

Details: Fulton County police reported that two polling stations in Union City, near Atlanta, were temporarily closed due to false bomb threats on 5 November. Raffensperger confirmed that the threats originated from Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Quote: "In the interest of public safety, we always check that out, and well just continue to be very responsible when we hear about stuff like that."

The Secretary of State believes these actions are an attempt to sow discord among Americans.

"That tells you a little bit about the Russians. Theyre not our friends. Anyone that thinks they are hasnt been reading the newspapers," the official remarked.

Background:

Last week, Georgia officials labelled as "deliberate disinformation" a fake video on X (Twitter), in which a Haitian immigrant claimed to have voted multiple times in the presidential election. US intelligence linked this video to Russia.

US intelligence had previously reported that foreign adversaries would attempt to influence the November 2024 presidential election by adapting their operations to the countrys domestic political events.

Support UP or become our patron!
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Tuesday is Election Day, and thousands of people in the Tri-Cities will head to the polls to cast their ballots.

In Northeast Tennessee, polls are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Voters still in line at 8 p.m. will be able to cast their vote.

Election officials prepared to help thousands cast ballots

In Southwest Virginia, polls are open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. So long as voters get in line by 7 p.m., they will be able to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

News Channel 11 crews found lines already out the doors at 8 a.m. at several Johnson City voting locations.

Photo: Voters were lined up out the doors at South Side Elementary School in Johnson City when polls opened on Tuesday. (WJHL) Photo: Voters were lined up out the doors at Towne Acres Elementary School in Johnson City when polls opened on Tuesday. (WJHL)

Voters must report to their precincts assigned location. To look up polling locations in Tennessee, click here. To find voting locations by address in Virginia, click here.

Both states require voters to bring proper forms of identification, which include government-issued photo IDs. Tennessee and Virginia each have lists of acceptable IDs available online.

In addition to the presidential election, voters will also make their voices heard in races for U.S. Senate and U.S. House races. Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn is running for re-election in Tennessee against Democratic challenger Gloria Johnson. In Virginia, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine is seeking another term while Republican Hung Cao looks to unseat him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger, who represents Tennessee District 1, is also seeking re-election against three opponents. Democrat Kevin Jenkins and Independents Richard Baker and Levi Brake are challenging Harsbarger.

Republican Congressman Morgan Griffith, who represents Virginias 9th Congressional District, is also seeking re-election against Democrat Karen Baker.

Beyond the national level, Tennessee and Virginia voters are also deciding who will represent them at the state and local level on Tuesday.

To see a full list of candidates on a Tennessee ballot, click here. To see a full list of candidates on a Virginia ballot, click here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

News Channel 11 is Your Local Election Headquarters. On Tuesday night, election results will be posted in real-time to WJHL.com. Throughout the night, News Channel 11 will be live on-air with results. Click here to see Election Results on WJHL.com as they come in.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Originally appeared on E! Online

Weeks after 19-year-old Walmart employee Gursimran Kaur was found dead in a walk-in oven at the Halifax location, a candlelight vigil honoring the late teen was held in the stores parking lot Nov. 3.

She was always excited, she was discussing a lot of ideas of what she wanted to do once she graduated from school, or something like that, family friend Astik Singh Chouhan told CTV News Atlantic. So yeah, I think about her, its too hard for me to think that she is no more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition to loved ones and community members, mourners were joined by some of Kaurs colleagues, a Walmart Canada rep told CTV News.

Our associates wanted to attend tonight to grieve together and show their support, company spokesperson Amanda Moss said. The investigation is continuing and as police have shared, its complex. We will continue to do everything we can to support the police in their investigation.

More from E! Online

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are working towards understanding how this tragic event occurred, Moss continued. We continue to support our associates during this difficult time.

The Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration issued a stop work order Oct. 22 for the stores bakery, while a spokesperson for Walmart previously confirmed to E! News that the store will remain closed indefinitely as local authorities continue to investigate the Oct. 19 tragedy.

Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe organized by the Maritime Sikh Society raised nearly $200,000 for Kaurs family, including her mother who, according to the page, worked alongside her at the Walmart location and was the one to find her daughter in the oven. The two moved to Canada from India about two years ago, per NBC News.

The fundraiser, which has since been paused, also set out to cover travel costs for Kaurs father and brother, who were in India at the time of her death. According to CBC News, the two have since arrived in Canada.

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Polls in the U.S. have shown the presidential race between Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, in a dead heat for several weeks. Yet over the weekend, a narrative developed that voters were breaking for Harris. A poll out of Iowa by the respected pollster Ann Selzer suggested the shift was being driven by older female voters concerned about reproductive rights. This prompted a bevy of speculation as to whether it is possible pollsters might be wrong, or at least dramatically underestimating support for Harris.

This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

As Dan Drezner summarized here, several commentators over the past few days are beginning to think that is indeed the case. One reason given by Nate Silver for the appearance of a dead heat is that, after several election cycles of embarrassing failures, polling firms may be herdingthat is, hewing to the general consensus as to where things lie by hiding or distorting poll results that buck those trends.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Additionally, Justin Brown argues that pollsters may not have had enough time after Harris replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee to figure out how to measure the opinions of her likely voters. On top of that, over the past eight years, pollsters have compensated for failing to predict Trumps victory in 2016 and underestimating his support in his losing bid in 2020, leaving their tools and models more sensitive to Trump voters. Combined, all of that could mean that Harris support is being undermeasured relative to Trumps.

To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter.

The view from Honesdale, Pennsylvania, where I spent the weekend knocking on doors as an election canvasser for the Harris campaign, provides some insight into these arguments. My team and I observed two other reasons polls may have made the race appear closer than it really is until now, and why some polls may now be showing Harris gaining ground as the election nears.

First, pollsters may underweight their own polls recursive influence on political views. People are sensitive to the opinions of others around them, and polls reporting those opinions can change attitudes. For example, dead-heat polls themselves can influence election preparedness by mobilizing Democratic fence-sitters and over-scheduled working people, many of whom stayed home in 2016 when experts widely reported that Clinton would easily win against Trump. Also, fewer people are responding to polls anymore, even as they are awash in reported information about what their fellow citizensusually the angriest and most vocal on both sides who take the time to answer surveysare presumably saying. Political science research shows this creates the appearance of a more polarized society than is actually the case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But that perception of polarization can also drive low responses to polls and a decline in voters willingness to publicly express their views. For example, talking to Pennsylvania voters, the widespread perception that things are a dead heat has some Harris supporters in battleground states keeping their heads down to avoid openly voicing their true intentions, out of fear of harassment from their Trump-supporting neighbors. Among the doors we knocked on, the vast majority told us they were definitely voting for Harris, and all had a well-conceived plan to do so. They knew where their polling stations were, and they had carefully read the information on their mail-in ballots. These voters were ready and willing to turn out. But even among strong and unequivocal Harris supporters, very few were willing to accept a yard sign to place on their front lawn or porch. I dont want to advertise to the folks down the block, one told us. Indeed, we passed one house whose Harris-Walz sign appeared to have been vandalized, with a red X duct-taped over the candidates names.

The other thing we noticed is that the main issue causing Democratic voters to equivocate on their support for Harris, among those we spoke to, is Israels war in Gaza. Some Democratic-leaning voters are painfully ambivalent about Harris on this issue and feel that trumpeting their willingness to cast a protest vote is the best and perhaps only way to express their horror over ongoing U.S. military support for a country they sincerely believe is committing atrocities, if not genocide. As The Intercepts Jonah Valdez reports, these voters are divided between the anguished un-decideds, strategically anti-Trump and third-party / opt-outers.

Dead heat polls have complicated some Americans willingness to show their cards ahead of the election, and those that do may be communicating strategically in ways that will not reflect their actual behavior at the ballot box.

We noticed two things in our conversations on doorsteps and front porches. First, even the anguished undecided voters we spoke to grudgingly admitted that at the ballot box, theyll likely vote strategically, meaning anti-Trump. This could be idiosyncratic: Social desirability biasthat is, the tendency for people to answer questions in the way they believe will be viewed most favorably by othersis as real in door-to-door conversational settings as it is in public opinion polling. But these citizens views may also reflect a genuine civic strategic ambiguity that some progressives have been playing with in this election: using their political voice in the run-up to the election to mobilize and signal to both domestic and foreign audiences they will hold Harris accountable for the Biden-Harris administrations abetting of war crimes, while reserving their anti-Trump vote for the privacy of the ballot box.

In either case, this is not necessarily a group whose actual preferences or likely behavior is easily captured by standard polling questions, and the impact of the Gaza crisis in this election cycle may be confounding the accuracy of reported support for Harris, not just among Arab Americans but also among left-leaning Democrats. The conventional wisdom is that U.S. voters dont elect presidents based on specific foreign policy issues, and polling data suggests that the conflict in the Middle East is the most important issue to only 2 percent of Americans. Nevertheless, in an election this tight, that 2 percent can matter in a place like Pennsylvania. The Biden administrations unconditional support for Israel despite its actions in Gaza is clearly a wedge issue this year pushing some Democrats away from the party, in ways that interact with the ongoing exodus of some conservatives from the Republican party.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

None of this is easily captured by the major polls, partly because of the way questions are asked. Participants cant generally explain their answers, for instance, and often arent asked to rank-choice them. This means a question that compares a niche issue like Conflict in the Middle East to The Economya huge basket of issuesin terms of voters single most important issue is going to result in numbers that skew away from foreign policy. But the Carnegie Endowment found in early October that one-third of voters actually care greatly about foreign policy in this election, with Israels war against Hamas the third most important issue after immigration and climate change. In that poll, 69 percent of Americans say neither of the two presidential candidates will do a satisfactory job when it comes to the Gaza conflict. This may explain why Arab-Americans are divided on what to do, and those who are veering away from Harris are breaking not toward Trump so much as toward Green Party nominee Jill Stein.

In fact, an AJP poll in May found one-in-five Americans were reconsidering their support for the Democratic Party due to Bidens handling of the war in Gaza. A much more recent YouGov poll found the Israel-Hamas conflict tops the list of foreign policy issues for registered voters. Perhaps, as suggested by the attitudes of Democratic voters I spoke to in Pennsylvania, some responses on polls represent a kind of political messaging rather than a genuine intention to boycott Harrismore voice than exit. If so, anguished undecideds of the Democratic party may very well vote strategically anti-Trump. The absence of a third-party run by a candidate like Sen. Bernie Sanders who might have offered a meaningful progressive foreign policy alternative on Gaza has likely helped Harris chances with this group. So has Trumps open denigration of Palestinians. But at least some voters in Pennsylvania still wished for some reassurance from Harris that their concerns would be heard and addressed on this particular issue.

This is anecdotal data from a small, nonrandom sample of left-leaning and/or swing voters. But they are coming from counties in a battleground state with an outsized impact on todays vote. They suggest Democratic turnout is likely to be high and that even the left-leaning voters least likely to turn out dont need much nudging to support Harris over Trump when it comes down to it. But they do want some nudging and have grown angrier the longer they dont hear it. A few may have even been swayed by Trumps efforts to engage on the issue.

In that sense, Harris remarks at her rally over the weekend were well-timed. I will do everything in my power, she said, to end the war in Gaza, to bring home the hostages, end the suffering in Gaza, ensure Israel is secure, and ensure the Palestinian people can realise their right to dignity, freedom, security and self-determination. Her words were aimed at Arab American voters, but Jill Stein voters of all races are also listening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What we heard on the ground in Pennsylvania also indicates how media coverage and constant dead heat polls have complicated some Americans willingness to show their cards ahead of the election, and those that do may be communicating strategically in ways that will not reflect their actual behavior at the ballot box. The bigger point is that until pollsters find ways to acknowledge and capture these constituencies and trends and weight polls to take into account how the reported numbers themselves influence attitudes and turnout, and how savvy citizens use survey responses to exercise influence where they feel they have noneit will be impossible to know how much the numbers can be trusted.

Charli Carpenter is a professor of political science and legal studies at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, specializing in human security and international law. She tweets at @charlicarpenter.

The post The War in Gaza May Be Skewing Polling in the U.S. Election appeared first on World Politics Review.
The Office of the Secretary of State is celebrating a new milestone reached in voter registration.

On Monday, the SOS announced that Washington has officially hit the 5 million registered voters mark and a new milestone for the state.

Elections are an important opportunity for all Washington voters to shape the futures of our communities, Assistant Secretary of State Kevin McMahan said. The Office of the Secretary of State encourages all registered voters to participate and vote on the candidates and statewide initiatives on the ballot this election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The milestone was achieved due to a daily record of 10,059 voters registering on Oct. 28, the deadline for online and mail registration.

According to the SOS, voters can still register or update registration information by visiting a voting center by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Ballots must be returned to a county ballot drop box or voting center by 8 p.m. on Election Day or postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 5 if sent by mail.

Click here to find one of the 544 ballot drop boxes or here to find your nearest voting center.

Voters can check the status of their ballot or print a replacement ballot by visiting the VoteWA website.
ENTERPRISE, Utah (ABC4)  The Washington County Sheriffs Office (WCSO) said a school in Northwestern Washington County had protective measures in place on Monday morning.

The sheriffs office posted on social media announcing that a lock-in protocol went into effect at an elementary school as someone was allegedly having a psychiatric episode near the school.

One killed in head-on collision on Farr West highway

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The person, who was not named by the sheriffs office, is reported to be getting the help they need at this time. The sheriffs office also says that the lock-in was done in an overabundance of caution and no children were in immediate danger due to the situation.

WCSO said that due to the proximity of the school, the school resource officer told the principal to initiate the protocol.

A lock-in is one of three protective actions that schools can take. The other two are lockout followed by the most known, a lock-down Michigan-based The Lockout Company says.

[A lock-in] keeps school running as normal, but with the kids staying inside, or escorted if required to step outside, the sheriffs office said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A lockout is when staff and students barricade the outside doors of a school property.

[A lockdown] is when people or students lock themselves inside the rooms of a building. Occupants close and lock doors, deploy door barricades and hide from view. A lockdown normally occurs if a dangerous, threatening person is physically inside the building, the Lockout Company says.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
(NewsNation)  Washington voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

Presidential race in Washington

US Senate race in Washington

In addition to voting in the race for the White House between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Washington voters will cast ballots for a new governor, the states U.S. Senate race and seats in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as four statewide ballot measures.

In the race for Washingtons U.S. Senate seat, Democratic incumbent Maria Cantwell is seeking to remain in the office after first earning the seat in 2001. She will face Republican challenger Raul Garcia, who has worked as a doctor for the past 26 years and initially planned to run for governor but dropped out and threw his support behind Reichert.

US House race in Washington

In Washingtons 6th Congressional District, Republican state Sen. Drew MacEwen is hoping to become the first Republican elected to the office since 1965. He will face state Sen. Emily Randall, who would become the first states first openly gay member of Congress if elected. The two candidates are vying for a seat left open by Democrat Derek Kilmer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democratic three-term Attorney General Bob Ferguson will face retired police officer and former Rep. Dave Reichert in the race for governor after three-term Gov. Jay Inslee announced his retirement. The winner will become the first new governor in the state in 12 years, and Reichert is hoping to become the first Republican to occupy the governors mansion since John Spellman was elected in 1980.

Statewide ballot measures in Washington

Voters will also consider four statewide ballot initiatives including measures that would prohibit state and local governments from limiting access to natural gas while another would prohibit carbon tax credit trading and repeal the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act.

A third initiative would allow all employees and self-employed workers to opt out of paying the tax and receiving benefits from WA Cares. The final measure would repeal the capital gains excise tax on long-term assets for residents with capital gains of more than $250,000.

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early voting began Oct. 18. Polls will close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. After shifting between Republican and Democratic allegiances in the past, Washington has swung Democratic in the past nine presidential elections. President Joe Biden defeated Trump by 19% in 2020. Washington holds 12 electoral votes.

More statewide races in Washington

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh, seen here in early 2024, is standing by controversial texts the state GOP sent in the 14th Legislative District. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

WASHINGTON  On the eve of an election marked by increasingly heated rhetoric, the Washington State Republican Party sent text messages to Spanish-speaking voters on Friday alleging that Democratic candidates want to eliminate the Spanish language and support the chemical castration of your children in school without your knowledge or consent.

They hate you, they hate your family, they hate God and they hate the truth, the message sent Friday reads in Spanish, referring to three Latina Democrats running in the majority-Hispanic 14th legislative district, which was redrawn in a contentious redistricting process that has angered Republicans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, the state GOP sent an English-language message to voters in southwest Washingtons 3rd Congressional District, where Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez  a Democrat who has repeatedly bucked her own party while representing a district that former President Donald Trump won in 2020  is in a high-profile rematch with Republican Joe Kent.

That message, sent with an image of the communist hammer-and-sickle symbol on a rainbow background, calls the freshman congresswoman a Democrat socialist and claims that she lives in Portland and supports defund the police, abortion until birth, castrating minor children/confusing them about their gender, higher taxes, and less efficient government spending.

A spokesman for the Gluesenkamp Perez campaign, Phil Gardner, said the message is typical of the kooky outright lies Joe Kent and his far-right supporters tell about Marie. In a statement, Gardner said Gluesenkamp Perez obviously does not live in Portland and is endorsed by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, because of her strong support for the police.

The Spanish-language message claims that Democratic candidates Maria Beltran, Ana Ruiz Kennedy and Chelsea Dimas reject Gods design of two genders and want to confuse your children about whether they are boys or girls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They are deranged to the point of wanting to eliminate the Spanish language, which is why the words are now neither feminine nor masculine, but rather non-binary, the message says. They call themselves Latinx instead of Latino. They hate you, they hate your family, they hate God and they hate the truth. Dont let them represent you!

Some people of Latin American origin use the term Latinx to avoid the gender-specific Latino or Latina, while others dislike the term. Beltran and Dimas are the daughters of Mexican immigrants and both identify as queer, while Ruiz Kennedy was born in Mexico.

The new 14th legislative district stretches from the eastern edge of Yakima to Pasco, encompassing the Yakama Reservation and much of the heavily agricultural lower Yakima Valley. The Republicans running against Dimas and Ruiz Kennedy for state House of Representatives, Gloria Mendoza and Deb Manjarrez, are also Latina.

Beltran, who is running against incumbent Republican state Sen. Curtis King, posted the text message on Instagram on Saturday and accused her opponent and the state GOP of blatant lies and fear-mongering.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They accuse me of awful, flatly untrue things and disrespect my Catholic faith and Mexican heritage, she wrote. While Ive run an informed, issue-based campaign to get our community the leadership we deserve, King and his allies have constantly lied, tried to manipulate our community, and personally attacked me rather than engage in real, truthful, debate. This kind of cheap, egregious personal attack is what makes people in our district want to tune out of politics, and the Republican Party should be ashamed of engaging in it.

In a statement on Monday, King said he very strongly disavows the state GOPs text message and he knew nothing about it nor its content before it was sent.

In my 17 year political career, I have never made comments like those about any political opponent, whether on the campaign trail or on the Senate floor, King said. I believe my ability to work across the aisle with Democrat senators is testament to that.

In a phone interview on Sunday, Washington State Republican Party Chairman Jim Walsh stood by the text messages. He said the claim that Democrats support chemical castration was based on their responses to a Planned Parenthood survey, where they indicated support for transgender teenagers using drugs known as puberty blockers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One such drug, Lupron, is a synthetic hormone also used to treat prostate and breast cancer. In some states, it is used to chemically castrate sex offenders.

Nothing in the Democrats overwrought reactions denies the factual truth of the text messages, Walsh said, defending the claim that Democrats hate families and God. How else do you characterize the administration of Lupron to minors?

Why is it OK for the left to accuse us of hate speech, but somehow questionable for us to point out that their actions, the actions of these candidates, show a hatred toward conventional families and traditional notions of gender identity?

To illustrate what he called a double standard, Walsh said Beltran has called her opponent a MAGA extremist, referring to Trumps Make America Great Again slogan and the brand of nationalist politics it has inspired.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its definitely hate speech to the left, Walsh said, explaining that the hateful part isnt calling King MAGA but calling him an extremist, before using the same word to describe Democrats. Its a dog whistle to left-wing extremists, and its the reason why, you know, Donald Trump gets shot several times  or attempted to get shot.

Deanna Martinez, chair of the Mainstream Republicans of Washington, a moderate GOP group, objected to the state partys rhetoric in the text messages. In an interview, the nurse and Moses Lake city councilwoman said that if the Washington State Republican Party was hoping to win over hearts and minds, they missed badly.

Its outrageous what they said in Spanish, Martinez said, taking particular offense to the idea that the Democrats hate God.

There are plenty of Democrats who are Christians and there are plenty of Republicans that are Christian. And if you call yourself Christian, would you really be using that language? You cannot assume that because someones a Democrat that they dont believe in God, that they hate your family. No. No. Thats so wrong.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the Spanish-language message, Washington GOP Political Director Matthew Frohlich identifies himself as Matteo and omits Ruiz Kennedys Spanish surname, referring to her only as Ana Kennedy. The English-language message to voters in the predominantly non-Hispanic 3rd Congressional District does the opposite, calling the Democrat Maria Perez, using the wrong first name and dropping her non-Spanish surname.

In a text message, Frohlich told The Spokesman-Review that calling Gluesenkamp Perez by the wrong name  twice  was just a typo. He said he stood by everything in the messages to voters and added, I dont even understand why they are angry about it.

Martinez said she couldnt know whether the error was in fact a typo, But it doesnt look right if theyre trying to hide a persons identity, ethnicity, whichever way you want to call it.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Democrat who campaigned with Beltran, Dimas and Ruiz Kennedy on Friday, called the messages despicable and said they have no place in politics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A district that was drawn to protect voting rights is being assaulted with text messages meant to scare and trick the very voters the district was drawn to protect. The Republican Party should stop this false information immediately. Other elected officials should also repudiate these tactics.

Cantwells Republican opponent, Dr. Raul Garcia, told The Spokesman-Review in a text message Sunday the language was not acceptable and later sent a lengthy statement, saying he hopes more politicians will follow the example he and Cantwell have set with their more respectful, policy-focused campaigns.

Garcia also called the redistricting process  which displaced state Sen. Nikki Torres and state Rep. Alex Ybarra  obvious gerrymandering that resulted in eliminating Hispanic representation.

As I would be the first Latin American U.S. Senator from the State of Washington, standing up for individuals from cultures that have been marginalized for years is paramount to me, Garcia said. Personal attacks should have no place and should be condemned from either party. These do not promote a unified path forward as Americans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Martinez emphasized that the Mainstream Republicans and the state GOP arent always at odds, citing their collaboration earlier this year on a lawsuit related to language describing initiatives on the ballot, but she said she couldnt condone the very flagrant language in the messages to voters.

We need to speak in truths, Martinez said. Thats how people trust you. Thats how youre going to convince people to listen to you.

This article was first published by The Spokesman-Review. Orion Donovan Smiths work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact the newspapers managing editor.
Ballot envelopes sit in the Thurston County elections center. (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)

Ballots are streaming in for Tuesdays election in Washington, but the number returned is still falling well below four years ago.

As of Monday, 56.7% of ballots had been returned statewide, according to the secretary of states website. Thats more than 2.8 million ballots returned so far.

In 2020, 73.7% of ballots had been returned the day before the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Election officials are still expecting turnout to be around 80% as most ballots are returned in the days before the election. Thats on par with most other presidential years, aside from 2020 and 2008, which both saw record high levels near 84%.

In 2016, 78.7% of voters turned in a ballot, and in 2012, 81.3% voted.

2020 was the outlier year because we were all at home and our ballots were staring at us, Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad told the Standard on Sunday. Were feeling pretty on track that were going to get at least 80%.

Still, the low turnout was worrying some Democrats in recent days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At a Democratic Party get-out-the-vote rally in Olympia on Sunday, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck shared the number of returned ballots so far  what he called a scary number  with party volunteers.

My biggest concern is complacency, he said. That is something that will erode us. There is too much at stake.

Republicans, meanwhile, saw the low turnout as an opportunity. Washington State Republican Party chair Jim Walsh said on X that the early numbers were promising for some of their candidates in King County and Seattle.

The left is discouraged, Walsh said. They dont like their candidates.

King Countys turnout was 57.8%, as of Monday. Thats compared to 76.6% at this time four years ago. The county with the lowest turnout so far this year was Adams with almost 39% turned in. Yakima followed with 45.6% of ballots turned in so far.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jefferson was leading the state with its turnout, at 73.2%, as of Monday.

Meanwhile, Washington reached a milestone on Monday with five million registered voters. The deadline to register online or via mail was a week ago, and more than 10,000 voters registered on that day alone.

The Office of the Secretary of State encourages all registered voters to participate and vote on the candidates and statewide initiatives on the ballot this election, Assistant Secretary of State Kevin McMahan said in a statement.

Those who are not yet registered can do so in person at a county elections office until 8 p.m. on Election Day. And those who have not yet turned in their ballot must do so by 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

Credit: NASA

The space station received a new shipment of supplies this morning (Nov. 5).

A SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft laden with 6,000 pounds (2,700 kilograms) of food, equipment and experiments completed docking with the International Space Station (ISS) at 10:04 a.m. EST (1404 GMT), about 11 minutes ahead of schedule.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The spacecraft arrived at the ISS at 9:52 a.m. EST (1352 GMT) while the orbiting complex was flying over southeast Russia, according commentary on NASA+. The spacecraft hatch opening was expected to take place early this afternoon EDT, the commentary added.

SpaceX launched the robotic Dragon aboard a Falcon 9 rocket on Monday night (Nov. 4) from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, for a ride to the ISS. It's the 31st commercial resupply mission for SpaceX on behalf of NASA and is therefore known as CRS-31.

Related: SpaceX launches 3 tons of cargo on 31st ISS resupply flight for NASA (video)

The Dragon docked at the forward port of the space station's Harmony module, which was occupied with another Dragon spacecraft until recently. Four astronauts moved their Crew Dragon to a different parking spot on the ISS during an hour-long event on Sunday (Nov. 3) to make room for the new arrival.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

RELATED STORIES:

 SpaceX Crew-9 astronauts, including Boeing Starliner crew, fly Dragon spacecraft to new ISS parking spot (video)

 NASA astronaut snaps spooky photo of SpaceX Dragon capsule from ISS

 SpaceX has dreamed up a Dragon ship on steroids to drag the ISS out of space

CRS-31 includes several new experiments targeting investigations such as the solar wind, or the constant stream of charged particles from our sun, as well as investigations about plant growth in microgravity, cold welding of metals and how radiation in space influences the weathering of various materials, according to NASA.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

CRS-31 is expected to remain docked at the ISS for about a month. When it departs, it will leave with a new load of research and cargo to splash down off the coast of Florida.

This story was updated at 10:15 a.m. EST with news of the successful docking.
Watch: First time voter speaks at Greensboro polling place

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  FOX8s Celeste Smith speaks with a first-time voter live at the polls in Greensboro on Election Day.

I wanted to vote today so that I could have my voice heard because Im still young, said 20-year-old Dreama Griffin. I feel like overall its gonna be a good experience that I did it. Im going to be encouraged to go again and so many people my age and younger as even 18 are even doing it so that was a big encouragement too.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, will hold a final campaign rally with Michigan voters Monday night in Detroit.

Along with his wife, Gwen, he will speak to supporters at an event that will include musical performances by the Jon Bon Jovi, the Detroit Youth Choir, and The War and Treaty.

The event starts at 10:30 p.m. EST.

Watch it live here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  The holiday season is upon us and a local church is hosting an event this weekend to help kick-off the gift-giving time of year.

Farmersburg Presbyterian Church is hosting its Holiday Bazaar this Saturday from 9 a.m.  3 p.m. at the church.

Pastor John Turner and Jim Sharpe joined David Tuesday morning on WTWO Today to talk about the event and items you can purchase. You can see the full interview at the top of the page.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
The Atascadero Police Department is warning residents to be wary of an identity theft scam where callers are posing as police officers investigating fraud.

The agency said in a Tuesday news release that scammers use caller ID spoofing technology to make it appear the call is coming directly from the Police Department. The callers claim to be investigating a fraud case and ask for personal identifying information.

Police said several community members have reported the scam.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Reports indicate that the callers often have a noticeable accent and appear to be calling from a call center environment, the news release said.

The agency asked residents to remain vigilant and protect their information and to avoid sharing personal information with a suspicious caller posing as police.

Anyone who receives a suspicious call is asked to call 805-461-5051 to verify whether the call is legitimate.

Our top priorities are the safety and security of our community, and we urge residents to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity, the agency said.
Its hard to believe, but Election Day is FINALLY upon us. Thankfully, after a very cold morning, the day should be very nice with lighter winds. Heres your No Excuse Not to Vote 9 Hour Forecast!

TONIGHT: KTSM has issued a Weather Authority Alert due to a very cold night and a Freeze Warning for much of Southern New Mexico. Slowly, the skies will clear, and the winds will die down. The NW winds will range from 10-30 mph but will turn to a light breeze in the morning hours. The low will drop to 36 at the airport, 33 in the Valley.

FORECAST: Tuesday will be sunny and much more pleasant with lighter winds. The SW winds will range from 5-20 mph, and the high will be 69. Wednesday will be mostly sunny to partly cloudy and windy with a high of 74. The SW winds will gust to near 25 mph by late evening. On Thursday, a significant winter-class low-pressure system moves into New Mexico. Expect cloudy skies, chilly winds, rain showers, and a high of 57. Friday will start out cloudy with rain showers and a chance of flurries up on Transmountain. By late afternoon, the skies will clear, but the high will only be 50. Saturday morning will clear and very cold with a low of 30. Saturday will be sunny with light winds and a high of 65.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - At the heart of our Milky Way galaxy lurks a supermassive black hole about four million times the mass of the sun, called Sagittarius A*. In fact, these objects, which increase in mass over time by eating material that wanders too close, reside at the center of most galaxies.

But since NASA's James Webb Space Telescope came online in 2022, astronomers have been surprised to find supermassive black holes inhabiting the early universe - earlier than they had thought possible considering the time needed to gather such great mass. New observations of one such primordial black hole is offering insight into how this may have occurred - through episodes of supercharged growth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Black holes are extremely dense objects with gravity so strong that not even light can escape. With their immense gravitational pull, they grow in mass by sucking in material such as gas, dust and stars unfortunate enough to stray nearby.

"The existence of supermassive black holes in the early universe challenges our current models of black hole formation and growth," said astronomer Hyewon Suh of the International Gemini Observatory in Hawaii and the U.S. National Science Foundation's NOIRLab, lead author of the study published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

The new Webb observations involve a supermassive black hole called LID-568 that existed when the cosmos was about 11% its current age - about 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang event 13.8 billion years ago that initiated the universe. LID-568 has a mass about 10 million times greater than the sun, so 2-1/2 times that of Sagittarius A*. The researchers have not yet determined the mass of its home galaxy.

LID-568 was observed gaining mass at a pace faster than previously thought possible. Webb showed that, based on its observed energetic output, LID-568 appeared to be consuming infalling material - known as accretion - at more than 40 times the hypothesized maximum, called the Eddington limit, for such activity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The Eddington limit is a theoretical limit for the maximum energy output the black hole can produce through the accretion process. This theoretical limit assumes that the outward force from the radiation produced during the accretion process balances the gravity of the infalling material," said astronomer and study co-author Julia Scharwachter of the Gemini Observatory and NOIRLab.

These primordial black holes are thought to have originated in one of two ways, either following the explosive death of the universe's first generation of stars or through the collapse of large clouds of gas present in the early universe.

"The discovery of LID-568 suggests that a significant portion of mass growth can occur during a single episode of rapid accretion. This could help explain how supermassive black holes formed so early in the universe, regardless of how they originated," Suh said.

"Until now, we have lacked observational confirmation of how these black holes could grow so quickly in the early universe," Suh added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A key sign of a growing supermassive black hole is emission of X-rays, high-energy electromagnetic radiation with very short wavelengths. Material swirling around a supermassive black hole before it is consumed is superheated and glows strongly in X-ray wavelengths. The researchers first spotted LID-568 using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and then studied it more closely using Webb's infrared observational capabilities.

The Webb observations suggest the existence of some sort of mechanism through which a black hole can gobble up material at a faster pace than previously believed possible.

"LID-568 is remarkable due to its extreme growth rate and the fact that it exists so early in the universe," Suh said. "We don't know yet how LID-568 is able to exceed the Eddington limit. To investigate further, we need more data, so we are planning to conduct follow-up observations with Webb."

(Reporting by Will Dunham, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
SEDAVI, Spain (AP)  Francisco Murgui went out to try to salvage his motorbike when the water started to rise.

He never came back.

One week after catastrophic flooding devastated eastern Spain, Maria Murgui still holds out hope that her missing father is alive.

He was like many people in town who went out to get their car or motorbike to safety, the 27-year-old told The Associated Press. The flash flood caught him outside, and he had to cling to a tree in order to escape drowning. He called us to tell us he was fine, that we shouldnt worry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But when Maria set out into the streets of Sedavi to try to rescue him from the water washing away everything in its path, he was nowhere to be found.

He held up until 1 in the morning, she said. By 2, I went outside with a neighbor and a rope to try to locate him. But we couldnt find him. And since then, we havent heard anything about him.

Spanish authorities issued their first tally of the missing on Tuesday when a Valencia court said that 89 people are confirmed to be unaccounted for.

The number only corresponds to the eastern Valencia region, where 211 of the 217 confirmed deaths took place when entire communities were swamped by tsunami-like floods on Oct. 29-30. Most people were caught off guard by the deluge. Regional authorities have been heavily criticized for having issued alerts to mobile phones some two hours after the disaster had started.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Superior Court of Valencia said that the figure was based on those cases whereby families had provided information and biological samples of their unlocated loved ones. It added that there could easily be more missing people whose families have not officially reported to authorities.

The court said that 133 of the dead had been identified using fingerprints or DNA samples. Another 62 bodies remained unidentified.

Spanish state broadcaster RTVE has shown a steady stream of appeals by people searching for family members.

Maria Murgui herself has posted a missing persons message on social media with a photo of her father, a 57-year-old retiree.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is like riding a rollercoaster. Sometimes I feel very bad and sometimes I feel better. I try to stay positive, she said. This truly is madness. We dont know what else to do. Neither does anybody else in town.

Central government passes relief package

Meanwhile, the gargantuan recovery efforts in Sedavi and dozens of other communities slowly moved forward.

The central government on Tuesday approved a 10.6-billion-euro ($11.6-billion) relief package for 78 communities where at least one person has died from the floods. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez compared it to the measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The package includes direct payments of 20,000 euros to 60,000 euros ($21,800-65,000) to owners of damaged homes, and financial aid for businesses and municipal governments.

We have a lot of work left to do, and we know it, Sanchez said.

Sanchez said he will ask the European Union to help pay for the relief, saying it is time for the European Union to help.

Many people are still without basic goods amid scenes of devastation

The floods have left behind post-apocalyptic scenes.

In town after town, streets are still covered with thick brown mud and mounds of ruined belongings, clumps of rotting vegetation and wrecked vehicles. A stench arises from the muck.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In many places, people still face shortages of basic goods, and lines form at impromptu emergency kitchens and stands handing out food. Water is running again but authorities say it is not fit for drinking.

The ground floors of thousands of homes have been ruined. It is feared that inside some of the vehicles that were washed away or trapped in underground garages there could be bodies waiting to be recovered.

Thousands of soldiers are working with firefighters and police reinforcements in the immense emergency response. Officers and troops are searching in destroyed homes, and in the countless cars strewn across highways and streets or lodged in the mud in canals and gorges.

Authorities are worried about other health problems in the aftermath of the deadliest natural disaster in Spain's recent history. They have urged people to get tetanus shots, to treat any wounds to prevent infections and to clean the mud from their skin. Many people wear face masks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thousands of volunteers are helping out, but frustration over the crisis management boiled over on Sunday when a crowd in hard-hit Paiporta hurled mud and other objects at Spains royals, Sanchez and regional officials. It was their first visit to the epicenter of the flood damage.

___

Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain.
(NewsNation)  West Virginia voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.

Presidential race in West Virginia

US Senate race in West Virginia

In addition to voting in the race for the White House between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, West Virginians will cast ballots for governor, the U.S. Senate, the states two congressional seats and one ballot measure.

Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey faces Democrat Steve Williams for governor after Jim Justice announced he would not seek reelection to instead run for the U.S. Senate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Justice is vying for the vacancy created when Democrat Joe Manchin announced he would not seek reelection. Justice will square off against Democrat and Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott. The race results are expected to have a direct impact on whether Democrats can maintain a majority in the Senate.

US House races in West Virginia

In the U.S. House of Representatives races, Republicans Carol Miller (1st District) and Riley Moore (2nd District) will both seek to defeat their Democratic challengers. Chris Reed, a retired educator, is facing Miller, while Moore will face off against Democrat Steven Wendelin, a retired Navy commander.

Statewide ballot measure in West Virginia

Voters will also consider a proposed amendment to the West Virginia state constitution that would prohibit people from participating in medically assisted suicide, euthanasia or mercy killing.

On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polls close at 7:30 p.m. in West Virginia. West Virgina holds 4 Electoral College votes. After remaining a reliable blue state for decades, West Virginia has shifted toward the Republicans for the past 24 years. Trump defeated President Joe Biden in the state in 2020 by collecting 68.6% of ballots.

Other statewide races in West Virginia

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Western intelligence services have reported that Russia has conducted a covert operation intending to cause fires on cargo or passenger planes bound for the US and Canada by sending two incendiary devices via DHL.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Details: The devices exploded at DHL logistics centres in Leipzig (Germany) and Birmingham (England) in July.

Investigators and spy agencies in Europe discovered that the devices were constructed as electric massagers filled with a magnesium-based flammable substance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Security officials and individuals familiar with the investigation concluded that this was part of a broader Russian plot.

According to WSJ, the electric massagers sent from Lithuania to the UK appeared to be an attempt to test how to smuggle such incendiary devices onto planes headed for North America.

Lithuanian police arrested a suspect who had sent four incendiary devices, including two from a DHL store in Vilnius, Lithuania. The suspect identified himself as Igor Prudnikov, though his real name is believed to be Alexander Suranovas. The investigators suspect he was a Russian intelligence proxy.

When WSJ reached out for comment, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, "We have never heard any official accusations" towards Russia, adding that it was "traditional unsubstantiated insinuations from the media".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

European authorities claimed that Russia was behind a sabotage campaign, including arson attacks in the UK and Czechia, assaults on pipelines and data cables in the Baltics and interference with water supplies in Sweden and Finland.

A few months after the DHL fires, leaders of both UK intelligence agencies spoke about Russian sabotage operations. Richard Moore, the head of MI6, stated in September that Russian spy agencies had "gone a bit feral in some of their behaviour".

Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, warned of Russia's increasing recklessness a month later, organising "arson, sabotage and more. Dangerous actions conducted with increasing recklessness"..

Background: Earlier this year, the United States and Germany disrupted a Russian plan to assassinate the CEO of Rheinmetall, a major arms manufacturer that supplies Ukraine.

Support UP or become our patron!
BURKE COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Some western North Carolina voters, whose polling places were damaged by Helene or are being used for emergency response, will cast their ballots in temporary tents this Election Day.

The are seven set up in four different counties. Buncombe, Haywood, and Burke each have one and Yancey has four. While it doesnt look like your typical polling place from the outside, election leaders say it has everything needed to operate as one.

I dont really like it being called a tent because its pretty substantial, said Corinne Duncan, Buncombe County Board of Elections director. Ive been calling it a temporary voting structure. Its really big, its a lot nicer than a lot of our polling locations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Looking at it from the inside, you wouldnt know its a tent. Its powered by a generator and has flooring, doors, lighting, and heat, as well as portable bathrooms and hand washing stations.

How strong voter turnout in western North Carolina post-Helene will impact election results

Its a steel structure that is locked, said Duncan. Its got, it has actual doors that are locked and then there is 24-hour law enforcement security watching it.

Queen City News crews spotted the security at the Burke County tent Monday evening, which is located at the Smyrna Baptist Church in Morganton.

In Buncombe County, Black Mountain voters will also cast their ballots in a temporary tent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is the most imperative point in our life that we really need the government and so this election and the government is front and center on a lot of peoples minds, said one voter.

QUEEN CITY NEWS

2024 ELECTIONS

Helene took a lot from the people of western North Carolina but not their ability to make their voices heard during this election.

Ive had family members that lost houses, said another voter. Some people are still without power. Some people are still without water. So knowing the people that I know, theyre still going to make it out here.

For those who will head to the polls on Tuesday, election workers want you to know your vote is safe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It doesnt matter where voting happens, we have to follow the law, said Duncan. The poll workers have to follow the law and there are checks and balances, a chain of command, labels and seals, and all kinds of things that go into making sure that happens and thats no different for this location.

Duncan knows western North Carolinians have a lot on their plates- but they were very happy with the turnout during early voting and are hoping to see more people come on Election Day.

Where can I find results on election night?

Queen City News is your local election headquarters. Well feature the results of the most prominent national, state, regional, and local races at QCnews.com

2024 November General Election Results

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Western security officials suspect Russian intelligence was behind a plot to put incendiary devices in packages on cargo planes headed to North America, including one that caught fire at a courier hub in Germany and another that ignited in a warehouse in England.

Poland said last month that it has arrested four people suspected to be linked to a foreign intelligence operation that carried out sabotage and is searching for two others. Lithuania's prosecutor general Nida Grunskiene said Tuesday there were an unspecified number of people detained in several countries, offering no elaboration.

The events come as Western officials say they are seeing an intensification of a hybrid war of sabotage by Russia targeting Ukraines allies, including election disinformation and arson attacks in Europe this year. Several officials said they believe the attacks were the work of Russian military intelligence, the GRU, although Moscow denied involvement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polands Internal Security Agency, or ABW, says that incidents in Poland, as well as other EU and NATO members, had intensified this year. ABW believes they are initiated and coordinated by the Russian special services. So far, 20 people have been charged in investigations led by the prosecutors office, the ABW and police.

Polish Prosecutor Katarzyna Calow-Jaszewska said the investigation focuses on foreign agents conducting acts of sabotage, including damaging industrial facilities or critical infrastructure such as airports, airplanes and other vehicles, and as well as arson using self-combustible parcels sent to EU countries and the U.K. that would ignite during road or air transport.

She added that the group tested a channel for sending such parcels to the United States and Canada.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the details of the cargo plane incidents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration said it has put extra security measures in place in recent months for certain cargo shipments heading to the United States.

We continually adjust our security posture as appropriate and promptly share any and all relevant information with our industry partners, to include requirements and recommendations that help them reduce risk, the TSA said.

There was no active threat targeting flights heading to the United States, according to a U.S. official, who was not authorized to comment publicly.

Dirk Heinrichs, a spokesperson for DHL in Germany, said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press that the company could not provide details about the matter but was fully cooperating with the relevant authorities to protect our people, our network and our customers shipments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The head of Britains domestic intelligence agency, MI5, said last month the U.K. is facing a staggering rise in attempts at assassination, sabotage and other crimes on its soil by Russia as well as Iran.

Calow-Jaszewska said Oct. 25 that parcels with camouflaged explosives were sent via cargo companies to EU countries and Britain to test the transfer channel for such parcels that were ultimately destined for the U.S. and Canada.

The incendiary devices in Germany and the U.K. both ignited in July.

One was at at stopover at a DHL logistics center at an airport in the city of Leipzig, according to Thomas Haldenwang, head of the German intelligence service. The German news agency dpa reported that the connecting flight containing the package, which came from one of the Baltic nations, was delayed in Leipzig and was on the ground when it ignited and set fire to a freight container.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

British counterterrorism police are investigating whether Russian agents were behind an incendiary device in a parcel that caught fire in a DHL warehouse in Minworth, near Birmingham, in central England on July 22. The incident, first reported by the Guardian newspaper and German broadcasters, was similar to the one in Germany.

The Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza also reported that a fire was reported in a courier truck near Warsaw.

We are observing aggressive action by the Russian intelligence services. In particular Russian espionage and sabotage in Germany are on the rise, both quantitatively and qualitatively, Haldenwang told the German Budestag, or parliament, last month while discussing the Leipzig incident.

The activities of Russian intelligence services in the real world as well as in cyberspace show that Germany is the focus of this Russias hybrid war against Western democracies, he added. Russia is using its entire toolbox: from influencing political discussions within Germany to cyber attacks against critical infrastructure and sabotage. Russias willingness to use force proves that it is also willing to put human lives at risk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a rare public speech setting out the major threats to the U.K., MI5 Director General Ken McCallum said the GRU in particular is on a sustained mission to generate mayhem on British and European streets: Weve seen arson, sabotage and more. Dangerous actions conducted with increasing recklessness.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday called media reports about the alleged sabotage plot an example of a vague fabrication.

___

Associated Press writers Jill Lawless and Danica Kirka in London, Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin, Aamer Madhani in Washington, D.C., :and Liudas Dapkus in Vilnius, Lithuania, contributed.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The 2024 general election is on Nov. 5, and some businesses plan to host watch party screenings of the results.

Heres a list of some of the election watch parties in the Birmingham area:

Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema The doors to Sidewalks free election watch party will open at 6 p.m., and results will start rolling in a 7 p.m. once the polls close. The bar and concessions will both be open, and there will be cocktail and mocktail drink specials. The results will be shown in the theater as well as on the smaller screens in the lobby.

Als on 7th This free watch party will start at 7 p.m. Election coverage and results will be shown on every TV in the bar.

Saturn Birmingham This watch party is hosted by the Jefferson County Democratic Party and Alabama for Harris/Walz. The doors to this free event will open at 7 p.m. Light appetizers will be provided, and drinks can be purchased at the bar.

Farrellys Southern Bar and Kitchen This watch party is hosted by the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans and the Young Republican Federation of Alabama. The event will start at 7 p.m.

Margarita Grill The Shelby County Democrats will host this watch party at Margarita Grill in Pelham. The event will start at 6:30 p.m.



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
The 2024 Election Day has finally arrived, and there's still time for absentee voters to return their ballots to the drop boxes. The deadline to mail then was Nov. 4

Here's how to find a drop box near you.

Where are the ballot drop boxes near me in Ohio?

You can drop off your own ballot using a drop box at the county board of elections before 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5. The Ohio Secretary of State's office website has those addresses listed here.

I didn't mail my absentee ballot. Is it too late to vote?

Voters' absentee ballots needed to be mailed on or before Nov. 4. Ballots must arrive at boards of elections by Nov. 9 to be counted. However, absentee ballots can still be placed in your local drop box before 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

Ohio's 2024 election drop box policy

Voters can only return their own ballots in drop boxes, which are found outside the county boards of elections, according to new rules from Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Previous Columbus Dispatch reporting notes that anyone who is returning a ballot for their family member's or helping a voter with a disability must bring the ballots inside the board's office and fill out an attestation form.

How do I track my absentee ballot in Ohio?

If you've already voted absentee, the Ohio government website allows you to track your absentee ballot:

Know your county and find it on the Ohio map Enter your first and last name. Some counties may require your date of birth and residential zip code Click submit, and you will find your ballot

Remaining Ohio voting dates

Nov. 5: Election Day. Ohio polls are open from 6:30 a.m.7:30 p.m., and Kentucky polling locations are open from 6 a.m.6 p.m.

Nov. 9: Absentee ballots mailed on or before Nov. 4 must arrive at boards of elections by this day to be counted

Who won the presidential election? How to check results in Ohio

Ohio polling places opened at 6:30 a.m. and will close at 7:30 p.m., though Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose sent a message on X reminding voters to remain in line after 7:30.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can find Ohio voting results for president, U.S. senator (Sherrod Brown vs. Bernie Moreno) and several Congressional races as well as state-level races here:

2024 Ohio General Election: Live Results and Maps

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How to find an Ohio ballot drop box near you on Election Day
There are a handful of counties that may tell us everything we need to know about the presidential election by Tuesday evening.

While not outright bellwethers at the national level (there are increasingly less of these since Trumps shock win in 2020), they might be a good barometer for how much Kamala Harris and Donald Trump were able to appeal to key voting blocks.

Below is a list of some of the most interesting areas to watch early on election night.

Peach County, Georgia

With a population of just 28,562, little Peach County in central Georgiaknown for its peaches, fittinglylikely wont have enough votes to swing the state one way or another.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, the countys resultsand overall turnoutthis election will give insight into whether Harris was successful in her pitch to rural Black voters throughout North Carolina and Georgia, where she campaigned regularly.

Peach County is 44 percent Black and was twice carried by Obama. In the last two elections, however, it saw its turnout sink and was flipped to Trump in 2016 and 2020. If Harris can see a sharp rise in turnout and win here, shell likely feel better about ultimately carrying both southern toss-up states.

Peach County was twice carried by Obama, but has since gone for Trump in the last two elections.

Cobb County, Georgia

Cobb County and its 781,646 residents in the northwestern suburbs of Atlanta are among the biggest drivers that have turned Georgia into a swing state in the last five years.

The county, which Mitt Romney carried by 12 points in 2012, was narrowly won by Hillary Clinton in 2016 and was won by Joe Biden with a 14-point margin four years ago, helping deliver him a surprise win in the Peach State by just 11,997 votes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cobb County has become much more diverse in the last decade and is now 30 percent Black, 15 percent Latino, and about six percent Asian. Its also particularly affluent, with the Weather Channel, Home Depot, and the Atlanta Braves based there, with many who work in Atlantas tech and media industries also calling it home.

If Harris is able to best Bidens performance in the county, it will likely mean her messaging got through to key demographic targets like minority men and the suburban highly-educated.

Hernando County, Florida, may provide a clue as to whether white baby boomers are supporting Trump.

Hernando County, Florida

Like its neighbor to the north, Florida has recently been among the quickest to report its election results after polls close.

The Sunshine State is no longer a toss-up like it once was, but it has a number of counties that are packed with senior communities that will show if Trump, 78, is still dominating amongst white baby boomersa massive voting bloc that could swing the results in some battleground states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Among the elderly-filled counties is Hernando. Its on the northern fringe of the Tampa Bay region and is just down the street from The Villages, a community thats known as a MAGA haven with a median age of 72.

Trump has dominated Hernando, winning it by 29 points in 2016 and by 30 points four years ago. Should that number lessen on Tuesday, however, it could be an early sign of trouble for Trump in a trio of swing statesArizona, Georgia, and Nevadathat are also retirement destinations. With abortion and recreational weed on the ballot, voter turnout shouldnt be an issue despite Florida not being a swing state.

Cabarrus County, North Carolina

North Carolina is unique among this years seven swing states in that its the only one yet to be won by a Democratic presidential candidate since Barack Obama narrowly won the state 2008. Before that, the last Democrat to carry the state was Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Still, North Carolina has had razor thin margins in recent elections and polls suggest its a winnable state for Harris this week. Similar to the state as a whole, Cabarrus has been perennially Republican for decades and voted for the GOP candidate in every election since 1948. In 2020, however, Biden finished within single digits of Trump and significantly outperformed Obama, who lost there in 2012 by nearly 20 points.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Should Harris flip North Carolina, shell do so by cutting into Trumps margin in places like Cabarrusa suburban area northeast of Charlotte thats growing more diverse by the year. Possibly helping Harris is an expected increase in voter turnout to vote against the GOPs gubernatorial candidate, Mark Robinson, whose porn-forum-posting and Im a Black Nazi scandal has him tanking in statewide polls.

Erie County, Pennsylvania

Where Erie County goes, Pennsylvania goes. At least, thats been the case in every presidential election since 1992.

Located in the states far northwest, sandwiched between the state lines of New York and Ohio with coastline on Lake Erie, the county is a microcosm of Pennsylvania as a whole. It has a progressive-leaning city in Eriewith a population of 92,000and more conservative-leaning suburbs and rural areas.

Erie will be a key area to watch as votes slowly roll in from Pennsylvania, which was infamously slow at tabulating votes in 2020largely because state law doesnt allow mail-in votes to be counted until Election Day. Still, any results trickling in from Erie Countywhich has been a popular campaign destination for both partiescould be telling for Pennsylvania as a whole.

Erie County has been a popular destination on the campaign trail.

Macomb County, Michigan

Macomb County is an area packed with blue-collar suburbanites that experts say Trump needs to win big in this election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump carried the county by 12 points and won Michigan in 2016. Against Biden, however, he won Macomb by only eight points and lost the state. The county gave Trump more votes than any other in Michigan in both elections and its importance to the former president was evidenced by him holding a rally there this past weekend.

Macomb may also give an early glimpse into how union workers will vote this election after many unions and their leaders were split this election when it came to endorsing. Its vote will be particularly insightful when it comes to analyzing the blue-collar areas of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, which wont have their election results published as quickly on Tuesday.
Four years ago, heading into Election Day, the tension and foreboding that many people are feeling right now was slightly less formed and more uncertain. Trump had suggested that the election was going to be stolen from him, but we hadnt yet seen armed Trump supporters surround the bland office buildings where votes would be tallied. Trump had declined to promise a peaceful transition of power, but the shape that would take on January 6, 2021, was not clear.

This time, if something violent is coming after the presidential election, we know much more about what to look out for, who might be behind it, and where to look in advance. Based in part on 2020, we can anticipate opportunities for far-right formations to mobilize supporters, attempt to intimidate election workers counting votes, or support local officials who refuse to certify election results. Trump and the GOP galvanized those far-right efforts in 2020, spreading conspiracy theories that inspired Trump supporters to join in disruptions. This time, the campaign claims to have recruited more than 200,000 volunteers to Protect the Vote. If you want to know what to watch for and where to look, this is it: Trump will likely announce his victory, no matter the result; a convergence of far-right paramilitary groups with the Trump campaign could follow in the cities and counties theyre groundlessly claiming are havens for election fraud. As proof, they will offer invented examples of voter fraud, collected by far-right and Trump-connected election volunteers that they have trained.

The groups who backed Trumps postelection efforts to remain in office were already active and being monitored by researchers and journalists prior to Election Day 2020. Today, many of those groups, such as the Oath Keepers, appear less visible and less active. One exception appears to be the Proud Boys. Like the Oath Keepers, much of the groups leadership was prosecuted in connection with the January 6 attack on the Capitol, including former chairman Enrique Tarrio, who was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for seditious conspiracy in 2023. Still, the Proud Boys continued to mobilize, with a focus on anti-LGBTQ harassment and threats, such as gathering at Drag Story Hour events around the country, from Manhattan and San Francisco to Helena and Cleveland.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Proud Boys still embrace the role Trump made for them in his infamous debate answer in 2020, in which he directed the group to stand back and stand by. Some reporting indicates that at least some chapters of the Proud Boys have been active ahead of the election in Telegram groups, a more private social messaging platform. Some of the content points toward the group anticipating theyll be tapped by Trump after the election, for example one video noted by The New York Times, captioned, 1/20/25: Trump is sworn in as President. 1/21/25: Me and the Proud Boys begin the deportation. Much more is concerned with mobilizing around the election itself.

If they mobilize, where will it be? The swing states that are most decisive in the presidential race seem likely to get the most attention and momentum. This is what happened in 2020, for example with the sustained presence outside the counting center in Maricopa County, Arizona. As one of the states where results are likely to come in later, Arizona is also an opportunity for election deniers to seize on any delay or issue. One of the states most prominent 2020 election deniers, Kari Lake, is running for the U.S. Senatedespite or perhaps because of the fact that she still maintains she won her 2022 race for Arizona governor. Lake has also been tapped by the Republican National Committee to train MAGA-aligned poll watchers.

Theres a recent history of armed election threats in the state: In October, a man was charged in Maricopa County for firing shots into the front doors and windows of a Democratic National Committee office on three occasions this fall. There is continued concern about militia groups like American Patriots Three Percent, or AP3, who organized members to engage in armed ballot box surveillance in Arizona in 2022. In early October, the independent media organization Unicorn Riot reported leaked Telegram messages that exposed some of AP3s tactics. An activist who infiltrated the group and was the source for the messages has warned, Most of the so-called lone wolves who participated in the 2022 ballot box watching in Arizona were not lone at allfar from it.

Michigan will be another state to watch. In 2020, Stop the Steal activists attempted to disrupt election workers in Detroit. One of them, who had livestreamed himself among the crowd, screaming for supporters to get down here! is now working as a regional campaign director in the state for the Trump campaign, NBC has reported. Hes not the only one: The far-right troll Jack Posobiec has moved from stoking Pizzagate to training poll workers in Michigan for the RNC, telling these would-be election monitors, It doesnt matter who votes. It matters who counts the votes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Concerns about election violence are now mainstream: Recent polls found that one-third of Americans say they dont have confidence in a peaceful transfer of power; among young voters, only 20 percent are confident there will be a peaceful transfer of power. In battleground states, 57 percent of voters are worried Trump supporters will turn violent if he loses; 31 percent fear Harris voters becoming violent if she loses. Across the country, nearly one in five Republicans say they want Trump to declare the election invalid and do whatever it takes if he loses, compared with 12 percent of Democrats if Harris loses.

There are numerous other examples those concerned about election violence can point to: the ballot box fires in Oregon and Washington; the two Florida men who have intimidated Harris voters at polling places, one with a machete and one with his fists. But rather than panic, its also important to remember that more research and effort has gone into identifying, tracking, and predicting election interference this time around. Those encouraging violence dont just aim to steal or disrupt an election with force but to intimidate people from voting. So far, theres nothing indicating they have succeeded in that.
Vice President Harris and former President Trump spent the final days of the 2024 campaign crisscrossing crucial battleground states with packed schedules of massive rallies.

For election night, each has opted to stick a little closer to home to wait for the results.

Trump will be spending the evening at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., and Harris will be at her college alma mater Howard University in Washington.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

President Biden, who ended his campaign for reelection in July, will watch election results from the White House residence with first lady Jill Biden, long time aides and senior White House staff, an administration official told The Hill.

Harris earned her Bachelors degree from Howard in 1986. If elected, she would become the first HBCU graduate to become the nations president. Expect to see big turnout from the Divine Nine, especially the four sororities that helped mobilize support for Harris, who is an Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Harris discussed the significance of choosing to spend election night at Howard during a Tuesday appearance on The Big Tigger Morning Show.

The first office I ever ran for was freshman class representative at Howard University, she said. To go back tonight to Howard University, my beloved alma mater, and be able to hopefully recognize this day for what it is, is really full-circle for me.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Her event will take place on The Yard, a historically and culturally significant site at the center of campus. The Yard has been secured for the event to limit access, in the first known presidential candidate election night event to take place on a college campus.

Trump, meanwhile, will be miles away from D.C., at the resort he affectionately dubbed the Winter White House, while he was in office. He formally announced his third presidential campaign from the estates ballroom in 2022.

Trump hosted a lengthy roster of foreign dignitaries to the massive waterside mansion. It also has a private members club, event space and hotel. Trump formally moved his primary residence to Mar-a-Lago after decamping New York City, from which he had built his name and business empire, while he was president.

The lifelong New Yorker explained his decision to pack up for Florida in a 2019 post on the social platform X, citing taxes and his strained relationships with state and local leaders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I hated having to make his decision, but in the end it will be best for all concerned, he wrote.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
It's the final countdown! U.S. voters will go to the polls on Tuesday to cast their votes in the presidential election after a closely fought contest between Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and Republican former President Donald Trump.

In a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll out Monday, the race was a dead heat  49% to 49%  among registered voters. Among likely voters, Harris led 51% to 47%, an advantage still within the margin of error.

More than 82 million Americans have voted ahead of Election Day, according to the University of Florida's Election Lab, more than half the total 160 million ballots cast in 2020, in which U.S. voter turnout was the highest in over a century.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: How do I vote in the 2024 election? Your guide to polling sites, mail-in deadlines, more

Harris is in Washington, D.C., and plans to celebrate election night at Howard University, her alma mater. If elected, she will be the first U.S. president to graduate from a historically Black college and university (HBCU).

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris' running mate, and his wife, Gwen, will campaign in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, before heading to Washington. D.C. for a Harris-Walz election night event.

Trump is expected to be a Mar-a-Lago and will host a watch party at a convention center in West Palm Beach, Florida. This marks a change from the watch parties in 2022, and Super Tuesday, which took place at Trump's Palm Beach club, according to the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida network.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Election 2024 is here. Sign up for USA TODAY's On Politics newsletter for breaking news and exclusive analysis.

Contributors: Antonio Fins, James Powel; USA TODAY Networks and Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kamala Harris schedule Tuesday: A look at campaign schedule
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Voters across the state will head to the polls on Tuesday to vote in the 2024 General Election.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m.  7 p.m. across the state.

You can find your polling place here.

Where to find 2024 election watch parties in the Birmingham area

Upon arrival at their location, voters will need to present a valid form of photo identification, which includes any of the following:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Valid Alabama drivers license (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days). Alabama Law Enforcement Agency digital drivers license.

Valid Alabama nondriver ID (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days). Alabama Law Enforcement Agency digital nondriver ID.

Valid Alabama photo voter ID card.

Valid State-Issued ID (Alabama or any other state). Examples: Valid AL Department of Corrections Release  Temporary ID (Photo Required). Valid AL Movement/ Booking Sheet from Prison/ Jail System (Photo Required). Valid Pistol Permit (Photo Required).

Valid federal-issued ID.

Valid US passport.

Valid employee ID from federal government, state of Alabama, county, municipality, board or other entity of the state.

Valid student or employee ID from a public of private college or university in the state of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools). Digital student ID issued by a state institution of higher learning in any other state.

Valid military ID.

Valid tribal ID.

If an individual does not have any of the above forms of photo ID, they may receive a free Alabama photo voter ID from one of these locations.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Each year, Nov. 11 is a day to honor those who have served and continue to serve in the United States armed forces. There are numerous events and programs happening this weekend throughout San Diego County, paying tribute to veterans.

Below is a compilation of just a few of several Veterans Day events happening across the county.

Several events are happening as part of Fleet Week in San Diego, including military band concerts, parades and more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

From Friday through Monday, the public is invited to visit the Port Pavilion building which will be transformed into the Fleet Week Innovation Zone. The event will showcase high-tech military and civilian equipment, making it a good attraction for all ages. The Port Pavilion is located on the Broadway Pier at 1000 N. Harbor Rd. in San Diego.

Also happening on the pier this weekend are free ship tours, giving people a look at the day-to-day lives of sailors in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. Visitors must be at least five years old to go on the ship tours. Strollers, glass, large bags and large backpacks are not allowed.

On Sunday, military members will show off their cooking skills using MREs, which stands for meals ready to eat. MREs are meals meant to feed troops when cooked food is not available. The contest will also be held on the Broadway Pier.

SeaWorld San Diego expands military access in honor of Veterans Day

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Monday at 10:15 a.m., a procession of military-themed boats will grace San Diego Bay as part of the Veterans Day Boat Parade. The parade will be visible from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village and Coronado Tidelands Park.

On Saturday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to noon, the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial will pay homage to veterans of the Korean War, their families and those missing in action. The memorial can be found at 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South.

The annual San Diego Veterans Day Parade will be held again this year in honor of veterans and active-duty military members. Thousands of people are expected to line the parade route, which kicks off at 10 a.m. Monday in front of the San Diego County Administration Center at 1600 Pacific Hwy. and continues along Harbor Drive.

In addition, the USS Midway Museum is offering complimentary admission to military veterans all month long. Tickets and parade information can be found here.

On Monday, community members in Santee are encouraged to do a self-guided walkthrough of banners displayed throughout the city with the names of hometown heroes. The walkthrough guide can be found on the city of Santees website or the flyer box at the Veterans Memorial Monument located at 9085 Fanita Pkwy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There will also be a small flag-raising ceremony on Monday at 11:11 a.m. at the monument, which will be decorated in honor of Veterans Day.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Millions of voters in Michigan have already cast ballots ahead of Election Day 2024, either through absentee voting or early voting. But many more will head to the polls today to decide the presidential election, an open seat in the U.S. Senate and other races.

Are you looking to vote today, but don't know where you're supposed to vote? Here's how you can find out, plus how to vote, what time polls are open and more.

Where can I find my local polling place?

You can find your polling precinct by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote. There, you can enter your address and the site will provide your polling place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Election Day, in-person voting must take place at your assigned polling place. Bigger cities and townships typically have multiple polling locations, so make sure you arrive at the correct one.

What time do polls open in Michigan?

Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. local time in Michigan. If you are in line at 8 p.m., you are still permitted to vote.

What should I expect at the polls in Michigan?

Once you arrive at the polls, you'll be asked to check in with local election workers. The election staff will provide you with a ballot or another option to vote if additional accommodation is needed.

You will be asked to provide a form of photo ID to vote. If you don't have an ID, you can still vote. You'll be asked to sign a form verifying your identity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here's a list of valid forms of photo ID, according to the Michigan Secretary of State's Office:

Michigan driver's license or state ID (may be expired)

Driver's license or state ID issued by another state

Federal, state or local government-issued photo ID

U.S. passport

Military photo ID

Photo ID from an educational institution

Tribal photo ID

What's on my Michigan ballot?

The presidential election, between Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican nominee former President Donald Trump, has taken up much of the oxygen of the general election cycle. But there are several other important races for Michiganders to decide.

Here's a rundown of the other races to know:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An open U.S. Senate seat : U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, and former congressman Mike Rogers, a Republican, are vying to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, in Washington.

U.S. House seats up for election: All 13 of Michigan's congressional seats are up for election, as they are every two years. A few of them are expected to be particularly competitive, including in Michigan's 7th Congressional District, where Democrat Curtis Hertel and Republican Tom Barrett are competing to replace Slotkin in Congress.

The balance of the Michigan House of Representatives: Just like in the U.S. House, seats in the Michigan House of Representatives are up for reelection every two years. Democrats currently have a 56-54 edge in the chamber but if Republicans can recapture the state House, Michigan would have split party-control of government, as Democrats currently hold the state Senate and the governor's office.

Two Michigan Supreme Court seats on the nonpartisan section : Two separate races for the Michigan Supreme Court will be decided Tuesday. One for a partial, four-year term between incumbent Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, who Democrats have backed to complete the remainder of her term, and Branch County Circuit Judge Patrick William O'Grady, nominated by Republicans. The other Supreme Court race is for a full, eight-year term, between Kimberly Ann Thomas, nominated by Democrats and state Rep. Andrew Fink, a Republican from Hillsdale. Democrats currently hold a 4-3 edge of nominated justices on the Michigan Supreme Court.

A bevy of local races, too: Depending on where you live, you'll get to decide on local races, as well. To see what exactly is on your ballot today, visit michigan.gov/vote and click on "What's on the ballot" underneath "Your voter information."

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com

Looking for more on Michigans elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How do I find my polling place in Michigan?
The early voting period in Tennessee has ended but voters can still cast their ballots on Election Day, Nov. 5. On Tuesday, voters will need to appear at their assigned polling location with their necessary ID.

Wondering how to find your polling location or what ID is necessary? Here's what to know in Davidson County.

What time do the polls open on Election Day?

In Tennessee, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. If the polls close while you're waiting in line, you may remain in line and still cast your ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Davidson County Election Commission advises voters that if an error appears on the printed ballot, request a do-over  do not scan the ballot.

What is my polling location?

On Election Day, voters must vote at their assigned precinct.

Residents of Davidson County may use their county's Polling Place Finder to identify their assigned polling location. Voters may also look up their polling location through the Tennessee Secretary of State website.

What do I need to bring to vote? What IDs are acceptable?

Voters must present an ID with their name and photograph to vote, for example a Tennessee driver license. The following IDs are also acceptable, even if expired:

A United States passport

A photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

A photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government

A United States Military photo ID

A Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo

I forgot my ID. Can I still vote?

Yes. In the case that a voter can't provide an acceptable form of ID, the voter will be issued a provisional ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The voter will then have two business days following Election Day to return to the election commission office to show a valid photo ID. According to the Tennessee Secretary of State, upon returning to the election commission office, the voter will sign an affidavit and a copy of the voters photo ID will be made to be reviewed by the counting board.

Is it too late to register to vote in Tennessee?

Yes, Tennessee does not offer same day voter registration. The last day to register to vote in Tennessee was Oct. 7.

Stay in the know: Download our app for breaking election news and alerts

Sign up: Get election and other breaking news delivered to your email

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Where can I vote today? How to find your precinct in Middle Tennessee
The big day has finally arrived.

Its Election Day and if you didnt take advantage of early voting in South Carolina, then now is the time to cast your ballot. But unlike during the early voting period, Election Day voters must visit their assigned polling place to vote in the general election.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, but if you dont know where to go, weve got you covered. Find tools to search for your polling place below, along with some extra information to know before casting your vote.

How do I find my polling place in SC?

The South Carolina Election Commission has a simple method to search for polling places online. The only catch is you must be registered to vote. Unfortunately, if youre not registered, its too late to do so for the general election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To find your polling place in SC, click here.

The link will bring you to a site that will ask for basic information including the county where youre registered, your name, date of birth and the last four digits of your social security number. Fill in those details and the site will tell you your polling place and offer Google Maps directions on how to get there.

What to bring to the polls?

Remember to bring your South Carolina drivers license to the polls.

If you dont have a drivers license, dont fret. Other forms of identification are accepted including:

SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID card, which includes SC concealed weapons permit





SC voter registration card with photo





U.S. passport





Federal military ID, which includes all Department of Defense photo IDs and the Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits Card





What if you have a photo ID but forget to bring it?

Even if you dont have a photo ID in person at your polling place, you can still vote with a provisional ballot. However, the ballot will only count if you show your photo ID to your county voter registration office before the certification of an election, which is usually on Thursday or Friday.
So much has been put on the line in the fight over the legal pot and abortion rights measures  hundreds of millions of dollars in ads, much of Gov. Ron DeSantis political capital and a blitz of legal battles  that voters could think the results of Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 will permanently resolve those issues.

But regardless of the results, the political and legal fights over the legalization of marijuana and abortion rights are likely to continue.

If both amendments get the 60% needed to pass, it would be a major blow to DeSantis political cachet in Florida and to his 2028 presidential aspirations. But his fellow Republicans in control of the Legislature could still impose rules and regulations for the use of recreational marijuana, as well as on abortions and the medical professionals and institutions that provide them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In his all-out campaign against Amendment 3 and Amendment 4, DeSantis has used taxpayer funds to pay for public service announcements to attack the measures. He also held a series of rallies against the amendments in the final weeks of the campaign, threatened TV stations airing a pro-Amendment 4 ad with jail time and enlisted the help of agency heads throughout his administration and faith leaders to bash the measures.

During the rallies, DeSantis claimed state lawmakers wouldnt be able to restrain the use of recreational pot or impose regulations on abortions if voters approved the amendments. But lawmakers have consistently put their own spin on ballot measures approved by voters.

For example, a measure allowing ex-felons to vote once they complete all terms of their sentence was passed by voters in 2018. Then the Legislature passed a law specifically requiring ex-felons to pay all outstanding fines and court fees before getting their voting rights restored. Supporters of the original measure objected to it but the law was upheld by the courts.

Today, I spoke with business and law enforcement leaders in Tampa who are against Amendment 3. Amendment 3 would hurt Floridas economy, reduce our quality of life by allowing rampant public use of marijuana, and make it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs and keep our pic.twitter.com/gjeyFwPT0s  Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 30, 2024

And if both of this year's amendments fail, proponents of the legalization of marijuana and expanded abortion rights arent going to stop pushing their causes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Youre going to see the morning after the election  whether or not those tactics that they continue to push worked, said state Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens, a supporter of both amendments. If we win, the people won. If we lose, it means theres more work to be done.

What happens next if the amendments pass?

Should the amendments pass, the legislative and legal battles over placing regulations on legal pot and abortion procedures could be fierce.

For Amendment 3, 60% approval from voters would mean those 21 and older can possess up to three ounces of marijuana for recreational use starting May 5. When the Legislature convenes in March, its 160 members will decide when and where cannabis can be consumed, and potentially place other regulations on its potency.

Passing Amendment 4 would mean pregnant women could get access to an abortion until viability of the fetus, or about 24 weeks into a pregnancy, effectively repealing the states current ban on abortions after six weeks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, a stalwart DeSantis ally in the Legislature, doesnt think either amendment will pass. He also doesnt think Amendment 3 allows lawmakers to put restrictions on where marijuana can be consumed, even though supporters insist thats not the case.

If Amendment 3 passes, Ingoglia thinks the Legislature could pass a law to ban smoking marijuana in public to see whether anyone sues to block it in court.

One of the things we should do is attempt to pass a law that says you cannot smoke it in public, Ingoglia said. Then its going to be real interesting to see who comes out and who tests that.

A public smoking ban that is upheld could pave the way for more regulations, Ingoglia said, but he doubts the courts will sanction such a ban, leaving lawmakers in a bind on how to prevent rampant marijuana use in public.

Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, a stalwart DeSantis ally in the Legislature, doesnt think either amendment will pass. (2021 file photo)

Amendment 3 supporters, however, appear to be preparing for a legislative fight no matter the outcome of the ballot measure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trulieve, a Tallahassee-based company selling medical marijuana products, has spent nearly $144 million on efforts to get Amendment 3 on the ballot and pass it. Theyve also paid the firm of Brian Ballard, a well-connected lobbyist with close ties to former President Donald Trump, $30,000 to $50,000 since the start of the year to lobby the Legislature.

On Amendment 4, supporters of the measure say theyll need to defend against legislative attacks to eliminate access to abortion if it reaches 60%. But even before that, theyll need to win in court to prevent the amendment from being thrown out.

Alan Lawson, a former Florida Supreme Court justice appointed by former Gov. Rick Scott, filed the lawsuit on behalf of four voters, alleging enough of the petitions gathered by Floridians Protecting Freedom, the group that got Amendment 4 on the ballot, were fraudulent and so the measures results should be tossed out.

Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, is a staunch advocate for abortion rights and downplays the threat of the lawsuit to succeed in getting the Amendment 4 results thrown out. The main battles over abortion rights if it passes will be in the Legislature, she said, where Democrats will need to defend against shenanigans from Republicans opposed to abortion rights.

Rep. Anna Eskamani speaks in opposition to HB 265, which would require parental consent for abortion, during debate of the bill on the House floor at the Capitol Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020.

We have some of the most anti-abortion extremists in the Legislature, Eskamani said. I have no doubt they are going to continue to find ways to ignore the will of the voters. So were going to have to be aggressive in upholding an amendment to the state constitution that guarantees us access.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ingoglia said the Legislature could opt to put its own amendment on the ballot in 2026 to counteract Amendment 4 if it passes. The precise terms of such a measure would need to be worked out, but he took specific issue with how he claimed Amendment 4 allows for late-term abortions, removes parental consent for minors to get an abortion and allows health care professionals to provide abortions, not just doctors.

Amendment 4 allows for abortions beyond viability to protect the patients health, as determined by the patients health care provider.

Two opposing signs on abortion from various demonstrations at the Florida Capitol over the years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Opponents of the measure believe that gives too much leeway for those seeking an abortion late in their pregnancy. Abortion rights activists believe the language is needed to account for those with health complications that put the health of the pregnant woman at risk.

If it becomes enshrined in our constitution the only way to fix it is another constitutional amendment, Ingoglia said.

What happens next if the amendments fail?

Medical marijuana and a burgeoning hemp industry are legal in Florida and will remain so whether Amendment 3 passes or not. The tussle over the legal terrain and regulatory framework for both industries will also continue regardless of the result.

And while the large price tag for the efforts to pass recreational marijuana might preclude Trulieve and the rest of the industry from starting from scratch on another ballot measure in Florida for 2026, moves at the federal level to lower penalties for marijuana cultivation, possession and use could trickle down to the Sunshine State.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: DeSantis opposes recreational marijuana, yet similar intoxicating hemp products dominate

President Joe Biden announced in April his administration would reclassify marijuana, currently labeled as a Schedule I drug with no medical value on par with heroin, to a Schedule III drug on par with ketamine and anabolic steroids.

Some Congressional Republicans have questioned the move, which will take months to take effect, but former President Donald Trump, the current GOP presidential nominee, has said he would continue those efforts to reclassify marijuana if he wins back the White House. Trump, a Florida resident, has also said he would vote yes on Amendment 3.

Similarly, the failure of Amendment 4 wouldnt put an end to the decades-long fight over abortion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If people think were going to stop organizing because 60% wasnt secured they are wrong, Eskamani said. The infrastructure that has been built through the Yes on 4 initiative, just the data that we have of supporters, the conversations weve had, the volunteers weve built up the civic engagement thats grown  none of that stops when the campaign comes to a close.

Ingoglia said if Amendment 4 fails the state will likely need to spend more taxpayer money on ads to continue to tell women that current state law allows access to abortion to save the life of a pregnant woman.

One of my fears is with all of the misinformation perpetrated by Amendment 4 advertisers on purpose theyre leaving the voter with a perception of Florida law which is clearly not true, Ingoglia said. So the state is going to continue having to spend money to educate people on what the current law actually does.

With the GOP comfortably in control of the Legislature and the Florida Democratic Party consistently losing statewide elections, it will be difficult for pro-abortion rights activists to roll back Floridas abortion ban if Amendment 4 fails.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Eskamani believes the measure will still get well over 50% support even if it fails to clear 60%, showing support for abortion rights is bipartisan in a state that consistently returns Republicans to power each election cycle.

That could potentially make Republicans in swing districts hesitant to back stricter abortion bans. Still, she thinks GOP leaders will continue to restrict abortion access, but is prepared for the long haul fight.

It took them 50 years to overturn Roe v. Wade. Its not going to come back in one year, Eskamani said. We have to have the same level of focus and tenacity and resilience over the next years and decades to restore all of our freedoms.

We cant take a break either regardless of what happens. We have to keep pushing forward.

Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer. This story was written before the results of Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 were tallied Tuesday evening to meet our print deadline.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida amendment fight over pot, abortion will persist after election
A Tennessee man with ties to white nationalist groups has been arrested after federal prosecutors say he tried to use what he thought was a drone packed with explosives to destroy a power station in Nashville, the Justice Department said Monday.

Skyler Philippi, 24, was charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to destroy an energy facility, prosecutors said in a news release.

According to a recently unsealed criminal complaint, Philippi allegedly told multiple undercover sources from the FBI that he wanted to blow up multiple energy stations to "shock the system" and lead to the collapse of the nation's power grid. He also allegedly talked about other attacks, including a mass shooting at at YMCA facility and a plan to derail a train in Tennessee. Philippi allegedly told the FBI sources that he was affiliated with multiple white supremacist groups and said he believed a conspiracy theory about the 9/11 attacks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In September 2024, Philippi allegedly began detailing a plan to attach explosives to a drone and fly it into an electric substation. He referenced previous power grid attacks, and alleged that he wanted to attack multiple substations, including one in Nashville and one in Louisville. Later in the month, he allegedly said he wanted to target two substations in the Nashville area.

Philippi allegedly conducted a test flight of the drone the day of the planned attack. / Credit: Department of Justice

Philippi allegedly spoke with one of the FBI sources about supplying explosive materials. He said he wanted materials that could cut through three-quarter inch metal, according to the complaint, and settled for something the source described as "poor man's C-4." Philippi also allegedly wanted to assemble pipe bombs and asked the FBI source to provide him with black powder to make the bombs explode.

Throughout October, Philippi stayed in touch with the FBI sources, allegedly discussing how they would avoid being caught, outlining a plan for the attack, and giving updates about the drone, which he was building himself. He allegedly told the human source that he needed more explosives on October 19.

On Nov. 2, Philippi allegedly went to carry out the attack. The undercover sources were with him every step of the way, picking him up from his home, traveling to Nashville, and providing him with inoperative explosives, prosecutors said. They allegedly conducted a test flight of the drone, drove by the site of the substation, and again discussed the plan for the attack. At the hotel they were staying in, Philippi and the sources allegedly conducted a Nordic ritual associated with white supremacist groups. It involved each of the participants reciting a Norse prayer and discussing the Norse god Odin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When asked if he was sure about the attack, Philippi allegedly told the agents that he was "fully committed" and that it was "time to do something big" that would be remembered "in the annals of history."

Philippi and the FBI sources allegedly drove to the power station around 8:15 p.m. During the drive, he again outlined the plan to destroy the substation. The group wore masks to hide their identities.

Philippi, right, and the two sources before the planned attack. / Credit: Department of Justice

When they arrived, Philippi allegedly began preparing the drone, while the FBI sources assumed security positions. As he was preparing the drone and explosives, law enforcement agents arrested Philippi and took him into custody. At the time of his arrest, the drone was powered up, with what he believed was an armed explosive device about to be attached, according to the complaint.

"As charged, Skyler Philippi believed he was moments away from launching an attack on a Nashville energy facility to further his violent white supremacist ideology  but the FBI had already compromised his plot," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in the Justice Department's news release. "This case serves as yet another warning to those seeking to sow violence and chaos in the name of hatred by attacking our country's critical infrastructure: the Justice Department will find you, we will disrupt your plot, and we will hold you accountable."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Philippi has been charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted. A federal public defender has been appointed to represent him, according to the Associated Press, and he is set to appear in court on November 13.

The U.S. grid includes more than 6,400 power plants and 450,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines that span the country. Multiple attacks have targeted the power system in recent years. In 2022, such attacks rose by 71% as compared to 2021, CBS News previously reported. Kenneth Wainstein, undersecretary of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security, told CBS News in 2023 that the agency is "very concerned" about power grid attacks driven by white nationalist narratives.

"We've seen attacks against the power grid for a number of years, and some of those attacks are simply people shooting into substations around the country for purely criminal reasons. But some of these shootings are also being done by domestic violent extremists" who are trying to engineer a societal collapse, Wainstein said.

End of an era for iconic moving walkways at San Francisco airport

The unintended consequences of Texas' strict abortion laws | 60 Minutes

The Novo Nordisk scientist behind Ozempic, Wegovy weight loss research
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at a rally with former President Barack Obama in Detroit, Mich., on Oct. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

As supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz rallied in Hart Plaza along the Detroit riverfront, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called on voters to chart a new way forward by sending the Democrats to the White House.

If you hear nothing else tonight, hear this: Big Gretch is calling on you to get out and vote, Whitmer said in prepared remarks released to the Michigan Advance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Walzs stop in Detroit Monday night was one of eight live-streamed rallies held in cities across seven battleground states whose electoral votes will be key in determining the presidential election.

This is a special city in a special state. Were rising up stronger than ever before. We have each others backs. We understand the value of hard work and the power of community, Whitmer said, crediting Michiganders and the policies of Harris and President Joe Biden for the construction of new housing and factories.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in Detroit on Nov. 4, 2024. | Kyle Davidson

Its a story you can see in all the cities were sharing the stage with tonight, Whitmer said. Were a nation of hardworking, hopeful people. We come from all walks of life, but we all want the same things: Lower costs and more affordable housing and health care. Good-paying jobs, safe roads and great schools. We want our kids to be happy and healthy and we believe in the goodness and decency of our neighbors. Thats our story.

Michigan deserves leaders who know us and see us, Whitmer said, pointing to Harris as that leader.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Heres what I need you to do, Michigan: Tonight, make a plan. Tomorrow, bring a friend to the polls  polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Together, well win this thing and put Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the White House, Whitmer said.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Cases of whooping cough are increasing in Michigan and the health department is urging people to get vaccinated.

As of Oct. 28, 830 confirmed or probable cases have been reported to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Thats up from Oct. 5, when 473 cases had been recorded in Michigan. Between 2017 and 2019, Michigan averaged 596 cases of whooping cough, which is also known as pertussis.

Pertussis is an endemic disease that tends to peak every few years. Outbreaks are most commonly found in schools and childcare centers, hospitals and in large cities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its not just Michigan  nationally, more than five times as many cases have been reported this year as of Oct. 26 compared to the same time in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cases of whooping cough surge in Michigan, U.S.

Symptoms of pertussis can look like the common cold in their early stages, but patients eventually develop a telltale whooping gasp as the patient finishes a coughing fit. The coughing fits can linger from one to six weeks, and in some cases up to 10 weeks. Babies and young children may not cough but instead have pauses in their breathing which can make their skin look blueish or cause them to be out of breath, according to MDHHS.

Getting vaccinated is recommended by the health department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Vaccinations continue to be our top line of defense against the spread of pertussis, wrote Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive, in an MDHHS news release. With a declining rate of immunizations, we are unfortunately seeing a rise in pertussis and other vaccine-preventable diseases statewide. We encourage all Michiganders to stay up to date with their immunization schedule.

The CDC recommends adults get a booster every 10 years. Vaccinated patients are less likely to be infected, but protection does wane over time, so patients wont be fully immune. Vaccinated patients do, however, tend to have less severe symptoms and recover faster.

More information about whooping cough can be found at the CDC website.

 News 8s Matt Jaworowski contributed to this report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
BALTIMORE  Right now, without getting up from your chair or leaving your house, you can search and review court records related to the 2020 Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd. Minnesota courts provide online access to a plethora of documents such as complaints, arrest warrants and jury verdicts.

But in Maryland, its a different story.

If you want to see court documents related to the 2015 death of Freddie Gray following his police arrest, for example, youll find only general case information online, like party names, the open or closed status of the case, and the types of charges against officers  but no charging documents. To obtain more detailed information, youd have to visit the courthouse during business hours, or make a public records request.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Court access advocates and journalists laud the benefits of allowing the public to remotely view court records, saying it increases transparency and accommodates timely reporting on newsworthy events.

But court administrators and some Maryland states attorneys urge caution, noting that remote access can make it harder to protect confidential information that is accidentally left unredacted, like Social Security numbers. Some critics also say a transition to public, remote access could increase court administrative costs, while others say thats not necessarily the case.

Currently in Maryland, remote, electronic access to court records is available only to attorneys and case parties, per the recently completed statewide integration of Maryland Electronic Court, or MDEC, this past May. For the general public, the state offers Maryland Judiciary Case Search, allowing searches by name, date and county. The database provides only basic information about a case, not detailed charging documents or complaints.

A public information officer for the Maryland Judiciary did not respond in June when asked about the possibility of public, remote access to electronic court records.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MDEC was a key step toward increasing online, public access to court records, said Fritz Mulhauser, who serves on the board of directors of the Council for Court Excellence, which aims to improve the justice system in Washington, D.C.

But Mulhauser and other court transparency advocates are critical of the remaining limitations on public, remote access  referring to this as practical obscurity.

The Supreme Court  and other courts  have felt squeamish allowing jammie surfers to freely search court records from their basements, snooping through divorce files and convictions of their co-workers, neighbors and family members, said David Cuillier of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project, in an email. So, they have said that if you really want to see the records, you have to trudge down to the courthouse and go to the hassle to look them up.

The effort to increase court record access is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit in Maryland filed in U.S. District Court. Courthouse News Service, a California-based organization, sued Marylands state court administrator and county clerks in 2022, alleging they violated the First and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution by not providing contemporaneous access to public court records, and specifically, new civil complaints.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both sides submitted a court filing in late October saying theyve reached an agreement in the case, but no details have been released.

When it comes to criminal cases, a handful of Maryland states attorneys expressed varied degrees of support for remote record access, while also highlighting the need to shield sensitive information, such as bank accounts and Social Security numbers.

In a June interview, Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger, a Democrat, expressed concerns about victims of gang violence and sex offenses having their personal information exposed online if Maryland adopts remote access to court records, saying theres no guarantee this wont happen.

But if peoples personal information is protected, then remote access is certainly something that I can support, Shellenberger said in a later interview that month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A recent analysis from the Federal Judicial Center, a U.S. government agency, examined how often Social Security numbers appear in federal court records, finding that, out of nearly 4.7 million documents filed on 37 randomly selected days, 0.1% contained at least one un-redacted Social Security number. Seventeen documents contained nearly half of the un-redacted Social Security numbers.

Restricting access to public records based on a very small percentage of documents where sensitive information is accidentally exposed, isnt good public policy, said Josh Blandi of UniCourt, a platform providing access to litigation data from state and federal courts.

Its kind of like saying, We shouldnt drive because some people get in accidents sometimes, Blandi said.

Its unclear how many states allow public, remote access to court records  and to what extent. Per a 2017 survey prepared by the Council for Court Excellence, respondents in 21 states said they provided some form of electronic access, including 18 that provided court dockets and several that provided party filings, opinions, orders and judgments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some courts and attorneys use artificial intelligence technology to assist with redaction tasks, but its not a magic bullet, said Jannet Okazaki, with the National Center for State Courts. Theres a lot of human training required to help the machine learn to recognize what information to redact. However, it does make the job faster, she said.

Another consideration is cost. Arguing on behalf of Marylands court administrator in the case brought by the Courthouse News Service, lawyers said that implementing an electronic press queue system  where members of the media could have immediate access to newly filed complaints  would cost at least $108,000 per year. They cited Tyler Technologies, a vendor that services Marylands e-filing system.

But electronic court projects dont always have to be outsourced. Minnesotas recent transition to remote access was handled in-house with preexisting staff and no outside vendors, said Kyle Christopherson, a communications specialist for Minnesota courts.

Document costs also can serve as a transparency barrier. In Maryland, copies of court documents are $0.50 per page. The Council for Court Excellence survey found that states operating their own systems with court staff tended not to charge document fees, while the opposite was true for those that hired vendors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When court records are free, it also increases privacy, since lawyers will be more careful to redact, argues Mike Lissner of the Free Law Project.

If you have a system that has some amount of obscurity and some amount of privacy, lawyers will think its private, and they will do a bad job redacting, he said.

Theres another problem with making public court records hard to access, Cuillier said: a widened knowledge gap between those who have resources and knowledge to maneuver through the courthouse, and those who dont.

The fact is, a public record is a public record, he said, and it is time the courts acknowledge the value of people being able to easily interact with their government.

---------
Did you know that 40% of public school teachers and other education employees arent covered by Social Security? That is bad for the affected workers, who miss out on potential benefits. But it also complicates the program for the rest of us.

But instead of solving this problem, the House of Representatives may soon consider a bill that would repeal two provisions designed to preserve fairness in the Social Security formula. If passed, the measure would provide a financial windfall to retirees like former teachers and school superintendents who already have a healthy pension to fall back on. And it would cost taxpayers $196 billion over the next 10 years.

The rules are complicated, so an example might help. Imagine a hypothetical California teacher. Like most educators in states like Ohio, Texas and Massachusetts, and over two-thirds of police officers and firefighters, California teachers dont participate in Social Security. Our hypothetical teacher doesnt pay the 6.2% Social Security payroll tax on income, and her school district doesnt pay the employer portion, either.

Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter

Instead, these workers rely solely on their state-provided pension benefits. That deal works out well for people who are willing to stick around for the 20 or 30 years needed to vest in the system, but most workers will not.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lets say our California teacher lasts 25 years. She wont qualify for a Social Security benefit, but her state pension will pay half the salary she earned as an educator. Depending on her age, she could live for as many years in retirement as she taught, meaning her pension benefit could easily pay out more than $1 million by the time she dies.

But say our hypothetical teacher doesnt completely retire. Lets assume she works for 10 more years as a yoga instructor. She earns less than she did as a teacher, and both she and her yoga studio must pay payroll taxes on her earnings.

Now, shes eligible for Social Security on top of her teacher pension. When she goes to file for benefits, the Social Security Administration asks if she has a government pension and, if so, how much it is worth.

Related

Aldeman: 3 Differences Between Californias Teacher Pension System and Social Security That Have a Huge Impact on Retirees  New Report

If it didnt ask, the Social Security Administration would assume the former teacher was only a relatively low-paid yoga instructor, not a pensioner. Because Social Security is progressive and replaces a higher percentage of earnings for lower-income workers, she could potentially qualify for the same benefit as someone with much more limited means  and no pension to fall back on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Beginning in the 1970s and 80s, Congress decided this wasnt fair. In response, it created the Windfall Elimination Provision for workers who split their careers in and out of Social Security. A separate provision, the Government Pension Offset, applies to spouses in households with split coverage.

Congress also put in place protections ensuring that not all employees with split coverage face a penalty. For example, the windfall provision cannot reduce someones Social Security benefit by more than half of their government pension.

This rule, in effect, protects the vast majority of workers with split coverage. When the Social Security Administration ran the numbers in 2019, it found 19.6 million retirees who had worked a portion of their careers in state and local government positions without Social Security coverage. But thanks to this rule, 18 million of them (92%) faced no penalty at all.

That left about 1.6 million retirees who did face a penalty. Like our hypothetical teacher, these people might be surprised  and angry  when they file for Social Security and discover their benefits will be reduced. But remember, these are people who already qualify for a substantial pension from their years of government service. They arent billionaires, but they arent exactly impoverished, either. It wouldnt be fair to give them the same Social Security benefits as a low-income worker without a pension.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Related

Teacher Pension Pac-Man: How Rising Costs Are Eating Away at Education Budgets

Legislation to repeal the two provisions has 62 co-sponsors in the Senate, and House members have already filed a petition to get their version out of committee and onto the floor for a vote. Given a busy congressional schedule, an article from the Federal News Network suggests that likely couldnt happen before November.

But repealing the two provisions would be a costly, unfair mistake. And theres a better option: Make Social Security coverage mandatory for all. That would simplify the program for everyone and remove the need for the two provisions.

Unions representing teachers and other workers affected by the windfall provisions are behind the recent push to repeal them. At the same time, these groups oppose efforts to make Social Security coverage mandatory in the public sector, as it is for all private-sector employees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But extending Social Security coverage to all state and local government employees would help the workers who need it the most. Research by myself and others has found that many employees who lack coverage, especially lower-income workers, would be better off if they participated in Social Security than they are relying solely on their state pension plan.

If Congress wants to help teachers and other public workers, it should extend mandatory Social Security benefits to the public sector. No more split Social Security coverage, no more windfall provision or offset. Full Social Security participation  including taxes and benefits  for all.
Delaware is not yet a part of the IRS Direct File program, but the state and the federal government have had discussions about the state's "eventual" participation.

Last month, the IRS announced 12 new states to join the Direct File program, which is a free, web-based system accessible on all platforms that walks taxpayers step-by-step through their tax returns. It also guides taxpayers through their state's filing process.

All of Delaware's neighbors, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, have joined the program for 2025. The Delaware Department of Revenue said it has discussed the First State's eventual participation in the program with the U.S. Treasury. Over 30 million taxpayers in 24 states nationwide have access to the service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MORE TO READ: IRS sets higher standard deduction, new tax brackets for 2025

The state department said it is looking for support similar to what other states have received in order to fully and seamlessly integrate the IRS system with the state's free filing system. The majority of Delaware residents would be able to file both their federal and state taxes with the Direct File system, and the department said it wants to ensure residents' ability to use one service instead of separate filing through the state's systems or third-party vendor.

A tech nonprofit called Code for America is working with the U.S. Treasury to help implement Direct File, but it does not have enough resources for every state yet.

Without assistance from Code for America, Delaware would have to find its own financial resources to implement the program as intended. The nonprofit said it is working with New Jersey in October, allowing the state to join Direct File.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a Bloomberg report earlier this year, the Deputy Director of Revenue Jamie Johnstone said the state is working to get a better understanding of the program's results after its 2024 pilot program.

The expansion of Direct File in 2025 will also cover taxpayers claiming a Child and Dependent Care Credit, Premium Tax Credit, Credit for the Elderly and Disabled, and Retirement Savings Contribution Credits. It will also cover taxpayers claiming deductions for Health Savings Accounts.

BACKGROUND: IRS doubles number of states eligible for its free Direct File for tax season 2025

The state offers free filing for Delaware Personal Income Tax Returns and is free and unlimited to all Delaware taxpayers, the state department said.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: IRS Direct File is not yet available in Delaware. Why and what to know
Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock speaks at the opening of a Democratic Party field office in Detroit's Livernois Fashion District on Oct. 18, 2024 Credit - Dominic GwinnMiddle East Images via AFP via Getty Images

This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox.

Raphael Warnock arrived on Detroits Avenue of Fashion in his SUV, rocking blue jeans and a muted olive vest, ready to make his pitch to the predominantly Black audience. The Democratic Senator from Georgia is among a group of high-profile advocates for Kamala Harris working nonstop to turnout the Black male voters they fear could cost her the electionnot so much by backing Donald Trump, but by not bothering to vote at all.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We cannot afford to stay home. Thats the real threat, Warnock said in a storefront hastily remade into a field office for Democrats. Theres no such thing as not voting. If you do anything other than vote for Kamala Harris, then you are putting that man closer to the White House, and we cannot afford for him to be back in.

Warnocks words were similar to his message earlier that day at a magnet school with a student body that is three-quarters Black and counts Diana Ross as an alumna. Its the same warning hes delivering daily up until Election Day in swing states, on talk radio, on TV, at HBCU homecoming games, everywhere, reallyin hopes that the outcome isnt dictated by a lack of enthusiasm from low-propensity voters, especially Black men.

I dont believe that there are going to be huge swaths of Black men voting for Donald Trump. I dont believe it, Warnock told a crowd at a downtown high school. Were not a monolith, like anybody else. There will be some; there have always been some.

Low-propensity votersthose who are registered but far-from-guaranteed to show up on Election Dayhave become the entire prize for Democrats at this late hour. Harris advisers are making the strategic bet that her hardcore supporters have already banked their votes early where possible and that most of those inclined to back Trump arent persuadable. Instead, the focus in the final push has been for those low-likelihood voters with knocks to their doors, with digital ads aimed at specific demographics, and unrelenting phone calls. On Saturday alone, Harris campaign said they had volunteers in Pennsylvania knocking on 2,000 doorseach minute.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Harris team has not tried to hide the aggressive effort to boost voter turnoutespecially among Black men. And that effort is especially strong in key cities in the very, very white Blue Wall states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvaniaall of which look poised to be narrowly decided. Special effort has been made in markets like Detroit, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee. Black voters are the spine of the Democratic Party, but efforts to ensure their support had, frankly, languished when Democrats thought they were stuck with President Joe Biden running for a second term. Once Harris took over the ticket in July, the team she inherited and then augmented went into overdrive to make up for the lost ground.

In 2020, Biden dominated in the Blue Wall states among Black voters, winning 92% each in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. But theyre only between 6% and 12% of the overall electorate, meaning a couple thousand Black voters who stay home can actually be the whole ballgame for Democrats. To keep those states, Harris requires turnout and discipline.

In the Southern states in play, its more urgent; roughly 30% of the electorate in Georgia is expected to be Black, and 25% in North Carolina. Neither state is a must-win, but theyre part of the seven-state constellation that is the most realistic map of battlegrounds. And in the last presidential race, Biden carried 88% of Black voters to win Georgia in 2020 but the 92% he won in North Carolina proved insufficient.

For her part, Harris has hardly played hard-to-get: she has released an Opportunity Agenda for Black Men and flooded Black media outlets and personalities. Aides have assembled events like a Black Men Huddle, Black Men For Harris, a barbershop tour called Cuts and Conversations, and targeted canvasses branded Step, Stomp, and Stroll. Musical acts like Beyonce, Usher, John Legend, Lizzo, and Cardi B all have joined Harris events in the last month. Oprah, Stevie Wonder, and Magic Johnson have also been on hand. Actress Kerry Washington practically lives on the campaign trail these days, and the Congressional Black Caucus has been a roving roadshow for the campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Oh, and a certain former President named Barack Obama and a First Lady named Michelle have come off the sidelines in major ways.

Its one of the most transparent and targeted efforts to reach these potential voters in recent years, and it still may come up short. Black men are not in our back pocket, Harris told the National Association of Black Journalists in September. Trumps strategists, of course, understand this and have been surgical in their campaign for young male votes across all racial groups. Its set in motion one of the most unexpected side-plots of the 2024 campaign.

What you're seeing is the recognition by Kamala Harristo her creditthat you can't take anybody for granted, Warnock tells me in a parking lot after one of many pep talks in Detroit. She knows that she's got a fight to earn the votes of Black men and white women and white men and every other constituency. And she's fighting to do that.

Celebrity and identity politics can matter in voter registration and mobilization among low-propensity voters, for sure, but ultimately there has been a product beyond the packaging. Harris certainly does not lack for substance, but the energy radiating from her campaign at in-person events often fails to be felt from those consuming that content in clips and soundbytes. Her rally in Houston late last month rivaled any recent sporting or musical event in my mind, summoning memories of Obamas 2008 acceptance speech in Denver. (Beyonces introduction of her didnt hurt, either.) But from the outside, such moments can get drowned out by the daily buffet of Trumps outrageous bombast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Still, the messaging toward these voters has been a little disjointed at times. Many in Democratic circles questioned the wisdom of Barack Obama calling out Black men for being lukewarm on Harris out of latent sexism. (Part of it makes me think that, well, you just arent feeling the idea of having a woman as President, and youre coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that, Obama said in Pittsburgh.)

Sitting at a day before Election Day, Harris has strong footing in the polling. The final NBC News poll shows an 87%-9% split among Black voters, a blow-out for sure. But then its worth remembering that Hillary Clinton had an 89%-8% lead among Black voters in 2016, too.

If she doesnt win, it will be because of racism. Its that simple, says Keith Williams, the chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus and a former Wayne County Commissioner. Shes running against a convicted felon who doesnt know what hes talking about, and its still close. Theres only one way to explain that.

Retired engineer John Watkins, who took a minute out of his Friday to hear from Warnock and to pick up Harris yard signs, had a slightly different opinion. People arent taking Trump seriously around here, the 67-year-old Detroit resident says. Half of the country is just not going to vote for a Black woman. We have to remind ourselves of that reality and work twice as hard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Democrats remain skittish about the Black male vote, but are less worried than they were around Labor Day. An NAACP poll released last week found Black men under age 50 were coming home to the Democratic Party; Trumps support fell from 27% to 21% from a month earlier. Meanwhile, Harris support climbed from 51% to 59%still a challenge in a voting bloc that any Democrat need to run up tallies.

Overall, among all Black voters, Harris enjoys about 73% support in the NAACP pollalso up from a month earlier by about 10 points. By comparison, Biden earned the vote of about 90% of Black voters in 2020, and Obama won about 95% of those ballots in his two campaigns.

Its better, but not good, says one veteran strategist cheering his friends from outside the Harris campaign. We are out of the Biden danger zone but this is still going to come down to what our aunties say at church that last weekend.

So, as Warnocklike so many other Harris allies in the campaigns final daysrepeats his pitch to every group of potential voters he can find, its one rooted as much in aspiration as pragmatism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You will not see waves of Black men voting for Donald Trump, Warnock insisted. The real threat that we face, the real thing that weve got to address is apathy.

That, right there, is why Harris team has spent the last weeks of the campaign in overdrive, and will stay there until the last polling locations close in just a few hours. They arent looking for the die-hard partisans, theyre looking for the indifferent Americans who might not even know Election Day is finally upon us.

Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter.

Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Voters across the U.S. are headed to polling sites to cast their ballots on Election Day.

But why is Election Day held on a Tuesday, when people are normally working?

More News: NY Elections

Election Days used to be held on any day a state decides, as long as it was within the 34 days before the first Wednesday in December, according to the History Channel. In 1845, a law was passed to hold elections on a single day  the first Tuesday in November.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There were several reasons why Tuesday was chosen. Sundays were considered a day of worship for Christians and Wednesdays were a market day for farmers, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. It could take people at least a day to travel to the polls, which is why Tuesday was chosen, the History Channel said.

More News: NJ Elections

Agriculture was the primary reason why elections were mandated to be held in November. Farmers would be done with their harvests before then and the weather was still decent.

If you live in New York, you may be eligible for paid time off to vote. To find out more, click here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



On Election Night, Vice President Kamala Harris will be at her alma mater, Howard University. The historically Black college is located in Washington, D.C., and has had an enormous impact on her life and career. "Howard shaped me into the person I am today," she wrote in Howard's student paper, The Hilltop, this month. It's hardly the first time Harris has opened up about her college experience.

Shop Now The Truths We Hold: An American Journey amazon.com $11.62

I had always heard stories about what a wonderful place Howard University was, she wrote in her memoir, The Truths We Hold. Howard is an institution with an extraordinary legacy, one that has endured and thrived since its founding, two years after the Civil War. It endured when the doors of higher education were largely closed to black students. It endured when segregation and discrimination were the law of the land. It endured when few recognized the potential and capacity of young black men and women to be leaders. Generations of students had been nurtured and edified at Howard, equipped with the confidence to aim high and the tools to make the climb. I wanted to be one of themand in the fall of 1982, I moved into Eton Towers, my first college dorm.

Kelvin Sterling Scott - Getty Images

Howard, she writes, opened her eyes to her potential. That was the beauty of Howard. Every signal told students that we could be anythingthat we were young, gifted, and black, and we shouldnt let anything get in the way of our success. The campus was a place where you didnt have to be confined to the box of another persons choosing. At Howard, you could come as you were and leave as the person you aspired to be. There were no false choices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She continues, We werent just told we had the capacity to be great; we were challenged to live up to that potential. There was an expectation that we would cultivate and use our talents to take on roles of leadership and have an impact on other people, on our country, and maybe even on the world.

The Washington Post - Getty Images

Harris graduated from Howard in 1986, where she studied economics and political science, and has spoken often about the impact her four years there had on her. In 2021, Harris made history as the first vice president to be an HBCU alum.

After her inauguration, Howard's president wrote in a letter, "The struggles she had to endure to reach these unprecedented levels within our nations government have blazed a trail for others to follow. As she has said, 'I may be the first woman to hold this office. But I wont be the last.' Because of her accomplishments, and because of her continued efforts, our country is becoming more tolerant of every persons ambitions, regardless of their gender, race or ethnicity. No longer does anyone have the right to tell Black boys and girls to set their sights lower, to dream smaller, to be more realistic. We need only point to Kamala Harris when telling our children that anything they can imagine, they can achieve."

You Might Also Like
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Ohio is known for producing a disproportionate number of U.S. presidents, but a Donald Trump victory this election cycle would bring Ohios first undisputed vice president.

The Ohio Statehouse claims eight U.S. presidents hailed from Ohio, which gave the Buckeye State another nickname: Mother of Presidents. Seven of them were born in Ohio, and William Henry Harrison settled in Ohio, securing another spot on the list.

How Ohio counts voters ballots on Election Day

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, Ohioan vice presidents are less common. Although some historians consider three former vice presidents to be from Ohio, some argue J.D. Vance would be its first.

Ohio has always defined the from Ohio question about presidents very broadly, James Melcher, who authored Broken Cradle: Why is Ohio No Longer the Mother of Presidents? said. But if people want to say that hes the first VP nominee to rise to prominence in Ohio, one could phrase it that way.

Which Ohioans served in the White House?

The eight Ohio presidents were all elected within 100 years, mirroring Ohios political importance at the time. Three presidents from Ohio even served consecutively, making an Ohioan the commander in chief from 1869 to 1881. All were elected between 1840 and 1924:

NAME HOMETOWN TERM William Henry Harrison* North Bend, west of Cincinnati 1841 Ulysses S. Grant Point Pleasant, southeast of Cincinnati 1869-1877 Rutherford B. Hayes Delaware 1877-1881 James Garfield* Cuyahoga County 1881 Benjamin Harrison North Bend, west of Cincinnati 1889-1893 William McKinley* Canton 1897-1901 William Howard Taft Cincinnati 1909-1913 Warren G. Harding Marion 1921-1923

Fewer vice presidents have hailed from Ohio, and some argue none should count. Charles Dawes (Calvin Coolidge), Charles Fairbanks (Theodore Roosevelt) and Thomas Hendricks (Grover Cleveland) were all born in the state but built their political careers largely in Indiana or Illinois.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Poll shows razor-thin race for Ohios U.S. Senate seat

History Curator Benjamin Baughman with the Ohio History Connection said he believes all three should be considered Ohioans. Dawes was born in Marietta and educated in Ohio, Fairbanks was born in Union County and Hendricks was born near Zanesville.

Either way, Vance would be the first Ohioan in the White House in nearly 100 years, with Dawes leaving in 1929. Vance is from Middletown and rose to prominence after chronicling his experience in Ohio in his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy. Vance is currently a senator, and if he assumes the vice presidency, Gov. Mike DeWine would select his replacement.

What made Ohio a political hotspot?

Particularly in the years after the Civil War, Ohios centrality made it a major player in national politics. Baughman said Ohioans were often seen as more moderate, an attractive option for the often starkly different western frontier, rural south and urban northeast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Election security, results mark focus of Secretary of States office

Late 19th century Ohio, with its growing immigrant populations, its agricultural centers and its industrial developments, really served as a microcosm for the entire nation  more so than other states or regions at that time, Baughman said.

At the time, presidential candidates were selected with little input from the general public, so parties favored candidates who were likable and relatively passive. Melcher and Baughman also pointed to the military credentials of successful presidents at the time, and Ohio had plenty.

Ohio supplied more soldiers to the Civil War that any other Union state per capita, Baughman said. Several Ohio presidents  Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Harrison, McKinley  all served in the military during the Civil War which made them attractive to voters as men who had aided in preserving the Union.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

How rain in Columbus could predict the next president

Ohio also had a large population, clocking in as the third most populous state in the U.S. census between 1840-1880 and the fourth largest from 1890-1940. Today it is the seventh most populous, and Baughman said dispersed U.S. populations made Ohio less politically relevant.

Have these factors helped Vances vice presidential bid?

Baughman said Ohios past political assets have not played a role in Vances campaign, although Melcher said some similarities can be drawn. Melcher pointed to former governor John Kasich as an example of a more traditional Ohio politician, contrasting his likability and coalition building with Vance, whom he described as more polarizing.

Instead of being a Civil War hero, he garnered fame for Hillbilly Elegy, both the book and movie, Melcher said. That success built name recognition just as the war heroes had. But even then, there was an ideological edge to his writing that was not there with the other Ohioans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Franklin County in-person early voting numbers hit new record

Melcher also said Vance, similarly to Ohios past president or vice president successes, benefits from Ohios geographic location. Melcher said Ohio sitting so close to key swing states like Pennsylvania and Michigan is in Vances favor.

However, Ohios strategic positioning is less about what is in the state and more about what is around it, which differs from past Ohioan success stories. Melcher said previous candidates from Ohio were successful because they could bridge party lines, whereas Vance appeared to be selected because he would be loyal to Trump.

Vance has some commonalities with the old Ohioans, but has more of the ideological edge to him that the current selection system values, Melcher said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
This year, documentaries that tackle pressing political issues including immigration, abortion and the Jan. 6 insurrection were meant to make an impact on the 2024 presidential election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. While some, like Errol Morris immigration control documentary Separated and Matt Tyrnauers Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid both found distribution deals prior to Election Day with MSNBC and CNN respectively, there are many more docus that have been or will be self distributed that American voters on both sides would benefit from watching  even after the election.

As both Democrats and Republicans gear up for potential unrest and protracted legal battles following the results of the election, docus like 64 Days: The Road to Insurrection, The Last Republican and Zurawski V. Texas are arguably more important viewing than ever before.

More from Variety

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Director Nick Quested embedded with the Proud Boys and other far-right groups in the months leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. He turned his footage into 64 Days: The Road to Insurrection  a firsthand account of the conspiracy to steal the 2020 election.

Quested, who self-released the doc last month on Vimeo, says that his film will remain relevant in the upcoming months.

If Trump wins, I think it becomes a protest film because this is how (Trump) sets his stool up every time, and if Harris wins, its a warning about whats going to happen again, says Quested. We are seeing exactly the same things happening again and again and again that happened in 2020 after Biden was elected. The messaging is the same. (MAGA) is questioning the mail-in ballots. There are poll workers being trained to create pretext for lawsuits. Theres going to be pressure on elected and election officials in all the swing states. Theres going to be boards of supervisors that refuse to certify elections. There are going to be state legislators that refuse to certify the Electoral College. So, 64 Days doesnt lose relevance after the election because its actually about the period between the election and inauguration day.

Maisie Crow and Abbie Perraults Zurawski v Texas, about women who sued Texas after the states overly restrictive abortion laws almost caused them to die, was self-released in theaters in New York, Los Angeles, and cities across Texas on Oct. 25. The directing duo are still hopeful that the film will find traditional distribution, but have leaned into alternative models for distribution and will continue to do so after the election because they feel the docu is a bipartisan educational tool.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I dont think that this election will change the immediate outcome of who has access to (abortion) care, says Crow. So regardless of who wins, Texas is still in the same situation as are other states with abortion bans. I think that people, families, men, and obviously women all need to see this film to really understand the realities of what abortion bans mean in practice.

Crow adds that since the film had its world debut at the Telluride Film Festival, it has been used as a civil discourse resource to talk about abortion.

People come up to us and say, Wow, I can really use some of the stories that Ive heard in this film when having conversations with family members or friends who might think differently than I think about abortion,' says Crow.

Steve Pink also hopes his doc The Last Republican, about former U.S. Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who sacrificed his career by publicly demanding accountability for Donald Trumps role in the 2021 insurrection, will also be used as a tool for civil discourse in the days following the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Civil discourse will probably be the key to the success of our society and our communities, period, says Pink. But we have become so polarized, and theres so much hatred that even the idea of contending with the opposing views of people, even people who you love, feels impossible.

Pink, a self-professed far-left progressive, says that he learned to talk to the other side while making the doc.

Because Adam and I started to become friends while filming, I felt a lot more comfortable arguing with him about things that I believed in, but without it having that emotional freight, says Pink. What I learned, and Ive gotten better at it since in my life, is really understanding that everyone is your friend. Because if you think of everyone as your friend you are more willing to hear what they have to say, even though the second they open their mouth, you dont agree with them. You arent going to just blast them because they are your friend.

The Last Republican, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, will open in theaters across the United States on Nov. 22, just over two weeks after the election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There will be shenanigans happening after election night in an attempt to subvert and undermine the integrity of the vote, Pink says. That could metastasize into some very difficult moments for America this fall and this winter. I want everyone to see The Last Republican no matter what side of the political divide they are on because no matter what happens on Nov. 5, we all have to get better at figuring out how to have conversations with people we disagree with.





Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Some political experts have been speculating that Donald Trump might win the popular vote in 2024 yet lose in the Electoral College, as Hillary Clinton did in 2016 and Al Gore in 2000 (and Grover Cleveland, Samuel Tilden, and Andrew Jackson before that).

Im of two minds about this scenario. On one hand, if a plurality of Americans gives Trump their voteits never happened beforethat will say something about this country that I prefer not to believe. On the other hand, installing a Democrat in the White House who lacks a popular majority might finally persuade Republicans that passing a constitutional amendment to repeal the Electoral Collegea change favored by 63 percent of Americans, according to a September Pew Research Center pollis a reform that Republicans should favor. Ive been arguing for decades that Democrats and Republicans share a common interest in abolishing the Electoral College. But Republicans will never believe it until the Electoral College bites them in the ass.

Speculation about an Electoral College victory for Kamala Harris even if she loses the popular vote arises from two polling developments: the likely closeness of the popular vote and some likely slippage in the Republican Partys Electoral College advantage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As a rule of thumb, the closer the popular vote gets, the less it matters who acquires the most votes and the more it matters where those votes reside. When a candidate wins the popular vote by, say, seven percentage points, as Barack Obama did in 2008the last presidential contest one might fairly describe as a trouncingyou dont have to look at the Electoral College results to know which candidate won.* But 2016 taught us that someone can win the popular vote by two percentage points and still lose in the Electoral College. Unless the polls have made a terrible hash of things, or unless we witness some 1980-style last-minute stampede, the winner this year will have a popular-vote margin much closer to two percentage points than seven.

As for the Republican Partys Electoral College advantage, that was always a made-up thinga probability calculated with a data set way too small to warrant one, measuring that most unpredictable of phenomena, human behavior. People believe in the Republican advantage because Trump won the presidency in 2016 without a popular-vote majority and because in 2020 Trump performed remarkably well in the Electoral College (though not well enough), even as President Joe Biden beat him in the popular vote by more than four percentage points.

Another reason people think the Electoral College favors Republicans is that the Republican George W. Bush won an Electoral College victory in 2000 even though he lost the popular vote to Al Gore (by less than one percentage point). Indeed, every president in American history who was denied the presidency despite winning the popular vote was a Democrat. This is sheer happenstance, but political experts have a hard time accepting the idea that anything is coincidentalspecious determinism being an occupational hazard when youre paid to fill dead air on television.

The myth of the GOPs Electoral College advantage began to crumble in September 2023 when Nate Cohn of The New York Times (and formerly of The New Republic) crunched some numbers and found that this advantage, measured at 2.9 percentage points in 2016 and an even larger 3.8 points in 2020 (fat lot of good it did Trump), had dwindled to 0.7 points. (I wont explain how this metric is calculated; Cohn does so here.) When Cohn checked in a year later, in September 2024, the GOPs Electoral College advantage was still only 0.7 points. It does not seem, Cohn concluded, that Kamala Harris will necessarily need to win the popular vote by much to prevail. Over at The Atlantic, Ron Brownstein reached the same conclusion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Late last month, Cohn took his argument one step further. It was now possible, Cohn wrote, that Trump would win the popular vote but lose in the Electoral College. No Republican has won the popular vote in three decadesthe sole exception being George W. Bush in 2004but some of those losses (Cohn pointed out) were razor-thin. Trump could win the popular vote, Cohn wrote, but still lose in the Electoral College vote because the votes Trump was picking up werent in the right places. Trumps rising support among Blacks and Latinos, for example, did him little good in the Midwestern battleground states, because Blacks and Latinos were underrepresented there.

CNNs data reporter Harry Enten and Politicos Jeff Greenfield concluded much the same as Cohn. FiveThirtyEight, meanwhile, became hypnotized by scenarios where Harris and Trump tied in the Electoral College, 269269, throwing the election into the House of Representatives. That too threw cold water on the idea that Republicans enjoy any lingering Electoral College advantage.

By now, dear reader, youre getting impatient with me because I havent addressed the main reason everybody thinks the Electoral College favors Republicans: the small-state advantage. Small states enjoy disproportionate clout in the Electoral College because every state gets one elector per congressional district plus two. Thus, with not quite 600,000 residents, deep-red Wyoming, the least-populous among the 50 states, gets three electors, which is about twice as many as New Haven, Connecticuteven though New Haven has the same population. To add insult to injury, New Haven must share its 1.4 electors with nearby Middletown and Stratford. So yes, the small-state advantage is real.

But it isnt especially Republican. The idea that states with teensy populations are all red, or even mostly red, is a myth. The second-least-populous of the 50 states is Vermont, with a population of not quite 650,000, and Vermont (three electors) hasnt voted Republican in a presidential election since 1988. Of the 10 smallest states, all with three or four electors, five are redWyoming, Alaska, the Dakotas, and Montanaand five are blueVermont, Delaware, Rhode Island, Maine, and New Hampshire. Add in the deep-blue District of Columbia (three electors) plus the remaining four-elector statesblue Hawaii, red Idaho, and red West Virginiaand the score evens up again: seven Republican states to seven Democratic states or territories. (The District is the only U.S. territory thats permitted to vote for president in the general election, though all of them hold primaries.)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nor is it true anymore that the states with the largest populations are invariably blue. To be sure, the biggest state, California, is so blue that no Republican has held statewide office there for nearly 14 years. But the second- and third-biggest states, Texas and Florida, are red. Among the top 10, four are red, three are blue, and three (Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia) are swing states. The Electoral College diminishes representation for big states, and yes, there was a time when those big states were mostly blue. But those days are over.

And anyway, the big states long ago figured out that they could even things up by awarding electors on a winner-take-all basis. Winner-take-all seldom comes up in arguments about whether to write the Electoral College out of the Constitution, because the allotment of electors isnt a constitutional question; its up to the states whether to award electors proportionally (as they do in Maine and Nebraska) or winner-take-all (everywhere else). But winner-take-all disadvantages rural voters relative to urban voters, and even in red states that gives an extra boost to Democrats (though not so decisive a boost as it used to).

History does not relate which Founder at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 came up with the idea of an Electoral College to elect presidents; all we know is that it was the product of something called the Grand Committee on Postponed Questions. But James Madison bestowed his blessing on the Electoral College in Federalist 10. It was, Madison wrote, a method to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations.

Note that this is a MAGA fanatics worst nightmare of government by and for the elite. The Electoral College didnt work out the way Madison described, partly because political parties emergedthey werent around in 1787and partly because, almost immediately, states started making their electors winner-take-all, a development Madison deplored. But even if the United States had achieved the Enlightenment paradise of republican government that Madison envisioned, its appeal would have faded as the nation became ever more democratic, expanding the franchise in various ways and altering the Constitution to elect senators directly rather than through state legislatures. Nowadays the patrician spirit in which the Electoral College was created is as unattractive to liberals as it is to conservatives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If Trump wins the popular vote and loses in the Electoral College, Republicans should finally become receptive to passing a constitutional amendment to eliminate it. Indeed, they might try to eliminate it retroactive to the 2024 election, something Republicans contemplated doing in 2000 when it looked briefly as though George W. Bush would win the popular vote and lose in the Electoral College. I dont see how any such effort could get anywhere. But theres a good chance Democrats and Republicans would come together to repeal the Electoral College before 2028. It would be the sole Trumpian desecration of our founding document with which liberals would enthusiastically agreeand it would happen without the unpleasantness of Trump being president.

* This post originally misidentified the date of the election.
Melody Farris was convicted of killing her husband Gary Farris and hiding his body by burning it on their farm

Court TV Melody Harris in court on Nov. 4, 2024. Melody Harris in court on Nov. 4, 2024.

The wife of a prominent Georgia attorney has been convicted of killing her husband and burning his body.

On Monday, Nov. 4, a Cherokee County jury found Melody Farris guilty of killing her husband Gary Farris, an Atlanta-area attorney, in 2018. She was convicted on all charges, including murder with malice, felony murder, aggravated assault, concealing the death of another and making a false statement, according to FOX 5 Atlanta and WSB-TV.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The 59-year-old mother of four showed no emotion as the verdict was read, video shows.

In July 2018, the couple's son Scott Farris discovered Gary's remains on the family's 10-acre farm in Alpharetta, Ga., in a pile of ashes and called police, according to the Tribune Ledger News. Investigators originally believed that Gary suffered a medical emergency and fell into the fire himself. After police found a bullet lodged in one of Gary's rib bones his death was declared a homicide.

"I walk up and look, and I start seeing bones," Scott said in the early days of the trial, describing the moment he discovered his father's remains, according to FOX 5.

Melody initially told investigators that she had never had an extramarital affair, but then later changed her statement to say that she had ended an affair with a man named Roy Barton in 2017. Melody was arrested and charged in Tullahoma, Tenn. in 2019, the Tribune Ledger reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the trial, prosecutors alleged that the couple had been arguing about money. One of the couple's other children, daughter Emily, testified that her mother had another affair in 2009 and her parents' relationship was under tremendous stress, according to FOX 5. Melody was also the beneficiary of Gary's $2 million life insurance policy, according to the Tribune Ledger.

Per the Tribune Ledger, prosecutors also showed the jury there had been blood in the couple's home that trailed from the kitchen, down a set of stairs and onto the lower level.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Son Scott also testified that he believed his mother's reaction to the discovery of Gary's body was insincere, telling jurors: "I've seen my mother cry hundreds of times throughout my life and it appeared to me to be fake."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Melody's defense attorney alleged that Scott had reason to kill his father and that he often borrowed money from Gary, a point of contention in the family, according to the Tribune Ledger. They also argued that Scott was the only suspect who owned .38 caliber ammunition, the type of bullet found in Gary's remains.

Scott denied the defense's claims, testifying that he did not kill Gary and did not help dispose of his body.

Getty Images 'I walk up and look, and I start seeing bones,' Scott said in the early days of the trial, describing the moment he discovered his father's remains. 'I walk up and look, and I start seeing bones,' Scott said in the early days of the trial, describing the moment he discovered his father's remains.

Defense attorney Michael Ray previously argued during the trial's opening statements last month that police had "confirmation bias" throughout the investigation.

"Youre going to see from the evidence in this case, from day one, the investigation by Detective Hayes and all the other officers in Cherokee County Sheriff's Office  even the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the GBI  everything that was done in this case was tailored specifically to attempt to convict Melody in the death of Gary Farris," Ray argued in October, per the Tribune.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Following the closing arguments last week  in which prosecutors reaffirmed their argument that Melody "committed these crimes with a malice of forethought and an abandoned, malignant heart," per the Tribune  jurors deliberated for two days.

Melody is set to be sentenced in December.


As our experts give their final predictions, the race to the White House remains on a knife edge. The presidency is so difficult to call that it is almost frustrating, with polls giving a fraction lead or loss each way.

Ultimately, with everything hanging in the balance, it will come down to election day. In times of such uncertainty, our experts predictions swing margainly toward Donald Trump - even if that is largely based on gut feeling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Who is going to win the election? The most honest answer I can give is: I have no idea. But Im in good company.

Every respected pollster and analyst Ive spoken to in the last week says the same. The financial markets are breaking for Kamala Harris, the betting markets for Donald Trump. The national polls and the swing states are within the margin of error. That does not necessarily mean the outcome will be close, but that it is difficult to draw conclusions based on the available data.

What I can tell you is that the mood music in Trumps camp is far more upbeat than in the Harris camp. That is because the fundamentals of the last few weeks remain unchanged. After her early bump in the polls, it is Trump who has been gaining ground in the final stretch.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The former president has also ditched his opposition to early voting and Republicans have seen an uptick as a result. One state they are worried about is Pennsylvania, where GOP strategists say the Trump team has failed to run an effective ground game and Ms Harris supporters appear to have turned out early in far greater numbers. It may all come down to the KeyStone state once again.

Donald Trump is polling better than in 2016 and 2020, either because the pollsters are compensating for past errors or because hes emerged as a stronger candidate than expected. Privately, his camp believes they may take the popular vote. Final weeks can see voters suddenly break away from a party, become undecided and switch decisively: in 1980, the classic example, Reagan took off post-debate.

But things remain static in 2024, with both parties leaning into their base. The Republicans go down making jokes about Latinos; the Democrats holding rallies to make abortion great again. Its been a campaign full of fireworks but precious little light.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ive spent much of the election stating that with margins of less than one or two points across the swing states, polling is effectively inconclusive.

However, its difficult to ignore past performance of pollsters in understating Trumps support. In the last few days of campaigning, Trump leads in five of the seven swing states: enough to put him into the White House. In none of his three elections has he been ahead in so many key states.

Meanwhile, the Harris campaign has lost momentum. She is now losing popularity rather than gaining it, according to polls. Her route to the White House now relies on her winning Michigan, Pennsylvania and either Wisconsin or Nevada. Those cards are appearing increasingly difficult to align. But no election night with Trump has been without surprises; I doubt Tuesday will be any different.

The year was 2022. Trump, still stewing in resentment after having narrowly lost the presidency, led his party into a devastating midterm performance. Traditional Republicans had deserted him over Jan 6 and he faced a series of painful legal battles. It looked like the end.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Flash forward two years and hes polling neck-and-neck with a new Democratic challenger who, despite having vastly outspent him, somehow feels like the underdog of the race. If he wins the election next week, it would be fair to say that Donald Trump has pulled off possibly the most remarkable political comeback in living memory.

Some early voting patterns seem to favour the GOP, but the campaign still has a tough few days ahead of it. Still, given the notorious difficulty of polling Trump supporters, I cant deny that my final prediction is built on a gut feeling: Teflon Don is ready to take back the White House.

With most of the swing states too close to call and some dramatic developments in recent days, all campaigners and pundits in this election are practically flying blind. Kamala Harris appears to have made small gains in some places in recent days, and her get out the vote strategy may boost her performance among those who already support her.

But I am wary of basing my prediction on polls and vibes after experts underestimated Trump so severely in 2016. My instinct is that he has got this one in the bag  perhaps after several recounts and a lengthy delay after polling day.

Methodology

Our experts are asked to plot their decision on a scale of 100, where 0 is a Harris landslide, 50 is a tie and 100 is a Trump landslide.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
WINTHROP, Mass. (WWLP)  A man from Winthrop is the winner of a $1 million prize in the Massachusetts State Lotterys $10,000,000 Bonanza instant ticket game.

Convenience store in Fitchburg sold $1 million lottery ticket

According to the Massachusetts Lottery, Facundo Cuello of Winthrop chose the cash option and received a one-time payment of $650,000, before taxes. Cuello says he plans on investing his winnings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ticket was purchased at Energy North on Shirley Street in Winthrop and will receive a $10,000 bonus for the sale of the ticket.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  Three Wiregrass airports will receive millions in grants from federal and state agencies for various improvements and construction projects.

Dothan-Houston County Airport Authority will receive $5,683,533 from the Federal Aviation Administration and $315,752 from a state grant for runway rehabilitation. To match the state grant, the airport will provide $315,752 in local funds, for a total project value of $6,315,037.

The Enterprise Municipal Airport will receive $500,000 from a state grant, and the city of Enterprise will provide $500,000 in matching funds, bringing the project total to $1,000,000. The funds will be used to construct a corporate hanger.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Ozark Municipal Airport will receive $115,442 from the state for pavement maintenance of a terminal apron and connector taxiway. The City of Ozark will provide matching funds of $38,480 for a total project value of $153,922.

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and its Alabama Airport Improvement Funding Program provided the state funds.

ALDOT provided $3.6 million in state funding to a total of 16 airports for improvements.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
It's Election Day, Wisconsin.

While early voting skyrocketed in the two weeks before Nov. 5, tens of thousands more Wisconsinites will head to the polls today.

The battleground state will help determine who wins the presidential race and which party takes control of the U.S. Senate.

There are also important races for state Legislature, as Democrats eye taking control of the Assembly after new district maps were drawn this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Plus, there's a statewide referendum question, and many communities have school funding referendums.

Here's everything you need to know before heading to the polls today.

When are the polls open in Wisconsin?

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. across Wisconsin. As long as you're in line by 8 p.m., you'll be allowed to vote.

More: Can I leave work to vote in Wisconsin? What workers should know about their rights

How do I find my polling place in Wisconsin?

You can find your polling place by typing in your address at myvote.wi.gov.

On Election Day, you need to go to your assigned polling place. Those are different from early voting locations, which your city may have hosted at municipal buildings, libraries or community spaces.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early voting has now ended, and you must go to your assigned polling place on Election Day.

More: Don't have a car to get to the polls on Election Day? Try these transportation options

Can I register to vote on Election Day in Wisconsin?

Yes, Wisconsin offers same-day voter registration at the polls. You can register to vote for the first time or re-register if you've moved addresses or legally changed your name since the last election.

To register to vote, you must provide proof of residence shows your up-to-date address. A driver's license or ID card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles counts as proof as residence, if it shows your current address.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here are other examples of proof of residence, and a full list can be found here. You can show a hard copy of your proof of residence, or present it electronically, like on your phone.

A bank or credit card statement

A paycheck or paystub

A recent utility bill

A real estate tax bill or receipt

A residential lease , if it's valid on the date of registration.

An intake document from a nursing home or assisted living facility

A university or college ID card with your photo. This can only be used if you have a fee receipt within the last nine months or if your college provides a housing list to the local clerk.

More: Everything you need to know to register to vote in Wisconsin for the Nov. 5 election

What do I need to bring to the polls in Wisconsin?

If you need to register or re-register to vote, make sure to bring a proof of residence document.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You'll also need a photo ID to vote. Unlike proof of residence, it does not need to show your current address.

If you don't have an acceptable photo ID at the polls, you will be offered a provisional ballot. You'll have until Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. to present the documentation to your local clerk so your vote can be counted.

Here are examples of photo ID, and a full list can be found here.

A Wisconsin driver's license

A state ID card. More information is available here, and the DMV's voter ID hotline is (844) 588-1069.

A receipt from the DMV, if your license or ID card doesn't arrive before Election Day.

A U.S. passport

A military or veteran ID card

A tribal ID card

A certificate of naturalization , if it is no more than two years old.

A college ID card, but it must include the date the card was issued, your signature, and an expiration date no later than two years after it was issued. Some campuses provide separate voter IDs that qualify.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: Attending college in Wisconsin and unsure how to vote? Here's our Election 2024 student voter guide

What do I do if I still have an absentee ballot?

If you still have an absentee ballot, it's too late to put in the mail. Clerks must receive your ballot at 8 p.m. today to be counted.

Options for returning your ballot today could include bringing it to your polling location, your community's central count facility, delivering it to your clerk's office, or placing it in a drop box.

It's a good idea to check your local clerk's website or give them a call to ask what options are preferred in your community and if there are any time cut-offs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voters who live in the City of Milwaukee are asked to bring their ballot to one of the city's drop boxes before 6 p.m., at City Hall by 7 p.m., or at central count at the Baird Center by 8 p.m.

What do I do if I have questions about voting?

The Wisconsin Elections Commission operates a toll-free information hotline at 1-866-VOTE-WIS.

The commission said it expected tens of thousands of phone calls and emails in the weeks around the November election, and trained call center employees may answer voters' basic questions.

What's on my ballot in Wisconsin?

You can see what races will be on your ballot by going to myvote.wi.gov and plugging your address into the search fields.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here's a guide to the key races on Wisconsin ballots

More: Wisconsin voter guide: What to know about candidates for U.S. Senate, House

More: Wisconsin Election guide: What to know about Milwaukee area state legislative races

More: What to know about noncitizen voting and the November referendum question in Wisconsin

More: More than a dozen Milwaukee area school districts have referendums on the November ballot, seeking millions of dollars Here's what to know:

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin 2024 election today; what's on ballot, hours, polling places
A Wisconsin father has been missing since mid-August after he went on a kayaking trip and never returned home.

Ryan Borgwardt, 44, of Watertown, is the father of two sons who attend Lakeside Lutheran High School. On Aug. 12, he went fishing at Big Green Lake and did not return.

Green Lake and Dodge County officers have led a search for him since then. His overturned kayak with a life preserver attached was found in the water the day after his disappearance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His car, which he had told his family he would use, was in the parking lot.

Courtesy of Unsplash.

On Aug. 20, the Green Lake County sheriff's office said on Facebook that they were still searching for Borgwardt but had found his kayak, a life vest, water bottle, tackle box, and fishing rod.

Despite the use of K9 search teams, volunteer divers, and a GPS sonar boat, Borgwardt remains missing.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change.
Don't expect to know how Wisconsin voted in the presidential election before you go to bed Tuesday night.

That's because of the state's increasingly razor-thin vote margins and recent surges in absentee voting. Amid nationwide political polarization, Wisconsin's elections are tighter than ever, with the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections in Wisconsin being decided by less than 1% of the vote, or about 20,000 voters.

Here's what we know about the timeline of election results in Wisconsin and how long you should be prepared to wait for them.

When can we expect unofficial election results in Wisconsin?

It's important to note any election results we see in the hours after Election Day are technically still unofficial. Certifying the official results of Wisconsin elections is a multi-step process that will take several weeks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, media outlets like the Associated Press, are often able to call elections much earlier based on unofficial vote results. The AP calls a race only when vote returns indicate that it is statistically impossible for anyone but one candidate to win.

So when can we expect this call in Wisconsin? For down-ballot races, like local or county elections, this might be right after polls close at 8 p.m. For tighter, statewide races  including the U.S. Senate and presidential election  it can take a lot longer.

In 2020, the AP called Wisconsin for Joe Biden at 2:16 p.m. on Nov. 4, the day after Election Day  though the number of absentee ballots were especially high that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and further slowed down the count. In 2016, the AP called Wisconsin for Donald Trump at 2:29 a.m. on Nov. 9, the early morning hours after Election Day.

So far, in 2024, since early voting opened on Oct. 22, Wisconsin has already received over 1.5 million absentee ballots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Given the 2016 and 2020 timelines, it's unlikely Wisconsin will be called for either former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris before midnight on Election Day. Election officials seem to agree we'll likely have to wait until very late on Election Day or the early morning hours of Nov. 6 for unofficial results.

In a media briefing in October, Wisconsin Elections Commission administrator Meagan Wolfe said some localities have taken steps, like hiring more poll workers, to count votes more efficiently. Still, she added, accuracy takes priority over speed when it comes to counting votes.

"Election officials are not willing to sacrifice accuracy in order to be faster with results," Wolfe said. "So it will take as long as it takes to get it exactly right, and every step of that process, every ballot that's counted, will be counted in the public eye."

When do votes start getting counted in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, all ballots (including absentee ballots) are counted on Election Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Immediately after polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 5, election inspectors start tabulating the returns, or results, for all votes cast at their polling place, according to the WEC.

Absentee ballots can begin to be counted when polls open at 7 a.m. on Election Day.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When are Wisconsin's election results coming in?
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA)  A woman was sentenced to serve over a decade in the custody of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections after pleading guilty to stabbing her boyfriend to death at an encampment in Asheville last September.

The Buncombe County District Attorneys Office said 28-year-old Kala Elaine Fralick was sentenced to serve 139 to 179 months in custody after pleading guilty to felony voluntary manslaughter Monday.

According to a release from the district attorneys office, officers with the Asheville Police Department were called to an encampment on Smokey Park Highway on September 27, 2023 in reference to a stabbing. Once on scene, officers found a victim, later identified as Dustin Lee Burwell, suffering from multiple wounds to the chest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Reports state several people attempted to assist Burwell, however he was pronounced dead shortly after EMS arrived in the early morning hours.

Investigators said witnesses told them Burwell was living in a tent nearby with his girlfriend, Fralick, and reported they were walking up to the encampment when Burwell approached and said Fralick stabbed him.

Witnesses reported seeing Fralick leave the scene with no attempt to render aid to Burwell.

Further investigation showed that Burwell and Fralick both struggled with addiction and had been in an intimate relationship for several years. Investigators learned Burwell had recently been accepted to an inpatient treatment program out of state and intended to end the relationship with Fralick to seek treatment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Investigators said they believe Burwells intention to end the relationship is what led to the stabbing.

During sentencing, Fralick read a statement that expressed regret for the stabbing but claimed Burwell was intoxicated and aggressive, causing her to react in self-defense.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
"I was so blessed to have such a wonderful, great spirited group find me," the rescued woman wrote on Facebook

Douglas County Sheriff's Office/Facebook (2) Search efforts for a woman who got lost while picking mushrooms Search efforts for a woman who got lost while picking mushrooms

A woman was rescued last week after going missing in an Oregon forest while foraging for mushrooms.

On Tuesday, Oct. 29, Mandy Greer, 43, visited a "wilderness area" near the coastal city of Reedsport to pick mushrooms with her significant other, the Douglas County Sheriffs Office said in an Oct. 31 news release on Facebook.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The couple set off in the afternoon and only planned to be out "for a few hours," but Greer went missing after they separated in the forest.

The sheriffs office said that Greer's partner contacted 911 after she had not returned to their vehicle as they previously discussed.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office/Facebook Rescue vehicles used for search of a woman who got lost while picking mushrooms Rescue vehicles used for search of a woman who got lost while picking mushrooms

Related: Hiker Found Alive After Texting Girlfriend for Help. When Authorities Reached Him, He Was Out of Water and Food

Deputies and local search and rescue teams "spent several hours searching for Greer" on Oct. 29, using multiple search efforts including "ground, fixed wing aircraft and drone work."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the sheriffs office, a drone operator "identified potential heat signatures" but searchers were still unable to locate Greer.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The teams paused their search efforts "in the early morning hours" of Wednesday, Oct. 30, but resumed them around 7 a.m. local time with assistance from Jackson County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue unit.

Related: 6-Year-Old Boy Who Was Lost for Days Found Alive After Farmer Heard His Cries in the Forest

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Greer then made "voice contact" with a deputy around 9:15 a.m., roughly two hours later.

Authorities said Greer was cold and wet at the time of recovery and had a non-life-threatening injury. She also needed assistance getting out of the forest.

"Rescuers provided first aid, food and hot tea before assisting Greer to the roadway where she was transferred to the care of EMS providers," the post read.

On Friday, Nov. 1, Greer thanked officials for helping her, commenting on the Facebook post: "I was so blessed to have such a wonderful, great spirited group find me," she wrote. "I will be forever grateful."


SEYMOUR (KFDX/KJTL)  A Seymour woman is jailed on a $1 million bond in the Wichita County jail on a murder charge.

Darolyn Williams, 58, was booked into jail on Monday, November 4, 2024.

LIVE BLOG: First witness testifies in Anthony Pattersons trial

According to Seymour Police Chief Bryce Sawyer, a stabbing was reported just after 9:30 pm on Sunday, Nov. 3, in the 600 block of East Morris Street.

They said a man identified as Johnny Fobbs was located with a stab wound in the upper left torso. He was taken to the Seymour Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Williams was arrested and taken to the Wichita County jail on a murder charge. Sawyer said Texas Rangers were contacted to assist in the investigation, which is ongoing.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
The woman who pleaded guilty to dressing as a clown and fatally shooting the wife of a man she later would marry has been released from prison, according to Florida Department of Corrections records.

Sheila Keen-Warren, 61, was released from custody on Saturday, Nov. 2, after serving nearly 18 months, state records show. She entered her plea to second-degree murder in April 2023, more than 30 years after investigators found Marlene Warren shot at her Wellington Aero Club home.

The May 26, 1990, fatal shooting is one of Palm Beach County's most notorious murder cases, drawing international attention. Authorities said Warren opened the door and was greeted by Keen-Warren, who was dressed in a clown suit and carrying balloons, flowers and a gun.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Keen-Warren was arrested nearly three decades later in 2017 at her home in Virginia after investigators cited new evidence linking her to the crime. In exchange for her plea, she received a 12-year prison sentence, with credit for the five and a half years she spent in jail while awaiting trial.

Keen-Warren has maintained her innocence despite taking the plea, her attorney saying at the time that she chose to take the state's offer rather than risk a potential life sentence had the case gone to trial.

"We are absolutely thrilled that Ms. Keen Warren has been released from prison and is returning to her family," her attorney, Greg Rosenfeld, said in a statement to The Palm Beach Post. "As we've stated from the beginning, she did not commit this crime."

Sheila Keen-Warren, seen here in court in 2019, pleaded guilty to dressing as a clown and fatally shooting her lover's wife in Wellington in 1990. Keen-Warren has recently been released from prison, according to Florida Department of Corrections records.

However, Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said Keen-Warren will forever be linked to Marlene Warren's murder.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sheila Keen-Warren will always be an admitted convicted murderer and will wear that stain for every day for the rest of her life," he said in a statement to The Post.

Rosenfeld told The Post in 2023 that Keen-Warren would likely spend about 16 months in prison, citing gain time and Florida sentencing laws that existed at the time of Marlene Warren's murder.

Gain time incentivizes good behavior among inmates, promising to shave time off a person's sentence for each month they remain incarcerated without incident. Current state law requires that people serve at least 85% of their sentences, limiting the amount of gain time a person can accrue, but Keen-Warren was not subject to laws enacted after the crime.

More: Son of Fanjul sugar family pleads guilty to felony in Palm Beach domestic battery case

New evidence linked Sheila Keen-Warren to 1990 Wellington 'clown' murder, investigators said

Judge Scott Suskauer holds up a plea agreement to Sheila Keen Warren after she pleaded guilty to the 1990 Wellington "clown" murder of Marlene Warren.

Investigators suspected Keen Warren of the murder early on, tipped off by her coworkers that she was having an affair with Marlene Warren's husband, Michael. Keen-Warren worked at a car dealership owned by Michael Warren and took care of rental properties owned by Michael and Marlene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She denied rumors of her having an affair with Michael but married him years later. The couple was living in Virginia at the time of Keen-Warren's arrest.

Keen-Warren was formally linked to Marlene Warren's murder after a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office detective who took over the case in 2013 discovered a previously unseen 6- to 8-inch fiber among the crime-scene evidence. Prosecutors later argued that the fiber linked Keen-Warren to the murder.

The murder was the subject of a two-hour ABC "20/20" documentary in May 2023, a month after Warren entered her plea.

Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Killer clown: Sheila Warren, pleaded guilty, free from Florida prison
Boston police are searching for the suspect wanted in a stabbing that left a woman seriously injured at the Forest Hills MBTA station.

Police say the stabbing occurred shortly after 4:00 p.m.

No arrests have been made at this time.

Transit police say they are also investigating the matter.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
MOCOA, ColombiaThe wall outside the small airport in Puerto Assis, in the state of Putumayo in the Colombian Amazon, is adorned with a mural depicting five womens faces. This and Putumayos five other murals of truth, as they are known, serve as poignant reminders of the women killed in Colombias more than half-century armed conflict with the FARC Marxist insurgency and other armed groups.

This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

But while the conflict with the FARC ended with a peace agreement in 2016, violence against women in Putumayo persists, entangled in todays conflicts over the environmental degradation caused by extractive activities such as mining, oil production, cattle ranching and coca cultivation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the face of these dangers, women have often come together to advocate for their rights, safety, political participation and economic autonomy, as well as to protect the land. Under the umbrella of the Women Weavers of Life Alliance of Putumayo, a network of 65 womens organizations across the state, they create sustainable development projects, conservation initiatives, educational campaigns and a supportive female community.

To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter.

In the Colombian Amazon, women are at the forefront of protecting nature and their communities. But despite their vital contributions to community life and conservation, their political and economic influence remains minimal. They frequently face abuse and threats as environmental defenders, in the country that holds the grim record for killings of such activists, with 79 reported last year, according to the environmentalist advocacy organization Global Witness.

Fatima Muriel Silva, the 74-year-old founder of Women Weavers of Life, says the alliance was born on the tears of women who suffered from violence. A victim herself, Muriel also lost two brothers during the internal armed conflict, and her husband was kidnapped twice by the FARC, a common tactic used by the guerrilla group. To flee the danger, she and her husband relocated several times in Putumayo, joining the over 8 million Colombians who have been displaced by conflict-related violence since 1985.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Muriel describes Women Weavers of Life as a space for women to learn from and console each other. They have launched projects like the Guardians of Water, training over 150 women in Putumayo to defend their rivers and surrounding ecosystems.

Olga Caicedo, a 52-year-old farmer, is one of these water guardians. Standing alongside a concrete levee at Taruca creek,she tears up. The levee and surrounding dike system were built to protect locals after a deadly flood and mudslide swept through the upper parts of Putumayo in March 2017, claiming over 300 lives while injuring hundreds more. As with many natural disasters, women suffered disproportionately, with nearly two adult women for every adult man among the dead, according to Colombias National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences.

But for Caicedo and Muriel, the states response after the flood was poorly conceived, particularly because it failed to properly consult with local communities. As a result, the levee and dikes disrupt natural water flows and wildlife around Taruca creek and other waterways. When you dont work with the knowledge of local communities, it will turn out poorly, Muriel adds, reflecting on the project.

Women are often among the most vulnerable to environmental damage. As the ones who often fetch water for their families, they are especially at risk from floods, as with the Taruca creek, and mercury contamination from mining.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But along with the Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities that play a crucial role in conservation thanks to their ancestral knowledge, women are also some of the most important actors in safeguarding nature. Muriel emphasizes that women of the Colombian Amazon are essential to conservation due to their deep connection with their natural surroundings. As Muriel puts it, for the most vulnerable populations in Putumayo, including women, The river holds the answer [to life].  Without water, there is no life. The sentiment is echoed by all the members of the Guardians of Water group.

The struggle to protect the Colombian Amazon is fraught with risks, for women as well as for Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities.

Caicedo and other women from the group plant cypress, acai, peach palms and other trees along creeks, rivers and wetlands to protect these vital water bodies. Others focus on cartography to identify vulnerabilities, conduct impact assessments and develop action plans to enhance water quality.

Education about conservation and sustainable practices is also essential. We are in an area rich in nature and waterbut water that we dont know how to care for, says Claudia Castillo Ruiz, an Afro-descendant member of the Guardians of Water in Puerto Assis. Filling those gaps in knowledge is central to the groups mission.

The struggle to protect the Colombian Amazon is nevertheless fraught with risks, for women as well as for Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. Caicedo recounts how she had to leave her home for a second time in 2020 after receiving threats for denouncing extractive projects.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In another part of Putumayo, in the town of Puerto Caiceido, 12 women have formed a sustainable fishing collective known by its Spanish acronym ASOPPAEP. Together, they have built a business around the sustainable fishing of two local species, cachama and tilapia, entirely run by women.

Most of the collectives members were displaced by Colombias armed conflict, including Argenes Castillo, the 61year-old founder. She says that being with other displaced women gives her strength. It is when you have a place to live, food and employment that you feel peace. With hunger there is no peace, she says.

Luz Angela Flores, conservation coordinator for the Amazon at the World Wildlife Fund conservation organization, emphasizes that conservation and Colombias armed conflict have historically been linked. Without peace in the territories, she says, there is no way to stop deforestation.

Anabella Mutis, a lawyer from Mocoa who specializes in womens rights, notes that female environmental defenders face a wide range of risks, including being stigmatized, persecuted and criminalized. Many are investigated for opposing projects, to prevent them from continuing their leadership efforts, she says, and to discredit them and spread doubts about their work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Complicating matters even further, Putumayo remains a hot spot for coca plantations. In 2022, the state accounted for eight of the 10 Amazonian regions with the highest number of illicit crops, making up 36 percent of all coca cultivation in Colombias Indigenous territories. Most of the women in the fishing collective previously worked in the coca fields, collecting the plants leaves, which are then mixed with water, gasoline and solvents like lime, cement and acid to produce cocaine.

These women have witnessed the harm coca brings to their communities, describing it as a source of fear and sadness. While they now earn less than they did in the coca fields, they say they take comfort in the fact that they now live in peace.

We do this work with a lot of love, says Claudia Morales, a 35-year-old member of the fishing collective, noting that they prioritize environmental protection by avoiding chemicals and deforestation. However, some threats to the environment are outside their control. Perhaps most prominently, the women feel the effects of climate change, as their fish production has recently suffered due to extreme levels of heat and drought, part of a broader trend that has left the Amazon Basins rivers at an all-time low this year.

Muriel has an important message for the global decision-makers who met last week in the city of Cali, Colombia, for the United Nations COP16 Biodiversity Conference. We must defend and support those who defend the territories: the Indigenous people, the women, the farmers, she says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thats easier said than done. In December 2022, 196 countries committed to the Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to protect 30 percent of the worlds land, restore 30 percent of degraded ecosystems and eliminate human-caused species extinctions by 2030 through 23 action-oriented global targets.

Target 22 and 23 of the framework commit countries to ensure full, equitable, inclusive, effective, and gender-responsive representation and participation of environmental defenders indecision-making, and to ensure gender equality in the implementation of the Framework through a gender-responsive approach. The framework also recognizes the cultural,territorial and resource rights of Indigenous peoplesand local communities to access justice andinformation related to biodiversity.

However, for the women of Putumayo, these goals seem distant. Instead, Muriel says, they feel abandoned by the state.

Flores adds, The biodiversity goals are not achieved [at COP conferences]. They are achieved in these territories. Yet, people in the Amazon cannot defend it alone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mie Hoejris Dahl is a Danish freelance journalist who reports on politics, economics, environment and social issues in Latin America. Mie holds a masters degree in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School.

The post The Women Who Protect Colombias Amazon Need Protection Themselves appeared first on World Politics Review.
The South Carolina Election Commission expects to have results for all offices and ballot measures on election night or in the early morning hours Wednesday.

The rest of the country, who knows?

In a national election as contentious as this has been, it is unknowable what might happen in some of the more contested states.

South Carolina is solid Republican and Donald Trump holds a sizable lead in polling over Kamala Harris.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Local races likely will be determined fairly early in the evening. There are no statewide races this year and no U.S. Senate seats up for election. Lindsey Grahams seat is up for election in 2026, Tim Scott 2028.

All seven U.S. Representative seats are on the ballot and all are challenged.

The state election commission will post results on its website as ballots are counted after polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Some counties have local data on their websites as well.

The results on websites are unofficial.

The process to certify is:

County voter and election boards add provisional ballots that are accepted on Friday.

The South Carolina Board of Canvassers will meet and certify state-level results on Nov. 14.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Associated Press will provide information on winners in nearly 7,000 races through election night and beyond. The media outlet says it will not call close races until it is apparent a candidate has won, meaning there are not enough outstanding ballots for one candidate to surpass the other.

The George Bush-Al Gore presidential race in 2000 was a case in point. The AP did not make a call because the margin was less than 0.5%.
STERLING, Va. (DC News Now)  U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested a Woodbridge man who was wanted for murder at the Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on Sunday.

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Christofer Antonio Argueta Ramirez, 19, was wanted in connection to a homicide investigation in Prince William County. Officials said he attempted to get on a one-way flight to El-Salavdor.

According to the Prince William County Police Department, on Dec. 21, 2022, 20-year-old Jose Abelino Guerreros family reported him missing. Two days later, officers discovered Guerreros car in the area of Bel Air Road and Jeffries Road.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | 2 charged in murder of missing Virginia man whose body was found in Maryland

Investigators said evidence indicated that there was a struggle and blood was found inside the car. As their search for Guerrero and investigation continued, detectives executed search warrants at a home in Woodbridge, where they located and arrested two suspects.

Police said their investigation revealed that Guerrero, Olvin Daniel Argueta Ramirez, 19, and a 17-year-old boy planned a drug transaction on Dec. 21. During the transaction, they got into an altercation and Guerrero was stabbed multiple times.

The pair then allegedly drove Guerreros body to Prince Georges County, Maryland, where they got rid of his body.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Jan. 19, 2023, detectives found Guerreros body. That same day, Olvin and the 17-year-old were arrested. Olvin was charged with Murder and Stabbing in Commission of a Felony.

As the investigation developed, Argueta Ramirez was wanted for murder in connection to the investigation.

Montgomery County police: Person calls police, claims they killed mother

CBP said officers noticed Argueta Ramirez had purchased a one-way ticket on an El Salvador-bound flight scheduled to depart from IAD around 1:30 a.m.

Officials said officers made contact with Argueta Ramirez at the departure gate on Nov. 3 and he was taken into custody. He was then turned over to Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police officers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Customs and Border Protection officers encounter all types of travelers arriving to and departing from the United States, including travelers wanted for allegedly committing seriously heinous offenses, said Marc E. Calixte, CBPs area port director for the Area Port of Washington, D.C. CBP continues to work with our law enforcement partners to help capture dangerous fugitives and to return them to face justice.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  DC Fire and EMS (DCFD) said multiple workers were being treated after a carbon monoxide incident broke out in a building in Northwest D.C. Monday afternoon.

The incident happened in the unit block of Washington Circle. DCFD said workers were using propane-operated equipment in the basement of a building and did not have proper ventilation.

Poop statue on National Mall gets new souvenir

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That led to elevated levels of carbon monoxide.

(Photo courtesy of DC Fire and EMS)

(Photo courtesy of DC Fire and EMS)

DCFD said five workers were treated but did not need to go to the hospital.

The building was ventilated and the source has been shut down, DCFD said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
In a groundbreaking development for conservation, a cloned black-footed ferret named Antonia has given birth to two healthy kits, marking the first time a clone of an endangered U.S. species has successfully reproduced.

This milestone represents a significant step toward securing the future of black-footed ferrets, one of North Americas most endangered mammals.

A genetic legacy from 1988

Antonia, herself a clone, was created from the genetic material of Willa, a black-footed ferret whose DNA was collected in 1988 and preserved at the San Diego Zoos Frozen Zoo. Willa was unique in her genetic diversity, a valuable trait that conservationists are eager to reintroduce into the current black-footed ferret population.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Paul Marinari, senior curator at the Smithsonian Institutions National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, hailed Antonias kits as a "major milestone," emphasizing that her genetics could strengthen the population's health and resilience.

Black-footed ferrets, also known as American polecats or prairie dog hunters, are among the most endangered mammals in the United States. Their numbers dwindled severely in the 20th century, primarily due to habitat loss, sylvatic plague, and a sharp decline in their primary food sourceprairie dogs.

By the early 1980s, the species was thought to be extinct until a small group was rediscovered in Wyoming. This fortunate discovery prompted intensive conservation efforts, including captive breeding programs and genetic cloning, to prevent the species from vanishing.

Today, all living black-footed ferrets, except for clones like Antonia and her kits, descend from the last seven wild ferrets known. This limited gene pool poses significant risks, making the population highly vulnerable to diseases and less adaptable to environmental changes.



Conservationists hope that introducing new genetic material from clones like Antonia will give the population the resilience it needs to survive and grow.

Cloning milestones for black-footed ferrets

The journey of cloning black-footed ferrets began in 2020 with the successful birth of Elizabeth Ann, the first-ever clone of Willa. This milestone demonstrated the feasibility of cloning to preserve genetic diversity in endangered species.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Elizabeth Ann, however, faced complicationsdue to a uterine condition, she was unable to reproduce. Her existence, nonetheless, signaled an important step forward for conservation genetics.

The efforts didnt stop there. Earlier this year, conservationists cloned Willa twice more, resulting in two additional clones, Noreen and Antonia. Antonia's successful mating with a male ferret named Urchin led to the birth of three kits, although one did not survive.

The remaining two, a male and a female, are in good health and represent a groundbreaking development in species recovery. This success showcases how cloning technology can support genetic diversity, improve breeding outcomes, and open new avenues for species recovery.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) expressed the significance of this achievement in a statement. They said, "The successful reproduction of a cloned endangered species is a landmark in conservation genetic research, proving that cloning technology can not only help restore genetic diversity but also allow for future breeding, opening new possibilities for species recovery."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is important progress in protecting black-footed ferrets and addressing the genetic issues that have made recovery difficult.

The future of black-footed ferrets in conservation

While Antonia and her kits will remain at the Smithsonians National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, other ferrets from the breeding program are routinely released back into the wild to aid in population restoration.

Each year, between 150 and 220 ferrets are carefully introduced to reintroduction sites in states across the western United States, Canada, and Mexico. These sites are strategically chosen to ensure the best chances for survival and population growth.

The FWS explained the potential impact of these cloning efforts on the black-footed ferret population, "The introduction of novel, currently unrepresented genetic material may provide a significant boost to the genetics of the current black-footed ferret population."

By adding genetic diversity, conservationists hope to see healthier populations that are more resistant to diseases and environmental challenges.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GbvUy8MsWI
The News

Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have described the 2024 US presidential election as the most consequential in history. Weve heard similar lines about earlier votes, but it might be true this time around  not just for the US, but for the world.

The strength of Washingtons influence on the international stage may be increasingly in question, but the next US president will nevertheless inherit multiple global crises, including devastating wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Theyll also have to contend with the possible emergence of China as a technological superpower and the formation of new regional alliances.

The View From El Salvador

El Salvadors leader Nayib Bukele  whose brutal domestic crackdown on gangs has won huge popular support and curbed levels of violence in his country, but who has received sharp criticism for rights violations  was among the first world leaders to publicly congratulate Donald Trump, whom he described as the US president-elect.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Though Trump is in the drivers seat, he has not publicly claimed victory, nor been projected the winner of the US presidential election.

The View From France

That the events of Jan. 6, 2021, didnt sound the death knell of Trumps political career signals the collapse of whole swathes of the US political system, and spells further trouble for its future should he take the White House again, Le Monde argued in an editorial. With any potential presidential immunity, should he win the election, we have every reason to fear what Trump might do next, the outlet wrote.

The View From Iran

Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khameini has remained unusually silent this election season despite commenting on every race over the past 35 years, according to Iran International, an opposition news channel. Although also a frequent critic of Democrats, his silence is particularly striking given Trumps antagonization of Tehran.

Still, the moderate government of President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed more willingness to negotiate with Washington despite the Biden administrations hardline stance on Iran, according to Al Jazeera. If a future Harris administration is willing, Iran would not have any major obstacles for direct bilateral talks, said one Tehran-based political analyst.

The View From The UK

The British public are looking across the Atlantic with a sense of bewilderment, the head of news and current affairs at Channel 4 told The New Yorker. The channels Tuesday broadcast will be its first overnight coverage of a US presidential election since Bill Clinton defeated George HW Bush in 1992: British audiences are always interested in American elections but this election feels like the stakes are so much higher, she said. Expect repeated explanations of how the Electoral College works, and a focus on the race to the White House.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, a longtime supporter of Trump, told The Telegraph that the Republican nominee should concede defeat if he loses the election. He did the same in 2020, though, so Farages efforts to be a critical friend risk being ignored, The Independents associate editor argued.

The View From Europe

Most Europeans would vote for Harris if they could, but theres a predictable gulf between East and West, according to polling aggregated by Europe Elects: Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and the Netherlands are the most staunchly pro-Harris, while Russia, Serbia, Georgia, and Hungary are overwhelmingly standing behind Trump.

The View From Argentina

Argentine President Javier Milei  a self-described libertarian and idol in South Americas MAGA world  has previously said he is willing to work with any president in an effort to improve relations with the US. A Trump win would strengthen Mileis symbolic agenda of right-wing initiatives, such as slashing government agencies, wrote the left-wing Pagina 12 newspaper.

However, Milei has become one of Latin Americas most vocal supporters of Ukraine in the war with Russia, and has expressed interest in Argentina joining NATO, according to the Buenos Aires Times  creating a potentially awkward position given Trumps historic criticism of the military alliance. Milei has also softened his stance on China, which could also complicate US-Argentine relations given Trumps skepticism of Beijing.

The View From India

Thulasendrapuram, an Indian village in the state of Tamil Nadu that was the birthplace of Harris maternal grandfather, was quieter in the run-up to the election this week than during her previous campaigns, according to The Indian Express. But a Hindu priest still held prayers for the Democratic nominees victory on Tuesday, Reuters reported: She is one of us. She will win, said a representative of a local village body.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps threats of protectionism and anti-migrant rhetoric are disturbing to India, which relies on the US as its largest trading partner, The Indian Express wrote in an editorial. But whats said on the campaign trail doesnt always translate into action, the outlet noted: A strong relationship between the two countries has long enjoyed bipartisan support, and hopefully these pragmatic policies will be maintained, whoever the victor.

The View From China

Chinese state media has been remarkably silent on US politics in the run-up to the election, but recent days have seen broadcasters start to criticize the integrity of the American democratic process as a money-burning event characterized by unprecedented chaos, Bloomberg reported.

The Global Times, a state-funded outlet, opened a headline for an article on the polls with: Amid fears for violence, US election day voting begins...

Although China hasnt explicitly commented on the policy positions of either candidate, The Global Times published an editorial arguing that the expansion of US tariffs risked transforming a conflict with Beijing into a broader trade war against the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With Chinas top legislative body meeting this week to decide on a fiscal package to buoy the economy, analysts expect lawmakers to issue a more proactive commitment under a Trump presidency, potentially expanding the size of the stimulus by 10% to 20%.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the US told Newsweek that China would not interfere in the US presidential election, adding that China would work with the US to advance sustainable growth of bilateral relations irrespective of the outcome.

The View From Israel

Those hopeful that the next US president will fix the Middle East once and for all are bound to be disappointed, a columnist argued in Haaretz: Presidents tend to fancy themselves as powerful arbitrators in the region, but history shows that theres often little connection between the grand plans cooked up by various administrations and what happens on the ground.

The papers editorial board took a slightly different tack: For Israels sake, it is critical that Trump loses the race to the White House. The majority of Israelis favor Trump, but his victory would embolden Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus efforts to further undermine whats left of Israeli democracy, and risk leaving the country to fend for itself against Iran, it wrote.

The View From Ukraine

Kyiv is watching the elections nervously amid fears that a Trump win would leave the country effectively defenseless against Russian aggression, or force it into an unfavorable peace deal, The Kyiv Independent reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Think about Ukraine, the outlets editorial board wrote in a direct appeal to American voters, arguing that continued support from Washington would help the US solidify its status as the leader of the free world.

The View From Russia

Moscow doesnt seem to think a new US president will do anything to change the status quo. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the US wouldnt abandon its Russophobic course last week. His comments were echoed by the deputy chairman of Russias security council two days before the vote: [Trump] cant stop the war [in Ukraine]. Not in a day, not in three months, not in three years, he wrote.

The View From Mexico

Few relationships are as deep and as complex as the one between the US and Mexico, wrote economist and El Universal columnist Valeria Moy, arguing that Harris offers the best path forward. Some Mexican conservatives have suggested Mexicos economy did better under Trump, but the countrys GDP actually shrank by about 2% between 2017 and 2020, Moy noted.

Trump has also threatened Mexico with a 25% tariff on all goods if illegal border crossings do not slow down. And while Congress might block such actions, such threats fill the atmosphere with uncertainty and risk destabilizing Mexican markets, Moy argued. Harris policies might take longer to benefit Mexico but are ultimately less capricious.

The View From Australia

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the Parliament on Monday that his administration will build a strong partnership with whoever the American people choose as their next president, and that the alliance between the countries has always been bigger than individuals.

But a columnist for the Guardian argued that this was a facade and that Australias center-left government was experiencing anxiety bordering on panic about the prospect of a Trump presidency. The government is hoping and praying for the election of Kamala Harris, Paul Daley wrote.
The world is watching to see how the presidential race between former President Trump and Vice President Harris turns out, with enormous stakes for Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the global south hanging in the balance.

The world is hanging on America read the headline of the popular Italian newspaper La Stampa on Tuesday, summing up the anxiety, anticipation and fascination felt around the globe.

Foreign journalists have routinely carried out the pilgrimage to the United States to cover the presidential elections, tasked with translating for their audiences the issues at front of mind for American voters, and trying to work out how the policies of the next U.S. president will impact their own country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Talking to voters, I have the impression that they live  no, not even in a different country, its a different universe, said Maciej Czarnecki, global affairs reporter for the Polish newspaper Gazety Wyborcza.

Its like there is no shared reality anymore.

U.S. support for Ukraine in its war against Russia is critical for Polands security and of major interest for Czarneckis audience. Theres concern over Trumps unpredictability in continuing American support and whether Harris will maintain the Biden administrations cautious doling out of weapons while holding back political commitments that critics say is harming Kyivs defense.

Beyond the substance, foreign viewers also like the drama.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Frankly speaking, another is that many people simply like watching the soap opera of American politics every four years, Czarnecki said.

One European journalist summed up how the election outcome will be written: Whoever wins it will be historic  the first woman, black, South Asian; or the first convicted felon, referencing Trumps myriad legal challenges, including felony convictions in New York.

Though foreign policy falls low on the list of priorities of what drives American voters to the polls, U.S. relations with Israel and policy towards the war in Gaza, escalation of hostilities in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine featured prominently in the race.

Some foreign reporters have honed in on not only the divides between Trump and Harris, but individual lawmakers, at a time when the increasing partisanship is impacting foreign policy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Kyiv Post, a Ukraine-based English-language newspaper, analyzed the five best and five worst Republicans for Ukraine, and their projection for victory in House races.

This included looking at Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who has voted against every House measure supporting Ukraine and is facing a tight contest over her response to hurricane damage in the state.

The article points out Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), a vocal Ukraine supporter, is facing a tight race in his district.

Thats a pretty extraordinarily deep dive for a story in a Ukrainian paper, but really matters to them, said Carla Anne Robbins, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), speaking on the The World Next Week podcast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

William Yang, a freelance journalist for foreign media outlets based in Taipei, said Taiwanese media is gearing up for nonstop coverage of U.S. election results.

One very interesting phenomenon that we will see here tomorrow morning, which is tonight in the U.S., when the polls are closed and the votes are coming in, is that youll see all major television stations covering and following the updates as if its a Taiwan election, he said in a call with The Hill from Taipei.

Its been the case even since the [George W. Bush] and Al Gore race in 2000, that was a very dramatic race.

Like Europe, Asia is bracing for the implications of a Harris or Trump victory. Taiwanese have expressed anxiety over Trumps comments on the campaign trail raising doubt that the U.S. would intervene in defense of the island in the event of a Chinese invasion, and calling for Taipei to pay Washington for protection.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think that has stirred up a lot of anxiety about a possible second Trump administration, Yang said.

The conduct of the U.S. election is also a major focus for the world, with international election observers arriving in the U.S. to monitor the elections in a practice that has taken place since 2002.

The observation mission is headed up by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the 57-member international body created after the Cold War to promote democracy and human rights in post-Soviet States.

Observers are invited in by the U.S., something of both practical and symbolic importance. America in doing so opens itself up to scrutiny from outside observers, and encourages countries more at risk of unfair election practices to be documented and held accountable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Although 64 countries and the European Union have held elections in 2024, the U.S. election still stands out.

In this year of elections, the biggest enchilada of them all is the U.S. election, said Robert McMahon, managing editor of the CFR Digital Content department, on The World Next Week podcast.

This is the big standard-bearer for all the flaws and hypocrisy and things that weve noted on this podcast and elsewhere. The United States matters, and how it votes matters to the rest of the world.

The OSCE/ODIHR election interim report summed up the U.S. precampaign period as characterized by aggressive rhetoric, personal attacks and instances of election-related violence, referencing the two assassination attempts against Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The observation mission consists of 250 observers, including 150 members of parliament from more than 40 countries. In its preelection reporting, the OSCE mission has raised concern about campaign financing and redistricting, ballot access obstacles faced by independents and smaller parties, voting restrictions on felons and ex-felons, and lack of full representation for residents in Washington and U.S. territories.

But the mission has also noted what it describes as positive developments, such as measures implemented in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to enhance voting security and accessibility, and expansion of early voting and mail-in ballots in states like Michigan, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Whether observing in Europe, Central Asia, or North America, the aim of our election observation missions is the same: to assess the extent to which the election environment is conducive to the exercise of democratic rights and whether the electoral process is characterized by equality, universality, political pluralism, confidence, transparency, and accountability, wrote Pia Kauma, OSCE special coordinator and a member of Parliament from Finland, in an op-ed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA)  Whether you are a Republican, Democrat or Independent voter, the candidates for the 2024 Presidential Election may not be your first choices. So can you write in a name this Nov. 5?

Well, it will depend on where you are a registered voter.

Can you vote in person if you were mailed a ballot?

What is a write-in?

Besides the names on the ballot, some states allow you to vote for other candidates, by writing in their name.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most states let you write in votes for president, U.S. senator, U.S. representative, governor and other state offices.

Will a write-in vote count?

Writing in a name does not mean that the vote will count. Many states require write-in candidates to file paperwork before the election. Otherwise, the state will not count the persons votes.

What states do not allow for write-ins?

Ten states nationwide do not allow for write-in candidates: Nevada, South Dakota, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisana, Alabama, Mississippi, Alaska and Hawaii.

Requirements for write-in candidates, 2024 ( Ballotpedia ).

2020 write-in names

During the 2020 Presidential Election a total of 179,740 or 0.11% of the popular vote were miscellaneous write-ins.

Some states do not disclose all the names that were write-in votes, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Totals for write-in votes are shown as disclosed by the state, the FEC states. Some states list the names of candidates who received write-in votes, while others provide a write-in vote total without the names of the candidates who received the votes.

Here are some 2020 write-ins:

Mickey Mouse

God

Kanye West

None of These

Batman

Anybody Else

South Park

Baby Yoda

Elon Musk

Oprah

Patrick Mahomes

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  In Georgias 1st district, the choice is between Republican incumbent Rep. Buddy Carter and Democratic challenger Patti Hewitt.

WSAV sat down with both of them to talk about some of the issues that matter most to local voters, like border policy, the economy, and disaster recovery.

Disaster Recovery:

Georgias 1st Congressional District stretches from Savannah to Waycross, which includes cities, suburbs and some of the most rural places in the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many of those areas were devastated in different ways by the most recent hurricane season.

Putting that money directly into these communities to help them get broadband for example, to bury powerlines, to get roads properly paved, and things like that. These are the kinds of preventative and maintenance issues that need to be taken care of, but also further these communities, especially the rural communities into a more modern age as far as infrastructure goes so, theyre not as vulnerable, Hewitt said.

Carter said, One thing we need to be aware of is that this is disrupting a lot of livesI think people realize just how much this administration  how much harm theyve caused our economy, and now theyre suffering through it. They dont want that. They want to get back to a thriving economy, especially with the previous administration.

Georgia poll: Trump has 1-point edge over Harris

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Economy:

Many in District 1 want to know how each candidate is going to put more money in their wallet and will be the best for economic growth, like at the Port of Savannah where workers are still negotiating a new permanent contract.

The ports are the economic engine of this area and of the Southeast United States. We cannot afford to have a prolonged shutdown at that portThis can have a tremendous impact, a negative impact on our economyThats why I encourage the administration to intervene, Carter said.

Hewitt said, The solution is to ensure that workers have rights and that workers are sharing in the prosperity of their companies. The companies that the longshoremen are working for and providing work for have had incredible profits the last few years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Border Policy/Opioid Crisis:

Hewitt mentioned the latest bi-partisan immigration reform bill that was presented to the U.S. Senate but ultimately rejected by Republicans.

That was a perfectly good border bill that wouldve begun to solve a lot of the issues that we have at the border as far as making sure were funding properly our ports of entry, our customs and borders agents. We have resources and judges in place and we have appropriate asylum processes in place, she said.

Carter, on the other hand, has spoken regularly about his opposition to the Biden administrations border policies, tying the opioid crisis to the current situation there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Weve got one president who, during his administration has totally ignored the border and has allowed millions of illegals to come across that border and as well as the illegal drugs that are infesting all our communities. Whereas, we have another president who we know is going to secure the border, he said.

Hewitt, though, said the opioid crisis is about health care.

Healthcare is a very serious issue. 14% of our citizens in this district do not have any healthcare insurance at all, and that is a huge problem. Thats why were seeing some of the opioid addiction and some of the other things were seeing because these people do not have access to health care. They dont have access to mental health care. They dont have access to the medications that they need.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
(NewsNation)  Wyoming voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in several important races.

Presidential race in Wyoming

US Senate race in Wyoming

Republican incumbent John Barraso seeks reelection to the U.S. Senate against Democrat Scott Morrow, a political newcomer.

Morrow, a union officer and activist, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Barrasso is also competing for the No. 2 spot in the GOP after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stepped down, a position he held since 2007.

US House race in Wyoming

Wyoming voters will also select the states single U.S. House representative. A one-term incumbent, Republican candidate Harriet Hageman, faces three challengers: Democrat Kyle Cameron, Constitution Party candidate Jeff Haggit and Libertarian Richard Brubaker.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump-backed Hageman defeated three-term Congresswoman Liz Cheney in 2022. Former Rep. Cheney was one of the most vocal, if not the most vocal, Republican critics of former President Donald Trump, vowing to ensure he is never elected again.

Statewide ballot measures in Wyoming

Voters will also decide on one statewide ballot measure that would adjust property taxes. If approved, the constitutional amendment would add a new class and subclass of property for tax purposes. Residential real property would be added as a fourth, separate property class, with a subcategory of owner occupied primary residences, which could be assessed at a different rate.

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for grabs. These elections will determine who has control over the two chambers of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

Wyoming, a red state, has three Electoral College votes. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early voting in Wyoming started Oct. 22. All polls for in-person voting on Election Day run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
(Bloomberg) -- A budding alliance between Russia and North Korea is handing Chinese President Xi Jinping another problem, as Beijing comes under growing international pressure to rein in two of its closest diplomatic partners.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The revelation last month that Kim Jong Un sent thousands of troops to Russias border sparked fears that Europes largest conflict since World War II was on the verge of escalating. The prospect of North Koreans fighting for Vladimir Putin also prompted calls for China to use its sway to intervene.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said American officials had urged Beijing to leverage its influence to curb these activities during robust talks. A senior South Korean official told reporters that the troop deployment didnt align with Chinas interests, adding that Seoul had asked officials in Beijing to play a responsible role in the conflict.

For Xi, its a diplomatic headache that comes at a perilous time. While China has been the biggest benefactor to Russia and North Korea in recent years as the Chinese leader challenges the US-led world order, he has sought to portray Beijing as neutral regarding the war in Ukraine while looking to improve ties with the US and its allies. With Chinas struggling economy propped up by exports, he has an interest in keeping external relations more-or-less stable.

The Kim-Putin partnership disrupts Xis careful balancing act on both fronts. Not only does the Russia-North Korea relationship risk adding economic pressure on China, but it also undermines Beijings argument that the US shouldnt have military alliances in the region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The troop deployment is likely to bring more scrutiny and pressure upon China, said Patricia M Kim, a fellow at the John L. Thornton China Center and the Brookings Institution, who cautioned it was unclear what sway Beijing had over its neighbors military operations.

Beijing will be careful not to publicly alienate Pyongyang or Moscow, she added. But as concerns of North Korean escalation grow, this could push Chinese leaders to engage in quiet diplomacy with their European, Asian and American counterparts.

China has publicly remained muted on North Koreas troop dispatch to Russia, a sign its unhappy with Kim adding risks to the geopolitical landscape. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing was unaware of specifics of cooperation between Russia and North Korea at a regular briefing in Beijing on Friday, refusing to elaborate.

Adding to the turbulence, North Korea fired suspected ballistic missiles Tuesday, days after launching an intercontinental ballistic missile that flaunted Kims ability to deliver a nuclear strike to the US mainland. That message came on the cusp of a tight US election that could return to power Donald Trump, who has threatened to reignite a trade war with China and raises the prospect of a new round of talks with Kim.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For more than a decade, China has helped sustain North Korea through unparalleled aid and trade, but that position is being challenged by Putin as he turns to Kim to bolster his war efforts. North Korea has so far sent Russia weapons worth as much as $5.5 billion, according to a study by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.

That is equal to about one-fifth of North Koreas yearly gross domestic product and if Putin paid that amount  either in cash or goods  it would represent the biggest jolt to North Koreas economy since Kim took power more than a dozen years ago.

The flow of aid from Russia means Kim is less dependent on China. North Koreas state media appears to be showing a shift in the dynamic by toning down the rhetoric of friendship toward Beijing and heaping more praise on Russia. Pyongyang has also increased its official exchanges with Moscow, with the most recent being a visit by its foreign minister to Russia.

By contrast, Kim and Xi havent met in person since June 2019, when the Chinese leader paid a state visit to Pyongyang and advocated for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Prior to that trip, the North Korean leader traveled to Beijing four times in ten months, as he worked closely with China to reset ties with the US and South Korea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those efforts have since collapsed, with Kim in February declaring he had the right to annihilate his neighbor. In Xis public absence, Putin has moved closer. Kim welcomed the Russian leader with a hug as he touched down in North Korea for the first time in 24 years this summer. Both men pledged during that visit to provide immediate military aid if one was attacked.

A North Korea emboldened by Russia could endanger Beijings goal of maintaining stability in the region, according to Victor Cha, Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The security pact between Moscow and Pyongyang, he added, has already prompted Seoul to consider ending its ban on sending lethal weapons to Ukraine.

If South Korean weapons go to Ukraine  what if these are used to kill North Koreans? How will Kim respond? Cha said.

Whatever the risks for Xi, its unclear whether China is feeling the costs of their alliance enough yet to expend its own political capital. I dont believe China is in a good position to say what you should do, said Zhou Bo, a retired senior colonel in the Chinese military. I dont believe they will listen if China moves in that direction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Demanding Russia ends the war could lose Beijing an important collaborator, according to Neil Thomas, a fellow for Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institutes Center for China Analysis.

Beijing is unlikely to respond in a way that undermines its rising diplomatic, economic and military cooperation with Moscow, he added. Its more likely to increase its own outreach to Pyongyang.

--With assistance from Jon Herskovitz and Soo-Hyang Choi.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW)  As YMCA of Coastal Carolina looks to expand its offerings over the next five years, officials hope Horry County Schools has a role to play in the plan.

Over the last six months, weve been going through a significant planning process discussing how the Y, with partners like the school system and others, can go forward and make a difference in the lives of kids, CEO David Byrd told board members on Monday.

The Myrtle Beach-based organization is looking to expand into areas including Conway, Aynor and Loris while addressing critical community needs such as accessible child care, water safety courses for youth and mental health initiatives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2023, South Carolinas 22 YMCAs served nearly 129,000 people. Last year, the Coastal Carolina branch offered services to 4,700, Byrd said.

Also on Monday, Horry County Schools leaders considered changes to either name or rename several facilities.

The former Whittemore Park Middle School campus would become Horry County Schools Rivertown Complex, while Carolina Forests new school would be dubbed Ten Oaks Elementary with a red fox as its mascot.

A new elementary school on Ronald McNair Boulevard would become Pine Island Elementary School with a pelican mascot.

Board members on Monday also met behind closed doors to discuss the future of its charter agreement the PALM Academy of Learning Motorsports, although no action was taken.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
(NewsNation)  Voters in New York will cast their ballots Tuesday in some key races in the 2024 election.

Presidential race in New York

US Senate race in New York

Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is running for her third term facing Republican challenger Mike Sapraicone, a retired NYPD detective.

Gilibrand has had her seat since 2009 and is expected to come out on top as Democratic voters outnumber Republicans in the state by more than 2 to 1, according to the Democrat & Chronicle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

No Republican has won statewide office in New York in 22 years since then-Gov. George Patakis second reelection in 2002.

US House races in New York

Voters will also elect 15 candidates to serve in the House from each of the states congressional districts.

Eleven districts within a 90-mile drive of Manhattan are expected to be among the countrys most closely contested House races on Election Day.

Republicans hold a slim 6-5 edge now in the nearly contiguous circle that starts in the Long Island suburbs, cuts through western Connecticut and New Yorks Hudson River Valley and Catskills regions then carves through Eastern Pennsylvania before curling back into New Jersey.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2022, Republicans flipped four seats in New York that were central to taking control of the House.

In New Yorks 22nd Congressional District, first-term GOP Rep. Brandon Williams kept the seat in Republican hands in 2022 but will have to push hard against two-term Democratic state Sen. John Mannion. House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned with Williams saying his race may very well be one of the decision points on whether we keep the majority

The district, which includes Syracuse and Utica, is now one of Democrats top pickup opportunities with the party rallying behind Mannion.

Another GOP incumbent will face a tough challenge in the states 4th Congressional District. Rep. Anthony DEsposito helped Republicans flip the House in 2022 but is now one of its most vulnerable members, defending a left-leaning Long Island seat from challenger Laura Gillen, a former Hempstead town supervisor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republican Mike Lawler faces a tough reelection campaign in New Yorks 17th Congressional District against Mondaire Jones. Jones is a former Democratic congressman who was one of the first two openly gay Black men to serve in the House when he was elected in 2020. Jones lost his seat when the boundaries of his district were redrawn.

Statewide ballot measures in New York

Voters will also need to decide on a measure that would preserve the right to abortion.

New York doesnt explicitly preserve a right to abortion but includes it under broader equal rights protections. New Yorks Proposal 1 would bar unequal treatment based on pregnancy outcomes and reproductive health care and autonomy along with sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin and disability.

Abortion is currently legal in New York up to fetal viability. The measure, which is legislatively referred, has faced several challenges on its road to the ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Tuesday, 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election. These elections will determine who has control over the two branches of Congress, and ultimately, who sets the agenda for the next presidents term.

New York has 28 Electoral College votes contributing to the presidential race and has long been blue, voting Democratic in the last nine elections. The presidential election winner must earn 270 Electoral College votes to assume office.

Early voting started in New York on October 26. Timings for polls for in-person voting vary by location.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  At the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel in Midtown, a man screams for Narcan to be used on an individual who appears to be having an overdose.

Over by Jerome Avenue and Kingsbridge Road, in the Bronx, we met Jose. He was accompanied by who he says is his cousin but the man was unconscious and couldnt speak.

More Local News

Jose told PIX11 News, that he didnt know how to get help to treat his drug addiction but that this corner was his safe space, because he could get drugs from a connection he has.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

PIX11 News also observed a group of men on the steps of Elementary School 246 on Grand Concourse in the Bronx consuming what appeared to be illegal substances, during school hours.

For Council Member Diana Ayala, this is a crisis that hits home.

I just lost my brother a little over a month ago, to an overdose. He suffered from serious mental health issues. He battled for his entire life. And as the Deputy Speaker of the City Council, I have found it often difficult for myself to get the resources that he needed to help him, said Ayala.

In Washington Heights, we found another group of men, seemingly passed out at a park on 170th and Broadway.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You have a lot of users, a lot of people on the floor, ambulance coming picking people up, said area resident, Richie.

We noticed a similar situation at the 125-Metro North station on 116 Street and Tompkins Square Park in the East Village.

A 26-year-old fell dead out of the porta party. Overdose Fentanyl, said Russell who hangs out at Tompkins Square Park.

In September, we visited Melrose Avenue in the Bronx with Representative Richie Torres who had sent this letter to Mayor Adams asking for the city to take action. 9 weeks later, the problem remains.

He is the mayor. He has the authority to deploy health and police officials to dismantle this open-air drug market, said Torres back then.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pink cocaine is spreading in the NYC club scene: officials

NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry told PIX11 News that the department is putting in the work, but it takes time.

We are working hand with the Bronx DA and the narcotics team in that area to try to eradicate the open-air drug trafficking you see that you spoke about. Just because you may not see the change that you may wish our desire so quickly it takes a while for us to build a case in certain areas through the city, said Daughtry.

The city has not come up with a comprehensive plan to deal with the opioid crisis, stated Ayala, adding that fentanyl is making the crisis even worse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are not addressing the drug dealings that are coming into the community effectively, so the drugs are too easy, readily available. Where you had drug enforcement officers that were primarily securing and making sure those drugs were not coming into our boroughs. Those officers were now redirected to guns because we saw a spike in gun violence, said Ayala.

We always welcome more personnel, but we have adequate personnel to get the job done, and we will get the job done. Give us a couple of weeks and you are going to be happy with the results, responded Daughtry.

As a mother of two, Samantha will be anxiously waiting for those results.

My mother was a drug addict and that is why I was taken away for a while, said Samantha. She also said she is alarmed by what her kids are exposed to living near Tompkins Square Park.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They watch that every day people slumped over at the park, and they are looking, she said.

Adding to that, the dangers of discarded syringes. Ayala shows us some of the ones that she picks up herself on a regular basis.

We had two children last summer before the end of the school year, get pricked with a needled they found on the playground, said Ayala.

In East Harlem, according to Ayala, two parks, including one on Lexington Avenue, between East 122nd and East 123rd, had to be closed to keep children safe.

We passed a local law that would create a pilot program a buyback program for syringes and that was a desperate attempt to get the administration to say well we have a better plan. Three years after the plan was presented it has not been implemented.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

PIX11 News requested an interview with the mayor to ask him about a tangible plan to eradicate the open-air drug markets. We were redirected to the NYPD. We responded we wanted to hear from him. But never got an answer back.

This is really, you know the perfect storm of a lot of things that have gotten wrong and a lot of resource areas that need to be fully funded or fully staffed In order for us in the community to see a difference, concluded Ayala.

The NYPD, however, says neighbors may see that difference soon.

There is a plan in place that is happening as we speak, stated Daughtry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Two New York men will spend just under five years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding major retailers of tens of thousands of dollars in goods while living in Raleigh, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley Jr. announced Monday.

Kavon Kerrick Robinson, 25, and Christopher Anthony Hilaire, 27, pleaded guilty in July after being separately indicted by grand juries, court records show. Robinson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison, while Hilaire pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and will spend 16 months in prison, the release stated.

Retail return frauds, including double-dipping schemes like this one, cost retailers billions of dollars in losses every year, Easley said in the release. These schemes drive prices higher for the rest of us and harm everyday consumers whose credit card information is stolen to facilitate the scheme.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Robinson purchased stolen credit card information with cryptocurrency on the dark web, which he and Hilaire would then use to buy items online and ship them to their Raleigh apartment or pick them up from retailers, the release said.

For items purchased from major retailers, Robinson would focus on certain items he knew he could resell, the release states. For example, Robinson purchased a large number of Google Nest thermostats from Lowes Home Improvement because he had a buyer for those items.

Robinson would sometimes travel to New York to sell the items or would return them for cash, according to the release. While helping Robinson, Haire would also give instructions in an online forum about credit-card fraud on how to operate similar schemes.

From April 8, 2022, to Nov. 15, 2022, the pair ultimately used 87 different credit cards tied to 35 different states, according to court documents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early loss estimates from just some of the affected retailers total nearly $100,000, a letter from Easleys office stated.

Robinson stole credit card information from at least 11 people, while Hilaire used credit cards from at least five people, the pairs indictments state.

Impacted retailers included Lululemon, Best Buy, Home Depot, Target, Walmart, Michaels, Lowes Home Improvement and Bose, according to court documents. It wasnt clear how many retailers were affected, but investigators estimated the losses totaled over $95,000.

Fraudulent online purchases

The case began in September 2022, when fraud investigators at Lowes reached out to the FBI about 550 fraudulent online purchases from the same IP address from April 16, 2022, to Sept. 12, 2022, court documents state. That IP address traced back to Robinson and Hilaires Raleigh apartment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The men evaded law enforcement for several months, according to court documents.

Robinson wasnt arrested until Dec. 6, 2023, despite promising to turn himself in to FBI agents via phone on Sept. 20, 2023. Hilaire initially agreed to plead guilty without an indictment in December 2023, but when the date of the scheduled plea arrived, his lawyer said he hadnt heard from Hilaire since the summer, court records show.

Hilaire was ultimately indicted in February and arrested on March 20, according to court documents.

Andy Ellen, the president and general counsel of the N.C. Retail Merchants Association, said in Mondays release that he was grateful for the prosecutions work on the case.

Organized retail crime is not only a crime against property, but a crime against people, often tied to other serious crimes such as opioids, identity theft, and human trafficking, Ellen said. It is very important that offenders be prosecuted to the fullest extent of North Carolinas law for the good of the economy and the safety of our communities.
All eyes in the United States are on the results of the 2024 election on Tuesday and many of them will likely look to the New York Times for coverage.

Famously, the New York Times has used the Needle in previous elections to show live forecasts in the form of a handy semicircle chart. On it, a needle moves back and forth between sections to showcase the confidence of how a race is going. After the 2016 election, the Needle was often cited as a source of anxiety for election watchers, but also spawned some pretty great memes.

However, for 2024, the Needle might be in jeopardy due to a strike organized by tech workers from the New York Times. The nearly 700 unionized workers in the New York Times Tech Guild have been looking to reach an agreement with the organization on a new contract with "better wages, hours, benefits and job security" among other things.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As such, the Needle may or may not make an appearance on Tuesday.

As a result, I do not know whether we will be able to publish the needle. There are good reasons to bet against it, though perhaps there are scenarios where things are running super smoothly; alternately, we hit bugs at the start and there's no chance.  Nate Cohn (@Nate_Cohn) November 5, 2024

Guess we'll have to see how things unfold!

More Politics!

What time do the polls close on Election Day 2024? Here's the state by state answer

Why the NBA has zero games scheduled on Tuesday night in 2024

SNL cold open featured Kamala Harris and Maya Rudolph as Kamala talking to each other

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Will the New York Times have the Needle for the election?
Getty Images/Liz Coulbourn

The Harris-Walz campaign and outside organizations made an early investment in youth voter engagement this cycle, both on the ground and online with social media accounts like @kamalahq.

It may be paying off. Early vote data trickling in from battleground states is providing some insight as to how youth voter turnout could shake out nationwide. Per the data, an increasingly strong presence from young voters last week seems like a good sign for Vice President Kamala Harris, given that younger Americans typically lean left. A recent Harvard youth poll showed Harris up over former President Donald Trump by 20 percentage points among registered voters under 30.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early voting surged amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but Tom Bonier, senior advisor to Target Smart, a Democratic firm that tracks early voting data, said he wasnt expecting to see the same levels of pre-Election Day voting in 2024, especially from younger voters. More than half of likely voters under 30 plan to cast their ballots on Election Day, according to the latest Harvard Youth Poll. But while young voters account for a smaller share of the early vote as of Saturday than at that point in 2020, there are key takeaways from the data that are worth noting.

According to Bonier, young women are out-voting young men at a higher rate than they did in 2020. Even more so, he said, looking at early vote data, theres higher turnout from young voters of color, and especially young women of color.

The youth vote that has come out is more diverse and less white than it was at this point in 2020, Bonier told Teen Vogue, adding that this result is consistent with the firms analysis of new voter registration data from battleground states after Harris became the presumptive nominee in July. TargetSmart has tracked an uptick in registrations from young women since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision in 2022  which led to high turnout from young voters (and support for Democrats from young women especially) in that years midterms.

This years early vote data tracks with a well-documented partisan and engagement gender gap among young voters. During the Trump-era, Gen Z women have moved further to the left on the ideological spectrum, while men of the same generation have plateaued as pretty moderate, according to Gallup data. The Trump campaign worked to jack up the margins with young men, attempting to appeal to them through appearances with figures like influencer and wrestler Logan Paul, the Nelk Boys, and Joe Rogan  but the early vote numbers havent shown that cohort turning out as much as young women yet, Bonier said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Regionally, Bonier confirmed that early vote turnout picked up among 18-29-year-olds in Dane County, Wisconsin after Harris held a rally there with Remi Wolf and Gracie Abrams on Wednesday night. Young voters made up 19% of early votes cast in the states fastest-growing county last week and reached 22% Thursday and Friday, according to TargetSmarts data.

In North Carolina, the Triangle, Triad, and Charlotte regions saw the highest early vote turnout in the state, with new registered Democratic voters outpacing newly registered Republican voters, Bonier said. North Carolina colleges including North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Appalachian State University, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University engaged in an early voting competition, a coordinated effort with the Harris campaign, the North Carolina Democratic Party, and the College Democrats of North Carolina. State College Democrats President Nathan Linville said the groups priority this year was collecting commit to vote cards. It was just asking for your name, your email address, your phone number, and what campus you were on, and then using that information, we were able to send them Google calendar invites as soon as early voting started on October 17 that gave them their local polling place, Linville said. Even if students said they wouldnt vote for national Democratic candidates, we really tried to go down-ballot, he added.

And in Georgia, the youth share (ages 18-29) of individuals who had cast their ballots in person was 25%, when the states early voting period ended, per TargetSmart. That number is on pace with 2020, according to the firm.

According to youth voter engagement group Voters of Tomorrow, which has endorsed the Harris-Walz campaign, young voters had far outpaced early vote projections made by the group in the swing states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia as of Sunday. Early vote numbers in key battleground states are wildly surpassing our expectations, said Jack Lobel, the groups press secretary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So whats behind the early youth vote surge?

I think its a broader cultural shift in habit that Gen Z has developed, said David Hogg, co-founder of Leaders We Deserve, which supports young progressives running for Congress and state legislatures, as well as March for Our Lives, which started rallying young people to vote in 2018 after the Parkland school shooting. We voted at the highest rates in the past three elections of any generation to come before us, and we voted very clearly in one direction, Hogg, who has campaigned for the Walz-Harris ticket, told Teen Vogue, emphasizing research suggesting that voting is a habit.

From the get-go, the Democratic presidential campaign seemed to understand that young voters were crucial to their potential path to victory and made an early effort to court them. Eve Levenson, the campaigns youth engagement director, is 24. She was hired by the then-Biden-Harris campaign last winter to focus specifically on mobilizing young voters. A former March for Our Lives organizer, Levenson is emblematic of many Gen Zers who got involved with activism after Parkland and cut their teeth in politics organizing during former President Donald Trumps administration.

"In a race this close, young voters can absolutely be the difference. We're seeing great early numbers but this race is far from over, so if you haven't voted yet, please do. So much is at stake in this election for young people  our reproductive freedom, affordable housing, our climate, student loan relief, our very democracy, Levenson said Sunday in an email statement to Teen Vogue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Harris-Walz campaigns youth vote engagement strategy has included a Students for Harris-Walz operation on college and high school campuses, inviting more than 200 content creators to the Democratic National Convention to reach young people through social media, back-to-school campus efforts, a Youth Vote Week of Action around National Voter Registration Day with an emphasis on campuses in swing states and historically Black colleges and universities, and an early vote tour featuring high-profile surrogates like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Maxwell Frost.

Frost, the only Gen Z member of Congress, has criss-crossed battleground states including Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, and Nevada. At Arizona State University, he attended a ballot bash, where of-age students brought their ballots or I Voted stickers to a bar before turning them in.

Outside the traditional campaign trail, the Harris-Walz campaign and supporting organizations have embraced the virality of this election. Theyve capitalized on endorsements from the likes of Taylor Swift, and invited creators to high-profile moments. Deja Foxx, an Arizona-based activist and content creator, had a speaking slot at the DNC in Chicago. Behind the scenes, she said, she described a unique level of access to the political process in a way that feels really unique and different. And with a slate of social accounts ranging from Harris and Walzs personal accounts to Kamala HQ, she said, theyve empowered creatorsby giving us a diverse option of what we can clip, stitch, share.

Foxx said shes impressed at the amount of people who have spent time, energy, and creativity spreading the message of this campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some organizers have remained skeptical about the campaign, telling Teen Vogue that celebrity endorsements and memes matter far less than policy. They take issue with Harris embrace of fracking, unwavering support for Israel amid the war in Gaza, and support for more immigration enforcement.

But Harris strong stance on reproductive access and proposals to expand affordable housing  as well as the antipathy many young voters feel for Trump  have earned her support from many in this demographic. Recent events like a Kamala HQ pop-up at New York Fashion Week party and a Swifties for Kamala event in Philadelphia have merged culture and politics; with display of Plan B/birth control and Whac-A-Mole with weird policies like banning abortion or IVF, organizers sought to come up with different ways of engaging potential voters with actual policies.

On the early vote numbers, Foxx added, I feel hopeful that women are not playing around this election cycle.

Beyond campaign-affiliated efforts, outside organizations  including some that are nonpartisan  have been hard at work turning out young voters. To boost early voting, the nonpartisan Black Girls Vote organization held events at Bowie State University in Maryland, the Community College of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, Delaware State University, and Hampton University . The left-leaning NextGen America helped get young people to early voting locations with buses, ballot education on campuses, and partnerships with the NAACP. And Rise, which is focused on supporting democracy and reducing the cost of higher education, has deployed on-the-ground organizers on campuses across the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the early voting period we not only mobilize students on campuses through fun activations, but we also met them at music festivals within the cities and states we organize, in the clubs promoting early voting, and literally knocking on their doors, said Mary-Pat Hector, Rises CEO.

Young people are engaged and excited about the election. I think on CNN and MSNBC and Fox News people painted this photo that young people werent going to be as engaged in this election, as they do every election, she said. And were showing them that were going to be the deciding factor as we always are.

Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

Want more U.S. government coverage?
With Ukraine's future hanging in the balance ahead of the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election, Ukraines president turned up the heat, invoking the specter of nuclear weapons to nudge whoever lands in the Oval Office toward offering more conventional weaponry and robust security guarantees to Kyiv.

Volodymyr Zelensky said on Oct. 17 that he had told ex-President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate in the election facing off against Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic ticket, that Ukraine would either join NATO or develop nuclear weapons. Later the same day, he walked back that statement, saying that Ukraine was not planning to create a nuclear bomb as a deterrent against Russias full-scale invasion now in its third year.

"Zelensky mentioned nuclear weapons in order to call for further commitment by NATO countries, especially from the United States, for further support for Ukraine," Kazuto Suzuki, director of the Institute of Geoeconomics at the International House of Japan, told the Kyiv Independent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"He might be thinking that Ukrainian resolve to possess nuclear weapons might give an additional reason for the new U.S. president, whoever is elected."

Zelenskys talk about an atomic bomb comes just as fears mount that U.S. support for Ukraine could take a nosedive after the election amid Russias accelerating offensive in the Donbas, especially with the prospect of Trump, who has criticized aid to Ukraine, back in the White House.

Read also: Harris or Trump  Ukraine braces for best, worst-case scenarios as US elects new president

Pressure to boost weaponry supplies and open NATOs door?

Zelensky's comment on nuclear weapons was a reference to his Sept. 27 meeting with presidential candidate Trump during a visit to the U.S.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump has praised Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and questioned further U.S. assistance to Ukraine. He has also promised to broker a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, and there is speculation that he could pressure Kyiv to cede territory to Russia or agree to Putin's terms.

"I told Donald Trump: either Ukraine will have nuclear weapons, which will serve as protection, or it must be part of some kind of alliance. Apart from NATO, we do not know of such an effective alliance," Zelensky said in Brussels, where he presented his victory plan to EU leaders on Oct. 17.

"I believe Trump heard me and said that it was a fair argument, Zelensky added.

Later the same day, Zelensky walked back his statement at a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We never spoke about preparing to create nuclear weapons or something like this," he said, adding that his comment referred to Ukraine giving up its nuclear arsenal in 1996 in exchange for the protection by three nuclear states, the U.S., the U.K., and Russia. The agreement is known as the Budapest Memorandum.

Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances in connection with the Republic of Belarus'/Republic of Kazakhstan's/Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Presidents after signing the Trilateral Statement, Moscow, 1994. (L-R) U.S. President Clinton, Russian President Yeltsin, and Ukrainian President Kravchuk after signing the Trilateral Statement in Moscow on Jan. 14, 1994. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Stefan Wolff, professor of international security at the University of Birmingham, said that "Trump might be more susceptible to the idea (of Ukraine having nuclear weapons) but it's a non-starter whoever wins in the U.S. election.

I could certainly see (Trump) using the threat of allowing Ukraine to have nuclear weapons as part of whatever he thinks he will negotiate with Putin, he added.

Some commentators argue that Zelensky's statement on nuclear weapons was just bluff and a tool of pressure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Clearly he was trying to get leverage with the U.S. and other NATO members for a stronger commitment to NATO membership for Ukraine, but regarding the U.S. election specifically he seems to be trying to position himself to have a decent relationship with whomever wins," Lynn Rusten, vice president at the U.S.-based Nuclear Threat Initiatives Global Nuclear Policy Program, told the Kyiv Independent.

Read also: Editorial: When casting your vote in the US, think about Ukraine



Claus Mathiesen, a lecturer at Denmark's Defense Academy and a former military attache in Ukraine, said that several countries are considering acquiring nuclear weapons amid uncertainty over post-election U.S. policy and the possibility of the U.S. reducing its commitment to NATO if Trump is elected.

Meanwhile, Jenny Mathers, a lecturer in international politics at the U.K.'s Aberystwyth University, believes that Zelensky's original statement may have been designed to shock Ukraine's Western supporters into realizing that Kyiv does need a more robust form of security guarantee than the as long as it takes that the West has been offering so far.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She said that Zelenskys statement could jolt (the West) into changing their perception to regard offering NATO membership to Ukraine sooner rather than later as the less risky of the possible futures facing the world."

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky (L) and Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump (R) meet in New York during the President of Ukraine's visit to the United States in New York City, US on Sept. 27, 2024. (Uliana Boichuk/Novyny LIVE/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

According to Wolff, "the debate indicates a certain level of desperation and resignation in Kyiv caused by the lack of Western follow-through on the tough, but often empty rhetoric frequently on display.

An analyst and diplomat working for the U.S. government told the Kyiv Independent that Zelensky's statement had already had an impact on Ukraine's Western partners. He was speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

Although Western allies don't see a Ukrainian nuclear program as realistic, the diplomat added, they understand Zelensky's message that the situation is desperate and that Ukraine needs security guarantees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Zelensky's message is clear," he said. "The West actually gets this. Before September, an invitation to NATO had not been considered. But now the topic of inviting Ukraine to NATO is back on the table."

Read also: 14 essential Kyiv Independent stories about the US presidential election

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By asking Poland to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky is attempting to get Warsaw involved in the war, Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said in an interview with Radio ZET on Nov. 4.

Gawkowski's comments came amid a growing diplomatic spat between Kyiv and Warsaw, revolving around the Polish support for Ukraine as well as historical grievances.

"Zelensky wants Poland to shoot missiles over Ukraine, which means he wants Poland to enter the war, which means he wants Poland to be at war with Russia," said Gawkowski, who also serves as the digital affairs minister for the co-governing Left coalition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"By these statements, Zelensky wants to drag Poland into the war with Russia."

Zelensky recently criticized Poland for not yet providing its remaining MiG-29 fighter jets despite previous agreements.

The president also said he had "constantly asked" Poland to shoot down Russian missiles flying in its direction, particularly to protect the gas storage facility in the town of Stryi in Ukraine's Lviv Oblast, located nearly 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of the Ukrainian-Polish border.

Read also: Volhynian Massacre  the Achilles heel of Ukrainian-Polish relations

Russian drones and missiles have previously entered Poland's airspace during attacks on Ukraine but have never been intercepted by the Polish military. Poland's allies advised the government to exercise restraint when dealing with unidentified airspace violations, according to Warsaw.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I feel that the last words that came from President Zelensky are unworthy of a politician who owes Poland a lot," Gawkowski reacted.

"The equipment that was transferred, the citizens who were taken care of... Poland is a great friend of Ukraine, a transport hub. It seemed to me that in such situations, you say 'thank you.'"

Poland has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine on the world stage, campaigning for Kyiv to receive all the required weaponry to win the war that Russia had begun. It has also provided Ukraine with around $3.5 billion in military aid since 2022 and hosts close to 1 million Ukrainian refugees.

Yet, bilateral relations are far from perfect, with the two countries sharing long-standing unresolved grievances. Some of the recent disputes centered around the resolution of the Volyn massacre carried out by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army against Poles during World War II in 1943-44.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gawkowski was not the only Polish official to respond to Zelensky's criticism. Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski commented that his country has done more for Kyiv "than any other nation."

"We're trying to help, but we're also a front-line country. Russia also threatens us, and not everything is possible," he added.

Read also: Ukraine struggles to contain Russian advance in Donetsk Oblast as US elections loom

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Some 11,000 North Korean soldiers have already arrived in the Russian border area of Kursk, according to Kiev on Monday, amid fears they are to be deployed in Ukraine.

"We see an increase in the number of North Koreans, but we see no increase in the response of our partners. Unfortunately," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening video message.

He said the information was based on findings from the Ukrainian intelligence services.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kiev assumes the North Korean soldiers will soon be deployed by Russia against Ukraine, though UN diplomats have also said they could be deployed behind the front line to carry out logistical tasks, for example.

It remains unclear whether the North Korean soldiers could be deployed to fight on Ukrainian territory or in areas of Russia occupied by Ukraine, which includes parts of Kursk.

Pentagon says up to 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia

The United States estimates there are as many as 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, with 10,000 of those in the Kursk region.

"Should these troops engage in combat support operations against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets," Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said on Monday, echoing comments made last week by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said the Pentagon was "looking into" reports about alleged North Korean combat operations.

The troops from Pyongyang arrived in Russia last month, officials have said. Moscow's forces have been training them in infantry and artillery tactics, trench clearing and operating drones, the US has stated. The Russians have provided the North Korean troops with Russian uniforms and equipment.

"All indications are that they will provide some type of combat or combat support capability," Ryder said in a statement.

"We would fully expect that the Ukrainians would do what they need to do to defend themselves and their personnel."

Ukrainian advances in to Kursk

Zelensky described the Ukrainian advance into Kursk, which began in August, as a success, saying a "protection zone" had been created along the Russian-Ukrainian border and new Russian prisoners have been taken for potential future exchanges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the incursion, Ukrainian forces seized a large tract of Russia, apparently in the hope that the Russians would divert forces from the eastern front in Donetsk and Luhansk.

"This has greatly helped in the liberation of our people from Russian captivity," Zelensky said.

Western countries have described the deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia as a massive escalation of the conflict.

That comes as observers say the Ukrainian army is suffering ever greater losses of life and material in its operations on Russian territory.

Putin welcomes North Korean minister

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin met North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in the Kremlin for talks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Today is a national holiday for us, and meeting with good friends on holidays is a good tradition," Putin said in greeting. The Kremlin did not disclose any details of their discussion.

North Korea supports Moscow in the Russian war on Ukraine, launched in 2022. Choe was last a guest in the Kremlin in January.

On Friday, Choe told her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that North Korea would help Russia in the war until victory.

On Monday she delivered greetings from ruler Kim Jong Un to Putin. North Korea is internationally isolated because of its nuclear weapons tests. North Korea has also been widely criticized for supplying weapons to Russia. Russia, in turn, is subject to sanctions due to its war on Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Putin and Kim signed a treaty on a strategic partnership between the two countries during a visit to North Korea this summer, which also provides for mutual military assistance. The Russian president recently said that the details of the deal still had to be clarified.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference in Berlin. Michael Kappeler/dpa
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed personnel changes among Ukrainian ambassadors with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Source: European Pravda, citing Zelenskyys evening address

Details: In his evening address on 5 November, the president stated that he and the foreign minister had reviewed "the candidates for the vacant posts of Ukrainian Ambassadors in the relevant countries" and assessed the performance of Ukrainian diplomats. "We are preparing replacements and appointments," he announced, without providing any details.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry had previously stated in response to an inquiry from Babel, a Ukrainian media outlet, that nearly 30 Ukrainian embassies have no ambassador.

Background:

After his appointment in early September, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced a series of personnel decisions and a review of foreign policy strategy, including the recall of the charge d'affaires in Georgia.

In addition, President Zelenskyy recently appointed a new ambassador to Poland: Vasyl Bodnar replaced Vasyl Zvarych.

Support UP or become our patron!
Boeings (BA) machinists strike is now over after workers ratified a new union contract late Monday, the third draft of an agreement put forward by the company after workers rejected the first two.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents tens of thousands of machinists who were on strike, congratulated its members in a message.

Working people know what its like when a company overreaches and takes away more than is fair, IAM District 751 President Jon Holden said in a statement. Through this strike and the resulting victory, frontline workers at Boeing have done their part to begin rebalancing the scales in favor of the middle class  and in doing so, we hope to inspire other workers in our industry and beyond to continue standing up for justice at work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg threatened to start putting worse offers on the table if this one didnt get approved, the IAM was able to secure several big changes to the first offer that came out of bargaining.

Pay raises

Members of the IAM had been fighting for a 40% bump. The initial agreement gave workers a 25% wage increase over its four-year lifetime. The final agreement gave them a 38% raise.

Ratification bonus

It is common for collective bargaining agreements to give workers a bonus upon ratification. The initial agreement would have given workers a $3,000 bonus. The final agreement gave them a $7,000 bonus plus a $5,000 401(k) contribution.

Retirement

This was the part of negotiations that may have been the most contentious. Members of the IAM had been fighting for the reinstatement of Boeings defined-benefit pension. The initial agreement did not give them that  KIRO (PARA), the CBS affiliate in Seattle, reported that there were some boos when the ratification vote results were announced  but it did offer a 75% company match on the first 8% of workers contributions to their 401(k) plans. The final agreement gave them a 100% company match on the first 8% of their contributions.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Timber Up

Japan has successfully launched the world's first satellite made of wood.

The spacecraft, dubbed LignoSat, came about as a collaboration between Kyoto University and homebuilder Sumitomo Forestry and was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Tuesday.

It sets an important precedent, with its creators hoping to demonstrate the use of an entirely renewable material in space that could minimize its environmental impact once it's retired. Instead of releasing harmful particles like their metal counterparts, wooden satellites could harmlessly burn up in the Earth's atmosphere.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wood is also surprisingly durable in space due to the lack of water or oxygen, and could efficiently protect electronics in orbit while reducing weight.

"Early 1900s airplanes were made of wood," Kyoto University forest science professor Koji Murata told Reuters. "A wooden satellite should be feasible, too."

Bonfire of the Orbitals

Japanese astronaut Takao Doi, who has visited the International Space Station before, had some choice words for the project.

"With timber, a material we can produce by ourselves, we will be able to build houses, live and work in space forever," he told Reuters.

Doi also pointed out that metal satellites release aluminum oxide particles while reentering the Earth's atmosphere, something previous research has shown could have a devastating impact on our planet's ozone layer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Metal satellites might be banned in the future," he said. "If we can prove our first wooden satellite works, we want to pitch it to Elon Musks SpaceX."

The team at Kyoto University concluded that lumber from the Japanese magnolia tree stood up to the harsh space environment the best after conducting an experiment on board the ISS.

Interestingly, LignoSat is being held together without any screws or glue thanks to the use of a traditional Japanese woodworking technique called honoki.

The plan is to have it orbit the Earth for half a year while sensors record how it weathers the extreme environment. The team is also interested in the material's ability to shield semiconductors from space radiation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It may seem outdated, but wood is actually cutting-edge technology as civilisation heads to the Moon and Mars," Sumitomo Forestry Tsukuba Research Institute manager Kenji Kariya told Reuters. "Expansion to space could invigorate the timber industry."

More on LignoSat: Japanese Scientists Show Off World's First Wooden Satellite
PANAMA CITY  The city's Development Services Department is going digital to potentially bring more efficiency to local residents.

The department consists of the Building Services, Planning & Zoning, Floodplain Management and Code Compliance divisions.

A news release from the city says digital software will be utilized for planning and zoning, building services, fire, environmental, code compliance and contractor registration services. City leaders believe creating a central hub will make the process more efficient and create more visibility for interested parties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The city plans to use CloudPermit to expedite plan reviews, inspections and administrative functions associated with code compliance, regulations for buildings, and structures or equipment.

CloudPermit is a online permitting software that will allow city staff to complete the lifecycle of a building permit in one digital workspace. The release from the city says this will streamline the community development process for their staff and local residents.

The software will update applicants throughout the process, and other features include a software map that will show where development and code compliance concerns are taking place. It can also be used to submit code compliance concerns.

Panama City plans on hosting a community workshop to familiarize residents with the software and its tools. The city encourages residents to visit the Development Services Department page on its website for the most up-to-date information.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City's Development Services opt to streamline by going digital
The PS5 Pro offers significant improvements in AI upscaling, but falls short of providing a groundbreaking leap in performance despite the steep price tag.

Going forward, gaming advancement looks likely to focus on refining existing technologies rather than revolutionary shifts.

We've reached a stage where gamers may need to shift their expectations for what to expect from new hardware, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The PS5 Pro is Sony's mid-generation upgrade to the PS5, but it has caused a lot of skepticism and confusion among fans. While Sony touts the Pro as a significant leap in graphical fidelity, the console falls short of a generational leap. Have we reached the point where hardware advancements are no longer the defining factor in pushing gaming boundaries?

PS5 Pro Is a Small Upgrade With A Big Price Tag

The PS5 Pro's goal is to push the boundaries of performance and visual fidelity further, and a large part of this is its focus on hardware-accelerated upscaling. Sony wants smoother gameplay that looks great, even if the end result may be less significant than players were expecting.

Advertisement Advertisement

This incremental step feels more like a refinement of what the PS5 has already achieved, rather than a groundbreaking advancement. That's fine, but it's not reflected in the price which sets a far higher expectation.

Sony slowed down gameplay to show players frame rate improvements, zoomed in on background images to show graphical improvements, and even made side-by-side comparisons of how the PS5 Pro can look great and keep the FPS high. However, because it's taken so long to hear news of an upgrade from the original PS5, many gamers expected more. This came as a disappointment with a price tag of $700.

PlayStation 5 Pro pricing information.

At that cost, players should expect a significant upgrade aking to those seen between generations, but that kind of thing seems unlikely to happen again. This mid-generation refresh isn't even the first to head in this direction. Even the PS5 launch was tempered by the fact that the future isn't made up of leaps forward but smaller significant ones.

The Goalposts Have Moved

Sony

The goalposts of gaming advancement have shifted. Games like Spider-Man 2 have already pushed the boundaries, eliminating loading screens and offering a level of immersion that was once unimaginable. Fast traveling from one end of the map to another with a two-second buffer (that is only there for players) is something the industry has long aimed for.

Advertisement Advertisement

The catch is that we can't expect such massive leaps forward in the future, but rather a focus on refining what's there now.

While the PS5 Pro's modest improvements might seem underwhelming to some, it speaks to this new reality. It's hard to look at the jump from PS4 to PS5 and draw meaningful comparisons to the leaps we experienced in the past.

But if you can travel a beautiful map in no time at all just to swing through a dense cityscape at breakneck speeds with no appreciable changes in resolution or detail, how much further can we really go? What more can a developer do, besides refine the smaller details?

The days of being blown away by the sheer power of the latest console may be behind us. Instead of needing to chase photorealistic perfection or faster loading, developers can focus on the finer details that improve gameplay. These include smoother frame rates, improved lighting, and advanced rendering techniques like ray tracing.

Advertisement Advertisement

These goals will revolve around better lighting, reflections, and shadows or making 60 fps the new normal. This is asking a hefty price for what may not be considered "enough" to justify an upgrade to the average consumer.

Early Adopters Matter More

Before the PS4, console releases were highly anticipated, selling lots of units on release and tapering off over time. This was evidence of how early adopters were the initial driving force behind sales, followed by a broader market adoption later. But the PS4 saw a significant jump in sales during its third and fourth years, which represents a shift in the market.

Gamers are starting to act more like "regular" tech consumers, who need to warm up to new products rather than jumping in foot first on release. Console manufacturers now need to earn their purchase instead of just expecting it. IGN made a poll where the vast majority of respondents thought the PS5 Pro wasn't worth the price (though it's fair to not put too much stock in this sort of exercise).

It seems that early adopters, generally more willing to pay a premium for the latest technology, will act as the vanguard for new consoles soon.

Advertisement Advertisement

While we can definitely say that the PS5 Pro offers symbolic advancements in AI upscaling, it may not be enough for Sony to sell to consumers who are still happy with the PS4 or PS5 because they can still play newer games. The PS4 Pro felt like it was worth the upgrade at a time when 4K TVs left a hole in the market.

It also helped that Sony's last mid-gen refresh didn't break the bank. But the PS5 Pro warrants the question of who it is for and whether you should upgrade.

Is This "New Normal" a Bad Thing?

Sony

Advertisement Advertisement

The constant pursuit of ever-improving graphics and high-speed processing in gaming has led us to a point where the leaps we used to see with each generation have become much smaller. While the PS5 Pro significantly improves certain aspects of Sony's existing console, it doesn't signal a revolutionary shift in the gaming landscape that we're used to.

Instead, it points towards a future where developers will focus on refining and optimizing existing technologies rather than pushing for entirely new levels of visual fidelity. The PS5 Pro's focus on hardware-accelerated upscaling, ray tracing, and higher frame rates might just be the new normal.

We're seeing developers fine-tune aspects like lighting, shadows, and reflections to create more immersive experiences, rather than simply trying to make everything look more "real." The result is a focus on subtle improvements that build on the overall gameplay experience rather than one obvious aspect blowing players away.

This doesn't mean that future games won't be visually stunning; they're all stunning, which is something to be celebrated. Rather, we'll see a focus on creating more believable and immersive worlds that are more fun to explore and interact with.

Ultimately, the PS5 Pro represents a step towards a future where gameplay and immersion take precedence over brute-force graphics, which is arguably a good thing for gamers.
Black Friday may still be a week and a half away, but if you were hoping to score a deal on Samsungs Music Frame, theres no need to wait until Thanksgiving. Ahead of next week, both Amazon and Samsung are selling the speaker for under $250. At $150 off its regular price, thats an all-time low for the Music Frame, which will usually set you back $400. Considering Samsung only released the device earlier this year, this is a great opportunity to pick up one (or even two) for your home theater.

For the uninitiated, think of the Music Frame as the speaker equivalent to Samsungs popular Frame TV. Like its television counterpart, the Music Frame doubles as a piece of home decor. While it doesn't have a display that will automatically cycle through digital artwork, you can manually insert prints and photos. Moreover, while pairing two Music Frames with a Frame TV is possible, its not limited to home theater use. The Music Frame works just fine as a standalone Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker. You can even use it as a smart home hub. Its possible to mount the Music Frame on a wall or on a table, thanks to the included stand.

As for sound quality, Engadget senior reporter and resident audio geek Billy Steele was surprised by how good the Music Frame sounded when he got to demo it at CES earlier this year. I was shocked by how robust and clear the overall sound quality is coming from the speaker, he wrote at the time. Highs and mids are adequately represented with great detail, while the bass is more restrained. If youre curious, the Music Frame features two rear-facing woofers complemented by a set of two tweeters and two mid-range drivers, all four of which fire from the front of the speaker. It also offers Dolby Atmos support, and Samsung has included its SpaceFit tech, which assists with room calibration.

Advertisement Advertisement

All told, the Music Frame is a great option for those looking for a speaker that will disappear into their home decor, but its high price can make it unappealing. At $150 off, however, its much easier to recommend, even if youre on a budget.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.
By Karen Freifeld

(Reuters) - A top Republican lawmaker has accused the Biden administration of not doing enough to prevent China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) from strengthening the country's chipmaking industry and military-industrial complex.

Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, urged U.S. Commerce Department agents to visit SMIC's facilities and check whether the company is illegally producing chips for Huawei, the sanctioned telecommunications company seen as a national champion within China's chip industry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a Nov. 4 letter seen by Reuters, McCaul described what he called "growing bipartisan frustration" that the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) had not acted on reports of Huawei's efforts to evade U.S. export controls.

"There is growing evidence that SMIC is violating U.S. export control laws," McCaul wrote to BIS under secretary Alan Estevez. If China is not willing to immediately agree to a "comprehensive audit of all SMIC facilities and its books," McCaul said, "BIS should pause all existing licenses for SMIC."

McCaul said SMIC's breakthroughs - including its advanced chip in a Huawei smartphone, and expected production of over a million AI processors for Huawei - are a "smoking gun" for a violation and could help China surpass the U.S. in artificial intelligence.

The Commerce Department said it had received McCaul's letter and would respond through "appropriate channels." Last week, in response to similar criticism, it said that no Commerce Department had been tougher on China.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SMIC did not immediately respond to requests for comment, nor did Huawei.

The Chinese embassy in Washington said in a statement that "certain U.S. politicians" were "overstretching the concept of national security" and politicizing "science and technology and economic and trade issues."

SMIC was added to the Commerce Department's restricted trade list in 2020 for alleged ties to the Chinese military industrial complex. A year earlier, Huawei was placed on the list after alleged sanctions violations. Both companies have previously denied wrongdoing.

Being on the "Entity List," as it's called, usually bars U.S. shipments to targeted firms. But when the Trump administration added Huawei and SMIC, their rules allowed exporters to get licenses to ship billions of dollars in U.S. goods and technology to them.

(Reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Chris Sanders and Mark Potter)
Editor's Note

To make informed decisions, voters need accurate, timely and impartial information, and they need it in the language they speak. So, with generous support from the Yakima Free Press Fund, the Yakima Voter Project is providing free access to general election coverage by the Yakima Herald-Republic and El Sol de Yakima. To contribute to the Free Press Fund, visit www.yakimafreepress.org.
The National Economy Ministry on Monday announced the launch of an extraordinary consumer protection probe of the biggest food delivery courier companies in the country.

The probe, launched amid a rise in complaints to consumer protection authorities about companies such as Wolt and Foodora, will focus on the condition of delivered food, delivery times, prices and compensation for consumers.



It will also scrutinise information on general terms and conditions on courier companies' websites.



Source:

MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

*********************************

You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page:

Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary



You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters



Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here.
Mumbai: The show must go on. Salman Khan believes in this mantra of life and amid fresh death threats the actor has begun shooting for his next film Sikander with A R Murugadoss. The superstar was seen shooting for a significant scene in Hyderabad and his leaked pictures are going viral on the internet. The actor is shooting in Falaknuma Palace amid extremely tight security and several videos have been going viral.

A Video Directly From #Sikandar's Palace



Rolls-Royce Khadi Hai Canon Hai



Kuch Bhi Kaho #SalmanKhan's Movies Onset/ bts / shooting locations >>> sk movies final output. pic.twitter.com/4v0ixN64bs November 4, 2024

Another video that is catching the eyeballs is of Rashmika Mandanna where she is seen delivering a monologue and fans are gushing about her new look for the film.

Salman Khan has been on the radar of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang ever since the Blackbucks case. The Bishnoi gang reportedly wants the superstar to apologise and accept his mistake of killing the blackbucks while shooting for his film Hum Saath Saath Hain.

Lately, politician Baba Siddique was killed brutally due to his proximity with actor Salman Khan, one of the members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang took responsibility for his murder through social media while Mumbai Police is checking on the authenticity of the social media post.

Salman is deeply affected by Baba Siddiques death, the politicians son Zeeshan revealed that the actor is having sleepless nights and is unable to sleep, and speaks to him almost every day.
New Delhi: 'Baby John' is already generating significant buzz, thanks to the powerful on-screen transformation of Wamiqa Gabbi, whose intense, action-packed persona has left fans in awe. Known for her versatile performances in thrillers like 'Khufiya' and 'Charlie Chopra', as well as her emotionally charged role as Niloufer in 'Jubilee', Wamiqa is now unveiling a completely new side of herself in 'Baby John'one thats fierce, confident, and unstoppable.

Social media is abuzz with admiration for Wamiqas physical and emotional transformation, with fans sharing comments like, "Wamiqa Gabbi radiates strength! Loving her fierce attitude," and "The intensity in Wamiqa Gabbis eyes says it all. Shes a force to be reckoned with!" Many are eagerly awaiting her action-packed performance, calling her energy "unmatched" and praising her pure power and confidence.

As the countdown to 'Baby John' continues, excitement is building for Wamiqa Gabbis most electrifying role yet. With her commanding presence and undeniable intensity, 'Baby John' promises to deliver an unforgettable thrill ride. Fans wont want to miss it when the film hits theaters soon.
Chhath Puja, one of the most significant and ancient Hindu festivals dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya (the sister of Surya), is celebrated with immense devotion and elaborate rituals. This four-day festival is observed primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, but it has gained recognition and participation in many parts of India and among the diaspora worldwide. Let's explore the key details, significance, and timings for Chhath Puja 2024.

Chhath Puja 2024 Dates

Chhath Puja is celebrated during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) of the Kartik month as per the Hindu calendar. In 2024, the festival will be observed from Wednesday, November 5 to Friday, November 8.

Puja Timings for 2024

According to drik panchang,

Nahay Khay: November 5 from 6:36 AM till 5:33 PM

Lohanda and Kharna: November 6 from 6:37 AM to 5:32 PM

Sandhya Arghya: November 7 from 6:38 AM to 5:32 PM

Usha Arghya: November 8 from 6:38 AM to 5:31 PM

Significance of Chhath Puja

The essence of Chhath Puja lies in the worship of the Sun God, who is considered the source of all life and energy. Devotees believe that offering prayers to Surya grants health, prosperity, and well-being. Chhathi Maiya, regarded as a protective motherly figure, is also honored for bestowing blessings and fulfilling wishes.

This festival stands out for its rigorous and detailed rituals, which involve absolute purity, dedication, and fasting without water for long hours. The worshipers, known as Vrati, express gratitude to the Sun for sustaining life on Earth and seek his blessings for future prosperity.

Rituals of Chhath Puja

Nahay Khay: The first day marks the beginning of the festival, where devotees cleanse themselves and their surroundings, symbolizing the purification of body and soul. This day involves the preparation of a simple meal, which is typically kaddu-bhaat (pumpkin and rice) cooked in a traditional clay or bronze vessel.

Lohanda and Kharna: On the second day, devotees observe a day-long fast that ends after sunset. They break the fast with offerings of jaggery-based rice pudding (kheer) and chapatis, prepared without salt or oil. This day marks the preparation for the main fasting period.

Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offerings): The third day is the most prominent part of the festival, where devotees gather by riverbanks or water bodies to offer arghya (offerings) to the setting sun. They sing traditional songs, pray, and stand in waist-deep water as they present fruits and thekua (a sweet made of whole wheat flour and jaggery).

Usha Arghya (Morning Offerings) and Parana: The final day involves offering arghya to the rising sun at dawn. The fast concludes after this ritual, and Vratis break their fast with prasad shared with family and friends.

Traditions and Cultural Significance

Chhath Puja is not only a festival of religious importance but also a representation of community spirit and ecological harmony. The worshipers create an environment of devotion that reflects respect for nature, as all rituals are performed on riverbanks or water bodies with natural elements. Devotees use eco-friendly materials such as clay lamps, bamboo baskets, and natural ingredients, underscoring the festival's sustainability.

The rituals emphasize discipline, simplicity, and dedication, fostering a sense of humility. Chhath Puja also bridges social and economic gaps, bringing people together regardless of their background.

(This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.)
New Delhi: Chhath Puja, the great festival of folk faith celebrated with immense devotion, started with Nahay-Khay today. Chhath Puja, is a deeply spiritual festival that is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Uttar Pradesh, as well as in Nepal's Mithila region.

The festival, which honours Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (His sister), is observed over four days and includes a series of elaborate rituals that symbolise purification, gratitude, and dedication.

The entire family also participates in these customs, reinforcing familial bonds and unity. The Chhath Puja travel rush over the years have seen packed stations, overloaded passengers on trains amidst a massive rush of people looking to reach their hometown to honour Chhathi Maiya, who is revered as the sister of the Sun God.

While, on one hand unprecedented rush of passengers has made train journey extremely difficult, going home by flight during Chhath is proving to be an exorbitantly expensive affair.

We checked one-way online fares from Delhi-Patna, and Delhi-Dubai for November 5. As of the time of writing this article, a one-way flight from Delhi to Patna costs anywhere between Rs 16.3K to Rs 21.4K. Whereas, the flight fare from Delhi to Dubai, on a one way route, is 19.8K for the cheapest seat.

Western Railways has said shared on social media platform X that this year Indian Railways has transported approximately 54 lakh passengers to their destinations during the current festive season. For the convenience of passengers and in view of passenger demand in this festive season, Western Railways will run 15 festive special trains even today.

Each day of Chhath Puja emphasises discipline, purity, and gratitude, reinforcing the festival's themes of devotion to nature and the divine. The four-day celebration connects families, communities, and generations through shared customs and deep reverence for the Sun God and his sister Chhathi Maiya.

With IANS Inputs
As the stage is all set for the elections in Jharkhand, Maharashtra and several constituencies for by-polls, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday criticised the Congress for labeling a BJP by-poll candidate in Assam as a "Bangladeshi." and claimed that similar questions can also be raised on the nationality of the opposition party's top leader Sonia Gandhi and she can be called an 'Italian'

During the campaign in the Dholai constituency in Barak Valley, the grand old party has raised doubts about the citizenship of BJP candidate Nihar Ranjan Das, claiming that it was a saffron party leader who first raised the allegation.

Addressing a rally for Das at Palonghat, Sarma said, If you (Congress) call Nihar Ranjan Bangladeshi, I will also call Sonia Gandhi Italian. If you think I am afraid of Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi, let me tell you I am not.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi who was born in Italy came to India in 1968 after her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi. She was granted Indian citizenship later.

Sarma accused the Congress of creating problems for the Bengali Hindus of Barak Valley, who were forced to migrate to present-day Assam after the Partition due to atrocities against religious minorities in their homeland.

During the Lok Sabha election campaign, I had come here and said that we will resolve all problems of the Bengali Hindus. The government of India has already unblocked the Aadhar cards that were on hold. The state government has also issued orders that Bengali Hindus should not face any problems, he added.

(With PTI Inputs)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday slammed the Congress party for maintaining silence on recent violence against Hindus at Canadas Brampton Temple. The saffron partys spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari called out Leader of opposition of Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress Priyanaka Gandhi Vadra for overlooking the atrocities against Hindus in both Bangladesh and Canada while they strongly speak up over matters of Gaza.

BJP spokesperson Bhandari expressed disappointment over the Indian Opposition's response to attacks on Hindus abroad. Speaking to ANI, he stated, "It is painful that when all parties have to be united on the issue of national interest, Priyanka Vadra who posts 10 tweets on Gaza, Rahul Gandhi who speaks for minorities in the country go silent when Hindus are attacked in Bangladesh or Canada."

He added that this behavior demonstrates that "for Indian Opposition, for Congress party Hindu lives don't matter."

Over a thousand Canadian Hindus gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton on Monday evening to protest the ongoing attacks on Hindu temples in Canada. This demonstration followed a recent attack on a temple by Khalistani extremists.

Earlier on Monday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and called on the Canadian government to ensure justice and maintain the rule of law.

"I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi said on X.
Jharkhand Election 2024: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday addressed multiple rallies in the poll-bound Jharkhand where the BJP is pitching its 'demographic change' poll plank to the voters. However, CM Yogi asked the Jharkhand voters to elect a government which can eradicate mafias just like the Uttar Pradesh government.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister accused the JMM-led coalition of 'patronising' mafia. "The JMM-led coalition is patronising mafia in sectors such as land, sand, forest, mining and liquor in Jharkhand. Like UP, bring the BJP to power in Jharkhand to bulldoze mafia," he claimed in Koderma. For those who may not know, Yogi Adityanath earned the moniker of 'bulldozer baba' during the 2022 UP assembly elections due to his administration's bulldozer action against criminals. The Uttar Pradesh government has been razing down the alleged ill-gotten property of criminals and mafias in the state.

"Like Aurangzeb looted the country's wealth and destroyed temples, the JMM-led coalition and its ministers, including Alamgir Alam, looted Jharkhand's people," alleged Yogi Adityanath. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in May arrested the personal secretary of Alam, along with the Congress leader's domestic help, after recovering crores of rupees in cash from a flat linked to them.

The Uttar Pradesh CM also urged the voters to remain united and not get divided in the name of castes or creed. "If you show your power, the stone pelters will be seen sweeping with brooms and clearing your path. Don't get divided in the name of caste or creed," he said.

Addressing another rally in Jamshedpur, he also alleged that the JMM is allowing entry of Bangladeshi infiltrators who indulge in 'love jihad and land jihad' in Jharkhand. The BJP leader alleged that a conspiracy was hatched to change the demography of Jharkhand. "The JMM-led coalition in Jharkhand is a harbinger of corruption and destruction. Corruption has peaked during this regime. They are allowing entry of Bangladeshi Rohingya infiltrators who are indulging in love jihad and land jihad in Jharkhand," Adityanath said at the rally.

Elections to the 81-member Jharkhand assembly will be held on November 13 and 20, and the counting of votes will take place on November 23. (With PTI inputs)
In todays interconnected world, inclusive leadership is more than just a trend  its a necessary foundation for successful, innovative organizations. Inclusive leaders recognise the value that diverse perspectives bring, understanding that innovation thrives when people from various backgrounds feel respected, valued, and heard. By championing inclusivity, leaders can enhance team cohesion, drive employee satisfaction, and ultimately create workplaces where everyone has a voice.



"Diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice we make every day. As leaders, we have to put out the message that we embrace and not just tolerate diversity."  Nellie Borrero, Senior Global Inclusion & Diversity Lead at Accenture

Why Inclusivity Matters In Leadership

Inclusive leadership goes beyond diversity. While diversity refers to the presence of people with varying backgrounds, skills, and experiences, inclusivity ensures that each person feels valued and has an equal opportunity to contribute. Inclusivity transforms diverse workplaces into cohesive, innovative teams where everyone feels empowered.

Studies show that companies with inclusive cultures are more innovative and profitable. Research from Deloitte found that organisations with inclusive cultures are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets, six times more likely to be innovative, and eight times more likely to achieve better business outcomes. Inclusivity fosters a sense of belonging that allows employees to perform at their best, enhancing productivity and morale.

"When we listen and celebrate what is both common and different, we become a wiser, more inclusive, and better organization."  Pat Wadors, Chief Talent Officer at ServiceNow

The Impact of Inclusivity on Team Cohesion and Employee Satisfaction

An inclusive workplace is one where employees feel connected to their work and valued as individuals. This sense of belonging boosts team cohesion, leading to better collaboration, less conflict, and increased trust. Employees who feel valued are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work, reducing turnover and absenteeism.



At Microsoft, inclusivity is at the core of their team culture. Under the leadership of Satya Nadella, Microsoft shifted its focus to creating an environment where every employee feels they have a voice. Nadellas commitment to inclusivity is reflected in initiatives like the Inclusive Hiring Program, which helps people with disabilities find meaningful roles at Microsoft. This shift not only improved morale but also led to groundbreaking innovations, including tools and products designed with accessibility in mind.

Examples Of Inclusive Leadership In Action

Real-world examples illustrate how inclusive leadership can transform an organisation. Leaders who prioritise inclusivity create a ripple effect that impacts the entire company, from employee engagement to customer satisfaction.

1. Indra Nooyi at PepsiCo

Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, was a strong advocate for inclusivity and diversity. Her leadership focused on creating a culture where all employees, regardless of their backgrounds, felt heard and appreciated. Nooyi implemented flexible work policies, launched employee resource groups, and created leadership programs to support women and underrepresented groups. Her approach helped PepsiCo become one of the most diverse and inclusive companies in its industry.



"You cant change what you dont acknowledge. Leaders must acknowledge diversity and inclusion and then build their businesses with these values at the centre."  Indra Nooyi

2. Brian Chesky at Airbnb

Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered. Following the global conversation on racial justice in 2020, Chesky led Airbnb in making substantial changes to improve diversity and inclusion across the company. Airbnb implemented anti-bias training, committed to increasing diversity among its leadership, and created initiatives to support hosts and guests from all backgrounds. By embracing inclusivity, Airbnb reinforced its commitment to making travel and hospitality accessible to everyone.

Actionable Steps for Leaders to Promote Inclusivity

Building an inclusive organisation requires deliberate actions and a consistent commitment. Here are actionable steps leaders can take to promote inclusivity in the workplace:



1. Create Inclusive Hiring Practices

Inclusive hiring goes beyond meeting quotas; it involves creating a recruitment process that values diverse perspectives and ensures fair opportunities for all candidates. This starts with writing inclusive job descriptions, using diverse interview panels, and implementing anti-bias training for recruiters.



Actionable Tip: Review job descriptions to remove biased language and consider implementing blind recruitment practices, where certain identifying information is removed to focus on candidates skills and experience.



2. Foster Open Communication and Psychological Safety

Employees should feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback without fear of judgment or retaliation. Inclusive leaders encourage open communication by creating an environment of psychological safety, where everyone feels they can speak up and be heard.



Googles Project Aristotle study found that psychological safety was the most important factor for successful teams. When employees felt safe to take risks and share their ideas, team collaboration and innovation flourished. Leaders can foster this environment by actively listening, validating employees feelings, and responding constructively to feedback.

3. Encourage Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) bring together employees with shared backgrounds, interests, or goals, providing a support network and a platform for collaboration. ERGs promote inclusivity by giving underrepresented employees a voice and fostering a sense of community.



At Dell Technologies, ERGs play a crucial role in fostering an inclusive culture. The companys ERGs include groups focused on women, LGBTQ+ employees, veterans, and more. Dell supports these groups with resources and funding, recognising the valuable role ERGs play in building an inclusive workplace.



4. Provide Diversity and Inclusion Training

Training in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) equips employees and leaders with the tools to identify and combat biases. DEI training should be an ongoing process that includes workshops, discussions, and opportunities for self-reflection.



At SAP, DEI training is a priority, and the company has implemented a comprehensive program that covers unconscious bias, cultural awareness, and inclusive leadership practices. SAPs commitment to DEI training has contributed to a more inclusive workplace, with employees feeling more empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.



5. Lead by Example



Inclusive leadership starts at the top. Leaders set the tone for the organization, and employees take cues from their actions. Leaders who demonstrate inclusivity in their

decisions, interactions, and values inspire their teams to do the same.



"Leadership is not about being in charge. Its about taking care of those in your charge."  Simon Sinek



A leader who prioritizes inclusivity models behaviour that others in the organization will emulate, creating a ripple effect that reinforces inclusivity throughout the company.



Case Study: Salesforces Commitment To Inclusivity

Salesforce is a prime example of a company that has embraced inclusivity as a core value. Under the leadership of Marc Benioff, Salesforce has taken bold steps to promote equality and inclusivity. Salesforce introduced the Ohana culture, which means family in Hawaiian, to foster a sense of community and belonging among employees.

Benioff also championed equal pay at Salesforce. After discovering a gender pay gap, he committed to conducting regular pay audits to ensure pay equity. Salesforce also established Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for women, people of colour, veterans, and LGBTQ+ employees. These groups provide support networks and drive community-focused initiatives.

Benioffs commitment to inclusivity has positioned Salesforce as an industry leader, with employees who are highly engaged, loyal, and inspired to bring their best selves to work. This dedication to inclusivity has contributed to Salesforces impressive growth, solidifying the link between inclusivity and organisational success.

Long-Term Benefits Of Inclusivity In Leadership

Inclusive leadership creates a lasting impact that extends beyond the workplace. By fostering inclusivity, leaders contribute to a culture of respect, empathy, and collaboration, enhancing the lives of employees and the success of the organization.

1. Innovation and Creativity

A diverse, inclusive team brings a range of perspectives that spark creativity and innovation. When employees feel valued and included, they are more likely to share ideas, take risks, and think outside the box. Inclusive organisations thrive on collaboration, creating an environment where innovation is encouraged.

The Harvard Business Review reported that companies with diverse and inclusive workforces are 45% more likely to increase their market share and 70% more likely to capture new markets. This data underscores the fact that inclusivity drives innovation and positions companies to meet diverse customer needs.

2. Enhanced Reputation and Brand Loyalty

Organizations that prioritize inclusivity build trust with employees, customers, and the community. Purpose-driven customers are increasingly loyal to brands that reflect their values, and inclusivity is an important factor in building a strong brand reputation.

Example: Ben & Jerrys has built its brand on principles of social justice and inclusivity. The company frequently speaks out on social issues, aligning its brand with values that resonate with its customers. This commitment has fostered brand loyalty and made Ben & Jerrys a trusted name worldwide.

3. Improved Employee Well-Being and Retention

Inclusivity contributes to a sense of belonging, which is crucial for employee well-being. When employees feel included, they experience higher job satisfaction, lower stress levels, and a stronger commitment to the organisation. This improves retention rates, saving companies the cost of turnover and fostering long-term team cohesion.

A study by McKinsey & Company found that inclusive workplaces have 35% lower turnover rates. Employees are more likely to stay in environments where they feel valued, supported, and aligned with the companys values.

Championing Inclusivity For A Stronger Organisation

Inclusive leadership is more than a strategy; its a commitment to creating a workplace where every individual feels respected, valued, and empowered. As leaders champion inclusivity, they build stronger, more resilient organizations that are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape.

"Inclusion is not a matter of political correctness. It is the key to growth."  Jesse Jackson

By leading with empathy, fostering open communication, and creating an environment of trust and respect, leaders can harness the power of inclusivity to drive innovation, improve employee well-being, and build a legacy of positive impact. Inclusive leadership transforms organizations from within, creating workplaces where diversity isnt just present  its celebrated.

About Ruchi Rathor

Ruchi Rathor is an entrepreneur and founder of Payomatix, where she advocates for inclusivity and empowerment within organizations. Passionate about fostering environments where every voice is heard, Ruchi believes that inclusive leadership is the key to building strong, resilient teams. Learn more about Ruchis insights on inclusive leadership at Ruchi Rathor.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lts sponsored feature, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)
In another breakthrough for the security forces, one foreign terrorist has been killed in an ongoing encounter in the forests of Bandipora. Another terrorist is likely hiding, and an exchange of fire is ongoing.

An unidentified foreign terrorist has been killed in an anti-terror operation in the Ketsun forests of Bandipora district in North Kashmir. The terrorist was killed when joint security forces intercepted him in the Katsuna area. During the initial exchange of fire, one terrorist was neutralized. His identity will be confirmed once the encounter is over.

Sources in the police have stated that the killed terrorist is a foreigner and belongs to the LeT terror outfit.

A top police official told Zee News, One foreign terrorist has been killed in the operation. This group is the same one that fired on an Army camp on November 1 at Panhaar Road in Bandipora district and escaped. Since then, joint searches have been launched in the upper reaches of the forest.

He added, Security forces had information that the group, which is suspected to consist of two members, was trying to cross over to Lolab in the Kupwara belt. However, today they were trapped and engaged in a gunfight in the Katsuna area of Bandipora forest by joint forces. We succeeded in killing one terrorist, while the other is still firing. Both are foreign terrorists and belong to the LeT outfit, according to our intelligence. The actual identity and affiliation will be confirmed once the operation is over, the official said.

A joint team of police and the army has been conducting the operation, and the cordon and search operation in the Bandipora forest has been ongoing for the past five days since the attack on the army camp.
With the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections fast approaching, political parties are in high gear, striving to gain voter support in these crucial states. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, in particular, have rallied their star campaigners to sway the electorate as voting days draw near. Maharashtra will hold a single-phase election on November 20, while Jharkhands voting is set across two phases, on November 13 and November 20. Vote counting for both states is scheduled for November 23.

Tuesday will see a lineup of high-profile campaign events across both states. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the BJPs charge in Jharkhand, speaking at a rally in Lohardaga to rally support for NDA candidate Neeru Shanti Bhagat. Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi and All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) leader Sudesh Kumar Mahto, a former Deputy Chief Minister, will join Singh at the rally.

The BJPs efforts in Jharkhand will also feature Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has become a prominent campaign figure for the party. Adityanath will address rallies in Koderma, Barkagaon, and Jamshedpur on Tuesday as the BJP looks to solidify its base in the state.

Meanwhile, Congress is ramping up its strategy in Jharkhand as well, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge set to address a public meeting on Tuesday. As the Congress looks to gain ground, Kharges visit underscores the partys commitment to strengthening its presence in Jharkhand ahead of the two-phase vote.
KOLHAPUR: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday announced ten key promises of the ruling alliance's manifesto including increase in the aid under Ladki Bahin scheme to Rs 2,100 and induction of 25,000 women police personnel. Another key promise was farm loan waiver. Assembly elections would be held in the state on November 20.

Speaking at a rally of the Mahayuti alliance of the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena here, attended by deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Shinde said the detailed manifesto will be released in the coming days.

"We announce increase in the financial aid given to women under the Ladki Bahin Yojana from (existing) Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 (per month). It shows that whatever we say, we do it. We have also put stress on women safety in the manifesto, and decided to induct 25,000 women in the police department," Shinde said. Farm loans will be waived without putting any burden on the state coffers, he said.

"We will increase the amount under the Shetkari Sanman Yojana from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000. Besides, there will be a subsidy of 20 percent on Minimum Support Price," the chief minister added. The financial aid to senior citizens will be increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100, he said.

"The prices of essential commodities will be kept stable. Our next promise is to generate 25 lakh jobs. The Opposition cites unemployment but our state is the first in the country to give financial assistance to 10 lakh students who are doing internship," he said. Other key promises unveiled by the CM were better roads in rural area, monthly honorarium and health cover to Anganwadi and ASHA workers, 30 percent reduction in power bills and emphasis on solar energy.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, calling him a statesman during the obituary session on the second day of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. He added that if Vajpayee's roadmap for Jammu and Kashmir had been fully implemented, the region would be in a very different situation today.

Omar said, "It was Vajpayee ji who started the Lahore bus service and visited Minar-e-Pakistan. He always tried to build friendly ties with Pakistan. He was the one who continuously stated that 'friends can be changed, but not neighbors,' and although he faced criticism many times, he never deviated from the path he was following." Omar Abdullah added, "I had the privilege of working with him. He was the first and last leader to give the slogan on the border: 'Dost badal sakte hain, padosi nahi' (We can change friends, but not neighbors). His vision for Jammu and Kashmir was that the problem could only be solved on the basis of 'Jhamuriyat, Kashmiriyat, and Insaniyat' (Democracy, Kashmiri Identity, and Humanity). I dont think any other leader has had the courage to raise this slogan."

He also noted that it was Vajpayee who initiated the process of connecting divided families by opening the road to Muzaffarabad, a historic decision that reunited families separated for decades and helped improve relations with Pakistan.

Omar remarked, "Unfortunately, the path and roadmap shown by Vajpayee were left incomplete, and the situation today is very different. But if Vajpayee's roadmap for Jammu and Kashmir had been implemented, the region would have been in a different place today."

CPIM MLA Yousuf Tarigami's Comment

CPIM MLA Yousuf Tarigami mentioned that the house had passed a resolution on autonomy, but Vajpayee sent it back in the same package. Omar responded, "It's true that he sent the autonomy resolution back, but soon he realized that it was done in haste. Vajpayee appointed then-Law Minister Arun Jaitley to hold talks with the NC leadership."

Omar made these remarks while speaking during the obituary references for the 57 lawmakers who passed away in the past six years.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani's Obituary

Interestingly, the list of obituaries included the name of hardline separatist leader, the late Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who had been elected as an MLA three times before joining the separatist camp. Geelani had won from the Sopore assembly constituency in 1972, 1977, and 1987. With the rise of terrorism in 1989, he joined the separatist movement and boycotted elections until his death in 2021.

During the obituary session, PDP MLA from Tral, Rafiq Naik, paid tribute to Geelani along with other prominent former legislators. Naik was the only member of the House to mention Geelani in his obituary address. He said, "Syed Ali Shah Geelani, may God bless his soul, along with the others we have lost. I have also mentioned the nations tallest leader, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and others. Geelani sb was a good orator, and yes, our political ideologies were different."

The House was adjourned until tomorrow at 10 am, and it is expected that routine business will continue. Given the disruptions witnessed in the House yesterday, similar scenes are anticipated tomorrow.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday cited the example of the popular Hollywood movie 'Titanic' to explain the caste discrimination in India. Addressing a State-Level Consultations on Caste Census in Telangana, Rahul Gandhi said that the system has been designed in such a way that the upper-caste people fail to see the bias prevalent in the society. During the event, Rahul Gandhi also reiterated his demand for the caste census.

"A Dalit person in India could not be touched. Do you realize the level of inequality that a person experiences when society isn't even allowed to touch him? This level of discrimination doesn't exist anywhere else. We have to recognize that discrimination in India is unique and likely among the worst in the world," said Gandhi, adding that if India wants to become a powerful country and achieve progress, 'the very first step is to identify the extent and nature of the discrimination occurring'.

Citing Titanic to explain caste discrimination, Rahul Gandhi said, "The Titanic was built, and its designer claimed it was unsinkable, but it sank just a week later. The person responsible for spotting icebergs failed to see it. After hitting the iceberg, the Titanic was devastated. The reason nobody saw it coming was that 90% of the iceberg lies beneath the surface. Thus, the person didn't realize that the small visible portion was actually a massive iceberg hidden beneath the sea. Caste discrimination in India resembles this iceberg, with most of it hidden beneath the surface. It's concealed by various factors."

Saying that his friends from the upper caste fail to see the discrimination, the LoP said, "I have many friends from upper castes who say they have never felt caste discrimination. I tell them its obvious, as the system isnt designed to affect them. For them, its like an icebergthey only see the surface. The real pain and damage caused by caste discrimination affect not only the Indian people but also our Constitution."

Question Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress MP said, "I am still wondering why the PM hasn't publicly stated that he wants to challenge the idea of discrimination in Indian society. Why hasn't he asked how many Dalits are in India's corporate sector, how many OBCs are in our judicial system, and how many Adivasis are anchors in our media? Why is he afraid of asking these questions?"

Rahul Gandhi said that Telangana is a model for the National Caste Census. "We want the people of India to determine what questions should be asked. We want Dalits, OBCs, Adivasis and women to decide the nature of these questions. As a result, it wont be just a caste census; it will be a political instrument, a developmental instrument that will shape the countrys progress," said Gandhi.
Mumbai: Mumbai Police have received a threatening message against actor Salman Khan allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, police said. the threat message gives the actor two options apologise or pay Rs 5 crore to stay alive.

Mumbai Police traffic control room received a threatening message in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi last night over WhatsApp with the message message saying that if Salman Khan wanted to stay alive "he should go to our temple and apologize or give Rs 5 crore."

"If he does not do so, we will kill him, our gang is still active," the message claiming to be in the name of Lawrence Bishnoi's brother said.

The police said that the message came on Monday and that they have begun an investigation.

The process of registering the case is underway at Worli Police Station and the phone number from which the message originated in is being traced, the Mumbai Police said.

This is the second death threat Salman Khan has received in a week.

In the earlier death threat also received by Mumbai Police Traffic Control, a ransom of Rs 2 crore was demanded from the actor.

"On Tuesday, Mumbai Traffic Police Control received a message in which an unknown person threatened, the message sender demanded 2 crore rupees," the Mumbai Police said on October 30.

Police had further said that the unknown sender has threatened with dire consequences to Salman Khan if the money is not paid to him.

"In the message, the unknown sender said that if he (Salman Khan) does not get the money then he will kill Salman Khan," they added.

The Traffic Police had reported the matter to the Worli Police which registered an offence in the matter and started tracking the sender.



"After receiving the threatening message, a case was registered against the unknown person in Worli Police Station of Mumbai," it added.

Earlier on October 24, Mumbai Police arrested a man from Jamshedpur who had threatened Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and demanded a ransom of Rs 5 crore.

According to the Mumbai Police, it registered a case against an unknown person and started an investigation after Mumbai Traffic Police received a threatening message.

Earlier on October 21, the Mumbai police received an apology from the same sender who threatened Khan on October 18, stating that the message was "sent by mistake."

The initial threat message was sent to the number of Mumbai Traffic Police's control room on October 18.

The incident came in the backdrop of the recent murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique.

Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader, was shot dead on October 12 by three assailants near the office of his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique, in the Nirmal Nagar area of Mumbai.
Mumbai: Sanjay Kumar Verma was on Tuesday appointed as the state's new Director General of Police (DGP) in place of Rashmi Shukla, who was removed on a directive of the Election Commission of India (ECI), an official said.

Verma, serving as Director General - Legal and Technical, is a 1990-batch IPS officer. He is set to retire in April 2028, the official said.

Ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, the ECI on Monday ordered that Shukla be removed as the state police chief with immediate effect following complaints from opposition parties.

Shukla was the first woman DGP of Maharashtra.

The Congress had approached the EC seeking Shuklas transfer, citing her alleged role in tapping phones of opposition politicians.

Verma will take charge of the post from Mumbai Commissioner of Police Vivek Phansalkar, who was given additional charge as DGP on Monday.

Verma had headed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) which conducted a probe into the killing of communist leader and rationalist Govind Pansare in 2015.

The poll body on Monday directed the Maharashtra chief secretary to hand over Shukla's charge to the next senior-most IPS officer in the cadre.

The chief secretary was also directed to send a panel of three IPS officers by Tuesday afternoon for appointment as DGP.

The ECI considered the panel and approved Verma's name and the state government appointed him as the DGP of Maharashtra, the official said.
In recent years, India has witnessed a shift in reading habits, with more readers turning to digital platforms and e-books. The growth of the internet and the proliferation of smartphones have made literature more accessible to readers from all walks of life. This has increased the demand for fresh, unique content that caters to a wide range of tastes. Astitva Prakashan, a leading self-book publisher in India is helping authors to publish their books globally. Hence, the advent of Self-Publishing is seen as a boon that allows authors to tap into this diverse readership, providing stories that connect well with regional and urban audiences.

Self-publishing in India has democratised the world of literature, offering new and seasoned writers a platform to showcase their work at a global level. Indias growing readership has made self-publishing an increasingly popular option for authors who wish to retain control over their creative process and receive a fair share of the profits.

Indias young population is becoming more inclined toward literature that reflects contemporary issues and personal narratives. Self-publishing empowers authors to create content that connects with this new generation of readers seeking stories that break away from the traditional mould. The opportunity for self-published authors to experiment with new genres, languages, and themes ensures that the Indian book market remains dynamic and innovative.

Self-Publishing: The Changing Trend In India

A Manuscript to Market process, self-publishing, begins with the author submitting their manuscript to a self-publishing platform, where the manuscript goes through various stages, including editing, proofreading, formatting, cover design, and ISBN assignment. Once the book is ready, it can be published in digital, print-on-demand, or physical formats, making it available to readers globally. Distribution is facilitated through online retailers like Amazon, Flipkart, Rakuten-kobo, Barnes & Noble, most e-commerce platforms, and the publishers stores, expanding an authors reach far beyond.

Marketing is a crucial aspect of self-publishing, and authors are encouraged to build their personal brand, leveraging social media and digital marketing tools to reach their target audience. While the process may seem daunting, stalwart companies like Astitva Prakashan make it simple for authors by offering wide-ranging packages that cover everything from editing and design to marketing and distribution. Authors also receive insights and guidance on crafting effective promotional campaigns, ensuring their books dont get lost in the crowd.

Astitva Prakashan: Breaking Publishing Barriers

Astitva Prakashan, one of the leading self-publishing companies in India, has carved a niche in the industry by offering end-to-end services to aspiring authors. With a streamlined process, the company ensures that writers can focus on their craft while experienced professionals handle the technicalities of publishing, making a hassle-free experience for authors.

What sets Astitva Prakashan apart in the thick of it is its commitment to quality and client satisfaction. They offer tailored publishing packages that suit different needs and budgets, allowing authors to choose the level of service they require. The companys partnership with major online retailers ensures that every book reaches a broad audience, maximizing the potential for sales and readership. Additionally, Astitva Prakashan also provides authors with a royalty structure that is both transparent and fair, ensuring that writers earn a significant share of the profits from their work.

The companys team of professionals is dedicated to maintaining the highest editorial standards. Authors can be confident that their work will be handled professionally, from the initial submission to the final product on the market. Astitva Prakashans comprehensive approach eliminates the stress of self-publishing, allowing authors to focus solely on their fresh and honest creative expression without the prerequisite barriers of luminous profile in the traditional publishing domain.

Building Trust Over The Years

With over 350 Google reviews and a 5-star rating, Astitva Prakashan has established itself as a reliable name in the self-publishing industry. The company boasts an impressive client satisfaction rate of nearly 100%, with authors praising the professionalism and dedication of the team. Having been in business for over six years, Astitva Prakashan has helped countless writers achieve their dream of becoming published authors, making it a trusted partner in the self-publishing journey.

A landmark of Astitva Prakashans reliability is the long-term relationships they foster with their authors. Most writers return to the platform for subsequent projects, highlighting the companys role as a service provider and a partner in their literary careers. In the ever-expanding industry, Astitva Prakashan distinguishes itself through consistent quality service, paving the way for every story that deserves to be told and empowering a new generation of writers to leave their mark on the literary world.

Astitva Prakashan (www.astitvaprakashan.com) has announced the remarkable success of several bestselling authors, including Vaidehi Taman, Shreya Talwar, Manojit Majumdar, Soudia Parveen, and Rajneesh Dubey. These writers have garnered a fantastic response from readers, establishing themselves as prominent figures in the literary world. Their contributions have not only enriched the publishing house's portfolio but also resonated deeply with audiences, highlighting Astitva Prakashan's commitment to fostering exceptional literary talent.

Vikram Singh Thakur on Indias Self-Publishing Revolution

Vikram Singh Thakur, the founder-director of Astitva Prakashan, is a forward-thinking literary entrepreneur and believes the Indian publishing industry is at the cusp of a revolution. He says, Self-publishing has become a gateway for budding writers wanting to bring fresh perspectives to the market. Himself a literary aficionado, he maintains, The future of book writing and reading in India will continue to evolve as more authors embrace self-publishing.

Vikram Singh Thakur foresees a vibrant future for Indian literature, with more voices emerging from different regions, languages, and cultures. This expansion will not only enrich the literary ecosystem but also inspire new readers to explore the wealth of stories India has to offer.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lts sponsored feature, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)
New Delhi: In a big relief to madrasas in Uttar Pradesh, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the 2004 Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrassa Education Law on Tuesday. This decision overturned a previous ruling by the Allahabad High Court, which had deemed the law unconstitutional for violating the ethos of secularism.

The top court made it clear that the madrasas operating under the law can keep running. However, it noted that the Madrasa Act has issues when it comes to higher education for the 'fazil' and 'kamil' degrees, as it conflicts with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act. Because of this, that part of the Madrasa Act was deemed unconstitutional.

The SC bench, consisting of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, Justice J B Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, observed that the high court has made an error in the assessment that the law infringed upon secular principles.

While pronouncing the verdict, the CJI said, "We have upheld the validity of the UP madrasa law and moreover a statute can be struck down only if the State lacks the legislative competence," reported PTI.

The decision comes a big relief to teachers and students of UP madrassas as the Allahabad HCs order had previously mandated the closure of the seminaries and transfer of students to other schools in the state.

The apex court stated that the purpose of the law was to establish a standard level of education in madrassas.

On October 22, a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, announced that it would reserve its judgment on eight petitions, including the main one filed by Anjum Kadari, challenging the Allahabad High Court's decision.

Earlier, on March 22, the Allahabad High Court ruled the Madrasa Act as unconstitutional, stating it violated the principle of secularism. The court ordered the state government to integrate madrasa students into the formal education system.
In a dramatic turn of events, the BJP on Tuesday said it would support the Shiv Sena candidate in Mahim, Sada Sarvankar. It had been earlier on the verge of supporting the younger Thackeray brother, Amit, son of MNS chief Raj Thackeray. Sarvankar's refusal to bow out of the fray worked in his favour as his decision was taken in sync with "alliance dharma" and the BJP would not betray its faith in the Mahayuti.

The BJP move effectively stops its ongoing efforts to induct the MNS into the Mahayuti or support the MNS on a few seats. A three-term legislator, now Sarvankar has a triangular contest in Mahim against MNS's Amit Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Mahesh Sawant.

As far as Mahayuti is concerned, the problem of Mahim constituency has gone. Now, Sada Sarvankar is the Mahayuti's candidate and we will work for his victory, said BJP leader Ashish Shelar while giving a sense of finality to the party's stance. Shelar further said, "If the coalition leaders, including BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, decide otherwise in their deliberations, that could change the scenario altogether.".

Shelar's backing has given a boost to the Sarvankar camp, which is looking forward to gaining mileage with the non-Marathi voters, more so in Jain and Gujarati communities. This support change comes after Raj Thackeray had attacked Mahayuti on Monday, where he targeted Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over his alignment with NCP leader Ajit Pawar when he had opposed earlier.

BJP key leaders such as Devendra Fadnavis, Prasad Lad, and Nitesh Rane provided initial support to accepting support by Amit Thackeray was opposed since Raj Thackeray had supported Mahayuti in the previous Lok Sabha elections that furthered the cause but Sarvankar refused and said that MNS is not part of Mahayuti because that will work in favor of Shiv Sena (UBT).

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde made the last attempt to discuss with Sarvankar, leaving it entirely on his discretion. Meanwhile, when Monday went by and the withdrawal deadline started approaching, Sarvankar sent a request to Raj Thackeray for a meeting. However, with Raj Thackeray refusing to meet him, Sarvankar finalized his candidature from Mahim.

"I informed the Chief Minister that not even if I retire will Amit Thackeray be voted to power. That is something very clear," Sarvankar said, defending himself. He said his winning was important for raising Mahayuti's tally, and asked Raj Thackeray not to sacrifice at the altar of political opportunism a faithful Shiv Sainik.

He would withdraw only if the MNS withdrew candidates from other seats to let Mahayuti win more seats, added Sarvankar. "If I withdraw my nomination, a third party (Shiv Sena-UBT) will benefit," he noted, pointing out his anxiety for the gains by the opposition. He claimed that grassroots BJP workers are on his side and that they will ultimately come rallying behind his candidacy in Mahim.
New Delhi: The National Award winning actor, Rishab Shetty recently spoke about his highly anticipated release Jai Hanuman which was announced recently. He said that he will begin shooting for the film after Kantara: Chapter 1 releases in theatres. "Pragati and I were lucky to visit the Hanuman Garhi temple It is too early to speak about Jai Hanuman now. I will join the team only after Kantara: Chapter 1 releases in theatres. We did a test shoot and my role was announced, because the makers had some commitment to do so," he told Times Of India.

Spilling the beans on Jai Hanuman, Rishab shared a few anecdotes about his childhood memories on Ramayana, "Ramayana was a big part of my life growing up. When I was young, I used to attend these Akhanda Bhajane, where they would narrate Ramayana-related stories and recite songs for 24 hours non-stop. Then, many stories in Yakshagana are based on Ramayana."

When I went to Ayodhya during the Ram Mandir consecration, I had landed a day early, and Pragati and I were lucky to visit the Hanuman Garhi temple. I feel everything just came together right on time, he concluded.

Marking the beginning of the Indian superhero cinematic universe on a new scale, the first look poster of the film was recently released and promises the dawn of the worlds biggest superhero universe, rooted in rich Indian mythology.

Producers Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar, known for their commitment to quality, assure that Jai HanuMan will showcase unparalleled production values and top-notch technical standards like never before.
Mumbai: Diwali is a festival of lights where it is said that it is a win over evil and every individual can celebrate the victory. But seems like Pakistan doesn't believe in this festival and those who celebrate from their country face the wrath. Pakistani actress Sonya Hussyn recently posted her video of celebrating Diwali in Indian attire at her friends place. The actress faced backlash for wearing a saree and bindi and celebrating the festival of lights.

The post shared by Sonya as she celebrated Diwali read, "Pakistan is a beautiful mosaic of cultures and beliefs, and we must celebrate our minorities as vital parts of this nation. As Muhammad Ali Jinnah said,' You are free, you are free to go to your temples... You may belong to any religion, caste, or creedthat has nothing to do with the business of the State.'This quote reminds us that every community enriches our society."

She further wrote, Lets honor the rights and freedoms of all our citizens, ensuring that everyone feels at home in Pakistan. Its their country too, and we embrace all cultures with open hearts and together we can create a future filled with respect, unity, and love."

The actress faced a lot of criticism and many unfollowed her calling it trash that they cannot stand. One user said, I have NEVER seen a Hindu celebrity celebrating Muslim festivities like this. This is BS on another level, they all are looking like lost clowns! Unfollowed. Another slammed her and wrote, Minorities can celebrate their celebration in Pakistan but why you all celebrating ajeeb. One more user expressed anger over her wearing a bindi This is shameful... Why are you wearing Bindi?.

When one user questioned if she was Hindu on her post, Sonya said, "Meri friend (designer rashmi kumari) ny lagai hai, Jin k ghar diwali celebration pe invited thy hum. Hum hi sab family hain unki In Pakistan (My friend (designer Rashmi Kumari) gave it to me who organized the party. We were invited to their Diwali celebration at their home. We are their only family here in Pakistan)."

Indeed social media is a place where things blow out of proportion all the time.
Mumbai: Uorfi Javed who gained fame with her bold choice of clothes has openly slammed Sana Khan over her recent comment where she shamed the women for wearing bold clothes. Urfi took to her Instagram and slammed Sana, Bringing other women down, considering yourself superior because of your new 'clothing choices'. Your choices don't make you superior from the ones who make different choices. Other women can shame you too for your choices but we ain't doing that. Lady if you can wear whatever you want and don't want to be judged, other women can demand that too.

Sana in her podcast with Rubina Dilaik had charged out to all the husbands for allowing their women to wear skimpy clothes, Every man wants his wife to dress modestly. But when I see men who allow their wives to wear skimpy clothes, I wonder want is wrong with them. Do they like it when a random man also calls their wife hot just because of what she wore.

She had further said, And you are proud of it? Like there has to be some kind of self-respect. You know she is your woman. You know in 2019, that was the time I knew, I am going to say bye to all this. That was the time I was doing something worse in my life, social media-wise. I used to think what people were seeing on my social media, I am not that person in real life. I used to wear certain kinds of clothes and dance. I thought I was misguiding youth.

Sana in the same podcast added,  I started questioning myselfwhy am I not happy? I did not even realise when my journey went from full sleeves to backless. Mujhe samajh nahi araha tha, ke main ek gharelu ladki, salwar kameez pehenke, tel lagakar college jane wali, when did I reach this shortcut and backless stage, I couldnt understand."

Sana faced massive backlash for her point of view and Urfi Javed is the latest one to join the bandwagon.
Two Chinese nationals were injured on Tuesday when a local security guard opened fire at them following a quarrel in Pakistan's port city of Karachi, police said.

The incident reportedly took place at a police station in the Industrial Trading Estate area of Karachi in Sindh province.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Azhar Mahesar said they were investigating the incident to find out what had led to the security guard opening fire on his superiors.

"Two Chinese nationals were injured in the firing after an argument with the security guard who is now under arrest," he said.

Both were rushed to a hospital. The condition of one of the injured is said to be critical.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar instructed authorities to arrest the security guard involved in the incident.

According to a statement by the provincial home department, Lanjar sought details from the South deputy inspector general of police.

The home minister said that companies providing security to Chinese residents and foreigners should be audited and the audit report must be sent for review.

Lanjar asserted that physical and mental fitness tests for the guards, who were assigned to security duties, must be ensured, adding that services should be taken from fully trained and fit security guards.

He also ordered a crackdown on unregistered and illegal security companies, according to the statement.

This is the third incident involving attacks on Chinese or other foreign nationals in Karachi this year.

In October, two Chinese engineers working at the Port Qasim terminal were killed when a suicide bomber struck the vehicle carrying them near the Karachi airport.

In April, five Japanese nationals working in the Landhi industrial zone came under attack by a suicide bomber but luckily escaped unhurt.

Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said that the Pakistan government will leave no stone unturned to protect the lives and properties of Chinese nationals living in the country.

Thousands of Chinese personnel are working in Pakistan on several projects under the aegis of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The issue of security of Chinese nationals is a moot point between Pakistan and China. The two sides for the first time openly differed when the Chinese ambassador at a seminar last week expressed concerns over the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan.

In response, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch termed his views as perplexing, while saying that Pakistan is committed to providing full security to Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan.
Speaking scathingly of Canada's mode of dealing with recent diplomatic spats, India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar charged the government in Ottawa with leveling reckless accusations "without details" at a joint press conference with Australia. It was the 19th engagement between Jaishankar and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, a testament to the increasing strategic cooperation between India and Australia.

Jaishankar expressed strong concerns over the "unacceptable" surveillance of Indian diplomats, the political space "given to extremist forces" within Canada and even the recent attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. This, he said is a deeply concerning attack on a place of worship, and relatedly, highlighted how, "the world is watching an environment that is becoming increasingly hostile for Indian communities abroad".

On Hindu temple attack in Canada



EAM Dr S Jaishankar: Deeply Concerning



Australia FM Wong: In the week of Diwali, it is upsetting for Indian Community pic.twitter.com/cwV7OOTZME  Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) November 5, 2024

Reflecting on the event, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: "It is upsetting in the week of Diwali, for the Indian community; but Australia stands committed to supporting cultural harmony.".
With more than 78 million Americans casting their ballots by Monday morning, the final day before Election Day saw Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump making last-minute stops across seven crucial battleground states. Both candidates are neck-and-neck in several of these states, but when it comes to fundraising, Harris holds a decisive lead. Since joining the Democratic ticket, Harris has raised an unprecedented $997.9 million in total, nearly triple Trumps $391.9 million, according to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

July alone marked a record-setting month for the Harris campaign, with a historic $310 million in grassroots contributions, outpacing Trumps takings by more than double. Her almost-billion-dollar haul has been boosted by supporters across the country, who have given Harris a fundraising edge in almost every battleground state.

In Arizona, Harris raised $11.8 million to Trumps $9.8 million, and in Georgia, she also leads with $13.2 million compared to Trumps $11.1 million. Michigan showed a significant gap, with Harris taking in $14.3 million to Trumps $8.1 million. Meanwhile, North Carolina saw Harris outraising Trump by nearly double, with $17.9 million to Trumps $9.3 million, and in Pennsylvania, her largest fundraising state, Harris brought in $24.2 million, over twice Trumps $10.7 million. Wisconsin similarly favored Harris, with her $9.4 million standing strong against Trumps $4.2 million.

Despite Harriss lead in nearly every state, Nevada stands as an exception, where Trump has raised $5.2 million compared to Harriss $4.6 million. Trump also has additional support through external contributions, primarily from billionaire Elon Musk.

Musk has poured $130 million into America PAC, a political action committee backing Trump and mobilizing voter turnout efforts. Another billionaire, Timothy Mellon, ranks as Trumps top donor, contributing $150 million to a pro-Trump PAC. Altogether, Trump and Harris have amassed a total of $154 million in key battleground states, with Harris consistently maintaining a slight edge.
On 4 November Guatemalas left-of-centre government led by Presidentannounced it would file a criminal complaint against former president(2020-2024), a former head of the presidential planning secretariat (Segeplan),, and a former president of the national electrification institute (Inde),

End of preview - This article contains approximately 618 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options
On 4 November Brazils federal police (PF) announced it had concluded its investigations into the 2022 murders of Brazilian indigenous expertand British journalistin the Vale do Javari demarcated indigenous territory, Amazonas state.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 400 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options
One of the biggest names in Americas music industry  Quincy Jones  has died at the age of 91. A family statement said Jones passed away Sunday night surrounded by family members at his home in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Jones is known for working with many top names in the music industry, including superstars Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles. Throughout his 65-year career, he worked with hundreds of other music artists.

Jones publicist Arnold Robinson said in a statement, Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones passing. It added, And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.

Born in Chicago in 1933, Jones said an early music influence was the hymns his mother used to sing around the house. Early on, he played music, the trumpet, and led others in band music.

As a very young man, Jones used to run with gangs on the South Side of Chicago. But he later rose to the top of show business, becoming one of the first Black business leaders in Hollywood. Later, he established himself as a major composer and producer.

Jones shaped recordings by jazz greats such as Miles Davis and produced hits for Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. And he helped organize the 1985 money-raising event for Africa that resulted in the song We Are the World. The song went on to become one of the biggest hits of its time.

Jones composed music for Roots and In the Heat of the Night. He also organized President Bill Clinton's first inaugural celebration in 1993. Jones also wrote several movie scores and co-produced the film The Color Purple. In addition, he co-produced the highly successful 1990s television show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which launched the career of Will Smith.

Joness work with superstar Michael Jackson still represents one of his most lasting successes. He and Jackson made three wildly popular albums: Off the Wall in 1979, Thriller in 1982, and Bad in 1987.

Thriller sold more than 20 million copies in 1983 alone. It helped Jackson become the first major Black artist to have a video played on MTV and influenced countless other performers. Jones later explained, Michael had the look and the voice, and I had every sound you can think of.

Jones was known for keeping company with presidents and foreign leaders, movie stars and musicians, philanthropists and business leaders. His circle of friends included some of the most famous people of the 20th century, including artist Pablo Picasso, Pope John Paul II and Nelson Mandela.

The list of Jones honors and awards fills 18 pages in his 2001 autobiography Q. The book made him a best-selling writer. He won a total of 27 Grammy Awards, as well as two honorary Academy Awards and an Emmy for the television series Roots.

Jones also received France's Legion d'Honneur, the Rudolph Valentino Award from the Republic of Italy and a Kennedy Center honor for his influence over American culture. He was the subject of a 1990 documentary called "Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones," as well as the 2018 film Quincy, directed by his daughter, Rashida Jones.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press, Reuters and VOA News reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.

_____________________________________________

Words in This Story

hymn  n. a song sung by Christians to praise God

gang  n. a group of young people who spend time together, often fighting with other groups and behaving poorly

composer  n. a person who writes music

score  n. a printed piece of music

philanthropist  adj. someone who gives money to people who need hel
Dislog Group, a leading player in distribution and logistics in Morocco, announced its acquisition of a 75% stake in Megaflex, a renowned company specializing in medical devices. This acquisition, which received the green light from the Moroccan Competition Council, marks a significant step in Dislog Groups strategy to strengthen its presence in the healthcare sector.

Strategic Acquisition to Boost Healthcare Division

Nacer Amrani, the founder of Megaflex, will retain a 25% stake and continue to co-manage the company for the next three years as part of a structured transition. With this acquisition, Megaflex is now part of the Medical Device Division under Dislog Health Care, which is directed by Nadia Lahlou. This addition brings new expertise to the division, enhancing Dislog Groups ability to address the needs of medical laboratories and healthcare professionals across Morocco.

About Megaflex: Leader in Medical Device Distribution

Established in 1992, Megaflex has been a pioneering force in Moroccos medical equipment distribution market. The company provides high-quality equipment, reagents, and services to public and private research laboratories, along with in vitro diagnostic laboratories. Through strong partnerships with leading international manufacturers, Megaflex offers solutions across various medical disciplines, including Hematology, Hemostasis, Urine Cytology, Biochemistry, Immuno-analysis, Molecular Biology, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and Immuno-hematology. The company also plays a key role in advancing predictive, personalized, and precision medicine, particularly with the NGS technology provided by Illumina.

Creating a Full Healthcare Value Chain

With the integration of Megaflex, Dislog Groups Healthcare Division now covers a comprehensive value chainfrom the manufacturing of medicines to the distribution of specialized equipment for healthcare institutions. This chain also includes other Dislog entities, such as Kosmopharm, Steripharma, and AFRICARE, all working together to support the fast-growing healthcare sector in Morocco.

Statements from Industry Leaders

Moncef Belkhayat, CEO of Dislog Group, expressed enthusiasm for this strategic move: We are thrilled to welcome Megaflex into the Dislog family. This acquisition provides a significant growth opportunity, enabling us to consolidate our position as a national leader in Moroccos healthcare sector. The integration of Megaflex opens up numerous opportunities for our clients and partners.

On the other hand, Nacer Amrani, founder of Megaflex, stated, Joining forces with Dislog Group marks a pivotal moment for Megaflex. This strategic partnership will allow us to accelerate our growth while remaining true to our founding values and ambitions. Together, we will achieve new milestones in the medical device sector, impacting the industry with innovation and growth.

Financial and Legal Advisors for the Acquisition

Dislog Group was financially advised by Fintrust Capital, represented by Moncef Benzakour, and legally supported by lawyer Rachid Hilmi. Nacer Amrani received financial advice from Arden Capital, represented by Amine El Azher, and legal counsel from DLA Piper, with key representation from Benoit de Monval.

A Promising Future for Moroccos Healthcare Industry

With this acquisition, Dislog Group is strategically positioned to offer a broader range of products and services to healthcare professionals. The integration of Megaflex strengthens the groups expertise in the medical field and reflects its commitment to meeting the growing demands of healthcare providers and laboratories in Morocco. This step highlights Dislog Groups vision to contribute to the development of a robust healthcare system capable of addressing current and future medical challenges in the region.
Chinese scientists use AI to accelerate precise grape breeding

Xinhua) 09:02, November 05, 2024

A farmer harvests grapes at an orchard of Xixiaoyi Village in Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province, Sept. 22, 2024. (Photo by Zhu Dayong/Xinhua)

SHENZHEN, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- It usually takes three years for a grape seed to germinate and bear fruit, and much longer to cultivate an excellent grape variety. Scientists have been searching for fast and simple methods to design and breed satisfactory new grape varieties.

A research team led by Zhou Yongfeng, a researcher from the Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, has discovered a new method of grape breeding using artificial intelligence (AI), which significantly reduces the breeding cycle and achieves a high prediction accuracy of 85 percent. Compared to traditional methods, breeding efficiency can be quadrupled via this new approach.

"This research is expected to achieve precise breeding design for grapes, accelerate grape variety innovation, and provide a reference for breeding other perennial crops," Zhou said.

The related research was published on Monday in the journal Nature Genetics.

In order to achieve precise design and breeding, scientists need to analyze massive amounts of comprehensive and accurate genomic and genetic data. Zhou's team has been focusing on grape design and breeding since 2015. In 2023, they released the first complete grape genome map. Building upon this achievement, the team has since also constructed the first grape pan-genome, known as Grapepan v1.0.

In order to further investigate the correlation between grape genes and traits, the team selected more than 400 representative varieties from nearly 10,000 types of grapes. Over the course of two years, they conducted investigations of 29 agronomic traits, including cluster size, grape berry metabolite content, berry size and fruit skin color. As a result, they managed to construct genetic and trait maps for grapes.

How to dig deeper into such genomic data to guide breeding? The team decided to try to answer this question by introducing machine learning, developing a predictive model to make early predictions and selections based on scoring -- thereby guiding and optimizing breeding strategies.

"With this model, breeders can assess the genetic potential of a large number of breeding materials quickly and accurately, enabling them to better select superior varieties. This breeding technology can predict the characteristics of grape seedlings at an early stage, allowing for the early removal of unsuitable seedlings and reducing unnecessary labor and investment costs," Zhou said.

Currently, this research has obtained approval for six national invention patents and has applied for one international patent.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
MANIITSOQ, DENMARKA frozen landscape with breathtaking views, Greenland wants to attract more tourists, but its remote location and fragile environmentwhich make it a unique destinationalso pose challenges.

The effects of global heating are at their most pronounced in the Arctic, Michael Hall, a University of Canterbury professor and tourism expert, told AFP.

- Advertisement -

Global warming is accelerating the loss of Arctic sea ice in summer, (as well as) the melting of permafrost, ice shelves and glaciers, he said, referring to elements that contribute to the islands uniqueness.

Across Greenland, locals are witnessing first-hand the effects of global warming.

On the southwestern coast, in Maniitsoq, the sea ice has not been solid enough to walk on since 2018. Residents have also seen it shrink from year to year, in addition to less abundant snowfalls.

Tourists are nonetheless awestruck by the vistas.

Its terra incognita, said Amy Yankovic, a 55-year-old American tourist.

The Texan native travelled for almost 24 hours to get to Greenland, taking three connecting flights.

Tourism accounts for around eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations, most of which is attributed to transportation.

There is a kind of last-chance tourism, where visiting these endangered sites is about wanting to see them before they disappear, said Emmanuel Salim, a geography lecturer at the University of Toulouse in France.

He said similar destinations such as Churchill in Canada  known as the polar bear capital of the world  have tried to position themselves as places for learning about the environment.

But while such destinations can raise awareness about better environmental practices, their carbon footprints continue to rise, he lamented.

Developing tourism in a fragile environment is a tricky balancing act.
PHNOM PENHA high-profile Cambodian reporter who won an international award for uncovering alleged cyber scams told AFP Tuesday that he is quitting journalism, saying he has lost courage after being arrested by the authorities and freed on bail.

Police arrested Mech Dara on September 30 on charges of inciting social disorder, drawing condemnation from around the world.

- Advertisement -

He was released on bail three weeks later after apologising to Cambodias former leader Hun Sen and his son Prime Minister Hun Manet in a video shot while he was in prison.

I have decided that I am retiring from journalism because of the arrest, the questioning and imprisonment, Dara told AFP.

I am still afraid, he said, adding that authorities used excessive force during his arrest, then questioned him all night afterwards.

I have lost my courage. It has attacked my spirit, and I have no more courage, Dara said, referring to the arrest and time he spent in prison.

He also urged the court to drop the charges against him.

Hun Manet on Monday posted pictures of him meeting Dara, including one showing the pair embracing one another.

Dara said he informed Hun Manet of his decision to quit journalism during the meeting, which took place a day after his release.

Police detained Dara, 36, after stopping a car carrying him and his family from Sihanoukville, a coastal city where many suspected cyber scam operations take place.

His reporting has appeared in various international news outlets and he worked for the independent Voice of Democracy in Cambodia before the authorities shut it down in February 2023.

Dara has since used his social media platforms to share news content, particularly around the proliferation of scam farmscriminal operations that defraud victims online for vast sums of money and fuel human trafficking across the region.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last year presented Dara with a Hero Award, which recognises efforts against human trafficking, for investigations into exploitation at the online scam compounds.
Mozambican opposition leader Venancio Mondlane claimed he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in South Africa, where he had sought refuge after disputing recent election results.

In a live social media broadcast late Sunday November 3, Mondlane recounted the incident: Assassins came to my door intending to kill me. I had to escape through the back, flee to a hair salon in Sandton, near Johannesburg, and run with my family and bags. Mondlane maintains he won Mozambiques presidential election.

South Africas foreign ministry responded Monday, stating it had no knowledge of Mr. Mondlanes presence in South Africa, and encouraged reporting any attempted or actual crime to the local Police.

According to Mozambiques official election results released on October 24, the ruling Frelimo party, in power for 49 years, won the October 9 presidential and parliamentary elections, securing over 70% of the vote in a process marred by irregularities, as reported by international observers.

Mondlane, who claims to have now left South Africa, reiterated his call for a seven-day national strike to culminate in a large march in Maputo on Thursday, declaring it Mozambique Liberation Day. On Monday, activity in the capital remained subdued, with gatherings dispersed by police, often with tear gas. Since protests began in October, at least eleven demonstrators have reportedly been killed, according to several NGOs.
On Monday, November 4, Botswana held a peaceful handover ceremony as newly elected President Duma Boko officially took office. In his inaugural address, Boko praised the smooth transition of power, describing it as without drama, apprehension, or acrobatics, and commending Botswanas democratic strength.

Outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who gracefully accepted defeat, was present to endorse the transfer, emphasizing Botswanas tradition of stability and respect for electoral outcomes.

Reflecting on the historic nature of the election, which unseated a party that had governed since 1958, Boko expressed his gratitude for the peaceful transition, saying: His Excellency called me and assured me he would cede power, and today, we stand here without apprehension or acrobatics.

Masisi, acknowledging the results even before they were fully confirmed, reiterated his respect for the democratic process, stating that his party now had to learn to operate as an opposition minority. His party claimed only 6 seats out of 61, while Bokos left-wing alliance won a majority with 36 seats.

Boko contrasted Botswanas transition with other nations, noting that in less stable countries, a change like this might have led to civil unrest. In other countries, he said, we would be facing turmoil, with the outgoing party refusing to accept the results.
A series of leaked videos showing a senior official engaging in sexual activities in his office has ignited a major scandal in Equatorial Guinea, leading authorities to restrict internet traffic and consider disciplinary actions.

The footage, discovered in the office of Baltasar Ebang Engonga, Director of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), includes encounters with high-profile individuals, reportedly involving figures such as his brothers wife, his cousin, the Presidents sister, the wife of the Director General of Police, and wives of about 20 ministers, among others.

These recordings, reportedly made with consent, were leaked online, fueling public outrage and media scrutiny. On Monday, November 4, Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue announced on his X account that the government would suspend all civil servants involved in sexual acts within ministry offices, as this breaches the Code of conduct and public ethics laws.

He underscored that the Government will not allow such acts, especially those compromising the dignity of married women and threatening family unity. This incident stands out for its unprecedented public reaction due to the prominence of those involved. The Vice-President had recently instructed the Ministry of Telecommunications, telecom companies, and the National regulatory body to take measures against the spread of explicit videos on the countrys social networks.

Nicknamed Bello for his good looks, Baltasar Ebang Engonga is married with children and is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjoo, president of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). He is also related to the President of Equatorial Guinea.

The videos emerged online while Engonga was held at Black Beach prison in Malabo over public fund embezzlement charges. The timing of the recordings remains unclear. Attorney General Anatolio Nzang Nguema added on TVGE that if Engonga is found to have a sexually transmitted infection, he could face additional charges for public health endangerment.
Sudan announced that it had lodged a formal complaint against Chad with the African Commission on Human and People Rights, headquartered in Banjul, Gambia.

According to a statement on the Government spokespersons official page, Sudan accuses Chad of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who are allegedly committing severe human rights abuses in Sudan, including killings, rapes, forced displacement, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The complaint, filed on November 1 by a legal committee appointed by Sudans sovereign council, specifically targets the Chadian government. Sudan claims that Chad has interfered in its internal affairs by aiding RSF paramilitaries, who have been in conflict with the Sudanese army for over 18 months. The Sudanese Ministry of Justice stated that Chad has played a key role in the crimes committed by the rebel militia and claims to have concrete evidence of Chads involvement.

Chad quickly responded, reiterating that it has no involvement in Sudans internal affairs except as a neutral mediator for peace. Previously, on October 29, Sudans UN representative accused Chad of sending a convoy of humanitarian aid trucksallegedly protected by the RSFthat were actually transporting sophisticated weapons. Chad has consistently denied all allegations from Sudan, maintaining that its role is solely to support peace efforts.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Researchers from the George Washington University and the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center have published a case report that signifies a potential breakthrough in the treatment of an aggressive type of prostate cancer.

The report centers around a 60-year-old Air Force Veteran diagnosed with stage four metastatic prostate cancer and the positive outcomes of being treated with trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), an antibody drug conjugate.

The patient did not respond to multiple lines of therapy and experienced persistent tumor progression. As a last resort, the researchers tested for HER2 by immunohistochemistry, which came back positive and the patient was treated off-label in February 2024 with T-DXd.

The antibody drug conjugate, which is FDA approved for the treatment of a variety of HER2-expressing solid tumors including breast cancer, has not been studied in prostate cancer.

Maneesh Jain, senior researcher and oncologist at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences and attending physician in the Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology at the Washington DC VA Medical Center treated this patient, which is the first known case of using T-DXd for prostate cancer treatment.

The case report, "Response of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2Expressing Prostate Cancer to Trastuzumab Deruxtecan" was published November 5, 2024 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

After four cycles of T-DXd, the patient showed a 57% overall reduction in tumor volume, including in the brain. His condition improved significantly, defying earlier prognoses that suggested a transition to hospice care due to a lack of treatment options. As of November 2024, the patient is clinically doing well. He has been on this therapy now for nine months, while the last three lines of treatment for his advanced prostate cancer worked only three to four months each.

"This case highlights the promising potential of T-DXd in treating prostate cancer patients, particularly in aggressive forms," said Jain. "It also underscores the importance of routine HER2 expression testing in advanced prostate cancer, which could help identify more patients who might benefit from targeted therapies like T-DXd."

More information: Coen J. Lap et al, Response of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2Expressing Prostate Cancer to Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Annals of Internal Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-01409 Journal information: Annals of Internal Medicine
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A model of the Mayo-Gibbon heart-lung machine. Credit: National Museum of American History/Gift of Edwards Lifesciences

Over the past century, heart operations that once were unthinkable have become commonplace. Thousands of times a day, surgeons graft arteries, fix structural defects or transplant entire hearts.

Procedures like these are possible because medical teams can stop a patient's heart, pump their blood with a machine during surgery, and restart the repaired heart afterward.

The development of that process, commonly called heart-lung bypass, is a triumph of science and engineering that involved taking risks in ways that would be unthinkable today. Desperate surgeons took those risks because the stakes were enormous: people, often children born with heart defects, were dying. Surgeons knew they could save lives, if only they could access the heart's interior.

The creation of heart-lung bypass was clearly "one of the major milestones of modern medicine," said Dr. James K. Kirklin, the former director of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, who now leads a company spun off from the school. He co-wrote a 2022 article in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology on how heart-lung bypass was developed.

The effort involved "tremendous collaboration" among researchers, he said. They were driven to work together by "about as pure a motivation as you could possibly have"the hope of giving children facing certain death the prospect of a full lifespan. "I mean, who would not want to collaborate on this kind of project?"

The beginnings

The full history of heart-lung bypass dates back to at least the late 1800s, when German scientists learned how to infuse blood with oxygen by passing it through a membrane. The modern story might begin with Dr. John H. Gibbon Jr. As a research assistant at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1931, he was assigned to watch over a woman dying of a blood clot in her lungs, known as a pulmonary embolism. She succumbed during an emergency attempt at surgery.

Gibbon later told of how "during the 17 hours by the patient's side, the thought constantly recurred that the patient's hazardous condition could be improved if some of the blue blood in the patient's distended veins could be continuously withdrawn into an apparatus where the blood could pick up oxygen and discharge carbon dioxide, and then pump this blood back into the patient's arteries."

Colleagues thought it was a bad idea. "The general impression was that it would in all probability be a monstrous waste of the time and energy of a bright young investigator to embark on such an almost impossible task," said his wife, Mary "Maly" Hopkinson Gibbon, as quoted by the Science History Institute of Philadelphia. She became an important collaborator.

After serving in World War II, Gibbon ended up as a social acquaintance of Thomas J. Watson, who provided engineering help from IBM, where he was chairman of the board. The heart-lung device that resulted drew comparisons to a punch-card machine.

The war had helped teach surgeons that, contrary to conventional wisdom of the day, it was possible to repair a heart. "Basically, the philosophy before World War II is you couldn't work on the heart without grave risks to the patient," said Dr. Paul A. Iaizzo, a professor of surgery at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he leads the Visible Heart Laboratories.

The war was also where Dr. Wilfred G. Bigelow of Canada, who had been treating soldiers for frostbite, became interested in the effects of hypothermia, which can slow the body's metabolic rate and decrease its need for oxygen. Before heart-lung machines were available, some early heart operations were made possible just by cooling patients, which gave surgeons a brief window to operate.

All the pieces of the puzzle started to come together in Minnesota in the early 1950s. To grasp how groundbreaking the pieces were, it helps to understand the relatively primitive conditions surgeons then worked under.

"There's no computers or digital equipment," Iaizzo said, and no electronic sensors. Body temperatures were recorded with glass thermometers. Pulses were checked by hand as someone watched a clock on the wall. To induce hypothermia, patients were packed in ice and set inside the type of metal trough used to provide water to horses. Anesthesia was regulated by hand-pumping a bag and was sometimes explosive.

There were no effective defibrillators, which made the cooling process dangerous. And hearts could start beating erratically as they were warmed up.

Doctors worked blind, save for a static chest X-ray that would have been taken outside the operating room; there were no portable X-ray machines or other imaging devices.

"They're making this up as they went," Iaizzo said, adding that doctors had valid reasons for being "mavericks" given how deadly the situations could be.

As bypass techniques were tried on desperately ill patients, the early fatality rates were correspondingly high. "The initial numbers were just disastrous," Kirklin said.

But doctors kept trying.

Failing and trying again

In 1952, Gibbon, then at Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, used a heart-lung machine to operate on a 15-month-old who was thought to have an atrial septal defect, where a baby is born with a hole inside the heart. The diagnosis was wrong, and the child died.

On May 6, 1953, Gibbon tried again, this time to repair an atrial septal defect in 18-year-old Cecelia Bavolek. She was placed on a heart-lung machine for 45 minutes. The procedure worked, and Gibbon is credited with performing the first successful cardiac operation using a mechanical heart-lung machine.

"The machine is not a cure-all for all heart conditions," he told Time magazine in the days after the procedure. But for the first time, "it is possible to look into the heart. It's sort of like drying out a well to do some work at the bottom of it."

Unfortunately, Bavolek was the lone survivor out of four to six attempts. At that point, doctors were pessimistic that open-heart surgery could ever work. Gibbon stopped doing heart surgeries and turned plans for his machine over to a group at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

"He was a wonderful gentleman, a superb thoracic surgeon and obviously an innovator, but he was not interested primarily in heart surgery," Kirklin said.

Meanwhile, in the very building where Iaizzo works now, Dr. Owen Wangensteen ran a surgical department where he required his doctors to earn Ph.D.s, Iaizzo said. It created a culture where innovation was prized, and in an era with no federal oversight of medical devices, it was possible for doctors to come up with an idea, do "three or four experiments in the lab, and go upstairs and try it on a human," he said.

Regulations today provide important safety measures, Iaizzo said. But that era prioritized speed.

One of the Minnesota physicians, Dr. C. Walton Lillehei, and colleagues worked out a technique called cross-circulation. Blood would be pumped between a young patient and an adult, usually a parent, while surgeons attempted to repair the child's heart. The parent, in effect, served as the heart-lung machine for their child.

The first successful operation using this technique was March 26, 1954. The child, a 13-month-old with a defective ventricle (one of the heart's lower chambers), died 11 days later from pneumonia. But a second child, a 3-year-old with a similar defect, lived for 64 years.

Lillehei would use cross-circulation 45 times; 28 of the patients survived. "A couple of those patients are still alive today," Iaizzo said.

But cross-circulation had limits, Kirklin said. Significantly, it came with the possibility of a 200% mortality ratethe deaths of both child and parent.

So down the road in Rochester, a team was taking Gibbon's model and refining it. Among the leaders of the effort was Kirklin's father, Dr. John W. Kirklin.

After successful experiments, the Mayo team received permission from their board of governors to attempt to use the machine in eight surgeries, even if the first seven died. The surgeries began in March 1955.

The first patient, a 5-year-old girl with a ventricle defect, survived. "Overall, half of those cases survived, which was quite amazing," Kirklin said. It was the world's first series of successful open-heart operations using cardiopulmonary bypass. "And then things exploded."

Part of the success of heart-lung bypass at this point came from the fact that the surgeons involved were not generalists, Kirklin said. "Walt Lillehei and my father really were the first two cardiac surgeons whose primary focus during this pioneering period was on the heart itself." So when surgeons began those initial eight cases, "they knew exactly what they were planning to do."

Once successful operations had been demonstrated, "there was no turning back," Kirklin said. The Mayo-Gibbon device was the most widely used heart-lung machine of the 1950s and early 1960s.

Back in Minneapolis, cross-circulation was abandoned. University of Minnesota surgery instructor Dr. Richard DeWall had been working on a heart-lung machine that used polyvinyl tubing that kept bubbles from forming in the blood. Lillehei had learned about the tubing from a friend in the food business, where it had been used to make mayonnaise.

The first operation using this machine was performed in May 1955. It cost less than $1,000 to assemble, and its design was used through the 1970s.

"It really transformed cardiac surgery around the world," Iaizzo said.

Although many others contributed to the development of bypass technology, there's no question that the developments made Minnesota the epicenter of open-heart surgery. In 1955 and 1956, the only places offering such surgeries were about 90 miles apart, in Minneapolis and Rochester.

Writing in 2011 in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, DeWall said that happened in part because of collaboration among researchers. "A free exchange developed between the teams of Dr. (John) Kirklin and Dr. Lillehei about their increasing experience in open heart surgery. Members from the Minneapolis team visited the Mayo Clinic, as did Mayo Clinic personnel visit the University of Minnesota's open heart surgery program."

Bypass today

When it comes to heart surgery, things can never be "routine," said Dr. Leora Balsam, a professor at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester. Patients, she said, "are counting on you to make sure that they come out of this better than they started. That heart has to start up again afterwards."

But heart-lung bypass is so common now that Balsam, who's also surgical director of the ventricular assist device program at UMass Memorial Medical Center, has performed procedures using it more times than she can count. "Maybe a few thousand," she estimated.

For each procedure, Balsam connects a large tube, usually to the upper right chamber of the patient's heart, to pump out blood. The bypass equipment then filters out carbon dioxide and adds oxygen. Blood goes back through another tube that she's connected, usually to the patient's ascending aorta, the large vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

The machine has a heat exchanger that allows her to regulate blood temperature. So, before a heart is stopped, she can cool a patient to limit their heart's metabolic needs.

To stop the heart, she clamps off the arteries that provide the heart muscle itself with blood, then injects a potassium solution that stops the heart's electrical activity. "The heart then becomes motionless and electrically quiet. Inactive. Flatlined," she said.

Repairing the heart can take less than an hour, or it might take several. Time matters. Components of the blood can become diluted or stick to the tubing as it circulates. The less time the heart is stopped, the better. "If the heart starts off strong, it can put up with more time. If the heart is weak, it can't handle as much," Balsam said.

When the repairs are done, she restores normal blood flow to the heart's arteries, which washes out the potassium solution and reawakens the electrical beat.

The process has become safer over time, Balsam said. Formulations of the heart-stopping fluid have been improved, and future progress, she said, might lie in making equipment that causes less damage to the blood as it's pumped.

A simplified type of heart-lung bypass called ECMO, which stands for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, was developed in the 1970s. It has been used to support patients with severe heart and lung complications.

Kirklin said that, as with other complex medical breakthroughs, heart-lung bypass exists because of a combination of "opportunities, serendipity, skill and preparation that led to success."

But he echoed Balsam in saying that even as the machines turned what was once impossible into an everyday occurrence, cardiac surgery is hardly routine. "It needs to be routine from the patient's point of view and from the public point of view," he said, "but not from those who are responsible for the outcome."

Kirklin likened it to flying jets or sending astronauts into space. "Just because they do it safely does not mean it's easy."
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Mentorships are invaluable as more experienced doctors can share communication techniques that theyve found to be successful and which to avoid. Credit: Texas A&M University College of Medicine

Seriously ill patients and family members face intense emotional suffering. Even a single word may scare patients and families, make them feel disempowered, and possibly negate the effectiveness of shared decision making.

Researchers, including a Texas A&M University professor, say clinicians must engage in "compassionate communication" as part of the treatment process. They have identified so-called "never words" that should not be said under any circumstances; offer methods for clinicians to identify their own never words; and provide more helpful language to use instead.

In a recent paper published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Texas A&M University Distinguished Professor of Marketing at Mays Business School Dr. Leonard Berry and co-authors from Henry Ford Health in Detroit assert that in spite of rapid progress in the treatment of serious illnesses such as cancer, advanced heart failure and end-stage pulmonary disease, certain "timeless" aspects of the patient experience remain, like fear.

"Communicating the nature, purpose and intended duration of often complex treatments, and setting realistic expectations about what they offer still comes up against timeless patient experiences: fear, intense emotions, lack of medical expertise, and the sometimes unrealistic hope for cure," they write. The "intense, daunting nature of these conversations" may cause clinicians to resort to learned communication habits or declarative statements.

"Because seriously ill patients and their families are understandably frightened, they 'hang' on every word their doctor will say," notes Berry, a senior fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. "Serious illness is not only a matter of physical suffering, but also emotional suffering. The doctor's behavior, including their verbal and nonverbal communication, can exacerbate or reduce emotional suffering."

Berry said all too often, doctors use insensitive language in communicating critical information, and commonly do so without realizing the needless alarm or offense they have inflicted.

'Never words'

Patients and families need to feel "psychologically safe" in communicating with health care professionals, Berry said, including in expressing concern about the proposed treatment plan or in conveying their fears. The researchers say if doctors respond using "never words," they may undermine patients' and families' confidence to speak freely.

"Never-words are conversation stoppers," the researchers write. "They seize power from the very patients whose own voices are essential to making optimal decisions about their medical care."

Utilizing clinician surveys, the researchers identified never words and phrases, including:

"There is nothing else we can do."

"She will not get better."

"Withdrawing care."

"Circling the drain."

"Do you want us to do everything?"

"Fight" or "battle."

"I don't know why you waited so long to come in."

"What were your other doctors doing/thinking?"

In another study specific to cancer care, clinicians were asked for words or phrases they would never use with a patient, with the top results including:

"Let's not worry about that now."

"You are lucky it's only stage 2."

"You failed chemo."

"'Let's not worry about that now' is not only a non-answer to a patient's legitimate concern, it's dismissive," the researchers said. Pointing out that cancer is in an early stage is "presumptive, assuming the patient should feel gratitude, without allowing room for the patient's anxiety and fear in having cancer." And, Berry said, patients do not fail chemo; chemo fails patients.

What doctors should say instead

Health care professionals can start a dialogue by inviting honest, thoughtful inquiries and responses from patients and families. "They should learn to recognize words and phrases that unintentionally frighten, offend, or diminish agency and work to reimagine their own communication," the researchers stated.

Berry says such an opportunity can arise when doctors encourage patients to speak up. "Something as simple as, 'What questions do you have for me?' rather than, 'Do you have any questions?' invites candid conversation," he said.

As for the never words, the researchers recommend alternative language, as well as the rationale, for each. For example, instead of, "She will not get better," the doctor could say, "I'm worried she won't get better." The rationale being the provider will replace a firm negative prediction with an expression of concern.

Using words like "fight" and "battle" may imply that sheer will can overcome illness and patients may feel as if they're letting loved ones down by not fighting hard enough. Instead, doctors could say, "We will face this difficult disease together" to make it clear patients have a team behind them.

Spreading awareness

Medical groups and educators can bring attention to never words in multiple ways, the researchers said, including by integrating the discussion into courses and professional development.

"The emphasis in medical school is understandably on the science of medicine, but it is so important to incorporate communications training into the curriculum," Berry said. "A key opportunity is medical school students and graduates having superb patient-centered, skilled communicators as role models in their clinical training during medical school and residency."

Mentorships are also invaluable as more experienced doctors can share communication techniques that they've found to be successful and which to avoid. The study notes, "Mentors can not only disclose harmful phrases that they personally have abandoned and replaced by more generative phrases but may also model walking back language that lands poorly.

"Such mentorship facilitates progress in how future generations of clinicians interact with patients and stimulates open dialogue about the added suffering and disempowerment that poor, unmindful communication can cause."

More information: Rana Lee Adawi Awdish et al, Never-Words: What Not to Say to Patients With Serious Illness, Mayo Clinic Proceedings (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2024.05.011 Journal information: Mayo Clinic Proceedings
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Analysis of Abnormalities in Breathing Sounds using Auscultation Sounds. Credit: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute(ETRI)

South Korean researchers have developed a new technology that can recognize and detect lung diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), lung fibrosis, asthma, etc., by utilizing multi-sensory sensing information on breathing.

This new discovery is expected to provide significant help in quickly treating lung damage before it intensifies by allowing early detection of the usually difficult-to-diagnose lung diseases through a convenient screening device capable of self-induced exhaled breath measurement.

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) stated that they have successfully developed a new technology that can simultaneously analyze various lung-related information and express it in various forms/images, allowing the user/patient to check and diagnose the condition of their lung without the help of others.

The research team of ETRI integrated the existing FeNO measurement device, spirometer, and lung sound stethoscope device, which were individually used for diagnosing lung diseases, into a single multi-sensory recognition and measurement device.

This new device developed by ETRI can simultaneously obtain various types of lung-related information, then use AI technology to correlate the information with multi-sensory measurement information to provide a detailed analysis, providing an early diagnosis of their lung and screening for various lung-related diseases.

In the past, various tests and complicated processes were required to provide an accurate diagnosis of the lung. Moreover, it also requires a large amount of time and will of the subject/patient. In addition, due to such complicated processes, a large amount of assistance and guidance from medical experts and personnel was also required.

As such, lung-related diseases were often diagnosed belatedly due to such issues. However, already damaged lungs are often difficult to treat, and it is already a well-known fact that complete recovery of a damaged lung is nearly impossible.

However, with ETRI's new lung disease screening device, the patient can receive a fast, accurate analysis of their current lung condition, allowing them to visit the hospital in case there is a problem, making sure that they receive the right treatment in time.

The researchers of this new device even turned the entire measurement and diagnosis process into interesting, immersive lung disease screening content through the implementation of a unique, customizable and user-friendly interface to make sure that everyone can use the device without any resistance.

Integrated Platform for Lung Disease Screening Device. Credit: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute(ETRI)

According to ETRI, the key technologies that were put into consideration when developing this device are as follows:

Detection and analysis of exhaled breath gas

Abnormality recognition technology via auscultation and lung sound detection

Self-diagnosis of lung diseases via mobile content technology

Multi-sensory lung disease screening technology.

The research team has also secured the world's first alveolar breath sampling technology that allows the extraction of exhaled breath gas from the lungs, along with an ultra-sensitive nitric oxide (NO) detection technology with a minimum detection limit of 5ppb. Thus, they have developed a technology that enables the detection of the slightest differences in the exhaled breath gas that may often occur during the early stages of lung disease.

In addition, they have developed a lung capacity measurement technology that variably controls the expected maximum amount of tidal volume according to the physical characteristics of the subject, making it possible for an accurate screening process via a detailed analysis by linking the respiratory characteristics and lung function of each patient.

The newest technology developed by the researchers of ETRI has achieved a minimum nitric oxide (NO) detection limit of 5ppb, along with a maximum expiratory flow rate limit of 900L/min, which was verified through a series of performance tests using a mass flow controller (MFC) and a flow generator.

According to the ETRI, this newly developed device has a lot of advantages compared to the existing methods used for diagnosing lung diseases. These advantages include:

Early diagnosis is possible using multi-sensory screening devices installed in living spaces.

Reducing medical costs due to lung diseases and

Solving many social problems by improving the general health of the public.

The research team expects the commercialization of the technology to be possible within three years. Their plan is to transfer their technology to produce prototypes before commercialization, go through clinical trials, then finally register the product as a medical device and distribute to multi-use facilities such as senior care centers, nursing homes, and community centers nationwide.

Jeong Il-Kwon, the assistant vice president of ETRI's Content Research Division, said in an interview, "Using our multisensory-based screening technology, it will become possible to detect and treat lung diseases during their early stages, improving the general health of the public and reduce unnecessary social and medical costs through the process."

In the future, researchers are planning to advance their lung disease screening technology by expanding its scope, converging various information from various fields. They are also working on building a platform that can simultaneously perform regular monitoring and provide respiratory training programs/contents for the users and opening it to the public.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

In the second span of the vault of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo and his collaborators represented The Flood. Credit: The Breast (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2024.103823

Led by forensic pathologist Andreas G. Nerlich of Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, a team of international experts propose that Michelangelo's fresco "The Flood" in the Sistine Chapel portrays a young woman exhibiting signs consistent with breast cancer.

Breast imagery can hold symbolic meaning in artwork, often representing motherhood or highlighting femininity. Art occasionally depicts pathological conditions, sparking debate about the intent and significance of these portrayals. Is a pathological feature captured in a painting a witnessed event documenting a physical observation, or is it symbolic of something else?

In a study, "Did Michelangelo paint a young adult woman with breast cancer in 'The Flood' (Sistine Chapel, Rome)?," published in The Breast, experts from Germany, Italy, France, Austria, and the UK covering fields such as art history, medicine, genetics, and pathology, focused on a specific female figure on the right side of "The Flood," using the guidelines for iconodiagnosis.

"The Flood" (also called "The Deluge") is the first scene Michelangelo painted on the Sistine Chapel ceiling in 1508. The woman is depicted nearly naked, wearing only a blue headscarf (indicating her married status) and a blue cloak. Behind her is a young child who appears to be weeping.

Iconodiagnosis is a process of medical analysis that looks for clinical signs of medical disorders and diseases in artwork. It is often used to provide information on pathologies in different paleo-historical periods. The process requires collaboration among experts in biomedicine, medical history, and art history before reaching any conclusions.

From the analysis, her left breast appears normal, showing age or breastfeeding-associated ptosis with a prominent nipple and smooth contours.

Her right breast exhibits significant abnormalities, with a retracted and deformed nipple, retracted areolar skin with erosion in the medial area, and a deep indentation resembling a scar above the nipple. Subtle bulges in the upper medial quadrant and towards the axilla suggest the presence of lumps, possibly indicating enlarged lymph nodes.

Michelangelo's familiarity with human anatomy may have enabled him to depict specific pathological features accurately. The study points to Michelangelo's time assisting in autopsies beginning at age 17, where he would have observed pathology potentially including breast cancer. Finding these specific pathological abnormalities in the woman's right breast might then suggest the intentional portrayal of a disease.

The team followed the guidelines for iconodiagnosis to conduct a thorough analysis, including diagnosis of exclusion and evaluation of any restoration artifacts in the fresco. They considered tuberculous mastitis and puerperal mastitis, conditions prevalent during the Renaissance, but these were ruled out. Chronic conditions like plasma cell mastitis, typically seen in older women, were also discounted due to her apparent youth.

Comparisons with other works by Michelangelo reveal that he was, of course, quite capable of depicting the healthy female breast. In female figures from "The Last Judgment" and sculptures like "Dawn" and "Night" in the Medici Chapel, breasts are portrayed with symmetry free from signs of pathology, reinforcing the idea that the abnormalities in "The Flood" were deliberate.

The research analysis concluded that the features observed align with the required evidence for an iconodiagnosis consistent with breast carcinoma.

The theological context of "The Flood" illustrates a divine punishment being handed down to all of humanity. As pointed out in the study, many of the characters are performing sinful acts even as the flood waters rise.

Not mentioned is how the woman's condition is an odd contrast to this context. A flood of divine wrath or not, her suffering would be happening anyway. Her weeping child's motive also seems less about the flood that is drowning the world, but out of concern for mom.

Intriguingly, a nearby horse looking over them is the only animal depicted, the rest presumably having made it aboard Noah's Ark in the distance.

There is a well-established story of Michelangelo's mother, Francesca Del Sera, falling from a horse while pregnant with him. Both survived unharmed in what was regarded in the family as a miracle. It happened on the same day as the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, which is reportedly the reason the child would be named Michelangelo.

Also intriguing, the young child behind the woman appears to be around five or six years old, the same age as Michelangelo when his mother died at the age of 30 after a prolonged illness.

If it is Francesca depicted, it may be the reason for the detailed representation of the pathology that perhaps took her life. It could also explain why the child seems to be holding something that looks very much like a scalpel.

More information: Andreas G. Nerlich et al, Did Michelangelo paint a young adult woman with breast cancer in "The Flood" (Sistine Chapel, Rome)?, The Breast (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2024.103823

 2024 Science X Network
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

When a patient with heart failure has received a new heart and survivesthe transplantation is deemed a success. However, health care overlooks heart recipients who suffer from long-term and often severe symptoms, such as pain and fatigue. New research at Lund University in Sweden shows that simple support in symptom management can make a considerable difference to the patients' well-being.

Each year, around 60 Swedes with life-threatening heart failure receive a donated heart in a transplant operation. The heart recipient will be in the final stage of heart failure, but healthy enough to cope with the operation, recovery and a future of life-long medication.

During the first year when, for example, rejection of the new heart is at its height, the patients are followed closely. After one year, the survival rate is about 95%, and research is constantly examining how this rate can be raised even further.

Research is less common regarding aftercare in terms of long-term symptom distress, recovery and quality of life. But now, researchers in Lund have followed a patient group for an extended period of five years, with a focus on symptom distress and self-managementthe patients' conditions for managing and living with these problems.

"With this study we are the first in the world to follow the patients' long-term pain and the rest of the symptom burden after a heart transplant," says nurse Anna Forsberg, professor at Lund University in transplant nursingEurope's first and to date only professor in this field.

The new studies are part of specialist nurse Marita Dalvindt's thesis "Symptom Distress Before and After Heart Transplantation: A Longitudinal 5-Year Follow-Up," supervised by Forsberg. Dalvindt's results show that pain is common even 24 years after the procedure. Other aspects of symptom distress, such as fatigue, sleep disorders, reduced libido and tremors, were also common.

Most new insights stem from the longitudinal study in which 48 heart transplant patients were followed over a period from before the transplantation to five years after. Here, the researchers have instead used the patients' own self-assessed symptoms. They could see that the patients who had pain before the procedure were not the same as those who had pain afterwards.

Quite simply, there was no connection between pain before or after. Similarly, the poor mental well-being that many patients experienced before the transplantation was not seen in the same patient group after the procedure.

"It is common that the poor mental well-being of the sick patient is explained by the heart failure itself, but we can dispel this assumption with our results. Many feel bad mentally afterwards for a long time. We have seen that those with several symptoms after the transplantation, what we call a high symptom burden, also feel worse mentally," says Dalvindt.

Long-term pain

Long-term pain was also common, and in addition created a breeding ground for more problematic symptoms. Even without pain, the presence of many symptoms led to a deterioration in mental well-being. The extensive suffering led to the researchers immediately wanting to test support in symptom management.

As long-term pain is clearly linked with several aspects of symptom distress, 13 of the patients most affected by pain were selected to receive three support sessions that had a systematic and person-centered structure.

"We were clear in the sessions about what we wanted to focus on, but otherwise our conversations were very open and focused on the patients' own narratives," says Dalvindt.

The structure was kept simple in order to increase the feasibility of the initiative. Despite the simplicity, the results were striking, according to the researchers. After the three support sessions, the participating patients stated that for the first time they had the chance to talk about how they actually feel and how their life had been impacted after the transplantation.

They stated that they were able to feel competent and that they had been taken seriously, after having felt objectified throughout the period of care, and that only their physical heart status counted. After the sessions, they were more active in their daily life, were more robust in the self-care of the symptoms and dared to "defy" their symptoms more than before.

"The partnership is key in person-centered care. The patients must be taken seriously, and their experience and knowledge must be given consideration. In some cases, the symptoms will not disappear, but we have now seen what quite simple support in symptom management can do for these patients," says Forsberg.

More information: Dalvindt, Symptom Distress Before and After Heart Transplantation: A Longitudinal 5-Year Follow-Up (2024): portal.research.lu.se/en/publi  prevalence-predictor
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Nurse burnout is associated with lower health care quality, worse patient safety, and lower patient satisfaction, according to a review published online Nov. 5 in JAMA Network Open.

Lambert Zixin Li, from Stanford University in California, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to evaluate the magnitude and moderators of the association between nurse burnout and patient safety, patient satisfaction, and quality of care.

Based on 85 studies (288,581 nurses), the researchers found that nurse burnout was associated with a lower safety climate or culture; lower safety grade; more frequent nosocomial infections, patient falls, medication errors, adverse events, or patient safety incidents; and missed care or care left undone. There was no association with the frequency of pressure ulcers or mortality rate.

Nurse burnout was also associated with lower patient satisfaction ratings. However, nurse burnout was not associated with the frequencies of patient complaints or patient abuse. Lastly, nurse burnout was associated with lower nurse-assessed quality of care. The associations were similar across nurses' age, sex, work experience, and geography, and persisted over time. The association with patient safety outcomes was smaller for the low personal accomplishment subcomponent of burnout compared with emotional exhaustion or depersonalization.

"These findings suggest that systems-level interventions for nurse burnout may improve patient outcomes," the authors write.

More information: Lambert Zixin Li et al, Nurse Burnout and Patient Safety, Satisfaction, and Quality of Care, JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.43059 Journal information: JAMA Network Open

Copyright  2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A new study, out today in the Journal of the American Medical Association, has found that pharmacy closures in communities around Colorado significantly impact patient access to anticonvulsant medications, typically used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain and psychiatric disorders. Missing doses of this class of medication can result in increased mortality, pain and emergency room visits.

Researchers, led by Kelly Anderson, Ph.D., MPP, assistant professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, sought to investigate how pharmacy closures impact usage for a Medicare protected class of medications, or medications that Medicare prescription drug plans must cover.

While access to these medications is critical, study results find pharmacy access disrupts medication refills. Researchers used Colorado all-payer claims data to define patients who were exposed to community pharmacy closures between January 2018 and June 2022, identifying 39 closures in that time. They found a15.6% reduction in fills and a 14.4% reduction in days supplied.

"Additionally, we found that the disruption in refilling anticonvulsant medications persists for up to 6 months after pharmacy closures," says Anderson. "We also found that while mail-order pharmacies can be a helpful way for some patients to access medications, mail-order pharmacies did not meaningfully fill in the gap when patients were exposed to a pharmacy closure."

This study builds on existing research surrounding cardiovascular medications, which also found a decrease in usage following pharmacy closures. Anderson says future studies could continue to examine other drug classes, but a pattern is emerging.

"These results tell us that the U.S. health system should consider measures to support patients affected by community pharmacy closures, whether that's by providing 90-day medication supplies when a closure is imminent, providing financial support to pharmacies at risk of closure in underserved communities, or encouraging clinicians to be more proactive in assisting patients to transfer prescriptions," says Anderson.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Subway plots of two complex rearrangements: (A) a complex dup-trip-quad-trip-dup-del on Chromosome 2 observed in P4 and (B) a clustered CNV on Chromosome 3 detected in P5. Credit: Genome Research (2024). DOI: 10.1101/gr.279510.124

Using a new technique, long-read sequencing, that allows DNA to be analyzed in much greater detail than before, a team of Swedish clinicians and researchers has discovered an unexpected complexity in chromosomal abnormalities. The study, published in Genome Research, opens the door to more precise and effective treatment of patients with rare diseases that currently lack clear diagnoses.

For patients with rare diseases caused by complex chromosomal abnormalities, current standard methods in routine care have been insufficient. However, the new technology, long-read sequencing, can change this. It enables the reading of DNA sequences up to 50 times longer than is possible with traditional sequencing, providing a much deeper insight into the genetic profile of patients.

A Swedish research team has now used long-read sequencing to analyze chromosomal abnormalities in patients with complex health conditions. The results surprised researchers as the technique revealed even greater genetic complexity than previous methods had shown.

"We were surprised by the results from long-reading of DNA. We discovered a greater complexity than we had expected for all types of abnormalities," says the study's last author Anna Lindstrand, Professor of Clinical Genetics, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet and Chief Physician at Karolinska University Hospital.

Many patients with these complex chromosomal abnormalities suffer from developmental delays, but there are also cases where individuals are healthy and only seek care because of fertility problems. In these cases, the chromosomal abnormalities do not cause any symptoms in the individual, but may lead to difficulties in conceiving or medical problems in the child.

Collaboration across research centers

The study, led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University, has involved clinicians and researchers from across Sweden.

"The strength of the project lies in the broad collaboration between researchers and clinicians from all Genomic Medicine Centers and national research platforms, Clinical Genomics and National Genomics Infrastructure, at SciLifeLab.

"We were able to test this ground-breaking technique on clinical samples," explains study author Lars Feuk, Professor at Uppsala University and Co-director of the SciLifeLab National Genomics Infrastructure.

In total, 16 samples from 13 families were analyzed, involving clinical laboratories from Sweden's university health care regions.

Practical benefits for the clinic

An important question the study answers is that DNA prepared according to current standard methods in the clinic, and already stored in biobanks, can be used for long-read sequencing. This makes the technology easier to introduce into routine health care, saving both time and money.

"Special preparation for long reads can give slightly longer sequences, but we suggest using standard DNA protocols to reduce costs and processing time," adds Lindstrand.

Diagnostics of the future

A dedicated bioinformatics analysis workflowknown as a pipelinehas been developed to interpret the detailed data provided by long-read sequencing.

"We have built a pipeline that allows us to put the pieces together and solve the puzzle of chromosomal aberrations. This technology is ready to be implemented in clinical use," says the study's first author Jesper Eisfeldt, a researcher at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet.

Although long-read sequencing is still more expensive than traditional methods, the researchers predict that within five years the technology will become standard in clinical diagnostics of rare diseases.

"There is an extremely rapid development of long-read sequencing technologies, which means that more and more individuals will be analyzed with higher precision and at a lower cost," says study author Adam Ameur, a bioinformatician at Uppsala University and SciLifeLab National Genomics Infrastructure.

The increased precision could also reduce the need for multiple parallel tests, which would further lower costs.

"This study shows that the step to clinical implementation of long-read sequencing is shorter than we thought," concludes Lindstrand.

More information: Jesper Eisfeldt et al, A national long-read sequencing study on chromosomal rearrangements uncovers hidden complexities, Genome Research (2024). DOI: 10.1101/gr.279510.124 Journal information: Genome Research
Groups on both sides of the citizen-led ballot measure to codify abortion rights in Montanas Constitution are doubling down on their tactics as Election Day draws nearer. With less than one week left to make their cases, messaging out of both camps is reaching a fever pitch.

After spending millions on broadcast advertisements and door-knocking efforts, the campaign backing abortion rights recently launched another media and awareness push. It issued an urgent call to volunteers over email on Tuesday looking for people to talk to voters as they head to the polls and canvass their communities with CI-128 literature up to and on Nov. 5.

Meanwhile, the organized movement against the measure, largely faith-based, hosted a rally on the steps of the Capitol in Helena on Oct. 19, reiterating much of the rhetoric used in smaller-scale communication to date. Opponents call abortion a grave threat to parents and families and paint a picture of a future where theres no going back from the extreme new reality the ballot measure will create.

Constitutional Initiative 128 would protect the right to an abortion up to fetal viability, the point at which a health care provider deems a fetus able to survive outside the womb without significant medical intervention, in the state Constitution.

Though pre-viability abortion is currently legal in Montana, its permitted through the states right to privacy and judicial precedent from a 1999 state supreme court ruling. If passed, CI-128 would explicitly protect abortion to viability, allow for abortions later in pregnancy to protect the life and health of the patient and safeguard medical providers who administer the procedure from legal prosecution.

Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights, a coalition including Planned Parenthood of Montana, Forward Montana and the ACLU of Montana, is the face of the movement behind the measure. On the other side, groups looking to beat CI-128 include prominent anti-abortion and faith-based organizations such as the Montana Family Foundation, Montana Catholic Conference and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.

Entering the final days on the campaign trail, MSRR is broadcasting a message familiar to those who have followed throughout election season: dont let the government interfere with personal health care decisions.

Television advertisements feature stories of parents in their own words about harrowing moments when theyve had to face terminating a pregnancy or risk significant complications to their own health. Its case is nonpartisan  this is a question of privacy and reproductive health care, not politics  with an emphasis on testimony from medical practitioners and patients.

Over 250 Montana physicians who are members of the Committee to Protect Health Care, a national 501(c)(4) organization, which means it can legally participate as a nonprofit in political work, publicly voiced support for CI-128 in an Oct. 17 press conference.

Trent Taylor, a family medicine physician in Missoula, said doctors are speaking out loud and clear because the need couldnt be more urgent, couldnt be greater.

Being at a crossroads is a sentiment thats echoed in the opposition movement as well. They just hope  and pray  voters will choose a different direction.

Montanas two Catholic bishops continue to encourage congregants to vote against the measure, and the 501(c)(4) advocacy organization related to the two dioceses called the Montana Catholic Conference has posted a series of videos on social media warning churchgoers of the alleged dangers of CI-128. These videos liken the Armstrong ruling, in which state supreme court justices ruled the right to privacy encompasses abortion, to "our own" Roe v. Wade, and suggest CI-128 would make unfettered abortion access the new normal in the state.

Dont give up, its making a difference already, Austin Vetter, the bishop for the Diocese of Helena, said in one such video posted in late September, encouraging congregants to continue advocating and donating to the advocacy group.

Currently, there are six clinics in Montana that perform abortions. Of those, four provide abortion only through the first trimester.

The Montana Family Foundation, also a 501(c)(4), called on pastors around the state to sign a letter demonstrating their opposition to the ballot measure.

CI-128 is a wolf in sheeps clothing, the letter reads. This initiative will amend Montanas Constitution, making it extremely difficult, if not impossible to remove once passed.

As MSRR emphasizes voter turnout on social media and mailers, it also reiterates that just because abortion is currently legal in Montana, doesnt mean its not under threat.

Carey Downey, a physician in Butte, said efforts by state lawmakers to curb access have led to confusion about what services patients can access, sometimes leading to delays in care.

When there is fear around who can provide care, that becomes a challenge, she said during the Committee to Protect Health Care press event. Misinformation is one of the biggest barriers to care.

MSRR has indeed received millions in donations from out-of-state political action committees, and the commensurate pushback from opponents for doing so. Groups against the measure continue to characterize the movement as pushed by outsiders, claiming they cant compete.

In order to communicate our perspective on this, we can come nowhere near the financial effort thats being expended from the proponents of this amendment, Dan Bartleson, director of communication services at the Helena Diocese, said to the Montana State News Bureau. We are feeling like we are punching so far above our weight class that educating the voter this time around feels very lopsided.

Groups from outside Montana such as Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America have contributed to efforts to defeat the measure that cant always be tracked by campaign finance reports. Publicly available information does show the opposition is spending and raising far less than their counterparts.

CI-128 would allow health care providers to deliver an abortion after fetal viability if they determine it necessary to protect the life and health of the pregnant patient, a practice legal in the state today.

But going into the final stretch of campaigning, opponents have seized on this language, labeling it as extreme and vague. Claims that, if passed, the ballot measure would allow for abortion up to the point of birth have been repeatedly proven false. It also wouldnt change which medical practitioners can provide abortions.

Election Day is Nov. 5. Information on how to register to vote and where to cast your ballot can be found here.
" " Hop in the jet, kids. We're going to swing by Malta on our way to Toulouse. Jupiterimages / Getty Images

Capitalism can be like a warped and extremely un-fun game of Monopoly, and most people are entering the fray much too late to get a slice of the action.

You could likely put all your earnings into extremely profitable wealth funds, make all the right moves in a diverse portfolio and win the lottery multiple times, and still never come anywhere close to the kind of money enjoyed by the top 0.01 percent.

Advertisement

The wealthiest families own roughly a third of the planet's wealth, but who is the richest family in the world, sitting atop that giant pile of cash and gold coins? The following list includes the richest families and global business dynasties in the world today.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday said that China will open its doors wider to the outside world, regardless of how the international environment changes.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds a symposium with select exhibitors and buyers attending the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Li made the remarks during a meeting with select exhibitors and buyers attending the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE), including Synopsys, General Electric Company, MSD and China FAW Group Co., Ltd.

The foreign-funded enterprises at the meeting expressed optimism about the Chinese market, saying that they will deepen their presence and increase investment in the country.

Despite a sluggish global economic recovery, China's overall economic operations have remained generally stable and seen progress, Li said, stressing that the Chinese market is still one of the best choices for global enterprises.

China will continue easing market access and push for the orderly expansion of opening-up in sectors like telecommunication, education, culture and medical care, the premier said.

He pledged to continue improving the business environment and provide equal opportunities in accessing production factors, qualification licensing and participation in government procurement, among other areas.

Li expressed the hope that China will become not only an export destination for foreign enterprises, but also a land of investment and entrepreneurship, facilitating closer links between China and the global market.

He noted his expectation that Chinese and foreign entrepreneurs will continue to support economic globalization firmly, work together to promote technological advancement and industrial upgrading, and foster new growth engines for the world economy.
Jinbao, the mascot of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), and Xiaoxin, a humanoid robot providing inquiry service, are pictured at the media center of the 7th CIIE in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Global investors are eyeing fresh opportunities in China as the world's second-largest economy accelerates its intelligent, green transformation.



With the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) set to open on Tuesday, multiple industry leaders from across the world are gearing up to showcase their latest innovations and technologies, aiming to tap into China's vast market potential.

Tapping smarter manufacturing

Aptiv, a multinational developing automobile parts, made its debut at the seventh CIIE, exhibiting software and hardware products featuring intelligence and electrification.

"The CIIE provides an excellent platform for enterprises from all over the world to exchange ideas and cooperate," said Simon Yang, president of Aptiv for China and the Asia Pacific region. He noted that Aptiv hopes to make full use of the CIIE to showcase its innovative solutions.

The company is committed to its long-term development strategy of "In China for China," and will continue to increase its investment in the Chinese market while expanding business cooperation with Chinese original equipment manufacturers.

Aptiv is one of a number of multinationals gathering in Shanghai to test the pulse of China's smart manufacturing market, which plays an important part in the country's pursuit of high-quality development.

Swedish technology company Hexagon has brought its new solutions to help traditional manufacturers become more digital-savvy to this year's CIIE, including cloud platforms for industrial software and smart quality-testing systems.

"The company is ready to ride the wave of the country's pursuit of new quality productive forces, which are high-tech, highly efficient and of a high quality," said Qin Lei, marketing business partner at Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (Qingdao) Co., Ltd.

Merck Group, Germany's leading tech company, is showcasing its innovative achievements in the new materials section of the CIIE, which is new to the annual event.

China's great market potential, improving business environment and rich talent pool have reinforced Merck's confidence in its long-term investment in the country, said Marc Horn, executive vice president of Merck and president of Merck China.

Embracing a greener future

Entering its seventh year, the CIIE has retained its "New Era, Shared Future" theme, which holds special meaning for Christian Bruch, president and CEO of Siemens Energy AG.

"I strongly agree with the theme, as it envisions a sustainable and more decarbonized future that requires collaborative efforts from governments, enterprises, customers, partners and the entire supply chains," Bruch said.

In his view, China's dedication to building a modern energy system creates "extensive market opportunities" for global energy technology companies, including Siemens Energy.

"Together with Chinese customers and partners, we have developed many energy infrastructure projects, continuously invested and expanded our manufacturing capacity in China, in order to meet the growing market demand in China and across the world," he said.

Pledging to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, China has been steadfast in accelerating its energy transition. Over the past decade, the share of clean energy in the country's total energy use has increased 10.9 percentage points, according to the National Energy Administration.

Dedicated to promoting clean energy in China, Siemens Energy has established 15 manufacturing facilities across the country. It has become an important partner in the country's energy transition, Bruch said.

At this year's CIIE, the company is poised to showcase its cutting-edge decarbonization technologies for the energy sector. Many of its exhibits will be presented for the first time in Asia or China.

"During the expo, I look forward to meeting and exchanging ideas with partners, building consensus and fostering collaborative development," Bruch said. "Tackling climate change and driving energy transition is a daunting task that no single country or region can accomplish alone."

Bruch's emphasis on collaboration aligns with China's increasing global contributions. According to a white paper issued by China's State Council Information Office in August this year, the country's wind power and photovoltaic exports helped other countries reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by about 810 million tonnes in 2023.

Recognizing China's role in the global energy transition, Bruch highlighted Siemens Energy's confidence in deepening cooperation with its Chinese partners. "We are fully committed to working together to build a new energy ecosystem that supports China's dual-carbon goals and fosters sustainable energy development worldwide."
The Ministry of Health has initiated a nationwide crackdown on clinics providing plastic surgery without proper licensing or adherence to safety standards.

This follows the tragic death of Lucy Wambui, who suffered severe complications after a cosmetic procedure at Omnicare, operating under the name Body By Design. In response to this incident, the ministry has shut down the facility, which allegedly failed to meet critical medical protocols.

Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni confirmed that the clinic did not comply with safety regulations. We discovered that the facility operated under substandard medical conditions and failed to meet essential patient safety regulations, compromising the safety and well-being of every patient who visited, Muthoni stated.

The clinic, however, denies any wrongdoing. Danstan Omari, the lawyer representing Body By Design, insists that it is a fully registered medical facility that has maintained all necessary medical licenses for nearly a decade.

It is a registered medical facility, level 3, with all the requisite medical licenses and practicing doctors certificates. It has been in operation for almost 10 years, Omari informed the press.

According to Body By Design, Wambui was scheduled for discharge on October 17 but remained until October 22 due to complaints of chest pains. On that day, she left the facility and sought treatment at Nairobi Hospital, where she passed away on October 26 while undergoing another procedure.

The autopsy was conducted with both government and family pathologists, but they did not agree on the exact cause. Perforations were found, which could be caused by many factors, Omari explained.

Wambuis family maintains that she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Nairobi Hospital due to complications from the surgery at Body By Design, which they allege was botched.

In response, the Ministry of Health has warned unlicensed or non-compliant beauty clinics, stating, We want to give a warning to facilities operating under substandard conditionsthey should close before we force them to close, Principal Secretary Muthoni emphasized.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has issued a strong warning to anyone trying to compromise the integrity of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, which began nationwide on Monday.

This year, 965,501 candidates are registered to take the exam across 10,754 centers throughout the country. While subjects like Home Science and Computer Science were distributed last week, Monday marked the official commencement of the national examination exercise, with candidates sitting for their English and Chemistry papers.

According to the CS, severe consequences await those who engage in malpractice. Anyone found participating in exam malpractice will be arrested and prosecuted, whether they are a student, teacher, parent, or government official, the minister stated.

CS Ogamba also emphasized that the government is actively monitoring social media and taking action against sites claiming to provide access to examination papers.

He confirmed that all examination papers are secure and stored safely, dismissing reports of any leaked materials before the exams.

This years examinations will follow new rules requiring supervisors to rotate among centers weekly. Examination containers will open daily across the country at 7 a.m., under strict supervision to prevent any early exposure to the exam papers.

CS Ogamba announced that exam officials will not be allowed to have mobile phones during the examinations. They must surrender their devices to the supervisor, who will securely lock them in a desk until the end of the exam period.

In areas like Tana River, where there are security concerns, candidates have been relocated to take their exams from safe centers like GSU camps. We are also ensuring that those affected by floods receive proper care, the minister added.
The US Embassy has officially launched the American Corner Mtaani at the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS), marking the sixth addition to Kenyas growing network of American Corners. This new location joins established sites in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Lamu, enhancing access to U.S. resources for local communities.

Ambassador Meg Whitman emphasized the importance of this expansion during the launch event, stating that it fulfills a commitment to strengthen people-to-people partnerships. This commitment was established during Kenyas State Visit to the White House in May.

American Corner Mtaani is here to support Kenyas young people in bringing their innovations to life, Whitman remarked. She urged attendees to open the doors and empower the brightest minds to elevate the Silicon Savannah, describing the space as a greenhouse for creativity, learning, and dialogue.

Shakaria Buckson, the Embassys regional public engagement specialist, highlighted that the American Corner Mtaani will serve individuals from all backgrounds.

We want to meet people where they are and enable them to access resources and training to move closer to their career goals and aspirations, Buckson explained. She believes that many of Kenyas greatest innovators, artists, and change-makers emerged not from elite institutions but through grassroots opportunities to experiment and learn. The American Corner Mtaani is designed specifically for those who share this vision.

The American Corner will provide the local community with a wealth of U.S. resources, including digital databases, speakers, and educational materials. It will host special programs focusing on the creative economy, entrepreneurship, leadership, technology, and cultural exchanges.

American Corner Mtaani will operate Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be closed on Kenyan holidays. Services offered at the American Corner include:
The Judiciary plans to construct a modern Supreme Court building to replace the nearly century-old structure currently in use.

During a forum at the Judiciary compound in Nairobi, attended by President William Ruto, Supreme Court judges reflected on the courts achievements and challenges as they celebrated the courts 12th anniversary.

Judiciary Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya emphasized the need for the countrys highest court to have a modern workspace that meets contemporary demands.

The current Supreme Court building, constructed in 1930, is nearly a century old, and its architecture no longer meets the Supreme Courts modern needs, Mokaya stated.

She acknowledged the buildings iconic status and praised its architectural beauty, asserting that the push for a new facility stems from the necessity for updated premises rather than the construction of new buildings for other government branches, such as Parliaments Bunge Towers.

For the past 15 years, we have focused on modernizing buildings in remote areas. Now, its time to shift our attention to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, Mokaya added.

She also highlighted funding challenges affecting the Judiciarys operations and called for increased resources for this vital branch of government. While funding remains a challenge, the Supreme Court registry has improved convenience for court users, she noted.

In support of these efforts, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja pledged the county governments assistance in building the new Supreme Court. He announced that his administration is ready to facilitate the transfer of land adjacent to the current Judiciary buildings.

We want the Judiciary to rely on us for support in building the new Supreme Court, as I know there is available land here for this purpose, Sakaja stated.
The Social Health Authority (SHA), recently launched under Kenyas Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative, delivered Kes.1.5 billion in healthcare services to Kenyans within its first month.

The Ministry of Health reported that among the services provided, SHA spent Kes.250 million on dialysis care packages, Kes.220 million on cancer treatments, Kes.175 million on maternal and infant health, and Kes.103 million on mental wellness support.

Since SHAs rollout on October 1, 2024, registered membership has grown by 44 percent, adding 4 million new members and bringing the total to 13 million Kenyans. This membership increase led to over 10,600 maternal and child care visits, including normal and cesarean deliveries, and more than 21,000 outpatient and 28,000 inpatient visits.

Additionally, SHA facilitated over 15,800 dialysis sessions for kidney patients and recorded 265 visits for mental wellness support, a new addition to its services.

The UHC system has now enrolled 4,520 public facilities, 2,540 private clinics, 549 faith-based centers, 17 community-based facilities, and 76 other health providers nationwide.

The Ministry of Health assures SHA members immediate access to a wide range of healthcare services, with no waiting periods.

MoH further noted that SHAs primary healthcare services, offered at level 2 and level 3 facilities across the country, provide preventive and basic care at no extra cost, a significant advantage for low-income families and those in underserved regions.
Foxconn, the world's leading electronics manufacturer, is set to build a new business headquarters in Zhengzhou, central China, in a move the Taiwan company described as "a crucial step" in expanding its presence on the mainland market.

Analysts say the decision highlights Foxconn's commitment to investing in the mainland, despite rising global trade protectionism and "decoupling" and "de-risking" rhetoric ratcheted up by certain Western politicians.

The tech giant recently won a bid for a 2.84-hectare plot at 150 million yuan (about 21.07 million U.S. dollars) in the Zhengdong new district in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province, where it plans to build a headquarters focusing on key technology sectors, according to the Zhengzhou Public Resources Trading Center in a recent statement.

This initiative aligns with Foxconn's "3+3" strategy targeting electric vehicles, digital health and robotics, along with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and next-generation communication, the company said.

Foxconn's planned headquarters will feature a construction area of approximately 70,000 square meters in its first phase, with an investment of 1 billion yuan. The company has not yet provided a groundbreaking date.

In a speech at the unveiling ceremony for the new business headquarters in April 2023, Chairman Young Liu emphasized that the headquarters will mark the beginning of a new journey for Foxconn's strategic industry development on the mainland, and the company's new businesses are both a response to global market trends and an embrace of the latest wave in technological advancement.

Henan's favorable infrastructure and business environment, as well as the collaborative relationship between Foxconn and the local governments, were pivotal factors in the decision to locate the headquarters there, Liu noted.

Between February and April 2023, Liu visited Henan three times, pledging to "build a new Foxconn" in the province. In July this year, the company signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Henan provincial government to accelerate projects related to new business ventures.

Per the deal, Foxconn plans to leverage its expertise in smart manufacturing, along with its global technological capabilities and supply chain resources, to advance projects in the new energy vehicle, energy storage battery, digital healthcare and robotics industries.

Construction of a trial manufacturing center for new energy vehicles has started at Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, with operations expected to commence by the end of the year.

Foxconn's increased investment in Henan and its focus on future industries represent a win-win approach, said He Liang, an official with Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone.

"We will continue to provide quality service and foster a first-rate business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized," He added.

Henan and Foxconn share a deep bond.

Foxconn, the principal assembler of Apple iPhones, established operations in the inland province in 2010. By the end of 2023, its Zhengzhou factory spanned around 2.8 million square meters and had recorded 12 consecutive years of growth in industrial output. Over the years, Foxconn has further expanded its footprint across Henan, setting up facilities in cities such as Jiyuan, Hebi and Zhoukou.

The cooperation has also transformed Henan's economy, turning the province into a global hub for intelligent terminal manufacturing. From 2016 to 2020 alone, the Zhengzhou factory attracted over 200 related supply chain enterprises to the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, with total investments exceeding 300 billion yuan, according to the zone administration.

Analysts view Foxconn's moves as part of a broader bet on emerging industries, such as new energy vehicles, solid-state batteries, robotics, AI and semiconductors -- sectors that are likely to shape the future of global manufacturing.

Song Xiangqing, deputy head of the Commerce Economy Association of China, noted that the company's increased investment in Henan underscores the opportunities created by the digital economy and technological progress on the mainland, as well as the resilience of its industrial chain and its shift toward high-quality manufacturing.

The world's second-largest economy has been steadfastly expanding its institutional opening-up in recent decades, rolling out various policies aimed at achieving high-quality development and offering the rest of the world new growth momentum and opportunities.

At its third plenum, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China renewed the country's commitment to the basic state policy of opening to the outside world and continuing to promote reform through opening-up.

The commitment to an open economy, paired with its massive domestic market, presents significant opportunities for companies that are aiming to scale up operations in China despite global headwinds.

In May, U.S. carmaker Tesla began construction on a mega factory in Shanghai to manufacture its energy-storage batteries. In his recent visit to China, Apple CEO Tim Cook also reaffirmed the company's investment commitment in the country.
The launch ceremony of the White Paper on the Intelligently Interconnected Digital Economy is held in Beijing, Nov. 3, 2024. [Photo courtesy of WIOTC]

The ninth annual World Internet of Things Convention (WIOTC 2024) commenced on Nov. 3, in Beijing, bringing together leaders of government agencies, enterprises, industrial associations and standards organizations worldwide to discuss the future of the Internet of Things (IoT) under the theme, "Towards a New Future for Digital Economy: An Intelligently Interconnected New World."



The aim of the event was to support the U.N. sustainable development agenda, bridge the global digital divide, create an international model of an intelligently interconnected digital economy in China, and explore new pathways for digital economic collaboration.

In his message to the convention, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the transformative impact of digital technology on business and economic growth. He emphasized that "real-time data sharing, IoT applications, information networking, and artificial intelligence are empowering the development of smart grids, smart homes and smart cities."

However, he noted the digital divide, saying: "Not all countries or communities are benefiting equally. For those without capacity or connectivity, the digital divide is also an opportunity divide."

"Digital technology is about bridging divides," he added, calling for efforts to ensure evolving technologies benefit all people equally.

During the convention, speakers noted China's significant strides in IoT and digital economy innovation, underscoring the country's investments in digital infrastructure and supportive government initiatives that have positioned it as a global leader in these fields.

According to He Xuming, chairman of the WIOTC executive committee, the number of global IoT connections is expected to surpass 25 billion this year, with China playing a crucial role. The country's digital infrastructure is expanding significantly. It is on track to build over 4.3 million 5G base stations to support IoT this year and surpass 3 billion IoT connections, he said.

Yu Hongjun, former vice minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), added that in recent years, China has actively promoted the innovation and development of the internet and digital economy. He said, "The establishment of foundational communication networks, the widespread application of 5G, and the development of 6G have laid a solid foundation for digital economic transformation and upgrading."

The country's strategic initiatives proposed during the 20th CPC National Congress, focusing on building a strong digital China and a smart society, were further reinforced by the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. The resolution emphasized "improving the commodity distribution system, and speeding up the development of the Internet of Things."

"China's leadership in advancing digital innovation and IoT continues to serve as a powerful model, inspiring nations worldwide to embrace the possibilities of digital technologies," said Sinisa Berjan, ambassador of the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina to China.

The ambassador also stressed the shared responsibility to ensure that the advantages of digital transformation are distributed equally, calling for a world where technology can support an inclusive digital landscape that benefits all.

Berjan called IoT a "critical driver of digital development," explaining it has the potential to revolutionize key sectors like health care, agriculture, energy and transportation. "IoT enhances productivity, optimizes resource use and empowers communities, ensuring that economic progress aligns with environmental stewardship," he added.

However, Berjan stressed the need for strong international cooperation to fully unlock these benefits. He called for the sharing of best practices, the development of unified standards, and mutual support among countries to help every nation tap into the potential of IoT.

Platforms like the WIOTC provide invaluable opportunities for such exchanges, fostering a spirit of collaboration that fuels progress, innovation and economic development, he said, adding that "together, we can lay the foundation for a future where the benefits of digital transformation reach every community and individual."

Leaders from major standardization bodies also underscored the importance of collaboration. Jo Cops, president of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), emphasized that, given the current environmental challenges, "IoT supports the energy transition and the deployment of renewables through smart grid applications." He added, "To meet our common challenges and goals, we need to collaborate."

Similarly, Sung Hwan Cho, president of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), advocated for an inclusive digital future, saying, "It is crucial that this progress actually supports the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and bridges the digital divide."

At the convention, the WIOTC released the White Paper on the Intelligently Interconnected Digital Economy. Zhang Hua, vice chairman of the WIOTC executive committee, explained that the white paper outlines the innovative development direction and theoretical foundation of the global IoT digital economy, including concepts, advanced digital economy models, global market structures, and sustainable development pathways.

The white paper provides expert guidance for global governments on internet development and digital economy upgrades, and serves as a reference for enterprises aiming to transform and enhance their data applications, Zhang said.
Buyers select massage machines at the 136th China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 136th Canton Fair, officially known as the China Import and Export Fair, concluded on Monday in Guangzhou, south China, recording a historic high in terms of overseas buyer attendance, according to data from the organizers.

As of Sunday, a total of 253,000 overseas buyers from 214 countries and regions had attended the event, marking an increase of 2.8 percent compared to the previous edition held from April 15 to May 5 this year, setting a new record, Zhou Shanqing, deputy director of China Foreign Trade Center and head of the fair's media center, told a press conference held on Monday.

Buyers from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) accounted for over 60 percent of the attendance. The number of buyers from Middle East countries grew the most, reaching 34,000 or a surge of 32.6 percent compared with the previous edition. There was also a notable rise in the number of buyers from the United States and European countries, with 54,000 attending, an 8.2-percent increase from the previous edition.

The intended turnover of export transactions at this session reached 24.95 billion U.S. dollars, 1 percent higher than the previous session. Notably, transactions with Belt and Road partner countries accounted for more than half of this total, while transaction volumes involving buyers from Europe and the United States both logged growth.

Yang Zhusong, an associate professor at the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, said that the growing number of exhibitors at the fair is a microcosm of China's influence in global import and export trade.

The increase in buyer attendance from Europe and the United States is attributable not merely to their confidence in China's huge market potential but also to China's efficient manufacturing prowess, which provides a complete industrial chain of services, Yang said.

The attendance of increasing number of enterprises from Belt and Road partner countries indicates that China's cooperation with these countries is pragmatic and the benefits are mutual, according to Yang.

Christian Noll, a buyer from Germany, was still busy on the last day of the fair. Focused mainly on garments, he browsed some booths and settled on a cooperation plan with a partner from Fuzhou in east China's Fujian Province.

"It is the biggest trade show I've ever seen. Normally trade shows happen every two years or at most once a year, to allow companies to innovate in between. This show occurs twice a year and each time the size is amazing, and there is a lot of new stuff. This is the coolest show on the planet," said Noll.

Having attended the fair for four consecutive years, Moulay Elkamel, a buyer from Morocco, described his latest trip to China as "beyond delightful."

"I've met great friends and partners and have seen many interesting products. It's a pity the fair only lasts for half a month. I plan to come back for the show next year in April. There are already some orders ready for settlement," Elkamel said.

Themed "Serving high-quality development, promoting high-level opening up," the 136th Canton Fair featured more than 30,000 exhibitors showcasing 1.15 million new products.

Yang said international buyers are leveraging the Canton Fair as a platform to forge deeper, more mutually advantageous and promising partnerships with Chinese companies.

The continuous development of "Made in China" and "Created in China" is also injecting fresh impetus into the growth of global industrial and supply chains, Yang added.

Chu Shijia, deputy director and secretary general of the fair and head of China Foreign Trade Center, said that the continuous expansion of the Canton Fair reflects the growth and strength of China's foreign trade, and demonstrates China's unwavering determination to open wider to the outside world, providing new opportunities for the world with the country's new development and contributing to the development of an open global economy.

Founded in 1957, the Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province. It is the longest-running of several comprehensive international trading events in China, and is hailed as the barometer of China's foreign trade.
It started, like many storms, with palm trees waving in the wind.



You can still catch glimpses of these images in the gray and white swaths that populate the collage titled Storm (how to imagine the tropicalia as monumental  as in a memory that cuts like rivers.)

The piece is part of the exhibit Come Ruin or Rapture by multidisciplinary artist La Vaughn Belle, on display at the Michael C. Carlos Museum through Dec. 8.

In 2016, I was thinking about how the Caribbean is often represented, says Belle, who lives in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Its often through a landscape thats seemingly pristine and virginal, this image of paradise.

But paradise is not a full or realistic depiction of the regions daily life or its history. She found herself drawing charcoal images of palm trees, that iconic image of the Caribbean. Only these trees were caught in a perpetual storm.

It was a way to consider what it feels like to be in a colonized space, says Belle. Youre in kind of a constant storm. In this way, she adds, the trees also reference the Black body as something thats always bending, immutable, but not breaking.

And so, she drew. Tree after tree, in storm after two-dimensional storm.

Then the real storms hit.

In quick succession, Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the Caribbean in 2017, damaging Belles studio, including her collection of paper, even paper shed secured in plastic.

A few years later, when I tried to use it, it was brittle, and I was surprised! she recalls. But in this place, everything absorbs the storm.

Realizing it had been transformed into an artifact from the hurricanes, Belle went on to use the brittle, breaking paper to draw more storm trees, incorporating swaths of those drawings into larger works to play with a larger aesthetic of ruin. The result was the collage series Storm (How to imagine the tropicalia as monumental).

The opportunity to have La Vaughn Belles work here at Emory is very special, says curator Clinton Fluker, senior director of culture, community and partner engagement with the Carlos Museum and Emory Libraries. Shes not dictating ideas, but she is starting conversations through her themes. Fluker curated Come Ruin or Rapture, which has a counterpart exhibit at Clark-Atlanta University. Both were part of the dECOlonial Feelin symposium earlier this year.

The shape and colors of life

This piece, she says, of the collage pictured above, is where I really started incorporating color.

First, she worked in a very minimal burnt sienna. And then I just started really exploring.

When I look at this now, I see the insides of conch shells, she says. I see flesh tones. I see sunset colors, sunrise colors and maybe, like, the inside of a plant, these beautiful greens with a little purple.

Then, theres the shape. This one has these tendrils, says Belle. It almost feels like its scampering, like its moving.

What animal is this colorful beast? None. Or all, says Belle.

I mean, it could be everything, from a crab to an octopus, right? Its all of the creatures together. Or its its own creature, pulling from the aesthetics of every other creature, including humans.

Cuts and burns

Then there are the ribbons of white paper dotted with intricate lines of brown dashes that loop their way through Storm.

Its a part of the story that starts, not with wind and waves, but with flames.

On the island of St. Croix, she notes, historic buildings from the 18th century stand side-by-side with newer architecture. One reason is that rebelling laborers set fires during events like the uprising of 1878, an event known locally as Fireburn.

The concentric patterns of burned-out cuts that weave through these pieces echo the marks of rebellion, as Belle puts it, calling to mind the farming tools used by laborers as weapons: the cane bill. The machete. The cutlass.

In many of our colonial archives, says Belle, this resistance history isnt there. I wanted to try to capture it.

New maps

A few years ago, Belle took her family to Denmark, which colonized the Virgin Islands for more than two centuries. As tourists, she says they came across this huge, really large map of the world. Like most people do, Belle and her children immediately went to their part of the world, searching the map for home.

But the Virgin Islands werent even marked, she says.

And I think a lot of my work has also been about making visible both my own history and this larger history. Im almost creating new maps, another kind of map.

Come Ruin or Rapture is about more than just extremes. Its about the indomitable human spirit, she says. Like: Here we are, and were going to keep being.

Like that palm tree bending in the breeze.
This fall, Oxford College launched the Impact Lab, an initiative offering students hands-on engagement with real-world industry professionals. Unlike a typical academic college course, the one-hour credit program takes place at the Center for Pathways and Purpose, a hub designed for student exploration and experiential learning, which opened in March.

Its a very informal, neutral space that isnt going to give a vibe of assessment all the time, and I think thats a unique quality of the program, says Bridgette Gunnels, associate dean and director of the Center for Pathways and Purpose.

The program aims to put students in direct contact with active industry professionals to help answer personal questions concerning their future. This semester, the lab focuses on film, media and business, with industry experts Scott Garner and Lea-Anne Jackson  both Oxford and Emory alums  serving as Impact Lab professionals-in-residence.

The Impact Lab course consists of eight weekly meetings with the professionals-in-residence, three debriefing meetings with Gunnels and four off-campus experiential practicums led by the professionals-in-residence.

The offsite practicums are a unique feature and offer students real-life exposure to what a work day might be like in a specific industry. This semesters cohort visited Tyler Perry Studios and Cinelease Studios  Three Ring.

This program offers an innovative approach to mentor/mentee relationships, where students are in direct contact with and work alongside industry professionals.

It's not about performing and producing, Gunnels says. Its meant to be a hybrid, neutral space where external individuals are interacting with our students in an industry-specific context.

Moreover, the program encourages students to ask questions, and without the added pressure of being graded and evaluated on performance, discussions can be more open.

They ask real questions and they get real answers, Gunnels says. Theyre not afraid of asking what many fear is a dumb question. At the Impact Lab, no question is off the table.

Gunnels says that Impact Labs immersive model allows participants to get to know and learn from the professionals-in-residence.

It gives students a chance to interact with these professionals in a space that is not just a drop-in environment or one where they dont have a chance to deeply engage, says Gunnels.

A key element of the program is reducing the stigma around failure and setbacks. Industry professionals share real-life stories of how they navigate and overcome obstacles. Many of our students struggle when they encounter failure, says Gunnels. The Impact Lab encourages students to reframe their mindset when facing struggles and view it as practice for success.

The Impact Lab connects with faculty each semester, building intentional connections between academic programs and the Impact Lab focus.

The program also engages with the alumni network to serve as professionals-in-residence, allowing alums to contribute their time and see immediate connections with students. On the student side, it makes these professionals more relatable.

Although this is the programs pilot semester, it has already received great feedback from currently enrolled students and garnered the interest of others.

Our early data indicates the Impact Lab is showing signs of deep success already, Gunnels says. I feel like thats going to solidify quite well.

Next semester, the Impact Lab will focus on pathways in medicine, medical-affiliated careers and the business of medicine.
PRNewswire Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], November 5: Think41, a next-generation Generative AI (GenAI) services company, officially launches today with a bold mission: to harness AI's transformative power to drive innovation, scale, and efficiency for enterprises worldwide. Founded by serial entrepreneurs and former Deloitte Managing Directors--Anshuman Singh, Harshit Singhal, Himanshu Varshney, and Sripathi Krishnan--who are also the visionary minds behind HashedIn (acquired by Deloitte LLP)--Think41 unites decades of expertise in cloud-native solutions and AI-driven transformations for Fortune 500 clients. With the GenAI landscape evolving at unprecedented speed, Think41 is setting a new standard in enterprise software development and digital transformation. By embedding AI across workflows, Think41 empowers businesses to automate processes, optimize operations, and bring innovative ideas to market. Committed to delivering secure, high-quality, and scalable AI solutions, Think41 ensures each implementation is practical, sustainable, and cost-effective. 'Born in GenAI': Rethinking Software Development As a company 'Born in GenAI', Think41 brings an inherently AI-centric mindset to reimagining the future of software and enterprise operations. This philosophy underpins every service and solution, from conversational AI for recruitment to fully optimized workflows in software engineering. By continuously innovating with AI at the core, Think41 drives remarkable gains in efficiency and productivity for its clients. A key pillar of Think41's approach is its Autopods--agile, AI-driven engineering pods that leverage Dev41 Platform, Think41's proprietary AI platform. These Autopods operate with speed and precision, fast-tracking projects from concept to completion. By automating critical engineering tasks, Think41's Autopods enable clients to reach the market faster, delivering high-impact results that set them apart in a competitive GenAI services landscape. Rising Demand for Conversational AI and Process Automation Think41 is seeing growing demand for conversational intelligence and business automation solutions. Organizations are increasingly seeking innovative ways to enhance customer experiences, streamline internal communications, and boost operational efficiency. "We're witnessing a surge in interest for conversational AI use cases like AI-powered learning systems, sales support tools, and workplace automation," said Himanshu Varshney, Co-Founder of Think41. "Enterprises want to automate and transform their standard processes, and we're here to help them achieve substantial gains in efficiency and performance." With deep expertise in these areas, Think41 is well-positioned as a trusted partner for enterprises aiming to capitalize on the latest AI innovations. A Future-Forward Vision: Driving Enterprise Innovation As AI adoption accelerates across industries, companies are discovering its power to drive efficiency, innovation, and growth. Think41's full-stack GenAI services equip enterprises to harness this technology, rapidly innovate, and stay competitive in the AI revolution. About Think41 Think41 is a full-stack Generative AI services company dedicated to enterprise transformation through AI. Founded by a team of experienced industry leaders, Think41 focuses on helping organizations integrate AI to streamline operations, innovate at scale, and improve business processes. For more information, visit www.think41.com. Contact:Think41Email: contact@think41.com Website: www.think41.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
BusinessWire India Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], November 5: Simplilearn, a world leader in digital upskilling, is excited to announce its latest initiative, "Mission: AI Ready!" to upskill 100,000+ alumni in generative AI by the end of FY25 - A reinforcement to Simplilearn's commitment to addressing the evolving needs of the workforce and ensuring that its alumni remain competitive in the rapidly advancing tech landscape. As part of this initiative, its specific generative AI programs* will be available to the alumni with scholarships of up to 50 per cent of the program's tuition fee. The demand for GenAI courses in India has increased by 195 per cent in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023, scaled to 3x over last year. Over the past year alone, we have seen over 300,000 professionals enrolled in GenAI through our various programs. According to McKinsey, generative AI has substantial economic potential, with estimates suggesting it could contribute an additional USD 2.6 trillion to USD 4.4 trillion annually to the global economy by 2030. This growth will create numerous jobs across various sectors, particularly technology, healthcare, finance, and customer service. Generative AI is reshaping industries and disrupting traditional roles. Recently, Simplilearn launched specialized programs customized to various AI and data science career paths - Applied GenAI Specialization, GenAI and Business Transformation, and No-Code AI and Machine Learning. These programs were created with leading academic and industry partners such as Purdue University, and major tech companies like Microsoft and AWS. The Applied GenAI Specialization program is designed for tech enthusiasts seeking advanced skills in Large Language Models (LLMs) and their applications. For those inclined toward business roles, the GenAI and Business Transformation program focuses on leveraging generative AI for business processes, including prompt engineering and workflow automation. Meanwhile, the No-Code AI and Machine Learning program caters to data professionals who prefer to work with the latest no-code tools for model deployment and optimization. To ensure GenAI readiness, Simplilearn alumni are eligible for exclusive scholarships from this pool. "The growth of GenAI is visible all around us, and across workplaces, business applications, processes, and job roles are being redefined. In our assessment, almost all professionals will need to upskill in GenAI to stay relevant and use this technology to innovate. We are committed to the career success of our alumni worldwide, and this initiative is our way of ensuring they get skilled in GenAI and benefit from these changes rather than facing any challenges," said Kashyap Dalal, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Simplilearn. *Only specific GenAI programs and not all AIML programs - T&C apply (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 5: HDFC SKY, a leading discount brokerage platform, announced that it has slashed the brokerage on purchase of ETFs through the platform to Zero. The initiative is expected to enhance retail investment opportunities for both new and existing clients of HDFC SKY. This forward-thinking approach aims to empower investors and democratize access to financial markets. In an era where every basis point matters, especially for retail investors, HDFC SKY's move to eliminate brokerage fees on ETF transactions marks a significant milestone. This initiative is designed to encourage more individuals to participate in the stock market by making it more cost-effective to invest in diversified portfolios. ETFs are increasingly recognized as an ideal investment vehicle, offering the benefits of diversification, liquidity, cost-effectiveness, tax-efficiency, and transparency. However, traditional brokerage fees can deter retail investors from maximizing their portfolio potential. With HDFC SKY's zero brokerage offering, investors can now execute their investments in ETFs without worrying about additional costs, allowing them to focus on their investment strategies. Key highlights of the initiative: * Research-Backed Offerings: HDFC SKY provides access to meticulously researched ETFs options, ensuring that investors can select funds that align with their financial goals and risk tolerance. * Cost-Effective Investing: Investors can buy and sell ETFs without any brokerage fees, significantly enhancing their potential returns. Additionally, ETFs generally enjoy lower expense ratios and do not attract sales loads. * User-Friendly Platform: HDFC SKY's intuitive platform makes it easier than ever for users to invest in a wide range of ETFs, with streamlined processes for trade execution. * Diverse ETF Offerings: The platform will feature all the ETFs covering various sectors and indices, providing investors with ample opportunities to diversify their portfolios. Additionally, the platform will also share research-backed ETF suggestions for investors to consider investments towards. * Educational Support: To further support retail investors, HDFC SKY will provide educational resources and market insights to help them make informed investment decisions through its SKY Learn investor education platform. "The zero-brokerage option is effective immediately and is expected to attract a wide range of investors, from new to seasoned market participants looking for cost-efficient and well researched options to invest and grow their wealth. We believe that investing should be accessible to everyone, and the launch of zero brokerage on ETFs transactions is a testament to our commitment to empowering retail investors," said Sandiip Bhardwaj, COO & CDO, HDFC Securities. "By removing the barriers of cost, we aim to foster a culture of smart investing and financial literacy among the masses." Furthermore, HDFC SKY also allows easy access to its educational resources through its educational platform namely SKY Learn, which offers resources such as webinars, articles, and tutorials that help investors understand market analysis, stock selection, and the benefits of research-backed investing. By integrating research-backed investing, HDFC SKY allows investors to make more informed decisions. HDFC SKY provides comprehensive support and education to ensure clients make the most of the Stock SIP feature. HDFC SKY - https://hdfcsky.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
A draft energy law was submitted to an ongoing session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee for a third deliberation on Monday.

To ensure energy security and green and low-carbon transition, the latest version adds a provision that says the country shall establish and improve an energy standard system to ensure energy security and green and low-carbon transition, and promote the development of new energy technologies, industries and business forms.

Modifications were made in the latest version submitted for the third deliberation after the second deliberation was made in September this year.

The version for the second deliberation stipulates that China will accelerate building a new type of power system and improve the grid's ability to accept, allocate and regulate clean energy.

Some lawmakers proposed that clean energy includes renewable energy and nuclear energy. Nuclear energy generation is more stable and different from renewable energy generation such as wind and solar energy. They proposed to modify "clean energy" to "renewable energy."

The latest version covers more detailed provisions on the responsibilities of energy enterprises to secure adequate supply and adds a provision that energy enterprises "shall not collect fees illegally."

It adds a provision that the energy regulatory authority of the State Council, together with other departments of the State Council, shall strengthen guidance and coordination on energy emergency work across provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.
The government has commenced Phase - II of the retail sale of Bharat brand atta and rice by flagging off mobile vans of agencies NCCF, NAFED and Kendriya Bhandar on Tuesday. Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi flagged off the vans. Bharat Atta at an MRP of Rs 30 per kg and Bharat Rice at an MRP of Rs 34 per kg is being made available to consumers during Phase II. While interacting with media persons during the event, Joshi stated that the initiative is his government's commitment towards ensuring the availability of essential food items to consumers at subsidized prices. Direct interventions through retail sale of basic food items under Bharat Brand such as rice, atta and dal have helped in maintaining stable price regime, he added. In the initial stage of Phase - II, 3.69 lakh tonnes of Wheat and 2.91 LMT of Rice are made available for retail sale. During Phase - I, around 15.20 LMT of Bharat Atta and 14.58 LMT of Bharat Rice were made available. "Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice will be available at stores and mobile vans of Kendriya Bhandar, NAFED and NCCF and e-commerce /big chain retailers. During the Phase II. 'Bharat' brand Atta and Rice will be sold in 5 Kg and 10 Kg bags," the government said in a statement. Updating on procurement of kharif paddy in Punjab, the Union Minister reiterated the commitment to achieve the targeted procurement estimate of 184 lakh tonne in Punjab and procure every single grain brought to mandis by the farmers. As of November 4, a total quantity of 104.63 LMT of paddy has arrived in the Punjab mandis out of which 98.42 LMT had been procured by state agencies and FCI. The paddy is being purchased at MSP of Rs 2320. The total paddy purchased by the Government of India till date in the ongoing Kharif marketing season 2024-25, amounts to Rs 20,557 Crores. (ANI)
IDFC FIRST Bank on Tuesday launched the real-time tracking for international money transfers, the bank stated in an official statement. The bank also noted that it has become the first bank in India to offer a real-time tracking service, in association with Swift, for money sent abroad. As per the statement by bank, this new feature, powered by the SWIFT Global Payments Innovation (GPI) platform, allows customers to track overseas payments through the bank's mobile app and internet banking platforms. It noted that traditionally, Indian customers have become accustomed to instant status updates and tracking for digital payments within the country, thanks to platforms like UPI and IMPS. However, a similar experience for international transfers has been missing. This feature enables customers to track the exact status of funds being transferred abroad, offering transparency and peace of mind. "The introduction of Swift GPI services is a reflection of our dedication to embracing advanced technologies and transforming the banking industry. With real-time tracking, we are empowering our customers to have complete visibility of their cross-border transactions, ensuring enhanced convenience and satisfaction" said Chinmay Dhoble, Head Retail Liabilities & Branch Banking. The new tracking service is particularly useful under the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), which allows resident individuals to send money abroad for a variety of purposes, including family maintenance, education, medical expenses, and investments in property or equities. The bank stated that the Non-resident Indians (NRIs) can also transfer funds overseas from their NRO/NRE accounts through IDFC FIRST Bank's digital platforms. Using the SWIFT GPI plugin, the bank customers can see if their funds are in transit, credited to the recipient bank, or if an issue has occurred, such as incomplete or incorrect recipient information. This detailed tracking helps customers take quick action if needed to resolve any issues, making cross-border payments more efficient and secure. As a complimentary service through the "Pay Abroad" feature, the Bank offers this 24/7 tracking tool without any processing charges, setting a new standard for banking convenience in India. "With this, the bank will now be able to provide near real-time tracking of payments to its customers. We launched GPI in 2017 to improve customer experience in cross-border payments by increasing speed and transparency, while providing end-to-end traceability of cross-border payments" said Kiran Shetty, Chief Executive Officer and Regional Head at Swift. This development highlights the new benchmark in India's banking sector for transparency and efficiency in cross-border payments. (ANI)
PNN Pune (Maharashtra) [India] November 5: Ceratec Group and Chaitanya developers announces the launch of the iconic Tower 108, a premium commercial project located in the bustling heart of Balewadi, Pune. This modern marvel, standing at an impressive 108 meters, redefines the city's skyline and is set to become a prime destination for businesses aiming to establish a strong foothold in Pune's growing commercial landscape. Tower 108 stands as a beacon of innovation and success, offering state-of-the-art office and showroom spaces tailored for the needs of modern businesses. Strategically located on Balewadi Road, opposite Moze College, and within close proximity to the Pune-Bangalore Expressway and Balewadi Stadium, the tower provides excellent connectivity to key parts of the city, including Hinjewadi, Pune University, and Shivaji Nagar. With more than 4 Lac square feet of premier commercial space, Tower 108 is designed to inspire productivity and collaboration among businesses. The tower features 26 floors of premium office spaces, housing over 450 office units. Showroom spaces range from 2,400 sq. ft. to 2,600 sq. ft., and there are 7 floors dedicated solely to parking, offering both valet and two-wheeler parking facilities. Additionally, its location offers excellent accessibility, with the upcoming metro station only 150 meters away, and the Mumbai-Bangalore Expressway just 400 meters from the site. Sustainability is a core element of Tower 108's design. The building boasts energy-efficient infrastructure such as LED lighting, rainwater harvesting systems, Wi-Fi connectivity, and high-speed elevators. Security is paramount, with comprehensive CCTV surveillance, manned security, and controlled entry and exit points ensuring a safe environment for all tenants and visitors. The 108 Tower caters to a range of business needs, with office spaces ranging from 550 sq. ft. to 1,500 sq. ft., and lease assistance available for prospective buyers. For larger enterprises, a sprawling 13,000 square feet office space is available, alongside four expansive showroom spaces. Premium amenities such as a grand lobby, conference rooms, yoga room, and recreational areas spread across 17,500 sq. ft.--including a movie theater, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, and indoor games facilities--provide a harmonious blend of work and leisure, offering a balanced work-life experience. "The Tower 108 is more than just a building; it's a vision for the future of work and business. We've designed this space keeping modern professionals in mind, ensuring it's not only functional but also a place of inspiration and creativity," said Anand Agarwal, Managing Director, Ceratec Group. With over 25 years of expertise in Pune's real estate sector, Ceratec Group is celebrated for its dedication to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Since its founding in 2000, the group has established itself as a leader in developing lifestyle spaces that cater to a variety of budgets. Through its extensive portfolio of residential complexes, commercial spaces, and mixed-use developments, Ceratec continues to deliver value-driven solutions for its customers. Tower 108 is a testament to Ceratec's and Chaitanya Developers commitment to crafting spaces that meet the dynamic needs of a growing city like Pune. For more information on Tower 108, visit ceratecgroup.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
In a roller-coaster ride, stock indices in India swung between red and green on Tuesday's session. Sensex finally closed the day at 79,476.63 points, up 694.39 points or 0.88 per cent, 24,213.30 points, up 217.95 points or 0.91 per cent. Benchmark Sensex is however some distance behind its all-time high of 85,978 points. Nifty Bank, Financial Services, Metal, PSU Bank, and Private Bank were the top movers, NSE data showed. In a highly volatile trade yesterday, Indian stock indices hovered substantially lower, largely due to sustained selling by foreign portfolio investors. At one point during the session, Sensex was about 1,500 points lower, but it was able to pare some of the losses later. Foreign fund outflows have been a concern over the past month. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold stocks worth Rs 94,017 crore in India through October, suppressing the stock market's overall performance. In the process, they became net sellers in India, after having remained buyers for four months. Important to mention is that the total stocks they sold in India in October were the highest-ever in a month, National Securities Depository Limited data showed. "It is important to understand that India's underperformance is striking: while S&P 500 is up 20.45 per cent YTD Nifty is up by only 10.36 per cent YTD. Clearly, domestic issues are weighing on markets. With two thirds of Nifty 50 companies missing their earnings estimates in Q2, Nifty 50 earnings for FY25 has been drastically revised down to less than 10 per cent from the consensus 15 per cent earlier," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services. "With this kind of earnings downgrade it would be difficult to sustain the current valuation. This is the rationale of the relentless FII selling which might continue for some more time," said Vijayakumar. Going ahead, investors, both in India and across the world, will be looking at the US election of November 5, being closely contested between the presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, and the US Fed monetary policy meeting Thursday. Also, earnings of India Inc. will be on the radar. (ANI)
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 5: In an inspiring celebration of beauty, talent, and empowerment, Sakshi Gupta has been crowned Mrs. India International Summit 2024 at the esteemed Mrs. India Inc 2024 Season 5 competition. Sakshi, hailing from Bangalore, will proudly represent India at the upcoming Mrs. International Summit. Sakshi's remarkable journey from a corporate professional to a celebrated makeup artist, model, and content creator exemplifies her multifaceted talents and dedication. She is also a trained belly dancer, showcasing her passion for the arts and creativity. Driven by kindness and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Sakshi believes in the power of continuous learning and personal growth. "I am incredibly honoured to receive this title," Sakshi expressed. "This journey is not just about winning; it's about connecting with others and making a positive impact in their lives. I hope to inspire women everywhere to embrace their unique journeys and pursue their passions wholeheartedly." The grand finale was a breathtaking event that highlighted the stories and talents of remarkable women from across India. The panel of judges, comprising distinguished figures from various industries, praised Sakshi's authenticity, grace, and commitment to uplifting others. The National Director of Mrs. India Inc, Mohini Sharma, applauded Sakshi on her achievement, stating, "Sakshi embodies the essence of empowerment and resilience. Her journey is a testament to the incredible potential within every woman, and we are excited to see her shine on the international stage at the Mrs. International Summit." As Mrs. India International Summit 2024, Sakshi Gupta is eager to leverage her platform to advocate for kindness, creativity, and the importance of self-expression. She looks forward to representing India with pride and making meaningful connections around the world. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
ESG reporting is a way for companies to disclose information about their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.

To address the rising demand for ESG, Resurgent India founded its arm RESPL to provide businesses with customised ESG ratings.

ESG ratings are indicators of long-term sustainability and ethical business practices.

The subsidiary RESPL provides an extensive range of services, including establishing strong ESG governance frameworks, due diligence, sustainable finance strategy guidance, specialised Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plans, and specialised training.

RESPL projects onboarding a total of 20 clients within nine months of its operations in the fiscal year 2024-2025. It asserts that this number is expected to grow to 48 in the fiscal year 2025-2026 and further to 72 by 2026-2027.

RESPL said it plans to hire five more staff members in the fiscal year 2024-2025, increasing the total number of employees to seven from the current two.

Jyoti Prakash Gadia, Managing Director of Resurgent India Ltd, expressing his optimism, said, "ESG is no longer just about compliance; it's a pathway to long-term economic prosperity."

"Stronger ESG ratings put a company in a better position to draw capital, run more efficiently, and support the economy's sustainability as a whole. In the end, their proactive approach to controlling ESG risks would promote stability and growth in the Indian financial markets," said the Managing Director.

The increasing emphasis on ESG transformation across the globe has led to development of ESG regulations and standards. In India, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), among others, have adopted global standards and laid down several guidelines and regulations specific to the Indian market. Companies must comply with ESG regulations based on the jurisdiction in which they operate. (ANI)
The Directorate of Enforcement's Lucknow Zonal Office has provisionally attached 86 land parcels (73.34 hectares) worth Rs 31.94 crore belonging to Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Limited in Lakshmi Cotsyn Bank fraud case under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. According to the ED, immovable properties attached are situated at Bhatapara and Baloda Bazar, Chhattisgarh and are in the form of agricultural land parcels. All these properties are registered either in the name of the company or trusted employees and other gullible persons, the central agency said. ED had initiated investigations based on FIR registered by AC-V, CBI, New Delhi under various sections of IPC, 1860 and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 based on a written complaint dated June 1, 2021, received from a senior Central Bank of India official against Lakshmi Cotsyn Limited having registered office at 19/X- 1, Krishna Puram, GT Road, Kanpur 208007 (U.P); Mata Prasad Agarwal, Chairman cum Managing Director M/s Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd; Pawan Kumar Agarwal, Jt. Managing Director M/s Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd; Devesh Narain Gupta, Dy. Managing Director M/s Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd; Sharda Agarwal, Director M/s Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd; unknown public servants and private persons. It was alleged that the company committed cheating, criminal breach of trust, criminal, conspiracy, forgery, falsification of accounts and criminal misconduct for diversion/misappropriation of the public money during the period from 2010 to 2018. ED investigation revealed that the accused company M/s Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd approached the consortium of 23 banks wherein the Central Bank of India is the consortium leader, for financial assistance for manufacturing of blended suiting and shirting, quilted fabrics, denim fabrics, technical textile fabrics. Due to non-adherence to financial discipline, the accounts were classified as Non-Performing Asset (NPA) by the complainant banks individually as per norms. "It was revealed in the forensic audit that the Accused Company did not comply with the Terms & Conditions of Loan Agreement," ED said. The forensic audit suggested that the company inflated inventory records, improperly organised the auction process, and conducted significant sales with undisclosed related parties, ED alleged. ED alleged that the accused company lacked a formal discount policy but provided significant discounts totaling Rs 207.29 Crore to related parties, potentially undisclosed parties, and customers in different industries, as well as to non-existent customers at the addresses listed on sale invoices. "Advances to suppliers were written off without any supporting documentation, reflecting diversion/siphoning of funds in these transactions," said the ED. The company Shri Laxmi Cotsyn was liquidated under the directions of NCLT and assets worth Rs 265.44 crore approximately were sold by RP to realize the debts. Further, it was found during the investigation that some funds of Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd. were diverted to its other group company Shri Lakshmi Power Ltd. "These funds were further diverted to individual persons through their ICICI bank account at Baloda Bazar and later these funds were utilized for acquiring immovable properties in the form of land in the name of trusted employees of the company and gullible tribal people of Chhattisgarh," ED said. The case involves outstanding loan amount to the tune of Rs 7377 crore which has been already declared fraud by RBI and all assets of the accused company Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn have been liquidated by Resolution Professional appointed by National Company Law Tribunal. (ANI)
The Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale) has revealed that it will be severing ties with the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), marking the end of a 15-year relationship with the service. The iconic festival, which will celebrate its 75th edition from February 13 to 24, 2025, made the announcement on Monday, stating that it would cease its presence on the platform by December 31, 2024. In a brief post shared on its official X account, the Berlinale stated, "The Berlinale has decided to say goodbye to X on Dec 31, 2024. Thank you for following us here all these years. Stay connected with all things Berlinale on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and our website. See you there! #Berlinale." https://x.com/berlinale/status/1853482655423082724? At the time of the announcement, the festival had accumulated 133.9K followers on X, where it had shared updates, news, and announcements about the prestigious event for over a decade. While the Berlinale did not provide an explicit reason for its departure, the decision comes amid growing concerns over the platform's handling of disinformation and the increasing presence of harmful or abusive content since Elon Musk's acquisition of X (then Twitter) in 2022. According to Deadline, since Musk's ownership, the platform has faced widespread criticism for its handling of misinformation, hate speech, and abuse, leading many high-profile users and organizations to reconsider their involvement. Recent weeks have seen Musk actively engage in political discourse, including vocal support for US presidential candidate Donald Trump, which has further polarized opinion about the platform's direction. The decision echoes that of Alberto Barbera, the artistic director of the Venice Film Festival, who similarly announced in 2023 that he would personally be leaving X. As per Deadline, Barbera cited a "weakened desire" to remain on a platform whose goals no longer aligned with his own, though he did not elaborate on specific comments that led to his decision. However, the Venice Biennale, which organizes the Venice Film Festival, continues to maintain a presence on X, despite Barbera's exit from the platform. As part of its continued engagement with audiences, the Berlin Film Festival emphasized that it would maintain its presence on other popular social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and its official website. (ANI)
Manisha Koirala, the iconic actress known for her versatile performances in Bollywood and regional cinema, has had a career that has spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on Indian films. In a candid interview with ANI, she shared insights into her evolution as an actress, the challenges of the industry, and her ongoing mission to live with gratitude and purpose. Looking back at her early years in the industry, Manisha observes a striking difference between actresses of her generation and those in the industry today. "A lot of difference," she said, adding, "Today, the girls are much wiser. They are so sure of what they want out of life. They are more disciplined, focused, and some of them are superbly talented from day one." She acknowledged that her own journey was quite different. "Honestly speaking, I learned on the job," adding, "I became better per film, with the good directors I worked with. I remember during '1942: A Love Story', I learned what good acting was." For Manisha, the learning curve was steep, and her dedication to her craft saw her evolve into one of the finest actresses of her generation. As her career progressed, Manisha found herself facing a common challenge in the film industry--repetitiveness. "I remember waking up one day and saying, 'Oh my God, this is what my life looks like,'" she recalled. The constant grind of shooting multiple films simultaneously left her drained. "I would get up in the morning, spend 2-3 hours in makeup, and work 12-14 hours a day. There were no holidays, no concept of work-life balance," she added. At one point, the exhaustion became overwhelming, and Manisha found herself losing interest in acting. "I was bored of acting. Dimpleji gave me great advice--she told me to enjoy it because it wouldn't last forever. At the time, I didn't understand it, but now I do," the 'Dil Se' actress reflected. The fast-paced and competitive nature of the film industry made it hard for Manisha to form lasting friendships. She admitted that while some relationships in the industry were fleeting, others, like her friendship with actress Deepti Naval, endured. "Friendships in this industry are tough because the span of an actor's career is often short, and you're always competing with others who are equally beautiful and talented," she explained. However, Manisha has always maintained a level of detachment from the pressures of the industry. "I didn't have that drive to be the top heroine. I wasn't driven by insecurity," she said, adding, "My friendships have been through good and bad days, but I believe in honesty and forgiveness. These qualities are essential in any relationship." Throughout her career, Manisha had the privilege of working with some of the most renowned directors in the film industry, including Subhash Ghai, Mani Ratnam, Prakash Jha, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. "I try to mould myself with each director I work with," she said, adding, "A director is the captain of the ship, and I believe in adapting to their vision." While she is willing to bend her own style to meet the director's vision, Manisha is also quick to assess whether a project is in capable hands. "There are times when you know the director is not as skilled, and then you have to bring your own craft to the table," she admitted, adding, "But when you're working with a gifted director, you surrender to their creativity." Outside of her film career, Manisha has also used her platform to raise awareness about pressing social issues. One cause close to her heart is human trafficking, particularly from her home country Nepal. "Poverty, lack of education, and a lack of political will are all contributing factors," she said, adding, "Women are often the most vulnerable, and it's heartbreaking that this issue is still prevalent." Manisha's advocacy for this cause is part of her broader desire to contribute to meaningful change. "We need a societal will to address these issues," she insisted, calling for stronger political action and societal awareness to combat trafficking. At this stage in her life, Manisha's focus is not on career accomplishments, but on inner peace and gratitude. "I want to live with gratitude in my heart," she said with a sense of calm, adding, "I don't want to chart my own path. I want to explore and see what life has in store for me." Her journey has been one of ups and downs, but Manisha has learned to embrace the uncertainties. "It's been a great rollercoaster ride. I'm open to whatever comes my way, but my basic requirements are happiness and health," she stated with serene optimism. Manisha Koirala's career may have been full of challenges, but her resilience, adaptability, and willingness to grow both as an artist and a person have ensured that she remains a beloved figure in the Indian film industry. From battling the repetitive grind of filmmaking to finding strength in difficult friendships and using her voice for causes that matter, Manisha continues to inspire both her fans and peers. Meanwhile, on the work front, Manisha recently made a comeback to acting and is being lauded for her role as Mallika Jaan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut web series 'Heeramandi'. In the show, Manisha shared screen space with Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Aditi Rao Hydari among others. Set against the backdrop of India's struggle for independence in the 1940s, the show explores the lives of courtesans and their patrons, delving into the cultural dynamics of Heera Mandi.(ANI)
Actor Manisha Koirala, who has worked with several established names in the industry, recalled how Bollywood's diva Madhuri Dixit recommended her name to Subhash Ghai for his film 'Saudagar'. In an exclusive conversation with ANI, she remembered sharing screen space with Madhuri in 'Lajja' and how she got 'Saudagar' because of her recommendation. She said, "She is marvellous. I love her. Also, the fact that later on I got to know that she had recommended my name. She had seen me in Rakesh Shrestha's photo shoot. And she had actually told Subhash (Ghai) Ji that I've seen one girl. 'You should see her for 'Saudagar''. That's how Subhash Ji called for my photograph from Rakesh Shrestha." Recalling her experience of working in the Ghai's 1991 film 'Saudagar', she shared, "'Saudagar' was a good experience. I was too young, too naive, right out of my 12th standard. I was 18 or 19 with no exposure to life, no exposure to anything. I was very fearful. I was very scared. I wanted to keep everybody at a distance." Madhuri and Manisha have shared screen space in Rajkumar Santoshi's 2001 film 'Lajja' and danced with her on the iconic track 'Badi Mushkil'. She also talked about being called Madhuri Dixit's look-alike earlier and how she reacted to it initially. Koirala said, " Honestly, those days I wasn't flattered. But today I am. Because she is so beautiful. She is so graceful. And not only that, she is a wonderful woman. As a person, I just love her. And it was quite an honour." Manisha remembered sharing screen space with her in 'Lajja', " By then I had also matured. My eyes had opened and I was seeing my goodness, such a humble person. Super talented and so beautiful." Apart from 'Lajja' and 'Saudagar', Manisha has proved acting talent by working in films such as '1942: A Love Story', 'Bombay', 'Khamoshi: The Musical', 'Gupt', 'Dil Se', and many more. Recently, Manisha was seen as Mallika Jaan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut web series 'Heeramandi'. In the show, Manisha shared screen space with Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Aditi Rao Hydari among others. Set against the backdrop of India's struggle for independence in the 1940s, the show explores the lives of courtesans and their patrons, delving into the cultural dynamics of Heera Mandi. (ANI)
The 2024 Global Forum on Hehe Culture was held in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, on Saturday.



Essam Sharaf (C), former Egyptian prime minister and Orchid Awards recipient, Erik Solheim (R), former U.N. under-secretary-general, and Piet Steel (L), honorary chairman of the Europe-Asia Center and a member of the Board of Directors of Special Olympics, are honored ambassadors of Hehe Culture during a forum in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, on Nov. 2, 2024. [Photo/China.org.cn]



To honor the contributions of those in promoting Chinese cultural values and facilitating cultural exchange, the forum's organizing committee named three distinguished global figures as ambassadors of Hehe Culture. They were Essam Sharaf, former Egyptian prime minister and Orchid Awards recipient, Erik Solheim, former U.N. under-secretary-general, and Piet Steel, honorary chairman of the Europe-Asia Center and a member of the Board of Directors of the Special Olympics .

Launched at the 2023 Global Forum on Hehe Culture, the Cultural Ambassadors of Hehe Culture program is a joint initiative by China International Communications Group, the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Zhejiang Provincial Committee, the CPC Taizhou Municipal Committee, and the Taizhou municipal government, as part of their efforts to implement the Global Civilization Initiative. Every year, the program honors individuals who champion Chinese traditional culture, foster cultural exchange, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday welcomed Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at his residence. CM Sai welcomed MP CM Yadav by offering him a shawl and fruit basket. MP CM Yadav attended and inaugurated the three-day 'Rajyotsav' 2024 program as the chief guest. CM Yadav congratulated CM Sai on the Chhattisgarh Foundation Day and conveyed his best wishes. Chhattisgarh has been celebrating its State Foundation Day, Rajyotsava 2024. Chhattisgarh was carved out from Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 2000. On this occasion, MP CM Yadav conveyed his best wishes to the state, saying that the state should always move ahead on the path of progress and the journey of pleasant changes in the lives of citizens. In a social media post on X, Yadav wrote, "Hail Chhattisgarh Mother! I had the privilege of participating in the Rajyotsav program organized in the capital Raipur today on the 25th foundation day of Chhattisgarh, a sacred land of rich heritage and culture. My best wishes are that the state should always move ahead on the path of progress and the journey of pleasant changes in the lives of citizens should move forward. On this occasion, Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh Ji, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Saw and Vijay Sharma along with other dignitaries were present." https://x.com/DrMohanYadav51/status/1853480400284520473 Both the CMs also attended 'Diwali Milan Samaroh' in Nava Raipur city of Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh CM Sai took to X about the event celebration and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the state. He also said that in just 10 months, the state government fulfilled several promises it had made during elections. The social media post reads, "Today, along with the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, I participated in the "Deepawali Milan Samaroh" organized in the capital Raipur. Many of the promises of Modi's guarantee were prominently fulfilled by our government in just 10 months, due to which all the people of the state celebrated the Diwali of good governance with great joy." https://x.com/vishnudsai/status/1853501700797235685 "I pray to Maa Lakshmi and Gaura-Gauri that our Chhattisgarh may remain prosperous like this, may happiness and prosperity come to all of you's lives and may all of you be filled with wealth and prosperity. On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Saw, State President Kiran Singh Dev, Cabinet Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, MP Brijmohan Aggarwal, MLA Motilal Sahu, BJP candidate Sunil Soni and other dignitaries were present," the tweet added. Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Arun Saw, BJP's state president Kiran Singh Dev, Cabinet Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, MP Brijmohan Aggarwal, and other dignitaries were also present in the event. (ANI)
The visit was aimed at enhancing bilateral naval training cooperation between the two navies through Operational Sea Training (OST) of ships and submarines conducted by the Indian Navy's FOST Organisation.

During the visit, the head of the delegation called on RAdm Upul Kundu, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Southern Naval Command and RAdm Srinivas Maddula, Flag Officer Sea Training and expressed the need to enhance professional engagement between both navies.

The visit focused on understanding various facets of the conduct of Work Up through exposure to Harbour and Sea training activities undertaken by the Indian Naval Work Up Team at Kochi. It also included visits to various training schools and establishments under SNC. Salient aspects included familiarisation with simulators, professional interactions and demonstration of Damage Control and Firefighting.

The successful conduct of the visit opens various avenues for training cooperation and reaffirms strong professional relationship between the two Navies. The training collaboration bears testimony to Indian Navy as the Preferred Training Partner in the IOR. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday attended the Sneh Milan program at the Banaskantha district of Gujarat. Addressing a public gathering here, CM Patel applauded the country's economic growth, saying that it will soon become the third-largest economy in the world. "Everyone's eyes are on our country. India's growth rate is way ahead. Our country is moving ahead with a growth of 7 per cent. Our economy has come from 11th to 5th position and with everyone's support, it will soon be in 3rd position. Gujarat is in the number 1st position in the economic system...BJP is the only party that does not stop being with the public whether it wins or loses the election...." he said. CM Patel took to X about his visit and said that he is committed towards building a developed India - developed Gujarat under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a social media post on X, CM Patel wrote, "Banaskanthani Vav attended the Janasabha and Snehmilan program organized in support of the popular candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party of the Legislative Assembly Swarupji Thakor along with the party workers and locals and exchanged New Year's wishes with everyone. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed commitment to contribute best in building a developed India - developed Gujarat. The unwavering faith shown by the local citizens towards the BJP was very energizing." Referring to his rally, he said that the faith shown by public towards the BJP was very energizing. https://x.com/Bhupendrapbjp/status/1853459560071037408 Earlier on Monday, CM Patel participated in the Laghu Rudra Yagna and the honor ceremony for sisters, daughters, and sons-in-law at Vasai in Mehsana district of the state and noted the exceptional cleanliness at Gunchhli Rameshwar Mahadev Temple of Mehsana district and emphasized on the importance of maintaining such standards universally. Chief Minister Patel also participated in the Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav of the 300-year-old Rameshwar Mahadev Temple, the Maha Rudri Yagna, and the Laghu Rudra Yagna at Vasai. Noting the exceptional cleanliness of the premises, he emphasized the importance of maintaining such standards universally. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Vinod Tawde exuded confidence that the people who are in favour of national interest will come together and enable a win for Mahayuti alliance in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls. The Mahayuti alliance compromises of BJP, Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde, while speaking to mediapersons on Monday during campaigning for assembly polls, said, "Whenever society gets divided, the opposition tries to divide them more. Those who are in favour of national interest will come together and make Mahayuti win." When asked about 'Vote Jihad', the BJP leader said that people of the state are aware of 'Jihad' while reiterating that the voters are in favour of national interest. He underscored that 'Mahayuti's war of development' will get support from voters. "I think that the people of Maharashtra are well aware and if someone does 'jihad', voters will fight a war for the country and will fight the Mahayuti's war of development as their own," Tawde added. The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set to take place on November 23. In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena won 56 seats, and the Congress secured 44 seats. Meanwhile, three major rebel candidates from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance refused to withdraw their nominations ahead of the polls. Despite efforts from Congress to convince them to pull out, the rebel leaders stood firm, setting the stage for a contentious battle within the alliance. Kamal Vyavahare, the former mayor, filed her nomination from Kasba Peth, challenging sitting MLA Ravindra Dhangekar from Congress. Another Congress stalwart, Aba Bagul, the vice president, filed his nomination from Parvati he will be facing BJP's Madhuri Misal and NCP SP's official candidate of MVA Ashwini Kadam, while the third Congress leader, Manish Anand, the former vice-president of the Khadki Cantonment Board, filed his nomination from Shivajinagar Assembly seat, where he will challenge Congress' Datta Bahirat and BJP's sitting MLA Siddharth Shirole. This development came amid speculations of a rift within both MVA and Mahayuti Alliance as rebel leaders from both factions are contesting elections in several assembly constituencies of the state after missing out on getting official nominations from parties. The last date for the withdrawal of the nomination was November 4. (ANI)
Indian Coast Guard Chief Director General S Paramesh has called on Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and deliberated on the Indian Coast Guard's operational readiness and commitment towards coastal security, pollution response, search and rescue and capacity building. The meeting held on Monday also discussed avenues for bolstering cooperation between the two services to address contemporary maritime challenges, ICG said in a post on X. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard Commanders of Western and Eastern seaboards and all Regional Commanders called on DG S Paramesh at the Indian Coast Guard's Headquarters in Delhi yesterday. The Commanders apprised Paramesh of the preparedness level, operational readiness, and progress on major ongoing work projects, said the ICG. On October 15, after assuming charge as the Indian Coast Guard Chief, Paramesh said that he intends to follow an inclusive approach for the overall growth and progression of the maritime force. "I am honoured to take over as the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard. It is an honourous responsibility that I intend to discharge to the best of my abilities. I intend to follow an inclusive approach for the overall growth and progression of the ICG," Paramesh had told reporters. "The three key pillars with which I intend to progress the Coast Guard on all fronts are probity, transparency and objectivity. On the maritime arena, close collaboration and cooperation with the Indian Navy and the Marine Police will be a sine quo non for me to ensure that all assets of maritime security are well addressed," he had added. Paramesh has served the organisation in various capacities in ashore and afloat appointments with distinction over the past three decades. The Flag Officer is an alumnus of the National Defence College, New Delhi and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He has a professional history, studded with achievements and a proven track record of outstanding and meritorious performance in all assignments he has held. The Flag Officer is specialised in Navigation and Direction and his sea commands include all major vessels of ICG which include Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel Samar and Offshore Patrol Vessel Vishwast. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Monday criticized Congress leaders Priyanka Vadra and Rahul Gandhi for their silence on recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada. He pointed out that while Priyanka Vadra tweets about Gaza, and Rahul Gandhi speaks up for minorities in India, they overlook the violence against Hindus in both Bangladesh and Canada, suggesting that the Congress party does not value Hindu lives. Speaking to ANI, BJP spokesperson Bhandari said, "It is painful that when all parties have to be united on the issue of national interest, Priyanka Vadra who posts 10 tweets on Gaza, Rahul Gandhi who speaks for minorities in the country go silent when Hindus are attacked in Bangladesh or Canada. This makes it clear that for Indian Opposition, for Congress party Hindu lives don't matter." He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's prompt response to the incident and stated that when Hindus are attacked the PM speaks up for them and calls for action. "From Bangladesh to Canada or anywhere in the country, if Indians face a crisis or the countrymen face an issue, PM Narendra Modi stands with them. When Hindus are attacked, whether it is Bangladesh or Canada, PM speaks up for it and expresses concern, he calls for action on it," he told ANI. More than a thousand Canadian Hindus gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada, on Monday evening (local time) to protest against the repeated attacks on Hindu temples in the country. This protest took place a day after the temple was targeted by Khalistani extremists. Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada and urged the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law. "I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi said on X. (ANI)
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to former US President Barack Obama to attend the Assembly session, Karnataka Minister HK Patil said.

"It has been decided to organise a joint Assembly session to mark the 100th anniversary of the Belagavi session chaired by Mahatma Gandhi (in 1924). Mahatma Gandhi is the father of the nation. He was not just the leader of India but the leader of the world," Patil told reporters.

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written a letter to former US President Barack Obama who is a follower of Gandhi and believes that Mahatma Gandhi is a global leader, to attend the Belagavi session," he said.

The Minister said that the joint Assembly session will take place at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi.

He further said that the date of the session would depend on Obama's confirmation, acknowledging the former President's recognition of Gandhi as a global leader.

The Minister said that Mahatma Gandhi chaired the 39th AICC meeting before Independence, issuing a clarion call for freedom and inspiring many to join the struggle against British rule.

The centennial events will include an extensive program with tributes at 40 significant sites that Gandhi visited across Karnataka.

The plans involve building memorials at these locations and organizing "Rath Yatra Jyothis" from different districts, which are set to converge in Belagavi on December 26 and 27, said the Minister. (ANI)
Emphasizing Balasaheb and Uddhav Thackeray's influence in Bandra East and the Dadar, Mahim constituency, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Varun Sardesai kickstarted his campaign in Maharashtra and said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi has the full support of people.Sardesai expressed optimism about the party's strength in the constituency, which he described as a traditional stronghold for Shiv Sena. The leader attributed this robust support to the party's long-standing influence and the recent backing from Congress, which had previously won the seat."We are getting a lot of love from the people. Bandra East Assembly has been a stronghold in this area. Last time a congress leader won from this seat, and this time the congress too is with us," Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Varun Sardesai said while speaking to ANI.In his contest against Late Baba Siddique's son Zeeshan Siddique from the Bandra East constituency, Sardesai said that he considers him just an opponent. Zeeshan Siddique has been announced as the NCP candidate for the Bandra East constituency, where he won in the 2019 elections, defeating Shiv Sena's Vishwanath Mahadeshwar."I don't consider any fight. He is just an opponent, he will campaign for himself and I will do it for my party. The people are going to decide," he added.He further pointed, "Last time also when Aaditya Thackeray stood in the elections, he won by leading with 60,000 votes. He is getting a lot of love from the people. In the last five years, he has done a lot of work for the people. Projects that were stalled for 20-25 years were also initiated by him. So he will definitely win with a big margin"Voicing confidence in Shiv Sena's candidate for the Mahim constituency, Mahesh Sawant, Sardesai said, "Our candidate from Mahim is also a youth leader from a humble background. Our candidate Mahesh Sawant will also win from the Mahim constituency. Mahim has always been loyal to Shiv Sena, Uddhav Ji, and the people here love Balasaheb."Sardesai concluded by reaffirming his belief in the authenticity of Shiv Sena under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray, emphasizing the party's deep-rooted connections in these areas. "Our Shiv Sena is the original one, and people will stand behind it," Sardesai remarked.The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set to take place on November 23. In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena won 56 seats, and the Congress secured 44 seats. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, while the Shiv Sena won 63 and the Congress 42. (ANI)
Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi arrived in Lucknow on Tuesday. Several party leaders welcomed him upon his arrival. As part of his visit Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi will attend several events today in Raebareli. He will also inaugurate the newly built Shaheed Chowk, and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana roads and attend a District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari told ANI that despite his busy schedule, Rahul Gandhi, who is also an MP from Raebareli, will be visiting Raebareli to fulfil his duties as an MP. Speaking to ANI, Congress MP Tiwari said, "Rahul Gandhi is an MP from Raebareli. DISHA meeting is presided over by Lok Sabha MP. Despite such a busy schedule, he is going to Raebareli to carry out his responsibility as an MP. He will also inaugurate a few roads, he will also inaugurate a Shaheed Chowk...This is a one-day visit. He will go to Hyderabad in the evening..." Later in the day, Rahul Gandhi will visit Hyderabad to meet with intellectuals and stakeholders regarding the caste survey initiated by the state government. Giving details about the caste survey Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that it is being conducted for the first time in Telangana. "Rahul Gandhi will reach Hyderabad to hold a meeting with intellectuals, stakeholders on caste survey initiated by the state government...A caste survey is being conducted for the first time in Telangana...Each enumerator has been given 150 houses to survey and accordingly, the decision will be taken for their benefit," Telangana Minister Prabhakar said on Monday. In October, Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that a detailed Caste survey would be conducted in Telangana between 6 November to 30 November. "A detailed Caste Survey is going to be conducted in Telangana between 6 November to 30 November. We promised this during elections and now we are fulfilling it," Telangana Minister Prabhakar said. (ANI)
Devotees began the festive celebrations of Chhath Puja with puja rituals and a sacred dip in the Ganga at Patliputra Ghat in Patna on the first day, known as 'Nahaye Khaye.' The grand festival of 'lokastha' (folk faith) the 'Chhath Puja' began on Tuesday and will continue for four days. Thousands of devotees thronged the Patliputra Ghat situated at Digha in Patna. The devotees took a holy bath and offered 'aradh' water offering to the Sun god. The devotees spoke to ANI about the festival and said that the first day of the festival 'Nahaye Khaye' has kickstarted the Chhath Puja celebrations. "We have arrived here at the ghat to take a bath in the holy water of River Ganga. After taking the bath we will take the sacred 'Ganga Jal' and prepare prasad. Today we prepare arwa rice, chana dal, pumpkin vegetable and pakodas as prasad," said the devotees. A devotee who arrived at the ghat in Patna from Jharkhand's Jamshedpur said, "We have come all the way to Patna from Jamshedpur only to perform Chhath Puja. We eagerly wait for this day and have been performing Chhath Puja for the last three years. My entire family performs puja rituals and does not ask for wishes but only seeks blessings from the Chhatti Maiya." Meanwhile, the four-day Chhath puja celebrations were observed by devotees on Tuesday morning at the Kalindi Kunj Chhath Ghat in Delhi. The festival has a special place in every Bihari and Jharkhandi's heart as it brings families together to pay homage to Surya Dev (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. This festival witnesses a high participation rate of women, is marked with fanfare, and is also regarded as an occasion to take a break from household chores and be refreshed. It is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, as well as by the diaspora from these regions. Chhath Puja spans over four days and is one of the most significant and rigorous festivals, involving strict rituals and fasting to express gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth. Chhath Puja is a festival dedicated to the sun that is celebrated in several Indian states and even outside the country. The festival will be celebrated this year from November 5 to 8. (ANI)
China leverages fiscal toolbox to consolidate economic growth

Xinhua) 09:05, November 05, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- China has appropriately enhanced the intensity of the proactive fiscal policy so far this year, utilizing a combination of policy tools, including ultra-long special treasury bonds and tax and fee reductions to promote its sustained economic recovery.

The country has leveraged the multiplier effect of government spending to support development in key areas.

Some 700 billion yuan (about 98.31 billion U.S. dollars) in the central government budget has been earmarked for investment this year, with the focus on supporting scientific and technological innovation, new infrastructure and carbon reduction, and improving people's livelihoods, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

The special-purpose bonds for local governments to be issued this year stand at a record 3.9 trillion yuan. In the first three quarters, the MOF said that 3.6 trillion yuan of bonds had been issued to support over 30,000 projects.

Some 700 billion yuan of funds raised via the ultra-long special treasury bonds have been allocated to support the implementation of major national strategies and build up security capacity in key areas.

To promote steady consumption growth, China introduced a large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in program in March this year and stepped up policy support in July with a fund injection of 300 billion yuan via ultra-long special treasury bonds.

Since its launch, the trade-in program for automobiles and home appliances has achieved positive results. It is set to help further spur consumer spending and consolidate the country's ongoing economic recovery, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOC).

As of Oct. 24, the MOC had received 1.57 million applications for scrappage incentives and 1.26 million applications for automobile replacement subsidies.

The trade-in policy has revitalized consumer demand, propelled the development of new quality productive forces, promoted the green transformation of relevant industries, and injected strong impetus into consolidating the upward economic trajectory, said Li Gang, an official with the MOC.

China has also optimized preferential tax and fee policies to boost the vitality of market entities.

In the first eight months of the year, tax and fee cuts and tax rebates in support of scientific and technological innovation and the development of the manufacturing industry exceeded 1.8 trillion yuan, according to MOF.

Minister of Finance Lan Fo'an told a press conference last month that China will introduce a package of targeted incremental fiscal policy measures in the near future to boost the economy.

The package includes increasing the debt ceiling on a relatively large scale in a lump sum to replace existing hidden debts of local governments and help defuse their debt risks.

Calling it "the strongest debt alleviation measure introduced in recent years," Lan said the move is "undoubtedly a timely policy rain."

"It will greatly reduce the pressure on local governments to dissolve debts, free up more resources for economic development, and boost the confidence of business entities," the minister said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has written to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervation after Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's helicopter was not allowed to take off for over 90 minutes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting the State. The ruling party urged the President to intervene and ensure that all parties get a level playing field for star campaigners in the assembly polls. JMM in their letter, mentioned that Hemant Soren was prevented from flying for more than an hour over a distance of approximately 150 kilometres, citing the security of the Prime Minister. According to the letter, the Election Commission had informed that, from a security perspective, a no-fly zone with a radius of 50 kilometres would be implemented around the Prime Minister, with a restriction on flying for a duration of 15 minutes. The JMM stated that ECI had assured all national and state-level political parties both in writing and verbally that leaders, campaigners, and authorised candidates of competing political parties would be provided with equal opportunities to campaign in a fair and fear-free manner, ensuring impartial and guaranteed voting. "JMM's star campaigner and the current CM of the state, Hemant Soren, had a scheduled election rally in the Gudri block of West Singhbhum district at 1:15 PM. This rally was set to conclude at 1:45 PM, after which a second rally was scheduled at 2:25 PM in the Bazaar Taat area of the Simdega district, for which permission had been granted by the Election Commission of India," the letter said. "On the same day, the star campaigner of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the current Honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi ji, had an election rally scheduled at 2:40 PM at the Chaibasa College grounds. The distance from Chaibasa to Gudri is approximately 80 kilometres, and the distance from Gudri to Simdega is about 90 kilometers. Hemant Soren, who was scheduled to use a helicopter for campaigning, was prevented from flying for more than a one and a half hour over a distance of approximately 150 kilometres, citing the security of the Prime Minister," the letter from JMM added. JMM sought the president's intervention to ensure the constitutional safety and respect of all elected representatives, regardless of their political affiliation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned for his party on Monday in Jharkhand ahead of Assembly elections in the State. JMM Leader Manoj Pandey said that a level playing field should be provided to all parties for campaigning during elections, alleging the BJP of stopping CM Soren from election campaigning. While underscoring the frustration of the BJP, he claimed that Soren was not given ATC clearance and had to face a delay of 1.5 to two hours. "This is a very serious matter. In a democracy, there should be a level-playing field for campaigning during elections. A level-playing field should be provided to all parties. But it was openly violated. A dictatorial government stopped a popular CM, our star campaigner, a tribal son, from election campaigning. There was a delay of 1.5 to two hours, though it was not necessary. Our leader had to fly in a chopper from Gudri and had to go somewhere else--very far from Ranchi. But he was not given ATC clearance. If these things happen, you can understand how frustrated and dejected they are," he told ANI. Further expressing his distrust of ECI, Pandey added, "They have stooped to a level where our chopper is not permitted to fly, we can't campaign for elections and we get delayed and there is obstruction in our rallies. Such things are being done at the behest of the BJP government. It is very objectionable. The president is the custodian of our democratic rights and we have written to her, asking her to intervene and control the matter. Because we don't trust the Election Commission." The 81-member Jharkhand Assembly will go through polls in two phases on November 13 and 20, with counting of votes to be held on November 23. (ANI)
Mumbai Police have received a threatening message against actor Salman Khan allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, police said. the threat message gives the actor two options apologise or pay Rs 5 crore to stay alive. Mumbai Police traffic control room received a threatening message in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi last night over WhatsApp with the message message saying that if Salman Khan wanted to stay alive "he should go to our temple and apologize or give Rs 5 crore." "If he does not do so, we will kill him, our gang is still active," the message claiming to be in the name of Lawrence Bishnoi's brother said. The police said that the message came on Monday and that they have begun an investigation. The process of registering the case is underway at Worli Police Station and the phone number from which the message originated in is being traced, the Mumbai Police said. This is the second death threat Salman Khan has received in a week. In the earlier death threat also received by Mumbai Police Traffic Control, a ransom of Rs 2 crore was demanded from the actor. "On Tuesday, Mumbai Traffic Police Control received a message in which an unknown person threatened, the message sender demanded 2 crore rupees," the Mumbai Police said on October 30. Ppolice had further said that the unknown sender has threatened with dire consequences to Salman Khan if the money is not paid to him. "In the message, the unknown sender said that if he (Salman Khan) does not get the money then he will kill Salman Khan," they added. The Traffic Police had reported the matter to the Worli Police which registered an offence in the matter and started tracking the sender. "After receiving the threatening message, a case was registered against the unknown person in Worli Police Station of Mumbai," it added. Earlier on October 24, Mumbai Police arrested a man from Jamshedpur who had threatened Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and demanded a ransom of Rs 5 crore. According to the Mumbai Police, it registered a case against an unknown person and started an investigation after Mumbai Traffic Police received a threatening message. Earlier on October 21, the Mumbai police received an apology from the same sender who threatened Khan on October 18, stating that the message was "sent by mistake." The initial threat message was sent to the number of Mumbai Traffic Police's control room on October 18. The incident came in the backdrop of the recent murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique. Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader, was shot dead on October 12 by three assailants near the office of his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique, in the Nirmal Nagar area of Mumbai. (ANI)
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday took a jibe at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after the State government approved a new manual for appointment of Director General of Police. As per the new manual, DGP will now be appointed for at least two years. It also made it mandatory to form a nominating committee, headed by a retired High Court judge, for the appointment of DGP. Reacting to the Uttar Pradesh government's decision regarding the appointment of DGP, the SP chief in a post on X said that the question is whether the person making the arrangement will himself stay for two years or not. "I have heard that arrangements are being made to give a permanent post to a senior officer and extend his tenure by two years... the question is whether the person making the arrangement will himself stay for two years or not," the SP chief said on X. "Is this an attempt to take the reins from Delhi into one's own hands? Delhi vs. Lucknow 2.0," he added. As per the new manual, the DGP will be appointed only when there are at least 6 months left in the officer's service. Earlier on Monday, the SP chief Yadav took a potshot at the Bharatiya Janata Party saying, "Talenge toh or bhi bura harenge (If they postpone it, they will lose even worse)" after the Election Commission rescheduled by-elections in Uttar Pradesh. The Election Commission postponed by-elections in Uttar Pradesh. Kerala and Punjab to November 20 from November 13 on Monday. Akhilesh Yadav claimed that 'BJP postponed' the election so people affected from "Maha-Berozgari" in UP, who had to move out of the state for employment and returned home on festival, 'can't cast their votes'. "First the Milkipur by-election was postponed; now the dates for by-elections for the remaining seats have been announced. The BJP was never so weak. The fact is that due to 'Maha-Berozgari' in UP, people move different parts of the country for work," Akhilesh Yadav said on X. Notably, the Commission had rescheduled the polling dates in past elections for the convenience of voters and to enhance their participation. One assembly constituency in Kerala, four constituencies in Punjab and nine constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will now go to polls on November 20. The dates of counting and completion of the poll of these ACs shall remain unchanged., November 23 and 25, respectively. (ANI)
As November arrives and nature begins its transformation, the citizens perpare for the embrace of winter. The Meteorological office has, however, predicted that the cold will strike in Madhya Pradesh from the last week of this month. The regional meteorologist has claimed that the mercury is not dipping sharply and dry weather continues in the state for the time being. "The temperature is not getting down suddenly. Dry weather continues in the state and the minimum temperature in the state capital Bhopal was recorded 16.6 degree celsius while maximum 33 degrees in the last 24 hours. A downfall in the temperature by two to three degrees can be seen in the coming time from the third week of November," said Mahendra Kumar, meteorologist, IMD Bhopal. He further added that the mercury would further dip by three to four degrees in the fourth week of November. "There is a possibility of the temperature to further decrease by three to four degrees in the fourth week of November. Thereafter, the citizens will feel the cold weather from the last week of November in the state," the meteorologist added. He further added that the lowest temperature in the state was recorded in Pachmarhi of 12.2 degree celsius in the last 24 hours. According to the met office, the maximum temperature was recorded 35 degrees in Narmadapuram in the state in the last 24 hours. Additionally, the maximum temperature across the state remained above 30 degrees with Guna, Khajuraho, Ratlam, Ujjain recorded above 34 degree celsius. Only Pachmarhi and Malanjkhand (in Balaghat district) observed 27.2 and 27.8 degree celsius respectively. Similarly, the minimum temperature across the state was recorded between 15 degrees to 20 degrees in the last 24 hours except Pachmarhi and Mandal which observed 12.2 and 13.5 degrees respectively. (ANI)
The government of India has been doing everything possible to develop all Buddhist heritage sites that India has been associated with, Union Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday. Speaking at the two-day Asian Buddhism Summit 2024, Rijiju said Buddhism spread from India to other countries. Noting that 21st Century is the Century of Asia, the Union Minister said, "we are living in a very interesting as well as very challenging moment of the history." "I would also like to quote honorable Prime Minister in his first address as the Prime Minister during the Buddha Summit in 2014 when he said that India has given Buddha, not 'Yuddha' (war)." Rijiju said. Remembering Prime Minister's quote, Rijiju said "any nation which aspires to become a leading nation, a global power, must follow the path of Buddha." "If you follow Buddha's teachings, you will be very considerate. You will understand the values of love and compassion," the Minister said quoting PM Modi's earlier address. "I must also mention that the government of India has been doing everything possible to develop all those Buddhist heritage sites that India has been associated with. We are very lucky to have Prime Minister Modi ji himself taking the lead long and Ministry of Culture taking every part in developing all those heritage sites connected with Lord Buddha," Rijiju said. He also mentioned that this was the first time when President Droupadi Murmu attended the Asian Buddhism Summit. India is hosting the first Asian Buddhist Summit today. The summit organised by International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) under the aegis of Ministry of Culture, Government of India on November 5th - 6th, 2024 in New Delhi on the theme 'Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia'. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by an MCD Councillor, seeking a direction to the Delhi Government and MCD to increase the allocated funds for MCD Councillors to at least Rs 15 crore. The petitioner argued that the funds should be utilized for various welfare activities, including road repairs, maintenance of schools, parks, dispensaries, and recreation centers. The bench led by Chief Justice Manmohan also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela advised the petitioner to raise the matter within the MCD House and before the Standing Committee, and subsequently disposed of the plea. The bench, while disposing of the matter, orally remarked, "We are struggling to secure funds for the Delhi High Court itself, so how can we issue directions to enhance your funds? You should raise the issue in the MCD House." The plea also sought directions to the Delhi Government and MCD regarding their alleged failure to allocate sufficient funds to the elected Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) councillors. The petition has been filed by Sonali, an elected councillor from Sidhartha Nagar, Delhi, highlighted that insufficient funding for MCD councillors has hindered their ability to perform their statutory duties. This lack of resources has led to a decline in essential public services, including the maintenance of parks, schools, dispensaries, roads, and community centres, adversely affecting the citizens of Delhi, stated the plea. The petitioner was represented through Advocates Shalabh Gupta and Prachi Gupta, highlighted specific failures resulting from inadequate funding, particularly in MCD-run schools suffering from poor infrastructure and sanitation, thus violating children's right to education under Article 21A. It stated that public parks are neglected due to water shortages, impacting greenery and safety, especially for the elderly. Essential facilities like dispensaries, outdoor gyms, and community centres are in disrepair, depriving citizens of basic health and social services. This failure to maintain public facilities and ensure adequate funding is argued to violate the right to life under Article 21 and the right to education under Article 21A of the Constitution. The deteriorating conditions threaten citizens' fundamental rights, especially considering that while MLAs receive approximately Rs15 crores annually, MCD councillors are allocated only about Rs1 crore, plea stated. (ANI)
Exuding confidence in Maha Vikas Aghadi's victory in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday said that the atmosphere in the state is in favour of their alliance. "The atmosphere is in our favour in Maharashtra. The people of Maharashtra have understood that there is a politics of manipulation. The people of Maharashtra will answer the loot and corruption done by the BJP and its allies. In Jharkhand also, the BJP is on the back foot. Jharkhand CM was forcibly put in jail. The people know that the (central) government misuses the government agencies to be in power," Congress leader Sachin Pilot said while speaking to ANI.Commenting on the upcoming Rajasthan by-polls, Pilot said that the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Rajasthan has failed in every area and the public will evaluate the government's work in one year.Pilot, who campaigned for Congress candidate from Dausa Assembly seat in Rajasthan by-polls, asserted that the party will win."This (BJP) government has failed in every area, be it law and order or working for the welfare of farmers...Only announcements have been made. The public will evaluate the government's work in one year and we are fighting well on all seven seats. I am confident that we will win," he said."No matter how much effort the BJP puts in, Dausa has always supported the Congress party," the Congress leader added.Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Varun Sardesai also expressed optimism about the MVA's strength in Maharashtra. The leader attributed this robust support to the party's long-standing influence and the recent backing from Congress, which had previously won the seat."We are getting a lot of love from the people. Bandra East Assembly has been a stronghold in this area. Last time a congress leader won from this seat, and this time the congress too is with us," Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Varun Sardesai said while speaking to ANI. The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set to take place on November 23.In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena won 56 seats, and the Congress secured 44 seats. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, while the Shiv Sena won 63 and the Congress 42. (ANI)
Earlier today, Rahul Gandhi offered prayers at Shri Peepaleshwar Mahadevji Mandir and Hanuman Mandir in Raebareli.

Rahul Gandhi is on a one-day visit to Raebareli, during which he will participate in several events. He is also set to inaugurate roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and attend a District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting.

Notably, Rahul Gandhi is currently serving as a Member of Parliament (MP) from Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. He won the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 elections by a margin of 390,030 votes.

Later in the day, Rahul Gandhi will visit Hyderabad to meet with intellectuals and stakeholders regarding the caste survey initiated by the state government.

Giving details about the caste survey Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that it is being conducted for the first time in Telangana.

"Rahul Gandhi will reach Hyderabad to hold a meeting with intellectuals, stakeholders on caste survey initiated by the state government...A caste survey is being conducted for the first time in Telangana...Each enumerator has been given 150 houses to survey and accordingly, the decision will be taken for their benefit," Telangana Minister Prabhakar said on Monday.

In October, Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that a detailed Caste survey would be conducted in Telangana between 6 November to 30 November.

"A detailed Caste Survey is going to be conducted in Telangana between 6 November to 30 November. We promised this during elections and now we are fulfilling it," Telangana Minister Prabhakar said.

Congress has repeatedly demanded that a caste census be conducted in the country, calling it a "progressive and significant step." (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sidharth Nath Singh on Tuesday condemned the attack on a Hindu temple in Canada and accused the Justin Trudeau government of supporting Khalistanis for "vote bank politics." Speaking to ANI, Sidharth Nath Singh said, "The Canadian govt is supporting Khalistanis because of the vote bank, I condemn the attack on Hindus and Hindu temples. The government of India will give them a proper reply and will take appropriate action." Earlier in the day, the BJP also slammed the Congress party over its 'silence' on the recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada, saying the party leaders prioritise vote bank politics over their principles and prefer to remain silent on such important issues. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said that while Congress and its allies speak for Gaza, they have gone "completely silent" for Hindus in Canada and Bangladesh. Speaking to ANI, Poonawalla said, "You find that the INDI Alliance, especially Priyanka Vadra, Rahul Gandhi and others who cry for Muslims in Gaza, whose alliance tweets and speaks up for Hezbollah and Hamas have gone completely silent when it comes to Hindus in Canada and Bangladesh." "It shows that for the sake of vote bank politics, these people will put their principles aside and perhaps they consider these radical elements who are attacking Hindus, as their essential vote bank and therefore they will not open their mouths. They will only question Indian Govt, they will remain silent on questioning these fundamentalist elements," he added. On Sunday, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple witnessed a "violent disruption" in Brampton, near Toronto. The rise in attacks against Hindu temples has raised deep concerns among the Hindu-Canadian community. In response, over a thousand Canadian Hindus gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada on Monday evening (local time) to protest against the repeated attacks on Hindu temples in the country, a day after the temple was attacked by Khalistani extremists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strongly condemned the "deliberate attack" and the "cowardly attempts to intimidate" Indian diplomats, adding that New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law. Prior to this, the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the incident and called on the Canadian government to protect the places of worship from such attacks. The Indian High Commission in Canada also condemned the "violent disruption" by 'anti-India' elements outside a consular camp. The high commission also said that any further events will be organised "contingent on security arrangements" made by the local authorities. There has been a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance in Canada. India has repeatedly expressed its deep concern about extremism and the culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada and has sought action against these activities. (ANI)
People from Kamala Harris's ancestral village 'Thulasendrapuram' in Tiruvarur district created kolam designs, a tradition in Tamil culture, to express their hopes for her success in the US Presidential elections. Visuals of Thulasendrapuram village show women drawing kolam with letters stating "Vanakkam America - Kamala Harris - Vetripera Vazhthukal (Namaste America - Kamala Harris - Wisher for her win.) Arulmozhi from Thulasendrapuram spoke to ANI and said, "The Thulasendrapuram village had earlier also wished for Kamala Harris before and she had won the US Vice Presidential elections. This time also we wish her success and pray for her to become an example of women's empowerment." "We express our heartfelt wishes this time and want her to become US President. I strongly believe that she will win. We held a special puja and drew kolam in our houses wishing her a grand win," she said. Earlier in the day, a special puja was held at the Sri Dharma Sastha Sri Sevaka Perumaal Temple in Kamala Harris' ancestral village of Tiruvarur district on Tuesday morning for her victory in the US Presidential elections. Supporters of Kamala Harris from the US also arrived at Kamala Harris' ancestral village 'Thulasendrapuram' to attend the special puja. Speaking to ANI on US Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris, Sherin Shivlinga from Las Vegas, Nevada said, " I have come to see the village where Kamala Harris's grandparents were born and raised. We are waiting for the results of the election, we are nervous, we want her to win so badly." The three supporters from the US donned similar shirts with the slogan "Kamala Freakin Harris' to cheer for their favourite candidate. Another puja was organised by Anushanath's Anukragni organisation in the 'Thulasendrapuram' village in Tiruvarur for Kamala Harris. The organisation's founder, Ballu, affirmed hope that Vice President Harris will win the upcoming elections. "Kamala Harris is going to contest the US Presidential elections. She will definitely win the elections. We have organised a special puja for her victory. If she wins the polls, it will be a very happy occasion for the whole state," he said. Thulasendrapuram village happens to be the birthplace of Harris' maternal grandfather, PV Gopalan. The US elections will be held on Tuesday (local time). Vice President Harris is up against former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump. Trump is aiming to make a comeback to the White House, while Harris is aiming to create history by becoming the first woman president of the US. All polls have predicted a very tight race between the two candidates. Born in California to Donald Harris and Shyamala Gopalan, Kamala progressed through the political hierarchy. Vice President Kamala Harris has her roots in India. Her mother was Indian and her father was Jamaican; both immigrated to the United States. She was born in Oakland, California, and attended a historically black university, Howard University, in Washington. Harris was nominated as the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden quit the presidential race amid mounting concerns over his age, particularly after his poor show in the debate with Donald Trump in June. She is the first female, first black, and first Asian American vice president. If elected president, the 59-year-old Harris would become the first woman in history to become the US president. The vice president is only the second woman ever nominated for the presidency by a major political party. Earlier, an 11-day-long Maha Yagnam was conducted in Telangana for the victory of Kamala Harris in the US Presidential Elections. (ANI)
A special puja was held at the Sri Dharma Sastha Sri Sevaka Perumaal Temple in Kamala Harris' ancestral village in Tiruvarur district on Tuesday morning for her victory in the US Presidential elections. Visuals from the temple show the priest offering puja and distributing prasadam to the devotees after the special puja. Supporters of Kamala Harris from the US also arrived at Kamala Harris' ancestral village 'Thulasendrapuram' to attend the special puja. Thulasendrapuram village happens to be the birthplace of Harris' maternal grandfather, PV Gopalan. Speaking to ANI, Sherin Shivlinga from Las Vegas, Nevada said, "I have come to see the village where Kamala Harris's grandparents were born and raised. We are waiting for the results of the election, we are nervous, we want her to win so badly." The three supporters from the US donned similar shirts with the slogan "Kamala Freakin Harris' to cheer for their favourite candidate. Meanwhile, another puja was organised by Anushanath's Anukragni organisation in the 'Thulasendrapuram' village in Tiruvarur for Kamala Harris. The organisation's founder, Ballu, affirmed hope that Vice President Harris will win the upcoming elections. "Kamala Harris is going to contest the US Presidential elections. She will definitely win the elections. We have organised a special puja for her victory. If she wins the polls, it will be a very happy occasion for the whole state," he said. Earlier, an 11-day-long Maha Yagnam was conducted in Telangana for the victory of Kamala Harris in the US Presidential Elections. Vice President Kamala Harris, who has her roots in India, gradually progressed through the political hierarchy in the US. She is the first female, first black, and first Asian American vice president. If elected president, the 60-year-old Harris would become the first woman in history to become the US president. The vice president is only the second woman ever nominated for the presidency by a major political party. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was Indian and her father, Donald Harris, was Jamaican; both immigrated to the United States. She was born in Oakland, California, and attended a historically black university, Howard University, in Washington. Harris was nominated as the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden quit the presidential race amid mounting concerns over his age, particularly after his poor show in the debate with Donald Trump in June. The United States presidential elections have commenced in the US on Tuesday. The first ballot has been cast in New Hampshire's small township of Dixville Notch, a township located along the US-Canada border. (ANI)
Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued notices to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others on a petition seeking the transfer of the investigation into the MUDA land allotment case registered against the Chief Minister, his wife and others. On a petition filed by Snehamayi Krishna, the court also issued notices to Central and State governments, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Lokayukta police. The High Court directed the Lokayukta police to submit details of the probe conducted till November 25 while adjourning further hearing on the petition till November 26. The Mysuru Lokayukta officially initiated an inquiry and investigation into the case following a September 27 court order to file an FIR. The Lokayukta was directed to investigate allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore to Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, by MUDA. It is alleged that MUDA illegally allotted 14 sites to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife in the prime location of Mysuru city. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday that he has been summoned by the Mysore Lokayukta regarding the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). On being asked by the media, CM Siddaramaiah said, "Yes, Mysore Lokayukta has issued a notice regarding MUDA. I will go to Mysore Lokayukta on November 6." Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on October 28, conducted searches at more than half a dozen locations in Mangalore, Bengaluru, Mandya and Mysuru in Karnataka's MUDA-linked money laundering case. The move came within a week of the agency summoning six employees associated with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) in Karnataka, for questioning. The employees were summoned in connection with the high-profile alleged scam on different dates for the interrogation, which will take place at the ED's zonal office in Bengaluru. The ED also filed a money-laundering case against Siddaramaiah and others. The case was prompted by a First Information Report (FIR) from the state Lokayukta concerning the MUDA, which has placed the Congress leader in a difficult situation. The FIR names Siddaramaiah, his wife BM Parvathi, his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, and Devaraju, from whom Swamy bought land that was later gifted to Parvathi. The ED has applied provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in its case, enabling the agency to summon individuals for questioning and possibly seize assets during the investigation. Siddaramaiah has consistently denied the allegations, claiming that he is facing political persecution. Siddaramaiah has stated that he will not resign, backed by his party leaders, despite ongoing demands from the BJP for him to leave his position as head of the government.As the allegations surfaced, the BJP has accused the Congress of supporting "corrupt" leaders and demanded Siddaramaiah's resignation. Siddaramiah, has, however, quashed all demands for his resignation. (ANI)
All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA and Party General Secretary Rafiqul Islam on Tuesday condemned the attack on a Hindu temple in Canada and demanded that the Canadian government impose severe punishments on the culprits to deter future attacks on religious institutions. Speaking to ANI, AIUDF MLA Islam said, "It is unfortunate. We condemn this. As an Indian, We demand that the Canadian government bring the culprits to justice and impose the harshest punishments to deter future attacks on religious temples. Anyone who attacks any religious place is a criminal." He urged the Central Government to talk to Canadian government to prevent such incidents in future. "It is the responsibility of our government. The Government of India should talk to the Government of Canada or those who are with them and discuss all these things so that such things do not happen again," he told ANI. Earlier today, BJP hit out at the Congress party over its 'silence' on the recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada, saying the party leaders only prioritise vote bank politics over their principles and prefer to remain silent on such important issues. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said that while Congress and its allies speak for Gaza, they have gone "completely silent" for Hindus in Canada and Bangladesh. Speaking to ANI, Poonawalla said, "You find that the INDI Alliance, especially Priyanka Vadra, Rahul Gandhi and others who cry for Muslims in Gaza, whose alliance tweets and speaks up for Hezbollah and Hamas have gone completely silent when it comes to Hindus in Canada and Bangladesh." "It shows that for the sake of vote bank politics, these people will put their principles aside and perhaps they consider these radical elements who are attacking Hindus, as their essential vote bank and therefore they will not open their mouths. They will only question Indian Govt, they will remain silent on questioning these fundamentalist elements," he added. On Sunday, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple witnessed a "violent disruption" in Brampton, near Toronto. The rise in attacks against Hindu temples has raised deep concerns among the Hindu-Canadian community. In response, over a thousand Canadian Hindus gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada on Monday evening (local time) to protest against the repeated attacks on Hindu temples in the country, a day after the temple was attacked by Khalistani extremists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strongly condemned the "deliberate attack" and the "cowardly attempts to intimidate" Indian diplomats, adding that New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law. The strong statement by PM Modi came hours after the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario. There has been a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance in Canada. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu graced the first Asian Buddhist Summit, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), in New Delhi on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that India is the blessed land of Dharma. In every age, there have been great masters and mystics, seers and seekers in India who have shown humankind a way to find peace inside and harmony outside. Noting that the Central government has granted the status of 'classical language' to Pali and Prakrit, among other languages, President of India Droupadi Murmu said that both the languages would now receive financial support, which will contribute significantly to the preservation of their literary treasures and to their revitalisation. "I am happy to note that the Government of India granted the status of 'classical language' to Pali and Prakrit, among other languages. Pali and Prakrit would now receive financial support, which will contribute significantly to the preservation of their literary treasures and to their revitalisatio," Murmu said while speaking at the two-day Asian Buddhist Summit, 2024 here in the national capital.President Murmu also mentioned how the Buddhist community has much to offer to humankind at a time when the world today is facing an existential crisis on many fronts, not only strife but also the climate crisis."The various schools of Buddhism show the world how to counter narrow sectarianism. Their central message remains focused on peace and non-violence. If one word can capture the Buddha Dhamma, it has to be 'karuna' or compassion, which is what the world needs today," she said. Attending such an event for the first time, the President stressed on the need to discuss the role of Buddha Dharma in strengthening Asia. "Indeed, we need to expand the discussion to see how Buddha Dharma can bring peace, real peace, to Asia and the world - a peace free from not only physical violence but also from all forms of greed and hatred - the two mental forces at the root of all our miseries, according to the Buddha." She expressed confidence that the Summit will go a long way in strengthening our cooperation, based on our shared heritage of the Buddha's teachings. The President said that over the centuries, it was only natural that different practitioners would find different meanings in the Buddha's discourses and, thus, there arose a variety of sects. In broad classification, she said, " Today we have Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions, with many schools and sects within each of them. "Moreover, such flowering of the Buddha Dharma proceeded in many directions over different periods of history. This spread of Dhamma over an expanding geographical area created a community, a larger Sangha. In a sense, India, the land of the Buddha's enlightenment, is at its centre. But, what is said about God is also true about this larger Buddhist Sangha: that its centre is everywhere and circumference nowhere." The President said that India is the blessed land of Dharma. "In every age, there have been great masters and mystics, seers and seekers in India who have shown humankind a way to find peace inside and harmony outside. The Buddha holds a unique place among these pathfinders. The enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya is an event unparalleled in history. He not only attained incomparably rich insights into the working of the human mind, he also chose to share them with all people in the spirit of "Bahujana sukhaya bahujana hitaya cha" - for the welfare of the masses," added Murmu at the Summit organised by the Ministry of Culture. (ANI)
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Mrutyunjay Tiwari on Tuesday criticised the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre over the attack on a Hindu temple in Canada and said that it was a failure of the Central government and its foreign policies that has led to such a situation in other countries. Speaking to ANI, RJD leader Tiwari said, "Central government should put pressure, why is such situation happening in other countries? This could be seen as a failure of the Central government, their foreign policies...PM should talk about what action are they taking against this..." All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA and Party General Secretary Rafiqul Islam had also earlier condemned the attack on the Hindu temple in Canada and demanded that the Canadian government impose severe punishments on the culprits to deter future attacks on religious institutions. Speaking to ANI, AIUDF MLA Islam said, "It is unfortunate. We condemn this. As an Indian, We demand that the Canadian government bring the culprits to justice and impose the harshest punishments to deter future attacks on religious temples. Anyone who attacks any religious place is a criminal." He urged the Central Government to talk to Canadian government to prevent such incidents in future. "It is the responsibility of our government. The Government of India should talk to the Government of Canada or those who are with them and discuss all these things so that such things do not happen again," he told ANI. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sidharth Nath Singh also condemned the attack on a Hindu temple in Canada and accused the Justin Trudeau government of supporting Khalistanis for "vote bank politics." Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "The Canadian government is supporting Khalistanis because of the vote bank, I condemn the attack on Hindus and Hindu temples. The government of India will give them a proper reply and will take appropriate action." Earlier today, BJP hit out at the Congress party over its 'silence' on the recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada, saying the party leaders only prioritise vote bank politics over their principles and prefer to remain silent on such important issues. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said that while Congress and its allies speak for Gaza, they have gone "completely silent" for Hindus in Canada and Bangladesh. Speaking to ANI, Poonawalla said, "You find that the INDI Alliance, especially Priyanka Vadra, Rahul Gandhi and others who cry for Muslims in Gaza, whose alliance tweets and speaks up for Hezbollah and Hamas have gone completely silent when it comes to Hindus in Canada and Bangladesh." "It shows that for the sake of vote bank politics, these people will put their principles aside and perhaps they consider these radical elements who are attacking Hindus, as their essential vote bank and therefore they will not open their mouths. They will only question Indian Govt, they will remain silent on questioning these fundamentalist elements," he added. On Sunday, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple witnessed a "violent disruption" in Brampton, near Toronto. The rise in attacks against Hindu temples has raised deep concerns among the Hindu-Canadian community. In response, over a thousand Canadian Hindus gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada on Monday evening (local time) to protest against the repeated attacks on Hindu temples in the country, a day after the temple was attacked by Khalistani extremists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strongly condemned the "deliberate attack" and the "cowardly attempts to intimidate" Indian diplomats, adding that New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law. The strong statement by PM Modi came hours after the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario. There has been a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance in Canada. (ANI)
The Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill, Jagdambika Pal will meet protesting farmers in Bijapur and Hubballi in Karnataka on November 7. His visit comes amid controversy over notices to farmers' land as Waqf land in areas like Hubballi and Bijapur. Many BJP leaders are sitting on Dharna there. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya had written to the JPC Chairman regarding this issue. "Chairman of JPC on Waqf has kindly consented to my request to visit Hubli and Bijapur on 7th November to interact with farmers affected by the Waqf's predatory action," Tejasvi Surya posted on X. "Chairman will interact with farmer organisations, Mutts and petitions given to him will be placed before JPC," he added. Earlier, reacting to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's decision to retract all notices related to Waqf land issues, Jagdambika Pal said that by taking this step, he himself admitted that these notices were issued 'mistakenly' by the government. "By taking this step, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has admitted that Waqf notices were wrongly issued on farmers' land... I am going to Karnataka on November 7 and will see how the state government can issue notices on such a large scale...." Pal told ANI. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that Waqf's name was added to land records for 44 properties across Indi and Chadachan taluks in Vijayapura district without proper notice, following a meeting between Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and district officials. Many farmers, unaware of the sudden Record of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops (RTC) mutations, have expressed concern over losing ancestral land. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday that he has told his officials not to issue any notices to farmers and to withdraw the already issued notices also. Addressing a public gathering here today, CM Siddaramaiah said, "The previous BJP government had also issued notices to those illegally occupying Waqf properties. Now I have told my officials not to issue any notices to farmers. I have instructed officials to withdraw the notices already issued to farmers." (ANI)
The Supreme Court's decision to uphold the constitutional validity of the 'Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act 2004' has been received well within the Muslim community. The office bearers of various Muslim organisations have expressed their happiness after the apex court upheld the constitutional validity of the 'Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act 2004' and set aside the Allahabad High Court's March 22 verdict, which had struck down the Act. General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB), Maulana Yasoob Abbas, termed the top court's decision a 'great decision'. "It is a great decision. I welcome this decision... I salute the Supreme Court for their decision," he told ANI. Lucknow Eidgah Imam and member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi, said the decision has brought joy to the people related to madrasas, underscoring that madrasas also impart modern education along with Islamic education. ".This decision has brought joy to the people related to Madrasa. UP Madrasa Act had been drafted by the UP Govt itself. How can an Act draughted by the Govt be unconstitutional?...We have said this earlier too that besides Islamic education, we impart modern education too at Madrasas," Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi said. Reacting to the decision, Advocate Anas Tanveer said, "The Supreme Court has set aside Allahabad HC's verdict that the Madrasa Board Act is against the secularism principle as laid down by the Constitution. The SC said that Act is constitutional. As far as kamil and fazil degrees are concerned, these are higher degrees--the SC said that the Board won't be able to confer that. But other degrees equivalent to 10th and 12th will be valid...This is a big relief..." A bench Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, held the Madarsa Act unconstitutional to the extent it regulates higher education in relation to 'Fazil' and 'Kamil', which is in conflict with the UGC Act. The Madarsa Act regulates the standards of education in the State of Uttar Pradesh, said the bench while pronouncing the verdict on pleas against the judgement of the High Court. The right of minorities to administer educational institutions is not absolute and the state can regulate the standards of such education, it added. The Allahabad High Court had earlier struck down the UP Madrasa Act for violating principles of secularism - a facet of the basic structure of the Constitution. Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ameeque Jamei stated that the people across the country are welcoming this decision of the Supreme Court, adding that the government did not want madrasas to function and impart education. SP spokesperson Ameeque Jamei said, "People across the country are welcoming this decision of the Supreme Court. This government neither wants the madrasas to function nor implement government education. This government wants to open AC schools in this country where students of one section study. The backward, Dalits and Muslims remain neglected... If the government of the day comes to its senses, they should completely fund it (Madrasas)... We welcome the decision." The Allahabad High Court had struck down the UP Madrasa Act for violating principles of secularism, a facet of the basic structure of the Constitution. The apex court said that a law can be struck for violation of fundamental rights under Part III of the Constitution or on grounds of legislative competence but not for violation of basic structure. On March 22, the Allahabad High Court had asked the State to take immediate steps so that students pursuing studies in Madarsas of Uttar Pradesh are accommodated other schools. (ANI)
As the four-day Chhath Puja festivities kickstarted on Tuesday morning, Union Minister Giriraj Singh urged devotees to purchase materials for the puja "from those who respect the festival." Speaking to ANI, Singh said that Chhath Puja is a "festival of discipline" adding that the markets have been organised in Delhi's Begusarai as part of the festival celebrations. "For many years, we have been organising markets for the Hindu community during the Chhath Puja in Begusarai. This festival is a festival of discipline. In this matter, we cannot trust the people of other religions as they might spit in the material (used for Puja) or adulterate it. I appeal to all those who perform Chhath Puja to buy the material for the Puja from those who respect this festival," Giriraj Singh told ANI. The four-day Chhath puja began on Tuesday with Nahay Khay on Day 1 of the festivities. Nahay Khay, which falls on the Chaturthi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha, is all about cleansing, and prepping for the festival. Nahay Khay is followed by Kharna on Panchami Tithi on day 2, Chhath Puja on Sashti, and concludes with Usha Arghya on Saptami Tithi. The festivities will conclude on November 8. Chhath Puja is celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. Devotees across these states and also those in the national capital were seen performing puja rituals on Tuesday morning at Yamuna and Ganga ghats. Chhath Puja is one of the most significant festivals, involving strict rituals and fasting to express gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth. Devotees performed cleansing and puja rituals on Tuesday morning in Delhi's Kalindi Kunj Chhath Ghat. The festival has a special place in every Bihari and Jharkhandi's heart as it brings families together to pay homage to Surya Dev (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. Earlier on Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi reviewed the preparations for Chhath Puja at ITO ghat and said that Chhath ghats are being prepared at more than 1,000 locations. A public holiday has been declared in Delhi on November 7 for Chhath Puja, as part of the "important festival." Indian Railways earlier announced special train services across the country to ensure safe travel for passengers going to their hometowns for Chhath Puja. This festival witnesses a high participation rate of women, is marked with fanfare, and is also regarded as an occasion to take a break from household chores and be refreshed. It is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, as well as by the diaspora from these regions. (ANI)
A cabinet meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at Mantralaya in the state capital Bhopal on Tuesday and the council of ministers approved 35 percent reservation for women in all the recruitments of the Madhya Pradesh government services. After the cabinet meeting, Deputy CM of Madhya Pradesh, Rajendra Shukla told ANI, "Reservation (for women) in all recruitment under Government services in Madhya Pradesh has been increased to 35 per cent from 33 per cent. The decision was taken earlier and today it was approved by the state cabinet. It is a major step towards women empowerment in the state." Further briefing about the cabinet decisions, Shukla told reporters that the cabinet approved to open 254 new fertiliser sales centres in the state. With this, farmers would get relief from long queues and get fertiliser easily with cash payment. The council of ministers has given nod to establish a 660 MegaWatt critical thermal power plant in Sarni by decommissioning the earlier power plants units of total 830 MW units (two power plants of 205 MW each and another two plants of 210 MW each), Dy CM Shukla said. He further added that the cabinet also granted permission to increase the recruitment age of Assistant Professor in Medical College to 50 years from 40 years in the state. Dy CM Shukla also highlighted that the Regional Industrial Conclave held in Rewa was quite a successful event and around 4,000 investors and businessmen participated in the conclave. Investment proposal of worth Rs 31,000 crores was received from the conclave and it would generate over 28,000 employment opportunities in the state. Notably, the Regional Industry Conclaves are being held in the state as a pre-event of the "Invest Madhya Pradesh-Global Investor Summit-2025". GIS-2025 is proposed to be organised in Bhopal on February 7 and 8 next year. The main objective of the GIS-2025 Summit is to establish Madhya Pradesh as a favourable investment destination and to include it among the leading states of the country by highlighting the capabilities, abundant resources and favourable industrial environment of the state. The first edition of Regional Industry Conclave was organised in Ujjain on March 1 and 2 this year. Later, the second edition was held in Jabalpur on July 20 and then third edition in Gwalior on August 28, fourth edition in Sagar on September 27 and fifth edition was held in Rewa last month on October 23. (ANI)
The Winter Session of the Parliament will commence from November 25 and will continue till December 20, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday. In a post on X, Rijiju said, "President, on the recommendation of Government of India, has approved the proposal for summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Winter Session, 2024 from 25th November to 20th December, 2024 (subject to exigencies of parliamentary business)." He also mentioned that on November 26 (Constitution Day), 75th Anniversary of the adoption of Constitution, the event would be celebrated in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. During the winter session the Govt will make an effort to pass the Waqf Ammendment Bill which is currently with the JPC of the house. During the session, the government could also look to introduce One Nation One Election bill. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that his government was working towards achieving One Nation One Poll which will ensure simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state assemblies. "We are now working towards One Nation One Election, which will strengthen India's democracy, give optimum outcome of India's resources and the country will gain new momentum in achieving the dream of a developed India. Today, India is moving towards One Nation One Civil Code that is a Secular Civil Code," he said. However, Congress has rejected the idea of implementing One Nation One Election, saying that the PM has to take everyone in Parliament into confidence for this issue. Following PM's speech, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge dismissed the One Nation and One election concept as 'impossible.' Speaking to reporters, Congress President Kharge said, "What PM Modi has said, he will not do it, because when it comes in the parliament, he has to take everybody into confidence, then only this will happen. This is impossible, 'One Nation One Election' is impossible." The Joine Parliamentary Committee on Waqf Amendment Bills 2024 is holding its meetings regularly in different states with different stakeholders, to solve their queries and find a commong consensus on the contentious bill. The results of Assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra that will be announced on November 23 are also likely to be discussed in both the houses. (ANI)
 Flash

China on Monday appealed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the EU's final ruling of countervailing measures on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), according to China's commerce ministry.

China firmly opposes the final measures of the EU to impose high countervailing duties on Chinese-made EVs, despite a barrage of objections raised by relevant parties, including the governments of EU member states, the industry and the public, said a ministry spokesperson.

To safeguard the development interests of the EV industry and global cooperation on green transformation, China decided to make the appeal to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, the spokesperson said.

The complaint followed China's previous appeal to the organization against the EU's initial anti-subsidy measures for Chinese EVs, according to the ministry.

China believes that the EU's ruling, lacking factual and legal basis while violating WTO rules, is an abuse of trade remedy measures and a practice of trade protectionism in the name of countervailing, the spokesperson noted.

China has urged the EU to face up to its own mistakes, immediately correct its illegal practices, and jointly safeguard the stability of the global EV industrial chain and supply chain as well as the overall China-EU economic and trade cooperation, the spokesperson said.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday after his helicopter was delayed for over 90 minutes due to security restrictions for the PM. Soren said their conspiracy continues. Speaking to ANI, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren remarked, "Their conspiracy keeps going." JMM candidate Mahua Maji also commented on the incident, highlighting that Soren's programs are pre-approved by the Election Commission (EC). "The Chief Minister was made to sit for two hours. If he faces difficulties like this, whom can he appeal to?" she asked. Mahua Maji noted that the CM is a star campaigner for the Congress, JMM, RJD, and INDIA alliance and is actively holding multiple rallies each day. "He could have addressed meetings at four or five locations at this time. Remember how the Enforcement Directorate (ED) detained him for five months during the Lok Sabha elections, only for the Supreme Court to later rule there was no evidence against him," she stated. Maji emphasised that President Droupadi Murmu is the only authority they can appeal to for intervention, urging her to address the issue. "Our President is also a tribal woman and CM Soren is a young tribal leader. We ask her to intervene in this matter." "Now, if it will be like this in this election, then how will he go among the public? There is only one person to appeal to about this problem: our President, Droupadi Murmu. She is also a tribal woman, and our Chief Minister is also a popular young tribal leader. So he has appealed to the President to intervene in this matter. What should we do in such a situation?" she added. Earlier today, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had written to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention after Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's helicopter was not allowed to take off for over 90 minutes as PM Narendra Modi was visiting the state. Earlier, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) formally requested President Murmu's intervention, pointing out that CM Soren's helicopter was delayed for security measures travelling only 150 kilometres. According to the letter, the EC had notified that, for security purposes, a no-fly zone within a 50-kilometre radius would be enforced around the PM, with a restriction on flights for 15 minutes. Prime Minister Modi had campaigned in Jharkhand on Monday ahead of the state's Assembly elections. The 81-member Jharkhand Assembly will go to polls in two phases on November 13 and 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23. (ANI)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday slammed Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his "Samvidhan Sammelan" event. Fadnavis, also the BJP candidate from Nagpur South-West, accused Gandhi of insincerity. Speaking to reporters, the Maharashtra Deputy CM said, "He has no devotion to the Constitution. This is just his drama and nothing else. Nobody is going to vote for him with his drama." Earlier in the day, Fadnavis held a roadshow in Nagpur as part of his election campaign. Meanwhile, Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi chaired a District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting in Raebareli. DISHA committee meetings are held quarterly, chaired by the MP. Earlier in the day, Gandhi inaugurated the newly-built Shaheed Chowk and Degree College Chauraha in Raebareli. He also visited and offered prayers at Shri Peepaleshwar Mahadevji Mandir and Hanuman Mandir in the city. Gandhi, currently serving as the Member of Parliament for Raebareli, is on a one-day visit to the district. During his visit, he will also inaugurate roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Notably, Gandhi won the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 general elections by a significant margin of 390,030 votes. Later in the day, Gandhi will visit Hyderabad to meet with intellectuals and stakeholders regarding the caste survey initiated by the state government. Providing details about the caste survey, Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that it is being conducted for the first time in Telangana. "Rahul Gandhi will reach Hyderabad to hold a meeting with intellectuals, stakeholders on caste survey initiated by the state government...A caste survey is being conducted for the first time in Telangana...Each enumerator has been given 150 houses to survey, and accordingly, decisions will be taken for their benefit," Prabhakar said on Monday. In October, Prabhakar announced that a detailed caste survey would be conducted in Telangana from November 6 to November 30. "A detailed caste survey is going to be conducted in Telangana between November 6 to November 30. We promised this during elections, and now we are fulfilling it," Prabhakar stated. The Congress party has consistently demanded a nationwide caste census, calling it a "progressive and significant step." (ANI)
Three UPSC Aspirants had drowned in the flooded basement of RAU'S in old Rajeneder Nagar.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma issued notice to the CBI and sought a response. The matter has been listed on January 15.

Dalvin Suresh has moved a petition through advocate Abhijit Anand. He has sought direction from CBI to preserve, place on record and supply a copy of the CCTV footage.

Meanwhile, he withdrew another petition alleging that CVC is not supervising the CBI investigation in the matter.

The CBI has already filed a charge sheet against six accused including 4 co-owners and CEO Abhishek Gupta and Deshpal Singh. All accused are on bail.

The Delhi High Court transferred the investigation to the CBI from Delhi police in August 2024. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday criticized the BJP-led "double-engine government" while campaigning in Ghaziabad for the upcoming by-elections. Claiming that the government has failed the city, Yadav said, "The first engine never even reaches Ghaziabad, and the second engine barely operates from Lucknow." Yadav also alleged that the BJP was unsettled by its recent defeat in Ayodhya, which he claimed led them to avoid holding elections there. Commenting on the rescheduling of by-election dates, he added that the BJP is now afraid of losing. Yadav expressed confidence in the INDIA alliance, saying it would win all nine seats in the by-elections. Earlier in the day, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after the state government approved a new manual for the appointment of Director General of Police (DGP). According to the new manual, the DGP will now have a minimum tenure of two years, and a nominating committee, headed by a retired High Court judge, will oversee the appointment. Reacting to this decision, Yadav posted on X, saying that the real question is whether those implementing the arrangement will remain in power for two years. "I have heard that arrangements are being made to give a senior officer a permanent post and extend his tenure by two years... the question is whether the person making the arrangement will himself stay for two years or not," he wrote. "Is this an attempt to take the reins from Delhi into one's own hands? Delhi vs. Lucknow 2.0," he added. As per the new manual, the DGP will only be appointed when there are at least six months left in the officer's service. Earlier on Monday, Yadav took a potshot at the BJP, saying, "Talenge toh or bhi bura harenge (If they postpone it, they will lose even worse)" after the Election Commission rescheduled by-elections in Uttar Pradesh. The Election Commission postponed by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Punjab to November 20 from November 13. Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the BJP intentionally postponed the election to prevent people affected by "Maha-Berozgari" in UP, who had moved out of the state for work but returned home for the festival, from casting their votes. "First the Milkipur by-election was postponed; now the dates for by-elections for the remaining seats have been announced. The BJP has never been this weak. Due to 'Maha-Berozgari' in UP, people move to different parts of the country for work," Yadav said on X. Notably, the Election Commission has previously rescheduled polling dates to ensure voter convenience and encourage participation. One assembly constituency in Kerala, four in Punjab, and nine in Uttar Pradesh will now go to polls on November 20. The dates for counting and completion of the election will remain November 23 and 25, respectively. (ANI)
The Special Court took cognizance of the Prosecution Complaint on October 30, 2024. ED initiated an investigation based on an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation, EOU-IV, New Delhi, under various sections of the IPC, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, said officials.

ED investigation revealed that the above-mentioned form did not use the loan for the intended purpose for which it was granted. Charanjit Singh Bajaj, MD of M/s PMPPL, allegedly diverted the Proceeds of Crime (PoC) through various shell entities. Further, PoC to the tune of Rs 37.82 Crore was diverted to various related entities using fraudulent methods, said officials.

ED had previously conducted a search at 11 different premises which led to the recovery of cash of Rs 1.14 Crore and gold, added the statement.

Earlier, ED had also attached immovable properties worth Rs. 24.94 Crore, said officials.

More details into the matter are awaited. Further investigation is under progress. (ANI)
BJP leader Satyapal Singh on Tuesday, speaking to ANI said that BJP is confident of winning in the upcoming assembly election and the government has currently invested Rs850 crores to combat cybercrime and ensure security in the state. "The BJP's mantra is "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas". Our government prioritizes security and safety, and terrorism is under control, except for a few incidents in Jammu Kashmir and Punjab. The Maharashtra government is working hard to maintain law and order in the state. Additionally, the government has invested Rs850 crores to combat cybercrime, which has become a significant concern, and is committed to addressing this issue," he said. Maharashtra has 288 assembly constituencies, and the BJP is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance comprising Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). A total of 4,426 nomination papers of 3,259 candidates have been filed till October 28 for the elections on 288 constituencies of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, according to a release from the office of Maharashtra's Chief Election Officer. Maharashtra elections will be held in a single phase on November 20 with counting of votes held on November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections in Maharashtra, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. Opposition MVA, comprising of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Nationalist Congress Party (SCP), is looking to reclaim power in the state against the Mahayuti alliance, which consists of three parties--Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Tuesday criticised Sunil Raut's remark "Bali ka Bakra" as sexist and linked it to misogyny. She further emphasised the need for respect towards women and called for the implementation of the 33% reservation for women in politics. Commenting on Sunil Raut's remark, she said, "He used the term 'Bali ka bakra.' This expression reflects misogyny and sexism. It is unfortunate that, in today's time, such terms are still being used about women. Respect for women is about their representation and position in politics, and this is why the 33% reservation is essential." Chaturvedi also expressed her concerns about conditions at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, where passengers have reported a lack of services. "I have received many phone calls from people saying that no services are being provided at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus for railway passengers. People are concerned about a possible stampede-like situation, similar to what happened at Bandra. I have written to the DRM regarding this. On one hand, the railway minister claims that numerous special trains and arrangements have been made, yet the conditions tell a different story," she stated. Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against Sunil Raut, the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from the Vikhroli constituency and brother of Sanjay Raut, over allegedly objectionable comments against a female candidate from the Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The FIR has been filed under Sections 79, 351(2), and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Reportedly, during an election rally, Sunil Raut referred to the Shiv Sena Shinde faction's Vikhroli candidate, Suvarna Karanje, as a "goat." Sunil Raut is running as the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate for the Vikhroli assembly constituency, a seat he previously won in the 2014 and 2019 elections. This time, he is contesting against Suvarna Karanje from the Shiv Sena party and Vishwajeet Dholam from the MNS. (ANI)
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday took a swipe at the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government, accusing it of corruption and likening the BJP and its NDA allies to "powerful rockets" poised to propel Jharkhand towards speedy progress. Singh addressed two public meetings in Ranchi and Lohardaga districts to give a boost to BJP's campaign for the assembly polls. "Be it JMM, Congress, or RJD, all these political parties are fused firecrackers of Diwali. Whereas the Bharatiya Janata Party and the NDA allies are such powerful rockets that are ready to take Jharkhand to the skies of progress," he stated. Singh accused the JMM, Congress, and RJD of betraying the people of Jharkhand, calling them "speedbreakers" in the state's development. He also urged voters to remove these speedbreakers in the upcoming election. Of the seven Chief Ministers Jharkhand has seen so far, Singh highlighted that three have faced jail, noting that none of them was from the BJP. "BJP has always run the government spotlessly. Whenever the JMM government came, corruption increased," he said. "If we form the government in Jharkhand, we will stop illegal Bangladeshi infiltration and protect the rights of tribal communities. We will make laws to return tribal land occupied by infiltrators," he added. Singh also highlighted the government's initiative for tribal villages across the country. "Prdhan Mantri Janman Yojana has been launched to improve socio-economic conditions of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. Modiji cares for the welfare of the tribals," Singh said. The BJP-led government had in November last year approved Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) with total outlay of Rs 24,104 crore to focus on 11 critical interventions through nine line ministries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Abhiyan on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas from Khunti. India has ST population of 10.45 crore as per 2011 census, out of which 75 communities located in 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). These PVTGs continue to face vulnerability in social, economic and educational fields. PM-JANMAN (comprising Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes) focuses on 11 critical interventions through nine ministries including Ministry of Tribal Affairs. In his speech, Rajnath Singh referred to Mandal Murmu, who had signed nomination papers of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, joining BJP. "Just like people start jumping before the boat sinks, similarly, seeing the sinking boat of JMM, its workers are leaving the party," the union minister said. Jharkhand will go for assembly polls in two phases on November 13 and 20. (ANI)
Following another death threat to Bollywood actor Salman Khan, Advocate Ujjwal Nikam stated on Tuesday that it is now evident that the Bishnoi gang is repeatedly involved in threatening Khan. Speaking to ANI, Advocate Nikam also highlighted that under recent legislation, police can file chargesheets even against absconding accused, allowing the court to convict based on substantial evidence. "It is now evident that the Bishnoi gang is continually issuing threats to the Bollywood actor. Once the police trace the source of these threats, they will initiate a case. Under the new legislation, the police can file a chargesheet even against absconding accused, and the court can convict them based on tangible evidence," he said. Meanwhile, police reported that the latest threat message gives the actor two choices: apologise or pay Rs 5 crore to ensure his safety. Mumbai Police's traffic control room received a threatening WhatsApp message last night, purportedly from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The message stated that if Salman Khan wanted to remain safe, he should either visit their temple to apologise or pay Rs 5 crore. "If he does not comply, we will kill him; our gang remains active," read the message, which claimed to be from Lawrence Bishnoi's brother. The police said the message was received on Monday, and an investigation is underway. The process of registering the case is ongoing at Worli Police Station, with efforts to trace the phone number from which the message was sent, Mumbai Police confirmed. This marks the second death threat Salman Khan has received in a week. In an earlier threat also received by Mumbai Police's Traffic Control, a ransom of Rs 2 crore was demanded from the actor. On October 24, Mumbai Police arrested a man from Jamshedpur for threatening Salman Khan in the name of Lawrence Bishnoi and demanding a ransom of Rs 5 crore. This incident follows the recent murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique. Baba Siddique, former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader, was shot dead on October 12 by three assailants near the office of his son, Zeeshan Siddique, in Mumbai's Nirmal Nagar area. (ANI)
Buddhist spiritual leaders from across Asia and beyond participated in the first Asian Buddhist Summit 2024, held for two days in New Delhi under the aegis of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), themed "Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia." The event was inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu, who participated in a ceremonial offering of flowers to the Lord Buddha and the lighting of a lamp, accompanied by a Mangalacharan led by Mahayana monks. She also met with Buddhist nuns from around the world. At the event, the invocation in Pali by the monks set a spiritual tone, followed by Dhamma greetings from the Secretary General of the IBC, Shartse Khensur Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden. Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presented a memento to the President, and Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs of India, delivered the opening remarks. He said, "Buddha's message was spread from India to other countries. If his teachings are followed, the welfare of the world will be achieved. As a Buddhist, I feel fortunate to be a part of this event." Highlighting the significance of the Asian Buddhist Summit, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated, "The event provides a unique opportunity to bring together the diverse voices of Buddha Dhamma." The inaugural session included a short film showcasing the significance of the Asian Buddhist Summit and Buddha Dhamma. A highlight of the session was a captivating address on the "Recognition of Pali as a Classical Indian Language," delivered by Most Venerable Sitagu Sayadaw, a renowned Buddhist scholar from Myanmar. President Murmu launched the summit logo and delivered a keynote address that underscored the importance of disseminating Buddhist teachings across Asia. Praising the International Buddhist Confederation for organizing this event, President Murmu said, "Buddha taught us how to live a moral life. In a world facing challenges on many fronts, the diverse schools of thought offer valuable guidance on what needs to be done. I am confident that this summit will play a significant role in strengthening our cooperation." During the event, a captivating cultural performance was showcased, adding an enriching and vibrant dimension to the proceedings. The session focused on the dissemination of Buddha Dhamma in Asia, moderated by renowned scholars who shared their insights, fostering meaningful discussions on the role of Buddhism in contemporary society. Expressing her deep appreciation for the opportunity to be part of the gathering, Lama Aria Drolma, an ordained Buddhist teacher, said, "I am so honoured to be here. It is truly significant for all the traditions to come together today. There is a lot of healing when monks and monastics gather. When we come together with peace and harmony, it spreads everywhere." Emphasizing the significance of the Asian Buddhist Summit, Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation, said, "We have about 160 delegates from different countries, including many from Central Asia, such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. These countries are particularly interesting because they lie along the ancient Silk Road, a historic trade route through which merchants and monks traveled from India to China, spreading Buddha's teachings." When asked about the inspiration behind the theme of the summit, Halder explained, "Buddha Dhamma in Asia is very special because, in general, Asians have a deeply rooted traditional culture and value system. The philosophy of Buddha aligns so well with this context and has flourished here." The Asian Buddhist Summit demonstrated remarkable collaboration among Buddhist leaders and scholars, paving the way for deeper connections and shared learning across nations.(ANI)
 Flash

China's top diplomat Wang Yi and Takeo Akiba, special adviser to the Japanese cabinet and secretary general of Japan's National Security Secretariat, held consultations under the China-Japan high-level political dialogue mechanism in Beijing on Monday.

Noting that China-Japan relations are at a critical stage of improvement, Wang, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said the two sides should follow the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, stick to the right direction of improving and developing bilateral relations, and build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era.

Wang said the Japanese side should establish an objective and rational understanding of China, honor its political commitment on the Taiwan question and earnestly safeguard the political foundation of China-Japan relations, urging the Japanese side to take concrete actions to implement the important consensus of "being each other's cooperation partners rather than threats," and promote the steady and long-term development of bilateral ties.

The two sides reiterated that they will abide by the principles and consensus set out in the four political documents between China and Japan and commit to comprehensively advancing the strategic relationship of mutual benefit between the two sides, reaching agreement to maintain high-level intercourse, dialogue and exchanges in various fields, and send more positive signals to the outside world.

The two sides believed that China and Japan, as two important neighbors with development closely linked to each other and highly complementary economies, should not and will not decouple, pledging to jointly promote the healthy development of economic and trade cooperation and the stable and smooth production and supply chain.

On the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the two sides agreed to accelerate the follow-up and implementation of the bilateral political consensus.

Stressing that China is firmly committed to the path of peaceful development, pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and is a major country with the best record of peace and security, Wang said China will continue to uphold fairness and justice to prevent war or chaos in the region.

It is hoped that all parties will jointly resist non-regional forces inciting confrontation in the area and take concrete actions to safeguard regional peace and stability, Wang added.
Karnataka's Minister for Large and Medium Industries, MB Patil, speaking to ANI, on Tuesday, said that the government will seek the legal course of action regarding the notice issued to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and others. "...We will follow the legal course and if the court has given notice, the Karnataka CM will take a call after consulting with the advocates...When the BJP was in power in the state and Congress was in power in the centre, they (BJP) did not have faith in CBI and ED also...All of a sudden when BJP is in power, CBI and ED became pure...," he said. He further said "This is the dual standards and thereby Krishna has also been set up by these people (BJP)... They are doing politics". Earlier in the day, the Karnataka High Court heard the petition filed by activist Snehamayi Krishna seeking a direction to transfer the MUDA case involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to CBI, issued notice to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and others. The High Court directed the Lokayukta police to submit details of the probe conducted by November 25 while adjourning further hearing on the petition till November 26. The Mysuru Lokayukta officially initiated an inquiry and investigation into the case following a September 27 court order to file an FIR. The Lokayukta was directed to investigate allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore to Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, by MUDA. It is alleged that MUDA illegally allotted 14 sites to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife in the prime location of Mysuru city. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday that he has been summoned by the Mysore Lokayukta regarding the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). On being asked by the media, CM Siddaramaiah said, "Yes, Mysore Lokayukta has issued a notice regarding MUDA. I will go to Mysore Lokayukta on November 6." (ANI)
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court's recent rulings, which uphold the constitutionality of the UP Madrasa Education Board Act-2004 and limit the government's authority over private property. In her post, Mayawati praised the Supreme Court for declaring the UP Madrasa Education Board Act-2004 as "legal and constitutional." https://x.com/Mayawati/status/1853715871149216045 She said, "This decision is expected to resolve disputes and remove uncertainties surrounding madrasa education in Uttar Pradesh. Proper implementation of this decision is essential. Following the Supreme Court's decision, there is now a prospect of stability in the recognition and smooth functioning of madrasas in UP." She added, "The court stated that the provisions of the Madrasa Act align with constitutional values and protect the educational rights of religious minorities." https://x.com/Mayawati/status/1853715815889342541 Mayawati also welcomed the Supreme Court's decision by a 9-judge bench, which ruled that "not all private properties should be considered community assets under Article 39(b) of the Constitution, and prevented their acquisition. Until now, the government had the authority to acquire all private properties for the common good." Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act 2004, setting aside the Allahabad High Court's March 22 verdict that had struck down the Act. A bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra found the Act unconstitutional to the extent that it regulates higher education in relation to 'Fazil' and 'Kamil,' conflicting with the UGC Act. The bench clarified that the Madrasa Act regulates educational standards in Uttar Pradesh, stating that the right of minorities to administer educational institutions is not absolute and that the state can regulate educational standards. The Allahabad High Court had previously struck down the Act for violating the principles of secularism, a core aspect of the Constitution's basic structure. The Supreme Court noted that while a law can be struck down for violating fundamental rights or legislative competence, it cannot be invalidated solely for violating the basic structure. The Court's ruling emphasized the need for the legislative scheme of the Act to standardize education levels in madrasas, stating that it does not interfere with their daily operations. The verdict aims to protect the rights of minorities in Uttar Pradesh and ensure that students can graduate and secure decent employment. During the hearings, the apex court described India as a "melting pot of cultures, civilizations, and religions," stressing the importance of preserving this diversity. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) argued that the education provided in madrasas was not comprehensive, which contradicted the provisions of the Right to Education Act, 2009. The Uttar Pradesh government supported the legislation and accepted the ruling. The Supreme Court's decision followed appeals against the High Court's judgment, which had found the UP Board of Madrasa Education Act 2004 unconstitutional and violative of secularism and fundamental rights. The appeals were filed by various associations, including the Managers Association Madaris Arabiya (UP) and the All India Teachers Association Madaris Arabiya (New Delhi). Madrasas are institutions where students pursue Islamic studies along with other education. The Allahabad High Court had previously urged the state to ensure that students in Uttar Pradesh's madrasas could transition to other schools. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant anticipatory bail to Arunkumar Devnath Singh, father of a minor driver's friend, in a case relating to the Porsche car accident which claimed two lives in Pune earlier this year. A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah declined to interfere with the October 23 Bombay High Court order that had denied anticipatory bail to Singh, father of co-accused sitting next to the main accused. The applicant's minor son was allegedly in the rear seat of the luxury car, which was reportedly being driven by another minor on May 19, 2024, at a high speed and killed two youths after mowing them down in Pune. Both minors were purportedly drunk when the car fatally knocked down two IT professionals on a motorbike in Pune's Kalyani Nagar. The parents of the juvenile driver allegedly bribed the doctors to swap his blood samples with those of his mother and similarly, Singh had been accused of replacing the blood samples of his son in connivance with the doctors at the government-run hospital. The High Court in its order had also noted that Singh had bribed the doctors at the Sassoon Hospital in Pune just after the accident to get his son's blood samples changed, only to ensure that the medical reports did not indicate the presence of any alcohol in his son's blood. (ANI)
The meeting was chaired by Director General Paramesh Sivamani, Chairperson of the NOSDCP.

Around 80 delegates from various ministries, central and state governments, ports, and oil-handling agencies participated in the event.

The gathering focused on evaluating the nation's readiness to respond effectively to potential oil spill incidents in Indian waters.

"As India progresses towards becoming the world's third-largest economy, the volume of oil imports via shipping is also rising. This growth, alongside the transport of chemicals and other hazardous materials, presents significant risks to India's maritime zones, extensive coastline, coastal communities, marine ecosystems, and tourism sectors. Ensuring comprehensive preparedness among the Central Coordinating Agency, coastal states, ports, and other stakeholders is essential to safeguarding our marine environment against potential oil spills," the release stated.

In his address, DG S Paramesh reaffirmed the ICG's commitment to tackling regional threats, including marine oil and chemical spills.

He emphasised the need for strengthened cooperation among stakeholders to enhance partnerships, improve coordination, and adopt best practices in emerging technologies. He also highlighted the recent inauguration of the Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre in Chennai by the Hon'ble Defence Minister, noting its significant role in enhancing the ICG's capabilities for managing pollution incidents in the region, the release added. (ANI)
Reacting to the Supreme Court's decision upholding the constitutional validity of the UP Board of Madrasa Education Act, 2004, former Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Priyank Kanoongo, expressed disappointment that the court remained silent on the constitutional rights of madrasa students. "In Paragraph 76 of the judgement, the Supreme Court referenced the Pramati Education Society and others vs the Union of India case. With this mention, we had hoped the court would refer the case to a larger bench. Previously, a constitutional bench ruled that the Right to Education (RTE) would not apply to minority schools, but this decision pertains to madrasas, which are exempt from RTE. It is disheartening that the Supreme Court has not addressed the constitutional rights of madrasa students," Kanoongo told ANI. He also extended his appreciation to the court, noting that their primary concern was that Hindu students should not receive Islamic religious education in madrasas funded by the government, a stance that the court recognised. "Additionally, another key issue was that Hindu students should not be taught Islamic religious education in madrasas with government assistance, as this relates to Article 28(3) of the Indian Constitution. The Supreme Court acknowledged this point, for which we are grateful. This was clearly established in Paragraph 86 of the judgement," he added. Notably, the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the constitutional validity of the 'Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act, 2004', setting aside the Allahabad High Court's March 22 verdict, which had invalidated the Act. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, declared that the Madrasa Act is unconstitutional only insofar as it regulates higher education concerning 'Fazil' and 'Kamil' qualifications, as this conflicts with the UGC Act. The Madrasa Act governs educational standards in Uttar Pradesh, the bench stated while delivering the verdict on appeals against the High Court's decision. The court noted that the right of minorities to manage educational institutions is not absolute, and the state may regulate the standards of such education. The Allahabad High Court had previously struck down the UP Madrasa Act on the grounds that it violated the principle of secularism--a fundamental aspect of the Constitution's basic structure. The Supreme Court clarified that a law can be invalidated for infringing fundamental rights under Part III of the Constitution or due to a lack of legislative competence, but not solely for violating the basic structure. "The legislative intent of the Act is to standardise the quality of education provided in madrasas. The Madrasa Act does not interfere with the day-to-day functioning of madrasas; it is meant to protect minority rights in Uttar Pradesh and aligns with the state's responsibility to ensure students can gain employment and lead a dignified life," stated the court. During the case hearing, the Supreme Court described India as a "melting pot of cultures, civilisations, and religions" and emphasised the importance of measures to preserve this diversity. (ANI)
Opposition MPs in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday regarding their issues. After coming out of the meeting, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee said that the Speaker has assured them that he will look into their "grievances." "When we come (in the JPC meeting) the BJP leaders don't come. If we won't be there the quorum will not be fulfilled. We are serious and sincere. Many such issues are there that we have raised to the Speaker. It was a very nice discussion. The Speaker has very patiently heard us and has said that he will look into the grievances which we have pointed out there. He was very kind to us," Banerjee told ANI. AAP Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Singh emphasized that they have put forth their views with the Lok Sabha Speaker. "Whatever our views are; we have discussed them with the Speaker. These things cannot be said in public because there is a limit to the committee and the Speaker. Whatever our problem was, we have put it before him and he has assured to take a decision after carefully considering it," Singh said. Last month, Banerjee was suspended for a day over his alleged unruly conduct during the JPC meeting on the Waqf bill. The JPC's efforts are part of a larger national initiative to reform the Waqf Act and ensure that waqf properties are used for the greater good of the community. The Waqf Act, 1995, which was created to regulate waqf properties, has long faced allegations of mismanagement, corruption and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to bring sweeping reforms, introducing digitisation, stricter audits, transparency and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC is holding a series of meetings to gather input from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members and community representatives from different states and Union Territories, aiming for the most comprehensive reform possible. (ANI)
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday expressed concern over Bangladeshi infiltrators and said that they have been entering the state and are rapidly becoming a danger to the state of Jharkhand. He slammed the JMM-Congress govt in Jharkhand saying that they use infiltrators as their vote bank. "Under the protection of JMM-Congress govt in Jharkhand, Bangladeshi infiltrators are entering the state. They are not only coming here but are also becoming a danger to the state. This JMM-Congress govt makes Aadhar cards and Ration cards and adds them to the voting list," said Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He further added that the population of Santhal tribals has reduced to 28 per cent from 44 per cent in Jharkhand. Chouhan promised that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has resolved to root out the infiltrators. "In some cases, they marry our tribal daughters and buy land in their name. These infiltrators are becoming a danger for our tribal daughters and Jharkhand. In Santhal, the population of tribals has reduced to 28% from 44%. This danger arose due to the JMM-Congress-RJD govt. It is BJP's resolve to root out these infiltrators..." he added. Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that steps will be taken to stop infiltration if a BJP-led government is formed in Jharkhand and laws will framed to return usurped land to tribal women. Addressing an election rally in Chaibasa, PM Modi also emphasised the party's 'roti, beti aur maati' slogan, saying people want BJP-led NDA to come to power in the assembly polls. PM stated that the JMM-Congress-RJD have endangered the identity of Jharkhand. Infiltrators are their biggest vote bank... Infiltrators are targeting tribal daughters through lies, fraud, and deceit, they are marrying and snatching tribals' land. They are snatching your - daughter, bread, and land. I assure you that as soon as the BJP government is formed in Jharkhand, every step will be taken to stop infiltration. Notably, elections for the 81-seat assembly in Jharkhand will be held in two phases on November 13 and November 20, with the counting of votes scheduled for November 23. (ANI)
Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, Jagdambika Pal, stated on Tuesday that from November 9 to 14, the committee will visit multiple cities, including Guwahati and Kolkata, to meet delegations and prepare its report on the contentious bill. Speaking to ANI, Jagdambika Pal emphasised that the committee is providing an opportunity for all stakeholders to share their views on the Waqf Bill. "I held the first meeting on August 22. Since then, 25 meetings have been conducted. During these meetings, we examined six ministries and engaged with 37 stakeholders, including Islamic and minority organisations. Approximately 123 stakeholders have appeared before the committee. Among them were three MPs, three MLAs, MLCs, and a Minister of State from Gujarat. Additionally, representatives from six states, eight Waqf Boards, and four Minority Commissions have appeared," Pal explained. He further noted that meetings have been organised across various states in North and South India, not only in Delhi. "From November 9 to 14, we will travel to several cities to meet various delegations to prepare our report. We will start in Guwahati, followed by Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna, and Lucknow. To compile this report, we have not only held 25 meetings in Delhi but are also conducting meetings across North and South India. We are ensuring that everyone has the chance to express their views. Each of these 25 meetings has typically lasted 9-10 hours," Jagdambika Pal added. The BJP MP also affirmed that the JPC will meet its deadline to submit the report. Notably, the committee is expected to present its report on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 to the House by the end of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament. The Winter Session of Parliament will commence on November 25 and continue until December 20. The JPC's efforts form part of a broader national initiative to reform the Waqf Act, ensuring that waqf properties serve the greater good of the community. The Waqf Act, 1995, originally established to regulate waqf properties, has long faced accusations of mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 aims to implement sweeping reforms, introducing digitisation, stricter audits, enhanced transparency, and legal frameworks to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC is conducting a series of meetings to gather input from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community representatives from various states and Union Territories, aiming to achieve comprehensive reform. (ANI)
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda indirectly expressed his anger against CP Yogeshwar, calling him a "converted Congress gentleman." Yogeshwar is the congress candidate from Channapattana by-poll constituency He is facing NDA candidate Nikhil Kumar Swamy "The converted Congress gentleman says Deve Gowda's hands shake, and that he won't come to campaign. I will come to campaign, and I'll be here until the 11th," he declared. "My relationship with (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi is good and will remain good; it goes beyond politics. But the Congress leaders are engaging in vile actions. They have nothing else to talk about except my family. Someone might ask, 'Deve Gowda, why did you field your grandson?' We had told the converted Congress leader to either stand from BJP or JDS, but he betrayed us and the BJP. Now he's the Congress candidate. That's why local leaders must unite to field Nikhil and counter this conspiracy," said the former Prime Minister. "When he was with Congress, we told him, 'You contest from JD(S).' And even his party president Nadda asked him to contest from BJP. That converted Congress leader was told by Nadda not to betray the party and to contest as a BJP candidate. However, he even rejected Nadda's words," Deve Gowda remarked. Speaking at a public gathering in J Byadarahalli, the former Prime Minister lashed out at CM Siddaramaiah, saying, "The Chief Minister's arrogance must be broken." Mocking the DK brothers as "unique brothers," HD Deve Gowda sarcastically pointed out, "For the past six months, one has been saying, 'I will... I will... contest in Channapatna.' Where is he now? The unique brothers have now made a decision. I won't say their names because if I do, they'll mock me, saying HD Deve Gowda came on a ventilator to give a speech. But here I am, sitting before you, without a ventilator, and my hands aren't shaking," expressed the former Prime Minister in frustration. (ANI)
Extending Gujarati New Year greetings, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday talked about the historic completion of the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a landmark achievement made possible through the "unwavering commitment" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "We all had the privilege of witnessing this remarkable milestone," the CM said. Highlighting that this new year marks a commitment to ambitious developmental goals, the Chief Minister expressed pride in recent advancements, stating, "During Diwali, on the auspicious occasion of Vagh Baras, our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gifted Gujarat with development projects valued at Rs4,800 crore. Today, I am honored to present benefits worth Rs122 crore as developmental initiatives to the region of Savarkundla." He further said that the magnitude of projects being launched today worth several crores reflects the strength and dedication of "our leadership." In earlier times, a municipality's entire annual budget amounted to only Rs5-10 lakh. "Today, we are inaugurating projects valued at Rs100 crore, a testament to our commitment to transformative growth." Under the transformative leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has been swiftly approving planned development projects, driving rapid and tangible progress across regions. In his address, the Chief Minister conveyed his warm wishes and emphasized his commitment to ensuring that various development projects in the Amreli district are completed with the highest quality, enhancing services and facilities for residents. He further highlighted the improvements in road connectivity within Amreli district and Savarkundla city, which provide citizens with modern and convenient transportation options. "As Gujarat continues its remarkable journey of development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I feel honoured to unveil the statue of the Late Bhagwan Bapa today CM further said that, A true champion of progress and a steadfast supporter of our farmers, Bhagwan Bapa's legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations as well," he said. The Chief Minister compared the Prime Minister's mantra of development to the personality of the late Bhagwan Bapa and stated that Bhagwan Bapa also embodied the philosophy of "Sauno Saath Sauno Vikas Sauno Vishwas and Sauno Prayas," which inspired the implementation of collective farming practices. He outlined the various farmer-centric schemes launched by both the state and central governments, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring the well-being of farmers. These initiatives include the provision of adequate roads, access to drinking water, irrigation facilities, reliable electricity, and comprehensive support from crop sowing to harvesting and sale, all contributing to the financial stability of our farmers. Chief Minister Patel reiterated the Prime Minister's call to transform the nation into Viksit Bharat@2047 during this Amrit Kaal. He encouraged everyone to commit themselves in the new year and actively participate in the collective resolution for a Viksit Bharat. On this occasion, MP Parshottam Rupala said that the government has gifted development projects worth crores of rupees to Amreli district during this New Year. The state government has allocated Rs122 crore for the development of Savarkundla. Rupala stressed that future generations will find inspiration in the legacy of Bhagwan Bapa. He pointed out that collective farming is crucial in today's agricultural landscape and outlined how Bhagwan Bapa promoted this concept years ago. Rupala noted that the primary challenge farmers are facing today is the limited availability of land. With most farmers owning small plots, they often lack the opportunity to experiment with innovative farming practices and are compelled to sell their harvested crops immediately. Bhagwan Bapa was a visionary whose advocacy for collective farming and agricultural experimentation is more relevant now than ever," Rupala stated. He also drew attention to the advancements in technology and collective farming practices, such as kibbutz in Israel, showcasing their potential benefits for agriculture. Furthermore, he acknowledged that necessary measures, including the Farmer Rights Act and the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act, along with the Green Revolution, have significantly enhanced the economic conditions of farmers. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, various farmer welfare initiatives are paving the way for prosperity in the agricultural sector. In his welcome address, MLA Mahesh Kaswala paid tribute to the pioneer of collective farming, the Late Bhagwan Bapa. He underlined that it was Bhagwan Bapa's dedication that led to the establishment of Saurashtra's first yard in Savarkundla. Kaswala said that over the past two years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel have allocated a substantial Rs1,600 crore for the development of Savarkundla and Liliya. Among these initiatives, Rs171 crore has been designated for road infrastructure, with construction slated to commence soon on 74 of the 120 planned roads. Furthermore, the state government has approved Rs25 crore for the development of a riverfront along the Navali River. This project aims not only to restore the river but also to enhance the overall beauty and appeal of the city. IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani emphasized, the significant progress made in various development initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. He noted that through cooperation, new avenues for rural prosperity are being unlocked. Sanghani also took a moment to reflect on the inspiration provided by Bhagwan Bapa to the youth. During the occasion, esteemed folk literary figure Mayabhai Ahir paid tribute to the late Bhagwan Bapa, a former MLA, who devoted his life not to personal gain but to the welfare of the common people. Mayabhai also recalled the contributions of Bhagat Bapu and Kag Bapu. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel unveiled a life-size statue of the late Bhagwan Bapa at the Savarkundla APMC. As an advocate of collective farming and a lifelong servant of farmers, Bhagwan Bapa earned deep respect within the farming community through his unwavering dedication to their service. Notably, he was the grandfather of the current MLA, Mahesh Kaswala. In a significant event held in Savarkundla, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects totalling Rs122 crores. This initiative includes projects worth Rs103 crore specifically designated for the Savarkundla Municipality area. Additionally, the Chief Minister inaugurated Rs4.90 crore in projects from the Roads and Buildings Department and laid the foundation for further projects valued at Rs13.47 crore. These efforts underscore the government's commitment to enhancing infrastructure and services for the residents of Savarkundla. The event witnessed the participation of prominent dignitaries including MLAs J.V. Kakadiya, Janak Talaviya, Hirabhai Solanki,Kanchan Radadiya, as well as the President of Savarkundla Municipality, Mehul Trivedi, and Chairman of Savarkundla Market Yard, Deepak Malani. Members of the District and Taluka Panchayats, former MP Naran Kachhadiya, and former MLAs Bavkubhai Undhad, Vallabhbhai Kakadiya, Mansukh Bhuva, Hanubhai Dhorajiya, Kalubhai Virani, Ambarishbhai Der, Rajula leader Jigneshbhai Patel, Bhupendrabhai Basia, Hirenbhai Hirpara, Vipulbhai Dudhat and others were also present. Cooperative leaders, community heads, and local farmers attended the program, highlighting its community-wide significance. Mehul Trivedi extended the vote of thanks on behalf of Savarkundla Municipality. (ANI)
 Flash

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (at the podium) speaks at the opening ceremony of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum in New Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) kicked off on Monday in New Cairo, Egypt, marking the forum's first return to Africa in more than two decades.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said this year's WUF convenes at a critical time, as successive global crises, including devastating wars, have catastrophic repercussions for cities and urban communities.

This requires efforts and political will to establish peace, terminate conflicts, and prioritize development, and reconstruction, he added.

Noting the ongoing wars and conflicts in the Middle East, primarily the war in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, he urged urgent response to end the bloodshed and destruction, and to embark on processes of reconstruction and development.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Israeli offensive has damaged 80 percent of facilities, hospitals, and buildings in the Gaza Strip. He noted more than 150,000 Palestinians were either killed or wounded, calling on the international community to take their responsibilities to stop the Israeli offensive.

At the opening ceremony, the Egyptian president announced the launch of the "National Smart Cities Strategy" and the "National Green Urbanization Strategy," which aim to reinforce ongoing national endeavors in promoting urbanization.

Co-organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) and the Egyptian government, the WUF12 will run until Friday, attracting attendees such as government officials, academics, business people, community leaders, urban planners and civil society representatives. A delegation led by Chinese Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong also attended the opening ceremony.

The WUF was established in 2001 by the United Nations to examine urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies. The first WUF was held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2002.

During the conference, Azerbaijan was announced as the next host for the forum.
Shiv Sena candidate from Vikhroli constituency Suvarna Karanje has filed a complaint to the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and sought action against her rival candidate Sunil Raut over objectionable remarks on her. In her letter to Maharashtra CEO, S Chockalingam, Suvarna said that the comment by Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate is a violation of ethical and respectful conduct in public discourse. "On 5th November 2024, a video was widely circulated on social media where MLA Sunil Raut is seen making highly derogatory, inflammatory, threatening remarks against me, Suvarna Karanje, his opponent for the upcoming Vidhan sabha elections from Vikhroli assembly constituency. In the video, Mr. Raut refers to me as 'Bakri' (goat) in a highly demeaning manner and in an extremely disturbing and provocative statement, he declares that he will 'behead the Bakri' on 20th November, the day of elections," she said in her letter to CEO. "These comments, made in the presence of a gathering of individuals from a particular community are not only an open insult to my dignity as a woman and political candidate but also constitute an explicit and dangerous threat. Such remarks are clearly giving a message to slaughter me in public like a 'Bakri'. The remarks have the potential to incite communal tension, hatred and violence in an already charged political environment," Suvarna Karanje added. She also mentioned that this remark violates the Model Code of Conduct. Further, Karanje requested the Election Commission to take immediate action against Sunil Raut and arrest and disqualify him from contesting the Assembly polls. "I urgently request the Election Commission to take immediate action against MLA Sunil Raut and arrest him and disqualify him from contesting in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha election and hold him accountable for his words and actions, in line with the law and code of conduct. I would also like to urge you to review my security details in case his followers try to take action against me by getting influenced by his statement," she said. The National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar also condemned Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA's comment on her rival candidate. "The comment made by Shiv Sena (Thackeray) leader and candidate Sunil Raut on female candidate Suvarna Karanje reflects his anti-women mentality. Today, when the country is moving towards becoming a developed nation under the leadership of women, such a low mentality towards women is indecent. I strongly condemn this statement. Respect for women is paramount and it is the collective responsibility of all of us," the NCW chief said on X. Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against Sunil Raut, the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from the Vikhroli constituency and brother of Sanjay Raut, over allegedly objectionable comments against Karanje. The FIR has been filed under Sections 79, 351(2), and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Reportedly, during an election rally, Sunil Raut referred to the Shiv Sena Shinde faction's Vikhroli candidate, Suvarna Karanje, as a "scapegoat." Sunil Raut is running as the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate for the Vikhroli assembly constituency, a seat he previously won in the 2014 and 2019 elections. This time, he is contesting against Suvarna Karanje from the Shiv Sena party and Vishwajeet Dholam from the MNS. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticised Sunil Raut's remark "Bali ka Bakra" as sexist and linked it to misogyny. She further emphasised the need for respect towards women and called for the implementation of the 33% reservation for women in politics. NCP leader Praful Patel also called for greater respect for women, emphasizing on Maharashtra government's Ladli Behen Yojana. In a no-holds-bar-attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Raut over his alleged comment on women candidate, Shiv Sena candidate from the Mumba Devi seat, Shaina NC said that it is time that the women in Maharashtra wake up and raise their voices against such "regressive" comments. (ANI)
Ahead of the assembly polls, the Mahayuti alliance on Tuesday unveiled its much-anticipated manifesto presenting a vision aimed at driving Maharashtra toward "unprecedented prosperity and development." During a public meeting held in Kolhapur North, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar jointly launched the manifesto, highlighting the alliance's commitment to transformative growth and a progressive future for the state. The Mahayuti alliance, comprises BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. With a ten-point agenda, the alliance aims to bring in a prosperous Maharashtra--from economic relief for farmers and job creation for the youth to women's safety and social security for senior citizens. At the heart of the manifesto is a commitment to increase financial aid and support across sectors. Under the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme, monthly allowances for women will be raised from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100, with 25,000 new police recruits to boost women's safety. Farmers will benefit from a loan waiver and enhanced annual support of Rs 15,000 under the "Shetkari Sanman Yojna," along with a 20 per cent MSP subsidy. Senior citizens' monthly pensions will also increase to Rs 2,100, ensuring dignity in their later years, the manifest said. The manifesto outlines a commitment to ensuring that every individual has access to necessities such as food and shelter, addressing fundamental needs to improve overall living conditions. Additionally, it promises measures to keep the prices of essential commodities stable, aiming to shield households from sudden price surges and ensuring that basic items remain affordable. Through these pledges, the manifesto seeks to build a more secure and supportive environment for all citizens, emphasizing stability and accessibility in daily life. To enhance employment, Mahayuti has pledged to create 25 lakh jobs, providing stipends of Rs 10,000 per month to train 10 lakh students. Roads in 45,000 villages will be paved, improving rural infrastructure. Additionally, Anganwadi and ASHA workers are set to receive a salary increase to Rs 15,000 per month. The manifesto also promises insurance security for Anganwadi and ASHA workers. In terms of energy, the manifesto promises a 30 per cent reduction in electricity bills and a shift towards renewable sources to bring relief to households while supporting a sustainable future. The manifesto also lists 'Vision Maharashtra 2029' which will be presented within the first 100 days of forming the government, marking a roadmap for the upcoming government, it added. Maharashtra elections will be held in a single phase on November 20 with counting of votes on November 23. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday on Tuesday launched three publications of the Supreme Court in the presence of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, CJI-designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice BR Gavai, and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The President launched three publications namely- Justice for the Nation: Reflections on 75 years of the Supreme Court of India, Prisons in India: Mapping Prison Manuals and Measures for Reformation and Decongestion, and Legal Aid through Law Schools: A Report on working of Legal Aid Cells in India. Addressing the gathering CJI said the President released three publications of the Supreme Court which are of seminal importance. "It is nigh on impossible to understate the importance of the publications which are being released today. Of the three publications, one is a collection of essays which analyse the jurisprudence of the court since its foundation and the remaining two are studies which assess the functioning of legal-aid cells in universities and the state of prisons, respectively," said the CJI. All three publications are moments of self-reflection, both for the Supreme Court as well as the larger legal system, he added. He further said that for any institution, the pursuit of excellence necessitates the deliberate act of self-reflection. As part of this process, we must carefully assess our past and present and use what we extract to inform our actions in the future, CJI added. "While the compendium serves as a valuable tool for judges, lawyers, and citizens to ruminate on the direction the law has taken in the past several decades, the reports provide valuable data and analysis which will enable various actors in the legal system, including courts, the Legal Services Authorities at the national, state, and district levels, and legislative bodies, to better understand the nature of problems which prevail at the grassroots." It is only after understanding these problems accurately that appropriate, effective solutions can be crafted and implemented. Without a clear picture of ground realities, laws and policies will have limited impact and may even entrench existing problems, he said. He said that the first report - Prisons in India: Mapping Prison Manuals and Measures for Reformation and Decongestion- is a result of the President's vision and it is but appropriate that it is being released by her. "This report analyses the prison manuals of all States and Union Territories and tests its provisions on the touchstone of the Constitution. It also examines the role of the district judiciary in adjudicating applications for bail, the use of alternative punishments for convicted persons and their reformation. The report deals with certain aspects of prisons that have seldom received institutional attention, such as menstrual equity and reproductive rights for female prisoners and de-addiction initiatives," said the CJI. Addressing the gathering he said that one of the significant findings of the study was that the caste of prisoners often determined the work which they are allotted, with inmates from oppressed castes being allotted tasks related to sanitation. Instrumentalities of the state will no doubt find the report useful while framing policies in relation to prisons, he said. CJI Chandrachud said legal aid clinics are meant to perform two equally crucial functions and the second report which is being released today is titled Legal Aid Through Law Schools: A Report on the Working of Legal Aid Cells in India. "They are aimed at supplementing the state's legal aid programs as well as developing the skills of law students. In the process, it is hoped that they inculcate a sense of service to society in each generation of lawyers. It is therefore essential for the legal community to direct its attention to legal aid clinics and ensure their proper functioning. Our report is a much-needed step in this direction," he further said. In the third book - Justice for the Nation: Reflections on 75 Years of the Supreme Court of India - retired judges, eminent jurists, academics, and lawyers have contributed to this volume of essays which critically analyse key themes and trends in the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court. "The essays cover numerous topics ranging from the late Fali Nariman's discussion of preambular values to Dr Upendra Baxi's exploration of the limits of judicial review. A number of chapters address the evolution of different fundamental rights, from those related to gender and disability to free speech and caste," he said. He further added, "I hope - nay, I am certain - that this volume will catalyse a lively discussion amongst the public and the legal community on the role of the Supreme Court in our democracy." (ANI)
In a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry, Egypt stressed that this unacceptable decision comes after a new chapter of flagrant and systematic Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law.

It added that this decision constitutes a dangerous development through which Israel aims to liquidate the Palestinian cause and the refugee issue, including the right of return.

The ministry continued that the Israeli decision constitutes an unacceptable disregard for the United Nations, its agencies, and the international community.

Notably, Israel withdrew its recognition of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon tweeted on Monday morning.

Danon tweeted a copy of a letter notifying Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The development follows up on the Knesset passing legislation barring Israeli officials from cooperating with the embattled UN agency.

"Following the legislation on UNRWA, the State of Israel officially notified the President of the General Assembly of the termination of cooperation with the agency," Danon tweeted.

"Despite the overwhelming evidence we submitted to the UN that substantiate Hamas' infiltration of UNRWA, the UN did nothing to rectify the situation. The State of Israel will continue to cooperate with humanitarian organisations but not with organisations that promote terrorism against us."

UNRWA has been under fire for months, with Israeli officials demanding the agency be stripped of its authority in Gaza and defunded amid revelations that members of the agency's staff participated in Hamas' October 7 attacks. (ANI/WAM)
Over a thousand Canadian Hindus gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada on Monday evening (local time) to protest against the repeated attacks on Hindu temples in the country, a day after the temple was attacked by Khalistani extremists The organizers of the solidarity rally pressed Canadian politicians and law enforcement agencies to not give further support to Khalistanis. The details were shared by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) on social media platform X. The CoHNA highlighted the multiple attacks on Hindu temples across Canada during the Diwali weekend and called on to stop the "Hinduphobia" in the country. "Over a thousand #CanadianHindus have gathered in Brampton to protest against the increasingly brazen attacks on Hindu Temples," the post read. "Yesterday, during the sacred #Diwali weekend, Canadian Hindu temples, coast to coast, came under attack. We ask Canada to stop this #Hinduphobia now!" it added. https://x.com/CoHNACanada/status/1853592995523973562 On Sunday, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple witnessed a "violent disruption" in Brampton, near Toronto. Following the attacks, the Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit organisation working for the Hindu community in Canada, shared a video of the attack on the temple and said that the Khalistani terrorists attacked kids and women. on a Hindu temple in Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the "deliberate attack" and said that "cowardly attempts to intimidate" Indian diplomats were appalling and New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law. "I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi said on X. The strong statement by PM Modi came hours after the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday. "We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries regarding violence in Brampton. "The outreach of our Consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence," he added. India has been repeatedly expressing its deep concern about extremism and the culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada and has sought action against these activities. The Indian High Commission in Canada condemned the "violent disruption" by 'anti-India' elements outside a consular camp. The high commission also said that any further events will be organised "contingent on security arrangements" made by the local authorities. There has been a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance in Canada. (ANI)
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has urged people in the US to vote hours ahead of the start of polling in the United States. In a video posted on her X handle on Tuesday, the 60-year-old said, "Tomorrow". The video shows the US Vice President holding campaign rallies and interacting with people. It also shows visuals of working-class and middle-class people. "Do we believe in the promise of America and are we are ready to fight for it?" Harris says in the video. "We are not going back!" she adds. https://x.com/KamalaHarris/status/1853613312543535231 Earlier in the day, the Vice President interacted with some voters in Pennsylvania and asked for their support. https://x.com/KamalaHarris/status/1853609537728635342 She also held campaign rallies in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia and Michigan, some key battleground states. https://x.com/KamalaHarris/status/1853591833827242245 Moreover, in a social media post, Harris emphasised the need to bring stricter controls on possession and guns. "I am a gun owner, and I believe we can protect the Second Amendment while also passing gun safety laws. We need to reinstate the assault weapons ban and pass universal background checks, safe storage laws, and red flag laws to keep our children and communities safe," she stated in a post on X. Earlier on Sunday, the Vice President also promised to legalize recreational marijuana. "I will legalize recreational marijuana, break down unjust legal barriers, and create opportunities for all Americans to succeed in this new industry," she stated. Kamala Harris is the first female, first Black, and first Asian American vice president. If elected president, the 59-year-old Harris would become the first woman in history to become the US president. She is also only the second woman ever nominated for the presidency by a major political party. The Vice President, who has Indian roots, was born in Oakland, California, and attended a historically black university, Howard University, in Washington. Her mother was Indian and her father Jamaican; both immigrated to the United States. During a Michigan rally on Sunday, Harris vowed to end the ongoing war in Gaza, bring home hostages, and ensure Israel's security and the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination. "I want to say that this year has been difficult, given the scale of death and destruction in Gaza and the civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon. As President, I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza, to bring home the hostages and the suffering in Gaza, ensure Israel is secure and ensure the Palestinian people can realise their right to dignity, freedom, security and self-determination," she said at the rally. Earlier, Harris targeted Trump's economic record, specifically his handling of manufacturing jobs. She claimed that nearly 2,00,000 manufacturing jobs were lost during Trump's presidency before the Covid-19 pandemic, with thousands of those losses felt in Wisconsin alone. She also labelled "Trump one of the biggest losers of manufacturing jobs in American history." (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was welcomed by Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra, for the 15th India-Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue on Tuesday. The visit today included a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony with Senator Penny Wong, followed by the Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue. "Australia and India are close partners with strong strategic, economic and community ties. It is significant to note that almost one million Australians trace their heritage to India," the Australian foreign ministry stated in a press release, adding that the two countries share a vision for an Indo-Pacific region that is "peaceful, stable and prosperous." Ahead of 2025, which will mark the fifth year of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of the two countries, the Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue served as an opportunity to take stock of the progress India and Australia have made, and to chart the way forward for the next phase in our relationship, it added. Minister Jaishankar and Minister Wong discussed advancing cooperation in important sectors such as science and technology, clean energy, trade and investment, and deepening defence and maritime security engagement. "India is the world's fastest-growing major economy and is on track to be the third largest by the end of the decade. India is thus an essential partner for Australia as the latter is set to diversify its trade links and secure its supply chains," the release further stated. The two leaders will also attend 'Raisina Down Under', the Australian iteration of India's Raisina Dialogue on November 5-6. The Raisina Dialogue is India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the international community. Thus, it is an important forum to share views on the trends shaping our region. The visit by Jaishankar is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and discussing key issues of mutual interest. The Foreign Minister also interacted with Australian Parliamentarians and guests, providing an opportunity for further engagement and collaboration. The meeting between EAM Jaishankar and Minister Wong was their 19th meeting and is set to give a fillip to the India-Australia relationship, the MEA stated. (ANI)
Just a few hours ahead of the presidential polls in the United States, North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Tuesday, military of both South Korea and Japan confirmed as per local media. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launches at about 7:30 am from the Sariwon area in the western province of North Hwanghae just south of the capital Pyongyang, Yonhap news agency reported. The missiles reportedly flew 400 km after lifting off from Sariwon. "While strengthening our military's monitoring and vigilance in preparation for additional launches, we are maintaining full readiness while closely sharing North Korean ballistic missile data with US and Japanese authorities," the JCS said in a text message, the Seoul-based news outlet reported. Meanwhile, the Japanese Defence Ministry said that North Korea launched what could be a ballistic missile and it appears to have already fallen, state media Kyodo reported. The launch of the North Korean missiles took place just hours before America headed to the polls to vote between Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump. On October 31, Pyongyang launched its new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which in theory is capable of reaching the US mainland -- into the East Sea. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "expressed great satisfaction" at the test-firing of the "ultimate version" of an ICBM stating that his country's "hegemonic position" in the development of means for nuclear delivery is "absolutely irreversible," according to the official Korean Central News Agency. Kim, who oversaw the test firing at the site, pledged that his country will "never change" its stance of bolstering its nuclear forces, KCNA said. Following this, South Korea, the United States, and Japan staged combined air drills, involving a US B-1B bomber, over waters east of the southern island of Jeju. The trilateral exercise was held on Sunday in airspace north of South Korea's southern island of Jeju, the military said as per Yonhap news outlet. The three nations conducted similar drills earlier too this year. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar expressed concerns about the recent attacks on the Hindu temples in Canada, and said the incident shows how "political space" is being given to the "extremist forces" in the country. Addressing a joint presser with FM Wong on Tuesday, Jaishankar said, "What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was deeply concerning". "You should have seen the statement by our official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by our PM yesterday. That should convey to you how deeply we feel about it," he added. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, being asked about attacks on Hindu temples in Canberra, called the incidents "upsetting" for the Indian community and affirmed that everyone in the country is entitled to be safe and respected regardless of their faith and culture. "All Australians, regardless of their faith, their culture...are entitled to be safe and they are entitled to be respected," Wong said. "And in relation to the vandalism that you describe, I know that our local members expressed a very strong view about that, particularly linked to Diwali, which is a very upsetting thing for members of faith. community and the Indian community more broadly." She further said that though people have a right to protest peacefully, a line has to be drawn and those inciting violence and hatred should be dealt with by law. "So I would again say people across Australia have a right to be safe and respected. People also have a right to peaceful protest. People have a right to express their views peacefully. We draw a line between that and violence, incitement or hatred. vandalism and they should be dealt with by the appropriate law enforcement authorities," the Australian FM stated. Referring to the diplomatic standoff between India and Canada triggered over the killing of Khalistani terroritst Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Australian Foreign Minister said that Canberra respects Canada's judicial process. "We've made clear our concerns about the allegations under investigation. We've said that we respect Canada's judicial process," Wong said. "We have a critical position in relation to matters such as the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and also, frankly, the sovereignty of countries." EAM Jaishankar also remarked on the diplomatic row and reiterated that Canada has made allegations without providing specifics and these incidents show how political space has been given to the "extremist forces" in the country. "Let me make three comments. One, Canada has developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics. Secondly, when we look at Canada, for us the fact that they are putting our diplomats under surveillance is something which is unacceptable. Third, the incidents (attack on the Hindu Temple) and do look at the videos. I think they will tell you in a way in political space today which has been given to extremist forces there," the Foreign Minister said. On Sunday, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple witnessed a "violent disruption" in Brampton, near Toronto. The rise in attacks against Hindu temples has raised deep concerns among the Hindu-Canadian community. In response, over a thousand Canadian Hindus gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada on Monday evening (local time) to protest against the repeated attacks on Hindu temples in the country, a day after the temple was attacked by Khalistani extremists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strongly condemned the "deliberate attack" and said that "cowardly attempts to intimidate" Indian diplomats were appalling and New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law. "I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi said on X. The strong statement by PM Modi came hours after the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario. There has been a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance in Canada. Meanwhile, EAM Jaishankar is on a visit to Australia from November 3 to November 7, 2024. Key highlights of his visit include the inauguration of India's 4th consulate in Australia, in Brisbane and co-chairing the 15th Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue (FMFD) with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra. He will also be delivering an address at the inaugural session of the 2nd Raisina Down Under to be held in the Australian Parliament House. He is also scheduled to have interactions with Australian leadership, parliamentarians, members of the Indian diaspora, business community, media and think tanks. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported Chinese military activity on Tuesday, detecting a total of 20 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels. The Ministry of Defence stated that the 20 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. According to their post on the social media platform X, "16 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's central, southwestern and southeastern ADIZ". https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1853603135006364071 The Ministry said that it has monitored the situation and is responding accordingly. China has increased its military activities around Taiwan by deploying aircraft and naval vessels since September 2020. It is using grey zone tactics to achieve its security objective. Earlier, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te convened a high-level national security conference in which he assured the public about the government's commitment to neutralising any threat to Taiwan's democracy and security after China staged a large-scale military drill around the island. He made his remarks in response to the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) announcement of military drills, named "Joint Sword-2024B," in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas, which were described as a "stern warning" to advocates of Taiwan independence, according to the Taipei Times. In an attempt to modernise Taiwan, on November 4, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te attended the keel-laying ceremony for the Taiwanese Navy, also known as the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) new light frigate prototype at Kaohsiung shipyard. This marks a major milestone in Taiwan's self-defence efforts and defence industry development. The details of this event were shared by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence on the social media platform, X. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1853336000271180002 This incident follows a recent pattern of escalated manoeuvres by the PLA around Taiwan, raising concerns over regional stability as Beijing continues to assert its claims over the island. In recent weeks, Taiwan has observed an uptick in such military operations, with multiple incidents involving Chinese aircraft crossing into Taiwan's ADIZ. Taiwan's defence forces have responded by closely monitoring these activities and bolstering airspace security. This uptick in activity is viewed as a show of force by Beijing, aimed at intimidating Taiwan amid ongoing diplomatic support from the United States and other international allies. The Taiwan Strait remains a focal point of heightened tensions, with Taiwanese officials repeatedly condemning the increase in Chinese military operations as a direct threat to the island's sovereignty and regional peace. Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. (ANI)
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday congratulated Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu on election as Fijian president.

In his congratulatory message, Xi said that Fiji was the first Pacific island country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 49 years ago, the two countries have made substantial progress in their relations, improved the wellbeing of the two peoples and promoted peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large, he said.

The Chinese president said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Fiji relations and stands ready to work with Lalabalavu to promote the sustained, sound, and steady development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples.
As the race for the White House remains extremely tight even hours before the start of the vote, prominent American political scientist Ian Bremmer has said that no result would surprise him in this close contest, though he views Trump as the "very narrow favourite." He further highlighted that some polls have shown Trump "surprisingly weak" in Republican-leaning states, adding that the minds of undecided voters and turnout operations by the two parties might eventually play the deciding role in the results. Ian Bremmer is the president and founder of Eurasia Group, a geopolitical risk advisory firm, and GZERO Media, a company providing intelligent and engaging coverage of international affairs In an email interview with ANI, Bremmer said, "We view Trump as the very narrow favorite in this race, but this is a low-conviction view, reflecting the closeness of polling and polls over the weekend that showed him surprisingly weak in Republican-leaning states." "No outcome would surprise me. Deciding factors will be: how undecided voters break in the final days and which party has the more effective turnout operation," he added. In a major prediction, Bremmer said that the winner of the Electoral College might not win the popular vote, while highlighting how Trump defeated former First Lady Hillary Clinton in 2016 in the Electoral College, despite lagging behind by around 28 lakh votes. "If Trump wins the Electoral College, there is a roughly 50 per cent chance (potentially higher) that he loses the popular vote. Trump lost the popular vote while winning the 2016 election and nearly did the same in 2020. If Trump wins the popular vote, he will very likely win the Electoral College," he said. In the 2016 elections, Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton by 304 electoral votes to 227, despite lagging behind the former First Lady in popular votes by over 2 percentage points and 28 lakh votes. But in 2020, Trump was defeated by Joe Biden, 306 to 232, and he lagged behind by over 7 lakh votes. Trump continues to deny the election results to date. His allegations sparked widespread protests by his supporters eventually leading to the January 6 Capitol Riots. Further, being asked how much impact the foreign policy issues and domestic issues play in the poll outcomes, the political scientist said the election is about the economy and domestic issues, adding that the two conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza matter only to a "marginal portion" of the US electorate. "He (Trump) has claimed that he would be able to bring them to a more rapid conclusion, and claimed that they would not have occurred under his watch, but they are by no means the center of his campaign message--the economy is," Bremmer said. He added, "This election is about the economy, and about domestic issues, far more than it is about foreign policy. The war in Ukraine and the crisis in Gaza matter to a marginal portion of the US electorate, and neither is likely to be the deciding factor in this race." The Eurasia Group president further said that both Trump and Harris are expected to favour "increasingly close ties" to India given New Delhi's global position today, though the former president has a "better personal relationship" with the Indian leadership. "Both candidates are likely to favor increasingly close ties to India given its crucial position as a regional counterweight to China and potential host for manufacturing, and as a crucial defense partner for the US in the coming decades. Trump has a better personal relationship with Indian leadership, but under either Harris or Trump the relationship is set to deepen," he said. Referring to the Indian-American community, Bremmer said, "The Indian-American community has not appeared to shift its political alignment in the run up to this race, making direct appeals a less pressing issue for each party. Harris has highlighted her diverse background in an effort to appeal to a wide range of voters." The political scientist also termed immigration and abortion as important poll issues. He stated that the voters disapprove of the Biden administration's handling of the illegal immigration issue and most female voters support Harris, especially due to her stand on abortion. "Immigration has been a very significant issue in this election, as has abortion. Immigration has been a headwind for the Harris campaign, with voters disapproving of the Biden campaign's handling of the issue over the last several years. Abortion is a headwind for Trump, as most voters favor Harris and female voters especially are motivated to support her in response to court rulings limiting abortion access," Bremmer further said. Being asked if the multiple criminal cases against the former president and the two assassination attempts against him, will have an impact on the elections, the political scientist said that both events had "very limited impact". Vice President Kamala Harris is the candidate of the incumbent Democrats, and she is aiming to create history becoming the first woman of the US. If elected, she will also be the first Indian-origin President of the United States. Republican candidate is former President Donald Trump, who is eyeing a historic comeback to the White House after a bitter exit in 2020. Notably, if Trump wins, it will be the first instance in over 100 years of a president serving two non-consecutive terms in the White House. (ANI)
With just a few hours to go before the US Presidential elections, special prayers were held for Vice President and Democrat candidate Kamala Harris's victory in the polls at her ancestral village in Tamil Nadu. The prayers were organised by Anushanath's Anukragni organisation, at the Shri Dharmasastha Temple in the 'Thulasendrapuram' village in Madurai, Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, The organisation's founder, Ballu, affirmed hope that Vice President Harris will win the upcoming elections. "Kamala Harris is going to contest the US Presidential elections. She will definitely win the elections. We have organised a special puja for her victory. If she wins the polls, it will be a very happy occasion for the whole state," he said. Thulasendrapuram village happens to be the birthplace of Harris' maternal grandfather, PV Gopalan. The US elections will be held on Tuesday (local time). Vice President Harris is up against former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump. Trump is aiming to make a comeback to the White House, while Harris is aiming to create history by becoming the first woman president of the US. All polls have predicted a very tight race between the two candidates. Born in California to Donald Harris and Shyamala Gopalan, Kamala progressed through the political hierarchy. Vice President Kamala Harris has her roots in India. Her mother was Indian and her father was Jamaican; both immigrated to the United States. She was born in Oakland, California, and attended a historically black university, Howard University, in Washington. Harris was nominated as the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden quit the presidential race amid mounting concerns over his age, particularly after his poor show in the debate with Donald Trump in June. She is the first female, first black, and first Asian American vice president. If elected president, the 59-year-old Harris would become the first woman in history to become the US president. The vice president is only the second woman ever nominated for the presidency by a major political party. Earlier, an 11-day-long Maha Yagnam was conducted in Telangana for the victory of Kamala Harris in the US Presidential Elections. Speaking to ANI, Nalla Suresh Reddy, the founder of Shyamala Gopalan Educational Foundation said that Goddess has listened to the voices of everyone and they are optimistic about Kamala Harris's chances of winning and becoming the first woman President of the US. (ANI)
Chinese Human Rights lawyer Wang Yu has been hospitalized after her condition significantly worsened following a nine-day hunger strike. She began the strike while in detention, protesting an incident on October 23 outside a courthouse in Hebei province, where she had a confrontation with the police. Wang's hunger strike was a protest against the authorities' refusal to allow her to meet with her lawyer and family, their denial of proper medical care, and their refusal to let her take a shower, among other grievances. According to a report from Radio Free Asia, Wang was released from Weicheng County Detention Center on November 1 after serving a short administrative detention for "disrupting public order" following the altercation. Her husband, fellow rights lawyer Bao Longjun, told RFA Mandarin in an interview that he took Wang directly to the hospital. When Wang was released, she was "completely hunched over and unable to walk," with Bao having to carry her on his back. He was shocked by how much weight she had lost, describing her as feeling "like carrying a sack of cotton wool." He estimated her weight to be around 30 kilograms (70 pounds). After being examined at Wei County People's Hospital, doctors discovered a "shadow" on her liver, prompting Bao to transfer her to the well-known Handan Central Hospital. There, she was put on an IV drip and slowly began to eat solid food again, according to Bao. Bao and Wang, who were among the first individuals targeted in the mass arrests, detentions, and harassment of over 300 rights lawyers, public interest law firm staff, and activists across China in July 2015, are currently staying in a hotel while planning Wang's ongoing medical treatment. Police had detained Wang and fellow rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong after they arrived at the Wei County People's Court to defend their client, Liu Meixiang, who was facing corruption charges. A confrontation broke out when police confiscated the camera of a family member attempting to take photos, according to a lawyer present at the scene who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. Bao submitted a legal opinion through formal channels on day 7 of Wang's hunger strike out of concern for her health, but the authorities refused to accept the document, he said. Bao added, "I asked them to send Wang Yu to the hospital, and I went to the detention center, rang the doorbell, and requested to meet with her so she could eat and drink. They lied to me, saying there was no need for that and that she had eaten the night before, but she hadn't eaten anything at all". Bao also stated his intention to take Wang to Beijing and Tianjin for consultations with other medical professionals. He plans to appeal her administrative sentence as a public protest against the treatment she has received. "There's no rule of law in this country, so all we can do now is speak out on our own behalf," Bao said. The report also highlighted the release of rights lawyer Qin Yongpei in Guangxi, who had completed a five-year prison sentence for "incitement to subvert state power." Qin returned home to Nanning city on October 31, but his wife declined to comment when contacted by RFA Mandarin, citing it was "inconvenient"--a phrase often used to suggest pressure from the authorities. Qin had been arrested in November 2021 during a raid on his Baijuying legal consultancy firm in Nanning. His wife has previously stated that Qin had frequently spoken out against misconduct and injustices committed by police and local judicial officials, which likely made him a target for local law enforcement. U.S.-based human rights lawyer Wu Shaoping stated that Qin had not violated any laws through his consultancy work, despite being disbarred. "He was accused of inciting subversion of state power only because he posted many of his personal opinions on the internet," Wu said. "Everything he did complied with the law and human justice in any normal country." He added. (ANI)
Taking to X he shared the picture of his visit and wrote, "Paid obeisance at the divine and architecturally magnificent BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. Deeply grateful to Swami Brahmaviharidas Ji."

He recalled when he placed a ceremonial brick at the site of the first traditional Hindu temple in the Middle East, underscoring its significance as a sentinel of ancient Indian culture, traditions and values.

"I was blessed to perform puja and place a ceremonial brick at this first traditional Hindu temple in the Middle East in 2021, which now stands tall as a sentinel of ancient Indian culture, traditions and values of peaceful coexistence passionately espoused by PM Narendra Modi. Ji," the Union minister added in his post.

The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi is the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East and stands as a testament to the enduring friendship between India and the UAE, embodying the spirit of cultural inclusivity, interfaith harmony, and community collaboration.

Earlier, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri met with HE Haitham Al-Ghais, Secretary General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), on Monday at the ADIPEC conference in Abu Dhabi to discuss India's partnership with OPEC.

After the meet, Puri shared the post on X and wrote, "We also took forward the enriching discussion we had during the 2nd edition of @IndiaEnergyWeek in Goa about ways to ensure that global oil markets remain balanced and predictable."

Further, Puri emphasised India's unique relationship with OPEC and stated, "India, the world's 3rd largest importer of oil and OPEC, the grouping of major oil producers, have a unique and symbiotic relationship."

The Union Minister also inaugurated the India Pavilion and participated in the Global Leaders and Energy Transition Ministerial Panel. (ANI)
Over a thousand Canadian Hindus on Monday expressed their anger following repeated attacks on Hindu temples in the country and pressed the Canadian administration to take stricter actions against the extremists attacking the religious sites. The protestors expressed their loyalty to Canada and affirmed that they wanted good relations between India and Canada. One of the participants of the solidarity rally, said, "One thing is clear today - Canada mein hamari jaan hai aur Hindustan mein hamari jaan basti hai. Hindu Canadians are very loyal to Canada." "What is happening to Hindu Canadians is not right. The time has come for all politicians here to know that what is happening with Hindu Canadians is wrong...We want Canada to treat Hindus well...We want India and Canada relations to strengthen, we are against those who are against this," he added. Another Canadian resident, Rishabh who took part in the solidarity rally said that he had come here in support of Hindus and demanded justice. "We are deeply hurt as Hindus, by what happened here yesterday. We have come here in support of the Hindu community. The Hindu community has contributed so much to Canada and we are progressive, we add so much economic value. We follow law and order wherever we go - be it in Canada or anywhere else.," Rishabh said. "It is shocking to see the reaction of politicians, of police, how they have treated us...We have come here in support. All we are asking is, for justice to be served. Rule of law to be followed and perpetrators should be tried under rule of law," he added. Another Indian-Canadian protestor said they had gathered to showcase how they were discriminated against by the police. "We are gathered here in anguish today to protest what happened with us yesterday. It has been happening with us for about 20 years. We have been consistently discriminated...We have gathered here to showcase how we were discriminated against by the Police yesterday. Despite that, all Hindus have gathered and protested here peacefully," he said. On Sunday, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple witnessed a "violent disruption" in Brampton, near Toronto. The rise in attacks against Hindu temples has raised deep concerns among the Hindu-Canadian community. Following the attacks, the Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit organisation working for the Hindu community in Canada, shared a video of the attack on the temple and said that the Khalistani terrorists attacked kids and women. Earlier, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) in a post on X highlighted the multiple attacks on Hindu temples across Canada during the Diwali weekend and called on to stop the "Hinduphobia" in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the "deliberate attack" and said that "cowardly attempts to intimidate" Indian diplomats were appalling and New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law. Prior to this, the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the incident and called on the Canadian government to protect the places of worship from such attacks. The Indian High Commission in Canada also condemned the "violent disruption" by 'anti-India' elements outside a consular camp. The high commission also said that any further events will be organised "contingent on security arrangements" made by the local authorities. There has been a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance in Canada. India has repeatedly expressed its deep concern about extremism and the culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada and has sought action against these activities. (ANI)
A massive fentanyl and methamphetamine drug superlab in Canada's British Columbia was dismantled and precursors worth USD 95 million were seized by the Canadian police, the officials said. The operation was carried out by the Pacific Region RCMP Federal Policing program, which called it the "largest and most sophisticated" in Canada. "The Pacific Region RCMP Federal Policing program has delivered a decisive blow to a major transnational organized crime group by dismantling the largest and most sophisticated fentanyl and methamphetamine drug superlab in Canada. The combined fentanyl and precursors seized at this facility could have amounted to over 95,500,000 potentially lethal doses of fentanyl, which have been prevented from entering our communities, or exported abroad," the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement. The RCMP Federal Policing units in British Columbia launched an investigation into a transnational organized crime group believed to be involved in the mass-production, and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine across Canada, and internationally. On October 25, a series of coordinated enforcement actions were conducted across Metro Vancouver by the RCMP Federal investigators. The officials also executed search warrants on a massive drug superlab in Falkland, BC, and associated locations in the city of Surrey, BC. Describing the drug superlab as the "largest, and most sophisticated of its kind with the capability of producing multiple types of illicit drugs," the federal investigators seized 54 kg of fentanyl, massive amounts of precursor chemicals, 390 kg of methamphetamine, 35 kg of cocaine, 15 kg of MDMA, and 6 kg of cannabis. In addition to the massive quantities of drugs and precursor chemicals, a total of 89 firearms, including 45 handguns, 21 Ar-15-style rifles, and submachine guns were also seized; many of which were loaded and ready for use. To date, nine of these guns have been identified as stolen, the police stated. The searches also yielded small explosive devices, large amounts of ammunition, firearm silencers, high-capacity magazines, body armour, and USD 500,000 in cash. During the investigation, members of the RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime team came to know of several large shipments of methamphetamine prepared to be shipped outside Canada. Following this, the federal investigators, with assistance from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), executed another series of search warrants and seized 310 kilograms of methamphetamine prior to it departing Canada. The main suspect has been identified as Gaganpreet Randhawa. He was arrested by Federal Policing Group-6 investigators, and has been charged with numerous drug, and firearms-related offences, the police stated. The federal investigator also suspects a link of this operation with a recent enforcement action conducted by the RCMP CLEAR team where 30 tonnes of precursor chemicals were seized from a rural property in Enderby, BC. The officials are working to find the source of the precursor chemicals associated with these enforcement actions. (ANI)
Three more cases of enforced disappearances by the Pakistan armed forces have been reported in Balochistan's Mastung, Musa Khel, and Mand areas on Monday. The Balochistan Post has reported that the Pakistan forces have detained Shah Nawaz Shahwani, Amir Noor and Mohammad Khan. The Shahwani tribe of Mastung expressed their grief that the Pakistan forces detained Shah Nawaz Shahwani, the son of Adam Khan Shahwani, on the night of his wedding in Khadkocha and took him to an unknown location. According to The Balochistan Post, the witness said that Ameer, son of Noor Bakhsh, was detained by the armed forces in Mand around 4 a.m. on Monday. The witness further added that he was moved to an unknown place after being abducted from his home. The local sources said that Mohammad Khan, son of Mir Ahmed Buzdar, was abducted from his home after the raid in the Rarasham area. He was later transferred to an unknown location. The Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement, Paank, has also condemned the detention of the three Baloch men by the armed forces. In a post on X, Paank stated, "Paank has received three more cases of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Amir Noor, Muhammad Khan, and Nizam Baloch were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces." Paank further highlighted the names of the victims who were forcibly disappeared by the force and demanded immediate release of the disappeared. According to The Balochistan Post, the residents have called the detention "deeply distressing. "They urged the government to immediately release the victims". The ongoing detention of the Baloch people has raised serious concerns on the issue of human rights violations. This has created an atmosphere of fear and terror among the people, hampering the development of Balochistan. On the other hand, Baloch people have continued to stand in solidarity against these enforced disappearances. (ANI)
The leadership of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (SCCCP) has called on the US Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo to take urgent action to address the harmful effects of China's industrial overcapacity and the dumping of goods into American markets. The letter underscores the growing economic threat posed by Chinese overproduction, which lawmakers argue has created unfair competition, destabilized domestic industries, and eroded market share for the American manufacturers. Lawmakers also urged the Department of Commerce to more aggressively apply existing trade laws, specifically recommending the use of special cost adjustment rules under 19 USC 1677b(f)(1)(A) in antidumping investigations. This provision allows the Department of Commerce to adjust the reported costs of foreign producers whose pricing practices are distorted by overproduction and government subsidies, particularly from China. The letter highlights the epoxy resin industry as a key example of how overcapacity and dumping are undermining American industries. Between 2021 and 2023, foreign epoxy resin producers, including those from China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, experienced a significant decline in production capacity utilization while continuing to expand their production capacity. The resulting surplus has flooded the American market with underpriced goods, harming American manufacturers and eroding their competitiveness. Foreign producers, particularly from China, are facing overcapacity in the epoxy resin sector, prompting continued production despite weak demand. This has led to a projected 22 per cent increase in production capacity by 2025. To manage the surplus, foreign producers are increasingly relying on the US exports, with imports of epoxy resins rising from 8.4 per cent to 10.3 per cent between 2021 and 2023. This influx of lower-priced goods has not only pushed down prices in the U.S. market but also reduced U.S. export prices, further straining domestic producers. As a result, American manufacturers are facing shrinking profit margins, with declining operating income, net income, and operating margins between 2021 and 2023. Lawmakers also argue that China's overproduction, combined with government subsidies and pricing manipulation, has distorted global supply chains and created an unfair competitive environment. They believe that stricter enforcement of U.S. antidumping laws, including the application of cost adjustment rules, is essential to levelling the playing field for American industries. In closing, lawmakers urged the Department of Commerce to take swift and decisive action to counter China's trade practices, warning that failure to address the issue could further harm American manufacturers and workers, particularly in industries like epoxy resins and other chemicals vulnerable to overcapacity and dumping. The letter reflects growing bipartisan concerns over China's trade practices and their impact on American industries. As global trade tensions rise, policymakers are under increasing pressure to protect domestic industries from unfair competition. (ANI)
Baloch "pro-independence" leader Allah Nazar Baloch has expressed outrage over the recent bomb blast near a school in Mastung town of Balochistan. The Balochistan Post reported that Baloch has described the attack as a "heinous crime against humanity" and a "cowardly act of terror." "This horrific incident forces us to confront the uncivilized, savage nature of an enemy that does not even spare our children," he said. Further, he expressed his condolences to the families affected by the bomb blast. He criticised the Pakistani government for using different violent measures to curb the voice of the Baloch people, hampering their independence. "Whether under the guise of religious extremism or otherwise, Pakistan's involvement in these incidents is direct," he said. According to the Balochistan Post, the continuous attacks and enforced disappearances have created fear and terror in the minds of the Baloch people. Baloch lamented that "thousands of families, victims of these oppressive tactics, are forced to live on streets and in protest camps, begging for the lives of their loved ones." He condemned the religious extremist groups backed by the Pakistani government as they divided the Baloch people and created an atmosphere of terror in the state. Baloch also hailed the sacrifices of women, children and youth who gave up their lives and are the inspiration for the Baloch nation. Allah Nazar Baloch has urged the global community to support the Baloch people's human rights against the ongoing enforced disappearances and oppression by the Pakistan armed forces. Recently, activist Mahrang Baloch also expressed her grief over the killing of innocents in the Mastung bomb blast. In a post on X, she stated, "Today's tragic incident in Mastung has deeply saddened me, and my heartfelt sympathies go out to the families of the children and others who lost their lives. In this difficult time, we stand in solidarity with them". (ANI)
The Evacuee Trust Action Committee (ETAC) has launched a nationwide protest campaign in response to the arbitrary hike in rents for properties managed by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB). The Evacuee Trust Action Committee (ETAC) is an organization primarily associated with the welfare and rights of the evacuees and their descendants, particularly those who were displaced during the partition of British India in 1947. This decision was made following consultations with tenant representatives from various cities, who operate businesses in Evacuee Trust properties. According to a report by The Express Tribune, the protest specifically targets the Evacuee Trust Amendment Ordinance 2006, which mandates an 8 per cent annual rent increase for properties and also grants ETPB officials the discretionary authority to raise rents based on prevailing market rates. During a meeting held on Monday by the All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, the ordinance was condemned as unjust and punitive. The report further stated that Atiq Mir, Chairperson of the Union, appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, highlighting the severe injustice faced by tenants. He pointed out that ETPB officials were pressuring tenants by citing a controversial Supreme Court ruling that allows them to set varying rent rates for different areas at their discretion. Atiq Mir emphasized that following a previous amendment to the Act, rents for Evacuee Trust properties were raised by 30 per cent, and tenants were also hit with an additional fee equivalent to 60 months' rent. These changes have already led to a significant increase in property rents. Mir warned that under the current law, many tenants would struggle to afford the rent, while corruption within the department would likely escalate. He argued that imposing uniform rent rates on all tenants--regardless of their business sizes or economic status--was untenable. Mir made it clear that if the arbitrary rent hikes continue, tenants will halt payments and refuse entry to department inspectors in markets. He further warned that if corrective measures were not taken, the protest would spread across the country, with tenants staging a sit-in at Numaish and at the Evacuee Trust Board office. The meeting was attended by various business and tenant representatives, including Khawaja Khawar Amin, Hanif Ghanchi, Sharif Memon, Anjum Mosani, Farhan Saeed, Syed Sharafat Ali, Saeed Muhammad Ali, Syed Ghalib Hasan, Tayyab Ali, Amin T, Salman Abdul Khaliq, Nadeem Ahmed, Afzal Malik, Zaid Isa, and others. They collectively urged political parties to speak out in support of the tenants' cause. Atiq Mir also noted that the Department had been implementing the 8 per cent annual rent increase for the past 17 years. He reminded those present that a similar attempt to enforce this controversial ordinance was successfully blocked years ago following a widespread protest by Evacuee Trust property tenants across the country. (ANI)
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a message to Duma Boko to extend congratulations on his election as president of Botswana.

In his message, Xi noted that China and Botswana enjoy traditional friendship, saying that in recent years, bilateral relations have enjoyed a sound momentum of development, with remarkable achievements in cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, clean energy, as well as medical care and public health.

Xi said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Botswana relations and stands ready to work with Boko to push the bilateral strategic partnership to a higher level and bring more benefits to the people of the two countries.
The INTERPOL General Assembly has elected Valdecy Urquiza, a Federal Police Commissioner from Brazil, as the organisation's new Secretary General. INTERPOL confirmed this via a post on X about the same. https://x.com/INTERPOL_HQ/status/1853736841662378092 Urquiza, who will succeed Germany's Jurgen Stock, will officially take on the role on Thursday, 7 November, marking the first time a Brazilian and representative from the global south has led the world's largest international policing body. "Together, we can build an INTERPOL that serves as a beacon of hope and security, standing shoulder to shoulder with every police force, in every country, to create a safer world for all," Urquiza said, as reported by Interpol in a post on X. https://x.com/INTERPOL_HQ/status/1853748423377232248 This election was the culmination of a well-coordinated campaign by Brazil's Federal Police, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at securing Urquiza's appointment. Having previously served as INTERPOL's Vice President for the Americas, Urquiza has significant experience in international policing. He currently heads International Cooperation at the Brazilian Federal Police and has held key roles within INTERPOL, including as Assistant Director in the Organised and Emerging Crimes Directorate in Lyon, France. His new role underscores a commitment to shaping an INTERPOL that is ready for evolving global threats. "My commitment is to shape an INTERPOL that doesn't just meet today's demands but anticipates and prepares for the challenges of tomorrow," he added, INTERPOL shared in another post on X. https://x.com/INTERPOL_HQ/status/1853754409492054021 INTERPOL's General Assembly's decision to endorse Urquiza came after his nomination was submitted to the body in June 2024. INTERPOL President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi remarked on Urquiza's appointment at that time, saying, "Mr Urquiza impressed the Executive Committee with his experience, vision, and commitment to international policing." Al-Raisi emphasised that with the rise in transnational crime, Urquiza's leadership would be pivotal in enhancing INTERPOL's capabilities in global crime-fighting and cooperation. Urquiza's extensive background includes roles as the Head of the International Legal Cooperation Division of the Brazilian Federal Police and various leadership positions within the Brazilian National Central Bureau of INTERPOL. A graduate of the FBI National Academy and an accomplished legal scholar, Urquiza is expected to bring a fresh perspective to INTERPOL's mission of global security and collaboration. (ANI)
As the voting begins in multiple US states, President Joe Biden urged voters to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris and stated, "Let's make history by electing Kamala Harris." https://x.com/joebiden/status/1853769287267152104?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw Biden shared a post on X and wrote, "Go vote. Let's make history by electing @KamalaHarris" In her post Kamala Harris said," Election Day is here. Today, we vote because we love our country and we believe in the promise of America. Make your voice heard." Harris also posted Voter Helpline numbers for her supporters saying, "Your vote is your voice, and your voice is your power. Call the Voter Assistance Hotline at (833) 336-8683 if you need help voting." In his last post, Donald Trump said, "Tomorrow is our last chance to defeat the corrupt establishment. GET OUT AND VOTE!" According to CNN, Polls have opened across more than 25 states, including Alabama (some polls observe Eastern Time and will open at 7 a.m. ET, however, most polls operate in Central Time and will open at 8 a.m. ET). Delaware, Washington, DC, Florida (polls in Central Time open at 8 a.m. ET), Georgia, Illinois, Kansas (some polls open at 8 a.m. because of time zones), Maryland, Massachusetts (cities or towns can choose to open as early as 5:45 a.m. ET), Michigan (some polls open at 8 a.m. ET because of time zones), Missouri, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina Tennessee (Polling places with a population of more than 120,000 must open by 7 a.m. ET) Voters in Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia can now head to polling stations to cast their ballots. Earlier, polls opened in Vermont and New Hampshire. Poll closing times differ from state to state and sometimes county to county. However, most polling stations will close between 7-11 pm (local time) Just hours after the first polls close at 7 pm (local time) results are expected to start coming in. However, some states will tally votes more quickly than others. The voters in the US are heading to vote in one of their most consequential elections, which will decide the direction of not just the US but also have an influence on global geopolitics for the next four years. The polling hours will vary across the states, but most locations will vote between 6 am and 8 pm on Tuesday (local time). Though exit polls will start coming once voting starts, the final results will come only after counting is closed in all states. The first polls will close at around 7 pm ET (5:30 am IST) in six states, including Georgia. The final polls will close in the blue state of Hawaii and in the red state of Alaska at 12 am ET (10:30 am IST). Total votes will close by 1 pm ET (11:30 am IST), following which counting will start. The results in small states can be projected soon after polling states; some key battleground states may take hours to project the winner. Despite the presence of many other parties, the US race is between the Democratic and Republican parties. Vice President Kamala Harris is the candidate of the incumbent Democrats, and she is aiming to create history by becoming the first woman of the US. If elected, she will also be the first Indian-origin President of the United States. On the other hand, the Republican candidate is former President Donald Trump, who is eyeing a historic comeback to the White House after a bitter exit in 2020. Notably, if Trump wins, it will be the first instance in over 100 years of a president serving two non-consecutive terms in the White House. Most of the polls have predicted a very close race between Trump and Harris, with all the leads projected within the margin of error. According to the national polls, as provided by the 'five thirty-eight' platform of ABC News, Harris (48) has a minor lead of 1 percentage point against Donald Trump (46.9).NBC News and Emerson College have projected a 49%-49% tie nationally between the two candidates. Ipsos has projected a three-point lead (49%-46%) to Harris, while AtlasIntel has projected a two-point lead (50%-48%) to Trump. (ANI)
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Emir, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, in a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq in Karachi on Monday, criticized the current Parliament, which he claimed emerged through manipulated Forms 47. He argued that the Parliament had undermined the foundational structure of the 1973 Constitution under the pretext of the 26th Amendment. According to the News International report Rehman, referring to the government as the "Form 47 government," accused it of attacking the judiciary by amending the Constitution through a dubious process. He also highlighted the controversy surrounding the judicial appointment mechanism, particularly the revisiting of the long-settled issue of seniority in the appointment of judges. Rehman argued that the core issue with the constitutional amendment was the way the government had gained control over the judiciary, with the intention of politicizing it. He further claimed that the government's actions were an assault on the Constitution, the judiciary, and democratic freedoms. The JI leader revealed that the party had filed a petition challenging the amendment in the Supreme Court and called for a full court hearing of the petition, with a live broadcast. Rehman accused the government of corruption and manipulation in passing the constitutional amendment, emphasizing that any constitutional change made through coercion or inducement lacked legitimacy. He pledged that Jamaat-e-Islami would continue to pursue the case in court and stand for the aspirations of the nation. The JI leader also addressed the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), noting that only a few parties had initially shown interest in bidding for the national carrier. However, most withdrew, leaving just one bidder, who offered a mere Rs 10 billion. Rehman pointed out that PIA's assets were valued at Rs 152 billion, with royalties amounting to Rs 202 billion and receivables of around Rs 16-17 billion. Despite these figures, he lamented the low offer for the airline. He also criticized former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and PTI leader Amin Gandapur for attempting to control PIA under their respective provincial governments, calling it a mockery of the nation. Rehman blamed the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for the deterioration of national institutions. Discussing the state of Pakistan Steel Mills, he claimed it had been a profitable entity until 2008. He further accused the government of having paid Rs 2,000 billion to independent power producers (IPPs) in just one year. Rehman also alleged that K-Electric had been sold for far less than the value of the electricity poles installed throughout Karachi. He concluded by highlighting that nearly Rs 1.75 billion had recently been allocated for the maintenance of aircraft for the prime minister and president, arguing that the ruling elites were a greater financial burden on the national exchequer than state institutions themselves. (ANI)
As the situation in the Middle East continues to remain tense even after a year into the Gaza war, political scientist Ian Bremmer, said there is no consensus within the Israeli government for bringing the conflict to an end, and Hamas still retains the ability to maintain its organisational structure despite the killing of its strong hardline chief Yahya Sinwar, Ian Bremmer is the president and founder of Eurasia Group, a geopolitical risk advisory firm, and GZERO Media, a company providing intelligent and engaging coverage of international affairs. In an email interview with ANI, Bremmer said that though the October 7 attacks have made achieving a two-state solution very difficult, there is a "renewed interest" globally, as well as in the region, to bring "sustainable solutions" to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On being asked whether the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar could lead to the end of Hamas, the political scientist said, "The killing of Yahya Sinwar is symbolically significant and reflects an important "win" for the Israeli government, but it does not represent the end of Hamas or its ideologies. Hamas also retains the ability to maintain an organizational structure within and outside Gaza." He also pointed out that though international efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza will continue, the road is not easy as Hamas has even refused limited terms for a ceasefire. "Sinwar's death will lead to a revival of international diplomatic efforts on Gaza, but Hamas has continued to refuse even limited terms for a cease-fire. Israel's offensive on the ground in Gaza will also continue in parallel," he said. Sinwar and two other terrorists were killed in a chance encounter with Israeli soldiers in Rafah last month. His body was taken to Israel and positively identified based on DNA samples and dental records Israel had from Sinwar's imprisonment. Following Sinwar's death, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the people of Gaza, saying that the war could end as soon as tomorrow if Hamas agrees to lay down its arms and return the hostages. The Eurasia Group President further emphasised that the Israeli government also lacks consensus about reaching an end to the offensive and there are varied views of what role Israel should play in Gaza after the conflict ends. "There is no one consensus view within the Israeli government about the end state of the current offensives and conflict more broadly. Israel will retain security control of Gaza for the near term future at a minimum, but the views on the role Israel should continue to play beyond that and what type of governance model varies widely. For example, some of Netanyahu's Likud party members are pushing for resettlement of Gaza, which will trigger increased international criticism," Bremmer said. He further said that the idea of reaching a two-state solution has become "much more" difficult due to the hardening of positions in Israel post-October 7 attacks followed by the destruction in Gaza. "The two-state solution has become much more difficult following the hardening of positions on the Israeli side after 7 October and the destruction in Gaza," he said. "But there is also a renewed interest in the region and more globally to advance sustainable solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that would prevent further cycles of violence, and the two-state solution remains important in the context of those frameworks," Bremmer added. Hamas launched a massive terror attack on Israel on October 7 last year, killing over 1200 people and holding over 250 as hostages. Around 100 of them are still in captivity, many are feared dead. In response, Israel launched a strong counteroffensive targeting Hamas units in Gaza. The Israeli operation, however, has killed over 45,000 Palestinians in Gaza. The mounting civilian toll has raised global concerns and increased the call for a ceasefire. With time, the conflict has escalated further, with Houthi rebels from Yemen and Hezbollah from Lebanon -- both considered Iran's proxies -- also increasing their offensive against Israel, compelling Tel Aviv to indulge in a multi-front war. On October 1, Iran entered the conflict directly by launching a barrage of over 200 ballistic missiles towards Israel. After vowing retaliation, around a month later on October 26, Israel launched "precision strikes" against Iran targeting Tehran's military targets. In response, Iran's Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that the attacks by Israel "should neither be magnified nor belittled" and warned Israel to recognise the strength and determination of the Iranian people. Speaking on the recent Israeli strikes on Iran and further escalation of the conflict, Ian Bremmer said that Israel might revisit its decision not to strike any nuclear facility in Iran, if Tehran makes another strike against Tel Aviv, including through its proxies. "Israel retaliated against Iran in a meaningful manner, focused on it military targets, but elements of the nuclear program or energy infrastructure were off the table. If Iran were to decide to make a further strike against Israel, including through proxies, that Israeli decision would be revisited," the political scientist further said. (ANI)
President George W Bush coined the phrase "axis of evil" in 2002, as he generated public support for his foreign affairs agenda after the 9/11 attacks. At that point, Bush's axis of evil referred to Iran, Ba'athist Iraq and North Korea. Later, some US politicians appended China and Russia to the list as a "new axis of evil". It is clear that a loose alliance of authoritarian states does exist, and that they are seeking to undermine theWestern-led status quo. China is one of those axis pillars, alongside Iran, North Korea and Russia. Apart from their convergent aim to unseat the USA, what is remarkable is their disparate natures - one a communist powerhouse, another is an ex-superpower attempting to regain legitimacy, and there is a radical Muslim regime and dynastic totalitarian state. Their vastly different natures determine they can never be close allies, but they are unafraid to support each other to attain their own ends. The closeness of these partners was apparent at the annual BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia from October 22 to 24. Xi went there in person, meeting President Vladimir Putin for the third time this year. Putin reveled in the spotlight, demonstrating he is not isolated as he brushed shoulders and shook hands with a bevy of national leaders. Even UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres joined the BRICS summit, prioritizing it above the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. The optics were made worse as Guterres shook Putin's hand and hugged Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. Last year, original BRICS members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa welcomed Iran, the UAE, Egypt and Ethiopia into the fold. This year, new partner members include Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Having so many nations clamouring to join BRICS strengthens Sino-Russian efforts to belittle rival Western institutions. Zhang Hanhui, China's Ambassador to Russia, said, "China and Russia are pioneers in...building a community with a shared future for mankind." He said the two nations are "strengthening the unity of developing countries and the Global South". Yet China's vision for a shared future is an alarming one. It involves war, tight controls over civil society, censorship and nationalism. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the China-Iran-North Korea-Russia quartet as a revisionist threat since they are "aggressively challenging our interests and values and are determined to alter the foundational principles of the part of the international system." China continues to tacitly supply equipment and materiel to aid Moscow's war machine. Iran, too, is eagerly supplying weapons like loitering munitions and drones to Russia. The USA rolled out a new round of sanctions in October, including a further 14 Chinese firms accused of supplying dual-use machine tools and microelectronics to Russia. In response, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said, "The US makes false accusations against China's trade with Russia, just as it continues to pour unprecedented military aid into Ukraine - this is typical double standard." A RAND research report, entitled, Future Scenarios for Sino-Russian Military Cooperation, was recently published. It asserted, "The importance that Putin and Xi have placed on the Russia-China relationship and their commitment to this partnership since Russia's invasion of Ukraine demonstrates that Moscow and Beijing are willing to sustain their mutual support even in the most difficult situations. As Russia's fortunes have declined over the past decade, particularly since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, China's relative power has continued to increase, making China the de facto although not explicitly acknowledged senior partner in the relationship." Russia is aware of this, but its relation with China remains a vital lifeline in its time of need. "China's support has helped Russia withstand some of the most negative consequences of Western sanctions, particularly through its purchase of record amounts of energy and continued engagement at the highest levels," the RAND authors said. "From Moscow's perspective, partnership with China is a strategic imperative for Russia to maintain any claim to great power status." Yet things took a turn for the worse - and complicated relations within the "axis of evil" - as North Korea dispatched up to 12,000 troops to support Russia's prosecution of war against Ukraine. US government officials are now leaning on Beijing to dissuade Pyongyang from this course of action. As a State Department spokesperson put it, the American outreach to China is "to make clear that we think this ought to be a source of concern for China as well as other countries in the region". Some 90% of North Korean imports and exports are channeled through China, giving the latter tremendous clout. However, such an American request smacks of desperation and fantasy. The USA once asked Xi to convince Putin not to invade Ukraine, but China's response was to reassure Moscow that nobody would divide their alliance. Later, Washington DC asked China to pressure the Houthis to desist from terrorizing international shipping in the Red Sea. China's response? It is indirectly financing the Houthis by buying 90% of Iranian oil exports, and it also struck a deal to protect its own cargo ships. Despite People's Liberation Army counter-piracy task groups being continuously stationed in the Gulf ofAden since 2008, China has done nothing to help commercial shipping attacked by the Houthis. And yet the USA thinks Beijing will somehow change its tune and now prevail upon Kim Jong-un to withdraw his troops from Russia? Such a hope is misplaced. China's reaction to news of North Korean troops fighting for Russia has been coy. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, "I have nothing to share. China's position on the Ukraine crisis and the Korean Peninsula issue is consistent." Ironically, its consistent position is to emptily demand "de-escalation", refuse to condemn Russia's invasion, and continue shipping materials to Russia. North Korea is unlikely to be swayed by any Chinese overtures, even if the latter decided to try. Euan Graham, Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, commented, "China makes a show of not liking it, but actually does nothing to stop North Korea sending weapons and troops to Ukraine. Why? Because China wants to hold its nose, but actually likes the smell. The only thing Beijing dislikes is that Russia (and nukes) gives Kim Jong-un more agency than he would otherwise have. But that's a proprietary interest, not a meaningful difference. Plausible deniability is closer to the mark." Nonetheless, many analysts believe China is not happy about this military development, because it reduces Pyongyang's traditional dependence on Beijing and gives it another outlet for trade. North Korea is benefitting from Russian purchases of ballistic missiles and innumerable artillery rounds. Reverse sharing of critical military technologies to North Korea should also be part of the agreement. China's displeasure can be seen in small ways. For instance, China's ambassador to North Korea did not attend anniversary commemorations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations in July. Later, when Xi wrote a reply to Kim thanking him for his congratulatory message marking communist China's 75th anniversary, he deliberately omitted a phrase referring to North Korea as a "friendly neighboring country". Such words have traditionally appeared in correspondence, and presumably indicate Xi's displeasure at what Kim is doing. Closer Russian-North Korean ties could upset the uneasy balance of power on the Korean Peninsula, since South Korea, Japan and the USA may seek to strengthen their alliance. This would alarm Beijing. In the Korean War there was a China-Russia-North Korea triangle, but Beijing will not wish to return to such Cold War tensions, nor for the counter-triangle of Japan, South Korea and the USA to grow stronger. China sees North Korea as a critical buffer state protecting its own land border from direct Western influence. North Korea is China's solitary military alliance partner. That means Beijing is obligated under the terms of the treaty to come to Pyongyang's aid in case of attack. Yet, by allying itself with Russia, North Korea has made itself a legitimate target for Ukraine. Kim forged a strategic partnership with Russia in June, including a mutual assistance clause in case of aggression against either party. China would be alarmed if Russia intervened in any conflict on the Korean Peninsula under the terms of this agreement. Of course, such an eventuality is remote, for Pyongyang simply wants to get its hands on overseas currency, new military technologies and battlefield experience. There is no true solidarity between the two, and Russia has its hands full in Ukraine already. China has been ineffectual in brokering peace deals for current Israel-related conflicts. Although China has leverage with Iran (which is a patron of Hamas and Hezbollah), it could do no more than have an "exchange of views on the Gaza conflict" when special envoy Zhai Jun visited Tehran. Beijing also hosted 14 Palestinian factions in July, urging them to form a unity government, even though groupings like Hamas and Fatah are sworn enemies. China paints itself as a neutral advocate, calling for a "just settlement" of the Palestinian issue. Yet China plays the same disingenuous game with Ukraine. It pretends to be neutral, when in fact it is actively supporting Russia, and blaming Ukraine and the West for Putin's violence. This simply reflects another of Beijing's tactics - to use conflicts to rally global public opinion against the USA. In fact, as Xi looks on at the bun fight known as US elections, he may well feel justified in his belief that the East is rising and that the West is declining. What about China's perspective towards Moscow? According to the aforementioned RAND report: "The Russia-China partnership is critical for Beijing. China's leaders have long argued that the United States is determined to encircle China and impede its growth as a great power. The United States' alliance networks and its role as architect of the current international system (at the time of writing) are the most effective and useful tools for achieving this objective. With no alliances of its own, Beijing views Moscow's mutual support as its most important strategic relationship and a counterweight to US power. As the de facto senior partner in the relationship, Beijing simultaneously sees a significant opportunity to exploit Russia's weakness - an opportunity it has leveraged to gain access to inexpensive energy, advanced military technology and strategic resources." Marking their close ties, in early November a Russian Su-57 fighter jet arrived in Zhuhai to attend a biennial military exhibition. The trajectory of bilateral Sino-Russian military exercises suggests a possible desire for combined operations in the future. The RAND report noted: "Strategic cooperation and coordination in the overall military-to-military relationship suggests that expanded cooperation might eventually include some form of combined military operation, but this possibility remains uncertain at best under present circumstances." While they are incrementally improving their ability to operate together, a mutual defense treaty seems unlikely given their past histories and experiences. Instead of militarily challenging the USA outright, both China and Russia prefer methods such as intimidation, threat, hybrid warfare and gray-zone tactics. Nevertheless, "Short of a mutual defence treaty, other forms of military cooperation should be expected to intensify," the RAND authors concluded. "The two sides may seek to leverage greater political-diplomatic value from enhanced exchanges and joint exercises, at times including third parties, such as Iran or multinational organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Beijing could seek to enhance its claims to disputed areas by hosting joint exercises in these spaces. Indeed, the two sides have already organized naval exercises in the East and South China seas for a number of years and, in 2016, Russian naval vessels transited the Senkakus in an action suspected of being organized in advance to give the Chinese an opportunity to sail through the islets to substantiate territorial claims." The "axis of evil" is very much a marriage of convenience. Members work together where interests align, but tensions abound because each has distinctive goals and perspectives. Regardless, China is bound to Russia in their antipathy towards the West. As the old proverb says, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." (ANI)
Former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump cast his ballot in Florida for the 2024 US Presidential Elections on Tuesday morning (local time), as reported by CNN. The former president along with his wife Melania Trump arrived to vote in Palm Beach near their Florida home. Speaking to the press after casting his ballot, Trump said he is "very confident" he will win the election and that "it won't even be close." "I feel very confident," Trump said. "I hear we're doing very well everywhere." He added that this was the "best" of the three campaigns he ran. "It won't even be close," Trump said. "But it's gonna take a long time to certify." Trump continued to complain how long it would take to tally up the results given that "they spent all this money on machines," citing the French election as an example of a quick election. Trump has repeatedly used the long wait time in tallying mail-in ballots as a way to sow doubt in the integrity of the election. On Monday, Trump rallied in Pennsylvania and said that "hardworking patriots" are going to save the country. He further highlighted his vision for the country's economic recovery and said that under his leadership, he will turn "economic nightmare into an economic miracle." Addressing the rally, Trump said, "Under my leadership, we are quickly going to turn this economic nightmare into an economic miracle. We will make America wealthy again, and we will make America affordable again. But you must vote! Four years, we have all waited for this and now it's tomorrow. Tomorrow, it's hard-working patriots like you who are going to save our country." Polling has now opened across 34 states in the US in what is termed to be one of their most consequential elections, which will decide the direction of not just the US but also have an influence on global geopolitics for the next four years. Among the 34 states, polling has also begun in five swing states of Arizona, Wisconsin, Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania. The polling hours will vary across the states, but most locations will vote between 6 am and 8 pm on Tuesday (local time). The first polls will close at around 7 pm ET (5:30 am IST) in six states, including Georgia. The final polls will close in the blue state of Hawaii and in the red state of Alaska at 12 am ET (10:30 am IST). Total votes will close by 1 pm ET (11:30 am IST), following which counting will start. Notably, the US presidential election takes place every four years on the first Tuesday in November. (ANI)
There have been very dramatic changes in Canada since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came to office with "unfettered mass immigration" negatively impacting housing, economy and social services, former Toronto Police Sergeant (Detective) Donald Best has said and noted that there is a problem that Khalistani separatists are able to do what they want. In an interview with ANI, Donald Best, who is also an investigative journalist, endorsed concerns of India about Khalistani separatists getting political space in Canada. India's ties with Canada have taken a sharp downturn with New Delhi recalling its envoy from Ottawa. Donald Best slammed Trudeau's policies saying "there is turmoil" in Canada and for a country with a small population of about 40 million, about five per cent of immigrants have come in the last about two years. "We have seen very dramatic changes in Canada since Trudeau and his government took over. We have seen unfettered mass immigration, which is seriously negatively impacting our housing, economy, social services, hospitals, and health services. We are a very small country population-wise. We have only 40 million people. But in terms of 40 million people, five per cent arrived within the last year-and-a-half to two years...There is a lot of turmoil here. We also had great criticism that for some reason, Khalistani separatists and Sikhs have undue influence and they have attained positions of power and authority at all levels municipal, provincial and national out of proportion to their population. Many people, including your own External Affairs Minister, talked about how the federal government is propped by the New Democratic Party, in which the opposition leader is Jagmeet Singh, who has appeared with some people associated with the Khalistani movement. I have been told that Mr Singh is not allowed in India," he said. "We have a problem in Canada; part of the problem is that the Khalistani separatists are able to do whatever they want to do. A few months ago, in a parade in Alberta, they had pictures of convicted terrorists in India who had murdered people. They had these photos on their vehicles celebrating and venerating these terrorists and ordinary Canadians just look at this and I include many people from India who have been here for decades...Canada has had so many immigration for over hundred years and no matter what is happening in your home country...we try to leave behind all this in Canada, that has been our habit, that's not happening anymore with the Khalistani separatists..Ordinary Canadians are becoming overwhelmed and it is a shame because it is impacting how they view India and Indians," Donald Best added. Echoing concerns of India about activities of Khalistani separatists, Donald Best said Canada has no vetting of immigrants and many people who come to Canada are fleeing their own country because they are wanted criminals. "India's External Affairs Minister has mentioned that Canada is approving visas for people who are criminals and were members of organised crime in India. I believe that it is true. We have absolutely no vetting of our immigrants," he said. "It seems that so many people who come to Canada and seek refugee status, not only from India but from around the world, are fleeing their own country because they are wanted criminals. I think this is attracting a great number of Khalistani separatists to Canada because they are protected and they find refuge here and their community is growing," he added. Ties with Canberra have seen sharp deterioration with India repeatedly expressing its deep concern about extremism and the culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada and has asked Canadian authorities to take action against these activities. An Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Canada's Brampton witnessed a "violent disruption" on Sunday in Brampton, near Toronto. The incident sparked widespread criticism in and outside Canada. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condemned the "deliberate attack" on Hindu temple in Canada and said that "cowardly attempts to intimidate" Indian diplomats were appalling and New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold rule of law. The strong statement by PM Modi came hours after the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario on Sunday. "We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries regarding violence in Brampton." "The outreach of our Consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence," he added. The ties between India and Canada took sharp downturn following Canadian leaders making allegations without providing evidence about an assassination on their soil. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in Australia, on Tuesday expressed concerns about the attack on the Hindu temple in Canada, and said the incident shows how "political space" is being given to the "extremist forces" in the country. "What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was deeply concerning."You should have seen the statement by our official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by our PM yesterday. That should convey to you how deeply we feel about it," Jaishankar said at a joint press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Answering another query, he talked about the political space given to "extremist forces" in Canada. "Let me make three comments. One, Canada has developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics. Secondly, when we look at Canada, for us the fact that they are putting our diplomats under surveillance is something which is unacceptable. Third, the incidents (attack on the Hindu Temple) and do look at the videos. I think they will tell you in a way in political space today which has been given to extremist forces there," Jaishankar said. India also summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission earlier this month and handed a diplomatic note in which the government protested in the strongest terms to the "absurd and baseless" references made to Union Home Minister Amit Shah before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in Ottawa by Deputy Minister David Morrison. "In fact, the revelation that high Canadian officials deliberately leak unfounded insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other nations only confirms the view Government of India has long held about current Canadian government's political agenda and behavioral pattern. Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties," Jaiswal said. (ANI)
Canadian Police knew that one of its officials, who was found involved in the violent protest by extremists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton and has been suspended, had earlier participated in Khalistani protests in October, a former Toronto Police Sergeant has said. Former Toronto Police Sergeant (Detective) Donald Best, who is also an investigative journalist, said that many Khalistani separatist protestors physically attacked some of the worshippers at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton. "On Sunday afternoon, in Brampton, Ontario, there was a Hindu temple, and protestors from the Khalistani separatist movement came to the temple and protested loudly outside. In Canada, this is a criminal offence, you are not allowed to disturb a religious meeting....I don't know who threw the first stone, who hit somebody or who came on the property first, I don't know about it, I do know that many Khalistani separatist protestors physically attacked some of the worshippers there. We have seen videos where they are on the property, that was terrible enough. We found that one of the protestors, which turned out to be a violent mob, is a serving Peel police officer, a sergeant. I started getting wind of that on Sunday night," Donald Best told ANI in an interivew. Donald Best said he sought confirmation from the police and got an email confirming from the police that the man was an off-duty police officer, that he had been suspended and that there was an internal investigation into his activities. "His name is Sergeant Harinder Sohi. He is visible in holding a Khalistani flag..." Donald Best said. He recalled seeing the same official in October during a protest by Khalistani separatists. "There was a protest in downtown Toronto in middle of October..I saw the same police officer at that protest. He is a holding a sign and flag and the sign says that India's consulate should be banned from Canada..." Donald Best said "some of the Khalistani separatists are like terrorists" and the surveillance services would have taken several photographs. "I have no doubt that the police services knew in October, at least then, that this officer was participating with the Khalistani separatist protests in Canada," he said. A Peel Regional Police officer was suspended after being identified in videos of a protest at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, on Sunday, CBC News reported earlier. The suspended officer was identified as Sergeant Harinder Sohi. Richard Chin, Peel Police spokesperson said that they are aware of the video circulating on social media showing one of their off-duty officers participating in a protest. "We are aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an off-duty Peel police officer involved in a demonstration. This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act. We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until such time that this investigation is complete," Chin said, according to CBC News. Peel Regional Police on Monday said that they made several arrests in connection to the protests in Brampton and Mississauga, Ontario. Ties with Canberra have seen sharp deterioration with India repeatedly expressing its deep concern about extremism and the culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada and has asked Canadian authorities to take action against these activities. An Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Canada's Brampton witnessed a "violent disruption" on Sunday in Brampton, near Toronto. The incident sparked widespread criticism in and outside Canada. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condemned the "deliberate attack" on Hindu temple in Canada and said that "cowardly attempts to intimidate" Indian diplomats were appalling and New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold rule of law. "I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi said on X. The strong statement by PM Modi came hours after the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario on Sunday. "We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries regarding violence in Brampton." "The outreach of our Consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence," he added. The Indian High Commission in Canada condemned the "violent disruption" by "anti-India" elements outside a consular camp. The High Commission also said that any further events will be organised "contingent on security arrangements" made by the local authorities. The ties between India and Canada took sharp downturn following Canadian leaders making allegations without providing evidence about an assassination on their soil. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in Australia, on Tuesday expressed concerns about the attack on the Hindu temple in Canada, and said the incident shows how "political space" is being given to the "extremist forces" in the country. "What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was deeply concerning."You should have seen the statement by our official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by our PM yesterday. That should convey to you how deeply we feel about it," Jaishankar said at a joint press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Answering another query, he talked about the political space given to "extremist forces" in Canada. "Let me make three comments. One, Canada has developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics. Secondly, when we look at Canada, for us the fact that they are putting our diplomats under surveillance is something which is unacceptable. Third, the incidents (attack on the Hindu Temple) and do look at the videos. I think they will tell you in a way in political space today which has been given to extremist forces there," Jaishankar said. The sharp downturn in ties saw India recalling its High Commissioner from Canada. India also summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission earlier this month and handed a diplomatic note in which the government protested in the strongest terms to the "absurd and baseless" references made to Union Home Minister Amit Shah before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in Ottawa by Deputy Minister David Morrison. "In fact, the revelation that high Canadian officials deliberately leak unfounded insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other nations only confirms the view Government of India has long held about current Canadian government's political agenda and behavioral pattern. Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties," Jaiswal said. India had last month Canada's then Charge d'Affaires Stewart Wheeler and conveyed that the "baseless targeting" of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada was completely unacceptable. India underlined that in an atmosphere of extremism and violence, the Trudeau Government's actions endangered their safety."We have no faith in the current Canadian Government's commitment to ensure their security. Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials," MEA had said in a release. The bilateral ties soured after Trudeau alleged in the Canadian Parliament last year that he has "credible allegations" of India's hand in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.India has denied all the allegations, calling them "absurd" and "motivated" and has accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements in their country.Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency, was shot and killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year. Trudeau had also said last month that his government had not provided India with hard evidence but just intelligence regarding the killing of Nijjar on Canadian soil.Testifying at Canada's foreign interference inquiry, Trudeau said India has been insisting on evidence over allegations levelled by Canada."Behind the scenes (were trying) India to co-operate with us. Their ask was...give us the evidence you have on us. Our response was it is within your security agency. You should be looking into how much they know, you should be engaging... 'No, no but show us the evidence'. At that point, it was primarily intelligence, not hard evidentiary proof. So we said let's work together...," he said. (ANI)
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris, expressed optimism that former President Donald Trump will accept the election results, even if he loses, CNN reported. When asked by reporters before Walz boarded his flight from Pennsylvania to Washington, DC, on Tuesday if he believes Trump will concede the election if he loses, Walz said he believes Trump will concede, if "history is ... any indicator." \Walz also pledged to "shake hands and work for the winner" if Harris loses. This statement comes amidst concerns over potential disruptions to the electoral process, including bomb threats to polling locations across several states. Trump and other Republicans repeatedly suggested they would accept the results of the presidential election if there was no evidence of fraud, as per CNN. Trump spread false claims of voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election as a pretense to attempt to overthrow the results of the election. Walz said he did not speak to Harris in the last 24 hours but praised her remarks at her final campaign rally in Philadelphia on Monday, as per CNN. Meanwhile, talking about the bomb threats in various polling locations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Tuesday (local time) that bomb threats to polling locations across several states appear to have originated from Russian email domains. The FBI added that none of the emails were credible threats, as per CNN. "The FBI is aware of bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains. None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far," CNN quoted the agency's statement. US intelligence officials were examining an email account using a Russian internet domain as the potential source of non-credible bomb threats made when Georgia went to polls on Tuesday. Several non-credible bomb threats briefly disrupted voting at two polling places in Georgia, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, as per CNN. "We've heard some threats that were of Russian origin. I don't know how to describe that that's viable - we don't think they are, but in the interest of public safety, we always check that out, and we'll just continue to be very responsible when we hear about stuff like that," Raffensperger said. "We identified the source, and it was from Russia," CNN quoted him as saying. The presidential race between Harris and Trump is going down to the wire, with more states functionally tied in polls at this point than in any comparable election. Over 77.3 million people have now voted ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, just over half of the total ballots cast in 2020. The battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are expected to be pivotal to the path to victory. Harris and Trump tied with three votes each in the tiny New Hampshire community of Dixville Notch, which opened and closed its poll just after midnight ET in a decades-old tradition. (ANI)
Recent excavations conducted by archaeologists from Austrian Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the Greek Ministry of Culture, have uncovered further parts of the temple of Poseidon at Samikon in Western Peloponnese, Greece.

Although the temple was first discovered two years ago in 2022, latest findings indicate the complex is larger than what initial geophysical investigations had evaluated. The building is now estimated to measure about 28 meters long and over 9 meters wide, comprising two interior rooms, a vestibule and a rear hall or shrine.

"We are looking at an Archaic temple consisting of two main rooms. A central row of two columns, which we found in the first hall and which supported the large roof covered with tiles, belongs to this phase. We may assume that there were also such columns in the second room. In any case, the ground plan of the temple is unusual. So far we know of no comparable buildings," stated Birgitta Eder, head of the Athens branch of the Academys Austrian Archaeological Institute.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The excavations are a part of a five-year project led by the Austrian Archaeological Institute. The area has been the site of archaeological digs for over a century as records kept by ancient Greek geographers like Strabo hinted at its importance.

Unique architecture

According to experts, the temple in Samikon is a chief example of an archaic double-chamber temple design, an element uncommon to Greek religious architecture. Experts also opine the temple's interiors were titled during its heyday.

A press release by the Austrian Academy of Sciences indicates the temple had two construction phases. Erofili-Iris Kolia, director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Elis, Greek Minsitry of Culture, explained: "In the second half of the 4th or first half of the 3rd century BC, the Archaic temple from the 6th century BC was remodeled. In the process, the old roof tiles were evenly applied as a subfloor for the new floor. They served as insulation against groundwater and to stabilise the floor. Something that still works today. In those places where tiles are missing, the ground is damp and muddy."

Further discoveries include a bronze plaque that embellished the temple walls and a marble vessel, known as a Perirrhanterion, which was used as a ritual basin in cleansing ceremonies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9xO3R-Bfr0

Enduring significance

During the process of excavation archaeologists also discovered a giant double-walled structure on the northern side of the temple. This most likely served as a fortification enclosing the sacred district of Poseidon and acted as a protective barrier against the nearby coastal lagoons and swamps. This northern enclosure seems to have functioned as a boundary, shielding the temple from periodic flooding and from the sea, as per a report by Greek City Times.

Eder highlighted the significance of the temple, noting its vital role within the league of Triphylian cities as both a religious and strategic hub. The sanctuarys origins, dating back to the Mycenaean period (16001100 BC), suggest its enduring importance through multiple historical eras, from the Mycenaean to the classical Greek periods.
I was waiting outside the PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, North Carolina after Vice President Kamala Harriss rally when my phone started to blow up. Ann Selzer, the vaunted pollster of Iowa, had just dropped a poll showing that Harris was leading Trump by three points in the Hawkeye State  a state Trump had won twice. Everyone in the political world wanted to talk about it.

The Trump campaign knew how bad this news looked. Tony Fabrizio and Tim Saler, the Trump campaigns data men, released a memo challenging the findings almost immediately.

Not long afterwards, a New York Times/Siena College poll showed Harris leading in North Carolina, as well as Georgia, Nevada and Wisconsin. If Harris wins all four, she would not even need to win Pennsylvania, Arizona or Michigan in order to win the entire election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By the time these polls dropped, I may have been shocked at their margin, but I was not surprised that Harriss campaign had drawn another ace. Thats because I had spent much of Saturday following both presidential candidates around North Carolina on the final weekend of the campaign and it had become clear to me that Harris had all the momentum, while Trump was grasping for straws.

As I waited outside the pavilion for Harriss rally, a few older white women worried theyd miss Harris speak. After the rally, another  Janice Lewis, who said she came from Davidson, North Carolina  told me that she not only was going to the rally but had already phone-banked for the vice president and had given money to Harriss campaign.

(AFP via Getty Images)

This tracks with what the Selzer poll showed  particularly that senior women, meaning women aged 65 and older, support Harris by a whopping 2-to-1 margin. Many of these women remember life before Roe v Wade and were infuriated by the Dobbs v Jackson decision that killed it. Many also likely remember the wound that came with seeing Trump beat Hillary Clinton.

Before Trump took the stage at Gastonia Municipal Airport as part of a final weekend of campaigning, the billboards on both sides of the stage featured images of immigrants packing a hospital. Kamala Harris promised free health care for illegals, read the statement overlaid across the image. Theyre coming to collect.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another one showed a trash-ridden Haiti, with the statement Kamalas border plan: Make America Haiti. In between that imagery, the interactive billboards would show Trumps proposed pledges on no taxes on tips and Social Security.

To be sure, there was a long and winding line in the largely suburban county that featured huge Trump banners on many a front lawn. Some supporters were adorned in garbage bags. Many were raucous as the rally played clips ahead of his appearance at Wrestlemania and the packed audience did whip out their phones as Trump walked on to God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood. But when he mentioned his proposal for no taxes on tips and got little response, he seemed aggravated.

That's not too good  do any of you work in restaurants? he said.  Because when I do that in Nevada, when I do that in Las Vegas, I say no tax on tips, I have to stop the speech. That was a telling moment.

Trump didnt have as many surrogates in tow with him that day, either  surprising, considering how close to Election Day it was. (Mark Robinson, the embattled candidate for governor, has been all but been exiled by the Trump campaign, so that fact doesnt help.) While two congressional candidates spoke, as did Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, the only other statewide candidate who joined Trump on the stage was Representative Dan Bishop, who will likely lose the race for attorney general to Democrat Jeff Jackson. Poor Hal Weatherman, the candidate for lieutenant governor, was relegated to shaking hands outside of the rally but didnt speak.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At Harriss rally in Charlotte later on the same day, plenty of women were wearing shirts emblazoned with the slogan Childless Cat Lady. One especially clever one (in my humble opinion) said: Its me, hi, Im the cat lady its me (a reference to Harriss biggest celebrity endorsement, Taylor Swift.)

I arrived late to Harriss speech, having been finishing up at Trumps. But even as I was escorted to the press area, I could hear not only Harriss booming voice, but also the crowd response to it. By the time I reached my seat, the crowd had jumped to their feet to give standing ovations a number of times.

Obviously, rallies are an imperfect barometer of a campaigns momentum. Trump himself has frequently pointed to his rallies as a sign he is winning even when he is down in the polls. But the fact that the former president decided to go all in on North Carolina and spend three days rallying from Gastonia to Greensboro to Kinston to Raleigh showed he is sweating the state.

During the Democratic National Convention, Frank Luntz, the Republican pollster, referenced Sir Isaac Newton, saying that things in motion tend to stay in motion. The same can be said about Harriss campaign. When I covered Harriss rally with Walz in Arizona, the energy was electric  and now, across the country in Charlotte, that electricity seemed to show no signs of petering out.

As I waited for my bus to come in late in the evening in Charlotte, I noticed another sign: someone at the station was watching Harriss speech on his phone.
The News

Republican-leaning US-Africa specialists are predicting that a second Donald Trump administration would take a more transactional, realistic and pragmatic approach in dealing with Africa.

With just days to the US election on Nov. 5, Africa has not been anywhere on the agenda for either candidate. But the Kamala Harris campaign has been reaching out to Africa policy specialists to pull together a strategic plan for the Democratic candidate.

Trumps four years in office were characterized by reports of a reportedly dismissive attitude towards Africans, most famously his reference to s-hole countries  but his supporters say he was the first to raise awareness about what a huge threat China is to US interests in Africa. You will again see aggressive countering of Chinese influence in Africa, Tibor Nagy, a former assistant secretary of State for African Affairs under Trump and a former ambassador to Guinea and Ethiopia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One key focus of this transactional approach will be on starting to lock down supply chains for critical minerals in Africa used for green energy batteries used in electric vehicles and phones.

There is no denying that access to the many critical minerals that Africa has in great abundance is needed for Americas economy today as well as for the technologies that will lead us into the future, said Ambassador J. Peter Pham, a former US Special Envoy for the Sahel Region of Africa under Trump. Also, the monopolization of supply chains for those strategic resources by any single country, much less a revisionist power like China, is a threat to U.S. security.

Know More

The Trump agenda, which was presaged by the publication of the controversial 900-page Project 2025 document from the Heritage Foundation, had indicated a fairly traditional approach to US-Africa affairs in its foreign policy section. But the furor that surrounded some of the more radical proposals that would have given the president more executive power, has seen Trump distance himself from it as have some of those involved with authoring the Africa section.

There are often few major material differences between the Republicans and Democrats on US-Africa policy. But conservatives have been openly critical of what they have called a preachy approach by President Joe Biden, and his vice president Harris, in championing so-called cultural issues, such as support for LGBTQ issues, rather than focusing on trade and business. I think therell be a more pragmatic, interest-based approach to the continent with less emphasis on preaching but also less on democracy and human rights, said Joshua Merservey, fellow at Hudson Institute, a Washington DC think tank.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In particular, conservatives have called out what they see as the mishandling of relationships in West Africas Sahel region after a series of military coups between 2021 and 2023 in Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Therell be more skepticism [under Trump] as to how publicly berating our partners just hurts our relationships with those countries, said Merservey.

Pham, who spoke in a personal capacity and not for the Trump campaign, is widely believed to have some role to play in a possible second Trump administrations approach to Africa. He said Biden had placed social engineering and lectures above pragmatism and diplomatic engagement. He argued that this approach has opened the door to US adversaries including Russia and China in security and economic terms.

Yinkas view

One area of the Biden-Harris approach that has not been criticized is the Lobito Corridor, a multibillion-dollar logistics and communications infrastructure project which connects the Lobito Port in Angola to the critical mineral mines of Zambia and DR Congo. Conservative Africa watchers see the project as a model to build on, or replicate, particularly with a view to wresting some control of the critical minerals supply chains back from China.

Nagy argues that this will be good for African countries because it creates options for governments rather than having only one game in town.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What is clear is that whether a Democrat or Republican White House, Africa may not be at the top of foreign policy agenda but it has definitely moved up as the US worries about the different forms of great power rivalry beyond security.

But the simple truth is that there is little substantive difference between US-Africa policy thinkers on either side of the aisle in Washington DC. And in their quiet moments, away from the politicking, they acknowledge this. Most experienced African diplomats and government officials also know this. What is less clear is if they know how to take advantage.

The View From Somaliland

One possible winner if Trump returns to the White House might be Somaliland, the unrecognized country in the northwest of Somalia. The de facto state has many supporters on the political right in the US and might be able to move forward with its attempts to become a fully recognized state. On Nov. 13 it will hold its fifth presidential election since 1997, even as Somalia struggles to find political stability. Somalia will be concerned if Trump wins, said Hudsons Merservey. Nagy says there will be more sympathy for places like Somaliland in a Republican administration. Somaliland stands on its own feet, Its very pro-West, very free market oriented and it takes care of the security of its own territory and it holds regular elections.

Room for Disagreement

Under the Biden-Harris administration, the White House and the US State Department have been one of the most engaged with Africa with a series of high profile visits to countries on the continent. Vice President Harris last year visited Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia. Other visits have includedTreasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. The administration has also been keen to point to the successful hosting of the US-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022, the first such event in eight years and the rollout of the Lobito Corridor project.
By Andrew Chung

(Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court threw out on Monday a judicial decision that had spared a man convicted of murder in Alabama from execution because he was found to be intellectually disabled.

The justices concluded that the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals needs to clarify its ruling that Joseph Clifton Smith's death sentence for a 1997 murder must be set aside in light of the Supreme Court's 2002 decision that executing an intellectually disabled person is cruel and unusual punishment barred by the U.S. Constitution's Eighth Amendment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Smith was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1997 murder of a man named Durk Van Dam in Alabama's Mobile County. Smith fatally beat the man with a hammer and saw in order to steal his boots, some tools and $140, according to evidence in the case. The victim's body was found in his mud-bound Ford Ranger truck in an isolated, wooded area.

The Supreme Court's 2002 precedent in a case called Atkins v. Virginia barred executing intellectually disabled people.

Like many states, conservative-leaning Alabama considers evidence of intelligence quotient (IQ) test scores of 70 or below as part of the standard for determining intellectual disability. Supreme Court rulings in 2014 and 2017 allowed courts to consider IQ score ranges that are close to 70 along with other evidence of intellectual disability, such as testimony of "adaptive deficits."

Smith had five IQ test scores, the lowest of which was 72. A federal judge noted that Smith's score could be as low as 69, given the standard of error of plus or minus three points. The judge then found that Smith had significant deficits from an early age in social and interpersonal skills, independent living and academics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The 11th Circuit upheld the judge's conclusions in 2023, setting aside Smith's death sentence.

"Smith is not intellectually disabled," Alabama told the Supreme Court in its appeal, contending that the 11th Circuit had "bent law and logic" by focusing too heavily on the Smith's lowest IQ score to find he was intellectually disabled.

The justices in a brief and unsigned opinion on Monday said that the 11th Circuit's evaluation of Smith's IQ scores can be read two ways, and requires clarification. The Supreme Court's review of the state's appeal in the case "may depend on the basis" for the 11th Circuit's decision, according to the opinion.

Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch said they would have taken up and scheduled arguments in Alabama's appeal.

The Supreme Court spent an unusually long time considering whether to take up Alabama's appeal, which was filed in August 2023.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham)
Lynchburg area voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday where they will be voting in the presidential, Senate and House elections, along with city and town races.

Polls will be open on Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can find their voting precinct by visiting the Virginia Department of Elections citizens portal.

The candidates for U.S. Senate are Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Republican Hung Cao.

Virginians also will have the chance to weigh in on a statewide referendum regarding a proposed tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a soldier who died in the line of duty.

The statewide ballot question is whether the state Constitution should be amended so that a tax exemption currently available to the surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action is also available to the surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty.

In the 5th Congressional District, which in the Lynchburg area includes the City of Lynchburg, all of Amherst, Appomattox, Campbell and Nelson counties, and a portion of Bedford County, state Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, faces Democrat Gloria Tinsley Witt.

For voters in Lynchburg and surrounding areas, city council and town elections are on the ballot. According to Virginia election law, party affiliations of the city council candidates will not appear on the ballot.

Lynchburg

Here are the candidates, with party affiliation, for Lynchburg City Council races in this years general election:

City Council Ward I

City Council Ward II

City Council Ward III

City Council Ward IV

Lynchburg City Council passed an ordinance in September moving the polling place for the fourth precinct in Ward III from Compassion Church of the Nazarene to Heritage High School.

Completed absentee ballots must be dropped off in their return and inner envelopes in the ballot drop box at the Lynchburg Registrars Office at 825 Kemper St. on Tuesday by 7 p.m. All ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Tuesday and received in the Registrars Office with that postmark by noon on Friday.

After polls close on Tuesday at 7 p.m., election results will be tallied on the Virginia Department of Elections website.

For more information on voting in Lynchburg, visit the citys elections website at https://www.lynchburgva.gov/507/Elections.

Amherst County

In Amherst County, there are no countywide contests on the ballot. In the Town of Amherst, though, three incumbents and four newcomers are running for three seats on Amherst Town Council in the election.

The town council candidates are Jared Steven Martin, Jason D. Eagle, Kenneth W. Watts, Michael H. Driskill, SS Sonny Sundaramurthy, Shannan C. Carter and Sharon W. Turner.

Residents can enter their address on the state elections website to find out their voting precinct in Amherst County.

For more information on voting in Amherst County, visit the registrars website at https://www.countyofamherst.com and choose registrar from the government tab.

Appomattox County

In the Town of Appomattox, five candidates are running for three at-large seats on the town council.

Councilmembers James Boyce Sr. and Jane Allen are running for re-election, while Claudia G. Puckette opted not to run again. Diamond E. Lawing, McKinley D. Cardwell and Stephanie A. Pawelczyk are also running for town council in Appomattox.

The Town of Pamplin City in Appomattox County also is holding town council elections. Each of the councilmembers, however, is running unopposed.

Residents can enter their address on the state elections website to find out their voting precinct in Appomattox County.

For more information on voting in Appomattox County, visit the registrars website at https://www.

appomattoxcountyva.gov and visit voter registrar under the departments tab.

Bedford County

In Bedford County, there are no countywide contests on the ballot. For residents of the Town of Bedford, four candidates are on the ballot running for the same total of seats up for grabs on Bedford Town Council in Tuesdays election.

Todd Foreman, who is currently serving his first term on council, is running along with newcomers Jaithan C. Jai Ippolito, Dwight O. Evans and David C. DC Foster.

The Town of Bedford is in the 9th Congressional District, where incumbent Morgan Griffith, a Republican, faces Democrat Karen Baker.

Residents can enter their address on the state elections website to find out their voting precinct in Bedford County.

For more information on voting in Bedford County, visit the registrars website at https://www.bedfordcountyva.gov and visit voter information under the government tab.

Campbell County

In the towns of Altavista and Brookneal, mayor and town council seats are up for election on Tuesday.

In Altavista, Reggie Bennett is running for mayor. For three seats on town council, four candidates are running: incumbent Tracy Emerson, Gary Penn, Kelly Debernard and Victoria Mattox.

In Brookneal, Kenneth Jennings, the incumbent, is running against town councilmember Barbara Laprade for mayor.

For three seats on the Brookneal town council, incumbents Conner Francis and Scott Fisher, along with Eugene Moorefield III, are running.

Residents can enter their address on the state elections website to find out their voting precinct in Campbell County.

For more information on voting in Campbell County, visit the registrars website at https://www.co.campbell.va.us and visit the voter information section under departments.

Nelson County

Along with the federal races and the state ballot question, Neely T. Hull is running unopposed in a special election for Nelson County treasurer for an unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2027.

Previous Nelson County Treasurer Angela Hicks, who was first elected as treasurer in November 2011, retired on Aug. 1.

Residents can enter their address on the state elections website to find out their voting precinct in Nelson County.

For more information on voting in Nelson County, visit the registrars website at https://
Nov 05 (Linfamy) - Rising through the ranks of the Japanese imperial court was like a walk in the parkat night. It was a rigid system designed to keep the powerful in power, leaving little room for anyone outside the elite circle.

Many government roles were controlled by influential families, with positions passed down from father to son, ensuring a tight grip on authority.

However, there was one path to influence that is rarely mentioned today. This method not only played a part in the downfall of one of Japan's most powerful clans, but it also opened doors for women from weak, unremarkable families to reach the highest echelons of the court, even gaining proximity to the emperor himself.

The story unfolds during Japan's Heian Period (7941185), an era when the Fujiwara clan reigned supreme over the court, maintaining a formidable hold on political power.
BANGKOK, Nov 05 (News On Japan) - A new trend has emerged in Thailand, known for its friendly ties with Japan, where Japanese-style townscapes are being faithfully recreated.

In a bustling store in Tokyo that specializes in daily goods and food items, Thai tourists are eagerly filling their baskets with Japanese treats. One Thai visitor commented, Ive always wanted to try Japanese gummies since theyre not available in Thailand. Another held a bottle of air freshener, saying, Ive never seen anything like this in Thailand; its like an angel descending in your bathroom.

This Tokyo store, Takeya, has become particularly popular among inbound tourists from Thailand, now the largest group of customers from overseas. The store has Thai-speaking staff and Thai-language signs prominently displayed to cater to these visitors.

According to Shiori Ogawa, a cosmetics staff member, We see around 17,300 customers each month, and most are from Thailand.

The demand for Japanese products has also driven the rise of local influencers, such as Aki Yamaguchi, whose videos showcasing lively Tokyo spots have attracted 1.7 million followers, mostly in Thailand. Aki noted that Thai people love the vibrant atmosphere. Food is keygood appearance, good taste, and reasonable prices at Ameyoko make it popular.

The increase in Thai interest in Japanese culture is partly due to an uptick in anime viewing during the pandemic, leading many Thai people to develop a deep interest in Japan's cultural landscape. Now, it seems some are no longer content with just watchingnew facilities that offer a Japanese-like ambiance are even popping up in Thailand.

According to Aki, The atmosphere is so authentic that it feels like Japan, especially for those who miss traveling. It brings a sense of comfort.

One such facility can be found just a 90-minute drive from Bangkok, where a sign reads Bang Saen Fish Market. While the name suggests a traditional market, visitors are instead greeted by a setting reminiscent of Showa-era Japan, complete with tile-roofed buildings and familiar Japanese signsalbeit with some humorous mistranslations.

One visitor expressed delight, saying, The decorations are amazing! I feel like Im in Japan even without leaving Thailand. It brings back fond memories of my trips to Japan.

The facilitys creator, Joe, initially opened it as a Thai food court three years ago, but it saw little foot traffic. However, a Japanese-style senbei, Sugoi Senbei, became a hit, inspiring him to reimagine the space as a Japanese-themed town. The renovation led to a surge in popularity, with 5,000 to 6,000 visitors on weekends and over 10,000 during holidays.

Even Japanese tourists have started to visit, often pointing out amusing language errors. Joe laughs, recalling mistakes such as labeling watermelon juice as strawberry and selling tamagoyaki as unadon, but says the store owners are working hard to improve the Japanese feel of the experience.

Joe plans to open a similar facility at another location soon, as Japans appeal continues to grow in Thailand.

Source: ANN
TOKYO, Nov 06 (News On Japan) - Japans traditional sake brewing has taken a step closer to being recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. UNESCO's Evaluation Body, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has recommended that Japans traditional sake brewing practices, including sake, shochu, and awamori production, be registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, according to Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs.

Traditional sake brewing is a craft using koji mold as a fermentation agent, derived from grains, and has been honed over generations through the hands-on expertise of master brewers and artisans dating back to pre-modern scientific times.

Sake is deeply embedded in Japanese food culture, playing an essential role in rituals, festivals, and various aspects of Japanese life.

According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, UNESCOs Evaluation Body has issued a preliminary assessment recommending that traditional sake brewing be registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The formal decision is expected at UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee meeting, scheduled to take place in Paraguay, South America, starting on December 2.

The Intangible Cultural Heritage designation is a system designed to protect traditional music, dance, theater, crafts, and other forms of cultural expression.

Currently, Japan has 22 registered items, including Noh theater, Kabuki, and washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine), with calligraphy also being pursued as a new candidate for registration.

Source: ANN
HIROSHIMA, Nov 06 (News On Japan) - In a residential neighborhood in Hiroshima Prefecture, a suspicious man was recently spotted leaning close to other people's laundry, carefully examining each item. His target: the clothing of a junior high school girl.

Victim: "My daughter's clothes were being stolen at a rate of about once a week."

In the early hours of October 24th, just after 4 a.m., the man appeared in the quiet, empty neighborhood. Heading straight to the balcony, he touched the laundry items hanging there, meticulously inspecting each piece.

In the darkness, he seemed to be searching for something specific. Not finding what he wanted, he left without taking anything.

Victim: "Since my child's laundry wasn't there, he left without taking anything."

According to the victim, this wasn't the first time the man had appeared.

Victim: "At least four times in a month. My daughter's school uniform shirt, shorts, and swimsuit. Lastly, my husband's shorts, which I think he took by mistake, thinking they belonged to my daughter."

The victim speculates that since no women's clothing was left hanging on the day the video was recorded, the man took nothing. She expressed worry, stating, "I cant tell if he's after the laundry or my daughter herself. There's a fear that he might try something directly."

The victim has reported the incidents to the police.
Nov 06 (News On Japan) - An image posted on Chinese social media has caused a stir, showing a recruitment ad offering free admission tickets to Tokyo Disney Resort in exchange for assistance with reselling exclusive merchandise.

Fans of Disney were disturbed by the posts, which feature rows upon rows of plush toys as if on display. These toys include popular characters such as Duffy, LinaBell, and StellaLou, all exclusive items sold at Tokyo DisneySea since November 2nd.

Upon viewing the video, Disney fans shared their suspicions about the uploader's intentions: Disney Fan: "Reselling. Thats all I see. The people who actually want these items can't get them I've come to the park looking forward to buying these goods, and I can't forgive this. It's absolutely unforgivable."

Another video posted on Chinese social media depicted the exclusive merchandise section within DisneySea. Video Audio: "This is unbelievable. There's not a single one left on the shelf. It's worse than during the Lunar New Year or Valentine's." The influx of customers has led to scenes where women can be seen sitting on the floor, presumably exhausted. Video Audio: "That girl is sitting on the floor. Shes collapsed. Its so tragic I cant bear to watch."

Soon after, the exclusive goods, released just days earlier, began appearing on Chinese resale sites. Plush toy badges of LinaBell, originally priced at 2,700 yen, were listed for 10,000 yen, with some even priced as high as 25,000 yen. Despite limits on the number of items each person can buy, the massive purchases persist. One explanation is the use of recruited individuals specifically for purchasing these limited items.

Even before the items went on sale, recruitment ads circulated on social media, saying, "November 2nd and 3rd, free tickets. Meet at the entrance of DisneySea at 7:15 a.m. Assist with buying goods upon entry." These postings offered "free admission in exchange for help purchasing exclusive goods."

Disney fans have expressed outrage at this tactic of leveraging free admission to assist in stockpiling merchandise for resale. Disney Fan: "I think its wrong, and I dont like it. I couldnt do it myself. It's like one of those shady side gigs. The word 'free' definitely draws you in, but if you think about it, its too good to be true and kind of scary."

Meanwhile, some acknowledged the appeal of free admission despite not wanting to aid resellers. Teenager: "(With ticket prices going up, just hearing that would make me tempted. Its appealing." Young Adult (20s): "I might go if they said it's free." Another Young Adult (20s): "Id go too. If you ask if its okay or not, its not, but if someone approached me"

In response, Oriental Land, the park operator, commented, "We prohibit the exchange or transfer of tickets among guests," and added, "To ensure a safe and enjoyable shopping experience for all guests at Tokyo Disney Resort, we are working to improve the environment."

Source: FNN
Ifeanyi Okowa. Photo: Twitter-@IAOkowa

By Shola Soyele

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, for alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

An EFCC source confirmed the former governors arrest to Channels Television on Monday.

Okowa was arrested on Monday, November 4, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when he reported at the Port Harcourt Directorate of the EFCC on the invitation of investigators handling his matter.

The former governor was alleged to have failed to render accounts of the funds as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed he used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

Specifically, Okowa allegedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the major banks in the country representing 8% equity to float the offshore LNG. The funds were alleged to be used for other purposes.

Investigators are also investigating the diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba in Delta state.

He is being held at the EFCC holding facility in Port Harcourt.

Okowa was the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election.
This file photo taken on May 28, 2024 shows the worlds first satellite made from wood, named LignoSat, developed by scientists at Kyoto University and logging company Sumitomo Forestry, during a press conference in Kyoto.  The worlds first wooden satellite has blasted off on a SpaceX rocket, its Japanese developers said on November 5, 2024, part of an resupply mission to the International Space Station. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT / JAPAN OUT

The worlds first wooden satellite has blasted off on a SpaceX rocket, its Japanese developers said Tuesday, part of a resupply mission to the International Space Station.

Scientists at Kyoto University expect the wooden material to burn up when the device re-enters the atmosphere  potentially providing a way to avoid generating metal particles when a retired satellite returns to Earth.

These particles may negatively impact both the environment and telecommunications, the developers say.

Each side of the box-like experimental satellite, named LignoSat, measures just 10 centimetres (four inches).

It was launched on an unmanned rocket from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Kyoto Universitys Human Spaceology Center said.

The satellite, installed in a special container prepared by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, flew into space safely, it said in a post on X.

A spokeswoman for LignoSats co-developer Sumitomo Forestry told AFP the launch had been successful.

It will arrive at the ISS soon, and will be released to outer space about a month later to test its strength and durability, she said.

Data will be sent from the satellite to researchers who can check for signs of strain and determine if the satellite can withstand extreme changes in temperature.

Satellites that are not made of metal should become mainstream, Takao Doi, an astronaut and special professor at Kyoto University, said at a press conference earlier this year.
Oyedepo

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA  The Forum of Security Experts (FOSE) has expressed its support for Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, regarding the allocation of airstrips to Bishop David Oyedepos Living Faith Church and other qualified individuals, despite ongoing controversy and calls for revocation from some lawmakers.

The lawmakers had raised security concerns surrounding the airstrip licenses, prompting a heated debate about the implications for aviation safety in Nigeria.

However, Keyamo has clarified that the House of Representatives did not issue a directive to revoke any private airstrip licenses, reinforcing the legality and importance of these allocations.

In a statement signed by Danladi Adamu, the forum commended Keyamo for his efforts to promote growth within Nigerias aviation sector, particularly through modernization initiatives aimed at enhancing airport efficiency, safety, and security.

It highlighted several benefits associated with the allocation of airstrips, including economic growth, job creation, and local development.

The security experts emphasized that private airstrips improve access to remote areas, facilitating humanitarian aid and medical evacuations, which are crucial for national emergency response.

Additionally, FOSE pointed out that private airstrips can promote tourism by providing easier access to Nigerias rich cultural heritage and natural attractions, thereby boosting local economies and supporting small businesses.

They urged the National Assembly to support the Ministrys initiatives aimed at enhancing aviation security and development, stressing the broader implications of allocating airstrips for national security, economic diversification, and agricultural development.

The statement added, By working together, we can reposition the Nigerian aviation industry for financial capability and economic viability. Keyamos leadership has instilled confidence in Nigerias aviation future.

The benefits of allocating airstrips to qualified individuals extend beyond economic growth. They also enhance national security by providing alternative landing strips for emergency situations.

Private airstrips also support agricultural development, enabling efficient transportation of perishable goods to markets. This boosts Nigerias agricultural sector, promoting food security and economic diversification.
Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede

By Lanre Lasisi and Kayode Oyero

President Bola Tinubu has decorated the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Olufemi Oluyede with a higher rank of Lieutenant General.

Sources in the Villa confirmed the development to Channels Television on Tuesday.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga later confirmed the development which took place at the Presidents office.

If confirmed by the Senate, Oluyede will become the substantive army chief, permanently replacing Lagbaja.

The acting COAS was promoted from the rank of Major General to Lieutenant General, days after he was appointed as acting army chief by the President.

It is both an honour and a privilege to decorate you today, the President was quoted as saying.

This recognition reflects your commitment and service to the Nigerian military, which speaks volumes through your exemplary record.

We recognise all that you have been doing to ensure the country is safe and stable, the President said.

On his part, Lt. Gen. Oluyede expressed deep gratitude and acknowledged the solemnity of the occasion. He reiterated his commitment to upholding the vision of Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and to maintaining peace across the country.

Onanuga had announced Oluyedes appointment on October 30, 2024, after weeks of the rumoured death of army chief Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja. The Defence Headquarters has since denied the rumours of Lagbajas death, saying he is on leave.

Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Onanuga said in a statement.

Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987. He rose to Major-General in September 2020.

Oluyede has held many commands since his commissioning as an officer. He was Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, Commandant Amphibious Training School.

General Oluyede participated in several operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East theatre of operations, where he commanded 27 Task Force Brigade.

Oluyede has earned many honours for his meritorious service in various fields of operations. These include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute.
US tech giant Meta illegally harvested sensitive data including on sexual orientation from nearly a million South Korean Facebook users and shared it with advertisers, Seouls data watchdog said Tuesday.

The firm, which also owns Instagram, violated South Korean laws prohibiting the use of information on political opinions, religious beliefs and peoples sex life unless the individual provides explicit consent, Seouls Personal Information Protection Commission said.

The tech giant collected sensitive information from around 980,000 domestic users in South Korea through their Facebook profiles, including details about their religious beliefs and whether they are in a same-sex relationship.

Meta analysed user behaviour data, including pages liked and ads clicked on Facebook, to create and implement targeted advertising related to sensitive themes such as transgender issues, homosexuality and North Korean defectors, officials said.

The watchdog said it had confirmed that such information was provided to advertisers by Meta, with around 4,000 advertisers using it.

The commission said Tuesday it had decided to fine Meta 21.6 billion won ($15.6 million).

Meta told AFP that it would carefully review the decision document once we receive it.

The South Korean watchdog said it had also ordered the company to establish legal grounds for processing sensitive information, implement safety measures, and respond diligently to users requests for access to their personal data.

The decision is significant in that they ensure that foreign operators providing global services must comply with the obligations set forth in (South Koreas) Protection Act regarding the processing of sensitive information.

LGBTQ market?

Experts said that Metas violation of personal information laws could reflect a growing demand to better identify and target LGBTQ-related markets.

Despite the existing legal barriers, LGBT partnerships are increasingly common in South Korea, and they are also increasingly accepted by the society, Vladimir Tikhonov, professor of Korea studies at the University of Oslo, told AFP.

It is a niche market, but it grows fast, he added.

Same-sex marriage is not legally recognised in the South, and activists have long emphasised the need for legislation outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Around a quarter of South Koreas population identifies as Christian and there has been vocal opposition to any recognition of same-sex marriage from such groups, purportedly on religious grounds.

But the LGBTQ community in the country scored a legal victory in July when a court ruled that it was discriminatory for state health insurers to treat same-sex couples differently from heterosexual common law couples, who are allowed joint coverage.

Advocates say the Supreme Courts verdict could eventually pave the way for a law allowing same-sex unions in the country.
By Daniel Abia, Port Harcourt

Another tragedy has struck in Rivers State, as a middle-aged man named Udeme is feared dead following the collapse of a two-storey building under construction at the Egbelu Mgbaraja axis in Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

This comes barely one week after the collapse of a 3-storey building at the Iriebe axis of the same LGA, although no life was lost in that incident.

An eyewitness, Mr. Jonathan Obey, said the building at Ogbogoro caved in on Monday, November 4, 2024, around 2 p.m. while the contractors were working on the 2nd floor, killing one of them while another narrowly escaped death with severe injuries.

He said a couple of deliberate infractions by the property developer may have caused the building to collapse.

Its a building collapse; as we speak, one person is trapped right inside the rubble. When we first came, we tried to rescue the person, but we couldnt. When we did our investigation, we found out that they used substandard materials to execute the project. We also found out that the foundation was 3 feet for a 2-storey building, which was wrong.

We also found out that some of the rods used by the builders were of low quality; the decking itself was not chained; there was no centre beam; it was supposed to have a centre beam and a pillar in the middle, but it doesnt have that. They did not use enough cement in casting the first decking, the eyewitness stated.

In the meantime, the Rivers State Government has sealed the premises of the collapsed building and declared the property developer, Vincent Nwoye, wanted over the tragic incident.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, during an on-the-spot inspection of the collapsed building, accused the developer of gross negligence and default of the extant building laws and regulations of Rivers State.

He cited failure by the property developer to obtain a government-approved building plan and use of substandard materials as the cause of the building collapse and avoidable death.

We have repeatedly warned that if you are caught building without a government-approved building plan, you will certainly face the penalty..

The government has sealed this property in question and declared the owner wanted because a life has been lost; we need to question him to know why he chose to use substandard materials to execute the project and why he decided to use a 12mm rod for a 2-storey building.

It would interest the public to know that even the property does not have government approval; it is something the government will not take lightly; we will use this developer as a scapegoat for others to learn.

Hon. Evans Bipi also described the incident as one-too-many while warning property developers to desist from cutting corners and endangering the lives of innocent contractors.

He said the Rivers State Government sympathises with the bereaved family and the people of Ogbogoro Community over the unfortunate incident.

Last week, we were at the site of a collapsed 3-storey building at Iriebe; though no life was lost in that incident, in this case a life was lost here in Ogbogoro. We truly sympathise with the family and the Ogbogoro Community where the victim resides. We are going to take him to the mortuary and notify the family; we are also going to disclose the mortuary so that the family members can identify and recover his remains for burial.

This should serve as a warning to those who build without a building plan and to those who build with substandard materials.

On his part, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Samuel Anya, expressed sadness over the loss of life in the building collapse due to the unethical and reckless practices of the property developer.

He accused the property developer of prioritizing profits over the safety of the construction workers and prospective tenants.
Today is finally Election Day in southwest Iowa.

Our team of journalists  Tim Rohwer, Hailey Peck, Andrew Smith and Joe Shearer  will be out at polling sites today to chronicle the experience of voters. All of us will work into the night to bring you the results once they become available.

The Nonpareil's reporting will also be supplemented by journalists across Lee Enterprises and our partners, such as The Associated Press, to bring a comprehensive look at the election.

Be ready to go vote

First off, if you haven't voted yet, be sure you have a plan. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. across Iowa.

Voters should remember to bring an acceptable form of identification to the polls, such as an Iowa driver's license, Iowa non-operator ID, U.S. passport or U.S. military ID. Identification is required to cast a regular ballot.

Not registered? That's OK, Iowa allows for same-day voter registration. You'll need to bring a proof of residence with you, too. The easiest is your Iowa driver's license with your current address. Other options include a lease, utility bill, bank statement or paycheck.

Did you vote absentee? Track your ballot to be sure it's arrived at sos.iowa.gov  which also has a link to find your polling site and other voter information.

Voters who require assistance can bring someone with them or request to have two poll workers from different political parties to assist them.

Find a list of precincts, as well as other voter information, at the Pottawattamie County Auditor's Office's website at pottcounty-ia.gov/elections.

Election Day updates

From the time the polls open through tonight, The Nonpareil will provide live updates on our website  you'll find it right front and center on our homepage.

Included with our live coverage will be links to our voter guide, where we've compiled all the coverage and surveys we've done with local candidates. You can research who is on the ballot and find links to a sample ballot for those who still need that information.

You'll find updates throughout the day from the polls along with insight from our reporters about how Election Day is going in Council Bluffs.

Once the polls close, you'll also be able to find results  including national results, such as the presidency and control of Congress  as they become available.

Alert us of any issues

If you encounter something irregular at the polls, we would like to know what's going on. Please contact us if you encounter excessively long lines, voter challenges you believe are dubious, campaigning at the polls or suspected voter intimidation efforts.

To be clear, we have no reason to believe voters in Pottawattamie County would encounter any of those challenges. But we want to be able to look into any problems or the perception thereof.

Email us at editorial@nonpareilonline.com or leave me a message at 712-325-5678. Please give us your name and phone number if you want us to follow up with you.

For assistance, start with your precinct official or the auditor's office. There's an election security hotline from the Iowa Secretary of State's Office that you can reach at 1-888-SOS-VOTE.

Allegations of election fraud and other election abuses can be made to the FBI at 515-223-4278. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be made to the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division at 1-800-253-3931. And, of course, call 911 if the situation warrants it, such as an instance of violence.

Look to us for results

The Nonpareil already has an article at nonpareilonine.com that you can bookmark for the latest results as they become available once polls close.

Pottawattamie County Auditor Melvyn Houser told The Nonpareil last week that results from early and absentee voting will be available shortly after polls close, providing a first look at how voters weighed in across the county.

We expect sone intermediate results to come in after that, as ballots come back from precincts near and far. Final results will be available once the ballots are returned and run through tabulation machines  although an exact time for that is never certain in advance, as factors such as whether voters are still in line at the closing of polls can extend that final tally.

Sometimes, even then the results can be murky. There are always provisional ballots that need to be processed once the dust settles, although how many can vary. In the 2022 election, a full day recount was needed to confirm state Rep. Josh Turek's victory.

Turek had a nine vote advantage on election night, which dropped to a seven vote advantage once provisional ballots were counted. The recount dropped that differential to six votes, The Nonpareil reported at the time, or about 0.01% of the total votes cast in the race.

Southwest Iowa has seen its share of single-vote margins in the past, too. Just last year, one vote was the difference between a candidate winning a Treynor school board race. (That contest had four write-ins and 195 undervotes, where people could have made a selection but chose note to; any one of those 199 opportunities could have swayed the results.)

How we plan to call races

It's important to keep in mind that the results on election night are unofficial. Provisional ballots, for one, aren't counted. Sometimes recounts are necessary. Litigation is always a possibility.

The results will be canvassed and certified, and only then are those the final results.

When news outlets make calls on races, whether at the local level or for the White House, they are not binding in any way. The opinion of The Associated Press, CNN or any other outlet as to who wins the presidency isn't determinative; votes cast by the Electoral College are the arbiter  or, in an exceptional case, the U.S. House of Representatives or U.S. Supreme Court could be.

The Nonpareil won't be calling federal or state races. We'll leave those decision to the AP, a news cooperative that confirms results coming in across the country and has been declaring the winners since 1848. The AP describes its election calling apparatus the "the world's single largest act of journalism." It uses returns, polling and other data to project the winners.

The AP sums it up like this: "We will declare winners in 5,000 contested races across the country without fear or favor, just based on the facts. In 2020, the AP was correct in every race call for president, governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House  and over 99.9% accurate overall."

Sometimes, it can take a while to determine a winner. In 2020, it took four days for there to be enough information for the AP to declare Joe Biden the winner of the presidency. In the 2000 contest between George W. Bush and Al Gore, the AP never declared a winner  judging Florida as too close to call through the Dec. 12 decision by the Supreme Court in Bush v. Gore.

At the local level, we'll wait to see what the results say when they are available. We may describe local candidates as the "apparent" winner of a race once their advantage is clear but pending confirmation, but we aren't going to speculate on who we think may have won.

Find all of our coverage

The best place for the latest Nonpareil coverage is our website, nonpareilonline.com, where subscribers can find stories as they are posted. The latest election coverage  local, state and national  can be found directly at nonpareilonline.com/elections.

Wednesday's e-edition will have national and local results, including a special four-page section featuring overnight national results.

On Thursday, you'll find election coverage front and center, including the unofficial results from the Pottawattamie County Auditor's Office and summaries of what we've learned and what's next following Tuesday's elections.

We'll stay with any still developing stories, and we appreciate our subscribers' support to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
The discourse surrounding Britains colonial legacy has taken a new turn as senior British officials address growing calls for reparations from former colonies. The discussion has gained prominence following recent Commonwealth leadership meetings where member nations advocated for meaningful dialogue on historical justice.

During a diplomatic visit to Nigeria, Britains Foreign Secretary David Lammy, himself a descendant of enslaved people from Guyana, acknowledged slaverys profound impact while steering the conversation toward future-oriented solutions. He emphasized that reparative justice extends beyond monetary compensation, particularly given global economic challenges and cost-of-living concerns.

The British governments approach focuses on developing partnerships with African nations based on mutual respect and sustainable development. This strategy aims to foster long-term growth and enhance continental prosperity through collaborative initiatives rather than direct financial settlements.

The United Kingdoms position contrasts with other European nations responses to their colonial histories. While countries such as the Netherlands have formally apologized for their role in the slave trade, Britain has yet to issue an official apology, despite its significant historical involvement and wealth accumulation through colonial exploitation.

Recent royal engagement with the issue saw King Charles III addressing the matter indirectly at the Commonwealth summit. While acknowledging calls for reparations, he emphasized the importance of forward-looking solutions and appropriate historical understanding to address contemporary inequalities.

The ongoing debate reflects broader international discussions about addressing historical injustices while developing modern diplomatic and economic relationships between former colonial powers and independent nations.
The thirteenth session of the Mauritania-Senegal Joint Cooperation Commission, held in Nouakchott, reviews existing agreements and explores new areas for mutually beneficial collaboration.

This years session prioritized sectors crucial to economic and social development, including fisheries, energy, transport, higher education, livestock, trade, and digital technology. The discussions aim to produce recommendations that will shape future cooperation, solidify ties, and promote economic growth on both sides of the border.

The commissions outcome is expected to strengthen the relationship between the two nations, demonstrating a commitment to shared prosperity and sustainable development across traditional and emerging sectors. This meeting marks a significant step in advancing a resilient partnership for mutual benefit.
The upcoming high-stakes presidential election in the United States will be consequential to every region of the world, not least Africa, as its result will determine the nature of future interactions between this leading global power and African countries, according to experts and observers.

While Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump are yet to outline any specific multilateral or economic strategies for Africa, the former could present opportunities for inclusive and productive collaboration with Africa  but she needs to do better than Biden, writes Al Jazeera columnist, Tafi Mhaka. The election outcome will have ripple effects across the world, particularly in Africas trade and investment sphere, according to Eden Harris, a former Presidential Aide from the US House Financial Services Committee. The looming question is how the next administration will approach trade and tariffs, and what it means for African nations, Harris notes, as he juxtaposes the specter of protectionist policies under a Trump presidency with Harris who signaled a shift towards partnership and collaboration.

Meanwhile, a recent report published by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) argues that historically, US presidential elections have mattered less in Africa, on which a bipartisan policy consensus in Washington has largely prevailed. Cameron Hudson, a senior fellow in the CSISs Africa Program, writes that when new US administration comes into office, it will immediately have to grapple with a host of security and political challenges gripping African states, from the civil war in Sudan to spreading extremism in the Sahel to instability in the Great Lakes region. Addressing these challenges will require local partners and local knowledge to craft a response tailored to the specific circumstances driving each issue, Hudson says while warning that if the long-term bipartisanship in Washington erodes further, the US risks ceding even more influence to its competitors, notably China and also Russia, and further alienating a continent that already sees it as unreliable.
Chinese superconducting quantum computing power sold to overseas client

09:09, November 05, 2024 By Chang Chaofan ( Global Times

The computing power of China's independently developed third-generation superconducting quantum computer, Origin Wukong, was sold to an overseas client for the first time, marking the broader international recognition of China's homegrown quantum computing technology.

Origin Quantum Computing Technology Co, China's first quantum computing company, which is based in Hefei, East China's Anhui Province, has made its first international sale, the company announced in a press release on Monday.

Origin Wukong is equipped with a 72-qubit proprietary superconducting quantum chip.

Since its launch on January 6, Origin Wukong has completed 270,000 computing tasks from 133 countries worldwide. Users from the US, Russia, and Japan rank among the top three users accessing Origin Wukong remotely from abroad.

"The purchase of China's indigenous quantum computing capabilities by foreign enterprises marks an initial international recognition of China's quantum computing strength," Zhao Xuejiao, deputy director of the Anhui Quantum Computing Engineering Research Center and head of the Origin Wukong cloud service development team, told the Global Times on Monday, noting that the company now offers superconducting quantum computing power in the global market at the same price as rivals like IBM.

Zhao noted that universities, including Peking University, have subscribed to use its quantum computing capabilities, and more than 60 Chinese universities have launched quantum computing education programs centered around Origin Wukong.

"The export of China's computing power will promote the commercialization of quantum computing technology and enhance China's position in the global quantum computing sector," Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday.

According to the press release, the world's largest-scale quantum computing simulation of fluid dynamics has been completed, powered by Origin Wukong. These enhanced computing capabilities expedite automobile and aircraft design upgrades and reduce costs, while traditional computers are increasingly struggling to meet similar demands of computational scale, accuracy, and speed.

"China will bolster the integration of quantum computing technology with various industries, promoting its application in finance, healthcare, and logistics," Wang added, stressing the economic and social value of quantum computing technology through commercialization.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Muslims in Sudans River Nile state on Oct. 19 drove 34 displaced Christians from their homes, sources said.

The Muslim residents of the El Matamah area of Al-Makniya told the Christians of Nuba Mountains ancestry who had fled military conflict in Omdurman, near Khartoum, that they did not want Christians or black people in the area, according to a report on the website of the Sudans People Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).

An area church leader confirmed the SPLM-N account to Morning Star News. Though the Muslim residents initially accused the Christians of stealing livestock and violating Islamic codes, a police officer told the Christians that the residents objected to their presence essentially on religious grounds, according to the SPLM-N website. It added that authorities later apprehended the cattle thieves, who were not Christians.

Initially about 30 residents showed up at the home of one of the displaced Christian families last month and said they must vacate their houses and leave the area, according to the SPLM-N. Later more than 50 Muslims issued the same demand, and when the Christians refused to leave, some days later an even larger crowd of neighbors arrived and demanded they leave within three days.

We dont want you here at all, and we are giving you three days to vacate the house, one of the residents told them, according to the SPLM-N. We are not concerned with the law, and we do everything with our own handsI am a racist, and I dont want any black person here.

The displaced persons asked for police help but received no response, a Christian identified only as Y.M.T. told the SPLM-N. Officers told the Christians that no one had filed any complaints against them. Later the Muslim residents asked police for an expulsion order, which was denied, according to Y.M.T.

When the Muslim residents then went to the public prosecutor seeking an eviction order from the area, the office denied their request due to lack of evidence of any charges, Y.M.T. told the SPLM-N.

The Christians appeals for help to other local officials fell on deaf ears.

Muslim resident Barai Khader reportedly demanded that one of the Christians, Darius Yasser Hussein, remove a cross and convert to Islam, according to SPLM-N.

One of the officers, who asked not to reveal his name to the family, said that the problem was basically religious and had nothing to do with the aforementioned charges, one of the Christians told SPLM-N.

The Muslim residents on Oct. 19 arrived at the Christians homes and forcibly expelled them from Al-Makniya, according to the SPLM-N.

While we were waiting and following up on the legal procedures, the people of the neighborhood came to us on Saturday, October 19, 2024, and expelled and deported us from the Makniya area without protection from any official body in the locality, despite their knowledge of that, the Christian told the SPLM-N. We were forcibly displaced for the second time, as half of us went to Shendi [River Nile state], while the other half preferred to return to Omdurman to avoid repeating religious, ethnic and regional discrimination.

He called on human rights organizations and humanitarian workers to assist them.

We are currently in a very bad humanitarian situation, as we have lost our shelter, and we have children, women and the elderly, and we have lost our livelihoods that help us provide for our basic daily needs, the Christian told the SPLM-N.

In Omdurman, across the Nile River from Khartoum, fighting and shelling between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) continues.

Fighting in Sudan between the paramilitary RSF and the SAF broke out in April 2023. The conflict between the RSF and the SAF, which had shared military rule in Sudan following an October 2021 coup, has terrorized civilians in Khartoum and elsewhere, displacing 11.2 million people within and beyond Sudan borders, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency.

The SAFs Gen. Abdelfattah al-Burhan and his then-vice president, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, were in power when civilian parties in March 2023 agreed on a framework to re-establish a democratic transition the next month, but disagreements over military structure torpedoed final approval.

Burhan sought to place the RSF  a paramilitary outfit with roots in the Janjaweed militias that had helped former strongman Omar al-Bashir put down rebels  under the regular armys control within two years, while Dagolo would accept integration within nothing fewer than 10 years. The conflict burst into military fighting on April 15, 2023.

Both military leaders have Islamist backgrounds while trying to portray themselves to the international community as pro-democracy advocates of religious freedom.

Christian sites have been targeted since the conflict began.

In Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Sudan was ranked No. 8, up from No. 10 the previous year, as attacks by non-state actors continued and religious freedom reforms at the national level were not enacted locally.

Sudan had dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in six years when it first ranked No. 13 in the 2021 World Watch List.

Following two years of advances in religious freedom in Sudan after the end of the Islamist dictatorship under Bashir in 2019, the specter of state-sponsored persecution returned with the military coup of Oct. 25, 2021. After Bashir was ousted from 30 years of power in April 2019, the transitional civilian-military government had managed to undo some sharia (Islamic law) provisions. It outlawed the labeling of any religious group infidels and thus effectively rescinded apostasy laws that made leaving Islam punishable by death.

With the Oct. 25, 2021 coup, Christians in Sudan feared the return of the most repressive and harsh aspects of Islamic law. Abdalla Hamdok, who had led a transitional government as prime minister starting in September 2019, was detained under house arrest for nearly a month before he was released and reinstated in a tenuous power-sharing agreement in November 2021.

Hamdock had been faced with rooting out longstanding corruption and an Islamist deep state from Bashirs regime  the same deep state that is suspected of rooting out the transitional government in the Oct. 25, 2021 coup.

The U.S. State Department in 2019 removed Sudan from the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) that engage in or tolerate systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom and upgraded it to a watch list. Sudan had previously been designated as a CPC from 1999 to 2018.

In December 2020, the State Department removed Sudan from its Special Watch List.

The Christian population of Sudan is estimated at 2 million, or 4.5 percent of the total population of more than 43 million.
M23 rebels have entered the town of Kamandi Gite near the border with Uganda, in yet a new set back for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Forced displacement were observed in the wake of the towns fall to the hands of the rebels, according to local media.

The DRC has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels. The new M23 inroad came as talks were being held between DRC and Rwandan officials with Angolan mediation.

The rebels have taken large parts in the mineral-rich east DRC since they have launched their offensive in 2021.

The countrys mineral wealth, estimated at $25 trillion, has yet to be tapped into due to corruption and instability in the countrys east, where different rebellions are ongoing, notably that led by the M23 movement.

The DRC, the UN and Western countries accuse Rwanda of supporting rebel groups, including M23, in a bid to control the regions vast mineral resources, an allegation Kigali denies.
From statewide ballot initiatives and races to local City Council and School Board, follow along as results are tabulated and finalized this week.

Check back regularly to this page as we update progress around North Platte and Nebraska on Election Day.

North Platte City Council: Dye ousts Tryon, McNew in Ward 4

8:05 a.m. Wednesday: Incumbent Donna Tryon lost her North Platte City Council seat in Tuesday's election, meaning two new members will take their seats next month on the eight-member council. Former North Platte school board member Rod Dye received 1,121 votes in east- and south-side Ward 1, winning just over 57% of the votes cast there. Tryon had 827 votes for 42.1%.

In north-side Ward 4, businessman Nick McNew beat Lincoln County Planning Commission member Aaron Edwards for the right to succeed retiring Councilman Mark Woods.

McNew had 973 votes, representing just under 60% of total votes in that ward, with Edwards getting nearly 40% with 648 votes.

North Platte school board: Thompson wins, Blaesi re-elected

8:05 a.m. Wednesday: North Platte firefighter/paramedic Justin Thompson Tuesday unseated third-generation North Platte school board member Matt Pederson, while incumbent Angela Blaesi won a second term.

Thompson won 2,371 votes in final Ward 3 unofficial election returns, good for 61.4% of votes counted. Pederson, who followed his late grandfather Don and father Dave in school board service, received 1,468 votes for just under 38%. Blaesi prevailed over challenger Jennifer Prieto in Ward 2 with 1,674 votes, representing 58.7% of that ward's votes. Prieto won 1,166 votes for 40.9%.

Phelps, Billingsley win North Platte Airport Authority seats

8:05 a.m. Wednesday: Challenger Dan Phelps and appointed incumbent Randy Billingsley Tuesday claimed two open six-year terms on the citys Airport Authority board.

Phelps led the three-candidate field in final unofficial returns with 5,008 votes, followed by Billingsley with 4,338. Incumbent Darrel Smith trailed with 3,131 votes.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer declared winner

11:27 p.m. Tuesday: OMAHA (AP)  Nebraska Republican Deb Fischer won reelection Tuesday to a third term in the U.S. Senate, besting challenger Dan Osborn, a former labor union boss and military veteran who gained traction during the race by rejecting both major political parties to run as an independent.

Fischer won her previous elections by wide margins in the conservative state. But she faced her toughest challenge yet in Osborn, a working-class industrial mechanic and veteran of the U.S. Navy and Nebraska Army National Guard.

The close race was unfamiliar territory for Fischer in a state where Republicans hold all statewide offices. Fischer not only had to deflect criticism from her challenger, but from her own party, too. The state GOP, whose leadership was taken over by those loyal to former President Donald Trump, endorsed primary challengers to all five of the Republicans who represent Nebraska in Congress, including Fischer.

Adrian Smith wins re-election bid in 3rd District

10:22 p.m. Tuesday: WASHINGTON (AP)  Republican Rep. Adrian Smith won reelection to the U.S. House seat representing Nebraska's vast rural 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday.

The win gives Smith a 10th term. Smith faced little challenge from Democrat Daniel Ebers, a political newcomer and farmer from Overton.

That's in keeping with Smith's wins over the last several cycles; he ran unopposed in the 2016 election and won the next three elections with nearly 80% of the vote.

Smith is considered one of the most conservative members of Congress and represents one of the country's most conservative congressional districts.

The Associated Press declared Smith the winner at 10:52 p.m. EST.

Pete Ricketts wins special two-year US Senate election

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts will be heading back to Washington after winning Nebraska's special two-year Senate election over Democratic challenger Preston Love.

Ricketts, the former two-term Nebraska governor who was appointed to the senate seat by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen last year, will finish the term of former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, who resigned his seat in 2022 for a brief tenure as the president of the University of Florida. Ricketts has said that he will seek a full six-year term in 2026.

The Associated Press called the race for Ricketts just after polls closed at 8 p.m.

Polls close at 8 p.m. in Lincoln County, statewide

8 p.m. Tuesday: Polls are closing across Lincoln County and Nebraska.

The Lincoln County Clerks Office should be reporting unofficial numbers within a couple of hours, with early ballots counted first.

Final election totals will be delayed at least one week statewide and up to two in Nebraska counties chosen for manual ballot audits of selected precincts and election races.

Initial statewide numbers in both U.S. Senate races and U.S. House districts are also expected in the next couple of hours from the Nebraska Secretary of States Office.

North Platte Mayor Brandon Kellier: Elections 'safe, secure and reliable here in Lincoln County'

7:39 p.m. Tuesday: North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher took time at the start of Tuesday night's regular City Council meeting to thank Lincoln County Clerk Becky Rossell and her staff and poll workers for their efforts to ensure that elections are "safe, secure and reliable here in Lincoln County."

After also thanking all local candidates, he also nodded to the national tensions over this year's voting.

"I do believe that the candidates all share the common goal of making the community a better place to live," said Kelliher, who was unopposed for a second mayoral term Tuesday. "Also, please remember that regardless of who wins tonight's elections, the sun will still rise tomorrow, I promise. The U.S. will still be the greatest country in the world, and there will still be hope in America, because it's the people who create hope, not the government. God bless America."

Polling centers remain open until 8 p.m.

4:06 p.m. Tuesday: Election day in North Platte was marked with sporadic turnout throughout the day as dutiful citizens cast their ballots, donning their I voted stickers as they walked away.

Poll workers at the First Baptist Church Tuesday said that by noon, they had already had 193 voters, several of whom were waiting at the door of the church when it opened at 8 a.m.

Though several hundred Lincoln County residents voted early or by mail, each polling location around North Platte has seen their fair share of voters.

Election Day at last: Local polls open Tuesday until 8 p.m.

5:38 p.m. Monday: North Platte and Lincoln County voters Tuesday will fill out their ballots in a 2024 general election headlined by an intense presidential race.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT throughout Nebraskas 93 counties.

All ballots must be in the possession of county clerks offices by that closing time, including those cast elsewhere and delivered by hand or mail. Those picking up ballots for an individual voter to complete have until 7 p.m. CT (6 p.m. MT) to do so.

Voters must show valid photo IDs at their polling site for their votes to be counted on election night. If they dont have them, they may cast provisional ballots but must present their required ID at their clerks office by Nov. 13.

Bond issues, sales taxes, school lid override face regional voters

3:24 p.m. Monday: Voters in several west central Nebraska counties will decide local ballot questions Tuesday in addition to ruling on half a dozen state initiatives.

Ballot issues across the region include four local bond issues; new or increased sales taxes in four towns and one county; and a request by Thedford Public Schools to override a state lid on property tax requests.

Nebraska voters also will rule on measures to mandate paid sick leave (Initiative 436); legalize marijuana for medical purposes (Initiatives 437 and 438); repeal direct state aid for nonpublic K-12 school scholarships (Initiative 435); and choose between competing abortion amendments to the state constitution (Initiative 434 or Initiative 439).

McCook Public Schools will be asking its patrons in Red Willow, Hitchcock and Frontier counties to approve $43.5 million in bonds to tear down McCook Junior High School and build a new junior high on the same site.

Voters in Sargent, Trenton and Curtis will rule on bond issues for new swimming pools. Sargent would issue $4 million in bonds and Trenton $1.25 million for their respective pools.

Nebraska Secretary of State predicts 72% turnout for Tuesday's election

9 a.m. Monday: Secretary of State Bob Evnen predicts around 72% of the more than 1.2 million voters registered in Nebraska will cast a ballot in the 2024 general election Tuesday.

In a news release, he said he based the estimate on early voting turnout and turnout trends in recent general elections.

County election offices have done a remarkable job helping early voters cast their ballots securely, he said. Nebraskans continue to fulfill the new voter ID requirement before voting, and we expect that to continue on Election Day.

Lincoln County early voting brisk in 2024 votes final days

1:21 p.m. Friday: Theres nothing quiet about the runup to Tuesdays general election for Lincoln County Clerk Becky Rossell.

People were casting early ballots or asking questions Friday morning inside Rossells first-floor courthouse office, where staff members are gearing up for a long election night  or, for that matter, a long election month.

In person at the counter alone, weve been averaging 200 people a day since late October, the veteran clerk and election commissioner said.

Im reminding people to be patient on Election Day, she said. Theres been lines here for early voting virtually the whole time.

North Platte Telegraph Election Guide:

North Platte City Council candidates talk issues before Nov. 5 vote North Platte City Council candidates Donna Tryon and Rod Dye (Ward 1) and Nick McNew and Aaron Edwards (Ward 4) answer questions on city issues in the Nov. 5 election.

North Platte school board candidates talk issues before Nov. 5 election North Platte Public Schools Board of Education will see two contested races in the Nov. 5 g
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty Images

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump held their final rallies on Monday, and now all thats left to do is wait. Both the Democratic and Republican candidates will be at home on Tuesday. Trump, who is at Mar-a-Lago, is expected to cast his ballot in person today. Harris, who returned to Washington, D.C., last night, already sent in her California mail ballot. Later the Trump campaign will hold its Election Night watch party in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Harris campaign will watch returns come in at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Heres the full Election Day schedule for Harris and Trump.

Where is Donald Trump today? Election Day: Voting in Palm Beach, Florida Donald Trump cast his ballot at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, Florida. He was joined by former First Lady Melania Trump: "I feel very confident," said Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump after casting his vote in West Palm Beach. He noted that "Republicans have shown up in force" and called this "the best campaign we ran."https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3



 Sky 501, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/Ua4Nvp1vOb  Sky News (@SkyNews) November 5, 2024 Election Night: Parties in Palm Beach, Florida Trump will spend the evening playing host at Mar-a-Lago, his club in Palm Beach, per ABC News: Former president Donald Trump is scheduled to host multiple dinners on Election Night at his Mar-a-Lago club  including with his close friends, donors, and club members, multiple sources familiar with the dinners told ABC News.

Trump is expected to dine with an intimate group of close friends Tuesday night, and there will be a separate Mar-a-Lago club-member dinner in the ballroom. A source familiar with the dinners said there wont be any formal speeches, but Trump will likely stop by to greet them all. The Trump campaign is hosting an Election Night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach. Thousands are expected to attend.
Orsted has hiked its full-year earnings guidance as the Danish groups offshore wind projects drove profits upward in the first nine months of the year.

Full-year earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) is expected to come in at between DKK 24bn to 26bn (2.6bn to 2.9bn), narrowed from a prior forecast of 23bn to 26bn DKK.

The Danish state-backed energy group said operating profit had risen from DKK 19.4bn to DKK 23.6bn compared with the prior year.

In a statement, chief executive Mads Nipper flagged the value-creating opportunities of Orsteds award to deliver 3.5 GW of capacity for the worlds biggest offshore wind farm, Hornsea 3, which is expected to power more than 3m homes in the UK upon completion.

Orsted announced in September it had been awarded the contract, which also included 2,400 capacity at Hornsea 4, as part of Britains most recent renewables auction.

We have secured additional value-creating renewable growth opportunities in the UK with the 3.5 GW award for Hornsea 3 and 4, which is a significant contribution to rsteds long-term renewable capacity goals, he said.

Total earnings from Orsteds offshore sites amounted to DKK 15.3bn, an increase 2.2bn year-on-year.

This was driven in part by higher wind speeds and higher prices, as well as the ramp-up of generation at farms including Greater Changua, South Fork and Gode Wind 3, the firm said.

Nipper added: Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind, our two offshore wind projects in the US, are progressing according to the updated construction plan.

However, we have seen risks impacting the construction of Revolution Wind, and we are working diligently and with a strong focus to de-risk the continued project execution.

By City AM

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
As Asia is driving almost all of the global oil demand growth today and is set to continue to do so in the coming decades, some of the worlds biggest oil producers, those in the Middle East, are looking to expand their presence in the key demand growth market.

Saudi oil giant Aramco and Abu Dhabis ADNOC plan to expand their downstream businesses, especially in Asia, to lock in future demand for their crude in the petrochemicals sector.

Over the past two years, Saudi Arabia has announced a flurry of downstream deals in Asia, including in China and south and Southeast Asia, as it seeks to capture more markets for its crude oil.

China may soon see a peak in its demand for road transportation fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, due to booming electric vehicle (EV) sales and LNG-powered trucks, respectively.

While OPEC, whose de facto leader is Saudi Arabia, recognizes a structural shift in road fuel demand in China, it hasnt backed down from its estimate that global oil demand will continue to grow, and peak oil demand is not on the horizon.

Both OPEC and the International Energy Agency (IEA)  far apart as they are about long-term global oil demand trends  expect India to overtake China soon to become the biggest oil driver of demand growth.

Related: Looming Oil Glut to Reshape Global Energy Landscape

OPECs World Oil Outlook 2050 says that India, Asia outside China, Africa, and the Middle East will be the key sources of incremental demand in the coming years. Combined demand in these four regions is set to increase by 22 million barrels per day (bpd) between 2023 and 2050. India alone will add 8 million bpd to its oil demand by 2050. China, for its part, will see its oil demand increase by 2.5 million bpd, according to OPEC.

Petrochemicals in China and refining and petrochemicals in India, south Asia, and Southeast Asia will be driving global growth.

And the Middle Easts top oil producers want to be in pole position to capture this demand growth.

From Abu Dhabi, ADNOC  in a consortium with Borouge and Borealis  announced in July a project collaboration agreement with Chinas Wanhua Chemical Group to launch a feasibility study to develop a 1.6 million tons per year specialty state-of-the-art polyolefin complex in Fuzhou, China.

The worlds single largest crude oil exporter, Saudi Aramco, signed additional agreements with Chinas Rongsheng Petrochemical and Hengli Group in September to advance talks on cooperation in the refining and petrochemical sectors in China and Saudi Arabia.

Aramcos agreement with Hengli Group advances talks about Aramcos potential acquisition of a 10% stake in Hengli Petrochemical Co., Ltd., subject to due diligence and required regulatory clearances.

Earlier this year, Aramco entered into discussions with Hengli Group about the potential acquisition of 10% in Hengli Petrochemical.

China is an important country in our global downstream growth strategy, and we look forward to building on a relationship that spans more than three decades to unlock new opportunities in this crucial market, Mohammed Al Qahtani, Aramco Downstream President, said in September.

Saudi Aramco continues to be on the lookout for acquisition opportunities in the downstream segment and LNG, Yasser Mufti, Aramcos Executive Vice President for Products and Customers, told Reuters in an interview earlier that month.

In recent years, the Saudi oil giant has been pursuing deals to expand its international downstream presence, especially in demand centers such as Asia.

Last year, Aramco entered Pakistans downstream market by acquiring a 40% stake in Gas & Oil Pakistan Ltd, one of the countrys largest retail and storage companies.

In 2023, Aramco also announced two major refinery and petrochemical deals in China, which not only give the worlds largest oil firm a share of the Chinese downstream market but also an additional export outlet for 690,000 bpd of Saudi crude in China.

Just last week, Aramco signed a collaboration agreement with Vietnams oil firm Petrovietnam for potential cooperation spanning the storage, supply, and trading of energy and petrochemical products.

During the signing of one of the deals with China, Aramco Downstream President Al Qahtani, said in April, We continue to explore new opportunities in important markets, as we seek to progress in our liquids-to-chemicals strategy.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The U.S. presidential election promises to dominate global news coverage for the next 24 hours, and oil markets will be watching developments closely after both WTI and Brent banked gains from the OPEC+ decision on Monday.

- The stormy political landscape in the US stands in stark contrast with Europe where several windless days have led to a rebound in natural gas prices, sending TTF futures back to 41 per MWh ($14 per mmBtu).

- In Germany alone, gas-fired generation accounted for more than 60% of the countrys energy mix due to low wind, sending spot electricity prices to their highest since early January, just below 100 per MWh.

- Europes gas markets are also following the path of Tropical Storm Rafael after it formed in the Caribbean recently, as its Louisiana-bound trajectory could prompt closures of offshore platforms and liquefaction terminals.

- Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to make landfall in Cuba this Wednesday already as a Category I hurricane, entering the waters of the US Gulf of Mexico around November 7.

Market Movers

- The worlds largest oil producer Saudi Aramco (TADAWUL:2222) has maintained its $31.1 billion quarterly dividend despite posting a 15.4% year-over-year decline in Q3 earnings, booking a net income of $27.6 billion.

- Norways state oil firm Equinor (NYSE:EQNR) has been unsuccessful with its exploration drive in Canadas offshore waters, with the Cappahayden South well failing to find commercial volumes of oil and gas.

- Mining giant AngloAmerican (LON:AAL) has agreed to sell its 33.3% minority stake in the Jellinbah metcoal joint venture to Australian power generation firm Zashvin for $1.1 billion, as part of divestment spree.

Tuesday, November 05, 2024

The US presidential election is looming large over the oil markets as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris continue to poll neck and neck ahead of what promises to be a long and tight election night. The decision of the great eight of OPEC+ helped push Brent slightly higher, now trading above $75 per barrel, but the market remains focused primarily on the U.S. election.

OPEC+ Postpones Supply Return to December. Eight OPEC+ members that were set to start raising oil production in December have decided to delay the restart by one month, raising the probability that the oil group would not unwind its 2.2 million b/d output cuts in 2025.

Pipelines Become a Worry for US Producers Again. The spread between WTI prices in West Texas and Houston has been widening in the last two months on dwindling pipeline space, with crude evacuation capacity to Corpus Christi already 97% full and Houston filling up quickly.

US Refiner Confirms Closure of Key Plant. US chemicals giant LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB) detailed its anticipated plan to permanently shut its 263,776 b/d Houston refinery in Q1 2025, running it at 90% capacity this quarter and then shutting one CDU each month in January-February.

Saudi Economy Returns to Growth. Despite oil production staying put at 9 million b/d, Saudi Arabias economy accelerated an annual 2.8% in the third quarter of 2024 after four straight quarterly contractions, with 2025 annual growth expected to strengthen to 4.6%.

Price of Iranian Oil Surges on Export Risks. Discounts on Iranian barrels sold to Chinese customers are at their tightest since the Trump-era reinstatement of sanctions on Tehran, as geopolitical tensions and fears of supply disruptions pushed the differential of Iranian Light to -$4 per barrel to Brent.

Environmentalists Set to Block Key US Lithium Mine. Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the US Interior Departments approval of Ioneers (ASX:INR) Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine in Nevada, the first lithium-mining site in the US, saying it posed an existential risk to a rare breed of buckwheat.

UK Power Prices Soar on Import Needs. Electricity prices in the United Kingdom jumped to 115 per MWh this week, their highest in almost a year, as low wind power generation across the country prompted the countrys generators to import more, mostly from nuclear-rich France and hydro-rich Norway.

UAE is Expanding into the Mediterranean. After forming a JV that eyes Egypts offshore waters, the UAEs state oil company ADNOC has reportedly expressed interest in taking a stake in Cyprus deepwater gas fields, however preferring to invest in de-risked assets rather than exploration.

Venezuelan Oil Exports Near One-Million Threshold. Oil exports from Venezuela rose to their highest since early 2020, posting an average of 947,000 b/d for crude and fuel oil in October, up 21% month-over-month, as crude shipments of Chevron (NYSE:CVX) soared to a new record high of 280,000 b/d.

China Traders Exploit Benchmark Gaps. A whopping 5 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude was delivered to the Shanghai International Exchange this month, an unusual volume for an otherwise mute trade, with Vitol supplying the most after domestic yuan-pegged futures for crude soared above Brent.

Oil Hedging Becomes the New Trading Frontier. A total of 68.44 million barrels of oil in Brent futures and options were traded in October, according to data from the Intercontinental Exchange, marking the highest monthly volume ever, as producers and traders hedged against war risks.

Canada Set to Tighten 2030 Emission Targets. The draft regulations issued by the Canadian government this week stipulate a cap on greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas sector at 35% below 2019 levels by the end of this decade, potentially prompting output cuts further down the road.

Guyana and Suriname Weigh Gas Ambitions. Guyana and Suriname could supply 12 million metric tonnes of LNG at a competitive price by the next decade if both South American countries decide to monetize their natural gas resources, with their non-associated reserves estimated at 13 TCf.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
U.S. officials urge voters to seek information from trusted, official sources and remain vigilant against foreign influence operations.

U.S. intelligence and security agencies accuse Russia and Iran of intensifying disinformation campaigns to disrupt the 2024 presidential election.

U.S. intelligence and security officials have accused Russia and Iran of ramping up cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns to sow discord as Americans head to the polls on November 5 to vote in a tense presidential election.

Russia-linked influence actors "are manufacturing videos and creating fake articles to undermine the legitimacy of the election, instill fear in voters regarding the election process, and suggest Americans are using violence against each other due to political preferences," said a statement issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI, and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency on November 4.



"These efforts risk inciting violence, including against election officials," it added.

U.S. intelligence agencies have warned for months of Russian government-backed efforts to influence the vote that pits former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, and his opponent, Democratic party nominee Vice President Kamala Harris.

Opinion polls ahead of Election Day say the race is too close to call, raising tensions as voters head to the polls after an acrimonious campaign.

Polls opened at 5 a.m. on November 5 in some eastern states, and will continue across the country, including in Alaska and Hawaii, until the evening hours in those far western U.S. states in a too-close-to-call battle Trump and Harris.

Highlighting an example of the disinformation tactics being used, the U.S. agencies said in the statement that Russian influence actors recently posted and amplified an article falsely claiming that U.S. officials across swing states plan to orchestrate election fraud using a range of tactics, such as ballot stuffing and cyberattacks.



They also said Russian influence actors manufactured and amplified a recent video that falsely depicted an interview with an individual claiming election fraud in Arizona, which involved creating fake overseas ballots and changing voter rolls to favor Harris.

The Arizona Secretary of State has already refuted the videos claim as false.

While "Russia is the most active threat," the statement said Iran also remains a "significant foreign influence threat" to the election.



"We have assessed that Iran has conducted malicious cyber activities to compromise former President Trump's campaign," the intelligence agencies said.

"Iranian influence actors may also seek to create fake media content intended to suppress voting or stoke violence, as they have done in past election cycles."



The agencies urged voters to "seek out information from trusted, official sources, in particular state and local election officials" in light of the "continued influence efforts by foreign adversaries and the increasing volume of inauthentic content online."

Both Tehran and Moscow have denied playing a role in any disinformation campaigns during the U.S. presidential election.

The outcome of the election may affect Ukraine more than any other foreign country.

The candidates have staked out two very different positions on support for Ukraine, whose defense against invading Russian troops is heavily dependent on U.S. military, financial, and diplomatic support.

Harris has said she would continue Bidens policy of aiding Ukraine, clearly expressing the desire to see Russia defeated.

Trump has questioned U.S. support for Ukraine, saying Europe should be carrying the bulk of the burden in backing Kyiv against the Russian invasion, and has left NATOs future in doubt.

By RFE/RL

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Muslim vigilante groups are working with federal authorities to lure young people into sharing blasphemous content on social media in order to put them behind bars, according to an investigation by Pakistans National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR).

A steep increase in blasphemy cases this year, many of them filed against Christians and other religious minorities, is tied to collusion between Muslim vigilantes and federal investigators, according to the NCHR report. Pakistan saw three times as many blasphemy cases in the first seven month of this year compared with all of last year, according to the NCHR investigation.

As of July 25, there were 767 people accused of blasphemy languishing in jails across Pakistan, whereas in 2023 there were 213 suspects incarcerated for blasphemy, 64 in 2022, nine in 2021 and 11 in 2020, according to the data gathered by the NCHR.

Most of the blasphemy cases were registered with the Federal Investigation Agencys Cybercrime Unit in collaboration with a private entity, the NCHR noted, adding that young men were targeted through entrapment tactics involving females using pseudonyms to lure them into blasphemous activities online.

At least 594 blasphemy suspects were imprisoned in Punjab Province alone, followed by 120 in Sindh Province, 64 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, and two in Balochistan Province, the NCHR added.

The report follows a study by the Special Branch of the Punjab Police released in January, which for the first time revealed the presence of a blasphemy business that exploits the controversial blasphemy laws to entrap victims for extortion.

According to the Special Branch report, a majority of the cases were being brought to trial by private vigilante groups led by lawyers and supported by volunteers who scour the internet for offenders.

One such group was responsible for the conviction of 27 people who have been sentenced to life imprisonment or the death penalty over the past three years, the report revealed. It recommended the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) launch a thorough inquiry to determine the source of the vigilante groups funding, but the agencys response was unknown.

The most active vigilante group is the Legal Commission on Blasphemy Pakistan, which is prosecuting more than 300 cases, led by Shiraz Ahmad Farooqi, the complainant in the blasphemy conviction of a 40-year-old Christian woman, Shagufta Kiran. Kiran was handed the death sentence by a special judge in Islamabad on Sept. 18.

The NCHRs report called for a comprehensive review of the roles and accountability of both government and private entities. It also noted the inhumane conditions of blasphemy suspects in jails.

Individuals accused of blasphemy are housed together in single, severely overcrowded barracks to protect them from potential harm by other inmates who may attack or threaten them, the NCHR reported. However, this arrangement results in inhumane living conditions, as the barracks lack adequate facilities and are grossly overcrowded.

Detainees also face coercion, extortion and pressure from the vigilantes involved in their entrapment, who sometimes encourage them to engage in further criminal activities within the prison, according to the report.

The NCHR recommended engaging the highest levels of government and judiciary to address the FIAs involvement with Muslim individuals and vigilante groups entrapping people. It also urged constituting a Joint Investigation Team comprising officials from the Special Branch of the Intelligence Bureau, the ministries of Law and the Interior, the FIA, and other relevant departments to investigate blasphemy cases.

Mere allegations of blasphemy in Muslim-majority Pakistan can ignite public outrage and sometimes result in mob violence. Hundreds of people have been accused and jailed for alleged blasphemy, and some were handed the death penalty, though none has been executed so far.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee on Oct. 17 observed that Pakistani authorities have failed to curb a range of human rights violations, including a sharp increase in blasphemy-related violence. Expressing serious concern over frequent attacks against religious minorities, including accusations of blasphemy, targeted killings, lynchings, mob violence, forced conversions, and desecration of places of worship, the committee stated that Pakistani society has become increasingly intolerant of religious diversity.

Religious minorities are facing a constant threat of persecution and discrimination amid the rise of religious radicalism, the committee stated.

Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year.
The drills aim to demonstrate NATO's artillery capabilities and allied support for Finland, but coincide with concerns over dwindling Western artillery shell stockpiles.

Over 5,000 troops from 29 nations are participating, with the US Army as the largest contributor.

The US Army Europe and Africa on Monday launched what are being described as NATO's largest artillery drills, dubbed Lightning Strike 24, and held in Finland's northernmost region of Lapland.

The exercise involves over 5,000 military personnel from the US and 28 Allied and partner nations, and will feature over 130 weapons systems, aimed at showing off the alliance's field artillery capability. But ironically this comes at a moment many Western nations have complained that their artillery shell stockpiles are dwindling to due supplying them to Ukraine over the past 2+ years of war.

The drills are expected to last until November 28, and encompass other locations beyond Finland, including Germany, Poland, Romania, and Estonia.

But it is the Finland portion of the drill likely to be most closely watched from Moscow, given the large Lapland area lies very near the Russian Murmansk region border, and north of the Arctic Circle.

"This is a good example of how our field artillery combined with Allied capabilities forms powerful defense in northern Finland and NATO," the exercise commander, Colonel Janne Makitalo, has stated.

He also hailed that the drills will demonstrate how allied support can come to Finland "very quickly" if needed in the event of a conflict or threat.

Most of the NATO troops will be concentrated in the Finnish portion of the drills, some 3,600 military personnel out of the total 5,000.

The US Army is the most sizeable component, according to an official press release:

Major participating units and organizations include U.S Army Europe and Africa, U.S. Army 56th Artillery Command, U.S. Army V Corps, U.S. Army 21st Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army 41st Field Artillery Brigade, U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division, U.S. Army 1st Cavalry Division, U.S. Army 4th Security Assistance Forces Brigade, U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, the Finnish Army, NATO Multinational Division Northeast, and NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.

Finland and Sweden are NATO's newest members, with Finland formally gaining entry April 4, 2023. Importantly, Finland shares a 1,340-kilometre (830 mi) border with Russia, and Moscow has warned that this could result of the greater militarization of the Baltic regions.

However, President Putin has reacted relatively calmy to the development, brushing off Finland and Sweden entering NATO as but a "meaningless" move which will in the end only harm their own national interests.

By Zerohedge.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Unlike the other supermajors, U.S. oil and gas giant Chevron is buying into offshore blocks offshore Angola and Nigeria in West Africa, looking to revive exploration in what it describes as an under-explored oil province.

The producers, Africas top two, have seen their oil output slump in recent years, due to underinvestment and majors selling off assets in these countries.

Chevron, however, insists that the offshore waters still have a lot of resources which it could tap and develop.

The region of West Africa is such a hydrocarbon-rich part of the world and relatively under-explored compared to other jurisdictions, Liz Schwarze, Chevron Global Exploration Vice President, told Bloomberg in an interview published on Tuesday.

Chevron has already added exploration blocks in Nigeria, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. Last month, the supermajors Nigerian unit announced a near-field oil discovery in Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) 49 in the shallow offshore region of the Western Niger Delta.

At the same time, companies including Eni, Equinor, and ExxonMobil have recently sold some assets in Nigeria, after receiving regulatory approvals.

Just last month, Nigeria gave the green light to Exxon to sell its onshore assets to Seplat Energy, after more than two years of regulatory reviews and scrutiny.

Chevron is not only not selling, it is adding acreage in Nigeria and Angola.

This summer, Chevron signed contracts for two ultra-deep blocks offshore Angola.

The other majors have focused further south along the West African coast, looking to tap the vast discovered resources offshore Namibia, one of the latest exploration hotspots.

Shell and TotalEnergies have already made large discoveries offshore Namibia, kicking off the Namibian oil rush in 2022.

Over the past two years, Shell has made several oil and gas discoveries in the Orange Basin offshore Namibia.

The basin extends to South African waters to the south and the majors are now looking to tap into these areas hoping to find huge resources similar to the ones in the Namibian portion of the Orange Basin.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The growth in demand for diesel fuel in India is slowing down, the latest sales figures have suggested, with the total for October flat on the year, per a report by Bloomberg citing government data.

Sales of diesel fuel in the country stood at 7.64 million tons last month, the data showed, with sales over the first ten months of the year up by a modest 1.8%, which according to the report suggests a slackening pace of demand growth for oil products overall.

If confirmed, this slackening pace of growth would have implications for global oil demand prospects seeing as India is the worlds third-largest importer of crude after China and the United States.

The consumption of goods in smaller towns and cities of India has not picked up at the pace that was expected, R. Ramachandran, former director of refineries at Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd., told Bloomberg.

This has in all likelihood impacted the movement of trucks that transport goods, hurting diesel demand. Also, rains this year got extended, further adding to pressure on diesel sales for farm sector.

There is, however, another element in this change in demand. According to Kpler, diesel demand may be slowing but gasoline demand is on the rise as Indias middle class continues to expand, driving higher consumer spending, including on personal transport. Whats more, Kpler analysts believe demand for diesel will pick up next year, to grow by 2.5%, after booking growth of 2.2% for this year.

We observe a moderation in the growth rate compared to the post-pandemic recovery, Kpler senior demand analyst Esteban Moreno Cots told Bloomberg.

India is seen by analysts as the future biggest driver of global oil demand, set to replace China, which is electrifying its transport sector fast and expected to reach peak oil demand growth in the not too distant future.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Irans crude oil going to China these days is priced at its narrowest discount to Brent in five years as Iranian cargo loadings slumped last month amid fears that Israel would target Tehrans energy facilities in response to the Iranian missile attack on Israel on October 1.

The discount of Iran Light crude to ICE Brent has now narrowed to below $4 per barrel, from $5-$6 a barrel earlier this year, trading and refinery sources have told Reuters.

The higher prices for Irans crude oil have been determined by lower cargo availability as Iran slowed loadings in the first half of October, waiting for the Israeli response.

Early last month, Iranian oil tankers were spotted moving away from Kharg Island, Irans biggest oil export terminal, amid fears of an imminent Israeli attack on the most important crude export infrastructure in Iran.

Reports also emerged in October that Iran is offering its crude to Chinas independent refiners at narrower discounts to Brent, as sellers are seeking higher prices for the oil bound for the worlds top crude importer.

Chinas private refiners are key buyers of Irans sanctioned crude, and the two sides have established a trade relationship favorable for both. Iran gets to sell its crude that nearly everyone else shuns, while Chinas independent refiners, the so-called teapots, get cheap oil.

With Iranian prices now rising due to lower loadings last month, Chinas independent refiners could further reduce processing rates toward the end of the year, as already low refining margins  even with the cheaper Iranian crude of recent months  are eating into their profits.

In a sign of rising Iranian prices, deals have been reportedly made at discounts of $3 and $3.80 per barrel to Brent on a delivered, ex-ship basis (DES), according to Reuterss sources.

There are very few offers for November or December deliveries as we heard about loading issues on the Iranian side, a trading manager at an independent refiner in Shandong told Reuters.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Shell is gearing up to transform its largest German oil refinery, Rheinland, turning the crude-centric Wesseling site into a base-oil powerhouse. The overhaul, set to kick off next quarter, signals a major shift as Shell pivots from conventional oil refining toward high-grade lubricants. Goodbye crude processing at Wesselingby 2025, that units history. Instead, Shells revamp will see the site repurposed to produce Group III base oils, which are vital for premium lubricants in engines and transmissions.

Why the change? Simple: evolving markets demand evolving operations. With Europes push for cleaner tech and diminishing demand for certain petroleum products, Shell is playing the long game. The move is shrewd, not sentimental, targeting growth in specialized products as Europes fuel markets feel the squeeze.

Shells plan has Rheinlands other half, Godorf, still in the crude oil game, but not without a few adjustments. The fall overhaul will see Godorfs crude unit take a breather, putting a temporary dent in output as Shell fine-tunes the machinery. This staggered shutdown strategy is smartly orchestrated to ensure that Germanys energy supplies dont get walloped by reduced capacity.

Meanwhile, BP is also pulling back at its Gelsenkirchen refinery, leaving Miro in southwest Germany as the countrys biggest oil processor. As Rheinland refocuses, Germany's refining landscape is clearly tightening, with Shell positioning itself to ride out the changes rather than resist them.

Shells gamble on high-grade lubricants may just set the pace for European refineries: go niche, go specialty, or go home. Its a bold shift in an industry long defined by brute capacity, and if all goes as planned, the Rheinland complex will soon churn out a hefty 300,000 tons of base oil annually, meeting a chunk of EU demand.

Over the past few years, Shell has divested several refineries globally, including the sale of the Martinez Refinery in California to PBF Holding Company, and the sale of its 50% stake in the 340,000-barrels-per-day Deer Park Refinery in Texas to its joint venture partner Pemex.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Soaring crude futures prices on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange (INE) have opened the arbitrage for traders to deliver in November what could be this years highest volumes of crude from the Middle East to the Chinese exchange, trade sources have told Reuters.

The prices of the November futures contract on the INE have soared in recent weeks, moving above the international benchmark Brent Crude whose futures are traded on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).

The higher prices of the Chinese futures have opened the arbitrage window for traders to deliver Middle Eastern crude into INE to receive higher prices, a trading source told Reuters.

At one point in October, the premium of INE crude futures over Brent futures jumped to as high as $3 per barrel, the sources added.

As a result of this arbitrage opportunity, global traders of crude are set to deliver as much as 5 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude to the Shanghai exchange in November, which is an unusually large volume for a delivery in one month, according to the trading sources who spoke to Reuters.

Thats also likely to be the highest volume of Middle Eastern crude into INE for 2024, following muted trade for most of the year.

Several traders and refiners have cargoes for delivery of these 5 million barrels of Middle East crude to the Chinese exchange. Vitol Group, the worlds largest independent oil trader, is set to deliver about 3 million barrels of these, including some 840,000 barrels of Abu Dhabis Murban crude and 2 million barrels of Iraqs Basra Medium crude, the trade sources told Reuters. Two Chinese firms, private refiner Shenghong Petrochemical and state company Zhenhua Oil, deliver 1 million barrels of crude each.

Shenghong Petrochemical has already sold around 1 million barrels of Qatar Marine crude, and Zhenhua Oil is expected to deliver 1 million barrels of Basra Medium crude, Reuterss sources said.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Daily missiles and drone attacks against Ukraine have traumatized the countrys children. Amid very difficult circumstances, the Association of Christian Camps and Conference Centers, known as CCI-Ukraine, is working hard to provide camp activities where youngsters can receive care, refuge and teaching about Gods love.

Pavlo Bakum is the director of the interdenominational ministry, which is a member of Christian Camping International. In exclusive comments from his mission base in Ukraine, Bakum explains how the Christian ministry is seeing positive results for the kingdom of God, despite the turmoil of living in a war zone.

Pavlo Bakum apologizes for taking time to respond to questions, explaining that he is suffering from fatigue. The daily bombing of Kyiv, where he lives, means he usually only gets three hours of sleep per night, meaning he is utterly exhausted. The violence of missiles exploding and drone attacks against the city have drained his energy levels and affected his mental health. I dont have enough internal resources to respond quickly, he says.

Even so, there is a profound motivation galvanizing him to get to work every morning: helping the children in Ukraine discover Gods love, despite the horrors of the war. They have survived explosions, wailing sirens, the mobilization of parents into military forces and dramatically relocating from homes because of the hostilities.

However, Bakum says he sees that Jesus Christ still has a plan for these young people, and that he and his colleagues have a mandate to help them grow spiritually by knowing and following the Lord.

The Christian camps organized by CCI-Ukraine are held throughout the countrys regions, but details cannot be disclosed for security reasons. Generally, most are located in areas considered safer from the ongoing conflict, including both rural and urban areas. However, some camps are based closer to the battle front lines where youngsters still live, such as Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Sumy regions.

They are mainly day camps in church facilities where parents are welcome to attend, and Bakum is glad to see many children come along on a regular basis.

Our vision is to help children and teenagers find hope and peace in Christ, especially during such challenging times of war, says Bakum. We aim to provide not only emotional support but also a spiritual foundation to help them navigate the difficulties of war and grow as responsible citizens and people of faith. We also see Christian camps as a great tool for connecting churches with the new generation that is growing up.

Volunteers for the camps come from local churches who work alongside specialists briefed to organize the various programs and care activities for the children. Depending on any camp size, this ranges from 10 to 50 volunteers helping between 30 to 150 children per camp. Some of these young people are from disadvantaged families, internally displaced or children of military personnel.

The obvious main challenge is safety as Russia continues to bombard Ukraine. We have to constantly adapt to changes in the security situation since the camps are being held during wartime, says Bakum. Logistical challenges are also significant, as many men have been taken to the army.

Additionally, many children who come to the camps suffer from psychological trauma due to the war, so we need additional resources to support them.

Originally, the camps were started by Kingdom Ventures Inc. from Canada in 2006, before the furore of the current conflict. As a result, the camp facilities were never designed for wartime conditions and so comprise only basic shelters, such as two walls or a basement. Bakum explains that the camps face a problem of constructing specialized war shelter facilities.

Despite these challenges, CCI-Ukraine is seeing many Ukrainian children discovering Christ for themselves and growing in their relationship with the Lord, he says.

They not only hear the gospel but also experience real support, love, and care, adds Bakum. Some children who came to the camps without faith return home with a sense of hope and spiritual strength.

It is a great blessing for us to see how their lives are changing.

The goal of the camp workers at the present time is to restore the childhood stolen from these children by air raid alarms, missile strikes, and drone attacks, says Bakun emphatically.

Bakum pleads with the wider evangelical community to pray for the children discovering Gods love in the camps, in the midst of war.

We would be grateful for prayers for the safety of all camp participants, for wisdom for the organizers, and for the Lord to strengthen the faith of the children attending the camps.

We also ask for prayers for peace in Ukraine, for the spiritual revival of the nation, and for our efforts in spreading the Gospel during this difficult time.
Nebraska's polls for the 2024 election have now closed and votes have been counted.

Here are the live updates from the Omaha World-Herald as results rolled in:

Live Nebraska results for the 2024 election

Want to see live election results for Nebraska?

You can find them here:

12-week ban approved, right to abortion rejected

9:00 a.m. | After midnight Wednesday, the Associated Press called the race for Initiative 434, which would add a ban on abortions after the first trimester into the Nebraska Constitution. Voters rejected Initiative 439, which would have enshrined the right to abortion.

It could be days before Bacon-Vargas race is clear

1:30 a.m. | In incomplete returns in Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District as of 1 a.m., Vargas was holding a lead of just 700 votes out of more than 260,000 counted, a margin of two-tenths of 1%. With still thousands of votes left to be counted, it seems likely that the final outcome of the race won't be known until at least Friday.

In dueling Nebraska abortion initiatives, 12-week ban appears to have more votes

1 a.m. | In close race between two competing abortion initiatives in Nebraska, voters appear to have favored solidifying the state's current 12-week ban.

After midnight Wednesday, the Associated Press called the race for Initiative 434, which would add a ban on abortions after the first trimester into the Nebraska Constitution. It had not issued a race call on Initiative 439.

Initiative 434, known as the Protect Women and Children campaign, led by 53.9% to 46%. Initiative 439, known as the Protect Our Rights campaign, which would expand abortion access up to "fetal viability," trailed 49.9 % to 50%.

Each initiative needs a majority of "yes" votes in order to succeed, but because the two initiatives directly conflict, if both receive enough votes to pass, the initiative with the higher number of "yes" votes will make it into the state constitution.

Flood, Smith both declared winners in Nebraska U.S. House races

12:30 a.m. | Votes counted late Tuesday pushed incumbent Rep. Mike Flood to a double-digit victory over challenger Carol Blood in the 1st District. Rep. Adrian Smith prevailed by a 4-1 margin in District 3. Both are Republicans.

'I'm still standing': Supporters celebrate Fischer's narrow win

12:20 p.m. | Elton Johns Im still standing blared out of the speakers as U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer entered the room at Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue. The 1983 classic fit the moment.

She was still standing, as were the hundreds of people in attendance.

A roar crescendoed as Fischer, the Republican incumbent, took the stage to deliver an election-night victory speech after defeating independent Dan Osborn.

It took forever. But thank goodness, said Ron Hagge, 59. Its a relief, really, is what it is. We needed Deb to be in there.

Hagge, from Lincoln, doesnt think Osborn wouldve been right for Nebraska. He came out of nowhere, Hagge said, with a bunch of money.

Suzanne Hatfield, standing next to Hagge, said theyre a military family and they feel Fischer has done a lot to help their family and others alike.

We just feel like her record speaks for itself, said Hatfield, 57. Its a proven record.

Fischer didnt jump ahead until around 10:20 p.m. Forty minutes later, at a large round table, Fischer and family passed around a phone and celebrated, one cheerful shriek at a time.

As of 11:09, when it was called, Fischer led by roughly 17,000 votes with 72% of the ballots counted. And her victory gave Republicans control of Senate for the first time in four years.

I love it, because I I feel like were finally going to get something done in this country instead of everybody fighting each other, Hagge said. Better things will come out of that.

Medical marijuana passes easily, but legal hurdles remain

11:55 p.m. | About 7 in 10 Nebraska voters supported the two medical marijuana measures. But a civil trial challenging signatures on the initiative petitions supporting puts them in jeopardy.

AP declares Fischer slim victor over Osborn

11:50 p.m. | Sen. Deb Fischer prevailed  barely  over independent challenger Dan Osborn in a stunningly close U.S. Senate race.

Bacon, Vargas deliver another 2nd District cliffhanger

11:40 p.m. | Tony Vargas barely led incumbent Rep. Don Bacon in his third try at the 2nd District congressional seat, but thousands of votes remain uncounted.

Fischer, Osborn locked in tight U.S. Senate race

11:30 p.m. | Two-term U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer holds a slim lead against independent challenger Dan Osborn.

Nebraska delivers 'Blue Dot' to Kamala Harris

11:25 p.m. | The Democratic candidate claimed the 2nd Congressional District's single electoral vote for the third time since 2008.

Amendment 439 backer predicts victory for abortion-rights measure

11:20 p.m. | The founder of a nonprofit dedicated to recruiting and training women candidates in Nebraska said she thinks Amendment 439 will become part of the Nebraska Constitution.

In an interview at the Tony Vargas campaign watch party, Denise Blaya-Powell of Women Who Run Nebraska said the initiative  which would give Nebraskans the right to an abortion up to fetal viability  will be approved by voters in Tuesday's election.

The initiative had more "for" votes than the opposing Amendment 434 as of 10:30 Tuesday night, though it was considered to be too close to call. Initiative 434 would make abortion legal only in the first trimester of pregnancy.

During this election cycle, she said, her organization focused on issues that affect a woman's ability to be successful and run for office.

"We were proud to support 439," she said. "The right to control one's body feels like such a fundamental issue."

A spokesperson for Amendment 434 was not readily available at the party.

Dems poised to make gains in non-partisan Legislature

11:10 p.m. | Margo Juarez wins McDonnell's South Omaha seat. Kathleen Kauth, Terrell McKinney, and John Cavanaugh are reelected.

Voters give thumbs up to paid sick leave

11:00 p.m. | Labor leaders called the passage of a measure guaranteeing paid sick leave a "big win" for Nebraska workers.

Mixed results for OPS incumbents

10:45 p.m. | Nick Thielen, Gini Magnuson hold advantages in school board races.

AP projects Smith winner in U.S. House tilt; Flood-Blood race still close

10:20 p.m. | Rep. Adrian Smith holds big lead as AP projects him the winner in District 3. The District 1 race between Mike Flood and Carol Blood remains uncalled.

At Vargas' party, it's getting loud

9:25 p.m. | As numbers come in from election headquarters, the crowd at the Tony Vargas watch party is getting more and more raucous.

They roared when they saw Kamala Harris was beating Donald Trump by 11% in Nebraska's 2nd District at about 9 p.m., and roared even louder when figures on two big-screen TVs Vargas showed significantly up on U.S. Rep. Don Bacon with about 75% of the votes counted.

Former U.S. Rep. John Cavanaugh, father of Sen. John Cavanaugh of the Nebraska Legislature, was upbeat about the prospect of a win for his son, who was soundly ahead of opponent Julia Palzer, in addition to an upset victory for Vargas.

"It all looks terrific," the senior Cavanaugh said.

'I'm going independent,' says GOP voter who has known Osborn for years

9:15 p.m. | At 8:30 p.m., supporters were continuing to fill into independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborns watch party in La Vista as Gretna artist Tyler Anthony sang and played the guitar.

CeCe and Chuck Carlson of Omaha said theyve known Osborn almost his whole life as a friend of his parents. CeCe said shes always been an independent, while Chuck is a registered Republican.

This time Im going independent, he said.

CeCe said she appreciates that Osborn has focused more on clarifying who he is and responding to attacks from Fischer rather than attacking his opponent.

He would point out the lies that were said about him, she said. We knew they were lies, but I was glad he came out and said, thats a lie, thats not me.

Patrick Morton of Bellevue said Osborn offered for him to work for his campaign after he was injured in a work accident. He said hes seen firsthand how Osborn helps those around him and has been excited to see Osborns campaign grow.

Its really taken off, he said. You know when you started seeing all the commercials against him, you start noticing that he is actually getting somewhere, hes making progress, because they were scared.

AP: Trump wins Nebraska, 'Blue Dot' vote still in limbo

AP calls U.S. Senate race for Ricketts

8:15 p.m. | U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts will be heading back to Washington after winning Nebraska's special two-year Senate election over Democratic challenger Preston Love.

'Family prayers' for GOP at Bellevue watch party

8:10 p.m. | An early arriving crowd trickled into the Beardmore Event Center, at 3750 Raynor Parkway in Bellevue, and scattered across the sea of decorated tables on each side of the room.

Chuck Real, a Cook native residing in Omaha, and his wife were among the first to sit down. Theyre eager, especially Chuck.

Im really looking forward to the outcome, Real, 81, told The World-Herald. Im hoping the Republicans have a majority by the time the senate is in. The presidency, well take that too.

Real, a registered independent whos voted since the 1960 election, believes theres an enthusiasm about Republicans that wasnt there in 2020. The early crowd proves it, he said.

That confidence comes from somewhere different for Janice Jordan, though. Sitting at a table on the opposite side of the room from Real, it was in the people right in front of her.

Family prayers, said Jordan, 71, from Bellevue. She pointed at the kids in the seats across the table. Its a lot of prayers.

Vargas party optimistic, expects 'long night'

8:05 p.m. | People started gathering at the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel near 36th and Harney Streets at about 7:30 p.m. for the Tony Vargas for Congress watch party.

Meg Mandy, senior adviser to the campaign, said she expected a couple hundred Vargas backers to attend. Vargas, a Democrat, is challenging U.S. Rep. Don Bacon in the 2nd District, made up of Omaha and surrounding communities.

The polls hadn't yet closed, but Mandy was optimistic about the night ahead. She said the local election commissioner had reported record turnout in some areas, and thought that was good news for the Vargas campaign.

"We are hopeful and feeling great," she said.

She also predicted that results would not be official until late in the evening, maybe even after midnight. When Vargas and Bacon squared off in the 2022 election, it wasn't called until 1 a.m., she said.

"It will be a long night," she added.

Now its time for results

8 p.m. | Polls have closed and Nebraska election workers have begun the work of reporting the results of the 2024 election.

Check out photos from the Nebraska election watch parties here:

Stay tuned to Omaha.com for the Nebraska election results

Tick, tick, tick ...

7:55 p.m. | Polls set to close in five minutes. First Nebraska results expected soon after.

'Every time we vote, we make history'

7:00 p.m. | Laverne Mack was feeling very good about having voted at King Science & Technology Middle School Tuesday evening.

Were making history, said Mack, 62. Every time we vote we make history.

She marked her ballot for Kamala Harris. Its time to have a woman lead the nation, Mack said.

I want Kamala to win, Mack said. I want to see some change in this United States.

She was among more than 800 people who had voted in the two-precinct polling place by about 6 p.m.

Cameron Brown, 32, took his young son Cameron Brown Jr. to the polls at King Science.

Its a good thing for him to see, said the elder Brown, who had just gotten off work.

He said he votes in every election, including City of Omaha elections, because its important. In this election, he wanted to use his vote to make sure this area gets the funds and attention we deserve. He also wanted to vote for the ballot measures to legalize medical marijuana.

Brown cast his vote for president for Harris. A nonpartisan, he was open to voting for Trump, he said, but was put off by a lot of what Trump has said and done.

Marita Franklin, whos in her 50s, said too many people dont do what she considers a civic duty and vote.

We need to speak up and get people in office who are for the people and our issues, Franklin said.

For her, Kamala Harris is such a person.

She takes to heart what we feel, Franklin said, Shes not just looking at the issues that people just want to make a point about. I feel that he (Trump) is just going to go with what the people with the most money want.

A DJ at the polls

6:30 p.m.| James Buckley Jr., whose DJ name is DJ Big Tate, performed outside the polling place Tuesday night at King Science & Technology Middle School in North Omaha. He was one of several local DJs who performed in Omaha and in other cities with large numbers of underrepresented people as part of an effort by a nonpartisan nationally group called DJs at the Polls. The group is trying to increase voter participation.

This is more than just another gig, said Buckley, who grew up in the neighborhood. Im out here encouraging people to vote.  Its a very fruitful moment to be out here doing this.

Presidential pick 'most important thing'

5:45 p.m. | Logan Wilson, 21, and her boyfriend, Logan Meyer, 22, said they saw the presidential race as the most important thing on the ballot.

"It's the reason we're both out here today," Wilson said as they left their polling place at Morning Star Lutheran Church, 331 S. 85th Ave.

Both said they voted for Donald Trump because they believed he would make the economy stronger and secure U.S. borders.

They said they came to vote against Initiative 439, which lifts most restrictions on abortion, and for Initiative 434, which broadly bans abortions after the first trimester of pregnancy. Both attributed their position to their Christian faith.

Undecided until the last minute

5:05 p.m. | Barbara Onken waited until the last minute to decide who would get her vote for president.

It was a gut-churner for me. Im not sure I decided until I got in there, said Onken, 57, shortly after casting her ballot at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkhorn.

She said over the years she has been a Democrat, Republican and independent, and often splits her ticket. She voted for Donald Trump in 2016, but not in 2020.

So how did she come down this time?

I voted for Kamala, Onken said.

There was no wavering, though, in her support for Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon in the 2nd Congressional District race. Her husband served in the Air Force with Bacon, and they know him personally.

He does help the veterans, she said.

Commissioner: No reports of fraud

5:00 p.m. | One might wonder, in these times, has there been any voter fraud on Election Day in Douglas County?

We posed the question to Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse Tuesday afternoon.

We havent had any reports of that, Kruse said.

There was one mysterious incident at a polling place, but it didnt exactly take the detective skills of Miss Marple, or Nancy Drew for that matter, to resolve it.

A poll worker called the election commission office to report something that looked suspicious at first blush. A woman had come in to vote, but when she went to sign her name on the voter rolls, there was already a signature on the line where she was supposed to sign.

The poll worker said, I think this might be voter fraud, Kruse said. But in about 30 seconds, we had it figured out.

Another voter with a similar name, who was on the same page of the voter rolls, had signed on the wrong line. So election officials had the second voter sign on the errantly signing first voters line. A worker drew arrows between the signatures to indicate they were switched.

We made a note here for our canvass report, for our audit, Kruse said.

So, no, he said, no credible reports of fraud.

A food truck at North Omaha voting spot

4:37 p.m. | Neither Patricia Spears nor Kimberly Bruist have voted in a presidential election since Barack Obama was on the ballot. But this year, the threat of a second Donald Trump presidency brought them both to vote at the Urban League of Nebraskas Family Resource Center at 3040 Lake St.

We felt strongly enough that we were like, no, we need to vote this year, Bruist said Us having the rights over our bodies has been called into question.

Felons cant do anything, so how can a felon be president? Spears said.

Shavette Giddins, also at the Urban League, said she was driven to vote mostly because of state and local races, including her support of the medical marijuana ballot initiatives. At the presidential level, Giddins said she didn't trust either candidate, but would be supporting Harris over Trump.

I think shes the safer option, Giddins said.

Joyce Poole took advantage of the food truck parked outside the Urban League.

She votes every time she said as she waited for her order.

The 71-year-old voted for Kamala Harris. She was concerned about some of the things former president Donald Trump has said on the campaign trail.

With Trump, when hes talking about cutting social security  thats how Im living, she said. Taking away womens rights and stuff like that.

LaKenya Haskin wanted to make sure that her voice was heard.

Thats why she voted Tuesday afternoon at the Urban League.

The 43-year-old said there is a need for change.

Im very for Kamala Harris, she said. I believe in the things she has to say. Womens rights are very important to me.

As a veteran, Tina St. Cloud says she always makes sure to vote.

St. Cloud, who was in the U.S. Army, voted Tuesday afternoon at the Urban League

The 56-year-old said she voted for former president Donald Trump.

Kamala has had four years to do her thing and hasnt done anything for us, she said.

Immigration was also a big issue for her.

I think the influx of people coming here needs to stop, she said. We need to have better border control.

Theodore Burr voted Tuesday afternoon at the Urban League.

Its historic a woman may become president of the United States, he said.

The 66-year-old said he voted for vice president Kamala Harris because he liked her campaign.

Everything she said that she would do, he said.

Nice and unexpected sight at the Elkhorn polling place: A line of early morning voters

4:30 p.m. | Rhonda Pepper saw an unexpected sight when she opened the polling place at West Dodge Station Elementary School in Elkhorn on a dreary Tuesday morning.

A line.

I dont know that Ive ever seen a line, eager and waiting at 7:45 a.m.  especially in the rain, said Pepper, who has been a poll worker for the past 10 years. Its nice to see.

By noon, 200 voters already had cast ballots at West Dodge Station, on California Street west of 180th Street.

This has been the busiest, but one of the smoothest, said Susan Goracke, the Douglas County Election Commission inspector at the site. People were very prepared. They knew their precincts.

The biggest problem, Goracke said, was people spoiling their ballots by misvoting.

The reason? The two abortion-related measures, Initiatives 434 and 439. Initiative 434 would enshrine a 12-week abortion ban in the state constitution. Initiative 439 would add a right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability.

Voters needed to vote yes on one and no on the other, depending upon their views on abortion.

By noon, about 10 people had asked to revote, said Goracke, who has worked polls for more than 20 years. Typically, she only sees one or two in a whole day.

'Big' voter turnout, ballot sleeve shortages

4 p.m. | Like raindrops adding up to a stream, anecdotal accounts of voters queuing up Tuesday morning are amounting to what looks like heavier-than-expected turnout at metro Omaha polls.

Weve had big turnouts really all across the county, but it seems like its been a little heavier out in the western part of the county, Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said early this afternoon. Millard, Elkhorn, there have been some big numbers out there.

The mid-day reports came from district election supervisors.

Weve seen numbers in the 300s (at some polling places), 350, there were a couple 400s out west, Kruse said. Weve seen some 300s in the east, but mostly in the 200s which is pretty typical.

The large surge of voters at opening time caused a rare problem of several polling places in west Omaha ran short of ballot sleeves, the plastic frames into which voters place their completed ballots before handing them to poll workers to slide into ballot boxes. The sleeves protect voter anonymity. Normally poll workers hand each voter a sleeve with their ballot.

Polling place workers followed county election manual protocol and executed the prescribed work-around. They kept back one or two ballot sleeves for poll workers beside the ballot boxes.

Then when the voters come up, they put their ballot in the sleeve, and then the poll worker drops it into the ballot box, Kruse said. So it doesnt prevent anybody from voting, its just a little out of the norm.

Kruse said voters have the option of waiting until a sleeve is available.

He said the problem had abated as crowds dwindled in late morning, but he anticipated it could recur later in the day.

As he spoke at the election commission office, couriers were headed out to pick up ballots cast between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Kruse expected them to return with full boxes of ballots.

I think from some of the bigger precincts out west, we could have more than one box, which we never see, except for occasionally in a presidential (election), he said.

Generally, Election Day voting has gone smoothly, Kruse said.

He had received no reports of voter harassment or intimidation.

Weve had a few calls from one organization of poll watchers thinking maybe another shouldnt be doing certain things, Kruse said.

Polling place inspectors, who are basically on-site election supervisors, talked with the poll watchers involved and we didnt think anything nefarious was going on, Kruse said.

Could Douglas County turnout exceed his prediction of 73%?

Let me say I hope so, Kruse said, noting that he heard reports of 60 to 100 people in line to vote first thing in the morning. It does seem like voter turnout is a little heavier than I thought itd be, especially this morning.

A Walz not voting for Harris

3:45 p.m. | Brandy Walz of Omaha doesnt want to see her husbands second cousin anywhere near the White House.

Neither she nor her husband has ever met Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Kamala Harris Nebraska-born running mate, but they would be voting against him.

Were part of the family thats related to him, but we dont share his politics, said Walz, 49, just after she voted early Tuesday afternoon outside St. Andrews United Methodist Church 15050 West Maple Rd. in northwest Omaha. We have very, very different views and morals that I would like to uphold.

Politics has divided many American families between red and blue. The Walz familys divisions played out on the national stage, when some of Tim Walzs Nebraska relatives posted a group photo in which theyre wearing Nebraska Walzs for Trump.

Brandy Walz wasnt in the photo, but she agreed with the sentiment.

Were huge Trump supporters, she said. Were here to help him win.

Jenna Guynan, a 38-year-old registered nurse, said civic duty prompted her to vote Tuesday afternoon at St. Andrews United Methodist Church.

And her moral compass, she said, guided her vote for President.

I really wanted the most moral and ethical person to win  the one that scares me the least, Guynan said. Thats Kamala.

She also voted independent Dan Osborn  a fellow Roncalli Catholic High School graduate  in the U.S. Senate race because she liked what she sees as his pragmatic, centrist politics.

And maybe a bit of Crimson Pride.

Masked kid near polling place causes false alarm

3:03 p.m. | A costume caused a brief scare late Tuesday morning after a juvenile wearing a Halloween mask was seen walking near a polling place.

A neighbor living near Reagan Elementary School in western Douglas County called the Douglas County Sheriffs Office to investigate the mask-wearer  who Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said turned out to be a kid just playing.

The issue was a non-issue, but its better to be safe than sorry, Kruse said.

How votes are counted, when results are released

2:09 p.m. | Were now fewer than six hours from the first batch of 2024 election results. Polls close at 8 p.m. tonight, and, as they do, Nebraskans will begin to see partial results come in.

The counting of votes in Nebraska began Monday. The first batch of results  from ballots submitted in the early voting process  will be released by 8 p.m. tonight.

That 8 p.m. results release, according to Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse, will come from a first batch of early ballots that are put on thumb drives and will be locked in a safe until Tuesday night. That will be about 50% of the Douglas County vote, Kruse said. Subsequent results will be released at 8:45 p.m., 9:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m., Kruse said hes 99% confident there will be a 11:45 p.m. release of results, too.

Want to know more? Check out the link. Its interesting!

These Little Italy voters motivated by abortion issues

1:45 p.m. | Laura North, 34, just got engaged and would like to have children, so the abortion issue is important. She voted Tuesday afternoon at Order Sons and Daughters of Italy at 1238 S. 10th St.

I just think its my right and other womens rights to be able to say what they do with their body," she said, related Initiatives 434 and 439. Initiative 434 is more restrictive of abortion rights. "I think its important to be able to have access to health care thats life saving and keeps me in mind instead of other people in government."

North, who lived in the Bay Area for several years, voted for Kamala Harris for president. She said she has family who voted on both sides of the aisle.

I think shes more equipped. Im more comfortable with her. I feel more confident about her. I feel like shes just so much more trustworthy, North said. I couldnt really bring myself to vote for a convicted felon."

Joshua Davis, 32, said he was performing his civic duty by voting Tuesday afternoon at Sons of Italy.

Davis said he would rather not say who he voted for for president, but he did share his stance on abortion rights.

Personally being a male and not being able to conceive life, I can only imagine the womans process of going through that, he said. Who am I to tell what someone else can do with their body? Thats how I feel about that.

Issues that matter while 'dissecting' ballot

12:30 p.m. | Here's another World-Herald video asking local voters for their thoughts on what ballot issues mattered most to them, and how to figure out some of the "confusing" ballot initiatives.

'Taxes just kill me'

12:20 p.m. | Austin Shellenberger, 20, voted Tuesday to, he said, support human rights for himself and his friends.

I am here today representing what I believe is right for the state and the presidential election of course, he said at the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center.

Shellenberger said he felt strongly about legalizing medical marijuana in Nebraska for people who he thinks need it.

Not every issue can just be solved with a simple medication or anything like that. Some people they need that stuff to be able to survive and they deserve to be able to get their hands on that, he said.

Although he declined to say how he voted, he said women have the right to their own bodies and they deserve to have the choice whether they want to have the child or not.

He said he voted for Kamala Harris for president.

Its the fact that we not only could have our first female president of the United States but the fact that some of the things shes proposing to do help us as the lower middle class with our income, he said. I know Im personally struggling paycheck to paycheck. Taxes just kill me.

"If she is supporting helping the middle class with helping regulate our taxes than that is something I would like to do. I would like to support myself as a 20-year-old but who is to say someone who is 50 or 60 isnt in my same position where they arent able to retire because they live paycheck to paycheck like I do.

Differing presidential views in Bellevue

11:59 a.m. | Jennifer Ninkovic, who was born in 1986, said it was an important year to get out to vote at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, 1111 Bellevue Blvd N in Bellevue.

Its a right as a citizen to come out and do it and put your input in, she said.

She said the economy was a deciding factor in voting for Donald Trump for president. I just thought he was a good president.

She said 434 and 439 abortion initiatives were confusing, but she was able to figure them out once in the voting booth.

I think its my body my choice, she said. I feel like I should have a right to an abortion if I want it.

James Erlenbach said there was a lot to think about in voting Tuesday.

From president right on down to the counties, he said.

The 77-year-old said he voted for Kamala Harris for president.

Ive watched Mr. Trump here for the last several years, and I just felt we didnt want him another four, he said.

Car clock confusion

11:44 a.m. | State Sen. Merv Riepe, who represents the 12th District, was reading the Wall Street Journal and the World-Herald at a McDonalds at 10:30 Tuesday morning. He calls it his country club.

He was wearing a voter sticker but the wrong time on his car clock caused a little confusion. He tried to vote at 7:02 a.m. instead of 8:02 a.m. All the lights were on at Wildewood Elementary 8071 Ralston Ave. in Ralston, part of his district, and it looked ready to go. He tried again successfully, after a meeting.

The 82-year-old, who grew up as a farm kid, had no confusion about who he voted for for president.

The direction of the nation was the most important thing to him.

I voted for Trump, simply for the fact that I like experience. I sort of look beyond a lot of the media bias I would call it or coverage of it. They were almost over the top on that.

First-time voter in 'very consequential' year

11:24 a.m. | Asia Price dropped three of her four children at their schools before stopping to vote at Benson Park Pavilion, situated near a tranquil pond off bustling Northwest Radial Highway and 72nd Street. Just more than 70 people had voted at the polling place by 8:45 a.m., and a steady trickle of voters continued to line up for their ballots

A regular voter, Price declined to say how she had voted but said she just wanted to be a part of the history and what the election means to my children in the future.

Connifer Miller, 18, had just voted for the first time. He said the election has been stressful. Its a very consequential year, he said.

But Miller was determined to vote. Its one of the most express powers I have, he said. Its the most decisive say I have in what I want.

Patricia Scott, 43, said not even a real storm would have stopped her from going to the polls. Abortion rights were the main issue that brought her.

I feel like women should have the rights to their bodies and no one should take that away, she said. We fought for many years for that.

'Blue Dot' sign creators cast their votes

10:30 a.m. | A line of three dozen people went out the door into the rain as the polls opened at 8 a.m. at Washington Elementary School, a polling place in the Omaha's Dundee-Elmwood Park neighborhood.

The backup was enough for polling workers to decide to ask school officials for a long table that enabled them to increase the number of voting stations from 12 to 16. That helped keep the operation running smoothly, as the length of the line remained consistent in the hour that followed.

Its moving pretty quick, said Evan Keelan-White, who stood in line with his 2 -year-old son Nolan on his shoulders, both of them dressed in rain jackets. When the two got inside, they were greeted by their wife and mother, who was volunteering as a poll worker.

Keelan-White said he was motivated by a number of issues, including abortion, health care access and keeping the world good and safe for Nolan. He said he was voting for Kamala Harris for president, though he acknowledged his personal politics are probably to the left of hers.

I have to prevent Donald Trump from winning, he said. So here I am.

A voter just behind Keelan White said, conversely, he looking forward to voting for the former president. He declined to give his name, noting he was a longtime Democrat and union man whose vote might upset some of his friends.

Trumps got some faults, but doggone it, hell get something done, he said, also calling the Democratic ticket of Harris and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz too liberal for his taste.

Abortion was a strong voting motivator for Buf Reynolds, who came to the school with her husband and adult son. Reynolds volunteers as a client escort at abortion clinics and helped circulate petitions to get Nebraskas 12-week abortion ban on the ballot.

She expressed a mix of hope, anxiety and resolve with the issue directly on Nebraskas ballot this year.

Even if the things that I want to see happen don't come through, it won't be the end of everything, she said. Well start the next battle tomorrow and keep working towards what we think is right.

In line not far behind Reynolds were Jason Brown and Ruth Huebner-Brown. There was really no question who they were voting for for president.

The Dundee residents were the originators of the Blue Dot yard sign phenomena that spread across Omaha, having created the first such sign with spray paint in their driveway.

Options for 'good health care'

10:10 a.m. | Providing options for women and their families was an important reason for Chris Cherny to vote Tuesday, despite a long line when she arrived

Cherny, 66, voting at First Lutheran Church in Papillion, said the abortion initiatives were a key issues for her, as well as the presidential election. She voted for Vice President Kamala Harris.

She said she voted against Initiative 434 and for Initiative 439.

I think its important that women and their families have the options that are needed to have good health care, she said. Pregnancy can be so complicated and many things can go wrong in a pregnancy. I think a woman needs to have those options to do what is best for her and her family.

'I felt like I needed to get out and vote'

10 a.m. | Emily Richter, voting at First Lutheran Church at 420 N Washington St. in Papillion, said the paid sick leave ballot initiative for Nebraska was a big issue for her.

I'm a mom of two kids, and they get sick a lot, the 28-year-old said. Not having any sick leave to fall back on when that happens and I have to stay home and take care of them is a big issue.

The presidential race was also big as were the two conflicting abortion issues, she said.

She voted for Initiative 434, she said, which she said was slightly more restrictive than Initiative 439.

Initiative 434, known as the Protect Women and Children campaign, would amend the Nebraska Constitution to ban most abortions after the first trimester but also leave room for lawmakers to increase restrictions in the future. Initiative 439, known as the Protect Our Rights campaign, would amend the state's constitution to establish the right to an abortion up until "fetal viability," which is generally considered to be 23 to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

She declined to say who she voted for for president.

"I felt like I needed to get out and vote, especially with all the initiatives we have on the local ballot today, she said.

Four Omaha voters on their 'Priority No. 1'

9:47 a.m. | World-Herald reporters asked a variety of voters around Omaha why they were headed to the polls on Election Day and what issues mattered most to them.

'What makes USA, USA'

9:30 a.m. | Between 50 and 75 voters waited in line at St. Bernard Rectory near 65th Street and Northwest Radial Highway about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, some out on the sidewalk in a light rain. About 75 had already voted.

Its nice to see this many people, said Matt Jacobs, 63, who has voted at the rectory for 30 or more years, although he usually casts his ballot in the afternoon. Its what makes USA, USA. I just think its important to vote.

Abortion rights brought Saundra Swan, 76, to St. Bernard Rectory, although she didnt really want to be out in the rain. She said she lived through the time before Roe v. Wade protected abortion access. Losing it makes her angry.

I believe people have a right to choose what they want, she said.

Jacobs said there were no specific issues bringing him to the ballot. Hes only missed one election since he turned 18. I just think its important to vote, he said.

How many Nebraskans will vote?

9:30 a.m. | Nebraska early voting sites have done brisk business since those polls opened in early October but how many people will vote overall?

Election officials made some estimates before Election Day:

Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen predicted Monday that voter turnout for the general presidential election will be 72%, slightly lower than the turnout in 2020.

Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse estimated a 73% turnout, also slightly lower than the 74.6% total in the 2020 presidential election. He based that in part on the fact that fewer Douglas County voters requested early ballots this year than during the pandemic in 2020, when counties statewide sent early voting request forms to all registered voters.

Lancaster County Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen predicted that turnout for the presidential election will be 70%.

'We need some leadership'

9:20 a.m. | Voting at Faith Presbyterian Church at 8100 Giles in LaVista, Mary Jo Gunnels declined to say who she voted for  but she did believe it was important to vote.

"Because our country is a mess and we need some leadership," Gunnels said.

Gunnels said Initiatives 434 and 439 on abortion were important to her, as well.

"Because I'm pro-life except if someone is raped (or a victim of) incest or something is wrong with the baby," Gunnels said.

Initiative 434, known as the Protect Women and Children campaign, would amend the Nebraska Constitution to ban most abortions after the first trimester but also leave room for lawmakers to increase restrictions in the future. Initiative 439, known as the Protect Our Rights campaign, would amend the state's constitution to establish the right to an abortion up until "fetal viability," which is generally considered to be 23 to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Confusing ballot language means advance research needed

9:00 a.m. | Tracey Muzzey did her homework to avoid any confusion on how she voted Tuesday.

I had looked at everything beforehand over the weekend because i know the language is always confusing. I wanted to make sure I knew what was happening. I dissected everything like yesterday and made sure I understood it," she said.

The paid sick leave and abortion rights ballot measures and the presidential race were all important to the 30-year-old, who voted at 9 a.m. at the FIrst Lutheran Church in Papillion.

I would like to have a good president coming up and more rights for women on abortion, she said.

A hat, a flag and confrontation averted

8:30 a.m. | About 40 people had voted within the first 20 minutes of Sarpy County Precinct 26 opening at Thanksgiving Lutheran Church in Bellevue, which had a line into the church lobby, with coffee available for those waiting. Lines were considerably longer for those with last names A-K, but voters were moving through at a steady clip as spots at tables became available.

At about 8:30 a.m., a poll worker at the adjacent Precinct 24 asked a man wearing a Make America Great Again hat to remove it while in line. The man, who was carrying an American flag on a pole and wearing a tactical vest, declined and remained in line, and the poll worker called the election office for guidance.

Electioneering, which includes displaying clothing or symbols of campaigns, is prohibited in Nebraska polling buildings and within 200 feet of the polling places.

The poll worker told a reporter afterwards that he wanted to avoid a confrontation, and the man remained in line. Several minutes later, the poll worker said the man took off the hat, and he said law enforcement was not called.

Polls open across the state

8:00 a.m. | Election Day voting begins across Nebraska. At Bethel Lutheran Church  1312 S. 45th St. in Omaha  about nine people initially waited in their cars to avoid the rain. One person was standing at the door in the rain. At 7:45 a.m., most got out of their cars and there were 40 people in line when the door opened.

Morning Metro voters may want umbrellas
The Africa Mission Association is on a mission to help churches in Africa establish mission associations in all 54 countries from the current seven in the continent. Stephen Mbogo, the Vice Chair of the Africa Mission Association (AMA) is alive to the enormous task but equally aware of the great opportunity to formalize country mission associations that would be a source of coordinating and supporting missions in respective countries.

Speaking to Christian Daily International on the sidelines of the Christ Over Asia Africa and Latin America (COALA 2.5) meeting in Busan, South Korea, Mbogo said AMA is strategically working to establish national mission associations in each African country by fostering a sense of ownership and coordination at the national level.

One of the key challenges the AMA is tackling head-on, said Mbogo, is the historical under-representation of Africa's significant contributions to the global missionary movement. This under-representation is often reflected in mission statistics and reports, which tend to overlook the extensive missionary activities undertaken by African churches and organizations.

He said the continental association will learn from the experience of more established mission bodies such as the Nigeria Mission Association which has been in existence for 40 years and the 30-year old Ghana Mission Association.

We were challenged by these other countries because we realized that unless you have a national association, reaching the unreached remains very disjointed, said Mbogo.

This unity of purpose brought about by an association, added Mbogo, is what has enabled Latin America through COMIBAM (Ibero-American Mission Cooperation) to have detailed and up-to date information about the number of missionaries they have sent or the number of unreached people groups which cannot be said the same of Africa.

In 2023, COMIBAM mobilized 2,750 pastors across 24 LATAM countries for global missions, 850 churches engaged and close to 1,000 women and youth mobilized for missions, according to the organizations 2023 report.

Mbogo, however, said this does not negate the impact African churches are having in sending missionaries to other regions of the world, thereby challenging the traditional notion of missions as a primarily Western-led enterprise.

We have a long way to go but it also shows the need is there because if no one can substantively say this is where we are in Africa, unless you measure it, you'll not know if you're achieving it or not, said Mbogo.

Despite facing various challenges, such as limited resources and infrastructure, Mbogo is optimistic about the future of Africa-led and Africa-funded missions. He emphasized the immense potential that lies within the passion, commitment, and spiritual vitality of African Christians, particularly the youth.

Africa, with its young and rapidly growing population is now the continent with the most Christians, a fact that Mbogo sees as an opportunity to double down on mission activities, for the benefit of the African Church and the global Christian community. He observed that as Africa continues to be a force in sending missionaries to the rest of the world, discipleship and specifically youth discipleship will be a very key factor in expanding the kingdom of God.

AMA is looking within the continent for partnerships and impactful mission strategies, added Mbogo, who cited the work of African Enterprise, a pan-African urban-focused mission organization where he serves as the CEO. African Enterprise, with its extensive experience and expertise in urban missions, is playing a crucial role in equipping and mobilizing African churches to effectively engage with the complexities of urban environments.

With a presence in 12 African countries, Africa Enterprise follows an elaborate prayer-led plan backed by Gods people to establish missions in some of Africas big cities. Mbogo said it takes up to two years to prepare a new mission.

We have what we call the three Ps: Preparation can take one or two years gestation where we are groaning and praying for the city and also mapping the city, identifying the various areas where we will be targeting with the gospel, explained Mbogo.

The second stage is proclamation where Africa Enterprise partners with different churches, professional groups, para church organisations and government agencies to deliver a demand-driven need with a missional objective. The third is preservation, where new believers are attached to local church partners for discipleship and training of pastors and churches.

We call it stratified evangelism where you reach everybody at their level. So we say from statehouse to the streets. We ask ourselves; how will I reach the top leaders, the politicians, the movers and the shakers in town? But you also ask yourself, how do I reach the street boy who is in the streets? explained Mbogo.

Taking a holistic approach to missions has allowed Africa Enterprise to impact more people and has provided an opportunity to demonstrate kingdom principles in different social-economic spheres. Mbogo gives an example of the organisation's microfinance institution in Kigali, Rwanda which has 300,000 members and has won multiple awards for being one of the best performing para-church NGOs in the country.

The mission ministry has also partnered with medical institutions in different countries to provide free medical camps and the construction of clinics in informal settlements as part of missions to the unreached in the urban areas. This, and missions to prisoners and through sports, has provided an opportunity to minister to people of other faiths and create contact points for discipleship.

In Africa we must address the social side deliberately without assuming [that the physical needs have been met], said Mbogo who is trusting God that the impact of the national mission associations will be felt at the spiritual level, primarily, but also at the social-economic level.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Example of a cylinder seal (left) and its design imprinted onto clay (right). Credit: Franck Raux 2001 GrandPalaisRmn (Musee du Louvre)

The origins of writing in Mesopotamia lie in the images imprinted by ancient cylinder seals on clay tablets and other artifacts. A research group from the University of Bologna has identified a series of correlations between the designs engraved on these cylinders, dating back around six thousand years, and some of the signs in the proto-cuneiform script that emerged in the city of Uruk, located in what is now southern Iraq, around 3000 BCE.

The study, published in Antiquity, opens new perspectives on understanding the birth of writing and may help researchers not only to gain new insights into the meanings of the designs on cylinder seals but also to decipher many still-unknown signs in proto-cuneiform. The paper is titled "Seals and signs: tracing the origins of writing in ancient Southwest Asia."

"The conceptual leap from pre-writing symbolism to writing is a significant development in human cognitive technologies," explains Silvia Ferrara, professor in the Department of Classical Philology and Italian Studies at the University of Bologna and lead researcher.

"The invention of writing marks the transition between prehistory and history, and the findings of this study bridge this divide by illustrating how some late prehistoric images were incorporated into one of the earliest invented writing systems."

Among the first cities to emerge in Mesopotamia, Uruk was an immensely important center throughout the fourth millennium BCE, exerting influence over a large region extending from southwestern Iran to southeastern Turkey.

In this region, cylinder seals were created. Typically made of stone and engraved with a series of designs, these cylinders were rolled onto clay tablets, leaving a stamped impression of the design.

Photograph of proto-cuneiform tablet showing signs discussed in the article. Credit: CDLI - Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative

Starting in the mid-fourth millennium BCE, cylinder seals were used as part of an accounting system to track the production, storage, and transport of various consumer goods, particularly agricultural and textile products.

It is in this context that proto-cuneiform appeared: an archaic form of writing made up of hundreds of pictographic signs, more than half of which remain undeciphered to this day. Like cylinder seals, proto-cuneiform was used for accounting, though its use is primarily documented in southern Iraq.

"The close relationship between ancient sealing and the invention of writing in southwest Asia has long been recognized, but the relationship between specific seal images and sign shapes has hardly been explored," says Ferrara. "This was our starting question: did seal imagery contribute significantly to the invention of signs in the first writing in the region?"

To find an answer, the researchers systematically compared the designs on the cylinders with proto-cuneiform signs, looking for correlations that might reveal direct relationships in both graphic form and meaning.

Diagrams of proto-cuneiform signs and their precursors from pre-literate seals. Credit: CDLI - Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative

"We focused on seal imagery that originated before the invention of writing, while continuing to develop into the proto-literate period," add Kathryn Kelley and Mattia Cartolano, both researchers at the University of Bologna and co-authors of the study.

"This approach allowed us to identify a series of designs related to the transport of textiles and pottery, which later evolved into corresponding proto-cuneiform signs."

This discovery reveals, for the first time, a direct link between the cylinder seal system and the invention of writing, offering new perspectives for studying the evolution of symbolic and writing systems.

"Our findings demonstrate that the designs engraved on cylinder seals are directly connected to the development of proto-cuneiform in southern Iraq," confirms Silvia Ferrara. "They also show how the meaning originally associated with these designs was integrated into a writing system."

The authors of the study are Kathryn Kelley, Mattia Cartolano, and Professor Silvia Ferrara from the Department of Classical Philology and Italian Studies at the University of Bologna.

More information: Seals and signs: tracing the origins of writing in ancient South-west Asia, Antiquity (2024). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2024.165 Journal information: Antiquity
The 2024 recipients of the Black British Theatre Awards were revealed at the Lyceum Theatre.

Marking its sixth anniversary, the BBTAs persist in recognizing Black creatives' accomplishments and impact on the dynamic landscape of the UK's theatrical world.

These awards have become a major part of the theatre community, honoring achievements in acting, writing, directing, and technical work.

The festive event featured the creativity and diversity of the Black British theatre community, serving as a platform to present the abundant talent in the industry.

Solange Urdang OBE and Omar F. Okai, co-founders of the BBTAs, said in a statement, "We are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional achievements of Black artists in the UK theatre industry."

"The BBTAs are committed to amplifying diverse voices and recognizing the invaluable contributions of Black professionals to the theatre landscape."

The BBTAs persist in fostering discussions on catalyzing progress within the field, in light of the revelations presented in the latest Act for Action report, shedding light on key concerns like racial prejudice, inclusivity, employment challenges, and insufficient financial backing.

Urdang and Okai went on, "Findings from the report revealed that 71% of respondents reported experiencing racial bias, while over 70% expressed concerns about authentic representation."

"Employment instability remains a significant challenge faced by many black theatre professionals, with many individuals entering the industry feeling the effect of tokenism and its impact on mental health."

Below are the winners:

CREATIVES GROUP

BEST PRODUCER

WINNER: Lande Belo, Ain't I A Woman?, The Tower Theatre

BEST DIRECTOR

WINNER: Nancy Medina, Choir Boy, Bristol Old Vic

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR

WINNER: Sean Green, MJ the Musical, Prince Edward Theatre

BEST CHOREOGRAPHER OR MOVEMENT DIRECTOR

WINNER: Mthuthuzeli November, The Waiting Game, Ballet Black

BEST DANCE PRODUCTION OR PERFORMER

WINNER: Ebony Thomas, The Waiting Game, Ballet Black

RECOGNITION GROUP (BODY OF WORK) AWARDS

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN

WINNER: Ryan Day

BEST SOUND DESIGN

WINNER: Xana

THEATRE DESIGN

WINNER: Jessica Cabassa

BOOK AND LYRICS

WINNER: Lady Lykez

BEST PLAYWRIGHT

WINNER: Siana Bangura

BEST CASTING DIRECTOR

WINNER: Selma Nicholls

PLAY AWARDS

BEST MALE LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY

WINNER: Terique Jarrett, Choir Boy, Bristol Old Vic

BEST FEMALE LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY

WINNER: Tiwa Lade, My Father's Fable, The Bush Theatre

BEST SUPPORTING MALE ACTOR IN A PLAY

WINNER: Joshua-Alexander Williams, Romeo and Juliet, Duke of York's Theatre

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE ACTOR IN A PLAY

WINNER: Freema Agyeman, Romeo and Juliet, Duke of York's Theatre

BEST PRODUCTION  PLAY

WINNER: Choir Boy, Bristol Old Vic

MUSICAL AWARDS

BEST MALE LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

WINNER: Ivano Turco, Everybody's Talking About Jamie, Tour

BEST FEMALE LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

WINNER: Karis Anderson, TINA  The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre

BEST SUPPORTING MALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

WINNER: Marley Fenton, The Wizard of Oz, Norwich Theatre Royal

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

WINNER: Elena Gyasi, Mean Girls, Savoy Theatre

BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION

WINNER: MJ the Musical, Prince Edward Theatre

CHAMPION AWARDS

BEST CHILD PERFORMER (UNDER 16)

WINNER: Janai Bartlett, TINA  The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre

BEST NON BINARY PERFORMER

WINNER: Claudia Kariuki

LGBTQIA+ CHAMPION

WINNER: Layton Williams

DISABILITY CHAMPION

WINNER: Linseigh Green

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

BEST TEACHER

WINNER: Dannika Dudfield, Soar Performance Academy

BEST GRADUATE

WINNER: Kwame Kandekore, MJ the Musical, Emil Dale Academy

LORD Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick AWARD

Shanay Holmes and Chris Steward, West End Musical Productions

FOUNDERS CHOICE AWARD

Danny Sapani, King Lear, Almeida Theatre

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Namron OBE
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Fossil dolphin Romaleodelphis pollerspoecki. Credit: Manuela Schellenberger, SNSB-BSPG

A team of researchers led by SNSB paleontologist Gertrud Roner has discovered a new prehistoric dolphin species. Analyses of its inner ear confirm that this dolphin had excellent hearing abilities in the high-frequency range, which is very similar to modern dolphins. The animal lived about 22 million years ago in a coastal section of the Miocene Paratethys Sea in what is now Upper Austria.

The work is published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

The shallow inland sea in which the newly described dolphin lived, together with many other organisms, including a variety of microorganisms, algae, snails, mussels, relatives of squid, and fishes, stretched north of the just emerging Alps.

The only fossil known of this dolphin to date comes from a site near Linz in Upper Austria. It was assigned to a new, previously unknown species and genus, and scientifically named Romaleodelphis pollerspoecki by researchers from the Bavarian State Collection of Paleontology and Geology (SNSB-BSPG) and the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, as well as the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt.

"All that remains of Romaleodelphis pollerspoecki is its fragmented and incomplete skull with an elongated snout and 102 uniform teeth" reports first author Catalina Sanchez Posada who examined the fossil as part of her master's thesis. The animal belongs to the toothed whales, but differs significantly from all previously known prehistoric representatives of this lineage.

Comparisons and a complex computer-based analysis of the relationships to other fossil dolphins revealed that Romaleodelphis was probably related to the already extinct, very archaic dolphins of the so-called Chilcacetus clade.

"All previously known fossils of this dolphin lineage come from the north-eastern Pacific and the coasts of South America. The discovery of Romaleodelphis pollerspoecki, a putative European relative of this lineage, could therefore provide important new insights into the origin and evolution of the lineage in the earliest Miocene," says Dr. Roner, curator of fossil mammals from the Bavarian State Collection of Paleontology and Geology, senior author of the study.

The fossil of the skull is severely compressed and distorted, which made the examination of the skull anatomy particularly challenging. Computed tomography images taken at the Department of Radiology at the Ludwig Maximilians University Hospital in Munich made it possible to examine and reconstruct internal features.

The anatomical reconstruction of the fossil's inner ear using micro-computed tomography images also yielded astonishing results. "The shape of the well-preserved bony labyrinth in the skull indicates that Romaleodelphis pollerspoecki was able to hear high-frequency signals," explains co-author Dr. Rachel Racicot from Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum.

This makes this dolphin one of the oldest known toothed whales that already had a similarly developed sense of hearing as modern porpoises, for example. These animals are able to communicate in frequency ranges that are beyond the hearing range of their predators. There may also be a connection in the development with the ability of orientation through echolocation, which is typical for dolphins.

The dolphin fossil was unearthed in 1980 by the private collector Jurgen Pollerspock, who later gave it to the Bavarian State Collection of Paleontology and Geology for restoration and proper storage.

More information: Catalina Sanchez-Posada et al, Romaleodelphis pollerspoecki , gen. et sp. nov., an archaic dolphin from the Central Paratethys (Early Miocene, Austria), Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2024). DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2024.2401503 Journal information: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Rosy-faced lovebirds are common and colourful household pets. Parrots such as these use unique yellow and red pigments to become colourful, and this variation is regulated by a single enzyme originally used as a detox mechanism. Credit: Pedro Miguel Araujo

From the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro to the shoulders of pirates: parrots are synonymous with color for people across the world. In a study published in the journal Science, scientists from The University of Hong Kong, together with an international team led by scientists from BIOPOLIS-CIBIO (Portugal) have uncovered for the first time a "switch" in the DNA of parrots that controls their wide gamut of colors.

"Parrots are unique birds in many ways, including how they produce their vibrant color diversity," begins Professor Simon Yung Wa Sin, co-author from the School of Biological Sciences of The University of Hong Kong (HKU).

"Parrots do their own thing when it comes to color," adds Dr. Roberto Arbore of BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, and co-first author of the study.

Although other birds also produce yellow and red feathers, parrots evolved unique pigments, called psittacofulvins (from the ancient Greek "psittakos" for parrot, and the Latin "fulvus" for reddish-yellow). "Parrots combine these with other pigments to create vibrant yellows, reds, and greens, making these animals among nature's most colorful," he says.

Parrots are common pets in millions of homes worldwide, and they are appreciated for their color and intelligence. But for all their flashiness, it was not well understood how these birds evolved a unique way to create their color palette.

"This is a big mystery for scientists and bird lovers alike," explains Professor Miguel Carneiro, senior author from BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, who adds, "and it ties up to a key question to all of biology, of how does diversity arise in nature?"

To answer such a fundamental question, the scientists started by demonstrating that, across all major parrot lineages, yellow and red in feathers correspond to two specific pigments that do not occur in other birds.

"Although there were some indications in the literature about the existence of two chemical forms of psittacofulvins, it was initially hard for us to believe what we were seeing in the resultsside by side, clear as dayfor the first time ever. Only with genetic data it all started to make perfect sense," says Dr. Jindrich Brejcha from the Faculty of Science at Charles University in Prague, another co-first author.

To dig deeper, the scientists focused on a species with naturally occurring red or yellow forms, a phenomenon that is extremely rare in nature.

"The dusky lory is native to the jungles of New Guinea, but we just had to drive a few miles from our lab in Portugal, since local certified breeders helped us get samples to study the genetics of color in this species," said Pedro Miguel Araujo of the University of Coimbra, who co-led the research, adding, "The solution to our study was almost next door."

The scientists found that only one protein controlled the color difference in the lories, a type of aldehyde dehydrogenase (or ALDH), essential "tools" for detoxification in complex organismsfor example, they contribute to elimination of alcohol in the liver of humans.

Dr. Soraia Barbosa, also co-first author from BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, explains, "Parrot feathers found a way to 'borrow' this protein, using it to transform red to yellow psittacofulvins." According to the scientist, "This functions like a dial, in which higher activity of the protein translates to less intense red color."

To understand the general role of this protein in controlling the plumage color in other parrot species, scientists studied another parrot, the rosy-faced lovebirds, a species that displays both green (i.e., yellow psittacofulvin-containing) and red plumage patches.

"The rosy-faced lovebird is a familiar parrot that provides an excellent system to study the genes determining the color difference between red and yellow psittacofulvin-containing plumage patches," said Simon Yung Wa Sin, who led the team from the School of Biological Sciences at HKU, including Dr. Alison Cloutier and Research Assistant Emily Shui Kei Poon.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

They found that the same aldehyde dehydrogenase gene in the lovebirds is expressed at high levels in yellow psittacofulvin-containing feathers, but not in red feathers. "When this gene expresses at a high level, the psittacofulvins turn from red to yellow," explains Yung Wa Sin.

To demonstrate this simple dial mechanism, scientists turned to an even more familiar parrot, the budgerigar and, in a world-first, explored how individual cells turn different genes on or off throughout feather growth, pinpointing a small number of cells that use this detox protein for controlling pigment conversion.

The final validation came when the scientists genetically engineered yeasts with the parrot color gene, "Incredibly, our modified yeast produced parrot colors, demonstrating that this gene is sufficient to explain how parrots control the amount of yellow and red in their feathers," Professor Joseph C. Corbo, Professor at the Washington University in St. Louis (U.S.) says.

This study showcases how cutting-edge developments in biotechnology are increasingly used to unravel nature's mysteries. "We now understand how these stunning colors can evolve in wild animals through a simple dial-like "molecular switch" that "borrows" a detoxifying protein to serve a new function, Carneiro concludes.

These findings help scientists paint a new colorful picture of evolution as a process in which complexity can be achieved through simple innovations.

More information: Roberto Arbore et al, A molecular mechanism for bright color variation in parrots, Science (2024). DOI: 10.1126/science.adp7710 Journal information: Science
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Idys beautifully decorated coffins are among the most impressive finds in the burial chamber. Credit: Free University of Berlin

An international team of archaeologists led by Professor Jochem Kahl from Freie Universitat Berlin has made an incredible discovery in the necropolis of Asyut, Egypt. Researchers discovered the burial chamber of the ancient Egyptian priestess Idy, daughter of the regional governor Djefaihapi I, in a previously inaccessible section of his monumental tomb from around 1880 BCE. Unearthed after twenty years of fieldwork, the find is being hailed as a significant archaeological discovery.

According to the inscriptions on her coffins, Idy was a priestess of the goddess Hathor and held the honorific title of "Lady of the House," which indicates that she came from a prominent family. Her grave was located in a side chamber closed off by a quarry stone wall in a vertical shaft about fourteen meters deep within the tomb of Djefaihapi I. While the chamber was ransacked by thieves in antiquity, most of Idy's grave goods thankfully remain untouched.

Among the most exciting discoveries are two elaborately decorated coffins made from imported wood that fit into each other. Both coffins are adorned with unusually intricate images and texts describing the journey of the deceased in the afterlife. The decorations on the inside and outside of the coffins are more detailed than comparable objects from the same period and reflect the outstanding quality of the paintings and inscriptions at the tomb of Idy's father. In particular, the wealth of textsamong them religious texts known as Coffin Texts, offering lists, and titleswill allow new insights into the position of women and the transfer of knowledge in ancient Egypt.

Other grave goods include wooden figurines, a dagger, pharaonic insignia, and food offerings. Another inscribed chest contained canopic jars, which were used to store Idy's vital organssuch as her liver, spleen, lungs, and intestinesduring mummification. Remnants of Idy's garments and her bones, which were partially destroyed by looters, provide us with an initial impression of her life and health. Preliminary examinations of her remains indicate that Idy was about forty years old when she died.

The excavations were carried out as part of the Institute of Egyptology at Freie Universitat Berlin's eighteenth fieldwork season in cooperation with Sohag University (Egypt), Kanazawa University (Japan), and the Polish Academy of Sciences. After an initial conservational consolidation of the wooden objects in the burial chamber, the finds were handed over to the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism.

Idy's father, Djefaihapi I, was worshiped in antiquity and his tomb occupied a major role in the cultural memory of ancient Egypt for over 2,000 years. His rock-cut tomb dating back to around 1880 BCE is eleven meters high, twenty-eight meters deep, and seventy meters wide, and adorned with exquisite paintings and inscriptions in relief.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

If a male mosquito can't hear a female. It's as though she doesn't exist. Credit: Matt Perko

Romance is a complex affair in humans. There's personality, appearance, seduction, all manner of physical and social cues. Mosquitoes are much more blunt. Mating occurs for a few seconds in midair. And all it takes to woo a male is the sound of a female's wingbeats. Imagine researchers' surprise when a single change completely killed the mosquitoes' libidos.

Now a study by UC Santa Barbara reveals that this is really all there is to it. Researchers in Professor Craig Montell's lab created deaf mosquitoes and found that the males had absolutely no interest in mating. "You could leave them together with the females for days, and they will not mate," Montell said.

The dramatic change was simple to produce. "The absence of a single gene, trpVa, produced this profound effect on mosquito mating behavior," explained co-lead author Dhananjay Thakur, a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology.

The results, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences could have major implications for how we manage disease transmission by better controlling the populations of mosquito vectors, such as Aedes aegypti, that infect hundreds of millions of people every year with viruses that cause diseases.

Frisky skeeters

"On summer evenings, we often see swarms of mosquitoes gathered by the water or under streetlights. These gatherings are essentially mass mating events," said co-lead author Yijin Wang, a former postdoc at UCSB. Although mosquitoes possess an extraordinary ability to reproduce, scientists still have a limited understanding of the molecular and neurological mechanisms at work.

Courtship for Aedes aegypti usually progresses like this: Females flap their wings at around 500 Hz. When males hear this, they take off, buzzing at about 800 Hz. The males also rapidly modulate this frequency when the ladies are around. Then there's a quick midair rendezvous, and the paramours go their separate ways. Males are always scouting out new potential partners, but a female that's successfully mated generally won't do so again.

Montell and co-lead authors Yijin Wang, Thakur and Emma Duge suspected that hearing played a role in this behavior, so they investigated the insect's auditory neurons. These lie at the base of the antennae in a structure called the Johnston's organ.

The antennae are magnificent multi-sensory apparatuses, chock-full of olfactory, mechanosensory and even thermal infrared sensilla, as Montell's lab recently discovered. In the current study, the team focused on a particular sensory channel called TRPVaand the corresponding gene, trpVawhich is the mosquito analog of a channel required for hearing in fruit flies.

For male mosquitoes, its love at first sound, not first sight. Credit: Dhananjay Thakur

The team used CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out the gene that codes for TRPVa in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The resulting animals showed no reaction to sound. In fact, they found that sound elicited no electrical activity from neurons in the Johnston's organ. The insects were truly deaf.

And when the authors placed deaf males in chambers with females  nothing happened. "If they can't hear the female wingbeat, they're not interested," Montell said. Their hearing counterparts, on the other hand, wasted no time in getting busy: mating many times in the course of a few minutes.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

A romantic soundtrack

Hearing is not only necessary for males to mate, it seems to be sufficient to rouse their desires. When the authors played the sound of female wingbeats to normal males, the males typically responded with abdominal thrusts. They were primed and ready for action. Deaf males barely twitched.

Females, however, were a different story. Deaf females still had some lust left in them. "The impact on the female is minimal, but the impact on the male is absolute," Montell said. The team plans to study these differences in future work.

"I think the reason why our major finding is so shocking is because, in most organisms, mating behavior is dependent on a combination of several sensory cues," said Duge, one of Montell's doctoral students. "The fact that taking away a single sense can completely abolish mating is fascinating."

And the authors believe that their resultsthe role of sound in mating and the function TRPVa plays in hearinggeneralize to other species of mosquito.

trpVa is expressed in the JO with sexually dimorphic axonal projections. (A) Cartoon of a male head. (B and C) Expression of the trpVa reporter (trpVaQF2>QUAS-mCD8-GFP) in a cross-section of a JO from a male. The mCD8-GFP (trpVa reporter) was detected using anti-mCD8 (green) and F-actin was labeled using a fluorescently labeled phalloidin (magenta). Regions with type AD scolopidia are indicated. (DF) Axonal projections labeled with the trpVa reporter in a male brain. Anti-nc82 (magenta) broadly labels neuropils throughout the brain (40). (G) Cartoon of a female head. (H and I) Expression of the trpVa reporter in a cross-section of a JO from a female. (JL) Axonal projections labeled with the trpVa reporter in a female brain. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2404324121

Looking inside

A mosquito's physiology reveals just how important hearing is to these insects. Male mosquitoes have the most auditory neurons of any known insect, Montell explained. Females have half as many. That's still a lot, but hearing is much more crucial for males.

To identify which neurons express the trpVa gene, the authors added a gene coding for green fluorescent protein into the mosquito genome. They did this in a way such that the fluorescent protein was expressed indirectly under the control of the trpVa promoter.

A promoter is a DNA sequence usually located at the start of a gene where enzymes bind to initiate transcription, in this case triggering the production of those green fluorescent proteins. Now the mutant mosquitoes would produce green fluorescent protein in all the places that normally would produce TRPVa. So the same mosquitoes provided test subjects for the experiment and a bright green map of TRPVa expression for the analysis.

Unsurprisingly, the team found that trpVa is expressed in the Johnston's organ. And they could clearly follow the paths of auditory neurons from there into the brain, as well as see differences in these paths between male and female mosquitoes.

Hijacking mosquito courtship

Pathogens spread by the mosquito Aedes aegypti infect some 400 million people a year, of which about 100 million develop diseases like dengue, zika and yellow fever. This means that understanding its behavior and lifecycle can provide us with tools and insights into disease prevention.

One potential method to control insect vectors is the sterile insect technique (SIT), which works by releasing a large number of sterile males to mate with females. In certain insects, like mosquitoes, successful mating prevents females from seeking other partners. And, if the female mates with a sterile male, she doesn't actually produce offspring. In theory, this can suppress the population.

The technique works marvelously for certain agricultural pests like the California medfly. "The fact that you haven't heard of this pest is a testament to how successful SIT is, because 30 years ago it was all over the news," Montell said.

But the success of SIT in Aedes aegypti is limited by the competitiveness of the sterile males; they have to get to the females first for the ploy to work. Currently, the technique doesn't cause enough suppression in mosquito populations for them to drop below the critical threshold and send the population plummeting.

Given the central role of hearing in mosquito courtship, trpVa might provide a target for increasing the effectiveness of SIT. Montell's lab is working on several ways to make sterile males that can outcompete their natural counterparts. Hopefully, the trick will be as straightforward as these unfussy lovers.

More information: Yijin Wang et al, Deafness due to loss of a TRPV channel eliminates mating behavior in Aedes aegypti males, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2404324121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

An illustration of the flame aerosol synthesis system and related products. Credit: Matter (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2024.07.019

Since prehistoric times, humans have used fire to transform raw materials into valuable goods. Examples include using flames to turn clay into pottery, and silica into glass.

The practice continues today with industry employing a highly sophisticated version of the techniqueflame aerosol synthesisto create nanoparticles that serve as key ingredients in everything from inks to air filters.

While effective, flame aerosol synthesis is not without limitations, including challenges with manipulating the flame, achieving precise control over the size and distribution of nanoparticles, and cost.

Two new research studies co-led by University at Buffalo engineers address these shortcomings. The studies center on a unique flame aerosol system that the engineers created which, they say, is versatile, easy-to-use and cost effective.

The most recent study, published Oct. 30 in Nature Communications, describes how the research team used the system to create metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are porous nanomaterials used in a variety of fields including energy, the environment, and health and medicine.

"This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first time that flame aerosol technology has been applied to create MOFs," says one of the study's lead authors, Mark Swihart, Ph.D., SUNY Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering in the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Most MOFs are created via a liquid chemical reaction. While effective, especially in producing materials with a high degree of crystallinity, the method can be time-consuming and expensive.

By contrast, the flame aerosol system has the potential to be much quickerand less expensivebecause it requires only one step. While the MOFs it produces have lower porosity than conventional MOFs, their unique propertiesincluding small grain size, short-range ordered structures, and high thermal stabilitycould lead to new materials and commercial uses, researchers say.

Lastly, the flame aerosol system circumvents thermodynamic barriers. This allows the mixing of any two metal elements into a single MOF with properties that are ideal for catalysis, sensing, energy storage and other fields, researchers say.

The earlier study, published Aug. 27 in Matter, reports on the flame aerosol system's potential for creating high-entropy ceramic nanomaterials. These highly stable nanomaterials are made of multiple elementsusually five or more in near equal proportions. They have unique properties that, like MOFs, make them ideal for energy storage, catalysis, sensing and other applications.

In experiments using the flame aerosol system, the research team demonstrated the flexibility of the method by creating nanoparticles incorporating up to 22 elements. As an application, they demonstrated a carbon dioxide reduction catalyst that exhibited impressive strength and durability, exceeding that of conventional catalysts.

"The flame reactor is a scalable, one-step and incredibly versatile way to fabricate high-entropy nanoceramics, as well as other materials," says Swihart, also a SUNY Empire Innovation Professor and faculty member in UB's RENEW Institute.

More information: Shuo Liu et al, A general flame aerosol route to kinetically stabilized metal-organic frameworks, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53678-4 Shuo Liu et al, A general flame aerosol route to high-entropy nanoceramics, Matter (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2024.07.019 Journal information: Matter , Nature Communications
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Image of oil extraction facilities in the Yasuni National Park. Author. Credit: EL SANTO Films, IZAR Films

Research by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) reveals an unbalanced distribution of the impacts generated by the exploitation of two blocks in the Amazon.

A study by Ortzi Akizu-Gardoki published in Science of The Total Environment has analyzed the effects of the oil extracted from the two blocks in Ecuador and concluded that 21% of the revenue remains there.

As the study revealed, although most of the economic benefits have gone abroad, the Amazon suffers, on average, 19.6% of the environmental impacts. The study also detected cultural transformations in Indigenous communities as a result of the extractions.

The latest study by the UPV/EHU's Life Cycle Thinking research group shows that 79% of the oil money from Blocks 16 and 67 in Ecuador goes to wealthy countries: The oil companies receive 20%, the refineries and distribution intermediaries 21%, and the Government of Spain 38%, due to the special tax on hydrocarbons because they are not sustainable.

"The fact that only 21% of the revenue remains in Ecuador, the country where the resource originates, indicates that the distribution of benefits and damages is not equitable. Our study quantified the unequal distribution of the economic and environmental impacts of oil exploitation in the Global North and South," explained Akizu-Gardoki.

Ecuador produces approximately 175 million barrels of oil a year, the export of which is the country's main source of income. More than 80 blocks are spread throughout the country, but the most controversial ones are those in the Amazon rainforest, due to the social and ecological damage they cause.

In fact, blocks 16 and 67 analyzed in the UPV/EHU study are located in the Yasuni National Park, one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. These wells were selected for the research because that was where the quantification was first made of the balance between the impacts and profits of the extractions relating to nature and the local Indigenous communities.

Another reason is that Repsol has been exploiting these two blocks for the last 24 years.

"It is not possible to know whether the fuel we buy comes from one of those two blocks, but we do have petrol stations owned by that company in the Basque Country. The work has contributed to the aim of raising the awareness of us end-users here about the responsibility we have for the impacts of the oil being extracted in the Amazon," explained Akizu-Gardoki.

The research has filled a gap. In fact, it is the first time that the ecological footprint has been crossed with the profits generated in the exploitation of these two areas. The conclusion is that on average, 19.6% of the equivalent CO 2 emissions resulting from production and consumption are directly born by Amazonia itself.

To obtain these results, researchers at the UPV/EHU used the life cycle assessment of oil. To be able to compare the data, the carbon footprint produced when the oil is used as fuel in private vehicles was taken into consideration.

In other words, they quantified the CO 2 emissions that are produced from the moment the oil is extracted from the two blocks in the Yasuni National Park, transported to the refineries, processed, and distributed to the petrol stations, until it leaves car exhaust pipes.

The results indicate that 38.7% of the emissions occur directly as a result of keeping engines running; 37.1% comes from building vehicles and infrastructure; and 24.3% from the work to extract, refine and distribute the oil.

With this data, Akizu-Gardoki would like to raise the awareness of end-consumers, stating, "It is clear that drivers bear a huge responsibility. On many occasions, we only look at the CO 2 that comes out of the exhaust pipes, but we must be aware that the environmental footprint of the act of driving is bigger and leads to damage in other countries, too. We are not responsible for the energy models created by private companies and governments, but we can be agents of change."

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

The social impact on Indigenous communities

In addition to the environmental impact, the UPV/EHU study also explored the social impact of extraction from the Yasuni National Park on local Indigenous groups.

"We held in-depth interviews with representatives of the Waorani ethnic groups," said the researcher, "and detected severe impacts on their quality of life. There are also cultural transformations from which there is no turning back. Among other things, we saw dependence on the economic model and the loss of customs as a result of civilization."

It was also concluded that the exploitation of oil in the Amazon has led to the emergence of alcoholism and an increase in gender violence.

However, according to the leader of the Life Cycle Thinking group, when conducting the analysis, the researchers saw that companies and governments fail to quantify the social and ecological damage.

"They do so deliberately, because the lack of impact measurements allows them to continue generating impacts, and facilitates the arbitrary compensation of unquantified damage," noted Akizu-Gardoki.

The study by the UPV/EHU has contributed to this first step to find out about the relationship between profits and impacts, but the author stressed that more steps need to be taken. For example, to reduce the impacts, he proposes starting to indicate at petrol stations where the oil comes from.

"Just as we've got used to asking where the fruit we buy comes from and we're willing to pay twice as much for the local apples we have, let's look at where the fuel we put into our vehicles comes from, and how it's produced. Basque society has the potential to bring about changes in the current energy model."

More information: Cinta Eugenio et al, Environmental impacts of oil extraction in blocks 16 and 67 of the Yasuni Reserve in the Amazonian Forest: Combined qualitative and Life-Cycle Assessment, Science of The Total Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175189 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Dynamics of a dance-based human topological insulator. Credit: Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh7810

Science can be difficult to explain to the public. In fact, any subfield of science can be difficult to explain to another scientist who studies in a different area. Explaining a theoretical science concept to high school students requires a new way of thinking altogether.

This is precisely what researchers at the University of California San Diego did when they orchestrated a dance with high school students at Orange Glen High School in Escondido as a way to explain topological insulators.

The experiment, led by former graduate student Matthew Du and UC San Diego Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Joel Yuen-Zhou, was published in Science Advances.

"I think the concept is simple," stated Yuen-Zhou. "But the math is much harder. We wanted to show that these complex ideas in theoretical and experimental physics and chemistry are actually not as impossible to understand as you might initially think."

Topological insulators are a relatively new type of quantum material that has insulating properties on the inside, but have conductive properties on the outside. To use a Southern California staple, if a topological insulator was a burrito, the filling would be insulating and the tortilla would be conducting.

Since topological insulators are able to withstand some disorder and deformation, they can be synthesized and used under conditions where imperfections can arise. For this reason, they hold promise in the areas of quantum computing and lasers, and in creating more efficient electronics.

The dance where the initial dancers are on the lattice edge. The chiral edge propagation is indicated by the red arrows moving clockwise over time. Credit: Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh7810

To bring these quantum materials to life, the researchers made a dancefloor (topological insulator) by creating a grid with pieces of blue and red tape. Then to choreograph the dance, Du created a series of rules that governed how individual dancers moved.

These rules are based on what is known as a Hamiltonian in quantum mechanics. Electrons obey rules given by a Hamiltonian, which represents the total energy of a quantum system, including kinetic and potential energy. The Hamiltonian encodes the interactions of the electron in the potential energy of the material.

Each dancer (electron) had a pair of flags and was given a number that corresponded to a movement:

1 = wave flags with arms pointing up

0 = stand still

-1 = wave flags with arms pointing down

Subsequent moves were based on what a neighboring dancer did and the color of the tape on the floor. A dancer would mimic a neighbor with blue tape, but do the opposite of a neighbor with red tape. Individual mistakes or dancers leaving the floor didn't disrupt the overall dance, exhibiting the robustness of topological insulators.

This simulation shows the way an electron moves in a topological insulator according to a simple model.

In addition to topology, Yuen-Zhou's lab also studies chemical processes and photonics, and it was in thinking of light waves that they realized the movement of a group of people also resembled a wave.

This gave Yuen-Zhou the idea of using dance to explain a complex topic like topological insulators. Implementing this idea seemed like a fun challenge to Du, who is currently a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Chicago and takes salsa lessons in his free time.

Du, who comes from a family of educators and is committed to scientific outreach, says the project gave him an appreciation for being able to distill science into its simplest elements.

"We wanted to demystify these concepts in a way that was unconventional and fun," he stated. "Hopefully, the students were able to see that science can be made understandable and enjoyable by relating it to everyday life."

More information: Matthew Du et al, Chiral edge waves in a dance-based human topological insulator, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh7810 Journal information: Science Advances
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

This archival photo shows engineers working on NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft on March 23, 1977. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

NASA's Voyager mission launched in the 1970s. Today, it's making history as it conducts new science. But how are two spacecraft from the '70s not just surviving, but thriving farther out in space than any other spacecraft has been before?

A little mission background

Voyager is a NASA mission made up of two different spacecraft, Voyager 1 and 2, which launched to space on Sept. 5, 1977, and Aug. 20, 1977, respectively. In the decades following launch, the pair took a grand tour of our solar system, studying Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptuneone of NASA's earliest efforts to explore the secrets of the universe.

These twin probes later became the first spacecraft to operate in interstellar spacespace outside the heliosphere, the bubble of solar wind and magnetic fields emanating from the sun. Voyager 1 was the first to enter interstellar space in 2012, followed by Voyager 2 in 2018.

Today, Voyager continues not just because it can, but because it still has work to do studying interstellar space, the heliosphere, and how the two interact. "We wouldn't be doing Voyager if it wasn't taking science data," said Suzanne Dodd, the mission's current project manager and the director for the Interplanetary Network at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

But across billions of miles and decades of groundbreaking scientific exploration, this trailblazing interstellar journey has not been without its trials. So, what's the Voyager secret to success?

In short: preparation and creativity.

"We designed them not to fail"

According to John Casani, Voyager project manager from 1975 to launch in 1977, "we didn't design them to last 30 years or 40 years, we designed them not to fail."

As NASA's two Voyager spacecraft travel out into deep space, they carry a small American flag and a Golden Record packed with pictures and soundsmementos of our home planet. This picture shows John Casani, Voyager project manager in 1977, holding a small Dacron flag that was folded and sewed into the thermal blankets of the Voyager spacecraft before they launched 36 years ago. Below him lie the Golden Record (left) and its cover (right). In the background stands Voyager 2 before it headed to the launch pad. The picture was taken at Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Aug. 4, 1977. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

One key driver of the mission's longevity is redundancy. Voyager's components weren't just engineered with care, they were also made in duplicate.

According to Dodd, Voyager "was designed with nearly everything redundant. Having two spacecraftright there is a redundancy."

A cutting-edge power source

The twin Voyager spacecraft can also credit their longevity to their long-lasting power source.

Each spacecraft is equipped with three radioisotope thermoelectric generators. These nuclear "batteries" were developed originally by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the Atoms for Peace program enacted by President Eisenhower in 1955.

Compared to other power options at the timelike solar power, which doesn't have the reach to work beyond Jupiterthese generators have allowed Voyager to go much farther into space.

Voyager's generators continue to take the mission farther than any before, but they also continue to generate less power each year, with instruments needing to be shut off over time to conserve power.

Creative solutions

As a mission that has operated at the farthest edges of the heliosphere and beyond, Voyager has endured its fair share of challenges. With the spacecraft now in interstellar space running on software and hardware from the 1970s, Voyager's problems require creative solutions.

Each of NASA's Voyager probes are equipped with three radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), including the one shown here at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The RTGs provide power for the spacecraft by converting the heat generated by the decay of plutonium-238 into electricity.Launched in 1977, the Voyager mission is managed for NASA by the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, California. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Retired mission personnel who worked on Voyager in its earliest days have even come back out of retirement to collaborate with new mission personnel to not just fix big problems but to pass on important mission know-how to the next generation of scientists and engineers.

"From where I sit as a project manager, it's really very exciting to see young engineers be excited to work on Voyager. To take on the challenges of an old mission and to work side by side with some of the masters, the people that built the spacecraft," Dodd said. "They want to learn from each other."

Within just the last couple of years, Voyager has tested the mission team's creativity with a number of complex issues. Most recently, a fuel tube inside of Voyager 1's thrusters, which control the spacecraft's orientation and direction, became clogged. The thrusters allow the spacecraft to point their antennae and are critical to maintaining communications with Earth. Through careful coordination, the mission team was able to remotely switch the spacecraft to a different set of thrusters.

These kinds of repairs are extra challenging as a radio signal takes about 22 hours to reach Voyager 1 from Earth and another 22 hours to return. Signals to and from Voyager 2 take about 19 hours each way.

Voyager's interstellar future

This brief peek behind the curtain highlights some of Voyager's history and its secrets to success.

The Voyager probes may continue to operate into the late 2020s. As time goes on, continued operations will become more challenging as the mission's power diminishes by 4 watts every year, and the two spacecraft will cool down as this power decreases. Additionally, unexpected anomalies could impact the mission's functionality and longevity as they grow older.

As the mission presses on, the Voyager team grows this legacy of creative problem solving and collaboration while these twin interstellar travelers continue to expand our understanding of the vast and mysterious cosmos we inhabit.

Provided by NASA
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The study of Arab tribes should not be abandoned because Middle East and North African citizens continue to insist on the relevance of the term in their daily lives, says a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Political Science.

The use of "tribe" has been discredited and is now rarely used by researchers, who are concerned it is too vague, evocative of primitive and backwards connotations, and has been inappropriately applied.

The study says there should be more specific use of the term, treating it as a dynamic--not static--description, and researchers should ensure it is used based on on-the-ground reality and not theoretical biases.

Dr. Eleanor Gao, from the University of Exeter, who conducted the research, said, "The term 'tribe' has at times been indiscriminately applied, even when societies were not organized as such to serve Western intellectual and organizational interests. Nonetheless, it is a term that still holds resonance for many citizens of the Arab world and one that they independently use to describe their own societies.

"By reducing the tribe to its most essential characteristics, distinguishing the term from various, often negative attributes it has been assigned, and not presupposing the absence or salience of tribes, we can resurrect a badly maligned but still very useful concept."

The Arab world includes a wide array of diverse ethnicities. Some groups such as the Kurds, Berbers, Persians, Turkmen, and Circassians organize themselves tribally. For some, this is about kinship, and for others it is based around a common territory, language and culture or defense capacity. The study says this explains why the term has lost clarity and has become opaque.

For some groups, the concept of a tribe was invented by Western colonial powers to impose boundaries on official documents and maps.

Dr. Gao said, "It is no wonder some social scientists have demanded that we move away from the study of tribes altogether. In future, rather than a thick, complex conception of a tribe that is bound to a number of characteristics applicable only in specific contexts, we should adopt a thin, parsimonious conception of a tribe focused on the essential characteristics that differentiate a tribe from other social units.

"We must recognize tribes are not static but dynamic and modern entities. They shift and change according to social circumstances and regime agendas."

The study outlines how some tribes have become more politically powerful because of the actions of the Jordanian and Kuwaiti monarchies, which have purposely selected electoral rules that encourage voting for one's own tribe over political parties or blocs.

More information: Eleanor Gao, Bringing back the tribe: why we should not abandon the study of tribes in the Arab world, Frontiers in Political Science (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fpos.2024.1454752
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Dr. Walt Cook, a clinical assistant professor in Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, is part of a team that is working to develop an oral vaccine to combat anthrax infections in wild animals. Credit: Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) are closer to developing an oral vaccine for anthrax, thanks to a recent study showing an immune response in white-tailed deer.

The paper is published in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.

Having an oral vaccine is crucial for combating anthrax infections in wild animals because the alternativecapturing every single animal and administering an injection vaccineis practically impossible.

"All mammals are susceptible to anthrax to some degree or another," said Dr. Walt Cook, a clinical professor in the VMBS Department of Veterinary Pathobiology (VTPB). "Ranchers who live in areas that are prone to having anthrax are able to give vaccinations to their herds as part of their routine preventative medical care, but that's impossible to do with wild animals."

Inoculating wild deer populations against anthrax is important because they contribute to outbreaks of this deadly bacteria.

"When an animal infected with anthrax dies, exposure to oxygen causes the anthrax bacteria to release spores as the carcass decomposes," Cook said.

The anthrax spores can then infect another animal that breathes in bits of soil, eats contaminated plants, or drinks contaminated water.

"In the right conditions, those spores can remain active in the soil for decades or even hundreds of years," Cook said. "Once it's in the soil, it's very difficult to remove, so controlling anthrax spore formation is essential."

The ultimate aim of the project is to create an oral vaccine that can be placed in food baits in areas where anthrax is a problem, like the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas. In 2019, the region saw a spike in anthrax-related deaths that may have claimed the lives of up to 10,000 animals in just a few months.

"Anthrax is almost always fatal," Cook said. "Having a vaccine tailor-made for wildlife will be a big step toward containing the spread of the bacteria."

Making an oral vaccine

Turning a vaccine meant to be administered through the skin into an oral treatment isn't a simple process.

The problem is that anthrax spores don't last long enough in the gastrointestinal tract to create an immune response without help, according to Dr. Jamie Benn Felix, an assistant professor at Texas A&M University-Kingsville's Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute.

As a postdoctoral research associate at Texas A&M University's Cook Wildlife Lab, Benn Felix was able to create a new formula for the oral vaccine using microencapsulation, which uses a protective membrane to slowly release bacteria at a rate that will generate an immune response.

Her work was made possible through the discoveries of another team member, VTPB professor Dr. Allison Rice-Ficht, who developed the encapsulation technique that protects the brucellosis vaccine from stomach acid.

"Thanks to our team's hard work, we were finally able to test the new oral vaccine and our results show that it successfully generated an immune response. That means the encapsulation technique works," Cook said.

The next step for the researchers is testing the best way to administer the vaccine to wild animals through food baits.

More information: Jamie S. Benn et al, LETHAL TOXIN NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODY RESPONSE INDUCED FOLLOWING ORAL VACCINATION WITH A MICROENCAPSULATED BACILLUS ANTHRACIS STERNE STRAIN 34F2 VACCINE PROOF-OF-CONCEPT STUDY IN WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS), Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1638/2023-0065
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

School burnout can manifest in students in different ways. Some might feel tired or anxious, while in others, burnout may manifest as a negative attitude towards school. Early detection of the various signs and symptoms of burnout is important, as it is likely that a student experiencing burnout symptoms in one area will later experience them in other areas, too.

Conducted at the University of Eastern Finland, a recent study following more than 200 Finnish general upper secondary school students over three years explored associations of students' perceived and received support, student engagement, and gender with the different dimensions of school burnout, i.e., exhaustion, cynicism, and inadequacy.

The findings are published in the Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research.

The study found that exhaustion, cynicism and inadequacy were associated with one another in the first year of general upper secondary school. The more school burnout increased in one of these dimensions, the more it subsequently increased in the other two dimensions as well.

According to the first author of the study, Doctoral Researcher Fiia Soderholm, of the three dimensions of burnout, exhaustion was highest in the first year, remaining relatively stable during the three years of general upper secondary school. In contrast, cynicism and inadequacy, which were initially lower, increased over the years.

The study also found differences in the associations between student engagement and school burnout. If a student was emotionally engaged in their studies, this was a predictor of less exhaustion and fewer feelings of inadequacy. If a student's engagement was related to their personal goals and seeing school as meaningful for their future, this was a predictor of less cynicism.

Girls experienced more exhaustion and feelings of inadequacy than boys, but there were no gender differences with regard to cynicism.

Burnout starts already in lower secondary school?

The study also found that support received in lower secondary school was not in any way associated with school burnout experienced in general upper secondary school. However, there were associations between school burnout and support received in general upper secondary school. The more often a student felt they received the support they needed for, e.g., learning, the less burnout they experienced in the first year of general upper secondary school. However, this support was not enough to prevent an increase in burnout in the second and third years.

According to Soderholm, it is possible that students are experiencing burnout already when entering general upper secondary school, as exhaustion is relatively high already at that time. She notes that it is important to consider whether there are factors in lower secondary school that increase the risk of burnout. Effective flow of information between lower secondary and general upper secondary schools is also particularly important.

Properly targeted support in general upper secondary school

General upper secondary school gets increasingly challenging in the second and the third year, and it is important to acknowledge these growing demands as a potential cause of burnout. The subject matter becomes more challenging, expectations of independent study grow, and the approaching matriculation examination puts its pressures on students. Previous studies by Soderholm and colleagues have shown that student engagement also weakens after the first year.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

According to Soderholm, the differences and challenges of the different years of general upper secondary school should be better acknowledged, and support measures should be targeted accordingly to prevent the development of burnout. The role of other structural factors should be considered as well, including the curricular demands set for students in lower and general upper secondary school, and the decisive role of the matriculation examination in university admissions.

However, Soderholm emphasizes that sufficient support should be easily and readily available to general upper secondary school students, considering their individual needs. In the future, it is important to investigate what kind of support general upper secondary school students want, and specifically from whom.

More information: Fiia Soderholm et al, The development of exhaustion, cynicism, and inadequacy in general upper secondary education: perceived and received support, student engagement, and gender as predictors, Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research (2024). DOI: 10.1080/00313831.2024.2419066
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

An installation for experiments at the Skoltech Laboratory of Hybrid Photonics. Credit: Stepan Baryshev

Researchers from Skoltech, the University of Warsaw, and the University of Iceland have demonstrated that by optical means it is possible to excite and stir an exciton-polariton condensate, which emits a linearly polarized light with a polarization axis following the stirring direction.

The external manipulation of spins through magnetic or optical fields is a foundation for a wide array of applications, ranging from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to coherent state control in quantum computing.

The rotation of the linear polarization of the emitted light directly corresponds to the stirring of the polariton spin. The speed of such modulation in time can reach the GHz range, thanks to the ultrafast dynamics of the polariton system.

Remarkably, the team found that this precession occurs only at a specific resonant condition of the external stirring and internal system parameters. The work has been published in Optica.

One of the efficient ways of driving spins is through a Larmor precession. The precession arises from magnetic material in the transverse magnetic field making its spins to rotate steadily around the magnetic field lines with the frequency proportional to the magnitude of the applied field.

"The application of the additional RF-magnetic field resonant to the precession frequency results in a resonant response of the studied system (e.g., nuclear NMR or electron EMR magnetic resonance) that can be effectively measured and utilized. A prominent example here is a visualization of the human tissues in conventional MRI machines in hospitals," commented study co-author Stepan Baryshev, a research scientist in the Laboratory of Hybrid Photonics at Skoltech.

Recently, physicists from the Skoltech's Laboratory of Hybrid Photonics unveiled an effect analogous to conventional NMR in the quantum fluids of lightpolariton condensates. Notably, the effect was obtained utilizing just and only optical fields instead of magnetic ones.

In more detail, Skoltech researchers discovered a resonant effect of an all-optical drive on the spin precession in microcavities at cryogenic temperatures.

In prior research, the team from the Skoltech's Laboratory of Hybrid Photonics led by Professor Pavlos Lagoudakis has already demonstrated that intrinsic energy splitting, induced by the elliptically polarized laser excitation, in microcavity polaritons works as an effective magnetic field, leading to self-induced Larmor precession of polariton condensates spin.

Employing a novel technique for the GHz stirring of polariton condensate developed in the same lab they achieved GHz-driven spin precession with remarkable phase stability. Analogously to the conventional NMR, this spin precession appears only when the stirring frequency is in resonance with the self-induced Larmor precession frequency.

"Crucially, at the resonance, the polariton spin precession features the exceptional spin dephasing time of 174 ns (that's 20 times longer than previously reported value), reflecting its remarkable stability. The resonance was observed by altering different parameters of the system, such as the stirring frequency, polarization ellipticity, and laser pump power. Scientists also developed a rigorous numerical model reproducing the experimental findings," added Stepan.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

Moreover, for the first time in polariton condensates, researchers were able to retrieve the spin coherence time T2 of 320 ps from the shape of the observed spin resonance. T2 is an important timescale for the possible applications of polaritons, characterizing the possible speed of the polariton spin manipulation and allowing to compare them with other physical systems.

This newly discovered resonant mechanism heralds exciting possibilities for innovative spintronic devices capable of manipulating coherent, highly nonlinear, and twisted vectoral light sources. Moreover, it can be used as a coherent light source with the rotating at GHz linear polarization.

The achieved fast spin control opens avenues for advanced sensing techniques and continuous variable quantum computing based on polariton condensates. The findings may enable coherent control of the condensate spin state in a manner analogous to conventional NMR techniques, potentially extending these capabilities even to room-temperature utilizing materials with more stable exciton resonances.

The experimental work was fully conducted in the Skoltech Photonics Center.

Besides the first author of the paper, Skoltech graduate Ivan Gnusov, the research team from Skoltech included Research Scientist Stepan Baryshev, Assistant Professor Sergey Alyatkin, Junior Research Scientist Kirill Sitnik, and Professor Pavlos Lagoudakis. Strong theoretical support was provided by Dr. Helgi Sigursson (University of Warsaw and University of Iceland).

More information: Ivan Gnusov et al, Observation of spin precession resonance in a stirred quantum fluid of light, Optica (2024). DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.527868 Journal information: Optica
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

SpaceX sent up 6,000 pounds of cargo on a resupply mission to the International Space Station on Monday night with the rocket booster's return trip bringing a sonic boom to parts of Central Florida.

A Falcon 9 on the CRS-31 mission lifted off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-A at 9:29 p.m. EST.

The first-stage booster made its fifth flight, having notably flown two human spaceflight missions with Crew-8 in March and September's Polaris Dawn flight as well as two Starlink missions.

It then made a recovery return back on land at nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Landing Zone 1 about eight minutes after liftoff.

SpaceX had earlier warned that one or more sonic booms may be heard in Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Indian River, Seminole, Volusia, Polk, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties.

The cargo Dragon is making its fifth resupply mission to the ISS, and is slated to arrive after about a 13-hour flight, docking Tuesday at 10:15 a.m.

While attached, SpaceX will be trying out a new reboost capability to see if it can successfully raise the altitude of the ISS, something normally taken care of by Russian Progress cargo vehicles. The test reboost follows similar test boosts performed by Northrop Grumman's Cygnus cargo module in the past few years.

SpaceX won the contract to eventually take on the role of removing the ISS from orbit through a special spacecraft built on Dragon technology, an endeavor not slated until after 2030.

It will remain attached to the ISS until December when it will return for a splashdown back on Earth, possibly one of the final times a Dragon spacecraft lands off the coast of Florida before SpaceX shifts Dragon recovery operations back to California in 2025.

Among the 6,000 pounds of food, supplies and equipment are some new experiments.

They include the solar wind Coronal Diagnostic Experiment, some Antarctic moss to observe the effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity on plants, a device to test cold welding of metals in microgravity, and an investigation that studies how space impacts different materials.

The spacecraft will dock with the ISS at the recently vacated parking spot on the front-facing port of the ISS' Harmony module. Four of the seven crew currently on board the ISS had climbed on board the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom on Sunday to move it to the space-facing port on Harmony and make room for the cargo module's arrival, an operation that took less than an hour.

The Dragon shuffle was of note as it marked the first time NASA astronauts have flown on board both Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. That's because among the four crew on board Freedom were not only the two members who flew up to the ISS in September, but also the two NASA astronauts of the Crew Flight Test that had arrived to the ISS on Boeing's Starliner back in June.

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were left behind on the ISS when NASA opted to send the Starliner back to Earth in September minus its crew for safety reasons, are now officially part of the SpaceX Crew-9 crew, in addition to being members of Expedition 72 on the ISS.

They took the two seats on Crew Dragon Freedom that they will use when they finally get to return to Earth next February.

The CRS-31 launch adds onto the already record-breaking year on the Space Coast, marking the 75th from all launch providers. SpaceX has flown 70 of those, with United Launch Alliance having flown the other five.

It was the 19th launch from KSC for the year with the other 56 from among the pads at Cape Canaveral.

2024 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

ArcGIS Location-Allocation tool uses existing center locations (2022), demand locations, and candidate locations to optimize the network of cooling centers for maximum coverage. This figure outlines the differences in these parameters between the two areas. Credit: Community Science (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2023CSJ000038

The health effects of heat waves hit some communities harder than others. People with preexisting health conditions, as well as those who have low income or are physically or socially isolated, very old or very young, from racial or ethnic minority groups, or experiencing homelessness, are more at risk for hospitalization and mortality when faced with extreme heat.

In metropolitan areas, public officials have enacted heat mitigation efforts, including providing air-conditioned cooling centers in public places such as government buildings. Lance Watkins and colleagues developed a tool to identify optimal sites for these cooling centers and help ensure access for those who need it the most. The study is published in Community Science.

The team collaborated with groups such as the Arizona Cooling Center Working Group and focused on Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., metropolitan areas where temperatures frequently top 100F. Nearly 3,000 emergency room visits stemming from heat-related illnesses occur in the state each year. The researchers chose the two cities to demonstrate that their tooldeveloped with commercially available software and publicly available datacould be tailored to cities with different sizes, needs, and data availability.

The team used the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Building Resilience Against Climate Effects framework, which was designed to help health officials prepare for the effects of climate change. They also referred to the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index to identify census tracts with high-risk populations and considered barriers that may prevent people from using cooling centers, including a lack of awareness that such centers exist.

After identifying the locations of existing centers, the researchers identified candidate facilities that could serve as potential cooling center locations, including churches, health care centers, hotels, schools, shelters, and government facilities. The new workflow is designed to be reproducible in other locations by governments and partners with varying resources. The researchers say the work could ultimately improve heat resilience for community members affected by extreme heat.

More information: Lance Watkins et al, A CoProduced Workflow for Addressing Inequities in Cooling Center Access, Community Science (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2023CSJ000038

This story is republished courtesy of Eos, hosted by the American Geophysical Union. Read the original story here.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

New research reveals a strong link between higher female education and lower fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa. Educated women are driving a shift toward smaller families and even influencing less educated peers. This new forecasting model offers policymakers valuable insights into how women's education shapes population trends, aiding sustainable development efforts.

How does education affect women's desire to have children? In a new study, researchers from IIASA, the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR), the University of Vienna and the Wittgenstein Center for Demography and Global Human Capital, examined how women's education affects fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa.

The researchers developed a new method for forecasting education-specific fertility trends. The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, finds a strong empirical correlation between higher levels of female education and lower fertility rates.

"We developed a fertility forecasting model based on education levels that supports population planning and social development strategies. It gives a clear picture of fertility trends and enables more accurate predictions," says IIASA alumna Saroja Adhikari, study lead author and postdoctoral researcher at MPIDR.

The specific innovation of this paper is to show that it is not only the education of the individual women that matters, but also the average education of the environment in which the women live. Higher average educational attainment is significantly correlated with lower ideal family size and lower actual fertility for women in each separate education category. This holds across a wide range of geographical and temporal contexts.

"Our study shows that educated women are leading the shift towards smaller family sizes in high-fertility communities, even influencing the choices of women with less education around them," says IIASA alumnus Endale Kebede, a postdoctoral teaching and research associate at the University of Vienna and the Wittgenstein Center, who is one of the study co-authors.

"This insight is now part of a new population forecasting model, giving policymakers better tools to understand how women's education can shape future population trends and drive sustainable development across Africa."

The research team used data from 138 demographic and health surveys conducted in 39 sub-Saharan African countries between 1986 and 2022. The model explicitly takes into account individual educational attainment and general educational background, without relying on subjective assumptions.

The results are also highly relevant to climate change research, as forecasts based on education levels are increasingly used to assess societies' capacity to adapt to climate change.

Results reveal that education programs for women can play a key role in reducing fertility rates and thus helping to cope with rapid population growth in Africa. Improving women's education levels could therefore accelerate fertility decline and thus contribute to better population control and socio-economic development.

"While it's well known that educating women helps drive demographic change, this paper shows an added effect: women with less education often follow the behaviors and norms of more educated women in their community. The paper also uses this effect to create the first model for predicting fertility trends based on education levels," says Wolfgang Lutz, study co-author and IIASA Distinguished Emeritus Research Scholar.

Adhikari reiterates that their results could significantly contribute to designing family planning programs and policies.

More information: Saroja Adhikari et al, Forecasting Africa's fertility decline by female education groups, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320247121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
As the cool season graces Chiang Mai, its the perfect time to explore the mountainous beauty of northern Thailand, with its stunning national parks and rich cultural heritage. Nestled amid graceful charms of old Chiang Mai, InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping offers a lush retreat for adventurers, inviting them to experience an array of memorable dining events from through December.

Bringing festive joy to the community, InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping will host its first Christmas Market. On 14  26 December, the hotels manicured front lawn will be transformed into a European-style Yuletide market, welcoming hotel guests and locals from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm to try seasonal treats and beverages, browse stalls selling handicrafts and produce, and dance to live music.

For smart rooftop cocktails, guests can join the crowd at Sky Bar on 21 December for the Run Rudolph, Run pre-Christmas party (THB 2,200 per person with a complimentary welcome cocktail) where guest DJs and talented entertainers will keep the party going late into the night.

On Christmas Eve, the choice is between traditional brunch or dinner, both served at The Gad Lanna and priced at THB 2,988++ per person (THB 2,390++ for early bird bookings before 15 November). On the menu is beloved seasonal fare coupled with optional free-flow beverages. Youngsters will enjoy themed games, while adults can soak up the atmosphere created by the Christmas choir and live band.

On 31 December, The Gad Lanna will be at the heart of the festivities once again with a spectacular Masquerade Gala Dinner. For THB 6,888++ per person (THB 5,510++ when paid before 15 November) guests can enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail reception, buffet spread of international favourites, live performances, a glass of Champagne as the clock strikes midnight and entry into a lucky draw for a chance to win hotel stays, spa treatments and dining experiences. For a more intimate celebration, Hongs Chinese will be sending off 2024 in style with tapas, oysters and caviar for THB 3,488++ per person. The night will culminate with the New Years Eve Rooftop Masquerade Party  a glamorous affair with spectacular views, highly danceable DJ sets, live shows and prizes for the best dressed guests (THB 2,800 per person, including one glass of Moet & Chandon on arrival).

Rooms are available from THB7,000+++ onwards. For restaurant bookings, please visit TableCheck, contact the hotel on LINE Official Account: @interconchiangmai, by calling on +66 (0)52 090 998 or emailing at [email protected]. For more information, please visit https://chiangmai.intercontinental.com/en/festive-celebrations-2024
Copa to temporarily suspend flights into Tulum International

Tulum, Q.R.  Copa Airlines will temporarily suspend its flights into Tulum International starting early January 2025. The Tulum route, along with three other international routes, are being suspended due to new plane delivery delays.

Panamanian airline Copa Airlines says starting January, they will suspend a total of four of their international routes due to new plane delivery delays by Boeing. The flights affected will include Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, Armenia, Colombia, Mexico City and Tulum International.

As of January 11, 2025 flights into Tulum International will be temporarily suspended. Flights into Mexico Citys Felipe Angeles International Airport will be suspended on January 12.

In a statement, the company said with these temporary suspensions, Copa seeks to optimize its network of destinations while the delivery of new aircraft is normalized.

Copa Airline made its first landing at Tulum International June 25, 2024.

The four temporary January flight suspensions are all departures from the Tocumen International Airport in Panama. Airports affected include El Eden International Airport in Armenia, Colombia, Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) in Mexico City, Tulum International Airport, Mexico and Cibao International Airport in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.

Copa Airline made its first landing at the Tulum International Airport on June 25, 2024. The airline has not provided a possible restart date for any of the four suspended routes.
Inspectors search for Cancun taxi drivers involved in citizen assault

Cancun, Q.R.  State authorities are in search of taxi drivers videoed assaulting a Cancun citizen on a public road. On Monday afternoon, inspectors from the Mobility Institute of the State of Quintana Roo (Imoveqroo) began their search in filters on city streets.

Imoveqroo inspectors began their search for the Cancun taxis and drivers Monday afternoon.

According to the Movilidad del Estado de Quintana Roo, (Imoveqroo), inspectors are looking for the taxi drivers involved in the physical assault that took place Sunday night.

An administrative procedure for the cancellation of concessions and location of the aggressors of a citizen on public roads Sunday night, for the revocation of their licenses and facts that were disclosed through social networks, they said Monday.

Imoveqroo will request information from the State Attorney Generals Office (FGE), Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC), Municipal Police (PM) and civic judges to proceed in accordance with the law in the event of a complaint from the affected party, they added.

In light of this unfortunate event, there will be zero tolerance for acts of violence and we will apply all sanctions that the law allows us to eradicate this behavior in public and private transportation, said Rodrigo Alcazar Urrutia, the Director of the Institute.

Cancun taxi drivers were videoed physically assaulting a man Sunday night.

He says various unions were also asked for specific information on the drivers involved. The revocation of the concessions of the taxis involved and the public transport licenses of the drivers located will proceed based on articles 122 section XV, 198 section III, subsection C, articles 199, 200, 201 and 202 of the Mobility Law of the State of Quintana Roo, they said.

On Monday, a video began circulating from Sunday night showing a group of at least six Cancun taxi drivers standing around a man laying on the ground. It is not known how many are accused of assaulting him. Authorities have not said what triggered the attack or how many drivers were officially involved.
Navy rescues four stranded on Bacalars Laguna Mariscal

Bacalar, Q.R.  Four crew members sailing Laguna Mariscal in Bacalar were rescued Sunday after losing power. The two men and two women requested help from the Port Captaincy of Chetumal after their engine failed, leaving them stranded.

The four on board vessel Los Amigos were located by elements of the Seventeenth Naval Zone of the Navy in response to their request for assistance.

The call for help was received by the Port Captaincy of Chetumal during a surveillance tour of the Bacalar lagoon. In coordination with the Naval Station for Search, Rescue and Maritime Surveillance, personnel set out in search of Los Amigos.

Once located, naval personnel transferred the crew and their boat to a Bacalar dock and confirmed that the rescued people were in good health.
Paramedics confirm death of man who collapsed in central PDC

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  Red Cross paramedics confirmed the death of a man found laying in a public space Monday. Municipal Police made the ambulance request after citizen reports of him laying on pavement near Fundadores Park in central Playa del Carmen.

Emergency personnel responded to the 10:25 a.m. report at around 11:00 a.m. between Juarez Avenue and Fifth Avenue. The first police report indicated that the man had what appeared to be bruises on his face and was no longer breathing, so the intervention of paramedics was necessary.

Paramedics confirmed the man was deceased and that his body did not show any signs of physical violence. The man, who has not been named, is believed to have been homeless.

According to witnesses, the man collapsed while walking near the park. An autopsy will confirm the official cause of death.
Police and military raid Cancun taxi union office after arrest of their leader for murder

Cancun, Q.R.  State authorities raided a taxi union office in Cancun Monday night after the arrest of their leader for murder. On Monday, police announced the arrest of two more men for the murder of a taxi union member last month.

Police and military surrounded the entire city block during the Monday evening office raid.

One of those two men arrested, Salomon N, is the taxi union leader. Both men have been accused of orchestrating the murder of their fellow colleague.

On Monday night, police carried out an operation at the facilities of the Andres Quintana Roo taxi drivers union office. Dozens of police and military participated in the office raid hours after union leader Salomon N, alias Mafer, and Oscar Antonio N, were arrested for the murder of their union partner Jose Luis Corral Morales, who was found dead a few days ago.

Official state and military vehicles arrived at the office along Francisco I. Madero Avenue unannounced. No one inside the building was allowed to leave. The surrounding city blocks were barricaded under the watchful eyes of National Guard, the Mexican Army, Navy (Semar) and State Police.

The search was carried out around 7:00 p.m. by agents from the State Attorney Generals Office (FGE). A total of three men in two separate arrests, all from inside the same taxi union, have been arrested for the murder of their colleague.

While police have provided some details surrounding the murder plot, they have not provided any information on a possible motive into the murder.